The Pantheon Temple of Kelador

Being a place which had seen many a conquest or sacking, the people of Kelador got tired of rebuilding their places of worship to suit the whims whoever was passing through this decade. Being a pragmatic group, they instead managed to get followers of many gods to all chip in and build the Pantheon, an impressive temple for all gods, often incorporating parts of the various other sacked temples (pragmatic and thrifty). 
The grandest building in Kelador, the Pantheon is the main centre of worship for the entire city’s inhabitants. Though grand, it is normal to see people from all walks of life there, from the mighty to the shabby. It is built of the local stone in a Romanesque style, largely round with a giant dome atop it. Inside, it is designed to be circular, so no one god gains any prominence. There are sections for worship of all the gods in the Ebrionian pantheon, all designed to suit their deities. There are a few other spots for unusual Gods and places for those who have other beliefs to set up their own relics. There’s no judgement in the Pantheon and, whilst healthy debate is accepted, aggressive disagreement is not tolerated. It feels a little piece-meal in its design, but that adds to its charm. The North wing houses some tombs of the high and mighty, including many of the ancient Kings of Ebrion from when Kelador was the capital. This is unusual as most cemeteries in Ebrion are associated with Arawn, goddess of the passage into death, whereas at the Pantheon they lie beyond the Chapel of Oloch, God of the Dead and Darkness. This perhaps reflects a desire by the people of Kelador that some who lay there are definitely not wanted back, and they hope Oloch keeps a strong hold on them. 
It is staffed of many clerics and priests, representative of each of the deities and of none. There's currently a movement campaigning for a chapel devoted to those who follow no gods to be placed at the West door which current lies empty. The general response to this varies from "That's represented in the Chapel of Other Gods"; "It's silly!" and "There's nothing there anyway, so you already have what you want."

Design

The Pantheon is designed with a number of chapels to the main gods of the Aran pantheon, as well as an additional one to any other deities. They were carefully placed to try to maintain maximum distance between potentially conflicting deities. Each chapel is uniquely designed to reflect its patron. Above each chapel, in one of the higher tiers, is a stained glass window designed by chosen followers of that deity.

by Richard Cartwright

 

Patron Deity	Chapel Design
Matrixia	There is a constant low crackle of magic in this chapel. It smells of incense and ozone. The walls are carved with intricate arcane designs.
Gobnin	Much fine filigree and ironwork forming gates, fences and an altar. There is a large container filled with old, rusted and broken weapons.
Narda	Murals of great wars. Spears and old pennants and flags line the walls of this chapel. A great, giant suit of armour rises in the centre, waiting for Narda to claim should he return for future war.
Oloch	All dark stone with no windows. Unlike other chapels, it is sealed off by heavy dark curtains. Inside, there is little illumination or decoration, save the occasional sparkling reflection. Are they the jewels of the earth or the twinkling of the stars? In the centre, with a sinister low glow, there is a small altar with a single yellow eye carved atop it. It seems as if it glows by drawing in any near light, rather than emitting it. At the rear of the chapel is another curtain that leads into the Kelador Halls of the Dead.
Degdia	The light in here is low, with golden arcs of lightning across the ceiling. There is a set of shelves to one side. It is here that stolen items may be returned with no threat of punishment.
Mercannan	Carved as an underwater cave with a series of pools/fonts where fish are kept by the priests.
Silvanus	Entirely made of carven oak in organic shapes, upon which are many delicately carved flowers, ivy and woodland creatures.
Arawn	Inside is a giant set of black iron scales. On the pan of one lies several human and animal skulls (are they carved or real?). On the other is an egg and seeds.
Duantis	Forced perspective carved mountains from a stone dissimilar to the rest of the Pantheon. There are gems in the lower parts and the tops are coated in shining silver.
Other Gods	Compared to the other chapels, the structure of this is very plain: simply the walls of the Pantheon. However, those walls are lined with many shelves and vaults filled with offerings, idols and artefacts from many identifiable and unidentifiable cults.
Brigantia	Carved stone and sculpture depicting horses, cows, ploughs and similar. A sheaf of wheat lies upon the altar. The chapel smells of moist, fresh earth.
Belnias	Above is a huge rose window, mostly of clear glass, but with some light staining for a pattern of a rising sun. It sheds light into the entire Pantheon. An altar is built from gold and white marble, in imitation of standing stones. Upon this sits some candles and arcane lights.
Dianekt	Carved and real boughs of Oak and mistletoe. One of the least populous chapels due to the hospital next dorr, though there is always one healer in oak green.
Ormad	Every surface inside this chapel is carved or graffiti-ed with script. Some looks intentional, some added by visitors. There are several banks of soft rock and books for visitors to carve or write their own message. Writings and scripts from all over Ara can be brought for restoration, translation and as offerings. Copies are always made and stored at The Great Library of Kelador.
Lugh	Paintings and murals of exotic views across Ara, with the long hands of Lugh extending across them as a network of roads and waterways. It smells of spices and exotic incense.

Images from the Chapels in the Pantheon

Arawn as the Shepherd

From the Pantheon at Kelador

Belnias in Stained Glass

Blazing Belnias from her window in the Pantheon at Kelador

Brigantia in Stained Glass

Degdia in Stained Glass

A portrait of the Degdia from the Pantheon at Kelador

Dianekt in Stained Glass

From the Pantheon at Kelador

Duantis in Stained Glass

From the Pantheon at Kelador

Gobnin in Stained Glass

From the Pantheon at Kelador

Hidden Kek in Stained Glass from Chapel of the other Gods

From the Pantheon at Kelador

Lugh in Stained Glass

From the Pantheon at Kelador

Matrixia in Stained Glass

Mercannan in Stained Glass

From the Pantheon at Kelador

Narda in Stained Glass

From the Pantheon at Kelador

Oloch in Stained Glass

Ormad in Stained Glass.png

The God Ormad rendered in stained glass from his chapel in the Kelador Pantheon Temple. In it, Ormad wears his Headband of Intellect

Pantheon Exterior

Pantheon Interior

Silvanus in Stained Glass

From the Pantheon at Kelador

Umberlee in Stained Glass from the Chapel of Other Gods

From the Pantheon at Kelador

Type

Cathedral / Great temple

Parent Location

The Illumination District

Owning Organization

Aran Polytheism

Notable People

- High Worship, Ryany Folcey Male Gnome Cleric. Ryany has black hair and dark amber eyes, and a sharp nose. He wears half plate. Welsh accent and more friendly than you’d expect. Ryany has an animal companion, a tawny rat named Ennel.
- Priestess of Arawn, Atril Caddye Female Human Cleric. Atril is exceptionally beautiful, with messy silver hair and dark brown eyes. Everything about her is symmetrical, and she panics if it is not.
- Priest of Degdia, Kater Female Human Cleric. Kater is tall and stout, with thin white hair and soft blue eyes. She wears studded leather and wields a club and sickle
- Priest of Oloch, Monder Male Gnome. Monder has squarish face with hard features and dark eyes, matted brown hair, and a cropped moustache. He wears hide armor and wields a club and shield. Monder is confident and philosophical.