**********************************************************************

Hi,

This is Ken Kofman, sending out yet another _As The Wheel Turns_
posting.  I suppose I should put some sort of copyright notice
on this, so here goes:

Copyright, Ken Kofman (c) 1994.  All rights reserved except for
those that Tor and Robert Jordan deserve, and except that anyone
who wants to copy this material may do so, so long it remains
unaltered, including this notice, and so long as no fees of
any kind are charged for its use.

In other words, enjoy it, show it to all your friends, be inspired
to run your own game, but since I'm not making any money off of
this, you shouldn't either.

I hope I did that right.

Anyway,

KenK		ken@ictv.com

**********************************************************************

Hi,

I figure you deserve a preview of this, since
Kei is the only pc who has heard the song.  I've
been doing some more work on the Sea Folk, since
they are pretty undeveloped thus far.  I'll be 
posting it tomorrow for the other players, though
their *characters* will not know.

		Seeker's Song
		(of the Atha'an Miere, author unknown)
		(this can be sung to a real song, whose name I forgot)

Oh, I've sailed upon the oceans and I've sailed upon the seas
I've weathered storms and crashing waves that brought me to my knees
I've seen many a cargo lost amidst the salty brine
But I've always managed to survive.

Yes, I've watched my ship and crew go down amidst the churning ice
I've returned home from lands unknown with goods far beyond price
I've never known defeat nor have I fled before a foe
But now I fear my candle's running low.

I've laughed into the face of death and looked it in the eye
I've spat into a hurricane and still my face was dry
I've named the Dark One and he never did collect his due
But now I think that he is going to.

I've travelled through lands Blighted by the foul Father of Storms
I've fought against his evil in its uncountable forms
I've prayed for years that someday I'd return unto the sea
But now I know that fate is not to be.

:: But one last time I shall sing before I go to die
:: The sea and the sun and the deep blue sky
:: But one last time I shall sing before I go to die
:: The sea and the sun and the deep blue sky

I stood before the Fleetmasters who asked me if I'd go
I knew where I'd be going but I could not tell them No
I'd rather die on land than let another shed my tears
I pray you need not follow in ten years.

:: But one last time I shall sing before I go to die
:: The sea and the sun and the deep blue sky
:: But one last time I shall sing before I go to die
:: The sea and the sun and the deep blue sky


--end--

*grin*

Something for Kei to think about, anyway.

Every ten years, 99 people are sent to search for
the Coramoor, in accordance with legend and
prophecy.  It is written that all who search shall
die, and that the last living seeker of any ten
year group shall die on land, away from the sea,
until the Coramoor is found.  This is the true
origin of that most ancient drinking song of the
Sea Folk, "Ninety-nine Bottles of Beer on the Wall."

It is usually a great honor to be chosen, for the
chosen are amongst the very best the Atha'an Miere
can muster.  The search for the Coramoor is a very
serious matter.  But the Sea Folk are not impractical.
They do not send channelers.  One Fleetmaster is
always chosen, but never more.  It is not clear
how the Fleetmasters decide who is to go and who is
to remain.

Note that Fleetmasters are like Admirals, and they
are all men.  There are both Cargomasters and 
Cargomistresses, and Sailmasters and Sailmistresses.
There are no male Windfinders, for obvious reasons.
To become a Fleetmaster, a man must have served as
both Cargomaster and Sailmaster.  It is not necessary
for him also to be a Blademaster, but a man must be
very, very skilled to become a Fleetmaster without
also being a Blademaster, or the Master of some other
weapon.  Note that the Sea Folk don't often fight
amongst themselves, but brawls are common, and naval
battles are not rare enough.

Anyway,

KenK