epidemiology | EVENT ★ EXPLORATION

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EVENT ★ EXPLORATION

With the storm gone, the water surrounding Komo has calmed considerably. Much of the affected area is in ruins, but thanks to ALASTAIR, a large contingent of Komo survived the disaster. However, with parts of Komo uninhabitable, they need to be able to reach Nalawi’s other islands. With their technology so limited due to dependence on their Gifts, it’s all they can do to build a few tiny, shoddy canoes, powered solely by elbow grease. They only fit two regular-sized people (but four Nalawi), and the wait time is long, but they do the trick. If you aren't willing to wait, you can always try to get creative.

Strangely, though, anyone trying to use their magic to cross the waters will find that their powers are beginning to dampen. Similarly, anyone with superhuman abilities at all will find them waning, albeit at different rates. Those without any special powers at all will be completely unaffected.

But that's nothing to worry about, right? It’s time to see the rest of Nalawi.

PU’ULAI

PU’ULAI is the centermost island of the archipelago and by far the largest. Most of the travel between islands is to and from Pu’ulai, as it’s the cultural hub of Nalawi and the location of Nalanni’s largest temple. It’s very populated during the day, but isn’t a residential area and clears out once the sun goes down.

The first thing you'll notice is that the deer hate cats. The citizens of Komo are far more likely to let it go, but if you have anything slightly cat-looking with you here, at best, you'll be yelled at. Some Nalawi try to start fights, and no one but Komoans will allow cats anywhere near their homes or inns. Recruits might notice children running away from cats, screaming, "Dakal!"

THE TEMPLE, referred to as Nalanni’s Garden, is closest to the Nalalona volcano on a neighboring island. The regular ash from it was viewed as a good omen from Nalanni, who’s rumored to live within the volcano, but it’s been months since anyone has seen any activity from it. The temple is dark as obsidian, which is coincidentally what it’s made of. There’s a copious amount of brightly colored flowers around the temple, hence the name. The gardens are free for anyone to walk through, as is the temple. One image is constant throughout the temple: an inhumanly large, vaguely feminine being made in stone and fire, a walking volcano. It would be easy for such a woman to look frightening, but she looks welcoming and caring, arms outstretched to embrace her children.

Inside the temple are more murals of Nalanni, but also some curiously unrelated to her. They depict the Nalawi fighting against large, predatory cat-creatures, finally culminating in their enemies attacking Nalalona. This is when Nalanni reappears, striking them down. The temple is tended to by several Nalawi of varying ages, all very welcoming to strangers, especially those they’ve heard heroic tales of. News traveled fast once the Komo villagers crossed the waters and spread the news of their timely rescuers. There are plenty of Nalawi in the temple, making offerings and asking Nalanni to return to them -- some are hopeful, but others appear desolate.

CITY HALL is where the ten members of the Council convene. No one is allowed in, as they’ve been discussing the changing state of Nalawi nonstop for days. There’s a group gathered around the hall each day, hoping their leaders will emerge and announce their plans, but nothing has happened yet. It’s a good chance to sit around and listen, though -- you’ll quickly find out that Nalawi is a meritocracy; the Council have the strongest Gifts of anyone in Nalawi, determined by a nationwide competition to prove their worth every time a seat opens. Some of the more disgruntled deer whisper that some must have lost their powers by now and no longer deserve to sit on the Council.

A few arguments are beginning to break out around the city hall, and even a few scuffles. Luckily, their weakened powers have also dampened the damage they’re able to deal, and no one has been injured too badly. Just try to be respectful -- otherwise, you might upset the wrong person. Those hooves can hurt.

ELSEWHERE, there's a marketplace where traditional Nalawi clothing can be bought, among other things, inactive spas shut down due to dormant volcanoes, and maybe -- if you’re very lucky -- you’ll stumble upon a ferry that still works. It’s unlikely, though, and haggling with its owner will be difficult. You could always steal it, but you wouldn’t do that, would you?

You can always explore the SURROUNDING ISLANDS, which are mostly residential areas, similar in theme to the parts of Komo that haven't been destroyed.

Oh, and if you're disrespectful to the islanders or were at any point rude to the people in Komo, you might wake up to find a bunch of tiny, adorable Nalawi around your bed, swinging around bars of soap in socks. Don't worry, they won't actually do anything but threaten you for a minute before storming out. ...Yet. The moral of the story is 'don't mess with the Nalawi.'

OOC INFO

The entire map of Nalawi is now available to characters. Updated location information can be found here.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Temple:

[Of course, the first thing that Sorey gets curious about is the temple. He's always been curious about shrines and temples and ruins and the like, even back home. So this really isn't any different. Or so he tells himself, as he walks through the garden, admiring the plants and flowers, as he walks through the temple itself, admiring the story it tells with the murals, the artwork.]

It's almost like the shrines back home. Telling stories of the seraphim or previous Shepherds......

[He says thoughtfully, almost to himself as he pauses in front of one of the murals, a gloved hand reaching to it in wonder and consideration.]

City Hall:

[Sorey, ever to peacemaker and good Samaritan that he is, is attempting to try diffuse the arguments and scuffles, as best he can. Hopefully without actually hurting the smaller deer people. Actively placing himself in the middle of them, in between them as a physical barrier as he tries to get them to calm down if things do come to blows.

Still, he offers to potentially heal anyone who does get injured, if he has a seraphim with him to armatize with, or simply to get them to someone who can heal them. Come help, ask what was going on?]

Elsewhere:

[Basically, wildcard option. Any other prompts you guys can think of, just hmu.]

[He had a little trouble navigating his canoe here, even resorting to paddling at the end when his magic navigated him through the waters a bit uncertainly. It's definitely on his mind, but once Merlin sets eyes on the temple, he mostly forgets all about it.

He's standing in front of one of the murals himself, looking up at the image of Nalanni.]

She's certainly beautiful in her own way, isn't she?

[Merlin realizes that he's actually speaking to someone then, looking over.]

You have shrines to herdsmen where you're from?

She is. Most of the shrines I've seen are usually dedicated to males. So it's a nice change of pace.

[And he means that. It's nice to see goddesses, women, getting acknowledgement, as he thinks to how difficult it has been for Alisha back home and all. He's using this to try distract himself, to learn more about this place if ALASTAIR might intend them to potentially be here for a while yet.]

Herds--ah, no......I meant the Shepherd like in the stories. The ones with the powers of the seraphim. The heroes! But I guess you're not from Glenwood, of course you wouldn't know. The Shepherd saves people. He helps them. Uses the power of purification against the hellions. Defeats the Lord of Calamity.

[We don't mention the 'the Shepherd disappears afterwards' thing that looms over Sorey even still. Nope.]

It's good to see more balance.

[Merlin agrees. The old religion is all about that, even if the stories are most often about the priestesses than the priests.

The young wizard listens to his story, and there's still a few words that he's never heard before, doesn't understand. But by the end of it, he thinks he understands just a little better who these Shepherds actually were.]

And you have a lot of shrines to them? [Merlin smiles, guessing from what he said before.] That sounds lovely. Most of the shrines in my world have been destroyed.

Balance. Yeah, you could say that!

[Though to be fair, it isn't like Sorey has anything against women, or women being capable and strong fighters, powerful in their own right. After all, both Squires he has taken on to assist him in his journey and befriend, they were female. Alisha, and then Rose.]

Ah, most of them are shrines to the seraphim themselves. But I've seen one or two more dedicated to the Shepherd themselves. Or, some adventures of the previous Shepherd, anyway, being depicted at the shrines. But, your shrines and ruins were destroyed? Why?

[His expression and mood obviously falters at that. Because it's rather saddening, to think of all that potential history being lost.]

If the seraphim have powers as well, then why are the shepherds necessary at all?

[He asks too many questions sometimes. But hopefully Sorey will take them for what they are, just curiosity and an interest in those he shares ALASTAIR'S missions with. That includes their worlds, even if he'll never see them.

Merlin's own expression does the same as he explains, even his voice more somber.]

The religion that they belonged to was outlawed over twenty years ago, many of the worshippers executed. Most people even believe the sites to be cursed now.

[He looks back up at the murals.

I hope that never happens here.

Well....the Shepherds kind of act like a messenger? I mean, most humans can't see or hear the seraphim, so this way there's someone that can communicate with both. And then there's the armatus, which means the Shepherd can channel the seraphim's power to help out the humans.

[If that makes sense. Sorey isn't really used to needing to explain it all in this much detail and everything, since people back home still know of the seraphim and stories of the previous Shepherds. But he doesn't mind answering some questions, when he usually has plenty of his own.]

I hope not too. Here or anywhere else.....

[Put that way, Merlin understands. In the simplest terms, the Shepherds are a bridge, even if Merlin knows that it's actually a little more complicated than that.]

Anyway, thank you. For taking the time to explain it to me. [Merlin adds with a smile before introducing himself.] I'm Merlin.

Ah, sure! I hope I explained it okay. Back home, most everyone at least knew of the seraphim, so being here is....different.

[Actually having to explain these things. But well, it is easier that everyone here seems to be able to see and hear his seraphim friends just fine.

But oh, introductions. Yeah, those. Sorey's still kind of hopeless at human customs but he isn't quite as awkward about it as he was.]

Merlin, right. I'm Sorey!

I think you made the Shepherds proud.

[And the seraphim too. Merlin grins at him.]

What did you do back in your world?

Well, if you're asking about before I left Elysia back home where I grew up, I mostly hunted, explored ruins, read a lot....but after that I kind of ended up making a pact with Lailah, a fire seraph, and a lot happened then.

[Things just kept snowballing, preventing him from leaving as soon as he had anticipated, initially just wanting to warn Alisha and make sure she was safe.

But yes, he is saying he's. One of these Shepherds.]

[It sounds like a nice life, to start. Normal, but with enough interesting things to not be boring.

But then he mentions a fire seraph, and Merlin has learned enough to put it together.]

You're a Shepherd? No wonder you explained it so well.

Yeah. Lailah explained the basics and I've picked up bits and pieces from reading the Celestial Record, exploring some ruins farther out since then too.

[But well, while Sorey may be clueless and still learning on a lot about humans and their culture, he's pretty big on being fairly learned in regards to history and the books he's read growing up. Still, there's something to be said for first-hand experience.]

[Curiosity has too drawn Achilles to behold what the local temple bears, for he wonders about what manner of goddess this Nalanni is: even if she is not among the immortals who preside over the lands with which he is familiar, it would be prudent to find his way into her good graces, should she decide to turn her heart once more to the Nalawi people.

The young man's conjecturing pulls him from his cursory study of the mural, and he turns to grant him address.]

I have found that among this accursed crew, it is rare for one to speak with such reverence toward the gods, for surely that is what these seraphim and shepherds are to the people of your dear native land. Tell me, are these the names for the immortals that watch from on high and grant their benison when they see fit?

[Sorey turns to face Achilles as he speaks, as he hears the unfamiliar voice. But then, aside from Alisha and the seraphim here, nobody here is really familiar to him. Not yet.]

Ah....something like that? I guess you could put it that way. Seraphim can bless the land and help purify it from malevolence and all, so that wouldn't be wrong. I guess it's just kind of hard for me to see them as gods when I grew up with them is all.

[Having a seraph as his best friend, as his 'Gramps' will do that. But Sorey does look at least a little sheepish even as he admits that. He knows his situation is.....strange, that every other human lives out there, in Ladylake and the other towns and capitals of Glenwood.]

[He studies the young man's appearance: to Achilles' discerning eye, his is not the body of a warrior.]

Then a priest in one of these seraphim's temples you must be, is that right? You are much loved of them indeed if by your side they stayed during your boyhood. I must admit, it is strange to learn of these stranger gods who preside over lands flung so far from the many countries of the Danaans - who was is that determined which gods would belong to which race? Surely, such a question sinks beyond the depths which any mortal mind can reach.

[His proud stance, with head held high and shoulders level, as well as his sturdy words speak to his confidence: here is a man who is well learned in the art of public address, of leading other men.]

A priest? Not exactly. But I have helped out the church a bit.

[Usually by restoring the blessing of the local seraphim, finding more appropriate priests where necessary. Still, he does his best to help out in general, and probably doesn't initially appear to be as capable at fighting upon first appearances. And well, the sword he has on him is ceremonial, so one could be forgiven for making assumptions in that regard once that's unsheathed.]

Danaans? But I'm not sure. People worship various gods and ideas. They probably always have. I remember growing up reading about the Shepherds and stuff, but I never really figured that I'd do it myself. But some -- most of my closest friends are seraphim. Mikleo especially!

People worship the gods because it is prudent to do so. The gods will not grant their succor if they've received no respect from the mortals over whom they watch: in their wrath they may lash out, and in the mighty hands of the immortals, the lives of men are as flickering and easy to extinguish as candles are to us.

[Favored one day, cast from favor the next. It's a rough life.]

Thus, we burn the fat and bones of oxen in supplication, we pour out libations to share with the gods, and we offer up our prayers that benison may find us. The cloven-footed Nalawi do not honor Nalanni thus, yet for countless generations she has rained down blessings upon their brows nonetheless, until these troubles times in which they now find themselves. These Seraphim of which you speak too seem to be immortals of a different manner.

So, it's like back home, where people leave offerings to the Lord of the Land, for the seraphim. Er, kind of. I'm not sure if anyone has tried to offer them oxen.....

[Though okay, to be fair, Sorey probably has offered some snacks himself so. It's possible. Hard to say what others might present in offering, after all.]

I'm not sure, maybe things are different here with Nalanni. I mean, we can't always keep comparing things with ALASTAIR to home when these are completely different worlds, right?

The ways of this race are indeed strange to me: they uphold customs of which I know nothing, and eschew customs which are vital to all civilized men I know. So too have I found among those of this crew. The many scattered lands from which these men and women hail, I can hardly fathom, so different are they from my own dear native land. Yet is it not natural to yearn for one's homecoming, for that which is familiar and good? In its absence we see it most sharply.

[With a broad gesture he sweeps the surrounding chamber of the temple.]

This temple which you see is not so different from the temples men have erected to honor the twin gods of the silver bow, Phoebus Apollo and Artemis. The immortals differ and so too do the libations poured, yet the desires behind such reverence must be the same.

Homesick? Yeah, I guess. I mean, some parts aren't so different. Traveling and helping people is kind of what I did back home. Just not.....completely other worlds.

[Still, Sorey is curious when Archilles mentions his gods. Apollo and Artemis. Not ones Sorey himself is familiar with.]

Apollo and Artemis....I hadn't heard of them before. But you're right. I guess the basic idea is still the same, of leaving offerings in exchange for the gods, or the seraphim's blessing. I'm not sure how much the locals might tell us if we asked, or if we tried to talk to the priest or something ourselves. But even just this.....it's interesting.

The cloven-footed Nalawi do not offer supplication to their goddess, so I gather from what I have seen and what I have heard. When first we set foot in this land amid that terrible tempest, which was powerful enough to rival the storms brewed by the great Earthshaker, I suggested that supplications be made and libations poured that we may reach the heart of Nalanni - but the people did not take to my counsel, and thus I took the matter upon myself. Still her heart has not yielded. Then I wonder what manner of immortal she is, if no offerings she will accept.

Earthshaker? [Sorey's curious. Maybe there is something similar to Earth or Water seraphs, with his gods or the like for all he knows. Or, it's easier to try compare with what he does know. But back home, growing up among the seraphim, he's still rather painfully sheltered in his inexperience and knowledge of humans and their customs and culture, for the most part.

Let alone learning of so many others while here with ALASTAIR.]

Maybe you haven't been offering her the right things? Even seraphim have preferences and things they like more -- or most. If she would accept any offerings. Maybe she doesn't need them to know the Nalawi care about her, respect her.

[He lacks the patience of a teacher, and he must remind himself that what is imbibed from birth as truth in his land is not known among the others of this crew which has been patched together from many fabrics, but still his explanations are cut clearly.]

The Earthshaker - Poseidon, whose kingdom is the sea, and thus he can calm it for safe passage to those who earn his favor, but just as easily he can whip the winds and waves into a frothing fury when he is displeased.

What you say has reason. The gods who watch over my people are appeased by sacrifices of flesh and wine, but I know not what might please Nalanni - and perhaps the Nalawi too have forgotten, so long have they gone without paying such honors.

Oh, okay. I think I get what you mean. [So, Poseidon is like some sort of really, really powerful water seraph. Or the like. If Sorey is to compare it to what he himself is familiar with. He gives a nod, listening as Achilles continues.]

Sacrifices of....did you say flesh? [They. Killed people as offerings? That's much more committed and brutal than Sorey and his friends offering various items they find in their travels, or some of their food.]

EVENT ★ EXPLORATION

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