The Monastery

### Population

The Holy Monastery of Adrastea is located within Halstead, one of the largest buildings right next to the royal palace. It serves as a beacon of hope and guidance to whoever comes seeking for it. Lead by a single Archbishop, they are said to be the closest of them all to the gods.

## Overview

The Monastery of Adrastea can be found within the center of the Halstead, a religious beacon for anyone lost and searching for the true meaning of life. Lost souls tend to flock towards the Monastery on the daily. All are welcomed with open arms, as if they are returning home. Everyone is welcomed within the grounds as the Archbishop turns none away.

Built in the year 24, the Monastery has been standing proud of decades. The construction of the building was set in stone by the first Archbishop, Mathilde, the legends of the time is that of her hearing from the gods, themselves, that they wanted a place for others to learn. For them to be worshipped. And when the gods make a request like it, it is certainly not your place to turn them down.

The Cathedral is the main structure of the Monastery. It's a massive building, dedicated towards the prayer and the worship of the gods. There are those who's job it is to specifically take care of this part of the Monastery. Within the walls, there's a room dedicated to just the gods, statues of their likeness lining the walls. The statues are said to be somewhat accurate to their actual likeness, as it is believed the first Archbishop truly knew the gods themselves. You can often find many people, from all walks of life, praying to the gods of their choosing here. Though the Monastery attendants, and the Archbishop herself, make sure each and every god gets the attention they deserve.

A handful of the most trusted knights live here as well, serving as protection for the many artifacts, religious texts and other precious items kept within Monastery. Because of this the Monastery grounds have a stable built in for the cavalier forces as well as housing for the knights. The militant ability of the Monastery is like that of none other, only being beaten out by the protection that goes towards the capital.

Many Archbishops are said to be buried within these grounds as well. There is a well taken care of graveyard that houses several of the past religious figures. The grounds are tended to each and every day, making sure the former Archbishops have a nice place to rest in their afterlife. There are many who will often bring flowers and other things to adorn the gravesite with. Simply put the graveyards are a more lovely place than what most people might assume. Instead of being dark and dreary, you can find it is actually a place of celebration and remembrance of all those who came before.

The fist Archbishop, Mathilde, can be found within a tomb located within the Cathedral, though it is closed off on most days. She is the only Archbishop to be resting within the tomb, dedicating a place just for her seeing as she was the one who started it all. It is closed off simply for the fact that the Monastery is worried someone might try something. Sure, she might just be bones by this point, but even the remains of a saint have some type of worth. The doors to the door do open around once or twice a month, allowing people to come in and honor the first Archbishop. During this time, the tomb is heavily guarded, knights covering every inch.

## The Archbishop

he Archbishop is *not* an elected official.

Simply put they are the chosen of the gods, in some regards, or that is what the people of Adrastea believe. As each Archbishop nears a certain age, they are said to be overcome with visions of the one that will take their place. The new Archbishop is often a child around this time, requiring a little more experience before given such important responsibility. Because of this they are often taken from their home so that can be prepared for their new role. The up and coming Archbishop will live alongside the current one in attempts to learn all that they can. Though some say the talent comes naturally. After all, they are more in-tuned with the world than most.

There is no sort of discrimination towards the race of the Archbishop. They can be from any walk of life; poor or wealthy, human or Orc, from the North or South of Adrastea. All that matters is that they were seen in the visions, that they have proved their devotion to the gods. As long as those things are met, no one can falter the Archbishops for their appearance or personality. Who the gods choose is who they chose.

The Archbishop is said to have the closest connection to the gods, acting as a messenger for them. The most important job of the Archbishop is to make sure the teachings of the gods are spread throughout the Kingdom as well as making sure that the people of the Kingdom have someone to turn to when it comes to matters of the soul and spirit.

While the Archbishop would love to be the one to do every little thing revolving around religion, there are times were they just simply can't be available. When times like these do occur, it is up to the Priests and Priestesses of Adrastea to pick up the slack. They all report directly to the Archbishop, acting as her pawns for the towns and cities they can not reach.