The Contest
Gathering / Conference
AD501-AD5500
The contest between Aesteros and Vanaya to determine the form of the world.
After the Domvari had awoken, and began to discuss amongst themselves regarding the formation of the world. Of these, two prevailed with the most support. Aesteros the Artisan, imagined a world that shined and glistened with stone and metal. He dreamed of great spires that challenged the skies, and deep halls that held fast in the deeps of the earth. In contrast, Vanaya the Gardener imagined a world of greenery, covered in open grasslands and dense forests, her trees rustling in the winds of the high heavens, and creatures frolicking in the vast gardens of the earth. Illos, king of the Domvari, called for a contest between Aesteros and Vanaya; each would fashion a monument to their visions, and whichever stood the tests of the world would decide the victor.
Aesteros fashioned a mighty tower of shining steel, strongest and highest of any that would ever be made. Vanaya grew a great tree, not nearly as tall as the tower, but strong and vigorously verdant. For centuries, both stood firm. The tower was unchanging, and the tree grew ever greater in height and majesty. The contest continued on for millennia.
In the final century, storms grew worse in that part of the world. The Test had entered its final stage. Both tower and tree were smote with lightning, and assaulted by heavy winds. The tower suffered warping and rust, and finally gave out, buckling under itself and falling from its highest point to its lowest foundation, and it was left no more than a ruin. The tree, however, stood steady; branches were felled or burned, bark split off, yet it still stood, and grew even larger in the end.
The victor was apparent. Illos judged in favor of Vanaya, and sent her off with her entourage to shape the wilds to their liking. To Aesteros was given the honor of constructing the city of the Domvari, for the king had yet been impressed by his work. The architect thus rallied his builders and set to work, quickly followed by the Domva Supella and her decorators. Together, they built the city of Urba, and set the standard for all cities to come.