entry three by RAGNAR
news is good. the wagons have moved out of the immediate snowbelt area and although it is still cold the temperature is beginning to rise as we move further North from the coast.
a few thralls were casualties and Snickers and Kitria claimed two of them.
the wagons moved onward and covered the rocky ground as long as it was possible before changing course to get out of the unavoidable area. the wagons will again change course before daybreak and will then continue on until reaching the river sometime in the afternoon.
no loss of wagons occurred and one bosk was put down due to a seriously broken leg. it has been dressed and is on a freight wagon until we make the river. at that time it will be cooked so nothing is wasted.
Vala is having a rough go of it and is in a great deal of pain. it is with deep regret i had to put her to sleep again the hard way.
during the move we came upon the remains of Tuchuk and Kataii Warriors listed as missing. Giselle has gathered the remains with care and respect and is bringing them with us until such a time comes we can give them a proper send off.
the ground we now travel in is short grazed off grass and the ground is extremely soft.
the general orders are to keep moving until reaching the river with periodic stops to rest the bosk and check the wagons over. then the move is to continue. camp will be made in the afternoon when it is expected the wagons will reach the river. it will naught be a long stop. only long enough to rest... eat well... check the stock and the wagons and prepare to continue. we will then make the river crossing and continue on the same course and direction.
continue to keep the wheels clear of mud and tend the wheels, axles, and stock well. a slow steady pace is recommended to conserve strength while we can.
once the river is reached we will have covered over 250 pasang in this move.
special note is made of Haldir's attention to duty. well done.
((( OOC ANNOUNCEMENT-------- i have something special planned for migration this weekend. Men Women and slaves alike should find the experience enjoyable and a welcome change of pace. please try to attend and enjoy!!! i am wishing to begin migration rp earlier than normal camp activity. if possible to get in earlier please do. )))
log entry by several Commanders
the migration has come to an end. work will now begin to get the wagons into position and camp set-up shall begin.
Raziel and Ragnar remain in the med wagon along with many others pending release back to duty as well as a few still listed as iffy.
897 bosk were lost to the hazardous journey with 893 lost as a direct result of the River of Tears.
10 bosk are still in question at this time.
47 kailla were lost with 43 lost as a direct result of the RoT.
the losses to other stock were minor.
old Men...
3 lost to the strain of old age.
1 lost to accidental death.
12 lost to the RoT.
6 under care in the med wagon.
old Women...
1 lost to the strain of old age.
0 lost to accidental death.
9 lost to the RoT.
8 under care in the med wagon.
children...
1 lost to accidental death.
4 lost to the RoT.
3 under Healers care.
Women...
1 lost to accidental death.
9 lost to the RoT.
15 under Healers care.
11 missing
Men...
4 lost to accidental death.
87 lost to the RoT.
67 under Healers care.
33 MIA
slaves...
28 thralls killed, 9 injured.
12 kajira killed, 7 injured.
7 kettles killed, 3 injured.
Wagon Casualties
undisclosed number requiring minor repairs.
6 large freight wagons requiring heavy repairs.
2 large freight wagons lost to the RoT... salvage operations underway.
1 flatbed freight wagon carrying wood lost to the RoT, it broke up and load was washed away.
10 smaller auxiliary wagons lost to the RoT... salvage operations underway.
Standing Orders...
begin moving wagons into order for winter camp. begin camp set-up and get repairs underway.
set up all commissary wagons and prepare for good meals. the nourishment will be needed!
the bodies gathered and stored according to Giselle's instruction will now be cleaned and the identification process begun. have them prepared to be sent on their journey to Endless Sky. Immediate Families may claim the bodies and may see to the arrangements personally or they may opt for the mass disposition of remains at a time to be announced by the Ubar.
once each wagon is in place the teams may be turned out. tend all harness, traces, yokes, etc and stow them until next needed.
each free of Tuchuk should give thanks to Endless Sky for our survival and life anew at our wintering lands. remember those lost and the sacrifices made so that Tuchuk might live on.
there is much work to be done but do remember to rest as much as possible. it has been a hard journey and it will weight heavily on Tuchuk. recover!
the largest number of bosk lost have been recovered and are being butchered for camp use. this meat is first priority among food stores. dry it, smoke it, consume it. waste nothing. the hides shall be made ready for roof repairs and general use ASAP. the great horns and hooves will be stored in the freight wagons. make paste/glue and other items from these ASAP though the horns ill last in storage for some time. the large numbers of innards are to be fed to the sleen and those kailla that due to injuries are unable to properly hunt and kill at this time. whatever is left at this time may be fed to secondary carnivorous critters in camp.
we have good weather for a time. the temperatures range in the 60 - 70 degree are during the day and 40 to 50 degree area at night. this is the general rough temperature. we will have days where it can go higher or lower so be prepared.
Tuchuk is roughly a day lower than our wintering camp was last year by wagon. by kailla it is but a half day away. the grasses are lush and green and will adequately support our stock in this region. the herds will move about more as needed.
thus far Scouts report game is plentiful and the camp is located in an area allowing a good field of vision in all directions.
the river we camp against is shallow... roughly three feet at its deepest with a good rocky bottom and sandy edges leading to the banks. the backs are a easy gently slope and seem solid. thewater moves well and is clean and clear. there are plenty of the smaller varieties of fishes.
there are springs in the are as well that are open above ground and feed into the river through underground rocky runoffs. these springs are hot and will be good for bathing. the ground here is extremely flat and the rise on which the Ubar's wagon always rests.. the highest point in camp... is hardly noticeable as one walks through the area.
the ground is solid with only the top few fingers being somewhat soft from rains a few nights ago. mud should not be much of a problem as the grasses are still high. cut what needs to be cut but use the grazing stock to shorten the grasses as well as the verr to shorten grasses under wagons and other areas the bosk are unable to access.
oddly enough... it seems Tuchuk has paid a price to reap the benefits of such fine wintering lands. as we are a superstitious lot... we would rejoice in this bounty of eden as well as mourn those lost securing it for us. some may question the logic in making the River of Tears crossing under such conditions. let them wonder. we as Tuchuks follow the Mother of Tuchuk... our Bosk. we are herders and tend to them. in return they provide for us. in such important matters as our wintering lands... we listen to those with more experience than us. the bosk were here before Tuchuk. their instincts go back further than ours. where they go... we go. the crossing was costly... but in the end... one look at our wintering lands and in a very harsh sort of way...
the crossing was worth it.