The dawn breaks over the eastern mountains but life in the village has already begun. Woman move about doing simple chores, gathering wood and tending the early shoots of a small plot of land that the tribe has set aside to try and grow some bushes that produce sweet tasting berries. Half breed dogs run about the camp barking excitedly as children run about enjoying the freedom of early life. Men of the tribe move around some gathering for the daily hunt the others moving towards the forest to search for more fallen timber.
Older tribes members gather around the shaman's hut anxious over his failing health but the stubborn old man still gives praise to the spirits for a beautiful day.
The Tribe of the Bear, has only recently settled in this western corner of this fertile river valley. The river, Molaan, spirit of Water, winds itself down through the center of the valley between large mountains that forms this wide expanse of fresh green.
However the tribe now gathers about a certain figure. The eldest daughter of the clan chief is being bid farewell by the tribe as she prepares to go to wed the eldest son of the Lynx clan. She will be escorted by the best men of the tribe.
Gremm, a squat, dour man, barely into manhood aproaches Recana. As son of the Shaman, Gremm offers a benediction to the betrothed woman.
"Recana, Daughter of Bjorn, today you go to Lynx clan. We all sad to see you leave, but good peace with Lynx you buy. We do not want to anger Molaan by bloodying her waters. So you go and be a good wife, but do not doubt: you are always A BEAR!"
Gremm waves his hands over the young woman and mutters a prayer of guidance for her.
Roakrak, too, approaches Recana.
"May you bring as much joy to them as you have to us. This is a great service you are performing for both tribes, and you should feel very honored."
Lum merely nuzzles against her, until called away by Roakrak as he returns to his place in the crowd.
I am Jushem. Tribe patriot and animal handler. I may be young but I have aided our hunters in proper and sustainable hunting practices. Other than that, I am usually quite.
People who look at me will notice my impressive fiery red mane. Full red beard and long hair I wear this with the pride of a lion. I have dark tan skin due to my time spent in the sun and wrestling with animals has given me massive muscles.
The only drawback is that I am still young and still have much to learn. I am eager to help the tribe whenever I can. My love for our tribe is unparalleled and I would die for our mighty chieftain.
It breaks my heart to see his eldest daughter sent off to be with a rival tribe. I feel bad that she would be sent to a foreign land and subjected to another's whims and treatment. The very thought of it brings a tear to my eye.
I sit silently in the distance watching the precedings and silently wishing her well. I then wonder and worry of the fate of the rest of our fearless leaders daughters. Will he use them in the same way? Handing them off to strangers like an easy peace offering? I trust our chief. Even when t breaks my heart. I trust him completely.
Manak sees off the princess with a wave of his wide leathery hand and he rubs at his thick beard of blond hair moodily then he shrugs, grumbles something and turns back to his shop to continue working on some leathers. He glances over at his sister waving goodbyes and shakes his head silently, using his needle and gut twine to stitch together a piece of leather to another. Somehow, the owner had torn the cross stiching wide open on the front piece of the thick leather and he had been working on repairing it for quite a few days now.
He sighs and rubs at his eyes, casting another look of his brown eyes back over where the Princess and her guards had departed from. He grumbles again and says, out loud but quietly enough only his sister would hear him, "Isn't right. Chieftain is not knowing what he is doing sending off the girl like that to the Lynx."
A young lady of scarcely sixteen summers approaches. It is Aranik, Recana's strange and beautiful, dark-eyed sister. The dust in the air scatters and some of you feel your hairs standing on end.
She comes with a small bundle in one hand and a small gourd container in the other. She looks at her sister meaningfully, and struggles to hold back the tears. She hands the bundle to Recana. It is a gift from the weavers of the tribe, a fine rebozo shawl woven from the dyed fibers of the Huaca vine. Stitched into the fabric is a familiar constellation made out of tiny sparkling shells
"You can see Reca, it is the "Heron". I asked them to stitch it in for you - and here - the Shaman bade me give you this..he says if you use it liberally - the scabs will be gone by the time you arrive at your new home".
Aranik then pulls out the gourd vessel, and fumbles as she tries to lift off the lid. When the lid slips from her hand it suddenly careens away swiftly in a skewed trajectory. Paying no heed, Aranik gently scoops out little dabs of greasy salve. She reaches for her sister's face and applies the balm to the fresh scars of her her recent tatoos and piercings.
As the dawn breaks, so does the river's surface. After the others have given their gifts and said farewells, Narrati approaches Recana and hands her a fine leather pouch and gourd sealed with bees wax. Gifts from Roakrak, my brother and I. Use the pouch's powder after the ceremony. It will clear the drink's fog from your mind. Drink from the gourd when you feel unwell. It will settle the stomach. Have a good time, and have your new husband visit us.
Running back to the tent, she flops down and starts wringing out her wet hair. Yeah maybe, but at least she gets to GO somewhere. I want to see the eastern mountains, and where the earth gives birth to Molaan, and if Molaan has an end, and where the sun comes up from, and where the sun goes down to, and then I'll chase moon! She says with a laugh. A little bit more soberly. Why don't you feel good about the marriage? It isn't just you either. Look at Jushem. Is something the matter?
Anyway, here's breakfast. Stringing up a few trout. I found a place where the bank overhangs the river. The fish like to sleep there during the night.
I make my way over to where they preparing the animals to carry the princess into foreign lands. I check them. "You keep an eye on the road and take care that she stays safe on her journey. I am trusting you." I see the transport off.
Once it is gone I make a point to nod at our chief in respect.
Scattered pine needles float gently skyward past Aranik's face as the last star in heaven dwindles in the brightening sky.
She sighs as she watches her sister's procession marching off, then turns and heads back to Narrati's wigwam. She calls in,
"Was that the glint of fresh trout I saw there? Come on you old witch, you can't hide those from me! Recana's gone and it has left me feeling empty. Let me help you clean and roast them....You know, I can see whu Jushem and the others would be upset about her leaving. I do not envy her. She may be off to the Lynx country, but there she will stay and abide to serve her husband and his dreary folk. At least here we are in new country...with new horizons."
------At the departure--------
Recana the very picture of a barbarian princess with beautiful furs piled about her and pretty baubles and gems adorned about her hair greets you all in turn thanking you for your kind words.
@Gremm
Recana smiles benevolently and bows to the young shaman to be accepting the prayer.
@Roakrak and Lum
Recana giggles as Lum nuzzles her and bends swiftly down to scratch behind his ears.
@Aranik
Recana regards her sister cooly before a small tear comes to the corner of one eye and she gathers her sister up in a huge hug and whispers "I am afraid but I know the people will look after me and yourself, Take care of father sister"
@Narrati
Recana bows gratefully letting her guard pile the gifts up on small bundle she would take with her on her journey.
The village stretchs out from the woods in the hills sloping gracfully to a stretch of Moolan that the villagers use to fish and wash their skins. The layout is very random people laying out their personal tents whre they wish but all center about the cheiften's central hut or gathering hall as it is the only building actually built out of wood. It is able to hold most of the village in an emergency and is often used as a meeting poiint for the elders. Beside that is the wigwam of the shaman which houses the elderly shaman and his two sons.
After all the goodbyes are made the cheiften Bjorn makes his way out and shouts out to the People thanking them for giving him such a beautiful set of daughters, Recana and Aranik. He gives the warriors set to escort her their final instructions and with a heavy heart watches them trudge off, Recana gatherd up in the middle never looking back as was the treadition.
"This purchase of peace is cause for celebration! I know we are all sad to see Recana go, but I think a hunt would liven our spirits. Who is with me?"
"I'll come with you."
As Lum looks up to him, Roakrak says, "Of course you can come, Lum."
Manak sighs and puts aside his leathers and stands, retrieving his pack of spears, as well as his iconic heavy wood and bone club which he ties to his back. He raises a hand to Gremm to indicate he will be going to, but hsi mood is black as ever and he rarely ever smiles.
He stands quietly near the others, keeping his eyes observant but his tongue curbed. He knows from experiance spouting doom and gloom made people believe he was a Fire-stoker, or trouble maker, and with everyone's worries on the Princesses' marriage, it would not do to make them even more on edge. He simply stands still, weapons at the ready, and surveys his fellow tribe members.
Young Aranik looks up from the line of hanging fish by Narrati's tent and she perks up when she hears word that there may be a hunt.
The line of fish drifts eerily in the morning light and then falls back down with jerky bounces after Aranik rushes off to join the others.
"Do take me, Gremm! You know I can find my way in the forest as well as anyone!"
Off we go then. Making sure to put the fish is a secure place, no point in leaving them where dogs or children might be tempted, Narrati follows. Coming up behind Aranik Now you two make quite a pair. You've so much spirit it keeps slipping out, and onto my fish. Manak's got so little right now, he'll probably kill something by glooming at it. With a grin Perhaps you should try rubbing off on him...
A whirlwind of pine needles kicks up and drifts to the ground.
ugh! Well, I don't plan to "rub" any man. Least of all that brute!
My ears twitch. A hunt is being formed? Maybe this is just the thing to liven my spirits. I gather my gear and find the group. "I have arrived. If you desire, I Jushem, beast master of our tribe shall guide the hunt. I know animals well and would be an asset to our team. Besides, it will help morale if we brought hope a mighty prey. Let us do our best to find something that will add to this day so it will be remembered with greatness." I hope that my little speech livens the others up more than it does me.
Hey now, my brother remember. I happen to rather found of him. And what is wrong with a man anyway? As Jushem comes to the group. Well, it looks like we have our crew. Gremm, you proposed this outing, so where are we going and what are we looking for?
"It matters not where we go. The Great Bear will guide our feet and steady our spears. That said, if Jushem has a notion of direction, then I say we follow his obedient spirit as the Mighty Ursa leads him."
Gremm gathers his few belongings, says a brief prayer for success, and tells his father where he is going.
"Lead on Jushem!"
Aranik breezes through the woodland, searching along the forest floor for constellations of tender, young fiddlehead ferns and other young shoots.
Gremm observes his fellow tribesmen, all slightly younger than himself, wondering how best to lead them spiritually when it comes time to fill that role.
"Roakrak you seem to have sights on a good trail. Here let me help you."
Survival Assist:
[b]"Let's see what kind of beast could we bring down that would impress the tribe.
Knowledge Nature to come up with a tough creature that we could handle but would impress the tribe. Like a Tiger or Boar, or maybe something more.
Knowledge Nature:
Survival
Manak follows along, keeping his weapons handy and eyes on their surroundings and tends to stick close to his sister, but for the most part he lets the loud Jushem lead them into the wilderness. As for the rest of his hunting party, Manak did not have much of an opinion. The shaman apprentice Gremm was a friendly enough sort but Manak preferred to put his trust in his own two hands not some great and unseeable Spirit.
As for Roakrak and his pet Bear Lum, Manak had a tendency to crack a rare smile whenever he saw the two going about, as the Bear tended to get into all kinds of adorable antics, none of them disruptive to his work, so he didn't mind him or his companion. His siter was a jolly sort, to him at least, and always tried to get Manak to smile, which usually worked on days when there was something to smile about. The chieftain's daughter though, she didn't seem to like Manak all that much, which suited him just fine. He had heard her assessment of him as a brute and he had shrugged it off easily.
Jushem though, he was a different story. The red-haired man was exceptionally loud even when he didn't need to be, always going on about his beast-mastery although Manak had yet to see him tame anything as of yet. He did not doubt that he was a skilled warrior and hunter, he had grown up alongside the man and trained and hunted and fought with him on several occassions. They got on well enough if Jushem focused on silence.
Manak shrugs to himself and checks the tracks again, unsure of what they were following yet. He hopes that it isn't something too terribly big, the Tribe didn't need two of its best hunters, the shaman's apprentice, chieftain's daughter and one of its only Spirit-Seers taken in ambush by a long-tooth cat or other large and powerful animal.
The hunting party ventures further into the wilderness. Aranik revels in the beauty of the landscape and the freedom of the open country. Even as she gazes at the glint of the sunlight on the river and breathes the fragrance of the woods, the the thrill of the hunt begins to set in. The sunlight grows stronger and the pull of the distant stars are dimmed in the glare. Aranik begins to feel more like a vulnerable child. Surely her father will be upset that she tagged along with the hunters today.
Aranik speaks to herself:
Here we are at the tall stone overlooking the riverbend. I remember this place...it is familiar to me. Many times I have come to this place to look down at the galaxies reflected in the eddying waters. This is home. Yet my heart is beating so. Silly girl, you have nothing to fear! Spirits of the firmament, do not forsake me!
She then approaches each of her colleagues as they march, bestowing the blessing on each of them with a whisper.
You can see several prints of deer that roam about this forest.
Among the deer prints there seems to be a large padded animal with slight indentations among the toes, this would be a tiger, but not the large kind that your tribe fears
Also there is smaller but heavier indented prints among the dear hinting that there seems to be a boar taking up residence in your forest perhaps the tiger is hunting the boar or the deer?
Strangely there is a larger hoof print among the deer but very similar, this is the mighty Megaloceros a true hunters prize.
Weirdly there seems to be a huge print heading off into the trees, it almost seems to be a mighty Mammoth but oddly it is all alone and there even appears as if one print is heavier than another perhaps an old wound has lamed the beast and it comes here to die?
"I recognize these deer tracks. But what are these others? Surely we can do better than a deer?"
"Indeed there is something better. One of the famed Megaloceros. It would be tough, but if we managed to get it, it would bring us great pride in the tribe."
"Then we hunt! Megalceros is a mighty challenge and one that will show the rest of the tribe what we are capable of. Now let's head out. Roakrak, you have the best perception on these tracks. I will aid you in finding our quarry. Lead on."
I will follow Roakrak
Indeed
As the hunting party musters, Aranik spots the men as they find the trail of their prey. Quickly she picks out one of the many erratic boulders that sprinkle the valley floor. She scrambles up for a better view of the landscape. What lands are the hunters pointing to? Has she learned any wisdom about the country that lies in that direction?
First I need your pace, walking (-1 speed,+1 rest), fast trot(0 speed 0 rest), jogging(+1 speed -1 rest), running (+2 speed, -2 rest), or flat out running(+3 speed -4 rest).
Then I need the perception checks I will let you know what you see once I get the speed and all the rolls enjoy the hunt!
Perception checks please
YOU SIR ARE ANNOYING! lol *grumble* you with your high rolls totally negating the challenge
Before you all head out Roakrak stopseveryone seeing a seperate faint trail spotteed with blood with a great deal of earth roughed up and foliage ripped up. With his knowledge of nature he can tell that there must have been some sort of stag fight and the loser mightve recieved a wound of some type or another. The wounded great elk stumbles off to the side leaving the main trail.
What do you wish to do?
I say we chase down the wounded one.
Skipping from her perch on the rock Aranik lands on the ground, sending a small wave of dust and twigs into orbit about her. She rushes up to join the others.
Normally we would always cull the herd by taking the wounded? Is that not the custom?