Shattered Sanctum

The Shattered Sanctum was the name given to a ruined Selûnite temple found on the Sword Coast. Over the course of its history, it was sacked by drow raiders from the Underdark working alongside the Dark Justiciars of Shar. By the late 15 century DR, it became a lair for the goblinoid horde aligned with the emergent Cult of the Absolute.

Geography
It was located on the Risen Road, just north of the River Chionthar. The nearby town of Moonhaven formed after the temple's creation, but was eventually raided by soldiers in the late 14 century DR.

Geographical Features
The temple was built atop a rocky outcropping that overlooked a waterfall and stream that fed the Chionthar.

Structure
The Shattered Sanctum comprised an outdoor structure built into the side of a rocky cliff face and the underground temple complex found within.

A crumbling stone bridge granted access to the exterior of the temple, a vast stone-tiled courtyard set within tall stone walls. Elevated walkways set atop arcades that extended out from the second level of the temple's façade, atop which sat four domes set stop circular columns. The inner temple was accessible by great wooden double doors.

Defenses
The passageway leading beneath the temple to the Underdark was hidden after the drow raid, openable by the correct arrangement of four interlocking stone discs. Each circular stone disk had to be turned in such a way that the phases of the moon inscribed on smaller plates above were set in the preferred order. The intricate mechanism was designed by a converted Gondar priestess, who previously worked at the Hall of Wonders in Baldur's Gate.

History
""He sought to forge a path through the darkness, not realizing there are some places the light was never meant to touch. He was a fool.""

- High Initiate Jarrus, in reference to himself.

Origins
The construction and founding of the temple was led by the Selûnite priestess Morna, under guidance from the leadership at the House of the Moon in Waterdeep. Sometime early in its formation, High Initiate Jarrus took a group of novices into the underground tunnels beneath the temple proper. He diverted building materials from the main temple, and began construction of a second chapel near a passage to the Underdark.

Unfortunately, Jarrus and the novices were beset by an army of drow and an elite order of Sharran warriors known as Dark Justiciars. The Selûnite devotees held out against these forces for a matter of days, but eventually had to sacrifice themselves to save the temple above. Jarrus led a final charge into the drow lines, allowing his companions to collapse the underground temples and prevent the dark elves from advancing.

Cult Takeover
When the emergent Cult of the Absolute rose to power within the region in the, they overran the abandoned temple and claimed the Shattered Sanctum as their own. The hobgoblin warlord Dror Ragzlin rallied the cult's goblinoid forces at the ruined temple, while High Priestess Gut branded them with the mark of the Absolute, tightening their control over the will of their followers.

Nightwarden Minthara Baenre meanwhile used the fortress as a launching point for hunting down a mysterious artifact sought by the Absolute.

Rumors & Legends
As of the late 15 century DR, rumors surrounding the treasure known as the Nightsong all pointed in the direction of the Shattered Sanctum ruins.

Appearances

 * Video Games
 * Baldur's Gate III