Redhawk Caldera PACK HUNT — Turn the white snow red as strawberries in summertime

This is 100% optional but attendance is encouraged and will be rewarded! The rounds will last approximately three days. :)

The large Alpha male was in the middle of an uneventful patrol when he spotted movement in the distance. He began to slow, ears flicking and nose wiggling as he peered in that direction. Unfortunately, there was no wind, so there was nothing to smell. But Peregrine detected a faint noise in the air and froze ponderously. He watched and waited, only the tip of his tail moving back and forth.

His eyes suddenly widened when he realized it was a herd of Olympic elk heading directly toward the caldera. There were perhaps twenty or thirty of the beasts, their hooves drumming on the cold, snowy ground. Peregrine crouched instinctively, though either the sight of him or the telltale scent markers caused the elk to alter their course to avoid the squat mountain.

As they passed, Peregrine lifted his head into the air and howled for backup. He then began to lope after them. The does were easily over five hundred pounds and the few stags were several hundred pounds heavier, not to mention those fearsome racks of antlers. There wasn't a snowball's chance in hell that the Alpha, though large, could bring one of these animals down on his own. But the opportunity was too great to pass up.

Breaking into a quicker lope now, Peregrine mentally begged his comrades to come to his aid. He would scout the herd for old and weak does until they arrived. It was quite likely this hunting trek might carry them well beyond the caldera's territory, yet the payout would be enormous should they succeed.

The howl went up and FitzDutiful was quick to respond. He had been patrolling again when he call was made. Without hesitation he ran toward his alpha, careful not to run full whack. This was a marathon, not a sprint, and he was going to need all the energy he could conserve.

Running in behind Peregrine, FitzDutiful let out a quick, but quiet yip. He didn't want to startle the herd any more than they were already. Let them wear themselves out until there were more pack members here to hear their call. Keeping his eye on the elk in front he didn't bother calculating which was the best one to go for. In this situation FitzDutiful was very aware that there were others that knew more than he did. He would allow them to take the lead and wait for instructions, or instinct, to take over.

Elwood lifted his head, ears swiveling as he listened to and interpreted Peregrine's call. Immediately, the prospect of a hunt was enticing enough to draw him away from his current task, which was stripping a small squirrel carcass that he had caught earlier in the day. He tucked it away into a makeshift cache, intending to come back later to finish the job and then deposit it in one of the pack's community storage locations.

He swiftly made his way to the source of the howl and found Peregrine and FitzDutiful. The Alpha was busy scouting the group of elk, and Elwood joined him. He fell into step behind Peregrine, moving at a slower pace as he observed the larger animals. Some of them were huge, and there were many to choose from; he selected a few that he thought would be good targets, but then shifted his gaze to Peregrine. The swarthy leader would be the one to direct the attack, once more wolves had gathered.

Fin knew that she'd be completely useless to her packmates, and yet when Peregrine sounded the call for his wolves to join him to hunt, the silver mockingbird simply couldn't help herself. She hadn't been too far when he called, and so even with her limpy gait, she managed to approach the scene in time to spot her packmates converging in the distance as they began to scout around the large herd.

Finley's tail wagged excitedly at the sight, the pull to join them great within her chest. She restrained herself, however, and merely strode down the ridge to tail the herd at an easy canter. She arced away from the hunting party to set her pace towards the opposite edge of the herd, remaining out of sight and scent so that she didn't ruin the opportunity at hand. The Blackthorn still had no intention of actually joining the fray, but she at least could keep pace and perhaps even offer her assistance in herding their potential dinner in the right direction, if she saw the need.

Somnia heard Peregrine's call, but frowned in disapproval that she couldn't of been closer. She stopped what she was doing immediately to join him. Worried that she wouldn't arrive in time, she moved at a brisk pace that was slow enough to not wear her out.

When Somnia arrived, Peregrine, Elwood, and Fitz were on the scene, along with Finley's scent. She spotted the prey, a large herd of elk. Her mouth watered at the sight of them. Somnia gave a small nod to her pack-mates as a silent greeting. She trailed after the elk with them, trying to spot the weak and elderly.

The Chinese wolf had been up patrolling when the call rose up into the air, immediately a small smile pricked at his lips. He lifted his hind leg and marked that bit of territory before turning around and racing off towards the sound of the howl. Theseus was quite a distance away from them though, so it took sometime to arrive at the scene, already four wolves had arrived. Keen aqua eyes scanned them all briefly before loping forward to join in, making sure to lower his tail, head and ears in an appropriate form of subordination.

He began quickly analyzing the herd, noting a few older and younger ones, the weaker and the stronger ones for though they were faster and stronger in a pack, one could case a single wolf great harm. But Hujiang was not the leader here, so he followed slightly behind and waited silently for the Alpha's command. Excitement coursed through his veins, ready to run and hunt for his pack again.

Ashton continued nosing the limp root that he had unearthed not too long ago. It had a sort of sweet smell, and without even considering how toxic it could possibly be, he desired to eat a chunk of it. With a gaping golden jaw, the Aspen slowly lowered his mouth to the yam,...
a howl pierced his skull.
Damnit.

"I will get back to ya, missy. I got a call on the line."

And with that, the sun cloaked teen stashed his sash, and heaved his ass straight to the last echoes of the howl. Racing through the coniferous's bodies, the wolf streaked a lightning bolt across the forest, and too soon, did he see the sight before him.
Ashton wasn't really a hunter, as it showed in his athleticly built frame, but he sure as a Sunday's hat was fast, and sincerely hoped he could assist in some way.

After seeing the dark dude keepin his tempo with the beat of the hundreds of hooves, Ash soon caught up to him. Keeping in mind the hierarchy, no matter how close the sun and the shadow were, respect was key, and the ambitious Doctor kept that in his form.

Over the thunderous hooves, the sandy dude didnt speak, only nodding to the leader, with a look chipped in "Ready for whatever ya throwin, Cap'n".
And vivid emeralds, the hippie awaited the directions on how to help in felling one of the big fellas.

Fox bumped shoulders with Peregrine as soon as she was close enough to do so. She had spotted the elk just as she had drawn close to him, and she licked her lips in anticipation of the meat they would surely have in their bellies before long. Hopefully, this hunt would pay off. Their last few had not gone terribly well, and she had a good feeling that luck was on their side today. So focused on the hunt, she barely noticed the other wolves that were already gathered with Peregrine, although she took a moment to glance at them after a pause.

Figuring that her dear Peregrine had already formed a plan, she awaited for him to explain who would go where and do what. Fox, of course, was a much better chaser than she was a taker-downer, so she would likely take on that role. She was curious to see where her fellow comrades would fall into line, but she had no doubt that they would find their place easily enough.

The rounds are open, so don't worry about a posting order. Also, all of you are welcome to play the doe and other elk. :)

Before long, he was running at the head of the pack. It wasn't the entire pack but it was enough of them that they had more than a sporting chance at bringing down one of the does. Peregrine favored each pack mate with a brief, wolfish grin and a wave of his tail. He gave his mate an affectionate nip to the side of her neck as well. He then faced forward and focused on keeping up with the herd and simultaneously selecting a target from the group of elk.

It wasn't terribly difficult for the seasoned Gamekeeper to observe while running and so it wasn't long before he singled out an older doe. She did not have any evident injuries, yet she moved slightly slower than the others and appeared to have an uneven gait, perhaps due to arthritis. It became clearer with each passing moment that it was taking all of her energy to keep up with the group. Even despite her effort, she remained always on the outskirts, trailing toward the rear of the herd. She would be their target.

Peregrine slowed slightly. "We'll be going after that elderly doe," he said to FitzDutiful, Elwood, Somnia, Theseus, Ashton and Fox. He acknowledged Finley in the distance. She would not participate, yet she would certainly get to share in their spoils. "I need everyone to throw their weight into this. It's the only way we'll be able to bring her down. Let's divide into two teams. Fox, take Duty, Somnia and Ashton to the left. Elwood and Theseus, you'll follow me on the right. We'll surround her, single her out from the herd and then slowly but surely take her down. Be prepared for this to take time," the Alpha cautioned.

Motioning for them to split off into their groups, Peregrine waited for his two hunters to line up behind him and then began to gallop much more purposefully toward the herd now. He was no longer merely observing. He closed the gap and began running perhaps three yards beyond and slightly behind the chosen elk's right flank. There were others still quite close to her on either side, so it was difficult to get any closer at the moment. But if Peregrine had his way, they would gradually separate her from the protection of her herd.

He started by closing in and snapping his jaws at her right hind leg. She squalled in response and kicked out at him. Peregrine managed to dodge, though he felt the breeze as her hoof nearly brushed his left shoulder. With a growl, he fell back. He would bide his time for a few moments, then take another shot. In the meantime, his pack mates could find their own windows of opportunity to heckle her. Altogether, they would wear her down until they could tear her down.

Quietly and stealthily, other wolves joined the hunting team. Elwood glanced about as the pack grew larger; he caught sight of Somnia, Ashton, and Fox, as well as another male that he didn't recognize. A newcomer, he guessed, though this wasn't the time nor place for greetings and introductions. Finley's presence didn't go unnoticed, either, and he would have said hello to her had he been given the chance.

Instead, he kept moving, his legs churning beneath him as he maintained pace with Peregrine. His stride was long and limber, allowing him to conserve his energy until he would need it a bit later in the hunt. As the other wolves filled in the space around the Alpha, Peregrine began to issue his instructions. He indicated their target -- an elderly doe near the outskirts of the herd -- then instructed his hunters to divide into two groups. Elwood was assigned to Peregrine's group with the unknown male, called Theseus. He nodded his assent, then veered off to the right with the leader.

They approached the doe stealthily, with the intent to worry her away from the other elk. Elwood hung back at first as Peregrine took the first action, snapping his teeth at her hind leg. When she reacted by kicking out at the Alpha, Elwood accelerated, drawing up alongside her. He snarled and lunged up and sideways, managing to sink his teeth into her shoulder for a brief moment before she shook him off. He landed unsteadily on his feet and righted himself, then began to weave behind her, nipping at her ankles as she ran.

More and more of their pack joined the hunt, and with each wolf that added themselves to the bunch, Fin felt her jealousy grow deeper and deeper. She vaguely wondered if she would at all be able to gnaw the scars off of her back and be able to run over and join them. But, they were there due to her own idiocy, and so she had to suffer her punishment and remain the pouty little spectator in the distance.

Fin couldn't hear whatever it was that Peregrine said to his troops, but she could see them act upon his orders. The pack took flight just as the herd did, and Fin picked up her pace so that she could keep up. She loped easily along behind the opposite edge of the herd, her gaze never leaving that forms of her packmates even as the deer thundered past.

A few others arrived. First a wolf that she had not yet met, but would have to make plans to, then Ashton, and lastly, the other wolf of the Alpha pair, Fox. Then, Peregrine issued the plans. Somnia would be on the left side with Fox, Ash, and Fitz. Beginning to get to fill with excitement and adrenaline, she moved to her side.

The elderly doe Peregrine had chosen was an excellent target. Somnia observed the uneven gait, and how it lagged behind at the edge of the herd. Plus, it wouldn't have the energy to get away from them. Against the majority of the pack, it wouldn't stand a chance.

They moved into position, just out of the doe's kicking range. The effect the wolves had on the herd was visible. The front of the herd moved a little faster, making nervous sounds of warning to each other. The back of the herd picked up the pace, trying to get towards the front, away from the wolves. None of them made a serious attempt to flee yet, they just got away from the targeted doe and the wolves, as if they knew that the wolves didn't want them, but the elderly deer.

Even though she knew that it was for the best for them, it still made Somnia sick to know that the herd would just abandon the elderly doe for their lives. If the herd had cared enough about the elderly doe to fight, the bucks could've charged them with their antlers and scared them off. But, as they were prey-animals, their nature was to flee, not fight. It was for the best that they had this nature, for how would they get enough food off of smaller prey during the winter?

The elderly doe was panicked by the wolves, and she showed so by picking up the pace as much as she could, which was ever so slightly more than before. Peregrine took the initiative, lunging forward to snap at her leg before backing off. Elwood took it farther, jumping up and biting her shoulder. Determined to pull her own weight, Somnia rushed forward while the elderly doe was distracted by Elwood. She quickly nipped its lower left leg, backing off before it could react.

A swam of energy pushed the golden teen forward, as he kept a easy pace with the greyscale femme, the little mis Som Som. And without a doubt, it took very little energy for him to do such, for having such a miraculous eating and exercise habit, the athletic form shone.
Keeping wary irises on the doe the Ebony Alpha wittle the easiest down to, he took his role as seriously as he took his patients.
Ash knew he wouldn't be able to be a powerful influence on the doe, but sure as santa's hell in the pole, would he do his share.
The doe, struggling to keep with the herd, was losing precious energy in the process, and the golden hippie was relieved Peregrine chose the old broad. Especially seeing how it meant a bit less of a fight that would have to be put up to chop her off.

Somnia took her gait with a graceful though deadly serious bit of spot, the girl taking action to spur the antlerless ven. While the chocolate eyed babe took her turn to speed her up, Ash decided to attempt to slow her down. Tapping into his own lightning, the sun reflectant dude sped a bit farther up, and began his mission of hassling her front limbs. With quick nips, knacks, and nabs, the doctor attacked the broads foreleg and left shoulder.

Damn, this chick's got some fight in her, he noted to himself, as the ven tried to shove him off of her. After a fourth shove, he snarled at the doe, and stuck to falling back to his cheerleader's side.

But Ashton soon smiled, as he saw the hot blush of crimson stain the ground at an artery he severed in the deer's foreleg.
Oh, anatomy.

Hujiang flashed a smile at Ashton's direction when the male joined the hunt but turned away quickly to concentrate on the herd. He had spotted the same doe that Peregrine also targeted, and was quite happy to obey when the swarthy leader told him he was in the group with a male he didn't recognize and the Alpha himself. Theseus returned the nod the unknown male named Elwood gave him, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he kept pace with the other two.

He ran at a leisurely pace, though quick enough to keep up with them, they approached the doe silently with the stealth of an assassin. Theseus watched with wary but bright eyes as Peregrine moved first, snapping at her hind leg, the doe kicked out at his Alpha and that was when the other male took action. The wolves from the other group followed soon after and he ran after them, careful not to waste all his energy as this hunt was probably going to take some time.

Theseus spotted an opening when Ashton made his move and lunged forward, his jaws snapping at her shoulder, blood seeped into his jaws but it was a short victory for he was flung off a moment later. The chinese wolf righted himself and continued running after the doe, snapping at her ankles whenever he had a chance. He preferred fighting, but this was also fun.

Blame Kim for getting me buzzed and reminding me how fun it is to drunk post.

As was instructed, Fox took Fitz, Ashton, and Somnia on her "team." In reality, they were all on the same team. They were all doing this together, after all, and they all wanted the prize: foodmeat. Yes, foodmeat. The best meat of them all. It would fill their bellies and bring them joy until they pooped it out. Actually, it might bring them joy even while they were pooping it out. Who doesn't like a good poop now and again?

With the three at her side, Fox rang alongside the deer, nipping when appropriate and egging her teammates along. Together, they would bring down this foodmeat... one way or another.

The wolf pack dogged the herd, the wolves seizing every opportunity to needle the chosen doe. Gradually, she began to slow down and straggle behind her brethren, fresh blood draining from the shallow wounds on her legs and underside. None of them was fatal, of course, but altogether they were doing their job of weakening the elk.

The hours passed until the gap widened far enough for the relentless wolves to make a more decisive move. Peregrine barked his intention to his wolves, then suddenly galloped at the bleeding doe. With a savage snarl, he reared onto his hind legs and seized her by the rump. He buried his fangs into her backside, trying to drag her to the ground even as shook his head back and forth, tearing at the meat of her haunch.

She kicked at him again and Peregrine took a blow to the chest that forced him to release his grip. He fell back, struggling to catch his breath, a hunk of flesh in his mouth. He chewed, swallowed, coughed, then licked his bloodied lips and sprang at her again, angling to further tear at the ragged hole he'd already ripped open in her buttocks.

If they managed to pull her to the ground, someone could take her by the throat and put her out of her misery. But if she stayed on her feet, the wolf pack would be happy to eat her alive.

Eventually, Peregrine gave them the signal to take her down already. He grabbed a hold of her, and it looked as if Peregrine would drag her down soon, until he got kicked. But, he went back at it as soon as he could. Inspired by the tear Peregrine had made in the doe, Somnia launched herself up besides him.

Instead of jumping on the elderly doe to bring her down, Somnia heckled it by attacking the left hind leg. If it also had to deal with her attacking the leg, there was less of a chance it could kick Peregrine again. So technically, that meant a faster kill if he could stay on longer. Plus, it would give a bigger, stronger wolf the chance to help Peregrine drag it down instead of her jumping in the way. Somnia knew she wasn't the strongest, so why not let others more effectively help while she did her own thing to assist them?

I will gladly take credit for Remedy's hilarious post!

There was a lot of commotion going on around the chosen elk. Wolves weaved in and out, each doing their part to slowly wear down the doe until she could be finished off. As the bodies of his fellow hunters zigged and zagged around him, Elwood backed off several times, taking time to catch his breath before joining the fray once more.

Though the task was time consuming, he became so focused that the hours seemed much shorter. When Peregrine began to make the final moves, Elwood perked up. He angled alongside the doe, opposite Peregrine and Somnia, and heard -- rather than saw -- the Alpha's actions. There was the sound of tearing flesh, followed shortly by a thud and then, further behind him, coughing. There wasn't time to glance over his shoulder, so Elwood forged ahead.

He tore at the elk's shoulder again when he got the chance, managing to create an injury similar to the one Peregrine had inflicted on her hindquarters. With a chunk of meat in his mouth, Elwood dropped back, allowing his fellow hunters the opportunity to seize a bite of their own or to attempt to bring her down.

Keeping pace with her packmates became easier as time wore on and the chase turned into more of a casual follow-the-leader. It was clear to Fin that the doe was not going to win this battle, so exhausted and injured was she. Even if none of the pack did make the killing blow, she likely would bleed out before the end. As stubborn as she was to continue to run, so was the wolf pack at doggedly harassing her every step until finally, it seemed the doe's time was about to run out.

Fin had caught up to her packmates a while ago once their pace had eased with the weakening of their target. She remained on the outskirts however, knowing that she was not strong enough to truly help bring the beast down and also being aware of the fragility of her own wounds. Hunger was gnawing now at her belly, serving only to frustrate her further at being so useless. She wanted to bark at her packmates to just finish the damn thing already, but kept her lips tightly glued together in the presence of both Fox and Peregrine, instead opting to just canter along and keep a watchful eye as her packmates took turns taking blows at the dying deer.

The doe did not fall, yet nor did she keep running. Instead, she slowly fell back from the herd, which receded into the distance. She cantered in a circle, bleating her misery and still trying to shake off the pack of wolves. She was doomed to fail, of course, and slowly they closed in on her, shrinking the circle.

She backed toward the shade of a tall cedar, dripping blood on the virgin snow, and lowered her head. The elk shook her head defensively as she made her last stand. Yet she was growing very weak. In fact, her forelegs trembled before finally buckling so that the doe bowed forward, her chin sinking to the snow and her bloodied rump remaining in the air for several seconds before she toppled over onto her side. She was finished.

Peregrine leaped forward. A larger predator might have ensured the elk's death prior to consumption but his jaws were too small to render a merciful blow to her throat, so he didn't concern himself with it. He snatched onto her torn backside and began to feed while she still thrashed gently in the snow, though it wasn't long before she fell still, her rolling eyes freezing in her skull.

He growled throatily at anyone who dared approach those first few minutes, save for Fox. Yet when it was clear the elk was dead, her blood spreading in the snow, he barked to let his pack mates know they were welcome to feed, so long as they respected the hierarchy.

When they finally managed to fell the deer, she was still bleating her woeful cries. Fox, of course, was too busy digging in to listen to any of it. She went immediately for the doe's most savory organs: her stomach, liver, and intestines. They were warm, filling, and rich beyond words. Of course, she wasn't so greedy as to eat all of them, and instinct told her she would need other parts of the foodmeat as well. She tore at a haunch, pulling back the layers of muscle and scarfing them down until she was met with bones.

Before long, all that was left of the once-doe was a bloody tattered mess, picked clean by the wolves of Redhawk Caldera. Fox could feel the weight of her stomach now, and she licked her lips before poking at it with her nose. "Foodbabies," she muttered happily to Peregrine, promptly falling onto her side and sleepily watching the others pick off the last bits of the deer.

Eventually, the wolves' teamwork paid off. Elwood hung back as the doe's life came to an end; it was obvious that she was finished, and the Alpha pair would be first to feed. He took the opportunity to catch his breath, licking his lips hungrily as he watched Peregrine and Fox take their fill.

Finley would be next, as the pack's Beta, and with his current standing as Gamma, Elwood would follow her. As far as the lower ranking wolves were concerned -- himself included -- it would likely be more of a free for all, though there were few enough hunters that a scuffle would be unlikely.

Once the leaders backed away from the kill -- and Fox reclined sleepily in the snow, a victim of a full belly -- Elwood approached, his head and tail held in deference. He seized the opportunity to tear at the deer's stomach, where Fox had been eating only moments before, and consumed some of the entrails that remained. When he was sated, he retreated as well, lying down on his belly and cleaning the elk's blood from his paws and face. After the group had fed, he wanted to help Peregrine and any other gamekeepers with dismembering and storing what was left of the carcass.

The doe had fell without any of them dragging her to the ground. The Alpha pair set to work on it before it was dead. Everyone stayed back as they feasted. Next was Finley's turn, then Elwood. Somnia still hung back until Ashton took and finished his turn. Now it was her turn. She approached what remained, and decided to go for the untouched neck and shoulder area.

After devouring her fill, Somnia sat down in the snow. She licked the blood off her jaws and savored the after-taste. Her bloody paws could wait a little longer. She watched the rest of the pack eat, and then she would also offer to help Elwood and Peregrine tear apart and store the leftovers.

Finally, the damn thing died. Fin breathed a sigh of relief as it fell and Peregrine and Fox lunged forth to begin the feast even as it was taking it's last breaths. She fell upon her haunches to relax. Although she hadn't partaken in the hunt to the same extent as her pack mates, it had cost her a rest deal to keep up as she had with her injury still on the mend.

The alphas began to slow in their feasting, causing Fin to come to her paws and hover eagerly at their heels. When finally they moved to the side, she pressed forward to consume her fill, staking her claim as second with warning growls at any who got too close until she was satisfied. She moved as Elwood approached to mosey back to Peregrine and Fox, waiting there until it was time to stash the rest of the kill. She might not have been able to murder it, but she could at least help bury the body with the other gamekeepers.

I'll be archiving this tomorrow. Remember: if you posted at least 3+ times, you will be rewarded 20 EXP when the thread is archived!

The pack fed in turn, with very few squabbles breaking out among them. This did not surprise the Alpha male, as the caldera's wolves got along rather perfectly, in his humble opinion. Peregrine favored them with a fond smile as he licked his bloody chops and fell onto his hip beside his mate, who was evidently gravid with elk meat. He grinned and nipped the tip of her ear in response to her playful comment, which of course caused his mind to spin off in the direction of puppies. He might have even pretended, just for a second, that Fox was already pregnant and the swell of her belly was due to his offspring and not an abundance of foodmeat.

After giving himself and the others a long while to rest and digest, Peregrine approached the well-picked carcass again. There were some bones and scraps they could take home to pad their caches. He signaled to his subordinates to grab what they could; they would carry the remains back to the caldera. Plucking up a heavy shinbone dripping with bits of flesh and gore, Peregrine raised his tail victoriously and began to gallop back toward the caldera, leading his well-fed pack members back home.