Otkorioni Convents

While in any civilized area there are convents, within Otkorion there are three of note.

The first is the convent of Fissile, commonly known as Purity Tower. It was, originally, a tower used in conjunction with the Arkati Monastery that Fiesive originally was. It was a form of magical/spiritual prison. After the Bowel of Swords removed the Arkati the immigrating Orlanthi turned it into their own modified prison. They were unable to control most of the magics, and the lower cells were sealed - the Darkness magics they contained were banned. The physical tower is some 1.5km outof Fiesive's main city, and is a thick monastery-like structure about 23 floors high and very impresive, it has - even in modern times - remained untouched. People have commented on the thickness of the so-called "tower" many times.

In 1467 Queen Niamh II converted it into an area of fertility and growth, pasing the prisoners to the hands of her Babeester Gori allies who disposed of them in suitably horrific manners. The area was blessed and consecrated, and was made into a convent for young children. The convent is now an excellent place for young females to be sent to learn the ways of fertility and Ralia. They are all initiated into Voria until maturity, at which point they join the Church. It is famous for producing some of the greatest women of all castes, having reared them from their youth. They spend their time in innocence and training, and worship to the Creator. The members of the convent are mainly acolytes and priests of the Farmer Caste and a Voria Priestess from Lankst runs it. While the Fiesive Bishop has attempted to force the priestess out for being a pagan (which would most likely spell disaster for the convent) it has, as current, been to no avail. The Raped Whores guard the temple, as do the local militia. The convent is an Orlanthi holy spot for many pilgrimages, HeroQuests and Magic Roads.

The second most important convent is inside Valantia. Or more to the point, underneath it. Ruled by the Stt. Humakti House of Ruam Clis, it is an underground convent. The House recruits new members from the St. Humakti convent regulary.

It is only open to males, whom are all circumsised upon entry. The convent spends it's time in meditations upon the ideals of Honour and Virtue, especially considering those areas of the Umanakaleya relating to St. Humakt. They do train in the use of swords, and all convent members who attend a 10 year term receive an enchanted iron blade upon leaving. Most of the convent activities are carried out in it's subterranean underbelly, with the minor upper portions being used twice a week, once for prayer to St. Orlanth and the Creator, and once for a semi-public weapons practice and meditation ceremony.

The convent stems from a Humathi sub-cult that was responsible for "trained Death". Powerful victims and enemies of early Valantia were brought here for their Trials by Combat and slain by the Swords of the temple, who never left it's boundraries and meditated on Death all day. With the introduction of the Church it became a convent, but still uses the Summoning of Evil rite as part of it's religious functions.

The convent fufils (a) the position of executioner within the St. Humakti cult structure (b) religious, mystical support for the Church and (c) a place to send aspiring males. Members can join for 1 year, 5 year or 10 year terms, with permanent postions within the convent to be offered as desired. The convent is run by St. Humakti - the Swords who are permanent members are infertile mutes who never leave the holy ground. It produces excellent Warrior Caste members. It's maximum membership is 247 convent members , with 12 permanent rune lords and 50 assorted aides. To enter requires approval by the House of Ruam Clis, who set ardious tests to prove your mettle. They also ask for a stipend of 1100 orbs per annum. All inductions are held on the Stt. Humakti high holy day.

The third convent is located in mid-Otkorion. On Bradeth Moor, locatted on a hill, is a small fort like construction that is home to the century old convent of the Red Circle of Fiesive - the Colmtalinn.

Built in 1440 ST on the orders of king Padraig and the newly formed Red Circle, it's location was chosen as a center of magical energies and also for it's defensible position on one of the few flatt parts of Otkorion (and there is the is that fact that Padraig got to consolidate his power base in that part of the land as well as pleasing the Wizard Caste). The moor near there is often covered in light mist and fog - and can get quite heavy sometimes in the colder seasons of Storm and Dark Season. Those who come within about a key mile of the convent are stopped by a band of warriors sent out to intercept them, and then escorted away. The warriors are not convent members and live just outside it's walls.

The convent serves as a place of advanced, studious scholarly research into the mysteries of the Saints. Prayers to the God Of Knowledge are constant. Actual spell casting is forbidden within the convent grounds, and serves as a place of silent Journeys. Very few young children attend, mainly the convent members are elderly Wizards who wish to retire and devote themselves to knowledge.

Attacking of offensive actions against the Convent, which has been attempted many a time for their very high knowledge and magical devlopments, is suicidal as they are protected by the Might of the Saints. The most famous attack was in 1519 ST when King Tulier decided that if the Colmtalinn would not give him their knowledge and wisdom freely, he would take it by force and damn well claim if for himself. His small army was struck half by thunder and lightning and half by some form of mental malady. Rumour has it that these defences no longer exist. No-one is willing to test the rumour.

Only Sages of St. Lhankor Mhy can become full members of the Convent, although some people join as students this is only possible by decree of a member of the Inner Red Circle.