EVENT ★ EXPLORATION

[futurologists]

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.

Comments

QUESTIONS

[futurologists]

Re: QUESTIONS

[adlantisag]

The beaches come up as a searching option--but if Kida took her catshark (since Ninat wouldn't be welcome on Pu'ulai anyway!) and did some exploring out in deeper water, would they find anything? Specifically, they'd be looking to see what's causing the mana/magic drain on or in the water...

Ninat can dive deep, and Kida's a very experienced swimmer. She'd use her pendant to navigate, presuming it didn't go out--and if it did, Ninat can track electric pulses like a shark. Kida would presumably be relying on her to navigate, as it were. Would that be possible at this time?

Look, it's water world, fishy has had enough of being emo and is ready to be a fish again...

If it's not possible, that's fine! If it is, would it perhaps be all right to gather some interested people and make this a player plot? SCUBA DIVING.

[futurologists]

She would not be able to find anything of interest in the depths which she can feasibly swim. Better hook up with someone with special equipment!

[gutpunching]

Hi! from the Dead Walk info, if we are to assume that the spooky ghosts aren't a myth, and assuming an idiot recruit ignores the local advice about avoiding eye contact—what exactly would happen in practice re: "spellbinding?" Would they be able to be shaken out of it by someone else/will they see any spooks or remember anything about it during or after/do they just stay there like a zombie and wake up really sore and confused the next day from standing all night, etc...

[defenceless]

Also interested in the answer for this... I was gonna send Rin to explore the Dead Walk, too.

let's explore together, jason no

[futurologists]

We'll leave the exact details of the spellbinding up to what would be most fun for you guys -- either of those would work fine!

[gutpunching]

excellent, my favorite answer. thank you for the prompt response, modchans!

[babbylon]

Would Gilgamesh be able to employ a submarine for a bit of deep sea exploration and adventure here? I was cleared for use of boats earlier in the intro log, but I want to make 100% certain it would be allowed in a different context here.

If it is permitted, what areas would be best suited for this sort of exploration? This may wind up presented as a more formal proposal/plot since it has a lot of potential, so a bit of direction would be good before we get started on the finer details.

[futurologists]

Yes! A submarine would be a feasible way to explore. Assuming Gilgamesh can detect magical powers, he would be able to tell what area to search in the ocean. If he and Kida would consider exploring together, please contact us on the suggestions post so we can give you more details.

[blacksilk]

Heya! Not sure if this avenue should be tossed into a mini-plot arena, so I figured I'd ask if it would be possible to get results in the first place--

Chrollo's going to construct a few 'mine canaries' out of his inner power and set them up all over the island to try and see if there's a direction in which the power in people is being drained to see where it's coming from. Essentially, he'll set up some simple objects in stacks which will collapse in a direction depending on where power is escaping. The stacks would be held together by his power and fall apart when the power vanishes from it.

Would he get a direction from this or would they collapse in a way that would suggest otherwise?

[futurologists]

He can notice that the stacks don't seem to fall apart at any enhanced speed -- the magic inside of them isn't being drained by an outside source, so it would deplete naturally. However, any that are placed by the coastline or large, inland bodies of seawater would likely degrade slower!

[blacksilk]

Thanks!

If Chrollo were to make a few constructs underwater within bodies on the island versus the coast--would the results be even faster?

[curepotion]

Re: City Hall--is there any way to eavesdrop? Any hidden windows or passageways, cracks in the doors, etc?

Also: if a character can summon a weapon, I assume the summoning will cut out after a while but the weapon will stay intact?

[futurologists]

Characters can eavesdrop on city hall meetings, but they won't hear anything interesting (unless you enjoy listening to deer talking about taxes or vague plans for the future, typical bureaucratic stuff).

And yes, that's fine to assume.

[evantuality]

re: the Dead Walk, if someone got smartypants and tried to take a peek at those walking warrior spirits with, say, a mirror rather than their own eyes, would the spellbinding still effect?

[futurologists]

We're fine with whatever option you would find more fun to play out!

[evantuality]

Ha ha! Awesome. >:D

[blacksilk]

One more question! Chrollo has the ability to steal powers from others given a few conditions. Would he be able to steal Gifts from the Nalawi?

[futurologists]

Hi!

We'd like to limit Chrollo's power-theft to 3 per world, and that you check in with us before adding any new powers to his roster.
Available to you at this time are:
- minor firestarting (lighting candle wicks, nothing bigger than starting a barbecue or campfire)
- bird-calling (calling a flock of birds to one's location)
- growing native Nalawi flora quickly
Bear in mind that all powers are fading--including these. Also, he will not be able to keep the powers he gains on Nalawi after he leaves this dimension; they will return to their original owners.

If you have any questions, let us know!

[blacksilk]

well chrollo is satan

Thanks for the reply! Chrollo will covet and covet and covet...

Re: QUESTIONS

[ninmu]

howdy! would melan's flight be considered a superhuman ability? that sounds like an obvious question when i ask it, but all of his "powers" are just built into his body, so i'm not sure if they count in this context...

[futurologists]

Since his wings are a physical mechanism for flight, he is still able to use them. Try not to lord it over everyone else, Melan!

Re: QUESTIONS

[wardance]

If asked, would it be explained why Komoans are tolerable of cats but the other natives are not?

Also, would it be possible to cross the water to reach Nalalona if the character has the ability to cross the water despite becoming weakened? I'm thinking around 3 or 4 days from the time their powers are starting to go, at latest. I was interested in Masamune following the murals in the temple particularly with the fighting depicted-- he is curious about the abrupt ending of the enemy and their civilization as displayed in the murals.

He's too restless to sit around, so I'm going to have him explore all the islands, but while doing so attempting to find spots the mural depict. I figure he would start at the volcano but from there mostly want to see if there's any remains of the enemy civilization. Beyond that I don't think he would really look for anything out there in particular, just explore really thoroughly to get an idea of layouts because it's something to do.

It's not a place listed as searchable so I don't really expect much to be found, but he would still go out there if it's possible to check the volcano. If it just turns into a good sightseeing trip, that's cool. I figured it might be worth asking, just in case, though.

Thanks o7

[futurologists]

The citizens of Komo are more tolerable due to ALASTAIR recruits (with cats in tow) saving them. They are more forgiving in general of recruit behavior, compared to the denizens of other islands.

As for Nalalona, he is more than welcome to visit the island, though there isn't much to see -- it's free of all structures due to the size of the volcano, and very little in the way of flora and fauna. There are no ferries to Nalalona, so he will have to find a way to travel there himself (water-crossing ability works fine, but remember it will be weakening and possibly unreliable)!

There are no traces to be found of the destroyed civilization. Those islands simply do not exist.

[wardance]

Ahh, interesting, thank you! It's okay, if he gets stranded it'll teach him a lesson. Maybe.

Can he actually get into the volcano or at least climb it to get a look from the top? Or is this somehow prevented.