Priory of Awen, and the Pact
The Priory was established in order to keep knowledge of the pact hidden from humanity. It is set off the coast of Ireland one the island of Great Skellig.
The Priory is reached after ascending a series of six hundred steps from the doc of the island. At the top of the steps there is a tunnel, which travels beneath a retaining wall. The winding tunnel led to a rock strewn plateau. It leveled off at a series of narrow terraces. A flagstone path traveled around a cluster of little beehive shaped stone huts, constructed of flat, interlocking stones. This path wound into a miniature walled plaza, lined by leaning tombstones topped with Celtic Crosses. Past the plaza was a clearing without stones, plants or moss. In the center of the clearing rose a Stele, a stone column with a crosspiece of two blunted knobs.
Entrance to the Priory is gained through a black metal elevator that is hidden beneath the Stele, which rises from the ground, keeping the Stele perched atop of it. From there it lead into a large, low ceiling room filled with computer terminals and electronic communication equipment. A bank of close circuit monitors ran along the far wall, most showing the exterior of the island.
Past the room was a corridor that led to the crypt. The corridor went a few yards before coming to a immense carved door with serpentine, spiraling Tal Tene designed incised across it. Entrance was gained by knowing where to place one's hands. If done correctly the door opened on well oiled hinges.
From this doorway led another hallway, the darkness so thick as to be almost impenetrable. A half dozen openings lined the corridor. The walls were covered with barely discernible, straight line inscriptions in ogham. Faded banners depicting the lives of various Celtic saints and warriors hung from pegs. Past the hall was a hair-pin corner and descended irregular stairs hewn out of living rock. At the bottom of the stairs was a Gallery, a natural bowl shaped cavern. Light shone from a dozen copper braziers placed in a circle around the curving walls.
Painted on the floor in green and red was a large cup and ring glyph, a semi-circular spiral designed to entrap and destroy malignant entities. Shapes could be seen around, artifacts covered by linen draping. In a recess sat two life size statues carved out of stone. The right hand statue was of Saint Patrick, the founder of the Priory, the other of Cuchulainn. Between the statues rose a pedestal, four feet in height. Four small pyramids crafted from pale, golden alloy were placed around it. Resting on the points was a smooth, ovoid crystalline, around eight feet in length. Behind it were the outlines of two cryo tubes.
The ovoid contained the suspended body of Enlil, the serpent king. He was held there since 432 A.D. and was the basis for the legend of St. Patrick driving the snakes from Ireland.
According to lore, The Danaan aided St. Patrick in ridding Ireland of the serpent folk, or the Na Fferyllt. He was embarrassed that he had received help from what was considered to have been hell spawn, yet grateful for the assistance none the less. He established the Priory. From here the pact was struck between St. Patrick and Enlil. On judgment day, Enlil was to be provided with a mate to pass on his seed so that the gene would be continued, and the Na Fferyllt would not die out.
The pact was sealed on January 19th, 2001 when Laurence J. Karabatos brought a woman named sister Fand, who was the direct descendant of the Danaan-Human Hybrid Fand of legend. But instead of it being a mixture of human and Na Fferyllt, the child consummated between Fand and Enlil was a mixture of all three races. This was against the pact, according to the men and women of the Priory. But it made no difference to Laurence.
The pact was consummated, and the child, a girl named Fand, was conceived. She plays a strong role in Savage Sun, Night Eternal and Hell Rising.