Matórá (mʔtoɹa)
Matórá literally means "training place" in Duafri. Sometimes, the Blessed Choir refer to this place as the "training cliffs" in English.
Purpose / Function
The training cliffs were created to provide angelic trainers a place to hatch, raise and teach fledgling cohorts. It was modeled as closely on the shinnite cliffs as possible to best replicate the experience of being raised free.
Design
Most of the individual cave units cover about 225 square feet with an additional 130 square feet in the nesting area. About half of this front area is under shelter from cave roof or another form of overhang. The rest projects out over the open air gorge to allow for sunning. The front area often includes rocky outcroppings, plant growth, moss and lichen and even insect or bird nests. A small stream of flowing water usually defines one edge of the outer area.
The nesting area is lined with plant matter, feathers (both angelic and avian), wool fibers and Heaven-sourced blankets and pillows. There is usually a heavy curtain strung up between the nesting area and the outer training area. This is where the angelic eggs spend 2-4 weeks gestating under the care of their trainers before hatching into infant angels. After hatching, fledglings and trainers sleep together in the nesting area.
Entries
All cave units have a primary entrance which faces out into the open air gorge. This entrance is accessible by any flying creature. In the back of the nesting area is an emergency tunnel which leads to the basement of a specialized training facility for eben petra candidates. This entrance is blocked and hidden from the inside to discourage exploration by curious fledglings.
Sensory & Appearance
The front training area faces approximately South, facing the sun. This gives plenty of sunlight for sunning and preening purposes as well as light for reading and visual instruction. The caves resemble limestone and the floors collect a coating of dust, dirt, feather fluff, plant sheddings, etc without regular sweeping. During rainy times, the stream runs fuller but the overhang is enough to direct water away from the inner caves.
The back nesting room is kept fairly dark by the heavy curtain. This also keeps the temperature warmer in the nest, a requirement for egg hatching. Once the fledglings are hatched, the nest takes on a distinctly yeasty baking-bread scent which is associated with baby angels (especially their feather oil).
Alterations
Over the years, Wayin has made alterations to the training cliffs, adding additional caves to allow for more training cohorts.
Architecture
The training cliffs are open-air caves designed with two separate segments: a hatching nest in the back and a play and training area in the front. The training area leads directly to an open cliff face outside. Many trainers line the outer room with large rocks in order to limit the chances of a fledgling toddling off the edge before their wings are strong enough.
History
When Wayin was first experimenting with angels, he attempted to create them as adults. Unfortunately, he discovered that this resulted in immature, undisciplined troops more likely to hurt themselves than an enemy. Realizing they required the time spent in childhood to develop properly, he created the matórá. He trained the first few cohorts of fledglings himself, then assigned them in pairs to raise clutches of eggs. This training continued until the fledglings could be reliably trusted to follow orders and wield a weapon without danger to themselves, usually about 17 years.
Type
University / Educational complex
Owner
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