Pasifika

Pasifika

This island grouping consists of one large island Rangiwhero, several small islands, and several hundred square miles of ocean. The ocean itself is inhabited by merfolk and aquatic elves which are allied with each other. The sahuagin had gained a foothold in the north but have recently been kicked off the plateau.

Apart from Rangiwhero, the other major islands are:

• Atiu
• Kailua Kona
• Pukapuka
• Tuatangi
• Manuae
• Mangere
• Waiheke

There are several other islands, the majority being small and uninhabited (at least on a permanent basis). One of the larger islands, is known as the 'Island of the Large Statues' or 'The Island of Death' as some explorers have reported seeing giant stone statues on it as well as several skeletons. Currently no sign of living habitation has been discovered. That island is located in isolation far off the plateau.

Religion

The principle deities found here are:

• Rangi - Sky Father
• Papa - Earth Mother
• Tangaroa - God of the Sea
• Tawhiri - God of Weather (clouds, winds, thunder & lightning)
• Tane - God of the Forest
• Rongo - God of Agriculture
• Ra - God of the Sun (whether or not this is the same Ra, is unknown)
• Itimanuka - Sage of the Sea
• Pele - Goddess of Fire
• Hine-nui-te-po - Goddess of Night and Death.

Underwater Pasifika

The entire island grouping (apart from a few exceptions) sits on a plateau, commonly known as the Pasifikan Plateau, which ranges from 0 to 20 metres deep before plunging into the abyssal depths. It is inhabited by merfolk and aquatic elves and the two kingdoms share a peaceful and friendly relationship.

The merfolk are ruled by King Kierl from the undersea city of Atlantica. The ruling seat used to be in Lower Pasifika (now spelt Pacifica) but, when Rangiwhero rose, much of that city was destroyed. It is in the process of being rebuilt. Also located in Atlantica is the new headquarters of the Pasifikan Guild of Adventurers, a smaller and more loosely organised, organisation than the Seagate Guild, consisting of mostly merfolk and aquatic elf adventurers. King Kierl has three daughters: Princess (now Queen) Annelsie of Perelandra on Freya, Princess Aquana, an ex-adventurer, who is currently the merfolk ambassador to the aquatic elves, and Princess Ariel, recently returned from the Southhaven Academy for Girls, majoring in military science and anti-demonology. She is currently at Perelandra in order to learn 'courtly manners'. Kierl also has a twin sister, Ursula, who used to be a Sea Witch pacted to Vephar but the pact has been broken. Kierl exiled Ursula to the land until she gains redemption for the things that she did such as trying to take over the kingdom.

The aquatic elves are ruled by King Ivellious. Unlike King Kierl, he currently has no heirs, but rumours had spread that he had fallen deeply in love with his new bride, Silaqui. Unfortunately, during Spring 810, it was revealed that Silaqui was actually a malenti, a sahuagin that looks like an aquatic elf, and was acting as a spy as well as being a priestess of Furcalor and was instrumental in keeping the aquatic elves out of the war. Silaqui was captured and, presumably, executed, along with several other malenti that had infiltrated the Court. Speculation is rife that Ivellious is looking for another bride but, so far, there are no definite hints on who it may be. Others say he is still pining for his lost love.

Way down south from Pasifika is the recently discovered island group of Zeyland that sits on the Zeylandia Plateau. Although it is isolated from the rest of the Pasifikan group, the merfolk's sphere of influence does extend that far south and some colonies have been established on the edge of the plateau. Some of the Pasifikan natives have also managed to discover and settle down there.

About 50 miles north of the plateau is an area bounded by a slow circular current where floating seaweeds and other detritus has gathered. Underneath this is a very tall kelp forest which also contains a sunken Destinian trading fleet, of five ships, crewed by undead, mostly lesser although the officers (about 20) were transformed into greater undead. They believe that they are still alive and are still sailing on the surface. Occasionally a lich will arrive and trade with them. Down in the depths of this forest, it is believed a kraken lurks.

Adventure References

• Romance in the South Seas
• Pasifika in Peril
• Pasifikan Plundering
• Merfolk, Sahuagin, and the Deep Blue Hole
• Sahuagin, Elves, and Merfolk. Oh My!
• Who Let The Undead Out
• When my Ships come in
• The Wicked Witch of the Wet
• Those Dripping Bones

Magical Effects

The entire Pasifican plateau and the surrounding deep water (to a distance of 100-300 miles off the edge) is under the effects of a travel magic distortion effect. This has the following effects.

• Travel Magic only has 1/3rd the normal speed.
• Travel Magic has triple the normal duration.
• Teleportation magic has 1/3rd the normal range.
• Teleportation magic has triple the normal targets. If the spell is normally Self only it may be used as a Touch spell on entities whom are friendly to the Adept, or extra targets may be taken along with the Adept.
  The Island of Waiheke is known as an area that is hard to do any summons in. Any summoning spell or ritual done upon or close to (A few miles) the island will be at half its standard base chance.