Gornak nods enthusiastically.
"Hey, that sounds downright smart! Sometimes we get big rats or stray dogs at the dump -- sometimes even a bear. But we just take shots at 'em or chase 'em away or leave out some poison bait; we don't hunt 'em down with strategy or nothing."
Suddenly he realizes he's talking to a nobleman who may not be interested in the goings-on down at the junkyard and he clams up, starting to blush.
Vaclav hefts the spear. Its weight is smooth and solid in his hand. We used spears in the Mindspins, when the orcs came. He shakes his head to clear the memory and swings into the saddle.
Thanadros gets on his horse. Spear now on his back. Ready... He says, then looking at Foxglove, waiting for the hunt to begin.
"My lady Aylmora," Aldern bows low, suddenly having eyes that do not stray elsewhere. "We are most honoured that you have chosen to join us," he offers her the reins of the finest horse save his own.
"Why, thank you, Lord Foxglove. You are most kind," Aylmora replies, her expression slightly bemused at being offered such a fine horse. The young woman climbs nimbly into the saddle and takes hold of the reins.
"A very fine animal," Aylmora compliments. "Is it one of Master Hosk's?"
Aylmora listens to the discussion of boar hunting strategy. "I don't believe I'd be much for setting a spear for a charging boar. I think I'm better at making a ruckus," she says with a grin.
"A very fine animal," Aylmora compliments. "Is it one of Master Hosk's?"
...What? We hunt wild boar, right? Not this Hosk man's pet...? Thanadros seems a bit confused by this statement.
"Why yes, the horse is Master Hosk's," Aldern speaks as much for Thanadros' benefit as for Aylmora's.
"I'm reliably told that the huinting is good in the Tickwood, not an hour's ride away, so let us forth as soon as we may," he grins at you all.
Tentatively eying the horse he takes as to be his, Albrecht carefully climbs atop the great beast, carefully positioning his blade in its scabbard as to be in easy reach.
Taking a good look at the boar spears, he carefully handles one of them a small amount before replacing it.
"I too think that I'd be best used for scaring it out of its den, I do not think that I will be that skilled with those spears. Now, I think I am ready to go, how about everybody else?"
"Ready as I'll ever be." Aylmora replies to Albrecht's question. "Shall we be off, gentlemen?"
Yes, lets get boar!
"Indeed, to the Tickwood," Aldern leads the way at a brisk trot out of the North gate of the village. The Tickwood lies east of the village, to the north of the limestone escarpment called the Devil's Platter by the locals. The route Aldern takes you on is the less travelled track that leads east from the town following the Turandurok River past the Ravenroost hills.
It is a fine autumn day, and the count talks amiably to all of you concerning many matters - from balls and parties in Magnamar to the hunting in Varisia. He comes across as well read and cultured, but not arrogant with it. While sociable with all of you, it is soon quite apparent that he pays special attention to Aylmora, and may be genuinely smitten by her.
Gornak is too focused on not falling off his horse (clutching its mane with a death-grip) to notice Count Aldern's attentions very much.
"I hope we get there soon," he whimpers gamely.
While sociable with all of you, it is soon quite apparent that he pays special attention to Aylmora, and may be genuinely smitten by her.
Thanadros smirks as he realizes this, but keeps his mouth shut, not wanting to offend Foxglove. He could always tease Aylmora about it later...
|
Hector climbs onto the horse a little uncertainly, and notices the noble's attraction to the young barmaid. He doesn't say anything, but makes a mental note; something to bear in mind should it come in useful. His crossbow is in his hands as the group travels; best to be prepared for surprises these days...
Vaclav rides toward the rear of the group where his horse naturally wants to follow the others and he can pay the most attention to the surrounding land, its sights and vegetation.
The Tickwood is fairly benign woodland, not oppressively dense and while it is not populated, it isn't untravelled either.
Would anyone care to make Survival checks to find some spoor?
Vaclav notes the tree spacing and decides to leave his bow unstrung. When the party reaches a likely spot he drops out of the saddle and drifts to the left of the path searching for signs of boar or deer.
Survival
Carefully riding atop of his horse as to not fall off of the unfamiliar beast, Albrecht keeps an eye on the tree line both for signs of possible trouble as well as signs of a boar that might have passed through this area.
Survival DC 12 or Knowledge (nature) DC 15
The grassy clearing you stand in looks as if the earth has been turned by an unruly plough - in other words, boar have been truffle-hunting here recently, you would guess a round a day or so ago. There is a clear game-trail leading off through the trees.
"Oh Aylmora-a-a-a!" the silent voice calls in the young girl's mind. [/i]"It looks like Lord Foxglove may be a bit smitten with you!"[/i] the voice continues in a mischievous tone.
"Oh Gods, I hope not, Em!" Aylmora thinks in return. "He is so not my type! I'm glad Master Quar isn't here - he'd probably say something like 'It is one's duty to acquiesce to the desires of the nobility,' or some such rubbish! I just hope Ameiko doesn't catch wind of this - she'd never let me live this down!"
"Vaclav, Albrecht! Any boar sign?" Aylmora calls hopefully.
Hearing Alymora's question, Albrecht points towards the disturbance in the ground and the game trail.
"I don't know if it is boar, but something was over there recently and seems to have followed that small trail away. Perhaps we should follow it?"
Survival
That Boar! Lets Follow! Thanadros says regarding the disturbed trail.
"I'm glad someone can see the signs; I can't tell which way it could've gone!"
Th trail is not very fresh, but is clear - the boar are definitely in the direction indicated. An hour's tracking brings fresher spoor, and Aldern takes a look and selects the track of a large boar.
"Now, who wants to beat and who wants to spear?" He asks quietly. "We'd better be ready to split up now, we could come on him at any time."
I spear Thanadros says with gusto!
"I'll try spearing, too!"
"I think I shall try to scare it out into the opening. 'Beating' as you called it."
"Like I said this morning, I don't think I'd be very well suited for setting a spear for a charging boar. I believe I'm better at making a ruckus," Aylmora says.
Vaclav offers to beat. He hangs his club on a rawhide thong from his shoulder and takes the spear in hand. It may be a little unwieldy, but the crossbar is reassuring. At least that may keep the boar off.
Thanadros nods Good everyone ready and then looks to Foxglove.
"Let's go then - beaters, please keep the horses to the rear, and we'll move as quietly as we can."
Stealth:
Nodding silently to Foxglove, Albrecht tries to slip quietly to the back of the den...
But he accidentally steps on a tree branch on his way, making a loud snapping noise.
Stealth
Thanadros moves into position in an attempt to be quiet, however in his attempts to use the skills he honed as a shoanti warrior, something seems off... Hmm strange, done hundred times before, why so much problem... he mutters as he gets into place near Hector, readying his spear.
Sure are a lot of noisy people around here. I hope Mister Aldern doesn't mind, Gornak thinks innocently.
Vaclav shakes his head. Maybe they should beat.
Stealth:
How bitter the taste of my words!
Aylmora manages to move her horse and herself as quietly as possible with the other beaters, constantly wincing as her companions seem to manage to step on every dry branch in the forest.
There is a crashing in the undergrowth ahead of you as something very large moves around. Aldern signals you all to wait and drifts forward like a shadow in the dappled woodland. He returns a moment later.
"Fresh spoor, it's not a hundred yards ahead of us to the north. We'll ground our spears here, if you beaters can circle wide around in two groups - one to the east, one to the west - and approach from the other direction."
He scratches a plan in the dirt with a stick as he speaks, so you can see what he intends.
It's a DC12 survival check from each team of beaters to get your navigation right, otherwise you may overshoot or undershoot the target. Stealth roles are not required unless you get it wrong ...
Gornak adjusts his grip on the longspear and says in a stage whisper to the beaters: "I hope Erastil gives us luck. Be careful!"
Aylmora skillfully circles around to the west as Foxglove directed, prepared to unleash a blast of cacophonous sound to scare the wild boar to run toward those with the spears.
Vaclav circles to the other side.
Survival
Albrecht carefully tries to follow the path that Foxglove laid out, and readies himself to make as much noise as possible.
Aylmora leads one group successfully around behind the boar, while between them Albrecht and Vaclav manage to negotiate the forest to their assigned position.
In the distance you can hear the sound of industrial snuffling as the boar seeks out truffles in the forest floor.
Gornak's pulse starts to pound as the thrill of the hunt starts rising.
He concentrates all his power on his longspear, willing it to be sharp and true.