A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

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hedgeknight
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A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#1 Post by hedgeknight »

Mirtul 21, 1358 DR

The morning dew still drips from the canopy above as the hunting party leaves the camp of the Lynx clan. Blue and Trell lead the procession, while Spade brings up the rear. As soon as the camp has disappeared behind them, the pace quickens along a narrow game trail leading out of the deeper part of the woods and into the Crags proper. The terrain changes to tree-covered hills with thick underbrush, rocky outcroppings and steep gulches. At midday, Blue and Trell halt for a few minutes, allowing for a cool drink of water and maybe a quick bite.
Cumber takes Surefoot on ahead and within a few minutes, the giant lynx picks up the scent of the hill sheep. You move out again at a much slower pace this time > starting and stopping regularly as Blue and Trell follow the tracks of the sheep. True to their nature, the sheep have left the easy terrain of the hills to an area where they feel more safe > the rocky cliffs the Crags are named for. "Careful now," Cumber whispers. "One slip and you'll be rocking and rolling all the way to the bottom!"

So, for the next two hours, as afternoon wanes on, the hunting party cautiously follows the rocky path...if there is such, tracking the elusive sheep. Fresh droppings indicate the sheep are close and as the breeze picks up (thankfully, you are downwind), Blue hisses for a halt and lies as flat as he can against the rocks. The tracker looks back at the rest of the group, smiles and nods, and then very slowly, crawls back. "We got 'em! There's at least a dozen, I'd figure, holed up in a draw about 250 yards ahead. Now, here is where the fun part comes. If we continue along this path, they are gonna see us, sure as Trell's hairy stinking ass."
Trell smiles but makes no reply.
"So, the best way, I figure, is to back track a bit and come down from the top and maybe get a few shots before they break."
"What if half of us follow that plan and then when you get in place, the others move around the path and jump the sheep, herding them toward you?" Cumber offers. "Surefoot might be able to get real close before they spook."
Trell nods, his head bowed as he considers Cumber's plan. Then abruptly, he looks up and asks, "That might work too. What say the rest of you?"
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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#2 Post by Alethan »

Greystone nods and whispers, "I like the idea of herding them towards the archers; makes for better odds. I'll help herd. You want Darkstar up there with his bow, though," he adds, with confidence.
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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#3 Post by Computer +1 »

Darkstar nod in agreement. A good plan. With that he rechecks his gear and gets ready to backtrack.

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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#4 Post by hedgeknight »

Note: Not having heard from Argennian, I'm unsure as to whether Purvan is with the hunting party. So, I will not be addressing his character until he drops in to post.

Blue nods. "Alrighty then, Darkstar, you're with me, Trell, and Spade. Let's move out - give us a couple of hours to get in place than then start moving ahead. We need to get this done before dark or we're liable to lose 'em after nightfall."

So, the archers move out, back along the rocky path and soon are gone from sight. The wind picks up and bites hard against exposed skin. Surefoot doesn't seem to mind, his tail twitching with excitement, and the scent of sheep in his nostrils. After what seems like a couple of hours, Cumber and Wood move forward a bit. The scouts whisper in the giant lynx's ears and without a sound, Surefoot crouches and begins to move very slowly around the rocky trail.
True to his name, the giant lynx never falters, his coat blending in with the rocky hillside, as he inches ever closer to the sheep. Once the giant lynx closes the distance to about 50 yards, Cumber signals the rest of the 'herders' to move forward. Greystone's sharp eyes pick out the sheep about 200 yards away, resting in the cleft of a hillside, chewing whatever lichen and moss they scavenged from the rocks. They are a deep gray in color with hints of brown, enabling them to blend in very well; Surefoot is nearly invisible, even to his eyes at this distance.
And no sooner does Greystone spot the sheep, when they also spot him and the rest of the group. With a bleat of warning, the sheep leap up and bolt into action, scattering across the rocks > some run over the top of the hillside (toward the archers), while others zigzag in all directions. Surefoot is a blur of speed, and Cumber whoops for joy as the big cat tackles a fat ewe, snapping her neck with ease.
"Take a shot!" Cumber yells, rising on one knee and firing at a fleeing sheep. His arrow shatters on the rocks, and so does an arrow from Wood.

On the opposite side of the hill, the archers are in place and only have to wait a few moments before three sheep come bounding over the ridge, running for their lives. "Take 'em down!" Blue says, rapidly firing two arrows at the lead sheep, a large ewe. Blue shoots sheep: [1d20+2] = 16+2 = 18, [1d6] = 2, [1d20+2] = 13+2 = 15, [1d6] = 5
Both arrows strike the ewe, staggering her, but she doesn't go down...until Trell drops her with a shot to the back of her neck! Trell shoots sheep: [1d20+2] = 19+2 = 21, [1d6] = 5, [1d20+2] = 4+2 = 6, [1d6] = 2
"One fer me!" the filthy elf laughs, ignoring the glare from Blue.

Spade takes off at a run, slipping and sliding down the loose rocks, but it doesn't slow him down as he hurls a spear at another fleeing sheep. The old ranger's aim is perfect and the spear strikes the sheep behind its right foreleg bringing it down in a tumbling heap! Spade spears sheep: [1d20+3] = 18+3 = 21, [1d6+2] = 6+2 = 8

"By the Lady!" Blue exclaims. "Don't let that one get away, Darkstar!"
Darkstar's head whirls so fast, the bones crack in his neck (which feels good after last night's romp!). And his heart skips a beat when he sees a big ram bounding toward him, angling to his left!
Winter is coming...

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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#5 Post by Alethan »

Greystone fires at one of the closer sheep...

To Hit, Shortbow [1d20+3] = 3+3 = 6

And then once more, if he gets a chance...

To Hit, Shortbow [1d20+3] = 14+3 = 17
Damage, Flight Arrow [1d6] = 6
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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#6 Post by Computer +1 »

Darkstar's training takes over and he raises his bow and fires without thinking.
[1d20+4] = 5+4 = 9[1d6] = 3
The first shot is quickly followed by a second
[1d20+4] = 13+4 = 17[1d6] = 1
And a third
[1d20+4] = 15+4 = 19[1d6] = 5

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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#7 Post by hedgeknight »

Greystone fires on a young sheep bounding down the draw right in front of him. His first arrow is high, shattering against the rocks, but his second arrow drills the sheep through the ribs, knocking it down...but it gets right back up, spurting blood, but it just stands there dazed, breathing hard.


Darkstar's training takes over and mentally, he shuts out Blue's voice as he draws and fires, draws and fires, draws and fires. His first arrow is behind the ram, but his second arrow glances off the side of ram's forehead, turning its path. His third arrow buries up to the fletching in the ram's chest, but the majestic beast keeps running...heading straight for Darkstar!
"Shit!" Blue and Trell shout at the same time, fumbling for arrows, while trying to get out of the way.
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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#8 Post by Alethan »

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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#9 Post by Computer +1 »

Darkstar doesn't move. With a blur of speed he draws a red fletched arrow and fires at the ram. Either he will hit the ram or the ram will hit him. There is nothing else. Time seems to slow down as Darkstar falls into a ramiliar pattern. Nock, draw, release. Nock, draw, release. Nock, .........draw, ..........release.

[1d20+6] = 13+6 = 19[1d6+1] = 2+1 = 3
[1d20+6] = 18+6 = 24[1d6+1] = 4+1 = 5
[1d20+6] = 5+6 = 11[1d6+1] = 1+1 = 2

If he drops the Ram before shooting an additional arrow he will obviously not continue to fire

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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#10 Post by Argennian »

When the hunting party moves out on the hunt, Purvan stays near Spade at the rear. He figures to not only stay out of the way of the other elves but be able to better watch and observe everything he can about their methods and tactics. Less than a week ago, he was skulking down a dirty alley behind a tavern in Neverwinter and now he's out in the deep woods on a hunt with the elves! And that after a wild party with them and his fellow investigator the night before to boot...

*****************************************

When the archers move out, Purvan takes in the scene and mood as he waits quietly with the others, off to the side and well out of the way. He has no intention of proving Cumber right by getting hurt or making a mistake. He was surely glad to be near the rear and behind the elf ranger on the few occasions he stepped wrong or even slipped on the dangerous, rocky terrain!

Purvan is thinking of Thaleese and caught by surprise when the sheep break and the elves spring to action. He curses himself for the loss of focus as he moves up carefully yet excitedly behind them. The first time hunter intends to let each and every one of them take a shot before he does, and he is mindful to observe the fire lanes and backdrop. He keeps his bow and an arrow to hand, holding them now like Darkstar holds his, not like some half-breed city boy.

When the first volley is launched, the half-elf moves over to a clear fire position and begins looking for a target. No sooner than he does so, he hears Blue and Trell yell shit! in elvish and spots the large ram charging toward Darkstar! He lifts his bow and fires...

To Hit: short bow (+2 Dex bonus/-3 non-proficient penalty) [1d20-1] = 11-1 = 10 (miss), Damage [1d6] = 3

... seeing the arrow sail wide. He pulls another arrow quickly from his quiver for one last shot and pulls back hard on the new bowstring...

To Hit: short bow (+2 Dex bonus/-3 non-proficient penalty) [1d20-1] = 1-1 = 0 (sigh...), Damage [1d6] = 4

...

OOC: sorry for the lateness here, gang! (Guess that last roll is what I get for being late... :roll: )
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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#11 Post by hedgeknight »

Argennian wrote:When the first volley is launched, the half-elf moves over to a clear fire position and begins looking for a target. No sooner than he does so, he hears Blue and Trell yell shit! in elvish and spots the large ram charging toward Darkstar! He lifts his bow and fires...
OOC: Darkstar and the others are on the opposite side of the hill from where you are. I'll apply your shots on another target though.

Greystone's first arrow sails right over the young sheep's back, but his second arrow is on the mark, dropping the sheep in its tracks! Behind him, Purvan spots a frightened sheep running back toward the path they came from, and decides to try and bring it down. The first-time hunter draws and fires, but forgets to lead the running sheep and shoots behind it. Turning to keep the sheep in sight, he frantically pulls back hard with his new bowstring...and it snaps, cracking like a dried stick! Seeing the disappointment on Purvan's face, Thaleese turns her head so as to hide her smile and watches the sheep bound away to safety.

Across the hill...

The ram charges right at him, but Darkstar doesn't move. With a blur of speed he draws a red-fletched arrow and fires at the ram. The arrow drives into the ram's upper chest, but it keeps coming. It lowers its head, rapidly closing the gap. Time seems to slow down as Darkstar falls into a familiar pattern > Nock.........draw..........release.
Darkstar's second arrow punches the ram in right eye, just as it launches itself at his chest, head lowered, barreling right at him! Calmly and coolly, Darkstar takes two quick steps back, as the ram piles up in front of him, skidding to a halt against his shins! It kicks a few times, groans, and dies.
Suddenly, the air is filled with whoops and hollering from Blue and Trell, while Spade merely looks on silently, giving Darkstar a nod of approval.

On either side of the ridge, all of the sheep are either dead or gone, having run off into the hills. Two sheep are down on the front side is Greystone's kill > a young female almost a year grown. The other was killed by Surefoot, and no one is going to try to take it from the giant lynx! On the opposite side, three sheep are down, including the big ram Darkstar shot.
"Quit yer grinning and get to skinning!" Blue announces at the top of the ridge, looking down the draw at Cumber, Wood, and the others. "How'd y'all do? It won't matter when you see the big ram Darkstar took down!"

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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#12 Post by Alethan »

Greystone immediately moves to begin skinning and field-dressing his kill, as quickly as he can, leaving it for Cumber or Wood or Purvan to call up to the others.
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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#13 Post by Computer +1 »

When the ram finally comes to a stop right in front of him a flood of emotion hit Darkstar as the coolness of the archer gives way. His hands tremble slightly due to both the adrenaline and the realization as to how close he came to being hurt or killed. He tries his best to match the nod from Spade in a confident manner.
He looks down at the ram We thank you brother ram and we ask your forgiveness as we honor your spirit. May your strength find each of us as you sustain us in the winters ahead.

He then sets to work dressing the kill with his sharp knife.

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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#14 Post by Argennian »

"Damn it!" Purvan exalts, trying his best, albeit unsuccessfully, to contain his anger and disappointment as he proceeds to tie off his once-again-disabled bow to his backpack. Having also noticed Thaleese turn her head away to either smile or laugh at his expense only serves to galvanize his frustrations.

"Perhaps Cumber was right. The unfortunate truth is that I am no hunter and am out of my element here in the wilds. Guess that makes me a city boy, and apparently more human than elf after all it would seem," the dejected half breed admits aloud. "At least the scenery is breathtaking and we're staying in shape. Hopefully that is worth something..."
Yosef Travathas: High Elf Fighter4/Magic-User3 (rredmond's Pacesetter Games "Legacy of the Unknown" OSRIC Playtest)
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Tanik Tremwoodak: Dwarf Cleric3 (Dave's 1e Skype Game)

DM: home-brew OSRIC "A New Hope to the West" campaign

Fireball... good!!

"What's it gonna take?"
"Everything."
tkrexx as Emm the Avenging Druid wrote:I shall burn you, and I shall sink your petty warship with fire and lightning, and the ocean shall swallow it and all aboard, and no one will remember any of you!

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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#15 Post by hedgeknight »

Computer +1 wrote:He looks down at the ram We thank you brother ram and we ask your forgiveness as we honor your spirit. May your strength find each of us as you sustain us in the winters ahead.

Trell and Blue do not hear your words as they are busy joking and talking, walking over to the sheep they downed. But then a firm hand clasps your shoulder and you turn and look into the steel gray eyes of Spade. He has a slight smile on his face. "Well said...cousin."
That's all you get, because he turns away and walks toward the sheep he brought down with his spear.

Argennian wrote:"Perhaps Cumber was right. The unfortunate truth is that I am no hunter and am out of my element here in the wilds. Guess that makes me a city boy, and apparently more human than elf after all it would seem," the dejected half breed admits aloud. "At least the scenery is breathtaking and we're staying in shape. Hopefully that is worth something..."

Thaleese just smiles and tucks her arm inside Purvan's laying her head on his shoulder. "You're right...it is beautiful here."

Greystone hikes over to his sheep and feels good that he brought down one of the elusive beasts. As he begins to field dress it, Cumber and Wood come over to compliment him. "Nice shot, cousin," the quiet Wood says. "We'll eat good for a few days at least."
Cumber laughs. "And the skins will look good on me!"
"And you'll still smell better than Trell!" Wood shoots back.

It takes a couple of hours, with the elves working while Purvan and Thaleese keep watch, to get the sheep skinned out and the meat cut and wrapped for travel. But by then, the light is fading fast, and Blue wants to be as far away from the kill area as possible before full dark. "There's a lot worse things in the Crags than hill sheep," he says, shrugging on his newly stuffed pack.
Everyone loads up and begins to move out, Spade bringing up the rear again, while Blue and Trell move out front. You hump it hard for about three hours, covering a few miles as darkness engulfs you. Still, Blue leads on and you walk another couple of hours until you spot a small cave in the side of one of the hills. Surefoot leads the way to the cave, barely able to walk much further after consuming over half of the sheep she killed. But she pads inside and returns and lies down near the entrance, effectively pronouncing it safe.
Within minutes, Trell has a small fire going as deep into the cave as possible, where the light won't be as visible from the outside. Soon, the smell of sheep liver and heart fills the air and your bellies grumble as you realize it's been midday since you ate. Cumber breaks out a skin of wine and you eat and drink, and talk about the day.

OOC: Greystone and Darkstar get 50 xp for killing a sheep; sorry Purvan. :)
Give me your actions for the evening, including which watch you'll take, and any preps for the next day.
Winter is coming...

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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#16 Post by Alethan »

Greystone eats a quick meal, then says, "I'll take first watch."

He moves to the cave entrance, finds a spot outside the entrance, tucked away where his heat signature (or most of it) would be hidden, and keeps an alert eye for two hours before going in to wake up the next person on watch.
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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#17 Post by Argennian »

Purvan breaks out his bedroll and agrees to take a watch shift if the elves ask him to. He remains quiet and inwardly focused when not thinking about other things. Things like their mission or his failure to bring down a mountain sheep when he had the chance or that he ended up breaking his bow yet again!

The half-elf's eyelids get heavy due the previous evening's lack of sleep and the day's toll of harsh, exerting travel. All that considered, he's genuinely happy that Thaleese is with him and takes comfort in her close and reassuring presence. He might be a city boy and no doubt out of his normal comfort zone here in the wilds, but he still retains his unique skill sets and disciplines that earned him the trust of his mentor. It is these realizations that keep him galvanized and focused on what must be done in the days ahead.
Yosef Travathas: High Elf Fighter4/Magic-User3 (rredmond's Pacesetter Games "Legacy of the Unknown" OSRIC Playtest)
Brok Sterling: Human Assassin3 (ToniXX's Incursion into Newiron OSRIC Playtest)
Tanik Tremwoodak: Dwarf Cleric3 (Dave's 1e Skype Game)

DM: home-brew OSRIC "A New Hope to the West" campaign

Fireball... good!!

"What's it gonna take?"
"Everything."
tkrexx as Emm the Avenging Druid wrote:I shall burn you, and I shall sink your petty warship with fire and lightning, and the ocean shall swallow it and all aboard, and no one will remember any of you!

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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#18 Post by Computer +1 »

Darkstar will volunteer to take the same watch as Spade if he can figure out which one that is.

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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#19 Post by hedgeknight »

Blue takes the first watch with Greystone, while Cumber and Wood take the second, allowing Purvan and Thaleese to sleep through the night if they wish. And with Darkstar and Spade taking the third watch, Trell curls up in the back of the cave and snores all night long. Or at least until about four in the morning...

Third watch > about 4:00 am...

A cold fog blankets the Crags, seeping into hollows, crawling along the hillsides. Darkstar abruptly shivers in the damp chill, wishing for the tenth time they could afford a fire. It had burned down some time during second watch, and Spade wouldn't rebuild it. "Fire in the Crags draws unwanted visitors," was all the old warrior said.
So while Spade cleans the sheep blood from his fingernails with a hunting knife, Darkstar huddles under his cloak, staring into the fog and wishing for a warm fire...
But his wishing suddenly turns into wishing he were somewhere else when he sees the fog abruptly shift in the hollow below the cave...shift and begin to take form. He hisses through his teeth and Spade whispers, "I seen 'em a minute ago."
And then Darkstar sees them more clearly too > too tall to be humanoid, the giants emerge from the fog carrying long spears and wearing some type of armor.
verbeeg.jpg
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At the ground level, large wolves sniff the air, tracking the scent of sheep. They stop about 50 yards distant, looking around. Darkstar counts three giants and four wolves, although the giants are unlike any he's seen before.
As if knowing he's about to ask, Spade whispers one word, "Verbeeg."

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Re: A Hunting They Will Go > Spring 1358 DR

#20 Post by Computer +1 »

Darkstar nocks the Arrow of Screaming and whispers to Spade, Wake the others, if they move closer I will try to scatter them.

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