The Stone Man

The Stone Man, or Red Mountain King, is a carved statue in a small valley just off of the Red Road in the Red Mountains. It is theorized to have been constructed by humans, as it is nearly unheard of for celestials to depict humans in any kind of artwork other than as a faceless crowd.

Purpose / Function

There are many theories concerning the original purpose of the statue, ranging from primitive idol worship to a war memorial to honoring an ancient hero. Unfortunately, not enough is known of the human tribes that lived in the region to form a solid theory.

Architecture

The statue itself is of relatively simple construction, most likely carved with iron chisels and then filed to achieve the desired level of detail. The carving depicts a human (presumably male based on body shape and facial features) wearing a floor-length robe and raising a lit torch into the air.

Possible Alterations

Some discrepancies in the construction of the statue, such as a disproportionately small head and the strange angle at which the torch is held, have led some archaeologists to theorize that the carving has been altered form its original design. Others believe that these features are merely a product of the original construction; as no other instances of the carving style are known to exist, it is currently not possible to corroborate either theory.

History

The statue was originally discovered in the year 2638 by a research team that was searching for an ancient celestial city in the foothills of the Red Mountains. The location for the dig was determined based on a mural found in a nearby ruin, which referred to a "mountain palace" in the vicinity. After a thorough search, the Stone Man statue was the only sign of civilization that could be found.

Type

Monument / Statue, Large

Parent Location

The Red Mountains