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We slowly wonder on foot to the East, the gates of Buya pass overhead, and now we are finally in the Islets. "Incredible..." I say to myself as I stare at the waterfall. Our guide begins to explain the festivities of the day, then points our direction to this wonderful waterfall. A waterfall that acts as a crucial water source. Despite being prestine our guide warns we must first check it before drinking due to impurities. Purifying can be done several ways, like using SODIS, placing water in a bottle then leaving it in the sun for a period of time, 6 hours in Sunlight, 2 days without direct sunlight. We then came to a bridge, one of most importance. Our guide told us of the bridge's construction and age..."incredible", I let slip aloud. We check the bridge for damage, obvious signs of distress. We cross the bridge careful after examination as we head East through the trees. Squirrels and rabbits, all walks of rodent life come to our feet as we approach "the stage". Our guide begins to discuss materials for shelter: using branches from the area, mud from the river, moss and such. She then moves on to camouflage, which is NOT just about blending in visually. It is avoiding detection, or startling wildlife or other life in the area. Our guide then gives us a task to find her at 74, 46 without being seen?! Paying very careful attention to my surroundings... I used my furthest vision ((realming)), made my body as small as possible ((turned into a squirrel)), and stayed behind the tree line when possible in order to properly camouflage. We proceeded South over some bridges, until we were at an Island. Our guide asks if we were stuck here unable to leave, stranded what we would do. For security etc. having someone keep watch while the other is sleeping perhaps, or lighting a fire to deter the animal life in the area. Perhaps setting up a security system using vines, and rings to make noise should a predator approach. We pushed further South toward the home of the Ogres. Our guide points out some blooms of flowers as possible food sources for the Ogres who have lived there for generations. She then alludes to archery, using the materials around us to construct a bow. Fibrous flowers to make the string, a flexible branch to make the actual base. Hearing a real craftswoman describe the process sounded easier than done, I believe. Cleaning the branch meticulously to ensure the shaft is clean then bending the shaft to the correct proportions, and then notch the ends of the shaft to attach the string. We then moved on to the arrows, feathers, straight sticks, leaves, stones or metal for the ends. She vividly described this process as well using the materials around us. We proceeded to push on to Noxhil's home. A charming house that I had never actually step foot in before today. Filled with many leather-bound books, and blue candles. It smelled like rich mahogany in there. The guide talked about cartography and had us create a small legend to show different structures within Noxhil's home. I think my favorite Ranger skill out of the many we were taught, was the Cartography, I feel like skilled cartographers are quite rare now days. Cartography is a form of art with each symbol representing something different. I can remember in my former lives these hand drawn maps were essential, before the implement of the royal map (pressing m). /\/oots | |