The Iron Temple

One of the great wonders of the country of Altheria is the Meuritide Canyon, which stretches approximately 321 miles through the western region of Charn. In the farthest corner of the canyon lies an ancient structure known simply as the Iron Temple. The temple is built into the caves and catacombs that stretch 3 miles below the rocky base of the canyon. The Iron Temple is a shrine to a higher power, a power that no one alive knows anything about. The shrine pre-dates Altheria itself and not even the native dwarves of the region know who built it or why. The Iron Temple is protected, up-kept, and researched, by the wizards guild known as the Iron Saints.

Architecture

The Iron Temple is a symbol of architectural perfection. The walls, floors, and ceilings of the temple are all made of smooth iron squares, set at perfect right angles. The temple is naturally lit using magic crystals as light. The crystals draw power from the earth around it. The temple stretches 3 miles underground and yet had zero stairs inside it. There are thousands of iron platforms with advanced magnetic properties that are manipulated by the desire of the people standing on them. In other words, if they want to go down, they will. Scattered throughout the temple are elaborate shrines all worshipping a variety of statues. These statues are thought to be the gods and saints of the people who built the temple. The three most popular shrines happen to be the most convenient to access. The first of these shrines is a generic alter on raised steps in the back of the room. The rest of the room is barren except for magic torches lined across the walls. The altar sits below a painted silver carving of a humanoid wolf. The shrine represents the inner spirit as well as nature to most people who worship there. The second of the three major shrines is a square room with a circular pool in the center. Spaced equally around the circle are submerged pews where people kneel in the water to pray. On a pedestal at the center of the pool is a black statue of a man with one wing on his back and a flute. The wing is often viewed as the dreams and inspirations of man, while the flute represents creative thought. The third shrine has four barrels of fire in each corner of the room. The center of the room is home to a four pillared pavilion with a golden statue in the shape of a women holding the severed head of a lion. This shrine Ian commonly used by warriors and hunters as inspiration of bravery and the ability to kill one’s enemy.

History

The Iron Temple was discovered by Altherians the same year Charn was established as a region. A year followings Iran discover the first Iron Saints began to live in and explore the seemingly endless temple. The Iron Temple has steadily grown into the largest place of worship in Western Altheria.

Type

Cathedral / Great temple

Parent Location

Charn