Sunset Valley King of the Valley - Printable Version +- Wolf RPG (https://wolf-rpg.com) +-- Forum: In Character: Roleplaying (https://wolf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=5) +--- Forum: Archives (https://wolf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=11) +--- Thread: Sunset Valley King of the Valley (/showthread.php?tid=46473)

King of the Valley - Amaguq - February 13, 2021 The landscape had changed: it was no longer an endless succession of pine trees. The horizon broadened to the wolf's marveled gaze, as Amaguq stopped on top of a slope to catch a breath. The terrain was steep and was leading to a deciduous forest down in the valley. "Damn, what a view!" The wind swirled around Amaguq, sun breaching from the cracks in the clouds. While his eyes swept across the valley, he imagined, for a moment, to be the owner of those lands. He released a howl, long, melodic, beautiful; his tail raised high, wagging slightly. He was unaware if there were any packs' territories nearby, but he didn't care. For a moment, he stood high as a king. Then, grinning to the breeze, Amaguq strode boldly towards the valley. RE: King of the Valley - Amaguq - February 17, 2021 The temperature was warmer: Amaguq could feel spring at bay. But the forest was still covered in ice blue, in all the trees and shrubs, frozen and asleep, waiting for the season to arrive. The golden-orange clusters of mushrooms with velvety stems shone against the cold tones, marking the trees that will never bloom again. Amaguq liked those slimy caps and had been eating them for some time. The wolf stopped in its tracks to look into the depths of a tunnel, formed by the trees and their branches, so densely intertwined that the ground was cast into the gloom. The gale stirred the wolf's thick mane, and then he heard a voice, soft and delicate, one with the wind. "Beware, white wolf, for there is a monster within these woods." Amaguq's ears twisted, searching for the voice's source, to no avail. "You're the one who howled a few days ago, weren't you?" "Quite an acute hearing you have. Yes, it was me." Amaguq replied with increasing curiosity. "Good. The creature has heard you, too, and has been restless ever since." "And what would that creature be?" "A boar: a big, vicious, smelly boar!" The voice intoned with disdain. "It arrived a few weeks ago, and it has been tormenting the forest ever since. His gluttony has no match: he feeds on everything - and everyone - that stands in its way, even its own kin." "And why are you so concerned about a fat boar?" "I couldn't care less about the boar; it's the critters that are fleeing this place that concern me. I am a predator, just like you, but I rely exclusively on small game." A predator, yet too small to be seen... "I've been watching you, white wolf." The voice continued. "A predator that feeds on mushrooms to satisfy its hunger must certainly long for something more... substantial. If your might is as high as your howl, stride forward: let the destruction lead your path to the beast's lair, and kill it." "Is the beast alone?" "A good question: such ruthlessness would imply so, right? However, the truth is that the beast is rarely on his own: there are always others watching his back." That changes the tide... "How many?" "Last time I've counted, there were six boars in total." Amaguq smirked. "I am flattered by such faithfulness, but there is no way I can hunt six boars alone." "Hunt down the beast, the biggest of boars, and the others shall flee for sure." Amaguq huffed. "Okay, I'll do it. But if you play any tricks on me, I'll be haunting these woods until I find you, owl!" "An owl I am indeed, yet too small to fight alongside you. But I'll be watching... for all that's worth." Amaguq howled at the wind once more, a call for arms for every predator nearby. There will be competition, no doubt, but also the promise of six boar carcasses at the end of all this. It is worth the risk. Come, those with fangs, claws, hunger, and spirit! The moon rises broken in half: one side is silver, the other is blood! RE: King of the Valley - Amaguq - February 19, 2021 His howl fell on deaf ears. No answer to be heard. Even so, the wolf advanced into the depths of the forest: Amaguq decided to assess the situation, even knowing it would be practically impossible for him to chase off the boars on his own. The owl did not lie: the mistreated forest had the earth overturned, showing roots and stems of mushrooms partially unburied; the trees had their barks torn out by the boar's tusks. But the most prominent clue to the creatures' passage was the reek of piss that guided Amaguq like a trail. Soon, he arrived at the boars' lair - a clearing, made by the animals themselves: a circular area where the earth had been turned over so many times that it mixed with snow and urine to form a dark pool of boar filth in the middle of the white forest. It is one of nature's miracles: making one of the most delicious meats out of a creature that sleeps, eats, shits, and fornicates, all in the same place. There were six wild boars, as the owl had counted: five of average size, too busy on digging their snouts in the mud to notice Amaguq's scent; and the beast: an oversized male with an impressive set of fangs, a malevolent gleam in his eyes as he watched over the sounder. Amaguq had no way of dealing with such a creature, considering that the others would probably fight alongside him if he tried to attack. The odds don't favor lone wolves. At most, all Amaguq could try was to hunt down one of the smaller ones, and even for that, he would have to rely on a remarkable amount of luck: first, he had to generate panic, so he could have a chance to separate one of the pigs from the group; and then, he would still have to make some effort to bring it down. Amaguq focused on the clearing, waiting patiently, enduring the horrible smell. When a female wandered to the edge of the lair, Amaguq approached stealthily, in quick, light steps. He needed to attack from the right angle: if the boar turned the wrong way, it would be useless to chase it. The hunt would end before it starts. He held his breath, and with a jump, he propelled his slender, muscular body into the clearing. The high-pitched screams hit him like a wall, and the frenzy began. The boar ran into the forest, just as Amaguq intended! The wolf focused on his prey, but there was no way he could ignore the feeling of having the Beast chasing him furiously. Amaguq ended up being betrayed by a sudden turn of his prey: the female boar rushed back to her beloved pool, leaving the wolf behind, watching as the boars regrouped, squealing in victory. When he exited the woods, Amaguq walked with his head low, heavy with disappointment and shame. I lost to a pig! A GODDAMN PIG! "I failed your quest." He admitted, choking on his words. The owl replied: "I noticed: I still hear the bastards scream. But I must thank you: if anything, your boldness was a joy to witness." "Nothing's left for you to do but to endure it until spring. With luck, when the plants flourish, and the bears awake from their slumber, this forest shall find its way back to normality." "Curious, isn't it? To think about how much of our survival relies on sheer luck."