"What Do I Do With This Orb?"

by Purrcy Wyndedrake

It has been awhile since the new Temple in the Crossing has been built. I spend quite a bit of time in the garden in the northwest corner of the Temple grounds. It is a great spot for empaths to heal themselves, as it has great Life mana. It's also a nice place to sit and enjoy nature, since it is verdant all year round. Just about every time I am there, a lost adventurer wanders into the garden asking for directions. What do they want to know? The conversation usually goes like this:

"Uh, excuse me, could you please help me?"

"Sure," I say, "What can I do for you?" knowing full well what the next question will be.

"Uh, I have these orbs, you know, favors, that I'd like to place on the altar. But I don't know where it is. I used to know, before they built the new Temple. Uh, could you help me?"

"I'll be glad to help, but it is easier to show you than tell you."

It's at this point that I'll take their hand and lead them back through the grounds, up the stairway, into the Temple and down to the Resurrection Creche. Well, I really don't mind helping, but sometimes my fiancee and I relax in the gardens, or I'm right in the middle of healing some real bad internal injuries, and it just isn't convenient.

As a result, I decided to give you all a guided tour that answers the question, "Where do I go to place my orb?"

First of all, you need to get to the new Temple. If you have never been there before, the gate is southwest of the Provincial Bank on Immortals Approach. When you go through the mahogany gates, you'll be on a cobblestone path in the Temple grounds. Following the path north will bring you to a massive staircase that leads up to the Temple.

As you climb up the Grand Stairway, you will notice that the architect included ornate silverwillow banisters that curve down from the Temple Entrance, polished to a lustrous sheen and carved to resemble flowing streams, trickling serenely to the bottom of the stairs. It is a very nice touch. When you reach the summit of the stairs, take a look around. The view of the meandering Segoltha River is breath-taking. It is here that you'll find yourself at the Temple Entrance. Passing through the massive double doors, one feels insignificant in relation to the gods, in whose honor this temple was built. Standing here next to the Temple, one realizes that the Temple is not just a temple, but a religious fortress and a place of sanctuary in times of war.

Once inside the Temple, you will find yourself in the Entrance Hall. There are many places to go in the massive Temple, filled with wondrous sights and sounds. When you have time, I suggest spending a few days or so, just exploring the Temple. But you need to place those orbs somewhere. Here an archway leads toward the center of the Temple, and a hallway with polished mahogany floors curves clockwise and widdershins around the Temple. In order to find the altar as quickly as possible, you must walk clockwise through the Temple.

The first thing you'll notice is the serene white plaster walls that curve along the narrow temple passage, bowing up to the ceiling in a gentle arc. Not a pinch of dust or dirt can be seen in the hall -- even the walls have been scrubbed to perfection. In the center of the hallway is a carved wooden pedestal with an ivory plaque in a flawless glass case. You'll notice these pedestals are placed periodically through the hallway of the Temple, and they are all different. Each one honors a different stratum of Elanthian society. Take a look at the pedestal and then read the plaque. This one is about Empaths. I am very proud of the fact that the very first pedestal honors my chosen profession.

As you continue clockwise down the hallway, you'll notice a sweeping staircase that rises along the outer wall. At some other time, you can take a walk through the upper reaches of the Temple. But now you want to get to the altar, which is down in the Resurrection Creche. You'll notice another wooden pedestal, this one sitting on a tiny dais and illumined by strategically placed mirrors behind the candle sconces. As a point of interest, you may want to look at the pedestal and read the plaque, but it is truly uninspiring compared to the last pedestal. As a matter of fact, none of the other pedestals are as inspiring as the first honoring Empaths.

Further on clockwise through the hallway will be a pedestal in the center of the room with a torch set into it. You can see many battle-worn weapons mounted along the outer curve of the wall. These weapons are very old, but you'll notice the brilliant shine on the weapons, an indication that they are well cared for by the monks here in the Temple. The pedestal is very impressive to look at, but again, the plaque is just not as inspiring as the first.

Once again, move clockwise along the hallway. This time, you'll come across an intersection in the hallway and an arch through which you can see the High Altar. Don't get so excited, this is NOT the altar you are looking for. The one you want is down the set of stairs over there along the curve of the hallway by those plaster columns. It's time to start your descent into the bowels of the Temple. It's a long way down.

You should have finally reached the bottom of the stairs and should be standing in the Resurrection Creche area of the Temple. This area, like the Temple, is circular and you can go either clockwise or widdershins to get around. Here you are standing in a nondescript section of the hallway. The only thing of interest, besides that staircase that leads back up, is a relief portraying a group of people before what looks like the sun. Since I like the direction we had been following upstairs, move clockwise down here, too.

The Triage Hall is brightly lit and has a strictly utilitarian design, allowing healers to focus on evaluating the wounded. Why is this place down here, you ask? Well, in time of a major war, we will need someplace safe to treat and heal the wounded. The Empath Guild, and the whole town for that matter, might be over-run by the enemy. The Temple may be the only refuge and place of safety for the masses and the battle-weary defenders of The Crossing.

When you go further clockwise, you'll leave the Triage Hall and enter another plain hallway. This one is adorned by woolen tapestries that depict scenes ranging from a prostrate monk to a rearing unicorn. They're nothing much to look at, but I guess its better than blank walls. Once again, you must go clockwise, and leave the hallway.

Now, you will be in the Dispensary. It is a place for empaths to heal their patients as well as themselves. There are many cots for the wounded to lie on while they recover. Also there is a cabinet which stores different types of healing herbs for use by empaths and those who know the use of herbs. Here amid the possible gore and blood, you will notice a brightly painted plaster frieze depicting long garlands of medicinal herbs interspersed with jadice flowers. The frieze is quite a beautiful thing to see in an area where things happen that few would call beautiful.

Another step in the clockwise direction will bring you to "Li Stil rae Kwego ia Kweld." It is the home of a translucent obsidian altar. An ivory rug surrounds the altar. Try not to trip over it when you go up to the altar. Yes, this is THE altar upon which you place your orb. And remember where you are, a place of Resurrection; show some reverence. Show some consideration for those who have recently departed and are here regaining their life energies.

Now that you've taken the tour, you know the answer to the question, "Where do I go to place my orb?" and you will be able to help others do the same. Do you think you can find your way out and back to the Temple gates? If not, I will be glad to take you....I just happen to be going that way.