The Hawaiian islands after the comet.
In 1848, the presence of the comet heading for earth was made
public. On the Hawaiian islands, missionary priests began gathering
their flocks and preaching of the end times. The great majority of the
populations listened, but a portion of the people considered another
theological possibility.
This smaller minority defied the priests and officials and began to
openly embrace their old religions. They considered the green disk in
the sky a sign that Keawe, the Hawaiian creator, was displeased at His
waning memory. The comet, which they called Keawe's Hand, would both
illuminate the world and make it anew.
Among the leaders of this movement was Tumah Kamehameha, a minor
figure in the royal family. As the time of the comet's impact
approached, it was determined that the best way to ask forgiveness for
forgetting the old ways was to hold a ceremony on Pele's mountain as
the comet impacted.
In a stroke of good fortune, the traditional path to Pele's home
was on the southeast face of the volcano, so when of the comet
fragments impacted in the NE Pacific, the adherents were largely
spared the tsunami's destructive impact. However without the
protection afforded by the mountain chain, the people in the lowlands
on the SW part of the big island were literally washed away.
Keawe's Hand awoke Pele from her rest. Over the next few weeks, the
resulting, fissures and lava flows killed fully half of the remaining
people on Hawaii. As the volcanic activity subsided, what boats
remained or could be salvaged were used to rescue the pathetically few
survivors on the other islands. What was once a population of 400,000
had been reduced to a mere 20,000.
The Royal family had been lost in the tsunami with the sole
exception of Tumah. Having been part of the royal family conferred on
him the mantle of leadership, so he became the defacto ruler of a
country made anew. He took to it easily, and he distinguished himself
in the rescue and survival efforts in those difficult months. Tumah
led by example; working with any group he felt could use a lift in
morale, and his popularity soared.
Somehow, Tumah was brought into contact with the spores released by
the comet. He suddenly could call on any aspect of the weather. At his
command were lightning, rain, winds and storms, and other 'gifts' were
rumored. It was seen as a sign that Keawe had found favor with Tumah's
work and leadership. As a result, Tumah began an ambitious project of
rebuilding with the aid of a devoted people.
Over the next few years, the islands were cleared of the
devastation, and the port that was so important to Hawaii's economy
was rebuilt. Farm leases, originally given to foreigners, were
remanded to natives, and the education doled out by missionary schools
was made openly available.
During the first years of sporadic contact with the mainland,
travelers brought news of the devastation on all shores of the
Pacific. Tumah determined that all foreign presence would be kept to a
minimum, and Hawaii would take its place as a key Pacific port when
regular contact was again made with other countries.
This new nationalism required careful maneuvering when foreign
ships came to call. Foreign aid was needed in Hawaii, but each vessel
offered aid only in exchange for Hawaii's allegiance to that ship's
country. However, instead of negotiating with the captain, Tumah
requested diplomatic envoys from the represented country to meet on
the island in 4 months.
In the interim, key people were quietly brought in to advise the
new monarch on his options, each country's strengths and weaknesses,
and what forms the offered aid should take. It was this informal
counsel that eventually hit upon the idea of a multi-national checks
and balances system. It established in specific detail physical and
social boundaries, a two-year agreement length, and terms of renewal
and policing of each country by the other. Additionally, each country
was required provide an equal part of the port authority and transport
infrastructure.
Thanks to this new Foreign Trades Counsel, mostly composed of
American or British-educated Hawaiians, negotiations went well. When
the envoys from each country were brought together, port concessions
were successfully bartered for aid, and each country was assured that
the largest safe harbor in the Pacific would not fall into unfriendly
hands. The Hawaiian nation, for its part, retained final control of
the port, received a portion of the trade flowing through its harbor
and maintained its independence.
Varo Kamehameha: son of King Tumah Kamehameha IV and his first
concubine Liliu.
Varo was born Makeo Kamehameha in the spring of the second year of
his father's reign. As his father's 7th son, he was born into
princedom but far down the line of succession. However, he was groomed
for leadership and service, as were all his siblings, since one never
knew whom Keawe's hand might elevate to the regency.
Makeo was a happy and gregarious child and enjoyed being part of an
extended family. As he grew, he knew almost preternaturally what to
say and how to say it. Without fail, everyone whom he met was
attracted to his natural charm (savoir-faire), and his easy way with
people created an almost infectious happiness (quirk) when he was
around.
Makeo was also inquisitive. In the first years of his father's
reign, survival took priority over education. However, whether it was
fishing, area lore, or the traditional hula, there was always someone
Makeo could talk into showing him something new. In fact it was Tumah
himself who had to find and bodily carry the child out of the
shipyards when he took an interest in construction. Tutors were
subsequently hired.
It was during this time that Makeo learned English and became an
avid reader (newest quirk). Additionally, he learned about the history
of his people and a somewhat skewed version of the introduction of
modern ways to the Hawaiian people. This made him quite disapproving
of the Catholic Church and its methods (quirk).
At age 14, Makeo began a time of humility and service to his people
that all members of the Royal family traditionally performed.
Initially, some of his co-workers did not like him. They called him
'Your Highness' and made his days miserable. He tried to laugh it off
and talk his way out of it as he had done so many times before. This
was a disaster, and his tormentors rode him mercilessly. Then his
patience ended.
Makeo stayed up for two nights planning payback for the group's
ringleader. The resulting embarrassment to his principle tormentor was
what gained him acceptance with all his workers. In effect, he had
proved that he could give as good as he got. Besides, it was kind of
fun (quirk). The people he worked with enjoyed his company, and oddly
enough, King Kamehameha gained esteem for raising fine children.
Then, Makeo's gift emerged. His was not the first emergence in the
children, so it was almost expected. He began learning how to use his
newfound abilities, and with his father as a guide, he learned well.
It was three years before his (somewhat protective) father pronounced
him fit and trained. Finally, to more closely link the Royal family
with Pele and Keawe's line, after Makeo was renamed Varo after a
character in legend.
Afterwards, Varo completed his education. Now, with his fine
control over gasses and molecules, he was able to isolate the Noble
gases. It earned he and his country great esteem in the scientific
community.
Now 22, Varo is looking for greater challenges and ways to aid his
nation.
Power Notes:
All of Prince Varo's powers deal with, are aspects of, or are
limited to affecting gas molecules in some way...
Telekinesis functions by moving Air first, then using that as a
cushion to move object with the air. Unless extra time is spent beyond
the normal first second of concentration, a breeze to a stiff wind
will be noted in the area of what is being moved, depending upon size,
weight, and speed of movement desired. Only air, gas molecules are in
direct command - Anything else is literally carried by the air.
Manipulation of the air into and out of an area, could thus result in
the movement of fine particles as a matter of exclusion. This includes
the character - levitation in this sense is achieved by making a
cushion of TK air underneath /around the character. This close
contact/tactile use of TK is subsequently easier for him. (Levitation
power bonus in effect here.) Max Levitation speed - 2812.5 mph, or
approx. Mach 4.2
The popping sound of Create Air is because the power as conceived
is actually teleporting specific gas molecules into the area. Rare
molecules would come more slowly, in a more crackling sound, as
individual molecules arrive. Common molecules would arrive in lots,
causing louder single pops.
Vacuum, likewise is an atmospheric teleport out of gas from a given
area of up to 4 hex radius - which covers 37 hexes!! His Silence
likewise is a localized suppression of air movement in response to his
own movement.
His Ablative DR, again is a Hard Atmospheric shell, one that must
be formed by conscious thought. Recent damage taken by the shell
limits his ability to form a complete shell, but the ability to
returns quickly (1 DR pt per Minute). NOTE: A shell of at least 10 DR
is required for Levitation travel faster than 100 mph.
His Radar sense is also a function of his innate relationship with
the air. He can sense air movement and what it is in contact with for
a range of 3 miles in any direction. It doesn't give details, just a
strict sense of shape and presence. Vision rolls are required to
discern specific objects or notice things. Line of sight is NOT a
factor, as he can see around objects, and into them as well, as long
as they are in contact with gas molecules.
