[b]The Night-Walkers, Population 34 (20 in Khlin, 14 in Imlona)

Age of Rising Shadow, Night of Hilal (Crescent Moon)

Techs: Inter-Species Communication Method (4/4)
Map-making  (0/3)

Khlin[/b]

Tonight is the night. Haixun sat in his hut and thought to himself of Bolach's combat against Trixarch. He knew that this could change the course of their people, for if we could finally achieve unity, Bolach could lead us into a new golden age. An age where none would need fear the flame. How clever, too, was his decision to ask on this night. The night of Hilal, the night where the spirits walk with us. They would bring victory to him, surely, for who is more loved by the spirits than Bolach?

These thoughts were interrupted by the realization that he had been given a mission. Drifting off when his father asked him to finish his research on how to communicate with these creatures, he laughed. "We cannot afford to lose momentum" he said. Haixun knew that he needed to get this done before Bolach returns. He focused on what he had learned. Both of these creatures shared many differences with each other and with us, Haixun thought. What might we all share? There must be something. The mole-men seemed to come for water from the lake, while the wood-men seemed to just look around at vegetation. That's useless, he thought.

Then, the revelation came to Haixun. To communicate, its not "what" they may say, but how they say it. How did these creatures get where they wanted to be? They followed landmarks of the forest. They went to specific areas so that they could find their way in and out. "That's it!" he thought. If they could use that same logic by drawing "landmarks", items that they both understand such as trees, a village, or even an action, into the ground with a stick. It wouldn't even have to be the ground, Haixun thought, it could be nearly anything that a stick could change. If we used one of our arrows, we could even use a tree! The surge of possibilities flew into Haixun's mind. "Flame," he spoke to himself "This might even work!"

It was a few moments before he realized that someone entered the hut. One of the villagers from Imlona was gathering the people of Khlin. "It is time," she said, "Bolach has invoked the ritual of Takanakuy."

[b]Imlona[/b]

"On this night of nights, the spirits walk with me." thought Bolach. "They must, for this night will decide the future of our people." He arrived at the village of Imlona. He knew that he couldn't intrude during the ritual of giving the night's responsibilities, so he waited, deep in thought, until Trixarch was finally finished. With this finished, he marched into the meeting place, like he had the night before.

"I am done and finished with you, Trixarch. You are a fool and refuse to give up your idiotic idea that we must stay isolated to survive. You would sacrifice the future of our children, and our children's children, and their children for your prejudice and fear."

Trixarch, furious from these insults, attempted to interrupt Bolach. Then, Bolach spoke in a loud, stern voice, "I know how you love your traditions, Trixarch. I challenge you to the ritual of Takanakuy." The others in the village went silent. "We will either survive as a proud people, willing to finally throw off these chains, or we will die in fear. Tonight will decide that.

Dumbstruck, Trixarch stood in place for a few moments before rising up and roared "You want blood, Bolach. I will give you blood. We will see who the spirits choose this night. Remember, when you lay upon the ground, life flowing from your body, that you asked for this."

The Night-Walkers from both villages gathered on the ground near the Heart-Tree of the forest. Both villages were preparing their representative for combat. Two walkers will enter, only one will leave.