Copyright LeTeisha Newton - Beyond DEF
The Holy Order of the Water Goddess Anahita lies within the Iburdeen Valley in the Karani Mountain chain in the land of Pselm. The compound is built upon a leveled-out area of the mountain and consists of the following structures (in clockwise order): cathedral, great hall, school, scriptorium, bathhouse, dormitory, infirmary, stables, farmland, kitchen/dining room, Holy Knight barracks, training grounds. A description of each area is found below.
One important note: the compound is comprised only of women due to the fact that there at many who arrived there after abuse at the hands of men. As such, there is also a deep-seated hatred and distrust for the opposite gender, and a decree explicitly forbidding their entry. Going against such a law can lead to shunning, loss of privileges and responsibilities, or in the most extreme cases, outright exile.
- Barracks - the barracks are where the Holy Knights sleep. It is a large square building containing simple windows and cots. There is a small linen closet at the back where new bedding is kept and other cleaning supplies at the knights use to keep the area immaculate. Only Captain Rasamana and Second-in-Command Jol'i stay in a separate location, which is the building adjacent to the Training Grounds.
- Bathhouse - the bathhouse is where all members taking baths. It was built around one of the smaller peaks of the Karani mountains and one of the sources of the natural spring that runs through the valley. As a result, it contains a majestic waterfall that cascades into a large wading pool. The room also contains a general washing and rising areas, and an adjoining sauna. Members are free to use either any time of the day or night provided it does not interfere with their duties. Other features of the building include large oval windows at the top of the walls and a separate doorway at the back where the Holy Knights can enter from, thereby avoiding the need to travel through the dormitory.
- Cathedral - the cathderal comissioned four hundred years ago by Holy Mother Corrillion Delcar as an oppulate statement to the power of the Water Goddess. It is adorned with images of the Goddess and other mythic figures, and at the top is a giant bronze bell that rings out the passing of the hour.
- Commons - the commons is a large area at the center of the compound comprised of rolling grassy hills, trees, paved pathways with benches and several key features:
- Garden - the garden is a circular area beyond the inner corridor which separates the corridor from a three-tiered fountain at its center.
- Fountain - the fountain is a large, circular three-tiered structure with a stone bench running around its diameter allowing one to relax against the cool splash of water. At the very top of the fountain is the order's Sura, the dual wavy lines of the Water Goddess symbolizing her ever-flowing waters.
- Inner Corridor - the inner corridor is a circular structure that closes off a garden at the exact center of the comopound. It is made of columns which one can pass in between to reach the garden.
- Outer Corridor - the outer corridor surrounds the commons and separates it from the main road that traverses the compound. It is a walled off section with large rectangular windows cut into each one to allow viewing of the outside areas. There are exits from the cooridor at each compass point of the corridor, namely north, northeast, southeast and so on.
- Dormitory - the dormitory is where all but the Holy Knights sleep. It is made up of 200 hundred rooms comprising two levels with shuttered windows around all. Most of the rooms are comprised of similar furnishings: a bed, dresser, closet, wash basic, and small desk. The only exception is High Priestess Daena's room, which has two sets of the same furnishings to accomodate her sister T'alorin and she; Donna Chista Delacar's, which contains a multitude of religious orbs and a large dressing table; and Holy Mother Erethe's, which contains an outer receiving area -- with a simple sofa and two chairs -- and an inner area -- with a large bed, dresser, mirror, desk, and cabinet containing the Holy Chalice with Water of the Goddess, the box containing the Divine Spearhead of Pelup. All of the rooms except for the holy mothers are devoid of locks and members are free to enter and leave as they please so long as they tiddy up after themselves should they make a mess. No ornamentation is allowed within the rooms, but the doors are also allowed to decorated as each occupant sees fit, provided it contains nothing provocative or blasphameous.
- Farmland - all food is grown onsite, with crops cycling based on the seasons. The farmland also contains places for lifestock and poultry, which supply milk and eggs to the community members.
- Great Hall - the great hall was built over the original small building by Holy Mother Corrillion Delcar to reflect a more commanding presence. It has an outer receving area where members wait to see the holy mother, and an inner chamber where the holy mother sit in a golden throne atop a raised platform. The inner chamber used to contain a lot of lavish accoutrements, but everything was removed by Holy Mother Erethe upon her ascension. Now the only thing that remains is the chair, the red runner that leads from the door to the platform, and the stained-glass windows along the sides and rear depicting lavish passages from the religious texts.
- Guest Quarters - connected to the dormitory by a cooridor and adjacent to the bathhouse are the guest quarters containing four lavish bedrooms complete with four-poster beds and feathered mattresses. There are also pillows, vases with flowers, and ornate candles. The quarters were used to house visiting missionaries and dignitaries up until the permittance of foreigners became outlaws. Now it is mostly used for storage.
- Infirmary - the infirmary is where the sick are treated. It is run by Nurse Kalorin, a experienced and effect healer who is proficient at diagnosing and curing the afflicted person. This is because she has no interest in allowing order members to remain under her care for longer than is necessary. This also means that anyone not being treated is forbidden from entering. Or as she says, "The only people allowed inside are the sick and the dying, everyone else is just trespassing."
- Kitchen and Dining Hall - the kitchen and dining halls are where all meals are prepared and served. The kitchen and its stores are always kept unlocked and members are free to eat whatever they wish off hours. The only requirement is that if something is used up, that it be replaced (either by themselves or a kitchen staff member the following day). The dining hall is made up of a long table raised atop a platform at the center of the room where the heads of the order sit, and other tables radiating out in a circular fashion from this main table. This design was again developed by Holy Mother Corrillion.
- School - all members receive an extensive education in topics like the history, the sciences, mathematics, and theology. There is also a class on divination, taught by Donna Chista Delcar and despised by everyone, but not because of the material. The building is L-shaped and has two floors. The older members have classes on the upper floor, while the younger members inhabit the lower floor.
- Scriptorium - the scriptorium is an underground library built beneath the entire compound and containing thousands of scrolls. Before it was outlawed, people used to come from all over to peruse the texts found within. And they were able to borrow a scroll so long as they replaced it with another. The curator of the library is Lohme whose job it is to both survey and restore any text that have been damaged or decayed with the advent of time.
- Stables - the stables are where the compounds horses are kept as well as their riding gear. The horses are used for recreational purposes with taversing the many trails of the valley, as transport when traveling into and out of the valley, and as battle mounts for the knights to practice their skills on horseback.
- Training Grounds - the training grounds are where the Holy Knights learn and practice combat. It is also where the weapons are stored and the residence of Captain Rasamana, Second-in-Command Jol'i, and Elite Knights Gultin and Poolon live. Only Holy Knights are allowed within its walls. Although it is rare that any but the knights would go there since it is high likelihood of amateurs being hurt by flying arrows, clashing swords, or a shoulder-throw.