Grand Temple of the Peacock Spirit

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The Grand Temple of the Peacock Spirit, headquarters of the cult of the Peacock Spirit, is located on an island in a lake within a hidden valley near the source of the first tributary of the Chavali River, deep in the Kodar Mountains.

History

The temple was constructed in -6401 AR by the Runelord Xanderghul, with the help of the six other runelords.

Followers of the Peacock Spirit were expected to make a pilgrimage to the Grand Temple at least once in their lives. Being a Thassilonian illusionist, Xanderghul was forbidden from using conjuration magic (including teleportation), so he devised an occult ritual known as the viridian transference, which allowed high-ranking members of the cult to teleport directly to the Grand Temple.

Description

Despite its altitude, the temple is a comfortable habitat year-round. Seven stone peacock statues known as Peacock Shrines, one for each colour of the rainbow, grant some form of defence to the temple's inhabitants.

The Grand Temple of the Peacock Spirit consists of an above-ground cathedral and several underground levels:

The Nave of Indigo Decadence

Home to the temple's permanent residents, and where official services were held for sufficiently large pilgrimages.

The Dungeon of Fiery Fury

A jail holding criminals, heretics, and those who got too close to knowing the Peacock Spirit's secret true identity as Xanderghul. The prison is staffed by a group of asuras bound by Xanderghul to serve as wardens and torturers.

The Vault of Crimson Longing

A facility off-limits to the asuras and cultists, where Xanderghul's shadow giant assistant Tuirziaz broke giants into mewling slaves.

The Refuge of Violet Vanity

Xanderghul's private chambers, where no one except he and his shadow servants were allowed. Its true purpose is to hold the violet Peacock Shrine, which would instantly create a new shadow body for his soul to inhabit should he be killed. He never had to make use of this contingency during the lifetime of Thassilon, but it proved its usefulness when Alaznist awakened and killed him in 4717 AR.