Complete Private Displaced (Hylands)

[Raid Boss]

Displaced

This is the optional follow up to Zeusterday Express's Cycle 4.

• If your character got a [ 2 ], you may post here and wrap up your part in that threat.
• There is no rule outside of the default site rules for this thread.

Spoiler: Credit Roll

Directed by: Asch
Screenplay by: Asch
Zeus: Asch
Childress: Asch
Uzuna: Asch

Special thanks to all the production staff who are all Asch.​

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

There was good weather, and there was bad weather. On lucky days an adventurer was met with sun and gentle winds, a promise of fair tidings that invigorated the soul and lightened one's footsteps. On these days Mizuki could travel far and wide, only hindered by the challenges provided by terrain and local threats.

On unlucky days one might suspect that the heavens had it out for you and were trying to kill you.

The luna wolf had been moving through the rough terrain west of the valley the Sun Claw inhabited, trying to remain unnoticed by the more aggressive inhabitants that she herself considered kin even if they might hold a different opinion. Unlike the Sun Claw, the Moon Fang had yet to display much hospitality to outsiders, whether they were Landers or Travelers, so Mizuki had chosen the road of caution for now and tried to explore the region in secret.

The truth was that she was dying to reach out to them, but her desires had to be tempered by her survival instinct and rationality.

Her plans were hindered when the skies darkened and the first snowflakes fell, the amount of white dots in the sky quickly increasing until she found herself in the middle of a blizzard. The winds had also picked up, howling in the huntress's ears as she lowered her posture, growing fur on her hands and feet to help fight off the cold as she tried to press onwards. Within minutes it had become difficult to keep track of her surroundings, the blizzard obscuring her vision as the howling winds hindered her hearing and the biting cold made using her nose difficult.

She'd done her best to fully embrace the nature of a caenis, which allowed her to handle cold weather better than most, but even arctic wolves couldn't stand this kind of environmental hazard forever. Her journey of exploration had become a search for shelter, and she'd begun to worry that she might not find one in time when she caught the scent of burning wood.

With no other realistic options available to her she followed the scent best she could, using her experience to figure out the direction it came from despite the winds' best attempts at confusing her. Dogged persistence battled against the blizzard's fury, eventually winning out when Mizuki found a longhouse standing tall against the winter storm, promising refuge to weary wanderers who'd endured the heaven's fury. Even standing close to it already meant that Mizuki was shielded against the worst of the blizzard, although she could feel the chill still creeping into her fingers and toes, her thick fur only slowing it down. To truly recover she'd need to go inside, a prospect which was both exhilarating and unnerving given the most likely inhabitants.

Still, staying outside could kill her just as easily, so even as her mind was divided into two feelings which contrasted as starkly as her mismatched eyes Mizuki pushed open one of the large doors, slipping inside as soon as she could fit into the opening and closing the door behind her before the blizzard could take the opportunity to blow it wide open.

The first thing she did once the wooden barrier muffled the sounds of the blizzard behind her was to shake herself like a dog, chunks of snow falling off while smaller fragments floated through the air like a terminal case of dandruff. The second thing she did was turn her gaze towards the group of wolf-like people gathered around the cooking fire in the middle of the great hall. It might have been better if they hadn't noticed her, but she doubted that any of them were so oblivious to their surroundings as to ignore the cold gale that had slipped inside together with Mizuki, much less all of them.

For now the best she could do was to not show her inner hesitation, her moon eyes studying the group calmly as she finished brushing off some more snow from her arms and torso. If she was lucky they'd accept that she was hiding from the blizzard.

If she was unlucky...

@Asch @Zelrius

 

[Raid Boss]

Location: Hylands Longhouse (@Ueno Mizuki)

The first thing Mizuki was greeted by when she intruded on the longhouse was the heat wafting from the log-stacked walls, carrying with it the sweet scent of rich protein that was worth more than gold on a food-scarce winter evening. Mizuki stuck out like a sore thumb, with a puddle of melted blizzard flakes beneath her feet at the entrance. When the furred occupants of the longhouse all turned away from the pillar of smoke that billowed up at the center of the room, their eyes immediately narrowed, claws unsheathed, and fangs bared.

One of the Caenis audibly snarled as she assumed a lunging stance, ready to tear out the throat of the invader at a moment's notice, had it not been for a deep voice rooting her in place. "Stay, Nikorappa. It's not the first visitor we have had today. Let's see if this one can explain how this red-head swordsman materialized out of thin air," the voice said. Following the voice would lead Mizuki to a large bipedal polar bear adorned with a specialized hunter armor.

"Osoro!" a male Caenis growled out his name, "Don't fall for the spawn of the Kamuy of Trickery!"

"Yeah!" another voice, feminine this time, cut through the collective murmuring front and center with an accusation. "She looks like our kind, but she smells neither of Sun Claw or Moon Fang, as every Sun Claw and Moon Fang here can tell you, Osoro!"

With all the doubts and suspicion spinning the room into a frenzy, the group of Caenis began brandishing their weapons, pointing arrow tips, spearheads, and swordpoints at Mizuki.

"WEAPONS DOWN!!!" the bearman roared, completely silencing the frenzied murmurs and amped up aggression within the room as the group of Caenis collectively lowered their weapons.

"I will take responsibility if the outsider tries anything, so stay your weapons for now. We need to figure out what is going on with this sorcery. People do not appear out of nowhere unless the spirit world is involved. Bad things happen when you displease those who reside in the spirit world, did I not tell you?" Osoro, who was the voice of reason and seemingly the leader of the group spoke firmly, keeping his eyes on Mizuki the entire time.

"RRRRrrrrRRRrrR…" The young female Caenis called Nikorappa was still in her pouncing stance, not letting up like the others even after Osoro shut them down.

"Nikorappa. Stay, girl," Osoro sighed as he made his way to Mizuki, towering over her protectively as glares of death pricked his furred back.

"Where did you come from and how did you find the Hunt's longhouse? I hope you haven't come to stir up trouble, because even if we followers of Mitis are only in pursuit of the hunt, my fellow hunters will tear you apart, limb by limb." Despite his veiled threat, Osoro spoke with a calm and gentle cadence.

"Speaking of, did you by chance happen to materialize out of thin air like that red-headed outsider?" Osoro asked as he thumbed toward the corner of the room where Zelrius was snoring atop a straw cot while a silent male Sun Claw reclined against the wall next to him, sharpening the reflectively sharp spearhead in his hand.

---

New faction & subplot discovered: The Hunt​

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Do not show weakness.

That was the very first thing the inhabitants of the valley had told her, after their reluctance to talk about their savage kin had been worn down by Mizuki's dogged persistence. There was no love lost between the Sun Claw and the Moon Fang, and even Mizuki's best attempts at earning their trust had only barely been enough for them to breach what was clearly a subject they'd rather leave alone when possible.

According to those she'd successfully persuaded the Moon Fang collectively maintained very primitive traditions, of dominance and strength rather than rationality and reason. No matter how well-intentioned or silver-tongued, the weak would be devoured by the strong, possibly literally depending on the circumstances. For the people of Earth, accustomed to a more civilized age, this might sound like utter barbarism, but to live in Terrasphere you had to abandon what you took for granted.

So when the inhabitants of the lodge answered her unexpected entry with clear hostility and wariness Mizuki didn't cower or beg forgiveness. Out here in the wilds, with a blizzard beating against the walls, it would be nigh impossible to convince them that she was here by accident.

Instead she simply stood there, eyes narrowing and her hackles rising as she saw their fangs and claws, as well as the sharp tools of the hunt all of them carried. Unsurprisingly they were all armed, even if it would have been much more convenient for her if they had to rely on their natural weapons just like she did. With her ears pointed forward at her potential adversaries and her tail sticking out behind her she made it clear that, even if she was not supposed to be here, she was not going to let them push her around.

Although she also had to avoid open conflict... there was no guarantee she could survive against an entire hunting party, especially in this environment where she could resort to hit and run tactics to mitigate their advantages. If she could avoid a fight that would be excellent... but short of that, the longer she managed to stall the better equipped she'd be to survive, as the lodge's almost smothering warmth seeped into her chill-soaked limbs, restoring their flexibility.

The bear she hadn't been expecting: it might be the very first bearfolk she'd met so far, and yet he seemed at ease here amongst Moon Fang. In fact, he was the only one who wasn't snarling at her like he was dying to drink her blood.

Shooting the crouching female caenis a warning glare Mizuki gave the bear (apparently called Osoro) most of her attention, watching him cautiously as he demanded for all the other inhabitants of the lodge (save one) to hold their ire and listen to what she had to say. If it meant that she didn't have to fight the entire group she'd certainly take whatever allies she could get.

Even if Nikorappa didn't actually stop growling.

As Osoro approached Mizuki willed her fur to stop bristling, even if otherwise her confident stance didn't waver. Moon eyes turned up to look at the burly figuring now towering before her, either intentionally or unintentionally shielding her from the rest of the group as he addressed her directly.

I come from the valley in the east. I was on my own hunt when the blizzard caught me unawares, and this longhouse was the first shelter I came across.

The threat was unmistakable, but Mizuki didn't waste her breath arguing. Sticking to the most relevant details she spoke without hesitation, perhaps only puzzled at this armoured individual's presence and the things he spoke of.

However, when he referred to the red-haired figure sleeping in the corner Mizuki's eyes flickered over to a familiar person, blinking and staring before realising her mistake. If they mistrusted Zelrius because of his strange entrance, then admitting to being familiar with him would make her share the distrust directed at him.

Then again, they hadn't killed the human, and she wouldn't feel at ease abandoning him either.

I did not. I travelled here on my paws, as always. (She turned her gaze back towards Osoro.) But I do know of him, and I know that he does not have the means to appear out of thin air by himself: if that is what happened then somebody or something else is involved.

Osoro had referred to the spirit world, and while Mizuki didn't know enough about this to make an educated guess, if it meant the pack leader was willing to consider her and Zelrius travellers rather than intruders it was worth encouraging that possibility.

For my part, while I'm interested in this hunt of yours, I am only here to wait for the weather to calm down so I can resume my own.

@Raid Boss

 

[Raid Boss]

Location: Hylands Longhouse (@Ueno Mizuki)

The lodge fell into a tense silence, punctuated only by the rising howl of the blizzard outside. Osoro regarded Mizuki, his amber eyes unblinking as he gazed into her defiant pair.

"You are a Sun Claw," he spoke with low rumble in his voice, "yet you seek shelter among our outcasts with an acquaintance appearing out of thin air. An unusual circumstance. I will grant you protection for now but know that treachery will be met with the swiftness of winter's wrath," he paused and turned to address the others who shifted uneasily, "If they are acquainted, then the Sun Claws can take the red-head back when the storm breaks. We have no interest in prisoners or being caught between the conflict of Fangs, Claws, and their guests. Ours is the Path of the Hunt, nothing more."

Nikorappa's fur bristled as she took a step forward, her eyes fixed on Zelrius. "And what of him?" she snarled, her voice laced with subdued ferocity. "He poofed out of thin air, and then collapses? He should be questioned. We need to know what ilk he's brought on our band. What if the spirits and their ilks are angered?!"

Osoro silenced her with a raised paw. "The how of his arrival serves no purpose to us," he said. "The Hunt is our business, our life. We will not be entangled in matters that do not concern our survival, and we should not invite further outsiders' interest by starting something with the Sun Claws and their guest over this one." He turned his head slightly, addressing the rest of the hunting party, some of whom mumbled in agreement while others remained silent.

Osoro was purely on a conjecture, but his intuition led him to believe that Zelrius was involved with the Sun Claws.

The storm raged outside like a furious beast clawing at the walls of the lodge. The bearfolk listened for a moment, ears pitching. "It seems we will be sharing this space for a while longer," he announced. "Nasippa," he called out, "check our supplies. See that the Sun Claw and the outsider have food and water when we split way."

A murmur rippled through the group. While some, like Nasippa, expressed curiosity, not unkind, the rest grumbled about sharing their dwindling supplies. Osoro met their discontent with his hardy gaze. "A hunter must read his environment," he stated, "Nothing in nature exists alone. We depend on trade to subsist. Judiciousness with travelers, even unexpected ones, is not a weakness, but a favor paid forward. We're not so much savages as to break connections before they are formed, are we?"

Osoro's leadership silenced murmurs, replacing them with grudging acceptance.

"The provisions are for after the storm," Osoro said, turning back to Mizuki. "For now, you will sit at the fire and share our meal."

Afterward, the group formed a uniformed circle around the hearth where he and the others took some aromatic herbs and began preparing a thick sauce. Osoro tore off a piece of dried meat, dipped it in the fragrant mixture, and offered it to Mizuki before he wolfed down the chewy edible. The others followed suit, passing the food around the circle after her. Nasippa, a caenis with long black hair made Mizuki a small plate of sauce and offered it with a warm smile. There was a large scar across her throat, which made it clear why she hadn't spoke a single word since the caenis has been there.

As they ate, Osoro spoke again, "We have been tracking the Murongaar for seven moons now," he said. "It's a centipede-like creature with hardened metal shell. Our group have been tracing its migration back to its place of origin. The stories from both Moon Fang and Sun Claw say that none have been seen for over a hundred years. That's why we must ensure it has youngs, for to hunt a creature of legend to extinction would be a grave error and only invites the Kamui's wrath. That is Mitis' Path, to test our mettle and respect the wilderness. That is the Path of the Hunt." He looked around the circle, his gaze lingering on each member of the hunting party. He rested his eyes on Mizuki with a silent question hanging in the air as the storm continued its mournful cry outside.

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Strangely enough, being called a Sun Claw caused Mizuki's eyes to narrow as a spike of irritation went through her. Like all the other Travelers she was an outsider and shouldn't have any stakes in the conflict between the Sun Claw and the Moon Fang, but it still took a deep breath for her to dismiss a feeling of indignation. Fortunately Osoro had cooled down the mood enough that a single misstep was unlikely to cost her, the wildling nodding once she'd regained control of herself.

Understood. I'll take him with me when I leave then.

Given that she had no clue how Zelrius had ended up here in the first place she also wasn't sure why he was unconscious, but if need be she could carry him: it wasn't like the weight of a single person would slow her down. As long as the weather didn't get in the way, at any rate.

For now she took the fact that Osoro was willing to stand between her and those who'd rather see her gone as a victory, as irritating as the entire situation was making her feel... something that was also puzzling her. Confrontation wasn't exactly fun at the best of times, but right now it was difficult for her not to snarl, despite the situation being resolved. More or less.

But maybe she could at least add some support to Osoro's assumption that Zelrius was also associated with the Sun Claw.

The Sun Claw have been allowing outsiders to visit, so if he arrived in the Hylands by his own will he would most likely be a guest of theirs.

The sooner she could leave this place, the better. Even with the ursine having decided that they could share the longhouse for as long as was needed to weather the storm, the tension in the air was making her fur bristle. She was outnumbered, and at least one of the Moon Fang clearly would've rather gone with a more violent approach. Which wasn't surprising, given how the Sun Claw described their wayward kin.

Closing her eyes and pinching the bridge of her nose Mizuki inhaled slowly, then let all the air escape her lungs. She didn't know why she was feeling so agitated, but constantly being on edge wasn't going to help her here. Fortunately, she had a moment to herself while Osoro explained to the others that transactional coexistence was the smarter option.

When he turned back to her she nodded again before tilting her head slightly.

You have my thanks then. Hopefully I can repay the favour at some point in the future.

Given that this was only a chance encounter there was no guarantee that Osoro's diplomatic approach would be rewarded in the long run. Stepping forward she approached the fire, eyeing each of the caenes before finding herself a spot. The warmth of the longhouse had already been seeping into her flesh, but the presence of the flames sped up the process significantly, the wildling giving herself a shake as the cold quickly faded away under the touchless caress of the flames.

The smell also helped a lot: whatever it was that had been driving her up the wall (other than perhaps the threat to her continued survival), the smell of herbs and meat made her muscles relax and her tail rest on the floor rather than sticking out behind her. Her ears also drooped a little as she was no longer at full alert, instead accepting the meat from Osoro with a nod and a single wag of her tail. Before she dug in she sniffed it to memorise the scent, then ripped off a piece with her fangs and chewed on it even as the one called Nasippa offered her a plate of sauce.

The scar across the caenis's throat made one of Mizuki's eyebrows rise before she stopped it, the wildling bringing up a paw before digging into one of her own pouches and pulling out a piece of dried jerky. Unless Nasippa refused Mizuki would give her the dried jerky in exchange for the plate of sauce, also shooting the female caenis a small smile before returning her focus to her food.

Her ears perked up again as Osoro spoke up, the ursine's heavy voice demanding her attention as she looked at the leader of the hunting group.

The Murongaar... the name sparked something in the back of Mizuki's mind, but it took several seconds before she realised what it reminded her of. The male bear's explanation did make sense, although it did also leave her with some questions.

Hrmmm... (She licked her lips before replying.) That much is understandable. But if it hasn't been seen for a hundred years there's the question of what made it show up again. (She paused for a moment.) ...In the Tangleweaves from the lands down below, there was a creature called the Kurungaar, an insect of massive size. I wonder if there is a connection.

That aside, the Path of the Hunt is a wise one.

Mizuki wouldn't exactly say that she was following a particular dogma, but Mitis's Path aligned with her pragmatism to the point that there was little difference. She swallowed a scrap of meat before continuing.

Very similar to mine.

@Raid Boss

 

[Raid Boss]

Location: Hylands Longhouse (@Ueno Mizuki)

The tension in the longhouse shifted slightly, from overt hostility to curiosity. The exchange of food was a starting, but significant gesture. Nasippa’s eyes, bright above the line of her scar, crinkled in a warm smile as she accepted the piece of jerky. She brought the offering to her nose, inhaling its scent with an appreciative nod before taking a tiny, delicate bite before passing the rest of it to the caenis beside her. When he took it, Mizuki’s gift began its own journey around the circle, chasing after the sauce.

Meanwhile, Osoro was hunched over, with snow-heavy brows furrowed in thought. He stared into the fire mouth and brain chewing, oh meat and the name Kurungaar... “The timing cannot be a coincidence… How curious,” he rumbled quietly.

“Curious? Isn’t it like super obvious, old man?” Nikorappa snapped, her voice cutting through the peaceful dinner. She pointed an accusatory claw, not at Mizuki, but in the general direction of the Weaves.

“I was on scout duty of the Hylands belows that day when there was a... a stinky burst of foul energy northward, like a really terrible monstrosity was being snuffed out. That’s clearly why the Murongaar is up here slithering around after being gone for hundreds of years, anyone can see that, HMMP!" She crossed her arms with a defiant huff, glaring at the fire as if it were personally responsible for aggravating her.

Osoro let the younger caenis have her say before turning his gaze back to Mizuki, his expression serious. “The suffix, -gaar means great insect. It is a word passed down in Caenil songs, but the pronunciation... is not of Caenil origin. That’s because it comes from the frozen north where I’m from,” he explained, a hint of longing in his words.

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking onto Mizuki's. “Tell me, outsider. This Kurungaar... did your hunting party, the one you and your companion are with, fell it? You speak as though you know a great deal of this beast.”

"Companion? Hunting Party?" Nikorappa scoffed before Mizuki could even form a reply.

“A weird-smelling Caenis loner and a red-tipped willow?! There's no way a group like that could take down a beast of legend! It takes a proper hunting party, one with strength, discipline, and honor, not just—MMPH-HHP-MPPH!!!"

Her tirade was abruptly cut short with a large piece of meat being stuffed into her maw by none other than the smiling Nasippa. The spunky caenis sputtered into silence.

Osoro ignored the squabble, ursene eyes stayed on Mizuki, patient yet demanding, awaiting her answer.

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

It looked like giving Nasippa something in return had been the correct decision: while the people around her were still far from welcoming (ignoring Nasippa), their hostility appeared to have successfully been replaced by a curiosity towards the strange caenis who had entered their longhouse without warning.

She did also find it amusing that Nasippa's response to the dried jerky was similar to her own to the food offered to her.

While the other hunters were sharing their food, however, their ursine leader was clearly mulling over Mizuki's words. The moon-eyed huntress waited silently as the pale-furred giant stared into the flames, her ears twitching when he mumbled something, clearly talking to himself even if she could understand him thanks to her sharp hearing.

Nikorappa's unprompted reaction did also make her ears twitch, albeit with a tad more irritation as the agitated caenis's voice dispelled the short-lived peaceful mood that had wrapped itself around the fire as everyone tried to enjoy their meal. Fortunately this time Nikorappa's focus was on the story of the Kurungaar, meaning that Mizuki could listen for a bit longer before Osoro addressed her again.

The wildling tilted her head slightly as he explained why the Kurungaar and the Murongaar had such similar names, noting the nostalgia in his voice.

I haven't given much thought to what lies beyond the Weaves before...

It would explain why Osoro was the first of his kind she'd seen here in Arcia. Most likely his presence here was a story in itself, but not something she could give her full attention at the moment as another question was asked.

Her expression remained largely the same, but when Nikorappa once again called out her scent one ear twitched and her Primal Aura swelled up in annoyance for just a moment before she willed herself to brush off the insult, keeping her gaze on Osoro. She took a couple of seconds to consider how to answer before sighing.

If you know that much I might as well tell you the rest, but it's a long story. (That same ear twitched again.) And I suspect some may find it hard to believe.

Spoiler: IF story = NO

If the hunters indicated that they had little interest in hearing the whole story Mizuki would nod in understanding before continuing.

Very well. To keep it simple, then: a large group of lowlanders, including the both of us, had entered the Weaves to find the source of a new disease, and figure out how to cure it. We were still working on that when we were ambushed by the Kurungaar, killing many of us before we finally put it down.

Said disease would drive its victims into a maddening rage, and clearly the Kurungaar had fallen to it as well.

Spoiler: IF story = YES

If the hunters indicated that they did wish to hear the whole story (possibly to pass the time while waiting out the blizzard) Mizuki would blink in mild surprise before continuing.

Very well. To start from the beginning, then: the lowlanders, while mostly sticking to their territory, will often send small scouting parties into the unknown, the Weaves included. It's not uncommon for said parties to be partially or completely wiped out, but one day a scouting party came back with an unusual story: they'd found the remains of another group, but rather than disease or predators it looked like the party had gone mad and slaughtered each other. (She frowned slightly.) Apparently it was a very disturbing sight.

They'd also taken note of how, in the area where they'd found the remains, there was a strange sensation in the air, something which had them on edge before they left. This led to the conclusion that, if the members of that group had killed one another, it must've been because of an affliction.

Because of this it was decided to send a larger group into the Weaves, to figure out what exactly had happened and, if there was such an affliction, figure out a cure. He and I both joined that group.

She was a bit worried that the hunters would lose interest if she took too much time getting to the point, but given that they'd agreed to hear her out she wanted to at least be clear on what had happened... so far as she could remember, anyway.

When we arrived it quickly became clear that there was indeed something in the air: everyone began to experience emotional outbursts, even those known to be calm and level-headed. Fortunately, we had enough smart people with us that they figured out what was going on.

As Nikorappa said, there was a foul energy in the air, and it was messing with our heads. No doubt this had driven the fallen scouting party to kill one another.

Her gaze flickered over towards Zelrius before returning to Osoro, as he was the one questioning her in the end.

Those knowledgeable about diseases and curses got to work on developing an antidote, sending most of us to collect reagents from the jungle. (She paused.) I was told that the ones at camp got attacked by a horde of angry monkeys with exposed brains, but unfortunately I was busy fighting some kind of golem which was defending the ruins of a temple.

Once we brought back everything the smart ones needed they created an antidote which kept the effects of the affliction at bay, but then revealed that they couldn't completely cure it without the actual source. The source of the foul energy was easy to find once we knew what to look for.

She frowned, trying to figure out just exactly how much to say at that point. However, she could hardly stop now, so after a second or so the caenis continued, her tail now sticking out behind her as her eyes narrowed.

We found the remains of a large, humanoid monstrosity, horned and crimson. Whatever it was that killed it had also left a large crater around its body, but before we could do more than take in the sight the Kurungaar appeared out of the jungle and ran over to the corpse to start eating it. (She looked down at the food in her hands, temporarily ignored.) As you might expect, eating the flesh of a corpse oozing madness-inducing miasma drove her mad as well, so before we knew it she turned to us. Eating the corpse also seemed to make her even stronger, and many of us died before we finally killed it, after which thankfully the affliction disappeared as well.

So to answer the question: we did kill it, but we weren't hunting it. And given that it took a small army to do so I wouldn't claim credit for it either: if there were as many of us then as there are of you here, the only survivors would've been those who turned tail.

Mizuki considered herself a hunter of monsters, but the excursion into the Tangleweaves and the battle with the Kurungaar could not be considered a hunt so far as she was concerned. Having finished telling her story (or the very brief synopsis) she took another bite from the meat she'd been offered by Nasippa

@Raid Boss

 

[Raid Boss]

Location: Hylands Longhouse (@Ueno Mizuki)

As Mizuki spoke, a rapt silence fell over the group, broken only by the crackle of fire and the raging cry of the blizzard outside. Even the ever-agitated Nikorappa, who had been chewing her meat with indignance, kept quiet as her fiery eyes fixated on the storyteller.

A mix of expressions formed on faces around the circle as they listened to Mizuki’s recounting. When Mizuki mentioned the corpse, Osoro’s massive frame became stuff. The casual warmth he had adopted vanished, replaced by a deep, chilling stillness. Ghosts of a frozen past flickered in his amber eyes as he narrowed them. There was a flicker of horror that made the fur on his neck stand on end.

The moment Mizuki finished her tale, the silence in the longhouse became heavy and suffocating. Osoro turned his gaze into the fire, his mind clearly a thousand miles away. Finally, he straightened up, his voice a low rumble that carried an unshakeable authority.

“The hunt for the Murongaar is over.”

“What?!” Nikorappa shot to her feet, dropping her food. “You can’t be serious,” she snapped. “You're cancelling the hunt? Because of her story? We-we've tracked it for seven moons! We can’t just— you can’t just—” she was exasperated, barely able to string together a coherent sentence.

“Are you looking to see our entire party slaughtered?” Osoro’s voice cut through her protest like a hunter’s knife. The calm leader was gone, in front of Nikorappa and the rest of the startled group was a veteran staring down a gun’s barrel.

“If what the young woman said is to be believed, AND if the Murongaar had come across that evil... that is no beast of Mitis’s Path,” he clutched his hand, claws sinking into his thick fur.

“North of the Weave, you don’t hunt, you kill. For survival. We are NOT engaging the Murongaar,” he snapped.

The ursine then turned his gaze on the rest of the party, his eyes sweeping over each face. “If anyone objects, speak now. We will settle it. Here. Now. The group cannot, will not be split in opinion over this matter,” he said, a growl rumbled in his throat.

The unspoken threat hung in the air, but it was unnecessary. One by one, the caenis hunters shook their heads or muttered assent, their own expressions deeply uncomfortable. It was not the threat that silenced them, but the unmistakable dread they saw on their leader’s face.

With the matter quickly settled, Osoro turned back toward Mizuki, “Outsider. The lowlanders who led this expedition... I must speak with them. Can you arrange a meeting? I can go with you and help take your companion back to the lowlands if you can introduce me to the leader of your group,” he urged.

“Old man, you can't be serious!!!” Nikorappa’s voice was sharp with disbelief. “Trust them? What if they just turn us over to the Claw? Or the Fang? We can’t trust anyone but ourselves, isn’t that what you’ve always told us? Isn’t that trust the reason why my mama...” She trailed off, her voice catching in her throat, beads of tears welling up in those quivering, yet still rebellious eyes.

Osoro elicited a deep sigh as he closed the distance between them and enveloped the trembling caenis in a hug, massive bear arms wrapping around her smaller form in a firm, but gentle lock.

“I know, Nikorappa. I know,” he murmured. “But when such evils loom on the horizon, neither friends nor foes are safe. Some storms are too great for one pack to weather alone. I need to go and ascertain this myself. You stay and take care of the pack, can I trust you with that?”

“No. Don’t go...” Nikorappa choked up in tears as she wrapped her thin arms around his form.

Osoro rubbed her back quietly with a knowing gaze, but his mind was already on the next step. He will keep his people safe. That is the first and only priority.

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

It was hardly a pleasant story, even when compared to hunting tales: the group that entered the Tangleweaves had almost been wiped out by an enemy they hadn't even been looking for, and that in addition to the horror of a curse which would cause your emotions to spiral out of control until it led to death and bloodshed.

That said, Osoro's reaction to the latter part of the tale was still stronger than Mizuki had expected. She didn't stop retelling the experience, but she watched as he stiffened with a swiftness which was almost startling. The others were clearly disturbed as well, but the ursine either was particularly sensitive towards the topic... or he knew more than he was sharing. Given that he came from lands that Mizuki had yet to visit herself it wouldn't surprise her.

She didn't drop her food at Osoro's announcement, but she did share Nikorappa's surprise as she blinked and stared at the large, pale-furred leader of the pack. A quick glance at the others told her that none of them knew what motivated Osoro's decision, even if the fiery female was the only one willing to voice that confusion. Remaining quiet for the moment she observed as Osoro first overruled Nikorappa's objections, then convinced the rest of the pack to agree with his decision. They must've sensed that this was more than just trepidation, the way the calm figure was now so tense.

Hrmmm... There's no single leader, but I can try to bring you to some of the people who shared command during the journey into the Weaves.

Before she could say more Nikorappa interjected once again, clearly unhappy with this whole situation. Mizuki swallowed what was left of her food while Osoro persuaded the much smaller huntress, then calmly licked her paws clean before standing up to face Osoro. Or, well, look up at him from chest height, ignoring the smaller person he was currently comforting.

I can't guarantee anything, but I'll do my best. (She frowned.) You seem to know a lot more about this threat than anybody in the lowlands, so I'd like for you to tell me what you know on the way there. The lowlanders are divided into many different packs, so we might need to split up at some point if we want to contact as many of them as we can.

Walking over to the large doors she listened closely to the sounds outside, her eyes briefly closing as her ears stood sharp. The blizzard appeared to finally be dying down... which was good, since she didn't think Osoro would want to wait long. Turning around she walked over to Zelrius and knelt down next to him. Still unconscious, unfortunately, but at least not in critical condition.

Grabbing her red-haired friend by the waist she lifted him up and slung him over her shoulder, then turned back to Osoro and the other hunters.

Thank you all for your hospitality, and may your future hunts be formidable and bountiful.

Osoro did say they sought to test their mettle. Turning towards the bear in question, Mizuki tilted her head, her tail slowly swishing from side to side behind her as she carried her friend with little difficulty.

And if we're going to be travelling together you might as well call me Mizuki rather than outsider. (She patted Zelrius's back.) And Zelrius, for when he wakes up.

@Raid Boss

 

[Raid Boss]

Location: Hylands Longhouse (@Ueno Mizuki)

Osoro held the trembling little caenis for a moment longer, a deep sigh echoing through his massive chest. He gave Nikorappa’s back one last reassuring pat before gently pulling away. His gaze, though softened for her, still held the weight of his decision.

“I will return,” he promised, his voice low and certain. He then turned his attention to the rest of his pack, his authority settling over the room once more. “While I’m away, you are to track Murongaar for observation. Record its movements. Learn its path. But you will not be seen. Am I understood?”

Grim and silent nods were his answer, they knew better than to question their rushing leader right then.

Osoro’s eyes then found Mizuki as she effortlessly lifted the unconscious redhead. He watched for a second, then took a step forward.

“Allow me,” he said, his voice less a request and more a statement. Before she could protest, he took the red-head from her shoulder. With the practice of one who has carried many burdens, he wrapped the swordsman in a spare thick fur and secured him to his own broad back with straps. Zelrius looked like a puppet against the ursine’s large frame dwarfing his.

“Nasippa,” he called, not needing to look. The silent caenis was already in the process of pressing a tightly wrapped bundle of dried meat, grain, and a filled waterskin into Mizuki’s hands, wrapping her warm hands around Mizuki’s own, as if she was wishing the caenis a safe journey and a plea to look out for Osoro, there was much spoken in those concerned eyes of hers.

Osoro meanwhile strode to the door, nudging it open to peer outside. The howling wind had died down to a whisper. The world was a blanket of pristine, yet deadly white, but it was calm enough for travel.

He turned his gaze back to Mizuki. “Mizuki,” he said, the name sounding foreign on his tongue. “The journey to the lowlands will be long, especially at this time of the year. The Hylands keep tight-lips of Uene’s secrets, like I do with the ghost I tried leaving behind.” He paused, his eyes glinting in the firelight. “But, you will need to know what you are walking into. I will tell you what I can on the way.”

With a final, meaningful look at Nikorappa, who watched him with tears in her eyes still, unable to uproot herself from the spot she was left in. Osoro turned and pushed the door open wide. “Let us go.”

---

Osoro and Mizuki have begun their descending journey to the lowlands. The expected time of travel is estimated at about a month or longer depending on how often Mizuki has to log out. During this time, Osoro recounted his time in the North which he refers to as the Everfrost, which got its name because Lady Winter Isovala, had used divine power to freeze the entire expanse and herself, all to stop the demons of the north from waking.

However, some of them have already woken up and caused massive destruction in the North. While some stayed, many fled the Everfrost, including his tribe, the Ursini, who was wiped out. If it wasn’t for their guardians, two large spirit bears, he would have died too. He explains that he couldn’t believe how close a demonic presence was to the edge of the Weave, since the Everfrost is reactive and dials up intensity to slow their awakening.

Meta

This Thread

• This is now a traveling montage
• You may ask Osoro any questions pertaining to his info, the thread will end in 1-2 more posts from me
• When the thread wraps up, the next chapter will begin at some point in Season 5, and with a bigger crowd

New Storyline Unlocked

• Storyline: The Waking North
• This is a longer-term major Storyline with many chapters that will play out over time.
• It is a continuation of the Red Fever Storyline

New Contact and Faction Discovered

• Faction: The Hunt
• Notable NPCs: Osoro, Nikorappa, Nasippa
• Whether this faction can be joined will depends on the actions taken in the next Chapter

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki blinked as Osoro took Zelrius from her without waiting for her approval, the luna wolf's eyes narrowing very briefly before she shrugged and nodded. In the end what mattered was that Zelrius returned safely to the lowlands, and if they went by sheer physique, the bipedal polar bear was probably the better choice.

Even if Mizuki wasn't very eager to give up her friend to somebody who, despite his reasonable demeanour, she'd only met hours ago.

Thankfully Nasippa's gift distracted her, the moon-eyed huntress tilting her head slightly as she felt the silent caenis's hands around her own paws, combined with a look which made it clear that Nasippa was no less concerned about the situation than her pale leader. Using her Primal Aura Mizuki assured the good-natured female that she would do her best.

Pulling away from Nasippa she followed after Osoro, one ear twitching as he agreed to her request.

Rest assured that I've got no intention of sharing secrets better left untold. That said, if the danger is as great as you say it is we can't afford to be stingy with vital knowledge either.

Truth be told she would gladly learn more about all of this for her own curiosity's sake as well, but in these circumstances personal desires had to take a backseat in favour of pragmatic decisions. If Osoro was willing to share she'd answer that by sticking to important questions about the metaphorical storm that was approaching their lands, both Hylands and lowlands.

Before leaving the longhouse she glanced back at the other hunters, who all clearly were at a bit of a loss now that their leader had so abruptly decided to leave them for a time. Nikorappa was by far the most distraught out of all of them, so despite the earlier friction Mizuki used her Primal Aura to signal to the other caenis her intent to keep Osoro safe.

And then she was through the doorway, following the polar bear into the white world the blizzard had left behind.

---

Having made the journey between the Hylands and the lowlands several times before Mizuki would lead the way, trying her best to stay online for as long as possible each day to not slow her ursine companion down. She'd also try to explain the process of logging in and out as best she could to Osoro, trying to avoid mentioning anything about video games or Earth and instead give the impression that, like other Travelers, her disappearing was just a substitute for sleeping.

More important than her explanation, however, was her doing her best to understand these demons that apparently plagued the North, and were now threatening to move down south if that monstrosity in the Tangleweaves had indeed been one of them.

At first she'd just let him talk about everything he thought relevant, to help paint a picture of what they were dealing with, but eventually Mizuki would begin to ask questions even as they made their way towards the edge of the Hylands, after which they'd have to begin their descent all the way to the lands far down below.

Her first question was whether each demon was a calamity all by itself, or if the giant they'd seen in the jungle had represented a particularly dangerous brand of demon. Given how much trouble that demon had caused even after its death it was concerning to imagine that there was an entire race of those things slowly waking up and getting ready to make a mess.

Her second question was whether there were any known methods for hunting and killing demons. Osoro's story focused on how Lady Winter Isovola had sacrificed herself to try and trap the demons in ice rather than eliminating them outright, but the demon in the jungle had clearly been killed somehow... even if whatever force had managed this feat had also been powerful enough to create a large crater around the demon in the process. Mizuki did not wish to speak lightly of the threat that Osoro was giving such weight to, but it was better to look for ways to fight the threat than assume it unstoppable. Barring a clear method she'd still try to learn as much as possible about these demons, so she could start thinking of weaknesses that could possibly be exploited.

She also tried her best to warn Osoro that the political situation in the lowlands had become... complicated. She agreed with him that they should set aside their petty squabbles and focus on the bigger threat, but she imagined that the ursine had plenty of experience with how people could ignore the encroaching storm until their feet were wet. It would probably be better to try and seek out the faction leaders than try to convince the actual kingdoms, as the two dominant nations of the region were too busy snarling at each other thanks to the growing divide between Travellers and the People of the Land.

She would explain as much as she could about the expedition into the Tangleweaves, including the leaders Osoro would most likely want to talk to. While she didn't know where all of them were at this point, she imagined that every little bit of information helped at this point... and hopefully they had enough time left to fill in the gaps and prepare for the demonic threat. Perhaps the most important question of all was how long Osoro thought they had before any living demons would reach these southern lands. Fortunately the situation with Szofrit and the magia had largely been resolved, so that synthetic situation at least shouldn't be much of a distraction by this point.

@Raid Boss