Mana'Nui (NPC)

## Political Structure:

        The Toa are a tribal community of familial clans united under a chieftain. The chieftain can be male or female, in the tribe both are equal. The mantle of chieftain is passed on to the first born of the chief’s family line. If there is no such successor, then the mantle will fall to the next of kin and so on until it reaches either the last of the family line or the village elder or shaman. However the mantle can be challenged for at this time, and it is expected that the two fight for the title in full view of the tribe.

If the incumbent wins then they maintain the right to rule, and may pass a sentence over the loser, normally a temporary banishment to the southern island chain or a forced tribute of some kind. Death is not a common sentence, as it is possible to die in the challenge itself, to kill a fellow Toa is not the way of the people. Toa understand that one less in the tribe spells hardship for the rest. When sailing abroad the Toa send merchants, fishermen, and even exploration parties to where they go. Should these parties encounter people who wish to contact the chieftain, then they are to return home and relay the message to the chieftain.

They are wary of outsiders in their homeland but are relatively open people. Foreigners are looked after well but are expected to not overstay their welcome. The Toa do not seek war, but in the event of violent threat are ready and willing to fight to the bitter end. The chieftain will rally the warriors and a preliminary blockade of boats will be assembled to defend Mana Nui, while other warriors will be rallied to venture abroad to face the foe in advance. If the Toa find that there is nothing to be gained from dealing with other people not of their own, they simply will not deal with them until such a time when the opposite can be verified.

To find an ally in the Toa is a great blessing, being that the tribe may embrace allies as honorary tribesmen. They will aid however they can, so long as the request is within reason. They are not willing to do things that pose a threat to them as a whole, nor will they overextend efforts being already given. They are a people of pragmatism and practicality. To do more than is rightly needed or deserved of another is seen as a selfish demand and as such a Toa may back out of such an accord with no drawback against their character and honor.

## Customs:

Pahoatoa {Pah-ho-a-toe-a} (Gaining of Face): This is a ritual in which a Toa carves a mask of wood for themselves and adorns it to be unique to them. The mask symbolizes both the concealment of one’s self from the intentions of others, and marks the Toa as one who is ready to “face” the unknown. For in making a face to wear over your own, you deprive the world of being able to read you and take steps against you while protecting your own sense of self and ideals. Age for this is 16 at minimum.

Galliatoa {Ga-lee-a-toe-a} (First voyage): This is a ritual in which a Toa coming of age is told to sail away from home to find something of worth to the tribe to bring home. They must then find their way home alone and prove the worth of their find. If the find is not worthwhile, they have a single chance to redeem themselves after which if they fail again, then they are not considered adults in the eyes of the fellow tribesmen. Ages for this are 17 to 19.

Kala {Ka-la} (Greeting of Trust): This is a simple custom of greeting between two trusted friends, allies, or family. The Toa will touch their forehead to that of another person as a general greeting and show of trust. Can also be used in farewells.

Naga’thwei {Na-ga-th-way} (Tribute): This is the ritual sacrifice of anything from an animal or captive to a rarity or treasured item. This is normally devoted to the Gods but can be done as a show of respect and divine reverence to another person of status. The offering is brought to the tribal shaman and they then offer it to the name of the given deity or to the honor of the figure in question.

Tahuatoa {Ta-hu-a-toe-a} (Marriage): Marriage under the watch of the tribe and the element of fire, symbolizing the love of the couple, the hearth of the home, and the devotion of bonds and loyalty to the clan/tribe/people/etc. The shaman brings the couple-to-be before an ancestral Moai (statue head), makes a sacrifice, blesses the two, and pronounces them married after which they leap over a fire for luck and ward off ill fortunes.

Onuatama {O-new-a-ta-ma} (Death and Mourning): The death of a Toa is felt by all the tribe and is mourned as such. The body is cleaned and cleansed, dressed in best attire, and is led to an ancestral Moai. In doing this the dead Toa is “brought before the eyes of their ancestor” to bear witness to their life now ended. The body is set on fire or buried beneath the Moai after the mourners state their farewells and fond memories.