Sanctum of the Oathbearer is a point of interest and an instance located in Hiisi Island, Nod-Krai. It is also known as Court of the First Edict. Before it was sealed five hundred years ago, it was used by the Frostmoon Scions to hold ceremonies.
The location is unsealed during the World Quest Echoes of an Unfinished Past in Series Polkka Beneath the Moon's Oracle and can be accessed by going to the base of the Sanctum of the Oathkeeper.
Interactables[]
All interactables are found on the upper level of the Sanctum.
Aila's Notes[]
...I told a lie, just like Lovia did, and just like my sister did. I said no when Mr. Solovei asked me if I felt any hate.
...But how can I put the hatred in my heart into words? How would someone as kind and sincere as he is ever understand such horrifying malice?
...No. I cannot think this way, and no one needs to know. Mr. Solovei does not need to be troubled with such trivial things. No one is obliged to bear the weight of another's suffering, which they have not experienced. And even if he truly were willing to listen, and even if his kindness were to move him to tears... what would it change? I would only end up bringing needless pain to another tender heart. In the past, the present, and the future, across the countless threads of fate that Lovia once let me glimpse by mistake, the only ones who shed tears for the misfortunes of others are kind souls who ought to be smiling instead. And since the sublunary sphere has always been one where good is repaid with cruelty, the least I could do is spare him a sorrow that does him no good.
...Once upon a time, I despised lies. Yet now, I find myself speaking them with keen intent. Maybe the [...] of the past dozen years or so has been punishment for this very moment...
...But that does not matter anymore. From the noble lady of Salt to the scions of Gurabad's jinni, there have been plenty of instances where the innocent have suffered the gravest of punishments, let alone a sinner as steeped in [...] as I am. If the silvery-white thread has already found its way around my neck, I may as well bear the weight of still more unforgivable sins by myself so that the children who remain untainted may be spared...
...What was born of the Frost Moon must return to it. All the walls, towers, fortresses, and temples must be torn down, save for the great pillar raised here by the Dragonborn, that is, the sacred sanctuary where our ancestors found refuge. Prolonged isolation and seclusion serve only to nourish fleeting ambitions and hollow delusions. Let it be reverence for nature, kindness toward outlanders, and those virtues in which none believe, and not the pride of the dead, which sets our threads apart from theirs. Only then will there never again be another Lovia... or another me.
...Decades from now, a new moon goddess will be born... Oh, the irony of it! Lovia's long and desperate quest was, in the end, for nothing. Even if [...] had borne the sacred heir as foretold, and not the man who abducted my sister... The one who should have been our sovereign would only have created even greater chaos in Snezhnaya. The birth of the new moon had nothing to do with anything she did. She could not even foresee the coming of that maiden, and nor did she know that the holy throne had never truly been broken...
...I do not know if I will live to see that moment, for my own thread is hidden from my sight. But I pray that I will not. Those tainted by sin do not deserve to witness the moon's pure light...
...In any case, people must come to believe that the new moon takes delight only in kindness, friendship, and mutual aid — that no other prayer or sacrifice will ever please our goddess. This is what they must believe, because if they do not, then no matter how noble the ideal, it will only wither and fade into the filth that lies beneath the moon...
...The threads of the gods are too bright for me to follow, and I cannot see where she is headed. But at the very least, the Frostmoon Scions, who have been redeemed in her name, must ensure that the power of choice remains hers alone. No one should ever seek repayment or reward from her, and she must never be molded into the "perfect deity" others wish her to become...
...Daughter of the Frost Moon, maiden of the new moon... May she one day behold the dream of true happiness... and may the Frost Moon never forgive my sins, for I have cursed her name more times than I can count.
Letter for Lovia[]
To the most holy and venerable Lady Lovia:
I pen this letter to account for the tragic event that transpired earlier. You asked that I send people to welcome the holy lady, and I did exactly as you instructed. But that poor girl — alas for her great beauty! — failed to grasp the kindness behind your gesture, and seized by some terrible impulse, she took her own life on the spot. For this terrible, irreparable loss, I can offer only my prayers. I pray that your compassionate goddess may ease your sorrow and keep your noble heart from breaking, despite the weight of this grief.
Regarding the "Sampo Mill" mentioned in your last letter, I am truly grateful for your openness and trust. Like you, I remain uninitiated in the true workings of this sacred relic. Yet on this matter, we are of one mind: We must find another way to rouse this ancient relic and forge a paradise, an Elysium of enduring prosperity for the people of Nod-Krai, especially your noble kin. From this moment on, I shall dedicate myself wholly to uncovering the secrets that lie within the relic.
As for the remaining matters, both more trivial and complex, I hope to discuss them at greater length with you soon. Until then, I ask that you accept these modest gifts as a small token of my regard and a gesture of sympathy for the loss that has touched your household. Please know that I hold your noble character in the highest esteem. Even at the court of His Majesty the Belyi Tsar, it is rare to encounter a lady of such uncommon foresight and deep devotion to the greater good as yourself, not to mention one who so willingly places the well-being of the nation and her people above personal sentiment. Our positions, interests, and aspirations are most closely aligned. As such, I greatly look forward to our future joint endeavors.
Your ever-steadfast friend and ally,
Rotwang
Letter for Aila[]
Dear Miss Aila,
I am truly sorry that I was unable to stop Miss Alia in that moment. Yet, it was through her noble sacrifice that we ultimately thwarted Rotwang and prevented the loss of countless lives. Now, I finally understand why she pretended to be my close companion. I hope to speak with you about this in greater detail when next we meet — though perhaps, by then, you will already know more about all this than I.
I shall not presume to judge, nor shall I attempt to alter your opinion of her. But I ask, if nothing else, that you allow me to honor Miss Alia's final wishes by sharing her words with you. She asked that I render all possible support to you (which I surely will. You are my benefactor, after all), and that — I relay this only as she spoke it — she hoped that you would go on to live a life of happiness and freedom.
As for the Arrow of Terpikeraunas you mentioned in your last letter, if it truly holds the power to dispel the pitch-black calamity, and if you are willing to share it with such selflessness, then on behalf of the people of Nod-Krai, please accept my deepest gratitude. Should, as you foresee, Rotwang indeed rise again from the pitch-black filth, then our successors — an order I am considering naming the "Lightkeepers," in honor of the flame you have kindled — will stand ready to vanquish the threat once more, armed with the technology you have so generously gifted us."
We can speak of the details in person whenever you are free. I understand all too well that, after Lovia's passing, the Frostmoon Scions have been left with countless matters demanding your attention.
Yours sincerely,
Solovei
Ancient Volume[]
Page 1/3:
...
According to the teachings left by the apostle of the Golden City, all matters must be governed by reason alone, untainted by sentiment, for mortal tongues cannot articulate the sacred mysteries, and frail emotion will only profane the words of the ancestors. In service of a pure and exalted ideal, for the future of the scions of the far north, [...] these actions are as justified as they are necessary.
This decree has been approved by Lovia, humble handmaiden of the Frost Moon and the [...]th Archpriestess since the fall of Hyperborea.
...
Decree CMLXIII: Alternative Plan for the Sacred Heir's Selection
(All of the content that follows has been erased and cannot be read.)
Page 2/3:
...
...In accordance with the teachings of the apostle of the Golden City, all matters concerning craftsmanship and secret rites must be recorded without the taint of personal sentiment, for mortal tongues cannot articulate the sacred mysteries, and frail emotion would only profane the words of our ancestors. Do not seek to understand what lies beyond mortal intellect. Simply recite the ancient prayers with a sincere heart so that the purity of the blessings may endure.
This decree was issued by Saredne, humble handmaiden of the Frost Moon and 13th Archpriestess since the fall of Hyperborea. It is not to be defied. In the name of the mistress of the Frost Moon, the ancient laws, once obscure and difficult to understand, are now set forth in clear and concise terms, lest the faithful falter or be led astray.
...
Decree III: Elysium and the Prophecy of the Sacred Heir
Let the children of Hyperborea guard their sacred bloodline from defilement, for the heir of Elysium is destined to one day arrive.
It is hereby forbidden to marry one's closest kin. That is to say, no union shall be permitted between blood relatives.
It is forbidden to enter into marriage with someone from a clan that has committed blasphemy.
It is forbidden to enter into marriage with someone from a clan that has taken the life of an innocent.
It is forbidden to enter into marriage with someone from a clan that has broken its oath.
It is forbidden to enter into marriage with someone from a clan that does not bear an antlered crown.
It is forbidden to enter into marriage with someone from a clan that has committed parricide.
It is forbidden to enter into marriage with any person disturbed of mind.
It is forbidden to enter into marriage with the descendants of the fae.
It is forbidden to enter into marriage with a person not of the faith.
It is forbidden to enter into marriage with an outlander.
Marriage is a most sacred act of virtue and must be kept pure. Therefore, let no unclean act stain our bloodline.
Let no action be taken to incur the displeasure of the mistress of the Frost Moon, and let no one betray their oaths.
Whosoever enters into marriage must first obtain the permission and blessing of the Archpriestess, lest a curse befall their bloodline.
Said curse shall plague their bloodline for seven generations, and then for seven more.
Whosoever breaks this oath shall have their horns severed with a silver blade. They who have been marked thus shall be cast into the long, lightless night.
Hear now the ancient prophecy: In the fullness of time, Elysium shall come, and with it, the sovereign ordained to rule over it shall also appear.
The false sevenfold radiance of the high heavens shall fall at her feet, and the bones of the earth shall rise to follow her.
For from her shall spring union with the world, and from her shall the first great cause be rebuilt.
Let these words of wisdom find root in your heart, and neglect not the sanctity of your blessed bloodline.
...
Decree VI: Offerings to the Sampo Mill
The children of Hyperborea shall guard the sacred treasure forged by the apostle of the Golden City at all costs.
Let it be known that the relic that is the Sampo Mill is a sacred work, for its blessing yields unending gold, grain, and salt.
Only the prophesied sacred heir shall have the power to rouse the Mill, and thus bring forth an Elysium of eternal abundance for us all.
According to the revelation of our ancestors, the Mill shall be sealed within a holy sanctum to preserve it from taint and desecration until the appointed time, when the sacred heir is born at last.
All followers below the rank of priestess shall not enter the holy sanctuary wherein the Mill is sealed. Those who violate this precept shall have a curse befall their bloodline.
Said curse shall plague their bloodline for seven generations, and then for seven more.
Before sowing in spring, an offering of wheat, goat's milk, and salt must be made unto the Sampo Mill, lest famine befall you.
At least one priestess shall be designated to chant prayers to the Mill day and night, to ensure a bountiful harvest and enduring prosperity.
...
Decree X: Offering to the Arrow of Terpikeraunas
The children of Hyperborea shall revere the Arrow of Terpikeraunas without fail.
Let it be known that this relic, forged of pure light, is a bow and arrow that can pierce the manifold darkness of the frozen night.
You shall mix the sacred oils in the following manner prescribed by the rites of the ancestors:
Take up a clean silver vessel free from all dust and water, for defilement is the root of all corruption.
Take the fat of a lamb, clear and pure, and warm it over a gentle fire.
It must not be too hot, or too cool. Do not bring it to a boil.
Add sulfur, salt, sawdust, and wax in their proper order while stirring with great care.
Stir until the substances inside the vessel are of one uniform color.
The number for your counting shall be seven hours. Six you shall not count, neither count you eight,
Excepting that you should count to seven. Five and nine are right out.
Then, anoint your bow and arrows with the holy oil,
And your arrows shall snuff out the pitch-black foe, shattering them like plates of silver.
Page 3/3:
(A thick stack of papers, hidden by an unknown someone in a secret compartment inside the back cover.)
...
In accordance with the statutes laid down by [...], all matters concerning Mekhaneikos and Tekhneikos shall be recorded objectively, concisely, and untainted by personal sentiment. Thus shall we guard against the distortion of truth via subjectivity, that the knowledge we possess may be transmitted with clarity to future generations, and serve the welfare of our people to the fullest possible extent.
The contents of this document have been approved by Spargapiris of Haxathrausa. All members of the order, beginning with the executive priests, shall commit its contents to memory and observe the prescribed procedures without deviation, until the reconstruction of civilization has reached five-sevenths completion (for further details, consult Tekhneikos Manual I-330).
...
If these words have reached your eyes, let it be known that you have completed the foundational disciplines of Mekhaneikos or Tekhneikos, and are hereby elevated to the rank of executive priest. Congratulations are in order.
Regrettably, your newly acquired title is not a privilege, but a burden of duty, hardship, and silent suffering borne for this realm and the countless lives she shelters.
You are destined to offer all of your youth and your life to preserve the last embers of civilization. Yet even with your final breath, you may never behold the Frostmoon's radiant light, nor see the dawn break once more upon our beautiful homeland. For the lights of the far north have been extinguished, and countless generations are condemned to cower in darkest night. No miracle has ever graced this tainted sublunary sphere, and tears have never delivered our kin from sorrow.
Then what purpose, if any, lies in all that you shall do from this moment hence?
I suppose, then, it is for an ethereal dream. A dream of countless tomorrows, for an infinity of futures yet unborn.
Only through our blood, our tears, and our toil shall our children be granted the chance to behold the glorious era and the lost Elysium we once knew. On that day, none shall weep for suffering, nor fear hunger or cold. All beings shall love one another as brothers and sisters, and all shall dwell in joy and peace.
This shall be our final and greatest dream: That our kin shall no longer be mired in superstition and barbarism. For the hope once envisioned by gods and mortals alike, we must push forward. There is no path but through.
Sear these words into your mind before you proceed to read the assessment records and operating procedures.
Hold fast to our dream of tomorrow, and let not its light be dimmed by the dust of neglect.
— Spargapiris of Haxathrausa, Acting Archpriestess of Hyperborea
...
Protocol III: Final Evaluation on Bloodline Selection and Purification
Upon evaluation and confirmation by the Acting Archpriestess and the Senior Executive Tekhneikos Priestess, the Seed of Life Project from the Hyperborea era — henceforth referred to as the Sacred Heir Project — has been deemed to no longer be viable within the bounds of its original planned parameters. The priest who led the project, Vinda of Hithamthrausa, has passed beyond, and the essential Tekhneikos processes and Mekhaneikos apparatuses required for its continuation were lost in the fall of Hyperborea. These include, but are not limited to:
· The process of [...] cutting and modification;
· The process of [...] creation and reconstruction;
· The [...] and [...] processes, which were of the fae;
· The adaptive [...] editing process;
· ...
The aforementioned Tekhneikos processes are, at present, irreproducible.
After due deliberation, the following alternative protocol has been deemed acceptable:
· The purification of existing [...] is to be performed through controlled artificial selection, using methods primitive and inefficient.
· The phenotypic stability of each generation shall be recorded. Then, from this data, the most suitable pairs for union shall be identified, and non-coercive means employed to persuade the parties to join in union.
· Should persuasion fail to meet the criteria detailed in Tekhneikos Manual O-90, promptly proceed to the next priority match, and continue in like fashion.
· To minimize risk of disease, the Bloodline Proximity Index of all breeding pairs shall not exceed [...]. Accordingly, no individuals shall be joined in union if they share common ancestry within five generations.
This course of action is expected to yield outcomes approaching the original objective after [...] successive generations of refinement and selection. At such time, the one prophesied, the newborn Sacred Heir, shall arise. Without the need for ritual implements, nor the forfeiture of their soul, this heir shall command the pure, unaltered elemental forces at will, and shall at last attain fusion with the World.
Note: In light of projected population growth and the limits of environmental carrying capacity, it is anticipated that the practice of widespread artificial breeding may be terminated after seven generations. Thereafter, limited intermarriage with select outlanders may then be sanctioned (details in Tekhneikos Manual I-1012). Furthermore, it is hereby affirmed that, once the continuity of civilization has been assured, the descendants of the far north shall be granted the sovereign right to determine their own destinies.
...
Protocol VI: The Subatomic Assembling Mass-Energy Patterning Orb (Sealed)
The project of constructing this supremely advanced Mekhaneikos construct was personally overseen by [...] and is not fully understood at this time. It was designed to reconstruct matter at the subatomic scale, or to transmute matter directly into stable energy, which would then be released in the form of [...].
Of all the known highest-tier Mekhaneikos constructs dating to the time of Hyperborea, only the Subatomic Assembling Mass-energy Patterning Orb (hereafter referred to as the "SAMPO") has endured to the present age. Its structure remains largely intact, granting it immense symbolic significance. However, a formal evaluation by the Acting Archpriestess and the Senior Executive Mekhaneikos Priestess has determined that the device, in its current state, is no longer functional. The collaborative control module connected to the device was lost during the fall of Hyperborea and cannot be replicated with existing technologies. In the absence of this module, proper activation of the SAMPO is impossible, and it is presumed that even a forced restart would fail to correctly reconfigure said device (refer to appendix for more details).
After due deliberation, it is resolved that the device shall be sealed indefinitely, with no re-evaluation of its activation viability for a period of [...] generations. All personnel without explicit authorization from the Archpriestess may not breach the seal. This will prevent unnecessary accidental damage to the device.
Note: The Senior Executive Mekhaneikos Priestess, Ariapeithea of Massagetae, has proposed a theoretically viable bypass protocol. Namely, the controlled input of [...] Realm Energy or [...] Realm Energy (refer to Mekhaneikos Manual D-503 for the possibility of the latter) at a specific carrier frequency, which may circumvent the collaborative control module and forcibly initiate the SAMPO. Upon formal evaluation, however, the proposed method was determined to pose unacceptable safety risks, with the probability of system destabilization and ensuing [...] exceeding [...]. In light of these findings, the original decision shall stand.
...
Protocol X: The Arrow of Terpikeraunas
The subject of the project is a low-tier Mekhaneikos device of the Hyperborea era, designed to solidify [...] Realm Energy into a semi-crystalline polymeric form. Once stabilized, the material is subjected to a high-frequency [...] spiral acceleration and subsequently launched, thereby purging a designated area of [...] Realm Energy contamination.
The Acting Archpriestess and the Senior Executive Mekhaneikos Priestess have jointly affirmed that the device's remanufacture is viable. This work shall proceed under the oversight of Senior Executive Mekhaneikos Priestess Ariapeithea of Massagetae, with the prototype device projected for completion within [...] standard quarters.
Upon completion, the prototype apparatus shall be subject to regular lubrication with ointments to prevent avoidable safety incidents. (Refer to Mekhaneikos Manual D-306 for more details.)
...
Tattered Volume[]
- Tattered Volume: (This appears to just be an ordinary fairy tale in which a kind-hearted girl makes friends with a white pigeon, after which they travel the world together.)
- Ancient Volume: (Some of the pages have been torn out for reasons unknown, and the ink has almost completely faded. The cover has beautiful golden words inscribed on it: "Kitezhgrad Publishing House.")
Descriptions[]
Soundtracks[]
| No. | Soundtrack Name | Album | Played In |
|---|---|---|---|
| 59 | A Lie of Aila | Outside It Is Growing Dark | Sanctum of the Oathbearer Quests |
Lore[]
Up until 500 years ago, the Frostmoon Scions used the Court of the First Edict to hold ceremonies. After realizing Lovia's treachery and assassinating her, Aila sealed away the Frostmoon Scions' ancient documents and evidence of Lovia's corruption inside the Court of the First Edict in order to prevent the rise of anyone like Lovia in the future. She also placed Moonweaver's Dawn, a ritual sword forged by Seutervoinen during the Hyperborean era, inside the White Spring at the Court's ground level.[1]
The location would remain sealed until Verna and the Traveler unseal it during World Quest Echoes of an Unfinished Past in Series Polkka Beneath the Moon's Oracle, in accordance with Aila's predictions.
In the middle of the Court stands the Verdant Crest, a divine tree that is said to have appeared alongside Columbina. However, it is referenced in Hyperborean era hymns even though it should not have existed back then.[2]
Trivia[]
- The description for mixing the Arrow of Terpikeraunas' anointing (lubricating) oil is a reference to the instructions for using the Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch in the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail: "First shalt thou take out the Holy Pin. Then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out. Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then lobbest thou thy Holy Hand Grenade of Antioch towards thy foe, who, being naughty in My sight, shall snuff it."
Other Language[]
| Language | Official Name | Literal Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| English | Sanctum of the Oathbearer | — |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 遗誓者的圣所 | Sanctum of the One Who Left the Oath Behind |
| Chinese (Traditional) | 遺誓者的聖所 | |
| Japanese | 誓いを遺した者の聖地 Chikai wo Nokoshita Mono no Seichi | |
| Korean | 맹세를 잃은 자의 성소 Maengsereul Ireun Jaui Seongso | |
| Spanish | Santuario de la Rompejuramentos | |
| French | Sanctuaire du parjure | Sanctuary of the Perjurer |
| Russian | Святилище нарушителя клятв Svyatilishche narushitelya klyatv | |
| Thai | สถานศักดิ์สิทธิ์ของผู้ละทิ้งคำสัตย์ | |
| Vietnamese | Thánh Địa Người Quên Lời Thề | |
| German | Heiligtum der Eidbrecherin | Sanctuary of the Oathbreaker |
| Indonesian | Sanctum of the Oathbearer | |
| Portuguese | Santuário do Violador de Juramentos | |
| Turkish | Sözden Dönenin Sığınağı | |
| Italian | Santuario dello Spergiuro |
Change History[]
References[]
- ↑ World Quest, Polkka Beneath the Moon's Oracle: Echoes of an Unfinished Past
- ↑ Book: Hymns of the Far North, Vol. 1
The Verdant Crest, a Divine Tree that appeared at the birth of the Moon Maiden five centuries ago, should not feature in any account of rituals predating that event.
