Great Turtle Park

Summary

The most well-know attraction in Gavek is officially named Paul Vass-Majoros Park, but everyone knows it as "Great Turtle Park" after its most famous resident, the Turtle.

When Gavek's settlers first arrived in the area, they were surprised to find that the area was already inhabited by a very slow-moving, thirty-two foot long turtle and an obsidian golem. The golem was a smooth, black humanoid figure eight foot tall and five and a half feet wide with broad, squat features. Its sole purpose appeared to be to keep the turtle within the confines of a grassy area two miles by half a mile in size. Whenever the turtle would get close to the edge of that area, the golem would lift the turtle up, turn it back towards the center of its designated plot of land, and put it down again. Because the turtle moves very slowly, this spectacle only happens once every 1-8 months.

Many varied attempts have been made to harm, kill, or eat the turtle or impede its guardian. However, the turtle's skin, shell, and nictating membrane are incredibly tough. No one has even been able to scratch him.

The original and purpose of this tableau are unknown, but the city remains endless fascinated by their most famous resident. During the Thalassan occupation, a howdah was built atop the turtle and a full restaurant with four tables operated there for over a hundred years, diners enjoying the view as they ever-so-slowly moved about the park. In recent years, local artists have painted elaborate murals on the turtle's shells including the famous Infinite Turtles by local artist Janosz Levai.

Gavek's many artists seem to have taken the turtle as an icon and mascot, recreating his form in thousands of pieces of art. On any given day, park-goers can see up to a dozen art students sketching away.