Perched high atop the cliffs overlooking a shining sea to the east, the Sun Shrine is a radiant testament to the once-vast influence of the Holy Order of the Sun and its divine figurehead, Malekith. Positioned on the eastern edge of The Sands of Serrakhan, the shrine gazes across the glimmering waters toward the distant Y’azi Peninsula, serving as a beacon of both reverence and reflection for those who seek its hallowed grounds.
Shrine to The Sacrilegious
At the heart of the Sun Shrine stands a golden statue of Malekith, carved in the likeness of Emperor Ezekiel and the legendary Serrakhan. This carefully crafted guise, intended to cement Malekith’s claim as the Sun God, depicts him as a divine protector and savior of the Serrakhan people. The statue’s intricate details gleam under the desert sun, its golden rays reflecting off the polished surface, lending an air of majesty that belies the sinister truth of Malekith's deception.
A Pilgrimage of Faith
For countless generations, Sun Pilgrims have made the treacherous journey across the unforgiving eastern dune sea to offer their prayers and worship at the Sun Shrine. The pilgrimage is seen as a test of faith and devotion, with many viewing the journey as an opportunity to seek the blessings of the sun god. However, the path to the shrine is fraught with danger, from the relentless heat of the dunes to marauding bandits and the unforgiving terrain. Many pilgrims have perished along the way, their bones scattered across the shifting sands, a solemn reminder of the perilous nature of their devotion.
Those who reach the shrine lay offerings at the statue's basin, a shallow golden receptacle said to shimmer with divine energy. Coins, relics, and ornate pendants fill the basin, offerings made in hopes of receiving guidance, protection, or favor from Malekith. The shrine has become a sacred site not just for the faithful but also for historians, adventurers, and opportunists seeking to uncover its mysteries.
Trials of the Sun
The Sun Shrine also holds a crucial place in the culture of the Emris Adventuring Guild, as it serves as the first and most infamous challenge in the Trials of the Sun—a series of grueling tests required of every prospective adventurer seeking to join the guild. Aspiring guild members, organized into teams of 3-5, are tasked with delivering a golden pendant of the sun to the shrine’s basin and safely returning to the guild.
The journey is designed to test not only physical endurance but also teamwork, wit, and mental fortitude. The treacherous landscape, coupled with the psychological strain of the harsh environment, has made the trial a legendary rite of passage. Many teams do not return, their failure serving as a grim warning to those who would underestimate the challenge.
A Sight to See
The Sun Shrine’s position atop its cliffside perch offers unparalleled views of an eastern shining sea, its waters glittering like molten gold under the relentless sunlight. The shrine’s silhouette, framed against the horizon, has long served as a symbol of hope and perseverance for the Serrakhan people. The shrine’s golden hues and sunlit radiance are visible for miles, a sight as awe-inspiring as it is foreboding.
Legacy
Though the shrine remains a sacred site for many, its origins as a monument to Malekith’s falsehood cast a shadow over its grandeur. In recent years, scholars and adventurers have sought to uncover the shrine's deeper secrets, pondering whether it holds untapped power or further deceptions left behind by the fallen Sun God. After the Sultans Showdown, it was repurposed into a shrine to Solir legacy and the Avatars of the Sun.
The Sun Shrine, a place of reverence and peril, continues to draw pilgrims, adventurers, and wanderers alike. Whether as a test of devotion, a proving ground for the bold, or a reminder of the complex history of the Sands of Serrakhan, the shrine endures as a beacon of light amidst the desolation of the desert, its golden statue glinting under the eternal gaze of the sun.