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❪ KHALO VILLAGE. ❫
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HISTORY AND THE KHALI PEOPLE  Khali are truly one with the forest. They are small in stature and possess dark green skin which allows them to easily blend into their surroundings. They possess delicate wings and are surprisingly capable fighters. The Khali do wander outside of their village occasionally, however, and have caught wind of peace between Olympia and Wyver. For the first time in centuries, they have decided to allow foreigners inside their village, in order to stimulate their economy of fyrra. Getting past the magical barrier requires a very specific task, however. ENTERING THE VILLAGE  In order to make oneself resistant to the effect of Khalo's potent sleeping spell, the person approaching must either be full-blooded Khali, or smoke fyrra immediately prior to making the journey. Fyrra has been provided for all prospective travelers by a Khali representative currently stationed at the South Outpost. The taste of fyrra is strongly herbal. Its effects vary, depending on the person. Some may feel a relaxed, elevated mood. Others may note an increased appetite, or slower reflexes. Some may feel nothing at all. Regardless of its effects, if ingested properly, you may now enter the village and make your way past the swampy haze. If ingested improperly, it is likely the person will simply fall into a deep slumber, as before. The walk into Khalo village is surprisingly long. As you walk further and further in, the swampland around you becomes more illuminated with vibrant colors. FUNGI FOREST  Soon after entering the area, you'll find another obstacle standing between you and the village proper. A ring of fungi surrounds Khalo from all sides, providing a further protective barrier against outsiders. There are hundreds of species of fungi in this area, most of them undocumented and undiscovered. It is an area rich for discovery for adventurous souls, but extremely dangerous if you don’t watch your step. Although some of the mushrooms are harmless, many have powerful magical or poisonous effects. One, a large purple species resembling a blooming flower, will reduce any creature that steps on it to the size of a thimble. There is an antidote available in Khalo village, but the affected person will need help reaching it! Another, similar in appearance but deep red in color, will emit foul-smelling fumes when it detects a threat, dousing the offender and condemning them to smell like rotten eggs. CW: body horror Yet another, a large white species the height of a human, will ensnare any living creature with its vice-like appendages and slowly consume them. Perhaps you are unfortunate enough to find a Khali in a state of half-decay, now a part of the fungus itself. Will you help document the species in this area and help travelers become more informed about what they’re dealing with? KHALO VILLAGE  Once you make your way through the ring of fungi, Khalo village itself comes into view. The village is divided into three sections based on height: ground level, the mid-level, and the canopy. At all of these different heights, various buildings have been constructed into the trees. Some have been standing for so long that they appear to be part of the trees themselves. For those who do not possess the power of flight, the Khali have installed an extensive vine system for their guests to use to transport from tree to tree. There are also temporary flight potions (100 silver for half an hour of flight) for sale in the shops. At the ground level, the social life of most Khali takes place. Here, not only does the communal pond bring the locals together to socialize (refer to "The Heart of the Village" below), but there are various public lounges, bars, and fyrra smoking lounges. There are also clearings set up for public gatherings, and it isn’t unusual to find music circles, acrobatic performers, and storytellers in beautifully decorated outdoor spaces. There are many appropriate picnic spots at this level, which is likely to come in handy, as the Khali don’t have much to offer in the way of restaurants. The mid-level, encompassing every building above the ground but below the treetops, is where the Khali do business. Most shops are located here, which means that in order to purchase temporary flight potions, guests have to either climb their way up to the shops or use the aforementioned vine system. This is also where the village leaders, a council of five elected citizens, hold audience. The canopy level is where most of the Khali live. They have simple dwellings, typically no more than two to three rooms per household. Some of the locals are willing to allow guests to enjoy the scenic treetop view from their homes, but again, you have to find a way to get there first. Speaking of transportation, visitors may find the two giant tree guardians that roam the village particularly useful. These creatures are harmless so long as you are respectful, and you are likely to see a lazy Khali or two (even flying gets tiring for them) hitching a ride on their shoulders. Hold on tight! HEART OF KHALO  At the middle of the village, where others may have town squares, lies the epicenter of Khali social life: the communal pond known as Crescent. The water is crisp, gleaming, and clean. This is the only body of water in Khalo that isn’t swamplike, and thus, has become the most important gathering spot for all. The Khali are extremely hygienic, often taking two or three baths a day, and are likely to take a dip even if they don’t need a bath. At all hours of the day, Khali gather around and share gossip, news, and friendly chatter. During the daytime, there are also plenty of children playing near the water’s edge. Visitors may find it alarming that the Khali bathe fully nude and think little of it, but adjusting to the idea is advised if they wish to enjoy this local hangout spot. The Khali are aware that some foreigners may have strange sensibilities when it comes to this matter, so guests are allowed to visit Crescent in bathing suits. Outsiders brave enough to fully embrace the local custom and enter nude are given high respect. Those attempting to linger in this area while fully dressed in normal clothing will be asked to leave, as locals are likely to assume that you are simply there to leer. ACCOMODATIONS  While the Khali are not quite ready to allow outsiders to live within the village, they have arranged for accommodations that their guests may use whenever they visit. They repurposed three of the largest buildings in the village located in the mid-level. These accommodations, outfitted to be worthy enough to host King Shanrian and his court, offer the best in Khali hospitality. Those looking to enjoy the lounges on the ground level will find similar warm service. Any guest with an interest in new experiences can try a special strain of fyrra in one of the smoking lounges. This strand will give the user an even higher elevated mood, as well as increased sexual desire and higher sensation. The lounges have private rooms for those who don't enjoy an audience. ATHLETIC ARENA  Despite their love of fyrra, the Khali are a very active people. The athletic arena is less so a proper sports field and more of a clearing that happens to be used for their favorite game: Skyball. Guests previously from Earth may recognize that the rules are strikingly similar to rugby or soccer. There’s a certain element of extra excitement when flight is involved, however! Two goalposts mark each end of the arena, 20 feet in height, and there is no limit to how high or low players can go on or above the field. Guests may ingest temporary flight potions to put them in fair standing with the locals. Just make sure to keep track of when you must refresh the dose, or you may end up falling to the ground in the middle of the game! FIELDS OF FYRRA  The areas where fyrra is cultivated are not neat and tidy fields. Although there are designated areas in Khalo where fyrra is grown, it grows erratically and unpredictably among various other plants, making its harvest particularly time consuming. Locals would appreciate a hand, and rather than express gratitude in payment of silver, are more likely to give any helpers a bundle of fyrra. This will come in handy if you'd like to visit Khalo in the future, as fyrra may not always be a freebie. Be careful, however. Another plant that often grows alongside fyrra, called rougeshade, is visually similar to fyrra, but unpleasant. Accidentally touching it will make the victim extremely itchy in that area, and will require special ointment purchased in the shops. THE TAMING FIELDS  Near the athletic arena, visitors will notice the increased populations of docile beasts roaming the area. The Khali are renowned for their ability to tame wild beasts, and hundreds of years ago, were in fact the first dragon tamers of Wyver. Various artifacts around the Taming Fields hint at this past: dragon carcasses now serve as homes for small animals, there are patches of scorched earth, and for the truly observant soul, ancient grave markers for the burials of tamers who lost their lives to uncontrollable dragons In this area, you may spot Mossleys, ancient, rhinoceros-like creatures that love nothing more than to lounge in the sun and cuddle up next to people. Mossleys are drawn to pairs of people with a positive emotional bond, whether it be two good friends or lovers, and they enjoy sandwiching themselves between them. The flowers on their horns may be plucked, and in fact, doing so will likely earn you and your partner an affectionate lick. There are also Eighrei, hoofed beasts that are often used as mounts and raced for fun around the edges of the taming fields. Guests may participate in this activity so long as they have participated in one of the taming lessons offered here, to ensure proper handling of the beast. Improper handling will lead to swift kicks and an uncooperative creature. Guests may also encounter Venasou, ethereal creatures that float seemingly aimlessly around the village. Locals will advise guests that venasou can be helpful guides if properly charmed. They are endeared to the sounds of music, either singing or instrumental, and once properly intrigued, will happily guide guests around the village. They are particularly useful in avoiding harmful plants and fungi in the fungus forest. As previously mentioned, there are taming magic lessons offered here. There is no cost to these lessons, but they do require a week’s worth of lessons, as well as a lot of practice. Taking these lessons may prove useful in dealing with beasts in the future. |