Editing Arket (section)

== Ioka ==
Ioka is the capital of Arket. Founded long before [[Ark]] rose to godhood, Ioka was once a city built out of flat marble. In recent years, vines and flowering plants have taken over the marble as nature has reasserted itself in the city. Young shinshowa trees give shade at every street corner. On the outskirts of the city, makers form new buildings made out of local stone and wood. Ioka grows stronger with each passing year with no plans of stopping. The Ataru Lake continues to provide fresh water and food for the growing capital. Scholars calculate that Ioka could quadruple in size before sustainability would become an issue for Ataru Lake.

==== Site of Ascendance ====
Near the center of Ioka is the site of [[Ark]]’s ascendance. The buildings in the old square have been torn down and replaced by trees. Around the space, butterflies flutter constantly. Business meetings, family reunions, and other events can also be seen within the holy site. Often travelers might see Ark herself walking gently through grass that has replaced the old cobblestone roads. Many note that her power seems to grow dramatically when she spends time at her site of ascendance.

==== Blessed Sakura Tree ====
At the exact spot where [[Ark]] ascended to godhood a Sakura tree grew. This tree’s bark is made out of silver and its leaves gold. So far the tree has climbed to almost fifty feet in height.

Over the years, citizens of Ioka note that the tree denotes the health of the nation. When the Blessed Sakura tree is in full bloom, Arket prospers. And when the tree appears sickly, dark times are happening within Arket. Some believe that when the tree dies, Arket itself will die as well and be no more. For this reason, many bring the tree offerings of water, soil, and other valuables.

''“Um...the tree appreciates thee?”''

- [[Ark]] to a crowd of [[wikipedia:Insanity|religious zealots]]

==== Spiral Gardens of Sawa ====
In the Western ward of the city lies the Spiral Gardens of Sawa. Tekigoko Sawa was a renowned architect operating between 613 - 699 AR. Sawa, when the Flower Mother took power, decided to dedicate his next project to the new goddess. Therefore, for five years Sawa built his spiral garden.

The end result was the largest collection of Arketian flora on the continent of Ramesh. Created in the pattern of a spiral, each of the six spokes encapsulates a different aspect of Arketian natural beauty. It all culminates at the center with a gigantic butterfly garden. Every known type of butterfly exists within the garden. In 688 AR, an agent from the Oric Divisky in Kovorov found a new species of butterfly within the jungles of Arket. This butterfly, the only one of its kind, was transported to the garden and remains there to this day.

==== Vu Jon ====
Vu Jon is the greatest school in all of Arket. The school’s studies are focused around arts, the humanities, and biology. Math, social sciences, and the like are not taught within the establishment. Following the teachings of Arket, Vu Jon believes that the hard sciences are just distractions from following the Blessed Path.

==== Machi Garrison ====
Those of the Machi Garrison were present for Ark’s three miracles. Now sworn to her service, the Garrison defends Ioka. The magics released that day appear to have artificially increased the life spans of the original members. Some describe how the original members of the Machi have not aged a day since the miracles.

Occasionally, a member of the Machi Garrison might fall in battle. When this happens [[Ark]] choses a willing citizen in Arket to join the Machi. This new recruit is then tested by the Machi before being inducted into the ranks. These new recruits, while aging slower, do still appear to age albeit at a third the natural rate. There are never more than one-thousand members of the Machi Garrison at any one time.