Joss> Joss carefully packs the boat to try and keep the bulkier
goods we've acquired from getting in the way of manouvering the craft.
Dave Black> It's just around that point in time that you will
all notice a small gaggle of important looking Ducks coming down the road
towards you. They are several minutes away yet.
Varjeela> Dave, we know I recognised the prisoner's name. Did
anyone else? I take it I've had no chance to tell them who he is?
Dave Black> I would think Huff might know of the prisoner by
reputation. Other than Huff no one else would know.
Nijehl> I suppose that Nijehl has no idea who he might be.
Dave Black> Nope. Just some prisoner
Varjeela> well, we all know he's a Lunar.
Dave Black> From his speech patterns presumably.
Varjeela> From the way he addressed us in New Pelorian, perhaps?
Before switching to Trade.
Dave Black> I've got a good memory - but it's short!
Varjeela> I've got the "So Far" page on-screen. Memory? What's
one of them?
Dave Black> The gaggle of official types is now about a minute
away.
Varjeela> Try to finish (or at least stop) loading boats in
time to receive them.
Nijehl> Are they being accompanied by the brownish plumed ducks,
or are they alone?
Joss> "I'll lug this stuff reet sharpish then, aye?" (Packs the
boat as fast as possible...)
Nijehl> (Help Joss with the boat)
Varjeela> No rush, Joss, we can finish loading after we have
spoken to these people.
Joss> "Ah, reet. Less there's 'assle, aye?"
Varjeela> "Well, yes. But if there is hassle, we're not really
in a position to do anything drastic about it."
Joss> "Hmm. Guess so..."
Dave Black> There's some brownish ducks as well as some with
black feathered heads and purplish tinged black bodies. Also two with white
feathers. The black-headed purple tinged ones are the tallest and look
the most gracefull.
Varjeela> Lord Avax was one of them, right?
Dave Black> The interpreter locates himself between you and
the arriving group. Lord Avax is there, yes.
Varjeela> And Lord Avax is a black-headed purple tinged duck?
Rather than a brown one?
Dave Black> Once the assemblage gets settled a bit the tallest
of the ducks (not Lord Avax) speaks.
Dave Black> Lord Avax is predominantly brown feathered as it
turns out.
Varjeela> (Listens carefully, though probably not understanding
a word until it's translated)
Dave Black> The prisoner translates, "As leader of the Council of Glarlk I welcome you." "I understand you are new to these parts and if you have questions I would be most pleased to answer them if I can."
Varjeela> "We are honoured to meet such a distinguished duck, and I hope that our meeting will be profitable to both sides."
Dave Black> "We call ourselves the Avniari. Our ancestors were
what you would call 'Ducks'." "What brings you to Glarlk?"
Joss> (Resists the temptation to point at the boat....)
Varjeela> "My apologies, I had not heard of the Avniari before.
We came in search of trading opportunities, and seem to have been rewarded
to judge by today's work."
Dave Black> "We are but a poor folk here. You would do much
better to seek out the settlements further to the west and south. There
you will find splendours beyond belief.
Varjeela> "I have been to the settlement at Corflu, and have
not seen workmanship as fine as that of your people. Trade between us could
be profitable from my view-point: I suspect it would also be of use to
you." "And, of course, trade achieves much more than mere profit. Peace
between the peoples of the River, and mutual assistance, is of value in
itself."
Dave Black> "You speak wisely," says the regal Avniari. "Yet
we are poor compared to those who labour in the settlements further east.
I would encourage you to go there and see for yourself."
Dave Black> (By the way, I meant east not west up above several
lines ago. Sorry 'bout that.)
Varjeela> (Ah! Suddenly it all makes sense!)
Varjeela> "I would be delighted to do so, if we have your permission
to travel so far through your lands. Yet we came supplied only for a short
journey, and have already traded all that we brought with the people here.
Also, of course, we would need an interpreter for our journey. Would it
be possible to borrow one - perhaps even this one - if we are to travel
further?"
Dave Black> "Certainly," responds the Avniari. "Permission is
granted." With that the interpreter suddenly seems quite pleased
and surprised. "We can offer you food to help with your journey as well,"
continues the Avniari.
Varjeela> "My thanks, more food would be very helpful. If this
trip proves as profitable to us all as I expect, I could perhaps make this
a regular route. Are there goods you would particularly like me to bring,
next time?" (I know it's difficult to tell, but does he look uneasy,
embarrassed, or anything, at the idea of a "next time"?)
Dave Black> "We have little access to metal or glass," replies
the Avniari. (And yes he looks a bit uncomfortable)
Varjeela> "I can see that it would be difficult to work such
things in these surroundings. Would you perhaps prefer me to return to
Corflu now, and obtain more such things before travelling further west?
It would seem sensible in any case to take items suitable to trade with
me when I visit the marvels you speak of." (Thinks: I can't get
him more metal if he has me drowned in the western swamp!)
.Dave Black> "As you wish," comes the reply.
Varjeela> "Then it shall be done. Metal, and glass, you say.
In what form would these be of most use to you? Weapons and armour for
your warriors? Tools for your craftspeople?"
Dave Black> "Manfactures containing metal and glass are what
we need most." .
Varjeela> So we pack the boat, and head back to Corflu? Or did you want to do more things here?
Dave Black> Ivan, John. You guys still with us?
Joss> Packing the boat and heading back to Corflu sounds good
to me. And I'll try to make it along next week too.
Nijehl> Yep, still here...was enjoying the trading session...
learning you know :)
Varjeela> You are allowed to interrupt her, you know.
OK, so Varj's character description says "won't stop talking", but you're
allowed to join in.
Joss> Yeah, but Joss doesn't have a lot to say and the interpreter
might not be able to handle it anyway...
Nijehl> Yeah, we know Jane, but she is so good! :)
Joss> Or, at least, Joss doesn't have much to say to the ducks...
Varjeela> Next session should be less one-sided. How much money
can we get, and from who, for the location of the co-owner of Corflu?
Joss> That's something Joss wants to have a word about, actually.
Varjeela> And I thought Nijehl did, too. Shame he won't be here.
We could carry on the inter-PC chat now?
Joss> Fine with me, I can spare another ten minutes or so before
I really ought to return to the grindstone.
Nijehl> Hehe... Yeah, shame on me... unfortunately, I can't
do otherwise....
Dave Black> Let's try this... If you guys want carry on you
emails amongst yourselves through the week. Let me know the results by
Saturday.
Nijehl> I can stay on, but I don't understand anything really
:)
Joss> Well, I only have a couple of points to make, shouldn't
take long. Might give Varjeela something to think about...
Varjeela> Ah. A thought. Dave, do you want to tell me at least
exactly how much I do know about our Lunar friend, before we get started?
Dave Black> Just what's written in River of Cradles about him.
Varjeela> That included the hyena skin rumour. That still OK?
Does everyone else have RoC to read up?
Joss> Not at work wth me. But it doesn't matter, Joss wouldn't
know the guy from Adam anyway.
Dave Black> Yes. The Hyena skin rumour is aok.
Nijehl> I have although not here... but like Joss, I would know
nothing of him.
Varjeela> OK. In that case my first email (give me 1/2 hour
or so) will be a summary of what Varj. knows about him. Sound about right?