The Obsidian Temple
The School of the Gods
Located within the holy city of Rockfire, The Obsidian Temple is a strange menagerie of many different religious groups all sharing a single roof. It is a place of both worship and study. It is a school of the Observum, an extension of The University. It is a massive sprawling temple of black obsidian and sandstone bricks. Within its grounds, many academics, priests, clerics, sages, monks engage in study, debate and worship. All with the ultimate goal of understanding the nature of the Gods.
Many think the purist a foolish, impossible, or sinful. However, one cannot deny that in the divide that exists between god and mortal lies the greatest of mysteries. Those who study at The Obsidian Temple are mostly not users of Magic. This is because the bond to a greater power required for Observance is not so easily gained. Most are historians, philosophers, and theologians. These individuals are called miesters. Those who can conduct magic by use of Observance are called practitioners.
The greatest divides that exist within the school are ones of belief. Many argue about the righteousness of their gods and the missing pieces of Zol’s history. Education within the school is voluntary. This means one can choose what sermons, classes and lectures they go to. The whole school is funded by The Crown. Food and lodging are supplied by the institution.
The Obsidian Temple is also located underneath Mount Zerstel, the volcano which is home to the god Daetro. This close proximity allows for the most tangible interaction with a god anywhere within The Three Corners. A major resource for the school. However Daetro is not an open book by any means. There are many records of him answering questions with sentences like “This is a query for mortals to answer on their own”.
# Admission
To join The Obsidian Temple, one must be invited. However requests for entry are often granted if one can make a good enough case for themselves.
# Leadership
Led by The Elders. A council of members representing each of the major religious groups
- Zolaen-Centric
- Trinity-Centric
- Wanderer-Centric
- The Church of Daetro, included due to its location in Rockfire
- Polytheists/Monotheists
- Atheists
- Void Advocates The head leader is chosen by popular vote, and the head cannot be a Void Advocate. The current leader is High Priest Tarsin Gennador, the head of the Zolaen Church within Laenwalde. An aged human man. Brother to Grandmaster Whiles Gennador who is leader of The Brass Hall.
# Members
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Miesters | Those who cannot practice magic, and instead study philosophy, history, and theology |
| Practitioners | Those who posses a bond to a greater being allowing for the usage of Observance. |
| Students | Those who come to study and worship within The Obsidian Temple. |
| Demminers | Those who teach within the school. |
| The Zolaen Church | Members of the school who follow the Zolaen Gods |
| The Wandarian Church | Members of the school who follow The Wandering Gods |
| The Church of The Trinity | Members of the school who follow The Trinity |
| The Church of Daetro | Members of the school who follow Daetro, a universally small group, but locally they are one of the largest |
| Polytheists/Monotheists | Members of the school who follow multiple gods, or a single god. Usually some mixture of Wayward Gods and The Wandering Gods |
| Atheists | Members of the school who do not believe that holiness is a real concept, and that putting the Gods on a pedestal is destructive for society. This is a controversial group. |
| Void Advocates | A very small group within the school who is tasked with researching and questioning the nature of Void Gods. It is very clearly put that worship of them is not allowed. They are few in number, and carefully selected by the schools leadership. They so controversial that the group has been disbanded within the school many times, but some leaders have reinstated them. |