‘world, petitioning nature spirits and communing with their ancestors to seek guidance regarding the perilous future, ‘And yet despite efforts otherwise, Bakunawa and the other Celestial Eaters stil lie in wait just heyond mortal sight, biding, ‘their time until they can return to destroy the moon and bring, about a calamitous end. The world i rife with both danger and new discoveries, and with threats big and small looming on the horizon, adventure awaits around every turn, MAKING A CHARACTER ‘Asaplayer, you lasses, subclasses, and backgrounds to firmly root your character in the islands Iis important to note that here, your character isnt from some far-off place, unknown and isolated from others Life on the islands is frst and foremost life steped in connectedness. ‘You ask your ancestors for guidance, because you are connected to those who came before you; you respect the spirits of the land and leave offerings in exchange for harvests and safety, because the spirits need your kindness just as much as you need their help. Worship on the islands is based on bargaining and relationships, of maintaining healthy bonds and suffering the ‘consequences of abusive or unhealthy ones, Faith and praise are just extensions of how you connect with others. Your characteris tied t both the people around them and the spirits ofthe world they travel, and these relationships inform thei place inthe world—for good ori Some ofthis is extrapolated from real-life historical accounts, butit is admittedly colored by modern sensibilities and cultural lenses In truth, there can be no real "historical accuracy” when it comes to understanding pre-colonial notions of gender, as many ofthese aecounts are filtered through the colonial machinery and non-Filipino perspectives. At the end I find inthis book new options for races, ‘QUEERNESS IN THE ISLANDS Because life on the islands isso interconnected, how an individual chooses to identify and present themselves 10 ‘others is respected. For example, some spirit mediums known as asog are born male but choose to transition into women, feeling more comfortable and connected to the spirits through this transition. Here, an individual's gender, sexuality, and pronouns are always accepted and honored by their community. fit all, though, The lands of Sina Una isa fictional fantasy setting, and seeing your own identity in the characters you play isa cathartic and important part of the book's goals, Should ‘you wish to read more about historical notions of gender and «queerness in the Philippines, you can check out page 323 in Appendix A. RUNNING A CAMPAIGN ‘With the wealth of islands and monsters presented in this book, tis world is dense with possibilities for potential campaigns. ‘Though the terrible Celestial Eaters lie in wait, your adventures _may never address them, instead focusing on the safety of settlement or two, An entire campaign could be set solely on an island with still more eft to discover by the end. Conversely, ‘you could send the adventurers on a journey that spans al seven islands, pulling them into the conflicts of gods through an epic ‘campaign as they grow in strength and ability. Adventures here can be solemn and heart-wrenching, or they can lean towards swashbuckling escapades with battles on che open sea ‘You may be concerned about doing something “wrong” ‘when running a campaign in this setting: misrepresenting, cultural elements, accidentally crossing the boundary between respect and appropriation, oF making incorrect assumptions about both the fiction and the history that it's based on. To that, ‘we say-yes, al ofthat and more is probably going to happen. ‘You will make mistakes. But all we ask is that you learn from, ‘what went wrong and strive to do better next time. Ultimately, ‘the point ofthis book isto share these stories from our heritage and present a fantasy different from the stereotypical bat- ‘winged dragons and knights in shining armor, The fact that you are willing to take the step into this setting with us, to treat these stories with respect in the first plac the right direction.PRONUNCIATION GUIDE This guide explains how to pronounce many of the non-English ‘words you may encounter in the following pages. GeNeRAL RuLes Consonants are each individually pronounced; for example, in the leter pair th, the t and the h are pronounced separately. ‘Typically, the letter y is regarded as a consonant. The vowels ae, and o are pronounced as short vowels (a asin "bed," {as in “kid,” oas in “top’), The vowel 1 however, is pronounced with an “oo” sound, like the vowel sound in the word “goose,” Similarly to consonants, vowels in pairs are each individually said; for example, the pair ao would be pronounced as, “ah-oh.” However, there are a few letter combinations that have unique sounds. The most common of these is the pair ay, which ‘makes along i sound, similar to the vowel sound in the word “bike,” The consonant pair ng also appears frequently, making the same nasal sound as it does in English, Please see Appendix G for an expanded Pronunciation Table. Names in the Islands 14100 Name 01 Danso 26 Madamba 02 Adlawan 27 Laksamana 03 Katan 28 Ontog 04 Dimalaluan 29 Tahaniangit 05 Silim 30. Juni 06 Boho! 31 Malikclem 07 Dula 32 Bumatay 08 Julag-ay 33 Lusong 09 Nakan 34 Galasinao 10 Gubatan 35 Manalo 11 Tonto 36 Dahan 12 Kalangitan 37 Gani 23 Nungan 38 Liwanag 14 Basa 39 Amurao 15 Namayan 40 Buaya 16 Lakan-ilaw 41 Agkawili 17 Makanyo 42 Agtutubo 18 Omapoy 43° Galura 19 Kaduna 44 Dumagat 20 Alindogan 45 Masagka 21 Banwa 46 Katapang 22 Paglinawan 47 Samonte 23 Basilan 48 Labindalawa 24 Gabat 49 Salonga 25 Bunan 50 Lagac {with creatures beyond the mortal and spirit { realms. As such, most languages that originate {exceptions to this are Syivan, the language of | the spirits, and Abyssal, the language primarily __ LANGUAGES IN THE ISLANDS Unlike in some other fantasy settings, the people ./ of the islands do not have frequent interactions from other planes of existence—such as Infernal and Deep Speech-are rarely found here, The “\__ spoken by aswangs. Common Worps AND NAMES For more guidance regarding the phonetic pronunciations for the many words and names that appear most frequently throughout this book, there i table provided in the appendix C for your reference NAMES IN THE ISLANDS Ifyou need help choosing names for characters, fel free to consult the following table. Names in the islands have no gendered connotations. 51 Daya. 76 Talaroc 52 Puno 7 Batara 53 Daway 78 Halina 54 Mulingtapang 79 Manda 55 Dilag 80 Puyat 56 Palpal-latok 81 Faiza ST Aleya 82 Sakay 58 Dalogdog 83 Raya 59 Bituin 84 Babalato 60 Igcasan 85 Mara 61 Malyari 86 Dimaano 62 Saclolo 8&7 Mangahas 63 llagan 88 ao 64 Nasino 89 Halil 65 Palawan 90 Mabanglo 66 Lumanian 1 Dalisaya 67 Sahisa 92 Kabaitan 68 Atabay 93 Ginto 69 Maka-aya 94 Utak 70 Hinahon 95 Pilak T Arai-a 96 Taer nm sulit 97 Tanso 7B Alaala 98 Bagsic 74 Tabi 99 Luwalhati 75 Jada 100 LigayaSPIRITS AND RELIGION Under the stars, the sonorous rhythms of kulintang sing out along the lakeside, as people float out baskets piled high with fruic o the great spirit residing deep within the waters. Slowly, the sharp beak of a massive turtle breaks through the surface and snaps up a basket with a pleased hum, The cool night wind ‘whistles through the trees, and the next day, heavy rain clouds fill the sky. For the spirit is pleased with the people, and in turn, ‘he will help them reap a bountiful harvest for their village. ‘The islands make up a vast and interconnected world full of spivits—beings that inhabit all things great and smal Some are lesser in their power, solely whispering among the pebbles or grains of sand, while others are revered to the level ‘of gods. Even those who do not walk the path of divine magic still respect these spits, offering them gifts and friendship in, exchange for guidance through the worl. ANIMISM ‘When the term “sprit” is wed among the people of the islands, they are seldom referring to wraiths or other mations permutations of undeath, Rather, they ae talking about spirits ie renee ree tee ered treet tie very rock, tee ereature, and even natural penomenon—is inhubised by an animating sal ‘Animism is central oslands’ way of life People recognize the impact these opirits have on their daily existence, and strive tolivein harmony with them, Repulr offerings and praise eee eee eeceele siete eet insults invite misfortune or disaster, Babaylan important sides who have an affinity for these spirits, are called ro intercede with them on behalf oftheir communities, Just as we interact with che peoples of our world, our ‘characters can befriend, trick, entreat, betray, or worship the spirits that they meet. SpiriTs OF NATURE In your adventures, you'll encounter major spirits associated ‘with the lands, skies, and waters ofthe islands, They do not just represent natural phenomens; they are the mountain, the ‘wind, or the lake, Nature spirits can appear asa person or an animal in order to interact more directly with people. These ‘manifestations might vary depending on the situation. A spirit, ‘who appears as a dashing warrior in one encounter could easily become a doting mother in the next. Such forms are distinct from those of beast spirits who have transcended mortality to ‘become paragons oftheir animal kin, Having persisted since the days of creation, often shaping the world around them, nature spirits are as aware of their ‘own existence as any sentient creature might be, Afterall, theiz power is what makes the land fertile for growth or regulates the flow of che tides. No two spirits are exactly ali island’s voleano can differ drastically from the next. Each has its own names, legends, and nique relationships with those who revere them. Islanders m: ain reciprocal relationships with their Jocal nature spirits. Some leave offerings of food as tokens ‘of appreciation, while others distract the more mischievous ‘with colorful flying kites. In turn, the spirits promise safety from natural disasters or guidance through the world’s many ‘waterways. While it is not possible to physically harm them, they can fel slighted by careless actions, requiring special rituals to repair their bonds ANCESTRAL SPIRITS Each household is watched over by its own ancestral spr Rather than being undead, chey are simply souls whose physical bodies have deteriorated, Despite their transition to the afterlife, chetr personalities endure. Relatives continue to ‘reat them as valued family members, regularly asking them for advice and protection, Some ate even able to negotiate with deities and other spirits on behalf ofthe living, Ancestral spirits usually make themselves known by possessing willing hosts or images carved in their likeness, sometimes communicating with their deseendants through dreams. On very rare occasions, they choose to return tothe mortal world. These spirits — known as umalagad — incarnate in new, scaled bodies, their old forms long gone. OFFERINGS AND RITUAL Spirit houses and altars laden with gold ornaments, betel nut, ‘wine, or even the blood of asain chicken can be found in or near every settlement. These earthly gifts are placed in coconut shells, metal bowls, or earthenware and presented to the spirits. Different spirits prefer dffezent offerings, bu salt and spices are usually avoided, as most spirits find them distasteful. Festival featuring music, dances, and feasting are also held in honor of local spirits. During these celebrations, which are often tied tothe seasons, the people thank these entities for their continued blessings. A satisfied spirit might grant the boon of a hountiful harvest, or show its displeasure with drought and pestilence. Animists of the islands have a direct relationship with spirits based upon mutual exchange, Whether they desire victory in batle, a cure for an illness, or favorable weather, they _must give physical objects in return for these blessings. 19Souls, DEATH, AND THE AFTERLIFE In many common schools of philosophy, itis believed the body cannot stay alive without the soul; a person is considered dead, ‘when their sprit leaves their body. But on the islands, people view the soul in a different light, Here, the spirit is not regarded as the essence of life. Instead, the soul gives guidance and a sense of wholeness o a person. ‘The body can remain alive, independent ofthe soul, while the soul itself still experiences material wants and needs. Sometimes, during sleep, the spirit may voluntarily leave one’s body; such a sleeping person should not be awakened abruptly, lest their soul become lost and fail to return, A few adventurers hhave even learned how to voluntarily part their soul and body, allowing one to aid the other in both tasks and combat. Death occurs when the physical body expires, and the soul begins traveling to the Underworld Buriat Rites You'll encounter a variety of funerary practices across the islands, all of which are considered vital to helping the soul Uuansition to the afterlife, The corpse is anointed and groomed asit would be in life, bedecked with jewelry worn for festive ‘occasions. The grieving family hosts a wake, providing food for ‘mourners who deliver eulogies in praise ofthe deceased. Most often, bodies are buried in wooden coffins beneath houses or in large, earthenware jars set inside caves. But islanders will also utilize the geographical eatures available to them, sometimes designating separate plots of land for burials, or placing coffins atop high cliffs Food and drink may be offered to sustain the spirit during, their journey to the Underworld. Heirloom possessions like porcelain and gold trinkets are buried with those of status, so that they can enjoy the same wealth in the afterlife. To steal from a grave is direct slight to the ancestor to whom the items belong—an act which is not only a crime, but would also invite ‘curse from the robbed spirit JouRNEY TO THE UNDERWORLD. After death, all souls make the long and difficult journey to the Underworld, They must first travel north, braving winding, forest paths and treacherous waterways to reach Lalangban, the gateway between the lands of the living and the dead. Beyond flows the Black River, where souls acclimate to the spirit realm. At the end of their journey, they arrive in the Underworld, finally able to enjoy the afterlife LALANGBAN. ‘The entrance to the Underworld is located where the sky and sea meet, hinged open like a hungry mouth. Here, at the northern edge ofthe world, a rushing waterfall empties into an abyss shrouded in mist. The journey to Lalangban is not meant, 20 for the living or the faint of heart, Jagged rocks await hapless vvoyagers atthe bottom ofthe chasm, threatening to crush boats caught in vicious, swirling tides, But most spirits pass through. the chaos with ease, Upon reaching the center ofthe whirlpool, they drop like stones into the Black River. Departed souls who fail to enter this gate between realms ‘wander the mortal world asa ghost. Such aimless spectres can, often be found on the island of Ketabalon, lost in its lush forests or ensnared in Tambanokt Js sticky web, ‘Tue BLack RIVER Souls must next traverse the Black River, which flows from Lalangban to the Underworld. Wide and unfathomably deep, the Rivers current is too strong for most swimmers to resist. Sinking beneath the surface, each spirit is swallowed by a total darkness that compels them to surrender. This initial bath in the River is meant to cleanse all fear and release souls from any remaining attachment to their mortal lives, ‘Magwayen observes impartially rom her post at the top of the Black River, her ethereal glow acting as a beacon for new arrivals. The goddess beckons them close and lifts them. {nto a boat of her own making, the only one that is able to safely navigate the River. As they sal downstream together, her patient counsel offers comfort and peace to the deceased, helping them adjust to the world of spirits, Soon, they will land attheir final destination, But not all souls go willingly to the afterlife. The Black River enlists the service of certain mortals to bring death to those who deny it, To aid in this purpose, barbarians who ‘walk the Path of the Black River are given the power to carve through their foes with brutal efficiency. ‘Most souls are deterred from returning to the living world, tunable to fight against the Black Rivers forceful current. Ancestor spirits who wish to reincarnate must swim upstream, a task so arduous that they lose all memory of their previous lives in the process. Those who succeed become Umalagad, ‘emerging from the spirit realm as dragonborn, ‘Tue UNDERWORLD Souls who reach the end of the Black River find themselves in blissful, tranquil place, The spirits that setle here never go. Iungry, for food is always plentiful. They never fall il, freed from their mortal vessels, In the afterlife, souls reunite with the spirits oftheir loved ones and continue to live as they did before death, now unburdened by earthly concerns, ‘Unfamiliar, yet feeling nostalgic, the Underworld is the inverse ofthe living realm. Daytime in one world is night in the other. It bears the same landmarks and settlements, but these are reversed; a mountain that towers to the East on earth, ‘would instead stand to the West in the world of spirits. Physical changes in one realm are also mirrored in the other: ifa tree is ccut down in the Underworld, that same tree falls on earth.