Saint Aldiss Cathedral

The largest temple in Brineven is Saint Aldiss Cathedral, named in honor of Aldiss Werven. Back when Brineven was merely a developing town and far before it was named a kingdom, Aldiss served at the local shrine of the Olympians. Most agree that he took Athena as his patron and emulated her by working hard to build the community and foster civilization. He was most certainly not a war priest, although Athena attracted a number of war priests to her worship.
One day, the story goes, a dark cloud of dust rose from the north. A vast horde of bugbears descended from the hills to raze the town to the ground and capture or kill its people. Aldiss, who had been out gathering herbs, spied the horde early and ran back to the city. Approaching the palisade, he called out and his voice was so great that all within the city heard it. The town's guardsmen rallied to Aldiss as the militia gathered behind the walls. Filled with a golden light, Aldiss uncharacteristically led the soldiers north to the hills overlooking the northern fields. By this time, he shown with such a light that the bugbears had to look away. The archers behind him aimed and fired, killing scores of the enemy.
From here the histories are less clear, though many reports say that the battle lasted hours until the bugbear king finally made his way to Aldiss. The bugbear's axe fell on Aldiss and cleaved him in two, but as he fell, Aldiss' body erupted into flames which seared the bugbear king and every bugbear within the golden light.
The battle won, the soldiers gathered the body of Aldiss and the other fallen, and his remains was buried below the shrine he served at. Clerics who prayed at the shrine over the years told of a spirit wreathed in gold who would speak to them with messages from the gods. Aldiss was raised to sainthood years later by the church, and by the time Brineven became a capitol city, plans were underway for a grand cathedral.

The Temple

The temple is clearly one of the most beautiful structures in the city. A frieze of varicolored marble inlays circles the building, and similar inlays decorate all the entrances. Its walls are made of straw-colored limestone.
An open courtyard at the north end of the temple houses its main entrance. Here, a colonnade with a green tile roof shelters visitors and merchants from the elements, and an elegant fountain bubbles merrily away.
An open-air balcony overlooks the courtyard's south end; twin spires soar above the balcony, ending in pyramidal roofs clad in green tile to match the colonnade roof.
A series of regal domes rises behind the spires, forming the roof of the main building. The domes are clad in ceramic panels that bear an intricate geometric pattern over an azure background—a hue that makes them shimmer like huge jewels in bright sunlight. Even in dreary weather, the gleaming domes give the impression of a calm summer sky.
The entire temple constitutes sanctified ground. Within, good priests and paladins find their spells enhanced. Skills, spells and abilities which work to foster cooperation, community, and civilization seem to work better in the cathedral. In addition, undead and evil extra-planar creatures cannot enter many areas of the temple. Necromantic magic that animates undead proves ineffective in the temple.

High-Priestess Arella

Arella is an imposing high priestess, infamous for her firm jaw and icy, unsmiling gaze. She has an unremarkable build, which gives no hint of her impressive strength. Her exceptionally strong grip has surprised many a burly warrior upon shaking hands with her.
Oreille's practical, no-nonsense attitude means she has little use for personal ornaments or leisure diversions. An efficient healer, she exhibits a bedside manner much softer than her general demeanor. She positively dotes on her patients and manages to find time to remind them of the manifold blessings Athena has bestowed on their lives.

Endelas

The burly Endelas has started showing his age. His face, though handsome, looks ruddy and weather-beaten now. His cheeks sag, and he's developed a second chin. What hair he has left is shot with gray. Nevertheless, Endelas' huge neck and arms, both corded with muscle, attest to his great strength.
Endelas spent most of his life as a paladin of Apollo, championing the causes of law and goodness where most needed. Adventures have taken him across seas, mountains and even into the depths of the earth. These days, Endelas seems much happier serving the people of the city than going questing after dragons.
Endelas now favors Hephestus as a patron and is more interested in forging arms and armor than in wearing or wielding any. He has spent quite a lot of time at Neldath University, researching crafting, including the crafting of magical items. Recently, Endelas has been taking lessons in magic at Neldath University. He has proved an adept pupil and in his off time can be found in the cathedral library studying his spellbook.

Merideth

The temple provost's smooth skin, bright eyes, and high voice make her seem 10 years younger than she really is. Many consider Merideth's voice pleasant and girlish, but some find it irritating. When she expresses concern or surprise, her voice rises with a squeak, which can set a listener's teeth on edge.
When working, which is most of the time, Merideth wears her armor. Arella gives her provost a free hand in running the temple's daily affairs. This suits Merideth. She enjoys serving the public and gets along well with merchants and guildmasters whose money she handles. Though disappointed that Arella will not give her the vault keys, she knows the value of keeping them out of the public eye. Merideth follows Hermes.

Commander Brose

Brose is commander of the temple guard. He lost his right forearm and had to learn to fight and function with his left-hand. He considers himself the priests' caretaker, but has enough common sense not to hit the clerics over the head with it. Though Brose technically reports to Endelas, the retired paladin doesn't enjoy overseeing the guard. It reminds him of his martial, and sometimes violent, past.

The Acolytes

Erek

An orphan rescued from the streets and raised in the cathedral. Though he desired to become a paladin, he didn't have the leadership ability. He became a mercenary before retiring into the priesthood. His patron is Ares.

Tessa

Ambitious and self-confident, Tessa hopes to become high priest someday. She now works with the temple guard to better understand the people she will eventually command. Tessa's patron is Zeus.

Caladar

A vigorous old man, Caladar traveled widely and fought in more than a few battles. He has had enough of bloodshed and now devotes himself to Hades.

Mayara

Mayara joined the cathedral after losing her husband and family to raiders. She seldom speaks and has taken Hestia for her patron.
Rabi A dark-skinned foreigner, Rabi is known for his impressive height and brilliant smile. He doesn't speak about his life before joining the temple, and when he does, it's just a way to spin one of his outlandish stories. Rabi follows Dionysus.

Type

Cathedral / Great temple

Parent Location

Central Exchange