have no problem leaving the issue unresolved, this is a long term question that will not be settled quickly.  I'd say move on.<br/><br/>Rhiss is several centuries old, and the beneficiary of knowledge handed down from foremothers who lived for centuries.  I'm not sure her numbers are too high at all<br/><br/>Rhiss is hiding smething... leave it at the Matriarch's word for now, Aeryn will assume as a matter of course that she isn't being told everything, and that Rhiss is at least shading certain truths - that is how these things are done, after all.  Investigation is the relevant skill, I think, and that will take time to complete.  I'll put a note on Aeryn's character sheet that she is Investigating what Rhiss has told her - getting to the bottom of Rhiss's warnings and admonitions will answer many of the Big Picture questions about the Island, in any case.<br/><br/><br/>And a Lore lin?  Oooo, I do have the Society more and more fleshed out in my head, both the reality and the public perception.  I'll be ahpppy to write it out, and I need to anyway.