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sepublic · 5 years

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Levato

An archipelago of displaced boulders and mountain fragments, partially submerged in a sea of quicksand (named the Maw of Ketar, after the Spirit of Stone) after being displaced by the Great Cataclysm. According to local folklore, there once was a mountain named Levato, but it was shattered by the Great Cataclysm, its fragments landing in the Maw of Ketar and only partly sinking.

Due to their location amidst a sea of quicksand, which the too-dense Skull Spiders cannot cross without sinking, the inhabitants of the Region of Sand have made their home amidst the seemingly hostile place that has granted them salvation. Often forced to hole into their shelters from sandstorms, the Levatans have made their homes by carving them from the face of the rock they stand upon, or else building them atop or from the side of the Fragments using wood, clay, or metal. To expand upon the ‘landmass’, additional wooden floors and bridges have been added, slowly linking the Levato Fragments together.

The hostile sandstorms have made architects design the homes to be ready to seal themselves against the sand, and giant canopies are set up to provide shade and shelter from the scorching sun. Water and food is either brought in by the Gukko Airforce, or else harvested from the Mahi herds and Cactus Farms, situated in their hollowed-out Fragments. To alleviate themselves, some Levatans, usually members of the Levatan Patrol frequently exposed to the sun, wear special cooling systems that circulate cold water around their bodies. Otherwise, every one typically invests in the same attire consisting of eyewear, headwear, and a cloak of some sort, although Kolhii players will typically strip to lighter uniforms.

In order to survive, the Levatan Patrol is occasionally tasked with journeying beyond the safety of the Maw of Ketar to the more dangerous sands where Skull Spiders sometimes bury themselves in entire hordes, ready to spring up and ambush victims. These patrols usually seek materials exclusive to the Region of Stone, in order to use them, give them to the other Mega-Villages for use, or else sell for an additional profit; Levatans are particularly infamous for their haggling ability.

This skill is dwarfed by two other main interests as well- The arts, and Kolhii. Due to its aridity and scorching heat, the Region of Stone is lacking in the natural beauty that most of the other Regions have, so to make it worth enjoying, the Levatans have personally taken it upon themselves to take the abundance of stone and clay that they have an access to, and fashion it into sculptures, pieces of art, and other luxuries to sell or otherwise show off, such as in the Sculpture Field, reserved for only the most esteemed and appreciated creations. Many a Levatan is skilled in carving, particularly with stone, as many efforts are made to expand the Levato Fragments and form more settlements from them. A popular form of art expression is Graffiti, a heavily-stylized carving and/or painting, usually put into the sides of the fragments or buildings. The legality of this graffiti is occasionally disputed, with each generation’s Protector of Stone having varying attitudes regarding it.

Aside from the Levato Fragments’ many sculptures, most of which are carved into the Fragments themselves (with one of Ketar, hoping to earn her favor), the Levatans also value the sport of Kolhii. Kolhii is a popular sport across all of Okoto with varying origins, the most popular theory being that it was invented by Kodan, a desert-dwelling Okotan from the Creation Age. Although all sports are popular, there is an almost fanatical love of Kolhii, with official teams competing with one another for glory and even prizes. Chief Onewa has ordained local Kolhii tournaments so as to boost morale, and one fragment has been hollowed out to hold a main Kolhii arena, with there being discussion of a tournament hosting teams from all across Okoto. Of course, this will lead to an issue of regional differences in the rules. Every now and then, fans of certain Kolhii teams will clash, forcing Onewa and Nilkuu to step in.

The Levatans are led by Chief Onewa, former Protector of Stone until old age and injuries forced him to retire. He was once an abrasive youth with a snarky attitude; Now, Onewa is an abrasive elder with a snarky attitude, and a bit more wisdom and experience. Thankfully, Onewa is fair, listening to the Levatans’ words, and he frequently corroborates with Nilkuu, Protector of Stone, and the Levatan Patrol. The Levatans have an official Public Department, the members who are tasked with various roles by Onewa.

Many Okotans live upon the Levato Fragments. One of them is Bour, Head of the Public Department. Once a humble bricklayer and still one, Bour oversees construction projects and inspects the buildings and huts atop the Levato Fragments for stability and durability. His career leads him to frequently work with the Levatan Patrol regarding defense, as well as protocol for sandstorms and Skull Spider attacks, and he consults his aide Kamen on the lasting ability of the Levato Fragments. Lately he’s been hoping to add an additional Fragment to the Maw of Ketar, hauled in from elsewhere in the Motara Desert, but he is a perfectionist and refuses to begin until he has worked out every detail with Hewkii, Onewa, Nilkuu, and Kamen.

Kamen is Bour’s Aide in the Public Department. Kamen plays a particularly vital role both functionally and culturally, testing the durability and lasting ability of buildings and constructs, as well as preserving art pieces by covering them with protective canvases during Sandstorms, as well as cleaning them. Kamen is just a tad OCD, but his occupation doesn’t bother him, but rather gives him some form of relief and release. He also believes that there is an inherent beauty in something’s ability to last, which seems to have translated to himself as well; Kamen may LOOK young, but he’s actually nearing his late forties.

Epena is the Quarry Master, and frequently collaborates with the Public Department and Levatan Patrol, gathering resources required for certain projects- Resources in the desert, resources that the Gukko Airforce can’t procure for them. Working with the Levatan Patrol and Gukko Airforce, Epena has mapped out the Region of Stone and identified key spots where ores and other materials can be mined, such as cave entrances, or grounds dug up by Kikanalo herds. Epena is also a bit of an aspiring historian and archaeologist, hoping to explore lost temples and cities buried in the sands of the Motara Desert- Alas, until the Skull Spider threat is dealt with, such expeditions are but a luxury no one can afford, as Harvali discovered. If the spare time allows it, everyone is on board, and no Skull Spiders are in sight, Epena will lead mining expeditions for precious gems as well to sell, and boasts a few rings and jewelry of her own, courtesy of Tawahi smiths and Marn miners.

Golyo is the local Mahi Herder. A particularly useful and unique feature of Mahi is that they require surprisingly little land despite being a herd species. Thus, whilst not as tasty or tender as the Mukau, Mahi goats are bred in a hollowed-out Fragment atop a base of soil imported from the Region of Jungle, tended to carefully by other members of the Public Department. Golyo, the wizened old man, overlooks the Mahi herds, and spends much of his time alone with them- In this alone time, Golyo likes to tell stories of his time as a member of the Levatan Patrol, until Skull Spiders tore out his legs. He is patient, and likes to spend his time looking out over the herds, watching them- But sometimes he falls asleep, but thankfully nobody notices.

Kivi is a carver in her spare time, but mainly her profession is tending to the Cactus Farms, from which the Levatans get the majority of their drinking water, and making sure the Mahi herd soil is fertile. Kivi is very particular on the conditions of the farms, being a bit of a botanist with knowledge from Orkahm of the Region of Jungle. A timid soul who can’t handle the bloodshed of Skull Spiders, Kivi offers her own support in a form of a bar, dubbed Kivi’s Oasis, where she sells drinks and smoothies using water, plants imported from the Vuata Maca, as well as ice from Kokoro. Levatan Patrol members and veterans get discounts on her refreshing drinks and smoothies, and Patrol members returning from a mission get a free drink each! Kivi also has a bit of a crush on Podu, the local game hunter, and dreams of riding with him toward a Motaran Sunset.

Podu is the local outcast and loner. Never quite a part of the group since childhood, Podu now makes his living as the game hunter, travelling out on his boat beyond the Maw of Ketar to hunt, hoping to acquire Nui Jaga stingers, which are made from precious ivory, and other luxuries, as well as more exotic meats. Due to the risky, self-centered nature of his profession, Onewa has warned him that the Levatan Patrol isn’t necessarily accountable for him, and that when he goes out, he does so on his own risk. Podu is fine- He isn’t too concerned, really, about living. He mainly hunts so he can feel like he’s not just prey for the Skull Spiders, but his own predator, and aside from the trophies he keeps in his hut, he makes sure not to waste anything from his kill.

Melea is a bit of a local hermit. A kindly, older woman, rumor has it that she and Nilkuu were associated in the past, but in what way is uncertain. Now, Melea lives away from the Maw of Ketar, a risky status; Instead, she lives in the ruins of a partially submerged tower, one carved from a sturdy ore that the Skull Spiders can’t pierce. Like Podu, she goes out every now and then to hunt, and is very efficient and skilled in survival tactics. Outsiders believe that she had a falling out of sorts with the Levatans as a whole, but the details remain obscure.

Oda is the younger sister of Ako, a member of the Levatan Patrol. Frequently brought little gifts found by Ako amidst the ruins from the Creation Age, Oda has since made a living making leather cords, beads, necklaces, and other little trinkets to sell, helping support her sister.

Amongst the Levatans, a group of volunteers has formed a militia dubbed the Levatan Patrol. Commanded by Nilkuu, and directed by Onewa, the Levatan Patrol is responsible for defending Levato from the Skull Spiders, as well as setting up defenses against them, mapping out the Motara Desert, searching for lost Okotan technologies, and keeping an eye out for other threats. Members of the Levatan Patrol are usually organized into escorts, each of which mans a vehicle of some sort- Usually Creation Age vessels, or those modeled after them, such as the Sand Surfers, boats designed to travel along Quicksand, spider-like walkers, and the Sand Stalkers, a peculiar species of animal that can traverse across quicksand. The Levatan Patrol has weaponized their quicksand, firing globs of it at Skull Spiders to incapacitate and mobilize them- Sometimes, if Skull Spiders are still stuck, they can be safely captured and be either sent off to Kiniga to be studied, or else sent to Tawahi to be harvested and processed for their materials.

Hewkii is the lieutenant of the Levatan Patrol, acting as right-hand man to Nilkuu. A Kolhii champion with an unprecedented record, he seems to have everything. Possessing a sense of fair sportsmanship, as well as teambuilding and strategy, all from his Kolhii childhood, Hewkii frequently directs the Levatan Patrol in their missions of scouting out the Motara Desert, searching for Skull Spiders that may have hidden themselves in the sands, keeping a look-out, etc. Hewkii likes to lead team-building exercises in which the Levatan Patrol tries to ‘invade’ the Levato Fragments, directing his group to weaknesses in the defense, as part of a lesson to Bour and the others about hiding weak points. Wielding a modified kolhii staff with a retractable blade, Hewkii is able to translate his lithe, fast style of Kolhii playing to the battlefield.

Hafu is a member of the Levatan Patrol, and Master Carver. In his spare time, he is known across Okoto for his amazingly-detailed works, most of which depict… himself. Despite his narcissism, Hafu still takes requests and commissions, and is willing to give free lessons to others, considering those more important than his current projects. And despite his inflated ego, Hafu has a strong sense of honor, refusing to escape from a battle unless everyone else is ahead of him- Of course, he makes sure everyone will tell his tale if he DOES die, but that’s not important. Hafu’s skill with stone makes him good at setting natural traps amongst the rocky face of the Region of Stone, exploiting weak points in the stone. Sometimes while on patrol, Hafu will also carve his likeness into a stone face, or carve the words ‘Hafu was here’. This latter hobby was particularly funny to him, until one day he returned to the sight of a carving and found a response from an unknown author; ‘I’m here too’. All of the other Patrol members swear they never carved such a response as a prank, and Hafu has been deeply disturbed ever since.

Piatra is a member of the Levatan Patrol, tasked with looking through her telescope for signs of buried Skull Spiders, and for keeping watch of sandstorms- Piatra has a bit of an intuition for when a sandstorm is coming, an intuition that has proved reliable. Covered in a headscarf, Piatra wears one of many painted masks made for her by Gadjati, having a collection of them. She is a bit of an art connoisseur herself, enjoying exhibits, and has made graffiti before.

Gadjati is a carver, but most professionally a painter, and member of the Levatan Patrol. Gadjati gathers his paints from various ingredients delivered to him by the Gukko Airforce, or from materials found in the Motara Desert. He likes to use the sights he sees while on his dayly and nightly patrols to inspire his own personal paintings, and suffers from the occasional PTSD involving Skull Spiders, which killed his entire family and even briefly possessed him. Sometimes at night he’ll be haunted by nightmares of them, wake in a cold sweat, pace around his hut, and proceed to paint the terrifying visions he’s seen of the Skull Spiders. Unlike his other pieces, Gadjati has refused to show them off. On a lesser note, Gadjati has lately been consulting Kamen on preserving his painted graffiti, which he places on stone surfaces. Kamen has suggested he stick to paper canvas, a suggestion that offends him.

Pekka is a Levatan Patrol member with a mask, goggles, breathing apparatus, and cloak a little too big for him. A little on the snarky side, with a touch of sass and a sense of humor, his main task is dealing with buried Skull Spiders, manning the Quicksand cannon, and burying mines that can be used to destroy incoming hordes. Pekka has a bit of a rock collection, composed of various stones that have caught his eye while patrolling the Motara Desert, and he displays his collection in his home. He even has a pedestal displaying his current Favorite Rock (as of now, an Amethyst) and his comrades like to make rock jokes about him.

Ako is a scavenger amongst the Levatan Patrol, and rumor has it that she’s a relative to the hermit Melea in some way- But she doesn’t like to talk about it. Instead, she busies himself working with the Gukko Airforce and other Levatan Patrol scouts in finding ruins from the Creation Age, hoping to find tools and technology buried within the sands that can be used against the Skull Spiders. Her proudest find? The spider-walker she uses in her patrols. She has a younger sister, Oda, whom she will occasionally bring unique but functionless finds from her patrols in the ruins of the Region of Stone.

Dekar is a quiet, masked Levatan with a large rice-hat perpetually covering him in shade, taller than most, and wearing a mask and cloak that covers most of himself. Not much of a talker, he is dedicated to his job and constantly wary of the desert, treating every patch of sand as a potential Skull Spider hiding place. He is also a bit of a skeptic regarding the more spiritual side of Okoto and is wary of Ako’s finds, being a bit paranoid of Creation Age technology, and he hopes that Okoto can defeat the Skull Spider threat without ever relearning how to create Masks of Power, as that was what led to the Great Cataclysm in the first place. Dekar is frequently armed with a reloading crossbow, custom-made by himself.

Ally once explored a ruins with Ako, and after fighting off a Skull Spider encounter, he came out with the fruits of his conquest- A suit of antique, Okotan armor. After incorporating the armor into his clothing, Ally has since been a fan of the antique, reading about Okoto’s history through books brought in by the Gukko Airforce. Every now and then, he uses his role as a Levatan Patrol member, scouting out ruins, to find cool little artifacts to either keep, or sell at his store. Sometimes he’ll auction something off to an Okotan trader, and Kokkan and Tuuli have butted heads over a copper, ceremonial mask he once found. Otherwise, his role mostly consists of providing and replenishing water stores to his fellow Patrol members. And before you ask, yes, there are many jokes about how Ally is an ‘ally’ you can count on.

Defilak stands out the most amongst the Levatan Patrol. The youngest at fourteen, she was once found by Nilkuu in the Region of Jungle, after her parents had been possessed by Skull Spiders and dragged off. With Nilkuu acting as a new parental figure and guardian of sorts, Defilak moved to Levato with him and has since been a member of the Levatan Patrol, desiring vengeance against the Skull Spiders. Jokingly referred to as Bingzak by the others due to an unknown incident, Defilak nevertheless still struggles with her trauma and has taken to collecting tropies from destroyed Skull Spiders, as a way of ‘getting back’ at them. A Macan trader once offered her a sum for the trophies, but she immediately refused.

#bionicle #bionicle g2 #Bionicle RaE #onewa #hewkii #nilkuu #hafu #motara #skull spiders #worldbuilding #lore #fanon #dekar #defilak #okoto

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evolutionsvoid · 6 years

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Whenever there are tales of adventuring and exploring, such epic quests tend to go to one of three places: a desert, an ocean or a jungle. You will never hear of the long brutal journey it took for some treasure hunter to survive in the grasslands, or how they barely survived their time in coniferous forest. Though they are indeed dangerous places, I find it curious that the jungle (or rainforest) shares the same space as deserts and ocean travel. Deserts are hot, inhospitable places that only the most adept and cunning creatures can survive in, and the sea is practically a liquid version of that. For travelers, both of those places offer little shelter, almost no drinkable water and can stretch on for hundreds of miles. Jungles, however, are places teeming with life. An endless supply of animals and plants, and water practically drips from ever surface! You would think explorers would find such a place paradise in comparison! But, no, jungles are seen as dangerous lands because they are pretty much the inverse of the harsh deserts and open oceans. While the two are difficult because of the sheer, brutal emptiness, jungles are harsh because they are practically saturated with life. You couldn't find a single inch of such a place that doesn't contain some kind of creature or plant, and many of them have grown to survive in such a chaotic place. With such a large food web and such intricate systems between the vegetation, prey, predators, disease and parasite, a rainforest is almost like a complex machine. Mess with something so jam packed and tightly wound, and you may lose a couple fingers! While deserts have you squaring off against the unrelenting sun and dwindling resources, the jungle makes you struggle with predators, parasites and nasty diseases. And don't think us dryads are immune to such things! In such a hot, wet place, we have to be careful not to contract a fungal infection or a nasty case of leaf rot. Those who don't succumb to disease must be wary of the beasts that hunt below, on top and above the earth. With many layers making up the rainforest, there are plenty of places for hungry creatures to hide and attack from. Of all the wicked creatures, many know of the Eyahs that hang above in the vines and branches. These voracious omnivores seem to be the kings of the jungle, but that is not truly the case. You don't see who truly rules the roost, because....well, because you often can't see them! The creature I am referring to is the Sarcorasil, a species of large, fly-like insects that dwell in the deep jungles. The only place you will ever find them is in rainforests and other dense, damp places. Searching for them on the ground is impossible, as they live primarily up in the canopy and above. Very rarely do they come anywhere near the floor of the jungle, only to nab prey if it happens to fall during a hunt. The rest of their lives are spent up above, zipping through the dense trees and branches in the search of prey. With so much of their time dedicated to flying and hunting, Sarcorasil are actually ill suited for any kind of ground based travel! All their limbs are adapted for perching, hanging and snaring prey, making it impossible for them to even walk! If a perching Sarcorasil wants to move a little further down a branch, it has to use its wings to fly itself over there, as its legs can't even allow it to scooch over! To make up for this, the Sarcorasil is an extremely agile and talented flier. They are capable of flying at breakneck speeds, maneuver with incredible grace and even hover in place when scanning an area. The reason this top predator is hardly referenced or seen is because they fly so fast through the canopy that they are practically blurs to the basic eye! It is incredible that they are able to maneuver through such a dense place with such speed! The last time I even tried to jog through the jungle I wound up slipping on a wet log and getting a mouthful of dirt.

The reason this species is so fast and graceful in the sky is because it is required for hunting their prey. Sarcorasil are large creatures, meaning that they would be easy to spot from a distance and smaller prey could escape into dense foliage or tree hollows. To avoid this, the Sarcorasil doesn't even give its prey the chance to spot them, as they zoom in at blinding speeds and pluck them off the branch before they can even understand that a predator is in the area. They will fly high up in the sky to search the tree tops below, staying out of the sight and smell range of other species. Their large eyes allow them to pick out small details, letting them zero in on exposed prey. They have a preference for primates, often targeting monkeys that are foraging for fruit. When prey is spotted, they plummet back to earth and dive into the canopy. There they will zip through the branches, homing in on the location of their targeted prey. Within seconds, the Sarcorasil will be upon its target, but it won't stop for such a thing. Rather, these creatures fly through prey, using their nasty talons to snare them without slowing for a moment. You would swear that a monkey just blinked out of existence when you watch a Sarcorasil hunt! They zoom in, grab the prey and keep going. When their food is secured in their powerful talons and they are far away from the crime scene, they will perch themselves on a sturdy branch and feed. Its claws and strong limbs will crush prey, and their sharpened proboscis will inject a digestive enzyme. The soup that is made out of their flesh and organs is slurped up, and then the sac of bones is dropped down below for the scavengers to enjoy. You can imagine the stories that were told when explorers had withered remains fall from the heavens! With such a technique, Sarcorasil are unmatched predators in their element. So much so, that they are one of the few creatures capable of preying on Eyahs! True, they often target the young, old or sick, but that is still a feat! They use the same method of attack, but there are some tweaks to it in order for it to work on such large prey. They will ambush an Eyah, sometimes while they are swinging through the canopy, and grab them in their talons. Zipping away from the angered group, it will carry its struggling captor to a nice sturdy tree far away. With a decent distance between it and the Eyahs, the Sarcorasil will finish off its prey. It does this by flying at high speeds and then slamming the held Eyah into the trunk of a tree. Its limbs are designed to absorb such an impact, but fleshy bodies are not. Such a violent crash will shatter bone and pulverize internal organs. Hardly anything survives such a brutal attack. After crushing its prey, the Sarcorasil gets the added benefit of its meal already pre-liquefied! This is helpful, as it wants the enzymes to digest the body quickly so it can dine and dash. The vengeful Eyahs are often not far behind, and the Sarcorasil doesn't want to be around for that! To better help it escape from such a situation, the Sarcorasil will use its hooked limbs to dangle from a tree branch as it eats. If a predator or attacker shows up mid-meal, it can release its grip and instantly take off in a flash! Quite the crafty creatures! When it comes to reproduction, the Sarcorasil are quite the violent lovers. Breeding season brings no fancy dances or courting rituals. Instead, male Sarcorasil will ambush females as if they were prey, trying to nab them mid-flight. They do not use their talons to crush or skewer, but they seek to capture the female so that is can breed with her. The whole ritual pretty much is: catch, mate and leave. The female will later develop eggs and lay them onto the underside of some branch in the canopy. The young are left to fend for themselves after that. Due to the nature of their reproduction, females are smaller and faster than males, helping them outmaneuver their rather forward "partner." This ensures that only the fastest and smartest of males can catch them, with all the others being left in the dust. Quite the interesting system, but I think I am happy with our current setup! Due to their top spot on the food chain, the Sarcorasil hold a special place to those who call the jungle home. Many tribes and cultures see them as the peak of hunting prowess and speed. Totems and symbols depicting them signify the honor of an extraordinary hunter, with only the best of the tribe holding such a marker. Some believe them to be messengers and workers of the Gods, zipping across the world to spread their word and eliminating those who dare blaspheme. The Gralatars see them more as reaping angels, watchful eyes of the jungle gods. While they have a respect for them, they are also wary of these powerful predators. A Gralatar that climbs too high during foraging can become prey for such a beast, so they make sure to either keep many lookouts close by, or minimize their time exposed to the open air. To them, the tops of the trees is the closest one can get to the heavens above, and the Sarcorasil watch such a boundary like a hawk. Those who gawk at the throne of the gods for too long may catch the eye of their relentless angels. Chlora Myron Dryad Natural Historian

#robber fly #fly #insect #monster #creature #art #drawing

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