A meadow in the northern interior where the jungle thins to swampy grassland. The Velwey maintain this as a preparation site—where pilgrims spend the days of fasting and preliminary rituals before they're ready for the Pool.
The clearing exists because the Velwey deliberately suppress the jungle's growth here, creating a space of lower psychedelic intensity. Simple treehouse accommodations dot the meadow's edges. The atmosphere is quiet, contemplative, anxious—everyone here is waiting for something that will change their life.
The Lesser Journeys: Priest-guides conduct preliminary rituals here, using diluted preparations to help pilgrims practice navigating altered states. These "lesser trips" are training for what the Pool will demand.
The Confessionals: Before facing the Pool, pilgrims must confess every name they know—their own common name, the names of family, friends, enemies, gods they worship. This isn't religious penance; it's preparation. The ritual works better when the mind is cleared of other names.
Population: ~800 permanent (Velwey priests and support staff), plus 200-400 transient pilgrims.