Post by Sire Halfblack on Jul 4, 2009 12:49:07 GMT
Within the Mercantile Quarter stands one of the empire's more unsual Craft Guilds. That such a Guild can stand in Deci at all speaks volumes for its power. Gold calls to the hearts of some in a manner that far outstrips its worth. Beside other Guilds and yet more lordly structures. It is fatter than other Guilds, the description entirely apt for it bulges out from its base like a greedy man’s stomach. Its walls are rounded and the turrets and towers of the guild are plump and domed. Bands of gold, both shiny yellow and black cross the Guild in bulging lines and within it is lit with lamps that burn with a bright, yellow flame.
Even its grand entrance door is round and within the guest chambers there are no portraits or tapestries here. Decoration is all in the form of the material that the Guild takes as its symbol. And it is a symbol, for the function of the order is not merely to shape raw material into beauty. For the Goldsmiths, or Gilt Masters as they are known in this their greatest elevation, are related to the greater alchemists on at least one level, in allegory at least.
However in Deci the purity of purpose of the Goldsmiths has, in some manner been contaminated or corrupted for here the Gilt Masters inspire avarice, a lust for wealth amongst the citizens that given their insular nature sees them pray upon one another in a never ending cycle of lust for treasure and, most especially, gold. Gold to be horded, gold to be loved and stroked and raised above all other things. The extravagance of the Guild with its grandeur and tacky glory is a wonder to all amongst the now afflicted citizens.
A Visit to the Goldsmiths
Within and the opulence nearly set him to twitching. Grand enough from without few were ever admitted to the Guild itself. He could see why. It was as if he stood in some mythical glade, whose tall trees made a canopy that allowed only a single, perfectly round view of what must have been ceiling so high above. No such thing could be seen, only a globe, the sun itself, perfect and still and ever shining. Gold of course, and indoors, which was neat trick he thought.
A fountain of gold tripped down gilded rocks each rock the same and perfectly aligned between golden mosses and here by a pool of more gold divans had been set out. Handsome women and finely sculpted men stood naked and oiled so that they too caught the same rich light.
© Alan Morgan
Even its grand entrance door is round and within the guest chambers there are no portraits or tapestries here. Decoration is all in the form of the material that the Guild takes as its symbol. And it is a symbol, for the function of the order is not merely to shape raw material into beauty. For the Goldsmiths, or Gilt Masters as they are known in this their greatest elevation, are related to the greater alchemists on at least one level, in allegory at least.
However in Deci the purity of purpose of the Goldsmiths has, in some manner been contaminated or corrupted for here the Gilt Masters inspire avarice, a lust for wealth amongst the citizens that given their insular nature sees them pray upon one another in a never ending cycle of lust for treasure and, most especially, gold. Gold to be horded, gold to be loved and stroked and raised above all other things. The extravagance of the Guild with its grandeur and tacky glory is a wonder to all amongst the now afflicted citizens.
A Visit to the Goldsmiths
Within and the opulence nearly set him to twitching. Grand enough from without few were ever admitted to the Guild itself. He could see why. It was as if he stood in some mythical glade, whose tall trees made a canopy that allowed only a single, perfectly round view of what must have been ceiling so high above. No such thing could be seen, only a globe, the sun itself, perfect and still and ever shining. Gold of course, and indoors, which was neat trick he thought.
A fountain of gold tripped down gilded rocks each rock the same and perfectly aligned between golden mosses and here by a pool of more gold divans had been set out. Handsome women and finely sculpted men stood naked and oiled so that they too caught the same rich light.
© Alan Morgan