general
The nomads travel only one route. They DON'T wander around the world of Dran and they DON'T know the other tribes.
The nomads travel up and down Sweetleafs travel. Wonder why they do that? Well, In the winter they live in the south, but when it's summer over their the ice melts and the insects flourish. Those insects spread deadly deseases, once stinged their is basicly no hope for you so the nomads are forced to move to the colder areas before the insects show up. But also the Ever-White has it's problems, in the winter it's to cold to survive so then they are forced to move back to where they came from.
The elves don't travel all year long. In the winter they stay in the southern part of their continent. In Spring they travel North to the Ever-White. In the summer they live in the Ever-White and in Autumn they move back south.
The nomads live in tipi like tents which they call huts. They are easy to break down and take with them when they travel. Nomads eat their meat raw, before they travel fruit and vegetables are dried so they can take that with them. They eat more fruit and vegetable then meat because they are easier to preserve.
Positions in the tribe
Nomads show their position in the tribe by the use of feathers. The feathers are attached to their hat or their hair. Below is a list of wich feather is used for which position
| position in tribe |
feathers |
| chief(tess) |
one small dark red feather |
| storyteller |
two long bright green feathers |
| reindeer trainer |
one long bright green feather |
| tanner |
one short dark green feather |
| gatherer |
two short dark green feathers |
| hunter |
two long yellow feathers |
| hunt leader |
two long yellow, one short dark red
feather |
| cubsitter |
one long yellow feather |
| guard |
two small bright blue feathers |
| scout |
one small bright blue feather |
| tracker |
one long purple feather |
| herbal healer |
two long purple feathers |
| midwife |
one short white feather |
| magic user |
two short white feathers |
| keeper of the way |
one long orange feather |
| advisor |
one long and one short brown feather |
| cub |
no feathers |
Friends
The Nomads travel with their faithfull companions the reindeer. Pathkeeper was the first chieftess who decided to befriend the reindeer who travelled the same path as they did every year. Generations since that day have past and the elves can't imagion a live without their reindeer, so can't the reindeer imagion a live without the elves.
The elves do not bond with the reindeer, which means they can not send to them. They do befriend them and reindeer can become very close pets and companions. It's very seldom not to have a reindeer. You can have 1 or up to 10 reindeer, as many as you like. Besides the tamed reindeer a wild herd travel with them. The elves ofthen catch knew reindeer to train them in the wild herd.
Reindeer are used for carying goods when the elves travel. The elves ride them. Some reindeer are trained for use during the hunt, those reindeer are trained to be scared of bears etc.
The trolls are no friends and no foe. Right know they don't bother eachother, from time to time they trade hides against useable weapons, when they are near the troll caves. In the past they had a very untrustworthy relationship, but now it's better.
anemies
Of course also the nomads suffer from the human rage. They had several wars with the humans in the past. Now every time they come by the human camp they have to be really careful because most of the time it ends up in battle. The humans have strange traditions that include capturing and killing the elves. If a human catches an elf, they will be honored for the rest of their lives so all the humans are after one. Luckily their is a lot of compatition between the humans so mostly their plans fail.
traditions
to become an adult
When a young nomad becomes 20 turns old, he or she is in title of his first reindeer. They get the task to catch a reindeer that lives in the wild herd and the only thing they may use is a short rope, a human length long. When they catch their first reindeer a party is held for the youngster.
recognition
recognition is always welcomed among the nomads, it gives them hope and the promise of knew live. They live in a harsh world and little 'wonders' like this are respected. When a pair feel the touch of recognition and give in to it a party is held to honore the life bringers. The female elf gets knew clothes from the softes leather and the warmest hides which she can wear when she's pregnant. The male elf gets a strong a beautiful carved bow, and three bowls of fruit to provide his child and his (maybe) lifemate when she's uncapable of doing much when she's in her last stadium of pregnancy.
lifemating
When a pair lifemates a knew hut is made for them. The hole tribes works on it together and every body loves to do that. On the hut all the tribemates paint one symbol to wish the couple a live of happiness and luck together.
childbirth
When a child is born the midwife paints a symbol on his forhead with red paint. It shows that he is excepted as a nomad and a full tribemember, after that lots of gifts is given to the happy couple and the little cub.