Editing Ark (section)

== History ==
Ark is said to have once been a wandering mystic. She strode through the jungles of [[Arket]] learning its ways. Then, one day, she angered the regional Zell governor and was banished to the mountains. For three days Ark slowly climbed the Sukoshi Peaks. On the fourth, underneath a tree covered in butterflies, the Flower Mother knelt down. The legends say that the mystic felt a strange tie to the world under this tree. So there Ark sat, deep in meditation, for exactly one year. After the end of the year, Ark had absorbed the aether of the mountains. Once this had been done, Ark knew that the path of war encouraged by Zell was not the way. It was unnatural. Ark saw that if the people of Arket continued to follow Zell that one day they would be led to ruin.

''“Before mine eyes hath opened anew, I saw the fate of thy lands. Shattering screams, the''

''blackening stars, and the rolling tide o’ fire bright which seal the fate of children yet to awaken.''

''Twisted my mouth did into scream. A scream to break the silence. The mountains did show thy''

''way o’er the smoke but beneath the tree of death, I glimpsed my duty to find thy path. Then I''

''rose as the Lotus bloomed.”''

- Ark to the Dwarven Scribe Yalek the Coppermind

Ark leaped off the Sukoshi Peaks into a mountain stream below. When she emerged, Ark found herself in Ataru Lake. Within the lake Ark stayed for another year, not once rising above the water, but holding her breath with the patience of the mountain’s aether. She saw within the water the path. It flowed with the water, and the fish, and lilypads. Ark saw that only guiding others on the Blessed Path could she save her lands and people. In time, the rising [[Aether souls|aether soul]] learned to hear the Blessed Path perfectly. Every movement taken became harmonized with the Path. Ark smiled because that was good and she stepped out of the lake. With the aether of the water within her, Ark journeyed to the closest town, Ioka.

There Ark began to teach the Blessed Path. All who heard its wisdom knew that it was good and joined. None with minds sane, untouched by Sin, could resist its call. For another year the mystic gathered followers in Ioka. Then, on the three year anniversary of her banishment, the governor arrived in Ioka. He commanded Ark to leave the city else be executed. Reports differ on what happened next. Some declare that Ark turned into a great dragon and battled the governor and his soldiers. Others say that she took the governor to the highest point in Ioka where the two had tea. Still a third description says that Ark debated the governor, and the very ideals of [[Nation of Zell|Zell]], in the center of Ioka for three days straight. Whatever the case, all stories say that Ark convinced the soldiers of the governor to join her revolution. Their minds were not of [[Sin]] and they could not deny the Blessed Path any longer. However, the governor remained unconvinced. Knowing the way of the Blessed Path, Ark said that she would take the governor with her until he was purged of his corruption. After continuing to refuse, Ark turned the governor into a swarm of butterflies which still follow her today. It was on that day that Ark collected the sky’s aether and ascended to godhood. With her form surging with primordial power, two [[High gods|High Gods]] appeared to Ark: [[Death]] and [[Purpose]]. [[Death]]<nowiki/>offered his services in the upcoming revolution but Ark declined.

“You will one day have need of me,” Death said before leaving. 

It was after this that [[Purpose]] offered Ark their aid. Ark denied [[Purpose]] as well.

“I will not return and your people will search for me until you realize your error,” Purpose said before leaving.

Ark proceeded to appear across the lands of [[Arket]]. The people of Enkai were the second to join the new nation. They were enthusiastic about the Path and Ark appreciated them. Their love of nature inspired Ark. It was then that Ark arrived in Pedaru and was rejected. The new goddess simply smiled and continued on her way. In the Orc stronghold of Trust, Ark found only friends. Although the Orcs respected the Path, they still wished for independence. The Flower Mother agreed that they should only journey to her when it was their time. Trust joined [[Arket]] but still maintained its independence. Ark traveled to Tatakai next. There the family of the governor lived. Overtime, they rallied the city against Ark. The people prevented Ark from stepping foot into the city. Anger flooded their hearts and locked away their reason. Not even the great orator on the continent of Ramesh could have convinced the people that the Blessed Path was the key to their salvation. So Ark left, convinced that one day they would join the Path.

However, in retaliation, Tataki sent two-thousand warriors to raid Pedaru to secure materials for war. Yet, as the soldiers arrived, Ark met them. She showed them the wonders of the Blessed Path by performing three miracles. These three miracles created three powerful magic items: The Medallion of Resolution, the Leaf of Storms, and the Sacred Flute of Myriad Futures. By the time the miracles were finished, half the soldiers joined Ark. The other half charged the goddess, anger still flooding their minds. Before the soldiers of Ark could fight their former comrades, Ark twisted the surrounding area into a dense forest. The forest pulled into it the Tatakai warriors, trapping their rage for eternity. Now this has become the Ire, a natural prison which holds the souls of the Tatakai soldiers. The other soldiers which defected Ark sent North to Ioka where they would become the Machi Garrison, the lone military of [[Arket]]. 

Afterward, the Flower Mother journeyed to Pedaru where she was greeted with cheers. The leaders of the city bowed to Ark’s power and joined Arket. In their shame, the people pledged their city to Ark until the end of time. Now, with her nation in place, Ark began to rule as the Flower Mother helping to guide those beneath her along the Blessed Path. The nation of [[Arket]] was officially founded in 674 AR.