Far from the mainland near Adeluna lies a medium-sized island. From far away one can still see the volcano that lies on the southwest side of the island. Dark smoke rises from its summit all times of the year. Sometimes the volcano is even known to still erupt or rumble the land with its anger. Despite this, the land seems to thrive beneath the vog of the quaking beast, offering exquisite scenery, places to relax and enjoy one’s self, and, if one is daring enough, a journey to the peaks of Apoy, the volcano itself, to witness one of nature’s most violent spectacles.

Even though the island is quite large one will only find a single village, Kinogoh. The natives of the island, Apoyans, are a simple tribe. Blessed not only with fertile fields, but an abundance of fish and wildlife, the village of Kinigoh believe that their rich and bountiful resources are a direct result of their god from whom the volcano, and by extension, the island itself, gets its name: Apoy. Each Apoyan learns as a young child that the generosity of their god comes with a sacrifice, quite literally. Once every ten years, a grand celebration is hosted by the chief of Kinigoh, who selects the most beautiful of the island’s young women. She then receives the honor of making the climb to the summit of Apoy and throwing herself in, thereby guaranteeing the prosperity of the village for the upcoming decade.

If undisturbed by the tribe’s traditions, villagers will find the occupants of Kinigoh most hospitable and welcoming, as even the lowliest among them has food to spare for the hungry sight-seer.

Tyrant of the Island, the people of Kinigoh Village name it. When it stirs, the ground shudders and quakes, groaning under the oppressive weight of the fiery mountain, and when it speaks, the air shatters in calamitous, thundering roar. The island’s implacable sovereignty waits, hungry for a chance to show its displeasure in a tumultuous shower flame and molten stone. By Apoy’s will does the village of Kinigoh prosper, for though it seems to threaten the people at every moment, it is also the instrument of their prosperity.

The main path up its slope is well worn and maintained, for it is a mark of strength and courage to make it to the peak of Apoy and return to tell the tale. For one seeking to prove himself or herself, the journey to the flaming maw of the volcano is not dangerous merely for the heat alone, nor the suffocating fumes, but for the mighty creatures who dwell upon the upper reaches of the mount. Drawn by the flame, protected through the isolation that such an inhospitable environment grants, the top of the volcano serves as breeding grounds to dragons.

These great, winged beasts, worshiped by the villagers below as emissaries to their lord, make roost in the stony crags and exhausted lava vents found in the most inaccessible places. Despite, or perhaps because of, the abundance of the dragons, very few who seek out to steal one of their precious eggs manages to return, and none at all return both unscathed and successful.

Perhaps most well-known of Apoy’s attractions are its pristine beaches of pure white sand. Decorate by seashells, tidepools, and small, curiously shaped stones of a glassy, dark hue, it is difficult to find an unfair thing in this place. Vibrant, lush tropical trees and plants form a solid border on the beautiful sands, offering plentiful shade for whoever would seek it. It is rumored that, so lovely are the White Beaches of Apoy, that even mermaids from the deep come and enjoy themselves upon these sands. While such stories might be only the product of fanciful imaginations, it is not hard to imagine such elegant and piscine creatures frolicking on nearby shores.

Though the volcano is a spectacle worthy of revery, the truth is that very few come to the islands to test their mettle by ascending the heights of Apoy. Far more frequent a destination are the hot springs, the most enjoyable side effect of the great island furnace. Following a well-worn path leading from the village, a short hike will lead you to a valley of steam, wherein can be found pools of water heated to varying degrees. Various small streams create miniature waterfalls and small ponds of extravagantly hued water as the flow of volcanic springs make their way out to the ocean. Tropical flowers loom above in the trees that surround the springs, bring a lush, soothing scent to those who would enjoy soaking weary bones after a hard day of playing on the beach.