Paestum
South of Salerno, on the Tyrrhenian Coast stand two incredibly preserved temples right next to each other. Though one would never believe it by looking upon the site today, people used to live here just a few centuries ago. Yet today just these ancient temples remain. Greeks hailing from Sybaris founded the polis some 600 BC, it was them who constructed the temples. The Lucanian would conquer the Greeks, in turn being conquered by the Romans. The temples would be closed during the persecution of pagans in the late Roman Empire. Paestum would become its own bishopric, but it was not to last. Piracy by the Saracen and other circumstances forced the citizens to abandon the site altogether. Even the Divine Aura of the site has disappeared in 1220, a faerie aura of strength 2 once again covers the site. Its last inhabitants were Muslim raiders who used the site as a base briefly.
Distinctly lacking marble and the temples can be interpreted as spartan in decorations, yet in its prime this was far from true. Painted terracotta, frescos and other artworks once adorned both of the temples. Each of the temples has marvellous Doric columns and architraves are impressive.
The temples are dedicated to Juno. This dedication started with the Greek as Hera but shifted throughout the Temples’ history. Inside the two temples there lies many votive gifts, most of which are small female terracotta statues bearing the Greek letters ΗΡ or ΗΡΑ. These gifts, along with other artefacts, are also buried in special consecrated pits around the temple. The cult of Juno aimed at ensuring fertility for local communities and had a strong presence here. The larger of the two temples have an altar for her and her husband Jupiter. There is also an outer altar, where the faithful could attend rites and sacrifices without entering the holy cellas.
The larger of the two temples also act as a Faerie Trod. During Matronalia, attempting to enter the temple often leads characters to wander into Arcadia. The Guardian of this Threshold is usually the hundred eyed Argus, whom Mercury deceived. This path to Arcadia often leads to the Path of Destiny, as the traveller lives out some of the myth connected to Juno.
Further away from the temples of Juno, there is a preserved temple to Minerva and a lost sanctuary of Poseidon. There is also a small necropolis of the Lucanian period. Which has many painted tombs depicting men riding horses and divers. The necropolis has a magical aura of 3.
Story Seed: Juno Sospita
In all of Italy Juno is perhaps the strongest of the former pagan gods. Her hatred for the Trojans has not cooled. In fact the destruction of her beloved Carthage by Roman hands has only made it worse. It's in fact no coincidence that the site was abandoned, but part of the goddess' larger plans. Juno could make an interesting major antagonist in a saga. Her first concern, after finally ridding herself of the oppressive divine aura, is getting a new cult for vitality.