Firsthunt

Among the Golanti tribes of the northwest, Firsthunt is a celebration and rite of passage held in late spring. The tribes gather each spring as the elk that are their primary diet begin the migration north, and hold a celebration that lasts long into the night. During the festivities, stories are told of how the first human is said to have undertaken the very first hunt around this time of year, guided by the lessons of the four most honored figures in their traditions: Hachi, the wily and persistent wolf; Karo, the ferocious, protective bear; Vaska, the wise lynx who sees beyond flesh and bone; and Khaasas, the otter; in stories she is the trickster, but also the source of joy and laughter. These stories often have a visual element, with performers acting out the part in accordance with the narration—sometimes leading to a degree of comical improv on the part of the actors, depending on the narrator’s whim.

There are several routes to adulthood in the Golanti culture, depending on the tribe, but the most ancient is the First Hunt. The morning following the celebration, any youth judged worthy by their tribe’s leaders may decide to undertake challenge of the First Hunt. Stripped to just a light tunic or loincloth (usually made specifically for the occasion by their family), each is provided with a spear and heavy cloak as they leave camp with the first light of dawn—anything else they need they must find or make. Once the hunt begins, the participants are not considered adult members of the tribe unless they arrive at the tribe’s location before midsummer and present a token from an animal they hunted and slew with their own hands.

After the participants leave, the bulk of the tribe strikes camp and heads north, making finding the tribe again part of the challenge. Some families make sure to store sufficient food to remain in camp for a week or two after the rest leave, while others leave bundles of food, supplies, and even weapons.

When a participant returns, they are tattooed with symbols of the animal they brought back to the tribe. Now culturally adults, they are considered reborn and begin counting their age from the day they returned. While those who slay great predators are praised for their daring, those who bring a token of particularly elusive or clever animals are also lauded for the achievement. Those who come back without any token are considered children for the next year, denied the privileges and responsibilities of adulthood until the next First Hunt.

Game Mechanics

Adventurers that take part in the storytelling of Firsthunt gain a boon depending on the part they played. For the next week, actors roll their next saving throw of the appropriate ability with a 1d6 expertise die : Hachi—Constitution; Karo—Strength; Vaska—Wisdom; Khaasas—Charisma; the first hunter—Intelligence.