Temples and shrines

Temples and shrines reflect the diversity of the gods of Helerin and the reverence of its people, with each structure designed to embody the unique character and domain of the deity it honours.

Built from locally sourced materials and deeply influenced by regional aesthetics, these religious sites vary widely in form, from grand open structures for the sun god Balcosh to hidden, foreboding sanctuaries for darker deities.
Each temple and shrine contributes to the spiritual and cultural fabric of Helerin, offering spaces for worship, contemplation, and, at times, shelter for travellers.
See also: Architecture.

Temples

Temples to Balcosh

As the god of the sun and chief of all gods, Balcosh’s temples are grand and radiant, situated on high ground or hillsides to capture maximum sunlight.
Constructed from polished white marble with golden accents, these temples feature large windows and open spaces that allow sunlight to flood the interiors throughout the day. Sunburst designs decorate columns, floors, and ceilings, symbolising Balcosh’s power and life-giving energy. The central altar is positioned to catch the first light of sunrise, creating a striking scene for morning services. Balcosh’s temples are airy and vibrant, evoking a feeling of warmth, justice, and divine authority.

Temples to Frenar

Frenar, the god of stars, death, time, and history, is honoured in domed, observatory-like temples that blend solemnity with scholarly purpose.
Constructed from dark, polished stone, these temples have quiet, contemplative interiors adorned with celestial charts, star maps, and intricate timepieces. Many feature a large central dome designed to open at night, allowing stargazing and meditation beneath the open sky.
Libraries and scroll rooms within these temples serve as archives of history and knowledge, making Frenar’s temples both places of worship and centres of learning. The atmosphere is serene and contemplative, with a focus on reflection, legacy, and cosmic order.

Temples to Lessada

The goddess of the moon, dreams, and marriage, Lessada is worshipped in temples that combine elegance and intimacy. These temples are often surrounded by moonlit gardens and reflecting pools, which capture the gentle glow of the moon.
Constructed from pale stone, with silver accents and soft, veiled interiors, Lessada’s temples have a peaceful, dreamlike atmosphere. Ceilings are designed to reflect moonlight, sometimes through elaborate arrangements of silvered mirrors. The interiors are softly lit, filled with cushions and delicate fabric drapery, creating an inviting, tranquil space ideal for meditation, guidance, and quiet celebration.

Temples to Mavani

Temples dedicated to Mavani, goddess of rivers and healing, are located along riverbanks or near natural springs, where the sound of flowing water fills the air. Built with smooth stones and wooden accents, these open, naturalistic structures blend with their surroundings and are often encircled by medicinal plants and healing herbs.
Mavani’s temples are designed to be open and welcoming, allowing worshippers to feel at ease while connecting with nature. Reflecting Mavani’s nurturing qualities, the temple grounds are lush with water lilies and shaded spaces, creating a serene environment for those seeking solace, healing, and connection to the life-giving force of water.

Temples to Jires

As the god of the seas, Jires’s temples are powerful, awe-inspiring structures often located on cliffs or shores, where they are exposed to the force of the ocean.
Constructed from coral, driftwood, and stone, these temples have an open layout that invites sea breezes and offers sweeping views of the water. Nautical motifs—such as shells, fish, and waves—decorate the walls and arches, and the scent of salt and sea permeates the space.
Worshippers gather in these robust coastal sanctuaries to honour Jires and seek his protection before voyages. The ambiance is both serene and commanding, embodying the god’s dual nature of protection and fierce power.

Temples to Treca

Temples to Treca, goddess of storms and luck, are simple yet enduring structures built to withstand the elements. Typically open to the sky, Treca’s temples are constructed from sturdy wood and stone, with storm motifs and symbols of fortune adorning the entrances. Rainwater collection areas and channels are common, symbolising Treca’s connection to storms.
Within these temples, offerings are made to seek the goddess’s blessing or protection during times of unpredictable weather. The atmosphere is wild and free, filled with symbols of both luck and tempest, and worshippers come with offerings, hoping to earn Treca’s favour or appease her wrath.

Temples to Piatok

Piatok, the god of stone, mining, smithing, and war, is honoured in fortress-like temples that reflect his steadfast nature. Built in a pyramidal or fortress shape, with thick, sloping stone walls, Piatok’s temples exude strength and resilience. The entrance features a large portico with carvings of tools, weapons, and symbols of endurance.
Inside, the vast hall is filled with pillars, with a central flame kept burning atop a stone plinth to symbolise Piatok’s enduring power. Statues of ancient warriors, blacksmiths, and craftsmen line the hall, reminding visitors of the god’s connection to both craftsmanship and battle. The space is bold, rugged, and deeply reverent.

Temples to Kulomar

Kulomar’s temples are found in secluded clearings or wooded groves, embracing a natural, untamed design that honours his domain over the wilderness. Made from local stone, wood, and even living plants, these open-air sanctuaries are marked by standing stones or carved trees, blending seamlessly with their surroundings.
Kulomar’s temples are open to the sky, allowing worshippers to experience the sounds and sights of the wild. The atmosphere is primal and mysterious, inspiring awe and respect for nature’s power and unpredictability. Worshippers come to these temples seeking connection with the wild and guidance in embracing freedom and nature.

Temples to Girys

Temples to Girys, goddess of fields, farming, and the home, are warm, welcoming buildings that serve as both places of worship and community gathering spaces. Constructed from wood and brick, these temples often include communal gardens and large hearths where locals can gather.
Symbols of fertility, such as sheaves of grain, vines, and domestic animals, adorn the walls, celebrating Girys’s nurturing influence. Surrounding gardens offer fresh produce and medicinal herbs for the community. The environment is lively and familial, fostering a sense of shared prosperity, with villagers coming to seek blessings for abundant harvests and strong, harmonious homes.
The largest temple to Girys is the great temple in Misdorn.

Temples to the Dark Gods

Temples dedicated to Jarkash, Pirogane, and Tirax are typically hidden, secretive places situated in remote forests, desolate areas, or even caves.
Jarkash’s temples, with blood-red accents and symbols of violence, are dark and foreboding, often hidden within dense woods. Pirogane’s temples are labyrinthine and filled with traps or secret passages, reflecting his chaotic nature, while Tirax’s temples evoke despair, with interiors designed to feel bleak and hopeless.
These temples are often constructed from dark stone and wood, with motifs that invoke dread, decay, or treachery. Few approach these temples openly, and they are frequented by those seeking darker blessings.

Way Temples

Way temples are small, multi-purpose shrines situated along the main roads between towns and cities. Primarily dedicated to gods associated with light, protection, and fertility, these temples offer shelter, food, and water to travellers in exchange for modest donations.
Constructed from local materials, way temples are modest but practical, featuring small altars, simple sleeping quarters, and areas for animals to rest. The architecture is straightforward, with a focus on function and accessibility, making way temples invaluable sanctuaries for journeying pilgrims and merchants alike.

Shrines

Shrines to the gods are widely dispersed across Helerin, found in cities, villages, and natural landscapes alike. Ranging from simple stone altars to more elaborate installations with statues and carvings, shrines serve as convenient spaces for worshippers to leave offerings and make prayers.

Central to community life, shrines dedicated to gods like Balcosh, Piatok, and Mavani are often maintained by local priests, while smaller or hidden shrines to gods like Jarkash, Pirogane, and Tirax are typically overseen by devoted individuals or left to the care of worshippers who happen upon them. Shrines are important touchpoints of faith, blending seamlessly into both the rural and urban fabric of Helerin.