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.

Fun Fact: Pelts of The Spirit Bison

Those who encounter the cultist May notice several of them wearing the pelt of the spirit bison. When one successfully makes their first kill of a spirit bison, it marks the beginning of their journey to Ascension. For this reason, it is customary for the new hunter to wear the pelt of their first kill.
When one sees a member of this cult with clothing made from the pelt, they can safely assume them to be a new hunter. New Hunters are marked in this way not only to show that they are new and in need of experience and learning, but as a mark of honor and prestige. It is no easy feat to kill a spirit bison, and doing so should be respected.
New hunters wear this badge of honor with pride, but seldom forget the other side of its symbolic meaning. Hunters wearing the pelt of a bison tend to be the most humble members of the cult. They are aware of their accomplishment, but are equally aware of the long, winding road they have yet to travel.