#urselk
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janspar · 1 year ago
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Foundation of a Colony
Dear Benvin,
Today marks forty days since we have taken the first settlers to our Colony Town, and as agreed, I record here my impressions of the undertaking thus far.
Despite my former reservations, the mixing of populations has proven to be successful – those inclined to volunteer for such a project are not disposed towards agitation, and those relocated from the Lansk camps are unlikely to stand against Company authority. Supply is secure for now, and barring major disaster or an influx of bodies far in excess of what has been proposed, we should remain well-stocked through to the end of the next season.
Currently, the Colony is not fully self-reliant in its labour needs. Several trades are underrepresented or entirely absent, with the shortfall being covered by employees from the Depot. This is an issue of concern if the Company is to attempt another such town without the close proximity of a well-established depot, though it may be prevented through careful screening and selection of colonist candidates. Nonetheless, building has progressed near to schedule, and the initial constructions should be complete by end of season.
The greatest difficulty has been with Company employees; tiring of long service far from their homes, they have requested greater liberty in crossing from the Depot to the Colony, desiring to meet with unfamiliar faces and take part in freer trade and leisure than that supplied by the confines of the Depot. We have kept to strict control of such permissions, but more than a few aviators, marines, and a handful of officers have broken discipline and been found in the Colony town without permission. This policy may need further review. Though it may be assumed that this proximity to distraction would lead to poor discipline, perhaps relaxing our restrictions would allow those in company service within the Depot to alleviate their stresses and lead to an overall greater contentment.
As for contentment within the Colony, that too is stable and manageable. The opportunities offered here are sufficient to encourage those who may be inclined to despair in difficult circumstances in a more familiar country; further, the work load is onerous enough to leave many without sufficient spirit for discontent, and productive enough to satisfy their desire to progress. There have been no more than a handful of desertions. Of these, two were found not an hour's travel from the town walls, dead from attack by an animal; one was recaptured and punished most severely; the remainder are missing but presumed deceased. The freshly arrived population know little of the wildlife in this land, and what little they do know looms far larger in their imagination for its strangeness. Many are reluctant to travel abroad of the town even in groups and accompanied by arms, for fear of encountering an Urselk or worse. The Hoitani themselves are treated with similar terror; not knowing that none should be encountered within many days' travel of this location in this season, it is whispered that those deserters unaccounted for have been taken by local savages. We have not made efforts to correct the colonists' misconceptions.
I anticipate your visit and inspection of the Colony, and trust you will be most satisfied.
Yours,
Survit te Ovnjen, Depot-Commander, Hoitan
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voltsuki · 8 years ago
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kill urselk
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ahumblecobbler-blog · 9 years ago
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H-Hello, Tack! May I have a hug?
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            Although he couldn’t say he knew this person, he supposed it couldn’t do any harm. So with a brief nod he opened his arms amicably, as one might for a child.
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roinktober · 9 years ago
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Am I still allowed to participate in Roinktober if I upload an image maybe every other day or week? I honestly don't know if I can do one every day of October.
E: yes, absolutely! you’re welcome to participate at any time, and i definitely encourage going at your own pace/whatever you’re comfortable with doing.
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janspar · 4 years ago
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The Specimen
Dear Slvata,
The recent destabilisation of events in this province, disruptive as they are to the commercial pursuits of our company, have afforded us a rare opportunity. I am sure you have followed your usual practice of addressing the contents of the hold first and your correspondence last; assuming your habits have not changed, and that the crew have restrained their worse impulses for violence and mischief, then let me confirm that yes, that is a live Urselk specimen.
The Valdini, their twin lusts for tribal blood and sheer incompetence not slaked by the massacre last season, seem to be increasing their aggression day upon day. Their losses, and indeed our own consequent losses, have yet granted us some specific gains. Hoitani bands have been notably thinned by Valdini pacification, and those that remain stay close to their camps and avoid engagement with foreigners. Thus we were able to mount an expedition deep into the province's interior, the natives being unable to prove our breach of the established norms or enforce their treaty-bound claims. Following the intelligence of a scout who has spent three full seasons in the highlands far west of the depot, a troop of marines tracked a pack of Urselk to their den.
The pack numbered nine in total; four adults and five cubs. The den was located in a cave, allowing  our troops the tactical advantage. In a very neat manuever, overseen by myself, several canisters of somniferous vapours were deployed, rendering the beasts sluggish before they could react to our presence. The charge from the mouth of the cave undertaken by three of the adults was nonetheless terrifying. Even in a half-stupor, they are every bit equal to their fearsome descriptions in Hoitani lore.
The front rank of the marines fended off the beasts with bear-spears, modified for even greater length and strength, while those behind systematically bombarbed the Urselk with missiles. Destruction of the adults was achieved with minimal loss to the marine company. The unexpected return of the fourth adult upon our right flank resulted in the death of three young soldiers, before the beast was sufficiently wounded and driven away, no doubt to die from its injuries.
After allowing the gasses to dissipate from within the cave, we entered and came across the cubs. Two of these appear to have died from the gas, one was still tranquilized beyond resistance. The remaining two attempted to attack the party. The larger of the pair was subdued successfully while the lesser was killed in the attempt. The subdued and tranquilized specimens were both bound fast and removed to cages, and thence returned to the vessel. One cub died en route from its injuries. The crew of the vessel carrying this cargo to you has been given the strictest orders to refrain from baiting the remaining cub or from feeding it outside my strictly assigned diet of native fish, game, and fruit. It is my wish that the creature should reach you in the happiest possible health.
I lost no time in dissecting the available specimens, one adult and cub. I have included detailed drawings of this process. You will note some peculiar irregularities in the digestive system, and the engorged temporal arteries, no doubt to feed the large and highly developed antlers. The adult was two full lengths in height when standing upright. The meat of the beast is curiously sweet yet musty. Survit and Sorind took part in a meal of local fashion, including Urselk meat and local forage; I do not expect this fare to become the fashion in Mirsvr next season.
In addition to the live specimen, I have sent to you an adult and a cub, preserved in alcohol, along with the skin of the remaining adult and cub. The  fifth cub was given to the marines of our expedition, to be divided among themselves for trophies and fetishes. For my own part, the intact skin and skeleton of my adult specimen is being returned to the family estate in Mirsvr for preservation; it will make a fine addition to the creatures in the entrance hall. The cub is being stuffed by one of the tradesmen in the Depot, and will remain here in my quarters; you will no doubt find the young creature I sent you to have a soft and gentle aspect that belies the fierceness of its adult nature, and I wish to keep this youth as my own companion in my offices for as long as I remain in Hoitan.
The pursuits of commerce are ephemeral, but the pursuits of scholarly knowledge persevere. I hope this letter and the specimen find you in good health.
Yours in friendship,
Egari tsi Yarh, Scholar-Attaché to the Hoitan 1st Depot, Temar Company
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janspar · 5 years ago
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The Unmanly Savage
The Hoitan are surely the most perplexing people of Ycairn – save perhaps the eccentric and elusive Bin'ni. Though the Bin'ni are so singular in their travels and it is almost unheard of to encounter them in groups. So let me say; the Hoitan are the most curious Nation of all those the Abheski deal with.
They are deeply welcoming and generous – within the province of their generosity, the borders of which are guarded by iron walls and which seldom expand for outsiders. Beyond this limit, they are as immovable and stoic as a mountain, more secretive than the night. Any friend or stranger may enter a Hoitan camp – but none have ever seen their towns. And an enemy will not see within their pickets, for once made, an enmity is held forever by the Hoitani, and they are as vicious and passionate in combat as any of the beasts of their wild land.
For all this, they are curiously unmanly. Their men take a commendable pride in their appearance, according to their own fashions, but it is a communal pursuit. Where an officer or a societal man tends to his own clothes, the Hoitani are dressed and adorned among friends. On the eve of battle or in the hours before a feast, the men gather in groups. One perhaps attends to his fellows' hair, combing and oiling it. One attends to the belts and jewellery, another may lend his own tunics to a fellow who owns ones less fine. Welcomed outsiders are included also, and given lavish attention to ensure they appear the equal as any native Hoitani.
Displays of great affection are commonplace. Coarse, wild men, accustomed to hunting Urselk or breaking limbs in skirmishes, when within camp readily embrace one another. Caresses that would be exchanged only between deepest intimates among the Abheski, are signs of simple honest camaraderie in a Hoitain camp, and are most often perfectly chaste. An astounding comfort to such proximity and intimacy is readily noticed, curiously contrasting their strong taboo against the naked form.
Any Scout or Licence-Prospector seeking to treat or trade among the Hoitan would be advised to familiarize themselves with these customs. Be prepared to encounter them, uncomfortable though it may be, to prevent any slight, offense, or disturbance due to unfamiliarity, from impeding their work.
Egari tsi Yarh, Scholar-Attaché to the Hoitan 1st Depot, Temar Company
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