Garden of Chetria
Situated in the heart of a city that already blends into surrounding the trees, one could be forgiven if the mistake this shrine to Chetria as another public greenspace. Those attuned to the rhythms of nature will quickly notice that the winding paths of the five acre garden are just a touch too perfectly natural. The placement of flowers and trees, while seemingly haphazard, always seem to keep a patch of flowers in sight that are in bloom and adjacent to them are are patches just about to bloom and just past their blooming, almost as if the cycle of life were randomly represented in a quilt of flowers. These arrangements, of course, are anything but natural. Priests of Chetria ave worked for over two centuries to create this perfectly constructed representation of nature.
Instead of attending structured daily services, worshipers are encouraged to wander the paths, enjoy the scents of the flowers and the songs of the birds, and allow their thoughts to meander. Indeed, many claim that the paths through the shrine change from visit to visit, somehow ensuring that just the right visual, sound, or scent be shared with the worshiper to focus his or her mind.
Individuals are also cautioned not to feed the bear. While there is, the priests assure everyone, no need to fear the massive brown bear who makes her home in the shrine, it is best to observe the awesome power of Chetria's symbol from a distance. Should a visitor encounter the bear, they are advised to back slowly away. Under no circumstances should it be approached - especially if it stands on its hind legs, its nose topping 12 feet in the air. Fortunately most visitors follow this advice and the few incidents that have occured have been ascribed to those who held hostile thoughts against Chetria's children in their hearts.