The Windbreaker

The Fastest Way to Span a River

Long journeys across Mbali can be quite the trek. You have to travel through all types of terrain to get to any location. Traveling from North to South, from East to West, or vice versa, you may have to venture through mountains, deserts, forests, rivers, or lakes. Fortunately, there are riverways that can give a certain reprieve while traveling. Especially, if you come upon a ferryman who can ease you down or up a river while you rest on your laurels. There may now be a faster way to navigate a river or cross a lake. Reports have come in of a razor thin, one sail, one-person boat that slices through a river like a knife through mobeast cheese. The creators of these simple machines made them compact enough that they can be folded together and actually carried with you on your journey.

Now, I must admit, I would be a little wary of this if it hadn't come from our Jami who have scoured South Mbali collecting stories. Apparently, the ferryman tried to murder the group of young opportunists who attempted to sale this contraption near his ferry landing. While the ferryman gave chase to the traveling merchants, our Jami witnessed one of these "Windbreakers" speeding up the river from Sunni towards Krull. The wind wasn't particularly strong, but the creators have devised a way to capture wind in its sails and direct it to push the vehicle in the desired direction. it is a mystery how they've done it, but if the report is true, and our Jami hasn't been conned, this could change sailing forever. Imagine if this small idea could be replicated on the sails of large ships with the capacity to carry hundreds of passengers. It would be an amazing advancement! I, for one, think it is wonderful that a group of young Mbalians have the creative drive to build something useful for everyone.

-Barika