The Starlit Cave is a well-kept secret; the location of the cave is only known by the Shinya, and they guard the secret intensely. Shinya Acolytes are sent to the cave to undergo their Awakening trial, whereupon completing their trial they are considered a full Shinya.
The cave itself is fairly deep within the Misty Peaks, between the Sartu and Tenten Peaks in the direction of the ocean. From the outside, it's not particularly special; the mouth of the cave is largely overgrown with moss, small and difficult to notice. The entrance to the cave is narrow, though the ceiling is high; before the central chamber of the cave opens up, there are two large holes in the ceiling. These holes are eerily shaped like a pair of eyes through which starlight enters the cave, and the moon can always be seen through at least one of the holes.
Past the eye-shaped holes, the cave opens up into a wider main chamber; cracks in the ceiling let in starlight in this chamber as well, reflecting the light off a pool of water. The ceilings and walls of the cave also glow with a gentle bioluminescence from various mosses, fungi, and small insects. Towards the back of the cave lies the brightest spot of all, a small skyglass shrine to Zintila, which reflects the starlight back into the cave even more brightly than the reflecting pool of water or the bioluminescent glow of the cave walls.
It is here where Shinya Acolytes will wait to receive a message from Zintila in the glittering, glowing reflection of the stars in her skyglass shrine. The Acolyte must pray and meditate while fasting in the cave for three days, at which point they will receive their instructions from the Alvina in the reflection of the starlight.
Acolytes will be tasked with proving their devotion and dedication to Zintila and Lhavit by fetching a specific, difficult to obtain item, such as a rare flower or a feather from a rare bird. Completing their trial will result in the Acolyte becoming a full Shinya, while failure results in the Acolyte either leaving the order or becoming an Initiate permanently.
Rarely will someone unwittingly stumble upon the Starlit Cave, as unless one knows what they are looking for (and often times even then), it is easy to pass over. If non-Shinya are discovered to have come across the cave, they are sworn to secrecy.
ST permission and/or moderation is required in order to use this location.
Past the eye-shaped holes, the cave opens up into a wider main chamber; cracks in the ceiling let in starlight in this chamber as well, reflecting the light off a pool of water. The ceilings and walls of the cave also glow with a gentle bioluminescence from various mosses, fungi, and small insects. Towards the back of the cave lies the brightest spot of all, a small skyglass shrine to Zintila, which reflects the starlight back into the cave even more brightly than the reflecting pool of water or the bioluminescent glow of the cave walls.
Acolytes will be tasked with proving their devotion and dedication to Zintila and Lhavit by fetching a specific, difficult to obtain item, such as a rare flower or a feather from a rare bird. Completing their trial will result in the Acolyte becoming a full Shinya, while failure results in the Acolyte either leaving the order or becoming an Initiate permanently.
Rarely will someone unwittingly stumble upon the Starlit Cave, as unless one knows what they are looking for (and often times even then), it is easy to pass over. If non-Shinya are discovered to have come across the cave, they are sworn to secrecy.
ST permission and/or moderation is required in order to use this location.
