Saint Solamh's Basilica
The colossal cathedral, standing sentinel at Leofric's
heart, accommodates citizens and sacred
shrines, rendering it a crucial piece of infrastructure
within the city. From its outer walls, the building
covers around 2 square miles,
with the highest spire standing at
3000 feet tall, making it as much an edifice as its own
town. Built on multiple floors,
Saint Solamh's Basilica
is said to be able to house the entirety
of Leofric's population in times of crisis, though
access to it is not so easily granted.
Originally conceived as a sanctuary for the city's diverse
religious tapestry, encompassing a range of Aelven and
Human faiths, its purpose was drastically
altered during the great cleansing of the Thuumdalic Decree.
In this era, the building underwent an identity
transformation, becoming a hub for state functions and
military operations. Following King Calmest's downfall, the
Lucidiette Mass assumed command, spearheading the
completion of construction. Consequently, the
structure metamorphosed into the intended sacred
cathedral, though now its halls echo with worship
solely of the Thuumdala.
Architecture
The exterior courtyard of the cathedral blooms into
grand gardens, adorned with verdant greenery and
meticulously tended trees. Once, these gardens
shimmered with vibrancy, though the resurgence of
city-wide peril has faded their resplendent charm,
leaving them grand in scale but not quite as illustrious.
These gardens are more than mere ornamentation;
they serve a dual purpose, acting as decoy obscuring
the formidable ramparts of the cathedral.
During the day, the cathedral's massive doors stand
invitingly open, albeit with layers of magical protection
enacted to deter unwelcome intruders. Incense and
faerie lights are utilized, alongside watchful guards
perched on towers with cannons and firearms primed
for action. However, as night descends, the cathedral's
doors close, imposing a stringent lockdown.
The Grand Nave
The Grand Nave embraces visitors upon entry, a grand hall of unimaginable scale with vaulted ceilings towering towards infinity. Stately marble pillars, bejeweled and carved to perfection, march down the vast space. Their crowns are graced by statues depicting esteemed saints and martyrs, the silent guardians of sacred lore. The mosaic floor intricately weaves stories of divine intervention and cosmic bravery, each tile a testament to faith. Stepping foot into the nave inspires reverence in even the most faithless, humbled by the grandeur that engulfs them, offering a tangible glimpse of the vastness of existence. Gothic architecture, with its majestic proportions, accomplishes this feat—a manifestation of the infinite that leaves spectators awe-struck. Enhancing the spiritual essence of this magnificent setting is the ever-present choir, selected from the Thuumdalic Church's devout members. They perform a continual cycle of hymns from the upper balconies, their voices fueling the spiritual flames within the hearts of those who tread the hallowed floors. This continuous melody, broken only at sundown, was once a round-the-clock devotion.Residential Quarters
Nestled within the cathedral's vast structure lie the residential quarters, sanctuaries for the devoted who've committed their lives to the Lucidiette Mass and the Thuumdalic Church. These dwellings merge functionality with spiritual symbolism, every abode adorned with holy symbols and sacred motifs, cultivating an atmosphere of ceaseless divine communion. The area straddles the Moryanne River that splits Leofric apart, symbolic of the Church's goal to unite all of the city-state under the banner of the Thuumdala. Human and Dweor constitute the majority of the district's population, their devotion unwavering. A sprinkling of Aelven families reside here too—primarily government officials in frequent dealings with the Lucidiette Mass.The Observatory
Perched atop Saint Solamh's Basilica is the Observatory, a haven for cosmic exploration, equipped with an impressive collection of celestial tools. The Dome, adorned with a vast stained-glass mural, once cast an otherworldly spectrum of light across the cathedral during full moons. Here, under the auspices of the Lucidiette Mass, stargazers and diviners decoded the resonances of the heavenly bodies, translating their frequencies into Cosmic messages. The Observatory now stands partially in ruins, caught mid-reconstruction. A violent detonation within its confines decimated most of the area and equipment— a convenient cover for the missing tools, although the incident genuinely cost many Lucidiette lives. The true cause of the catastrophe remains known only to higher-ups of the Church, their lips tightly sealed on the matter.The Vespers
The greatest of the cathedrals spires houses an endless spiral staircase that appears to ascend to the heavens. Strategically located above the Grand Nave, it resonates with the melodic prayers from the congregation below—an angelic symphony accompanying those who ascend the stairs. The celestial Observatory crowns this tower. Researchers have padded its floors to dampen the divine music emanating from below, an ironic quirk given those who reside within the Observatory postulate themselves as the most fervent devotees of the Thuumdalism, in its purest form, as they believe. The monumental Vespers within Saint Solamh's Basilica resound a sonorous peal that reverberates throughout the continent. They herald the day's dawn and dusk, and they beckon the faithful to gather for worship in their individual churches. While smaller churches also employ bells, none echo across the world with the majesty of the cathedrals Trinity of Chimes: The Bell of the New Moon, Dettlaff's Bell, and the Resonance Bell, each perched atop one of the three spires.The Bell of the New Moon
Perched atop the lowest spire, the Bell of the New Moon resonates a tone so profound that it seems to rattle one's very soul. This deep, ominous gong is seldom heard, rung once to signal the passing of the city's ruler, twice for the demise of a Church's high apostle, thrice to announce the rise of an aberrant moon. This trifold toll echoes on the first two days the moon is sighted, and once more an hour before its zenith. This sonorous prelude not only girds the city for impending survival struggles but also washes fear from the hearts of the Church's hunters.Dettlaff's Bell
Originally named the King's Bells, these chimes were commissioned by the Usurper King to rinng only during impending assaults—a sound unheard since the return of Lord Calmest. Strategically suspended from the second highest spire, their reach encapsulates the city, a clarion call of war reverberating through Leofric's walls. Amid the strange influences of night, especially those emanating from the moons, the bell's true ring serves to guide hunters homeward and dispel illusions. However, some veterans, particularly long-lived Aelves, harbor a lingering resentment towards the toll, its sound an unsolicited reminder of their war-torn past.The Resonance Bell
The tallest spire resonates with a frequency only perceptable in the deepest recesses of ones mind. It is the timbre of Dreams and Lucidity, and it is rung only when the Nightmare grows bold, for it seems to soothe the very Cosmos.Luminary Repository
Situated within Leofric's heart, the Luminary Repository stands as an immense vault of gathered wisdom. It is home to all knowledge amassed within the city, extending to forbidden lore, which is carefully concealed in a ways unknown to the waking world. The raw power held within these prohibited tomes could potentially wreak more havoc in malicious hands than any of the deadly weapons borne by Leofric's inhabitants. Within this labyrinth of ink and parchment toils a devoted battalion known as the Circadian. They meticulously sift through and organize a ceaseless deluge of documents. Their task may seem tedious, but they are profoundly aware of their duty's weight. Even a minor clerical error or misfiled document could sever crucial supply lines to critical city sectors, leaving them weaponless amidst ferocious combat. Consequently, they labor assiduously during daylight, their diligent work ceasing only when nightfall descends. After dusk, the Repository transforms into a quiet, deserted place, broken only by the footfalls of vigilant night watchmen. In recent times, these watchmen have found their resolve tested by haunting whispers emerging from the library's forbidden sections. High above the Repository reside the sanctified quarters, designated for the Lucidiette Mass' top echelons. The Vicars and high-apostles find repose here, stationed above the cathedral and safeguarded more than anyone else within the district's boundaries. Their strategic insight shapes Leofric's destiny as a Cosmic city and strengthens its defenses against the Nightmare. Their security is ensured by personal Kraunsgaard, who shadow their every move, departing from their side only in heavily secured areas upon explicit instruction. To prevent the growth of undue attachment, these high-officials refer to their guards not by name, but by assigned numbers.Defenses
These towering edifices serve as the domicile for the
valiant members of the Lucidiette Mass' Kraunsgaard. Their loved ones
find shelter within the protective walls of the cathedral, while these stalwart warriors stand guard on
the periphery, eyes ever vigilant for signs of the
Nightmare. Few motivations are as potent as the desire to
safeguard one's family. They share their quarters with
their comrades-in-arms, forging familial bonds under
the strict regimentation of the Lucidiette Mass. Rising
with the dawn's first bells, they cease their watch only
when relief squads take their place. Yet they remain
ever-ready, should the city demand their assistance.
Many amongst them are reservists, positioned near the
cathedral, prepared to intervene should
catastrophe befall the holy site, while others patrol the
city streets under the moon's spectral light, ready to
strike down any lurking beings.
The cathedral’s skyline is adorned with three Guard
Towers. Two towers stand
sentinel over the southern horizon, while a more
substantial tower scrutinizes the northern city expanse.
A somber feature of these bastions is the barred
windows. While some argue it offers protection for the
Kraunsgaard, enabling them to shoot from above while
shielded by stone, the inhabitants know these bars to
be a means of confinement, preventing flight. The
training can be brutal, tempting some to flee, while
others, lured by love within the picturesque Sanctified
District, might consider abandoning their post for a
night of passion. Such indulgences, however, are
unaffordable luxuries here.
In the Lucidiette Mass' rituals, like those of many
religions, incense plays a significant role, not only
infusing the atmosphere with divine scent but serving
as a purifier. The incense, known as Saint's Myrrh, or commonly as Myrrh, is a relatively inexpensive
byproduct of these rituals.
It emanates a sickly sweet aroma.
While this scent is easily overlooked by humans, it is
profoundly repugnant to nightmares, including the Eirborn. Consequently, the cathedral's walls are
conspicuously devoid of these creatures compared to
other city districts.
