The Feasts of Makuta Nui and Mata Nui (Athiris only, IC)

[Nationalist alliance of God]

March 26th 2000 BC
Outside of Kolo Metu

The Vaykusk reached the outskirts of Kolo Metu early in the Morning. Chieftain Kalisk had brought with him the 15 great clan elders, 3 Vashunizess shamans, their translator and guide James, and 50 of handpicked elite Vaykusk warriors as bodyguards. Their relatively small group came to Kolo Metu a few days early, as Chief Kalisk wanted to meet with the 'God-King' of the Matole and see the city for himself before he allowed the rest of his people to feast at the Matole King's, Kaha Nui, invitation.

It was a critical time for the Vaykusk people, their old homeland had been destroyed by the fires of a mountain. So their Chieftain took a horde of 15 thousand southward into the fertile land known as Athiris. They made contact with the Matole almost a month before, and were invited to their grand feast as a gesture of goodwill. However Chief Kalisk was a warlord, he naturally distrusted such things; but he could not afford to deny his people a morale booster such as this, and making nice with a larger power in this land would be essential to the Vaykusk's survival. As such he came alone first with his handpicked delegation, the rest of his horde under orders that should he be slain by this Kaha Nui, having been led into a deception, the horde was too rampage through the Matole lands, before escaping back to the western mountains. But this was only a contingency, if all went well and this was no deceptive plot, then the Vaykusk would have a valuable ally.

Although Kalisk had to admit, he was very curious about the Matole. From what he had seen, the Matole did not wear the bones of their enemies as trophies as they did, their gods seemed alien and too good-natured, in contrast to the Vaykusk's own dark and forbidding gods. Kalisk felt himself looking forward to this.

[Sabrek]

28 Malama Kahuai, 3rd Year of Kaha Nui (26 March 2000 BC)
Kolo Metu

There are always a few cities that are regarded as truly wonderful. In Ancient Athiris, Kolo Metu is among them. Surrounding the city for a few miles in either direction are the city's vast farmlands, fields that have seen their first days without snow since the start of winter. On most sides of the city were the Ulūhi and Akau Rivers, the two most dominant rivers in the land. Walls forty feet high surrounded the city, thick enough for six men to walk across in a line and only breaking for gates and harbors. A second section of wall split off from the first to encompass an area on the riverless side of Kolo Metu; the more likely side to face attackers in a siege.

Inside of the city walls, the Kaha Nui, god-king of the Matolē, waited to greet the Vaykusk; he had received word from watchmen on the walls that a large group of travelers has been spotted heading towards the city. He stood on a raised platform in front of the statue of Mata Nui, god of creation and life, dressed in many vibrant colors and draped in gold jewelry adorned with gemstones. Upon his face and head rested his mask, luxuriously detailed to look like the head of a bull, with horns extending from either side of his head and a decorative cone extending form the top. The statue behind him was painted just as luxuriously as he was.

[Nationalist alliance of God]

They reached the city wall's gates, Chief Kalisk checked himself over. His headgear, the Wolf skull upon his head and jaw opened as if his face had been swallowed by the wolf, atop it was a crest of black crow feathers running horizontally across the head. His armor was painted black and white, coated in Vaykusk runes granting him the divine and demonic protection of the Vashun gods. His black pants were tucked into his leather boots; and he wore several pieces of jewelry, made from bones and encrusted with precious stones, he also wore the rib bones of fallen enemies in a skirt around his waist, and human skulls were tied to his belt, the skulls of would be assassins and lords who dared challenge him. His sword dangled from his belt, it was made of the finest bronze and its pommel was encrusted with a large ruby. His eyes, as grey as his long hair, scanned the city's walls. He was impressed, he smiled a fanged smile as they approached the main gate.

Venura still wore the skull and antlers of an elk upon her head, her hair bleached as white as her painted face, with black markings that followed lines formed from ritual scarring. She wore a cloak of bear fur and walked with a walking stick, adorned with the teeth of wolves, bears, and a human skull. She too examined the city, Kolo Metu was larger than the old city, and unlike it, was seated on rivers, thus allowing it control of the river route, despite being a shaman, Venura knew a thing or two about trade, her parents were merchants before she had been taken to become a shaman.

The other two shamans, the twins Valashua and Laskana, were very excited. They were both apprentices of Venura, and so identical in appearance the only true way to tell them apart was the color of their face paints: Valashua wore white, and Laskana wore black. They may have been expected to act the part of indifferent conduits to the demonic and divine, but they were still young teenagers, 16 years, and very much wanted to explore this city. But Venura did not trust them on their own, as the two had a cruel streak longer than many of the most mean spirited Vashunizess shamans, and truly it showed in their appearance, their eyes seemed to twitch with scheming, and their fanged smiles seemed to radiate malevolence.

The Clan elders were dressed similarly to Chief Kalisk, their armor covered in runes. However most wore no headgear, showing their faces.

The warriors that escorted them wore their rune covered armor, and their weapons were polished and cleaned. Their faces covered in black and white facepaint. Truly the group cut a nightmarish figure, although this was intended, the Vaykusk had built up a mythos around themselves in their homelands of demons that served dark gods who commanded their servants to destroy and kill; the Vaykusk had every intention of continuing this mythos, even if it was not as true in this new land.

James himself wore luxurious fure robes and the helmet Kalisk had given him, he was to serve as official translator and guide, he had been to Kolo Metu once before as a child, so his memory was a bit foggy of the place, but he would do his best. One of the Warrior's blew a horn, a long deep note, James called out to the men on the walls in Matole:

"Chief Kalisk of the Vaykusk and his chosen entourage request entrance to Kolo Metu to meet with his holiness, the God-King Kaha Nui!"

[Sabrek]

28 Malama Kahuai, 3rd Year of Kaha Nui (26 March 2000 BC)
Kolo Metu

It was indeed the Vaykusk. Kaha Nui's preparations had not been in vain. Calling down from the wall, a soldier shouted,

"You may enter. There will be men waiting to escort you to the god-king."

The city's gates, unblocked and open in this time of peace, served to beckon the Vaykusk in as a contingent of soldiers six strong stood waiting for them. Their equipment was made of the finest bronze, with leather and linen covering their unarmored parts. They carried large shields and khopeshes, and these soldiers were clearly distinguished with brightly colored plumes on the tops of their helmets. Behind them was the city in all its splendor. People walked around making preparations for the feasts wearing variably faded and bright clothing. The buildings were abuzz with activity as decorations were being put up and painted on. In the middle of a square in the distance was a large, brightly painted statue of a masked man.

[Nationalist alliance of God]

Chief Kalisk and his entorage walked forward, the warriors broke their hollow square and formed in a full square five men deep and ten across behind the their charges. Chief Kalisk stood at the lead, with James behind him at his right, Venura stood behind him to his left, Valashua and Laskana stood behind them, and finally the clan elders stood behind the twins. From above it would be seen that the Vaykusk had formed a square tipped with a small triangle, standing at the triangle's point was Chief Kalisk.

James spoke to the soldiers "We are ready to meet the God King"

[Sabrek]

28 Malama Kahuai, 3rd Year of Kaha Nui (26 March 2000 BC)
Kolo Metu

"Follow us," said the soldiers, clearing people out of the way as they brought the Vaykusk to Kaha Nui.

Kaha Nui stood atop a raised podium in front of the statue of Mata Nui, dressed brightly and luxuriously. He was a tall, broad man with a bushy black beard and bushy black hair, both braided intricately.

[Nationalist alliance of God]

Chief Kalisk sized up Kaha Nui and thought to himself 'He has the stature, but he dresses not as a warrior' He then spoke in Ushalkin:

"Iss aki Kalgrum Kalisk set Yol ja set Vaykusk, ve kav cuen akt yaant vutisk. Iss zind lo kret yint kyziln tafor Iss drught ky Fenterlim Juher"

James translated for Kaha Nui saying exactly as Kalisk said as per his instructions "I am Chieftain Kalisk the Pious of the Vaykusk, we have come at your invitation. I wanted to meet you myself before I brought my people here"

[Sabrek]

28 Malama Kahuai, 3rd Year of Kaha Nui (26 March 2000 BC)
Kolo Metu

"I am Kaha Nui," said the god-king, "son of Pohaku Nui, descendant of Mata Nui, the Great Spirit and Creator, protector of civilisation. You can be assured that your people will be safe within these walls so long as they behave. How many men do you have?"

[Nationalist alliance of God]

"With me are 71, the rest of my people are 15,000. You are the master of this city, we are guests, and we have honor, we will cause you no trouble here" Kalisk responded. James translated for Kaha Nui.

[Sabrek]

28 Malama Kahuai, 3rd Year of Kaha Nui (26 March 2000 BC)
Kolo Metu

"That is a fair amount of people; your visit should not be a problem for the city," Kaha replied. "For the feasts it is customary for all to wear masks. The face of a god can kill a man through its sheer power, so out of reverence to his sons and daughters, Mata Nui, the Creator, pledged that he and all the other gods would always wear masks. On the days of the feasts all men are symbolically raised to the status of gods, and they wear masks to show it. There should be enough time for each of your men to create a mask for himself, as breaking this tradition is heavily discouraged."

[Nationalist alliance of God]

That made the Vashunizess shamans grimace, and Venura looked to Kalisk with a look that showed her disapproval she told him:

"They wish us to celebrate their false gods, the Vashun would not approve, we cant afford that."

"Commune with them, we cannot afford to stand on our own, they only ask us to wear masks, we already have our own for our own ceremonies. We will give the gods a great sacrifice as penance for our unwilling insult." Kalisk more or less dismissed her concerns. And Venura knew for her sake that she shouldn't question him further, her twin apprentices had icy looks on their faces, deeply bothered by what they perceived as blasphemy in the face of their gods.

Kalisk turned to Kaha Nui and said:

"Keep your materials, thank you for the offer, but we have masks of our own we will wear." James translated what he said for Kaha Nui.

James had seen the Vaykusk masks before, as he understood; the Masks were worn during the winter festivals, funeral rites, and when the Vaykusk went to war. The masks were made of either Bronze, for professional warriors, Vashunizess shamans, and other members of the aristocracy, or Clay, for those not in the former categories. They were most commonly colored red, from a paint made of blood and strawberries, and or white, from a paint made of chalk and white clay. They were often carved into demonic, growling, or screaming faces, ferocious things to behold.

[Sabrek]

28 Malama Kahuai, 3rd Year of Kaha Nui (26 March 2000 BC)
Kolo Metu


"Very well," replied Kaha Nui. "The two days of feasts start the day after tomorrow six hours after sunrise."

((Around noon in our clock))

[Nationalist alliance of God]

28th of March, 2000 BC
Kolo Metu

Kalisk left Kolo Metu with his entorage after his meeting with Kaha Nui, and prepared the Vaykusk for what was to come.

They came the next night, all 15,000 emerging from the dark by the walls. They set up camp outside of the city, and when the next day came. They formed a parade line. Chief Kalisk, James, the Chief's guard, the clan elders, and the Vashunizess shamans led them. They were followed by the professional warriors, who led the tradesmen and their families, followed by the laborers and farmers. All of them wore the traditional Vaykusk masks, even the children. One of Kalisk's bodyguard blew a horn to request entrance into the walls and thus, the festival to come. The guides other than James were interspersed throughout the group to act as ad hoc translators should there be a need, and there would be a need.

[Sabrek]

30 Malama Kahuai, 3 Tausaka a Kaha Nui (28 March 2000 BC)
Kolo Metu

It was the day of the feast, bright and sunny. Though individual families were doing all of the cooking, the food was to be shared by all. Tables and seats were being set up in the streets as brightly colored cloths were being strung along buildings. People were going about in their brightest clothing, and wearing their masks. The Matolē took great pride in their masks, caring for them greatly and repairing and replacing them when they broke. Each one is an intricately carved piece of wood or an intricately shaped piece of metal, styled after an animal, god, or element, and leaves the eyes, nostrils, and mouth uncovered. Kaha Nui himself was inside of his palace, preparing for the feast. The first feast of the day was entirely a public feast. He would take the seats on the raised platform at the base of the statue of Makuta Nui, reserved for the most elite members of society.

"My lord," said an aide, entering the same room as the god-king, "the Vaykusk are requesting permission to enter the city."

"Well," replied Kaha, "let them in! Have a soldier direct their six most important leaders to my table. Give the rest of them the instructions to find seating among our people; the higher classes congregate around the bases of statues and the lower classes take the rest."

The aide left to deliver this message as Kaha Nui left with guards to his seating. He was dressed most intricately in brightly dyed leather and linens, with silver, gold, and gemstone jewelry adorning him gratuitously. His bushy black hair and beard were both braided intricately, with bands of silver and gold interspersed throughout them. His golden mask was composed of two horizontal bars across the bridge of his nose and his forehead that expanded into winglike fans covering the whole of the sides of his face and embedded with gemstones. A tall point extended from the top of the mask with more gemstones embedded in it.

[Nationalist alliance of God]

When the Vaykusk were let in, Kalisk followed the instructions he had been given and chose his entorage. "James, I will need you. Galmoraz, captain of my guard will come. Venura, you as well, as will Harkon of the Zulkrumesh Clan, and Ygir of the Moram Clan." He chose the final two as they were the elders of the most influential clans. The Zulkrumesh were architects and had lost many of their number in the eruption of Saasahadil, Harkon's loyalty would be essential in designing a new city in Athiris. The Moram Clan were one of the only great merchant clans the Vaykusk had, as mercantile affairs were not truly valued in the old days. But Kalisk knew that trade was essential in a land where they were not the strongest. So he brought Ygir.

None of the Vaykusk wore any headgear, not even Kalisk himself or the Vashunizess, but they all wore their armor, which they had polished and retraced and recolored the designs, their weapons polished and sharpened. They all wore their masks, which truly were of similar layout to the Matole: no mouth covering, and holes for eyes and nostrils. Kalisk's was made of bronze and was mostly colored red around the lower face area, before diverting into white stripes on the upper face. The mask itself was carved into the visage of a snarling demon.

James was given one that had belonged to a noble who had died with no heirs. It was bronze but rather plain, the entire mask was painted red and shaped into a face that looked as it it was crying out in agony.

Venura's was pure white, with the symbol of the Vashun gods painted in red on the forehead. A crow sitting atop a skull. The face looked as if it was screaming with fury.

Galmoraz was a warrior through and through, he had been adopted into Kalisk's clan, the Kalormarks for his service. He was Kalisk's most elite bodyguard and a giant of a man, standing almost 7 feet tall, many Vakusk believed he had been blessed by Zashpikaa, the god of war and violence, himself. The Rhomphiaia sheathed at his side was truly a weapon that matched the man. His mask was pure red, and carved into the visage of a laughing demon.

Harkon's mask was half white and half red, vertically divided. His mask was carved into a growling man.

Ygir's mask was white with a single red stripe across the nose, its face was neutral, standing out from the others.

These five with Kalisk formed the group of six Kaha Nui wanted. The rest of the Vaykusk divided as per instructions.

[Sabrek]

30 Malama Kahuai, 3 Tausaka a Kaha Nui (28 March 2000 BC)
Kolo Metu

The Vaykusk leaders were brought to the table under the statue of Makuta Nui. There would be many other elites feasting with the Vaykusk and Kaha Nui, who was currently talking to a woman dressed no less brightly than he was.

[Nationalist alliance of God]

'Must be his wife' Kalisk thought as he approached. He waited for the god-king to finish his conversation, as he did not want to appear rude, nor hypocritical as he would often get angry when interrupted while talking to his wife, when she was alive.

Galmoraz stood behind Kalisk, his height and girth signaled the Vaykusk's approach. Even if he was invited to such a prestigious position as a guest of the elites, he still had his duty as a bodyguard to Kalisk and kept an eye for anything suspicious.

[Sabrek]

30 Malama Kahuai, 3 Tausaka a Kaha Nui (28 March 2000 BC)
Kolo Metu

Kaha finished talking to the woman, his wife Kali the queen consort, and turned to face the Vaykusk who have just arrived.

"Welcome," he greeted them. "Please, have a seat! The feast will begin any minute now; we can talk while we eat."

[Nationalist alliance of God]

They sat at the table, Kalisk in the center of the group, on his left was James, on his right Galmoraz; Venura sat next to James. Ygir and Harkon sat next to Galmoraz.

Kalisk spoke through James "Thank you for the invitation Kaha Nui, yours is a gesture of kindness that my people have not had in a long time"

[Sabrek]

30 Malama Kahuai, 3 Tausaka a Kaha Nui (28 March 2000 BC)
Kolo Metu

"The pleasure is ours," replied Kaha, "to entertain our future neighbors."

People began to bring out the food that they were cooking, placing it on the tables, which were soon covered with seemingly endless platters of various breads, meats, and dried vegetables as well as cups of various beers, meads, and for the wealthiest, wines. The smells were wondrous; all Matolē looked forward to these feasts. As the last of the food was placed, and all but the god-king himself were seated, a horn was sounded. It was joined by various other horns, all resonating throughout the city in one commanding tone.

"Today marks the end of a year," Kaha addressed the crowd who he could see loudly after the horns quieted. "The third year since my father has abandoned his human body to fully embrace his status among the gods. It has been a most productive and beautiful year, and for that we should be thankful to Mata Nui, the Creator, who gave it to us. So, before this year ends, fading into memory and disappearing with the god Makuta, we must be sure to make the greatest use of its final day."

Kaha Nui sat down at the remaining seat at his table, the one reserved especially for him in between his wife, Kali Wahine, and his son and heir, Hau Nui. Across from him were the seats of the Vaykusk. Once more the horns sounded, and only after they died did the feasting begin.

[Nationalist alliance of God]

The Vaykusk began to eat, Kalisk ate a portion of his meal as he listened to James translate what Kaha Nui said. It would have been immediatly obvious to everyone that James was not a Vaykusk, as his teeth were not filed into fangs and he spoke Ushalkin haltingly and more slowly. Kalisk told James to formally introduce everyone in the Vaykusk party.

"Chief Kalisk asks me to formally introduce our delegation. As you know, this is Chief Kalisk the Pious, Third great chieftain of the Vaykusk. Next to him is Galmoraz, his right hand and favored bodyguard. Next to me is Venura the Elder, a shaman of the Vashun gods, or a Vashuniz. Next to Galmoraz are Harkon of the Zulkrumesh Clan and Ygir of the Moram clan, two of the most powerful Vaykusk clans; and I am James, Chief Kalisk's humble guide and translator"

[Sabrek]

30 Malama Kahuai, 3 Tausaka a Kaha Nui (28 March 2000 BC)
Kolo Metu

"It is a pleasure to meet you all," replied Kaha. "I trust that you find the food excellent."

[Nationalist alliance of God]

"Of course, it is excellent. I would expect nothing less from a nation such as yours." Kalisk said through James.

Below them, where the rest of the Vaykusk were seated, it was getting rather rowdy. Mead and beer were being drunk rapidly, and the warriors were leading the rest of the Vaykusk in some fairly gory (and rather vulgar) songs in Ushalkin.

[Sabrek]

30 Malama Kahuai, 3 Tausaka a Kaha Nui(28 March 2000 BC)
Kolo Metu

Casting a glance at some Vaykusk warriors who were seated nearby, Kaha remarked that they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

[Nationalist alliance of God]

"Aye, we have not had the luxury of a feast in a long time" Kalisk responded once James translated what the God-King said.