Welcome to Gaia! ::

Welcome to the Midnight Forest
────────────────────────────────────────────────

A forest inhabited exclusively by Richendu, whose name means "great shadow tree." Richendu have wide, pitch black leaves that form a thick canopy -- so thick that when you are in the middle of this forest, it's impossible to tell day from night. No other plants grow here because of the lack of sunlight.

When a Richendu tree senses a violent force (such as a very strong wind) that could damage its leaves, the leaves roll up and retract into the hard trunk. On extremely windy days, the entire forest withdraws its canopy and becomes much brighter. This forest is considered to be a sacred place where Choqlehut the God of Weakness dwells.

Prompt
────────────────────────────────────────────────

As you step deeper into the forest a warm glow begins to lift the shadows around you, and the shapes of the trees become more distinct. You're nearing the center of the forest, now, where the canopy is at its thickest and no light enters. The only light here is made by the festival goers, and seeps through the trees from its source - a huge bonfire near the carved, towering, poles at the center of it all.

The beat of drums and whistle of a panflute can be heard over the many voices filling the air. The entire scene has a raw edge to it, sacred and tinged with a darkness that goes deeper than the lack of light. But there is energy here, too, and many of those around you are smiling and laughing as they compete in various games and contests. In one corner a group of Corleo and two humans play an old game of dice with the ankle bones of a Ghanu. Another group crowds together to watch wrestling matches, while others prepare the game for a hunt that will later become the main course of a feast that will begin at Midnight and last until the next day.

Yet despite the games, music, and other ceremonies there is a slight tension in the air. Some of it is due to the rivalry between various prides but this isn't uncommon when so many are packed into one place and, for the most part, their differences are kept in check out of respect for the god they have come to pay respects to. This other tension is different - the humans, though more welcome by some than others - are still a debated presence among the Corleo, especially during a tradition that many hold sacred to their own kind. So far, of course, nothing but some taunts and a few whispered insults have come of it.

So, where is it that you fit in? Do you head to the trading tables to see what goods are being offered, or do you prefer to gamble – or perhaps match your strength against those within the wrestling rings? Whatever you choose don't forget the reason that you're here - the god of Weakness is watching, and his will is a fickle one.

((Reserved just in case. Safe to post now!))

(OOC: playing a female human geologist. Not very fluent in the language.)


Trina was a medium height human woman with unruly blonde hair and dark blue eyes. She'd been shipwrecked here with the original batch of humans and was still slightly confused about these odd lion like creatures. A geologist who studied the earth to find out about it's past, she'd found no record of this place and its inhabitants and it weirded her out. But it also piqued her curiosity, and so she found her self less home-sick than most. For now she had a new place to research and creatures that, to a scientist's non-religious mind, shouldn't exist to be studied.

So she had set out to learn these creature's language with very little success. Far more apt at reading rocks than people, she had yet to master their language. Not that it stopped her at all! Which is why she'd followed a friendly Corleo here. This Corleo was her guide and friend. Together they'd taught each other about their different worlds, though he seemed the more apt student than she. He'd brought her here and then left her to explore on her own, warning her that she may not be welcome at this holy ritual.

How strange that they believe so strongly in gods and spirits. She thought as she wandered the place, eyes wide as she took in the very different colors and patterns that all the Corleo's had. How can one race have so many different colors and markings and still be the same creature? How did they evolve? She thought as she wandered about. And what was she doing here? Humans didn't like it when strangers intruded on their rituals, so why would these people be any different? She could understand insults when she heard them, since she'd been called them so many times in her stay here, and she definitely heard some not very nice phrases! Well, might as well ask someone what this is about, since my friend didn't expalin what it was too me.

"Um, what dis abot?" She asked a nearby Corleo in broken Fiyuri.

It's funny how a little trip could turn into a life altering adventure. At least that's how the 23 year old leatherworker saw it.
Lilithel was surprised that so many had survived the two years they had spent in the place so far and she was picking up on the language, though she still had issues understanding if they spoke to fast. She was still getting the sounds correct herself but she had been able to sound understandable so far as she could tell. Her jeans had long since been destroyed from wearing them so long and she had to fashion something out of an animal hide. It wasn't the most elegant of things but it worked well enough and it would last at least.
When she was younger she had been fascinated by her fathers leatherworking and skinning skills and had learned at an early age the art of the process. She could make blankets, baskets and clothing and that seemed to have faired her well here. She was more than willing to make stuff for the others if they asked, but she didn't make what people didn't need. She didn't want to kill something just because someone wanted more. Her mind was set that you only take what you need.
She hadn't spent too much time talking to too many of the others but she noticed Trina following a Corleo earlier and had decided to follow along. She had understood there was a type of gathering going on in celebration of something or someone, but she wasn't good enough to get a clear translation. She just knew it was important.
She stood shocked with amazement at the beauty of the place and she then spotted Trina talking to one of the Corleos. She waited until they had finished and greeted them both in Fiyuri as she approached. "Hello."

Oh dear. Now there was another one. He was beginning to suspect humans were naturally herd creatures. Yonak smiled politely as another approached. He had to give her credit for the leather coverings. Pity the humans needed them so much. The dearies were just so frail. "Yambas." His attention shifted as another presence moved near. Oh finally, another korliyo--a green male. "Nor I. Though it does seem fitting, being at Cholqlehut's festival, I suppose." His smile was warm as he greeted the small group of strangers. The merchant's goods were interesting, but they could wait. This, now this would be entertaining. "I am Yonak. Pleasure to meet you...?" He let the introduction hang, wondering what this new korliyo's name could be.

In all truth he did not entirely meant to ignore the humans. Some things were just a tad more important.

Sandra had no idea why she had decided to come and see what this celebration..or festival..or whatever it was was all about. She was terrible at the language..and having been a bona fide city girl back home had only managed to fudge her way through this whole survival thing. Honestly she still spent a great deal of time wishing, hoping and looking for a ship from home to appear and return her to normalcy.

Perhaps it was loneliness that had driven her to this little gathering..oh sure there were enough humans to talk to in the little bit of territory the cat people had given them but they were generally so wrapped up in..well..surviving..that any sort of fun went out the window. When she'd heard of this gathering she had remembered the gatherings of home..fun times, good company and wistfully come along to see what could be seen. So far she was not impressed..oh sure some seemed to be having a decent enough time but it was far more tense and somber then she had hoped for. Sighing slightly she angled her path towards the traders tables, there at least she could remember how fun it was to shop..even if the wares were not exactly the electronic goodies and high class wares she had loved shopping for back home. Two years..it just wasn't enough time to adjust or forget and honestly Sandra wasn't entirely sure she ever would. Running a hand through her once short, now medium length brown hair she eyed the various goods on display.

Katerina walked into the forest it seemed so dead and lifeless but she knew deeper in was the festival. She wanted to see it and take part even practice her Fiyuri. She was pretty good at it. But she wanted to get even better. She was a herbologist and loved plants. She had been learning about all of the different plants around here and they were fascinating to her. There were so many new medicinal properties she was learning about because of these plants and she was also studying the animals here. Having an interesting in biology as well. She walked into the forest going deeper and deeper as it got darker she also saw it getting lighter. It was a warm light and as she got closer she realized it was a bonfire. She saw the four pillar to the god and watched the others around here. Not many other humans but she hadn't expected there to be many. She saw two together and smiled then saw all of the Corleos she heard some snide comments about humans but paid it no attention she wasn't here because of insults or anything else. She wanted to take part in this sacred ritual and see what it all was. Maybe even catch a glimpse of the god see what this one was like. She walked around for a bit and over to the two humans.

Alongside other traders of goods, there was a korliyo most assuredly unbothered by the human presence. He believed in deities, not owning them; any and all were welcome to learn of Choqlehut and pay respects at the gathering. Of course, his focus was elsewhere.

With a few more taps of a finger, the final bit of powder fell from his wooden tube and onto the small carpet of woven leaves laid out before him. There were patterns of dust carefully set in spirals, crisscrosses and alternating lines, but mostly in small piles that dotted the whole surface. Lughus had ground these mixes of powders from various coals and minerals, some of which had to be smelted from ores he'd found digging, trading or wading. They were precious materials, so there would only be one show of this kind tonight. It wasn't only for marketing, however. He had done it all before, and it was sure to get some smiles.

"All right! Gather round for a fabulous demonstration!" He announced in Fiyuri with a clap of his hands, rising to call attention to any nearby who wished to partake in the show. Against the dim background of forest, the incandescent sections of his face, tail and right-side limbs shone brightly despite the wrappings around his head, ankles and forearms. As he was in human form, he also wore some rudimentary, soot-stained cloth.