r/wizardposting • u/Relief-Force-Kobolds Ajax, Relief and Aid Reconstruction Team • 12d ago
Constructive Destruction Lorepost (open interaction)
For as long as anyone can remember the Temple of De’shan has stood as a waypoint in the tower wise featureless dunes of De’shan. Built of massive sandstone pillars and slabs it is visually impressive. Structurally, however, it is a mess. The pillars are free standing, their bases held in place by sheer weight, the same as the slabs that rest on them. The foundation is shallow and practically floating on the surface of the dunes. The only thing that is keeping it intact is the fading power of the god interred here. De’shan was a minor god of earth, and according to legend had raised the pillars himself, carving each by hand over a thousand years. Ajax has his doubts about this. What few gods he has met lack the focus for such a task. Plus he has done the same sort of thing in far less time.
He ushers the monks behind the shield, watching them smirk and joke amongst themselves. With their god dead and their numbers growing they had contracted him to build a bigger temple in into inter De’shans remains. His initial recommendation of a change of design had been laughed off.
Their hubris, however, has worked to his benefit. They have agreed to a wager. If he can find a wyrmling that could tear it down in under a day they will take his advice on a more… sturdy design. Pay will be doubled if it could be done with a single sandstorm.
He nods to the kobolds who activate the warding emplacements. The barriers will shield the monks from the storm while allowing them clear vision. With all safety measures in place he activates the small personal radio he gave to Gaius.
“You’re up kid. Show em what you’ve got.”
Gaius flies into the distance and then begins to Dragon Dance in the air, his form contorting in the wind. As he moves small trickles of sand begin to follow him. Faster and faster the young dragon begins to move his Geomancy connecting with and raising his magic and speed while his dance increases his damage and speed. Soon a massive swirling sand storm begins to form and then Gaius lets loose his Noble Roar and charges forward. The Sandsear Storm comes roiling in behind him in a wave of dust and heat. The overwhelming heat causes the stone of the temple to crack and the sand and winds begin to tear the cracking stone away piece by piece. Then the top layers of sand around the building are blown away revealing the very foundation of the temple and it too begins to crack. With that the building crumbles and the stonework is swept away in booming crashes with the storm. A minute later Gaius and the storm are but smudges on the horizon leaving nothing but smooth sand behind them.
Ajax walks over to the head monk, slapping the gawking man on the shoulder.
“So…” he says, “about my recommendations..”
3
u/Relief-Force-Kobolds Ajax, Relief and Aid Reconstruction Team 12d ago
“The Calamity?”
The monk goes pale.
“Now imagine if his dad had decided the temple was an eyesore.”
Ajax pats the monk on the shoulder.
“He could have leveled it with a single flick of his talon. That’s why you need to have a good foundation. Now pay up.”
The Monk grumbles and hands over a large bag of coins. Ajax counts it up and then hands half to Gaius.
“Your pay. Five thousand gold. Good work too, cleared everything away. Kobolds will dig a new foundation and I’ll shore up the new pillars with adamantine cores for strength.”