Locations · Establishment · Any
Basilica of Kestidel
In the great town plaza the magnificent edifice of the Basilica of Kestidel has stood for many generations. This elaborate gothic structure is the hub of power of the clergy. It has been a bastion of faith for the surrounding lands. Not only have the spiritual affairs of the populace been governed here but also it is a centre of the community that has proved resolute in time of crisis, whether through war, pestilence or famine. In the myriad of crypts beneath its sanctified grounds lie interred many thousands of bones of the dead, as these crypts are the place of burial for the worshipers.
The Basilica is essentially octagonal in shape with a central octagonal body and each side of the octagon holding a supporting structure. Six of these are worship alcoves, another the bell tower and the last the main entrance of the Basilica. Rising from eight pillars in the heart of the Basilica is the main tower and dome.
Each of the alcove abutments, along with the bell tower, is elaborately decorated with arched windows and arched recesses holding statues. A peaked roof of copper sheeting caps each. The belltower contains the stairs that access not only the pulpit, bell tower and roof of the basilica, but also the crypt through a chained and rusted iron gate. A small door at the rear of the basilica is the only ground level access other than the main entrance.
The main entrance to the basilica is an elaborate arched affair flanked by soaring roman columns that support the lintel and peaked architrave above. Lurking above are two gargoyle statues. (These are active Gargoyles that will defend the Basilica itself should it be threatened.) Stairs lead up within this entrance and the main level of the Basilica with the entry vestibule been flanked by statues of two holy warriors. Twin doors of iron studded wood panels lead into the basilica. A secret room exists directly above this entrance with access from a hidden roof trap door. This has been used to hide faithful that are being persecuted by the city guard or hide clergy of less popular sects when the inquisition comes by. A spy hole gives a commanding view of the interior of the temple and pulpit. Which has been used by certain elements of the Clergy to eliminate those who are not really faithful.
The interior of the Basilica is designed to fill the worshipers with a sense of heavenly majesty. The symmetrically patterned marble floor leads from an eight-pointed design in the centre (directly under the dome) to the pulpit and bell tower, the main entrance, and each of the six alcoves of worship. Each of these alcoves has elaborate louvered doors. The bell tower has a second floor balcony that is the pulpit from which the bishop can deliver his sermons to the congregation below.
It is however the magnificent pillars and archways that support the roof and central tower and dome of the Basilica which impart the sense of majesty to the structure. These pillars stand 25 feet tall and the arches loft above these. The dome of the Basilica towers a dizzying 70 feet above the floor of the main hall. More arches span the exterior walkway between the pillars and external walls and arches also loft over each alcove entrance.
The roof of the basilica is accessed via the bell tower which itself houses an ancient bronze bell. A railed walkway circumnavigates the main basilica tower to an open patio above the main entrance. Statues also decorate this railing.
The main tower hosts 16 arched windows which allow natural light to pour into the main hall and above these is the dome and spire. The windows are made of clear glass, but are leaded to 'draw' images appropriate to the faith. In short,it is non stained, stained glass. Over all the Basilica stands over 90 feet high.
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A pure architectural description. Typical MoonHunter post, and 3/5 will probably do it an injustice, as it will no doubt be connected with myriad other posts. Still I judge it as a stand alone post and as such it is nice and well detailed, but the entrance gargoyles are hideously cliche and subtracted somewhat from the overall score.
I hope v2 will give us the opportunity of giving an overall score for a set of linked items when it is launched. Many of your posts need and deserve that.
Flavor text is not always supportive of what a GM needs. Unless you have a solid image of the place in your mind (through concrete description or your own imagination) or a map, "adventuring" in such a place can be made complicated... especially if something "tactical" happens (a chase or combat).
Flavor text is easy to do "off the cuff", coming up with a structure with some versimilitude is hard. You actually have to expend effort upon that. The whole point of the site is to provide general ideas OR ready to use pieces. I prefer ready to use pieces, instead of something I am going to have to invest some good effort in before I can plop it into my campaign.
So sure, I could of given flavorful text... but you would not know the interesting physical pieces.
These are not your boring Gargoyles that are just creatures of stone with lots of patience... though if you want to use those you can.
Let us go to the original Gargoyle... the spirits that inspired all the rest....
Gharjoy, ectomorphs tied to the statues... also known as Sin Eaters.
http://www.strolen.com/content.php?node=1262
3.0/5
Old Moonhunter subs! Gimme Gimme Gimme!
A well detailed location, with hints at drama. A good building block.