Holy Sites are locations that are recognised as being in some nature important to the Spheres. This nature varies from site to site but regardless can form the basis of new locations of worship, nexuses of Spheric magick, or focus points of Spheric mysteries. For some these locations are cultural in origin, always having been a part of the firmament of their lives. For others they are spontaneous miracles, crafted by the adventure that is life through the Spheres.
Creating a Holy Site
Holy Sites are recognised in much the same way a Paragon is, utilising the powers of both the Church as a whole and the Council of Six in particular.
Step 1. Nomination
To begin the process of recognising a Holy Site, a motion must be passed by the Church as a whole proclaiming the nominated site as a possible Holy Site. This requires a greater majority.
Step 2. Research
Following a successful nomination, the priest who put forward the motion has twelve months to present a case to the Council of Six, in writing, that this holy site meets at least five of the seven aspects of a Holy Site.
Step 3. Confirmation
With the research received, it is the duty of the Council of Six to judge this work to be true and righteous. A vote of Exaltation is required. If it passes, the site is recognised as divine, becoming a Holy Site.
Step 4. Consecration
For each confirmed Holy Site, the Council of Six is given a unique Consignment to improve and develop the Holy Site. Doing so provides quarters for both priests and pilgrims, ensures that the Holy Site will not fall into disrepair so readily, and grants a boon to both the Church and The Concord. Importantly, it also provides an income to The Church treasury.
While Consecration is not required, Holy Sites that are not consecrated may fall into disrepair and disrepute over time, which will in turn have their own drawbacks and problems.
Aspects of a Holy Site
Miraculous
To be miraculous a location must spontaneously produce or be the locus for the blessings of the Spheres. A grand or subtle display of Spheric magic, an infusion within the plants, stone, and creatures of a place. For a site to be miraculous, it is to be blessed by the Sphere.
Faithful
Humanities' role in the journey of the Spheres is paramount, as such any Holy Site of worthy note will draw around it the Faithful. A location with a notable cohort of faithful worshippers demonstrates its Divinity through how it inspires. For some locations this worship may be known, for others it may be more mysterious, and in others a Church itself may be there Holy Site.
Glorious
To behold the majesty of the Mortal Sphere can sometimes verge on the Divine. It is this inspiration through exposure that defines a glorious site. Grand vistas, waterfalls of immense size, the breathtaking expanse of the sea. If simply being present at a site inspires awe and faith, then it is glorious.
Observatory
Certain locations within the Mortal Sphere appear to have a closer connection to the Divine Spheres than others. Locations where through mystical happenstance or divine revelation, it is easier for Mortals to perceive the nature, intent, or form of the Divine Spheres are known as ‘Observatories’. Incredibly rare, they have at times been created, such as the artifact of Niccolo’s Window in Artebazzan.
Chosen
Heralds often visit the mortal Sphere in the course of their duties. For a location to be blessed again and again by a Herald, particularly if they indicate that the location is of import, is to have it be Chosen. Some say that the appearance of an Eternal would be enough to mark a place as Chosen, but such a thing has never occurred.
Graven
The resting place of a Paragon is in turn infused with their latent divinity. In time the worship of those around them draws the same communal effort that the Spheres seek. These resting places are often places of Worship in their own right, setting them on the path towards becoming a Holy Site.
Infused
Be it due to malady or glory, the priests of the Spheres may be required to regularly infuse a location with divine magic. The regular summoning of powerful divine ceremonies on a location leaves behind traces of this divine energy. While small enchantment on a farmstead are not likely to produce this effect, summoning great fortresses, armies, or region-wide enchantments may certainly do so. Alternatively, the expenditure of divine artifacts or powers gifted by heralds may produce a similar effect.
Current Holy Sites
The Gravetree
Older than the city of Wolstad that it stands within, the Gravetree is a vast and tall Oak tree that is long dead. Over the centuries it has been festooned with the blades of the glorious dead. Holy to Arcadian it has long been a source of strength and remembrance for the people of Resinderholz.
The Gravetree has not been consecrated.
The Vale of Stags
The rolling woods of Eastern Windholme are a silent and sombre place. High in the mountains this forest is a place of great untouched natural beauty and a long standing worship of Cervitas. A place where truths are laid bare and togetherness can be found in simplicity.
The Vale of Stags has not been consecrated.
The Redbrick District
Where the blood of the oppressors flowed with such vigor that it dyed the stones red. In central Lerona Mere, the Redbrick district saw some of the most violent fighting of the First Revolution. After the founding of The Concord it was chosen as a holy site to Anarch, being witness to one of the greatest changes in recent memory.
The Redbrick District has not been consecrated.
Deorling’s Citadel
The western Bulwark of the Iron Valley that broke the advance of the Artebazzani invaders during the First Mercenary War. It later became the bedrock of the Iron Valley during the great retreat, giving them a last holdout that was thankfully not needed. Its role as the cultural heart of the Iron Valley saw its induction into the role of Holy Site.
Deorling’s Citadel has not been consecrated.
Baelag’s Holdfast
The colossal fortress of Baelag’s Holdfast is ancient, older even than the Artebazzani Empire. While it has stood in many forms and for many uses over the centuries, it cannot be doubted that its strength and stature are unparalleled. While not held by The Concord currently, it was named as a holy site by the Concordian Church in 224AE.
Baelag’s Holdfast has not been consecrated. It cannot be consecrated until reclaimed by The Concord.