The Northern Caern - Intro and the Rules

In the northern most reaches of our country, sitting on the isle of Ellesmere, a small fire flickers in the grim half-light of the summer night as an old man warms his hands. By his side on the ground lay his kakivak, his spear used for catching his food. A ringed seal lay beside him with the spear still through its neck, waiting to be cooked for the morning meal. As you walk over the hill the dry snow cracks sharply beneath your feet, but the man makes no movement to show you that he has seen you.

The pack lay heavy on your back and you stop and wonder if you should say something. You call to your dogs and they whine nervously, refusing to approach any further. The small old man smiles, his tanned skin cracked like old leather. "I knew visitors would come tonight to bring supplies... I was expecting your father, Qitsualik." His voice is strong and clear, which takes you aback a bit. "M-my father is not well... nothing serious, but he asked me to make this journey for him." The old man nods and then looks up at you. His eyes flash like onyx in the firelight. "We will take those in," he says, gesturing to the packs on your back and on the sled. He grins broadly at the dogs. "Ijiraq! You, too!" The head dog hesitates for only a moment and then bounds off in the direction that the man is walking. You follow silently.

Your father has been journeying here once a year for as long as you know. Once in the summer months he would go, and his brother would go in the winter months. He would bring many supplies off onto the tundra to return days later. Your father this year was too weak to make the trip and told you that it was your duty to go in his place. He told you that there were many elders who lived two days travel from your village of Grise Fiord. Grise Fiord is the northernmost city in Canada that is mapped, so you are confused as to who would be able to live without a large settlement that far north. Respectfully, you say nothing and accept the task. You father gives you strict instructions of how to behave when you arrive:

Always sound your arrival with the howl of your head dog. This way they will know of your arrival and will send someone to greet you.

Always be respectful. Address them by name if it is given to you. If not, refer to them as Rhya, a term of respect.

Do not ask many questions or talk without wise words. They are a quiet people and often live in silence for many months. They believe that those who speak too much, often have nothing to say.

Always come bearing gifts and supplies. They are great hunters and can feed off the land, but it is a hard life and the gift of good food and supplies is very welcome. If you do not, they are likely to think you greedy and they will not respect you.

Never interrupt their meditations. They will often meditate for days. If you arrive and they are in their meditations, you will wait, silently until they are finished.

And lastly, what knowledge they share there with you is your knowledge only. Only take their tales with you to others ears if their permission is given. If it is not, then it is a story for your reflection only. They will hear your story on the wind if you betray that.