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 Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:43 pm
Si Toradaer os Kidali (the Citadal of Guidance)
AND
Saesti os Eir Thar (Temple of All Faiths)
Si Toradaer os Kidali (the Citadal of Guidance)
The Citadel of Guidance shines as a beacon of hope, lighting the way to the Dark Sakura and guiding travelers from great distances to the safe haven within her walls. It is the guild's tallest free standing structure, towering over even the beautiful Palace os si Eilaras, which is the second tallest structure on the estate.
The citadel itself is of elven design, a tribute to the guild founder's lineage. It combines man made architecture with the simple beauty of nature. The tower is built of polished black marble, with intricate designs carved into it's surfaces. Climbing their way up the stone, are several species of vines and climbing flowers, twining their way around the structure and wrapping it in blossoming foliage. Peeking out from beneath the leaves, are beautiful stained glass windows.
At the top of the tower, is the beacon itself. The marble is hollowed out into a woven sphere, encasing a giant swirling ball of golden flame, acting much like a lighthouse for lost ships, it is nicknamed the Light of Lost Souls, rumoured to be created from the very essence of the founder's flame.
Entry to the citadel can be gained through a large marble archway. What is to be found inside, is a conservatory and in the center amidst all the plants and flowers, an ornamented fountain with a statue of the Lady Ethelstan, founder of the Dark Sakura.
Beneath her image, a plaque engraved with this message:
"Burn eternal, thy guiding light.
Carry the lost and deliver unto them
a refuge from their plight.
Protection to those who call this home
But damned are they who seek us as foes."
TBC
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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 6:48 pm
Saesti os Eir Thar (Temple of All Faiths)
The Saesti os Eir Thar or Temple of All Faiths, is a reflection of the Lady Ethelstan's love of Japanese architecture and culture. Built in the pagoda style of the old Japanese temples.
TEMPLE STRUCTURE
It is three stories tall, and it is rumoured that there are secret sublevels known as 'Cloisters' used for private spiritual matters such as Higher Divinations and Communing with the Powers That Be. It is also rumoured that besides being performed at the Os Myli Tosi, some Arcane Rituals take place in these cloisters also. Just what strange rites take place beneath the temple is unknown, but the power that dwells within it's walls is undeniable, almost physically tangible in it's strength.
MAIN LEVEL
Beyond the unconfirmed mysteries however, there are the public levels of the temple. After entering through the prayer gardens and the courtyard, you must climb 15 stone steps to reach the entrance of the temple. Upon entering, outdoor footwear is exchanged for slippers, and further entry is permitted.
Beyond the slipper room, the main level of the temple opens up into an enormous worship hall. The perimeter of the room is raised a foot off the ground in a narrow deck, from which visitors may take in the beauty of the hall without disrupting those who are paying tribute or praying. The main floor is lit by hanging lanterns, illuminating what actually seems to be a large, indoor pond. In the center of the pond are two enormous statues. To reach them, you must cross the water's surface by way of a stepping stone path. Upon reaching the statues, you look up, past their beautiful robes to their faces... only to find they have none. These are the Si Thalaelaer Olaer, the Faceless Ones.
The Faceless Ones represent all of the Gods and Goddesses of every Panthenon. Guild members may approach the faceless ones and pray to whatever Deity it is they worship. It is said, that those who are strong in their faith, have even witnessed the image of the statues change and briefly take on the image of the deity to whom they were praying.
SECOND LEVEL
The Elven Panthenon
THIRD LEVEL
Chambers of the High Priestess
TBC
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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:01 pm
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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:04 pm
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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:06 pm
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Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 7:08 pm
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:08 pm
The gardens were a truly breathtaking sight no matter what time of day you visited them, but in the dusk and the following darker hours, the water gardens of the Saesti os Eir Thar (Temple of All Faiths) came to life in a most mystical way. While the courtyard was surrounded by beautiful trees, their emerald leaves singing softly in the breeze, the open sky of the garden allowed the light to shine upon the cobbles warmly. Or what was left of the light, for the last of the colours were bleeding from the sky as the cloak of darkness spread outward o'er the lands. The last tinges of gold, pink, orange and indigo running between the clouds and the water's surface, blurring the sky and earth together in a wash of colours. The stone lanterns about the courtyard were lit, and the glass floats that bore tiny candles within floated over the water's surface in shimmering orbs of flickering colour, drifting wherever the currents and gentle breezes nudged them. Wind chimes joined the leave's song in a sweet chorus, tinkling notes almost bell like in sound.
The very center of the courtyard held a simple fountain that gurgled forth from large slabs of rose quartz. Around it in a circular bed was a herb garden. This was one of three such gardens in the Dark Sakura. This one grew ceremonial and sacred herbs, used for offerings and incense, as well as ritual components. The healers had their own herb garden, for spell components and ingredients in their salves and potions, even teas. The third, and the least impressive of the three, was under care of the kitchens. For in it, grew the spices and herbs for seasoning the meals of those who dwelt here. For unseasoned food, was little better than pigslop as far as the elves and especially the chefs were concerned.
Outwards from the Temple's herb garden spread the other plants as well as the ponds. Lifelike statues peeked out from flowers and tall grasses. Benches were nestled in amongst flowered groves. It was a place of peace and solitude where any might come to ease their tired minds and souls.
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Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 2:46 am
Hono and Durranis entered the gardens of the temple and Rave couldn't help but to sigh softly to herself as she looked around. Sometimes you managed to find a place that could touch your soul right away...
Raven was not at all surprised to have three little wisps pop into existence above her head as she smiled happily. The little blue, green, and purple balls of light started to slowly circle around her head as Hono continued to ignore them and paid attention to her surroundings instead soaking in the last flashes of color as the sun light disappeared and the night claimed the world once more. whee
The purple wisp eventually decided to leave the path that the other two created in the air, zipping around Durranis playfully leaving a little purple streak of light as an after image in the dark.
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 5:19 pm
Durranis stopped and looked curiously after the little orb of light that had taken to flitting about him so playfully, casting a curious glance at the blue and purple glow as the other two orbs zipped through the garden and then quickly returned his gaze back to the orb of purple light buzzing about his head. Turning back to Hono he grins,
"Friends of yours?"
He asked, gesturing at the balls of coloured light.
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Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 2:51 am
"Not really friends..." Hono looked up at the pair of wisps as she tried to find the right word for it. "I am not really sure how to explain them, most of the time they appear to be sentient, but I know that I created them...only not consciously!" sweatdrop
She held out her right hand and obediently the green wisp moved to hover over her palm while the blue one still circled her head. "The ones that I create consciously are usually used as weapons or tools...and they follow my direction to the letter!"
The green wisp apparently got bored an moved to circle Durranis with the purple wisp. "These ones will usually follow my instructions, but they have a degree of free will that I would not allow in a weapon... that is only asking for trouble!" Rave made a face as the thought of one of her fluorescent white wisps suddenly deciding to flutter off and play in the middle of a battle where it was supposed to explode!
"They normally appear like this when I have a high influx in my personal power... Sun and I speculated once that it happened to keep me from accidentally going 'Nova..." Hono couldn't help but to frown again as she contemplated that possibility with the appearance of the three curious little entities. "but it also only happens when I am relaxed!" whee
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Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:14 pm
Durranis smiles, following the Lady's lead, he offered his hand, flat and palm up, to the purple orb of light.
"Let me see if I grasp the concept... It is as if you my lady were a basin that collects power, and when the basin is full the run-off must go somewhere lest it spill o'er the edge. So the excess is channeled, instead of flooding and drowning the vessle."
He watched her face intently for any hint that he was accurate or just the opposite of that, and that he was in fact way off. His face was soft, his features bathed in a violet luminescence.
"I am glad... that the courtyard relaxes you so, lady. You are welcome here at any time, it is open to you and any other at all hours. But personally, I prefer it's enchantments at night..."
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Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:55 am
Durranis Durranis smiles, following the Lady's lead, he offered his hand, flat and palm up, to the purple orb of light.
"Let me see if I grasp the concept... It is as if you my lady were a basin that collects power, and when the basin is full the run-off must go somewhere lest it spill o'er the edge. So the excess is channeled, instead of flooding and drowning the vessel."
He watched her face intently for any hint that he was accurate or just the opposite of that, and that he was in fact way off. His face was soft, his features bathed in a violet luminescence. Hono slowly tilted her head to the side as she listened to his interpretation of the things she had just rambled out, her sun glasses reflecting the light back off the last wisp that still circled her head. " Sounds like you got that concept..better than I do at any rate!" whee Durranis
"I am glad... that the courtyard relaxes you so, lady. You are welcome here at any time, it is open to you and any other at all hours. But personally, I prefer it's enchantments at night..."" I like plants... I don't like to keep them because I can forget to take care of them sometimes." xp Hono waved a hand above her head as f to shoo the wisp away, but the tiny ball of light nimbly avoided her hand and continued to circle her. " All three of you.. make yourselves useful and light the path.. or something, stop being pests!" Her voice was soft and her tone was more playful than scornful and the wisps actually moved to hover over the stones of the walk a step ahead of the pair. " see, sometimes they act like they have minds of their own and know who they are supposed to be listening to!" wink
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Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 9:03 am
A darkened silhouette arrives in the entranceway to the temple, observing his surroundings with a single, passing glance before walking forward. The night seemed to close around him, almost as if it were a second cloak, though he had no need for any sort of shadow manipulation.
Even if he did, the man presented here was incapable of it.
Besides, he was not here to sneak around in a place open to all comers- or at least, those that meant no harm. The man knew perfectly well what he was looking for, or rather who he was looking for. It didn't take long to find her, of course. It was because of the link that had been formed long ago- even that had been repaired.
And with that repair came another- the capacity to monitor such a connection as if one were looking through one-way glass. He could see her, but she had no idea that he was here.
With that said, he approached her position as if there were a map of the building in his head, taking his good time about finding her.
Let us see if you have what I seek, birdbrain.
The moon illuminated a pair of red eyes before hiding behind a cloud bank again.
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Posted: Wed Oct 24, 2007 2:37 am
She did indeed have the information that he sought... but then, so did Durranis! Now how long the shadowy figure would have to wait for the bird brain to mention what he wanted to know, that was an entirely different matter!
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Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 4:25 pm
"The Dark Sakura is quite renowned in these parts for it's gardens. Between Sierra's input... the earth herself and the many gardener's employed here... It is a place of constant beauty. It often makes me wonder... what the Lady's planet looked like..."
If Durranis had any idea that they were being eavesdropped on, he didn't show it. But the one that was watching them had not gone unnoticed by a good many others. Yet they made no move to expose either him nor themselves. And so the stroll through the garden continued as if nothing were amiss, making their way toward the temple...
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