Alter Aeon The Great Library

Welcome to the Alter Aeon Historical Archive!

Note - as with any topic, researchers should question the reliability
and veracity of these texts.  The library's aim is to preserve
documents, not verify accuracy.

AABN:  31848
Title: a book titled "Shrines of the World"

Most gods have dedicated shrines within sanctuaries, temples, chapels,
churches or other houses of worship. Shrines can sometimes be found in
cemeteries, such as ones dedicated to Schlyne, goddess of death. Other
shrines can be found in workplaces closely associated with the spheres of a
deity. For instance, many forges are decorated with holy symbols of Reorx,
or in the Suborian tradition, ones of Dentin. Small shrines of Grolantor
are often fround in bars and breweries. Iconography dedicated to Dowart can
be found in courthouses.

Minor shrines can sometimes be found within private homes. These can range
from a single carved figurine of a deity to a holy symbol above a mantle to
elaborate altars, censers, statuary and even murals depicting scenes from a
deity's sacred history.

Special types of shrines can be found along major roadways. These
roadshrine shrines are typically devoted to a singular deity. They often
include a magical light source of some kind, symbols of the god or goddess
and a receptacle for placing offerings. When an acceptable offering is
placed in the shrine receptacle, it is consumed, and the offerer is given a
blessing, usually in the form of a spell casting. Clues as to what offering
is acceptable offering can be found by looking carefully at the shrine.

There are a few highly specialized shrines scattered throughout the world.
These are typically dedicated to forgotten divinities or more obscure forms
of worship, such as devotions to Islaine, Byung and Schlyne in the guise of
the Three Ladies. Two notable examples are the Tooth Stone on the island of
Kordan and the Ent Stone in the Murlock Swamp in southeast Atmir. The Tooth
Stone is a necromantic relict possibly left behind by the giant empire that
once ruled the Westering Islands. It is said touching the Stone with a
bloodstained hand will activate its mysterious powers. The Ent Stone is an
ancient fairy artifact, empowered by druidic magic. When certain native
herbs are crushed and rubbed upon the Stone, specific magical effects are
unlocked. These include curses as well as beneficial magic, so use of the
Ent Stone incurs some degree of risk.