Temple of Xanthuun

The waterlogged Temple of Xanthuun is located off the coast of the Eribastos Peninsula in the eastern Sodden Lands. It contains the legendary treasure hoard of Ammelon VI, last ruler of the pre-historic cyclops kingdom of Ghol-Gan.

Geography

The partially submerged ziggurat is located offshore in a lagoon west of the mouth of the Terwa River, and is hidden amongst 80 miles of thick rainforests and swamplands. Residents of Jula, the only nearby settlement, avoid the place and believe it is cursed. Rather than traversing the treacherous land routes, explorers often approach by following the coastline in boats.

The temple is surrounded by mangroves and palm trees infested with giant barracuda and crocodiles, with only one entrance not blocked by fallen pillars or flooded with saltwater by the Eye of Abendego.

The temple was a fortress for Ammelon VI before his death and featured sprawling halls for hallucinogenic meditation above catacombs, with the Reprieve of the Forever King carved from volcanic obsidian at its bottom serving as Ammelon VI's crypt and the final resting place of his undying ghost. Passing through the Reprieve is the only way to access the magically obscured Golden Phoenix Aviary, which remains preserved in its Ghol-Gan-era state.

History

Much of the information about Ghol-Gan was obtained from the various expeditions sent into the temple, though information is limited since many who entered failed to return. One of the few survivors was the Pathfinder Escobar Vellian, who fought his way through a horde of drowned zombies to escape. His exploits are recorded in Volume 13 of the Pathfinder Chronicles.✝ Xanthuun is also said to have been raided a number of times by the Hellblood Corsairs.