Mawth> We were thinking that we should talk to the Ducks as if
we were found in the ruins it might look a bit suss... either way Mawth
wants to do both...
Nijehl> It will take us about 3 hours to reach the village,
right Dave? And that would leave us with an hour of light
Varjeela> I thought a night at the boat had been decided on?
No need to redo all last week's session now?
Dave Black> 3 hours is correct. It may leave you with a bit
of light or 'gloom' before nightfall.
Mawth> "We go back to the boats before nightfall, and make camp."
.
Nijehl> "Good, let move away from this place".
Varjeela> So we go back to the boats, camp, and spend the night
there. And have an hour to discuss what we do tomorrow. Tomorrow: if you
remember, we don't know where the duck village is, because Nijehl didn't
go there. So we go back to the ruins?
Dave Black> Just bear in mind that there is a trail which follows
the river's southern bank here and it is a travelled route (not an abandoned
thing).
Nijehl> Yep, I know where it is, but it is better if they find
us, instead of we find them... looks more authentic...
Dave Black> That trail leads directly to the Duck Village.
Mawth> But there is also a major (if old) road heading to the
ruins, so there's no reason why we wouldn't be on it rather than the trail...
Nijehl> "Shall we move along the trail then, or to the village?"
Dave Black> Please also note that the site where the boat is
lay approximately 20 minutes away from the ruins.
Varjeela> Yes, it's a shame about the trail. But wasn't it closer
to the ruin than to the boat? (Doesn't seem to be on the map?)
Dave Black> The difference is that one is clearly abandoned
(the one running north/south) while the other is clearly in use (running
east/west).
Mawth> "We must speak to the Riverfolk, for this is their territory.
It would be rude to avoid them."
Varjeela> That's a good idea, Mawth, but as I understand it
the nearest Riverfolk are back in Corflu?
Dave Black> The east west trail (the one that is in use) is closer
to the river than to the ruins.
Varjeela> That's a shame. I suppose we'd better go to the village,
then.
Nijehl> "Yes, and since we ARE traders, then we better move
along the used trail. Would not make much sense if we took the other
route".
Mawth> "The Ducks are Riverfolk too - they live upon its bounty
as do we."
Dave Black> Speaking of bounty are you guys intending to eat
rations or will you be hunting/fishing for supper?
Varjeela> Oh, right Mawth. Fine. It's just a shame they don't
seem to speak Boatspeech. We have an hour to hunt/fish, do we not? If we
can get anything in that time, we eat it. If not, we eat rations. Sounds
reasonable?
Mawth> Dave, do I know much about Duck culture and/or customs?
Or does Joss? It would be good to be able to greet them appropriately,
as well as in the traditional trading
manner (which Varjeela presumably knows better?) Yep fishing
sounds good. I think we actually have a couple of hours left (we were only
half an hour from the boats, but had around three-four hours before nightfall
(time enough to get to village...)
Varjeela> I think we even asked at Corflu for a Duck interpreter,
didn't we? And failed?
Dave Black> Here's what you know about Ducks. They have an inferiority
complex and whine a lot. They are always looking for an edge. They are
never satisfied and always want a better deal.
Nijehl> "Would we not antagonise the Ducks if we fish near their
territory without their permission.... if they are somehow watching us?"
Mawth> Hmmm, sounds a lot like just about everyone else on this
River, eh? (out of character...)
Dave Black> In Corflu efforts were made to find an interpreter
that could speak the language spoken by the Ducks. There was none. .
Mawth> Detect Spirits anyone?
Dave Black> Alas you are not able to catch supper and are forced
to eat rations.
Mawth> "These streams are poor..."
Dave Black> While fishing you see a huge water beetle make its
way across a stagnant pool nearby. It is nearly a foot long and voracious
looking but does not appear interested in bipeds.
Dave Black> Please note that none of you have ever heard of
a water beetle as large as the one that was seen...
Mawth> The Ducks probably have a hard time against those buggers!
(no pun intended)
Nijehl> Not even in the Devil's Playground, dave? :)
Dave Black> Not this kind of bug Ivan.
Nijehl> Oh...
Varjeela> Large beetles generally mean trolls in the area. I've
never heard of them breeding water-beetles, though.
Dave Black> You seem worried? I must be doing my job right!
Nijehl> Well, we end up unpacking and eating the iron rations,
and then set guard.
Nijehl> Yep, a bit... well Nijehl is since not they don't live
even there :)
Dave Black> Don't read too much into this bug thing. The point
is that there is a distinct change in fauna.
Varjeela> It's a foot long, vicious looking, and I've never
heard of it. Worried? Me? Didn't Huff say big insects came out as the swamp
warmed up?
Dave Black> Yep.
Nijehl> And you can't squash it to the ground with your foot,
at least in one go... yes, worried...
Dave Black> Hard to tell if one stomp would do it. Depends how
hard the shell is I guess...
Varjeela> Let's not stomp it, OK?
Nijehl> "Ok.... no stomping". (annoyed look)
Nijehl> I turn to Huff "Are the swamps dangerous at this
time of the year. I mean, should we watch out for something in particular?"
Dave Black> "No," says Huff. "Still too cold for most bugs.
We call that one Water Scavenger. They not usually bother bigger creatures."
Nijehl> "Not usually?"
Varjeela> (to Nijehl) "Unless, say, they stomp them for no reason.
Right, Huff?"
Dave Black> Huff appears to be enjoying himself. "Do not worry,"
he says smugly. "Huff will let you know if we see something to worry about."
Nijehl> "Yes, yes... I see... well, I will stay on guard for
the first watch if for you is ok".
Dave Black> NoBison and Huff shrug non-committally?
Varjeela> (oh not again) Dave, do you want us to set watch order?
Dave Black> Please.
Varjeela> Two to a watch? Trying to remember who's here: me,
Nijelh, Joss, Mawth, Huff, No-Bison. Six of us?
Dave Black> Right.
Nijehl> One is enough I think... just decide which you want
to take, and we can place the rest...
Varjeela> Huff is the local expert: let him set the watches?
(Beware low-flying bucks, Dave!)
Nijehl> (Yep... better idea.... all yours Dave)
Dave Black> OK. Nijehl, NoBison, Huff, Varjeela, Joss, Mawth.
Varjeela> Shall we regard that as standard watches from now
on? No more discussion needed?
Dave Black> OK.
Nijehl> Ok, set... Any mishap during the night? .
Dave Black> Just rain. By morning everything is drenched and
miserable.
Varjeela> And in the morning: pick up trade goods & camping
gear, and explore that well-trodden trail we found?
Nijehl> Good. We break camp and get ready to move "Towards
the Duck Village, right? Varjeela is the trader, Huff the guide,
Mawth the contact for the river people, and the rest?
(And the conversation split into two. So I've edited the log to make it a bit easier to follow. These threads were simultaneous originally)
Dave Black> Are you all going to walk or will you bring the boat
too and have some walking plus some in the boat?
Varjeela> The trail still doesn't seem to be on the map. Is
it right next to the river? I thought it was at least five minutes walk
from it: too far to shout.
Dave Black> It follows the river so far as you can tell.
Dave Black> The trip to the village can be made with the boat
and a small land contingent simulataneously if you wish to do that.
Varjeela> If we can take the boat(s), let's do so. All the more
space for trade goods we might pick up.
Dave Black> And so the trip proceeds...
Varjeela> The rest are guards. Of varying quality, but guards.
Unless you have better ideas?
Nijehl> Well, I don't look muck like a guard. better say
I am the helper or something... carry things, cook and clean...well, someone
must do the job..."
Varjeela> (to Nijelh): Apprentice trader?
Nijehl> "Yes....", a flicker of light in his eyes. "Yes,
our apprentice."
Varjeela> "In that case..." (digs in her pack) "you should have
one of these. Just in case they know about Issaries." And she hands him
a small pottery statue with a Trade rune in the base.
Nijehl> "Oh thanks", takes it with reverence in his hands, unsure
how to handle it...
Varjeela> (Noting the reverence appreciatively) "Just put it
in your pack for now. All lay members have to have one, but you don't have
to do anything special with it."
Nijehl> "I see. So am I lay member now?" asked with
sincere interest.
Varjeela> (to Nijelh) "Temporarily, if you want to be, yes.
In theory you're meant to pay for the privilege, but we'll count your cooking
as payment ;) Of course, if you want to join on a more permanent
basis, we could talk about that.
Nijehl> (To Varjeela) "Really? Good. Will
talk tonight then perhaps".
Varjeela> And you can take it that since V & N had " a few
hours" for this conversation, she has spent time explaining Issaries worship
to him. Emphasis on the idea that it's a religion for people who prefer
to out-think the competition, and having to use dishonesty is a sign of
failure.
Dave Black> A few hours later the party rounds a bend in the
river and begins its approach towards the Duck Village. The group does
not appear to have been spotted and as yet there has not been any requirement
to deal with encounters with Ducks.
Dave Black> But ahead there are a few huts and you will all
know that you will need to announce your presence or run into someone soon.
Dave Black> Sorry for getting ahead of you. Was hoping to get
to this stage before we closed off for the day...
Nijehl> No problem Dave... "Thanks, lets go to the ducks then".
Varjeela> Ok Dave: huts ahead. Noted. Deal with them next session,
or did you want to do them now?
Dave Black> I'm starting to run out of steam. Can we do it next
week?
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