Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 spellweaver Nov 12, 2004 19:10:50	Following Hugin's suggestion, this new thread is where we can all discuss the inner and outer appearance of the temples of Mystara's different immortals. It makes sense, I think, that each Immortal would have some general or perhaps even specific instructions for his or her followers and how they should construct their temple. Furthermore, each nation or culture might build their temples differently. An Ethengarian shrine to Tubak (Ixion) would be very different indeed to a Thyatian temple to Solaris (Ixion as well). General features that temples might have: Guardians - golems, living statues, armed guards, undead, beasts Decorations - coloured glass windows, statues of the immortal, tapestries, mosaics on the floor depicting holy scenes, nice furniture Relics - altars, holy books and tomes, fountains of holy/unholy water, pits to throw offerings into, statues and statuettes Special effects - smoke, lights, sounds, anything to make the average believer be struck with awe at this manifestation of his immortal's power Rooms in a temple: main hall of worship smaller shrines - perhaps also to allied immortals offices of the hight priests and their acolytes living quarters for priests and guards libraries gardens atriums with small pools or fountains a dungeon? galleries with splendor put on display to flaunt the immortal's power a kitchen and a toilet rooms for changing garments before and after ceremonies a tresury? Some ideas that leap to mind: All temples to Al-Kalim will have a beautiful and well-tended garden to honour his vision of the Dream of the Desert Garden Temples to Kagyar will display a lot of mineral wealth such as prescious stones, marble and gold. Temples to the Twelve Watchers and other immortal patrons of craftsmanship might have a gigantic magical anvil or forge Ceremonies devoted to Protius / The Spuming Nooga will take place at sea and not in a temple Ceremonies devoted to the immortals of nature will take place in sacred woods, near sacred streams and at the top of sacred mountains Different nations might have different laws on how they tax the temples, thereby indirectly supporting "their local immortal" and perhaps taxing foreign temples higher? It says in the old Companion set that the King usually holds two holidays a year and the church one. What goes on at these national holidays? Which immortals are important enough to grant them and pay for them? Hmm... expanded to a bit more than just temple decorations but I hope some of you will find the debate interesting. :-) Jesper
#2 Hugin Nov 13, 2004 18:09:08	That's quite inspiring stuff there Spellweaver. You've got me thinking. I don't have time right now to work on anything (just finished our weekly game) but I'm definately going to. (Time to do another spell list as soon as I can too)
#3 Hugin Nov 25, 2004 20:29:10	Here's another thought that just crossed my mind, what about special magical items that serve as focal points during worship/prayer/ceremonies (perhaps set in place of a podium or altar). They would be made by the Immortal's followers (with whichever magical properties are dictated by their faith) and would represent the establishment of a new church/temple/shrine. However, the Immortal probably also adds his own special magical touch to it allowing him to "better track" his follower's prayers and devotion. The clerics detecting this added aura would then see it as the Immortal's approval. For example: In temples to Ixion there is a central blazing flame floating mid-air in the inner santum. Flames strike out at any who defile this holy room. Ceremonies use flame that is created by this orb. Temples of Koryis have elevated platforms from which teachers speak the philosophies of peace and prosperity. These beautiful works of art grant the follower a divine bonus of +5 (?) to his charisma. It also fills the temple with a version of Calm Emotions that is very difficult to save against. There's some ideas anyhow. Merely food for thought in case you don't have any gum and feel like chewing. ;)
#4 spellweaver Nov 27, 2004 12:32:48	Cool! I really like the idea of having something sacred or aligned to the Immortal in his or her temple like the flame or the Calm Emotions effect. I have been giving some thought to different types of prayer or rituals for various religions (morning, mid-day and evening) but am not quite done yet. Some other thoughts: Sacrifices of animals and sometimes humans or humaniods are common in the temples of the entropic immortals. A grim thing indeed will befall the priests of Alphaks if the wet blood on his altar is ever allowed to dry out... The most prized offerings to Korotiku the Spider are those that have been won from opponents through trickery rather than brute force. Because of his flickering nature, Eirundyl never accepts offerings or prayers according to a fixed schedule or calendar. :-) Jesper
#5 spellweaver May 31, 2005 16:46:44	Hi there! Thought I'd cast resurrection on this old thread and see what happens. :D I thought about what Hugin wrote about a central, divine flame at the centre of every temple devoted to Ixion. I think it would be cool if this sacred flame was somehow used in the opening ceremonies of new temples being constructed. Sort of like the Olympic torch, a flame from the holy fire at the temple of Ixion in Thyatis City (or whereever Ixion's main temple of worship is) has to be carried to each new temple erected and devoted to Ixion, there to light the Fire of Learning or the Light of Salvation or whatever the priesthood would call the holy fire. What do you think? One more thing: I miss information about the really great and noteworthy temples to the immortals of the Known World. So I ask: 1) Where is the main temple to go to for divination and divine answers and which immortal is it devoted to? (sort of like the Oracle of Delphi in our ancient world, I expect it would draw quite a crowd). 2) Where is the main temple to go to for learning and wisdom and who is it devoted to? (I imagine a grand temple/library complex with hundreds or thousands of volumes of knowledge). 3) Apart from Alasyians following in the footsteps of Al-Kalim and Heldannic Knights tracking the footsteps of Vanya, what other followers of immortals have reasons to go on pilgrimages and for what and to where? :-) Jesper
#6 spellweaver May 31, 2005 17:10:12	Here my idea of how a temple of Al-Kalim could look: And this could be an Azcan or Oltec temple... :-) Jesper
#7 Hugin May 31, 2005 17:16:48	This is another great project I'd love to dive right into but time is a fierce adversary. I like the ideas and the questions have me thinking (again). I think the greatest thing missing from Mystara was more detail on how religion is structured. I was always asking myself what Immortals were honoured where, especially back when I had less material than I have now, but thanks to DM this is getting clarified. Gaz 1 had good info on the churches but most everywhere else is left with next to nothing. What are the temples, churches, shrines, etc. like? Nobody likes to just have McTaverns, so why should we be stuck with McChurches? Am I the only one who felt like this?
#8 Hugin May 31, 2005 17:19:17	Here my idea of how a temple of Al-Kalim could look: Add plants to picture and it could also be the Dream of the Desert Garden University meditation center! Cool pic, Spellweaver!
#9 zombiegleemax May 31, 2005 18:57:02	Sweet idea Spellweaver. These threads of yours are becoming a great tool of resources. This will be another thread I frequent.