(Adventure) A hunting trip

[Kahuna Burger]

"And so, I'd like to propose a hunt. I could pay a few gold each if one or two of you who are skilled in the woods would take me along and show me the basics of tracking. And with any luck we can bring back some fresh meat and treat our fellows to a hot meal tonight. If anyone is interested let me know and I'll change into something more sensible." Katherine smiled a bit at the end as she glanced down at the emminately sensible travling clothes she already wore...

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Telerin smiles suddenly and glances up from the table towards Katherine. That was just up his alley...sort of. Close enough at least.
"I would gladly assist you," he says across the tavern, "Whitefang here enjoys a good hunt and could be more help than one would expect. I believe Miss Aranel here might wish to come too..."

((OOC: Just a note, Aranel's gone until tommorrow, but I know she'll follow. I'll direct her here when she gest back.))

[Uriel]

OoC:I could easily help on this one, though I'll be unavailable until late Sunday or early Monday for the most part. I will be able to post in about 6 hours briefly, so maybe there may be something together from you folks by then.

IC: A man, an older fellow with yellowed hair and a scraggly beard looks katherine's way, smiling a gap-toothed smile. 'Naow, jus whut sorta Hunt you lookin fer, lass. There's a storm brewin and I doubt thet there's much good light an such to bag anything with assuredness. Still, there's things thet Hunt in such conditions themselfs, there iz...'

The oldster looks hale for one his age, wearing brown and green garb, a quarterstaff,longbow and short broad-bladed sword at his hip. SIpping his tea, the man awaits some response from the young woman.

Noting the Druid and Wolf, the oldster doffs his cap and nods in respect for him 'Greetins to ya, Master Caretaker. Good it is ta meetcha, and yer fine Wulf there.I'm Bron Bekkle, Forester in these here parts and a devout follower of The Greenman, I am. I sometimes do work fer the Roadwardens and such. You kin ask any around,I'm a trustworthy sort, they'll tell ye.' '

[Kahuna Burger]

Originally Posted by Uriel

OoC:I could easily help on this one, though I'll be unavailable until late Sunday or early Monday for the most part. I will be able to post in about 6 hours briefly, so maybe there may be something together from you folks by then.

IC: A man, an older fellow with yellowed hair and a scraggly beard looks katherine's way, smiling a gap-toothed smile. 'Naow, jus whut sorta Hunt you lookin fer, lass. There's a storm brewin and I doubt thet there's much good light an such to bag anything with assuredness. Still, there's things thet Hunt in such conditions themselfs, there iz...'

The oldster looks hale for one his age, wearing brown and green garb, a quarterstaff,longbow and short broad-bladed sword at his hip. SIpping his tea, the man awaits some response from the young woman.

Katherine smiles with genuine warmth and offers the old man a chair.

"I'm hunting what I always do, sir. Knowlege. I'd like to learn how to hunt, what to look for and how to see it. My instinct is to say that such basics shouldn't be learned in a storm, but then I strongly maintained that propper diction shouldn't be learned with a mouth full of marbles, and my tutor taught me better.

"If you are willing to teach, I am willing to let the teacher choose the setting... though I must admit I still miss the agate I swallowed."

[Pyrex]

Remi looks over towards Katherine from where he sits at the bar.

"I'd be happy to come along and help you learn to hunt as well. As nice a bar as Joe runs I've been sitting in it for a bit too long. It'd be nice to get out into the woods again."

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Originally Posted by Uriel

Noting the Druid and Wolf, the oldster doffs his cap and nods in respect for him 'Greetins to ya, Master Caretaker. Good it is ta meetcha, and yer fine Wulf there.I'm Bron Bekkle, Forester in these here parts and a devout follower of The Greenman, I am. I sometimes do work fer the Roadwardens and such. You kin ask any around, I'm a trustworthy sort, they'll tell ye.' '

Telerin smiled and nodded to the man, while Whitefang did his own form of greeting...staring with interest, "Its good to see a man with skill in the forest, mister Bekkle. A rare thing that is becomming these days in towns like this. My name is Telerin Sathalos...and this heap of fur here is Whitefang."

[Aranel]

Aranel gave the human a bemused look. "I thought I could choose." She grinned and waved off any reply. "Hunting isn't my area but Learning a thing or two is, I'll come. If only to keep you all safe from boredom."

[Kahuna Burger]

Originally Posted by Aranel

Aranel gave the human a bemused look. "I thought I could choose." She grinned and waved off any reply. "Hunting isn't my area but Learning a thing or two is, I'll come. If only to keep you all safe from boredom."

"Aranel, you wound me!" Katherine exclaimed with a mock gasp. "Boredom may well be the only thing I am capable of slaying, and you would take my only foe? But it would be a delight to have a sister along." The elven term she uses is warm without being overly presumptuous

She grins to acknowlege Remi's words and turns the the old man in brown and green. [note: bardic knowlege check +3, if there is a perfered language or titles among followers of the Greenman, she will use them to address him] "It seems we have a willing group, Master Bekkle. I leave it to you to set the time and place of our lessons, with the aid of young Master Remi. Only give me a moment to secure the less... rugged of my belongings and I will follow at your leisure."

If the old man does not propose an imediate departure, Katherine sits and begins scribing a letter on parchment. If he seems willing to move out into the storm, she will excuse herself upstairs and return dressed in a more rugged set of clothes, covered in pockets and flaps with every little thing that might be needed [an explorer's outfit], a crossbow and a whip at her side.

[Uriel]

The oldster looks from one to another and then says with a somber tone laced with seriousness 'Well, truth be known,Lass, Storms a might dreadful time to be Huntin, at least for sane folk. Me, I have been after a particular Ormfene for the better part of a month, though it seems an ellusive Thing. It has no qualms about preying on the good folk as well as the animals of the area during bad weather.'

Telerin:The word Ormfene is one that followers of The Greenman use for despoilers of the Wilds. Some form of monster that takes whatever it wants with no regard for the Balance .

<Bardic Knowledge>
Either 'Father' for one his age or 'Keeper', as he seems to be one concerned with maintaining the balance in the wilds.

[Pyrex]

Originally Posted by Uriel

'...Me, I have been after a particular Ormfene for the better part of a month...'

After checking to make sure his weapons and gear are packed and ready for travel in the poor weather Remi turns to Bron and asks:
"Master Bekkle, I've seen many creatures in the heart of the wood, but I've never heard of an 'Ormfene'. What sort of creature is it you're hunting?"

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Originally Posted by Pyrex

After checking to make sure his weapons and gear are packed and ready for travel in the poor weather Remi turns to Bron and asks:
"Master Bekkle, I've seen many creatures in the heart of the wood, but I've never heard of an 'Ormfene'. What sort of creature is it you're hunting?"

"It is not the good sort," Telerin grumbles under his breath. He eyed the man, feeling more of a need to be out in the forest, "There seems to be more dire circumstances in the forest than when I left..."

[Uriel]

The old man turns once again to Telerin 'Well Master Elf, I would've thought you knew the word. Not a particular beast, for it kin be a Troll, a Dragon, some abberation or a twisted Man. The Ormfene is an upsetter of the Balance of Nature, which you hold dear, as do I. This beast has slayed farmers, game and fouled streams, as well as damming them to get at the fish in the ponds. It has no regard for the order, and I plan on stopping it. If you folk would join me, I think it might serve as a proper lesson in The Hunt that Mistress Katherine seeks. It will be dangerous, though. This Beast walks on two legs and is very large, as well as cunning. It has set more'n a few traps for me, as it knows I'm after it.'

Looking at Whitefang he sighs and adds 'I found a Wolf-Den that the beast had discovered as well. It killed the Dam and all the pups. Seems he doesn't want no competition in his Huntings.

OoC:The word is slang, not a particular creature.

Edited for spelling

[Kahuna Burger]

Originally Posted by Uriel

The oldster looks from one to another and then says with a somber tone laced with seriousness 'Well, truth be known,Lass, Storms a might dreadful time to be Huntin, at least for sane folk. Me, I have been after a particular Ormfene for the better part of a month, though it seems an ellusive Thing. It has no qualms about preying on the good folk as well as the animals of the area during bad weather.'

"Ormfene..." Katherine finishes a short note and leans over to seal it with candlewax and her ring*. "My former family was sometimes called to help destroy such and in other generations known by that name themselves, but to me it sounds like a worthy target of a hunt. I will return in a moment." She gathers her things and goes up to change, without her usual singing.

*for any both close and curious enough to note such things, the ring is of iron rather than gold and shows the tree motif of the D'sylvans, (a small ‘royal’ family from a small kingdom wealthy in lumber and tradition, but not much else), but the design is marred by a heavy scratch. A keen observer will notice that the scratch lines up with light scars tracing the knuckles of Katherine’s thumb and middle finger. When she uses the ring, the imprint gives the impression of a tree crossed by lightning.

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Originally Posted by Uriel

Looking at Whitefang he sighs and adds 'I found a Wolf-Den that the beast had discovered as well. It killed the Dam and all the pups. Seems he doesn't want no competition in his Huntings.'

Telerin sighed and nodded. This was definatly something that needed dealing with. He stood up and looked to Aranel, "Do you mind watching Whitefang a moment? He will be find if you just keep paying attention to him. I will go prepare to leave."

((OOC: Just a note...Telerin is Human.))

[Uriel]

OoC:Sorry about the Elf/Human thing A-M-G. As well, I have been havng a horrible time getting online in the last few days That seems to be cleared up now, however.

The Oldster nods at the words of the youngsters. Part of him felt guilty at asking such young folk for aid, as they had many years left to live, while he was near his natural end <He looks perhaps 60-65 years of age>. Seeing the steel in their eyes and their willingness to help, however, old Bron Bekkle smiled. Helping take down this Fiend would help these young folk prepare for the cruel realities that ENWorld was capable of dishing out. Besides,they looked able.
Bekkle began 'Well then, if'n yer set in aiding me, we can leave within the hour. The storm shouldn't be getting bad for a couple of hours yet. Have ye horses? The area that i think the Ormfene is in now is about 10 miles distant.I've a couple of horses an' a pony. We could double up if need be. The ELven lass looks light enough to ride my pony, Sprout.''

[Pyrex]

Originally Posted by Uriel

'Well then, if'n yer set in aiding me, we can leave within the hour. The storm shouldn't be getting bad for a couple of hours yet. Have ye horses? The area that i think the Ormfene is in now is about 10 miles distant.I've a couple of horses an' a pony. We could double up if need be. The ELven lass looks light enough to ride my pony, Sprout.''

"I don't have a horse, but I can ride one.
Aranel, if you need to do anything before we leave I can watch Whitefang until Telerin returns."

[Uriel]

Bron Bekkle smiles, waving over one of the several lads that seem to constantly be at he Red Dragon, hoping for stories or small odd jobs and errands to do for the adventurers that frequent the establishment.
'Ere, Samuel, 'eres a silver. Take some o'the other lads'n bring me Horses and Sprout as well, I'll beneedin'm all fer this Hunt.'
The lad jumps to his feet, catching the offered coin and is immediately swarmed by other young boys hoping to get a piece of this job. Picking 4 others, Samuel grins and leaves the Red Dragon to get the Tracker's steeds.

An hour or so later (after all of the Hunters have got their gear), all is ready. Bron Bekkle stands by a tall Roan, Giselle, he names the mare, along with Red, another Roan, Greylocke,a heavy horse suited to large loads (that Bron says he uses when bringing in big game, as the horse can easily pack 2 deer and doesn't spook from the scent of the dead prey) and a palamino named, obviously enough, Spot. Along with a sturdy looking pony, Sprout they look a rather family-like group of Equines. Giselle is clearly the Leader, as she nips and keeps the others in line as they prance about nervously awaiting their charges.

Bron Bekkle awaits the others, calmly sitting atop his Horse 'I last saw the Tracks of the Ormfene about 8-9 miles out of town, near Farmer Krimp's mushroom farm. I do hope the old boy is all right, as he's a friend of mine as well. He will have a hot meal fer us, too, an his Wife makes the finest mushhroom stew within 50 miles.As well, we can hole up in his barn an' leave Giselle and the Lads there as well, should we need to Hunt this thing on foot.'

[Pyrex]

Originally Posted by Uriel

Bron Bekkle awaits the others, calmly sitting atop his Horse

Remi moves up to Red and pats him reassuringly a few times letting him get used to his scent then begins storing his gear in the saddlebags.

"With any luck we'll make it to the farmhouse before the storm breaks."

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Telerin leads Whitefang over to Spot, and the two animals idly sniff at each other, while Telerin pats the horse. It was a wonderful specimen...they all were. He knelt down a moment next to Whitefang, "You want to run with us?"
The wolf eyed him a moment and moved his head towards Telerin's hand. The Druid grinned and patted the wolf's head before getting up onto Spot, "Whitefang seems to thing he can run and keep up with us."

((OOC: Just a note...Aranel's having trouble logging in and posting. Still trying to get that fixed...))

[Aranel]

"Aranel, you wound me!" Katherine exclaimed with a mock gasp. "Boredom may well be the only thing I am capable of slaying, and you would take my only foe? But it would be a delight to have a sister along." The elven term she uses is warm without being overly presumptuous.

Aranel had laughed again and stood to bow in apology. "My dear sister however can I apologise? Keeping at bay the demons of boredom and lazy-thinking can ofcourse be your job. Which leaves me little to do but tag along and cheer." She straightened and smiled. "Though I wield a blade and I do have a little skill in disarming traps." She added to the small group after thought.

As she watched people bustle about to get ready she heard Remi offer to allow her a chance to ready herself. Turning with another warm smile she shook her head. "Ready I am, all I need I carry." She announced cheerfully.

Once the Wolf had been properly fussed over while his...friend? companion? master? (Something to inquire about delicatly) Was away she then followed them out to see the horses and pony.
Sprout (wasn't that a vegetable?) looked a happy creature. Big though...
Aranel eyed it ..her? Nervously and moved over to let the creature smell her, get used to her before she attempted climbing up.