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  Introduction
  The world of Théah is more diverse than seven nations, more
  potent than six warring pirate fleets, and larger than any four
  prophets. Beyond the boundaries of the seacoasts lie
  hundreds of islands and uncharted lands
  that only the bravest of sailors dare seek.
  The existence of such lands developing
  independent of the great continent suggests
  a part of history that even the Explorer's
  society has trouble explaining. Yet, beyond
  the mighty walls of the Church and beyond
  the grasp of the greedy merchants, inhabited
  islands have scattered themselves across the
  great seas and oceans of Théah.
  The Island
  Kanuba is a large island far to the
  southwest of Castille, near the equator, in
  an area known as the Dead Tropics. The
  climate is very hot and humid, and the people
  who live there have dark skins, as well
  as some very unusual beliefs. Eisen and
  Avalon settlers first came across Kanuba in
  1665, and since then have integrated with the
  existing society, learning the native language
  and the ways of the Kanu.
  Kanu have dark brown or black skin, short black hair and
  wide noses. In addition, they are several inches shorter on
  average than most Theans. Despite their size, Kanu Heroes
  receive a +1 Brawn as their Nationality Trait Bonus. In
  addition, they may purchase the Keen Senses and Small
  Advantages for 1 point each. Kanu learn Thean languages
  according to the Eisen language chart, adding 1 to the cost of
  each language. Other Theans may learn the Kanu language
  as though it were Crescent.
  The Kanu have friendly dispositions, with an easygoing
  manner. They have few taboos - the one major exception
  being that when their gods are spoken of, it must be in a
  respectful whisper, and Nul must always be spoken of first.
  They are known to form strong friendships, and many of
  them have left the island to see the world, now that the
  settlers have given them the opportunity and curiosity to do
  so. However, no matter how far from
  home they travel, the island always calls
  them back - eventually. Besides, for the
  natives, there is little to compare with the
  quiet tropical paradise of Kanuba, so
  returning home is not a chore.
  Opah : Lan and Nal
  The settlers have gradually learned that the
  Kanu believe that all objects are bound up
  with opah - either nal (curses) or lan
  (blessings). Nothing is neutral as far as
  they're concerned. This belief extends
  beyond religious practice and is integrated
  into every aspect of their lives; even fighting.
  Kanu believe that if a sword misses
  several times in a row, it is cursed and
  should be discarded. If it consistently
  hits, it is blessed and should be
  jealously guarded. Certain members of
  the tribe get more out of these opah than
  others, and anyone who shows a particular talent for coaxing
  the opah to life is known as a Opahkung. Originally, the
  Eisen misinterpreted this word as "Father King", but
  gradually realized that its meaning was closer to "Fetter
  Man" or "Man of Bindings". In order to play an Opahkung
  Hero, you must purchase Opah Sorcery, explained below.
  Opah Sorcery ( 10 Points, Kanu only )
  The Hero with Opah Sorcery is known as an Opahkung - a
  shaman able to call upon the opah in an object. While curses
  and blessings affect every item an Opahkung touches, opah
  is most evident in weaponry. GMs may wish to develop rules
  The Island of Kanuba
  
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  of their own for mundane items and events in the
  Opahkung's life.
  In combat, when an Opahkung (and only an Opahkung) uses
  a weapon, he must keep track of the number of times it hits
  and misses. For every 5 hits scored on an enemy, the weapon
  receives 1 Lan. For every 5 times it misses an enemy, the
  weapon receives 1 Nal. A curse will cancel out one blessing,
  and vice versa, so that a sword with 3 Lan drops to 2 Lan
  instead of receiving a Nal.
  New weapons start out with 1 Lan. A weapon with 1 Lan
  that receives 1 Nal has 1 Nal, and vice versa. A weapon must
  always have at least 1 Lan or Nal. A missile weapon such as
  a gun or bow cannot accumulate Lan or Nal, but a projectile
  such as an arrow or spear could. Opahkung (and only
  Opahkung) receive the following modifiers from using a
  weapon charged with Lan or Nal:
  - A sorcerer (not a shaman such as another Opahkung)
  struck by this weapon loses the ability to use any Sorcerous
  Knacks for one Phase per Lan or Nal, or until the end of the
  Scene, whichever comes first. This is always counted from
  the most recent hit, and is not cumulative. Items treated with
  Laerdom magic are affected as if they were sorcerers when
  struck by this weapon, and any runes on the object that are
  currently active, deactivate.
  - For every 20 Lan or Nal, the Hero adds or subtracts 1 to
  his Attack Rolls when using this weapon. This modifier may
  not exceed the Hero's Resolve.
  - For every 50 Lan or Nal, the TN to break this weapon is
  increased by 5.
  - When affected by sorcery while holding the weapon, the
  Hero may spend 1 Drama die to resist that magic. The Rank
  of the Sorcerous Knack must be less than or equal to the Lan
  or Nal invested in this weapon divided by 50.
  - For every 100 Lan, the Hero begins each Story with 1
  additional Drama die. For every 100 Nal, the GM begins
  each Story with 1 additional Drama die. This Drama die is
  only usable if the Hero is touching the weapon. This cannot
  more than double the. Hero's or GM's starting Drama dice.
  In addition, while holding a weapon invested with Nal or
  Lan, the Opahkung has crackling streams of energy run up
  and down the weapon and the arm he's holding it in, and
  glowing in his eyes. The energy is white if the weapon has
  Lan, and black if it has Nal.
  Creation Myth
  The old man began to speak of days long past as his people
  gathered around him in the moonlight. "At first, there was
  only the child?god Lah, the Earth. He was frightened,
  because he was all by himself, so he began to cry. He cried
  for a long time, and his tears became Nul, the Waters. Nul
  was born old and cranky, and Lah's howls kept him awake.
  Finally, he cried out to Lah, 'Why won't you be quiet, little
  boy?' and Lah said to him, 'It is dark, and I am frightened,
  old man.'
  "Nul looked up, and there was only darkness, so he created
  Mata, the sky. He gave to her the sun, the moon, and the
  stars. They sparkled so brightly above Lah that he was finally
  able to go to sleep. 'At last, the boy is silent,' thought Nul to
  himself, and he closed his eyes to go to sleep as well.
  "Mata looked down at Nul and Lah, and saw that everyone
  else was going to sleep. She did not want to be alone, so she
  shined the moon and the sun in Nul's eyes and shouted, 'Old
  man! Wake up. Keep me company!' With a snarl, Nul awoke
  once more and Mata was glad for his presence. So glad, that
  she never let him go to sleep again. That is why the Earth
  sleeps and is still, while the Sky and Waters move about.
  And that it is why Nul is so angry with everyone. For you
  see, Mata never lets him sleep."
  Geography
  The Island of Kanuba is some 20 miles east and west, by 18
  miles north and south, forming a near circle (there are no
  bays on Kanuba). The island's outer edge is some 50 to 100
  yards of sand. The gentle slop insures that large ships cannot
  get too close as even one mile from the island, the shelf of
  
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  sand is just 40 feet below the water line. Visitors to the
  island can only reach the island by row boats, anchoring
  larger ships about one to two miles from the coast. Stone
  jetties are being built by Eisen and Avalon architects to
  improve docking to the island, but nothing to date seems to
  make the situation better.
  The island slopes gently up from the water to a lush tropical
  forest and series of natural springs. The interior of the island
  houses most of the Islanders, with most families respectful
  enough to keep a large distance from the other homes, giving
  the look that the island is not heavily populated. However, a
  recent estimate by a Eisen scientist puts the population of
  Kanuba near 5000, a rather large number for a society
  dedicated to fishing, gathering, and slash and burn
  agriculture.
  "They are doing something right," quotes Warren Abbotsford
  of the Explorer's society. "Kanu enjoy a very primitive,
  relaxed life-style by Thean standards. Work is a necessity
  and does not dominate their lives. Many see this as lazy, but
  most of the Islanders just smile when they hear this. In fact,
  they have no word for 'lazy' in Kanuba, as well as other
  words we take for granted. I find it taxing to talk to them at
  times. They seem willing to share as well, but never take
  from our food stores. I've concluded that they do not have
  much of a taste for anything other than fish, vegetables, and
  fruit. Odd little savages.
  Note
  This material originally appeared in the first promotional
  issue of the Crow’s Nest newsletter. A lot of the detail was
  expanded when the island was covered in the Islands of Gold
  sourcebook, but the original content is provided here for
  completeness. Also read the Ngali the Gun short story in the
  Tales of Theah section  the official Rose & Cross website (
  www.shakaar.demon.co.uk/7thsea.htm ) which was printed
  with this roleplaying material.
  Credits
  Writing
  Kevin Wilson
  Artwork
  Carl Frank
  Line Development
  Mark Stanton Woodward
  7th Sea System Creation
  John Wick, Jennifer Wick and Kevin Wilson
  7th Sea™ and Swashbuckling Adventures™ are properties of
  Alderac Entertainment © 2004. All rights reserved.
  
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