Leccos Kaleidoscope: H#01A02 --- Harboretum --- Glimpse of the 1st Harbour

Animation for the 2nd article from the Leccos Herald #1, an interactive PDF NFT.

The 1st Harbour is shrouded in mysteries. Neither Au’Pitchai nor Ou’Rangi were present at the foundation of this aquatic citadel. The so-called Tentaro, the ancestors of the modern Kalameghi, had built a number of underwater cities. It is said that there are several outposts in the depths all around the Peninsula’s shores. The oldest known harbour was one of these benthic structures; a one that had its tallest spire emerge above the surface of the black waters. It is unknown whether it was still inhabited by the Tentaro when the first Ou’Rangi moved into the spire and extended the tower with wooden bridges and runebark huts. It is believed that the metallic wall around the southern side of the Uoyab tree of the Southower harbour is the tentaro old spire. The Uoyab tree there is now larger than the city below, full of arachi presence with their soft and singing, miraculous webs. Around the giant tree, there’s torch lit boardwalk that branches out to different small districts, mostly built on poles above the dark water surface. You’ll mostly pass by ou’pitchai workers, with an occassional karchari guard patrol – sometimes even accompanied by stern ou’rangi technopriest. Some of the lower Uoyab branches hold an oval cocoon-like nest with one or two Arachi nearby – always watching. In the far corners towards the shore, there are several colorful tents of various sizes. These are of kotharaki culture with perhaps few of them sheltering quaggai runners. On a specific conjunction of the suns, you can see through the water, below the surface. The smooth, metallic underwater architecture is captivating, almost mesmerizing if you get a glimpse of the kalama crystals there. And if you meet the rare and eerie, amphibious Kalameghi, you can feel a strong sense of vague familiarity – as all the beings around the Peninsula do. And there is always music in the air. Southower atmosphere is different from other arachi enclaves – the sound of the web strings is less haunting as you hear it in combination with the kalama wind chimes and bells. ⸙

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