Whiron nods his head, slowly, truly thinking about the harpoon. “Yes, yes I do. The hard part will be the launcher, but we have captured enough animals that we should have plenty of line. I have thought about making a trap; but even if we do and fill it with Swimmer Crabs or small fish, we still have to lug it from wherever we are back to here. That seems almost as bad as hauling clay. I would really rather try for some bigger fish, unless we, by some chance, acquire a skiff, then we can load up on whatever, like we were fishermen instead of mud grubbers.”
The Shiftings Season, as with all other seasons, is more significant to its name in the more northern regions of the landmass. This far to the South, the winds change in their dominant direction, bringing a very slight chance of light rain but also a little more chance of some cloud cover to give momentary relief from the Burning Sun. If any rain does fall or even on more cloudy days, thanks is given to the Maelstrom for the reprieve. In addition to the change in season, the two young men seem to have reached a point of notable change in experience, not truly significant but notable.
It took almost a Tenday for Whiron to make his harpoon launcher, which is nothing more than a partially hollowed piece of cane with a large enough diameter to insert the smaller reed harpoon. Some thin line is attached to the harpoon and a much shorter piece to the launcher. The entire device is then thrown at a target. The launcher line is secured to the leg of the thrower, while the other line is attached to the wrist of the off hand. This harpoon was of fairly decent construction, even if it was not going to be fully functional. The functionality was not critical as the harpoon became an afterthought to hide the real method of gathering fish.
Away from others, using small glowing snails as bait, when fish became attracted to the red light, the boys learned that they could use one of the larger snail shells as a conduit to generate a sonic thump. If gently tossed into the water the sound would discharge when the shell reached bottom creating a pulse of sound that would stun nearby fish. The fish could then be grabbed by hand after wading into the water. The fish were then staked through the gills so that multiples could be carried back to the Pavilion. Everyone seeing the fish, thought they had been harpooned and that crushed Welcome Crabs had been used to bait an area. Other tricks were tried by manipulating other waylines, but generating sound was the most effective.
Jalakaag has increased in the impetus for resilience and vitality (Confluence), and Whiron has increased in general knowledge. Each has retained some more plant material and some empty snail shells.
OOC:
State nominal actions and intentions. Provide 2 random rolls. (d10)
As usual, sitting under the shade of the Pavilion, enjoying a bowl of rice with meat, Jalakaag converses with his friend. “I like the process of catching fish better than setting snares, especially if we get into an area that is more sandy and less muddy. I really am tired of being covered in mud. I will try to make my own harpoon, that way catching more fish will look more reasonable.”
Having become somewhat successful at maintaining his life, Whiron says that he would like to rest for few minutes under the shade before he and his friend return to work. “I think that is a good idea. You should have no trouble making the launcher just like I did. I also like the taste of fish better than rat and it has a higher value. We might even be able to cook some of the smaller fish for ourselves, not just big snails.”
Finishing their respite, the two boys walk beyond the congested clusters of shanty housing following a , now familiar, path. Having never before considered the matter, the living conditions of the Flats is appalling. Even in such oppressed conditions, many of the residents adhere to a further factionalized system of hierarchy. There are three gangs who claim to control various sections of the marsh, having divided it into, sometimes conflicted, thirds. The three gangs are somewhat like guilds or labor unions fleecing a percentage of the earnings of affiliated residents. Lacking any affiliation can result in outright robbery, which will lead to starvation.
Intending to spend the next season, as the one before, collecting closer to the ocean, the normally peaceful time for two young men is interrupted within the first Tenday by the unexpected company of other locals arriving by skiff. Four adolescent, Ansylin boys, perhaps a few cycles younger than Jalakaag and Whiron, pole their way toward the berm and stake their craft so that it cannot drift away. With four, the skiff looked ready to sink under the load. Skiffs are really made for two plus some cargo.
The tallest of the boys prods one of the others, who speaks once they are within a few strides. “You two have been quite successful for some time, wandering wherever you want, but you bear no marks of affiliation. We suggest that you join the Wharf Rats, as you are gathering in our territory. For the slight of not approaching us first, your fee will be everything that you currently have.”
In addition to what they are already carrying, the two young men have already gathered quite a bit of herbaceous material, two thrushes, four drums (fish), and Welcome Crabs.
Jalakaag has increased in the impetus for resilience and vitality (Confluence), and Whiron has increased in general knowledge. Each has retained some more plant material.
OOC:
State nominal actions and intentions. Provide 2 random rolls. (d10)
Whiron scoffs at the other boys, being wary against any sudden attack. “Obviously you have not thought this through for anything long term. If we give you all that we have, we will not likely be able to continue to earn, since we will starve. We will give you these four fish has payment that way we can still buy soup. You will be better served to collect a smaller percentage that can be maintained over time.”
Jalakaag smiles at the words and quicker thinking of his friend. Looking at the four boys, he thinks that he is much stronger than any of them and could probably tackle one and choke him out, but that will take too long. If they decline the offer, he will try to knock one of them into the water. Hopefully that will slow him enough to take out another. Whiron will need to be able to handle two, as well. He still favors himself and his friend over the other four. He has to.
