The Twin Villages of Misbahd and Jinutt

Sahu is not completely bereft of civilization. Two villages, Misbahd and Jinutt, can be found on the island’s northern shore, at the base of the giant plateau. These settlements can be used as the starting point for most adventures, since the party will presumably have arrived at one of these ports by ship. Misbahd is a dilapidated and squalid den of rogues and pirates. The settlement is well fortified, protected by a small fleet of “privateers,” and its shops and stores are filled with all types of merchandise, illicit and otherwise. Jinutt, on the other hand, is a small, simple village of fishermen who provide food to Misbahd in exchange for various necessities.

Despite the villages’ serene or mundane appearance, there is something peculiar about them which should only be learned after several visits in which the PCs have become sufficiently familiar with the locals and village leaders. Eventually, the party members will notice that there are a few shrines to mainland gods, but there is no large temple or priesthood in either Misbahd or Jinutt. There are no healers or priests capable of raising the dead on Sahu. Neither is there a cemetery. When people die (which happens quite frequently in rough Misbahd), their bodies are carried in a funeral procession out to the edge of town, where they are abandoned to “the wild forces of nature,” presumably to be devoured by wild animals. This ancient tradition is very sacred to the villagers, and it applies to everyone on the island—both natives and visitors. To break with this holy rite would anger the evil spirits of the highlands, who would punish the offending village. Those attempting to interfere or stop a funeral procession will be quickly confronted by a hysterical and violent mob.

Although they would never admit it to any visitor, many of the villagers are secret worshippers of the ancient god Thasmudyan and are fanatical members of the highly secret Cult of Worms. The entire ruling hierarchy in both villages is made up entirely by cultists who are sworn to absolute secrecy. The bodies of the dead are actually carried away by a pack of ghouls (disguised as plum-robed priests) to a nearby underground temple where the corpses are ritually devoured by the ghouls and a small hierarchy of death priests (Charnelists) whom the PCs may recognize as members of the village council. Each temple has a black stone idol of Thasmudyan and a small treasury which may contain a few magical items of minor importance. Obviously, important magical items are wielded by the priests and ghouls themselves.

Finally, these villages are also ideal locations to learn various rumors and lore about the island. In general, the superstitious villagers (island natives) consider the upper plateau to be haunted, a forbidden, dangerous place of ghosts and evil spirits. A few retired adventurers in the villages have more information. With suitable monetary encouragement, they reveal the location of “ruins along the shore of the sea” (Ereshkigal) supposedly containing fabulous treasures and magical items, virtually unguarded.

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