The Romance of the River Kingdoms

[Dr Simon]

Three Flowers somehow manages to make a simple five-note refrain seem like a hauntingly beautiful melody. The perfect sound seems to linger, reflected back from the surrounding fog, each note harmonisng with the others.

As the unearthly harmonies fade away, a dark shape appears out in the fog, slowly approaching. It resolves into a large skiff, poled by a humanoid figure in a heavy oil-skin robe. The skiff beaches in the harbour cove of the island, and the figure pushes back his hood. He is human, or very human-like, stockily built with a broad face and wide, down-turned mouth set amid saggy jowls. His eyes are large and watery and his straggly dark hair hangs lank from his head. He wears a thin drooping moustache.

"Mortals?" says the figure tremulously. "You are mortals!" His voice quivers with excitement. "Is it true? Have you vanquished the ice demon?". He looks about the island nervously, as if expecting the giant to suddenly appear.

[sblock=OOC]
Natural 20 on Play Instrument.
[/sblock]

 

[Shayuri]

Annika steps forward and bows respectfully to what she assumes is a spirit.

"Yes, the ice demon is gone," she says. "Spring's come to the land here. I am Annika. Who are you?"

 

[Dr Simon]

The figure gives a little jig of joy at Annika's news, then abruptly assumes his previous dour demeanour.

"My name is Catfish," he says. "I am the Ferryman for the town of Heartsflow. You summoned me, I presume, so I'm here to take you to Heartsflow. Climb aboard, please."

 

[The Rolling Man]

Jar'Thol

"Well met Mr ..." He hesitates "... Catfish. I'm called Jar'Thol, the wanderer. I'm friend with the nature spirits. We were send here at the demand of a deceased holy woman but we actually know little of this place. Can you tell us anything about this Heartsflow ?"

 

[Walking Dad]

AC 15 (T15, FF13), HP 19/31, F +5,R+2,W+6 (Spells: 0:5/5, 1:3/4)

Ape looks around if he can see any eatable berries. After not finding any, he approaches Catfish and nods at the unknown spirit (?).

[sblock=ooc]
Need berries for my healing spell.[/sblock]

 

[Dr Simon]

[SBLOCK=WD]
No berries to be found - the ice demon's winter withered everything, and now the land is only in spring.
[/sblock]

Catfish gives a bow in return.

"You don't know of Heartsflow?" he says to Jar'thol. His voice, although lugubrious, carries a note of incredulity. "Why, it's the foremost meeting place for the spirits of the Leng River. But then, I suppose we've been seperated from mortals for so long, perhaps you've forgotten on the Other Side. But then, I'm just a humble ferryman. The others will be able to tell you more. Master Salmon, Mistress Iris, they'll be happy to see you. Please, climb aboard."

 

[The Rolling Man]

Jar'Thol

The Catfish's answer satisfies the small shaman and Jar'Thol climbs aboard the skiff. "Do you know Dancing Crane ?" He asks the ferryman.

 

[Blackrat]

Three Flowers stands there for a long time, awed by the beauty of his playing the flute. A tear flows down his cheeck, so moved he was by his own skill. He is barely aware of the ferryman at first but finally comes round and listens to the conversation. There was something suspicious here, but he shrugs it off and addresses the soldier who was with them. "Would you mind going back and let your leader and Venerable Wen know we are alright. Ask Wen to wait for us and tell him this might take some time. If he can't tell him to take good care of my blade and that I'll come to fetch it once I'm back."

 

[Dr Simon]

"Right!"

"Lucky" nods at Three Flowers' request and sets off towards the small shrine building, stops halfway with a quizzical expression on his face, looks back at the group, shakes his head and then continues. Shortly, he rings the bell and vanishes from sight.

Catfish looks at Jar'Thol.

"No, I've never heard of Dancing Crane. Perhaps he is at court. I'm just a humble ferryman, I don't move in such circles," he says mournfully.

Once everyone is aboard, Catfish begins to pole the skiff away from the island, which soon vanishes into the mist. Suddenly, without any obvious change, the mist parts and it appears that the skiff is flying through the air. Below are what look like forests of tangled weeds, and it seems as if Catfish is poling against thin air. Still the skiff continues, heading downwards to a small town of houses that look like they are made from domes of mud, but decorated and ornate none the less.

Catfish brings you to rest on the edge of the town square, where a host of brightly dressed people are waiting, eagerly. Two step forwards, a tall man with a pronounced lantern jaw, wearing iridescent robes with shades of pink and grey; and a slender woman in blue and yellow robes.

"Welcome to Heartsflow," says the man. "My name is Salmon, and this is Mistress Iris. We've been expecting you."

 

[Walking Dad]

AC 15 (T15, FF13), HP 19/31, F +5,R+2,W+6 (Spells: 0:5/5, 1:3/4)

Ape waits for the shaman to do the greetings. He is more at home in the material world.

[sblock=ooc]
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