Difference between revisions of "Relu-na"

Like other Tai-na, Relu-na has grown to extraordinary size due to a [[spren]] bond{{wob ref|2684}} related to her [[gemheart]]{{wob ref|756}} that allows her body to defy the laws of physics.{{wob ref|6498}}{{book ref|sa3|99}} [[Rysn]] believes that Relu-na is as large as a town.{{book ref|sa3|i|13}} One of Relu-na's eyes is described as a "the size of a house" and it is situated more than fifty feet from the top of her head.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} She has a massive mouth with huge mandibles.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} She is referred to as female by [[Gu]].{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}

Relu-na's shell has the appearance of a mountainous island jutting out from the ocean with no beach.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} She is not immediately identifiable as a living being, but when she moves it becomes easier to see that she has legs.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} She has a stony carapace covered with an array of plant life including moss, trees, [[shalebark]], and [[rockbud]]s.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} The plants grow as thick as a jungle or forest over most of the shell, but relatively few plants grow on the head.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} The shell has protrusions near the waterline that are used as docks by the residents of the island; stairs have also been cut into the shell.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} The sea is unusually warm near Relu-na and Rysn compares the water to that of the [[Purelake]].{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}

Relu-na appears to be ancient,{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} as Tai-na are very long-lived.{{wob ref|3423}} The natives feed Relu-na fruit, but only as a treat; they do not divulge her primary food source.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} The Tai-na are sentient, and the Reshi people believe that they are also sapient and capable of decision-making. Gu mentions that when two Tai-na approach each other, they decide what will happen next—a war, or something "good".{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}

Upon reaching Relu-na's head, Rysn attempted to trade with the natives. Unbeknownst to Rysn, Vstim had actually trained the king's son, [[Talik]], and had covertly arranged for him to be tough on Rysn as a training exercise. However, Rysn became so frustrated by the negotiation that she made a bold attempt to gain the trust of the natives. She climbed down a rope suspended hundreds of feet over the ocean and attempted to address Relu-na directly, but fell when the rope snapped.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} She survived the fall, and Vstim later told her that the island's spren somehow saved her life.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}} Rysn says she was trying to gain respect after Vstim and Talik repeatedly insisted that Relu-na placed a great deal of value on boldness; after her bold yet reckless act, the island somehow gifted her a living larkin.{{book ref|sa2|i|3}}