[h3][center] The Serene Island - Hortus [/center][/h3]

Within a deep cave below the ocean, somewhere between the great central mountains and the eastern continent of Orsus, Arvum continued his endless toil. 

Above the ocean had formed a great island according to his will. He had named it the Serene Island, Hortus. Food, water and medicine were plentiful upon it. The air was clean and soil was fertile. Windswept meadows gave way to bountiful forests. Hot springs dotted the landscape. Honey bees flew through various fruit and tea trees to land upon a radiantly colored flower. 

The island was not entirely without danger, but it was accommodating to mortals by design. Snakes roamed the grasses and ponds. Ants would bite those who trampled over their nests. Predatory birds might occasionally swoop by to scare something away their nests. The fiercest predators of the island were the various species of omnivorous bears who territorially guard their cavernous homes. 

The caves were plenty with life, mostly composed of simple plants like grasses and vines, fungi, insects and fish. There were deep and labyrinthine, become more dangerous as a person climbed down them. The ground was not always stable underfoot, and the flora and fauna was less cooperative to mortal-kind. However, it was not without wonder or intrigue. Water was still plentiful in many underground reservoirs. A blue moss grow among the rock and dirt, providing illumination in certain parts of the cave. In parts of the cave, it would appear that there was sky above, while it dimly lit others portions and was absent from still others, leaving them to the darkness. There was also exotic and potent medicines which only grew within these caves. 

As the cavern twist in turn, they occasionally run past the borders of the island above. In the upper regions of the underground, these tunnels connect to the surrounding sea, creating pockets of salt water where oceanic fish dwell. Even deeper these tunnels connect to the molten caves below. The heat overwhelmed these portions scouring away organic life, however the earthen plants of the magmatic environment might take root in these places. 

In the deepest of these caves, Arvum stood around a lake of green primordial life - proteins, lipids and glycans forming together and breaking apart. Etched Pillars rose from the floor to support the ceiling. The wild life of the cave did not enter the sacred chamber for it was the patient god's will. 

The lake embodied his domain of cultivation, however it also represented something else, his aspirations. Arvum realized that there would be times where he would need to heal the world so that life could flourish upon it. The lake stood as testament to that commitment. Merely being in its presence would help organic beings to meld themselves. However to truly benefit from the lake, one would need to bathe within it or drink of its substance. It would be able to cure mortal injury or deadly plague. He named this sacred place the Eternal Bastion. 

His ambitions were still grander, but while he was confidant from mortal tampering for a time, making it more potent might draw the attention of the gods. He was not prepared to watch it over for eternity while there was work elsewhere. He raised his hand and pedestal rose from the ground. He called for the lake to begin pouring into the pedestal's basin, and he began his delicate work of shaping and empowering it. The liquid morphed to his will and formed into a singular cell, far larger than any other. In accordance to his design, its out membrane harden until it was like stone. He was even able to etch a symbol into it. Its meaning clear to any god who read it, it was the name Arvum. 

He held the stone sphere within his hand. It would be a difficult task for most mortals, as it was larger than the average Homuran's palm. However a god did not truly need appendages to hold an object to them, he stored it away under his verdant cloak. Wielding the orb would mildly increase the health of the wielder. However, its true power was that it would amplify the power of the Eternal Bastion should it ever be returned to its pedestal. 

After creating the artifact, the Asclepius Orb, he took some time to consider how to proceed. It was then he heard a familiar voice, [b][i] "Arvum, your works have not gone unnoticed; you, who Taught Man to Toil, are to be honored. I would give offer unto you a courtyard in my own palace, if only you will cultivate it into a worthy garden..." [/i][/b]

[hider= Story] 
Arvum creates the Serene Island, Hortus. It is a large island between the God-Meeting grounds and the eastern continent of Orsus. It is a mostly peaceful place with plenty of food, water and medicine. It also has hot-springs, honey bees, fruit trees and tea trees. Below it is a massive verdant cave system that connects to the ocean and magmatic tunnels. It has glowy cave moss, is dangerous but has some more potent exotics medicines growing it. At the very bottom is the Eternal Bastion, a sacred place with a lake of healing life-substances. He also created the Asclepius Orb to empower it, but removed it so that it didn't draw as much attention while he was away. Arvum then heard the voice of the Monarch calling to him. [/hider]

[hider= Vigor] 
Arvum 
Starting: 13 
Ending: 4

-4 to create large island Hortus and a massive cave system beneath it. 
-2 to create a fertile ecosystem with plentiful food and medicines on Hortus and the caves below it, discounted by cultivation. 
-2 to create the monument, the Eternal Bastion. Being within it has mild curative properties, but it also has a lake of life substances. Drinking from or submerging yourself in the lake can cure severe mortal wounds and injuries. 
-1 to create the artifact, the Asclepius Orb. Holding it mildly improves a mortal's health, but its true potential is that it empowers the Eternal Bastion's healing capacity when returned to its pedestal. [/hider]