[O] The Sanctuary

[Lorika]

Blessed be his holy shell
Which guards us through the night,
Daily, daily holding us
With love and sweet respite.

On a stretch of beach to the east of the Isle, the Order has set up its base - the Temple of the Overseer. Less of a temple and more of a reclaimed, highly modified beach hut, the Temple, or Clurch depending on your preference, acts as the centre not only of worship, but of planning and operations.

Popping out of the rock like a gleaming marble statue, the Clurch is something of an odd sight for the weary traveller rounding the path beyond the palm forest. All shining white, aqua and glass, the building makes a grand (if somewhat blinding in the midday sun) impression. What the outsider may not know is that the exterior must be washed and polished daily in order to keep up its impressive appearance - the bell, enchanted with a continuous Reparation spell, is the exception to this rule.

Inside, the deceptively small exterior hides corridors, antechambers and a total of three floors - not including the basement. The entrance corridor opens onto the main altar room, where services and prayer meetings are held daily. This large, open room, darkened magically in order to simulate the depths of the ocean, is a calm, quiet place for reflection and meditation. However, it may not always remain that way, as the main gathering point of the Clurch. For acolytes who wish to meditate or perform rituals in private, the basement has been converted into a maze of private rooms, each equipped with an altar. As an extension of this, the basement soon came to house the High Priestess and her entourage of ordained Priests; anyone who has mastered the Intermediate skills of a spiritualist will find themselves below sea level, sleeping in their own private room. Everyone else is housed on the second floor of the Temple, in a large room divided by curtains rather than walls, in shared dormitory-style accomodation. This applies to all Spiritualists and Spellcasters - Combat specialists find themselves bunking outside in the Order's traditional green tents. It builds character, or so The Captain says.

The third, highest floor is known as The Sanctuary. It is the holiest area in the entire Order compound, housing the Overseer's throne beyond a curtained screen. Before the curtain, another large, open room predominates; this is where acolytes and priests alike come to practise and hone their skills. Only in the heightened state of mind induced by the holy energy permeating the floor can any advancement in spiritual essence be made.

Aside from the areas already described, the Temple also contains several all-purpose antechambers on the first floor, off the sides of the main service area. These act as storage rooms, meeting rooms with tables and chairs and stair wells by which to reach the other floors. The door to the left of the main room leads to a hallway by which the Spellcasters' hall and library, both located beyond the fountained wall, may be reached.

Even with the decline in trade at the Gambino hot spots since the invasion of the Animated, the sound of partying and club music drifts down nightly from beyond the screen of palm trees and foliage, as spotlights pierce the black sky, rivalling the twinkle of far-flung solar systems. Likewise, each morning, midday and evening the employees of Gold Mountain are treated to the peal of the Overseer's golden bell ringing out across beach and ocean. Some locals have been spotted at the weekly Overservice. For the most part, though, the members of the Order and residents of the Isle are simply tolerating each other, in no small part due to the Gambino heir's close association with the cult.

 

[Lorika]

Upon entering the Temple, you blink and glance around in bemusement. Despite the large panes of glass through which the outside world is easily visible, this floor of the Clurch is lit only by the aqua designs on the walls, which emit an eerie, otherworldly glow. The windows might as well be paintings in a darkened hall... the effect is disorienting, to say the least. You can hear the sound of running water, and the hush of murmured voices up ahead.

Just inside the front door, a notice has been placed on a podium, bold letters shining oddly in the gloom:

The Announcement Board

Timetable of Prayers, Duties and Services:

* The weekly Overservice will be held every Saturday before midday. This shall be presided by myself; Lorika, the High Priestess.

* Daily prayers are held every two hours between 8 a.m and 6 p.m. These may be presided by any Priest who is free at the time.

* Meals are served at 9 a.m, 1.30 p.m and 6 p.m. Though be warned, our chefs have a habit of oversleeping...

* Acolytes: An updated cleaning rota is always present in the second floor dormitory. Spellcasters are not exempt from cleaning duty.

* Dormitory curtains MAY be soundproofed for privacy. Ask a spellcaster for assistance if you wish your sleeping area to be soundproofed.

"

The enchanted board seems to pulse with energy. You get the feeling that the announcements will change upon a moment's decision, and so if you're going to be sticking around you'd better check it from time to time...
 

[Lorika]

The Overseer's Prayer

Our heavenly clam
Who hath dwelt beneath the waves;
Let us take thy name
In the sense of all that is good and holy.
Let us give today what we have
To those who have not;
Let us pray today for the fortune
Of those who cannot;
Let us work for the benefit
Of those who may not for themselves.
Thy will, thy wisdom, thy power
Be present in us.
For thine is the glory,
The virtue and the shield,
From now until eternity.

So let it be decided;
So let it be done.