Quest Marine Circles

[Efforvescent]

Marine Circles, 61st of Summer

There was a few disturbing expressions coming from the Grandmother Circle. The market was soon filled with hurried Konti headed to the harbor to join their sisters in the water. Before the Konti search parties got past the break water, there was briefly felt a shake. To some it was barely palpable or even noticeable. To those more attuned to nature and to the island, it was very much out of place. There was a tension in the air around the market and the Harbor as officials were letting ships out of harbor only one at a time and with guidance.

The blast of air from the blow hole was echoed several times by the whale’s pod mates. These were captain’s whales as some call them. Some call them Guide whales as they tend to bring good luck if a ship follows them. They end up in good currents and good winds. Usually they turn to go further south of the Isle of Konti, instead they turn around the south tip and continue around the island. After several bells, the pod started to round the south end of the island. The Konti water guard notices the odd locations of whale pods, dolphin pods and other whale species within relative close proximity to each other. The Konti know that this is abnormal behavior as each follow a defined migration path. This is reported and a group of Konti well versed in the behavior of the sea make to land. The Grandmother Circle must know about these very strange happenings.

Some of those citizens that are sensitive to avian species, notice that sea gulls, kites, and other birds are flying around the island in flight habits that are not normal. There various bird calls would have an edge of distress in it. The sea turtle swimming path around the southern part of the island is also hampered as some are found stranded on rocks or found damaged, even dead from being pushed aside by the larger creatures of the sea. The seas around Konti Isle are over filled with migratory sea creatures and the air is filled with confused avian species of a variety of sorts.

The survey team arrive at the Mother’s circle, which usually takes care of the day to day matters of Konti Isle. It was quickly acknowledged the matter needed the Grandmother Circle. The elder Konti who look as fair as any Konti on the island would portray. The faintest of lighter colored blonde was the only indication to outsiders that this lady was two hundred years old. She stepped forward and raised her hands from the clamouring Konti.

“Go forth and mark the pods speed and trajectory. If we are expecting ships in, we need ships out there to form a blockade before they run into the Pods. Laviku is looking to us to protect these poor confused creatures. Our great lady Avalis guide our hand in this as it has been revealed the cause is out in the waters around the island. Go and find volunteers to help find the cause of this and quickly before something unthinkable happens. “ her words were kind, gentle but there was no doubt as to the seriousness of the words she spoke. The air of grave urgency was felt by all Konti as it rippled out amongst their kind. Outsiders will get the tension and a hint that something was not the usual calm Mura. If they ask, Konti officials will lightly sketch the situation, but not reveal all.

The call goes out to volunteers to go out into the waters flooded with various sea creatures to help find the cause of what is causing all of these creatures to swim so close together against their usual aquarian or aviary patterns.

**** OOC INFO *****

Tap and Okara: When in town you may see groups of gathered Konti. You will be the first to hear about the dilemma and likely to have more information than non-konti.

Visi: you may over hear about the issue while working. A merchant often hears a lot of gossip only the tone of this isnt the tone of gossip but of deep concern for Mura.

Respond at will.

[Okara]

Okara kneeled in the grass of the Opal Temple courtyard, sounds of the bustling kitchen reached her ears from the nearby staff entrance. She rubbed her hands with a cloth to dry them, a bucket of water where she had rinsed off fish guts sat before her. Her mind was drifting listlessly as she neared the close of her shift in the kitchens, a quiet day leading to quiet thoughts. Her green eyes took in the courtyard around her and then looked down at the bucket, bits of fish and entrails settling at the bottom. The water in the bucket shook for a moment and ripples disturbed the surface. Okara frowned, she could have sworn she felt the slightest shake beneath her body. She looked up and around the courtyard again, now noticing the hurried steps of several Konti to and from the main Temple entrance. Okara stood and walked through the kitchen doorway, placing her drying cloth on a counter. She said brief goodbyes to her coworkers and quickly made her way along the Temple courtyard and through the heavy white gates that surrounded the Temple complex. The city stretched out before her and she noticed groups of Konti clustered together in the streets. The Konti were a social lot but this was unusual. Okara didn’t need to be Avalis marked to know something strange was happening. The women chattered together anxiously, lowering their voices when a man or a woman lacking the Konti’s characteristic scales and faded colors wandered by. The tension from the groups began to wash over Okara, the tight faces and worried eyes causing heaviness in her heart, the emotions rolling off the Konti like waves on their beloved beaches. She noted a few Konti who must be particularly perceptive to emotion looked almost pained from the intensity of the crowds. The gifts given to them by Avalis did not always feel like gifts. Okara witnessed several women looking up and pointing. She followed their gaze and noticed a seagull flying haphazardly that barely turned in time to avoid collision with another gull, their wings skimming each other lightly. Now that was odd. Seagulls flew near each other all the time but these gulls seemed almost confused with where they were going. Her frown deepened as she walked on, picking up small snippets of worried conversation. Something strange was happening and it seemed to do with animal life around the island, or at least the animal life was a symptom of something wrong. The general tone she was noticing was one of confusion. Strange things had been noticed but no one seemed to know what was actually happening. Okara paused her steps to listen to a woman who had the attention of several others. “It was so strange, we were going on patrol like normal and it was like the whales didn’t know where to go. They started circling around the island instead of heading south. My squad leader pulled us back and went to report what we saw to the Mother’s Circle. I don’t know what is happening now. I don’t know what could possibly be wrong with the whales. I saw another patrol who said they noticed some odd behavior with a pod of dolphins!” The woman explained to her enraptured audience. Okara nodded and opened her mouth to ask a question when a Konti that she recognized as an official from the Vision Center approached the gathered women who turned towards her, looking for answers. “News from the Grandmother’s Circle. We are seeking volunteers to investigate the oddities of the marine and avian life around the island. We believe the source is originating from the oceans though little is known at this time. We caution you to beware, we don’t know how the marine life will react right now. Report all findings back to an official.” The woman announced. The official nodded and turned to walk towards another group, spreading word of the call to help. Okara remained quiet, watching the women around her while her mind was busily working through the official’s words. She resolved to help in whatever way she could. She wasn’t Laviku-marked or a powerful seer but she cared about her home and she could not stand by and do nothing while confusion waxed and waned around her. The beach was clearly her next stop and she determined to make her way there at once. Okara exchanged brief words of surprise and concern with the other Konti before turning away from the group of chattering women. Her steps were hurried and anxious as she followed the paths between buildings towards the coastline and harbor. She noticed others with the same determined steps moving through the city, she was heartened to know how quickly her sisters had sprung to action. No disaster would happen on the Konti’s watch without each working to the last to prevent it. A race of seers and healers did not sit idly by while the world turned around them. Feeling fresh valour and determination in her heart her pace quickened, her scaled feet slapping the stone pathway in quick succession. As she emerged onto the beach she could see people moving quickly around the docks and flurried activity around the boats. Her mouth was set in a grim line as she turned her green eyes towards the waves. OOCEff, I wasn’t sure how far you wanted us to get with our first post so I stopped just short of entering the water. Let me know if that’s not what you were hoping for.

[Tap]

Although it was close to midday Tap was being lazy, taking a nap in one of the many gardens in Mura. The weather was nice and she had quickly fallen asleep on the grass. It wasn't long though, when she awakened. though she wondered what had woken her. Her surroundings seemed the same from when she had first arrived in her little hiding place behind a tree. She sat up, looking around. Her awakening wasn't natural and refreshing like normal. It felt... different. That's when she noticed something weird in the air. Even Tap, who is usually very disconnected from the world around her could sense something was off.

Earlier in the morning and even the day before Tap had felt a little weird. She figured she was simply getting a cold or something, but now it was stronger. She left the park then, heading more into the heart of the city, going west. That's when she saw the people talking. A bunch of Konti women were grouped in separate circles, whispering. They seemed very on edge. Tap, insanely curious, but also not wanting to strike up a conversation that may end up being very uninteresting, Tap had to think of something else.

The answer was rather obvious, and for any other Konti it would have been perhaps and instant idea, as this is so close to who Konti are as a race. Tap's gnosis mark from Avalis would be able to answer the lazy Konti's question about what is going on, and what all these Konti are speaking about. This is a gift Tap regretfully does not use often. She has never felt completely connected to the gift and often does not find use for it. Also she prefers to find things out on her own, rather than being handed them. But mostly her questions are about things rather than people and so her communication skills are not as developed as they should be.

In order to access the answer Tap would have to dive into the Chavena and seek out the answer. It should not be that difficult. Although these Konti are speaking about something in the present, a realm of time Tap cannot access, she would simply need to look back into the past at what spurred the numerous conversations. She would only be able to focus on one Konti at a time, but that would not be that difficult. Chavi tends to present themselves to the marked and so she would not have to search long. Tap clsoed her eyes and tried to focus on one of the woman speaking before her, a deed not easily done with this woman. However she tried, her curiosity fueling her concentration. After a few breaths she felt her mind transported into the world of Chavena and as she opened them again she marveled, as she did every time, in the beauty of this strange world that connected her and her Gods. She stared for just a moment before a spiraling Chavi presented itself to her. Its colors were distracting, but she focused on it, attempting to read its records.

Tap did not have to travel far back along the Chavi. She saw the woman she thought about in the Opal Temple just a few chimes ago. She was talking, once again to other Konti. However she soon stopped and stared up at a Grandmother from the Circle. Tap could not remember her name. The old Konti started to speak. She spoke of the ocean and the animals residing in it. She talked of the air and the birds that flew with the currents. She described to the Konti and the others around her, how something was wrong with their navigaating systems. They were confused. They were running off course and into each other, too clsoe to shore too close to land. They were going to hurt themselves and others if it was not soon rectified. They needed volunteers.

Tap snapped out of the Chavena. The breathed heavily, looking around. Not much had changed while she was gone. Her body was still standing, a little shaky from having to command itself. The Konti were still murmuring in their huddle and the child Konti that was wandering previously to her right, was now playing on her left. She was gone for only a few ticks of a bell. Tap was in shock, not at the strain of navigating the Chavena, for that was simple and she had done it before. But of the information she learned whilst diving. The ocean was in trouble, along with its animals. Tap felt a surge of emotion, sadness and fright, slight panic and sudden bravery. She quickly walked up the to group with the woman she had just read.

"I want to help. Tell me what to do." Her voice uncharacteristically loud and unwavering.

[Efforvescent]

The port was bustling with activity as in the center of the storm of Konti going in what seemed chaotic directions was one revered Mother that brought order to this organized chaos. U’dula was pouring over map of the seas and the island. She would take each piece and scrap of writing in her hand and make notations on this map, placing dots and other symbols of reported sightings. Along this was the ship manifest of known ships coming into the harbor. It would help but they all knew that an unknown quantity of ships sometimes came to the harbor unexpected.

Once they had gathered several Guards with more of their excellent swimmers who are blessed with Laviku broke off into groups and headed out to sea to see to the creatures of the sea stuck in this circle. Another section went off into small ships in order to intersect incoming ships and attempt to create a communication system to avoid any crashes or incidents with Laviku’s children of the sea. U’dula turns on Okara and Tap to regard these volunteers. Her examination took several chimes as the silence became uncomfortable before she speaks.

“Ester.. take these two out on a boat to the north east sector past the bay boundaries here. Her fingers pointed at a dot on the map. “The anamolie was sited there. Be careful it is in the path of the odd route patterns of the sea creatures, Laviku bless them. The turn there and back down the southern corridor around the north before circling back again. This seems to be their route currently. This spot seems to not be as congested, still be careful. “ The Mother U’dula looked at the three of them with concern. It was the sort of expression a mother would give to their child before they embark into the unknown. The Konti look after each other as the village raised the child. In the Konti’s case, the whole of the Konti raises the child. She put a hand on each youngster’s shoulders and gave a nod to Ester to lead the way.

Ester would scoot to a Casinor that would fit their journey out towards the sea. In half a bell they were tacking out towards the break water and into the bay heading east north east. Three bells later Ester had to maneuver around a pod of dolphins, then a pod of orca. Ester would give orders to the other two in what simple duties she deemed they were capable of as she navigated the vessel. Fifteen chimes later, they had to avoid a whale or two. Up and over a large wave would reveal a significant sight of the problem. They could see the myriad of bodies as Ester banked the casino and flanked the overwhelming site of bodies swimming closely and coming up for air. The distress in the air for the sensitive would be thick and possibly just as overwhelming as the site. It took the better part of two more bells to get the casino moved to the bend of the curve where she advised the two girls this was the spot.

[Okara]

Okara turned towards the revered Mother who was organizing the search parties. She fought the urge to fidget as the woman examined her thoroughly and forced herself to look steadily back at the woman. She did not want to show any hesitation or fearfulness that might make the Mother think her to be incapable. Once she broke her gaze to begin giving orders, Okara sighed in relief having passed some test she did not realize she would need to take. She looked over at the other Konti that stood beside her. She noticed the expression of resolve and determination on the woman’s face and took heart from it, at least she wouldn’t be searching alone. Okara turned her attention back to listen to the instructions U’dula gave Ester. U’dula put her hand on Tap’s shoulder and then Okara’s. Then suddenly they were off. Okara found herself trotting after Ester towards a casinor tied to the dock. Following Ester’s instructions Okara carefully stepped down into the boat and waited for the others to get settled. Ester ordered Okara to untie the rope as she pushed the boat away from the dock which Okara complied with quickly, struggling to untie the unfamiliar knot. As much time as she spent around water she new relatively little about boats and sailing, much to her current embarrassment. Soon enough the casinor was skimming over the ocean water towards the destination U’dula had set for them. Salty ocean air spit foam in Okara’s face and sent her hair whipping around her face. She listened to Ester shout simple orders and she hurried to comply, hoping she was doing things correctly. She had to ask to clarify terms a few times though she quickly learned what the boom was when it walloped her in the back and knocked the breath from her body. She just felt lucky that it hadn’t knocked her overboard. She quickly learned from Ester’s instructions that on boats ropes were called lines and pulleys were called blocks. The time seemed to pass quickly as the casinor carried the Konti’s through the water and towards the circling sea animals. Once the casinor had gotten underway there wasn’t much for Okara to do but sit and wait until Ester called out an instruction to have the lines of the rigging fiddled with in order to adjust the direction and tautness of the sails. Bells passed and then Ester called out a dolphin pod sighting. Okara rushed to the side of the ship to watch the dolphins swim past, then next they came upon an orca pod. Now that Okara was closer to the creatures she noticed how they all seemed to be following similar routes and were making wide curving turns. After passing some whales they crested a wave and Okara sucked in her breath at the sight that greeted them. So many sea creatures clustered together, swimming in circles. The strange curving routes of the other animals they had seen seemed to make more sense now. They were all circling around some shared point. The unnaturalness of it sent a shiver down her back. She turned away as Ester called orders to carefully navigate the casinor around the waters teeming with life. It seemed to take so long for the boat to maneuver around the creatures and each passing chime increased Okara’s anxiety as she watched what was happening in the waters. Okara did not possess marks from Laviku or Caiyha but the confusion and distress of the animals was as plain as the scales on her forehead. Finally the casinor slowed to a drift and Ester indicated that they had reached the location. Okara went to stand next to Tap and looked over the Konti woman. She did not know the woman intimately but Mura was small enough that she had certainly seen her around town. She didn’t know the Konti’s personality well but for the sake of her own confidence she had to believe the woman would be a capable partner. “Well… looks like this is it. Perhaps we should try to stick together? Those poor animals seem so confused, I hope they don’t see us a threat. I guess I will see you under there.” Okara said and smiled, hoping it was reassuring and didn’t reveal how anxious she truly felt. She really wished she had thought to stop at home and pick up her suvai before rushing haphazardly to help. If Tap responded to her words she would wait to listen. Then Okara grabbed the rail of the casinor and threw her legs over, dropping down into the ocean water with a loud splash. Beneath the surface she floated in place, looking at the sea creatures around her to get her bearings and waiting for the other Konti to join her.

[Meadow]

Hello Ladies! I will be taking over this thread. Unfortunately I will have to completely restart it due to so much misstated lore by Eff in her posts. You are both welcome to reuse your posts and just do a few edits or you are welcome to do a whole new post if you wish. Once I have the first post ready I will send a link to you both over pm.