The Sacred Herd (SB)

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Many tribes maintain a special sacred herd of cattle (or other beasts, as appropriate to the gameworld), said to be the property of the ancestors. The herd is watched only by the most senior and able men of the tribe—for if any were to be lost or taken by predators the tribe would be punished for their carelessness by the spirits— and is permitted to wander the tribe's lands as it wishes.
At each full moon, a shaman comes to theherd, and for one day and one night watches its movements. From their meanderings, the shaman divines information of importance to the tribe— whether war or foul weather threatens, whether an alliance should be sought with a neighboring tribe, and so on.
Only the shamans may kill or eat the sacred cattle, and it is from this herd that beasts are taken for sacrifice on behalf of the tribe (sacrifices on the behalves of families or individual must be supplied by that family or individual).
Each day there is a 10% chance that 1-10 ancestor spirits are inspecting their cattle, or whatever else pleases them. At times of great danger for the tribe, a group of ancestors will appear to the herdsmen and warn them of the danger, or offer cryptic advice on how to see the tribe through the danger.