NAME: Chantry Memorial
LOCATION: former Chantry location
DESCRIPTION:

The Chantry Memorial was a collaborative design effort between a committee of Kirkwall natives and Chantry members, and the Inquisition’s Chantry Relations project, with the Inquisition contributing some funding to the enterprise, and further funding provided by donations and fundraising by Kirkwall natives. It takes the place of the Chantry forest that was destroyed by fires in Guardian 9:44.

The memorial comprises of a series of massive gardens and areas for quietness and reflection, with some water features (a couple particularly impressive), stone gazebos, and benches that were funded by some of the wealthier supporters of the project. Some of these are dedicated to particular people lost, at the behest of the donators who funded the features. 

Of great significance is the memorial wall, a stretch of white marble, carefully maintained and kept pristine, so that all the names of known victims cannot be obscured by time or covered by overgrowth of climbing roses. It’d likely be impossible for people to know the names of all victims and those killed in the aftermath, so there’s a standing policy that if a name isn’t there yet and someone is made known as a victim, their name can be added. There is also a section of the wall that is to be kept blank, in honour of those whose names may never be known.

Amongst the features are some ruins and stones from the ruins, with flowers growing over and around them. In other areas, where the ruins were cleared to help further memorial efforts prior to the forest being grown, some materials have been brought in to assure smooth paths and safe steps. 

A centrepiece to the memorial is known as Andraste’s Grove, home to the carved wooden statue of Andraste, and an area around it ringed with trees from the forest.
Although some of these have been maintained and trimmed to keep them manageable, this area that was protected by the fire on the site of the former Chantry is considered sacred, as are the trees and plants around it. This is a favourite visiting place for the devout, who sometimes leave offerings of flowers and tokens of remembrance. Oftentimes a collection of Chantry brothers and sisters can be found here, or nearby, seeking Andraste’s guidance or present to offer comfort and council to those who have come to see the icon that was protected from the fire. Some have even started making pilgrimages to Kirkwall to visit said icon. 

The overall vibe is a place that is very peaceful. At times there can be seen groups of people doing needlework in the gardens, or reading. Given its location in Hightown, it is still generally speaking more accessible to humans and the wealthy, but this is perhaps the one place where those from other areas visiting is not frowned upon, and depending on who is there, perhaps even welcomed. (Of course, by the same token, any trouble making or shady business in this area will be even more sternly frowned upon.)

NOTES:


This project was started in Guardian 9:44, and completed in early Bloomingtide of the same year. At the time of posting this, many areas are still relatively freshly planted and/or still being cultivated. Basically: it’s not at the level in the pictures yet, but the highly fertile soil of the area means that the garden is progressing very well.