Aaravel's Atelier (ˈɑːrɑːvɛlz ˈɑːˈtɛlieɪ)
The Home of Gargoyles
Aaravel's Atelier is one of the finest establishments on Camorand City's Main Street. Only a few minutes away from the golden gates, its intricate marble detailing and golden decor shine through the cleverly decorated shopping windows, casting a celestial glow onto the cobble stone street. The creator of the atelier, Aaravel, sells his paintings and installations there. In the back and his gardens he also has a set of statues on display. His assistants are none other than his creations turned into living, breathing beings - the gargoyles.
His 'first-born', a beautiful winged young man with golden hair and wings at his temples, back and shoes, is called Hermes. He was built after legends of old - stories Aaravel had found as he participated in the discovery of items that were used by a long-forgotten society before Aradeia came into being. Inside the atelier, he is the one greeting the customers and showing them around the gallery. He is often seen charming or challenging his customers; the latter with chess or dexterity contests.
The second-born, a gargoyle that resembles a shadeling, is called Lucifer. His origin is the morning star of a society long gone. The morning star turned towards dark magic as he was asked to serve the Father's newest creation. Lucifer is often seen behind the counter of the atelier. He's an avid reader, a sarcastic conversationalist and rougher on the outside than on the inside.
The third creation is a delicate gargoyle woman built after the barely clothed statues from the same time as Hermes - Aphrodite. Called Ditzy by most, she was chosen by the muse and exudes an aura of harmony, beauty and fertility. She is the gentlest of the siblings, radiating kindness, but she also seems to be rather opinionated and confident.
His fourth creation resembles Korkrax, the Alchemist. He is called Kyakarasu and is built after the feathered deity, sharing a keen intellect and cynical outlook on life. He is the calmest and most intelligent among the four, following his own ideals and plans. He is most often to be found in the back of the atelier assisting his father, while Aaravel paints or constructs new installations.
Aaravel himself is a kind and gentle old man with a feature that makes him stand out among the elves of Camorand - he has a beard. Since Elethien elves are destined not to grow beards, his long, luscious beard that reaches down to his waistband makes him something exotic, something peculiar. Aaravel is a half-elf and considers high reputation among the people of Camorand.
He had a saying in the decoration and design of the city when it was built and after being blessed by the Gods of Aeva, he was given the family he so desperately desired. Since he is half human, half elf, his days are numbered, but he wants to make the best of them. To his customers, he appears as a wise and caring father who sees his gargoyles as both his children and his business partners. Tourists are encouraged to visit the Atelier at least once to fall in love with Camorand culture and get to know the Gargoyles as they live and thrive.
Purpose / Function
Originally, the atelier had been a former post office that was closed down after the last war between the immortal races. Since faeriefolk and other messengers were managed through the office's service, it shut down after the last faerie had been eradicated. After the office was stormed, it stood empty for about a decade, before the building was cleaned out and sold to the highest bidder.
Alterations
After the demolition of the post office's insides, it was rebuilt using mostly marble stone and recycled wood for its insides, as well as gold for statues and constructs. Aaravel has a particularly tight bond with the mines of Dânmaer, allowing him to use these specific materials under the strict rule that he must partake in prayers and dwarven rituals to honour the stone used inside the building.
It is said that the humming of stone can be heard at night time when you pass the building. It is the building with the most used stone in all of Camorand. (The rest is made out of wood, chitine or metal.)
Defenses
The entire building is full of alarm spells - tiny devices that make sure that nothing is stolen or that people have been harmed. They only work as long as someone who isn't a gargoyle or Aaravel himself harming the insides of the atelier.
History
Over the course of time, there have been several demolitions. The most important being the destruction of the post office and the appearance of the Black Pit that some people refer to when they talk about the atelier these days.
Tourism
Tourists of Camorand are always invited to take a step in and look around. Not only are the creations for sale (except of the gargoyles, of course), but you can also just lounge, have a drink and a game (chess or otherwise) to enjoy. Aaravel and the gargoyles are always happy to accommodate visitors.
As the novel writing and forging continues, this article will be updated and filled with pictures.
Aaravel's Atelier is the home of the following characters:
- Aaravel
- Hermes
- Lucifer
- Ditzy (Aphrodite)
- Kyakarasu (Korkrax)
- on the Main Street of Camorand City
- lies in a coastal town
- part of the artist quarters
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