Sentokyon

General introduction

The many states of the Messellat Mdûlûn, while not always at peace with one another, nonetheless share a common identity and communal elements and events. One aspect of their culture is the cultivation of the self, especially in regards of bodily health and fitness. In Opeilûkûl, in the very Southwest of their homeland, the Sentokyon (Messellat Mdûlûn Tamôl for 'place for all competitions') was constructed centuries ago. It is a giant stadium complex on the slopes of the Central Erana Mountain Range, connected to a temple of Selani, an ancient moon goddess. Every three years all the states of the Messellat Mdûlûn send fine Men to compete there in various sports competitions and to take part in the cultic practices.

The name of the competition is Gayôlat Dosi ('games for the moon') and it is held every three years.The Sentokyon and the competition held there as well as the connected temple are sacred to all Messellat Mdûlûn and during the time of the games and a week before and after, the states are obliged to keep a sacred peace as to ensure safe travels for athletes, pilgrims and spectators and safe games.

Structure and history

Games in honour of gods go back to ancient times. Most traditions have been given up over the course of centuries though, while new ones emerged as well. The Gayôlat Dosi exist for several thousand years now, though it is difficult to determine when they started. Early writings tell of meetings held every six years and consisting of several competitions, some of which have been abandoned, while others have been newly introduced. The area overall consists of the temple for Selani, which has a main temple building and three smaller shrines as well as living quarters for the nuns, two trackways for running and two for horse riding. There are also two platform structures, one of which is for martial arts competitions, while the other serves cultic purposes like sacrifices and religious performances. Three fields serve as space for competitions like javelin-throwing, archery and poyokari. With the area being hilly to mountainous, seating rows have been carved or worked into the slopes. The entire area can thus accomodate up to 20.000 people.

While it is known, that at first there were only three games: running, javelin-throwing and martial arts, the portfolio has been broadened and especially with the domestication of the horse and its growing importance in Messellat Mdûlûn culture, horseriding, fighting on horses and poyokari have been integrated into the Gayôlat Dosi. Even though the beginnings of the structure and games are somewhat shrouded in the depths of time, the introduction of horse related competitions can be pinpointed back to the latter part of the Era of the Trees.

Significance

The Sentokyon are an important piece of architecture, as they are a symbol of unity among the ever competing states and ever shifting alliances among the Messellat Mdûlûn. The times of peace are cherished by all and even though there are other sports competitions in which all of the city states participate and which are also protected by a time of peace during these games, none reached the paramount significance of the ancient Gayôlat Dosi.

Type

Stadium