The Three Crossings: A Working Rutter

A salt-stained pilot-book setting down the safe approaches and common killers on the three open-water routes from Vallenmark to the Rimeward, Farshield, and Silkstrand.

[the cover is tarred hide; several bearings have been corrected in different hands] No crossing here is long enough to make a fool patient. That is why fools drown on all three. RIMEWARD. Stand north-east for the Frostcrown and keep its white cap one hand left of the mast. Do not pass under the east face. Ice falls there even in clear weather, and the down-slope wind strikes without showing on the water first. Go west of the mountain until Rimeholt's quay fires separate from the snow. If fog closes those fires, heave to. The black teeth below the south-west shore will open a boat from stem to heel. Burial craft have right of water. They carry no trade flag and will not turn for you. FARSHIELD. Leave by Skerrow Neck on a falling tide. Take the skerries in order: split stone, gull stone, low black shelf. If you cannot see the next, you have left the chain. The water north of the Neck pushes west while the wind commonly pushes east, which makes a neat wake and a false course. Sound after every squall. Gallowgate Quay lies beyond the narrow waist, under the ridge that looks like the Rampart risen again. Do not chase a westward light beyond it. No quay lies there. SILKSTRAND. Cross the Longwater from the Mirrenmere capes toward the pale scarp. Keep clear of the three bell buoys above Sresh-Dar. Their chains run deep, but a fouled rudder still belongs to the fool who fouled it. The middle water draws hard along the trench after a south wind. Give it room or it will carry you east of Longwater Rest into shoal glare. At noon the salt shore hides in its own brightness. Trust the scarp, not the shine. Carry two anchors, fresh line, and water enough to miss your landfall. The sea charges for confidence first.

This world ships in Valenfeld. Play the game →