Making Camp Plainsrunner Style

[meimei]

So I was writing this piece for Siyal for the Mustering scene, and I suddenly was hit by all these thoughts about packing and making camp.

I know they aren't packrats, can't be being nomads, so they probably only have a few belongings and can keep those in bags on their own mounts. But what about what they can't? Like tents; cookingpots and utensils; looms for weaving. Are those packed together on the unbonded horses? And when setting up camp, are the elves only responsible for his/her/their own tent? Or do they help set up all the tents, and the cookfire, ect?

Okay, also - are they tents only for sleeping? Or are their communal tents for gathering/eating/ect? And do unmated elves have their own tents? Because if the bands are 30-50 elves, that could be alot of tents depending on how many aren't currently mated.

I'm sorry! I'm thinking too much, aren't I?

[Anna]

No, you're not thinking too much. You're asking questions that help us for a more complete, comprehensive, and uniform worldview. Keep thinking and asking!

I keep referring to the nomadic Plains Indians for reference on the Plainsrunners. There are 'family' tents, but if an unmated elf wants to move out of her foster family's tent, then she (or he) can have his own. And I imagine that each elf would first set up their own tent, then help out whoever needed it. There might be a central 'council' tent, as well, but I'm thinking htere's only one central cookfire, in the middle of the camp.

They probably move three or four times a year. They'd have a wintering place, someplace they'd go in spring, the they'd move to their summer/fall place and stop at hte Mustering on the way, and then return to their wintering place. Each band probably has it's own territory, and they probably return to the same camps each time.

Moving their stuff - yes, the unbonded horses would help with that. They'd probably also use travois for hauling larger items.

[meimei]

Just wanted to make sure I wasn't being annoying! ;D

Okay, that all makes sense. Still could be alot of tents. Hope these mustering grounds are big! With that many elves in each tribe, that would be, what, nearly...400 elves? Okay, that's not as huge as I was first thinking it was going to be, but it's still alot!

[Anna]

There's plenty of room. They don't have to share it with anyone else!