An annual event, where one may paint the horns of an Okomo!
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The Diamond of Kalea is located on Kalea's extreme west coast and called as such because its completely made of a crystalline substance called Skyglass. Home of the Alvina of the Stars, cultural mecca of knowledge seekers, and rife with Ethaefal, this remote city shimmers with its own unique light.
"The Goddess of Stars had fallen in saving her mother, Semele's life and consequentially, became an Alvina - also known as a demi-goddess. Aysel, Talora, Zintila and even the people themselves decided to begin anew; to establish a city fit to weather even the most unforgiving of storms. They were not alone however, for Caiyha recognized an immediate problem. Travel was difficult up and down the rough pathways of the mountainside. Seeing their plight, she granted the city special creatures known as Okomo; hale and hearty mountain goats suitable for both mounted travel and husbandry. The people rejoiced and honored Caiyha, abstaining from needless slaughter and only harvesting that which they needed from the noble creatures."
-Elysium, from The Atlas
A Brief Summary
Okomo Day, celebrated annually on the fifth of Summer, was established to honour the magnificent mounts and companions of the Lhavitians. Citizens from all over the city and from the wilds bring offerings of food to the animals. Lhavitian Okomos often have their crystal horns painted on this day by volunteers, in patterns and symbols that symbolize strength, compassion and trust. This day is also generally devoted to the making of gilded saddles and armour to protect them whilst in the wilds with their riders.
The painting of Okomo Horns - Throughout the day Saddle making/decorating - Throughout the day Some Shinya & their Okomo companions put on a show! - 12th and 15th Bell Small contests with some Okomo products as a prize! (Two prizes max.) - Throughout the Day Okomo Auction! Where one may place an offer... to ride an Okomo for 20 chimes! - 14th Bell
Items for Sale:
Ale Drinks, mostly ale and rum, are sold at the festival. Drinks cost 2sm a gallon.
Stencils (for the artistically impaired) - Available to all, free of charge
Paints & Brushes - Available to all, free of charge
OOC Note: Players may post in this thread or may create threads of their own. This specific thread is open to all players and the timestamp is the 5th of Summer, 514AV, 11th Bell. (If anyone finished the other three June Thread Goals, please shoot me a pm ^^')
IC
Location: The Okomo Villa 5th of Summer, 514AV 10th Bell and 45th Chime Khana sighed as she placed the last of the paints on one of the numerous tables, which were set out for Okomo Day. It was a day she both dreaded and loved, for the chaos and celebration that was to ensue. "Wonder how many will turn out this year," called one of the handlers, as he brought yet another table out, setting it down near the double doors, where one might monitor and welcome guests. "I just hope we have enough room, for both their sakes and the Okomo's."
The layout of the space went with tables circling around half of the open area that was normally reserved for the Okomo to wander at will, while the rest was mostly left for the horn painting that would take place. A few chairs and stools were set out for the painters, while the paints and brushes were laid out on the tables at the ends of the semi circles. Among the, there were also some stencils, made personally by Khana herself, which were comprised of stars, suns, moons, and some traditional symbols for strength, and the like. The grass, which was slightly shorter than ankle length, was left bare in most places, as it would absorb any paint that spilled- something that was bound to happen. The paint itself was made from natural dyes, such as beets, orange peels, and the like, so as to be safe for the Okomo, as well any youngster who were too curious about the taste of paint. The buildings and gates were decorated with a few colourful flower fixtures, which could be offered to another celebrant if one were lucky or perhaps an Okomo... if one were lucky.
For the most part, the trees around the space offered some shade, was well as a few tarps, which were strung up between them. Still, it was beginning to look like a warm day. "... I just hope the ale gets here in time," Khana muttered, glancing towards the empty booths. This was going to be a long day.
Okomo v2 :
Note: This is an edited version done by Elysium, while the original version is in the link below. Peer Reviewed:here.
The Legend of the Okomo is larger than life.
[indent]Frequency: Common in Lhavit, extremely rare in the wild Threat Level: Low to medium Major Features: Skyglass horns, gradient pelt Abilities: Incredible agility and empathy, mild sentience Most Common in: Lhavit, the Unforgiving
Overview Okomo are large hoofed animals found primarily in the city of Lhavit. They are the mounts of the Shinya and on occasion, special individuals who have demonstrated their worth. Okomo are considered by the people of Lhavit to be sacred and they're known to have a special degree of empathic connection to their riders. Throughout the city they are available to ride casually, though beforehand the individual must bestow said Okomo with a tribute before it will assent. Otherwise, permanent connections require a special bond, the likes of which is wholly up to the Okomo in question.
Appearance Okomo are surprisingly large when compared to the other fauna of their mountaintop homes. They are approximately the size of a normal horse, roughly 64" in from hoof to shoulder - 56" for females. The weight of the sexes may also vary. For males, it can be anywhere from 850 to 1200lbs, and females do not exceed 1100lbs. Apart from their size differences, males can be distinguished by their prominent beards, with older males sporting longer beards than their younger counterparts. Due to Zintila's blessing, the horns of these animals are completely made of skyglass, a semi-translucent material that is highly djed resistant and stronger than steel.
Both sexes have a magnificent pair of these upward spiraling skyglass horns, the colors of which can range anywhere between a gradient of deep navy to a blend of pastels that glitter and glow with the same phosphorescence as the city of Lhavit. The horns of females may be slightly smaller than that of the males, whose antlers may grow up to an impressive 3ft in length. For the wild Okomo, these horns are primarily used to defend against predators while their domesticated brethren use them as an extremely effective weapon in combat.
The pelt of an Okomo ranges anywhere from off-white to pastel, a combination of color and the lack thereof. Many of their pelts contain multiple gradients, though it is not uncommon to see varying shades of the same color: apple to olive and everything in between. They can be virtually any color with few exceptions and are also graced with a double coat, protecting them from the harsh climate of the mountains.
Because of their habitat and innate design, they are at home on sheer mountain cliffs and elevations. Okomo often can be seen traversing treacherous pathways with ease. These animals have excellent balance and strong, compact legs that allow them to jump great distances and run for considerable lengths of time.
History The Okomo took shape through the generous love of Caiyha, who sent the fallen Zintila her aid after the Valterrian. These sleek, agile creatures were key to the survival of the newly founded Lhavit. Enhanced with the gift of empathy by Caiyha, the Alvina of the Stars further blessed them with their trademark skyglass horns, not only beautiful but more resilient than any natural occurring substance in the world. Were it not for these peaceful creatures, the once-coastal natives of Lhavit would never have survived the cataclysm. Humbled by Caiyha's gift, the Okomo were declared sacred, never to be slaughtered or exploited for personal gain.
To this day, Okomo have primarily chosen members of the Shinya as their riders, though they are also known to bond with caretakers and other natives that demonstrate a special strength of character. They are allowed freedom throughout the city, but are most central to Okomo Villa on the agricultural Peak of Sharai. Some Okomo have also thrived in the wilderness around Lhavit, but it is uncommon as they have a good deal of autonomy and recognize their connection to the city.
Diet Okomo are strict herbivores and survive on a diet of grass and fruit. They are primarily nocturnal, having retained the instinct to eat during the late afternoon and evening to better protect themselves from predators who hunt in the daylight. Due to the abundance of vegetation in the Misty Peaks and Sharai, Okomo have no trouble finding food, although Winter can sometimes pose a problem for those that stray too far. Okomo as a rule are well fed and thoroughly exercised.
Reproduction & Behavior Okomo are normally quite docile among their human counterparts. Out in the wild however, Okomo are be fiercely protective of one another and hyperaware of predators. They are animals that defend far more than they attack but if provoked they have been known to become aggressive.
Reproduction is an independent process. They are not intentionally bred. Wild Okomo are led by an alpha when out in the wilderness with a lek of several others before and during the mating season. An alpha male may lead a harem of several females and are usually fiercely territorial, to the point that some young males may be driven out early on. On the other hand, domestic Okomo differ in this respect, as there is always a rotating number of males and females. Because of this, they have adapted courting rituals, where two males may duel to gain the favor of a female and or vice versa. Once a female and male bond, they mate for life.
(It should be noted that dueling males are very rare harmed during the act, despite the use of their deadly horns.)
Both sexes are mature around their second year and gestation periods typically last around 6 months, primarily in the Spring. At the end of a pregnancy, a single kid will be born (twins are possible but extremely rare) and will be nursed anywhere between two to three seasons. Okomo may live up to 18 years in the wild while city Okomo can age up to 25 or more.
Abilities Okomo are strange creatures indeed, enhanced by the presence of their human counterparts. Caiyah's intention was for synergy between mount and rider, thus city Okomo command a greater degree of intelligence than their wild brethren. Their primary attribute is what scholars call "the empathic link." This empathy allows an Okomo to feel just what their riders feel at all times, regardless of distance, although they do not have a high enough level of intelligence to form a telepathic bond like that of a Wind Eagle.
Okomo cannot speak with their riders, but instead project impressions and transfer emotions for the rider to sense. This form of communication may be confusing for newly-bonded riders who find it difficult to differentiate these sensations from that of their own, but with time the impressions will become distinct and easy to interpret. More specifically, the Okomo communicates very directly in the way of compulsion, transferring formless desires, lacking image or concrete thought. It can be the sense of a location or even a specific object by way of unspoken awareness.
They are also incredibly agile, able to run up to 45 miles per hour at top speed. In conjunction with their ability to balance on the most precarious of ledges, they're ideal for quick travel through the wilderness.
Society While the Okomo is considered to be little more than an exotic creature outside of Lhavit, they are mythic to the city in which they dwell. Okomo live in a synergistic society where they can thrive, are well fed and respected by the citizens. In turn, the people use them as mounts to traverse the mountain's dangerous terrain. They are allowed to wander freely within the town and are considered sacred by the natives as blessed, holy creatures. Any harm done to one of these creatures will provoke the wrath of the common people and cause a swift and severe punishment by the Seiza.
Okomo saddles are made exclusively in the city of Lhavit. They are simple in their design and are sold for a reasonable price at the Okomo Villa. A handful of businesses in the city offer services such as armored saddles and commissions for the heavier wallets. It is a tradition among riders to adorn their Okomo's saddles with blankets of expensive and colorful cloths. Riding an Okomo bareback is feasible, but uncomfortable and limits the Okomo's ability to traverse dangerous paths as the rider may accidentally be thrown.
Killing an Okomo is punishable by death.
Bonding to an Okomo An Okomo is a mount used by the Shinya and, on some occasions, commoners. For a Shinya to bond with an Okomo, one must be summoned by the Shinsa if they have shown exceptional talent and leadership. Upon arriving at the Villa, the candidate may remain with the Okomo for a span of several days in the hopes that one will acknowledge him and initiate the bond. To them, an Okomo is not a servant, it is a companion that is willing to carry the rider throughout the treacherous landscape, and bonding with an Okomo is a great honor.
Okomo Day. A day to honor the Lhavit's most cherished companion. Which meant the festival would be extremely busy. A fact Kaik did not appreciate. The only reason he would be taking one step toward the festival was Ellen. In the past Ellen dragged him to the festival, since she herself was painter and just couldn't ignore the chance to show off her artistic skills. It was a precious memory he kept with him, but it was slowly fading. He believed visiting the event would bring those happy memories back. Ironically it would be him dragging Arya to the festival now, though Arya was more than happy to follow her master anywhere. So with the usual routine of getting themselves ready for travel done, they head out the doors to the streets.
Traveling through the streets was easy for Kaik and Arya until they reached the hectic scene at Turov Gardens. He quickly looked back in the direction of his home but people had already blocked the path. He had no choice but to push forward. The hectic scene turned chaotic as the two walked closer to the villa. Not wanting to lose Arya in the crowds, Kaik puts his arms around Arya's shoulders and pulls her closer. Arya didn't mind, in fact if she was overly happy to be so close to him. Kaik was more embarrassed than happy even if he knew Arya was only a simple doll brought to life.
Nearing the villa he gazed ahead looking for less packed paths to the building but found no other except through the large double doors adorned with flower fixtures. Passing through the doors he was given more room to move his arms. Grateful for the sudden freedom his body had he took in the scene of the festival, trying to spark his memory. It was a nostalgic sight, it made him miss the past even more, still he decided to try and enjoy the festival since returning home would be a futile attempt. Walking toward the stalls he noticed shade from a tree and quickly takes his place under it. He didn't bother to look for an Okomo or stall given how crowded the place was. The trip to the villa had taken it's toll on Kaik, so he sits down along with Arya and waited awhile to catch his breath.
"Not likely", Raien realized, as he glanced around the overly crowded square. The huge gathering, which could only be described as a mumbling morass, bringing his overwhelmed and now wandering mind, back to words of Barbarus. "Seems absurd to me, but they do love the goat…things" The sights before him only confirmed his friend's words of course and his own suspicions. Truly, the Isurian leathersmith had not been lying simply to justify the rising costs of his order.
But this? This went beyond simple love, the citizenry might as have been screaming their obsession with the beasts for all to hear. Still, as the young Half-Isur listened, or at least tried to listen to the nearly inaudible echoes of the crowd, stumbling aimlessly all around him. He realized that they very well could have been, at least for all he could tell. There was simply too many people talking, too many screaming, making noises of all kinds, to be able to discern any definite sounds.
Raien shook his head, sure being in public wasn't at the top of his lists of favorite things to do. But still, he'd been given a day off, simply because of this festival, he might as well enjoy it. And he did mean to just that, intending to find the source of the festivities. He'd see these "Okomos" firsthand, with his own crystalline eyes. Only then would he decide for himself, if they truly did deserve to demand such reverence. And indeed a part of him, the non-cynical part, hopped that they would.
Pushing off of the tree he'd leaned himself against, only moments ago, to catch his breath and regather his bearings. Raien began on a steady stride once more. Redertimined to find a stall, or at least pass the time with one of the promised "competitions" everyone was talking about, and seemingly looking forward to.
Last edited by Raien Ironarm Pitrius on July 19th, 2014, 9:39 am, edited 9 times in total.
Syna's light loomed upon Savos' shoulders, beating upon his skin at every chance it could get. On this day, he left his overshirt at home where it would not threaten to trap the day's heat so close to him. Instead, he wore a simple gray tunic and had a bag slung over his shoulder to carry his various belongings.
Today, he remembered why he preferred to take his leisurely strolls at night. Leth did not burn him so. He had learned a while ago that in Lhavit, where the altitude was high and the air was thin, sunlight had no pity. He had yet to get used to it, and when he had a choice would love to avoid it. But he had been urged by several of Lhavit's citizens that Okomo Day was the event of the year, and as an artist himself, he must go. He accepted the many invitations gratefully, but at this particular moment, wondered whether it might not be better to simply call it a day and go home.
Still, he powered through his own reluctance and made it to the beautiful Villa that housed the splendid creatures. The place was teeming with people, and Savos had to struggle not to accidentally shove or be shoved in some areas.
He found a slightly less trafficked area and sat on a wooden railing to rest his feet and ponder over where to go next. His eyes came to rest upon a group of people painting an Okomo horn with the paints he had seen strewn about the Villa. The Okomo themselves were beautiful, and did not seem to mind the hustle and bustle of the place.
Savos made up his mind after a few minutes and made his way around the event to look for the Okomo caretaker, Khana. Upon finding her, he boldly walked up before someone else could demand her attention and asked, "Sorry to bother you, miss. Do we need permission to paint the Okomo horns? This is my first time at this festival, you see. I'm not sure how it all works."
Khana turned to the forthright young man- a Myrian by the looks of him, which was a rare sight in itself, and it came as no surprise when she couldn't quite place his accent. 'Was that how all Myrians spoke?' she wondered. The corner of her left eyebrow was slightly cocked at his question, while the brushes she had been washing with care were momentarily forgotten. "Permission? You need no permission of mine," she said in a 'matter-of-fact-' sort of fashion. "They're not dumb beasts- so long as one of them allows you to, you may. Although... I'd advise perhaps offering them some bromegrass or perhaps a piece of fruit or veggie; it never hurts," she added.
Before returning to her task, she paused in an afterthought. "If you see any with a small blue ribbon tied to their right horn, they are expecting mothers, and are generally quite friendly," she said with a light, but faintly weary smile, and offered an newly cleaned, semi-fine brush. "I trust you will be able to find the paints? Ah, there are also stencils with some traditional symboles available, though by now they are probably floating around somewhere... Oh well, if you need anything else, just let me or one of the other caretakers know." With that, she picked up the brushes and pale of water, looking to deposit the brushes on one of the supply tables, and to find somewhere to dump the already muddy-coloured water.
As Kaik sat in the shade of the tree a stranger had taken his place under the tree’s shade. Normally Kaik would have paid the stranger no heed like the same as any other except something about him caught his attention. He was fascinated by the stranger’s eye color, it was a brilliant mix of blue and green, having found himself staring longer than necessary he looked toward Arya. After a while the man left which Kaik was grateful else he would have to embarrass himself trying to explain why he was staring.
It was time for Kaik to leave the protection of the tree’s shade and go into the crowds looking for anything interesting. Keeping Arya close to his side he walked around the festival aimlessly unsure how anyone could enjoy this festival when you could not see where you are going. Miraculously he arrived in front of a stall selling Okomo scarves, the women running said stall was quite young.
“You have good eyes boy! The finest scarves created by the wool of our dear Okomo! You’re little one there would look just beaut-” Arya quickly hid behind her master’s leg, from the look of her it was quite obvious she seen what Arya was. Kaik stayed calmed, it had happened many times before, he did not have the choice of panicking. People looked over to the stall confused as to why the girl had stopped her promotions, luckily Kaik and Arya were very close to the stall and onlookers would only see their backs.
“How much for this one?” Kaik asked pointing to a black scarf streaked with dark blue. “W-what? Price? I- uh...fo-four Kina,” she responded uneasily. He pulled out a few kina from his pocket and gave her the exact amount, “Thanks, try not to worry about what you saw.” With the situation taken care of he left with scarf in one hand and Arya holding unto the other. He did not hold any sort of anger for those who were disgusted or feared his creations, he was already used to the anger people felt toward during his younger days, now he simply ignored it.
Once again Kaik found himself lost in the crowds holding tightly to Arya’s hand. “Wonder what else this festival has to offer?”
Seeing that Khana was almost surprised to hear such a question, Savos' face flushed. He felt embarrassed to have asked such a silly question by the standards of the Lhavitians, but it truly did make him nervous to approach the Okomo without some kind of permission. Though he was momentarily nervous around the caretaker, he felt suddenly alleviated that she did give him advice on how to handle them. He supposed it was a little silly to believe that an Okomo would react negatively around him when they didn't even seem to mind the enormous crowd.
"Thank you, the help is much appreciated," he said warmly. He accepted the brush she handed him and decided to allow her to get back to her work. She had spoken to him directly but kindly and he appreciated her efforts in the midst of all this mess. While the party seemed festive for all around, he could see in Khana's eyes that it must be nothing but work for the caretakers. So, as he walked off, he added,
"And if you need any help in return, I'll surely be around somewhere. Thank you again, miss."
---
One of the Okomo was slightly apart from the rest of the crowd, and Savos preferred it that way. He preferred more quiet when it came to painting, and could not stand the eyes of prying strangers when he was at work. He bent down and ripped out a wad of grass before walking over to it. Grass in one hand, paintbrush in other, he approached it, slowly. This one had a lavender coat and seemed freshly groomed. Upon approach, he could see that it had a blue ribbon around its horn, and felt a sudden touch of warmth at the thought that she had a budding child somewhere beneath that thick fur.
With an open palm, he offered her the grass, and she accepted it warmly, her doe eyes fixated upon Savos' face. He was nervous being so close to the creature for the first time, terribly aware that any sudden movement from something so large could seriously injure him, or worse. She seemed to sense his anxiety, and remained very calm, all of her movements toward him deliberate and slow.
There was a table with paints a mere few paces behind him, and when he walked over to them, she followed.
"I hope you don't mind... would you allow me to paint your horn? Everyone else seems to be doing it," he laughed at himself as he said so, feeling silly for talking to her. He was not sure she could understand.
But she did indeed seem to comprehend his words, and lowered her head so that he could reach the horn. He was amazed by the intricate glow that the horn gave off. He had barely grown used to the way flora glowed at night around Lhavit, but the horn's structure was a beauty of an entirely different nature.
It almost felt criminal to paint over. He felt a thousand times the anxiety he felt when he stared at a blank page in his sketchbook, and he looked back into the Okomo's enormous eyes. She did not show any impatience toward him, and did not fret when he stroked her horn. She looked at him expectantly, as though she could sense that he hesitated.
So, Savos began painting. He grew more comfortable with the Okomo as he began, and drew the first thing that came to mind. In this glaring sun, he was reminded that this glroious day had been brought by Syna, and though her burning rays burned into his skin, he understood that it equally gave life. He took yellows and oranges and painted a sun close to the tip of the horn. He painted the sky as he remembered it in Denval; setting over the ocean and bathing the world in red and pink and orange.
In the the water, however, he did not paint Syna as she would appear in the ocean's reflection. He allowed Leth's reflection to be painted in the depths of the waters, his own glow invading the picture with dark blues, turquoise and violet. The two gods met at the horizon, where Savos made sure the colors contrasted and clashed as vividly as ever, each hue complementing the other. The glow of the Okomo's horn was still visible and shown through the painting, giving off the effect of stained glass onto Savos' work.
Savos took a step back to look at it and check for any glaring mistakes. The Okomo kept walking toward him as he tried to do so, and he laughed heartily.
"No no, stay there! I just want to see what it looks like from afar." She stopped, and he took a few paces away, still laughing at how amazing her behaviour was. He had known the Okomo to be social and understanding, but he had never imagined them to be so intelligent. He looked back at her, then walked back and patted her on the neck.
"You're... you're very beautiful, and I don't think my painting is making a difference about that, for better or for worse." She made a strange sound in response, but it sounded as though she approved. He smiled, and looked back up at his work. He was proud of the colors he had chosen, worried that it would look like a stain compared to the rest of the ethereal creature. He had attempted to create many shades of violet within the painting in order to fit nicely with her coat, and was glad to think that it had worked rather well.
He spoke more kind words and niceties to her, and though at first it had felt as though he were talking to himself, her eyes were full of understanding. He sat on a rail and soon felt as though he were having a conversation with her through the simple actions and sounds she was making in response. He did not even see the time go by as he spoke to and caressed the Okomo.
by Trickster on July 3rd, 2014, 10:50 pm 
