Ark

Sometimes called The Lotus or the Flower Mother, Ark is the primary material Goddess in Arket. She is often described as a woman dressed in a deep green kimono encircled by multicolored butterflies. Her eyes are said to swirl with different colors in an almost hypnotizing display. Those who have encountered the Flower Mother have noted her gentleness. Although other testimonies have described her rage. Despite being the newest material God, Ark is already one of the strongest. Her control over the lands of Arket is absolute.

“The Lotus is a gentle flower. In bloom there is nothing more beautiful than its petals. Yet, do not

forget where the Lotus comes from. It must push through the muck of the swamp, past the

oppression of earth and sea, to become beautiful. The Lotus is not weak. Behind its beauty lies a

stern determination only matched by life itself”

- Peace Speaker Nomi Misato at Pedaru’s Festival of Reeds

Worshipers

The followers of Ark, sometimes called Blossomers, populate all of Arket. Overall the religion around Ark is new and thus still undefined. Regional variants of many rituals are common. However, there are still many similarities between variants. Worship is usually ritually based. The specifications of each ritual vary but a number of universal rituals. There is the Ritual of Life for when a child is born or the Ritual of Death to remember a soul who is passing on. The Ritual of Turning marks the passage of a new year and is supposed to bring blessings. Finally there is the most sacred ritual: the Ritual of Safety also sometimes called the Ritual of Shaking. It is this ritual that was performed across and caused the shaking of Zell.

Relationships

The Flower Mother has a burning hatred for Zell and its people. She believes they are a vile scourge upon the land. Nothing will enrage Ark faster than a mention of Zell’s success. Nothing will please her faster than Zell’s failure. However, she is never outwardly hostile when Zell is mentioned. Those around her can simply tell the angry rolling beneath the exterior. Other material Gods keep their distance from Ark. Her raw power confuses and frightens them. Yet, in recent years, the material God Nau has begun to formulate peaceful relations with Ark. Trade between Arket and Aquar has been slow to progress due to the distance between but those with an eye on continental politics can tell that a strong alliance is forming.

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 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 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 appeared to Ark: Death and Purpose. Deathoffered 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.

The Schism

All was not well for long under Ark’s rule. Zell when they learned of Ark’s rise and rebellion quickly gathered an army to crush the rival God. Six Saints led the largest army Zell ever assembled to the border of Arket. All trembled at the massive power of the army that marched toward Ioka.

However, Ark told them not to fear and for everyone to begin the Ritual of Safety. Then the Flower Mother and her few Saints left. Yet, the people of Arket followed their goddess’ instructions. At least most of them did. The Machi Garrison continued to stand firm at the walls of Ioka. As the army of Zell grew closer, they were the only people in the city who did not perform the ritual. When the army of Zell was a stone’s throw from the walls, Saint Toshi appeared to the soldiers. He asked why the Machi did not perform the ritual. They replied that they were willing to die to defend Ark, her honor, and the people of Ioka. Toshi scolded the soldiers.

“Ark does not exchange lives for moments,” Toshi declared. He then began to perform the Ritual of Safety himself. It was then that the Machi Garrison relented. They began to perform the Ritual as the soldiers of Zell charged. What happened then changed the world. The skies darkened, water to black, all the animals of the land hid where the light of the sun could not see them, and the continent shook. More than that, Zell shook. A great tear in the earth opened in front of the walls of Zell. Amongst screams of terror, the soldiers of Zell fell into that great pit and were swallowed by the lands of Arket. The Saints of Zell fled in horror. Yet, when they returned home, they found that the earthquake was occurring across Zell.

Ancient foundations shattered at the ferocity of the earthquake. Buildings generations old fell beneath Ark’s fury. Millions of gold in damages were caused as thousands died. The tremors could be felt in the Breoan capital city of Razzia on the other side of the continent. For decades since, scholars have attempted to find how Ark was able to summon a burst of magic so powerful. To this day, the secret remains unknown. But, the Shaking of Zell remains as a lesson to this day. Arket is a sleeping giant. If they wished, perhaps they could rule the continent...

“One day they shall suffer for their rebellion. Blessed Path? A sham, a ruse, and a dexterous trick

to be sure. Death of soldiers I understand. But to target our people? No...I shall never allow it. I

will not rest until the terrorist bitch and her nation of cultists are brought to heel.”

- Zell grieving over the death of a beloved friend