[Solo] The Hunt Begins

[Caden]

Original Code by Firenze

"The shadows of the forest tell the histories of our past" - Caden

Caden had departed the cottage early before dawn, making the trek to the Bronze Woods so he could do some hunting. It was the First of Winter and it was an Aenaarian family tradition for the men to go hunting on the first of the new season. It was one of the few ties to his father and grandfather that Caden had left. He had his bow in one hand, quiver on his back and his cloak draped around him along with a layer of clothing to help keep him warm. Kya would kill him if the cold didn't if he hadn't left prepared and with food in his stomach. His father and mother both had drilled into him that it was a bad idea to hunt on an empty stomach, but his grandfather had always said that, "An empty stomach makes for a hungry hunter, a hungry hunter makes for a desperate hunter. A desperate hunter is more likely to find something so he can eat it." That was his grandfather's hunting motto. The old coot was damn good at what he did and so no one argued with him, many just said he was skilled but then again Caden tended to hunt better when he was a bit hungry, but too much and he would be distracted. A delicate balance had to be struck and he was in no mood to do so this morning.

The trek to the forest was bad, it never was. He had to pass through the fields and due to it being winter with snowfall there weren't crops so the only people out and about this early were the Knights. He waved to those he knew and to those he didn't. He hunted often so the Knights that patrolled the area knew his face, or at least his appearance. He was decently tall, but was athletically slim as he preferred not to be large with muscle... would slow him down in the forest or make him more of a threat to potential game.

Entering the Bronze Woods the wind blew on his back and sent a shiver running down his spine. The air was crisp and the sun had peaked above the horizon sending out waves of light gold and dying grays throughout the morning sky. The trees had mostly all lost their leaves sometime in the previous season. Their beautiful oranges and reds fell, giving way to the barren bark of the trees of the Bronze Woods.

Caden made his way through the forest, walking slowly and observing his surroundings, looking for signs of small game, or if he was lucky deer. Broken branches, maybe a tuft of hair or perhaps droppings. Something to give up the general direction or just how recent the animals had been there. Patience would be his weapon of choice while he tracked his game through their forest. He was but a guest here and he was on their terms. The young hunter would do what he always did when he came here, pray to the Goddess Caiyha and then begin to track and hunt his prey in earnest.

[Caden]

Original Code by Firenze

"In the forest our dreams run wild, checked only by our tether to reality." - Caden

Hours, it took hours for Caden to finally see something to point him in a direction. Though to be fair, his mind had been wandering and he hadn't been in his "hunter mode" as Kya called it. He had been thinking of her, about their bond and about what they had discussed a bit a few days prior. He no longer wanted to live in Mithryn, and definitely not in Syliras itself. The memories here were too much really, too much death and very little good to associate with life. Caden wanted to leave Mithryn, leave Syliras and venture west.

Caden had been in the market in Syliras to sell a couple things and to buy some others, when he overheard some merchants talking of a far off city by the name of Lhavit. It had piqued Caden's interest and so he inquired as to where this city was and how long it would take to get there. Two Seasons, at the least he was told and his heart sank upon hearing just how far away it was. He hand't ventured out into the wider world and it would have been a lie to say he hadn't thought about it before when he was younger. He had brought it up to Saskya, and she was at least open to the idea, the hadn't really talked about plans or when or really anything of that nature. He needed some time to decide if it was a journey he really wanted to make, one that would be really worth the time and cost of the travel. This had been very distracting to him over the past several days and had really hit his concentration for hunting.

When Caden finally pushed the travel thoughts out of his mind to focus he got lucky, he found some tracks in the snow. By their general size and how it was nearly impossible to tell how many legs the creature had due to the snow more or less looking like something had been dragged, he guess it very well might have been a rabbit. Every so often the trail would break off only to resume where he assumed the rabbit had jumped and then landed. Finally Caden came to a very small clearing in the forest and noticed a doe, seemingly alone.

He took as light of steps as he could and hid behind a tree that still had a couple bushes near it. Surely the doe had heard him, he wasn't the most graceful in the world, but he wasn't the worst either. He was competent but only barely. Years of practice had gotten him thus far, and he hoped to one day be as good a hunter as his grandfather.

Caden stood there peaking out from behind his rather shabby hiding spot and watched the doe for some time. Contemplating killing her or letting her go. Though he reasoned with himself saying that he would at least try to take her down. Better to try and fail than to not try at all. He pulled an arrow from his quiver, notched it on his bow and raised it, lining up the doe and prepared to release.

He loosed the arrow and watched as if the world has slowed down. Thunk. Right into the doe, but unfortunately for him it had missed anything major. She let out a screeching cry before darting off in the opposite direction. "Shit" Caden uttered before taking out another arrow and running off after the doe. This was not going to be a day he let such a mistake haunt him.

[Caden]

Original Code by Firenze

"A hundred victories make a hero, but a single loss makes a person." - Caden's Grandfather

Caden chased the doe for some time before she finally tripped over some branches and fell to the ground. He loosed another arrow before she could stagger to her feet again and this time he nailed the doe on her hind quarter near muscle. She let out another terrified screech before collapsing to the ground struggling to stand and make her escape. Caden couldn't watch such a creature struggle and writhe in pain. He approached the injured doe but was just outside of her range of thrashing about. He notched another arrow and released, hitting her lungs and then a couple more arrows to finish the job.

As the doe lay there, bleeding and turning the once white snow into a crimson mush, Caden approached and drew his knife, taking it and cutting her throat to end her suffering. Once it was finished and he cleaned the blade with some snow, Caden began to pray to the Goddess Caiyha for the bounty, and for guiding him. He asked for her forgiveness in killing one of her creatures.

Once this was complete Caden let out an audible sigh as he realized he was several hours from home by this point and had to lug this doe back. Not a very nice thing to have to deal with about now, but he didn't have much of a choice. Using what strength he had, Caden hoisted the doe up and put her legs around his neck so as to but her weight on his shoulders. The light of her life had faded from this body Caden now carried, he allowed his thoughts to wander now that his task was accomplished.

-several hours later-
Caden arrived back at Mithryn carrying the doe, almost as if it were a prize. This was one of the few times he had caught a deer, usually he was only lucky enough to get rabbits or the occasional bird. He could count on two hands how many times in the past decade of his life he had caught a deer, not the kind of thing to brag about but this was still an accomplishment in his mind. He made his way to the butcher with a smile on his face.

As he entered the main storefront he was pleased to see that Luthor was still in the shop and not somewhere else. "Caught this today, wondering if you would cut her up and sell half as comp. The rest I would like packaged for storage." Caden said looking at the Akalak. Luthor Latani was the butcher in Mithryn and a man that appreciated straightforwardness rather than idle chatter. A point Caden's father had been sure to get across as a hunter and butcher go together quite nicely. Best not to piss off the only one in Mithryn.

A curt nod in response from Luthor was pretty much all Caden needed. He exited the shop still carrying the doe and made his way to the slaughterhouse which made up one of the three buildings that belonged to Luthor. He dropped the doe off where he usually left a deer or his usual fare of rabbits. They had an arrangement. Anything smaller than a deer, Caden would get all the meat but would need to pay Luthor for services rendered which was plenty fair. Should Caden bring back a deer he would need to forfeit half the meat, which would then be considered payment for the services rendered. Caden imagined that Luthor kept some of the meat for his family and sold the rest.

As late as it was, Caden would have to come back the following day for the meat and the pelt. As such Caden made his way home, to the cottage he and Saskya lived in. It was quaint, on the small side and rather barren since he had to sell off the bulk of his parents furniture to pay off their debts when his mother died. I had left them with the bare bones necessities though it wasn't bad and least they had one another. Caden couldn't wait to see Saskya and just wrap himself in her warmth.

--Fin--
I do hope this thread was okay and that his skills were adequately RPed out. This is not a work thread. Yes Caden is a Hunter but I wanted this to just be a special thing so that's why it's not labeled as a work thread . Thank you!

[Dove Brown]

Your Grades!
Brought to you on the wings of a Dove!

Please remember to edit your grading request. If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding your grade, please do not hesitate to send me a PM.

Name: Caden
XP Award:

• Observation 2
• Hunting 3
• Tracking 1
• Stealth 1
• Weapon: Shortbow 2
• Weapon: Dagger 1
• Prayer 1
• Bodybuilding 1

Lore:

• Stealth: using trees as cover
• Lhavit: a city a long way away
• Tracking: signs of small game
• Hunting: taking down a deer
• Hunting: finishing the job with a knife
• Hunters and butchers go well together

Loot: 30 pounds of fresh venison. In Syliras, butchers buy meat at 1/4 of the sale price.
Notes: A nice little thread. Remember that Mizahar doesn't have fridges or freezers. Fresh meat needs to be used, processed or sold within a few days. Enjoy your grades

[Plume]

A Tiny Intervention

Hello Dove and Caden. This is just a small reminder that the Butcher of Alban buys at 1/4 of his sale prices. Which means if Caden acquired 30lbs of fresh venison, the butcher would buy it for a total of 22 GM 5 SM. Please adjust this in your ledger, Caden, and keep it in both of your minds for future posts. Otherwise all is good, and a big thank you to Dove for grading as always

Happy RPing to you both!

Plume