Amazon Challenge: Tribe Isla (3/14)

Prologue

The island nation of Helike was a proud and cheerful island. Home of one of the most powerful groups in the ancient world. The Amazons. Proud women warriors who spread from Themiscyra to most of the surrounding nations. The large sprawling city was built up in generations.

https://i.imgur.com/9NvtS22.png

It was a time of peace for Helike. The tribe was thriving.

https://i.imgur.com/Pg9IgST.png

What happened next tore through the island. An illness swept through the city with such speed and ferocity it was called the Wrath of the Goddesses. The rumors of the Wrath of the Goddesses reached Hippolyta. She sent the High Priestess Neferti to see if the rumors were true. Neferti was horrified at what she found. The people had collapsed where they were working.

https://i.imgur.com/ImWsU5T.png

Neferti searched all over the city. The later the day go the more discouraged she became. She hadn’t found a living soul. She was about to give up when the sound of crying reached her ears. A young girl had survived. She must have wondered away from her teachers when the illness struck. Neferti wondered how long she had been alone.The High Priestess picked up the child and took her away from the cursed city.

https://i.imgur.com/Gcqv7zB.png

-19 years later-

Mahina couldn’t believe it. It was finally her young adult birthday. Mahina couldn’t wait to get away from this temple. She didn’t hate the place or the High Priestess but she wanted to be free from the temple’s responsibility and meditating on the Goddesses.

https://i.imgur.com/dHINIkz.png

Neferti had warned that tomorrow would change Mahina’s life forever. Gone were the days of following the priestess and her rules. The days of a young priestess were going to be replaced with days of making her own rules and running her tribe. Like the warrior queens of old.

Mahina was running back from her studies. Neferti would yell at her if she saw he running. Neferti said it was unladylike to run. She would say “it is unsuitable for a soon to be creator heiress to run anywhere and the she should walk with grace”. Neferti might have had a point but Mahina was too excited to care.

https://i.imgur.com/r7ZN285.png

The smell of Neferti’s cooking wafted through the halls of the temple. Rarely did the high priestess cook but when she did it was always perfect.

“Greetings Neferti!” the young woman called. The High Priestess was putting the finishing touches on the cake.

“Good Afternoon Mahina. Happy Birthday! Your gifts are waiting for you and we can have cake after” the young priestess was smiling widely but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. Mahina took the box that was addressed to her and sat on the floor.

https://i.imgur.com/VwVyr2L.png

“A gift for the next creator of Helike. Teeth from the Python. Given to your ancestor by Apollo. The bracelet is silver. Blessed by Artemis. The gemstones are a gift from the sea gods to protect you from the harms of the world” she explained. “Tomorrow is a big day. I am very proud of what you have become and I hope the goddesses will bless you and your time as creator”

Mahina was touched.

“Thank you, I mean thank you doesn’t seem to say enough for all you have done for me Neferti. You raised me and cared for me like I was your own and these gifts” Neferti stopped her.

“The goddesses saw fit not to give me a biological child but you are the closest thing I have to a child and I could never be more proud of you. Now let us celebrate your birthday” the high priestess lead Mahina to her cake. Mahina blew out the candles and celebrated her last day of childhood.

https://i.imgur.com/Ucx1C3I.png

Tomorrow would bring many changes to Mahina’s life.

Chapter One

The day had finally come. Lady Neferti had woken me up before the sun. She said I had last minute things to prepare. Normally she would take care of the supplies for building but this was my job now. Or it will be on my tribal land. I left the temple and headed toward the docks. I needed to meet up with the men who would be working to build a future for the tribe.

https://i.imgur.com/NmpNNPo.png

I met up with the two men. Both had come from the mainland with the wood, stone and other items needed to build. I was told their names were Adonis and Cesar. Both were well trained men from their village to do a multitude of things. While the things they did were far from perfect they did hard work. Or that was what the ship’s captain told me.

We walked in silence from the dock to the village land. I was partially grateful for that. I don’t know what to say to them. I doubted that “Hello, I am Creator Mahina” would be proper. I didn’t have too much time to worry about this. We arrived at the village quickly.

My heart sank. The place was in ruins! There were crumbling towers, weeds and a small swamp that was starting to fill the land where buildings once stood.

https://i.imgur.com/nkzOgWJ.png

“Lady Creator?” I looked over at the man who had spoken. He gave me a warm smile. “We were told of the situation of the land where the tribe will be. Worry not we will have everything ready to go real quick”

“Thank you” I replied. They set to work right away. They filled the swamp land and cleared away most of the vines that were claiming the crumbling buildings. Soon the remains of the buildings were gone and foundations were set. A small camp was set up. For now I lived in a small ramshackle hut. There was a campfire and table to cook some food. The men lived in tents. They didn’t seem to mind. If they did they never told me.

https://i.imgur.com/c0iJL9j.png

A few days later the blond man, Adonis told me that they would finally begin building actual housing. I was grateful for that. I hated living in the small hastily made shack.

Adonis was in charge of building. Watching him work was fascinating. Once he given the designs for buildings he would set to work. He worked quickly and his wood working skills were impressive. We had a few real huts after a few days of work. They were small but perfect.

https://i.imgur.com/UhshkUD.png

Cesar helped with building but his real passion was gardening. He had plots of land set up for eat thing they planted. He could tell what soil was best for each type of plant and how much light a plant should get. He promised that we would soon have a thriving garden.

https://i.imgur.com/ftbbUDL.png

All the work and supplies for buildings had drained the funds we needed. I instructed the men to sell any excess of items we had. Cesar had set aside some of our harvests to send to the mainland. Adonis worked on small wood carvings. While they weren’t worth much they did make some money.

I tried to help bring in some money as well. I had a love of painting. When I was younger Neferti allowed me to finger paint. I wasn’t great at it but what toddler is. Now that I was adult I wanted to actually learn to paint properly.

https://i.imgur.com/fLFA6Cr.png

Now that we had buildings to live in, sustainable food and a decent income for the tribe I had a decision to make. I need an heir for the tribe. One of the two men would father a child and then be sent to appease the goddess. I was not sure which to choose.

Cesar worked magic on the gardens. He is passionate and kind but he had a hot headed streak from time to time. He would be too bold and refuse to work from time to time. No often but enough to make some of the days building far more exhausting then it needed to be.

https://i.imgur.com/VxeuDT1.png

Adonis, the builder was different. He is a lot more calm and reserved. He did his best to get work done and make things less stressful. He tried to keep things friendly and light. He is kind and hard working.

https://i.imgur.com/iXtCkEb.png

I have come to call them both friends over the past few weeks. Not that I could say this, it would be improper. I do not know if I could stand to loose either of them.

The Goddesses of life Kala and Hira did not like to be kept waiting. They grew tired of my indecision and sent someone to help hurry along the decision. The sun rise of the new week brought a young woman and her traveling companion to me.

“Greeting! You must be Lady Mahina. I am a Shaman of Goddesses, sent by Queen Hippolyta. My name is Rei”

https://i.imgur.com/L52JPKp.png

I'm reading on your blog but since I didn't find a way to leave comments there, I'll do it here. :) I like your start so, everything appears to be calm for now. The prologue was great to give an insight into the events before the actual story and to make curious *whispers* I loved it! So I'm looking forward for the next chapter. :)
The only thing to confuse me was that my heiress's name is Hippolyta and I'm already playing gen 2 ingame, so when "queen Hippolyta" was mentioned I had to sort out first that this isn't my beloved Lyta :D

@MrsRacooney I am glad you liked the start! I just used Hippolyta because she was one the amazon queens with the more interesting history. It was between Hippolyta and another one. I have plans on expanding on the prologue and the main goddesses they follow.

"PheonixWolfNinja;c-16087933" wrote:
@MrsRacooney I am glad you liked the start! I just used Hippolyta because she was one the amazon queens with the more interesting history. It was between Hippolyta and another one. I have plans on expanding on the prologue and the main goddesses they follow.

That would be interesting! I'm always in to learn more about their culture and beliefs. ;)
The other queen in question doesn't happen to be Penthesilea, does she?

While Penthesilea is awsome(she was in the choices but the belt of Hippolyta won me over) and her apprent role in the Trojan war is really cool, no. It was going to be Myrina due to her fighting the atlanteans and destroying their city of Cerne.

*totally pretends to not have looked Myrina up* Oooh, I didn't know her yet. But she sure has accomplished great deeds!

She has done a lot of interesting stuff and the amazons tended to have some really cool queens. I had to look her up too when doong some research for amazons. There are so many awesome leaders.

Note: I had a lot of trouble writing this chapter. I couldn't get the beach scenes the way I wanted but I think it turned out alright. I am sad to say goodbye to one of my favorite sim boys. He was a great character in game and totally head over heels for dear Mahina. I am working on the next chapter that should be out later in the week depending on how my muse works and my college and work schedules. Anyway enjoy.

Chapter Two

The newcomers had settled in quiet well. The man Rei brought was called Kikyo. Cesar took him under his wing. He showed Kikyo the ways of gardening in the island soil.

https://i.imgur.com/fSRsGef.png

Kikyo had brought recipes and spices along with them. He enjoyed cooking and was more then overjoyed to cook for so many people in the village. He was a little disappointed by the vegetables. The tasted different, probably do to the soil difference.

https://i.imgur.com/Ozfky3j.png

Rei enjoyed her new home. Lady Mahina was a very kind but a bit naive. She had showed wonderful hospitality. Mahina had given Rei a wonderfully hand carved meditation mat. The fresh air and relative silence of the island helped her keep in touch with the spirits of the island.

https://i.imgur.com/QpF7YCH.png

It had taken some time but Rei had gotten Mahina to speak of who she would choose as father to the tribe’s new child. The way Mahina spoke about them endeared her to Rei. The shaman never heard a woman speak so kindly of men with such obvious love for both men. It was a difficult choice but Rei had a bit of a bias towards one man over the other. It shouldn’t be hard to help Mahina make a choice.

https://i.imgur.com/LgNioef.png

With some soul searching and help from Rei, Mahina had made her choice. She requested he meet her down the cliff-face beach next to their village. She would tell him that she wanted him to be the father of the new tribal child. He could decline of course but because she is the Creator he would have a dishonorable death or a cursed banishment. If he accepted they would walk into the surf together. If he tripped and fell into the sea at any point while they were walking it would mean he is not blessed by Kala and she would have to choose someone new to meet her the next night.

She crept through the silent village. Thankful for the sounds of the world around her. It helped calm the butterflies in her stomach.

https://i.imgur.com/8ds5SVC.png

Weeks Later

Even as the weeks past Mahina could not forget that night. The had walked into the sea and gotten their blessing from the goddesses. Neither of them had fallen to the sandy sea floor. Mahina was grateful for that. Partially because of the blessing and because the sea was so cold. Surely they would have gotten deathly ill if they had been drenched.

She could still remember the kiss Cesar had given her. He had done everything with passion, the kiss was no exception. It had left her wanting more then kisses under the moonlight.

https://i.imgur.com/FTOkSsP.png

The walk to the private quarters had gone agonizing slow for Mahina. The nervousness that had plagues her most of the evening gone. Cesar had been so kind to her through it all.

https://i.imgur.com/pj5VTZt.png

As the days had progressed from that night Mahina had found herself feeling ill. The churning of her stomach had plagued her all the time. From some of the books she had read in school gave her a vague idea of what was happening. Morning sickness. She hoped that was the case. It would mean she was blessed with a child.

https://i.imgur.com/PclOwFd.png

The constant churning of her stomach was driving her mad. She went to find Rei. Rei knew many herbal remedies for this kind of thing. Hopefully the shaman could help her with this issue. She hurried to the Shaman’s meditation corner.

“Oh dearest lady! Forgive me for saying but you do not look well! Maybe you should lay down” a voice broke through Mahina’s daze.

“Kikyo” she greeted. “Your concern is appreciated but I need to find Rei” At these words the man looked slightly guilty.

“Apologies dear Lady but Mistress Rei-” he paused for a second before quickly correcting himself. “Shaman Rei is out collecting herbs today. Perhaps I can be of assistance? I have assisted the Shaman with some herbal remedies before”

https://i.imgur.com/vBdiZNg.png

“That would be wonderful” Mahina found herself praising the goddesses for sending her Rei and Kikyo.

“What plagues you dear Creator?” he asked. Mahina rattled off her symptoms. Kikyo nodded.

“I know just the thing to easy what ails you! I will bring you some tea to help” he dashed off to gather the ingredients.

https://i.imgur.com/aSIL5To.png

Later that evening Mahina and Rei discussed the future. The tea had helped settle Mahina’s stomach but she had gotten another sign. Her belly had started showing that a new life was on the way. Both had agreed at sunrise that Cesar would be sent to the goddesses. Apparently Cesar’s group of men praised the early morning sunrises. Rei would paint his face and give him a prayer to help him pass into the underworld and leave the rest up to the gods.

https://i.imgur.com/dGLAu5d.png

The morning came too quickly for Mahina’s liking. She was not ready to say goodbye to Cesar. Part of her wanted to say “forget the gods!” and let Cesar live but Neferti’s warnings kept her from doing that. His half smile sent warm spending through her.

“You look so worried Lady Mahina!” he cried out. “Worry not! I have prepared for this. No spirit or monster will dare get to this tribe while I protect it from the other realm!”

She laughed at that. Cesar was trying to keep this from being a sad affair.

“I will miss you Cesar. Kala is a lucky goddess to have you as a chosen warrior” she replied fighting back tears. He leaned in and pressed a kiss against her cheek.

“I am honored to have loved you my Lady” he whispered before turning and jumping into the watery pit. Mahina left the pit not wanting to see the goddess claim him. She ached to run back and pull him out of the water but she did not.

https://i.imgur.com/4ior6Ij.png

Cesar lasted until the early hours of the day. Adonis found him and the hooded reaper. He knew that the reaper worked for Hira. He took the souls to be judged for their life choices. Adonis let out a few tears before running to get the Shaman.

https://i.imgur.com/m2OtDOC.png

The shaman moved the tombstone to it’s proper resting place. She gave him final prayers. She pleading that the goddess give him safe passage and recognize what he had done to help the young tribe grow and thrive. She spoke of his accomplishments and how he would make a fine warrior to Kala.

https://i.imgur.com/lDHWlPD.png

Oh no, Cesar! :o I voted for him as father of the possible heiress because I liked him but now it's just too sad :'( He was so brave and caring for others until the end, really extraordinary. <3 May the queen be blessed by the goddess and bear a girl.