The Brynwin Sanctuary Gardens

Location

The gardens are a two-day ride from Highfort and have been developed by the Seers of The Sanctuary at Brynwin. Brynwin is a charming, bucolic location nestled in The HIlls of Winns.

Purpose

the gardens were developed as an offering to the godddess Brigand or Brid. The seers from the Sanctuary are entirely devoted to the goddess. Brid is the goddess of spring and growth and a garden was thought to be appropriate to worship her.

When

The first gardens were devised two centuries ago, and have grown to immense proportions over the last century. The gardens now offers worshippers alls sorts of attractions, among them: an arboretum, a garden of sages (healing plants), and glass constructions to showcase the diverse flora of Alven and beyond.


During the Light Months, when the garden is open to worshippers, there are also yew and corn labyrinths. The labyrinths are not just frivolous entertainment but are meant to be experienced as a meditation exercise.
Because of the huge affluence of worshippers, the seers had to create a series of inns or taverns to cater to all burses. A few establishments have settled by the burn and do a roaring trade under the patronage of the Sanctuary.

What next?

The Sanctuary is keen to keep attracting pilgrims to the gardens. Everyone entering the grounds need to offer a monetary or metal contribution to the goddess.
Many wealthy clansmen like to be seen donating very expensive objects as tokens of their devotion. These objects are another source of attraction for the masses: they are displayed in special cases in The Offrand room of the Sanctuary and can be freely viewed within opening times. These objects are obviously very well guarded by Militiamen from the Sanctuary, or are they?

Pilgrims and worshippers need to attend a certain number of rituals during the day but lately, the seers have hit upon the idea of light shows at night as a new form of votive activities: candles are lit throughout the gardens so the population can continue to pray to the goddess at night.

Furthermore, to alleviate the Light Season's heat the seers have dug an artificial lake at the northern edge of their property by diverting a small river into it. A pretty island was added later on and a classic-looking temple built square in the middle. It has become fashionable for wealthy clansmen to hire one of the small boats by the lakeshore and row to the island and back for the day.

Who goes there?

Only middle and top clansmen and their families can usually afford the price of the 'devotion' at Brynwin. However, as Alvenites are not bound by class but rather by clanship ties, a man or woman belonging to a clan is always welcome and respected whatever their finances are.

The 'rich folk' do not mind mixing with less fortunate clansmen especially if they are family and/or of the same clan. A clan chieftain is normally keen to keep the clan bounds as tight as he or she can: it is not uncommon for a rich chieftain or his family to offer the devotion price to enter the gardens to deserving families of the clan. Sometimes, clans even come in as 'group' bookings to the gardens.

Story Leads

The gardens are one of the political centers of Alven: the Sanctuary vies with The Arkivon for influence at the higher echelons of Alven politics. During the Dark Months, when the garden is closed to the pilgrims, the head of the Sanctuary and its different orders worship together at Brynwin.

The Dark Months are the months where the goddess Brid is asleep at the top of Ben Croh (the highest mountain of Alven) until she walks this plane again and awakens at the start of the Light Months.
During that time, the Seers meet regularly in between their 'devotions' and rituals to share the information their informants have gathered from all over Alven.
Some of it will be shared with the Arkivon and the Thane but not all of it: it is one of the reasons why the Arkivon does not trust the Sanctuary as they know the Seers are keepers of secrets and do not share them readily.

However, the Sanctuary has always worked for the glory of Alven and kept alive the traditions and rituals of the country. Their loyalty to the clans has never been in doubt. Their loyalty to the current Thane is another matter.

The Sanctuary needs to educate and train many Seers to keep its Orders and buildings fully manned. Being a Seer of the Sanctuary is a prestigious position and many families - even those of modest means - dream that one day, one of their offsprings will enter the Groves. The summer gardens need a small contingent of Seers to welcome the pilgrims and worshippers during the Light Months.

The Comates are young seers drafted from all over Alven to help out run the gardens during the buisy months. Bringing together so many different people can create sometimes a culture clash and often romance blossoms between the young recruits. Romantic trysts are forbidden on the job (it is thought to create too many problems for the organizers), but that does not mean that they do not happen.

Recruits are spread everywhere in the gardens helping out with the activities and rituals. It would be easy for an enamored pair of young recruits to hear something they should not have been party to as they look for a secluded spot. The consequences could be devastating for both of them and threaten their fledgling attachment.
One of the lovers could be the son of an important political family who falls in love with a lowly seer.

Type

Garden