Ilsare: Temples

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Dektis

Halfway between Raylynn and Lor on the west coast of Dregar is an ancient fort. Surrounded by weeping willow trees, the huge stone structure seems an odd location for a group of Ilsare worshippers, but that is what it has become. The entire area is quiet but for the wind in the willow's arms and the warbling of finches, sparrows, and other birds.

The fort was abandoned for centuries. In 1399, a group of Ilsarian artists were attacked while traveling from Lor and subsequently lost after fleeing bandits when they came on the old place. Taking shelter, almost immediately a few of the group felt inspiration by the silent, aged surroundings. What was to be a short rest became a week's reprieve, then a month's, and finally most of them settled there. Since then, they have added members gradually, some staying, some visiting for extended periods to soak up the muse of the area.

The mossy fort walls are now extensively covered with shell mosaics and murals. The landscaping is amazing, most of it centered on the single, huge weeping willow that sits next to the dragon statue in the center of the courtyard, accented with sculpture and a constant backdrop of music. Most of the artists worship Ilsare and the courtyard is considered her shrine. For traveling Ilsarians, this is a place that is often visited. The shrine and commune are ruled by the Willow Council, and it makes decisions by majority vote.

Breath of the Muse

Stories tell that the temple to Ilsare'the largest shrine, really' has existed near the River of Reflection since the first Nave was given bands. The temple area encircles a pond left wild and untouched in deference to the defenders of the wilds of Mistone. The buildings and gardens are nothing if not sculpted, however. Spilling from the swooping temple are riots of flowers and plants, punctuated with the occasional gazebo or finely crafted bench. There are places set aside for creation, for viewing the wonders of the forest or the river below, or just places to sit and relax.

The temple is run by whatever Naves are in attendance. Janice of Bands, though, has some authority due to the fact that she never leaves the Breath. There are constant visitors here. All manner of artistic expression happens here most of the time. Many come to get bands to gift to another Ilsarian, others come to recharge and focus on the worship of the Heartsong. And a good number of marriages happen here as Ilsarian couples will travel far to marry on grounds sacred to their goddess.

One special part of the grounds is the Blanking Wall. While Ilsare is the Muse of the stars, there are times when an artist reaches an impasse'a block. The Blanking Wall is built of a pink-and-green veined marble, set on the edge of the western side of the hill. Sitting in front of the wall, one can see the creamy white, the spidery tracings of color, the rectangular shape of the Wall. It is only slightly longer than a human is tall and perhaps as tall as a human as well, so a spot far enough back makes the Wall a canvas against the sky. This is both a spot to gather thoughts and open the mind as well as a sacred spot to pray to the Heartsong.

Hlint

Easily the most recognizable shrine to an adventurer, this open-air gazebo staffed by Amenithrulia, an elven healer of the Heartsong, and Calise, the human who tends to administration, has a special place in many hearts. For decades, Hlint was the gathering place of those who wished to see the world and those who were called to aid in the war against Bloodstone. This slow, sleepy town saw an influx of gold and goods as hundreds of Dragon Called and others with a bent to adventure moved through. Large enough to support the extra bodies and small enough to encourage interaction, the town had everything a starting adventurer needed including the shrine to Ilsare.

Began in 1359 by retiring Ilsarian bard Caradoc Bryce whose lute playing earned him a goodly sum of True, the shrine was his personal stage until his untimely death in 1368. By then, his lyrical stylings had attracted the lovely elven woman Amenithrulia who often accompanied him on vocals and took over the tending of the shrine as its cleric after Caradoc passed on.

Not too long after that, Hlint began to boom. The shrine, being the only local center of healing herbs and potions as well as reliable disease removal and other blessings, found itself awash in True and a popular spot for enchanters. Weddings were often held there and a lovely flower garden was put in by an adventurer as well as other upgrades to enhance the area. The amount of largess was so great, in fact, that a human worshipper and artist, Calise, was taken on to manage both the funds and all of the various requests of the shrine.

During the Dragon Called years, the Hlint shrine saw a wild menagerie of attacks, strange happenings, and bizarre creatures. But with the defeat of Sinthar Bloodstone, the town is no longer the central meeting place it once was. Lands cleared for buildings have returned to farming as rich adventurers pack up and move to the larger cities and the whole town and its shrine have settled back into a more bucolic existence. Amenithrulia still teaches voice as she has since 1375, and Calise, older now, still manages the shrine which has the True from the decades past to continue on indefinitely. But it's not unusual to visit the gazebo and find adventurers both young and old there, reliving memories or seeing for the first time those that healed the Dragon Called who in the end won the war against Bloodstone.