This adventure begins with the Pathfinders aboard the Saranggola, a paraw boat owned by Arong Magsanay, a native Minatan and the field agents’ guide to Binoco Isle. Before setting sail, Arong enthusiastically introduces himself while giving each Pathfinder a high five, or a respectful wave should someone refuse or seem uncomfortable. He then passes over a parcel containing the following: a brief from Valashinaz, a letter from Taiwalei, and a bag of holding (type II).
I, Valashinaz, officially task you with the retrieval of a portion of my hoard in the Temple to Valashinaz near the center of Binoco Isle. This trove boasts a potent glyph of warding to deter thievery. However, you have my permission to deactivate the enchantment. Utter the following phrase in Tien: “To wit or wise, to value without understanding is to have none at all.” This hoard contains an abundant collection of skymetals, so to facilitate its movement, I have provided one bag of holding to be utilized during this mission for the convenience of all parties involved. Once you have acquired my treasure, deliver it to my assistant, Purepurin, at your earliest behest.
May you succeed.
—Valashinaz
I hope this letter finds you well as ready to sail for Binoco Isle. While I give this advice to all willing to receive it, I’d hope those less familiar with island adventuring will be especially open to my words.
Avoid meddling with your guide’s vessel unless asked; trust and calmness during the voyage will go a long way. There’s no shame in admitting when seasickness is about to take you; this openness will only allow those around you to better prepare.
Perhaps above all else, we must remember that just as we are explorers, we’re also visitors who must respect the places we tread. This is particularly important in these self-contained islands. Strive to leave no greater a footprint of your presence than is necessary to your mission. To those inclined to alter the battlefield with fire and similarly destructive elements, note the presence of (non-hostile) fauna and flora as you go about adventuring.
And, given the appropriate circumstances, I hope you take joy and come to appreciate the sights that await you among the islands of the Okaiyo.
To your best efforts,
Taiwalei
But before we get to that, why don't you introduce yourselves?
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A small canine humanoid swings down from the ropes, using only his upper body to guide himself. Although he has a clearly worried look on his face while aloft, he seems quite skilled at using the rigging, considering that he is usually clad in plate mail and using a traveler's chair with a rose emblazoned on the spiked wheels, with a large axe that glows faintly strapped to the back.
He waits politely for anyone to finish speaking, then cheerfully offers a paw to each of the others and says, "Hello, I'm Ra'uf. Been too long since I've been on deck. Not long enough, too. In any case, I can provide some extra muscle and patch people up if things get rough."
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A vine covered Leshy with an oversized white pumpkin for a head looks around curiously, before the vines adjust to form what almost seem to be spectacles.
They excitedly rub their hands together "Another mission, this is so exciting. I'm happy I took that sabbatical from teaching at Magaambya to learn more about the modern world. I'm so happy to be here."
Looking around Professor Whitegourd looks around "Who are all of you?"
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Sparkin waves at the other Pathfinders with a ghostlike mage hand.
Unlike the bright colored clothes of most gnomes, the cleric wears an outfit of black and white.
"The Magaambya is a venerable institution! We're lucky to have you with us," he bows to Professor Whitegourd. "I'm most interested to study the warding glyph that they dragon put on his hoard."
"I'm sure the skymetals will be very useful too."
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A tall man, dressed in leathers, that is a contrast of what you expect from an explorer, he indeed carry equipment for exploring the jungle and track but the hair, has been trimed to look "savage" on purpose, the clothes and leathers while workable also seems to be taken care of the small details to look presentable at least during the city stay, alongside the man, a small taldan human female, dressed with a coat and practical pants, a Golden tie, over a red coat, what makes her the representative of the tall man, alongside the couple a médium size Lioness walks alongside
*The female smiles as she introduces the man*
Greetings ladies and Gentlemen, its my pleasure to present you today, the explorer that you didn't know you need to met, the best explorer of the unknown that have yet to be known worldwide, the magnificent Sergei Alexandro Kravnoff.
The man walks in as if now used to the public atention and nods once to the woman.
I guess that presentation Will be enough for now Alania He then looks over to the group Greetings Fellow pathfinders, its an honor to met you here today, it seems that we'll be in an adventure together, and Will be an intresting way to learn about our skillset, Lets see where this lead us.
As for myself, i am an explorer, a tracker and a man of the wild, i am versed in the use of several weapons, and i can dance quite well, ,... for the appropiate public.
Then gestures to the lady and the Lioness They are Alania Toppen, my represntant and the organizer of my schedule and my Sister in the wolds Ti-ana
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A small, frail man walks beside a muscular angel whose majestic wings nearly touch the ground. The shirtless eidolon contrasts starkly with the fully armored man at his side. Seeing Shayla, a memory strikes him — an embarrassing mission they might have shared. Quickly, he shifts his position to distance himself from her. He then introduces himself.
"I am Charlies, and this is my angel, Estes," he blurts out.
The angel silently nods.
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A woman of medium height and what appears to be a perpetually sunny disposition comes up on deck.
"Hiya all! Shayla Quickfingers at your service. Wait? Professor Whitegourd? Weren't you in the gallery in that Iruxi meeting hall just last week?"
Professor Whitegourd nods "Those negotiations were tight, but your group pulled through in the end!"
Once the Pathfinders have been properly briefed and make their preparations, their vessel sets sail from the coast of Binocol in the early morning and reaches their destination within two to three hours.
As the Saranggola’s sails pick up a fair wind, the dock and coastline of Binocol swiftly fade away in the distance behind the vessel. With Binoco Isle located due east, it’s almost as if Arong is sailing the boat straight toward the rising sun.
Once the small ship eases into a respectable speed, Arong exclaims, “Look, or you’ll miss it!” With a wide grin, he gestures around with an oar in hand as the dark morning waters ripple to the beat of the wind. “Now, for just a hair of the day, you’ll see nothing but the ocean’s gift. Watch. Wonder! And thank the world that it is a good morning to sail!”
Then, as far as the eye can see, there’s only water. Streaks of orange light cut through the Okaiyo Ocean’s dark blue surface, disrupted by just the ship’s bow nudging water away into gaggles of white foam ahead of the vessel. The air smells not just of salt, but of the life teeming beneath the surface. Eventually, as the sun continues to climb, a speck appears on the horizon, growing with each moment. There looms an island topped with a verdant jungle. A beach of white-yellow sand approaches fast ahead, beaming like a mischievous grin plastered in contrast to the dense greenery behind it, and palm trees sway to the ocean breeze as if in greeting.
During the journey to Binoco Isle, Arong plays a good host as if this were on a tourist excursion rather than a mission for the Society, going so far as to offer the team Minatan snacks (dried mangoes, dried squid, and rice crackers), especially to anyone who feels nauseous. He becomes especially genial toward those who speak about being from metropolitan areas openly and their experiences in such places.
"Do you have any questions before we arrive?"
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Ra'uf tries to be helpful along the journey. Possibly too much so. He clears out whenever asked by any of the crew, but seems to take any excuse to pitch in. He's fair at it, as if he was trained but let is lapse.
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While Professor Whitegourd can trace his plant lineage all the way back to Old Mage Jatembe's garden, the prolific wizard did plant gardens everywhere he went and Professor Whitegourd calls on the Strength of Thousands of plants before him and becomes trained in Binocol lore.
“No traditions, just trees! Wildlife, perhaps a boar if you are lucky! Oh, and maybe, a pack of akatas—they were an offering that Valashinaz apparently kept as pets, you see, and roamed free there when my ancestors still actively worshipped at the temple, before the island was abandoned. There shouldn’t be any people living there at all, but you never know who or what else might wash up on these islands. Ain’t strange for less experienced navigators to be waylaid in the Okaiyo, so consider yourself lucky with me! And thank the winds, the waters, and the sky, as always.
“You Pathfinders probably know lots about land travel and survival, already! But—” Arong nods sagely before raising a finger in point. “In Minata, we pay our respects to anito--that is, nature spirits--when moving in places overtaken by nature. Once you start hiking through the jungle, kindly ask the anito for permission. Something like, ‘May I pass?’ or ‘Please move aside,’ while you walk along. That’s usually enough! Courtesy is key! Though if you prefer giving gifts instead of just asking—” He reaches into a satchel, pulls out a rice cracker, and noisily crunches on it. “—then offering a treat might do just as nicely.”
Arong also passes on a message from the Binocolan leaders: while they won’t hold it against the party to defend themselves or take lethal measures against hostile fauna and other creatures, they do request that the Pathfinders stay mindful of the surrounding environment when it comes to using fire-based magic and other similarly destructive abilities.
“They’re like hairless blue dogs that don’t make a sound. And they have tentacles for a mane! And if you see one, you’re supposed to avoid eye contact and back away slowly—Wait, that’s... that’s maybe a different beast.” Arong shrugs. “I haven’t actually seen an akata myself, but I don’t imagine they like to be bothered.”
Professor Whitegourd knows that an akata has adverse reactions to salt water. Mild exposure can cause pain and discomfort, but fully immersing it in salt water will prove lethal.
Sparkin can confirm that, and further knows that an akata typically spawns from humanoids, but sometimes, an akata develops altered physiology and abilities that relate to the nature of the humanoid they spawned from. In even rarer cases, a particularly special host can spawn a noticeably larger, more powerful akata.
Before long, the boat docks and the party is able to make their way into the jungle.
As if stepping into another world, the crashing waves and billowing winds have been replaced by a chorus of insects, calling birds, and critters ruffling through leaves and undergrowth. The jungle ahead is a mosaic of lush green interspersed by tree trunks peeking through, fallen branches, and the yellow-green leaves of banana trees. Traces of the salty sea breeze give way to that of damp foliage. With the canopy shielding much of the ground from the sun, the surroundings feel several degrees cooler but all the more humid. Each step into the undergrowth brings a moment of uncertainty, as plants mask whether a spot is of steady ground or a pool of water or mud simply covered by foliage. Even where the canopy gives way to more sunlight in a clearing, there’s only more lush jungle in the distance beyond.
Since the Pathfinders received guidance regarding the temple’s general location, they already have a good start on which way to go and must concern themselves mainly with actually trekking through the jungle. However, before they get too far inland, the party might notice an ambient shift in their surroundings...
The jungle almost immediately returns to its previous, noisy state.
While nothings says it in words, the Pathfinders realize that by offering a prayer, a dedication, a physical gift of food or incense, or a combination of the above, they can attempt to befriend the local anito while traveling. Doing so may make the journey easier--and failing to do so may make it harder.
They might like local delicacies!
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Oh might and kind spirtas of the island, may the forest welcome one of your won today, a hunter made man, bu the woll and desgns of the fate, but one that has lived long thru your ways, I put to you the horns of the fairest hunt, from distant lands to show proper respect, let us pass gently, as we bring more boons to your habitat
He places a small piece of carved bones from one of his previous hunts
The anito seem pleased with Professor Whitegourd's tribute, and he feels voices encouraging him forward.
They seem especially impressed by Ra'uf's ceremony and prayers, and the entire party feels their encouragement and freindship.
Charlies and Shayla?
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Charlies stows his weapon and shield. He then communicates with the anito, convincing them that they mean no harm and reveals some rice cakes and dried fruits for them to feast on.
Hero Point!
"Here, take these. I hope you will like these." he tells them. Though he isn't sure where exactly they are so they leave them near to a tree.
Normal jungle noise returns, and the jungle's flora almost seems to part to permit the Pathfinders' passage. The anito seem please with them, and with the group as a whole thanks to Ra'uf's expertise in similar matters.
While decades of jungle growth have covered most traces of habitation, some signs remain or have been brought back to the fore thanks to inclement weather.
From across a clearing, Professor Whitegouard sees a wild boar or several deer appear to scurry among the trees.
Ra'uf notes a large, waterlogged piece of sharpened wood, grown over with moss as it leans tilted against a tree. The Pathfinders easily identify that this piece of wood was likely once used in a pit trap of some sort.
Charlies spots a torn backpack hanging precariously from a branch. Its contents are nowhere to be seen, but the Pathfinders determine that it likely hasn’t been there for more than a year based off the bits of plant growth over it and the aging of its material.
Shayla points out that Waterlogged bamboo poles occasionally stick out among the landscape. Several of the Pathfinders know that this material is commonly used in some types of Minatan housing, but based off its apparent age and signs of wear, the structures had likely been destroyed or washed away decades ago.
Sparkin notices that one clearing features a noticeably thinner underbrush due to the area being used as a campsite. Those familiar with the wilderness determine that the site is at least a few months old and that any tracks and other traces of who camped there have long since been weathered away or covered beyond distinction.
Kvaven sees that several trees and branches in a nondescript pattern feature pieces of rope and knots tied to them. Those knowledgeable about ropes and knots can tell the type of rope and knots used seem to vary in material and age, hinting that these signs were left at different points in time and likely by different individuals over the years.
Ra'uf also notices that the trunks of some larger trees feature spots where bark has been chipped away and branches have broken or otherwise given out. The Pathfinders take these as signs of something climbing over the trees.
The Pathfinders also spot some rope net snares that have been triggered. One of them is almost completely hidden by the foliage, and contains a body that was probably humanoid at one point but is heavily decomposed and has clearly been there for a while.
The other looks fresher. The thing inside is clearly dead, its long limbs twisted due to the netting and its lone eye almost dangling out of its socket.
This one is easy to notice, because while it is dead it is not still. The corpse begins to writhe and hiss as it spots the living Pathfinders.
It's probably harmless. After all, it's trapped.
All PCs' turns.
Initiative:
Sparkin (58/58)
Kraven (116/116)
>- Tl-ana (68/68)
Ra'uf (78/78)
Shayla (79/79)
Purple ???
Charlies (89/89)
>- Estes
Whitegourd (92/92)
Green ???
Blue ???
Red Zombie? (Immobilized by net, attacks other than Escaping penalized)
Whitegourd blasts a fish in a barrel undead in a basket, and Sparkin lashes it with vitality. Frosted over and sluggish, it hisses and shrieks.
It's a very unusual-looking creature, but Sparkin thinks most of that is just what it looked like while alive. Having been warned about akatas already, he thinks he's looking at a void zombie--part of the natural life cycle of these bizarre creatures. They lay their eggs in a corpse, and when the larva hatches it animates the host to better find the blood it needs to grow. Void zombies attack with their "tongues," which are actually the feeding tubes of the living larva infesting them. This feeding tendril gives them greater reach than one might expect, and allows them to drain blood.
With a twang and a snap, Ra'uf discovers the their are other snares around, still set. Whatever materials they're made from have withstood the test of time, and the moss and foliage growing over them has only served to hide them better.
He discovers this as he, like the zombie, becomes suspended a little above the ground in a net of his own.
Kraven, Shayla, and Charlies's turns.
Initiative:
Sparkin (58/58)
Kraven (116/116)
>- Tl-ana (68/68)
Ra'uf (78/78, immobilized by net Escape DC 20)
Shayla (79/79)
Purple ???
Charlies (89/89)
>- Estes
Whitegourd (92/92)
Green ???
Blue ???
Red Busoborn Void Zombie (-39, bloodied, Immobilized by net, attacks other than Escaping penalized, -10 speed one round)
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Charlies evolves his eidolon to make it move faster. He also casts magical protection for Estes while the angel gets closer to the void zombie.
"Be careful."
◆◆ Evolution Surge of Charlies for Estes (+20-foot status bonus to its Speed)
◆ Act Together (◆ Protect Companion of Charlies for Estes; ◆ Stride of Estes)
↺ Life Block for Estes (if Estes takes 20 or more damage)
Sparkin expects that the long, gangly body that this particular larva inhabits, combined with its long feeding tube, give this void zombie's tongue longer reach than most. It can drain blood from a creature hit by it.
Nothing impedes Estes. But as he approaches, the inhabited corpse begins to wail. Several other twitching corpses round the area start to rise up as well, long bluish "tongues" extending from their mouths. Another of the odd one-eyed humanoid corpses, and two grippli corpses.
Kraven and Shayla's turns.
Initiative:
Sparkin (58/58)
Kraven (116/116)
>- Tl-ana (68/68)
Ra'uf (78/78, immobilized by net Escape DC 20)
Shayla (79/79)
Purple Adventurer Void Zombie
Charlies (89/89)
>- Estes
Whitegourd (92/92)
Green Adventurer Void Zombie
Blue Busoborn Void Zombie
Red Busoborn Void Zombie (-39, bloodied, Immobilized by net, attacks other than Escaping penalized, -10 speed one round)