[b][u]At Hex 8,8[/b][/u]

Helios was gone.
All of the Gurahl had noticed the flash of red, but it was the disappearance of a major Celestine presence that had caused the most panic amongst the River Keepers. Having lived in such close proximity to the spirits and the Celestine of the Umbra for the majority of their lives, the feeling of their presence was something they had largely taken for granted, but the moment it was gone, they [i]noticed[/i]. Sure, the sun still hung in the sky, but his spirit was gone. At first, the Gurahl had frozen in horror, watching the sky, waiting, but what they expected didn't come. The sun never died, it's light and warmth continuing to shine down. It didn't make any sense! Without Helios to sustain it, the sun should have died! There should have been darkness, cold and death!
A gathering was hastily called. Ewch i'r Nala quickly established order through a comination of dominance, logic and respect. Yes, Helios was gone and there was a sun in the sky, but Ewch i'r Nala begged them to focus, to [i]feel[/i]. That was not [i]their[/i] sun. It was not governed by a Celestial. It was nothing more than a ball of gas, heat and fire.
Ewch then drew the River Keeper Tribe's attention to another matter. Luna was still with them, as was Gaia, but the presence of the latter had greatly diminished. The could all smell the moisture on the air, too, greater than it had been the day before. Scouts were sent in out. Two to scout the woodland, two to scout the Umbra. The news the returned with did not help matters.

The were atop a hexagonal island, surrounded by what seemed like an impossible, freshwater ocean. Other islands were visible in the distance, but apart from that, they were alone. The Umbra scouts were even more shaken. The Umbra was uncharacteristically easy to enter and was almost empty, save for the spirits of the trees, river and animals that had apparently followed them over. Not only that, at the edge of the new island, the Umbra just [i]ended[/i]. The ocean they found themselves in had no spirit, no [i]essence[/i]. Whenever they attempted to push beyond, they were transported back material world!

There was unease and terror at the prospect. Their caerns were still functional, their Gifts still help potence, but they were [i]alone[/i]. The River keepers found themselves turning to Ewch i'r Nala for much needed guidance. After retiring to meditate in the Umbra, hoping to commune with Gaia through one of her minor spirits. Several hours later, Ewch i'r Nala returned.

[b]"We are all aware of what has transpired and we are all equally unsure of what to do. I have meditated in the Umbra and I have communed with Gaia, and what I have learned is this. We are no longer on Earth."[/b] The rumblings and discontent through the tribe was to be expected, but Ewch continued on, [b]"But that is not to say that this is not our [i]home[/i]. Gaia has been contained to [i]this[/i] island, as has the Umbra. This world is strange, without spirit, essence or Celstine, but that does not have to be the case! Gaia has assured me that through the building of caerns on the neighboring isles, her presence as well as the presence of the Umbra can be spread. We now find ourselves in a world with neither Wyrd, Weaver or Wyrm! This place can be a new beginning for us, for Gaia. With our help, Gaia can be reborn here and exist in a peace that was unknowable back home!"[/b]

The discontent suddenly turned to elation. No Wyrm? No Wraiths? This could be the world they had always strived for, a world of balance and peace! The tribe found themselves untied in purpose and goal as well as enthusiasm. They would be the cradle of a new world, and through them, Gaia could be reborn. Groups were organised, parties of fifteen were chosen. The neighboring isles were barely a mile away. Swimming to them would be an easy feat for any member of the Gurahl. Fifteen made their way toward Hex 6,7 whilst the other fifteen made their way to Hex 8,6.
Their mission was primarily a scouting one. Once there, if they encountered any danger, they were to retreat and report back, otherwise it was hoped that caerns could be constructed on each isle, linking them with the Gurahl Hex, spreading the presence of Gaia and the Umbra. The remaining thirty Gurahl remained on their home Hex, awaiting the return of the parties, with Ewch i'r Nala meditating in the Umbra periodically and attempting contact home or anyone through their radio tower.