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As they make their way down the path Fonzy gathers dead leaves and small sticks, fastening them to five of his arrows with small strips cut from his blanket in preparation so he can set them on fire if need be. And then he stops, unsure if anyone brought a flint.
"Did anyone happen to bring a flint to light our fires and torches?.. " He asks, hoping someone came prepared.
As Ashling studies the map, she realizes that neither of the trails that branch off are the correct ones to follow, which Sir Bleeparolo seems to disbelieve. With Fonzy's help, Ashling soon notices a small cairn marking a faint, old game trail that follows the directions of the map.
As you travel, you eventually top a rise that gives you one last look back at Kassen before plunging you into the trees. It is at this moment that you realize that you are completely alone - except for each other - and that there are no parents, no guards, no one to come to your aid. In the eyes of Ashling and Fonzy, even, it's likely that without prior knowledge of the trail you're on, anyone to come check on you might not be able to find you...or your remains.
Making good time, Ashling leads through the trees with the incorrigible Sir Bleeparolo. Fonzy and Belasara do an excellent job bringing up the rear, and it soon becomes time to make camp. There is plenty of dry wood around to build a fire, and the movement of a few stones soon brings about a safe fireplace, and soon
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As they arrive at their decided campsite, Fonzy immediately begins testing a few rocks he obtained along the way to ensure they all make functioning pieces of flint. After offering out the flints he could come across, keeping one for himself, he begins building a fire at the center of the site, waiting patiently for the others to choose where they would like to set up their respective tents.
Ashling leads the group with Bleep's assistance to an area blocked by brush on three sides, the only way in or out being the trail. The ground in the area is clear and decently sized enough for everyone to be comfortable. We set up camp here,
Ash begins setting up a tent and a rather thick winter blanket, When i'm done, i'm going to go hunting and foraging. It'd be best to save our rations for if needed, i'll need someone to watch my back as i do so.
During their trek, Bela tries to help Fonzy find flints as best she can, but not being particularly skilled in wilderness survival, she isn't sure whether any of the rocks she picks out are suitable. I won't make it far from Kassen on my own if I don't learn how to get by in the Fangwood. That the thought had not yet occurred to her in all her months of planning her future journey is a little embarrassing, but she makes it a point to learn what she can about such self-sufficiency from her companions.
At the camp, Bela works to get her tent set up near Ashling's but far enough away to afford them both some privacy. It's slow going, but after watching the other woman work, Bela manages to get her own tent set up. "I'd like to go with you," Bela says to Ashling. "You'll just have to show me what to look out for. I'm afraid I didn't get out much when I was younger. I never thought I'd have to know how to get by in the forest, but I'd like to learn how to do so now." She collects her father's longbow, arrows and morningstar, deciding to leave the rest in her tent. "If that's alright with you."
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"Could someone throw me a tindertwig for this flint? I'd like to be able to light something on fire quickly if I need to. I also have another extra piece if anyone wanted it." Fonzy says to the group after starting the fire. Beginning to set up his tent and blanket at the area furthest from the trail entrance, not because of cowardice, no no,
but because he knew he was most effective at range if anything snuck up on them... and also a little bit of cowardice and not wanting to be killed first.
Ashling nods in response, I will show you what my father taught me, everyone has potential to survive, it is instinct.
"I have tindertwigs, though it would seem a waste to me to use them to make a campfire. You've already found flint so use that for now."
Sir Bleeparolo gives Fonzy one of the Tindertwigs for later.
"We should keep watches while we are camped here. I see better in the dark than you humans, so I should probably take one of the darker watches."
While Belasara and Ashling begin searching the surrounding woods for game and Fonzy and Sir Bleeparolo build a fire, a chill wind brushes through the air. Fonzy's flint proves well suited for lighting the tinder, and quickly a warm flame is kindled.
Soon the sun is setting, and the shadows grow longer. Across the forest, a howl is heard, a fitting reminder of the dangers outside Kassen. Soon the howl is picked up by members of the pack, and seems to be coming closer before silence once more fills the air.
Varkha hears the howling, and his ears perk up. He sniffs the air.
"Hear that lad?" Sir Bleeparolo asks the wolf. "Friends of yours?"
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Hearing the howls growing closer and closer, Fonzy does his best to peer into the woods.
"Get prepared, it looks like we have a hostile canine trying to crash the party. I don't think this is an illusion. The poor thing looks starved." Fonzy says in a half whisper just loud enough the group can hear, pointing toward him hoping not to startle the wolf. Slowly making his way to his pack.
Ash begins the lesson by pointing out basic things: animal tracks, area's where they bed, which berries to eat, ect.
Bela listens as Ashling shares her wisdom, but rather than ask questions about the points she needs clarifying, the healer remains quiet, not wishing to make herself seem more inept at survival than she had already demonstrated.
As the first goal breaks the forest's silence, Bela looks up and toward where she thinks the sound is coming from. When the howl is picked up by others, Bela places a hand on Ashling's shoulder and says, "Let's head back to camp. It sounds like too many for a group of two to take on." She also takes the opportunity to bind Ash's life to hers in case the wolves were closer than they sounded.
Ashling nods, leading the way back to tye camp sword already drawn. Let us go, they will need rescuing.
Hearing the howls growing closer and closer, Fonzy does his best to peer into the woods. [dice=Perception]1d20+5
"Get prepared, it looks like we have a hostile canine trying to crash the party. I don't think this is an illusion. The poor thing looks starved." Fonzy says in a half whisper just loud enough the group can hear, pointing toward him hoping not to startle the wolf. Slowly making his way to his pack.
Bleeparolo turns sharply and stands when he sees the wolf.
"I'd rather not fight them. After all, the Fangwood really belongs to them, not us. Maybe we can give them food?"
He turns to Varkha.
"คิดว่า คุณสามารถโน้มน้าวให้พวกเขาไม่ได้ต่อสู้กับ หากว่า คุณต้องต่อสู้ของพวกเขา ชายอัลฟาเราสามารถให้แน่ใจว่า คุณชนะ"
At Fonzy's whisper, Sir Bleeparolo and Vharka notice the wolf in the bushes about 20 feet away. Ashling and Belasara, too far away to hear Fonzy, are coming back to camp with some berries, roots, and two plump hares that Ashling was able to shoot. Belasara's caution is well founded, as they see the young man, gnome, and wolf staring into the bushes and alert for trouble. Ashling's keen senses are quick to put two and two together, and she also points out the wolf to Belasara.
Why? If the wolf is starved and close to death now saving now will do nothing, it will likely end up in this state in a few days. If it is without it's pack, it will more than likely perish. Ashling questions looking actually curious.
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"It doesn't feel right killing an animal so desperate for food he would pick an unwinnable fight. My family has been through harsh winters where we have committed desperate acts for food. Let's just try an alternative first, please." Fonzy pleads with Ashling, hoping she picks up on his love of the wild.
I...I do not disapprove, i just do not understand why...Very well, we will try Ashling tosses one of the hares over to the beast, a look of confusion clouding her face.
Sir Bleeparolo quietly picks up his lance.
"Easy, now."
The wolf lets out a howl before trotting over and snatching up the hare. It's clear that this isn't a humble mongrel, begging for a bite to eat, but a strong, savage animal that has no problem killing or taking its food.
After the hare is in its jaw, the wolf quickens its pace, heading into the brush and away from camp. At one moment, it pauses and turns back to look at Ashling, almost as though sizing her up.
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"If that doesn't convince him to leave, let me try to calm him. If that doesn't work we will have no choice but to put him out of his misery. And I will owe you an apology Ashling." Fonzy says with worry in his voice as he readies his bow hoping to signal to the wolf this is not a fight he can win. If the canine should turn around with second thoughts about leaving them alone.
"Grrrr..." Varkha snarls at the retreating wolf.
Sir Bleeparolo shrugs. "They may be back."
He mounts up on Varkha, and then murmurs a few words to himself and touches his chest.
A corner of Belasara's lips minutely quirks up at Fonzy's words. "No apologies needed, I think. That hare was for you and Bleeparo anyway." Although her conscience remained untroubled by the thought of fending off a wild animal, if it gave her companions peace of mind to share their bounty with the wolf, so be it. The healer keeps her longbow at the ready until the wolf disappears back into the forest for good.
It would be best for everyone to get something ay least...No apologies are need, i just have something to think about now. Ashling walks further into the camp, pulling back her hood and removing the dark purple cloak entirely neatly folding it and putting it away. If it returns with hostile intentions, i will kill it without mercy.
The wolf, visibly shaken by Vharka's presence, runs away from the camp, disappearing into the trees. All is quiet for a while, but the howl picks up again before dying down.
About a half hour passes, during which the remaining hare is cooked and final camp adjustments are made. Just when you are about to sit down around the campfire to eat your dinner, something catches your attention. Turning, you see two more wolves approaching your camp, but where the first wolf was quiet in its approach, these wolves are direct...growling, hackles raised, the half-starved animals are ready to eat whatever they can find...or kill.
Ash sighs audibly, clearly frustrated, As i have stated, i will no longer spare their lives. She puts her food aside drawing her sword, studying Wolf 1# keeping her gaze firmly on it.
With a weary sigh, Belasara picks up her longbow from where it leaned against her tent while she helped the others prepare dinner. Keeping the bow at her side for now, the healer gives the others a chance to talk down the animals once more. Having been looking forward to sitting down for dinner after a day spent hiking through the woods, Bela has a little more empathy for what the starving wolves must be feeling. Still, she isn't very hopeful for a peaceful resolution. Pressing a hand to her chest, Bela asks the powers-that-be for their blessing and receives a brief feeling of divine warmth in response.
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"We've done what we could. My conscience is clear... also I'm sorry for drawing the pack here. It was bad judgement. I'll own that." Fonzy concedes to the group. Drawing his bow and notching an arrow, firing at the wolf that seemed to be charging first, using every ounce of his focus intending on making up his decision not to kill the first to the group.
Fonzy's arrow whistles through the air just as a wolf lunges forward. The arrow strikes the wolf solidly in the shoulder, and it lets out a yelp that quickly turns into an angry growl. Hackles raised, the wolf rushes forward, trying to take advantage of Ashling's focus on its companion, but the huntress dodges the wolf's attempt to bite her with ease.
"Grrr!"
Varkha growls at the other wolves.
Following its companion, the second wolf comes forward to attack Ashling, but also misses its intended target. It's jaws come down on her blade as she expertly parries. Growling, the two wolves begin to circle Ashling, waiting for her to attack or make a mistake.
Sir Bleeparolo vaults into the saddle. "Ahoy, Varkha! Let's go!"
Varkha shuffles back to put some space between he and the wolves.
Sir Bleeparolo murmus a few words again, and touches his heart.
*sniff*
Ahoy? What am I, a sailor?
Ash gracefully responds to the attack, slashing back with her blade . Her form reminiscent of her dances, for the first time in a while a slight smile crosses her blade connects.
Bela nocks an arrow and takes aim at one of the wolves preying on Ashling, erring on the side of caution to avoid accidentally striking the other woman as she looses her arrow.