Freeze Day, Disorder Week, Sea Season, 1616

[kwll]

"At any rate, what was this bone doing here anyway?" answers weakly Jargian to his mother, slightly offended.

When he hears Eda's story, he takes it as a good opportunity to drop the subject and gathers his thing, ready to follow Bodi.

[ffilz]

Jargian and Bodi will gather rope, a shovel each and follow Eda back to the bank to see what is up. Is there anyone else we might bring along?

[BackworldTraveller]

The river bank in question is some way away - down from the Village via the Terrace Street, across the lower field and down to the rough grazing by the river. What the herd were doing there, exactly is a bit of a question but one that the Herders can answer later.

The rough winter grazing is normally a piece of flattish land about 10m above the river bed - with the wide wash to the North and the Rockwater to the East. At first glance through the drizzle, the land appears narrower than it was and the Oxen are milling about on it, scattered. The two children, who were acting as Herders, and Jaram, in full armour, are looking disconcerted and peering off the edge of the pasture into the river below.

Behind you, Karran has followed you to the top of Terrace street. Eda is leading the way down but, what with the rain, the rest of the steading appear unaware of the problem.

[ffilz]

Bodi will go over to the bank and assess the situation.

[BackworldTraveller]

As Bodi, Jargian and Eda head down the terraces and across the lower field, the rain slows and stops. The water pooled on the surface slowly drains into the ground and the clouds thin going from grey to a mix of greys with white. Blue sky may be too much to hope for.

At the top of the cliff fall you are met by the herders and Jaram who talk excitedly...

Herder 1: The whole banks gone...

Herder 2:The White Bull is in the River

Jaram:The Bull is supposed to be sacrificed on Plow Blessing Day - This will mean bad luck if the bull is injured and the crops will be terrible

This brings to mind the strange omen described during the Sacred Time's Ceremonies

The Rain and the Wind will find the sacrifice given and recovered;
The River will Rise and the Moon Fall;
And from the Dark will come that long forgotten if Chaos is defeated when it comes

And at this point an appropriate skill roll for your initial observations: Treat Scan skill as 25%+Perception bonus (per RQ3 i know) if you don't have a particular other preference

[kwll]

Scan skill is at 35%

Jargian observes the river and the surrounding area intently.



He is sure that if there is something to see, he will notice it.

[ffilz]

Scan skill is at 35%

Jargian observes the river and the surrounding area intently.



He is sure that if there is something to see, he will notice it.

[BackworldTraveller]

The quick scan of the horizon shows the edge of the rain moving quickly northeast.

The Wide Wash seems to have washed out the wall of a cavern - and the roof seems to have collapsed as the wall fell into the river. The pasture appears to have been (unknown to the village) over the roof. There is a very dead oxen in amongst the rubble and the spill seems to have carried the While Bull into the river. It is standing, up to its shoulders, in the water - whether it's legs are free to move is another issue - but the debris slide doesn't look too stable.

In the far distance, and on the far bank, there appear to be a group of Sable-Riders amongst the trees. They are moving downstream slowly - watching the river tumble its way down its course.

The river, here, is quite beautiful at this time of year - there are leaves appearing on the shrubs in the vale and the swirling waters have escaped into some old pools where water-plants are now sprouting. A sea of flowers will appear shortly.

Moving down towards the river bank, the line of sight to the Sable Riders is lost amongst the vegetation.

[kwll]

Is the uncovered rubble and the dead owen easily accessible?

Also, are the sable riders close enough that we can have a hint at their mood or intentions?

[BackworldTraveller]

Is the uncovered rubble and the dead owen easily accessible?

Also, are the sable riders close enough that we can have a hint at their mood or intentions?

Poor Owen!! I hadn't thought to give the Oxen a name.

The climb is doable - indeed the right side of the slip looks very easily climbable - a series of foot holds over a vertical drop but definitely can be traversed without a need for specialist skills - although a broom might help to shift the dust.

A glance at the river sees the riders moving in three groups, two move ahead, one stopped to watch whatever it is in the river.

The Bull in the water seems to be thrashing about a bit. Possibly because there is something big moving around in the deeper water.

OK - Not quite but...

[kwll]

"I guess we should try to save the bull first..." says Jargian to his brother. "How do you want to go about it? Want me to handle the rope?"

[BackworldTraveller]

The scramble down to the river allows the two would-be rescuers to notice two further details. Behind the bull - further out in the river, there appears to be a woman part in the water and (you think) sitting on a rock to prevent her washing away, and the bull is definitely working it way into something of a frenzy as it tries to work itself loose from the turbulent waters. It moves forward but slips back each time.

The herders remain at the top of the fall with your two apprentice guards are looking nervously at the approaching antelope riders. They call down They're Lunars by the look of their gear. And they're dolled up in their best clothing!

[kwll]

Jargian hails the woman: "Are you OK? Can you hold there for a while?"

[BackworldTraveller]

Jargian hails the woman: "Are you OK? Can you hold there for a while?"

She laughs!

Oh Mortal. I'm not so sure I chose well when I passed you my token. But you were warned and you chose it so I'm bound.

And there is Wind (indicating Bodi) to your Rain. I have the one sacrifice (to be returned) and the other is coming with it's escort. The test is begun.

The "Sacrifice" to which she refers is something floating down the river mid-stream. From the water's edge it isn't distinct

Although a spot-hidden might real its nature

[kwll]

Jargian attempts to spot what the mad lady is talking about.



... with little success.

[BackworldTraveller]

The "Mad Lady" is revealed not to be clinging to a rock, but to be riding a giant turtle!

Hail the Moon's Champion she calls to the approaching riders. Sitzmag Redmoon. The Sacrifice has been accepted and your challenge will be answered. This Hunter indicating Jargian has taken my token and stands to answer. Which of your riders take's the Moon's part?

And as Jargian stands aghast at these pronouncements, Eda slaps him firmly between the Shoulders You have been chosen to stand against the Moon! I expected our steading to be quiet and boring - I hadn't realised we had heroes here.

What is the Challenge?

[kwll]

Jargian looks at his brother, eyes wide open and not completely sure to understand what is really happening. He grabs his spear, by reflex, ready to react to any hostility.

[ffilz]

Bodi encourages his brother: You've got this brother.

[BackworldTraveller]

The Naiad of the wide wash indicates the body of the Sable that is floating in the stream. This sable will be the challenge. If the moon’s challenger slays it before the season’s end, then the moon wins the challenge and the waters will not oppose the moon. If the sable is slain by another then a new challenge will be set. And if it remains alive then the waters shall follow their own course.

[kwll]

Jargian frowns and looks at the sable. He is more accustomed to hunt beasts rather than save them. And he is not accustomed at all to be a hero. All of this talking makes little sense to him. Again, he looks at his brother, looking for help.

Jargian looks at any detail which would help him decide what to do with the sable.