Amber Temple

''Set into this snowy mountainside is a great, carved facade. Six deep notches hold massive statues, at least twenty feet high, their hands before them in a gesture of prayer. Between them is a grand door, tall, with etchings into its amber surface. The wind howls and tugs at you, but in between the pillars, all is silent.''

--

The Amber Temple was a school and a temple created by an order of wizards, centuries ago. These wizards created the temple to imprison the dark vestiges they had trapped within, to lock them away from the outside world. Over time, these wizards were corrupted, and their purpose contaminated. It was eventually turned into a university, where wizards would come to learn more about the vestiges there.

But the temple was poisonous to its inhabitants. Over time, the students went mad with hunger for power. Murders were common, and even the headmaster, Exethanter, could not restrain himself from temptation. He accepted a dark gift and became a lich. Horrified by what he had done, he cast a powerful memory spell on himself, to forget his spells, his purpose, and even his name.

With the temple now truly deserted, but for Exethanter, who locked himself in his study in a perpetually forgetful loop, the powers were free to fester.

Eventually, their presence drew to the temple Neferon, the arcanaloth. He elected to safeguard the world from the vestiges locked within, but did not intend to keep the knowledge locked away: that is, until Strahd and Patrina came calling. Strahd's "scholarly" pursuits led to Vampyr attaching himself to him, and ultimately to the separation of Barovia as a domain of dread.

After this mistake, Neferon resolved to never again allow petitioners to study in the Amber Temple, for fear of unleashing something worse than Vampyr on the trapped valley.

Zevrin's Arrival
After walking the weave for years, Zevrin eventually found himself at the Amber Temple. Over the years, he befriended Neferon, earning his trust and respect. It was from Neferon that Zevrin ultimately learned that he would have to trap himself in Amber if he wasn't careful.

Zevrin left small boxes around the Amber Temple, full of small items and trinkets and key information.

Key NPCs
Vestiges: The vestiges in the Amber Temple are all remnants of gods. Exethanter refers to them as Deit-nots, as they are almost deities but not quite. However, they are still incredibly powerful beings.


 * Serena the Mother
 * The Dusk King
 * Dagven the Geppe-To
 * Delban: Star of Ice and Hate
 * Reylla
 * Fekre: Queen of Poxes

The Mountainfolk: The Mountainfolk are distant relatives of the Forestfolk. They worship giants and developed a strong rapport with Daphne, who they reverently called "Big Lady"

Vilnius: A firbolg of the heavy foot clan who disguised himself as a human. Vilnius was an arcane rogue/warlock with an expandable ass, perfect for stealing things, hiding extra arcane focuses, and storing important valuables, like Kromslor's control amulet. He arrived at the Amber Temple from Faronne, some time ago, to bring the Amulet of Fekre, Queen of Poxes back to her, in exchange for power. He told Daphne he was just here to seek a cure for his sterility.

Kromslor: A shield guardian that was left in one of the wizards' bedroom. Kromslor became one of Qoask's newest sons, after Qoask released him by putting the amulet back over his neck.

Neferon the Arcanaloth: an Arcanaloth who tasked himself with protecting the temple from harm.

Headmaster Exethanter: A lich who cast a memory spell on himself in order to retain his good alignment.

Key Locations
The Amber Temple contains many rooms. It is expansive and deadly. Main Hall: The main hall of the Amber Temple is a large, open room with columns, a massive domed ceiling, and walls of amber. This room leads down to the lower floor and has connections around to the back of the temple. Side Rooms: The side rooms contain treasures, NPCs, and secrets.


 * Mountainfolk Camp
 * Wizardly rooms (containing various wizard treasures, and a to-scale model of Castle Ravenloft)
 * Cursed feast hall (Don't touch the decanter)
 * Cursed Statue Room (don't look at the curse statue)
 * Amber Golem Room (There's an amber golem here)
 * Amphitheatre (Vilnius hid here. Classes were taught here)
 * Flame Skull Room (a pit to a sarcophagus room, just FULL of flame skulls)

Neferon's Statue Nook: Inside the statue head, Neferon has a cozy little home with a teapot and a number of treasures. Treasuries: One is haunted with poltergeists. The other has treasures, an amber golem, and a cracked entrance to the back sarcophagus room.

Exethanter's Office: Exethanter lives here.

Library: This massive library has moving walls that extend up and down for miles. If you know the name of a book, you need only speak it, and the shelves will rise and present it to you.

Sarcophagus Rooms: Full of sarcophagi with vestiges waiting to make deals.

Catacombs: Dead wizards are entombed here. This room is full of shadows, ghosts, and some loot.