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

[terrormine]

Surely it's not the first time you're doing something you may regret, and it'll be far from being the last.

[if it makes it any better...

She'll answer that straight at least, albeit with a little shrug. She's a little curious to see how he'll react too, admittedly, since this IS the first time someone (has had the opportunity to) asked.]

A Seraph.

[and then it explained absolutely nothing because jrpg term defining... but o-oh well]

[nichocolatine]

[ he just gives her the blankest of stares. ]

...s'that supposed to mean something to me...?

[ did he miss a memo here? ]

[terrormine]

Is 'elemental spirit' any easier to understand?

[the opportunity to call him dumb again wasn't lost on her, but it probably won't kill anyone to ease up a bit. besides, in a sense, this is good firsthand info, having proof that the term 'seraph' can just not mean anything to some people here.]

[nichocolatine]

Not really, [ he admits, but not dismissively. that kinda stuff — magic, mages, spirits — they ain't exactly the norm 'round the underground, unless you happen to like your fair share of fairytales.

he shifts his stance a little, fitting a hand over a hip. ]

So what's it mean? You're the spirit of an element?

[terrormine]

Hmm.

[She mulls it over briefly. As much as it feels like a waste of time explaining all this stuff to humans, there's also the awareness of different worlds, and whether she likes it or not, this is the first time she's had a discussion bordering on the topic with someone else.]

I have dominion over one, yes.

[At least it's a straight answer (for once), despite the rather specific choice of wording.]

[nichocolatine]

[ there is a long, long pause as he processes this...











...and then it finally clicks. ]

You were the one that almost made me fall! That was you!

[terrormine]

That's a pretty bold statement, mister. Didn't you just say you don't really understand any of it?

[that's the Face of Innocence right here

...not that she's denying it either, no...]

[nichocolatine]

[ what innocence all he sees is HELL ]

Don't pull that "mister" crap on me now! [ he jumps back, pointing an accusatory finger in her direction. ] Ya little shit! You coulda' killed me!

[terrormine]

[but she's not affiliated to the fire element...]

That's cruel, and rude. I didn't try to kill anyone.

[which is (conveniently) true, she sure can't try something she never had any intend for.]

[nichocolatine]

[ he squints at her. ]

But didja almost?

[terrormine]

[she stares back at him.

without blinking.]

Nope.

[nichocolatine]

[ he can't nail her to it just yet but he KNOWS ]

Yeah? What element d'you got dominion over then, huh?

[terrormine]

[well he's NOT WRONG]

The one strong against water.

[yeah not even hiding that she's doing it on purpose nope]

[nichocolatine]

[ accusatory finger pointing again! ]

I FUCKING KNEW IT!

[terrormine]

[at least he's keeping his paw to himself.]

Oh, you actually know what that one is.

[No a question, there's ALMOST a hint of amazement in it.

(...Or maybe you're just. Being basically upfront about it too, Edna...)]

Well, not that it changes anything. Do humans take note of ants they step on without notice?

[nichocolatine]

[ of course he is, he'd like to keep his paws after all. who knows what other weird magic she's got! ]

You're not really helping your case here, missy...

[terrormine]

[she shrugs lightly.]

You should look into different workout activities.

[because that sure is what almost accidentally killing someone is like, totally]

[nichocolatine]

And maybe you should just plain look.

[ coulda saved them a lot of grief if she'd just noticed he was hanging around there... ]

[terrormine]

I'm not exactly in some bustling marketplace, there weren't even any trails leading to the closest entrance. These are caves where lava is discharged, after all. Do you expect to step on a cat's tail in a citrus field?

[nichocolatine]

[ uuggHHGHhh ]

If I drop it will ya stop with the animal analogies?

[terrormine]

What's wrong with them? They should make things easier for you to understand.

[how seraphim see humans is comparable to how humans see animals, making it a somewhat legit point for once.]

[nichocolatine]

Yeah, yeah, I get it — you think your kind are the shit, congratulations.

[ it may be legit but that don't mean he has to like it! ]

[terrormine]

Considering that humans start praying for our favor whenever they need something, that's pretty much a fact.

[nichocolatine]

[ he lifts his brows at that. ]

Praying? Like some kinda god worship?

[terrormine]

Something like that.

[she gives a little shrug, whether she doesn't care or it's just her usual demeanor]