Chrysalis — The Dawn of Mooland Tales

UPDATED: 2025-04-07 2630 WORDS

8

WORK IN PROGRESS! — v0.8/15

8. Riverlands: Intuitive Streams ¶

Izzy and Manny woke up to the echo of gentle humming. Soft colors painted the cave's interior, easing their journey back to the waking world. It was a night full of dreams unlike anything they'd ever experienced — some of it very real and lucid. They were still working out how to ground themselves back into daytime reality. "Whatever all that you witnessed last night," counseled Mandakini, "keep that only to yourselves and those closest to you. Some dreams are made of past, some are of the present, and some flow in from the future. Discuss the last of these with the Mistress of Clouds when you reach the Highlands."

"We thank you so much for everything, Mandakini. It's honestly been the most incredible experience of our lives here. You are absolutely next level. May we come and visit you again?" — "You, young ladies, will visit me again in exactly a year's time." It wasn't an order, and it also didn't sound like a prophecy. It was a plain matter-of-fact statement, perplexing in all of its casuality. "Hurry up now, the teleporter is ready. Keep your visit to Ammoolia's brief, or you'll be caught in the rain." — "Wait, you know Ammoolia?" — "Yes Izabella, from way back. I'll leave that story for her to share. Chop chop, time is running."

It took some effort for Izzy and Manny to make their exit, they could've stayed forever — but alas, time was running indeed. Grabbing their backpacks, they lingered for a brief moment outside the cave for one last look at the unfreezing spring, the wildflowers — curiously, now in shades of sage and teal — and the golden glow at the edge of their world. Exactly 1440 mantihops later, 12 degrees south-east, they were back at the Prime Pathfinder's alcove. "You two had an experience, did you." That was the first smile they'd spotted on her face. "Let me get you back to the basecamp. Hold on to your visions. Five steps to the left, please — right under that dome in the ceiling."

As soon as Izzy and Manny were in the zone, Margatama began to vocalize a matrix of sounds that resembled the melody of the watch-mantis, but played backwards, and — hsoohw! — back in the chamber at the foothills they landed. Taking a moment to ensure they were intact, the girls saw the operator mantis standing by. "Exact replay in reverse, all atoms intact! Good for you. Now, step out of the chamber please." From the smirk on her face, it was clear she got a kick out of playing "what if" with greenhorn returnees. Exchanging uncertain looks, they stepped out of the chamber.

"Have a good visit topside, hey? The path to Highlands is due east." With a brief thanks, the thought of "what if" still haunting their minds, Izzy and Manny rolled down the trail, feeling out the layouts of their atoms all the way to the Highlands boundary. Not that anyone's ever been scrambled in transit — a misresonance fail-safe was one of the first things that went into the teleporter. It wasn't long before the first Highlands fruit orchards loomed in the distance. Ammoolia's place wasn't too far from this corner of the Peaklands. Not visiting her, and not sharing at least some of their excitement, wasn't an option in their minds.

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Ammoolia was sitting on the porch of her cottage, sipping a warm cup of flower tea, waiting for the girls' arrival. "How's it going, girls? So far so good?" — "Ammy, you have no idea! It was absolutely nuts, what just happened at the peaks!" Rivers flow, the wind blows, and these two roll like a tidal wave. There was no stopping them with the tales. "Have a cup of tea, your throats will run dry if you only use your mouths for talking. Do keep it brief, just the highlights please, unless you want to catch the storm coming in from the south. You do want to reach the Riverlands in good time before the noon, don't you?"

The notes in their travel journal made for a compact summary. Ammoolia flipped through the pages, her face shifting through a dozen expressions, mostly in flavors of amusement. "So you also met Muum, huh. We've known since he worked at the Great Fodderstock. Pops by once in a while, the good fellow is fond of my cloud-apples." — "And at the highest peaks, we saw the golden halo, and we met Mandakini, and she said she knows you!" — "Yes girls, but that's a long story there. Longer than the time we have today."

"And we had all these crazy dreams, also about the future. She said to discuss them with the Mistress of the Clouds when we meet her at the Highlands. I guess we will meet her when we return here? Who is she?" Ammoolia burst out giggling for no apparent reason. "Yes girls, you'll met her. Ask the oracles at the Cloud Platforms. Be sure to mention you're with Ammoolia. They keep her identity a secret. But now, you should make haste. A storm crossing in from the Strangelands isn't something you want to start your day with."

Settle Down: Foundation of Riverlands ¶

___ARRIVAL___

___SET LAND___

Regions:

• East Sector: Major water-source
• South Sector: Saturated jungle
• West Sector: Idyllic streams
• North Sector: Flavored springs

• Recall the basic facts that we know about this realm.
• Immerse into the features and patterns of its landscape.
• Identify the defining characteristics that set its foundation.

___RECOLLECTIONS___

___IMMERSION___

• Abundant waterflow
• Diverse ecosystem
• Reflective pools
• Springs of essence
• ""

___STATE: FOUNDATION___

Tune In: Flow of Life at Riverlands ¶

• Observe the seasons and cycles of nature in this realm.
• Watch the comings and goings of the diverse folks here.
• Reflect on the feelings and expectations that are flowing.

___SET SCENE: SEASONS___

___FAUNA___

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___WANDERING___

• Flow-Moovers
• Medicine Moos (shamoos)
• Empathic Mediators
• Stream Elixirists

[ coming and going from/to: ]

• Origins Watershed (East)
• Multiflavor Brewery (South)
• Wellness Sanctuary (West)
• Blessed Springs (North)

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___STATE: FEELINGS_EXPECTATIONS___

Gear Up: Meeting the Riverlands Natives ¶

___SET SCENE: READY___

• Find people to interview and notice how they react to us.
• Learn more about their skills, professions, and expertise.
• Discuss our story project and ask for constructive feedback.

First Destination: Origins Watershed (East) - Flow-Moovers / Moodulus — Stream Conductor

"Good afternoon! We are Izzy and Manny from the Highlands. We understand that you are the [Moodulus — Stream Conductor] here. Would you have a bit of time to spare for our questions?"

"[ AS A Riverlander WOULD RESPOND ]"

"Could you please introduce yourself briefly?"

"I am Moodulus — Stream Conductor at Origins Watershed (East). ..."

"We are always learning and wish to hear about your skills and expertise. What is it that you do here — and how and why do you do it?"

"[ GLOSS ON DISTINCT Flow-Moovers SKILLS ]"

"Thank you! Those are valuable skills and duties. One day we may return to Origins Watershed (East) to study all of this in more depth."

"[ If you do, then .... ] Was that all, or did you have other questions?"

"We are also collecting stories from all the realms of Mooland. You have unique skills and insights. Not to bother you with all the details of our project, but is there something particularly important to keep in mind?"

_"___FEEDBACK___"_

"All of that we will keep in mind! Thank you so much for your time."

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Second Destination: Multiflavor Brewery (South) - Medicine Moos (shamoos) / Musha — Eminent Remediator

"Good afternoon! We are Izzy and Manny from the Highlands. We understand that you are the [Musha — Eminent Remediator] here. Would you have a bit of time to spare for our questions?"

"[ AS A Riverlander WOULD RESPOND ]"

"Could you please introduce yourself briefly?"

"I am Musha — Eminent Remediator at Multiflavor Brewery (South). ..."

"We are always learning and wish to hear about your skills and expertise. What is it that you do here — and how and why do you do it?"

_"[ GLOSS ON DISTINCT Medicine Moos (shamoos) SKILLS ]"_

"Thank you! Those are valuable skills and duties. One day we may return to Multiflavor Brewery (South) to study all of this in more depth."

"[ If you do, then .... ] Was that all, or did you have other questions?"

"We are also collecting stories from all the realms of Mooland. You have unique skills and insights. Not to bother you with all the details of our project, but is there something particularly important to keep in mind?"

_"___FEEDBACK___"_

"All of that we will keep in mind! Thank you so much for your time."

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Third Destination: Wellness Sanctuary (West) - Empathic Mediators / Samuuma — Attuning Balancer

"Good afternoon! We are Izzy and Manny from the Highlands. We understand that you are the [Samuuma — Attuning Balancer] here. Would you have a bit of time to spare for our questions?"

"[ AS A Riverlander WOULD RESPOND ]"

"Could you please introduce yourself briefly?"

"I am Samuuma — Attuning Balancer at Wellness Sanctuary (West). ..."

"We are always learning and wish to hear about your skills and expertise. What is it that you do here — and how and why do you do it?"

"[ GLOSS ON DISTINCT Empathic Mediators SKILLS ]"

"Thank you! Those are valuable skills and duties. One day we may return to Wellness Sanctuary (West) to study all of this in more depth."

"[ If you do, then .... ] Was that all, or did you have other questions?"

"We are also collecting stories from all the realms of Mooland. You have unique skills and insights. Not to bother you with all the details of our project, but is there something particularly important to keep in mind?"

_"___FEEDBACK___"_

"All of that we will keep in mind! Thank you so much for your time."

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Fourth Destination: Blessed Springs (North) - Stream Elixirists / Somu — Quintessential Refiner

"Good afternoon! We are Izzy and Manny from the Highlands. We understand that you are the [Somu — Quintessential Refiner] here. Would you have a bit of time to spare for our questions?"

"[ AS A Riverlander WOULD RESPOND ]"

"Could you please introduce yourself briefly?"

"I am Somu — Quintessential Refiner at Blessed Springs (North). ..."

"We are always learning and wish to hear about your skills and expertise. What is it that you do here — and how and why do you do it?"

"[ GLOSS ON DISTINCT Stream Elixirists SKILLS ]"

"Thank you! Those are valuable skills and duties. One day we may return to Blessed Springs (North) to study all of this in more depth."

"[ If you do, then .... ] Was that all, or did you have other questions?"

"We are also collecting stories from all the realms of Mooland. You have unique skills and insights. Not to bother you with all the details of our project, but is there something particularly important to keep in mind?"

_"___FEEDBACK___"_

"All of that we will keep in mind! Thank you so much for your time."

We would also like to meet an elder in this realm. Smeone who knows all the legends and histories of the Riverlands. Could you point us in the right direction?"_

_"___POINTS___"

Soar High: Elder Essence of Riverlands ¶

• Scan for a center of essence that reveals the meaning of this realm.
• Meet a wise elder and gather aphorism, poem, challenge, and story.
• Understand how this realm relates to everything we have discovered.

___CENTER___ [ SYMBOL: River - Elder Emmoo Matirta — Riverlands Sweet Mediatrix ]

___ELDER___

• Symbol: River
• Aphorism:
• Poem:
• Challenge: Flood
• Best Story: Epic of Mooses

"Good day, dear elder! We are Izabella and Mandalika from the Highlands. We'd love to ask you a couple of questions. We are on a mission, you see, to tour all the realms of Mooland, collecting the best of insights and stories from the realms. If you could help us out with your wisdom over the Riverlands, we would be very grateful. We hope to share what we learn on our journey with all of our friends — and with all of Mooland and more."

_"I am here for you. Welcome to my ___ abode. What is it that you wish to ask, Izabella and Mandalika?"_

[Our novice surveyors had thoroughly rehearsed their introduction and the specific questions that should be asked. A faithful walk-through of their well-crafted survey template, just as they would do with every other elder in every realm down the journey. It felt a bit awkward to think that they would repeate almost the exact same words over and over, but it was a formula that seemed to get all the boxes ticked and result in a job well done.] [ONCE, then ref.]

"Could you please first introduce yourself?"

"I am Somu — Quintessential Refiner. One of the elders here. I roam about and oversee the ongoings of the realm. When the folks meet me, sometimes they ask for advice and guidance. I am [here] for you all, helping you to [[settle down into your basics]. In my younger years, I toiled at the [[...]] to [[...]]. [[Our team would tour ...]]"

"Pleased to meet you, Somu — Quintessential Refiner. First of all, we'd like to ask about the basics. Is there a motto or an aphorism that's well-known in the Riverlands? A short statement to help everyone understand what the Riverlanders are all about?"

"[Of course.] Every Riverlander [would know this]:

""

_"Thank you! That's a ___ statement. We'll write it down for all to remember. We'd also love to hear a poem or a song. Tunings of feeling and flow of life that resonate with the Riverlands."_

"[Why certainly.] [This is our ...] called . "

_"That is a ___ poem, thank you Somu — Quintessential Refiner._

"Then, can you share with us the greatest challenge that the folks of the Riverlands have ever met — and how they overcame it?"

___DISCUSSION,ADVICE___

"Thank you, we will note down and carry that advice with us always. Finally, we'd like to hear the most meaningful story that you can remember from all of the history of Riverlands. What would it be?"

"As our last request, we'd like to hear the most meaningful story you can remember from all of the history of Grasslands. What would it be?"

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___RELATIONS___

___SET CAMP___