20s A Difficult Age: The Blue Madjai

Volume 1 showcasing protagonist,  Harnuphis and  Iya the Agutan.

***20s A Difficult Age: The Blue Madjai*** also known by the full title, ***Vol. 1 - 20s A Difficult Age: The Blue Madjai***, ***The Blue Madjai - Vol. 1*** or simply ***The Blue Madjai*** is a graphic novel published on February 2, 2020 by R.O.T.U. Books via it's parent company, R.O.T.U. World to expand the rap album of the same name, *The Blue Madjai* is written and lettered by Marcus Orelias, cover art illustrated and colored by Mohammed Agbadi, panels illustrated and colored by Stanley Obende. This is marketed as “Volume 1” serving as an individual release in an anthology series that ties into the *20s A Difficult Age* story.

## Synopsis

Opening Titles:

Set during the events of creator Marcus Orelias's *20s A Difficult Age* album between the songs "Prelude: Martyr" and "Atrium"; on the Latian Empire's northern border, the "First Frontier War" rages on on between the Tribal Confederacy of the north and the Latian Empire to the south.

Returning from the war after famously winning the battle known as "Victory by Rain", Harnuphis the Blue Madjai - seeks solace in Latium under the Antoninus family. Guided by the green eyed Domitia Antoninus, Harnuphis is sent to Alkebula in search of the Mysterious Mentor and healer named Iya. Iya holding the key to unlock Harnuphis's true power, must decide if she wants to aid in fulfilling Harnuphis's destiny. Harnuphis seeks answers to the most burning questions her heart desires...but is she ready for the answers?

## Plot

After the *Prelude: Martyr* dinner scene, later that evening, Harnuphis wanders the halls of the Antoninus villa and comes across the she-wolf
 on the wall. While observing the art, Marcus Antoninus and Harnuphis
discuss his sister, Annia's behavior and ask Harnuphis to forgive her
for it. She does and the two part ways. Harnuphis examines the gold ring
 around her neck.

The next Marcus's mother, Domitia Antoninus and Harnuphis
walk through the Antoninus villa
 courtyard. Domitia shares a bit apart of her story telling the Blue
Madjai how she found inner-peace, married and had children with the
father of her children, Verus Antoninus. Harnuphis rejects wanting to start a family and
instead voices her frustration to Domitia about not being able to
control her powers. Domitia suggest she has a solution. Harnuphis then
finds herself on the shore of Wagadu Mandé, Alkebula.

Arriving, she ask various natives where to find a woman named "Iya", eventually led to the city, Harnuphis travels into the marketplace outside the city located in Wagadu Mandé, there she approaches the well dressed merchant named Fisi and ask where she can find Iya, he then tells her she occupies the "Leaning House" but that Iya hasn't been seen in "many moons" and to be careful of the "red eyes", Harnuphis thanks him and departs. Upset that one of his workers is sitting down he yells at the kid to get up and get to work. Making her way to the outskirts of the city, she finds the leaning house and decides to enter the home, although food is cooking - no one is there. Harnuphis decides to sit by the sheep pen and "wait" for Iya. Not sitting for long, she is interrupted by a man name Nibi, Nibi speaking Yoruba - pokes fun at Harnuphis for sitting in the abandoned yard of Iya. Harnuphis exclaims she cannot understand Nibi and ask again if Iya is at the home but he continues explaining that she is arrongant for searching for Iya the "sheep demon". Unsure what he is saying she follows his banter, she picks up that he is alluding to the sheep pen and ask again, where Iya is. Watching from the sheep pen, Iya leaps from the pen and transforms into her human form, surprising both Nibi and Harnuphis. Afraid and confirming the legend to be true Nibi runs away in fear.

Iya repeating a recipe "steamed okra with nettle, pepper and mushroom", Harnuphis still stunned immediately asks Iya for training but is blocked by Iya. She then continues to introduce herself and ask how Iya shape shifted in which Iya replies, "embarrassing to learn" and continues to talk to herself while informing Harnuphis at the same time that she sleeps in the sheep pen because "no one bothers the sheep". Telegraphing Harnuphis's words Iya replies "no" before the Blue Madjai could speak. Walking into the Leaning House of Wagadu Mandé, Harnuphis ask how Iya shape shifted from a sheep, repeating the recipe to herself, Iya includes that shape shifting is "embarrassing to learn". Telegraphing Harnuphis again, Iya throws a bowl at her to which Harnuphis pleas that people she cares about are in danger. Showing no

empathy, Iya communicates that death and war are apart of life and Harnuphis should ask her parents. Harnuphis replies that both of her parent are dead and that she has nowhere to go to which Iya informs her that everyone has "somewhere", she told Latium no and has no problem telling Harnuphis no but Harnuphis proclaims she never said where she came from. Throwing another bowl Iya exclaims "no", frustrating Harnuphis she storms out. Outside she sees a sheep in the pen, feeling mocked - she returns to confront Iya, Iya ask if she's "back already, little girl", Harnuphis responds by saying she is not a "little girl" infact she's **twenty years old**and that Domitia Antoninus sent her. Unconvinced, Iya tosses another bowl at Harnuphis. Serious Harnuphis ask to be trained kindly.

Iya denies but Harnuphis doesn't give up, sitting around for several days. Reentering the Leaning House, Iya is impressed by the pupils persistence, she offers to train Harnuphis under one condition: that she return to the Leaning House after completing her mission in Latium. Harnuphis agrees and asks "why", Iya ignores Harnuphis and says she must obey her in order to unlock her power, offering a bowl of food to which Harnuphis kindly rejects but Iya doesn't budge until her pupil accepts. Once she does, Harnuphis exclaims that she thought she'd have to sell her belonging as the denariii doesn't travel well in Alkebula, Iya inclined tells Harnuphis that the "barbaric" currency doesn't travel far because it's "worth nothing" but now that she agrees to her rules, the Blue Madjai can stay with her citing that times are too expensive to live in, the mysterious mentor continues to recite the recipe of the "white hat" stating her food never "rots the soul". Harnuphis taking mental note pivots the conversation asking who the "pelekpe" are caught off guard Iya expresses she spills kunun at the name. Iya goes onto to explain the pelekpe attack cattle and villages in the dead of night and that she's see it, furthering the legend - Iya explains many warriors have tried to kill the pelekpe and failed and that fear paralyzes people from leaving or fighting back. She insist that her new pupil rest and then ask to see Harnuphis's sandals, approving of them Iya gives Harnuphis a cryptic response, "these narrow roads you will walk are like coffins for the poor" but Harnuphis wants to talk about the pelekpe, Iya responds "we'll see if you let me down, Madjai"

The next day in the field behind Iya's home Harnuphis and her new mentor travel to "the isaro rock" on it sits a bowl with the "Herb of the Ancients", Harnuphis says it looks "uncomfortable" to which Iya responds "Sit! in discomfort, you grow." Obeying Iya's wish, the mentor ask how Harnuphis uses ashe, Harnuphis replies "anger" and follows up by asking how long she is supposed to close her eyes and inhale. Iya displeased with this answer tells Harnuphis she will teach her to control anger through meditation so it doesn't control her and that time can be her greatest ally or enemy depending on how she utilizes it, all great leaders understand this. Harnuphis says she's not a leader in which Iya self-proclaims she is more. Inhaling the herb, a vision begins in which Harnuphis is still present and can hear Iya's voice. *The Blue Madjai* sees she and her father in their home.

The door is opened and the herb goes into full effect, Iya's voice is heard saying "embrace your shadow self. this time breathe, feel the breath." turning around Harnuphis sees Avidius Cassius standing alongside her teenage-self and younger-self (trapped in a bubble of water). The trip gets darker, Iya's voice ask "do you see her?", turning around again she physically sees Iya in her humanform then turns around and sees herself then
Avidius lunging at her. Harnuphis realizes that the herb is showing her, her fears and that her mentor has gotten inside her head. Iya's voice returns reminding Harnuphis that if she runs now, she will run forever and that she is a beautiful "rock" but an ugly rock lies on top. Falling to her knees her powers emerge and she screams "I am broken". Coming out of the trip, Iya holds up a cloth with a symbol and explains that all life draws ashe from "source power" ruled by darkness and the light. She then states that meditation will unlock her power and meditation will clear her mind, focusing on the fact that Avidius is a mortal man and the grief he brings is minuscule emphasizing her purpose is much bigger.Should Harnuphis fail to see that, her world would remain off balance possibly forever.

#### Locations:

* Wagadu Mandé, Alkebula
* Latium (The Antoninus villa)
* The Leaning House of Wagadu Mandé
* The Isaro Field (The Isaro Rock)

## *The Blue Madjai - Vol. 1: Creative Team*

Story and Characters: Marcus Orelias

Cover Artist and Colorist (Front Cover): Mohammed Agbadi

Panel Illustrator and Colorist (Back Cover): Stanley Obende

Concept Illustrator / Artist: Cristina Bencina

Letterer: Stanley Obende

Creative Consultant: Stephanie Elle

Publisher: R.O.T.U. Books / R.O.T.U. World

Special Thanks: Stephie Elle and Suehyla El-Attar

## Marketing and Graphic Novel viewing

On November 15, 2019 via R.O.T.U. World's official Instagram account, a "viewing" was announced for *The Blue Madjai.* This was reinforced by Marcus Orelias via Twitter. The viewing would be held January 18, 2020 at the Beckford Suite in Oakland, California.