Vincent next took us to see both of the Karavan and Kami NPC races. As we passed through one forested area a passing creature tried to nibble on our young Tryker. Vincent explained that the weather and seasons would have an effect on the nature of the wildlife. In winter, for example, lack of food would make creatures hungrier and more likely to attack travellers.

With attacks can of course come death, and the Karavan and Kami are an intergral part of Ryzom's death penalty. Players can perform quests to make "pacts" with either of the two races and, as they've mastered life and space, they will resurrect and transport you if you die. A character can only agree to a maximum of five pacts at any one time (and starts with three) and they can have different effects when "used" - you might choose a pact that resurrects you with reduced stamina for example.

If you die with no pacts though, then you're in trouble. Your friends will have to reach your corpse, retrieve an item from it and take it to the Kami or the Karavan to get them to resurrect you. Being resurrected in this manner will carry a full "resurrection sickness" in this case and you'll be under-strength for a while before it wears off.