epidemiology | 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

[Sakura peers at him, obviously worried as she seems to attempt to help hold him up, to keep him there, or, she reaches to but then North's larger hands are at her shoulders. Holding her to him as well. As she tries to process what he says.]

The children...? But then...what'll happen to you? What can I do? There has to be something, right? Telling them stories about you or....giving them presents?

[Sakura it is April.....not Christmas by any means.]

[ If anything brings him back to reality, it's 4 words Sakura says.

What can I do?

Because it's worked, somehow there are people in this team that know him, that believe in him, that can see him and talk to him and somehow, care about him! And he's still a figure and an role model, which is enough for him to take a deep breath. Inhale - ] Ah.

That could work -- [ He responds, panic edging away from his eyes. Slowly, he straightens again, giving a half-hearted smile. ] I am a Guardian.

I can only exist because the children believe in me, and will protect them for as long as they do. [ A pause. ] If no child believes in Santa Claus ... then there is no Santa Claus.

[ He lets that sit for a moment, eyebrows furrowing. ] But! There are still children on earth, and I do not think that will happen. [ A hand raises to his beard, though the other still remains on Sakura's shoulder. ] Though it is worrying, why children cannot suddenly see me...

I believe in you! We just have to help the others believe in you too, right? Then you'll be okay?

[If she can talk to the other children for him, surely he would be all right. Of course there would be millions of children back on Earth too, that believe, but right here and now is where he is having issues. The children here at the Islands need to believe in him too.

Sakura pauses, biting her lip as she looks up to him. He's trying to reassure her but still obviously concerned himself.]

You'd still be okay though? Here, if the children here believe in another Santa?

[For all she knows, they might have their own deer version or something.....]

Yes! [ Genuinely. The reply, despite his initial panic, is certain.

No matter what strange things happened here in ALASTAIR, he's still a Guardian; an entity that exists to protect those that believe. He won't disappear when there are still people to protect. ] I will be here.

That is why they could see me in the first place. Because ... [ And for a moment, he allows himself to be distracted, because stories of other figures like him are ... well, they're wonderful. ] The children have told me of big water bear!

[ And he begins, wild hand motions waving in the air despite feeling creaks in his joints. This story deserves to be shared. ] They are a spirit, very gentle and kind. If you leave fresh fish on night that is shortest, they give small present!

That is probably why they can see me. But ... [ Hm. Actually - ] now they cannot. [ His voice drops to a murmur, looking around the market place with his hand back on his beard. ] Perhaps they no longer believe in bear Santa...

Big water bear? Oh....so this bear is like another version of you? For them.

[That is pretty interesting, actually. Thinking about the different sorts of versions of the same sort of story or celebrations there must be between so very many different worlds!]

Then...what if we do the bear Santa? If we leave them presents?

[W-wait, they need to leave the fish first. And if it is on a specific night.....]

Oh - that is what it is sounding like, yes! [ Which is super exciting because there are more of him, more figures to spread the wonder and joy that comes with receiving a gift in the morning. He'd love to meet this spirit, one day, but the last time he tried he just got attacked by a bunch of sharks.

Also this isn't the best time to be day dreaming about meeting his bear counterpart, alas. ] Hm...

Ah - It is not right season for it. [ Which almost breaks his heart to admit; yes, he's under the belief that every season should be Christmas season, but also because he has to turn down an idea from Sakura. ]

Maybe we should be trying to meet him... [ And he's back to pondering again. Only this time, North has no idea how. Think, think, think-! ]

To meet the bear? But would you know where to find him?

[Is there some sort of North Pole equivalent here? She's not so sure. But if they could figure a way, anything, she'd be willing to try help somehow. She couldn't just leave him like this without trying something.]

He is probably living in north part of ocean! [ Or something. North actually has very little idea given how awfully his last idea went... ]

But ... [ As for how he gets there, he waves his hand into the air, as if that'll strike him a grand inspiration, or something.

... It doesn't. ]

But...how to get there...I'd say I could probably use the Fly card, but....

[But even Sakura has noticed her magic doesn't seem as powerful. And that would be a rather long trip, wouldn't it? This might not be so easy a task as she hoped. But she has to do something. They can't just lie down and accept this - especially when it involves Santa!]

You don't have the sleigh, your reindeer here, do you? Maybe we could get there with those.

EVENT ★ EXPLORATION

All good! I would assume the same.

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ugh this is incredibly late, i'm sorry ;w;

No, it's okay!

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