The Temple of Xion

[dard 756]

[ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubCaPKfESkE ]

 

 

Within the walls of the Temple of Xion, deep in the frozen wastes of Yatl, the land of snow and ash, a new darkness emerged.  An eerie calling, almost nostalgic beckoning for those who heard it before—the song of the Abyss.  Those with a connection to it would feel a deep calling to this place.

 

The Second Judge stepped through the gates, which opened for the first time, each of Judge-Adjutants remained at his side.  He continued to walk throughout the temple, taking a moment at each shrine as he gave unto them a lesson of wisdom and the tribulations that create their significance.

 

“...A nameless Xionist departed Axios. Rather than the to safety of Atlas, he traveled north to the desolate lands of Aegis—to the Abyss—to pay reverence to those before him and seek answers in this time of rampart Old Dark.

 

When he arrived, before him was the decrepit remnants of a mountain.  For the Way can be harsh and full of terror, he took unto himself a root of Widukind to ease his pilgrimage and keep himself standing in the most trialing of conditions.

 

But woe and darkness linger in the Abyss.  As the Way of Xion can be twisted and warped and manipulated by unknown scourges, as to can be the Way through the darkness.  The nameless Xionist fashioned a lantern and with a spark of fire he could once more see clearly.

 

Though, all know the darkness is but a shroud. With his path illuminated, the denizens of the Old Dark would not take kindly to this disturbance.  Using the flames of Aegis, he forged a mighty blade to return the minions of disarray to the solace of death.

 

But he was lost; a sword cannot defend what plagues the mind.  He cried out as his sword broke with his spirit.  For his body was strong, his mind was fractured at the loss of his King, his people, his friends, and his family.  The treachery of Devirad had taken its toll.  He was entombed by his despair in the Shadows of death.

 

It was answers he sought, and answers he got.  On his hands and knees he thought, and for a moment there was naught.  He was overwhelmed in the darkness as he stood alone; anointed in blood and his broken blade in hand.  Enlightenment would come as they preyed on his flesh; the pain of true Mortality, and the answer to this cacophonous reverie.

The ravenous undying could not finish the deed before he drew the broken blade upon them once more.  It was not courage that filled him, but the willingness to continue.  To learn from all that was done; to learn from the pain, the good, the evil, the past.

 

For the wisdom we must learn, we plant this branch—and embodiment of Widukind—in this shrine dedicated to the teachings of the Lord of Oaks.

 

 

For the fire that lights our way, we carry and fuel sacred flames brought from Aegis in the honor of the Lord of Embers.

 

For the essence of true mortality we pay reverence to death and the Lord of Umbrage in this grave of our most honored dead.

 

 

For the strength and willingness to continue, we look to the ashes of Devirad and the broken blade of the nameless Xionist, as we might pay homage to the Lord of Strife.

 

 

Regardless of what you believe, or which sect you follow, we must find answers in unity.  Do not take more from one than the other.

 

For it only by the wisdom of the Oak can one can harness the might of the Fire and quench its hungering flame in the blood of the Darkness to forge a Sword and conquer the biddings of the Damned.”

 

 

______________________________

 

A scroll sealed with a wax parchment would begin to circulate first by bird, then by hand and word of mouth, until the message had been delivered to many a practicing Xionist and non-Xionist alike.  The following could also be found in many major cities nailed to back alleys.  A crude drawing of Atlas has been printed and sketched on the document with a cross marking a location in the Yatl Wasteland ((940x 185y 3433z)).

 

______________________________
 

DECREE FOR THE OPENING OF THE TEMPLE OF XION TO THE PUBLIC
11th of Grand Harvest, 1645

 

HENCEFORTH, as decreed by the JUDGES OF XION, a temple erected for those following of the WAY OF XIONISM is now open to the devout.

 

The HERALDS of each sect of XIONISM are invited to take their place among their kin at the temple with ample living quarters in each of the main bastions.  Select priests and missionaries of XIONISM will be permitted housing, if they so choose, though it is limited and of humble stature.

 

Those who partake in general degeneracy as to what led to the decline and collapse of the state of Devirad will not be permitted entry and/or will be made an example of.

 

HEREIN, spawn of the Old Dark and the damned among men, take heed the coming perils of the frozen wastes.

 

By the authority inherited from the OLD LORDS,

 

SATARIC OF DEVIRAD, SECOND JUDGE OF XION

 

[Yaldabaoth 746]

An obscured figure sits stagnant upon a mountaintop adjacent to the temple, Muttering vague scriptures in forlorn tongue as the Snow grows turbulent, and from within the cloud of frost and hateful winds, the figure begins to trudge down the temple path, murmuring something of guests...

[Ixli 1472]

Bezius looks over the temple, his heart beat quickening as he feels the sudden pull of the Abyss due to being so close. “Radiant is the Black Sun!” 

[Zarsies 6795]

A withered woman garbed in plant fibers, leaves, and leather wraps awaits the eager and unsure within the shrine to Widukind, her knotted shillelagh laid across her lap.

[firegirl7894523 247]

An elven woman sits among the Path of Oaks shrine, humming quietly while she tends the inward shrine. 

[JEEGK 1367]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.