[Gulnyr]

Originally Posted by miltonyorkcastle

Actually, it was my understanding that there are very few temples in the world, but many shrines. For example, a major city only has one, maybe two temples, which represent the preferred deity of the region. However, that same city has a shrine to nearly every deity, perhaps even a few of the evil gods, only that their shrines are hidden.

Villages and hamlets don't typically have the resources to maintain a temple, which restricts temples to larger cities. All villages have shrines, though, and the smaller the village, the fewer the shrines you are likely to see. Also this is the reason for pilgrimages.

Of course, Mr. Loremaster, if I'm wrong about this, please let me know.

Temple = roofed structure for gathering/training/archives/etc.
Shrine = statue/symbol/place to pause and say a prayer/roofed structures not likely

While I don't disagree with what you are saying and don't question what Leanthar intends for his world or says is possible given the resources available, LORE seems to disagree somewhat. These are the first few I pulled up on the respective deity pages, and I just stopped after the fifth one:

Temples to Aeridin can be found everywhere, from the largest city to the smallest village. Most also act as a house of healing for the wounded and the sick and as a place where the poor or unfortunate can find help to get their lives back on track. Spread far across all continents of Layonara, the Church of Aeridin stands in good regard with most peoples.

This clearly says they are all over the place, and seems to indicate staffed temples rather than shrines.

The temples of Toran are known the lands over as houses of safety and refuge. None in need shall ever be turned away. They are strongholds in their communities, ready to harbor any and all comers from encroaching evils. All temples have at least one Paladin assigned to them. Some temples are also homes to Justicers. However, since there are so few Justicers, they are forced to travel throughout regions to hear cases and to make decisions. This means that every temple has a room prepared should a Justicer arrive unannounced, so that they may always have a place to lay for rest and to contemplate trying issues in solitude.

Shrines are not strongholds and can't really harbor anyone, nor do they offer housing or solitude for traveling faithful. Yes, I know the Justicers part is out of date, but the temples wouldn't morph into new forms just because some people left (or were thrown out of) the church. Also, they would need to be all over the place for it to be worthwhile to mention the unnamed number have housing and solitude available for the traveling Justicers. If there were only one or two temples... duh, y'know? There wouldn't really have been a lot of housing for the Justicers in the various regions, then, either.

Temples of Rofirein are a mixture of grand and humble affairs, often doubling as local courts and houses of justice. All temples maintain a fair library that holds documents of law and other books of factual interest. The largest place of worship is the Cathedral of Rofirein in Pranzis, a magnificent edifice replete with the splendor and majesty of the Law. Each local temple is home to a High Priest, a number of local clerics, and serves as a temporary home for questing clerics.

Ignore the Pranzis part, or pretend it says Western Gate. Besides that, the beginning could mean anything as far as numbers go, since even the two in-game count as 'temples' (plural) and each can often be a courthouse for its local area. Again, though, shrines aren't really set up for housing, and shrines don't have high priests and a big staff. Also, a single temple on Mistone and a cathedral on Dregar (now on Corsain) isn't really much of a housing prospect for questing clerics.

Az’atta’s clergy build and maintain temples to her anywhere there are likely to be those in need of their help and protection.

This one's vague, but it does leave the potential for a ton of staffed temples scattered all over.

The clergy of Xeen often run festhalls in bigger cities that cater to all senses and include nearly every pleasure imaginable. Xeenites are also known for their skill in making great wine, and for this reason they can be often seen working for royalty and nobility.

The festhalls are often considered temples of Xeen, and often serve as such since they are favorite gathering places of her worshippers. Smaller temples to Xeen exist also, but they aren't very numerous due to the clergy preferring to spend their time in the festhalls rather than some boring temple. Both the temples and the festhalls are beautifully decorated and nearly all of them contain a fountain of wine where people can gather around and enjoy the taste of the goddess' gift.

I guess 'bigger cities' is open to interpretation, but there would still be a few big temples along with a couple of little ones wherever. Shrines, though tended, aren't necessarily manned.

Maybe all of this is out of date and all of it will be rewritten to more correctly describe the reality of the world, but these are some of the examples that have led me to believe there are temples, not just shrines, all over the place.