The Lovers Altar

The Lovers Altar is a **Celestial** shrine that is located in the heart of the city of **Chagos**. The shrine is a legitamate shrine, being a place for followers of the Celestials **Pafella** and **Eiryot** to approach and attempt to commune with their chosen Celestial.

Surrounding the shrine is eight more mock shrines, dedicated to each of the final eight Celestials that the people of Eprea commune with and worship. The mock shrines are not able to bring direct contact between an Eprean and their chosen Celestial, and is rather a place of respect that the Epreans can use to decorate the mock shrines.

## Appearance

The shrine is in the heart of the city, situated within a fountain. The fountain is made of marble, with the edges feathering out into seats for those who wish to sit near the shrine and feel the comfort of the **Celestial** lovers who use the location as their spirit link.

On **Pafella's** side of the shrine, there is a mixture of real flowers and other foliage that is weaved into the metal flowers and foliages that are carved into an arc, a lovebird sitting in the center of the arc, facing the death side of the shrine. On **Eiryot's** side of the shrine, there is a mixture of real fungi that is weaved into the metal fungi that are carved into an arc. In the center of the arc is a raven, facing the life side of the shrine.

Eight shrines surround the main shrine, with the eight being mock shrines and only for respect, rather than worship. Each shrine is dedicated to each type of Celestial that rules over an aspect of nature.

**Ter'ot** is the Celestial of being. His mock shrine sits on the northern side of the Lovers Altar and is that of a serpentine dragon, it's body curling forward with the jaw hanging open to allow drips of water to fall into a bowl held between his claws. Those who wish to pay respects to Ter'ot will place a lotus flower into the bowl in his claws, as well as drape crystals, silks, or jewelry over the branch-like horns on the crown of his head.

**Kurro** is the Celestial of the skies. His mock shrine is located to the north-eastern side of the Lovers Altar and is grand, with his large wings spread out into the air in an arch, creating the illusion of a cricle behind his head. His large claws grip the edge of the pedestal he is situated on, with carved in cracks to represent the strength of the **griffon**. Those who wish to pay respects to Kurro will place fruits along the base of his shrine or a bonsai of a tree found on the top of the mountain peaks. Some may also place blue gemstones against the Celestial's claws.

**Celena** is the Celestial of the land. Her mock shrine is located to the eastern side of the Lovers Altar. She is depicted in an elegant manner, with her nine tails spread out in a fan and her head turned to the sky. Those who wish to pay respects to Celena will leave part of their harvest at the wolf's paws, or gemstones that they have dug up from the soils around the city.

**Juena** if the Celestial of the tides. Her mock shrine is located to the eastern side of the Lovers Altar. The **hippocampus** is depicted in a fierce manner, her hooves reared back as if in preparation to strike. A carved wave holds her in the air, giving the illusion of surfing. Those who wish to pay respects to Juena will leave seashells and carved jewelry at the base of the shrine, with **Oril** in particular leaving deep-sea items on the wrists of the hippocampus.

**X'fere** is the Celestial of knowledge. Their mock shrine is located on the south-eastern side of the Lovers Altar. The owl is depicted in a elegant manner, their body turned away but their head facing the shrine of **Tozra** across from them. The owls wings are moved forward, with a quil in the wing as the other held a scroll, giving the appearance of the Celestial writing. Those who wish to pay respects to X'fere will leave quills, books, and ink at the base of the owls talons.

**Ania** is the Celestial of the sun. His mock shrine is located to the north-western side of the Lovers Altar. The fiery **phoenix** is depicted in a a grand manner, much like his father. His body is reared back, with his wings stretched out to each side and his head tilted back towards where the apex of the sun sits above **Chagos**. Those who wish to pay respects to Ania will leave spicy dishes or vegetation around the claws of the phoenix, or sun-themed jewelry.

**Alene** is the Celestial of the moon. Her mock shrine is located to the western side of the Lovers Altar. The frosty phoenix is depicted in an elegant manner, with her wings close to her body and the position of her statue flowing smoothly. The head of the phoenix is turned towards **Mel'yde**'s mock shrine, a nod to the affection the two Celestials have towards each other. Those who wish to pay respects to Alene will leave flowers at the claws of the phoenix, as well as **moonstone** jewelry.

Mel'yde is the Celestial of time. Her mock shrine is located to the western side of the Lovers Altar. The **faerie dragon** is depicted in a balanced manner, with the way her body is positioned being perfectly symmetrical with the position of her claws and wings. The only part of the statue that is not symmetrical is the position of her head, which is turned towards Alene's mock shrine as a nod to the affection between the two Celestials. Those who wish to pay respects to Mel'yde will leave the seeds of their harvests at the feet of the statue, as well as time-themed jewelries or wrist watches.

Tozra is the Celestial of war. Her mock shrine is located on the south-western side of the Lovers Altar. The centaurian serpent is depicted in a ferocious manner, with both of her hands carrying large swords. The head of the Celestial is turned towards the shrine of X'fere across from her, a nod to the rivalry between the two. Those who wish to pay respects to Tozra will leave metal based materials or charms of weapons. It is banned for actual weapons to be left at the shrine, despite it being a favorite of the Celestial, due to the possibility of a fight breaking out and those weapons being taken for it.

At the very southern edge of the Lovers Altar is an empty pedestal. Some believe that this is where **Vyros** would've gone.