Heilige Wald
'Heilige Wald' or translated as the 'Sacred Forest', is a famous cultural site in TECT Mythology located in Homeland, TECT. Its importance in TECT's mythological culture was first detailed in Earth origin stories; it later became an important site to Bösepenst and Angels alike, and is now an important cultural site to Commoners. Its grounds, mostly made up of dense forest and large mountain ranges, is considered sacred holy ground by most creatures in TECT Mythology; the same thing can be said for Commoners today, focusing around its cultural importance and natural beauty. It was first told that the forest was the natural bed where Natur, the Commoner Angel of Nature, rests during the summer season; it later became a gathering point for all sorts of lifeforms that did not naturally exist in the north; it finally became a haunted forest, occupied by Bösepenst at night and even in the daytime. In 1901, the TECT government made the Heilige Wald Mountains and forest into a natural park in order to protect its importance; Its name, 'Jena "Heilige Wald" National Park', marks both its mythological origin and its human written origin. Only holy monks of the local temple, as part of the TECT Park Ranger Force, are allowed to administrate it under Imperial Law; violators, or other desecration acts committed by people, violate Imperial Law and face usually harsh punishment; monks also train in Commoner ancient martial arts and are known to use the combat training side of this art to attack people hostile to the site who would normally desecrate it. Heilige Wald is amongst TECT Mythology's most holiest of sites.
History
Heilige Wald was first mentioned deep in the origin story of Earth. It was created by Natur to act as her bed and holy ground. Although the story is commonly told in other fashions -- it is usually told to be of great importance to Natur; this is probably because of her role in the environment and natural beauty. It was considered both desecration and dangerous by ancient Commoners to wonder into the forest; the act would either see you harshly punished by divine hands or you would be devoured by Bösepenst. This is why the temple to Natur lays outside of the forest, and the temple to the actual forest is also located outside the forest. It is common knowledge that in order to enter the forest and survive, you must pray to either of the temples worshiping the forest or to Natur; events around this ritual usually take place in mass ceremonies in order to perform a more holy prayer in the center of the forest. Regardless of its fearsome reputation; the forest was rumored in origins as the most beautiful place in the world, which is why it attracts both Bösepenst and humans.
In the latter half of the 2nd century, a short story surfaced regarding the forest in a whole new light. Based on stories by locals; an unknown author wrote a short story and it became popular throughout the rest of the Commoner Empire shortly after. Simply named after its namesake; "Heilige Wald" told two stories in one publication -- its origin and its then modern habitat. The forest was said to be a bustling hub of life for animal and plant species; a self-described heaven on Earth with magnificent beauty. At night however, the forest is taken over by Bösepenst of varying types; it's said to be so dangerous that it became an opening to Hölle's domain at nightfall. For centuries afterwards; "Heilige Wald" became a a sacred ground to Commoners, both out of fear and respect for its cultural importance. In the notable ancient research project/story "The Holy Site" in 830AD, Heilige Wald was put under a microscope and redefined once again. The authors, who only went under the single pen-name "Jena", described the forest as a sacred holy site to all creeds of TECT Mythology; saying that it was a central hub that "allured beast, man, [[Bösepenst], and even gods." They said that the site's magical and divine powers attracted visitors, most notably Bösepenst and animals, and that it was a frequent spot visited by many deities in order to rest. Regardless of its dangers and affiliations, Jena said that Heilige Wald "Should be worshiped as a holy site to all; respected as holy ground; and that it should be enjoyed as a site of life and longevity, as well as rest and environmentalism."
In modern day TECT, Commoners respect the Heilige Wald mountain range and forest as a cultural site of great importance. It is seen as sacred ground in Commoner culture and Imperial Law actually protects the site from desecration or disturbances. In 1901, the TECT Government named the site as a national monument and park; it was dubbed as the 'Jena "Heilige Wald" National Park'. Pilgrims who still worship a creed or general base view of TECT Mythology often make pilgrimages to Heilige Wald as a sign of respect and worship; although tradition says the month of July is the time to visit, many have set periods of the month to hold ceremonies based on specific events. 'Natur Day', or the 'Geburt Mutter Ceremony', is performed/celebrated on the 31st of July. As a national holiday, Natur Day serves as a day of prayer to Natur for another healthy year for the world; it is often celebrated as an "Earth Day" in TECT as well and is often commemorated by 'treating' plants, especially trees, in good favor and health -- which is usually planting trees, cleaning forests, and other respectful acts towards the natural environment. It is often traditional to celebrate in forests, parks, or other environmentally specific locations, Heilige Wald being the greatest of locations to celebrate at. As a holy day in TECT Mythology; worshipers spend the day cleaning and doing environmentally friendly tasks along with worshiping Natur and the Heilige Wald site. Pilgrims who traveled to Heilige Wald, the birth place of the holiday; worshipers pray, clean, hold ceremonies, and refrain from modern selfish lifestyles -- though many perform these tasks throughout the entire month of July.
Controversies
Sacrifice By Arrow Incident
One famous news report in 2005 described a group of atheistic youth (older teenagers) who had broken into the park. Their goal was to defame the park because they viewed it as a "stone age voodoo site." After writing graffiti and destroying trees, they were subsequently killed by monks who had spotted their actions. Heilige Wald monks train in ancient martial arts, such as hand-to-hand combat and traditional weapons training; they are among the most fiercest combat experts of native peoples in TECT. The title of the news report was "Sacrificed by Arrow Fire" after the autopsy report described the youth were killed by bow-and-arrows from the monks on sight. The State Police report claimed the youth, after losing one friend instantly, tried to run but were shot in the back by multiple arrows. The monks were not prosecuted as they were protected by the Natives Site Act and Forest Ranger Regulations. The acting Ranger Director stated that "It is common knowledge to know Heilige Wald is a culturally sensitive site. It is guarded by monks who are born and raised in those forests. They live with the forest not inside it - far from our modern age of technology and differences. That is why Heilige Wald is protected as a culturally native site, and as native territory, monks have the right to defend their home with force if attacked. Warnings clearly state monks will defend their home if they feel invaded - we honor that ancient law and assist them where we can. These youths, may they rest in piece, signed their death certificates by invading Heilige Wald in order to desecrate it. Signs and common knowledge tells you the Heilige Wald Monk is a trained combatant and is armed with traditionally dangerous weapons."
The media exploded on the story, especially liberal media outlets who claimed "these old fossils murder cause of crime you'd get a ticket for." Although some media personalities defended the monks to an extent saying that the youths were "asking for trouble trying to desecrate a cultural site guarded by well armed monks." Protests were soon held outside the park's main entrance, which varied from anti-monk, anti-conservatism, anti-religion in majority, and some counter protests who defended the monks. It did not help that warrior monks stationed themselves across at the entrance ready for a fight, armed with bows and traditional long arms weapons. State police eventually were needed to keep between the two groups as the local police chief was confident that "the monks would have killed the protesters if they showed they were going to attack. You don't want to test a fully dressed war monk when he's threatened." The protests eventually died down until the following Natur Day where some protesters tried to smuggle paint inside the grounds to deface the site. Their motto, which the screamed, "Don't bow me bro, I got Spray!" has since been repeated as protester chant against the monks. Since the early protests, protests against the monks has nearly died or is so watered down that they make up the sub-minority the population.