Zanza Hijikata
Atrisian Jedi Samurai
XIWANGMU
Rediscovered Lost Temple Complex of the Invisible Empress of Atrisia
THEME
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksskMeUQ3Bk
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
Intent: To create an Atrisian lore-rich location to become the future Atrisian Jedi/Yovshin Enclave
Image Credit:
Pinterest [LINK]
Canon:
N/A
Links:
N/A
SETTING INFORMATION
City Name:Xiwangmu [Quan’Lo to Basic Trans: Queen Mother of the West]
Classification:
Large Town/Temple Complex
Location:
Quan’Lo, Atrisia
Affiliation:
Atrisian Monarchy
Demographics:
Atrisian Worshippers, Jedi, Yovshin Swordsmen, and travellers
Wealth:
Low (Temple Complex of worshippers, jedi, monastic swordsmen, and monks - subsist on donations and monarchy grants)
Stability:
High [Governed by Artisian Monarchy]
Description:
Hidden deep into the mountains of Quan’Lo region of Atrisia built into a large alcove and bay is the once lost temple complex of Xiwangmu (pronounced Shi-Wang-Moo). Constructed after the death of Oeana Tching, the Invisible Empress of Atrisia. The temple complex was designed to act as a place of worship for the Empress and to commune with her spirit (some of which have suggested was an ancient Force Ghost) and Sayings with their divinations. The complex was lost for centuries before it was rediscovered by the House of Ike during the restoration process of Atrisia after its liberation from the One Sith.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Sessha Shrineshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Setsumatsusha
CREDIT: LINK
Up the central promenade leading up the bay and into the temple complex's main square lining either side are a set of miniature auxiliary shrines called Sessha. Each Sessha is dedicated to the previous Emperors and Empresses of the past. In addition, each auxiliary shrine is looked after by a dedicated team of monks. All the Sessha have worshipping halls and meditation chambers to commune with the ancestors of Tching Dyasty.
Hall of Serenity
CREDIT: LINK
Upon reaching the end of the promenade and past all the Sessha, is the Hall of Serenity which acts as the first gate hall when travelling to the inner worshipping sanctum. This Hall is dedicated to the precepts of the Sayings that deal with the ideals of Serenity and Harmony - ideals of the Sayings that is said the Empress Oeana mastered. In this hall there is a miniature statue of the grander statue of Oeana Tching. There hologram projectors project various Sayings in ghostly Atrisian script with incense burning in large ash filled urns. The only way to reach the inner sanctum is to pass the Hall of Serenity and offer prayer to the various Sayings holograms.
Hall of the Queen Mother (Xiwangmudon)
CREDIT: LINK
Beyond the Hall of Serenity up a path of stone steps (one for each of the thousands of Sayings) is the Hall of the Queen Mother (Xiwangmudon). This is the beginning of the actual temple complex proper. It is built right at the base of the 250 meter statue of the Empress (seen above beneath the post title) This hall has adjacent living quarters for its monks, and visiting travellers. The hall also sports various mile long silk tapestries depicting the life of Empress Oaena. The Hall is also used for training, swordsmanship studies, and divination. All sorts of rituals and worship rites are also carried out in this Hall.
Sanctum of the Invisible Empress
CREDIT: LINK
Built beneath the statue of the Empress Oaena is the very center and heart of the Temple Complex - the Sanctum of the Invisible Empress. The entire chamber is massive and if it was built above ground it would dwarf the entire temple complex as a whole. It has been designed as an exact replica of her throne room when she ruled Atrisia. When rediscovered by Atrisian workers under the auspices of the Ike House the throne room was filled with ancient droids guarding the sanctum, as well as various artefacts of the Force and Yovshin Swordsmen. Whether Empress Oaena was a true Force User or not has been lost to time, but, it is said that the Empress' Force Ghost still lingers in the sanctum and appears under dire circumstances. As a result, this sanctum is a sacred place of meditation.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Xiwangmu Temple Complex was built a hundred-fifteen years after the death of Empress Oaena Tching. Upon her death a cult that had been worshipping her as a Master of the Sayings and a secret Force manipulator had taken her body in secret to an alcove in the deep Quan'Lo Mountains. Over the hundred and plus years the alcove was expanded with multiple shrines, auxiliary shrines, grand halls, boarding lodges, and residences. The Temple Complex was maintained by a sect of matukai trained monks. For centuries they watched over the the temple until the end of the Tching Dynasty. Over time however, veneration of the Invisible Empress waned, and as various dynasties took over the temple was visited less. By the time of the Galactic Empire, the temple was only occupied by the matukai monks who doggedly maintained its facades and buildings. However, they too soon realised that best thing was to leave and let the temple rest in silent peace. So with this the matukai monks dispersed from the temple keeping its location a secret.The temple would come close to being rediscovered under the regime of terror of Empress Madeline Kahoshi. Under her rule a Anti-Force User Purge was created. During these purges a matukai monk was arrested, tortured, and from his dying lips the location of the temple was extracted as well as the rumors of the Force's presence there. The Empress had a battalion of Atrisian Troopers dispatched to locate and eradicate the temple - the old cults of worshipping past Emperors had to be stamped out lest they propagated sects of the Force too. However, in a now famous tale known as the 47 Matukai, the remaining Matukai Monks regrouped and ambushed the battalion on its path to the temple. This battle is now the stuff of legend. The battalion was destroyed, but, so were the last of the matukai. The very last matukai monk died destroying the data-record of the temple's location thus, preserving its lost status - or so they had a thought.
During the One Sith occupation the temple was once more rediscovered after raiding Empress Madeline's administration of all data-records. The Sith Lords had dispatched a task force to study and analyse the temple. However, it is around this time that the occupied planet was struck by a series of insurgents known as the Jar'Kai Shishi (Zanza's Bio Section 1.3). This group had sister organisations in Quan'Lo associated with the Free Quan'Lo movement. This movement would stumble upon the temple and for the remainder of the Sith Occupation act as home base for strike missions. The task force dispatched by the Sith would be assaulted and destroyed. When the Jar'Kai Shishi was almost destroyed, the last of its members (including Zanza Hijikata) would retreat to the Free Quan'Lo Base at the temple. During the liberation of Atrisia, the Sith launched an all out assault on the temple complex to destroy any Quan'Lo insurgencies while they main battle in Jar'Kai raged. This battle would badly damage many of the temple's auxiliary shrines and statues. But, the Sith were repelled at the heavy cost of much of the Free Quan'Lo rebels holding the temple.
Under the reign of Shoma Ike and the House of Ike, the temple would be finally rediscovered as returning rebels and insurgents to Atrisia would tell the redevelopment agencies of the House of the location of the temple. It is at this time that various reconstruction projects were dispatched to renovate and preserve the temple complex. Many of its auxiliary shrines were rebuilt, and even the ancient matukai monks were recreated to guard and maintain it.
