The rivers and lakes of Avalon can be used as a remarkably effective short-cut, avoiding the dangerous overland routes. In order to traverse them though without some magical assistance you will need to use a boat or a canoe (and sufficient prowess at the skill of Survival). You will usually be able to purchase a riverworthy vessel from one of the market-places. To sail you must approach the bank of the river or the appropriate jetty or quayside and type LAUNCH followed by your vessel, followed by the direction you wish to launch it, e.g. LAUNCH CANOE NE would launch a canoe from the Mercinae river jetties onto the River Leithe. After launching the vessel you must quickly board it (by typing BOARD followed by the vessel, e.g. BOARD CANOE) before it drifts into the water. Once boarded you will be able to sail around the rivers by typing SAIL followed by the direction you wish to go in. At any time you may type LEAVE to clamber out of the boat and emerge wherever it has reached.
