Top Pilgrimage Destinations

There is an underlying ancestry cult and fetish element to the Faith. The bones of (and other body parts) of saints are believed to be divine antennae or channels, and praying to them can have attract divine aid. Physical remains of the saint are class 1 relics, and things the saint owned are class 2. It widely is accepted that the divine grace that powers saints will empower their personal possessions. It’s interesting to note that Saints relics, or his worldly remains, rarely are maintained as a set, but are scattered widely, and often housed in basilicas far from their homelands, or the lands of their miracles. Churches jealously guard their relics, and there is a vigorous market in selling them. The medieval mind seems unconcerned about fake relics or those with weak provenance, and the Faithful even will excuse the skull of a popular saint being in two three locations simultaneously as a minor miracle of sorts.

Hospital

The term “hospital,” in this context, is not simply a place for healing and convalescence. It is also a place to house old people and offer hospitality for pilgrims and travelers. It is free to stay here, and the hospital offers shelter, a central fire, and a single but single meal everyday. The experience for visitors here is somewhat similar to camping indoors.

Gwyfned’s Basilica

This ediface is co existent with Gwyfned’s cathedral. This building is so high and grand as to beggar the senses, and sound within has a peculiar, resonant quality making it appear more profound. Besides the cathedral itself, there are grand chapels devoted to Saints Torenth, Wollyn, and Tyrell each. Torenth’s altar includes the saints’ femur, a collar bone, and vial of his blood, all class 1 relics. It also includes the saddle blanket from his horse, Esaph (all class 2). His badge, usually lead, shows the saint rising into heaven as Esaph the horse bows piously before Saint Torenth’s apotheosis. Wollyn’s altar houses the saint’s bones, although his skull has been misplaced and is not present (all class 1). It also includes Wollyn’s mortar and pestle, and part of stick reputed to have been incorporated into the saint’s wand (all class 2). Wollyn’s badge shows the saint being elevated by two bound demons. Tyrell’s chapel is not as grandiose as the others, but it houses sainted king’s bones, a vial that preserves his eyes (they were once pink, but now unrecognizable), and a lock of his hair (all class 1 relics). It also contains his maille hauberk and bow (all class 2). His badge shows an angelic Tyrell bestowing his halo and crown on Osrick. This basilica and its resident saints stay a massive draw for pilgrims. There are also significant chapels built here for the “local” saints, Belleflor, Blailock, and Hugh. The hospital built to house pilgrims is not large, because space is limited in Gwyfned, and pilgrims are expected to find accommodations around town.

Kaidlorr Basilica

The great basilica in Holy See is the grandest and most popular of all. It houses hundreds of relics, and the holy aura is intense enough to overwhelm many visitors. Key among the holy treasures is the heart, skull, and brain of Saint Torenth (all class 1), as well as his helmet, shroud, and the bridal of his horse, Esaph (class 2). His badge shows Torenth in prayer, standing with one foot on Aarthus, and the other in heaven, followed by Esaph. The basilica also holds relics of saints Euchaid, Aimery, Kentyrre, Clotheid, Umfrey, and Wilburt, and many more belonging to saints not as well known. The hospital built for pilgrims’ comfort is as extensive as a whole cathedral might be elsewhere, or as large as a small village in its own right. Pilgrims waiting for access often wait weeks at a time, unless they are wealthy and bear gifts for the Church.

Kelthan Sun Cloak's Basilica

In Imraldun City, at the basilica of St. Kelthan, a steady stream of pilgrims comes all year to pay their reverence. In a spectacular chapel devoted to Kelthan, the church possesses some teeth, a lock of hair, and an arm bone of their beloved saint and mythological king. For class 2 relics, the church also houses links of saint’s maille and fragments of his shield. Kelthan’s badge is always made of silver, and it shows the holy monarch surrounded by Saellar resplendent, as if the sun was a round vehicle in which the king could ride. The church also sells beautiful, portable shrines to him, and these objects are hinged triptychs meant to be opened and admired. There is also a well-appointed chapel to St. Amorghus here, including a collection of his relics and badges. The hospital set aside for pilgrims is attached to the basilica.

Ruislan Basilica

Although unfinished, or at least in a state of perpetual renewal, Ruislan’s basilica draws in thousands of eager pilgrims each year. It contains finger bones and ribs of Saint Aimery (class 1), as well as his robes and lamp (class 2). The basilica also houses Saint Maeglin’s heart and his skull (both class 1), and his blood-stained bandages and prayerbook (both class 2). Aimery’s pilgrim badge pictures him as a fisherman, and Maeglin’s badge shows him playing a lute and drawing down songbirds. The basilica itself is a marvel of simplicity, and all its beauty lies in its clean lines and tasteful flourishes. There are murals painted on the walls, but the overall effect is one of stark beauty. The hospital here is austere.

St. Rath’s Basilica

The glorious gold basilica of St. Raths is considered holy, and pilgrims flock there in the thousands. For class 1 relics, the basilica houses the jaw and a vial of blood of Saint Torenth. This church also possesses the table, throne, and sword’s crossguard of Torenth, all class 2 relics. For class 3, the cornerstone of Torenth’s old palace is incorporated into the basilica’s altar. The badge of Saint Rath’s basilica, cast in lead but also available in silver, illustrates an angel with a sword and human jawbone, and the scene is decorated with carved flowers. Relics of St. Kentyre prominently are featured here as well.

Taeglos Basilica

Prominent in the so called “City of the Hill” is the ancient Basilica of Saint Torenth. Its core structure is humble as such churches go, but it has been expanded upon repeatedly over the centuries to accommodate the flood of pilgrims that travel here. Each succeeding layer is more ornate, until the church’s outermost facade is almost hidden by statuary, gold, fine marble, and unparalleled artistry. At the altar, the basilica displays its class 1 relics, being Saint Torenth’s cranium and two of his ribs. For class 2 relics, there is Torenth’s tunic and his burial shroud. This church also includes a magnificently appointed chapel that house the bones of St. Kentyre (class 1) and his helmet (class 2). Pilgrims often have to wait weeks to adore the saints’ remains. Saint Torenth’s pilgrimage badge shows the saint blessing his divine mount, Esaph, as Sallear in splendor descends upon his brow. St. Kentyrre’s badge is that of a pious knight in prayer.