Whiron has an epiphany. It is so strong that he stops moving for a couple of seconds. “I have an idea, and I feel awful that I did not think of it sooner. We should help our parents. We have only been supporting ourselves for two Cycles. Our current turn around on our hunting expeditions is three days, so we need 3 coins a day for extortion costs, for both of us. That is 9 coins a trip, each or 18 coins. We spend 6 total coins each trip on water. That brings us up to 24. That is our minimum. We should count our haul; and when we see that we will be over, we drop some of the things with our folks.”
Jalakaag is, of course, in complete agreement about helping their parents and irritated with himself for not thinking of doing it, as well. Some of the cleaners seem a little less than agreeable when asked to procure souvenirs; but with the addition of a bowl of soup, none is resistant any longer. Counting the collections, the two are able to give all of the swimmer crabs to their parents, who are all ecstatic at the gift, especially knowing that their sons are not only alive but doing well. Some of the muddle leaf is imparted, as well, with an explanation of its use for after the end of a hard day. After all is said and done, there are 16 additional coins, and the two add one additional talisman each and replace two of the others with better items.
Jalakaag: full wellness
Whiron: full wellness
district maintenance: 2/d: even
protection: 2/d: even
voting: 2/d: even
food: 1/meal
water: 1/fill
surplus: 46 coins
cast net, hoop net, fish trap
eggs: : 1 each
nutria: : 6 each
plovers: : 1 each
small duckers: : 3 each
small flatfish: : 3 each
small peccaries: : 6 each
small runners: : 3 each
swimmer crabs: : 2 each
caustic leaf: 1 measure, {ionize x3}
fireweed: 8 measures, {heat x2}, 1 per satchel
invigorate: 18 measures, 5 per measure
itchweed: 14 measures, {ionize x2}
muddle: 9 measures, {taint x2}, 1 per measure
stimulate: 1 measures, 2 per measure
fist-sized snail shells: 10, 1 coin each
Unknown Elderly Ansylin Man
Wharf Rat Gangers
GM:
Jalakaag improved in general combat (Combat). Whiron improved in overall mysticism.
OOC:
State preparations and intentions and provide two random rolls(d10) or reprint unused rolls.
Jalakaag sighs, audibly, as he sets into the skiff and steadies it with the pole to allow Whiron to board. “I wish I had some idea of how to change this monotony, beneficially change this monotony. Can you imagine having to do this for another 50 or so Cycles. I think I might rather be eaten by a shark. That is not really true, but it makes my point. Anyway, This pattern of three days seems to be working for us, but I do not know if we could extend it to four.”
Whiron rolls his whole head instead of just his eyes, since he is standing in the front of the skiff, while his friend is aft. “You and me both! You and me both. No, I do not think we can go four days yet. We cut pretty close to even doing three days. Maybe with a little more experience we can try it. I fear we will run into problems with fishermen from the Harbor if we try to drift the river toward the ocean, so that leaves us stuck in the marsh. Last season we went salty. This time let us try farther upstream.”
Taking an active role in determining their own income, it is a simple matter for the two young men to realize that collecting a single satchel of welcome crabs and one of tidal snails, each, will cover the cost of the governmental fees. Anything worth an additional coin will cover the cost of fresh water. None of the water from the marsh, no matter the season, can be consumed for it contains too much salt simply because of the tides.
Whiron improves slightly in the skill to throw the cast net, but fish are still gathered by mystical means, anyway. By standing still and listening, with his improved hearing, Jalakaag becomes significantly more effective at hunting terrestrial animals. As a matter of statistics it was eventually going to happen; but with the two wandering farther and farther away from the remainder of civilization, one day brings them upon a pod of marsh lizards, the known danger of the marsh.
Lizards, though they can hide, tend to signal their intention to attack by emitting a loud, higher pitched, noise, almost like a longer version of a bird of prey call. The cry immediately alerts the two boys, though they never before heard it. Encountered as pods with up to 6 members, of which only 1 will be male, marsh lizards are initially aggressive and territorial but will seek to flee if hurt. As the lizards can and will swim far faster than the two could pole their skiff, they must stand and defend themselves, the skiff poles being the only real choice of a weapon.
Jalakaag: full wellness
Whiron: full wellness
coins: 46: cast net, hoop net, fish trap
caustic leaf: 1 measure, {ionize x3}
fireweed: 8 measures, {heat x2}, 1 per satchel
invigorate: 8 measures, 5 per measure
muddle: 9 measures, {taint x2}, 1 per measure
stimulate: 1 measures, 2 per measure
fist-sized snail shells: 10, 1 coin each
Unknown Elderly Ansylin Man
Wharf Rat Gangers
GM:
Jalakaag improved in general combat (Combat). Whiron improved in overall mysticism (Mysticism).
OOC:
State preparations and intentions and provide two random rolls(d10) or reprint unused rolls.
Even though he is not specifically affected by the scream of the lizard, Jalakaag takes a step back in precaution. He immediately understands the danger of the situation, especially since it is unclear as to the number of the lizards. Instinctively, he realizes that he can manipulate waylines to obscure his essence of being and make himself less noticeable. He grips his skiff pole and readies to defend himself.
Whiron shifts his stance for better balance and readies his skiff pole. Unlike his friend, he has discovered no mystical task to protect himself. He has to survive without it. “Oh sure, we complain of monotony, and we get marsh lizards! Go figure!”
Because of the grass and the constancy of motion, the exact number of lizards is yet to be determined, but they divide themselves between the two young men and go tromping through the grass. While Jalakaag is able to mystically obscure his presence, he and Whiron both suddenly realize that they cannot manipulate waylines to aid in attacking the lizards while they are holding the wooden poles. It is natural to think of them as a weapon in hand, but these two friends are not like most other people. They also realize that, despite the aggression, the lizards appear to be slower afoot than they are.
Jalakaag: full wellness
Whiron: full wellness
coins: 46: cast net, hoop net, fish trap
caustic leaf: 1 measure, {ionize x3}
fireweed: 8 measures, {heat x2}, 1 per satchel
invigorate: 8 measures, 5 per measure
muddle: 9 measures, {taint x2}, 1 per measure
stimulate: 1 measures, 2 per measure
fist-sized snail shells: 10, 1 coin each
Unknown Elderly Ansylin Man
Wharf Rat Gangers
GM:
Jalakaag improved in general combat (Combat). Whiron improved in overall mysticism (Mysticism).
OOC:
State preparations and intentions and provide two random rolls(d10) or reprint unused rolls.
