The group arrives at the Jade Isles aboard Seraphina Drakefang's ship and takes a smaller vessel to the shore. As they approach, they notice the local fishermen working with nets, startled by the swells in the sea. Under El Rashi’s command, the crew begins to bury their rowboat inland, while the villagers eye them warily. The locals, hardened by life near the ocean, are cautious but hospitable, offering fresh fish despite their limited resources. The pierced emissary, Kaimana, explains that they believe the group’s arrival may be linked to their fate, driven by the tides and overseen by the mysterious figure known as the Trawler Man.
Kaimana shares local myths, including the Saltblood origin story, where their people arose from the blood of gods and were nurtured by the Trawler Man. As the party interacts with the villagers, they notice divisions between those with facial piercings, who seem to hold a higher status, and the rest of the community. El Rashi and Deva accept the offered fish, while Siobhan navigates the complex social dynamics. Kaimana later directs them to a wrecked ship where they can seek shelter. Upon investigation, the crew uncovers military secrets in the ship’s log, revealing strategic ambush points used against rival nations.
As Deva explores, she uncovers evidence of an ancient struggle between gods. A strange lichen, representing a minor god’s influence, threatens the local deities connected to the Estin people. Deva uses fire to purge the lichen, hearing its anguished cries as it burns. The group continues their journey, passing sacrificial sites where the villagers offer people to the Trawler Man as part of their spiritual customs. Kaimana explains that these sacrifices are made to maintain balance and protect the village from divine retribution.
Eventually, the party reaches a sacred tree, where the lichen has been sapping the life from a "grandmother" figure for centuries. They realize the lichen is tied to the power of the Kanya, an ancient people who have been manipulating these forces. Deva performs a solemn ritual to release the grandmother’s spirit, setting the tree and lichen ablaze in an act of mercy. As the ashes rise, the group reflects on the cycle of life and death that binds the Jade Isles, feeling the weight of the old gods' presence and the island's uncertain future.
