Nikita, the first Caryatid

A Setessan archer n am ed Nikaia claimed that she could outshoot anyone, even Nylea. Word of this unwise boast spread, and in response Nylea appeared at the next archery contest at the Spring Nexus. She challenged Nikaia to an impossible feat of archery: to shoot an arrow into one of the twin trunks of Kruphix's great tree at the edge of the world. Nikaia immediately realized that neither refusal, failure, nor success would forestall Nylea's wrath. Nonetheless, she held her head high, she and Nylea both let fly, and both arrows hit. Impressed by the mortal, Nylea took Nikaia to her sacred grove and planted her there as a caryatid, immobile but forever occupying a place of honor.
Since then, Nylea has honored dozen s of other champions and worthy mortals, blessin g them with the long lives of mighty trees. The grown seedlings of Nikaia and Nylea's other favored continue to share their wisdom an d protect Setessa to this day.