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

[conqueress]

Ah, a truthseeker. I shall have great need of your gifts, I have no doubt, [ she teases, watching as Drogon tosses his catch into the air, breathing a plume of black fire to cook the shark fin. ] But how honest are your stories? Tell me that. [ There are stories enough of her, in and around the East. One has recently reached her ears that she bathes in virgin blood--one of many lies that her enemies are spreading--and so he must forgive her her question.

They're being approached by a crowd of raucous deer-children, trampling the market's debris underfoot as a stampede might. It is too late to stand aside, and so she takes firmer hold of his arm, praying that he isn't jostled enough to fall. He seems less pale now that he's speaking, but she still half-fears he may retch. ]

[headlining]

Me? [He's not even looking at the dragon. He's looking at her. Sure, honestly, he's all pride and bragging and nice words, but to hear someone "having need" of him seems a little forward, and he doesn't know quite what to say. It's okay, he'll...take it as a compliment. He nods, sheepishly.] Oh, believe me, honesty is a trademark of the profession. I'm not going to publish something that's a lie. I hold myself and my work to a standard, you know? And...

[He doesn't have a chance to finish his sentence, because suddenly one of the deer children bumps up against him, spilling the rest of the water on the ground in front of him, and he instinctively tightens his hold to stay upright. He shoots the gaggle of children a glare, shaken.]

Honestly, w-watch where you're going! [He says, watching them giggle as they rush past him, before he realizes just how tightly he's holding onto Daenerys. He flushes, embarrassed.]

Sorry. [He loosens his grip, though now he's feeling dizzy again. Just great.] I hope I get better soon, this is just ridiculous...

aaand tl;dr

[conqueress]

Enough. [ She notices the flush, and whether it is only out of shame for his predicament or out of some nervousness at being close to her, she's kind enough to let it pass. Her voice is almost sweet, and with her foot, she pushes aside a fallen toy. ] Anyone can be wounded, or grow sick. There is no shame in that.

[ She refrains from telling him that she has seen far worse, that this is nothing. Instead, she stops them when he wobbles on his feet. ]

Were you too long in the sun? [ A little furrow appears in her brow. She has lately heard that magic is no longer welcome here, but surely he would have taken heed of that. ] Look at me now, and nothing else.

[ She wants him to focus. There is no easy way out of this market, but if they can reach the western corner--No, she decides, seeing how pale he is. This must be done now. ]

I pray you will forgive me, [ she addresses the fishmonger at his elbow, her tone clear and commanding, ] but I must leave this market at once, and I cannot press through throngs to do it. Shift your wares, if you would be so kind, and I shall buy a bucket of your ... [ she gives the selection a cursory glance, ] clams.

[ What am I to do with so many clams? she wonders, immediately afterward. But what matters is that the deer merchant's taken an interest in obliging her, seizing onto two baskets of salted fish to begin clearing their path to the outside. He seems in a hurry; perhaps he likes the prospect of silver, or perhaps he fears Keats will vomit into his catch. ]