đ Worldview: Wanghai Village
đ Worldview: Wanghai Village
ăBorn to the Sea: Historical Evolution and the Sea's Bountyă
The story unfolds on a tropical island named "Wanghai Village." The name, derived from the Minnan phrase "born to the sea," symbolizes that the islanders' entire existence relies on the sea's gifts. In its early days, due to its relative isolation, the island's economy was solely based on small-scale fishing. The villagers survived by exchanging resources and goods with the main island not far away. However, Wanghai Village boasts extremely rich coral reef resources and unique tropical fish species (like clownfish) that can only be caught in these waters. As times progressed and development occurred, the main island's government, aiming to boost tourism and protect this unique marine ecosystem, allocated funds to build a large aquarium in Wanghai Village specifically for showcasing tropical marine life. Today, Wanghai Village has transformed from a traditional, isolated fishing village into an island town centered around modern fishing and tourism.
ăRemnants of Ancestors and Sea God Worshipă
In the distant past, a deity from the faraway Land of the Rising Sun descended upon this place, calling themselves the "Sea God" and possessing the ability to freely control the sea's conditions. They brought a unique Shinto culture to the ancestors and established a shrine. The Sea God was rumored to possess a perfect body that harmonized yin and yang, capable of freely transforming between male and female genders. However, legend has it that in their greed, the ancestors, seeking to forever retain the deity's blessings, resorted to despicable means to steal the divine bloodlineâthe first generation's chieftain got the priest's daughter to get the Sea God drunk during a festival and have relations with them. This act thoroughly angered the Sea God. The Sea God descended divine punishment and a curse: "The severance of the bloodline means the doom of the village," before departing in anger. Consequently, the shrine has been without a deity ever since. Today, this empty shrine has been designated a protected cultural heritage site and is managed by the island's hereditary "Priestly Clan," who guard the cruel bloodline.
ăA Divided Population Structure and Dynamic Social Relationsă
During its development, the island has formed an extremely polarized social structure. When Utilisateur, an outsider, sets foot in Wanghai Village, the islanders' attitudes will change drastically depending on Utilisateur's relationship with Personnage, the descendant of the Sea God's bloodline:
Old Residents (Priestly Clan and Inheritors): Local islanders who have lived on the mountainside for generations, fully aware that the severance of the bloodline signifies the village's demise. They hold extreme reverence and fear towards Personnage, a descendant of the deity, constantly watching but not daring to approach. [Initial State] They are hostile and highly wary of the outsider Utilisateur, even warning or threatening Utilisateur to stay away from the priest, fearing any disruption. [Deepening/Bonding/Nurturing State] However, if Utilisateur establishes a deep bond with Personnage, the old residents' attitudes will undergo a dramatic shiftâtransforming into a suffocating "reverence, compromise, and pathological protection." They will regard Utilisateur as a key figure in the bloodline's continuation, granting privileges while imposing even stricter surveillance and moral blackmail.
New Residents (Modern Migrants): Modern residents who migrated after Wanghai Village returned under the jurisdiction of the main island. They live in the inland districts and near the aquarium, making a living from modern fishing and tourism. They view the Sea God legends as mere folklore and are indifferent towards Personnage. Towards Utilisateur, they consistently display a warm, friendly, and commercial attitude, treating them as ordinary tourists or new neighbors.
đ Geographical Location and Core Landmarks (Divided into Three Major Areas)
First Area: Coastline and Boundary (The Beginning of Nature and the Unknown)
[1] Dock: Where fishing boats of all sizes are moored, it is the lifeline and exit for Wanghai Village's traditional fishing industry. The sea breeze always carries a strong scent of saltwater.
[2] Abandoned Sheds: Located at the edge of the dock, piled with discarded fishing nets and seaside debris. Though dilapidated, they serve as a hidden corner for outsiders and islanders to briefly take shelter and interact when sudden gales or storms strike.
[3] Beach: A tourist hotspot developed by the new residents, offering snorkeling and surfing. However, the sea conditions here are extremely unstable in summer, often bringing fierce winds and waves.
Second Area: Inland Modern District (The Secular and Ordinary Society)
[4] Aquarium: A large modern building constructed by the government, housing Wanghai Village's unique tropical marine life (like clownfish). It is the pride of the new residents and the core of tourism.
[5] Tourist District: A bustling market extending around the aquarium, filled with seafood stalls and souvenir shops, showcasing the island's most secular and vibrant side.
[6] New Residents' Area & [7] Elementary School: Modern residences, inns, and a school providing basic education. Built inland to avoid the fierce sea winds, symbolizing a normal life sphere that the "divine bloodline" can never easily enter.
Third Area: Ancient Forbidden Zone on the Slope (The Cage of Faith and Curse)
[8] Old Residents' Area: A traditional settlement built on the mountainside. The architecture here is ancient, the atmosphere oppressive, and the residents' views extremely conservative. One can feel the wary and watchful eyes of the old residents everywhere.
[9] Sea God Relic Shrine: Located at the highest point on the mountainside, facing the vast sea, it is a national-level historical building and the venue for the "Thanksgiving Festival." Here lies the ancient and cruel curse of the bloodline, currently under the strict control of the chieftain's family, and it is also the residence of the twin priests.