(Eamon, Laura, Alicia, Tobin, Sebastian)
Sepdet waits near the campfire Sebastian often tends, having summoned them with news that she has a plan ready. In her hands, wrapped in an old towel, she holds an arrow stained with dried blood.
You paged the room with 'No prob. Just leave your body here so you can see what's happening when you get back. :)'.
You paged BennyGM with 'And hopefully the Owl is nearby, but I'll let you judge and pose that.'.
Tobin sits quietly nearby Sepdet, cross-legged on the bare ground. He taps a very slow, very quiet rhythm on his drum as he meditates lightly, waiting for people to arrive.
~Thank you for coming.~ Sepdet inclines her head to Eamon first, then the two of Pathfinders whose territory this is. ~We hunt. This is a good number: too many, and it will hear us, too few, and the prey may slip the trap. Eamon, your duty will be to lead us to the prey. Do you have the gift to move without scent, or without being seen?~
Eamon tags along with the others to the woods, then stops where the others are gathered and leans against a tree. He takes a hip flask out of his back pocket and takes a swig, then returns it. "Hey, didn't this used to be Gauntlet's territory?"
Sepdet nods to the question. ~Once,~ she says respectfully. ~They are gone now. But an Owl pack still guards it.~
BennyGM pages to the room: Wait a second guys!
Long distance to the room: Sepdet sorries. :)
Standing on Sepdet's shoulder, a creature both familiar and not, awaits the night's events. To look upon it, it seems an Owl except for the coloring, size, and the eyes... especially the eyes. It has dark green wings, a golden breast, and bright... bright blue eyes. It stares forth, unmoving and making no noise what so over during this time of wait. It appears unhappy to be here.
BennyGM pages to the room: There. Continue.
Tonight, no fire burns. Only the charred remains of what once was a small hearth gives any hint that indeed someone once frequented these woods. From the west, he comes: the seer of the Uktena, known to most here as Sebastian. Wordlessly, he takes his place beside Sepdet. He sees, he understands.
Eamon peers at the owl with Sepdet, then shrugs.
Sepdet pauses for a moment, eyes darting sideways to the owl on her shoulder, and though she doesn't speak, she's probably telling it something. Then she outlines the plan. ~Eamon, it's in your hands.~ Literally: she hands the arrow across. ~We will go with you, but when you feel you're getting close, go on ahead until you are sure where the creature's lair is. By no means let yourself be noticed. Come back and report. We will gather in a half-circle in what cover we can find downwind, to make an ambush. Our friend--~ she brushes a feather gently-- ~will give a cry and show himself, then fly back and behind us, drawing the enemy out into the trap we set.~
You paged BennyGM with 'telling it she will guard it well, and be no more than a few seconds away to strike anything that may come out.'.
Eamon cracks his knuckles. "Allrighty. Sepdet, can you do whatever it is you did last time, so it's fresh in my mind, please?" He studies the arrow and gives it a sniff for good measure. Two forms emerge from the shadows quietly, heading towards the gathering knowingly. Alicia and Laura, side to side, trading glances every now and then. Upon reaching them, the Child of Gaia calls out. "Hey guys... room for two more who give a damn?"
Sepdet waves them over. ~Your pack,~ she tells Alicia. ~And here's one I trust,~ to Laura. Then she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes, recalling what few traces of scent she found after the enemy's last incursion as best she can, and then trying to give it to Eamon.
The Uktena watches words and glances traded between those gathered here. He, however, can do no more until the elder Garou make their move.
Laura inclines her head in a respectful bow to the Strider, saying nothing. The resolve is there, present in her posture and in every motion.
You paged Eamon and BennyGM with 'Such as it is. Sepdet sniffed all around the area the night they found the owl dying, trying to pick up any scent of the beastie and fix it in her mind to give to a scout. She'll try and convey it to Eamon mentally.'.
Alicia dips her head to Sepdet and glances over towards Sebastian, wetting her lips some. A hand lifts, giving him a light wiggle of her fingers, in salutations.
Eamon shudders a bit and mutters, "Damn, that's weird." Louder, he says, "Okay, I got it. It's - whoah, it's close. Stay here, I'll check it out." He shifts to lupus.
Eamon contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Eamon grins wider and sharper as he shifts into Lupus form.
Ok, ya'll can sit around and chat a bit.
Sebastian smiles and nods at Alicia, but his gaze is drawn away as he watches Eamon take the scent and take the wolf's form.
BennyGM pages to the room: Eamon, follow me to the 'Darker Forest'.
Sepdet opens her eyes after a moment and nods to his vanishing form. Then, after warning the owl with another touch, she shifts down to four legs, so that she can communicate more quietly and be ready to move. Wolf shape. We can travel faster and have claws ready.
BennyGM moves to the northwest, into a darker part of the forest.
BennyGM has left.
Ever-Grinning moves to the northwest, into a darker part of the forest.
Ever-Grinning has left.
Sepdet contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
You shift into Hispo form
Set.
Laura watches as the unfamiliar Garou moves off into the deep woods, willing her own change. It takes a little longer than the others, but soon she's in Lupus, acknowledging Sepdet's advice.
Laura contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
Laura shifts into Lupus form.
Alicia follows suit after them as she takes her own lupine form.
Alicia contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
Alicia shifts into Hispo form.
BennyGM pages to Hope-Star: I guess you can follow, but its really close... and you stated that once close you didn't want to stay around to announce your presence.
You paged BennyGM with 'Since Eamon said it was real close, she's just gonna wait for him to get back, actually.'.
You paged Ever-Grinning with 'Actually, since you said it's real close, Sep'd just have us wait here for your report.'.
Hope-Star waits, poised, but relaxed, like a patient cat before a mousehole. Ears swivel as she checks to see if anyone has questions. Most of you know what we seek. A creature not spirit nor man, slaying owls for sport not food, one by one. I will test its scent to be sure it's Wyrm before we fall on it to tear it to pieces, but I have little doubt.
Guards-Flame chuffs to the Elder Strider, letting her know that when she tested for the Wyrm's foul touch, she did not feel its prescence. That, made her curious.
The Uktena heeds the Strider's advice, changing into Lupus. He takes a few moments to adjust to the form he is least comfortable in. Scratching the ground, he waits.
Ever-Grinning pages: Yeah, that's what I figured.
Child-Holder's ear flicks as she tries to remember everything she learned about Lupus. She can move in this form, but it's definitely not her favorite, nor is it the one she's most familiar with. She stares intently towards the darkness. When you give the order, rhya...
Hope-Star's nose wrinkles at Guards-Flame's news. Still. There is too much method in these killings. It chose Owl Woods of all places. It's not for food. It's wrong. I feel it. To the Fury, she lifts a paw. The scout said it's close. We'll wait for him to return.
Guards-Flame dips her head in agreement. No argument here, Rhya. I understand fully. This thing must be destroyed.
Child-Holder just waits now, preparing for the moment when the scout returns. She remains still beside her friend, watching and waiting for the moment and Sepdet's orders.
Hope-Star looks to the Uktena with a silent promise. It ends tonight, friend.
BennyGM arrives from the northwest.
BennyGM has arrived.
Tobin's eyes open slowly and he blinks once, a flicker of surprise as he notes that there are now people here where there weren't before. Seeing everyone in lupus, he takes a queue and shifts quietly to that form as well.
You paged Mitch with 'We started at 7, sorry. We haven't actually started the fight. Come quick.'.
Ever-Grinning arrives from the northwest.
Ever-Grinning has arrived.
Mitch has arrived.
Mitch looks you over.
Dropped.
From afar, to the room, Mitch apologizes for the late arrival. I just got off of work
You paged Mitch with 'The plan: Eamon scouted ahead to find it. We're waiting for his report. As soon as we get it, we're setting an ambush downwind. Sepdet has a large owl of a strange species which is supposed to lure the enemy into our trap.'.
Mitch contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Mitch ripples and changes, slipping into Lupus form.
Halfpaw can only agree, as he bows his head in quiet resignation. It ends tonight, he echoes.You paged the room with 'Guards-Flame and Child-holder next to each other, Sep by the remains of Sebastian's old fire, Halfpaw close to the fire, Tobin at Sepdet's side, and a great big huge owl either on sepdet, or perhaps perched on a nearby branch. We're basically just standing close together, waiting and watching while Eamon goes off a-scouting.'.
Ever-Grinning creeps silently back to where the others are, then makes himself visible. ~It's here, a few hundred yards in that direction.~ He indicates toward the darker woods. ~Its lair is under a boulder there. The boulder started to move, but I left before it came out.~
Currently in Saint Claire, it's a sunny day. The temperature is 67 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius). The wind is currently coming in from the north at 8 mph. The barometric pressure reading is 30.00 and falling, and the relative humidity is 34 percent. The dewpoint is 38 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius.)
The trees grow in size and age towards the northwest; this part of the woods possesses a wilderness air that is not in keeping with its small size or civilized surroundings.
Hope-Star sniffs the wind. It is good. The wind comes froms the north. Everyone ready?
Hope-Star looks especially towards the Owl, manner protective.
Halfpaw bounds close to the fore, signalling his readiness. He looks back and chuffs, rallying the gathered. It is time.
Finds-the-Foe is crouched beneath a bush seemingly alone, but having placed himself in a position to cut off any retreat once the ambush has been set. In any case, his ears perk at the announcement and he gathers himself for action.
Guards-Flame bristles slightly as she listens to everyone converse, her head dipping down to lightly brush along Child-Holder's shoulder. Lets hope this is quick and easy, no need to get killed here. The Fury and I can heal if need be.
The Owl gives one hoot at the information suddenly available, a brilliant trill that raises above the silence and shatters reality for just moment. ~I am ready.~ Is announced in the noise, and suddenly everyone realizes why it was silent till now.
Child-Holder nods an affirmative, her homid mannerisms leaking too easily into her Lupus form. Healing, speaking with the spirits. I can do both. Ears pricked and cocked forward, she demonstrates her readiness.
Long-Past rises gracefully to his feet, ears pricked and alert, form conveying readiness. Lead, and I shall follow.
Hope-Star's tail wags slightly at the owl's startling trill, although her ears jerk backwards at the noise. She makes one final request: our second priority is to kill the foe. Our first is to protect the Owl. Now come. She indicates for Eamon to lead the way, and then starts off.
BennyGM moves to the northwest, into a darker part of the forest.
BennyGM has left.
Ever-Grinning heads off toward the dark woods, leading the other garou toward the thing's lair. Guards-Flame follows after the others quickly, ducking herself down so that her scent won't catch the wind. Rumbling lightly, she glances to her Fury friend, tilting her head.
The light dims as you move into thicker forest.
Dark Woods
This patch of forest is dominated by a single, massive, ancient oak tree, its secondary and tertiary limbs thicker than many of the trunks of the trees around it. The age of the trees, even at the height of day, makes the light levels here exceptionally dim.
Owls abound at night throughout the woods, especially in this area. How they find enough food in such sparse surroundings is a mystery; perhaps they hunt the larger forest to the east. Strings have been tied to the branches of the huge oak, with their ends dangling. The hanging tips seem snapped off, and are frayed.
A steep ravine plunges rockily away beyond the oak, making travel in most directions impossible.
Contents:
Halfpaw
Long-Past
Finds-the-Foe
Guards-Flame(#3470PVc)
Ever-Grinning
BennyGM
Obvious exits:
Lighter Woods
Child-Holder comes in from the lighter woods to the southeast.
Child-Holder has arrived.
Ever-Grinning pads quietly toward the boulder, keeping low and trying to stay as concealed as possible.
Hope-Star moves stealthily from shadow to shadow, checking with silent glances towards Eamon to know when they are close, pausing often to test for the scent of something else.
Finds-the-Foe pages to Ever-Grinning and Hope-Star: You folks mind if I flank?
You paged Finds-the-Foe and Ever-Grinning with 'That's fine. Sep may have you two flank on either side and try to get behind the thing as it comes towards us, sealing off its escape route, if the lure works.'.
Finds-the-Foe fans out keeping his nose low to the ground and tail tucked as he moves like the nightwind. His long pact with the eagle serving him well this night as he moves with both speed and quiet just forward of Eamon and some distance to his right.
Halfpaw pads alongside the Strider, waiting for any motion that might reveal the creature's presence. Most of his attention, however, is directed at the Owl. He does not let it out of his sight.
Guards-Flame folows after them, keeping her dark furred body close to the ground, allowing the darkness to swallow her up. Eyes glitter brightly for a moment before they half slit, concentrating upon a gift ahead of time, numbing herself.
About four minutes pass and the group moves silently and slowly, coming up to an area that is near black in its darkness. Under a low thick canopy of foliage and surrounded by tall grasses that wouldn't let the light of day in that well, much less the moon's rays. In this circle lays a boulder, silent and still.
Child-Holder moves as quietly as she can, sticking close to Guards-Flame, and low to the ground. She pays attention ahead more, ears flicking here and there as she tries to catch the sound of any sort of spirit chatter.
Long-Past moves very quietly in lupus for a homid-born, and makes sure to keep not just shadows, but solid objects like trees and bushes between him and the direction they're stalking in, lest his white fur give him away by sight alone.
The Strider is only too pleased for grass, foliage, and shadows. Within twenty yards, she points, indicating for people to take up their posts: Alicia and Laura on the left side, Halfpaw and herself on the other, Tobin behind a little bit to be ready to fight but a few paces back during the first instant of danger. On the way she has given Finds-the-Foe and Evergrinning silent instructions, and now simply tells them to wait at the sides of the half-circle she has indicated, ready to seal off escape. Then she moves forward and sinks down into the grass.
As Sepdet nears, the Owl suddenly freaks out and flys up into a nearby tree.
BennyGM pages: The Owl communicates to you: It is down there, and its crying for more!
Finds-the-Foe pages: Pack tactics. Gotta love 'em :)
You paged Finds-the-Foe with 'Gotta pretend I know what I'm doing. :)'.
Ever-Grinning whispers to Sepdet, ~It may have left the lair.~ He then creeps around and takes a flanking position on the semicircle, near the edges. His form blurs again.
Finds-the-Foe pages: Heh. I've watched far too many wolf documentaries for my own good. :b
As the Strider directs, Guards-The-Flame and her Fury companion takes up the left side, both girls prepared to fight when need be. The Gaian's claws are unsheathed, nose twitching, sniffing at the air as she inhales deeply.
Child-Holder, on the other hand, stays low and uses her eyes and ears more than her nose. In a stance that indicates that she's ready to run, charge, dodge or roll, Child-Holder watches both Sepdet and the boulder.
Hope-Star forces herself not to flinch at the owl's warning. She looks up, whuffs softly. Then stay above us, friend, she tells it, adjusting the plan slightly.
The group, once in a semi-circle is witness to something happening with the boulder. In the darkness there is the sound of movement, some stone scraping on stone and the boulder starts to shake slightly as it is slowly pushed aside, towards the group.
Long-Past keeps back a bit as instructed, noting where everyone is. All his keen lupine senses are alert.
You paged Long-Past with 'Pardon the slight "protect cub" instinct. Only a bit. ;)'.
Finds-the-Foe shifts his feet slightly and crouches. Very much akin to a wolf preparing to move fast.
No. The vehement resistance of the Uktena seer to what unfolds before him is followed by a low growl. If it is not in the lair, then it is in the trees. Keep watch.
Hope-Star's haunches wiggle slightly as well in the manner of a cat getting ready to pounce. But at Sebastian's warning, her head jerks upward to where the owl is.
Child-Holder waits for a definite location. She's the last one who will be going off half cocked, after all. The dark wolf watches the woods, patiently waiting for something to happen.
Long-Past pages: It's no problem, it's only what he expected. He's the cub, after all. ;)
Guards-Flame flicks her ears forward as she watches the boulder moving, then glances about the treeline as well. Concealed by the darkness, she inches forward just a tad, silently, not even breathing.
Ever-Grinning shifts to the war-form, still trying to remain concealed in the undergrowth and with his gift.
Suddenly, from around the boulder a man appears with a bow and arrow at the ready, and fires off a shot right at Sebastian, catching him squarely in the shoulder before any chance to think or plan to move is allow. The man's grace is nearly preternatural as he drops back down the hole as quickly as it appeared. Before another moment passes the boulder starts to shift back over the hole as slowly as it opened.
You paged BennyGM with '*Back to Umbra NOW.* (We'll take it from here.)'.
BennyGM pages: No response from the Owl.
You paged BennyGM with 'Could I reach it in crinos?'.
You hear faintly in the distance a soft singing noise, some of you might recognize.
BennyGM pages: You could not, perhaps someone a bit taller could.
Guards-Flame lifts her ears up quickly and glances over towards Halfpaw, eyes widened some. Are you OK? She calls out to him, not breaking formation, but concerned for her pack mate, brother.
The force of the blow catches Halfpaw unawares, but it is enough to jerk him back, away from Hope-Star. It burns, he growls, snapping at the arrow stuck in his shoulder. Get. It. Out... With hackles raised, he howls at desperate warning. The owl! Watch the owl! It comes!
The 'human' isn't the only one with speed in these woods. Having marked his target, Mitch leaps for the rock and whilst in midair his form seems to explode into his natural state. His body slams into the boulder even has his legs dig into the earth to find purchase and knock the boulder akimbo.
Hope-Star snarls as Sebastian is shot, but has no time to check his condition or give any other orders than: Ever-grinning! The owl! Bring it to me! She's shifting as she gives the command.
Hope-Star contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
You shift into Crinos form.
Name set
Set.
You paged Ever-Grinning with 'You're already in crinos. You should be able to reach where it's perched.'.
As Mitch hits the boulder, instead of resisting or being knocked away, its styrofoam shell crumples in and he falls through a suddenly open hole. Unable to grip the stairs there with the sudden suprise he slams down into the floor and finds and arrow in his stomach the moment he hits ground.
Ever-Grinning heads over to where the owl is perched and reaches a hand up to it to bring it down.
Guards-Flame shifts into Crinos form as well, exploding into her larger, battle raged state. ~I am on it!~ She moves swiftly to Sebastian's side, kneeling down at him. Reaching out, she grips the arrow with one hand, her other being pressed to the wound.
Child-Holder twitches towards Halfpaw, not sure how to react-boulder or Uktena? Mitch makes the decision for her. As he leaps for the rock, she leaps for Sebastian, shifting to Homid as she moves. "Don't move!" she orders him, remembering to stay low as she reaches the wounded Uktena.
Halfpaw winces in pain, but his resolve does not falter. Hoping that the owl is close enough to hear, he speaks, in the spirit-tongue, *Bright-eyes, listen to my voice. This song is not for you. Heed. Heed my voice.*
Long-Past flinches at the speed of the attack and the quickness with which events are moving, but he holds his place of concealment under a bush. Seeing the Gaian and the Fury rush to aid Sebastian, he turns his attention towards the surrounding woods, senses strained as he watches for possible intrusions from other directions.
The arrow doesn't come out easily, but rips away violently soon enough with more pain to Sebastian. In the wound you see bright yellow sparks of dust burning whereever the skin is broken. The Owl remains in its dreamlike state as the song remains, despite being taken down by Ever-Grinning into his protection.
Ever-Grinning brings the owl down, then moves over to Sebastian. ~What is it? Silver? Poison?~
Guards-Flame yanks the arrow free of Sebastian while the other hand lightly glows in a dull blue. She murmurs quietly, the prayers of Gaia as she begins to heal him, focusing her tribal gift upon him.
Child-Holder focuses on Sebastian's wounds to the exclusion of anything else. "I don't know," she says to Ever-Grinning, pulling a poultice from her pocket in case the Gaian's healing call isn't enough. As Alicia works, she grabs the arrow, trying to determine if she's seen its ilk anywhere before.
Child-Holder contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
Child-Holder shifts into Homid form.
Laura pages to the room: Oops.
Sepdet takes the Owl from the Fianna's arms the moment he gets it within her reach and drops back down, covering it with her body. Only then can she refocus on her troops. Sebastian being tended by two, she growls for Tobin to keep watch-- which he's already doing-- and growls Eamon's name again, jerking her muzzle urgently towards the direction in which Mitch disappeared.
Finds-the-Foe contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Finds-the-Foe ripples and changes, slipping into Crinos form.
Long distance to BennyGM: Sepdet then feels to see if the Owl's going cold and attempts by will, Command, and everything in herself to reach the owl's mind and spirit and snap it out of whatever trance it's in. Back to the umbra. Go. Be free. Go. It has no power over you.
A brief howl of pain is bitten down, reduced to a whimper as the Gaian's healing hands do their work. Halfpaw props himself up on his good shoulder, his eyes focused at the boulder. The song. Someone _stop_ the song. He looks around then adds a question, Where is Mitwitchuck?
Ever-Grinning growls, ~I'm on it,~ then heads over to the hole.
Long-Past barks a warning and is on his feet in an instant. A low growl issues from his throat as he turns to face whatever it is he's spotted. It's here! he warns the others.
BennyGM pages to the room: Ok. Hold on ONE second. No pages or poses till I say other wise. I am being bombarded from all around.
From afar, to the room, Finds-the-Foe sits and wags tail like a good dog.
The healing glow from the Gaian flows forth quickly and pulls the wound closed... the dust being pushed up from within the puncture at the same time. The pain abides quickly enough for Sebastian and at Long-Past's barking warning to the others a harsh shrill howling sound is heard and a little monkey with a metal box attached to its throat, and a scimitar in one hand rushes forward in a mighty leap, cutting at Tobin. The strike misses, barly, but then it leaps again with insane strength and is in that moment already scrammbling down the hole. Of course, the song stops at this point and the frightened Owl is shaken back to awareness, and poofs into the umbral instantly, gone from danger. Ever-grinning looks down the hold determining its large enough for a crinos to fit down and too dark to tell just how far the bottom is. He does see bright yellow sparkles of dust at the bottom, but still just that alone doesn't help determine the distance.
BennyGM pages to the room: Ok.
Ever-Grinning doesn't bother with the ladder, he simply drops down into the darkness, preparing to roll forward as soon as he hits the ground.
Guards-Flame rises up to her full height and flexes her claws as she glances over to the hole, heading towards it with a sleek, feral grace. ~Sepdet, you think you could fry whatever is down in that hole?~ Oh, an idea from the spandex clad hero?
BennyGM pages to the room: And please go in pose/@emit order here. Pose your action, then wait for an @emit explaining results before posing again.
Laura stokes her rage to shift quickly to Crinos. She moves quickly towards Tobin, not quite breaking formation, but checking to be sure he's alright. She remains as alert as she moves. ~Cub, you wounded?~ she demands, watching the hole.
Laura contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
Laura shifts into Crinos form.
Sepdet takes a moment to snap out of a trance herself, having mustered every ounce of concentration at her disposal to shake the Owl loose from its mental paralysis and send it to safety. So once again the fearless leader is a step behind everyone else. But when she comes to her senses, decisions are made easier by the sight of the monkey--then Eamon--vanishing down the hole. ~Including our people?~ she asks rhetorically. ~Come, all who are whole.~ She jogs towards the hole, but doesn't enter it yet, peering downwards.
Enough tricks. Die. A howl rises from Halfpaw as he blurs into Crinos. ~Surround it. Do not let it out again,~ he implores. Even with an injured shoulder, he pushes himself forward to the mouth of the hole.
Long-Past whurfs once at Laura, indicating negative. The cub is taught as a wire, senses strained towards the hole where the monkey disappeared. It's clear he wants to go after it but is holding back. He whines questioningly at Sepdet. Stay or follow? seems to be the question.
BennyGM pages to the room: The group of you surround the hole, looking down hear more then see Eamon hit ground and hear Mitch's crinos roar moving down a tunnel away from the hole.
~Some of us must remain here, if it eludes those who would go down the hole, and attempts escape,~ Halfpaw suggests.
Guards-Flame rumbles, flexing her claws some. She glances to Laura for a moment, then over to HalfPaw. ~The cub should stay, he should not be down there to get killed. But he should not be alone either.~
Sepdet nods. ~Halfpaw... you are wounded. And Tobin. Keep watch.~ Her tone is apologetic, but brisk. ~Laura, Alicia, come. I may drop rocks from the roof. There may be ambush. Be ready.~ She heads down first.
Child-Holder nods once, then follows the leader, letting Alicia bring up the rear. She takes whatever route Sepdet does-jumping or ladder, it's up to her. ~Right here, rhya,~ she rumbles quietly once her paws are on solid earth.
Halfpaw bows his head in silent resignation. Now that the owl is safe, perhaps he can recede and stand guard. ~Promise me it will die,~ he asks of all of them.
Guards-Flame dips her head to her brother as she follows down second. ~Don't worry little brother, it'll have a good time screaming.~ Down into the darkness she goes, right behind the strider.
Long-Past growls his assent and finds a place to hide where he can watch the hole but not be in immediate sight or scent of it. He wants to make sure he won't get shot right away if anything re-emerges from the hole. He wags his tail faintly at Halfpaw. They will get it, and if they don't, I will chase it to you.
BennyGM pages: How are you going down the hole, ladder or jumping?
Long distance to the room: Sepdet grabs the sides of the ladder with fingers and feet and slides down, in answer to the GM's question and Alicia's.
The group slides down the ladder easily... it seems to be designed just for that, and finds themselves in a dank smelling, totally dark area. No way to tell where anything or anyone is in the darkness, except for the sounds of dirt being stomped from the north. Aside from that, nothing of use is gained from senses.
BennyGM pages to the room: From the sounds deeper in the underground tunnel system comes a dull twack of something heavying slamming into thick stone or concrete.
BennyGM pages to the room: Oh by the way. Please put important information and current damage in your +scan/doing .
Sepdet growls something under her breath about needing glowing Fangs, but with two missing hunt-mates ahead of them, she's not going back for a flashlight. She glances up and calls softly, ~Half-paw? Toss me down that arrow or a stick.~ At least she can sweep the way ahead as they go forward.
BennyGM pages: +sheet please.
Halfpaw does as he is told scrambling back closer to the wood breaking off a length of wood. He rushes back to the hole and calls out as low as he can, ~Incoming.~ Then, the stick is dropped into the darkness.
BennyGM given permission to view +sheet.
WGuards-Flame perks her ears and listens through the darkness, tense, ready to leap, pounce, or dodge if need be. Her breathing comes out in heavy rumbles as she waits for the Elder to lead them further.
BennyGM pages to the room: Nothing of import has happened that you can tell this round, feel free to pose again.
Child-Holder, as usual, stays lower, ears swivelling. She checks back over her shoulder, scooping up the arrow and passing it to Sepdet as she waits for more orders.
Sepdet doesn't risk more than a barely-audible, ~Thanks. She reaches for Alicia's hand and quietly moves it to her own shoulder, then heads forward into the darkness, feeling the ground with her toes and waving the stick up and down before her to test for barriers or trip wires.
Guards-Flame gives a light squeeze to Sepdet's shoulder as she follows after her in the darkness, reaching out with her other crinos paw to grasp Laura, pulling her close as well, so she may take up the rear. ~This way sis.~ She rumbles, eyes alert and ahead.
To the Silver Fang, Halfpaw says in an even tone, ~Ready yourself.~ The Uktena crouches low over the hole, his form still imposing in Crinos. He pauses before adding a few words on encouragement, ~I am glad you are here, Long-Past.~
Long-Past wriggles quietly into his hiding spot, relaxing a touch but still very much at the ready. Again he wags his tail briefly. I would not want to be out here alone, Rhya. I am glad to be here.
BennyGM pages to Child-Holder, Guards-Flame, and Sepdet: Suddenly, you see a bright light come from the direction of the noises, and illuminates a bend a bit ahead. At that corner is what appears to be a large, very VERY old clay jar shattered with Oil spilled about. The noise comes from around that corner of course.
You paged Child-Holder, Guards-Flame, and BennyGM with 'Fire ahead, oil on the floor of the tunnel. Sepdet makes a faint, resigned sigh, inaudible over the more immediate noises, drops low, and dashes around the corner, hoping to get past the splattered oil as quickly as possible and reach their missing people.'.
Guards-Flame pages to Child-Holder, Sepdet, and BennyGM: As the Strider Elder dashes forward, Guards-The-Flame is right at her heels so to speak, nose twitching and picking up on the smell. She races upon instincts, gruffing out to her Fury friend to quickly follow suit.
You paged the room with 'Once the rest of us have caught up w/Eamon and Mitch, we should all pose aloud so the two poor guys stuck up top at least can watch OOCly. :)'.
BennyGM pages to the room: I was going to say that! Once you are all together of course.
BennyGM pages to the room: Also I can give a more complete description of everything once you are all together as well.
From afar, to Guards-Flame, Sepdet, and BennyGM, Child-Holder watches Sepdet and Alicia race ahead, picking up their heels after a brief pause. Best to stagger entrances. She snarls low as she charges, psyching herself up for whatever is to come.
Alrighty. The three behind round the corner to see Ever-Grinning and Finds-The-Foe moving into a larger round room which is containing the bow firing man. The room is again, large and circular, and the height is tall enough for a tall man... not for a fully standing Crinos. The tunnel leading to the room gradually gets smaller as it gets closer to the room. The bow wielding man is about to fire another arrow at the Eamon and Mitch. Mitch is leaping forward to attack him first, and Eamon is moving in to do about the same. Now, the room itself. On the walls are hung what appears to be clay tablets, inscribed with hieroglyphics of various types. The middle of the room is a low wooden table with ten small metal boxes on it, all also inscribed with the same symbolic language, as well as some vials and some odd machinery... gears, cogs, other various moving parts, lights and switches... mad-scientist looking foo. The monkey appears to be nowhere in sight at the moment.
BennyGM pages to the room: Ok! Time to pose normally, as you can all see what is going on basically.
Ever-Grinning drops to all fours and moves to the left, trying to draw fire from Mitch.
BennyGM pages to the room: As far as dimensions here, Crinos will have to be hunched over pretty deeply(except perhaps Sepdet). Hispo is good, but you wouldn't be able to leap anywhere... even running too fast will earn you bumps to the noggin'.
Sepdet takes in the Egyptian glyphs with one part of her brain, drops head and shoulders, and then weaves, zigs, and zags like a maddened yellow jacket towards the man with the bow, screaming, yipping, and yelling at the top of her lungs, which none of them have ever heard before. For once being a short crinos is an advantage. Mixed in with the bloodcurdling yells is ~Find the damned monkey!~ to those coming behind her.
Shifting into her hispo form, Guards-The-Flame leaps into the fray as well, roaring out her own vicious cry, allowing her voice to echo all about the room. She glances about quickly for the monkey or any siderooms that there may be to hide the creepy thing. ~On it, Child-Holder, you're with me!~
Long distance to BennyGM: Sepdet burns 1 point of WP to fight against slipping at a bad moment.
BennyGM pages: Noted.
Finds-the-Foe is pretty well fixated upon one thing right now. Burrow his fangs as deeply as he can into the offending archer. A snarl of defiance is given as he charges forth with lips curled back.
Always the follower, Child-Holder shifts to Lupus as she moves-faster, lighter, harder to hit-and starts sniffing for that damn monkey. Looking! I'm looking!
From afar, to the room, Ever-Grinning has to go soon, guys.
An arrow blazes forth from the archer, and takes Finds-The-Foe in the chest as the Uktena sets into the archer and rends his throat out quickly, ignoring any pain from the wound at the moment... and slips into frenzy. The corpse is being set into like a rag doll that to Finds-The-Foe... just doesn't seem to ever be dead enough. As the others pour into the room, in the back of it crouched under a tablet of symbolic language is the monkey... huddled against itself crying out its song from before... trying to lull his attackers to sleep, but his song seems to have little to no effect. The little monkey with the metal box on his throat is scared and shivering... not appearing to know what to do.
Ever-Grinning tries to lunge at Finds and pull him off the man, then hold him down until the frenzy stops.
Ever-Grinning pages to the room: goes to bed now. Night!
Ever-Grinning has disconnected.
Long distance to Finds-the-Foe and BennyGM: Sepdet O_o well THAT should help us provide a reason why Ever Grinning went unconscious. Knock him out.
Sepdet actually is given pause by the frenzying Garou; she's been shredded before. And that enemy is quite, quite dead now. She skids to a halt and leaves the other metis to cool down while dismembering, and glares around impotently, eyes falling on the inscriptions and signs with a shudder. What is this place?
Spying the monkey hudding in fear, the Child of Gaia doesn't pause for a moment as she leaps upon it with her claws, hoping to kill the pathetic creature in one blow.
Child-Holder hops to the side, allowing Alicia a clean shot at the monkey while blocking it's escape from the Galliard's slashing claws. If it proves to be a deceptive opponent, she's ready to make the second blow.
Ever-Grinning heads forward to get Finds-The-Foe off of his mess of a prey and manages to nail his head on the ceiling in the process. Going dazed for a bit doesn't help in the ensuing struggle, as Eamon's head slams into the ceiling again he is knocked cold unconscious. This isn't enough for Finds-the-Foe however and he starts clawing at his new attacker, scorring deep wounds in the unconscious Fianna.
Halfpaw pages to the room: Suddenly staying back doesn't seem /too/ bad a decision. :)
You paged the room with 'Well, that's partly my fault (she says obscurely) but Sepdet has had some experience with frenzy. :)'.
The monkey sees the leaping Garou and with a malicious gleam in his eyes suddenly holds forth his sword he was hiding under his huddled mass. The blade neatly impales Alicia in the side, a between stomach and chest. At this time, as the Gaian goes down with a sword half sticking out of her, the monkey starts laughing again... the same loud, evil, and insane laugh others heard before on an earlier occasion. He then stares Sepdet directly in the eyes, waiting for death it knows is coming.
From afar, to the room, Halfpaw eewww. Impaled on a scimitar. *shiver*
From afar, to the room, Guards-Flame puffs up.
Child-Holder howls with rage, lunging at the little beast with teeth snapping. DIEDIEDIEDIEDIE! The Black Fury holds up her tribe's name (but certainly not her peaceful healer image) as she roars in for the first shot at the monkey.
From afar, to the room, Guards-Flame coughs. "Does someone love me? I think so."
Sepdet might have had mercy for an animal, even this animal, enslaved to such a master. But the laughter and the sword sweep all that aside. "You betray Tehuti and your blood," she whispers coolly in Egyptian. Then she picks up one of the metal boxes on the table. The monkey's not her target though. She steps up behind Mitch to bring it crashing down on his head.
You paged the room with 'non-agg. ;)'.
The monkey is ripped apart, its laughter still echoing through the tunnels for a moment. Then Sepdet sets into the distracted Mitch, waiting for a perfect moment she brings the heavy box crashing down on his head a few times... this action seems to not knock out the frenzying Garou... but instead literally knock some sense into him, which is obvious from the horrified look on his face from his most recent actions, and the pain the starts to set in from wounds he had till now been ignoring, which start healing again now that he is inactive.
Guards-Flame crashes into the ground on her side, the sword sticking out of her body. She is not breathing very well, blood gurgling in her throat. She simply lies there, eyes closed and unmoving.
Guards-Flame does not however, return to her birth form... which is obviously a good sign.
Child-Holder spits monkey-pieces out, snarling wolf-curses at the remains of the beast. She turns her back on the stupid little beast, looking around the room as the others are returned to their senses. Sisterhood wins out for the moment as Laura crouches and returns to her homid form, removing the scimitar from Alicia's torso and laying her hands on the wound, forcing herself to bite down on her Rage in order to heal her sister.
Finds-the-Foe smacks his lips two or three times and shifts into homid, rolling onto his back and looking down at the arrow protruding from his chest with a quizical gaze. "Hmm. I have never been shot with an arrow by a wasichu before..." He coughs up a little blood and smiles like a good sport despite six inches of shaft neatly inserted between some ribs. Obviously he's hiding the pain as best he can.
BennyGM pages to the room: Lemme know when you wanna check stuff out... the boxes, the tablets, and what not.
From afar, to the room, Halfpaw chuckles. Anything we can pawn?
BennyGM pages to the room: I would have included the human you just killed in the stuff you could check out... but he is no longer identifable by anything but dental records. Oh, but his bow is still around, scattered a few feet from him... also appeared to be of ancient design, perhaps Incans or some such from the look of carvings on the wood of the bow.
From afar, to the room, Finds-the-Foe is aghast at his tribemate. "Are you kidding! I got dibs on...that watchamakalit over there!"
BennyGM pages to the room: I also should mention that Ever-Grinning could use some medical attention, lest he bleed to death from aggrivated wounds just attained.
Finds-the-Foe pages to the room: Aroo? Oh yeah. He took a blow to the head from arrow. :)
Sepdet looks around bleakly, expression grim, noting the condition of too many badly wounded. But there are traditions. She drops to one knee to make it easier to do so, then tips back her head and howls long and loudly, fully intending for the sound to reverberate up to those faithfully keeping guard at the surface. ~The Owl-killers are slain! Blood is avenged.~ Then she moves to the Fianna, knowing Laura is already beside her grievously wounded friend.
Long distance to the room: Sepdet will definitely be rooting over every inch of this place, ESPECIALLY the hieroglyphs, as soon as the wounded are tended.
Finds-the-Foe pages: Hey now, I'm sitting on mauled! :)
Those on the surface soon enough hear Sepdet's voice echoing up to them.
BennyGM pages to the room: Hrm... it is 2 am here, and I have a 2 and a half hour drive still ahead of me tonight... perhaps we can wrap this up and I can +mail you follow up foo?
The Strider's howl take Halfpaw and Long-Past by surprise. One after the other, both of them hop down the ladder and feel their way into the underground room.
Guards-Flame twitches a tthe healing, her breathing becoming normal again as the wound slowly begins to heal. Swallowing, her eyes flicker open as she rolls her eyes up to stare at Laura.
Sepdet is just finishing with Eamon's wounds, having drifted back to her usual guise, and is moving to Mitch as the pair arrive. Carnage, foes shredded to ribbons and blood, wounded Garou, arcane symbols on the walls, and mysterious gadgetry. Yep, another good night's work.
BennyGM pages to the room: Well. Night people. I'll be in touch soon. Hey. Can you all give me a quick +mail saying 'I was in the ONS that finished the Owl Plot' ? As I am not at home right now, and will likly forget who all was here tonight. And I wouldn't mind someone emailing me a copy of the log.
Long distance to the room: Sepdet will do. And thanks again.
Finds-the-Foe just sort of watches it all with glazed eyes. His human form healing the most of his wounds naturally until finally the ragged scars surrounding a broken arrow shaft in his stomach and another intact arrow protruding from his chest are all that remain. He seems fit to begin pushing upon the shaft as Sepdet comes nearer to him, his teeth gritted against the pain as the arrowhead exits his back and he pulls the shaft through. He then grunts and squirms quite a bit before grabbing a nearby item and chomping down on it.
Tobin pages to the room: Are we done, then? Or are we gonna keep going a little bit when our esteemed GM leaves? (thanks again, Benny.)
From afar, to the room, Finds-the-Foe plans on rping a bit more :)
From afar, to the room, Halfpaw needs to get food.
From afar, to the room, Child-Holder has to go to sleep. Skool Sucks.
You paged the room with 'We can do light RP for those who want to stay and assume the others are investigating the room or tending the worst-wounded. Thanks for the help, Laura. Combat healer GOOOD.'.
From afar, to the room, Child-Holder falls off, smiling and waving to everyone. Just assume I went around being a nice healer-type. :)
Child-Holder has disconnected.
Tobin has shifted back to his human form once the all-clear/victory howl was made. As he makes his way into the main room, the smell of the blood and gore is strong even for his human-nose. Already gritting his teeth, he grits them harder when he finally surveys the scene and closes his eyes for a moment, swallowing hard. After several deep breaths he opens his eyes again and moves towards Sepdet, giving her a wordless, questioning look. His teeth are still gritted.
Sepdet contorts and blurs as she is transformed.
You shift into Glabro form.
Finds-the-Foe contorts and blurs as he is transformed.
Finds-the-Foe ripples and changes, slipping into Homid form.
You paged Mitch with 'Is the arrow still in you?'.
Guards-Flame pages to the room: I should get going too guys. *hugs* Thank you for the RP
Guards-Flame has disconnected.
Sepdet unfortunately doesn't have words of comfort to spare for the cub yet as she kneels over Mitch. She whispers a soft warning to her fellow mule before wrapping small hands around the arrow and wrenching out in a sudden, painful jerk. Almost immediately she's humming a song so soothing, so childishly simple, it seems to be from another era entirely: innocence in the midst of carnage, a lullabye at the end of the storm.
You paged Mitch with 'Which is how she begins mother's touch, so the pain should diminish fairly rapidly.'.
From afar, to the room, Mitch is about to pose...anyone anyone?
Mitch seems to smile behind the object d'art he's chewing on and braces himself against a pair of crates. The sudden removal of an arrow from his chest is always a happy thing. At least once the pain is gone that is. In the interim there's always that gutwrenching pain that is rather indefinable except as the howl that he emits by spitting out the item in question. His ragged breathing slows as Gaia's blessings seal the wound and all that remains is blood upon skin. "My thanks to you rhya."
Halfpaw pages to the room: You go, Ukkie-boy. :)
Tobin, seeing that Sepdet is...busy, turns to look around the room, noting the tablets on the walls and recognizing at least the origin of the glyphs on them. He winces as Mitch howls, and tries desperately to ignore the spatterings of blood on the walls. He /will/ keep his dinner down. It was too tasty to give it up like this.
Mitch pages to the room: Chalk up two more scars for Mitch. :b
Mitch pages to the room: Oh btw Tobin. Don't forget the bloody mauled remains of something that might have been human once.
Tobin pages to the room: That's why he's looking at the walls. ;)
Sepdet's face twitches at Mitch's howl; she's not totally steeled to pain, even after this many years of healing and losing friends. But her voice never falters. The song goes on until the wound skins over, as much as Gaia will allow. Finally she sits back on her ankles, expression a bit dazed.
Mitch eventually shifts himself into a seated position and smiles, blood staining his teeth. "Forgive me my brashness rhya. Seeing my tribemate so attacked rather offended me."
When Tobin turns back around after studying the tablets he's wearing a thoughtful frown. "There's still a mystery here," he says, looking around once more, this time noting the bow a little ways from the...remains. Strangely, he doesn't seem to be bothered by them. "Who was this man? Did he have allies who might come looking for him? These questions weigh upon my mind." His speech cadences are different, but his voice holds no accent.
Sepdet says softly, ~I must study these writings.~ Her tone of voice suggests she already has some suspicions, but she guesses, ~I think he acted alone. What /this/ is...~ she gestures helplessly towards the strange machinery and vials... ~I do not know. Something Weaver, not Wyrm. I have seen a place like this before, once.~
Mitch finally gives a look around and squints a bit at the writings. "I am afraid that these mean little to me. Though I am apt to learn." He gets up to his knees and wipes away the worst of the blood and gore.
Tobin has done a good job of suppressing his reactions to the carnage in the room, but he's starting to look a little...greenish, now. "Excuse me, Rhyas, but I think I need some air," he says, much more faintly than his previously strong tone. He makes for the exit, wobbling a bit here and there as he goes.
Sepdet looks after him with a sigh. ~I forget,~ she says shortly. ~It is hard to see these things.~ Then she rises to her feet, moving along a wall. ~It will take me some time to translate all of this and make sense of how it is being used. Now we know, though, why they were after owl. It is some connection to Egypt, to my tribe, and our totem.~ She scowls. ~I feared as much.~
Mitch hmms thoughtfully. "As I have offered to Halfpaw, I will offer to you as well. But then you already know as much. I am yours to command rhya. You have but to give me a task."
Sepdet smiles thinly. ~You have already done it,~ she says, nodding towards the bloody remains of the human. ~But I'm sure there will be more in times to come.~
Mitch looks to the remains and sighs. "It would seem my zealous state may have given you a disservice. Aside from his scent there is little to go by. I only hope our kin may prove helpfull..."
Sepdet says thoughtfully, ~I believe the City Coroner is kin. We might take the teeth to her. But this will tell us much.~ She waves a hand at the walls, then sags. ~Faugh. Walls.~
Mitch nods agreeably at the mention of the kin but her words obviously leave him clueless. "I am afraid your words mean little to me..." His tone bears a slightly plaintive note. Like the cub asking his elder to clue him in if he's allowed to be.
Sepdet says flatly, ~It feels like a tomb in here.~ She looks around, sees that Laura has Alicia well in hand, and says abruptly, ~Help me carry Eamon outside.~
Mitch looks to the sagged Eamon and shifts into glabro after a slight moment of concentration. Picking up an arm, he puts it over his shoulder and proceeds to fireman's carry the man. Help nothing, that was an order as far as he was concerned.
Sepdet smiles tiredly at his zeal -- wounded or no -- and simply follows behind, walking with her arms folded around herself. Her face is back under control by the time they reach the surface, and she helps him settle Eamon down comfortably with leaves heaped up under his head for him to sleep off his wounds. ~I was trapped in a place like that for a while,~ she explains with a chuckle that rings a little bit hollow. ~I'll go back down when it's daylight and study it in more detail. We've done enough for tonight.~
Mitch rises from tending to the elder garou and gives a nod to Sepdet. "Owl will be at peace in this place once more." The words seem to bring him a peace as well. An oath fulfilled is always a nice way to end a day.