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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SHARK" data-source="post: 4638022" data-attributes="member: 1131">Greetings!Here is an example of a relatively modest temple that is located in a small, but prosperous border town in a frontier province of a large empire. The temple is gradually growing in wealth, influence, and capabilities and resources. The environment is easily workable for any group of adventurers from level 1-12, and the temple readily becomes a much more dynamic and interesting place that involves the player characters in numerous plots, goals, friendships, romances, rivalries, exploration, and socialization and roleplaying, as well as trade and politics. The temple is much more than the typical bland "aid station" that most players virtually forget about and ignore--and many DM's often forget about as well. Town of KhamanarThe Sarmek Mountains rise like a giant wall to the north of the town of Khamanar. The Sarmek Mountains are vast, and have snow-capped peaks shrouded in mists throughout the year. The Sarmek Mountains--and the rugged forests that cloak the mountains' lower slopes--are home to numerous monsters, from ogres and hobgoblins, to lamia, harpies, manticores and chimera. The Hassari River flows from distant, northern springs down the great mountains, through the dark forests, to the town of Khamanar. The Hassari River continues on it's journey, through the town area, and gradually turning to the south-east, before joining the huge Paraju River, which flows through the upper reaches of the Malshar Forest. The Malshar Forest is a frontier territory of the ancient Kingdom of Besharnu. The Royal Highway marches from the ancient city of Nemsharzu many weeks journey to the west, through the Hajan Desert, and the Galshan Mountains, before finally reaching the town of Khamanar. The Royal Highway continues from Khamanar to the south, where eventually the Royal Highway reaches the gates of the Fortress of Harzak. Khamanar is a small, prosperous town on the frontier of the Royal Province of Shen-Marnesh. Dominant Religion: The Shanari Pantheon; of the Shanari Pantheon, Asherah, Bal-Khajan, Shamash-Haddan are the most prominent patrons of the town. However, there are a few shrines to other gods that some people in the town revere, though there are only three temples in the town, all of which are to the dominant three Shanari gods. Of these three temples, the Temple to Asherah is the largest.Culture:The Shanari culture is the dominant culture, and comprises the largest population of humans. However, there are several other cultures and races that live with the Shanari in the town. There are some half-ogres that live in Khamanar, and recently, several dozen families of Lion-men have arrived. Many of the lion-men have warriors serving as a mercenary company to the Lord of Khamanar.  The Shanari: The Shanari are humans; The Shanari come from an ancient, highly advanced and sophisticated culture that live in huge, fortified cities, and rule over a vast, powerful empire. Shanari have dark brown eyes, often almond-shaped; Olive-Tan, Golden-Tan, White-Olive skin, and dark-brown, black, or raven-black hair. Shanari women typically wear their hair very long, usually past her shoulders, and often to her lower-back or waistline. The Varnu: The Varnu are humans; The Varnu come from the ancient lands to the south-east; from the Kingdom of Besharnu, and beyond the Malshar Forest, where there are many kingdoms. The Varnu come from a wide variety of tribes, scattered through many regions, and belonging to different kingdoms; some tribes and kingdoms are primitive, barbaric, and live in vast jungle-forests and mountain valleys, while others are very advanced and sophisticated, and live in large, walled and fortified cities with broad trade networks, and large, powerful armies. Many Varnu traders and merchants travel beyond their tribal borders searching for new opportunities. Wandering mercenaries, adventurers, or refugees from disasters, plagues, warfare, or political turmoil often immigrate elsewhere, seeking new places to live. Some Varnu families and others have come to settle in Khamanar. Varnu have dark brown eyes, often almond-shaped; Dark, Mahogany-brown skin,--though some have a light brown, or cinnamon-brown skin; and black hair. The Varnu women usually wear their hair long and straight, commonly growing their hair to their waistline; occasionally, they grow their hair past their waistline, to their hips, thighs, or knees in length.The Jhangshan: The Jhangshan are humans; The Jhangshan are originally a nomadic, barbarian people that wander the great steppelands to the north, traveling, fighting, and trading amongst their own tribes, of which there are many, often competing or at war with each other. Occasionally, Jhangshan that are orphaned, or come from starving, crushed or defeated tribes wander from their tribal lands in search of new homes or opportunities, as some have come and settled in Khamanar. Jhangshan have dark brown eyes, with an epicanthic fold/slanted; Ivory-Yellow, Golden-Yellow, Dark-Yellow skin, as well as Light-Tan, Golden-Tan, and Dark-Tan skin. Jhangshan have raven-black hair. Both males and females wear their hair long, usually past the shoulderblades, or the middle of the back. Jhangshan women usually wear their hair to their shoulderblades, or to their lower backs or waistlines.Economy: Khamanar has developed a growing and prosperous economy from trade, especially granite, and other fine stone from the Sarmek Mountains, as well as several silver mines that have been developed. The last several years have seen a growth in trade with at least some of the Jhangshan tribes in the north, which they periodically send several caravans of merchants bringing various goods, weapons, animals, and slaves to the markets in Khamanar. The Jhangshan trade caravans usually stay in the town for 6-12 weeks, before heading back into their homelands to the north. The Hassari River is gradually opening up some new trade opportunities with the wild tribes of Varnu barbarians in the Malshar Forest, as well as a more distant, civilized town of Rhuganesh, in the Kingdom of Besharnu. To the south, the Fortress of Harzak has a powerful garrison of several thousand soldiers, most of whom spend their monthly pay entirely in the town of Khamanar.The Goddess AsherahGreater GoddessAlignment: Chaotic GoodGoddess of Love, Passion, Knowledge, the Sun, Animals, and Hunting.Domains: Knowledge, Healing, Animal, Good, Sun, and Fire Temple of AsherahThe Temple of Asherah is the largest temple in Khamanar. Having said that, however, the temple of Asherah at Khamanar is a modest temple when compared to others in the empire. The Temple of Asherah has a white stone-walled compound surrounding a large section of land. The temple has a broad, semi-circular stairway leading from the courtyard to the front doors of the temple, as is standard for temples of Asherah. The temple has 12, 20'-ft. high marble pillars flanking each side of the temple, each side of the temple featuring a nicely-appointed outside gallery and patio, with numerous sculpted planters, hanging plants, and finely-made statues of mythical creatures, and female and male divine servants of the ancient goddess.The front doors--12'-ft. high doors; finely-carved oak doors faced in silver and ivory, flanked by statues of great lions, and several rows of decorative planters. The front doors open up into a large, 60'-ft. domed, circular chamber. In the center of the large, circular chamber, is a beautiful statue depicting the great goddess, Asherah herself, standing at the edge of a shimmering pool. The statue is marble, and finely-carved, and beautifully painted. The statue is 18'-ft. tall. The great dome overhead also has a moveable section of slats, where a large circular opening can be made in the domed roof, allowing the sunlight to flood the chamber below during daytime--or bright, shimmering moonlight during the night or evening.The back of the temple opens up to several beautifully-manicured gardens, with several fountains, and shaded sitting areas. There are several buildings here, from dormitories, to a school, as well as a well-stocked kitchen, storage areas, and further out, a large orphanage and boarding school. Along the distant northern wall of the temple compound, are several well-equipped worshops, and more storage and work areas, as well as a stable, a barn, and a corral. Further to the eastern part of the temple compound, are the temple's kennels, where they breed and raise a magnificent breed of large hunting dog, the Draman Breed.The rest of the Temple of Asherah is fairly standard--they are modest, and do not have the wealth yet to afford many great art works, or other wonders. While the Temple of Asherah here in Khamanar is still of modest means, they pursue their mission of serving their community with enthusiasm, compassion, and wisdom.The Temple of AsherahThe Temple of Asherah at Khamanar is led by a mid-level priestess, who leads a staff of several hundred additional priestesses and priests, with 100 soldiers serving as guardians of the temple. Most of the priestesses of Asherah are generally 6th level or lower, as are the soldiers defending the temple. The temple, besides having 500 priestesses and 40 priests, also has several hundred young adult and adolescent males and females serving as Initiates.Many of the Priestesses of Asherah must serve as Temple Prostitutes, each serving the community for approximately 8 hours per day. The Priestesses have various assigned shifts, with most schedules being organized with four days of work, followed by three days off. The Temple leadership coordinates the work schedules so that at any given time, day or night--there are approximately 150 priestesses working as Temple Prostitutes. The Temple of Asherah operates the town's largest--and only--orphanage and boarding school. The Temple of Asherah helps raise all the children born at the temple--usually there are somewhat over one hundred children born every year to the priestesses of the temple. The priestesses of Asherah also adopt any children born out in the town that are orphans, or otherwise without family members able to raise and care for them. Any, and all children that are homeless, and hungry and struggling, are welcome at the Temple of Asherah. The Temple of Asherah operates a general school, and an Academy of Art and Philosophy. Children are educated throughout their lives in the commune-existence of the temple, and formally educated at the General School until they are adolescents, whereupon they are then enrolled in the Academy of Art and Philosophy, where they are educated for six years. Once an adolescent completes the Academy of Art and Philosophy, they serve the temple as Initiates for 4 years. The Initiates then, upon finishing the last of their education and training, either leave the temple to pursue their own interests, or they become priestesses of Asherah, priests, or Temple Guardians.Temple Priestesses are highly skilled in many forms of art, whether it is musicianship, singing, dancing, painting, story-telling, or various performing arts. Temple Priestesses are highly educated, literate, and often fluent in several languages. Temple priestesses are also skilled public speakers, charming, friendly, gracious, and cheerful. Temple priestesses often run workshops and day-schools where other children from the community are taught to read and write, as well as basic mathematics, arts, crafts, animal lore, hunting, musicianship, and athletics.The Temple of Asherah operates a large clinic and infirmary that serves people in need, from surgeries and operations, to various medicines, herbal remedies, and magical healing and cures. The Temple of Asherah usually has a large stock of pouches of different kinds of herbal preparations for sale; there are healing concoctions, aphrodisiacs, resistance pouches, soothing remedies, among others. The temple also makes a small selection of healing potions available for sale, as well as the occasional scroll with some useful spells inscribed into it. The temple has a reputation for being especially effective in brewing potions, oils, creams, other juices and concoctions that aid and assist people seeking to feel exhiliration, minor healing, soothing of their spirits, increased physical energy and vigor, and overall well-being. One of their more famous products is the "Asherah's Peach"--a wondrous fruit, approximately the size of a grapefruit, that has pale pinkish/orange colored fruit, with a smooth, white skin that must be peeled. "Asherah's Peach" is a delicious fruit, that the priestesses raise in orchards on the temple grounds, where the orchards are maintained in several special gardens."Asherah's Peach"Moderate addiction factorThe whole fruit must be eaten to enjoy any effect. Once fully consumed, the fruit provides the character with a Healing Effect that heals 2d8 Hit Points immediately, and doubles the character's healing rate for the next 24 hours.The fruit also provides the character with a +2 Sacred Bonus to attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks for the duration of 4 hours. "Asherah's Peach" is also soothing to minor aches and pains, muscle soreness, and helps the body to be more flexible, supple, and vigorous. The fruits provide an exhilirating, euphoric feeling that lasts for approximately four hours, before gradually wearing off. "Asherah's Peach" also acts as a powerful aphrodisiac for either gender, and greatly increases physical performance and endurance, and heightens the persons' feelings and sensations. The Orchard has been blessed by Asherah, and provides the fruits grown their with the amazing and unusual properties. The temple sells baskets of 4 fruits for fairly reasonable prices, and demand remains high and steady for the amazing fruits. The Temple of Asherah creates and sells several different kinds of products, as noted in the table below.Asherah Temple Products01-10% Horse-Head Rod11-15% Healing Ointment16-25% Herbal Pouch26-35% Enchanted Incense36-40% Glowing Oil: Enchanted Oil that is warm, and glows when applied. It cures infections, and heals 2d8 Hit Points per 1-pint dose, applied topically.41-50% Book of Joyous Physical Worship: (Book discussing various kinds of physical exercises, and meditations along with each activity)51-60% Book of Spiritual Meditations: (Book of prayers, chants, poems, and meditations)61-70% Asherah's Nectar: These potions act as a Potion of Heroism, plus a Fire Shield Effect. Duration is 1 hour.71-75% Asherah's Milk: These potions heal the character by 6d8 Hit Points; in addition, the potion provides the character with a +4 bonus to Str, Dex, and Con; The duration is 1 hour. The healing burst is usable by the drinker as desired, any time during the 1 hour duration.76-80% Exuberant Tea: Invigorates and refreshes; allows the imbiber--if they drink a whole 1-pint serving; to operate normally on only 4 hours of sleep, for the duration of three days. The Exuberant Tea effects will only work once per four weeks, however, the drinker will still feel refreshed and invigorated81-95% Asherah's Peach96-00% Amulet of Wondrous ZealHorse-Head Rod of Meditation and Massage: This 3'-ft. long rod is crafted of white metal, and is wrapped in black, spongy-material that is waterproof, and permanent. At 3'-ft long, and approximately 3 1/2 inches in diameter, the rod weighs between 1 and 5-lbs. As desired by the owner, the rod can change weight; as well as length, from 6''-long, to maximum length of 3'-ft. The rod can thus stretch and move, as it animates upon merely a mental thought--to move about the body, stretching, growing, reaching the lower back, between the shoulders, lower legs, wherever. Each end of the rod is fashioned into that of a horse's head, with life-like eyes. At will, the Horse-Head rod grows warm to the touch, and vibrates at various desired speeds and strengths; The wielder can, also with a thought, have the rod change it's temperature, from the following temperatures;Horse-Head Rod TemperaturesSoothingWarmVery WarmHotThe horse heads can make small nibbles and bites, at whatever desired strength, for the purposes of muscle-relaxation, massage, and so on. (The Horse-Head Rod is not a specific weapon however. If used as a weapon, it functions the same as a simple light mace.) The Horse-Head Rod is a popular item for many people, young and old, male or female; helping them to massage themselves or others, soothing tired, sore, aching bodies, and bringing new feelings of warmth, joy, exhiliration, and well-being.Amulet of Wondrous ZealThese silvery amulets have a sunburst of gold on one side, and a silvery moon inlaid with pearl on the opposite side. These amulets provide several effects; The Amulet of Wondrous Zeal provides a +2 Sacred Bonus to (two) randomly-determined stat abilities; these change with any new owner; In addition, the wielder gains a +6 Sacred Bonus to (six) different skills; these skills must be Knowledge, Perform, or Craft skills.The Temple of Asherah participates with the community at large during any and all major seasonal celebrations, and the Temple of Asherah organizes an especially fun and enjoyable celebration during the Spring and Summer. The Temple priestesses organize a Cleansing and Exorcism ceremony every week; as well as specialized prayer and meditation ceremonies three times a week. There is a worship ceremony performed at the temple at dawn, midday, sunset, and evening each and every day. Each worship ceremony features a brief sermon lasting approximately 20 minutes; a group massage lasting 20 minutes; food and drink offered for 20 minutes; and a period of vigorous group exercise and meditation lasting for approximately an hour. The temple also holds various kinds of classes and workshops throughout the week, each lasting approximately two-four hours, depending on the nature of the class or workshop. Most of these classes and workshops have reasonable fees for participants, or are sometimes free. Each month, the Temple of Asherah has an workshop called "Sacred Harmony: Mind, Body and Spirit" where members and clergy of other religions are invited, as well as normal temple members, for a three day workshop exploring these themes, having classes, teaching and learning, and having round-table discussions, as well as sharing various rituals and stories with each other. These monthly "Harmony" workshops are also used to try and plan and coordinate various community projects that are larger than one temple can manage or hope to achieve, as well as problem solving, and working on creating policies and programs that help people in a variety of ways.The Temple of Asherah funded the building of the town's theater, which can seat 2,000 people. The theater has an enclosed theater, as well as an adjoining amphitheater, in addition to workshops, storage rooms, and several offices. The priestesses of Asherah have formed their own dance-troupe that performs twice a week at the town theater, and once a week at the fortress.The Temple of Asherah also supplies three taverns in the town with all of their baked goods; the temple has over a dozen priestesses that have become outstanding cooks and bakers, becoming especially skilled with pastries, glazes, jellies and compotes. The Asherah priestesses have a particular recipe for pastries that includes several oblong pastries, stuffed with bananas and vanilla cream, and drizzled with powdered sugar, chocolate, whipped cream, and chopped peanuts.The Temple of Asherah has also helped Bal-Haddad open up his own tobacco shop, named "The River Tower"; where besides offering fine tobacco, Bal-Haddad offers fine pastries made at the temple, as well as several varieties of imported apple and blackberry ciders.The Temple of Asherah has recently invited several Troupe's of Entertainers, as well as more than a dozen wizards from around the region to live here at the temple grounds to work on projects and experiment together. Within recent months, three different troupe's of 12-15 professional entertainers have arrived, and have been entertaining the town on three different evenings, performing at the town's theater. Some 16 wizards, 12 craftsmen, 10 scholars and philosophers, and 8 priests have arrived and begun living at the temple, and working on various projects, and holding discussion groups. The temple has gained their support for several projects that the temple desires, as well as developing their own private projects, and sharing knowledge and lore with each other.     The Temple of AsherahSeven Principles of Dynamic Temples(1) Majestic Architecture and Beautiful Art(2) Wisdom and Skills(3) Social, Academic, Artistic Sponsorship(4) Special Mystical Properties(5) Spiritual Relationship(6) Providing Space and Freedom(7) Professional Sponsorship</blockquote>

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