49 second fly-through of Argia (MPEG-1 format, 9.97MB)

There are some who believe that there are entrances to Argia to be found hidden in ancient burial mounds, though few would wish to find them. Time flows differently underground, without seasons or days, and the residents are scarcely human. Some seek Argia to gain knowledge or learn their skills in music. The few who have found it might remain there for what seems a day but on returning find that years have passed in their absence.

The inhabitants of Argia have great skill and knowledge, gained over the centuries. They have no hostile environment to challenge them and focus all their energy on study and music. Without years to mark their age, they have a very great lifespan and seem to us to be immortal. This gives them very great patience for undertaking tasks that take many years to complete.

There are no changes in weather, the air remains a constant temperature. There is no necessity for shelter, only a desire for privacy or beauty. Some residents live in small caverns hollowed out of the rock, others build elaborate crystal gardens patiently cultivating them as we would plants, or structures of gold.

There is no sunlight here. Special phosphorescent fungi are grown on the walls of the tunnels giving a fey glow. In the larger spaces there are immense globes emitting light. The functioning of these crystalline spheres is one of the wonders of Argia's knowledge. It is as if the inhabitants remember the world above and construct trees of glass and clusters of minerals bloom like flowers. Great caverns exist encrusted with crystals, the many facets reflect the fragile light.

It is not possible to see all of Argia. It is a huge network of caverns and passages, enlarged through the centuries. The life blood of the city is the underground lakes. These link the city and the enormous pale fish feed the population. They worship the water as the giver of life.

The heart of the city is the huge amethyst cavern where the main temples of worship are. These resemble the burial mounds by which Argia can be entered. This is the place of celebration, where, during festivals magnificent music is performed and there is dancing within the circle of ancient transparent trees. Here the ground is golden.