Agents of the Multiverse

As the temple structure curls in on itself from both sides, it provides its courtyard a bit of shelter from the elements around it-- a fact which is much appreciated in Sanctuary's windier months. Like the building itself, the courtyard is paved with sandstone, laid out in a tasteful mosaic of a blooming golden poppy.

Much of this area is open, and it's often used for dancing and outdoor celebrations, but there are several areas closer to the building itself that are covered by wooden awnings to keep the rain and snow off. There's a set of hammocks beneath one of these awnings and an outdoor place to sit and eat, or relax beneath the second one.

Around the back of the building are the vegetable gardens. The garden is lush and well planted, and has a few pomegranate trees growing along its borders. The pomegranates are Russian reds, and are specially bred to tolerate the cold. For the rest of the year they're given a little extra protection from the steam baths down below. The rest of garden's contents tend to change with the season. Curiously, the local animals seem to leave it alone.

There are two fenced in structures within the garden-- both are there to protect the skylights that bring light down into the soaking rooms and the pleasure garden. The fences aren't very tall, and are more to let people know that the skylights are there rather than to keep them away. Theoretically, one could break the glass. There's nothing stopping anyone, outside of an angry temple full of vampires, of course.

The temple's reception hall is a large room with high ceilings, a warm fireplace, and plenty of natural stone and wood. It's reached directly after the check in lobby, down a flight of wooden stairs.

When it's not being used for weddings or other events, a few chairs and comfortable sofas and a table for cards or board games can be found here, and while it does tend to naturally have a lot of traffic passing through the half closest to the stairs, it's overall a fairly quiet place for people to retreat if they'd like a bit of space, and the fireplace is always lit during the winter, so it's never cold, despite its size.

The far wall is all window, and it offers a wonderful view of the back garden and the wilderness beyond the temple. It's a particularly dramatic view in the winter time when it's actively snowing, or in the summer when the wildflowers are in bloom.

The first floor public bathrooms can also be found just off this space, as well as a small, private room for meetings.

The lounge is a quiet, comfortable place where people can mingle and purchase food or drink. The main room is full of plush, comfortable couches for relaxing on, and smaller, more private tables and chairs. The space is all tawny sandstone; polished, dark wood; and rich, jewel toned velvet. There are several side rooms that can be partitioned off by doors hidden behind the curtains for more private meetings.

The lounge is no smoking like most of the temple, but there's a cozy balcony with a few seats and a fire pit set aside outside for those who simply can't wait.

The temple's library has books from all across the multiverse, and plenty of cozy couches to enjoy them on. There are also board games, chess, and checkers tables to enjoy, and like many of the temple's spaces, a toasty fireplace to warm the space. The city of Sanctuary rents out the space every other Friday for the city's book club to use, which is available to any adult member of the city. Occasionally they even import hot chocolate and marshmallows-- though hot tea is more frequent.

The temple's clinic is a warm, well lit space with three small examination rooms staffed by the temple's healers. Before anyone is permitted to use the baths below, they are required to get a clean bill of health here to ensure that they don't pass on any communicable diseases. The temple's clinics are well equipped for dealing with day to day complaints and minor emergencies, but the facility is not set up for serious injuries-- though if alternatives are not available, the healers present will certainly do their best to save lives all the same.

The observatory with its glass, domed ceiling and fanciful planet decorations can be found on the very top floor of the temple. Stargazing terraces can be found on either side of the observatory, which can be enjoyed during the day as quiet places to relax and enjoy the views over the forest. At night, the lanterns and braziers, both on the rooftop and the grounds below, are dimmed so that the starlight above can be appreciated clearly.

Inside the observatory is a telescope available to guests, and a large book where they are welcome to jot down observations-- though the stars and planets above Sanctuary's lands have not been well studied yet.

The temple's soaking pools are found below ground, adjacent to the indoor pleasure garden. Each soaking room is private, and can be reserved for a up to three hours at a time by guests. The pools are heated from below, and can fit two full grown humans with ease, sometimes more, making them easily accessible for larger species as well.

In each room there is a large soaking pool, and a smaller pool for cooling off, as well as a bench or a similar cushioned area for napping and relaxing.

The temple has its food and herb garden around the back up front, which is nice in the warmer months, but is typically covered in snow during the colder ones. For those times, or for those who would simply prefer a little more shade, the temple also has a small, underground pleasure garden for strolling in, complete with a small lily pond with koi to feed.

The garden enjoys additional lighting from two skylights, which are built into the outdoor gardens above, but those who are sun sensitive can easily avoid them and cross the garden in the shade without any trouble, and the skylights are only built into one side of the garden.