A Haunting Hunt

[Octopie]

118th of Vhalar, 719

The Council

Everyone had respected Thalins decision.

It was a good thing but there was hardly any other choice. Both Rauve and Amelien attested to the unrest, even she couldn’t deny the reported triple increase in theft, and all over food! tIt was the only last ditch effort the Master of Agriculture could come up with, and he’d be stupid to kill off his whole farm to satisfy the now. More than anything it was a bluff, a tactic she was familiar with, something to quiet the people while the rest of the Council figured out what they were actually going to do.

“Then we’re agreed.”

“I’ll head it.” Loren said in response, she had not bothered with the final formalities of the voting.

“We’d rather you stayed in the city during this time.”

“I don’t care what you want, Rauve.” The Ithecal said cheerfully, tail smacking to the ground as she stood. “It’s decided, and I’m not sending men out for nothing in this weather to cover our asses.”

Without waiting for the rest of their thoughts on the matter she swept out of the hall, the rest of them did not protest. Not that Loren expected them to. When she made up her mind it was final, and the rest of the conversation didn’t interest her when she had to prepare and gather her own group to send out. Still she called out, some of the earlier cheer leaving her voice as she left.

“When I get back we will have a better plan. My group leaves tomorrow after it’s been announced, whether we’ve got more volunteers or not.”

The Announcement

Posted everywhere, announced daily the entire day before so all anywhere within the city of Ne'haer could hear the following was made know to the city at large:

The Blades Need You!

Any and all who wish to help in the final hunt of the season, please report to the gates of the Willow Woods. Compensation and tools are provided, report by sunrise on the last morning of Vhalar. Experienced hunters preferred but not required.

The Council thanks it's citizens for their assistance in these trying times.


The Volunteers

A group of four waited at the gates. They expected no one to come, those who could hunt keeping solely for their families or taking safer alternatives within the city, such as theft or the underground channels. Loren knew it was unlikely this would spur anyone to action but that is why she had chosen her own to go. And those who did come would risk the dangers of the weather or anything not already in hibernation, a fools errand for sure but they couldn't get any worse than they were now.

The Ithecal smiled and slapped her unhappy group on the back. "Come now! We've done worse!"

"Not in Vhalar."

"Nah, she's right. Remember the last time that caravan got stuck in Zi'da? Closer to Lysoria but Immortals know the useless bastards can't be arsed to help."

"Oh shut up, don't start that again!"

Loren mentally patted herself on the back for distractions, watching her group with something like fondness and a smidge of worry though easily hidden with her reptilian features. Her own could care for themselves, so long as they focused, it was the potentially bumbling citizens she was most worried for. But glancing at the sky she would only be giving them another half break before they headed out on their own. In Loren's opinion, the less "help" people gave them the better.

OOC

Hello all and welcome to the first calendar event! This will be entirely modded start to finish, as such there are some rules in the next tab. If you have any questions please use the events Q & A, PM or DM me.

Please check the calendar (118th of Vhalar) for more information!

Rules

The rules here are for the thread overall, any objectives or rules as we go will be in new OOC notes.

• Follow STs TOU
• Please state specially IC or in an OOC note what your PC has with them.
• I control all NPCs except any you bring with you.
• There is no PC cap in here but after my third post joining is closed.
• I will respond once a week whether you have posted or not.
  • You won't be dropped from the thread unless you want but there are consequences to missing a post
• Please be aware of the risks both the weather and creatures could pose.
• Have fun!

NPCs

Loren

• Race: Ithecal
• Skills
  • Observation-Expert
  • Investigation-Competent
  • Leadership-Expert
  • Negotiation-Expert
  • Politics-Competent
  • Dodging-Expert
  • Armed Combat (Long Sword)-Master
  • Intimidation-Expert
• Marks
  • Sevrath: Exalted
  • Taithir: Adored
• Details: Loren has a very outgoing personality. She enjoys the simply pleasures of a free woman while taking part in the brutal activities the men participate in. This Ithecal is a capable fighter who will stop at nothing to protect her loved ones. She is devoted to turning her native Ne'haer into a safe haven— much like her ancestral homeland, Yithiral. She is a capable teacher to train under, though her personality can be a bit abrasive to some.

Ovar

• Race: Mix (Unknown)
• Skills
  • Animal Husbandry-Expert
  • Hunting-Expert
  • Field Craft-Competent
  • Combat (Bow)-Competent
  • Fishing-Novice
• Details: Ovar is a sulky, quiet individual who prefers the company of four legged creatures to two. Quiet unless it's to make passive aggressive comments, it would see that they are never happy but their is no one better at their job. As someone who looks up to Loren and regards her highly this member of the Blades follows without question, and is even known to crack a smile in her presence.

Mink

• Race: Mer
• Skills
  • Swimming-Master
  • Fishing-Expert
  • Acting-Expert
  • Detection-Competent
• Details: A Mer who often dons her human legs as contracted help for the Blades, a honorary member of sorts. Something of a misfit, not much is known of her history only that no Mer tribe cares much for her. Friendly, easy-going, and generally completely unfazed by everything she can be hard to read, and is the stubborn to a fault, often disregarding any orders given if she thinks it isn't worth it. She has a particularly strong hate for politics.

Mathew

• Race: Human
• Skills
  • Combat (Axe)-Master
  • Field Craft-Master
  • Tactics-Expert
  • Politics-Competent
  • Detection-Competent
• Details: Outgoing and a love for politics (or stirring the pot), the man is always eager to lend a hand and gossip. Well trained in matters of the wild, and the axe, he can be quiet fearsome. He sole goal in life is to take over Loren's position if, and when the time comes, but the surface is not all it seems and some would say he's too eager to take over. A native to the city, he can be quite the historian, and a wealth of useless information you can't stop him from sharing.

**Boxcodes made by previous Ne'haer mod(s)

[Woe]

One couldn't live for long in Ne'haer before becoming aware of the food shortage that was currently ravaging the local order. The shortfall was hard on everyone, the rich and impoverished alike grasped for food wherever they could find it. Many belts had tightened a few sizes since the advent of the difficulties with the harvest.

Woe had seen the announcement and was moved to act on it. After all, what affected the civil order would eventually bleed out into every other aspect of society. There was also the fact that Woe hadn't eaten in a few days. Maybe, in addition to catching some meat, if he helped enough, there'd be some meat in it for him.

Of course, there was the fact of his suitability to this endeavor that he couldn't reconcile. He was durable, with plenty of stamina; Maybe he could be their beast of burden? He was good with a whip... If a large animal tried to charge them, he could make it very angry.

So Woe didn't stand out among this group, but that was fine. He'd help in whatever manner they required, which he could fulfill, which seemed very little enough indeed, given his lack of skill at survival.

Woe more or less gravitated toward Matthew, who seemed more of a kindred spirit to himself. As the others were gathering and preparing for making out, he wrung his gloved hands and pulled his fur cloak tighter over his shoulders. "So, is there any way I could assist in this hunt? I have to admit I'll probably slow you down when it comes down to the actual parts where we're hunting, fighting, tracking, and making camp. But I can carry things?"

Equipment

T4 Armor (good quality): Padded Gambeson Coat: Made of black quilted linen.
T4 Good, Steel-Reinforced, Silk Cloak (Shield)
Set of 2 Average Embersteel Gauntlets
1 Masterwork Grave Gold canesword
1 Masterwork Grave Gold Blacksnake spidersilk whip (With little beads of copper mixed in with the grave gold in the core of the whip)
1 Outdoorsy outfit with fur mantle.

[Axel]

“Must you go on this fool’s errand, my Lord?”

“Being cooped up in this city does no good to the mind and also the possibility of thousands of people becoming cannibal savages.”

“But there are many ways to pa--“

Axel turned to look at the aged face of his tutor.

There was a knock at the door. The old man nodded his head at the servant near the door. Several men carrying a large wooden crate made their way into the center of the room.

“Ah yes, the package you requested my Lord.”

The pair made their way toward the center of the room. Arriving there, the old man made another nod, and the men began to work on opening the wooden crate.

“My Lord, this is the custom-made crossbow that you requested for loan from the family’s armory along with your set of functional body gear and armor.”

“And what’s in this smaller box?”

Axel picked up the smaller box and opened it, inspecting its content.

“That’s your Le Couteau and twenty trials wort--”

Axel holds up one finger. Then he picked up the note inside the smaller box. He took a deep breath then he exhaled them. A grin crept up his face. He crumpled up the note and threw it in the fireplace.

“There’s always a catch.”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Nah, she’s right. Remember the last time that caravan got stuck in Zi’da? Closer to Lysoria but Immortals know the useless bastards can’t be arsed to help.”

“So what can this bastard do to help?” Axel chimed in without bothering to look at the source of the remark. He takes a sniff at the powdered content of the small vial that he had with him.

“Since several thousands of people turning into cannibal savages isn’t good for both of us and the other thousands of unfortunate citizens locked in here with us. Isn’t that right Councilor?”

Axel threw the empty vial away. “For the record, it’s for personal use only. You need something to keep you sane in this state of emergency.”

Equipment

• Twenty trial’s worth of drugs
• Custom-made crossbow (on loaned from the family’s armory)
• Le Couteau (heirloom item)
• A set of functional body gear and armor
• A set of outdoor/Zi’da outerwear

[Octopie]

118th of Vhalar, 719

Loren felt her smile falter as two citizens appear then shook herself lightly, more hands made less work, less work made a quick trip. Though she highly doubted it would go so smoothly, in the last few bits before they were to head out she let them mingle among themselves, sizing up each newcomer with a stern eye.

"Look at that, told you we wouldn't need horses, we got him!" The Ithecal narrowed her eyes at her subordinate who only grinned and gave the crippled man a friendly pat on the shoulder but then held up his hands in surrender when she gave him a sharp glare. "Only kidding, all hands who help the city are welcome...except that one."

"All hands means all hands." Loren said firmly at Matthews less than subtle jab at the posh looking young gentleman. To hopefully forestall whatever her batch wished to start she clapped her hands for attention, sent out a silent prayer and addressed the group, a wave of pride hitting her when her own stood immediately at attention. "First, I want to thank you all for helping your city this trial. Second, I'm sure you've all noticed the lack of horses by now. We aren't going more than a trials journey out, they won't be needed and could cause game to spook. Third, this is a short hunt, more informational than true hunting though we will be catching anything if we find something. Third, we will not be escorting back anyone who cannot finish, you will be on your own. And finally, please listen to my subordinates, I have chosen the best I can to guide and keep things smooth but if you act like an idiot we are not your keepers and we won't be sacrificing ourselves to any moronic behavior. So, pay attention and ask for help if you need it."

With that she turned and headed out, fully expecting everyone to follow. Though she waited for all to pass through and caught the young, Lysorian by the scruff.

"Drugs, now." It was not a request. "You'll get them back after or your ass isn't going. We don't endanger each other with drugs on this team, you keep a clear head, understand?"

If Axel gave them to her, it would be the end of it. If he didn't he could follow or stay but he would not be the Ithecals or her teams concern, though they would not entirely ignore him.



The woods were quiet, cold, and damp. A clear indication of the coming bad weather but the quiet was the most concerning to the group of Blades, quiet meant everything had fled or was hiding. Fleeing the weather was standard but hiding meant they were hiding from something, and as the group had only entered, it was not them the native fauna hid from. But none said a word, eyes alert while Matthew, Loren, and Mink kept up jovial chatter, and Ovar skulked at the back of the group to watch their back.

"Still wish we'd brought horses, look at this poor man." The cheerful man gestured to Woe with great exaggeration that Loren pointedly ignored. "You're too cruel, Loren."

"Keep it up, and she'll make you piggy back him."

"It's not just him, we've even got a Lysorian drug addict! What happens when he falls down from an overdose?"

"And here I thought you didn't like the Lysorian. Now ignore him and give me your names. I'm not going to call you stranger and Lysorian all trial, I'm Mink and that's Mathew. The child sulking in the back is Ovar."

"Shut up."

The Ithecal only snorted at the petulant reply from the back, well aware Mink could keep Mathews barbs in check though the Mer would never resist a jab at the youngest of their group, while she looked for anything that would give them a better header than walking blindly. As little faith as she had in this mission she would do it to the best of her ability. And if they did catch something, even a damned rabbit, it'd be better than what they had now.

OOC

Sorry for the delay, I wanted to give any other players some more time to join. Any who wish to have until my next post! Without further ado, we continue...

Must Do

You must pick at least one thing from the Must Do objectives for your PC to see/react or not/etc to.

• There is a rustling from above.
• There is a den, hidden near the left side of the trail.
• Something darts out of the corner of your eye.
• The sound of water reaches you.

Can Do

None this round.

**Boxcodes made by previous Ne'haer mod(s)

[Woe]

Woe shrugged as Matthew referred to him as a beast of burden. His ankle injury from his earlier in the season hadn't healed very well, and still gave him trouble from time to time, hence the cane. Although he'd consider himself far from cripple, he was a bit of a lame.

He listened carefully as the ithecal went through the briefing on what the mission was about. This seemed like a small hunting party, and made Woe wonder if it was more for reconnaissance than bringing home meat for people to eat. There were probably other groups around. "Are there any other hunting parties? How widespread is the effort to bring in food?"

This was his only question for Loren, before they got underway. Woe cringed as the drug-addled gentleman joined them, with he not even bothering to hide his habit. He had to suppress a bit of a chuckle when Loren collared him, and demanded that he give up the substances.

Idly, Woe wondered if he had any opium on him. It'd been so long since Woe tasted the breath of the poppy.



Woe was able to keep up well enough, so when Matthew complained that he was lagging behind, the torturer had to scowl at him. "I'm very well. I only brought my walking stick in case of rough terrain. No need to worry yourself over cruelty." Woe could teach Matthew a few lessons to that effect, if he ever found himself on the wrong side of the law. Yet that was neither here nor there.

The banter was a bit annoying, especially given they were supposed to not be scaring away animals.

"Shut Up." Said Ovar. Finally a voice of reason among this rabble.

But for the trouble, Woe made an effort to extend his etheric silken strands to wrap around Ovar, Mink, and Matthew, just in case he needed to know where they were. He'd be able to track them within a city's distance, so he was confident in his ability to keep tabs on them while in the same party... should he get lost.

The sound of water rushing nearby hit Woe's ears as they walked along, yet he ignored it. He was not a good swimmer, and certainly wasn't keen on testing his skill in this chill.

Yet, as they went farther alon on the trail, Woe did notice a den, hidden in the left side. He motioned and pulled up his cane to stop the next person. To Matthew and Ovar, he whispered, "Do you think it might hold any food?"

[Axel]

“First, I want to thank you all………..”

If it isn’t because of this closed border protocol, we could have sent them to take care of this incident.

“Second……… lack of horses……….. We aren’t going more than a trial,”

At least he could’ve sent one or two of them.

“Third, this is a short hunt…………….”

Guess I must make do with what I have.

“……… you will be on your own………..”

There’s always a catch. Bloody geezer!

“So, pay attention and ask for help if you need it.”

Axel lost in thought subconsciously followed the group when he was brought back to the present when the Councilor grabbed him by the scruff.

“Bloody hell! What in the-“

“Drugs, now. You’ll get them back after or your ass isn’t going. We don’t endanger each other with drugs on this team, you keep a clear head, understand?”

It took a moment for him to realize what happened.

“All right, all right. As long as we get out of this alive. Here it is, minus the one I used earlier,”

Axel handed the Councilor seventeen vials of substances.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“It’s not just him, we’ve even got a Lysorian drug addict! What happens when he falls down from an overdose?”

“Thanks for your concern darling, but I’m married already,”

Axel lifted his hand and pointed to the ring on his ring finger.

“You can call me Axel,”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.” Axel said to Woe while extending his hand for a shake.

“Shut up.”

“And she talks” Axel replied while looking back at Ovar

As the group continued their journey Axel glimpsed something darting out of the corner of his eyes. Axel turned his head trying to pinpoint it. As he was still looking for that something he heard rustling from above.

Bloody hell!

Axel turned to look at the Ovar, since the kid is at the back of the group, she might have heard or saw something, if when their eyes locked on Axel double tapped on his ear with his index finger, then he pointed upward.

What was that? It shouldn’t be this far out. If memory serves me right, there are military outposts in these woods. What if it……… Fuck! No, no, this is way too close to the city. Maybe they caught it near the border. But in the letter, damn it geezer! You could have at least smuggled in one or two of them to assist me.

[Octopie]

118th of Vhalar, 719

"Don't ruin it, I want her to give me a horse!" Matthew said with a grin, though Loren could see some tension release at the thought of one less thing to worry about. The silence save for whispers prompting her to slow, though still she saw nothing. A glance at Ovar told her that they too saw nothing of note. Which if they saw nothing...where were all the tracks? Not even a trace of Wyndeer. She recalled the Council, specifically Rauve, bothering her about what could be stopping the animals aside from the harsher weather.

"Captain."

Two voices at once and the Ithecal turned fully, her eyes taking in the two situations with something like amusement. Mathew was in the dirt with his head nearly shoved down a hole while Ovar had their bow drawn at pointed at a rapidly, annoyingly recognizable, black shape swooped down. They're never be rid of it.

"Leave it, Ovar."

"It-"

"Isn't meat. And where there's one, there's more. Since the that one drew attention to it," Loren gazed flatly at Axel, though her eyes danced with genuine mirth. "he can watch it."

Her words seemed to be all the bird needed, Ovar already relaxing their bow and removing themselves from the situation and the bird. Not full grown, it landed on the lowest branch near Axel then thrust it's face forward into the finger he had point, nosing at it curiously. But it was clear it was not right, aside from being out in the day, though early, it was missing clumps of feather and had a large chunk missing from the bottom half of it's face. The Ithecal needed to inspect it closer, the Lysorian would keep it entertain enough while she dealt with the other group, nodding to Ovar once. They sighed then spoke.

"Watch it's feet."

Loren didn't bother to scold them for not elaborating, if the bird was strange they'd kill it. For now she focused on the den and Mathews head leaning inside of it. With a flick of her eyes she sent the Mer to the Lysorian and waited for Ovar to come.

"If something eats him, can I have his stuff?"

"I have dibs." Loren retorted then tapped Woe's shoulder, giving Woe a small smile. "Good eye. Mathew move your head, Ovar?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing?"

They shrugged but their eyes didn't leave the hole. "There is something but it hasn't come out in a long time. Nothing fresh around the edges but the scents still there."

The Ithecal glanced at the sky. It hadn't been long, they could note the hole and come back later or skip it for game or to finish their "hunt" but she didn't want to pass an opportunity to catch something. Once more she glanced to Woe, her eyes landing on his whip then gestured to the hole.

"How good are you with that whip?"

What You Found

Axel has caught the attention of a Bonebird. What is he going to do with it?

Woe found a hole. With something in it.

Must Do

None this round.

Can Do

Axel

• Collect a some of the molting feathers.
• Kill the bird.

Woe

• Check whats in the hole.
• Use whip to coax something out.

**Boxcodes made by previous Ne'haer mod(s)

[Woe]

Woe saw the bonebird that the group had spotted, but didn't know much else about it. It looked like the sort of creature to prey upon carrion, a scavenger. But the way Loren was speaking of it, it seemed as if it was forbidden prey. The rulers of lands often reserved certain prey animals for the privileged few, leaving the more common quarry to lesser hunters, and other poachers. "Yes, best leave it, I suppose?" Woe ventured, backing Loren up as she seemed to have the most brains of the bunch, aside from Ovar, who was a sharp eye at any rate.

Then they came to the hole that Woe had found. A small opening in the earth that might lead to a greater chamber beneath. Perhaps a rabbit, a mole, or even a pit of snakes. With Woe's luck it might be the latter. Not that he had much against them, and a whip was as good a weapon against snakes and other small quarry as others.

"How good are you with that whip?"

Woe shrugged, and rolled his shoulders as he uncoiled the whip. "No time for false modesty? I'm an expert, with some room to learn more. Good enough to make enough racket to scare anything out of that hole."

So saying, Woe held the whip over his head, and snapped it forward, making sure to give plenty of room around him so he wouldn't catch someone in the face, or eye.

He repeatedly snapped at the entrance to the cave, once, twice, and over again, alternating between underhand snaps and overhead. If anything popped out, he'd probably just snap the whip at it, just to be on the safe side. Although he'd take direction from the party as necessary.

[Octopie]

118th of Vhalar, 719

The crack of the whip sounded through the rather quiet forest, but it was not enough to cover the sound of a body hitting the ground. Loren did not bother to look, only stifled a smile and a sigh, she'd expected as much from the Lysorian. Waiting for Ovar to finish storing him somewhere safe then coming to the Ithecal, the daft Bonebird not far behind, as something moved within the hole. Mink had moved herself to the back of the group, with Matthew and Ovar switching places, Loren keeping herself at the front.

"I don't like it."

"Why?"

"Because there's no tracks."

The Ithecal had thought the same but said nothing as faint scrabbling could be heard. Mathew already had his axe out, and Ovar had a crossbow ready but Loren knew it was far too late. Several things clicked into place for her, that she had not given thought to before. Even the city blamed famine for the dwindling animal population, especially since it followed so closely after a draught, but instinct, and Taithir told her they should have left the hole alone.

"Fall back!"

Not trusting Woe to be fast enough, she pulled him back, using more of her Mark to summon her serpent to block the disproportionately large creature that burst from the hole. The serpent manifestation quick to slam it back against the tree, coils wrapping while Loren trusted her guards to attack if and as needed.

“No heroics, do as I say, keep your whip handy and stay out of it’s range.”

The Ithecal had no time to explain further. The creature in front of them was small but still far larger and stronger than it had any right to be. It ripped the snake away, Loren’s lack of focus allowing it, and charged at the small party.

“It’s a baby!”

Ovar shouted as she had shot an arrow into it’s shoulder. Loren snorted, babies were nothing, and it was only one. But she said nothing as she and her group worked to keep the thing in place. If it escaped, it would only come back angrier, they had to kill it now.

Axel

Axel has been hypnotized by the Bonebird and fallen unconscious.

He has two choices upon waking.

Fight with the group or flee back on his own as they are not far from city. It is advised, if he goes back to the city, that he stays on the path, though straying is an option.

Woe

Your options are to fight or flee, just remember what they say about moving targets. The choice is yours!

**Boxcodes made by previous Ne'haer mod(s)

[Woe]

Suddenly things burst into chaos, and Woe was in the middle of it all. His whipping at whatever dwelt in the hole hadn't helped much, other than to drive what was living there out. Which under most circumstances would be a good thing to happen on a hunting trip... one would think? Woe didn't know much about hunting.

However, he had heard the warning not to move, and so didn't flee, but stood his ground behind Loren, using her as a living shield. He stood stock still, his whip still out and hanging from his grip. He remembered what they'd said about moving... "Then everyone stay still! I have a plan..."

So saying, he waited for everyone to stop moving. If the creature stopped its berserk charge ahead, he would wait a moment. Then, after a few trills, begin sending a wave down the length of his whip, making the tip move while the rest of it remained relatively stationary. The movement, he hoped, would catch the creature's attention. He would lure it in this way, swiping his whip without moving much else of his body, and snap it against a nearby tree, trying to get it to either run into the tree and stun itself, or turn its back on the hunting party so they could move to dispatch it.

Either way was a gamble, but Woe was desperate for any options, and right now was coming up short, with his expertise in this being limited.

Meanwhile, the bonebird seemed to still be about, but Woe was more focused on the creature that was capable of manhandling a Taithir familiar...