Tarosh and Hoskar, temporarily alone, press on towards where the Condor Brave supposed the noise came from. The charms due to the winding nature of the ravines between the vast rocks offer no help, especially when on making one turn they come face to face with a small war party of Impala riders.


Both groups rein their beasts in and stare....

In reply to GM (msg # 209):

He gulps loudly as he makes eye contact with them, then while smiling he mutters to Hoskar, "They're the rock leaper clan, looks like they're here to cause a little trouble." Laughing at his own joke, Tarosh then casually draws his lance and throws it in to the ground in front of him.

Cat! Get the others out here now. With caution. Twelve for company, maybe unfriendly.

At least I'm better armoured than them. Outnumbered, though. Not good.

He glances sideways at Tarosh's traditioned response, his hand moving cautiously from sling to lance as he does so; his face composing to bland neutrality.

Now there's a surprise. Thought we were alone. Good and skilful hunting, I see. We've had rather less luck, but maybe our friends behind us have done better than we have.

Dusty work, this: water while we decide what to do next, anyone?

Although his mien remains calm, his eyes rove around the group ahead, looking for likely leaders...who should fall in the first charge if there's trouble.

Henal back in camp recovering from the night before receives the warning from the familiars and prepares to ride out and meet them.

A particularly angry looking brave steps forward "And who the fuck are you lot? Fat arse and skinny arse eh?"

He stares at the lance and sneers

"Rightio...What's your challenge?"

In reply to GM (msg # 213):

Still smiling, but with narrowed eyes, "better than being a short arse." He looks down from Carross, "Well a challenge of wits would be almost as unfair as one of height." He rubs his chin, "as would a butting contest between your mount and Hoskar's." He glances at Hoskar, "Any thoughts?"

Looks their interlocutor up and down. Angry little chap, aren't you? Bitten arse more like. That or you're chewing a wasp. He smiles blandly.

Well, they'll be more nimble than us but we've got the big beasts. Hard to be fair. Hmmm.

He grins more broadly at the Rock Leaper brave.

You seem a bit peevish, friend. If you fancy a scrap, a spot of wrestling is usually fun.

We've got nothing against you, mind: if you'd prefer to stay healthy, and as we're all out here hunting, how about we hunt some more? The two of us against any two of your lot, first ones back here with a new catch enough to feed at least three people wins, loser loses one from their catch too?

In reply to Hoskar Two-Feather (msg # 215):

He raises his eyebrow at Hoskar's friendly comment, speak for yourself. but he nods at the hunting idea.

The diminutive nomad clicks his fingers and two of his braves edge forward, one on a jet black impala the other on a white one.

"Accepted. One hour, back here with the largest animal...."

And without waiting the two hunters spring off back the way they'd come.

Done: let's get to it, Tarosh. Away from them: they'll charge the game away for miles.

Turning Ram, he prepares to set off back too...unless his fellow Ranger has a better plan; muttering fresh magics as he does so.

Change of plan, cat: have the Rangers scare any game they see our way. Not kill - drive. Bigger the better - there's a challenge on.

In reply to Hoskar Two-Feather (msg # 218):

"Take this," he passes him a charm to help him hunt, "I'll slow whatever we find, you get it with your sling." He follows Hoskar back into the Rocklands, "Lets head deeper in to the Rocklands, but not towards the camp as we didn't find much on the way out."

Amara sat at the top of the hill with the vingan woman feeling alive as the winds howled around them. Far from making her cold, she felt revitalised as the winds grew in strength. Amara waited as the other women sang and danced their celebration of Vinga, waiting until they were done before it were her turn. She was nervous about this. This was the first celebration she'd ever been to outside of the Skywatchers. feeling every eye on her, Amara started shuffling her feet, slow in tempo as she made her way to the inner circle on the hilltop, her javelin in her hand. Her voice showed no tinge of fear as she started singing her personal celebration of Vinga.

"Hear my words, Defending Storm
upon the winds we are not torn,
We gather around in your name
singing loud, we have no shame

We sing and dance with crimson hair
that our enemies should beware
To those that would wish us harm
you will be subdued by our charm"

Her steps moved slightly more quickly as she danced in a slow circle around the Vingan warriors, smiling at her new friends. her javelin dipped in respect for all present


To those who do not hear the breeze,
Our love and hearts you will receive,
To all that threaten what is ours
beware our might, for it devours

I am Amara Brightsky, that is my name
I have fought and killed, in love and pain.
A wandering ranger is what I have become
I fight to the beat of my own drum.<blue>

Her footsteps pounding the ground in time to the drumbeat, echoing around the small circle as she moved yet more swiftly. Her javelin whistling around her as she fought imaginary foes.

<blue>"I protect and serve my entire clan,
to bring back the green is our plan,
Always watching and always devout,
We seek to end the eternal drought.

We avenged the end of the Big peckers,
said goodbye to their last spectres,
Killed many broo to end their menace
To end that threat is our premise.

Her arms outstretched, mimicking the proud movements of Thunderbird, Amara turned more swiftly around the circle her feet starting to lift dust from the ground as she danced. The javelin swooped around the circle, speaking almost with the words of of the acacia from which it was grown.

"In our journey, I walked in Tada's path,
Slew Tripanander and killed his wrath,
Freed some women from the twisted thorn
Allowed them both to be reborn.

We rescued river children from mudshark
That was not an easy task, it was no lark
Protected the newtlings from the hunter,
upon them we did visit vile murder

Amaras voice rose to be heard, merging with the wind, her feet kicking up more dust almost creating a vortex as she spun around the circle. Her javelin almost speaking to the ground enticing it to rise around Amara.

"These stories and more rest in the recent past
I am not finished yet, they are not the last
To your good name I will bring pride and joy
Yet to guard is my life, I prefer not to destroy.

To further our goals, I became the Earth Queen
rescuing guardian harpies never before seen,
escorting them to the earth temple are my goals
to rest and protect the giants finger holes"

The vortex continued growing steadily stronger, it started to whistle, mingling and becoming part of the song. From the ground loose pebbles rose with the dirt whirling around Amara and her javelin as her song rose with her dance.

"Strong as I am, I have further to go,
My tale as it is, is not filled with woe
I call out to others, my example is set
My path is in blood, my path is in sweat


In conclusion, I hope that you can see,
My works have brought honor to thee.
My song delivers on my promises to Vinga,
you may hate the song, don't hate the singer."

As Amara finished, she dropped crouching to the ground with her javelin in her hand. She turned slowly to face all of the Vingans as the winds softly and slowly subsided around her.
"I am Amara Brightsky of the Skywatchers. Rhino rider and wandering ranger... and promised and sworn to Vinga."

Kobal rides out of the camp a distance with Haaro, to keep watch in case any should disturb the camp while the Skywatcher men are away celebrating.  Riding out with the Vingans had not been an option.  Even if they need guards while they performed their rituals, he was sure would have been the butt of many jokes, even if he rode a discrete distance behind them.

Besides, this was a day for Orlanth and Vinga.  While the brave respected those gods, they were outsiders to Prax and the ways of Waha.  He had no real wish to get involved, nor any wish to disrupt proceedings.

He scans the rocklands for potential trouble, but also for any prey to hunt for dinner.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:15, Wed 06 Jan 2016.

Henal getting Kobal's message relayed through his familiars starts looking for game he can drive towards the others. He rides with Rikki ahead of him on Whiteblaze looking for prey.

Amara's song is greeted with a roar of approval from the assembled Impala women, several slyphs that had appeared in the shape of great cloud like Rams and a horde of minor air spirits.

Even Whispers from the Sky manages to show some enthusiasm, leaping high in the air with the others.

The Skywatcher males also salute the Wandering Ranger from where they stand making their own celebrations to one side.

There's another clap of thunder and each of the Vingans including Amara are covered in a shining light as their goddess bestows blessings on her worshippers.

Then whilst the other Rangers patrol below, Amara and her new friends spend the rest of the day re-enacing myths of their goddess, which involves much hurling of javelins, combatting darkness foes and moving at amazing speeds over rocks, trees and across precipices....
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:03, Wed 06 Jan 2016.

Hoskar and Tarosh soon meet up with Henal and Kobal, and with absolutely nothing to show for their combined endeavours...

And with the hour now up they return to where they'd left the mob of Impala riders. By this time the Rangers have been joined by Leaper, Gloaming and Greeshar, the latter quite obviously delighted with the prospect of a fight. The remaining Rangers had elected to stay at the camp in case a proper raid was being planned.

Of the Harpies there is no sign, and the Morokanths, despite the warnings and loud ceremonies, have collectively put their heads down for a sleep...

Sat atop their black and white Impalas the two hunters look smug when the Rangers appear empty handed. By the feet of their mounts lies a freshly killed bush deer, hardly impressive in the scheme of things but vastly superior to the nothing that the two Ranger braves have.

"Pah" shouts their leader "Now you must let us pass and fulfil our mission."

In reply to Angry Wasp (msg # 224):

Red-faced in dusty embarrassment, Hoskar nods, then forces his features into a rather sheepish smile.

The best hunters won fair and square. Difficult place to find game, isn't it? I've not forgotten the full terms: here's our lizard too, assuming you want it.

Long as you don't attack us and ours, you'll get no trouble from me he adds pleasantly and I'll even throw you in some information for free. If you've not already spotted it for yourselves, watch out for Two-Thumbs and his morokanth from round Hoofcrack. They're gathering numbers, likely up to something. Don't know what, but the friendly word is watch your backs just in case.

He retreats, happy enough to leave it at that but in no hurry to depart in case others want their say.

The leader of the band of nomads watches Hoskar as he speaks, his face a picture as he listens with barely concealed anger

"Two Thumbs? Hoof Crack!? What are you going on about Rhino-fart? I'm here for my wife and ain't no one gonna stop me!"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:55, Wed 06 Jan 2016.

Careful there, mate you'll burst soon.

Hoskar's smile becomes a merry chortle. Good one, he winks. Family's important, I'll not detain you he adds, manoeuvring Ram to one side.

What a splendid chap. Excellent day, this he oberves happily to the Rangers.

Kobal is about to respond to the impala rider's rudeness but Hoskar gets in first, with his usual mollifying manner.

Instead, he regards the impala braves with a level, impassive gaze, taking action only if it looks like the war party intends to disrupt the day's ceremonies.

Without another word the Impala braves ride off towards the Rangers' camp...

I wonder if his wife was one of those vingans that we met? Henal asks as he turns to ride back to camp.

"I didn't think Vingans married," says Kobal, though he doesn't know much about Orlanthi ways.

He too, wheels Black Hoof around, and starts riding back to the camp, keeping an eye on the impala braves, for any sign they intend violence or raiding, instead of meeting an intended bride.

As Hoskar does the talking, Tarosh avoids speaking and does his best to look unaffected by their lack of success. Once the victors have left he adds his own thoughts to Henal and Kobal's conversation, "Lets hope they do," He smiles, "otherwise, that doesn't leave many it could be, maybe he has a thing for Morokanth women." He rides alongside Hoskar, "Can I get my matrix back?" the question comes out bluntly, though its not obvious whether he meant it to be or not as he eyes are fixed on the impala's in the distance.

It's only a matter of minutes before the Impala riders reach the pool camp, below the Vingan holy day rock, causing those Rangers already there to ready weapons and the Rhino nation women to gather up children and get to cover. Even the Morokanth begin to show interest, several of them rousing the others so that they can follow what might now transpire.

Brash and uncaring the Impala braves ride in and let their mouths water at the pool, paint covered faces swinging this way and that as they take in the camp.

Then if unopposed they move over to one side where they dismount and begin to make their own camp.