Characters
Some characters have changed their appearance as part of the story. Hover your mouse over their image to see how they used to look.
Lae
Age: 17Hometown: Haichenja
This energetic teenager has a strong sense of honor and takes her job guarding pilgrims very seriously. She is one of the few people born in the jungle and immune to its warping power. Lae's hobby is collecting relics from the ruins scattered around the jungle.
Silas
Age: 20+??Hometown: Solvalia
Never quick to make judgement, this ghost likes to think carefully before making decisions. After many quiet years alone in the jungle, he is fascinated by Lae's culture. Silas' pocket watch is what anchors him to this world.
Kaga
Age: 18Hometown: Tashoni
Charismatic and carefree, Prince Kagagi has a lot to learn about leading the kingdom. His intentions are in the right place but sometimes he is too naive. With no mother or siblings, Kaga learned to think of his future kingdom as his family.
Bijan
Age: 65Hometown: Haichenja
This kind, knowledgeable mentor treats Lae as his own daughter even though they aren't related by blood. An old injury has slowed him down considerably but the village of Haichenja still looks to Bijan for leadership. He has a special affinity with birds and keeps several as pets.
Tamal
Age: 19Hometown: Tashoni
Stubborn and suspicious towards everyone new, this guard is difficult to get to know. But Tamal's devotion to those he likes is unshakeable. Since he is the son of the captain of the guard, he joined the prince's guard very early. He is an excellent cook.
Iyare
Age: 30Hometown: Mai Susa
Despite growing up poor and homeless, Iyare maintains a very positive attitude. He is grateful to the prince for his job and steady income. Being able to support his wife and young daughter means the world to him.
Nulu
Age: 15Hometown: Omohoi
Sweet and cheerful, Nulu makes friends easily. She came to Haichenja alone for her pilgrimage because she knew her family couldn't spare anyone from the fields. She can sleep through anything.
Vidya
Age: 76Hometown: Qwara
The matron of the Qwara people has an excellent memory for names from having dozens of grandchildren. In her youth she explored deep into the jungle. Vidya has always worked hard and expects others to do the same.
Gyan
Age: 62+12Hometown: Qwara
This prank-loving ghost is only visible to his no-nonsense wife, Vidya. She is often exasperated. Gyan led a happy and fulfilling life but is definitely enjoying death a lot more.
Locations
Haichenja
There are several settlements for pilgrimages but this one is unique because of how deep into the jungle it is. Rustic facilities make it unpopular with the rich even though it is the closest pilgrimage village to the capital. Villagers harvest a rare wildflower during the rainy season that makes an expensive blue dye.
Omohoi
This rice-growing community at the center of the plains is the heart of Tashoni's nature-worshiping tradition. Peaceful pools and fanciful rocks are regarded as sleeping immortals. The locals are admired for their near daily offerings to the "ancestors."
Solvalia
Once the spiritual and academic center of the Cunaveri nation, Solvalia is now nothing but ruins covered in the jungle's miasma. It is a treasure trove of artifacts and tools for those who can reach it, though very few dare.
The Jungle
On the plains it is believed that the jungle trees were placed by the ancestors to pin down the chaos that created the world. So entering the jungle brings people closer to the ancestors and their wisdom. Many pilgrims end up warped into yahakre, or changed people, but that doesn't stop them from wanting the same clarity of destiny as their Monarch Saint.
Qwara
High up in the canopy, an entire village is hidden from outsiders. This secretive community interacts with the Tashoni on a very limited basis. The Qwara patrol an extensive area around their village with a network of platforms and zip-lines.
Tashoni
Featuring an impressive palace, the capital is the center of trade, law, and legend for the Tashoni people.