Play@YSDC

Yuralria rose suddenly from her bed and sat straight up. It was evening and late at that. The sun rose at 7 and set at noon this late into the Moon god's reign over the skies. Yuralria did not enjoy the moonlight like most women in her tribe. Anningan was cruel and Yuralria would spend as little time as she had to outside of her hut.

Everything seemed to be in its proper palce. Her masks still hung from carefully weaved twine hooks, her potions and herbs seemed undisturbed, her arrows she had been enchanting for tommorrow's hunt, still lay soaking in the ice bowl she had carved last night and filled with cariboo blood. Everything was in order.

Still the entire room and all its contents seemed to glow faintly as if someone had bathed all her possessions in sunlight and then placed them in the darkness to dry. The glow had healing properties and Yuralria knew it to be harmless. There was something vaguely familiar about the glow and Yuralria thought back on long talks she had had with her former teacher and friend before she was driven out of the village. They had spoken of visions and Yurlaria had had them before, but nothing like this.

Yuralria rubbed the sleep from her eyes with one hand, and yawned. Alornerk shifted suddenly at her movements and rolled over onto her elbows to look at Yuralria with tail wagging, and tongue lolling out happily. Yuralria laughed at the sight of her, as she always did when Alornerk cheered her up, and scratched her behind the ears. "Did you have a good rest?" she asked her, then stood from her bed and whistled softly to let her out of the hut. She stood by the door, watching Alornerk bounce happily through the snow, and Yuralria's watchful eyes swept over the rest of the huts, searching for any sign of movement.

The moonlight always gave her chills. She left the doorway and began to inspect her arrowheads. What was this strange glow in the room? What happened while I was sleeping?

Yuralria looks outside into her village and is overwhelmed by a powerful sense of reflection.

Everything seems quiet enough for the time of night. Everyone is resting up for the big day. Tomorrow, Yuralria must perform her first hunting ceremony. She will dive down into the ocean and comb Sedna's hair. In exchange for Yuralria's kindess, the godess of eternal sorrow will grant prosperity to Yuralria's chosen hunters. Yuralria already has a few good Dorset men in mind, worthy of Sedna's blessing.

Everything seems quiet and abstract. Yuralria finds her mind wandering to other important matters as she closely inspects the true nature of her village. Aglakti , had taken Sedna's spear and there was nothing Yuralria could say to make her return it. It was, after all, a gift from Sedna, or so she said it was, so Yuralria could not blame Aglakti for keeping it. Besides that, the village seemed to be outlined in a strange light as if each hut just barely covered a glorious sun . Alornerk bounced out the doorway and back into the snow, leaving simalar eclipse like foot prints of light where he walked. Alornek looks back at Yuralria quizically and then darts into a neighbours hut.

It was so quiet, Yuralria could narely hear Alornek barking.

ooc- Roll Inuit mythos check

[O.C. Mythos check (60) rolled 45]


Yuralria takes a deep breath and holds it for a moment, hoping to calm the feeling that her head was swimming and nerves were on edge. Grant me peace and serenity from these feelings of iniquity...... She knows she can perform the age old ceremony. However after Aglakti left, she'd felt a certain unsureness in her own capabilities as Shaman. Aglakti was so brazen and fearless....she felt frustrated that she couldn't put on the same airs.

She stares peacefully out the door again, the moonlight casting it's glow on everything it touched, and she shivered at the thought of Anningan watching her. She looks closer at the hut that Alornerk had darted into, and whistled. She could hear her barking, but wondered what she'd found of such interest. That dog would find anything of curiousity...she'd bark at a leaf blowing if she could....but for some reason it seemed like something more than that. Yuralria looked up at the moon again, and sighed. Alornerk knew her better than anyone.....she knew she hated to leave her hut in the moonlight. But what had she found?

The hollow silence dampens the sound of Alornerk's barking. The hut that Yuralria's faithful pet darted into shakes suddenly as if an earthquake had targeted the single structure. The hut shakes for a long moment and then stops. The faint glow surrounding the hut grows dark as Alornerk darts back out into the snow. Time seems to take a backseat to delusion as Alornek darts back into the snow a second time. Yurlaria recognizes the slowness and hollow quiet of the dream world... she is not truly awake but can't shake the sickening feeling that everything is very real.

ooc : spot hidden

[O.C. Spot hidden 25%, rolled 28 ]

Yuralria's hair feels like it is standing on end as she watches the hut rumble and shake with Alornerk inside. This was not like her to be so rambunctious...and part of her felt like running after to find out what the trouble was. She lurked in the doorway and was relieved to see Alornerk reappear from the hut.

She whistled again. "What is it Alornerk?" The quiet grogginess of the dream world caused her to sink to her knees for a moment, as it always made her feel lightheaded.

She watches everything closely, looking for the source of this strange phenomenon.

When Yuralria speaks, she can hardly hear herself call her faithful pet. It sounds like she is speaking underwater from across the room and Alornerk pays her no mind.

The hut begins to shake again and continues to shake. Alornerk runs inside Yuralria's hut and hides behind her, covering her nose with her two front paws. Yuralria continues to watch as the hut shakes more and more violently. Yuralria is certain she can hear a man screaming through the thick silence. He must be screaming very loud to penetrate the the intense quiet hanging over everything like a wet blanket.

Then suddenly the furs covering the doorway part and a beautiful woman carrying a shiny water jug steps out into the snow. She has long hair the color of the sun and her skin was white as the snow. The woman looks over at Yuralria and smiles. She dumps liquid from the jug out into the snow and then slowly walks back inside the hut. Soon after, the shaking stops.

Yuralria stays crouched, watching the strange white woman silently. This is most distressing....why is the earth shaking? Is this a sign of misfortune to come? And this woman....she is most different from us....where did she come from?

She watches her walk away and her thoughts move quickly. Aglakti! Where has she gone?! Has she stirred up trouble for us by taking Sedna's spear? Am I doomed to try to calm Sedna after such a heinous act? Sedna will be most disturbed.....

Yuralria thinks of the man screaming, and her heart aches to find out if her fellow village dweller is alright. He may need help..... She looks out at the moonlight in fear, then steps out of her hut for a moment to start across the clearing. Alornerk stays in the hut for a moment and whines. She whistles softly, and yet still she doesn't move.

She sets out across the clearing to inspect the spot where the woman dumped the contents of the jug. Her heart beats quicker and her palms begin to sweat. The moonlight seemed to sear her very flesh.

Yuralria moves quickly across the village path and reaches the snow bank where the mysterious pale faced woman emptied her jug. Yuralria could feel Anningan's touch on her as she bends over to inspect the spill. It had a pleading quality that made Yuralria very uncomfortable.

ooc Sanity check 0/1

The liquid had already hardened on the snowbank like sap. It was black yet seemed to have a reddish swirl mixed throughout it. Everything was quiet.

Alornerk takes an interest in the bizarre frozen liquid and sniffs curiously at it.

Yuralria takes a bowl from her cloak and puts a tiny bit in it. Strange....what is this? She sniffs it gingerly, not wanting to come too close at first, then looks at Alornerk sniffing it as well. She puts a finger in it and rubs it between two fingers, feeling the texture.

Who was this pale faced woman? And what did she pour on the ground? It was unlike blood....very thick. Finally the moonlight's pleading nature was too much for her to bear....and she looked around the clearing to see if there was any sign of the woman with long, sunshine colored hair.

Yuralria heads to the hut the woman came from, skulking under the gaps in the wooden structure, and standing just outside to listen.

[O.C. Failed the listen roll...rolled 56, listen skill is 35]

OOC - Sanity 0/1 (Your previous Sanity check for the creepy Anningan vibe)

OOC - Potions check

OOC - CON check 1d20

OOC - Inuit Mythos check

OOC - Luck check

Check?

OOC Sanity check 29 (80)

Potions check 88 (20)

Constitution check 12 (13)

Inuit Mythos check 56 (60)

Luck check 79 (70)

First number is the roll, inside () is directly from the character sheets.

Yuralria rubs the liquid between her fingers. The stink is incredible and vaguely familiar. She pushes the thought out of her mind and slowly approaches the hut. She can feel the weight of Anningan, pushing her to the snow but she resists. Pulling herself up, she stumbles to the hut and thrusts herself through the furs blocking the entrance and into the hut, escaping the moon's hate filled advances.

The scene before her is so bizarre, Yuralria can barely keep her eyes open.

The hut opens up into a large cave with ornately decorated furniture and tapestries depicting all sorts of epic sceneries. White men with glowing weapons battling giants of all shapes and sizes. Men and women wearing the most beautifully covered clothing dine and raise their glasses to a great white bearded chief sitting atop a throne as bright as the sun. Two ravens perch on either shoulder of the wise looking leader of men. Another tapestry depicts a more terrible fate for the white bearded chief. A huge black wolf feast on the chief's inards while he lies dead on the battlefield.

Flowers in intriquately designed crystal vases sit in every nook and cranny of the cave. Flower petals litter the floor. It is the most beautiful place Yuralria had ever seen. Only the twisted nature of the rooms's center piece distracted from the sheer briallance of decor and history the cave had to offer.

Chained to a stone table was a slender naked man with that same ghostly white skin. Above him, hung a snake as wide as three men, coiled around the thickest roots of a tree protruding through the celing of the cave. The snakes mouth was strapped in a peculiar looking harness, it's mouth opened as wide as possible. A bar pressed up against the snakes fangs, dripping poison slowly but continuously from his toothy maw. The white skinned woman with hair like the sun held the jug over the slender man, collecting the poison before it fell.
Yuralria was sure that the poison would land in the white man's mouth if the white skinned woman were not holding the jug with such discipline.



The white skinned woman looks over at Yuralria and in a language not her own. but perfectly clear and poised, speaks out to her in a calm and soothing voice.

I'm glad you decided to join us. Please come in.

Yuralria enters slowly, wide-eyed. This was by far the most outlandish spirit walk she'd ever been on. Part of her was entirely overwhelmed, the other part was hopelessly consumed by her own curiousity.

Yuralria walks into the room, eyes locked on the man under the snake. She silently watches the poison drip into the jug, eyes sweeping the room in quiet memorization. The details would be important...they may be clues in the future. Her heart beat so loudly she was sure the entire room could hear it. It was like a song....an ornate drum song to which she would have to dance one day.

Yuralria's eyes finally flicker to the pale faced woman, and she doesn't smile or change her expression in any way. Fear is too present in her eyes to change her features from it's bewildered appearance. She nods ever so slightly to the woman's words, and replies, "Yes. I am Yuralria. " She pauses for a moment, watching another drip fall, and the woman catch it, then furrows her brow in confusion. The woman's words ring in her ears, "You are strangers, yet you speak the language of my home?"

All language is the same here child! We speak with our hearts, not our minds.

The pale skinned woman smiles and continues to hold the jug over the naked man's mouth. She sighs deep, obviously frustrated with her duties.

Yuralria takes in all the images of the scantily clad pale faced men and women and monsters and giants and dwarves..... She tries to remember them all ..... She made need them... Her life may................

Yuralria stumbles again. All the images continuously flash in front of her eyes. She cannot shut them out. Yuralria isn't sure if she is lying down or hanging from the ceiling of the cave. The images pile on top of each other, engraving themselves into Yuralria's memory. The images themselves have no context for Yuralria but she is saddened to her core by a great number of them. They appear in her mind's eye and her heart over and over and over again until Yuralria feels as if she might just go mad.




Until they suddenly stop. Yuralria vomits on the rocky cave floor. The pale skinned woman smiles, amused at Yuralria's inexperiece in this place.




Careful what you wish for in this place Yuralria. Such a beautiful name.... Yuralria!

Yuralria is on her hands and knees, head down after having vomited, the pictures still engrained in her eyes as though burned there. She tries to stand but her knees are still weak. Her elbows buckle and she falls again.

"I have seen a serpent. This same image of you with the jug, and him under the serpent. Why?" she asks, looking up at the pale faced woman with tears in her eyes. Her mind reels and her heart aches. Would these terrible images come true? The pictures were all pale faced people just like this woman and man. Terrible pictures her heart and mind couldn't process.....

ooc - Sanity check 1/3 (For the images)

The pale faced woman, still holding the jug over the man's mouth, stares at the picture of the snake and frowns.



Childish pigs. They think they are so clever. They are just jealous of my Loki. They think they can hold us here for eternity. They are wrong...

The pale faced man tied tightly to the stone slab stirs. Yuralria looks closely at his bonds. They have a fleshy quality to them. Like the intestines of an animal.

Unable to move his head in the slightest, his eyes widen and he looks at Yuralria. He doesn't say a word. A tear streaks down his cheek as his eyes dart from Yuralria to the pale faced woman and then bcak to Yuralria again.

The pale faced woman gently strokes his cheek, it is obvious to Yuralria that she loves him very much.

Be at peace my love. She will not harm you.

The pale faced woman looks back at Yuralria and smiles a sad sort of smile reserved soley for widows and women with dead children thick on their minds.

Loki cannot speak so soon after drinking the venom. I'm afraid he has screamed himself hoarse.

[O.C. Sanity roll 24 (80) pass]

Yuralria is silent for a moment, watching Loki in his misery. Then she stammers out her reply, "You drink the venom of the great serpent? It is poison! You will not survive!"

She rises to her knees and looks at the pale faced woman in distress. "I have a ritual.....you.....you must allow me to perform this.....he will die if I do not!"

Yuralria is unsure of her own ability all of a sudden and reality as a whole for that matter. Was she awake or dreaming? Who were these people, and how could this man drink from the great serpent and live? It sounded to her as though he'd done it before...how? And why was this just accepted as a commonplace occurence?

Yuralria's head spins again, and she looks at the pale faced woman, confused. "You are prisoners here?"she asks finally.

The pale faced woman smiles at Yuralria when she ask to help Loki.

Your gods have no power in this place. I can feel you reaching to them. Your mind must be strong to suspend your beliefs so far from your home. I could feel your pain as you walked in the moonlight. I can assure you, however this......

The pale faced woman concentrates on Yuralria. She pauses and closes her eyes...

Anningan....... your moon god does not know you are here. The pain was all in your mind or your heart..... I assume a woman such as yourself knows by now there is no difference.

Yuralria looks confused, then begins to shake her head. "Anningan.....he.....no." Yuralria looks at the floor, a look of confusion and frustration clouding her pretty features. "There is no place he can't see me, all that the moonlight touches, he sees." She looks at the woman curiously then, as though something may have occured to her. "Unless we are......" she pauses for a moment, in quiet reflection, staring deep into the pale faced woman's eyes. "I am not far from my home. You are in a hut in my village." She raises a weak hand to her mouth, trying to calm the rising nerves and turmoil causing her stomach to churn. "Unless....." she motions with one hand to the woman, in a plea for her to elaborate.

The pale faced woman stares at Yuralria again for a moment with that same sort of blind focus.

No dear... this is not the spirit world either. Or not the spirit world as you know it. I am fascinated by your reserve child. It is far to difficult for me to explain. Please come and sit.

She motions for Yuralria to sit on some decorated pillows close to her.

Yuralria goes to sit next to the pale faced woman and makes herself comfortable on the pillows. What a strange place....the decorations are so ornate...not like home at all....where is the hide skin rug and furs like I have in my hut? She must be right...this is a strange place....a different place.....

Yuralria quietly waits for the woman to begin to speak. Clearly there is much to be learned from her.

I am Sigyn, wife to Loki. This poor soul beneath me.

Loki stares into Yuralria's eyes intently. Yuralria is instantly charmed by the handsome pale faced Loki.

He cannot speak so soon after tasting the venom. It will be some time before he can speak again.

Sigyn wipes a drip of the excess snake venom from Loki's cheek.

So tell me Yuralria Which gods do your people show penitence to.

Yuralria looks at the woman cautiously. Why has she called me here? What does she want to know from me? Why does she ask about our gods?

Yuralria takes a moment to think before answering. "Sedna is a god we worship much. The god of the sea. All blessings of fish and whale come from her..." Her voice trails off thoughtfully.

"Why are you here? In my village?" she asks.

A better question might be... why are you here in my husband's cave?

Sigyn smiles at Yuralria.

There is some tea boiling in the kettle on the fire. Would you please pour us a cup. I also have some fruit and breads you might enjoy. Something from my homeland. I am quite certain you wil enjoy it.

A whistle of steam startles Yuralria. She looks to her left and spots a roaring fire with a steaming kettle atop it where none was there before. Just to the left of the fire is a reed woven basket with fruits and breads the like Yuralria has never seen before on the island.

Yuralria rises to fetch the tea, and scratches her head thoughtfully. Have I seen this here before? I don't think so....it wasn't there when I first entered was it?

She brings the cups back with her, along with the basket, and sits again, taking a moment to get comfortable with the hot tea in her hand. She looks through the basket cautiously, sniffing the biscuits when the pale faced woman's head is turned, and licks the one timidly. She sets it down. Better to know who these people are first...

For some reason, I have been summoned. There must be something I need to learn from you. The gods would not send me otherwise. Perhaps it is Anningan...does he wish vengeance?

"Where is your homeland?" Yuralria finally asks, giving the biscuit a ginger bite.

The bread tastes amazing. So soft and wonderful to the tongue. A knife rests in the basket along with 5 beautifully colored red apples.



Would you please slice me a piece of apple Yuralria? The red fruit.

Sigyn thinks for a long moment and then answers Yuralria's question.

My homeland..... It has been so long.... It is far from hear. The Yggdrasill grows tall and my home lies in it's brances.

Sigyn looks at Yuralria trying desperately to understand. She smiles and continues, albeit at a much slower and somewhat insulting pace.

Imagine a tree that stetches from the deepest ocean to the tallest reaches of the heavens. Now imagine that same tree were the size of a man. We would be living in its stomach. Hee Hee. I used to live with all the others on its top in the great kingdom of Asgard. Your god Sedna, I'm afraid, lives at its feet. I do not think she enjoys it there, but such is her fate and mine for that matter.

Yuralria slices the apple as she listens, deftly trying to use the strange, shiny object. It was made of a strange substance. Not stone, nor ice, nor anything she'd seen, really. She lifted it up to inspect it for a moment, and sees her reflection shine back at her, then lowers it, shocked, but trying not to look as flabbergasted as she feels.

A tree....Yuralria takes a moment to let the information wash over here. Finally, she looks over at Sigyn with eyes widened with realization.

"You are a god?" she asks incredulously. "And your husband also?"

She offers her a couple slices of cut apple as she says it.

Sigyn takes the slices of apple and gently places them in Loki's mouth. She whispers soothingly to him.



Chew my love. This will return your strength.

Sigyn then returns her attention to Yuralria.

A god? No... Not I.... Loki would beg to differ... bless his heart. He would berate me for even speaking to you, but who am I to judge a neighbour come calling. I'm sure there is something in the Eddas about that little no no.

Sigyn focuses hard on Yuralria for another short moment and then returns her attention to Loki and the jug of poison.

ooc - Inuit Mythos check please

Inuit Mythos passed

"Well, thank you.....for inviting me in." Yuralria says weakly, watching her husband again writhing under his holds. She takes another bite of the bread, curiously now as it tasted very good, but was so different from anything she'd tried.

"S..So....you are more like Sedna? Living at the feet? And what of our gods, Malina and Anningan? They are very powerful gods, certainly!"

Yuralria's head spins. Sedna....not very powerful?! Blasphemy!

Sigyn smiles seemingly reading Yuralria's thoughts.

The bottom is not what you think Yuralria, daughter of the snow. Sedna is simply not where she wishes to be as am I. Malina and Aningan are as you think of them. Powerful as the sun and sinister as the moon. I know of them.... and love them.... but not as you do child.

Sigyn changes hands holding the jug and stretches her now free arm. She sighs deep.

Your love for them is much different than mine.

[O.C. Does Yuralria know what the 'Eddas' are? I assume not....]

"So, you are like me? A helper for the gods?" Yuralria watches her hold the jug, and feels sorry for the woman and her seemingly endless plight.

"How long has he been like this? Under the great serpeant I mean?"

It would only further confuse you if I told you Yuiralria. We have been here a long time. At times, it's all I can remember.

Sigyn smiles that same smile. Yuralria begins to recognize the look as the same she would give a child asking questions that there are no simple answers for. "Why the the Quallipuk steal the children" Sure enough there is an answer for that dreadful question but Yuralria would spare the child the truth to protect whatever innocence the child has left.

Sigyn continues.

As for helping the gods. Ha! I wouldn't help them out of a gunny sac. They are cruel and without a sense of humor. Not like my Loki here.

Sigyn looks down into Loki's eyes and then back to Yuralria.

So how did you find this place? We have not had a visitor in some time. and never one so....... mortal.

Yuralria looks at Loki with an expression of sudden recognition. He is a god.....not one of ours...but still. Anningan knows him. Malina knows him. Sedna knows him. What will he say about me???

Yuralria is speechless for a moment, and can only stammer an incomprehensible "Uh......" Somehow it seemed, the weight of the world depended on what she said next. Suddenly all of her recent behaviour came running to mind. She had to evaluate it, analyze it. Did she do the right thing? Were they happy with me hear? Did I ask too many questions? Did I sound stupid?

Yuralria looks at the floor, deep in thought, wondering how Anningan would react the next time the moonlight touched her. How would Sedna react tomorrow during her dive? What if they were angry with her for being here? For speaking to Loki and Sigyn? What if they judged her for it? Perhaps it was unfitting....sitting here eating sweets and drinking tea. It's blasphemous!!!

Yuralria stands slowly, and falls to her knees. "I must pay my respects" she utters softly.

Tell Anningan and Malina I'm sorry....I did not know....do not bring judgement on my people for my lack of respect....do not bring judgement.....I did not know.....I was a fool.....please forgive me.....

Sigyn holds a hand out and gently touches Yuralria's head as as she kneels before her gods. For just a moment, Yuralria has a feeling she could crush her head like a boisenberry..

I told you Yuralria... your gods cannot hear you in this place. Nor will they hold you responsible for your participation in what's to come. Continue if you wish... I will not hold it against you.

Sigyn slices off another piece of apple and feeds it to Loki. She waits patiently for Yuralria to finish.

Yuralria looks confused, and stands, embarassed.

"My participation in what is to come?" she asks, her eyes slightly narrowed as though she wasn't fully understanding, and suddenly had suspicions of what the woman's intentions were.

Sigyn nods.

Yes Yuralria. Something grand is happening here on this island. Perhaps if everything proceeds as written, even Loki will finally be freed. There is strength in your people..... Strength that has been passed down from your gods since the beginning. You will need that strength if you are to survive the coming trials. There is much I can teach you Yuralria of the Dorset and the Thule.... daughter of Sedna.

"Trials? There are trials coming our way? Of what sort?"

Yuralria can't quite make heads or tails of everything this woman tells her, but she knows one thing....freeing Loki would likely start something difficult. A trial in itself. Clearly there was a reason he was bound to a rock under fleshy holds?

I have a book of prophecy you'd be most interested in Yuralria. It explains everything. What you must do and when you must do it. Your people depend on you Yuralria for much more than you think.

It's over on the bookshelf. If you'll just hold the jug for a moment, I'll show you. Careful not to let any of the poison drip onto my Loki. He'd likely tear the whole island to pieces with his shaking. A steady hand.....

Sigyn hands Yuralria the partially filled jug of poison.

Don't be frightened....

Yuralria takes the jug warily, watching the drip in fascination and doing her best to keep her hand steady.

She tries not to watch Sigyn get the book. Careful to watch the drip.....don't look at her...keep looking at the drip....don't look at Loki....no don't......drip........drip.......

Prophecy of things to come....how will I explain this to the Chief? He'll swear I'm mad....

Sigyn walks a few steps away from Yuralria and begins to search her book shelf. She selects a on old arcane looking text and then smiles back at Yuralria.




Ah here it is. The Older Eddas!


She brings the book back to Yuralria and gently pries the jug of deadly poison from her fingers. She takes up her usual vigil and prompts Yuralria to sit back down and open the book. Yuralria is surprised that she can read it util she remebers what Sygun said.

"Language has no meaning in this palce."

Yuralria reads on...

First there was nothing, only a big black hole. From the north cold winds was blowing and from the south a glowing heat. In the black hole Ymer lived with his cow. Every day Ymer drank his hunger away from the cow´s milk. One day the cow licked on some salt stones that the ice had pushed to the surface and a man was created. He got the name Bure and all Gods comes from him.
Bures grandchildren Odin, Vile, Sanna and Ve killed Ymer and from his body they created the world. From Ymer´s flesh the earth was created, his bones became the mountains, his hair the forests, his skull was the sky, his brain is the clouds and his blood became the ocean. Odin created the wind by putting a giant in the shape of an eagle at the end of the world. There he would use his wings to eternity.

As Yuralria finishes the passage, the words begin to get blurry. She hears a terrible growling.

Yuralria looks up, terrified, to see what might be making the noise.

The words spin tumultuously in her head. What is a cow? Perhaps like a dog? What does one look like?

She takes a quick survey of the room again.

The room does not change but the growling gets louder. Sigyn tilts her head slightly and closes her eyes, concentrating her focus on something....




Something has followed you here Yuralria. Something from your world..... For good or for evil I do not know. It does not want you to the read the Eddas.... There is something hidden. I'm afraid our time is finished Yurlaria. You are always welcome in my....

The growling was so deep and close now that Yuralria could no longer hear Sigyn's words as she continued to speak. A sudden realization hits her.... She is vulnerable in the spirit world away from her own hut. Aglakti taught her that much. If this was indeed the spirit world, she was in terrible danger. Yuralria's hut provided protection from all sorts of astral projections and magical creatures that might wish her harm during her dream travels. It would take a powerful spirit to enter her hut and break down her protective walls. She wasn't in her hut though. She was in Sigyn's house or Loki's..... Yuralria was still unclear.

One thing she did know. This creature could walk right into Sigyn's cave if it wished and carry Yuralria off into the night if she wasn't strong enough.

Yuralria stands, clutching the book, and begins to walk to the door.

"Thank you for everything" she says to Sigyn, before leaving the hut.

Yuralria can barely hear herself speaking when she says her farewells to Sigyn. She definitely hears no reply.

The growling is so intense now it feels as if it is right outside the door. Yuralria leaves with the book and walks out into the snow. She parts the furs and is back in her village. It is still dark and Yuralria can see her shaman's hut just a few huts down the path. All is quiet and the night air chills her to the bone. Alornerk runs up and licks at Yuralria's face. Their reunion is short lived as a roar echoes throughout the village. A giant shadow of a bear steps onto the path between Yuralria and the shaman's hut, it's growling so loud, it shakes the very ground beneath her.

Yuralria continues towards her hut, feeling quite upset. If only I could use my spellbook....I should have known the dangers...

If the bear spirit moves at her, she dodges.

The bear stands in the middle of the path, blocking Yuralria's way. When Yuralria continues towards it, the giant shadow stands up on two legs and roars at Yuralria. It sounds like nothing she had ever heard before. She can feel the hot wind on her face as the bear roars. It sounds like a thousand bones being dragged over the hollowed out rib cage of a whale while a polar bear cries out from within.

ooc- Sanity check please : 1/1d6

(all rolls must say Yuralria under name (I think you usually put it there but just so we're both clear)

[O.C. No sanity lost]

"What do you want from me?" she cries out at the massive bear, shielding her face for a moment from his hot breath.

Is it Aglakti? This bear was haunting her...now it is here before me? Is she still alive?

The giant shadow of a bear lifted one of it's clawed paws into the air as Yuralria asked her question.

Yuralria could see the bear much more clearly now. The bear wasn't a shadow at all, rather the shadow clung to the bear like a second unwanted skin, creeping and writhing inside and around the poor creature. She could see the bear's fur, coarse and straight and she could see the shadow feelings its way for control of every strand. She could see the bear's eyes, a capillary filled twisted nightmare, glaring at nothing of their own choosing. As Yuralria moved even the slightest, the shadow shifted to compensate. The dark unearthly shadow was always just behind everything. Yuralria had a strange connection to this place and she could tell the bear was now so unlike a bear that it broke her heart to see the bear straining for some tiny piece of control. A flash of pink tongue through the shadow that swallowed its maw. A thin stream of mucus running from its cracked nose offering some sign that the bear was attempting to fight this terrible infection. The signs were there, but Yuralria knew the bear could not win this fight alone.

When the bears paw finally came thundering down for Yuralria, she was not surprised to see the shadow proceed the bear.

Yuralria was quick and on this plane of existence, facing this terrible danger, she felt stronger now than ever before. The shadow bear's claw fell short as Yuralria dove into the snow.

[O.C. Initiative ]

Yuralria scrambles out of the way, and stands.

She begins to walk backwards, headed back the way she came, towards Sigyn's hut.

She keeps a watchful eye on the bear as she goes.

The dark bear crouches down and begins stalking Yuralria his blood shot eyes following hers as she backs away. Yuralria backs up about 15ft and then the bear lunges forward into a ferocious charge.

Yuralria turns and runs as fast as she can. She dodges the bear's first lunge and screams as she runs.

"EEEEEEEAAAAAAAGH!"

The bear catches Yuralria as she reaches the half way mark to Sigyn's hut. He swats at her feet trying to knock her to the ground but Yuralria stays one step ahead of the great black bear jumping the mighty paws of the beast.

Almost there.

The shadow bear is relentless and continues the pusuit, snarling like some crazed wolf, gaining speed with each stride forward. Each growl echoes through Yuralria's mind striking fear and desperation into her heart.

Oh no....is it the end for me?
No wonder Aglakti left....the bear is horrible!

She beelines for the hut, running as fast as she can. She tries to dodgethe bears claws, this time with less luck.

The giant bear, hot on Yuralria's heels, tries to swat Yuralria to the ground a second time.

The bear catches wefoot and she tumbles face first into the snow at the edge of Sigyn's tent. The claw dug deep into Yuralria's heel but draws no blood. Yuralria feels a draining sensation in her leg. Her foot immediately goes numb.

ooc - Yurtalria loses 2 Magic Points.

The bear now stands over Yuralria snarling. It's breath is foul, like rotting flesh and it's low glutteral growls still remind Yuralria of that hollow bone on bone clicking sound. It raises its paw for a killing strike.

ooc - roll another dodge and if successful, tell me what you do.

What? huh? why is there just a inv castle roll there?

don't worry I'll edit this post when you tell me wtf....

That was your dodge roll. WHen you sent me the pm you didn't leave a space between the : and the roll link sio I had to copy it and post it again. You dodge then I guess eh?

Yuralria sprints to Sigyn's hut and the bear's shadowy claws reach for their next meal right behind her. She dived through the skins covering the hut as the bear skidded past her. Expecting Sigyn and her wondrous shiny tools, Yuralria found only a fresh seal roasting over an open fire. A cariboo skin rug lay on the floor. A hunter's carving set lay scattered near a woven stool. A Dorset couple lay sleeping on top of their layered bed. They did not wake as Yuralria knocked over their house pot, still stinking of urine. Nor did they wake as the Bear roared it's mad frustration just outside.

Yuralria tries to be extra quiet so as not to wake them. The stench of urine fills the air, and she wrinkles her nose in revile. She skulks over to the carving set, picking up the pointiest object there is, and grips it tight. Perhaps there's another way out....

Yuralria looks to see if there is a window or back entrance she can sneak through.

Yuralria quickly finds a skinning axe near the fire. (A long sharpened stone used for separating blubber from beast. ) There are no exits or windows in Dorset huts. The walls are hide and mounted atop the snowy ground with driftwood spikes.

ooc - Yuralria Idea check : pass

With some effort, Yuralria believes she could crawl underneath the hideskin wall, but she would risk getting stuck. She could slice her way through but that might take time, depending how sharp the cutting axe was. Yuralria quickly and silently makes her way to the back wall of the hut to inspect her chances.

Yuralria turns to see the shadow bear part the hides to the hut. It squeezes it's way through and roars a deafening angry howl. Bits of rotting flesh and colonies of maggots fly from the dark recesses of the creatures mouth. They stick to her skin like wet scales. The smell is unbearable. The maggots wriggle and writhe in Yuralria's hair. There are hundreds of them all looking for some sort of shelter. Some quickly find their way under Yuralria's clothes and their chaotic probing is disturbing to say the least.

Sanity check: 0/2

There is no time for Yuralria to lose her mind. The shadow bear, still growling that low clicking bone on bone sound, enters the hut and moves in on her cornered prey.

ooc - Init 1 more time as well. (1d10 - if you beat a 16 you go first)
ooc - Post what your character does in 5 seconds. If you attack roll to strike. (Base 15% for the skinning axe. It does 1d4+1 damage.) If you dodge again, roll to dodge.

If you are going to run. You have three options.

1) Run past the bear. If the bear successfully grapples you. You will not be able to slip past him.
2) Slide underneath the hut wall.
3) Slice open the wall.

[O.C.Initiative 18, Sanity check passed]

Yuralria panics, and dives for the floor, wriggling her way under the hide wall. She still grips the stone tightly.

ooc - roll a luck check.

ooc - roll a dodge check

ooc - roll a DEX x5 check

[O.C. Luck, Dex, dodge]

Yuralria pockets the stone and tries her best to wriggle under the tent wall. She clutches the large book tightly.

The bear pounces after Yuralria and in his fury steps on the fire. He cries out in terrible anguish as Yuralria escapes under the tent wall. Sigyn's book slides out from under her clothes as she crawls under the tent to escape the nightmare shadow of the bear. Yuralria can see the bear through the tent wall as the fire now begins to blaze out of control inside the hut. The bear howls again as the shadow attempts to quench the flames now threatening to engulf the bear. Still the shadow pushes the bear forward towards Yuralria. Yuralria looks back for the book. Sigyn's book lay just inside the tent. Her freedom... just down the path.

Yuralria pauses, torn between running and going back for the book.

Finally she bolts full out to her tent, her hot breath clouding outside her mouth.

Darn it! The book!

Yuralria tears down the path. As she rounds Sign's tent, she see the shadow bear come barreling through the tent wall. The tent set ablaze by the firey inferno that was the bear . It roared in pain and Yuralria could sense Anningan smiling down at her discomfort, hoping she trips or just gives up so the bear would take her and he could watch. The spirit world was hers once more. Sigyn and her crazy gods had left her dream world but now she had Aglakti's bear to deal with.

Yuralria ran down the path and finally reached her tent. The bear tried desperately to catch her but Yuralria was too quick. The bear stuck it's burning smokig nose into Yuralria's tent and then recoiled in pain and agony. The bear ran back down the path burning and howling, swearing revenge on poor Yuralria's soul.

Alornerk sat upright on her bed and began to bark furiously at Yuralria for no reason at all.

Yuralria sits down on her bed, her chest heaving and tears streaming down her cheeks. She tries to comfort Alornerk, but to no use. Instead she just lets her bark, feeling lonelier than ever and disappointed in herself for dropping the book.

This would be a terrible fate brought on her people. Clearly there was something in the book of use, that her people needed. Now she would have to disappoint them all.

She sinks down into the furs and hides her head in her hands. Perhaps it is not burnt entirely. Perhaps there will be pieces of the book still that can be saved....

Alornek continues barking as Yuralria sobs for her loss. Yuralria then looks up and Alornek is suddenly at her door barking outside. It is light outside and she knows she has left the dream world. The words of Sigyn echoe in her mind.

You may come back!

Yuralria pulls the covers from around her and sits up.

A foot steps past Alornek and parts her hide drapings over her door. Alornek growls and then licks the man's hand, recognizing him immediately. It's Maniitok and his face is carved with fear and concern.




Shaman! We found a man. His skin was white as the snow!

Yuralria blinks for a minute, adjusting to the light, and then she stands, fumbling to wipe the tears from her cheeks.

"A man? A visitor here?" Her heart leaps for a moment, but then she remembers the words of warning.

"Where is he?"

He's with Unulaq and Tornuaq Shaman. Four hours by sled at our old seal huntiung grounds.

Maniitok looks guilty and nervous. Yuralria knows those hunting grounds were promised to the Thule for 3 seasons in exchange for hunting their cariboo trails this winter.

Something most strange has happened Shaman. Many, many Beluga. They have beached themselves with the stranger. I do not know for what purpose.

Yuralria turns from Maanitok and walks to her bench to run her fingers over her bowls and check on her spear heads.

She is silent for many minutes until finally she speaks.

"Why are they at the seal hunting grounds? They should not be there."

She turns to face him and continues. "Sedna is angry. Have you led your brothers to a place they should not go? Maanitok, you must be truthful."

Yes Shaman...

Maniitok can no longer make eye contact with Yuralria and looks down to the floor.

We have been hunting that beach since we were children. I did not thik Sedna would mind. She has always offered us her seals for hunting. But Shaman.... The man.... Surely Sedna would not beach a hundred Beluga and a pale faced ghost over a simple hunting bout between old friends and family.

Maniitok looks up at the Shaman with true fear and worry in his eyes. He falls to his knees before Yuralria.

Please forgive us Shaman...

As Maniitok cries his shame, Ogtuk-luk, Yuralria's faithful protector sticks his head into the tent. Of all the men in the village, Ogtuk-luk is the only man permitted to enter Yuralria's hut unannounced. Yuralria has not gotten used to this and Ogtuk-luk has seen her as no other man in the village has before. Save a few lucky Thule merchants Yuralria had "convinced" to lower their prices on some pricey carved ivory pieces she still wears to this day.



Is everything peaceful Shaman?

Yuralria rests her hand on Maanitok's head.

"Yes, Maanitok. We don't know for sure that Sedna's anger is because of our actions. I will find out tomorrow at the ceremony. For now, don't let it trouble you."

Yuralria motions for Maanitok to stand again."I have had a vision. These pale faced people are very different from us. They have shiny weapons and speak another tongue. Tell me, Maanitok, why did you leave your brothers alone with this stranger? Is this strange man still alive?"

Her eyes flicker to Ogtuk-luk as he pokes his head in, and his very presence calms her nerves. She takes a deep breath and looks at him quietly, memorizing his features with a thoughtful expression in her eyes. "I believe there is danger present, Ogtuk-luk. Sedna is angry. And there is a stranger amidst us. Maanitok has told me of a pale faced man he found."

Maniitok takes a deep breathe before telling his story.



He had a Thule spear in his belly and was unconscious with fever. I told them to throw him back into the sea or finish the hunt the Thule started. Tornuaq asked me to leave them and bring help quickly. I think he feared I would kill the stranger while they continued to investigate the Beluga whales. I now believe Tornuaq was right to ask me to live. I would have killed the pale faced stranger. My heart was too filled with vengeance to stay. There are very strange things happening on the hunting grounds Shaman. I fear what the pale ghost will do to my brothers if we leave them alone to tend to his wounds. Unulaq asked that we bring back a hunting party to cut up the Beluga's before they spoil or drag them back into the sea.

Maniitok has an intensity about him now and his hand shakes on his spear. Ogtok-Luk puts his own hand on Maniitok's and in a soothing voice speaks slowly.




Calm yourself brother. The need for vengeance is not our way. Tell us Shaman... what shall we do?


ooc - It's dark outside but it's only 1 pm. Yuralria must comb Sedna's hair at dawn tommorrow morning before the big cariboo hunt.

Yuralria sits on a chair by her desk and turns the spear heads over in the cariboo blood thoughtfully.

"Yes. The belugas must be helped if possible. Ogtuk-luk, do we have enough men to drag them back to the water? I believe we must not slaughter them. I fear it may enrage Sedna even more."

Yuralria stands again and takes a hide bag from her floor, and begins to pack a few things in it. As she does, she continues,
"We will go to the stranger. Maanitok, you can take me to him? We will gather a party to come with us. I will tend to the stranger."

Yuralria lifts her head to look at Maanitok and Ogtuk-luk, "Go and gather many men to come with us."

[O.C. Packed in her bag is :medical supplies, food, satchel of water, and whatever supplies needed to cast Sedna's call]

Maniitok and Ogtok-Luk both nod there head and leave Yuralria to her thoughts. The fear of the black shadowy bear is still fresh on her mind. Alornek licks her palm gently as she rethinks her night in the spirit world. This was not the spirit world. It was very similar to the spirit world but it was off and somehow unfamiliar. Wherever it was, The bear had managed to find her. Even Sigyn felt surprised at that. It was obvious to Yuralria that Sigyn had more to say and the bear's feral interruption was not as she had planned. Yuralria thought back to what little she could remember from the book Sigyn called the Older Eddas. The last word she read was one she had never heard of before but still somehow managed to translate into perfect Dorset words.

language has no meaning in this place.

Sigyn's words rang with a powerful truth. When they spoke, their hearts were as one. It didn't matter what words came out. Their meaning was what mattered and Yuralria knew she could go back to Sigyn and her lover any time she wanted.

The last word from Yuralria's memory of the ancient text slipped off her tongue like a raging storm slides over the sea. She whispered it softly to herself so she would never forget.

Ragnarok...

Yuralria sits down and covers her mouth with her hand, blinking back tears. She thinks back to the moment with the bear only minutes ago, and shakes from the closeness and the fear she felt. Reliving the moment of indecision, when she realized she'd dropped the book, tore her heart in two. The temptation was great to go back and grab it. Surely the bear would've killed me had I gone back. She nuzzles her head in Yuralria's soft fur, taking solace in her quiet comfort, and then lifts her head to pet her. "And where were you, girl? Running for your life from the beast? Good girl..." The loving comfort she felt with her dog was always enough to help her through her difficult troubles.

Yuralria stands again and look about her hut, taking a final inventory of anything that might be useful on her long journey. She packs a few spear heads just in case, and slings her bow and arrow on as well. Fearing the worst had always made her a target of other's questioning her judgement, but it wasn't vengeance that motivated her, but a knowledge that she was responsible for taking many with her into the hunting grounds with a stranger present. Would there be more? How many? Would he travel alone? Would they be dangerous?

Yuralria steps outside to a village in chaos. She can see the sun setting off in the distance behind Mount Qaisualuk. It will be a very cold ride and their hunting party will have to stop several times to warm and feed the dogs. Yuralria can see Maniitok talking excitedly with some other Dorset men, their wives looking concerned for their husbands.

Ogtuk-Luk is yelling at a few of the Dorset elders to fetch their sons.



The Shaman demands it. Move your tired old bones.

Ogtuk-Luk sees Yuralria and comes running to her.

We will have have six sleds and 10 men for the journey. If Sedna sees fit to punish us now for our blasphemy, it will take a heavy toll on the village.

He looks over at Maniitok and winces.

I fear Maniitok is not helping with his stories of the ghost man. He refuses to spare the women and children. Everyone is frightened Shaman. If we are to leave, we should leave soon before this fear sweeps over the entire village.

Yuralria looks about astonished, and moves quickly to Maanitok's side.

She takes him by the arm, smiling apologetically to the man he is standing with, and brings him away to speak to him alone quietly.

"Do not tell them of the stranger, Maanitok. We don't need an uprising as well!"

She looks about for the women and approaches two that are speaking fearfully in hushed tones to one another. "Maanitok speaks tall tales. Do not be afraid. We will only rescue the beached belugas from the ice before they freeze. Maanitok has had too long in the sweat lodge and knows not what he says."

Ogtuk-luk walks over to Maniitok and kicks him in the ass

Mind your tongue and gather the dogs we're leaving!

Maniitok quickly does what he's told. He throws Ogtuk-Luk a fearful look and then runs back to his own hut. He begins to pack many spears onto a sled and runs from village hut to village hut getting everyone ready to go.

Hurry brothers! As if Sedna herself were nipping at your heels!

Ogtuk-Luk and Yuralria are impressed with how quickly the village mobilizes it's hunting party. Not to surprising to Ogluk-tuk, as every man and boy above the age of 13 were ready for the big cariboo hunt tommorrow.

It was then that Chief Kalitok appeared from his hut and surveyed the choas around him. He was thick as an oak and was one of the few Eskimos who could grow some semblance of a beard. One of his half naked wives clung to his side and gently caressed his chest in their obvious afterglow.



What is the meaning of this Shaman? Why do you take so many of my hunters so close to the big cariboo hunt?

Yuralria bows her head to the chief, and speaks to him with her head down.

"They will be back in plenty of time for the hunt tomorrow, Chief. There are many belugas, beached on the ice. We must drag them back to the ocean before they freeze."

She raises her eyes again to the Chief and continues, "I believe it is Sedna, Chief. She is angry, and there may be....complications. Come let us speak in private."

Ogtuk-luk yells to the hunters

Keep working and make sure you have enough food for the dogs!!

Chief Kalituk parts the hide to his entranceway and invites Yuralria inside.

The chief's hut is as extravagant a place as any in the village. Three cariboo skins cover the walls of the hut, another on the floor. Spear tips of all descriptions were displayed in an ornately carved whale bone wall mount. Drift wood containers and ivory carvings litter the floor but all seem to have there proper place. There was strict order in everything in Chief Kalitk's hut from his fur parkas hung carefully near his fire pit to his seal blubber rations stacked orderly at the foot of his giant, occupied bed.

As Yuralria enters the hut, she discovers that the tall leggy Dorset female fondling the cheif was as naked as the day she was born. Two other Dorset girls, no older than 16 lie sleeping under the chief's 14 ft polar bear skin cover, spent from their duties as 2nd and 3rd wife to the chief. The hunt which led him to this massive polar bear, had given Kalituk the leverage and power he had needed to challenge the previous Chief for leadership of the village. It was the largest polar bear ever hunted and the Dorset people still tell the sory around the fire during the Hunting ceremony.



Tell me Shaman. What troubles you? You speak of Belugas and Sedna in such a strange tone. Is everything ready for tommorrow? Will the caribboo hunt proceed as planned.

One of the young girls wakes up and stares at the Shaman, wide eyed and frightened, like a baby seal caught in the path of a walrus bull. The older girl, Kalitok's first wife, climbs back into the huge bed and quietly sings her back to sleep.

Outside the Chief's Hut, The village men ready their sleds and carry armfuls of whale meat and blubber for the dogs from the storage huts. They begin to quickly stack the sleds with everything they will need for their journey.

Maniitok collects all the spears and wraps them in a piece of hide for easy carrying. When he is finished, he approaches Ogtuk-Luk with a nervousness to his every move. He whispers when he speaks so noone else but them can hear his words.



Ogtuk-Luk..... This man we found, washed up on the beach with all of the Beluga's, had a Thule spear tip deep in his belly. If they are outsiders or spirits, I do not think their intentions are peaceful. I am fearful to return. If Tornuaq and Unulaq were not waiting for me, I would advise against even going back.

Maniitok sighs and looks off over the horizion and into the setting sun.

It will be dark soon. The glacier is a dangerous place to be at dark. Anningan is cruel and cold.

Ogluk-tuk looks over at Maniitok with a swelling of pride at his commitment to his fellow tribe members, even with the danger
to himself. He leans towards Maniitok and says.

Maniitok your courage honors all of us. With all of us together and Sedna on or side nothing can harm us. Now go and help the others we need to be ready.

In a quite whisper he continues.

Please keep your fears to yourself we need not concern the others now. You are a great asset to the tribe.

DSIGFUSS wrote: Tell me Shaman. What troubles you? You speak of Belugas and Sedna in such a strange tone. Is everything ready for tommorrow? Will the caribboo hunt proceed as planned.

One of the young girls wakes up and stares at the Shaman, wide eyed and frightened, like a baby seal caught in the path of a walrus bull. The older girl, Kalitok's first wife, climbs back into the huge bed and quietly sings her back to sleep.

Yuralria winces at the naked woman hanging off the chief. I don't think I'll ever get used to this sight. She nods to the Chief, averting her glances from the bed and stammers out her reply softly.

"I believe Sedna is angry. I'm unsure if she is angry with us, or angered by someone else. We will find out when we see the belugas first hand. Many many belugas have beached themselves on the ice. So many, that....we may not enjoy fruitful beluga hunting for many moons to come if we don't help them back in the water."

Yuralria's eyes flit about, and she forces her attention back to the chief, but not without seeing the three wives again, their bodies only evident by the lumpen furs thrown over the bed.

"There is more, Chief. Maanitok....he..." Yuralria moves closer to him and speaks in a lower tone, casting a fearful glance at the bed to ensure the wives wouldn't hear. "....he found a stranger....a pale faced stranger alone, with a thule spear in his belly. Tournuaq and Unulaq are out there with him, so we must return to help. But.....I.....I have had a vision, Chief. And so it does not surprise me, these strangers in our land, as in my vision I spoke with one."

A vision of these ghostly strangers. Yuralria! What does it mean?

Chief Kalituk begins to put on his furs.

Outside the Chief's hut, Maniitok weeps at Ogtuk-Luk's side for his brothers. He believes Tornuaq and Unualaq to be in terrible danger.



I should never have left them

DSIGFUSS wrote:

A vision of these ghostly strangers. Yuralria! What does it mean?

Chief Kalituk begins to put on his furs.

"In my vision, Chief, I met with a pale faced woman and her husband. It was a very different sight. They ate fruit to which I've never seen before, they use sharp shiny weapons, and they speak in another tongue. I could understand her, because in my vision we were speaking with our hearts, not our tongues."

Yuralria walks a bit away from the Chief and looks forlornly out a window to the commotion going on outside. "She mentioned there were trials coming our way. She gave me a book that told me more. But I was running for my life from a bear that wished to harm me in my dream state, and I dropped it."

Yuralria looks back at the Chief with a guilty look on her face. "I am unsure of what harm, or trials, as she called them, will come our way. I wish to see the stranger myself. Perhaps he is alone, but perhaps not. The woman from my dream was very kind to me. But perhaps the others like her will not be. I am not sure until I see him myself."

Ogtuk-luk watches maniitok walk away. As he watches he has a sudden thought that he should protect the tribe from this pale face man. He rushes to his hut to gather some supplies but can't find what he really needs then he see it. A large piece of ivory on the shelf , he packs everything but the ivory away in his pack then goes back out. H e sits down were he can see the whole village, pulls out his knife and the ivory and starts to carve.

Yuralria looks back at the Chief with a guilty look on her face. "I am unsure of what harm, or trials, as she called them, will come our way. I wish to see the stranger myself. Perhaps he is alone, but perhaps not. The woman from my dream was very kind to me. But perhaps the others like her will not be. I am not sure until I see him myself."

The Chief stops tying on his furs and puts his hand on Yuralria's shoulder. The youngest of the three naked girls on Chief Kalituk's bed gasps. No man, Chief or not should touch the Shaman, save Ogtuk-Luk and only when she is in mortal danger. Chief Kalituk, however, did things differently. If it consoled Yuralria for even a moment before her duties and her traditional values got in the way, it was worth it.



You did all you could Yuralria.

Cheif Kalituk quickly remembers his duty and his hand and promptly removes it from Yuralria's shoulder. He continues to dress himself and then begins to gather his spears, all of which have spear heads shaped liek men.

This bear? Was it the same bear that plagued Aglakti's visions and forced her to leave the village?

Yuralria looks back at the Chief, a confused look washing over her face. Did he not enjoy the ravages of his three women in his bed just moments ago? And now he touches me??

Yuralria feels quite uncomfortable in the Chief's hut now, and begins to back away to the door.

"Yes, I do....believe it is the same...." she stammers, looking nervously about. Ogtuk-luk....what would he think if he'd seen that just now? I need to be around him....out visible to the tribe....not in here....with three naked women and a man who's half naked himself....

Chief Kalituk notices Yuralria's uncomfort and smiles warmly at her.



Excuse me... Shaman. I go to far.

Cheif Kalituk backs away and looks sternly at his wives as if he were blaming them for his offense. He glances back at Yuralria and sighs.

I have never heard of so much madness converging on our people in so short of time. The whales and your visions... plus this pale faced stranger. Please allow me time to say goodbye to my wives. I will be accompanying you on your journey.

Chief Kalituk continues fastening his furs and turns away from Yuralria. He offers a short prayer over his fire and waits for Yuralria to leave.


ooc - Chapter 2 is beginning soon. Yuralria and eskimohermit can discuss their plans. You leave soon. If you want to bring anything out of the ordinary. Please specify.

Maniitok watches Ogtuk-Luk carve his ivory. He nods his head and returns to his hut. He emerges after a few moments with his own piece of ivory and carving tools. He sits down next to Ogtuk-Luk and grins.



Excellent idea Ogtuk-Luk. We must be ready to fight this pale faced ghost. If he turns on us with his shiny knife and his hard skin, we will have to defend ourelves.

Yuralria nods her head and leaves the Chief's hut quietly.

She moves back to the village, joining Ogtuk-luk's side. She looks at his carving for a moment, then sits next to him.

Her eyes flicker from Maanitok to Ogtuk-luk's side. "You are carving? For the journey? Do you expect danger?" she asks simply.

Ogluk-tuk turns to Yuralria

I think that it is better to be prepared for I must defend you and the tribe to the last. Maniitok has shown great courage but I sense the underlying fear of this pale face one , and with your blessing this spear tip will help greatly. How is everything you look troubled .

Yuralria shifts, looking uncomfortable.

"I don't expect to be entering into battle. After all, we have the big hunt tomorrow morning. I must be back for the ceremony with Sedna. It is only one pale faced man, Ogtuk-luk." Yuralria's eyes cloud mysteriously. "Between you and me," she leans in close, "we don't know how many there are. Yes, we could be in danger. But you are very visible to the tribe, carving here in the open. Is it wise? To worry the women and children when their husbands come along with us?"

Yuralria lowers her voice even more from it's already quiet tone. "It's the chief. He comes with us. And.....he.....put his hand on me." She lowers her eyes, ashamed, knowing what it must sound like. No one was to touch the Shaman. Why did the Chief feel he could?

Ogluk-tuk turns to look at Yuralria and in a strong but very respectful tone says

I think that it is best that we are prepared for anything, however I am more concerned that the Chief would think to touch you. If he is coming with us than I must be with you at all times for no man not even the chief may touch you. This is very troubling we must be very careful.

Yuralria quietly nods her head, and lowers her eyes in shame.

"Thank you Ogtuk-luk. You are a faithful protector. I don't know what I'd do without you."

She sits, staring at the commotion, and tries to clear her head and calm her nerves for a moment.

Chief Kalituk emerges from his tent and surveys the village gatherin their sleds and smiles. He wears the thick fur of th giant polar bear he hunted to win his place as chief. In his hand he holds Wanatom, the chieftan's spear. A wepon of mystery and legend only the chief may carry. Strapped to his back is a giant whale bone club nearly as tall as Chief Kalituk himself. He sniffs the air and cries out to his people.

Hurry my warriors. We sled for Sedna this day!

The Chief holds out his arms and cries one out again!

We move!