Dave Black> And so it's midday and you've made it around the first island to the further side.
Joss> "Aye, so we're 'eadin' fer tha' island there next? We goin' t'start ferryin' people now while them as waits gets a bite o' lunch?"
Dave Black> The land is mostly flat all around you. Marsh grasses predominate - up to 2 metres or so in height generally. Many birds are present. A gentle breeze is blowing. The skies are grey. It may rain. The temperature is cool but not uncomfortable especially when working. Towards the centre of the island upon which you are camped there is a small wooded area. Just south of that there appears to be an area of slightly higher ground. There are also wooded copses to the north and further to the south. Across the narrow channel to the east is more grass.
Joss> "'Ow big is t'next island? We goin' round it this aftie? Or is it too big or t'wrong shape?"
Dave Black> From what you can tell it is likely somewhat larger than the first island. It would definitely take most of the afternoon to go around it. Varjeela, you will note, looks quite exhausted.
Joss> "Aye, well, we'll ship you two 'cross first, then come back for you two. Get some scran down yer necks while yer waiting, aye?"
Dave Black> "I'd like to try to sling one of those birds," she says after struggling back to her feet. She pauses upon hearing Joss' words and then agrees. "I will hunt on the other side..." The others begin having a quick lunch then. Does the group build a fire?
Joss> "Alrighty." Joss and Mawth start ferrying people. Varjeela
and Nijehl first. That'd take too long for lunch.
We'll have a fire when we make camp for the evening but it'd eat up
to much of the afternoon to have a fire now.
Dave Black> Transportation of the group across the channel goes without misshap and not too long afterwards the group is on the further shore.
Joss> We'll pause here a while so Joss and Mawth can have something to eat and rest a little. This'll give Varjeela a chance to hunt some if she wants to.
Dave Black> There are two choices here. The group can proceed upstream back the way they came for a bit and take another channel that goes roughly northeasterly or the group can go downstream a bit and see where it leads. The downstream option would take the group in a southwesterly direction.
Joss> Then we set off around the island again only this time Varjeela, if she's still exhausted, rides in one of the boats. Well, the baboon would have a better idea of which way would be best.
Dave Black> Varjeela will have taken two stabs at slinging a bird... both of which missed. Huff says, "You want go to rising sun then go against waters for now..."
Joss> "Alrighty. Get yerse'n in t'boats, Varjeela an' Nijehl, an' we'll be goin'."
Dave Black> Just for reference I think it was Varjeela and the shaggy stranger who walked the last time. Nonetheless the shaggy fellow doesn't look tired in the slightest and doesn't utter a single grunt of complaint. By now everyone in the group has accumulated at least one bruise.
Joss> Well, that's hardly surprising. Hard work travelling like this...
Dave Black> As the group heads upstream the channel gradually bends around towards the east. Eventually they come to a place where the channel runs east west and another channel joins from the north. Once past this point they will know that the waters will be helping them instead of working against them. Huff points east and says simply, "This way".
Joss> "Right y'are, 'Uff." Pole... pole... pole...
Dave Black> Anyone who has been walking so far will have mud up to their ankles caked onto their feet. Now the rain begins to fall and the ground soon becomes a slimy ooze. That mud reaches further up for those who are walking - to the knees now. Wet and uncomfortable.
Joss> "'Ere, Varjeela. There's a wee bucket unner t'seat there. Bail a bit if we need it, eh?"
Dave Black> Nijehl begins to complain about the weather. Varjeela looks miserable but stoic. Eventually the rains let up and by the time the river swings around to a southeasterly direction again it's just a few sprinkles.
Joss> Josh doesn't really have a problem with the weather. As long as it's not too heavy it'll cool him down. Poling a boat like this is hard work...
Dave Black> A while later a split in the channel looms ahead. The group can go southeasterly or southwesterly.
Joss> "Sou'east, aye? Don' want t'be 'eadin' back way we jus' came."
Dave Black> Looking southeasterly Huff says, "That way no good. Many Baboons lost there. Bad spirits." Actually John the southeast branch would take you further in the direction you were travelling. Looking the other way Huff says, "That way go to Skull Rock."
Joss> Yeah, that's what Joss said, wasn't it? Head southeast 'cos we don't want to go southwest and back the way we came... "Skull Rock sounds in'erestin'. Y'know 'owt 'bout it, Huff?"
Dave Black> Oh. I got something a little different out of that. Southwest would take you down the other side of the island on where Varjeela tried to hunt some waterfowl. Not necessarily back the way you came... "I know," replies Huff. "Rock with eyes. Mouth with fangs. Big rock. Hard to find in marsh grass but Huff know..."
Joss> "'Ey, Varjeela, y'fancy 'avin' a shuffty at t'rock then?"
Dave Black> At this Mawth asks, "Tell me about Spirits Huff." "I no see them," replies the Baboon. "No Baboon go there and come back. Bad place. Must be spirits..." Varjeela pauses for a moment. "Let's do both," she suggests. "For now let's take a pause and rest though. I'm sure some are in desperate need. I for one would like to have a fire to dry out a bit..."
Joss> "Both, aye? Take a look at t'Rock in t'mornin' then 'ead off t'see what's eatin' baboons after?"
Dave Black> It is now heading towards late afternoon. This proposition of Joss' gains wide acceptance. There is approximately 3 hours of daylight left.
Joss> "Right then. Let's rig up some shelter an' get a fire goin' then.
Dave Black> And so that's what they do. By nightfall they have established a reasonably comfortable base camp and everyone's in much better spirits. Any special precautions during the night?
Joss> Well, we ought to sort out some sort of watch, at least one person on the whole time. There are six of us so it shouldn't be too difficult. Maybe two people on each of three watches of four hours each.
Dave Black> And so it is done - three watches with two on each watch. Morning arrives. It is somewhat warmer today but still grey and likely to have rain. Just to clarify - no mishaps occur during the night. All is well come morning.