[Location] The Sunn Monastery

[Gossamer]

~*| The Sunn Monestary |*~


~photograph by aladhan

Description:

Teaching the Art of Ataa and the way of peace...

The morning air was clear and quiet along the peaceful streets of New Zinn’Sunn. A light, crisp and crisp breeze brought a lingering “Hei’yitss!” For those that heard the now-familiar cry had just walked past a newly built wall of stone and marble that stood high on the northern hills, keeping out most of the prying eyes that sought a curious glance or look of the recently built monastery within a new Zinn’Sunn.

A well-crafted and scrolled iron gate that was locked against the peak of the night’s moon and unlocked before the first rays of the new day’s sun rose, now stood open and inviting. When entering the main grounds it was like entering a whole new world. One of peace and harmony could with the balance of man and nature. Lawns that were well maintained lay at the feet of magnificently groomed trees such as cypress, oak, cheery blossom, and weeping willows. Broken shards of crystalline streams flowed to and from wondrous fountains of carved marble, centered in small ponds filled with colorful koi.

Off to one side of the main path gently erupts another, smaller trail that weaves into a beautiful garden filled with lush plants and exotic flowers. Small, secluded benches rest here and there along the trail, each sitting to a view of enchanting delight as well as crimson clad gardeners tending to their early morning labor.

“Hei’yitss!”

Came the shouting cry of several crimson-clad students mimicking the fluid movements of their instructor out in a fair-sized open field opposite of the gardens. They all moved in sync with one another while performing some complex but graceful maneuver that their crimson and gold instructor guided them through. “Hei’yitss!” came another explosion of breath and sound from the students as they all moved as one, oblivious to all.

The main building itself looked much like early Kemite construction – a fact that was deceptive given its recent date of building. Large stone walls began from the foundation but melded with gleaming dark wood to a tiered roof made of red-clay tiles. Though only a single level in height, its size was massive, made even more so by the outstretched patio of that same dark wood that completely surrounds the structure. Several, smaller buildings, perhaps bungalows built in the same fashion, sit unobtrusively in the back, behind the main building.

Inside, through great double doors carved in the likeness of both dragon and griffin on either side, comes a peace and harmony that matches the monastery’s outer lawns. Within the lobby its walls and floors glow almost golden from the oiling and polishing of exotic woods such as teak and mahogany. Decorative statues of mythical creatures in rearing or aggressive postures line the walls gracefully. Each statue carved from the purest jade found. Each statue also sat on a pillar of silver-veined marble of the purest black as well. Large paintings done with eloquent brush strokes hang counter to the statues, each representing Zinn’Sunn during more ancient times. More powerful times.

“Thwack!”

The sound could be heard echoing throughout the whole of the lobby. Its source vibrating from a room centered in the back, behind a large, cherry wood desk where a beautiful elf sat. She seemed to be reading something about five interlocking rings. Behind her there was no wall and yet, only the muffled sounds of two people sparring could be heard, as if some sort of glass covered the wall so as to show the prowess of the monks. Inside was a young human boy who couldn’t be older that 15 or 16 years of age. He stood motionless against his opponent, that of a muscular Kemite wielding a broadsword. Both where dressed similar save where the Kemite wore crimson, gold was added to that of the boy’s uniform. That and the boy held no weapon of any sorts.

The Kemite moved. Moved with the speed and grace inherited by his race and enhanced by the skills of much practice. As the Monk swung the blade in an overhead blow meant for the boy’s head, fully committing to the action, did the boy move, or rather flowed into action.

The boy lifted his hands and pivoted at the same time, catching the wrist and hand of his opponent in one fluid motion while moving towards one side of the Kemite. With a deft maneuver and the shifting of hips and legs that seem to all come together as one single move, the Kemite could only follow the boy’s desire and moved much like a puppet on strings, the boy’s strings. Another move and shift and the Kemite found himself flipping up and over onto his back. His sword no longer in his hands but pointed at his throat by the boy who held it casually at his mercy.

With a smile and a nod the boy lowered the point and offered his opponent and student his other hand to help him up. The Kemite grinned back and took it; coming up and taking the now offered weapon back in hand where they repositioned themselves once again...

“He’s very good isn’t he.” It was a statement more than a question. The voice coming from the lovely elf woman at the desk. She put down her book and in a singsong voice that could make a man weep or grin; she spoke up with a devastating smile.

“The master believes that young Ethan there will become the youngest ever to hold the title of master. Should that we be so fortunate. But then, we are in fortunate times are we not friend? I am, well...I am called Lileth here. How may I serve you best this fine day?” He points to a table to his left.


Goods & Services:

The Sunn Monastery offers training in Zinn'ka and Meditation. In addition to this training, the monastery is open to people joining its ranks.

To become a Sunn Monk, your PC must have:

• L1 - L3 Meditation
• L1 - L3 Mysticism
• L1 - L3 Healing
• L1 - L3 Zinn'ka (Most forms)
• To become a true Sunn Monk you must go on a quest to attain the gifts in the essence or Rasha'Shing bring; clarity of thought, vision of future, bonding to the whole of the world. This is a mystical Torek-granted holy energy that flows through all living things. The Rasha'Shing is an energy field, sustained by all living things, that surrounds the world, penetrates it, and binds the whole of it together.

NPCs:

Coming soon...

Factoid:

Secrets : Distrinct: Outside of Zinn'Sunn Type of Location: Monastery Notability of Location: Common Knowledge Training/Employment Opportunities: Y Zinn'ka L1 - L3 Meditation L1 - L3 Career as a Sunn Monk Can This Location Be Self Moderated?: By Permission Only Credits: Kwiksylver, Salsa, Gossamer

[Satyata]

Optia, Summer, Era II, XIV (pf)

Walking in all but total silence, with only the gentle click clack of sandals on the intricate pathways which snaked among the gardens of the monastery, Satyata breathed deep and reminded himself that he could relax here. With all the beauty which the Lauryl could offer, the garden had no flaw except that it had been designed to have no flaw. His deep brown eyes scanned over every plant and the general layout of the entire garden. Those eyes, still bright and youthful, were discerning and perceptive, taking in all things and catching all but the minutest details of everything which interested him. After a moment of contemplation he bent down, folded one large leaf over another and allowed the corners of his mouth to turn up slightly. A single out-of-place leaf made the place more real to him. Surely enough an actual Sunn monk would come along to remove the chaotic element and restore order, but for the time being, it brought him happiness.

Having only been part of the monastery for a little over a single brightening, this was his first chance to explore the grounds and get down to starting that which would aid him in his perfection of body. From what he had heard, it was called Zinn'ka or Ataa. His father had told him only that Zinn'ka was a structured way of improving himself and that he needed to apply himself to it fully and unconditionally when the opportunity was placed before him. The sounds which rang through the gardens seemed only to support the thought that this opportunity was coming upon him quickly. As he understood it, all monks had to have some understanding of it, and as such all those seeking to become monks would be given the chance to learn. With this knowledge in mind, he strode up to the training building and removed his shoes before proceeding in.

After putting on a pair of slipper-like footwear, the dark-skinned youth walked forward, eyes locked on the sparring which was taking place ahead of him. So engrossed in the 'fighting' was he that the words of the elven woman to his left were never allowed to fully register in his mind. Already his keen eyes were watching the way muscles worked in turn as the older boy flowed from one move to another. He wasn't sure how old the boy was, but he knew that the older one should not have moved with such perfect precision, at least that's what common knowledge said.

It was only after he had watched the pair begin their third sparring match that Satyata was able to tear his eyes away. His eyes fell on one of the ageless ones and he cocked an eyebrow for a short moment before taking a step toward her. "Pardon Ma'am," he winced slightly as he realized that he had not learned the proper formal greetings or titles of the members, "I would like to learn what he knows." He nodded in the direction of the older Kemite boy and continued his watching as he waited for an answer.

[Gossamer]

Satyata

Lileth nodded gently to the boys words. So young... very young. They never thought their words through, did they? The elven woman smiled, and answered him with gentle words. "That is impossible. To know what he knows you must first have his soul, and be birthed by his mother. Then you will have to walk his pathway in his shoes looking at the world with his eyes. That is impossible, isn't it? I think it would be more appropriate to say that you want to expand your own knowledge and learn to better live within your body as young Ethan does. Or am I wrong?" Lileth asked, looking curiously at the newcommer. He was a young man, newly come to the monastery. But she had high hopes for him, that he'd learn fast and come into his own.

"He practices Zinn'ka, Ataa to be exact. Its The Dance of the Gods... each one has claimed it as their own; Diana, Aslan, even Ioannes, so here we credit it to all." She added, studying the boy. She'd wait for his response, then make some arrangements for him.

[Satyata]

The boy bowed his head to the woman at the desk, contrition taking hold of his features. He had let his mouth outrun his mind, as his father had always warned him against. He brought his head back up and forced calm to flood over his mind. While he was still sorry for having gone against what he had been taught, the woman's wisdom reminded him greatly of his departed father and he couldn't help but relax a little. At all times the man had offered wise words and thoughts to ponder when one sought answers of him and he could only hope that the same was true of the woman before him.

"You are not wrong... ma'am." He held-back the wince this time, but made a mental note to seek out names and titles. "I do seek to 'expand my knowledge and better live within my own body', if I can use your words." A small frown broke across his lips. "I am sorry for not being more clear in my attempt to get training. I will make sure that proper thoughts will always precede my words from now on." Red spots bloomed on his cheeks, and he turned his head away, pretending to watch the sparring once more. He was embarrassed to have made such a mistake and to have said so many words at once. He knew that he had to be more mature than others his age and that meant that he should keep as many words off his tongue as possible. 'A wise one puts great meaning into few words. He had taken those words -his mother's words- all too serious and hadn't said more than a single uninterrupted sentence to anyone in many months; now he found himself going on like some fool child.

The red on his cheeks only brightened as old thoughts of admonishments past rolled across his mind and he waited for approval or disapproval of the ageless one before him.

[Gossamer]

Satyata

Lileth brightened and reached out and touched the boys cheek. "All is well. Be peaceful within your heart, child. Monk Kimsan has a free hour in the mornings after first tolling. If you were to meet him here with an open heart in that time, I am certain he will see to it that your awareness is expanded and that you learn to dwell as easily within your form as others who master Ataa do." Lileth said, pulling a large bound book free of a lower shelf of her desk which in fact was located in a stone alcove outside. It was interesting, in the summer the stone fortress the monastery was built in was far to warm to spend time inside. While in the winters just the opposite was true of the outside. Hence, her desk moved, outside into the courtyard, inside in the winters. It was a beautiful arrangement for her... and allowed her to keep her fingers on the pulse of what was going on in the monastery.


ooc: How about a separate thread for your ataa training and some interaction with the monastery? If you goa head and start it, timestamp it, etc... I will jump in and start moderating unless you have a peer mod in mind.

[Satyata]

The boy brightened immediately at the woman's touch, but he forced a stoic expression and bowed deeply to her. "I will follow your words. I thank you." He came up smoothly and spun on his heel. Still taken by things like excitement and impatience, the youth couldn't help but hurry his step a little as he made his way out of the training hall and back to the gardens. He hid a small smile all the way back to his room.

[Nimavel Mynendil]

Month of Optia in the Season of Summer, Era XIV

“Impressive.”

Studying the younger boy intently, the assassin withheld any applause as the teenager helped the Kemite back to his feet. His lavender eyes continued to watch the one called Ethan for another minute before turning to the receptionist, an elfin woman whose voice carried a melody worthy of a bard.

“Your master may be right…”

The assassin agreed, his gaze moving of its own accord again to the sparring partners. He was unsurprised by the younger boy’s prowess. There were some who worked hard in the world at a craft; there were others who were naturally gifted. But it was those who both worked hard and were naturally gifted, however, who became legends. Amused by the scene because the boy reminded Nimavel of himself in many ways, the assassin turned back to the woman called Lileth.

“I am looking for the master of the temple. My name is Nimavel Mynendil, a student of the Temple of the Open Hand in Arakmat and a friend of Master Kerwel of the Temple of the Blessed Hand in Natura.”

Gifting Lileth with a few moments to register the names of the respective monasteries, the assassin waited patiently for her answer. He was uncertain if either were regarded prominently here in Zinn’Sunn. Many forms of Zinn’ka, after all, were believed to originate from the Kemite people, and thus any branches of it elsewhere could be perceived as inferior imitation and nothing more. Either way, the assassin would find out.

[Gossamer]

Nimavel

Kemite culture was odd. Not only did the Kemites keep to themselves, but they were overly welcoming to strangers all in the same complex interwoven ideology. So it wasn't surprising that the young Kirin Clan daughter smiled serenely at Nimavel and apologized quietly.

"I do not know those names. Perhaps the one you seek will though." Her tone was doubtful. "But Kimsan is who I can see the essence pointing you towards. He's in the north courtyard. If you take the sunward path around the inner sanctum and gently scold the initiates that are ruining my newly planted roses there with their tonfa play..." The woman said, referring to the long wooden night-sticks the kemites preferred their children to play with. "then take another left after all the damage, that should lead you straight to him. Feel free to join him. He's communing." She said, glancing at the suns as if to determine the time, then nodded. "Yes, definitely. He'll be glad for some company afterwards, especially if you have news of the outside or enjoy a good discourse." The receptionist said, clasping her hands together and bowing over them dismissively.




ooc: New Thread. Weaving Within The Rasha'Shing (Nimavel)

[Nimavel Mynendil]

For the first time since his arrival to Zinn’Sunn, the elf lord returned the woman’s bow. Aside power, there was nothing more the assassin respected than efficiency. The rigmarole of politics was generally too burdensome to deal with, and thus he normally circumvented it entirely by isolating himself from it. But the people of Zinn’Sunn, however, were different than those of the outside world. They were friendly and overly trusting. Fools?

The assassin had yet to decide.

Nodding appreciatively, his flowing robes graced the floor behind him as he trailed off to the northern courtyard where the one called Kimsan awaited. He occasionally glanced to the apprentices scurrying about, mildly amused by their choice of playthings –tonfas. A handful of House Mynendil’s assassins preferred these over sharp, pointed weapons, and thus the elfin lord did not condescend their blade-less edges. Any instrument in the correct hands could be dangerous.

Without a single word or pause, the Lord of the Syl’rosyan Combine disappeared into the Sunn Monastery.

[Teacup]

It seemed to Teacup that even through his adolescence he had still been a child. He had never wondered where he came from, he only had pride that the Fae ancestry was superior; he had never reasoned why he disliked humans, the greater beasts just seemed illogically obsessed with their own ironically smaller world. It had occurred to Teacup not more than two cycles ago since he created his new home beyond the walls of Zinn’Sunn that he had a somewhat jaded view.

After several darkenings contemplation he had come to decide that he did not need to override his own perceptions, after all, every being is nothing if not the culmination of their experiences, to deny his own and his reactions would be to deny a part of his person, his soul, his essence in this world. That could not be a path to greater understanding.

Teacup now realized in order to better understand himself he needed to understand his past. His parents had been what he could only term “human enthusiasts”. Although they had never rejected their heritage they were never what he envisaged the almighty Fae to be. Nor had they ever taught him of the Fae culture, instead choosing to bestow on him the name of a human utensil and a greater knowledge of human courtship rituals than the entirety of Fae culture. He did not hate his parents for it, as he once did; now he was merely out to learn that which was never taught.

If there was a difference between Fae and humans it must be locked somewhere greater than stories and rituals passed on from one to the next. He envisaged locking a human and a Fae in two separate rooms and giving each the same stimuli, the same encouragement and watching the difference. He wanted to know if the core that made him who he was was greater than the culmination of his own experiences and perhaps a product some greater racial understanding.

Teacup wanted to look past his immediate memories and reactions into the core that was him. It was this thought process that had led him here, to the Sunn Monastery. He had heard that they teach meditation, he thought they could help him.


A small speck slipped through the air well above the ordinary view of ground dwellers. Teacups’ near transparent wings beat fast, yet not as fast as he moved encased in his slipstream towards the Sunn Monastery. As Teacup approached the gates he started to descend, rapidly growing into focus had there been anyone around to view. Teacup’s flight was not graceful but succinct, a small figure now stood where there had been none, he was dressed in a whisp of green material flowing with the air eddies created by his descent. His sharp cheek bones and dainty figure emanated elegance like only a Fae could.

Teacup felt it appropriate to arrive via the traditional method, the minuscule figure standing underneath the relatively cavernous arch.

Teacup strode forward looking for those that could teach him

[Gossamer]

Teacup

The secretary was out for a walk, as usual. She never spent much time indoors, even going so far as to move her desk out into the suns in the summer months to escape the heat of the Monastery. This autumn however, made her sad because soon she'd have to move things indoors once more, stoke up the fire, and baton down for one of Zinn'Sunn's notoriously cold winters.

"Hello there..." She said, nearly bumping into the fae. "I'm Lileth... a secretary here. Is there someplace I can direct you or are you simply looking for someone and here for a visit?" She asked pleasantly. Lileth was a short Kemite woman of petite build and large green eyes. Her smile was gentle, and her voice soft. She seemed, if anything, the type that was absolutely approachable.

[Teacup]

Teacup knew well that humans rarely appreciate their complete surroundings, let alone the part of the world usually occupied by a Fae. It was for this reason that, even here in the Sunn Monastery, he was well on his guard. The result being that Lileth would have been unlikely to bump into Teacup by accident, Teacup merely preferred humans to perceive him rather than him steer clear of them, so he rarely changed his course until the last moment. Without acknowledging humans the full dues that the metaphor should attribute, some of Teacup’s arrogance like to think of his resolution to stay as holding still while planets avoided him. Of course, the older, newly developing maturity in him knew this to be a bad thought process as it was probably giving him more credit that he was due, especially here of all places.

Teacup look up at the lady that had just addressed him, he liked her eyes, almost a counter his own brilliant blue, Fae arrogance coming out again. Still he was proud of his own beauty, it was something to be remarked upon, and he should not be ashamed of that. A faint blue shimmer lifted Teacup up to eyes sight level of the Sunn Monastery’s secretary. His voice, seemingly more powerful than a figure of his size should naturally be able to produce sounded with a faintly music quality;

“Yes, my name is Teacup, I am looking to learn more of my own nature, I was hoping to learn to properly let got of my surroundings and self. Is there anyone here from whom I could learn the art of meditation?”

Teacup’s rich blue eyes gazed into Lileth’s, his mouth in a faint knowing smile that would cause any woman without some self control to sigh.

[Gossamer]

Teacup

Lileth smiled, and looked thoughtful. Normally there were questions and deep concerns about people wishing to learn such internalized skills. But Teacup... somehow, when the little fae spoke, he summed it up nicely. There was no coaxing, no lessoning... no teaching about the Rasha'Shing. Instead, he wanted to better himself, get to know himself better, focus inward... all that was clear in his words.

Lileth couldn't help but smile, who wouldn't? Joy was a gift, and Teacup gave it to the receptionist in two-fold measures. Sometimes the smallest voices had the biggest understanding. Even if they did come with some of the most beautiful blue eyes she'd ever seen.

"When the suns climbs exactly straight up in the sky, go down to the spring that comes off the mountain. There's a lovely place there, beneath the trees. Kimsan meditates there. If he is willing, and your words are wise, he will see to your training. But be kind, and be thoughtful. He isn't an ordinary Sunn Father. He sees without eyes.. .and he hears without sound." She said gently.

(OOC New thread) http://www.playbypost.com/forums/outlan...ml#post1285820

[Teacup]

The left side of Teacup’s smile rose slightly as the Kemite woman addressed him, this was not in line with his normal experiences of humans, not in line with the usual drunk, obnoxious and self serving nature he expected. Mind you the Sunn Monastery was not a normal place to go to, so he was not entirely surprised.

Teacup’s eyes stayed resting upon Lileth’s slightly longer than the ordinary pause as his thoughts ran through their course.

He remarked upon the succinct manner in which she addressed him, her words were straight to the point. Was it respect she was showing him by simply supplying him with the knowledge he wished for or was it a wish for him to leave; perhaps she was providing him with dishonest information, although that would be entirely too crude for someone who lived and breathed a place such as this. No instead his eyes dropped to her lips, they held a smile, she was being honest and respectful.

It was not that Teacup had had many bad confrontations with humans that made Lileth’s considerate response seem an oddity, but more the expectations that come from one with pre-defined notions. Teacup noted that he must be more mindful of the individual rather their origins. He also remarked at the irony of coming to learn meditation for self reflection when perhaps the lessons might come before the meditation itself.

Teacup let his smile grow a little, a small difference but enough to be noticeable by the Kemite woman. It seemed appropriate to return that which was offered, he kept his words short but meaningful;

“I shall do that then,
Thank you Lileth”

A faint shimmer flicked from where one would expect Teacup’s wings to b