Holy Grove

Levels 13–15

Built by Azure, Darkbuilder

For such a peaceful place, the Holy Grove has quite a checkered history. The followers of Aelyn hold that the grove was always sacred to their goddess, a place where the life of Erion could be venerated, while the dark worshipers of Lloth hold that it was here that the spider goddess first appeared to the elven people, while the church of Tornadis in their turn hold that as the nesting place of one of the great phoenixes, the area should be sacred to their turbulent goddess. Whatever the truth of these claims, the grove has changed hands repeatedly, one or other faith claiming it as a sacred site, not infrequently with conflict and even violence. Three centuries ago, a half-elven Gaian by the name of Aeorghath the green had finally had enough! Forsaking worship of any god, Aeorghath decreed that he and his followers would preserve and maintain the grove, venerating no deity, taking no side, and keeping the peace. A temple complex would be built, and any priest who wished would be allowed to keep a sanctum to their god in that complex, where they would be permitted to worship as they wished, just so long as they didn't interfere with any of the other faiths represented. Since Aeorghath was an incredibly powerful Gaian, with a force of equally powerful users of natural magic behind him, most religions, even those with more contentious or violent gods were forced to agree. Now, the temple complex remains as a place of pilgrimage and debate, a place where visitors may step from one sanctum to another, questioning the followers of Erion's various faiths, and learning of the gods directly from their priests. And even if at times debates between various holy men and women can get pretty heated, the firm hand of Aeorgath and his Gaians insure that within the Holy Grove at least, all religious arguments are made only with words.