Why? This question bugs me every time I start over. Why must there be a settlement if there is fresh water? Why not, "Dead fishermen. Must be a fishing village nearby."
And where IS said fisher village? No one ever says where? I originally assumed Moonhaven until books and tomes indicated it was destroyed 120 years ago. So... Where'd they come from? Does the village have a name? Why can't we get to it? Why does no one from there come to check out the crash to see if their missing loved ones are dead or alive?
You're not alone. I also reacted to that statement. But I guess it's because my personal definition of "nearby". Like others have pointed out, if you follow a river there's a high chance that you eventually will reach a settlement. But that settlement can be several days worth of travel away, or even further, and then I wouldn't call it nearby anymore. So seeing my character making that assumption took me a bit of guard. I was like "Girl, you have no idea where you are, don't make assumptions like that"
