Redsand Canyon Please fill up my soul [Pack Hunt]

Pack hunt! Target Prey: Pronghorn herd of 4-5. Location: Territory #9. Time: Twilight - dusk
Pronghorns can run further and faster than wolves, so an ambush approach will be beneficial. Use the territory to your advantage! 
First round will be planning how to hunt them, then there will be at least two more rounds of actual hunting. Rounds will last for three days with no posting order. So post when you can!
Welcome to the hunt.

The Saints could not survive off of desert pickings forever.
They had to hunt something bigger. More sustainable and will keep them full for a few weeks at least.
Derg set about hunting and herding. Quietly pushing some stray pronghorns deeper into the canyon, which they didn't seem too bothered about.
There were shrubs, a few puddles of mystery water.
They seemed pretty content.

Derg tipped his head, calling for his pack. He knew Hela would be unlikely to participate in the actual hunting, but she could offer up some strategy. He knew these things were fast, and could probably run further than them. Ungulates often could with their migrations and all.

He waited for his packmates to swarm on him. They must be hungry, for blood or food.
"Any strategies for catching fast ungulates?" He questioned when a suitable amount of wolves arrived. It would do good for them to collaborate and learn from each other. He caught birds best, so he'd see what they came up with.

She had been trying to find an alter to store the trinkets she had found and the newly picked clean skull she had acquired, Nemesis's skull. Ah, if only she could find the perfect place besides the place she found to store them, a little alcove that was high enough that critters would not disturb them but low enough she did not have to climb a cliff. A smile played on her lips, wicked and up to no good as she looked at the large skull before the call came. Another time, my darling. She thought as she moved away from cubby hole to where the overseer called, a hint did sound grand.

When she finally  reached his location her smile had transformed into one of softness and warm like an evening sun,  her eyes wandered over the group of prey before she moved to be apart of the planning. "I can run faster than I can take prey down, perhaps I can help lead them to someone that had the strength for the kill?" she looked over to Derg with a tilt of her head, a question if he liked her idea.

Donovan hears the howl of his Overseer and is instantly on his feet to obediently come when called. He’s galloping through the tough dessert sands, weaving in and out of the miscellaneous brush that peppers the arid dry land. Stopping to gulp up some water near the stream by Warriors Heart before he’s officially off.

The run isn’t the longest and as he gets closer he notices the stark white difference of Doves form as well as the coffee pelt of the other man and he urges himself to slow. Ultimately trotting up to the two he greets them with a nod of his head. His jaw hangs open and his onyx tongue lulls out to pant, hoping to cool himself from the run over here. 

Taking a moment to catch his breath (he’s not a very good runner), he nods to Derg’s question. Then looking to Dove and looking to add on to her suggestion. “Yes, I’ve found it most successful to hunt them if a few go ahead and others stay back to herd them over.”

Nyra had also heard the call, though she wasn't completely familiar with the voices behind the howls yet. 
A hunt?
...A hunt did sound rather nice. A good oppertunity to feed those primal instincts. 

The snowy titaness was the third or fourth wolf to arrive just in time to hear the tail end of Dove's suggestion, and Donovan's addition to her thoughts.
"I'd like to join in on this. May I offer my strength?" Nyra tilted her head some, cupping her ears forward for one answer or another.

the howl that came, echoing through the canyon, was not an entirely urgent thing. at least, it was no suggestion that the force they’d been waiting for had come – or even that there were intruders at the border. just another day for the saints.

renard didn’t have to debate this time, though – their fight at the waterfall had earned enough respect, for now, and they were, in the end, hungry for something of interest. better if it was blood, and maybe it would still be.

they abandoned their patrol without a backwards glance. just another sweep along the borders, in the end. it wasn’t too long a sprint to the source of the sound, or the sight of a tiny herd of pronghorn grazing along the shrubs and shoots the rain was beginning to bring.

they rounded the very edge of the redsand cliff, silent, the rock face bathing them in shadow, and found the pack. they weren’t the first to arrive. dove, donovan, derg – only one unfamiliar face, another set of unaware teeth to raise to their leader’s nebulous cause. renard’s eyes lingered on her a moment, long enough to take in her response, and then moved away.

“could chase them into the catacombs,” they offered. it would be harder to maneuver there. set up a wolf inside to chase them into a dead end – they knew the dead ends well, now – and as long as everyone could keep up, there would be nowhere for them to run. “and the cliffs have good places to hold an ambush.”

praimfaya isn't the first to arrive on the scene but takes some measure of comfort in the belief that she is not the last. among the faces already gathered she recognizes only three thus far: derg — whom sent the summons, donovan and renard. the two pallid women are strangers to praimfaya who gives them a cursory flicker of her frostbound gaze wondering if there would be time for introductions at the very least. she wasn't overly keen on hunting with wolves whose name(s) she didn't even know. derg's question sends the gears in her mind churning. she isn't sure if she could tackle the strategy of hunting like she would a battlefield strategy but even so she sees dots she connect all the same.

divide and conquer, praimfaya speaks up in agreement with a few of the others whom have spoken this same strategy. once we split into who herds and who aids with takedown, we should discuss where the takedown kru will aim their attacks, so whoever is to make the kill doesn't get tangled up with any of the others. otherwise they might lose the opportunity or someone might be injured. having a set plan and improving as needed while in the chase was the best way, as far as her tacticians' mind could see.

Catching on, Nyra took a small step forward, looking to Praimfaya "I agree with you. Divide and conquer appears to be the best way. If we can, I Suggest we lead them into an area, preferably the Catacombs, and make our target prey disperse. The chaser group can make sure our game splits up, while the takedown group is waiting within to make sure we get a kill."
"Name's Nyra, by the way!" The white witch added at the end, assuming the Frost-Eyed wolfess didn't know her. Nyra sure as shit didn't know her either!

Sorry for the delay

They came, and he listened to them share ideas.
They proposed that they chase them, Renard suggested the ambush.
Praimfaya offered on how to organise themselves, which was very useful for all to hear.

He looked across to the catacombs, the entrance yawning in the near distance. The heard, clearly having spotted the gathering, nervous and ready to run.
There was no hope of them catching them like they may an elk.

"Thank you all for your suggestions," he replied, looking to the pack.
He was organising this, and he was going to direct them.
"Praimfaya, you take charge of the group who will go for the kill. You, Donovan, and Nyra will follow them up from the rear, keep them running." He looked to the wolves he mentioned, hoping they would be a good team. Praimfaya could do with a challenge to prove her stengths, and Donovan would be close by to assess that, should she want to take a more leadership role in the pack.
They seemed to all have the right strengths to do so and perhaps not as much speed as the herding team.
"I, Dove, and Renard will herd them towards the catacombs. There, they will slow and struggle and you three can strike, we will do so too if we have the chance. We all need to  keep them in a bunch, but no worries if one gets away, but close up any escapes."
Any way they can get free will result in them all scattering and being useless.

He looked over them looking for confirmation in their eyes before he turned, his tail raising to signify he was leading them. Fuck what Renard thinks.
And with that, he started to trot out, more instructions falling from his lips to Dove and Renard, though loud enough for Praimfaya to hear.
"Renard, take the far side, let the others come up behind. Keep them together. Dove, you're with me to steer them in the right direction, and Renard and the others will be able to keep them for veering too far off course."
And with that, he started into a lope, expecting them to all fall into their positions and roles.

praimfaya doesn't get the chance to introduce herself in return to the ivory woman who speaks up in agreement with her plan; derg is faster. the overseer launches into the division of the groups: he grants her the opportunity to lead the kill party, stating that they ambush once their prey is cornered. sha. she murmurs the word of agreement in trigedasleng, confident that her tone alone will convey that she will take the lead. she turns her frostbound gaze to the grandmaster and the woman, nyra. come. she beckons to them, ears perking to hear derg's barking of instructions.

this can't be too different then strategizing a battle. it was sort of the same thing with a bit of a different outcome. frostbound gaze studies the anxious herd, pawing at the ground and leads her group past them on the rock above as she contemplates where she should position her group. we go for the weakest among the herd; nyra, donovan you are both larger than me. i want one on each side; pepper it's shoulders, legs, flanks with attacks. wear it down. pronghorns were quick and praimfaya knew that. i'll try to bring it down. the kill, she thinks, would be her's ...providing she didn't get impaled by those nasty horns.

if derg wanted to lead, renard had no problem with it. but their little fight under the water had clearly not been forgotten so easily. his commanding stare and lifted tail were met with a smile.

he had used his head so far. they knew nothing about nyra – other than that she was giant – but they’d fought with praimfaya and hunted with donovan. they hadn’t seen much of derg or dove’s speed, but neither of them had the same weight and muscle. and of course they had no problem with their own plan; they’d see how well it worked. for all the time they’d spent combing the canyon, the catacombs were a more dangerous labyrinth than any forest.

renard split from dove and derg as they moved forward, head leveled forward and movements quick as they came up on the herd’s far side, lingering just on the edge so derg could take the lead in driving them where they needed to go.

a lot of trust, sending them off on their own, for someone who so clearly had doubts about their motivations. luckily for derg, renard preferred to follow directions.

just a shame that they’d been so few and far in between.

omg so late, sorry for the delay (she's still pretty beat up so just a cameo unless she's directly addressed, etc.)

The call came shortly after she'd awakened and ventured from the caverns, healing gaze and perked auds swivelling in the direction of the summons as it echoed over crimson sands. 

She could not be of much help in this condition but it seemed wrong not to make an appearance - she was to join Donovan's Saints after all. With as much haste as her bruised body could muster, the Saluki plodded in the direction of the howl as quickly as she could.

By the time the limping sainte reached the location of the hunt, her packmates had begun to split off into designated groups - deliberating strategy and method. 

Rather than draw any attention to her essentially useless presence, the druid slunk off to the side discreetly.

Settling upon her haunches quietly, she contented herself with watching. She observed her new comrades with an attentive, curious glint to her moonlight gaze - which was still diluted with red, like a creeping pool of spilt blood. 

Perhaps she could learn something about her savior's people, or the culture she had agreed to adopt.

Nyra listened as the plan was settled. 
Groups made and strategy solid, the moonlit titaness nodded once to Praimfaya's words and glanced to the Grandmaster before she started moving into position.
Maybe she would have time later to give a proper introduction of herself to the frost-gazed woman. Perhaps after they had taken down their target? Nyra hmmed softly to herself as she kept her fire-honey gaze on the small herd.

she did not have anything else to comment on, she had stated where she would be more useful and a loos outline of a strategy to keep the man that was her Overseer in charge. She was not going to to step on his toes, she had seen his eyes when they looked at her at the execution, she was a witch to her like anywhere else. She did not want to make him more uncomfortable than he already was around her, so she remained silent. She spared a mischievous smile at her Lord when he arrived, allowing it to meant into innocence as others showed up. he felt the sway of her traitorous tail when he agreed with her thought but she made no comment.

Three others joined, a white girl that was a little taller than herself, the other wolfdog with a curled tail, and a silver woman with dark marks under her eyes. The instructions came soon after the suggestions: Praimfaya, Donovan, and Nyra could be the three of strength where she, Derg, and Renard were the speed. This worked perfectly fine to her, her attention moved to the group of killers back to the her group of runners. 

More words were to be said, they would split up. She was with the coffee colored man, and the wolfdog was to help with the other side. She nodded in reassurance and agreement as he began to move. With a smile her body pranced beside him, she would move with him. Do as he said, when he said.

From the rolls here and here, there will be one pronghorn herded inside the pass and members of the pack can decide of they receive moderate injury (That is optional, can be expected to have injuries to: the head, legs, broken ribs, broken paws, lost a tooth, or knocked unconscious. These are not supposed to be life-threatening (though can be if you with, these are just some ideas))

Awenfen trotted in rather late, but she couldn't hunt anyway. She was too sick still. So he gave her a smile which was returned before he set off.
They were put into action quickly.
Dove accompanied him, and Renard actually took his orders and went to the far side.
Good. He trusted him to care more about the pack than his pride.
As they cantered along, the wolves pushed in, bunching them up.
This was the dangerous part: keeping them together.

Praimfaya gave her orders which he could hear through the rushing wind.
As long as they got the weakest, then they would be ok. And stand an actual chance of eating.

They rushed towards the catacombs. The herd sprinting just ahead, and he pushed to try and catch up to stop them peeling away, hoping Dove could keep up. In fact, she had probably surpassed him, but his eyes were on the ungulates.

He pushed closer, earning himself a sharp kick from one of the stronger in the herd, hitting him square in the ribs.
He bowled over, panting before getting back up and continuing the chase.
He couldn't let the pack down. His injuries weren't too bad.

One remained, obviously slower in mind and body. Before it could catch up to its herd, Derg pushed up, blocking the escape. They would have at least one to eat then.
They'd be hunting again by the end of the next week.

They steered towards the catacombs, the shadow leaning towards them in the entrails of sunlight that were just now vanishing.
The perfect setting for the taking of life.

Donovan likes watching his pack work together so well. It fills his breast with pride. There’s not enough time to dwell on it for now. They have a hunt to begin.

He’s silent even though the tell tail beating of his heart is making him want to pace back and forth. Planning is necessary but he wants to get this shit on the road. When Derg is finally trotting off Donovan is too quick to follow, taking a spot beside him.

They trot no longer, rather the team moves into a sprint, eager to catch up to the horned ungulates. They’re squeezing the animals together, herding them. His tongue is quick to drop from his maw to hang freely as he runs, massive paws kicking up dirt. He’s got his eyes on the prize and he’s got a solid meter or two between him and the herd.

A quick movement and a plume of dust picks up and he’s watching a pronghorn kick Derg into the next century. He’s worried when the other going skidding to the ground, slowing momentarily to watch him — help him if necessary. The man is strong and he’s back up in an instant. A smirk comes to Donovan’s maw at the male, knowing he’s okay or at least we’ll enough to continue. With his worry gone, he’s running towards the herd with vigor. Assisting in keeping them together, possibly tire them out.

Nyra fully joined in on the chase as the others pushed the unfortunate ungulate into the catacombs, quickly glancing over everyone in sight to confirm they were okay before she started her part of the chase, cornering the pronghorn in a dead end with the help of Praimfaya and Donovan. The snowy She-wolf then bit viciously into one of the ungulate's hind legs, yanking and pulling with hungry aggression to aid in getting their prey to the ground, or at least occupied enough with her for Donovan or Praimfaya to make the killing blow.

with her orders issued to donovan and nyra, the attack group make their way ahead; taking the high road. praimfaya has ordered her troops into their positions and expects her word not to be challenged. the herding group begin their duty, ushering the herd into the catacombs with no way out but back thru the waiting jaws of death. she rounds with her back to the jagged redrock, watching the progression, and signaling out their weak link. she watches nyra go for a hind leg. the pronghorn falters; letting out a bleat of terror and pain as it's balance is disrupted and it comes crashing down.

praimfaya surges towards the downed beast, a swords edge slicing through the clouds of reddish dust that were kicked up by the retreating herd and grasps the struggling pronghorn's throat betwixt her jaws. the kill is easy to make; a mercy. she is quick and precise about it, never the type to 'play with her food'. their quarry goes limp and praimfaya draws back with the intention of letting the leaders; as the social pecking order, eat first.

Last round! Will close in 4-5 days

He lagged behind a bit.
Trying his very best to catch up again to help his packmates. To prevent them from being hurt too.
He expected them to have cuts on their paws and maybe their legs from the rough, stony ground. Perhaps a bit of dehydration too. Dove will be sure to keep everyone in shape.

Nyra lunged, surging forward fo a leg which the pronghorn couldn't counter due to its weakness.
Praimfaya and Donovan surged upon it, the young warrior making the killing blow.
He rolled up onto the scene, Donovan already making move towards making the first cuts.
Derg too, started to pull the skin from flesh, his muzzle digging into the animal, taking the prime parts of the animal he'd not tasted before.
He'd never been a high enough rank.

waiting on the fringes of their hunt, renard kept pace as the bulk of the group began to move, sparing only a quick look for the next white wolfdog to appear. too injured to hunt, but someone to keep in mind for later. for now, there was their prey, the mouth of catacombs looming ahead, and a half-dozen pronghorn scattering in every direction.

renard kept their distance, just close enough to be a visible threat, a deterrent to any of them who might try to escape in their direction, avoiding a similar kick to the one derg received to the ribs as they drove the group closer to the tunnels. they followed at speed long enough for the rest of the pack to separate a single pronghorn from the rest – weaker, slower, easier to direct  – and sprinted along its side until it sped into the mouth of the catacombs, the muscle in pursuit.

that was their job. inside the tunnels, renard moved quieter, slinking along the walls and following the echoing snarls and bleats of a fight that rose into the air. it was trapped by the time they arrived: nyra's teeth around its hind leg, praimfaya's jaws fixed around its throat, streaming blood.

casting an eye over her, renard drew close and paused at the same distance, watching derg and donovan bend to eat. the saints weren't the court, and whatever rules donovan had decided on here were suitably unknown – they would wait until they were invited.

Donovan sucks down mouthfuls of food. He hasn’t eaten in a solid day. He’s getting spoiled honestly and he doesn’t give a damn. He’ll take it where he can get it. Yet they will still have to carry whatever they cannot demolish to their cash. That’s a now problem though, that’s a problem that will be addressed in an x amount of minutes.

His eyes float along the pack and notices some aren’t eating. He lifts his head, blood covering his maw and face. “Everyone fill your bellies. We need to bring the kill back before sundown.” 

Nyra didn't need told twice. She quickly and hungrily tore into the pronghorn

praimfaya dines upon the pronghorn when she is invited too; watching the leaders eat with a hungry glint in her eye. she drew the lifeending blood and she she eager to taste the flesh of her kill. she tears the flesh off a juicy thigh; eating until her belly is, finally, sated. when she is finished she takes a step back and makes a half attempted effort to clean her silverlit pelage of carrion and blood. what does not come off now she will soak off a water source later.

when the others finish she goes forward to take a sizable chunk of meat and heads out of the catacombs with the intention of stashing it away in one of the food caches.

exit praimfaya