Tranomotu (tɾa.no.moˈtu)

Tranomotu is the largest island in the Trano archipelago and the original home of the Mu'o'a people. It lies far from the Great Ring, and the Mu'o'a who migrated spent a generation island-hopping before discovering and settling on Motu, in the Southern Region. According to their myths, the Mu'o'a were forced to flee Tranomotu after a great war with the other Aiga of the island, though the reasons for the conflict have been lost to time. No Mu'o'a has seen Tranomotu in over a thousand years, and most know it only through fragments passed down in song and story.

Those tales tell of a land where great volcanoes loom over lush jungles, filled with animals and plants unlike any seen in the Great Ring. In the trees, various kinds of mamafe - large-eyed, curious reptiles - swung from branch to branch and reminded the Kikipua of themselves. Along the coasts, vast mangrove swamps were home to giant red turtles said to know secrets from before the sun was born. Birds dominated the higher regions, where the air grew cold and thin and the trees became thorny spears guarding sacred high meadows.

Driven Out

There are no humans living on Tranomotu - only the Kikipua, of whom the Mu'o'a were one ethnicity. The stories speak of many Kikipua peoples across the Trano archipelago, but name only three: the Tafunai, Nualoa, and Avekiki. These three formed an alliance against the Mu'o'a, who ruled the entire island of Tranomotu, and waged war upon them for many years. Individually, none could stand against the might of the Mu'o'a, but together they were able to drive them from the island and into the sea.

They fought treacherously, without regard for Mu'a, and sought to extinguish all the Aiga of the Mu'o'a for their own gain. Even as the Mu'o'a ships reached the horizon after the final battle, the sharp-eyed among them looked back and saw their once-allied enemies already turning upon each other. They wept for the fate of Tranomotu in such hands.

But the Faifāitonu had peered into the dreams of the future, and knew that the destiny of the Mu'o'a lay elsewhere. The matai did not turn back to take advantage of their enemies' division - they sailed on, faithful to the path before them.

One day, the Mu'o'a may return to Tranomotu, walking in the footsteps of their ancestors to reclaim their place upon the high mountain. But that day - should it come - will not be soon, and none yet dream of its arrival.