The Temple of Umberlee was the main place of worship of the Great Queen of the Sea Umberlee in the capital of Doegan – Eldrinpar.[1]
Location[]
The temple stood off the docks of Eldrinpar, connected to a large decorated plaza, aptly named the Plaza of Umberlee. A set of wooden harbors was built off it with many fishing boats attached and swaying in the waves of the Great Sea. A thin causeway led from the docks to the temple that rose about fifty yards away in the waters of the harbor.[1]
Structure[]
Like all temples in the Five Kingdoms, the Temple of Umberlee was erected in a shape of a pyramid. The structure was made out of black basalt and was reminiscent of a brooding spider to those accustomed to the Utter East architecture.[1]
Interior[]
The main chamber of the temple was a grand domed hall, the public place of worship. The entrance doors were separated from it by a wide alcoved hallway. At the center of the domed hall stood the altar dedicated to Umberlee. Behind it stood a pedestal with a stature depicting the goddess. The hall's basalt walls had niches with more carved depictions of the Bitch Queen.[2]
History[]
The temple was constructed by the Church of Umberlee, one of the five churches that participated in the Ffolk colonization of the Utter East. As the faith of Umberly was one of the major religions in Doegan, her temple reflected it in its size.[1] The True Believers were noticeable by their adorned robes.[3]
In the Year of the Unstrung Harp, 1371 DR,[note 1] the city of Eldrinpar became consumed by a fiendish invasion – the result of Artemis Entreri's assassination of the Mage-Emperor of Doegan – Aetheric III. The assassin attempted to claim the bloodforge that belonged to Aetheric but he became overwhelmed by the invading demons. As a result, the bloodforge was claimed by the Fallen Temple, depraved cannibalistic cult that devolved from the Church of Tyr in the Utter East. Using the chaos of invasion, the cultists slew the High Priest of the Temple of Umberlee as well as several other members of the clergy, desecrated statues of the goddess, and converted her altar into a bloodforge altar dedicated to Ysdar. The Fallen Temple attempted to perform the Rite of Investiture in order to summon the entity they venerated.[4]
The ritual was stopped by the future emperor Ikavi Garkim, young Waterdhavian nobleman Kastonoph Nesher, a palading of Tyr Kern Desanea, War Wizard Trandon, and mercenary Sharessa Stagwood. In the process, the deity Tyr revealed himself through his new Chosen – blinded young pirate named Ingrar Welven. The deity manifested himself through ominous red skies and collapsed part of the temple's dome. Disgusted by the cult that claimed to be his worshipers, Tyr incinerated many, and forcing the survivors to flee.[4]
Finally, the fiend invasion was culminated by reemergence of dying emperor Aetheric the Third. Driven mad by pain and the powers of a bloodforge, the giant misshapen tentacled monstrosity of the emperor was slain at the gates of the temple.[4]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ The Abduction, p.6 states that the wedding of Piergeiron the Paladinson and Eidola took place in the Year of the Haunting, 1377 DR. However, that date is implausible. Khelben Arunsun died in 1374 DR as depicted in Blackstaff (novel). Furthermore, Aleena Paladinstar was stated to be gone from Waterdeep by 1372 DR, planeswalking (City of Splendors: Waterdeep). On the other hand, the events of the Descent to Undermountain took place in 1370 DR, during which Aleena was actively banned from adventuring and any danger by her father. In the events of The Paladins, as well as the finale of the DDTS, Aleena took a central role, no longer bound by her father's rules. She later, with all the experience she received from battling the Unseen and hordes of Tanar'ri, felt confident enough to use her magic to traverse the planes. This places DDTS events likely in 1371 DR. This also does not conflict with appearances by Artemis Entreri, and the Neshers.
Appearances[]
- Novels
- Uneasy Alliances
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 J. Robert King (April 1998). Conspiracy. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 5, p. 66. ISBN 0-7869-0869-6.
- ↑ J. Robert King (April 1998). Conspiracy. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 5, pp. 70–71. ISBN 0-7869-0869-6.
- ↑ J. Robert King (April 1998). Conspiracy. (Wizards of the Coast), chap. 5, p. 67. ISBN 0-7869-0869-6.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 J. Robert King (April 1998). Conspiracy. (Wizards of the Coast), chaps. 5–6. ISBN 0-7869-0869-6.