Prologue - The Hunt

[AndyJames]

Using the generic you here in the narrative. It refers to all PCs

It is an atypical late-summer morning, overcast and grey. There is already a nip in the air, a sign of the cold seasons to follow, except that it was far too early in the year for that. From hard experience, the people of Beren's Creek know that such changes are harbingers of hard times.

The stone walls of the town hall is covered with moss and ivy, a testament to the two plus centuries it had stood in this spot, since the founding of the village. The massive building is three storeys tall, excluding the four towers rising a each corner. It is large enough to house the entire village with room to spare. Today, the main meeting room is barely filled. You look around to see that only the younger villagers have been called to attend, although there are some members of the other tribes present, each of which look as young as yourself.

Standing on the raised dais at the other end of the room is an assortment of elders, one from each tribe, which underscores the importance of this meeting. Hornan Atwyl is present, as is the tall and powerful orc chieftain Bezreck Gyrr, the dwarven king Duncan Ironstar, the kobold elder Ishraak Dragonsblood and the gnome burrowwarden Opaline Ignian. There is also one other person, a young human male, standing one step down and to one side of the dias. Once everyone had more or less settled down, Hornan raises his hands to ask for silence and attention. But it is the gnome burrowwarden who speaks.

"We thank you for coming so swiftly," she says. Her small form is lithe, as if the ancient dwarves who created the gnomes had tried to emulate the elves in their creation. "It has been the tradition of all of our clans to give our younglings the tasks of hunting small game or gathering firewood-"

"Tasks that are mundane and mindnumbingly boring to those of us with some experience," Bezreck interrupts. He wears his thick hair loose and long, giving him the impression of a greenish skinned lion with a black-haired mane. "Be glad that you are no longer pups to be given the stick." He says each word with great gravity and utter seriousness.

"Yes, quite, Chief Grr," Opaline replies, to which King Ironstar and Elder Ishraak rolls their eyes.

"My name is Gyrr!" the orc chief thunders.

"That is what I said," Opaline counters serenely.

"Enough. Not in front of the children," Hornan cuts in before the orc chief could reply, although he cannot suppress his own smile. The young man is stonefaced, but his eyes glitter with suppressed amusement.

"Since our compatriots cannot seem to get to the point, here it is," Duncan says impatiently. "You have no doubt noticed the change in weather. Our friend here-" He nods at the young man "-has reported that a massive blizzard is brewing to the west. It would hit the mountains within a month. We need to gather as much food as we can to ride it out. Therefore-"

"Your pardon, King Ironstar," the young man said, "but there is also the matter of the frostlings." His voice is gentle and calm. The dwarven king gives him a curt nod, and the young man turns to the gathered crowd. "The frostlings are creatures of the cold. Wherever a blizzard strikes, so they will gather. I fear that with the size of this blizzard, we would be awash with the cunning beasts before mid-autumn."

"Yes," Duncan says. "As I was saying. Therefore, all efforts has to be turned to defence and gathering food. Our clans' very survival may depend on it. We have enough people dealing with the harvests. You lot are old enough and capable enough to survive in the wilds without clinging to your parents' apron strings, and have little enough experience in the matters of fortification and defensive planning. We need you to go out in the wilds and hunt game, forage for anything you can lay your hands on. You will be divided into groups. The greater part of you will venture out the north exit and the other group will forage to the south."

You know that he is not referring to the entrance to the village but to the valley itself. The two entances are places where it is narrow enough and sheltered enough for the peoples of the alliance to build walls and fortification to help prevent raiding frostlings and worse from ravaging the valley as they please.

"Now, then," Elder Ishraak says, pushing back the cowl of his fur-trimmed cloak, "if all the blustering is complete, come up here one by one and we will get you sorted out into your groups." Up close, you can see that the little kobold has bluish-white scales that seem to be made from crystals of ice. His eyes glow faintly blue-white, with no pupils or iris.

Gee, guess who the southern group consists of. Most of you will know each other, at the very least by reputation, if not outright friends.

When the groupings are complete, the young man speaks again. This time, it is as if he is addressing each of you directly. "Be careful out there. You are still young, so do not become careless. Athanos is dangerous, and a mistake could mean lives lost. Do not be overconfident. Our peoples have lost much. Each death before its time is a tragedy. You are not immortal, no matter how much you believe so. If you find anything unusual, return and report it immediately. We need to know what is out there far more than any additional information you can bring about it."

"You have your assignments. We want you back here in two weeks at he latest. Be off with you," Bezreck dismisses you.

[Flay Crimsonwind]

Var was quiet as usual through the whole of the semi-informal meeting, and was damned near the first out the door when the time came. He knew the other hunting hounds became uncomfortable around his own companion, Faolan the Wolf, and so he made it a point not to linger long. As soon as Faolan was by his side, though, he stck around the entrance to wish a few of the scouts and warriors he knew goodbye and good luck, in so many words.

Afterwards, he moved towards those he recognized as his companions for the two weeks hunt. He recognized a few of them, though did not intrude upon them to say hello right away. He stayed quiet, on the outskirts of the group, stroking Faolan's fur, as the two wolves of Beren's Creek surveyed the group.

[raith0]

After hunting the small game for his family and the village for the last few years Krak wasnt surprised by the excitement felt amongst most in the room as the meeting began.  Hearing the news of the Blizzards starting soon did have him worried, although he knew that the Elders would have a plan to help with this and the normaly hard winters.  After meeting with his compatriots Krak slings his pack across his back and readies himself checking his gear and making sure his weapons are in working order as He and his group begin to gather outside.

[InnaBinder]

Arcos nodded to himself as the elders wrapped up their explanation for the meeting, and strode swiftly toward the people he'd been assigned to hunt with, his guisarme in hand, pack slung from left shoulder to right hip.  He nodded in greeting to T'tosc  and smiled. "May your hidden Spirits guide us all."

His smile froze for just an instant as he noted Krak among his assigned group, then he extended his arm to clasp the orc by the elbow in greeting.  "I know we've had our differences in the past, friend.  Let us leave them there, all right?"

[McPoyo]

"Leaving grudges and prejudices in the village would best serve all of us. There will be plenty of time for those after we're done." The jovial tone and large smile on Carlos's face took the edge off what would otherwise be taken as a judging admonishment as he walked up to the group and clapped both orcs on the back in a friendly manner, though he looked around at everyone who had gathered in their group.

[archangel.arcanis]

Well gentlemen this should be interesting if nothing else. Shimala, I'm glad to see I won't be the only woman with this group. [since Kim is still kinda a girlly girl I'm using pink, but if it is too hard to read I'll change it]

This coming from a young woman with dark hair and eyes. She is smaller than the entire group except the only other woman. She has no armor and only a sai and sling as weapons.

[Hallack]

Seeing his assigned group T'tosc was fairly pleased, particularly to see Ivarlan of whom he had haunted the woods with frequently over the last years. 

"Acros, Snow Fox says he will ...", he looks down at his side. "No, I'll not tell him that."  Looking back to Acros while waving off something unseen, "I will do my best with the spirits I have." 

Making his way across the group to reach Ivarlan he greets his companions with nods and a few words as appropriate.

"Krak, you ready for the hunt?"

[mthor]

"Excellent" laughts Matt coming up from behind and throwing a very uncomfortable looking cross between a head-lock and a strangle-hold on Carlos and Arcos. "Does this mean I am forgivin for the incident with the apple pie and the greased badger?" he inquires brightly. "To be honest I'm kind of surprised I was chosen for this task, my father usually thinks the more people I have to make me toe the line the better. Anyway we should be off as soon as possible.... We dont want to be caught in the storm now do we?" This is followed by a short laugh and for a moment the blinding smile is replaced by a worried frown as he looks up into the sky.

[McPoyo]

"Not on your life, but I'll make sure I have a lapse of memory while we're out in the wilds," Carlos smirked "If everyone has their gear, I'd suggest we get moving. The sooner we're out of the valley, the sooner we can return with information."

[Mandoor]

   Tivus leaves the meeting hall and goes to pick up his winter gear then meets the group at the pre-arranged spot.  He looks around group and is glad to see two things one another orc for the night shift then Ivarlan the Ranger because Tivus is planing to take a level in ranger when he gets a little more experance under his belt.

   Hi, Krak. Its a good day to hunt.  Ivarlan your wolf will be handy sniffing out trouble as we hunt.  Hello, everybody, I'm Tivus if you do not already know me.  Its going to be a long hunt.  It will be good to get to know one another and work as a team to improve our chances of returning with everybody, safely.  My primary weapon is a bow and I do better on the move so you will see me changing possions a lot to get a better shot on the enemy.

   Yes, Matt its better to leave as soon as we can and maybe we can get lucky and find some game before this storm hits hard.

[Hallack]

"Yes, the spirits call.  Game awaits us to claim it for our village.  It will not long wait however.  I am ready as soon as it the rest of the hunting party."

[archangel.arcanis]

This is all the gear I need. I can use some stones for hunting while out there.

Hallack and Mandoor could you guys please use different colors. I'm going to get you two mixed up if not.

[Shadowhunter]

The blonde woman with the green eyes smiles at Kim. "I could say the same. A long assignment such as this one with only males as companions would get a bit... rowdy, at length." She is of slight build, compensated by a body language that speaks of volumes of confidence. "Now, gentlemen, if we have to fight, try not to do anything too reckless. Over-extension kills as surely as a blade. Also, all you fine warriors ought to stay close to me for a short while when we head out. I shall pray for our success in our endeavor and mark my words, before this task has been done, you'll be glad to have had my support." She smiles again, to the whole group. "With that out of the way, I'm ready to go whenever you are."

[McPoyo]

Suppose I should grab a color

"I'm more than happy to stay close to you as long as you wish, Shim." The ridiculous eyebrow waggle Carlos gives that statement, despite the flirtatious tone, makes it obvious he's not serious and is just making light-hearted fun.

[mthor]

Matt unconvincingly hides a snicker at Carlos' ridiculous eyebrows. "If we are all decided then we should leave now." He states and then starts to stride off in a manner that obviously was meant to be impressive. It's quite possible it would have been also. Unfortunately he was heading in the completely wrong direction.

[raith0]

Krak shrugging says "Any afront in the past is the past we all need each other now.  i have my gear on me and i am ready as well. with a small chuckle "Sometimes reckless is all i know.  I will do my best to not over extend myself but make no promises.  It is Dangerouse out in the wilds and sometimes being more so is the only way to get around that.

securing his pack and gear Krak pulls his axe from his back and readies it in his grasp swinging it to loosen muscles and joints as he motions towards the south.

"Shall we?

[Mandoor]

 Tivus follows krak out with his bow in hand.  Matt, this way.

[Epimetheus]

Having stayed silent so far, Claude watches the other warriors chat. Claude smiled sadly at their antics. Some were amusing fellows, but he had never really joined them in their fun. He'd always stayed on the sidelines and watched in amusement.

I do hope we can avoid any deaths... he thinks to himself. A few kindred spirits were cautious, but some of the group seemed a bit... reckless.

He shifted his weight a little bit to let the others pass, unconsciously hugging his precious mandolin closer.

[AndyJames]

To the south of Beren's Creek, the valley gradually narrows before abruptly turning into a canyon about fifty feet wide with sheer sides. It would be almost a day of marching to get to the outpost of Ferroak, situated at the mouth of that canyon. The outpost is named for the dozen ironwood trees that straddle the mouth of the canyon. In between the trees, the peoples of the alliance had built a stone and mortar wall to form a solid barrier across the canyon. Sheer cliffs rise almost a hundred feet to either side of the outpost. Only one small passageway pierce the great wall, leading to the no man's land beyond. A few dozen tents cluster around a great ironwood set back from the wall. The creek flows under the wall slightly to the left of midpoint.

The outpost consists of about thirty hunters and their families, a blacksmith and a few farmers. In the gathering dusk, the cook fires are already lit, and smoke meanders lazily up into the clear skies. Above the gate, high on the ramparts of the wall, you can just make out the shape of one of the rare glow orbs. Its purpose is to light up the entire area of the wall and before it, if the enemy is to attack at night. As far as you know, it had never been used for that purpose.

The party spends the night in the outpost, where it is safe.

Early next morning, the party goes through the open gates single file, all that the width of the passageway would allow. As you pass through the wall, you realise just how massive it is, for it is at least fifteen feet thick, if not more. It is even more awe inspiring when you realise that the wall does not even cover half of the width of the smallest of the ironwood trees. Through the wall, there is a quick half-an-hour march through shadows, for the sun has not risen high enough yet to shine on to the floor of the canyon. The creek disappears sometime during that half-hour march, goin underground. And before you is the reason why that glow orb had never been used in battle. The canyon turns to the west (right, as you are heading south) here and less than twenty feet past that bend is a second wall, this one made of wood reinforced with stone. A half-dozen sentries, all hunters from Ferroak, stand guard a top the palisade. They let you through the single-man gate, warning you to be careful out there.

The canyon snakes after the palisade, but head in a generally westerly direction. It would be another two hours before you emerge from the canyon, but you can hear the crash of waves long before that. The cliffwall to the south is part of a mountain range jutting out from the sea, and the sound you hear is the waves crashing against them echoing through the rocky heights to your ears. Standing at the mouth of the canyon, you can see a sandy beach to your left (south), a coastline that parallels your course before (i.e., going westwards) before curving south. In front of you to the west and northwest is a thick coniferous forest. If you look back, you will see the pines growing not only before you, but also up the sides of the mountains, to either side of the canyon, up to the snowline about two thousand feet up. The air is filled with a mix of the scent of pine and sea.

The wind howl in from the west, strong and gusty and cold. You do not feel its bite directly, for the forest breaks it, but the wind flows across the water, turning north when it hits the mountains and into you. In the distance far to the northwest, you hear the faint song of wolves.

OK, guys. This is where things get interesting.

[Flay Crimsonwind]

The wolf call was heard, and the two wolves hesitated a moment. Rather, seemed to hesitate, while they drew in the whole of the environment around them, and subconsciously agreed upon the best use of their skills. Var merely pointed in a direction, saying, "Tivus," just loudly enough so that the archer could hear, before flowing forth with Faolan. Bow in hand, he moved forward, his wolf barely ten feet in front of him, listening.

Tivus, as well as any trained hunters, would note the pointed finger as a direction of which way to assist in a flank.

For those paying attention to Ivarlan

In fact, he hadn't spoken at all on the way to Ferroak, and had spokenly privately and quietly to the hunters there. He was so quiet, this might have been the first you'd noticed his silence. This signal was the first word he had actually uttered to a member of the group at large.

Var's direction had, of course, been a note in the direction of the wolf call. The signaled flank was part of Ivarlan's all-too familiar knowledge of wolf hunting tactics, distraction and ambush being the two fatal swipes. Though the wind made it hard for Ivarlan to hear anything, he knew his companion could catch what he might have otherwise missed.

Ivarlan, and Faolan, both listen and search for any signs of movement in the nearby area, or signs of wildlife on the ground.
Listen: 7 *natural 1*
Spot: 18

Faolan rolls - Listen: 16 - Spot: 19
Damn wolf got better than I did! 

Andy, by the by, I'm just calling out skill useage as my last few games do. If you'd rather we wait for you to ask for skill checks, I'll gladly hold back.