Northern Temple of Beliar
From World of Gothic
Beliar's chaotic and destructive force has always been the fear of most and envy of some. Many people seek to complete their own goals with the use of tricks, crime, deception and... magic. Beliar acted as the mentor of these, giving rich rewards to the successful and eternal torment to the unworthy. Thus, Beliar's most deceptive and maybe powerful weapon were his followers that willingly or unwillingly joined him.
Beliar relied on the desperate, xenophobic and hyper-maniacal individuals. That's why, his favour was evident when he found a whole race that suited this characteristics, the Orcs. The Orcish society was toped by the Warlord and his elder shaman council. It was ruled by the warrior's instinct of fighting, constant struggle to survive and obedience to the powers of destruction: earth, fire, storm and spirit. Beliar appeared in front of the shamans as a vengeful spirit of the gods, that requested new sacrifices. He promised them food, shelter, warm fires for their offsprings, skins for their homes to decorate, skills to make weapons and a berserk power, a rage that the Orcs prized as the ultimate motivation and catalist for a successful battle. What other things be needed to attract this raw force of destruction to his fold, than the promise for an outlandish future.
Then again, there is no certain information as who were the builders of the Northern Temple of Beliar. The Temple was constructed on the top of a mountain chain, the infamous Serpent Ridge that divided Nordmar, to the south from the northern tundras. The Ridge was thought to be the mouth of hell itself in frozen form, since nobody ever crossed it to the other side. That's why this temple has been built there, to show everyone the horror Beliar can do to the "unbelievers". The Orcs lived far to the north, on the "roof of all worlds". Again, there is no evidence why and how did the Orcs survive in such conditions, but they were certainly not to their liking. Pulled to the temple, the Orcs were organized for war and helped to achieve the impossible, they crossed the ridge and initiated the Orc Wars. This was like a dark blessing that convinced the Orcs again of Beliar's divine power.
During the battles in Nordmar, Rhobar I and his Paladins went north to protect the Ore Mines that they valued so highly. It is here, when Beliar first attacked humankind directly, Innos "cried" out the famous Tears of Innos. It was an astonishing hailstorm that burned the Orcs and blessed the Paladins. Rhobar decided that the only way to win is to strike where it hurts the most and led his knights against the impossible, the temple itself. It was a long ascension. Many died on the way up. Seeing as to what will this endeavor cost him, Rhobar wanted to turn back, yet some of his warriors resisted and pressed on. Rhobar returned with only 20 Paladins and 3 Fire Mages and joined the ranks of Nordmarians in battle. Late at night, Rhobar and his men had strange dreams of Innos fighting with his flaming blade in the form of a Knight, the one that remained insistent on continuing the march and Beliar fighting with a black, poisoned blade in the form of an Orc. The next day at dawn, they saw a tower of smoke coming out of the mountains' top. The temple was gone and so were the Paladins that destroyed it. The Tears of Innos that Rhobar drunk allowed him to connect to the spirits that empowered both symbolical heroes that fought there, at the top. No one ever climbed the ridge again, but one thing is certain, the Orcs have been quite shaken and disorganized for a few days after that event.