House of the Four Moons

The largest rotunda surrounds the ancient moonwell, and has no artificial floor beneath. Despite the cover of its aquamarine dome, the grass, flowers, and trees beneath flourish, watered by the moonwell. The well is the centerpiece of the rotunda, ringed by statues of ancient elven figures of the faith.

This chamber is meant for quiet contemplation of the goddess in her many aspects, and for taking communion of the water of the well, which is said to have many powers. It is usually the best place to find one or more ranking priests or priestesses, and thus many nobles of Velprintalar frequent the location. Others come to watch the bathing rituals of the priestesses, who cleanse themselves in the waters of the moonwell, clad only in its silvery, dappling wetness. It isn't a bawdy ritual, but some of the townsfolk are, and all those who are quiet, polite, and appropriately contemplative are welcome on temple grounds.

Shrine of the Maiden

One of three large rotundas on the uppermost plateau, about the central structure, this shrine is dedicated to all aspects of the Maiden, herself considered an aspect of the Triune Goddess. Like the central rotunda, much of the floor of the shrine is natural earth, abundant with life. Only a slim crescent of smooth marble exists within the circular floor plan, the rest given over to a thick grove of flowering trees and bushes, ever in bloom with a dazzling array of colors which change by the week or day.

Within the shrine are images of the aspects of the Maiden, tall statues of ancient, pale gray stone. Various cultures have venerated the moon goddess in many aspects; chiefly among them are:

• Diana, maiden aspect of Selune in the Chondathan tradition
• Aerdrie Faenya, maiden aspect of the Triune Goddess in the orthodox elven faith
• Syreena, maiden aspect of Sehanine in the eastern elven tradition
• Devina, maiden aspect of Mystra in the Rus tradition
• Eilistraee, maiden of the moon in the dark elven faith

Services of the shrine include guidance, especially in matters of love, planting crops, or starting a new venture. The shrine's major contribution to Velprintalar's culture is a seasonal beauty pageant, which, in the style of the old Doric contests, includes many tests beyond simple visual appearance, such as dance, singing, and athletics.

Along the path created by connecting the central shrine with that of the Maiden, beyond the Arc of the Phases, lies Bathhouse|The Bathhouse].

Shrine of the Mother

Equal in size to the Shrine of the Maiden, this shrine is the second in the arc as one walks the clockwise path from the Shrine of the Maiden to the Shrine of the Crone. Its central position makes it a hub of activity, typically for those seeking the Festhall or the [#Hospital|Hospital]. The shrine is situated on a protrusion of the cliff wall, giving it a commanding view northward to the sea, as well as sweeping vistas of the city of Velprintalar, in all its levels.

The shrine is floored in polished, rose-tinted marble, and is of an open plan. Thick red curtains drape between the columns, hanging down nearly to the floor to enclose the structure. Idols of the various Mother aspects circle about the room, and the underside of its rose-hued dome appears to be a detailed fresco depicting the virgin birth of Toril from the primordial darkness. The image is, in fact, created by innumerable facets of stained glass, too fine to make out the cracks between fragments, which glows and shimmers breathtakingly as the light of the moon passes through it.

Idols depicted in the shrine include:

• Venus, mother aspect of the goddess in the Chondathan tradition
• Hanali Celanil, mother aspect of the Triune Goddess in the orthodox elven faith
• Araushnee, mother aspect of the goddess in the eastern elven tradition
• Bhalla, mother aspect of the goddess in the Rus tradition

The open shrine is used for large gatherings, sermons at both high noon and midnight, led by a high priestess. Few in Velprintalar's upper crust are usually awake in time for the early (noon) sermon, and generally have more fun things to do at midnight, but many of the city's common folk attend these sermons. The congregation sits upon the floor, usually with the aid of innumerable plush, red pillows, and listens to the many stories of the faith. In a distinctly Aglarondan style, the stories are usually sung, in a chanting monotone by the high priestess, accompanied by a richly-harmonious chorus from the assembly of lesser priestesses and acolytes. The high priestess walks through the masses, and as she spins her tale, she occasionally lays her hands upon those in need of Selune's blessings, who need not vocalize their need for her to know of it. Generally, the mass concludes with a song sung by all, then proceeds to the central rotunda, where the congregation takes communion of the waters of the moonwell.

This shrine is the place to seek guidance in matters of matrimony, motherhood, parenting, running one's business, and staying true to one's faith. Typically, attendant priestesses will be happy to walk with a seeker through the gardens surrounding the shrine, listening intently and offering words of wisdom.

Shrine of the Crone

The third and final shrine of the Arc of the Phases is the Shrine of the Crone. This west-facing shrine is the highest point in the temple complex, and has one of the highest foundations of any building in the city. It peeks out over the city wall, with clear views of the west and south, and is meant as a point of contemplation of eternity and the great beyond.

A circular wall, concentric with the greater structure, encircles the innermost two-thirds of the rotunda, dividing the inner sanctum from the outer ring. The latter is meant to symbolize the eternal journey--priestesses and contemplatives walk the path from east to west, then around again, repeating as many times as they see fit as they look toward the poles of the world and reflect upon the true magnitude of creation.

Within the inner sanctum, all is dark. Even by night, the dome emits little light; the inner passages are lit by blue flames, cool to the touch. One enters the sanctum on the east side, passing through a narrow tunnel into a circular chamber, lined with the looming visages of the crone. Depicted are:

• Hecate, crone aspect in the classical tradition
• The Srinshee, crone aspect in the orthodox elven tradition
• Morrigan, crone aspect in the eastern elven tradition
• Yaga, crone aspect in the Rus tradition

As one proceeds through the passage toward the west, one sees more and more of the final chamber, shrouded in dark mist. As one stands upon the threshold, it resolves into a small, dark chamber, with an open window looking out over something indistinct. By crossing the threshold, one may penetrate the mist and see what lies beyond.

It is called the Window of Eternity, and, while clearly magical, its behavior remains unexplained by the priestesses. The starry vistas and other strange sights it depicts hold visitors spellbound, usually inspiring more questions than answers. Some of the more common and less enlightened questions include "is it real", and "what happens if you fall in?", to which the priestess offer only a word of caution when trifling with the great unknown.

The priestesses within offer counsel for those at the end of life, or those struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one. They answer questions about the afterlife, but caution that, as mortals themselves, they can never truly know. The faith maintains that death is a private journey into a larger world, and that the soul always moves on into eternity. One's deeds in life may dictate the direction of that path, but never damn one to Oblivion.

Shrine of the Traveler

Further down the tumbling cliffs from the cluster of shrines near the central rotunda is a lone but towering shrine dedicated to an aspect known as The Traveler. Despite being an aspect of the goddess, the Traveler can be depicted as a man, a woman, or genderless. This aspect is the patron of wanderers, those on a journey, and those without a home.

The shrine is colloquially known as the Shrine of Stars by the common folk, and for good reason; instead of stone idols, the shrine is filled with "sculptures" of glowing light, resembling the constellations. The many gods, goddesses, and ancient heroes of the Realm are long since immortalized in the stars, and in this shrine, they are catalogued and displayed for all to know. Most of the male priests of the temple tend to this shrine, and are happy to explain and educate regarding the constellations, both their physical reality as they appear in the sky, and the stories and metaphors behind them.

The priests encourage travelers to tell their story; the priests are trained in strict mental disciplines which allow them to memorize these stories in great detail without needing to record them on paper. In return, they offer free room and board, at a clean and comfortable hostel on the premises. This tradition bears much similarity to the folk tradition of hospitality throughout rural Aglarond, and there is much debate on which influenced which.

Additional services at the shrine include direction-finding, assistance with planning trips and expeditions both great and small, and even divinations to discern one's origin and destination (the latter usually coming in the form of vague prophecy, the former a useful service, though one that comes with many notes of caution, for orphans and the dispossessed).

Shrine of the Seas

The lowest, but certainly not the least of the shrines sits only a few dozen feet above the sea, accessible directly from the docks via a long, white, marble stairway. Selune, as the patron of navigators, guides the path of those who sail the turbulent Sea of Fallen Stars, and many mariners come to this shrine to bless their voyage, or to thank the goddess upon arriving safely after a long journey.

The shrine is mostly open, and affords a commanding and majestic view of the sea and of Velprintalar's impressive harbor. The priests and priestesses of the temple guide travelers in prayer, and keep vigilant watch on the tumultuous seas. It is wise to consult with them before departing on any venture, for they can usually foresee danger days or weeks in advance; a measure of patience might save a mariner his ship, his cargo, or even his life.

The Bathhouse

Near the Shrine of the Maiden is a festhall, a site of sacred prostitution and other comforts. The Church of Selune frowns on secular prostitution, for the ills it can create, and maintains the festhall as a way for its priestesses to know the sexual side of the Goddess, and for parishioners to know her mystique through sacred congress.

The festhall is built in a style not dissimilar from the old Chondathan public baths. Visitors need only arrive, doff their clothing, and slip into one of several heated or cool baths, where they will soon be tended by nude maidens of the church. In addition to the obvious, the maidens provide other services, such as massage, beauty regimen, and even sexual instruction for those seeking to learn the sacred arts of physical love.

Payment is not compulsory--as with other institutions of the church, donations are welcomed but not mandated--but most usually pay a fair wage. A lucrative business of bribery exists to secure particular favorites for a time, though the church madams frown upon the practice. Additionally disfavored is the practice of favoring the wealthy over the poor, for all are equal in the eyes of the Goddess.

The Hospital

Near the Shrine of the Mother is a large hospital, a site for the care of the infirm and the elderly, where priests and priestesses treat all comers, regardless of wealth or status. In addition to herbalism, chirurgery, and prayer, the priesthood also has an ample amount of magic to treat the most serious ailments. For those needing expensive alchemical or magical treatments--usually those suffering from magical diseases, poisons, or curses--compensation is strongly recommended in the form of payment or services to the Church. Still, the Church has many wealthy patrons, and can afford to treat many without means.

The Traveler's Lodge

The Traveler's Lodge is a simple, but comfortable hostel that can take in hundreds of visitors. It provides hot meals and a cozy shelter to any willing to pay the simple price of telling their tale. Many credit this large hostel in pushing local hoteliers to strive toward a legendary level of excess and luxury for which Velprintalar is known, without which they could not compete with the free lodgings of the temple.

High Priestess Ysana Moonshadow (pronounced "Ishanah") has been serving the temple for almost two centuries, more than half of her lifetime. In that time, she has garnered considerable respect among the priesthood at large, for overseeing the growth of the temple from its humble beginnings as the lone Shrine of the Moon to its present grandeur. She has long been an honored figure in the city of Velprintalar and among the elves and other Selune-worshipping folk of Aglarond. She is arguably the most widely-recognized star elf in the Realms outside of Myth Drannor.