The Monastery of Serene Harmony, or simply the Monastery, is the centre of religious worship for the Church of Alaxon and the seat of the High Aldarch of the Church. It is located in Shimmerene, the old capital of the Kingdom of Elorne.
Layout[]
The Monastery is located at the top of Mara's Hill overlooking the Auridon Strait. In front of the monastery is a large plaza of white marble. The plaza features a statue of Mirion, which stands tall and serene upon his plinth; his face is a study of benevolence. Large gardens, capable of holding hundreds of people, are located near the monastery in the plaza.
The monastery is an impressive marble structure with eight towers, each of which has bells. Only on momentous occasions, such as the death of a king, are all of them rung. The main building is dotted with windows of coloured glass and crystal, filtering the light inside and creating rainbow patterns during the day. Around the doors leading into the building is a raised marble pulpit from which a priest can address a gathering crowd. Past the doors is the entrance hall of the monastery.
From the entrance hall, through the double-doors, is the monastery-proper, with eight broad aisles which meet beneath the ceiling. Its floors are made of marble and red marbled-tile, and great windows of leaded, coloured glass and crystal, and the eight altars are set about with candles. Different altars are used for different ceremonies, depending on their purpose. For example, marriages are always conducted at the altar between two towering gilded statues of Mara and Auri-El. There are several sets of doors leading into the monastery-proper.
Below the monastery are tombs where kings are laid to rest, cells for penitents, and vaults that hold costly vestments, rings, gold and silver crowns, and other treasures of the Church.
History[]
In late 1E 366 during Aerel's Invasion, the High Aldarch at the time locked himself in the Monastery upon hearing of Aerel Arana's landing on the Summerset Isle. After eight days and eight nights, he emerged, as Auri-El allegedly "shone his light" and revealed that if Shimmerene resisted the Aranas, it would burn. Lord Castien Liaren heeded the High Aldarch's advice and later yielded Shimmerene to Aerel upon his approach.
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