Chapter 2: Service to the Following

The trip back to the camp is uneventful. And you are back with the dead body ready to learn snare crafting from Wipa. You have handed over the body and someone else will prepare the funeral pyre while you are being taught by Wipa. You can tell that some of the elders seems concerned about the body, more than usual, though no explanation is given at this time.

"I have three snares to teach you today," Wipa explains showing you three snares she has already crafted.

She shows you by throwing a rock into each snare in turn. The first one explodes in a burst of caltrops once triggered. The next one causes a flat rock to shoots up and causes the rock to burrow into the ground from the force. The last one seems similar to the first in many ways, but instead of caltrops it shoots out small barbs that looks to be coated in some kind of liquid. "Poison barbs," Wipa explains. "Need to be extra careful around that one."

He motions for you to try to create each snare yourself with her guidance.

With the traps created, those who managed to at least. Wipa smiles at you. "None is expected to master it at the first attempt."

"It is time you learn about the traps' limitations and an appreciation for the traps' dangerous effects," she says, now more somber the earlier. "Would any of you like to step into the created traps? It is a great teachable moment, though I will not force anyone."

Wipa smiles as each one of you are able to avoid one of the snares in turn and order. "Well done."

She looks into a pouch and takes out four small stones. You recognize it as worry stones of malachite. Wipa often makes them from stones she finds on solitary walks. She gives you each one stone.

The night goes by without further events and you wake up the next morning ready for another day of work. Wipa comes find you early in the morning as you eat breakfast.

"We must speak about the lady you found last night," Wipa starts telling you. "We were unsure about how much to tell you yesterday, but I can tell you that from her markings she comes from the Burning Mammoths. Their following hasn't been seen in these parts for many years, but grandfather Eiwa told me to tell you to use caution should you encounter them."