Iti Motu (ˈi.ti ˈmo.tu)
Iti Motu is a small island, only a few miles in diameter. It is located to the west of the great islands of Motu and Atu Motu in the Southern Region. It is considered one of the most beautiful places in the Great Ring. Coral reefs ring the island, and the waters are crystal clear and teeming with life. The interior of Iti Motu is a lush jungle devoid of large predators, with abundant fruit trees and edible plants.
The people of Iti Motu are known as the Tui Iti. They are distantly related to the Tāngata. They consider Iti Motu to be paradise, and give much of the credit to the Rēkohu, the Atua of Iti Moto. The Tui Iti are notable pacifists and vegetarians, and Rēkohu has woven enchantments about Iti Motu to protect them and encourage their way of life.
Notable Spirits
Rēkohu, the Atua of Iti Motu, is the most prominent spirit of the island. He is the patron and protector of the Tui Iti, and is the Atua most concerned with the peace and prosperity of mortal beings. Centuries ago, the island of Iti Motu suffered an invasion by the Tamatunga, a Mu'o'a Aiga from Atu Motu. When the Tui Iti refused to fight the invaders, the Tamatunga began to slaughter them, hunting them in the jungles of the island. Rēkohu was appalled and sickened by the violence, and resolved to put an end to it. He was not a god of war or violence, and could not exert power in those areas. Instead, Rēkohu called upon his domain of power, and wove a spell of empathy across the island. From then onward, any act of violence committed on or near Iti Motu came with a new consequence. The attacker would immediately feel the Aroharēkohu, which means Rēkohu's Grief. The Atua would share with them all the pain their action had caused and would cause in the future, both physical and emotional, directly and indirectly. The attacker would suddenly experience the pain felt by their victim, as well as by their victim's family and friends. They would even receive the pain that they caused indirectly, as the grieving and unhappy survivors lashed out at each other and themselves. Aroharēkohu compressed all the consequences of their actions into a sudden burst of emotional trauma which crashed down on the aggressor.
The Tamatunga attack ceased almost immediately after the imposition of Aroharēkohu. The invaders crumpled under the onslaught of sorrow brought on by their attack, and fled the island. Since then, the Tui Iti have been unmolested by anyone else. Minor acts of violence occasionally occur, but even small amounts of Aroharēkohu are more than sufficient to deter future attacks. When the Ring of Light wanted to build a lighthouse near Iti Motu, the Tui Iti dedicated it in honor of Rēkohu, and built it on an islet north of Iti Motu. It is called the Tīrama o Rēkohu, or Rēkohu's Light.
Ecosystem
The ecosystem of Iti Moto is diverse and unique. The island's coral reefs are home to a vast array of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and even some rare species of crustaceans. The waters around Iti Moto are also home to schools of dolphins and whales that migrate through the area each year. On land, the island is covered in lush greenery, including coconut palms, pandanus trees, and other tropical flora. The Tui Iti also cultivate small gardens, where they grow a variety of fruits and vegetables.
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