Cathedral of Babylon

City of Ishtar, Southwest Territory of the Kingdom of Furyundy

Highest Priestess and Divine Savant: Cardinal of Babylon, Rahasia Al'Vere

City Spell: Sword of Love, Breath of Khalak

Clerics

High Priestess of Babylon	Rahasia Al'Vere	Chancellor of Love
Chancellor of War	Acolytes of War	Chancellor of the Grain Houses
Other Babylonian Clerics	Istaritu	Sherelle, Church Liaison to the School of Politics and Shadow
Lions	Church Counterintelligence	Ishtarian Druids

Sacred Places

Cathedral of Babylon	Cathedral Ceiling	Battle Mirror	Terrabinth
Tovag Baragu	Hanging Gardens	Tree of Life	Grainhouses
Brothels	Lion Kennels		Forgotten City
War College	Gladiatorial Arena	Challenge Rings	Treasures of Babylon (Vaults)

Church Programs

Teachings of the Church	Strategies for Defeating the Dark One	Confession and Talking Grapevines
Preservation of the History of Tovag Baragu	Swords of Power	Rods of Dominion	Karasoothra Legacy
Weapons Trade	Babylonian Weapons	Oath Stone and Code of Chivalry	Spoils of War
Marriages	Midwives	Istaritu
Divine Influence in Babylon	Channeling

Highest Church of Ishtar: Cathedral of Babylon

The first new church built after the Dark Times at the end of the Age of Sorrows, the Cathedral of Babylon celebrates the miracle of humanity's survival with an impressive architectural space suitable to the importance of the church. Comparable in size to St. Peter's Basilica in Rome (maximum capacity 60,000 people), the Cathedral of Babylon is enormous in size, with additional space for crowds of worshippers to gather in the square in front of the church. The style of the church resembles the Taj Mahal (on a much larger scale).

Built on sanctified ground, the church and church grounds have the following effects:

Old Lord Ceremony cast by Grand Druid at 20th level repels undead as 3rd level cleric for 10 sq. mi.
Temple grounds get separate turning check as 3rd level cleric
All clerics have +4 to turn undead in the city
Dead bodies cannot be turned into undead creatures in the city

The church is made of white marble interiors and Elemental Earth Stone walls and structure. Ethereal and astral creatures cannot pass through elemental earth stone (perhaps noted in mining in the dungeoneers survival guide p. 48). Alchemical mixtures of gorgon’s blood in the mortar prevent ethereal and astral creatures from passing through walls. The church is also covered with talking grapevine (which is living and cannot be passed through ethereally), serving as a gossip monger for passing on secrets, rumors, and simple fabricated gossip. Windows are shielded with anti-magic glass. The only decorations built into the inner walls of the cathedral are lapis lazuli swords and the rhymes of the Swords of Power. The church has 50 candleholders of continual light with hoods (illuminates 20ft. diameter), and two 5ft. tall sconces with continual light and shade, 100 ft. diameter illumination. Lions always roam the halls of the church, and several are granted the ability to speak with people.

Guard watch stations surround the entrance, and the foyer displays rooms with the war banners of great leaders and commanders. At the two corners of the church are two arcanadaemon heads which do protection from daemons in 10 ft. radius and fear spell to daemons in 30 ft. radius. At the four corners of the plinth of red stone on which the church complex rests are four three-storied round towers which have domed roofs fashioned of elemental earth stone within and white marble without. Beside each tower is a portico, 12 yards in length and 6 in breadth, flanked by two chambers on both sides. Through these towers, rifts allow for quick movements between the church, the captain of the guard, the gate post, and the office of the Lord of the city.

Within the Terrabinth and in many other places in the church, there are gylphs of warding (Glyphs also work against ethereal creatures). Rahasia will have placed the glyphs on the altar, but other clerics will have done the bulk of the glyphs (which are permanent until discharged). There are some places that are restricted to lions, paladins, and clerics; some only to clerics, etc. There is also a Forbiddance (6th level) around the altar. There is an extradimensional detection (3rd lvl Tome of Magic, channeled to 4th so we can know the source of the extradimensional space) at the door. There is only one (non-secret) door, as clerics and paladins may get around through Terrabinth paths to the office of the guard or to the brothels. There is an anti-vermin barrier around the whole church, and an invisibility purge on the clerical preparation area outside the altar, and on the area by the door. Periodically the clerics work together to focus and maintain a Protection from Evil on the whole church (60 day durations). Permanent Protection from Possession at the doors and in Terrabinth prevent more incursions from evil creatures. Other protections include: 6 Physical Mirror, 2 Zone of Truth, 4 Fire Purge, and 6 Crushing Walls. In addition, much of the area is well-designed from a strategic perspective. There are portcullis gates in between buildings of the church complex. Often, the way from one building to the next seems counterintuitive, as you must pass completely around a building then climb a staircase in order to get to the door. Clerics, paladins, and the devoted know of rifts within the complex to get from one place to the next, but any intruders would be forced to enter through very complicated and exposed passages to get in. There is a rift from Rahasia’s bedroom to the sacristy, under a lead-lined rug, glyphed and one-way.

Church Interior

Situated in the exact center of the building, the domed hall over the recipients of divine grace has been finished with white marble without and lapis lazuli within. From the floor to the curvature, the hall under the dome is round in shape with a diameter of 22 cubits. The curvature is ornamented with images of swords, while from the cornice to the inner summit of the dome, which is at a height of 32 yards from the floor of the building, there are arranged marble slabs cut in a geometric molded patter of the patterns of the swords. Above this inner dome, which is radiant like the hearts of angels, has been raised another, mango shaped, heaven-touching dome to discover the minute mathematical degrees of which would confound even the celestial geometrician. Crowning this dome of heavenly rank, the circumference of whose outer girth is 110 yards, there has been affixed a golden finial 11 yards high, glittering like the sun, with its summit rising to a total height of 107 yards above the level of the ground. NOTE: Description adapted from Mugal History description of Taj Mahal. saangreel

Beyond the great ceiling mural on the flat areas surrounding the dome, the most striking sight inside the church is the altar area. The great Channeling Sa'angreel of Ishtar stands inside the Cathedral behind the altar. In times of city need, Lord Soothra and Archbishop Al’Vere combine their strength to call upon Ishtar’s great miracles, like a wall of swords around the city, giant silences to protect the city from sand worms, etc.

In place of pews, the church of Babylon has prayer carpets (complete with the prayer spell) surrounding the main altar, crafted of lapis lazuli. A Carpet of Morale rests in front of the altar, and other magical and blessed carpets (one with invisibility purge, one with detect curse, etc.) are placed throughout the main worship hall.

Rooms inside the cathedral look like buildings inside of buildings, and their walls are as thick and many are covered with grapevines themselves. The main interior building-within-the building, behind the altar holds confession rooms, meeting rooms, and in upper stories clerical chambers. Under the dome on ten sides, there are ten seat-alcoves on the first stories, each one 5.5 cubits long and 3 wide. In the four cardinal directions, there are four square chambers on one story, each one being six cubits in length and width, and six on the second. In from of each of these chambers is an arched portal, measuring 16 cubits wide, 9 deep, and 25 high. At the four corners are round chambers in three stories, and each is 10 cubits in diameter. The third story of these chambers has a round portico with a domed roof. NOTE: Description adapted from Mugal History description of Taj Mahal.

One of the inner chambers in which clerics meet with worshippers or visitors has a pattern of the Logrus etched in the wall from a visit from the Lords of Chaos group of thrykeen. On the way up to holier chambers, a welcome carpet does dispel magic at 16^th level. Within the clerical chambers, there is also a 10 HD Boa Constrictor (gift from the Countess of Urnst), bite paralyzes at -5 on save, radiates 10ft. diameter repel insects, detects charm and possession, charms snakes under 8HD, does exorcism. The clerics’ chambers in the upper levels also have two floating discs to help carry things and a magical dressing mirror, reflects person with +2 Charisma, see insanity, detect charm, detect curse.

Mural of Ishtar at back of church.

Cathedral Ceiling of Knowledge and Inspiration

Like the great Taj Mahal, Babylon's Cathedral is an inspiration to all who view its great ceiling murals (first-time visitors gain a natural 20 to any skill check once after viewing). The value of the ceiling is 15 million gp.

A variety of art spells are worked into the painting by the artist, Kothlun the Great, including Render Past (5^th), Painting Enhancer (2^nd), Repeat History (4^th), the Blessings of the Grand Druid, Painting Charm, Suggestion, Write Painting, and 16 Aura Captures (each increases value 25%) of Taran, Rahasia, Gorkin, Sultan, Rogan Sirith, Prince Thrommel of Furyundy, Finerio McBaine, Gambling, Stiletto Jim, Theodin Rockbrother, Una, Trista, Kegumi, Aram, Ser In-eluke, and Saviord Redbeard. Others shown in the painting include Ishtar, whose aura cannot be captured in an aura capture spell, with the one tree symbolically rising/being born from her mortal wound, Morgus, Vecna, Iuz, Bael, Sammael, Mordrid, Marcatia, Miresque.

Viewers are awed by the great story of the battle of Tovag Baragu and the testament to the history of the Nyrondian religion and the recurring fight against the Dark One. Besides its religious beauty, the mural helps to serve the purpose of preserving knowledge and preparing for the next battle against the Dark One while sharing the tenets of Ishtar's role on Oerth and the duties of humans in serving her and the other gods. Inside the church's arsenals, the Swords of Love, Wisdom, Justice, Vengeance, and perhaps even Sightblinder wait to be used in Oerth's defense again. During special ceremonies, like Taran's Judgment or the invocation of the city’s spell, the Champions of Sophora bring out the swords and recite the poems, invoking their power again.

Effects of the Cathedral Ceiling:

Upon seeing ceiling, all are awed
Anyone who makes a successful wisdom check knows the powers of the swords of power
Anyone who makes a successful wisdom check knows Ishtar is the link between humanity and gods, and she fights for and loves humans
Anyone who makes a successful wisdom check knows what part individuals played in the battle
Anyone who makes a successful wisdom check knows Tiamat created the Dark One and why
Anyone who makes a successful wisdom check knows humanity’s role as responsible for serving the gods

Sung by birds and magical means every hour:

Here provident mercy repeatedly descends,
Here prayers are always granted acceptance.
The dwellers at this threshold,
Are proverbial in the world for their hospitality.
If you cherish a desire in your head, then come;
For the morning breeze has never returned empty-handed.
Here the rose of forgiveness blooms in abundance,
Refreshing even the angelic celestials by its fragrance.
Lest the cloud neglect to shower the water of mercy,
The rose only smiles from under a veil.
If a transgressor seeks refuge at this door,
He becomes cleansed from sin like one pardoned.

Church Treasury and Resources

In addition to the large stockpile of scrolls and items for the church in the City Armory, some amount of magical and specialized weapons can be given out by the church as prizes for glorious battles, gifts for good deeds, as well as to be used by the church or some of the city guard in protection of the city.

The Church will be armed with the following scrolls:

Physical Mirror spell (6th lvl, Tome of Magic)
Protection from Possession (x 2)
Cure Light scrolls (d8 +15) (x 15)
Protection from Demons, Devils, and Daemons (2 each)
three copies of each Ishtar spell in existence (excluding city spells).
one copy of each War spell at the War College
The church can request other scrolls from Theocracy. In an emergency, it will take 1d4 hours if a diplomacy check DC 18 can be made. For each DC less than that, it takes 1 additional day.

For sale (mainly) the church has:

3 of each miracle castable by clerics of Ishtar of 1st - 3rd lvl.
2 of each miracle castable by clerics of Ishtar of 4th & 5th lvl.

Terrabinth, the Maze of the Church of Ishtar

System of Portals for strategic military and spiritual travel throughout Oerth. See details among the Church Programs.

Clerics of Babylon

Rahasia Al'Vere, Highest Priestess and Divine Savant, Cardinal of Babylon
High Priestess of Babylon Archbishop Una (YR4) Reports to Highest Priestess, Rahasia Al'Vere's henchman, Level 13 cleric, 2 fighter Una became a cleric of Ishtar after being saved and resurrected from Hell by Rahasia during the Dark Times. She was the only cleic of Ishtar to actually fight in the Battle at Tovag Baragu (fought alongside Ishtar). The other clerics on the battlefield (all rescued from hell) joined in the collaborative casting of a Circle of Power to call the avatar of Ishtar to the battle. Because of her history, she is a zealot to Ishtar and loyal to Rahasia, very steadfast, eminently competent, and very dependable. All clerics in church look up to her, and her administrative abilities in setting up the church and lion kennels, give her a +10% reaction adjustment with her subordinates. Ishtar has blessed her with Respect (even deity status opponents will stop for parley, during parley all combat stops, AWE 1HD). Although she embraces the love aspect of Ishtar (Kigumi is her husband) and wrote the marriage sermon about the role of Ishtar clerics as the best brides/grooms, in battle Una is deadly. She fights under a wrath as a large-sized paladin with a hellish guisarme, using raptor style fighting techniques.
Chancellor of War Bishop Ninevah (YR4) Reports to Highest Priestess, Rahasia Al'Vere's henchman (From Hookhill) Oversees the War College and Paladins Loves Jacques Level: 8 (YR3), Age: 24 HP: 68 I: 18, W: 18, Con: 14, St: 14, D: 12, Chr: 17 NWP: religion, read/write, etiquette, ancient history, weaponsmithing x3, strategy +3, tactics, swordcraft, siege engines, wall defenses, swordcraft Equipment AC: -1 (+1 plate, +1 shield) Wand of absorption (make magic items from absorbed spells cast against bearer in combat 39 lvl) Daemon spine (20 morale) Daemon helm (fear 60 ft. radius, 35% MR, head butt 1-6 +2, detect magic, detect evil, know warrior) Ketian ear bearded devil hide dust devil heart Sald, Liquid Iron golem from the Pattern of Iron under Tyr. Important Accomplishments Wrote 2nd lvl Know Weapon Miracle fought in Altaruk Feb. set up in Hookhill the War Library (50,000 gp, 5 books, one lets you learn strategy, one teaches swordcraft, one teaches tactics, one helps build siege engines, one modern wall defenses written by a cleric of Marduke, one gives+3 to strategy (150,000 gp), book of making 2 +1 nonmagical weapons/month (50,000 gp) written by a priest of Ishtar 300 years ago v. strange barbarians. Established the system for prisoners of war in May after dealing with Ketians. Her Know Weapon miracle allowed us to know the ability of Finerio’s sword-commanding ring and to know Maria’s abilities.
Chancellor of Love, Whore of Babylon, Ser Ineluke Reports to Highest Priestess, Rahasia Al'Vere's henchman Sorcerer 13th (Retired from Adventuring) (YR 4) Runs the Brothels of Babylon and on Waybridges Curses have transference ability (until Akitu Festival YR4 when Lawgiver make that impossible) curses can be cast at great distances (anywhere within one plane, with cause) Curses are cast as 10 lvls higher and DCs are -4 Half elf Prostitute In love with Stilleto Jim (consort) Hated & feared enemy - Romag Has Farslayer sights. Coordinates all Istaritu, including their training carries Protection ring. She’ll have cash to set up Castle Joyous. Prostitutes (all have +15% reaction with locals and +20% reaction with mayors & leaders)
Fatima Rahasia Al'Vere's henchman from Furyundy (Gardens usually) Level: 5, Age: , HP: 46 I: 12, W: 18, Con: 8, St: 12, D: 12, Chr: 17 NWP: weaponsmithing, recruiting, strategy, religion, read/write, etiquette, ancient history AC: -1 (+1 plate reflects magic missiles, +1 shield), Ketian ears, bearded devil hides, dust devil heart, Ring of Plant Growth 3/day, Scrolls: divination, sequester, plant growth x5 Contacts in Courts of Furyundy House Belvor, Made Thrommel roses, 300.000 gp Queen of Celene’s grove, fought in Altaruk, preparations for birth of Chirissa (102%) in June.

Chancellor of the Grainhouses (Reports to Highest Priestess, Rahasia Al'Vere's henchman), Adelle

Oversees the protection and care for the Tree of Life in Babylon

Responsible for the City’s food supply, overall health of lands & Gardens

YR 3 - Chancellor of Grain Houses (druids/food stores): Adele (R’s henchman): Adele, Chancellor of the Grain Houses (from Urnst psi open) Level: 3, Age: 21, HP: 32, I: 14, W: 18, Con: 12, St: 12, D: 10, Chr: 16 NWP: sociology, desert survival, hunting, animal lore AC: -1 (+1 plate, +1 shield), Ketian ear, bearded devil hide, dust devil heart. Set up the grainhouses and established the church’s sovereignty over the grainhouses. Set up nursery in Hanging Gardens, Capacity to feed 10,000 people, Designed Festivals to increase Morale +1 when city is attacked.

Jorgus,

Tenhish Barbarian, raised by the Sword of Love, slain by a forsaken’s dagger Level: 8, Age: 25, HP: 138 I: 13, W: 15, Con: 18, St: 16, D: 16, Chr: 15 AC: 1 (plate, shield), Daemon-spiked gloves (2-8 + STR, +3 + STR), fights with hands 3 att/rd, Strength at 1850 (+1 H, +3 D), Sword (non-magical +2), Pole-arm (DROW, Non-magical +1), bearded devil hide, dust devil heart, head of a giant fought in the Wastes, Ketian Ear, +s to saves v. magic (+5 to henchmen roles) Rolled 121% for July-Aug in the Wastes, fought in Altaruk

Spike:

counterintelligence 107% in June/July, recruits 15 henchmen (LG thieves): from Hookhill, Level 10, HP 139, Sex M, S 14, I 15, W 14, D 18, C 14, Chr 16. +1 longsword, +1 shield, +2 studded leather, +3 ring of protection, telepathy item (3 part with Dagger and Mace), ring of free action, ring of invisibility, +3 magic spike, wand of fire, black rug with pentagram (gate two ways_, brazier of commanding air elementals (5 invisible stalkers/day), bearded devil hide, dust devil heart, 10 potions of gaseous form, 5 potions of giant strength, earrings of cloaking 10 spell levels on you, 5 black candles, 30,000 gp gems, move silently boots, +1 cloak of elvinkind (Drow), 98% hide in shadows, +1 natural to hit agents of the Dark One, +1 ring of protection for henchmen, Ketian ears. Wants to start sect for intelligence v. agents of the Hand and Eye and church inner security. Found people who support Rahasia Al'Vere in the Theocracy, +10% with prostitutes from Chathold. In May, caught spied in Babylon in the servant’s quarters of the church, hit by symbol of death looking at cleric of Dark One servant boy who is really an old mage.

Dagger:

counterintelligence 102% in June, Level 7, HP 24, Sex M, S 15, I 16, W 14, D 17, C 12, Chr 16. Stuff: +1 longsword, +1 shield, +2 studded leather, +1 Ring of Protection, telepathy item (3 part with Spike and Mace 1/wk), +10% reaction with Chathold prostitutes, three +3 daggers from the Hand (don’t miss), amulet of detect traps, wand of enemy detection, Ketian ear, bearded devil hide, dust devil heart, cloak of elvin kind, hide in shadows 98%. Gareth Bryen is concentrating on gains in Southland and working with Gilgamesh, trying to get something out of him, working with Scarlet Brotherhood. Lord Maldav in Chathold outlaws all non-Ishtar prostitutes. Counter-spying three mages who really wanted nice poisonous daggers from Furyundy and other places, wore periaps which increase their necromantic spells, from New Evermore liches, look for Grand Druid or to see if Babylon would attack New Evermore.

Mace:

Level 7, HP 24, Sex M, S 15, I 16, W 14, D 17, C 12, Chr 16. Stuff: +1 longsword, +1 shield, +2 studded leather, +1 Ring of Protection, telepathy item (3 part with Spike and Mace 1/wk), +10% reaction with Chathold prostitutes, Ketian ear, bearded devil hide, dust devil heart, cloak of elvin kind, hide in shadows 98%, found four half-orc spies in Babylon.

Other Clerics, Recruits are all Lawful Good

Other posts include the Hanging Gardens, Cultural relations, Armory/Weaponshop, Healing and damage control during/after battles, Security, Reconnaissance about wars (esp. with Sultan’s school), Fight against the Dark One

18 priests/priestesses—6 months after founding
1 new F cleric recruited in March in Babylon: 14, 12, 18, 13, 10, 11
1 Chendl cleric 3rd level (converted from Gibbil): open, 15, 16, 17, 14, 11, 17
3 Altaruk converts to become clerics (Hachdeshani humans)

15 Tovag clerics once 2nd lvl fighters, +20 hp, know long swords, religion, read/write, etiquette,

F Furyundy 11, 11, 15, 9, 9, 12, armorer I-2, running C-6
F Griff Mountains psionic opne 13, 14, 17, 13, 13, 15, animal lore, hunting, cave survival
F Nyr Dyv, 11, 15, 17, 13, 10, 15, strategy
F Greyhawk City 11, 10, 16, 8, 12, 14, armorer, running
M Nyrond 12, 11, 15, 11, 11, 11, weaponsmithing
F Theocracy 8, 12, 17, 10, 15, 15, armorer, running
M Furyundy 14, 12, 16, 10, 14, 14, armorer, running
F Furyundy 10, 13, 17, 9, 11, 15, weaponsmithing
F Nyr Dyv 14, 13, 17, 13, 14, 15, weaponsmithing
F Furyundy 12, 9, 18, 11, 16, 16, armorer, running
F across from Wild Coast, 14, 13, 18, 10, 10, 16, animal lore, hunting, survival forest
F Cairn Hills psionics, 10, 10, 18, 13, 12, 15, strategy
M Nyrond, 15, 14, 18, 12, 8, 13
M ½ Ketian from Hookhill, 12, 10, 18, 8, 9, 13, weaponsmithing
F Nellix, 12, 12, 17, 15, 10, 13, animal lore, hunting, plains survival

17 hell clerics 3rd lvl all fanatical and have survival in hell, knowledge of Black Tongue, and Aerdian language (from Jalpa, East Faire, Rauxses, Innspa)

F 15, 15, 11, 8, 14, 13
F 15, 12, 12, 12, 14, 12
F 16, 15, 13, 15, 10, 11 (Una henchman)
M 13, 12, 7, 9, 13, 14
M 16, 16, 11, 12, 7, 14 (Una henchman, sent to Theocracy to find leash for Khalak, reached 4th lvl and one check, +2 to research skill, ring of research for another +2 to skill, glasses of speed reading, friend/contact with clerics of Nabu)
F 9, 14, 13, 13, 14, 13
M 9, 13, 11, 11, 15, 12
F 16, 14, 13, 12, 13, 9
F 14, 9, 14, 11, 13, 16
F 13, 15, 12, 12, 9, 13
F 10, 13, 15, 13, 10, 11
M 16, 14, 11, 10, 9, 11
M psionics 7, 13, 13, 11, 12, 12
F psionice 12, 16, 15, 14, 10, 10
M 11, 12, 14, 16, 15, 10
F 8, 11, 11, 14, 13, 13
F 10, 17, 10, 13, 13, 13

9 Chendl clerics 1st level

F 12, 12, 12, 14, 9, 16
F psionics 10, 12, 17, 15, 11, 14
M 16, 13, 14, 11, 13, 14
M 11, 10, 12, 15, 10, 13
M 13, 11, 17, 11, 15, 14
F 16, 9, 16, 13, 17, 12
F 15, 11, 11, 10, 13, 14
M 8, 13,15, 18, 10, 12
M 13, 10, 18, 14, 12, 12

Church Programs: Love, Fertility, War

The Brothel

Dedicated to the worship of Ishtar, the faithful and unfaithful alike may offer their sacrifices to Ishtar in the form of love and fertility in the holy brothels. In Babylon, visitors to the brothels are entertained by a Self-Playing Harp, charms 15% of the time (gift from elves). The brothels of Babylon are often at the center of rituals, ceremonies, and city practices designed to maintain morale during and after attacks. In Babylon, these practices are so effective that when the city is attacked, the entire city's morale increases +1.

In times of danger, the church rings a bell and always alerts all prostitutes. The prostitutes go out into the town to warn people of the danger. If the city is under attack, the citizenry is directed to the church to participate in the Sacrament of Love Protection - (any having sex in the area are immune to ALL attacks so long as they continue to have sex). Such sexual energy is also used in defense of the city.... After the battle, prostitutes go out among the wounded, performing dances and songs that raise morale (and offer up temporary hit points to allow extra time for clerics to do proper healing).

Babylonian Prostitutes:

Total Prostitutes—74
Helen (Tovag prostitute): met with Faith, Lorocus’ blood guard, knows hucaratchi fists and faith, the bless and sign of oneness
One Tovag prostitute pregnant in 6 mo with Starrider’s female child (September)

Istaritu

Distinct from the other prostitutes are the Istaritu, the "Beloved of Ishtar." These are divine prostitutes trained by Ser’Ineluke, master sorceress, Chancellor of Love and whore of Babylon. They are trained as prostitutes from birth and follow the Way of Ishtar.

Children of Prostitutes

Midwives

Marriage Ceremonies

Grainhouses

As in all churches of Ishtar, the Grainhouses serve as an important spiritual reminder of Ishtar's gifts to humanity and humanity's responsibility to feed the gods. They are also the very practical means for maintaining and multiplying the bounty of the harvest. In Babylon, where the land has been ravaged for so long by the Reign of Colorless Fire, responsibility for the grainhouses also includes planting and promoting the fertility of the crops and plants growing in the area of Blessed Abundance cast by Ishtar during the Final Battle at Tovag Baragu. Therefore, in Babylon, tending the Grainhouses also means tending the Hanging Gardens and the Tree of Life.

Lion Kennels

The church maintains sacred lion kennels. Where plants cannot grow in the dust of the desert, the church promotes fertility in the desert animals made stronger and more powerful through many generations in the Onesh due to the Pattern of Evolution beneath the Crescent Forest which has promoted quick, beneficial evolutionary effects in all creatures of the Sea of Dust. The sacred lion prides are tended by Ishtar clerics and led by the winged lion cleric Nyrana Sin. Those lions who survive their contests against paladins in training gain mystical abilities, like special senses, improved leaps, better movement and greater strength. Such lions often become stars in the Gladiatorial Arenas of Babylon.

Nyrana

War College

In Babylon, the Church of Ishtar maintains a very special war college. The college sends out scribes into the city on a regular basis to collect tales of battles fought. They take meticulous notes and these notes are transcribed and placed in the war college library to form the basis of a huge database upon which the war college develops strategy. In Babylon, the written books, scrolls, and other battle records cannot survive the Reign of Colorless Fire. All written documents are stored instead in the most sacred inner sanctum of the War College in the Church in Hookhill, a church surrounded by Ket, but existing as a holy island which obeys the Laws of Ishtar, being protected by several laws issued by the Sword of Justice during the Dark Times. Instead the most pertinent strategic information kept in Babylon is translated into sermons, songs, dances, items, and pictures, the most notable being the depiction of the Final Battle at Tovag Baragu painted on the ceiling of the Cathedral itself.

Clerics are regularly in attendance at battles or duels in the Challenge Rings or Gladiatorial Arenas to collect the tales of such battles. Clerics also monitor these battles to maintain the sanctity of these battlegrounds, to ensure that the codes of chivalry are upheld, and to provide whatever level of healing is agreed upon by the combatants.

Spoils of War

Ishtarians believe that what does not kill you makes you stronger, and to the victor go the spoils. Many Babylonian citizens and many Babylonian sites carry strange objects imbued by Ishtar with the power to defeat enemies; these are the spoils of war created by the church for those who glorify Ishtar through battle. For instance, outside the church on two stakes are large heads of arcana daemons (wolf with horn guy in cloak) and the head of a blue dragon. The daemon heads protect the area from daemon attacks, and the blue dragon head can release a breath weapon of electricity against any enemies in range.

Creating these spoils of war is a duty and a pleasure undertaken by the clerics of Ishtar, and clerics are regularly in attendance at battles or duels in the Challenge Rings or Gladiatorial Arenas to grant spoils to those who would offer their enemies' weapons in sacrifice to Ishtar.

Divine Influences in Babylon

As the holy ground on which Ishtar's body fell during the battle at Tovag Baragu, Babylon represents a major spiritual hub, and many angels exert their influence throughout the city.