Manithan Vaanam

In-Game Time	3rd Night of the 6th Dharan Cycle
Played On	22nd of August, 2025

After Shwari's Thandavam and its consequences, the party separates to relax and settle in for the rest of the night. Bhavannan stalks to the cliffside, and Haavani follows, stirring a conversation between the two. Bhavannan airs out his frustrations with the party, explaining how his and Haavani's mission has been cast to the side. Haavani agrees, yet rationalizes their trajectory, expressing the severity of the issues at hand. Bhavannan agrees, yet explains how they have made him into a fugitive and that he has risked his life for the party for seemingly no respect or gratitude. He then explains if they do not go to the Kaalu Kaatu soon, then he will leave them to continue his mission. Haavani obliges, saying that she will join him as well, much to her chagrin. After this conversation, the two rejoin the others at the camp and sleep falls upon the group once more.

As the sun rises, Haavani awakens and sends a querying prayer to Veyyon. After a few minutes of intense meditation, Haavani opens her eyes to a canvas, a seascape painted upon it. The others wake and Haavani brings the canvas to Aadhi and Shwari. The twins recognize the picture as Thaanjaagam, their home city. Haavani reveals her conversation with Veyyon, during which He gave multiple proclamations. One of the proclamations is that the party must go to Thaanjaagam. Haavani also reveals that Veyyon made it imperative that the group go to the Kaalu Kaatu as well. Everyone essentially agrees and starts their descent down Malai Hill.

The group journeys for the better part of a day and decide to stop at Rambunayan's, mostly to say their goodbyes. Rambunayan immediately asks how the trial went, to which Shwari responds positively. As the two converse about Thandavam, Shwari lets slip Aadhi's extreme problem: Bodhi. Rambunayan freezes, and asks how they know that name, which Shwari explains. Rambunayan then unfolds his lore: his older brother, Pasupathi, is the one to wield Bodhi's spine. He explains how Vaasi vigilantes took their father's life for procuring half-elves, and that the death pushed Pasupathi to dark magic, or Soonyam. Aadhi and Shwari question Rambunayan extensively, yet he expresses his lack of knowledge due to his brother's separation. Rambunayan also gains insight on Shwari's true purpose from Dhara: to kill Bodhi. Rambunayan reveals the fact in front of the party; Aadhi is disturbed by the fact. Rambunayan leaves the cave after to meditate on the situation.

The party discusses the revelations, eventually leading to Bhavannan suggesting that Aadhi let Bodhi inside her. The tension shifts, and Aadhi, fuming, goes to slap him, which Bhavannan swats away. The two have a standoff; the other members tell the two to rein their emotions in and that in-fighting will go nowhere. Rambunayan returns, ignorant of the perturbed atmosphere.

Rambunayan explains his thoughts and decides to help the party by teleporting them to the Kaalu Kaatu. He asks if anyone has a token from the Kaatu. As this question is asked, Reshinila empties her satchel, and she holds a golden pin. On it, a turtle is engraved. Reshinila immediately recognizes it as the emblem for the Nambagan line, a heritage that has died out except for one person: Karikala. She, in shock, explains how she met the displaced heir of the Neithals in the Kaatu, and Rambunayan, in awe, asks to hold the pin. Aadhi suggests that Reshinila describe his likeness, so that she draw him using manthiram. As the face of Karikala floats in the air, Rambunayan claims that it must be him, for he carries the famous Nambagan cleft chin. Afterwards, Rambunayan explains his need to sleep and heads to bed, leaving the group alone. Most of the group falls to sleep, except for Aadhi and Bhavannan, who have a discussion in the moonlit snow.

Aadhi starts a speech chronicling her youth, her love for dance, and her hatred of Bodhi. She announces her resentment of Bhavannan's point of view, attempting to show the futility of her situation. Bhavannan does not relent, however, explaining that Aadhi's dharma must not have been sufficient in her current past lives. He expresses his belief that karma must have enacted its justice upon her. The two go back and forth in a heated debate, leaving both at odds. At the end, Bhavannan explains that his stance cannot be changed until Aadhi has proven herself righteous enough to push against Bodhi, which Aadhi accepts, thought embittered by the dispute. As the tensions arise and remain, they head back into the cave, joining the group in their slumber.