in open-field battles, quarreling sides met on either side of the field, generally after sunrise. intimidation tactics such as profuse chanting, singing, dancing, sudden advancements, and yelling profane insults were commonly used. the standard battle formation of a group normally had a defensive front line of men carrying wooden shields to protect themselves and their fellow men from falling arrows. behind them were men armed with bows and arrows. shots would be taken sporadically, as arrows were not made in abundance due to the lack of mass-production techniques in fore society. as a result of this and the capability of fighters to dodge or block incoming arrows, deaths were minimal though common in these battles. in the rare occasion that more than a few people died in one battle, the tribe that suffered those deaths would commonly avenge them with ambush attacks on enemy villages. in the afternoon, fighting normally ended, to be continued after the following sunrise. fore wars were relatively short, lasting anywhere from a few months to 2–3 years.