The Temple of the Mist is one of the four Temples of Laelith, located on the Terrace of the same name. Primarily dedicated to the deities of the Air, or aerial cults, it is renowned for the beauty and spiritual uniqueness of its liturgies imbued with a profound faith that dates back to very ancient times, setting it apart from other temples in the city.

The building incorporates in its architecture remnants from the ancient Tanith-Lenath, the original city before the Punishment.

The Temple of the Mist also houses libraries, some of which are accessible to all. Worshippers can find thousands of documents of all origins and confessions, reflecting the spiritual richness of Laelith. Pilgrims and visitors can meet priests in the chapels, where they may receive some spiritual teaching.

The Temple also has accommodations, dormitories, kitchens, and refectories, all located in the neighborhood buildings, as the doctrine of the Cloud prohibits the presence of these facilities within the religious building itself.

The colleges meet in the Chamber of Cenacles, where the high priestess has a private office.

Scholars mention the presence of monuments dating back to ancient Tanith-Lenath, whose purpose remains mysterious, like the ruins known as the Temple of the Elders and other more or less apparent remnants. On the site of the current Temple of the Mist stood a circular building flanked by 8 massive columns, called Vihanic Pillars, of HuLlivanii (or Huvalinian) origin, according to historians who rely on the analysis of the architectural style and the nature of the materials used, unknown in the region.

This dislocated building was dismantled and rebuilt on a similar plan. 6 of the 8 Vihanic Pillars were restored, the other 2 reconstructed with common materials. Below is a well about 300 feet deep, entirely rebuilt, the old one having been crushed during the cataclysm. From this well, 7 tunnels extend, housing the 7 spheres, said to be “threnodic”, whose original purpose is now unknown.

The walls of the temple are covered with reliefs from the ancient building, meticulously restored by Astinas Alewens, who also created the dome in the early decades of Laelith's existence.

Under Tokinafal VII (789-794), Laelith went through a severe religious crisis that did not spare the Mist. At the end of the troubles, the damage to the temple led to a second restoration, known as Dodzeer, named after an architect of that time. Dogmatic differences divided the clergy, which drifted, through unfortunate reforms, towards political affairs.

In 795, the ancient College of Threnodes had to exile to Egonzathan to preserve their knowledge inherited from the ancient HuLlivanii. After their departure, the clergy had movable platforms built, their very complex mechanism housed in the well. To guide the elevation of the platforms, 8 new pillars, called “Dzodeer pillars”, were erected between the old Vihanic pillars.

The Thegelthan, now useless, was partially dismantled; the facade pipes were stored in the instrument's chambers. It was later partially put back into service.

When Mithrias took office, at the beginning of the reign of Theaphanerys XIV, the platforms showed considerable wear, requiring expensive maintenance, absorbing nearly half of the Temple's financial resources, forcing the clergy to “chase the faithful's money” to increase their offerings. At the same time, the liturgy deviated from the original dogmas, to the point that Mithrias decided to undertake reforms. These were slow to implement, as internal resistance was great; he found himself mired in secular habits that proved very difficult to break.

During a meeting with novices, Mithrias noticed a very beautiful young girl with whom he spoke at length. Captivated by the beauty of her voice, her very mature reasoning, and her very accurate reflections, he decided, against the advice of the College of the 72 Erudites, to take her under his responsibility for some time. This young girl was none other than Inamaka Mahpyua, who would become the High Priestess of the Mist. It was she who, in fact, inspired the path of reforms to be undertaken, abandoning the platforms and restoring the ancient liturgy of the Spheres and the reuse of the Thegelthan in its first splendor. The first step was marked by the recall of the Threnodes exiled in Egonzathan. Although their return was initially met with skepticism, it ultimately revitalized the temple.

The deconstruction of the platforms was undertaken following a storm that damaged them. The work lasted two months, and the most beautiful beams of this mobile structure were given to artisans of the Hand That Crafts. For two years, the temple as a whole was restored. This project was accompanied by the first theological reforms mentioned earlier. Inamaka continued these reforms by purging the liturgy of obsolete rites to return to the purity of the Mist.

Located in the district known as the “Crescent”, due to the circular shape of the streets surrounding the Temple, the Temple of the Mist stands as “a beacon guiding pilgrims towards faith”; its tall silhouette emerges from the terrace's characteristic mists. Access to the Temple is through the grand, monumental vestibule opening onto Cloud Nine Plaza. All around, inns and shops enliven the district. One of the characteristics of this district is the sight of priests and clerics of the Temple coming and going, either to join the Temple or their accommodations located in the surrounding buildings. Blending with the crowd of pilgrims, this “go-and-forth” adds to the vitality and picturesque nature of the place.

The ceremonies often overflow from the temple itself; eventually they take place all over the squares and alleys of the district, turning the Crescent into a true open-air sanctuary.

!– Validated by Garnulf –