As usual, punishments will apply if you're not a WPL/player on this quest and post in this thread.
Players:
Qfx/Gully
Fenris/Gear
smallcreation/Kai
The farmer doesn't pause as he walks down the road towards the gates of Estark, though he does check to make sure the three follow him. "Like ah said, mah problem's been pretty recent. The beasties only come out at night. They grab our animals, and back inta the dark they go. In the morning, all we find is our animals dead or missin'."
Kai's free hand rubbed his chin absently as he fell into step behind the group. "Anyone try to set up a night watch of some kind? See what was causing the problem and fight it off?"
Gear trots along listing having adopted his cat form out of comfort for the time being. He does agree with Kai though as a night watch would have made more sense but farmers can be mighty fearful at times.
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Originally commissioned through High~Light Studios
Gully, with Viya on her shoulder, falls behind the others and listens to the farmer. "The bodies that have been found, what kind of condition were they in? Did it appear that whatever killed them ate its fill on the spot, or attempted to cart it of but something happened to chase it off or were they just killed and left there?"
Kai's eyebrows furrowed slightly, turning his head towards Gully, his voice lowering to a whisper. "That seems kind of odd, doesn't it? Don't bigger beasts usually take their prey somewhere else?"
He wasn't the expert in wildlife that Gully might be, but he'd read enough about wild animals during his studies to know that beasts who traveled in packs or groups would usually have a decent amount of others to feed - their young, for instance. It didn't make sense not to bring the food to them.
'Unless it was about more than just survival,' he added thoughtfully, though he kept that comment to himself.
Gully nods her head in agreement with Kai's questions, "Most do, especially if young are involved; but some will eat at the kill site." She looks to the farmer again, "What kinds of prey...livestock were found half eaten? Are we talking horses and cows or sheep and goats? Also, what kinds have gone missing and how often does this actually happen?"
On an amusing note, I've discovered I can write a really heavy farmer's accent. I've also discovered it's nigh-on unreadable.
The farmer shrugs slightly. "It varies. Generally, the bigger ones are th' ones found dead. We've lost all kinds - cows, sheep, goats, the lot.
The smaller ones - rabbits, chickens, and sometimes a pig - are the ones that've gone missin'. It's happened almost ever'day, though it sometimes takes longer if a pig was grabbed."
The group passes through the gates, heading towards the farmland nearby.
"We are probably dealing with a pack then, and a sizable one at that. With how often they are hunting they most likely have pups to feed. The farmland just makes for an easy hunting ground as their prey can't really run," she shrugs.
The farmer simply shrugs a bit. Not really his area of interest - he just wants to go back to farming peacefully.
There are multiple farms in the same area, and it's beginning to grow dark as they reach the first and largest. The farmer turns back to the group. "Ask around, find out what you need to. If you need 't, we'll give you food and a place t'sleep."
Kai nodded respectfully to the farmer to acknowledge his comment and turned to the rest of the group. He wasn't particularly inclined to believe that asking around would do anything for them; they never set up a night watch, so the farmers had no idea what they were dealing with. Asking around would likely reward them with nothing useful. His eyes looked toward Gully. "I defer to you, being the nature expert. Any ideas? Best I got is to set up a night watch of our own and see what we're up against."
Gear just looks about. He supposes its best to just defer currently to the rest of the group not currently having much to contribute. But a few moments of constructing a bunny Gear chimes in.
Gear: Does setting a night watch accomplish much for us though if we can not see in the dark. I suspect one of the best ideas would be to bait a trap of sorts or to tempt a group with something they just couldn't resist. Unless we are worried about some type of mindset where what we are facing is smarter than pure basic instinct
OOC: This is my Im out of town post but figured I wanted to say something relevant.
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Originally commissioned through High~Light Studios
"I think that a trap is the better idea. We can't see the best at night, plus I do think that we are going up against a pack that is running on instinct." She says with a nod to Gear, before turn to the farmer. "Whatever we up unto the most likely won't survive the encounter. I'm going to guess that losing one more animal is better then this continuing. however."
Gear: I suspect we want something worth going after so something on the larger side like a cow. If you have one that is lame or pretty much worthless that should do. It should appear to be the easiest score possible I figure. If these creatures are being led by something it will be to good to be true and I am certain that it won't be passed up.
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Originally commissioned through High~Light Studios
Though Kai didn't agree with the plan - it's not as if they couldn't build a fire or see by moonlight or torches, after all - he kept his opinion to himself, watching the other two organize the trap. His free hand slipped underneath his cloak, checking the contents of his satchel out of habit as he looked around at the surrounding farmland.
Having nothing further to say Gear just waits. This isn't the best plan. Its not even really that great of a plan now that Gear has given it some thought but what other choice is there. They have to act in some way and unless they plan to blindly hunt whatever is out there a trap is the only way. Gears amulet shines for a moment as his form shifts once again. Perhaps this will be interesting in the end thinks Gear. Perhaps...
OOC: Also done unless we wish a grand scheme plan moment.
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Originally commissioned through High~Light Studios
True to his word, as night falls the farmer returns to the group herding a sheep. "She looks fine, but she probably doesn't have long t'live," he says by way of explanation. "Was going ta take her to a healer, but..." he shrugs.
Gully nods to Viya and the drake jumps onto the sheep's back. "We want to take her to a corral on the edge of the farmlands. We will be waiting within ear shot nearby on a shifting guard. I know that we can't see in the dark, but hopefully either the sheep or whatever is attacking the animals will make some noise. If not then Viya will come to us so we can get to the sheep before it gets killed." Viya bobs up and down as Gully mentions her name. "We will need torches or lanterns for when the action goes down. Sound like a plan guys?"
Gear: Sounds quite good although may I interject one thing. (shifts back to a cat). Im not really the most obvious of mages if I say so myself that being within an ear shot may be necessary for you 2 but for me I can be very near by doing what farm cats do. Laze about and catch mice. Granted I suppose neither of you may be able to understand my calls without my bunny or other means but that is a short price to pay for having someone within movements of acting.
Private Mod Note
():
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Originally commissioned through High~Light Studios
"I forgot about that ability of yours." Gully smiles, "Good, you can act as the first line while Viya comes and gets us. Hopefully with you there the sheep won't be harmed." She nods her head, clearly pleased with the idea. "I think that we are ready? Any other thoughts?" She looks to her allies and the farmer.
Players:
Qfx/Gully
Fenris/Gear
smallcreation/Kai
The farmer doesn't pause as he walks down the road towards the gates of Estark, though he does check to make sure the three follow him. "Like ah said, mah problem's been pretty recent. The beasties only come out at night. They grab our animals, and back inta the dark they go. In the morning, all we find is our animals dead or missin'."
MtG:RPG - Kai
They've begun to near the gates, and it shouldn't be too far to their destination.
He wasn't the expert in wildlife that Gully might be, but he'd read enough about wild animals during his studies to know that beasts who traveled in packs or groups would usually have a decent amount of others to feed - their young, for instance. It didn't make sense not to bring the food to them.
'Unless it was about more than just survival,' he added thoughtfully, though he kept that comment to himself.
MtG:RPG - Kai
The farmer shrugs slightly. "It varies. Generally, the bigger ones are th' ones found dead. We've lost all kinds - cows, sheep, goats, the lot.
The smaller ones - rabbits, chickens, and sometimes a pig - are the ones that've gone missin'. It's happened almost ever'day, though it sometimes takes longer if a pig was grabbed."
The group passes through the gates, heading towards the farmland nearby.
There are multiple farms in the same area, and it's beginning to grow dark as they reach the first and largest. The farmer turns back to the group. "Ask around, find out what you need to. If you need 't, we'll give you food and a place t'sleep."
MtG:RPG - Kai
Gear: Does setting a night watch accomplish much for us though if we can not see in the dark. I suspect one of the best ideas would be to bait a trap of sorts or to tempt a group with something they just couldn't resist. Unless we are worried about some type of mindset where what we are facing is smarter than pure basic instinct
OOC: This is my Im out of town post but figured I wanted to say something relevant.
Anything else anyone want to do before night?
OOC: Nope I'm good here.
OOC: Good here as well.
MtG:RPG - Kai
OOC: Also done unless we wish a grand scheme plan moment.
"How do you want ta set this up?"
OOC: SC you still good?