Holy Armory

Overview

The Holy Armory is the central temple for worshippers of Demisoth. Worshippers of Demisoth come in two varieties -- those within military service (in orders such as the Brass Spears of Novus or the Adamantine Wayfinders) and civilians. The Holy Armory is a place conceived of as for civilians, but given that the structure is attached to the campus of the Ordanus Paxhold, the Holy Armory represents a rare crossover point between the two wings of the religion.

Two Sides to Tactics

Observance of Demisoth revolves around having a keen mind and a sense of order. Military followers of Demisoth view purity in their central task as vital not only to their survival but as a part of their worship to their deity.

For them, they find the Holy Armory to be a place where they can beseech Demisoth to have their minds and spirits equipped for the difficult task of defending Novus. The Holy Armor contains meditation spaces to hone ones mind and clerics are known to adminster various rights and rituals here, some rumored to be able to allow a soldier to experience the battlefield in a sort of vision quest, giving them the ability to test strategems or hone skills away from the dangers of the actual field.

Civilian followers of Demisoth are taught something different, instead being implored by the various priests and clerics of the order to understand one's place in society, with the key understanding that life that all of Novus lives is secured by the sacrifices of those who fight and risk death every day. They are encouraged to support soldiers, contribute to public health and betterment, or even enlist themselves to take part in this sacred task.

These people observe a lifestyle where they are encouraged to see everything as battlefield that must be tactfully navigated. In following this application of Demisoth's teaching, they are shown that this is not motivated by self-preservation but for the betterment of all. This public facing sentiment hides a more truly held belief -- every battle has winners and losers. Those who truly and deeply understand Demisoth live by this, though they may say otherwise.

As a result of these different ways of looking at Demisoth's religion, the Holy Armor can be a confounding place. It's layout can be mazelike and difficult to navigate. Clerics give confounding answers to even simple questions, and hidden chambers with more complicated rites are scattered within the temple. Most of those in observance there do not make it past the central shrine of vestibules, completely unaware of the mysteries that lie within.

Purpose / Function

The Holy Armory is called as such because it is believed to be the place where Demisoth's collection prized weapons on the material plane is situated. Demisoth was known for blessing faithful followers with prized weaponry, charged with his own essence. These weapons are thought to be held here, hidden from the world until an occasion would arise when they are needed. Still others say that the weapons here are awaiting warriors and tacticians chosen by Demisoth long ago and that the armory contains test to find these people worthy. Others claim that the weapons of the armory of not magical, physical things, but rather the collected wisdom of the observer, who is always watching and always devising.

Architecture

The temple itself is built of heavy gray marble, carved into stately spire. Sharp angles on the structure give the impression of grooves in a sword sharp seams in armor. It is otherwise plain an unadorned on its exterior. Inside, there is a central atrium, seamlessly linking together a vaulted hall where statues of honored fall warriors are erected, a shrine where services or worship is conducted, and numerous vestibules where cleric conduct various services and rites. If one looks close enough, they will soon find other attached chambers, but the layout quickly becomes maze-like. Only the most faithful followers of Demisoth know the entirety of this layout.

Defenses

Besides the confounding layout, Demisoths followers are trained for war. They will defend the temple with extraordinary acumen should it ever come to it. This is however is unlikely, given the temple's proximity to the Ordanus Paxhold.

Type

Temple / Church

Parent Location

Sunhollow District