Re: Winter Animist Practice or Tradition

From: Bryan <bethexton_at_...>
Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2005 13:13:05 -0000

Rob;

A few thoughts that are probably contradicted by obscure parts of the canon that I've never read, but which shouldn't contradict anything in the core books.

The rough dividing line between the Praxians and the Pentans is the "snow-line." Why? Well, most of the praxian animals either won't tolerate cold well, can't forage for food under the snow well, or don't travel in snow well (or possibly all three in the case of ostrich riders?).

The exception would be the bison folk--the bison should be able to handle snow without much trouble. So why is the northern margin of Prax not full of bison riders enjoying the lusher pastures that periodic snow brings? Simple, the bison riders are easy prey for the Pentans. The Pentans can quite literally ride circles around the bison heavy cavalry--and they *really* appreciate how warm bison fur blankets and coats are! But most of the other Praxian tribes are far more effective against Pentans (and anyways, the horses don't usually do well in the Praxian wastes). So the bison riders generally have to stay south of the snow line, away from raiding Pentans.

However, to the sun worshipping Pentans, winter is mostly an enemy, even if it protects their lands quite effectively. Still, winter has to be dealt with, so I'm willing to bet that there is a 'hostile' winter or cold spirit practice amongst the Pentans. (although I do recall a reference in RQ3 books showing 20% of Pentans worshipping storm, not sun, which might include this practice in a more friendly way).

>From a bison rider point of view, snow is effective against the
other praxian tribes, and winter is the enemy of one of their enemies. It would not be beyond possibility, I would think, for a heroic bison rider shaman to quest and find that 'hostile' pentan practice. But of course, these spirits would be crazy, hostile, outside of the Praxian tradition, so probably nobody else in the tribe would want to join this practice. The shaman ages, still valued for his unique magic, but despairing of finding anyone to pass it on to.

Now say an outsider came to the tribe. An outsider who came from a storm people, but born spirit-faced, and who maybe was already part of a storm tradition? Wouldn't this seem like the perfect person to take on this strange magic?

So the character could have either the Kolating or praxian tradition (more likely Kolating), but be part of this winter tradition, with a relationship to this one shaman. Oh, and built in plot hooks to go to Pent someday to learn more about the practice :)

Dang, now I want to go and play that! But if it is of any use to you, please use in whole or in part.

--Bryan

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