Hello, everyone! Welcome to the game. Before we begin, here are some important instructions for a smooth experience:
1. Sign up on the Sign-Up Sheet (linked above) and provide Player Name, Character Name, Organized Play Number, Character Number, etc. We'll use the RPG Chronicles website for this.
2. Fill in your character and minion tokens, and marching order on page 2 of Slides and Maps (linked above). Also, update your character’s basic information, core stats, and skill modifiers on Macros (linked above).
3. Ensure your character's stat block/header includes HP, AC, Saving Throws (Fortitude, Reflex, Will), Perception bonus, and Speed.
4. Area templates (burst, cone, emanation, line) are on pages 3-7 of the Slides and can be copied to the Encounter Map.
5. Post regularly, preferably at least once per day and at least once on weekends. Adhere to the Organized Play Foundation Community Standards, and remember the Pathfinder Society motto: "Explore, Report, Cooperate."
6 Non-consensual character conflict is prohibited and may result in Infamy points. Always obtain player consent before engaging in any form of friendly fire or actions that negatively affect another character.
7. At the start of the adventure, each character begins with one Hero Point, which can be used to reroll a check or—by spending all remaining Hero Points—to avoid death. Players who possess GM Glyphs are welcome to award them to others, granting additional Hero Points.
8. For Scenarios, don’t forget to declare your Pathfinder Provision appropriate to your level. Before setting out on the mission, you will also have an opportunity to purchase any necessary equipment.
9. I will roll initiative checks and use a block initiative system. PCs in the active block can post their actions, resolved in posting order. Use these symbols in combat posts: ◆ for single action, ◆◆ for two actions, ◆◆◆ for three actions, ↺ for reaction, ◇ for free action. I will roll secret checks; players roll saving throws. If I provide a DC for a check that is meant to be rolled secretly, roll it openly in your post. Otherwise, I will roll the check in a spoiler using the modifiers you provided in the Macros.
10. We’ll use the X-Card for safety. If something makes you uncomfortable, include '[X-Card]' in your post or message me privately.
11. Regular posting keeps the game flowing. Kindly inform us of any absences. Provide botting instructions if you'll be away.
12. Remember, the goal is to have fun! :)
Thank you, and let's embark on this exciting adventure!
The dventure begins with the Pathfinders aboard the Saranggola, a paraw boat owned by Arong Magsanay (male human sailor), a native Minatan and their 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.
"Hello, Pathfinders! I am Arong Magsanay and I will be your guide today!" He then passes over a parcel containing the following: a brief from Valashinaz, a letter from Taiwalei, and a bag of holding (type II)
Pathfinders,
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
Dear fellow Pathfinders,
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
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Before you stands a lean elf, almost dainty with sharp features. There is no hair on his head. He speaks intentionally, almost "at you" making two-way communication the exception. His eye contact seems to be almost looking "through" you, as if conducting some deep assessment of your intentions instead of letting you explain them.
Back? I take it you're a sailor then? I'm Voron, a student of magic and spells.
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Yakuthiel is a pleasant enough looking man. He has a halberd strapped to his back, and is suntanned by exposure to the sun and salt water.
"I'm happy to be back at sea."
A nagaji woman hauls herself out of the ocean and slithers towards the assembled pathfinders. Her head and torso are that of a human woman while her lower half is the tail of a green snake. Her forked tongue tests the air several times before she introduces herself. "I am inclined to agree. I, too, feel mossst comfortable amongssst the wavesss. I am Sssalissssa, missstresss of wood and wave."
A Tattooed woman waves and smiles to the others.
"Hello! I am Seoni. I will help to smooth things over when we need to be diplomatic... or lie through our teeth. Apart from that, I have some small skill when it comes to the arcane arts."
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A short green goblin detaches himself from the corner of the boat where he'd been sitting in quiet contemplation while munching on a large green pickle. "Oh! Longshanks here! I's Lokoloko! I's first time riding boat. Longshanks boat-head tells me ok for me sitting here waiting." He walks up to each of you and offers you a large green cucumber, brine dripping. "Pickle?"
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A tiny olive-skinned woman, her Osirian origin confirmed by the golden hieroglyphs on her red and black dress puts one of the closed fans she had in her hands to free her hand for holding the letter they are given. "I am not fond of sea travel, the cramped spaces don't allow training", she says while keeping perfect balance on the rocking boat. "This mission was conveniently on my way back to Absalom from northern Tien, and I had..." she explains while reading but stops when she realizes something. "Valashinaz. Purepurin. That may mean the bumbling servant has forgotten 'a small window open for just a moment' and now there's a herd of mammoths roaming in there", she comments with disdain.
"I hope this time the diplomacy would work, just for the novelty of it", she comments to Seoni. "Zenobia Arsinoe Thea. If my dayjob of circus acrobatics isn't useful, I can also do what it was used as front for: Theft and murder", she then continues with her introduction.
"Pickle? I heard of goblins offering pickles from someone", she says to Lokoloko, gives the letter to next reader and accepts the pickle.
Arong happily receives the pickle from Lokoloko and bites it, juice spilling from his mouth. "Ugh! Have never tasted a pickle this good!" he says while biting another, before he goes readying the sails.
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 their journey, Arong offers them Minatan snacks of dried mangoes, dried squid, and rice crackers. "If you feel nauseous, you can eat that!" he says.
"What are you going to do in Binoco Isle, if I may ask? That island is abandoned... or you're going to the Temple there?!" his eyes widen in excitement.
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Lokoloko watches as Voron's head reddens slightly and there appears to be smoke coming out of his ears. "How you like? I's add pepper element. I's using part of brine make fire bomb!" he says proudly.
Voron's eyes widen.
Did I... just eat one of your bombs?!
He walks away before the goblin can answer.
"What are you going to do in Binoco Isle, if I may ask? That island is abandoned... or you're going to the Temple there?!" his eyes widen in excitement.
Oh, just check on the condition of the temple! Voron replies innocently.
Seoni attempts to dissemble with a smile.
"We do like to explore, and finding out new things can be quite exciting, don't you agree?"
Arong shrugs.
"Well, as your guide, I can tell you what you will find in Binoco Isle are... 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.” he says with enthusiasm.
"Be careful though, these akatas are 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 again. “I haven’t actually seen an akata myself, but I don’t imagine they like to be bothered.”
He continues sharing while adjusting the sails, “My grandfather used to tell me how he lived through the worst typhoon to hit Minata in living memory. That was about 80 years ago. Him, his family, everyone they knew — they almost permanently left Binocol with conditions being so bad, and the island we’re heading to now was almost completely swallowed by the Okaiyo. When the weather and water levels finally settled, they thought it best to just leave Binoco Isle and the temple alone, and Valashinaz suggested as much.”
"If you are going temple, you can easily find it, because they tried to build the temple as close to the middle of Binoco Isle, where the elevation would’ve been highest. It should be the biggest structure there. Probably hard to miss. So! Head inland, move toward the center!” he gestures with arms into the direction toward the center of the isle they are approaching.
"Just a word of advice from a local. 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, or the 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.” he hands over more for everyone.
"Another advice from Binocolan leaders: while they won’t hold it against you to defend yourselves or take lethal measures against hostile fauna and other creatures, they do request that you stay mindful of the surrounding environment when it comes to using fire-based magic and other similarly destructive abilities," he adds as he brings Saranggola to a stop at their destination, easing the vessel into its docking point.
"This is where everyone gets off. And no, I am not coming with you, unfortunately!" he says with amusement. "I was volunteered to get you here and then back to Binocol. Besides, I have to make sure the boat stays right where we dock it! You do want to get off the island, right? Of course you do! So... best of luck, Pathfinders!”
"Oh, and your Venture-Captain told me to give you this!" he then hands over to Yakuthiel a medium-sized bag.
Ahead of the Pathfinders is the jungle area of the isle.
"Nature spirits? Again?" Zenobia sighs. "Do these spirits understand any language, or do they respond only to some?" she asks Arong.
Arong scratches his head, thinking hard. "I think so? If not, maybe if they feel that you are respectful to them, they can understand that, can't they?" he then laughs.
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The Pathfinders head off 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.
Using Arong’s advice, verbally asking for permission or saying “excuse me” is enough to appease the area’s anito, and the jungle returns to its previous, noisier state once all of you have done so.
Befriend the Anito (concentrate, exploration, manipulate)
By offering a prayer, a dedication, a physical gift of food or incense, or a combination of the above, you attempt to befriend the local anito. Attempt a DC 23 Diplomacy, Nature, or Religion check. If you provide an offering that involves Minatan delicacies (such as the snacks Arong had available during your voyage), you gain a +2 circumstance bonus to this check. Otherwise, a GM might decide to assign bonuses or penalties based on the nature of your offering.
"Hey... Jungles aren't normally this silent, right?"
"Oh, right. We need to ask for permission."
Seoni bows.
"Excuse me. Can we please have your permission to pass through this area?"
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Voron frowns and looks around as Seoni brings up the silence.
She's right, that's not normal.
Right
He coughs. Ahem. We kindly ask for passage forward. We will tread lightly and respect these woods.
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He nods and accepts the scroll from Salissa.
Yes, I can invoke it when it is necessary.
Seoni coughs dryly.
"We all have to offer thanks / asks permission, Zenobia..."
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"That kind of protocol? Very well", Zenobia answers Seoni.
Be it sincerity or just good performance through years of training, Zenobia changes her tone and posture to a very polite one. "I humbly ask your permission to advance. We are only trying to reach the temple, and will disturb you as little as possible", she asks and gives a practiced bow.
The area remains quiet, despite nearly everyone asking permission to pass.
Seoni looks at the one who *hasn't* asked for permission...
Eventually, after Lokoloko asks permission to pass through the forest, it is no longer quiet and the area returns to its normal sounds.
As they travel further, they can see that while decades of jungle growth have likely covered most traces of habitation, some signs remain or have been brought back to the fore thanks to inclement weather.
Yakuthiel finds, from across a clearing, a wild boar or several deer appear to scurry among the trees. Also, Voron finds a large, waterlogged piece of sharpened wood, grown over with moss as it leans tilted against a tree.
Zenobia finds a torn backpack hanging precariously from a branch. Its contents are nowhere to be seen.
Salissa finds waterlogged bamboo poles occasionally stick out among the landscape.
Seoni finds one clearing features a noticeably thinner underbrush due to the area being used as a campsite.
Everyone except Salissa spots a triggered rope net trap dangling among a copse of trees.
"Maybe someone was shipwrecked here?"