Overview
- Government: Socialist Theocracy.
- Exports: Slate, beans, quinoa, goat milk.
- Stereotypes: Stoic and silent monk; enlightened philosopher; peaceful farmer; incorruptible gate guardian; always quarreling group of priests with differing philosophies; unmotivated adolescent taking advantage of the socialist system; mute gardener tending to the rock gardens.
Foreign Relations
Allied Major Points: Harczikötö (Non-Aggression Pact, Trade Relationship),
Helorszég (Non-Aggression Pact, Trade Relationship),
Sárbolszég (Non-Aggression Pact),
Szilavár (Non-Aggression Pact, Trade Relationship).
Hostile Major Points: None.
Vassal States (Minor Points): None.
Origin
The hallow of
Béhegy is high up on the peak of the Égboltnyitás mountain, but humans are natural explorers. He was found later than many of his fellow divinities, but eventually people reached did him. The particular group that reached him counted among their number a philosopher who eagerly discussed his ideas with the divinity. They reached a kind of mutual understanding and respect for each other's ideas. The party had to leave eventually, but the philosopher promised he would return to this place.
And so he did. Months later he returned with a caravan of people and building materials. People who were eager to follow the path to enlightenment, and materials that they could use to make this place more livable. They enshrined the spring that is Béhegy's hallow, and built a small priory around it. They then went to work and created terraced farms behind it so they could survive.
Over time the place has grown into the largest monastery known to men, housing nearly a thousand people who alternate between working the terrace farms, isolating themselves to seek enlightenment, and discussing and writing down their ideas. In this manner they all cooperate to ensure that they can keep existing here.
Structure
The monastery complex consists largely of slate stone buildings, which is the most common material up here. Wood is more scarce, but sometimes used for support, frames or windows. In terms of structure, the front yard consists of rock gardens and ponds that curve around the monastery buildings. Further in lies a large central garden where they keep the goats intended for the monthly sacrifice.
This garden in turn is surrounded by the arched hallways that lead to the various sub-structures of the monastery such as the dormitories, balnearies, infirmaries, refectories, libraries and more. The dormitories are separated in those meant for men, women and families. The family rooms are obviously larger, and their dormitories have communal spaces for the children. In every sense it is much like a smaller, but very well-organized city with all needs covered.
One particularly interesting space, is the Halls of Enlightenment. This is where they store the Bölcekers, or Scrolls of Wisdom, that they write after a long period of self-isolation and reflection followed by discussion and debate. These are generally considered to be the greatest works of philosophy that the monastery possesses, and they are frequently studied although they cannot be taken out of the room.
At the back of the monastery structure lies the enshrined hallow of Béhegy. It is the only space that is separated by wooden walls, rather than slate ones. Behind the monastery lie the terrace farms that are irrigated by the spring that has been channeled for this purpose. These farms stretch down along the mountain, and they are worked all year round in a repeating crop pattern.
Culture
The people of the monastery are generally calm and peaceful as a result of the communal lifestyle here. Since everyone's duties constantly rotate to leave space for self-isolation and enlightenment, there is little inequality with only a few necessary exceptions. One of these exceptions is the Ápat, the leader of the Kolostor appointed by
Béhegy himself. Even in a socialist state like this, a central authority is necessary in case of significant conflict or internal strife.
Such a system is weak however to abuse due to slothfulness or selfishness. The punishments for slacking on farming or cleaning duties are lax at best, being more about teaching a moral lesson rather than actually physically punishing the slacker. But in the end most can see the benefit to the community as a whole and thus themselves, not to mention that in a place with such a limited population people mostly know each other, and reputation plays an important role in how others treat you.
Fashion and Food
Fashion, if it can even be called that, is fairly simple in these parts. Everyone wears simple linen robes, sometimes even stitched together from used rags that have been boiled in dye to clean them. They tend towards thicker fabrics where possible due to how cold it is this high on the mountain. They commonly shave themselves bald for hygiene, and to prevent vanity regarding one's appearance.
This high, the variety in crops that can be cultivated is limited. The majority of the terrace farms grow seeds such as quinoa and kaniwa, with the occasional beans or tubers. These seeds can be boiled into porridge, or milled into flour to bake bread or to mix with water and goat milk for a simple breakfast meal. Béhegyan cuisine may not be particularly exciting, but these meals are simple and nutritious, and make good use of the limited land and means available to them.
Organizations
The Kolostor consists largely of regular monks who participate in the cycle of isolation and dutiful work, but there are a few ancient orders that were formed to deal with more niche problems. They are exempt from some of the basic duties within the monastery, as their work takes up a significant portion of their time and is vital to the continued existence of the monastery.
Order of the Hidden Word
The Arend Rejtettszó is a specialist sect of archivists who filter out the scrolls and texts containing dangerous knowledge, and keep it in a separate library with limited access. They often work together with the Arend Ősivény who gather these sources, as the Rejtettszó are busy keeping the rampant magical energies emanating from the scrolls in the hidden library contained.
Order of the First Dream
The coven of the Arend Elsálom are a group with an expertise in ritualistic magic, particularly tending towards abjuration and conjuration. They are experts when it comes to warding off supernatural forces, and they maintain the invisible barriers that surround and protect the monastery.
Order of the Primal Path
The members of the Arend Ősivény are unlike much of the rest of the monastery's inhabitants, as they are eager explorers. They scour the region for signs of previous civilizations to uncover what was here before humanity or where humanity even came from. The myths tell that people came from the light, but no one knows what or where this light was. They frequently work together with the Arend Rejtettszó who keep safe any dangerous objects or texts they may find, and also help analyze the findings of the Ősivény.
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