Chillin' with the Ishak

While humans first arrived in our beloved Southwest Louisiana about 11,000 years ago, our tales pick up when ol' Cuz Raoul was living with the Ishak. This was a few hundred years ago; back before the pirates came and sawmills dotted the waterways of Southwest Louisiana.

This area was wild then. It resembled the idealistic swamplands of Louisiana - cypress trees, oak trees, and Spanish moss. We had countless alligators and Nutria rats, oh, and mais oui, we had mosquitos. With the mosquitos came malaria, yellow fever, and more. 

Even with these challenges, the Ishak called this place home, and Raoul ruled this place from the unseen realm of his dimension, or as some prefer to say, the spirit realm.

Raoul the Traveler

The Ishak people loved to roam the trails, bayous, and swamps of our area, and Raoul being true to this area, loved to travel them, too. It wasn't long before they were inseparable. 

You see, the Ishak roamed the areas of Southwest Louisiana and Southeast Texas, but our side - the Sunrise side - needed protection not just from the elements, but also from the Chitimacha to the east, and the Caddo and Natchez to the North. 

It wasn't long before Cuz Raoul saw a need for his services and made himself known to the Calcasieu - the Crying Eagle - the leader of our beloved band of Ishak. 

Cuz Raoul Gets to Work

It was a hot, humid night. You know the kind. When it feels like you're swimming through air and the sweat is held fast to your skin. Our particular group of Ishak was spending some time along Houston River.

They loved the area of Southwest Louisiana between Houston River and Route 66. There was a ready source of fresh, running water with lots of fish. The lush forest was full of game and edible vegetation. There were even prairies in the area with reeds for weaving baskets and other needed supplies. 

But things weren't so harmonious at this time. 

The young woman who was tasked with making sure there was safe water to drink was distracted. Bacteria was still in the drinking water and dysentery struck the camp. 

Now the Calcasieu wasn't called the Crying Eagle for nothin'. He cried out for help to ease his people's suffering.

And the Wolf heard. 

Cuz Raoul, the Wolf Counsel, rushed to the Calcasieu's side. 

But as we already know, ol' Raoul doesn't offer his help for free. That is the whole reason you are reading his tales now.

And what did he expect from the Ishak people?

Strength.

You see, being an interdimensional being has its perks. Our spirit could see glimpses of the future. He knew a battle was coming - a battle with another great being called Papa Legba. 

He still had a few hundred years to prepare. So, for now, the Ishak lived, and Raoul lived with them - gathering his strength.