They are
often viewd as temples to the Solarian but are much more that that. They
act as way stations for weary travellers and they are often placed on long
and hard roads to travel. Additionally they are places of clerical training
for the Dawn Priests and the Priests of Manwe.
In each Shrine can be found water, food, and some bedding and usefull items such as rope, wheel oil, etc. One of the bests gifts to the Shrine is to leave something for other weary travelers to help lighten their burden during the long journey to or from Avalon.
In each Shrine is also a Book Of the Unicorn.
Written
durring seven years of meditation and reflection at the top of the Seven
Thousand
Stairs on the peak of the mountain Tai Shan in Andelain, the Book of the
Unicorn holds the major tenents of the Solarians world view, life philosophy,
ethical and moral teachings mixed in with the basis for the Aes Sedai class.
It is meant to be read by alllay people as well as full Aes Sedai or Dawn
Priests.
Exerpt from Loric's Book of the Unicorn
"Mountains should be climbed with as little effort as possible and without desire. The reality of your own nature should determine the speed. If you become restless, speed up. If you become winded, slow down. You climb the mountain in an equilibrium between restlessness and exhaustion. Then, when you're no longer thinking ahead, each footstep isn't just a means to an end but a unique event in itself. This leaf has jagged edges. This rock looks loose. From this place the snow is less visible, even though closer. These are things you should notice anyway. To live only for some future goal is shallow. It's the sides of the mountain which sustain life, not the top. Here's where things grow. But of course, withot the top you can't have any sides. It's the top that defines the sides. So on we go...we have a long way...no hurry...just one step after the next..."The Dawn Priests of the Solarian tend the Shrines.
As the Dawn Priests prepare for the comming wars against evil often they will store prophecies of the times to come, war plans, maps, and warnings of the future - so in the advent of major catastrophies at Manetherin, all will not be lost.
It is customary for each Shrine to at least have one magical item within to help a traveller in need overcome evil.
The item will be located in a secret cahe that magically opens when good or neutral people are in NEED.
A proper donation to the temple, by those who can, is an item of power that can be used to aid others against evil or in wearry need travelling.
The Dawn
Priest use their prophecy miracles to determine which item is best placed
where. They will attempt to forsee what travellers will need and move the
items from temple to temple accordingly.
The following is a list of donations that have been deposited at temples and based on prophecy and need one or more may be found at any temple. All potions are clearly labelled.
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3x +1 longswords,
1x +1 shortsword
+1 sword
(on a 20 may use 1 spell level for 15pnts damage)
+3 ring
of pro, +1 ring of pro
+3 dagger
+2 shield
(protection from magic missiles when held)
+3 frost
brand (longsword)
Ring of
Inviso
Ring of
water walking'
Perfumes
of suggestion (3)
+1 ring
of protection
+3 lance
+1 platemail
armour (x7)
+1 swords
(x9)
Sunblade-
will act as Holy Avenger when borrowed by Knight/Paladin
Staff of
Striking (32 chrg)
+4 hammer
of giant slaying
+3 lomgsword
+2 dagger
+2 arrows
(x5)
+1 battleaxe
Staff of
Curing (unknown charges)
15x rillinlure
dust
100ft of
clingor
wands of
wonder (57 chrg)
wand of
fire (15chrg)
wand of
frost (50chrg)
wand of
secret door and trap finding (43 chrg)
bag of
holding (small)
Helm of
Brilliance
amulet
of water breathing
1 keotugm's
ointment
staff of
power (15 chrgs)
broach
of shielding
flagon
of endless water
potions
of extra healingX2, gaseous form, flying
potions
of explosions (clearly labeled) x6
potions
of X-ray vision (x3) - detect spells may see through 1 cloaking protection
potion
of Life,
potion
of extra healing,
Potions
of Healing x6
Potion
of Gaseous Form (x7)
Scroll of
Disintegrate/Gust of Wind (20th lvl)
scrolls
of: cure serious, cure critX3, bless, heal, cure lightxmany
Scroll
of Protection from Demons,
Scroll
of Protection from Devilsx2,
Scroll
of Protection from Magic
Scroll
of Protection from Undead
Scroll
of Plane Shift x3 / Raise Dead Fully (21st lvl)
Mu spells
of Photon, Dispell Magic, Lightning Bolt, Fire form and barrier function
(all at 16th lvl)
Scroll
of Tensers Floating Diskx3 (14th)
Scrolls
of Protection From Wandering Monsters x3 (17th lvl ability)
Scrolls
of Toungues x5 (10th lvl)
Clerical
scroll of Know customs x7 (written by Dawn Priests)
Clerical
scrolls of create food and water x7 (written by Dawn Priest)
Clerical
Scroll of Neutralize Poison (10th)
Additionally
the Belgariad has made a number of potent weapons against the Dark One
and trollocs which have been donated.