Clearing for home V (Empyreal Demesne)

[Vasin]

Timestamp: 7th of Summer, 519 A.V.
Vasin walked past the tree he had felled the previous day in the evening. It had laid where it had fallen. He had an axe in his right hand and a purpose in his eyes as he walked up to another tree. It was an oak tree, about a 12" one like the others. Maybe a little larger? he couldn't really tell, only estimate as he stood there sizing it up. He had a whole day of clearing an acre of land ahead of him. It was going to be a day dedicated to cutting down trees and pulling stumps. By the end of it, this whole area was going to be completely cleared. After that on the next day, he would get started on the next acre. The previous day reminded him that they were out in the Wilderness, a harsh reminder that came in the form of ten Yukmen rising from the ground. He had to burn the bodies to ensure that they did not return again. Hopefully, he didn't have to deal with any more monsters today. Though he was sure he friendly and always helpful Mule, Tack would help him out. Actually, he wasn't sure if that would be the case at all as he glanced back to Tack who was minding his own business.

Anyways, Vasin lined up his axe to the trunk of the tree the warm air surrounding him as he focused in on it. He brought the axe back and then slammed it forward! It embedded into the trunk with a large chop sound. He gave it a tug, but it didn't budge, so he placed his foot on the trunk of the tree and pulled back. He nearly fell over as the sudden momentum threw him off balance. But, he caught himself and stood up strong before approaching the tree again. He lined up another axe swing and threw it forward chopping into the tree. The wood of these oaks was strong, and it would make for fine building material. He wasn't sure what they would use it for, but he was sure they would end up using it. By the end of this, he figured they would have enough wood for another building at the very least. Though, he didn't know how to make planks or anything of that nature, so he simply chopped away bringing the axe back every time before swinging it forward into the tree.

The sound of chopping could be heard throughout the area. Chop, chop, and chop over and over again as he worked on this one tree. Chopping a wedge into it as he had with every other tree prior to it. It was simple, but very exhausting after some time. So, by the time he had finished cutting the wedge into the tree with a multitude of chops he had already worked up a sweat. Breathing in and then out Vasin would step around the 12" oak tree and line his axe up to the other side. Vasin was intent on getting this thing chopped down in a timely manner. So, once more he brought the axe back and then swung it forward chopping into it. He started chopping a channel to weaken the tree enough so that when it fell, it was going to fall the way he wanted it to. Soon enough Vasin could hear it, the creaking of wood, the stress the tree was undergoing. Then, as he stepped back axe in hand he began to hear louder and louder snaps. The tree began to list and then began to fall over crashing on the way down to the forest floor.

[Vasin]

While he had gotten one tree there was a number more he had to deal with. In total, he was going to have to cut down about ten trees by the end of the day and remove their stumps as well. That was if he wanted to get the acre cleared by the end of the day that is. Which he did, so after drinking some water to refresh himself Vasin would move onto the next tree using much the same technique as before. Lining up his chops and slowly working a wedge into the tree. Then, after he had worked that wedge in what he would do next was simply go to the other side each time. There he would chop a groove into the other side going towards the wedge. There was no guarantee that it was going to fall the way he intended. The wedge helped of course, but he stayed on his toes and the moment he heard trouble would back off out of the way. The trees would creak, groan, crack, and then snap before they would come crashing down. The sound of their thud echoing out all ten times he did this.

Each time he chopped at a tree it created a lot of noise which echoed throughout the area. Birds went silent, especially when the trees came crashing down. He had gotten used to them doing so, as it was only natural he figured. Though their songs prior to him starting were always nice. Vasin stood there for a moment though walked up next to the fallen tree. It now lay there still as can be. Tree branches were broken on the ground he was going to need Tack's help to move it out of the way. But, that was for later as quickly he would move onto the next tree. As he looked at it up and down it seemed to be a tad... larger? Vasin rand his hand over the trunk trying to guess at the size. Possibly 14"? Maybe it was just his imagination. Regardless, it had to go if they were going to have some farmable land here. Taking a sip of some water Vasin moved to the other side and began to line up his axe. Bringing it back his arms bending at the joints as he tensed up a little. Readying his swing as he felt a bead of sweat drip down his face. Vasin then unleashed a mighty swing sending the axe into the waiting tree.

The axe impacted biting into the wood with a loud chop sound that echoed and vibrated up his body. Vasin breathed out, and then breathed in as he yanked his tool free from the tree. Bringing it back again Vasin then sent it forward with as much energy as before, and then again and again. His goal the same as always. Work a wedge into the tree with many chops, then go to the other side and finish the job. As simple as that sounded, not all trees took the same amount of swings. He was still learning the best ways to do this as well. So, he had just been going off of assumptions and brute force. That mixed in with a bit of wit here and there and so far it had been slow going but progress all the same. Also, with all the work he had done he had found himself eating more than usual. It is like his body needed more fuel to keep up with what Vasin was demanding of it. Working the land like this took a whole lot out of him. But seeing how much progress he had made... that was rewarding in its own right looking upon the clear land that the Manor would go on. While he had a home in Zeltiva, this place would be special to him.

[Vasin]

Vasin had been taking a toll on this tree to be certain, it was taking a little longer than usual, or maybe he just thought it did? He had to concentrate and he did so by focusing in on the tree. Lining up another chop into the exposed wood he had been cutting and chipping into. Swinging forward the axe head impacted and as he drew back for another he took pause. Glancing at it from the side it looked like that the wedge he had worked into it would do well enough. So, Vasin went around to the other side and would bring his axe back and then bring it forward sharply. Burying it into the tree he would start to chop into it over and over again. Working a nice channel of wood out working to the edge of the wedge he had chopped into the other side of the tree. His hands were sticky with sweat the handle warm as he got closer and closer. Then, he heard it, the creaking of wood and the starts of snapping. It began to list to giving Vasin all the signs he needed to start backing off. Axe in one hand Vasin watched as it began to loudly snap as it listed in the direction of the wedge.

The tree began to crash down to the surface echoing throughout the whole area as it powerfully thudded onto the ground. Some dust was kicked up from how it had fallen there. Vasin rolled his shoulders and got out his waterskin to start drinking. He barely got a sip in when Vasin heard something else in the deafening silence. It was Tack letting out an alerted whine, the stomping of his hooves could be heard as well. Vasin would look over to Tack blinking. He had never seen Tack do that before. Not even when the trees fell. There they were whining and stomping on the ground. Their ears pointed towards Vasin and they kept looking over to him. Did he scare tack? No, that made no sense and the real reason soon became clear. Out of all this, he glanced back and at first, only saw the shape as his eyes focused on. He froze, there was a Mountain Lion crouched down having paused mid-stalk staring right at him low to the ground. They exchanged looks time feeling frozen. Vasin heard a snap of something behind him towards Tack which snapped him back to reality. To which, he dropped his axe and reached for his sword.

The Mountain Lion sprung forward in a direct sprint bounding right at him with clear intent. It's powerful and agile body carrying it towards him as he was halfway through getting his sword out. Just as he got the tip free of the scabbard the Mountain Lion lept into the air at him, pouncing to him. Arms and paws outstretched as it let out a loud growl. Vasin tried to maneuver his sword into place, but his body didn't react in time, only managing to get his left arm up. It impacted, tackling him to the ground the air nearly knocked from his lungs. Vasin shoved his forearm up at its neck trying to keep it from mauling him. But it was latched on so as he violently shook it refused to let go. Getting closer and closer as it tried to maneuver for his neck. Vasin let go of his sword now pinned between them and desperately started grasping for his throwing axe. It was all so fast their struggle, the Mountain Lion had the clear edge but Vasin knew to guard his neck feeling its claws did into him. Scratching him up to his clothes offering little to no protection at all.

[Vasin]

Vasin managed to grab hold of his throwing axe and was trying to pull it free when a shadow passed over him and the Mountain Lion. He didn't think much of it mid-struggle until the unexpected happened. The Mountain Lion let out a loud yowl possibly of surprise and was lifted off of him. It's clawing leaving their mark as it did so going up into the air. What had happened? Tack had happened. It had picked the Mountain Lion up by the scruff with its teeth letting out a rather aggressive whine as it did. The Mountain Lion and its agility then tried to swipe at Tack or maybe latch onto it? But as it did Tack reared up and began to violently swing and shake the Mountain Lion around. Whipping it around like a very angry rag doll. Eventually, Tack did let it go almost in a toss to which the Mountain Lion managed to twist itself mid-air its paws meeting the ground looking really pissed off. Vasin scrambled to his feet latching back onto his Long Sword. Breathing out in a near panic he saw Tack raise up and whine aggressively again kicking his front hooves out towards the Mountain Lion.

Vasin brought his sword up placing one hand on the handle of the sword and the other going to the blade. Gripping it firmly as he brought it to level to his waist. His knees slightly bent in a spring-like fashion his muscles storing up energy just as a spring he tried to stay light-footed. His scratches and claw marks stung. His eyes locked on the Mountain Lion his arms tended ready to spring forth in a thrust at a moment's notice. If it hadn't been for Tack, Vasin simply was not sure if he would have gotten to his back up weapon in time. The Mountain Lion having completely taken him by surprise. He squared up to it though he was fighting no human. A powerful creature based on instinct and fury faced him. His sword techniques and responses would do little to help. Vasin was not used to fighting such creatures, at least with the Yukmen they had some similarities. Even more so if they watched you fight a little. But this, he simply could not predict and only do what came in as the basics.

The furious feline sprung forward once more and Vasin knew he would have to choose his timing carefully. He aimed the tip of his blade at it as it sprinted right back towards him. it lept into the air just as before and Vasin angled his sword tip-up. He pushed forward and stabbed forward up into the beast as it came down onto him. It felt onto him, knocking him to the ground one more, he felt some resistance, a heavyweight, a brief struggle, but when the dust settled he found a rather dead Mountain Lion on his blade. Vasin stared wide-eyed at it breathing in and out his heart racing. Then Tack came over and buried their face into its fur. Starting to bite the dead animal rather aggressively. Seemed that Tack survived his encounter in the tunnels for a reason."Y-Your brave mule aren't you?" Vasin said letting out a nervous chuckle as he would after a moment shove the Mountain Lion off him. Drawing his sword from it and then wiping the blood off.

[Vasin]

Sheathing his sword Vasin looked at Tack taking their aggression out on the corpse."I'm going to have to give you some extra food from now on." Vasin said scratching the back of his head. Though he winced a little at the bruises and cuts he had endured."Before we continue on... I'm going to go get these checked on." Vasin would say though knew Tack wasn't really listening. After Tack had finished with the corpse Vasin would lug it up and lay it over his back. On a closer look, the Mountain Lion looked a little scrawny? Maybe it was really hungry. He couldn't be certain as he had never seen the creature before only hearing of them. After that, he would walk Tack back to the beach using the cart trail he had created the other day. Once there he would offload the dead Mountain Lion. Maybe Anja could do something with it? Vasin was not a hunter, of that he could be sure. Regardless, while there he would get his wounds looked at. They weren't life-threatening or too severe. But he would get them cleaned one at a time. Using some saltwater on the wound with some scrubbing Vasin would then get bandaged up. After today he was going to have to head to the healing center to get a proper look at them as this was not a sure-fire way to fix them.

But, his body bandaged up with cloth Vasin would head back out needed to finish clearing the acre. He had finished cutting down the trees so now it was time to remove them and then the stumps. Drinking some water on the way and feeding Tack a biscuit they would come up to the first tree. Taking the rope from Tack's harness Vasin would go over to the felled tree and wrap the rope around it. Tieing the rope off around the trunk of the tree Vasin would give it a good tug to check if it was secured. From there Vasin went up to Tack and would start leading him with a treat as bribery as before. Tack after a moment would start to pull. The 12" oak tree dragging behind him rustling and leaving a trail in the exposed dirt. Vasin would bring this tree down to the beach using the cart trail he had created. One after another he would repeat this exact process. Going up to the tree, tieing it up, then leading Tack to the beach using the trail he had created, unloading the tree in the pile of trees he had, and then untieing it before returning for another. Vasin repeated this process about 9 times ending up with 10 trees brought to the beach.

Now it was time to take care of the remaining stumps in the ground. Though after the Mountain Lion attack Vasin watched his back. Approaching the first of the ten stumps he would take a drink of water along the way. Vasin would get out his shovel and start digging away at it. Digging at the sides of the stump removing the dirt from around it. Trying to get under roots and the stump itself as he did so. Once he had done some serious digging he would put the shovel aside and get his hatchet. Doing some close-in work he would loosen the stump further by cutting off it's rooted both to the sides and then under. He would also grab out any rocks that might damage the hatchet as he chopped away at roots. He did this for each of them and would try to get a good spot to tie a rope around. Then on each one he would bring tack over and tie some rope around the stump. Leading Tack forward with a treat the stump would be pulled out of the ground. Though sometimes Vasin would have to loosen it a little more by chipping away at its newly exposed roots and anchor points. All in all, he would get all 10 stumps to the beach to add to the firewood pile giving them an extra ten days of firewood.

[Ennisa]

Grades Awarded

Please edit your grade request, thanks!

Vasin

Skills

Observation: +4
Logging: +4
Bodybuilding: +3
Endurance: +2
Tactics: +1
Weapon: Longsword: +2
Animal Husbandry: +1
Driving: +1

Lores

Tack: A not very helpful (but very brave) mule
Logging: Axe momentum to cut tough wood
Biology: Oak wood is strong, appropriate for building
Logging: Estimating trunk size by hand measurements
Endurance: The body needs refueling after hard work
The Empyreal Demesne: Will always be special to Vasin
Animal Husbandry: Agitated appearance of Tack, the mule
Lore of protecting your neck from mountain lion attacks
Tactics: Fighting a mountain lion

Penalties/Awards

Ledger:
Item(s):
Health:

Notes

If the thread had been graded sooner, I would have 'awarded' the injuries, but there's not much point now as they would have healed.

Anyway, some nice writing here. I appreciate you writing the mountain lion as being a little scrawny. That is a good way of playing to your character's skill level. Please PM me if you have any concerns!