[Nexus] HT's plots

[happyturtle]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Dawnrunner reaches down and rakes her claws through Waterstrider's mane, bidding him to rise. If Renetta attempts to kneel, she'll put a paw out to stop her from doing so. Heavily pregnant mothers are not expected to do such a thing, nor are guests of the tribe. "It is a joy to have you back. There was much concern when your trail went cold. You must have many stories to share at the fireside tonight."

Second Girl is one of the crowd watching, though she's leaning against another Wolfen male of about her age, and distracting him completely.

Whisper's Plot

Whisper has pulled up lots of grass to carry with her. "They're all owners. They hate us." she whimpers, and touches at her throat, where the cold iron collar used to rest.

Coffin Hunting

This would be a good time to pull out the silver dagger he used against Rose, except that the Tenebras vampires were retconned to be weak against gold. So that meant his dagger was retconned to be gold plated. So he'll... reload his harpoon gun?

He's suffering from uncreative player syndrome. v.v

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

Renetta might have tried to kneel, but she's fairly certain she wasn't going to manage it while pregnant. Thank goodness she wasn't expected to. "It's nice to meet you." She says, bowing her head briefly.

[Coffin Hunting]

Durin materializes when the werewolf goes after Astrana, and follows after him. The werewolf likely moves faster, but when Durin does reach him, he'll try to drive his sword into the beast's back.

[Shadowcaller]

[Coffin Hunting]

Astrana panics and quickly backs away as she suddenly seems to disappear into the darkness, turning nearly completely invisible inside it. She will attempt to dodge the werewolf at the best of her ability if it still tries to attack her though.

[VampireRot]

[Coffin Hunting]

The werewolf skids to a halt when Astrana disappears! One would think a wolf would be able to notice an invisible person, but it can't actually pinpoint her location with smell since her scent stays in the air where she just was. Awfully confusing in the middle of battle. Unless she makes some loud noises, the werewolf won't pursue her.

And then it gets a sword to the flank! The werewolf howls in anger and spins around. More slowly, this time. Hunks of metal in your butt do tend to slow you down. It tries to do the same thing to Durin's face that it attempted on Astrana's! Eat it!

Silly Vino should know that any dagger is as effective as a silver one if it's put in the right place. Gold in the eye is just as effective as silver, though perhaps not as physically painful.

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Preysense gestures for Waterstrider to rise, and he does so. "We have fewer Unmated this year, so there are plenty of huts for you to use. If you wish, we can have a..." He pawses, trying to find the word. "Nursemaid see to your needs, <Mother-Soon> Renetta." The elf may get the feeling that it's a Title for her now.

"If there is anything you need while in our hospitality, all you must do is ask."

[happyturtle]

Mother Soon's Journey

Second Girl skips closer to Dawnrunner, giving her a nuzzle. "May we start the Winter Moon festival tonight, since Waterstrider is home?" she pleads, her tail wagging.

Dawnrunner baps her on the muzzle - not hard, but clearly a reprimand for her impertinence, particularly in front of a guest. "Watch your manners, child. Five hunters are still in the field. Would you have them miss the first night, when they work to keep our bellies filled?"

"No, Ma'am," Second Girl says, her ears and tail drooping. "I wasn't thinking."

"A common refrain. Let us hope you learn to think on your name quest." Preysense says, shaking his head at her, half in exasperation, half amusement.

The conversation was mostly in Common, with a few Wolfen terms here and there, so Renetta should have gotten the gist of it. They trade enough with other species that they tend to default to it when strangers are around.

At any rate, Renetta and Waterstrider will be helped to a rustic, but comfortable hut, and provided with everything they need.

Coffin Hunting

Silly Vino has a mind fogged player. Funny how his competence levels tend to go up and down like they do. Maybe he'll switch to his dagger next post.

He shoots his harpoon gun again, aiming to go through the wolf's chest. Puncturing a lung would be good.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

"Thank you very much. I'd really appreciate that." Renetta replies. She listens to the following conversation, up until it becomes a scolding. Then she tactfully pretends she can't hear even though she clearly can. Before they're lead to their huts, she's sure to thank them.

[Shadowcaller]

Coffin Hunting

The invisibility fades as Astrana decides to focus on something more offensive, she sends a ray of demonic energy against the werewolf while shifting away even further from it.

[Gullara]

[Coffin Hunting]

Durin falls back, likely with the werewolf landing on top of him. If that is the case, Durin will try to hold back the beast by the throat, his clawed hands digging in at the same time.

[VampireRot]

[Coffin Hunting]

The werewolf gets held back by the throat and is unable to remove Durin's face! However, the huge wolf is still on top of him, so it goes to stomp down hard on his ribs with a clawed paw. It would build on this attack, but Vino and Astrana come to the rescue! The harpoon strikes true, which elects a gurgling whimper from the wolf. And then it gets blasted by the demonic ray, which knocks it off of Durin completely.

The werewolf rolls to its feet and curls its lip at the three of them, but its growls sound weak and pained. It manages one more half-hearted, but still very dangerous, snap at Durin's neck.

[happyturtle]

Coffin Hunting

Vino drops the harpoon gun, going for speed rather than excessive damage now, and draws his dagger, darting forward to try and stab the wolf just below the base of its skull, where it meets the spine. Since he's stabbing straight down, he puts his weight behind it to add power. Of course if he misses, this will leave him vulnerable to a counter attack.

Mother-Soon's Journey

Before Waterstrider goes to the hut, Dawnrunner pulls him into a hug and gives him an affectionate nip on the ear. "Welcome home."

The couple will then be given privacy for a while, except for a brief interruption when fresh food is brought to them. They were also given one of the few huts that has actual furniture. There are some chairs, and a simple wooden frame with a rope net strung between the supports to hold up a mattress stuffed with straw. Most of the huts simply have a pallet and cushions on the ground, but no one expects the elderly, infirm, or heavily pregnant to be able to get on and off the ground easily. It's quite luxurious for Wolfen accomodations. For Renetta, it would likely be uncomfortable, except that she's been sleeping in a wagon during their travels. It's definitely more comfortable than that.

Noise carries freely through the thin walls, and there are the sounds of village activity - mostly happy sounds, as everyone is getting into the festival spirit. Occasionally there is an increase in noise with lots of yips and excited talk in Wolfen when one of the hunters returns.

It's definitely a much more open society than the elven town.

[UncleWolf]

Mother-Soon's Journey

Waterstrider smiles to the pale white wolfen female who drops off the food and once she leaves, he sets the tray of fruit and meat near Renetta, wherever she's seated. "First impressions?" He asks, taking a small plum looking fruit for himself.

[Gullara]

[Mother-Soon's Journey]

Renetta smiles gratefully and takes a piece of fruit, which she proceeds to eat quickly. She's hungry. "Everybody is so nice. I really feel welcome." A piece of meat is devoured a moment later.

[Coffin Hunting]

Chest stomping hurts, and as a result, Durin won't be taking advantage of the werewolf's distraction. When the bite comes, the vampire hastily rolls in the opposite direction.

[Shadowcaller]

[Coffin Hunting]

Astrana actually decides to go close to the werewolf while he's distracted. As he attempts to bite Durin she charges him and attempts to smack him over his head with her now demonically infused staff which can burn off skin at a touch.

[VampireRot]

[Coffin Hunting]

The wolf is distracted by Durin, so both Astrana and Vino's attacks connect! The werewolf's thick fur protect it from the burning part of Astrana's staff, though whacking it on the head still provides a satisfying thunk and hurts the beast. The knife to the back of the skull is another story. It's a... knife to the back of the skull, after all. It doesn't outright slay the beast, as it's still not silver, but it does do a good job of convincing it that this is a fight it isn't going to win. The werewolf collapses to the ground with a whimper, and then tries to roll over onto its back to expose its stomach. Which translates roughly to "okay, okay, you're the boss of me, I give up " from the communication of wolves. But it may just look like an easy opening to its soft and stab-able underbelly to the two-legged people.

[happyturtle]

Coffin Hunting

Opening the door or handing over the key would have worked better. Vino doesn't speak wolf.

He does however, recognize that they can't interrogate a dead guy, and so he puts the knife to, instead of through, the wolf's throat. "Open the **** door or die."

[Gullara]

[Coffin Hunting]

Durin picks himself off the ground and retrieves his sword. He seems to share Vino's opinion and he's just as ready as Vino to end the werewolf's life. Maybe even more so due to bloodlust.

[Shadowcaller]

[Coffin Hunting]

Astrana intensifies the energy in her staff so the next time she uses it, it will likely be /very/ painful to whoever touches it.

She's quite ready using it on the werewolf, possibly even kill him.

[VampireRot]

[Coffin Hunting]

The wolf whine some more, and tries to lick Vino on the face and get up. Face licking is a sign of friendliness!

If it isn't murdered for those movements, the werewolf will limp over to the fireplace and look at the flames, then back at Vino and Durin expectantly.

[Gullara]

[Coffin Hunting]

Durin snarls and makes the threatening step forward, but resists the urge to cut the werewolf down... for now. When he moves over tot he fireplace, the vampire barks. "Can't you change back?" He has no patience for this.

[happyturtle]

Coffin Hunting

Silly Durin. Vampires aren't supposed to bark!

"Are we supposed to put out the fire or something?" Vino asks, while looking at the fire to see if there's anything special about it. Or perhaps a key cooking in the flames.

Mother-Soon's Journey

Winter Rituals

The village of Winterhome (a name shared by many of the small, temporary villages that hunter-gatherer tribes form in the winter), is quite busy. The fire pit in the center of the ring of huts has a large boar roasting in it, and the smell is tempting many cubs to try and steal bits when they think they can.

An elderly Wolfen, heavily scarred by fire, walks slowly around the village, supported by a pair of young adult Wolfen who are also scarred, but much less so. The three of them sprinkle a mixture of salt and herbs, making a protective barrier around the entire village.

Elsewhere, a young Wolfen woman is being purified. Her mother and aunts and her older sister have escorted her to her new hut, where they are bathing her in warm water they have carried themselves from the fire pit, washing and brushing her fur, braiding her mane, and telling her what she is to expect on the morrow.

The children who aren't getting into trouble are hanging garlands of greenery about, and tying up ribbons and beads.

Dawnrunner shares a quiet moment with her mate. Tomorrow, they must take on the roles of their ancestors, Fenris and the Dawn Wolf. In a play-within-a-play, their characters will then take the parts of the Winter Moon trying to heal the Sun as he lays dying. It is an elaborate and beautiful courtship ritual, and made all the more special by the ceremony that is to follow.

Second Girl has run off into the woods with Blue Eye, a Wolfen boy of the same age as her, who will also be taking his name quest in the spring. There are no secret affairs in a Wolfen tribe. Everyone will know. The young people will be teased by some, envied by others. Second Girl may end up in a fight with Gray over Blue Eye's affections. Or perhaps Gray will console herself by finding another boy to flirt with. It is simply another ritual, as timeless and inevitable as all of the others, and as much beloved.

[Shadowcaller]

[Coffin Hunting]

Astrana keeps an close eye on their surroundings in case something else decided to sneak up on them while being distracted by the werewolf. She just wanted out of here at this point at the others had already asked the relevant questions.

[VampireRot]

[Coffin Hunting]

The werewolf barks right back at Durin. Literally. It turns its head to nose the harpoon sticking out of its side and lungs. Yeah, it isn't turning back into a human with a harpoon in its chest. Plus, he'd be naked. And you really don't want that.

Vino will find that there is indeed a key resting in midst the flames.

[Gullara]

[Coffin Hunting]

Durin snarls at the werewolf yet again. Don't tempt him to finish the job. The vampire looks into the fire, and then at the bars(?) keeping them away from the key. "Do were have any way to reach that?"

[happyturtle]

Coffin Hunting

Vino will try to use his axe to drag the key out of the fire. If this is successful, he'll use the last little remnants of his wind magic to blow on it and cool it down. It's barely a breeze though, so it won't do very much.

Is the metal red at all? Or just hot?

Is the key even made of metal?

[Shadowcaller]

[Coffin Hunting]

"I have some resistance to fire if it's needed." Astrana claims, but is a wee bit late as Vino is already fishing up the key with his ax.

"...I guess not." None the less she approaches the ax to see if she can try to determine if the key is magical or something. You never knew.

[VampireRot]

[Coffin Hunting]

The key easily obtained by Vino's axe! It is big and brass. And not hot at all, for some reason. There seems to be some sort of inscription on the side, in a flowing... elven-looking script. Astrana will find, however, that the key is entirely not magical.

The werewolf barks once more and then, quicker and less injured than it was letting on, dashes to a door that leads further into the mansion.

[Gullara]

[Coffin Hunting]

As much as Durin would like to deal with the werewolf, he's a bit too injured to want to pursue him. "Let's just get out of here." You'd think he'd sound a bit happier. Mission success, right?

[Shadowcaller]

[Coffin Hunting]

"Yes, let's get out of here, I just want to get home." But little do they know...

They should try the key first I guess. <.<

[happyturtle]

Coffin Hunting

"Can you use one of your magic hand things to try and pick up the key? Just in case it's a horrible trap?" Vino suggests to Astrana.