The Wolf clan History

[Two Wolves]

Naga speaks

Naga Wolf rides out to the main garrison. It is the closest one to the village, of the new structures and has been completed first. Much of the ground that it occupies has been dug out as a defensive moat. Its water already has become brackish, breading flies. Naga enters and submits to the hospitality of the military court there.

Naga, being the recognized authority is the one that the Commander of the "native uprising" detachment will treat with. The negotiations carry on for several weeks and Naga is absent for the harvest festival of ma’e utott. During his stay, he has to convince the soldiered that Wolf Clan is not hostile, has a natural right to live and hunt in these territories and explain the ongoing war with the Brigands Camp.

The result is a non-aggression treaty, but includes a stipulation that future reports of attacks on travelers will be answered by immediate removal of the Clan and destruction of the village. These are some of the correspondences:

The first one tries to deal with the misinformation about "native attacks", ambushing travelers and merchants. And trying to soften anger over Two Wolves sparring with soldiers on patrol by explaining the way Wolf Clan arrived in this land. This is done without contradicting any of his previous claims to the rights to hunt in the ancestral lands.

***
How smooth be the language of the White Eyes. When they can make right look wrong, and wrong look right. I will tell you in my way, how my people see things. The White Eyes has more words to tell you how they look to him. But it does not require many words to speak the truth.

You must understand my son (nae'ha, literal) Two Wolves and understand the history of the Wolf Clan people. It is the truth that the Brigands are under-the-knife (evé'otse). They were party to war, (ea'eotse) on the Wolf Clan and the people of Oakford. They were there when the Dragon Masters fell prey to their own beasts. That was the day of the Great War, (Tsêhe'êsta'éhe) - when the Shire of Oakford burned and the Wolf Clan lodge was burned and many Braves were lost. The remnants of the Wolf Clan of Oakford have perused these brigands to their stronghold in the heart of our ancestral hunting grounds where we were driven out of many generations before.

This enemy tried once to wipe our seed from the World. I tell you. We will not rest till their seed is wiped from the World. This will be a good day. It has been decided by the council that the Brigands are not human. But are “dogs who eat earth and vomit it back up”, the Manâkoga, who come from evil spirits.

Our people have lived at peace with the White-Eyes who were the honorable men, (emásetsêstahe) of Oakford. And have made honorable trades with them. And have fought beside them. Our people will wipe out the Brigand Camp and make the woods West of the city Britain safe for travel again. Any peaceful men who travel to the new village of the Wolf Clan will be welcomed to sit by our campfire (Hámêstoo'êstse!). We will make gifts for them and make honorable trades.

You will not see our hunters, but we will be watching the roads and can be called on in time of trouble.

Nétâháoenama, Éhó'tâhéva
Let's pray for swift victory!

\^^^/=>*
(sign of Naga Wolf, Elder Chieftain of the new Wolf Clan village settlement)
***

***
Na'éxánêstse! (we have eyes) Our hunters have seen the movements of your soldiers. We are NOT at war with the White-Eyes here or with Chief Princejamiekor of the TRINSIC tribe. There can be peace and trade between our people. Our Scouts and Braves can be called on in time of need to act as trackers and guides. In the Deep Forest and missions in other lands, they can act as your ears and your eyes.

Hevovetäso! (there is a whirlwind) The land between the Ranger Huts and the Empath Abby are under our protection. You must understand the situation. This is our ancestral hunting grounds and disturbing the land with new settlements will no be permitted. This land is our home and we will drive out all evil spirits and un-clean beasts that threaten our hunters there. We have arrived like a strong wind.

Hámêstoo'êstse! (sit by our campfire) We must meet and smoke and council together. There is much to discuss. Our Hunters are very successful and we have much abundance that we can share with your people. There are many things that are needed by the village that will make good trades. Our Braves have been given the gift of Great War Powers by Taikomol, Solitude-walker blessed Earthmaker and our numbers are growing stronger. Soon the Brigands seed will wiped from the World. This will be a good day. We shall occupy their tents, sleep in their beds and cook using their campfire.

Nétâháoenama, Éhó'tâhéva
Let's pray for swift victory!

\^^^/=>*
***

 

[whispering winds]

The vision

In the depths of the lowest level of Deceit a foul voice rises up through the damp air. At first as just a whisper then it grows louder and louder “In Vas Por, In Vas Por, In Vas Por”. The room begins to tremble as a crack forms across the dust covered floor. A shadow-like black figure emerges from its depths. The undead are drawn to destroy it. Despite their vast efforts it was still able to cast its enchantment “Vas Corp Por”. A vortex as red as the blood they thirst for arises from the dirt... However, The undead were not with out their own trickery, a litch lord steps forward “An Ort” the Vortex turns to nothing now but a cloud of smoke. The black hooded figure begins to chant “An Lor Xen” as it fades to nothing. The undead, confused, searches for it. Minutes later, a black streak appears from where the hooded figure once stood, as it flees on a horse, which can only be described as a spirit itself. The hooded figure thrusts its blade into the already rotting flesh of one of the undead on the way past. Another enchantment is uttered in the chaos “Rel Por”. The dark figure disappears in a blinding flash of light and reappears across the room. Again it utters “Rel Por” gaining more distance between it and the undead as it escapes. Vile Wolf awakes as he wipes the cold sweat from his forehead. he realizes it was just a dream, or was it?



Vile Wolf “I must see Wolf Mother right away”. When he arrived at the Wolf Fort he found Wolf Mother gazing in to the fire. Vile Wolf coughs to get her attention. Vile Wolf “I’m here on important matters. There is a whisper amongst the winds of the return of the 4th. Now the vision of the escape, the signs cannot be overlooked. The 4th has returned, and now the circle can be completed once more.” He lets out a sinister chuckle “ha ha ha, ha”. Wolf Mother smiles and begins to speak.

 

[Two Wolves]

Re: The Wolf clan History

Her journey into the holy madness is complete, says the wind. And she will return to us with new powers, the blessings of the night spirits. I will name her the witch of the south winds, Night Wolf.

 

[Two Wolves]

Re: The Wolf clan History

The treaty with the soldiers hold but their leaders are not able to maintain discipline. The majority of the ranks are militia volunteers or conscripts from rural areas around Yew. The situation quickly descends from hue and cry to martial law then into utter brigandage.

First the commander is replaced, then a new military presence comes with a new garrison to uproot the previous soldiers. After a series of failed campaigns to restore order in the area the only legacy is the clearings with hulking empty fortresses, silent meeting halls and abandoned training barracks. The pointless loss of land to the impermanent military orders puts the treaty signed by Naga Wolf in a bad light with the villagers.

Naga Wolf stops riding on hunts and patrols and is seldom seen as Wolfmother exerts more control over tribal affairs without the elder council. The Red Shields are powerless to oppose this change to traditional government because of their oath of loyalty to Naga Wolf who is the strongest defender of the authority of Wolfmother.

The most alarming element is that Wolfmother is not a Shaman or Elder Warrior, but a witch. The Witch exists on the fringes of Wolf Clan society. Witches tend to be reclusive and live apart from their own village, and are noted in part for speaking in riddles and in strange languages. They are considered quite mad, probably driven to insanity by the trance inducing poisons of their own making, used to enhance their permanent contact with the spirit world.

Although they may possess magic of a constructive nature, witches are feared and respected for their many evil powers. The term for witch is synonymous with "poisoner" (wak'â´wâx). Though generally shunned, they fill special roles during tribal rituals, that of the Trickster, adding elements of fright and unpredictability. They are also sought out for their skills of communication with spirits, control of animal spirits to cure and cause disease, knowledge of herbs and potions, prophecy and divination of the future.

Thus, it is not surprising that the blame for disease is often laid to the malefaction of witches. Once a hunter who refused to pay tribute to the witches suddenly fell ill and died through their power of witchcraft. It may be in this way that wak'âwâx is thought of as a kind of poisoning. It follows that those in possession of this power over the health of the body can also protect their own persons from injury as well as effect cures on others. It happened that the notorious witch Midjistéga had incurred the wrath of many men through his nefarious deeds. As a consequence, he was often set upon and stabbed, yet owing to his somatic powers, he was always able to cure himself.

The potency of witchcraft derives ultimately from the blessings of certain spirits, most particularly Waterspirits, out of whose bodies powerful medicines can be made. Once a Medicine Man called Dark Shaman, who had a reputation as master of the dark arts, challenged those blessed by the Nightspirits to a contest of magical power. When the Medicine Man shot Magic Arrows at the Night blessed men, no harm came to them. It was then that the Medicine Man conceded the superiority of those blessed by the Nightspirits. One can also acquire the powers of witchcraft by being an understudy to witches. Such men are able to bestow blessings themselves, and witches often get their start by obtaining powers granted by another witch. It is also said that if a witch can be captured despite all his powers, the witch is then obliged to tell his captor all the secrets of his art. By capturing a witch, one can therefore also acquire his powers.

Almost all witches become Night Wanderers (Hâhé-horadjé), since the malevolent powers most often achieve their greatest efficacy at night, and the most paradigmatic of these powers is the ability to travel through the air during periods of darkness. The power of sorcery is strongly bound up with the fluidity of form associated with water. Shape changing powers are an aqueous-like ability to flow from one physical form of being into another. This includes changes in scale. A witch may transform herself into a being of almost microscopic size appearing to vanish. It is said, for instance, that the tubercles on weeds are the hidden sleeping places of witches.

The power to accomplish such feats often resides in charms that the witch has acquired. Acquiring a part of the body of someone killed by a witch is one way that practitioners of the dark arts may augment their powers. However, such a charm must be obtained before the fourth day after the victim's death. Charms may also find their way into the witch's cache through the blessings of the spirits. A particularly powerful witch may possess an entire bandoleer of such charms. The blue bandoleer contains black bear claws, a cougar paw, sacred feathers of the eagle, the head of a crow, a bull frog stuffed with down feathers, packets of medicine, and a plethora of arrowheads. The witch uses these charms in order to travel swiftly and incognito to covertly strike one of his enemies.

Some have obtained power through magical potions derived from plants. The four Anishinabeg witches, who could fly through the air at night, gained their power through the use of such potions. Great Wolf attempted to obtain these potions, but the sorcerers would not yield them up. Instead they gave him a life-engendering greeting still used in the Medicine Rite to this day.

In addition to leaving the village for long periods of time for the cities, openly utilizing magical travel and studying foreign magics Wolfmother has been spending the clan resources on developing complex trade agreements with many different groups.

As the Britannian Guards struggle to reorganize the main city comes under attack. Wolf Clan is drawn into a series of battles that escalate, first from the outer trade routs then into the streets of Britain herself. Meanwhile the frailty of Naga Wolf reviles itself as the waisting sickness and seems resistant to all known cures and chants.

Two Wolves is not there to comfort his father in his final moments, being far away hunting artifacts for personal glory. Wolfmother claims magical healing would only prolong his suffering and her search for a cure seems to the villagers like a distraction from her main aims. Silver Wolf is left running the day-to-day matters of the village, planning the battles and trying to restore the strength of Chief, Naga wolf.

 

[Night Wolf-Demise]

Night Wolf, The return

Naga Wolf is awakuna matata by the howling of the forest wolves. He stumbles out (not quite coherent yet), to see what is going on. As he looks out from the Wolf Fort he sees a figure in dark clothing crawling toward the village, almost dragging its lower half. It pulls itself forward a few more times before collapsing . Three wolves walk up to the motionless body and begin to lick its wounds. Naga Wolf runs toward the apparently lifeless form. Two of the wolves turn toward Naga and let a fierce growl. He knows this is a warning not to come any closer. Naga Wolf thinks to himself “It’s almost as if they’re protecting their young. This does not look like a Wolf Clansmen to me, but who could be this close to the wolves, and I not know of them?”

 

[Two Wolves]

Re: The Wolf clan History

Naga Wolf's eyes are failing, but he has kept that to himself. He must get the upper hand over the wolves quickly to ever have a chance to approach the wounded person. This must be accomplished without showing any weakness.

Naga points at the wolves with his walking staff and tries to speak to them. "Ho'néhetaneo'o (wolf people), hear me talk your language and be still. I am not here to kill the whelp. Thank you for watching over him. Tell the others to stand guard while I take him to my people."

The wolves approach the old man, from either side.

They seem to be calm, but keep their eyes fix on every motion of Naga Wolf. This looks like a dangerous moment for Naga, but he notices that the wolves are obviously adolescent loaners and a bit scrawny. Now is his chance to take control of the situation and try to reach the stranger.

"Curse my old eyes - Fathers lend me the eyes of the wolf that can pierce darkness. Veva`nae`e"; the ancient chant for the words of power, In Lor.

Hestónaho! My daughter, Night Wolf.

Naga Wolf mutters these words softly as he leans heavily on his staff to wipe away the mass of blood and hair from the lifeless form.

One of the attending wolves lets out a yelping bark and that is enough to trigger the attack.

What follows is a cacophony - Naga Wolf shouting as the wolves that leap on his back knock him over while he is trying to cover Night Wolf - the loaner wolves breathing in a snarl as they fight to get their teeth on Naga Wolf - local wolves from Storm Cloud Pack who have been lurking nearby howl an alarm and dive in to drive the loaners off Naga Wolf - many shouts as villagers, Mahohivas and other Nota’xeo’o come pouring out of the main gait and over the South wall.

 

[Two Wolves]

Re: The Wolf clan History

Thunder Wolf, full of wrath comes busting through the scrum - sending villagers, warriors and wolves alike flying to the ground. He grabs up one of the wolves on Naga by the throat and uses him like a club to clear the rest away. This one he brings up to meet his gaze. Thunder Wolf's teeth are bared. The look on the wolf's face is shock. He starts to writhe. The villagers and the Storm Cloud Pack wolves look on in silence as Thunder Wolf improves his grip. The neck of the wolf starts to creak as Silver Wolf reaches Thunder's shoulder. He drops him. The wolf falls on his haunches and rolls on his back, twists to his feet, coughs twice and starts trotting away - then running with Storm Cloud on his tail.

Silver Wolf kneels to tend to Nage Wolf, but Thunder Wolf brushes her aside and gathers him up in his arms. Thunder Wolf is silently struck by the alarming amount of weight Naga has lost during his illness. He turns, taking his Chief back to his sick bed in the village. The gathered crowd parts for them then turns their attention to Night Wolf.

 

[Two Wolves]

Re: The Wolf clan History

Night Wolf and Naga Wolf are stretched out on the ground by the light of Ho’esta, the village central fire pit. They are being tended to by the Shaman and the Healers. Wolfmother stands with Silver Wolf, they and the villagers look on.

The wounds of Night Wolf are severe, but she is healing quickly. Naga Wolf has injuries, scrapes and gashes on his face and back. In his already weakened state it is taking a long time to stanch the loss of blood.

Wolfmother councils with Silver Wolf. "It was foretold that Night Wolf would return, but the wounds she carries are deeply troubling. And how is it that Naga Wolf was able to step foot outside the gates without alerting the Red Shield?"

"There is a meaning to this pattern." She squats down to roll bones in order to confirm her reading of the omens. "The daughter will rise and overthrow her elder; the daughter will rise and surpass the teacher."

 

[Two Wolves]

Re: The Wolf clan History

Silver listens intently to Wolf Mother's words, turning the cryptic phrases over in her mind as she looks at the patterns the bones have made – they are a puzzling jumble to her untrained eyes. "What does this mean?”

Though she knows Wolf Mother will likely disapprove, Silver moves forward to join the healers, adding her own spiritual energies to help close the wounds on Naga Wolf. A light sweat begins to sheen her forehead as she concentrates - her holy warrior’s training helping the gashes to clot, causing the ragged edges of flesh to knit back together. A soft light suffuses Naga’s form as the healing takes hold; seeming to sink into his body as the glow begins to slowly fade. Silver kneels next to the Chief once his breathing eases back to a natural rhythm – her face pale and tired as she tucks the furs closer about his thin frame. “Father, rest well,” she whispers softly “something is amiss here – though I do not know the whole of it.”

Unshed tears sting the back of Silver's throat as she leans back from her exertion, moving to sit more comfortably on the hides near Wolf Mother's hunched form. Though his wounds have healed and the immediate damage has been helped; Silver knows she has done nothing to cure Naga's deeper illness, that which gnaws slowly and relentlessly at the Wolf Clan Chieftain's strength as the season passes.

 

[Two Wolves]

Dark Day

Naga awakens and calls for Silver Wolf. When she is near he says, "Have I ever told you the story of how the four winds were named?"

When the world was first made Gaoh, mighty Master of the Winds dwelt in his lodge in the Western Sky. So fierce was he and so strong that had he wandered freely through the heavens, he would have torn the world in pieces. So he stayed in the Western Sky, and, blowing a loud blast, summoned the creatures of Earth to ask them for help.

And when his call had ceased, and its thundering echoes had died away, Gaoh opened the north door of his lodge wide across the Sky. Immediately the thick snow fell, and a fierce wind tore around the lodge. And lo! there came lumbering up the Sky, Yaogah, the bulky Bear. Battling with the storm and growling loudly, the Bear took his place at Gaoh's north door.

"O Bear, you are strong," said Gaoh. "You can freeze the waters with your cold breath. In your broad arms you can carry the mad tempest, and clasp the whole Earth when I bid you destroy. Therefore you shall live in the North, and watch my herd of Winter Winds when I let them loose upon the Earth. You shall be the North Wind. Enter your house."

And straightway the Bear bent his head, and Gaoh bound him with a leash, and placed him in the Northern Sky.

Then Gaoh trumpeted a shrill blast, and threw open the west door of his lodge, summoning the creatures. Clouds began to cover the Sky. An ugly darkness filled the world. Strange voices shrieked and snarled around the lodge. And with a noise like great claws tearing the heavens, Dajoji, the Panther, sprang to Gaoh's west door.

"O Panther, you are ugly and fierce," said Gaoh. "You can tear down the forests. You can carry the whirlwind on your strong back. You can toss the waves of the sea high into the air, and snarl at the tempests if they stray from my door. You shall be the West Wind. Enter your house."

And straightway the Panther bent his head, and Gaoh bound him with a leash, and placed him in the Western Sky.

Then Gaoh sent forth a sighing call, and threw open the east door of his lodge, summoning the creatures. There arose a sobbing and a moaning. The Sky shivered in the cold rain. The Earth lay in gray mist. There came a crackling sound like the noise of great horns crashing through forest trees, and Oyandone, the mighty Moose, stood stamping his hoofs at Gaoh's east door.

"O Moose," said Gaoh, "your breath blows the gray mist and sends down the cold rain upon the Earth. Your horns spread wide and can push back the trees of the forests to widen the paths for my storms. With your swift hoofs you can race with the winds. You shall be the East Wind. Enter your house."

And straightway the Moose bent his head, and Gaoh bound him with a leash, and placed him in the Eastern Sky.

Yet Gaoh was not content, for there remained still one door to open. He threw it wide to the south, and in gentle tones like sweetest music summoned the creatures. A caressing breeze stole through the lodge, and with it came the fragrance of a thousand sweet flowers, the soft call of babbling brooks, and the voices of birds telling the secrets of Summer. And daintily lifting her feet, ran Neoga, the brown-eyed Fawn, and stood timidly waiting at Gaoh's south door.

"O gentle Fawn," said Gaoh, "you walk with the Summer Sun, and know its most beautiful paths. You are kind like the Sunbeam, and feed on dew and fragrance. You will rule my flock of Summer breezes in peace and joy. You shall be the South Wind. Enter your house."

And straightway the Fawn bent her head, and Gaoh bound her with a leash, and placed her in the Southern Sky.

And now, when the North Wind blows strong, the Old Grandmother says, "The Bear is prowling in the Sky." And if the West Wind snarls around the tent door, she says, "The Panther is whining." When the East Wind chills the tent with mist and rain, she says, "The Moose is spreading his breath." But when the South Wind caresses her cheek, and wafts soft voices and sweet odors through the tent, she smilingly says, "The Fawn is going home to her mother, the Doe."

With a gentile smile the old man winds himself back up in his blankets. "I think I will rest a little while longer. When dawn comes, bring my horse Silver Wolf. We will ride out together to visit the cave of our friends in the Storm Cloud pack."

By this time it was already Midday. Silver Wolf realities that Naga has become totally blind.

He drifts back off into sleep.

 

[Two Wolves]

Blood Moss and Ash

Silver Wolf occupied her time by feeding and grooming Naga Wolf’s mount with great care. Not knowing what to expect on the journey, she made some of the traditional symbols of protection for the horse. She painted the symbol for doorway or gate on his jaw, a circle for his left eye and arrowhead symbols on all four hooves.

She then held the reigns and stood vigil till the word came, Naga Wolf was calling for Blood Moss and Ash. Silver Wolf gathers these things and enlists some help to get Naga Wolf up safely, blankets and all.

She knows the way to the Storm Cloud den site and leads the horse wordlessly out through the main village gate. It is now near dusk and the people silently watch Naga Wolf ride out for the last time.

 

[Ripster]

Re: The Wolf clan History

A light mist begins to rise from the ground as the they make thier way through the woodland. Silver leads Naga's mount slowly, picking her path with care so as to jostle the weakening chief as little as possible. As they travel she chants softly, doing what she can to ease his pain. She listens carefully for any word from Naga Wolf, whether to slow the pace or provide him with a sip of water.

 

[Two Wolves]

Amongst Wolves

Silver Wolf carefully wends her way through some of the thicker part of the forest to make a crossing point at the great road, far south from the brigands camp where the road will not be watched. The low shoulder and the hard-pack of the road make for heavy hoof falls that make Naga gasp and stir. Softly at first, Naga Wolf starts up a song in the rhythm of the slow gate of his horse.

Silver Wolf turns east and makes for the Sweat Lodge, because of nice level ground in the clearing there. As if bolstered by the sense of the presence of the Sweat Lodge, Naga Wolf’s singing gets stronger as Silver Wolf sees the roof of the shelter on the mound of the Lodge come into view.

Naga Wolf is singing the Deer Star for his son Two Wolves who is not with his people, but is away searching the land for sacred artifacts to increase his own social standing. He is not with his father on his last ride. Bad blood passed between them before Two Wolves left the village, now he will return home with honors but to a home with no father and to a village with no Chief.

His voice rises as his spirit rises. Being supported by Silver Wolf's whispered chants and proximity to the blessed place, Naga enters into a sacred trance and pours out what is left of his strength. This is the part of the song that Silver Wolf was able to make out:

“…then if I have no tools for the hunting, I will run the red deer down. He is off by the hills of the morning, by the dim, untrodden ways; in the clean, wet, windy marshes. He has startled the deer a-graze; and a buck of the branching antlers. Streams out from the fleeing herd, and the youth is apt to the running. As the tongue to the spoken word. They have gone by the broken ridges, by mesa and hill and swale, nor once did the red deer falter, nor the feet of the runner fail; so lightly they trod on the lupines that scarce were the flower-stalks bent, And over the tops of the dusky sage the wind of their running went. They have gone by the Painted Desert, where the dawn mists lie uncurled, and over the purple barrows. On the outer rim of the world. The people shout from the village, and the sun gets up to spy. The royal deer and the runner, clear shining in the sky. And ever the hunter watches for the rising of that star. When he comes by the summer mountains where the haunts of the red deer are, when he comes by the morning meadows where the young of the red deer hide; He fares him forth to the hunting while the deer and the runner bide.”

It is short ride from the Sweat Lodge clearing to where the eastern limit of the Wolf Clan patrolled territory is blocked by the Serpent’s Spine Mountains. Naga’s song ends as they arrive at a partially concealed cave entrance, home to wolves who share the traditional hunting grounds, the mighty Stormcloud Pack.

The pack members whimper and excitedly dart about as they gather to greet the visitors. Silver Wolf pays them no mind as she slings the reigns and hefts Naga Wolf to the ground. The pack wolves approach to nose the bundle placed on the ground, but Hipamika, the alpha female, emerges from the cave with a low long growl of warning for the others to back-off and show some respect. She is the first to approach Naga and the others fall back in line.

While Naga greets the wolves in turn, Silver busies herself gathering wood for a campfire. Once things settle down and the fire takes a strong hold, the light of the day is long gone and all that can be seen is just the two seated figures; the pack wolves linger near the campfire causing the night to blaze with their eyes all around.

 

[Two Wolves]

The flickering light from the flame of the campfire deepens the many deep lines time has etched on Naga's face. His face is all that shows from his heavy blanket wraps. The bulk of the blankets hid the frailty of his thin and withered frame. Naga was sitting very still for a long time and seemed to be sleeping while sitting up. Then he reached into the edge of the fire and caught large pinch of fresh ash from the logs. He studied it in his curved figures for a moment, then tossed it over both shoulders with a blessing.

Naga wanted to speak straight with Silver Wolf, but the spies of Wolf Mother are everywhere, always watching and listening. Instead he puts the instructions for what she must do, hidden for her in the story of the dog vision ceremony. Later, she will understand and choose the right path and in doing so help Wolf Mother choose the right path.

When I was a child the people of the village were suffering and the ancestors told the wise men that they must perform the dog vision ceremony to help the people. Because the people where discouraged and sad because of their situation, this was to be done with the heyokas, the sacred fools who do everything backwards and make the people laugh.

Let me tell you about the heyokas and the way of the heyoka ceremony, which may seem to be foolish, but it is not foolish. Only men who have had visions come to them from the thunder spirits can act as heyokas. They are the ones who possess a sacred power and this is the way they share that power with all the people, but they do this with antics and comical masks.

You see, when a vision comes from the thunder spirits of the west, it strikes with great terror in the heart like a thunder storm but then the storm of the vision passes, the world is greener and happier; for whenever the truth enters the world it first brings suffering. Truth is always like the rain. The world is happier after the pain and terror of the storm passes.

But in the heyoka ceremony, everything is backwards, and it is planned this way that the people shall be made to feel jolly and happy first, so that it may be easier for the power to come to them. Then there is a turn and the ritual has a frightening end. The truth comes into the world with two faces. One is sad with suffering, and the other laughs; but know that it is the same face, laughing or weeping.