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Rules to follow when at sea

1. The ship should be treated with kindness
Beware ye who does not treat a ship with kindness. Those who do not appreciate what they have are sure to lose it. Ships do not mind the idea of being scattered at sea, they love being one with the water and do not fear joining it forever. It is for you that they stay together and afloat, but if you do not treat them well then they are liable to do as they please. A ship that does as they please is a danger. Without warning, the ship will sink or splinter or simply stop moving. But, if you treat your ship with kindness, they will always do their best to take care of you. Storms may still splinter or sink the ship, but the ship will fight for you and fight to keep you safe. It seems a small price for a ship to ask that you treat them with kindness.

2. Not all waters are good
This one seems as though it should be obvious. There is no one thing of which all are good. Not all apples are good, not all wine is good, not all people are good, and not all waters are good. Some waters are filled with creatures that would eat you alive if given the chance. These are best sailed with care. Some are stormier and windier than others and almost seem to demand a sacrifice from you. Often, a sacrifice of some cargo or supplies is worth the sacrifice of moving safely through them. Some waters are plagued by the wars of men. This is not their fault, of course, but it means they are dangerous places to sail or even skirt past. Some waters are deeper than others. How deep is their abyss? Is there a bottom? Some waters are murkier than others and it is thus impossible to tell what lies within them. What skeletons do they hold? Will they soon hold yours?

3. Don't look deeper than you absolutely have to
It has been said to be careful when looking into an abyss, for it also looks into you. This is just as true for a watery one as any other. Sometimes, it is more true. There are creatures that lurk just below the surface and the deeper you go, the more creatures there are. Staring into your soul may be the least of what they can do to you. The closer you look to the surface and the deeper you dive, the more exposed you are to the sea's animals. Look deeply and stay still long enough and they, or at least their teeth, are sure to find you.

4. A sudden shallow means something is beneath you
This may come off as a basic fact as something is always beneath you whether or not the water is shallow or not. However, this rule is an important one to remember as a sudden change in depth can signal danger. If could be as simple as a sand bar, but sand can snag your ship faster than you'd dare dream. A much more dangerous kind of shallow is one caused by a living creature. You may end up harming an innocent, but vast, animal that simply happened beneath you or you may end up being flipped and swallowed by a starving creature. Regardless, always take care in shallow waters for you know not what lies beneath you.

5. Never sail alone at night
While night is one of the most beautiful times to be out on the water, it is also one of the most dangerous. The creatures that live in the sea can see far better in the dark than you can and shining a light, while allowing you temporary sight, robs you of your night vision. Other sailors who seek to do harm also tend to prey upon those who sail at night. They sail in groups and pick out the easiest prey that they can, which is often lone sailors. Take care to never be one of these sailors. For if you sail alone at night and fall in the water, who will find you? None who wish you well. Who will keep you awake at the helm? None. Who will keep you grounded when the sea and sky merge into one dark mass? None. Who will search the skies for a sense of direction with you? None. Company is best kept at such times.

(Prompt from writing.prompt.s)

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