Saturday, June 24, 2000. - Hemlock Ravine

The Snowy Barren Tribe was once the largest barbarian tribe in all of the Northern Reaches. This has changed, however, due to a terrible argument that ended in accidental death. This incident caused a rift in the tribe that resulted in it splitting into three different factions. Now, instead of one large tribe unrivalled by any other, there are three smaller tribes: the Tribe of the Wolf, The Tribe of the Bear, and the Tribe of the Owl, each less populous than most others. A grand tribe, over the course of 50 years, has managed to dissolve into 3 weakened partitions.

Many recognize the problems this strife has caused the tribe, but few are willing to forego their stance in the original argument. And new generations born into the smaller fracture groups have been raised with bias and prejudice. Some know little of the original cause of the dissolution of the Snowy Barren Tribe, and few care. It has become an accepted part of history, and a predefined justification for rivalry.

But this fracture has not eliminated the desire to carry on ancient tradition. And as the spring season is upon us, the ritual of adulthood is soon to follow. All of the youths from each of the partitions have come with their tribal advisors to complete the rites of passage that will allow them to be considered an adult in their own right. This is the only time the three separate factions willingly encounter each other - and an attempt at a truce is enacted. Tradition holds that these rites must be performed in the Sacred Grove of the Ancients, and so it shall be.

Sadly, the event that caused the break-up of the tribe, a cherished tradition that is a part of the rites of passage, has not been practised openly for the last fifty years. In those days, the youths travelled in a single group, and the youth that proved to be the most pivotal in completing the most rites was named "The Great Hunter" and awarded with the Symbol of the Sun that they could wear as proof of their ability for a year (until it was awarded to a new "Great Hunter" at the next rites of passage.) The Symbol of the Sun now lies in the possession of the Tribe of the Bear. It is rumoured that this tribe still holds its own tribal version of this contest within its own ranks, despite the tragedies and loss this tradition once caused.

So now this time is upon us. The tribes have journeyed long and far to reach the Sacred Grove and prepare for a lengthy day of trials and tribulations. Lives may be lost, and some may fail in the eyes of their peers. But all will be decided by the time the sun crests on the horizon at the end of that very special day...

Game Report

After agreeing to reunite Snowy Barren, Possum was freed to cross over to the spirit world, and the Wendigo left, no longer able to sustain himself and regenerate himself when slain. The youths returned triumphantly to their tribes, all but Buck who agreed to stay behind with Fawn who needed a new "apprentice". She would need one now that Rabbit had decided to go back to the Ice River Tribe with his real mother, the Amazon, Suluna. Fawn agreed to teach Buck the skills required to be a High Shaman, and he would return for the trials next year, better prepared. The three tribes, all misunderstandings finally by the wayside, met at the Amazons campsite, and together the allies overrode the site of the Black Talons. Tarik and his hound did not help in this battle, as he had to hurry back with the ransom to free his imprisoned brother. Most of the Black Talons were obliterated and while there were deaths on both side, in the end the alliance was victorious and the last remaining Black Talons surrendered. The newly reformed Snowy Barren Tribe settled in the lush area that had been the Black Talons home and the Amazons returned to their home with what remained of their stolen treasures. Vengeance complete, they could now return to a normal way of life.

Talon returned happy - having scored highest of the Wolves. Skunk and Burrow-maker decided to abandon their rivalry and be happy to finally have the freedoms allotted an adult, especially since they would no longer be smothered as part of the last remaining vestiges of their tribe. Silverwing died in the war with the Black Talons, but she died fulfilled. The tribe was once again reunited. Puma was relieved he no longer had to hide his heritage. He and his aunt, Badger, had a lot of catching up to do. Arctos had lost the Challenge to Kuma, but he vowed he would one day be chief - with the reunion of the tribe their were now two chieftains who co-ruled: Songmaker, the Alpha from the Wolves and Bitterwind, chieftain of the Bears. The two had agreed to consult with the Owls counsel of Elders before making any serious decisions. Kodiak realized he would have to abandon his rivalry with other shamans. Now that the tribe was reuniting, there would be a multitude of shamans, and he would have to find some other way of distinguishing himself. Raccoon finally understood what the truth was that must be known, that it was Possum herself that had caused the incident that resulted in her death. He decided to continue to pay close attention to anything his spirit animal told him in his dreams.

Kuma was thoroughly pleased with himself, and although his first interest, Beaver, had run away to the South with the former Owl, South-Seeker, he found a lovely new bride in Hyacinth, Far-Fang's sister. She willingly accepted the new great Hunter as a husband, in Puma's stead. Pierce, Summer-Moon's father, welcomed his daughter back as a woman, and a true hunter of the tribe. Husqvarna discovered that Karwyn, the Amazon, was his sister, and chose to join the Ice River Tribe after the battle with the Black Talons so they could get to know one another. That, plus he had taken a fancy to her friend, Ondyss. Leaf-Walker was happy, he had done his grandmother proud and could now go on the hunt with the other adults. Mantis discovered her father was Bitterwind himself, chief of the Bears, and that Kuma, winner of the Challenge, was her half brother (there was no family resemblance, so she had never suspected.) Axelle was satisfied. She was a woman now, and if she chose to marry, there were many men to choose from.

Some lived to a ripe age, some died young. The life of a barbarian is a harsh one...
Costumes were very good. 1st prize, a $10 gift certificate for Fabricville, goes to Tara Murphy (aka Grackle) & 2nd prize (same thing) goes to Anita Thibodeau (AKA Tree Spirit). It was a 2-way tie for 3rd prize between Kevin Sauder & Donna McKay. There's a small prize for each 3rd as well. Honourable mention goes to the Amazon tribe, Gil Richard, Colin Hoeg, Lynn Dufault, Bryce Dennison, Brad Bradley, & Craig Dutton. Extra points to Dan Henderson for winning the game & Catherine Dennison & Kevin Sauder for superb role-playing. I especially want to thank Gino Ranieri & Dale Roberts for extensive help with pre-game prep and props. Please let me know if you did not take a discount for car or cell-phone & need points added.

Points - Game Control
GM: Chantal Boudreau: 8
AGM:Gino Ranieri: 5

(Base 4) +/-1 for good costume, role-playing, completion of personal goals, etc.
Mack Brewer: 4
Gerald French: 4
Russell Rait: 4
Dale Roberts: 5 (+1 for help with props)

Monsters
Anita Thibideau: 6 (+1 for being a photog)
Brad Bradley: 5
Catherine Dennison: 6
Mary Deveau: 5
Lyne Dufault: 5
Sylvie French: 5
Pat Gordon: 5
Corrine Lewandowski : 5
Donna MacKay: 5
Tara Murphy: 5
Wayne Pittman: 5
Luke Porter: 5
Ellen: 4
Len Purdy: 5
Martin Sasinek: 5
Kevin Sauder: 6
Amber Seville: 5

Players (5 pt spent for most)
Alia Bigio: 5
Dawn Bourne: 4
John Chapman: 5 - 5 = 0
Bryce Dennison: 5 - 5 = 0
Craig Dutton: 5
Brad Filipone: 5 - 5 = 0
Dan Henderson: 6 - 5 = 1
Colin Hoeg: 5 - 5 = 0
Wally O'Rourke: 4 - 5 = -1
Norma Ranieri: 4 - 5 = -1
Gil Richard: 5 - 5 = 0
Trevor Schellinck: 5 - 5 = 0
Chris Tait: 4 - 5 = -1
Mark Thornton: 5 - 5 = 0