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Preparations for the festival go well, and the rest of the following is in high spirits. (Except for Pakano, who spends the day loafing around while trying to look busy.)
During the late afternoon before the Green Moon ceremony, the Broken Tusks gather to share a hearty meal of stewed meat and spirits. Meanwhile, Argakoa’s songsingers in training, including Kala Dja, take turns telling origin myths. When it is Argakoa’s version, she tells of the “first winter,” which turned the whole world and even the moon above an ashen white. When spring finally came, the moon was so happy she gave birth to a river of stars. This river, which many Hallit-speakers call the Moontail, is still visible in the night sky from spring until autumn. Come winter, the moon protects her children by hiding them under a blanket of darkness. The Night of the Green Moon celebrates the beginning of spring, when the tundra thaws to reveal green grass and the moon uncovers her children.
After dinner, you are hustled away to the tribe's tattoo artist, Sidke, who tells you that Grandfather Eiwa has asked her to give each of you a special tattoo to commemorate your appointment as the tribe's scouts.
The artist works with incredible speed and precision, and Nakta, the following's healer ministers to you afterward, making sure the marking is set and your skin is well on its way to healing.
For Iskra, she asks to "borrow" one of Tomi's feather to attach to her nedle comb while working. She inscribes the design on Iskra's shoulder, a ring of three curved terrorbird feathers.
For Impulse, Sidke adds blue-green spikes that spring from the androids circuit tattoos. The ink almost seems to gleam in the light.
When she reaches Kala Dja, the artist carefully takes her hand. Turning it over, she admires the callouses that the young scout has developed while practicing with her spirit blade. "It is good to fight in defense of the tribe," she says as she turns Kala Dja's hand over and begins to trace glyphs on each of her fingers, "but it is hard to fight what you do not understand." When she is done with her work, a red glyph is picked out in intricate detail below each knuckle.
On Grymgold, Sidke colors a ball of flame that almost seems to leap off the back of the dwarf's hand, then encases it in a lattice of ivory. Grimgold feels a flush briefly spread across his body when the tattoo is completed.
Eirthgim receives a tattoo of a series of golden concentric circles over his heart.
Finally, Pakano goes under the needle of the artist. She tattoos a grinning skull on his chest, with hunting spears crossed behind it.
After the feast, the Broken Tusks proceed as a group from their encampment to Rockloom. There, everyone solemnly takes part in a series of sacred rites.
Merthig, the Firekeeper, lights a large bonfire in the middle of the standing stones, around which you are asked to place the ceremonial water baskets filled at Gornok River. “This fire is good,” he proclaims loudly. “By the grace of Sister Cinder’s gift—fire!—we know right from wrong. We choose right!” Cheers erupt from your fellow revelers.
Merthig goes on to explain the role of the ceremonial water, which represents life. When combined, fire and water can produce good food, like stew. Though they aren’t always conducive to one another—placing too much importance on a single life or on the lives of a group can stifle the greater good—water and fire are integral to the Broken Tusk’s way, and they allow the following to survive the harsh realities of the Realm of the Mammoth Lords. The entire process is conducted in ceremonial language full of symbolism, but simple enough for the following's children to understand.
The standing stones of Rockloom rise from the plain, each animal sculpture glowing orange in the last flush of the setting sun. Grandfather Eiwa beams at the assemblage, his wrinkled face a bit more youthful with the addition of colorful paints.
He stays silent for a moment. Then, like thunder, he releases a guttural shout. “Ah!” he booms. The rest of the following shouts back in unison, then turns quiet again.
The old man smiles. “It is a good night,” he pronounces. “The Green Moon has graced us with good weather. The Gornok River has blessed us with water. And our scouts have honored us with good food.
“Tonight, we mark the moment winter turns to spring. We also mark the transition from friend to follower.” He turns toward you and makes a sweeping gesture. “Together, let us honor our newest Tusks.”
The crowd whoops and cheers!
"State your name and house, and tell us: What is your hope for this new spring?"
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Iskra knew the question was coming, had prepared a dozen great answers.
Then she dipped into those damned undiluted spirits Impulse kept in those jugs, and Kala Dja was being friendly-flirty, and her mind goes blank for a while.
"Iskra..." she covers a hiccup with a cough and a clenched fist over her mouth. "Iskra of the Oski, of Musk Ox House!" Much clearer, this time. "And my hope is simple- in these days I've made some good friends with my fellow scouts, and I hope that we remain good friends until the end of our days." She looks at each in turn: Kala Dja, self-proclaimed Kellid princess; Impulse, genius at stone and steel; Eirthgim and Agn, old and wise caller and spirit; Grymgold, hearth-tender and wound-sealer- even Pakano, the brat with promise.
Feeling bolder- flushed- she shouts out, "And that long after our bones are reclaimed by the hills, the Broken Tusks will live on, and know our deeds, and sing our songs!" She raises her arms in a double fist-pump- her new tattoo sings a stinging song, but she loves it all the same- before plopping to the ground, exuberant, almost giggling.
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For a long moment, Impulse is shellshocked. They knew this moment was coming, this question would be asked and they swear they had a real prepared answer up until just about ten seconds ago when it the sounds of each word were spoke onto the wind as it birthed itself into reality.
They swallow, nervously. Never been one for speaking in front of people, and especially not with dozens of eyes on them at once. Not to mention the mind itself is hazier than usual, and likely visibly so to anyone who can notice the slight sway of their step.
"Impulse. Architect of Falcon House," they sputter out curtly, before taking in a deep breath and staring down at the ground to steady themself.
"Well, I'll stuck around this long. What's another turn of the seasons, after all? I just hope this coming spring I learn more weird things out here than I did the last."
They hold up their axe off their back in a motion of a slightly buzzed salute. "I'm here in all the Broken Tusks' service!"
And with a rousing look up attentively, they almost smile, even if a bit nervously before putting the axe back on their back and stepping back from the spotlight as quickly as possible.
"...And maybe I'd like to fit in around here for once. That might take more than just one spring, but... I'd like to see it happen."
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Pakano shoves his way to the front of the line, cutting off Grymgold and Kala Dja.
"I am Pakano, champion of Falcon House. This spring, I will take my place among the leaders of the tribe!"
There's a bit of grumbling around the fire circle, but not enough to disturb the celebratory atmosphere of the gathering. Everyone here is used to Pakano's boasting and grandious plans.
For his part, Pakano seems disappointed that his proclamation isn't greeted by cheers. He drops back into the circle and pouts.