Cathedral of the Four Gods

Set upon by homesickness I was brought by my host Prince Raul to the Cathedral of the Four Gods to listen to a musical performance honoring the patron deities of Kingsport. The interior is unlike any cathedral I have ever seen, filled to the brim with exotic plants next to the smooth red pillars of the nave,each sitting in a small pool of water. Mosaics of natural landscapes and rainbows adorned the walls on the interior of the aisles and from somewhere I could hear the soft gurgling of running water.

— Lord Aldrin Cousteau of Rhennes

Overview

Overlooking the bay of Kingsport sits the Cathedral of the Four Gods. Made of solid tan and red stones and decorated with tapestries of rainbow design, the cathedral's chambers hold shrines catering to native tribesfolk, settlers, and their mixed descendants alike.

History

When the native marauders known only as the Orange Stripes carved a path of destruction through the White Haven coast they left all religious sites untouched. Many settlers and allied tribesfolk alike survived the storm of violence by seeking refuge in these shrines, including a visiting Vatisid cleric by the name of Ippocrate Savarese. Savarese, an independently wealthy man, decided to give homage to the gods that protected him during the conflict and donated his fortune to build a cathedral where the four gods St. Dylan, St. Eratus, Ixchel, and Xicumil could be worshipped.

Before the altar sat a man with no shirt or shoes, but as I was about to question my host the man pressed a pan flute to his lips and began to play a slow, wistful melody broken only by the soft sound of rain from outside. Gazing up at the faces of gods both familiar and foreign to me, I did not lose my yearning for home, but I did find peace. I have not missed a service since.

— Lord Aldrin Cousteau of Rhennes

Administration

The Rainbow Order, an order of monks that combine worship of the fours gods St. Dylan, St. Eratus, Ixchel, and Xicumil into one fusion of faith, is responsible for the upkeep of the cathedral and handle most day to day affairs. With the help of local volunteers or pilgrims they keep the building clean, manage the grounds, harvest fruit from the trees around the cathedral, and cook. Their leader, Bastian Hoelder, is the cathedral's representative in public and coordinates efforts between the different clerics and the cathedral.

Bastian Hoelder, head of the Rainbow Order

A cleric dedicated to the worship of each deity is normally on site to answer the needs of visitors that pertain to their deity's portfolios. Currently these clerics are Gwayne Penry(Cleric of St. Dylan), Sebastiano Nocerino(Cleric of St. Eratus), Patli(Cleric of Ixchel), and Kisin(Cleric of Xicumil). Each cleric is assisted by one to two volunteers and as a group they alternate on a daily basis the handling of the daily responsibilities of the cathedral.

Daily Schedule

• 0400: Clerics receive town guard report
• 0500: Morning Bells, Grounds Maintenance
• 0600: Doors Open, Communal Breakfast
• 0700: Morning prayer
• 0800: Open House
• 0900: Open House
• 1000: Open house
• 1100: Communal Lunch

• 1200: Noon prayers
• 1300: Open House
• 1400: Open House
• 1500: Open House
• 1600: Open House
• 1700: Evening prayer
• 1800: Temple Cleaning, Communal Dinner
• 1900: Doors close

Available Services

Marriage

Couples to be choose clerics to marry them based on what blessings they hope to receive from their patron deities. St. Dylan is chosen so that husbands may return safely from sea, St. Eratus is chosen in the hope of a prosperous life, and Xicumil is chosen by those wanting to avoid deaths and illness. Ixchel however is the most popular among young couples madly in love.

Naming Ceremonies

Newborns are brought to the cathedral to officially receive their names from a cleric, the belief being that such a ritual gives strength to a name's meaning and wards against evil. The particulars of each naming ceremony depend on which cleric performs the service but are usually done in front of the altar, with the child being held by the parents.

Healthcare

In an event that would prevent someone from making use of a physician the cathedral does house a small clinic where they can treat the infirm and the afflicted. Family members (or the injured upon recovery) may work off the cost of the treatment by volunteering with the Rainbow Order. A storeroom contains a stockpile of medicinal supplies in case of a disaster or attack.

Counseling

Clerics are often asked to help handle disputes between parties, and of course guide individuals through the process of repentance. In recent years addiction to Enchanted Ash has started to make an appearance in White Haven and as a collective the Cathedral of the Four Gods is determined to stamp it out.

Funerals

Commonly funerals are handled by the cleric of Xicumil, as that deity's portfolio is death and the afterlife. A small cemetery exists on cathedral grounds with larger plots being available for purchase by those who wish to have an ornate grave or mausoleum built for themselves or a loved one. However in recent years cremations have become more popular.

Exorcisms

Even as far south as White Haven and Kingsport remnants of the Great Rebellion can still be found. Wandering spirits unleashed by foolish or uncaring Felizeenian wizards scour the lands looking for a new body to inhabit. Exorcisms are usually done in the guard towers near the front entrance, however special rooms exist in the back three towers for extreme cases.

Communal Meals

Before or after each prayer meeting a meal is shared by the clerics, the Rainbow Order, any volunteers, or homeless. A common meal includes grilled meat or fish, fruit from the trees that line the paths in the cathedral grounds, and fried and salted plantains called "Cleric's Salt Cookies". The meals are a simple affair but they provide all the nutrients one needs to get on their feet.

Agricultural Experimentation

Originally started as a way to see if seeds gifted by Gruath'an traders would grow in the hot and humid White Haven climate the project has grown to include most of the cathedral grounds. While visitors may enjoy the shade of the different fruit trees without thought, each individual tree in reality represents a different experiment in possible new crops.

Cleric's Salt Cookies, made from fried and salted plantains

Type

Cathedral / Great temple

Parent Location

Kingsport

Owning Organization

The Kingdom of White Haven

Denomination: Multi Denominational, serves the cults of:

• St. Dylan
• St. Eratus
• Ixchel
• Xicumil

Architecture

Functional Status: Active
Style: White Haven Fusion
Groundbreaking: 1290
Completed: 1298

Specifications

Length: 200 ft
Width: 50 ft
Number of Towers: 5
Tower Height: 150 ft
Number of Spires: 5
Spire Height: 100 ft
Bells: 10

Administration

The Rainbow Order

Clergy

• Gwayne Penry- Cleric of St. Dylan


• Sebastiano Nocerino- Cleric of St. Eratus


• Patli- Cleric of Ixchel


• Kisin- Cleric of Xicumil