I didn't know where to put this, but yeah I lost my first game of King of Dragon Pass It took about 2 hours to play, I could have done better but here is my first sorry tale lol!
Ancient Lore During the marriage of Orlanth and Ernalda, the Anmangarn men whooped and drank with Orlanth, making Orlanth our main deity.
Our clan’s earliest famous event was the Healing of Orlanth, when Chalana Arroy joined the Storm Tribe.
During the Storm Age, we added strangers to our clan as thralls. Our worst enemies in those days were the elves.
We were originally a Balanced Clan.
At the Dawn, we first awakened Ernalda, the Mother Goddess.
Our attitude toward dragons and their ilk was positive; we sought understanding between the two peoples and entered into their dragon knowledge.
1329 We made the dangerous trek to Dragon Pass, and claimed more land than we needed, to grow into. We built a clan hall, some steads, and a shrine to Orlanth. But when we left Heortland, we lost much of our connection with the gods.
1330 The alynx spirits chased off the vermin spirits; there would be few rats this year.
The Issaries priestess Sora Goodseller came to our clan and asked if we had any white horses to trade. We had no white horses.
Acting as our emissary, Kulbrast asked the Gorinds to make good on the obligation they owed us, and provide us with cattle. Kulbrast asked for a half again as many cows as custom demanded. The Gorind carls seemed much affronted by this request. Their chief, Wilms, said he would give us no more than custom required. Kulbrast asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Gorinds gave us the cattle without further complaint.
Eonislara, betrothed to Jorator of the Greenwing clan, was seduced by Korol, the notorious troublemaking poet of the Heran clan. We went to the Herani and said that we expected Korol to marry her. “You mistake my intentions,” Korol said. “I meant not to eat the whole cake, but merely to sample the dough.” When our people heard this, they were outraged.
We raided the Herani and eluded their patrols. We drove the Herani from the battlefield, and were able to plunder their tula. We celebrated the humbling of lecherous Korol’s clan.
The Horse Nomads raided us. Varsens drove off a group of Horse Nomads who were attempting to circle behind us. We drove the Horse Nomads off, and their survivors left without plundering our tula.
Eonislara turned out to be pregnant. Her kinfolk were embarrassed. We left the matter to her kinfolk. People were happy that the ring did not interfere.
Explorers found the warrior Nallindia, who fled from the injustice of the Pharaoh, and said we should give her asylum. We adopted her as a weaponthane. The people were glad to welcome a foe of the Pharaoh.
The harvest was plentiful.
Bolik, a thane of the Heran clan, complained that Bastakos insulted him, and said there would be a feud if we did not punish our trickster. We removed Bastakos from the ring. Bolik was pleased by our justice, and the people were happy that Bastakos’s insults would no longer seem to come from the entire clan.
Enjossi complained that his wife Ernaldinni dishonored him by interrupting a duel with Kurash of the Isoltings. The clan ring said that Ernaldinni had Enjossi’s best interests at heart. “Tell that to the goose-egg on my head!” Enjossi protested. We scolded her. She said a dishonored husband was better than a dead husband, and that it was none of our business anyway. As for Enjossi and Kurash, they eventually clashed again, but neither was skilled enough to do more than wind the other, and they let the matter drop.
1331 The omens implied a good year for hunting.
Our scouts found a strange clan of beast folk who were like ducks.
We raided the Rune Ducks and eluded their patrols. Moved by the crying of Rune Duck mothers and babies, our warriors let them keep their land. Nallindia distinguished herself in the fighting.
Yinkin cultists offered to perform a ritual which would make better hunters out of our alynxes. They would be better able to kill disease-bearing forest rats, or so the Yinkini said. We offered them alynx kittens. They were honored, and inspected the kittens carefully. The leader’s brow furrowed, and sadness washed over his face. “I’m very sorry,” he said, “but these are descendants of Doubleshadow the Worthless. You’d be best to simply let them loose outside your tula. Yinkin would not honor such a gift.” We asked what their price was. It was satisfactory, and we came to an agreement. They gathered our alynxes together, and successfully performed their Yinkin ritual.
One of our carls was found dead, a victim of secret murder. The clan ring suspected that there were Chaos cultists within our own clan, and that they had slain Voskandora. Orlaront interrogated the people, and realized that our suspicions were wrong. There were no Chaos cultists in our clan. The people were relieved to hear this conclusion.
Nobles from the Heran clan warned us that they were starting a feud against us. We apologized for past wrongs. The nobles haughtily ignored our words. “Only blood will wash away the memory of your past insults,” they said, as they departed.
Varsens could not persuade the Rune Ducks to create a new trading route.
Foul weather turned back our trading caravan bound for the Boskovi clan.
Rostakos urged us to find a bride for him. The clan ring refused him. He said he would keep asking, for there was nothing more important to him than finding a bride. The people were sad for him.
Explorers from our clan found the body of a dragonewt warrior lying in a stream bed. We gave it to the Enhyli.
Kulbrast could not persuade the Blue Jays to create a new trading route.
1332 The god-talkers predicted good calving.
Acting as our emissary, Brenna asked the Antorlings to make good on the obligation they owed us, and provide us with cattle. Brenna asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Antorlings gave us the cattle without complaint.
The young farmer Orendal reported that his stead was haunted. We sent for shamans to banish the ghost. No shamans came. We built Orendal a new stead. Even as we raised the timbers of the new stead, we heard the groaning of the ghost. It had moved, following poor Orendal’s family. The half-built stead was abandoned. We conducted a divination. The spirits of our ancestors said that this ghost was sent by the Herani to vex us, as part of their feud against us. We launched a legal claim against the ghost. The ghost claimed that it could not oblige us by leaving the stead, for it had promised the Herani that it would vex us. “They sacrificed a sheep to me, and so I cannot answer your suit without opening myself up to a countersuit by the Herani.” The ring took no further action, and the people were afraid.
A bold young warrior named Gardrostan sought a duel with a champion of our clan. We told Gardrostan that we would permit only a duel to first blood. He insulted our bravery. Korlmar accepted his challenge. The two fought a ferocious battle that seemed to go on for hours. Finally, our champion struck a harder blow than intended as Gardrostan turned the wrong way. Although we tried to heal the bold young fighter, it was too late, and he expired.
Outlaws blocked our caravan to the Isolting clan. Garrath stood firm, keeping the outlaws from taking anything.
Garrath could not persuade the Isoltings to create a new trading route.
Prominent weaponthanes from the Greenwing and Isolting clans came to urge our weaponthanes to help them kill Jarnandar, King of the Colymar tribe. We heard them out, then warned Jarnandar of the plot against him. He thanked us, gave us a gift of silver rings, and told us that the Colymar owed us a favor. A week later, he raided the Greenwing clan. Three weeks after that, the Isoltings felt his wrath. The raids were vicious and bloody, and it was not the Colymar who suffered in them.
The Hendarti sought our help when elves demanded the right to worship at their shrine to Flamal. We sought out the elves and offered them compensation instead of temple rights. “Have what we need. Nothing we wish more than access to Flamal’s powers.”
Randan Korlmarson walked past a great rock in the back pastures of our tula. One day it spoke to him. It claimed to be named Tarard Riel, and to be the guardian spirit of the local hills. We asked the spirit to prove itself. Horrified, we learned that it spoke false — it was not the protective spirit it claimed to be. We decided that it would be best if the spirit were returned to its ancient slumber. Elgane performed a ritual, and no one heard the rock speak again.
We discovered a large cache of bones and ivory in one of our tula’s valleys.
While exploring our tula, we found traces of an ancient battle. We conducted a divination. The spirits of our ancestors could not tell us of this old battlefield; it was part of someone else’s history. We went to other clans and bragged about this find. Our neighbors were much impressed.
1333 Trickster magic might be more reliable this year.
Janstan’s ability at animal husbandry was acknowledged to be of heroic level.
Farad said he had been given poor hospitality among the Enhyli, and that they were deliberately slighting us. The ring said Farad should forget the slight. Farad listened to the words of the clan ring and agreed that he should not oblige the Enhyli by getting angry.
We were able to attract 30 new carls to the clan. They brought with them 20 children.
The pig-herder Dangmet left his grave every night to demand food from his family. We prepared a huge feast, which the revenant devoured. Then he sat back, belched, and was still. His family gave him a cheerful burial, placing heavy stones on top of his grave in case he got peckish again.
Minara had a recurring dream of a strange god-talker driving an ox cart with a statue of Orlanth. We sent Inganna to meet the ox cart at the edge of our tula. They exchanged the Greeting, and then gifts. Afterwards, Inganna was stronger and tougher. She seemed to move quicker, too.
A dragonewt came and asked for its old body back. “We don’t have your body,” we told it. We said that the Enhyli had it. It departed, heading in the direction of the Enhyli tula.
Foul weather turned back our diplomatic mission to the Blackrocks.
Hofstaring of the Hiordlings wooed and married Eonislara. He proclaimed himself lucky to find such a beautiful and fertile wife.
Foul weather turned back our diplomatic mission to the Antorlings.
Refugees came seeking aid. They said they had escaped from the Horse-Spawn. We adopted them as family.
We found fused lumps of iron in the hills nearby.
While exploring the wildlands of our own tula, our explorers found 6 cows worth of old bronze armor.
1334 The god-talkers said we would be blessed with many children this year.
The haughty horse nomads who called themselves Grazers, but we know as the Horse-Spawn, came to reclaim the refugees we had adopted. We told them we’d never seen their thralls. They swallowed our deception, and left our tula.
The Pharaoh’s sorcerers came to us looking for “Belintar’s Book,” a large tome which they say was stolen from the Pharaoh. We said, “We know nothing of this book.” They threatened us with their sorcerous implements. Then one of them told the leader that we were telling the truth. They left without uttering another word.
We sent Kulbrast with gifts to the Antorlings. They were pleased with our generosity.
An outlaw woman brought us a baby she had raised in a shield. She told us that the babe, Kallyr, would one day be a mighty warrior. We adopted not only the girl, but the woman as well.
The Horse Nomads raided us. We drove the Horse Nomads off, and their survivors left without plundering our tula.
The harvest was plentiful.
Rostakos urged us to find a bride for him. We sought a bride among the Anzarni. We arranged a marriage to a woman named Drenyan. She had been divorced several times, and was not the most comely bride. Rostakos was pleased to marry her, nevertheless.
Foul weather turned back our diplomatic mission to the Elkenvali.
Bandits robbed our trade caravans. We sacrificed to Issaries, protector of trade. The bandits went elsewhere, leaving us in peace.
Acting as our emissary, Kulbrast asked the Elkenvali to make good on the obligation they owed us, and provide us with cattle. Kulbrast asked for a half again as many cows as custom demanded. Grivton, chief of the Elkenval clan, agreed to give us the additional cattle. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
1335 According to the omens, the forces of Chaos were weaker this year.
Mordrim the Stout of the Greenwing clan wanted to buy our treasured bull, Blacktail. Although we could not part with the fertile bull, we did offer Mordrim’s clan Blacktail’s stud service.
Our expedition to the west returned. We learned that this place was called Beast Valley, for it was teeming with Beastfolk: minotaurs, centaurs, duck-men, fox people — even wasp people. Asborn came across a small community of minotaurs. They said to our explorers, “Many of your kind have offended us, and we have killed them. You have not done so, overmuch, so we will pardon your ignorance and spare your lives.”
We were able to attract 16 new cottars to the clan. They brought with them 21 children.
The weaponthanes complained that they had not raided in years.
We raided the Hillhavens and eluded their patrols. We were driven off and had no opportunity to obtain booty.
The Horse Nomads raided us. Leikan drove off a group of Horse Nomads who were attempting to circle behind us. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
While plowing the fields, the carls found something strange. It was the enormous skull of some kind of dragon creature. We displayed it in a holy building.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Blue Jays. We drove the Blue Jays off, and their survivors left without plundering our tula.
We gave gifts to the Enhyli so that we could cross their tula. We raided the Herani and eluded their patrols. We were driven off and had no opportunity to obtain booty. The Herani took 12 of our women auxiliaries captive.
We ransomed our prisoners from the Herani.
The harvest was plentiful.
We were raided by the Trolls. We drove the Trolls off, and their survivors left without plundering our tula.
An aspiring poet from the Boskovi clan, Enjossi, would not stop telling a long, boring poem. Enjossi droned on until everyone fell asleep. By morning he was gone. Later, we heard that the Boskovi clan were laughing at us for listening to the awful Enjossi.
Olende spoke for the warriors when he said that they were stretched too thin, and that more fighters were needed. We sent Brenna on a mission to find the best warriors available.
Kulbrast could not persuade the Greenwings to create a new trading route.
While exploring the wildlands of our own tula, our explorers found 8 cows worth of old bronze armor.
1336 The spirits of our ancestors were peevish because we were stuck in our ways and not learning anything new.
We were raided by the Horse Nomads. Leikan led a flanking maneuver against the riders, throwing them into disarray. We drove the Horse Nomads off, and their survivors left without plundering our tula.
Odayla cultists offered to perform a ritual to make the hunting better in our area. We accepted their offer, and said we owed them a favor. They thanked us, and said that the Blue Spruces, which many of them belonged to, would one day take us up on that favor.
We were raided by the Hillhavens. Inganna had the chance to fight like a hero that day. Inganna must have offended the gods somehow, because her magic went badly astray. She collapsed in the middle of the battle without taking a visible wound. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
Brenna returned from her recruiting mission with 3 new weaponthanes.
Uralda cultists sought aid in a great ceremony to prevent cattle sickness in a distant corner of Dragon Pass. We let them share in our clan magic. They accepted our gift and departed quickly, rushing through the customary farewells. We thought we heard sarcastic lowing as they went.
A large wild boar disturbed the pig-tenders, whose sows were sorely troubled by them. A great hunt for the boar was declared. A worthy opponent, it gored two of our men before it found a place of honor in our larder.
Foul weather turned back our diplomatic mission to the Ernaldori.
While exploring our tula, we turned up a cave with green-colored clay that we can use for making high-quality pottery.
One of the young women in the clan, Ferena, said she hears a rock speaking only to her and took to making offerings. Her mother said this was not the first such claim. We pressed Ferena’s mother, who gave more details about her odd behavior. We performed a divination, which indicated neither the rock nor Ferena were anything special. We let her continue. Ferena began spending all her time at the rock. We woke one morning to find a scrap of cloth, a splash of blood and a lock of hair.
The Bachadi stole 15 cows.
The Herani raided us. The Heran clan burned 2 steads. We drove the Herani off, and their survivors left without plundering our tula.
We could no longer afford to maintain our shrine to Urox.
1337 We couldn’t improve our chances of heroquesting with Sacred Time rituals.
The forces of cold and darkness attacked our land with snow and wind. Our herds were threatened. We sought the help of Orlanthi Wind Lords from many clans. The Wind Lords were driven back, and the demons left only when they wanted to. Our herds suffered serious losses.
The Boskovi clan offered us 40 cows worth of goods in exchange for telling them our source of green clay. They eventually agreed give us 40 cows for two large wagonloads of clay.
We were able to attract 4 new cottars to the clan. They brought with them 1 children.
We were raided by the Blue Jays. Inganna struck down a Blue Jay god-talker before the enemy was ready to fight, then collected her powers for the battle to come. She fought as if she was Vinga herself, slaying the enemy on every side. We drove the Blue Jays off, and their survivors left without plundering our tula.
Our warriors were stricken by a strange palsy. We sent for shamans. No shamans came.
Ducks came and demanded compensation for kinsmen they said we slew. We demanded tribute from them. After much squawking and shaking of tiny fists, they gave in to our demands.
The beast folk army came, and almost everyone died. Almost everything was taken from us. Despite impossible odds, we decided to soldier on.
A delegation of Beastfolk came to us and warned us that Ironhoof would come back if we offended them further. We offered them compensation. We paid them a handsome settlement.
Those left alive after the devastating attack by the Beastfolk held a sober accounting. The clan approached the ring to voice their fears. Everyone told the ring that since we lacked enough wealth, cattle, it was time to disband the clan.
Everyone quickly packed up, said their farewells, and left. Many farmers had kin nearby, and so obtained entry into neighboring clans. The weaponthanes and crafters quickly found work among the many clans. Some of the hunters joined other clans, some melted into the wildlands. A few families decided to return to Heortland. A few of these even became loyal followers of the Pharaoh, to the sorrow of those who had known and liked them here.
Vininna felt she would fit in well with the Boskovi, and indeed she did. The rest of the ring found brief haven among the Eagles before dispersing to parts unknown.
As the last clan members left the tula, one of our more poetic carls gazed back at the empty steads, ruined fortifications, and weed-encroached fields. Before turning away for the last time, he uttered our final words: “We will not be remembered as a great clan. Or even an adequate clan. If the sagas mention us at all, they will recall our terrible mistakes. We acted when we should have listened, failed to act when we should have done great deeds, and made enemies where we should have made friends. Our people are dispersed, our ring disgraced, our tula abandoned. Thus ends our sorry tale, the tale of clan Anmangarn.”
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my saga
Ancient Lore
During the marriage of Orlanth and Ernalda, the Striking thunder men and women stood guard with Elmal, making Elmal our main deity.
Our clan’s earliest famous event was the Healing of Orlanth, when Chalana Arroy joined the Storm Tribe.
During the Storm Age, we adopted strangers into our clan. Our worst enemies in those days were the trolls.
We were originally a Peace Clan.
At the Dawn, we first awakened Orlanth, the Father.
Our attitude toward dragons and their ilk was neutral; we did not go along with them nor actively make war on them.
1329
We made the dangerous trek to Dragon Pass, and claimed as much land as we needed, no more. We built a clan hall, some steads, and a shrine to Elmal. But when we left Heortland, we lost much of our connection with the gods.
1330
Trickster magic might be more reliable this year.
Eonislara came back from the mountains and told us that she had found the lair of a wyrm. It greedily accepted our gift, and said that our generosity would be remembered.
Jarang, of the Vanstatch clan, asked us to give him cattle, because we owed him a favor. We gave him more than he wanted. Jarang praised our generosity, and said that all of Dragon Pass would hear of it.
Our explorers went to the Orlanthi land of Tarsh. There they met an odd fellow who called himself the Prince of Masks, and said he would visit a magical catastrophe upon any clan in Dragon Pass we chose, in exchange for a gift of silver. We agreed to his proposal. Soon we heard that many herds of Namolding cattle were stricken with a mysterious ailment, and fell dead.
Tusk Riders broke into a stead and took some stored food. We decided to offer payment if they would attack another clan. We did not find any Tusk Riders.
While exploring our tula, we turned up a cave with green-colored clay that we can use for making high-quality pottery.
Explorers encountered a bark-clad shaman who predicted a dispute between neighbors and warned against attack by stupid people. We decided to find the shaman and offer to adopt him. They looked high and low for the shaman, but did not find him.
Some of the cows fell ill after grazing in fields with unusual plants. We kept the sick cows away from the herd. After a couple of days they appeared to be well.
Our explorers discovered rocks that shine in the dark, which could be used to make valuable amulets.
Uralda cultists offered to perform a ritual to benefit our herds. We accepted their offer, and said we owed them a favor. They thanked us, and said that the Vanstatchi, which many of them belonged to, would one day take us up on that favor. They gathered up our cows and then walked around them seven times, whisking them with the Holy Tail. After performing a lowing dance, they pronounced the ritual complete. They departed, to the cheers and good wishes of the carls.
Our explorers were investigating an earthen tunnel when they were ambushed by bandits. Some of our people were wounded; others were killed.
1331
Issaries said that if we acquired more treasures in the next two years, he would reward us richly in years to come.
A duck came to warn us of the growth of the Upland Marsh, home to a kingdom of undead ruled by an undying magician named Delecti. We decided to sacrifice to Humakt, foe of the undead. Our priests interpreted the signs and said that our sacrifice had been well-received.
We found a cave full of dangerous, armored rodents on our tula. Ordag said he would lure them away with trickster magic. He pranced about the cave mouth, singing a song which he said was an irresistibly salacious tune in the language of the killer rodents. It seemed absurd, but the rodents formed a line and followed Ordag as he danced away from the borders of our tula and towards those of the Kardarvi clan.
Robasart and Arkilla got divorced. Arkilla made unreasonable claims on him for a settlement. Our lawspeaker argued that she was misusing the law. When Arkilla realized that she was flouting the sacred laws of Orlanth out of mere spite, she retracted her demands, and settled for a reasonable dowry repayment.
One of our women was found dead, with a savage wolf-bite on her throat. Our traders spread the word to other clans. We offered good prices for the skins of wolves.
Janstan spoke for the warriors when he said that they were stretched too thin, and that more fighters were needed. We sought new warriors wherever we could find them. We even approached bandits and outlaws. Argrand questioned them closely, and accepted the most honest of the candidates.
Our explorers met with the Orlanthi of Tarsh, who followed a tribal king named Arim. Arim was married to a great earth magician named Sorana the Priestess, or Sorana Tor. Like us, Arim and his people came to Dragon Pass after an invader conquered their homeland. In their case, the homeland was to the north of Dragon Pass, and their conquerors were the Chaotic Red Empire. The customs of these Tarshites were different from ours, but they still knew the most important Orlanthi laws. While in Tarsh, Eonislara and the others took the opportunity to make several small trades. These seemed favorable at the time, but when Eonislara inspected the goods on the return trip, it turned out that our explorers had been out-bargained by the worldly Tarshites.
We sent Frithorf with gifts to the Red Foxes.
Kurash of the Apple clan offered us gifts. We accepted the gifts.
Fantarl sought the support of the ring in a boundary dispute with his neighbor, Fistivos of clan Badger. To settle the dispute, we awarded Fistivos a cow; he agreed to respect the boundaries as drawn by Fantarl.
An exploratory mission came home early to report that one of them had been taken by Tusk Riders, and could now be presumed dead. We sent a war party to hunt for Thadart. Bolik, who led the party, searched valiantly for him, but there was no trace of Thadart to be found.
Aski was bullied and insulted by a pair of Vanstatch weaponthanes at their clan market. We sent for shamans to curse them. Shamans came and said they would curse the Vanstatchi for the low price of 15 cows. We accepted the arrangement. The shamans said that the spirits had entered the dreams of their targets, and rearranged the secret places of their souls. Soon we heard that the Vanstatchi had developed an unquenchable hunger for lichen, and an overweening passion for the company of their sheep.
Our scouts found a strange clan of beast folk who were like ducks. With justice and mercy, we offered peace to the duck people, who henceforth gave our clan a place of honor in their songs.
The Elmali holy warrior Wilms approached us, seeking our support for his heroquest. We did as he asked, and lent our ritual support to his quest.
We sent Frithorf to the Vanstatch tula to try to buy a treasure from them. He was unable to buy Vinga’s Comb.
1332
The god-talkers learned that if we sent no more than a dozen warriors, our first cattle raid this year would be extraordinarily successful.
Our explorers met again with the Orlanthi of Tarsh. While in Tarsh, Eonislara and the others engaged in many gambling contests. They won much more than they lost.
Tonalang came to ask us for a gift of luck and divine favor, reminding us that we owed his clan, the Vanstatchi, a favor. We refused his request. Tonalang spat. “I will see to it that all of the clans in Dragon Pass know just how worthless your word is.”
A man with the face of a Tusk Rider came to our tula and claimed to be Thadart. He said his disfigurement was a grim joke of the Tusk Riders’ god. We allowed him to return. He was pleased to be welcomed back. “It is shameful to admit, but part of me was afraid that you would reject me, now that I am disfigured.” Some of the people whispered in fear, for they were certain that Thadart was dead, and this was a monstrous impostor.
We sent Frithorf to the Vanstatch tula to try to buy a treasure from them. He bought Vinga’s Comb.
We sent Engarna to the Vanstatch tula to try to buy a treasure from them. She was unable to buy the Iron Plow.
The Horse Nomads raided us. We drove the Horse Nomads from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Jareen, a member of the Antorling ring, came seeking help against a gigantic wyrm. We offered to send warriors, but at a higher price. She named a price we liked better. They came back from the hunt carrying wyrm scales they had taken as trophies. They said that the Antorlings treated them fairly, paying what they said they would pay, and risking them no more than they did their own warriors.
Fantarl, a thane of the Rangdani clan, asked us for the details of the “Lhankor Mhy Finds the Truth” story. We told him we did not have the knowledge he sought. He said he was sorry to have bothered us, and left. The people were sad that he made a journey for nought, for we did not know the secrets he wanted.
The harvest was plentiful.
The Trolls raided us. We found shelter in our fortifications.
1333
The omens implied a good year for hunting.
The pig-herder Branbrig left his grave every night to demand food from his family. Ordag ordered the clan’s cooks to prepare their most delicious meals. When they were done, he laid the food in a trail leading from Branbrig’s grave to Gorind lands. The revenant ate his way from our tula and began raiding our neighbors’ tables instead. The Gorinds were not pleased.
Rostalos led a delegation of weaponthanes to complain that the carls were being favored over them. We assigned some of the cottars to act as servants for the weaponthanes.
We learned that the Gorinds had started a feud with us.
Explorers from our clan found the body of a dragonewt warrior lying in a stream bed. We decided to make magical armor from its hide. It was difficult to skin the dragonewt corpse without destroying the hide, but our tanners and magicians managed the task. We attuned the armor to Eonislara.
We sent Frithorf with gifts to the Rune Ducks. They were pleased with our generosity. They said that we were their friends, and that we could call on them in the future if we needed to.
Bandits blocked our emissary to the Rune Duck clan. Frithorf attacked, but our forces were routed.
Prominent weaponthanes from the Red Fox and Konthasos clans came to urge our weaponthanes to help them kill Jarosar, King of the Colymar tribe. The clan ring said that the weaponthanes should aid Ernaldness. With our help, she said she would act without further delay. Alas, the protective spirits of the Colymar revealed the ambushers’ intentions, and Jarosar was well prepared for battle. Two of our weaponthanes were slain, the others injured. The Colymar swore that we would pay for our part in the assault.
We found an old series of sacred stones in a forest clearing on our tula. We conducted a divination. The spirits of our ancestors said that the slumbering stone spirits were malign, and had once served the dragon empire. They said we should get rid of them by digging up the stones. We dug up the stones. That night, the carls who worked to remove the stones had terrible dreams. Our god-talkers said that the spirits were angry at us, and would bring us misfortune for many seasons to come.
A wounded Uroxi stumbled into our clan hall, claiming to have been ambushed by Chaos worshippers. He stayed for many weeks, drinking much beer, demonstrating his ability to pass wind on command, frightening the children with tales of his exploits, and pinching the women. Then he departed, pronouncing us his favorite clan in all of Dragon Pass.
Bandits blocked our emissary to the Apple clan. Engarna and her forces killed and scattered them.
Acting as our emissary, Engarna sought an alliance with the Apples. Engarna said to them, “It would be generous of you to help us in a time of need.” Their chief, Kestald, agreed that our two clans should be allies. “Generosity is the prerogative of chiefs and kings,” Kestald said, “and I am glad to extend to you our bounty and protection.”
A beautiful woman appeared in the woods. Some said that she ensnared our men. We sent searchers to capture her. Our best hunters searched long and hard, using their most powerful magics. They brought the woman back to us, tied with ropes. She would not speak to us. Our storytellers thought her some kind of kin to the aldryami, or elves. We gifted her, and asked her to convey our goodwill to her people. She warned us that our men had been dangerously infected, because we had offended the elves. She told us how to mix a potion to cure the infection before it showed itself. She also said that the trouble with the elves would get worse, if we weren’t careful.
Our expedition to the west returned. We learned that this place was called Beast Valley, for it was teeming with Beastfolk: minotaurs, centaurs, duck-men, fox people — even wasp people. Our explorers encountered numerous beastfolk, who did not attack them, but seemed displeased to see them. Later, they were investigating a feeling that made their flesh crawl when they fell into a trap. Some were wounded, and others were killed. They quickly left the area, certain that the Beastfolk meant them further harm.
Acting as our emissary, Engarna asked the Apples to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Engarna asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Apple for several favors, not one. Kestald, chief of the Apple clan, agreed to give us the additional cattle. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
We were raided by the Trolls. We drove the Trolls from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
1334
The omens implied a good year for hunting.
While plowing the fields, the carls found something strange. It was the enormous skull of some kind of dragon creature. We put it back where we found it.
Strange explorers came to our tula. We gave them hospitality. But they failed to behave properly. We decided to kill them. As expected, they had many odd and powerful magics. They killed some warriors, and wounded others. But there were too many brave fighters against them, and one by one they were slain — except for the dragonewt, who ran away early in the fighting. We rooted through their belongings and found much good loot, including things that seemed to be magical treasures. We gained the God Bone, the Red Leather Mask, the Shimmering Cloak, and the Eye Mirror.
The Horse-Spawn raided us. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
We were raided by the Colymar tribe. The Colymar were content to harass us with missile fire as we withdrew.
The Vanstatchi raided us. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
The Kardarvi raided us for 29 cows.
An outlaw woman brought us a baby she had raised in a shield. She told us that the babe, Kallyr, would one day be a mighty warrior. We adopted not only the girl, but the woman as well.
Carls and cottars argued over grazing land. We sacrificed to Uralda and the Sheep Mother. Both groups were honored by the sacrifice, and pledged to resolve their differences in a friendly manner.
Foul weather turned back our trading caravan bound for the Red Fox clan.
Foul weather turned back our trading caravan bound for the Red Fox clan.
An aspiring poet from the Arnoring clan, Jarolor, would not stop telling a long, boring poem. Argrand abruptly thanked him until he stopped.
The Kardarvi raided us. We struck the Splinter Rock with a sword, releasing a shower of sparks and a strong wind that blew towards our foe. The Kardarvi clan burned 2 steads. We were driven from the battlefield and looted. They burned 8 more steads.
Led by Sendestra, the women of the clan reproached the ring for losing so many of their husbands and sons in battle. The clan ring arranged marriages between widows and the clan’s surviving bachelors. Sendestra herself married a fine carl named Jotisan, and helped the other women of the clan adjust to their new husbands.
1335
The god-talkers said we needed to learn one of Uralda’s blessings.
An exploratory party was captured by gigantic bull-men, who took them as thralls. Only Eonislara was allowed to return, to warn us never to venture onto Beastfolk lands again. We sent a small war party to rescue the hostages. We fought a nasty running battle with the bull-men. Their allies pelted us with slingstones from the cover of the trees. Nearly all our warriors were killed or wounded and we never found our kinsmen. We sent an emissary to the bull-men. He gave our promise not to trespass on their territory again, and asked for the prisoners back. The emissary’s party did not return.
Outlaws blocked our emissary to the Apple clan. Engarna had to admit that she was taking no gifts. The outlaws mocked her but let her pass.
Acting as our emissary, Engarna asked the Apples to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Engarna asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Apple for several favors, not one. Kestald, chief of the Apple clan, agreed to give us the additional cattle. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
Priestesses of Chalana Arroy said they would heal our sick and wounded in exchange for a future favor. We asked them to heal all of our sick and wounded. They did so, and the people rejoiced. The priestesses departed, reminding us that they would one day come back to ask for a favor in return.
One of our exploration parties found gems in a cliff on our tula.
The weaponthanes complained that they had not raided in years.
We raided the Kardarvi and eluded their patrols. We struck the Splinter Rock with a sword, releasing a shower of sparks and a strong wind that blew towards our foe. We were driven off and had no opportunity to obtain booty. The Kardarvi took 13 of our women auxiliaries captive.
We were raided by the Vanstatchi. We struck the Splinter Rock with a sword, releasing a shower of sparks and a strong wind that blew towards our foe. The Vanstatch clan burned 3 steads. We drove the Vanstatchi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Ordag won a bet with the Gorind chieftain, and won much grain. We gave them hospitality. They seemed pleased that we honored them in this way. Ordag asked them if they wanted to gamble some more, but they declined.
Explorers found Humakt’s Raven Banner. We chose to keep Humakt’s Raven Banner and ponder its bittersweet blessing.
Arkilla, a trader of the Oak Tree clan, warned us to be wary of another trader, Elusu of the Apple clan. We listened to her, but promised nothing.
We discovered a large cache of bones and ivory in one of our tula’s valleys.
Our exploration party was taken prisoner by trolls and presented to their leader, Cragspider. Cragspider laughed a terrible, smoky laugh, and then incinerated the exploration party on the spot.
Dragonewt emissaries offered us gifts. We accepted.
The Vanstatch clan offered us 40 cows worth of goods in exchange for telling them our source of gemstones. We refused their offer.
We were able to attract 29 new carls to the clan. They brought with them 28 children.
Enothea was accused of deliberately spreading disease. We conducted a divination. Our ancestral spirits said that she was deliberately spreading disease, and should be put to death. We sent for Chalana Arroy priestesses to cure her madness. Priestesses came to help. They said that she could not be helped; the madness was too strong in her. We outlawed her. She left our tula, muttering.
We sent Engarna to the Apple tula to try to exchange treasures with them. She was unable to buy the Shifting Statue.
1336
The spirits of our ancestors were peevish because we were stuck in our ways and not learning anything new.
Enjossi spoke for the warriors when he said that they were stretched too thin, and that more fighters were needed. We sought new warriors wherever we could find them. We even approached bandits and outlaws. Argrand questioned them closely, and accepted the most honest of the candidates.
Devotees of Odayla, the hunting god, sought our support for a quest to the realm of the gods. We chose to send worshippers to the ceremony. The ritual was held not long after, on the ritual grounds of the Isolting clan. 165 of our people went there to lend their worship. Kolakar entered the realm of the gods and met Gagarth. She did not defeat him, but won from him an agreement not to vex us, at least for a while.
A dragonewt came and asked for its old body back. We attacked him. It fought viciously, with weird and powerful magic. Our warriors fought back valiantly, with good Orlanth-granted magic. One of them was slain, but he managed to knock the dragonewt over as he fell, so that the others could pierce it with their swords. We decided to make magical armor from its hide. The dragonewt corpse was too difficult to skin, and we ruined it so that it could not be made into armor.
The Vanstatchi raided us. We drove the Vanstatchi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled. After the battle, we found Argrand’s body. He was still clutching Humakt’s Raven Banner.
Brangbane and his family came from distant Esrolia, to ask for membership in our clan. We adopted them as tenders of sheep.
Trollkin were found in the grain bins. We killed them.
We were raided by the Trolls. We drove the Trolls from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
We reorganized as a Balanced clan.
Estavos was caught with trade goods that he did not buy through the clan ring. Because Estavos did not respect the ring’s privileges, we stripped him of some of his privileges.
A dragonewt came and asked for its old body back. We attacked him. It fought viciously, with weird and powerful magic. It slew some of our warriors, and wounded others. The other warriors fell back, and allowed it to retreat.
We were raided by the Gorinds. We drove the Gorinds from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled. After the battle, we found Ordag’s body. He was still clutching Humakt’s Raven Banner.
Acting as our emissary, Engarna asked the Red Foxes to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Engarna asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Red Fox for several favors, not one. Orendal, chief of the Red Fox clan, agreed to give us the additional cattle. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
We were raided by the Vanstatchi. We struck the Splinter Rock with a sword, releasing a shower of sparks and a strong wind that blew towards our foe. We drove the Vanstatchi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
1337
We were unable to bless our clan’s health during Sacred Time.
Somehow two children playing at Orlanth and Aroka started a full-blown ritual. We let the event play out. The girl playing Aroka transformed into a dragon, seized the boy with its long blue tongues, and transformed back. She fell to the ground calling out for her mother. Then she burst in an explosion of water. The boy playing Orlanth was never seen again.
We reorganized as a War clan.
We stole 18 cows from the Vanstatchi.
The Oak Trees raided us for 33 cows.
Mordrim the Stout of the Konthasos clan wanted to buy our treasured bull, Blacktail. Although we could not part with the fertile bull, we did offer Mordrim’s clan Blacktail’s stud service.
The Oak Trees stole 27 cows.
Our cattle raid against the Kardarvi was spotted. We struck the Splinter Rock with a sword, releasing a shower of sparks and a strong wind that blew towards our foe. We drove the Kardarvi from the battlefield, and were able to plunder their tula.
We saw a rainbow; the people were cheered by this good omen. With this blessing, we sought to build friendships. The chief and thanes of the Arnoring clan pledged their friendship to us.
We were unable to conduct a raid against the Kardarvi due to a winter storm.
Our explorers met foreign warriors who rode on monsters shaped like horses. We sought them out, and invited them to our tula. Sir Ethilrist’s men seemed surprised and amused by our offer of hospitality, and promised to take us up on it, one day.
The Vanstatchi raided us. We struck the Splinter Rock with a sword, releasing a shower of sparks and a strong wind that blew towards our foe. We drove the Vanstatchi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
We raided the Gorinds. We drove the Gorinds from the battlefield, and were able to plunder their tula.
The Zethnorings raided us for 11 cows while we were raiding.
1338
The god-talkers said we needed to learn one of Odayla’s blessings.
Thadart, the warrior whose visage was made monstrous by the alien god of the Tusk Riders, said that other members of the clan had dishonored him, and demanded that the clan ring reproach them. Engarna sought to persuade the people to treat him with greater respect. Leikan sought to persuade the people to treat him with greater respect. They agreed that they had not behaved properly towards Thadart, and promised to mend their ways. Thadart said he had much ale for them to drink, if they would do him the honor of accepting his hospitality. The people drank long into the night, and the matter was settled.
Voskandora, daughter of Jarolor and Insterid, went missing. Her parents thought she was at Clan Vanstatch, in the company of a former suitor, Harvar. We demanded compensation from the Vanstatchi. They refused us.
We sent Engarna to the Lysang tula to try to exchange treasures with them. She bought Ernalda’s Boots.
Explorers found the warrior Alarandra, who fled from the injustice of the Pharaoh, and said we should give her asylum. We adopted her as a weaponthane. She took her place in the chief’s household. The people were proud to see a foe of the Pharaoh honored in such a fashion.
The warrior Brandgor, outlawed from his clan, came to us for refuge. We gave him an honored place in the chief’s hall.
We were raided by the Horse-Spawn. We drove the Horse-Spawn off, and their survivors left without plundering our tula. Alarandra and Brandgor distinguished themselves in the fighting.
The harvest was plentiful.
The Issaries priestess Sora Goodseller came to our clan and asked if we wished to buy a treasure known as the Whirlwind Jar. We traded the Grey Net for the jar.
We sent Engarna with gifts to the Konthasos.
We were raided by the Vanstatchi. We broke the jar containing the whirlwind. It roared out, into the midst of our foes, where it wreaked havoc. Before the battle even began, 48 of the Vanstatchi were out of action. We drove the Vanstatchi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
We were unable to conduct a raid against the Vanstatchi due to a winter storm.
1339
The god-talkers said we should explore distant parts of Dragon Pass this year.
Emissaries of the Orlundi clan sought our support in the Orlanth and Aroka heroquest. Many weeks later, news reached us of the disappointment at Orlanth’s holy place. The Orlundi’s Wind Lord was unable to complete the difficult quest, and the drought continued.
Explorers met a bark-clad shaman, who made dire predictions, and said we should sacrifice to Kolat, the spirit-herding god. We sacrificed five horses to Kolat. The god-talkers could not say whether Kolat had received our sacrifice, because Orlanth’s brother is not one of the gods we usually worship, and they did not know which signs to look for.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Kardarvi. We struck the Splinter Rock with a sword, releasing a shower of sparks and a strong wind that blew towards our foe. We drove the Kardarvi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
The Horse-Spawn raided us. We drove the Horse-Spawn from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled. After the battle, we found Jorator’s body. He was still clutching Humakt’s Raven Banner.
Kentvent, a thane of the Rangdani clan, asked us for information about Elmalandti, chief of the Orladnast clan. He reminded us that we owed his people a favor. We said, “We don’t know anything about Elmalandti.” Kentvent departed, disappointed.
Our explorers triumphed in the harsh plains of Prax.
Elusu, a trader of the Apple clan, warned us to be wary of another trader, Arkilla of the Oak Tree clan. We sent an emissary to Arkilla’s clan to confront her with these accusations. She denied them, and accused Elusu of spreading lies about her. Mosdorl felt that she was lying.
Our explorers met again with the Orlanthi of Tarsh. While in Tarsh, Wilms and the others took the opportunity to make several small but favorable trades, and won the respect of the Tarshite people.
Thadart, the warrior with the Tusk Rider face, implored us to find him a bride. Clan leaders promised to find him a bride. After long discussions with a number of friendly clans, we found a prospect for him: Kistrald of the Red Fox clan. She was neither lovely nor clever, but when Thadart’s set eyes upon her, both were filled with love. The people, who had embraced Thadart and his cause, rejoiced. They set about making a wedding celebration that would be remembered in Dragon Pass for generations to come.
We were unable to conduct a raid against the Vanstatchi due to a winter storm.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Oak Trees. We struck the Splinter Rock with a sword, releasing a shower of sparks and a strong wind that blew towards our foe. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
The Kardarvi raided us. We struck the Splinter Rock with a sword, releasing a shower of sparks and a strong wind that blew towards our foe. We drove the Kardarvi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
The widows of three men slain in an Oak Tree raid demanded vengeance. Askula refused to accept wergild.
We raided the Oak Trees. One of the weaponthanes picked up Humakt’s Raven Banner. We drove the Oak Trees from the battlefield, and were able to plunder their tula. We raided the Oak Trees and won vengeance for Askula and the other wronged women. We soon learned that our reprisal had started a formal feud.
Led by Drenyan, the women of the clan reproached the ring for losing so many of their husbands and sons in battle. The clan ring arranged marriages between widows and the clan’s surviving bachelors. Drenyan herself married a fine carl named Korol, and helped the other women of the clan adjust to their new husbands.
1340
The god-talkers predicted many piglets would be born this year.
The family and neighbors of a quarrelsome couple brought them before the ring. We threatened to outlaw them. They returned to their stead, subdued.
The Gorinds stole 26 cows.
Fantarl and Tarkala have returned to their old, disruptive ways. With heavy hearts, the clan ring made good on their threat to banish them.
The Vanstatchi raided us. Our forces gathered around Humakt’s Raven Banner. We drove the Vanstatchi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Gorind warriors severely beat one of our carls, and hurt his wife. We launched a legal claim against the vengeance-takers. We took our claim to their clan ring. Wilms argued well, but the vengeance-takers’ clan ring refused to consider the merits of our case, and sided with their kin.
Thanes and priests from the Namolding clan accused Jerernalda of secret murder. We conducted a divination. The signs showed that Jerernalda was innocent. We asked them to leave. “It is clear, then, that your entire clan sanctioned the murder of our priestess. You shall suffer for this. I swear it, and our rock swears it.”
We were raided by the Trolls. We drove the Trolls from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled. After the battle, we found Wilms’s body. He was still clutching Humakt’s Raven Banner.
One of our carls, Barngradus, was killed by the Oak Tree warriors Eonistaran and Karendra, who said they were avenging kinfolk. The Oak Trees rebuffed our request for wergild.
A young girl named Theya received the gift of Ernalda’s Foresight when she was initiated, but her first visions were frightening. We asked Theya what she had seen. At first, Theya was too afraid of her visions to recount them. But Leikan reassured her that she was not the bringer of doom, but Ernalda’s vessel, and could pass on a warning. Still sobbing gently, Theya spoke of dead babies. We sent her away to be trained at the Great Ernalda temple in Clearwine.
1341
The omens indicated we should make a trip to a northwest kingdom.
The Issaries trader Arkilla came to our clan and asked if we wished to buy a treasure known as the Mist Paper. We bargained well, and had the paper, to use in battle against our foes.
Swen began the Chalana Arroy Heals the Scars heroquest. Swen found himself in a strange palace, where foreigners requested his healing aid. Swen looked for the wounded Storm People, but a wind came up that blew him back to the ritual ground. The quest had failed.
A son, Palagor, was born to Thadart and Kistrald. The people were concerned, because Palagor shared his father’s facial deformity. Clan leaders demanded that they be treated with respect. The people promised to do so, no matter what their fears. To show their good intentions, they gave many generous birth gifts to Thadart and Kistrald.
We were able to attract 10 new carls to the clan.
Swen began the Chalana Arroy Heals the Scars heroquest. But he was unable to enter the realm of the gods.
A woman from the Lysang clan came to sell us thralls. We bought 5 thralls. Then we freed them to become cottars in our clan.
A delegation from the Gorinds came to our tula to suggest a peace settlement. We toasted them at our feast table. At length, they admitted that they had come to us to betray us, not to make peace. But they had been so moved by our open-hearted welcome that they would now support true reconciliation between our clans.
Our explorers met again with the Orlanthi of Tarsh. Fistivos’s companions found many temptations in Tarsh, and spent their time drinking and roistering. They damaged items of value to the Tarshites, and learned that manners were different there. Fistivos was forced to compensate the Tarshites. He could not altogether restore our clan’s good name among them.
The Trolls raided us. We burned the Mist Paper, but its smoke only made it harder to see. We drove the Trolls from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
We approached the Gorind clan with an offer of peace. We proposed a reciprocal marriage between clans to seal our peace. The marriages were agreed to. Bride prices were exchanged for dowries. Twin feasts were held, in our hall and theirs.
The Vanstatchi raided us. We struck the Splinter Rock with a sword, releasing a shower of sparks and a strong wind that blew towards our foe. We drove the Vanstatchi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
1342
The outlook for trading was good.
We were raided by the Horse-Spawn. We drove the Horse-Spawn from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled. After the battle, we found Dangmet’s body, but we never found Humakt’s Raven Banner.
Humakti warriors sought our help in a war party against walking corpses. We offered them hospitality. They refused us. “Do not attempt to weasel and cajole us!” their leader scoffed. “If you mean to refuse us, you can at least do so honestly.”
Our explorers met again with the Orlanthi of Tarsh. While in Tarsh, Fistivos and the others took the opportunity to make several small but favorable trades, and won the respect of the Tarshite people.
We were raided by the Oak Trees. We struck the Splinter Rock with a sword, releasing a shower of sparks and a strong wind that blew towards our foe. We drove the Oak Trees from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled. After the battle, we realized that the Splinter Rock had shattered into tiny pieces.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Kardarvi. We drove the Kardarvi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
A plague of snakes came upon us, upsetting the cattle and frightening the children. We sacrificed to Orlanth. The snakes went away.
Vandarl wanted vengeance against the men who had killed his father many years before. We allowed Vandarl to pursue private vengeance against them. He gathered weaponthanes of this clan, and friendly warriors from other clans, too. They raided the tula of the Gorinds, seized Farnan and Robasart, and carried them back to our tula. Vandarl threw them upon a bonfire and would not let them off it, till they were burnt to the bones. The Gorind sent a delegation to demand wergild for the deaths of their two weaponthanes. We paid what they asked.
Foul weather turned back our diplomatic mission to the Apples.
The Pharaoh’s sorcerers came to us looking for “Belintar’s Book,” a large tome which they say was stolen from the Pharaoh. We attacked them. Although a wailing bolt of evil magic killed one of our warriors without leaving a mark, we slew the sorcerers before they could wreak any further harm.
The Trolls raided us. Enerin fought well, striking the trolls by surprise and killing many of their leaders. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
1343
The god-talkers foretold few arguments within the clan.
An expedition to the north recovered valuable goods.
The Elmali holy warrior Sarotar approached us, seeking our support for his heroquest. We did as he asked, and lent our ritual support to his quest.
Orlaront and his family came from distant Esrolia, to ask for membership in our clan. We accepted them, and on that day they became Striking thunder.
Fistivos attempted the heroquest of Orlanth and Aroka. He was unable to enter the place of the gods.
Fistivos attempted the heroquest of Orlanth and Aroka. He was unable to enter the place of the gods.
A group of weaponthanes, led by Brangbane, raided the Vanstatchi without first seeking permission from the ring. We praised them.
Acting as our emissary, Engarna asked the Red Foxes to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Engarna asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Red Fox for several favors, not one. Orendal, chief of the Red Fox clan, agreed to give us the additional cattle. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
Foul weather turned back our diplomatic mission to the Apples.
We learned that the Vanstatchi had declared a feud against us.
We raided the Vanstatchi. We were driven off the battlefield.
Theya returned from her training at Clearwine.
The Trolls raided us. Leikan lost his shield, so he grabbed another sword and used both hands to wade into the midst of the trolls, striking in all directions. After the battle, the warriors made up a song about Leikan’s bravery. We drove the Trolls from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
1344
The god-talkers predicted that other clans would form bad opinions of us, no matter how generous we were.
Acting as our emissary, Engarna asked the Gorinds to make good on the obligation they owed us, and provide us with cattle. Engarna asked for a half again as many cows as custom demanded. Dastandros, chief of the Gorind clan, agreed to give us the additional cattle. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
We sent Engarna with gifts to the Apples.
Yinkin cultists offered to perform a ritual which would make better hunters out of our alynxes. They would be better able to kill disease-bearing forest rats, or so the Yinkini said. We offered them alynx kittens. They were honored, and inspected the kittens carefully. A tear fell from the leader’s eye. “These creatures are too beautiful to take from you. We will perform the ritual, and will return the kittens to you as a token of our esteem.” Then they gathered our alynxes together, and successfully performed their Yinkin ritual.
Members of the Rangdani blocked our mission to the Lysang clan. Engarna gave them part of what we were taking as gifts, and was able to continue.
Acting as our emissary, Engarna asked the Lysangs to make good on the obligation they owed us, and provide us with cattle. Engarna asked for a half again as many cows as custom demanded. The Lysang carls seemed much affronted by this request. Their chief, Tarkalor, said he would give us no more than custom required. Engarna asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Lysangs gave us the cattle without further complaint.
Acting as our emissary, Penterest asked the Konthasos to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Penterest asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Konthasos for several favors, not one. Orldag, chief of the Konthasos clan, agreed to give us the additional cattle. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
The Vanstatchi raided us. Leikan, our war leader, took a serious wound and fell near Swen. He could not convince the Vanstatch warriors to let him heal Leikan. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
Jerernalda, a member of the Badger ring, came seeking help against a gigantic wyrm. We offered to send warriors, but at a higher price. She named a price we liked better. All but one of them returned from the hunt, battered and bloody. The wyrm had grabbed many warriors in its knife-rimmed jaws and escaped without harm.
Fistivos began the Storm Tribe heroquest. Fistivos was told by Ernalda to make a tribe, so that he could challenge the Emperor. But the Doubting Wheel rolled up and told Fistivos not to make a tribe. He said, “I will not be bad like the Emperor, for freedom is my essence.” “Freedom is your essence now,” the Wheel said, “but if you become like the Emperor in this way, soon you will be like him in every way.” He tried to catch the Doubting Wheel in a net. He could not catch it, for it could grow small enough to roll through the holes in the net, and then got big again right afterwards, and tried to roll over Fistivos. Fistivos went to find Yinkin. Fistivos found Yinkin, who said he would join the tribe if Fistivos could defeat the champions of the Plant Tribe. Fistivos fought Rustling Veins and let Yinkin fight Sharp Green. Fistivos tore off the many feet of Rustling Veins, which gave it sustenance. But the many swords of Sharp Green pierced Yinkin, who was terribly wounded. “If this is what your Storm Tribe will do for me, I prefer to fight alone!” Yinkin cried. Fistivos found the Knowing God trapped inside a great cube. He searched for Vadrus, but became hopelessly lost. Fistivos was lost in the realm of the gods. He looked for light, but found only darkness. He gasped for air, but his lungs breathed only dust. He sought warmth, but there was only cold. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos found himself in the halls of the dead. When he tried to leave, Ty Kora Tek barred his way. She asked Fistivos to choose which of a number of tokens best represented his spirit. Fistivos chose the heart. Ty Kora Tek said that Fistivos had chosen incorrectly, and was doomed to wander a while longer. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos wandered into the underground chamber of Asrelia, the goddess who conceals the wealth of the earth. Asrelia offered to wager with him. Fistivos wagered cows. Fistivos lost the wager. Asrelia laughed, and said that Fistivos would remain in the gods’ realm for a while yet. Back on our tula, the earth opened up and swallowed several herds of our cattle. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos found himself in the halls of the dead. When he tried to leave, Ty Kora Tek barred his way. She asked Fistivos to choose which of a number of tokens best represented his spirit. Fistivos chose the brain. Ty Kora Tek said that Fistivos had chosen incorrectly, and was doomed to wander a while longer. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He used calm thinking to escape. Fistivos found himself in the halls of the dead. When he tried to leave, Ty Kora Tek barred his way. She asked Fistivos to choose which of a number of tokens best represented his spirit. Fistivos chose the eye. Ty Kora Tek said that Fistivos had chosen incorrectly, and was doomed to wander a while longer. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos wandered into the underground chamber of Asrelia, the goddess who conceals the wealth of the earth. Asrelia offered to wager with him. Fistivos wagered our clan wealth. Fistivos lost the wager. Asrelia laughed, and said that Fistivos would remain in the gods’ realm for a while yet. Back on our tula, the earth opened up and swallowed many steads, and with them, much of our stores of silver and other trade goods. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos found himself in the halls of the dead. When he tried to leave, Ty Kora Tek barred his way. She asked Fistivos to choose which of a number of tokens best represented his spirit. Fistivos chose the seeds. Ty Kora Tek said that Fistivos had chosen incorrectly, and was doomed to wander a while longer. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos found himself in a wild place, governed by Yinkin the Cat. Yinkin called Fistivos an intruder and asked, “What will you give us, so we do not hunt you and tear you apart?” Fistivos said, “I give you hunting rights on my tula.” Yinkin said, “This is no bargain, for I hunt where I choose, and seek no mortal’s permission to do so.” And he bit Fistivos, drawing blood. The bite sent Fistivos reeling through the trees, until he was lost again. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos found himself in a wild place, governed by Yinkin the Cat. Yinkin called Fistivos an intruder and asked, “What will you give us, so we do not hunt you and tear you apart?” Fistivos said, “I give you a place in my stead.” Yinkin said, “This is no bargain, for I would have to surrender my wildness and independence for a bit of warmth at night” And he bit Fistivos, drawing blood. The bite sent Fistivos reeling through the trees, until he was lost again. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos wandered into the underground chamber of Asrelia, the goddess who conceals the wealth of the earth. Asrelia offered to wager with him. Fistivos declined her offer. “You cannot win if you do not play,” Asrelia said, and banished Fistivos to further wandering. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos found himself in a wild place, governed by Yinkin the Cat. Yinkin called Fistivos an intruder and asked, “What will you give us, so we do not hunt you and tear you apart?” Fistivos said, “I give you the milk of my cows.” Yinkin said, “Milk may suffice for kittens, but I need blood to wash my claws.” And he clawed Fistivos, causing blood to run down his back. The bite sent Fistivos reeling through the trees, until he was lost again. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos found himself in the halls of the dead. When he tried to leave, Ty Kora Tek barred his way. She asked Fistivos to choose which of a number of tokens best represented his spirit. Fistivos chose the horn. Ty Kora Tek said that Fistivos had chosen incorrectly, and was doomed to wander a while longer. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos wandered into the underground chamber of Asrelia, the goddess who conceals the wealth of the earth. Asrelia offered to wager with him. Fistivos wagered cows. Fistivos lost the wager. Asrelia laughed, and said that Fistivos would remain in the gods’ realm for a while yet. Back on our tula, the earth opened up and swallowed several herds of our cattle. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos wandered into the forge of Gustbran, Smith of the Gods. Fistivos told Gustbran of his plight, but Gustbran said nothing. Fistivos asked him to make a sword. Gustbran refused, and ejected him from the forge, so that Fistivos again became lost. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He sought not to escape, but to understand. Fistivos wandered into the underground chamber of Asrelia, the goddess who conceals the wealth of the earth. Asrelia offered to wager with him. Fistivos wagered our magic. Fistivos lost the wager. Asrelia laughed, and said that Fistivos would remain in the gods’ realm for a while yet. Back on our tula, our shrines shook and rattled, and the spirits of our ancestors wailed. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. Fistivos used his passion to escape. Fistivos found himself in the halls of the dead. When he tried to leave, Ty Kora Tek barred his way. She asked Fistivos to choose which of a number of tokens best represented his spirit. Fistivos chose the pair of lips. Ty Kora Tek said that Fistivos had chosen incorrectly, and was doomed to wander a while longer. Fistivos wandered again, as lost as before. He called on the gods for aid. Fistivos found himself in a wild place, governed by Yinkin the Cat. Yinkin called Fistivos an intruder and asked, “What will you give us, so we do not hunt you and tear you apart?” Fistivos said, “Nothing, for I follow the laws of your brother, and you may not slay me.” Yinkin said, “It is true that I may not slay you, but even my love comes with a bite attached.” And he bit Fistivos, drawing blood. The wound killed him, and he died in the realm of the gods. The people mourned this terrible loss.
Enerin began the Storm Tribe heroquest. Enerin was unable to enter the realm of the gods.
Rangoron, a weaponthane of our clan, wished to marry Ostlana of the Gorind clan. Ostlana’s clan demanded that Rangoron steal the famous magical plow of the Zethnorings for them. We decided to help Rangoron to steal the plow. Rangoron and his helpers crept into the tula of the Zethnoring clan late at night, but were discovered. The Zethnorings plunged their swords into the fleeing warriors. Despite their injuries, they all returned to our clan hall alive. When word of his failure reached Ostlana’s mother Veoslina, she prevented any further contact between Rangoron and her daughter.
We were raided by the Oak Trees. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
We were raided by the Trolls. Although we held the field, we weren’t able to take any captives.
We could no longer afford to maintain our shrine to Ernalda.
1345
The god-talkers predicted that other clans would form bad opinions of us, no matter how generous we were.
Our expedition to Mount Kero Fin returned. There Penterest encountered explorers of the Six Brothers clan, and was moved by the glory of Kero Fin to exchange promises of friendship and cooperation with them. They responded in kind.
Terasarin spoke for the warriors when he said that they were stretched too thin, and that more fighters were needed. We sought new warriors wherever we could find them. We even approached bandits and outlaws. Not even they would join a fighting force so vulnerable as ours.
A trickster came to laugh at us, and to offer us a blessing that would help us on our next heroquest. We attacked him. They were ready for our blows. They struck us several times, and escaped without injury.
Bandits blocked our caravan to the Apple clan. Penterest stood firm, keeping the bandits from taking anything.
We sent Penterest to the Apple tula to try to exchange treasures with them. He was unable to exchange our treasure for theirs.
Penterest led a caravan to trade with the Red Foxes.
We were raided by the Vanstatchi. We drove the Vanstatchi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
We were raided by the Kardarvi. We drove the Kardarvi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Theya predicted that false prophets wanted to adopt one of our babies.
While exploring the wildlands of our own tula, our explorers found 18 cows worth of fragments of a silver chain.
We were raided by the Blackrocks. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
Our explorers were investigating an earthen tunnel when they were ambushed by elves. Some of our people were wounded; others were killed.
We sent Penterest with gifts to the Apples.
Rostalos, thane of the Lysang clan, invited us to accompany him on a raid against the Telmori wolf-folk. We accepted his invitation. He was pleased by this response, and said that his clan would not forget the aid we gave them this day. We sent Mosdorl to lead our war party against the Telmori. Together our clans laid waste to the Telmori encampment, slaying their warriors and driving their women and children deep into the woods. Rostalos pronounced himself bitterly disappointed with the meager plunder. “Ever since I was a boy, I have heard that the Telmori are great robbers and thieves, with tents full of silver. Yet there is nothing here but gamy meat and bundles of sticks!”
Foul weather turned back our diplomatic mission to the Lysangs.
The young farmer Markalor reported that his stead was haunted. Our priests and wise people went to the stead, spending many nights investigating the nature of the haunting.
We raided the Vanstatchi. We were driven off and had no opportunity to obtain booty.
Priests and thanes from the Badger clan come to request the right to adopt a baby, one they said would grow up to become a great hero of the Knowing God. We granted their request. They were grateful, and said that all of Dragon Pass would one day be grateful to us, too.
We learned to speak to the ghost. It told us it had once served the dragons. We asked the spirit to serve us, as once it had served the dragon empire. It agreed, and bad magic became good magic.
The Oak Trees raided us. Dangmar, an Oak Tree thane, challenged Enerin to a javelin duel. Enerin charged to fight hand-to-hand. In hand-to-hand combat, the Oak Tree warrior was no match for Enerin, who cut him down with ease. We took 5 captives from the Oak Trees.
We were able to ransom the prisoners.
Acting as our emissary, Penterest sought an alliance with the Six Brothers. Penterest said to them, “Together, we can overcome our foes. We will be celebrated by great poets.” Their chief, Natalina, agreed that our two clans should be allies. “Your talk of overcoming foes makes us uneasy, for we believe in peace. And the maunderings of poets mean little to us,” Natalina said. “Still, after careful thought, we see the benefits of an alliance, and so agree to it, despite your excess of bravado.”
Led by Enent, the women of the clan reproached the ring for losing so many of their husbands and sons in battle. The clan ring arranged marriages between widows and the clan’s surviving bachelors. Enent herself married a fine carl named Angorri, and helped the other women of the clan adjust to their new husbands.
We sent Kagradus with gifts to the Woodpeckers.
Maniski led a delegation of carls to complain that we were too war-like, and that the crops were suffering as a result. To end the dispute, we compensated the aggrieved parties.
The Trolls raided us. Leikan cut down several trolls before being hit by a magic spell that knocked him to the ground. Although we held the field, we weren’t able to take any captives.
1346
The god-talkers predicted that other clans would form bad opinions of us, no matter how generous we were.
Orstanor was acknowledged by all to have a green thumb.
Three young men all sought the hand of Theya, who had received Ernalda’s gift of visions. We married her to Baranthos of the Antorling clan. He gave us 30 cows.
We found Kardarvi hunters poaching deep within our territory. We launched a legal claim against them. They mocked us and pelted our emissary with dead mice. “Our feud is not ended, and yet you come squalling to us over a minor matter like this? Be glad we do not kill you today just for annoying us!”
Acting as our emissary, Penterest asked the Bayberries to make good on the obligation they owed us, and provide us with cattle. Penterest asked for a half again as many cows as custom demanded. Jarosar, chief of the Bayberry clan, agreed to give us the additional cattle. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
Acting as our emissary, Kagradus asked the Konthasos to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Kagradus asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Konthasos for several favors, not one. Orldag, chief of the Konthasos clan, agreed to give us the additional cattle. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
We were raided by the Kardarvi. The Kardarvi clan burned 2 steads. Leikan was wounded while facing the Kardarvi charge. Leikan fought bravely, but could not rally our warriors and fought alone. Although we held the field, we weren’t able to take any captives.
Korlmar sought the support of the ring in a boundary dispute with his neighbor, Jarang of clan Squat Oak. We sent an emissary to bargain with the Squat Oaks. It was decided that Jarang would end his claim, and supply a cow for a goodwill feast between the clans.
Acting as our emissary, Penterest sought an alliance with the Squat Oaks. Penterest said to them, “It would be generous of you to help us in a time of need.” Their chief, Urenstand, declined our offer. “Generosity is for those who can afford it,” Urenstand said. “An ideal to celebrate, but not a thing to practice, not in hard times like these.”
Aski, of the Vostang clan, asked us to give him grain, because we owed him a favor. We gave him more than he wanted. Aski praised our generosity, and said that all of Dragon Pass would hear of it. Our carls were displeased with us; they said that generosity had to be tempered with common sense.
Acting as our emissary, Penterest sought an alliance with the Orlundi. Penterest said to them, “We are both blessed by the gods, and our alliance would please them further.” Their chief, Kenstrel, declined our offer. “The favor of the gods is all well and good,” Kenstrel said, “but there are too few practical reasons for us to make an alliance, and this is why I reject your offer.”
Foul weather turned back our trading caravan bound for the Apple clan.
Jarnandar came to ask us for a gift of luck and divine favor, reminding us that we owed his clan, the Apples, a favor. We gave the customary amount. Jarnandar said it was good that we honored our obligations.
We were raided by the Vanstatchi. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
We were raided by the Kardarvi. We drove the Kardarvi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
The Trolls raided us. We found shelter in our fortifications.
We could no longer afford to maintain our shrine to Chalana Arroy.
1347
The god-talkers said we needed to sacrifice to Vinga before we went exploring.
The ghosts of our dead warriors returned and told us that our actions shamed the clan. We sacrificed to Humakt.
We were raided by the Horse-Spawn. The Horse-Spawn were content to harass us with missile fire as we withdrew.
A delegation from the Namolding came to our tula to suggest a peace settlement. We said to them, “We accept your offer of peace! Let us feast!” The atmosphere at the feast was tense at first, but eventually weaponthanes from both clans drank together, and a spirit of goodwill overcame the revelers. A few days later, our clan leaders met with theirs to attempt to negotiate a settlement of our grievances. The leaders of the two clans resolved the long-standing disputes that divided us, and made peace. Our feud with the Namoldings was over.
Penterest could not persuade the Apples to create a new trading route.
The Oak Trees stole 27 cows.
We saw a rainbow; the people were cheered by this good omen. Because we were lucky, we embarked on a raid.
We raided the Vanstatchi. We drove the Vanstatchi from the battlefield, and were able to plunder their tula.
We were raided by the Trolls. We drove the Trolls from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Enerin began the Storm Tribe heroquest. Enerin was told by Ernalda to make a tribe, so that she could challenge the Emperor. But the Doubting Wheel rolled up and told Enerin not to make a tribe. She said, “I will not be bad like the Emperor, for freedom is my essence.” The Doubting Wheel rolled around Enerin three times, and then said, “It is true. I would have to take away every other part of you before reaching your freedom, which is deep down inside you.” Then it shrank down and became a tiny thing, small enough for Enerin to put in her purse. Enerin found Yinkin, who said he would join the tribe if Enerin could defeat the champions of the Plant Tribe. Enerin fought both of them. The many feet of Rustling Veins sank into Enerin’s flesh, and it drank of her courage. The many swords of Sharp Green pierced Enerin, so that her wisdom spilled out upon the ground. With great force of will, Enerin remained in the realm of the gods. Yinkin said, “Although you did not beat my enemies, you showed great courage in defeat. Maybe I will show up at your confederation moot. Or maybe not.” Enerin found the Knowing God trapped inside a great cube. She hit the cube. The cube was not broken, but Enerin’s hand was.
The Vanstatchi raided us. The Vanstatch clan burned 3 steads. We drove the Vanstatchi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
We could no longer afford to maintain our shrine to Elmal.
1348
We were unable to bless our clan’s health during Sacred Time.
Elgane sought divorce from Eonistaran. She said he had taken a mistress, and that she deserved to keep the bride price as a fine for adultery. We paid the bride price. “Your justice honors me,” said Elgane, as she left our tula to rejoin her kin among the Squat Oaks.
Our exploration party was taken prisoner by trolls and presented to their leader, Cragspider. Cragspider laughed a terrible, smoky laugh, and then incinerated the exploration party on the spot.
Theya the Prophetess gave birth to her first child, a vigorous girl, but she died of no obvious cause the next morning.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Konthasos. We drove the Konthasos from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Kallyr, the girl raised in a shield, had become quite the young warrior. We held a feast in her honor.
A terrible plague struck our tula. We went to the temple of the Red Fox clan to sacrifice to Chalana Arroy, goddess of healing. The Red Fox elders said that we were no friends to them, and asked why we should be allowed to sacrifice at their temple. We begged their forgiveness for our transgressions against them. They pronounced themselves satisfied by our show of contrition. But many people in our own clan said they hated to see our emissaries prostrate themselves in this way. Our god-talkers said that the signs were good; the merciful goddess looked upon our sacrifice with favor. And indeed, the sick recovered over the next few weeks. The people rejoiced in our good fortune.
Our cattle raid against the Vanstatchi was spotted. We drove the Vanstatchi from the battlefield, and were able to plunder their tula.
Refugees came seeking aid. They said they had escaped from the Horse-Spawn. We adopted them as family.
The haughty horse nomads who called themselves Grazers, but we know as the Horse-Spawn, came to reclaim the refugees we had adopted. We told them we sent the thralls to another clan. They swallowed our deception. They seemed to share a joke with their horses, then rode off towards the Kardarvi tula.
We were raided by the Vanstatchi. Although we held the field, we weren’t able to take any captives.
The Kardarvi raided us. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
We could no longer afford to maintain our shrine to Urox.
1349
The leaves of the oak trees fell off early, but nobody agreed what this signified.
Our expedition to Beast Valley returned. Kallyr came across a small community of centaurs. They insulted our explorers, and then recited a prophecy of their great king and hero, Ironhoof the Centaur. They said that Ironhoof would come back from the hidden cave in which he slept, and slaughter the Orlanthi newcomers. Many of those with Kallyr were so terrified by these words that their nightmares are still haunted by images of a snarling, blood-maddened Ironhoof.
Priestesses of Chalana Arroy said they would heal our sick and wounded in exchange for a future favor. We asked them to heal all of our sick and wounded. They did so, and the people rejoiced. The priestesses departed, reminding us that they would one day come back to ask for a favor in return.
Kagradus convinced the Six Brothers to create a new trading route.
We sent Mosdorl to the Rangdani tula to try to buy a treasure from them. He was unable to buy the Silver Tongue.
The clan’s men complained about the satire by Ingard of the Apples, which referred to us as “Dog Lovers.”
We raided the Apples. We drove the Apples from the ba ttlefield, and were able to plunder their tula. We took 11 Apple auxiliaries captive. Ingard Venom-Voice had nothing to say as we left his lands in triumph.
We were able to ransom the prisoners.
The Blackrocks raided us for 17 cows while we were raiding.
Bandits blocked our caravan to the Lysang clan. Kagradus and his forces killed and scattered them.
The Oak Trees raided us. We drove the Oak Trees off, and were happy to have survived the battle.
Mosdorl could not persuade the Vostangi to create a new trading route.
A creature we had not seen before came to talk to us. He called himself Mathrania the Magnificent, and requested a parley with the clan ring. He was sort of like a dragon, yet not a dragon. We invited him inside the clan hall. Mathrania politely declined to enter the hall, fearing that he would bump his head, but spoke with us in the market square. Mathrania knew of our customs, and asked us which of the Six Social Virtues was most important. We told him that hospitality was the most important virtue. He thanked us for our answer. He gave us an archaic form of the Parting Words, and left.
Kallyr could not persuade the Oak Trees to create a new trading route.
The Horse-Spawn raided us. We drove the Horse-Spawn from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
We sent Mosdorl to the Woodpecker tula to try to buy a treasure from them. He bought Eurmal’s Balls.
Foul weather turned back our diplomatic mission to the Apples.
A married couple were caught pilfering honey. We sent them into the forest to hunt down more honey. After weeks of exploring every stream, bog and thorn thicket, they located a promising hive.
Foul weather turned back our diplomatic mission to the Blackrocks.
While exploring our tula, we found traces of an ancient battle. We conducted a divination. Unfamiliar spirits appeared to our god-talkers. They said that they were the shield-bearers of Fynin, the Legless King, who battled the Ore Digging Tribe on this very spot, more than a thousand years ago. The great Fynin died here on that day, but killed a score and ten of his foes. The spirits recited the details of this battle, and said we should reenact it, so that Fynin’s spirit would give us a gift. We ritually reenacted the battle. At the height of our ritual, we heard the clash of sword on shield, and saw the Legless King fighting his last, valiant fight. Soon afterwards, 4 weaponthanes from far-off Tarsh came to our tula. They said that they had dreamt about King Fynin, who told them to come here and offer their services to us. We adopted the weaponthanes. They told us their version of the story called “Humakt the Champion,” which was well-known up in Tarsh.
The Vanstatchi raided us. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
One of the young women in the clan, Yanioth, said she hears a rock speaking only to her and took to making offerings. Her mother said this was not the first such claim. We let her continue. Yanioth began spending all her time at the rock. We woke one morning to find a scrap of cloth, a splash of blood and a lock of hair.
1350
It was predicted that few children would be born this year.
Theya gave birth to a healthy boy, but it died suddenly the next day.
We stole 22 cows from the Vanstatchi.
Enjossi, a thane of the Six Brothers clan, asked us for the details of the “The Sword Story” story. We told him we did not have the knowledge he sought. He said he was sorry to have bothered us, and left. The people laughed and made sport of him after his departure, for of course we did know the secrets he wanted.
We stole 34 cows from the Kardarvi.
The Oak Trees raided us. We drove the Oak Trees from the field with a withering hail of stones and arrows.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Apples. We drove the Apples from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Robasart of the Apples came seeking our help in a raid against the Squat Oaks. “The Squat Oak storehouses are like a tantalizing fruit, ripe for the picking,” said Robasart. We sent a full complement of warriors to aid them. Thanks to our aid, the Apples drove the Squat Oaks from the field. We were pleased with the loot we gained.
Bandits blocked our emissary to the Red Fox clan. Mosdorl gave them part of what we were taking as gifts, and was able to continue.
Acting as our emissary, Mosdorl asked the Red Foxes to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Mosdorl asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Red Fox for several favors, not one. The Red Fox carls seemed much affronted by this request. Their chief, Orendal, said he would give us no more than custom required. Mosdorl asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Red Foxes gave us the cattle without further complaint.
Brolli, a trader from the northern kingdom of Tarsh, tried to convince some of our carls to leave us for farming opportunities in his homeland. Kagradus said that there must be a hidden catch to Brolli’s offer. The carls agreed, and would not go with Brolli. They praised Kagradus’s sharp eye for chicanery. We decided that he was exaggerating, making a loan of cows sound like a gift.
The harvest was plentiful.
Kallyr began the Storm Tribe heroquest. Kallyr was told by Ernalda to make a tribe, so that she could challenge the Emperor. But the Doubting Wheel rolled up and told Kallyr not to make a tribe. She said, “I will not be bad like the Emperor, for freedom is my essence.” The Doubting Wheel rolled around Kallyr three times, and then said, “It is true. I would have to take away every other part of you before reaching your freedom, which is deep down inside you.” Then it shrank down and became a tiny thing, small enough for Kallyr to put in her purse. Kallyr found Yinkin, who said he would join the tribe if Kallyr could defeat the champions of the Plant Tribe. Kallyr fought both of them. The many feet of Rustling Veins sank into Kallyr’s flesh, and it drank of her courage. The many swords of Sharp Green pierced Kallyr, so that her wisdom spilled out upon the ground. Kallyr was too hurt to stay in the realm of the gods, and returned wounded to the ritual ground. Soon we heard that other clans were laughing at us and calling us the God-Failing Clan.
Enerin began the Storm Tribe heroquest. Enerin was told by Ernalda to make a tribe, so that she could challenge the Emperor. But the Doubting Wheel rolled up and told Enerin not to make a tribe. Enerin sought Yinkin in the forests and thickets, but couldn’t find him. Enerin was lost in the realm of the gods. She looked for light, but found only darkness. She gasped for air, but her lungs breathed only dust. She sought warmth, but there was only cold. Enerin used her passion to escape. Enerin found herself in a wild place, governed by Yinkin the Cat. Yinkin called Enerin an intruder and asked, “What will you give us, so we do not hunt you and tear you apart?” Enerin ran away. Yinkin gave chase, and his claws sank deep into Enerin’s flesh, drawing blood. The wound killed her, and she died in the realm of the gods. The people mourned this terrible loss.
Our cattle raid against the Kardarvi was spotted. We drove the Kardarvi from the battlefield, and were able to plunder their tula.
1351
The god-talkers expected that our esteem among the other clans would increase.
We were raided by the Horse-Spawn. We drove the Horse-Spawn from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Hospitality was nearly broken when Fistivos, member of a delegation of Gorinds, made remarks about Vordessa, the sister of our weaponthane Voskandora. We apologized for Voskandora’s behavior, and the Gorinds said that relations between our clans would not be affected. But they cut short their mission.
Kagradus convinced the Blackrocks to create a new trading route.
The Oak Trees raided us. We drove the Oak Trees from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
The Vanstatchi raided us. Leikan had the chance to avenge himself against Randan. Leikan challenged him to single combat, but it turned out he had actually spotted Vandarl, his cousin. Vandarl accepted the challenge. He killed Vandarl with one blow, avenging his brother. We drove the Vanstatchi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
We caught Garnath of the Oak Tree clan sneaking into one of our steads. We took him as a thrall. He was unhappy with his fate; we told him that thieves can expect to have things taken from them, including precious freedom.
We were raided by the Apples. We drove the Apples from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
We were raided by the Kardarvi. As the battle began, Leikan felt bursting with magical power. With courage and cunning, he led our warriors against the enemy. We drove the Kardarvi from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Our explorers met again with the Orlanthi of Tarsh. While in Tarsh, Kallyr participated in a arm-wrestling contest, and beat all comers. She was rewarded with several silver torcs, and with a magical treasure. The treasure was Arim’s cup, a memento of Tarsh’s first king. It was clear that owning this cup would grant us the friendship of the Tarshite people.
A new clan came to Dragon Pass; they were called the Anzarni. They sought permission to travel through our lands on their trek northwards. We granted it. They thanked us, and said they would remember the good turn we had done them.
Our explorers found a Horse-Spawn encampment and a great horse they said was magical. Some people wanted to send a party to capture the steed. We decided to recruit warriors from other clans to join a war party against him. No one was willing to help us. Leika told the people that sending a party would be unwise. They agreed that this was so.
We sent Leikan with gifts to the Apples. They were pleased with our generosity.
We hosted Sir Ethilrist and his Black Horse Troop at our tula. We asked Ethilrist for his help on a raid. He said we did not understand what we asked, but that he would help us if we really wanted him to. The Black Horse Troop went to the Vanstatch tula, and, in a day and a night of carnage, laid waste to it. They slew every warrior. They took every carl and every child to be sold as thralls. They burned every stead. Every cow, every horse, every sheep, every pig was slaughtered and fed to their monstrous steeds. They placed strange implements in the temple and drained it of magic. They took the fertility from the land, and stole the spirits from the air. They thanked us for the opportunity, then rode off with their new thralls, to the west. They told all they met that we were their friends.
We were raided by the Trolls. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
We approached the Kardarvi clan with an offer of peace. We proposed a reciprocal marriage between clans to seal our peace. They said that they would sooner intermarry with beastmen than with us. And beastmen were their ancient enemies.
Enerin of the Vanstatchi asked us to help slay a walktapus that was stalking their tula. We did it as a favor to them. We sent Leikan, along with 13 warriors. They did not find the walktapus.
The Oak Trees raided us. We drove the Oak Trees from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
1352
Trickster magic might be more reliable this year.
Argrand led a caravan to trade with the Zethnorings.
Led by Ferena, the women of the clan reproached the ring for losing so many of their husbands and sons in battle. The ring suggested a Marriage Contest. The women agreed, and we held a merry contest for bachelors from all over Dragon Pass. We welcomed the most worthy contestants into our clan and even gained a strong weaponthane, Wilms, who married Ferena.
We were approached by Illator, a noble of Tarsh. He sought mercenaries for a northern war. We sent Kallyr and three-quarters of our weaponthanes north to help King Arim.
A clutch of big, funny-shaped eggs was left on our doorstep. We decided to see what would hatch out of them, if anything.
When our warriors were serving as mercenaries up north, ducks came and stole from our herds. We demanded satisfaction from the duck chieftain. Purefeather, the duck chieftain, agreed that we had been wronged. He ordered the thieves to return the stolen cattle, and pay compensation to boot.
The Horse-Spawn raided us. Argrand drove off a group of Horse-Spawn who were attempting to circle behind us. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
Jarstakos, a warrior of the Blackrock clan, returned the young girl Sendestra, who had run away from us, claiming to be an orphan, and seeking adoption into their clan. We told Sendestra that our clan produced great warriors, also. Sendestra was ashamed, and said she was proud of our warriors, too. Everyone laughed.
We were raided by an enormous force of Tusk Riders. Some people blamed Thadart, the warrior with the Tusk Rider face, for betraying us to them. Thadart denied this accusation, and offered to ride out to negotiate with the Tusk Riders. We let him do this. Our patrollers watched nervously as Thadart rode out. For a moment, it looked as if the tuskers would ride right over him, but then they stopped, and parleyed. We anxiously looked on as Thadart gestured and snorted at the Tusk Rider leaders, and they gestured and snorted in return. Finally they turned away, and the assault was averted. Thadart returned to us, and everyone asked him how he had convinced them to leave. “I tricked them,” he said.
The eggs hatched, and weird little lizards came out. We decided to try to raise the creatures, to see what they would become.
The Kardarvi stole 29 cows.
The Squat Oaks raided us. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
The Apples raided us. We drove the Apples off, and were happy to have survived the battle.
The Badgers stole 23 cows.
We were able to attract 46 new carls to the clan. They brought with them 35 children.
A plague of snakes came upon us, upsetting the cattle and frightening the children. We sacrificed to Orlanth. The snakes went away.
Garrath spoke for the warriors when he said that they were stretched too thin, and that more fighters were needed. We sought new warriors wherever we could find them. We even approached bandits and outlaws. Mosdorl questioned them closely, and accepted the most honest of the candidates.
Only some of our warriors returned from the campaign against the northern empire. The clever but capricious King Arim won the battle, but used us as game pieces. In celebration of our victory, we attacked the ducks.
We raided the Rune Ducks and eluded their patrols. We were driven off and had no opportunity to obtain booty.
The Badgers raided us for 16 cows while we were raiding.
The strange little lizards grew up into strange big lizards. They caused many problems. We sacrificed them.
Theya returned from the Antorling clan after her husband was killed by a troll as high as two men.
Foul weather turned back our trading caravan bound for the Zethnoring clan.
We were raided by the Trolls. Although we held the field, we weren’t able to take any captives.
Enerin of the Vanstatchi again asked us to help slay the walktapus that was stalking their tula. We did it as a favor to them. We sent Argrand, along with 18 warriors. They found the walktapus hiding under some fallen trees. It made a weird screeching sound, then burst through the log’s rotten wood, hurling itself at the hunting party. Our warriors fell upon it, hacking furiously. We cut it to bits. Then Vanstatch sages carefully burned each of the pieces, saying that the creatures were thought to be able to regrow themselves. The sages made sure that no one breathed in the oily smoke from the burning creature’s meat. The Vanstatchi said they were grateful, and would remember what we had done for them.
Illator of Tarsh came to pay us for our warriors’ mercenary services, but tried to get us to take foreign coins instead of the cows he promised. We held Illator hostage, and sent his men to get the cows we were owed.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Zethnorings. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
Acting as our emissary, Kagradus asked the Six Brothers to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Kagradus asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Six Brothers for several favors, not one. The Six Brothers carls seemed much affronted by this request. Their chief, Natalina, said she would give us no more than custom required. Kagradus asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Six Brothers gave us the cattle without further complaint.
We sent Mosdorl with gifts to the Apples.
We were raided by the Oak Trees. Kallyr had the chance to fight like a hero. Her spells failed, she was weak that day. Although we held the field, we weren’t able to take any captives.
The Konthasos raided us for 13 cows.
1353
The god-talkers said we needed to learn one of Uralda’s blessings.
Theya gave birth to a baby boy.
Theya foretold that a rock would speak to us.
Theya woke to find her baby had turned blue and died. She had previously had to bury 2 infants and her husband. We held a divination. The signs showed that nobody had cursed Theya. We sacrificed to Kero Fin in her aspect of goddess of childbirth. The sacrifice succeeded, and the signs looked excellent for the future.
Acting as our emissary, Kagradus asked the Konthasos to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Kagradus asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Konthasos for several favors, not one. The Konthasos carls seemed much affronted by this request. Their chief, Orldag, said he would give us no more than custom required. Kagradus asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Konthasos gave us the cattle without further complaint.
The Badgers raided us. Hend had the chance to fight like a hero that day. The enemy could not stand against our Humakti. He cut them down at will. Although we held the field, we weren’t able to take any captives.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Woodpeckers. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
Bandits blocked our emissary to the Arnoring clan. Kagradus and his forces killed and scattered them.
Acting as our emissary, Kagradus sought an alliance with the Arnorings. Kagradus said to them, “Together, we can overcome our foes. We will be celebrated by great poets.” Their chief, Rostakos, declined our offer. “Poems and glory are sometimes good and sometimes not,” Rostakos said. “It is a time for caution, and this is why I reject your offer.”
The Arnorings raided us for 22 cows.
Mighty raiders of Tarsh attacked, killing many of our people in so doing. They did not succeed in their objective, which was rescuing our Tarshite hostage, Illator. We parleyed with his people and made a ransom offer. They bargained shrewdly, but we settled for what they offered us.
Randan Korlmarson walked past a great rock in the back pastures of our tula. One day it spoke to him. It claimed to be named Tarard Riel, and to be the guardian spirit of the local hills. We asked the spirit to prove itself. We decided that it spoke true, and would be able to protect us. We began to sacrifice to the spirit of the hills. Tarard Riel said we were under its protection, but it expected further sacrifices in the future.
Kentvent, Darrold, and Dangmar caused trouble at the Blackrock market. We outlawed them. The people were unhappy; they said their offense did not merit such harsh punishment. Soon we heard that they had been adopted as weaponthanes by our foes, the Kardarvi, and looked forward to taking vengeance on us.
The Horse-Spawn raided us. The Horse-Spawn were content to harass us with missile fire as we withdrew.
Kallyr began the Storm Tribe heroquest. Kallyr was told by Ernalda to make a tribe, so that she could challenge the Emperor. But the Doubting Wheel rolled up and told Kallyr not to make a tribe. Kallyr sought Yinkin in the forests and thickets, but couldn’t find him. Kallyr was lost in the realm of the gods. She looked for light, but found only darkness. She gasped for air, but her lungs breathed only dust. She sought warmth, but there was only cold. Kallyr sought to escape by wounding herself. The wound killed her, and she died in the realm of the gods. The people mourned this terrible loss.
Members of the Gorinds attacked our caravan to the Blackrock clan. Kagradus and his forces killed and scattered them.
We approached the Kardarvi clan with an offer of peace. We proposed a reciprocal marriage between clans to seal our peace. They said that they would sooner intermarry with beastmen than with us. And beastmen were their ancient enemies.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Oak Trees. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
The Apples raided us. Hend was separated from the rest of our warriors in the battle. The Apples were no match for Hend and fled from him. We drove the Apples off, and were happy to have survived the battle.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Konthasos. We drove the Konthasos from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Yinkin cultists came and asked for our help in a heroquest to fight the god of wolves, Telmor. Orlkarth agreed to play the role of Orlanth, and left with the Yinkini.
Thanks to Orlkarth’s assistance, the Yinkin worshippers triumphed in the Wolf Death heroquest.
We were raided by the Kardarvi. Argrand struck down a Kardarvi god-talker before the enemy was ready to fight, then collected his powers for the battle to come. He slew many enemies that day. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
The Trolls raided us. The trolls plundered our temple to Orlanth! They stole its idols and ate pieces of the shrine they could pull off. The temple’s magic was completely corrupted. We had to destroy what was left to avoid angering Orlanth further. People whispered that Hend had run instead of trying to stop the trolls. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Oak Trees. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
The Apples raided us. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
1354
The god-talkers said we needed to learn one of Uralda’s blessings.
Theya was acclaimed a god-talker among god-talkers.
Dragonewt emissaries offered us gifts. We accepted.
We sent Argrand to the Apple tula to try to exchange treasures with them. We sold them Arim’s Cup for silver.
The Zethnorings stole 39 cows.
Acting as our emissary, Mosdorl asked the Red Foxes to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Mosdorl asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Red Fox for several favors, not one. The Red Fox carls seemed much affronted by this request. Their chief, Orendal, said he would give us no more than custom required. Mosdorl asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Red Foxes gave us the cattle without further complaint.
Acting as our emissary, Kagradus asked the Konthasos to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Kagradus asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Konthasos for several favors, not one. The Konthasos carls seemed much affronted by this request. Their chief, Orldag, said he would give us no more than custom required. Kagradus asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Konthasos gave us the cattle without further complaint.
Foreign warriors sought refuge among us. We asked them to tell us what kind of people they were. They said they were Grazers. We did not know what this meant at first, until Orstanor said, “They mean that they are Horse-Spawn.” They were among the worst kinds of foreigners. The Horse-Spawn said that they meant us no harm, and that they were exiles, victims of an unjust ruling by the Horse-Spawn king. Leikan presided at a Guest Ceremony, making them guests. They praised our generosity.
We sent Mosdorl to the Kardarvi tula to try to exchange treasures with them. Mosdorl got a good price for the Red Leather Mask.
The Lysangs took some of our carls as thralls. We decided to recapture the carls in a raid.
We raided the Lysangs. We were driven off and had no opportunity to obtain booty. When the raiders returned without the captured carls, the people were discouraged.
The Arnorings raided us for 17 cows while we were raiding.
The harvest was plentiful.
Acting as our emissary, Harnkorl asked the Six Brothers to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Harnkorl asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Six Brothers for several favors, not one. The Six Brothers carls seemed much affronted by this request. Their chief, Natalina, said she would give us no more than custom required. Harnkorl asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Six Brothers gave us the cattle without further complaint.
Foul weather turned back our trading caravan bound for the Apple clan.
Women found a talking fox in our woods. It wanted us to make an agreement not to hunt foxes or clear any more forest. We agreed to both conditions. The fox said that we would never know the full measure of disaster we had avoided.
Verlain led a delegation of carls to complain that we were too war-like, and that the crops were suffering as a result. To end the dispute, we compensated the aggrieved parties.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Gorinds. We drove the Gorinds from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Oak Trees. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
We were raided by the Apples. The Apple clan burned 2 steads. Argrand ended up unseen among the enemy’s warriors. He killed and wounded many of the enemy. We were driven from the battlefield and looted. They burned 9 more steads.
1355
Our god-talkers saw blood on a wall, and feared for the safety of our fighters.
Theya foretold that a rock would falsely accuse a woman of secret murder.
Argrand began the Storm Tribe heroquest. Argrand was told by Ernalda to make a tribe, so that he could challenge the Emperor. But the Doubting Wheel rolled up and told Argrand not to make a tribe. Argrand sought Yinkin in the forests and thickets, but couldn’t find him. Argrand was lost in the realm of the gods. He looked for light, but found only darkness. He gasped for air, but his lungs breathed only dust. He sought warmth, but there was only cold. He called on the gods for aid. Argrand found himself in the halls of the dead. When he tried to leave, Ty Kora Tek barred his way. She asked Argrand to choose which of a number of tokens best represented his spirit. Argrand chose the brain. Ty Kora Tek said that Argrand had chosen incorrectly, and was doomed to wander a while longer. Argrand wandered again, as lost as before. He used calm thinking to escape. Argrand found himself in a wild place, governed by Yinkin the Cat. Yinkin called Argrand an intruder and asked, “What will you give us, so we do not hunt you and tear you apart?” Argrand said, “I give you hunting rights on my tula.” Yinkin said, “I accept, for I live to hunt, and others here are anxious that I hunt elsewhere. I will take you back to your tula, which lies under the shadow of my mother, Kero Fin.” And so Argrand made his way back to us. He had failed in his quest, but at least he was home again. From that day forward, there were alynx spirits in our hunting grounds, who took some of the game that we might ourselves have caught.
Argrand began the Storm Tribe heroquest. Argrand was told by Ernalda to make a tribe, so that he could challenge the Emperor. But the Doubting Wheel rolled up and told Argrand not to make a tribe. Argrand sought Yinkin in the forests and thickets, but couldn’t find him. Argrand was lost in the realm of the gods. He looked for light, but found only darkness. He gasped for air, but his lungs breathed only dust. He sought warmth, but there was only cold. Argrand sought to escape by wounding himself. The wound killed him, and he died in the realm of the gods. The people mourned this terrible loss.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Arnorings. We drove the Arnorings from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
The Zethnorings raided us. Leikan was separated from the rest of our warriors in the battle. The Zethnorings were no match for Leikan and fled from him. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
The Blackrocks raided us. We drove the Blackrocks off, and their survivors left without plundering our tula.
We stole 40 cows from the Blackrocks.
Thanes and priests from the Namolding clan accused Engarna of secret murder. We asked them to leave. “It is clear, then, that your entire clan sanctioned the murder of our priestess. You shall suffer for this. I swear it, and our rock swears it.”
The Issaries priestess Sora Goodseller came to our clan and asked if we wished to buy a treasure known as the Whirlwind Jar. We traded Eurmal’s Balls for the jar.
We stole 29 cows from the Badgers.
Our cattle raid against the Kardarvi was spotted. We broke the jar containing the whirlwind. It roared out, into the midst of our foes, where it wreaked havoc. Before the battle even began, 12 of the Kardarvi were out of action. We drove the Kardarvi from the battlefield, and were able to plunder their tula.
We were raided by the Trolls. We drove the Trolls from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
The Apples raided us. We drove the Apples from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
We were raided by the Woodpeckers. The Woodpecker clan burned 2 steads. The Woodpeckers were content to harass us with missile fire as we withdrew.
We stole 34 cows from the Blackrocks.
The Oak Trees raided us. The Oak Tree clan burned 4 steads. We were driven from the battlefield and looted. They burned 11 more steads.
1356
The god-talkers thought there would be few mosquitoes.
Our exploration party was taken prisoner by trolls and presented to their leader, Cragspider. Cragspider laughed a terrible, smoky laugh, and then incinerated the exploration party on the spot.
Angorri, a warrior of the Six Brothers, wished to marry Dorasa, daughter of the chief. Dunorl, the Six Brothers Lawspeaker, came to help plead his case. We agreed to the match. At the wedding feast, the Six Brothers’s best poet mocked our lack of generosity.
We were raided by the Squat Oaks. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
The Blackrocks raided us. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
Our cattle raid against the Kardarvi was spotted. We drove the Kardarvi from the battlefield, and were able to plunder their tula.
Horse-Spawn thanes came seeking the Horse-Spawn warriors we took in a few seasons before. “They are not here,” we said. They believed us, and departed.
Devotees of Odayla, the hunting god, sought our support for a quest to the realm of the gods. We chose to lend them a treasure. They were pleased to receive it, and said that Tanevra would make use of it in the realm of the gods. Not long after, we heard what had happened at the ritual. Tanevra entered the realm of the gods and met Gagarth. She did not defeat him, but won from him an agreement not to vex us, at least for a while. Tanevra’s clan returned our treasure to us after the ceremony.
The harvest was plentiful.
Our exploration party was taken prisoner by trolls and presented to their leader, Cragspider. “Our clan will promise never to come here again,” they said to her. “Very well, gnats. I expect you to adhere to this promise. Forever.”
Our exploration party was taken prisoner by trolls and presented to their leader, Cragspider. “Our clan will promise never to come here again,” they said to her. “You have promised this before,” Cragspider said, and promptly incinerated the entire exploration party.
The Trolls raided us. We drove the Trolls off, and were happy to have survived the battle.
A delegation from the Holy Country came to give us gifts and ask us to commit a treasure of theirs for safe-keeping. We agreed to keep the treasure, which they called the Iron Spike.
1357
The omens foretold good fortune this year.
Rastoron, a Uroxi warrior of the Kardarvi clan, said that one of us was a secret killer and a worshipper of the Chaos god Thanatar. He wanted to interrogate everyone. The clan ring interrogated the people instead. Everyone denies being a Chaos cultist. No one seems to be lying. But Rastoron scolds you: “Of course you think they’re innocent. Whoever it is has been lying to you forever! You’re either stupid, or deliberately harboring Chaos! Others will know of your treachery!” He stomped away.
Trollkin came to deliver a message from Cragspider, leader of the trolls. She warned us that she was considering destroying us. We promised not to offend Cragspider any further. The trollkin said they would convey this message to their leader.
Salinarg led a caravan to trade with the Six Brothers.
Kagradus led a caravan to trade with the Kardarvi.
The Arnorings raided us. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
The Apples raided us for 21 cows.
The Woodpeckers raided us. The Woodpeckers were content to harass us with missile fire as we withdrew.
An ill-omen vexed us when a girl saw the shadow of a bird pass over her. We sacrificed to the gods for luck. The god-talkers said the signs were good, and that the bird shadow which passed over Leika should be ignored.
Salinarg led a caravan to trade with the Six Brothers.
The Oak Trees raided us. We drove the Oak Trees from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Elusu, trader of the Apple clan, died. He was noted for his long dispute with a rival trader, Arkilla of the Oak Tree clan.
We sent Orstanor to the Woodpecker tula to try to exchange treasures with them. Their chief, Marlesta, agreed to trade Ernalda’s Boots for the Tornado Rope.
Theya foretold that we would be visited by dragon-kin.
We were able to attract 50 new carls to the clan. They brought with them 20 children.
Salinarg led a caravan to trade with the Woodpeckers.
The Trolls raided us. We untied the knot in the Tornado Rope, and a black tornado swept into our foes, wreaking havoc. Before the battle even began, 48 of the Trolls were out of action. We drove the Trolls from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Sartark accused his wife, Ellyr, and Gardrostan, his young nephew, of adultery. We conducted a divination. The spirits of our ancestors said the shame of Ellyr and Gardrostan was great, and that spirits of reprisal were sure to smite them. We outlawed them. Sartark and his kin congratulated us for stamping out this nest of vipers. Gardrostan and Ellyr were hounded from our tula.
We spotted a cattle raid by the Apples. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
The Zethnorings raided us. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
We were raided by the Kardarvi. The Kardarvi clan burned 2 steads. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
Trolls came and laid waste to our tula. Almost everyone was killed. Despite impossible odds, we decided to soldier on.
Those left alive after the devastating attack by the Trolls held a sober accounting. The clan approached the ring to voice their fears. Everyone told the ring that since we lacked enough people, cattle, it was time to disband the clan.
Everyone quickly packed up, said their farewells, and left. Many farmers had kin nearby, and so obtained entry into neighboring clans. The crafters quickly found work among the many clans. Some of the hunters joined other clans, some melted into the wildlands. A few families decided to return to Heortland. A few of these even became loyal followers of the Pharaoh, to the sorrow of those who had known and liked them here.
The remaining clan leaders found brief haven among the Lysangs before dispersing to parts unknown.
As the last clan members left the tula, one of our more poetic carls gazed back at the empty steads, ruined fortifications, and weed-encroached fields. Before turning away for the last time, he uttered our final words: “We will not be remembered as a great clan. Or even an adequate clan. If the sagas mention us at all, they will recall our terrible mistakes. We acted when we should have listened, failed to act when we should have done great deeds, and made enemies where we should have made friends. Our people are dispersed, our ring disgraced, our tula abandoned. Thus ends our sorry tale, the tale of clan Striking thunder.”
recent one
Ancient Lore
During the marriage of Orlanth and Ernalda, the Narri men and women stood guard with Elmal, making Elmal our main deity.
Our clan’s earliest famous event was the Healing of Orlanth, when Chalana Arroy joined the Storm Tribe.
During the Storm Age, we adopted strangers into our clan. Our worst enemies in those days were Orlanth’s unruly winter kin, the Ice Lords.
We were originally a Peace Clan.
At the Dawn, we first awakened Chalana Arroy, the Healing Goddess.
Our attitude toward dragons and their ilk was positive; we sought understanding between the two peoples and entered into their dragon knowledge.
1329
We made the dangerous trek to Dragon Pass, and claimed huge tracts of land, far more than we could imagine ever needing. We built a clan hall, some steads, and a shrine to Elmal. But when we left Heortland, we lost much of our connection with the gods.
1330
The leaves of the oak trees fell off early, but nobody agreed what this signified.
Uralda cultists sought aid in a great ceremony to prevent cattle sickness in a distant corner of Dragon Pass. We let them share in our clan magic. They accepted our gift and departed quickly, rushing through the customary farewells. We thought we heard sarcastic lowing as they went.
The warrior Rastoron, outlawed from his clan, came to us for refuge. We gave him an honored place in the chief’s hall.
Some of the cows fell ill after grazing in fields with unusual plants. We kept the sick cows away from the herd, and a good thing too, as several died.
The harvest was plentiful.
Some of the cows fell ill again after grazing in fields with unusual plants. We kept the sick cows away from the herd. After a couple of days they appeared to be well.
Ragged outlaws demanded hospitality, and threatened us with a rain of hail sent by Gagarth, the outlaw god. We refused them entry. They left, shaking their fists and repeating their threats. Even their children threatened to kill us.
1331
The god-talkers thought there would be few mosquitoes.
Our expedition to the west returned. We learned that this place was called Beast Valley, for it was teeming with Beastfolk: minotaurs, centaurs, duck-men, fox people — even wasp people. Kenstrel came across a small community of satyrs. They said to our explorers, “Many of your kind have offended us, and we have killed them. You have not done so, overmuch, so we will pardon your ignorance and spare your lives.”
People from the Ernaldori clan came and said we should raid them, and they would contrive things so that we would kill their mad chieftain. We agreed to help them.
We raided the Ernaldori and eluded their patrols. We were driven off and had no opportunity to obtain booty. Rastoron distinguished himself in the fighting. Their contrivance did not work. Their chieftain learned of their scheme, and submitted several members of his own ring to torture.
Emissaries of the Six Brothers clan sought our support in the Orlanth and Aroka heroquest. We sent many worshippers to the ritual. Our worshippers enjoyed their lengthy pilgrimage to Orlanth’s holy place. The Six Brothers’s Wind Lord returned from the Godplane, and announced that he had become one with Orlanth, and had torn Heler from Aroka’s belly. Scarcely had these words passed his lips when the skies darkened and rain pelted down onto the hard, dry earth.
Gordangar spoke for the warriors when he said that they were stretched too thin, and that more fighters were needed. We sought new warriors wherever we could find them. We even approached bandits and outlaws. Markalor questioned them closely, and a hot-tempered Vingan persuaded them all to leave, lest they lose the freedom they had become accustomed to.
Bandits blocked our emissary to the Konthasos clan. Janerra attacked, but was wounded and had to return home.
Our expedition to the west returned. Kenstrel, the expedition leader, had a harrowing tale to recount. The explorers found many roving encampments of horse-riding people. They did not look familiar to us, but Kenstrel gave the greeting to them anyway. Instead of responding in the proper manner, they attacked our people. Kenstrel and his sword companions fought back as well as they could, but were surprised by the magics of the horse people, which made their weapons blaze and their golden-eyed steeds leap about like frogs. Some of the explorers were wounded; we gave thanks to the White-Clad Goddess that none were killed.
Acting as our emissary, Orlev sought an alliance with the Enhyli. They were pleased with the generous gifts we sent. Orlev said to them, “We are both blessed by the gods, and our alliance would please them further.” Their chief, Jotisan, declined our offer. “The favor of the gods is all well and good,” Jotisan said, “but there are too few practical reasons for us to make an alliance, and this is why I reject your offer.”
A squabble broke out between those who claimed descent from the founders of the tribe, and those whose ancestors were the remnant people adopted into the tribe during the Storm Age. We scolded the people for dividing into factions. Each side was offended that we had not reserved our hottest words for the other.
Weaponthanes from the Blue Spruce clan offered us their services. Orngerin did not believe their story was the whole truth. After questioning them closely, we hired them.
Orngerin asked around about the horse people who fought Kenstrel and his explorers. We learned that they were an enemy people called the Horse-Spawn.
Foreign warriors sought refuge among us. We asked them to tell us what kind of people they were. They said they were Grazers. We did not know what this meant at first, until Markalor said, “They mean that they are Horse-Spawn.” They were among the worst kinds of foreigners. The Horse-Spawn said that they meant us no harm, and that they were exiles, victims of an unjust ruling by the Horse-Spawn king. We offered to initiate them as Orlanthi. They said they did not seek new gods. They merely wished a place to stay for a few seasons. Some of the people murmured unhappily at this response. Orngerin presided at a Guest Ceremony, making them guests. They praised our generosity.
Kenstrel could not persuade the Ernaldori to create a new trading route.
Bandits blocked our caravan to the Greydog clan. Orlev and his forces killed and scattered them.
Orlev led a caravan to trade with the Greydogs.
We were raided by the Ernaldori. We were driven from the battlefield and looted. And they took 8 of our women auxiliaries captive.
Orngerin took ill, because someone had woven Chaos runes into her skirt. We asked the women of our clan if any of them had made the skirt. The women all denied having made the skirt.
Our scouts found a strange clan of beast folk who were like ducks. With justice and mercy, we offered peace to the duck people, who henceforth gave our clan a place of honor in their songs.
We could no longer afford to maintain our shrine to Ernalda.
1332
The god-talkers predicted that our crafters would have good luck this year.
Farnan, of the Blue Spruce clan, asked us to give him grain, because we owed him a favor. We did as he asked. Our carls were displeased with us, for we had given Farnan more than custom demanded.
After many weeks at death’s door, Orngerin recovered from the illness caused by the hexed skirt.
An exploratory party was captured by gigantic bull-men, who took them as thralls. Only Kenstrel was allowed to return, to warn us never to venture onto Beastfolk lands again. We sent an emissary to the bull-men. He gave our promise not to trespass on their territory again, and asked for the prisoners back. The emissary returned with the lost clan members, having solemnly promised the bull-men that we would not trespass on their lands again.
Elgane did nothing but speak out against the ring. The ring did nothing to counter her cutting words.
We were raided by the Horse-Spawn. We exchanged missile fire with them, but never closed.
A delegation of the clan’s leading women raised serious complaints against the job Orngerin was doing as chief. When questioned, their spokeswoman admitted that they were supporters of Jareen. Orngerin resigned as chief, but the ring refused to outlaw her.
Ingard came to ask us for a gift of luck and divine favor, reminding us that we owed his clan, the Bayberries, a favor. We gave the customary amount. Ingard said it was good that we honored our obligations.
We heard that the Pharaoh was looking for a scrap of Vingkot’s Cloak.
We could no longer afford to maintain our shrine to Chalana Arroy.
Explorers met a bark-clad shaman, who made dire predictions, and said we should sacrifice to Kolat, the spirit-herding god. We sacrificed ten cows to Kolat. The god-talkers could not say whether Kolat had received our sacrifice, because Orlanth’s brother is not one of the gods we usually worship, and they did not know which signs to look for.
Leika led a caravan to trade with the Herani.
1333
The god-talkers expected that our esteem among the other clans would increase.
Sendestra of the Lonisi clan offered to sell horses at a dear price. We declined her offer as too expensive.
Mordrim the Stout of the Konthasos clan wanted to buy our treasured bull, Blacktail. Although we could not part with the fertile bull, we did offer Mordrim’s clan Blacktail’s stud service.
While clearing a patch of forest, Farnan was injured by an unseen archer. To find who had done this, we performed an augury. We could not identify the attacker. We thought there might be a curse on Farnan, and tried to lift it. After the spell was cast, we saw no further signs of a curse.
Yet again, Elgane spent much time speaking out against the ring. The ring offered her compensation in exchange for her silence. She howled with outrage. “This offer proves your mendacity. You fear the truth! Well, I love the truth, and nothing will stop me from saying whatever I think is right!”
The forces of cold and darkness attacked our land with snow and wind. Our herds were threatened. We propitiated Valind, god of Cold. The storm lifted, and the ice demons went away.
Broyan, thane of the Enhyli clan, invited us to accompany him on a raid against the Telmori wolf-folk. We accepted his invitation. He was pleased by this response, and said that his clan would not forget the aid we gave them this day. We sent Jorator to lead our war party against the Telmori. Together our clans laid waste to the Telmori encampment, slaying their warriors and driving their women and children deep into the woods.
While plowing the fields, the carls found something strange. It was the enormous skull of some kind of dragon creature. We used it to decorate our clan hall.
Yet again, Elgane spent much time speaking out against the ring. We told her that her words were harmful to the unity of the clan. She told us that our poor leadership was harmful to the clan, and that her honesty was the only thing preventing a violent revolt. We sought a husband for her among the other clans. The people of clan Apple knew of Elgane, and said that they feared that any children she bore would be as lawless and unruly as she.
1334
The god-talkers foretold few arguments within the clan.
Two handsome young men of our clan were kidnapped by outlaw women. We conducted a divination. The spirits of our ancestors said that the men were in no danger, unless we tried to rescue them. They said that this incident would one day result in an awkward gift. We sacrificed to Orlanth to strengthen our hand against outlaws. The god-talkers said that the signs were good, and that Orlanth had heard our pleas.
The two captured fellows came back. Although they told a different story, some of the clan women thought they had engaged in adultery with the outlaw women. The clan ring did not pursue the matter further.
Harsaltar of the Jenstali came seeking our help in a raid against the Grey Foxes. “The Grey Fox storehouses are like a tantalizing fruit, ripe for the picking,” said Harsaltar. We offered sacrifices to Harsaltar’s war god, but he refused them and asked again for warriors. We sent a full complement of warriors to aid them. Thanks to our aid, the Jenstali drove the Grey Foxes from the field. We were pleased with the loot we gained.
Refugees came seeking aid. They said they had escaped from the Horse-Spawn. We adopted them as family.
We found Apple hunters poaching deep within our territory. We offered their clan the chance to buy hunting rights on our land. The traders of the Apples closed their ears to our offer, claiming that we were unworthy of trust.
The haughty horse nomads who called themselves Grazers, but we know as the Horse-Spawn, came to reclaim the refugees we had adopted. We told them we’d never seen their thralls. They swallowed our deception, and left our tula.
We saw a rainbow; the people were cheered by this good omen. Because we were lucky, we decided to pursue trade opportunities.
1335
The god-talkers said we would be blessed with many children this year.
Explorers encountered a bark-clad shaman who predicted the arrival of a virtuous outlaw and warned against attack by stupid people.
Our expedition to Beast Valley returned. Our explorers encountered numerous beastfolk, who did not attack them, but seemed displeased to see them. Finally, they were ambushed by a squadron of fox people, who fought with animalistic fury, killing some and wounding others. The survivors escaped from their clutches, and do not wish to return to Beast Valley any time soon.
Orlgard, a Uroxi warrior of the White Horse clan, said that one of us was a secret killer and a worshipper of the Chaos god Thanatar. He wanted to interrogate everyone. The clan ring interrogated the people instead. Everyone denies being a Chaos cultist. No one seems to be lying. But Orlgard scolds you: “Of course you think they’re innocent. Whoever it is has been lying to you forever! You’re either stupid, or deliberately harboring Chaos! Others will know of your treachery!” He stomped away.
The outlaw women who kidnapped Ortossi and Jonrik came back, each with a baby she claimed belonged to one of them. We adopted the children. Then some of the women demanded that Ortossi and Jonrik explain themselves, and say why they should not be accused of the crime of adultery. We outlawed both adulterers; the women were satisfied, and said that good laws must sometimes be enforced without mercy.
Kenstrel led a caravan to trade with the Greydogs.
Vininna led a caravan to trade with the Lonisi.
Thanes from the Grey Fox clan came to ask our Lhankor Mhy priests to magically translate an old scroll they had found. We accepted their offer. Our priests performed the necessary ritual, and discovered that the scroll contained instructions for the making of wine.
Yet again, Elgane spent much time speaking out against the ring. We threatened her with outlawry. She laughed and said that such an action would only prove our cowardice and lack of proper justice. She continued with a threat of her own: the people of our clan would rise up to defend her against such an unjust ruling.
Kenstrel convinced the Konthasos to create a new trading route.
Acting as our emissary, Kenstrel asked the Konthasos to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Kenstrel asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Konthasos for several favors, not one. Jarosar, chief of the Konthasos clan, agreed to give us the additional cattle. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
Acting as our emissary, Kenstrel asked the Hiordlings to make a gift to us of food. We asked for three times the usual amount of food. Kenstrel beseeched Renatha to aid us in our time of need. We said we would consider ourselves in debt to the Hiordlings for several favors, not one. Renatha, chief of the Hiord clan, agreed to give us the additional food. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
A great rock in the back pastures of our tula told a farmer it was named Zenik Youf, and was the guardian spirit of the local hills. We began to sacrifice to the rock. Orlkarth communed with Zenik Youf, learning that its claims were exaggerated. But the spirit did teach him many secrets, and he was better able to work magic.
The warrior Kentvent, outlawed from his clan, came to us for refuge. We gave him an honored place in the chief’s hall.
We hosted the wedding banquet of Ernaldinni and Vastyr. We gave gifts to Ernaldinni’s clan. They praised our generosity.
We raided the Apples. We were driven off and had no opportunity to obtain booty. Kentvent distinguished himself in the fighting.
The Konthasos raided us for 10 cows while we were raiding.
1336
There were many swirling gusts of wind, but nobody was sure what this meant.
Orendal spoke for the warriors when he said that they were stretched too thin, and that more fighters were needed. We sought new warriors wherever we could find them. We even approached bandits and outlaws. Markalor questioned them closely, and accepted the most honest of the candidates.
Yet again, Elgane spent much time speaking out against the ring. The chieftain outlawed her. Although she had some supporters among the people, surprisingly few of them argued against the chieftain’s harsh decision.
Acting as our emissary, Kenstrel asked the Konthasos to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Kenstrel asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Konthasos for several favors, not one. Jarosar, chief of the Konthasos clan, agreed to give us the additional cattle. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
Arene, daughter of the Stag Hearth clan chieftain, came to us seeking refuge from what she claimed was an unjust marriage. We adopted her as if she were our own daughter. Some of the people remarked that this act would win us no favor with the Stag Hearths.
Bandits blocked our emissary to the Vanstatch clan. Kenstrel attacked, but our forces were routed.
Maniski, a thane of the Stag Hearths, made a legal claim against us. He demanded the return of Arene. We told Maniski that Arene was one of us, and that his clan had no claim on her. Maniski told us that they would exact their claim at spear point.
Acting as our emissary, Janerra asked the Grey Foxes to make good on the obligation they owed us, and provide us with food. We asked for three times the usual amount of food. Janerra beseeched Enjossi to aid us in our time of need. We said we would consider ourselves in debt to the Grey Foxes for several favors, not one. Enjossi, chief of the Grey Fox clan, agreed to give us the additional food. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
Apple warriors kidnapped Natalina, the daughter of the chief, and took her back to their tula. We decided to pay ransom for her safe return. We paid a heavy price for her return, but at least we got her back.
The harvest was plentiful.
An exploratory mission came home early to report that one of them had been taken by Tusk Riders, and could now be presumed dead. Clan leaders said, “There will be no funeral until Thadart is proven dead.” The people shook their heads. It was clear from the grim expression on their faces that they thought the ring members were fooling themselves.
Vininna led a caravan to trade with the Greydogs.
Demure and lovely was our Ernaldinni, as she wedded Dangmet of the Vanstatchi.
Leika led a caravan to trade with the Enhyli.
1337
The clan’s magic was not as strong as usual this year.
Our expedition to the southwest returned. Kenstrel came across a small community of fox people. They said to our explorers, “Many of your kind have offended us, and we have killed them. You have not done so, overmuch, so we will pardon your ignorance and spare your lives.”
Acting as our emissary, Janerra asked the Ernaldori to make good on the obligation they owed us, and provide us with cattle. Janerra asked for a half again as many cows as custom demanded. The Ernaldori carls seemed much affronted by this request. Their chief, Endal, said he would give us no more than custom required. Janerra asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Ernaldori gave us the cattle without further complaint.
A man with the face of a Tusk Rider came to our tula and claimed to be Thadart. He said his disfigurement was a grim joke of the Tusk Riders’ god. We allowed him to return. He was pleased to be welcomed back. “It is shameful to admit, but part of me was afraid that you would reject me, now that I am disfigured.” Some of the people whispered in fear, for they were certain that Thadart was dead, and this was a monstrous impostor.
Jerernalda was accused of deliberately spreading disease. We conducted a divination. Our ancestral spirits said that she was deliberately spreading disease, and should be put to death. We sent for Chalana Arroy priestesses to cure her madness. Priestesses came to help. They said that she could not be helped; the madness was too strong in her. We outlawed her. She left our tula, muttering.
The pig-herder Garrath left his grave every night to demand food from his family. We held a ceremony at Garrath’s grave, imploring his revenant to join our honored ancestors in the afterlife and trouble his family no more. The grave grumbled, then fell silent. That night, Garrath remained in the earth, and his family ate dinner in peace for the first time in weeks.
Acting as our emissary, Kenstrel asked the Hiordlings to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Kenstrel asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Hiord for several favors, not one. The Hiord carls seemed much affronted by this request. Their chief, Renatha, said she would give us no more than custom required. Kenstrel asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Hiordlings gave us the cattle without further complaint.
Inganna sought divorce from Harmast. She said he had taken a mistress, and that she deserved to keep the bride price as a fine for adultery. We conducted a divination. The spirits of our ancestors said that the stink of adultery was on Harmast like fur on an alynx. We outlawed Harmast and paid the bride price. “My kin will say that you are just,” said Inganna, as she left our tula to rejoin her kin among the White Horses.
Bandits blocked our caravan to the Antorling clan. Kenstrel tried to bargain with them, but got nowhere. Kenstrel and his forces killed and scattered them.
Kenstrel led a caravan to trade with the Antorlings.
Harli, a trader from the northern kingdom of Tarsh, tried to convince some of our carls to leave us for farming opportunities in his homeland. Leika said that there must be a hidden catch to Harli’s offer. The carls agreed, and would not go with Harli. They praised Leika’s sharp eye for chicanery. We decided that he was exaggerating, making a loan of cows sound like a gift.
We found fused lumps of iron in the hills nearby.
Sartar, one of our cottars, was caught stealing at the market. We outlawed him. People complained that the clan ring had overreacted, and done nothing to restore their lost property.
Kenstrel led a caravan to trade with the Antorlings.
We could no longer afford to maintain our shrine to Lhankor Mhy.
1338
Our market will be profitable this year, according to the omens.
A creature we had not seen before came to talk to us. He called himself Mathrania the Magnificent, and requested a parley with the clan ring. He was sort of like a dragon, yet not a dragon. We invited him inside the clan hall. Mathrania politely declined to enter the hall, fearing that he would bump his head, but spoke with us in the market square. Mathrania knew of our customs, and asked us which of the Six Social Virtues was most important. We told him that hospitality was the most important virtue. He thanked us for our answer. He gave us an archaic form of the Parting Words, and left.
Acting as our emissary, Kenstrel sought an alliance with the Jenstali. Kenstrel said to them, “You will profit greatly from an alliance.” Their chief, Orlgandi, agreed that our two clans should be allies. “After carefully considering the advantages and disadvantages of such an arrangement,” Orlgandi said, “I can only conclude that we would benefit by it.”
Acting as our emissary, Kenstrel sought an alliance with the Herani. Kenstrel said to them, “We are both blessed by the gods, and our alliance would please them further.” Their chief, Salinarg, declined our offer. “The favor of the gods is all well and good,” Salinarg said, “but there are too few practical reasons for us to make an alliance, and this is why I reject your offer.”
Ortossi complained that his wife Enothea dishonored him by interrupting a duel with Venharl of the Apples. The clan ring said that Enothea had Ortossi’s best interests at heart. “Tell that to the goose-egg on my head!” Ortossi protested. We scolded him. He apologized for wasting the ring’s time with a matter he and his wife should resolve on their own. As for Ortossi and Venharl, their wives got together and made them promise not to bash each other.
A trader named Orlev warned us that he had seen weird priestesses perform a ritual to the west of here. We performed a divination to learn more. We learned that the priestesses served a powerful, possibly immortal being who lives in the Upland Marsh. We learned that this being is undead, and commands a legion of undead followers. Later, some of our good land turned to swamp, almost overnight.
The Trolls raided us. We twirled the Bull-roarer, but none of the trolls were affected. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
1339
The god-talkers said we needed to sacrifice to Vinga before we went exploring.
Gardrostan urged us to find a bride for him. We used trickster magic to make him seem more handsome. Before our eyes, he became even uglier, although this was hard to imagine. We sought a bride among the Greydogs. We arranged a marriage to a woman named Enothea. She had been divorced several times, and was not the most comely bride, nor did she come with a large dowry. Gardrostan was pleased to marry her, nevertheless.
The Apples raided us. We twirled the Bull-roarer, and the enemy mounts became uncontrollable. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
A clutch of big, funny-shaped eggs was left on our doorstep. We decided to see what would hatch out of them, if anything.
We suffered a curse, and our children, both boys and girls, began to grow beards. We conducted a divination. The spirits of our ancestors were unclear about the cause of the curse, but suggested that Eurmal was behind it. We sacrificed to Eurmal. The god-talkers said that Eurmal had taken our sacrifice. And, very quickly, the children’s beards turned grey and fell out in large clumps on the ground. The priests gathered them and burned the hair on the altar to dispel any lingering bad magic.
Our explorers found spirits at Mount Kero Fin, who claimed kinship with Orlanth. Helganna the Knowing said we should sacrifice to them. We built a shrine at our temple and encouraged the spirits to inhabit it. We performed a ceremony of dedication, and the spirits manifested themselves at our shrine.
The eggs hatched, and weird little lizards came out. We decided to try to raise the creatures, to see what they would become.
Acting as our emissary, Janerra sought an alliance with the Lonisi. Janerra said to them, “It would be generous of you to help us in a time of need.” Their chief, Orstalor, declined our offer. “Generosity is for those who can afford it,” Orstalor said. “An ideal to celebrate, but not a thing to practice, not in hard times like these.”
Our explorers found a Horse-Spawn encampment and a great horse they said was magical. Some people wanted to send a party to capture the steed. We decided to recruit warriors from other clans to join a war party against him. No one was willing to help us. We sent a war party to capture the steed, led by Jorator. The cursed Horse-Spawn had moved on, and Jorator could not find their camp.
We sent Janerra with gifts to the Greydogs. They were pleased with our generosity.
A group of weaponthanes, led by Baranwolf, raided the Ernaldori without first seeking permission from the ring. We praised them.
Spirit-talkers showed up and asked if we needed anything from them. We asked them to sell us Spirit Fetches. We added the Spirit Fetches to our treasures.
The strange little lizards grew up into strange big lizards. They caused many problems.
The Apples stole 20 cows.
Leika led a caravan to trade with the Ernaldori.
1340
The omens foretold good fortune this year.
A raggedy-looking man came to the tula to jeer and mock the clan ring. He scoffed at us for not completing heroquests, among other things. We attacked them, but they escaped after wounding a weaponthane.
Garrath, a thane of the Jenstali clan, asked us for information about Varsens, chief of the Greydog clan. He reminded us that we owed his people a favor. We offered him a gift instead of information. “I cannot refuse this gift, even though it is not what I would have preferred to get,” said Garrath.
We learned that the Ernaldori had started a feud with us.
Leika had a recurring dream of warriors from the sky who defended a hill on our tula. The god-talkers hastily prepared a ritual to summon a great wind from Orlanth, to drive off the warriors. Leika dreamed that the warriors were blown far away, and landed on another tula. She was not troubled by those dreams again.
We were raided by the Trolls. We drove the Trolls from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Derik, a hunter of the Hiord clan, asked permission to hunt a great white stag on our land. We said he could hunt it in cooperation with our own hunters. Together, they caught the stag. It was a magnificent beast indeed, and there was glory enough for both clans.
The women of the clan complained about the satire by Enastakos of the Lonisi, which referred to us as “Goat Eaters.” Jareen composed a scathing poem, and the Lonisi became known as the Yellow Back Clan.
1341
The god-talkers heard whispers in a strange language, but could not make out the meaning.
Darrold said he had been given poor hospitality among the Boskovi, and that they were deliberately slighting us. We composed a poem satirizing the Boskovi. It was not one of Jareen’s best poems.
Ingard, Aski, and Offir caused trouble at the Heran market. The clan ring scolded them. They laughed and said that they had perhaps behaved badly. “We will try to act better in the future,” Ingard said.
While exploring our tula, we turned up a cave with green-colored clay that we can use for making high-quality pottery.
Our explorers engaged in a daring raid while in the territory of the hated Horse-Spawn, and very few of them were wounded.
Mordrim the Stout came to trade for the Head of Markanth. We refused to sell it.
Survivors of an unfortunate expedition to the territory of the hated Horse-Spawn returned to our tula. Some of them were wounded. 3 explorers had been captured by the nomads and enslaved.
Rostalos, of the Boskovi clan, asked us to give him cattle, because we owed him a favor. We gave him less than he asked for. “Thus we see what a Narri obligation is worth,” Rostalos said. “I will see to it that all of the clans in Dragon Pass know how worthless your word is.”
Iskalli spoke for the warriors when he said that they were stretched too thin, and that more fighters were needed. We sought new warriors wherever we could find them. We even approached bandits and outlaws. We took some of them on.
Vininna led a caravan to trade with the Boskovi.
Prominent weaponthanes from the Enhyli and Hiord clans came to urge our weaponthanes to help them kill Brandgor, King of the Colymar tribe. The clan ring said that the weaponthanes should aid Karendra. With our help, she said she would act without further delay. Alas, the protective spirits of the Colymar revealed the ambushers’ intentions, and Brandgor was well prepared for battle. Two of our weaponthanes were slain, the others injured. The Colymar swore that we would pay for our part in the assault.
The Apples stole 24 cows.
We could no longer afford to maintain our shrine to the Wind Spirits.
Vininna led a caravan to trade with the Greydogs.
1342
The leaves of the oak trees fell off early, but nobody agreed what this signified.
Many of our sheep became sick. We separated the diseased sheep from the healthy ones. The sick sheep soon died.
We were raided by the Colymar tribe. We showed the head of Markanth Margrainsson, and the Colymar pulled back in confusion. We drove the Colymar from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
The Apples stole 32 cows.
We were raided by the Horse-Spawn. When we twirled the Bull-roarer, about half of the enemy’s horses bolted in terror. We drove the Horse-Spawn from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Vininna led a caravan to trade with the Bayberries.
Foreign warriors sought refuge among us. We asked them to tell us what kind of people they were. They said they were Grazers. We did not know what this meant at first, until Markalor said, “They mean that they are Horse-Spawn.” They were among the worst kinds of foreigners. The Horse-Spawn said that they meant us no harm, and that they were exiles, victims of an unjust ruling by the Horse-Spawn king. Jareen presided at a Guest Ceremony, making them guests. They praised our generosity.
Gardrostan urged us to find a new bride for him. We used trickster magic to make him seem more handsome. Before our eyes, he turned into the handsomest man in Dragon Pass. We sought a bride among the Blue Spruces. We arranged a marriage to a woman named Brenna. She had been divorced several times, and was not the most comely bride, nor did she come with a large dowry. Gardrostan was pleased to marry her, nevertheless.
Our explorers found an old mine in the mountains. When they went deep into it, they heard sounds and returned home to tell us. We decided to find out what the sounds were.
Foul weather turned back our diplomatic mission to the Stag Hearths.
Enerin took ill, because someone had woven Chaos runes into her skirt. We tried to find out if another clan was responsible for the Chaos hex. At first, the women of the Apples all denied having made the skirt. But Markalor’s clever questioning exposed the widow Ferena as the culprit. The people of the Apples were shocked and horrified to find a minion of Chaos among them. The Apples tried, convicted, and outlawed her. We demanded that she dispel her hex on Enerin. She mumbled and made gestures over Enerin, who cried out and then died. We asked the Apples for the opportunity to kill her. They agreed that we had the right to determine her fate, and we did so.
Explorers found the encampment where Horse-Spawn held our people as thralls. We sought to hire warriors from other clans to stage a rescue. We found a force willing to make the attempt. The hired warriors were successful. and the rest of our people were returned to us.
1343
The outlook for trading was good.
Thadart, the warrior whose visage was made monstrous by the alien god of the Tusk Riders, said that other members of the clan had dishonored him, and demanded that the clan ring reproach them. Jorator sought to persuade the people to treat him with greater respect. Jareen sought to persuade the people to treat him with greater respect. They protested that Thadart had not proven himself; he could still be a monster, waiting for the time to strike. Thadart was angered by their response and departed, never to return.
Our explorers came back to report that they had visited the underground kingdom of the dwarfs. We sacrificed to the gods for protection from dwarfs. The omens suggested that the gods had heard our plea.
The forces of cold and darkness attacked our land with snow and wind. Our herds were threatened. We propitiated Valind, god of Cold. The storm lifted, and the ice demons went away.
We sent Leika to the Blue Spruce tula to try to buy a treasure from them. She was unable to buy the First Arrow.
The Horse-Spawn raided us. When we twirled the Bull-roarer, about half of the enemy’s horses bolted in terror. We drove the Horse-Spawn from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Leika composed a final poem, then died from a curse that had affected her father and grandmother. We sacrificed to Ernalda in Leika’s honor.
Vininna led a caravan to trade with the Herani.
Someone killed some of our horses. The weaponthanes were despondent, for by allowing this to happen we had shamed our patron god. We conducted a divination. The spirits of our ancestors said that this crime was committed by the Taralings. The people were not surprised to hear this, for they were feuding with us. We attacked the Taralings.
We raided the Taralings and eluded their patrols. We twirled the Bull-roarer, and the enemy mounts became uncontrollable. We were driven off and had no opportunity to obtain booty. The Taralings were expecting our attack, so we knew they had slain our horses. The warriors regretted their failure to strike hard against these treacherous foes.
Ducks came and demanded compensation for kinsmen they said we slew. We rejected their claim. Predictably, they were outraged.
We were raided by the Beastfolk. We showed the head of Markanth Margrainsson, and the Beastfolk pulled back in confusion. Although we held the field, we weren’t able to take any captives. Unfortunately, Markanth’s head crumbled in the heat of battle.
We were raided by the Apples. We twirled the Bull-roarer, and the enemy mounts became uncontrollable. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
Borngold of the Enhyli clan came before us, bearing gifts and seeking an alliance. We agreed to ally with the Enhyli.
1344
The leaves of the oak trees fell off early, but nobody agreed what this signified.
Shamans came to offer us vengeance against the Beastfolk. We asked what it would cost to lay waste to their crops. We paid what they asked, and they contacted the spirits for us.
We were raided by the Horse-Spawn. When we twirled the Bull-roarer, about half of the enemy’s horses bolted in terror. We drove the Horse-Spawn from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Acting as our emissary, Vininna asked the White Horses to make good on the obligation they owed us, and provide us with food. We asked for three times the usual amount of food. Vininna beseeched Minara to aid us in our time of need. We said we would consider ourselves in debt to the White Horses for several favors, not one. Minara, chief of the White Horse clan, agreed to give us the additional food. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
Randan Korlmarson walked past a great rock in the back pastures of our tula. One day it spoke to him. It claimed to be named Tarard Riel, and to be the guardian spirit of the local hills. We began to sacrifice to the spirit of the hills. Tarard Riel said we were under its protection, but it expected further sacrifices in the future.
We approached the Stag Hearth clan with an offer of peace. We proposed a reciprocal marriage between clans to seal our peace. They said that they would sooner intermarry with beastmen than with us. And beastmen were their ancient enemies.
Acting as our emissary, Vininna asked the Konthasos to make a gift to us of food. We asked for three times the usual amount of food. Vininna beseeched Jarosar to aid us in our time of need. We said we would consider ourselves in debt to the Konthasos for several favors, not one. The Konthasos carls seemed affronted by this request. Their chief, Jarosar, said that we were allies, but that he could not offer more than the traditional amount of food. Vininna asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Konthasos provided us with the food without further complaint.
Markalor, the devotee of Eurmal on our clan ring, gave away a herd of our cows. The ring told the people, “They were really funny-looking cows.” The people told the ring, “You are all crazy. With such foolish leaders, our clan is doomed.”
The carls stopped work, and refused to start again until the ring addressed their grievances. The ring took from the weaponthanes to give to the carls.
Horse-Spawn thanes came seeking the Horse-Spawn warriors we took in a few seasons before. “They are not here,” we said. They believed us, and departed.
Tarkalor led a delegation of carls to complain that we were too war-like, and that the crops were suffering as a result. We promised to reduce the number of raids.
Foul weather turned back our diplomatic mission to the Hiordlings.
Acting as our emissary, Vininna asked the Enhyli to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Vininna asked for many more cows than the usual amount, saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Enhyli for several favors, not one. The Enhyli carls seemed much affronted by this request. Their chief, Jotisan, said he would give us no more than custom required. Vininna asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Enhyli gave us the cattle without further complaint.
Humakti warriors sought our help in a war party against walking corpses. The Humakti refused our offer to sacrifice to their god, demanding that we lend them warriors. We sent warriors to fight alongside them. They said we were honorable, and then departed with our warriors in tow.
Our explorers triumphed in the lands of the Horse-Spawn. They took half a dozen fine horses, kitted out in jeweled leathers, from the nomads.
1345
The god-talkers foretold that our cows wouldn’t give much milk.
Three traders auctioned off three treasures at our clan market. We arranged the marriage of a high-ranking young warrior of our clan to a wise and knowledgeable young maiden of the Enhyli.
We hosted the wedding banquet of Lismelder and Rostalos. We gave gifts to Lismelder’s clan. They praised our generosity.
The Apples raided us. We twirled the Bull-roarer, and the enemy mounts became uncontrollable. The Apple clan burned 3 steads. We were driven from the battlefield and looted. And they took 4 of our women auxiliaries captive.
We ransomed our prisoners from the Apples.
A tree spirit deep in the woods demanded a human sacrifice, offering magic or food in exchange. Everyone gave the tree a wide berth from then on.
The Horse-Spawn raided us. When we twirled the Bull-roarer, about half of the enemy’s horses bolted in terror. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
The harvest was plentiful.
Our explorers went to the Orlanthi land of Tarsh. There they met an odd fellow who called himself the Prince of Masks, and said he would visit a magical catastrophe upon any clan in Dragon Pass we chose, in exchange for a gift of silver. We bargained with him. We could not reach an acceptable price, and left Tarsh without making an arrangement with the magician.
Foul weather turned back our trading caravan bound for the Hiord clan.
Three great Orlanthi wind lords came to bring us the joy of Orlanth. They asked for help in a task they would not speak of. We gave them warriors.
Our explorers met with the Orlanthi of Tarsh, who followed a tribal king named Arim. Arim was married to a great earth magician named Sorana the Priestess, or Sorana Tor. Like us, Arim and his people came to Dragon Pass after an invader conquered their homeland. In their case, the homeland was to the north of Dragon Pass, and their conquerors were the Chaotic Red Empire. The customs of these Tarshites were different from ours, but they still knew the most important Orlanthi laws. While in Tarsh, Janerra and the others took the opportunity to make several small trades. These seemed favorable at the time, but when Janerra inspected the goods on the return trip, it turned out that our explorers had been out-bargained by the worldly Tarshites.
A band of very strange musicians asked for permission to play at our clan market. We accepted the offer. Bundalini’s All-Skeleton Band played, and people came from all over. We decided to forge new trade arrangements. We made some good deals, which promised to pay off in the next few seasons.
We could no longer afford to maintain our shrine to Tarard Riel.
1346
The god-talkers predicted many piglets would be born this year.
Ordag spoke for the warriors when he said that they were stretched too thin, and that more fighters were needed. We sought new warriors wherever we could find them. We even approached bandits and outlaws. We took some of them on.
The Apples stole 30 cows.
Two former outlaws flouted our forgiveness by assaulting one of our young maidens. They claimed to have been possessed by spirits during the crime. As unlikely as their story seemed, magical inquiries proved it to be true. They had been possessed. Still, many clan members were reluctant to believe the divination. The former outlaws became outlaws once again, shorn of Orlanth’s protection.
We were raided by the Horse-Spawn. When we twirled the Bull-roarer, about half of the enemy’s horses bolted in terror. We drove the Horse-Spawn from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Vininna led a caravan to trade with the Beaker Ducks.
Priestesses of Chalana Arroy said they would heal our sick and wounded in exchange for a future favor. We asked them to heal all of our sick and wounded. They did so, and the people rejoiced. The priestesses departed, reminding us that they would one day come back to ask for a favor in return.
Gardrostan urged us to find a new bride for him. We used trickster magic to make him seem more handsome. Before our eyes, he turned into the handsomest man in Dragon Pass. We sought a bride among the White Horses. No one would marry him.
Outlaws blocked our caravan to the Hiord clan. Minaryth attacked, but our forces were routed.
Bandits blocked our emissary to the Hiord clan. Vininna had to admit that she was taking no gifts. The bandits mocked her but let her pass.
Acting as our emissary, Vininna asked the Hiordlings to grant us a boon, and provide us with cattle. Vininna asked for many more cows than the usual amount, beseeching Temertain to aid us in our time of need and saying that we would consider ourselves in debt to the Hiord for several favors, not one. Temertain, chief of the Hiord clan, agreed to give us the additional cattle. Many of his carls seemed sorely affronted by our request.
Weeping thanes of the Apple clan brought their dead chieftain before us, hoping that our Chalana Arroy priestesses would revive him. We accepted their offer. Our priestesses performed the ceremony, and brought the Apple chieftain back to life. The Apples rejoiced, and said that we would be forever remembered in their sagas.
1347
The god-talkers saw many ravens, and suspected there would be battle later in the year.
A group of ragged, ill-favored travelers asked for hospitality. They ate. They drank. They ate and drank some more. Their news was stale, their gossip rancid. We were happy to see them go.
The Horse-Spawn raided us. When we twirled the Bull-roarer, about half of the enemy’s horses bolted in terror. We drove the Horse-Spawn from the battlefield, striking them down as they fled.
Ordag of the Heran clan offered us food in exchange for a favor. We accepted the gift.
A huge troll named Umulguk challenged one of our champions to a contest. We agreed as long as she wagered something valuable. Markalor agreed to face her. It turned out her contest was of eating, not weapons. Markalor exclaimed, “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse!” And he did, as well as two cows. The troll admitted defeat. As agreed, Umulguk gave us a golden crown, which appeared to have a few bites taken out of it.
Traders from the Hiordlings came to offer us treasures they got from the dwarfs. We traded them our Fear Spirits for it.
Kentvent, the young child of carls Valensta and Darrold, was found out in the bush, with puncture wounds on his neck. We conducted a ritual to protect Kentvent from vampire magic. Kentvent did not become a vampire or Chaos creature, and even recovered from his wounds. We knew that our ritual had worked.
We found an old series of sacred stones in a forest clearing on our tula. We conducted a divination. The spirits of our ancestors said that the slumbering stone spirits were malign, and had once served the dragon empire. They said we should get rid of them by digging up the stones. We dug up the stones. That night, the carls who worked to remove the stones had terrible dreams. Our god-talkers said that the spirits were angry at us, and would bring us misfortune for many seasons to come.
The people grew restive when it looked like there would be insufficient food. We asked neighboring clans for food, but they refused.
1348
The god-talkers identified no omens, and this troubled them.
Starvation hit our clan.
Outlaws blocked our emissary to the Hiord clan. Vininna tried to bargain with them, but got nowhere. Vininna attacked, but our forces were routed.
Starvation hit our clan.
A group of Grey Foxes threatened our mission to the Hiord clan. Minaryth tried to bargain with them, but got nowhere. Minaryth and his forces killed and scattered them.
Acting as our emissary, Minaryth asked the Hiordlings to make a gift to us of food. We asked for three times the usual amount of food. Minaryth beseeched Temertain to aid us in our time of need. We said we would consider ourselves in debt to the Hiordlings for several favors, not one. The Hiord carls seemed affronted by this request. Their chief, Temertain, said that we were allies, but that he could not offer more than the traditional amount of food. Minaryth asked for no more and no less than the usual amount. The Hiordlings provided us with the food without further complaint.
Two handsome young men of our clan were kidnapped by outlaw women. We conducted a divination. The spirits of our ancestors said that the men were in no danger, unless we tried to rescue them. They said that this incident would one day result in an awkward gift.
The two captured fellows came back. Although they told a different story, some of the clan women thought they had engaged in adultery with the outlaw women. Markalor questioned Mosdorl, exhorting him to admit his adultery. Mosdorl told more lies, and more lies, and even more lies, until he became tangled up in them, and Markalor showed that they could not all be true. Mosdorl admitted his adultery, and reluctantly implicated his friend Estavos, as well. We outlawed both adulterers; the people said we had behaved in a just manner.
Starvation hit our clan.
Members of the Herani threatened our mission to the Enhyli clan. Minaryth tried to bargain with them, but got nowhere. Minaryth attacked, but was wounded and had to return home.
The Horse-Spawn raided us. When we twirled the Bull-roarer, about half of the enemy’s horses bolted in terror. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
Starvation hit our clan.
Lonisi traders wanted to give us two dwarf thralls in exchange for four stallions. We agreed to the price and then freed the dwarfs. “We gratitude you,” said the dwarfs. “You positive us, so we positive you. Behind schedule, but will catch up.” Then they left us.
The clan approached the ring to voice their fears. Everyone told the ring that since we lacked enough wealth, it was time to disband the clan.
Everyone quickly packed up, said their farewells, and left. Many farmers had kin nearby, and so obtained entry into neighboring clans. The weaponthanes and crafters quickly found work among the many clans. Some of the hunters joined other clans, some melted into the wildlands. A few families decided to return to Heortland. A few of these even became loyal followers of the Pharaoh, to the sorrow of those who had known and liked them here. Garnath went to spend a year in the wilderness relearning how to uphold Orlanth’s virtues. No one saw him again, but hunters told of finding the lightning-struck corpse of a noble in a glen.
Kagradus told the Orlundi that his failure on the ring had not hurt his farming skills, and so they took him in. Markalor meandered off, spending a season with this clan and a season with that. Some say he became fat and famous, others say that he waved his bare buttocks in the wrong face once too often, and was outlawed and killed.
As the last clan members left the tula, one of our more poetic carls gazed back at the empty steads, ruined fortifications, and weed-encroached fields. Before turning away for the last time, he uttered our final words: “We will not be remembered as a great clan. Or even an adequate clan. If the sagas mention us at all, they will recall our terrible mistakes. We acted when we should have listened, failed to act when we should have done great deeds, and made enemies where we should have made friends. Our people are dispersed, our ring disgraced, our tula abandoned. Thus ends our sorry tale, the tale of clan Narri.” Use the rotor to access Felstavade ord