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[img]https://i.imgur.com/CatDIhj.png[/img]
[img]Qael’Naath and Artifex[/img]
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Qael’Naath floated in front of Artifex’ portal. He hadn’t met the god yet. Not in person. But his generosity at Sancta Civitas did not go by unnoticed. However, right now he did not come to thank the god but instead ask for another favor. The designs were clear but the god of magic knew he could not succeed at the challenge himself. His pride had been swallowed some time ago, yet it still felt odd to approach a god and just outright ask for their help. None the less, there was no other choice. The second he passed through the portal, he was dropped within a vast metropolis. Thousands of insects were skittering around. [color=a187be]“Brother?”[/color] Qael’Naath yelled out. [color=a187be]“Are  you here?”[/color]

The scurrying bugs paused their journeys for just a moment, before one, a coin sized ruby colored beetle, left the pack and began to fly towards the god while the others resumed their task. Rather than strike up a conversion the beetle ignored any attempts at communication and ended up flying past Qael’Naath out into antiquity before landing on a post sitting outside the door.

It crawled down onto an odd metallic contraption attached to the post and pressed down a button on it. A loud, rather obnoxious buzzing sound emanated from the machine while the button was downpressed. After two seconds the beetle moved off the button, ending the buzz, and took flight to go back into the portal to get back to work.

An awkward silence prevailed until the device, an intercom, crackled and Artifex’s voice could suddenly be heard coming from it, ”Greetings. You have reached Artifex, god of construction and civilization, what can I do for you?” it began before being cut off by a commotion. A few seconds later Artifex’s voice came again, though this time it sounded far more real than the thin, to a god, mimicry the now tossed aside autoresponder had been using

[color=lime]”Hello? Sorry for the delay. I was a touch preoccupied and frankly I’d completely forgotten I set this up. Gibbou certainly didn’t use it. Anyway, to whom do I owe the pleasure of this surprise visitation?”[/color]

[color=a187be]“Qael’Naath. God of Magic.”[/color] The floating, six-eyed entity announced himself. [color=a187be]“Apologies, I didn’t know there was a…”[/color] He looked momentarily through the portal at the object the beetle had rested upon. [color=a187be]“...thing.”[/color] He pulled back through the portal. [color=a187be]“I’ve… come to ask for help with something, brother. Something I think only you can help me with. Could you spare me a second?”[/color]

[color=lime]”Oh so that’s your name is! I take it the whole nameless god thing is for mortals only then? Well your secret’s safe with me I can assure you.  It’s a delight to have you here Quael’Naath, and don’t worry about the buzzer, my fault for just assuming everyone would know what it was I suppose. Just bear with me and I’ll be down with you in just a moment.”[/color] Artifex replied

Not a second later a door opened in the building just next to the entryway, revealing a smartly dressed goblin standing in a small warmly lit elevator. He was wearing a blue coat adorned with decorations made of golden, starch white trousers and a pair of riding boots, as well as a bicorne hat sat atop his head. He was also wearing a glass butterfly across his eyes, but this was quickly removed, causing the ambient sound coming front he intercom system to cut out as the artificial insect fluttered up to sit on his hat.

 [color=lime]”Now then, whatever is it I can help you with?”[/color] Artifex asked, before vaguely indicating to the small room he was in an explaining [color=lime]”Oh and this is an elevator. It will take us down to my workshop.”[/color]  

Qael let slip a little smile. [color=a187be]“I don’t need worship.”[/color] He said. [color=a187be]“The less the mortals know of me, the better. I thank you, for taking my desires into consideration.”[/color] When the goblin appeared, he was somewhat surprised. Wasn’t Artifex the creator of Sancta Civitas? The bug city? Yet there was no mistake to it, the figure before him was of his brother. Maybe a part of him? [color=a187be]“Oh.”[/color] The surprise was audible in his voice. [color=a187be]“I did not… it doesn’t matter.”[/color] He shook his head, before opening his palm and conjuring a light construct of Galbar. [color=a187be]“Right now they are on the brink of discovering a whole new world. The first of the spells crafted by my own hand has already been connected with. But I want to offer them something more. A challenge. My… dreadful sister saw fit to trick the mortals into believing they were not the first. I would build upon this.”[/color] Several sites upon the globe lit up, marking the ancient ruins Qull had placed. Then the light construct shattered before reconstructing itself to show a barren, desert land with windswept ruins in the middle of it. [color=a187be]“A challenge for the mortals but I found myself at the end of my creativity. The construction of buildings, temples, tombs and other complexes were never my strength. Would you help me, brother?”[/color]

As Qull described his plan the elevator lurched and began to travel downwards, while Artifex looked upon Qael’s plans and listened to his words with interest, [color=lime]”Trick them into thinking they were not the first? What an odd ruse,”[/color] he commented upon the newly placed ruins, regarding the whole thing with light curiosity until the final and key point of the desire for artifex’s aid in constructing the ruins was brought up, causing Artifex’s eyes to light up with interest.

[color=lime]”Oh you have certainly come to the right god for this my friend, and what a unique piece of work too”[/color] he said with unhidden excitement as the elevator came to a stop and the doors popped open [color=lime]”I really could do with something constructive at the moment, so this really is perfect”[/color] 

Artifex stepped out of the elevator into his workshop, a large room whose walls, floor and furnishings were made from brass, softly glowing white crystal and black marble. Multiple workbenches covered with tools and boards with schematics on them littered the room. There was also a hat rack, onto which the small god placed his bicorn before sleeping clear from Qael and promptly exploding into a swarm of insects. More bugs suddenly streamed in from various entryways into the room, most notably the glowing portal leading to MUSE and joined the swarm which within moments tripled in size and then hardened into the towering black carapaced insectile shape that was Artifex’s construction form. [color=lime]”ahhh”[/color] the god stretched his four limbs before  summoning a slate, hammer and chisel and re-addressing Qael [color=lime]”now then, tell me a bit more about what you want built”[/color]

Qael did not comment on Artifex as they traveled down in the strange contraption. The god of magic had always been intrigued by the mechanical world. It appeared to his orderly brain. Every cog and gear had its function. When they stopped and his brother confessed his excitement, the god of magic let a small smile slip. He followed the goblin-god into the workshop. It was an impressive place. Even to a god. Qael’Naath was, for a moment, distracted by the endless designs laying about. Four of his eyes darted over the plans. While the other two remained firmly in control of the Winds of Magic on Galbar.

Then Artifex exploded. Qael’Naath let out a yelp of surprise. On Galbar his avatar momentarily quacked before he regained his composure. Luckily, Artifex’ bug-shape soon appeared. Qael let out a sigh of relief. Yes, he was with his bug-brother of Sancta Civitas. This was good. [color=a187be]“Well, the great designs are clear after it’s purpose and goals but not so much towards its final appearance.”[/color] Once more he outstretched his hand and light formed above it. [color=a187be]“It would be a place built under ancient places, like the northern city of Ketrefa or near the Sun-lit temple of the plains. I’ve already found the suitable locations. These Labyrinths would take the shape of various underground complexes.“[/color] The light in Qael’s hand took shape as tunnels were seemingly melting through the earth and forming something akin to a squat, underground pyramid at first. [color=a187be]“I want these Labyrinths to act as tests. Not just of might and strength but also knowledge, insight, understanding. I had envisioned rooms filled with demonic creatures. I already have plans to let them be summoned. Yamat was a great aid in this. But other rooms are necessary as well.”[/color] The light in his palm shifted, showing the various rooms he was now talking about. [color=a187be]“Rooms that are tests of agility. Filled with dangerous traps. Chambers that test one’s knowledge and understanding of magic. Halls that test one’s wisdom and ability to solve complex problems. Puzzle-chambers, arena’s, corridors blocked by vault-doors, contraptions and demon-summoning gardens. These are just ideas, to speak the truth. My mind can formulate the words but fails to give them a concrete…mortal shape. But they are simply tests. A means to filter out those unworthy of the main prize.”[/color] The light reshaped itself into the underground pyramidal structure. The underground paths and stairs began to converge again. Until they all reached a central point, which then lit up. The light collapsed in on itself as the light of the central chamber grew. Eventually showing an empty room, whose walls were carved with all manner of strange glyphs and schematics. [color=a187be]“This is the treasure of the Labyrinth. Knowledge of the God-Forged spells. A key to greater magical prowess.”[/color]

[color=lime]”Very interesting. Tests. Puzzles. Trials with rewards. All disguised as remnants of a false past,”[/color] Artifex said as he mused upon the project, before saying [color=lime]”You are right, words are nothing compared to the physical. I’ll start preparing some ground immediately for a place we can make prototypes.”[/color]
The god wandered over to a shelf and picked up a small globe representing the City Planet that made up most of his realm and began carefully designating areas upon it that the ruins could be built. Far above them billions of insects began building another floor above the replicas of the cities Quel had mentioned, where they would be replicated anew a top whatever labyrinths the pair concocted. 

[color=lime]”While that get started,”[/color] Artifex said as the new construction works began to appear on the globe, [color=lime]”why don't we have a look at the ones Qull has already made so i can get a feel for the aesthetics, while you tell me a bit more about why you want to put these obstacles and tests in the way of mortals gaining this knowledge you have made. I’m not complaining or deriding the idea, I assure you, I am simply curious.”[/color] 

As Artifex asked this he acquired a large crystal ball from another shelf with his other set of hands and placed it on the table. With a tap of his finger the image of Galbar appeared within, [color=lime]”This is one of MUSE’s wandering eyes. Normally it keeps an eye on Inventors, helps them find what they need, checks their work for flaws, documents their findings and so on, but it should serve the task of viewing your inspiration just as well. Just touch the glass and you’ll be able to direct the vision wherever you desire. If you could show me one of Qull’s ruins that would grand.”[/color]

[color=a187be]“Prototypes?”[/color] Qael was shocked at the sudden use of the words. Wasn’t it far too early for prototypes yet? Designs would have to be made. Schematics created. Traps would have to be tested. Puzzles thought out. All under the intense scrutiny of two gods. Then he realized with whom he was working together. [color=a187be]“Yes… of course. Prototypes.”[/color] He repeated, with less surprise this time around. As his brother was designating some areas on a strange, small globe, the god of magic sensed massive change happening above him. [color=a187be]“What is…”[/color] but then he looked back at the orb. Marvelous. A tool so small that could control his entire realm!

[color=a187be]“I take no offense.”[/color] Qael said with a faint smile and quickly fading smile. In truth it was hard to truly offend the god of magic. Only one goddess managed it so far. He outstretched his hand and touched the crystal ball. The image shifted to the first of Qull’s strange ruins: a cyclopean fortress carved into the cliffside. Then it quickly shifted to a tall but lonely megalith standing in windswept plains. It shifted again towards the Mydian deserts where desert storm upon desert storm had half-buried the tall statues of beings that had never existed. [color=a187be]“In truth I have no clue why she made them or what their purpose is. The fortresses are all but hollow, the megalith does nothing, the statues depict nothing that ever existed. My sister’s mind is a mystery.”[/color] He released the crystal orb from his hold.

[color=a187be]“It’s a test. One to see if they are worthy, yes. But also a test to see if they are smart enough to understand what I’m giving them. What is a scroll to an illiterate? Kindle to be used in the fire. What is a clay tablet to an ant? Only disaster.”[/color] He slowly tapped on the table. A subconscious tick. [color=a187be]“They may still see it as looming threats. Dangerous knowledge which they then deem forbidden. It might be too much for them. That is a risk I must take.”[/color] His voice was melancholic.

[color=lime]”Well I can admire her handiwork if nothing else,”[/color] Artifex said as he looked upon the strange and seemingly pointless creations [color=lime]”there is artistic merit in these certainly, yet though to me form without function seems like a waste of our limited power over Galbar. Then again, if they have inspired you then have they not served a purpose in the end? Hmmm. Something to muse upon at a later date.”[/color] 

The god dismissed the conundrum for the time being and transformed one of his accompanying crystals into a chisel and retrieved a clayslate before beginning to make notes to himself on the artistic stylings of the mysterious goddess with set of hands while the other ebgan sketching out a brief outline of a potential labyrinth. 

[color=lime]”As for your reasoning, it seems sound enough. Certainly a lot more straightforward than keeping an eye on every mortal to find out who is both ready and worthy of gifts of knowledge.”[/color] Artifex paused for a moment, before nodding approvingly [color=lime]”A rather novel form of delegation in-fact. Plus it could likely act as a goal for those who seek glory, power or prestige that does not involve beating down their fellow mortal. I am liking this more and more as I learn more about it.”[/color]

After complimenting Qael, Artifex passed him the sketch he had been making, depicting a series of winding tunnels and chambers burrowing deep into the ground. [color=lime]”So, I was thinking we have the room with the spells all the way down here as you said, but also have some other, smaller treasure rooms further, containing more mundane rewards such as valuable metals, lesser magics or fine crafts, to encourage and reward exploration and prevent the places from being dismissed as dangerous forbidden places as you worried, or simply not worth the effort.”[/color] the god indicated to a few small rooms dotting the path down to the central chamber marked with lists of possible rewards. Also detailed in drawings and script so fine it could only have been written and read by gods was an entire labyrinth, complete with winding, branching corridors, trap rooms, puzzles and demon flowers like Qael had described, as well as places where statues like those in the desert would come alive, nests of aggressive insectile creatures and a few hidden routes which would allow fast access from deeper parts of the complex back up to the surface which could be unlocked by clever explorers.

The entire thing had also been immaculately designed so it looked like a place a people, an incredibly paranoid people, might have lived. Drawing inspiration from the subterranean works of the Lapites, Vespian, Vrool, Dwarves and more it featured living quarters, temples, kitchens, wells, subterranean gardens and other enmities of a civilized people placed within it in logical locations, generally acting as the lesser treasure rooms he had mentioned, with the all important spell chamber being a deep and hidden vault of the fictional people’s most treasured possessions and ancient wisdom. 

[color=lime]”Only a rough sketch of course.”[/color] Artifex explained [color=lime]”I prefer to work with actual physical materials when designing something for down on Galbar rather than using schematics.”[/color]

[color=a187be]“They are tools.”[/color] Qael’Naath insisted as Artifex mused about the ruins. [color=a187be]“A craftsman is not inspired by his chisel, he is inspired by the clay and the image he wants to craft it in. The ruins are just tools.”[/color] He would hate the idea of being inspired by his devil of a sister. Who by all rights should’ve remained a crystalline blob somewhere on his floating island.

[color=a187be]“I do wish some mortals would be less… materialistic.”[/color] Qael said as he took Artifex’s sketch. [color=a187be]“The shorter lived ones seem obsessed with gold and gems. The longer ones seem to crave absolute power more. It’s sad really. Such greedy thoughts might fuel exploration and discovery but often hampers it as well.”[/color] He mused as he traced his fingers over various schematics. [color=a187be]“But of course you are right. The smaller rooms are a clever way to keep them interested.”[/color] The schematics came to life in his own mind, with all the appropriate nuance. Then he finally came to the central spell chamber. Alongside the writing of Artifex, he began to add his own.

Turning divine concepts into mortal, tangible shapes was a hassle to be sure. Oftentimes he had to utterly omit important information, because the medium of a wall simply could not hold it. Alas, some pieces of the puzzle would have to be put together by the mortals. In other parts, it would remain guesswork. There was nothing he could do about that. Mortality could be so limiting. Nonetheless, when Qael’Naath was done with his additions, the spell chamber was properly filled with arcane knowledge of the highest level he could offer.

He altered certain rooms as well, imbuing more magic into their puzzles. At the same time he added spell chambers. Rooms in which spells would have to be performed in their desired method before the vaulted door would open. [color=a187be]“There.”[/color] He said, as he finished the design and passed it back to Artifex for judgement. [color=a187be]“Perhaps we could take a look at the prototypes then?”[/color]

[color=lime]”I understand them to an extent, those with little time desire to do as much with it as they can with the brief existence they have, while those with more will do anything to ensure theirs is not cut short. It is just a shame what they are willing to inflict upon one-another to achieve those goals”[/color] Artifex commented upon the sin of greed before watching Qael’s additions to his diagrams with interest, admiring at the god’s far greater mastery of magic and mana.

[color=lime]”As for the prototypes, they should be coming along nicely. If you’ll follow me back to the elevator”[/color] Artifex said, getting too and then entering a different elevator than the one they had entered by.

[color=a187be]“I’ve got nothing against the natural course of mortals. They are capable of great acts of creation, though great acts of destruction as well. As their creators, are we not ultimately responsible for their sins and failings?”[/color] The god of magic mused the question more than pose it as he entered the elevator with Artifex. Were they responsible? Or had 2000 years of nearly unguided development caused mortality to take a course of its own? Were the gods still in control or were they merely clinging to this world with avatars and visions?

It was something to ponder upon at another time as the elevator reached the surface once more. The prototype labyrinth wasn’t build underground, no. Artifex’s insectile builders had created a massive model of above ground, showing the vast array of corridors, halls, rooms, chambers and stairs. The squat pyramid indeed converged down into a singular room. In an instant Qael’Naath rushed over and entered the model of the nexus. The walls were filled with flowing schematics, just like he had envisioned. Every mark meant its own thing, as well as added context to what it was connected to. The glyphs were a crude but mortal method to attempt to convey knowledge. He then made his way to one of the demonic gardens. His magic had already created the Lilith Lilies. They were gently floating upon several pools of water. The garden itself felt like a place of meditation and Zen. Small waterfalls filled and kept round pools connected, which in turn were also connected to a stone carved walkway. None the less everything felt and looked natural. There were no stairs, jagged corners or straight walls. It looked as if nature herself had carved out this little tranquil corner. [color=a187be]“It looks very promising.”[/color] He said, mostly to himself.

[color=lime]”My workers do their best”[/color] Artifex replied none the less as he strode into the room, [color=lime]”but a personal touch could always improve things. Feel free to adjust wherever you see fit. I most certainly will be taking a stroll through these halls to make sure everything is in order.”[/color] 

The god of construction found a place to sit within the faux natural room and took a moment to admire the ambiance before speaking once more [color=lime]”There is something missing however, now that I consider it. This place will serve its function as a trail and place of reward, but what it lacks is a history. There will be those who come for riches and glory, but there will be those who will ask who were the people that managed to build these places and amassed such wonders of magic. More importantly, how did these people who rose so high ever fall so far as to be lost and forgotten?”[/color] as he spoke the god had stretched out a hand and conjured below it the bones of a newt like humanoid. 

Artifex continued, stone mechanisms began to form where the bones would have been held together by muscle in life while bands of stone crawled up the bone to link these joints together. Unintelligible runes pulled along the stone exoskeleton, covering it in a soft light that welled up within its skull, causing its eyes to glow with eerie malevolence.

Artifex then adorned the undead golem in tattered robes that gave the impression that they had once been grand, placed a golden crown featuring fingerbones splayed out where it would have had gill fronds in life atop its head and gave it a beautifully engraved bronze staff topped by a skull of its own kind to hold. 

[color=lime]”I suggest we use this place to tell a tale, written in a thousand pieces, of a fall caused by sin run rampant. A warning against arrogance and greed, a lesson that those who do not heed it will inevitably learn the hard way.”[/color] 

As he finished speaking the god moved his hand away from the skeletal ruler, who rather than fall without the invisible string of its creator holding it up it stood tall and proud, as if not even death could snuff out its arrogance. All a ruse, of course. The thing was as alive as the animated statues that stood in several of the chambers and hallways above, but it was a convincing deception.

The four eyes of Qael’Naath fell upon the creature. [color=a187be]“A clever addition, brother.”[/color] He said as he looked into the purple eyes. [color=a187be]“They shall know that which they guard. Their deepest secrets.”[/color] Qael touched the creature’s forehead. Filling it’s almost mechanical ‘mind’ with the divine knowledge of the spell hidden in the final chamber. [color=a187be]“And they shall have a history. Of their rise, their greatness, their fall. Hints towards other Labyrinths and other truths.”[/color] With the same finger he touched the wall of a room. An energy traveled along it. Etching half-broken reliefs into the walls. Half broken pottery and other archeological proof of existence was being spread around in the Labyrinth. Some of it contradictory, as per design. [color=a187be]“This is why I returned to Galbar.”[/color] Qael muttered to himself.

Artifex took the compliment with a nod before casually asking [color=lime]”Why you returned?”[/color] while waving the skeletal construct away to go stand guard over the spell room. The construct obeyed, strutting out of the natural chamber to begin its eternal silent vigil over the depths of the prototype labyrinth.

The god of magic rose up to face Artifex and smiled, brightly this time. [color=a187be]“This!”[/color] he exclaimed as he raised his arms. [color=a187be]“Not in my wildest dreams could I imagine a creation so vast, so grand, so perfectly aligned with what the grand designs require. For two thousand years I labored on my own realm, trying to make it exactly like I wanted it. Only to realize that I couldn’t achieve that goal alone. I may rage, at times, about the influences of my siblings but in truth they have made Galbar a place to look after.”[/color] After that, he let out a deep breath of relief. [color=a187be]“It feels good to say it out loud finally.”[/color]

Artifex nodded in agreement, [color=lime]”Your words reflect my own feelings well, even if I never left it. The meddling of gods and the sins of mortals may grate at times, but truly there is no place greater than Galbar.”[/color] 

[color=a187be] “Indeed. Now, brother. I think the designs have been perfected.”[/color] He said as he put a palm on a wall to feel the entire structure. [color=a187be] “I already know the suitable locations. I propose we commence our great work then?”[/color]

[color=lime]”By all means,”[/color] Artifex said as he stood from the outcrop he had been sitting on [color=lime]”Let us begin.”[/color]

[hr]

There was no quake or shift in the ground. Nobody in Ketrefa felt it, but it happened. Just below the lowest cellar, stone and dirt began to vanish into thin air. Carving great caves and halls that kept going down. This happened across Galbar, near the Sunlit temple, below Solkra as well. In Mydia, the great half-buried statues now marked the causeway towards the grand entrance of a Labyrinth there. When all the dirt and stone was removed, new stone appeared out of nothing. This time it was chiseled and carved with reliefs. Half-broken mosaic floors gave certain halls a more colorful appearance. While painted walls showed instructions to learn the spell required to continue. Massive vault-doors were formed from stone and placed in their respective locations. Then, finally, the last chamber was formed. Filled with a bounty of arcane knowledge.

Within the gardens, the first of the Lilith Nymphaeaceae sprouted. Small, lily flowers that floated over beautiful ponds. Ready to blossom into demons, to protect the Labyrinth.Nests of veracious termite like beasts fused with stone and magic grew out of maze’s finely carved halls like tumors that would spill their ravenous broods out into its halls. Statues and engravings were carved and then given life so that they might awaken and assail intruders with limb and lance. Deadly traps where hidden, their slashing blades, stinging spikes or dead drops ready to teach the unwary off guard when triggered by mechanisms or magic. And at the very bottom of it all, the false undead stood jealous guard over the final bountiful spell chamber.

Less deadly where the puzzle rooms, where tests of cunning or wisdom would keep the ways beeper into the dungeon. Some would require the learning, deciphering and casting of spells, while others still the interpretation of stars or signs, the insight of Augers or Inventors, or the solving of riddles. Yet more were mechanical in nature, requiring the lining up of beams of light, the pushing of large stone blocks into place, the repairing of strange cog based machines, the construction of bridges, the navigation of shifting portals, playing an ancient board game against a golem and numerous other tests of logic and cunning.   

The Labyrinths were also filled with the false impression of once being home to an ancient long gone race. Underground farms flourished and then overgrew their boundaries, eerily empty living quarters and business districts sprawled out from the labyrinth proper or where a still deadly part of it, wells were dug to reach underground streams, temples to the nameless god of magic took pride of place within them, vaults of mundane treasure and a scattered array of common items that could have stood the test of time where placed to entice mortals to continue exploring. Every effort was made to ensure that it looked like a people might once have lived within the dark and twisting walls of the Labyrinth.

Murals and reliefs upon the walls began to create the false history. Shown scenes of conquest, victory, discovery and tragedy. All lies, made believable by the existence of other proof. Pottery and tablets were spread around as well. With that final addition, the Labyrinths’ their silent creation was complete. Now they laid in waiting, across the world, for the mortals to find them.

[hider=Summary]
Qael’Naath visits Artifex and asks for his help. Artifex, always interested in new construction projects and wanting to get away from the conflict in Ha-Duna, agrees to hear him out. The god of magic explains that he wants to create the Labyrinths to challenge mortals, not just on a basis of strength but also agility, knowledge and wisdom. He describes his ideas to the god of construction and shows where they would be based: under ancient locations like Ketrefa or the ruins Qull spread about. Artifex agrees to help and the two begin designing the Labyrinths together. They do an initial plan on paper and then visit the resulting prototype that Artifex had his insect workers build for them. They hang out in a nice meditation room/demon spawning room and discuss mortal sin. Artifex then makes an undead looking construct called an Arcrypt Keeper, designed to look like the evilest undead wizard imaginable, which are charged with defending the last room and blessed with the ability to use the spells there in by Qael. Which holds information on the God-Forged spells. Then, finally, they create a false history detailed in reliefs, murals, broken tablets and other things. As to trick the mortals into believing these labyrinths were made by a long lost, Galbar-spanning race. Which destroyed itself through their own sinful ways.

After the design is complete, the Labyrinths are constructed in silence below the ancient locations.
[/hider]

[hider=mp]

Artifex start 5/5 mp/dp

2 construction dp (empowered by stoneworking) carving the Labyrinths main structure

1 construction dp for traps and puzzles

2 civilization/construction dp create the impression that a civilization once dwelled within the Labyrinths (stone furniture, bronze tools, old buildings, places to acquire food and water, cultural artifacts etc)

Labyrinth Golems 2 MP (empowered by stoneworking) extraordinary Species
These creatures can stand still for centuries. Appearing as statues until an adventure walks into their trap. They can also roam the corridors and rooms of a Labyrinth, forcing you to engage these stone constructs. While made of stone, the central mana crystal core that animates them is a weak point. Destroying will destroy the golem. It should also be known that the animation core is utterly useless and will in fact render to dust if taken out of the Labyrinth. Leaving the golem’s other parts as just simply stone.

[url=https://i.imgur.com/dnekD53.png]Teramites[/url]: 1 MP (empowered by insects) extraordinary Species
Termite-like creatures that live within labyrinths and are generally the same size as wolves while their queens are about the size of bears. Their bodies are augmented with stone, similar to that used to build golems, that makes them a part of the Labyrinth, allowing the bugs to feed of its ambient mana when prey is rare, while also allowing them to coordinate and cooperate with the labyrinths other magical defences. It also prevents them from escaping its depths into the wider world as they cannot survive beyond it. They have limited flight, tough armor and their semi silicon bodies make for a decent basis for magical components.  

Arcrypt Keeper: 2 mp extraordinary Species + 1DP from Qael (blessing to cast the god-forged spells explained in their spell chamber)  
Animated constructs made from bones of beings that never existed. They consist of a mindless and soulless undead skeleton bound in golem-like exoskeletons that hold their desiccated remains together. Each one is a mage that has a small roster of magical spells at their disposal that they will use to attack intruders into their labyrinthian home. While they are sometimes found within the “Tombs” of the civilization, where foolish adventurers might awaken them from their false slumber, they are most often found guarding the final spell room (acting as a final boss of sorts) and will often use some of the very spell they are guarding in combat. When killed, they crumble into dust as time finally catches up with them. Also they look like axolotl people. 

Artifex end 0/0 mp/dp

[hider=Arti port progress]

2/5 arcane monuments

4/5 constructs/automatons/golems (+ 4 from golems +  Arcrypt Keeper)

4/5 for Biokinisis 

5/5 mad science

1/5 for medicine

2/5 culture (+2 for fake civilisation)

3/5 for diplomacy
[/hider]

[b]Qael Naath start:[/b] 5MP/5DP
-5 MP >> Excavating and moving around the ground, earth, metals and stone to create the Labyrinths
- 2 DP >> Extraordinary race: Lilith Nymphaeaceae plant - A black and red water lily-like flower that grows on small, artificially made ponds within the Labyrinths. These lilies remain dormant until a mortal sapience enters their vicinity. When they bloom, the demon spell is cast upon the water below. Before soon the lily is consumed by the black mass. This actually causes a demon to be spawned and attack the intruders. The demon spawned by a lily will, if the threat is gone, try and attempt to return to a pool of normal water. As to deliver the lily to it’s new location.
- 1 DP >> Spell rooms - spell chambers which are chambers in which a specific spell has to be cast in a specific way before they can continue. For example: a round room in which a certain duo-spell dance has to be performed depicted upon the circular walls. Once the spell is performed, the gate open and they can continue.
- 1 DP >> Bless the Arcrypt Keepers with the ability to cast the God-Forged spells they are protecting.
[b]Qael Naath end:[/b] 0MP/1DP

4/5 Harmony Port
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