Silvertip Mountain Hunters - round end asap

@Chaska @Krypton @Mara Susi @Atari Silver @Semble


This is a mandatory pack activity for all pack members, bar puppies and the other leaders (who will be protecting the pups).

There won’t be a posting order in any round so please post as soon as you can to avoid missing a round!

Any wolf missing the activity, skipping a round or arriving late risks demotion, unless the player is on absence for a full round duration.

 
Outline
There will be four rounds:
The Perimeter
The Chase
The Takedown
The Spoils

You can assume Mason has rounded everyone up already, outlined the basic plan for the hunt, and has lead everyone to a lesser-destroyed area of Felsig Forest further around the mountain. They have identified a likely caribou target – a large but elderly bull.

Mishap
Each round will have a mishap – the wolves affected will be determined by dice roll – it’s up to you how your wolf deals/escapes the predicament – an injury is not mandatory of course, but please try to be realistic!

Round 1 Mishap - As he makes his way to his allocated posotion, Chaska’s paw is stuck in a rabbit hole for about 30 seconds before he can free it, possibly making him late in reaching his position.
 

The Perimeter

Mason looked around at his motley crew. Together they had identified and agreed on a target. Mason’s heart thudded with nervousness and excitement. This hunt was going to be crucial to Zaria’s wellbeing and the pups thriving. There was enough of them to hopefully take down a substantial-sized caribou, but they had taken care to pick an older bull male in the hopes that they could cut him off from the herd.

Mason peered down at the scarred landscape from their vantage point of a rocky verge, dotted with trees and bushes. There were still rifts and fallen trees, but he knew from scouting that this was one of the least affected areas. A small herd of caribou gorged itself nearby on the first blossoming sprigs of spring, content in its knowledge that few other animals had remained to compete for food after the tornado had ripped the landscape in two.

Mason knew that his packmates understood the urgency of this hunt. He was sure they would do their best – and hopefully they would be successful and return the most succulent portions of the kill to Zaria.

With a tremulous sun shining low in the sky, their breakfast lay before them. Mason spoke in hushed tones. “Right everyone spread out. I  want Mara and Atari with me. Chaska, Krypton, Semble, I want you to come up on the flanks. I’ll wait until you all seem to be in place and then we’ll scatter to the herd and push him towards you three.”

After making sure they understood instruction, Mason padded carefully and quietly along the back edge of the small herd, pausing occasionally to ensure he was hidden. The wind was in their favour, carrying the scent of the ungulates towards him – Mason could feel his heart beating faster and faster with the thrill. Once he was almost directly in line with the old bull, but some hundred or two feet away, Mason pressed himself to the ground, hidden partially by a bush.

Soon it would be time to put his hunting practice into play. He looked about him to see if he could spot Mara – they would have to wait a couple of extra minutes to allow the front-runners to reach their positions. Through the blood-rush pounding through his head, Mason still had a thought running through the back of his mind: would he make Desna proud if he succeeded in leading his first large hunt?

I laughed at the situation he has to be in!

Chaska nodded to Mason's command, then began to go around with the other two given the command to flank. It felt not so long ago that Mason was a pup. Now already he was giving orders and acting like a leader. Chaska knew that if he were Mason's father, he couldn't be more proud. 

He stalked low, keeping his eyes on the target to see if they startled or anything like that. Big mistake, as one of his paws slipped. Right into a rabbit's hole. The grey wolf almost yelped, clamping his jaw down as to not alert the herd. He checked to see if the other two were around, and sighed with relief whe he realised he had lagged behind. What an embarassing situation that would have been, to be seen like this.

It took longer than he had hoped to release his foot. But every movement he made caused a mini-cave in inside the hole, only burying his paw. "Why did this have to happen to me?" he murmured quietly, grunting as he pulled and pulled. Eventually Chaska pulled it out, giving it a shake. It ached a little, but not too much so he could get on his way. Even though he was late.

Let's do this!

Blood pumped through and through the heart of the large woman, her glossy eyes filled with excitement. It had been a long time since she experienced a large pack hunt like this, and the stakes were high for this one. The meat was needed for the new mother, Zaria. It would determine the milk she could produce for her little ones, and Krypton would be damn sure to do her part and bringing the kill down.

Having high expectations and hope for the new beta, she listened carefully to his instructions on how he wanted the hunt done. He wished to take Mara Susi and Atari Silver along with him while Krypton, Chaska, and the new recruit Semble would flank the caribou. Mason would lead his team to drive the caribou towards the others waiting and hopefully succeed.

With a fierce nod of her head, Krypton slowly made her way into position. Though she was large, her dirty brown pelt was masked. The trees seemed to be doing her a favor, she slunk close to the bases. Soon enough, she reached the flanks and awaited to see everyone else there. Her body was low to the ground, no noise was made from her paws nor her breaths. She didn't see anyone yet, but she would stay quiet and patient. She had hope in everyone.

Thought I'd throw Fitz in too, very short post though.

Fitz was late to the buffet, the call had gone up to summon the pack - excluding the leaders - but he wanted to partake anyway. He crept up behind them just as everyone else spread out. He watched as to where the others were going before picking where to go himself. Three went to the flanks, so he stayed with Mason and allowed Mason to direct the rest of his moves; he was the hunt leader after all.

For now, he'd watch, wait, and do as he was told as they went into hunt mode and he'd let the thrill envelop him when the hunt began in full.

@Chaska @Krypton @Atari Silver @FitzDutiful

Ok we appear to have lost Semble and Mara due to activity. We will PP them in the background of the hunt. Atari Silver is on absence so please join in when you return, until then I will assume you acted as Mason requested :)

Round ends 22/04, or when everyone has posted.

Also, poor Chaska, it made me laugh too, bless him xD

Mishap

Round 2  Mishap – Then the herd sets off running towards the others, Krypton is head-butted by a young mother defending her calf. They subsequently run off, leaving Krypton to rejoin the chase.


The Chase

They had all taken off as he had asked, skittering away to pick positions that would benefit their pack. Dad arrived, and Mason beamed at him – this would make it easier, to have an old deft hand in the running. Mason felt pride prick his heart when he realised Dad was going to leave him to run the hunt himself, rather than taking charge.

When he believed everyone was likely to be in position, Mason hesitated for a second, feeling the weight of his decision bearing down on him like a flash flood. Then he barked once - and loud.

They were off.

Mason surged forwards, with Mara Susi and Atari Silver coming in from either side of him. FitzDutiful ran alongside them too, pale and handsome as ghostly death. The dream team forming a fan formation. The herd lifted its head as one, and scattered. Mason kept his eyes on his foe – their target. It was as though he could imagine the big red mark on his neck; the mark that would surely be there soon, inflicted by one of his own.

Adrenaline rushing through him, Mason angled past a fleeing caribou and bore down on the old bull, which managed a decent attempt at fleeing. His large hooves pounded the ground as he ran for his life.

Unfortunately for the ungulate, he was running right for Krypton and Chaska.

Everything was going so well, Mason lead the charge and FitzDutiful followed along side. He began to drop back a bit, willingly at first for he wanted Mason to take the lead and didn't want his son to think he was going to be outdone. Then it was unwilling.

The light was starting to hurt his eyes, as if it was just a little too bright for the day and a pounding headache came on again. Unwilling to be beaten by this headache that came on like a pounding drum before dissipating for a few days, he tried to keep pace. Looking around he noticed that everyone seemed to be doing well, they didn't need him here and he was only going to put them all in danger by continuing.

Admitting his defeat to himself, FitzDutiful stopped his speed, letting the chase continue and the takedown occur without him. Meanwhile he went to find a dark cave where the light couldn't hurt his eyes and sleep until the headache went away.

Oh no!

The young beta wasted no time, he was quick into his position as Chaska and Krypton were. She could see him move around, but he gave off his signal of a loud bark. The herd had lifted their gaze before taking off, though they didn't know that they were running right into Krypton and Chaska.

With her adrenaline rushing, she waited for her eyes to land on the buck. Her paws carried her swiftly over the ground, almost matching the sound of the thundering hooves. Her eyes locked onto many of the caribou, they flew by her as she continued her chase.

Many of the females came rushing out, their calves flanking them for protection. Krypton felt the need to take a calf down, but she had to wait. She continued her run, hoping to catch sight of the bull. However, Krypton unknowingly was running into a path of a young mother caribou, who was fiercely protective of her young. Her hooves pounded in the ears of the tawny woman, she focused ahead just in time to see the rampaging mom.

Her thick neck lowered, along with her sprouting antlers as she continued to run towards Krypton. Before she could change her path, her thick skull rammed into Krypton's own, the wolf giving off a loud yelp in surprise and pain. Luckily, the antlers hadn't penetrated Krypton, though the force still gave her pain. She fell back, tumbling a bit as her eyes trailed narrowly on the young mother with it's calf. Mental note: go for that one later.

Shaking her head and giving it a little rub with her paw, her dazed state made her dizzy. With a few seconds to recollect herself, she picked up her pace again and continued to run.

Chaska smiled in admiration at how Mason took charge and ran at the herd, backed up by two other members of the pack. And he couldn't help but chuckle a little at how Fitz couldn't keep up. It seemed that Mason was a prime example that the young always managed to surprise the older ones. 

Then his attention was directed toward the male running straight for him. That was the target. He ran at him, trying to catch him off guard. Although he decided that he wouldn't be the one to do the takedown. he believed that belonged to the young leader of the hunt. All he had to do was direct the bull toward him by skirting alongside the bull, nipping at it's heels in the direction he wanted to go.

I am sure that's how wolves hunt, right?

Whoops, missed my own round-end, busy weekend :)

Looks like it’s just us three now LOL @Chaska @Krypton – I already did the dice roll and we are victorious in the hunt, yay! So again we’ll just PP the others in the background.

Just post when you can, then we'll have the last round where they scoff a bit and take the rest back to Zaria!

Mishap
Mason feels a twinge in his leg as he is running, and has to ease off for a minute, hindering his continued chase.


The Takedown
Like death descending, they bore down on the bull. Mason didn’t notice FitzDutiful peel off, he was too intent on his quarry. Suddenly Mason's paw twisted on a knot of roots and he rolled onto the hard earth with a yelp. The sound of the chase disappeared ahead of him as he gingerly picked himself up and shook out the twigs and leaves from his coat. Nothing seemed broken but his only solid-white paw smarted.

Mason hobbled carefully on his sprained paw, testing his weight. He could manage for now, but he knew he wouldn’t be able to run tomorrow or perhaps the day after without immense pain. Chastising himself, he headed down the empty stretch of woods slowly. Hoof-prints splattered the earth, mud and moss and spring grass had been sprayed everywhere. There were no sounds of the rest of the herd that had now escaped. It was eerie – but he headed onwards, sure he would catch up to Krypton and Chaska soon. He expected that they would come in from each side and take the bull down . He hoped that his mishap had not cost them their prey, but he presumed Mara and Atari were keeping the beast penned in whilst the two bigger wolves went for the kill.

Mason plodded onwards, and soon he could hear sounds up ahead, just around the next tree – it sounded like… success?

Chaska closed in, not noticing the fall of the hunt leader. He believed him to be right behind. Although when the takedown from Mason, as he expected it to happen, never came he realised what had happened. That left them only one choice. 

"Kryp! We have to take this!" He called over to wherever she were. The male grey wolf sprinted forth, snapping at it's legs to try and distract and slow the bull down long enough for Krypton to get on it's back, or it's neck. Whichever she preferred. When she did, he would go for the bottom of the bull's neck.

It was just the two of them. The ball of white fur was no where to be seen, and Krypton's eyesight was still a bit dazed from the young mother headbutting her. However, she was still running. Chaska had already called out to her, she was making her way closer t the bull. He was snapping at its' legs while she came closer and closer.

She bore no claws like a wildcat, but she had her weight. With a burst of speed, she rushed to the side and quickly snapped her ivories into the side of his neck and tore it open. She continued to run with it (because H20 wasn't sure if wolves climbed their prey or not) and tried to get him off balance. Using her broad shoulders, she pushed into the bull, trying to topple him as if he was an old building. The taste of fresh blood made her alive, she continued to run with the bull and hopefully either Chaska or Mason would swoop in and end her long run.

Thanks guys, I'll not do a mishap this round as relatively pointless! I'm assuming Chaska made the final kill. You can just RP your wolf scoffing some meat and then I'll post last to PP them taking the spoils home? :D

Mason came in on Chaska gripping the old bull by the throat with a vigour that the young Beta envied. Mason limped in with a spring in his step and a wag in his tail. Perhaps it was odd to be happy about the throes of death of another being, but all Mason cared about truly were his siblings thrashing about in Zaria's belly. The Beta pressed in to give both @Chaska and @Krypton an approving nudge, once the beast lay still. Then he moved across the still-warm body and gazed down at it. "I think we deserve a good meal as a reward, but we'll take the choiciest bits back to Zari, for the pups." Mason looked around first for approval, which he surely got.

With his choice meant that they would leave the organs within the prey, and instead would take strips of outer flesh for themselves. Not usual for a hunt, but usual enough during birthing-time. Mason padded over to delve in first, ripping a strip of soft belly flesh. Knowing that the creature could feel no pain, he had no issues with tugging when the flesh did not at first detach. Once it was within his grasp, Mason grinned around the meat at his companions, and moved away to let them eat. He chewed heartily on the food, suddenly ravenous after his great exertion. He guessed Chaska and Kryp were just as hungry.

Chaska was glad to have taken the bull down, but not without Krypton's help. He licked the blood from his muzzle, watching over his handiwork hungrily. He was eager to dig in, but he waited until Mason gave the go-ahead to do so. He nodded in agreement to Mason's words. It would be wise to give her those parts, with her carrying young. Both her and pups would need strength. 

Once Mason backed off, Chaska moved forward and went for some tough muscle around the flank. He liked tough meat over soft. Found it to be chewier, and to his liking. Then he moved aside for Krypton to take her share.

Krypon felt accomplished to help with the hunt, hearing Mason speak of leaving the best for Zaria. Of caorse, the motehr would need the best for her little ones. Krypton didn't argue but only nodded. She watched as the two males dined in before her, she sat on her rump patiently and watched them take their share. First Mason, going for the tender parts, then Chaska, who went for the tougher meat. 

Soon it was Kryp's turn, she didn't even care what part she took. All she did was leave the best for Zaria. For some reason, eating was sort of a blue for her. Tearing off fat and hair, Krypton took parts of the tender chest. Ripping off her share, Krypton scoffed it down quickly (like H20 and chocolate cake). Her face remained bloodied, messy, wild. But her eyes remained calm and cold.

She looked towards the two, then decided to ask a question. "May I keep the antlers?" She asked, hoping Mason would give her permission. Krypton could only imagine being able to chew on those and just keep them in her den to admire.

“Of course you can” Mason answered Krypton after they had finished eating their respective fills. He would leave her to detach the antlers herself once they had got it home. For now they would need to actually get the beast a good way towards the mountain, before they could realistically take it up to Zaria.

Mason directed his crew, getting the slighter members to detach a haunch or a leg and take that up in advance, leaving he Chaska and Krypton to take turns in dragging the majority of the corpse back towards home. It wouldn’t be long, and Mason felt strength flooding him as the animal’s blood settled happily in his belly.

Little did they know it would be one of the biggest meals they would be having for quite a while.