Oppression vs. Ambition

[MacConnell]

Cycle: 503, Day: 131, Season: Harvest

Spoiler: Snares & Hunting

Jalakaag: 13(observe) + 33(clairaudience) + 4, 9(d10) = 17, 22, 50, 55
Whiron: 32 + 34(olfaction) + 2, 7(d10) = 35, 39, 68, 73

Spoiler: Prospecting

Whiron: 32 + 34(olfaction) + 2, 7(d10) = 68, 73

Because the young men choose to ignore the clays and no other minerals or ingots are to be located in a marsh, only plants are of an interest and only Whiron is particularly suited to search for them. During the first Tenday of the season Whiron discovers some familiar and unfamiliar materials. He collects some flowers of a strange grass he knows as Invigorate and the leaves of an herb called Mend. One measure of Mend, when ingested or applied into a compress, will accelerate the normal restoration of the loss of Body. If held in hand, a measure will enhance the mystical effectiveness of physical recovery (Recover or Restore x3); after which, the measure disintegrates. Though valuable, wisdom dictates that it may not be advisable to sell the material, for it could raise questions as to its discovery.

Setting snares and the trap produces the usual small animals that are mostly consumed while the boys are away. Hunting yields pretty much the same things, as well, but after bypassing the Pavilion to donate any extras of the catch to the young men’s parents, the intention is impeded by two skiffs, one containing the Centrin stranger who had spoken previously.

He calls from his standing position in the lead skiff. “My name is Luterrio. I am the leader of the River Otter Guild. I know by the marking on your skiff that you have no affiliation. Since one of you is Ansylin while the other is Centrin, I am not surprised. I am not here to pointlessly attempt to recruit you, and at this point I have no intention to kill you. I am more economically minded than that. You wish to hunt and trap where you please without regard to the established boundaries. This can be taken as an affront. My intention is to negotiate a payment system with you and allow you to continue as you have.”

Spoiler: Character Data

Jalakaag: full wellness
Whiron: full wellness

Spoiler: Inventory

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
mend: 10 measures, {restore x3}, 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

Spoiler: Discoveries

Luterrio: River Otter Guild Leader
Unknown Elderly Ansylin Man
Wharf Rat Gangers

GM: Jalakaag improved in constitutional wellness (Fitness). Whiron improved in the impetus for resilience and vitality (Confluence).

OOC: State preparations and intentions and provide two random rolls(d10) or reprint unused rolls.

 

[MacConnell]

Jalakaag is little surprised by this approach, as it lacks the usual avarice of the previous two. Most people in The Flats are always angry, even the guards, and will direct that anger at anyone. This stranger seems to be content with his place in life. Being in the back of their own skiff, Jalakaag speaks quietly but does not focus his eyes on his friend. He watches for deception instead. “I will let you do the talking, but I get the impression that he is making a genuine offer.”

OOC: d10 = 7, 2

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

In his usual manner of habit, Whiron removes his hat and runs his left hand through his hair before replacing it. “Your offer seems reasonable and being in skiffs upon the water only hints at a threat. Some foolish Wharf Rats thought to beat and rob us. Were we standing in the mud like then, I would think less of your words. If you are truly interested in a business transaction, what do you have in mind and how will it be guaranteed?”

OOC: d10 = 9, 5

 

[MacConnell]

Cycle: 503, Day: 131, Season: Harvest

Spoiler: Snares, Hunting, & Prospecting

Jalakaag: 13(observe) + 33(clairaudience) + 4, 9(d10) = 17, 22, 50, 55
Whiron: 32 + 34(olfaction) + 2, 7(d10) = 35, 39, 68, 73

Spoiler: Negotiate

Whiron: 32(coerce) + 34(allure) + 9(d10) = 75

Understanding that he can mystically alter his own physiology to improve negotiation when he cannot touch the other person, Whiron has to hope that a breeze will carry the pheromone, otherwise he has only his words. The parlay continues briefly and it is clear to the two young men that the extortion desired by the River Otter Guild is no different than that of the government with regard to the mandatory voting payment or protection fee, and a guarantee is offered. Ultimately a choice must be made to pay or fight, but it seems more prudent to pay, at least at this juncture.

Spoiler: Character Data

Jalakaag: full wellness
Whiron: full wellness

Spoiler: Inventory

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
mend: 10 measures, {restore x3}, 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

Spoiler: Discoveries

Luterrio: River Otter Guild Leader
Unknown Elderly Ansylin Man
Wharf Rat Gangers

GM: Jalakaag improved in constitutional wellness (Fitness). Whiron improved in the impetus for resilience and vitality (Confluence).

OOC: State preparations and intentions and provide two random rolls(d10) or reprint unused rolls.

 

[MacConnell]

Jalakaag makes a warbling sound with his mouth. He decides to agree and speaks quietly, again to Whiron. “Fair or not is irrelevant. We can accommodate this.”

OOC: d10 = 9, 5

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Whiron nods to indicate that he is hearing Jalakaag. He speaks across to Luterrio. “We agree. We will simply give you coin at this time. We will keep our word. We expect your people to honor the agreement.”

OOC: d10 = 3, 8

 

[MacConnell]

Cycle: 503, Day: 141, Season: Harvest

Spoiler: Snares, Hunting, & Prospecting

Jalakaag: 13(observe) + 33(clairaudience) + 5, 9(d10) = 18, 22, 51, 55
Whiron: 32 + 34(olfaction) + 3, 8(d10) = 36, 40, 69, 74

Spoiler: Negotiate

Whiron: 32(coerce) + 34(allure) + 9(d10) = 75

Though it is truly nothing more than an extortion racket, the situation transpires like a business transaction. The two friends pay over 20 coins and agree to a coin each per day in the future. Luterrio seems forthright in his dealings and does not give an impression that he will soon attempt to renegotiate. Perhaps he has some awareness of the potential of the two. For his part, the leader of the River Otter Guild hands over a throng strung two otter skulls, each marked with the same symbol that is branded into each of the member’s forearms. There is a house near on the upriver end of the Stilt Village marked with the same skulls. Someone should always be there to acknowledge all transactions. In the long run, compared to the talents of the two young men, the coins are a trivial matter.

Luterrio also provides some additional information that was previously unknown. The Wharf Rats, who are all Ansylins, control the area around the Stilt Village and the cultivated crops, which accounts for their name since the area has a prolific rat population. The River Otters, who are all Centrins, control the area upstream from the Stilt Village. The Marsh Vipers, who have both Ansylin and Centrin members, control the area downstream of the Stilt Village. Jalakaag and Whiron have collected in all of these areas, but as their skill has improved, tend to avoid the nearest locations.

The next Tenday is spent in the territory of the River Otters, although farther out than any of them would naturally travel. Having no risk of interfering with cultivated crops, more than enough tubers are gathered to supplement meals. Whiron also discovers several patches of herbs with aromatic flowers, called Tranquility. One measure, when ingested by any means, will accelerate the normal rate of restoration for the loss of Mind or its developmental components by double and augment the impetus for physical function and intellectual cognizance (Cohesion +10) for one hour.

As usual, the snares and fish trap provide more than enough return, allowing for greater time to be spent hunting or using the nets. Several larger fish and a few smaller peccaries are captured, but of a particular curiosity is when the two come upon what appears to be a manufactured altar.

Spoiler: Character Data

Jalakaag: full wellness
Whiron: full wellness

Spoiler: Inventory

coins: 26: cast net, hoop net, fish trap

caustic leaf: 1 measure, {ionize x3}
fireweed: 8 measures, {heat x2}, 1 per satchel
invigorate: 8 measures, {adrenaline x3}, 5 per measure
mend: 10 measures, {restore x3}, 5 per measure
muddle: 9 measures, {taint x2}, 1 per measure
stimulate: 1 measures, {adrenaline x2}, 2 per measure
tranquility: 10 measures, 5 per measure

fist-sized snail shells: 10, 1 coin each

Spoiler: Discoveries

Luterrio: River Otter Guild Leader
Unknown Elderly Ansylin Man
Wharf Rat Gangers

GM: Jalakaag improved in constitutional wellness (Fitness). Whiron improved in the impetus for resilience and vitality (Confluence).

OOC: State preparations and intentions and provide two random rolls(d10) or reprint unused rolls.

 

[MacConnell]

Jalakaag stops in his tracks and motions for Whiron. “Now that is a strange sight. Why in the world would anyone build an altar way out here, and where did they get the rock? There is no stone in this marsh. What do you want to do?”

OOC: d10 = 3, 8

 

[Eric Zephlaer]

Whiron gestures to Jalakaag. “Oh yeah, that makes me curious, too. We should take a look at it; and unless you are against it, I would like to hang around for a day or two to see if anyone comes out here.”

OOC: d10 = 6, 1

 

[MacConnell]

Cycle: 503, Day: 141, Season: Harvest

Spoiler: Snares, Hunting, & Prospecting

Jalakaag: 13(observe) + 33(clairaudience) + 5, 9(d10) = 18, 22, 51, 55
Whiron: 32 + 34(olfaction) + 3, 8(d10) = 36, 40, 69, 74

Spoiler: Negotiate

Whiron: 32(coerce) + 34(allure) + 9(d10) = 75

The altar is a cairn, an organized stack of stones all of which are about the same size. The stones are not natural. The only difference between one of them and a sun-dried brick is the shape. These look like flattened spheres. Someone has taken time and care to make the cairn. The outside ring of the top of the altar contains seven stones. The base is wider to make the structure stable. There are stains from blood and ash atop the altar and an area of about a stride around it has been cleared of vegetation.

There is no point in simply remaining beside the structure and waiting. Boredom and hunger move the boys to normal pursuits while keeping wary against the approach of any other people. After two days, a skiff is seen coming from upstream. No one in the Highlands has access to a boat. That means that the single person manning the skiff must have departed from one of the other sections of the city on the other side of the river.

As the figure nears, the two young men can see that it is a thin, dark male, thin enough to look like a Sioliri at distance but recognized as an Ansylin in closer. The two have seen the man before, though only briefly. This time they are able to get a better look. He is elderly, looks frail, and dresses poorly but moves his craft with grace and assurance. He uses his skiff pole to vault himself from the boat as it drifts into the mud and reaches back to deftly catch the bow with his left hand, keeping the skiff pole in his right.

He makes sure that the boat will not drift away and nods slightly at each of the young men, knowing they are there, though neither is fully visible. He stabs his pole into the mud and walks to the altar. He makes some unfamiliar gestures and then pulls something from a bag and places it on top. The object looks like an organ from a larger animal and is dripping what can only be blood. The man says some words to himself, makes a few more gestures, then touches the sacrifice, which ignites in flame. He cleans his hands, lifts them with the palm upward pointing toward each of the separated young men. “Well?”

Spoiler: Character Data

Jalakaag: full wellness
Whiron: full wellness

Spoiler: Inventory

coins: 26: cast net, hoop net, fish trap

caustic leaf: 1 measure, {ionize x3}
fireweed: 8 measures, {heat x2}, 1 per satchel
invigorate: 8 measures, {adrenaline x3}, 5 per measure
mend: 10 measures, {restore x3}, 5 per measure
muddle: 9 measures, {taint x2}, 1 per measure
stimulate: 1 measures, {adrenaline x2}, 2 per measure
tranquility: 10 measures, 5 per measure

fist-sized snail shells: 10, 1 coin each

Spoiler: Discoveries

Luterrio: River Otter Guild Leader
Unknown Elderly Ansylin Man
Wharf Rat Gangers

GM: Jalakaag improved in constitutional wellness (Fortitude). Whiron improved in the impetus for resilience and vitality (Hemostasis).

OOC: State preparations and intentions and provide two random rolls(d10) or reprint unused rolls.