The Sanctuary of the Radiant Heart

[Anonymous]

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.

[Treyorn]

I have crept through this zone to check it out. It is huge and put together really well so far. Looking forward to it.

[Ornir Elunari]

I really like the idea of the darklings, and I think we could include them in some of our broader lore efforts.

Malevolent creatures pouring out of cracks in the earth is a bit of a common trope, but still it’s a good ‘un! 🙂

I’d really like to see some more development here, what are they exactly? Are they creatures of the lower/outer/far planes? Abberations? Undead? Any combination of the above?

Perhaps there is something even more unique down there?

I really like the concept Awh. I think it will be interesting to discover Prisane’s true intentions (maybe her true nature as well?), even if they are exactly what they look like!

– Ornir Elunari

[mosheh]

Ambitious, and thick with lore… awesome

[Anonymous]

The Sanctuary has another purpose besides being the home of the Most Notable Order of the Radiant Heart Paladins. Its geographical location happens to rest upon an intersection of 3 ancient and powerful ley lines. Housed deep within the Stronghold is the Reliquary. Ancient artifacts, powerful relics, and tomes of forbidden knowledge are housed here to keep them from being let loose into the hands and claws of those who would use them against the inhabitants of Luminari.

I’ve been thinking about the Darklings. I’m leaning to getting them out of the underdark and making them into demons, devils, ghouls, shadows, blurs, and the like. It actually makes more sense as the Sanctuary’s main purpose is to guard powerful, evil relics. They could even be from the future or the past!

Filth hags, demon hordes, skeletal patrols, shadow creatures, perhaps even a greater devil somewhere has their eye on a powerful relic.

The creatures are drawn to the Reliquary by the same energy that is used to keep the guarded items inert. The energy of the ley lines.

Feel free to help with development!

[mosheh]

Awesome!!

[Author]

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