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

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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. Death

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.

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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

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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

Harmony With Nature

Arket is a land heavily entwined with the natural world. Communities are closely connected to

the land, its resources, and geography. The Flower Mother during his uniting of Arket

incorporated many Enkai practices into her orthopraxy. This emphasis on sustainable living has

fundamentally shaped the land.

Family’s Demands

The Blessed Path and Ark herself place a heavy emphasis on family. A person’s obligations

begin with their family. Children are expected to be loyal to their parents. Close relationships

with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents are common. It is not uncommon for up to four

generations to live in the same house.

A family’s demands come first. It is expected that all members of the family make personal

sacrifices in order to better the whole. An individual’s aspirations are secondary to the dreams of

the family. Those who attempt to escape this social order are shunned by the local community.

Sometimes they are given the title Dani or leech.