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There was a story once, one I remember hearing, about the water that ran below the roots of a grand garden. Forgive my waning memory and the details I’ve lost. I will do my best to recount it to you as I heard it last—
There was a story once, its entirety long forgotten, about water running between the roots of a garden. All the plants of that garden grew lush and tall, their flowers unfurling each season in a burst of perfuming color. The blooms, kaleidoscopic in their beauty, enraptured anyone who stumbled upon their verdant village of twisting twigs and spiraling stems. But for all the myriad beauty of the garden, all the peace and wonder it offered, all the mourning it received once the seasons changed and the annuals went asunder—no one ever found its keeper.
Some versions of the story speculate. Were they a lonely ghost, tending to the garden when no one was looking? Were they the hollow shrine of One Who Was Once, a lonely artifact nurturing the earth from deep within its slumber? Were they an ancient one, with eons of knowledge and many, many followers to help?
I think the truth is more plain than that. They were simply forgotten.
There was a story once, its entirety long forgotten, about water running between the roots of a garden. All the plants of that garden grew lush and tall, their flowers unfurling each season in a burst of perfuming color. The blooms, kaleidoscopic in their beauty, enraptured anyone who stumbled upon their verdant village of twisting twigs and spiraling stems. But for all the myriad beauty of the garden, all the peace and wonder it offered, all the mourning it received once the seasons changed and the annuals went asunder—no one ever found its keeper.
Some versions of the story speculate. Were they a lonely ghost, tending to the garden when no one was looking? Were they the hollow shrine of One Who Was Once, a lonely artifact nurturing the earth from deep within its slumber? Were they an ancient one, with eons of knowledge and many, many followers to help?
I think the truth is more plain than that. They were simply forgotten.
Introduction
Today seems like any other within the spectral glass of the Conservatory. All around float the soft mutterings of far-off activity. There is music in the leaves, in the wind whispering through the branches, in the rambunctious racing of Esk through the wings. Somewhere a fountain is splashing, a slow and steady dribbling of water overflowing its basin. Water drips rhythmically over the edge, each drop a loud plink against the quiet of the Conservatory, each drop silently counting the passing of time.
And the metronomic droplets seem to be the only indicator of time passing here; the Conservatory has always been a place out of time. Sure, the Esk that visit here celebrate the simulacrum of seasonality, playing in the figments of falling leaves or trudging through fresh tundra snow. But there is something timeless about the workings of this place—those who venture here usually find stability in its mutability.
Something is different about today. Through the soft mutterings of nature and gentle hauntings of Esk, the dripping fountain thrums beneath it all. It bellows out a steady, near-silent drumbeat rhythm. Each droplet shatters like glass.
Maybe you sensed it before, in the familiar haunt of your boundary: the taste of change, of rusted iron in your hollow throat. Perhaps you knew instinctively, felt the flash-freeze strike through your mind, and traveled to the Conservatory immediately. Or perhaps you lingered, perturbed, distracted; feeling on-edge until you could follow the feeling up and out of this plane into another. Maybe it happened in an instant—a blink, a gasp, a held breath, a shift—suddenly surfacing in the prismatic panorama of the Conservatory for reasons yet unknown.
Regardless of the reason, you are here now and energy is humming in the branches of the trees, a buzz of movement tracing the midrib of every leaf that flutters in the wind. You feel it drumming through every sparkling fountain, vibrating through every makeshift shrine. It’s there in the back of your mind like white noise, a distraction that refuses to relent.
All around the Conservatory feels expectant. Perhaps the aura makes you feel restless, or exuberant, or somber. Perhaps it whispers to a secret buried in the pit of you, begs a question you’ve been too afraid to ask, or only calls your name, for what you need doesn’t need restating. Despite your feelings, it beckons your very resonance forwards like a conductor’s baton, calling you to attune yourself, to participate in a grand orchestra of energy.
As you begin to wander, you feel the path shift around you, leading you deep, deep, deep into a perhaps unfamiliar part of the Conservatory. Your route may wind, leading you along manicured paths and between strange topiaries into the heart of the Developed wing. Or perhaps a foxhole opens before you, leading you through the quiet tangles into the heart of the Forest wing. Whatever the path, whatever form the doorway takes, it pulls at your very soul. It is as if the Conservatory is sweeping you along in its excitement.
There is a song in your chest. You know it well. It is the song of your own spirit, humming quietly to the energy around you. It is your only companion in the normally populous Conservatory. The silent singing tempo increases. Does your song join in harmony or dissonance?
Like a stone sinking beneath the waves, the last note reverberating in a choir, you delve into the--
And the metronomic droplets seem to be the only indicator of time passing here; the Conservatory has always been a place out of time. Sure, the Esk that visit here celebrate the simulacrum of seasonality, playing in the figments of falling leaves or trudging through fresh tundra snow. But there is something timeless about the workings of this place—those who venture here usually find stability in its mutability.
Something is different about today. Through the soft mutterings of nature and gentle hauntings of Esk, the dripping fountain thrums beneath it all. It bellows out a steady, near-silent drumbeat rhythm. Each droplet shatters like glass.
Maybe you sensed it before, in the familiar haunt of your boundary: the taste of change, of rusted iron in your hollow throat. Perhaps you knew instinctively, felt the flash-freeze strike through your mind, and traveled to the Conservatory immediately. Or perhaps you lingered, perturbed, distracted; feeling on-edge until you could follow the feeling up and out of this plane into another. Maybe it happened in an instant—a blink, a gasp, a held breath, a shift—suddenly surfacing in the prismatic panorama of the Conservatory for reasons yet unknown.
Regardless of the reason, you are here now and energy is humming in the branches of the trees, a buzz of movement tracing the midrib of every leaf that flutters in the wind. You feel it drumming through every sparkling fountain, vibrating through every makeshift shrine. It’s there in the back of your mind like white noise, a distraction that refuses to relent.
All around the Conservatory feels expectant. Perhaps the aura makes you feel restless, or exuberant, or somber. Perhaps it whispers to a secret buried in the pit of you, begs a question you’ve been too afraid to ask, or only calls your name, for what you need doesn’t need restating. Despite your feelings, it beckons your very resonance forwards like a conductor’s baton, calling you to attune yourself, to participate in a grand orchestra of energy.
As you begin to wander, you feel the path shift around you, leading you deep, deep, deep into a perhaps unfamiliar part of the Conservatory. Your route may wind, leading you along manicured paths and between strange topiaries into the heart of the Developed wing. Or perhaps a foxhole opens before you, leading you through the quiet tangles into the heart of the Forest wing. Whatever the path, whatever form the doorway takes, it pulls at your very soul. It is as if the Conservatory is sweeping you along in its excitement.
There is a song in your chest. You know it well. It is the song of your own spirit, humming quietly to the energy around you. It is your only companion in the normally populous Conservatory. The silent singing tempo increases. Does your song join in harmony or dissonance?
Like a stone sinking beneath the waves, the last note reverberating in a choir, you delve into the--
The Temple of Sound
If your Esk is a Traveler, they might feel inexplicably drawn to the Temple of Sound. Residing within the Developed wing of the Conservatory, the Temple of Sound is a grand structure of white and silver. Bright rows of manicured gardens and topiaries line the walk to the temple. Occasionally one may see a hedge maze of curves and rings guarding the entrance.
You step into the grand atrium of the Temple of Sound. It is a large, bright, ballroom-type space, with curving architecture that stretches high into the ceiling. Everywhere there are rushing fountains with shooting water displays, cool stretching tile, and silver accents inlaid into white marble detailing. The air is light, bright, almost cheerful, and maybe you can even hear happy tingling chimes echoing through the room.
Your footsteps echo as you draw deeper inwards, inspecting your surroundings. As soon as you glance back, however, you find that the door from which you entered has closed behind you. Another has opened on the far wall of the atrium.
It seems the temple knows you have arrived.
You step into the grand atrium of the Temple of Sound. It is a large, bright, ballroom-type space, with curving architecture that stretches high into the ceiling. Everywhere there are rushing fountains with shooting water displays, cool stretching tile, and silver accents inlaid into white marble detailing. The air is light, bright, almost cheerful, and maybe you can even hear happy tingling chimes echoing through the room.
Your footsteps echo as you draw deeper inwards, inspecting your surroundings. As soon as you glance back, however, you find that the door from which you entered has closed behind you. Another has opened on the far wall of the atrium.
It seems the temple knows you have arrived.
The Temple of Silence
If your Esk is a Trespasser, they might feel inexplicably drawn to the Temple of Silence. Residing within the Forest wing of the Conservatory, the Temple of Silence is an unassuming structure, with large trees and overgrown moss obscuring its size and depth. Tangles of roots and ferns surround the temple’s entrance. If you look into the swathes of undergrowth, you may spot the occasional small moss-covered statue peeking through the deep green.
You step into the large atrium of the Temple of Silence. Warm, dark, wooden walls zig-zag high up into the ceiling, inlaid with brass and geometric designs. Plants stretch through the cracks in the architecture, dappled in the faintest hints of light that creep through the roof. The low light and foliage shroud the walls. True to its name, it is quiet here. If you listen closely, perhaps you can hear the aura of low, muffled, droning brass that slithers through the temple. The atrium is comfortably dark and gentle, much like the aura of an old library. Pools of water sit nestled in the comforting embrace of plants. Perhaps streams or waterfalls connect them, but the movement of water yields little to no sound.
You can barely hear your footsteps as you draw inwards, inspecting your surroundings. As soon as you glance back, however, you find that the place from which you entered has closed behind you. Another has opened on the far wall of the atrium.
It seems the temple knows you have arrived.
You step into the large atrium of the Temple of Silence. Warm, dark, wooden walls zig-zag high up into the ceiling, inlaid with brass and geometric designs. Plants stretch through the cracks in the architecture, dappled in the faintest hints of light that creep through the roof. The low light and foliage shroud the walls. True to its name, it is quiet here. If you listen closely, perhaps you can hear the aura of low, muffled, droning brass that slithers through the temple. The atrium is comfortably dark and gentle, much like the aura of an old library. Pools of water sit nestled in the comforting embrace of plants. Perhaps streams or waterfalls connect them, but the movement of water yields little to no sound.
You can barely hear your footsteps as you draw inwards, inspecting your surroundings. As soon as you glance back, however, you find that the place from which you entered has closed behind you. Another has opened on the far wall of the atrium.
It seems the temple knows you have arrived.
To begin this Quest, you must draw or write about your Esk participating in something inspired by the above. You may interpret this Introduction in any way you wish, so long as you clearly depict selecting either the Temple of Sound or the Temple of Silence.
Your Esk will harmonize naturally with the Temple that their resonance matches. (Travelers with Silence, Trespassers with Sound.) However, something deep and ancient seems to draw them towards the dissonance of the opposite Temple, like the thrumming, steady magnetism of the Earth. If your Esk is an Abnormal, they might have no feelings one way or another, or be drawn to both temples. You are free to choose whichever temple your Esk would like to explore, and free to decide why they chose that particular temple.
How did your Esk arrive in the Conservatory? Were they here by chance or drawn forward by a strange energy, a memory, curiosity? What did they feel upon visiting the Conservatory? Did they have other plans that were rudely interrupted, or did they consciously choose to investigate?
Which temple did they feel drawn to and why? Did they feel called to harmonize their energy, or did they feel pulled to explore the dissonance? How does the exterior or the atrium of your chosen temple manifest for your Esk? What does it look like, sound like, feel like? Where is the ever-present water and what is it doing? Is it jumping and loudly splashing in fountains, or perhaps quietly sliding along the walls?
How does your Esk feel about entering this place? Are they intrepid, nervous, excited, apprehensive? Do they feel comforted by being pulled or perturbed by the experience so far? Are they worried about being alone in this strange place or are they relieved by the peace or excitement it brings?
If the Conservatory glass panes aren’t visible due to the Temple's walls, you must add some elements of the specific Temple’s architecture or other magical or fantasy related aspects in your piece in order to qualify for the Quest. This can be achieved by adding in elements that seem unnatural, odd, or set up in a way they would clearly not be on Earth. (ex. A building floating upside down, floating platforms, etc.) The Temples in this Quest will be personalized to your Esk, so feel free to explore their depictions in creative ways, while still making each temple recognizable and distinguished from the other.
Completing this Introduction will qualify you for the Questline corresponding to your chosen temple. In other words, if you select the Temple of Sound, you will unlock the Temple of Sound’s prompts. If you select the Temple of Silence, you will unlock the Temple of Silence’s prompts. You may choose to complete the other questline, but to do so you must draw or write another Introduction choosing the other temple to unlock those prompts.
Artwork entries must be full body, colored, and shaded, with a simple or full background; literature entries must be over 800 words. Click here to review the Quest’s full Rules and Entry Requirements.
Remember to keep the themes and motifs of the temples in mind when depicting your Introduction as well as your following prompt entries. The temples will respond to your Esk, and change to depict what your Esk needs most, whether they know it and accept it or not. However, please take care to keep your entries aligned with what the temples look and feel like; for example, using the correct color schemes and ambiance within the appropriate temple.
As this event takes place in the Conservatory, all Esk will retain their nature features, as well as their enchantments, elementals, accessories, and familiars.
Your Esk will harmonize naturally with the Temple that their resonance matches. (Travelers with Silence, Trespassers with Sound.) However, something deep and ancient seems to draw them towards the dissonance of the opposite Temple, like the thrumming, steady magnetism of the Earth. If your Esk is an Abnormal, they might have no feelings one way or another, or be drawn to both temples. You are free to choose whichever temple your Esk would like to explore, and free to decide why they chose that particular temple.
How did your Esk arrive in the Conservatory? Were they here by chance or drawn forward by a strange energy, a memory, curiosity? What did they feel upon visiting the Conservatory? Did they have other plans that were rudely interrupted, or did they consciously choose to investigate?
Which temple did they feel drawn to and why? Did they feel called to harmonize their energy, or did they feel pulled to explore the dissonance? How does the exterior or the atrium of your chosen temple manifest for your Esk? What does it look like, sound like, feel like? Where is the ever-present water and what is it doing? Is it jumping and loudly splashing in fountains, or perhaps quietly sliding along the walls?
How does your Esk feel about entering this place? Are they intrepid, nervous, excited, apprehensive? Do they feel comforted by being pulled or perturbed by the experience so far? Are they worried about being alone in this strange place or are they relieved by the peace or excitement it brings?
If the Conservatory glass panes aren’t visible due to the Temple's walls, you must add some elements of the specific Temple’s architecture or other magical or fantasy related aspects in your piece in order to qualify for the Quest. This can be achieved by adding in elements that seem unnatural, odd, or set up in a way they would clearly not be on Earth. (ex. A building floating upside down, floating platforms, etc.) The Temples in this Quest will be personalized to your Esk, so feel free to explore their depictions in creative ways, while still making each temple recognizable and distinguished from the other.
Completing this Introduction will qualify you for the Questline corresponding to your chosen temple. In other words, if you select the Temple of Sound, you will unlock the Temple of Sound’s prompts. If you select the Temple of Silence, you will unlock the Temple of Silence’s prompts. You may choose to complete the other questline, but to do so you must draw or write another Introduction choosing the other temple to unlock those prompts.
Artwork entries must be full body, colored, and shaded, with a simple or full background; literature entries must be over 800 words. Click here to review the Quest’s full Rules and Entry Requirements.
Remember to keep the themes and motifs of the temples in mind when depicting your Introduction as well as your following prompt entries. The temples will respond to your Esk, and change to depict what your Esk needs most, whether they know it and accept it or not. However, please take care to keep your entries aligned with what the temples look and feel like; for example, using the correct color schemes and ambiance within the appropriate temple.
As this event takes place in the Conservatory, all Esk will retain their nature features, as well as their enchantments, elementals, accessories, and familiars.
Submit your entries to the Quest: Soulsong folder here!
You must complete the Introduction before continuing onto your chosen Temple's prompts.
You must complete the Introduction before continuing onto your chosen Temple's prompts.