The vast shallow seas between Shadar and Nihon have a number of relatively small islands, upon which there are a staggering array of lifeforms.There are the pillars of crystalline hive-structures, where the psionically powerful group minds of the Mu sing their telepathic choir and contemplate existence.
There are nesting dragons and various winged or ocean going monsters. Usually not in the same area as the dragons tend to eat various winged or ocean going monsters unlucky enough to wander into their territories.
There are the caverns of the psionic insect-halflings called the Dromite on at least two sizable islands. Goblins and goblinkin with the occasional pirate base on others.
One of the more sizable islands of the mid-air floating variety is a desert inhabited by an insectile race known as the thri-kreen and there is an isle of gargantua that all but the most powerful of dragons avoid.
There are some half-giants on a similar mid-air semi-desert isle and in the upper clouds there is another race which enjoys the dry cold air - the hathak or 'furrbin' as some call them after goblins turned out to be allergic to their fur.
The islands themselves are tiny - most are less than an imperial mile long and half that wide. Some are smaller across than an adult dragon's wingspan, the dromite (among others) compensate by extensive tunnels.
So the maps show it as a mainly empty area, it is only a relative thing to the larger land masses around it.
-"A Wanderer's Journey", Keian The Wanderer
Ranma began speaking of his life, and something odd happened. Something he hadn't come to expect based on his experiences - particularly with the female gender.
They listened.
Every so often they'd ask questions, seeking clarification about this point or that. Often he'd have to describe what something looked like to people who'd never seen what he considered to be modern buildings or even those like Furinkan Senior High School.
When he was done, Ranma expected laughter or scorn or derision. Look at how he was treated when the Neko-ken had come to light. Most had thought it such a big joke, including Akane who had not wanted to watch over him while he was being terrified but the parents had decided it was the "fiancee duty" to uphold. She was certainly willing to shove a cat in his face plenty of times after that.
The elves looked at each other. The kirrfolk met their eyes. Everyone nodded in an eerie unison.
"He comes from an evil empire where torture and cruelty are not only condoned but expected," declared the kirrfolk, adjusting her spectacles and looking more serious than was her normal manner.
"Like my ancestors, he has fled a land of cruelty where torture of children and innocents is the norm!" declared the ardrow as she stood.
The redhead clenched one fist. "He has spoken from the heart and has told the truth as he knows it! He has suffered much!"
The dagger-wielder's left eye was twitching. "To put you through so much and to consider your suffering to be justice!"
The martial artist sent her fist smacking into the palm of the other hand. "That you bore such burdens speaks well of you, yet that those who inflicted such went without repayment speaks poorly of your society!"
The blue haired wizard gal nodded, her eyes hooded. "Indeed. The solution is simple."
"We should put aside our personal differences," suggested the fire elf.
"An adventuring company perhaps?" mused the ardrow.
"What to call it?" mused the wizard.
"Uhm," said Ranma. "This isn't..."
"Don't worry," said the knife-wielder to Ranma. "If any of those evil wenches and thugs show up - we'll hang them from ropes made of their own livers!"
"I don't think that would quite work," countered the wizard.
"In any case, we'll have to protect him," said the ardrow, elegant eyebrow raised.
"True, very true, he clearly doesn't know all the dangers of this world," said the martial artist.
"...uhm..." said Ranma.
"What do they call a group of women united in a cause in your world?" asked the martial artist of Ranma.
"'Trouble'?" suggested Ranma.
"No, let's see, what terms did you use. Ah, 'inazuke' - that sounds like a good one." The knife wielder beamed at her cleverness in pulling the odd word out of Ranma's narrative.
"uhm," said a nervous Ranma. This was worse than women fighting and ganging up on him. This was women AGREEING WITH EACH OTHER as they decided on something.
"The Inazuke Of Ranma," said the ardrow, nodding. "Sounds like a fine name for an adventuring group. Very exotic."
"Yeah. What's an 'inazuke' mean, anyway?" asked the fire elf.
"It's obviously a warrior woman to be feared," said the martial artist. "One with some sort of tie to a male."
"All in favor, say aye," suggested the wizard.
"Nay," suggested Ranma in a weak voice.
"AYE!" chorused several women.
"This doesn't sound good at all," said Ranma, wondering if leaping to his death would be less painful.
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(Posted Thu, 29 Apr 2004 09:57)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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