Deep under Wyvernskeep lies an immense treasure in a vault marked "Aeith." The treasure is the collected holdings of the Temple of Aeith, and although the reputation of the church is as a center of wealth, the staggering scope of it is mostly not even suspected by the public.
The center of Aeith's worship is in Wyvernskeep, and the temple there is a lavishly decorated spectacle. From the outside, the temple building appears dainty, but architecturally unadorned. Deceptively thick, plain walls house ornate stained glass windows in a region predominated with buildings holding no glass at all. Finely woven and expensively dyed banners bedeck the exterior, and the overall effect is that of a skinny man wearing expensive clothes and jewelry.
To those who know little of Aeith, he is the god of wealth, and the power wealth grants. His clergy wear robes of ivory and gold. For the young acolytes, this means white and yellow linens, but for the senior clergy it's quite literal. Robes with spun ivory dentine and gold filament embroidery are his vestments, and are never given, but rather sold, to his most faithful.
Inside, the temple is a pageant of ostentation and displays of abundance. To his worshipers, wealth is proof of Aeith's favor and buying his favor is faith itself. From the front door, the temple is unadorned. No rugs, no art works, no furniture. Bare stone walls, floors and ceilings. This narthex is a small portion of the temple to be sure, but austere, and intentionally blunt about it.
To those who know him, and respect his teachings, Aeith is called "The King Maker" as often as he is called by his name. His commandments revolve around the responsibility wealth provides, and councils on the most effective and intelligent ways to invest, increase, and part with money. Aeith wants his followers to be as rich as he is, and ultimately his advice is sound. His faithful say that "wealth is security against misfortune, but that wise gifts are security against ill will." Many of the city's orphanages are run by Aeith's faithful, as are most of the poor houses and soup kitchens.
After the narthex, the semi-circular nave begins. Entrance to the nave is through a main aisle, which proceeds directly to the chancel in the center of the circle, three steps up, a large cathedra atop. On either side of the aisle sit bowls for offerings at regular thirty foot intervals, granting closer and closer approach to the center. The faithful call them "the gates" and each offering is successively more costly. Passing the gates grants the faithful petitioner greater access to the clergy and to more comfort and accommodation. Offerings are required each visit, and the regular congregation makes note when one of its members begins passing a deeper gate regularly, or no longer does.
If one wishes to enter the priesthood of Aeith, the first step is simple: Give the temple everything you own. Everything. Not just money, or land. Every sentimental letter your lover ever gave you, every stitch of clothing you own, shave your hair, we want that too. This is a one time requirement, not a vow of poverty. You see, they say, if you're faithful, if you really serve Aeith, you're going to get it all back and then some. A zone of truth spell and formulated line of questioning is used to determine if truly all has been offered.
At the first gate two plain, wooden bowls stand atop simple wooden spindles. The bowls are for the temple's faithful to place an offering of a copper coin, and grants access to the pews. The pews are plain, wooden benches, and lack cushions. No one aids the faithful that worship in this ring, and they sit too far away from the center to ever be heard.
Newly minted acolytes, called "attendees," are tasked with everything you would imagine; cleaning, cooking, mucking the chamber pots, etc. The backbone of any organization, and hungry for coin. Admonished to listen to elder members when they offer financial advice, but seldom able to actually follow through on that advice for lack of funds, these fresh juniors often play a kind of "fantasy merchant guild" game with each other, tracking how much they could have made with this investment, or how much they would have lost on that.
At the second gate, two iron bowls sit upon their wrought iron bases, and are filled with offerings of silver coins. A young member of the clergy will be stationed here, to instruct or remind those entering that the "gates must be appeased" before access is to be granted, but will make no effort to stop anyone determined to enter without permission. The pews here are still simple, but at least have backs. The occasional attendee will walk among the worshipers here, aiding with prayer, or offering a ladle of water from a shared bucket.
Seasoned acolytes are often asked to join local trade guilds as corespondents and scribes, or are offered "on loan" to local noble houses as advisors. Their titles vary, but are usually some form of their position in and out of the temple, such as "Acolyte Scribe" or "Acolyte Advisor." They teach that a well timed gift to the commonfolk or withdrawal from a risky venture can save face and capital in the long run. No other group in the Conclave has a structure of valued and accurate advice like the holy word of Aeith. That the temple is compensated for this advice is a net benefit for all.
The third gate has offering bowls of silver. A gold coin is the expected offering. An adult member of the clergy stands at the ready here, and admonishes anyone with the temerity to ignore the gate offerings, insisting that tradition be kept, lest Aeith's favor be lost to those violating his edicts. The pews here are pleasantly shaped, and cushioned, while the Acolyte Advisors talk with the worshipers, and offer bread and milk.
Senior clergy see to the administration of the temple, its financial ventures, and evaluate both parishioners and candidates for priesthood for their merit, mathematical ability, and faith. Their duties have them return to the temple, as their lay-world knowledge is now deemed sufficient. Official titles are in line with their duties again, most being "Faithful Broker" and "Faithful Accountant," though some others do exist. Being able to cast the Zone of Truth spell is considered another minimum requirement for senior duties, and they will cast it often. Aeith is a lawful deity, and requires that the clergy inform others when this spell is being used, but contends that honest people have nothing to hide.
The fourth gate has offering bowls of marble, the offering bowl and its stand carved from a single block. Gems or other items of at least 10 gp value are required for the petitioner to pass. An armed, but unarmored temple guard stands watch here, and will not allow faithless skinflints to proceed. In this area the pews have been replaced with comfortable chairs and tables. Faithful Brokers attend the congregation here, praying for them, listening to their pleas and promising to take the concerns to their superiors for guidance.
Seven members of the senior clergy are called the "High Advisers." Note the spelling change from the lower ranked "Acolyte Advisors." It's an important distinction to the church, as "advisors" help make financial decisions for people and organizations, but the "advisers" work with kings and dignitaries to drive policy and far reaching agreements between powerful parties. Yes, they're both pronounced the same. These advisers are also aware that the church has far, far more wealth than most know, as they see all of the temples books together, not just the individual reports being made by the lower ranks. They may ask the High Priest for special dispensations if needed. For example, during a disaster requesting in order to feed and clothe the distraught for the common good, or perhaps as a gift to a diplomat, to ensure his good will during negotiations.
The fifth gate has solid gold offering bowls. 100 gp is required here. A fully armed and armored temple guard stands watch here, but will not speak. His or her only command is to stop the faithless from proceeding. Conversation is left to the prior gates. This is the last gate to offer seating or accommodation in the nave, and it is fine indeed. Plush, well upholstered lounge chairs and sofas are gathered into cozy, intimate groups. small tables around the seating are stacked with fresh fruits, cheeses, and wines, regularly refilled by meek child acolytes, while at least one Adviser is usually present, in order to hold deep and personal conversations with the flock in this ring.
The sixth gate lies at the edge of the nave, and after passing through it, you will cross the thirty feet of space reserved for approaching the chancel. This gate has no bowls, but instead an acolyte of the faith stands at the ready, holding a basket, and quietly asks for an offering of 1,000 gp value. No one congregates in this area. As in the narthex, the floors lie bare, but this time they are made of gem inlaid marble, intricate golden patterns painstakingly crafted into the floor.
Ontas Kirk is the head priest. He is snide, and prone to sarcasm, but does mean well. An excellent orator regardless, Ontas performs the daily sermons of faith. He is adviser to the King of Wyvernskeep, and his business prowess is so astute, even the High Advisers seek his council on occasion. In contradiction to anticipation, he wears simple linen robes, similar to those of the newest acolytes. If you ask, he will tell you that it is an effort to remain humble, which he openly claims difficult. This is partly true. It is also because he understands that he is a figurehead, and does not make final arbitration for the church. He may someday, if he outlives the keyholder.
The seventh gate lies at the bottom of the chancel, but petitioners never pass the gate. Upon offering 10,000 a petitioner is allowed to stand at the bottom of the three steps of the chancel, and speak to the high priest upon his cathedra. The cathedra is a simple high backed chair, finely made, but simple in its design.
Aleksandr is the keyholder of Aeith. It is a secret position, reveled only to the high priest upon receiving the office, in the journals only he may read. In those journals, the nature of Aeith is revealed, and the nature of the organization he now figureheads is made clear. Only the keyholder and the high priest know the location of Aeith's vault, and only the Keyholder may ever visit it.
Aeith is a treasure horde of almost incalculable size. He is sapient and is truly deific, but possesses no body beyond that of his accumulated wealth. His temples are a means of gathering as much coin and gem as possible, for Aeith finds that his powers grow as his resources do.
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| From the movie National Treasure |
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