Myth of the Month: Hrelar Amali

The City of the Gods (Hrelar Amali) is located on the Crimson Plains between Ralios and Seshnela. It is the sport where Flamal, beloved of Ernalda, fell at the hands of Zorak Zoran during the great War. For this reason, it is one of the most sacred spots in all Genertela. At Flamal's death, the Enerali people built a temple to him, and added a temple to Ernalda herself and one to Xentha, who carried off Flamal's body, as appeasement. After Ehilm was resurrected at Hrelar Amali, a temple was built for him and the Theyalans and Seshnegi added temples to Orlanth and Magasta. Later temples to all the greater deities were addedm as well as many to lesser gods.

To guarantee the place's sanctity, the priests never worked, and were given food and other necessities by the gods themselves. The place's sacred quality was also maintained by oaths which protected any pilgrims and priests while there, or on the way, so long as they wore the yellow robes. There is always a mouthpiece for the temple, who acts for any god who is in charge at the time. He is called chief of the Court, and was created by the rulers of the Spike itself from their blood.

As long as Hrelar Amali was populated and maintained no other cities rose in Genertela. At last it fell to the corruption of a particularly vile form of magic called Vadeli sorcery. Many efforts have been made repopulate it, but no one alive remembered how to do it right.

Random Fact from Greg's Files: Smoking is an old Ralios habit. In Ralios, the prehistoric people say that a plant was born whose blessing was to be a vehicle for sending prayers to the spirits. It was the Kafl plant. The leaf is dried and crumbled and kept in elaborate beaded bags until used. Then it is rolled into paper, and the spirit talkers light one end and puff on it, feeding the spirits with their smoke and prayers. Kafl leaf has been a popular pick-me-up in the West for longer than anyone knows, although the Rokari wizards deplor it as a vile habit, a debased relic of barbarian customs.