Hera assures her crew before Tomistoma arrives at the vessel, "We could not fight the chaos, hunger, or thirst, but monsters I can crush as Nan crushed the lagoon wyrm."

She holds herself in a fighting stance as the monster boards and begins speaking in a language similar to what the corrupt priests once spoke. It was a language dead in her village for at least ten years. It wasn't until he repeats with the Seatongue that her fighting stance lessens. "You speak the language of Home. Good. We could use a feast, fresh water, and a place to rest out of the sun."
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:17, Wed 14 Jan 2009.

The pair of crewmen with Hera look dumbfounded, shocked and then surprised at the sight of this reptilian speaking to them in a multitude of languages, including their own.

One of them, the one that appears to be chewing on his telescope, Tomistoma assumes has contracted some sort of ocean madness. The mortal babbles to himself and finally exclaims, "You're a dragon! I'm seeing dragons!" as if this is the funniest revelation he's made in weeks.

The other mortal with Hera looks to have his mental faculties intact. "Good sir," he says, not quite sure what title would work for such a creature, "we would be much obliged."

---

OOC: To answer your question Tomistoma, no there is not--people have chosen personal colors to use rather than coloring by language. Which does unfortunately mean you'll have to differentiate by describing what you're speaking, if it's not the 'universal' (which appears to be Seatongue, actually!)

Without a word, the Dragon King sunk back beneath the waves, resurfacing several yards away, his broad tail sweeping from side to side as he made his way back to his lagoon. "At least one of them offered gratitude..." he thought to himself.

Hera and her two crewmen are welcomed onto the lagoon.

They find themselves treated as honored guests. Island women come to drape them in necklaces of seashells and coral, or present them with fresh fruit, savory barbecue and drink (which is not mere water, but rum -- the good stuff). There is of course plenty of clean water to drink as well, but this is a feast, after all.

Fortunately for Hera, all the people here speak Seatongue as well, though with what to her sounds like a heavy accent, with borrowed words from Riverspeak and even Realm languages peppered in here and there. It's more or less understandable, though. The stranger part is that the natives seem insistent on addressing Hera as a man, though she is quite obviously female.

Indrid and Tomistoma may amuse themselves as they wish; whatever they ask of the islanders will be granted, short of outright impossible feats. As the day winds towards afternoon, the islanders are increasingly jubilant and uninhibited, chanting songs of praise to their reptilian god and his guests.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:51, Fri 16 Jan 2009.

Hera takes in the feast and drink, making sure the two survivors of her ship are taken care of before her. She gives praise to no spirit other than her father. She'll sing songs of her homeland with melodies that are ancient by anyone's standard. Given time, she thank those in power for their generosity.

The Dragon King swims directly down to the underwater portion of his Manse after offering the ship safe harbor. Approximately an hour later a handsome young man emerges from the water, clothed head to foot in green leaves tinged with gold. He smiles at the feasters, taking a bite out of a large fish that had been roasting over the fire moments earlier. The natives breath a sigh of relief, and a feeling of relaxation spreads through them as they recognize their lord is likely in good spirits when he wears human form.

Tomistoma takes a young maiden by the hand, leading her to the lucid crewman who initially offered him thanks for his sanctuary. He recognizes Hera's Power, though, and after introducing the two humans he moves to speak with her. She sees his forearms are covered in bracers that appear to be made of gold polished to an extreme shine, the one on the right set with a large, sea-blue stone. And the leaves of his wardrobe are actually interlocking, like scales of armor, and each leaf is trimmed with the same golden metal.

"I sense the touch of Power upon you." he says.


[Private to Storyteller: Using Guise of the New Form to assume human form for a day. And See the Winds of Essense would let me notice any Artifacts or active Charms that Hera would have, so I'm guessing I could put together enough to know that she is associated somehow with Solars. Maybe she has something made of Orichalcum?]

She smiles at the leaf wearing man. Her own forearms bear the same gleaming golden bracers with a deep green square stone. The gloves strapped to her waist are a series of minute plates and fine chain mesh of the same golden material.

"I have inherited much power. I am daughter to the god king Nan, the almighty, breaker of corruption, twice defeated Fiery Home Held Contained, ruler of Home and all he perceives, shatterer of the sacred circle. You may call me Hera the Mighty, First-Born, Golden Childe, She Who Punched Fiery Home Held Contained, Envoy to the Wilderness Outside Home. Your generosity was much needed and I have prayed to Nan to let him know of your generosity. His blessing will be upon you."

Distancing himself from the feasting, Indrid seems content to busy himself with whatever scrolls and books he managed to collect on his journey west.

The natives continue to carouse and sing, happy that their god is content, no matter the reason.

Presented with the maiden, the lucid crewman manages to voice an introduction. "Ferio," he says, pointing to himself, and then to the poor half-mad companion, "Silas." The girl is shy, brown-skinned with purple hair, but it's clear she is meant as some form of 'gift', and so she bravely, if awkwardly woos Ferio's affection so as not to bring Tomistoma's wrath upon her family.

The celebration may well continue into the night... so long as Tomistoma's whims allow it. For now, nothing disturbs the revelry, or the (now human) Dragon King's conversation with his new and rather radiant guest.

---

OOC: Indrid's player's still away on emergency I think, so you two can keep conversing if you like. I'll move things toward plot once you let me know you're ready (there will be a time skip to the next day, so do what you wish to before then)
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:44, Tue 20 Jan 2009.

Tomistoma's human face remains as blank and unreadable as his reptilian countenance as he listens to Hera's list of titles. "I shall call you Hera." he says simply after a moment's thought, "and you may refer to me as Tomistoma."

"Feel free to partake of my hospilality, and that of my people." The Dragon King in human form continues as he turns back to the feasting villagers, "It is all in thanks to the Unconquored Sun, for guiding you here."

"Very well Tomistoma, you may call me Hera. My father has spoken often of the Glorious Sun, Unconquered by his many foes, Overseer of All. It is good to know that his worship continues here as well. If you have a moment, you have spoken the tongue of the corrupt priests and words I have never heard before. You have knowledge of the land outside of Home. What can you tell me? How vast can I expect the world to be. Are there many lands? Are they far?" She seems genuinely curious and ignorant of the world she finds herself in.

Tomistoma shrugs at Hera, "I know little of this Age." He replies, "I have only memories of long ago, and the writings I have discovered here," the Dragon King gestures to the blue manse half sunken in the lagoon, "Tell of an Age far different than this one."

The rest of the day passes in joyous celebration, until the islanders are spent, sleeping where they lie, sated on feasting and rum. Indrid withdraws to his hut, uncomfortable or simply unaccustomed to parties and feasting.

Hera is given lodgings of her own, a ceremonial hut with an indoor firepit. Her men are... sufficiently distracted by the island women.

Everyone rests well.

An hour before dawn, though, a lean, loinclothed island scout comes to the edge of the lagoon, waiting for Tomistoma to rise and notice him. "Great god of dragon-kind, your servant humbly asks your attention," he intones, kneeling with his head close to the ground.

As Tomistoma swims out of an underwater exit to his manse to pay homage to the rising of the sun, he notices on of his human subjects waiting at the water's edge. He still wears the form of a man [Private to Storyteller: (it lasts a day)] as he walks onto the shore.

"Rise and speak, then." He says as he ascends the steps to the top of his manse.

[Private to Storyteller: I don't care if he follows me or not, I'm using Clarity of Hearing to listen to what he says, even if he stays at the bottom. It costs 3 motes and I have it active most of the time, since I can regenerate the Essence pretty quickly.]

The man rises, and starts to speak... uncertainly, at first, though it's not the first time Tomistoma has made an example of his exceptional hearing. He does not dare follow the god up to his throne, believing himself unworthy of it.

"We have spied a large ship approaching the eastern side of the island. The villagers of Umai are assembling to welcome them with tributes and ceremony," the scout reports, keeping his eyes fixed on the water of the lagoon. "The people of Umai have not yet bowed to Your glory, Great One. These new visitors appear powerful, and may seek to threaten Your rightful place on this island. Will You go to greet them, as well?"

It is not the first instant in recent weeks that visitors of similar caliber have come from the east and gone again: arrogant in their power, distracted by their goals. These were not pilgrims like Indrid, or lone explorers like Hera, tossed here by the whims of the sea. They were Dragon-blooded, and that means the Terrestrials have some interest in the island of Nkiru. Perhaps this is the time to figure out what.

As the dawn ripens, Hera and Indrid are awoken by first light, and by the local islanders stirring to clean up the leavings from the feast the night before. They may overhear the morning report, and even interject, if they wish.

---

OOC: edited since our thaumaturge is hopefully returning soon!
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:13, Tue 27 Jan 2009.

Hera rolls to her side and smiles when she greet the morning sun. Before opening her eyes, she speaks to her sisters as if they were nearby. "I had the most wonderful dream. I was chosen to explore the outside world. Things went roughly, but we met peaceful survivors."  Pushing herself up and opening her eyes, she sees that it wasn't all a dream. She begins to return to her small vessel and look out at the horizon.

Tomistoma pursed his lips as he thought, enjoying the novel sensation of having lips in the first place. Just as a wise predator doesn't seek to kill more game than he can eat, the Dragon King didn't feel the need to have all the humans of the island under his domain. The simple protection for worship arrangement he had with his followers seemed sufficient for the time being.

Still, should these newcomers claim the people of Umai under their dominion, humans had a tendency to grasp more power than they required, and may seek to expand their domain to his lagoon. Tomistoma stands and descends back to the shore, "You have done well." He says to his follower, "Now extend my invitation to our visitors to greet the dawn at the summit of my manse."

Indrid Cold was not actually to be found in the bed provided for him. As was his want, the Amiliki had spent the night upon the steps of the Dragon-King's throne. Fallen deep into meditation, he dodged the strange dreams that so often haunted him and found what rest and solace he could by letting his mind ascend from his form.

The first rays of the sun found him there, seated upon a mat of woven grasses. He had bore out the night stripped of everything beyond loose silk pants, insulting the cold night air with his disregard. In the pale light of dawn, the Amiliki's body sparkled lightly, as if dusted with coat of thick sea salt. The rest of his clothing and articles sat neatly positioned beside him, easily within reach should the need arise. A need which did arise, as the sound of voices and footsteps pulled his consciousness back to it's proper place.

Indrid spared no glance for the Dragon-King, nor was spared non in turn, as Tomistoma passed him. The Amiliki dealt first with stretching out his muscles before they could being to cramp and cool, then in attending to his dress. He was swathed in his archaic silks and touting the massive platinum hammer once again as he finally fell into step behind Tomistoma when the Dragon-King began to head back towards the beach.

"Tis the third strange ship to make call upon thy lands since mine arrival here," he noted, having heard just enough of the conversation to figure out what was going on. "If it not oppose thy will and desire, tis my wish to accompany thee in greeting these latest arrivals. Our current guests were but flotsam upon the waves, yet these new move with some purpose and may carry news of the world. T'would be a welcome thing both to mineself and, I dare suppose, to our lady Hera. From what was told of her to me, she is as much a strange within these waters as I."

Hera's small vessel is in poor shape at the moment. It's fortunate the little ship even came so far. It does not mean she is grounded here, but she would need to take some time to repair the vessel to make it sturdy enough to survive another journey. [Private to Hera: Per+Craft(Wood) if you have it to assess damage.]

Silas and Ferio, her remaining crew, have just stirred awake as well, bleary-eyed as they join their lady.

"Of course, Great One, I would be honored to do so," replies the scout to Tomistoma, backing away and rising only when a respectful distance from the lagoon. As Indrid has already addressed the Dragon King directly, he goes to Hera instead. "Honored visitor, the Dragon God wishes to greet the dawn with your noble presence, at the summit of his Manse."
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:24, Sun 01 Feb 2009.

The invitation is left open for now, Hera clearly distracted by whatever thoughts may be running through her mind as she looks at her ship.

The dawn rises. From the west side of the island, the sun emerges from above the low mountain range splitting it roughly in two. It's not so inspiring as the view must be from Umai Village, where they -- and their Dragon-blooded visitors -- can see the sun glittering across the waves...

---

OOC: post if you will travel to Umai, and how. (It's mostly up to Tomistoma, since most would consider him the 'leader'.) Having looked at calculations now, you'll have to go by boat (Hera's, probably) and skirt the island to get there in a couple hours. Otherwise it'll probably take more like one day.

if I get no answer by Monday I'll assume you're going by boat and just shift the scene. this thread is supposed to meet with another one.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:25, Sun 01 Feb 2009.

As soon as the morning ritual of greeting the sun has concluded, Indrid heads for the beach at the head of a train of islanders, upon the head of each a basket filled with shell and polished coral and pearl. Others carried freshly caught fish or still fighting shellfish writhing in reed nets. Boats already wait for them there, Indrid had taken the liberty of having them made ready ahead of time. The long slender dugout canoes were used for fishing and to ferry people back and forth between the islands. Bronzed and powerful rowers wait by each one, straining to return to the ocean as a hound does against it's collar.

Indrid puts his hammer's head into the sand and takes a seat upon it, pulling out a delicate pipe of colored glass and a small blue wad of a gummy substance; Blue Sun, a simple narcotic common where he came from, though seemingly nonexistent in this world. A sprinkle of sea water into the bowel to break the substance down and he lights the pipe, leaning back against the hammers handle as the islanders troop past and deposit the objects into the tiny boats. Offers to be given to the leaders of Umai and the captains of the mysterious vessel. Indrid smokes his pipe slowly, heavy smoke coiling downwards rather than rising as it puffs from his lips.

The islanders glance his way as they pass, a steady progression of curiosity, uncertainty, fear, and even anger. Indrid has not spoken with the Dragon-King of it yet, but he suspects his time upon this island has all but ended. Outsider, foreigner, sorcerer; even with Tomistoma's approval Indrid has never been more than tolerated by most. He smiles at them, wanly, and they look away. The Amiliki softly sighs and tilts his head back against Hanuman's handle, peering to the sky as he waits to depart...

The Dragon King watches the villagers prepare some long canoes for the trip around the island. If he here's nothing from Hera, he descends to the beach in his lizardly form for the voyage.

"Tis a beautiful sight, is it not?" Indrid says as the Dragon-King draws near to him, looking out now at a point where ocean and sky seem to merge into one plane of endless blue.

"In mine home," he goes on, leaning forward and tapping his pipe against the bottom of his slipper to shake out the crumbled blue dust from the bottom of the bowl. "T'was venturesd once by the philosopher Hu Che Ur that all creatures, both the great and the small, come from the sea. Within egg or mother's belly, in our most pristine and vestal state, we dwell within brine. Those of the world who are truly blessed are they who remember this, in heart if not waking mind, and take comfort rather than fear at the oceans embrace."

Indrid sighs and slips the pipe away. "I could, I think, spend a turn of this world upon the ocean and ne'er once think less of the life I lead."

At the request of her host, Hera heads to the manse of the Dragon God. "You have requested me and I have come. Grandfather is beautiful isn't he. Without the sacred walls, he greets us earlier and the colors are more varied."

She turns to the rising sun and drinks in the beams of light

Soon the canoes are ready to leave. Silas and Ferio come along, not willing to be left behind without lady Hera, as well as a small group of islanders in loincloth and wreaths of shell and beads privileged with the opportunity to join their god's procession by water toward the eastern side of the island. It's quite apparent many of the people of western Nkiru village -- known locally as Tekai -- consider this a momentous occasion. They have long kept up a rivalry with the eastern islanders of Umai, and this was a chance to make a show of village pride!

Those not rowing bring hand drums, beating a rhythm for the rowers, making their approach toward the eastern village unmistakable. They carry long knives on their belts as weapons, and some bows on their backs -- a precaution, they insist, in case the easterners use this opportunity to overwhelm them! Many wear masks carved in the likeness of a dragon's head, to supplement their image as the Dragon God's loyal subjects.

Silas seems to have recovered from his ocean madness, for the most part, and with Ferio the pair appear mildly disapproving. Their prayers had gone to Grandfather Sun, and to Sun Warrior Nan, for whom they had left their distant island to accompany his daughter. Perhaps to save Hera from association with the procession, they offer to take her in their somewhat battered fishing boat. It is certainly in need of repair, but it would survive a two hour journey around the island, they reassure her!

But should Hera wish it, both she and the savant Indrid would be granted the privilege of traveling at Tomistoma's right and left shoulder. As one, the boats launch off from shore, winding around the southern promontory of Nkiru's Fang, sailing in the direction of the rising Sun as the drumbeats and chants gradually rise in fervor.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:03, Thu 05 Feb 2009.

The view of Tekai and Tomistoma's lagoon disappear as the canoes (and fishing vessel) round the sharp point of the Fang. On the other side awaits their first view of the eastern village of Umai...

---

OOC: Closing thread, please continue in "Chapter 2, Phase 3 - Nkiru of the Sunset".
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:05, Thu 05 Feb 2009.