Vega's claim of Hawai'I

Summary

Not long after the arrival of Vega to the islands, Shanai's people were suspicious of the god, and convened meetings among their leaders- Chieftains, their Queen, landowners, and the wealthy as what to do about him. Above all, the people were suspicious of his intents and the possibility of invasion by outside powers- although Hawai'I had successfully remained independent since their succession from the United States' colonization so far, it's current turmoil and California's growing empire had them worried. Was Vega acting on the behalf of such a country, or that of another power? Were these strange new gods just as the people of the past, seeking ever more power and land? If denied, would the god use force? These were all in the minds of the people as they discussed. 'What is it you want with us, boar?' The queen asked. 'To rest my feet upon your shores.' 'Why have you come here?' Asked the governors. 'Your land called out to me like a song admist silence- the volcano a warm bed to lie my head.' 'What will you do to us?' Asked the people, and the boar was silent for a time. 'Nothing. You are not my people, you are not my followers nor my priesthood. You are of no concern to I to do anything to.' 'And what if we were?' Asked the queen, 'What if we were your people?' 'I would have duty to protect you from all other gods- the sky, the land, and the ocean.' Sensing the nervousness of the people, the queen nodded, asking the boar to join her and her council up the mountain, far and away from the cities. Should the boar be to kill them, her people would not see the act through the jungle. In a clearing, Vega kneeled, feeling the volcano's heart and warm waters swirl within the earth, healing and nourishing. 'Your land has been scorched by fires, my domain.' 'The forests have burned with each lava flow, our people cannot climb it with hoses or buckets quick enough to put them out. We replant, but they burn again and again.' In a gesture of peace the great god rose the waters from the earth, forming pools dotting across the mountainside, warm and crystal clear. 'They should help to keep the fires at bay.' 'Why give us springs? Why not stop the volcano?' 'The volcano is the heart of your land- its beating heart. To do so would kill it, and doom you to the great serpent's hungry maw as the bird's song wore your land away.' 'Could you bot control it?' 'Control, I could- but only as long as I remained here.' The queen, and her council, talked. The god had great power- more than that of any man, of any army. 'He could keep the other nations away- he rose the land so easily.' 'But he already sunk them as easily too, by mistake. Do not forgot O'hanu.' While her council bickered, the queen took matters into her own hands, deeming the pools cool enough to use, but yet pleasant, and invited the god to bathe. 'Our people are scared of the world outside of our islands. Much has changed around us. We are a land of great bounty that many see as a prize.' 'Your fruits scent lured me here, carried on the wind for leagues. I can see why many see you as a gem to be claimed.' The god replied. 'Mighty god, if you were to stay, would we still be free?' 'You ask me to claim you? Your generals speak of wanting anything but.' 'If you claim us, outsiders would be fearful to do so themselves. As long as my people are yours, we shall give you offerings of our lands, our fruits and our catches. I only ask we, under you, remain as ourselves.' The god thought until the stars rose. His journey had been long and far, and beset by creatures of the sea the entire way- sharks and whales, venomous urchins and barnacles that dug into his hide. 'I see no reason to claim your people, but if you shall allow me to build my temple in the safety of your jungles, mighty queen of Hawai'I, I could call my home on your islands.' Agreeing to their terms written under the stars and light of the volcano's plume, the queen called forth her advisors and council, beckoned into the bath by the god to enjoy its nourishing waters.

Historical Basis

The myth is almost certainly rooted in deep propaganda created by the cult of fire and Vega's own priests, though many scholars agree that Hawai'I almost certainly had it's own councils prior to Vega's arrival on the islands. Records of Vega confirming them and their roles are almost certainly rooted in historical fact, with names directly linked to members of the council at the time.

Cultural Reception

The myth is the basis of a cultural norm surrounding Shanai's hot springs, in which people after work relax with one another in the waters. This norm extends as high up as the republic's modern day council, which after meetings have concluded, seal them with a bath. It is widely regarded that meetings actually continue at the baths and out of the public eye in secrecy, where recording and transcription of them are forbidden.

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