The Great Temple of Ramenses

While not the largest temple or temple complex in the world, the Great Temple of Diaspora is the largest cathedral dedicated to a single God found anywhere in Kermoria; every facet of it's construction, from it's spires to it's bells and even the benches for the supplicants, were designed to venerate the Great Builder, Ramenses.

Purpose / Function

Wholly dedicated to the worship and veneration of Ramenses, the Great Temple was designed to appease the God and to thank him for his efforts and continued guidance as the city built many of the Great Works.

Alterations

There have been few alterations to the original design over the centuries, as repairs to damaged or aging components are always completed in the original style.   The only major repair work was completed between 2 and 4AV, as retreating and crumbling forces from the remaining armies of Lyras fled to Diaspora and attempted a last-stand within the temple shortly after her death; these retreating armies looted and desecrated much of it's inner workings, including destroying it's spire and toppling it's bells.

Architecture

Unlike most temple and cathedral structures in the Pridelands, which tend to be a bit more ramshackle in design, the Great Temple was built to be the crowning achievement of what the peoples could accomplish; it stands as a massive structure, with thick walls, round arches, sturdy pillars, dozens of towers and spires, and significant decoration on both the interior and exterior.

The Great Temple of Ramenses features four major towers (one at each corner), as well as a single, centralized spire in the center, which looks prominently over the entire city.

The cathedral is 525 feet in length, and 155 feet wide.  Each tower is 190 feet tall, and the center spire is a staggering 235 feet!  There are fourteen bells – a ring of twelve with two semitones, which allow for ringing on ten, eight or six bells while still remaining in tune; the total weight of the bells is nearly nine thousand pounds.

Defenses

As the Temple is built within the city, it features no real defenses of it's own, aside from the thickness of it's walls.  There is a policing force dedicated wholly to the temple, however, a group of some thirty guardsmen who's sole job is to patrol the grounds and act as both fire and security for the sacred building and the inhabitants within.

History

The original designs for the temple were made while the city was still being planned, sometime around 100BD; construction began in 92, with the intent to be finished in 5-8 years, however, the war effort delayed this significantly.  Final construction was not completed until 57, and it's consecration by the High Priest and the Chantresses did not occur until nearly a year later, in 56BD.

The Temple was ransacked by forces loyal to Lyras shortly after her death, and the temple's spire and bells were destroyed.  New bells were cast by Dwarves from Kharhadrim and installed in 4AV.

Tourism

Thousands  of peoples from all across Kermoria travel to Diaspora to visit the temple complex, either as simple tourists or as pilgrims on a holy quest to view the cathedral; as the largest cathedral in the world dedicated to a single deity, even priests from places as far away as Therenborough have travelled nearly half a year and roughly four thousand miles just to view it's majesty.

Founding Date

Construction began in 92BD, and was completed in 57BD. The Temple was consecrated in 56BD.

Alternative Names

Ramenses Cathedral

Type

Cathedral / Great temple

Parent Location

Diaspora