Nikink/GloriousJadePillar
Glorious Jade Pillar
My Entrant for the second NC17 Exalted Contest
Glorious Jade Pillar was crafted from flawless white Jade some 150 years ago. He has glittering emerald eyes and smooth, white marbled skin. Subtly darker veins can be traced by the observant and are the only blemish (so he believes) upon his perfection. He moves with graceful economy and his lithe muscular form almost glows with an inner luminescence. Flowing golden locks stream from his head in a gilded wave down each side. Everywhere he goes he draws murmurs of innuendo and seduction, his wondrous form an object of desire among mortals, Gods and Mountain Folk alike. However, he is not swayed by these overtures, overt or covert, of lust, love or greed. He seeks only to work stone and Jade.
Shortly after ‘hatching’ he was known for his divine appearance and penetrating insight. This bred jealousy and resentment among his peers and the inexperienced Jadeweaver abandoned the Conclave to explore the world into which he had been created. His wanderings led him to the surface of Creation where a Wood Aspect, Seed Flower, fell in love with his divine features and somewhat alien ways. For several years Pillar remained the Dragon-Blood’s constant companion and learned the ways of mortal procreation and love. Seed Flower would often utilise his Essence Aligning Treatment in the care of her slaves and livestock, and enjoyed the feeling of his dextrous smooth hands upon her own form after injury.
One day, however, a new Dragon-Blood arrived at the Manor – Cynis Fakar, a noted Air Aspected Sorceress and Scholar of Languages. Fakar said she came to study Glorious Jade Pillar and learn more of the mysterious Mountain Folk, but this was a lie. Certain Dynasts had come to resent Seed Flower’s Jadeborn companion as being above her station and hired Cynis Fakar to perform the assassination they thought necessary. Despite Pillar’s warnings, Fakar was allowed to stay.
Within a season the Cynis linguist learned the art of Rocktongue, and simultaneously wormed her way into Seed Flower’s heart and bed. Within two seasons, Glorious Jade Pillar was abandoned and to avoid further scorn by the Exalts, and the Great Geas, he retreated back beneath the lush countryside of the Blessed Isle to the grim depths of Creation.
Upon his return he was welcomed and given a place within the Conclave. Many Artisans sought to involve the newly returned Jadeborn in their Byzantine schemes but their pleas fell upon uncaring ears. Glorious Jade Pillar considered himself an outcaste still, but made a few necessary alliances for access to unformed Jade Eggs. For within his heart lay a secret vice. Time spent upon the surface among the bountiful, verdant life of Creation ignited an obsession. A guilty need. Glorious Jade Pillar craves nothing more than to touch his skilled hands to pure unformed Jade. To knead and polish the rough surfaces, smooth away imperfections, caress and mould the growing formations, kneel in supplication before the Great Maker’s secret fires until the gleaming purity of a new-formed Jadeborn erupts from the surrounding rock. To probe the dark and secret places beneath Creation and create life itself…
In the years since his return, Glorious Jade Pillar has hatched many ‘Jade Eggs’. Following seams of Jade into places few other Artisans would dare to tread has earned him both respect and reputation for foolhardiness. Moreover, few would consider his need to propagate sane if they knew, and many would consider it blasphemy and heresy to try and increase the number of Enlightened Jadeborn. Cursed with his obsession, he will go to greater and greater lengths to find pure Jade and other resources.
His Ally is the first Enlightened Jadeborn he hatched. A member of the Warrior Caste, Sturdy Stone Appendage is eternally vigilant and looks after his creator’s security both within the cities of the Jadeborn and on expeditions. Constantly at attention when on duty (which is most of the time), he has no fear of plunging headfirst into the unknown at the smallest gesture from Glorious Jade Pillar. He is attractive and valorous, but, unlike his 'father', quite bigoted.
His Followers are a small but growing contingent of Mountains Folk Workers and Warriors, all of whom he created with his own hands, and all of whom accompany him on his expeditions.
His familiar is a Mercury Ant whom he befriended on one of his early explorations and now guards him ferociously.
His resources are low due to several failed expeditions, and will probably keep falling unless he starts consolidating his wealth. Glorious Jade Pillar has considered hiring out Sturdy Stone Appendage for various purposes but cannot yet bear to part from his loyal, if somewhat one-eyed, right-hand man.
