Spire of the Scion

A Promise Unbroken

"All Who Enter Here Are Unmasked In the Eyes of the Scion. He Knows You For Who You Are."
— Inscription at the entrance
  The Spire of the Scion rises above most of Avomann, a thin tower of stark white stone decorated with silver, gold, and jade accents. The Spire has a number of smaller buildings around it, but they are arranged at least twenty paces from the base of the tower and rarely rise above two stories tall. The actual tower's base starts at roughly fifty paces wide, but narrows to a point where one would be hard-pressed to balance on one foot. There are no actual doors to enter the Spire, just arches with silk curtains keeping it separated. Most of the caretakers live in the outer buildings, entering only to do maintenance and clean up whatever refuse is blown into the bottom lobby. Inside the base of the spire is a vaulted chamber which is decorated with silk ribbons and colorful painted wood panels, keeping the eye moving around the outer wall. A bronze statue of Cedri is placed in the center, garishly given a cape which is different depending on the season. The silk curtains dividing this sanctuary from the outside share the same color and general ornamentation as Cedri's cape, and when one needs to be replaced due to damage they are all recreated. A simple altar of reddish-brown wood is set before the statue, where offerings can be left and incenses burned to show reverence to the Masked Reveler.

According to what the faithful of Cedri say, the tower is placed here as a beacon for travelers who revere the Masked Reveler to come and visit. The tower was raised by Cedri himself, and decorated to make it easier to see from around the city as something more than an "eyesore". By walking into the sanctuary chamber at the bottom, one enters the sight of Cedri and may be judged for their actions - even those which were not taken, or have not been taken yet. Burning a portion of incense is said to grant clarity with regard to a decision which is being debated, and spending time in meditative prayer is said to leave the supplicant refreshed and with a lighter heart. Scholars have noted the particular type of incense used is one known to leave mildly intoxicating smoke in the air, which may have something to do with the sense of levity.

Locals of Avomann wear porcelain masks tailored to the individual, and these designs are never fully repeated. When a funeral is held, all but one mask from the deceased are broken while the last is hung at the base of Cedri's statue for two weeks. A second altar is set up of petrified wood stained black, and mourners leave small offerings there as a way of remembering the dead. On the last day of this process, the mask is hung on the wall underneath the silk hangings, out of sight but not forgotten. When a particularly fierce wind blows off the bay, glimpses can be had of the sheer number of masks on the wall. It has been described as a "very unsettling sight" by those who speak of it.

Type
Temple / Church
Parent Location

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