"I don't know" Ohanzee admits. "If I raise it again before the Harpies the queen will think me trying to start trouble, which for once I am not." he smiles ironically.

"We'll have to wait for a suitable opportunity and if it does not arise before we reach the Earth Witch then someone will have to have a quiet word with her or another of the priestesses there and get it raised. Maybe even with the Red Thorns instead."

"In fact most definitely with them because it is they who willl be pushed out if the Morokanth are in fact massing to take the temple." He nods at this thought "Nixa or Sand Fox would be listened to there."

Henal finds himself the focus of attention around the fire, with Golden Eye on one side and Keem Low Rider on the other, both Vingans with a wicked look in their eyes.

It seems that they have plans for the Bison rider that night, so obvious that the other girl are soon laughing and making ribald jokes.

"Youse be riding a two headed Impala tonight Bison boy!"

"Four legs is better than two...Whoop!"

Those Rangers sat with him look either scared or delighted at the the prospect and both of Ukki's sons are roaring with laughter.
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:58, Wed 06 Jan 2016.

"No leader?" This causes the Morokanth to look confused for a long while as he mulls this odd concept over. "This sounds like a recipe for disaster."

Then with a stubby finger he jabs the Blue Llama brave in the chest "Maybe you should be leader...."

He smiles, "Its definitely not the best way to make decisions, but it seems to work." He shakes his head, "If there was need of a leader, there are others who are better qualified than me, because they have been a Ranger longer than I, but I'm sure my time will come. You haven't been to the Giant Finger Holes yet, have you?"

"The Ghost holes you mean? Yes I've been there with Broken Claw before."

"That's the place," he rubs his chin, "I have only been since the temple was reopened and its the greenest place I've seen other than by the great serpent. Its just a pity about the Red Thorns camped out around it."

"Green you say?....Nasty place when I was there, filled with ghosts. Red Thorns are there now, thought that was where their crazy shaman had set up base with his outlaw gang. He's gone now is he? Good riddance to bad rubbish I say. Nothing but trouble that one. Heard he'd been out East...Came back muttering about ruins and statues of old gods and stuff."

He nods, "The other Rangers hunted him down to the Holes and killed that twisted man before I joined them. The ghosts are still there but the Earth Witch has them under control." When he hears about the ruins he looks perplexed, "I wonder where he went and is that what sent him mad or was he like that before he went?"

Henal grins at the Impala girls and plys them with Kumiss as they party by the fire.

"For riding four legs has to be better as otherwise you are making like an ostrich"

"Did we tell you about the broo we killed at the tower where I got this mighty sword, that was a proper fight. They seemed to keep coming at us and it felt like we were nearly going to be overwhelmed before we managed to take them down, praise Thunderbird. Then when we went down into the vaults underneath there was some kind of spirit of darkness that quacked at us, but we managed to escape from that and get back to the light.

Stirring the copper pot on the fire Leaper listens to what Ohanzee has to say "How long we gonna stay at the Holes? You gotta get back to your clans at some stage I take it?"

Ohanzee looks at the diminutive brave "Not long. By the time we get back our service will be up, the couple of weeks due done."

He stares into the flames for a moment "What are ytou going to do after our service is done? Our numbers are growing and so too are the number of different clans that our numbers call their own."

"We have enough numbers or close to for us to split. Will you stay at the temple, come with us or something else?"

Amara sat at the campfire keeping her own counsel. She looked wryly towards Henal as the Impala braves decided to make him their trophy for the evening as she pondered over her decisions. She had a song and a dance to make up for tribute to Vinga for sacrifice on her holy day the next day. She wondered if the Impala girls would take their conquest of Henal in tribute.

Thinking to herself, she wondered what might happen in the days if she was ever approached by anyone for a match. Her eyes slipped towards Kobal. She felt sorry for him. Any match he had to be arranged with had to be for the glory of his tribe. Amara at least had the freedom to pick whoever she would want.

She smiled as the furball at her feet, stretched, lying on top of them purring loudly, even as she knew Spot was doing this only for some more jerky, which she promptly gave him. "One might earn more treats, if one were a little more circumspect and visiting with the Morokanth to keep us informed of what they are up to." she said with a motion of her head over to the camp. Spot sighed with almost human like emotion before heading towards the camp.

Amara focussed her attention towards the rest of the group and the intense happiness at being with more family. She wasn't sure of her exact relationship with the newcomers, but they were Skywatchers and kin. It felt good to be home.

Taking no part in banter, Hoskar muses too; absorbed in working through what has been and where they are now. Idly, he tinkers with some spices and a cube of root from store; rolling it well and trhreading it on a stick to roast in flames.
When a poke tells him it's soft enough he takes an experimental nibble, and his face reddens. He spits expansively into the fire, lobbing what's left of the root in with it; where it burns sharply and briefly with a flash of actinic flame.

Won't be trying that again, he mutters; rapidly swilling his mouth.

Far too hot, he grins sheepishly to anyone watching.

Vingan/Orlanth Holy Day, Windsday, Movement Week, Earth Season

The day starts with a bang, well an almighty roll of thunder to be exact, which emanates from the cloud enshrouded rock 50 metres above the Nomad camp.

A day to celebrate movement, the power that both Orlanth and Vinga are worshipped for this far out in the Wastes.

Having been up since way before the arrival of Bright Treasure the Impala women are somewhere in the summoned cloud, dancing the dances and singing their songs, their wild war cries echoing through the Rocklands as they emulate their goddess.

Also there are the male members of Urrak's sept, the men making sacrifices to the god, so that he will aid them in the following weeks....

Ohanzee wakes with a start at the loud crack of thunder overhead and takes a moment to realise what it is, what is going on. When he does though he grabs his kite from his gear and climbs up into the rocks above before flying the brightly coloured fabric construct in Orlanth's element.

He feels a rush, the exhilarating freedom of the element immediately as the air catches the kite and the burn of the string on his fingers as the kite makes its own bid for that freedom pulling away faster than he can comfortably play out the thread.

Then there is a straining tug on the twine as the last of its length is used and the stick that the end is tied to catches in his fist.

And there he stands giving thanks to the rushing wind singing and making his sacrifice as the morning passes.

For those not joining in the rituals and holy celebrations above, there are chores to do about the camp: Fix worn equipment, soothe ill animals, mend broken arrows or javelins and of course hunt for dinner...

As befits a follower of Issaries, guide to the lord of the winds, Hoskar mounts early; riding the still-blessed and fleet Ram around the base of the rocks.

Staff in hand, he looks afar with the eyes of Condor and casts charms to check for the absence of enemies to the four corners of the winds; chanting as he goes.

Guide and warn, the path is long
Clear sight to aid the strong.
Our road below the winds above
Honour lordship, winds and love.

Faith because the path is long
Harmony that keeps the strong.
The winds above our road, below
the brother's hall we so well know.


As he finishes his circuit, he spies movement in the dust at a distance, and momentarily tucks away his staff for a lance. What he sees is not enemies, though. A meal, maybe. An unusual animal, thick-built and low to the ground; short legs, maybe not fast. Might have a go for that. How best to...?

Wonder why it's alone. Never mind.

Riding quietly now, glad of Long Grass's special magic, he approaches cautiously, sling ready, the lets fly at the creature only to have the stone ricochet away alrmingly from the lizardlike hide. Having none of this, he urges on Ram rhino grabbing up his lance for the charge. The whatever-it-is knows something happened - maybe a stone fall - but not from where as the charm has its desired effect and Ram's mightly speed creates not so much as a ripple of noise or vibration. When it turns, it's too late to avoid a well-placed lance to the eye.

Some sort of lizard. Something like the ones at the Finger holes maybe. Up close, those back legs are bigger. Better luck than last time, anyway.

Grinning happily, he slings a dripping carcase aboard his rhino and heads back to camp. Anyone know any good ways to cook a lizard?
This message was last edited by the player at 17:27, Mon 04 Jan 2016.

Tarosh is woken by the thunder clap and has his axe in his hand before he realises that its not a threat. When he see's that Ohanzee has reacted in the same way, he can't help but smile. He sorts his breakfast out and then decides there needs to be more than just Hoskar guarding the others, so he mounts up and starts slowly patrolling the outskirts of the camp, in case any of Vinga's enemies are drawn to the ceremony.

The wind picks up with gusts swirling down below amongst the steep sided rocks. Dust and small pieces of vegetation fly along, joined by the occasional air spirit, their hoots adding to the already noisy celebrations.

Fires go out, and pots bump along the ground, chased by Ukki's two grandchildren and Mordy, who is having a great old time indeed.

Tarosh comes across Hoskar, the Condor brave having just pinned an adolescent Rock lizard to the ground with his lance. Both braves soon make quick work of skinning the beast after sending off it's soul successfully to the afterlife with the Peaceful Cut.

It's whilst they're bent over that Hoskar swears that he can hear a shout in the near distance. It's Male and not one of their groups' voices.

Can't guard and hunt at the same time: another lesson here, man.
Did you hear that, Tarosh? That shout didn;t sound like anyone we know. Best see what it is.

Hey, cat: tell anyone you can we've got company

Lizard remains slung across his mount he resumes his ride, scanning ahead for strangers with sling at the ready.

Snoozing quiet at the camp; warmth-enfolded in my form. Waken late after exertions, preening fur in freshened light: wind that ruffles is no favour to this cat among the people.

Wonder why they went without me: early up for some excursion. Still, a lazy time before me...

...time passes, fur is smoothed, leg straigt up like some old flagpole as she tends to underneath...

Oh what now?

Eyes widen, then narrow; leg falls and its owner springs erect.

Ho there, Bouncer and the others: Hoskar's heard in his patrolling voices that he cannot place. Tell them arm against surprises. Now where's Spot the new and that dog also? Warn the rock dwellers and warn the wind-lovers.

A cat speeds round to find others to whom he can give the warning; not running, but seeming to any observer to have something like eight legs as she practises the fastest nonchalant walk she knows.

In reply to Hoskar Two-Feather (msg # 204):

He shakes his head, 'Where abouts?" he looks around for any sign of trouble, "Hisser, can you see or hear any strangers?" he rides parallel to Hoskar, but leaves a gap of about 3 spear lengths so he has room to swing his axe safely.

In reply to Tarosh Long Neck (msg # 206):

Fairly near distance; not sure on direction. This might help you see too Hoskar murmurs as they set off; muttering a charm towards his comrade while lightly brushing his arm as he finishes.

In reply to Hoskar Two-Feather (msg # 207):

He nods his thanks, "Lets hope it just more rhino riders and that they're friendly"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:31, Tue 05 Jan 2016.