Brightwater Halls – Temple

In the northeastern ward of Arabel, one temple rises in grandeur above that of others in the district. Brightwater Halls — a temple erected in devotion to the trifecta of Brightwater Goddesses, Sune, Sharess and Lliira — was completed in 1377 DR, replacing what had been the original temple to Sune in the city prior to the Shadowvar war from 1372-74.

During this conflict, the first temple fell to a Shadowvar assault, resulting in its razing, and the death of many itinerant clergy and templar. Answering the need for aid, clergy of the Goldheart, Hanali Celanil, came to aid and comfort those who survived the fall of the temple, in demonstration of the alliance of the elven Goddess with those who shared Evergold’s waters. They also pledged their support in seeing that the temple might one day stand again.

After the conclusion of the war, it was decided that the temple would be rebuilt, but not on the same site as the one that had fallen. The ruin of the prior temple became a memorial park, with the remains of the temple’s main entry wall and eastern wall serving as part of the perimeter fence as solemn reminder, along with the first idol of Sune that once stood in the sanctuary. Within the garden stood the last High Warder’s spirit tree, beneath which were placed markers of those who sacrificed themselves during the temple’s defense.

The new temple is a work of resplendent beauty, and it was decided that the temple would stand to represent not only the Firehair, but her attendant Goddesses as well. In addition, it houses a shrine to Hanali Celanil, in reciprocation for the faithful of the Elven Goddess lending their aid in a time of dire need.

Relationships

The temple of Brightwater Halls maintains good relations with the city of Arabel and the kingdom of Cormyr at large. Clergy and templar of the faiths have taken proactive steps not just to offer ministry and succor to those who enter their sanctuary, but also send out their numbers to assist in times of need to defend sovreign citizens, as they have during the schemings of reborn Runelords of Netheril and their attempts reclaim their ancient lands from the Crown.

Organization

The temple is presided over by the Mistress Warder Madelein, who arrived in Arabel from Sembia in 1376 to oversee the rebuilding of the temple. She was joined shortly thereafter by attendent acolytes including Blythe Heartgrove who also hailed from the churches in Sembia, who has risen to the position of Clergy Signora for her contribution in drawing support and goodwill for the temple’s reconstruction, commission of decorations and the subsequent reopening.

The Mistress Warder is also attended by the itenerants of Lliira and Sharess who came from other reaches of Faerun shortly after the high priestess in order to tend to worshippers of the sister faiths, as well as an acolyte of Hanali Celanil who tends to the shrine for her visiting faithful.

A growing contingent of the clergy of the temple are Sune’s specialty priests, the Heartwarders. Blythe is one of these, along with her understudy and betrothed, Auroa.

The temple also sponsors a contingent of the militant arm of the church of Sune, the Order of the Ruby Rose. Blythe’s second betrothed Raina Seris serves the Order’s Arabel chapter as Knight Signora. The Order is open to any warrior or other martial that’s a devoted worshipper of Sune.

Joining

Anyone who is devoted to one or more of the triune of Sune, Sharess and Lliira, as well as those of Hanali Celanil are able to join Brightwater Halls as either itinerant or regular clergy, staff or templar. Acolytes just beginning in the ways of the divine are taken under wing by one of the elder clergy who shares their faith. Young warriors seeking to become templar are squired by the rank and file of the local Knights of the Ruby Rose. Seasoned clergy and warriors who have already made their rites of passage can also join the temple at a commensurate level of ranking. One of the requirements to join the temple as clergy, templar or lay staff is to make an offering of some work of creativity — be it art, lyric or verse, it must be something original and from the heart of the candidate. Each member of the temple is expected to continue in either the practice, study, or sponsorship of one or more creative arts.

Gaining Prestige

• Every petitioner who comes to join the temple and has their creative offering accepted, has at least one total faction point (TPA). Gaining further prestige is often as simple as contributing new works of creative art which are usually worth one faction point, perhaps more for a particularly complex or grandiose production, such as a play or other public performance that brings public attention to the temple.
• Actions which result in the preservation or restoration of things of art or beauty can also earn prestige, with the amount varying depending on the magnitude of the deed, as will the completion of missions commissioned by the temple.
• Progressing in rank within the church will also gain prestige at the rate of 1 faction point per level gained in a divine class (for templar without divine caster levels, count the levels of their warrior class)
• The church also sponsors adventurers to accompany them or to act on their behalf, which may earn prestige for their completion, but those who are not formally joined to the church, nor devoted faithful of the four goddesses, are limited to a TPA of 5. Such persons can continue to gain faction points so long as they expend CPA to keep them below this threshold

Resources

Brightwater Halls has many facilities within its walls devoted to healing, entertainment, and hedonism. The temple sponsors the bathhouse in central Arabel, and employs the attendants and journeymen, in addition to its own facilities within the temple. The temple also houses a grand ballroom and feast hall which is the finest in Arabel, and highly in demand for various social functions and festivals. And as with any temple, there are the clergy with offerings of blessings and healing services. All of these services of course come with the fees expected of one of the richest temples in the city, perhaps second wealthiest only to the Lady’s House in the adjacent northern ward.

Quarter is available for acolytes who have come to study from other cities abroad, and for the resident staff of the temple who do not have residence of their own. Temple accomodations are offered in consideration for the services and duties performed by those who dwell within.

• 1 TPA: Purchase scrolls and potions of divine spells from clergy at a 5% discount.
• 1 TPA, church staff only: Freely acquire any nonmagical vestry items.
• 1 CPA: A full session at either the temple or Arabel city bathhouse with massage, which restores any fatigue, exhaustion, and nonlethal damage.
• 1 CPA: A small function in a single temple amenity — such as a reception or family or faction gathering of 10 participants or less.
• 1 CPA, church staff: One month’s lodging in temple quarters with boarding.
• 2 CPA: A larger function in a single temple amenity from 11-50 participants, or a multi-amenity function — such as both the feasting hall and ballroom — for 10 participants or less.
• 3 CPA: A multi-facility function for 11-50 participants.
• 5 TPA: Function with access to all amenities (such as a festival) for any number of participants up to the amenity occupancy.
• 5 TPA: Purchase curative wands from the temple at a 5% discount.
• 5 TPA, 3 CPA, divine spellcaster: Gain one additional 0-level spell known (if spontaneous) or 0-level spell prepared (if prepared or hybrid casting). This requires the completion of a month long tutelage by an elder clergy. The character can only gain this benefit once.
• 10 TPA: May use temple library to craft divine wands, scrolls and potions for 45% of their market value, rather than 50%.
• 10 TPA, 5 CPA, divine spellcaster: Gain one additional 1st-level spell known (if spontaneous) or 1st-level spell preparation slot (prepared or hybrid casting). This requires the completion of a two months’ long tutelage by an elder clergy. The character can only gain this benefit once.
• 15 TPA, divine caster: Considered elder clergy of the temple.
• 15 TPA, templar: Considered ranking templar of the temple.
• 20 TPA: Have armor or shield enchanted with any of the following qualities for 10% discount: Ghost Touch, Harmonizing, or Righteous.
• 20 TPA: Have armor or shield enchanted with the Holy or Redeemed quality for 10% discount.