Hearth of Zivaria

A large, megalithic temple surrounded by smaller church encampments. Primarily dedicated to Zivaria, the Creator Goddess, the encampment provides shrines to many other gods as well.

The Encampments

A sprawling town of tents surrounds the temple complex itself. Pilgrims of all ethnicities travel to the Hearth for prayer, sacrifice and blessing. Many of the larger tent camps closer to the temple walls serve as small shrines to other gods. Farther out from the temple walls, the tents are mostly individual family tents brought and set up by pilgrims.   It is not uncommon for pilgrims to leave their tents when they return home, as a gesture of welcome and goodwill to other pilgrims. Generosity and fellowship are the two most noticable traits found among pilgrims to the Hearth. Families often share food and supplies with each other, children can be found playing with other children halfway across the encampments. There is rarely any violence; most disputes are handled through trade or relocation to a different part of the encampment. Infrequently, disputes that cannot be settled thusly are brought up to the temple forecourt where a cleric (usually of Zivaria, but not always) presides as mediator.

The Temple Complex

Constructed in unknown ages past, this megalithic temple is purported to be built atop the spot where Zivaria created the world.   One source from the early years of the present age speculates that the clover-shape of the temple complex may represent "the present, past and future (or birth, life and death)", while the solar alignment could mean that "Eldir's Male-energy is also given an honored place in these temples", and that "Zivaria (mother) was represented by statuettes while Elder (father) was venerated through this temple alignment." This theory has not been formally recognized by any authority within the clerics of Zivaria, the Creator Goddess or Eldir, God of the Sun and Day.

The Forecourt

The flat area outside of the temple complex walls, its perimeter is defined by multiple rings of stone cairns. Placing a cairn is considered a prayerful, meditative practice commonly done by pilgrims. For most pilgrims, this is the farthest into the temple complex they go.

Temple Courtyard

Passing through the two large megalith Sunstones forming a gate, one enters the ovular temple courtyard. This open courtyard is dotted with several stone slabs serving as benches, fig trees growing to provide shade. Three dome-roofed temples are aligned off of this courtyard, their doorless entrances leading into cool stone-sheltered shade. Each temple sits at a slightly different elevation, leading to their names as the Upper, Central, and Lower temples.

The Sunstones

Serving as the gates to the temple courtyard, and aligned to the equinoxes, the sun passes directly between these megaliths on the holiest of Zivarian holidays.

The Upper Temple

The right-most temple is set at the highest elevation of the complex.

The Watering Place

This raised, flat stone slab is carved with seven bell-shaped resevoirs, which hold clear, clean holy water to their very brim, seemingly regardless of rainfall, or of consumption. It is common for worshippers and priests to cleanse themselves with this holy water.

The Central Temple

Set at the same elevation as the courtyard, the Central Temple is the most commonly visited, as it houses the shrine to Zivaria, the Mother Goddess.

The Hallow

This recess contains a round stone pillar and a rectangular slab held vertically ahead of the pillar. Resting on the slab are spherical hollows which may have served as holders in which to stand small libation and anointment jars. These jars are characterized by a specifically oval base, designed to stand upright when placed in the slab. It is common practice for worshippers to anoint themselves here after they have been cleansed at the Watering Place. It is also common for pilgrims to offer a libation here, a ritual pouring of a liquid (typically oil, wine or perfume) as an offering to a deity, or in memory of the dead.

The Oraculum

Set into the wall of this chamber is a small, carved hole, surrounded by carvings of dots in whirling patterns. On holy days, priests may hear whisperings from the gods directly by placing their ears to the hole.

The Mother Goddess

An altar with a statue depicting a voluptuous woman, carved from one piece of spherical stone. This is the main altar of Zivaria.

The Lower Temple

Set at a slightly lower elevation from the temple courtyard, the left-most temple houses the Endless Flame.

The Endless Flame

A roaring wall of fire thrives between two megaliths, creating a furnace 10 feet deep and 30 feet wide. Nothing seems to feed these fires, but day or night, regardless of the weather, the fire burns steadily. Most commonly, sacrifices of livestock, produce, or material goods are given to the fire, where the flames eat up the offerings leaving nothing but ash.   A common superstition is that should a mortal pass through the flames and live, they will live the rest of their days blessed by the gods. Not many attempt this test of faith, and of those who do, most do, in fact, turn to ash in the flames. Legends tell of those who have passed through and survived, but these rumors cannot be corroborated.

The Hypogeum

The undercroft entrance leading to the underground chamber of the Temple. This can only be accessed from a passage at the rear of the Central Temple.

The Cradle

A spacious hall, circular in form, with inward slanting smooth walls, richly decorated in a geometrical pattern of spirals. Carved into the center of the floor is a large smooth basin, often referred to as "The Cradle." In circular patterns along the floor, reaching outward from the Cradle, are impressions of humanoid hands.