Legends of Hawaiki 2: Where the Wild Things Are

[Tonguez]

It is before dawn when you are awoken and summoned to the Sacred Malae, the Sacred ground where Makea Takanui, the Wise One Lord Kamasese and many of the other priests and other religious functionaries are gathered chanting low like the drone of bees.

In the lingering darkness you can see the shadow of their bodies as the sway and also that of other forms gathered around the edges of the malae. Some you guess are the carved tiki effages standing guard with bulging eyes and lolling tongues, but in the flickering fire light you can not help but think that some of those figures move and chatter with inhuman voices.

Upon the Tuahu at the top end of the malae a pig has been slain, no doubt both as sacrifice and to allow the priests to read the entrails and blood of the creature. Beside the tuahu-altar one of the priests is bent down over a fire stick whilst another feeds straw and sawdust into the rising flame.

As each of you arrives you are greated by the Hautupu and directed to remove your clothing entering the sacred manse without the vestiges of the mundane world.

It is the Wise One Lord Kamasese and Chief Makea Takanui that greet you once you move forward, standing before you and each holding a branch of the Kavai tree.

"the task you are to undertake is not an easy one" Chief Makea Takanui addresses you "that you are here shows courage and responsibility. Take what you require, we shall provide.

Tell me Will you carry on now to Kahe Beach and the Wild Place of Waihoro cove?"

He pauses a while allowing each of you to answer
...
To those who answer 'yes' he smiles as he steps back and with the Menehune elder begins to call a blessing upon you using the leaves of the Kavai to sprinkle blessed water over you as they invoke the protection and aid of the ancestors spirits....

 

[Argent Silvermage]

Tatiki stands naked in the fire light, heart pumping loudly in his chest. Not since his rebirthing in mother ocean had he felt so alive as this. He saw the others as Not just friends and Tribesmen now but as Family.

 

[Guest 11456]

Upon getting the summons, Tu-Ru stirs from his short slumber. He gets up and heads to the sacred place. As instructed, the large O'Punga removes his loincloth and steps forward.

When asked if he will go to Kahe Beach and the Wild Place of Waihoro cove, he replies with a hardy "YES!" Then he awaits the protections that they bestow on him. As they invoke the protections on him, he stands proud and tall for the honor of this day.

 

[Seonaid]

Lani comes to the sacred place upon being summoned and sheds her clothing as the others do. Subdued by the events of the past day, and by the seriousness of the task before them, she stands within and replies, "Yes," quietly. She waits, still as a standing stone, as the ceremony is completed and their bodies and minds are purified.

 

[wolff96]

Wai is awakened from a sound slumber by the summons to the Malae.

He gathers his pack quickly, checks to make sure his coral bracers are secure, and sets out at a fast pace. When he arrives, he quickly strips down and joins the rest of his friends. He doesn't feel truly naked until he removes the coral bracers.

When asked if he will set out, he conceals his lingering nervousness and answers "Yes" in a loud, clear voice before moving to join the others.

 

[Tonguez]

The sun has begun to rise up over the horizon by the time the ritual is complete, you feel revitalised as the Spirits have given their strength and protection for the task ahead.

The priests who has been tending the fire to roast a sweet potato, breaks the food into peices and then hands these to Chief Makea Takanui.

"Eat this" he says passing a peice to each of you "it will provide some protection from hostile spirits."

A remianing peice is kept and handed to the Shaman Puna Tani.
"This peice is for the Aitua Tamumu who is Lord of Waihoro. If you meet him then you must honor him - is this clear?."

Satisfied you are lead out of the Malae as the Sun rises yet higher and where your equipment waits. Your equipment too is sprinkled with blessed water ready for use.
Various weapons have been gathered from which you may choose. Makea Takanui picks up the Sharktooth club which he was given and hands this to Tatiki
"I give you use of your gift to me" he smiles reassuringly "use it well, and return it safely to my hand." ....

After collecting your gear you are escorted back down towards the village when many wait to see you off. Maeharoa and his warriors stand by to salute you. Ru-Hina stands amongst the crowd alongside Mania and her aunt, Lani's mother, Tanafa Rongua Takanui. Even Wai's grandmother is there supported by he Opunga Afa and others of Wais family.

As you appear Ru-Hina steps forward and daubs red ochre on the cheeks of each of you, red the color of chiefs, and thus marking you as carrying the mana of Takanui.

(ooc RP as you choose here, make farewells and any comments you think appropriate)


Once farewells are made you head out of the village gate and head along the paths that threads through the plantations. Where some of the commoners and village slaves stand and wave as you pass.

You know that there are three routes which you could take to your destination -by sea you can usually go to Kahe beach with little trouble, though Waihoro is difficult being plagued with jagged rocks and tricky currents, and of course the attacks of the previous day came from the sea so who knows what might lie that way.

The overland routes are longer, one takes you through the jungles, over the hills and down to Kahe beach and from there maybe up to Waihoro. The other is a more direct path to Waihoro, but that is via 'the Cut', a narrow canyon which cuts its way through the foothills of Tuirangi, and which has long been used by taipo and cannibals to attack unwary travellers.

The sky above you is clear and blue with aintly a feint wafting of cloud, the sun is shines bright, a gentle breezes blows carrying the fragrance of the jungle down to you, and the waves continue to lap against the shore.

So which way will you go?

 

[Guest 11456]

Various weapons have been gathered from which you may choose.

OOG: What weapons can we choose from?

 

[Argent Silvermage]

As Tatiki took the Sharkstooth staff from his chief's hands he knew for a certainty that this journey would come full circle. He could see himself returning the staff to Makea Takanui. He saw them all back healthy and whole with new friends to talk about. As the cerimony ended he walked over to his sarong and put it back on his body, choose the equipment he would need and went home to his parents.

His goodbye was tearful but His father understood his need to go and calmed his mother and brother. He slept for a few hours and then went to meet the rest of the party.
"Where do we goe from here? I would think we should take the the hills and down to Kahe beach."

 

[wolff96]

Wai collects his gear and then looks wistfully after Ru-Hina after she daubs his face. He raises a hand as if to touch his own cheek, but stops just short of the ochre.

Checking his own gear once more to make sure he has everything, he is distracted by Tatiki's comment.

"I don't know... That's the long way." He thinks about it for a minute, considering what he knows. "I'm not much of a boatman, though, and I don't know if the Cut would be safe... even with Tu-Ru alongside us." He sighs, considering the long walk. "I guess that's probably the safest path, though. That gets my vote."

 

[Tonguez]

OOG: What weapons can we choose from?

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