So this lp inspired me to play kodp again. Herein lies the entire saga of my tribe, a woefully short story that warns of the dangers of provoking beastmen.
Ancient Lore
During the marriage of Orlanth and Ernalda, our men whooped and drank with Orlanth, making Orlanth our main deity.
Our clan’s earliest famous event was when Roitina, lady of dance, first performed the Clan-Making Dance.
During the Storm Age, we added strangers to our clan as thralls. Our worst enemies in those days were the beastmen.
We were originally a Balanced Clan.
At the Dawn, we first awakened Orlanth, the Father.
Our attitude toward dragons and their ilk was positive; we sought understanding between the two peoples and entered into their dragon knowledge.
1329
When we arrived in Dragon Pass, we claimed more land than we needed, to grow into. We built a clan hall, some steads, and a temple to Orlanth. But when we left Heortland, we lost much of our connection with the gods.
1330
Our seers predicted that the hunters would find little game this year.
A terrible plague struck our tula. We went to the temple of the Arnoring clan to sacrifice to Chalana Arroy, goddess of healing. The Arnoring elders said that we were no friends to them, and asked why we should be allowed to sacrifice at their temple. We reminded them that it was their religious duty to help the sick. They admitted that this was so, but seemed to dislike hearing it from us. Our god-talkers were disheartened, for the signs were bad; it was unlikely that Chalana Arroy had taken notice of our sacrifices. And indeed, the sick got sicker, and the healthy became ill. We propitiated Malia, goddess of disease. The god-talkers said that the sacrifice was a success; the dread goddess had received our gifts. Now that we had given to her once, she would expect us to keep doing it, they added. However costly our choice, it worked; soon the people were recovering from the plague.
We approached the Old Owl clan with an offer of peace. We offered them payment. They were pleased by our generosity, and we ended the feud.
We stole 40 cows from the Vostangi.
Someone killed some of our horses. We conducted a divination. The spirits of our ancestors said that this crime was committed by the Tanaharts. We made the claim before their clan ring. They denied that they had slain our horses. Perandal, who argued our case with them, thought they were telling the truth.
Outlaws stole sheep from us. We chased them, but they were either long gone, or were better at hiding than we were at searching.
A delegation of the clan’s leading women raised serious complaints against the job Natalina was doing as chief. When questioned, their spokeswoman admitted that they were supporters of Engarna. Natalina’s clever oration reaffirmed her right to rule.
Outlaws stole sheep from us again. Without pause, we pursued the criminals. Without mercy, we slew them.
Foul weather turned back our trading caravan bound for the Blue Jay clan.
Spirit-talkers showed up and asked if we needed anything from them. We told them to be on their way. The older spirit-talker said, “The strangest thing you will see is in a reflecting pool.”
1331
The god-talkers said we needed to learn one of UraldaÕs blessings.
Harvar spoke for the warriors when he said that they were stretched too thin, and that more fighters were needed. We sent Gordangar on a mission to find the best warriors available.
We chose to cease our sacrifices to Malia, goddess of disease.
Terasarin convinced the Blue Jays to create a new trading route.
Women from the Tanahart clan came to urge us to help them prosecute a feud against the Osgosi. We offered to make peace between the feuding clans. The women seemed offended. “Make peace with those detestable rodents? Don’t suggest such a thing, even in jest!” We refused them. They were unhappy, and said they would have to reconsider their friendship with us.
A terrible plague struck our tula. The god-talkers said this was because we had stopped sacrificing to Malia. We went to the temple of the Arnoring clan to sacrifice to Chalana Arroy, goddess of healing. The Arnoring 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.
We were raided by the Vostangi. Our forces eagerly followed the Burning Standard into battle. We were driven from the battlefield and looted. Luckily, the Burning Standard wasn’t consumed by the flames.
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.
Rastoron began the Storm Tribe heroquest. Rastoron was told by Ernalda to make a tribe, so that he could challenge the Emperor. But the Doubting Wheel rolled up and told Rastoron not to make a tribe. He tried to catch the Doubting Wheel in a net. When he threw a net over it, the Doubting Wheel shrank down and became a tiny thing, small enough for Rastoron to put in his purse. Rastoron found Yinkin, who said he would join the tribe if Rastoron could defeat the champions of the Plant Tribe. Rastoron fought both of them. He tore off the many feet of Rustling Veins, which gave it sustenance. He blunted the many swords of Sharp Green, which gave it power. The Plant Tribe was defeated, and Yinkin said that his Cat Clan would join the Storm Tribe, provided it finds a way to remember its good laws. Rastoron found the Knowing God trapped inside a great cube. He recited a poem about square things becoming round. The cube showed no signs of having heard the poem. He told the Knowing God to launch a legal claim against the cube. “Why, in all my life, I have never heard anything so utterly moronic!” sputtered Lhankor Mhy. Then the cube crumbled, and the Knowing God was caught short for a moment. Then he Knew. “The creatures of the Stone Tribe think they understand everything. When they find something they cannot figure out, they fall apart.” Lhankor Mhy agreed to make the Marks On Bark Clan part of the Storm Tribe, so long as this new tribe had fierce warriors. Rastoron found Vadrus, who had decided to fight Yinkin and his Cat Clan. Rastoron said, “If we had a tribe, you could punish him without hurting him.” “This is a very strange thing you say,” Vadrus mused, “but perhaps it has a ring of truth to it. I will seek a new foe, and may even attend this confederation moot of yours — so long as my right to punish upstart Yinkin is made clear to all.” Rastoron found more chieftains to bring their clans to the confederation moot, but when they got there, they fell to fighting, and blamed him for making contradictory promises. Ernalda brought him implements of tribal regalia. She brought the Chest of Torcs, with which he could gift the clan leaders. She brought the Hall of Understanding, where people would settle their differences by talking them out. She brought the Crown of Authority, which made people respect his sacral powers and pledge allegiance to him. Most of the clans agreed to make the tribe, but there were still some who were stubborn. Then warriors of the Night Tribe came and attacked the quarrelling clans. Rastoron led the fight against the Night People. Everyone banded together to fight these hungry enemies. After they defeated the night warriors, they acclaimed Rastoron as their king. Rastoron returned to the land of mortals, his quest successful. The god-talkers said that our next attempt to make a tribe would benefit from the favor of Orlanth.
Our scouts found a strange clan of beast folk who were like ducks.
We raided the Thunder Ducks. Our forces eagerly followed the Burning Standard into battle. Although we held the field, we weren’t able to take any captives. Luckily, the Burning Standard wasn’t consumed by the flames.
The Fire Quartz raided us for 13 cows while we were raiding.
1332
The god-talkers predicted that other clans would form bad opinions of us, no matter how generous we were.
Our cattle raid against the Vostangi was spotted. We drove the Vostangi off, and were happy to have survived the battle.
The thrall Penterest reported that the carl Harbard had been slain by a centaur. We composed a poem in honor of Harbard. Natalina’s poem was moving, and everyone said that Harbard’s spirit would be honored to hear it.
We raided the Thunder Ducks and eluded their patrols. The land spirits of the Thunder Duck tula were so hostile to our warriors that we decided to withdraw.
The Eagles raided us for 17 cows while we were raiding.
We were raided by the Osgosi. Our forces eagerly followed the Burning Standard into battle. Although we held the field, we weren’t able to take any captives. Luckily, the Burning Standard wasn’t consumed by the flames.
The warriors refused to raid the Osgosi during Earth season.
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.
We were unable to conduct a raid against the Osgosi due to a winter storm.
Elmalandti, a hunter of the Old Owl clan asked permission to hunt a great white stag on our land. We gave him the permission he sought. He did not catch the stag, but thanked us for allowing him to try. He swore he would catch it one day.
We were raided by the Vostangi. Our forces eagerly followed the Burning Standard into battle. Although we held the field, we weren’t able to take any captives. Luckily, the Burning Standard wasn’t consumed by the flames.
1333
The god-talkers said we should explore distant parts of Dragon Pass this year.
Orlaront, a warrior of the Fire Quartz clan, returned the young girl Karendra, who had run away from us, claiming to be an orphan, and seeking adoption into their clan. We told Orlaront that we owed his clan a favor. “Slights make war, but favors make peace,” he responded. “Your words are generous, and I am honored to accept them.”
The Thunder Ducks refused our request for tribute and insulted our emissary.
Outlaws attacked our exploration party in the south. Terasarin blustered and shouted at the outlaws, driving them off.
We raided the Thunder Ducks and eluded their patrols. We took 28 captives from the Thunder Ducks. The Grey Net helped us capturing prisoners.
We were able to ransom the prisoners.
We were raided by the horse nomads. We were driven from the battlefield and looted.
While clearing a patch of forest, Rostakos was injured by an unseen archer. To find who had done this, we performed an augury. We saw patterns in the entrails. First, a seed. Then, a stalk. Then, a man. Then, a man with an arrow. This meant the attacker was one of the plant people called Aldryami, or elves. We thought there might be a curse on Rostakos, and tried to lift it. After the spell was cast, we saw no further signs of a curse.
Someone killed some of our horses. We made the claim before their clan ring. They denied that they had slain our horses. Perandal, who argued our case with them, thought they were lying.
The beast folk army came, and almost everyone died. Almost everything was taken from us. Everyone quickly packed up, said their farewells, and left. Many farmers had kin nearby, and so obtained entry into the 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.
The Orlmarthi looked like the best new home for Iskalli, who quickly established himself there. Perandal 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. The rest of the ring found brief haven among the Vostangi 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 Blue Spruce.”
Also you apparently can't enslave bestmen which was the only reason I kept raiding the ducks anyway.
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Topic: Let's Play King of Dragon Pass | We're not dead yet (Read 19382 times)