The Jeweled Citadel

Very few structures on Bastarre are as blatant a testament to one of the fiends than the Jeweled Citadel. Dedicated to Mammon, it is created from only the finest and most expensive materials. It might almost be called beautiful were it not for its intense gaudiness, especially as evidenced in the central structure, which serves as a shrine to the archfiend as well as the center of this exclusive trading center. Be cautious if you barter there, as you might find yourself trading away your soul without realizing it until it’s too late.
-Wynth Onyxorb, bard of the Singing History Guild

Purpose / Function

The citadel serves as a temple to the archfiend Mammon, where people go to worship and sometimes sacrifice to the Duke of Minauros. The area in its general vicinity is used as a trade center of expensive and exotic goods.

Alterations

The temple was first built in the time of King Leref Mistdoom, grandfather of the current king. It started as a decent-sized structure, but has since been built onto and embellished with precious metals and priceless gems.

Architecture

The building itself is made of imported marble. Veins of gold, platinum, and mithril run through the marble in both random patterns and symbols that represent Mammon. What few windows there are on the building are made of fine glass and etched with depictions that defy description. Small chips of gems are embedded in the glass here and there to add to the "beauty" of the etchings.
The walls inside the citadel are also decorated with metals and gems, the one grand staircase that adorns the center of the large entryway made of the same marble that was used in the construction of the walls, with veins of obsidian running through it. The banister is created completely of obsidian, with large, expertly cut diamonds serving as finials at each end.

History

The late King Leref decided early in his reign to revere the archdevil Mammon and to honor him with a grand center of worship. He called in the most accomplished architects to plan its construction. He went to great expense to ship in marble from the Blade Mountains, acquiring a great number of dwarven slaves to do the construction work.
It took many years to build the structure itself, with the king occasionally taking over supervision himself to make sure that it turned out as he wished. When the roof was finally finished, and the altar built he called in followers of Mammon to perform an official dedication ritual, which saw the sacrifice of a number of people upon the altar.
The altar itself is made of mithril, black sapphires on each corner. Platinum receptacles are used to gather the blood of those sacrificed. The ceiling above the altar is decorated with a large painting of Mammon so that it will be the last thing that those sacrificed see as their lives slip away.
Through the rest of the king's life as well as the life of his son, the citadel continued to have additions built onto it. King Manyr's father made the decision to built an exclusive merchant area around the citadel, having it surrounded by a sturdy, but grand, protective wall. Guards are stationed throughout the area, and numerous devils in the service of Mammon spend time there watching over it as well.

Type

Temple / Religious complex

Owning Organization

Allsvin