Kampilan, Island of the Moon

Kampilan, also known as the Island of the Moon, takes its name from the distinctive greatsword with a moon-shaped spike on its end. On Kampilan, the second-largest island in the Talin Archipelago, the boundaries between life and death, the mortal and spirit realms, are thin. The island's biomes, from haunted mountains to lush jungles and bountiful waters, offer a variety of adventures for those willing to explore their depths.

Geography

The island's landscape is dominated by a mountain range running north to south that cuts the island in half. The mountains are impassable to mortals as they are home to cannibalistic aswang clans. The mountains protect the western side from seasonal typhoons, but the majority of the island's resources are on the east.

Thick jungles and large lakes fill Kampilan's untamed interior with raucous wildlife. The heavily inhabited coasts boast reefs teeming with fish that support fishermen and traders.

The tropical climate has warm temperatures year-round. The coastal areas experience gentle sea breezes while the mountains and forests can be cooler and mistier, especially at night.

Locations

The Kindly Mountains

The central mountains are called "Kindly" to avoid naming their inhabitants and drawing their attention. Despite the danger, some mortal settlements exist in the mountains. Rumor says that they are protected by powerful magic, or the inhabitants have made dark bargains with the dark spirits who dwell nearby.

Temple of Thaya

One of the main temples of the dead goddess Thaya sits on the easternmost tip of the island. Her priests celebrate the rising of the Shattered Moon with songs and sacrifices.

With the ascent of the new Hidden Moon and Silversong Moon, the temple has gained popularity as visitors come to learn about the world's new satellites.

Volcano Lake

The great southern lake in the southern jungles is the caldera of a volcano that has filled with water. The volcano occasionally spews out poisonous gasses that prevent mortals from settling there long-term.

Jungle of Flying Snakes

The dense jungles are named for the flying snakes that lurk in the trees and ribbon their way across the jungle canopy in search of prey.

Supernatural Inhabitants

Diwatas

The spirits known as diwatas inhabit wild and natural places throughout the Talino Islands. They range from small spirits that live under toadstools to immensely powerful celestial beings that embody the power of volcanoes.

These beings can be called upon for many reasons good or ill. They require sacrifices for any tasks asked of them, but above all they demand respect.

Babaylans

Talino shamans, known as babaylans, know how to speak to the diwatas, protect against aswang, and bargain with the gods. Every village has a babaylan to help with childbirth, prevent sickness amongst the livestock, and give a hand at harvest. These mystics are always either women or non-masculine.

Aswang Clans

Aswang are mortals transformed into fiends by the black chick that they have willingly, or unwittingly consumed. They appear to be normal mortals during the day, but at night they turn into horrific cannibalistic monsters.

It is said that Yugangi, Rani of the Aswang, has a permanent home in the mountains.