Chapter 3: Meeting The Natives

YGNE

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She Who Has Been Beyond the Reef responds to your proposal:

"I admire your ferocity, Killer of Lizards, Saver of Kings. It is true that the Pirates are a growing problem that our people cannot ignore. Maybe you have noticed that Panitube has few warriors? They are sequestered to the northern-most village of Tanaroa where they man The Wall against constant undead attacks from the jungle. We don't have the strength to both fight the Pirates and defend The Wall. Their stronghold is formidable, and they are in league with other powers on this island, perhaps Ulupoka himself!"

The Seventh approaches, looking cross as always.

"What is this about 'sailing away?' Was it not made clear that you cannot leave this island? Are you so eager to throw your lives away and enter the service of Ulupoka, God of Demons? It would be a shame to waste your lives so recklessly."

The boats look like they are in great condition. They are made from quality hardwood and banded with black cast iron. Why somebody would waste such precious metal on a row boat might baffle a character who knows of such things, but it is clear these boats could survive crashing into the rocks better than most ships of your world. Heavy as hell, though, around 600 lbs.

The boats are otherwise empty, but searching the bodies of the pirates reveal some interesting finds. Among the usual junk (various low-quality bronze weapons and gore stained clothes with wide sword and axe slashes in them), a character might find it surprising the diversity of styles of weaponry and dress among the Pirates, some of which you recognize but many you don't.

Two of the pirates didn't carry blades, but quarterstaves tipped with ornate symbols cast in silver. They look religious in nature, but what foreign god or religion they symbolize is unknown to you. In their heavy black coats you find interesting components. One possessed a crystal globe with Dwarven runes, the other had three wax candles: One is blue and cylindrical with birds carved in the side; another is a black cube; and the third is red and carved in the shape of a door. The later man also has a book written in Low Atlantean titled "The Miracles of Saint Cuthbert of the Cudgel."

You also find a two complete climbing kits*, 6 torches, and 79 gold pieces (1d12 per man).

She Who Has Been Beyond the Reef replies:

"Tanaroa is on the mainland. And yes you can leave! I've done it! I earned this name, didn't I? But most people cannot turn into a dolphin as I can, and even then it was dangerous."

"The problem started ten years ago when the foreigners built the colony of Farshore, not far from here. They were very wealthy traders and had much copper to give."

"It turned out that the foreigners were interested in doing more than just trading. Behind our backs, they sent expeditions into the heart of the island to steal its worthless gold treasures, except they awoke a sleeping beast in the sea, a Kraken of great size. They fought with it and with their sorceries they killed the beast, but did not cut off its head."

"That night the Kraken and many of the Farshore mages that were slain rose under Ulupoka's power. Now, they patrol the coast day and night, searching for any ship that tries to go beyond the reefs. Luckily for us, it stays away from our villages because Ulupoka fears that our Spirit Mothers could snare it away from him."

"To punish the fucking foreigners of Farshore, our seven greatest warriors travelled to their island and killed every adult. We saved the children, like Jehenna, and took them in as our own and tried to teach them the ways of our people."