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This article is about the temple. You may be looking for Celbedeil (chapter).
This article contains spoilers.

Celbedeil was the greatest temple in all of dwarfdom.[1] It was located at the top of the dwarven city of Tarnag and was home to the Dûrgrimst Quan.[1]

Function[]

As the seat of Dûrgrimst Quan, it serves not only as the main temple of the dwarven nation[1] but also as the economic capital where most of the dwarven gold is stored.[citation needed] Training of new priests occurs here as well as instruction as to how to use the hûthvír.[2]

Appearance[]

Exterior[]

Celbedeil sat atop a symmetrical hill of lush green grass and flowers. The temple had ivy climbing all over the exterior walls was a massive dome of white and gold that glistened like polished moonstone.[1] Its architectural structure is that of a series of pillars upholding the cupola that forms the roof. In addition, ribs of chiseled gold outline the cupola, enhancing its glitter in the light.[2] Around the temple were spacious grounds and mosaic paths.[2] An ethereal aroma wafted out from the flowers and incense.[2]

Interior[]

The inside of the temple was multi-storied and was an extraordinary display of craftsmanship and wealth, the walls were inlaid flawless gems of every variety, with pearl and silver serving as accents.[2] Red gold had been hammered into the veins lacing the stone structure, There was even an occasional screen partition carved entirely out of jade.[2] Rather than cloth decorations such as tapestries, Celbedeil was adorned with sculptures, many of which depicted battles between the gods and monsters.[2] Also within Celbedeil is the living quarters for Dûrgrimst Quan,[1] storage rooms for the wealth of Dûrgrimst Quan and prayer rooms.

Sparring Room[]

Several floors up from the entrance was a training room. The door to the room was a blue-green waxy copper that was embossed with patterned knots. Inside was a bare room with a wood floor. Armor hung on the walls along with racks of the hûthvírn. The room also contained a small table with mugs and ale.

Chamber of the Gods[]

Five grand corridors from the sparring room lied a room with the statues to the dwarf gods. Gannel brought Eragon here first in his religious education

Gûntera[]

A squat but huge statue of brown granite that stretched from floor to ceiling. In contrast to the meticulous and precise carving usually done by the dwarves, Gûntera's statue was cut with an uncharacteristic crudeness.

Kílf[]

A delicately carved statue made of a pale blue stone. Kílf's hair flew back in liquid ripples where it framed her joyous amethyst eyes and rolled down her neck. The statue cupped a water lily and a chunk of red coral in her hands.

Urûr[]

Statue mentioned as being present but not described.

Morgothal[]

A sculpture only described as being red.

Sindri[]

Statue mentioned as being present but not described.

Helzvog[]

A statue unlike the others, it depicted the nude god bowed over in half and molding a dwarf from grey flint. Although his muscles were bunched and knotted with inhuman strain, his expression remained remained incredibly tender.

Gallery[]

On a floor above the chamber of the gods, directly below the temple's cupola lied a gigantic, continuous mural . It began with a depiction of Helzvog creating the dwarves and continued throughout the history of the dwarves and of the land. The depicted figures and objects stood out from the background, making the mural seem hyperrealistic.

To create the panorama, small plates of marble were carved in painstaking detail, and then fired with enamel to give the piece glowing, saturated colors that would never fade. The pieces are then fitted together to form a single piece.

Depictions[]

The following is a list of all the known depictions featured on the mural:

  • Helzvog creates the dwarves
  • Nomadic dwarves on the plain that came before the Hadarac Desert
  • The dwarf migration from the Hadarac to the Beor Mountains
  • The domestication of the Feldûnost
  • The carving of the Isidar Mithrim
  • The first meeting of the dwarves and elves
  • The coronation of every grimstnzborith
  • Various dragons depicted as burning and slaughtering.
  • Du Fyrn Skulblaka and vastly detailed depictions of the destruction both sides had wrought
  • Eragon I holding the egg of Bid'Daum

Role in Eldest[]

Eragon visited Celbediel briefly in Eldest. He first arrived and watched Gannel train in the sparring room before Gannel lead Eragon to the chamber of the gods. Here, he tutored Eragon in dwarven mythology and religious processes.[2] After this, he was also given a hammer-shaped pendant to prevent him or Saphira from being scryed. They then went to the temple's gallery to show Eragon the mural before Arya arrived, arguing with Gannel and informing Eragon he was to leave Celbedeil and return Ûndin's halls.

Linguistics[]

In runes, Celbedeil is actually rendered as Selbedeil. This arose from the confusion between the runes for "c" and "s" by human translators.

References[]

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