Cathedral of Hidden Radiance

The Cathedral of Hidden Radiance is the spiritual and physical heart of the Church of Hidden Radiance in the Cavern City of Carafon. It occupies a large volume in what was once a natural cavern near the centre of the Main Gates level.

Purpose / Function

The Cathedral of Hidden Radiance is designed to impress, both upon the people of the city and upon any visitors, the authority and magnificence of the Church of Hidden Radiance and the wealth and power of Carafon. As such, it is ostentatious and grand in design.

Architecture

The structure of the building is delineated with a series of fine stonework partitions which divide up the original vaulting cave space. At the centre, a large cylindrical natural chimney runs all the way up though the rock, going through the summit zone and out to the surface where it opens as a large fenced off circular hole, not all that far from the crown of the Tyrant's Palace. This formation, called the Blessing Of Helios, allows natural light and air to penetrate into the heart of the cathedral and the city. It can be seen in the background of the title image of the article, which shows a scene in the main nave from a service commemorating Aurum's Feast Day.

Carafon - Cathedral of Hidden Radiance - Gold Hall by DMFW with Night Cafe

The gold hall is a large transept, running north from the Blessing Of Helios and dedicated to the worhip of Aurum.

Carafon - Cathedral of Hidden Radiance - Silver Hall by DMFW with Night Cafe

Opposite the gold hall on the south side of the Blessing of Helios, is the silver hall, dedicated to the worship of Argyros.

Carafon - The Cathedral of Hidden Radiance - Lower Altar by DMFW with Night Cafe

Carafon - The Cathedral of Hidden Radiance - Upper Altar by DMFW with Midjourney

The treasury room is a strong hold, where the wealth of the cathedral is guarded by the church protectors.

Carafon - Cathedral Treasury - Silver and Sapphires by DMFW with Midjourney

Carafon - Cathedral Treasury - Gold and Rubies by DMFW with Midjourney

Tourism

The building itself is an incredible example of awe inspiring architecture, always artfully lit and decorated with some of the rich treasures to have come from the mines of Carafon.
The greatest of these is undoubtably Saphira's Desire, a single enormous cut sapphire, mounted on a silver column and usually kept locked in the treasury. It is brought out for major festivals, most particularly on the feast day of Saphira, the goddess of sapphires, one of the most locally important deities in the Pantheon of the Hidden Radiance.
Second only to Saphira's Desire, is the great red ruby, known as Rubina's Passion, mounted in a cradle of gold and used on the feast day of the goddess Rubina.
Under the Blessing Of Helios is the original copy of the divinely inspired scripture known as the Words From The Dark, a holy site of spiritual contemplation for members of the faith.

Type

Temple / Church

Parent Location

Cavern City of Carafon

Ruling/Owning Rank

The Focus of Light

Owning Organization

The Church of Hidden Radiance