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

[He rolls his eyes.]

I could counter that with "you only say that because you're probably a lot older than you look", but I'm keeping this above the belt. [He waggles one finger at her and then sets both hands on his hips. He's sparked back a little from being despondent, good job Kida.]

I don't carry it around all the time, it's only on me when I'm at practice. I didn't have my gear on me when I got here, so I guess it didn't come along.

[ It's her turn to roll her eyes, but it's amused. ]

I would say I am not at all much older than I look, but you surface-dwellers do not age as Atlanteans do.

[ It's just a pang of pain, now, a kind of background awareness. It doesn't hurt to acknowledge like before. She smiles right through it. ]

We should see to getting you something new. You may yet need to defend yourself.

[He challenges her eyeroll with a grin and a quirked eyebrow.]

You don't look much older than me, but given the rumors about Atlantis and how far back they started you're probably a lot older than fifteen.

[He almost dashes her concern, almost waves it right off, but-- The fact remains that right now, he can't transform. Without some kind of weapon, he wouldn't be of much use. He frowns thoughtfully.]

You have a suggestion?

[ She doesn't answer his statement, instead considering the question. She does, in fact, but a temple is no place for weapons. ]

How are you with staves?

[He leaves that be, quirking a smile. Staves, eh?]

Pretty good, I'd wager.

[ Satisfied, she nods. ]

No Nalawi sword will be long enough for you. But if we can find you a staff--even a branch...

[ She motions for him to follow, making her way out of the temple and back into the daylight. ]

[He only waits a moment before following her, one hand set on the pouch on his hip.]

One of the very few instances of my life I'm wishing I wasn't so tall.

[ She waves him off, but there's a smile on her face. ]

Do not complain of your blessings, boy. Come, let us look for a suitable weapon for you. [ She looks at him over her shoulder, brow cocked. ] Unless you take issue with this idea?

I don't, usually, I just feel like maybe it'd be easier if I wasn't a human bean stalk in this particular situation.

[Catching up to her as she quirks her eyebrow at him he backpedals, raising both of his hands in a passive gesture.]

Not in the least! It'll come in handy, even if it's just a tree branch.

A human bean stalk...

[ She purses her lips. Some kind of plant, clearly, and a tall one, also clearly. ]

What does a 'bean stalk' look like? And come now, I would not be satisfied with a meagre tree branch!

[Purses his own lips in a clear attempt to withhold laughter. Kida, you're so cute about weird land-dweller colloquialisms.]

...I'll draw you one sometime. And I dunno, some tree branches are pretty good size!! I could definitely wallop somebody with a tree branch.

[ She rolls her eyes when he laughs, walking diagonally--purposefully--so she can shove him sideways a bit. Who's cute??? ]

Yes, but that is a club, not a spear. Let us get you something worthy.

[ She's making him her new project. With that determined look in her eyes, she grabs him around the wrist and drags him out of the temple, towards the market and away from murals about war and death. ]

[Ow, ow, okay, you're also a badass and he is very aware of the fact that you could kick his ass in or out of suit. He stumbles and puts his hands up submissively, laughing outright when she pushes him.]

All right, all right, you're the combat master.

EVENT ★ EXPLORATION

here have an appropriate icon.

cutie...........

:3

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ok to wrap up?

84 years later, yes that is fine ♥