Temple of Primordial Evil
A four-level ritual structure in the South Forest, near Xas and Bulb. Built ~3200 AR by the Mother of Monsters as a permanent anchor of her presence in the interior.
The name Temple of Primordial Evil is the mortals' label. The structure is, at its core, Aerom Latan's home — dispatched by the Mother of Monsters to the South Forest with a permanent anchor while civilized powers were distracted by the Peace of Terenei. The communities of Bulb and Scrambledough grew up around the temple's strange energies over the following centuries. The village of Xas did not survive.
Structure
Four elemental layers — Earth, Air, Water, Fire — each competing for influence within the complex. The deepest level contains a gate that opens once yearly on Allbirth (31st of Luravar), requiring the Golden Skull and four elemental gems. Aerom Latan's annual communion with the Mother of Monsters during Allbirth generates the next generation of monsters.
Sealing History
~4504 AR — Prince Eltram led the final crusading campaign into the temple complex with the goal of sealing Aerom Latan permanently. By fighting against the terms of the divine compact, his army forfeited the right to leave. Eltram and his entire host were sealed inside alongside Aerom Latan.
~4700 AR — The Scrambledough Seven broke the ground-level seal accidentally.
~4723 AR — Iceflame-aligned forces reactivated the temple's outer mechanisms.
Current Status
Partially occupied by Iceflame forces. One of four seals broken. The remaining seals are under pressure — the outermost breach has made the inner seals more vulnerable.
The temple is the campaign's central mechanical threat. The Scrambledough Seven's accidental seal-breaking in ~4700 AR is what gave Iceflame the opening to move on the outer mechanisms. If all four seals break, the divine compact is void: Prince Eltram walks free, Aerom Latan walks free, and Eltram's sealed host — two centuries of sealed soldiers — is released with them.
The Golden Skull and four elemental gems are the keys to Level 4 and the Allbirth gate. If the party needs to intervene before Allbirth, these are the central MacGuffins. The Iceflame Queen almost certainly knows this.
See Also
- Aerom Latan — permanent resident; the template's purpose
- Prince Eltram — sealed within since ~4504 AR
- Divine Compact — the agreement whose violation caused the sealing
- Scrambledough Seven — broke the ground-level seal in ~4700 AR
- Bulb / Scrambledough — towns that grew around the temple's influence
- Xas — the village the temple destroyed
- Iceflame Spire — current occupying force