The Sanctuary of the Radiant Heart

The Sanctuary is a stronghold for the Paladins belonging to The Most Notable Order of the Radiant Heart. The keep/stronghold is located deep in Noldo’Orn , the ancient forest of the elves and is quite ancient itself. It was a gift from the forest elves to the Paladins for helping them defeat what the forest elves called the Dark Rising – when the darklings assaulted the surface and attempted to destroy the
forest and enslave the elves. The darklings are various creatures of the Underdark and some extraplanar forces. The true goal of the extraplanar entities was to destroy the ancient forest and upset the natural balance to such a degree that they could establish more power on the Prime plane. The devils enlisted the Denizens of the Underdark and promised them great power and ruling status if they would pledge a blood oath to the Devils and help them to assault the surface. Gates and portal were placed in the Underdark to allow interplanar travel and hellish armies to enter the primal plane.
Fortunately for Luminarians, the Noldo’Orn elves and the Paladins beat back the assault and manage to close the main passages the darklings were using to get to the surface. It was a bloody time and it took over 20 years for most of the darklings that were trapped on the surface to be hunted down and destroyed.

Although the Dark Rising was over 250 years ago, the Paladins and the Noldo’Orn elves still hold council and meet annually to discuss sightings and to keep the history alive. Recently, reports of darkling scouts have been heard from some of the forest inhabitants. This seems to coincide with the rise of Prisane, a young cleric who has recently arrived at the Sanctuary. She is said to be a gifted healer and possess wisdom beyond her years. Many have travelled to the Sanctuary to see her and hear her speak. The Sanctuary hasn’t seen such crowds since the Dark Quelling.

The forest of Noldo’Orn (which means wise tree) is the most ancient forest of Luminari. It is quite large. Within the forest is the mother of all trees – Noldo’Orn. The mother tree was the main target of the Dark Rising. Various lakes and rivers run through the forest and many creatures call it home. There are still some small caves that lead to the Underdark but they haven’t been used in centuries, although there have been recent and increased reports of shadows and sneaking creatures in the night. Maybe the Darklings have been waiting and watching for the right time. Amassing power and planning. Maybe the birth and rise of Prisane is a coincidine and she is nothing more than a cult of personality… Time will tell.