<Gamemaster> Last sesion ended with the group back in the Duck comuunity
of Glarlk. The group was hoping to do so more trading and also to speak
with the authorities about establishing a permannent trading base off on
the northern edge of the delta.
<NoBison> I was off to try my pantomine skills among their warriors
and have a few rounds
<mawth> I will try to guage through observation and discreet inquiry
the spiritual attitudes of the community. I want to do some meditation
etc but don't want to offend anyone
<Gamemaster> Unfortunately there were no takers on that count NoBison.
However, there were a few warrior types that you had brief contact with.
They were interested in your weaponry mainly.
<mawth> i will also keep a close eye on this Lunar
<NoBison> Ahh yes the metal poor economy, did we do a bit of comparison
of weapons?
<Gamemaster> Mawth, you will find that there is no evidence of organized
religion in the area and can assume that the inhabitants employ Spirit
magics like your own.
<mawth> i will look around to see if there is any sign of a spiritual
leader like a shaman in the village
<Gamemaster> Due to the circumstances you will find it difficult
to meditate while the trading is going on. I note it in my mind though
that this is something Mawth wants to do.
<mawth> it just occurs to me that discreet inquiries are probably
not possible when we don't speak the same language and I won't pass
on requests via the lunar...
<Gamemaster> Yes, some weapon comparison can happen. You will find
that they use very well crafted wooden and leather based weapons.
<NoBison> "Hey Mawth, since these guy's wont drink I'll keep an eye
on the lunar for you if you need to meditate."
<Gamemaster> The Lunar seems content to stand there and interpret
for Varjeela as she busies herself with selling goods to the ducks.
<mawth> i'm not so much watching to see what he does, but trying
to get an idea of his bearing, personality and spiritual status - I gather
he used to be a priest. When I get the chance I would like to observe
him on the spirit plan as welll...
<Gamemaster> Yes, it's thought that this fellow was actually the
High Priest of Etyries in Corflu. Are you taking up NoBison's offer?
<NoBison> Blow me down but we are as much as positive it's him who
was th high priest
<Gamemaster> That's the current hypothesis...
<mawth> I would like to see whether he still has connections to
his great moon spirits. I will wait around and see what i can see around
the village for a while (half an hour)
<NoBison> Mawth, why don't you go ahead. I' keep an eye on
things for you.
<mawth> then: "thank you No Bison" and depart to find a quiet place
nearby...
<Gamemaster> Ok. Mawth won't actually be able to leave the small
area where the group has set up market though. You are all constrained
into that small area by the warrior type ducks.
<NoBison> Would being in the boat be far enough from the hubbub?
<mawth> in fact being in the boat would be ideal methinks...
<Gamemaster> Works for your Gamemaster... given the River connection
and all... Ok, so Mawth return to the boat and does some mental
preparation before proceding.
<mawth> It might be best to get Joss (or someone) to keep the boat
in one place so I don't drift off downstream...
<NoBison> I will stand around watching the trading and our tame
translator.
<Gamemaster> You should be ok. The vessel is beached.
<mawth> "Would you mind keeping an eye on me also No Bison? I generally
lose track of my immediate surroundings and physical danger while I am
meidtating"
<Gamemaster> My interpretation of the rules is that the Shaman is
always present in both worlds and so you can see what's happening there
all the time. However, to assess swomething closely you need to actually
go there (discorporate). This takes a ceremenoy which is about an hour
long as I recall it.
<mawth> hmmm... and probably not a very sociable activity to undertake
next to a trading area...
<Gamemaster> Does this jive with your understanding Saravan?
<NoBison> I, will also include mawth in my view, since he desires
it.
<mawth> Yes I can imagine that. A proper discorporation should involve
some kind of elaborate goings on - though I would imagine that a shaman
could concentrate more heavily on the spirit plane just by meditating
- i doubt he could travel ont eh spirit plane by doing so, though
<Gamemaster> Ok. Sounds like simply meditating and concentrating
would be a better course for Mawth to take then...
<mawth> yes I agree - without finding out what the ducks would think
I think discorporation should be done from a distance! :-) so i will
just concentrate closely on the environment nearby, trying to discern any
significant features in the spirit world esp the ducks and the Lunar
-> -Mawth,- as you do this observation without discorporation you notice
that the Lunar's spirit is much too weak to ever be a Priest again.
<NoBison> Varjeela must be in her element with all this trading.
<Gamemaster> Happy, happy, happy! NoBison will notice that the regular
Duck population is very enthusiaistic about trading with the group.
<Huff> Huff looks around
<NoBison> How are the ducks reacting to huff? Does it look
like they are comfortable around him?
<Gamemaster> Yes, they don't seem at all concerned about Huff. Its
those tall lanky Nomad types that they worry about.
* Huff sits back and listens to the others talking
<NoBison> Humm, maybe I should sit down and try to curb my natural
tendency to pace in small areas.
<Gamemaster> Eventually the trading begins to ease off and the officials
of the Duck Village reappear. Varjeela and the Lunar being discussing the
proposition. After some 15 minutes worth of explanation the officials respond.
Basically they tell Varjeela that the idea has certain merit and that they
will consider it. They ask that the group return to Glarlk tomorrow at
noon for their decision on the matter.
<mawth> ok - that sounds fine to me not that mawth has actually
heard that of course but when he does he will nod sagely...
* Huff wonders what the terms affecting the first people will be...
<NoBison> Ok, I suggest that we camp across the river where we had
the initial meeting with the ducks.
<Gamemaster> So, as trading dies off the group gather its stuff and
returns to the vessels.
<mawth> mawth 'wakes up' somewhat and is only marginally distracted
once more
<NoBison> Mawth, since we have half a day to kill tomorrow you could
do a full spirit investigation.
<Gamemaster> Somehow you all get the feeling that the officials
wanted the group to retreat further than just across the river...
<mawth> back to our temporary camp by the trading post? that was
where I was thinking would be a good place to discorporate properly...
(which sounds like a pretty spinny trip when its put like that!)
<NoBison> Ok, how far can we get in the remaining daylight?
As I recall it took almost a half day to get here from our temporary camp.
<Gamemaster> There was a camp where you guys stayed the last time
you were here. Its about 1 hour upstream and is where the trail leads inland
towards the ruins.
* Huff whispers to Varjeela "you trust ducks?"
<NoBison> I thought that camp was further away, but an hour sounds
fine by me as a place to go.
<Gamemaster> This is not the base camp - it is simply a place where
they beached the vessels the first time they came this far down the river.
<Gamemaster> Varjeela responds, "Yes - to a point."
<Huff> are they sending us away for atrick? Huff can sneak
back and see....?
<Gamemaster> Varjeela responds, "No, I think they are simply not
comfortable with us being too close like that."
<Huff> ok * Huff shrugs
<Gamemaster> Ok. So the group returns to the site where they had
beached the vessels during their first trip to Glarlk and sets up camp
for the night. The hours of darkness pass uneventfully as does the morning.
Unless there are any special requests we can pick up the next meeting with
the group returning to Glarlk to hear the response to the proposal...