Ashlan Temple

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The Ashalan Temple was the headquarters of the Teras Kaita from 997-1598 and during that time was home to its major training, bureaucratic and dormitory facilities. It would be abandoned in the last years of the century for unknown reasons.

Contents 1 Layout 1.1 Spires 1.2 Internal features 2 History

[edit] Layout

The building was a massive structure that stood over a kilometer high above the jungles that surround it. Built around an ancient nexus of great power located in a natural mountain, the area surrounding the Temple was built into a long, broad promenade, the Processional Way. From the outside, the Temple appeared as a high-raised ziggurat building in a stepped design, with five spires built on top, one taller, Sacred Spire surrounded by four smaller ones. These spires symbolized a Terasian's climb to enlightenment.

[edit] Spires

The tallest, central spire was known as the Temple Spire, and was traditionally the most important, since it held the ancient texts of the founding Teras Kai, and was also a sacred place for contemplation. The Temple Spire contained large memorial statues of the most revered members suspended in the tower on huge rigs, meditation chambers farther below, then the peak of the mountain around which the Temple was constructed. The peak was surrounded by a meditation balcony with a lower balcony presenting a series of bass-reliefs of the groups history. The smallest children were brought here by their teachers for their first introduction into Terasian knowledge. Throughout the mountain, ancient meditation chambers and the original cave chapels are now connected via stone bridges to a large corridor around the spire.

The four surrounding towers were built in 1346 and each contained a single council meeting room.

• The first of the four smaller spires was home to the Terasian High council. It was here that the its members sat and debated the various facets of the universe. This was the most important council since this council held decision-making powers over the whole Temple and members of the religious order.
• The next tower was used by the Council of First Knowledge. This council took care of matters requiring the wisdom of the elder teachers and monks, and gave advice to the High council and any other monks who requested it. It was from this tower that scholars would view the cosmos, for in its peak, a large rudimentary view device was created with a map of the stars.
• The third spire was the Council of Reconciliation tower, which sought to find peaceful settlements to political disputes across the surrounding governments on and around the peninsula.
• The fourth spire was the Reassignment Council tower, which handled the organization of work for the young ones who had not been chosen by teachers to be trained as protectors or consulars.

Each of these five spires carried smaller meeting rooms where the sages could compile all information before going to Council. Only the most wise monks sat on the council, with some members being temporary depending on the situation at the time. From natural occurrences some monks more attuned to nature would sit for the duration of the crisis.

[edit] Internal features

The Temple itself was the home to the followers of the Teras Kai, where they lived for the first years of their life. During their stay, they learned the ways of Teras Kai and trained in the traditions of their religious order. Classrooms for children were located around the base of the Tower of First Knowledge, where students are assigned projects and essays on the history of the order.

The archives were an expansive collection of texts and artifacts from all over the world.From bones to tools, to old medallians and coins from Asia, the archives held great treasures of its time. Staffed by members of the educational branch, the library was located in the quarter of the Temple crowned with the tower of First Knowledge. It contained vast wells of lore and history. Part of the original structure where the original library was located, was converted into a museum of Temple history.

The Temple also provided independent transport. Small boats could be wheeled to the small streams that flow in the area. Also small carts could be used to take elders across far distances.

Around the central spire were gardens used to feed all the those housed at the Temple. Many different plants were grown here to feed the many, many students.

The rest of the inner Temple was cool with natural lighting that was filtered in through clerestories. The Temple was filled with dormitories and small meditation niches. The most influential and respected masters had their own private offices and quarters located near the Temple‘s towers. These private quarters had their gardens and small libraries for study of science, history and philosophy. There were many different facilities, including classrooms for masters to train large groups of children, and sparring rooms for the guardians to develop their skills with the spears and other weapons, as well as numerous gardens, fountains, and quiet alcoves and chambers to provide a meditative space. One of the most spectacular gardens was the Room of a Thousand Fountains, which acted as a huge greenhouse, with flowing waters and cascades. There was also an expansive menagerie beneath the Temple that was used to house hundreds of local fauna, including animals that would be served in the rectories.

The meditative walkway, a cavernous hallway surrounding the base of the Temple was decorated with an arcade of stained-glass windows and statues relating the events of early battles with waring peoples. It was also dotted with podiums holding the Teras Kaitan codes on tablets.

Other known features included a simple infirmary, containment cells for detainees who disturbed the peace in local towns, rotunda chapels, banquet halls, weapons crafting areas, and the Chamber of Conclave a large meeting place where all members in the order could gather. The area around the Temple came to be known as the Temple plaza, which grew to offer docking space for boats that passed by on the river.

[edit] History

The Temple's origins date back to 987 when, at the conclusion of a great religious war between local tribes, the Teras Kai were granted land over a sacred mountain which contained a nexus of energy. It was hoped by the warring tribes that the Terasians would serve as mediators and diplomats to avoid more blood shed. The order would build a few meditative chambers and training facilities, believing itself to be above the tenets of traditional warfare. The original design consisted of tall stone buildings surrounding the mountain. Like the religious group itself the Temple’s structure more complex and solid, piling new rooms on top of old ones, largely obstructing the view of the natural spire.

In 991 four sages, two warrior masters and two sage masters, established the ziggurat of the Temple over the nexus. Placing stone plating over the mud and wood walls, the structure began to appear more modern and secure.

Following the devastation of a smaller temple, the High council took up residence in the Temple, to which many relics were taken, including some of the mosaic tiling. The Temple was greatly expanded, including the building of the original Council chamber. The full council met in the temple as early as the 1007 but for centuries they would still hold the occasional quorum elsewhere.

After the failed Conclave of Katarr inland in what is now Hondorus, the Temple was abandoned as the remaining monks went into hiding. It is likely to have become occupied again after the defeat of the invading warlords. Over the next few decades the Temple was repeatedly expanded, with major expansions occurring in 1209 (when the Archives were built), and 1346 (when the Temple spires were built).

After the end of another religious escapade led by the Mayans the Terasians concentrated their operations in the Temple, closing most of their remaining training buildings elsewhere on the continent.

The Temple was abandoned for the last time during a war where the surrounding areas were burned and pillaged. Its scarred, burnt out husk was left as a reminder of their monastic existence. Its inhabitants fled, disguising their heritage and eventually died out, due to the orders strict celibacy policy.

In the subsequent years, the Temple, and perhaps some of its surrounding gardens, were occupied by different Indian groups, and has survived intact to present day. With restoration projects constantly cleaning the wood and stone floors, the Temple remains a peaceful place. Some of the gardens have gone wild, consuming vast halls and mezzanines. The spires, elegantly stacked stone have resisted nature and although they are covered in vines, they remain stable. Elevators have been installed in old stair wells in order to more easily travel through the intense maze.