CYOHA: You are a Nipmuc farmer in a Praying Town in New England.

It has been more than a generation since the English came to stay.

They’ve pushed further inland and settlers like, Thomas Eames, blatantly took over Nipmuc land. To keep your farmland, and maintain access to trade goods, your family decided to stay in Praying Town the English established called Magunkaquog (The Place of the Great Trees). You hoped your sons could learn to read, to write, and learn how to use the English law to protect the people.

Your mother’s Turtle Clan traces their history to the nearby freshwater pond, and your uncle taught you to hunt beneath the shade of the massive chestnuts and oaks that gave this place it’s name.

You are Nipmuc, one the Freshwater People, this is your home.

But war is brewing.

Tensions escalated over the past few years, and your neighbors to the east, the saltwater people, just lit the match. The ensuing fire threatens to destroy all you built, all you care about, all you hoped for here when you allied with the English.

The English want to evacuate Magunkaquog for the larger Praying Town of Natick, several miles to the east. They say it is for your protection, but deep in your heart you fear they may violate your trust. Your sachem, Pomhamen, is a pious man, and Job, the religious teacher, who learned the English religion from John Eliot, say each person must make a choice.

What do you do?

A.) Evacuate to Natick with Pomhamen and Job.

B.) Flee west to the mountains to join your mother’s Turtle Clan.