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Spirit Bison

The Shamans of The First Element live in The Flip Side, a village located in a metaphysical plane populated by anthropomorphic spirits. They hunt these spirits for food, consuming them to gain abilities beyond that of the average human.   One such creature is the spirit bison, a spirit that not only represents the bison, but also strength, will power, good health, and stamina. The spirit bison is a priority for members of the cult. Normally, consuming metaphysical substances can be toxic to humans. but the gifts of the bison counter it.     With this new vigor, the cultists can hunt more powerful, and far stranger game. When consumed, these spirits are fatal to humans who fail to eat from the bison first. Hunting the bison is a necessity, and over time, it became a rite of passage for the cultists.
     

Tame The Land

In The Flip Side, the spirit bison are actively herded and bred to keep their numbers high. Being the wild and untamable creatures they are, the cultists needed to be creative in accomplishing this feat. There are no fences boxing the herds in, nor are their sheperds that watch over and steer the herds. Even the most savage of creatures can be controlled if one can manage their source of food.     The cultitsts noticed how flora regrows overnight. Metaphysical fruits and vegetables can be harvested, and the next day they will be ripe for harvest again. When one destroys the roots, however, the metaphysical Flora will die and never emerge again. By attacking the roots in the major food source of the bison, they were able to cultivate fields of flora and keep the creatures contained.   Called "The Many Mile Fields," this containment zone is surrounded by barren wastes created by the cultists. Since they cannot graze normally, the Bison do not migrate to other fields. Spirits are more intelligent metaphysical animals they represent. The bison know that this is the only only food source within reach. They protect the field with violent ferocity, making the right of passage exceedingly dangerous.

The Rite of Passage

New members of the cult, as well as children of its members who are to be initiated as hunters must successfully kill a spirit bison before they can be considered members. This rite of passage is not only important in their traditions. It's also essential for life due to the toxicity of the metaphysical substances they consume.   The right involves the initiate entering the many mile fields. Upon doing so they track down the herd and attempt to kill one. The herd will actively attack the initiative and they will need to be quick on their feet to survive. However, the herd will ignore the initiate indefinitely when a kill is successfully made. This behavior is interesting, that implies a special connection between the members of the cult in the spirit bison.   Spirit bison are treated with reverence by even the most accomplished hunters of the cult. The bison is a symbol of their cult. Even those undergoing The Rite of Passage must go out of their way to assist the Bison should they ever need it. If a cultists or even an initiate stumbles across a bison that is injured, sick, or being hunted by another spirit, they are required to assist.

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Cover image: by Jacob Stone

Comments

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Jul 28, 2020 17:07

"The right involves the initiate entering the many mile fields. " I think in this case it's spelled 'rite'   "The herd will actively attack the initiative and they will need to be quick on their feet to survive." Do you mean 'initiate'?   "making the right of passage exceedingly dangerous." same thing: 'rite'   The section about the pelts of the spirit bison was very well-written. I can confidently say that I understand exactly how bison pelts are viewed in this culture. What sorts of things do the higher-ranking members keep as trophies, I wonder?   The bison are starting to give this cult an almost native-american feel.

Jul 28, 2020 17:19 by R. Dylon Elder

Ooooof. Yes I'm blazing on right now so I'm doing speak to text and failing to see errors XD sorry man I know that's frustrating. I will fix them.   I'm glad it was well received and understood. The cult is heavily inspired by native Americans for sure. They are new so I'm still working out the details. Feathers, claws, bones, etc are all planned trophies to mark a hunters progress. The elders wear headwear made from the skull of a birdlike spirit of wisdom, for example. Thanks so much!

Jul 30, 2020 07:59 by Dr Emily Vair-Turnbull

I love this article - it's so well thought out. I really like that the cultists worked out a way to keep the bison contained without fences. Really clever. And the rite of passage sounds both intense and amazing. :)

Emy x
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Jul 30, 2020 14:25 by R. Dylon Elder

Thank you so much, as always! They are really growing on me. I have a few ideas for a short story with this cult already. I'm glad you liked it!

Aug 6, 2020 03:32 by Jacob Billings

Super interesting. A nice addition to the new aspects of the Flip Side that you've begun to explore. Great work as always.

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