Sandpoint: Sandpoint Cathedral

Easily the largest building in Sandpoint, this impressive cathedral is also the town’s newest structure. Built over the foundations of the previous chapel, Sandpoint Cathedral is not dedicated to the worship of a single deity. Rather, it gathers under its eaves the six most commonly worshiped deities in the region, providing chapels for all of these deities in a communal forum. In a way, Sandpoint Cathedral is six different churches under one impressive roof.

The original chapel built here was a collection of six different shrines, each its own building and connected to the others by open-air walkways. Avandra’s worship was incorporated into these shrines as part of the peace accord with the local people, but the original builders also incorporated five other deities as well. Four of these (Moradin, Pelor, Corellon, and Melora) were patrons of the original founders of the Sandpoint Mercantile Consortium, while the fifth, Bahamut, was the most popular among the initial settlers.

When the chapel burnt to the ground five years ago, Mayor Deverin set into motion a bold initiative. Not only would the chapel be rebuilt, but it would be done on a grand scale. A cathedral would be built in place of the chapel, and it would be made of stone and glass. Funding for this project came partially from the founding families, partially from Sandpoint businesses eager to earn favor in the eyes of the gods, and partially from the respective churches.

It took years to finish the cathedral, but the end result is truly impressive. To the south, facing Sandpoint’s heart, are the shrines of civilization: Avandra and Corellon. To the west, offering a view of the Old Light and the sea beyond, are the shrines of Melora and Moradin. And to the east, offering a view of the Sandpoint Boneyard and the rising sun, are the shrines of Pelor and Bahamut.

The previous chapel hosted less than a dozen acolytes, led by a well-loved cleric named Ezakien Tobyn, who sadly perished in the fire that claimed the church. The new high-priest of Sandpoint is his most accomplished student, a pleasant man named Abstalar Zantus. Himself a worshiper of Avandra, Father Zantus is very open about matters of faith and has slipped into the role of adviser for worshipers of other gods of Sandpoint with ease.

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It was Father Zantus who took Guillaume in a couple years back and gave him a place to stay. Though it was not much because for last five years, the faithful of Sandpoint have attended church in smaller wooden structures rebuilt after fire destroyed the previous temple. Guillaume has been assigned by the high-priest to officiate on the practices for the shrine to Corellon. Now, the new cathedral is finally done. All that remains is for the Swallowtail Festival to renew the site’s blessings from the gods and it will be as if the Sandpoint Fire had never occurred.

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Arao has been sent by the Church of Pelor from far off Magnimar as an escort to the acolytes who would serve as the Church’s representatives in the upcoming Swallowtail Festival. The trip has been uneventful having arrived by boat two days ago. Arao’s duties to the clerics have been fulfilled and there is no obligation to him to stay in Sandpoint. Father Zanthus, however, has requested that Arao stay in town and join them in the celebration of the festival.