Priestreach

In the shadow of ancient, magical ruins, lies the town of Priestreach. Nestled in the heart of a land steeped in ancient magic and dark histories, Priestreach stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of the arcane. With a modest population of about 4000, this town presents a peculiar paradox – its people are not inherently evil, yet they live under the watchful eyes of five dark temples, each dedicated to a Dread Lord of Erda.  

History

  In ages past, following the mysterious disappearance of the magical college from Polisto, a cabal of necromancers sought to claim the power vacuum. They erected a colossal castle using dark magics and black stone, a fortress that was as much a statement of power as it was a center of necromantic studies. This castle, however, was short-lived. An army from Kent, fearful of the growing power of the necromancers and their unholy practices, laid siege to the castle. The ensuing battle left the structure in ruins, its remnants a haunting reminder of the past.  

The Black Stones of Priestreach

  The ruins of this ancient castle did not lie forgotten. Over the centuries, the black stones that once formed its walls were gathered and repurposed. They now form the foundation of five dark temples, each dedicated to a Dread Lord of Erda. The existence of these temples in Priestreach is not a matter of local choice, but rather a mandate imposed by the rulers of Polisto. Each resident of Priestreach, regardless of personal belief or morality, is required to register with one of these temples annually. This unusual decree has woven the temples into the fabric of daily life in Priestreach, yet the townsfolk maintain a diverse range of attitudes and beliefs, not all of which align with the dark nature of their imposed patrons.  

The Five Dark Temples

 

Temple of the Whispering Water

• Dedicated to Yar, the Dread Lord of Evil Waters, this temple is filled with the constant, eerie sound of whispers. It's believed these murmurs are the voices of those claimed by Yar's treacherous waters, forever bound to his service.
• Gorath the Tidecaller, a towering Goliath Barbarian Priest, leads with a presence as deep and commanding as the sea.
• The Rite of the Wash-Whisper - The townsfolk gather by the riverbank at dusk, where they whisper their fears and secrets into the water, told that the flowing currents carry their words to the Dread Lord Yar.

 

Sanctum of Endless Night

• Here, worshippers of the Dread Lord of Darkness gather, performing rituals under the cover of darkness, seeking to blanket the world in eternal night.
• Darkness Winter, a Visk Priest shrouded in enigma. He glides through the shadows, a silent guardian of the night.
• The Ceremony of the Unseen - On the darkest nights, the people registered to this temple are required to navigate their homes and streets blindfolded, symbolizing their trust in the guidance of the unseen forces of darkness.

 

Chapel of the Eternal Decay

• A temple the goddess Kalya, where ceremonies celebrate the inevitable decay and entropy of life.
• Lorelia Greenheart, an Unchained Dryad, embodies the cycle of life and decay. Her aura is a blend of growth and withering.
• Seasonal festivals honoring growth and natural decay are a symbol of Kalya's endless cycle.

 

Hall of the Crimson Pact

• Blood rites and sacrificial ceremonies dominate this temple, dedicated to the Dread Lord of Undead
• Valerius the Bloodbound, a human vampire of ancient lineage. His eyes tell tales of centuries past and pacts sealed in blood.
• The Crimson Oath - Registered worshippers are required to donate a vial of their blood on demand.

 

Shrine of the Shattered Mind

• Townsfolk reguistered to this temple congregate here, seeking enlightenment through chaos and the unraveling of the psyche.
• A human whose sanity has been lost to the chaos he worships guides the worshippers. He changes his name with each introduction.
• The Night of Discordant Dreams - In a bizarre ceremony with an unpredictable schedule, the townsfolk are encouraged to act out their strangest dreams in the streets of Priestreach, celebrating the chaos of the mind and the fractured reality it can perceive.