The Monk's Retreat

Woods4Trees · May 2023

I put this little map together this morning using SS5. The title is fairly self explanatory, but I thought I'd create an area where the local monks and scholars can go to relax.

All the best.

W4T

JimP · May 2023

Looks good !

DaltonSpence · May 2023

The landscaping here seems to be a bit expensive and individual monks tend to be poor and often take vows to that effect. An order of monks may be wealthy but would they spend that much wealth on a retreat for a single monk? (See the title.) The larger building looks more like a significant temple than a monastery while the smaller one seems a bit elaborate to house a single monk. An slight "outer glow" effect on the paths' sheet could help outline them against the lawn and break up the map image.

JimP · May 2023

Some monks became rather rich, making wine and selling it.

DaltonSpence · May 2023

As individuals? I would think their order would lay claim to the proceeds. The head of an order might use its wealth as his own but I've never heard of a holy order that permitted its members to have personal wealth.

Woods4Trees · May 2023

Valid points DaltonSpence.

I've only just noticed my rather unsubtle misuse of grammar there! My thinking was it would be for an order or similar.

I based it, very loosely, on a Buddhist retreat (with a smattering of influence from a rather grandiose local church) not far from me which is both a place for meditation/relaxation as well as a conference centre. The grounds are neatly landscaped with fountains/water, gazebos and manicured lawns etc.

From what I understand, the fees from the conference centre and "rest holidays" they offer to members of the public, go towards the upkeep of the site.

JimP · May 2023

https://forum.profantasy.com/discussion/comment/114686#Comment_114686

Oh, yeah, the order got rich.

DaltonSpence · May 2023

Well I suppose a wealthy and politically influential order might finance a showplace retreat to demonstrate their power but that was not my first thought when I saw the title.

JulianDracos · May 2023

I guess it depends on your perspective. The Catholic Church has substantial wealth. There are many of their orders that have produced alcohol, books, food, and run universities to support themselves. So I don't think poverty when I think of monks (even those that take a vow of poverty).

I also did not infer wealth from the image with the symbols used. Maybe I would if I used this style more.

DaltonSpence · May 2023

Maybe it was that I equated "Monk's Retreat" with a hermitage which would be a rough hewn cabin in the woods. If the apostrophe had been on the other side of the "s" it might have made more sense but you would still need quarters for the visiting monks.

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The Monk's Retreat

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