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

[historiology]

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.]

[servant]

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.

[historiology]

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.]

[servant]

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.

[historiology]

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.....

[servant]

[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.

[historiology]

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!

[servant]

I think you made the Shepherds proud.

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

What did you do back in your world?

[historiology]

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.]

[servant]

[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.

[historiology]

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.]