[center][h1]Sylia[/h1][/center] [hr] The lands around the Atelier had changed with the passing of time. Not all could live within that great holy place and thus, Sylia wrought a great gift for those she deemed on the cusp of society and in a frenzy of work, she built by hand a vast city of metal and stone. For several weeks and nights the Goddess was lost in her work and the people of the Atelier could only watch in abject wonder as the land was tamed. The hills were carved out, flattened or expanded into great monuments. Buildings tall and wide took root upon strong foundations. She redirected the river to flow through the very heart of the city, thus allowing the gift of life for all. Great aqueducts rose, carrying water to places not so easily accessible to the river and out into the vast farmlands. For Sylia had plucked from the far south strange creatures, walking pigs who talked and agreed to teach any about the prospects of agriculture in return for new hearths and plots to till. Knowing the people of the Atelier would need a helping hand to fully grasp what was before them, Sylia went south again and returned with different goblins. Ones who talked with strange accents about hierarchies, kings, queens, priests and the Goddess of Civilization. Thus the Goblins of the Atelier were again elevated and those strange beastfolk people who had arrived during much of this, gladly took root there, safe from the terrors of the wilds. Yet the pinnacle of this city was not in some great work, for in time those would arise, but instead in the sheer size of it all. There were homes a plenty and would be for years to come as the old died and the new were born. As the populations would sore and Sylia had simply given them a basis to expand with their own culture and systems. And so they built upon what they were taught and Sylia only changed what did not work, into something more manageable. There would be no strife in such a fledgling nation if she couldn’t help it and the only divine right they had would be to exist, not to butcher those who opposed. That could come later if it was needed. Sylia only wanted it functional. Ultimately, it would be the mortals who would decide how they ruled themselves and the all encompassing threat of a God would loom above them. Logic and reason would prevail but the world was still young and the Goddess knew there would come a time when war would be the only certainty. And she could only wonder if they would be ready. So at last the city was created around the Atelier, stretching wide and far. As a final gift, Sylia erected a wall of white stone around the entirety of it and she also gave the knowledge on how to repair stonework when needed. Wide enough to be patrolled, thick enough to staunch any would be attack- it would be a mighty deterrent or the ultimate prize. Satisfied as she could be, Syliawould name her creation, Sylann. The city of Innovation. [hr] “Really Althea?” Vaesna sighed as the two Syllianth rushed up the steps that lead towards the third tier of the Atelier. Goblins wearing white togas with gray beards walked past them. “I’m just saying,” Althea began as she took a quick breath, “Even if we’re late, no one is going to bat an eye.” Vaesna rolled her eyes. “That’s what you said last time and Hollis still made us chisel the statue until our hands went numb.” “Well, so what if we do? You know our tardiness is worth it.” Althea eyed Vaesna and smiled. “Do you regret seeing Ophelia’s baby and those little chubby cheeks?” Vaesna returned the stare, her emotionless facade breaking apart with every second. “Ugh. Of course not. It makes me want to have my own.” A fullblood mongoose walked past, wearing working leathers and a large smile. Althea turned, “Hey Izara!” And gave a wave. The mongoose girl looked up sheepishly at Althea and waved back and then kept going. “Well, you know that’s easily changed.” She gave a sly smirk to Vaesna and elbowed her. “Many suitors about, dontcha know.” Vaesna waved her off. “Yeah, yeah. I know, it’s just…” She took a breath, “I’m not sure I want to be a mother just yet.” “Nothing wrong with that.” Althea agreed, “Plenty of time. In fact, all the time in the world really.” “Yeah. Maybe one day. Let’s leave the ones like Ophelia to keep up the good work. You and I have other, more important matters to attend to. The Goddess demands it.” They reached the tops of the steps and began the direct walk towards the massive workshop. “I doubt she demands much of anything.” Althea murmured as she looked up at the two massive marbled statues on either side of the ornate doors. Sylia had called them the Watchers, created in the memory of some creation long gone from the world but not forgotten. They opened the doors and rushed into the lit interior of Sylia’s personal abode. Upon entering a room that was designated for them, they found several others of their kind fast engrossed with their own projects. Woods were being carved, a few were hammering at a large chunk of metal and a few sat in a circle weaving. A large open fire burned in the center and the smells of the place brought a tingle to Althea’s core. She loved the place but then she eyed her own spot. An imperious looking Syllianth, his tall erect posture giving away his entire personality, stood by two empty workbenches with his hands crossed. “Hollis…!” Vaesna began but the male raised his hand. “Late again.” “I can explain!’ Althea burst forth. “I’m sure you can.” he said with little fanfare. “But I don’t really care. You aren’t children, I shouldn’t have to reprimand the both of you again. Statue duty, again.” They both groaned. [hr] The two found themselves in a chamber near the back of the workshop that led outside into a large garden. In the middle of that Garden was a large block of marble that required scaffolding to fully access. Luckily, they and others who had and would work on the statue, had already established the head down to the chest. It wasn’t like they didn’t enjoy carving and chiseling but what they were peeling layer from layer from the stone was the issue. It was Sylia and no one wanted to mess it up. So they worked, shaping their hands into chisel and hammer. All the while the silence between them was palpable. Althea took everything in stride whereas Vaesna, not so much. This would be the second day the taller Syllianth would not be able to work on faceting and Althea didn’t know how to broach it. So she sighed. “Althea. Vaesna.” A voice from behind them called out, and a shiver went up Althea’s spine. Not one of fear or even disgust but of pure excitement. How could one not be, with who that voice belonged to and its beauty. They both turned and immediately bowed before their Goddess. Sylia hummed the response to rise, so they did and Althea found the chiseled goddess looming before them. Her form of sleek obsidian with eyes of shimmering ruby. “Goddess.” They both chimed back as a large smile found its home on Althea’s lips. Her hands reverted back to fingers and she clasped them down at her waist. Sylia looked past them and up at the statue. Althea followed the Goddesses gaze and found that she wasn’t just looking at the statue but beyond it. “One day you shall look up at the heavens and not shy away from the sun. Another would be there and the nights not so dark. One that could be looked at and admired.” Her shoulders seemed to slack. “But how can one long for something they do not know could exist?” She seemed to say to herself as her arms crossed behind her back. “Goddess…?” Althea asked, not making any sense of it. Vaesna gave her a sharp look in return and Althea winced but she found Sylia’s gaze upon her own and the Syllianth girl felt herself shrink. “Nevermind that. Tomorrow the both of you shall survey the north wall. Hollis suspects your feet could use the exercise and I agree.” Her face was an emotionless mask, yet her eyes seemed to dance. “Now, you may continue and remember, this test is for all of the Syllianth’s to fail or succeed.” And then she was gone in a blink. Both Althea and Vaesna groaned. [hider=Summary] Feeling otherworldly inspiration, Sylia makes a great city around her holy site, the Atelier and names it Sylann. She nabs some Snouters and some more civilized Goblins to kickstart agriculture and government respectively. She then creates a great white wall around the city and teaches all within the art of repairing stone. We then have a peek into the lives of the Syllianth and what they are up too. [/hider] [hider=MP] Sylia Starting with 3MP *Sylia uses her Divine Quest Reward to create a great city around the Atelier, naming it Sylann. -1MP (Towards Earth Domain) She erected a great wall around the city, made of white stone. Made to withstand the sheer eons, hardy and durable. -1MP (Towards Earth Domain) To teach everyone within Sylann how to repair the great wall that protects them, and this would naturally curtail them into being able to repair many of the stone work that exists within the city. 1MP remaining [/hider]