The Islands of Sina Una - Revision history

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2023-06-23T14:45:27Z

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2023-06-19T14:07:12Z

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184.70.16.82: /* Item Limitations */

2022-02-15T20:43:34Z

Item Limitations

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:43, 15 February 2022
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	* '''Lack of anti-demon weapons''': Suffice to say that demons don't feature much in the cosmonology of the Islands, so you won't see things like holy water or silvered weaponry. Due to the prevalence of ''aswang'' however, you ''will'' see a lot of salt-coated equipment.		* '''Lack of anti-demon weapons''': Suffice to say that demons don't feature much in the cosmonology of the Islands, so you won't see things like holy water or silvered weaponry. Due to the prevalence of ''aswang'' however, you ''will'' see a lot of salt-coated equipment.

	Due to the tropical weather, people normally wore light and breezy attire, and often went about their travels barefoot.		Due to the tropical weather, people normally wore light and breezy attire, and often went about their travels barefoot. Wooden-soled or straw sandals are not unheard-of, but are reserved for social gatherings like meetings with the ''datu''.

	==Adventuring in the Islands==		==Adventuring in the Islands==

184.70.16.82: /* Item Limitations */

2022-02-13T23:35:22Z

Item Limitations

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:35, 13 February 2022
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	As a rule of thumb, a GM may replace DMG default equipment with the same subtype available in the campaign book -- examples given are substituting scale mail with a '''barote''' (a cuirass made out of woven abaca fibers), or a rapier with a kampilan (a single-edged longsword that grew broader at its point, with a flat or forked head).		As a rule of thumb, a GM may replace DMG default equipment with the same subtype available in the campaign book -- examples given are substituting scale mail with a '''barote''' (a cuirass made out of woven abaca fibers), or a rapier with a kampilan (a single-edged longsword that grew broader at its point, with a flat or forked head).

	* '''Scarcity of Iron and Steel''': These metals are of a premium in the Islands, and unless an item is a weapon, piece of armor, wilderness gear, or a farming tool of some sort, you won't find these.		* '''Scarcity of Iron and Steel''': These metals are of a premium in the Islands, and unless an item is a weapon, piece of armor, wilderness gear, or a farming tool of some sort, you won't find these. Steel weapons and armor are valuable beyond measure, and are usually available to either nobility or the very wealthy (or adventurers who have the coin to have these custom-made of course).

	* '''Advanced Armor Unavailable''': The practicality of wearing enclosed heavy steel armor in a tropical setting where one can be expected to swim on a regular basis notwithstanding, advanced types of armor such as breast plate, half-plate, or full-plate mail simply have no equivalent in the Islands. It says something that chain mail counts as one of the best ''heavy'' types of armor available.		* '''Advanced Armor Unavailable''': The practicality of wearing enclosed heavy steel armor in a tropical setting where one can be expected to swim on a regular basis notwithstanding, never mind a real danger of overheating in the tropical climate, advanced types of armor such as breast plate, half-plate, or full-plate mail simply have no equivalent in the Islands. It says something that chain mail counts as one of the best ''heavy'' types of armor available.

	* '''No paper''': Paper-based writing is all-but unknown in the Islands, and most record-keeping are done instead on bamboo scrolls, copper plate, or palm leaves. So no paper or parchment, or books either.		* '''No paper''': Paper-based writing is all-but unknown in the Islands, and most record-keeping are done instead on bamboo scrolls, copper plate, or palm leaves. So no paper or parchment, or books either.

184.70.16.82: /* Item Limitations */

2021-11-11T21:10:03Z

Item Limitations

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:10, 11 November 2021
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	* '''Lack of anti-demon weapons''': Suffice to say that demons don't feature much in the cosmonology of the Islands, so you won't see things like holy water or silvered weaponry. Due to the prevalence of ''aswang'' however, you ''will'' see a lot of salt-coated equipment.		* '''Lack of anti-demon weapons''': Suffice to say that demons don't feature much in the cosmonology of the Islands, so you won't see things like holy water or silvered weaponry. Due to the prevalence of ''aswang'' however, you ''will'' see a lot of salt-coated equipment.

			Due to the tropical weather, people normally wore light and breezy attire, and often went about their travels barefoot.

	==Adventuring in the Islands==		==Adventuring in the Islands==

184.70.16.82: /* Adventuring in the Islands */

2021-11-11T20:59:52Z

Adventuring in the Islands

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:59, 11 November 2021
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	There's a lot of opportunity for adventure in the archipelago, with each Island full of possible hooks that a DM can use. Inside every village there are mundane intrigues a-plenty, especially when there is friction between the local ''datu'' and his constituents, or even rivalry with the nobility of a neighboring village. Skirmishes between settlements are not unheard-of, especially if one's pride gets slighted, even by accident.		There's a lot of opportunity for adventure in the archipelago, with each Island full of possible hooks that a DM can use. Inside every village there are mundane intrigues a-plenty, especially when there is friction between the local ''datu'' and his constituents, or even rivalry with the nobility of a neighboring village. Skirmishes between settlements are not unheard-of, especially if one's pride gets slighted, even by accident.

	There may be supernatural challenges as well; man-eating ''aswang'' disguise themselves as regular village-folk during the day, before hunting their prey during the dark hours of the night, the outskirts of many-a-settlement unwittingly harbor a ''mambabarang'' who could put a ~~deadly curse~~ on an enemy for the right price. The restless dead might terrorize the descendants of those who slew them in ages long past, or the local spirit of the land could decide to withhold its blessings after being neglected one too many times.		There may be supernatural challenges as well; man-eating ''aswang'' disguise themselves as regular village-folk during the day, before hunting their prey during the dark hours of the night, the outskirts of many-a-settlement unwittingly harbor a ''mambabarang'' (a spellcaster who curses people using insect swarms) who could put a lethal hex on an enemy for the right price. The restless dead might terrorize the descendants of those who slew them in ages long past, or the local spirit of the land could decide to withhold its blessings after being neglected one too many times.

	And outside of the village centers and the outlying farms lie vast swaths of untamed wilderness, where peril await the unwary. While there are well-travelled paths between villages, only the brave (and well-armed) -- or foolish -- would try to traverse these once darkness falls. Brigands are a real danger, but there are ''real'' monsters out there as well.		And outside of the village centers and the outlying farms lie vast swaths of untamed wilderness, where peril await the unwary. While there are well-travelled paths between villages, only the brave (and well-armed) -- or foolish -- would try to traverse these once darkness falls. Brigands are a real danger, but there are ''real'' monsters out there as well.

2604:3D08:247A:A300:F48C:2029:19CC:9E43: /* Spirits and Religion */

2021-11-06T05:42:43Z

Spirits and Religion

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:42, 6 November 2021
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	==Spirits and Religion==		==Spirits and Religion==

	Animism is the primary way of belief in the Islands, but in this case everything, from the smallest rock to the tallest acacia tree, to the flowing rivers and the smoking volcanoes, has a spirit that animates it. People are aware of how much of an impact in their lives these spirits have, and seek to live in harmony with them. It literally costs nothing to regularly praise the spirit of the rice fields to ensure a ~~godo~~ harvest, but at the same time it would be foolish ''not'' to regularly entreat the spirits of the sea for a safe journey.		Animism is the primary way of belief in the Islands, but in this case everything, from the smallest rock to the tallest acacia tree, to the flowing rivers and the smoking volcanoes, has a spirit that animates it. People are aware of how much of an impact in their lives these spirits have, and seek to live in harmony with them. It literally costs nothing to regularly praise the spirit of the rice fields to ensure a good harvest, but at the same time it would be foolish ''not'' to regularly entreat the spirits of the sea for a safe journey.

	In general, there are two categories of spirits: nature spirits, and ancestral spirits. Nature spirits are often embodiments of particular flora, fauna, or even major geographic locations like mountains. Especially powerful or ancient ones may even interact with mortals via taking physical form in order to communicate, though often times what form they choose varies from encounter to encounter. Locals have formed reciprocal relationships with the spirits of their areas, and will often leave a token or offering in appreciation. Woe to the town who manages to neglect their local spirit!		In general, there are two categories of spirits: nature spirits, and ancestral spirits. Nature spirits are often embodiments of particular flora, fauna, or even major geographic locations like mountains. Especially powerful or ancient ones may even interact with mortals via taking physical form in order to communicate, though often times what form they choose varies from encounter to encounter. Locals have formed reciprocal relationships with the spirits of their areas, and will often leave a token or offering in appreciation. Woe to the town who manages to neglect their local spirit!

1d4chan>HyperionEinherjar: /* Adventuring in the Islands */

2021-11-05T20:32:10Z

Adventuring in the Islands

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:32, 5 November 2021
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	==Adventuring in the Islands==		==Adventuring in the Islands==

			There's a lot of opportunity for adventure in the archipelago, with each Island full of possible hooks that a DM can use. Inside every village there are mundane intrigues a-plenty, especially when there is friction between the local ''datu'' and his constituents, or even rivalry with the nobility of a neighboring village. Skirmishes between settlements are not unheard-of, especially if one's pride gets slighted, even by accident.

			There may be supernatural challenges as well; man-eating ''aswang'' disguise themselves as regular village-folk during the day, before hunting their prey during the dark hours of the night, the outskirts of many-a-settlement unwittingly harbor a ''mambabarang'' who could put a deadly curse on an enemy for the right price. The restless dead might terrorize the descendants of those who slew them in ages long past, or the local spirit of the land could decide to withhold its blessings after being neglected one too many times.

			And outside of the village centers and the outlying farms lie vast swaths of untamed wilderness, where peril await the unwary. While there are well-travelled paths between villages, only the brave (and well-armed) -- or foolish -- would try to traverse these once darkness falls. Brigands are a real danger, but there are ''real'' monsters out there as well.

			It is entirely possible to spend a whole campaign on a single island, but a truly epic island-hopping adventure with the aim of ''permanently'' ending the threat of one of the Celestial Eaters is an option as well.


	{{D&D-3rd-Party-Settings}}		{{D&D-3rd-Party-Settings}}

1d4chan>HyperionEinherjar at 08:34, 4 November 2021

2021-11-04T08:34:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:34, 4 November 2021
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	* '''Tambanokua''': A gigantic magma tarantula supposedly resting within a dormant volcano in the island of Kotabalon, Tambanokua seeks to entangle the Moon goddess in its web just to watch the nighttime world fall into ruin without Mayari to watch over it. So far it has ''not'' made any overt moves, but the peoples of Kotabalon keep constant vigil on its resting place regardless.		* '''Tambanokua''': A gigantic magma tarantula supposedly resting within a dormant volcano in the island of Kotabalon, Tambanokua seeks to entangle the Moon goddess in its web just to watch the nighttime world fall into ruin without Mayari to watch over it. So far it has ''not'' made any overt moves, but the peoples of Kotabalon keep constant vigil on its resting place regardless.

			==Item Limitations==

			Purely optional of course, but for those who want to keep the "feel" of a pre-colonial Filipino fantasy adventure have to keep some things in mind, in that some items that come as "default" equipment in any other Western-based medieval fantasy ''simply aren't available'' in the Islands.

			As a rule of thumb, a GM may replace DMG default equipment with the same subtype available in the campaign book -- examples given are substituting scale mail with a '''barote''' (a cuirass made out of woven abaca fibers), or a rapier with a kampilan (a single-edged longsword that grew broader at its point, with a flat or forked head).

			* '''Scarcity of Iron and Steel''': These metals are of a premium in the Islands, and unless an item is a weapon, piece of armor, wilderness gear, or a farming tool of some sort, you won't find these.

			* '''Advanced Armor Unavailable''': The practicality of wearing enclosed heavy steel armor in a tropical setting where one can be expected to swim on a regular basis notwithstanding, advanced types of armor such as breast plate, half-plate, or full-plate mail simply have no equivalent in the Islands. It says something that chain mail counts as one of the best ''heavy'' types of armor available.

			* '''No paper''': Paper-based writing is all-but unknown in the Islands, and most record-keeping are done instead on bamboo scrolls, copper plate, or palm leaves. So no paper or parchment, or books either.

			* '''Lack of anti-demon weapons''': Suffice to say that demons don't feature much in the cosmonology of the Islands, so you won't see things like holy water or silvered weaponry. Due to the prevalence of ''aswang'' however, you ''will'' see a lot of salt-coated equipment.


			==Adventuring in the Islands==

	{{D&D-3rd-Party-Settings}}		{{D&D-3rd-Party-Settings}}

1d4chan>HyperionEinherjar: /* The People of the Isles */

2021-11-04T07:58:52Z

The People of the Isles

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:58, 4 November 2021
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	* '''Humans''': The most widespread and numerous mortal race. Much like real-life Filipinos, they're everywhere in the Isles.		* '''Humans''': The most widespread and numerous mortal race. Much like real-life Filipinos, they're everywhere in the Isles.

	* '''Half-Orcs''': Called "~~balatkayo~~" (lit. disguise or mask), ~~these~~ are ~~not half~~-~~breeds, but rather a fullblooded~~ people ~~whose features come from~~ the ~~tusked war mask~~ worn by ~~their moon~~ goddess ~~patron~~.		* '''Half-Orcs''': Called "balat-kayo" (lit. disguise or mask), they are a full-blooded people created in the image of the warmask worn by the goddess Haliya, to serve as her watchers in the mortal world in preparation for Bakunawa's return. All of them have silver eyes, and an innate connection to ritual magic, being able to cast a small selection of these over the course of a day.

	* '''Dragonborn''': Called Umalagad, these tall snake and crocodile-people are the reincarnations of people who had already passed away. WHY they get reincarnated as scalies only the gods know, but none question the second chance they had been given.		* '''Dragonborn''': Called Umalagad, these tall snake and crocodile-people are the reincarnations of people who had already passed away. WHY they get reincarnated as scalies only the gods know, but none question the second chance they had been given. They can magically draw upon their past memories and experiences to guide them through their current incarnations, though only a few times every day.

	* '''(Volcano) Dwarves''': A short but robust and industrious people who believe themselves to be descended from volcano spirits, they can temporarily coat themselves in armor made from molten magma for protection.		* '''(Volcano) Dwarves''': A short but robust and industrious people who believe themselves to be descended from volcano spirits, they can temporarily coat themselves in armor made from molten magma for protection.

	* '''(Balete) Elves''': A long-live fey race that were "born" into the islands at the dawn of time when nature spirits crossed over into the living world via the roots of the Balete trees, though these days they breed well enough with each other. They revere the trees they are "descended" from as if these were respected ancestors.		* '''(Balete) Elves''': A long-live fey race that were "born" into the islands at the dawn of time when nature spirits crossed over into the living world via the roots of the Balete trees, though these days they breed well enough with each other. They revere the trees they are "descended" from as if these were respected ancestors. Balete elves have an intuitive knowledge of nature, and have a few plant-themed powers that they can use a few times every day.

	* '''Half-Elves''': Not half-breeds, these incarnated nature spirits manifested onto the Islands via the wildflowers of the fields rather than the Balete Trees that the elves used. Have a choice of being more "human" or "elf" in appearance, but otherwise has no bearing mechanically.		* '''Half-Elves''': Not half-breeds, these incarnated nature spirits manifested onto the Islands via the wildflowers of the fields rather than the Balete Trees that the elves used. Have a choice of being more "human" or "elf" in appearance, but otherwise has no bearing mechanically.
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	* '''(Mangrove) Halflings''': A short and agile people who believe that they were created by the spirit of the mangrove forests that they call their home. They are quick-witted, and have a natural talent for repairing objects.		* '''(Mangrove) Halflings''': A short and agile people who believe that they were created by the spirit of the mangrove forests that they call their home. They are quick-witted, and have a natural talent for repairing objects.

	* '''Tieflings''': Rather than having an infernal heritage, these instead are people born with carabao or deer features, and with a strong connection with the spirits of the land. Carabao tieflings are big and strong, while Deer tieflings have an affinity with fire.		* '''Tieflings''': Rather than having an infernal heritage, these instead are people born with carabao or deer features, and with a strong connection with the spirits of the land, serving as its overseers. Carabao tieflings are big and strong, while Deer tieflings have an affinity with fire.

	Aside from all of these are the '''Mandaragat''' or Sea Peoples, who ply the waters between the islands. Semi-nomadic traders, their brightly-colored flotillas are often welcome at any port due to the wonders and bounties they bring up from the seabed. What settlements they have are often located far from the shore, with huts built on bamboo-stilt platforms that ride high above the waves.		Aside from all of these are the '''Mandaragat''' or Sea Peoples, who ply the waters between the islands. Semi-nomadic traders, their brightly-colored flotillas are often welcome at any port due to the wonders and bounties they bring up from the seabed. What settlements they have are often located far from the shore, with huts built on bamboo-stilt platforms that ride high above the waves.