Post by Taika of Narfell on Feb 13, 2007 20:32:06 GMT 1
Like so many old castles, this one, too, has an in-house chapel. Not a big one, mind, just one to serve the inhabitants of the Mansion. Which deity the chapel had originally been built to serve remains undiscovered, though not for lack of perusing the old documents. Sadly, the Mansion seems to have fallen to disuse too long ago for any records to remain of which divine being was actually worshiped in its chapel.
The Lady Aslana, being a pragmatic host above all, saw no reason to devote the entire chapel to her own deity, when a personal shrine would serve her well enough. Instead she had her mind on her many and diverse guests. Which deity could accommodate, if not all, then at least most of the people coming to stay at the Mansion, for shorter or longer periods of time?
Having already decided to build a place of learning and wisdom on the extensive collections she had inherited with the mansion, it was a logical step to seek out her old friend, Taika, and ask if she might be interested in heading the congregation at the Mansion.
Taika was reluctant at first, not wishing to offend the deity the chapel had been built for, but was reassured when told that no one had used the place for hundreds of years. She also found another of Lady Aslana's points compelling; It might not be everyone who visits the Mansion who will be followers of her goddess, but the very nature of her goddess accommodates everyone seeking such learning as the Mansion can offer. Hence, she was willing to make it a place for meditation and quiet thoughts.
You had heard it all before, the story was becoming quite familiar to you and though not an overly religious sort of person you had decided to go see what the fuss was about.
As you walk down the corridor leading to the temple you find yourself hoping they've restored the temple more thoroughly than they did these grey stone walls. While red, black and grey granites are gorgeous stones you can only take so much of the monotony.
The corridor opens up into a tall and wide fore chamber with a set of huge double doors leading onwards. They appear to be made of wood, but they shimmer with a dark blue hue you have never seen before - as you near them, they open of their own accord. The sight that meets you takes you by surprise. This you had not expected.
The walls of the temple consist merely of stone columns reaching towards the high ceiling and between them panes of glass in many different blue tints. They colour the light they let in with the tranquil blues of meditation. Though one side of the temple faces inwards towards the rest of the mansion it still has windows through which the day's light streams in heavy curtains. And that light!
The rays from the sun outside can be seen clearly, falling diagonally through the windows almost looking as if they were supports for the walls. And everywhere tiny motes of faintly shimmering green, blue and violet lights sail through the air and through the sunrays, so that a person walking through the room leaves a scintillating wake behind them. A blue-robed lady does exactly that as she enters the chapel from an adjoining room.
You notice that your ears seem to be buzzing, though you cannot quite explain with what - just a slight tickling of your eardrums without any evident source. While an odd sensation it is not uncomfortable, so you decide to shrug it off and just enjoy the atmosphere of the room. Though it is not a large chapel the people in it seem very far from each other, perhaps it is the faint buzzing that makes it all seem so surreal. Some have gathered in twos and threes and are quite obviously talking to each other, but not a sound of their conversations reach your ears. As you move further inside and get closer to some of the groups your hearing finally confirms what your eyes told you some time ago.
As you move towards the centre of the room you notice that a faint smells is getting stronger. It takes you a while to identify it, but after some pondering you're fairly certain it's the same smell you've experienced during and after a thunderstorm - that of ozone in the air, and with a slightly metallic tang.
At the centre of the temple is a large monument, though you are far from certain about its nature. It is not made from any physical material, but seems to be made entirely out of the shimmering motes that appear to be everywhere. The large shape pulses as if with a heart beat and once in a while the motes pull together to form the shape of a tall robed woman. The buzz in your ears has increased to a hum and the meditative movement of the monument entrances you for - you don't know how long.
You are startled out of your reverie as a voice interrupts your thoughts.
"It is the hum of magic you hear, and the scent of magic that you smell."
You look dumb-founded at the blue-robed lady, you hadn't even seen her walk up to you.
"Don't be too impressed," she laughs, "those two things puzzle most new-comers here, so it was not much of a guess for me."
The regal-looking lady is the one you saw entering the chapel earlier. You realise this must be the High Priestess Taika you're talking to - or rather, she's talking to you. She doesn't seem to mind your silence, though, she merely smiles benevolently.
"Feel free to stay as long as you like. The chapel is open at all hours, and as you can see, people come here to talk as well. I dare say those who feel limited by the demands for silence in the library often come here to discuss things with their fellows. If you have any questions for me, feel free to seek me out."
With that she leaves you standing at the magical monument. You only realise later that you never actually spoke a word to her. Somewhat embarrassed you look around as if expecting to find a pair of reproachful eyes resting on your countenance, but you find none of the sort, the High Priestess is engaged in conversation with a young man over by one of the windows.
The Lady Aslana, being a pragmatic host above all, saw no reason to devote the entire chapel to her own deity, when a personal shrine would serve her well enough. Instead she had her mind on her many and diverse guests. Which deity could accommodate, if not all, then at least most of the people coming to stay at the Mansion, for shorter or longer periods of time?
Having already decided to build a place of learning and wisdom on the extensive collections she had inherited with the mansion, it was a logical step to seek out her old friend, Taika, and ask if she might be interested in heading the congregation at the Mansion.
Taika was reluctant at first, not wishing to offend the deity the chapel had been built for, but was reassured when told that no one had used the place for hundreds of years. She also found another of Lady Aslana's points compelling; It might not be everyone who visits the Mansion who will be followers of her goddess, but the very nature of her goddess accommodates everyone seeking such learning as the Mansion can offer. Hence, she was willing to make it a place for meditation and quiet thoughts.
You had heard it all before, the story was becoming quite familiar to you and though not an overly religious sort of person you had decided to go see what the fuss was about.
As you walk down the corridor leading to the temple you find yourself hoping they've restored the temple more thoroughly than they did these grey stone walls. While red, black and grey granites are gorgeous stones you can only take so much of the monotony.
The corridor opens up into a tall and wide fore chamber with a set of huge double doors leading onwards. They appear to be made of wood, but they shimmer with a dark blue hue you have never seen before - as you near them, they open of their own accord. The sight that meets you takes you by surprise. This you had not expected.
The walls of the temple consist merely of stone columns reaching towards the high ceiling and between them panes of glass in many different blue tints. They colour the light they let in with the tranquil blues of meditation. Though one side of the temple faces inwards towards the rest of the mansion it still has windows through which the day's light streams in heavy curtains. And that light!
The rays from the sun outside can be seen clearly, falling diagonally through the windows almost looking as if they were supports for the walls. And everywhere tiny motes of faintly shimmering green, blue and violet lights sail through the air and through the sunrays, so that a person walking through the room leaves a scintillating wake behind them. A blue-robed lady does exactly that as she enters the chapel from an adjoining room.
You notice that your ears seem to be buzzing, though you cannot quite explain with what - just a slight tickling of your eardrums without any evident source. While an odd sensation it is not uncomfortable, so you decide to shrug it off and just enjoy the atmosphere of the room. Though it is not a large chapel the people in it seem very far from each other, perhaps it is the faint buzzing that makes it all seem so surreal. Some have gathered in twos and threes and are quite obviously talking to each other, but not a sound of their conversations reach your ears. As you move further inside and get closer to some of the groups your hearing finally confirms what your eyes told you some time ago.
As you move towards the centre of the room you notice that a faint smells is getting stronger. It takes you a while to identify it, but after some pondering you're fairly certain it's the same smell you've experienced during and after a thunderstorm - that of ozone in the air, and with a slightly metallic tang.
At the centre of the temple is a large monument, though you are far from certain about its nature. It is not made from any physical material, but seems to be made entirely out of the shimmering motes that appear to be everywhere. The large shape pulses as if with a heart beat and once in a while the motes pull together to form the shape of a tall robed woman. The buzz in your ears has increased to a hum and the meditative movement of the monument entrances you for - you don't know how long.
You are startled out of your reverie as a voice interrupts your thoughts.
"It is the hum of magic you hear, and the scent of magic that you smell."
You look dumb-founded at the blue-robed lady, you hadn't even seen her walk up to you.
"Don't be too impressed," she laughs, "those two things puzzle most new-comers here, so it was not much of a guess for me."
The regal-looking lady is the one you saw entering the chapel earlier. You realise this must be the High Priestess Taika you're talking to - or rather, she's talking to you. She doesn't seem to mind your silence, though, she merely smiles benevolently.
"Feel free to stay as long as you like. The chapel is open at all hours, and as you can see, people come here to talk as well. I dare say those who feel limited by the demands for silence in the library often come here to discuss things with their fellows. If you have any questions for me, feel free to seek me out."
With that she leaves you standing at the magical monument. You only realise later that you never actually spoke a word to her. Somewhat embarrassed you look around as if expecting to find a pair of reproachful eyes resting on your countenance, but you find none of the sort, the High Priestess is engaged in conversation with a young man over by one of the windows.