First Contact
Ships Log
Date: Who knows?
Officer: Edwin, first mate
We had been coasting for weeks, when a storm blew us off shore. The Captain was washed overboard last night, with him the instruments. We are lost, and have seen no signs of land. The crew is getting restless – and we are running short of supplies. Our water is of definite concern.
If we do not make landfall soon, I may have to take extreme measures to ensure my survival. Fortunately none can read spare myself, else I would not be writing this. It weighs on my conscious none the less.
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“Land Ho!” Tears ran down the face of the man in the Crows Nest, “Off the starboard!” The men ran to the starboard side of the boat, straining their eyes to see… there was a hint of green on the horizon. Logan, that’s the one in the Crows Nest, started in laughing, and the men broke out in song. The helmsman, looking at me for approval, saw my nod and began turning the wheel.
“Coming about,” I shouted, “Loose the mainsail!” The men scrambled to obey my orders. “And dump the water!” They did hesitate before obeying, but obeyed none the less. It seemed I would not need to resort to extremes after all.
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I am Hakoom. I made contact with the strangers on the first day, when they came to Ahyi’sdar. They were not like us, pale of skin and poorly dressed for the heat. They approached without realizing we were moving. I concluded they were from a distant land immediately. It was my first watch, and I was excited to be doing something so important.
They came to the edge of town, and began speaking a strange tongue. I made motions that they could not understand, but neither did they. I suppose it was for the best. Then they entered town, seeking shelter I suppose. They walked with an air of superiority, but were not armed well. They had large amounts of wood, however. Our village settled near to where they had come to shore.
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This land is much drier than I had believed, and I have not seen a tree since landing. I thought that we had landed near a coastal village, but the walk took longer than really seemed necessary. Perhaps the heat is getting to me. A man stood near the edge of town, up on a ledge. He is either dull of wits or deaf, for he made strange motions when we approached. We walked past him and into the center of the village. There is a large cistern there, and surrounding it is a virtual wall of green. The village is entirely self-sufficient. We could not determine where they got their water, but were able to secure lodgings and food, though both came at a high price. Despite their apparent lack of skill in language, silver talks very well. They are shrewd barterers.
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The town began to move early this morning. We had not known that our visitors would be so upset. Their leader went into the center of town, and bared a blade. Fears heightened almost immediately, and all except the militia and the strangers sought shelter. There were only a few of us stationed here, and our Gatherer was gone. We prepared to embrace death. The strangers rushed upon us, and we feared our blood would be shed. Their skills are not remarkable, in fact many of them seemed slow of reflex. Using only our staves, we knocked most of them unconscious. Once they were lowered into the pits, they did not give us any more trouble. It certainly has been an exciting few days.
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These heathen demons have trapped us in some kind of cave. Their village actually moves about of its own will. I hope in time to learn some way of communicating with them, for weapons are not the answer here. If those four are any indication, they people of this land are all hardened by their life here.
I may never set foot on a ship again, however. They have taken our weapons, and we are not a match for them when armed. It seems we are trapped in a strange new world filled with wonders before now unseen.
