[center][h1][color=Deepskyblue][b][i]The North - The Giantlands - The Untamed[/i][/b][/color][/h1] (Warning - Post contains references to uncomfortable material, nothing explicit but you have been warned.)[/center] [hr] Long they walked under the trees of the land, broken only by the dark and light of passing days. Through newborn eyes did they see the world in wonder and amazement. Every fallen branch was a cane or plaything, every leaf was a cup, every pine needle a bitter taste. They felt what was around them, to the rough bark of the trees, running streams, hard stone and soft grass. Every shout was of excitement, every laugh was in good company and there was a great deal of talking as they learned of their voices and found names that fit their liking. Avata the thinker, Canowicakte the runner, Dohasan the stick finder- All names came with meaning that were paramount to the ideals of the fledgling Childan people. He or She who did something well, and enough of, was added to their name in those early times. This could also change for they were a people finding themselves changing, growing as their Guiding Spirit showed them the lands they would call home. They heard sounds never heard before, from the caws of birds, to the stampeding of mighty animals. The air was fresh and full of pleasant smells- but also of those not. To the scent of pine, the scent of sap, the scent of decaying leaves, of honey and flowers. To the stench of carrion, bogs and death. These were all lessons to be passed on, so said the Father Spirit, he who guides. There was still fun to be had though, for learning and adapting did not need to be so dull. Every thin rock could be skipped across the waters they drank from, while they still could wash and play within. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and more could be plucked while plump and eaten with juices so delicious to be had that not a single one of them did not smile at the taste. Nuts were gathered from trees and plants, while roots were gathered for feasts under the stars. There was joy unfounded in those dawning days and all was good for a time. The Father Spirit taught them many things as they journeyed deeper into his land. Where they walked, there were lessons and warnings. Advice and admonishment. He was kind but stern and only the bravest asked the wildest of questions. But they walked and they learned nonetheless. Under the tall trees, fledgling plains, flowering prairie- to the lowest of rivers to the brimming peaks of hills and mountains. He taught them what was edible, what was not and what could be with time. He taught them what could be used and what could not be used. Tree branches became spears and leaves became hats to keep out the rain. He gave them simple clothes that many had already altered to fit themselves better. For they were never cold but it was nice to keep out other things. Like biting flies and hungry suckers. The Father Spirit had cursed such things as bad spirits, to be wary of any creature whose purpose was to take without giving. His solution to that problem was a strange one, he left one day and did not return for three nights. He left them within the clearing of a dense forest, where large cats and bears would not find them. Then upon the fourth day a great white eagle descended as the Childan collected food and sparred with spears. The Father Spirit changed before their eyes as he landed and a great murmur ran through the gathering crowds, for he had brought two flattooths, much smaller than they had encountered before. The Father Spirit nudged them forward as the crowd was in awe. Some tried to touch the flattooths but were denied by the Father Spirit with a stern growl. The little ones were able to do their work in the safety of his shadow and what a work it was. Before their eyes they watched them work quickly, gathering small sticks and dry grass before slamming two rocks together over their odd pile. The stones had the quality of a shine to it but they were dark, flaky. Soon, small brights burst for, before there was a triumphant crackle and a wild light ushered forth! The Childan panicked and with great cries fell backwards into one another. What was it they saw so terrible before them? Who could conjure such a thing? The Father Spirit blew a wind between them, guiding them upright and with calming words did they settle, stepping forward into the light of a new sun. There was nothing to fear, for it was flame the Father Spirit said. A tool, dangerous as it was useful but a tool nonetheless. A gift from the small flattooths- who were named Bjork. But such a gift was one that would be taught to them and wielded correctly. And so the Childan did learn of fire with the Bjork’s as helpers. They became known to them as the Bijjiork, or Helping Spirits. After several days the Bijjiork grew restless and homesick, as the Father Spirit said, and so there came a great feast with a roaring fire. It was a time of celebration and joy and lovemaking but like all things, it came to an end and the Guiding Spirit took them home upon the dawn. It was then that the trouble came upon the Childan, in that absence of their Father and the abandonment by their Mother. Many would weep. [hr] Her name had been Lansa, firecharmer. For none were so talented at managing the kindled flame as she. None had been so apt to brave the teachings of the Bijjiork and succeed so well as she. It was a talent that many of the women grew jealous of, not because they wanted the fire for themselves but because of the attention it gained from the men. It had grown as the days passed by, even when their Father had been their watching. Small chats became longer, a passing touch became an overbearing hug, while the slight grab of her wrist became like a vice. Lansa, for her part, wanted none of this. She was content to watch the flames and keep over them. She had no time for the men who wanted to lay with her. The fire was the only warmth she needed but the other women did not want to see this. They saw what they wanted to see- and like a twisting snake, a rift began to grow. Her friends came less and less to see her, or when she came around they would be too busy to talk. She felt alone, her fire the only one who would listen. Only for short times did she go to eat berries and nuts, and to drink from the streams. Soon they would leave, for the land was growing depleted, despite the Father Spirit’s touch. They had more lessons to learn after all and perhaps with that new excitement, Lansa thought her friends might bond with her again. Those would be good times, like before. When the father spirit had left them, the men became relentless however. Their advances came at every passing shadow. She told them off but it was getting incessant. An annoyance to her and her flame. She looked to help but none would give it, the women sneered and shook their heads. She was alone with her flame, but she was at least warm. Upon the first night, her flame went out. It started like any other. She sat next to her fire, away now from her friends and group. Men began to come to her, offering pebbles, food, and other things they found. She declined all offers but soon enough, the men would not leave her. Some left, most left, but those that remained cast longer shadows then the rest ever had. It was then, when no new offers came forth and great light in the sky was dimming,, did they finally act. Lansa protested at first as two men grabbed her but when they did not let go she panicked. Struggling to break free, biting and yelling before they gagged her mouth with a ripped piece of cloth. One punched her in the stomach as the others stomped out her flame so that none would see what was happening. Into the woods they went, dragging her by her long black hair. Lansa's muffled screams were lost in the dark, as she was cut by sharp rock and biting sticks. Her cloth dress became torn and dirtied bit still she fought against her captors. They entered a small clearing, the only sounds were her muffled pleas and pending heart. They punched her and kicked poor Lansa as she tried to escape, speaking terrible words of death and killing. She became powerless and daze as true fear set in. And it was there in the quiet of the night, so far from the comfort of fire, that they had their way with her... It was a terrible act, a violation of Childan kind and spirit. A loss of innocence that would run deep like ugly scars, echoing through all time. In the end, as daylight broke through the trees upon the third day of their Father's absence, Lansa did not emerge from the forest in the morning. Nor the afternoon nor the evening. It was only when, by chance, their fires went out from a strong wind did they realize her absence at last. They called for her, those old jealous friends of hers. No longer jealous but afraid. It began to dawn on them, in the dark as they searched under moonlight, that they perhaps had driven the girl to run away. They had neglected her and for what? Because the men had shown her more affection? Stupidity! And now Lansa was gone but how wrong they were… It was Tehya, the seeker who found her. The girl's screams alerted them all and they arrived to a grisly sight. There are no need for details describing such a scene. Only know that it was a loss, deep and unsettling. For Lansa was dead and the signs were obvious. One of Childan had done it and tried to destroy the evidence by burial but had given up. It was profane and beyond disgusting. The women would not let the men carry her body back. Instead, she was carefully held as they walked and weeded. Profound was the loss that weighed so heavily on their hearts. When they arrived at their clearing home, all eyes fell upon her body. A great sadness bloomed, many men grew angry with one another and fought but it was the women who stopped them. For their fury was only beginning. A great pyre was set and from the embers of her smoldering fire, did they light it to send Lansa to that which she loved most. Then a great meeting was called between all of the females. Some men grew heated at this sight and demanded to be included but calmer heads prevailed and they let them be. For there could be no future without women. No future at all. For they had all been wronged by such an act. Upon the dawn of the third day did Wapeka the brave call forth to the men. She was a fierce fighter and as tall as any man. She asked for those responsible to come forth but when none did she shook her head. Again she asked, but not a man moved forward. They glanced at each other and only shuffled awkwardly. She berated them after that, calling them cowards and other unsavory names but it was her right to do so for Lansa was dead at their hands. When angry men gave protest to such accusations they were silenced by their peers with elbow jabs.. And again, she quieted, before asking them to come forth. None did. So Wapeka sighed and spoke. "Then so be it you Childan men, you breakers of trust and takers of life. If none come forward then you are all to blame! The same as we, for the death of our firecharmer." There were tears in the eyes of her steely gaze. "Here forth, upon this day, we women of the Childan shall split into tribes and venture forth into this land of our Father. For this crime… You men are not welcome with us. You shall take no wives, you shall share no beds, you shall raise no children… There will be no future for our people. Now be gone, before those amidst you become rash with anger and hatred. You will never again take life in this place… This site of the first sin!" With her words declared, Wapeka and the other women began to depart. The men stood in stunned silence before one came forth- Patamon the leaf cutter. "This is not fair!" He shouted. "You cannot blame all of us for this crime! We will all die and our race will be no more without you. Please! Please reconsider!" He felt o his knees and cupped his hands. Many of the men followed suit and their pleas filled the sky with sound. After some time and with a smug grin, Wapeka raised a hand and silenced them. "Only now do you see the weight of this crime. These are our bodies, our spirits and you shall not partake of them! Not until the sky dances! Now farewell!" The men could only watch as the women gathered their things, lit branches from the fire of Lansa and left them completely. In five directions they went and so to did the men. Perhaps there was a fleeting hope that they could be taken back or perhaps it was out of desperation. Maybe Onda day the sky would dance. They would have to be ready. [hr] Upon the fourth day did the Guiding Spirit finally return. He had been searching for another with no luck and never wanting to be overly late, he had returned to nothing but a blazing fire. A small band of women sat around the flame, feeding sticks into it. They stood when he walked to them, brow raised in surprise. [Color=deepskyblue]"Where are all my children?"[/color] He asked. Gone, they said and recounted what had transpired those last few days. They who had remained had sworn to keep the flame going until their dying days, as repentance for what they had done, or lack of, for Lansa. The Guiding Spirit was saddened by this but thought their cause a noble one. He said little to them and did not convey his thoughts only that he was sorry for not coming back sooner. He gave them one last bit of help however, for he told them of another Great Spirit, the Heat Giver, Yoliyachicoztl. [Color=deepskyblue]"Pray to her, for she may help you in this endeavor. I cannot for I am a being of Cold. Be well daughters and take heart- You will feel warmth again."[/color] with that, the Guiding Spirit transformed into a large waterfowl and flew away. The keepers of the flame gave each other looks then began prayer. [Hider=summary] A short account of how the Childan learn things about their new world. Chailiss take the moniker of the Guiding Spirit or Father Spirit and teaches how to survive, how to forage, what to drink etc. Basic stuff really. He then grabs a few Bjorks and let's them teach his people how to make fire. When he leaves to take the bjork back, those that can make fire become a hot commodity and one named Lansa is then sexually assaulted and murdered after denying the touches of men. Many woman had grown jealous of the attention she had got but now felt guilt. They come together and ask the men responsible to come forth three times but none do. Them they exile the men and split into 5 tribes. Woman only tribes for the men can no longer be trusted. They will only think about a future again when the "sky dances" or whatever that means. Chailiss eventually returns and is saddened by this. A few closest to Lansa stayed behind, keeping her flame lit forever more in repentance. He tells them to ring up Yoli to see is she might aid them and then departs. Sad times all around. [/hider] [Hider=vigor] None. I have 0. [/hider]