Six Ages: Ride Like The Wind AAR

[Solmyr]

So I just got this game on GOG. For those who don't know, Six Ages is a spiritual successor to King of Dragon Pass. It takes place many centuries earlier in the timeline and this time you play a clan of horse nomads, traditional enemies of the Orlanthi. The interface and game mechanics are very similar, with a few changes. I have not played this game before, so this AAR will be with no prior knowledge of how things work, although of course I have some ideas from KoDP.

Below are some links to images on the lore of the game (since they are mostly text, I'll just post the links instead of images here).

What the Story Tent Says 1
What the Story Tent Says 2
What the Story Tent Says 3
What the Story Tent Says 4
Riders
Wheels, Rams, and Other Foreigners
Calendar
The World
Runes
Deities

[Habbaku]

Looking forward to this. Haven't had time to play it yet, so I've just kept it on my Steam wishlist, but I very much like what I see.

[Solmyr]

Our first order of business is deciding the background of our clan.



First, we must decide which deity we favored back in the Golden Age. Let's go with Nyalda, because we are different and who doesn't like more food and cows?



The Golden Age ended, and we needed to support one of the gods. We supported Pela in the Grain Contest, so that our clan is good at growing food. That's always a good thing.



Next came the cataclysms. I went with something that hopefully won't immediately murder my clan. Our ancestors will expect us to fight anything water-related.



Hyalor is our main ancestor hero and later god, he founded our culture. Nivorah is the great city where our ancestors originally lived.



The cataclysms continued and we had to leave Nivorah. We took one of our gods with us - Narva, goddess of brewing. Because who doesn't love some beer and kumis!



Our particular clan became known for having the best magicians. This should hopefully help us conduct rituals and give various boosts.



We crossed the mountains and arrived in a new land, where we took in local hunters and gatherers as full members of the clan. Slavery is no longer our way, and we figured these people knew the local lands and could be of great value to the clan. They taught us about Dostal, the god of hunters.



We migrated once more, and took some lands along the bank of a river. We figured that there was no need to make life too difficult for us yet, so hopefully we will have time to adapt and prosper.

Our advisors said that the we should be called the Swift Mare clan. This seemed like a fine name, and so it was decided.

[Habbaku]

Uh oh. Don't let Brain see this thread.

[crazy canuck]

 

[Solmyr]

Uh oh. Don't let Brain see this thread.

Will he: ride like the wind?

[Solmyr]

It is the Sacred Time, as the fourth year of Orala's chieftainship is ending. It is time to allocate our clan magic for the coming year. We have plenty of magic for now, but that will not last, as we will certainly not be able to collect so much during the year.



We allocate 2 to Fields, so as to grow as much food as possible. Our clan does not start with sufficient land or ability to grow enough food for the year, so we will either have to use stockpiles (which are finite), clear more arable land, or use rituals to improve our yield. So everything helps.

Exploring is often helpful to find useful things, so we spend 1 on that.

Pastures also get some help so that we can maintain our herds.

We put 1 in Ritual in order to make discovering new blessings and mysteries easier.

1 goes in War, just in case we have to engage in battle this year. Magic spent here is more efficient than spending it before each separate battle.

Finally, 1 goes in Wilds, to help our hunters and gatherers find more food.

This should hopefully get us through the first year.

Before we go further, let's look in more detail at our own clan as well as what we know about the surrounding world.



The Swift Mare Clan has 657 people, all but one fit and healthy. Since we only recently arrived in these lands, we have not yet finished all the houses for everyone, and not enough fields and pastures have been cleared. Those concerns will need to be addressed as soon as possible. To do so, nobles can lead ventures, but only one venture can be performed in a year. We will look at them a bit later.

Now, let's have a look at our clan ring. Ideally, we want both men and women on the ring, with each of the seven members representing each of the seven families, as well as seven different deities. And, of course, having excellent skills in various areas. [Note: I took the screenshots at the beginning of my second year, so actually these guys are a year younger at this point.]



Our clan chief is Orala. She's actually not that amazing skills-wise, though her Leadership is reasonably good. She's also quite young and has time to improve. She represents the Akot family and worships Nyalda, the Earth Mother. She is starting her fifth year as clan chief.



Next is Jereno, our loremaster and law expert. His Lore skill is excellent, although there are a couple of older nobles who are even better. He represents the Dasano family and worships Relandar, the god of learning. He's also quite young, though if you ask me, he looks more 73 than 33!



Next is Bandars, our warleader. He's great at fighting and leading warriors, though he's getting old. He represents the Erkent family and worships Elmal, the sun god and chief of our pantheon together with Nyalda.



Then we have Bardalor, who is a shaman of Raven, a trickster spirit who is a companion of our ancestor god Hyalor. Spirits are fickle and a Raven shaman could be very helpful or very unhelpful [much like Eurmal's tricksters in KoDP]. Bardalor is also excellent at working with all kinds of animals and plants. She represents the Karent family.



Next is Maryu, our clan magician. She represents the Nordon family and worships Erissa, the pacifist goddess of healing.



Next is Eleen, our trader. She's actually not the best in the clan at bargaining, but she's also fairly young and has time to improve. She represents the Parnt family and worships Ekarna, goddess of trade.



Finally, we have Elindrai, who is not actually that great at anything and is mostly there because she represents the seventh family, Zarent. She also worships Nyalda the Earth Mother.

For now, we decide to keep the clan ring as it is. All seven families are represented and we have most of the skills covered except for Diplomacy. We also have two Nyalda worshippers on the ring. If we decide to reorganize the ring later on, Elindrai is the main candidate for replacement, as she does not really bring anything important.



Besides the clan ring, we have a couple of other important nobles to look at. The first one is Churka, a follower of the warrior goddess Osara. Churka is pretty amazing at fighting, leading, and magic. No doubt she will be invaluable in many circumstances.



And we also have Barzden, who is an older worshipper of Elmal who is really good at pretty much everything. He should also be able to help us in many ways.



Here is the map of the valley we share with other clans. Our clan is right in the middle, on the banks of the Black Eel River which flows into the larger Oslira River further east. To the north are forests and the Imther Mountains. We don't know a lot of the world beyond that. Note that the major rivers are not easy to cross until we have the proper divine blessings, so this will affect our exploration.

A brief overview of the other clans in the valley, including both horse clans like ours, and wheel clans whose nobles drive chariots.

Ar-Tarima (wheels): Known for being the last clan to leave Nivorah. We owe them a favor.
Blue Crest (horse): Known for following the Pure Horse practices. Their chief is Urnoste. They mock us. They owe us a favor. They keep slaves.
Brighteyes (horse): Known for their large herds. Their chief is Enardivus. They hate us. They don't sell slaves.
Brilliant Hoof (horse): Known for erratic chieftains. They owe us a favor.
Char-Orisa (wheels): Known for their close descent from Elmal. Their chief is Monok. We owe them a favor. They keep slaves.
Flame Singer (horse): Known for their aggressive pursuit of trade. Their chief is Chukorde. They owe us a favor. They sell slaves but don't keep them.
Flint Heart (horse): Known for their fondness for exploring. We owe them a favor.
Gryphon (horse): Known for their many shamans. Their chief is Incharnus. They don't sell slaves.
Jade Colt (horse): Known for hunting prowess. Their chief is Hyarnan. They sell slaves but don't keep them.
Ku-Rander (wheels): Known for unusual beadwork. They owe us a favor.
Mor-Kagin (wheels): Known for being extraordinarily haughty.
Old Eagle (horse): Known for their reliance on raiding. They owe us a favor. They sell slaves but don't keep them.
Paral-Un (wheels): Known for their hawks.
Shining Blossom (horse): Known for avoiding conflict. Their chief is Zaksoro. They fear us. We owe them a favor. They don't sell slaves.
Yellowhill (horse): Known for their poverty. Their chief is Veris. They don't sell slaves.

Also there's apparently some clan called Jernelthi living across the river to the south, but we don't know anything about them.

So to summarize, our closest neighbors are the Old Eagles who like raiding, which is not good. We have reasonably good relations with them, however, so maybe they'll pick some other targets. On the other hand, our neighbors the Shining Blossom are peaceful and afraid of us, and so may prove good raiding targets for our own warriors.

Coming next: Orala's fifth year and the first one we live in this new land!

[Habbaku]

Uh oh. Don't let Brain see this thread.

Will he: ride like the wind?

Something's getting broken in, at least.

[Solmyr]

Orala's Year 5

Our first order of business is to improve the food situation. One of our nobles, Henedra, led the people in clearing land for new fields.



Later in the Sea Season, a huge flock of ravens appeared on our lands. Bardalor was of course very excited, saying it was a blessing from Raven. We agreed to let her lead a ritual to trick the Brighteyes, who currently hate us, into thinking better of us. They have large herds and it seems like they'd be more useful as friends than enemies. Bardalor said that the ritual was a success and we started on the road of reconciliation with the Brighteyes.



On the recommendation of Bandars, we built a watchtower to help spot coming raids. We also had him raise four new warriors from the ranks of our clan. While most clan members fight with bows, those who are more skilled use swords and fight as well as five bowmen.

Also in late Sea Season, the clan ring heard that some of our people are those of our neighbors the Gryphons are growing closer. This could herald closer relations between our clans in general. However, the clan decided not to take action for now, as being too open could be seen as a weakness. We will wait for now, but keep the Gryphons in mind as potential friends.



As the Fire Season began, the clan prepares for raiding. But first, we had some strange visitors. The Yeleni, or Buzzard People, come asking for one of our young priestesses of Pela to marry into their clan. There could be a candidate, but the clan ring decided that this marriage would bring no major benefit to the Swift Mares, and so we politely declined.




Fire Season is underway, so it is time to raid. We decided to start off small, and launch a simple cattle raid against our fearful neighbors, the Shining Blossoms. Nine swordsmen and six bowmen went on the raid, sneaking around the Shining Blossom patrols and making off with 33 cows! A very successul cattle raid indeed.

Earth Season came and it is time to reap the harvest. Under the leadership of Barzden, we conducted a ritual sacrifice to Pela, to bless our barley crop. The benevolent goddess chose to accept our sacrifice, making our crop plentiful.



Earth Season also brings with it a very strange event. Apparently some of the threads in our Story Tent have been possessed by an ancestor ghost, who is now wandering about. We first tried asking him for a story, but he could not remember any. Then we tried to coax him back into the tent wall, but he refused to go, until other ancestor spirits had to wake up and pull him back. The whole event soured the clan's mood somewhat and cost us a lot of magic. Thanks, ancestor ghost.




With the harvest collected, our Raven shaman and food expert Bardalor reported that the food situation is good. We will produce as much food as we will eat in the coming year. The clearing of fields and blessings of Pela obviously had an effect.

Late in the season we also dispatched Barzden to the Brighteyes clan to try and repair our relations. He took with him 10 cows worth of gifts. His negotiating skills proved excellent and the Brighteyes no longer hate us. A good deal for just 10 goods, if you ask me. Barzden is proving to be useful in many areas, just as we thought.



In the middle of Dark Season, we received alarming news about a force of trolls marching close to our lands. We could attack them, but Dark Season is bad for us and good for the trolls. And the Shining Blossoms are known for avoiding conflict, so it is doubtful they'd help us with this. We decided to wait and hope they just go elsewhere, but the trolls had other ideas and rushed towards our lands. We hastily mustered some warriors to defend against them. With some help from Elmal, we drove them off, though with a few casualties. This could have gone much worse.




After the troll attack, we decided we need even more swordsmen. Bandars chose four new ones from the ranks of our clan.

As the Storm Season arrived, we decided we need to know more about the land we live in. Churka took a few men and explored some of our clan's lands. She found a valley with plenty of ivory tusks and teeth, which will surely bring our craftsmen joy.



Later in Storm Season, we had another odd event. A large elk came up to our hunters and spoke to them, asking them to forgo game hunting for two years and promising plentiful game after that. We decided not to tempt fate too much, and agreed to the elk's terms. Our hunters will cease hunting for a while, so we will need other sources of food, but hopefully this will pay off later on.



Late in the season, we had Leshena conduct a ritual sacrifice to the Inila, goddess of foraging. We learned the mysteries of the Find ritual, which, surprisingly, will help us find hidden things.

Maryu also started complaining about our food situation, even though earlier Bardalor thought we were fine. I guess stopping game hunting might have some effect.



Sacred Time is here again! We've had a reasonably good year, though our magic is lower this time. We put 2 in Fields so as to help the food situation, especially with the lack of hunting now. 1 goes in Rituals because we should be doing more of those. Our priests also foretold good fortune for our raids, so we'll definitely be doing that next Fire Season. Therefore, 1 goes to War to help with that.



Next up: raiding, evil spirits, and crappy trade deals.

[The Brain]

This is lovely.

[Habbaku]

BAIL OUT.

[Solmyr]

Orala's Year 6

As the year begins, Churka reports that the Brilliant Hoof Clan has recruited some warriors from the east. They are far away from us though, so it shouldn't be a concern yet.



To start off on our food situation, we sent Doren along with an escort to forage for food in the northern forest. We also had Henedra lead the clan folk in clearing more land for pastures. Doren returned near the end of Sea Season with plenty of foraged food.




Our shamans found evil spirits on our land. They wished to acquire new items for their ritual garb, in case they came back. We said that after they acquired the needed items they should hunt evil spirits. Barzden found that the shamans of the Shining Blossom clan had the items they needed. He traded for them, but it was not the best deal. Upon their return, Barzden assembled a party of shamans to scour our lands for evil spirits. Barzden sensed their presence, but they fled upon seeing the new adornments he had acquired. They would not be back for a good while.




It's Fire Season, so time to raid! We pick the Shining Blossoms as our targets again, because surely trading and fighting can be done with the same clan. We bring 12 swords and 110 bows on the raid, led by Bandars. The battle system in this game differs from KoDP as now you fight the battle in multiple rounds, choosing what to do in each one, with different possibilities depending on whether you or the other clan fear, hate, or mock each other. You can even parley and demand or pay tribute to avoid battle altogether.

The raid begins quite well, as we elude the Shining Blossom patrols and face a smaller force. We decide to concentrate on plundering, as that's what we are here for.



Our first choice is to charge right onto battle! Hopefully the magic we spent on war during Sacred Time will help us.



As we prepare, the Shining Blossoms send out a herald. However, he has nothing but taunt for us. We taunt them back, and it seems to shake their morale.



We charge forward through a hail of arrows and then press the attack. The Shining Blossoms fight defensively, conserving their strength.



As the battle continues, we encounter an enemy warrior with divine blessings from Elmal. Bandars orders to shoot him with arrows, which was perhaps not the wisest decision in hindsight.



We continue to press the attack, and eventually manage to win, despite things looking a bit dangerous earlier.



Finally we were victorious, with no deaths on our side and some on theirs. We took some plunder, though perhaps not an amazing amount. I suspect the favor of the gods for raiding helped us here, as thing looked like they could have turned out much worse.



For our second raid of the season, we took a smaller force and went cow raiding into the lands of Ar-Tarimae. We were successful and stole 21 cows from them.



Some traders arrived from the Old Eagle Clan, asking for an exclusive deal to buy our beer. Our trade goods situation is bad, so an immediate payment would be useful, but we could make more over the period of seven years. Bolda decided to negotiate. However, her negotiating skills, though high, were apparently not enough and she actually got less than the original offer. Well, that's the last time you are negotiating such deals, Bolda.



Herders found an object that might have been ornamentation that fell off Samnal's chariot, or perhaps a seed from a celestial plant. We sacrificed it to Busenari, to help our cattle.



Apparently hearing of our amazing negotiation skills, traders from the Jade Colt Clan arrived, asking to purchase the ivory we discovered last year. This time, Bolda was not allowed to make a counter-offer, and we firmly said no.



We sent Barzden with gifts to the Ar-Tarimae. We gave them 10 gifts to make them like us more, which is a net win since we stole 21 cows from them earlier this year. Also, it is good to send emissaries to all the Wheels clans, so that we can be better at diplomacy.



Maryu led several ritual sacrifices to the goddess Erissa. Since Erissa doesn't like cow sacrifices as much, we had to sacrifice our already meager goods. We were hoping for the Curing blessing to heal our sick, but of course Erissa decided that we needed Healing and Hope blessings first, and only then chose to reveal the mysteries of Curing.

Cows, separated from their owners by mischief spirits, wandered onto our lands. We kept them. Hey, who doesn't like free cows?



A lingering legal dispute between the Zarent and Parnt families brought discord to the clan. We kept the clan circle out of this. Let them sort it out themselves.



Come Storm Season, we sent Barzden with gifts to the Char-Orisae. We have plenty of cows but few goods, so we sent cows this time. Another Wheels clan hopefully likes us more now.



Both the Dasano and Parnt families wanted to adopt a baby they had found floating down the Black Eel River. Orala adopted the baby into her family, naming him Insinor. People complained that Orala was taking advantage of her position as chief, hoping the baby's luck would rub off on her.



We sent Churka to explore our own clan lands some more. She found some neatly sorted piles of bones, but nobody could figure out what this means.



It is Sacred Time! Our herds have grown nicely, but goods are still low. Our seers say that the market will be profitable this year, so we put 1 in Crafts to help with crafting and trade. Other magic goes into Fields, Pastures, Ritual, and War, as usual. We also have some extra magic this year thanks to Raven's intervention.

[Solmyr]

Orala's Year 7

It seems that actually we get extra magic every year because we have a Raven shaman on the clan ring. Of course, this may cause some problems as well. So far, Bardalor has not done anything too upsetting... Also, Barzden told us a rather weird story he heard.



Anyway, on to trading! We sent Bolda to our neighbors the Gryphon Clan. Bolda convinced the Gryphon clan to create a new trading route, and we made a profit of 7 goods. Bolda's negotiating skills seem to be back in shape.



Our kiln stopped firing properly, displeased by what it said was our bullheadedness. Our shamans spoke soothing words to it. The shamans said they had successfully propitiated the kiln. It would now go back to firing as it should. Damn kiln spirits.



The last urgent task we have is finishing the houses for our people. Henedra began this venture. All seven families worked on each other's houses for many weeks. When it was done, people celebrated with a special batch of beer. Never pass up an opportunity to drink beer, I say.



Fire Season came and it's raiding time! First, we sent a cattle raid to our fearful neighbors, the Shining Blossoms. We were successful and stole 20 cows from them. The second raid we made was against the Blue Crests, who are the clan that mocks us. We stole four horses from the Blue Crests, which is better than nothing I guess. Let's see them mock us now. And of course, our clan's mood is rising with every successful raid.

One of our foragers found a magical clay mask. After some deliberation by the clan ring, we kept it for our use. A magical treasure is always nice!



Jereno spoke about the Rams living on the other side of Black Eel River. We still don't know much about them, except that they worship Orlanth, slayer of our original god Yelm. We'll need to watch for those barbarians, and learn to tame the river in time.



To help with our trade, we sacrificed to the trade goddess Ekarna, who revealed the Trade blessing. More trade! Also, Maryu was worried about our food situation, saying that we may not have enough next year. We'll have to do something about that again.

Our herders reported seeing disturbing, indistinct figures in our scrublands. It seems we have Slender Man visiting us. We called on Elmal, bright guardian god, for protection, sacrificing 15 cows (because our trade goods are a tad low). Returning dizzy from the story tent, the priests said their prayers had been answered, and that the danger had already passed. Let's hope so.



We sent Bolda to the Old Eagle Clan, the guys who like raiding, in hopes of establishing permanent trade (and make them raid someone else). Bolda was on top of her game again and convinced the Old Eagle clan to create a new trading route, also making a profit of 6 goods.

It's Dark Season, so there's not a lot to do outside the clan. To help with our food production more permanently, we decided to build a shrine to the goddess Pela, so that her barley blessing will help us continuously.

The Gryphons wanted our help fighting bandits. We are friendly with the Gryphons and bandits could threaten our trade as well, so we said we would help. Churka took some warriors and went to help the Gryphons, but could not find the bandits. The Gryphons grew testy, saying we did not know what we were doing. But that could not be helped. What did they expect? It's Dark Season, so it's not like it's easy to go tromping around the wilderness.



Later in Dark Season, we constructed a ditch to help with defense of our lands. Once the Storm Season arrived, we also sent Churka along with some warriors to explore lands to the north, in the forests beyond the Gryphon lands. We also sacrificed to Ekarna to learn the Silvertongue blessing.

Eleen returned from her unauthorized exploration to seek a sacrifice to a previously unknown god called Uldak. We allowed the rite. After Eleen performed the sacrifice, Nyalda appeared to her to warn against Uldak, a rebel god banished by the first Earth Mother, Oria. We had lost our sacrifice, but at least we had not been afflicted by his dread presence.



Sacred Time arrived and we took stock of the previous year. We have fewer people and livestock, but at least we have a better market. And the coming year is going to be profitable for trade again, according to our seers. We'll put magic in the usual things, including Diplomacy. Maybe we can set up some alliances this year in addition to new trade routes.

[Solmyr]

Orala's Year 8

Churka returned from her exploration mission to the north, but did not find anything interesting.



Barzden tells us another odd rumor.



Doren said we now have plenty of game in the forests, so we were right to listen to the talking elk two years ago.



Our next venture is to improve the clan hall. We are low on goods, so we cannot decorate, and we thought that the consecration should wait until everything else is done, so the first thing was to arrange an inaugural feast to celebrate. It seemed to go well.



A quick look at our economic situation. It's pretty good, we've started on trade routes, and our herds and hunting game are plentiful. Our crafters are still upset that we are trading away our beer, and bandits are starting to become a threat. We'll have to address that. We sacrificed to Ekarna for the Silvertongue blessing to help our traders and negotiators in the coming year.



Birds interfered with shamanic initiation by posing as spirits. We sent one of our traders, Derenei, who told them to behave. The birds trilled merrily and flew away, apparently indifferent.



Our raiding season began when we stole 30 cows from the Shining Blossoms. Meanwhile, Bolda convinced the Yellowhill clan to create a new trading route and made a profit of 4 goods.

Emboldened, we raided the Shining Blossoms. That one did not go well at all. Barzden injured an enemy noble, but then was surrounded by enemy Bows, who killed him. Bye bye our best noble. We were driven off and had no opportunity to gain loot.



To top it all, the Paral-Uni raided us for 14 cows while we were raiding.

The Char-Orisae called in a favor, requesting four horses. We gave them what they asked.



Bolda convinced the Char-Orisa clan to create a new trading route. At least we are doing well on the economic front.

Kondon sought alliance with the Gryphons. They agreed that we should join forces against the valley's many dangers, and became our allies. Yay, our first allies, for a total of 20 goods.



Trolls ate our yarm tree. We asked the Brilliant Hoofs for a cutting. They said yes, of course. The real question was whether they would keep this embarrassing turn of events to themselves. With a twinkle in their eyes, their diplomats said they would. But we had to understand that they were repaying us a favor. Because this was such a good story that anyone would ache to share it come feasting time.



We sacrificed to Relandar, learning his Advice blessing. This can make the clan ring wiser. Also to help with our food, Maryu bargained with the Sow Spirit, persuading it to help the clan in the coming years.



The star seers had an opportunity to observe for certain portents. Looking for unusual events, they said Raven would visit.



People, led by chieftain Orala herself, complained that we should be doing more to survive as the world changed. The council promised we would explore our new surroundings.



When ravens nested on our spirit rocks, shamans said it would be a good time for a Raven Festival. We sent hunters to seize a captive from the Shining Blossom clan. Churka captured a Shining Blossom herder and brought him back to become the subject of the Raven festival. The revels brought cheer to the people, especially when we removed the fingers from the captive's right hand. These we threw them to the gathered ravens, who flew off with them. Gruesome, but hey, who are we to go against tradition?



Bolda convinced the Jade Colt clan to create a new trading route. We now have plenty of trade.

It's Sacred Time again. Despite some setbacks, we are in a fairly good shape, although I'm peeved about losing Barzden. We allocated some extra magic to Ritual, in case we want to perform something more advanced.



Next up: various disasters strike.

[Solmyr]

Orala's Year 9

Orala reported a strange vision that all clan ring members received.



Children of our clan were found performing fire magic, mightier than that of experienced priests. We asked the Gryphon clan to take them in and train them. They would not take the children in.



We finished the decorations in the clan hall. Bolda managed to get it done a bit cheaper than expected.



Bardalor captured and tormented a charioteer of the Char-Orisa clan. We granted the charioteer a swift and merciful death. Unless they saw fit to perform a divination, which was never without cost, the Char-Orisae would never know what had happened to their vanished kinsman. Well, shit, Bardalor. You are certainly sadistic, it would seem. Also, apparently you are a man and not a woman as I thought.



It was time to tame the Black Eel River so that we can cross it safely. Here is the myth that we know:



To do this, we must choose one clan member to enter the Gods War and reenact the myth. We decided that Churka will be the best candidate, as she can both fight and negotiate quite well. Luckily, the ritual went well and the river was tamed.







Emboldened by success, we sent Churka to explore across the river to the south. She found a magical rock which turned out to be connected to Chaos. It must have hurt our fortune badly, as things began to go downhill soon...



Fire Season began with a cattle raid, as we stole 21 cows from the Shining Blossoms. We also sent Bolda to explore the clan lands. Outlaws attacked our exploration party in the clan lands. Bolda blustered and shouted at the outlaws, but they just laughed. Bolda tried to avoid the fight and save the group, but the outlaws attacked anyway, wounding several of our party.



Our trade route with the Char-Orisae could no longer be sustained by the market and closed down.

Then the real disaster struck. The Dwarves raided us. Somehow they slipped past our patrols and we had to face them with a smaller force.



We used some magic to help and began skirmishing, but they rushed us quickly. We tried to hold our ground, but their fierce fighting forced us back. Our defense could not withstand their risky attacks. We were driven from the battlefield and plundered. Our losses were 22 dead and 24 wounded.



Soon after, warriors of the Old Eagle clan made a whooping run against us. We sent warriors to whoop at them in return. They rushed us, and our warriors fell back. Bandars's urgings could not overcome their fear. Old Eagle laughter scorched our ears. Oh, the shame! Old Eagles are, by the way, the guys who are our neighbors and really like raiding.



We hastily conducted a sacrifice to Erissa to ask for healing. This is made more difficult because we are really short on trade goods, and sacrificing cows to a pacifist goddess is probably not a good idea. Nonetheless, 22 wounded people were healed. Bandars complained that we haven't had good fortune in battle lately, and should learn Elmal's battle blessings. Yeah, if only we had the time and resources for that...

The fire magic children made more trouble, setting a tent ablaze. The circle urged patience from the people. Orala's eloquence won them over, quelling fearful hearts. Let's hope these guys turn out to be amazing superheroes.



We built a shrine to Ekarna to expand our trade, and Bolda convinced the Char-Orisa clan to create a trading route again. Hopefully our economy will recover somewhat. Meanwhile, Bandars recruited some new warriors.

This Fire Season turned out to be holy hell. Since we appeared so weak, the Old Eagles raided us. We were slightly outnumbered, even though luckily this time we got all our riders to respond. We tried to maneuver into a better position, but failed and were forced to attack uphill.



The Old Eagle clan hero, Fenarom, charged us, horse wreathed in divine flame. Churka met Fenarom's charge head-on. Churka and Fenarom traded terrible blows. When it was all over, it was Churka fell from horseback, wounded. We groaned in disbelief. Well, at least Churka wasn't killed, that would have been the cherry on top of the raiding cake. We were driven from the battlefield and looted. But even worse, our losses were horrifying, with 46 dead and 60 wounded.



If you think that was it, of course not. River monsters attacked us. We raided the Weeders, who were known to deal with river monsters, and water creatures are our ancestral enemies. They fled from our advance. None of our warriors were hurt. We gained five cows worth of goods, mostly clay pots and polished shell jewelry. Our shamans said it would be a while until they dared loose river monsters against us. By striking against water worshipers, our priests said we had attracted the favor of our ancestors, who would aid our actions for a while. Well, first notable success of the year, not much loot but at least no losses. After leading the raid, Bandars raised another 4 new warriors.



In the Storm Season, the Shining Blossoms raided us. Apparently their fear of us didn't stop them from attacking. They also slipped past our patrols, and we had to face their 114 riders with our 46. First we skirmished, but they rushed us quickly. Both sides fought cautiously, and they seemed to gain the upper hand. Then Bandars decided to go all in and ordered a furious berserk attack, which started to drive them back, evoking their fear of us. Our fierce fighting finally managed to break their morale. We drove the Shining Blossoms off, and were happy to have survived the battle. We lost only 2 dead and 1 wounded, while they lost a bit more, but the battle was much less bloody than the ones during Fire Season.



It's Sacred Time, and we take stock of our situation. The clan lost many people this year, and many more are still wounded. Our clan magic is also low, and in fact this time Raven actually decided to take some away. So his patronage is a two-edged sword. We lost cattle and horses as well, and our goods are low, which will make healing people difficult. The oracles predicted an unusual number of rats and vermin this year, so we put magic in Fields to get some help with food, as well as in Rituals to help with healing people and War to defend against more raids.



Next up: Even more dying and treasure.