It's dawn and the camp is already bustling with activity, as families cook their morning food and folk go about their various chores.

Overhead the sky is overcast, with rain filled clouds flowing in from the south... Forecast the night before by Cloud Walker's magical tattoos.

Off on the outskirts, beneath the shade of an imposing mesa, known to the tribe as Waha mounts his Bison, a small group of braves are getting their mounts ready. The ground is covered with saddle bags, wobbling water skins, weapons and various odds and ends, whilst the air is filled with swearing, bawdy jokes, bad tempered replies and the odd snatch of song.

A patrol getting ready, their mission to scout far afield for possible threats to the clan and rounding up strays from the herd.

The previous night's sleep had been short, due to the drinking and sudden appearance of a pack of hungry hyenas. Braves both young and old, had grabbed their weapons and headed out into the night, some forming small bands, whilst others worked alone.

The hyenas had worked the edges of the herd, sneaking in from ravines and gullies, snapping at the heels of the Bison, hoping to stampede some out in to the desert proper, where they could be separated and killed. It was dark, dusty and dangerous, with kicking hooves, sharp cactus and the vicious bites of the predators added to the mix. In to this ran the members of the clan, some rounding up frightened animals whilst others rushed to see off their attackers........

Now last night's antics was the hottest topic amongst the young men and one girl, as they readied their beasts on the cold spiring morning.

Yelm's rays had yet to reach where they stood, and everyone shivered from the chill, bloodshot eyes taking in the clouds above and the rain they promised.....

"Right youse lot get a move on" shouted the warrior, who looked as if he'd had a full night's rest.

"Youse are scouting out to the North today, keeping abreast of the Herd as we travel.... We lost Bison last night, so youse need to watch out for tracks. When you find 'em and that's a when not an if, you round 'em up and bring 'em in this evening."

Tokar stands in the center of the group, arms on his hips watching his wards carefully.

"Tighten up that bridle...Yeah that's better.

No don't hang the skin there, it'll burst from your heel rubbing....Here i'll help....

And remember that something's been taking Bison in the last week. Sly like, so keep your eyes peeled. And if you run into raiders judge their size. If they're too big too handle, youse send someone back for help and tail 'em.

Plenty of the Spring Bucks about, wanting to prove how tough they are, specially since their own initiations. And yes we're bigger and better than Impalas, but don't let the cheeky buggers fool you.....Okay?"

In reply to GM (msg # 1):

Asked to the group in general did we loose any bison? and how many of the hyenas did we get? looks round with a big grin on his face i got one

In reply to Melock (msg # 3):

Got one. It started to run away and I was afraid to lose it, but I used my magic to keep it at range and killed it with a single throw ! Hehe, I may not look very tough, but I use my weapons with the intelligence and the powers Waha gave us. I wounded another hyena, but this one disapeared in the night, may be one of you got it ?

Amara sat astride Thunderfoot, sitting up basking in the warmth of Yelm. A waterproof hide nearby to cover herself when the inevitable rain was due to arrive. "You lost less bison than you might have last night. While you were out hunting, I managed to stop a stampede and round up a fair number of your herd."

Amara did not mention the fact that she fell off her rhino and had to ride a bison to catch up with the rest before the stampede made its way into the camp. She'd been seen, but if those who saw her chose not to make it an issue with the clan, she would remain silent on the issue too.

Fireborn steps up with a broad smile plastered across his face..."I got two! The first of them charged me and I was able to meet it with javelin in hand. The point drove deep into the beast throat but not before it latched it's jaws around my right forearm."

He holds up his arm showing off the freshly healed bite marks of the hyena...The second was a tough bastard. It took to javelins to take down and it was already wounded, so that might have been the one you injured Melock!"

He looks at Amara and says..."It is good that you were here to avert the stampede...not only are you a fine hunter but a fine wrangler of bison! You have learned much about our herd in a short time, that is commendable."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:12, Wed 28 Aug 2013.

In reply to Fireborn (msg # 6):

wasnt mine, i only saw one and i killed it. i think it was the one that got away from kaonu
Loads his normal ride gear onto stinky, checks he has got a good supply of sling stones, straps his weapons to the bison and climbs up, ready to ride

Fireborn nods his shaggy head of red hair and replies..."Too much kumiss and firewater last night! I am still a bit foggy...of course I meant Kaonu!"

Kobal laughs at Fireborn's comment.

"I too got two," he says proudly.  "The first was a feisty one.  Dodged my javelins and closed in on me.  But as it bit my hand, I struck it in the neck with my sword, haa!"  He mimes the deadly strike with a chop.

"The second was the leader of the pack, I think.  Waha's Teeth, it was huge!  Came up to my waist!  Two other hyenas lurked behind it.  They were pushing a mother and calf away from the herd when we arrived.  All three charged at me, the leader in front, teeth bared, the other two on either side.  I hefted my javelin, tested its weight, and with a prayer to Waha, I hurled it with all my might at the leader.  Struck it between the eyes!  The leader dropped like a sack, dead before it hit the ground!"  He pounds his chest with his fist for emphasis.  "The other two hyenas turned tail and fled into the rain immediately.  Wild Buck was there.  He saw.  He helped me bury the leader.  After that we came across no more hyenas."  He made sure he spoke loud enough for Greeshar to hear.

"Amara, our thanks for helping watch over our herd."
This message was last edited by the player at 16:08, Wed 28 Aug 2013.

Amara made a gesture showing her own actions were of no import from the back of her rhino, before leaning forward to scratch behind Thunderfoot's ear. "The hyena cackle is disrupted and should bother the herd no more thanks to all of your bravery and skill." she smiled.

Hacha quietly goes about preparing for the ride out. "Helped round part of the herd up." is his only comment on the previous night's hyena hunt.

Greeshar, riding along with the others, looked down at the bison riders from his perch high upon the mighty Stoneskin. He goaded the huge, recalcitrant beast with a large prod, but seemed rather practiced at the routine.

Joining in on the conversation, he said, “My evening was a bit more exciting than I had expected. I moved stealthily, following the sounds of the beasts' passing. I surprised two of the cackling foe behind a rocky outcrop. One leapt upon me, snarling, while the other circled. I fended the first off, when the second attacked me from behind, savaging me roughly. I was able to mortally wound it, but it might've gone bad for me had not Roamsfar come along. The two of us prevailed, and with both of us spelling I managed to keep my guts in. But I do have this interesting scar,” and he lifted his tunic to show angry red marks on his side.

Kobal had been waiting to hear how Greeshar fared.  He smiled to himself in satisfaction.  Clumsy oaf.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:53, Thu 29 Aug 2013.

As the Bison and Rhino braves get ready, several women approach from the camp, large glazed pots carried upon their heads.

Eirithans, protectors of the herd, runes of Earth, Beast and Fertility adorning their ochre covered bodies.

Tokar bows to them as they sashay past and with a final wave and a smile backs away.

"It will take three days for our herd to reach the  next grazing at Bison Khan and the Rainman. See you then.

Good hunting..."

and he's gone.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:50, Thu 29 Aug 2013.

As the three women walk in to the centre of the group, Yelm's rays push the final vestiges of shade from behind the rock outcrop, causing those who had been avoiding his glare to wince from the effects of last night's grog.

"Men of the Prairie Thunder Clan and guests from the Sky Watchers, upon your beasts to receive our blessings" calls Mother's Shadow, eldest of the three women.

Her companions, Saltgrass and Sweet Eirith, place their pots on the hard ground, dipping their hands deep within to draw out the holy dyes.

"Blessed is Erambrath the first Bison " shouts Mother's Shadow to the sky "Mother of our Mounts.... and Blessings to Father Rhino, guest in our lands....Protector of his Children...."
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:29, Thu 29 Aug 2013.

In reply to Kobal (msg # 13):

Kaonu glances at the clouds for a few seconds and turn to Kobal "OK, Kobal, this time you won, now it's your round, keep your kumiss ready for tonight, but just a few mouthfulls for me: I had enough of it last night !"
'yawn'...the night has been too short for Kaonu, but he'll tries to put up a good show in front of Mother's Shadow despite his red eyes.

"Kaonu," Kobal smiles, "there'll be little drinking tonight.  Nor for the night after.  We're on patrol 'til the next graze lands.  I'll not let those Spring Bucks get past our watch."

At Mother's Shadow's call, he intones the ritual response "Mother, watch over your children.  Flat and straight their course; herd again by last light."  He leads Black Hoof forward for the women to anoint.

He's unsure what the appropriate response should be regarding Father Rhino, so he waits to see how Amara responds.  In the meantime, he takes a small length of rope, and begins to tie the knot for safety in the rope.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:13, Thu 29 Aug 2013.

Whilst the ritual continues with chants and anointments, the nearby herd begins to move as families goad them into action.

The ground thunders under the weight of a thousand beasts, the resulting dust cloud drifting skyward to join the rain heavy clouds.

"Erambrath walks the walk" chant the three women "See how the ground trembles. Warriors of our people guard them well....See the dangers....return the lost....Come back strong."

In reply to GM (msg # 19):

Melock joins in with the ritual chanting of mothers shadow