Temple of Mystra (Bezantur)

The Temple of Mystra was a secret place of worship dedicated to Mystra in the Thayan city of Bezantur. Despite it being in the so-called "City of a Thousand Temples", worship of Mystra was banned by the Red Wizards, and so the temple was hidden. It was one of several small and discrete places of worship dedicated to the goddess within the city.

Location
The small temple was located underground beneath an abandoned apartment building in western Bezantur. Several tunnels extended from the temple which could be used to quickly escape the city.

Activities
The temple served as a safe haven for the worship of Mystra, which was banned in the city alongside worship of Azuth. The underground complex also came to serve as a hiding place for other enemies of the Red Wizards, notably agents of the Harpers, escaped slaves, and political dissidents.

Defenses
The temple was kept hidden by powerful wards maintained by the temple's High Priestess. In addition, a vision of Mystra watched over the temple, and was believed by the faithful to be a manifestation of her divine power that kept the temple safe.

History
Prior to the Time of Troubles, the earlier incarnation of Mystra was openly venerated in Thay, although her worship was generally restricted to only Red Wizards and their entourages. During this time, Bezantur boasted the largest Thayan temple in her honor, although it was subordinate to a temple in Eltabbar. However, following the events of the Time of Troubles in the &mdash;when Mystra's mantle was taken up by Midnight &mdash;her worship became outlawed in the City of a Thousand Temples in a bid by the Red Wizard's to limit access to arcane magic outside of their own organization. By the late 1360s DR, the church of Mystra operated mainly out of this hidden underground complex.

Inhabitants
In the mid-to-late 14 century DR, the temple and its wards were overseen by High Priestess Dolare.