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

[aspearation]

Yeah, probably...

[ She doesn't sound too committed to the idea. Her pride's kind of hurt, even if she won't admit it; that's not going to stop her, but it makes her think twice. What if it happens again? ]

You wanna come with?

[sadsack]

I--

[ --'have somewhere to go', 'I can't', 'that's all right' are all instinctive answers, but then he thinks better of it. Maybe it'd be better for him to stick around for now. In case one of them needs to fall over on the other?

Bariyan shoves his hands into his pockets and coughs. ]

Yeah. Sure. I was going to head back to the market and see who needs help there.

[aspearation]

Alright. The market then!

[ It seems as good an idea as any, and maybe the'll be selling some nice cushy pillows there that she can collapse on if she needs to again. She starts off without further pretense. ]

By the way... you're a human right?

[sadsack]

[ Bariyan sets off after Undyne in a shuffle, a few steps behind. He's used to following. Also, he's feeling to tired to walk at a faster pace.

He blinks at the question, briefly surprised, then looks to the side to avoid eye contact. ]

Uh. Once upon a time, yes.

[aspearation]

Once upon a time...?? You can't just say something cryptic like that then not explain it!

[ Here, she would normally be gesticulating, but all she manages is a vague wave of her hand. Best to conserve energy, anyway... ]

[sadsack]

[ Bariyan gulps. What? Why not?! But he hasn't the energy to try and sidle his way out of this one. ]

I died. It's not obvious?

[ A genuine question. He gestures vaguely to himself, the pallor of his skin, the stitches ringing his neck. ]

[aspearation]

No?! It's not!! What are you supposed to be then, a ghost? You don't look like any ghost I've ever seen!

[ But human ghosts could be totally different from monster ghosts. ]

[sadsack]

No, not that-- undead. I'm undead. A zombie? [ He gives Undyne a plaintive look, hoping she knows what that is. He motions to his neck again. ] Someone cut my head off and then I got brought back.

[aspearation]

See?! This is why humans are weird!! They don't even die when you kill them! You cut off their heads and they just come back!

[ She sounds more... exasperated than frightened or legitimately upset. She seems to remember the shred of manners she actually has to her name a moment later, though. ]

Uh. Sorry you died though?

[sadsack]

[ Bariyan gulps and raises his hands, shaking his head. ] N--no, that's not normal. Mostly you cut off their heads and they stay dead. I'm an exception.

[ And then -- surprising himself -- he laughs. It's a brief moment and his smile is fleeting, but it happened. Oh, god. He can't help himself. Undyne's reaction was refreshingly candid, though he can't even imagine the source of her exasperation. ]

It's all right. What, have you known other humans who didn't die when killed?

[aspearation]

Uh...

[ Did she...? She has to think on it for a second, but then finally shakes her head. ]

Not that I know of. I didn't get that far!

[sadsack]

[ Bariyan shoves his hands into his pockets and gives Undyne a long, searching look. ]

Interesting answer. How far did you get?

end this here?!

[aspearation]

...never mind that! Come on, keep up!

[ Seems like Undyne isn't interested in talking about the time she tried to murder a toddler. Sometimes, it's best just to go along with it... ]