Spirit Shrines

The Spirit Shrines (精霊窟) are mysterious ruins scattered around Erebonia.
== Background ==
The Spirit Shrines were built by the Kin of Earth, known afterwards as the Gnomes, after the Great Collapse and the creation of the Divine Knights, as a result of their collaboration with the Kin of Fire, the Hexen Clan.
The shrines were built on top of spirit veins that channel mana for different purposes, with some particular shrines being more powerful, earning the distinction of Holy Shrines. Shrines exist in a folded space, hidden to human eyes, but appear in times of great spiritual unrest, usually whenever the Divine Knights are active. Their appearance then can cause or be correlated with supernatural phenomenons like unnatural mist, the manifestation of spirits, Magic Knights and Cryptids and even the blooming of Pleroma Grass. 
Like the basement of the Old Schoolhouse, the inside of the Spirit Shrines can shift and contain phase spaces built for trials. As a result of their placement, every Spirit Shrine is interconnected, allowing the Spectral Moon Mirror to transmit visions to Awakeners regarding the historical events connected to other Awakeners. The shrines can also be shifted significantly from their original location along the spirit veins, through methods only known to the Gnomes.
The Spirit Shrines and the mana channeled serve three main purposes:
* As workshops for the Gnomes themselves. The mana gathered allowed them to grow large clusters of the highly valued Zemurian Ore, used in the construction of Divine Knights and their weaponry.
* As resting places for the Divine Knights to be sealed in. The restoration process of damaged or destroyed Divine Knights require large concentrations of mana.
* Finally, as sites for the Rivalries during the Great Twilight, where Divine Knights would engage in a duel to the death after gathering enough mana, resulting in the victor of the duel absorbing the full power of the loser. For the purpose of a Rivalry a phase space called Sanctuary can be accessed from the depths of the shrine, though it is not required to do so.
== ==
The Spirit Shrines that appear during the October War hold enough Zemurian Ore to build Valimar a weapon for Rean to be able to fight on equal standing with Ordine. Some can be explored partially beforehand, gaining memories from the War of the Lions, but it's not until they're guided by Emma and Celine that Class VII opens the way to the proving grounds inside the shrines to be able to access the depths.
=== Terra Shrine ===
 Located near Garrelia Fortress, the Terra Shrine is themed after the element of Earth.
First encountered when Rean's group travelled through the Twin Dragons Bridge to Garrelia Fortress. After exploring the interior, they find a locked door that Celine refuses to elaborate on. With no way to proceed, the group turns back, but Rean experiences a vision of someone's first impression of the War of the Lions, experiencing the pain and suffering of the commoners.
=== Aria Shrine ===
 Located in the far northeast of the Nord Highlands, the Aria Shrine is themed after the element of Wind.
Only after Rean's group has reunited with Gaius and saved Millium, Alisa and Gwyn from a cryptid can the shrine be found beyond the area where it appeared. Gaius notes the shrine and the path leading to it weren't there before, and they arrive at the same dead end as before. Rean sees a vision of the past, depicting Dreichels Reise Arnor deciding to take up arms with his comrades from Nord to stop the ongoing war for succession in Erebonia.
=== Aqua Shrine ===
 Located near Legram, the Aqua Shrine is themed after the element of Water.
Rean's group first encounter the shrine after meeting with Emma and Laura and travelling from Legram to Bareahard through the Ebel Highway. Without Celine's cooperation, Emma and the rest are still at a loss about the purpose of the shrines, but Rean sees a vision of Dreichels meeting Lianne Sandlot and her pledge to serve in his army.
=== Ignis Shrine ===
 Located near the Schwarz Drache Barrier, the Ignis Shrine is themed after the element of Fire.
The Ignis Shrine can be found by Class VII while infiltrating Roer. However, the operation to free the city and Reinford from the Noble Alliance leaves them no time to explore. Due to this, the shrine entrance leads directly to the proving grounds, and no vision is granted.
=== Glacia Shrine ===
 Located near Ymir, the Glacia Shrine is themed after the Lost element of Ice.
A special shrine that only appears during very specific circumstances. It contains no proving grounds or Zemurian Ore, instead hosting an extremely powerful Magic Knight and the Ice Crown as a reward for defeating it.
== ==
=== Sol Shrine ===
 The Sol Shrine first appeared in and is located on Bryonia Island. While it does not have any Zemurian Ore, it is still built on top of a notably significant cluster of Septium Veins and is stated to be one of the most ancient of its kind. The Shrine can be accessed after triggering five special Animist markers around the island, which will allow the Sol Shrine to appear. It is within this shrine that the Stahlritter and Arianrhod reside for the first half of their operations in the Lamare Province, as the site is a suitable place for the Aion Type-αII to charge mana. They capture Millium Orion here necessitating a rescue by Rean Schwarzer and the new Class VII. 
In , Rean travels here to confront Crow Armbrust and Duvalie where they fight and begin the first Rivalry. Unlike the others, this does not take place in a special sanctuary phase space, possibly as the conditions were forced and it was not near enough to the time of the Great War and the prerequisite strife in the world. 
=== Luna Shrine ===
 The Luna Shrine first appears in , where it is situated near Lake Gala, in the vicinity of Milsante. New Class VII witnessed the memories of Dreichels on his deathbed and Lianne Sandlot at the depths of the Luna Shrine. This shrine is associated with the Moon and water, with Celine stating the link between the tides and the Moon. The barriers resemble falling water.
The Luna Shrine is the only shrine that the Hexen Clan have presided over since ancient times, with many wandering witches, Isola Millstein included, having watched over it. It contains an artefact bestowed to the Hexen Clan known as the Spectral Moon Mirror, and it is through this artifact that visions of the Empire's past are present in the other Shrines scattered across the Empire. Seeking the truth of the matter, Class VII are invited to pass a trial here to unlock the full power of the mirror and see the full truth of the Erebonian Curse. This takes place in the phase space known as the Luna Sanctuary. Vita Clotilde and Aurelia Le Guin are invited to take part in preparing the trial, and Roselia Millstein takes on her true form here due to the concentration of mana. 
This is the site where Roselia took on the powers, responsibilities and some of the memories of her predecessor, and she notifies Celine Millstein that she may have to return to this location should the need for another successor arise.
=== Draco Shrine ===
The Draco Shrine is located on the Old Agria Road near Parm. New Class VII and Randy Orlando explore the first level and witness a vision of Zephyr and Black Alberich in the depths. When Rean and his party return to begin the second Rivalry against Rutger Claussell, they find the access to the sanctuary has been moved to Hamel and a large barrier is erected to prevent access. After disabling this barrier they enter the Sanctuary and Valimar is victorious against Zector, absorbing his power.
This shrine is themed after dragons and the wind, with an atmospheric green glow and several storms raging within the sanctuary. The barriers are formed of many swirling winds. Several draconic and reptilian monsters, fiend and spirits are present.
=== Stella Shrine ===
The Stella Shrine is located on the Ursula Road in Crossbell. It remains unseen until a certain threshold is crossed in a cave, triggering it to appear in a folded space. The Shrine can be explored and a memory of the Empire obtained. The Sanctuary, like the Draco Shrine, is moved to the Lake Elm wetlands during the preparations for the third Rivalry. The Sanctuary is themed after stars and fire, with flaming barriers that contain a fraction of time mana.
Arianrhod chose this Shrine due to her appreciation of the Marshlands beauty when she first arrived in Crossbell with the Stahlritter. It is here that Rean and Valimar defeat Argreion but lose out on its power due to a surprise attack from Rufus Albarea who steals it.
=== Sanctus Shrine ===
The Sanctus Shrine is located on the Auros Coastal Road. No Sanctuary is found here or Rivalry taking place, but it does contain the remaining essence and power of the Divine best of Earth, Argres. Following an investigation with Toval Randonneur, Rean and the party confront the Beast and obtain the Earthen Prison from its remaining power, reclaiming the beast's name in the process and laying it to rest after exhausting its remaining power.
== ==
=== Ivory Shrine ===
This shrine's existence was a complete secret unknown to even Roselia. Isola Milstein created it and in an attempt to make the world safer for her daughter, lured an incarnation of Black Alberich there for a fight that ended in their mutual demise. It was ultimately futile, as Alberich had the ability to possess another Gnome body, however Isola was able to implant a memory of herself into the shrine and a message for Emma when the time was right.
Zeit discovered its location and guides Emma, Roselia, Vita and Celine here after they find A journal written by Isola. They explore the shrine, overcoming a trial of spirits summoned by white feathers and they find a memory of Isola in the depths, along with a spirit of her familiar, a white owl.
== Gallery ==
Spirit Shrines Variations - Concept Art (Sen II).jpg
Spirit Shrines Initial Design - Concept Art (Sen II).jpg|Early design
Spirit Shrines Sketch - Concept Art (Sen II).jpg|Concept art 
Spirit Shrine - Concept Art (Sen III).png|Concept art of spirit shrines 
Spirit Shrines crest.png|The crest placed upon spirit shrines
Draco Shrine - Concept Art (Sen IV).png|Draco Shrine, concept art
Luna Shrine - Concept Art (Sen IV).png|Luna Shrine, concept art
Stella Shrine - Concept Art 1 (Sen IV).png|Stella shrine, concept art
Stella Shrine - Concept Art 2 (Sen IV).png|Stella shrine, concept art
== Trivia ==
* The memories associated with Zephyr and the choice of this site for the second Rivalry may indicate that the Draco Shrine was once the resting site for Zector and close to where Rutger and Baldur Orlando had their fateful battle. Arianrhod picks her shrine for the connection she felt towards the locations beauty, so a similar incidence may have occurred here.
Category:Gnomes
Category:Erebonia Locations
Category:Ruins
Category:Phase Space Locations