Closed Clearing for home III (Empyreal Demesne)

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While Sylira is by far the most civilized region of Mizahar, countless surprises and encounters await the traveler in its rural wilderness. Called the Wildlands, Syliran's wilderness is comprised of gradual rolling hills in the south that become deep wilderness in the north. Ruins abound throughout the wildlands, and only the well-marked roads are safe.

Clearing for home III (Empyreal Demesne)

Postby Vasin on June 26th, 2019, 10:54 am

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Timestamp: 5th of Summer, 519 A.V.

Vasin had managed to in previous days clear about an acre of land which involved the removal of woody brush, soft brush, rocks, and stumps. The area he had cleared was for the Manor which supplies on the beach had been gathered for. Constantly working for two days straight Vasin had done it in a timely fashion with the help of his Mule Tack. But there was a problem, they needed more than just an acre of land. They needed to clear land for farming and other things, and the most pressing of these things was what he was about to commit to today. Vasin had decided to clear a swath of land going from the beach to the land he had already cleared. It was going to be a wide cart trail so that they could move the supplies from the beach to the area where the supplies were needed. This should in theory as Vasin thought about it, only take about a day. Indeed there was considerably a lot less to clear when talking about this sort of project, a lot less wide in scope. So, standing there Vasin held a hatchet in his hand. Tack was close by, tied up to a tree eating some feed waiting for Vasin to require his services. A warm breeze blew through the area, rustling leaves. It was quiet this morning, the birds probably had already taken notice of them. They typically went quiet when he started to work at clearing an area.

First thing was first, the woody brush which was going to be in the way of the hoe and rake. That was what the hatchet was for, and so he walked over to a grouping of the woody brush. Thick wooden stocks bunched up together, competing for space amongst all the other brush on the forest floor. Vasin knelt down and grabbed a hold of the stalk of the largest plant of the bunch. Bringing the hatchet back he then whacked down on it, towards the base. The hatchet embedded into the wood and then he pulled it back with a start. Bringing it back again, his muscles tightened and then he unleashed that gathered potential energy. Chop! He chopped right through it and then tossed the brush to the side. Vasin then reached over for another grabbing it once more, pulling up on it, and then chopping at it. One to three chops requires for each one. Though he found that the more wet or green the wood was, the harder it was to cut. The dry stuff snapped pretty easy as he whacked away at it. As he worked and chopped away at the woody brush he imagined the path ahead. Looking at how wide he would need to clear a path he would set himself to a clearing just enough for a cart to pass through. A series of limbs and woody brush, as well as the occasional small bush, would be piled up along this path he was cutting through.

He went from grouping to grouping like this, pocket to pocket as he cut woody stock after woody stock. The handle of the hatchet felt warm as he started to reach the clearing he had made. His knees stuck with dirt from kneeling on the forest floor Vasin cut down another one. He didn't stop cutting until he had completely gotten rid of the stuff that was in the way of a cart trail. Then, when he had finished cutting down the woody brush he would go along the path he was clearing to gather the woody brush. Piling it up in his arms as he stepped through the remaining brush. Leaves crunching under his feet as the load got heavier and more awkward to carry. He brought what he could to the beach and placed it along with the stumps he had pulled the previous day. What he couldn't get on the first trip he would get on a second or third. Then, once he had moved that stuff to the beach he decided to double-check his work. Patroling the area he had moved through looking for anything he had missed. Scrutinizing the ground for anything that needed to be removed.
Last edited by Vasin on September 23rd, 2019, 4:33 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Clearing for home III (Empyreal Demesne)

Postby Vasin on June 26th, 2019, 10:54 am

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Upon finding no more woody brush in the way Vasin went ahead and exchanged his hatchet for a hoe. Starting at the beach he moved forward deciding to start at the beginning. Vasin started the process bringing up the hoe holding it firmly with two hands and then brought it down digging into the earth. Strategically derooting and pulling up soft brush poking up from the forest floor. Yanking up plants and putting them to the side as he went Vasin systematically went about removing the large and small plants in his way. Repetitive motions as he pulled sometimes needing to take a few swipes at it. For instance, when he ran into a rather weird and large looking weedy. its thick stalk sticking up into the air. He took a swipe at its base digging into the earth and pulled, but the plant resisted, so he took another dig at it. This time he succeeded and then tossed the plant to the side. Working his muscles in new ways he had discovered the previous day. It was relentless work and almost felt endless. But Vasin knew that he had to just concentrate on what was ahead of him. One plant at a time would fall before his mighty hoe!

As he went he ran into a couple of rocks or rather felt a couple of rocks. Plants having their roots entangles around rocks just below the surface. To get these ones he had to dig up around the rock, and then pull it out. Each plant he pulled up with the help of his hoe he would take to a new pile he was creating. This pile was separate from the woodpile he had already created for those plants he had the previous cut down. Also, as he went down the line he ran into the stumps of those woody plants. Vasin had some trouble with these ones, the woody stocks firmly stuck in the ground. So, recalling what he did the previous day Vasin went and grabbed a hatchet. Loosening their grip with a few chops at the exposed roots each time would loosen them up enough for the hoe to be able to do its job. These would go into the same pile as it was closer to where he was. Vasin kept pushing forward though took a sip from his waterskin. It was rather... warm? Yes, warm day today. Vasin needed to keep hydrated as he worked, but he didn't feel like taking a break just yet. Even as he became sweaty and warm, some soreness creeping into his limbs as he went. But, it wasn't enough for him to really take too much notice just yet.

Coming towards the clearing he had made Vasin pushed onwards, encouraged by seeing he was nearing the end of this portion of the clearing. Working a little faster Vasin would one by one remove the remaining soft brush on the ground. A swath becoming more and more visible behind him as he went. Wet spots began to form on his shirt from sweat as he would eventually break through to the other side. The handle of his tool warm from his body heat and have started to get a little sticky from sweat as well. But! He had finished removing the soft brush from the path he was clearing. He took a look back and squared it up. It looked wide enough for a cart to carry supplies. That was just at a glance, and he tried to imagine the cart going through. Vasin nodded and decided now was a decent time to take a break. Heading back to where Tack and the tools were Vasin would take a seat and refresh himself with water and a meal."Let's see... what's left?" he questioned thinking it over. Rake some leaves, dig up loose rocks, cut down three trees, and then pull up the left behind stumps.
Last edited by Vasin on July 7th, 2019, 1:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Clearing for home III (Empyreal Demesne)

Postby Vasin on June 26th, 2019, 10:55 am

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After finishing his break Vasin would stand up and grab the rake he had used previously. All sorts of loose stuff littered the forest floor, especially leaves. They needed an absolutely free path clear of any obstruction. The leaves had to go. Going back up to the clearing he decided to work his way back to the beach each time and then pile the leaves up for easy removal later. Maybe light it on fire? He wasn't sure but got to work regardless. Once at the clearing, he began to work his way back with pull motions along the ground. Raking the ground in a small path back towards the beach. The rake caught on the ground here and there but he simply had to lift it up and give it another go. The pile he was raking along grew heavier and heavier as he went. At no point, however, did Vasin stop wanting to get those leaves out of the way as soon as possible. This narrow strip he was raking was in stark contrast to the surrounding forest floor. Dirt and roots exposed as he went along. This in itself would make a nice foot trail, but Vasin wanted the whole thing he had cleared out to be clear. No reason to half do something, especially when others are relying on you to do a job correctly.

Another obstacle Vasin ran into was the trees, or rather the trees that were in the way of his raking. He had to gradually work his way around each of the trees. The large pile he was raking along slowly moved around. It was slow going at this halfway point, and it required a lot of attention to detail. Though after the second tree he decided to leave behind smaller piles he could come back for. The pile he was moving along having become too large to deal with. Thus he went along all the way to the beach. Once there he raked what he had off to the side and let it stay there. Upon reaching the end he would also take a gulp of some water to cool down a little before heading back up. He had to make a few more passes at the cart trail he was blazing to the beach. Though soon enough, the hottest part of the day was going to be upon him. He knew that if he wanted to get this done today he was going to have to push through it and drink a lot of water. Vasin, as he made his passes down the trail, would leave smaller piles of leaves along the way just as before not wanting it to get out of hand. The dry leaves light and easy to move. Though annoying they sometimes blew back onto the trail after he had moved them!

After having made a few more passes, the pile of leaves at the start of the trail rather large now and the ones along it has grown in size as well Vasin decided it was time to get the side piles out of the way now to. So, taking his rake he began the gradual process of moving them to the main pile. Raking the leaves down the bare dirt trail he had been caring through the forest. The forest canopy up above just barely shielding him from the summer sun. The breeze was of little help so he had to keep on drinking water throughout this, but he kept pushing himself his eyes on the prize as he did so. Eventually, Vasin would finish bringing the last side pile to the main pile, finishing his raking motions adding it to there. Wiping the sweat from his face Vasin would drink some water and eat a snack from his stuff. Some travel biscuits, though he knew to keep some for Tack. That was because up next on his list was the removal of those three trees that were in the way, and then their stumps that would be left behind.
Last edited by Vasin on July 7th, 2019, 1:28 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Clearing for home III (Empyreal Demesne)

Postby Vasin on June 26th, 2019, 10:55 am

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After Vasin had cooled off a little he got up, grabbing his axe as he did. Specifically, it was the woodcutting axe. Those trees had to come down, as they were in the way. Specifically, they were in the way of the most direct path. He couldn't really wind his way around these three specific trees. He had done a little winding around trees, but the width of the trail he wanted to make and the need to have it unobstructed meant that these three trees, in particular, had to go. So, Vasin went up to the first of the three in the way of his cart trail. It was a 12" oak tree, strong and upright as he sized it up. Same procedure, as usual, he figured as he would line up placing both hands on the axe. He reared the wood axe up bending his arms. His muscles constricting and tightening, hot with pressure before he unleashed it. Swinging out and forward he slammed the axe head into the trunk of the oak tree before him. The blade bit right into the tree burying in a decisive chop. Then, Vasin placed a foot on the tree and pulled the axe out. The impact sent a vibration up his arms rattling him ever so slightly.

Vasin chopped into the tree again with as much strength as he could. With each chop, he felt the weight of the axe head helping carry the strike forward. Gradually, strike after strike, he started cutting a wedge into the tree. Gouging outstrips and chip of wood after each strike, the wooden leftovers accumulating around the base of the tree. It was slow going, Vasin trying to pick up a rhythm like he had done the previous day. He decided today though to get just straight to the point. He would experiment a little with stances and poses, but he didn't really feel like slowing his progress down today. He swiped away at the tree though eventually stopped. He took pause looking over the wedge he had cut into the tree and stroked his beard. Yeah, that was enough of a wedge to use. He just had to cut through on the other side now. So that was exactly what he did after going to the other side of the tree and lining up his axe. He began to chip away at the other side making a narrower path through the wood.

Eventually, after chopping away a little he heard the tell-tale signs that the tree was about to come down. A creaking sound, the starts of cracks could be heard, and with one more chop in Vasin backed off. The wood snapped and the tree began to list forward in the direction of the wedge he had cut out. The entire tree rustled as it crashed down to the forest floor. Once there that is where it stayed. The forest has grown deathly silent in the aftermath. Vasin breathed out resting on his axe its head on the ground as he used it to support his weight a little, like a walking stick. Vasin then drank some water and went to the next tree. There he did much the same chopping away at it rather relentlessly. One after another with experimental chops he cut all three down. The trees crashing to the ground and he drank water between each one. This was probably the most exhausting of what he needed to do. The reason he didn't get Tack at first was he decided that it would be easier just to do all three of these about 12" oak trees in a row. After he did so he went and got Tack. On each of them, he would simply tie the tree up to Tack's harness and the bribe Tack. Leading them by the lead and having them follow a travel biscuit which he so liked. It was a nice treat, and to keep their interest he would break small pieces off along the way. Tack a strong Mule would drag the tree down the path he had carved out.
Last edited by Vasin on July 7th, 2019, 1:29 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Clearing for home III (Empyreal Demesne)

Postby Vasin on June 26th, 2019, 10:56 am

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Vasin had Tack bring each of the trees to the beach with the others from the previous day adding onto the lumber pile he had collected. Once they were finished bringing the trees in Vasin would let Tack rest giving them some water. Up next was the final part, and probably the most stubborn part now that he thought about it. Grabbing a shovel and hatched Vasin knew it was time to finish the day off with the stumps he had left behind. Taking a drink of water along the way he would go up to the first of the fresh stumps and examine it for a moment. Setting aside the hatchet he would start to dig around the exposed stump. Digging around and under it trying to expose the deep roots underneath. When he found roots he would try and dig under them and loosen them a little. Once he had removed enough of the dirt that the stump was gripping into Vasin would grab the hatched. Getting in on his hands and knees he would work on the stump, chopping at the roots that anchored it deep into the ground. He wanted to remove as many of the anchor points as possible.

Digging in with his hands and working in close he would peer in and chip away at the roots separating them one by one. Clearing away dirt by hands at one point. He also tried to dig through completely underneath so he could put some rope under and up, but this wasn't a guarantee. After a little while, Vasin decided that what he had done was good enough on the first one. So, Vasin moved onto the second of the stumps and would work on it as well. Going hands and knees again he would get into the dirt and chop at the roots anchoring it into the dirt. He didn't want to put to much strain on his always helpful Mule so he worked at it as best he could. These things had strong roots, so he wanted to get rid of the big major ones. He didn't know what they were called, but they went deeper then he could dig sometimes. He had to pick out rocks by hand to ensure he didn't damage the hatchet and toss them to the side. Vasin would do the same with the third and when he was finished he would go off and get Tack.

Vasin would bring Tack over to the first stump and would tie the rope he had been using around the stump. Feeding it under through a small hole he had dug and looping it up over. Then he would wrap it around the base of the stump and tie it off. Giving it a tug to test the sturdiness of his knot he would then go up to Tack. There he would begin to lead Tack forward, bribing him with food a little. Vasin wondered if eventually, he would be able to get Tack to do this sort of thing without the use of food. But, now was not the time to try as the stump started to budge. It creaked and lifted up dirt and roots as some roots could be heard to snap. Tack's hooves dug into the ground and Vasin would go back to the stump with a hatchet. There he would work at the stump a little more cutting away at some now exposed and strained roots. After that, he quickly went back to Tack and would lead him forward. The first of the three stumps would break free and they would start dragging back to the beach. From there Vasin would repeat this process on the last two stumps. Dragging each of them back to the beach. A trail now cleared Vasin had ended up with three trees and six days worth of firewood from woody brush and stumps.
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Clearing for home III (Empyreal Demesne)

Postby Vasin on September 20th, 2019, 2:11 pm

XP Award!
Name:Vasin XP Award:
  • Body Building + 3 XP
  • Endurance + 4 XP
  • Animal Husbandry + 1 XP
  • Farming + 1 XP
Lore:
  • Loggings: How to Use a Mule to Pull Stumps
  • Logging: How to use a Mule to move a felled tree
Notes: Awarded some Body Building, but for effective bodybuilding, one must purposefully perform progressive resistance exercise. While this might be tiring, an axe swing or raking motion eventually has diminishing returns unless more weight is added. I gave some farming as a lot of this land clearing has aspects in common with farming. Also, this plot of land that is being worked on is for farming as mentioned in the beginning post. Only worked with Tack a little near the end, so minimal XP for that. Perhaps explore that more? Didn't award 5 XP as Tack did the hard work at the last post.

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Vasin
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