It was good that the Curators’ efforts were bolstered by new Akua, Vespian, and Mantarin members. Especially now, when suddenly all Eloxochitli retreated into their compound. They even locked themselves into a singular chamber. The door was barricaded from the outside and guarded, at all times, by two Itztli. Requests to meet with the venerable toads were politely but clearly refused. This suddenly isolation was because of a singular thing. In the midst of the five Eloxochitli sat a small bowl with golden glowing ink. There was only a little of it, yet it was very clearly magical.

Yet the Eloxochitli could not comprehend its nature at all. Their very orderly minds were obsessing over the substance in silence. Ruminating over its possible complications. It wasn’t made by their god, that was for sure. Sadly, it would be utterly impossible for these creatures to understand the ink. Their minds were devoid of almost all emotions. Pure reason ruled, which would override any chaos that could birth artistic inspiration. The ink itself was brought before them by a mere goblin painter when he had slaved, for years, to depict the sun in all its glory.

Eventually, they all confessed their resignation with a single grunt each and went to pray.

Qael’Naath was not prayed to. His name was not well known in the world of Galbar. Which was by design after all. Yet when five of his most beloved children settled down to pray in unison to him, he knew he had to answer. His avatar sped across the world. In a flash, it was over the compound, then it sept through the knocks and crannies into the meditative chamber. In the midst of it he could see the ink. Even he had to marvel for a moment, for to him it felt like the very essence of the world laid before him. He prodded and examined the ink with his divine senses, trying to get it to react to his own creation. Everything failed. He scanned the minds of his servants for knowledge. There he found it. The ink was produced by an artisan in the most mystical ways. Qael’Naath’s understanding of art was quite different really. He saw art in ratios and geometric shapes. To him a beautiful spell was a sequence of perfectly defined instructions. Even if their effect was nigh invisible.

This expressionism was something very different. Qael’Naath could trace back its origins to a state of emotional chaos. Yet it wasn’t malevolent or hurtful. The god pondered deeply upon the ink and the certainty that more of its kind could be created. Even though it was not born from order, it perhaps could still be fruitful to learn about it.

The decree was received with joy. The barricade was lifted and plans created. The many unfinished hallways and open plots surrounding The Library now showed their purpose, as a few of them were being filled in. However, the new building was not designed solely by the desires of the Itztli and Eloxochitli. Renown Mantarin and Vespian designers were consulted. Each lending their own touch to the sprawling new building. It would be smaller than the first hall, but far more open. With galleries and even workshops inside. Questions were raised about the often odd placings of walls but left unanswered.

the permission from the queen and her bureaucracy was given and the construction of the new extension of The Library began. Like before, all races that shared Sancta Civitas joined in to help raise the creation. Stone was imported en mass and chiseled to perfection. Meanwhile food tokens were freed up by the Curators in an effort to acquire more samples of ink. Study of these substances were left to Mantarin and Goblin Curators. The more artistically inclined amongst them bore exceptionally fruitful results.

When the new hall was complete, it was ceremoniously opened. Inside though, the influence of The Library outstretched itself towards the new extension. The once peculiar walls that should have been windows shimmered and apparently changed form until each wall showed a majestic landscape. Roiling hills, majestic mountains and tranquil oceans were all shown. The doors to these galleries and were thrown open for all with artistic talent to be inspired by the endless illusions. The upper chambers of the domed hall featured open air solariums and the illusionary walls. Lower levels held galleries with large open windows where paintings, sculptures and the now newly made plaques containing hauntingly beautiful poems would be shown. Other rooms on this level served to research the various inks that were slowly trickling into the building. Most of those inks were stored within the vaults underground though, so they wouldn't be stolen.
[hr]
Ketrefa was growing into a sprawling city with a very keen interest in magic. An interest Qael’Naath took notice of. Unlike Acadia, Ketrefa had no immediate danger. Their mages did not have to be trained in the arts of self defense or destruction. Instead they seemed to have focused on runes and icons. The Winds of Magic remained hidden within the inky sky and observed from above. Despit the focus, the runes were still of an abysmal quality. He couldn't fault the carvers though. They were working with imperfect materials. Still, like Acadia they too deserved a little gift.

Helian had been up all night carving his runes in an artisan’s statue. The statue was meant to radiate heat but be more durable than the usual poles they placed during the winter. In fact they wanted the statue to remain there for many years. Helian had been practice on stone slates in an attempt to refine his technique. To no avail. He tried everything: wooden rulers to guide him, a smaller chisel and even putting the hammer in an apprentice’s hand so he could focus on keeping the chisel on track. All was in vain. The imperfections remained. Sure, some runes were carved very well. They could’ve lasted for maybe a full year. It wasn’t enough though.

Exhausted he dropped his chisel and mallet as the rune chipped again. Making it imperfect. “It’s impossible.” He said to himself in resignation. The statue had to be done by tomorrow afternoon, yet here he was. Not even started. The fact that he barely slept caught up with him now as he slowly closed his eyes for just a quick nap.

He woke up with the sun in his eyes. Panic gripped his heart. There was no more time. Whatever happened next, it was in the hand of fate and the gods. He grabbed his chisel and hammer and moved over to the statue. Upon which he began to slowly but surely carve the rune. To his surprise, it didn’t chip. Every bit of stone removed was the exact bit that had to be removed. Panic slowly replaced itself with joy as he managed to finish the project just before sun reached its peak.

[hider=Summary]
The Emissaries discover ink from ink weaving and ruminate upon its properties. Though they are unable to glean its secrets. So they request Qael'Naath's help. Who learns that the ink is the product of a very mortal form of chaos: artistic creativity. So he decrees that a new part of The Library will be constructed in dedication and for the research of this mystical ink.

In Ketrefa, a young rune carver named Helian is desperate. He is supposed to finish carving a rune into a statue by the next day. Though the rune request has to be of impossible quality. He had practiced for days but still came short. Eventually, he resigns himself to a nap. When he wakes up in a panic, he rushes over to the statue and begins carving. So that the project would at least be finished. To his surprise he found that the rune is carved to perfection.
[/hider]

[hider=MP, DP & Prestige]
[b]Qael'Naath[/b]
[i]Start: 3MP/3DP[/i]
-1DP >> add a title to The Library
[hider=The Library]
[i]Walls of Infinity I[/i] – A gift to the artists who can weave the ink. Vast galleries exist within the Vault of Ink. Grand, flat walls are flanked by windows letting in natural sunlight. The walls themselves are rarely visible though. For upon them illusions in the 3 spatial dimensions are projected. These illusions may show tranquil fields, majestic mountain ranges, or even the hearts of a storm. They also produce faint sounds and smells of the location. Meant to inspire poets and other dreamers as well. The illusions are not constant and will randomly shift to show different landscapes. These landscapes would serve to inspire artists. However, the locations are not real. They are not places upon Galbar. The illusions are not portals and running headfirst into them will only give you a concussion
[/hider]

-1MP >> Consecrate the Rune-Carver's Chisel
[hider=Rune-Carver's Chisel]
[i]Rune-Carver II[/i] – The chisel helps all who use it in their iconographic magic carving. It minimizes errors by not transferring the force exercised on it that would create errors in the rune. So it only lets you remove the right amount of material. The caveat is that the wielder actually has to know and have the intent to carve a certain rune. There is also the dangers of indecisiveness to consider. For example: if you want to carve a completely different rune mid-way your carvings, the chisel will switch its priority and assume you want to start from zero on the new rune. It cannot pick up a half-finished rune and help you finish it. So once you’ve begun carving you must finish it before you start the next rune. (Free >> Discount)

[i]Strong I[/i] – The chisel’s metallic component is extremely strong. Allowing one to carve into the metal without fear of blunting or grinding down its head. (-1 MP)
[/hider]

[i]End: 2MP/2DP[/i]

[i]Prestige >> 6.4K post[/i]
+3 Prestige to Sancta Civitas
[/hider]