The Abandoned Church

In one of the many outer slums of Ornitha slouches a crumbling church. Relatively nondescript for buildings in this district of the city, really. The state of disrepair is more or less consistent with the surrounding area, despite the superior materials and craftsmanship of the structure. Large stone blocks liter the courtyard and the short, surrounding stone wall has completely fallen to ruin in some areas. When the city was young, this was once a sacred place of worship. Today, it is yet another collapsing building in the Teryka slum.

Purpose / Function

This was once a place where worshipers came to hear the stories of Diavna, Protasta, Lesser Moon - Vélos, and others; as well as to hear the gospel of the Church of the One True God. As do many other churches and temples, a tithe was levied on followers. Many early rituals of the Church of the One True God were practiced here, some of which are still practiced today. No known human sacrifices were made at this church.

Alterations

If the church was once beautiful, centuries of grime and neglect have long since crumbled away any exquisitely detailed architecture and packed away any vibrant color. An archway that led to a small courtyard has been reduced to rubble. Weeds grow wild in the courtyard littered with stone cast off from the building. Thick oaken doors fell and decayed long ago, at some point some guards came and boarded up the archway, and many holes that held painted glass to discourage squatters.
If one is observant enough; they might notice that close to the top of one of the corners of the Church, one of the windows has been boarded more recently as the wood has not yet begun to rot.

Architecture

The stonework alone sets the church apart from many of the buildings in the area. The church itself is relatively modest in size, and of a simple four by four design. Surrounding the church is a short wall in various states of disrepair. A short steeple rises from the center of an otherwise square roof. Despite the work of time, some of the remaining parapets along the outer ledge still reveal a fine craftsmanship. The two sides of the church both once encased three large glass stained windows, long since boarded up, that rise near the top of the structure.

History

This was the first church established in Ornitha in the name of The Church of the One True God by Aradin the Unifier himself. After erecting the church, membership grew enormously, as did the coffers. The western part of the city as a whole began to see prosperity as a result of the church; which led to an increased convicting among Aradin's followers. Soon enough wealth had been accumulated for Aradin to erect the Temple of Diavna at a more centrally locate and influential district of the city.
The church slowly fell into ruin along with the rest of the Teryka district. Despite various halfhearted attempts to revitalize the church, eventually the building was declared a holy site and not to be demolished. The state ran out the squatters that had taken up residence there and boarded up all the entrances.
Most recently, a street orphan named Ana discovered a way into the upper rooms of the church as a child. She lives there today with Elizabeth.

Type

Temple / Church

Parent Location

Ornitha