Ophuchi sanctuary

The Ophuchi Sanctuary was the main location of the Ophuchi Clan in the Dune Sea on Tatooine. It was built nearly one thousand years before the Invasion of Utapau and was, essentially, one of the final resting places of the entire Prophecy of the Chosen One. There were numerous areas within the compound for residences, common areas and worship services. One of the more known but lesser used places of worship was a cave sanctuary nearly one kilometer away from the main compound, though it was used when Sarus told Annikin Skywalker that he was the Chosen One spoken of in prophecy.

Characteristics
The Ophuchi Sanctuary was said by some to be an architectural masterpiece considering the Ophuchi were more primitive than others, mainly due to their rejection of major technology which was highly unlike most other societies in the galaxy at that time. The entire underground settlement, which was more than simple caves and caverns, was built with a sparking quartz wall with rooms and elegant features throughout. It was a working civilization with dozens of people making their way throughout the main areas at all times carrying food, water, clothing, laundry and carrying out any other business that needed to be attended to.

The settlement had three main levels, each one held up by strong stone spires that had been chiseled out of the rock. Each level was lit by dozens of torches held up on metal supports in the stone. There was little color in the complex, as the Ophuchi had opted not to paint the stone walls in any way, aside from the sanctuaries throughout the area. The environment was a sparkling tan and brown color, something that many said went well with the environment of Tatooine considered the tan and brown nature of the deserts.

In the main common area that was found in the center of the residential complex, an area that was also used to welcome the few guests that the Ophuchi received, many people went about their daily chores. The food was baked on stones and the bread was rolled by hand by the people. The water was pumped from the ground and carried to water purification areas to make sure that it was not harmful to the people. The clothing was also washed by hand in silver water tubs with soap that came from a bottle. All of this proved to be a contrast to a society that had created technology to do such work for the people.

In the center of the main area was a statue of the Ophuchi Prophet, a person very important in the history of the Ophuchi. The prophet’s statue represented a young man, no older than thirty-five standard years old according to some, dressed in simple and primitive warrior’s attire. There were many other colorful and artistic designs throughout the statue, and because it was situated in the center of the main area some saw it as being a guard against potential outside threats. However, the Ophuchi were fortunate enough to never have to test that theory.

Because of the moisture in that area of the underground, most of the environment of the sanctuary was very cool, though the coolest and moistest area was a chamber designed to be a grand dining area for guests. It was at the end of a large stairwell and a large rotunda of rooms used for housing, and it was lit by candles rather than torches across the walls. In the center of the chamber, the Ophuchi kept a large stone boulder to be used as a dining table. When guests arrived, large feasts were placed on the top using food and supplies that were smuggled out of spaceports, which required a great deal of work on the part of the Ophuchi people.