Completed Lessons for Days (Part I)

[Rhydian Lamoze]

2nd of Summer, 522 A.V.
Protea Inn

It was a quite day by the time that Rhydian had managed to get back from the Outpost. He had successfully managed to acquire a few necessary goods along the way but the most important among the items that he had purchased had been the two books that he had managed to acquire. A relatively poorly written book that had spoken volumes on the subject of swimming, albeit through a personal experience, and a well written book of average quality that spoke on the matters of outdoors awareness and jungles. With each of these items in hand, once Rhydian had managed to make it back to his room within the Protea Inn, the Eypharian would opt to lay down in bed. He had figured that most of these items could be put away later on. For the time being, his full focus was going to be directed towards the books that he had held in his hand.

While admittedly quite competent when it had come to the ways of wilderness survival and swimming, Rhydian had thought it pertinent to continue to expand upon these particular avenues. If he could determine a few comprehensive aspects of these subjects than he would be capable of more properly utilizing the skills in an efficient manner. That being said, the Eypharian would utilize his highest set of arms, among the three sets, to pry open the book on outdoors awareness.

Upon opening the first page, there had been a bit of a small note for him to start off with. It spoke on how it was possible to achieve a level of survival skills that once was quite common in the past. Given the technological and magical advances though, quite a few of these methods had managed to lose themselves to history. No longer had outdoors awareness been an instinctive ability. No longer had the majority of people chosen to develop this sixth sense. This book was to detail various methods in which one could re-attain that sixth sense. While most of this knowledge may honestly be quite pertinent to the majority of ones wilderness survival capabilities, it's primary focus is going to speak on these matters pertaining to the jungle.

Thus far Rhydian had already found the information that the book was giving him to be quite fascinating. The fact that this book was going to assist him in such a manner.. While it may not be his preferred method of learning, it was one that he was going to strive to get through. That being said, after having read the synopsis of the book, Rhydian had decidedly thrown himself into the throes of this book's knowledge.

The first chapter, as far as he could tell, had spoken on the matters of wild signs and star paths. One of these wild signs had been that of Phototropism. Phototropism in and of itself is the way in which plant growth is influenced by light. It is thanks to phototropism that tree branches in the northern hemisphere of the continent are growing closer to the horizontal on the southern side and closer to vertical on the northern side. It is through this process that a recognizable check mark shape when the tree is viewed from one side. Admittedly, this process isn't one that is that easy to spot. It helps if one is to squint so that they can filter out the smaller details and help themselves to spot larger shapes. Either way, with ones capability to note this phototropism, it is entirely possible to sense direction via trees.

Another method that the first chapter had spoken about had been known as the Sun Anvil. Depending on the placement of the sun, within the sky, one can determine a semblance of direction overall. While this technique may vary a bit from season to season, for the most part it stays the same. The sun has a tendency to rise and set a few degrees north east and west and be due south in the middle of the day. Of course just knocking that the sun rises in the east and sets to the west can assist as well. With enough practice, this method will become ingrained in ones mind. This is how many of our ancestors once used the sun!

Of course there will always be times in which the sun is hid behind clouds or perhaps a mountain ridgeline but for the most part, one is fully capable of still determining the proper directions to go in via the location in which the sun is currently set. In the instance of rainbows appearing, likely after a rain shower, one might even utilize the rainbows. If one were to imagine the rainbow as part of a full circle, than the center of that circle will always be directly opposite of the sun. It is actually for this precise reason that rainbows are semicircular.

Word Count: 818
Total Word Count: 818

[Rhydian Lamoze]

Having completed the initial chapter on each of the wild signs that would could utilize effectively, Rhydian would proceed to brush up on the second chapter. As far as he was aware, this chapter had spoken on outdoors awareness when it had come to the matters of the sky and the land. While this may have seemed a bit confusing at first, the more that he would read on the subject, it would eventually become easier for him to understand.

To start him off, the book would detail the matters of 'The Shear'. The Shear would discuss how whilst wind is technically invisible to the eye, there are various ways to gauge wind direction without actually having to see the wind. For example, one could always gauge the wind direction by watching the motion of distant clouds. Wind speed seemingly always increases with altitude, causing a 'shear' at the top of tall clouds. With enough practice in observing these methods, one would be capable of determining the wind direction almost instinctively. Of course Rhydian was quite curious on how effective this method would really be.

For all but a brief moment, the Eypharian would crane his neck to the side so that he could try and peer through one of the openings in the wall. As he had done this, a wafting breeze would flutter through the opening and begin to gently wash over him. It was relaxing at first and had honestly made Rhydian want to close his eyes and simply enjoy the moment. Knowing that he had to stay on top of everything though, so that he could be effectively utilized by the settlement, Rhydian would instead opt to do as he had thought best in this moment. Eyes still open, the Eypharian would search the clouds outside for this 'shear'. It was admittedly difficult to try and determine if there had been one out there, given the angle in which he had been looking, but that wouldn't stop the man from continuing to gaze upon the clouds until he could find one. It would take about a good ten minutes or so before Rhydian's gaze would eventually settle upon one, which in turn would lead to a slight upturn of the corner of his lips.

Having accomplished a short term goal that he had set for himself, the Eypharian would now turn back towards the book. The next subject within the second chapter that the book had spoken of had been something known only as 'The Ramp.' This section would detail the fact that once one was attuned to what the wind is doing in the present, they would need to become sensitive to longer-term trends. This is when one would focus on a law of nature that dictates that the wind gives everything it sculpts a familiar shape. It is this shape that is known as 'The Ramp.' The reason that it is known as the ramp is that everything in nature that has been subjected to strong enough winds for long enough periods of time will develop a shallower angle on the side the wind has come from and a steeper one on the side it is blowing toward. Once you start to notice these 'ramps' within nature, one will more often than not be able to obtain a sense of direction and the prevailing wind that is within the landscape. Of course knowing the cardinal direction of the prevailing wind is key in this particular situation so it is always best to learn the cardinal direction for ones particular region.

Following along past 'the ramp' would take Rhydian into another section that would speak on the many details of the ecotone. The ecotone is the line of tension and friction between two types of environment. A few examples of an ecotone are when one crosses from water to land, high ground to low, woods to open country, coniferous forest to deciduous, or fresh water to salt. Ecotones are, in short, edges. It is for this reason that many have another name for it. Rather than an ecotone, there are those that simply refer to it as 'the edge.' Edges help find a pattern in randomness and tend to offer insight.

Edges themselves are what some would consider magnets for life. This is because the border areas are all suitable for all of the creatures on either side of the edge and some that need both sides. They act as natural highways and are often filled with greater activity. It is even noted that predators are more active at the edge than in the interior of a domain. Small natural passageways are often established along these edges. Of course if one were to combine the high levels of activity at edges with the fact that many animals will be forced through certain natural gateways, one could technically utilize an edge as a means of predicting action. This prediction will allow for one to have a sense of where an animal will appear. This focal point, where one can get a sense of where an animal will appear, has been known to those who care, mainly hunters and poachers, for centuries -- it has always been the logical siting of a snare. It is such an important feature that it has earned several names: a run, a pinch point, a muse, and a musit.

Word Count: 897
Total Word Count: 1,715

[Rhydian Lamoze]

Now that the book had gone over the methods of wild signs and the sky and land, Rhydian would begin to note that the next chapter had seemed to have been getting into detail about what to do if you ever find yourself lost within the jungle. One of the most important things that it had spoken of had been to S-T-O-P. To S-T-O-P is to stop, to think, to observe, and to plan. While it may be a bit frightening to feel lost, things will tend to work out if one act as calmly and objectively as possible. Every decision that one makes within the jungle, especially when they are lost, is a critical one.

First decisions are some of the most important decisions that will be made upon ones journey. If one finds themselves shipwrecked than they should stay at the crash site to see if rescue arrives. One should only start moving once they are certain that no help is coming. And if one is on foot and knows that they aren't too far from a settlement or a trail than they should try to figure out which direction it was that they had come in. It is quite vital to try and get back to surroundings that one might recognize, whether that be a trail, a stream, or even a high point. Being observant of ones surroundings makes this quite easy. Especially if one properly utilizes the techniques that had been spoken about in the earlier chapters.

If nothing seems apparent or familiar and one can't reorient themselves with their surroundings then one will simply need to pick a direction and consistently follow that path. If at all possible, one should be sure to try and leave behind a message of some kind, incase assistance manages to find them. This message should detail what time it was that you had been leaving and the location in which one is planning on heading. Travelling in the jungle is very slow but with luck, rescuers might follow the note and/or notes that were left behind and find you.

When it comes to walking in a singular direction, one should focus on something ahead of them to aim for and something behind them to walk away from in order to stay in a straight line and stop themselves from walking in circles. Traveling through the jungle can be very disorientating and the fear factor creeps up if one isn't confident in their movements. It helps to always try and feel as though you are in control of where you are going. The jungle canopy can make ones surroundings quite dark and difficult to get their bearings so one should also look for some high ground where they might see a depression where there could be a river.

Another act that should be performed if one gets lost in the jungle is to follow any sort of animal tracks that they may come across. If one can find these tracks than they can follow them. It is best to do so if they are heading in the same direction that one is currently heading. This is because of the fact that these tracks might lead to water sources or open areas in which one might more easily be seen by rescue parties. Carrying a stick of some kind shall also be of great help, considering that one can use it to push away any plants that might be in the way and that it can be used to assist as an aid in balance. While following these tracks, and even when one isn't doing so, one should be careful while they are clambering over any fallen tree trunks. Such an act is a very common way to have an accident. Unless one is wearing gloves, they should also be sure to avoid using their hands since some plants might sting or prick ones hands.

While one is traversing throughout the jungle, there are several precautions that they are going to want to take. This offers them a few priorities if they are planning to stay alive. These priorities are to try and find water, to build a shelter before nightfall, to create or already have on you a weapon or some tools for making things, and to try and find a food source. The order of these priorities is rather dependent on ones situation and what they are finding to be most vital at the moment.

Word Count: 747
Total Word Count: 2,462

[Rhydian Lamoze]

The next chapter of the book would focus more intensively on the priorities that were listed in the previous chapter. Various methods of finding water and food would be detailed and methods to build a shelter and some weapons and tools would as well. Some of these things were details that Rhydian had already known for the most part but the detail in which the book had gone had been far more in depth. Perhaps with access to each of these methods in the future, Rhydian could exponentially increase his primitive survival rating.

The first among the subjects within this chapter had been collecting water within the jungle. There were various methods that one could utilize but the ones that Rhydian had chosen to highlight within his mind had been few and far between. In order for one to collect rainfall, it would be best to use the rather large nature of the leaves in the jungle. Given how large these leaves are, one can bend these leaves into a funnel shape that they can use to collect rain water. If one is carrying a water skin on them, they can even use this method to effectively store the rainwater within. Another method that one can use to obtain water within the jungle is to search for streams. Streams of running water are far safer than stagnant pools. That isn't to say that one shouldn't take any precautions with this water. Given the bacteria that exists within these outlets of water, one should be sure to boil any water that they collect from these streams to kill out the bacteria itself. Before and afterwards, one should check the water for any particles or bits so that they can filter them out.

Unsurprisingly, this chapter had also gone on to speak about a particular method in which one could filter out the sediment from their water. This method in and of itself is known as a solar water sill. In order for one to create a solar water sill, one will have to start by digging a hole in the soil in an area where there is at least some direct sunlight. They should than place a container in the hole like a bowl or water bottle, plate or cup. Afterwards they should fill the area around the container with anything wet, such as leaves. Next you should lie a sheet of some kind over the hole and then anchor it with rocks around the edge. One should be sure to place a single small stone in the center of the plastic, just above the container. Condensation will naturally occur on the underside of the sheet and run down to the middle and drip into the container with distilled drinking water.

The next tidbit within this chapter would focus on obtaining food within the jungle. Unfortunately it seems to detail more methods on various non-hunting methods. An example of this is how the chapter would speak about building a trap so that one can save their energy. There are many variations of traps but basically they choke, crush, hang or entangle wild animals by trapping them in a snare or in a hole or under a falling log or boulder. While these traps can be used on just about any animal, the next method of obtaining food within the jungle had focused more specifically on fish.

Supposedly, an effective way to catch them is through the use of a pronged fishing spear which one could make with a piece of bamboo or some other type of wood. If one can find a six foot piece of wood, they can cut two six-inch splits at one end to make four prongs. They should then separate the prongs with some vine in the gaps and then sharpen them with a knife or sharp rock. Eventually you'll want to find a rock to stand on or decide to wade into knee-deep water. You should move slowly to avoid scaring away the fish. Once you spot a fish, of course, you should wait for it to swim close to you and then jab quickly and forcefully to pin the fish on the bed of the stream. Naturally this is going to take practice.

Word Count: 708
Total Word Count: 3,170

[Rhydian Lamoze]

As Rhydian would continue to read on and on about how to protect oneself within the jungle, he would slowly begin to feel as though his brain was beginning to hurt. There was so much information that he was attempting to absorb all at once and it was quite honestly wearing him down. After finishing up his reading of this next chapter, Rhydian was sure that he was going to have to take a bit of a break. This type of learning was far too formal for him and if he was going to continue it, he was going to have to take some time to get used to it.

With that particular thought decided, the Eypharian would throw himself back into the next chapter of the book that was in his hands. As far as he could tell, this next section as going to focus on the some of the main dangers that could be found within the jungle. These dangers had seemed to have been fallen trees, slippery rocks, sunstroke, sunburn, heatstroke, dehydration, and mosquitoes. Or really any of the bugs that had inhabited the jungle overall. Given how dangerous of a region Falyndar is supposed to be, Rhydian was certain that the mosquitos were likely to be among the least dangerous of the bugs that had inhabited the jungle.

As the chapter would go on, the reasons behind each of these things being a main danger would be explained. Falling trees and branches are the most common reason for injuries in the jungle, so choosing a night camp is important. It is best to keep on clear ground. Common perils in rivers or streams include slippery rocks, submerged branches, strong currents, leeches and possibly larger animals like crocodiles. Keep footwear and clothes on and use a stick for balance and choose your crossing point carefully. Don’t cross rivers more than knee deep unless absolutely necessary. Sunstroke, sunburn, heatstroke and dehydration are all very easy to fall prey to, so always keep your clothes on, especially covering your head and neck. Ants, snakes, venomous spiders, plants with spines or thorns are all quite common in the jungle so use a stick to help get through vegetation and don’t grab things with your hands. A cut or bite or sting could quickly lead to infection. And as for mosquitos? Well mosquitoes spread diseases like malaria, dengue, and yellow Fever. Use repellent if possible or rub mud on exposed skin to avoid bites, and wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers and tie a shirt over your head to it covers your shoulders. At night, use a mosquito net if you have one or use sap from a camphor or eucalyptus tree.

All in all, the information that this book had given him thus far had been quite wonderful. Part of him had honestly hoped to learn even more from it in the future but at the same time, he had completely understood that he didn't exactly have the mental capacity to properly read through this entire book at this moment. It was something that he was going to have to work back towards. That being the case, Rhydian would gently thumb the upper right corner of the page that he had just left off of. Once it was slightly folded, Rhydian would place the book off to the side of his best, just along every other thing that he had recently purchased. Eventually he was going to have to put it all away but for now? For now he was going to have to work his body in the same way that he had just worked his mind.

Word Count: 607
Total Word Count: 3,777