The Lunar Sanctum

   Hidden within the Moonfall Valley, the Lunar Sanctum serves as the spiritual and martial hearth of the Emissaries of the Silver Lady, an elite order of warriors dedicated to the moon goddess Tadia. These warriors, known simply as Emissaries, are the protectors of Thalasthar. Unlike ordinary soldiers, the Emissaries possess unique abilities drawn from their connection to the divine, which they develop through years of rigorous training within the Sanctum.      Their powers are deeply intertwined with their goddess and runes etched into their flesh during their final rites. This long process transforms them from ordinary children, often descendants of the valley's founding families or chosen for their exceptional potential, into formidable warriors. Directly answering to the Council, outside of common military hierarchy. The number of Emissaries is deliberately kept small, with only a handful of recruits selected each year, ensuring the exclusivity and high standard of the order.

   The Lunar Sanctum’s history dates back to the founding of the first settlement in Moonfall Valley, when Tadia gifted the settlers with the first silver oaks, sacred trees that thrive only in the absence of sunlight. It is said it is her most devoted followers that started the construction of the Sanctum—a place where the goddess could be worshiped and where warriors could be trained to serve her.   What began as a humble shrine has grown into a sprawling, secretive monastery, accessible only to the Emissaries and the descendants of the original settlers. Over centuries, the Sanctum has become both a myth, a place of wonder worshipped across the realm, and the very symbol of Thalasthar ruthlews might. Its architecture reflects its sacred purpose, with every element designed to honor the soothing gloom of moonlit nights and shield its members from the light of day.

   Becoming an Emissary is a transformative process that spans ten to fifteen years. Recruits begin their training in childhood, with the majority drawn from the founding families of Moonfall. However, a select few are chosen from across Thalasthar for their exceptional devotion to Tadia and potential to wield her gift.   Upon arrival at the Sanctum, recruits are housed in communal barracks, where they live a highly structured, monastic life. While keeping close bonds with the rest of Moonfall inhabitants, they tend to stay at the Sanctum most of the time. Their daily routines revolve around nightfall; during the day, they rest, protected from the sunlight. Their training begins after dusk and continues until dawn.   The training process is divided into three primary disciplines:      Emissaries are trained in swordsmanship, archery, and hand-to-hand combat. Special emphasis is placed on blind combat, teaching them to fight in darkness by honing their senses and instincts. Recruits practice extensively in the Arena of Silence, a lightless chamber where they must rely on sound, movement, and magical awareness to navigate and strike with precision.        A deep connection to Tadia is at the heart of an Emissary’s strength. Recruits spend hours each night in silent meditation, prayer, and ritualistic practices. They must learn to commune with the moon and embrace the sacred darkness as a source of power. This spiritual training fosters an unwavering sense of duty and reinforces their bond to the goddess.        The most difficult aspect of the training is the mastery of lunar magic, her "gift". Attuning to the fruit of the silver oaks, filled with the essence of a former emissary, recruits gradually unlock their magical potential. The culmination of this process is the ritual of the lines, where sacred runes are etched into their flesh with enchanted needles. This process is excruciating and only permitted after years of training. The runes, once activated, grant the Emissaries the ability to channel Tadia’s power in combat and allow the recruit to wear her armor and wield Crescent blades.   These disciplines culminate in a final Lunar Baptism, a ceremony conducted at the Sacred Pool of Tadia, a small, mystical pool said to mirror the night sky perfectly. After a decade of training, those who have proven themselves worthy bathe in the waters under the light of a full moon. The pool activates their markings, imbuing them with the full power of Tadia, which finalizes their transformation into Emissaries.

   The Lunar Sanctum is an architectural masterpiece. Its location, deep within the valley, ensures that it is shielded from the sun’s rays, protected by natural cliffs most of the time. During the day, the valley itself is covered by vast sails, shielding the sacred silver oaks and the monastery from sunlight, which would harm both the trees and threaten the sacred oath of Tadia's devoted followers to never look upon the sun's light.   Inside the Sanctum, the architecture is designed to honor both darkness and moonlight. The Great Hall of Moonfall, the largest space in the monastery, features an enormous skylight that allows moonlight to flood the hall at night, while remaining sealed during the day. The hall serves as both a communal gathering space and houses classes on reflection and strategy. At night, it is bathed in a serene, silvery light, providing the recruits with a direct connection to Tadia’s domain.      Training arenas are scattered throughout the complex. For example, the Arena of Blades is an open courtyard used for martial combat training, with massive retractable sails providing shelter from the sun. The Arena of Silence, located underground, is a pitch-black chamber used to teach recruits how to fight without relying on sight. A key skill for daytime missions.      The Sacred Pool of Tadia, located at the very heart of the Sanctum, is considered the most hallowed place within the monastery. This small, pristine pool reflects the night sky with absolute clarity, even when clouds obscure the moon and stars, their light can be seen there. The Emissaries believe the pool is a gift from Tadia and it plays a vital role in their final ceremony. The waters of the pool are said to possess healing properties and are used to activate the magical markings that have been painstakingly engraved into the recruits' flesh. For centuries, this pool has been the site of countless Lunar Baptisms, where new Emissaries receive the final blessing of the moon goddess.

   Life in the Sanctum is harsh, disciplined, and entirely nocturnal. Recruits sleep during the day and train throughout the night, forging a deep connection to the moon and the power she grants them. The Sanctum’s schedule revolves entirely around the phases of the moon, with the most intense training taking place during the full moon, when Tadia’s power is strongest.   While focusing on their training, recruits are encouraged not to distance themselves too much from the population they are meant to protect. However, the emphasis on self-reliance and discipline is immense—failure is not an option. Those who cannot keep up with the physical and spiritual demands of the training are dismissed early, while those who succeed emerge as warriors both mentally and physically formidable.        During their final years, recruits undergo a ritual tattooing process, where sacred runes are engraved into their flesh. These markings serve as conduits for lunar magic. The tattoos are also connected to the final piece of armor they receive upon completing their training, a suit forged uniquely for each Emissary.   Once their training is complete, the Emissaries serve as the protectors of Thalasthar, bound to the goddess Tadia and the moonlit nights that give them strength. While their numbers are few—typically no more than twenty recruits complete the training each year—their presence is felt throughout the realm.

   An ancient Emissary journal was recently uncovered, detailing a lost rune with immense, forbidden power. The Silver Circle forbids any further exploration, fearing the dangers it could unleash. Yet, whispers of the rune's potential spread among the acolytes, one of whom has vanished. The party is hired to track down the missing student before their reckless curiosity triggers a catastrophe.

   Tensions rise as a trusted instructor is accused of treasonous contact with Avan’Wanor. The Silver Circle is divided, and a covert investigation is launched. Uncovering the truth could avert war or shatter the Sanctum from within. But who can the party trust ?