Description

[Jewel]

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The House of the Heavens is one of the most prestigious buildings within the city. Second in size only to the Palace, the House of the Heavens was built almost a millennia ago during the time when the city was still growing after the coming of Mekhem. Built of holy stone on the strongest foundation that could be found, the House of the Heavens promised to be a massive structure even during the planning phase. Nearly three decades later, after constant and difficult labor, during which whole new building methods and materials had to be devised, the main temple was finally completed. The temple itself could house 20,000 people, which at the time was most of the city's population. The greatest of care was paid to every detail during the construction of the temple, and the constant circle and half-circle motifs are all in deference to Shilah. Prayers wafted in the heat, praying that their faith would be enough to stave off a second Day of Reckoning. Several centuries later, as the population of the city continued to boom, another massive project was undertaken on the temple. The outside of the temple had become a place where people had started to congregate, and so the city planned and built an enormous paved courtyard to use as a meeting place for people.

After a massive earthquake 600 years ago fractured the main dome and caused severe damage to the temple, the city began another renovation project, using newer construction techniques and their greater wealth to re-do the entire interior of the House of the Heavens. New marble pillars were added and the dome was taken down and completely redone, using a lighter and stronger material while artists began a massive new mural that would cover the entire inside of the newly finished dome. Intricate carvings and paintings were put into every corner of the temple, leaving no place untouched by beauty. Hand carved archways, depicting the day of wrath on one side of the temple, while on another murals of Shilah staying her hand from exterminating the last of humanity in an ultimate act of mercy. Stained glass depicting some of the heroes of the earlier centuries, including the founders of the city, were added in to the places that had previously been open to the elements, each man and woman standing under the light of the ever present Sun. The great opening archways were blessed as the project was completed. The greatest temple devoted to the majesty of the sun was completed once again, and served as a place of faith, worship, and protection as the Immortal Caliph came into power just a few centuries later.

While the House of the Heavens has been spared the Immortal Caliph's wrath nor has it received even a pittance from her. Once again it has fallen into disrepair as the funds of the devout fail to cover the cost of so grand a structure on their own. The priests have even had to resort to selling holy art and relics to simply keep a bare minimum of function.