First Temple of Essena
The First Temple of Essena is the headquarters of the Essene Templar, located in the city of Ormond in south-western Tanoron. It is built on an island in the Bay of Ormond, and is the residence of the Exarch of Essena, Elemental goddess of water.
Purpose / Function
The First Temple serves as the administrative centre for the Essene Templar and also as the residence of the reigning Exarch. It provides a meeting place for Kolotors and Priests to conduct temple business and hold councils, serves as a resting place for the remains of Exarchs, and stores the central treasury of the faith.
Alterations
Originally the First Temple consisted solely of the central palace and the Worship Hall. As the centuries have passed, the compound has expanded to include dormitories and housing for priests, extensive libraries of the Temple's lore, extensive galleries for artwork dedicated to Essena, and a fully equipped port to accept visitors. The most recent development, added in the last century, is an artificial rock wall that circles the western, northern and southern edges of the island, restricting access to the east side of the island.
Architecture
The First Temple's original buildings, the Exarch's Palace and the Worship Hall, are primarily constructed from limestone blocks. The Palace itself is a long rectangular building constructed from whitewashed limestone, supported by rectangular pillars out its front. A stylised sculpture designed to look like flowing water is set on the ceiling. The Worship Hall is a much large, semi-enclosed square.
The newer buildings range in terms of material used, although limestone is still much more popular.
History
Prior to the construction of the First Temple, the main headquarters of the Essene Faith tended to circle around the home town of whoever happened to be the Exarch at the time. This was deemed to be inconvenience and costly for the other Kolotors and priests of the faith who regularly needed to gather for administrative and business matters, so Exarch Laurantine proposed the construction of a central enclave for the clergy of Essena in a similar vein to the other Templars who had permanent headquarters. It was constructed at Laurantine's home city of Ormond between 1406 DoM and 1388 DoM.
Throughout the centuries since its construction, it has remained the centrepiece of the Essene faith. Attempts have been made by other Exarchs in the past to move the administrative centre, but these have been resisted by the rest of the priesthood each time.
The compound was severely damaged during the the Ashstorm of 212 NE, however the faithful were able to rebuild, and it has remained prominent ever since.
Tourism
As the primary temple of Essena and the home of the Exarch, the First Temple is a popular pilgrimage for the believers of Essena. The island itself is dedicated to the functions of the priesthood and as such there is no accommodation for visitors, however the city of Ormond is a little under an hour away by rowboat or ferry and regularly hosts pilgrims. People come to see the Exarch herself address the faithful and visit the compound. In recent years, stalls of independent traders have begun operating at the main dock, selling trinkets that they claim have been blessed or have belonged to priests and Exarchs in the past.
Comments