Solo Predator in the Snow

Icewatch Job Thread

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This northernmost city is the home of Morwen, The Goddess of Winter, and her followers who dwell year round in a land of frozen wonder. [Lore]

Predator in the Snow

Postby Junco on August 14th, 2016, 5:27 pm

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7 Summer, 516AV
Northern Reaches


Junco passes through the Icewall Gates on numerous occasions, as his job as a hunter for Frostfawn Hold commands it. Yesterday one Icewatch member who has been on patrol at the Gates pulled Junco aside. He had a mission for the hunter. There had been a lone snow leopard that kept coming closer and closer to the Gates of Avanthal each passing day, however it always kept out of range, or narrowly dodged the arrows of the Icewatch. At first they did not want to kill it, simply scare it back into the Reaches, but its threat kept posing itself and now they needed to take action before a citizen was caught unaware. The Icewatch asked Junco to come along with two other members into the Reaches, track down this mangy beast and slay it for the good of Avanthal.

Of course Junco agreed on the spot and the small group decided to head out the next morning.The weather was cold as per usual for the beginning of summer and Junco adorned his gloves and cloak and scarf this time around along with his archery glove and arm guard. He had his bow and quiver all lined up, but other than that he left his backpack at home. His waterskin was tied to his waist and any food the group might need was being provided by the second Icewatch member. Morwen’s mark helped the group survive the blasting winds that inhabited the Reaches as well as the perpetual cold that surrounded this northern region, his group members were even more gifted than he, being a bonded Icewatch pairing.


Matiao was a Vantha, thick and sturdy like Junco himself. His partner and bondmate, Girdien was a Kelvic Dire Polar Bear, blessed and bread by Morwen herself. The Kelvic was gifted in brute force, although he dabbled in hunting and, he claims, he’s not too bad at singing either. The man would stay in his bear form for the majority of the trip as he specialized in taking animals down by unarmed combat and he also was a mount for his bondmate. Matiao was born a Frostfawn, Junco and he had many similarities, who was a hunter at first before he joined the Icewatch. Now he specializes in three different weapon types, longbow, longsword and the javelin. All of which he carried with him today, besides the javelin.

Junco himself rode a normal Frostmarch borrowed from his Hold’s White Elk Stables. It was almost impossible to travel by foot in the Wastes and Reaches because of the feet upon feet of snow that took over every surface of the land. Despite the horse's calm temperament, Junco still faced some difficulty navigating it, and Matiao had to sometimes grab a reign to steer the horse back on course.
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Predator in the Snow

Postby Junco on August 15th, 2016, 8:23 pm

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The group hoped to find and take care of the animal fast, they did not prepare themselves for a long trip. They exited the gates and Matiao led to group to around the location they thought to have seen the animal last, which was yesterday around early evening, only a bell or so before they pulled Junco aside as he returned from the Hunter Savant Lodge. They hoped the winds and the snowfall hadn’t completely eradicated any tracks that may have been left by the predator that previous night. They didn’t have to travel long, Morwen’s blessing was with them. Although the tracks that were left seemed more like random and shapeless indents in the snow to Junco rather than evidence of being present, Matiao assured Junco these were indeed the remains of a snow leopard’s movements. Junco trusted the hunter on all accounts, but told himself he should probably learn more about tracking in the future.

Matiao followed the tracks, his eyes rarely ever leaving the ground, only to survey the horizon as Junco was doing constantly, bow in hand, arrow drawn but not quite knocked as he held tight to his horse's’ reins in one hand. He followed the hunter on his polar bear mount as they wound through the open reaches. The landscape was, always, very bare and bland. White out was common at least to Junco and he had to take his eyes off the ground that would seem to meld with the sky to regroups himself by looking at his peers. Sometimes a circle of trees cared for by the Bostonians of Avanthal would ruin the clear serenity with a dash of slight dark color. Other than that the only animals they saw, hares, foxes, birds, were just as white as their surroundings.

3 long and boring bells into the tracking Junco was swept out of his mind wandering a by a sharp whistle to his right. A rough and warm snort followed closely after. Snapping his neck to look at Matiao where the whistle was born he immediately realized the reason as he saw the trackers hand outstretched and pointing as a figure in the distance.

About 500 feet in the distance was a low and slinking white and slightly grey movement. Recognizing the animal as a snow leopard rather quickly the only question Junco was faced with was how were they supposed to know this was the correct leopard the hunters were searching for? Of course they had been following tracks so it probably was the right one.

Matiao answered Junco’s silent question with a quick and very quietly spoken answer. “Smell” he whispered as he patted the shoulders of his Kelvic bond mount. Of course the polar bear would be able to identify the subtle differences in the animals from perhaps another. They would probably need to get closer though.

They slowly crept forward, Mataio patting Junco’s horse on the flank as a signal to stay quiet. The Frostmarchs of Avanthal were very well trained the the animal understood immediately as he, too, took in the sight of the predator ahead. Junco tried to continue patting the horse on its neck and shoulders to continue the sense of calm for the horse.

Although the land was bare and one could see for miles, the snow leopard seemed unaware or just unconcerned by the Vantha and Kelvic’s presence. Either way it proved more beneficial to them that way. Just as the small group got about 100 feet from the predator a large gust of wind blew in their favor. Immediately from being hit by that wind Girdien shook his fur menacingly, hinting to his bond mate that this was in fact the snow leopard they were looking for. Matiao quickly whistled this information to Junco and the hunters prepared themselves to strike.
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Predator in the Snow

Postby Junco on August 29th, 2016, 1:58 am

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Mataio silently dismounted Girdien. The polar bear would need to rush, unabated towards the predator once Junco and Mataio loosed their first arrows. Junco knew the drill. He was strictly ranged and so he stayed on his horse. He knocked a bow and aimed it at the slow moving target, though he did not draw back quite yet. Mataio did the same. The pair would shoot one arrow each at the same times towards their target, junco would them immediately reknock and aim and draw and then shoot. Hopefully he would be able to down another hit before the melee got there. He would then again knock, aim and draw but this time he would hold back. Matiao would only shoot once before he rushed in, taking out his longsword in the process to melee the creature. Girdien would rush in as well right after the first arrows.

The hope was that the first arrows from Junco and Mataio would wound the animal enough to prevent it from escaping quickly. The second arrow would serve as another wound if not a kill. Melee would rush in for the kill if it was not given already. Junco's third arrow would be poised in case the animal somehow managed to run a good enough distance away and needed to be hindered once more for the melee to reach and kill it. The group was hoping for a quick and easy kill. then they could go home.

Mataio had his eyes on Junco and Junco looked back, drawing his bow. After a moment Mataio turned back to the animal, as did Junco, checking his aim, and a second later he heard the whistle. A short extremely quick whistle signaled the arrows to be loosed. Junco fired. His aim was on point. It did not hit the neck or face as instead for maximum damage, but it his the animals front shoulder and Mataio hit the base of the neck. Junco spent little time looking at his mark as he readied another arrow to be shot. Beside him Mataio dropped his bow, not spending the time to sling it, and a metal sound could be heard of him unsheathing his weapon. A loud growl erupted from the bear and he took off at well as soon as Junco fired.
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Predator in the Snow

Postby Junco on August 29th, 2016, 2:23 am

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The small hunter pulled another arrow from his quiver located on his thigh. He knocked it and raised his bow once more to aim at the now sprinting leopard. It was limping, the damage done to his front shoulder painful in movement, and red streaks could clearly be seen on its white fur and the snow below, tracking him. If the lost him, he would be easy to find again. Junco aimed once more. This time he saw the direction the animal was headed and aimed slightly in front so by the time the arrow got there it would be caught up with the moving target.

Ignoring the movement of his comrades Junco only determined they were not in danger of being impaled by his flying arrow. Once known he let loose he drew again, aimed at the now heavily wounded animal and drew but did not fire. His second arrow his the animal in the lower stomach, not super damaging, but very painful. At this point Girdien had reached the animals, polar bears move a lot faster than Junco would have thought. It was an ugly scene, the huge bear pouncing on the bleeding cat. Junco wondered how Matiao would even get in their with his sword with all the white and red everywhere. How would be manage to not hit his bondmate?

A few moments later Matiao reached the animal as well and Junco was shocked to see him make getting in the fight rather easily. At this point their was so much noise, screaming of the dying leopard, huge roars of the bear and the various rips and stabs of flesh, Junco was rather sure his services would no longer be needed.

Junco decided to grab Matiao's bow and head over their to get the animal. Stepping off the horse was much easier than getting on as Junco simply heaved his weight to one side and slung his leg around to step into the snow. It was deep but he managed to keep his footing. He stepped over to grab the bow which was only a few feet away (the snow was a few feet deep and Junco being a bit dense was almost halfway buried). He then retreated to his horse, grabbed the top of the saddle tightly and put one foot in the stirrup before lifting himself up with a grunt and swinging his other leg over the animals rear. He had to adjust himself a bit as he didn't land on the saddle in the absolute correct way, but he managed that just fine. He was a bit proud of himself.

Looking over to the fight again he saw what looked like a dead animal covered in red and two other figured bathed in red as well. Hopefully that was all the leopards blood and the others were fine. He stirred his heel into the horse which then began to move forward at a walk. Another slight heel and he speed into the fasted trot could be managed in this snow.

He reached them quickly and dismounted once again. He handed Matiao his bow and the Icewatch smiled at him. They talked for a moment, Matiao relaying what had happened, Girdien sporting one good scratch to the side, otherwise unharmed. Matiao have Junco the go ahead to bring the animal back and sell it for his own hunting purposes. The Icewatch had no use for the animal. Junco thanked him, the pelt would go for a nice price he figured.

They tied the animal up with rope and to the Frostmarche's saddle. It wouldn't get hurt being dragged behind them as it had plenty of padding with the snow. The hunt was successful and Matiao once again thanked Junco for his help. That animals was getting annoying.
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Predator in the Snow

Postby Konrad Venger on September 24th, 2016, 10:03 am

Rewards

Junco :
XP:
Observation - 3
Riding - 2
Tracking - 1
Animal Husbandry - 1
Hunting - 3
Tactics - 1
Weapon: Shortbow - 2

Lore:
Snow Leopard: Hunted Before it can Hunt A Vantha
Girdien and Matiao: Kelvic and Vantha Hunting Partners
Tracking: Leopard Prints
Tactics: Multiple Arrows at a Target, Before the Melee Charge
Hunting: Wounded Prey is Easier to Track


Click Me! :
First off, that is a truly spec-TACULAR beard, mate. Second of all, "super damaging" is not an expression you will hear ANYWHERE in Mizahar. I know it can be hard to remember sometimes, but keep the language unique to the setting.

Other than that, well, you nailed it! Literally! I liked the build up and that it didn't get boring, and not just because you didn't take long. You packed in quite a bit, though some dialogue would have been nice, to flesh out your buddies a little bit.

One thing I would say is the snow leopard seemed remarkably oblivious to two mounted men and a POLAR BEAR, even from only a hundred feet away. Still, it was during the snow so that's JUST acceptable. Don't forget, the harder you make these stories, the better the reward.

Getting a body shot on a sprinting leopard at a hundred paces, wounded or not, though... that isn't acceptable. Not at a novice level of ability. Remember to shoot within your bracket, mate. You'll get better, don't worry.

Oh, and please make sure you go back and edit your post in the Request Thread to reflect the fact this one is now done and dusted. PM me with any questions and later 'tater!

||Common||Thoughts||Pavi||Fratava||Myrian||Other's Speaking||
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Note: As of Fall 517AV, Konrad is known only as "Hansel" in Endrykas
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