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

i don't want to hit helga sry (1)

[dishearten]

( in fact, he was looking to take the ferry. the canoes are a good option and usually he wouldn't mind taking them. he's a pretty fit guy for someone without a heart, he'd paddle himself over without a problem. unfortunately, over the past few days there's a weariness settling in that he doesn't quite understand. he doesn't know if he could make a trip one way, certainly not both. if he had a partner to help, maybe, but the canoes are only big enough for two, and one of those two? has to be the wolf.

Brother has not left his side in days. if anything, that's more disconcerting than the odd sense of feeling weaker. )

What's that? ( he can guess, it has to do with the ferryman not being interested in helping them. Helga does look at least a little intimidating, with a machete like knife posted at her hip. Graham rubs idly over the empty space where his heart would have been, as if that can thwart the odd feeling of breathlessness. ) Does it need repairs?

but she really deserves it

[anteil]

| Someone's looking a tad off colour. Not enough to worry her – worry her, not on a personal level, but a professional one, as a collapsing crew member is bad news all around – but enough to make her look for more signs. It's an easy line of thought: it could just be a cold, but a cold could turn into pneumonia if luck wasn't on your side. Better keep track early on. |

It looks to be in perfect working order. | She gives a frustrated sigh. | I seem to be lacking the right kind of incentive.

| Ideas are more than welcome. In all fairness, it's possibly the fact that Helga made her demands too roughly too quickly, and the ferrybuck had shut down on her out of spite. Maybe he isn't into the newcomers in general, maybe he sees making the trip for just one person a waste, what with the gifts dwindling more and more every day. Who knows? Helga doesn't. This is not her area. This is what she needs... needed... Rourke for. |

[dishearten]

What did you offer him?

( honestly, Graham is not particularly impressed by the idea the ferryman is refusing service. admittedly it must be hard to trust strangers descending into Nalawi and making their presence known, yet members of ALISTAIR had made dedicated efforts to improve conditions since arrival. from protecting the natives to rebuilding Como, he thought it was fairly obvious they were present to help and not hinder. refusing them aide by ferry seemed to be foolish at best, when they were trying to help and could surely do so better if they had the ability to get around.

the wolf next to him is attempting to smell Helga's boots, and the Huntsman nudges him away with a boot of his own. he remembers how Helga reacted the last time, she probably would not prefer the creature to be overly close. Brother seems to be offended, and wanders off toward the shore instead. fine, I'll go smell things over here! so there! )

I can try talking to him. I was hoping to see the rest of this place, but the canoe isn't the most appealing option when only one of us can row. ( considering the length of the trip, he'd rather not make the wolf swim... and to say the least, the wolf had refused the idea of staying behind. )

[anteil]

Food, help... | She rolls her eyes. | Unfortunately, he's one of the only options we have on this island. He can refuse anyone he wants, because he'll have ten and more lined up before night falls.

| That being said, she can see how he could be more successful her than she had been. Can't blame a guy for trying, especially since he looks like going by ferry might actually be best for him. So, with an open-palmed gesture, she waves him through. |

Knock yourself out.

| Maybe he'll get pity points. There's a point in saying that the Nalawi haven't been cooperating nearly as much as they could, given the amount of work ALASTAIR's employees were doing in their name. She's noticed quite a few people who seemed to be doing unwell now, though she doesn't connect the dots right yet. She presumes it's stress, hours spent in the storm a few days ago, a strange climate...

But let's not digress. Don't worry, she'll tag along. There is still a piece of unsolicited advice she hasn't had a chance to give yet – it sums up to "leave the wolf at home, why don't you" – and it's just not the right moment yet. |