The Village and Temple of Lai Sao

by Jay Batista
 
T'u Lung Cities of T'u Lung - Oriental Adventures Kara-Tur

On the banks of the wide Fenghsintzu River, about
midway between the cities of Zun Hi and Shosun, lies
the little village of Lai Sao and its famous temple. The
village is ruled by the Hinto clan, who have controlled
this area for four generations and have connections
with <tong shu (secret societies)>. It is a loose government, and vagrants
come and go with ease through its main gates.
The temple is north of the village on the Broken
Road. This is the spot where General Damar of Shou
was blinded by the shukenja Joki Lam, thus ending his
invasion and attempt to seize the capital city, Wai. The
two fought for hours in personal combat, with the
general finally killing the holyman before the altar,
but permanently blinded by the wiseman?s curse. The
blind general was forced to retreat and was unable to
take the capital. A monument to the holyman was
erected in the courtyard of the temple, and many men
aspire to the bravery of Joki Lam. The Emperor himself
attended Joki?s funeral and proclaimed him a hero
of the realm. Some believe his ghost will council brave
and honest supplicants to the Temple of Lai Sao, and
so pilgrimages to this temple are common.