Ishtar Junction
The first crystal powered trains on the Kerkhof Route, with their weak by current standard crystals, could run at 5 miles per hour, making Ishtar Junction, 30 miles from Seregon, a nice stopping point after 6 hours of travel. There was another 4 hours of travel to get to the Ziggurat of Groth-Golka, where a pavilion was set up for meals and spending the night in the jungle.
The Ruined Temple of the Lion, Devoted to Ishtar
Across from Ishtar Junction, amidst the dense overgrowth of the jungle, stands the once-glorious Temple of the Lion, devoted to Ishtar, the goddess of fortune, war, and passion. Built by the temple elders over 120 years ago, it was meant to serve the fledgling rail network, a symbol of power and prosperity. Now, the jungle has reclaimed much of the temple, and what was once a lavish place of worship has fallen into decay, its former beauty hidden beneath vines and crumbling stone.
The Exterior
The temple's exterior, though weathered and overtaken by the wild, still retains hints of its former splendor. The temple is built in the decadent style characteristic of Ishtar's worship, with intricate carvings and gilded statues half-concealed beneath layers of moss and creeping plants.
Lion Statues: Flanking the entrance are two massive, weathered lion statues, symbols of Ishtar’s fierce aspect as a warrior goddess. Their once-shining eyes, likely inset with precious gems, are now hollow, the gems stolen or lost to time. Vines snake around their muscular stone forms, creating a sense that the jungle is slowly strangling the memory of Ishtar’s power.
Carved Pillars: Two enormous pillars, each covered with faded scenes of celebration and battle, stand at the entrance, though the carvings have eroded over time. The eight-pointed star and cat head of Ishtar, once proudly displayed at their tops, are chipped and worn, but still recognizable.