"I look forward to it."

I try my telepathy link to Korax. :: Are you doing alright Korax? Where are you, approximately, in relation to the shepherd? :: I do this while turning to look out over the sheep to make it a little more subtle.

After Korax's answer, I turn to Chasah. "This is a very basic question. How do you shepherd sheep? You probably already know that I haven't had much first-hand exposure to this kind of work."

You hear a flutter of wings, and Korax lands upon your shoulder.

:: I am here. ::

The older man watches the landing with interest, and nods to the new arrival.

"Welcome to our world, Korax, companion of Christopher Chosen.  'Peace be unto you.' "

"As to your question, you have already answered it.  Are you ready for some first-hand exposure?"

"Absolutely!" I wait for his instructions to finish before telepathically asking Korax the below question.

:: Anything interesting Korax? ::

The older man stands, and leads you up to the top of the nearest hill.  It is a rather small hill, but it gives you a modest view of the nearby area.

"Behold, a flock of sheep!  Let us begin with hands-on experience.  Suppose that I suddenly fell asleep, and that you could not awaken me for some days.  Stranger things have happened.  And here you are, with a flock of sheep.  Tell me what you would do, and why..."

At a suitable moment, Korax replies...

:: I have glimpsed creatures that make me wonder.  Small, but with more human features.  As instructed, I was very careful, but that care prevented me from getting a closer look.  I believe that at least one has departed, and at least one is still near... ::

While thinking about Chasah's question, I contact Korax. :: You did well Korax. Could you keep a lookout for us while staying roughly in this location. Feel free to take care of your physical needs as needed. ::

I then answer Chasah. "Hmm... I would sit in an elevated location so that I would be better able to see the sheep and predators. I would periodically count the sheep in order to make sure that none have gone missing. I would also get up occasionally to bring any sheep that have wandered too far from the flock." I move my hand to my chin while thinking further. "I am not sure that I would recognize the signs that indicate the timing for this, but I suspect that I would have to herd the sheep to slightly different feeding locations to prevent overgrazing, and I would have to bring them to water sources daily. I don't know how to assist ewes with births. I also believe that I would have to bring the sheep into a fold at night and guard the entrance."

:: Yes.  Listen for any warning I may need to give... ::

Korax flies off...  Meanwhile, the older man listens, and nods approvingly.

"A fair start, young man.  There will be time enough to speak of milking, worming, combing, washing, shearing, etc.  But the first thing to learn is how to delegate.  Observe..."

With a series of whistles accompanied by voice commands, he directs the sheepdog in an impressive display of herding.  You get the feeling that the voice commands are actually for your benefit, as the sheepdog is able to anticipate the voice command immediately after hearing the corresponding whistle...

OOC: It will take you awhile to wrap your brain around all of these, but your grasp of the concepts will grow in time:
https://www.herding-dog-traini...heepdog-terminology/
https://www.thebordercollie.co...dog-whistle-commands

I put on an exaggerated crestfallen look. "Too bad that I don'tknow how to whistle. I then brighten up. "Oh well. No time like the present, I suppose" I start blowing air through my pursed lips while moving my tongue back and forth to try and find the elusive sweet spot.

Your first attempt is... not entirely impressive.

The older man chuckles kindly.

"Look closely, young man, and put your mouth and tongue like this..."

He demonstrates while you look closely, and then you try again, with slightly better sound.

He nods approvingly.

"Practice makes perfect, and you will have plenty of time to practice.  Thankfully, the sheepdog also knows the voice commands..."

"What are you telling the sheepdog to do? What is your current objective?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:41, Wed 24 July 2019.

"We need to move them to another pasture."

"You now know the commands that the sheepdog knows.  If you were the shepherd, how would you do it?"

To GM:

What are the spatial relationships of all parties? Where are the sheep, the pasture, the river, and the dog in relation to me? How spread out are the sheep?

The sheep are all visible from the top of the hill you are standing upon, and all within about fifty meters of you in random directions.  They are all on your side of the river, which is at the bottom of one side of the hill.  You are with the dog and the shepherd on the top of the hill.

I take the situation in and scratch my head for a second before moving my hand to my chin. "Do you have any particular pasture in mind, or will any new grassy area do?"

"Let's move them over to the next hill downstream."

I look at the positioning of all relevant parties and scratch my head as I take much longer than is strictly necessary to figure out the correct sequence of commands.

Finally, I enact my foolproof master plan. I think to myself: "Operation Fluff-Ball is a go." I then address the dog. "Walk up!" I wait for the dog to get close to the sheep and shout "Come by!" to get it to circle the sheep. After the sheep are gathered, I wait for the dog to circle until the sheep are on a direct line between the dog and the desired hill and shout "Walk up!". When the sheep are in position, I shout "That'll do!"

Your efforts (and those of the sheepdog) look very promising... except for one sheep that manages to elude for longer than most.

And just as that troublesome sheep is brought back, that delay is just enough for another sheep to break away...

:: I don't think those sheep are escaping on their own.  I get occasional glimpses of at least one of those small creatures with human features nearby... ::
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:56, Sat 26 Oct 2019.

Can I see the humanoid creatures with my own eyes?

I turn to Chasah. "My crow tells me that the sheep are behaving unruly because of the presence of small human-like creatures. What are those? Are they dangerous?"

His eyes widen in surprise, and then he nods in thoughtful understanding, and answers softly.

"There must be wee folk nearby.  It is said that the fae hide themselves from human eyes to keep their ways secret.  Some are no more dangerous than kind-hearted mischief makers.  Others are... less kind-hearted.  But one would not be wise to make an enemy of them needlessly."

"However, it seems that they don't feel the need to hide themselves from your avian companion.  They haven't realized that he is sharing his observations with you."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:13, Sat 26 Oct 2019.

I lower my voice in concern. "Should we do something? Can they see my past too?"

He considers thoughtfully.

"I know not.  Still, whenever interacting with another, I dare say that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar."

"'Live peaceably with all men', I suppose. Given that they are currently disrupting our herding activities. Should we try to engage them, peaceably?"

"I have heard stories, but I have never engaged with one myself.  What is your plan?"

"As basic as this sounds, I hope to walk up to them and... speak to them." I upswing the last part of my sentence to communicate some uncertainty. "Maybe some degree of flattery will work? Old stories from my world suggest that fae might like that. Do you think that that might work?"

"Perhaps... but a path built upon lies cannot abide under the gaze of the Sovereign One.  The words you choose may be flattering, but they must also be true."

"Agreed. Shall I try it?"