Each week I try and come up with a new location for my campaign, even if it's never used. Someplace exotic, and hopefully unique, to give flavor to an ever changing world I've created.
Below is the first item I've posted. The Island of Haelca. Ever want to feel closer to the gods? A spiritual retreat for the weary.
To view more locations, read articles, or suggest your own locations for others to view, please visit us at DigitalCaelum.com
***************
The Island of Haelca
The Island of Haelca – a refuge of spiritual contemplation and cleansing. Many make a pilgrimage here, to spend time in quiet contemplation, others to seek the wisdom of the learned priests that reside here. The temple here, The Monastery of the Hidden Winds, is well known for it’s breathtaking views and spiritual closeness to the gods.
The island is of moderate size, and heavily forested, with its major feature being a large, single mountain spire in the center of the island, towering hundreds of feet above sea level. The spire itself has various plateaus about its sides, with the temple residing near the peak itself. Near by is the massive waterfall of Aor, a waterfall that cascades down from the peak of the mountain, down the side to the pool of Aoria before flowing out to sea. Few but the caretakers of this spiritual refuge know that the waterfall is a magical creation, sustained by powerful and old magics.
The pool of Aoria is considered by many to be the most awe inspiring site on the entirety of the island, next to the Upper Vista near the temple itself. At the pool the water flows gently towards the sea, passing near by several large, smooth boulders, perfect for sitting in quiet contemplation. The whole area about the pool is year around covered in a variety of fragrant flowers and trees, no matter what the season. The temperature is always temperate here, and even the fiercest of storms only manage to rain a gentle drizzle down upon the pool. The pool is good for a peaceful swim, averaging 10 to 12 feet deep, though moderately cold. Near by a marble block sits, 7 feet long, 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, called the Paladin’s Tomb, with the symbol of Pelor emblazoned upon it’s top in azure stones. It’s called a tomb, for tradition holds that a great Paladin gave his life to the gods here in return for some unknown deal, and the gods themselves placed the marker there to honor him, though there is no evidence that it houses anything, as there are no seams or a lid anywhere to be found.
The Upper Vista is a rock outcropping that reaches out near the top of the waterfall, running from one side, to behind the massive flow of water, to the other side. Like the Pool of Aoria it’s considered a very holy place, though the reason has been lost upon time. The view from here is breathtaking, affording a clear view of the luxurious forest, the water as it cascades down, the Pool, and the ocean itself. Facing the setting sun, it has become a tradition to stand behind the waterfall as the sun sinks below the surface of the earth and watch it through the water of the waterfall of Aor, casting ones prayers to the gods. Rulers from all countries make a journey here usually once a year to complete this tradition in solitude, though the beginnings of this act are also lost to time.
The temple is maintained and administered by the clergy of Pelor, though any of good or neutral faith may come here for rest and spiritual fulfillment, no matter their affiliations. The High Cleric, overseer and administrator of the place, is a position filled until death. When the High Cleric passes on, the position is filled by another cleric of Pelor, usually one that is near the end of a long and fulfilling service to the church, as a reward for such faithfulness. It is considered one of the highest honor to live out the remainder of ones life overseeing the temple, since it is such a nexus of faith.
There are, at any time, a dozen other clergy living there, all of them accomplished in faith, to be spiritual advisors and counselors to those that seek the guidance of the gods here. Their time is also spent cataloging the temples extensive library of tomes, books and scrolls, considered a premier repository of knowledge. Besides the clergy, there is a number of lesser clergy-in-training, taking care of the mundane business of the temple: cooking, cleaning and the like. These are sent by their respective churches as training, and such credentials are looked upon highly in life.
Few living know the supposed origin of the name “Temple of the Hidden Winds”, for only the Loremaster and the High Cleric have access to the most sacred of tomes that are locked away. These speak of a tradition, nearly legend when the book was first penned, that the island was created by the gods as a place where the most powerful champions of their faith could gather and discuss their doings, discussing how they would shape the worlds for their gods. In the center of the mountain they gathered, and listened to the words of their gods as they were given instructions for continuing the faith about the world. It is said that the words of the gods, spoken to their champions, still flows on as mighty winds that rushes about the massive center chamber, as a Hidden Wind that few know of.
None that know the original legends of the Hidden Winds knows a way into this holy cavern, and all who have tried to find it have failed. The cavern is described simply as massive, so that standing on the edge one could not see the other side, nor the roof or floor. The cavern is supposed to fill the entire center of the mountain, spanning hundreds of feet in height, nearly the entire diameter, and perhaps even below sea level. A single ledge traverses the entire diameter of the hollow, and there is always a strong wind that almost has the feeling of carrying words upon it.
DM’s NOTES
The island of Haelca is a good place to store lost knowledge that the players must regain (through searching the extensive library housed here), and for clerics of good or neutral faith – a place they should visit at least once for spiritual cleansing. It’s not a tourist attraction – it is a serene and holy place that many rulers and aspiring clergyman visit. The hollow in the center of the mountain is a good place for starting or continuing quests. Perhaps the players must hear the ancient words of the gods for some reason, or capture them for use in creating a powerful holy relic. It’s also a good place to have an ancient holy hero having visited, as noted that the champions of the gods gathered here frequently. Perhaps some relic of this ancient hero still remains, or perhaps is the paladin buried at the pool of Aoria.
Below is the first item I've posted. The Island of Haelca. Ever want to feel closer to the gods? A spiritual retreat for the weary.
To view more locations, read articles, or suggest your own locations for others to view, please visit us at DigitalCaelum.com
***************
The Island of Haelca
The Island of Haelca – a refuge of spiritual contemplation and cleansing. Many make a pilgrimage here, to spend time in quiet contemplation, others to seek the wisdom of the learned priests that reside here. The temple here, The Monastery of the Hidden Winds, is well known for it’s breathtaking views and spiritual closeness to the gods.
The island is of moderate size, and heavily forested, with its major feature being a large, single mountain spire in the center of the island, towering hundreds of feet above sea level. The spire itself has various plateaus about its sides, with the temple residing near the peak itself. Near by is the massive waterfall of Aor, a waterfall that cascades down from the peak of the mountain, down the side to the pool of Aoria before flowing out to sea. Few but the caretakers of this spiritual refuge know that the waterfall is a magical creation, sustained by powerful and old magics.
The pool of Aoria is considered by many to be the most awe inspiring site on the entirety of the island, next to the Upper Vista near the temple itself. At the pool the water flows gently towards the sea, passing near by several large, smooth boulders, perfect for sitting in quiet contemplation. The whole area about the pool is year around covered in a variety of fragrant flowers and trees, no matter what the season. The temperature is always temperate here, and even the fiercest of storms only manage to rain a gentle drizzle down upon the pool. The pool is good for a peaceful swim, averaging 10 to 12 feet deep, though moderately cold. Near by a marble block sits, 7 feet long, 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, called the Paladin’s Tomb, with the symbol of Pelor emblazoned upon it’s top in azure stones. It’s called a tomb, for tradition holds that a great Paladin gave his life to the gods here in return for some unknown deal, and the gods themselves placed the marker there to honor him, though there is no evidence that it houses anything, as there are no seams or a lid anywhere to be found.
The Upper Vista is a rock outcropping that reaches out near the top of the waterfall, running from one side, to behind the massive flow of water, to the other side. Like the Pool of Aoria it’s considered a very holy place, though the reason has been lost upon time. The view from here is breathtaking, affording a clear view of the luxurious forest, the water as it cascades down, the Pool, and the ocean itself. Facing the setting sun, it has become a tradition to stand behind the waterfall as the sun sinks below the surface of the earth and watch it through the water of the waterfall of Aor, casting ones prayers to the gods. Rulers from all countries make a journey here usually once a year to complete this tradition in solitude, though the beginnings of this act are also lost to time.
The temple is maintained and administered by the clergy of Pelor, though any of good or neutral faith may come here for rest and spiritual fulfillment, no matter their affiliations. The High Cleric, overseer and administrator of the place, is a position filled until death. When the High Cleric passes on, the position is filled by another cleric of Pelor, usually one that is near the end of a long and fulfilling service to the church, as a reward for such faithfulness. It is considered one of the highest honor to live out the remainder of ones life overseeing the temple, since it is such a nexus of faith.
There are, at any time, a dozen other clergy living there, all of them accomplished in faith, to be spiritual advisors and counselors to those that seek the guidance of the gods here. Their time is also spent cataloging the temples extensive library of tomes, books and scrolls, considered a premier repository of knowledge. Besides the clergy, there is a number of lesser clergy-in-training, taking care of the mundane business of the temple: cooking, cleaning and the like. These are sent by their respective churches as training, and such credentials are looked upon highly in life.
Few living know the supposed origin of the name “Temple of the Hidden Winds”, for only the Loremaster and the High Cleric have access to the most sacred of tomes that are locked away. These speak of a tradition, nearly legend when the book was first penned, that the island was created by the gods as a place where the most powerful champions of their faith could gather and discuss their doings, discussing how they would shape the worlds for their gods. In the center of the mountain they gathered, and listened to the words of their gods as they were given instructions for continuing the faith about the world. It is said that the words of the gods, spoken to their champions, still flows on as mighty winds that rushes about the massive center chamber, as a Hidden Wind that few know of.
None that know the original legends of the Hidden Winds knows a way into this holy cavern, and all who have tried to find it have failed. The cavern is described simply as massive, so that standing on the edge one could not see the other side, nor the roof or floor. The cavern is supposed to fill the entire center of the mountain, spanning hundreds of feet in height, nearly the entire diameter, and perhaps even below sea level. A single ledge traverses the entire diameter of the hollow, and there is always a strong wind that almost has the feeling of carrying words upon it.
DM’s NOTES
The island of Haelca is a good place to store lost knowledge that the players must regain (through searching the extensive library housed here), and for clerics of good or neutral faith – a place they should visit at least once for spiritual cleansing. It’s not a tourist attraction – it is a serene and holy place that many rulers and aspiring clergyman visit. The hollow in the center of the mountain is a good place for starting or continuing quests. Perhaps the players must hear the ancient words of the gods for some reason, or capture them for use in creating a powerful holy relic. It’s also a good place to have an ancient holy hero having visited, as noted that the champions of the gods gathered here frequently. Perhaps some relic of this ancient hero still remains, or perhaps is the paladin buried at the pool of Aoria.
