Matahouroa Worldbuilding: Moai

 When mankind arrived to Hinawahine, five great statues were carved, to  mark and celebrate their own homeland and to establish holy places where  the realm of the gods would be closest to mankind. These statues, the  five Moai, have dotted on Matahouroa places where the power of the  divine realms flows through, creating immense pools of mana widely  sought after by just about any mage on the plane – and visiting  planeswalkers. The individual Kahuna orders have their main headquarters  placed in the vicinity of these Moai, and the five great Taniwha wander  the waters around them, tending and protecting these sacred statues.

The Invoking Moai (White)

Located  in Hiruhāramānia, the Invoking Moai’s location has been progressively  more elevated as the city grew, and now it is located in the royal  shrine at the center of the Palace, where it is regularly visited and  tended by the Pūhihi Kahuna and the monarch. The Invoking Moai is made  of pristine alabaster, with its eyes made of gold, constantly radiating a  white light from them, which can cure most illnesses. It is set on an  expression of awe, and indeed it stands as the mediator between mankind  and the celestial gods, which are said to speak through the Invoking  Moai. A series of marble plates lay before the Moai, on which are  written messages from the gods, normally taken to be divine law, though  frequently manipulated by the Pūhihi Kahuna. Meditating before the  Invoking Moai is said to open the mind to the gods, and indeed the  Pūhihi Kahuna use it to establish a permanent connection to Rāo,  blocking out other divine influences.

The Scolding Moai (Blue)

The  only Moai outside Hinawahine, the Scolding Moai is a bit of a mystery  in regards to its origins, though it is thought to have been built by  now extinct tribes that lived on the island. Made of a light grey,  almost metallic looking rock, the Scolding Moai is located in the bay of  Tapukokoru, a bay that stretches well inland into the center of Hiriwa.  Its waters are calm, with only the most subtle waves, tinged with a  bright cyan glow, thought to come from the minerals in the Moai’s rocks.  The Scolding Moai’s existence is well known, but its precise location  is kept as a secret, ensuring that only the Parekareka and the Karetai  Kahuna have access to it. The Moai’s name come from its rather austere  fixed expression, and those who tend to it and use its power claim that  they feel as if reprimanded, scolded for not living up to their  potential, driving them forward to do so.

The Grieving Moai  (Black)

Rising  from the Wairepomango at the center of Koronitiwa, the Grieving Moai is  made from what appears to be lead, with a fixed expression of  heartwrenching sadness, crying black tears that add up to the swamp  waters. These tears are often thought to be noxious contamination, but  in reality they are simply pure Black  mana, which diffuses in the Wairepomango waters. For obvious reasons,  many seek these tears, but between them and the Moai there are hordes of  ravenous shades and other spirits that attack anyone who dares  approaching, and add their disembodied soul to their own. Only those who  learn from Pango can bypass these spirits and use the tears, humans who  do so being instantly declared Ataata Kahuna. The Ataata Kahuna tend to  this Moai, describing the feeling as provoking severe depression, but  strongly empowering their magics.

The Chanting Moai (Red)

The  Chanting Moai rises from the geothermic lake at Tīrarae, standing right  beneath its pyramidal roof’s center. It is fixed on a grinning, joyful  expression, and the Tahepuia Kahuna who tend to it claim that it  prommotes happiness and other positive emotions, expressing themselves  as excited hymns and powerful songs. Its chanting is said to inspire  great sculptures and other artworks, encouraging the Tahepuia Kahuna to  express their joyful and carefree lives to the fullest, overwhelming  sadness and frustration. In return, the Tahepuia Kahuna through  offerings to the lake, usually made from non-metallic objects like wood  and bone. Unlike most Moai, whose sphere of influence, while wide  reaching, is ultimately tied down to their location, the Chanting Moai  is said to be felt and heard in all volcanic areas aside from  Kōmarumaunga, influencing the Tahepuia Kahuna everwhere where there is  techtonic activity. The Tahepuia Kahuna maintain that the same applies  to all Moai, something considered by members of the other orders, but  generally not expressed aside from non-mainland Pirita Kahuna.

The Murmuring Moai (Green)

Located  at the source of the Ingikiwai, the Murmuring Moai, like the Scolding  Moai, also has its location a secret, violently enforced by the Pirita  Kahuna. Many do feel its influence, however, and often climb the river  to try to commune with it, listening to its whispers. They are usually  hunted down and viciously murdered by the Pirita Kahuna, though many  consider the risk worth it. The Murmuring Moai is set on an expression  of bliss, yet of a barely discernible worry, said to whisper urgent  advice. The Pirita Kahuna commune with this Moai, learning the meaning  behind these whispers, and delibaterely ignoring it. They consider the  urgency behind the Moai’s whispers to be a necessary evil, and indeed  the final test of loyalty for the mainland Pirita Kahuna is to test  whereas the new recruits are loyal the order or follow the Murmuring  Moai’s pleas. If the latter, they are treated even worse than the people  who follow the river.