The Pearl Spire

Located in the southern part of the island nation of Deici, the Pearl Spire is the administrative center and most holy site of the High Path. It is here that the Conclave of the Silent, under the leadership of the Archpriest/ess of the faith, gather in council. It is also a prime focus of pilgrimage, being a central practice to the faithful. 
== Appearance, Structure, and Layout ==
The entire site is built of sure white marble, from the outer walls to the flooring of the courtyard, with the sole exception being the southern tower, itself being built of a pure white stone that reflects sunlight with a flash of soft colours, like mother of pearl. 
The Pearl Spire is laid out in the form of a long rectangle running along the north-south axis. At the southern end sits the tall, thin, opalescent tower that gives the site its name. At the northern end is a shorter, squatter tower made of the same marble as the rest of the site. Along the eastern and western walls of the complex are large double doors that open onto the surrounding land, towards Deren, Port Merith, and ultimately to the city of Deici. 
==== The Southern Tower ====
The Southern Tower, sharing the name Pearl Spire, rises from a platform of pure white stone. It lower section is a wide base who doors lead into antechambers and then the central hall wherein the Conclave of the Silent meet in discussion of matters important to the faith. Immediately above these chambers is a ritual chamber over which the interior of the tower is largely empty, creating a huge vault of open space. The top quarter of the tower contains a second ritual chamber and living quarters for the Archpriest/ess; these are used chiefly during ceremonies that involve, and take place, on Endless Day and Longest Night, and are performed by the Archpriest/ess on behalf of the entire body of the Faithful. 
The Southern Tower is constructed with a series of burnished mirrors that reflect sunlight from the very top of the tower down into the lower ritual chamber, where it strikes a large crystal embedded into the floor. Its lower third emerges from the ceiling of the Conclave chamber, where it sheds soft light during the brighter parts of the day. The mirrors are arranged in such a way that the available light waxes and wanes as the year goes on; on Longest Day the light is brightest and the Conclave chamber is as brightly lit as the outdoors.
The burial vault of Aratar the Shattered lies in the catacombs beneath the tower, sealed off and protected from outsiders.
==== The Northern Tower ====
The northern tower is shorter and squatter than the southern one, but serves far more practical purposes. It contains archives in its underground levels, and offices, and quarters for the high ranking members of the Faith to use when they are present. Kitchens, meeting chambers, and all the other rooms required to run the site are located here, with the exception of the rooms dedicated to servants, stables, storage, and so on, which are found in the halls and floors running along the outer walls. 
The chambers devoted to the members of the Conclave are found on the higher floors, with those reserved for visiting dignitaries (diplomats, the extremely wealthy, political leaders) being found immediately below them. The inside of the building features beautiful art, often scenes from the Magedaroi or calligraphic versions of its verses or chapters. The ground level floor also holds small chapels for each of the major Orders of the faith--each of these is located directly below the quarters assigned to that Order's leader, with rumours abounding of secret staircases down through the shell of the tower to each chapel. 
== Importance to the Faith ==
The site itself is the place where the founding figure of the High Path, Aratar the Shattered, experienced the visionary experiences that transformed him and made of him a prophet and maged, or saint. At that time it was a patch of grassland that spread out from the southern foot of Mount Tahir, across a valley, and into the rocky lands to the south. Aratar began to spread his teachings in Deici, wandering the island from tip to tip, but it was here that he made his simple home. Following his death, his followers constructed a simple tomb for him on the site of his former home, which quickly became a site of pilgrimage. 
As the faith grew, it became custom for many to gather here on Longest Day; eventually the High Path spread well beyond the shores of Deici. As the different Orders arose, and the administrative needs of the faith grew, it was decided to construct its center at the place where it began. The first iteration of the site was a much simpler affair--a stone tower and attached temple. 
In time, as the High Path spread through Amallon and beyond, and began to draw in tremendous wealth, the site was expanded and it was decided to create a true home and temple for the One. Construction of both towers, excavation of the catacombs, and the building of the walls and courtyard ultimately lasted more than a century.
Category:High Path
Category:Deici