High Temple of Silara

The center of political and religious power in Silara , the High Temple showcases the granduer and power of both Kerali and the Silaran government. As such it is a massive complex of religious and government spaces heavily decorated with intricate metalwork, carvings, and paintings.

Purpose / Function

This sprawling complex is where much of Silara's policy is decided and where the holy rituals necessary to retain Kerali's favor and thus maintain Silara's prosperity are preformed. Anyone who has the audacity to comitt a crime in the capital is tried here as are crinimals of especially vile nature like heretics, traitors, and corrupt officials.

Architecture

The temple is made out of light limestone that seems to almost glow in the sunlight. The interior glitters with metallic reliefs, statues, incense burners, and dozens of oil lamps. The vaulted roof is decorated with a huge golden releifs of Lune and Kerali so that no matter where in the sanctuaries one is, Kerali can see and hear them. The towering statues of Kerali are covered in gold and precious gems. Every hallway has religious verses, most taken from the Silil painted and carved into the walls. Lining the walls of the main sanctuary are guilded alcoves where the bones of past sovereigns dressed in all their finery rest staring out with lifeless eyes on the procedings.

The main sanctuary is where foreign visitors are recieved, religious ceremonies and court is held, and the people of the capital come to worship. There is a slightly smaller sanctuary for the day to day work of the government all under the gaze of the deity. Elsewhere in the complex are quarters and offices for the clerics and government officials who work here including the Sovereign of Silara. Additionally there are extensive quarters for pilgrims and cells for crinimals awaiting trial here. The original copy of the Silil) is kept in the temple and brought out for religious ceremonies. Jutting out from the temple are several large balconies for gazing up at Lune. The Sovereign has their own private balcony for such purposes.

History

Not long after Arlidra and Laron established the sovereignty of Silara plans were drawn up for the High Temple. It wouldn't be complete until several years after both sovereigns were dead. Still they were able to work in the temple as it was being constructed as the two sanctuaries were prioritized. During some of their early years as sovereigns they ruled whiled stonemasons, sculptors, painters, and other artisans worked around them, decorating the sanctuaries and continuing construction of the temple. Since their reign the temple has been expanded several times. The larger balconies were put in by Arlidra's and Laron's successor as were the first of the pilgrims. More officespace and quarters have been added since then and the dedicated jail area is actually a fairly recent addition.

Tourism

Pilgramigaes to the temple are very common and most Silarans try to visit at least once in their lives. Sometimes this pilgramage is forced as part of punishment for crimes can include traveling to the High Temple and sacrificiing something of great importance or value. Simarly many physicians suggest those suffering from grave finger to do the same so as to cleanse themself of the sins that caused them to contract the disease. The High Temple is an especially popular destination at Year's End as it's considered especially good luck to celebrate the holiday in the High Temple and watch Lune from one of the temple's balconies.

Alternative Names

Silara's Palace (mostly by foreigners)

Owning Organization

Silara