Dekjen Abbey
A small abbey dedicated to Sirra on the western edge of The Heartwood. The abbey is known for training clerics to serve in other temples across the kingdom & for their spiced ginger wine. The abbey is filled with depictions of Sirra including sculptures and paintings, the hallways appear hazy with wisps of inscense that bathe the senses in spices and fragrent perfumes. According to local rumour they also hold the holy relic Sirra's Mercy.
The abbey is currently lead by Limma Phenola, an elven woman in her fourth century.
Purpose / Function
The abbey was constructed to meet the growing demand for Sirra priests and clerics across the Kingdom. This was to be a place where those who wished to serve could come and train away from the busy life of settlements. It would also serve as a lodge for hunters who were injured while in The Heartwood.
During the War of Tears the abbey became a refuge for wounded soldiers. Many of these who were too injured to ever return to military life would settle in the abbey as custodians or trainees themselves.
Alterations
The War of Tears brought many injured souls to the abbeys door over the decades resulting in cramped, infectious conditions. In 1201 a secondary wing was constructed to house those "under Sirra's care". This was a not so subtle code used by the clerics to refer to those who were in their last days.
Architecture
The structure is made timber and stone with numerous blind arches, butresses and a large spire that climbs nearly 100ft into the sky. The structures roof is lined with a thin line of lead which covers the old stone tiles as they had begun to leak. From a distance the abbey appears frightful and meanacing but as one approaches they would see stunning stained glass and warm smiles on the people here.
Defenses
A perimeter wall rising three feet in stone and a futher four in wrought iron surrounds the property to disuade feral beasts from the wood from venturing too close. The longer-lived veterans who settled here after their recovery have taken it upon themselves to defend the abbey from bandits or dangerous creatures, with the aid of the clergy that have magical gifts from Sirra.
History
In the year 1055 part of the abbey burned down after a dragon attack. The beast was driven off but gained the name Grandforge, The Eternal Flame. At the time it was considered to be a young dragon but it has since grown into a full adult.
In 1236, during the War of Tears, the Driston Empire sent a detachment to take the abbey and secure a foothold deep within Breaton territory. Instead of attacking the invaders, the residents welcomed the soldiers and tended their wounds, fed and bathed them. Many of the soldiers refused orders from their captain to hold the abbey and the 'assualt' was abandoned in the following spring.
Founding Date
982
Type
Abbey
Owner
Owning Organization
Characters in Location
Comments