The Hunting Grounds IV: Drops Contain 0% RNG

[Recaiden]

Anchor laughs nervously.
"Oh, and I guess it wouldn't be familiar to you at all either. Sorry, I guess I wasn't thinking."
"Let's look around here. There's probably some place with space to let, and if not I can put up a tent or cottage near the town's edge."
It seems a little generous to call Huntside a town.

[Zefir]

[Huntside Marketplace]

Yep, Every place here is the same for Karl. He's not really in the need to go hours for a place he doesn't really know.

"I'm fine with everything." he says. "I'm used to sleep outside. It's a common thing if your on a jorney through the world."

[Recaiden]

"And you were used to journeying too? Were you going anywhere specific, before you lost your memories?"

I suspect that like Anchor suggested, they can rent a room near the great hall. People need a place to wait for nighttime monsters to come out / recover from their injuries.

[Zefir]

[Huntside]

Sure there should be several rooms or beds left for them.

"Yes I did." he says. "It's kinid of a grow up thing. As a summoner you have to go out for a jorney to find summonings. Its a tradition to spread the summonings around instead of keeping them at one nation or familie.
I was looking for the new tavern while I visited my hometown, but I can't remember what happened."

[Recaiden]

"That's an interesting idea. I bet some are still hard to find, though? Was it a peaceful place, your home?"
Anchor strips off her armor and starts checking over her guns, reorganizing their ammo, checking that they're still in good order after the lion-thing.

"What happened must have been that you passed through a portal into Trog's Tavern, which is basically the center of the Nexus."

[Zefir]

[Huntside]

"Yeah." he says. "There are still families that keep the status so only noble get that summon... or people with enougth money. Unless they keep scrolls that can be stolen" Karl says with a grin.
"Peaceful? Not really. There are dozens of wars going on between the families. Mostly due to land and there are many monsters, too. The stronger your familie is the less you have to fear ."

[Recaiden]

"No family's perfect, though."
There was a time Anchor would have scorned the whole idea of safety with one's family. But her family's pretty different nowadays.
"It sounds like you have a good story about those summoning scrolls, huh?"

[Zefir]

[Huntside]

"Long, Good and defnitly getting me into prison anywhere." Karl replies. "maybe I can spare it after we managed to bring that beast down?"

[Recaiden]

Karl's perfectly reasonable suggestion appears to touch a nerve with Anchor. She nods quickly and finishes cleaning the guns, saying nothing else.
She'll end up a little surprised if she actually hears the story after the next hunt.

For now, better get some rest.

[Zefir]

[Huntside]

Karl appears just a bit confused by the reaction, but then again he doesn't know her enougth to be sure.

He will go to his room and rest as well until the day after.

[Recaiden]

In the morning, Anchor seems to have forgotten it, greeting Karl happily enough when they meet at the Great Hall / breakfast.
"You ready for the hunt?

[Zefir]

[Great Hall]

"Yes I'm ready." Karl says "A night of sleep is enougth for me to recover.
So what was the plan? We go a bit into the Forest befor we beginn with our 'scene'?"

[Recaiden]

Anchor nods.
"We want to be far enough out that it catches our trail again, but not wait so long that it sees us before the trick begins and grows suspicious."
As they head out the gate of Huntside into the [Forest], she readies her guns and then hands them all to her shadow, where they become two-dimensional and colorless before vanishing.

[Zefir]

[Forest]

Karl prepares his summoning, but looks a bit suprised and confused at her 'storage'.
"Is that really a wise idea? I mean the beast could be smart enougth to notice the missing weapons. Do you have any obviously broken once?"

[Recaiden]

"Ooh, great idea!"
Anchor turns to her shadow and accepts an ornate greatsword with the end snapped off. She holds it in a loose grip, like she's not ready to fight with it but can't leave it behind.
"Ready when you are."

[Zefir]

[Forest]

Karl nods as he ends his preperations as well and he starts a summoning.

A big circle appears on the ground and as soon as it starts an uncomfortable heat fills the area like a wild fire would burn inside the circle. The circle turns around changing it runes and hape until it just stops. The moment it stops an arm emerges from the circle graping the ground . The arm is big, muscular and fured. the claws of the hand dig into the ground which will get burnt at the touch. Anotehr arm follows and as both seem to grab the ground the creature drags out the rest of his body. What appear will be a mix of a demon and a minotaur. The creature is around 10 feet tall muscular and with fur all over it's body. the fur is brown, but around it's neck and chest it is red-yellow and changes it's color as if it is fire.His arms and feel have long claws and are both muscular while his steps burn away the grass under its feet. His horns are bowed back and appear longer then a man, nearly reaching his legs. The heat from before comes from the creature and if he stays to long in wone playe the grass and trees start to burn.

"Hey Ifrit." Karl says. "Nice to meet you again. Today you will chase her to lure out a beast. is that okay?"

Ifrit crosses his arms. "Sure, but you got nervs. After that we need to talk for sure. Don't forget that." he says in a perfect common language. He then prepares for the chase obviously knowing all it needs with this small conversation.

Karl will disapear behind the woods.

[Recaiden]

Anchor takes a step back from the heat, and watches the rest of the summoning unfold. "Amazing!"
She quickly considers her repertoire; does she know any fireproofing spells? Might have to work on that.

Time to put the plan into action. She tightens her grip on the broken sword, turns, and heads into the woods, quickly picking up speed.

[Zefir]

[Forest]

When Anchor got a head start. Ifrit will start to follow. he will throw a fireball at anchor from time to time. Those aren't just warning shots if she doesn't care they could be very leathal.

Karl facepalm. he forgot to tell him that she needs to be at 100%. Well at least he doesn't want to kill her because he only uses the small once. So karl will follow silently.

[Recaiden]

Anchor yelps as a fireball clips her shoulder, setting her cloak on fire and singing the ends of her hair.
She dives behind a tree long enough to tear off the blazing garment (surely no forest fires will result) before racing away, taking things a bit more seriously now.

Along with Ifrit, I imagine the two make quite a commotion, attracting attention from around the forest. Karl might just notice the sound of something big moving carefully, coming this way from far off to the right. Or it might go unnoticed, what with the roaring flames, snapping branches, etc.

[Zefir]

[Forest]

Karl just stops and looks around. he has heared something, but he didn't know what. he is aware something is around , but yet his skills don't help him determine it's location. Befor he got enougth time to look closer he has to follow up. Nothing to warn the others now. he might wanr ifrit through the connection he got as a summoner, but the demon can be very deep into his task.

Ifrit will go on hunting her and yes his fire shoudn't ignite the trees. Still he avoids throwing the big bomb.

[Recaiden]

It probably happens like this:

1. Anchor is struck by the disintegrated remnants of the very small projectile, having lost a lot of its momentum and penetrating power, but still with enough to knock her off her feet.
2. The sonic boom of the passing shot washes over Karl and Ifrit - it came from Karl's right, and also behind him.
3. The quiet thunder of something moving way too fast and shoving the air aside catches up with the scene.
4. A howling sound picks up - ahead, to the east, and behind them, closing in from all three directions.

But perhaps Ifrit interferes, knocking Anchor out of the way, catching the bullet in midair. Anything's possible.
Regardless, the shooter will be cursing themselves, thinking that they missed slightly. Anchor will be appreciating her magical defenses.

[Zefir]

[Forest]

Ifrit indeed could have knocked Anchor away with a fireball he throws. Which will end after he notice the shot. He will turn around trying to see the source of the bullet, but he continues to move. If this thing shoots again he is much harder to hit while moving around.

Karl on the other side is more protective. after the shot passes him he changes his hiding spot and tries to bring something between him and the direction the shot came from. This must be a high level magic. He wasn't able to see the bullet just feel the wind it pushed away. He peeks at the direction the shot came from. And now it seems they are surrounded. maybe they haven't seen karl at all?

[Recaiden]

There's another shot. It's not so much aimed at Ifrit, so much as aimed at the base of a tree...which would then start falling in Ifrit's general direction.
But just before the shot, if he can do anything about it, Karl will see a distant glint of light - the shooter imperfectly camouflaged in the treetops.
He might be more concerned about the noise of something approaching through the brush, that baying howling thing. It doesn't seem to be heading straight towards him, more towards Anchor and Ifrit, but it'll get close. Seems to be walking on four legs, not as tall as a man, but fast.

[Zefir]

[Forest]

Karl notice the shot and uses his summoner link to tell Ifrit who immediatly acts and throws a fireball in that direction. That should be right when the tree comes down which Ifrit just smashes in two with his hands. Did I meantion that Ifrit is not only a fire elemental demon but also quiet strong? Well now we know that.
In the end this makes it hard for Karl to notice the beast coming for anchor, but he tries to sneak closer to herjuming from his tree to another one.

[Recaiden]

We mentioned that Ifrit was muscular, but seeing him snap a tree in half is a much more solid demonstration. Anchor is suitably impressed. How their opponent feels about this is a mystery.

The fireball explodes over a rounded barrier, a shield colored with the same darks and greens of the forest. No more bullets are fired for the moment. Karl can get closer without any trouble.

But the howling things do arrive on the scene. Giant blind hounds, with black fur and long pointed jaws. They have collars - someone's hunting animals - but of more concern is that two are leaping at Ifrit to try to bite him, with no fear of the flames.
The third one goes after Anchor; she's fending it off with a tremendously long trident that her shadow provided.

[UncleWolf]

Crashed Ship

It started with a flash in the sky. A flash, a roar, and burst of heat as a cargo trawler breaks through atmo and is forced to crash into the depths of the jungles. The ship was several hundred meters in length and almost as wide. It leaves a massive trail of destruction, but perhaps more importantly...

It was almost assuredly a treasure trove of materials.

It was practically a barge, potentially packed with rare minerals from deep space asteroids or comets. It hadn't blown up on impact, so enterprising individuals or groups might just be drawn in to try and make a killing on salvage. Provided they're brave enough or stalwart enough to face the monsters that have decided to move in and call the ship home.

((Interaction Wanted!))

[Hattish Thing]

[Crashed Ship]

Creeping in through the underbrush, a particularly nervous-looking figure glances towards the ship ahead with a measure of excitement and trepidation. Clearly uncomfortable with her surroundings, the youthful-looking halfling woman narrows her curiously bright, angular eyes of shimmering aquamarine, looking for some sort of entrance into the ship. Sparkling blue tribal paint and glittering azure eyeshadow can be seen below and around the woman's wide eyes, which shimmer like sapphires in the light, causing her many freckles to stand out in stark contrast. A bright platinum piercing can be seen set in the perky woman's nose, and her clean, crimson hair flickers like fire beneath the sun, all set and perfectly styled into a curious number of braids. Each lock of bright, auburn hair is expertly decorated with colorful feathers and parted down the side, exposing a pair of large, pointed ears, set with piercings of colorful metal and carved bone.

The halfling woman appears to be clad in mostly thick cloth, worn leather, and small jewelry, her garb almost druidic in nature. Thick white fur lines the heavier pieces of her garb, offering further decoration to her form, standing out brightly against the dark brown leather. Atop her pale forehead, a copper holy symbol depicting some sort of nature shines, attached to a headband composed of a reddish, rope-like material. A thick rope choker of similar craftsmanship wraps tightly around her neck, while just below it, a second amulet of leather lined with the severed fangs of various wild animals hangs from her neck. Two thick lines of heavy white fur attach to straps built into her top, which act as fashionable methods of warming her neck while also serving as a mantle for her tattered, brown cloak, lined with fur.

Ragged pouches and vials of soft, rose-colored tinctures and vials hang from a thick leather belt which prevents the halfling's long white skirt from falling below her broad, painted hips. A band of black cloth, decorated with an emblem which depicts a thorny, gray rose can be seen worn over her upper arm, some sort of symbol. A knife can be seen in one hand, while the other wields some sort of greenish tincture.

"Gotta move forward at some point..."

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Spoiler: Reference:

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[Hunting Party]

Khaz'rha, along with the others gathered at the Hearth, have arrived within the grounds on the trail of the mysterious spider-like creature which has been terrorizing the nearby region. With her knives at her belt and bow in her hands, Khaz'rha attempts to lead the way, though progress is somewhat slow through the region as she tracks the target.

She glances back to the others after several minutes.

"Good in fight, then?"

[bc56]

Hunting Party

"Indeed." Tethrik certainly looks ready for a fight. The rebel demon is easily 12 feet tall and his bladed upper arms are constantly held in a ready stance.

[KerfuffleMach2]

[Crashed Ship]

Another figure approaches the wreckage. Unlike the halfling, this one doesn't seem to be trying too hard to sneak towards it. Sure, the woman is crouched over a bit as she goes. But she wasn't prepared for stealth today, and her appearance definitely needs to be prepared to sneak.

The figure is a tiefling woman of dark red skin and pitch black hair. Her horns come from her temples and curl around the sides of her head, like those of a ram. Her outfit consists of a tube top and cargo shorts, both colored dark brown. She also wears a pair of combat boots. Her arms and legs are covered in bright, flame colored tattoos, standing out from the darkness of her skin.

She has multiple piercings visible on her ears, nose, eyebrow, and belly button. She also has a black leather eyepatch covering her right eye. Her left eye is a dull gold color.

She keeps her eye open as she approaches the ship, wondering what might be in it.

[billtodamax]

Hunting Party

The party will find themselves trekking through a dense jungle on the trail of the spider. The trees press close and progress is slow, canopy choking out sunlight. An occasional, distant call of a bird or monkey breaks the silence, but no trace of any animal remains along their path - except the occasional, high up spiderweb. If any of them are foolish or careless enough to blunder into one of these faint webs they'll find themselves subject to a painful electric shock before they can disentangle themselves from the web.

As they progress the spiderwebs thicken, the temperature dropping as the sun is more completely blotted out. Now even the distant calls have died off, and all is quiet but their footsteps. The trail ends at a cavernous hole in the ground that descends into blackness after just a few feet. They have arrived at the creature's den.

Crashed Ship

Hey, weirdo! A woman calls out to the tiefling as she makes her own approach. While the tiefling may not be trying to sneak, this woman appears to be trying not to sneak. Her black tanktop and grey jumpsuit (open to the waist and tied about her) are both covered in blood splatter, as is her face (set in a scowl) and even her hair - although with it as red as it is it's hard to tell. She's toting a crude spear that looks like it might be made of a glass shard lashed to a metal rod - but it's hard to tell, as the tip is dripping with blood.

Some real bastard animals around huh? You headed for the ship? She adds, shouting all the while. If she spots the halfling she's not paying them any attention.