Temple of Shar
Type: Subterranean temple — Sharran sanctum at the intersection of Material, Underdark, and Shadowfell Region: Beneath the Dread Ring clearing, Neverwinter Wood Status (latest): Entered and passed through as of session 036. The party descended, rested in the Priory, and was escorted to the inner sanctum's portal. The Shadovar used the temple as a transit point ahead of the party, arranged by the Dark Mother. Most of the temple's chambers remain unexplored. First Reference: Session 035 First Entry: Session 036
Description
A temple of Shar — goddess of the dark, of loss, of secrets, of strength-through-suffering — concealed beneath the necrotic clearing known as the Dread Ring. Per Ravi's confirmation and Ubys's end-of-session-034 Divination, the temple is a three-way intersection — its inner pathways branch toward the Underdark and toward the Shadowfell.
Interior (Session 036)
The descent shaft opens onto a stone landing pad — dim, warm from deep earth, smelling of old smoke and minerals. A single long hallway leads forward, lined with a repeating geometric carved band at mid-height. No figural imagery; purely formal patterning.
The hallway opens into a wide circular chamber — the temple's main receiving room. Several sealed doors ring the perimeter. One archway opens onto a vast, dark cavern — so large the far wall cannot be seen; water trickles from somewhere within it.
Off the circular chamber: the Priory — the visitor room. A thin sheet of water runs down black stone into a carved channel ("the midnight waterfall"). Cushioned benches. Precious metals inlaid in the walls. Oil lamps. Designed for transient guests.
Deeper in — down two flights of stairs — the inner sanctum. An ornate round door trimmed in gold and deep purple seals it. Inside: circular, black and purple, purple-flamed braziers, a statue of Shar on a low dais, and at the far wall: the portal to the Church of Sorrow — an inky, perfectly still, mirror-black gate.
Staffing (confirmed Session 036)
- The Dark Mother — presiding cleric; holds the title, not a name; black veil; always accompanied by two plate-armored guards.
- Nightbringer initiates — serving rank; surrender their names upon joining; attend to guest logistics and temple maintenance.
What the Party Knows
- The entry is the pit at the center of the Dread Ring. A Levitate-phrase built into the shaft cushions the descent.
- The temple's existence is doctrinal-secret — Sharran sites are hidden by their clergy; the only reason the party knows this one is here is that Ubys's Raven Queen pointed at it and Ravi confirmed.
- From inside, the way splits — one direction to the Underdark; one direction to Letherna (via the Church of Sorrow portal). The sanctum itself is the third option.
- The barrier blurs here. Both the Dark Mother and a Nightbringer confirmed: the Material/Shadowfell boundary is thin throughout the temple.
- A shadow dragon visited the temple cavern at some point. The Nightbringer saw it; she did not recall its name. Current status unknown.
- The Dark Mother arranged the party's betrayal. She allowed the Shadovar to transit through the portal ahead of the party. She is not a neutral party.
- The vast cavern and the sealed side-chambers were not explored. The Underdark path remains available.