text: [Themes: Fantasy, Languages, swords, archaeology, language, fantasy, boat]
  
  > Go downwards
  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.
  
  On the ironwood table is an old glowcube (providing light).
  
  Venkath Mock is leaning against the ironwood table, absent-mindedly staring down the centerline passage
  
  Venkath fidgets with his travel pack.
  
  > Go south
  You are in the centerline passage running from the bow to the stern belowdecks. At this section, there are doors both port and starboard. Otherwise, you can head up or down the passage, from stem to stern. The air down here is thick with moisture and much of the wood around you is damp with condensation.
  
  You can see Skayawa (the cat) here.
  
  Skayawa the cat stares at one of the walls.
  
  Skayawa (the cat) goes north.
  
  > Go east
  This small kitchenette is provided to prepare simple meals for the barge's crew. A small table is here; its top covered by a thick chopping block, marred from ages of use. A wide cupboard is fastened to one wall and a cast iron stove is against another. The stove's door is open. The only exit is port (or west, currently).
  
  > open the stove
  (the cast iron stove)
  That's already open.
  
  > look in the stove
  (the cast iron stove)
  The is a squat cast iron stove, most likely fastened in place even though its weight alone would do the job. It is black and well-used. The top cooking surface is made of grates that sit above the oven.
  The oven's door is open. A thick pipe runs up from the oven and through the ceiling where smoke from cooking escapes.
  
  In the cast iron stove are a bird's nest and a pile of ashes.
  
  > examine the nest
  This is a bird's nest that was stuck in the stovepipe. It is a mess of twigs and mud.
  
  In the bird's nest is an old key.
  
  > take the key
  You take the old key from the bird's nest.
  
  > look at the key
  This old key looks like it probably belongs to a nautical chest.
  
  > go to the west
  This cabin is too small to be someone's quarters so instead it's used for random storage. Currently, only a large chest sits against a wall here. The only door is to the east (starboard).
  
  > unlock chest with the key
  You unlock the large chest.
  
  > Open chest
  You open the large chest, revealing a stack of folded clothes and a cabin key.
  
  > take the cabin key
  (putting the antecessor skean into the leather haversack to make room) You take the cabin key from the large chest.
  
  > examine folded
  This is someone's stack of folded clothes, put away in storage. They seem like a pretty mundane selection.
  
  > lock the chest with old key
  You close the large chest.
  
  You lock the large chest.
  
  > unlock the mate's door with the cabin key
  You unlock mate's door.
  
  > Go east
  (first opening mate's door)
  
  This cabin is a step-up in comfort than for the rest of the crew. The wooden plank bed has a simple pillow and a nicely folded quilt on it. A plank shelf, against another wall, is covered with neatly stacked papers. A heavy, wooden chair is before it. The first mate's personal belongings are most likely kept in the small trunk nearby. The exit is port (west).
  
  On the wooden plank shelf are some neatly stacked papers.
  
  On the wooden plank bed are a nicely folded quilt and a simple pillow.
  
  > close door
  You close mate's door.
  
  > lock the door with the cabin key
  You lock mate's door.
  
  > examine papers
  At a quick glance, these papers seem to be mundane jumble of shipping business; invoices, cargo manifestos, and the like.
  
  > examine trunk
  Rakton, the first mate, most likely keeps his personal belongings in this trunk.
  
  > open the trunk
  You open the small trunk, revealing Owls of Stone.
  
  It happens so fast that you're not sure what's going on at first.
  Then you realize you are being strangled by a cord. Your hands automatically scramble to your neck, trying to grasp the garrote but your attacker is strong and you cannot get a grip.
  
  > throw the dirt at the attacker
  You fumble with the small jar but in the commotion, it slips from your sweaty hands and falls to the floor. Thankfully, it's strong enough glass and doesn't break.
  
  > kill the attacker with the dagger
  (first taking the antecessor skean)
  You're unable to do that because you're currently being strangled by a garrote. Your attacker is behind you.
  
  As he strangles you, Rakton whispers in your ear in a strange language like a lunatic.
  
  > kick Rakton
  You maneuver yourself as best you can to deliver a solid backwards kick on your attacker. Striking him in the knee, he grunts and the garrote loosens slightly. You take advantage of the opportunity and you slip away from him, stumbling across the cabin clumsily.
  
  Rakton is before you, blocking the doorway. Dangling from his hand is the black, leather garrote that was just around your neck. His eyes are red and glassy. He steps toward you, whispering in a strange language like a lunatic.
  
  (press any key)The blood-soaked blade of a sword quickly emerges
  from Rakton's heart. Rakton stops in his tracks, wide-eyed as the blade disappears back into his body. He collapses onto the floor, dead. Behind him, you see your minder, Venkath Mock wipe the sword with a rag and sheath it.
  
  "You need to be more careful." He tells you without humor. "Gather your things and meet me topside. We've arrived."
  
  > take the jar
  You pick up the small jar from the ground.
  
  > take the Owls
  (putting the weird dirt into the leather haversack to make room)
  You take Owls of Stone from the small trunk.