Freeze Day, Disorder Week, Sea Season, 1616

[ffilz]

Jargian, you can do it. This is your challenge to prove yourself.

[BackworldTraveller]

With a great swirl, the corpse is swept up on to the near bank about 50m downstream of the pair. As they look, the body turns from almost black to white - and the animal heaves itself onto the bank. It looks bewildered.

Seeking a quick resolution to the quest, one of the riders draws a bow. But they are stopped by their designated champion. Instead, he now draws his bow - clearly muttering charms, and looses at the magnificent buck. This is, though, too late. The creature takes to its heels and flees up the bank causing the shot to fall wide.

The hunt begins!

[BackworldTraveller]

The two herders watch the episode unfold below them and then shout

It's getting away.

Jaram calls down

It's heading up towards the Rockwater towards the pool

and Eda (who seems to be on her knees and bowing to the woman in the water) seems unsure what to do next.

[kwll]

Not sure what will happen next, and if he really is supposed to do this alone, Jargian stops thinking at some point and starts doing what he does best: hunt.

He runs after the sable.

[BackworldTraveller]

As Jargian heads off after the fleeing Sable, Bodi notes that the Moon's Champion is definitely organising his colleagues over the river. They split into three parties - one heading down stream (half a dozen), one headed in the direction of Pavis (three including the famed Runelord) and one (including the champion) heading upstream (Eight) - presumably heading for the crossing about 20km away. The "Lady in the River" (and her scarily large turtle) slip below the waves and the froth around the stranded Bull releases hold on the creature allowing it to struggle to its feet. It's still in a predicament, but is no longer being held in place by the water.

The Sable negotiates the river bank well, hopping from rock to rock like a goat before taking shelter in a small area of scrubby trees managed by the steadings basket makers for basket-making materials and kindling. The creature seems to be a most magnificent specimen - almost an Ideal Antelope. It is huge (SIZ=36!) - much larger than the corpse that floated down the river. It will be a grand trophy: and here you are ensuring it isn't one!

Jargian smells a burning odour coming from the pouch in which he placed the water token.

Eda and Jaram come over to Bodi How can we help?

[ffilz]

so what is my cultural understanding of the challenge? Is it an individual challenge? I’m feeling a bit lost here…

[kwll]

Still running after the beast, Jargian checks on his pouch to see what's happening with the token.

[BackworldTraveller]

Apologies for the delay...

The bone is somewhat transformed. The Water Rune is still present but it now has 5 other faces:

6: Water
5: Air
4: Beast
3: Man
2: Dark
1: Moon

Jargian seems to be heading off alone. The two Apprentice Guards seem to be hanging around Bodi who is at a loss as to which direction to proceed. The young Herders are concerned - the Bull is thrashing about and looks to be really irate at its predicament and they are hesitant to close with the gigantic animal.

The village appear to be turning out - at the top of the hill. Andra is making a fuss - dancing about and waving a large stave around her head (and pointing at the Bull and Sable, apparently randomly). Indeed the villagers seem to be making something of a festival: Something important has happened in their Village!

[kwll]

Does it seem like Jargian is keeping up with the sable?

[BackworldTraveller]

The sable moves into the cover of some scrubby trees and slows...

...and then as you get closer speeds away up a track to the higher lands away from the river. It seems content to keep about 100m from you provided you are in sight.

The river runs approximately East-South-East with the land behind rising 50 to 100m across the first 1000m - but never rising much more than 200m above the level of the water. The Sable appears to be moving roughly South-East around the villages field's edge and towards the wider, drier plains.

Without a mount, you are likely to lose the creature if it spooks and really runs.

[kwll]

When realizing that the sable is somehow playing a game with him, Jargian slows down a little. He starts thinking of where is the nearest mount, and how to get to it.

[BackworldTraveller]

There are now many people about - but you are moving away from them all - with luck you could signal for someone to catch up? The Steading's riding animal (the Zebra) with the group that went off first-thing.

Eda seems torn between aiding Bodi with the bull and following you - but as you wave you see her set off towards you at the run.

Turning back, the dratted Sable has skipped ahead and looks to be about to head over a ridge. Knowing the area that will leave it with the choice of a narrow defile heading SE and then gaining the plains above or moving back towards the steading's field.

You recall that about 30 minutes south of town was a group of Llama with their escorts camped nearby. You saw their fires a couple of days ago and they appeared briefly during the Sacred Time swapping Beer for Blankets. Perhaps they will help?

As Eda arrives do you send her for help or go yourself - and where will you seek aid - Back in the village, with the Llamas Peoples or somewhere else? If somewhere else, where?

[kwll]

Jargian keeps Eda with him, and heads for the Llama people. He will try all the way to keep an eye on the Sable, or at least take note of the last place he spotted it.

[BackworldTraveller]

The Llama People will be camped by the Deep Well. A sheltered spot with a deep hole with fresh water at the bottom and space for a large number of creatures, tents and room for whatever is needed.

If they are still there.

So - How long are we going to be running after that beast?

What's your plan?

How long until those Lunars get here? Those antelope looked fast. What do you think they'll do?

Will the Llama Tribe help us, or are we walking into trouble?

Have they seen us?

[kwll]

Jargian decides that he will not be able to keep up with the sable by himself, let alone protect it. He takes a gamble and goes for the Llama people, in an attempt to convince them to help him. He asks Eda to come along.

[BackworldTraveller]

Jargian decides that he will not be able to keep up with the sable by himself, let alone protect it. He takes a gamble and goes for the Llama people, in an attempt to convince them to help him. He asks Eda to come along.

Eda looks a little concerned - the beast peoples of the plains are (at best) temperamental. Every time they come into town it's a bit tense - and when they raid - well it's a raid!

But the high-Llama peoples are relatively agreeable compared to some.

[kwll]

"No time to explain. We have to be fast!" says Jargian while running in the direction of the Llama people's settlement.

[BackworldTraveller]

Eda follows, a little bemused but enthusiastic. Indeed she seems a bit star-struck with Jargian.

They get to about 800m from the camp when they note a trio of Llamas (with 4 riders between them) stood on the skyline a little way ahead.

[kwll]

Jargian approaches the Llama riders fast, but not in an aggressive way so as to show he is not ill-intentioned. As soon as he is close enough he hails them.

[BackworldTraveller]

Who approaches?