Completed Hunter vs Prey

[Crystal Nightshade]

82th of Summer, 515AV Bronze Woods Crystal passed the gates once again. She hadn't bothered bringing her tents and such, not wanting to lose the little things she had left from her last visit. Oh right, she was attacked by some strange creature, which not only to her game, but a bunch of toiletries she'd had to leave behind to save her own life. Surviving was key, but what if it had been her father's short bow she had lost? She didn't want to think about it. She calmly checked herself by the gates before venturing further. Leather armor covered her up, a dagger sheathed itself on her her hip, a quiver slung across her back with arrows, and a Shortbow gripped in a gentle yet firm grip in her hand. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail to keep it out of her eyes, and the boots on her feet were ready for walking. She gave herself a nod before continuing her journey through the woods. Beautiful as ever, they showed bronze tinted leaves with hints of gold that swayed gently in the summer breeze. The grassy paths gave animals a wide variety of food choices. Moss, grass, flowers.. All the things nature provided and cared for. The way they world worked fascinated Crystal. Why the grass was green, why the wind blew. It was a thing of hers to like nature. Of course, they disagreed at times when wether was bad, but she loved nature all the same. Oh, but.. She needed to focus on the task at hand, lest she fall victim to her own loss of concentration a second time. She trained her bow strictly to the ground, ready to raise and shoot it off if need be. She had to listen, and carefully at that. She didn't have the luxury of using traps, rather she didn't know how. Though she had been managing without. Even if she had to go for the larger game instead. Outside the city walls it was a survival game. Kill or be killed, hunt or be hunted. It was predator versus prey. And she loved it. She loved tapping into her mind to outsmart others, using her intellect and instincts often made for an entertaining combination. She wouldn't give it up for the world. She loved being able to predict where the animals would move, being a step ahead of them made her proud. She loved every moment of the survival game. Don't get Crystal wrong though, she didn't do it for sport. She was out here to make a living, but was there any harm in having fun in the process? No, there wasn't. It was a matter of doing work and enjoying it. She concentrated on her hearing, straining her ears for any sound that meant even the smallest prey. Nothing but the sway of grass and birds in the distance. Petch. So she tried again, listening intently to the woods around her. She w as no animal, she didn't have super hearing. Even with that said she had a good chance of hearing somthing If it was close enough. Perhaps she should learn how to trap again.. No matter, she'd just have to use all her resources. Snap! There we go! Now she just had to follow that sound. Using light steps she looked around in the direction of the noise. She had to stay alert just in case it was a boar or bull. She had no intention of being impaled. To her luck it wasn't a boar or bull, or any large venison. It was a deer. The deer whipped it's head around as she approached and took off running. The chase was on.

[Crystal Nightshade]

Not one to stand around Crystal immediately gave chase bow drawn. She tightened her grasp on the grip and snatched arrow from her quiver. Breathe evenly, she reminded herself, whipping the bow around with unprofessional speed. She but the arrow nock on the bow string, trying her best to center it quickly as she ran. Her hands shock with a nervous rattle, like always she was unsure of herself. She needed to focus and calm down. She continued to fiddle with her arrow nock, not at all ready to shoot even as she was looking sight of the runaway game. Finally she managed to center the arrow nock on the bowstring, center position finally achieved. She pulled back the nock rigidly. Slow, stiff. She was sweating and her lungs were just starting to ache. Could she really hit the deer from this distance?! No, it was getting away! She inhaled sharply, if she missed she'd loose the catch. This was too much pressure. She drew back further, narrowing her eyelids before loosening the arrow. A soft hum of air indicated the arrow had flown, but had it hit? In the process the bowstring whipped against her arm. Shyke, she really needed an armguard! Not realising she'd shut her eyes, she instantly began to scold herself. Most of her balance was sight based, as well as her aim. There was no way she'd hit that deer. Looking around, she realized she was correct in her assumption. No sign of the deer nor her arrow. She'd lost sight of both because of another rookie mistake. She felt like screaming, but decided it wasn't in her best interest to alert those few creatures around her. She had to find something to hunt, if not today was a total loss. Now with one less arrow, she continued the path she headed into upon chasing the deer. Hopefully it would lead her somewhere good. Wait, couldn't she track the deer? Why was she so petching ignorant? She searched the ground for tracks, lucky enough to stumble upon them. She usually tracked blood trails, but now she would try a different tactic. Tracks could be used, but her father hadn't had the time to explain it all that well. There was no way to tell how to do it, so she would learn by trail and error. Alright, she had a course of action. Though she didn't know how to go about that course. The first step would be to figure out where the tracks are headed, but what if the lead her a false trail? Come on Crys, get it together. She scolded. She shook her head before putting on her game face. She had to be smart. She faced the tracks an keeled in front of them. They had the shape of a vertically flipped heart. It looked slightly disformed, but it should be a deer track, after all, the only animal she'd been chasing through here was a deer. She took a deep breath and began a light jog, taking an arrow from her quiver and putting it loosely against the ground trained bowstring. She would have to do this right. Her usual limit of arrows was ten, but today she would challenge herself with five. After that she would go home with or without game. She gave herself a self assuring nod. She could do this. It was about using her intelligence. So she followed the tracks, putting the shape in her memory to argue she wouldn't go wrong.

[Crystal Nightshade]

Crystal knew she had to be quick if she hoped to catch the deer. If luck was on her side it might lead her to more. Though, the chances of that particular outcome were slim. Her legs were tired from the earlier run, but she continued to jog. It wouldn't hurt to get in a bit of exercise. She looked at the ground to assure she was going the correct direction, keeping up her jog. It was then that she remembered her problem two days prior. That creature. A small tremble raced up her spine. How pathetic that she was afraid. She decided to fix the problem by being alert about her surroundings. Crystal didn't have time to worry about being killed, she needed to focus on finding game and getting the hell out of the woods. She pushed further into the Bronze Woods, feeling the sun beat lightly against her back in certain places. It was a warm afternoon. However she didn't have the luxury of enjoying it with others like many. She had a schedule she would stick to even if it meant being alone, which she usually was. The ebony haired woman snapped her head to the left at the sound of a growl. She hadn't realized the blood that began to follow the tracks. And as she looked back she froze. Signs of a struggle. The tracks were scattered everywhere in one area. And the scent of copper or iron filled the humid air. She gasped. Blood. She dropped her bow and kicked it out of reach just as a shadowed beast lunged for her her. She closed her eyes and brought up her hands to protect her face as she took a large step back. The searing pain of her flesh being torn erupted into her right arm. Teeth dug into her skin, refusing to let go. She winced harshly at the pain, knowing full well that if she expected to shake it off, the teeth would sink deeper into her skin. She went for her dagger with the opposite hand, gripping it harsh and stabbing the wolf with a large battle cry. Once the wolf fell limp she removed the jaws from her arm, a grunt of pain fell from her lips. She wouldn't be able to use her bow now. To much pain. She would need to use her dagger now. But how? She barely used it, and all she could do with it was stab. How the he'll was she supposed to catch something now?! The fact remained she had no idea what she was supposed to do. She had little to no skill in her dagger wielding. She could try to throw it, but if she missed it was over. How to work this to her advantage she didn't know. This wolf had cost her everything. Unless she used it. Yeah, she'd just skin this thing. It was light enough to flip, but heavy enough to produce proper cuts. She had wished fur something normal, but a wolf was still meat right? She quickly sat to work, the pain in her arms causing major problems. She didn't need to use both arms, but she did occasionally jar her injured one. After skinning it, she attempted to cut it.

[Crystal Nightshade]

Crystal dropped the dagger as a spasm of pain shot through her arm. There was no way to tell if she would get done. She dropped to the ground and picked up the dagger once again. She never would have thought she wouldn't be able to use her other hand. Petch, this was a long day. Two days prior there was a monster attack on her, now she had made the same mistake. She grabbed the knife. Just her luck that she would get bitten. She started to cut again, but it was uneven, and some were thin, others thick. How would she make a living like this. Her arm wasn't gone, it just hurt to use it. No doubt she needed to do something to stop the bleeding. She would rip off part of her shirt, but there was no point. She finished up as quickly as possible, poor cutting skills and all. She eventually managed to finish, but the sun was beginning to set. She needed to get out of the woods before that, so she hustled after packing the meet in her shirt. She picked up the bow she'd kicked away, knowing it would have been useless at such close range. She found the arrow not to Dar away, and hiked back towards the gates. As she headed back, she kept alert. Sure her dagger was sheathed safely at her sides, but she was trying her best not to use her arm to much. She then headed towards the gates, meat in hand. She was still always from it, but she could tell she was getting closer as the looming figure of the walls grew close in the distance. How nice to be attacked twice in a row, all on trips to make a living. She had now made it a goal to use her senses and learn more before going into the woods again. She had made the same mistake twice, indicating she needed more training. Perhaps it was time for a change. At least that what she thought. She would train outside the woods, and stop hunting for a bit. It was going to be a bit of a hard time for her, but something she had to do nonetheless. It would seem she still had a lot to learn. Her father had taught her, but not enough. She was grateful to him for what he had taught her though. She needed to review her day, but kept alert all the while. She winced as she touched her arm. She'd managed to get into the woods, find some game, lose said game, follow said game, and get bitten by a wolf. She was still bleeding, and she needed to get the bite evaluated before it was treated. She needed to hurry up. She let go of her arm and decided to quicken her pace. It hurt like Petch, but she kept moving. She was approaching the gate, bow clenched in her teeth, quiver on her back. She was starting to get dizzy. Blood loss she assumed. She approached a guard who took her immediately. "Are yo-" "I'm fine.. I just need to wrap the wound." She huffed painfully. Nodding, the guard ripped his shirt and clenched it around her arm wound. She grunted in pain. It hurt like petch. Crystal thanked the guard, telling him she would be getting healed soon. She swayed into the city with people giving her strange looks. She huffed, out of breath from the long hike back in to the city. She had people asking if she was alright the whole way to the butcher.

[Crystal Nightshade]

She hobbled in and leaned against the threshold, catching her breath before staggering in further. She turned in her meats with a short exchange, having it weighed. She eventually left with Alban staring down her wound. She eventually made it back into town, where she began to head home. What kind of crap had she gotten into? She would need to get home quickly and rest. With luck she'll recover enough to go seek medical attention. She hobbled on trying to get a grip on her vision. It was starting to spot. She was definitely slowing, and her breathing was getting heavier. In the the crowd of people, that's were she passed out. People voices sounded far away as they screeched for help. When she spoke it was at the soothing waters. Her arm was wrapped, no longer bleeding at least. She felt better, but not completely. Thank goodness for something. She rolled out of he'd, almost falling to the floor but landing on the wall for support. She then gasped as she realized she wasn't clothed, she reached for the blanket, surprised that her arm didn't hurt as she used it. She couldn't believe it, they had healed it. She wrapped herself up in embarrassment, and walked out of the hall only to be stopped by an auburn haired woman. "You need to rest." Instead of arguing she went back and did just that. After all this woman had probably helped her. She paid of course, ten gold miza for the services, ashservices. She rested up that day, and left the next with a few thank yous to the woman called Calyna. She was grateful for the help, but was out hunting again later. She couldn't believe she would still have to get it checked. Oh well, all in a day of hunting. Note : Sorry for the pathetic ending, I was in a rush to get it in for the season. I don't know if that's allowed but... yeah. Items lost: 1 arrow -10 gmail +whatever I get for the game meat that Crystal turned in.

[Nivel]

Crystal Nightshade : XP Award: land navigation 2 Philosophy 1 Observation 3 Tracking 3 Hunting 3 Weapon: Short bow 2 Running 1 Endurance 4 Tactics 1 Weapon:Dagger 1 Socialization 1 Butchering 1 Lore: Location: The Bronze woods Playing the survival game Observation: Be more aware of your surroundings Rewards and Injuries: Wolf bite 30 GM for poorly cut and preserved wolf meat. Notes: Fun little hunting thread . Additional Comments: If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to message me.