Creation of the temple:
Zandaka Temple’s origins as a site of Arawn worship date back to the calamity itself as a direct response to the dramatic loss of life caused by that devastation. It was not surprising that at this time the Mitzui people turned to the goddess of life and death and her followers in order to make peace with the great devastation they had survived. Due to the pivotal role the followers of Arawn played at this time, Tshanhona themself sponsored the creation of Zandaka Temple and its positioning high above sea level is no coincidence.
Points of interest:
Zandaka Temple sits atop a mountain in a forested area, but its grounds are quite substantial.
The three Ways have their own areas, the Grand Dojo, Grand Archive and Grand Temple, each with their own lodgings. Additionally there are separate lodgings for new members and ash sweepers, as well as quarters for guests.
Over its long history, the monastery has collected and created a number of magical weapons and relics and these are typically reserved for those in the higher ranks of the order.
While the
The Ashen Knights themselves are typically cremated following death to prevent their bodies existing in undeath, most of the dead received at the monastery are buried, rather than burned. Zandaka Temple boasts one of the largest grave sites that extends down into great Charnel Caverns beneath the well tended graveyard above. The whole area is respectfully kept, and critically, hallowed so as to prevent any evil necromancy or undead spirits from taking root. It is for this reason that many non-followers may still choose to have their remains interred at the monastery and it is not uncommon for people to pilgrimage to the site to pay respect to their ancestors.
The second defence of the graveyard of Zandaka is the gravekeeper, a reclusive Oni named
Maru, loyal to whoever sits as Grandmaster. While his existence is well known to the monks of the order, he lives in the forest and undertakes most of his duties at night, and is therefore rarely seen. He carries a magic weapon similar to a shaolin spade. In the graveyard there is a large ceremonial bell and when tolled, Maru returns using a rare ability to transport via plants.
The Grandmaster’s residence is a fine pagoda, higher up in the mountain than the rest of the temple. It is a place of quiet contemplation and the current Grandmaster spends much of his time in meditation by a serene lake that he uses as a reflecting pool. The lake itself has an underground source somewhere deep within the mountain and feeds into a stream that trickles down the mountain bisecting the monastery at points.
In a quiet corner of the monastery, at a spot near some sakura trees and overlooking the forested valley below is a small shrine, dark inside with a shallow pool of water taking up most of the floor space. At one end sits an altar in the shape of a set of scales. It is forgotten about by most but Karu, who often found himself alone even when surrounded by his fellow monks, came to meditate here often and when he begins a meditation anywhere else, this is where he imagines himself to be at the beginning and end of such trances.
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