Empire 6: Embers of Dawn IC

[Laura]

Shandolé
Round #2

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Writing Prompt Round #2: Describe rituals of funerals and/or births among your people.
- Prompt set by Randoman

Spoiler: Ka Flows On : Death, Birth and Exploration

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Ka Flows On : Death, Birth and Exploration

“There is a time for love and laughter
The days will pass like summer storms
The winter winds will follow after
But there is love and love is warm”

‘Soze and Root had ventured south crossing forested hills and streams. Hope and excitement lingered in the party, though progress through the rugged forests was slower than excepted.

Misfortune came a few months into the venture when an elf named Tuatáróaní’Dindoní – “Red-Dawns-and-Black-Nights” fell ill with stomach pains and soon became too weak to stand. A halt was called, and Root tried to find herbs and medicinal plants to ease Dindoní’s pain, but much of the foliage in these woods was different from what grew in Shandolé and unfamiliar to him. Unfortunately, in the end, nothing could be done and Dindoní died a week after the halt was called.

As the Elders of the expedition, Root and ‘Soze held the funeral. Neither of them was a shaman, but they did their best to solemnly remember the rituals and words. Dindoní’s friends gathered young trees and flowers from the forest, carefully digging them out, so that they may be replanted, and Root dug a grave into the soft soil of summer. It was on hill near a forest clearing, with a brook gurgling by around the base. The body was wrapped and bound in the furs of his blankets and lowered into the ground.

“We remember this late life o’ Tuatáróaní’Dindoní,” said ‘Soze, “May his Ka find its way t’ a new life full of joy, long days an’ warm nights. And may it be that his friends find him again an’ a’travel once more Ka by Ka through Simrah. He lived this life well an’ was loved.”

Root then began a soft humming to a steady base rhythm and other elves spoke up recalling their fondest memories of Dindoní, before adding their voice to the soft song, building melodies and then harmonies on top of Root’s base rhythmic beat. Eventually, everyone had spoken, and the song was full.
“May yer ka flow on and may the ka of summer and the creatures o this land escort ye to brighter skies and clear waters,” said ‘Soze over her voice carrying over the song, “Long days and warm nights bless ye my friend. We remember ye well.”

The grave was filled in and the elves planted the young trees and flowers they’d collected over the top the soil. Then the elves silently departed the site, leaving nature to do its work.

It was only a few days after this, when the expedition was once again underway, that ‘Soze became nauseous and grew sick. Clutching onto Moon Dancer’s mane with one hand, she wiped her mouth with the other, her vision and balance wavering.

Running up, Root steadied his wife, his gray eyes filled with anxiety. “What happened? Yer sick?!” His eagle, hearing the tense strain in Root’s voice, flew down and landed heavily on Root’s head, cocking his head to eye ‘Soze with concern and a fretful click of his beak. “Let me help you off Moon Dancer,” Root said, moving to help her down, “Roont sky! If’n ye caught the illness Dindoní fell to, I nary kin what I’ll-”

‘Soze put a hand on his shoulder, steadying her husband and pushing him back half a step, as she centered herself back on the mule. “I nary kin I fell in t’ what killed Dindoní.” But she placed a hand over her stomach.

“Is yer belly a’paining yeh?” Root asked.

“No, it not nary be that,” her hazel eyes were large and she looked at her husband, “Root we’ve had many a warm night and many a tumble. It be a new spring in the world husband and I kin a new Ka is blooming between us.”

Root opened his mouth then closed it, before looking reverently at ‘Soze’s belly and placing his own hand over hers on her stomach. “Simah has flowed through us and blessed ye with another ba’boh?”

“I kin so.”

He smiled and lifted his armed to take her into an embrace.

She laughed, slipping from her saddle into the cradle of his arms.

“But hold,” ‘Soze said after a moment, “We be out here, a’treking o’ strange hills an’ dales. We h’aint got place nor time for proper a’resting and a’raising o’ a ba’boh.”

“We will make time an’ make place,” Root said, “I kin there was a cozy dale with water and wood a’plenty a yonder back. Ye be a Mia now. It’s no time fer a’running hither and thither. We will make a camp an’ home there and ye will sit by fer yer year and forty dawns.”

“Even out here, yeh kin you’ll have me sit by a’waiting and a’sitting?”

“Aye”

“An’ then what? We’ll have a ba’boh and nary a village to riase ‘em in. We’ a’going to carry a wee ba’boh over strange lands, into dangers unknown?”

“I kin we will wait and give ‘em a few years to gain their feet. Ye, I and all these with us will raise ‘em in these woods and I reckon there be none better for caring.”

‘Soze looked around. Sun was shining through the tree branches and most of the other elves had gathered around and were watching and smiling. A few of the dogs barked as a squirrel scampered by and found perch in a nearby tree and a wind ruffled the branches. Where the eagle was still sitting on Root’s head, Sun Dash flapped his wings, tiling his head to gaze at her with golden eyes. It was a beautiful forest, filled with game and berries and with the watchful slopes of snowcapped mountains rising above the forest canopy.

“This indeed be fine county an’ finer company,” ‘Soze said with a smile, “But ye kin it will take at least four years, probably five to wait fer it and then raise the ba’boh old enough to walk and venture on with us. We had an expedition from the Council, a dream o’ exploring lands yonder.”

“Four o’ five years,” Root laughed waving a hand dismissively, “Council an’ dreams can wait that little time. Life is blooming a’new here and now.”

‘Soze laughed and kissed his cheek. “Ye know somethang Root’Cai? I love ye plumb to the stars an’ back!”

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‘Soze, Root and their expedition settled into a small valley at the base of the mountains, where water flowed clean and wood and game was plentiful. They build a cottage and camp and gathered supplies, making a home there. As tradition mandated, ‘Soze was excluded from most of the hard work and sat by, with tasks that were easy on the body. She weaved coats, mended tools, sharpened stone weapons and watched the seasons change.

Summer passed and autumn and then winter after and Root and all their friends stayed close, making sure the fire was kept warm and food and furs were not wanting. A year and forty days went by and ‘Soze’s time for birthing arrived. Root and some elves who had helped mothers through the pain of birthing before sat by and after several long and painful hours, the new elf was born, a baby girl with dark wet hair sticking to tiny pointed ears and a voice that was strong and healthy when she cried her first breaths.

Her voice set off the celebrations of song and dance in the little camp and gifts were brough to the mother and child by their friends. ‘Soze and Root would be the little girl’s caretakers themselves, so they blessed one another and when the next dawn came, Root carried ‘Soze and the child out to look upon the girl’s first sunrise.

“May this first day of yern be always remembered and blessed, Cully’Cai,” he told his daughter, “An’ may all yer days onward be long and filled with joy.”

“May Simráh flow strong in ye, Ba’boh,” ‘Soze said over Root’s shoulder, “An’ let the world be kind to ye an’ also may the world be better ‘cuz of ye.”

“From past lives have ye come to this one,” Root continued, “An’ may ye pass very well through many days an’ many loves, ‘fore ye pass on to yer next life.”

“In this life, we, who love ye first of all people, give ye yer first name,” ‘Soze said, smiling down at the baby, “Well met, Lekahni’Aki’Letuah – New-Song-Chasing-New-Horizons!!”

And so, the fourth child born to M’kazi’no’Soze and M’Eldi’Simráh came to see her first dawn in the 147th year of their marriage. She was born into the world a year after the Blue Commit ushered in the new era and saw the sunrise clean and pure in skies made pure by the Phoenix. She was trusted to the care of the parents who had conceived her and was born in a little camp beyond the known edges of Shandolé.

For the next four years, ‘Soze, Root and those with them remained near the cottage living well and giving Lekahni time to find her feet and voice. However, the time finally came when the camp was packed and the little cottage closed up. Dogs and horses and elves had all their supplies packed and their eyes turned southward, ready to venture once more into unknown lands.

Root carried ‘Soze on his back and held Lekahni’s little hand, as he stepped to the front of the expedition.

Sun Dash flapped down from the trees and landed on top of Root’s head and ‘Soze laughed in his ear. “Ye’ are carrying a heavy burden, husband. Ye kin Sun Dash has been eating far too much while we tarried in these woods.”

Sun Dash clicked his beak indignantly, looking down at where ‘Soze clung to Root’s shoulders and then ruffled his feathers.

Lekahni gave a giggle, hazel eyes shining with childish mirth. “I kin Sun Dash called ye fat right back Mia!”

“Rude bird!” ‘Soze laughed, “He shouldn’t talk back to his Elders.”

Root laughed and swept Lekahni up into his arms. “I will a’carry all three o’ ye over all these lands and back again and nary shall any’o ye be a burden ‘pon me, not even if ye ate all the barriers in the mountains and every plum bird in the forest.”

Lekahni took ‘Soze’s hand over Root’s shoulder and the shifted in his arms so she could point forward toward the open hills. “Let’s go then! Onward Daddy!”

And so, they continued on their mission to explore the lands south of Shandolé.

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Leader Stats

• Diplomacy: 3
• Military: 2
• Opulence: 3
• Faith: 4
• Intrigue: 4

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Actions

1. Continue to explore the unknown lands to the SE

• Opulence (3)
• Bonus: Animal Husbandry (+1)
• Roll: 2d6+4 vs TN 10
• Result: 11 = Success
• Roll Link

Spoiler: 1. Continue to explore the unknown lands to the SE

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‘Soze and Root had ventured south crossing forested hills and streams. Hope and excitement lingered in the party, though progress through the rugged forests was slower than excepted....

For fluff continued see Writing Prompt #2 above.

2. Raise Military Unit (Sea)

• Military (2)
• No Roll Necessary

Spoiler: Raise Military Unit (Sea)

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A bigger world is opening up. New opportunities, discoveries and allies have arisen, but the Winter Counsel have foreseen that there are also new dangers and threats that may come over the expanding horizon. The report of Blightspawn in the north and rumors of armies moving across the wider lands of Tarandi have reached their ears and many Elders have grown concerned about what this may mean for the future of their people.

The Winter Council has considered all this and after much debate it was decided that they would begin training a hunting parties not just for hunt, but to defend the valley in case of war or an invasion of blightspawn. It was deemed wise to make use of the new boats being built at Summer Town and have them manned and ready to guard the coasts. A small fleet of a half dozen was completed and elves began training regularly in sailing and combat. They were placed under the leadership of an elf named Zulaura’Klaníhiah – Blue-Waves-Crashing-and-Laughing, who’s Ka flows strong with the ocean.

Zulaura has always been drawn toward the sea and spent many years exploring the shores and waters. She took the new boats as if she’d been sailing all her life and quickly mastered the art of navigating by the new stars. For decades she has led whale hunts off the Summer Town Coast and was the first to discover an attuned with the dolphins and orcas that swam the coastlines. She often swims among them and loves diving into the depths seeking new discoveries.

3. Raise Military Unit (Land)

• Military (2)
• No Roll Necessary

Spoiler: Raise Military Unit (Land)

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Over the plains, forest, mountain and tundra the Shándole have confronted many threats and dangers and the elven hunter hone their skills over centuries to work side by side with their animal allies, stalk pray and fight off beasts and monsters, but hunting and driving off occasional monsters is not the same as war. New tactics, weapons and training will be needed to raise a true war party. There was a young elf who had proved himself to be an exceptional master the spear. In his hands the weapon flew with a grace and precision that few had ever seen. He’d risen into respect and honor beyond his years for this skill, but also because he showed great wit and wisdom and a nature and compassion well suited to leadership. He was called Novíkin’Westrí – Sparrow-up-in-A-Clear-Sky, and the Winter Counsel appointed to lead and train the first war-party of Shandolé.

4. Investigate the so called "Houses of Copper & Gold"

• Intrigue (4)
• 2d6+4 vs Unknown TN
• Result: 11
• Roll Link

Spoiler: Search for the Houses of Copper & Gold

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At the Summit at Southrocks the Sangar laid the blame of the False Dawn as the feet of an unknown southern kingdom called the Houses of Copper & Gold. Further more, the Creatures of the Ancient Ways also indicated that they had reason to think the False Dawn was triggered by a kingdom of "Two-Legs," who let greed and cruelity drive them away from nature and Simrah. The Shandole are determined to find truth about the False Dawn and will follow up on these leads. Where was this kingdom with Houses of Copper & Gold? Does it still exist and what really happened there that might have caused a catastrophe like the False Dawn?

Investigators will question the Sangar and the Scavengers more carefully about what they know and seek out any other rumors, written histories or lore on the matter. If they can, they will also ask the Dreamspeakers, Truthseers and The Sentinels of Stone if they know anything about the matter. The organizations' wide range and shrouded histories might mean they know much of lands beyond Tarnadi and the histories there.

5. Secret Action

• Intrigue (4)
• I have Messaged TheDarkGM

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Non-Actions

Leósha’Lýndónah will attend the "Feast of the Phoenix" event in Aran Viska.

The Winter Council will support the Dream Speakers’ fur trading ambitions.

Spoiler: Meeting with the Dream Speakers

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Some short years after agreeing to take on the venture, Dream Speakers returned to Shandolé with terrifying reports of Embers Bat and volcanos in the mountains to the north. They are invited to Winter Hall to discuss their findings with the Winter Council.

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“Nary no ordinary forces will have a hope o’ prevailing against them creatures,” Acindi explained, a number of other Dream Speakers nodded at her side, “Ember Bats, made o burning flesh and obsidian black bones, plumb the size o’ horses!” She shook her head, still in amazement herself, “They seem t’ be congregating ‘round some kind ‘o nest o’ horde near the volcano. But I rekon it’s lucky fer ye Siahs, that we found ‘em and brung you warning ‘fore they decides to come south, o ye sent some unsuspecting elves a’wandering up their yonder.”

“You won’t be able to send anyone safely up into that territory,” confirmed another Dream Speaker, an aged human woman with old scars on her face and packed muscle on her arms. “I think even The Sentinels of the Stone my hesitate. You will want to send mighty warriors, heroes of valor and luck beyond normal mortal souls.”

The Winter Council listened to the reports by the Dream Speakers with grim silence. They’d always sensed that danger and threat loomed in the mountains to the north. There was good reason elves seldom ventured past the tundra hills in that direction. A handful of Elders had disagreed with Zán’Quêzí’s proposal to indebt themselves the Dream Speaker’s just for a little information they expected they could have gathered themselves given the time, but once again Talákin’Záni’Quêzí – Eagle-Flies-High-and-Sees-All had proved his foresight and wisdom to the tribes.

A few ruthful glares were cast Zán’Quêzí’s direction. To elven Elders, who often thought highly of their own wisdom and opinions, Zán’Quêzí’s skill in continually proving them wrong and always being right himself was very annoying. Edge looked especially annoyed. He’s been most displeased when he’d come home from Southrocks to find the Council hadn’t gotten into debt with the Dream Speaker during his absence.

Zán’Quêzí himself looked pensive, considering all that Acindi and her companions had told them. Finally, he stood up and addressed the Dream Speakers. “Thankyee’Cias fer bringing us warning o’ this dire threat an’ unveiling the secrets o’ these lands so close to our own. Ye have indeed done us a great service. We shall consider carefully all ye have said an’ what actions, if any, we might be able t’ take to protect ourselves from this danger an’ may’hap end this blight to the world an’ free them lands from the grip o’ terror.”

“In this new Age o’ the Phoenix,” said Leósha’Lýndónah, speaking from her Council chair, with a boldness and force of voice she usually didn’t resort to, “There should be no dark corners o’ mountains, o’ ill-fortuned an’ vailed forests fer Blightspawn to linger in an’ wreck malice a’pon the lands! Simráh is stirring across all places, inspiring people toward great deeds and a better world. Even if we have yet the strength ‘o the heroes t’ banish them Ember Bats ourselves, we should not nary tarry long in finding it. And we should reach out t’ the peoples o’ Tarndi an’ to the Sentinels o’ Stone. Blightspawn be the enemy o’ us all.”

“Ye speak well, Lýndónah’Cai,” Zán’Quêzí said, nodding to the younger elf. Then he looked over at Edge, “Ye have seen to the building o’ the Rosewood Stone and speak’ye right well with the Sentinel who watches there. Share with him what the Dream Speakers have brought us and hear what wisdom he can lend an’ find out what aid the Sentinels may bring toward this matter.”

Edge nodded, his arms still crossed. Begrudging annoyance was his default expression while he was sitting in Council.

“Acindi’Cai,” Lýndónah said speaking to the Dream Speaker, “I intend to depart soon for the lands o’ Aran Viska to meet with Aranin Talsharn Anviskad an’ other chiefs of wider Tarandi. Could ye ride with me an’ share with those there what ye have learned o’ Ember Bats? An’ may’hap other Dream Speakers could carry news ‘o this to other lands as well?”

“A‘feared not,” Acindi said, “The Dream Speakers have already begun spreading news of this far and wide, over lands yonder past even the farthest reaches of Tarandi.”

Acindi’s human companion gave her a harsh look for speaking so openly about their activities with the Winter Council, but the Shan Dream Speaker ignored her. “I would be pleased to go with you to Aran Viska, should my order allow me the time to do so.”

“That is well,” Zán’Quêzí said, “It would be right well fer the Aranin and his guests t’ hear this account o’ Ember Bats first hand.”

“The story is told,” Acindi’s companion said, “Our word is kept and you may do with the information what you will, but your Council promised us a favor when we took this job and you say yourself our task for you has been well served.”

“Aye,” agreed Zán’Quêzí and he and the rest of the Council looked on the Dream Speaker, assessing her manners. “Ye kin to call back yer favor even now? I kin so by yer eyes, Cai.”

“You “See-All” indeed, Elder,” the Draem Speaker said. “Times are moving quickly and the streams of wealth and goods flow as quickly as the streams of knowledge and dreams in these new days. Our organization needs to keep our heads above it all and swim strong in all currants.”

“What mean ye?” asked Lýndónah.

“We need goods and trade sources,” Acindi explained bluntly.

“I nary kin the Dream Speakers were also merchants and traders,” Edge said darkly.

“You don’t “kin” because we like it so. We don’t spread all stories nor all the details of our order,” the human Dream Speaker said, her voice haughty in response to his intimidating presence.

“Ease yer voice, Edge,” Zán’Quêzí said, shooting the other Elder a glare, “Everyone does what they must to survive and we promised the Dream Speakers a favor.”

Edge glared back, but kept his mouth shut for the moment.

“What exactly do ye want from us, Cias?” Zán’Quêzí asked.

“We have taken note that the furs and wools you make and trade from Summer Town are of excellent quality. My compliments to your craftsmen. We’ve seen your people barter with them to the various tradesmen and travelers who come up the coasts for what piss-poor goods they’ve lugged the long way out to these backwoods.”

Zán’Quêzí raised an eyebrow at her manner of referring to Shandolé, but kept listening.

“From now on barter these furs only to us,” the Dream Speaker said, “We will give you what they’re worth in basic goods of better and more reliable supply than those you barter with now and we will carry your craftsmanship to nations far and wide.

“The tradesmen we barter with have been our partners fer generations o‘ yer kind,” Edge snapped, “We cannot put them so lightly aside in favor o’ carnival spooks and peckerwoods in bright colors like ye.”

The Dream Speaker glared coldly, “I think you can,” she said, “And you will, if you are going to keep your word to us.”

A good number of the Elders spoke up with protests, counteroffers, or other strong words, but Zán’Quêzí raised his voice, turning on the other elves with fierce blue eyes, “Peace! Councilors of Shandolé, review yer faces in front o’ these travelers, guests in our county!”

The hubbub abruptly died away and the elves fell back into solemn silence and pensive looks.

“This is not fer debate,” Zán’Quêzí said, “Our oath were made an’ the Dream Speaker’s request is not unreasonable.” He turned back to the human, “I ask only that ye give us two years to transition our negotiations peacefully from those tradesmen that be accustomed to coming all this way fer our furs an’ wools. I would not have this make unrest among our craftsmen, o’ enemies of those tradesmen, who are currently our friends. By the third summer from this, all trade o’ furs from Summer Town will be yers.”

The Dream Speaker hesitated, but nodded, giving Zán’Quêzí a small bow. “It will take us some time to organize our own trade affairs in this matter anyway,” she said, “Your request is reasonable.”

“I kin all is well then and it shall be as we say,” Zán’Quêzí said and looked at the other nine Counselors, “Do any see otherwise and still wish to protest this favor owed to the Dream Speakers by our solemn word?”

His eyes moved across the elven faces and lingered a little longer on Edge daring him or anyone else to defy him. No one did and the eldest of the Elders nodded and then bowed one last time to the Dream Speakers. “We shall keep words flowing ‘tween ye an’ I on this matter in the future,” he said, “But be assured the River Elves will keep their word.”

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News & Rumors

Spoiler: Awakened Animals! … Animal Rights???

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Awakened Animals! … Animal Rights???

In the years following the Summit at Southrocks, stories about awakened animals, of these “Creatures of the Ancient Way” that talk as people and brought the wisdom of writing to the valley, spread rapidly. Rumors circulate around the tribes, along with various retellings of how a talking vulture had accused Counselor M’Áwaní’Dóah and all other elves of animal cruelty, for being masters over horses and dogs. It was said that, M’Áwaní had gifted the vulture three horses and three dogs, inviting her to teach them to talk if she could, so that they could speak for themselves of the friendship the Shándole had with their animals and prove her accusations false.

The whole affair sparked great excitement and discussion, as elves wondered if the gifted horses and dogs really would return with voices and minds like people and others denounced the vulture’s slander of their people, expressing with gusto that the Shándole animals would show her right quick where their loyalties lay. However, other wondered if the Vulture might have had a point. What right did elves have to trade and barter with the lives of others? What right to rule over them and determine their lives from birth to death? Were animals equal to elves? What changes might be demanded if the animals were to speak out? In the meantime, should elves speak on their behalf?

Amidst all this, the knowledge of writing was quickly spreading and with it awe and superstition over its possible mystic powers. Could this mystical art be used to help awaken their animal friends?

New traditions began taking hold. Small titles of wood, carved with a creature’s name would be woven into the manes of horses, or tied around a dog’s neck as adornment. These written names were also hung upon the perches of the domesticated birds. When puppies were born, or a new foal birthed, rituals of greeting were developed, welcoming the new Ka into the world and written names on wooden chips would be hung up to celebrate and maybe encourage its spirit toward awakening.

Hunters even began taking the chips with them on the hunt. When an animal was slain, before anything else, the hunter would give its spirit a name, bless it for the continuation of life it would bring to him and his family. Then the hunter would carve the name upon the wooden chip. Once the meal had been eaten, the hunter’s family would hang the chip up to dance in the winds around their wigwam, wishing the animal’s spirit wisdom and awakening in its next life.

There was also a subtle change in how elves spoke to and addressed their animals. It had always been common for elves to speak to their pets, but now a hopeful, curious light shone in the eyes of the elves, the glimmer of hope that maybe this time their animal friend might miraculously answer them back in their own tongue. The greeting “Hey ho! Well met, friend. I will hear ye, if’n yeh speak,” become a favored litany for greeting one’s animal companions.

The Winter Council considered all these things and prepared for the day when the Creatures of the Ancient Ways would visit the valley with the animals gifted to them by M’Áwaní. If animals awakening to the Ka of people was possible, surely proof would come then. In the meantime, however, the Council put word out to their tribes that if any animal native to the valley should learn to speak, the Elders should be told immediately, and the animal brought to appear before the Winter Council as soon as it could.

Summery: New traditions and debate arise regarding elven ownership of animals. Naming chips are used to adorn beloved animal companions and decorate wigwams, as well as in rituals when new pets are born and when a hunter kills his prey. The Winter Council eagerly awaits its confrontation with Wounded Vulture in Skystuck Tree and the six animals given to her by M’Áwaní’Dóah. They also put out word to watch for any native animals that have found awakening, hoping to learn all they can about this possibility.

Spoiler: M’Áwaní’Dóah Welcomes Sentinel Warrior to the Rosewood Stone

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The Sentinels of the Stone have sent a warrior, Roland, to keep watch at the newly built Rosewood Stone in the mountains above Winter Town. Roland was greeted and introduced to Shandole by Winter Counselor M’Áwaní’Dóah know to most elves as Edge.

"Edge and I have some history," Sentinel Roland explained, "He was there when I first took up my Black Sword and he knew my mother before that. She was a Sentinel who also guarded this valley once many years ago."

Edge had very little to say, as usual, but rumors have it he has started training with Roland, learning the art of the sword and other combat methods of The Sentinels of the Stone. When pushed for answers, Elder finally said, "I kin its 'bout time someone 'round here finally learned how t' properly stand an' fight the Blightspawn fer ourselves. The Sentinels have given this valley aid many'a time. I reckon we own 'em a little help back; be it treasures o' a willingness to stand at their side when trouble comes."

Despite being a Winter Counselor now, M’Áwaní’Dóah has a troubled history with the tribes and Elders of Shandolé. As most elves know, he was banished for murdering an Elder and spent nearly a century apart from our people. Many elves still view Edge with suspicion, but a renewed investigation and review of his past might cast the once-outsider in a different light and cause elves to question the ways justice is served in the valley.

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Character Backstory for M’Áwaní’Dóah - I-Returned-from-the-Darkness: "On the Edge"

Spoiler: Pale-Mare-Who-Was-First-&-Only returns from the Carrion Ward.

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One of the mares gifted to the Scavengers by M’Áwaní’Dóah has returned from the Carrion Ward. As the Creatures promised she has become awakened and speaks, but the story is has to tell is a grim one.

Meeting with the Creatures of the Ancient Way
Collaborated with Ty

They had traveled many a day to reach a halfway point between Winter Town and the Gray Lake. The prominently persuasive Vulture, Skystruck-Tree had scouted ahead on a number of occasions to see the best travel route or make sure the coast was clear, and thus Pale Mare Who Was First And Only had to tend to her Foal in the strange lands mostly by herself.

“It may be dangerous.” Skystruck-Tree informed her before their departure “Hunters roam the world, my child.”

“Then let me spend one more day in the Field of the Dreamcut. I think my foal would enjoy one final dance.”

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A large bird swept overhead and landed on a nearby pine-tree. It was a peregrine falcon, with large yellow eyes and it tilted its head watching the horses and the vulture with keen interest. After a minute or two it took off again and flew west, back the way it had come.

Sometime later there were the soft sounds of movement in the trees and a group of three elves mounted on horses entered the clearing. The horse’s hooves had been wrapped with furs and barely made a noise at all on the soft pine needles of the forest floor, and the elves were dressed warmly in mammoth wool and soft furs, their breaths frosting in the cold air.

A familiar falcon was on the arm of a female elf riding a magnificent silver-gray stallion. Her hair was long, falling in dark dreadlocks all the way down her back and she had eyes that seemed almost the dark purple of violets in the dim light of the forest. Skystruck-Tree recognized one of the two male elves; M’Áwaní’Dóah, who had gifted the three horses and three dogs to the Scavengers and set the terms of this meeting was riding a dark grey horse that happened to match the dark slate of his eyes. He took in the small group of animals and frowned, but said nothing as he gently whispered to his horse to halt.

The last elf was tall with a commanding presence and bright blue eyes, almost like the roots of fire. Feathers adorned his braids and his woolen coat had intricate patterns of blue and grey woven into it. He dismounted from his milk-white horse and stepped up with an easy confidence and looked around, spotting the Vulture as she swept near the trees and then looking at the mare and her foal with interest.

“Be ye Creatures come from the Carrion Ward?” he asked, “I am Talákin’Záni’Quêzí - Eagle-Flies-High-and-Sees-All o’ the Winter Council from Shandolé, come many miles yonder to seek a’meeting with ye.”

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Gliding along the updraft and winds of Tarandi was second nature to Skystruck-Tree. She circled around the clearing thrice over before landing on a nearby branch, her jet black feathers extended to their full impressive wingspan, and then quickly folded in as she tucked her wings tightly and obscured the long painful scar on her chest. The white feathers of her face curled around the brown splotches of her eyes where pools of obsidian reflected at first the taller elf and then the shorter.

“I Returned From The Darkness, it is good to see you once more. I have kept our word as we spoke it thus some short few years ago. We Scavengers keep to the Ancient Oath. Allow me to present Pale Mare Who Was First And Only and her spawn.”

She stretched a wing towards the majestic horse and young foal who stood cautiously and curiously between the legs of their natural born mother. A chestnut head of flittish demeanor bobbed in and out of the shadow of its maker, the falling darkness obscuring the streak of white on their face from mane to lip.

“It pains me to say this is all I can show to you.” Skystruck-Tree said with genuine remorse in her voice. “The others will not be coming.”

---

M’Áwaní looked from Skystruck-Tree to the mare and her foal, “I sent to ye three strong hosses an’ three good dogs. Ye gave yer word ye would look after them likt’a yer own children, but now only one returns? How does this keep yer oath, Wise One?”

Zán’Quêzí looked at the vulture backing M’Áwaní’s question with his own intently curious eyes, but the female elf hadn’t taken her eyes off First-And-Only and there was a sense of wonder and anticipation, as she met eyes with the palomino. Her mouth opened in silent amazement as Ka saw Ka. “It’s true!" she whispered, "The Creatures of the Carrion Ward can awaken the Ka of other animals.” Still sitting mounted on her steed, she lowered her head in a bow and pressed her fist to her head, offering both greeting and respect to the mare and her foal.

--

“At a price,” Skystruck-Tree stated gravely “There were unexpected complications. It seems that those not born and raised within the Carrion Ward have a lower threshold for the Way.”

First and Only lowered her head towards M’Áwaní, whispering something that caused her Foal to stumble in replication of the process, and then continued the motion in kind to each of the Elves. She had the vaguest memory of such a rote motion, like the bending of a river in a dream she walked alongside, and had been reminded of the full process by the sagacious vulture a day prior.

“She did care for me,” The monochromatic mare spoke at last, her voice shaky and seemingly focused on the pronunciation of each word clearly and poshly, like a Noble Child taught by a prim and perspicuous tutor “Both of us. When I woke the others had clouded eyes and did not move.”

“We held a service.” Skystruck-Tree interjected solemnly from her perch.

“I was never hungry or thirsty and my days were untouched by fang or claw.” First and Only finished.


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Zán’Quêzí bowed to First-And-Only, amazement showing on his face as he listened to the horse speak, “It is right good to ye hear ye, Cai,” he said, “An’ t’ kin ye have lived well these last years. I shall be honored ‘t welcome ye and yer Ba’boh home again, if ye will return to Shandolé.”

Of the three elves only M’Áwaní showed little surprise or amazement in his expression. He dismounted and bowed to First and Only, but then looked back to Stystruck-Tree, his expression still dark. “An ye had no kin o’ the threats t’ Creatures not o’ yer Ward when ye accepted my gift and made yer promise?” he asked, “Not nary in all yer years and wisdom had ye trig that this would happen?”

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“Many of our Kin died the day of Rapture. But the Day of Red Flowers was born of violence not some failing of the body and its humors.” Skystruck-Tree nodded as if to acknowledge her own defense “I admit in my dreams I thought of such but I imagined that I was simply misreading the portents.”

Peeling her talons off of the branch she swooped down, a flash of night against the falling white snow, and she swerved around the Elves before landing in equidistant from both parties.

“I am no fool to come here under false pretense with only a mother and child.” She turned her body indignantly, a wing tip raised dramatically to her face, and she looked to the Mare of Two Worlds.

A snowflake fell down. First and Only was watching its descent, carelessly or effortlessly dancing through the air, twisting from unseen forces, and she likened her very Ka to the delicate but intricate object. She was listening half heartedly, caught in this ephemeral moment of intertwined fate with something so innocuous, and her being was locked in place as it fell at eye level. She stuck her tongue out and the snowflake melted instantly as it inevitably landed amidst steamy breath.

“I would like to go home,” First and Only finally snapped out of her fugue, a soft smile on her lips, and she brushed the mane of her youngling with her own head “But I do not know where home is. Perhaps it is in Shandolé. I kin that I will see some familiar faces. Ka of my Ka. But… home is more than just seeing my own reflection. Still, it would be nice, and, more importantly, I think it is good for them to kin the playing of others like us.” She beamed with pride as the foal looked into her eyes, not fully understanding, and yet clearly trying to follow.

---

M’Áwaní was still frowning at Skystruck-Tree, but seemed to accept her words. “Ye took chances with the lives o’ others, Wise One” he said, “But I kin I did likewise when I trusted ‘em to ye. An’ I kin we both agreed that day at Southrocks that sometimes one is faced with either freedom o’ survival in a choice, where ye can nary have both.”

The female elf dismounted and led her horse over toward First-And-Only, stopping a few feet away. “I am Kaíske’M’Kaskí - Sing-Free-My-Wild-Heart,” she said introducing herself to the mare, “I look forward to knowing ye and yer Ba’boh better in the days yonder, an’ hope to help ye find a home in our native valley. I knew yer ancestors well in years yonder. I was the first elf in memory to ever ride a hoss an’ attune ka to ka with yer kind. To come upon this day where I may see ye awakened an’ speak to ye like I can with my own kind, fills my Ka with joy. Simrah has flowed on and it flows right well in ye.” She turned to Skystruck-Tree, “I thankee’Siah fer this an’ hope that in yonder years a truer an’ safer way will open for the awakening o’ all creatures.”

---

“We had no way of knowing,” Skystruck-Tree shrugged, her trinket beads jingling softly at the motion “It is a tragedy but a quest I was willing to take at the time. Now is the time for reflection and reconciliation. I trust you will take care of First And Only, she has quite a few friends in the Ward.” She looked pleasantly up at the Mare and they scratched at the snow with hoof in reply.

“Tell Dreamcut-Tail I will miss their tales and ask if he will make one for me. And Blood-Petaled-Fang, Eyes-Out-The-Lake, and of course Golden-Fields-Roaring that I shall see them soon. In this life or the next.” First And Only beseeched the lightning lashed Vulture. She nodded in kind.

“Take care my child. We shall soar in dreams of cloudy pollen and restless storms.” Skystruck-Tree waddled over to the Mare and brushed her wing over her leg and then over the head of her foal.

---

“We shall meet with ye again in four years time” Zán’Quêzí told the vulture, “Should Simrah carry us ka-by-ka in this life.”

M’Áwaní nodded and Kaíske bowed to the Vulture, “Take’ye care, Siah,” said, “An’ trust that First & Only shall be well loved and protected while in our lands.”

---

A rolling fog of frosty mist billowed between the sentinels of pine that populated the forest. A vaguely opaque nimbus of the land that swept softly over part of the clearing in its travel. Skystruck-Tree dipped her head low and spread out her wings while raising one leg behind her. She flapped her wings once and soared from view in tandem with the breeze. The Pale Mare was left all to her own, soon taken by the River Elves, and off for the long trek to Winter Town.

Spoiler: Technology Advances

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Technology Advances

In the years after first meeting the wider peoples of Tarandi, new methods of survival and greater understandings of nature and the world began intergrading into Shándole society, changing the way the River Elves lived and interacted with their surroundings. Noticing these shifts, the Winter Counsel began keeping records and promoting the study of technology and how the ways of doing things could be improved through new ideas.

Spoiler: Irrigation

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Irrigation
Taught to them by the ways of the Dannu-Gaon Tribes, methods of terracing mountain slopes and directing and storing water from the river helped to greatly increase the quantity and quality of the food grown in the plains and fields of the River Town camps. Mindfulness to growing things and the tending of plants also led to a more careful watering and cultivation of the forests. Intentional clearing of underbrush and the preserving and planting of berries, herbs, roots and other helpful flora, began to subtly transform the forests closest to Winter Town. As elves spent more and more time tending the domestic fields and forests and gathered food in unprecedented quantities, fewer elves felt the need to risk their lives hunting dangerous game or wandering far and wide into the dangerous mountains and tundra.

Spoiler: Masonry

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Masonry
Visiting the Sangar peoples and seeing the homes and the great Din, led the Shándole to reevaluate the means by which they construct houses and fortify their own lands. A number of Sangar engineers accepted the invitation to come to Shandolé and teach the River Elves the ways of masonry, the firing of bricks and the stacking of stones. Within a few years the watchtowers all along the River Town camps were improved and even Summer Town had put up some fortifications. Wigwams of hides and wicker began to be replaced by homes built of stone. This greater security along with somewhat kinder winters than in past centuries made it less necessary for the Shándole return each winter to Winter Town for protection and Summer Town and many of the River Town camps began to have permanent homes year-round.

Spoiler: Sailing

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Sailing



It was with great excitement that the craftsman of Shandolé accepted the invitation from the Eleftheria to journey to The Distant Shore and study sailing. The River Elves had been led by Trance Visions to believe that in ages past they too had once journeyed far by wave and wind. Combining what the Eleftheria taught them with the ships seen in their own visions, the Shándole returned home and designed and crafted boats that could carry elves swiftly and with surety along the western coasts in out over the waves of the ocean. They learned to use the newly revealed stars to guide their way and a swell of well-being with both the sky and the sea swept over the so-called River Elves. Wider realms of nature were getting woven into their Ka. Many elves began spending more and more time at Summer Town, using their boats to fish, hunt the great whales and gather other marine resources. They drew closer to the ocean and attuned better with the orcas and seals that lived nearby, viewing these creatures as allies and friends.

Spoiler: Writing

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Writing
The preservation of memories and the searching and sharing of thoughts and Trances is a sacred thing to the Shándole, so unsurprisingly writing quickly become a part of their religion and a nearly sacred thing. When the Scavengers of the Carrion Ward began teaching it to the River Elves many elves gathered to learn its secrets and then passed it on to many others, rapidly spreading the tricks of the alphabet. It soon found its way into new rituals and traditions and it wasn’t long before many elves knew enough to at least scratch out their names and a few simple words. While many elves learned little more than this, lore-masters and shaman took to writing with a zealousness and level of perfectionism unique to elves and their long lives. The bits of wood and bone originally used for writing upon were soon found lacking in space and connivance for the amount of writing and the depth of projects some lore-masters decided to undertake. Many experimentations were undertaken to find new materials and various inks, chalks, paints and surfaces were tried. Eventually dark plant-based inks used with large quills from eagles or geese was adopted by many lore-masters. As a preferred surface, carefully treated animal skins, made to be as thin and supple as possible and then rolled upon smooth staffs of wood was found to be the most satisfying in both taking and persevering the marks and for storing longer and larger records efficiently. However, while lore-masters began using these inks, quills and vellum, the general population preferred to keep using the flat chips of wood and bone, marked with knives or coal a means of hanging names, leaving short messages, or keeping temporary accounts.

Summery
With the advent of irrigation, masonry and sailing the people of Shandolé are becoming more sedentary and diverse in their lifestyles and industries. While the tradition of the yearly migration along the river remains a large part of their culture is it no longer practiced by the majority of elves every year. Better means of agriculture and increasing industry for marine resources has also dissolved the heavy reliance upon hunting that previously dominated the Shándole lifestyle. Writing has awakened an religious fervor and an outburst of expression and creativity. New ideas and challenges against old traditions are being expressed and shared like never before, but there has also been a growth toward increased spiritualism and philosophical consideration. Shamen and lore-masters have taken the alphabet of the Carrion Ward and adapted it to the Elves own language. They have also found their own means and martials for keeping historical records and writing down laws and teachings. Overall, the people are adapting well to rapid changes and eager to see what future discoveries might bring.

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Adventure in Shandolé

Spoiler: Dangers in the Santícemnáhs

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Dangers in the Santícemnáhs
Tessá’Lýn accompanies Edge and Roland on a trip into the mountains and they encounter a number of unexpected dangers and mysteries unique to the Santícemnáh Mountains above Shandolé.

Story Link

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Ruler Information

Spoiler: Talákin’Záni’Quêzí - Eagle Flies High and Sees All

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Talákin’Záni’Quêzí - Eagle Flies High and Sees All
Eldest member of the Winter Counsel

New Leader Next Round?: No

Current Stats

• Diplomacy: 3
• Military: 2
• Opulence: 3
• Faith: 4
• Intrigue: 4

Expected Stat Increases: +1 Military & +1 Intrigue

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Map

Spoiler: Map

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