The South Corner of Laat Golz is a place of contemplation, knowledge, and spiritual fortitude, housing the city’s religious institutions, arcane scholars, and those who seek to understand and mitigate the ancient curse of the Scar of Perdition. In contrast to the industrial North Corner, the communal East Corner, and the bustling, chaotic West Corner, the South Corner is quieter, more introspective, and steeped in the mysteries of the past. It is here that both the spiritual and magical guardians of Laat Golz reside, working tirelessly to protect the city not through sword and shield, but through prayer, study, and ancient magic.
Halls of Faith
The heart of the South Corner is dominated by the Sanctuary of Light, the largest temple in Laat Golz and a place of worship dedicated to the Luminary, a deity of light, protection, and hope. The Luminary's followers believe that their prayers and devotions help to shield the city from the dark forces of the Scar. The temple itself is an imposing structure made of white stone, with towering spires that can be seen from nearly anywhere in the city. Inside, the Sanctuary is filled with stained glass windows that depict legendary battles and divine interventions, casting multicolored light across the stone floors during the day.
The High Priestess Lyanna Carain, a wise and venerable figure, leads the faithful in daily prayers and ceremonies, invoking the Luminary’s protection over the city. Lyanna is not only a spiritual leader but also a skilled healer, using her divine magic to tend to the wounded and ill, many of whom have been afflicted by the unnatural horrors of the Scar. Under her leadership, the Sanctuary has become a beacon of hope, not just for the people of the South Corner but for all of Laat Golz.
Surrounding the Sanctuary are smaller shrines dedicated to other deities, reflecting the diverse beliefs of the city’s population. These shrines, though less grand than the Sanctuary, are no less important to their followers. Among them is the Shrine of Anduir, the god of death and transitions, where soldiers often go to pray for their fallen comrades. The priests of Anduir maintain a solemn vigil, ensuring that the spirits of the dead pass on peacefully and are not twisted by the dark energies of the Scar.
The Arcane Sanctum
The South Corner is also home to the Arcane Sanctum, a prestigious institution dedicated to the study of magic, ancient lore, and the arcane forces that govern the world. The Sanctum serves as both a research center and a training ground for mages who seek to master their craft, particularly in relation to the dark magics that linger in the Scar of Perdition.
The Sanctum itself is a towering, circular building made of dark stone, inscribed with runes and glyphs that glow faintly at night. Within its halls, scholars and mages study ancient texts, conduct experiments, and craft spells designed to protect the city from magical threats. The most prominent of these threats, of course, is the Scar. The Sanctum’s scholars are constantly researching the origin and nature of the cursed land, hoping to one day find a way to cleanse or at least contain its dark power.
At the center of the Arcane Sanctum is the Aetherial Spire, a tall tower used by the city’s most powerful mages to channel their magic and cast protective wards over the city. This tower is the source of Laat Golz’s magical defenses, including the powerful enchantments that reinforce the city’s walls and the protective spells that guard against incursions from the Scar. The Archmage Tormund Ashfall oversees the Sanctum’s operations. A man of immense power and knowledge, Tormund is known for his pragmatic approach to magic, believing that only through understanding and control can the city hope to survive.
The Scholars and Their Libraries
The Library of Kaelar, one of the largest repositories of knowledge in all of Dearmad, is also located within the South Corner. Named after Kaelar, a legendary scholar who helped to preserve the city’s ancient knowledge during the Diathan War, the library is a vast, sprawling complex filled with books, scrolls, and magical artifacts. Scholars from across the continent travel to Laat Golz to study in the library, hoping to unlock the secrets of the Scar or to gain a deeper understanding of magic and history.
Within the library’s Hall of Shadows, a section dedicated to the darker aspects of magic, ancient tomes speak of forbidden rituals and the creatures that haunt the Scar. Only the most trusted and skilled scholars are allowed to study these texts, as many believe that delving too deeply into the knowledge of the Scar could lead to corruption or madness. Nevertheless, the Hall of Shadows remains a crucial resource in the city’s ongoing war against the darkness.
The library is also home to the Council of Lorekeepers, a group of learned men and women who are tasked with cataloging and safeguarding the city’s knowledge. They work closely with the Arcane Sanctum and the city’s military, providing insights into the cursed creatures that emerge from the Scar and advising on the best methods to combat them.
Monasteries and Silent Orders
Tucked away in the quieter parts of the South Corner are several monasteries and silent orders dedicated to contemplation, meditation, and spiritual warfare. The most well-known of these is the Monastery of the Silent Vigil, an order of monks who have taken vows of silence in order to focus their minds and spirits on protecting the city from the unseen forces that lurk within the Scar.
The monks of the Silent Vigil believe that by maintaining their silence and practicing extreme forms of discipline, they can strengthen their mental defenses against the corrupting influences of the cursed land. Many of the city’s elite warriors spend time in the monastery before heading into the Scar, seeking to purify their minds and prepare for the trials ahead. Though the monks rarely interact with the rest of the city, their presence is deeply respected, and they are often seen as a spiritual shield, standing between Laat Golz and the dark forces beyond.
The Apothecaries and Healers
The South Corner is also known for its healers, particularly those trained in both mundane and magical forms of medicine. The House of Mercy, a large and well-regarded infirmary, tends to the city’s wounded and ill. Though the city has access to powerful healing magic, many of the injuries sustained from creatures of the Scar require both arcane and natural remedies. The healers here work tirelessly to mend the bodies and souls of those who have survived their battles but bear deep scars—both physical and mental.
Ariessa Windweaver, the chief healer of the House of Mercy, is a powerful cleric known for her compassion and skill in healing even the gravest of wounds. She has developed a deep understanding of the strange ailments and curses brought back by soldiers from the Scar, working in close conjunction with the Arcane Sanctum to create new remedies and counterspells.
A Place of Reflection and Mysticism
Despite the somber duties carried out within its walls, the South Corner is a place of peace and reflection. The Gardens of Serenity, a vast garden filled with trees, flowers, and fountains, is a sanctuary where the people of Laat Golz come to find solace. The garden is meticulously cared for by the monks of the Silent Vigil and the acolytes of the Sanctuary of Light, and it is said that simply walking its paths can ease the burdens of the soul.
The Obsidian Pool, a small but eerily beautiful black pond at the edge of the gardens, is a place of quiet contemplation. The water is said to be enchanted, reflecting the inner thoughts and emotions of those who gaze into it. Many come here seeking guidance from the Luminary or simply to meditate on their place in the eternal struggle between light and dark.
Guardians of Knowledge and Faith
Ultimately, the South Corner of Laat Golz is a place where the mind and spirit are as much a part of the city’s defense as the sword and shield. It is here that the priests, scholars, and mages work in tandem, using their knowledge, faith, and magic to protect Laat Golz from the insidious forces of the Scar of Perdition. Their work is often unseen but no less vital, as they stand as the guardians of both knowledge and faith, ensuring that the city remains strong against the darkness that seeks to consume it.
In this quiet corner of Laat Golz, the city’s resilience is fortified not through battle, but through understanding, contemplation, and a deep connection to both the divine and the arcane. It is a place where hope is nurtured, even as the shadows of the Scar loom ever closer.