The Hross eða Hæna Templet, which means "Temple of the Horse and Hen" in the Storish language, is a Vanic Temple Beyond-the-Seas which is situated in the Royal City of Tirlar, the capital of the Natopian demesene called the Barony of Arboria. This magnificent structure, which was built in accordance with Treesian architectorial custom, is one of the Thirteen Temples of Natopia, the senior Temples of the Natopian branch of the Storish Ancient Ways, the customs of worship of the High Realm of Stormark. It also houses the Baronial Government of Arboria.
The High Priestess of the Temple of the Horse and Hen is a member of the Hafrlafðir, which is a council that is composed of the High Priestesses of the thirteen senior Vanic Temples Beyond-the-Seas in Natopia. Hafrlafðir means "Goat Ladies" in the Storish language and the Ladies aforesaid are the spiritual leadership of the Natopian branch of the Storish Ancient Ways.
The Hross eða Hæna Templet consists of two huge palatial complexes which are situated opposite of each other; one sits on the north bank of the River Aghinrawn - a river flowing through the Royal City of Tirlar, the capital of the Barony of Arboria - and the other on the aforesaid river's south bank. The palatial complex on the north bank of the river is commonly known as the Faerie Side and it derives its name from an enormous golden statue of a legendary faerie warrior. Likewise, a group of three equestrain statues of knights, the one in the middle holding the Standard of the March Breeze, has given the palatial complex on the south bank of the River Aghinrawn its name: Knights' Side. The palatial complexes are connected by a dam.
The temple was quite recently opened by the Lady Asako Ohira of the House of Heijōi, a senior Vanic cleric and Princess of the Storish Ancient Ways, at the request of the ruler of the Barony of Arboria - His Grace Erion of Waffel-Paine, Duke of the Punkrock Isles, Lord am Baat, Baron of Arboria, Baron Mirkdale - in the light of the improving relationship and rekindling friendship between the Realm of Joy and the Bovic Tapferite Empire.
Quite shortly thereafter, when the Concordat of Þårvik came into force, the name of Hross eða Hæna Templet was given to this Vanic Temple Beyond-the-Seas. It also became the seat of the Rikssjåara of the Sjåararik of Arboria as well as the seat of the Baronial Government of Arboria. This was also the occasion that the style "Royal" was conferred upon the City of Tirlar by the Jólaslafðir, a council composed of the highest ranking clergy of the Storish Ancient Ways and which also is the spiritual leadership of the Storish Vanafolk.
In accordance with a gentle(wo)man's agreement between the Hafrlafðir and the Baron of Arboria, the palatial complex on the north bank of the River Aghinrawn is in use as Vanic Temple Beyond-the-Seas and the palatial complex on the south bank of the aforesaid river serves as the Arborian Government House.
Under the provisions of the Concordat of Þårvik the Hafrlafðir, and the rest of the Natopian branch of the Storish Ancient Ways for that matter, are subject to the spiritual and temporal authority of the Jólaslafðir, but only insomuch the aforesaid does not conflict with the Law of the Lands of Natopia. The day-to-day leadership of the Hross eða Hæna Templet is provided by the High Priestess of the Hross eða Hæna Templet, with a seneschal appointed by the Baron of Arboria serving as her deputy for temporal matters with regard to the domestic arrangements and the administration of servants of the palatial complex on the south bank of the River Aghinrawn.
In its capacity of Vanic Temple Beyond-the-Seas, the Hross eða Hæna Templet serves as a cultural, social and spiritual meeting place for Stormarkers - and Storish Vanafolk in particular - in Arboria. It offers the atmosphere of a Storish home away from home with meat and mead, Storish newspapers and magazines, Storish TV, as well as other forms of Storish amusements.
As with any Vanic Temple Beyond-the-Seas there are several Welcoming Women and Greeting Gentlemen present at the Hross eða Hæna Templet. They are, together with the Priestesses and other temple staff, there to ensure that seafarers, students, business people, tourists, families and other travelling Stormarkers can come "home" for a while.
In its capacity of Arborian Government House, the Hross eða Hæna Templet is home to the Baronial Palace, the official residence of the Baron of Arboria, as well as the Treesian Chapter House, the meeting place of the Council of Arboria, and all the offices connected therewith and is the epic centre of Arborian government and politics.
To avoid confusion between its different functions the temple is in official parlance in the Natopian common tongue usually referred to as:
- Temple of the Horse and Hen, Tirlargythia's Hall - concerning its status and functions as Vanic Temple Beyond-the-Seas;
- Temple of the Horse and Hen, Baronial Palace - as respects its quality as official residence of the Baron of Arboria;
- Temple of the Horse and Hen, Treesian Chapter House - in connection with its capacity as Assembly of Arboria.
- Hross eða Hæna Templet, Tirlargythiashǫll;
- Hross eða Hæna Templet, Barónshǫll;
- Hross eða Hæna Templet, Kapíttelhús.