Blackberry Fields Hunt Opportunity - West RL - Elk

Please follow the guidelines found in the News Desk for this specific RE.

Also note: Your character can only participate in one thread per side. Choose wisely as a pack based on location and realism of your pack being closer to the vicinity of the prey.

Fights will be monitored closely and a large amount of PPing will not be acceptable. You're character's LP plays a large role in this -- speed against others, etc.

CLICK FOR THE DISCUSSION THREAD FOR THIS HUNT!

The silence across the land is deafening — the familiar thud of soft paws falling to the earth is no more, for there is nothing to give chase to. The birds have migrated to the southern regions, and spare for the sparse cry of a raven every so often, there is nothing to be heard.

Dark grey clouds roll above, signifying that mother nature has yet another storm to set loose upon Relic Lore. The sky could erupt at any moment, and if the beasts walking upon her land were intelligent, they would seek shelter as the sharp wind whistles past.

Yet something moves across the quiet lands. The gentle crunch of snow can be heard as hooves sink through the icy terrain, and a grunt emits from the creature. A bull elk has drifted back in to the Lore, separated from its herd and confused. The wind whips past once more, stirring a deep grunt from the beast as it tosses its head. Its scent trails across the lands now.. perhaps in the very direction of a near starving group of wolves.

(This post was last modified: Mar 02, 2014, 01:35 AM by Datura.)

There was a dull irritation within the man's gut. A begging and a pleading. He hadn't eaten in days and searching about the borders of the Keep had failed him for the most part. It was desperation that drove the man towards the Blackberry Fields. So far from home, closer to the lands of an strange pack. But he did not invade them. There were still a mile or so separating him from them, perhaps more. He had never come to them and so could not truly say how close he was. But as he could not smell them, he knew that he was within safe grounds and would not let faceless, nameless strangers worry him or his empty stomach. The man had only just broken through the tree line when he caught the scent of elk. That familiar scent that made his mouth water and his hackles raise in anticipation. Chulyin could not yet see the prey, but thought that for the better. Hopefully it would not e easily startled when he called for his packmates.

His jaws parted, a satisfying click popped from within his jaw before he closed it again. His teeth scratched against each other as he shifted his jaw and reopened his mouth, a heavy rush of air pushed from his lungs like a bellows. But there was no sound of air, only a deep note calling out for the wolves of Hollowheart Keep: @Mapplethorpe, @Naira, @Sagacity, @Faol, @Evann, @Quick, @Gent, @Karpos, @Nova, @Aponi, and @Eek. He could only hope that his call might go disregarded by the wolves of the Woodlands, but he could only prepare himself for the unwelcome guests. With his family called, he moved forward through the snow, beginning to search for the elk that would be a feast for the Keep.

/awkwardly tags everyone

(This post was last modified: Mar 02, 2014, 01:00 AM by Chulyin.)

Lurking until the end of July - Please PM/tag me to get my attention

everything that kills me makes me feel alive

Karpos felt the hunger gnaw at his stomach constantly as the silent pup patrolled the borders in search for anything. He wanted food and he would find some before he retreated doing so or he would die trying. He heard the call from Chuylin and a new spark lit up his eyes as a grin grew on his muzzle. He bolted towards where the man had called him. Hopefully it would be their for the taking. As soon as he arrived, his tail lowered below the second in commands and he dipped his head. He waited in silence as he remembered the last hunt he had gone through. Talking was bad and could scare away prey. It was important to stay silent until it was necessary to talk.

The shadow pup caught the scent of the bull elk caught his nose and he licked his lips. He was so hungry. So so hungry and so was the rest of Hollowheart Keep. It would fill their stomachs and they would all survive throughout the winter. The idea of it made him smile. Everyone needed to muster their strength to take it down, that was for sure. The pup waited for the arrival of the others as he sat quietly in thought about.... well, about life in general. He realized something a while ago that just strove him to be more than his parents had been. He knew that his father had enemies because he had left his pack without a word because he had gotten Karp's mom pregnant or whatever. But Karpos could not imagine just leaving wolves who were suppose to be family.

The howl did not go unnoticed.

Iopah was just leaving the border, pressing further into her home when it came. She slowed, a frown creasing her features and narrowing her gold eyes. The field beyond was unclaimed. Technically they were free to do what they wished there. That was the only reason her initial reaction was curiosity and not indignation. With a patient ear flick she turned and trotted toward the field without a sound. She intended to check in on whoever and whatever they were doing. Maybe remind them of her pack's presence if they seemed the type to press boundaries. Food was too scarce for anything else. Energy needed to be conserved for when it was needed.

In several minutes she had returned to the border. Her black nose dropped to the ground, reassuring herself that it was intact. Satisfied, she continued her trot out of the thicket, moving easily through the crusted snow. Just as the forest begins to thin out, turning into the familiar field, she smells the elk. And her relaxed, easy pace stops. Instantly suspicious, the black-tipped hairs over her shoulders raise. The elk neatly explains everything. She doesn't need to go further to see is happening. What she does need is the rest of her pack.

Everyone is so near, the border only a stone's from where Iopah is now, that it won't take much. Her lips pursed tightly she lets a soft crooning howl loose. Backup summoned she continued on, not caring if the imposing wolves heard her or not. She wanted them to know. They were not the only wolves at the meadow.

At the edge of the forest, just beyond the open expanse of the field, she stopped again. There was no need to antagonize the wolves or the elk prematurely. She could do nothing until the rest of her pack caught up with her. While she waits she studied the field, searching for both the elk and the strange wolves.

(This post was last modified: Mar 03, 2014, 07:25 AM by Iopah.)

This is the start of the second round. The next round will begin on 3/6/14 on 11:45 PM EST

Gracefully the trotted through the snow coated fields, though he was not stupid enough to think he would find food here. No, what Orken was after were memories, memories of the sweet berries and joyous spring time. This winter had been so hard on him that he found it was essential that he take some time off to smell the roses and think about the simpler times. And that, my friends, is why Orken Fitzwilliam, Privateer of the Third Brigade of Oleif, found himself exposed on the open field, not a single thing to hide himself behind for miles save the lone tree up on the hill behind him. Not that Orken, being a bull of such stature, would ever be so cowardly as to turn tail and head for the hills. Even as he heard the howls rise up from the edge of the forest about three kilometers away, he felt himself giddy with excitement.

"Bring it on," he declared to no one in particular. Whether it was courageous or foolhardy, Orken never shied from a challenge. He thought only of the possibilities, the look of awe on his herdmate's faces — and in particular all the ladies— as he told them this harrowing tale. And he would reap the benefits in the form of many sons for seasons to come. He could be a legend!

Shivering with intensity, Orken pawed at the snow with a frighteningly sharp hoof and readied his antlers.

(This post was last modified: Mar 05, 2014, 04:46 AM by Spirit of Wildwood.)

Chulyin's howl did not go unnoticed. While out perusing the area for any sign of her son, who she had not seen since the shenanigans involved during their botched hunting attempt (which she credited to the wolves of Cut Rock River) she found herself drawn toward the male who shared her rank instead, knowing that it would do her no good to continue to worry about her son if she herself starved to death. She could only hope that in time, her son would return home. He and Aponi had disappeared together, and they were both old enough to be able to hunt, and would have better chances if they stayed together. She could only hope, then, that Mercy and Aponi would use the mountain as their compass and follow its peak North to their home in Ghastly woodlands.

The elk was still a fair distance off- but she found Chulyin and Karpos not long after he called out. She sniffed the air and licked her lips. She continued to test the air, hoping that no others would show up for the hunt, unless they were of Hollowheart Keep, of course. Her sense of smell was still a bit off, as she still found herself recovering from her cold, so she did not notice Iopah's scent on the air. So with a feeling of optimism, she looked at the two males and nodded. "We'd best get at it before the scavengers show up," She said, and with her head low, not far above the snow where the elk had left tracks behind, she pushed forward. Their endurance and strength would be needed to bring down an elk, so they could not afford to charge in its direction as soon as they scented it- hunting took time, concentration and effort.

If we act like prey, they’ll act like predators She was in the midst of a patrol, trotting through the Keep in an endless search for food, when the howl sounded. The trees obscured it, but the message went through - it was Chulyin, and he had found food. Ears jerking in direction of the call and body soon following, Evann ran through the forest, eager to answer the call of her superior. As she crossed over the snow, her thoughts circled around the possibility of food, the packs last, failed attempt at hunting coming to the front of her mind, leaving a sour taste in her mouth. This time they would succeed; We must! She came to the edge of the woods and suppressed an impulse to slow down before moving out into the open; there wasn't time for caution. Not far beyond the tree line, she saw the black male standing in wait, beside him the smaller, but equally dark, shape of Karpos. She was surprised to find that no others had come forth yet, she had been pretty far into the Keep territory when Chulyin had howled; No time to wonder about that now! As in reply to the wondering though, she saw another form emerging from the forest not far away, and recognized the grey brawn of Sagacity; The Silver Arrow. Smirking, the brown lass followed suit, stopping behind the two seconds, craning her neck to see the prey. She quickly found the lone elk in the distance, and had to restrain herself from launching right out after it. Instead, forcing herself to stay put, she watched as the bull turned to face them; He's not running? Instead, the prey seemed to be challenging them, scraping ferociously at the snow. The small dame had to swallow something, faced like this with the sheer size of the elk, his huge antlers lowering; This isn't gonna be easy... When Sagacity gave her orders, Evann's ears pricked, eyes turning to the silver pelted woman, watching as she set out after the beast. Her brown eyes turned to Chuylin then, waiting for him to run after the lady or give other orders. She would follow his lead, and run after the two towards the elk, forgetting her fear; and hopefully she would end the day with a full belly, for the first time she could remember. Word count: 387 "Speech." Thought

@Hollow @Nina @Anouke @Frost @Mirren @Coal @Aideen @Kashikoi @Koda

They had all thankfully survived through that hellish blizzard, thank the Fates. But apparently there was another hunt on the horizon. He heard howls, obviously someone summoning their pack. He was already making his way to the scene went a semi-familiar howl cut through the air. He recognized the voice as Iopah's, though he had never really spoken to her personally before. Hastening his place to reach her in time, Miccah neared the edge of the forest and saw Iopah's figure. A friendly growl was the only thing that escaped his maw that could be counted as a greeting. Finally reaching her side, his soft baritone was full of dry humor. "Looks like were not the only ones in search of a meal." Chuckling softly, his eyes scanned the wolves present and searched for the prey. He recognized the wolves from the last hunt, though Miccah still didn't know their name.

His blue orbs still scanning the open field he finally spotted the prey. An elk, and the animal seemed to look defiant, stomping what Miccah believed to be his hoof from what he could say. Another deep chuckle rumbled in his chest before he quieted and turned towards Iopah. "Any ideas?," he questioned curiously. He wondered what her approach to the situation would be. But obviously they needed the rest of the pack to arrive first, because two against...however many wolves were in the other pack didnt seem like very good odds to him. He was no coward though. If someone tried to attack either Iopah or him, he would have no problem handling himself in a fight.

Without her pack there was nothing she could do. To be so close to a meal that would feed all their bellies and yet essentially be powerless to take it was frustrating.

She couldn't watch the thicket line any longer. Every second that passed without a reply served only to increase her frustration. Unchecked it could easily shift into anger. And Iopah tended to make risky decisions when she was angry. An aggravated noise rumbled deep in her throat. It wasn't quite a growl, but it was on it's way to becoming one.

Fluidly, and with her ears pinned flat in one last show of anger, she turned lightly on her creamy back feet. The field remained as before. She took a single step forward, ears pulling back up. With something else to focus on her anger ebbed into the back of her mind. Iopah was later glad that Miccah had appeared then, when her state of mind was more collected. His low growl caused one ear to tug back, seemingly of it's of will. Suddenly realizing she had company, her head twisted to look over her shoulder. Meeting his familiar eyes, Iopah brightened noticeably. An eager whine was offered to his growl. Her mood was still too much on edge to appreciate his humor, so she merely grunted in response then settled into an easy silence next to him.

He wanted to know her thoughts. Iopah's left ear flicked back in consternation, biting back the sarcastic reply forming. Did he want to know her plan if the rest of their pack showed up as well? A sigh slipped from her lips, a statement in itself. "That elk is just as dangerous as a wolf. It is suicide to take him head on, we need to get him running, then enough of us drag him." It was an elk three years that had completely destroyed her life. Iopah never knew at what part Kele had failed - he had been unable to tell when she found him.

She never wanted to see that again. Even if it was an enemy. That thought spurned her to turn to Miccah. Voice low, as if the strange wolves could hear. "Miccah, I don't think they have enough wolves either." How hungry was he? Was he willing to consort with another pack for the chance at a meal? There was some uneasy familiarity with that pack's smell, but that didn't stop Iopah from taking three steps down into the field. She turned to look back at him, waiting for answer.

(This post was last modified: Mar 09, 2014, 04:37 AM by Iopah.)

This is the start of the third round. AFTER THIS ROUND, NO MORE WOLVES MAY JOIN. The next round will begin on 3/11/14 on 12:00 AM EST

Five minutes past. Nothing happened.

Orken raised his antlers and snorted in the direction of the trees. The wolves had come up lacking, cowardly. Somewhere in the woods they were trembling probably, wondering how they might ever attempt to kill and capture the Fearsome Orken. Weaklings. It was surprising that they had lasted so long when this winter had been so unforgiving. There probably weren't even enough of those currs left to take him on. The bull rocked back onto his hind legs and reared up, making a display of his valor and splendor to the dogs.

But Orken, being the well respected privateer he was, could not just stand here waiting for the wolves to come for him when they sounded so brave yet appeared so hesitant. He shook his antlers, trying to clear his head, to get his head in the game. There was only one thing to do: if they weren't going to bring the fight to him, then he was going to have to bring it to them. A smile stretched across his face as he lowered his thrice-a-day sharpened tines for his charge. His breath bursted from his nostrils like smoke from a dragon's maw.

You will be made immortal in by history!

Without delaying another moment, he exploded from his stance, racing towards the treeline towards the direction of the noise those dreadful whiners had made. He would have liked to been able to lower his antlers in front of him like a shield-sword combo, but he wasn't stupid enough to think that kind of tactic might work once he reached the forest. It would be hard to see where he was going and would likely run into a tree. Instead, Orken ran with his head proudly raised. He was going to challenge death. He felt that victory was surely on his side.

Orken is running at the wolves and is now 2 KM away.

(This post was last modified: Mar 09, 2014, 05:09 AM by Spirit of Wildwood.)