Mole (mu.lɛ)
"In many ways, Mole is the keystone to the Kingdom of Kodu. Seize the harbors there, and Kodu will have to respond."
Mole is an island in the Mangimoi Archipelago, and the third largest in the Sama Islands. It is located roughly halfway between the larger islands of Inagimoi and Ngofa, and is strategically important to the Kingdom of Kodu's control of the Sama Islands. The navy of Kodu uses the port of Mani on Mole as their center of operations, most of which consists of keeping smugglers from circumventing Kodu's regulations regarding the international spice trade. The island's population is nearly eighty percent Pulawan, with the remainder being Ngofangare, but the kingdom has been forcibly relocating the Pulawan residents to Inagimoi after uncovering evidence that they have been aiding smugglers to evade capture. So far, the relocations have not been violent, but the Pulawan communities not yet uprooted are discussing what they can do to resist and they have not ruled out violent measures.
Notable Spirits
Yalalai, Queen of the Butterflies, is the Hyang of Mole. She is a goddess of the sky and wind, and the many thousands of butterflies that blanket the island throughout the year. Her influence extends to the waters immediately around the island, and has been known to use her winds to destroy ships that do not pay her honor when they first catch sight of the island. On Mole itself, she demands that her butterflies be unharmed by the population, and will harshly punish those who destroy one, usually by using powerful winds to hurl the offender into the sea and as far from the shore as possible. Beyond her demands, Yalalai interacts little with the humans of the island, and only barely tolerates their presence among her preferred creatures. When she manifests, it is as an enormous cloud of butterflies, from which a voice like an angry wind emerges.
Geography
Mole is a mountainous island, and geologically active. Earthquakes and minor eruptions are common in the mountains at the heart of the island. The lowlands are mostly cultivated spice plantations, while the higher inland region is covered in rainforest. There are few mammals native to Mole, but many species of birds and insects. There are also several turtle nesting grounds on the island's shores, and digging up turtle eggs for food and medicine is a common pastime among Mole's children.
Geographic Details
Location: Southern RegionLatitude: 3.63 degrees South
Longitude: 16.67 degrees West
Average Elevation: 259 ft
Highest Point: 4,019 ft (Gunung Goluha)
Lowest Point: 0 ft
Area: 287.02 sq mi
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This article was originally written for Spooktober 2024. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
This article was originally written for Spooktober 2023. You can find all of my Spooktober Articles at Spooktober Central.
I would not want to be accosted by an angry cloud of butterflies! Fascinating place :)
Yeah - Yalalai is not a nice goddess. The butterflies are pretty, but they are all she treasures. Other creatures only matter in how they help or hinder her children. She's probably on the Tirta Baya's list.