Maris

Maris is a Majiri resident of Bahari Bay in Palia. They keep to themselves, mostly in their home at Beachcomber Cove.

Biographical Info

Occupation: None. 

Location: Bahari Bay

Group: Majiri

Physical Info

Gender: Non-Binary

Hair Color: Black and Blue 

Eye color: Brown

Game Info

Romance: Yes

Shepp: No

Additional Info

Personality: Water

Star Path: The Scholar (Aquamarine)

Relationships: 

• Tamala

• Einar (Best Friend)

Appearance

Maris is an adult Majiri who is taller than most of the other Majiri villagers and has a lithe build like a swimmer. They have a darker purple skin and are covered in freckles due to their time out in the sun. Their hair is a dark blue color and is styled into two-strand twists, which fall to their shoulders and are decorated with trinkets like pearls,and seashells. 

They dress in a style that creates ease of movement, and are easy to dry if they get wet. They wear a linen one-shoulder cloth top, and billowy wide leg pants of brown cloth. Along with a dark wrapped belt around their waist, a long dark blue duster and wrap sandals. Maris makes all their own jewelry from materials found on the beach or easily retrieved from the ocean floor; most of it features sea glass and chords made from weaved natural materials.

An expert in diving and marine life, Maris is a shy but thoughtful loner who lives in a cave off of the coast in Beachcomber Cove. 

Not much is known about the hermetic Majiri that roams the beach in the early hours of the morning, and is often seen emerging from the water with a net full of junk from the coasts depths. They rarely ever make an effort to talk to anyone in Kilima Village, although they visit Einar at least once a day. Their close relationship with the much feared witch in the woods, Tamala, does them no favors reputation wise. 

Despite the continuous rumors that Maris is a sea witch or some kind of unnatural creature summoned through illegal flow usage by Tamala, they have never done anyone any actual harm. In fact, at least once a year an underprepared villager has to be saved from a watery demise by Maris. 

With no money, and only their skills in scavenging, Maris has maintained a peaceful life alone on the beach and seems to like it that way. 

History

Maris grew up with two sailors for parents, who took them all over the world. Their father captained a trading ship, and their mother was a carpenter that tended to any damages. Despite their shyness, Maris grew up surrounded by a tight knit crew aboard the ship. During their teen years before they could take on a Shepp, a terrible storm sank the ship. Maris was the only survivor. 

Maris has never said how long they were on the ocean alone, but when they turned up on a make-shift raft full of repurposed junk in Kilima they simply never left. They only ever say that they learned to fend for themselves because they had no other choice. Despite offers of help from villagers, Maris’ antisocial personality and strange habits formed at sea made it hard for them to fit in. 

For years, Maris has holed up in a cave in Beachcombers Cove offering not more than a nod or a word or two of conversation. They spend their time diving, retrieving discarded materials and either using them for their own means or offering them silently to villagers. More than once Jina has woken to a piece of ancient stone outside of her tent, and even rare foraged materials will be wrapped in a cloth outside the tavern for Ashura. Not wanting the attention of being found out, Maris is sure to only do their deliveries in the dead of night or has them delivered through Einar. 

Aside from diving and trying to conserve the natural life around the bay, Maris enjoys carving the bones of large sea creatures. Their cave is decorated with beautiful hand carved bone art pieces and crafts made from items they’ve found on the shore. Maris is also a very talented astronomer and wayfinder, they have a lot of maps which are composed only of constellations and are very difficult to read if one is not well-versed in astronomy.

Coming Soon.

To meet Maris, Player must complete The Mysterious Figure on the Beach quest.

Level 1: The Hermit 

"They don’t seem eager to talk to you, but Maris will give you a wave from a reasonable distance."

* When the player reaches Friendship Level 2, the Slim Pickings quest will become available.

Level 2: Barely Tolerable

Maris barely says anything to you, but they don’t walk away mid conversation anymore. That's progress, right?

*When the player reaches Friendship Level 3 , the Beachside Swap Meet quest will trigger.

Level 3:  Companionable Silence

They won’t stick around for small talk, but they will barter with you.

*After reaching Friendship Level 4, Maris will reach out to begin the quest Treasure Hunters and unlocks the Diving skill.

Level 4:  Diving Buddies

Maris has agreed to teach you to dive for valuables and marine foragables. They now will leave their cave to greet you whenever they see you.

Level 1:  Secret Admirer

Maris has reverted to outright running from any interaction with you but you keep finding seashells in your mailbox.

When the player reaches Romance Level 2 , the Strange Feelings quest will trigger.

Level 2:  Cracked Shells

Maris seems to want to keep conversations going with you, but they aren’t very good at it.

When the player reaches Romance Level 2 , the Practice Makes Perfect quest will trigger.

Level 3:  Unknown Depths

Maris had never hoped they would find someone they felt so comfortable with, despite their peculiarities they can think of no one else they’d like to spend time with.

When the player reaches Romance Level 2 , the Long Walks on the Beach quest will trigger.

Level 4: Safe Harbor

You and Maris’ relationship is akin to coming home after a long journey. Safe, comfortable and content.