Turtleback Lake bwp: straight for the knife

For members of Heartwood River @Kisla, @Lachesis, @Maksim, @Kjors, @Naia, @Kite, @Mojave
not tagging Karina, Davin, or Orren because I wasn't sure if they're even around cause of Karina's plot. Feel free to join anyway.

While their cousins had gone south and west, the great mother had trusted them to stay in the north and travel to the east. Crossing around the mountains was a dangerous task. And the wolves beyond them one of the largest cesspits that one of the herdrunners had spotted. The matriarch would not have trusted any lesser warriors, any smaller warriors, with announcing the presence of the great tusked masses. She had not mentioned where they would rendezvous with her, but they were certain that she intended for them to return. The Great Mother did not discard the victorious. They would be heralded as heroes when they returned.

It was early dawn and they had not yet approached the rancid borders of the dogs. Instead, Albrecht and Franz intended to bide their time and drink from these rich waters. It seemed like a tranquil enough place — but they could fix that. One pig snorted to the other, urging them to move out and find the wolves. But the other was lazy. He was not yet awake. Franz was content to drink from the lake and wait for the wolves to come to him, despite Albrecht's cowardly concern. A squealing match broke out between the two of them. They were pigs, after all: they were stubborn above all else. It was a sign of strength to force an argument.

There are two pigs, Albrecht and Franz. They are by the lake. They are on the large side, with both of them each weighing around 175lbs.

(This post was last modified: Jan 30, 2016, 08:52 PM by Sahalie.)

Lachesis is on the adjacent side of the lake from the pigs -- far enough to get a running head start if they need to flee, but still close enough to observe them from afar :) Come River wolvesss!!

Karpos had gone. His nephew had announced that he wanted to search for his sister one last time, releasing himself from the role of leader  and returning it to Lachesis. That had been days ago, and now… now he was finally gone. With a lump in his throat, the ghost set forward in the direction of the lake—the place he felt most at home in the expanse. Although they were not blood-related, Lachesis had been there for Karpos for most of his life; the healer’s closest friend, Anastasia, had nursed the Slayer children when their birth mother abandoned them shortly after birth. They parted ways after Pitch Pine started to go downhill after Shade’s unexpected death, only to meet up again many months later when Karpos fled the Keep wolves to join Cut Rock River. Since he joined the river wolves, the uncle-nephew team had nearly be inseparable and their bond only strengthened.

Now… Now he was gone, just like the rest of them. He said his absence would only be temporary, but that didn’t specify how long. Adsila was the only known blood family Karp had left (that he knew of)—it only made sense that his nephew would want to know where she was. As much as XIX wanted him to stay, he couldn’t make him. With his nephew gone, the ghost’s only remaining tie to his old life was Naia, the always-busy scout.

This loss, whether temporary or not, weighed heavily on him. Right now, all the healer wanted was to be alone and busy himself with plant-collecting, or something—anything—to take his mind off the fact that his nephew had left. It did not help that Karina had talked of leaving as well, to rescue her friend from the Crest wolves. Whether or not she had actually left yet, XIX was unaware. His former apprentice had a mind of her own, and listened to no one.

Snow dusted the ground but the morning sky remained clear, void of the dove grey clouds that brought the substance the Arctic wolf adored. As he drew closer to the lake a strange scent reached out to him. His steps hiccuped up as the body of water came into sight, his brows furrowed in confusion. Some sort of intruder… but it was not one he recognized. His upper lip curled while his chartreuse gaze scanned his surroundings, looking for where the scents originated from. He ceased movement once his pale orbs locked on the two large creatures, his head tilted to the side as he studied them from a distance. What were these creatures; these monsters? Without further hesitation, the healer threw back his skull and called for the River wolves. He did not care if the strange monsters knew that he was nearby. This was wolf territory—whatever these monstrosities were, they would be removed. He would have time to mourn the absence of Karpos later.

He kept the side of the lake, ensuring there was a safe distance between himself and the creatures. His pale body lingered where the trees met the sandy beach, his pale orbs remaining fixated on the smelly intruders as he waited for his packmates to arrive and assess the situation. Surely someone in the pack knew what these things were.

(This post was last modified: Feb 11, 2016, 02:07 AM by Lachesis.)

stick with those who stick with you

The call of Lachesis had the regal Mackenzie wolf thundering through the forest. It was not often that the male sounded out so urgently, which concerned Maksim greatly. The medic preferred to keep to himself, to his work, so for him to request the presence of all was ... certainly unusual. It meant there was something important, something no River wolf could ignore. To do so would be to deny one's very instinct to stand together.

Thankfully, the agouti wolf had not been too far away from his friend. As he drew closer, the sound of hideous wailing and shrieking caused his creamy brows to furrow and his muzzle to wrinkle. It sounded unlike anything he had heard before -- it was almost sickening to listen to. And then, it was the scent that hit him. Unknown. Alien. Maksim certainly didn't like it. Closing in on Lachesis' location, he slowed to a jog before pulling up beside the deer-legged male. He glanced to the medic, noticing his gaze was trained on something across the lake. The Baranski wasted no time in allowing his sights to settle on whatever had concerned his fellow. "What on Earth ... ?"

Hideous creatures, with snouts squared off and ugly teeth coiling out from within their mouths. They were the source of the squealing, and the scent. This was something the River wolves could not have expected -- would not have expected. His voice was low as he muttered to Lachesis, eyes trained on the opposite shore. "Do you know what those things are, Lachesis?" The unknown could be frightening, especially when they were loud with piercing cries. His hackles rose slightly; he did not like them.

we are shining in the rising sun, as we are floating in the blue

“Hogs.”

The shadow appeared behind his superiors silently, single eye narrowed as he slunk in behind the pair. A medic and his patient, he thought with a wry snort; what did they plan to do with the two beasts across their lake? Ah, well – it wasn’t marked, he supposed. Turtleback Lake did not belong to anyone but the Mother above, and even then, he had his doubts about what She had in plan.

So his single eye peered back to the alpha and his friend, and Kjors swallowed down the bitter taste across the edge of his tongue as he watched the pair of males. Comfortable. Pleased. And what had they done for Hearthwood River, lately? For Kisla?

“Blessin’. ‘er a curse.” It was hard to say just yet, he supposed, far away as they were. A pair of them didn’t bode well; Ered Luin had taken hogs, in the past, but always one, and the majority of the pack had gone on hunts. A pair was something he was unaccustomed to – and that they were willingly so close to predators’ lands was equally as odd. Perhaps the winter was harder on them than it was the wolves, driving them to land they wouldn’t occupy otherwise. “Either way, ain’t good if they’re plannin’ t’ stay.”

When the howl had gone up, Mojave found that she did not entirely recognize the caller. Of course, things had been shifting and changing on her so much that she found the whole thing to be fascinating. In spite of her better attempts to integrate with the wolves of Hearthwood, it was a slow-going process for her. Never had she expected things to be so turbulent, but then again given her own nomadic inclinations she found that her frequent ventures out from the territory only meant that she would miss out on the finer tuned aspects of pack life.

Not that it could have been helped in her case, anyway, it wasn't like she had been exactly handed an instruction booklet on how things were supposed to work. Yet all the same when that authoritative call rose up, she sensed the urgency and sent herself propelling towards it all the same, eager to discover and greet the challenge that lay ahead.

At least, that's how she felt until she arrived there.


With her tongue lolling loose from her mouth, Mojave wordlessly surveyed the situation that had unfolded and felt her hackles rising. She caught mention of what they were from Kjors and felt her brow furrow deeply. Boars? They were ugly and if anything, she was inclined to believe that the rancid-like smell she was picking up on had to be them. "They don't look like a blessin'," she chimed in, shifting herself to stand closer to the dark-haired advisor as she swung her gaze over who else was there. Maksim being there surprised her, though only remotely; his injures should have been long healed by now so it would have made sense for him to be there. But the others? They hadn't turned up yet.

Had he been capable of smiling, there would have been a wide grin on his face. Instead he simply bumped his companions head with his own, not exactly gently, and looked around to locate the source of the jowl that had proved his point. Across the water he stood, lone and pale and gangly, no big challenge, though the pigs would take it gladly. Though soon the mutt was joined by another, bigger and stronger looking. Franz grunted in contentment, this was shaping up to be a proper battle. One more appeared then, and finally yet another. Four, two for each of them, good enough.

 

Albrecht grunted in agreement, itching to get back at his comrade for that shove earlier, but clever enough to save his vigor for the dogs. And now that they were here, at least Franz too was ready to act. The two boars roared in a mighty chorus, scraping at the ground. Then they started off, jogging along the shore to circle towards the wolves, waiting on the other side. Their focus was on the enemy, dark eyes peeled and tiny ears lifted; Threatening grunts, filled with excitement rising as they moved. They were ready for battle.

(This post was last modified: Feb 18, 2016, 07:55 PM by Spirit of Wildwood.)

Sorry for the wait everyone! @Maksim @Kjors @Mojave

The king arrived first, as expected, and he was just as surprised as Lachesis was. The frown that cut across his lips only deepened as he observed the strange creatures, his nose permanently wrinkled due to the stench that rolled off of them. Just as he was about to reply with a defeated I don’t know, the dragon’s voice piped up from behind them: ‘Hogs.’ What in the world were hogs? All negative feelings toward the one-eyed wolf were temporarily pushed aside, his expression growing serious as he turned to the older wolf. “Have you seen these before?” If the dragon knew what they were perhaps he knew how to deal with them and, hopefully, how to get rid of them.

Not without taking one down for future meals — these creatures could feed their family for days, perhaps even weeks.

His mouth began to salivate at the thought as another River wolf approached: this was one the medic wasn’t familiar with, but he was glad to see her face. @Naia he knew would not show — her frequent excursions had caused her to grow weak as she neglected to take care of herself. @Kisla was missing — perhaps looking for her daughter — but Lachesis hoped that she would join them soon. The River wolves needed their numbers, others they would have to come back another day to deal with this potential threat. The yearling’s voice broke him away from his thoughts, her words commenting on what Kjors had said. He was agreement: their presence was no blessing. Just as he was about to respond a commotion on the shore caused his head to snap back, chartreuse gaze widening in alarm. The hogs were making their way toward them — dammit! “We need more wolf-power — or to chase them away from here. We can’t let them near Hearthwood.” Reluctantly, he looked to Kjors, hoping the older — more experienced — male knew how to get rid of these creatures. It seemed as though Maksim knew little about the creatures, but his expertise and Kjors’ knowledge would have to work together to come up with a game plan. “Should we lead them away — further south? I don’t them anywhere near our home.”

(This post was last modified: Feb 29, 2016, 08:04 PM by Lachesis.)

stick with those who stick with you

It seemed that the wolves were cowards: they had no intention of coming to the pigs. Albrecht and Franz had to do all the work, their fat jiggling along to the battle chant of their hearts as they loped towards the wolves. Coming closer, they could hear the white one crying out pitifully to the others that it had congregated with it. Albrecht snorted, giving Franz yet another shove to the shoulder as they ran side by side, hides touching. "Flank them," he commanded to Franz.

Franz looked as if he wanted to contest the order but had no plan of his own to counter with. With a guttural sigh, the hog began to break to the right, away from his partner, to get around to one side of the wolves. Albrecht veered slightly left, though he still kept the charge aimed very close to the wolves, hoping to scare them. Emboldened his brilliant plan, Albrecht loosed a squeal of delight, which his brother echoed without hesitation. The sound was shrill and painful. But a good pain. They would not let it up, but had to wonder if perhaps the sounds would be too frightening for the dogs. Would there be no fight at all?

@Lachesis @Maksim @Kjors
Next round will start 3/19. There is no posting order. Six wolves will be needed to take down both pigs.
Assumed the wolves are clumped together. Franz has broken away to the right of the wolves, and Albrect is on the left.

(This post was last modified: Mar 05, 2016, 09:35 PM by Spirit of Wildwood.)

@Lachesis @Maksim -- we need you!

“Ye~es,” Kjors answered slowly, fixing Lachesis with a look as if he were a particularly slow child. He’d no have offered any insight if these creatures were some foreign entity to him. His brow furrowed over his single eye, twinkling like the last glitter of sunlight before dark storm clouds rolled in. The man was not wrong; three adult males could not fend off two large hogs, especially where one was still recovering from a cougar attack, and another was a runt in size. The third was a healer, to boot – what a sad team they made. But who could they call? Kisla, and risk endangering the Queen? Naia, another sick wolf? The yearlings were all missing—

Kjors huffed unhappily, grinding his teeth – but the choice was soon made for them as the pair of hogs began to circle them. Ears flipped back, plastered against the man’s skull. “Move ‘em away,” he growled softly. There was no way they could kill both. “They’ll ruin th’ water if y’give ‘em half a chance.”

Without further instruction, he moved towards towards Franz, able to track the hog with his single eye. Lips peeled back to reveal a row of daggers as he snapped his jaws, his every intention to come up on the hog’s right and herd him away with bites and snaps at his soft middle.

It looked as though it was just the tree of them — what a team they made. A frown creased his lips as he studied the large creatures through narrowed brows. He cursed at himself for not taking initiative with the situation; he was supposed to be the stand-in leader and make decisions on behalf of the pack. The pale medic needed to pull on his big-boy pants and overcome his irrational fear of being in charge. Maksim switched roles with him for a reason and he needed to show it.

Kjors’ voice — along with the shrill cries of the pigs — caused his lips to curl and a thunderous growl to explode from his chest as he nodded in agreement. There was only three of them and two of these monsters, hardly a fair fight; they needed to lead them away until they had more teeth on their side.

Motioning for @Maksim to follow him, the white streak tore after Albrect, coming up on his left as he mimicked the one-eyed dragon’s actions. He snapped at the boar’s side, his own legs expertly maneuvering him around the large creature. XIX was careful to keep his distance from the monster’s sharp feet — one blow from them, or their monstrous teeth, could be disastrous for the slender healer. Coming around to the rear of the boar Lachesis darted away from the creature, heading south, in hopes that Albrect would follow him. The boar might have size and strength on its side, but Lachesis had his speed.

stick with those who stick with you