Hunters call

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Hunting for your next meal can quickly be a failure if you are spotted before you can get a swing in - or an arrow. This is why the ancient hunting parties of Østendal had their own language to communicate during hunt.
But this wasn't like any other language, as it was meant to blend into the sounds of nature, but still be distinct enough for other hunters to notice and hear. This is exactly what hunters call was like - a series of whistles, claps, owl-like noises, sounds made by clapping the cheeks and a lot of other sounds that stand out just enough.

Some examples of hunters call

(Described with words, the language is hard to take seriously, so bear with me)

cheek clap x2 low sounds, cheek clap x1 high sound -> Attention! or Look ahead!

cheek clap x1 high sound -> Yes I see it!/ Roger

cheek clap x2 low sound -> I don't see it/ repeat

fast whistles from high to low tone -> Follow me (leader) in a formation

fast claps x2, short whistle in one tone -> going left

short whistle in one tone, fast claps x2 -> going right

And that is just a tiny selection of the things you can say in this language - it all relates to the hunt, expect a few ones that literally translates to: "I'm hungry", "Break" and "Toilet break" - I mean, you gotta be able to take a break without scaring all the potential preys in the vicinity.

History and modern use

The language was first used by the hunters of Østendal tribes, that needed a way of communication without scary every living thing around them.
Since then, a lot of it has been lost to time, but a lot of the original language is still being taught to you hunters and curious citizens alike, to maintain an ancient cultural language. The language has only been taught from mouth to mouth, as it is quite difficult to write down sounds - though you can try like I did above, so it is quite possible that some of the meanings have been altered a bit during the years.

Details

Origin

The tribal folk of Østendal, many thousands of years ago. Though it has been spreading since then to some of the Northern Isles, where it is used in hunting as well.

Legacy

Even though the language isn't as essential for the people survival as it once was, it is important to the people of Østendal that this part of their ancestry and legacy isn't lost forever.

by CatRobi