text: [Themes: Fantasy, travel, Languages, boat, swords, fantasy]
  
  > Go downward
  This is the fore end of the centerline passageway that runs down the center of the barge, belowdecks. The craft is heading north and this end of the passage has doors all around but to the south, where the passage continues toward the stern. A short ramp slopes upwards to the northeast, taking one topside.
  
  A heavy, ironwood table is situated here with a chair of matching wood and age. Belowdecks, the air here has a hanging moisture.
  
  Rakton, the First Mate, is here.
  
  One of the crew, Ostothas, is here.
  
  On the ironwood table is an old glowcube (providing light).
  
  Venkath Mock is absently meandering about, waiting for this trip to be over
  
  Rakton goes west.
  
  > go west
  This guest cabin barely gives one any real comfort, but on a no-frills boat such as this you're lucky to even have a room to yourself. There is no window as everything below deck is also below the bilge line.
  As the barge moves through the muddy swamp waters, a constant and hypnotic slushing sound gives the cabin a strange, claustrophobic feel.
  
  A wooden plank bed hangs from one of the walls; no pillow or blanket is provided, of course. A heavy wooden chair sits before a plank shelf hanging from another wall; this one being a simple desk surface. The only door is starboard (or east, as the boat is currently aimed north).
  
  Rakton, the First Mate, is here.
  
  You can also see Warpeye (the cat) here.
  
  > throw the dirt at Rakton
  That would just cause trouble right now.
  
  Warpeye (the cat) goes east.
  
  > Topics
  You aren't talking to anyone right now.
  
  Rakton looks around absently.
  
  > Go east
  This is the fore end of the centerline passageway that runs down the center of the barge, belowdecks. The craft is heading north and this end of the passage has doors all around but to the south, where the passage continues toward the stern. A short ramp slopes upwards to the northeast, taking one topside.
  
  A heavy, ironwood table is situated here with a chair of matching wood and age. Belowdecks, the air here has a hanging moisture.
  
  One of the crew, Ostothas, is here.
  
  On the ironwood table is an old glowcube (providing light).
  
  Venkath Mock is leaning against the ironwood table, killing time until the bilgescow reaches Badushizd
  
  You can also see Warpeye (the cat) here.
  
  Ostothas sniffles.
  
  Venkath looks at your small black scabbard.
  
  > go to the east
  (first opening mate's door)
  It seems to be locked.
  
  Warpeye the cat stares off into space.
  
  Ostothas exhales, letting his lips flap like a horse's.
  
  Venkath paces the room, impatient for this trip to be over.
  
  > ask Ostothas about the door
  Which do you mean, guest door, mate's door, the captain's door or Wheelhouse door?
  
  > Topics
  You aren't talking to anyone right now.
  
  Ostothas watches you warily.
  
  > talk to Ostothas
  You say hello to Ostothas.
  
  Venkath looks at your small black scabbard.
  
  (You could ask Ostothas about Ostothas or the mysterious note.)
  
  > talk to the cat
  You say hello to Warpeye (the cat).
  
  You have nothing specific in mind to discuss with Warpeye (the cat) right now.
  
  > ask the cat about the cat
  There is no reply.
  
  Warpeye (the cat) goes up.
  
  > look at the glowstone
  (the glowstone lantern)
  It's your basic traveling lantern, but instead of a flame within, its luminescence emits from a glowing, round stone, about the size of a fist, instead. Some glowstone lanterns can be closed to block the light. This isn't one of those, though.
  
  Warpeye (the cat) comes down from above.
  
  Venkath looks around with a peeved expression.
  
  > ask Venkath about the dirt
  There is no reply.
  
  Venkath looks at your traveling clothes.
  
  > take off clothes
  It's best to not go around without your clothes on.
  
  Venkath looks around with a peeved expression.
  
  > Examine pack
  (the leather haversack)
  This handy, leather satchel can be worn and used to carry many items.
  
  Phandaal's letter.
  
  Ostothas sniffles.
  
  Ostothas goes south.
  
  > look at Venkath
  A tall man of grim countenance, Venkath Mock is one of the few soldiers of Euyesus. As such, he wears dark-stained, cloth armor with various small metal plates sewn into it for added protection; known as a jack-of-plate. On his back is a hooded cloak and on his belt is a sheathed sword. It's difficult to discern his age. Maybe he's three decades, maybe it's four.
  
  Warpeye the cat tilts his head as if hearing something.
  
  > ask about the dirt
  There is no reply.
  
  Warpeye (the cat) goes south.
  
  > Show dirt
  (to Venkath Mock)
  "Thank you for showing me your weird dirt."
  
  Venkath stretches his arms, eager to get off this boat.
  
  > show the sack to mock
  "Wow."
  
  Warpeye (the cat) arrives from the south.
  
  Ostothas arrives from the south.
  
  Venkath looks at your small black scabbard.
  
  > Topics
  You could ask Venkath Mock about Venkath Mock or the mysterious note; or tell Venkath Mock about yourself.
  
  > tell Mock about yourself
  "Hmm."
  
  Warpeye the cat sneezes a tiny cat-sneeze.
  
  Ostothas examines the mate's door.
  
  > tell Mock about yourself
  "That plank bed was brutal." You venture, "I would've gotten better rest sleeping on a giant crouton."
  
  Venkath stares at you for a long moment before resuming his vacant-eyed vigil.
  
  Ostothas exhales, letting his lips flap like a horse's.
  
  Venkath adjusts his scabbard and belt.
  
  > show dirt to Ostothas
  "Thank you for showing me your weird dirt."
  
  Warpeye the cat stares toward the south.
  
  Ostothas goes south.
  
  Venkath stretches his arms, eager to get off this boat.
  
  > Go upwards
  You're standing on the deck of The Rhinoceros. From here, you can see the extent of this barge-like craft. This deck is low to the water level as most of the ship is underwater. There is no railing as it's easier to move large cargo onboard that way. The only structure on the deck is toward the very bow (north). It's the wheelhouse, where the captain pilots the craft. The door into it is open. Around the other parts of the deck, south, west, and southwest, you can see various crates of cargo stacked. At the very back of the ship, you can see the wide stern wheel ceaselessly paddling the ship northwards, rhythmically chugging through the desolate, waterlogged swamp. A wide, short ramp leads down to belowdecks. It is stained from boot traffic and swamp water.
  
  You spy a large snake slithering on the surface of the brackish water.
  
  > go to the south
  This part of the deck is the starboard cargo deck. From here, you can see the extent of this barge-like craft. This deck is low to the water level as most of the ship is underwater. There is no railing as it's easier to move large cargo onboard that way. The only structure on the deck is toward the very bow (north). It's the wheelhouse, where the captain pilots the craft. The door into it is open. Around the other parts of the deck, north, west, and northwest, you can see various crates of cargo stacked. At the very back of the ship, you can see the wide stern wheel ceaselessly paddling the ship northwards, rhythmically chugging through the desolate, waterlogged swamp. On the edge of the deck here, a stovepipe juts upward from the galley below.
  
  A flock of swamp birds fly low in the sky.
  
  > examine the pipe
  This is a wide stovepipe jutting up from the edge of the deck. It leads to the stove in the galley belowdecks.
  
  The bilgescow passes close to the black willow trees on the sides of the waterway.
  
  > Go west
  This is the port cargo deck of The Rhinoceros. From here, you can see the extent of this barge-like craft. This deck is low to the water level as most of the ship is underwater. There is no railing as it's easier to move large cargo onboard that way. The only structure on the deck is toward the very bow (north). It's the wheelhouse, where the captain pilots the craft. The door into it is open. Around the other parts of the deck, north, northeast, and east, you can see various crates of cargo stacked. At the very back of the ship, you can see the wide stern wheel ceaselessly paddling the ship northwards, rhythmically chugging through the desolate, waterlogged swamp.
  
  > look at the cargo
  There are numerous cargo crates of various sizes on the deck of the bilgescow.
  
  > go north
  This part of the deck is up by the wheelhouse and on the port side of the craft. From here, you can see the extent of this barge-like craft. This deck is low to the water level as most of the ship is underwater. There is no railing as it's easier to move large cargo onboard that way. The deck continues east, southeast, and south, where various cargo crates are stacked.
  
  > go to the east
  You're standing on the deck of The Rhinoceros. From here, you can see the extent of this barge-like craft. This deck is low to the water level as most of the ship is underwater. There is no railing as it's easier to move large cargo onboard that way. The only structure on the deck is toward the very bow (north). It's the wheelhouse, where the captain pilots the craft. The door into it is open. Around the other parts of the deck, south, west, and southwest, you can see various crates of cargo stacked. At the very back of the ship, you can see the wide stern wheel ceaselessly paddling the ship northwards, rhythmically chugging through the desolate, waterlogged swamp. A wide, short ramp leads down to belowdecks. It is stained from boot traffic and swamp water.
  
  > go east
  That would take you over the edge and into the swamp.
  
  > jump
  You jump on the spot.