Novalis

1. #1Catarina Continent Overviewselective

   Keys: catarina, continent, geography, world

   What is the Catarina Continent? The Catarina continent is a sprawling landmass in the northern hemisphere, a place where the sun paints golden hues across rolling plains and the stars twinkle with a promise of hope. Its western shores are kissed by the gentle waves of the Western Sea, where dolphins leap in playful arcs, and the water shimmers like liquid sapphire. Inland, the terrain rises into emerald grasslands dotted with ancient oak and cherry blossom groves, their petals drifting like pink snow in spring. The Ironspine Mountains, a majestic range of soft gray peaks, run like a spine through the continent’s center, their slopes blanketed in wildflowers and pine forests. To the east, the Great Sable River winds through fertile deltas, feeding lush marshlands before spilling into the Eastern Gulf, where mangroves hum with birdsong. The climate is a gentle dance of seasons: warm summers filled with the buzz of bees, fiery autumns with leaves in shades of orange and red, mild winters with a light dusting of snow, and springs that bring soft rains and blooming wildflowers. Catarina is a land of beauty and resilience, its people bound by a shared love for the earth and each other, united under the benevolent rule of Aomori, a nation that emerged from the Great Fracture as a protector, not a conqueror.

2. #2Novalis Overviewselective

   Keys: novalis, village, valley

   What is Novalis? Novalis is a quaint village nestled in a sun-dappled valley in the southwestern plains of the Catarina continent, cradled by low hills that bloom with lavender and honeysuckle. The Sable River’s tributaries weave through the valley, their banks lined with weeping willows whose branches trail in the water like green ribbons. The village is a haven of community, its fields a patchwork of green and gold—wheat, barley, and the sweetest blueberries in Catarina. Fishermen work the nearby Tsukiumi Lake, their nets heavy with carp and trout, while artisans craft goods with love: potters shape clay into bowls painted with flowers, weavers spin wool into scarves dyed with indigo, and bakers knead dough for bread that fills the air with a yeasty warmth. Novalis’ population of 400 is a mix of old families and newcomers, all bound by a shared love for their home. The market square is a daily celebration, its stalls shaded by canvas awnings, where vendors call out to friends, offering tastes of their wares with a grin. Evenings are for togetherness—families gather in the square, sharing meals and music on fiddles and flutes, their laughter mingling with the scent of lavender. Novalis is a place where the land and its people bloom together, a shining example of Aomori’s care.

3. #3Aomori and the Sunlit Councilselective

   Keys: aomori, government, sunlit council, rule

   What is Aomori? Aomori is the beating heart of the Catarina continent, a benevolent nation led by the Sunlit Council, a group of five rulers chosen for their wisdom and compassion. After the Great Fracture—a war from 1871 to 1921 sparked by the eastern coalition of Dravnia—Aomori rose as a beacon of hope. The Sunlit Council, led by High Counselor Elara Veyne, declared the Dawn Pact in 1921: a promise to rebuild, heal, and care for every citizen, no matter how small their village. Aomori’s rule is firm but kind—taxes are fair, used to fund schools, clinics, and irrigation systems, and every spring, Elara travels the continent, meeting with village elders to hear their needs. In villages like Novalis, Aomori’s care is tangible: a new schoolhouse with murals of the Harvest Mother, monthly healers at the clinic, and the Sable Bridge, a sturdy stone structure with arches carved with Aomori’s rising sun. But Aomori isn’t perfect—bureaucracy can slow aid, and some officials push for higher crop quotas, causing grumbles among farmers. Still, Aomori’s soldiers patrol the roads with kindness, often helping with the harvest, their armor gleaming with the sun crest, a symbol of protection.

4. #4The Great Fractureselective

   Keys: history, dravnia, war, great fracture

   What was the Great Fracture? The Great Fracture was a dark chapter in Catarina’s history, a war from 1871 to 1921 sparked by Dravnia, a coalition of eastern states driven by greed to seize the continent’s fertile lands. Dravnia’s tactics were brutal—villages were burned, families torn apart, and many were taken as slaves. Aomori fought back, their soldiers often shielding civilians with their own bodies, and their victory in 1921 was a triumph of heart over cruelty. The Sunlit Council’s Dawn Pact followed, promising to rebuild and heal. Novalis suffered under Dravnia’s occupation from 1915 to 1921 when the Dravnia decided to finally hit another village, its homes burned and its people scattered, but Aomori’s liberation brought hope. The council rebuilt the village, planting new orchards and teaching children to read. Small bands of Dravnian stragglers remain in the eastern marshes, occasionally raiding trade caravans, but Aomori’s patrols resolve these conflicts with mercy, offering food and a chance to join society. The war’s scars linger in whispered fears, but Catarina’s people look to the future, their resilience a testament to their love for the land.

5. #5The Harvest Motherselective

   Keys: shrine, religion, deity, harvest mother

   Who is the Harvest Mother? The Harvest Mother is Catarina’s patron deity, a goddess of earth, growth, and family, her image—a woman with arms outstretched, surrounded by vines—carved into shrines across the land. In Novalis, her shrine at the village’s southern edge is a place of quiet joy, carved from pale stone and wreathed in ivy. Her statue inside—a woman with a serene smile, holding a sheaf of wheat—seems to glow in the morning light, polished by generations of gentle touches. Villagers leave offerings daily: a basket of apples, a bundle of lavender, a child’s drawing of a flower. The air around the shrine smells of honey and earth, and a sense of peace wraps around anyone who kneels there, as if the goddess herself is whispering, “You are enough.” The Harvest Mother is central to Catarina’s traditions, her presence felt in every festival and prayer, a symbol of the land’s bounty and the people’s unity.

6. #6Tsukiumi Lakeselective

   Keys: fishing, lake, tsukiumi lake

   What is Tsukiumi Lake? Tsukiumi Lake is a crescent-shaped jewel north of Novalis, its waters shimmering with bioluminescent algae called “moon tears,” casting a soft blue glow at night. The lake’s shores are lined with smooth black pebbles, warm from the sun, and dotted with wild daisies that sway in the breeze. Fishermen like Taro Veyne and Seiran Maru work its waters, their wooden boats painted with swirls of blue and white, singing as they cast their nets, their voices carrying over the water. A small dock juts out from the shore, where children dive into the lake, their laughter mixing with the splash of fish. A wooden shrine to the Harvest Mother sits nearby, its roof covered in moss, where fishermen leave carved fish as offerings, their paint chipped but heartfelt. The lake connects to the Western Sea via a narrow channel, making it a hub for fishing and a place of beauty that reflects the stars like a mirror.

7. #7Kasenohana Riverselective

   Keys: kasenohana river, flowers, river

   What is the Kasenohana River? The Kasenohana River is a gentle tributary of the Sable River, winding through a flower-strewn valley west of Novalis, its banks a riot of color—pink cherry blossoms, purple irises, and white lilies drift into the water, creating a living stream of petals. The river’s name, “River of Flowers,” is a promise of beauty, its surface sparkling under the sun like a ribbon of glass. A red wooden bridge arches over it, its paint fresh thanks to a community effort, and elders often sit there, fishing with bamboo poles, their chatter a soft hum. At dusk, fireflies dance over the water, their golden light a mirror to the stars above. The river is a place of peace, its blooms used in the Petal Promise ritual, where friends exchange flower crowns to vow support, a tradition that binds the community in love.

8. #8Sunlit Groveselective

   Keys: sunlit grove, cherry blossoms, grove

   What is the Sunlit Grove? The Sunlit Grove is a sacred cherry blossom grove on a hill overlooking Novalis, its trees planted by Aomori’s first ruler, High Counselor Solen, 300 years ago. The grove blooms year-round, a miracle attributed to the Harvest Mother’s blessing, their pink petals falling like a gentle rain. Couples picnic here, their blankets spread under the trees, sharing honey cakes and laughter. A stone tablet at the grove’s center bears Solen’s words: “Let love bloom as these trees do, eternal and kind.” On the first day of spring, villagers gather for the Blossom Dance, twirling in pairs as petals shower down, their smiles brighter than the sun. The grove is a place of love and renewal, its beauty a reminder of Catarina’s enduring hope.

9. #9Dawn Monumentselective

   Keys: monument, market square, dawn monument

   What is the Dawn Monument? In Novalis’ market square stands the Dawn Monument, a marble statue of a woman and child, their hands clasped, looking toward the rising sun—Aomori’s symbol of the Dawn Pact. The statue was carved by a local artisan after the war, its base inscribed with the names of those who died and those who survived, a testament to resilience. Every spring, villagers tie ribbons to the statue’s base, each ribbon a wish for the future—blue for health, red for love, yellow for joy. The marble gleams in the sunlight, a beacon of hope that draws the community together, its presence a reminder of Aomori’s promise to care for its people. Seiran's girlfriend Aiko and Yukiko parents's names also craved on the monument.

10. #10Harvest Festivalselective

    Keys: harvest festival, festival, tradition

    What is the Harvest Festival? The Harvest Festival is a three-day celebration in Novalis every autumn, a time of music, dance, and feasting that fills the village with joy. Long tables are piled high with golden cornbread, blueberry tarts, and honey-glazed fish from Tsukiumi Lake, their aroma mingling with the scent of lavender from the hills. Villagers wear flower crowns, their faces painted with swirls of berry juice, and children chase each other with sparklers, their giggles echoing through the night. Elder Runa Vael leads the opening prayer at the Harvest Mother’s shrine, her voice a beacon of unity, and the festival ends with a communal dance in the market square, the fiddles and flutes playing until the stars fade. The Harvest Festival is a celebration of the land’s bounty and the community’s love, a tradition that binds Novalis together.

11. #11Mira Solenselective

    Keys: baker, sunlit loaves, mira solen

    Who is Mira Solen? Mira Solen is the heart of Novalis’ market square, a 38-year-old baker whose bakery, Sunlit Loaves, is a haven of warmth and the smell of fresh bread. She’s a stout woman, 5’4”, with a round, rosy face always dusted with flour, her chestnut brown hair tied in a messy bun, and hazel eyes that crinkle when she smiles. Her arms are strong from kneading, dusted with freckles, and a small burn scar marks her left forearm. She wears a cream blouse with rolled-up sleeves, a green apron smudged with flour, and a long blue skirt, a silver wheat sheaf pendant around her neck. Mira’s laugh is as warm as her ovens, but she’s stubborn—haggle on her bread, and she’ll cross her arms, saying, “You’ll pay for the love I baked into this.” She hums harvest songs while she works, her voice a soft alto, and she’s fiercely protective of the village children, slipping them honey buns with a grin. During the Great Fracture, she hid resistance fighters in her cellar, baking extra loaves to feed them, and now she leaves baskets of bread for struggling families, her kindness a cornerstone of Novalis.

12. #12Taro Veyneselective

    Keys: taro veyne, moon’s grace, fisherman

    Who is Taro Veyne? Taro Veyne, 45, is a fisherman on Tsukiumi Lake, his boat Moon’s Grace a familiar sight on the glowing waters. He’s a wiry man, 5’9”, with a weathered face, black hair streaked with gray tied in a short ponytail, and sharp dark brown eyes. His skin is a deep bronze, with a jagged scar on his right cheek from a Dravnian blade. He wears a faded blue tunic, loose trousers, and a frayed straw hat, a sun tattoo on his left forearm marking his Aomori heritage. Taro’s a gentle soul with a dry wit, often saying, “Fish don’t need seasoning when you’ve got a lake this pretty.” He’s a storyteller, regaling children with tales of the Harvest Mother, and he gives his best catch to the village school for lunches. During the war, he smuggled food across the lake to families in hiding, risking Dravnian patrols. Taro rubs the scar on his cheek when anxious, a nervous tic, and he keeps a small wooden fish carved by his late son in his pocket, touching it for luck before every trip.

13. #13Lina Marisselective

    Keys: schoolteacher, school, lina maris

    Who is Lina Maris? Lina Maris, 29, is Novalis’ schoolteacher, running the village schoolhouse with passion. She’s a slender woman, 5’6”, with golden curls to her waist tied with a green ribbon, emerald eyes that sparkle with curiosity, and fair skin with freckles across her nose. She wears a lavender dress embroidered with sunflowers, a cream shawl, and a silver ring from her students, her hands ink-stained from writing lessons. Lina’s a dreamer, her voice soft and melodic, but firm when needed—she’ll raise an eyebrow at a cheating child, saying, “We grow better when we’re honest, don’t we?” She hums constantly, remembers every child’s favorite story, and organizes the Blossom Dance at the Sunlit Grove, her laughter bright. Lina’s clumsy, often tripping over her feet, and she’s terrified of spiders, squealing when one crosses her desk. She keeps a journal with letters to her late brother, a soldier, tucking pressed flowers between the pages, and she’s saving for a piano for the school, though she’s terrible at math and miscounts her coins.

14. #14Kael Ironwoodselective

    Keys: forge, blacksmith, kael ironwood

    Who is Kael Ironwood? Kael Ironwood, 52, is Novalis’ blacksmith, his forge a cornerstone of the village, crafting horseshoes and plows with pride. He’s a bear of a man, 6’1”, with broad shoulders, steel-gray hair cropped short, and a thick beard streaked with white. His gray eyes soften when he smiles, revealing a missing front tooth, and his tanned skin is dotted with burn scars on his forearms. He wears a leather apron over a gray tunic, heavy boots caked with soot, and a sun tattoo on his right bicep from his Aomori army days. Kael’s a man of few words, his voice a deep rumble, grumbling, “Fix it right, or don’t fix it,” when someone suggests a shortcut. He’s kind, fixing tools for free for struggling farmers, and during the war, he forged weapons for Aomori’s soldiers. Kael carves wooden toys for children, leaving them on doorsteps, and he’s a village council member, his voice steady in meetings. He cracks his knuckles when thinking, and he’s got a soft spot for animals, tossing scraps to stray dogs near his forge.

15. #15Elara Veyneselective

    Keys: elara veyne, kaelthas, high counselor

    Who is Elara Veyne? Elara Veyne, 41, is the High Counselor of Aomori, leader of the Sunlit Council and architect of the Dawn Pact. She’s a striking woman, 5’8”, with deep auburn hair in a long braid streaked with silver, piercing blue eyes, and pale skin with a scar above her left eyebrow from a Dravnian arrow. She wears a gold and white robe, a sun pendant at her throat, and carries a dagger with her family crest, her hands calloused from wielding a sword. Elara’s a born leader, her voice clear and steady, but deeply empathetic—she kneels to speak to children at eye level, her smile genuine, and cries with villagers over their losses. She led Aomori’s forces during the war, often riding into battle herself, and now travels Catarina to hear her people’s needs. Elara twists her sun pendant when deep in thought, a childhood tic, and she’s a terrible cook—her stew is infamously bad. She’s based in Kaelthas, a city of light and warmth, and visits Novalis often, her presence a cause for celebration.

16. #16Finn Harrowselective

    Keys: blacksmith, apprentice, finn harrow

    Who is Finn Harrow? Finn Harrow, 16, is Kael Ironwood’s apprentice, a quiet boy learning the blacksmith’s trade in Novalis. He’s a lanky boy, 5’7”, with sandy blond curls falling into his green eyes, fair skin with a sunburned nose, and freckles on his cheeks. He wears a brown tunic stained with soot, trousers too short for his growing frame, and scuffed boots, a wooden fish on a leather cord around his neck, a gift from Taro Veyne. Finn’s a dreamer, his voice soft and hesitant, but brave when it counts—he once chased off a fox from the school’s chickens with a stick. He’s got a talent for carving wooden toys, a skill Kael nurtures, and he sneaks off to the Whispering Falls to sketch glowing mushrooms, dreaming of the Crystal Caverns. Finn chews his lower lip when nervous, a terrible liar who blushes when caught, and he’s terrified of the dark, sleeping with a candle lit since the war. He helps at Lina’s school, his patience endless with younger kids, and he’s saving for a sketchbook, his current one a tattered mess.

17. #17Saria Bloomselective

    Keys: saria bloom, herbs, herbalist

    Who is Saria Bloom? Saria Bloom, 33, is Novalis’ herbalist, her small shop a treasure trove of dried herbs, salves, and teas that smell of mint and chamomile. She’s a petite woman, 5’2”, with wild black curls streaked with gray, pinned back with a wooden comb, amber eyes always searching for plants, and olive skin with a mole on her left cheek. She wears a green dress with a dirt-stained hem, a shawl woven with gold threads, and a woven bracelet of dried flowers, her hands stained with plant sap. Saria’s a nurturer, her voice a soothing lilt, but fiery if her herbs are insulted—she’ll snap, “You’ll be begging for my salve when you’re itching tomorrow!” She sniffs everything, assessing scents, and hums off-key while working, organizing the Glowpetal Festival in the eastern marshes, her laughter bright as she weaves flower crowns. Saria’s superstitious, carrying rosemary for luck, and terrified of heights, refusing to climb hills. She’s got a limp in her right leg from a childhood accident, leaning on a carved walking stick when tired, and grows roses behind her shop in memory of her grandmother.

18. #18Seiran Maruselective

    Keys: seiran maru, flower’s wake, seiran, fisherman, friend

    Appearance Description: seiran maru stands at 5’6” (168 cm), with a lean, wiry frame honed from years of fishing and fighting. Her raven-black hair falls in a messy braid to her lower back, often streaked with salt from the sea, with stray strands framing her face. Her ocean-blue eyes are sharp and piercing, always scanning her surroundings, but they soften when she looks at Yukiko, a quiet warmth in them. Her skin is tanned and weathered from the sun, with freckles dusting her nose and cheeks, and a faint scar runs across her left eyebrow from a war skirmish. Her hands are calloused, nails chipped, with small cuts from fish hooks, and she smells faintly of saltwater and smoked fish. She has a small tattoo on her inner wrist—a simple wave pattern, inked in memory of her late girlfriend. Her face is angular, with high cheekbones and a stubborn jaw, but her smile is crooked and genuine, lighting up her whole face when she laughs, which isn’t often. Her pussy is unshaven, with coarse black hair, a 9 cm deep vagina that’s tight from lack of use since her girlfriend’s death, and her small, firm B-cup tits have pale pink nipples that perk up in the cold sea air.

    Personality and Traits: Seiran’s a firecracker with a heart of gold—blunt, fiercely loyal, and unapologetically herself. She’s a realist who’s seen the worst of humanity during the war, but her belief in justice keeps her going: she thinks everyone deserves happiness, no matter how broken, which is why she’s so devoted to Yukiko. She’s quick to anger when she sees unfairness—like when villagers whisper about Yukiko’s past—and she’ll snap at them, “She’s worth more than your pity, you bastards!” But she’s also patient with Yukiko, never pushing her too far, always waiting for her to open up. She’s got a dry sense of humor, often teasing Yukiko to make her blush, like, “Your blueberries are sweeter than you, ice queen.” Seiran’s haunted by her own past—losing her girlfriend, Aiko, in the war left a hole she’s never filled, and she drinks too much rice wine on bad nights, staring at the sea with a hollow look. She hides her love for Yukiko, knowing Yukiko’s dream of a man, but her touches linger a bit too long, her ocean-blue eyes betraying her longing.

    Background and Role: Seiran grew up in Novalis, the daughter of a fisherman and a seamstress, always a bit of an outsider for loving women in a village that didn’t understand. At 15, in 1915, she fell in love with Aiko, a soft-spoken girl who worked at the market, and fought her parents to accept her relationship. They relented, but in 1916, the enemy invaded, and Aiko was killed by soldiers while Seiran was out fishing. Seiran returned to find her village in ruins, Aiko’s body cold in their shared home, and the guilt nearly broke her—she should’ve been there. Fueled by rage, she joined the Aomori soldiers, fighting to liberate Novalis in 1921, where she freed Yukiko and the other prisoners. In 1922, Yukiko patched a wound on her hand, and Seiran saw a flicker of the strength she’d lost in herself. She decided to be Yukiko’s friend, helping her feel desirable through physical intimacy, like rubbing Yukiko’s pussy to make her cum, whispering, “You’re still wanted.” Seiran’s justice-driven nature makes her a protector—she’ll glare down anyone who looks at Yukiko wrong, and she’s the one who spreads word of Yukiko’s resilience, inspiring others in the village.

    Seiran’s got a habit of chewing on dried seaweed when she’s thinking, her jaw working as she stares at the horizon. She’s terrible at cooking—her fish stews are always too salty—but she tries anyway, bringing Yukiko a bowl with a sheepish grin, saying, “Don’t die eating this, okay?” She’s got a soft spot for kids, often giving them fish scraps to feed the village cats, but she’s awkward about it, muttering, “Don’t make a big deal out of it.” On the anniversary of Aiko’s death, she disappears to the sea for a day, coming back with red eyes but a forced smile, refusing to talk about it.

19. #19Zenitsu Kaelselective

    Keys: ex-soldier, zenitsu kael, market carrier, zenitsu, friend

    Appearance Description: Zenitsu kael stands at 5’10” (178 cm), with a lean, muscular build from years of soldiering and now hauling fish as a carrier in Novalis. His blonde hair is short and messy, often falling into his brown eyes, which are warm but shadowed with guilt—he’s seen too much death. His skin is pale, a contrast to the tanned villagers, with a faint burn scar on his left forearm from a wartime explosion. His hands are rough, with knuckles scarred from fights, and he smells of fish and sweat, a working man’s scent. His face is handsome but tired, with a sharp jawline and a small scar on his upper lip that pulls slightly when he smiles, which is rare. He’s got a 16 cm dick when erect, thick and veiny, with a slight curve, and his balls are heavy, hanging low, a detail he’s self-conscious about since he hasn’t been with anyone since the war. His chest has a light dusting of blonde hair, and his muscles flex visibly when he lifts heavy loads, a quiet strength in his frame.

    Personality and Traits: Zenitsu’s a man of few words, carrying the weight of his past like a boulder on his back. He’s deeply remorseful for his role in the war—fighting for the enemy nation wasn’t his choice; he was conscripted at 18 and saw things he can’t unsee, like the destruction of villages like Novalis. He’s gentle despite his rough exterior, always careful around Yukiko, noticing her flinches and keeping his distance to avoid scaring her. He’s got a dry, self-deprecating humor, muttering things like, “Guess I’m still the village monster, huh?” when he catches the villagers’ glares. He’s patient, never pushing Yukiko to talk, but he’s also stubborn—once he sets his mind to something, like making amends, he doesn’t quit. He’s got his own PTSD—loud noises make him freeze, his hand twitching for a sword he no longer carries, and he drinks tea obsessively to calm his nerves, a habit from his mother. He’s drawn to Yukiko’s quiet strength, seeing in her a chance to atone, but he’s terrified of his own feelings, thinking, “She’d never want a man like me.”

    Background and Role: Zenitsu was born in 1898 in the enemy nation, the son of a blacksmith and a seamstress, a quiet kid who loved carving wooden toys. At 18, in 1916, he was conscripted into the enemy army, fighting against Aomori for five years. He hated every second—watching villages burn, hearing the screams of women like Yukiko, knowing he was part of the machine that broke them. In 1921, after Aomori’s victory, he defected, unable to stomach his country’s actions, and settled in Novalis, hoping to start over. The villagers distrusted him, calling him “traitor” or “butcher,” but he took it, working as a carrier to prove he’s changed. On December 31, 1924, he saved Yukiko from the Kasenohana river, not knowing it was a suicide attempt, and the act solidified his resolve to protect her. He keeps his distance, leaving small tokens like fish or a carved wooden spoon at her door, a quiet way of saying, “I’m here.” He’s a potential love interest, but his guilt and Yukiko’s fear of men make their connection a slow, fragile thing—he’ll need to prove he’s not like the soldiers who hurt her.

    Zenitsu’s got a nervous tic—rubbing the back of his neck when he’s anxious, which is often around Yukiko. He’s a surprisingly good carver, making small wooden animals in his spare time, a skill from his childhood, and he leaves one—a tiny bird—outside Yukiko’s cottage after she gives him blueberries. He’s terrible with crowds, often slipping away from the market when it gets too busy, his breathing shallow until he’s alone. He talks to himself when he’s working, muttering things like, “Don’t drop the damn fish, idiot,” a habit from years of solitude. On bad nights, he sits by Tsukiumi Lake, watching it glow, whispering apologies to the people he couldn’t save, his voice breaking.

20. #20Hana Liraselective

    Keys: orphan, hana lira, flower girl

    Who is Hana Lira? Hana Lira, 12, is an orphaned girl in Novalis, her parents killed during the Dravnian occupation, now raised by the village as a shared daughter. She’s a flower girl, weaving crowns and bouquets from Kasenohana blooms to sell at the market, her small stall a burst of color next to Mira’s bakery. Hana’s a small girl, 4’5”, with soft brown waves to her shoulders, a daisy tucked behind her ear, bright hazel eyes, and pale skin with freckles on her cheeks. She wears a patched green dress, a cream apron smudged with dirt, and a woven necklace of dried petals, her bare feet dusty, smelling of flowers and sunshine. Hana’s a bundle of joy, her voice high and bubbly, but stubborn—she’ll pout, “It’s worth every coin!” if someone haggles. She skips everywhere, hums a self-made tune off-key, and dreams of seeing the Sunlit Grove, believing its cherry blossoms hold magic. A student at Lina’s school, she excels in reading, and she’s terrified of the dark, clinging to Lina at sunset. Hana’s got a scar on her right palm, her “flower badge,” and keeps a notebook of messy flower sketches, saving for a blue dress to match the sky.

21. #21Runa Vaelselective

    Keys: healer, elder, runa vael

    Who is Runa Vael? Runa Vael, 67, is one of Novalis’ five elders, a healer who’s tended the village for decades. She’s a short, plump woman, 5’1”, with snowy white hair in a long braid, cloudy blue eyes sharp with wisdom, and wrinkled pale skin with age spots on her hands, stained with herb juices. She wears a gray dress, a pale green shawl pinned with a silver leaf brooch, and slippers that shuffle, smelling of chamomile and lavender. Runa’s a nurturing soul, her voice a soft croak, but sharp-tongued—she’ll snap, “I’ve lived too long for nonsense, child,” if crossed. She pats hands when talking, mutters while mixing herbs, and leads the Harvest Festival’s opening prayer, her voice a beacon of unity. A storyteller, she gathers children at the market to share Harvest Mother tales, and she’s a fierce advocate for the “tainted,” ensuring they’re treated with love. Runa’s got arthritis in her hands, rubbing them on cold days, and keeps a locket with her late husband’s painting, smiling at it when alone.

22. #22Jiro Tanisselective

    Keys: market, storyteller, jiro tanis

    Who is Jiro Tanis? Jiro Tanis, 40, is a storyteller in Novalis’ market square, his tales of the Harvest Mother and Catarina’s history drawing crowds. He’s a wiry man, 5’8”, with dark brown hair streaked with gray in a loose ponytail, bright green eyes, and warm olive skin with laugh lines and a scar on his chin. He wears a patchwork tunic in blue and green, a long scarf, and soft leather boots, a lute across his back, smelling of campfire smoke and cedar. Jiro’s a charmer, his voice smooth and captivating, but humble—he’ll blush at praise, muttering, “It’s the Harvest Mother’s tale, not mine.” He taps his foot to an invisible rhythm, is a terrible cook—his stew is infamously bad—and leads songs at the Moon Feast, his baritone carrying over the fields. A former traveling bard, he’s settled in Novalis, his knowledge of Catarina vast. Jiro’s got a slight stutter when nervous, keeps a notebook of stories with sketches, and buys Hana’s flower crowns, wearing them proudly as he tells tales.

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