Duck and Cover

Adrew move near the Dougal tribe shaman...
"I see that you are a shaman too...You want to talk with our shaman about somme potions or ritual things? Anyway I must find an answer to a question that is very important to me. My brother, the one that was banished from the tribe, has found a book that contradicts with all that our old shaman told us about the world that we live in. He has brought this book and somme strange artifacts from his journey to a place named 'The Cross'. They say that there are somme restless ancient spirits and many strange things. Sommething has happened to him while he was there and he was changed when he came back. I must find out what happened there with him. I don't know if the book and those artifact that he brought from there are stil in the shamans hut, but my brother said that those things are the prove that sommething very important and maybe dangerous will happend..."

Sorry folks but I' m going to move this a bit further due to apparent lack of interest by some. If posting from some characters does not increase I' m going to be forced to take over control of their characters, so don' t come complaining if I do something stupid like getting your pc killed. Read the COS out of character discussion.

After much catching up on news and drinking, the traditional evening meal draws to an end. Everyone goes or stagers back to their shelters, tents or huts to enjoy a good night of sleep, for tomorrow begins the feast of Nu-yeer and it' s friendly competitions.

The rising sun shines bright and sunrays dance on your faces through the opening of the tents in the visitor camp. Outside you hear bussy sounds. All tribals from the visiting tribes are already awake, making preparations for the coming competitions, checking spears and bows, while others are still playing games of chance or boasting about their coming victories. A large cooking pot stands in the middle of the encampement. A young man with a black poneytail throws ingredients in the stew. It' s the first time you see him and you notice that this lad can' t be much older than Erin' s son, he probably just came of man-age recently.

Sitting in a corner like usual, Gurt puts the finishing touches to his carvings although you can' t clearly make out what he' s working on. In his mouth dangles a piece of Black Chewroot which he seems to be nibbling intensely.

Once you leave your tents one of the tribals shouts out: Look lads, it' s the Dougals. Seems like they had some servings of Bursht too much last night. Most of them bellow out in laughter although you sense that none of this was said in enemity.

Come Ark, serve them some Rabber stew. It will help them come through the day. The young man hands you all a plate with some stew on it.



Andrew wakes up and checks on his father. He is peering outside through the window, his eyes set on infinity. Good morning son. He seems at ease. The medicine from the shaman must have worked. I sense you are troubled. Is this about me? Or is it the strangers you met yesterday? It probably is both. Although you might not have noticed this old man thinks he knows what you' re up to. I am your father afterall, although the demons in my head sometimes trouble me....................... If only your brother was still here. He sighs and goes back to his bunk. His eyes are sleepy. He must have been up almost all night after you came back.
Go now, my child and let this old man rest a while. I' m sure you' ll make the right decission. With that he turns his back to you and pretends going to sleep.

After waking, Talon tells the others about his encounter with the shaman.

He invited us to come visit him. Shell we go?

Talon lookin nervous about offering direction. He expected to just give information about what he sees, and fight when needed.

Calal, I have a question. If we come across guns, will we know how to use them?

" I didn't find out anything new last night.." says Andrew to himself. He takes a look at his father. He seems to be calm so Andrew left his shack and goes outside the village after his slingbag. It seems that he is not in an imediate trouble so he decide to stay until after the Nuyeer feast.
" I must find out why Erin wanted me at the meal last night...hmmm."
Andrew will go and try to talk with his tribe leader but only if he can get him alone.

Mordecai seems interested in Talon's proposition. He clambers out of bed, clutching his aching stomach and holding on to the tent wall to support himself. We should enlist the shaman soon, says Mordecai, after some breakfast perhaps?

After some quick breakfest you all walk over to Sharlen' s palce. An apprentice lets you in and tells you that Sharlen has time to see you now. From one of the doors in the back comes a cloaked old man. He throws a glance at Talon.

So you have decided to come back afterall my child. And I see you have brought the others too. Good, sit down.

He points to some straw-filled sacks on the ground and then takes place in front of you. Without looking at any of the apprentices he speaks to them:

You may leave all. Go, I' m fine.

Not acustomed to such an order they seem startled and look at eachother.

I said you may go. Now!

The apprentices quickly turn and leave you alone in the room with Sharlen. Sharlen on the other hand stands up, gets a bag from a shelve and throws it into the fire. Sweet herbal scents fill the room and your minds seem somewhat at ease.

Now what was it you wanted to talk to me about? I' m all ears and no mouth, unless it is answers you seek. But first empty your minds and hearts and share them with me. We' ll see what I can do after that.



Andrew, you walk over to Erin' s place and luckily he is alone with his son. When he catches sight of you he tells the boy to go help his mother.

You want a drink?

He points to a seat near the fireplace and then takes place in a chair adorned with Wulfpelts next to you.

So how are you doing Andrew? You seem troubled lately. Has it something to do with your father? Or is Sharlen giving you a hard time again? Or is it maybe........... (he hesitates, it seems he has difficulties talking about this)........ is it ........ your brother?

Talon decides that he will speak up first.

Sharlen, I am Talon, these are my companions.

Talon introduces the others.

We are here because of the dreams we are having.

Are we still having those dreams?

Talon describes his dream to Sharlen.

Darren, our tribe chief, and Dungald, our shaman, suggested that we come here. That we may get some answers here. We would be appreciative of any light you could shed upon these dreams.

No, for some strange reason they have seemed to stop.

Sharlen listened to your explanation, his eyes closed all the time.

Dungald is a wise man, he was one of the most promissing students of my father when he was young, and indeed, wise was his choice to send you to me.

Did you all have the same dream? That is strange. When did this started? Were there things you recognised or that gave you a strange feeling? He doesn' t seem the least impressed.

He opens up his eyes and looks into Mordecai' s direction.

You, you wear the totem of a spirit-seer, a shaman, what do you think these dreams could mean? Has it some meaning to you? Has it some meaning to any of you?

Talon explains the conflict from the dream, and his family totem. He show Sharlen the eagle claw.

For the moment, Sharlen leaves me alone... says Andrew...but is my father...and my brother...in somme way...
Andrew looks staight into Erin's eyes.
But first I have a question...Why you wanted me at the ceremonial meal last night? You wanted me to meet those Dougal travelers? One of them remembers me of my brother ... my father thought that my brother has comme back when we meet them at the market yesterday..

Andrew will not tell Erin about his decision to leave and find his brother but after the discussion with him, he will go and talk with his wife..maybe...

Mordecai looks at Sharlen. I'm afraid I haven't been able to make much out of these dreams, he says timidly. The dream spoke of destruction, and of change... but exactly what it means, I am afraid I cannot tell - I am not experienced enough to say. He then looks up hopefully. However, Dungald did say something... he too was puzzled as to its meaning, but he made more sense of it than I did. Mordecai remembers Dungald's words exactly. 'It seems it has something to do with the Ancients or at least a place where Ancients roamed.' Looking expectedly at Sharlen, he awaits a reply.

I believe both you and Dungald were right. Although you might still be a bit inexperienced, your perception and interpretation seem quite right.

The people that were cleansed by the fire that fell from the sky must have been Ancients, punished by the Earth Mother for the sins they comited. The eagle is a potent omen, a preybird, swift and deadly, all percieving. You should be proud to wear such a totem Talon.
The only thing that disturbs me about that image is the blood on it' s talons. It either means that the preybird is attacking out of hunger or it could mean that it' s nest is endangerd.
The shadow that envelops all means indeed change. But change that will cause death to many, maybe even you.

Sharlen stands up and walks back over to the shelves. He seems to be lost in thaughts for a moment.

But that is not the least that troubles me. Why does this come back to trouble an old man?

He then walks towards one of the round windows and stares into the distance. The daylight that previously shone bright and lit the room seems to have faded and those of you that sit close to the door can feel a light cool breeze come underneath it.

Some years back there were some travellers from the Flagherty tribe, seeking to enlist my aid, for they were troubled by potent dreams too. Like is the tradition I did send them to the Cross, which is sort of a testing ground to prove able warriors, but also a schism between our world and the spiritworld where they were suppossed to make an offering to appease the spirits and find some guidance for their quest. I never saw or heard them again.

He pauses and a shiver runs along his spine.

Either they did anger the spirits or they failed altogheter in a test the spirits laid before them. I know for sure now they did not accomplish their task, since their dreams were exactly the same as the ones you all had yourselves.

He grabs a bottle from one of the shelves, uncorks it and takes a swift gulp. He wipes the rest of the liquid from his mouth with the sleeve of his cloak. Then he turns back towards you.

I am sorry I can not help you more. You shall go to the Cross and make an offering to the spirits. They shall put you on the right track and hopefully explain what I can not. I strongly believe that you shall find there what it is that you seek, although you won' t know what it will look like untill you see it with your own eyes. Go now, make haste and may the Earth Mother protect you.





Erin doesn' t look surprised by Andrew' s question. Yes, I noticed it and I wanted you to notice it too. For all we know this might be an omen.


I.....I' ve always felt guilty about having to exile your brother. You know I couldn' t do otherwise. Sharlen, I mean.... he could have meant a danger according to Sharlen and that was a risk I wanted to avoid at all cost. Even at the cost of losing my best friend.

He throws his goblet into the fire and gets up, turning his back towards you.

I want to ask you a favor Andrew, one that you might already be considering at the moment. I want you to find out what happened to your brother Alleron. For you, for your father but also for his best friend that was a fool to listen to an old man like Sharlen, even if he is our shaman. Don' t worry about what Sharlen might say about it, I' ll go have a word with him. It is time he explains the deeds he did back then.

Go now, and look for those Dougal tribesman, for I have a feeling they are meant to leave soon. Go my child, I hope you will have found some answers when you come back. May the Earth Mother watch over you.

Talon looks at the others.

Do we leave today, or wait till after the Nu-yeer celebration.

Talon thinks for awhile.

I think, if it has any weight with your decision, that there is a sense of urgency to these dreams. I have not had one of those dreams since we left. I think that time is running short for us. I think we should leave soon. If not today.

Here, take this.

Sharlen hands you an additional slingbag containing various small bags containing herbs and strongly smelling powders.

I' ve added some healing powders and some of my own fabrications to strengthen your spirits. The strongly smelling powders are to be used as an offering. I hope this will help you in your quest.

Sharlen leads you to the door.

The slingbag contains 4 Healing Powders, 1 Voodoo, 3 pieces of Red Chewroot and 2 incense offerings. Rules for the Red Chewroot will be posted in the group along with some more herbs and stuff. Healing Powders and Voodoo use the same rules as in the core rulebook.

So what do you all do?

Andrew left Erin's home beeing more comited than ever. He will go home, gather his equipment and go looking for those Dougal travelers.
I will ask them if they want to go with me to THE CROSS. If they want to ... that's good, if not ... well... I'll go alone!"
After he grabs his slingbag he goes in a hurry to the visitors camp where the Dougals have their tent.

Well, if we need to go to cross, and time is important, we should do it right away. Mordecai is ready and willing to go and he will encourage the others to do the same.

Yes, he replies to Talon, time seems to be important here... I agree with you and think we should leave within a few hours of now. I'm ready and I believe everyone else is, after all.

All I need do is get my gear. Its all packed up.

After all is done here, Talon returns to his tent, and puts on the wulfhide vest, and loads up his gear.

Again, the sling is my primary weapon, with the stone knife as secondary weapon.

After all loaded, he waits for the others to gather for departure.

Everybody packs his stuff, readying themselves for the journey towards the Cross. Only two to three days to the West.: according to some locals, and: Better pack some potent magic against those vile demons inhabiting it. At least that' s what I' ve heard.

In the distance you see the young tribal you met yesterday aproaching. It seems like he too is packed and ready to leave for some reason.