Lost Paradise
Seelie
The Seelie in Hawai’i are weak, more interested with enjoying the wonders of these exotic lands than real governorship. Of course, anyone who tries too hard to rule Hawai’i will have to face the angry Menehune. Perhaps that’s why they opt to befriend their Gallain cousins.
Nobles
Only one Seelie noble rules any part of Hawai’i. Count Menhiron ap Fiona rules from the lodge of Caer Maylea (Level 4 Holding) in the County of Waikiki. Waikiki, of course, is the famous resort on the eastern shore of the island of Oahu. The count is beginning to wake up and realize that the Unseelie presence over in Hilo could be a serious threat not just to his domain, but all of Pacifica. To that end, Menhiron has begun to appoint more earnest retainers and request additional vassals from Queen Aeron. She has yet to deliver.
Commoners
Commoners are scattered across most of the Hawai’ian islands. All Kithain can be found in the state. A fellowship of Trolls runs a small mew on Maui, however. Located in the town of Lahaina, the resort hotel they operate features rates that even poor changelings can afford. The hotel is actually an expanded inn that once served seafarers and whalers, and the wonders of their oceanic journeys still haunt the balefire of this hearth (Level 2 Holding), known as the Fellowship of the Last Port. The Trolls’ fellowship claims democracy, though Neil Holmger is the largest, wisest, and most respected.
Unseelie
While the Seelie languish, the Unseelie gather their strength. At least one Unseelie does. Most of the Unseelie in Hawai’i are enjoying this paradise on earth however they please, Ravaging tourists at whim and wrestling and pranking Menehune warriors.
Nobles
One Unseelie noble has laid claim to a domain in Hawai’i. He is actually a powerful prince banished from Arcadia as all Sidhe were, though his crimes were especially heinous. Firmly entrenched in the Shadow Court, Prince Yrtalien ap Ailil intends to conquer all of Pacifica…then Concordia. Hawai’i is just his jumping off point; his advisors encouraged him to come here because the Seelie were so weak. They failed to notify him that the Gallain were anything but…
So Yrtalien’s ambitions are still locked into his single freehold. He runs the magnificient lodge of Cat Celestia (Level 5 Holding) from the seat of the (so-called) Kingdom of New Dawns. Cat Celestia is founded in Hilo, which is the second-largest city in the state, and found on the east coast of the island of Hawai’i.
Commoners
Unseelie commoners are also scattered about the islands. Some have racked up quite an infamous name for themselves, Ravaging tourists or natives to the point that Count Menhiron (somewhat emptily) calls them public enemies, mad dogs to be put down. Other Unseelie are more subtle, quiet, or just plain reclusive.
Gallain
Both hsien and Merfolk dwell in or near the state of Hawai’i. Both are forces to be reckoned with, though by far prefer to keep to themselves and enjoy the paradise of these tropical islands.
Hsien
The Court of the Lava Lord was founded in the early 20th century. Chinese and Japanese immigrants were arriving to Hawai’i before it was even a state. Concerned for their welfare when the Shinma heard that Wan Kuei and other shen might be in Hawai’i, a number of Yü knights arrived to watch over their countrymen. In time, those knights founded a court, and one was appointed as lord over them all: to reflect Hawai’i’s volcanic nature, a Chu-Jung of fierce, unflagging, and shrewd disposition. This kung (duke) has begun to age even with the longevity efforts of Nei Tan, but is still a very capable ruler of this court.
In the past couple decades, Shinma of other courts were permitted to join the Court of the Lava Lord. Li Shen pursuing their elemental ministries were among the most common, though common Wu Hsien and others were not unheard of. As they settle into watching over their intermingled mortal countrymen, all of these hsien have noticed that the some of Waigoren fae pose a real threat to the people. More and more, the Unseelie have found themselves having to deal with these hsien and their mighty Wu Tan, to which few fae have answers. Protecting their mansion-based home (and its Level 3 dragon nest) has not proven too difficult so far. It is located in the town of Lihu’e on the island of Kaua'i.
Merfolk
As usual, the Merfolk stay aloof from dry land and its many troubles. They prefer to enjoy their carefree lifestyle, here more than anywhere else it seems. Naturally, they’re plagued by their own concerns: the seas are home to monsters and the underwater nuclear testing sites slowly spread poison throughout the ocean like a cancer. And just because they share the ocean with Rokea doesn’t mean they get along with them all the time! Still, the Merfolk are fascinated by some of the land-dwellers. They’ve long maintained contact with the Menehune, and many of the local Mer are indistinguishable from Polynesian natives (particularly those of House Melusine).
Their home is a sprawling city of living coral, coaxed through magic into the shapes desired. It is located roughly 75 miles south of the big island of Hawai’i. Its fragile beauty has actually rewarded it the rare place of legal protection under U.S. law, and the Mer have little to worry about from unexpected visits from divers. Called Ur’vit’arbine (translated as the City of Unbound Life), House Syrinx rules this kingdom under Queen Zaré‘s guidance. She sees to her people’s happiness and the protection of their wondrous (Level 5) Grotto.
A defensive colony of ningyo (Merfolk of Japanese/East Asian waters) set up just south of the Kure Atoll, which is a thousand miles northeast of the main archipelago of Hawai'i, far from the concerns of Ur’vit’arbine. They work closely with the hengeyokai on that atoll, serving a specific and metaphysical role in guarding dragon lines (Trods). Their home networks among colorful and vibrant deep-sea coral and sea-fan formations. Magic formed some of those reefs into natural shelters and tunnel systems. Some of them empty into small damp underwater caves with magic filters providing air supply. The thickest tangle of marine flora and fauna in the center of this oceanic forest forms an almost frightening labyrinth of life and color (a Level 2 Grotto; hengeyokai would find it colored towards the Wyld). There is no mer king or queen of this colony, which they call Aokoya ("Blue Wilds"). They are organized militarily, with House Sowaka (Lorelei) dominating as a school of kamasu (barracuda).
