A Strange World: Civilization's Dawn [Revival] [IC]

by **Nuxipal** » Mon Jul 15, 2019 11:27 pm

The Year's Turning
Year Six

The Tribe of Ulm faced some difficulties this year, but found themselves able to hunt and gather sufficient food for them to not go hungry. Even better news this year around is that the two children, Wigburg and Meinrad are no longer sick and have begun playing as young boys of their age tend to do. The edible tubers and grasses planted near the village seem to increase the accessibility of their food sources, but doesn’t seem to increase how much they are able to gather beyond a certain point as the tribe can only gather food so quickly. Perhaps if they had some method of collecting faster the edible grasses they could manage to bring in more food.

The wise and knowledgeable Apophis believed he could create a new source of entertainment on his lakeside home. As his experiment continued, he began smelling the rot and then flies were being attracted to the scent. Eventually, he admitted defeat this round, dumping the clay out to find the heavy, wet mass at the bottom had undergone some fermentation, but also seemed to weaken the integrity of his clay pot. Perhaps if the clay were made into a harder material, something more intense than the sun, it would harden even further promoting the desired effect. Or perhaps simply this was a fluke and the next time would yield better results.

In their woodland homes, the Eliphas Clan was wary of the potential dangers that their home had. Though it had been some time since they last saw wolves, the beasts could return anytime and seek out the young of the clan as a meal. This year however, so such event occurred. Hunting and gathering provided plentiful food for the clan as they found themselves welcoming two new children into the world. The first, born to Mala, though she has yet to name the father of the healthy baby girl. Jass and Mabe also are happy to bring a girl into the world, though both child and mother seem to have the birthing illness. Aside from her child, Mala is able to create two flint and wood spears for the clan and Mabe, despite her illness has perfected the spear-thrower design to give the hunters greater yields in their hunts.

The Ciaráin come across disaster this year. The sounds of grunting and snorting fill the mountains during the growing season of the year. By the time the tribe goes to harvest the mushrooms and edible grasses, they have been well picked over by the enormous swarm of boars which moved through the area. Because of the terrible fortunes of the tribe, they run short of food. Eirnín and the child Sive grow weak and ill from the lack of food and may need additional rest or attention in the near future. The most well fed of the Ciaráin is Meibhín who has taken to exploring the east in search of someone, anyone. The land she passes through is filled with both narrow and wide mountain passes leading in a northeast/southwest direction. As she crests peaks she notices rock rabbits running into and out of their homes, a seemingly easy meal for her. However, no nomads or wanderers are found on this trip. Eirnín’s search into creating a new and better axe than the current handaxe continues to run into issues. While he understands the hand axe’s limitations, his changes to it have not yielded better results yet. He does feel more confident about the research he is doing though.

A plethora of food is what the Pentakok have gathered in their homes. However, the overabundance of food may have attracted a new, larger threat. For the wolves, which once hounded them for food, now have been chased out of the area or eaten by the Great Shadow. A shadowy bird creature which flies higher than the other birds and had deposited a few whale bones near the tribe’s home indicating its size and capabilities. For now, it seems to leave the tribe alone, aside from passing over head when the hunters return. During this time of fear and confusion, the secrets of how to better fasten and prepare hides and furs to make clothing comes to Anjin. While wearing the only one of its kind for now, Anjin is keen to get other people into the clothes in case the weather turns for the worst. Far away from the tribe, the scout, Kakortok faces the difficult task of bypassing the mountains, finding passes that cross from the frigid forests of her home into a hilly valley beyond the mountains. The coldest winds seem to end at the mountains and this land is filled with all sorts of creatures, slender wooly creatures which scatter when she approaches, Large, antlered creatures similar to the reindeer that passed through the tribe’s lands in the past. Even the rocks here are different as a grey metallic rock seems to catch her eye as it pokes out from some of the hills.

The quiet valleys of the De Wah Del-Aton remain quiet and steady. Protecting their inhabitants from the dangers of the world around them. Their wise and faithful members continue working with the local plants until finally, they begin to sprout. A small garden is formed near the tribe as they have learned a method by which to properly plant them and keep them alive. Unfortunately for the tribe however, the work required to actually bring in the food required to keep the tribe alive is too much for the same people to also prepare it for preservation of what small excess there is. Beyond the tribe’s lands however, Umak discovers forested mountains. Tall trees of pine coat the sides of this range as small rock rabbits burrow beneath them for shelter. In the bushes, tasty berries give Umak something to tell his clan about as they are quite edible.

In the shallows and rivers of their land, the Sea-Blessed continue to hunt and fish for their meals. The tribe manages to collect enough food for the tribe this year as Sylvia again leaves in search of a husband. As she treks she discovers more of the resources in the region, Red fruits which grow in abundance that have a sweet and juicy taste to them. As she is picking over one of the strawberry plants she spots movement. She finds a girl also picking the strawberries to eat. Convincing her to return to the Sea-Blessed is not difficult and soon the two return to the tribe. The girl is sixteen years of age, and considers her profession to be a tribal inhabitant. She doesn’t show any particular specialization and seems rather well rounded in most areas except for her knowledge of the world in which she is severely lacking. With this new set of hands, the tribe continues its works only pausing to welcome two children into the tribe. Maria gives birth to a healthy baby boy, but soon grows ill following the birth. Vladimir and Vittoria welcome a sickly baby girl into the world, but Vittoria is well soon after the birth and able to care for her. During his attempts to extract minerals from the sea, Jarn falls ill. He gains the belief that sea water may be poisonous. Maria, despite her illness, completes her Pemmican recipe and lets the tribe know how to craft it should she succumb to her illnesses in the future.

A beautiful sunrise crests over the lands where the Men of Aten reside. The sunrise is so inspirational, that Eliza seems to work more effectively in the hours as it is rising. However, by years end, she still has not learned how to smelt the copper that exists in the lands around them. Her new habit however seems to have inspired her to be more productive on this topic in the future. Around her fervorous research, the clan continued its daily routine. A healing of the sick is seemingly accomplished without too much strain on the caster, though Isabel does not believe she will be capable of casting another heal of that sort in the near future. Eliza then welcomes a new child into the world, the sickly boy is cared for by his mother for the time being. With Ample food, the Men of Aten are comfortable in their lives beside their beautiful bay with its inspirational sunrises.

On the coastal plains, the wild Tarpan strode. However, a clever individual within the Aederfolk decided now would be a good chance to dominate these beasts. Cyhr, though ill, lent her aid to the effort of Llyr. For much of the year they made absolutely no progress, having little in the way of knowing how to tame or dominate any sort of creature. However, a chance for that may have arrived when a migration of sheep wandered into their lands. The tribe around them collect ample food stores from both hunting the Tarpan and the sheep which now roam in flocks, but who knows for how long before they migrate away again. The crafting of Cigfa and Pywll bring the tribe two Atlatl (Q: 1). It is during this year that both Cyhr and Cigfa give birth. A healthy girl for Cyhr gives her joy, though her health remains the same and she will have difficulty caring for the child for now. Cigfa gave birth to a sickly boy, but she remains healthy enough to care for him and Cyhr’s child until the time when Cyhr is healthy again.

The glistening valley of the Silver River Tribe is witness to a miracle of nature. A sunrise, so inspirational that Tafari and Meru both feel a strong sense of purpose as they delve into their studies further. Tafari trying everything he can to entice the Llama to live closer to the tribe, while Meru walks the forests and lonely hills nearby communing with the spirits of nature as she does. The tribe sees an abundant food supply this year as Astaro leaves the village to explore up the river. She finds more of the river valley which contains the Llamas which seem to have spread across the whole of the known valley. Additionally, there are white furred foxes running from place to place looking for their next meal. She also takes note of the purple crystalline rocks which poke from rocky outcroppings on the hills of the region. As she returns, she is met by two strangers in the camp. A girl, just younger than her, and a man older than Tafari. They arrived one day and asked to join the tribe, the sight of the large quantities of food being brought into the tribe’s home was all that was needed to entice them to join up. Tafari accepted them and initiated them into the tribe, permitting them to name themselves in the river. However, no matter how much inspiration they received from the sunrise, Tafari and Meru still both failed their respective tasks. Some secrets are well hidden, but they are not determined to unlock these secrets to the world around them.

The hunger of previous years burns deep into the minds of The Korthuun and they work hard to construct better traps, more traps, and even the scholars pitch in to hunt and trap for food while their explorer seeks new sources of food nearby. Which, for the tribe’s security needed to happen as the year was quite lean, with the tribe cutting down on what they ate during the winter months to try and make what they have last just a little bit longer. Sure enough, to the south, as Merved explores there an open flat plain expands out around them. Edible grasses and Apple trees are common in the area, if they had only known about this vast treasure of food in previous years, there would be less illness in the tribe. In addition to these valuable sources of food, a metallic purple ore peeks out from various rocky outcroppings on the plain where the trees and grass refuses to grow. Those illnesses had their effects on the tribe’s actions. While Agol and Merved were able to shake their illnesses, Hoska remains ill and Endir’s illness seems to have gotten worse. The desire for more food to feed their hungry bellies is always a driving factor for the tribe and Nado has devised a better trap for them to lure in more of the seemingly endless Nugs giving them hope for future hunts. He thinks that with some more improvements they can create a set of permanent traps that they can simply empty and reuse without much effort.

This is the account of the Year. Another Year now begins.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Tue Jul 16, 2019 9:02 am

The Sea-Blessed

Year of New Hearts
Shadows of the Garth

High above the cool shadows of the great forest, the sun rose towards her apex. In the glades of the Garth, Vittoria and Emilia walked, the new arrival nearly silent even as the normally taciturn worker waxed eloquent, intermittently cooing and speaking to her new charge. It had been an unexpected blessing from the Father when so many new lives had been joined to the Sea-Blessed at once; scarce had Sylvia trotted out of the west with the red-haired young woman on her heels than two new children had been given to the tribe. Many prayers of rejoicing had been heard in those days, and through the mild winter that followed, but the addition of new mouths to feed had only amplified the tribe's needs.

"This is the sable-root; see how its stem grows a deep green, the shape of a hand split at third finger and second? It has a warm nutty flavor, and grows to the thickness of a man's arm when unharvested for many years. An armful of such forage, and a man may eat for a month, if he is careful."

So it was that Vittoria had taken it upon herself, with the blessing of her husband, to teach the young Emilia of the ways of the Garth and the Sea-Blessed. Young still was the woman's heart, and unused to any specific talents or labors, but that could be mended. In time she could learn all that there was to know of the weft of woven fur, of the myriad plants of the forest, of the carving of shafts for spears, and the mysteries of the sunset-stone.

But that was a concern for another day. For now, the tribe was more concerned with immediate needs. And so, thus, was Emilia's education focused on the practical things of the world. Their sister was sick, and the child on Vittoria's back ailed as well. Her little limbs thrashed only occasionally, and feebly at that, though her eyes were bright and deepest blue, drinking in the world around her. It was not uncommonly for infants to be more quiet and less vocal than others, but nonetheless it was a dangerous sign - those not filled with the fire of life could easily see that flame snuffed out.

Thus it was that the papoose on the worker's shoulders filled the air with a heavenly scent as the two women walked through the glades of the Garth, heads down gleaning for forage. Jarn's new preparation, a distillation of the blossom-berry into a heady aroma of wellness, set the mind ablaze with energy and poured vigor into every limb. There were no guarantees on this world, not save the will of the Ancestors, but still hope was in Vittoria's heart. Many secrets of the wide world had been given to the Sea-Blessed by their noble patrons, and unlocked through the unrelenting logic and will of those of the tribe who had bent their thought thither. In time, perhaps, they would come to fear famine, plague, and want less than their fathers had - and would that be such a terrible thing?

by **The Empire of Tau** » Tue Jul 16, 2019 12:17 pm

Ulm Tribe

by **The GAmeTopians** » Tue Jul 16, 2019 1:12 pm

The Men of Aten
The Bay of Aten

I may add content when I get home from work, but I didn't want to miss the update.

by **Olthenia** » Tue Jul 16, 2019 1:31 pm

The Korthuun
The Grasslands

The children of the Lonely Mountain are ghosts in the night. Cracks in the walls. Whispers of wind.

Illness and hardship have haunted them in previous years. Now, though? With Merved's triumphant return from the south, things might just begin to look up.

by **Ralnis** » Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:04 pm

De Wah Del-Aton

In Admag, a small garden has been risen from the quite forested valley that the tribe settles. This was good as they started to try and start to plant fruit bushes again while the rest try to get food and preserve meats for the smokehouse.

by **Ostnea** » Tue Jul 16, 2019 3:14 pm

Eliphas Clan

Blessings can come with curses. This saying was on the clan's minds as the year. They had many blessings. The wolves had not been heard howling for two years now, time enough to let even Jass' anxious mind be at ease. Hillin and Etha continued to bring in ample food from both near and far, ensuring the clan's bellies never felt the true pangs of hunger. The twin boys had never experienced in their short lives the deep, black, all-consuming need to eat. The research on the spear-thrower had concluded successfully, ensuring that as soon as they were made practical from Mabe's prototype, they would be able to bring in more goat and bird. They had even been blessed with two girls, ensuring that the clan would persist once the adults had grown frail and grey, the clan would persist.

In both of the latter blessings, however, the Deceiver, ever the thorn in the Great Spirit's plans, had hidden curses. The effort from both pregnancy and invention had left Mabe weak of spirit, leading to her and her child's illness. Their state reduced the stoic Jass to tears and prayer, and he would spend the year caring for both his son and his wife. Hidden in these prayers for their lives were prayers for forgiveness, for he knew what the tribe would not know until much later - Mala's child was his. Perhaps this was not a trick by the Deceiver, but a punishment for his child born outside of courtship.

Mala, when not caring for her new daughter, would spend the year making practical spear-throwers from Mabe's prototype. She was happy - a child to care for and work to do, she felt fulfilled. The truth of her daughter's parentage would come out sooner or later, and it was upon Jass to announce if the child would be legitimate - and he was courting two women at the same time - or was illegitimate, a daughter of the Spirit. This was her only anxiety in these happy days, as both would see her position hit, but leaving it up in the air would endanger the next generation. Brother and sister courting was an abomination, one of the highest taboos. Not knowing what her parentage would only leave little Mari with no baby of her own, as both boys would refuse to risk the infamy of being a sister-lover.

Etha and Hillin were unaware of this drama boiling underneath the surface, and went about their tasks as usual. Berries and birds this year, for the goat meat had gotten rather normal to the pallets of the Eliphas, and the hides were sufficient.

by **Nuxipal** » Tue Jul 16, 2019 4:12 pm

The year past's inspirational sunrise was a sure sign that the future would be bright for the tribe. Two new tribesmates joined them and the need for more shelter came upon them quickly. Sylri recruited the newly named Thokk into helping her to build a shelter, in exchange she would teach him what it meant to be a worker in the Silver River Tribe. He was a quick learner, hopefully he picked up the tasks quickly. He was now the oldest member of the tribe and also the one with the least specialization of all of them. They worked very closely together during the year, spending many nights asleep near the shelter they worked on together.

The young boys played together near the streams leading to the river, the cold mountain water providing its own entertainment as the older members of the tribe went about their work. At this stage, the boys seemed to be playing at being hunters, or speaking to the spirits. At this stage it was uncertain what path they would choose, but while they still had years ahead of them before any of these game became a reality, they were starting to come of the age where they could do small tasks. Helping carry hides to assist Sylri and Thokk or try and play with the Llamas, most of which ran away, though there were a few which weren't as afraid of the Silver River Tribe as others. Perhaps this year Tafari would be successful in getting some of the Llamas to live in closer proximity to the tribe.

Astaro and her new found friend Pyra hunted and gathered food together most days of the year discussing their travels in and around the Valley, both of them enjoyed seeing new lands and that Pyra and Thokk coming to the tribe was one of the better things that had happened to them in the last few years. They spent their hunts far from the tribe, and occasionally crossed paths with Llyrin who was out hunting on his own, tracking the Caribou herds and bringing back food as well. They knew the places to avoid so that Meru's attempts to speak with the Nature Spirits was not disturbed. She had been doing it for a very long time and the inspiration from the previous year still burned within her.

by **Holy Tedalonia** » Tue Jul 16, 2019 4:45 pm

Lucius Arkon, Mountainlands
step by step, a weary man walked through the passes of the mountain, keeping a soft and sluggish pace. Tired from constant travel. He was a pale man, with brown hair and blue eyes. His hair was a mangled mess, long and messy. He had a short uncouth beard, untouched by a blade, save for a distinct cut along his left checks. Only getting by with food on the road. The tired man, deciding he had traveled plenty sat against a rock recalling what led to his situation.

He had dishonored his clan, a sin that his clan does not forgive. Instead of choosing honor in death, he had chosen to live on in exile. And here he was, living on with what meaningless life he had. Now he had traveled farther then any clansmen ever traveled, and faced with living alone for the rest of his life. With a sigh, he got up again. He needed to continue his journey. Where he did not know.

by **Theyra** » Tue Jul 16, 2019 6:41 pm

The Ciaráin

This year has not been kind to the Ciaráin. The arrival of the boars that depleted that mushrooms and edible grasses that the clan survives on. His failure of finding a way to make a better hand axe is not important to his anymore as the food started to set in. Despite his current state, Eirnín is more worried for Síve then himself orders her to be a priority over him. The rest of the clan worry about food shortage and started to spread out in order to sustain himself. Dáire continues to hunt deer in the south and Saraid joins her and collects what edible grasses she can find. Meibhín seeing how easy the rock rabbits are to catch. She has venture there to hunt the rabbits. While they are out collecting food, Ruari takes care of their children and Eirnín sets his sights on figuring out about making a better tool for hunting.

by **Saxony-Brandenburg** » Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:20 am

Spring arrives again
The land of the Pentakuk

Above the crackling fire, Anjij sits with the children of the Pentakuk. It is night, and although the adults are fast asleep, they remain up, transfixed by the sight the previous day, the great shadow. Struggling to find an answer, she decides to make up a story to explain the explainable.

"Far, across the southern sea - lies the nest of the Rok. With a bed of mighty cedars, which she drags between her talons above the ocean spray - she flies home, alone, to watch over her lands. With the bones of the giants she feasts upon, she has built an island - that stretches four mountains wide, in either direction. She was created when the world began, from the winds which she soars. From the dark clouds, which she flies through with ease, for they are her birthplace. Woe upon thee, who does not find place to hide when the great bird appears - she, who may pierce the thickest hide with her talons, and drag you into the world of the afterlife, across the sea."

And all at once, the children understood the godlike powers - of the Rok.

by **Nuxipal** » Wed Jul 17, 2019 10:59 am

The Year's Turning
Year Seven

New blood within the Sea-Blessed always gives new purpose, when that new blood learns how they can best benefit the tribe, then it is a great thing. As the tribe grew, so did their food needs, the tribe found itself with plentiful food, and was even able to store a small portion for the coming year. Should anything happen to their other food sources, this extra would ensure that they were able to harvest food with a full stomach instead of an empty one. Jarn’s efforts are successful this year curing both Maria and Atria of their illnesses. Though Sylvia treks to the same region as Emilia was from, she is unable to find anyone new this year and returns home with strawberries. Though she tries planting a few of them, she is unsuccessful in causing any sort of meaningful growth of the plants in this area.

The Ulm tribe finds itself having just sufficient food to make it through the year. The younger members of the tribe play together while those wiser in years try and make it easier for the tribe to harvest food. They are, however, unsuccessful this year in determining the best manner for which to harvest the Grasses and Tubers which have done so well in keeping the tribe fed during the years.

The warm coasts of the Men of Aten have once more provided the tribe with enough food this year. Though attention is paid to the sickly child, he remains sickly, however, his condition does not worsen this year and simply persists at the same level as at his birth. The tribe does have reason to celebrate however. With Isabel’s assistance, Eliza managed to learn how to melt the copper over the campfire. Now, if she just had a method by which to more easily shape the metal instead of banging it into shape with a stone, then she could truly make something useful.

Migration, it is always difficult and hungry. Energy spent traveling is not energy spent collecting food. However, this land full of edible plants seems to be the perfect place to re-settle for the Korthuun. The land itself nearly whispers to Nado of the bountiful foods that could be gathered by the tribe’s workers. This year however, there is little in the way of food for them again, though they have grown accustomed to food they are lacking this year again.

The De Wah Del-Aton finds itself with a sufficient food supply and a small excess has been preserved for the next year. The attempts by its wise persons to bring more food into the area has not been successful, instead finding that whatever seeds they plant in their small garden does not germinate. They are unsure as to why, but the fruit bushes they so desperately want simply did not grow. Not due to any particular action by the tribe, it seems a young girl of the tribe is no longer ill. Perhaps a miracle took place. During the year both Que and Isha gave birth. Que’s son was stillborn, though she remained healthy herself. Isha on the other hand grew ill as did her son.

The woods of the Eliphas Clan were quiet this year. Health returned to many of its inhabitants bringing everyone in the tribe to good health. There was plentiful food to be passed around the tribe, and many within the tribe were happy with their situation. With the recent innovation of the Atlatl behind them, Mala has crafted two of the new spear throwers for the tribe to work with.

In their River Valley, the Silver River Tribe finds the burdens of what will become on their shoulders. Larger populations mean larger food requirements and though, they devote enough time to creating enough food to the task, they learn soon they will need to feed more members of the tribe soon enough. Sylri and Thokk’s time spent together left them with a healthy baby girl and her own health remained. Astaro also grew pregnant and gave birth around the same time to a Sickly baby girl, though retained her own health in the process. With all the time spent together, Sylri was able to teach Thokk how to be a worker as they constructed a second shelter for the growing tribe. After years and years of trying, Meru finally contacted the spirits of the land and sky. The magic of nature was now open to the tribe. Perhaps because of, or alongside, Tafari’s long mission to attract the Llamas to live closer with the tribe has succeeded. An exchange of excess food to the Llamas has caused them to live closer to the tribe.

Lucius found himself exiled from his tribe some years ago, now wandering the mountains he ventures south finding a vast open plain. Unsure of what resources are around him, he is able to find only a few of them at any given time. He does notice however how verdant the land around him is this year as if some mystic wind swept through and gave greater life to the region. For now he is able to watch the herds of sheep graze on the open grasslands as he travels collecting useful wood and sticks for future use.

The depleted lands of The Ciaráin were not going to be sufficient for the tribe this year. However, knowledge of the surrounding land saved them. Spreading out and gathering food in other regions permitted them to collect enough food for the tribe. And because of their initiative of leaving their lands for food, they watch as the land blossoms once more. Grasses and mushrooms return as they had in previous years. Eirnín worked through the initial hunger and was soon well again, and with excellent news for the tribe. The spear-thrower was completed, now they could more easily defend the tribe and hunt small game here or in nearby regions more effectively. Even the child Sive regains their health as the tribe’s food stocks are not low all year long.

In their cold forests, the Pentakuk have started being given warmer clothes by the tribe, even an extra set. With the continual exploration of the scout, the tribe has an abundant food supply and again feels the over flights of the “Great Shadow” though it doesn’t descend on them. Basket weaving attempts made this year by Anjin fail. However, the tribe does have news to celebrate, they welcome two new boys into the tribe, both they and their mothers healthy. Innugati and Anjin are the mothers for these two new members of the tribe. Venturing ever further east, Kakortok discovered a river, whose waters were chilled, in a mountain valley. The landscape around was teeming with Caribou and the edible grasses. The telltale signs of hematite were visible on the hillsides leading up out of the valley itself.

This is the account of the Year. Another Year now begins.

by **Holy Tedalonia** » Wed Jul 17, 2019 12:10 pm

Lucius Arkon, Windy Plains
It was another day in this unforgiving life, however this has not stopped Lucius resolve. No, he will find something to his existence, he has to. He needs his choice years ago to mean something, that by not choosing death he had done something else to redeem his sin. These heavy thoughts weighed on him as he sharpened the flint he collected.

Once pleased with the results of his labor finding it pointy enough to jab the local fluffy beasts. Lucius placed the flint on top of his carved staff, creating a flint spear. It will be a good hunt, he thought to himself pleased. It was going to be a good hunt. Once he has killed a couple of the beasts he will continue his journey, covered in the warm pelts of his prey.

He looked out at the open field once more, seeing nobody in sight. He let out a sigh, how he desired human interaction. These lonely fields provided little solace for him. If he desired meaning in his life, it needed to be with someone, or something. Travelling this world alone brought little comfort.

by **G-Tech Corporation** » Wed Jul 17, 2019 12:52 pm

The Sea-Blessed

Year of the Risen Sun
Shores of the Endless Ocean

Contemplatively Jarn chewed on the strips of dried venison as he looked out over the sea. Near at hand, still asleep from the dark hours' exertion, little Elvira was snoring softly within the small bivouac of furs and hides that the learned elder of the village had brought with the twain for their work. It was little less than a day's walk back to the safety of the enfolding Garth, but lumbering home every few days for more supplies and to get out of the elements had struck the scholar as inefficient. So it was that here, on the gentle hills overlooking the wash of the Mirrormere, a small stream which flowed down from the Whitehills, he had made for a time a home for the pair of them.

Elvira was not yet a woman, certainly. She had but five winters to her name, still a youth in every facet. But her mind was curious, her eyes bright and green like his own, and she was old enough to begin learning. The world was vast, its leagues filled with strange and wondrous things, the glory of the Father's creation plain for all to see. If he did not teach her, as her father, who will?

Leaning down, the scholar placed a few smaller twigs on top of the low fire that he had built in the cool hours before dawn. A flat rock was already heating nicely on the gathering blaze, and upon it he placed several strips of meat cut from the rabbit one of his wound-grass snares had captured. There were no predators in this wide land to speak of any more, not since the wolf packs had receded in the years past, and he did not fear for the smell of the cooking slices. Rather the contrary.

It was only a short time later, as the sun rose fully above the horizon, that the smell of sizzling meat awakened his daughter. The bouncy young thing veritably sprang up, drawn by her nose to the succulent flavors of searing fat and browning rabbit. In her little shift of pale winter rabbitfur she was a willowy thing, nearly ethereal, but her appetite real enough as Jarn shared out the slices and the two made a repast of the rabbits alongside some tubers from the Garth fried in the fat on their stone. The most pressing business of the day attended to, the wise elder merely laid back against the soft grass of the hillock, and closed his eyes in repose for some time.

She was a good child, all things considered. Clouds scudded overhead for long moments, the sun rising higher to draw the breath of nature from the sea. At long last, though, his progeny spoke.

"Father, you promised you would teach me about the white sand, the salt. Can we go see the river now?"

To his credit, Jarn was also a good father, all things considered. Many would snap at their children for impertinent inquiries, but the thirst for knowledge of those of a scholarly bent precluded such iniquities against their own flesh and blood. With a laugh and a half-bow from where he sat, the tribal leader rose at his daughter's pleasure, and together the two padded away down the sandy path to the quiet waters of the Mirrormere. There were rockier shores along the Endless, where salt was easier to find, but there there were also deadly currents and crashing waves. Far better for Elvira to learn of sea and surf along these quiet pale beaches, and to see the salt in the rocky pools where it gathered, than risk her life against the fury of the Endless.

Father and daughter, they would unravel this mystery the Ancestors had set for them.

by **Nuxipal** » Wed Jul 17, 2019 2:10 pm

The spirits of nature were with the Silver River Tribe. The natural magic of their home no longer a mystery to the more scholarly of the tribe. There were also new children within the tribe, bringing the tribe's total membership up even higher. Food would need to start taking a greater priority as there was now six children within the tribe and seven adult members. The tribe had been blessed by the arrival of the Llamas, many of which remained within a short walk of the tribe's home. However, these were seen as friends and were left unhunted instead searching out further for their more wild cousins. However, they and the caribou were not the only sources of food within the valley. The edible grasses were collected, but never purposefully cultivated in any way. Tafari wished to attempt to create a small garden of these grasses which have kept the tribe fed in years past.

With Tafari working with the plants this year, Meru turned again to the magics she just learned of seeking the skills of nature's bounty. She believes seeks to gain power to cause plants to grow and the soil to become fertile. She works at understanding the mysteries surrounding the natural process and how to gain power from the spirits to accelerate it.

While the scholars are busy with high persuits of the mind, the rest of the tribe toils in various ways to continue the tribes existence. The gathering of wood from the Oaks to the west became Sylri and Astaro's mission as it seemed they were of a better quality than the wood which naturally occurred in their homeland. However, it was the new scout, Pyra which went on an expedition to the Northeast seeking to find what lies in that land and if it were any use to the tribe.

The children continued their playing, the boy Ixidor was quite excitable with his mother's tales of the spirits and seemed to be ever more curious of the world around them, meanwhile Aelar seemed to be more like his own father Llyrin and watching him hunting the wild beasts of the land. The two younger girls Mai and Rua, still having their child names, grew further and were kept playing together in one of the shelters the tribe had now. There were plans to double the number of shelters in the coming years to make sure that everyone had plenty of space to live in.

However, that was the future, and the future was always uncertain. The tribe could never predict what would come next, only prepare for what could happen.

by **Ostnea** » Wed Jul 17, 2019 3:46 pm

Eliphas Clan

All seemed well with the Eliphas, on the surface. Their bellies were full and bodies healthy, and the wolves had seemingly migrated elsewhere. Internally, what was brewing last year boiled over. As little Mari grew, it became more and more obvious who the father was. Her black head of hair and high cheekbones were only shared by Jabe and Jass, and unless a toddler was secretly a man, all knew who the father was.

At a clan dinner, the open secret was addressed. Jass, reluctantly, announced that Mari was of his blood, and that he would take responsibility and court Mala as well as Mabe. This caused an uproar in the camp, tears fell from Mabe's eyes, overcome by sadness. She did not lose her head, seeming to old cry for a few moments before regaining her composure. This was necessary for Mari to live as a proper clan member, and not be outcast.

Jass pledged to proved for his two families, and even assist Mabe in her new project of making more durable hide. Mala would help as well, in addition to gathering more wood for future projects, she would gather the bitter sap produced by trees that seemed to preserve certain woods. All of this was something of a consolation to Mabe for Jass's infidelity, though the fact of her partner's cheating still stung. Perhaps in time, like the sting of an insect, it would dull.

Hillin and Etha were shocked to find out the truth about Mari's parentage, though Etha was internally pleased that Hillin had remained true. With little Hith old enough to wander and play in camp by himself, Etha was freed from the duties demanded by a mother of an infant, yet she missed the closeness of infancy. When Hillin returned to camp, he often found himself rewarded for the hunt by a night with his partner.

by **Elerian** » Wed Jul 17, 2019 4:53 pm

Aederfolk

by **The Empire of Tau** » Wed Jul 17, 2019 5:57 pm

Ulm Tribe

by **Saxony-Brandenburg** » Wed Jul 17, 2019 8:04 pm

The Pentakuk

Who were these people who inhabited the frozen forest, farthest southern inhabitants known to history? It is hard to say for sure, but they seemed almost uniquely situated to their climate. With a genetic admixture of almost fifty percent Neanderthal DNA, it is likely that the progenitors to this group, the Homo sapiens who had moved into the southernmost mountain range, had split into several different groups, who occupy the tribes present in our story. While many did settle in the forests of Beothuk, it is widely thought that these groups died out in just a few short generations, their bodies not well adapted to such a climate. However, there is evidence that Neandrathal - the last remaining significant populations of them anyway - existed in these forests, and the mountains to the east of them, and had been for atleast a hundred years pre-arrival of the homo sapiens. Those migrants from the north who managed to coexist and intermarry with these native inhabitants, were able to survive well. Interestingly, the presence of many genes passed down through neanderthal men, and Homosapien women leave us to believe that there was a pseudo hierarchy in early contact, with the stronger, more acclimatized Neandrathals above the less adapted, smaller homo sapiens - with such gaining more access to mates. The children of this - the Pentakuk, ended up taking on softer traits of their paternal line, but still distinct, with a larger frame, height, and skull shape, hair growth, etc. Their skin became significantly lighter, and a mixture of more Homosapien black hair was intermixed with lighter hairs to create a diversity of colors. This not only made them more apt to stand the conditions of their home, but allowed them greater amounts of strength and muscle mass - of course, at a cost. With more size, comes more a need for food, which is most likely why the Pentakuk went to great lengths to ensure they always had a surplus of food, and starvation was known to them significantly less than other tribes of the continent. It should be noted, to, however, that the presence of the Neandrathal brain might have affected the Pentakuk's ability to not only adapt to a changing environment, but also achieve significant scientific discovery. While some groups, like the self-proclaimed "Sea Blessed" pioneered crude metalurgy from early on - the pentakuk developed little, and focused what efforts they did have on simple devises to improve their routine life ever more - such as clothing for the coldest nights, for hair and the body's insulation can only go so far - and primitive basket weaving to aid the collection of berries and other regional edibles. Far from the stereotypical "Stupid" view we give to Neandrathal, the Pentakuk were simply more... practical with their efforts to improve their lives. While other tribes climates, or other factors no doubt allowed them to focus on the future ever more - the pentakuk stood to improve what they could see was presently a problem, with less of an imagination than many of their more northern tribes - not even developing complex stories and myths like the Men of Aten, for instance, who, at this point, had already founded a pantheon around their one god.

One thing that seemed clear however, was their genetic fortitude and diversity's impact upon their health, and while the Pentakuk did suffer in their daily lives, it seems as though disease, for quite a while in their early settlement, seemed far from their minds - with healthy mothers, and children for nigh the entire first generation. While many tribes had by this point atleast one generation of inbreeding, for a time anyway, the Pentakuk largely evaded problems that come from such - their Neanderthal fathers giving them yes, an apt to certain older-age ailments, but at a time where most did not live into late age, it is needless to say that the benefits of a lack of inbreeding-caused genetic defects were doubtless a positive for the popoulation.

This has been a future analysis upon the genetic record of the Pentakuk.

by **Olthenia** » Thu Jul 18, 2019 2:33 am

The Korthuun
The Grasslands

Strangers in a strange new land, the children of the Lonely Mountain rest. And recover.

by **Ralnis** » Thu Jul 18, 2019 6:41 am

De Wah Del-Aton

One of the sisters fell ill and a child stillborn, people panic and pray as they try to find something that can help.

by **The GAmeTopians** » Thu Jul 18, 2019 7:56 am

The Men of Aten
The Bay of Aten

I may add content when I get home from work, but I didn't want to miss the update.

by **The Grim Reaper** » Thu Jul 18, 2019 8:29 am

Apophis | Year 8

Apophis felt he had virtually wasted a year. He had spent his year ruminating on life, with no real goal. It had given him time to ponder his campfire, and to wonder how he could progress from his humble currency. He had watched its swaying, and though he had created no real spark of invention, it had at least given him inspiration. He had taken the time to feel the heat on his body; to understand how he coulld stoke the flames of his fire with the careful application of air. For a year, all he had done was watch the wind play with the sparks of his fire, and understood in his most primeval bone the relationship between air, and fire. Now, he wished to introduce earth.

Apophis believed he needed a kiln; an oven that would trap heat, rather than releasing it with the wind. He understood that when hot air blew in his face, it was not 'used' up - instead, it was energy that escaped the grasp of his utilities. The oven would, he hoped, allow the wind that seemed to add energy to the fire, without allowing it to escape.

Action: Apophis attempts to invent a kiln.

by **Theyra** » Thu Jul 18, 2019 9:30 am

The Ciaráin

The clan rejoiced that the boars have left and thanks to the efforts of Dáire, Saraid and Meibhín. The Ciaráin have enough food again and those that were weak are better now. Eirnín and Síve recovered well and back to their old selves. They watched as their homeland blossomed again and thank the gods for this blessing. Eirnín was proud of himself as he worked through the hunger and invent the Atlatl. Surely this tool will make hunting easier and Dáire is going to test it out when he goes on her next hunt. Eirnín happy everyone was well and with his hunger gone. He feels adventurous and travels southwest in order to study a mineral that was found there. Meanwhile, the rest do their regular routines now that they can harvest in their lands again. Meibhín travels southeast again since she feels like she missed some things there last time and plans to be more observant this time.

by **Saxony-Brandenburg** » Thu Jul 18, 2019 12:35 pm

The Year's Turning
Year Eight

The Exile, the lonesome one, Lucius, made his way across the land. Spear-in-hand, he was a warrior of great strength, great resolve, and knew no hunger. With the ability to fashion a crude spear, he found himself well fed with the carcass of the local wildlife, and had collected for himself a small, yet useful, amount of skins. (+1 Flint spear, +1 Sheep Hides). He was truly the woolly beast's terror, and the lord of the bleaters.

The Sea Blessed find themselves with a nipping, cold winter - the likes of which that haven't been seen in years. The frost chills them to the bones, ensuring illness to come the following year. With enough food and a small supply of both preserved food and medical doses, on a material level - they weather the year quite well infact. Emilia readily takes up the skill of the worker, while both Mari and Vittoria find themselves with a child, Mari herself still not giving away who the father is. Unfortunately, the year's wrath show's his devilish face come time - and death stalks over the camp of the people. Mari's child, although with easy pregnancy, is born still - choked by his own umbilical cord. The following moon, Vittoria's birth is long and hard, rendering her ill, but her child, a healthy female, is safe, for now. Although they attempt to, it seems they have not quite grasped how to distil salt from the waters, given time though, it seems likely. To the north of the river lies a great river delta, with the waters of a hundred miles rushing out, still cold from their mountain origin. In these lands, purple grape-like berries seem to grow on vines, naturally shining in the dark. In the earth lies shining mythril, while along the shores, flakes of gold seem to float down from far southwest. The land is truly one of magic and plenty.

The Silver River Tribe Enjoy a time without food, and without too great of pain or stress. Although technological progress, and spiritual awakening remains still ungrasped, they yet learn more than perhaps they thought they would about the world. Pyra discovered a river, whose waters were chilled, in a mountain valley. The landscape around was teeming with Caribou and the edible grasses. The telltale signs of hematite were visible on the hillsides leading up out of the valley itself. (I was wrong - sorry. It's actually a deadly land of poisonous mushrooms, rabid Bobcats, and granite.) What's even more though - is what Sylri and Astaro find to the west - a curious thing, which not only intruiges them, but excites them. For in the mud of the riverside- they find a trail of footprints - larger than any of their folk - but certainly human... Such a thing is remarkable, and sends word abuzz when they return from their journey, with both wood and food in-toe.

The lands of the Eliphas clan are abuzz with life, as they find their hunting plentiful, as herds of woolly sheep mix with the herds of goats, evicting them, but not before providing the clan with an excellent amount of food, not knowing hunger for the entire year. The immense amounts of hides becomes useful, as they discover a way to crudely dry and treat the skins to not only be stronger, but harder too. (Discovered: Primitive tanning) This rejoiceful news is only saddened, however, with the stench of death clinging to the air. Hillinand and Mabe are ecstatic upon their realization of Mabe's pregnancy, but when the time comes all weep with the stillbirth of her baby boy. What's too, the wicked demons who stole the boy's soul, seem still hungry, and take the weak Barbra, first with a fever, then with the sweats, with the vomiting, and then, her life.

The Aederfolk Find the year challenging, but manage to survive just the same. Although the youngest boy of the family manages to become miraculously of good health - thank the stars - it cannot be without a cost, as the oldest boy-child dies of a sudden illness, causing all to weep. Such an emotional toll does little to aid in their scholar's work, who cannot discover any way to cast the liquid metal. Yet - their work upon the pen goes decently, with it nearly done when the year comes to an end, their tasks split, making it hard to complete. (75%)

The gods look down upon the Ulm with despair, as with their actions split so wide - it becomes nearly impossible to go without hunger. Illness quickly spreads and festers within the tribe, posing a danger to everyone in it. Although the news of a healthy baby boy from Landriche, and the discovery of a far superior quality of flint tools does give some relief, it cannot be understated the veracity of this plague - as Mombert, Landriche, Thusnelda, and Wigburg all fall ill, weak, and pale.

The Great Shadow circles, and stalks the Pentakuk, spreading fear, and dread throughout the land. Although they manage to collect enough food to survive, the land too feels this aching pain of doom. The beaver, which had inhabited this land for years upon years - even before the Pentakuk's arrival, flees upstream, in vain attempt to escape the Rok's gaze. Word begins to spread, speaking of migration, saying that this camp is no longer sustainable for their family, now swollen with children - a healthy baby girl of Aput and Innugati the most recent member. Although the knowledge of basket weaving still remains fruitless, the number of warm clothes is now well enough to ensure all who needs them, and then-some, are warm and able to weather such a spoken of move with the beaver. So too, encouraging, is the news of the lands East of East of Far east - where deciduous trees grow plentiful, rocks of shiny metal are common, and woolly, spitting creatures happily graze beneath the shade. There are greener pastures, should they need to move even farther inland. But whats more exciting for them, is what she discovered along her travels - something only truly that could be caused by man - as she finds the ashes of a briefly lit campfire, perhaps only a few weeks in use, with footprints, smaller than her own, but distinctly human.

The Korthuun are awoken one night to the great growls of some massive beast, initially terrifying them, believing a herd of monsters had entered their lands. However, their true nature is soon learned, as they realize their grassy home is now inhabited by a great herd of bison, happily munching on the same grasses they do. Food is plentiful in this time, and while no medicine is found, they do erect a simple shelter for temporary use (Quality: 1). It isn't amazing, but it is better than nothing. Endir, too, makes significant progress, and seems still dazed, yet much better health than he was before. This improvement though, cannot be without a trade off - as Merved becomes pregnant by accident this year, not speaking of the father, and has a long, terribly bloody birth, leaving her very ill, and her baby stillborn. An ill omen in a time of plenty, is still to be taken with woe.

The Wah Del Aton Survive with a sustenance amount of food, not too great, but not too worse at that either. The presently unnamed to history scholar does not become better, but yet, does not become worse, as they continue to struggle with both fever and delirium. They do not discovery the secrets of magic music just yet, the nondescript scholar who attempted learning they have a terrible voice. Just, terrible. Perhaps with practice, they may be better. But for now, they cause ears to bleed, and people to be annoyed, to be sure. What of record's little interest of this year, however, is the discovery of the lands to the south, where edible tubers grow in abundance, feasted on by burrowing, antlered Jackalope, dashing between rocks of iron. Truly, if anyone cared, this would be a majestic place.

Praise be unto Aten! As more creatures begin to migrate to the coastal bay area of the men. With an abundance of food, mainly due to the regional migration of a great herd of antelope, their hunters remain busy, ravaging the bush-munching fauna of the land. Although research is yet stumped on fish traps - perhaps if they were to learn basic weaving of baskets this would be easier, despite being presently possible - what is of more relevance is the children that are born this year, with highs, and lows. Jasnah becomes pregnant, and gives birth first in the year, leaving her weak, and with a sickly baby boy. Eliza, while having a much easier time, is horrified when she discovers her baby girl was strangled by her own umbilical cord, a true, terrible shame. Finally, Isabel has a long, hard pregnant - leaving her in a similar state to that of Jasnah, but is relieved to find her baby girl strong and healthy, a true blessing to be sure.

Apophis, the learned-one, the perhaps, fat one, who spends his days eating the sweet red fruit of his newfound home, who spends his nights roasting the trapped fish, and pondering the creation of pots and pottery. He, who invented a simple, crude oven from which to roast his pottery, such a wise and crafty man, which allows him to create even finer, harder, and more useful pots and pottery. (Discovered: Kiln firing - Quality II pottery achieved)

The lands of the Ciarain are quiet this year, with little coming, little going but the winds. With a sustenance amount of food, none starves, but none is exceptionally full. No wanderer is found by Meibhin, despite her persistence, in dire need of a husband to call her own. Research leads to dead ends, and while life goes on, none feel exceptionally successful nor content in their lives. A true shame.

This is the account of the Year. Another Year now begins.

A Strange World: Civilization's Dawn [Revival] [IC]

Year 7, Silver River Tribe

Year 8, Silver River Tribe

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