Temple of the Silver Crescent
Located in the forest at the base of Mount Ordeals, the Silver Crescent is the most prominent temple of Eilistraee. Founded by Lady Sereska Vae, it serves as a haven for Dark Elves fleeing the tyranny of Sindrai'el and the evils of Drow society underground. The temple is also the first line of defense for the small, scattered elven villages in the forest. The temple's rangers, headed by Lady Mayandrana Tuin'tar, regularly patrol the wilderness and the environs at the base of the mountain, also keeping Tahranist pilgrims safe.
The temple is laid out in a wheel-like pattern, consisting of a complex of tree houses connected by rope bridges, with lookout towers located at the top of each "spoke". In the center is a clearing where communal meals, rituals, and group meetings are held. A small network of caves serves as the temple's forge, war room, and infirmary.
People
- Lady Sereska Vae is the temple's High Priestess, and founded it some years ago after fleeing the slums of Maerimydra underground. She is an aged Sword Dancer, and knows she is going home to the goddess soon, but worries about the future of the temple. Her title, a special Drow name given to each priestess of Eilistraee by the goddess herself, is T'puuli Xukuth, which translates to "Silver Heart".
- Lord Kalanar Simarial is the temple's Loremaster and chief mage, and is an Elven enchanter who met Sereska shortly after she fled to the surface. The elders of his village ordered Sereska put to death after she was found asking for shelter, but Kalanar spoke out against the injustice, and was exiled for it. He fell for her and converted to the worship of Eilistraee. Kalanar created the nearby portal to the outskirts of Zhanduril, and is responsible for maintaining it.
- Lady Mayandrana Tuin'tar commands and trains the temple's rangers. She originally hails from Chaulssin, and escaped a harsh life as a battle captive in Lith My'athar. She is a self-taught ranger, having lived for a year in the wilds of the Underground, where an epiphany led her to the faith of Eilistraee. Maya was led by visions to the surface, where she lived for ten years in the forest near Mount Ordeals before meeting Sereska and Kalanar and joining their cause. Her constant companion is an owl named Suliss. Maya's title is Li'tupora Velve, "The Living Blade".
- Kariza de'Camyras is a young Sword Dancer priestess and mage who was trained as a ranger by Lady Maya. She is the most infamous exile of the city of Zhanduril, fleeing after falling in love with a prince of a rival house. Her familiar is a she-wolf named Kyorlin, and her title is L'Olath Talya, "The Dark Huntress".
- Radha Lai, chief healer of the temple, is Half-Drow, the daughter of an eccentric Tunlanese white mage who converted to Eilistraee worship and wandered the Web as a faith healer and mystic. He converted Radha's mother, a Drow priestess of Kiaransalee, and lived peacefully in the forest until their home was burned down by an angry mob. Radha's mother died in childbirth at the Silver Crescent, leaving the girl to be raised a priestess by Sereska and Kalanar. Radha's title is Ssussun Zygul d'Oloth, "Bright Edge of Darkness".
- Shar Veladorn is the temple's chief ambassador to the outside world, as well as its Spymaster. Shar is another Zhanduran exile, the last survivor of the ill-fated House Veladorn. Shar is also a member of the Veld'Z'ress mercenary band, and was sent by Phaelarn to gather information on a rumored Eilistraeen temple on the surface. He is a double agent with Lady Sereska's full blessing, though Maya does not trust him and never has.
- Tathlyn Fey-Branche, another scout for the temple, is part of Kariza's generation of Zhanduran expats, and attended Melee-Magthere with her and Veldrin. He was a performing bard, known as Tathlyn the Blade in Zhanduril's most prestigious festhall, and moonlit as an assassin for Phaelarn and Veld'Z'ress. Phaelarn sent him to spy on Shar, and while he professes genuine faith in Eilistraee, his loyalties are a bit fuzzy.
