The Temple of Aerdrie Faenya

Earilith (to her friends who are too many to name) is a bit of an unknown.

That she has intelligence no one disputes, but there is great conjecture as to whether she truly is a living being. Some sages argue that because there is no evidence that she breathes, can reproduce or needs any sustenance to survive, she can not be alive. But those that stay within her walls know better.

Once Earilith accepts a person into her heart that person will know unconditional love forever. Earilith loves all those who step within her boundaries, and she has boundless love to give. Used by the Avariel during the Time of Flowers as a hunting lodge and temple to Aerdrie Faenya, Earilith was abandoned when the Dragons swept the Elves and their kin westward just before the start of the Crown Wars.

Earilith only recently has been returned to her former glory. She does in fact need sustenance: It is the love of those that live and visit within her walls. After decades of being alone, Earilith was depressed and hungry, and this showed in the way she carried herself and the lack of care she gave to her upkeep.

Aerdrie knew of Earilith's pain but she also knew that it wasn't time for Earilith to be reclaimed by her people. The Avariel still were emotionally scarred from the atrocities inflicted by the dragon hordes. They were not strong enough to journey back and reclaim their lost homes. So, sadly, Aerdrie left Earilith alone to brood over what her life once had been, lonely in the cold dark mountains. Earilith was sad, and she cried.

After Earlith had been alone for a century, with only the occasional visit from Aerdrie to ease her sorrow, her goddess again visited her. But this time, Aerdrie had company, and it seemed that once again Earilith was to have people stay within her walls. To Earilith's pleasure, old friends who were grieved at the temple's state and returned to her, vowing that she never again would be treated this way.

Earilith immediately started to restore herself. Slowly she began to recover her former beauty. That Talon Wing Celiest Rubygicam and her son Winterwing were home, made Earilith happier than she had been in years.

Celiest and Winterwing helped Earilith prepare herself for the day when the temple cloud would return. Tending to Earilith's needs, the pair ensured that she would be presentable. T hey strengthened her with their love for her and each other. Earilith again grew strong and healthy.

Earilith is made of a pink crystal that beats with a slight glow, her pulse, as many people claim. She consists of many thin walls with large open windows, doors and huge spires that stretch into the sky. She adorns herself with pennants and flags, that fly from many masts (some say she overdresses). She stands open, but the even the severest weather seems to have no effect upon those who dwell within.

Earilith maintains herself at a constant temperature, unless she becomes ill. This did occur recently. Retrieving the necessary medicines to cure her proved to be quite an adventure for a group of priests.

Birds roost upon most available perches within Earilith. In her center grows a park, the Grove of Life.

Earilith can speak verbally to all within her walls, who then can hear what she says, although she usually keeps her conversations private, using a form of telepathy to communicate with individuals. She speaks in a sexy husky voice. All who sleep within her walls are guaranteed to a peaceful, sometimes erotic sleep. Earilith loves to hear tales of what is happening in the outside world. The best way to quickly gain her favor is to regale lici - with stories of what's happening in the world.

The Shrine of Aerdrie and the Cloud Stairs:

In the center of the Grove of Life is a staircase that spirals around an increibly tall, thin column. The column and staircase are made of what seems to be white crystal. An occasional flash can be seen from within the column. Upon closer inspection, the column and stairs prove to be cloudy. Anyone climbing the stairs will find them to be very sturdy, and one will notice that the flashes of light are actually small storms within the pillar.

At the top of the Cloud Stairs, a distance that seems to be different for each person, is the Shrine of Aerdrie. This altar rests atop a flat platform made of the same crystalline material as the stairs and pillar. The altar itself is shaped like a huge eagle, with its wings outspread and its beak. It is so lifelike that the feathers appear to flutter in the wind, and the beak seems to screech with the howl of the wind.

The Shrine is open to the elements. Any showing fear, irreverence or unfaithfulness are prone to be blown away by the howling winds that rip at the altar. Lightning and thunder often crash around those who visit the shrine. The altar frequently is lashed by pelting rain and hailstones. But the faithful of Aerdrie Faenva, the other Triune Goddesses and Syranita are safe from any permanent harm.

The Moat of Tears:

The Moat of Tears is a new moat that now surrounds Earilith. The moat was born of the tears of Earilith. When the Avariel and Aarakocra fled, she wept with grief, and her tears hardened into a crystal bed that encircled her. With the return of her inhabitants, Earilith wept with happiness for three days in a row, filling the crystal bed made from her tears of sorrow with tears of happiness.

Today the beautiful moat with the clear water running over the crystal bed surrounds Earilith. It is roughly 20 feet wide and 7 feet deep. Its water is sweet and refreshing, healing 1-4 points of damage, although the water loses this ability if it is bottled.

The Temple Cloud

Standing at the gates of Earilith is a small smoothly polished dark crystal pillar. When Earilith first was "born," the pillar already was there, and when Aerdrie first discovered Earilith and awoke her from her slumber, she tied a piece of cloud to the small pillar, using strong magic.

The cloud was to mark Earilith as a friend, so that Aerdie's faithful could follow the aura and inhabit Earilith. When dragons attacked the cloud, it disappeared. It was taken by Syranita and hidden until the time when the faithful of Aerdrie would return.

Today, the cloud once more is tethered to the pillar. This is the clearest signal that Earilith again is her old self. The cloud still calls to Aerdrie's faithful, and most creatures that use the air feel an urge to travel to this place.

The Temple Cloud is immobile. It will not move, even in the strongest winds, and can not be moved by physical force. If one touches the cloud and simultaneously utters a prayer to Aerdrie, the cloud gives the petitioner the ability to fly for 10 rounds. The cloud then mentally urges the recipient to take to the skies and fly, wheeling and diving, with the birds. It also warns one when to land.

The Grove of Life:

This small grove of birch and maple trees abounds with life. One finds both birds and also fantastic sylvan creatures here. Among other things are faerie dragons, pixies, fairies, pseudodragons, sylphs, aerial servants, winged snakes, sprites and other more fantastic creatures. The grove is almost tropical in nature, being the only area in Earilith where she allows rainfall, except on religious occasions. The crystal walls of Earlith keep the area moist and warm. The grove teems with life, and it is a very noisy place.