Lost Paradise
Exotic Lands
While technically part of the Kingdom of Pacifica, nowhere is Glamour so plentiful and changelings so relatively scarce. While there are a few strongholds of the fae in Hawai’i, long ago they were forced to recognize that the native fae – the Menehune – kept the reins of magical power in these islands. That doesn’t stop the local Unseelie lord from scheming to take over all he can survey, nor does it banish the likes of other Gallain in the isles.
But even the Unseelie in Hawai’i answer the archipelago’s siren song of rapture. This paradise is for the revelry and wonder of dreamers. Some fae reach out to better know the Menehune and this exotic land’s wealth of culture. Some just kick back and enjoy the show. Few realize just how disconnected they are from the rest of Concordia, and are gratefully “castaways” from the troubles plaguing the mainland.
Gallain
In Hawai’i, the Gallain rule. The most common sort a faerie is likely to encounter are the Menehune. They’re the true rulers of these islands (and as such, will be handled in a separate TUG). As for Nunnehi, the Menehune pretty much are Nunnehi. But there is also a kingdom of Merfolk near the state, and even a small but well-established court of hsien, who immigrated to Hawai’i decades ago. Finally, a colony of ningyo (Japanese merfolk) rose up south of the Kure Atoll, allied with the hengeyokai shapeshifters based there.
Laws
The Escheat is barely observed even in the Count’s realm. The Right of Sanctuary is more often enforced than any other, even the Right of Ignorance. The fae here are just too laid-back to care, and the Dreaming does not seem to mind either.
The Dreaming
The Near Dreaming of Hawai’i combines breathtaking vistas with stunning displays of chimerical volcanic eruptions. And crawling and flying and swimming in this wonderland are fantastical beasts the likes of which even the most seasoned chimera hunters have not seen. Suffice to say, the Dreaming here is a wild place, with few if any recognizable Trods, making it a dangerous place to wander without a guide. And faerie guides are few and in between! The Menehune do not even seem to know much about the Dreaming (they are like Nunnehi in that they are tied to the Umbra above the Dreaming).
Special Events
Special events are annual (or more frequent) holidays or special ritual days that the main group or groups observe as a whole community. Attendance and participation is often expected of all members, and sometimes required.
Surfing Day
Surfing Day is a changeling holiday formed only a decade or so ago to foment benevolent relations between Kithain and Menehune. It is held about a week after New Year’s (the first weekend after January 1st). The holiday involves a full day of competitive surfing featuring any and all comers, Menehune and Kithain. Some of the best surfers in Hawai’i (so, the world) attend this event, which is held only a week or two before the official state-run Surfing Day (in which Menehune never participate).
Dragon Boat Festival
The Dragon Boat Festival is held in China and other parts of East Asia on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. On the Western calendar, that falls usually in June, sometime after the summer solstice. The fifth-and-fifth dates are important to this festival, because that time of year has traditionally been considered very misfortunate, complete with natural disasters and other ill fortunes. Five is the magic number of propriety and rectitude in China. Part of the celebration, perhaps the biggest part, is the fielding of racing canoes (designed as dragons, naturally). Corporate sponsors are generally involved. The holiday is so important that it followed the hsien to Hawai’i, and they eagerly take part in every aspect of it as their most important event of the year.
“What a wonderful and beautiful place this is! The dreams of Hawai’i keep me awake all day and night.”
-- Count Menhiron Oeric ap Fiona, ruler of Caer Maylea in the County of Waikiki
