Now, there are some interesting facts to consider. Firstly, farming was first developed in the Neolithic, so in the stone age even if a later part of it, but it did explain how there could be permeant communities instead of what might be a place to return to on a yearly migration in search of food. Granted, due to living in the desert, the crops on hand were not the standard ones. Hell, from what I could tell, elven farming had more in common with keeping orchards than it did the types of farming I was used to, because of the types of crops that grew here.
Banana yucca, wolf berry, both the tree and shrub kind of huckberry, two or three kinds of mesquite (which not only provided something like beans, but wood, a multi use sap and pods that could be ground into flour), almonds, figs, prickly pears, creosote bushes, chives, carrots, peas, jojoba's and at least one kind of dwarf orange and lemon, along with a few kinds of shrub that were 'cultivated' for their fibers more than anything else. And apparently, the Dancing Stone people sometimes traded with other elves for olives, dates, plums, cherries, desert willow flowers and products, cabbage and sagebrush.
Between that and hunters bringing back the bodies of proteoceratops, camels, ground sloths and the rare paraceratherium or ostrich and there was actually a fairly varied diet available, if heavier on the plants than meat. Which you know, was not actually that unusual for elves in the first place. Oh, and could not forget about the two big delicacies. Humans, because of course the elves would not mind eating humans, and giant spider. Because you want to know what happened to live in some parts of the canyons and the caves? Fucking giant spiders.
As it turns out, the dangerous tasks they get human slaves to do? The vast majority of the time it could be summed up as silk collection. Because yeah, the brave elven hunters whose response to a large predator coming into their territory was to ambush it from three sides with spear throwers (and with many of them being rogues? That meant a swarm of sneak attacks) to either kill it or force it to flee (as it turns out, most predators will back the fuck off if serious injury is on the table), they just went nope and wanted someone disposable to do it instead.
The thing is, given how it was giant spiders, I could not really blame them. I mean, as Solryl finished telling me about them while sitting in my lap, my dick inside of her? All in all, it sounded fascinating. "I will not be going in after giant spiders."
I wanted to make that firm, as she giggled, nodding as she wiggled. "While I am sure that you would do well and give me much silk to work with, I was merely explaining why we would assign that task to prey-slaves. Along with making them serve as bait in hunts. You on the other hand are too valuable to waste like that."
It was part of my nightly lessons, as Solryl taught me of the world, as her people knew it, of the customs of the Dancing Stone People and their history... and the relationships with the others nearby. Though of course, that tended to be expressed more along the line of 'night runs' or 'moon turnings.' As it was, the nearest other settlement of elves were the Salt Pillar People two and a half night runs to the west. With the Red Leaf People being three night runs to the east... and humans two night runs to the south.
Of course, only things inside half a nights run, or about eight miles, were considered to be part of a particular people's hold. Which did made sense, as they did not try and claim more than they could reasonably control and keep safe, all while avoiding a lot of long range patrols. Which did make sense, as there were only a hundred and sixty eight elves that made up the Dancing Stone People. Which was actually pretty good for hunter-farmers with a largely stone age tech level.
All said and done, I was learning, even as a lunar month was passing since my arrival and I had been stuck largely inside the cave as we... 'normalized' my status as a spirit a bit. See, spirits were generally elementals, fey or outsiders that had some mystical abilities and usually might grant someone who sought them out a single use boon. Sometimes a spell-like ability or two that could be use one to three times per day. Rarely was a lasting supernatural gift offered, and ongoing mystical support in the form of spells? Well, that was legendary stuff.
The fact I was so free with it despite looking like prey? Apparently the initial plan had been to eat me and see if the boons would stick around as a bloodline thing from those who ate certain organs. As there was apparently a precedent for something like that working, even if only in the stories and tales. Except that the deal was clear. The powers would be lost when I died. Hence, I was now to be protected and hidden away from prying eyes (not that they directly informed me of that), the fact that my magic could be used to expand the cave?
Well, my duties as Solryl's slave were clear, as I expanded the cave, bit by bit, day by day. As it was, between some things that Solryl provided and the resin I could extrude in place of a lot of other materials? Things were actually going well and... well, it looked nice and comfortable, even with some of her requests. Requests for a bit more space and living quarters. Because she had already been scouting for acolytes when out and about... or perhaps had arranged for them to join her 'household' even before all of this.
Elnes and Fines were sisters, though they had different goals. Elnes was the elder one, and apparently helped tend to the orchards and crops, and had some cuttings and seeds to present as offerings, to show as proof of her devotion... and as a bribe to Solryl. After some discussion, it was not hard to make her a cleric with the Plant (Growth) and Fertility (Nourishment) domains, as hey, if she wanted to grow things and feed people? I could get behind that!
Fines on the other hand? Solryl frowned and asked for me to use my magic to see if she had any disease due to the fact that... well, she was basically a horny and easy woman who was mostly wondering if she could bargain for magical sex powers. I think all three women looked at me when I revealed that I could. And in fact... would be willing to grant her those powers. If she accepted Solryl's brand. Because yes, elves did enslave each other, but as Solryl and Elnes looked at me, the latter like she was about to slap me? "So, shall we head over to see the grandmother's mistress?"
Yeah, the looks of disgust, shock, betrayal and contempt on the others faces towards the eager young elf all but bouncing on her feet? Yeah, that was not normal, even as she was dragged back. Still, first two archetype cleric, woo? Sacred Prostitute and Temple Courtesan meant that she was locked into Fertility (Nourishment) as far as domains went, and now I had to endure the fact that on the one hand, a sex priestess was fun... until they were too horny. Thank fuck I redirected her so that I'd only bang her after she was experienced enough, aka, able to channel third circle spells.
And then there were the brothers... who mostly just started squatting at the bottom of the cliff and doing some things that the girls wanted done in the hopes of getting laid. Granted, it was a little more complex then that, but at the same time? Thing is, the more things change, the more they stay the same. Granted, there was an opportunity there, as we clasped forearms, understanding shining in our eyes. Because what self-respecting spirit/very minor godling would refuse the chance to recruit some war-priests to guard his sexy clerics and temple/home?
They all got the Protection and Weather blessings for the simple fact that as far as the ones I could hand out for war priests and guardians? Considering that one of them usually spent the day in Fines room, I do not think Malus, Baelus or Feraus regrated their choice at all.