Colossus

A colossus is a cynoidomorphic structure with a full-sized lighthouse on its back. The word for these structures in all major yinrih languages has gone on to mean giant or titan, and is used to indicate anything imposing or intimidating.

The first Colossus was built at Moonlitter by the Knights of the Sun as a war memorial honoring the knights who joined the Pious Dissolutionists at the plea of Iris the Hearthsider. It's a fully working mech, much larger than normal, powered by the star hearth in the lighthouse on its back. It's too large to be used practically and can only move around on a specially constructed tarmac, which it does on special occasions.

Other colossi are giant unmoving statues rather than mechs and are carved to be more lifelike. Some are standing with head erect and all four paws planted on the ground, while others are depicted in a hunting stance, with the head lowered and one forepaw raised, or rather placed on a pillar for stability. There are urban legends surrounding a supposed meaning between these two stances, but it's more likely a caprice of the designer.

Some colossi are allowed to weather and erode just enough to achieve a ruined aesthetic, then are maintained in that state. Others are built with decorative wear and tear, like a missing ear or cracked claws.

The lighthouse is used as a normal place of worship. Access is provided by an elevator built into the statue or in an attached building.