Narrative Quests

Steelyard Quest

The Triumph of Sachem Metacom’s War 1678

Sachem Metacom stood up to the English invaders when they began to violate the terms of our peace treaty. Instead of letting these outsiders walk all over the tribes of New England, Sachem Metacom decided to reign them in. The conflict officially started when the white men murdered three of Metacom’s warriors for the alleged crime of killing a white man. Their persecution ignited the conflict because we as a people had been suffering for years from constant attempts from the intruders progressively stealing more and more of our land, without tribal consent.  

Originally the conflict was contained within Sachem Metacom’s tribe, but the conflict soon spread and the whites began attacking anyone with a different skin than them. Soon, most of our neighboring tribes were drawn into the conflict. Putting aside previous disputes, the neighboring tribes united, forming a treaty between the Nipmuc, Narragansett, Pokanoket, and Wampanoag to band together and fight off these encroachers. Our combined efforts mixed with our knowledge of our land toppled the English forces. 

Our Sachems decided to form a longer lasting treaty following the joint success of Metacom’s war in 1678. The tribes formed a confederation that later became known as Meshanticut. To formalize this union the Sachems of each tribe crafted a Wampum Belt together to signify the formation of the Meshanticut confederation. 

Following the war, the Confederation banished all the invaders, sending them back to their own nations. With our would-be oppressors gone, we were finally able to flourish as tribes individually. Each new generation of our tribes would reaffirm their loyalty to the confederation by adding another section to the wampum belt, letting our Sachems work collaboratively again for future threats to come. Over time the Wampum belt grew, and it grew in significance as the 9 virtues of Meshanticut made the belt their home. 

For more information on the confederation and its impact today scan the QR code below.

Dialog:

“Welcome brave player!! We have been waiting for you to come and help save our world. To introduce myself I am Wushowunaneanit and I am from the world of Meshanticut that you just read about. Lately our world has begun bleeding into yours such as that news article you read. But lately our virtues have been stolen and trapped within your world. Because of this our world is falling apart. We need your help to save Seipánt, our strength virtue who was stolen from our world and  trapped within yours. Now do not fear for hawks are widely regarded as impeccable hunters and symbols of freedom worldwide. The Native Americans typically view the hawk as a symbol of strength and protection. I will protect you throughout your journey to save my universe if you choose to take this challenge on. If you'd like to help us and learn more about our world of Meshanticut, and maybe more about your own world, meet me at gather!”

Maya Bakery Quest

The Corn Dance Tradition is a ceremonial dance performed by the Narragansett people, a Native American tribe from Rhode Island. The dance is usually held in late August or early September and is meant to give thanks to the Creator for the corn harvest.The ceremony begins with a procession of dancers and singers moving clockwise around a fire pit. The dancers wear traditional clothing adorned with beadwork, feathers, and ribbons. They carry corn husks and rattles in their hands and move in unison to the beat of the drum. The dance is divided into four parts, each representing a season of the year. During each part, the dancers offer prayers and thanks for the blessings of that particular season. The final part of the dance is the most important, as it represents the harvest season. The dancers circle the fire three times and then step into the fire pit, symbolically bringing the harvest into their bodies. After the dance, the corn is distributed to the community, and a feast is held to celebrate the harvest. The Corn Dance Tradition is not only a way for the Narragansett people to give thanks for the bounty of the earth, but it also serves as a way to preserve their cultural traditions and identity.

The Morning Star is a prominent figure in many Native American creation stories and folklore. In some traditions, the Morning Star is associated with the Corn Mother and is believed to have played a role in bringing corn to the people. Morning star, who wanted the approval of her community so badly, became envious of those who received such approval. She became selfless and helped those around her, and when she eventually died, she became the morning star. There are several versions of the Morning Star folk tale, but a common theme is that the Morning Star teaches the people how to plant and cultivate corn, which becomes a staple of their diet and a symbol of their connection to the land. The Morning Star folk tale and the Corn Dance tradition are both important aspects of Native American culture and spirituality, and they are interconnected through their shared themes of agriculture, fertility, and the relationship between humans and the natural world.

Donigian Park Quest

“Hello player, my name is Wattáp, the keeper of history for Meshanticut. In indigenous culture trees are the keepers of history mainly because when a person is killed, they become a tree and their spirit lives on within the trees. We trees are keepers of history and remembrance, which is why we are valued so highly in Meshanticut. Most in Meshanticut aren’t even allowed to cut down trees because then they cut down the our history as well, losing it forever. From my time in your world I have noticed how different our two worlds are. For example, you all cut down your trees, there are barely any old growth trees left on this land from the time before the British arrived, it is no wonder that all of your history and memory of indigenous people has been erased or is from the settler’s perspective. 

Because you all do not remember indigenous culture, you are not connected to your world spiritually. Those who do and are indigenous blood had to hide in plain sight for fear of prosecution. Instead of being allowed to proudly show their culture and be who they are, these people were forced to assimilate to English culture and hide their religious practices or the language they spoke. This forced assimilation caused so much of indigenous history to be lost. Languages that once flooded this land are no longer spoken and some are forgotten all together. 

However, in Meshanticut our people are free to practice their culture freely and openly. Because of this freedom they are much more connected spiritually to the world around them. Notice the Woonasquatucket River. Look at how diluted its waters are and how drained of its resources it is. Your people no longer value the river and what it gives you. But in Meshanticut, people are raised to value our environment and what it provides us with both physically and spiritually. Our Woonasquatucket River flows freely and strongly. Sadly, our river is looking more like yours now that the great Wampum belt has been broken up, but when you free Séipanit The Strong River and retrieve his piece of the belt our river will be restored. What about your river? Maybe you can free your people from the restraints of your culture and save your own river. 

Now go forth, listen and learn from the experiences of the indigenous people of your time. Listen to what they have experienced and what their families have been through. Learn from their experience and reflect on how you can play a role in ensuring that they no longer have to hide in plain sight on their own land.”