PAXLAIR - February 18, 1999 - Jhym Songsmiths; graphics
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Shaman Coweta of the Tribe meets Mayor Winfield and People of
PaxLair
The Tribe Visits PaxLair and Exchange Gifts |
On February 17, 1999, PaxLair was visited by Shaman Coweta
of a group called the Tribe and his entourage. Their Shaman met with the
townsfolk and visitors, exchanged gifts, visited the PaxLair chapel, and
visited the Tribe's ruined village near the dungeon Shame. While at their
village, orcs and other monsters attacked the group giving indication why
the village was destroyed and the monsters continue to plague the area.
Mayor Winfield offered that the Tribe could live and be protected in the
town of PaxLair as friends until they could rebuild their ravaged village.
I (Jhym) went to the ceremony to see what these strange new folk might
look like, as well as to sing a song specially for them by the behest of
Mayor Winfield. As I arrived, the Emissary of PaxLair Christopher Wren
attempted to get the greeters nominally into a line, however we were
continually interrupted by Ork and thief attacks. After several poison
fields and energy vortexes killed several, including Mayor Winfield and the
Emissary, it was finally decided to lead the dignitaries up to the PaxLair
mage tower where they could be better defended by the PaxLair guard. The
small Tribe group was led by Shaman Coweta, a dignified looking man though
he only wore bone arms and a bear mask; Elder Malabo, dressed in bone as
well, with a deer mask carrying a spear; and two warriors, Hemauke and
Nonoke dressed similarly and carrying spears. Tycho Veg, the Vice
Chancellor, led the group to the tower, taking over until the Mayor could be
found and returned from the dead.
Gifts from the Tribe |
We arrived upon the roof and settled upon the benches. The Shaman took
one of the provided thrones, while his elder stood behind and the warriors
to either side of the elder. The folk of PaxLair talked with the Shaman for
a time, then asked about his purpose there. The Shaman described a land that
he and his Tribe lived in which had been gradually overrun by orcs and other
evil creatures. One day as they returned from a hunt, they found their
village burning, killing many of their families and destroying their homes.
The Shaman then had visions of a green land, and other aspects of PaxLair,
though I could not hear all of his visions because folk do not seem to know
how to whisper.
The ghost of the Mayor appeared on the altar to the edge of the tower
roof. The people quickly ressurected him and he stepped forward, coming out
of a daze. He once again donned his official uniform, took his staff in
hand, and greeted the Shaman once more.
Mayor Winfield then asked the townsfolk if they wished to give gifts to
the Shaman. Several stepped forward. Ore Hound gave two sets of finely
crafted ring mail armour. The Shaman commented on the fine armour and asked
what Ore Hound's line of work was: mining; and Ore Hound gave a shovel as
well. Nissa gave them some "shinie" gold and the Shaman shouted out
"GLITTER", obviously being very pleased. Gliph, the King of the Goblins
recently who returned to PaxLair, then came forward and made a statement.
"Me think you was bad neked people from long time ago," he said and we all
thought Gliph was about to turn the ceremony into a darkened event. He
continued, "But me know you no is same neked people. Me sorry me try kill
you." Gliph then searched his pockets and pulled out a bubbling potion and
laid it at the Shaman's feet. He also gave a beautiful ring. The Mayor then
stood and offered gifts from the entire town of PaxLair. He gave the Shaman
a wooden box filled with wonderful things including notes passed on by the
townspeople welcoming the Tribe to PaxLair. He also gave the Shaman new
spears for the warriors.
The Shaman smiled and nodded at the gathering, thanking Winfield. He then
presented their presents to PaxLair, including a pile of beads, a thousand
fish!, a black dye tub, a hand crafted fishing pole, a lovely necklace, and
a strong cider they had brewed. Winfield and the Shaman both took a long
drink of the cider, causing everyone to chuckle as their words began to slur
slightly. The gifts were then carefully put away to be used by the citizens
later.
The Mayor called on me to sing the song I'd prepared. The Shaman and his
Tribe seemed to enjoy the tune, as they clomped their spears upon the
ground, while everyone clapped. The Shaman stood and gave me a hug to thank
me for the tune.
The Mayor then asked of what their religion might be; they talked for a
short time and the Shaman explained how the gods had foresaken them in their
small village, allowing the orcs and monsters to ruin his village and kill
his people. The Mayor suggested we head to the town chapel to demonstrate
how PaxLair worships the gods. As we entered the chapel and healers
building, the townsfolk and the natives quieted their talk. The Tribe
entered the chapel room alone and asked others to remain outside; the Tribe
seemed to talk to their own gods. After they finished, the Mayor suggested
we head outside to talk some more.
As we stood in a clearing, the Shaman asked if we would all come to see
their destroyed village; we all readily agreed. Coweta dropped his staff,
then threw his hands into the air, seemingly channeling a great force. With
a wave of his hands, sparks flew to the ground in front of him and three
glowing gates immediately appeared! No one heard the Shaman mumble any
magical words, yet the gates certainly came at his command. Everyone was
very impressed with the Shaman's powers and stepped quickly through the
gates.
We appeared beside the shell of a building, walls crumbling into the loam
around it. We all wandered around the grounds, Malabo and the warriors
stopping several times to cry softly about lost times and friends. While we
stood there, orcs attacked us with an orc leader and his underlings. We
quickly took care of the small orc band, then ran around the ruin to fight
an ettin and an orc mage that hid nearby, along with an evil reaper. I
carved a bow and some arrows for the Shaman from the reaper wood, hoping
they could do a little better in their fighting. We talked further, then
returned to PaxLair.
Winfield suggested to the Shaman that the Tribe take up residence in
PaxLair or ask for help from PaxLair until such time as they could rebuild
their homelands. The Shaman thanked everyone for their good wishes and
promised to visit PaxLair again soon. And with a flourish of his staff, the
Shaman collected his group and walked with deliberation out of town.
All in all, an interesting night, and a new group of friends for the City
of Peace.
A Ranger's Call
Striding softly, soft boots worn,
Dark green cloak, brown shirt torn,
A ranger glides across the glade
Until he reaches welcome shade.
He tracks a bear, a wolf, a deer,
He follows each without fear
Smiling softly he draws with pen,
Upon some vellum the bear cubs' den.
Wolf and faun, pages filled,
With drawings live... No blood spilled.
Jhym Songsmiths of Sosaria
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