TE POU TATAU

TE POU TATAU

Tui  55

Takahe  37

Kereru  29

Kakapo  10

Most Pacific Majesty,

I dearly hope this message finds you well. The most recent journeys of the four waka
have been less than optimistic. Very troubling, to say the least. Nevertheless, I will
inform your majesty on all the specific dealings the four waka have experienced since my
last report.

This day the legends have been proven true. It seems the four waka have made landfall
upon the infamous Motu Kaitangata! Bloodthirsty savages abound there indeed! The
inhabitants of the island desire to consume our people as kai! Te Waka Tui was also
swept onto Te Motu Kaitangata after their defeat to Te Wheke! Their house was caught in
the ocean current and washed ashore. Whether Tui knew what dangers awaited them or not I
am unsure.

An intense battle against the natives of Te Motu Kaitangata broke out involving Takahe,
Kereru, and Kakapo who shamefully opted to flee! Tui was the only waka unable to run
away from the kaitangata so they had no choice but to fight it out with the craven
cannibals, although if they could have run away they would have...

 And so the kaitangata caught Tui house and they had to fight against the cannibals. The
three houses experienced massive almost catastophic loss of mana which ultimately
affected their resources. I certainly pray that they will remember that they are noble
beings of superior bearing and will not run away in future.

Kereru lost their mangatoa in a duel with the kaitangata general, may he rest in peace!
Takahe lost four soldiers and three civilians, Kakapo lost three civilians, and Tui
lost six soldiers. Peace be upon them all.

It seems that none of the teams desire to cooperate with one another. This has been
evidenced by their lack of unity when fighting the wicked kaitangata. It is my opinion
majesty that the houses are in disarray and ill disciplined. This lack of discipline and
focus caused the death of many soldiers because they didn’t use their structures to work
decently with confidence and in order.

I did see a glimmer of hope in the end, as some of the waka began to put away their
petty rivalries in the name of survival. They started to learn that they should trade and
sell their resources to the cousins for the benefit of all. Whether this will come to
fruition, I am not sure. Mighty blows have been struck against all four waka on this
journey so far. Many of the warriors and civilians have become a delicious kai-hakari
for the island natives. What comes about after this lies hidden in the mists of
uncertainty.

Be well Pacific Majesty. I am as ever in your service.

Na Te Amorangi

TE POU TATAU - 4th September

TE POU TATAU

Takahe 199 

Kereru 110 

Tui 110 

Kakapo 70

TE POU TU TANGATA

1 - Wai-Maori (fresh water) // TAKAHE
2 - Kai (food) // KAKAPO
3 - Whakaruruhau (shelter)
4 - Ohiti (safety) // TUI
5 - Rama (light and fuel) // KERERU
6 - Horoi (hygiene)
7 - Rangahaua (exploration & accumulation) 

TE POU ARIKI

Arikinui (20) // (MANA) 

Tohunga (15) // (WAIRUA) 

Mangotoa (10) // (KAHA)  

Kaiaro (05) // (ORANGA) 

Most Pacific Majesty, 

I had hoped to bring you good tidings regarding the journeyings of the four house waka but, unfortunately, I regret to inform you that circumstances have taken a turn for the worse. House Tui has been accosted by none other than the fearsome monster Te Wheke! We had hoped to see the last of this nefarious creature but it seems as if he pleasures in destroying the waka of our people. 

The legends regarding this great taniwha were true; Te Wheke does indeed talk, and it seems the giant octopus is interested in testing the knowledge of those he encounters. The survivors of Tui recalled that Te Wheke inquired of them, "To whom do I belong?" The fact that he belongs to none other than Prince Muturangi ought to be known by all to be sure, but unfortunately Tui fell into such disarray at the mere sight of Te Wheke they could not gather their thoughts to answer such a simple question! 

Even worse, they were unable to organize a defence against his merciless attacks before their waka suffered severe damage. In a last bid to gain freedom, Tui's tohunga cast an air spell obscuring their image from Te Wheke which allowed them to escape with their lives. However, with rotten sails and a damaged waka, things are looking bleak indeed for the house of Tui.

Regarding the waka of Kakapo, Kereru and Takahe, I am pleased to inform your Majesty that much of the infighting and lack of discipline earlier reported on has ceased. It seems as if our explorers have finally realised that, with the perils of their journey across the vast ocean, to fight amongst themselves would surely spell doom. Let us hope that they have put such petty bickering behind them.

However, the misfortunes of our explorers seem to grow day by day. The rumours that the waka of Kakapo, Kereru and Takahe have landed on the dreaded Motu Kaitangata have now been confirmed as true. A foul wind set upon them and, row as they might, they were not able to escape the ocean current which dragged them directly to the infamous isle of cannibals! The wind damaged their sails which will need to be repaired forthwith before they can set sail again. Let us hope our explorers can survive without being transformed into the soup du jour!

As always, I am ever in your service.

Na Te Amorangi~

TE POU TATAU 29th August

Takahe 52

Kereru 50

Kakapo 47

Tui 41

Most Pacific Majesty,

I wish to advise you that the final four and most important waka have now at last departed the island but it was anything but a smooth departure. One particular vessel was beset with the most mysterious case of rotten sails. Another vessel appeared to be arguing all the way out into the harbour and probably beyond. Yet another vessel had discipline issues due to the crew not respecting its Ariki and the final waka had a similar issue except it was the Ariki who was displaying poor leadership.

Are these explorers really the finest that Hawaiki can offer? Most days I doubt they can even make it out of bed let alone across the vast Mother Ocean of Kiwa. But I do wish them all the very best of fortune because they will surely need it. 

As per your instructions Majesty, I have sent special artefacts with them in order to aid their voyages. The usefulness of these artefacts will be decided by the abilities of each Tohunga on board the various waka. I have given carved tablets and counting sticks to the chief Kaiaronui but whether they will use them is anybody's guess.

An array of special weapons was presented to the four Amorangi of each waka shortly before departure. The effectiveness of each weapon depends upon the element of each house in possession of them and the personal skills of each practitioner. The Mangotoa of Tuituia is particularly skilled in battle but so is the Mangotoa Whero - which is only to be expected since that is the House of War. 

I do expect that Takahe will travel well out on the ocean since water is their element. It is a pity they fight amongst themselves so often. Fighting whilst upon long voyages is tedious at best and fatal at worst. Kakapo seems to be the best supplied and most disciplined of all the houses yet they have on board a most nefarious Tohunga who even though he failed to ruin the voyage is doubtless unfinished with his malicious intentions.

Tui has problems with its sails which is most likely the result of sabotage most foul. They can harness the very winds of Tawhirimatea to make them sail faster than any other waka. But they need sturdy sails in order to achieve this! And lastly Kereru is the house I expect to struggle most with being out over the water. Many of them did not even want to evacuate and I had to cast massive spells of compulsion to encourage their departure. But I am sure their outstanding warrior skills will come to the fore.

It has to be said Majesty that there are many dangers and snares out there upon the endless ocean, but none of them as treacherous as the plans and desires that can rest within the hearts of men. Meanwhile as you can sense, the great Maunga-Ririrangi groans and wails above us. I expect these may be the last days for those who remain. Why, it is almost as if she cannot wait to be rid of us.

All power to you, Most Royal Arikinui

Na Te Mangai Amorangi~

TE RARANGI UTU PIA

ARIKI = 5 PTS

TOHUNGA = 4 PTS

MANGO-TOA = 3 PTS

KAIARONUI = 3 PTS

TANGATA-TOA = 2 PTS

TANGATA = 1

Your own colours are free

Primary colours cost 2 Pts

Non metallics cost 1 Pts

Gold costs 5 Pts

Silver costs 3 Pts

White costs 2 Pts

More than 3 colours costs 1 Pts per selection

Points 15th August

Takahe = 41 pts

Kakapo = 38 pts
Tui = 32 pts
Kereru = 29 pts


Na Te Mangai Amorangi~

Te Pou Tatau

Tui = 21 pts
Kereru = 19 pts
Takahe = 18 pts

Kakapo = 18 pts

Na Te Mangai Amorangi~

ADVENTURE JOURNALS

(From the Military Journal of General Oti Tuituia)



Today was a very bad day, we were informed today that all our sails have been ruined by a mysterious fungus that must have developed overnight. Unbelievable!

Everybody is blaming the Wizard of the Greenhouse for obvious reasons but I think it is too early to know for there are many who would like to see our house fail in its efforts to reach Aotearoa. Some of them are members of this very house.

On a brighter note, His Royal Highness destroyed most of the front part of his palace yesterday. He managed to wreck the western wing of it last week.

I rejoice!














Most Pacific Majesty,


I report to you on matters regarding the deaths of all four monarchs of the principal dynasties of Hawaiiki.

Three weeks ago the leaders of the Houses, Tuituia, Takaherangi, Kakaponui and Kererunui were summoned to the slopes of Te Puia Ririrangi by the Kakapo Wizard Te Whenua-Rongonui. This wizard claimed that he was in congress with the Queen of Volcanoes herself claiming special knowledge of how to stop the volcano from erupting. 

But this was a ruse and treachery was committed when the wizard used nefarious earth magic to manipulate the volcano into suddenly exploding around them and their retainers with lethal steam, gas, lava and rock. I can confirm that the Ariki of Tui, Kereru and Kakapo House perished in the ambush. However there is no sign of the Takahe monarch even though we know she and her consort were at the site when the incident occurred. 

We can only presume them dead.  Their son was suspicious of the Kakapo sorcerer and he secretly followed the royal heads up the mountain. He was severely burned as a result of the ambush eruption. In total over a hundred citizens lost their lives due to the wicked actions of Te Whenua-Rongonui.

We have received information that this Tohunga-kino has issued a challenge to the Mangonui and Kaiaronui of his own house and it appears to be only a matter of time before he does likewise to the young Princess-in-mourning and heir to the Kakapo throne, Rebel Te Kakaponui. 

Te Whare Kakapo is not the only house in turmoil. Tui House has had to endure ongoing ructions these past few weeks as ambitious challengers to the Throne of Air have surfaced to challenge Prince Connor Tuituia for the leadership of that ancient house.

The princes inability to produce his magic complicated things greatly and endangered not only his but the life of his erstwhile Mangotoa who championed the youngster successfully through six battles with other air-practitioners. The general was by then totally exhausted and would not have survived any further challenge.

I am pleased to inform you Majesty that Connors great aunt, Hineahuroa was finally able to make a breakthrough in Connors training and he has now gained access to his abilities, (this was the massive explosion we heard yesterday afternoon). Whether he can learn to control such mighty power remains to be seen.

Meanwhile there has been similar crisis within the precincts of the Kereru House where the new ruler was challenged by an uncle of hers for the mana of the sacred Fire-chair. In fact he attacked her unannounced in the middle of the night and if not for the valiant efforts of her Tohunga, Upoko-Te Kahanui and Mangonui Prince Thomas Te Kereru she would have been incinerated. 

I cannot help but wonder majesty whether this attack is somehow linked to the cowardly actions of the Kakapo Tohunga-kino who killed the princesses parents atop Te Puia Ririnui. One other note on this house majesty...

My sources have informed me that their Kaiaronui is secretly in possession of the fabulous Jawbone of Maui. This relic was thought lost for many generations and we believe it was found when a fissure in the ground opened up during a recent quake. Officially this taonga belongs to you majesty since Maui is your direct ancestor eleven times removed. I therefore request the right to recover it in your name.


Finally Majesty I must report on Te Whare o Takahenuirangi. As I stated earlier, the Takahe monarch - High Princess Anuia is missing presumed dead yet some believe she created a frozen cocoon of water to protect her from the ambush and disappeared into hiding. Others whisper that she was part of the evil plot and is in fact the real power influencing the destruction of the other monarchs. The truth is at this time very hard to discern. 

Our Medical Mage has informed me that the horrofic injuries suffered by young Prince Maori Steel have caused an interesting side effect. His skin appears to have turned to impervious stone which might give him an interesting advantage in warfare. The prince seems very angry with his Kakapo cousin and has vowed retribution.

And so Majesty, with just days to go before final evacuation it can only be said that this is indeed disastrous news for all four houses and there is as yet no known reason for the Kakapo wizards actions except his own wickedness and thirst for power. Majesty you have commanded that the Imperial House withdraw from society in these last days but I beg that you allow some kind of intervention to correct these great injustices.



I await your answer and I am as ever in your service



Na -  Te Mangai Amorangi~