Abbey of The Monks of Baa Yalu
"... and as they fell,
for fall they did,
they learned the lost words value.
And none could tell,
that time would bring,
the Abbey of the Monks of Baa Yalu...
Purpose
The Abbey of The Monks of Baa Yalu is, unsurprisingly, the home of The Monks of Baa Yalu, some of the most devout of the followers of the primary religion in Minaka Vale.
The Abbey is one of several major religious buildings in the Vale, and is a well-respected religious institution. It is known for careful preservation of sacred texts, houses a holy relic, and holds one of the largest religious archives in the area.
Religious Significance
At its heart, The Abbey has three elements which place it in such high regard with followers of Baa Yalu. The first is its location, as it was built on the site where Saint Moo Ping Who Forgot was defeated in the battle that earned them their moniker.
The second is the brain of that same Saint, preserved in a jar and kept as a holy relic within its walls. The third is that it houses the manuscripts known as the Kurothic Carvings, which are only displayed once a year at the annual celebrations.
Kurothic Carvings
The Kurothic Carvings are the text that the Baa Yalu religion is based on. Despite the name, they are not in fact carvings, but a collection of manuscripts that document carvings that are said to hold the secrets of the Old World and the truth of the gods. They were recorded over 4,000 years ago by Too To Mo, and it is said that Too copied them from the sides of the Kurothic mountains, thus the name. The location of the mountains has been lost to time, but the lore of them lives on in the flock of Baa Yalu.
Location & Building
The Abbey of The Monks of Baa Yalu sits in the Minaka Vale, approximately an hour's walk north of Ku Hafu. It is surrounded by woodland, and is half an hour walk west of the Woolflow River. To the north, you can see the Kaw's Roost Mountains.
The Abbey is a large stone complex, with the holy ground - the site of the battle - at its centre in the beautiful gardens, which are tended by visitors and monks alike. Within these gardens, you can find a tree which marks the spot where Saint Moo Ping Who Forgot died. The gardens are grazed by sheep, which are allowed to roam freely within the Abbey.
The North West part of the complex is the main temple, easily the largest building in the Abbey. This is where the services take place and can be recognised by the many spires.
The rest of the Abbey is set out like a square, with the library lying in the buildings to the north, guest and servant quarters in those to the east, and stables and outhouses on the southern side.
The west side of the complex is home to the Monks and the High Priest. This area, along with the archive that is in the basement of the complex, is highly restricted and cannot be accessed by anyone without the express permission of the High Priest.
Alternative Names
The Abbey
Type
Abbey
Parent Location
Related Tradition (Primary)
Related Traditions
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