Prime Sarastran Temple

The Prime Sarastran Temple is a massive worship building and the most important and recognizable structure in Breughelland. It houses all worship services for the Order of Sarastro, as well as the majority of its important meetings and celebrations.

Architecture

The Temple's architecture style is primarily based on the Human architecture of Val-Nurem, with some influence from the lost city of Bjália. It is split into three sections, each defined by a massive tower and spire topped with gold. The central tower, completed in early Y1091, is the tallest structure in Dreibach at 409 feet tall.
The path to the temple is wide and low, beginning at the bridge that crosses the Lüdda River towards the rest of Breughelland. The grounds, which include both the Prime Sarastran Temple itself and the structures of the monastery, seminary college, and other buildings that support it, are interlaced with carefully maintained gardens featuring massive hedges.
The foundations of the temple are made of sandstone from the nearby Taberna Valley. As the Order's riches and influence grew, they could afford more exotic building materials; the newer sections of the temple, including its ornate face, are built with high-quality granite and travertine from south Erdelan. The face of the temple, in particular, features the highest-quality stone and precious metals that money can buy. Among the many scenes of the Order's patron gods re-enacting scenes from the Litigation of Flames and other stories, two seventeen-foot-tall statues of Isis and Osiris, embellished with lapis lazuli and gold, loom over the entrance.
The antechamber to the main chapel and other rooms is adorned with statues of the original Seven Apostles, as well as a central statue of Sarastro himself. Within the forest of statues sit doors to the main chapel and the two smaller side chapels (one dedicated to childrens' worship and another to the non-baptized worshippers, who remain separated from the main chapel by an iron grate). At the far ends of the antechamber are two spiral staircases that lead up to the balconies of the main chapel.
The doors to the central chapel open upon a cavernous space with vaulted ceilings and seemingly endless marble pews, designed to make worshippers feel tiny and insignificant in the presence of the prophets and gods. The natural acoustics of the space are amplified so that any sound made in the chapel echoes intensely for nearly ten full seconds. In lieu of natural light from windows, magically illuminated globes hang over the worshippers' heads. These lights change colors at the high priests' will, to emphasize the steps of the service and the content of the day's preachings.
Another statue of Sarastro graces the altar, between statues of Isis and Osiris. The statue of Sarastro holds a scale that perpetually oscillates back and forth like a pendulum, while Isis (to his right) holds a feather and Osiris (to his left) holds a humanoid heart. Atop a central dais of black marble sits the Sarastran Enchiridion. This is the original book in which Sarastro wrote the first tenets of the Order. Any writing in this book (typically carried out by Go-Go, Apostle of Antiquity) immediately updates the thousands of copies of the Enchiridion that exist in the pews of the temple, the homes of the faithful, and the libraries of the known world.
Sarastro himself has allegedly lived in the chambers at the top of the central tower since shortly after its Y1094 consecration. His previous home, the Prophetic Mansion, has been occupied by Monostatos since that time.

Defenses

No expense has been spared in Hallowing the temple against any possible magical interference. It is also warded against any damage or wear-and-tear from natural causes.
Given that Breughelland was a remote and well-defended Loyalist stronghold during the Glorious Revolution, the temple has never had to defend itself in any major conflict, so the exact nature of its military defenses remains unknown. Rumors claim that the statues of the gods and prophets on the interior and exterior can spring to life if the temple itself is ever under siege.

History

Construction on the temple began in Y1066, with the smaller side chapel that is now used for childrens' services. The building was gradually added to as the Order's power grew. The final consecration of the temple took place on the Day of Ascension in Y1094, with the ceremony taking place immediately after the baptism of the Aasimar Astradamors Nuramour (now known as Nekrotzar ).

Type

Cathedral / Great temple

Parent Location

Breughelland

Owner

Sarastro

Owning Organization

Order of Sarastro

Related Traditions

• Whispered Week