Cenobium Cosmic

Cenobium Cosmic is a book recovered from the lair of Acrimos.

## Description

Faintly pearlescent, the pages of Cenobium Cosmic detail a monastery beyond the Material Plane, forged by the psionic power of the githzerai within the Ever-Changing Chaos of Limbo. The text is written by a hand competent and capable in masterful calligraphy and signed.

## Research

### Completed by Fawn

Isolated mountain peaks, vistas stretching towards the horizon, paths wreathed in cloud and mist. There is a sense of isolation that springs to mind when one is prompted to consider a monastery dedicated to the purpose of philosophy, asceticism and lawful order. Several examples exist through Ahlus - the Temple of Kivlo, The Mountain of Id, Etarr's Altar - but there are said to be those that exist further afield still, in places immeasurable and unimaginable by mundane minds, for they exist within a Realm of Chaos.

The necessity of mental refinement is never more plain than to those that have familiarity with the Ever-Changing Chaos of Limbo, for the residents must harness the power of their mental fortitude to stand fast against the swirling disorder of the plane. Further still, those of particular psionic competence are capable of bending the chaos to their will, these few given the title of Anarch. With naught but thought, they create and shape matter and energy from the ever-present nothingness, shifting gravity and their surroundings into new forms for their community to further channel their psychic powers through. One such conclave of githzerai rallied to an entity they rever as the Shepherd, conjuring a cenobium for themselves, encased and shielded from the denizens of Limbo within a vast fortress of impenetrable stone, metal and materials elsewise unknown besides.

Within however, Anarchs, Zerths and all the other residents enjoy an almost idyllic vicinity, with little hint of the chaos raging outside and beyond. Gentle breezes carry through skies filled with vibrant earthmotes breaching through slowly drifting pale clouds. Towers and temples wreathed in gold and jade sprawl across the mountainside, cranes and firebirds circle effortlessly. Few on the Prime Material Plane claim to have visited the domain, but those that truly have are said to stand apart from most others in word and deed alike. Though outwardly passive, preaching virtues and guidance in place of violence, the body of residents is honed and refined with as much vigour as the mind, and so quick retribution follows when a wayward soul has the misfortune of targeting any familiar with the training afforded. Charms and fearful effects have little bearing following zealous meditation, and in addition to physical martial prowess, latent psionic talents are sought out and unlocked, though others still find themselves blessed with arcane gifts from the Shepherd themselves.

Owing to this balance of personal control and fealty, the upholding of coordination and community and remaining steadfast and stable against chaos, it has been speculated that the faith of il-Yannah persists within the devotees of Aer'ank'ltor, a belief system largely devoid of active following within the Ahlusian continent since the Cleansing of the Glare in 103AG. While it is reported that the residents are largely that of githzerai populace aforementioned, few of other races are said to reside there too, safe from the dangers of the Planes.