- Pronoun
- they or she
It is written, that if one walks, they will inevitably arrive at their destination. Whether it was the place they had in mind when their journey began was unimportant – what mattered was recognising it when they got there.
Anyone would be lucky to recognise Obstine Abbey as their destination.
If one expected Obstine Abbey to be an austere monastery for reclusive ascetics, they’d be sorely mistaken. As a weary adventurer climbed the final few steps of the last of many steep mountain paths, they would round one peak to see their first glimpse of the abbey: brightly-coloured roofs, pennants and bunting, all adorning buildings carved and constructed up and down the slopes of not one, but two peaks. The abbey was built staggeringly vertical, rooftop upon storey upon balcony upon hallway upon path. Each half of the monastery faced the other, connected by a cable car that hung precipitously over the gulf between them – a sea of clouds in which gyarados swam.
From the moment one set foot at the entrance to the grounds, the mountainside monastery sprawled out before them; an array of hidden plateaus dotted with wildflower meadows and tamped earthen pathways nestled amongst sheer cliffs, from which hung buildings that heeded no need for solid foundations, nor paid mind to mere gravity. Windows and doors peeked out from rocky cliffs, connected only by steep stairs carved from the stone itself, or rickety-looking lifts – hand-cranked contraptions of wood and rope that could probably hold the weight of a small group, or one or two larger pokémon. Probably.
Other options for traversing the abbey's verticality presented themselves as one became familiar with its grounds. Waterfalls cascaded from plateau to plateau, pouring out from the heart of the mountain itself to gather in pools, the largest of which held a swirling school of magikarp covered in koi-like patterns. The waterfalls made easy access for athletic water-faring ‘mon, but for the less aquatically-inclined, the noble form of a white-dappled gyarados could often be seen climbing the falls, carrying passengers on their back.
The southern grounds were ancient – its carved fences and worked stone paths weathered by time. The valley which parted the twin monastery grounds was marked by an island in its sea of clouds – a small plateau, stood alone at its center, home to a shrine that looked almost like an arena of sorts, accessible by wing, or by cable car. Then, at the far side of the valley, more modern adornments stood out on the northern cliffsides. Funicular tracks cut between levels with stops at different buildings – the monks’ quarters, food hall, and library wing, much of which looked to be of newer construction than their counterparts across from them.
Despite being a place of quiet contemplation, there was always an energy of movement across the mountaintop. Wildflowers danced in the breeze as various species of bee and winged insects flitted among the greenery. Monks in protective head gear tended to apiary frames among the meadows, gathering honey and whispering secrets to the hives. The funiculars, lifts, and cable cars all trundled in sedate but constant motion, moving passengers to and fro in no particular hurry. All were welcome, and would be given shelter here. One could hardly imagine the peace interrupted by any darkness – it was small wonder the monks settled this place, of all places.
Many thanks to @Panoramic_Vacuum for assisting with the writeup.
Anyone would be lucky to recognise Obstine Abbey as their destination.
If one expected Obstine Abbey to be an austere monastery for reclusive ascetics, they’d be sorely mistaken. As a weary adventurer climbed the final few steps of the last of many steep mountain paths, they would round one peak to see their first glimpse of the abbey: brightly-coloured roofs, pennants and bunting, all adorning buildings carved and constructed up and down the slopes of not one, but two peaks. The abbey was built staggeringly vertical, rooftop upon storey upon balcony upon hallway upon path. Each half of the monastery faced the other, connected by a cable car that hung precipitously over the gulf between them – a sea of clouds in which gyarados swam.
From the moment one set foot at the entrance to the grounds, the mountainside monastery sprawled out before them; an array of hidden plateaus dotted with wildflower meadows and tamped earthen pathways nestled amongst sheer cliffs, from which hung buildings that heeded no need for solid foundations, nor paid mind to mere gravity. Windows and doors peeked out from rocky cliffs, connected only by steep stairs carved from the stone itself, or rickety-looking lifts – hand-cranked contraptions of wood and rope that could probably hold the weight of a small group, or one or two larger pokémon. Probably.
Other options for traversing the abbey's verticality presented themselves as one became familiar with its grounds. Waterfalls cascaded from plateau to plateau, pouring out from the heart of the mountain itself to gather in pools, the largest of which held a swirling school of magikarp covered in koi-like patterns. The waterfalls made easy access for athletic water-faring ‘mon, but for the less aquatically-inclined, the noble form of a white-dappled gyarados could often be seen climbing the falls, carrying passengers on their back.
The southern grounds were ancient – its carved fences and worked stone paths weathered by time. The valley which parted the twin monastery grounds was marked by an island in its sea of clouds – a small plateau, stood alone at its center, home to a shrine that looked almost like an arena of sorts, accessible by wing, or by cable car. Then, at the far side of the valley, more modern adornments stood out on the northern cliffsides. Funicular tracks cut between levels with stops at different buildings – the monks’ quarters, food hall, and library wing, much of which looked to be of newer construction than their counterparts across from them.
Despite being a place of quiet contemplation, there was always an energy of movement across the mountaintop. Wildflowers danced in the breeze as various species of bee and winged insects flitted among the greenery. Monks in protective head gear tended to apiary frames among the meadows, gathering honey and whispering secrets to the hives. The funiculars, lifts, and cable cars all trundled in sedate but constant motion, moving passengers to and fro in no particular hurry. All were welcome, and would be given shelter here. One could hardly imagine the peace interrupted by any darkness – it was small wonder the monks settled this place, of all places.
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Many thanks to @Panoramic_Vacuum for assisting with the writeup.
