The Ferryman

Initial Encounter

Discovery:

• "`2While searching the forest, you duck into some underbrush and hear the rush of water."
• "Looking for the source of the noise, you stumble out of the forest and you find yourself standing on the bank of a wide river."
• "Trying to devise a way to cross, you glance upstream and notice what appears to be a small dock not too far away.`n`n"

The Ferryman:

• "You head upstream and find a cloaked figure standing next to a small boat moored to the dock."
• Gender: Female (referred to as "she" in code, though cloaked and mysterious)
• Distinguishing feature: Green glowing eyes visible from within hood
• Weapon: Ferry pole (also used for boat propulsion and skull-cracking)
• "Surely she could help you cross."

Your Initial Choices:

• Talk to the Figure - Approach ferryman
• Go Back - Return to forest, ignore entirely

Approaching the Ferryman

If you talk:

• "`2You approach and the figure motions you onto the boat."
• Ferryman doesn't speak yet, just gestures
• Silent invitation to board

Your Choices:

• Get Onboard - Accept ride offer
• Go Back - Return to forest

If you ignore/go back:

• "`2You decide to ignore the cloaked figure and return to the forest."
• Safe exit, no consequences
• Event ends

Boarding the Ferry

The Price:

• "`2The figure points to a cup."
• Sign reads: "`@25 gold to cross`2" (ferrycost setting, default 25)
• Payment requested upfront
• Cup for gold coins

Your Choices:

• Pay 25 Gold - Pay normal fare
• Don't Pay - Board without paying (freeloading)
• Get Out - Leave boat, return to forest

Payment Paths

Path 1: Pay Normal Fare (25 Gold)

If you have 25+ gold:

• "`2The gold coins echo loudly as they fall into the cup."
• 25 gold deducted
• "The ferryman reaches out to a long pole."
• "Bony fingers grasp the pole and drive it deep into the water."
• "The ferry pushes off across the river.`n`n"
• "About halfway across, the ferryman turns to you."
• "You see green glowing eyes shining from within the hood.`n`n"
• paidferry = 1 (better outcome odds)
• Proceed to 18 possible outcomes (e_rand 1-18)

If you DON'T have 25 gold:

• "`2You dig through your pockets and pouches, but you can't find enough gold.`n`n"
• "The ferryman waits expectantly."
• Options: Board Anyway (freeload) or Leave

Path 2: Don't Pay (Freeloading)

Initial boarding:

• "`2You get into the ferry without paying."
• "The ferryman waits for a short moment and then reaches out to a long pole."
• Ferry departs anyway
• "About halfway across, the ferryman turns to you."
• "You see green glowing eyes shining from within the hood.`n`n"

Inflated Fare Demand (if you have 100+ gold):

• "He reaches out and points a bony finger at the cup."
• "You hear a voice with a commanding tone demanding that you now pay `@100 `2gold." (highferrycost setting)
• Penalty for freeloading: 4x normal price!
• Options:
  • Pay 100 Gold - Pay inflated fare (paidferry = 1, proceed to 1-18 outcomes)
  • Don't Pay - Refuse again (paidferry = 0, proceed to 1-9 outcomes only)

If you have <100 gold:

• Ferryman doesn't bother asking for inflated fare (you're broke)
• Proceeds directly to outcomes (1-9 range, worse odds)

Payment Impact on Outcomes

Payment Status	Outcome Range	Good Outcome %
Paid (25g or 100g)	e_rand(1,18)	~61% (11/18 good outcomes)
Didn't Pay	e_rand(1,9)	~44% (4/9 good outcomes)

Conclusion: Paying improves odds significantly. Better outcomes, wider range, less risk.

The 18 Possible Outcomes

Outcomes 1, 10, 14, 18: Safe Passage

Probability: 4/18 if paid (22.2%), 1/9 if not paid (11.1%)

• "`2After peering at you for a moment, the ferryman turns back and resumes poling."
• "A short time later, you reach the other shore.`n`n"
• "The ferryman waits patiently as you disembark and return to the forest."
• No rewards, no penalties
• Uneventful crossing
• Safest outcome

Outcomes 2, 11, 15: Ferryman's Song (Defensive Buff)

Probability: 3/18 if paid (16.7%), 1/9 if not paid (11.1%)

• "`2A voice emanates from the figure and asks you how your fights in the forest have been going."
• "Surprised, you tell the ferryman about your day."
• "When you finish, she breaks into a song about you."
• "The song lifts your spirits and you arrive at the opposite riverbank without further incident.`n`n"
• "`&You feel uplifted!"

Buff: `&Ferryman's Song:

• Rounds: 10-15 (random, e_rand)
• Effect: defmod 1.2 (+20% defense)
• Round message: "`7You feel uplifted as you hum the ferryman's song!"
• Wearoff: "`7The effects of the ferryman's song fade into memory."
• Solid defensive buff for medium duration

Outcomes 3, 12, 16: Treasure Pouch (Gold or Gems)

Probability: 3/18 if paid (16.7%), 1/9 if not paid (11.1%)

• "`2He peers at you for a moment, then turns back and continues to the other shore."
• "As you climb out of the boat, you notice an extra small leather pouch on your person!`n`n"
• Mysterious pouch appears (ferryman planted it? Magic?)

Reward Distribution:

• Gold (75% chance if gaingemchance=25):
  • Amount: 10-40 gold (e_rand)
  • "`&You have gained `^[amount] gold`&!"
  • Nice bonus, helps with expenses
• Gems (25% chance, configurable):
  • Amount: 1-3 gems (e_rand, rounded)
  • "`&You have gained `%[amount] gem(s)`&!"
  • Better value than gold
  • gaingemchance setting controls probability (default 25%)

Outcomes 4, 13, 17: Hypnotic Trance (+1 Forest Fight)

Probability: 3/18 if paid (16.7%), 1/9 if not paid (11.1%)

• "`2The eyes seem to look straight into your mind."
• "Unable to turn away, you feel yourself slipping into a trance."
• "As you approach the shore, you snap out of the trance and feel refreshed."
• "In fact, you think you could face another forest creature!`n`n"
• "`&You have gained a forest fight!"
• +1 turn
• Excellent outcome (turn value = ~1 gem equivalent)

Outcome 5: Fall Overboard (Swim/Climb Choice)

Probability: 1/18 if paid (5.6%), 1/9 if not paid (11.1%)

• "`2The ferryman starts moving towards you."
• "Suddenly, something hits the boat, sending you into the river!"
• Splash! Into murky water
• Mysterious impact (what hit the boat? Module doesn't say)

Your Choices:

• Swim for the Shore - Attempt to swim
  • drownchance % probability of death (default 30%)
  • If you drown (30%):
    • "As you thrash about in the water, you notice the ferryman looking over at you from the boat."
    • "A haunting sound drifts to you from the boat and you realize that the ferryman is laughing at your plight."
    • "As you sink into the murky depths of the river, you hear naught but the ferryman's laughter echoing in your ears.`n`n"
    • "`&You have died!"
    • alive = 0, hitpoints = 0, gold = 0 (lose all gold)
    • News: "`%[name] `7was last seen aboard a small boat.`0"
    • Ferryman laughs while you drown (sadistic ghost)
  • If you survive (70%):
    • "`2The ferryman extends her pole to you and helps you back onboard.`n`n"
    • "Thankfully, the rest of the journey passes without incident and you arrive on the other shore."
    • "The ordeal has left you intact, though a little tired."
    • -1 forest fight (if you have any)
    • Mild penalty, but alive
• Climb Back In - Get back in boat
  • drownchance % probability of death (default 30%)
  • Same death/survival outcomes as swimming
  • No mechanical difference (both have 30% death risk)
  • Choice is flavor only

Outcome 6: Hypnotic Robbery (Lose Gold/Gems/HP)

Probability: 1/18 if paid (5.6%), 1/9 if not paid (11.1%)

• "`2Looking at the eyes, you find that you are unable to tear away your gaze from the hypnotic stare.`n`n"
• "And then, darkness.`n`n"
• "A short time later, you awaken."
• "You seem to have washed up on the other shore."
• "Not knowing exactly what happened, you decide it would best if you were to quickly leave this place.`n`n"

Loss Type (random 1-3):

• Loss 1: Gold (if you have any):
  • Amount: losegoldpercent % of current gold (default 5%)
  • "`&In your haste, you drop `^[amount] gold`&!"
  • Example: 1000 gold → lose 50 gold
• Loss 2: Gems (if you have any and not gold loss):
  • Amount: 1 to losegemamount gems (default max 5)
  • If you have fewer gems than rolled: Lose ALL gems
  • "`&In your haste, you drop `%[amount] gem(s)`&!"
  • Or: "`&In your haste, you drop all your gems!" (if wiped)
• Loss 3: HP (fallback if no gold/gems or random):
  • Amount: losehppercent % of current HP (default 20%)
  • "`&In your confusion, you stumble and hurt yourself for `\$[damage] hitpoints`&!"
  • Example: 100 HP → lose 20 HP
  • No death check (can't die from this directly)

Interpretation: Ferryman hypnotizes you, robs you while unconscious, dumps you on shore. Classic evil ferryman behavior.

Outcome 7: Instant Death (Favor Gain)

Probability: 1/18 if paid (5.6%), 1/9 if not paid (11.1%)

• "`2The ferryman turns to you and her green eyes flare brightly."
• "As you stare into those eyes, you feel an intense burning."
• "Suddenly, you lose consciousness.`n`n"
• ".and awaken to find %s `0greeting you." (deathoverlord, default Bellatrix)
• INSTANT DEATH
• alive = 0, hitpoints = 0
• Favor gain: 1 to maxfavorgain (default max 15)
• News: "`%[name] `7was last seen aboard a small boat.`0"
• No gold loss (different from other ferryman deaths)
• At least you get favor consolation prize

Why instant death?: Ferryman's eyes have death magic. Green glowing stare = soul extraction. Spooky!

Outcome 8: Surprise Attack (Fight Option)

Probability: 1/18 if paid (5.6%), 1/9 if not paid (11.1%)

• "`2He seems to think for a moment, then turns back and resumes poling."
• "You relax and turn your attention back to the waters.`n`n"
• "`2Suddenly, you hear a sharp whistling sound."
• "Looking up, you see the ferryman's pole swinging towards your head!"
• "Quickly ducking, you manage to dodge the blow, but the ferryman starts swinging again!"

Your Choices:

• Duck and Fight - Engage in combat (see Combat section below)
• Duck and Run - Try to flee
  • "`2You dodge the second blow and turn to run."
  • "Looking at the murky waters all around, you realize you have nowhere to run and turn to face the ferryman!"
  • Forced into combat anyway (can't run from boat)
  • Flavor text acknowledging futility

Outcome 9: Direct Assault (Damage + Possible Death)

Probability: 1/18 if paid (5.6%), 1/9 if not paid (11.1%)

• "`2The ferryman starts moving towards you."
• "You start to edge away from him and she swings her ferry pole at you!"
• "Not having much room to maneuver, she delivers a painful blow!`n`n"
• Ferryman attacks WITHOUT giving you fight option
• Unavoidable hit

Damage:

• Amount: 2 to 50% of current HP (e_rand, rounded)
• "`&You were struck for `\$[damage] point(s) of damage`&!`n`n"
• Highly variable (could be 2 HP or half your health)

If damage kills you (HP ≤ 0):

• "`n`&You have died!"
• alive = 0, hitpoints = 0, gold = 0 (lose all gold)
• News: "`%[name] `7was last seen aboard a small boat.`0"
• Death from blunt force trauma via ferry pole

If you survive:

• "`2The ferryman seems satisfied and turns away."
• "The rest of the trip proceeds without incident, and you arrive at the other shore."
• Ferryman just. stops attacking (satisfied with violence?)
• You reach shore injured but alive

Combat: Fighting the Ferryman

Triggers:

• Outcome 8: Ferryman surprise attack (you choose "Duck and Fight")
• Outcome 8: Try to flee but can't (forced fight)

Ferryman Combat Stats:

• Name: "`7The Ferryman`0"
• Level: Player level + 2 (always 2 levels above you)
• Weapon: "Ferry Pole"
• Attack: Equal to player's attack
• Defense: Equal to player's defense
• HP: Equal to player's max HP (rounded)
• Player gets first strike (didsurprise = 1, ferryman never goes first)

Combat Mechanics:

• Standard LoGD battle system
• You CANNOT run (on boat, surrounded by water)
• "With nothing but murky water all around, you have nowhere to run!`n`n"
• Fight to death or victory only

Victory (You Defeat Ferryman)

• "`n`@You have managed to defeat the Ferryman!"
• "You cautiously approach the body, and suddenly, it shimmers and disappears before your eyes!`n`n"
• Ferryman body vanishes (ghost? Illusion? Respawns later?)

Auto-Heal (if HP ≤ 0 but victorious):

• "`n`n`^Using a bit of river weed, you are able to staunch your own wounds, stopping your bloodloss before you are completely dead.`n"
• HP set to 1 (survival mechanism)
• Prevents pyrrhic victory death

Drift to Shore:

• "`2Without the ferryman, you are left to drift with the river currents."
• "It takes a long time, but you eventually get to the other shore.`n`n"
• No ferryman to pole boat, currents take you
• Slow drift (flavor text)

Penalty: Forest Fight Loss:

• Lose 1 to maxfflost forest fights (default max 5)
• If you have fewer than max, lose all remaining turns
• "`&You have lost [amount] forest fight(s)!"
• Significant time cost for victory
• Example: maxfflost = 5, you have 12 turns → lose 5 turns (7 remain)
• Example: maxfflost = 5, you have 3 turns → lose 3 turns (0 remain)

Defeat (Ferryman Defeats You)

• "`n`@You have been killed by the Ferryman!"
• "As your last breath escapes you, all you hear is haunting laughter."
• DEATH
• alive = 0, hitpoints = 0, gold = 0 (lose all gold)
• News: "`%[name] `7was last seen aboard a small boat.`0"
• Ferryman laughs as you die (classic villain)
• Standard death penalties apply

Combat Risk Assessment

Outcome	Cost	Likelihood
Victory	-1 to -5 turns (significant)	Depends on build/buffs
Defeat	Death + all gold lost	Depends on build/buffs

Recommendation: Fighting ferryman is ALWAYS bad. Even victory costs 1-5 turns. Defeat = death. Better to take Outcome 9 damage and survive than fight.

Outcome Probability Summary

Outcome	Type	If Paid (1-18)	If Not Paid (1-9)
1,10,14,18: Safe Passage	Neutral	22.2% (4/18)	11.1% (1/9)
2,11,15: Def Buff	Good	16.7% (3/18)	11.1% (1/9)
3,12,16: Gold/Gems	Good	16.7% (3/18)	11.1% (1/9)
4,13,17: +1 Turn	Good	16.7% (3/18)	11.1% (1/9)
5: Fall Overboard	Bad (30% death)	5.6% (1/18)	11.1% (1/9)
6: Hypnotic Robbery	Bad	5.6% (1/18)	11.1% (1/9)
7: Instant Death	Very Bad	5.6% (1/18)	11.1% (1/9)
8: Forced Combat	Very Bad	5.6% (1/18)	11.1% (1/9)
9: Direct Assault	Bad (possible death)	5.6% (1/18)	11.1% (1/9)

Good Outcomes Summary:

• If Paid: 72.2% positive (safe passage + buffs + rewards + turns)
• If Not Paid: 44.4% positive
• Payment almost doubles your odds of good outcome

Death Risk:

• If Paid: ~7.5% death risk (outcome 5 × 30% + outcome 7 + outcome 8 defeat + outcome 9 kill)
• If Not Paid: ~15% death risk (doubled probabilities)
• Don't pay = twice the death risk

Admin Configuration

Settings:

• ferrycost: Normal passage cost (int, default 25 gold)
• highferrycost: Inflated cost if caught freeloading (int, default 100 gold)
• drownchance: % chance of drowning when swim/climb (range 0-100, default 30%)
• gaingemchance: % chance of gem reward instead of gold (range 0-100, default 25%)
• losegoldpercent: % of gold lost in outcome 6 (range 0-100, default 5%)
• losegemamount: Max gems lost in outcome 6 (int, default 5)
• losehppercent: % HP lost in outcome 6 (range 0-100, default 20%)
• maxfavorgain: Max favor from death in outcome 7 (int, default 15)
• maxfflost: Max forest fights lost on ferryman combat victory (int, default 5)

User Preferences:

• paidferry: Did player pay for passage (bool, default 0, resets each encounter)

Strategy Guide

Should You Take the Ferry?

YES, if you pay:

• 72% positive outcomes (buffs, gold, gems, turns, safe passage)
• Only 25 gold cost (cheap insurance)
• ~7.5% death risk (manageable)
• Expected value positive (rewards outweigh risk)

NO, if you don't pay:

• Only 44% positive outcomes
• ~15% death risk (doubled)
• 11.1% chance of each bad outcome (vs 5.6% when paid)
• Inflated fare demand (100g) if you're "rich" (≥100g)
• Not worth the risk unless desperate/broke

Ignore entirely if:

• Very low HP (<25%) - can't survive Outcome 9 damage
• No resurrection available - can't afford death risk
• Risk-averse - prefer safe forest events
• Poor (<25 gold) - can't pay, worse odds guaranteed

Optimal Play

Step-by-step:

• 1. Talk to ferryman (investigate)
• 2. Board ferry (accept offer)
• 3. Pay 25 gold (normal rate, improve odds)
• 4. Accept random outcome gracefully

If you can't afford 25 gold:

• Option A: Leave (safest, no risk)
• Option B: Don't pay and hope for good outcome (risky, 44% positive rate)
• Recommendation: Leave unless desperate for potential rewards

Specific Outcome Handling

If Outcome 5 (Fall Overboard):

• Swim vs Climb: No mechanical difference (both 30% death)
• Choose based on roleplay preference
• Pray to RNG gods (70% survival odds)

If Outcome 8 (Surprise Attack):

• DON'T fight if you can help it (even victory costs 1-5 turns)
• But you're forced to fight (can't run from boat)
• Use combat buffs if available
• Hope ferryman rolls poorly

If Outcome 9 (Direct Assault):

• No choice, take the hit
• Damage: 2 to 50% HP (wide range)
• If you survive: Ferry continues normally (ferryman stops attacking)
• Better than Outcome 8 (no extended combat)

Lore & Flavor

Ferryman Archetype:

• Classic mythological figure (Charon, Greek mythology)
• Ferries souls across River Styx to underworld
• Requires payment (coin on tongue tradition)
• This module: Mysterious cloaked figure with green glowing eyes
• Bony fingers, haunting laughter, death magic stare

The River:

• Wide river, not on any map
• Murky water (can't see bottom, dangerous to swim)
• Strong currents (drift to shore after ferryman killed)
• Appears randomly in forest (magical? Dimensional?)
• Dock with small boat moored

Gender Confusion:

• Code switches between "she" and "he" pronouns
• Cloaked figure = gender ambiguous
• Likely intentional mystery
• Or coding inconsistency (both possible)

Why So Dangerous?:

• Ferryman isn't benevolent guide
• Attacks passengers randomly
• Laughs while you drown
• Has death magic (green eye stare kills)
• Hypnotic powers (robs you unconscious)
• Body vanishes when defeated (supernatural being)
• Conclusion: Evil ghost/demon, not helpful NPC

Wholesome Moments:

• Ferryman's Song: She asks about your day, listens, writes song about you
• Treasure Pouch: Mysterious gift appears (did she plant it?)
• Hypnotic Trance (turn gain): Refreshing trance, feel energized
• Not ALWAYS evil, just. unpredictable

Common Questions

Q: Can I avoid the ferryman encounter?
A: Yes. Choose "Go Back" when you first see the cloaked figure. Safe exit, no consequences.

Q: Is paying 25 gold worth it?
A: Yes. Payment increases outcome range from 1-9 to 1-18, doubling your chances of positive outcomes (72% vs 44%).

Q: What's the death rate for this encounter?
A: ~7.5% if paid, ~15% if not paid. Multiple death sources: instant death (outcome 7), drowning (outcome 5, 30% chance), combat death (outcome 8), damage death (outcome 9 if high roll).

Q: Should I swim or climb back if I fall overboard?
A: No mechanical difference. Both have 30% drown chance, 70% survival (lose 1 turn). Choose based on roleplay.

Q: Can I run from ferryman combat?
A: No. You're on a boat surrounded by murky water. "With nothing but murky water all around, you have nowhere to run!"

Q: Why does defeating the ferryman cost forest fights?
A: Time cost. Without ferryman, boat drifts slowly on currents. "It takes a long time" = 1-5 turns lost.

Q: What's with the green glowing eyes?
A: Death magic. Outcome 7: Eyes flare, you feel burning, instant death. Supernatural power.

Q: Can I encounter this multiple times per day?
A: Yes. No daily limit. Random forest event (100% weight). Can trigger repeatedly.

Q: Why does the ferryman attack passengers randomly?
A: Evil supernatural being. Not a helpful NPC. Attacks, robs, drowns, or kills passengers based on RNG mood.

Q: Is the treasure pouch reward good?
A: Yes. 10-40 gold (75% chance) or 1-3 gems (25% chance). Free bonus for doing nothing.