Mission 13

Key Matters
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A quiet lies over the largest village of Puʻuwai island, but it is broken by the patter of rain on the thatched roofs shielding its inhabitants from a sudden downpour. The temperamental weather does not turn any heads of the islanders, as it’s not unusual for this time of year.
The added humidity in the area makes it quite warm; in fact, some rejoice in the cooling touch of the rain, even though it won’t last long. Some of the Puʻuwai people even continue with their daily chores, unbothered by the drizzle; others rush to move the less rain resistant material for their annual festival below shelter, and are assisted by a score of Aetherians, who had been their guests for the last few days.
An invitation to the traditional peace festival of the Pae’aina people had been sent to the Aetherians several months prior, but when they had arrived a few days ago, their host had not been present. To help their guests pass the time, the islanders had insisted that they help with the preparation of the festival on the island, and shared stories and histories of their culture to explain the significance of the festivities. Despite the somewhat happy occurrence of their traditional celebration, there is a sense of nervousness and anticipation, but it is soon mixed in with confusion and dread at the arrival of early guests.
The work is temporarily halted as the surprised inhabitants observe the newcomers, people from the Paorangi tribe of same-named island. Some of the villagers are quicker to recover and approach them to offer them some hospitality, as is custom and important now especially that the peace alliances are fragile.
At the head of the Paorangi Tribes is a Simipour garbed in a dress, shawl, feathers in her hair, and a painted totem necklace. She senses the nervous tensions of the Pu’uwai tribe, as well as her own. She addresses her own tribe first in a hushed whisper.
: Deep breaths, everyone, don’t look so solemn. We’re not here to feud with them, we simply need to discuss the festival with Kaleo.
With those words said, she turns and greets the tribesmen of Pu’uwai.
: Tēnā koutou, Pu’uwai. (her brow quirks at the quiet and shy responses to her greeting) I am seeking Kaleo. I understood that he would be at the volcano shire, but when I sought him out there, he was not there - is he not giving offerings to the guardians before the festival?
This time, few meet her gaze and fewer still have more to offer her than weak explanations muttered through gritted teeth, and her eyes narrow.
: Where is the kahuna?
At her sharp tone, familiar faces flinch and look away, leaving only strangers still gazing at her in a dumbstruck confusion.
: Wait- who are these peop- What are you doing here? I- (she looks between the Aetherians and the Pu’uwaians before she snorts and grits her teeth)
: Alright, that’s enough, remove yourselves from my path.
She strides through the village in an interrupted path, ‘mons stepping out of her way long before she passes them by, and approaches a large hut. She climbs the stairs and is about to pass through the entrance, but a Gabite blocks her path.
: I don’t have the time to deal with the repercussions for sending your sorry ass sprawling into the wet sand, so I’m going to have to instead ask you to take four steps to your left on your own so that I don’t have to move you myself.
The Gabite readies themselves to reply, but a voice from inside the hut cuts them off.
: Let her pass, Keone.
The Simipour didn’t wait for the Gabite to more than pivot themselves before she shoves past the shark, nearly knocking them over as she enters the hut. The inside of the hut is a large, open space, occupied with large wooden statues of powerful masked guardians from an ancient time, and tapestries depicting scenes of legends.
Near the back, just in front of a small pool of water sunk into the ground, stood the elderly Magmar she had sought, as well as a Serperior and Charizard garbed in foreign wear.
: Rangatira Pania, please excuse the lack of formal reception, I was not aware you would be arriving so early, the festival’s opening ceremony does not begin for another few hours.
: Oh, but you were aware that I wanted to discuss the festival with you, so my presence shouldn’t surprise you. Now, I, however, wasn’t aware that the Pu’uwai were playing host to gaggle of strangers!
: (clearing his throat) Well met, Rangatira, I am King Alaric of Aether. I assure you, we are not here to cause harm nor mischief, we were formally invited to your Makahiki by the Ali’i Nui Tama.
: Oh, of course they did.
: I assure you, Rangatira, he was the one to invite us. He can confirm this himself when he arrives.
: Be nice if they’d actually show up and meet us after we came out all this way.
: Yes yes, I don’t doubt that half-brained child was the one to invite you here, but I do feel cheated by the little brat: he could have told me of your arrival when I saw him at the volcano shrine.
: Please calm yourself, Rangatira Pania, there is no need for anger. The Ali’i Nui simply believed they could aid us.
: Ah yes, there is no defense quite like the word of a child - by this I mean, “that is no excuse at all, you fat-lipped old whale!”
: Tama is still a child, and you’re supposed to be the one in charge until he’s fit to rule, so do us a tremendous favour and think for even half a second!
: (gesturing at Alaric and Gawain) Do you really think the other Ali’i Nui will allow outsiders to intervene?
: The plan was very blessed by our patro-
: Ooooohh, WONDERFUL! (she raises both arms into the air and spins around once in a slow circle) MY SECOND FAVOURITE CHILD IN A POSITION OF POWER LEAVES THEIR IMPRINT!
: (leaning close into Alaric and whispering) She’s bloody daft.
: Pania, plea-
: You know what I think of Pu’uwai’s patron, so you must know what the other tribes think of them! It’s only my respect for you that is keeping me from agreeing with them!
: (whispering again) “Respect”-
: (nudging Gawain with his tail) Gawain, hush.
: You need to stop including those idiot children in the decisions of your tribe! We are on the brink of a tribal war!
: This isn’t a game for those dumb children to play where they can pull in whatever toys they want to tell their story! You’re the elder, you know bringing outsiders into this is no solution!
: I have brought some of my most loyal tribesmen to assist me. I am willing to work together on a solution and to help to convince the other leaders, but you first need to set this right, so that we may speak of such matters.
: (sighing and kneading the corners of his crease-laden eyes before addressing Alaric and Gawain) I do not wish to be a poor host to you and send you out into this weather, but I believe it would be for the best if I were to have a moment of privacy with Rangatira Pania.
: Eh, not one to enjoy th’ rain myself, but it can’t be any more unpleasant than th’ feel of being in here with her.
: … (eyes narrowing)
: I would ask that we continue our conversation at a later time, lord Alaric, captain Gawain.
: Of course, (nodding his head) I would prefer we meet sooner rather than later. (addressing the Simipour) While I realize our presence here may not be ideal for you, we are already here: we cannot change that now, but we can offer our assistance to you while we are here.
: (snorting and crossing her arms) Lord of a foreign land, I doubt you know of the intricate workings of our tribes. I promise you, aside from Sazanami itself, we islanders appreciate your actions in Sazanami more than anyone - to whatever degree you can be accredited for.
: Sorry, how many ancient sea titans have you stopped?
: (nostrils flaring, she works her jaw) With nothing but tale as evidence - and with tale being known to change and shift over time and distance - I could ask you the very same thing.
: (with a tired sigh) We are trying to prevent the outbreak of a tribal war, not strive to start a new one with foreigners, are we not, Rangatira Pania?
: (turning her head and shutting her eyes with an upturned nose) Then I’ll leave you to fix that child’s mess, Kahuna.
: Forgive me for lingering, but I am curious about the child in question: they are your Ali’i Nui?
: (sighing) Our current Ali’i Nui, Tama, is a child, yes. Their father, the previous Ali’i Nui, passed away not too many months ago, and we are still adjusting.
: I am trying to guide young Tama and our young patron in learning and performing their duties, as well as managing my own duties as Kohuna, but things do slip by me sometimes.
: Young patron?
: Tssk, so you’ve not had the immense pleasure yet? Oh how I envy you. (she shrugs) Well, you’ll meet them soon enough, the little urchin is always spying on others.
: Noooo I’m noooot-
Everyone turns towards the small pool at the back of the hut. Pania rolls her eyes, and Kaleo scratches his beak and sighs.
: Lono, we can hear you.
: No you can’t.
At Lono’s response, Pania rolls her eyes again, spreads her arms out wide, and looks up and to the side. Kaleo glowers at her before turning back to the pool of water.
: It is fine, just come out.
At the Magmar’s request, the waters of the pool shift and ripple as something moves behind the surface. Suddenly, a spout of water bursts out of the pool, with it a small, blue sea angel with long antennas emerges from the water. It lands with a small and wet thud, and gazes at the Serperior and Charizard with wide eyes.
: Aloha ‘auinalā!
: Aloha, um-
: Lono!
: Aloha, Lono.
: (placing a hand on Lono’s head) Lono is the reincarnation of one of our ancient deities, though they are very young in years for both mortals such as ourselves and beings such as them.
: (slapping their flippers together and smiling) I’m really really happy to meet you! How did you stop the biggest whale?!
: The- do you mean the sea titan?
: Yeah!! The biggest whale! You stopped them, right? How did you do it?
: I don’t think it’s fair to say they did.
: Nah, it’s probably more fair to say that you on th’ other side of Avalon stopped it.
: What I mean by that, oh big-winged moron, is that you were not the only parties involved. The lords and locals of Sazanami played a role as well, as did the Free Swords.
: Oh, make no mistake, you Aetherians are renown.
: Renown for just walking yourselves into other nations as if you know everything and forcing yourselves onto the locals.
: I must say, I pity how empty your daily lives must be if you can only get excitement from intervening in matters that don’t concern you and enjoying the political messes that you bring with your own hubris.
: Oh, your pity is as misplaced as yer own messy hair. The real parties to pity are locals of th’ nations we visit. Oh, those poor, poor souls are so blinded by their own misplaced emotions that they cannot solve even th’ simplest of problems nor see past th’ most transparent influences of enemies. Why, often times, th’ locals have simply trapped themselves so far into their own disillusions that they cannot see th’ best course of action, let alone actually take it.
: Does that sound familiar, little girl?
: Kai a te kurī! Taurekareka! Tō upoko! Upoko nui! Tō teke!
: !! (whimpering and ducking behind Kaleo)
: Fancy words ya got there, but they don’t mean anything to me. If I wanted to hide behind words ya wouldn’t understand, I would have, but I guess that means I’m the braver of us two.
: There aren’t words strong enough in this swamp of a language to accurately express how I feel for you!
: Oh, I wouldn’t say that, darling. My friends taught me to mind my mouth ‘round ladies of honour - good thing there ain’t any of those here, ey, else I couldn’t share a few with ya.
: Gawain, cease this at once!
: The only thing I’ll be sharing with you is my fist in your jaw.
: Pania! No more!
: I’d just love to see ya try, little girl.
: You won’t be able to see when I’m done with your eyes.
: No no no no! Don’t fight!
Pania takes a few stomps forward, but a sudden flash of blinding pink light stops her. Everyone feels a strange sensation - their body lurches forward, as if their being was ripped out, stretched on the rack, and then thrown away in all the same second, and all too suddenly the sensation ceases.
It takes everyone in the hut a moment to regain their composure. Limbs are stretched and eyes are opened - and nothing is right.
: Uhh, Gawain?
: Yeah, sire?
: Wh- (turning to look at the Simipour) no, I was speaking to Gawain-
: Oh, and now you’re favouring foreigners, Kahuna?
: What?
: Oh no.
: Wa- is that my bod-
: (slumping unexpectedly to the Manaphy’s level) Lono.
: Wait a minute, why am I so tall?
: ...yes?
: Why am I so short?
: Lono, did you do this?
: …maybe….
: Lono.
: I’m sorry! I didn’t want them to fight! I was trying to calm them down!
: That was rash, Lono.
: Are you implying that Lono caused this?
: I’m afraid so.
: One of Lono’s deity abilities is the power to swap the hearts and minds of others, which is what exactly what he did to us.
From outside the hut, the sounds of screams, clattering, and general confusion can be heard from the ‘mons on the beach.
: And, from the sounds of it, everyone outside as well.
: This ain’t permanent, is it?
: It should wear off soon enough, I doubt it will last more than a few weeks.
: WEEKS?!
: I’m-I’m really sorry, I’ll try to figure out how to fix it! It wasn’t what I meant to do!
: What DID ya mean to do?!
: I wanted to try to calm you both down, bu-
: This is perfect.
: I’m really sorry, Pa-
: No, this is perfect!
: H-huh?
: This will work perfectly!
: Oh?
: The biggest problem with the Makahiki was that we had to be there or the other tribes would war with us for not taking part in the peace festivities, but, now we can be there and figure out what’s going on!
: Ah, so you mean-
: The Aetherians can be us at the festival, and we can be them and visit the shrines!
: Wait a moment, I don’t remember hearing anything about these shrines-
: All you need to worry about is taking part in the Makahiki games, we’ll handle the rest.
: Hold on a moment, we’re going to need more information than that!
: I agree. Pania, if they are not given context, they will likely only end up being in the way, and that would cast suspicion on both our tribes.
: That’s, well, yes. Yes, you’re right.
: After spending a few days here, I’m sure you and your people have noticed the strange weather patterns we’ve been having.
: Funnily enough, we did. It’s not as strong as th’ rain in Sazanami was, but it’s strange in how it starts and stops so suddenly.
: It’s been like this for a few months, and it’s not just the rains that trouble us. We’ve seen flooding, unpredictable currents, ships disappearing or being ripped apart, several tremors, people are more on edge than usual and quicker to lose their temper-
: Noticed that one-
: Not that you’re one to talk.
: And the death of Tama’s father, who disappeared beneath the waves after he attempt to follow the currents to their source.
: We believe this is occurring because something is displeasing the guardians of the islands, but we cannot know for sure unless we investigate the shrines themselves.
: And you couldn’t investigate the shrines before because of the Makahiki festival?
: Yes and no - save for the Makahiki, we do battle to gain mana and control over the smaller islands, but we do not visit the other main islands too often. The tribes have become increasingly suspicious and aggressive towards one another in recent months, so any attempt to visit any of the shrines of the other islands would result in war.
: The Makahiki is the only time of year where all war and battle is completely outlawed, and we play games to promote cooperation among the tribes. Because of this, the Makahiki was the only time we could all come together to investigate the shrines of the islands, which is why I came here early: I wanted to convince Kaleo to arrange a meeting with all of the leaders so we could cancel the Makahiki and investigate the shrines instead.
: That likely would not have been the outcome.
: Well, it doesn’t matter now, because now we’re in your bodies!
: If our two tribes were to miss the games and go investigate the shrines, we would be refusing the peace games, and thus prompting war from the other tribes. You all, however, as outsiders, aren’t expected to take part in the games at all, and you wouldn’t be denied access to the shrines either, so long as you were respectful.
: What will you do at the shrines?
: Try to find the source of the guardians’ displeasure.
: And whilst ya go gallivanting around in our bodies, ya want us to play games in yer bodies?
: That’s right. You’ll take part in the Makahiki for us so that the other tribes don’t think us denying the peace agreement.
: That sounds doable.
: Good.
: Now, I highly recommend that Pania and I give you two some directions on how to act as us - you are the acting leaders of two of the tribes, after all - and I would also recommend that we find your people and have them meet with whoever they swapped bodies with, and have them give each other advice on how to pass as one another.
: That would be wise, yes.
: Ugh…
: What’s wrong, Pania?
: I just realized that the lizard has to pose as me. Maybe this plan won’t work as well as I thought.
: Oh, I wouldn’t say that. I think you two are rather… compatible with one another’s personalities.
 & : What does that mean?!
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Things have gotten a little freaky! Tensions are high in the Pae’ainan islands, and flaring tempers have led to the patron activating its Heart Swap move -- meaning any character who went with Alaric and Gawain to the islands has been switched with a Pae’aina S.NPC!
No need to panic, though, the Heart Swap will wear off eventually, and in the meantime, your character’s body will assist in the investigation of the strange going-ons on the island. But there’s a festival happening, and we don’t want anyone else knowing about the Heart Swaps and starting a panic, so it’s up to us in our new forms to attend the peacetime games and act natural.
The real question is who have you swapped with? If you are ready to play, send a note to Admins-of-Avalon to be randomly assigned a character!
Take part in Makahiki as your Heart Swapped islander
Important Rules and Notes:
 Due to the limited space on the boat ride from Aether to Pae’aina, what with the need to carry supplies for an almost three-month long trip, there is a passenger limit on who can come to the islands: only one of your characters went on the journey!
 The character can be OC or NPC, so long as you respect the 3:1 ratio of character representation in your stories (see the FAQ for more information).
 To participate in this mission: please send a note to the Admins-of-Avalon account and you will have an islander randomized to swap with your character.
 When you send the note to participate, be sure to indicate which character is going on the trip and will be swapping; including a link to their application would be helpful.
 Your character must be swapped with an islander NPC to participate in the mission! We will allow one re-roll should you desire, but you must make a choice of who your character will be swapped with the two options you are given.
 You will be given particular information for whichever character you are swapped with, including their name, job title, move set, and other information. However, beyond those specific facts, you are free to be as creative with character as you wish! Give them unique physical features, traits, whatever makes sense to their personality.
 To see a list of all the characters and who they are swapped with check out this doc! It can help in finding people to cameo in your own entries or even collaborate with.
 These characters are not available to make personal NPCs, so you cannot “adopt” them once the mission is over. We have plans for some of these NPCs in the group’s continuous story, including making them potential connection behest givers.
 Pae’aina is composed of many islands, each with their own leaders and cultures. As Makahiki is a festival of peace between different ‘mons, it is only natural that the festival’s activities be spread across the islands. You will be able to travel to each island by ferry. Below is a map and some short descriptions of each of the five islands hosting events. Match the bullet color to the ring colors:
 Puʻuwai Island, their Aliʻi Nui, is a young male Gible, Tama, not to be confused with their Kahuna Nui, an elderly male Magmar called Kaleo, and their island guardian is a Manaphy known as Lono. Their previous Aliʻi Nui, Tama’s father, was a Garchomp; he was well respected among the other tribes, and his ancestors are part of many legends in Pae’aina. He would have been part of his own in attempting to find the cause of the odd occurrences we are dealing with, but his life was lost trying. Puʻuwai Island is the largest of the Pae’aina islands. Our most noticable landmark is our large active volcano. We have various shrines for the different deities we pay homage to.
 Paorangi Island, one of their Rangatira is the female Simipour Pania, they actually lead the tribe together with their brother, a male Raichu named Arapeta, they however keep more to themselves. Their island guardian is Tāwhirimātea (Tapu Koko), said to interact more frequently with the people than the other Tapu. Another mark of its presence are the lightning storms that often fell the larger trees of the island, and, as a result, shorter trees are common on the island. The various rock spires of the island do serve as lightning rods sparing most of the trees, as long as they stay below a certain height. Fortunately, there are various bodies of water found on the island, so any forest fires that are created by lightning strikes can quickly be doused.
 Nuʻuanu Island, their Aliʻi Nui is a female Oricorio with pink plumage named Leilani. Their island guardian is Hiʻiaka (Tapu Lele). Their island is known for their ridges and cliffs, and their warriors being the most battle ready. The island is also known for the various kinds of colourful flowers contrasting to the stone and dirt of the various caves, cavities and quarries. The Nu’uanu build their villages in strategic positions, often hidden from plain sight.
 Palānaka Island, their Aliʻi Nui is a male Exeggutor with a very long neck named Kekoa, it might be a little hard to spot him, as the islands is covered by many tall trees. Their island guardian is Haumia-tiketike (Tapu Bulu). Despite the thick forests and taro fields covering the inactive volcano, there are also large areas that lay barren due to landslides, earthquakes and rockfalls. In fact, the villagers often have to reconstruct their homes and other structures due to these frequent occurrences.
 Wailele Island, their Aliʻi Nui is a female Mantine named Kahurangi, their guardian is Kanaloa (Tapu Fini). Their island has many waterways connecting the various bodies of water and the sea, and there are many underwater caves that are home to most residents of the tribe, as most residents need water to move around. The reef stretches across the entire islands seafloor and its direct surroundings. There are some geysers, and some underwater volcanic activity.
-- There are a number of different games available to play during Makahiki, and each of the Pae’aina NPCs wish to participate in two of these games. You can do both activities, or only one, the choice is yours, but you must do one of the options they give. Below are descriptions of each of the games to help with your entry:
 Hula Kahiko dancing: A dance form accompanied by chant or song, often performed with musical accompaniment. Hand motions during the dance represent the words in the chant/song, ranging from the swaying of trees or a wave in the ocean to feelings or emotions. Dancers wear wrapped skirts or tapa cloths, as well as necklaces, anklets, and lei. This event takes place on Nuʻuanu Island.
 Knife dancing ('Ailao): A performance where a knife made of bone or stone is artfully twirled, tossed, and caught, often to frenetic drumming. The knife is usually double-bladed, and quite sharp, calling for great skill and prowess. Alternatively, both ends of the knife can be covered in cloth and lit on fire for added dramatic flair. This event takes place on Paorangi Island.
 Lava sledding (Hōlua): A race from the top of a steep hill to the bottom on a straight track of packed-down dirt, rock, and oiled grass. While there are lava rocks along the slope, you are not actually sledding on lava. Racers ride on a thin, twelve-foot long wooden sled lying down or kneeling, head-first, often reaching speeds of 50 mph (80 km/h), using toes, fingers, etc. to steer their trajectory. A marker is placed wherever the racer’s sled comes to a final stop, and the one who slides the farthest wins. This event takes place on Puʻuwai Island.
 Spear throwing (‘O’o ihe): A game where spears are thrown long distances. Targets are set up across a field at varying lengths, and the participant must strike as close to the bulls-eye as possible. This activity requires both strength and dexterity, as it is often used to train Pae’aina warriors in hand-to-hand combat. This event takes place on Nuʻuanu Island.
 Bowling (‘Ulu maika): Not your usual bowling match. The ball is replaced with a stone disc, and players roll the disc along a path through two stakes in order to score points. The longer it rolls after going through the stakes, the more points you get. There is opportunity for sabotage, however, with some players blatantly destroying the other discs, so be careful. This event takes place on Palānaka Island.
 Boxing (Mokomoko): A brutal fight in a ring, surrounded by a large crowd. Before the fight, both opponents exchange boasts and insults, the crowd often taking sides -- then, the fighters exchange fists, striking with closed fists only. As a point of pride, they cannot block or dodge any blows, and must receive all hits given to them; oftentimes, fighters will meet a fist with their own fist, essentially blocking with a punch. This continues until one fighter is unable to battle. This event takes place on Palānaka Island.
 Canoe racing (Heihei wa‘a): A team sport where canoes are paddled in short sprints along a designated course. Using double-bladed paddles, the six to eight riders drive the wooden canoe through the course, having to dodge other canoes on the race. The paddler in the back is known as the steerer, in charge of keeping the canoe on course, which can be tricky with the changing tides. This event takes place on Wailele Island.
 Surfing (He'e nalu): A competition pitting the surfer against the ocean. During good wave conditions, surfers paddle out into the ocean and “catch” a wave. Aim to stand on the board for the longest amount of time to win the most points -- but such a feat is not easy, requiring strength of the body and concentration of the mind to remain standing. This event takes place on Wailele Island.
 Foot racing (Heihei kūkini): Just as it sounds -- a foot race. Runners take positions at the starting line and run along a marked course to the finish line. Speed is key in this activity, as outrunning your opponent requires both swiftness and endurance. This event takes place on Paorangi Island.
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Category:Missions
Category:Arc 2
Category:Pae'aina