Consecrated ground, also called hallowed ground, was land that had been made sacred through divine rites or prolonged reverence. It was often the site of temples, burial grounds, or places where miracles or martyrdoms were believed to have occurred. Priests or other ordained figures could consecrate a space through prayer, ritual, or the use of holy relics, creating a spiritual boundary that was hostile to extraplanar forces. Within such a space, Undead creatures weakened, Curses faltered, and divine magic often grew stronger or more reliable.
The effects of consecrated ground depended on the manner of the consecration, the deity it honored, and the traditions of the faith. In some places, it was marked by carved stones, shrines, or quiet groves tended by monks. In others, it might be an open field where no blood had been spilled, or a forgotten cave still echoing with sacred chants. Regardless of form, the land retained a sense of stillness and purpose. Even animals moved differently within it, and travelers often passed through with hushed voices and uncovered heads.
One who Desecrated such a site was considered to have committed a serious offense, both spiritually and politically. Clerics who lost a consecrated place to corruption might spend the rest of their lives seeking to reclaim it, while others would build anew rather than step onto tainted ground. Restoring a defiled sanctuary often required rare components, extended ceremony, and the blessing of a powerful divine servant.