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 the Great General of Zhon.

The location itself features an oriental gateway, a bridge over the River TBD, a Scribism Shrine, and the Twin Martial Statues. It is known to be location where Zhonish Martials affirm their vows with their 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 cleaning the carvings of the coral to emphasize their unique patterns.

The conical hats of the martials were assembled 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 represent the Historic Martial Roots nurtured by the Warlord Palantir as Zhon's Great General. Despite his superior talents in building, Palantir innovated the 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 spirit forming a tight partnership to rely on.

The statue itself holds a deep oriental ascetic common to the Zhonish Cultural Group of Zhon. To some in Taevaskoda, it signals a reinforcement o the integration 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 plaines of the Valorys Ruins, a settlement abandoned in late August during Soumenia Rebellion.

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

Local Fauna
The Grove under Rodinnbrok charters was known as a region apart of the Sunlands, 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.