At-Alesh: The First Temple of Isha

Positioned on a significant island at the boundary between the High and Lower Cities of Amin Duum, the At-Alesh is a temple considered to have been built at the point where the High Ashad Isha went out to meet Nikah and the Army of Shades. At the time of the meeting, there was a shrine on the island to the local Elochinai but no building. According to the predominant legend concerning the meeting (At-Alesh Feast), Isha and Nikah shared a meal at the shrine, during which Isha convinced Nikah of her cause, then planned their defence of Amin Duum, The One Hundred Thousand, and the territory that would later become the Amin Duum Exclusion Zone.

Purpose / Function

At-Alesh became a critical centrepoint for Amnari adherence to the Doctrines of Isha, which lay the foundation for the Amnari Alliance. The island can only be accessed by Felucca, but by law, it is considered to be a central point of refuge for anyone in need. Standing beneath the wide branches of the tree, or in amongst the long 'walking' sections is believed to protect anyone from harm.
As such, At-Alesh is considered a place that should not be approached or foot set upon the island except in a moment of direst need. Its central status in the events of the Ashcanesh, as the place where Isha was able to use her skills in diplomacy to prevent violence from the Army of Shades and turn them to her cause, has meant that, according to myth, touching the tree itself will draw Isha's attention and concern.
Despite not visiting the island itself, Amnari of all ethnic stripes tend to conduct a visit to look at the island from either the East or West Banks of the Duum River, or even to ride a felucca out across the water to lay flowers or Aaru reed bundles on the shore. At no time do any of these visitors leave their boats, but they do touch the various stones and fallen masonry around the periphery.

Alterations

Very few alterations have taken place to the tree itself, as it is generally documented to have remained untouched since the raising of Duum Canyon. However, because the island is a natural silting point in a braid of the Duum River, it has been subject to natural accretion and attrition over time. In order to protect the tree from being submerged by the force of water after the raising of the canyon altered patterns of deposition in the river, stones found on the island and in the water were shifted to provide a natural catchment for sediment. This is periodically checked by Agrarians who have responsibility for maintenance and protection of the area.

Architecture

The temple itself is constructed around the branches of a central Banyan Tree. Banyan trees have come to be considered to be sacred in Amnari tradition as a result of their relationship to the island. The banyan takes up the majority of the island, and has grown around what is believed to be a much older shrine that is, by legend, of Alandahari origin and may date from before the foundation of the Empire of Keshwar.

History

Very little is known of At-Alesh prior to its appearance in Taijis Nil histories of the events of the Ashcanesh. The stones used to create a catchment for river silt are large and regular, suggesting that there may have been a temple on the island connected to both the banyan tree and the shrine in its trunk. At some point in the early years of the Amnari Period, its status as the location of Isha's meeting with Nikah was identified and it became one of the foundational landmarks of the Alliance. The formal assemblies of The Five Nations were held there, as well as the ratification of the Alliance itself.

Type

Tree

Parent Location

Amin Duum