Martial Grove

Martial Grove is a location in the Scribe Dynasty of Zhon where a pair of colossal coral statues mark the borders between the nations of Zhon and Rodinnbrok. The stone statues were commissioned by the Zhonish Sovereign Scribe, Nethy Chunqiu, to reward the Taevaskoda Warlord Palantir for his service as a Great General of Zhon.

The location itself features an oriental gateway, a bridge over the River TBD, a Small Scribism Shrine, and the Twin Martial Statues. The site is said to be a popular spot where Zhonish Martials take an oath to become sworn brothers.

Creation
On an Autumnal season, the Sovereign Scribe of Zhon, laid plans for the creation of the Twin Martial Statues on newly traded land with Rodinnbrok detailed in the second article of the Treaty of Azrielus.

Having received an edict, the skilled sculptors of Taevaskoda set out to enact their lord's will. The use of Cyan Terracotta and Tube Coral would mark the statues' iconic oriental chainmail feature. The collection of Cyan Terracotta was made possible through the collaboration of the GoonGuard Officier Paul the Builder whose aid allowed Zhonish craftsmen to collect an impressive 171 stacks of Cyan Terracotta.

Zhonish fishermen were tasked with the collection of Tube Coral that when dried formed a uniquely textured aesthetic highly valued in Zhonish Masonry.

The statues themselves required intensive labor to assemble. The sculptors of Taevaskoda spared no effort to accentuate the coral carvings to highlight their unique patterns.

The conical hats of the martials were fitted by Uzhon Workers who used lacquered wood to shield the statues from weathering, while the Martial spears were built by the Guon Commandry.

Design, style, and symbolism
Publicly the statues give a nod to the historic martial roots nurtured by the Warlord Palantir as Zhon's Great General. Despite his superior talents in building, Palantir innovated the many Martial practices adopted in Zhon which sought to harmonize the values craftsmanship, virtue, and martial might.

Culturally, The Twin Martial Statues symbolize the Zhonish Martial Teaching: "Two Fists cannot rival four palms" in which even the strongest Martial will eventually fall from consecutive opponents. Scribes likewise attest to the underlying value of Sworn Brotherhoodship, a common practice among Zhon martials who affirm a brotherly bond tighter than blood between a kindred martial embodying a life long friendship.

The statue itself holds a deep oriental ascetic common to the Zhonish Cultural Group of Zhon. To some in Taevaskoda, it signals a continued rise of oriental tones in the Taevaskoda Nordic Border town.

Scribism Shrine
The Martial Grove itself also hosts a small Scribism Shrine that functions as a "take a book home" library. The Shrine features a bell to both ring and pray towards the Three Masked God of Literature.

Location and Access
Martial Grove is nestled in Southern Zhon, East of Taevaskoda. It borders the Rodinnbrok Ruins of Valorys, a settlement abandoned in late August during The Soumenia Rebellion.

Nomads attribute Martial Grove as the entry way between Zhon and Rodinnbrok. However, despite it the Grove being a favored location of Martials, Caravans and Wanderers must still tread lightly in case of Bandit raids. Local authorities tell tales of a hidden band of Literate Orcs who may have settled within the nearby Bamboo Forests.

Local Fauna
The geographical region of Martial Grove was previously listed under the Rodinnbrok chartered region: Sunland, which aptly describe the numerous tall and sturdy Sunflowers that paint Martial Grove.

The introduction of Bamboo would happen later under careful care of the Sovereign Scribe, resulting in the creation of a dense Bamboo forest.