Great Temple of Gilmithien
The Great Temple of Gilmithien, also known as the Sanctuary of the Arts, is located in Scholar's Farthing within the city of Riven. As a great temple, it is central to the Church of Gilmithien, and is home to the Emeritus as well as several Scholars. It also serves as headquarters for the Order of Antiquity and the Knights of the Quill. It stands prominently within the city, and is one of the most visited structures in the region.
Alterations
The building was constructed and has been renovated over hundreds of years, with wings and sections forbidden to all but ordained clergy of Gilmithien. The reliquary below the temple boasts many sacred and powerful artifacts, while the adjoining library retains original copies of some of the great literary works by authors from around the continent. The vaults below the library, hidden away from mortal eyes, are some of the most damaging and dangerous writings ever known.
Architecture
Constructed as a cathedral in dedication to Gilmithien, it's magnificent carved gray stone facade dominates the city around it. It has a massively high arched ceiling, overlooked by several balconies and precarious gantries. The edifice is majestic, with soaring towers and flying buttresses, great windows of colored glass and a gutter system finished at every corner with an exotic gargoyle. The cathedral's main roof is more than a hundred feet from the ground, with the adjoining towers reaching even higher. A grove of trees line a cobblestone walkway that leads to its massive front doors. It is surrounded by a thick and rich green lawn, bordered by perfectly shaped hedgerows and filled with various flower beds. At the center of the yard sits an ancient edolia tree, the only one for miles.
History
Construction of the great temple began shortly after the city's founding, and was completed in 824 AR. It was dedicated to Gilmithien due to the region's heavy elven influences as well as a way to attract settlers to Riven itself. The original great temple was located in Athilor, but was subsequently modified to serve as the Great Temple of Ettuna. The Lord Chancellor of Riven took this opportunity to establish the city as a bastion for the learned, including scholars, artists, and loremasters. Over time, the temple began to grow in influence and soon the Emeritus of Gilmithien emigrated to Tusnya, taking up residence within the great temple itself, and lending validity to its construction.
Tourism
As a temple dedicated to the god of the arts, and to a religion based on acceptance of ideas, it is ideally utilized for festivals and celebrations. Some of the finest festivals take place upon the temple's grounds, including Midsummer and of course Gilmithien's Day. Worshipers of Gilmithien are welcome to its main hall to pray and ask for inspiration from the god himself most hours of the day, while rooms containing historical and prominent artifacts and texts such as the vaults, the reliquary, and the library are restricted based on time of day and rank within the church.
Founding Date
824 AR
Type
Cathedral / Great temple
Parent Location
Owning Organization
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