The Shimmering Path was a holy pilgrimage route in the Khontala Mountains. It started in the Oracle of Tala, located on the plains of the Kasaar at the foot of Lungma Jun, and ascended to the very peak of the mountain, where the Temple of Mysteries was located. Hidden within the highest temple were the Star-Metal Scrolls, said to be have been forged by Jakuul himself. Thirty-three shrines and temples were built along the mountain path, commencing in 178 KDS at the order of Teigor Somtaaw.
In 675 KDS, the pilgrimage routes collapsed due to the Heresy Wars discouraging travel and all of the temples beyond the Dome of Heaven were closed.
In the decades following the discovery of the Khar-Toba wreck in 1110 KDS, the Daiamid petitioned Kiith Somtaaw to give up the Star-Metal Scrolls for analysis, on the basis they might also be relics from the original interstellar journey to Kharak. The Somtaaw were reluctant and still fiercely debating the matter when Kharak was attacked and devastated by the Taiidan. The scrolls and all thirty-three temples were destroyed in the Kharakian Genocide. None of the Somtaaw survivors on the Mothership or in cryo-stasis had ever seen the Scrolls, so the mystery was never settled.
Known Temples and Shrines of the Shimmering Path
- The Oracle of Tala, at the foot of the mountain.
- The Purifying Flame (Kuun-Lan), location unknown.
- The Silent Wayfarer (Faal-Corum), location unknown.
- The Truth Seeker (Clee-San), location unknown.
- The Dome of Heaven, the Seventh Temple, located within the city walls of Gydeo.
- The Temple of Mysteries, the Thirty-Third Temple, located at the very peak of Lungma Jun. The resting place of the Star-Metal Scrolls.
- Other temples are believed to have been named, in the Kushan language, Gaal-Ten, Coor-Lan, Teer-Gig, Naab-Corum, Toet-Coy and Eheb-San. Along with the Kuun-Lan, Faal-Corum and Clee-San, these later served as the names for Kiith Somtaaw starships.