The Platinum Sanctuary is the oldest temple to the god Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon. It is one of the main temples in the ancient city of Vasselheim, located in the city's Silver Talon's Reach district.[1]
Description[]
Exterior[]
The Platinum Sanctuary was built high up into the side of the Heaven's Stair Mountain, and is a large stone fortress that was described as looking "older than time itself." The fortress has weathered significantly with time, to the point that the points and edges of the stonework were rounded and smoothed down. Along the outside were silver markings in a form of primitive Draconic that read platitudes such as "honor" and "justice." Atop the Sanctuary were three ivory and silver spires that ascended from the fortress, parallel to the mountainside. It was clear that these were later additions to the structure because they did not match the stonework of the original fortress. The doors were very large and made of stone with white marbling through it, emblazoned with a barely visible, worn-away symbol of Bahamut.[2]
When Bells Hells arrived there in 843 PD, the temple was described as being expansive and mighty, with beautifully smooth cerulean gem or polished marble sections pushing out like pointed sails, built atop tall heavy pillars marking the entry archways, and surrounded by a terraced garden.[3]
Interior[]
Main chamber[]
Central worship chamber[]
The entrance to the room is guarded by a set of stone doors, which can be opened using the holy symbol of Bahamut. Behind these stone doors, there is a large chamber about 80 feet in height with detailed drawings of the tale of the entirety of creation. There are crude representations of how all the planes lay over each other. The elemental planes are represented in the corners: the Astral Plane, the Nine Hells, and the Abyss. In the center is the Prime Material Plane, and across it, a giant image of the great platinum dragon Bahamut drawn in all of his glory, currently snapping down on one of the throats of Tiamat.[4]
Hall of the Exalt[]
The Hall is a large room 60 feet high, coated with a platinum-like material. In the center is a mausoleum-like structure, which is also covered with the same material. A couple of sconces are attached to the walls of the center building and give off low, flickering light in the chamber.[5] There are elements of scrolling engraved across the structure faces.[6]
On the ceiling are platinum golems welding platinum cleavers. They remain hidden until something is sealed in the Hall of Exalt and attack everyone who doesn't bear a symbol of Bahamut.[7]
Notable people[]
- Lady Kima of Vord: Halfling follower of Bahamut and a former disciple at the Platinum Sanctuary.
- Platinum Knight Udire: A champion of Bahamut who was assigned by Highbearer Vord to assist Vox Machina when they requested aid after the Chroma Conclave attacked Emon. He was promptly knocked off his feet by Lady Kima, who insisted that she would be joining Vox Machina in matters concerning her "home turf."[8]
- Highbearer Vord: An elven male who runs the Platinum Sanctuary. Also referred to as the Silvertouched[9].
- Scalebearer Yon: One of the head Scalebearers at the Sanctuary.
- Waylon Amaredda: A Scalebearer at the Sanctuary and a fan of Chetney Pock O'Pea's woodcarving works.[10]
History[]
Background[]
Sometime after 795 PD, a lower chamber of the Sanctuary was occupied by phase spiders.[11]
"Enter Vasselheim" (1x16)[]
Vox Machina defeated the phase spiders and sealed one of the Horns of Orcus beneath the Hall of the Exalt.[12]
"Return to Vasselheim" (1x43)[]
The party went to the Platinum Sanctuary and Highbearer Vord seeking the city's aid against the Chroma Conclave. Vord was aware of the destruction in Tal'Dorei, but refused to aid with reinforcements because he feared Tiamat would attack Vasselheim if he did. However, he offered the assistance of one of their champions, and if the champion reported their certainty that victory could be had, perhaps Vasselheim might be able to send a little more of their power to Tal'Dorei. The chosen champion was shoved aside by Kima of Vord, who joined the group.
"Voice of the Tempest" (1x90)[]
Vex'ahlia and Vax'ildan went to the Platinum Sanctuary and Highbearer Vord, telling him about the book they recovered from Opash. He offered to seal it in a vault beneath the city, but Vax, who doesn't entirely trust him, told him they didn't actually bring it with them. He and Vex decided to go to the Raven Queen's temple instead, since the goddess of death certainly wanted the book destroyed.
"The Ominous March" (1x109)[]
The Platinum Sanctuary was the location of a meeting with dignitaries from all across Vasselheim who came together to discuss dealing with the imminent threat of Vecna and the gigantic earth elemental approaching the city.
"The Chapter Closes" (1x115)[]
After Vox Machina defeated Vecna, J'mon Sa Ord in dragon form transported them into the city and the Platinum Sanctuary. There, Keyleth addressed the people, reluctantly accepting her role as one of the leaders of Exandria, and the Raven Queen appeared to claim Vax'ildan in accordance with their bargain.
"The Search For Grog" (Sx42)[]
After an aide cast Identify on the Deck of Many Things and realized the incredibly dangerous arcane power of the item,[13] Highbearer Vord arranged for the deck to be sealed away in the vaults beneath the Platinum Sanctuary.[14]
Campaign Three[]
After the Apogee Solstice of 843 PD, the activation of the Malleus Key, and the invasion by Ruby Vanguard and Ruidian forces at its base in the Hellcatch Valley of Marquet, the forces of the Exandrian Accord withdrew to Vasselheim and held a convocation of their leaders, political and religious, within the Platinum Sanctuary.[15] When the assembly reconvened the following day, Athudashionus, an ancient silver dragon perched invisibly just under the roof, cast a Zone of Truth that reached everyone within.[16]
References[]
- ↑ See "Return to Vasselheim" (1x43) at 2:02:46.
- ↑ See "Enter Vasselheim" (1x16) from 48:57 through 51:15.
- ↑ See "Cages" (3x103) at 3:33:29.
- ↑ See "Enter Vasselheim" (1x16) at 1:08:18.
- ↑ See "Enter Vasselheim" (1x16) at 1:23:00.
- ↑ See "Enter Vasselheim" (1x16) at 2:26:51.
- ↑ See "Enter Vasselheim" (1x16) at 2:44:30. Golems kept attacking Vox Machina until Kima held off her holy symbol.
- ↑ See "Return to Vasselheim" (1x43) at 2:16:05.
- ↑ See "Return to Vasselheim" (1x43) at 2:08:19.
- ↑ See "Collecting Legends" (3x105) at 2:27:36.
- ↑ See "Enter Vasselheim" (1x16) at 2:14:04.
- ↑ See "Enter Vasselheim" (1x16) at 2:34:45.
- ↑ See "The Search For Grog" (Sx42) at 33:07.
- ↑ See "The Search For Grog" (Sx42) at 4:38:41.
- ↑ See "The Cradle's Convocation" (3x104) at 0:11:59.
- ↑ See "Collecting Legends" (3x105) at 0:58:13.
Art:
- ↑ Symbol of Bahamut from Critical Role: Tal'Dorei Campaign Setting.
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