STORY HOOKS

$ MINING VILLAGE

Rich in copper veins, but inexplicably abandoned, the island has become the destination for miners from all over the region.

• The dock. The bay’s cramped inlet presents the only possible dock for boats and small ships. During the night, however, the ground shakes and restless ghosts pour across the streets, imploring the miners to leave the island.
• The dig site. The miners’ countenances, marked by constant toil, betray their growing concerns, but Baron Darius (minor Villain) feverishly pushes them to keep mining copper. What does he crave (or fear) even more than the ghosts? Who among the miners is a familiar face for the PCs?
• The Baron. Descended from a local noble family, Darius the Boastful craves fame and power. Driven by a desire to emulate the deeds of his ancestors (or fearing to let his lineage down), he strong-armed the population into working without pause, challenging and defeating the specter haunting Candle Bay.
• The Centipede. Made sluggish by the magical purifying properties of copper veins present in the rock, a gigantic monster with almost impenetrable hide has slept under the island for centuries. When challenged, it unleashes seismic magic; its carapace regenerates each round and it can also separate parts of its body, which act autonomously in the form of soldier-rank enemies.

THE SEVEN-TAILS’ FOREST

At the top of the hill, an ancient cemetery hosts the souls of the departed. At its center stands a great cherry tree, apparently weak and dying. A dark aura seeps from the earth and small will-o-wisps dance among the tombs, under the light of distant stars.

• Natsuki. In ancient times, the fox-demon Natsuki haunted the island. Attempts at fighting them all proved futile, until they fell in love with the young Soh and swore never to harm another human as long as he remained at their side. Determined to save his people, Soh bravely accepted this bond – his spirit still roams the forest, now only a pale blue flame. Did he regret his decision?