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Khemetra / Region D

ImenvarThe Undying Terraces

Memory endures.
There is still hope.

In Imenvar, living inhabitants and consciously preserved residents share work, care and knowledge. Follow Rhaevan, Nakhren and Varesh through the terraces, beneath the black sands and into a memory that leads to an unexpected hope.

Locate Imenvar on the map Follow Rhaevan ↗Meet Rhaevan in Akheryn ↗33 views · Terraces, temple & journey

The territory: Inhabited stone terraces follow Khemetra’s Eirhallow side. Within Khemetra, Imenvar meets Akheryn, Serekh, Osereth and Kharuset.
The continuing life: Living inhabitants and consciously preserved residents share homes, workshops and knowledge. Care respects each person’s choices and pace.
Beyond the lamps: The settled terraces give way to black sands and buried mausoleums. A hidden chamber holds the memory Rhaevan has come to face.

33 views

D / The territory

The Undying Terraces

Homes, mausoleums and working courts rise around the Temple of the Unbroken Name.

Pale stone terraces hold homes, mausoleums and working courts beneath the Temple of the Unbroken Name. — Daylight
Imenvar — The Undying Terraces
Pale stone terraces hold homes, mausoleums and working courts beneath the Temple of the Unbroken Name.
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Ivory pylons, dark colonnades and plum banners frame the Temple of the Unbroken Name above Imenvar’s inhabited terraces. — Daylight
Temple of the Unbroken Name
Ivory pylons, dark colonnades and plum banners frame the Temple of the Unbroken Name above Imenvar’s inhabited terraces.
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D / Inside the temple

Rooms for a Continuing Life

Records, care, teaching and rest meet within the temple’s connected galleries.

An architectural cutaway reveals rooms for records and testimony, conservation, teaching and rest, connected by galleries and terrace gardens. — Interior
Temple of the Unbroken Name — Interior Cutaway
An architectural cutaway reveals rooms for records and testimony, conservation, teaching and rest, connected by galleries and terrace gardens.
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D / The mountain road

Where the Terraces Begin

Rhaevan, Nakhren and Varesh descend from Kharuset and find a welcome among Imenvar’s people.

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As the mountain road descends, Imenvar’s pale terraces emerge between the rocks. Rhaevan walks with Nakhren and Varesh, while Kharum follows along the broad stone path. — Daylight
Where the Mountains Open
As the mountain road descends, Imenvar’s pale terraces emerge between the rocks. Rhaevan walks with Nakhren and Varesh, while Kharum follows along the broad stone path.
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Beneath the colonnade, Imenvar’s keepers prepare water and space for Kharum. Nakhren releases a luggage strap, Rhaevan lowers a chest onto the cart, and Varesh carries the rolled linen into the shade. — Daylight
Room Beneath the Colonnade
Beneath the colonnade, Imenvar’s keepers prepare water and space for Kharum. Nakhren releases a luggage strap, Rhaevan lowers a chest onto the cart, and Varesh carries the rolled linen into the shade.
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An open door leads into a courtyard where daily work continues. Its resident welcomes Rhaevan, Nakhren and Varesh, his aged linen wraps resting among the folds of his clothes. — Daylight
A Door Still Open
An open door leads into a courtyard where daily work continues. Its resident welcomes Rhaevan, Nakhren and Varesh, his aged linen wraps resting among the folds of his clothes.
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D / Among the people

The Work of Living Memory

Residents direct their own care, keep their records and share skills still being learned.

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At the artisan’s request, Nakhren steadies the frame. A small adjustment draws the linen into place, while Rhaevan and Varesh watch from beside the workbench. — Interior
The Work of Patient Hands
At the artisan’s request, Nakhren steadies the frame. A small adjustment draws the linen into place, while Rhaevan and Varesh watch from beside the workbench.
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Within the temple, a specialist shows Rhaevan where care materials are sorted and stored. He listens as she explains the need for more working space, while the daily service continues around them. — Interior
Within the Unbroken Name
Within the temple, a specialist shows Rhaevan where care materials are sorted and stored. He listens as she explains the need for more working space, while the daily service continues around them.
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The resident chooses the handrail and asks for a moment. Rhaevan waits beside him, while Varesh and Nakhren leave the way clear. — Daylight
At Their Own Pace
The resident chooses the handrail and asks for a moment. Rhaevan waits beside him, while Varesh and Nakhren leave the way clear.
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She points to a detail in her own record and explains what should be changed. The custodian makes a note, while Rhaevan listens. — Interior
What the Record Holds
She points to a detail in her own record and explains what should be changed. The custodian makes a note, while Rhaevan listens.
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The master indicates a small misalignment. His apprentice checks the gap, while Varesh holds the mechanism steady and follows the next instruction. — Interior
Something Yet to Learn
The master indicates a small misalignment. His apprentice checks the gap, while Varesh holds the mechanism steady and follows the next instruction.
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D / Shared hours

Until the Lamps Are Lit

Work, laughter and the familiar rhythm of the terraces carry the day into evening.

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Following the workers’ signals, Rhaevan, Nakhren and Varesh guide the loaded cart down the terrace ramp. Each takes a different part of the work, keeping its movement steady. — Daylight
The Weight Shared
Following the workers’ signals, Rhaevan, Nakhren and Varesh guide the loaded cart down the terrace ramp. Each takes a different part of the work, keeping its movement steady.
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A small cup becomes the subject of an exaggerated effort. Nakhren grins, and Rhaevan and Varesh share the host’s amusement as the conversation carries on beneath the courtyard shade. — Daylight
A Place in the Courtyard
A small cup becomes the subject of an exaggerated effort. Nakhren grins, and Rhaevan and Varesh share the host’s amusement as the conversation carries on beneath the courtyard shade.
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Lamps brighten the doorways of Imenvar. Beneath the porches, conversations linger and small tasks continue as Rhaevan, Nakhren and Varesh pass through the terraces. — Night
When the Lamps Reach Home
Lamps brighten the doorways of Imenvar. Beneath the porches, conversations linger and small tasks continue as Rhaevan, Nakhren and Varesh pass through the terraces.
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D / Beyond the settlement

Beneath the Black Sands

Beyond the last lamps, the travellers enter a buried tomb and seek a hidden chamber.

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The temple’s lights recede behind them. Rhaevan, Nakhren and Varesh enter the black sands, where broken stone and half-buried mausoleums rise from the dark. — Night
Beyond the Last Lamps
The temple’s lights recede behind them. Rhaevan, Nakhren and Varesh enter the black sands, where broken stone and half-buried mausoleums rise from the dark.
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Black sand nearly covers the entrance steps. Rhaevan crosses the worn threshold, with Nakhren and Varesh following into the tomb. — Interior
Beneath the Buried Threshold
Black sand nearly covers the entrance steps. Rhaevan crosses the worn threshold, with Nakhren and Varesh following into the tomb.
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Arrows spring from the corridor walls. Rhaevan extends one hand, and their shafts dissolve into falling sand before they can reach the three travelers. — Interior
Before the Arrows Fall
Arrows spring from the corridor walls. Rhaevan extends one hand, and their shafts dissolve into falling sand before they can reach the three travelers.
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A swarm of flesh-eating scarabs advances along the passage. Nakhren catches a wall torch with his whip and pulls it down, bringing fire between the swarm and his companions. — Interior
Fire Across Their Path
A swarm of flesh-eating scarabs advances along the passage. Nakhren catches a wall torch with his whip and pulls it down, bringing fire between the swarm and his companions.
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At the apparent dead end, Varesh presses two stones in the wall. Behind them, a concealed slab rises, and Rhaevan and Nakhren turn toward the opening. — Interior
The Way Behind Them
At the apparent dead end, Varesh presses two stones in the wall. Behind them, a concealed slab rises, and Rhaevan and Nakhren turn toward the opening.
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D / The chamber and the memory

What the Stone Remembers

Two sarcophagi bring back the storm over Akheryn, a desperate bargain and the lives changed by it.

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Nakhren and Varesh approach their sarcophagi. Rhaevan remains a few paces behind, his grief contained and his gaze burdened by guilt he has placed upon himself. — Interior
The Wolves Upon the Stone
Nakhren and Varesh approach their sarcophagi. Rhaevan remains a few paces behind, his grief contained and his gaze burdened by guilt he has placed upon himself.
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The chamber gives way to memory. Black clouds cover Akheryn as black, green and red lightning strikes the Temple of the Astral Crown and the surrounding settlement. Through the streets below, residents run for shelter. — Night
The Storm over Akheryn
The chamber gives way to memory. Black clouds cover Akheryn as black, green and red lightning strikes the Temple of the Astral Crown and the surrounding settlement. Through the streets below, residents run for shelter.
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Rhaevan helps a resident back to his feet. Behind them, lightning breaks one of the great ribs of the Astral Crown. — Night
When the Crown Breaks
Rhaevan helps a resident back to his feet. Behind them, lightning breaks one of the great ribs of the Astral Crown.
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Rhaevan pushes the doors open. Beneath the shattered ceiling, his consorts lie still while Nakhren and Varesh draw a sheet gently over them. — Interior
When He Reached Them
Rhaevan pushes the doors open. Beneath the shattered ceiling, his consorts lie still while Nakhren and Varesh draw a sheet gently over them.
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Rhaevan kneels beside his consorts, calling one spell after another into the air above them. Scrolls, a dagger and bowls of colored sand lie within reach. Neither man stirs, and the guards can only watch in sorrow. — Interior
No Answer to His Calling
Rhaevan kneels beside his consorts, calling one spell after another into the air above them. Scrolls, a dagger and bowls of colored sand lie within reach. Neither man stirs, and the guards can only watch in sorrow.
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Two towering figures appear before Rhaevan. Each extends an hourglass and a helm: one shaped as a jackal, the other as a falcon. Amid the scattered scrolls, they offer him a bargain. — Interior
Those Who Answered
Two towering figures appear before Rhaevan. Each extends an hourglass and a helm: one shaped as a jackal, the other as a falcon. Amid the scattered scrolls, they offer him a bargain.
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Nakhren and Varesh raise their daggers. Rhaevan steps between them, his hands lifted to stop them. — Interior
The Bodies They Offered
Nakhren and Varesh raise their daggers. Rhaevan steps between them, his hands lifted to stop them.
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Above the jackal and the falcon, each consort floats beside the guard who offered his body. A luminous essence passes between them. — Interior
Between Two Bodies
Above the jackal and the falcon, each consort floats beside the guard who offered his body. A luminous essence passes between them.
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Nakhren and Varesh lower their helms into place as the two figures fade before them. The memory recedes. In the present, a tear runs down Rhaevan’s cheek. — Interior
When the Memory Fades
Nakhren and Varesh lower their helms into place as the two figures fade before them. The memory recedes. In the present, a tear runs down Rhaevan’s cheek.
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D / Back in the present

What the Pages Concealed

A quiet reassurance, a final farewell and an unexpected offer of help reveal a difficult hope.

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With a sealed vessel in each companion’s keeping, they pause beside Rhaevan on their way out. Nakhren gently wipes his cheek, while Varesh takes his hand. Without a word, they tell him that none of this was his fault. It is time to leave together. — Interior
No Blame to Carry
With a sealed vessel in each companion’s keeping, they pause beside Rhaevan on their way out. Nakhren gently wipes his cheek, while Varesh takes his hand. Without a word, they tell him that none of this was his fault. It is time to leave together.
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Rhaevan asks his companions to go ahead. He stays a moment longer beside the sarcophagi; knowing those vessels are no longer inhabited does not make leaving them easier. Outside, a towering wolf-headed figure extends a claw. Rhaevan lowers his gaze and returns the stolen pages concerning the thirteen keys. — Night
What Must Be Returned
Rhaevan asks his companions to go ahead. He stays a moment longer beside the sarcophagi; knowing those vessels are no longer inhabited does not make leaving them easier. Outside, a towering wolf-headed figure extends a claw. Rhaevan lowers his gaze and returns the stolen pages concerning the thirteen keys.
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The wolf has come to help. Under his hand, the stolen pages reveal what their faded marks concealed: the forms of thirteen keys, their places across planes and realities, and the conditions of their recovery. The ritual can preserve Rhaevan’s consorts in their present bodies for many cycles. But all thirteen must be gathered, and some can be recovered only by the Pack. — Night
What the Pages Concealed
The wolf has come to help. Under his hand, the stolen pages reveal what their faded marks concealed: the forms of thirteen keys, their places across planes and realities, and the conditions of their recovery. The ritual can preserve Rhaevan’s consorts in their present bodies for many cycles. But all thirteen must be gathered, and some can be recovered only by the Pack.
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D / The return

For All the Time We Can Have

They return through the black sands. Above the settlement, Rhaevan makes his promise.

Nakhren and Varesh walk toward Imenvar with the sealed vessels in their keeping. Behind them, Rhaevan quickens his step. The ritual still seems almost beyond reach, but the weight has eased a little. There is hope now. — Night
A Hope to Carry
Nakhren and Varesh walk toward Imenvar with the sealed vessels in their keeping. Behind them, Rhaevan quickens his step. The ritual still seems almost beyond reach, but the weight has eased a little. There is hope now.
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From the temple terrace, the settlements glow below them. Beyond their lamps, the vast necropolis stretches into the night. Rhaevan turns to his companions. “I will do everything I can so we can always be together.” — Night
For All the Time We Can Have
From the temple terrace, the settlements glow below them. Beyond their lamps, the vast necropolis stretches into the night. Rhaevan turns to his companions. “I will do everything I can so we can always be together.”
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