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[Caesi Starguide]

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It was likely the bird had squawked long enough that it had warned any other prey of the hunter's presence. A common occurrence it seemed, when hunting fowl. Caesi hated to hunt birds, they were noisy, more so then a deer. Caesu gave a sigh and a small shrug. “The blood and the noise has made this place useless.” Caesi said, agreeing with Jasmine as she peered around at their surroundings. She was not the best at tracking things but it would not hurt to try. Walking over to her Strider, Caesi leaped into the Yvas patting Pyxis neck. “I can see the ground better from up here.” She explained to Jasmine, as she tightened her knees around her horse, tapping her heels slightly and nudging the horse forward with her body. “Tracking will be faster by horseback.” She said with a smile waiting for her companion to mount up and follow.

While Jasmine was getting on her horse and preparing to track for an animal, Caesi scanned the ground below, looking for tracks. She went away from the blood and noise of the birds they had killed, heading towards the east. Caesi squinted her teal eyes, observing anything that did not blend in. Frowning Caesi noticed something odd. Patting the sides of her Strider with her knees, she urged her forward at a fast walk. The grass in this particular location was bent as if an animal was in a hurry to leave. A bush nearby at been scraped of bark and branches broken as if antlers at been rubbed against it. Dismounting from her strider, Caesi searched the ground. “I think some type of deer has been around here.” She told Jasmine, as she looked around for tracks or scat. “Maybe we can find some tracks or deer shyke.” Caesi said over her shoulder to the blonde, as she moved the tall grass out of her way looking for tracks.


OOCThe tracks and rubbing on the bush would be from a Pronghorn.

| Thoughts |

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine looked as the girl mounted up before slowly walking around the clearing between the trees. Spotting something the woman knelled down and moved a little grass to show tracks. Following their direction Jasmine stood up before walking over and mounting Chaser. The woman followed the younger spotting the same signs. Something felt off about the missing bark. It was no wide enough to be a very big deer so either it was a pronghorn or a very young buck.

"The bark is not rubbed off far enough to be a big buck. It is either a smaller animal such as a Pronghorn or a very young and inexperienced buck. I am leaning towards the first due to a set of tracks that are far to small to be any deer with horns. Follow the beaten down grass. That is our best bet to catch up quickly," Jasmine said looking at the woman on the other strider. The pair had to move quickly as Syna was beginning to set once more. Soon with darkness on them the pair would have to agree to another hunting trip soon.

[Caesi Starguide]

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Caesi gave Jasmine a quick nod of agreement. Following the beaten down grass was the best move as of now. With the sun slowly descending, it would be dark soon which meant it was close to time for them to part ways. They did not have the time to search thoroughly for tracks or droppings that would tell them how long ago the animal was in this location. Caesi hoped it was not too far away, though it appeared it was frightened off by something. It was very possible the small deer or pronghorn heard all the noise they were making, became nervous and pranced off into a more quiet location.

She gave a whistle for her hunting companion, Nu. Dismounting from her horse she waited for a chime or two for the dog to appear. When his hefty figure emerged from the grasses, he wagged his tail, tongue hanging from his mouth. “Come.” She said to the dog and he listened, coming to her side, sitting and waiting impatiently for what she wanted from him. Caesi bent down, her hand on his head she shook it a little, giving him some love before pointing down at the bent grass. “Nu, hunt.” She told the dog, who just looked at her. Sighing she grabbed the back of the dogs neck, bringing it down to the grass that was bent, hoping he would catch a scent. Nu barked, indicating that he did indeed smell the animal. This time she snapped her fingers, getting his attention once more, “Hunt Nu.” She commanded of the dog, who gave a small noise that was similar to a growl, then was off with nose on ground, helping them track down the pronghorn or deer that was here previously.

Caesi grabbed the hand grip of the Yvas, leaping into it and wiggling until she was comfortable. Tightening her knees around the Strider, she tapped her heels softly, putting her in a soft trot, following Nu as he guided them to the animal. Caesi patted her Strider's neck, who nickered slightly. Up ahead Nu had stopped. His stance was stiff, nose in the air sniffing the scent of the animal. It had taken half a bell to come this far, might as well finish the job properly. Caesi looked over at Jasmine, gesturing with her hands, 'Animal found, let's hunt.' She gave a small smile as she dismounted from her Strider, stroking her for a few ticks, and then grabbed her shortbow and an arrow from her quiver.

The two-woman hunting party stalked forward, when she was close to Nu she patted the dog, “Heel boy.” She told him and he sat down, though his muscles stayed tense and his eyes glared forward into some small bushes. She was not good at knowing what kind of bushes they were, they had flowers and berries however. Caesi signaled to Jasmine, 'Get ready,' as she brought up the arrow and nocked it to her bow, she crouched down low like a hunting cat. She moved as silently and stealth like as she could, rolling her feet to reduce the noise. She kept her limbs close to her body so they would not rustle the tall grass and she stalked forward. Getting down to one knee she gestured for Jasmine to 'halt' as she saw the animal through the flowering bushes. It was eating some berries from the bush on the other side. Caesi pointed in the pronghorn's direction, in case Jasmine did not see it yet. 'Both shoot' She told the woman, it was their best chance to make sure to take it down, if they both shot at the pronghorn.

Caesi's arrow was already nocked, she placed her index finger on top of the shaft letting her ring and middle finger stay on the bottom, to help secure the arrow. Drawing back further on the bowstring, she anchored it to just past her chin, shifting her body slightly to distribute the weight to her back instead of her limbs. She kept her bow arm straight, using it to aim at the pronghorn. Bending the elbow of her other arm she took aim, about three fourths away from the right front leg, aiming at the chest cavity hoping to hit a lung or the heart. Closing her right eye she aimed with her left, her gaze gliding down the shaft of the arrow. Inhaling she had the place she was aiming for, glancing at Jasmine to see if she was ready, exhaling she waited a few ticks to give her time. Caesi inhaled again, then on the exhale she released her bowstring. The arrow was released and flew through the air, racing towards the Pronghorn.

OOCWe can start wrapping this thread up if you'd like. I will let your dictate where the arrow hits in your post .

| Thoughts |

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine rode beside the woman and watched as Nu done what was told of him. At least once the woman got his attention. Spotting the moving bush the woman slid down from Chaser's back patting his side. Grabbing her bow and arrow the blond pulled her hair back. Stooping low she slowly began moving forward once more. Notching her arrow the drykas nodded watching the young lady beside her. Taking aim Jasmine took several deep steady breathes while still staring down the shaft of her arrow. Finally the pronghorn came into view. An unsteady breathing caught her attention, cutting her eyes the woman watched as the young brown haired woman forced her breathing to relax. Paying close attention Jasmine noted that the woman's arrow seemed a tiny bit high due to her breathing. Quickly releasing her bolt both pierced the Pronghorn's side.

The creature cried out kicking its back legs before trying to run off. The only issue with it trying to get away one arrow had pierced the lungs and the other had pierced through the spinal cord cutting the poor animal's mobility down to nothing. Moving quickly Jasmine put her bow across her back and quickly moved in before the pronghorn could make any more noise. Taking her hunting knife from her boot the woman sent a silent prayer to Semele in thanks for helping her and Caesi to make a clean kill. Pinning the animal's head down with one knee she quickly cut the neck of the thing below her. Several chimes ticked by before the blood lose finally took it's toll. Looking up Jasmine stood once more and smiled before whistling loudly. Chaser's ears perked up and quickly trotted over to the girls before slowing smelling all the blood.

"I know buddy I know," She said and walked over gently petting his muzzle.

[Caesi Starguide]

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Caesi's aim was slightly off, the arrow hitting the pronghorn a little higher then she had wanted it to. However, Jasmine released her arrow as well and both arrows hit the pronghorn in the side. The creature struggled to run off from the two huntresses, but the arrows seemed to have pierced it to the point it's mobility was diminished. Caesi sent a silent thank you to Semele, as Jasmine sliced the pronghorn's throat, letting the blood spill to the ground.

Several chimes passed and a large pool formed, but it had finally stopped all together. Jasmine'es dog came up, sniffing the blood of the animal, Nu following suite wagging his tail happy to have the company. The pronghorn was not extremely large upon observation. It appeared to be around one-hundred and fifteen pounds, so it would provide plenty of meat. Caesi gave a smile over at Jasmine, “We made a great team today.” She looked up at the sky, observing the position of the sun in the sky. It was time to call it the day, the hunt was over. She needed to get back to her pavilion and take care of her duties.

“Take the pronghorn as a sign of friendship and gratitude for your help with hunting today.” Caesi said giving her a soft smile, “The sun is getting close to setting and I must be home before dark.” The young huntress explained. Caesi began walking back to her Strider. Grabbing onto the Yvas she lifted herself into the Yvas, swinging her legs into place and tightening her knees around the mare. “I hope that we meet again Jasmine.” Caesi spoke to the blonde woman, gesturing 'farewell' in sign as she clicked her tongue. Once the good-byes were finished Caesi would dig her heels into Pyxis and canter off, racing the setting sun to get home before dark.

| Thoughts |

[Jasmine Stormblood]

Jasmine smiled at the girl before saying good bye as well. Waving farewell the woman turned her attention to the pronghorn on the ground. It was heavier than anything the blond had to lift before so she would need to use the trees as leverage to get the creature up and on Chaser's back. Looking around Jasmine spotted a tree that would do well enough for her to use. Walking over to Chaser she got the rope from her yvas bag. Tying it around the head of the pronghorn Jasmine fought to get it dragged across the ground and to the tree. Panting finally the blonde threw the rope over the branch and pulled hard until the animal was hung in the air. Whistling loudly Haven and Chaser quickly came to the woman Haven walked around the tree sniffing the bottom. Shaking her head Jasmine wrapped the rope all the way up her arm.

Just in case her grip started to give the woman knew it would take several chimes to come undone from her arm as well. Giving her enough time to catch it once more. Holding her grip Jasmine moved Chaser where she needed him before slowly letting the rope make its way through her hand. Keeping the pronghorn from falling too fast and startling Chaser was proving to be a more of a challenge than the woman had first thought. Finally pulling the back legs over some the body began to lay in front of the yvas where Jasmine could secure it. Chaser snorted and stomped the ground in distaste for the dead creature.

"I know big guy, but we have to get it back to the pavilion. Once there I will get Azmere to help show me how to skin it then wash you off," Jasmine said with a smile.

After what felt like ages Jasmine finally got the pronghorn draped across the stallion's back. Taking the rope from around the head the woman went to work on tying the dead body tightly to the yvas. Pulling hard on the final knot to make sure it would survive the trip Jasmine whistled loudly getting Haven's attention once more. Stooping down the blond picked the pup up and put her on top of the pronghorn. Once Jasmine was able to mount up Haven moved and settled in front of the rider. Smiling the blonde used her legs to get Chaser turned and headed home for the day. Jasmine was becoming excited to return with so many kills to show she was indeed learning.

[Rufio]

　　

◃ g　r　a　d　e　s ▹

c a e s i

xp

Observation +3
Riding, Horse +4
Stealth +3
Hunting +3
Weapon, Shortbow +5
Endurance +1
Acrobatics +1
Socialization +2
Rhetoric +2
Leadership +2
Weapon, Dagger +1
Philosophy +1
Tracking +1
Animal Husbandry +1

lores

Hunting: Laying in wait & staying downwind
Acrobatics: Rolling to avoid an arrow in the gut!
Caesi: Speaks openly, boldly & freely
Jasmine: Mistaken for prey
Hunting: Two sets of eyes & ears are better than one
Jasmine Moonstone: Of Diamond Clan
Hunting: Rabbit, grouse & pronghorn antelope
Jasmine: Quick-shot with the short-bow
Hunting: Fowl is noisy prey
Tracking: Faster by horseback
Tracking: Pronghorn antelope

penalties

— 1 Arrow
✢ Aching thighs, arms & shoulders lasting 12 bells without/6 bells with treatment or rest

rewards

✢ 1 Grouse (carcass)
✢ 1 Pheasant (carcass)

j a s m i n e

xp

Observation +3
Animal Husbandry +1
Organization +1
Riding, Horse +4
Socialization +2
Rhetoric +2
Weapon, Shortbow +4
Weapon, Knife +2
Stealth +1
Hunting +3
Persuasion +1
Tactics +1
Tracking +1
Bodybuilding +1

lores

Caesi: Mistook Jasmine for prey
Caesi Starguide: Of Amethyst Clan
Jasmine: A forgiving woman
Hunting: Two sets of eyes & ears are better than one
Hunting: Rabbit, pheasant & pronghorn antelope
Tracking: Faster by horseback
Tracking: Pronghorn antelope
Archery: Hitting two targets at once!

penalties

✢ Sore & aching arms & shoulders lasting 30 bells without/20 bells with treatment or rest
— 1 Arrow

rewards

✢ 1 Rabbit (carcass)
✢ 1 Pheasant (carcass)
✢ 1 Pronghorn Antelope (carcass)



As per Meadow's announcement, sorry for withholding your grades! Brilliant thread, full of great team-work! The only thing I would mention to watch out for is—Jasmine, remember to play to your PC's skills levels (not sure a hunter with novice under 10XP in bow, tracking & hunting would be so accurate at these skills.

If you feel I've missed anything in this grade feel free to shoot me a PM! Don't forget to go back & edit your grade request here~