EVENT | LANDFALL | ZESHORA

[ironwood]

Characters: ALL!
Date: June 17th to July 8th
Location: Zeshora
Situation: Tu Vishan has washed up near the cities of Atoce and Uessaire.
Warnings/Rating: Add warnings as needed.



The cities of Zeshora were renowned across all of Konryu as works of art, and even with the upheaval which sank and destroyed many of them centuries prior, that distinction remains evident. The Erol'a will recount, if asked, a terrible series of earthquakes and resultant tsunamis that rolled over Zeshora, and how great chunks of the continent simply dropped away. Zeshora was one of the oldest continents, and its landmasses upon the backs of long-dead Great Turtles had been so constant, that no one had even thought it possible such a thing could have happened.

Testament to the Erol'a's resilience however, they adapted and reclaimed the cities that had fallen to, or just below, sea level. Arches, pillars and soaring ceilings dominate the architecture in both cities, and every surface is painstakingly decorated with tiny inlaid shells and coral, turning every hall and room into a mosaic of colour. It's not uncommon for Erol'a dwellings to have multiple stories, and likewise it's not unlikely to have at least a few of those levels under sea level. So it's entirely possible to have one's upstairs be above water, and one's downstairs be below the water! Imagine having to take a swim to get a midnight snack. Of course, the Erol'a don't find that strange at all. Likewise, it's perfectly normal to them to walk down the hallways of their homes in ankle, knee or waist-deep water, something that the Foreigners and even some kedan might take some getting used to. The water temperature during the day is a delightful 80℉/26℃, and about ten degrees cooler throughout the night, so it's pleasant for nearly everyone.

---

LINKS
Atoce - City of Pearls | Uessaire - City of Lilies | Ollesse - The Coral Ruins | Secessi - The Floating Reefs | Hatchling Messages
Astegune | Landfall Surprise | Landfall Update - Jun 23 | OOC Post

OOC
Please direct questions to the OOC post! You can either use the areas described under header, or create your own -- don't feel you have to be limited to threading only in the locations mentioned in the starters! Just don't forget to label your top-levels with specific locations (eg the Height or the Deep).

ACTIVITY CHECK NOTE: Due to the late-month timing of this landfall, threads from this log can be counted toward either June or July AC. Just don't use the same comment thread for both and you'll be fine!

Comments

Atoce - City of Pearls

[ironwood]

Atoce is the ocean-facing city of the Erol'a, and the only one with walls. It's a built-up city, in a literal sense -- rather than taking cover from the wind and storms behind Atoce's study barricades, the Erol'a have built on top of them, up and up like a ziggurat. As a result the whole city has a high-and-low dichotomy -- the conventional streets, between buildings and walls, are decently sized; but the walls themselves are surprisingly thick and used as roads, facilitated by regular ladder-like stairs. Colloquially the walls are called the Height and the streets are called the Deep.

The Heights are used only by Zeshora's citizens -- that is, anyone 18 and under, whereas anyone older is relegated to the Deep. It's a decently common pastime for those on the Height to play scoring games against those in the Deep, using squid giblets or spit; this is accepted with resigned exasperation at worst, and it isn't uncommon for those in the Deep to make a game out of avoiding such projectiles (often with wagers attached). The idea of any youth resorting to the Deep for no apparent reason will be met with shocked incredulity. The Deep gets cold; what if you get sick?

From a distance Atoce sparkles like mother-of-pearl, but up close the walls are made of a smooth coral inset with tiles. It's husbanded beneath the water's surface, in the deepest trench beneath Atoce. There, the pressure makes it one of the densest materials on Konryu, but the cold keeps it semi-liquid. Bringing it to the surface is an act of artistry, since the warmth causes it to compact into one of the hardest but lightest substances available and the builders must shape it to their specifications before that happens -- once hardened, lowering it back into the depths only makes it brittle. The Erol'a call it 'lorell'an' and it's their most prized material, unavailable for barter except under highly illegal means.

Most of Atoce's economy relies around the harvesting of deepsea materials, and they supply the majority of it to the whole of the continent. This includes lorell'an, deepsea glass, fuzzy sea-urchins and the pygmy squids the Erol'a husband as deepsea guides, defensive weapons and pets -- they're essentially the underwater version of a skunk.

As a result of the massive and numerous underwater operations, the water's edge on the ocean side is filled with buildings and docks, many of which are below the water-line, and recreational swimming is strictly disallowed; the ocean is their workplace and the Erol'a enforce this. The water's edge on the continent side is less restricted, but even so the swimming areas are clearly delineated. Once beyond Atoce's boundaries, however, it's quite easy to find nice beaches (often used for swimming) and beautiful reefs.

Bakura | June 17th | CW: none

[redlightgreenlight]

This whole age caste thing was highly annoying and Valdis was quite unamused by the prospect of having to take the deep instead of the heights, at least, until she discovered that the locals were placing bets on how long each one could go without getting hit from above. She knew she could avoid the projectiles easily if she called on her hound reflexes, and it might be a good way to earn some of the local currency. And who better to help her run this con than Bakura, who she was certain was nearby, as per their earlier discussion.

"How much is the wager and how long?" she asked the closest local.

ANTON; ANYWHERE; 17-26th; OPEN

[gistful]

For the next ten days Anton is visible in various places all around Atoce. It's not the only place he visits during landfall--but when he is there, it's usually in tow of some Erol'a child or another. He's readily visible with children under six on his shoulders, patiently letting them use him as a packhorse, or with young teens dragging him by the hand (and still using him as a packhorse).

Most of the time he submits to the precocious demands of the Crests with an indulgent and slightly wistful smile, but without any objection whatsoever.

The Erol'a generally cheerfully release him from any 'duties' the moment a fellow Foreigner arrives ... except for some of the youngest, whose commands get extended to whomever he's talking to. Fetching food (and candy), taking them up and down stairs because they're tired, letting them on his shoulders while on a Height so they can feel what it means to be tall, being asked by a 17-year-old to subtly chaperone his 15-year-old sister on an evening walk with her beau ...

Really, it's a wonder Anton gets anything done for the Hotel.

Re: ANTON; ANYWHERE; 17-26th; OPEN

[whitelotustile]

Iroh has attracted some of the same attention, as a Foreign adult who actually doesn't seem to mind being ordered about by the local children, though he can be seen to deflect a few requests with good humor and enough skill that the child assumes the change was mostly their idea.

Right now, he's been learning a board game from some of the children, but he waves to Anton. "This is certainly an interesting place, isn't it?"

June 17-24 | open

[wrathfulkhan]

Gene doesn't spend a whole lot of time in Atoce proper.

He's distant, more aloof than usual, and if anyone asks him why he'll just say he's chilly.

When Pepper's not shepherding him and Tony around the Heights, he's vacated the city entirely, opting to find a quiet, secluded beach to take in some sun. He needs a vacation, and this is the only damn way he'll get it - far away from the stupid city with its stupid caste system.

before Akito does the thing | one of the few occasions in Atoce proper

[ruinsprofessor]

The desire to explore and investigate conflicts strongly with the desire to stay far away from the water. Raine compromises at the Deep, examining the coral of the walls with some fascination. At one point she thinks she spots Gene, perhaps passing, has the thought to catch up with him, but is instantly distracted by the re-fracturing of her soul gem, evidenced in how her vision dims and the sound of her heartbeat in her ears is suddenly too loud.

Raine leans against the wall, pulls the gem in its makeshift wire setting from beneath her jacket and squints at it. She has to hold it close to her face to make out the hairline fractures spreading from the center, and she sighs, resigned, settles in to wait it out.

This one isn't long. She straightens when she can see again, drops the pendant to her chest and is instantly horrified when the twisted wire gives way. The green gem bounces away and Raine lunges after, heart in her throat, biting back a curse significantly stronger than she usually favors. This would be an exceptionally foolish way to die.

Before Akito messes up this glorious opportunity

[lasergrenades]

For once, Pepper is pleased as a peach to be extra-younger than Gene and Tony. The Erol'a are treating her with respect as well as the occasional seaweed ornament, while the boys are asked to fetch things. She has been absolutely basking in the opportunity to tease them relentlessly about it (in part because she's still a bit peeved for other reasons), but she did notice that neither of them was particularly chuffed about the situation - Gene especially avoided going into the cities.

Seeing the chance to both cheer them up as well as lord her temporary power over them, Pepper has dragged both of her idiot boys to Atoce to go sightseeing on the Heights.

"Oh, man, this is so cool, I thought being younger than you sucked but this is great! Wait'll you see this." She bounces along towards one of the ladders, skidding to a halt by an Erol'a ensuring her Kelps don't go up unaccompanied. "Hiiiiii, I'm Pepper, this is Tony and Gene and they're old, but I'm not, hee! They'll be coming with me." She grins, and beckons to the two of them to follow her as she quickly ascends.

[wolfstrike]

Gene isn't the only one who decides to scope out one of the beaches. In fact there's another foreigner here. Gene may or may not recognize him, but he's been around. He's the tall skinny guy with the long black hair and usually wears dark clothes.

Though today seems to be an exception.

Yuri comes out on the beach dressed in attire he'd found at the yard sale. It's far from dark. In fact it's quite bright, bordering on obnoxious really. Though he doesn't seem to mind or care. Naturally he's carrying his sword with him as usual, which makes him look all the more odd. But hey, he's at least ready for some fun in the sun?

the day after Pepper takes them to Atoce

[highprofilerichkid]

This landfall, Tony has spent most of his time in the cities of Zeshora, mingling with the locals and trading aggressively. Gene has been mostly absent from these trips, preferring to spend his time away from civilization, relaxing on the beach.

Or, as Tony now suspects, sulking on the beach.

Gene's never bubbly at the best of times, but yesterday he'd been downright grouchy, and that had finally convinced Tony that there's more to Gene's recent reclusiveness than just a random bad mood.

So, today, he's stocked up on beach accoutrements and gone looking for his wayward boyfriend.

It takes a while to track him down - though Tony doesn't mind the walk, since the beaches of Zeshora are pretty spectacular. Beach cart in tow, Tony trots across the sand towards Gene.

"Hey," he says, plunking himself down next to Gene. "Brought you some lunch."

June 26th | OPEN

[wolfstrike]

Yuri had been keeping mostly to himself on the few ventures he made out here. He didn't particularly like the whole age discrimination thing, and not just because he happened to fall into the 'old' category.

His patience was wearing thin with the whole ordeal, and it reached his limit when he found himself walking through the Deep and getting pelted by the youngsters above.

Suddenly there were shouts of confusion and consternation as projectiles that were hurled down... suddenly came rocketing back up again to strike the offending delinquents.

"Hasn't anyone ever taught you to respect your elders?!" was the taunt that followed. The man using his sheathed sword as a crude bat to hit any objects that were hurled down at him.

Re: June 26th | OPEN

[phoenixstrut]

Dove was having about as good a time as Yuri seemed to be, a scowl seemingly etched across her flawless face. This was not what she had expected upon arrival. She had at least been pitied by a few of the locals, and had managed to procure herself pieces of a new outfit--not that it mattered, given her decrepit age.

When the kids in the city had started making a game of pelting her, she just about lost her temper, and flaring her wings suddenly, she shielded her head, growling audibly to anyone nearby.

Namely Yuri, she noted, risking a chance to lower her wing and look up. "Great vacation, hm?" she nearly snarled, glaring up out of the corner of her eye. "And here I thought I liked kids...."

Here then not here -

[radiantwingedone]

Exploring the cities couldn't have come at a worse time for Duke. There's a familiar voice, and he's vaguely curious, so he takes that route and...

Just as easily takes the next available way away from Yuri and his game.

... Although Duke is eerily good at avoiding anything thrown at him. He's cheating, but only those with the ability to sense magic will notice.

Open | Backdated to June 17- June 21st

[lasergrenades]

When she first heard about this whole 'landfall' thing, Pepper was a little nervous. She'd only just gotten to Keeliai, and now there's a whole new place to try to figure out. Of course, no one is forcing her to go out and explore, but her curiosity, as usual, gets the better of her.

She spends most of her time in Atoce, wandering around the Heights. As much as she likes being treated well for being young, the caste system does weird her out a little bit, and she's happy to escort other Foreigners around Zeshora where they might be barred because of their age. They might have to deal with a little teasing, though.

18th JUNE

[peacefullywreathed]

Not everyone has been having an easy time of it. As soon as Solomon heard about the caste system and the fact that this landfall was on a series of islands, he'd lost much desire to even try to navigate anything. Eventually, grudgingly, he'd ventured out, if only due to a matter of restlessness.

No one warned him that it was perfectly legal for youths to bombard adults from walls. Or that it was rude for adults to, in any way, retaliate. Or that no one would stop youths from fixating on Certain People because Certain People couldn't see the projectiles coming.

Which is why Solomon can be found in the Deep, shadow-walking hops of ten feet down the straight, narrow stretches. On the Height a band of children follow him, laughing and cheering and every so often darting in to throw squid entrails at him. Most of them miss. It's hard to hit a moving target.

If only Solomon had figured out how to shadow-walk more than ten feet again. Not having sight had thrown him off more than he thought it had.

Shadows rise up and whisk him away, but he's moving so fast to try and keep abreast of his pursuers that he doesn't realise the turn is only a few feet ahead of him; instead of the shadows depositing him in the Deep they shape themselves out of the side of the city's wall. Solomon puts his foot down on air, curses and drops a few inches before shadows lance out from the wall like a temporary scaffold, and he stands there in the brisk wind on a thin surface of darkness.

... Oh, what the hell.

He keeps walking, the shadows stretching out further and further away from the wall, sliding up under his feet with every step. When the first of the fascinated children tries to step down to follow, the surface fluctuates under their feet and hurriedly they draw back, pouting.

Sooner or later, he's going to come up on the wall belonging to another of the city's 'towers' on the other side. They'll have to find him again, then.

Uessaire - City of Lilies

[ironwood]

Unlike Atoce, which spread upward, Uessaire spreads out. Though the city centre is on land, it's the lowest point on the continent and a foot below sea-level. Uessaire is a city of floating footpaths and bridges strung out between giant 'courtyards' shaped like lilypads. Over the land -- what the Erol'a call the grounded city -- it's custom for anyone over 18 to get off the path to favour the under 18s. Anything else is extremely rude.

On the floating city the paths are controlled by pulleys and harnesses, which means the city's layout can change at any given time. The paths aren't named but each of the major lilypads are, and are legally obligated to remain within a specific area of connection. Despite that, the paths themselves can connect in direction! However, only under 18s have leave to walk them, except under special dispensation -- most of those older will have to take tiny pontoon barges between the pathways, which are slower and have a tendency to being cramped.

The lilypads are natural plants, cultivated and bred for size, used because their flat bellies are more economical for navigating the ruins beneath the water's surface. They secrete an oil on their underside which is lighter than water, and enables them to float even with the Erol'a platforms build on top. The oil is mildly toxic, however, and swimming beneath them isn't exactly prohibited so much as discouraged -- except for new adults just gone 19, who harvest the oil; for many of them, oil-harvesting is the only way to build their income after losing their citizenship rights. When properly harvested, its toxic qualities can be chemically removed to create a strong water-repellant which sells for a decently high price.

Something the Foreigners and kedan will recognise are the sea wisps from the festival two months ago, but while on the turtle's shell they're a rarity, here they're almost a pest. Around the grounded city the sea wisps are especially thick, like weeds growing around the edges of the paths and making wading something of an adventure; but out on the lilypads they're cultivated in floating 'window boxes'. At night the sea wisps glow so brightly, collectively, that they illuminate the whole city.

There's currently something of a fierce debate going on about their usefulness -- though they provide an easy light-source, in the grounded city they're so thick and difficult to prune that they threaten the foundations of some of the embedded buildings. Thus far, the movement to keep them is winning, but either way the Erol'a are quite willing to sell them in bulk.

Uessaire deals primarily in landed resources, especially inland. Its outer-boundary platforms serve as ships, and during certain times of year the city can almost double in size as its foragers and fishers return to build floating marketplaces and sell their findings. The migration back to Uessaire is currently underway, with the result that by the end of the landfall a great cluster of curious boatpads will be tethered between Tu Vishan and Uessaire, providing footpaths from turtle to city without any trouble.

a courtyard; ota; June 19 or so

[inkulcation]

China's investigating the cities mostly for the form of the thing, and because it is sensible to know one's surroundings, even if she doesn't have much desire to stay in them long. It's simply more trouble than it's worth, dealing with the locals, even if she can magic her way out of the more inconvenient things. So she keeps to the courtyards mostly, the wide open lilypads where she can watch from the outskirts.

When approached by the natives, no matter whether Crests or Kelps, she'll mostly attempt to disengage or shift away with as little conversation as possible, though on a few rare instances she can be found demonstrating a simple sigil that, when complete, gives off a clear light. This is always accompanied by some kind of exchange, informational or material -- one does not get something for nothing -- and it's more than possible that China's apartment is going to acquire some number of sea wisps.

Anyone who actually knows her may register that she looks a tiny bit irritated even when not being spoken to, and it says something that it's actually visible in her expression.

[ooc; if you haven't threaded with China before but want to, obligatory heads up about that thing she does.]

June 20 | Closed to Alayne

[highprofilerichkid]

Tony had been disappointed when the Erol'a had at first appeared mostly indifferent to technology, but he had very quickly discovered that they became much more interested as soon as he mentioned that he could build things that would operate in and around water.

This has opened up a number of opportunities.

But to make sure he can make the best of them, he needs an accomplice. Which is why he is now in the Hotel, knocking on Alayne's door. He's bubbling with excitement, and as soon as Alayne opens the door, without even waiting to exchange greetings, he asks, "Hey, Alayne, how old are you?"

Ollesse - The Coral Ruins

[ironwood]

While there are ruins strewn all throughout the waterways of Zeshora, much of them are in terrible condition. The Erol'a take them for granted or view them as nuisances in the way, with the result that many of them have been broken down for safer navigation of the waterways, appropriated for buildings or artworks, or just ignored until time and weather have taken their toll. Regardless, most Erol'a are quite willing to take outsiders on tours of the prettiest.

Ollesse is a city once in the centre of the continent, north and a little east of Uessaire and surrounded by a circle of islands. It's the deepest of the ruins, but begins on the beaches and stretches sharply out into the continent's protected inner sea, where coral and some of the more vibrant sea-life on Konryu have made it their home. The dominant coral of the area is actually a parasite which eats stone, and the marble of the city has long since vanished, leaving only the brightly coloured coral in the shape of the buildings that were once present.

Ollesse, the Coral City, has the look of arches and sweeping lines, and its structures are so complex that the sea currents move through it somewhat like a waterslide. It's a favoured camping area for the younger Erol'a, and ten to one there will be, at any given time, a beach pavilion or two attended by close relatives of the Crests who employ them. Anyone over 18 should not be surprised to be expected to give way or perform a small task for a precocious youth -- less so if they can prove they're there on 'business'.

On land and in the shallows Ollesse's structures can still be seen as they once were. Made of a type of marble, they show minimum damage from the sea air -- in fact, if anything they collect salt deposits which some of the poorer Erol'a harvest and sell. The ruins still show remains of having been a colourful city, whether by paint or the natural colour of the stone; either way, much like the coral reflects the colours of the city below, the salt-deposits take on the hue of the marble on land. Careful -- some of them are poisonous.

The predominant form of wildlife is the pygmy squid. Generally benign if left alone, when hassled the pygmy squids release an ink on the lowest side of toxic -- it causes severe itching made worse by the presence of water. In open air the itching will subside, but better not bathe for at least two days afterward! The itch will return with a vengeance on contact with water. Oddly enough, the symptoms are soothed by the application of salt, which has a limiting effect -- fresh water carries the risk of making the symptoms more severe (but non-lethally so).

Other forms of wildlife include various forms of fish (usually brightly coloured to match the coral) and a few small shark-like creatures. The main predator is a kind of jellyfish which wraps its prey in its tentacles and eats it slowly over days; semi-transparent, they can be relatively easily seen due to their size (the smallest are a metre broad) and the fact that they cause a rainbow fracturing effect when hit with sunlight. Having no conventional skin, these jellyfish are the only known predators to the pygmy squid.

Anyone up for impromptu scuba diving? | 21st to 26th | OPEN TO ALL

[skeletonenigma]

For the majority of the week, Skulduggery Pleasant and Erskine Ravel can be found on the beaches around the Coral City, offering a unique service to anyone, Foreigner, kedan, and Erol'a alike. It didn't start out that way - it started out with a bet, a dare, that two men capable of manipulating both water and air wouldn't be able to work together long enough to create a safe air-filled elevator down into the ruins.

The Dead Men are nothing if not expectation-crashers. They managed it in under an hour.

It's definitely an odd sight if you happen to come across it - an animated skeleton in a nice suit and a man too beautiful to be fair, the living man's wrist and the skeleton's neck chained together. But word of their water elevator service has spread through Zeshora, and they periodically take small groups of people down beneath the waves in a giant bubble of air, staying underwater for hour-long ruins explorations at a time.

[OOC: If you want either Skulduggery or Erskine in particular, please put it in the subject line!]

Re: Ollesse - The Coral Ruins

[gathersnomoss]

Judicious use of flight spells meant Zelgadis could explore in piece. He was taking a deliberate effort to avoid the Crests... which meant a band of them had decided to see if the stone man would react to pygmy squid toxin. Say, by leaving some rather annoyed squid on his campsite.

(Really, if he'd played by the rules, they'd have left him alone after that. Mostly. Also, it's for science.)

So, now picture a rather annoyed and ink-splattered Zel fuming since it's not like local law would take his side, short of (maybe) a major injury.

Secessi - The Floating Reefs

[ironwood]

The secessi aren't so much a location as a curse. The Floating Reefs are the debris of the sinking continent, pushed away from the land as it fell and then dragged back by the backwash. As far as the Erol'a are concerned, they're the biggest danger in the ocean surrounding Zeshora; with no grounding, kept together only by dint of the coral and wildlife which grows on them, the secessi are subject to the whims of wind and current. Nothing has been more responsible for the sinking of Erol'a ships and damage to their offshore efforts.

There is currently one such reef offshore south of Atoce, sent there by Tu Vishan's imminent approach. Some of the Erol'a are particularly grateful for that, and if asked will willingly explain that the reef had been an imminent threat for some weeks, but is now far enough out that it will likely miss any Erol'a works altogether. Still, it's close enough to reach on a small Erol'a pontoon.

For all that the Reefs are a curse, they're rather beautiful. Whatever debris was left of the continent's sinking has long since decomposed, with the result that the entanglement of coral and branches looks more like a flowered canopy from above. It's thick enough to walk on, though anyone doing so should expect to get their feet wet, since the reef will sink slightly at the weight. Swimming beneath the Reef is something of an adventure -- the underside is all clinging brambles and thorns, and while some treasures can be found in among the branches (sea-prunes, prawns, sea-flowers and some kinds of pearls) trying to forage for them is a difficult proposition.

Hatchling Messages

[ironwood]

While most of the Erol'a stay on their islands, by the end of the first day Foreigners may hear rumours of a handful coming into Keeliai. The kedan have been giving names and (not always good) directions. For the rest of landfall, some Foreigners may have some Erol'a asking after some of them specifically -- if asked, they will quickly explain they have a message from their turtle.

Chances are this will happen in Keeliai, since the Erol'a are setting out specifically to ensure the messages are delivered, but chance meetings in Atoce or Uessaire are also possible! For the most part the messages are verbal, though some Erol'a may read off quick notes.

Though is possible for a non-turtle-parent to receive a message on behalf of a turtle-parent, for the most part the Erol'a will also insist on delivering the message personally.

---

OOC Note: Turtle parents are free to play with the exact wording of the message they receive, so long as it follows the general outline as mentioned in the OOC post.

On the path out of Keeliai | Closed to Erskine | June 19th-20th

[skeletonenigma]

After the first two days of Anton refusing to let Skulduggery leave the Hotel and explore the strange new half-sunken continent, Skulduggery had honestly believed he wasn't going to be allowed out of Keeliai at all. He wanted to object on principle, but he had a frustratingly small amount of ground to stand on. So he bore the punishment in silence, if not quite good grace, and was genuinely surprised when Anton let them leave without some kind of escort.

If he wasn't very careful, he might actually learn to rely on his friends.

Skulduggery and Ravel passed the first half of the walk in their customary silence, broken only by the clinking of the chain as they moved. Just as they were about to reach the border of Atoce, however, an Erol'a came running up to them and stopped, stunned.

"You really are a skeleton," she said, eyes wide. She turned to Ravel. "Can it really talk? It doesn't look like it can talk."

[unetrustworthy]

"Are you Midii-mama?"

It was the moniker that stopped her, cold. She could hear her heart pounding in her ears, and yet, if she were to look in a mirror, Midii would have seen her face go pale. There was only one person who had ever called her that. And while, yes, a fair few in Keelai knew about the nickname, it was always associated with that one person.

Riva.

She nodded wordlessly, urging the person to go on. Something about a message. Vague as to where it came from, but the longer the person spoke, the more confident Midii grew that it did, in fact, come from her precious (not so) baby Turtle.

"...and we're fine, so you can stop worrying now. No, really, Midii-mama, I was serious about the wrinkles..."

There were tears in her eyes, and before she knew it, she was actually smiling.

"But we can't come home yet. I'm sorry, but we have something we need to finish first. I know you'll understand, which is why I'm perfectly willing to deal with you frowning at me for the two weeks after we eventually do return. I still love you, but you know what? Worth it~."

Her hands came up to cover her mouth. Laughter escaped her, in between half-choked sobs. She wasn't sure if she was crying or giggling or happy or sad or some mess of a combination of them all. It was all she could do to thank the individual who had delivered the message before waving off the blurred silhouette of an Erol'a.

"I knew it...I knew they would be alright..."

It was, perhaps, the first time in her life that Optimism had paid off.

Astegune (reward request location)

[ironwood]

[OOC: This location is an AC reward for Akito, and only those whom Akito has told about the undersea ruin may tag here updated with general notice. This will be a non-NPCed thread, so vital questions should be directed to the OOC post; otherwise, feel free to invent any details regarding the exact nature of the ruins beyond what is outlined below.]

---

While exploring one of the smaller secessi to the west of Atoce, a small underwater ruin can be found in about fifty feet of water, on underwater geography that indicates it was probably on a seaside cliff at one point. It's obviously not a town, too small, even though the remaining architecture seems consistent with what's seen in Atoce and Uessaire. Perhaps a small village? Yet the layout of the buildings -- dozens of very small ones, clustered around a central dome -- seems oddly too geometrically perfect for everyday living. There's not much of the dome left, only a few cracked segments that look like a tidal push in any direction could bring them down. This locale seems to have set down rather roughly on the sea floor, and any force applied by visitors, in fact, will leave it in more ruins. Nobody wants a several hundred pound piece of stone crushing them underwater, so best to tread carefully!

Inside the domed building are several areas that can only be described as altars, and scattered around the interior are stone benches, and other damaged goods consistent with the workings of a worshipful temple. On the back of the main wall are six names inscribed in the Erol'a's written language.

Ollaegiana -- Aldaion -- Jaiarri
Dimetaidon -- Iraun -- Ximeli
These carvings are large, taking up nearly ten feet in height for each letter, and the entire wall is patterned, not with the omnipresent mosaic tiles used in the rest of Zeshoran construction, but much larger tiles designed specifically to look like the plates of a turtle's shell. These tiles can be pried off the wall, but given the relatively whole pitiful of this particular temple, that just seems like adding insult to injury. This was obviously a place of great importance in its time, important enough to the Erol'a to have built it so extravagantly.

The purpose of the small buildings, that are spaced in concentric circles radiating out from the dome, become clearer now. They are (were) individual offering shrines, although they're all too damaged to make out whatever names might have been on them. Various bits of what were probably offerings can be found in the rubble and debris, from bits of decorative seaglass, to strings of memhari likely used for donations, and other small items. Some look newer than others, and occasionally something shiny will still be found, implying at least a few someones still visit this place.

If asked about the location, the Erol'a will react with surprise and mild caution -- what were the visitors doing so far out in the secessi? But they will explain that the location was called Astegune, and it was the Erol'a center of worship for the Great Turtles. The six names carved upon the wall are the names of the six Turtles who made up most of the Zeshoran landmass, and the smaller shrines were for the other Great Turtles around the world. However with the death of all the Great Turtles except for Tu Vishan and Sinbrilee eons ago, and with Astegune having been sunk in the land upheaval many centuries earlier, the dedication to worshipping them waned with time. They're still respected in general, but no longer the devoutness that once was. Depending on who is spoken to, the more superstitious of the Erol'a will profess a belief that it was that dwindling of respect that caused the upheaval which sank most of Zeshora, but others will scoff at the idea.