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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 17, 2022 16:59:38 GMT -5
It was good to be back home again. If there was any place in all of Charon that Shaa felt at home it was here. These hills were home to his earliest memories as an orphan. He had no memory of his parents but had plenty of memories of hunting and gathering here to keep himself alive. It wasn’t an easy life but it shaped who he was in ways that followed him even today. He loved food because he remembered the times he went for days without eating. He loved sleeping under the stars because more often than not, they were his ceiling. He was tough because being the toughest meant being the one that stayed alive. He had learned so much here, and now it was time to pass some of that along….and maybe have some fun along the way.
Joinng him on his homecoming was Zarius and Gerhart, two of the guilds most recent recruits. After some recent troubles at the academy, heavy construction was going on making the place temporarily unlivable. Shaa thought this was a great opportunity to get some extra training in while they waited on the repairs. The sky was clear and calm, great time for some camping.
Ok Guys, I think we are here. Shaa motioned to an empty patch of grass. Signs of old fires and camping could be seen all around. Ok let’s get some firewood gathered. I’ll prepare the pit. Shaa had grown attached to these two recruits in particular. He saw a lot of potential in both of them as well as had some memorable adventures. As he watched them gather the wood, it made him sad for just a moment as it reminded him of some friends that were no longer here. Shaa shook off the memories and placed some large rocks in a circle to form the pit.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Nov 17, 2022 20:07:30 GMT -5
There were times when Gerhart could keep his cool and be more professional, but when personally invited out on a mission by Shaa it was hard to contain his excitement. Even moreso when it meant traveling somewhere new. The young adventurer was desperate to show Shaa he had been learning. Whatever small bit of respect he had gotten from Zarius he intended to get from the minotaur as well.
He was even more glad to see this mission would be taking them somewhere a bit more calm and comfortable, no harsh deserts or being attacked by an army of mages. Plus the sound of a snipe hunt was the perfect set up as he had been working on his hunting and trapping skills.
"I can handle getting the firewood, how are we doing on food? Need me to rustle up something fresh? Might be a bit more fun than just the rations we packed."
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Nov 18, 2022 12:09:30 GMT -5
While the tiefling was a busy man most of the time, he would be a fool to reject an invitation from his brother's best friend Shaa. It was important to forge strong alliances these days as things only seemed to be getting more volatile in Charon. Shaa was not only a member of the Fighter's Guild, but was probably the most likely to inherit the group should the current leader, Athena, never return. It had been on his list to investigate her disappearance, however there had been too many other matters to prioritize.
He was happy to see that Shaa had also invited the human fighter, Gerhart. The young man had been a great travel companion in the past and was improving his martial prowess at a remarkable rate. Shaa and Gerhart were almost like brothers to the tiefling at this point, as they had quite a few adventures together under their belts.
"I can see if there is anything more interesting than rations." He nods then shoots Gerhart a teasing smirk. "You best not complain about anything I find though."
It would be a lie to say that he wasn't thinking of finding something like a frog or spider for Gerhart specifically. Though he was sure Shaa knew how to cook most of anything. The minotaur's tastes were varied and he seemed to not shy away from any delicacy no matter its appearance or odd smell.
Zarius turns invisible and sets out to try and track down some food. He certainly wasn't as skilled a tracker as Caedes, Cyran, or even Gerhart, but he was quite and very hard to notice which at least let him search without spooking any prey off.
He does come across some prairie chickens and their nest tucked away in some tall grasses. He quickly manages to catch, kill and bring back the plump birds along with a pouch full of eggs.
"You are in luck, nothing too weird here." He quips to Gerhart.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 18, 2022 15:33:18 GMT -5
By the time the two get back to camp, Shaa has the fire burning as well as an impromptu spit ready to roast any game. As he spent the vast majority of his time sleeping outdoors, he had become an expert in making something out of nothing and camping was no exception.
Hey hey, look at you. Shaa remarked as he started to de-feather the prairie chickens and put them on the spit. Shaa had managed to dig up some wild onions and dandelions to add some vegetables and flavor to their humble meal. Soon after the Smokey smell of meat and veggies was wafting through the air. While they ate, Shaa stretched out against a fell log that he had pulled over for support.
Yes I know this isn’t a fancy inn or anything but you would be hard pressed to find an inn that I would be willing to trade for a night like this. Shaa scratched his leg a bit and stared at the fire. The low embers smoldered as the occasional pop of burning wood could be heard. Without looking at them, Shaa continued. I’m glad that you both were able to come along. In the guild we do a lot of fighting, more danger and stress than most professions I imagine. It’s important to relax and re center when you can. The stress can ware on you if you let it. A howl can be heard in the distance. Shaa yawns looking unconcerned.
Tomorrow is going to be a big day. We are going to go find your first snipe. If you are good enough to find one of those, you can find anything or anyone. It’s a good skill to have in our guild. Seems like someone is getting lost every week. He stretches a bit and lays down on the grass. Don’t let the werewolves bite. Almost instantly, Shaa’s gentile snores could be heard.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Nov 19, 2022 22:19:41 GMT -5
"You're already here, hard to get much weirder." Another laugh as he takes the eggs and gathers together some longer grasses to give them a soft basket to rest in. "We can keep those for the morning, fair bit of good stuff in eggs that make them a perfect breakfast."
Gerhart is happy to take his turn on the spit or do whatever little bits are needed to help finish up the meal, handing out mugs full of water to everyone. He finally took a seat when it seemed like it was time to eat. He nods softly as Shaa speaks.
"I thought as I kid I'd spent enough time sleeping outside that as soon as I could, I'd make sure I never had to do that again....but you're right. There's definitely a different feel to it now." He stokes the fire a bit to freshen up the flames, laughing a bit as Shaa mentions the fighting and the stress. For once though he holds back is comment, taking in the minotaur's wisdom insteaned.
The nod is a bit more solemn as Shaa mentions losing people, bristling slightly at the mention of werewolves. His hand gently touches the scars on his face a moment before Shaa's snores break him out.
With a soft smile, he looks over to Zarius, "I can take first watch then. I can't imagine we have too much to worry about, but can't hurt."
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Nov 20, 2022 13:46:06 GMT -5
Zarius gives Gerhart an amused smile. The young human had always been pretty bold to tease the tiefling, but he didn’t mind.
He pokes at the fire with a stick. “It is good to get away from things every now and then.”
Not for too long though. He had to keep from getting too distracted with all the schemes and plans he had in the works. Things were moving fairly steadily on his end. Though there was always a chance that something would suddenly shift and cause a snowball effect.
The tiefling tries not to laugh as Shaa falls asleep almost immediately. If only he had such an easy time falling asleep. He nods at Gerhart.
"Alright. If you hear or see anything, just wake us up."
He settles down against a tree and wraps himself up in a blanket to stave off the cool night mist which was condensing on the blades of grass all around them.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 20, 2022 15:36:58 GMT -5
In the early hours of the following morning, Shaa got up and stretched to his full hight. He smiled a bit as his two companions were still asleep by the smoldering fire. Walking away from the camp a bit, Shaa’s hooves crunched through the leaves and grass as he walked. He could hear small insects beginning their morning routines as well as small animals bustling to get out of his way. Stooping down to the ground, he picks up a small stick and twirls it gently in his meaty fingers. He tosses the stick with a small flick of his hand back to ground and peers across the hills. Yup, this is going to good.
On the way back, he manages to snag some eggs for breakfast. As he restarts the fire and sets the eggs to cook on some branches. Rise and shine guys! Time to get going.
Shaa hands them both a couple of eggs. Welcome to the hills of Braddock. Home to the nomad tribes, an occasional Gnoll and of course, the elusive Snipe. The snipe is a tricky bird to track. It’s about this big Shaa holds out his hands measuring something vague. They can be grey, blue and brown greenish. Shaa waits a moment for reactions. I know that’s a little vague… but that is on purpose. Sometimes we can get missions were we don’t get a lot of information. So your job is to track it, find and and bring one back to camp alive before sundown. I believe in you guys.
Any questions?
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Nov 22, 2022 12:51:52 GMT -5
Gerhart handles the watch with as much professionalism as he could handle. Thankfully the two of them were asleep, so he could be a bit more relaxed. It was still hard to think it really had only been a month or so since he started to adventure in earnest and he was already progressing pretty fast for what he started as. He mostly counted himself lucky Zarius didn't just annihilate him their first meeting....or that Shaa had accidentally turned him into a red mist during a training session. As good a teacher as Shaa was, those fists are heavy, even a light tap threatens to tear a muscle or break a bone. Still, all of it was worth it as he inched closer and closer to being able to take care of his family like he dreamed.
In the morning, he springs awake at the sound of cooking food. He nods, listening intently to the minotaur as he gets dressed in his armor. Tightening the straps on his gauntlets, he gives them both a grin.
"Don't you worry about the tracking, that I can do! Plus I wanna see what I can do with these." He grins and rests his palms on the pommels of his new longswords. "Bring it back alive, can do."
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Nov 22, 2022 23:43:30 GMT -5
Zarius was amused at Gerhart's enthusiasm towards the ridiculous task Shaa had set forth for them this day. Catch a bird as a form of tracking training? Fair enough but it seemed like a juvenile task to the tiefling. Still, Shaa was a family friend and Gerhart was excited about showing off his skills so he would play along for their sakes. This was supposed to be a change of pace for him anyway and finding some bird could be relaxing he supposed.
"No questions. Seems pretty straight forward." He replies to the minotaur before turning to Gerhart. "Lead the way."
The pair head out across the Hills of Braddock and start their search for the elusive snipe. Zarius leaves most of the tracking up to Gerhart but he does keep an ear and eye out for any birds call or movement amongst the sea of grass that stretches out before them in every direction.
The sky was clear and there was a slight breeze which tussled their hair. King's Valley was wide open, a vastly different land than the ash covered barren stone of the Ash Lands. It smelled clean and sweet instead of smoky and burnt. It wasn't hard to picture living amongst the hills where your vision could stretch on for miles.
Part of him wished the Ash Lands were as vibrant, but then it would be land that was desirable and fought over by the elves which was trouble they didn't need. The Ash Lands being a hell scape made it a comparably safer haven for those who society would rather not exist.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 23, 2022 12:07:43 GMT -5
After the two had left on their hunt, Shaa started cleaning up the campsite and gathered some more wood for the fire. As he was doing so, a voice came from the trees. So the chase is a foot is it?
Shaa laughed and continued to pick up some branches. Yup, things have gone off without a hitch so far. Glad you could make it. Out of the trees came a short, black hooded figure. His face was covered and clothes were worn from travel. He walked past Shaa and sat down by the fire. Chasing after imaginary creatures. This whole thing is stupid you know. It’s not stupid! Shaa retorted with an offended tone. It’s tradition. The snipe hunt has been happening since the guilds founding.
Oh really? Said the hooded figure. And what exactly is the point of roaming aimlessly in the woods? Shaa added some sticks to the fire and sat next to the man. The point, is to be out here in the world! To build camaraderie with your guildees. To answer THAT question: What do I do if I am given an impossible task? Do they give up? Do they keep going? Do they lie about it and make excuses or do they own up to the failure? Well we are going to find out today.
What did you do? Asked the man. Do what? What did you do when you couldn’t find the snipe. Shaa thought about it a minute. It was a long time ago. My hunt was in the ash lands and I kept going until I came upon a nest of very grumpy poison drakes. We basically ran for our lives, caused a landslide. Good times. Shaa looks wistfully up to the sky. You guys are nuts. Anyway, I have my tasks and payment. They’ll have a good one. Oh by the way. On my way up here, I saw signs of the Blood Knife nomads in the area.
The Blood Knifes? Are those the guys that marry their sisters or have piercings everywhere? He asked thoughtfully. Ummm piercings I think, but lock up your sisters just in case. Shaa shuddered a bit as the man disappeared into the woods.
Shaa threw another stick in the fire.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Nov 23, 2022 14:16:00 GMT -5
Gerhart kept a keen eye to the ground as they walked. There certainly were a lot of tracks in the soft earth, but that was expected in the plains. Lots of wildlife and little to sweep away the tracks. Knowing it was a bird at least helped narrow things down, but there were a lot of different bird types
“Shaa said it was tricky to find, so it’s probably not a predator………or it’s ambush predator, ok well that doesn’t help narrow things down.” He grumbles a bit to himself, trying to see what he could glean from the bare information they had. “The variation in colors makes it confusing, some of them could be good for camouflage, others not so much.”
As they walked, he eventually came to stop and squat down, picking a feather up off the ground. It was a dull yellow color, felt like it had dropped awhile ago….Prarie chicken by the markings. The feather is tossed aside as he stands up to look around again. He looked left and right, the only movement in the grass coming from the gentle breeze. “What if it’s nocturnal? This will take hours.”
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Nov 27, 2022 0:51:13 GMT -5
Zarius considers the task Shaa has presented them with. Something seemed a bit off to him about the whole thing, but at the same time he was willing to humor the minotaur. There was nothing particularly at stake after all.
He watches Gerhart attempt to pick up a trail to no avail. Well, birds could fly and are fairly light, so traces of them on the ground were likely going to be scarce. The wide open plains of the King's Valley could be searched for hours on end with no luck despite them being able to see for miles.
If they knew more about the creature, they could try and bait it or try to find more suitable nesting grounds for it. Unfortunately, Shaa had purposefully left them floundering in the dark for the purpose of the test. Perhaps it was some sort of trick or riddle. Would Shaa be clever enough to come up with something like a cipher? Not likely but the minotaur was far smarter than one would think upon first impressions.
"Our best bet is likely to find a source of water. All creatures need to drink at some point. Let us look for a stream or river."
He scans the hills and makes out a break in the grass that appears to be a snaking landform weaving between the hills.
"There. We should be able to get over there within an hour."
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Nov 27, 2022 12:54:36 GMT -5
Tanner
The mercenary, who’s name was Tanner, left the campsite and followed the trail of the two guildies. Although not a part of the guild himself, Tanner was frequently used to do the snipe hunts so there wasn’t a possibility that the new recruits would recognize him. Truth be told, he got a lot of sadistic glee out of messing with people so these jobs were kind of a bonus for him. No one got hurt or anything, it was just a way for him to uptrain his tracking and stealth skills and make some coin at the same time. I still think it’s stupid. He said to himself while cruising through the shadows.
Tanner was making good time when he hears voices up ahead.
Ughh the hunting had been utter crap for two days. We need to switch things up.
Tanner moves in closer and can see a group of four tribal warriors. Three men and one unusually muscular woman….who is an Orc! I’m starving!
The orc woman, who is sitting on a rock sharpening her sword looks up at one of the men, apparently the complainer. Shut your hole! You have done nothing but complain since we left the tribe to hunt. We just need to change the prey is all. Look over there. The woman points over to two pair of footprints. You see, there are people around here somewhere. We just need to ask politely for some food. They will give it to us… one way or another. Everyone in the group starts laughing with menace. The orc stands up as the group heads down the trail.
After they leave, Tanner runs in to check the tracks. Ohhh that’s not good. They were all going the same way.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Nov 27, 2022 13:04:53 GMT -5
As usual Gerhart has no such notions that something might be up with this mission. He fully trusted this was a tried and true adventure for all new members of the guild. Prove your mettle and such.
”What if going to the water is what the snipe wants us to think? Maybe it’s baiting us….like it’s some sort of super intelligent bird. Maybe that’s why Shaa sent us after it!”
He keeps looking to the ground occasionally for tracks just in case. It would also help spot any potential predators that might be hiding in the grass. Gerhart does follow the trail over the hill and towards the river. This would be the best lead honestly, or at least it might help send them on a better direction than just this aimless wandering.
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Post by Eameia (Zarius unavailable) on Nov 30, 2022 17:59:50 GMT -5
“If this snipe is just a mere animal, I think you are giving it too much credit.”
Zarius is amused by Gerhart’s conspiracy thinking. Though he does agree that Shaa is clearly up to something. There had to be something more to all this than just wandering around looking for some bird.
They soon reach the banks of the river and start searching up and down the gravel bed for any signs of nests or movement.
Zarius pauses and listens to the water for a bit before glancing back at the hills around them. They were low, as if they were in a valley. It made things hard to see and easy for things to creep up on him. What's more, they had little to no cover. Something about being out here surrounded by hills like a fish in a barrel put him on edge.
Some rustling in some grass nearby catches his attention and he silently walks over to investigate.[1] He peers over the blades of grass at whatever is making the noise and sees a small meadow mouse. He sighs and rubs the back of his neck. That certainly is not a snipe.
[1] Silent Step
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