September 13th, 1880. Morning. Little Bear's camp, Bear Butte.

Rabbit, Thunder Walker, and Moses sleep in the shadow of the mountain. The holy place fills their dreams with restless tidings...white buffalo bulls, ravens, dead men in black uniforms slaying innocents, dancing ghosts rising from the ground singing ancient chants.

In the morning, Little Bear greets them when they awake. His men, unaccustomed to doing their own cooking, are making a mess of breakfast.

((OOC: If you have any morning routines you want to RP, go ahead.))

Thunder Walker woke with the dawn, his sleep disturbed by the nightmares and dreams that seemed to constantly haunt him the night over. He was restless, and eager to wake as soon as he might. He took some time away from the others to see to the needs of his body and ensure his cleanliness before returning to the others. Returning to the group, he began quietly to join in with the Nakota men, helping to prepare food.

[Language unknown: "Whall waliss dayiv ilev, Ouheos Eaueencon Ive?"] he asked when he saw the man.

Exhaustion had not spared Rabbit all dreaming, curled against the still-warm fall of burned wreckage, though the images fled on waking: a blurred impression of hands holding her down, swinging buffalo mane, hurt, the reek of death, tar and powder, the laughter of carrion birds. The pain was real, though.

Rabbit reached down and swore, half in terror at the circumstance, half in relief.

Rabbit appears a little later at the camp than Thunder Walker, having evidently gone a way downcreek to wash. The kid looks a little peaky this morning, but well-scrubbed and alert, happy to see the others if anxious not to get underfoot. If a shaman can be respectfully approached Rabbit will sidle up and await their attention.

Moses wakes with the rising noise in camp, rubs his bald head and yawns a giant yawn, showing off his impressive rows of teeth.

He disappears into a few bushes to take care of his personal business, then walks down to the creek and strips naked, dropping his few belongings on the shore, then walks into the water and immerses himself for a long minute, then breaks through the water again gasping for air.
He sits down, splashing more water over his body, before finally wading back to shore. He stays there, waiting for his body to dry before he puts his pants and his coat back on, then walks over to the campfires, sniffing at the smell of breakfast.
He pulls some bread from his bag and sits down next to his companions, nodding and smiling a greeting.

[Language unknown: "Ha adre withasine her inispoatus atesoneen. Santi Utnota T Men Whdion la amentiica, i ndven, is dihas o nostce."] The chief replies. [Language unknown: "Seeron a staundnce of. Noheiv ss lecaio she ingee m ss earundare. T vorie en a menthamenith unne dihas dinfo be nafoplpe ourresons ure Icname, mier fick ugh o io. And asmipr, As derhisday ou ome ven weec m nd caur'tana. M he es daysi iou aianen Er Mefiel proillbut waneek Vir Entingrom, ek M beiswi esse sonproion si taine et. ie an heiou din whi p...inebe ekal cehi shewerout Ch o ble."]

Meanwhile, Sky Hawk nods at Moses in greeting. "And how do you fare, brother Moses?" He asks in English.

Rabbit, in the meantime, sees Wovoka near the creek, washing himself. He notices the little stray, and nods. "Screaming Rabbit. It is good to see you. When you vanished, I feared something terrible might have happened to you. But here you are...I feel a new power in you. You have spoken with the spirits, and they have given you a name. what did they have to say to you?"

[Language unknown: "P ripami, ratratwas. Sa n seseer ee ro ruteramen noriic ei il ckesch tedstiwer tioousure sa, ouas mipema ai fo wareceeses wil inout whehouhis ll manng lareti, M ineeenhis. Ntee ca e Iveian sanhasresous ek el alany our osmoha, was manlarstr ha sa oer hisurence ere mapro set. Encse u it ortas les herthuure wit uretraestted n our o vorithtio cetrro, are si ant as llussses ioeilo ures echeelrosa m A Undessnti ni en fi ol e hatencounionhat ichan waplpr ulssca e,"] he said, speaking to the Nakota chief.

Rabbit takes a moment to find speech, unused to being cared about. "I...aporogise, holy Wovoka."

Rabbit finds a place to stand and address the prophet comfortably whilst he finishes cleaning himself and gets dressed, even daring to lean against a tree, grateful for the use of English. "...I met with Wanbli Luja and an old coyote-man called Laughs At Darkness, who were dancing the dead home...Laughs At Darkness made me name the virtues of the Cardinal Directions and taught me the Ghost Dance."

"We danced a very long time, until the sweat ran off my body...then he gave me food, sat around with the dead who were left, and told me he had a message for you. Th-that it wourd test your faith, and your purpose." Rabbit swallows on a throat abruptly dry, watching Wovoka.

"He said women must join the Ghost Dance. E-even hory circle dance itself." Rabbit forces a slow breath. "There will be a woman disguised who will be at Bear Butte. She wishes to join dance with pure heart, berieving the cause, but she is not an old woman, and when she gets to shadow of the mountain, she find her blood comes. But she cannot go back."

Joining a bare statement on to the message was less than lying, though it made them sound related. Rabbit keeps looking at the prophet, watching his reactions. If he guesses, so be it. Better if he does not. If I am alone, mishap or discovery will fall on my neck, not the fate of the Ghost Dance. "Laughs At Darkness taught me a short-dance, to pass the steps to you: it line up energy of...blood going away...with a circle dance, so it makes dance more powerful, not...tangled. I swear on my own head this is true, though I am no great medicine leader."

Moses nods, taking a sip of water.
"The Lord has blessed His humble servant with a night of fitful rest. Now Moses has breakfast among friends and allies. What more could one man ask of the Almighty?"

He cocks his head as he catches some words of Rabbit's talk with Wovoka, but doesn't interfere.
"And what about yourself, Sky Hawk? What do you expect of this day?"

@Thunder Walker

[Language unknown: "Ekons es, hasiai. Momen pa riom alli ughineave u Un Iolout ome."] Little Bear says, and stands. He heads toward one of the less damaged sod huts, motioning for the Lakota brave to follow along.

---

@Moses

"I do not know. Good things, perhaps. Today Wovoka will share his vision with the Wicasas, and perhaps we will see the Ghost Dance spread." Sky Hawk says. "But I worry. The shouting brave and what is left of his warriors are still out there. The Black Riders are out there as well. And there may yet be more hidden vipers like the shaman who turned his medicine to the Raven's will rather than his people's. What could turn men so hateful and cruel? My own friend Little Crow, whom I knew since we were young, took up the Raven's ways. I thought I knew him, but then he turned on us. He was the one who drew that loud one and his men to us. he was the one who shot me in the back when I rode for help. What could poison a man's heart so?"

---

@Screaming Rabbit

"A vision quest. A good omen." Wovoka says. He listens to Rabbit's tale, then looks the youth over. He's quiet a moment, as he rubs his jaw in thought. "I see. The time has come, then, for the Old Ways themselves to bend. Many women have gained the spirit's blessing since The Reckoning. It is not unusual for them to be granted powerful medicine, yet there are many who cling to the old ways. I understand this woman's reluctance to be so open with her gifts. The Wicasas are powerful old men. They can be intimidating, and it may be difficult to convince them to embrace the changes to their world."

he smiles. "Show me the steps of this dance, please. I will have to learn it quickly."

Rabbit keeps his gaze awhile, tensed against namesake trembling, then looks away, down at a clump of bright fungus across the creek. "It better that she hides herself, I think...superstitions themselves can make bad will to corrupt dance, Laughs At Darkness told me this. This way, Wovoka can tell them a thing must be done, and dance...and when there is no bad effect, tell them why the thing was done and as the spirits said, and remain blameless."

Licking dry lips, Rabbit looks back to Wovoka. "I...I think as she believes, the woman wourd sooner offer her head to be cut off than to hurt the Ghost Dance." The little stray nods and moves to a flatter space of ground, taking a moment to forget the thud of blood and tension of nerves and asking the sacred earth to hear.

Rabbit dances.

Moses takes a sip from his coffee, pondering the question.
"A lot of wrongs have been done to your people, Sky Hawk. And it is always easier to hate, to seek revenge, to exact the same wrong on those that have wronged you. Easier than to forgive and seek solace in the Lord's embrace.
Moses does not condone this hate. But he understands. He understands all too well."

Thunder Walker rose to his feet, taking a moment to perform some basic stretches. The night had not proven as restful as he might have hoped, though these were not restful days to say the least. He nodded his agreement to what Little Bear said, and followed the Nakota chief, though he loosened the war club at his belt.

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 10):

"The world is changing. It would be better for the Wicasas to realize this sooner rather than later. But I will do as...she...asks, and let her reveal herself in her own time." Wovoka says. he watches Rabbit dance, paying special attention to the placement of the youth's feet, then attempts the moves himself.

He's a quick study, but he's going to need at least a few hours to perfect the movements.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:12, Tue 02 Apr 2013.

In reply to Thunder Walker (msg # 12):

No Flesh's lodge was cramped, dark, and a bit chilly after a night with no fire lit within. Some of the sod had been damaged by the fires when the village had been attacked, but aside from the soot, the lodge was in perfect shape inside.

The space was cramped with two people searching through it. The rooms was packed with furs, leathers, carved bones, and strips of herbs. Pots containing powders and mixes for paints were stacked along the walls, and Thunder Walker could hardly make sense of it all.

But he does spot something odd...a piece of paper hidden in the fire pit. It looked like it was to be used as kindling for a fire, but as luck would have it, the fire hadn't been lit.

The paper had a number of strange symbols on it. It looked like...English. Or Russian. Or...he wasn't sure, exactly. But he recognized the symbol of the Raven on it, near the end like a signature.

[Language unknown: "On p m tiececpo ich."] Little Bear says behind him. [Language unknown: "P korlinati neill whch peomfong thu on. Tieret a erewerers ilur Venichera, i Vor Ourwhitho, u pre wh..."]

He trails off and goes to examine a fetish dangling from the ceiling. Frowning, he tugs it...and something hidden in the rafters of the sod house tumbles down and rolls into the fire pit.

[Language unknown: "Ichemi Elndho lalisa ie!"] Little Bear hisses, and pulls Thunder Walker back.

There, in the firepit, is a Union blue kepi hat. Inside the hat is a skull, painted with dark designs.

((OOC: you might be able to get more information about the letter you found with a Smarts roll, when you have time to examine it.))
This message was last edited by the player at 09:20, Tue 02 Apr 2013.

"I think..." Rabbit says, demonstrating steps, "-that even wise sages are still old men, and reject what they have not seen done before. If they perform dance," dance dance "without their whole spirit in it, and it goes badly, they would blame it on the new thing." Rabbit made light words of potential accusations of ceremony-poisoning and the punishments for witchcraft on sacred ground that would follow, but it took concentration not to physically heed the fear.

"...if it goes well, and they told after what is passed, there is...ah..precedent. I am sure the woman - even though we don' know her - would stand forward to that." Dancing, Rabbit tries to swallow down the thought and allows a shiver to run shoulder to shoulder and take memory with it.

Thunder Walker said I might make a good brave. He is so mighty and so fearless: I hope I can do something to earn his praise again, before he hates me. I will lie to no-one, though I must decieve them.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:42, Tue 02 Apr 2013.

Sky Hawk nods, and is silent for a moment. He looks absently at some of the scars on the big man's chest.

After a moment, he stands. "Tell me...I have heard that your people come from far over the waters. You were brought to this land as a slave. You escaped...why did you not try to return home?"

[Language unknown: "A eiesri ha Eetros, on a p onee, thwh Nd Prwail ivto rimi. Wilil un ter und u ekoupo usmech,"] he said, folding the paper and tucking it into his belt. A thought had come to him while looking at it, though it seemed to flit away from him. He would spend more time on it later, and hopefully the thought would return.

When the skull fell, he nearly recoiled from the thing. [Language unknown: "Est nc la beev undithwhe. O set mashe om a pre ar, nc tiyin ro ard to pl ithwheshe, lo illes ecwit no undoreing staromurepre I Morion urek ounanyamenotoun."] Reaching down, he lifted the hat gingerly, not wanting to touch the skull itself.

15:35, Tue 02 Apr 2013: Thunder Walker rolled 7,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max ((7,2)).
This message was last edited by the player at 20:36, Tue 02 Apr 2013.

The thought tickled at Thunder Walker's mind...he'd seen that script before. It was...of course! It was the Cherokee language. The only native language to have a written form made by actual Native Americans, rather than translations made by other cultures. He'd seen some during his time with the Sioux Union. The perfect script to suit the prejudices of those in the Raven cult. And, like a code, impossible to translate without a key. If you couldn't speak Cherokee, or at least read it, the message would be indecipherable.

[Language unknown: "U, ainestvor!"] Little Bear says, slapping Thunder Walker's hand away from the hat.

Moses furrows his brow, as if confused.
"Slave? No... Moses was never a slave..."
His voice trails off and he looks to his left, off into the distance, his right hand unconciously touching the scar that runs from his left shoulder down onto his chest.

There was... something. A white man filled with hate, whipping a boy. An old crone chewing weeds, mixing them with spittle, smearing them into the boy's wounds.
You's'll keep some scar. Ah be baaad..... but ya''ll live. Dat ought t'teach ya' some lesson boy! Right on!

"No...never a slave." he repeats.
"Moses was born in the desert, brought into the world by the Lord to preach his teachings and fight the Reckoning."
He looks back at Sky Hawk.
"So why would Moses go back to the desert when the Lord has put forth a task for him?"

When the teaching has devolved to an odd crane-like and disjointed mirroring of the harder steps to be remembered, Rabbit dares shift concentration a little: "Holy Wovoka...yesterday Tatanka helped me very much. Is there...offering I can make, to thank him well?"

[Language unknown: "Teren niat semeac, thoundthidayous olst il enpo Acispr sa set. Ted as a mi outerahat usout,"] he said, realizing that Little Bear was most likely correct.

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 20):

Wovoka considers this. "Tatanka is a spirit of courage, creativity, abundance, and generosity. He is very giving, and believes in working for the greater good. If you wish to thank Tatanka, an offering of food would be most appreciated. An offering of Tobacco will also be accepted."

In reply to Moses and Thunder Walker:

Little Bear nods, and the two depart the tent in haste.

[Language unknown: "Ess Thhiin!"] Little Bear shouts. [Language unknown: "On blestiout nthat eau ndllatie! M poes mori ch Hataur! Ta ore linanyhat tati forwhe'ardard ceth!"]

Sky Hawk was quiet a moment after Moses spoke. He looked like he was trying to gather his thoughts, but he's interrupted by the disturbance. He looks at Moses. "I think you should go. You have been blessed with strong medicine."

Rabbit digests this, wondering how to obtain such things. Recalling the coyote-man's words on fire also brings the question of how to sever the offering from the realm of mortal use. "I just...throw it in the grass sea?"

Abruptly, Rabbit goes straight-spined and makes a move towards the satchel, wide-eyed and alert for the sound of hoofbeats. "Someone shouting for you, I think."

[[09:06, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 10,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+2)10,1. Notice if needed]]

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 24):

"It depends on what you are offering, and to which spirit you make the offering to. Tobacco is smoked between prayers, while the grasses would be selected, purified with sage smoke and prayers, then left for the buffalo to consume at their pleasure."

Wovoka looks up from his teaching, and frowns. "Come," he says, and heads back toward the village.

It doesn't sound like any horses are on the move...there's a crowd around one of the huts. Horn Chips, Sky Hawk, Moses, and Thunder Walker are all there, discussing the situation.

Wovoka approaches Chief Little Bear. [Language unknown: "Thi o hondli?"]

[Language unknown: "P porut metela any echeof m K Illoveing ou no el. N meprll ni omatdi, atieti maek nce tedateprethi thuut ardhistic an ei Usred Tohenc tioresati. Ai she asur t ear utnaon...k redwh al ronde whedayess oul llfomi ek Asneiv Fostad!" ]Little Bear says. [Language unknown: "Osplwh! E la paho, Isec Rombleine, ssca Esnawe o oerlesder nt ul. Ch is and sti eeck ilansaek linre usca, kornt u lin llth nd ontata n onprpo ridiri."]

Wovoka nods. [Language unknown: "Ha stre a evted."] he turns to Moses and Screaming Rabbit. "Will you assist Horn Chips and I in this? Moses, you bear powerful medicine from Wakan Tanka. Rabbit, you can learn much from this."

Rabbit gives a small nod and sets the satchel aside, regarding the hut doorway warily. The youth seems to have overcome the fear of Moses' god directing the big man to deliver an arbitary smiting via bodyslam, coming close with no particular deference as though they were long friends.

 he asked Wovoka, seeming surprised that the youth would be included in whatever cleansing favor was to be asked of the spirits.

[Language unknown: "Com...nc llanio and mosi outratbut prasel ng tapoat poect?"] Horn Chips says, arching his eyebrow at Wovoka. [Language unknown: "Tiowi po etons oersanouspre disanoli ivwi p onnati."]

[Language unknown: "Miatbe Ispola ndutdi k undsansta ionne Utilun Pltrek, Manic Ersartpre. Of remaen ch eipa ugh fi ulhing, lesncepro n roare inethaeau, ons dialon ei caatnc dermi atiterproshe o ur Lihas Iclar."] Wovoka replies.

[Language unknown: "Ouwhe om eramenpro ourll shewitare!"] Little Bear says. [Language unknown: "Ac iouionyin Eromse Thloun pr paol urnce arset eling adprwe isckom i thawitast ore etpl Enropr, tioer enolpo tinhouint n atich ri as der no P untoek houei encorters! P ad ateresherfor oulpreiontic!"]

[Language unknown: "Ac dersomsom as tisa!?"] Horn Chips hisses, and glares at Rabbit with undisguised revulsion.

Rabbit pales and goes swiftly to one knee, head bowed low and left arm pressed across the shirt since respectful prostration would probably be taken as cowardice by the Sioux. [Language unknown: "Wirene. P alpo"] the little stray looks to the English speakers, bar-and-brothel Siouan failing, "-justice, [Language unknown: "O wilmanble earamemen itto...m iechal ecweut topo one, onsdayand ck sonce eiri es whi. Wionen somrespro k ofyin. Ev plulwa arilsi tra allmenles si eresomate, eepr adhateio str thaiveain intsi, nafo erugh aler trmoai icngch ati sabut. Ofni ic pradss roof ichth undthiint: k utllai he i. Staho ainis eraio, ntepr elel, U ta son aredaywer."

"Ho urare en pe intromncethu, il noteresta hoio, stireante prro beni hatingent...Er oerallthu anthe taati notntions osbewh i. El ure, i evss ngare whbeme haelsi, conur te simoth...tr ch houratnot was asonas we, wemo waaler ere ithousand, sonsa utckpo whondiev."]


[[08:08, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 7,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3. not a witch!]]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:58, Sat 06 Apr 2013.

Horn Chips glowers at Rabbit, but sighs. [Language unknown: "Rier Thawitave Herichugh is lo lioumi lin osiswh ere all str, ll at wi...sstic we se u derlatast di om t dayvernti. Lith N p naul notonsmen-herles thi omeul hiil'eini maas sisa eenaveonsers atekla ouitnc us peie a niave ear ss icti."] He looks over at Moses. [Language unknown: "Ameti naer tednothis u o uselnt m po? Ri ectwi ec ncev ndetheous derfo aneeca!"]

14:07, Today: Moses rolled 4,17 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+6+5)17. Faith for Speak Language.

Moses shrugs. "Screaming Rabbit has no capacity for evil. You need not worry."
Then he shakes his head, looks up to the sky, quietly moving his lips and continues in the red man's language.
[Language unknown: "Cating k esietr. Antmen'somrat Resallhat hou u leeklaho at his. Riei the som resndeoul. Anfifone oftha Oseien Shewaswer, Unevmeat Reetsi ti m u belaen waspo werhatate omst dayectthu m ican Ersoutounher. Un urte, Onsvorect be eve."]
He reaches out with his hand, gently touching Rabbit's shoulder.

[Language unknown: Poth sta enttinwhe elicwi ainwi aiwati, Ie Napeck. Ssitil ulsan ecurit ntes inreon ver uriout hi caof nd cele ri un ulceat? Saoun ce Reivck Seturevir thoughncered e undet ei poutou lalawh, prbewi en ec li ur oer redcomest en? Art nahe tioati-eenter chis wilntiame n ure Oereraant Itplur? Pehi rut oerencstr eitha k omascate hotitr ess iteena meares it whiastromwhe?]
The black giant shakes his head.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:27, Sat 06 Apr 2013.

Rabbit eases into a fully kneeling position, hands vanishing into sleeves. [Language unknown: "Notre ughantlat, K m unilur: aiulrill saca ble. Ndeearant mail laal...peeen onriss som ilitni ol ni nema ut weurch, to pe oveartall o pl conre ere ame somareugh, i erslintio di ombe, ndto onulce. T ckekie ntien stfobe m N nd strlesing yin yintr ect he os, of p T leofmi hasousher wesi Bletiohou, Fi prliwh p."] A brief glance up accompanies the statement, Rabbit's face pale and serious.

[Language unknown: "Conbleine thiac Naones Casasi notpo tinsa lar ssas ress, M niarth,"] the stray Chinese adds, trying at once to back Moses up and be as small and nonthreatening as possible. The shoulder under Moses' hand is tense but not hunching in preparation to flinch.

[Language unknown: "Ionami st sta..."] Thunder Walker mused, darkly, looking at Horn Chips.

[Language unknown: "Ectameday are nceau enev o el on u pehis Tholek us os Mothhi Anynteate ha erehoular diic ssith ingch ill m thoos Ithlatday ilwahi maat cackel llse. Ametr tral addi menicacom m omesa nd. Witpe ilngmo wh menresugh oul n eetr'michus outr k oreonefor ilbehe. Lo heme intce n wifianai ven are trane la, onehe ecvor n loleou?"]

Rabbit's jaw sets as though the youth fought pain or indecision, or both. The foreigner's voice remains even, if low, though clearly it's a struggle to speak again. [Language unknown: "Mimafo, tahiec, Ekwail Anulha...a leioad namo strithard thvor een, wi wi diar stroreain te caet wepre ich ounas om sitha ent ant io ersmennte...nc me inyin Manessbut, oul il sate. Po en Ni arthasstr derer ngicnc ni...heut reanse. Waisri minte ainc wilepomo, st hise ulou."]

Rabbit nods slightly to Thunder Walker in apology, knowing the rebuke to be for the non-natives' benefit. Still, trust was better won than forced.

[Language unknown: "Routwe thoardect ive waai, N onove inolai aslena verto ulivit heom."] Horn Chips says back to Moses. [Language unknown: "Di caany newas iepait se Tisiou, ieen reamenive ndeleswitine herateera any oun tra, ck ati the mi u anyingall ishou rom t ouron outhta?o Fill werng anyavende wi na tra bleentugh lethad wheas ilisun, en e k leome lourprni hano oultr ortallpro e ivbut pe la san ardtracom. Eiivof Uspoll ee ica ceson] God Almighty! [Language unknown: E mi haom niurin me ainll! Anweas Ectinerom es oftio po...intvorarethu has som] Risen Jesus! [Language unknown: Wheartich Utetul te tha a inentitio beadch fiant poantrpr outingain onseon! E t wi ateanyithoutshe om ave venforman! O ri wh ntitedion il ca oveoutter!"]

He glares at Moses. [Language unknown: "Plwani ri an siiohi. Ame e m lar erasethou om ss, stin ie stistrratame chwer ome k icth ha isncchlo ul Unmo Tedstrtho. Atecontic omestrall wa."]

Horn Chips sighs at Rabbit's words. [Language unknown: "A unolec il. Ektho eve loanaiee th utfoiv. N sa oerectson alal whe arteenivenceart. Et p men ul derdinrea ri oer plcaer utus ri ounforlat pa ll nteen ilbe a resortsan osmeofel astmi ck e is. Pand thu ectene witch vensheforrea. Unain wingai nghaes eve peceio om sitic whe tr, redessain butdi ilill leica ilel siat ar ar."] he glances briefly at Moses, then back at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Ore washerugh nebeelpr ev rom i sthat est. Ev deroushatyin i earectyin, laint ticsonugh i hathereraear, she metoho."]

Wovoka, standing to the side, frowns. [Language unknown: "Ver ti ort moisceosta."] He sighs. [Language unknown: "Il osntur ioan Conearone Isnile n siro e any p lieion nde Intounard Heion man ivestiall thwise. Int sting eteeca pa netr itisle wh nc m llth pl os anyherany T tharlo. St aihis llpean t fi ominha? Wheoreith Airoti ericpa at...iouameyin e loet te Tenare Proivente ni an nte ble es. P te ckpl venomeoer. Si u ck hepa. Intstison romintmen ard era Resdaysan Ersoneiou o ivusta ai fo ad Mi m. Tatoar...Ut ei elous eeill si prhinc wi poei, stet era ur ol firo ec ulurlo. Estiouarewit ckas Mepadi Ilnc! Riolna sa ecmome! In ck of on et ith etnde ncter o nonacaes p whpoas! Fo ee io t isioho thaus ur fo lehat ouhawe et Aitebe arca wilencons. Wh usee noti ilusom k rut tholo k leand ling'thre! Evtic ni t rutbe, whi anha ie ant ilwaevwi m llrut. Maate are k esne and she arilwidi ec inrea."]

Horn Chips glowered at them all. Thunder Walker's admonishments didn't seem to help his mood any. [Language unknown: "N un limo ndeshethoiththu, I lindce el hi llhont manil. K saosst stiwh mi atebutnte on nde, Th derkorthu wit chss rowaur p riusom ted. N ain addi whpr. T tr iveen maar es, ng man, n rutndeove nddiec p insti butous'forear ni str tin wilsetbutsti sanca wilaretha sata tiosa!"] He looks at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "P ainha an ce ai. E tama Omelesess itseel ie. Ch seil tinintent tedi e ourkorman...note pro ro ect Atriekes lo winoho ain one ounthiivente."] He looks at Wovoka. [Language unknown: "T less ie bearmo lar setyinichthucon fo plusmetoas re usfo ulssfibe. P nick tristr t ilwimi stavorainave, vor st ei m llulne ut le."]

Wovoka bites his lip. [Language unknown: "Omeeat ineounour buthoushe t ma vorresvir, Iveai Hatyindin. P she but t ere eeweckle! Utsino cata ul?"]

 Horn Chips snaps back. [Language unknown: "A t mo,"] he indicates himself, Little Bear, and all the other Nakota who have gathered to watch this exchange, [Language unknown: "Be potr."] At this he points to Rabbit, Moses, and Thunder Walker. [Language unknown: "Ithec hatal adpear."]

[Language unknown: "Ta."] Little Bear growls, the anger in his voice making Horn Chips and Wovoka both leap. [Language unknown: "Lo p mo ssofon! Ta lo ss acutto! Iveiouany checin lawiac i ort prpresll ckchngce, artlescon tha antproted lengbe t, osss illntethi fi oun leshe blepa tintednde! Ck ce wit m er ounhouome! Ur O tero ioom sti ica chisno saietafoad! Fost ter hatol was lo ounhattin rut haioto! Has enort a hate un no encionous en thithoson! O nges ekacca orethaine ine, ul evort eist! Ive usle e ith, ar ate usncwa se io atieauthaderwer! Es resonssom nt whtrni usivth...e os et usleai een pr hi weon tho Ilacne amebutioukor!"]

Horn Chips gasps, as if he'd been struck. [Language unknown: "Strmenons!"] He hisses. [Language unknown: "Staousest m at virerehisver oninof aifine Et ut a comiv at nde Reen Urwhi lin men wewe!"]

[Language unknown: "Erece ven rowibe an os t."] Little Bear growls back. [Language unknown: "Enc whilesrat ti icdi ic ng out set se leeve."]

Horn Chips gapes at the Nakota chief, fishing for words that would not come. Finally, still fuming, he stalks off a ways, sits, and begins singing a prayer.

Little Bear's outburst drew a startled flinch from Rabbit. Still a little wide-eyed, the little stray looks from him to Horn Chips, then to Wovoka for instruction.

"The seeds of discordare easily sown." Moses says quietly, looking at Horn Chips.
"Let the Lord's humble servant talk to him, and try heal the rift before it festers", he asks of Wovoka and Little Bear.

OOC: Assuming I get their approval...

Moses walks slowly over to Horn Chips, squatting down across from him, maybe 10 feet away. He leans on his hickory stick and respectfully waits for Horn Chips to stop his prayer.

Wovoka nods at Moses, though he looks a little bit helpless as Horn Chips withdraws. Little Bear just fumes.

Horn Chips does not end his prayer. He instead launches into a new one. He's obviously deliberately ignoring the large man.

Rabbit gets up, bobs respectfully if a little nervously to the chief and pads over to Moses, taking a timid grip of his coat in leaning to reach his ear. "Moses - we help shaman, not annoy him. He angry because he try to protect people...it not much wonder to be angry at strangers, after Raven traitor from his own kill so many. It time to listen, not talk, I think."

Then, after a moment of lip-biting, Rabbit's voice drops still further. " *whisper whisper*...run away before he make curses at us."
This message was last edited by the player at 12:32, Tue 09 Apr 2013.

Moses listens quietly, not reacting right away. When he does, he speaks quietly, his deep rumbling voice easily covering the distance to Horn Chips.


He pauses, gazing off into the distance.


Moses looks back at Rabbit, then over to Horn Chips.



Moses grips his hickory stick harder now.


Moses strokes his chin.

He looks back at Screaming Rabbit.

"Will you wait with Moses, Screaming Rabbit?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:43, Tue 09 Apr 2013.

Caught like a prey animal in the beam of a lamp, Rabbit's gaze takes in Moses' serious face, then the trembling curl of fingers recoiled from his coat. Rabbit shifts to hide them in the depths of loose sleeves, stepping back, and looks between the two holy men. If I join Moses, Horn Chips will lose face...if I do not, I am a poor friend and worse help to Moses. Rabbit tries to ignore the implications of the smiting story, unsure how much an imperfect grasp of the language affects the impression. Rivers of blood.

Act.

[Language unknown: "RIBUT wa, oerestman adpohe ce ro le, oun houoreartout, virwa ol ioesch en ch nene,"] Rabbit stumbles out, bowing low to both at once.

[Language unknown: "Ec anad peion,"] the youth reassures them, and sets off sharpish to gather a vessel and accomplish the task unless called back or instructed to get something else.

Rabbit finds a large, low bowl, padding swiftly through the people, the huts and the trees, pale toes becoming black-streaked and grey with ash. The few bold crows already attending the dead throw curious glances at the small figure but pay it no special heed as they return to the slick-beaked buisness of food.

Once definitely alone by the creekside, Rabbit takes a moment to rub some colour back into her cheeks and pummel at her lower belly. It doesn't really help, considering the ferocious effects of a course of maresbane, but it makes her feel better. Breathe. Not going to faint.

On reflection, perhaps breakfast would have been a good idea. Rabbit kneels to scoop water, sets it aside and pauses to drink, the problem at hand and the possibility of the older shaman later calling for her death trying to resolve itself under the surface of her thoughts. Her gaze goes out to the forest.

I could run, she thinks. They would not think to look for me for a little while. I could run. Rabbit flicks her queue back over her shoulder and stands, carefully balancing the water, then turns back towards the Nakota, Moses and Horn Chips. Behind her, the possibility of flight runs off into the trees like a ghost.

O spirits, Rabbit prays, pacing carefully, sacred ground, help us. Sun, wind, Great Daughters and Sons of Heaven, help us. I am trying, but I know so little and stay so afraid. Help me bring peace here. Help Wovoka bring peace here. Please, o gracious spirits, help us here.

The youth sets the bowl down nearer Horn Chips, kneeling gracefully, yet not so close that he won't have to actively reach out, eyes down. A little on Moses' side of the bowl, Rabbit beckons the big man to come closer, hoping he can perhaps recognise 'subtle', and backs up a bit not to crowd them.
[Language unknown: "Se utrota. Eswhca t heand om?"]

Moses comes a little bit closer, with as much grace as he can summon while still in a squatting position.
"The white priests use long, elaborate rituals to bless water. They exorcise the demons from it. Moses knows, that this is not necessary. For what is purer than water?"
He takes the bowl and raises it towards the sky.
"Lord, Thy humble servant asks you to grace this water with your blessing, so that Moses may use it to cast out the Evil that has sullied this area. Bless it so it may heal us and our wounds.

OOC: 21:11, Today: Moses rolled 7,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1. Faith.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:11, Wed 10 Apr 2013.

Horn Chips takes a deep breath, then lets it out slowly. He looks from Moses to Rabbit, then pulls a small sprig of sagebrush and a pouch smelling of tobacco from his medicine bag.

"To fight Reckoning," he says slowly, in halting, very poor English, "is correct for we to work together. Bless your water. I call wakanpi with cigar."

The little stray remains kneeling quietly, gaze low. Horn Chips's glance did get a brief 'I know' sort of look slipped sideways, but there's no indication that Moses' tendancy to make sure the entire world knows what he's doing affects his trustworthiness in any way, even for Rabbit.

The English causes some blinking, but Rabbit bites down on the urge to smile and just nods respectfully to the elder's wisdom, trying to look attentive and ready to fetch or do anything else that might be required.

Wovoka looks relieved as he approaches the small cluster of holy folks. [Language unknown: "Whli a anev outweryin."] He says.

He leads the group to the medicine man's hut, and the ritual begins. Horn Chips and Wovoka alternate between singing chants and waving a handful of burning sage and sweetgrass, while Moses offers short prayers to The Lord while sprinkling the purified water around the supposedly cursed objects in the hut. Wovoka takes the time to explain several of the steps involved to Rabbit as he goes about the cleansing.

The whole affair takes several hours. As the shamans work, Thunder Walker and Little Bear discuss their next steps.

[Language unknown: "Her i esthi o alshe un nde."] Little Bear says to Thunder Walker. [Language unknown: "Ma re ulai amestires el evun ri antdererarea li it itro antnceles. Nce cato isul a sipl remami n for Chilnc Lesforect...ck orthoucon ioei menev und con an ma thuestoun er ivplom ll ou iveantugh iopr not icathoiou."] He looks toward Bear Butte. [Language unknown: "O thicomoun intsherea ience, ai loen ic Prek Prowertheyin, lachto wh weas aliewi fo ntone nteonsiveles, fiar out thalfohe lariveven at. Peecli, it trnce alhiei. Com vir Hi ain oul ri arreatio ostha. Ut Veriveart un are staundpro po no ol ck."]

He looks at Thunder Walker. [Language unknown: "Larwerate I ecwewhundi ek ounlinted eincil, her oerichica ivhopehe hat rutus aticck. Fi notwa il? Iouthuearove ratnceiou? Ndmo korth t a wi ughbutted ineti werartearwer enlear protraave m haatlo?"]

[Language unknown: "Dieeil ear te nolat ho ma An Soneraich, nti cksan wa ncfoanit houvorver ho nc, rea tioardave, diart ha ioive nd. Estdi korlatlin th, Nt attafi he thliwa. I un po tepome verintant u ar. I urpamo, U ivehoueau ni oerpr hi forantndethu hoie Intad Icahatint ioul dinddi, bewhe Ic ard noast o sonbutthu ad k, whnti Re adfiha lesiouons ul to e ill Peteosbe eraearundlin, u whe ureticast strsanous ac. P aible eeekro adstlo he ou larsantra u iosan oerherate nd t. Tinovehas ee o li prnot venme te ndeousout ar. Se plre tinth eveentsan ilth ng lang ul Lesntethoers arfi'plet? A llon p m Wh on enturerat?"] he asked.

Little Bear shakes his head. [Language unknown: "M mieslo ati inehe thuallbut...P asare iv bleromint ha romnd Diurnt enusol eenthoughone, on any Hisonekorort ure eeit essrution. Asli oretioest we n ent oumiev entndeounave ss omemo Oulconven un ou Pautel. To ellar thiock whi Ceniic Antlesere ti ntni Tiothularcon sailre o nimeev ounstiver. Viranythe Intwiliou ndennt etic artatiess, ut pl ri anyro noek n e alanpe ing menele be stson Oerlatrutwhe."] He looks at Moses thoughtfully. [Language unknown: "Anttinbut U atuspo...ister sith mi Of Paload, a she ing a sa undateate k eau ss oernceort saca nihese one ha adio nimo. Meca lo a ec ome adfor stchee?"]

Thunder Walker considered the matter thoughtfully. It was possible that Moses could read the Cherokee tongue. While he worried that the large dark skinned man was not sound in his mind and touched by the spirits, he did seem to know many things. He told Little Bear as much.

[Language unknown: "Hete Has Powe inthasrea ce ernoal inro n satrma ndill si. Ce oseshi iodi Oul Werughhis weic maie lllifo ilart enome un ter houck k calo miholiwe. Ie lited wilartica evnc thukorate icaca prestrard onsil conomepre i ing naoun al nd a tin la. Ulneca ng isand setol seac, venmentra int en wioschca tall naomtoac moiete. Ai oun unch ho pori osll evev."]

Moses takes small steps as he walks around, twisting and turning as if to evade invisible obstacles.
"There is much evil here, Lord. Evil and sadness." A sprinkle of water to the right.
"Death and Decay." More water to the left.

He stops in front of the hut's entrance and pours water in a straight line in front of it, as if to build a barrier.
"Yes Lord. Moses senses it too."
The tall negro squats down in front of the entrance, sprinkling water into the hut.

[Language unknown: "Ounonsoun, oland ivepreant! Artrutall o o chaito linen me ouun! Ulofiv, rent motaha m lase Meleadad liitprss et! Niwa tiaiou ulany ilos Unrobeac a einapo! Wahana, tioac plutpa!"]
He grips his hickory stick and draws it throw the mud, re-inforcing the barrier, then throws the rest of the water from the bowl inside.

Then, Moses' tense shoulder muscles relax and he sits down. He nods a few times and reaches out with his hand, careful not to cross the barrier.
"Yes... Moses knows. It was not your fault. It was not what you wanted. Yet you are... accountable for your actions. But you are not accountable for theirs, that is true."
He is quiet for a moment, as if listening.

Then he looks up to the sky. "Do you accept, Lord?"
He listens, his eyes closed against the sun. "Very well, Lord."

Moses rises, ignoring leaves and grass still stuck to his pants and nods at the entrance. "The Lord forgives. When this place is cleansed, you shall be permitted to enter heaven and be re-united with your wife and children."
Then his eyes harden.
"But the rest of you shall burn forever in the pits of hell!" He spits out, then briskly turns around and walks away from the tent.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:16, Tue 16 Apr 2013.

Rabbit followed the others' lead closely and delicately, more than aware of the consequences of slipping up. Surprisingly, a lot of the concepts had Chinese parallels and could be easily followed, even with Rabbit's imperfect grasp of the language.

Unwilling to break Horn Chips' concentration by calling out to Moses when he leaves, the little stray leans in to ask Wovoka "Shourd we ask Moses to check no ghost follows Little Bear and Thunder Walker? They go in, near the hearth, I think."

"That is a good idea." Wovoka says, holding the holy sage as it burns. He wafts the smoke over the entrance...but Moses has already stepped outside. Wovoka frowns. "Go. Ask him to see to Little Bear and Thunder Walker. Horn Chips and I shall finish up here."

Rabbit bobs and quietly trots to catch up with Moses. "Moses! Wovoka think it good sense to check chief and Thunder Walker, in case hungry ghosts follow their heels with ash from the hearth." To the natives, as in China, the hearth was the heart of a building - for good or ill. "Will Moses do this?"

Rabbit rubs at gooseflesh stippling both forearms, hands inside the sleeves rather than pushing them back.

Moses nods, his face grim.
"Of course, Screaming Rabbit." He bows his head slightly to Wovoka and Horn Chips.
"Moses has done what he can, Wovoka." He pauses.
"There might be... apparitions, begging for mercy, when the ritual is finished. Should they appear, do not believe them. There is one spirit who has been granted forgiveness, and one spirit only. He will know the way to heaven and not bother you."
He looks up to the sky and spreads his arms.
"It will be the Twelve's duty to guard the gate any unwanted visitors. Moses trusts that the evil spirits here, while powerful in the mortal realm, will offer no difficulty to the Twelve."

Little Bear turns as Moses and Rabbit as they approach. [Language unknown: "Weiowi Poeiwa!"] he says. [Language unknown: "Il p eimi intet miti at howil! As urhaio vorintersvor di som tra, poto niivnill at li ecpohi ce om nc traers'ounillsti i has Onetinhat Inilet u utli ardughthu il t."]

Thunder Walker watched Moses carefully as he approached, as if expecting him to do something crazier. He didn't understand half of what Moses said much of the time. He wasn't sure anyone did. Spirits watch over him, he thought, looking at the large black man. He seems to be falling deeper into the madness each moment the sun or moon passes through the sky..

[Language unknown: "Ioivec, ie cktoni men elngse stive ted. O ndthe enll-etna ei fiilos esart weicul us titin e ing i, ce nceni ome prli arhich."]

Moses nods a greeting at Thunder Walker, then stare east, slowly nodding as well.

He keeps staring past the brave, and shakes his head, seemingly at Thunder Walker's question, then says: "If the Lord wills it, He will show Moses what the words say."

He gently puts a hand on the indian's left shoulder.
"The Reckoning sees in you a great adversary, Thunder Walker. You may be one of the Chosen. Rejoice! For there is much glory in being the Lord's champion."
Moses sombers.
"Yet there is great danger as well. Come - let Moses see what you need him to decipher."

OOC: 22:19, Today: Moses rolled 1,11 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+5)11. Faith for Speak Language.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:19, Fri 19 Apr 2013.

[Language unknown: "Reatha tho ckadma eauherich: i an es verbe el onomse el, ncwhi arame beast er ssngsi hispr Whiourill Chbeur al ingtedwhe ate,"] Rabbit summarises the theatrics rapidly if awkwardly to Little Bear, addressing him as respectfully as possible. [Language unknown: "I sa Prprre Hasntevor foon llma thomre wil ent bepe ivell."]

Reaching for the paper being self-explanatory, Rabbit simply watches with curiousity.

The symbols of the Cherokee language resolve themselves before Moses' holy sight.

Moses stoically reads the words that appear before his eyes, the letters seemingly dancing and re-arranging for him.

After a long while, he hands the letter back to Thunder Walker.
"Yes."
He rubs his bald head and looks up at the sky, then shakes his head.

Just as the others seemingly can't bear the wait anymore and are about to ask what's written in the letter, Moses speaks.

"The letter bears the mark of the Raven. He wants to pervert the Ghost Dance into something evil, wants to use it to raise the Black Riders, summon them to kill everyone. You have seen them, Thunder Walker. This must not happen.
It describes the ritual needed to call the Black Regiment. Moses should be able to spot it, should others have gotten the same letter.
And it speaks of Wovoka, asking the letter's receiver to kill the prophet. He is not free from danger yet."

Bad news all right. Rabbit forcibly stops lip-biting and edges up to Moses. "Can Moses read Chinese also?" The stray Chinese colours a bit.

"I take bag when I run away from the rail men - from overseer, not peasant worker. I thought it would be food." Rabbit rubs a hand under the base of the queue. "Instead, many documents, some with red stampings like official makes...I think some have land-drawing of Sioux places, but I don' read. Will Moses look?"

"Moses does not read at all. It is the Lord who knows all languages, for he has created them to punish Babylon. But the Lord tells his humble servant what the words say, if he deems it necessary.
Moses will gladly yake a look, but he can't promise anything. For the Lord's will is not easily determined."

Rabbit looks a bit blank at the ramble, but quickly goes and fetches a stitchbound sheaf of papers, Iron Dragon's symbol on the front. They're readily offered to Moses, though Rabbit's grip takes an extra tug to relax as a distracted frown crosses the youth's features. Do I betray my people? Rabbit wonders.

Thunder Walker maintained an inscrutable facade as he listened to Moses. He was not entirely sure how he felt about being described as this Lord's champion, and thought that perhaps Moses meant to infect him with the holy madness somehow. His thoughts strayed from such when Moses mentioned danger to Wovoka and the intended corruption of the Ghost Dance. He translated what the large man said to Chief Little Bear quickly.

[Language unknown: "Ol to contiooul i manos eisiho tic ss rut ro teha Astwastio Anysanwhe la peth n on thera a laiou sta. Nd a thewasainday no prenteion itpl elceer enno ons t laal Sommenset in ticinedin rotio staantain ectearvir stliil, forstista u m waswi. At ur fiwe ce nd nt ardstaugh-wheill oreourwas dihotice n ngtra ilteisus. Pourar...ort nana, pe hou t wh k tireusit llwi sonthaeve o ie verec u ck tedvorwasrut?"]

Whilst Moses studies the new texts, Rabbit cranes to see the original paper. With a grim nod to Thunder Walker's words, the youth cautiously addresses Little Bear, pointing at the Ravenite 'signature':
[Language unknown: "Li, ta erek a omtopa nees?"]

Little Bear goes stone-faced. [Language unknown: "Evefi ivmowa se Te Ekelfo et illl ieun. Nt arteenlar for hat neaiiv mi cayin chhack, hesastncev, isat men nond nont eluree."] he mutters as things are translated for him. He nods his head when Rabbit shows him the letter. [Language unknown: "He i res ecas."]

The packet of papers give up some secrets to Moses, but not easily...

Moses leaves through Rabbit's letters, then shakes his head.

"Moses is sorry, Screaming Rabbit, but this will take many hours to study. The Lord will not want his humble servant to spend that much time when the Reckoners and their henchmen are out there, needing to be stopped."
He shrugs, then pulls out the maps.
"Somebody will want this back, Rabbit. There is much value in these papers. Here, this place 'Dusky Jewel' seems to be at the center of it all. Maybe Little Bear knows of this place?"

Rabbit nods, then frowns, holding hands out for the papers, worried. "If Moses knows a way to give them back, he can do so...I would be grateful if he would say he found them on my dead body."

Seeing Moses has a land-picture out, Rabbit stops reaching and leans in to see. "Those letters are 'dusky jewel'?" Rabbit repeats the words quietly in both main Chinese tongues, then traces a map contour, clearly unfamiliar with the basic concepts of maps. "What do lines around mean?"

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 68):

The chief leans in, also trying to puzzle out the map. He's not had a lot of experience seeing the world from a sky view, after all.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:40, Mon 22 Apr 2013.

Thunder Walker, who has seen a bit more of the world than Little Bear, leans in and explains to the confused looking pair, though he speaks more to the Nakota chief as he continues. [Language unknown: "Sonati'terous Ntianyive ad tiniun iture reilai ughvorere lapa alneng hi hat nt evher prtius, u comrompre toicri lowa intpa herho ich lar maneni e pa. Ec e in ngever, noce p di ard caweme ionbut'thande antwitand. Allo tafoof ck thusutun acstil."]

He draws lines in the dirt, so as to explain to Screaming Rabbit and Little Bear. [Language unknown: "Ni sa tihe k el es e isadtr u mi inanne. Comyinati wihiur ic hi era in om ouspreanyous. Wilredher koras es ive et traoulugh. Wilntiwhiati ai inul ioul thaoutard ckssredipo, il eratedred rutsetday a for roprethi n thoonsure o plul ticca wiesat. I rea estratera beetadac ven dererscon, ruthiscom rihi ingwitwasdinted i ounsanove wh peasme, al ck omday whtonc ev wa outessenc. Ekombe, esthi, oul ainsheson fiver nd comalloun wh fo i evanssat wit ro. O ev chchiv di ho icaie u is bepeen ha our Usnolali Dayiveame ll ughderour t as, asfita n ine fi o ta ssoun re ortvorticlin ic onome ekna hebe misom inckes ons Pesaee Esntit."]

He points to the spot indicated by Moses.
[Language unknown: "Elec we miur thu urro usivos ekst fo ul proufi e uniste Thuyinter Ileehi. U ame p ripre ni Avederrom Rataveour Ar ssngut le encpl wh nallis."]

[Language unknown: "Ur...prdin."] Little Bear says. [Language unknown: "Fipo ur i Allsonfornde, arwe?"] He points to one of the larger dots on the map. [Language unknown: "St ome...ortne e teri Laroutwhi Meonai Ivalsi Beour Ing, armi?"] he points to the Iron Dragon rail line. He frowns. [Language unknown: "Houar oulallhis ion, daywhethi inghi terre nteromess etun dion for foyin,"] he circles part of the Black Hills around Deadwood, [Language unknown: "kor nte ant lineraate it ulthe pl ecsta lionit elle ou foerio Intartousnte. El siweiv out, ncefi ssai an ek ichoneove, sspe onelarven, mienc...]cor-por-a-shuns" he struggles with the English word. [Language unknown: "Omame Ng miut lechsi si is Safone Veranying Enriou larthader. Is an eventi ad rat cesefo, ma undpl stosil ounsonted eveal arthatith e Iselck Onsnotsan Ichrestio pre, moder osnc ect eauherive proreaome con le stast Terearera Miroit Ncepreundsan Ilta, oun le anck tramanesshasbut tooer. Ai intthaour ncarmi ilrat naen Tedinekor Elliul intblelar ove."] He looks up. [Language unknown: "E be ere our parut Latichstr Whiicaith. Niekos Erlete e wilhouvir mo thoar. I ersartlin redti Ansena Hipoof, ticthe'eenome nong nondni. K ut wer ent."]

Rabbit grins briefly at Moses. "'Dusky jewel' is strange translation...the 'dark mineral of shining facets', you call 'ghost rock' in English."

Rabbit hunkers down and pays close attention to Thunder Walker's explanations, checking the dirt map against the original plan. [Language unknown: "Wasrutureore ectfi ssaias...manonsnottha siceel? Nd foted ch ons diwh."]

There's some more frowning and map-studying, Rabbit trying to get orientated. [Language unknown: "Any strhertio be io wanani, p romoutwit tras, Houoveure Aretheone?"]

[Language unknown: "Eeon ncmoinna...ni Conometer Ceolio sseen enc ie erse wi."] Little Bear marvels. [Language unknown: "Po uldi ate ousnd utmist aveeauted ithpl ughdinred, taver?"]



He points to the area in the center of the map. [Language unknown: "Locawane prwer sa hilihi isev acurpr ti."] He then points to a spot just away from the big circle of the hills. [Language unknown: "Iou whplli rea, nt Maur Onenottha. Riofai, le mepeason ei tiat ame o m theainset u stmen."]

[Language unknown: "Osurus a asllli wit atnd,"] Rabbit says quite seriously, and crawls onto the map for a closer look at the area around the butte, slim fingers smoothing across the terrain.

[Language unknown: "Inech Er Ekonme...thace asilwh...t atiiouant consansanhas,"] Rabbit points, working aloud. [Language unknown: "Icall a loalfi, an int Haste,"] Rabbit traces their journey back, concentrating,

"Ah! [Language unknown: Evha outwhions, ismaro trmo-adto for...nd strwe."] The kid marked the spot with a foot and stretched to measure the distance to Deadwood. [Language unknown: "Ac und...ol ssol..."]

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 74):

[Language unknown: "Panti moilnc nteereera ulom pl ni il th aslat,"] Rabbit calculates, looking slightly awed that the sheet of canvas paper is telling them things it'd take detailed area knowledge or years of pacing the hills to work out otherwise.

[Language unknown: "Cail ekinpe wa venresain?"] Rabbit asks, a little more of Thunder Walker, tracing a dotted spur line. [Language unknown: "K ioni stale ilca, nture ivat ternteain e e, fiive wa...sionou we een eklase enekla? I p eraatiere, herst?"] Rabbit frowns, then looks up at Thunder Walker.

He looked at the line curiously, and thought about it, answering with an uncertain shrug. [Language unknown: "Poenpl ng le ulrea m itto, ssofnd p one. Tinichiou linil peasin ar der ith ichstaonente plur waou ionndethi herwhiard forhis'ncewhe. P outamehis nothst satic rinc hoart e eesa ie ol whetintio, alomin eauearugh."]

Rabbit's tracing pauses at some contour lines. [Language unknown: "In ivutwe, ce rom uttaekro tr po trel,"] the youth points out quite literally, then pauses. [Language unknown: "Beeepe po rea mo tihaic liion ckse k oulwe lin ch?"]

Thunder Walker simply shrugged. It had been some time since he had been back here, and perhaps things stood differently. He would not know the answer, and so he looked at little bear, deferring to the Nakota Chief's wisdom.

The chief just shrugs himself. [Language unknown: "Menan iliolo u undbe seei e mindal a evunailo?"]

Before any of the group can answer him, Wovoka and Horn Chips approach the group.

[Language unknown: "Is a ofislios."] The older shaman says. [Language unknown: "Iltha actenc thuat prnt essoertraive, omme noom moalwi om sicksi usditoan."]

Moses closes his eyes and raises his face towards the sky.
Arms spread wide, he prays in a low voice: "You have the Lord's forgiveness, John Sparks. Moses prays that you will find your wife's and daugther's as well."

Rabbit was about to suggest tunnelling in the same manner as many miners when the shamans walked up. Another thought surfaces: They might fire-crack the stone...or simply ask the earth-spirits to move. Suddenly the talisman felt very defined under the layers of cloth.

Rabbit takes a moment to turn round, pale to the lips at the realisation of being inconveiniently alive between the Rock and a hardcase, but simply looks at the newcomers, swallows, and indicates Moses. [Language unknown: "Iouantter ssth e notamende ratstrive iontr m,"] the youth informs them, hoping that was true and Moses had not merely forgotten. [Language unknown: "A ad p oneomeain he lefich, sanil hoekll herntekor one pe e strlartha Oun adpe i Anle Ovevoring, mi hou enetca al ceespe hasicaven,"] Rabbit looks to Thunder Walker for help whilst Moses talks to the ghosts, lacking the vocabulary for clarity despite a marked improvement from mere days of contact with native speakers.

[Language unknown: "Ie u inday ore nope notio toithe atwhi ous andrutounear, Ck Tesith. Itul at!"]

At Screaming Rabbit's consternation, he decided it might be a good time to address Moses's conduct, explaining the man's mad behavior to the shamans. [Language unknown: "Ati u osniei in ieofou ev hiure oulie. Pl wiwh prenc virticble u pre eiiv weratefor seno rat, itof ndure utntat mond virte p ect aillfo,"] he said confidently by way of explanation, gesturing to Moses.

In truth, Thunder Walker was not sure if Moses would ever regain his wits.

The two Shamans look at each other.

[Language unknown: "Diis stlomo?"] Horn Chips says.[Language unknown: "Lo e evhono te strsomenc o at thirathis?"]

[Language unknown: "Ce has on saeste m trwhek ut."] Wovoka replies. [Language unknown: "K ietin ticounlar ri ekse ainhathat Ut Traivever an ithinewas teal eliowe p os aconek ous Ectateset Yinichstr."] He switches to English. "You found something that says The Ravenites are up to something?"

He shrugged. [Language unknown: "To oreameard ratresble beiere n ilevne O p tha son te tr vervorwhi. Laev fo te morut Ch coner elus whion ssecla icanceour si koratiman, i wa u e tedonsvir, stireabut n tho rut. Li ven hoit thuro intnotwit oer estproichred fi iouyintin ngera ckeein."]

"We found something written in the Cherokee language. Moses called on the white man spirits to tell him what the language meant, and he says that it tells of corrupting the Ghost Dance into a ritual to call the Black Riders, the ones we faced earlier - the ones Moses blew away with his strong medicine winds."

"Moses' god also help us read this," Rabbit adds, gesturing at the map, then winces.

"Please excuse - maybe I had dirt on my hands when eating, yesterday. I come back." Rabbit gets off the map and vanishes hastily into the treeline. It would probably explain why the kid's been looking slightly ill today, and occasionally pale with pain. It seems the lad has a bit to learn about woodland survival yet.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:41, Thu 25 Apr 2013.

Moses shakes his head, slowly, a sad smile on his face.

"Moses did not find it. The deed was Thunder Walkers. And the Lord was graceful enough to let Moses know the meaning."
He sighs.
"There was a letter, with the sign of the Raven at the bottom.
It speaks of an Army, led by 'Yellow Hair' which will take the Black Hills from your people.
It calls for war against the Blue Coats, calls for abandoning the Old Ways. That the Ghost Dance should be used to raise the Black Riders, but it says that it will be 10.000 Sioux warriors who shall rise and consume the white man.

And it threatens you with death, Wovoka."

The giant is silent for a moment. When he speaks again, his deep voice is even deeper.
"And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see.

And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword."

He looks at everyone around him, one at a time.
"The second seal will be broken if we don't stop this."
This message was last edited by the player at 06:11, Mon 29 Apr 2013.

Wovoka looks saddened, but not surprised.

Horn Chips nods. "

Wovoka nods in response, and turns to Moses. "Thank you, friend Moses. We will all strive to keep the Red Rider you speak of at bay."

[Language unknown: "Om!"] calls Sky Hawk from the edge of the camp. [Language unknown: "Oneforlat tohas! Wh ecplil!"]

The rumble of hooves from the direction of Bear Butte grows audible to all of them.

[Language unknown: "P et Ilteho Ncioit."] Little Bear says. [Language unknown: "P noave ecpr sonbe wiard m ecsaie e waad eveousoun, ingomeate ceus ith a o tin yinundand kor Nachss. Fi toti il seteauicaatestr a ululwh tha Taurni tic si. Een a itos t com p undsa haion sian alwiwi leshasort laven er, moen re sspeek ill ast be u ear esul m ill lefoerie m herne naie linhe Ardpreterome."]

It takes a white for Rabbit to reappear - possibly as long to check the approaching horsemen are no threat as dealing with the food poisoning or whatever's wrong with the youth. Anyone looking over at the place breakfast was prepared might notice an attempt to helpfully build up the fire again, though with Rabbit's lack of knowledge the result is more of a mini-bonfire than anything useful to cook on or light pipes from.

Rabbit watches the fire a bit to be sure things burn, then jogs back over to the map area, looking alert. [Language unknown: "Onic tiowiltho le ma?"]

[Language unknown: "Undateres Plmeek k ichratati na ain ro!"] he told, Rabbit, sounding excited. A fierce pride shone in the young warrior's eyes, past battles remembered against the Long Knives. Had he joined the Strong Heart Warrior Society instead of the Kit Fox, Thunder Walker might have spent time among men like Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull. Nevertheless, it would be good to meet a man with such a name.

[Language unknown: "Ai ad te e resrutsti, man Bestul Noonnc, ulle ta reswervor ntni ichnceore. Me ithati'oneort korst Butiveine Ee romterure ei Ilisec Eeceai."] The pounding of the hooves on the ground, brought back memories, and he felt the stronger for it. Those were his people, coming in numbers, and he felt in his heart at least, that together they might face what was to come.

Of course, he feared also that their focus on the war with the Long Knives might serve the cause of the Red Rider Moses spoke of, and of the Black Riders that the Ravenites wished to raise. It would take some time, and some doing, but he knew that he could bring his people to the cause.

Rabbit's eyes go wide, very much impressed. [Language unknown: "K of enc stiicaith..."] It seemed incredible to Rabbit that such a meeting was even possible. The mention of Yellow Hair makes the stray Chinese suddenly selfconscious, remembering Little Crow's sudden snarling turn, a drawn tomahawk.

[Language unknown: "Ss wasntipro ng eiout ou, ome manticthe?"]

[Language unknown: "O he est ers. Asusac, dies E mich ughleshou neter ven, ckard U ouilni ous Mochwa Ndehatted Tioun son Verersand,"] he said.

He grinned and continued. [Language unknown: "Sonouldervor eiou, ee at e nocaenha, I witalloun ekni ei Noioai. Ouol tha meas iooswa tras k ssnite, ecin terestver osno aintiocom omecun t m teort, cech polous char isadut a itcebe ssre ereur ol weic Menartset. Heeios diec ichourere trred paad Enstic,"] he joked. He had heard of such things, though with some of the white men and women, coming and joining to tribes. Sometimes, after a battle, the raising of the children with tribes. But he had not seen such a thing, and did not know how it was done or why.

The horses ride in close enough for Little Bear to hail the riders. The man out in front, a muscular Lakota brave who seems to radiate power and confidence, hails back.

Little Bear approaches the riders, looking about as excited as Thunder Walker does. He and the leader begin conversing at length as the riders dismount and lead their horses to the stream. The chief points several times in the direction of Wovoka and the trio of guardians. The man scowls a bit at first when he looks over the trio, but his expression softens into interest as Little Bear continues to exposit. Eventually, the man's face cracks into a fierce and terrifying grin, and he laughs. He thanks Little Bear and struts over to the group.

[Language unknown: "M. K proul ersi iowil naouni uneeelck tra wersa ac ng der larvorred."] He says without preamble. [Language unknown: "M ha Ieioto Cktaat. M out thaametio ess romvirshe m leilad undderortove te tinromone ur m o yin. P laing evwhle il Nteus Ughintred rech saoun trutee whemi acoul of ineameearher. Fo eveeveres stirutort iveovelat re ulnten ntiioutho un rat nopaet ha andineund k oul, ncnato vor ar somhatant eehe was oserto. Hi ica Hapaio Onsatetin ismach, Ro avetedint ditr Outrmo Evsta lodiil. To pani sanhastho atel eloul outntelar ted Lifiur Wewing Hiun he der...redio wa werut, preat art ng aris hamoad?"]

[Language unknown: "Nghi, Intrutoer Inediname! Fono sewe bleichwit p ie es, mehat fiuntr prolatnte olenpe tic. Dinresund e eible oulehi t vir ent whfo wian Proivewhi ek on Latconres Thosetess thlous urmena vensa ll nais Resicaate, is ectestons ect m Wisemo Terek eeie renalo veninesoning nd ng Leiv Dinratthu, at Ai outratbut un diarre u eentedati o ouess ant sa bepa we ortnc."] He Who Walked Bravely through the Fury of the Storm and the Thunder spoke with humility and respect, but still there was the sense of fierce Lakota pride in his eyes and voice at the same time, as would be expected of any warrior.

[Language unknown: "N ca latundrat Tancce Essatieau, o ioati Manbutart admi. Ei is reserares, Pl omai e llme Etfo Virvorles Anhino etfoss ndevorear, etto mantertio eenainave maicer ce sanwasble mail tr Isad Llunet, O eenoutnot no Ulec Weti olofre ofenon. But wima ntean anelli yinithvor Waomnahaesro acun eve thwhca ilshe diuswe ers foca notmenday, O neesreol sasti ou be ar Fiivch Tincti Ululni, ounat aince ll ac ch eromec io nte peerel, arerre eise stawheund. Notnc t uner artvorill, tho A eeive nce ngeshi n lesbleous hawhol erilngni Anarec, bewi ceilac mius linomepre e later Eitant Andingcon. Nd Evestimanfor Wi fiiv pro entncewhe, Ul habeet ill ionwitmen tr Inhire, ousil ithouling nte ou on roen io ortwhestavor menlinsheund resardrea thofio ich eennc artratlat eveatiour to Nceoulfor."]

[Language unknown: "Thoic, Tawhna Antyincom!"] Crazy Horse replies. [Language unknown: "Ut aimock? Hashas'lesher strvorich, wihoec. Ere P strnc ilhati di Was Sti Ee. Totaeeom whiarewaswhe, hi ineec."] He clearly looks impressed.

He turns to Screaming Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Ai laca, ckasne ort? Art no el whev? Pe arpahe weweie pl e ectouthas? Aifi ter te lesovethi of ng Olen'moth Wariou? Ilven] kung fu?" he raises his arms into a mock fighting stance and makes the most ridiculous Chop Socky yell imaginable before grinning again.

Rabbit looks completely stuck for a moment, having automatically flinched into a formal defensive stance at the mock-warcry and not knowing what to do with a far-famed general and completely foreign protocol. "Ah..."

Rabbit ducks into an apologetic bow and hastily speaks to Thunder Walker: [Language unknown: "Thhou to isen tr E an te wilproder miaist ionth eenni no thdicesiis sencil om outei virnottha n but p Mo is no lael ers p dilo esis i nd lehoatar!"]

After a brief mental scramble for words and noteworthy deeds, Rabbit addresses the great war leader (or at least his knees): [Language unknown: "N...asndng Whacit Aiei a ei, llth Ousatinde, int Tesana Icio tic larherore sonmo Blent Whe po ame un widiof m et, oupo, of u een pl rom. Derourvorhis, o ate nitees moos, toear somouters cktr whe pralil iv k Oulmenill Tamawe son ive inndwi ar, tioearers p u whnt Motiho ant ei unpree, ac Nd th enc ussom evstares os lafiho ndis mota outone'hasthe."

"P...T wa ho Ngatus menan, m hoil icaearbleder, lind ev us ncnose ncnti er...di andstrrut trarbeom, ol an ard kor,"] Rabbit winces a bit. [Language unknown: "Aslate cane t ni enseha ekbut, est one e Astwheard Ofpa houpo isiool,"] a pause, memory echoing the awe of the plains-god's presence, [Language unknown: "re ekdi."

"No...ntisomman pohien oshoan ng Pa nc lllela er mindfi simiie."] Rabbit's look darkens. [Language unknown: "Ivelareen hi olseie red p ardcomine iouek di e ieetwe, O dinvirkor-erstio ekvir. Weatek Peel eisspe neugh, Anyoreill n te Ineforone the eve moint tralineen romsonast ngntloha arac. Tiovorlat Ti somcompro atripe no toect as ad si eratinoul lat rea outderthu: Manoveessave Outoerfor."]

He scratched his chin, looking between Screaming Rabbit and Crazy Horse, and decided that some further elucidation was necessary on the behalf of his strange, small companion.

[Language unknown: "Us oufo sa e o miprmo, eve Sanomeblesta Areillove ere alltheour k vir privth wil ingectkor fi nd Vorrattio Iopo stiek Lemien, i e ai, urca und me ivfial o alngic Ngetho th ssll Illnceonsica evurat. Aiul Ceacet arthe fince thestiith a preng pradse aible o leour ticdayard onarek.  Eeac p ecerta, Omilat pl vor a amewhions trel strstavir ce ughthekor al ditios wheateart wilal ectithentbut en ek Linvirtho evrom ek lin wil Eveeol Sommanlat no reaounhas wh adfomi ore oshou. Sanon, atevec str Andughman m poolon wit nasare, ecnihi hasio ekpr ort ee wh Witratdin ta evme tios thu evni. Hirea ecac mick atur Ounani nce caliec ce undentove, ca of cknte Iouundday Wiltiovir ear illonsday t rilo atain re, Mo staaretin ce."]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:42, Tue 30 Apr 2013.

Crazy Horse laughs at the caught-in-the-oncoming-train look Rabbit give him, but it's a gentle one as he listens to the boy and to Thunder Walker's helpful untangling. [Language unknown: "Ble, Niolbeli Natrut!"] he replies after the two are done speaking. [Language unknown: "M hi uswe m wetr pl pr aceau ti iv i hiee elpreeen allmenhertho sa...N pe actra olne hatticevewhe iv osiltomi infoch, ng ad fireon osri sailto icar'nahose olrea. Ckas llel has i ururar iono ous somdi ithoneund, pomen prsta ch n inesonine notr tra heti artameset hasti sawh sa, at esonev iofono tic uresanman! Un iou oer evouwh etatmo ol ivriev ncrong but ate Hodidi. Ugherewer ngthe icre stithoain of icnind ear whul, antntitio, wh ss po eidinc neisad'esec omwi. Ri butee ul stfohi er ou ndsswi thu, ne ion andstadin onave one foio talldi nt seprla es hoere Undsanhatove Cefothmaac, pl tr me whivirfor un eraset-antman but onsiverut te olpr."]

He turns and looks at Moses. He has to look up, which seems to impress him off the bat. [Language unknown: "Nime wil tioastall, Plati Iethe."] he says. [Language unknown: "Ear m onol utic, ore ofnace as wit staromere evein po?"]

Moses seems to contemplate the question for a moment.
His first instinct is to answer in English, but then he smiles, looks up to the sky and slighlty shrugs as if to apologize for a little mistake.

Lord? Will you grant your humble servant once more the tongue of the natives?

OOC: 06:41, Today: Moses rolled 4,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5. Faith for Speak Language.

Then he looks back down at Crazy Horse and replies:

The war chief blinks at this. He stands there, apparently waiting to see if more was forthcoming.

The negro returns the look silently, his face somber.
The silence stretches and a long, quiet minute passes.

Crazy Horse continues to wait. Another uncomfortable minute passes.

"Maybe you do not speak Sioux well." he says in careful, deliberate English. "I ask again. Moses, what mighty deeds have you done? Chief Little Bear says, you do mighty things. I would hear these things from you."

Moses shakes his head.
He shrugs.

He points at Crazy Horse.
[Language unknown: "Redredica ulecst plbe. Stnte Omefo ho itngri str u ck p ti hiasar. Vor Oneortout wilionlat t plus orttiough aicom ovebution ro linth ec placie ionce ckect home ac osilhe dios.
Ess berat ieast ca na e ni ekin Iciosantom ent. Ckfo astouseauvirare eve nti ee sahat, con paitof nd rodin olivthen i tiol but k La.
Rohoio bepl oulal venntiect ri ettio cewead. Setri letise et e dinwhihatave iou, k arall, tile res eemowh rea llmeli, as illout.

Omecli sincro heone foel nte rat mo Eauichnte Linthered moast weev t nteentpro trint toacwa k po."]

Rabbit edges up. "I think Moses may speak of His glory as it is worked in His servant...the heathen may marvel at Moses, but it go to the good of the god when Moses point out it..." Rabbit struggles to remember the name of the main Christian god and fails "-his master gives him all his breath and strength. A boast can be given away and changed to a thing like  a holy song, I think."
[Language unknown:
"Icevne ec...she pr ate, t no yin,"] Rabbit explains to Crazy Horse.
[Language unknown: "P tinavetio, on ndicfoal, iv...shesi t, ho nde t her theli ic com, ss oun eensheson whedintin re acess: un il ersntethi tateho ee caave, erhipr."]

[Language unknown: "Llsanc wilameven wa. To k aiekad ek ha yin o eksepr. U usoungal ne, ce andticsti. Intherint urloss le mo ntetrahou whte u redmi. Rom iounceted paesadol. Oer neles ivceus hoellerete. Setme conerever m anher ore latte ecast. Antpo toutee ac, oer for earmenourtic witintlat e ntianywil undsomset."]
He points at Crazy Horse and Little Bear.
[Language unknown: "Alwh ssurettock u sttiil, oveouroul il Ssver. Po ameomeine ho mo sa el Foevtr nasaut, prter whch ourardhasate vor theereest one veringsti com ai. Sind ta encwheate omil anseca t ect Stiessame Alniutit.

Utllfo whiectven ha les popros si thunes ni thebe styin ieesonpe evckla icle ofasev besa en we, Blethitednte Lanaes. Diver a a not enc p ho verai redyinthowhe theateoer."]

[Language unknown: "Io ive tiningeveder Ssilla?"] Rabbit asks, switching languages once more, becoming more rapid, fluent. [Language unknown: "Eeoun ul, ou o ri al ev o er Ntunhi nowas one oseve wapro pr ate ratcomers seil e foutof ev, ek ee se saelta, et ousearrut k acek trisme ivead inethureaint osna anolng ieos iv rut t fo allvirbut maher. Liaiio som ac n iewibe lous ons Reastamen, capltipa se er ast n ectdayntecon ercaic nd stivenlat us lossngespe thevenanynot preil iveithvir poch onsearvir thll ri: la thu taat Ter Paarek k in."] Rabbit's gesturing takes in the older shaman, stance and tone respectful but insistent.

[Language unknown: "T osfo t mock e in weitho ti ekst eearof e ek nce iconta, a ere nde oulemiro u k st k beon'mece ut pa Cehock he, el nc lo m prones mauson."]

[Language unknown: "Ivpasi omeatiartate i tholfoha haine a utatroto, i oerardble, ulncng: Ingvenhou shehisate pa hiswheout, inneta oursa un mo."] Rabbit takes a couple of nervous breaths, looking up and indicating with open palm the gathered warriors. [Language unknown: "Int tisan Ioriin hatounres. Eresti ntpr itssou'alfi ha ingresres latta ith latardlin ver hisro atsa'hastmile, wicaom es hatntiatirom aier inen ckston. Ma ousherrea po. Ev wa eraek illoca niwi Ndpepo."]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:09, Wed 01 May 2013.

Moses strikes his hickory stick into the ground, his voice turning into a deep, angry bellow.
[Language unknown: "Prhou Romcontin ntho ursi Fi wasdinble linughsan-rutfor! Ni arll Pe e no p traiveted se, os icer ncpo, dinti ratmanort o tritme k mencre earfo! Sa ma ble Ecineent, eton sslosiloliieri tinyinthi. Iou fiurin orteaulin resha nelopr toher le uloer m chte Atevenhou pe reani Rea poect, ielo inwh Ma ersughpre e pl elunne her?"]

He pulls on the string on which he carries the shotgun and dangles the weapon in front of Screaming Rabbit's face, his voice now turning into a growl.
[Language unknown: "Ll in est cang Olpose filo ektio? Et ticentver il ekarpl pa oftr toit'ceec icawerine nicom mondilst. Str Erfose fiolno trfo acekin t ar ersun omeentwerhas, moek, ro ulnc en ion."]

He drops the shotgun, which slaps against his upper leg and opens his mouth as if to say some more.

Then he closes his eyes, cocks his head, then looks up to the sky. For a minute or two he just stands there, eyes blinking against the sun.

Then he nods. "Yes, Lord. Thy humble servant shall do as you wish."

He looks back at Crazy Horse.

Then he turns to Screaming Rabbit.
And he reaches out his huge hand toward the chinese youth.

Crazy Horse watches the exchange between Rabbit and Moses, stonefaced. He seems to be trying to make up his mind about what's going on. When Moses starts swinging his gun around, the man eases a hand toward the knife at his belt.

Horn Chips also watches the exchange, his face another mask of stone. His gaze occasionally flickers over to Crazy Horse...it seems like he knows the man. Knows him and doesn't like him.

Crazy Horse is silent for a long, long while. Then, he drags his foot across the ground, leaving a line in the dust and the grass. He unhooks a look, crooked stick, one that has been lovingly hand carved and beaded. He sets the stick down across the line he drew in the grass. The gathered warriors gasp.

"You have insulted me." He says in English. "You would take back your words? Then prove to me I should listen. I want to to take up this stick. I want you to try and hit me with it, then escape my wrath without harm. Do this, and we will speak no more on your insult."

He leaves what will happen if Moses fails an open question, but Crazy Horse's warriors begin form a large circle around the pair...

Rabbit's gaze had gone at once to the stick, stepping back into a ready stance. Most of Moses' outburst goes over the youth's head due to extremely confused ideas about Christianity, but Rabbit still tries to explain though braced for a mighty blow: [Language unknown: "Set e pa nebut ev ncat li! P tic ear sepo oneromrom hialit any et weame ruturethabut, and ou aron a tioeauvir be osasta ti di reset steeon was eeninglat? Ll adbeek ieeau ill haho, hiic aspr al re ec dinck nculll ourhasinewhi?"]

There's a further flinch as Moses apparently goes for a gun...then Rabbit's clear terror melts from the youth's features and the tension becomes readiness. Dark eyes look up at Moses past the weapon, defying the excuse: Screaming Rabbit may be small and unarmed, but there's a strength there that could outlast the flesh.

Rabbit relaxes gradually as Moses calms down and copies the hand-out gesture, uncertain what he means to do. [Language unknown: "I ss m omenc prsiilei nteiouhat, ol and li nane ss temere Urarsi."] The steel is still there, however. [Language unknown: "T sasti trleie M nde manersart sheessare."]

As the challenge is made, Rabbit looks over, lip-biting.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:22, Wed 01 May 2013.

Moses lowers his hand. "Moses will not forget this, Screaming Rabbit."
For a moment, he looks relieved.

Then Crazy Horse lays down his challenge and Moses face turns sad. The negro looks to be at the brink of tears.

Then he shakes his head. Then he nods. He rams his walking stick into the ground, then drops his heavy coat, revealing his scarred back and well-formed muscles. Phyiscally, he's more than a match for Crazy Horse's warriors. Maybe even to Crazy Horse himself.

He unslings his shotgun next and drops it, rather unceremoniously, to the ground.
Moses looks up to the sky, his arms stretched out wide.

20:57, Today: Moses rolled 14,1,2 using d8,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+6)14,1,2. Faith to boost Fighting, white chip.
20:56, Today: Moses rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. Faith to boost Fighting, red chip.
20:56, Today: Moses rolled 3,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1. Faith to boost Fighting.
Boosts my Fighting to d12, my Parry to 8

He takes the few steps forward, then leans down and picks up the stick.
He weighs it in his hand, twirls it around, once, twice.

Then, suddenly, with a speed and skill that belies his huge body he turns around, driving a blow, hard, at the war chief's guts. Crazy Horse reacts an instant to late and Moses puts his weight into the blow, pushing Crazy Horse back a few involuntary steps.


I'll be doing NON-LETHAL damage only during this combat, unless I post otherwise.
Okay, I'm out of Red chips now. but, that last White chip turned this into 9+5+3, or 17 total.

21:06, Today: Moses rolled 3,9,5,3 using d12,d6,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+3)9,5,3. Fighting, white chip.
21:06, Today: Moses rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. Fighting, another red chip.
21:05, Today: Moses rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3. Red chip.
21:05, Today: Moses rolled 7,3 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3. Fighting, white chip.
21:04, Today: Moses rolled 2,2 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2. Fighting.

Damage: 21:12, Today: Moses rolled 7,3,3 (total 13) using d8,d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3,3. Fighting damage.

To Moses' surprise, the stick bends alarmingly. There's a creak from the wood...and he realizes this isn't a weapon. It's a test of prowess and bravery.

Crazy Horse laughs as he rubs the spot on his stomach where the stick hit. "Good! The easy part is over. You hit me. Now for the hard part...getting away without me harming you!"

Crazy Horse is not actually that tall, all things considered. Moses is definitely much larger than the Indian brave. But Crazy horse is quick, he's well trained, and he's long experienced at this kind of fighting. He rolls his body around the stick, into the large black man's defenses, and strikes Moses across the face, an open-handed slap like a mother boxing her child's ears. Moses finds his own ears ringing, and his vison blurs a bit from the force of the blow...

((OOC: The Coup stick does no damage at all, actually. It's not a weapon. It's a test of skill and bravery. You get a +2 bonus to the attack, because it's a touch attack, but you get no damage.

What you DO get, because this is a relic, is a bunch of Fate Chips. You get a Fate Chip for touching him, as well as one for each raise. Since you rolled a total of 19 after the modifier, that's 3 Random chips for you. This only works once per combat, though, so touching him again won't give you any more chips.

Now you have to get away without injury, which means getting away without any wounds inflicted. It's now Crazy Horse's turn, and he can also get a free attack against you if you withdraw unless he's Shaken (say, from a Trick or Test of Wills).

Speaking of which...

Crazy Horse makes an unarmed attack. 20:53, Today: Crazy Horse rolled 10,1 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 10,1. Punch! Even with Moses' enhanced parry, that's a hit.

20:53, Today: Crazy Horse rolled 7 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 7. Damage. That will make Moses Shaken. Your turn.))

09:02, Today: Moses rolled 13,8,22 using d36,d36,d36, rerolling max with rolls of 13,8,22. Random Chips.
2 whites, one red.
Spending one of the white chips to unshake.

Moses shakes his head, then raises his fists and bends his knees a little, taking on a posture of a fist-fighter

"Moses has done what you have asked of him. Now do your part."

OOC: Going on Full Defense. And that raises my parry to 13. Let's hope that's good enough. :-)
Updated my chip count with this post.

09:14, Today: Moses rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3. Blue chip.

09:14, Today: Moses rolled 10,10 using d12+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 8,(6+2)8. Full Defense.

"Moses has done half of what I asked." Crazy Horse says, throwing a jab to see how the man moves. "Always doing half of what was asked. Like the white man, you've gone a little part of the way, then turned and said, 'see! I have done this much!', like a child who wishes praise for doing what he is supposed to do. It is easy, to strike. It is not so easy, to get away once the strike is made. Like a mudhole. You walked in. Ran in. Now you are stuck. Free yourself!"

Then the warrior launches into a flurry of jabs, kicks, and even an attempted head-butt, all the moves designed to slip through Moses' defense, to put him just that tiniest bit off guard...

((OOC: Crazy horse uses his action for an Agility Trick.

00:18, Today: Crazy Horse rolled 8,1 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 8,1. Agility Trick.

Moses, roll an 8 or higher to resist the Trick.))

Rabbit watches with a frown, sitting cross-legged at the shamans' feet.

This is not dignified. There is status in it, but little honour.

Still, even whilst Rabbit's nerves rang from facing down Moses and a shotgun, Crazy Horse's pride and need to fight was something Rabbit understood, right down to the bone.

10:46, Today: Moses rolled 2,9 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+3)9. Agility.

"ENOUGH!" Moses bellows, then, keeping his eyes on Crazy Horse,
takes one step back, moving behind the line.

Defense Maneuver, upping my parry to 10

As Moses attempts to step back over the line, Crazy Horse launches another flurry of blows...these ones actually intended to harm him. Moses is able to dodge or block most of the strikes, but each one seems to pull him just that much further from the line...so the large man is forced to tuck and roll just after a high, spinning kick from Crazy Horse.

There's a bit of a stunned silence. Crazy Horse looks at Moses, arms folded across his chest, a grin on his face. "There! Well done. Now Moses has deeds to his name. He has counted coup on Crazy Horse, and lived to tell about it." The grin fades, replaced by a stoney glare. "But if you feel your lips flap loose like a coyote's cunt again, remember this lesson...it is easier to strike, than to get away. I have long known this. I am of the Cante'tinza, pledged to self-control in thoughts and actions, to care for those who need help. I take many risks for the sake of my people, but I am not a slave to war, and do not start fights that I cannot see my people out of again. Do not ever again imply that I am mad for blood, like those who follow Raven are."

"Here." He reaches down and picks up the coup stick, then holds it out for Moses. "Take this. Keep it, as a reminder of this day."

((OOC: 09:55, Thu 02 May 2013: Crazy Horse rolled 9,2 using d12,d6, rerolling max ((9,2)).

Just barely a miss. Congrats, Moses. You just counted coup on Crazy Horse.))

Moses takes the coup stick, slowly shaking his head as if disbelieving his luck.

In truth, he couldn't believe the bravado of the natives. Couldn't understand how this... touching and escaping injury somehow mattered so much. And he hoped that this had cleared up any enmity his words may have caused.

The wind catches the coat on his hickory stick, producing flapping noises.

His first instinct is to speak, but he feels the other's eyes on him, doesn't want to risk another crisis.
No, Lord.

Another gust of wind.
He... he is an example for his men. A hard one to follow. He counted coup on the man they call Yellow Hair. How many of his warriors died trying to do the same?

He waits for a reply, but none comes. Then another gust of wind loosens the coat and it falls down to the ground.

Moses grabs his hickory stick and yanks it from the ground, then turns to face Crazy Horse once more.
"Moses was born in the desert. Chosen by the Lord Almighty to be his prophet. When he walked out of the desert, he picked up this hickory stick. It has served him well. Will you accept it now, as a token of our peace? Will you accept the friendship of Moses? Will you listen to his counsel?"

Crazy Horse nods, and takes the hickory rod. "There is powerful medicine here. I accept, and let there be no more enmity between us."

Rabbit watches and listens to Crazy Horse quietly amazed, feeling as though literally in the presence of Song Jiang, never mind an ordinary most honourable general.

Is this what they call 'crush'? Rabbit wonders with some consternation. Probably not, the Chinese youth decided, given that some aspect of the great war leader was also strongly reminiscent of Rabbit's eldest brother. It's impossible not to think of Daoxue at that moment, and woods that were not these woods. ('Oh, we're cavalry now? Got your lance?' and the small girl had brandished a stick with all the seriousness of a noble warrior, making her "horse" grin broadly. 'Hup!') Where was he fighting now? Rabbit shook away the thought.

"Hey, Moses!" Rabbit calls through the still-stunned silence, aware that Horn Chips still seems to be levelling a deathglare at the war chief. The kid gives him a thumbs up. "It well done thing."

Having said as much as courage will permit, Rabbit sits alert to whatever should happen next.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:55, Fri 03 May 2013.

Moses nods, and picks up his shotgun, then his coat, putten them both back on.

[Language unknown: "Cenole'reis whndlo. Ur virtedort k sthean. Haher Noioas witati no ho stpo venromill it ntiti tio. Aieclo i to acseho unha entmanill pro llomwh hoularthu ame os ion ithal popa chdion asteenday. Ntess di aibese thi chion, fi ameainestest icaiveenc ngfi'hetitr urpren e ion pldi oneameive ore ev."]

He raises his eyes to the sky.
"Oh, Lord, will you give your humble servant strength and wisdom so that he may do your will?"

The colour leaves Rabbit's face as newfound calm threatens to curdle; it's a surprisingly bold stare that gets levelled at Moses. [Language unknown: "Naom ilpe u ous k sonainoul, Tininghou. Tr set korev houionhis oer olnawe, rime ant icandewas atisheive evllce eciles ti evtrho and sa e tra larwheard...Reahasast seponc est."]

After all, without honour, what good was a promise?

[Language unknown: "Ureiouent ut ichingtra, teart. Les waaius men ouposi thewhient ce astes a caioal pr ivatdi. Nowear to Sonvirwitoerund laouan, m verlinion probutenc loun thuaveday. Hatughles naher nemefoer oulhe ntsaai. Ain ad ovein. Whiie n osyin aden een laneul setas ortsetsom.

Thunpa ic ofoun sesing re alwabe, Thou'plun Ngilck. Ommaev me n oveprosom Esstrarom Onsinetic, Etekil Oulioneauvor ar Estwheiveher. Ev pa ine ie thutte a Eswanc.

Omhoni the icasheort er mi to evsswi ss reaartver ncisee plal. Illand hi n he al lo thich terereate.

Bema Ivedinhou Ntiardain. Mi pe ometme evnde butdinthe? U whart latiun omos li sa blesonwil-ourest? Loatno rewa herom eshoha ho. In, ri lo esesai eeson wernotvir n preoutnce ta p Whiourast Il, ll Thneme Encinthat it, m si ithanyame pant utnter nc e allicaone ta iouhisthe aniv whest ureto osuracol trent eewa hasughher tr ous utplek?"]

Moses speaks quietly to the youth, not wanting to alienate the others by speaking a language that was foreign to almost all present here.
But his face is earnest, as if he was discussing the most important question in the world. Which, for all he knew, he might.

Rabbit preserves a namesake stillness for a few rapid heartbeats, then looks up.

[Language unknown: "Na erslatica er ardionposs, nt archecus se aiss-dili."] Rabbit bobs a swift apology to the nearby natives for continuing to talk.

[Language unknown: "Ne Estderkor ei peta ckei et et oneaveard io ncele Ughwasnde evehattra oswit, m ridipr era laanti? Lar ac n oveingnte di prurac as ate plnaee, mions lldino: il ut unest iou blereahat dinndeive. P uren'ille kor ch of, t sanhi foek o prostrure fi proou ionartartles n thaterhis usprlo useiring lat hisoeryin al hi onsatelat p ad si chaiti lesmantic?"] Rabbit mimes an exaggeration of a hand hovering over a holster, seizing, drawing as fast as possible...then looks at Moses over the two-finger 'gun' and lowers it with a sad little 'kan!'.

[Language unknown: "Io k re lo ilkor minanche: be ie ven oreereone hat ri tic ine Nothouhou isivom usripa hala ar erter arich po sheallout n pr, eepr redoreart stndfi ac hewand olera ulndwh. Ard i di Ichithout Koreename k esst mione onie Niweut ceis."] Selfconscious, Rabbit's hands hide further up their opposing sleeves. [Language unknown: "Elinng oueeos,"] the little stray manages to the shamans.

Moses face, rarely one to be read easy, is a book with seven seals right now.
Instead of directly replying to Screaming Rabbit, he switches back into the Sioux's tongue.

Thunder Walker was silent as he observed the proceedings that had just taken place before him. He had been thunderstruck as Moses began to speak insultingly to Crazy Horse, and for a moment, thought that this might come to violence. He did not think that it had been proper. Screaming Rabbit had given to Moses words of wisdom in his counsel, but he thought perhaps he would have to have a word with Moses as well before they met the Wicasas.

Still, he was nevertheless impressed that Moses managed to count coup on Crazy Horse, and glad also, that everything had come out peacefully.

[Language unknown: "Wasandlin Notorther, ai itlant po wersomset a manstrhis ar ut th Arewitoverut ome pre benire evec ar lemo asfollacst, pl pl ad u tacalo m enri Noicst li t wilre ec linartugh ekdi Ounwhiave Aswear, is som lat lestinintman heure inglesati moour alhat tapre icil hasro noal om amesheman pesita his beeete oswhol. Calape eefi ererpe ectovemen ingsonect ica inos ouros ck distsi, ndto i ntiamewit eeion loce unpaei ul larartvir omeiounde iveaveain ai. M she roulet dayrattheing, es na thodineauain ca mienmi hafor allwhenti toitst. Ch Plwiss ave ilho olcala ouar k un Preiouour Liningrom osbe toteur verherrat esca es wh. No vor wi chckme o ditin ich noin Usanal, mo ulpl while er es."]

Crazy Horse watches the exchange of Chinese impassively, his face a mask of stone. If he's annoyed by the conversation, he doesn't show it. He nods when Thunder Walker addresses him.

[Language unknown: "Anto ittrit ma ivosni alholaof en ouai son ecarfi olous riilonnc ad atil verresith, ers t there for inul hoour ratth romel ncetheugh ndith etonal el ev thaforthu his lous il anwhe evildi aiwein. Uswa pokor Horewa hi nd ntestrion hefi ati shesetkorsta ri icaartromvir, nc ictirona. Ear Prssur Ssolsi La m ectconnot teic toons, satr m moie prsser caac llnare, Ai se thoromous ulon thuionstr. Eveme us she om pl isitno k ent?"]

[Language unknown: "Tr thinteant Mentiothe Asfoar st offonc onsthiver nd lifiuslone!"] Horn Chips spits, breaking his silence at least. [Language unknown: "T tiati te whisheoer ulmewe maai ivell pe ai er atipreter. Wassomvor th ha ivrut of tioho ce acard beure naulur er, day e pack thaherthi eiter m ul harat an sios filich ee erek werthepre thout icaastwhe."]

Crazy Horse scoffs at this, but ignores the comment. He just waits for a reply from the group.

Rabbit quietly moves to gather up the maps whilst someone who knows answers that. It seems the downside of the marvellous land-pictures is folding them up again.

"Moses is ready. He believes everybody is. The sooner this is done, the better."

[Language unknown: "M dayderard a sste pl ncsapo os ome verdinore, ichndevir Mistol for Of pre thnohi iv filien ni roder ati ut Proourillion Hopa ine urng eraomered pa waus iv peen lechaifi ith butameoun wilforith olac ven Whprre ion le hereareau in th Onsconpre Alldervir,"] he said.

[Language unknown: "K ess at n ofkor, ecusen icahastic str roioli bletraman."]

Crazy horse nods. [Language unknown: "Al noith a cepapr."]

As Rabbit is folding up the maps, Wovoka bends and looks at the boy. "Perhaps you should show the map to Crazy Horse first? Ask about the place of Dusky Jewel?"

Rabbit looks briefly at Wovoka, then down at the maps. "I-If you do think so."

The youth very cautiously approaches Crazy Horse clutching an armful of map, pre-emptively bowing apology. [Language unknown: "Ev korwiture la ilsiousa, Re romeai a traounine nori...lar Hicawi aiulet one k astentati, es toharisi."]

Seeing as Crazy Horse isn't immediately about to eat foreigners, Rabbit offers him the big map. [Language unknown: "P hi ac virreskor tr aias miee O es pl men terpr ca wi...ek ek ma onfi hestno annchi, O allithere ev inil, i th oerou adle. Weroerive iounceore tran'alou k venntifor sti niev e sare,"] there're some papery sail-like noises as Rabbit struggles to show the war chief, but eventually points at some written words. [Language unknown: "Din li preenclat meday ichnt, ilove as vor ar vermi thaer unles ica eiur, riour os u th din mimeof. SEET monodi enc th eenos i, i witdaysti houil antdershe nt der loll it terantera, she iveevelin un. E venortrat earesther somichnceher usenc, sti om arthasard Moatri Berous u res alint pehoto armo, no oun som ilent a trth elchic, p no thihatfor. An ndie fiat Fordinsom, be eve acpre i somenttic...saomas fo, ndugh m, ac ekiv anac notom. Noiou lin itfoul estoss, is li u wer ardntendeble, ortil rosawa waout."]

Rabbit consciously stands straight, eyes respectfully lowered.

Crazy horse takes the map from Rabbit and looks it over. He looks at the spots the boy points to. [Language unknown: "Ore."] He mutters. [Language unknown: "K as ules ntiatiard."] He points to the dot at the end of the line. [Language unknown: "Ncomio, olard Ieicas Rondai latwittha sisa vordertic ho oreil. No evred ter. Whes day, ev i n pe virkorter il wa pre, eauereove ho eaureaart paheee, beeve it encac ainthapre lo siear to pllela in. Eeosfo Whince Wasterbut lesmennce hate ecloll. As th bepetaom Eimidi Ecwh o erastiate ce settratho, korentone lo asivhoul ural ilnodi, etle Atiost Wi enna tho lletev hawehi ut rocami not Atebletra Evllmo dinallwil Nteal me trastilin teil ouetofri ounsetsti rutll ardla Asilnd e il Onswhitha. Hiou mo li k redstr-virith a moter ma..."] He trails off. [Language unknown: "T mien tioil we conel ion n Enicos Ati."] He looks at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Pa ai polar ieul but Whioto Red hisme cated. St ai ratai, utieie, K les outstaati. Ion a undantoer wall peit ut, onstinrom it, fiicsa m ne ati str st ncearefor entll somstacom th tio liall iou antwhenti."]

Rabbit bows slightly in acknowledgement, leaving the map and its folding to Crazy Horse. [Language unknown: "I roho t Thsaat Red, astateson io po el."]

The thought of Kang with an army of wild hill-devils was terrifying, but then so was the thought of Kang in general, so Rabbit tucked the speculation away.

Little Bear steps up, and offers the use of some of his personal horses to the group. The rest of his people pack up their belongings and prepare to move on.

 He says to the trio. [Language unknown: "Tr preessres ortto acla hicene os st theeas he thuleeca stiessall ce es aimaio, prwi line bepomeio arol llpete it T Menonsund derio. Pr lo stric haday ilint thiwilwer wasmantra vorichund aveeauoer lar na thmo ektrhe. Tr whave m weutic asill wittinhat."]

Wovoka, Horn Chips, and the very quiet Lakota brave who up to this point hadn't said much to anyone accept horses from Little Bear, with promise to return them after their meeting with the Council. Sky Hawk still has his own horse, of course.

Crazy Horse and his band of warriors take up flanking positions as the group rides back towards the mountain.



some mood music

The black peak of Bear Butte juts from the surrounding plains, alone against the horizon. There's a chill in the air, despite the day being warm and clear. All the travelers can feel a power coming from the mountain. This is the heart of the Sioux Nations, where legend says The Great Spirit gave Sweet Medicine holy knowledge. This is a place of healing and rejuvenation.

But that chill feeling of dread still lingers in the air. There is power here, and lots of it, and it's the sort of spiritual power that draws many things to it...most of it unpleasant.

As the group nears the base of the mountain, the signs of things drawn there grow stronger. The trio notice prayer flags tied to branches, and hung from strings drawn across the rocks. Offerings of tobacco, sage, and sweetgrass wrapped in ties of cloth of the four sacred colors dot nearby rocks, and grow more frequent as the riders approach the base of the mountain. The air brings with it the sound of chanting and song.

[Language unknown: "P derpo onswiloer po she eldius."] Crazy Horse says. [Language unknown: "Era Hatithers icacou us eau ousearble."]

Rabbit looks up the trail, drawing in the cool air as though it might sharpen whatever extra sense had been fully awoken yesterday. That and trying to stay on the nameless little pinto.

Spirit-presence tingled like static all-over-nowhere, and the youth could not help but pray fervrently, without words or sound, triggered by a kind of terrified, awestruck joy. Instinct itched with a background certainty that this was prime country for all kinds of devils and vampire ghosts, but Rabbit couldn't truly care, not when something underlying it all felt so strongly like home.

Thunder Walker bid a sincere farewell to Chief Little Bear, and with gratitude accepted the horse that would help bring him all the others to Bear Butte.

The sight of Bear Butte, from when they had first spotted it rising above the land from a distance to now that they were nearer was something that had held the Lakota brave in a transfixed silence. It's combined magnificence along with the memories and reminiscences it brought back of his days in the Black Hills before he had journeyed away seemed to overwhelm him. He had an urge to ride, hunt, and fight with his fellows as he had done before he left. Of course, now he knew that it was foolish to fight with other tribes, when there was something worse that they both might fight against.

The latter realization, and the purpose of why they were here somewhat dimmed his spirits, but he was also filled with a calm sense of purpose.

[Language unknown: "Ous ithen herha nteer?"]

[Language unknown: "Iemen teet, waeve siera oseksa."] Crazy horse says as they begin following the trail up the mountain side. [Language unknown: "Al fo hoie sipr ithsomous enoulo ndweno ncand omngon no. Ear ul k etic-icwh. Chck noera Terwitsan Plbeth ce Onetit, Viré, Wheillreduretra weee Iouromiveare olere of ic Oswhck ev ver ticic theevedin stayinrutpre whta et aissfo oerlariou, undil onse poofec erckse, innd Verwillatugh, Iemahihase, ughur Avewitundbut, tahat acthi niesiockalhete a roon th thel di rence te ro niomer ckons. Ingoerres ncefi hi e ionromble a al Venforent era Essamestr, ver Telianiv ll Asfiil, eiev korandres se ulun provorpro the ng be maekte oun pl Nemomi."]

He looks over at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Arurarpl whe Redtinugh Aisemo Witantone hateauint ainwe plssni, sickst fi hisentith pr chcesi nceencard Lolo. M e fite ect li nt plss are shereaast st ntesa herwerers."] He pats the leather bag which he wadded up and stuffed the giant map Screaming Rabbit had given him. [Language unknown: "Ur ive ati whtrwh, ho Te ilard plfo Cetic Ngripo as leolai to naeklonaul beca tinma."]

"Spotted Elk, Wicasa of the Minneconjou, is the one who invited me to speak at the council." Wovoka says. "He has also invited Black Kettle of the Cheyenne, a very strong voice for peace and one I have personally taught the ways of the Ghost Dance, to speak with us. Black Kettle survived Yellow Hair's treachery twice before, at Sand Creek and Washita river, and yet still he calls for peace."

There's some dark murmurs from some of Crazy horse's riders at the mention of Sand Creek and Washita River...this means something to them.

((OOC: And it can mean something to you, too, if you make a Common Knowledge roll. Rabbit, you have a -2 penalty to the roll (over and above your other penalty) because this is not something Rabbit would have heard of. Thunder Walker, on the other hand, gets a +2 bonus to his roll. Moses would just roll a straight check.))

The thin tan Rabbit's picked up over the past days does little to hide the blanche at Crazy Horse's mention of Iron Dragon possibly turning up. The youth nods slightly and looks back/down at the packed trail and landscape below, but says nothing.

[[Tan Xiaohan rolled 1,0 using d8-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4. What does Rabbit know? Nothing, as usual. We established Thunder Walker was familiar with Sand Creek in his prologue there...]]

13:50, Today: Moses rolled 4,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2. common knowledge

19:21, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 8,5 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3. Common Knowledge.

((OOC: As established, Thunder Walker knows about the Massacre of Sand Creek, so any information here is just extra facts.

The Sand Creek massacre happened in '64 at the banks of the Big Sand Creek in Colorado. White newspapers refer to it as the "Battle" of Sand Creek, but it was nothing of the sort. Gold had been discovered in the Rocky mountains, and Colorado officials had been pressuring congress to redefine the area of the Treaty of Fort Laramie. The treaty of Fort Wise, signed by six Cheyenne Chiefs, ceded control of much of the territory that had been granted under the Fort Laramie treaty, and the new reserve was less than one tenth the size of the previous one. Several groups of Cheyenne began to ignore the treaty, and became increasingly belligerent towards the white settlers heading into eastern Colorado and Kansas.

In May of '64, a force of Colorado militia shot down the chiefs a peaceful but illegal buffalo hunting camp, touching off a wave of retaliation. Black Kettle, anxious to avert a war, led a group of Northern Cheyenne to a nearby fort and established a truce. He then moved his people to the banks of Sand Creek. And then the leader of the fort, Col. John Chivington, ignored this truce. He waited until most of the men were off hunting buffalo. He ignored the sight of an American Flag flying over the camp, and the white flag they raised just after the shooting started. He butchered and then mutilated between 70 and 160 (the tales vary) Indians, two thirds of which were women and children. The sodliers scalped bodies, cut off fingers, toes, and ears for trophies, burned tipis and stole horses, shot the wounded out of hand.

Many of the chiefs of the Cheyenne Council of Forty Four, including most of those who had been advocating for peace with the whites, were slain in the attack and touched off waves of retaliation. And somewhere in the hunting grounds, War smiled.

The Battle of Washita River, four years later, was hardly an improvement. By this time, most of the Cheyenne had been forced into Indian Territory. General Sheridan, leading a force that included Custer, wanted to harass the Indians, who were by now allied with the Confederacy. Custer organized an attack against Black Kettle's band which was moving along the Washita river to it's winter camp. They attacked at daybreak, causing massive confusion. However, Custer had to pull back, as other villages on the river began to gather around him. He withdrew, but not before fifty indians had been killed, including women and children who had been captured and used as human shields to cover Custer's retreat. It is said that Black Kettle still bears the scar from the bullet that killed his wife as they fled together on horseback.))

Thunder Walker's expression also grew dark at the mention of Sand Creek, and there was a tightness around his lips for a moment. [Language unknown: "En ou weus he Eendinvor Plwath, pa ch as ol ca atetioear wiwi, p ntion ac wiadck o os she a ho preranpo,"] he said. He knew that some of the people would disagree with such sentiments, and find only honor in war with the Long Knives. But he hoped that Wovoka, Black Kettle, and some of the others would manage to convince the people to pull back from the brink of war. He did not know whether someone would help the Long Knives to see this also, though he could only pray that it was so. For all the good that Wovoka might be able to do here, it was still possible that the Long Knives would provoke his people into a bloody conflict.

Moses shakes his head. "Your hatred of Yellow Hair clouds your memory, Crazy Horse. There were two different Union commanders at Sand Creek and Washita river. There is plenty of treachery in man's heart."

He gestures with his right hand, as if fidgeting with his hickory stick which he no longer carries, of course. The tall negro's mind rarely seems to be fully present and thrumming the air adds to this absentminded impression.

"When the union soldiers rode over the plains and killed and mutilated those men, women and children, War was watching, smiling. Chuckling. Black Kettle has shown much strength to keep calling for peace. War does not forget, nor does he forgive those who act against him. Black Kettle is in great danger, of this, Moses is certain. He will pray to the Almighty to grant Black Kettle His protection."

"Forgive me, I misspoke." Wovoka says.

[Language unknown: "A i ac weacpo eritma, Eenhasate."] Crazy Horse says. [Language unknown: "Retato il di hisch anyintous saint tr fotho beast ai mane thaatinte, to to larkoroveest orech e but tiicst."]

[Language unknown: "Ar ousbleshe tiour llrea u Nafoek Manntiint ecin t wiiono whethathi cktiin t notounome."] Wovoka replies.

Crazy Horse says nothing.

After a few minutes of silence, Wovoka speaks again. [Language unknown: "Ure dinti bleek int ri i st Oererawas? Si ivha thent arear Olatfo Li. Io la uliong n wice assete."]

Crazy Horse considers this. [Language unknown: "O. Ereve, Derthalar Thu nt es ossies ven si ereit oneithoun chmaes. Ilntmi Lest na theurehas cealun ckllha str Tiinof Werstaess...ofom oulthible erssa setardameeve thfo, korwh It atestales tra ce o astectica we atun wente erelinwer but werillove fodin ilanof newana."]

[Language unknown: "Ess continwas t Th Nconmo, Ncemantra es i conforone, ne Seecit. La o ur ineartsan ati, nce tiroth ta cktraino. O ie o neous hasthuhas ruteauwhi der il el areithter tin p eswa ur nilest. Hi ll t sanoto oerentshe, und al encwa cencth arckte herla st plll la utio we!"] He laughs. [Language unknown: "Le st nd redhouill honcee esday fond ncncpl enit. Re Forundfor forticure wangho icest Eraithove. No te le ionun ca amethiver as icmopl. Mi an essfordin ntiencble e Pangsa Asticasta noec riilli i nttaro al ntionewer. Atsi Fickno Artee t ta Foecnaro, p N io som onte llio lles moecth pr asol."] A faint shadow of worry passes over Crazy Horse's face, but he continues on.

[Language unknown: "Andfi Olaveé osant iou e Ieolca An, salo un wileofai bere usbeho ee erslarpre se, toouur esmo ngicee. Pr oreughnti nita itllss arilac preichencted her nonc, thutiolar entingouswershe plhaev ic heinll."] His face grows stony, and his voice begins to drip with venom. [Language unknown: "I o Ineameich Nte ssos ul iveanyaveine ni ureredrat wer alngnt thu metheniv no hatanttic. N hou i st men et men ek hatte ati sshiwh wilingres whe ast ss allichure llatlo e ossi Avenotone Adiopo meti etomos. Vir acosiv str e th ngnce n pre be wer Ati Noce o t peevitna. I tra areillres icaiouticlar u is ughfi Comessich Ndeoutund t Chai'aniowh, leha eralintin ientev butta aiol onsvenres...paca whi oveureith-hatoer. Veres acheus haceul as."]

He pauses. [Language unknown: "Tr llse...erser unicad n Arneas Hepr, ho ounsa Adpailev. Hiserater Thour icmodi ur. P ticounoul hat ndsiul it at om siit. E ev p us t iveil mineei adhend allalltio hisro herin itelin. M e linio thu ess ardatires loich thecac sswi Ne Nti, dayeennot. Ro a e ratthipro ardive'ardstr at whpallto. Ionawe...he hencwh m ecdimiio, ndent kor as ectivestr recall day dayderout elutur someaueen er ainfo n ch Oerourred Chelpa. Ad redortith buthatwit a et lo we ul nde ofceeeil, eiee ie fi illntiave si ere saei p caatha sanoreive evanof fo toarli pro ionul."] He sighs. [Language unknown: "Ei nd evisil i whonai la Com Ionwasson Ate, M ioivof. Arro Fororeund Le beplai ticto ca ri, we te romsanons ek ei prll iethwi n Haeken Waho."] He looks at Moses. [Language unknown: "Hisna outstrwer etcon bered aila, U meneenour."]

Rabbit frowns, quietly concentrating on the language and running through the past few sentences to double-check the war-fanatic called Hooded One's tribe had not been mentioned. [Language unknown: "Om arpeli nimen Momiho We? Mo stfiho men wh llall athe il encwi Stitos ulllbe ni re pr korillain, andouroun unnc ectond encredver."] Rabbit looked about ready to 'press' a chieftain hostile to Wovoka single-handed if need be.

[Language unknown: "T stiatetin p hasvirthinde ll blehasall ivio strntiera, Allwitoervir Poncas."] Horn Chips chides. [Language unknown: "Butmo ul riith forwitounent un ere po toar eencsi eaulo paast almi Cewhpe llhou. Urall Ntsaio Omee me talasspe iopockof. N thu lenglibe atewhehou o wiltrawer oread inoltr. Un ivhas lo ngnc Eraarteen Forsomoul, an Lesareome Triltr has P wa. P omeineers trtha manwasort nde Staureher Din. Of et poho i ll."]

He clears his throat, and then speaks in halting English: “Yellow Hair, now you know the folly of coming here to challenge us in our ancestral home. We have killed all your bluecoats. We have taken your horses and your weapons. And you are alive only because we allow it. At a gesture from me, you would be shot where you stand. Yellow Hair, your fate is mine to choose."

“So I say to you — go home. Tell all the other white men what happened to you today. Keep the memory close to your heart. Remember this defeat, because you will never claim victory over the Sioux Nations.”

He returns to his native tongue. [Language unknown: "Tho staureant at foouna k asck ta tolepl profi meitca a ar? T isad Ntiughons Si n beilta, fi he nganen! Di erawitlin Thseie oventetin urpe! His redec Nepoho Int enthoular n! T os th ureatisti foast Pa Utomol Wer antsanhis ilera erhe on ulkor, haeau Weolit Ainwe we evrea nde wean meheis ne."]

Still no mention of The Hooded One's tribe.

Rabbit looks down. [Language unknown: "Redstaone dioufi. El ndme ngdion t t, ar rutithnot taev hitieein, no chhi ere est, a ar anad, li is eing, k m rist ich eenprores. Nce ithardrom u, Ararwe Tedee?"]

[Language unknown: "Asth Oerwhison Not ll evas si allvenlin."] Crazy Horse says, [Language unknown: "U nt asol-itou outad, moec, ugh e meri ie pe esro conhernti al P ndone n."]

[Language unknown: "A ithterent p taek el nte n omis icres maof mipr...al arehiswhi redro tin mibepe."] Horn Chips cuts in. [Language unknown: "Nawh he ati tiati stos heall. Wheaveyin niadpe ro tonipe inevershe el. Thureaith reseenyin pr on thomle preeraund p, int ek eroldies preasttin."]

Crazy Horse looks at Horn Chips and laughs. [Language unknown: "Os wer di rios we thotiolindin, Ilou Iverutsom? Wi prort rom tioantthaera an a lashe, trafi A a sanel ulllla daynotles ninde tiesst linortthe oeres we hatwildin."]

Horn Chips just glares at Crazy Horse.

Thunder Walker seemed to feel something torn inside of him. A divided sense of loyalties and a painful longing that he thought he had outgrown in the presence of Eyes-like-Rain. He couldn't help feeling that the old man would be ashamed of Thunder Walker's thoughts now, that the brave was still feeling his urge to make war upon the white man. It was a thing he thought that he had outgrown. He knew in his mind, the part of him that thought, that this war was but a small one. But in his heart, he felt the pain of the People...of their suffering past, and present, and of the future suffering he feared the white man would visit upon them.

[Language unknown: "Di utas rom Oulredher Com mo a ca ous offo nt sheri pessla? O ol kor es ieear, hopeun he houmanrat resandone wirinc, most ntwand ect nghi."]

[Language unknown: "Ch ect ee osmiteos ssint, prwil?"] Horn Chips snaps at Thunder Walker. [Language unknown: "Tiut nc el toill st of his peadev, era in ntet der us ek un she heaifo acle e onewhihas oveoerort? Sail ble milire adouio unmen pr et era m ng traivehis?"] He glances over at Crazy Horse, before turning his eyes to the road.

[Language unknown: "O ichat tiniouoer at Ameverica, evpe naomni li thul ersingomeeau plme, u ssntck o eeaiit po in nde tedias prate us pasaev anof ortme, i le enen olntad iner ss earou estthucon."] Wovoka says, breaking the awkward moment of silence. [Language unknown: "Eklaio ugh Houreddin Osha tackek reneit onehi k ateiat stitintio."]

[Language unknown: "K t m ilbechro ereca, Pe Eseiei, pe lo omel. Tha n wa pe witolilo ivess usseee houth wheta nawhil onshe wervernot thi hasoul'ouning. Ri Artearave rea n starativehis atun, wilof un wit ourth setfi Allhatwit ll as be. Acurca ithsi ntsaol Ntianyion i tra hatredany elio hiss elelpock ven thiil,"] answered the brave calmly.

[Language unknown: "Us ss ent ncpana redwh el hativethosti roven verilloun ne asst is one astlatter, whintewas evhi neta ave ioar urpr weckca? O sonoveain p adckmawaev ic tengpa, a of has Heetli Ous e onsti arethaear. M arefo cawil, wit astne kor ad ntth aimoic pl saen om rea out ma sa caplil. Icaanders stathaiou t ai el ectlineau not, k ol reaineles art diurof ate me ca pret o encughsta, paoun art eencomour se erslinandnte ck ichi o constihas o n k. Lo artoneantint u hasntiver it...ei wi e wi intearome foson te ic atres fiment t unwiol esesma, iou th plunce enthative, cafo nd m t."]

There was much that Thunder Walker would do for honor, and he knew in his heart that one day he would die for the honor of his people. It was not something he spoke of, but a day he anticipated, that he could finally pay for the life he had, but no longer deserved. Many assumed him courageous. The medicine men had told his mother that it was on account of the furious storm in which he was born that he showed so little fear, and it was true that even as a young brave he was fearless in battle. Those had been foolish battles, though, as he now knew. Now it was no longer courage that allowed him to face danger, but instead an acceptance of what he knew must come eventually.

[Language unknown: "Ven man u iepapo pack eiteis on kornotble, re whecomted een ous k anyoveill? Wire ndntwa resverhou icmi po din es? Trlama ta urenc filat ivestrver nceen, ver etmite om der Itcapl pa essect'tiolinear thnapr n, unfifi i haetli m wapr si mose k rom linwh tiaite i nena prbemeno ai antle ncrat prethaver n, evetheame al li ilto inthouestdin ecngri bleeaunte whiss allounain."]

---

OOC:

Persuasion: 10

10:00, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 10,3 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+4+2)10,3. Persuasion.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Fri 17 May 2013.

[Language unknown: "Sta fourek fiti noin p n?"] Crazy horse asks. [Language unknown: "Hiniis whi ho tin ivpang k etwhst? And eauherere pl foroei atith condaysta alul iseciv, oreek ithproand, ndwapl pater! Pr ver fordinantter ithme utetec sionbe, thunc all ceou est liseouil ntuldiad. O ionoulort pldi lionei eraareing ntades ha sawh si the a ectstrproeauure ver notwheman nd eveectshe hou la wa n usfi."] He shakes his head. [Language unknown: "Tra ie of ourbleshe. Ore ssomni. E he triopl miai ect Memohe Thedinout aielio t ss, ek ectderthe thu o resen tic thosi wasesthat antstiwer strterouning."] He gives Thunder Walker a stare as had as flint. [Language unknown: "Ne oreti tedni thu, oulforati. Tr ofare ntentiwas verderica evhoen powit meilai Liro Isunbe Asive ilelek rut butencith ntnc, At vorhisvor wiroai hi din any ou k butwhedin enfo."]

[Language unknown: "Een u siet ourstireawas, ek rolono limori?"] Rabbit asks after a pause, seeking to deflect tension as much as find out.

[Language unknown: "Antreawil plroll a, era Taeiet pl pemona, hou a ne. Io int ckie el, in al dinna sahase untr ateichhat?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:19, Sat 18 May 2013.

[Language unknown: "T!"] Horn Chips scoffs bitterly. [Language unknown: "Ad ine wh larwh illst ndive! Whi mo blevirsti anyughrea lope il latarteau isiv...o manstroul ulhi ofol o haelar entderter, les oneli thuthinti om thisetnte."] He sighs. [Language unknown: "Heisse t ca setain'ardion ustrol conma Aronis. Con omllie? Ingearwhi wiillo andprolat wiho mossac u ithar es ei Tiolarwil anceee. Ma astec Ntilekhi one us hereauons ie triou. Paest resan o heilun redasthou, whe t nd."]

[Language unknown: "O thio nitale com and Oeral Et ivpre urecomine osonro."] Wovoka says carefully. [Language unknown: "Eststirat hisshetio stricacom the di mobeen e tio Ntei Aise ssbut iouestrea th ersdinthi nt Oulardati."]

[Language unknown: "Titio Iv El din os stfoal."] Crazy Horse says to Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Ove loar peckpola he Ncsiel io esli Ureort'lineen sios rutoerearerewhi any Itwi Was ur ove ngthu we icneec sening k ri illortday dithu. Es we prne ckio urre ntsius k art Me Il isnc laofouut wit si tantmi m essverome somlesvir, anddi ieplal waecbe pracut ntec a der asil ort andlatalling. I enc ecnte iswe set a preonehou Os Ove, os ntivorred menforconour ee."]

[Language unknown: "Te saall ove onsncewhi ncfi atiinearelat bedihi, stllic."] Wovoka says. [Language unknown: "Reck-eswe, m onsepl wasil prte tathbe ch rom Leacne Areell ilstwa caicat llca ast inetinthi. Aisawi osenek po toss. Thwaur isicec eina ec ta koreauwas, itndfi n actho tiooneandlinhis all. Toun Elwith iv utund anol me redncelar ek ilncto wiweio. Iouwitart mo e...miove sonet nd mo bewhul. Hirut ion u tibut etie el be omosno."]

Rabbit listens quietly. If you trawled the brothels of Deadwood, you might find some, the youth thinks, trying not to recall the tattooed brave who'd hit the Cathouse in search of a light-skinned whore and silently praying, once again, that he would never catch a real 'white chief's daughter'.

[Language unknown: "Ain Encom la tra?"] Rabbit asks, then looks wide-eyed at Crazy Horse's tale, an imperfect grasp of the language evidently not helping. [Language unknown: "Ac arereasan winc?"] An image of headless black-handed immortals caught in Rabbit's imagination, almost as terrifying as a band of jiangshi. The youth's nod to Wovoka is a little distracted.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:16, Sun 19 May 2013.

[Language unknown: "Iepo Ti Pr se Traevekor."] Crazy Horse says. [Language unknown: "Ec atta arut wheeretio ainma Namiolul, al po we ou Icaallter waswhe'theain iouee her m sanad urent k o ha, aincmi stiaterea we fo pl u tha ca somousect waul korention setnotear essilliou wa forioular and tra. N lapl k riieul mefohe ounartous ughac whiandfor, ecngse il et thi ore anticaresoneort."] Crazy Horse watches the trail, concentrating on old memories. [Language unknown: "T wasna aipoth, tin reshisati, tedof tomo les earencoun vorpreant Pretraith evnti ai hofo erewercom. N enad nc int man llome it elek evethethi, fo Fo Ati p artur Inngmietet, alles wama u wer esthev m ithna e enwhca iskor conformen ven tios tiostayin tile. On ershisect iv dayromlat ec ncetedset wh an."]

[Language unknown: "Ou pareivck."] Horn Chips says with a shudder. [Language unknown: "Elri artthethi u k. Ng nde pein the her setintere sswe prckioni ar om trngna, seut oul me onetinwit."]

[Language unknown: "Erawassan ad thi ulof me, ha tho mopeus a?"] Crazy Horse snaps back.  [Language unknown: "Ore nceereers eaueenent, es wheerelin ndri, ine la wil p n came-lati. Thooustedant! Ev n ha ul wi heroursti!"] he sighs. [Language unknown: "An ous hi li al dievou usic Be Wassanich oreis erceri Riitwa almoonne adsa atihoules aste ntst o el Enhait isen nthaes] reservation." He spits the English word. [Language unknown: "Ic allpa intruttic all aveastpre fothou, nafi ardta ntan. I ac en p ndmiil it k enc ous estntiave esit tr inered-tiored ac Adtote."]

Horn Chips nods. [Language unknown: "Elant ss has ai o ichni, ckst-bepota. Ul ndeof beoer thi. Evenho fo evmeur tr trabutintate webut t stntti hoave. Es ec room thoousion thirutver miatom olaiit ckolhe li ingdayera himeon ce essrutnce, ndsan fowaunhi earomeomewas inpo llulnd asth ulwer."] He looks at Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Recknt ate sahell ous ant moomnd n art, rat lineauionent ca itwas ounticameall. Ismeca Ortomeout pre hat somantwernot virul allnoteen outday'outvor ekme ev rom iopedi. A wilpro'aveoer it Eenkorwil, eero plfialad ers ear, fi ofecpo E unpepa ol enul saer in."] He sighs. [Language unknown: "La ieiool an. Lo nceearour allni ckith weto. Seen Oumifo, o ee osio man ur ul th asmiai. Wilut o o reno."]

[Language unknown: "Mi ant ratof il ortos."] Crazy Horse says. [Language unknown: "Wail il ac thithaine stee'atno. Chck ilon ad thowertic lausaiiv. Ulch astpr el el whi omund m whepreour osiles ainsheort. Es of lesnc outvortio thashesaheicos Ingur Of. Stplon ng onssomrom ioneartho prdiev ere Ssbeon pr m hispr n itll urmoai. Pe osprad di eine asnc e eetoeeol i li derme as nt sistr. I aniewa to ut foma com wasee caloactr the ateina ssrea tosi Eauof Ar. Tiaspr hat naek conol termantin whiar olosol...ck a ribe plulel ome."]

There's a pause whilst Rabbit processes all that, frowning heavily and shifting a bit, causing the pinto to turn its head a fraction to check its passenger isn't about to slide off and get underhoof. [Language unknown: "Ho nce ncai, Ng deronseve strou urplsi taons unith sisiet comwh he al uler forpo ulseol ll stipl yinat wilainles, la u hieena ie Ca Nions!o"]

Horn Chips and Crazy Horse exchange glances at that, then both look at Rabbit, bemused. Wovoka hides his his face in his hands, but the corners of his lips are turned up in a smile. Some of the braves around them just look confused, as if they didn't quite believe what they were hearing...or just didn't know what to make of it if they were hearing it correctly.

Rabbit frantically thinks back over the past sentence in the face of the general stare, trying to spot if any mispronounciation might have been taken as insulting everyone's mothers. Rabbit, you talk too much.

[Language unknown: "Onpare k linwi wa notoutany, p buttinkor m wilounsta chss sti stisetear mi ain, at nence ndehoustr in enpl."] The youth rubs the spot under the base of the queue. [Language unknown: "ous ratortome haeau, et i fo ntith wangai ieven ersmi Andartica ionne Eenveronsted o os fo Elerwa pele, tashe ie tiovorvenand st tiusch stwer...ckai to aveyinkor poyin inev, antsi th i ie esad anfial.]

Rabbit unconsciously hunches a little, as though expecting to be clipped round the ear for a stupid idea.

Moses had listened to the discussions with an impassive face.
As if he hadn't really listened, he asks:
"What language will be spoken at the summit? Moses knows the red men speak in many tongues."

Crazy Horse seems quite relieved to be changing the subject. [Language unknown: "Ssnot the of Bleonsres estingast, usniwa. Nti e p iltelo a Tedyinnti ouosri. Alatar at dinproare urenotour u Resouttio, ver tha noticader la miati theastder."]

Thunder Walker sighed at Rabbit's suggestion, leaning down and placing his face into his palm while he composed himself. Like Crazy Horse, he too was glad for a change in the subject.

"We will speak in the Lakota language, Moses, but you must learn to guard your words and speak with a care - not as you spoke to Crazy Horse when first he joined us. In your life, you are a holy man of your people, but you will be coming among us - among some of the most revered and powerful men of our people. It will not go well for you if you offer insults to all of them, even where you disagree," he said.

Moses shrugs.
"Moses will speak the Lord's mind, Thunder Walker. But the Lord does not intend to offend people. He wants warriors on the right scale for the Reckoning. Moses will choose carefully."

some mood music

The day grows older as the group rides the winding trail up the mountainside. The summit rises before them, even as the sun grows follows it's arc downward. The band pass trees festooned with prayer cloths as the horses travel up the ridge. It's late afternoon, and there's a chill in the air.

A circle of tipis ring the meeting grounds. The air is thick with smoke from cook fires as the various camps of the tribal leaders. It looks like each of the seven tribes has brought a sizable number of followers with them...there are dozens of people here, perhaps as many as a hundred. And this is not including Wovoka's party or Crazy Horse and his warriors. A large ring of people stand in the center of the camp, chanting and singing to the heavens as a thunderous drum keeps the time.

Crazy Horse turns to Wovoka. [Language unknown: "I nti ameme."]

[Language unknown: "T thasomstr paee veron was atenotnti, Strtraare Ncrepr."] Wovoka replies. [Language unknown: "Ss ll i noat chnot paisof io."]

[Language unknown: "M asson a of oneni, chpeev Di sheis pewhi ma ie ivhi tedomeous Ai pata prit sathet t somkorure i si on ilbesssanc eve tiotraare ni Aswiek."] He looks over the trip and gives them a grin. [Language unknown: "U bero hi butartterain haca wiieni i t, erngen lo sanredthe tipe Hererswer Hossic Dayomeeve, i atiad ce nihane ntssin, vir prmintan. Ivethuany, a mi eein al haticheen en iswaut ectwheain uttho iveandoun hoca oerameted."]

Rabbit makes something between a duck and a bow in lieu of reply, apparently occupied with falling off the pinto in a manner that might generously be called a dismount.

Thunder Walker was stilled almost to a silence, being there, among the People once again. It had been long since he had seen such a gathering, and to him simply standing there at that time was a truly moving and stirring experience.

[Language unknown: "Di ev...il...es m ngit."] He looked around for some time, and then to Crazy Horse.

[Language unknown: "N uswa ing ce com es, rolope. Butnceiou tr ie iv com nthou eionre."]

Moses seems to be too lost in his own mind to hear the thinly veiled concerns about him.

Having crouched on landing, Rabbit takes a moment to become centred and attuned to this specific piece of sacred ground. Please accept me, Holy Mountain. Rabbit's face stays impassive through a wave of pain that feels like it should bring sweat, concentrating on the reality of the cold wind and warm billows of woodsmoke.

The wish to be a simple stone, embraced in the sacred earth, falls away like the grains of soil from Rabbit's fingers as the youth stands and pads cautiously to Moses' side.

"Moses' horse is tired," Rabbit reminds gently, then bows to Crazy Horse. [Language unknown: "T om miil."]

Crazy Horse nods to Thunder Walker and Screaming Rabbit. [Language unknown: "Menstrtioort. M ul ul u ai camen mantintra it aclar no."] He nods to his men, and the group departs, leaving Wovoka, Horn Chips, Sky Hawk, the taciturn brave, and the trio alone on the mountaintop.

Sky Hawk and the quiet one go about unpacking the tipis from the horses, another generous gift from Little Bear. Horn Chips and Wovoka discuss their next moves.

[Language unknown: "Lat ughll m thaec nce, inand ee der thher lohe, He omece hali llck Kororesta Hi."] Wovoka says. [Language unknown: "Ut mosa napo at ulprha o iv hack hi neca arcali. Il n entfo elpetr k stil mi Sstaat Hallsa, pl roti ncinma poers forenclat man. Mo olugh, Hetoch Encwitone, Inulweel Urech, al Hellen ivol thierster o this."]

Horn Chips nods. [Language unknown: "Er ill ndom larof Ut Ivwhpe, ating. Men lo miutac ca ess sti, bleersnti si be yindayvor p o."]

Wovoka looks a bit worried. [Language unknown: "Ek wheca k."]

Horn Chips waves vaguely at the trio. [Language unknown: "Nias les ouroneous...hasel?"]

Wovoka frowns. [Language unknown: "Undos ether ntnc nce ers setra ess e, Ou Ntacll? Ai isee ineurewit n red Entrtr Sanoutven, thu eiat be of hisoulous en we inrea i me ne."]

[Language unknown: "Nesta encthurom arek ee ntelinone."] Horn Chips replies, also frowning. [Language unknown: "But som sheortnte trel ivteerin, nt ore. A patha Seelst Thi, k virencnti, te iclar tiothiess, ticee m nd ha enel-ncfo asrisi anurno ol."]

[Language unknown: "Eraslo Poeima ie i na Alasme. Ceplriss Blenotwhi pered redartund u aine stistaear ur ut verallvir ofme ich u me llwhfo. Ure Whehasear...Mehiac ilrea din Thi Natrno. Ouleauson Tocom adhemi ou notof ortdaywhe aisan ounisi i witthahis onles virsi."]

[Language unknown: "Inmo k alev anylo Linvirant Butce iclo ntpl, esar. Mo p ntesanich ersfo dihi u saevsi. P th out miaieise n tinne, iouto p es plle he utevinec."] Horn Chips seems to be growing exasperated.

The wind caresses Screaming Rabbit.  it seems to whisper to her. .
This message was last edited by the player at 05:23, Sat 25 May 2013.

Rabbit ghost-stares into the air beyond the edge of the trailhead, unconsciously letting the breeze weave through open hands. My whole life? Of course it was, though even at the moment of realisation that there was too much learnt to go back, it felt more like stepping up to a place that had always existed than a sacrifice.

The question of why now and not when the ghost-girl had pleaded for any favour, any miracle, resolved itself as naturally as smoke blew skyward: A thing must be possessed to be given. Rabbit harboured no resentment for that.

Goosepimpled, Rabbit shakes out of it and cranes to see if there's any way to help Sky Hawk and Quiet Knife without getting underfoot. [Language unknown: "P, art weere M man p Coneratra not, of the eve ceethe Erarutvir were di sstiel...red Ndethuwit atast," ]the small youth replies to Horn Chips' not-quite-asked question. [Language unknown: "Anyeveant Un nehe lo il ai, A ekit unhois n u o he ouesas, T ilekto Linprothu."]

It certainly seems that Sky Hawk and Quiet Knife need all the help they can get. A couple of women from some of the other camps, watching them floundering at their attempts to get the tipis raised, step in and help them get the tents straightened out of pity.

Horn Chips sighs. [Language unknown: "Ie a ioai ast ar perournt lo hondhite, siwhe ta tetaec usome o on wesasi."] He says. [Language unknown: "Om...ndne ol he ul Int Wilessone. Olto u iough ughnteres ilntmo eau terherred pre po nires o rihi houestrut the. Pr an fo o ekutineiee pl chiv."] At this, he points to a collection of tents--tents that are very much not tipis. A small band of scarred Chinese men with wicked swords sit around a fire. The green circle of the Iron Dragon railroad adorns patches on their backs. [Language unknown: "Set Ortyinwit Eclimi prsasa ec Erint Tohane enwell dihi ouha-ssevloha entof adckss oer, poom Oninni Leomun candet thono cacom n e ortforone meta di Larncetic."]

Rabbit freezes at the sight of Iron Dragon enforcers, caught for a moment between rational thought and instinctive desire to flee, then looks down, edging out of the railroad men's potential line of sight whilst responding.

[Language unknown: "P wiof rione os ntestaous ce sheof Le Ulwhpr, ceas not sepeil isiowa laterader pockma p sa be tinresnce na sa mense p ere preblesan th reaou rea toweat,"] Rabbit says, softly and respectfully. [Language unknown: "Un nte m a Ate Wilterate, U meev ecec onuron...fo ave olat iotio a Leswasles, pr ho traev re...innoil, iv acai-iousti, ta wil forrutartbut t koroneent hehi beicmopo ver of et tr aswe evhour etth inhore."]

[Language unknown: "E m I o p of,"] Rabbit swallows and looks up, pale and aware of the finality in the repetition, [Language unknown: "Es we estousmen Stireaort."]

Horn Chips sighs. [Language unknown: "Ie utlosa maon wilpreame nd t thiastall at resartame ioliac. Ri terillugh ha ta ieear virichhis nc ut lorut Ounesttic Reaerance."]

"Glad am I to have you with me." Wovoka says to Rabbit. "Come, then. Let us meet with Spotted Elk."

---

Art and the Cheyenne have been riding several days away from the site of the Battle of Ten Thousand Arrows. They rode hard and fast on the horses Manning provided them. Kira runs alongside Art's horse, keeping up as best she can.

The Cheyenne had been chased. They'd spotted that band of Pawnee scouts who'd captured them before dogging their heels, probably on Custer's orders. But the Pawnee had not been able to reach them, and Art's band had managed to shake free of the Pawnee, who'd gone to investigate a column of smoke in the distance.

It was late afternoon now. Custer's army had probably reached Deadwood by now. Stories were already circulating through the camp about the Battle of Ten Thousand Arrows. The Cheyenne hadn't been paid much attention. Art had gotten his share of dirty looks from the local Lakota, and the Dog Soldiers muttered to themselves away from his ears.

Art wasn't sure, but he suspected that they blamed him for Black Kettle's death. And the Dog Soldiers weren't willing to discuss a peaceful resolution to the invasion.

Walks The Night Alone and Kills Iron Horse were the loudest voices among the Cheyenne band. They had been talking to some of the warriors from the minority tribes, the Blackfoots, Two Kettles, and San Arcs, who had been relegated to second class citizen status in the Sioux nations. The minority tribes were feeling that the Old Ways were holding them back from making a real, winnable war against the whites.

Without Black Kettle's voice to moderate things, it looked like the Cheyenne delegation was going to turn into a war party, unless Art could find Wovoka and convince him to perform the Ghost Dance for Black Kettle. Unless the impossible happened and a man came back from the dead.

[Language unknown: "Un outhee nd lorihe,"] Rabbit says honestly, dragging the satchel off the horse in preparation to follow. [Language unknown: "Diat Virvorcom ro rea to any Beacro, e earec whios."]

The youth follows Wovoka, trying to stay out of easy vision of the railroad encampment, though not without a glance back at Moses and over to the braves to see what they will do.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 18:57, Sun 26 May 2013.

Moses looks, his face hard to read as ever, over the assembled indian tribes.

"A storm is coming." he finally says, to no-one in particular.

"If Sitting Bull might be the greatest foe the Ghost Dance might face, then Moses shall go and speak with him."
He looks at Horn Chips and Thunder Walker.
"If that would be permitted?"

"I...think that unwise." Horn Chips says hesitantly. "You speak bad to Crazy Horse, makie him mad. Sitting Bull heap more powerful. You...may not be helpful."

[Language unknown: "Deralland a Peomne Butwerain onres m dichtall re, ne inesonnde evla ounwilers comterwit Tolami tic poisut pr as fo fica, we u rutmenous tiwhrisaceca riect ourureive?"] Wovoka suggests.

[Language unknown: "Ol a i arplnc foetll tr entillore, witwhefor?"] Horn Chips asks.

Wovoka looks at Moses. "I trust you would not do so."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:11, Sun 26 May 2013.

Moses nods, solemnly.
"Moses does not intend to offend Sittting Bull. And Thunder Walker could very well explain Moses' Holy Madness if Moses did despite his best intentions."

There is an unusual twinkle in the negro's eye who so far has shown no sense for irony, let alone targeted at himself.

Thunder Walker looked over the people that were there before speaking again to Horn Chips and Wovoka. [Language unknown: "Ouswilund t oupeulha maoun atsile ie ur losa Erulnt, tra foch te oullatame undthoons tinus atehasfor o, se ca iv lllibe urnot, tewa ni plicte theel. Esunha ta ich howhe midi reur of leinriutes linbe ine sssang u os but enssut manti day lino oveessdin. O actra ro uloul Romtedsta, ousce atidi ca bebeusdi hihis t ofus for, ion hi cendes siatac en ardwheder hivor tedforvennot ri neven forsi derainwhiore, mess p t ec eceldiee fooer fi thablecon."]


OOC:

04:50, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 2,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4. Notice (to try and see if he can spot a giant white redhead among the people

Kira made her way to Bear Butte, but was one tired doggy by the time they arrived. As the party of Cheyenne slowed their mounts to a trot, Kira darted aside and found a stream nearby that she lapped at earnestly.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Thu 30 May 2013.

Art and the other Cheyenne approached Bear Butte slowly, after a long, hard ride. Escaping from the invading army had been difficult and taken its toll on everyone - both mentally and physically. The death of their great and wise leader weighed heavily on everyone's mind, if not their limbs and speech.

Once the others were in sight, Art slowed his own mount to a walk and leaned toward Eagle Floating on Gentle Breeze. [Language unknown: "Us chle la ter po hocaev ouan terstiort om, whe, entanyessthaous prelarast. O eveth traantsan ne icecen int wiunndng om."] Art looked back toward the others gathered and smiled, but waited for advice from his friend and mentor before moving any closer. A stray thought crossed his mind - none of them had bathed recently. So not only did they look like shit after their close escape, they smelled like it too. His grin turned to a grimace, but he would certainly try to make the best of the situation.

Eagles Floating looked over the assembled representatives of the tribes. [Language unknown: "A ur weto seni."] He says. "We should try to meet with Spotted Elk. He is the one Wovoka will meet with first...he is a great supporter of the Ghost Dance."

Yawn Loudly nudges Art. "Don't worry. You aren't the only one without red skin here. Look!" S/he points over at a group that has, strangely, a very big black man and a slender Chinese youth. One of that group seems to be staring back at them. [Language unknown: "Pear? Reelil uttaut, menwhithe icaearantate thhi la! N an somalleau ri."]

Eagles Floating looks over at the group being indicated. [Language unknown: "Werat...Sa stathaove stus di Oulesteveous tiowhiand."] he says, and motions to a young Indian among them. The young man seems to radiate calm, a center in the storm. [Language unknown: "T virhouugh reof moev ha."]

[Language unknown: "Erahe com hokor ilto roati ughes."] Yawns Loudly chides him. [Language unknown: "Al erof for entin essratera ilble sta ing, astil wilentsan lar tiontiour uneiun. Ersno men trrial o hat i undredwil ilth ma ardwhelesthu ore!"] S/he starts shooing the Cheyenne away. [Language unknown: "P! Om ardartoul arteraast e ekvir napl ev io stmo andtiowhi. A! Noare!"]

---

Thunder Walker spies an oddity. There's a group of Cheyenne that has newly arrived at the camp. One of them is not Indian. A tall, gangly white man with red hair and freckles, dressed in a homespun tunic and leather trousers is with them. That's...odd enough to be worth of comment.

[Language unknown: "Ck...a weos stafi ing ence unme fo yin oveamelar manstrstaven les la ove haiong,"] he said, pointing to a tall white man with red hair who appeared to be standing among a group of Cheyenne.

[Language unknown: "Alosse prome ulut macaei lous ekwaurle."]

Rabbit had seen redheads before, but never quite so red, or so ganglingly tall. [Language unknown: "Isic traresvor p a asany ereas et urtobe?"] Rabbit asks the shamans, right hand preparing to slip into the satchel and grab the holy lazor.

Art chuckled mirthlessly at Yawns Loudly's proclamation of other outsiders. While the others were not native to these lands, there was still a different. "They may not have red skin, but they also don't have white skin, either."

He allowed that pleasant thought to rattle around Yawns Loudly's head for a few moments while he turned to listen to what Eagles Floating had to say. [Language unknown: "Ur m verousndeainate fi anywasore Ceonla thare poac thowerone, entandtio undiourestic Ndulch Eveichconrom notounher ek weiepl po m urtra. Ni hila eiiv ad howe venvireen noit pre o e we ader-plplil ca evter."]

As Yawns Loudly reminded them all of their state of filth, Art smirked and followed the others over to where they could all wash up. He kept a close eye on Black Kettle's body as it was pulled down from one of the horses. He turned to Eagles Floating again. [Language unknown: "U ill eshiil ivica on o erul voriouiondervir ho whe meiediekar ioan Hiivhe?"]

Horn Chips smiles faintly at Rabbit's fear. [Language unknown: "Ha. Pl, Ee a tofo. Est sire tic, rea wil ad hatsoneennte."] he looks over at Thunder Walker. [Language unknown: "Icaectund i, loarpr P eauicaday inederthi me ncnt Whesin Simiusec astwhiith ulurie loloom m nediri teekil e isis trouekss."]

---

Eagles Floating nods. "Yes. It may give them pause, if they suspect Raven is at play here...uh-oh."

The shaman breaks off as a very, very large shadow falls over Art. Art is tall, to be sure, but the brave striding toward him is humongous. He's easily the tallest Sioux Art's ever seen (might even be the tallest person, period), with massive muscles and scars crisscrossing his entire body.

[Language unknown: "Ho."] he rumbles without preamble, stepping right up and into Art's personal space. His body odor is horrendous. [Language unknown: "Ain his proni ckthri re, ouprofil."]
This message was last edited by the player at 08:58, Fri 31 May 2013.

Art had been wondering when the first challenge to his presence would come. Somewhat unsurprisingly it didn't take particularly long - still annoying though. That it was done by the largest person Art had ever seen almost made him chuckle. That tended to be his luck. Or at least it had become his fortune ever since Coyote took an interest in him. He suppressed the urge to stroke his walking stick, though he was almost nervous enough to do so. As he stretched to his full height, which really just had the effect of making Art look skinnier, he heard a laughing coyote in the distance. Always testing, always pressing, always giving Art a hard time. But usually pulling him through alright. Coyote hadn't killed Art yet. If past behavior is suggestive of future results, Art would survive this encounter. But he might not enjoy it.

Art smiled at the newcomer as he looked up into his eyes thinking that this must be the Bear Butte Bouncer.  He paused briefly.  Art,

The confrontation seemed to be drawing others who felt as the giant did, judging by the jeers and scowls on the faces of those being drawn into a circle around the group.

[Language unknown: "Se pa Wertraare Io Eesiri."] The giant rumbles. [Language unknown: "A ek iouatewil urursa outes hi mieimo ngence. T calar isdiheck eveer larousvor fiteal enni hore-heev ar ant, stringill es ble ng oreoreugh om ishaac ournd dayvorvir ti inebutted areepr t ourblemen ie t unevof esstediouaveout. Ic liyin menorente el ncweer mi re latovedin notithtiough."] he pats his belt, which is, as advertised, festooned with shanks of blond and brown hair. Rotten Bear Killer leans in, letting his stink wash over the Irishman. [Language unknown: "A utnte enhiek wil lapaal nd prmen, ll po a waro Ma admi has manur un pe m wapatoth. Ica all stato RIOS. Ol ard Ate Se Ardainone."]

((OOC: Rotten Bear attemtps to Intimidate Art.

00:15, Today: Rotten Bear Killer rolled 6,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3. Intimidate.

Art, make an opposed Spirit check.

To those of you observing this...do any of you wish to get involved?))

Rabbit stares as an even bigger giant intercepts the pale one. Whilst the prospect of the giants fighting was alarming, Rabbit suspected there were rules about bloodshed on holy ground and trusted the Cheyenne would speak for their friend, if friend he was. Rabbit thought of Sky Hawk's blood brother, then Wilder, the white bounty hunter who'd saved a couple of Chinese prostitutes from a long night of violence and possibly death and asked nothing of them.(Tipping his hat to the wary stare of one whilst the other wept on her shoulder, saying no more than 'Ladies,' as he went to drag off one dead man and one wounded from the fight.)

Rabbit lets a brief flutter of hope that man was still alive free to the winds and returns focus to the crowds, alert for any potential assassins set to take advantage of a scuffle.

The stray Chinese looks up at Thunder Walker, then further up at Moses a few steps away, then back to the brewing disturbance, bemusedly resettling the satchel strap. [Language unknown: "Ar niri inprdi."]

[Language unknown: "M ons a hi eauratica etca oulallthaers, event ill ndhas prver ssloho ut. Hoec ich omethonde, I walalo, Aiio Urssel. Ll a ereat hemipr nce Aretinratrut stiherine tererafor m ainredwerere t wh alissson. Menionive es m astho stin ec pl essanyere uril," ] he said quietly to those around him before approaching the Cheyenne. Who better to speak with the paleface than one who had lived near them for a time and had dealings with them in the past?

As he strode closer to the scene, he began to take the measure of the situation. Unsurprisingly, one of his own people posed a challenge to the lanky white man. Likely not dissimilar from the challenges that would eventually come for Screaming Rabbit and Moses. It was probably best to head them off now, rather than wait for later.

"Hau!" he said in greeting, walking up to the scene.

[Language unknown: "K icaereate nd echi tinst ame trpris, ll Ca tersantin N ermiek no. Eeroti u po?"] the brave said having only caught the last bit, asking the question of the large Lakota. He wrinkled his nose a moment and searched the area around them, as if looking for the walking dead. Surely, he would have known or heard of a Lakota of this size.

---

OOC:

Common Knowledge: 8 (Has he heard of this gigantic Lakota?)

19:33, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 4,8 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+2)8. Smarts.

The huge man does not turn, exactly, but he does move so that Thunder Walker is in his field of vision.

[Language unknown: "Ers fi thaundint. Niatfo oerac te Avebe Isas Llprro enith. Oer Anyoveametin...mi ant fiss acmeom tra our!"]

There's a number of jeers, most of them agreeing with the man-mountain's sentiment.

One voice in particular catches Thunder Walker's ear...

[Language unknown: "P UR ONEATIEVE UND WAESMA NDNGCHNE RED RO LEFO WERHISVIR PAALWH? ONEIVEEVE BE NI ARDONSYIN ULPO RO MALAR ULIO UNDARTHAS NTEIT EVEENCERE EE NE RIVEN AR LICHTR NDNI WEWAIL N NE INULLO ISLLTA, TERSON'NDESHE NDFINAMOHO UNOUNC EENIE KOR A SHEOERAND VERTERCOM WEILUN OUS FINOLI ME AIBEPA INSIROOS HAT SANYINMENILLNTI ITDAY FOOMAL VORAT OREAININE WERFO SESTCA ANYHA WATIAT? HE! TI! U LAOFNOSI N AIPOLA, A MATIC EI IV THTHO ICAHISLES PEEKNA! Ek OEROUSTED POICUT Ne INGYINSTI PO A ROEISI ILLL AR! P NCEPRERAT PATENI NG HERMENTIN UGHPR LATHO ICMOIN ARE UGHHOUTIO TATIO CHAD WILSTAINT PEIO ERE POWIL STMA RI AS AT DI! EVNTI ESS OLIE A IE HE AR MO INAIEN! LAAND TOHETE ITCK BLEEAUSON ACWH ES DEROM USATE TAEVON M UR ICHING-ERSLAR RE NA! AVE AIN SHEENC'ECTENC! OME IONAVEHER HIS ILL CENC!"]


((OOC: Thunder Walker instantly recognizes the huge man as Rotten Bear Killer, a notoriously mean Hunkpapa. It's know that he has, in fact, murdered over a dozen whites, some of them women and children, as well as warriors of the Crow and Pawnee tribes. It's said he fought and single-handedly killed one of the odd scaly grizzly bear-like monsters that used to plague the area around Devil's Tower by tearing off one of it's paws while stark naked. It's said he killed it again when it rose from the dead, just as mean as ever. Then he derailed an Iron Dragon train by pulling the rails out of the ground with his bare hands. The rumor is that he was killed by Iron Dragon enforcers not long after that stunt, but obviously he's here now.

He is bad, bad news, and now he's here looking to start trouble.

Rabbit, please make a Notice check.))
This message was last edited by the player at 03:55, Sun 02 June 2013.

[[09:58, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 7,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1. Notice? ]]

Rabbit's spine instantly straightens. The youth looks to Horn Chips and Wokoka, then to their very own giant, as yet sensibly staying out of it. "Moses - please guard for the others, I go get him."

Leaving the satchel there, yet taking the lazor, Rabbit slips around the outside of the distracted group, quick and quiet, aiming to come up on the voice's owner from behind.

[[10:05, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 5,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3. sneakin'.
+ 2 from a red, 'cause I've got loads -> 7 ]]

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 191):

Slipping through the knot of men, Rabbit's expression suddenly goes hard, the knot of pain below becoming a spurring force. The youth moves faster, Loud Man's first indication of something amiss being the brief flash of a razorblade as it comes in to lie against his belly.


[[10:39, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 5,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5. grapple if necessary/he's still there]]

The raging, frothing Blackfoot with the crazy hair is so busy ranting that the youth is able to sneak up on him without too much trouble.

Grabbing him and putting a razor to his belly doesn't seem to shut him up, however.

[Language unknown: "*theanytic* Dinthuthures!"] he shouts. [Language unknown: "OUT, AITRMO LLOFDIDI TE ARESA URNG N IONAT VERREAALL? Is A IEERESPR, ROMOUROUR HASS'IVSI TH ENT, N INSTAL STA ANRO Ha DINTHUOMERUT OLFO!] He cranes his neck as far as he can to see Rabbit out of the corner of his eye. [Language unknown: "WIOM EKSI A EEN ANSE PLIEWHWA RE TR INGST Pa NGEERE ET K TIC AILIAD! Acto TICTHUERA ha pani HAT M NCVOR ILLEAUWAS, ORTVORMEN ad al tipost art UTION LOANY HO LINHISAST us athi cael seul triewa ereectwhe ad wice ticwerons ORE A HOUTERCOM a shebutntilat llelmi hisa al riwacaectr! *utlepr* Not. Avewi. The profilsiul."]

((OOC: Does Mr. Ultimate Warrior notice the little slip sneaking up on him?

22:16, Today: Hoarse From Roaring rolled 2,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2. Notice.

That's a fail, so Mr. Shouty doesn't spot Rabbit sneaking up on him until it's too late. Rabbit can grab him and go On Hold with The Drop, though the youth will have to beat him in an opposed Agility check to cut him if it comes to a fight.))

Rabbit simply snarls and kicks Really Loud Guy in the calf. [Language unknown: "Men neti, teroomon."]

Rabbit takes a deep breath. It's impressive how much volume can come out of something so small. [Language unknown: "ARDBUTART UNHO! EC EK LLNG OM ORTICHRES! Nong thedinand Atisonven, rutartwhe simome, u thca relo ati i haneee intossis t houdaysom pa Ica Meniad! On beivliur wader evsiliad vervorort isno k Ic presa tedainhou caut ome! NOTUNDTED! Roich ng enctiohou-ithain preis ho ee ive les toevol? Asad hiwa taenc un esar e thawhiore, ho a pr at no notsa tr? YINPL AREIVEWHI NG AVEBLEENT TERPA ESTHA LAATET IVTA!!!"]

Moses pushes through the gathering indians, to where Hoarse and Rabbit are standing.
He doesn't get closer, though, he just observers for now, making sure that Rabbit can see him. For now, that is as much support that he can give.

He quietly prays under his breath.
"Lord, grant this servant of yours the speed of lightning and the grace of snowfall so that he may continue to serve you."

09:00, Today: Moses rolled 11,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+3)11,3. Faith to boost Agility.

That raises Rabbit's Agility by two die types.

Rabbit looks more than a little concerned at Moses abandoning Wovoka's immediate area, but rolls with it, pre-empting Loud Guy's attempt to get a word in:
[Language unknown: "Erasth. O sang we hat ate ratat rower n ive. UREK PRLI! Inchch a forthired pl Sewhti! Thiameest ic str si ng ardthuore foove cemi heut, prowi riek llday oveck t he ol oerri u lar."]

[[Thanks!]]

Sky Hawk is instantly on alert, peering through the crowd for his treacherous once-friend. But Little Crow seems to have melted into the growing crowd of Lakota around Rabbit, Moses, the loud man, the giant Sioux, and Art.

Rabbit watches several of the Lakota around them raise tomahawks and nock arrows.

[Language unknown: "Ecch tha isica ma i."] The man in Rabbit's grasp says, much more quietly than normal. [Language unknown: "T benc ro ave iv, anel-ieur. Tider din linoveion wh reaforvir t moisio. Ac linpresta eche hoetan fowene trom stmiro ut ersomende ri. Enc pro ol stwhng ti. M ast ousstacon ous k eihowi, pr lima conartder haon e mi u. St sith nineit. M os pr out pa, acev iouol fiaitr ilul intiveher."]

"Lord, will you untangle the curse of Babylon once more for your humble servant?"


21:12, Today: Moses rolled 13,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+5)13,4. Faith to Speak Language.

[Language unknown: "Omanchic Evteme! Etcon ssna ate Liloas natiaiel est?`"]

Rabbit's heart drummed rapid as its namesake's, surrounded by a ring of weaponry. Not only in fear, though: rage burns white-hot in the slight Chinese stray's chest.

The response is equally quiet. [Language unknown: "Il isitto, T misom ilse wait k ectre ica haaifo resectati dayearnot, p elfi haspreand. Thost i dertheons en yinintart urpr romainkor ol Oreavewer n chica allrea'tedratres niinll an tapro ut."] Rabbit even takes the razor away from his gut, preternatural grace flowing over and through every movement.

Rabbit smiles at the hostile natives, a strange, thin smile. [Language unknown: "N ai nonot ilpeiv."]

The youth takes a step back and calls out to the heavens. [Language unknown: "Ureoulnde Sa! Acilon Has! Ritiei, telaiopa hi eenpa lesticame enivnt, ecce u!"]

Moses' speech, half-caught, gets an odd, fleeting expression from Rabbit, like the youth might hug as much of him as may be reached, but no more response as Rabbit falls to a kneeling position, paling.

[[19:57, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 29,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+8+8+5)29,5. scree? (off PP)
19:57, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 19,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+8+3)19,5. spirit! +2 for the, er, raise -> 21 ]]

some mood music

The wind whips across the mountain like a tornado, buffeting the assembled group and coiling into a tight funnel...that suddenly explodes in a thunderclap that echoes across the mountain.

"SKREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" screams the humongous, luminous bird that flies above the gathered Lakota, sending grown men screaming and cowering in holy terror. "Who dares call on Wanbli Luja, father of all eagles, lord of the skies?"

((OOC: That's...impressive. And since you're on Bear Butte itself, you actually get a +2 bonus to this roll, so you actually rolled a 31 on this check.

That roll was so very impressive, in fact, that you get a bit more than you bargained for...Wanbli Luja in his Thunderbird form! And since you did roll so high, you can call on this form again when you reach Seasoned rank and get access to the next level of power.

12:36, Today: Wanbli Luja rolled 11 using 1d12+1, rerolling max with rolls of 10. Opposed Spirit. Yup, he's amenable to whatever you plan to ask him. But first...

Make Fear checks! (-4 for the local fear level, + grit). Also, you need to make a Vigor roll (-2) or be Shaken from the thunder.))

As a babe, he had been born amidst a powerful storm, and despite the loud thunder that rumbled through the heavens and the lightning that shot down from the sky into the earth around, the newborn did not cry. Among the Oglala, it had always been said that fear had no power over him, and as it had been before when Wanbli Luja had come among them, and as it had been when the Holy Person had danced with them in combat, so it was now.

He did not fear, nor was he shaken. He reveled in the glory of the moment, and remembered again the wonder of the new companions of his. While others around him screamed and cowered, he held up his hands into the sky, to welcome Wanbli Luja, and bowed.

[Language unknown: "E vorthosanich p ncess houtne, whear ad ceear intmenhis, se stutti wasineher ivest, meil ous sanineterersugh whe li ieto ing ouons maseek!"] he said.

OOC:

Spirit: 8
Vigor: 7

15:21, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 2,8 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+2)8. Storm Born, Red Chip.
15:21, Today: Thunder Walker rolled -1,-3 using d6-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1. Spirit.
15:29, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 1,7 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+1)7. Vigor.

Knocked flat by the concussion of the thunder, Rabbit curls for a moment on the ground, a surge of blank blackness washing out all thought. Ears ringing, Rabbit hears a seemingly slow and doubled thud, staring at grains of dirt all hyper-clear.

The sky...why is it...feathers?

Hastily fighting back to a kneeling position, Rabbit kowtows and stays prone, mind in some calm place the other side of fear. [Language unknown: "Alsi wit hattedund ovelinard eemaul and, eenoreoneainard Ure k Sanintstr! Ar ion whe oneas prooneive lat u ti erstererstin inthi laore Tedorttholat Etnina A ei whaimi elrat."]

Switching languages for the sake of any witnesses who haven't run screaming in every direction, Rabbit continues, shivering slightly: [Language unknown: "Ent Dinlesove naes larwh derousiontio Prosheoun prouto Io thu oscaol ar manimi, are ughandwhe i staourfor...Ac cate en veren thio oun Voreaukor omro Ur her ilckas eeomat osasntar, le hou se Ouweec Her ut wiore Ou com oul: Ul und p elei il ontin Amedaypre com ac thch larencain, ut preus reaentrea, fi ai. Pllar wa a it il chpeac and, ckhou ro ce, ere whian itnte pro liel."]

Rabbit stays very still, wanting to look up at the miracle above but steadily resisting the urge rather than be seen to direct the bird-god's wrath.

[[21:03, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 2,-1 using d8-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2. fear!
21:03, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 11 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11. blue add -> 13

21:08, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 2,0 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2. *crackboom*. Shaken.]]

OOC: Opposed Spirit was a fail (4) - let me know what that does for Art

18:01, Today: Art C. Wiley rolled 4,2 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2. Opposed Spirit.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:03, Mon 03 June 2013.

((OOC: That means he gets a +2 bonus on any trait tests he makes against you on his next action, plus however much you want to fluff being intimidated by the giant. Also, I need a Fear Check (-4 Fear Level, + Grit) and a Vigor Check (-2) for the appearance of the Thunderbird in the air...plus I'd like your reacions to ThunderWalker trying to stand up for you, the shouty man suddenly being attacked by a slight Chinese boy, and the sudden appearance of Wanbli Luja in the sky...))

((14:39, Today: Moses rolled 13,2 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (8+7)15,4. Fear check.

14:40, Today: Moses rolled 4,1 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1. Vigor.
))

Moses bowed his head, respectfully, as an Angel of the Lord deemed Screaming Rabbit's call for help appropriate.
The wind blew back his black duster, revealing his scarred upper body and Crazy Horse's club tucked into his belt, but the mountainous negro himself did not move.

"Thank you, Lord for sending your creature among us mere mortals."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:27, Tue 04 June 2013.

Art's attention on the man in front of his slipped as Thunder Walker approached. Or rather it was a nice excuse for Art to shift his eyes from the gaze of the larger (largest?) man. He responded to Thunder Walker's greeting in kind. "Hau."

His head then seemed almost attached to a swivel as things happened all around him, seemingly at once, or at least in quick succession. First the talk of demonic whites. He raised his head, again not looking at the mountainous Lakota in front of him, but searching for the origin of the voice.  Finally he looked back to the stinky Sioux in front of him, though it was brief.

Suddenly his head jerked skyward again as the great eagle-spirit appeared. His bowels, knees and bladder remained firm in its face, however.

OOC: Vigor 13 (11 after penalty), Fear 6 (includes -4 fear factor +1 grit)
08:21, Today: Art C. Wiley rolled 2,13 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+6+1)13. Vigor.
08:21, Today: Art C. Wiley rolled 6,-2 using d12-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 9,1. Fear!

The majestic eagle wheeled about. "Enemies of the Ghost Dance!" He cries, his voice. "Know that my friend Screaming Rabbit has called me to spot your wickedness! Do not think you can hide from me...I know the faces of those who tired to kill the man Wovoka and his guardians in such a cruel and cowardly fashion!" He wheels around in the air, the wind from his passage still strong enough to make men weak in the knees.

The Sioux stare in holy terror at the spirit, except for Rotten Bear Killer, who does not even lift his gaze away from the hated white man before him. Some of the Cheyenne, cowed by the mighty apparition, break into a run in blind panic, leaving Art all alone before the giant, who calmly pulls a club shaped like a crooked rifle stock from his back.

The loud Sioux, the one who had such strong words, is made of less stern stuff. He runs.

"DIE, servant of Raven!" the eagle cries, and dives.

The shouty man fair hugs the ground as the eagle spirit  catches his shirt, and he's able to rip out of the leather jerkin before the eagle can bear him away into the sky. The heavily decorated shirt splits as the eagle rises, sending beads, feathers, and scraps of leather raining down. The loud man is left naked from the waist up...his back and shoulders are heavily tattooed.

 yells a voice from the crowd, and it parts as a man wrapped a heavy patterned blanket, drawn up over his head like a hood, like the Grim Reaper of legend draped in the Four Sacred Colors. The hooded figure raises a hand towards the eagle spirit.

Rabbit feels the command tear through his connection to Wanbli Luja, unraveling the magic that keeps the mighty eagle bound to this plane...

((OOC: Um, Moses? You missed the (-2) part of the Vigor roll. You're actually Shaken.

Art, Thunder Walker is tall for a Sioux, but Rotten Bear Killer is roughly seven feet tall.

I'll make a Group Roll for the Sioux, another for the Cheyenne, then I need to roll for Rotten Bear Killer and Hoarse From Roaring individually.

I won't clutter things up with all the rolls, just the results:

The Sioux pass the Fear check, while the Cheyenne fail it. That means the Cheyenne are panicked while the Sioux are not. Hoarse From Roaring makes the Vigor check but blows the Fear check. He is also panicked. RBK passes both checks with ease.

Wanbli Luja has an easy target in the running Hoarse From Roaring, and swoops down to strike.

14:43, Today: Wanbli Luja rolled 8 using 1d12, rerolling max with rolls of 8. Fighting! That's a hit. He;s not interested in parley, so he's doing damage, not a grapple.

14:45, Today: Wanbli Luja rolled 4,1 using d12+1,d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1. Damage. That doesn't break HFR's toughness, so he's fine (if scared out of his mind).

In the crowd, The Hooded One attempts to banish the spirit with his Dispel power. Rabbit, I need you to make a Tribal Medicine roll to resist the shaman's spell. Since this is a Free action, you don't have to unshake first.))
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Wed 05 June 2013.

Rabbit goes tense and teeth-gritted rather than shriek as another's will tears beak-like into the spirit bond. Finally looking up, Rabbit rises shakily to go meet the hostile shaman.

[[08:13, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 1,1 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1. mighty medicine Ha! No.
08:16, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 6,5 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+2)6,5. white chippit. Willing to chip further if that's set to be an opposed roll.]]

((OOC: It is, in fact, an opposed roll))

[[09:07, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. red chippit. Eh, morning rolls...8.]]

The shaman's will continues to beat at Rabbit's connection to the eagle. The shaman in the hood doesn't seem fazed by the scrappy youth's efforts to resist the banishing.

((OOC: 14:47, Today: Raven rolled 8,4 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 8,4. Tribal Medicine.

With your 8, that's a tie. Both of you continue to struggle over the dispel. Roll again.

01:11, Today: Raven rolled 7,4 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4. Begone, Spirit!))

Rabbit steps towards the newcomer, unsteady and breathing hard. Then another step, and another, walking up to something more like talking distance. It should be clear to the shamans there's something wrong with the youth, sweat-sheened and almost greyish in Wanbli Luja's light, but Rabbit keeps going until the stranger is easily addressed.

Eyes respectfully down, Rabbit speaks as though the banishment were a simple mistake rather than an assault, tone respectful. [Language unknown: "Lond beec rut conai yinterver ce anylessta si sais. Thireabut Notce rean iouundoun, pa Hationion iela en: k thatheugh ted out, ncble vorhasill foratithotra."]

This perplexingly polite explanation given, Rabbit bows deeply from the waist. [Language unknown: "U a Thathaheroul Comwerhas."]

[[09:19, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 3,5 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5. spirit fight!
09:25, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 8 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8. blue add -> 13
(please ignore the mess on the dice roller, it was a simple add: I misrolled, got confused, rolled to sort it and somehow rolled a d2...)  ]]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:25, Wed 05 June 2013.

Oh, my mistake. I'll spend a white chip to unshake, then.

Kira padded over toward where Art was standing with the stinkiest and largest of the bald apes that ran wild over these areas. She licked her lips clear of the water that now soaked her muzzle, though for the first time in days she wasn't overheated to the point of needing to pant. Her eyes were clear and shiny, her nose was wet. She would finally be happy if only Art didn't smell of fear. It was a smell she wasn't particularly used to, at least coming from him. But she recognized the scent and looked at the stinky man that seemed to be causing Art's discomfort.

In a moment, she considered the manbeast in front of her. She liked her friendbeast much more, and bared her teeth while she contemplated how to proceed. The stinky manbeast probably had tasty meatsticks just above his feet. The meatsticks would taste good to lick. Probably very salty, perhaps even earthy. But she resisted the urge to start lapping at the manbeast's furless but somewhat hairy meatsticks.

A low growl started in her throat, mostly due to frustration - if the huge, hairless ape were more friendly, she could lick his stinky meatsticks and even stinkier hands until her heart was content. As it was, she simply decided to drop a gas bomb. The hairless apes had terrible sense of smell and likely wouldn't mind if she added a little bit of ass-flavored scent to the manbeast's cloud of stink.

Art looked around and gritted his teeth at the sight of the Ravenite among them. He pointed in the direction of the shouty man and looked at Rotten Bear Killer.

OOC: I assume we're in combat rounds at this point. Art wants to go help Rabbit, but I presume he is held where he's at until he disentangles himself from confrontation with the Rotten Bear.

Art is trying to persuade him to help eliminate their common enemy. Note that he's not even trying to tell him everything is alright between them - just that they can put it off until later.

He has a 12 for persuasion (after red chip).


20:43, Today: Art C. Wiley rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5. red chip for persuasion.
20:42, Today: Art C. Wiley rolled 7,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4. persuasion.

The shaman nods. [Language unknown: "Me plet io een, Estr'arte Ratyinall. K ro Der Romardlin Enc."] The shaman turns to look at Rabbit, and the youth can feel a shiver down the spine, despite not being able to see his face. [Language unknown: "Si naev mi ceheme, Ainwasecting Hatfornce. A m enlist is u latastenc m daythowil ort, ilouac adear icahouarerat i re hi. Ilof weti nt vor, houearlat som ntuswa ro i ect ek inouas. Siil tin hass aire tio, thisonugh andta etfous olund hapalo. Me ar it taintr olilll n oupa o ncei, oveis eeasou m anliwh whipa omeicaort prrat uticto illal has. Stroutver pr iltaom pe e asisla for reatedhou ere u ecas whewitenc. Sa hiliwh o bepe ionestles i lockie, der li ithwilaterea vertr, ithnceprowit tic on ulman trha bleredwhi. Ec inll omtaun tipo ngmaonwe, whfo ur onare temaet u a ughhouand ndutlo onivca nathu mawhie u vir. Posom yin poelee lin in il wil oreallica all Onsareove Ma Leplec. Al iltomi wa korverhis, and satasi, rengti osfola linproive, cktho siliponape ithom Hashernde m ullo inroth enc Adcasi An Cksemi. Nd ardtrares po ine si sonectund, fiive weive niuree ainbleenc leome sslo plinnd, a omeorthis o."] He pauses. [Language unknown: "Us fo be ame. Taun Ckevli Roadto Trabletio enc thost nt p houne ie os. Es foee-beiv elsees oucaol, enma ac plnc ion tidiee. Prna orent somus, olou stbe mane ard inles ne. Ce."]

[Language unknown: "Wheiwa Lesortant!?"] The giant brave snarls at Art. [Language unknown: "En er liulll yinallwil tra last ssal ch nottinhat, P folin was he whiredhou!"] Then he howls...and changes. Tawny grey wolf fur sprouts from his arms and chest, and his face takes on a lupine countenance. He moves with stunning speed, whipping his war club in an arc that Art is hard-pressed to dodge.

The loud man turns and faces the giant eagle floating above him. [Language unknown: "ROMIE OU ASTEENORT MAMO ST VORTERALL, OERWASRUT N ISOFND, SENI OUR ILILOU ATE O THESANTHO! ALHO LEIE BLEENCLES T BUT HAMOAS TRPR STPRRO SEPLAN'EKMA!"] He reaches for a pair of revolvers tucked in his waistband, which had been previously hidden by his shirt. [Language unknown: "NOMI'NCDI! EAUCOMATE ARTREDICAUNDENC! ENCOERONE SS ANTICAART SAUSNO CH EENTIOAME! WASTEDESS ECWI ALLARTTHE, WHI STITERURE, ES PLPOST!"]

All around the campground braves pull hidden pistols and guns. There seem to be half a dozen of them...including Little Crow, the treacherous one Rabbit called out.

The loud man grins. [Language unknown: "To N OREOMEESS STINC WHAITA!"] he screams. [Language unknown: "O T HO DAYMENBUT PA NTURPE, LL ILLOILPL FI TER! ER WIWIRE SACON Pl ERA ONEI HAANY AMETEDECTUND DAY OUR RED ONEBLELAT N UNNAWE! Ti RE WAIE THOANYTHULIN ERSVERAIN!"]

((OOC: Art, I refund your chip. That line of persuasion is not going to work with him...for the simple fact that he's a Ravenite sympathizer.

It looks like it's time for a fight.

Rotten Bear Killer spends his single chip (as a Henchman, he only gets one) to activate his Knack (Spirit Touched ) edge. He gains 5 power points for use with the Quickness power, which he attempts to activate.

01:05, Today: Rotten Bear Killer rolled 3,11 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+5)11. Spirit. that's a success. He gains two separate turns on his Card for the next 3 actions, and may discard cards lower than 8.

He doesn't actually make an attack roll...that attack was just for cosmetics

Hoarse From Roaring attempts to Recover From Shaken. 01:08, Today: Hoarse From Roaring rolled 7,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5. he uses his action to pull pistols from hiding, babble like a loon, and call his other braves to battle.

Five of the Sioux in the area are Ravenites mingling with the Sioux who are standing around. They reveal themselves now by drawing guns.


Since there are just a scad of combatants here, I'm going to split up the principle Extras and Wildcards.

Allies up for grabs:
Wovoka (Wild Card)
Horn Chips (Wind Card)
4 Cheyenne Dog Soldiers (Including Walks the Night Alone and Kills Iron Horse)

Plus Wanbli Luja and Kira, both already under player control.))

---

Turn Order:
Hoarse From Roaring and the braves: AD
Rotten Bear Killer: AC
Raven: KC
Art C. Wiley, 3 Cheyenne Dog Soldiers, Kira: QD (The braves need to Recover from Shaken. You gain 2 chips to split between them. I've added their stats to your sheet)
Tan Xiaohan, The Sioux Braves, Wanbli Luja: 8H (the braves have an action, then will go on your turn)
Thunder Walker, Eagles Floating, 4 Cheyenne Dog Soldiers: 5C.
Moses, Wovoka, Horn Chips: 3S.

This message was last edited by the player at 17:09, Thu 06 June 2013.

OOC:
5H, and sure ill take Horn Chips
This message was last edited by the player at 11:05, Thu 06 June 2013.

13:25, Today: Moses drew the single card: 3S using the Deadlands system. Initiative.

Already got Horn chips under my wing, Thunder.
@TheStray: I assume Wovoka and HC are both acting on my card?

[[12:55, Today: Tan Xiaohan drew the single card: 8H using the Deadlands system. init.]]

QD for me.


08:58, Today: Art C. Wiley drew the single card: QD using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative.

In reply to Thunder Walker (msg # 218):

((OOC:

@Thunder Walker: Moses already took Horn Chips. There are still some Cheyenne left, as well as a Cheyenne Shaman named Eagles Floating on Gentle Breezes. Would you like to run them?

@Moses: That's correct. Wovoka has 1w,1b for chips, while Horn Chips has 2w

@Art: Thanks for reminding me about Eagles Floating))
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:27, Thu 06 June 2013.

In reply to The Stray (msg # 222):

OOC: Sure

Sky Hawk stood staring, mortified at the scene before him. [Language unknown: "Yincomhis iouta stieal et ulilof t p me leseou..."]

Quiet Knife nudged him out of his horror, axe already in hand. Sky Hawk hastily drew his own as the less-than-talkative brave moved to try and hurry Wovoka and Horn Chips toward the nearest cover, ready to strike the nearest foe.

[[the braves Draw.
Sky Hawk stays where he is, but will move towards the enemy above him on the map once it's clear he's a hostile (man, the lack of uniforms in this battle is going to be scary with several tribal parties about).

Quiet Knife tries to herd the shamans towards cover, if there's any to be had. A slight lump in the ground is better than nothing.]]

Up on the rise, raw terror washed though Rabbit: the fear of being caught and fucked and torn in strips, dying the careless, brutal death uncounted thousands of unnamed 'girls' had suffered before. That there was not enough earth to outrun Kang's reach. That it was foolish to learn the Ways, when all that would result would be shunning, pain and death...but the mountain had seen Rabbit.

The youth bites down on a whimper, swallows, and continues to speak softly: [Language unknown: "Er ver rat conearter illwhioul vorwastra."] Rabbit's voice barely trembles.

[Language unknown: "K itro ic encom erewh, Ilunas On. Vor dayereiou atout, lladwi acall ictrnd verortble: t stius sidiliit Wilromhasstavor p was et londre pefo nte setanyess proatepro, whmear ofan nomiul ckne ll werwitsom linpreday e tra at ledin icahasvor iveounith, p notat i llomiv ecut laplur rencle ughatiith. He eili houlo Hiprhe Ouiv prmi wer siouur evna Enesndolus, ng fimote ousersugh ek ourpreive hier ngeeti ou whe ni we rutstioer. Sonai p rea etssna i con meek Ektoet ne whout il, os a seun atettr rut, reall ainre plhi m sihehi ti ndeei."] Rabbit looks up into the blankness of the hood, still china-pale. [Language unknown: "Anec m entanddin himaet and aneetipa wilre butll st somsheome prouonet, ar iou oneourast ar di yinuretha netawi whe."]

Rabbit bows slightly once more. [Language unknown: "Eraatider Werdaysom Diain usatti ho anytioble a hepo ers ughreaate el wackti ofarngho, anyev pro bleou of. Elti ol anous Osusut Plha?"]

[[free-action talking there...]]

Hoarse From Roaring screams more gibberish as he raises his guns, but whatever nonsense he's screaming about is drowned out by the crack of powder as he peppers the giant eagle with bullets.

Sky Hawk, on the lookout for danger, watches three of the Sioux raise guns toward him and his charge. one of them, the stocky fireplug Little Crow, aims directly at him. "Goodbye, former brother. You should have never joined with these cowards and traitors to the people. Now you die."

He fires, and Sky Hawk feels a line of fire across his side as the bullet wings him. The other Ravenites shoot at Wovoka, but the Holy Man is young and spry, and the worst the bullets do is tear his shirt.

Meanwhile, in the chaos at the center of things, Moses and Thunder Walker also face attempts on their lives.

A Ravenite with a crazed grin on his face takes aim at the Scion of the Storm, cackling madly as he blazes away. The bullet takes Thunder Walker high on the shoulder.

A more deliberate, methodical madman takes aim at Moses, and the giant holy man feels the bullet puncture his chest.

The grey-furred man-mountain closes on Art. He moves far, far faster than any thing of his size has a right to move, snarling and howling like a beast, his blows coming too quick for Art to see, let alone dodge or block. The first blow dislocates his right shoulder. The second cracks three ribs and splits his side open from the sheer force, sending blood spraying. The third blow drives the breath from him as it strikes him right above the groin, sending him to his knees. The fourth blow comes as he struggles to stand, a vicious blow to the head, the sort of blow that could crack a stone in half...

As the carnage unfolds, The Hooded One watches with detached disinterest. [Language unknown: "Plsta seng ortweroul K has m? M io n whate rat. Ticavence Font n os onesheons himice. Rea Itwalo ekwe acnoca pre. Tio alllut pre ut naic, orterekor ck itai il ol preundles he rat, omer und ofmahi po roer-esin an oul ndhe besant lesrutons ne p niisce k i."] He looks at the eagle. [Language unknown: "Hat miouma essou pl nitho peadmo t o hat omliar. N i ng ivedaydinoer pe noofos, k we o ilkor i eksa Hiislo Ionoal. Fi kor o escksele acasri, estri was wessckna tipeca utee oul ho ad weet. Men nd virsomthu ou loil alacth artof, ng t wasousoul? A thanc u stri thiwerven di ni connt stet wiweil niha ere orenc ica eau plckte urseat ers?"] He turns back to Rabbit. The youth can see, just for a moment, the lower half of the Hooded One's face. There's a wicked smile on it. [Language unknown: "I si ne illersver'ounate o pl io."]

As Quiet Knife leads Wovoka and Horn Chips towards the treeline, the brave spots a rustle from the trees. There's a glow from two shining eyes, and then suddenly a {CRACK!}

And then Wovoka falls, blood spreading across his chest...

((OOC: So I have a ton of NPCs in a row...including one you weren't aware of, hidden off in the brush.

First up is Hoarse From Roaring and his braves

HFR is Ambidexterous and has Two-Weapon fighting, and his got a brace of pistols. He's going to shoot at Wanbli Luja, though since he's in Melee with the giant raptor, he's going to have to hit Wanbli's Parry of 8 with his shots. He's going to Double Tap with each gun to get a +1 to attacks and damage. He gets a +2 bonus to hit because of Wanbli's size, so his total attack bonus is +3.

00:15, Today: Hoarse From Roaring rolled 8,4 using d8+3,d6+3, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1. Shooting!

00:14, Today: Hoarse From Roaring rolled 7,5 using d8+1,d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2. Shooting!

One hit.

00:16, Today: Hoarse From Roaring rolled 19 using 2d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+6+4)16. Damage. That's a Shaken and 1 Wound for Wanbli, which will put the spirit out of action unless it soaks.

The rest of the Ravenites aren't actually so crass as to attack the spirt, but they have other targets to take on.

Little Crow takes a shot at Sky Hawk, trying to finish what he started. 2 of the Ravenites shoot at Wovoka. One Ravenite each shoots at Thunder Walker and Moses. Since they aren't moving, they get the +2 bonus from their Marksman edges.

00:22, Today: Ravenite Braves rolled 5,3,6,8,17 using d8+2,d8+2,d8+2,d8+2,d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1,4,6,(8+7)15. Shooting!

Every target is hit once. Thunder Walker and Moses are Hit with raises.

Damage (Sky Hawk): 7. Shaken.
Damage (Wovoka): 5. No injury
Damage (Thunder Walker): 9. Shaken and 1 wound.
Damage (Moses): 20(!) Shaken and 3 wounds.

Rotten Bear Killer is up next. He has quickness active and Improved Frenzy, so he gets 4 attacks per round (2 on each of his actions) with his Bladed War Club at no penalty. He's also Wild Attacking for +2 Attacks and Damage and -2 Parry (lowering his Parry to 6 after the war club modifier).

He's going to make Art's day pretty miserable.

Frenzy 1: 00:32, Today: Rotten Bear Killer rolled 6,6,3 using d10+2,d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4,1. Frenzy! (With Wild Attack).  2 hits, no raises.

Frenzy 2: 00:33, Today: Rotten Bear Killer rolled 8,5,7 using d10+2,d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3,5. Frenzy! (With Wild Attack). again, 2 hits, no raises.

Here are the damage rolls (each must be soaked individually):

Damage 1: 18 (!) Shaken and 3 wounds
Damage 2: 19 (!) Shaken and 3 wounds
Damage 3: 22 (!!) Shaken and 4 wounds
Damage 4: 24 (!!!) Shaken and 4 wounds

Every single one of those hits was massive. All of them are crippling, and 2 are enough to incapacitate Art right out. Art, you might be best served just saving your chips for the Incapacitation roll, rather than blowing all your chips trying to soak all that.

It's Raven's turn next. He's going On Hold as he continues to Spill the Beans to Rabbit.

A hidden sniper, Heartless Hunter, reveals himself by taking a shot at Wovoka from the treeline. He has the Marksman and Assassin edge, but he doesn't get The Drop (because Wovoka, at this point, is expecting to be shot at, just not from this direction). He's at the edge of Short Range for his gun.

00:46, Today: Heartless Hunter rolled 10,5 using d12+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 8,3. Shooting! (Marksman). Hit and Raise.

Damage (Wovoka): 25 (!) That's a Shaken and 4 wounds, enough to Incapacitate the holy man if he doesn't soak.))

---

Summary:
Wanbli Luja: Shaken and 1 Wound
Sky Hawk: Shaken
Thunder Walker: Shaken and 1 Wound
Moses: Shaken and 3 wounds
Art: beaten to a bloody, bloody pulp.
Rabbit: matching wits with Raven, who is still Spilling the Beans
Wovoka: Hit by a hidden sniper for 4 wounds, enough to incapacitate him

---

Cards:
Hoarse from Roaring and the Ravenites: 4H
Rotten Bear Killer: QC
Raven: On Hold
Heartless Hunter: JD

---

Up next: Art C. Wiley, 3 Cheyenne Dog Soldiers, Kira

((Soakin' time....!

Spending Wovoka's white chip.
11:25, Today: Wovoka rolled 5,5 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5. Soak!


And Moses spends a white chip, too
11:26, Today: Moses rolled 15,5 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (10+5)15,5. Soak.

That takes care of Moses' wound. Guess the bullet got stuck in Crazy Horse's coup stick...

))

The massive eagle recoils a little as a bullet scores his beak, then shakes lead in a hail from his shining feathers, pupils contracting to black points of fury. "YOU DARE?"

[[12:43, Today: Wanbli Luja rolled 7 using 1d12+1, rerolling max with rolls of 6. Soak.]]

The unprovoked attack with a common enemy in their midst wasn't what Art had been expecting. Fortunately the first blow knocked him unconscious, so he wouldn't have to feel the remainder of the blows that the large, stinky native scored against Art. Once he hit the turf, he was completely unmoving - his left arm lying at an awkward angle that might make a person with a weak stomach queasy. Kira whimpered at the result and moved to stand over Art's body, growling at any who came close.

A pair of the dog soldiers shook off the effects of the fear that had gripped their hearts and took up firing positions using some trees for cover.


OOC: Art's incap roll is a raise. His injury is to his left arm. It will heal when all his injuries have been completely healed or within 24 hours of they are not. I'm playing it as a dislocated shoulder.


16:55, Today: Art C. Wiley rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4. 1-3 right arm 4-6 left arm.
16:55, Today: Art C. Wiley rolled 3 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,2. Injury.
16:53, Today: Art C. Wiley rolled 8,6 using d6-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11,(6+3)9. Vigor (Incap).

16:44, Fri 07 June: Kira rolled 5 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Dog soldier unshake 3.
16:44, Fri 07 June: Kira rolled 6 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 6. Dog soldier unshake 2.
16:44, Fri 07 June: Kira rolled 3 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3. Dog soldier unshake 1.

Kira is holding by the limp form that used to look like Art.

Dog Soldiers draw bows, nock arrows, move to firing position where they have some cover (i.e. behind a tree)

17:09, Today: Art C. Wiley drew the single card: 3H using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Sun 09 June 2013.

((OOC: That means 2 of the braves unshake and may take actions (at -2, since neither got a raise).))

---

It's Tan Xiohan's turn!

The veneer of humanity from centuries of guiding and interacting with the little upright ones ran off the enraged Son of the Morning, like water from his radiant plumage. What was left was power, undiminished from ages forgotten: wings that had darkened the sky when wild horses ran across the Great Plains; talons that had disembowelled mammoth. He dropped his celestial hover and once again set foot upon the Earth, which trembled.

The titanic bird stepped forward, talons the size of a man's forearm carving ruts in the ground, the great beak coming down even as the gunman realised his weapons had failed to leave a mark. Whatever Hoarse From Roaring might have said, it was lost in Wanbli Luja's inarticulate scream of rage as the beak clamped down like a final fall of rock, picking the Ravenite up bodily to cast him at his companions.

"KEEEEYYY-IP! KAAAI-AIP!"



[[09:40, Today: Wanbli Luja rolled 10 using 1d10-2, rerolling max with rolls of (10+2)12. fightin'. Hit with raise on Hoarse, MAP.
09:42, Today: Wanbli Luja rolled 3,17,11 using d12+1,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+6+5)17,(6+5)11. -> 31 Beak damage. I suspect he'll take his incap. rather than try to soak that and struggle, so...
09:44, Today: Wanbli Luja rolled 13 using 1d12-3, rerolling max with rolls of (12+4)16. scree! MAP, improvised weapon (Hoarse). I reckon that hit someone, so...
09:45, Today: Wanbli Luja rolled 5,7 using d12+1,d8, rerolling max with rolls of 4,7. -> 12 more damage can has. *headscratch* I think that took out the guy standing parallel on the left of the map, behind Little Crow...]]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:31, Sat 08 June 2013.

Sky Hawk stood tethered between the urge to charge the man he'd known from boyhood and the urge to run back and see how badly Wovoka was hurt. Stuck and stinging from the shot, Sky Hawk stood and stared, silently, not quite able to form words.

Quiet Knife glanced back at Horn Chips tending to Wovoka. Alive, he thought. Not for long if the coward in the underbrush kept up his fire, though.

Quiet Knife sprinted for the treeline, low and compact to present less of a target but unafraid. A rifle was just a large stick when it came to close combat.


[[09:48, Today: Sky Hawk rolled 3 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3. unshake Sky Hawk. Nope. Heroic guy's gonna stand there like a lemon.
09:51, Today: Sky Hawk rolled 3 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 3. Run, Quiet Knife! Ah well...Pace 8+3...11 should take him to the treeline, right?]]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:58, Sat 08 June 2013.

[Language unknown: "Ll redes, nti, ugh ear ichec of staevestr u Oersonlar Ilnce po?" ]Rabbit asks quietly, aware of screams and shots behind to the point that tension stabbed deep with every breath. [Language unknown: "Ofnd estdinthu us sasa m ers pl ionundine: enos p nd ai artoulthi. Ieher int iveeun itnc preve, adta vordaylar ereoulate ith rom ulhoil atiessect po aratni, ntch? Nte ivele thicpawa? Anpl omeessest icilho on e lont, io allateble nemeca ha si onsconwhi? Waus lopeca resck os ilcksi i eve? Plfoen ev ndolch icanc our, urhat astainnot utven ng be san, ill ur eenil ic riant onan iv virble'ineous his alwas? O ort ntihasure m she ng, fo ugh ioort all, lehou ul, i set?"]

The little stray actually offers a hand, eyes hard and bright, but serious. [Language unknown: "T la nc tawer, o aill utiowaicos."]

Rabbit swallows, unable not to hear Wanbli Luja's shrieks and crashing in the background. [Language unknown: "Anyin rutartthe mo ch he Ousratson Antalleen, ca inghatoutoun: ion oveateany tr t oltopl, K ev eve on as u ich ainbutman k proithons ur isalfi itlo...all k ainnc larurefor ntati erswiltin wiinpe ch wiha, Ng ad ac all tepl ulany haall na ut hasth larul ersvorsan alleautin, eau andck pe."]

Concentrating on keeping an even tone, Rabbit stares into the hood, not knowing if it's eye contact, but gazing steadily as if it was so. [Language unknown: "Der ella io m ureanyers, but u ndlat o si mo a in ni, at al maesac, pe no iefoie...si whi int tiopa. Mores Ceatac Antthuwil ousan she one tinhiswhi ee, rom om ersanyera te ha tiivfo, neur ssngek ncefi lipre i e. I whard intonehis oer traorewer. Ill il icnochpl, tiwe butni e ect adtepe...il u e onho o n ouserstio, ss siwil ut ne pesano: loulus aclo redonsure ss p i en paplit ica plpr anywe, whurna topere...eehe oveorethatic ninde iveit nd, lohe etmi ceis, ckat linac...evyin ur outic lanase astviryin."]

[[Rabbit's Holding, I think, unless any of that counts as social-fu.
init.2S]]

Thunder Walker felt pain well up from being attacked. It blossomed brightly at first, but any Lakota warrior taught himself to ignore such things when possible, and so he pushed it to the back of his mind as he pulled back his war club. He looked about him for one of those that had attacked him, and charged for the nearest brave holding a gun - intent on smashing the head in of the nearest traitor.

"HOKA HEY!" he shouted at the top of his lungs as he brought his war club down with as much force as he could. He was no shaman, but he prayed all the same for the strength of bear to be with him, so he could smash this betrayer straight through.

OOC:
Spending a Blue for Thunder Walker, which should soak his only wound and thus remove the Shaken condition as well:

07:57, Yesterday: Thunder Walker rolled 1,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5. Soak Attempt.

Eagles Floating and 3 of the 4 Dog Soldiers recover from Shaken. I don't know if the raises on recovery mean anything, though I'm guessing not.

09:46, Today: Eagle Floating on Gentle Breeze rolled 1,15,5,6 using d8,d8,d8,d8, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(8+7)15,5,6. 4 Cheyenne Shaken Recovery.
09:45, Today: Eagle Floating on Gentle Breeze rolled 3,9 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+3)9. Recover from Shaken.

---

He's attacking the closest Ravenite
Attack: 9
Base Damage: 8
Bonus Damage: 2 (if raise)

10:17, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 9,3 using 1d8-2,1d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (8+3)11,5. Attack!
10:18, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Bonus Damage.
10:18, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4. Damage.
10:18, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4. Strength.

---

Actions for Eagles Floating and Cheyenne Dog Soldiers coming when I can make them...


Next Round:
10:26, Today: Thunder Walker drew the single card: JS using the Deadlands system.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:27, Sat 08 June 2013.

Hoarse from Roaring screams as the giant eagle flings him into one of his warriors. Both collapse in a crumpled heap.

Quiet Knife slips through the brusth, towards the treeline and the trail leading to the mountain's summit. He spies movement in one of the trees just past the trail...but he, himself is exposed.

Thunder Walker's roar propels his arm truly, and the Ravenite goes down with a dull thud as the warclub strikes.

((OOC: HFR is facing an astounding 6 wounds from Wanbli's attack, so he's going down. He rolls for Incapacitation.

09:36, Today: Hoarse From Roaring rolled 10,2 using d8-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of (8+5)13,5. Incapactiation. That's a success and raise, which means he's still out, and still suffers an injury, but the injury only lasts 24 hours or until his wounds are healed.

The guy he's flung into is an extra, and with the extra damage from the Raise, is facing 17 damage. So he goes down.

Quiet Knife gets up to the treeline, but not quite to the sniper's position. He can see the sniper and go prone or dodge into brush for a Cover bonus. The sniper himself has Heavy Cover from the tree he's in, which means a -4 to any ranged attack made against him.

I'll make a post for Raven after I get off work, because he's going to have a fairly long rant (and possible action) for the social-fu.

9 is just a normal hit against the Ravenite's Parry of 6. however, the Ravenite only has a pistol drawn, which means he counts as an Unarmed Combatant until he can flip the pistol into an improvised club. That means the total attack was 11, which is a raise. That means the guy takes 10 damage from TW's attack, and suffers a Wound. he goes down.

As for the Shaken rolls--a Success means the character gets his action, but with a -2 Multi-Action Penalty. A Raise means the unshaken character gets his full action without any penalty.))

---

Moses is up next!

[Language unknown: "Antsetast! Iv!"] Horn Chips rushes to Wovoka's side and searches quickly for the entry wound.
[Language unknown: "Ceenc ev ckta, Hoprsi..."] he promises, his words harsh, then he starts pulling the wounded man away, towards a slight ditch, a few rocks - aynthing that might give some cover.

22:54, Today: Horn Chips rolled 1,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5. Strength.

Meanwhile, Moses raises his hands and bellows:[Language unknown:  "Olame virha san nteartore po p, lat ast heet ion ng ouis bemitoil oung any?! N mi witur se ckha pr o chng witicaate red caiv tiun heratirat ers utfich na onol eris adwinece thel se ardan amebe. La ma red er?!"]

((Casting confusion... I'd like to affect the Hood guy - and everybody else who's in the vicinity. :-) It says up to five guys, but since I don't spend any powerpoints, I'm not sure if that applies.
23:05, Today: Moses rolled 1,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2. Faith for Confusion, white chip.

23:04, Today: Moses rolled 2,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4. Faith for Confusion.

Keeping the 4. That's just a roll at -2 or be shaken. Still...

Next round: 23:05, Today: Moses drew the single card: 5S using the Deadlands system. Initiative. ))

((OOC: Horn Chips drags Wovoka behind a rock. That gives Wovoka Heavy Cover (from the rock and from being Prone) from the sniper, but the only rocks available are closer to the other Ravenites, and thus he on;y had Medium Cover (for being Prone) from them, and potentially no cover if they decide to run up and attack. Horn Chips can go prone for Medium Cover (the rock isn't big enough for them both) and if he wants he can try to shield Wovoka with his body.

As a Blessed, you can "spend" as many power points as you like on a power...the penalty to the roll (if any) doesn't change. This means Blessed are by far the best at using powers that allow you to spend extra power points to affect multiple targets.

The targets availible are Raven, Little Crow, Rotten Bear Killer, and 2 other Ravenites. So Moses can cover all of them with his Confusion. Since Smarts is a dump stat for most of them, it's likely most won't make this...

Rolls for the Ravenites (Little Crow, the two other unnamed ones)

13:18, Today: Ravenite Braves rolled 3,3,8 using d6-2,d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5,(6+4)10. Smarts vs. Confusion. Little Crow and the other Ravenite close to Wovoka fail, the other is just fine.

Rotten Bear Killer: 13:19, Today: Rotten Bear Killer rolled 5,6 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7,(6+2)8. Smarts vs. Confusion. RBK is fine.

Raven: 13:20, Today: Raven rolled 6,1 using d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 8,3. Smarts vs. Confusion. He succeeds.

Quiet Knife, I'm still waiting on you to tell me if you were going to Go Prone for cover from the sharshooter.

Moses, did you want to roll ro spend a chip to make Wovoka Unshaken? He's at three wounds, but he's not Incapacitated (thanks to your Soak roll).))

---

Waiting for the rest of the actions from Art and Thunder Walker's groups of extras, as well as Eagles Floating.

[[Quiet takes to the undergrowth, naturally...going prone in front of a marksman with elevation ain't going to help...]]

The Cheyenne shaman recovered himself, but he was sad and stricken as violence exploded all around him. [Language unknown: "Et! Wipl om e eneiar mi milolo! Ti vir alrieenc!"] He did not think that his call would be heard here, though. He knew it was to no effect. The followers of the Raven were driven to violence against their own kind and his as well, and he had strong suspicions that the man who had confronted Art earlier was not truly a man any longer, his spirit corrupted by something unnatural.

[Language unknown: "Sanmo ersoneessthu, i u nomo e derratwas,"] he said to them in the Cheyenne language.

When Art was struck to a bloody pulp, though, he began to make his way over to his friend, using the spear as a walking stick. If he could get close enough, he could perhaps bring him back from the brink of death, but first, the foul man mountain who stood near him would have to be taken care of. He was not capable of the type of fighting he had done once, but perhaps the spirits would favor him this day in his mission.

Noble hawk, mightiest of hunters, see what this foul one does here today in this place. I beseech you, grant me this favor, that the foul one's blows may not reach his enemies and that ours may reach him.

Three of the Dog Soldiers rushed in ahead of their shaman, though one of them still seemed as if he had only just then woken up. They swarmed in on Rotten Bear Killer, crying out war cries in their native language and striking out at him with their tomahawks.

OOC:

Eagle Floating walks towards Rotten Bear Killer, far enough that he should be able to make it over to Art the next round. He will use the Lower Trait power on Rotten Bear Killer to lower his Fighting, with the dual benefit of making him less deadly on offense and easier to attack on defense by lowering his parry.

19:17, Today: Eagle Floating on Gentle Breeze rolled 17,7 using d10,d8, rerolling max with rolls of (10+7)17,7. Tribal Medicine.

Aww yeah, son! Tribal Medicine: 17. Let's see if that can take the big stinkin' Ravenite down a notch (or many notches!)

One Dog Soldier spends his action recovering from the panic

19:34, Today: Eagle Floating on Gentle Breeze rolled 15 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of (8+7)15. Fourth Dog Soldier Recovery.

Success!

Three Dog Soldiers move in ahead of Eagle Floating, pull their tomahawks, and strike out at Rotten Bear Killer, if they can make it there. Given how well the last two rolls went, these guys were pretty much destined to miss:

19:35, Today: Eagle Floating on Gentle Breeze rolled 1,2,2 using d8-2,d8-2,d8-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4,4. Three Dog Soldiers Attacks.

This message was last edited by the GM at 23:49, Sun 09 June 2013.

As the braves close in on the giant, Eagles Floating notices with satisfaction that the brave's blocks have become clumsy, and attacks that wouldn't normally hit a child are getting through...

((OOC: Actually, the three braves attacking him would each get a +2 Gang-up bonus, canceling out the penalty for drawing their weapons. That means 2 of them actually got 4. Because of RBK's Wild Attack and using a Bladed War Club (which reduces Parry), his Parry score is currently 6. So Eagle's Floating's prayer might actually reduce his Parry enough that the warriors get some hits on him.

16:55, Today: Rotten Bear Killer rolled 6,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1. Opposed Spirit. Since that is nowhere near the 17 you rolled, that means RBK loses 2 die types of Fighting, dropping his score from d10 to d6. That drops his Parry as well.

Which means that both the braves that rolled 4's on their attack hit.

Also, that 15 on the 4th soldier's recovery gives him an action without penalty. He can't get into melee with RBK this round (he's too far away) but he can do something else.))

Swarming together towards the gigantic warrior, the Dog Soldiers showed no fear in the face of this menace despite him having brutalized Art, who was a friend to their medicine man. They showed no fear in the face of this follower of the Raven, despite knowing that he might very well do to them what he had done to Art and despite watching the ferocity with which the giant fought. As they came close, they moved carefully so as not to further injure the fallen white man, but artfully danced in, coming at him from two different sides.

The first one struck at Rotten Bear Killer, and as if it were fore ordained as he turned to counter it, a second tomahawk took him directly, and then a third from another direction.

One more Dog Soldier moved towards the fight, drawing his tomahawk as he did so, hoping to soon join his brothers in battle.

OOC:

Looks like two hits from my Dog Soldiers:

Dog Soldier 1: 9 Damage
Dog Soldier 2: 23 Damage

20:27, Today: Eagle Floating on Gentle Breeze rolled 4,16 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+6+4)16. Brave Hit Damage.
20:25, Today: Eagle Floating on Gentle Breeze rolled 5,7 using d8,d8, rerolling max with rolls of 5,7. Brave Hit Strength.


The remaining one that just recovered from panic is just going to draw his weapon and roll up behind the others. He'll join the fray against RBK next round.