Monastery of the Ebon Dome

The Monastery of the Ebon Dome was a Sharran temple built by the Order of the Dark Moon long before the Era of Upheaval. It was later repurposed in the late 14 century DR by a contingent of Cyricist militants called the Company of the Ebon Spur, a group that aligned themselves with the black dragon Despayr.

"As expected, the Sharrans hide their secrets well, but I did discover something that might lead us to understanding their ultimate plan...the piece of parchment I've attached with this letter, praise be to Cyric. I believe it to be the writings of a monk that once lived in the Monastery of the Ebon Dome."

- Excerpt from an undelivered letter addressed to Blackwill Haarken Akhmelere, written by Bineera Ethar.

Location
The monastery was situated atop a hill on the eastern end of the Whispermere in the Shadow Swamp on the Plane of Shadow. A small, barely-illuminated dock was built on the bank of the river, approximately away.

It was accessible from Toril by means of the Dusk Lord's Passage, a portal found inside the Lost Refuge within the Vast Swamp in Cormyr.

Structure
The monastery comprised three stone buildings and two support structures surrounding a central courtyard, connected by several staircases and walkways. The entirety of the premises was built atop a small hillock and was well-protected by both its elevation and mortared stone walls.

A trail leading up from the nearby docks led to the monastery's gatehouse and adjoining stable, both of which had become dilapidated over time. The Dark Moon monks' refectory was situated in the southeast end of the structure, and the priory was built on the elevation just north.

The northern structure housed the monk's library, scriptorium, along with the Black Chapel. The roof over the chapel was capped with the large black dome that lent the monastery its name.

Interior
Like the outer structure, much of monastery's chambers were left in ruin. Doors were battered down, furniture was collapsed and useless, and debris lay scattered across nearly every room within. Any books or other valuables found amidst the ruins were relocated by the Cyricists to the temple's priory, the single building that remained relatively intact. Overall the Ebon Spur had amassed a small fortune, worth over 5,000 gp

Atmosphere
The monastery and its sinister trappings were wholly unsettling. Crumbling infrasttucture and ruined decor made for an uncomfortable place to stay. The constant murmurs and wails emanating from the Cyricists' vigilant protector did little to encourage restfulness.

Activities
Originally, the temple was built as place of meditation for the monks of the Dark Moon, a sanctuary from which they could think upon the nature and significance of the Black Rift. After being rediscovered, it was rededicated to Cyric the Black Sun.

Defenses
Two kir-lanans allied with Despayr and the Sharrans dwelled within the inner courtyard, serving as sentries and messnegers to the powerful black dragon.

Ethar and her Cyricists brought with them a gift in offering to Despayr, a gloom golem that remained within the monastery's Black Chapel. The terrifying construct served as their protector while staying within the Plane fo Shadow.

History
At some point in its history, the monastery was abandoned by the monk of the Dark Moon but remained a closely-guarded secret of their goddess Shar.

During the late 14 century, the Cormyrean black dragon Despayr devised his plan to created a dead-magic zone over the Shadow Swamp in order rend the Weave in Shar's name. To best fulfill his plan, the Nightmother directed him to utilize the Monastery of the Ebon Dome, by means of her servant Esvele Greycastle.

When Despayr and the Sharrans began their ritual at the Black Rift, they employed a contingent Cyricist led by Bineera Ethar protectors to watch over and protect them from the monastery. The Cyricists subsequently rededicated the monastery in Cyric's name and took up residence within, with no objections from their employers. During their stay, the Cyricists uncovered references to the Book of the Black, a Sharran document that spoke to the Black Chronology.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Cormyr: The Tearing of the Weave