First step of the pillar: hard surface base mesh done in Max, with matcaps in Zbrush to close-in on texture proximity. Soon I'll sculpt the circling pattern on the column. There are several ways I'm thinking of to do it, be it either alphas, custom brushes or a rolling tile. We'll see.

Time to star a new idea: an interior environment based on a single image in the Avatar: The Last Airbender artbook: 

I've broken down the environment in sheets already, but I'll have some figuring-out to do before it's done. I'm excited for it!