WD: 13,398 Season of Changing Leaves: Harvest Hunt and Celebration

Holt Administration » 13,398 Season of Changing Leaves: Harvest Hunt and Celebration » RP Scenario, Questions and Answers
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RP Scenario, Questions and Answers
Post by Anna on Jun 9, 2009, 12:37pm

The scenario for our first Wavedancer RP is the annual Harvest Hunt and Celebration.

The hunters go out after the massive schools of fish that make a run by Westering Bay every year around this time. I's a dangerous hunt, because while the first are not threatening, they attract other hunters, like sharks and whales and dolphins. The ocean singers (whales and dolphins) will work with the elves since there's plenty for all, but the sharks are another matter entirely. The hunt that goes by without a fatality is rare, and hunters who die during the hunt are honored for their sacrifice.

The hunt is also a right of passage for young elves on the brink of youth, being no longer cub and having reached their full adult growth, but not yet of an age to be considered a full adult by the tribe. A youth is invited to attend the hunt by one of the council of nine, and only then can he participate.

While the hunters are away, the other elves prepare a feast to celebrate a fruitful year, and to tide them over until the ice melts and spring comes again. This is also a time of remembrance, as the elves remember those who have died in the past year - then celebrate the births. Lifematings are announced and recognized at this time, as well as the severance of an ending lifemating.

Once the hunters return, there is dancing, feasting, entertainments, music - it's a wild party until after the feast and Remembrance (remembering the dead) and the Affirmation (celebrating new births and lifematings).

Timewise, this takes place at the beginning of autumn. The Wolfriders haven't quite reached Westering Bay yet - they're still a few days away.


Please post any questions, comments, or issues during and throughout the RP in this thread. We'll have three threads going: one for the hunters, one for those that aren't hunting, and then when the hunters return, we'll have the celebration thread. If necessary, we might divide that off, too, to various parts of the celebration. We'll see!




Re: RP Scenario, Questions and Answers
Post by rayne on Jun 11, 2009, 7:18am

Even though Raley is barely under 200...would he and his brother have already gone through this? *seems they would but just checking*

-almost forgot....the chat box doesn't work from work....can't even see it. Dang security system. Anyway.....if the board says I'm on and you need me, PM????-Re: RP Scenario, Questions and Answers
Post by Anna on Jun 11, 2009, 7:42am

Hey, Rayne,

Yep, they'd have gone through this. Around the age 25 or so is when the elders would issue the invitation.


Re: RP Scenario, Questions and Answers
Post by rayne on Jun 11, 2009, 8:36am

Gotcha....*whew*

*Raley is my first immortal elf*Re: RP Scenario, Questions and Answers
Post by Anna on Jun 11, 2009, 9:43am

They reach physical maturity by that time. No reason for them not to take on adult tasks and dangers!

Re: RP Scenario, Questions and Answers
Post by rayne on Jun 13, 2009, 9:56pm

Raley will jump in tomorrow, dows that work?Re: RP Scenario, Questions and Answers
Post by Anna on Jun 14, 2009, 6:59am

that works just fine, Rayne.

Holt Administration » 13,398 Season of Changing Leaves: Harvest Hunt and Celebration » Preparing the feast
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Preparing the feast
Post by Anna on Jun 9, 2009, 12:56pm

Hourel smiled as he watched the pips dancing on the shore, making short dashes out into the curling surf, only to run back onto the sand. They wanted, one and all, to be going with the hunters. Their age held them back, and Hourel had no intention of allowing any of them to participate in this hunt until they'd seen three eights of years.

He could feel his lifemates exhilariation shining down their bond and her zest made his smile widen. Yes, he worried when she went on these hunts, but he treasured her for the very fire that made it necessary for her to go. He couldn't stop himself from asking her to take care, for attempting to make her aware of the danger - but he'd never really, truly try to stop her from going. That was his risk.

He made his rounds, going by storage caverns to kitchen to feasting grotto. He watched the children make banners and streamers, and listened to his podmates, so many of them with at least a hint of his blood in them, chatter and sing as they worked.

The weather was clear and bright, the temperature warm but not hot. It was an ideal day for the hunt and celebration.

Re: Preparing the feast
Post by meimei on Jun 9, 2009, 9:37pm

Keta ran with her agemates along the shore, hearing her mother's call to the hunters. She dived in the surf as well -leaping high before plunging into the cool, familiar waters below. Then she swam back to shore, looking out anxiously at the waves.

She was much too young to join the hunters. She wasn't certain yet if that was the path she wished to follow, either. But the excitement made her want to do something. She ran back to where some of the other pips were making banners and streamers. She watched for a minute before someone pulled her in to start working on some as well. She wasn't even sure who had. Around her she heard the voices of her tribe, and bits of songs that some broke out into. She saw her father making his rounds and waved excitedly Nothing could ruin this day. It seemed too perfect.Re: Preparing the feast
Post by peachbug on Jun 11, 2009, 2:54pm

Tylah roamed the edge of the shore, letting the waves crash on her bare legs, as the hunters joined Ashera. It was a perfect day indeed, and the festivities had barely begun.

Tylah was more healer than hunter, and the risk of her becoming one of the injured and endangering even one member of the pod who might need her skills was more than she could bear to try, so she'd long ago decided to assist with preparing the feast rather than collecting it. It was no loss to her. Helping the pips collect stones and shells while they waited, speaking with the elders, and simply enjoying the togetherness of the pod was more than what she needed to be happy.

Her grandfather Jahtil was joining the hunt, while Inga remained behind to guide the preparations alongside Hourel and the other elders. The weaver had never expressed anxiety at her mate's avid hunting in the face of unusual dangers, but that was her nature. Calm, loving, and accepting of what joys and pains were likely to come with this hunt. Ornah was also joining of course, and Tylah felt a swell of pride as her mother's tail flashed above a heavy wave. They did not speak often enough. Perhaps this celebration would be different, a reunion for seasons spent apart.Re: Preparing the feast
Post by meimei on Jun 17, 2009, 10:20am

Strell emerged from the waves to the land, shaking his head as he listened to his cousin's banter as the group gathered to hunt the redfins. In his hands he carried a net full of oysters - his offering to the feast. He glanced around at the preperations with a smile, then glanced back to watch Nahual leap from high into the ocean, slithering around pointed rocks. His lips lifted in a proud smile, even as others sent disapprovingly of her stunt. He would worry for her, and for Rahliten and Raley - as always. There was always the chance one of them wouldn't return. But that - too - was part of living. And Strell would never ask them to not do what came so naturally to them. He turned back to the task at hand, spotting Hourel.


Strell to Hourel


**Where do you want these, Elder? If you let the pips work on them, they'll leave none for the feast!** His sending was tinged with amusement.Re: Preparing the feast
Post by Anna on Jun 18, 2009, 12:39am

Hourel to Strell

The elder turned to the oyster farmer as he approached with his sack of oysters. "Strell," he said in greeting. "You are correct, I believe. Should the children have charge of these, there would be games and no food."

Hourel led the way to the cooking area and watched as one of the cooks hurried forward to accept the bag from Strell. "Might we have a selection?" he requested of the maid. "Some raw, some broiled?"

"Some stewed, some fried, some baked, and some roasted," the cook promised with a laugh. "Now shoo away, Hourel, Strell! Away, away! I know how quick your fingers can be when there are treats to be had!"


Re: Preparing the feast
Post by meimei on Jun 19, 2009, 10:44am

Strell to Hourel

Strell had already spied a basket of dark berries to the side. He eyed them as the cook came up to take the bag. He couldn't help but snort with laughter at her words. Must have been reading his mind.

"Who us?" He grinned, winking at Hourel. "We'd never do anything of the sort..." He then reached out to grab a handful of the berries, knowing the cook couldn't do anything without dropping the bag of oysters.

Holt Administration » 13,398 Season of Changing Leaves: Harvest Hunt and Celebration » Hunting the Redfins
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Hunting the Redfins
Post by Anna on Jun 9, 2009, 12:50pm

Ashera laughed and lifted a hand to cup around her mouth as she sang out the gathering call for the hunters of the redfins. The pips who'd been haunting the outer reefs waiting for the run to start and sent back excited assurance that they were coming. The annual hunt to fill their store caves could now begin!

The glass-singer lifted her spear and examined it carefully while she waited for her podmates to join her. She wasn't the leader of this hunt, but merely one of hunters. Soon enough the hunt leader would arrive and give them their instructions. Those instructions rarely changed. Some would hunt with spear, some with nets. Some wouldn't hunt at all, but would guard them from the predations of the sharpskins.

Ashera felt the wild excitement bubbling up in her and barely refrained from spinning around in a dance. Hourel could worry if he wished, could warn her of the danger, and plead with her to be careful. For his sake, she would - to some extent. But life was meant to be lived and relished and risked!

Re: Hunting the Redfins
Post by Anna on Jun 14, 2009, 3:37pm

Rahliten to Raley

Rahliten answered Ashera's call with his own. He was a gatherer most of the time, hunting tame shellfish and various plants that grew close to the shore. He never missed out on hunting the redfins, however. The rush of excitement, the thrill of danger - he looked forward to this hunt all season long.

Spear in hand, he dove into the surf. The touch of saltwater on his skin prompted the shapechange from airbreathing to water breathing, and the webbing between his toes and fingers expanded as he propelled himself through the water to join the other gathering hunters.

Would Raley be joining them, or sitting in safety on the sidelines? *Hey, pip!* he sent to his younger sibling. *Going to join the hunters this time?*

Re: Hunting the Redfins
Post by peachbug on Jun 15, 2009, 12:10am

Nahual proudly clutched her knife, finely sharpened and shaped to a perfect hunting edge. In one smooth movement, she plunged in to the rising waves off some higher rocks, weaving nimbly past sharp edges hidden under the waters. She felt the sting of several disaproving sendings, including a gentler Tylah's, but giggled as her form took on it's more water-based attributes. *...shouldn't be teaching the pips to jump so likely...!* One called. This was the hunt! Risk was in the air. Sharp rocks were hardly a worry for her now.

---------

Jahtil slid into the waters from the shore, also feeling the thrill of the hunt in his blood. Endless changings of seasons and he never tired of this.Re: Hunting the Redfins
Post by rayne on Jun 15, 2009, 9:16am

Raley to Rahliten

Raley was waiting beind a clump of seaweed for Rahliten to pass nearby, and a grin spread across his face when the send from his older brother touched his mind. *Where have you been?* Raley asked with mock concern. *Have you been waiting for the redfish to get old and slow?*

Ralye enjoyed the banter between them, and swam out from his hiding place to follow in his older brother's path.Re: Hunting the Redfins
Post by Anna on Jun 15, 2009, 8:10pm

Ralihten to Raley

The gatherer spun around in the water and spotted his brother coming up behind him. *Old and slow is the only way you'll catch them, pip!* he retorted. *Are you sure you're big enough to join the hunt? One of the hunters might mistake you for a redfin!*

Laughing, Rahliten raced through the bay to join the other hunters, silently daring Raley to keep up with him.


Re: Hunting the Redfins
Post by rayne on Jun 16, 2009, 7:12am

Raley to Ralihten

*At least I'm not so tall that I hit my hed on branches! It would explain why your brains got so scrambled!*, Raley sent to his brother as he sped off in pursuit.

As he followed Ralihten, Raley asked *Have you seen the others? Which Pips were invited this year?* Raley was a bit ashemed of himself right now. He had been concentrating on repairing his work hut and a bit out of the loop for a few days.Re: Hunting the Redfins
Post by Anna on Jun 18, 2009, 12:45am

Rahliten to Raley

*I'M not pip-sitting this hunt,* Rahliten answered cheerfully, *so I paid no attention on who was invited, and who was not! They'll put them on the nets, though, like always and I've got sharpskin duty. What of you? Guarding, guiding the gentle hunters, or nets?*

Rahliten hoped it was nets. That was the safest and least exciting of the hunt duties, and whenever Raley was saddled with it Rahliten took a great deal of pleasure in teasing him about.



Re: Hunting the Redfins
Post by rayne on Jun 18, 2009, 1:25pm

Raley to Rahliten

*You would like to see me on the nets with the pips, wouldn't you?* Raley sent with mock indignation. Shaking a finger at his older brother and pretending to be hurt, Raley swam one cirlce around Rahliten, just to do it. *I am a guard this time!*

Raley really did hate being on the nets. It wasn't his fault he was a bit short, after all. But he was fairly strong, and that could be useful hauling the nets when they were full. *So you will have to find something else to tease me about today.*