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

Homesick? Yeah, I guess. I mean, some parts aren't so different. Traveling and helping people is kind of what I did back home. Just not.....completely other worlds.

[Still, Sorey is curious when Archilles mentions his gods. Apollo and Artemis. Not ones Sorey himself is familiar with.]

Apollo and Artemis....I hadn't heard of them before. But you're right. I guess the basic idea is still the same, of leaving offerings in exchange for the gods, or the seraphim's blessing. I'm not sure how much the locals might tell us if we asked, or if we tried to talk to the priest or something ourselves. But even just this.....it's interesting.

The cloven-footed Nalawi do not offer supplication to their goddess, so I gather from what I have seen and what I have heard. When first we set foot in this land amid that terrible tempest, which was powerful enough to rival the storms brewed by the great Earthshaker, I suggested that supplications be made and libations poured that we may reach the heart of Nalanni - but the people did not take to my counsel, and thus I took the matter upon myself. Still her heart has not yielded. Then I wonder what manner of immortal she is, if no offerings she will accept.

Earthshaker? [Sorey's curious. Maybe there is something similar to Earth or Water seraphs, with his gods or the like for all he knows. Or, it's easier to try compare with what he does know. But back home, growing up among the seraphim, he's still rather painfully sheltered in his inexperience and knowledge of humans and their customs and culture, for the most part.

Let alone learning of so many others while here with ALASTAIR.]

Maybe you haven't been offering her the right things? Even seraphim have preferences and things they like more -- or most. If she would accept any offerings. Maybe she doesn't need them to know the Nalawi care about her, respect her.

[He lacks the patience of a teacher, and he must remind himself that what is imbibed from birth as truth in his land is not known among the others of this crew which has been patched together from many fabrics, but still his explanations are cut clearly.]

The Earthshaker - Poseidon, whose kingdom is the sea, and thus he can calm it for safe passage to those who earn his favor, but just as easily he can whip the winds and waves into a frothing fury when he is displeased.

What you say has reason. The gods who watch over my people are appeased by sacrifices of flesh and wine, but I know not what might please Nalanni - and perhaps the Nalawi too have forgotten, so long have they gone without paying such honors.

Oh, okay. I think I get what you mean. [So, Poseidon is like some sort of really, really powerful water seraph. Or the like. If Sorey is to compare it to what he himself is familiar with. He gives a nod, listening as Achilles continues.]

Sacrifices of....did you say flesh? [They. Killed people as offerings? That's much more committed and brutal than Sorey and his friends offering various items they find in their travels, or some of their food.]

[He knows the fear that resounds in Sorey's eyes, and so he amends with further explanations: his voice is hard like iron.]

The flesh and bones of cattle and sheep, which are rich with fat, and their blood pours over the altars to color them in vibrant red. To sacrifice a human is to invite upon your head a terrible curse, which will follow you as does your own shadow. Yet at times the gods will demand such a steep payment, and man must consider what he is willing to give up.

Oh....no, that makes more sense.

[People hunt and eat animals all the time. Offering one to the gods doesn't seem so different, giving the gods something in exchange for favor to potentially keep them alive. But even so, however rare it might be, Sorey can't help being uneasy regardless of the curse that human sacrifice does happen.]

I'm not sure if I could.

[Rose had said it. He gives life, she takes it. He does his best to avoid killing. But at the same time at the back of his mind, the more he learns about Heldalf....he knows that will require some sacrifice.]

It is a man with iron for a heart who can rob blood from neighbor and kin.

[So speaks the man who had cut down the lives of so many of Priam's sons, and spilled a sea of blood upon the plains surrounding steep Ilios; the man who had slit the throats of serving women and lain them across the pyre which solemnly honored the passing of his dearest companion. But those were enemies in battle, and those were mere property.]

Here we speak and yet I know not your name, stranger. You seem to me a most pious and gentle youth, and such qualities as this earn admiration. He who speaks to you is Achilles, son of Peleus, who rules in fertile Phthia.

Oh! Right!

[Introductions. Yes. Sorey knows these now! And is totally not a creeper about it, thank you, Mikleo. He just never previously had to introduce himself to anyone prior to meeting Alisha is all. He gives a nod, looking almost sheepish as he offers his own name in return.]

I'm Sorey. I'm....I never knew my parents. But I grew up in Elysia.

Unfortunate is the son who knows not his father, nor even his mother. My thoughts turn to my own Neoptolemus, whom I've not seen in these ten years while in Scyros he grows ever toward manhood, if indeed still he lives - yet he at least may hold dear some dim memory or another of me from his infancy, and must hear stories from his mother and grandfather.

[For a moment his voice dips into a current of wistfulness, and then it dissipates in a narrow pause.]

Still, you have found refuge in your gods, the Seraphim, and they seem to have chosen you to be not just their humble servant, as are all priests and priestesses who in the temples of the gods serve, but their son. Although you know naught of the lineage which precedes you, such favor speaks well for you in your father's place.

I was happy enough with them at Elysia, really. I guess one day I could -- I probably should ask Gramps. If he does know. But for now, I'm not sure if I could get answers here.

[But all the same, it is always interesting to hear about other worlds, other temples and history and god-like figures. Sorey thinks he gets the general idea and compliment the other is trying to convey.]

Thanks though.

EVENT ★ EXPLORATION

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