Pasulong

Along the southern coast of Muitimur lies an ancient valley, shaped over countless centuries by waterfalls and clear rivers. Nestled within this secluded place, cradled between steep cliffs and dense forests, sits a quiet fishing village, its wooden homes clustered around the Bay of Pasulong. At the top of the settlement, overlooking all, stands the Temple of the Holy Spring, built upon a sacred source said to bring prosperity and balance to those who dwell nearby.   Pasulong is a small town, home to fishermen and farmers who have lived in harmony with the sea and the rivers for generations. Most of the people here know the ways of water, whether it’s casting nets, tending boats, or gathering herbs from the riverbanks. A smaller group of villagers are devoted to the temple, which was built directly above the spring. In ages past, before the falls had carved their way into the bay and salt tides had made the waters undrinkable, the spring provided the only source of fresh water. Over time, the villagers began to treat the spring with reverence, believing it to be a sacred gift. An altar was built above it, where people came to offer thanks and prayer.   Then, disaster came! The world trembled, and was swallowed by darkness. For many generations, the people of Pasulong lived in duisternis. The land was reshaped, and by the time the light returned, the rivers had shifted their courses. Streams from the northern valleys now fed the bay, joined by torrents from the highlands, crashing down the cliffs as roaring waterfalls.   The Temple of the Holy Spring now stands high above the village, with its central shrine directly above the sacred water’s source. The building is crowned with a six-tiered roof, each level representing one of the six rivers that now flow into the Bay of Pasulong. At the pinnacle rises a golden spire, symbolizing the spring itself. But the six roofs are not only a tribute to the rivers, they also mirror the layers of the spirit world. Each level is seen as a step deeper into spiritual awareness and harmony with the natural realm.   Pasulong has no kings, no lords. It is not beholden to thrones or crowns. Instead, the village is governed by a Council of Elders: the eldest member of each family, along with the priest of the Holy Spring. Together, they decide on all matters of importance, from settling disputes and determining fair trade, to overseeing rites and preserving sacred customs.   Yet not all is at peace.   In recent years, more and more fishermen have returned from sea with troubling tales: of ships spotted far off on the horizon, ships unfamiliar in shape and bearing no known flags. The elves, who now dwell in the northern reaches of Muitimur, once spoke of violent kings from distant lands, men who sailed across the seas to conquer and claim.   The council has spoken of this matter many times. But no consensus has been reached.