Nexuses of the Seasons- Winter Nexus

Four holy sites, corresponding to the four seasons, stand in or near the polis and serve as temples—primarily for the rites of Karametra and Nylea, but also to the other gods to an extent. These nexus points between the mortal world and Nyx—a phenomenon called the Kelema Veil—are where omens manifest amid star fields that glitter in the shadows and where oracles seek messages from the divine. The four nexuses are each distinct in their own ways.   Winter Nexus. At the eastern edge of Setessa hides a rocky cave that was once a lion’s den. The cave contains a burial ground and is rumored to lead all the way into the underworld. Setessan children occasionally dare each other to see who can make it the farthest into the cave, but the morbid atmosphere usually sends the children scurrying back before long. Setessans come here to worship Pharika and Erebos, paying respects to the dead or hoping to fend off death for a while yet. They also honor the darker, colder time of the year here and honor Nylea's great wisdom in understanding that winter is a necessary part of life, just as death is a natural part of the ongoing cycle. Life, death, rebirth.    It is also said that long ago, Nylea herself came to this cave seeking refuge for unknown reasons and that the lion protected her for many months until she emerged and returned to Nyx.   This is where Tyrael was born and from here Miranda, Nylea's chosen midwife, took him and raised him for the short while before giving him to the orphanage because Erebos's servants were still sniffing around her.