Dawnspire
The Dawnspire is a large temple complex devoted to Tor Elan. It serves as the heart of the Breath of the Sun, a militant religious faction devoted to the Sun Lord in his aspect as Lord of Battle. It is located 6 miles to the north of Lyodnoir, up a steep and unforgiving path. As such, it is extremely defensible but hard to resupply.
History
Construction began on the Dawnspire's main temple in 198 AC. When the Breath of the Sun was officially founded in 201 AC, it quickly became the headquarters of that organization. Construction on the main spire finished in 215 AC; the entire complex was in its current form by 221 AC. Recently, as the spire has started to reach its full capacity and the Breath of the Sun gain political power, talk has arisen of constructing a new temple closer to Lyodnoir to serve as the center of the secular arm, leaving the Dawnspire as a primarily training and ritual site.
Layout
The Dawnspire is a walled complex of forges, houses, training facilities (both indoor and outdoor, including all forms of combat), and sacred spaces. The main temple rises 160 feet to a pinnacle where the high-ranking members of the Ecclesia conduct their holiest rites.
The temple is also a weapon production facility for the associated organization as well as providing specialist crafting for the Wyrmhold military and Lyodnoir guard, with several forge and repair facilities staffed by both expert craftsmen and goblin-made automatons providing brute labor. Houses are small and simple--the Breath of the Sun is an ascetic organization.
Buried under the main temple and sealed to outsiders is the Occularium, a cloister where the Shrouded Sages spend their time in arcane research, scrying, and information collation. Only the sages and cardinals (as well as the Praeceptor and Ecclesiarch) are allowed entry. Food and other supplies are lowered in on lifts staffed by automatons.
Occupancy
Normal occupancy of the facility includes
Division | Role /rank | Number | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Priestly Orders | Hierarchs (Abbots and above) | 8 | Ecclesiarch, Cardinal of the Spire, his Deacons of Teleos and Magistratus, and abbots of all 4 orders. |
Priests | 16 | 8 of Magistratus, 3 of Teleos, 3 of Scientias, and 2 of Anima | |
Acolytes and trainees | 40-80 | Most acolytes spend about half their training here, although as the organization expands, other training centers are being established. This number fluctuates quite a bit. | |
Shrouded Sages | Cloistered | 14 | |
Novitiate | 6 | These are the sages-in-training. They also act as the interface between the Occularium and the Upper Temple. | |
Oathsworn | All ranks | 3-5 | Usually one retired Hammer and an active one and his squire, if he has one. |
Clerisy | All ranks | 0-1 | Clerics rarely spend much time here; they are constantly out in the world. |
Secular | Smiths and crafters | 40, including families. | These are not sworn, but they are kept around for their skills. Of all the residents, they're the only ones who keep their families with them. |
Other personnel | 20-30 | All those serving in various roles. No servants, except as retinues to visitors. Most non-skilled labor is done by the acolytes. | |
Total | 150-200 |