On the coronation of E’hi Kaluni Lofu upon his Ancestor Ceremony
From the private report of Paratsu Amin Far to The Council of The Mirror
Collection Date and Location: 17 Kunye, i0945. The private residence of Paratsu Amin Far. Lâsu Ojimaki, Ulan Islands. 3:597:JER-6
Library Classification Code: Restricted - Level 1 of 3.
As much as it pains me to admit it, Elder Hashanga’s strategy of infiltrating the upper tier of Ulani society has proven successful. Because of my loss to Akata at the Arcane Games this year, which I reiterate was done deliberately and strategically, I have managed to gain the respect of my opponent who has, in turn, invited me to learn more about his people here in the middle of the Southern Sea. I have now been living among the Ulani people for close to a month, gaining much insight into their culture. I believe with time it will be possible to set up an outpost here in the capital city. I am writing to request that we petition The Council of Elders to begin the construction of a tower here. There are several important reasons to do so:
1. I can confirm that the Dasholin Scholars of the Eternal Library have completed yet another branch of their organization located on the Island of Paka Vanka. I can only surmise that they are doing so to document the activities in the city of Oufaha and the many meetings occurring in the Great Meeting Hall, for which the city is named. I had the pleasure of traveling to that island and seeing The Hall in person. It’s a marvel of Ulani architecture, a large open-air forum where difficult conversations take place, and uncomfortable agreements are made more tolerable. While I was there, there were two families who could not decide what was to be done for three children whose parents had died in an attack at sea by Erían raiders. I believe the conversation is still taking place, but it appears more tolerable because it is happening in a space where the locals say you cannot leave until both sides come to an agreement. No doubt that The Dasholin Scholars seek to ensure they can gain first-hand accounts of such activities. For what reason, I do not know, but our vigilance on the matter should be obvious.
2. As I have mentioned in previous reports, there appears to be a growing number of incidents involving the Erían raiders. The ambitions of the Shadowed Forest may be larger than the continued colonization and enslavement of the Hanaqi people to the South. During my stay here in the city of Lâsu Ojimaki, I have been to the throne room on several occasions, some invited, usually clandestine. More often than not, the conversation leans towards dealing with these attacks on Ulani ships in the open waters. While it appears as if the Ulani have a long-standing rivalry with the Eríans, there has been a significant rise in the number and voracity of these attacks, though the E’hi (the Ulani “king”) and his counselors appear wary of acknowledging this fact publicly. There is no need for direct involvement at this time, but the situation is worth monitoring as securing the trade routes and ships of the Ulani merchants is vital to the continued success of our own projects and one of the primary goals of my mission.
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3. Most important. I believe there is something much more troubling worth tracking here. Last week, I had the great pleasure of attending E’hi Kaluni Lofu’s ancestor ceremony. This is an singularly special rite of passage in the life of every Ulani, and especially important for the E’hi as he prepares to take over his father’s duties in leading the kingdom. As many people as capable of fitting crowded along the shores and rocky cliffs surrounding the Cove of the Ancestors, and the ceremony took place in a heavy rain storm, common for this time of year on the islands. I will describe the ceremony in more detail in a separate account, but a brief overview is that it involves an individual, or in some cases several members of the same generation of a family, standing on a large rock that juts out into the cove, and naming as many of their ancestors as possible, with the aim of blessing their journey into adulthood. Hopefully, this will call forth the spirt and avatar of their religion, the great whale god Uli’Ongo. This is increasingly rare. Apparently, it has not happened for centuries. On this day, however a strange occurrence did take place. The Line of E’hi Ulani is long, with more than forty-one men having sat on the Throne of Shells and Spirits, and it took several hours for young Kaluni to name all who came before him and their accomplishments. But when he finished and his hoarse voice called out to Uli’Ongo to appear, a great plume of seawater burst forth from the cove. Soon, the shape of a large black whale appeared and made its way to float in front of the young prince. But before the assembled crowd could celebrate this great blessing with the next part of the ceremony, the great beast rolled over on its belly and ceased moving. Several of the Wave Riders in attendance, including Akata, rushed to the creature. The sadness in the crowd was heavy. They confirmed. The blessed creature was dead.
Akata and her comrades are still investigating the matter as they are very concerned, though she does not know what this means. Obviously, I have a hard time believing this to be an omen of prosperity, and more than any other reason merits our continued and close attention to the happenings of the island.
When I return to submit this report, I hope that The Council will approve my request for an audience and be open to the possibility of a more permanent presence on the Ulan Islands. We have a chance to repeat our success in the Free City of Orn, the importance of which I should not have to restate. Similar to that great city, this kingdom lives in a delicate balance, and there is a chance for a valuable allegiance should we choose to take the opportunity.