Temples of Fiesive: The Henotheistic Church

The Main Church in Fiesive is located at the peak itself. It is made of stone, with no wood superstructures, the temple remains as it once was - as it had when it was built on the instructions of the Arkati Monks in the First Age. Of course, it used to be used for the worship of Arkat, and some bas-reliefs of the Superhero remain. Apparently, many Priests have attempted throughout the Second Age to have the temple changed, but merely met with problems and bad luck. Eventually it was decreed against the will of the gods to attempt changes to the temple. Even the new Church upheld this, more out of superstition than anything more concrete.

It runs about eight levels in height, with smaller buildings surrounding it. Due to the altitude, and the lack of windows or insulation, it is usually at freezing point in the temple grounds. The members of the priesthood all wear heavy clothing. At times of larger ceremonies, when processions of Church members march through the Tulas, up the spiral paths to the peak of the mountain, enormous fires are lit in huge brass bowls in the great hall to warm the temple as best they can.

The Church lower levels include the scripture rooms, ordination chambers, Family shrines, city records, the four tombs of the Arkati Monk-Priests (long since plundered), the ravenry, a supplies room for emergencies and a large greeting chamber. The upper levels are dominated by the expansive main worshipping chamber. Here worship to all the Saints are held. It used to be plain, but the formal creation of a Henotheistic Church meant some decoration was added, giving adoration to the Creator. A golden plate some 4 feet in radius, ornate, hangs on the wall and is an original Brithini piece of architecture that Malkion is said to have brought with him from the Kingdom of Logic, that the Otkorioni stole in raids upon Seshnela. Underneath the centrestone of the temple is the skull of a magic ram a Kolati slaughtered after the defeat of an invading Bagogi Hero in 1307 ST, who managed to breach the temple grounds. Also, on the upper levels are the HeroQuesting Chambers, the Air Sword Barrack (an armoury), and a smaller shrine for private (and expensive) funerals.

The buildings surrounding the temple are the priests and acolytes quarters. There are 40 priests and four times as many acolytes. Close liaison is held with the temple dedicated to St. Ralia where many other festivals and important ceremonies are held.

The temple has a complex organisation. At the top is, as always, the Archbishop, with Bishop Cardy underneath him, who is effectively the high priest. The Bishop is a Wizard Caste Priest ruling over the entire hierarchy. Below him are a group of priests for both the Warrior and Wizard Castes, and a single representative from the temple of St. Ralia (who is responsible for the Farmer Caste). The Heads of the Families of Otkorion can be summoned at anytime to discuss ecclesiastical matters with him (for they are the ordained rulers of the Lord Caste). The temple has it's own guard of four rune lord-priests and sixteen acolytes. They all double for tasks in the Warrior Caste rituals, although the Priest just below Cardy who attends to the religious matters of the Warrior Caste is located in a different part of the temple than the Temple Guard. A member of the Red Circle also attends as a representative of St. Malkion, although the exact member changes as the year passes so that all seven are forced given the chance to attend.