Sorry for delayed response. Didn't realize it wouldn't update unless I signed in and didn't realize I wasn't signed in. I'm ready if you are my friends.
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Modoc cautiously shadowed the two as close as possible. Using the smokes concealment to his advantage and moving up to the rear of the horse just outside the dark halo of illumination, hoping that the stench of the billowing column of smoke will cover his scent...
Modoc pulls his sweaty rag, tucked into his waist, still moist from toweling himself off all day while working in the summer heat. Pulling it across his nose & mouth, he fastens it behind his head, while crouching low, squinting his eyes to narrow slits and moves forward into the billow cloud, trying to stick to the edge of the smoke and try to surmise where the center of this area may be.
So I can order this from my LGS now???
Modoc moves this time away from the ridge and swings wide around the edges of the ridge tops to try to neat the pair to what be thinks must be the smoldering impact area ahead...
Modoc watches intently trying to get a better idea of who the figures are. Continuing to shadow them at a distance and keep up pace by traveling in straight and not meandering paths to intersect with theirs. Relying on the fact that the two riders, on horseback, will continue to ride the ridges as the often are wont to do.
More importantly I was trying to get a better physical description.
Modoc finds some cover near the roadway where he hunkers down and awaits the duo to pass. Readying his bow...he listen and watches the two carefully to get a better understanding of their purpose and what kind of a threat they may pose...
Modoc pushes himself to the limit. Lowering his head & shoulders he digs in deep pushing with his legs from hip to heel to move swiftly down through the hollows and back up the ridge to cut the pair off...
Modoc grabs his vest jacket and throws it over his shoulders shrugging his arms through as he crouches low and makes his way around the back of the barn to the tree line. Thumbing his tomahawks heads, threaded through his belt ring he instinctively threads his left hand through the weapon chord drawing it from his hip, swinging a few, quick, low chops testing its balance. Slowly he makes his way at an intercept course. Gathering extra shrubs and stuffing them in his pockets, neck and hair, dipping low to scoop up a handful of mud to smear on his face & hands and tufts of grass to add to his hair and face to blend in further with his environment.
After a quick breakfast, Modoc got back to work collecting timber to split. Peering off to the clouds he panned the horizon line, as he does many times during the day and noticed some approaching figures on horse back skirting the ridge. He finished what he was doing at the moment...untying a another log in front of he splitting stump, troweled himself off and walked over to find Lathar coming out of the barn with an arms load of tools and spare lumber. "What do you make of that?" "Looks like they might be heading in the direction of the impact site of that flaming projectile?"
Modoc proceeds to the barn with the oxen. Once inside he washes the beast down with cool water and brushes out the coat, taking extra time to massage the beasts legs and flanks, checking the hooves, ears and mouth for any signs of maladie. Then he restocks the feeding troughs with fresh hay and the water trough likewise with cool water. After that Modoc will spend a little more time goading the goat, playing & petting the animal. Then pulls up a stool and packs the bowl of his pipe he carved recently as he lazily sketches the beginning stages of crafting a bow, making a small list of materials that he may need to gather...keeping the animals company all the while. "Would you mind taking care of the chickens Lathar and checking the crops?"
Modoc smiled as he felt the air stir and grow cooler, slightly as the sun disappeared behind the ridge. He contemplated the recent undisturbed work they had accomplished and mused whether it was related to their absence from the forest that allowed them their reprieve.
After falling enough trees to render a good days work of gathering. Modoc returns to the barn to harness the oxen. Those bits of timber big enough to hoist by hand and are laying within the edge of the tree line, he gathers in the rear of the wagon. After a few loads. He then returns the wagon to the barn, and tethers the medium sized, heavier trunks to the rear of the oxen by fabricating a three point pulling lead attached to the chest harness to drag the sections lengthwise in the ground behind the beast.
"I'm thinking we need to get started splitting and stacking some firewood in surplus to get us through the winter. We can't over estimate in this regard. Our little friend in the woods won't like us felling trees, but that's okay. It would be wiser to collect the dead portions that have fallen to the forest floor as the wood will be drier and easier to split."
Modoc shakes his head at the mention of the "Green". He makes his way over to the barn to check on the other animals. Taking the time to brush out the oxen's coat and rub down his haunches. Modoc setd out a little extra cool water for him and the goat, drawing a couple other pails to wash them down and cool their flanks. Modoc also takes the time to check the beast hooves and make sure they are in good condition free from splinters and rot. Checking twice on the chickens to make sure they have enough feed, before looking over the barn structure for any further repairs.
Sorry I didn't post my level up... +1 BAB (Yay!!!)
First Rouge Talent: Terrain Mastery (Forest)...Keeping with the Survivalist Archetype ~ Give me a Favored Terrain Type just like a Ranger except its not progressive +2 is as good as it gets. 13 Skill Points - 8 Class/LVL +4 Int +1 Human Skilled Racial Bonus = 13 Acrobatics(Dex)(2) +6
Modoc turned to Lathar and blew a sigh of relief... "Well, that was something!" Modoc looked Lathar up and down... "Is that normal out here in the wild?! I have to say, I have never seen such a thing from streets of city before! Should we be concerned? Or even waste the time investigating such things?"
Busy whittling on his own pipe, Modoc paused to look up as Lathar's concerned voice caught his attention. Squinting hard he looked at the object in question...slowly his eyes began to grow wider and wider... ...Maybe your right...it does appear to be getting larger....it's hard to tell the size of such objects...but... Modic rose from his seat slowly then started to run in place a little before he began to place his hand on Lathars back and push him into the front yard... Maybe it wouldn't hurt to just...RUN!!!!
Sweet!
Modoc made his way back into the farm house. "You can work on the coop and I will continue to plow the field."
"I can see we are going to have to spend more time together.
Modoc heads back to the house empty handed. Stopping to check on the animals one last time.
As Modoc releases his arrow he turns his back on the bird, un-strings his bow, and stomps back towards the farm...head hanging low and cursing under his breath... "We are going to f$&king die out here!"
Estimating the distance, Modoc realized he would be hazarding a wasted shot if he did not get a little closer. Judging by the way the sun hung low on the horizon beyond the trees he figured he only had this one chance to bag some meat for Lathars pot.
Modoc sits quietly and tries to gather if the creature is approaching or moving further away. Slowly making his way to intersect with the bird.
Moving with purpose Modoc makes his way along the trail in hopes of good game...
Modoc helped Lathar secure the plow and the animals. "I'm sure we can rig something to drag it around. You get started to the house, I'll see if I can find something quick to add to the pot." Modoc walked over to front of he house where his bow and quiver were leaning against the door jamb. Stringing the bow he heads over to the tree line to see if he can bag a squirrel or some other kind of creature to bolster their evening repast.
Modoc walks over to the plow sunk into the earth and tries to tug it free. Then grunts as Lathar unhookd the harness... "Ah-hem!! I say old chap, are you sure you want to leave this plow here in the ground?! This thing is literally the difference between life or death to us and we have some creature or disgruntled tree hugging type going aroun disintegrating out traps! What do we do of we wake up tomorrow and this plow is iron dust?"
Despite the breeze, Modoc's skin was wet with perspiration. It had been some time since he had stripped his jacket and shirt off his back and spent the day with the ever absent sun warming his back and face. There was certainly a great pride and sense of purpose to a day of hard work. Knowing that all the effort would go to further their chances of surviving the harsh winter season this place will most likely bring. Pulling a piece of cloth from his waist, Modoc began wiping down his face and hands. After hearing Lathars words he cringed, visibly and said... "After the insident with the bear traps my friend I would rather sleep with this plow in the living room...even if I have to drag a furrow myself to the front door." As far as our neighbor is concerned...I believe you are right. We should pay him a visit. He may be able to shed some light on the subject. I would rather we finish this project first before making any departures from the property. If the weather permits."
"I know about as much about trappin' as you do... In fact, I just learned if you leave them out overnight... they turn to rust... so lesson learned there, I guess." The best way I am thinking to make them secure would be to fortify the plan like you said. As far as tellin' if they have been nosin' around the property well, we will just have to track em'! It rains so much around here the ground stays nice and soft... n' if it ain't rainin', jus' wait a few bells and it will!" Modoc gives Lathar a hand in whatever capacity he needs leaving the agriculture to the nature expert.
Modoc raises up in the morning feeling much renewed thanks to his first nights rest in a comfortable matress. Modoc will help make breakfast and ask Lathar... "I think if we work together we may be able to get stuff done more efficiently and make faster progress. Where should we begin?"
Modoc helps Lathar corral the livestock and secure them in the barn and then made his way towards the house, contemplating Lathars words. ....The reality of having a place to call home has still not quite sunk in. I am just waiting for the coin of fortune to flip. So long fighting for a place to stand, much less sleep....
...Grunting...Modoc shakes his head from side to side. Crouching, he scoops up a handful of leaves and moss, still damp from the morning condensation and cleans of his hands of the iron dust. Then he places one hand on Lathars shoulder and smiles... "I'm sorry my friend. I have been wasting my time running around in circles trying to secure the area around us to no avail and leaving you with the monumental task of refurbishing the house and property. Travel with me the rest of the day to scout the remaining border of the farm and tomorrow, I promise we can get back to work together getting your seed in the ground."
Modoc welcomes his companion as he enters the small clearing with a confused look upon his face. Squating with his bow across his lap, he extends his hands out to Lathar as he rises to reveal the brown stain of iron dust of his palms and fingers... "What do you make of this?" "Someone or thing does not want us trapping in these woods. Could it be some rival trappers with a magical knack or maybe some follower of the "green way" that frowns upon the practice? Have you ever heard of such things?" "Lathar, help me look for some sign or trace of whom or what may have been responsible."
Moving somewhat clumsily from the stiffness Modoc unties the rope and descends from the boughs of the tree. Moving over to the trap he investigates its condition, scratching his head. "Most peculiar."
"Rest the traps Lathar...Take the bees and head back. Call on me here in the morning." Modoc checks his gear and ties it to the branch below him, taking another length of rope he he ties one end around the tree and the other around his midsection, knotting it at his belly, leaving a short length for slack.
Modoc climbs into the center boughs and finds a good spot to perch. He suddenly realizes his bow is in his hand with an arrow nocked and at the ready. His sense of unease building inside him. Peering cautiously towards the surrounding ridge lines he expects to see something. Only because he can sense something watching him.
Sorry for the delay
Modoc silent since first seeing the trap decides to check the other one as well... Spooked by the incident, Modoc remains quiet as Lathar sets about his business of searching and scavaging. Modoc goes to the tree near the trap and attempts to climb it, using his rope from his pack...
After reaching the area where he placed the first trap on the previous day, Modoc gazed at the tree branch in horror, mouth agape and skin palor turning pale... "These are no average wolves we are dealing with or at least the leader of the pack is not. hes old this one and wise to human tricks such as this. We have to be careful with this Lathar. If we ignore this problem, it could cause us much larger headache later."
Modoc awoke on the floor next to the chair he last remembered sitting in. He rose and stretched his full length. Broke his fast on some leftover stew and laid out a piece of cloth with some nuts, seeds, crust of bread an some dried meat, which he roles up and stiffed inside his jacket. Gathering his weapons he rousted Lathar from his place of slumber next to the hearth. "I go ta hunt wolves my friend. I set a few traps yesterday. Care to see if they will feed upon their own? Nature is cruel and does not show mercy."
Modoc shows practiced skill as he skins and cleans the animal, using the time to explain to Lathar how he used to subsist on a diet of rodent in Riddleport. "N' dats how yer do it!" "Easy as a quickwife!"
Modoc chuckled to himself... "I guess that must be Lathar receiving our new house guests." Modoc heads back downstairs to check on his nature loving companion to see how he deals with the new party members...
Modoc curses under his breath, as he makes his way over to the rafters to extract his arrows. As he inspects them he suddenly slumps his shoulders and lets out a sigh... "I hope this doesn't forshadow my future times here."
Finally saw "The Raid: Redemption".....Fantastic!!!
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