A lonely dark blemish against the cerulean backdrop of the sea grows larger and larger as the camera zooms in until the mighty Cathralis comes into focus, a behemoth of timber and sail and rigging, tiny whitecap waves below betraying the size of the towering vessel.
Marvels of engineering, Cathralis and the other Wayships were built as a significant investment of the Emperess Kin-Sai in a bid to reach the Kindred Coast - the New World - and expand her influence and trade routes beyond any before and leave a true holy legacy in the long standing Imperial Kin dynasty. These Wayships are colossal, constructed sturdy enough to withstand the crashing waves of the Everstorm Sea yet nimble enough to shoot the wild currents of the Riptide Shoals.
The imperial crown ship Cathralis is first of the fleet of the Wayships to make it's daring journey, laden with food, supplies, and a massive contingent of Imperialists. These brave souls look forward to the looming Kindred horizon, hearts hardened knowing their generation may never step foot on Bandan soil again, yet proud and eager to have had the chance to name themselves on this daring expedition. Until now, only gulls could travel to and from Bandan and Kindred. The Wayships enable one-way travel to Kindred, but even they cannot handle the vicious currents back westward. Communication to and from the Bandan Empire will be limited to scrolls carried on gullwing until the legendary ancient portstones are found and activated.
1200 years ago Kin-Bo, the first Emperor of the Kin dynasty, wrote of a small contingent of what he called “elves” that claimed to have traveled from across the sea via a portstone. They were unable to return, however, saying “something must have happened to the grid relays” and they eventually passed on from record into what some claim is more legend than history. The family has long dreamed of earning more of the holy favor of Fin-ta, Master of the Bazaar, by expanding their trade routes to Kindred and bringing more wealth and prosperity to both the people there and those in their home empire on Bandan.
“LAND HO!” The ship bustles with activity like termites under a scrap of bark as all sorts of folks make their final preparations for landing: sailor and civilian, mercenary and merchant, bureaucrat and banker, noble and nun - all with intentions known only to them.
The ship disembarks, not so much as orderly but purposefully. Quickly, under the watchful eye of Imperial Prince Captain Kin-Jet, trees are felled, buildings are constructed, perimeters are secured, and the great ship is scuttled and half-opened to serve as the core of the city. A veritable fortress and surrounding outposts pop up and people begin settling into their respective trades.
Within these few busy days of initial construction, an outer town begins to take shape. As all of the outposts, tents, shops, and other assorted structures seem to constantly be coated - inside and out - with a fine layer of sandy grit from the expansive beach upon which they are built, this town becomes affectionately known as “Sandpit.”
Foremost among these buildings constructed in Sandpit is The Drowned Wave - a large tavern that caters to the guards and explorers that spend most of their time in the Sandpit. The proprietor, Skip Trent, is a good-natured man with twinkling eyes and a preference for well-tipping regulars. Skip made a name for himself among the varied crew of the Cathralis as a man to be associated with exploration and adventure. It was no secret that he wanted to host the foremost gathering point of the empire, so along with his large tavern tent, he had three main construction projects:
You are one of the individuals that opted to join this likely one-way trip in hopes of adventure, favor, and profit. You likely have a disposition for exploration and adventure, but that may be all that you have in common with each other. Only you know who you are, how you managed to pay the 200gp opportunity tax, and why you chose to come aboard and risk death - be it for a chance at riches, fame, political clout, religious fervor, or some other cause. The Empress has declared those who can find, secure, activate, and demonstrate these portstones as bidirectional pathways between the two continents will be rewarded handsomely with an equal part of a million gold prize pool, a barony each, and the granting of any individual boon that is within her power to grant.
What are the six most important things for the players to understand about the world and the campaign?