Ath's Hostel - Forthmark

A hostel belonging to Ath's Brotherhood is near the city of Forthmark. By Third Age 5320, it has been abandoned and taken over by the Koriathain as a healer's hospice.

The ancient hospice [...] was an ungainly, rambling edifice, drilled like a battered honeycomb into the limestone scarps south of Forthmark. Its crumbling warren of storerooms harbored perpetual, clammy humidity, fed by damp, porous rock that seeped from the flow of underground hot springs. The spacious outer chambers used to house the sick were less oppressive, spared by the beat of clean sunlight through south-facing casements.

Unlike Whitehaven, the carvings on the entrance of this hostel reflect a state of gentle neglect. A cliff stair descends down the limestone scarps to the hostel gate.

Role in the Story

Spoiler warning: Contains plot elements from multiple books in the series.

The Gallant

Third Age 4995: Following the migration of methspawn with cierl-ankeshed venom, Verrain slips back into catatonia. Sethant transports him to the Forthmark hostel, which is actively maintained by Ath's Adepts. An initiate tells Sethant that Verrain's spirit is entwined with Lisianne's and he cannot be healed. She offers to restore his free will through the Sacred Grove. In the Sacred Grove, Verrain is met by a marmalade tomcat from Lisianne's library and then Lisianne herself. She invites him to cross over into death, but he does not accept. Instead, he cries out for answers as to why Mirthlvain Swamp was left unguarded. The strength of Verrain's convictions drains the power from this hostel and reforges him as the Guardian of Mirthlvain.

With the source of power gone, Ath's Adepts withdraw from this hostel, with initiates traveling to hostels in Spire and Shaddorn.

Ships of Merior

Third Age 5645: Elaira is assigned to the hostel preparing remedies for Vastmark shephards. She is summoned before the Prime Enchantress after a grand scrying to submit her crystal for longevity enhancement. She chooses to do so, based upon Sethvir's augury. Three months into the process (on midsummer solstice), Elaira (whose body is in the hospice is drawn into the Senior Council's scrying for Arithon along the Seventh Lane.

Traitor's Knot

Third Age 5670: Selidie is at the hospice in autumn, where a healer once again fails to repair her maimed hands.