Eskimos : Chapter 1 : BLOOD AND SNOW (Trixie+EskimoHermit)

[DSIGFUSS]

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.

[trixie]

[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.

[DSIGFUSS]

ooc - roll a luck check.

ooc - roll a dodge check

ooc - roll a DEX x5 check

[trixie]

[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.

[DSIGFUSS]

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.

[trixie]

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!

[DSIGFUSS]

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.

[trixie]

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....

[DSIGFUSS]

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!

[trixie]

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?"

[DSIGFUSS]

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.

[trixie]

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."

[DSIGFUSS]

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?

[trixie]

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."

[DSIGFUSS]

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.

[trixie]

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]

[DSIGFUSS]

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...

[trixie]

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?

[DSIGFUSS]

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.

[trixie]

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."