Archaic Petra

A flower that bloomed in a cliff's impregnable cleft. It is an exquisite life shaped by the essence of Geo. There is a folk saying that goes thus: In times of yore, someone told the Lord of Geo that there was no life to be found in barren stone. Thus did the Lord of Geo command flowers of purest gold to burst forth from the face of an uneven rock. Perhaps the Geo Archon did once work such a great wonder, Or perhaps this is but one of the many tales that shroud this ancient world. But the prosperous harbor that grew out of the lifeless mountains, And that braves the raging waves of the Sea of Clouds— Perhaps that was the brilliant flower, after all.

A feather left behind by the giant wings that flattened the mountains. Though its tip has long turned a deep black, this feather remains sharp as a naked blade. They say that in ancient times, when the world was in turmoil, Rex Lapis uprooted mountains to create a giant bird of prey. The bird was carved out of rock and jade, and it soared above the ground the moment it had taken shape. Spiraling toward the heavens, it pierced through the clouds and flattened many stone peaks therein. They say that the rock kite spread its wings and dived towards the ocean, Plummeting from the sky like a sharpened spear, Right into the heart of the sea, and the monsters within... And they say that the pillars of stone that jut out from the ocean continue to attract birds to this day.

A sundial made using regal jade. It silently pursues both time and tide. Even rocks that have stood firm for time immemorial will eventually disintegrate over time, crumbling into dust and gravel. Legend has it that the Lord of Geo once made the glittering stars of the earth into devices for telling time, all the better to teach the ancient humans about the value of every moment. Over the passage of time, this sundial came to be the prized possession of Kunwu, who was then still a young scholar in training. "When I was young, I dreamed of studying the classics and going to Sumeru to attain the greatest wisdom." "Yet when gaining this dial, I played with and examined it for many long days, and could not find in it a single flaw." "Thus I changed tacks and sought a master craftsman to learn a new trade, and thereby challenge the creator of this divine tool."

A vessel for wine carved from immovable rock. It is said to be filled with the ambrosia of sovereigns. It behooves basalt to be impregnable, and crystal to shine in its translucence. Going incognito amongst mortals should be likewise, exquisite in its enjoyments. Folk legend holds that in order to drink wine, Rex Lapis brought forth bedrock, And carved jade and lovely stone into a wine vessel for himself. Some even say that there were once seven such vessels.

It is said that during the years when gods contended against one another, Rex Lapis' aspect was that of boundless slaughter. In those god-eat-god battles, one could never have ascribed gentleness to him. He knew right from wrong, and never missed his mark: in those days of tumult, he would show no mercy, even to friends-turned-foes. Rex Lapis' stone-cold expression never once changed throughout that storied age. They say that only when the dust settled did he lay down that unmovable visage. But it had been necessary, for he had donned it to fulfill a contract.