Nelandrean Altars

Her gaze falls upon us, stripping everyone of their pride, titles, or makeup. For there is no judgment from the Goddess of peace, but unconditional love.
Gentle and thin, her hands rest on her chest, sheltering the flowers growing within her palms. No matter how many seasons pass nor how many storms wet the stone robe she wears, not a single spot of moss can be found. From the first day to the last, the figure of our savior will gleam in the sunlight.

- Ignacio Glen Vintas, The White Castle's Altar

There is no settlement, no village nor hamlet you can visit in Menicea that does not have a Nelandrean Altar. As the essential tool to every Nelandreist, altars were made in hundreds at the beginning of the Golden Age, two hundred years ago.

Religious meaning

Nelandreists believe that their prayers can only be heard if recited in front of an authentic Nelandrean Altar. By representing the Goddess' body and growing her beloved flower next to her, they allow her to hear their voices.
Altars are a spiritual gateway to the gods, but also a gathering point. They are a symbol, something one will always find anywhere they go to make them feel that they are home. As a Nelandreist, you are never alone. Wherever you go, altars are here for Nelandra to hear your prayers and remind you that you are amongst people sharing the same beliefs as yours.
Degradation is passible of the worst sentences among the Menicean Justice, such as becoming a Commonworker for eternity.

Construction

Most of the older altars were built right after the officialization of the Nelandrean cult by Kelyeran Asturac. Sculptors from all over the continent gathered at the capital and got to work. Every altar was made after the one guarding the Menicean royal family's tomb.
First big cities, then villages, hamlets, and lastly, main roads got their altars. Older altars to be replaced in the capital were sold to the countrysiders in need. The fights among nobility for who will have the most sumptuous altar ended up serving the greater good.
The wealthiest will usually order altars made of smooth stone or even marble. Most towns over the continent ordered them to the Clergy, who made them out of stone. Some small settlements, such as Welden in Elyades made theirs themselves out of wood.

Item type

Religious / Ritualistic

Owning Organization

Nelandrean Cult

Kelyeran Asturac (Official Art) by Sinlaire

Gérouns are so respectful of public properties. I genuinely never saw a single spot of dirt on every altar I found, and god knows there's plenty of them to see.
I heard the stories about the bandits in the west that ransacked one. They say that they got Kelyeran Asturac to participate in the hunt to take them down. That must dissuade anyone to ever touch an altar again.

- Human visitor