Pulau Cemara

Pulau Cemara is a dense tropical forest on the island of Lahat. It is considered sacred by the Tau Tanah and Tau Dilaut peoples, and is also known as a Wild Place - a realm where travelers may slip in and out of The Dream. According to legend, Pulau Cemara was created by Tan-Lahat, goddess of the island, as a testing ground for those brave enough to confront their inner selves. Within its depths, travelers encounter dream-versions of themselves, shaped both by their own beliefs and by the perceptions of others.

Although the Mekongga invaders have not seized control of the forest's interior, they have imposed strict limits on access. The Tau Tanah, who once lived freely along its borders, are now confined to a handful of Kosalo Villages set at metaphysically significant sites. Entry into Pulau Cemara is permitted only on prearranged occasions, under watchful eyes. Guard towers line the forest's edges, and those caught trespassing without sanction face severe punishment.

Notable Spirits

When the goddess created Pulau Cemara, she also brought forth guardians to protect it. These are the Kayu Tonong - towering ancient beings that resemble the forest's trees. Their forms are of thick, gnarled trunks with branches that stretch toward the heavens. Though they appear rooted in place, this is only half true: their roots sink deep into the earth, yet they can shift their location at will. None have ever witnessed a Kayu Tonong in motion, but they are always found precisely where they are needed, as if they had grown there for centuries.

The Kayu Tonong hold the power to bestow blessings or cast misfortune upon those who encounter them. Travelers who approach with reverence may be granted gifts - vitality renewed, clarity of thought, or protection from malevolent forces. But those who show disrespect, or who harm the forest, risk incurring the wrath of these guardians. Tales tell of offenders struck by illness, plagued with misfortune, or vanishing into the trees, never to be seen again.