Endrykas Winter Calendar

[Praetorian]

After season upon season of hardship, Lhex has finally blessed the people of the grasslands with a chance for prosperity. The oldest of the Drykas would only vaguely remember stories of the great Bison herds of the Sea of Grass. The stories spoke of herds that ran across the grasslands, with the sound of thunder, leaving tan clouds in the skies for bells after their passing. But, this was long ago. As the Valterrian forced the Glassbeaks to evolve into the fierce monsters that they are now, these bison were quickly killed off, disappearing into the annexes of legend. Now, stories are arising once again. Tales being shared across the Web of large brown herds of bison sporting a hundred head of mature adults. It appears as if the bison were evolving alongside the Glassbeaks, just not as rapidly. This kept them from being able to reestablish themselves as a species, until the Spring of 512 AV. As the Djed storms severely affected the Glassbeak population, the bison were finally given the chance to repopulate. A large troupe of hunters, trackers, animal handlers, herdsmen, and other Drykas will be setting out in an attempt to capture as many bison as they can and return them to Endrykas. Longhorned Bison Statistics : Physical Appearance: Males and females are of equal size to optimize herd protection. They are ten feet long from nose to rump and typically six feet tall at the shoulder. Their weight ranges between 1000 and 2000 pounds as an adult. They have very short legs, but are still able to move at proportionally high rates of speed (between 30 and 40 mph). Two enormous brown horns adorn the crowns of male and female bison alike with upswept spans easily reaching eight feet. This can also be a downfall. They evolved to be able to fend off larger predators that attack from the sides. These horns mean that if the bison are too severely agitated and not given room to run and escape, they could just as easily gore one another. The thick, matted fur on their heads, necks, and shoulders offers some protection from this and from claws of predators. The large, fatty hump over their shoulders serves as a depository of nutrients that can serve them well in lean times. It is said that the quality of the land can be judged by the hump on a bison's shoulders. Behavior: During the Spring, bison will "wallow" in shallow, dust depressions. This helps them shed their heavier Winter coat and gives them an extra layer of protection from biting insects. Bison are relatively docile unless threatened by predators. In this case, the adult bison will form a large ring around the young and ward off predators by shaking their heads from side to side, gouging and goring predators with their enormous horns. Male bison fight one another for superiority, allowing them to form harems. Defeated males will remain with the herd for production, but will not breed with females in estrus as their bodies take on a pseudo-asexual role. Reproduction: Bison breed in the Fall and give birth in the Spring. As the time of fertilization, two young are produced. However, if the mother's situation grows too harsh, one of the young will be reduced to nutrients to support the other's development. This means that in times of plenty, a female bison will give birth to two offspring. When two offspring are born, they will be a bit smaller and weaker than when a single young is, but they tend to survive just as frequently. Calves are a light tan color, which allows them to blend in with their environments, and are typically weaned within four months of birth. Young reach sexual maturity in two years. Calendar of Events: 1st - Endrykas sets out on its Winter Run. 14th - Word traverses the Web to Wilrok Loresinger of the bison herd. 15th - A meeting of Ankals is held to determine the best course of action, it is determined that an expedition should be led to acquire as many of the Bison as possible. Any possible resource will help the Drykas through these rough times. 16th - A call goes out in Endrykas and across the Web, searching for anyone willing to help with this endeavor. Hunters and trackers are needed to locate the herd, individuals with a background in animal management are needed to help manage the bison separated by our most skilled riders. Cooks and other common occupations are needed to help with the project as a whole. 17th - Rukairn Greenriver is selected to lead this expedition after his skill with the Raids. 28th - The expedition leaves, setting out North along Arale River. 34th - The herd is found and observation begins. Some figure that the herd instinct of the bison can be used against them. 37th - Riders begin to separate stragglers of the herd and ease them away from the herd entirely until a sizable number of cows, adolescent calves, and bulls have formed their own herd. 38th - The grasses of Cyphrus freeze and the first snow falls. 39th - Efforts to capture any more bison end and the enormous effort of returning to Endrykas begins. 47th - The expedition and their new additions arrive in Endrykas. From this point on, a new job of maintaining and herding the Endrykas Bison will be available. It will require at least 40 points in Riding: Horse, 30 points in Herding, and 25 points in Animal Husbandry; this occupation pays 5 GM per day. 49th - It is discovered that shed Bison fur can be woven into garments lighter and warmer than wool because of its dense nature. A job of collecting fallen bison hair and taking it to weaving tents is created, paying 1-2 GM per day. 52nd - The snow melts to some degree, allowing the Striders and other livestock to graze on exposed shoots of grass and roots. 54th - Despite it being past the average colting season, a pure white Strider colt is born, symbolizing to many that there is good luck in the future of the Drykas. 63rd to 66th - Many mothers died during the plague, meaning that much knowledge of how to treat a pregnancy and how to properly raise a child was lost to many Drykas women. Aside from this, many of the women brought in through the Raids are beginning to show signs of pregnancy as well. Healers of the Opal clan and other mothers with experience volunteer to teach these future mothers their tips and tricks, to offer support, and to share in the general camaraderie of motherhood. 68th - Another snowstorm hits, bringing with it strong winds. People and animals cluster in their pavilions for warmth. 70th - The Winter storm dies and, when the Drykas emerge, they are surprised to see that the bison have remained relatively close and in their original herd. All survived by huddling together. 71th - A small pride of thawing Nightlions is found. 75th - Word is sent across the Web, seeking those who are versed in selective breeding, seeking assistance with how to possibly domesticate the bison or breed them for better utilization in the future. 83rd - The Pride has a half off sale on their stock of Imperial Watchers, Akvina Deerstalkers, Helevaos Shepard Dogs. 85th - A large herd of deer is spotted on the horizon, beckoning to hunters in Endrykas. 92nd - Winter Ends. This season, in order to earn a medal, you must complete ALL of the Winter thread challenges. You are not required, but it is a great way to get those creative juices flowing! Winter Challenges - Bump your head on something. Catch a cold Have something spook your Strider Chase after a shadow Try to make something new Whistle at a bird Admit your feelings (love/hate/distrust/etc) for someone Fail in a way so epic, people will be laughing for seasons to come Earn a cool nickname Win a tickle-fight Try on makeup (girls), experiment with your facial hair (boys) Engage in a heated debate about something petty while you're cooped up in your pavilion Fall 513 AV Calendar : After a tumultuous Summer, the Drykas attempt to rebuild their homes and their way of life. Fall 513AV 1 - Fall Begins 10 - Those gathered by the raids and yet unassigned are auctioned off at the center of Endrykas. 16 - A large herd of deer is spotted bounding through the Sea of Grass, its leading buck sporting a rack that would make even the most experienced hunter drool. 21 -A caravan of traders from Ektol arrives, bringing with them beautiful music, tapestries, pottery, and other luxuries. 22 - Two Chaktawe traveling with the caravan arrive at War Storm Pavillion and offer a bell's training in Unarmed Combat, Scimitar, or Longbow for 5 GM. 40 - Teams for the Hunt form 41 - The Hunt begins 55 - A herd of Olidosapaux thunder across the horizon 56 - Drawn by the scent of meat, Glassbeaks fall upon some of the outer pavilions. 61 - Casks of mead are found buried in a knoll on the Sea of Grass. Because of their size and their age, many people become intoxicated and act with little forethought. One is saved for the Feast. 78 - Thunderstorms begin. 81 - Thunderstorms end. 82 - Birds and other small game flock to the pools left by the rains. 88l - The Hunt ends. 91 - Festivities begin and Fall ends. Summer 513 AV Calendar : Spring has come and gone. The Drykas find themselves acting more desperate after their recovery in the previous season. Throw in an earthquake and those nasty Zith, and boy do we have our hands full. Arm yourselves, Endrykas, for death seeks you! Summer 513AV 1-Summer Begins 6-Influencial members of each clan meet to discuss the recovery efforts. General view towards them is negative, and a decision is made to call on more drastic measures. While no decision was reached on how to accomplish it, an increase in population is a must. 13-Traders begin to arrive from Syliras with precious metals and other materials 19-Violent earthquake shakes Endrykas, damages several pavilions, and opens up a hole near the city. 22-Group explores newly created crevice 25-Spelunking group returns 36-The clan leaders make a decision. The Drykas will raid the surrounding area for new blood. Willing or not, people will be brought in to diversify and strengthen their people. With the city of Syliras drawing nearer and nearer, citizens outside of their protective walls are viewed as targets. 38-A base camp is set up on the Cyphrus/Sylira border from which to conduct excursions into the unfamiliar lands as well as providing somewhere to hold captives until they can be transferred to Endrykas. 40-Raidings begin. 46-Syliran traders get word of what is going on and attempt to leave. This attempt is blocked and the Sylirans are enslaved. 55-Zith are observed in unnervingly high numbers during the periods of dawn and dusk, 56- A decision is made by the city’s leadership to seriously alter the way things are run in Endrykas. Supplies are gathered for the construction of seven massive, but transportable structures. 61-The Birdflight pavilion, which set up too far from the safety of Endrykas, is wiped out by a horrifying Zith attack. Whether they were killed or enslaved is unknown, but the Watch was unable to respond in time. 64-Nayin Bronzemane challenges the Sayeph of the Watch for his position. This challenge is refused. 66-Zith attacks become more frequent, with the closeness to Xy being the believed culprit 73-Zith attack en masse as evening falls. Endrykas must defend herself. 76-Majority of fighting ends this evening 80-Raiding parties return. 84-A festival is held to commemorate those lost in the attacks as well as to honor the heroes of battle. 91-Summer Ends