BEJIST 3
Bejist is located on Setha Heath two leagues inland from the Belna Strait. It is a mysterious, foreboding place whose existence is known only to a few. The site contains buildings from three different periods in various states of repair. These include an Earthmaster structure, extensive fortress ruins dating from the Codominium and Atani Wars, and a recent temple built and occupied by a renegade sect of Naveh. The surrounding terrain is unappealing at best, mostly wind-swept heath which contains numerous treacherous bogs. Setha Heath lies within the range of the Pagaelin tribal nation, but they avoid Bejist.
HISTORY
Bejist was once occupied by the enigmatic Earthmasters, evidenced by a domed structure housing an unusually large godstone. If the Earthmasters ever built other structures at Bejist, these have long since vanished. As with other Earthmaster sites, Bejist was abandoned by its original builders approximately 15,000 years ago.
There is no evidence to suggest the Sindarin or Khuzdul occupied the site during the Codominium, but it is apparent that the Jarin had established a small fishing community at the site by 1000 BT. At this time Bejist lay on the coast and Setha Heath was less extensive than it is today. Around 800 BT, during the Atani Wars, Daelda, the Sindarin King of Harn, chose this location to build a major fortress known as Caer Harmenel. Bejist soon grew into a middle sized Jarin town, with a sizable minority of Khuzdul who had aided with the construction of Caer Harmenel.
Soon after the tragedy of the Battle of Sorrows in 683BT, the Sindarin relinquished their sovreignity of Harn. Bejist was then abandoned by the Jarin and Khuzdul as being indefensible without elven support. Ironically, because of the surrounding infertile heath the conquering Lythians ignored the site and it rapidly fell into decay. Given its remote location, Bejist was seldom visited and soon gained an unpleasant reputation. Legends grew that the site was the abode of gods whose voices could be heard as the howling winds of Setha Heath. Centuries of isolation passed during which the sea retreated southwards leaving the harbour, which had never been deep, a marshy salt flat.
The Temple of Naveh
Not until 664 TR was Bejist occupied again, this time by a group of renegade Navehan clerics from Tashal. An internal schism in the church led to the founding of the Cult of Aedlad the Imprisoned The cult fled Tashal and established a temple/farm complex at Bejist, using the stones of the old town in its construction. Over the past fifty years the cult has prospered, increasing in numbers largely by the kidnapping of Pagaelin infants, a tribal nation over whom the Navehans exert considerable influence (see: Pagaelin).
During their self-exile at Bejist, the Cult.of Aedlad the Imprisoned developed a somewhat modified Navehan theology, although most of the sacred rituals remain unchanged. The clerics suffer no interlopers at Bejist. Tresspassers that they catch are unlikely to have a pleasant memory of their visit.
1. TEMPLE OF RYIKUN
Founded in 664, this Navehan temple is built of stone salvaged from the old town of Bejist. The complex is unique among Navehan temples on Harn, all others being located in urban centers. The structure has one floor and a cellar The general layout is reminiscent of other Navehan temples, although circumstances allow more space to be devoted to traditional functions. Complete plans of both floors are given on pages 4 and 5.
Another unique aspect of this temple, both possible and necessary because of its location, is the fact that the clerics support themselves with raising livestock and growing their own food. To the northwest of the temple there are two large open fields tended by acolytes. To the north is a livestock paddock for sheep and goats, which also contains two barns. To the south, the large orchard provides apples, pears, and other fruits for temple consumption and trade with the Pagaelin. To the east are two gardens, the larger for vegetables, the smaller a herb garden.
The priests grow numerous medicinal and alchemical plants in the herb garden. The type and number of plants varies by season and needs of the priest, but always contains Alanal (see: Herblore article) the herb used to control the Pagaelin. The herb garden is under the direction of the Larovana (Deacon of Herbs), a senior acolyte, and chief assistant to the Larova (Master of Elixirs).
2. EARTHMASTER BUILDING
This octagonal domed building is located on high ground to the southwest of the temple. It is very well preserved, being constructed almost entirely of psuedostone. Plans of the building’s ground floor and cellar appear on page 8.
3. OLD HARBOUR
The remains of a Khuzan built wharf. Since Bejist was abandoned around 680 BT, the sea has moved south about two leagues. The former coast was the adjacent scarp line.
4. TOWN RUINS
The ruins of the Jarin settlement that grew up around Caer Harmenel. The town had an usually high number of stone buildings, built by Khuzan masons, because of the shortage of nearby timber on Setha Heath. Much of the usable stone, and anything else of value, has been salvaged by the Navehans.
5. CAER HARMENEL
The old citadel, built by Khuzan masons. It consisted of a rectangular bailey with fifteen foot high walls and a thirty foot high round tower in each corner. Only the two east towers survive, both to the second floor. Internal structures no longer exist.
6. AMORIEN TOWER
One of two twenty foot towers which flanked the only gate of Caer Harmenel. Both towers are now in ruin. The plans and significance of Amorien Tower are described on pages 6 and 7.
THE SCROLL OF TAURIN
The following is an excerpt from the “memoirs” of Taurin Halfhanded, a Priest of Naveh who came to Harn during the Atani Wars.
“We were eight, skilled in the holy arts, sent from the place most holy, to be among the pagans in this distant isle called Anadel. For five years we laboured, O my brothers, doing the holy work, and oft did it seem our efforts were vain.
“It passed that the folk we dwelled among grew weary of peace and sought battle with the Sindar devils. We eight were among them, ever seeking an opportunity to further the sacred task. A great and terrible battle raged. We watched in dismay, O my brothers, as the ever-living scum broke the army of our people, and went among them slaying.
“We eight gathered our strength and exerted all our sacred arts to summon from Yashain the one called Aedlad, the living antithesis of the Sindar King. And he came among us, O my brothers, his might beyond measure, and looked he down upon the field of battle, and beheld his foe and made towards him, slaying all that stood between. His very glance held death and his touch was dissolution.
“And Aedlad and the Sindar Lord did meet on the bloody plain, and they did smite each other with fell blows that echoed afar. And Aedlad slew the Sindar, rending his body. Yet even as we triumphed, O my brothers, the kin of the Elven Lord captured Aedlad, a feat we thought impossible, and the battle was lost.
“I saw the devils take Aedlad from the field, and I followed them to their fortress on the heath. There I fwatched as the Sindar filth built a mighty prison or the one they could not slay, him who had served us so well. Yet I knew they could not imprison Aedlad beyond release. There are keys to free our holy servant, O my brothers, but alas, I knew them not.
“After much fruitless rescue, guidance from the master led me to abandon the task I saw that the time was yet unripe, that many generations must pass afore Aedlad walks among the faithful. Oh my brothers, know you the time when the kingdoms of men shall kneel to our Lord. God then, and make ready for your brethren, for this is a sacred duty.”
This particular scroll was discovered in the Temple of Naveh in Tashal by an acolyte called Ryiku in the middle of the last century. The young cleric was much inspired by the tale, but was unable to convince any master of its worth. Bade to be silent on the matter, Ryiku persisted and was placed under Herth-Akan. He survived and gathered a small following of brothers since any who escape the ordeal are well respected, founding the Cult of Aedlad Imprisoned.
Ryiku and his followers were eventually forced to flee Tashal, and after skillful manipulation of the Pagaelin, founded their temple at Bejist in 664. Once established, they undertook excavations to find the prison of Aedlad. Ryiku died in 676, and since then the necessities of survival have lessened the urgency of the sect’s mission. The legend is not forgotten, and excavations still are untertaken from time to time, but they have now taken on the aspect of symbolic ritual.
Ground Floor
The ground floor is clearly divided into two wings; the northern for the masters, and the southern for acolytes. There are accommodations for seven masters and fifty three acolytes. There are also two creches for the care of infants taken from the Pagaelin to be raised as acolytes. The temple has no servants or slaves as such, all menial tasks being performed by junior acolytes, generally between eleven and twenty in age. Senior acolytes have various functions, including guard and administrative duties, and some serve as personal assistants to masters and augurs. The augurs, who live among the Pagaelin, are also drawn from the ranks of the most senior acolytes. Each of the masters has a particular responsibility.
Garana: High Priest of the temple and his word is law. He presides at the most important rituals and sets temple policy. Since 716 this office has been held by Lerepin.
Arasha: The High Priest’s right hand (chief deacon) and also responsible for the the augurs among the Pagaelin.
Wolren: The Master of Treasures and custodian of the cult’s books, scrolls, relics, and monies. Most of these have been obtained since the cult arrived at Bejist, although his most valuable relic is the Scroll of Taurin found by Ryiku in the temple at Tashal.
Dezena: The Master of Ritual, who teaches the mysteries to acolytes and has various ceremonial functions. The master’s chamber has exclusive access to the special effects room in the cellar by means of a mechanically hidden door. These effects are generally operated by his personal deacon.
Tarava: The Master of Discipline who administers the cult’s rigid code of obedience. He has no deacons, but has enlisted, unknown to each other, many of the acolytes as informers.
Prada: The master in charge of training junior acolytes, and responsible for obtaining the Pagaelin infants to maintain the cult’s strength.
Larova: An unusual position in the Navehan church, but of particular importance in this temple. Through his assistants, he gathers and cultivates the herbs, and prepares the drugs and potions consumed by members of the cult and the Pagaelin.
Encyclopedia Hârnica #9 By N. Robin Crossby
BEJIST 3
Encyclopedia Hârnica #9 By N. Robin Crossby