Private Quest Valley of the Sun (Wintersday) The Hunt

[Nymoria]

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The Hylands. A land that was far beyond anywhere that Nymoria had visited previously. But she had heard the rumours - supposedly the locals here were known to hunt down large beasts, challenges that only the bravest warriors would face. Things that required courage, capability and a bit of luck - or perhaps just a bit of strength. It truly depended who you asked.

The entire premise had appealed to Nymoria more than anything. She had been looking for a challenge - something to test her skills in this world. Something that no other had completed before her, which she could make her name with. And maybe I've finally found it...hunting bears that no one else dares to face...

Now...just to find them.

She hadn't expected finding the Valley itself to be such a problem. It had taken her more days than she would've liked to admit just to make it this far, and as she stared out over the open horizon, she couldn't help but wonder if it had all been for nothing. The winter snows had covered much of the landscape, making travelling far more difficult - so much so that she wondered if she'd gotten herself stuck in the area just by arriving here. The few members of the populace had been far from welcoming - most giving her an almost angry glance as she passed them by.

Probably doesn't help that I'm like a snack to some of them...a raccoon in a wolf's den, so to speak. Maybe they weren't angry, but hungry?

She spoke aloud, but didn't expect to hear a response. As far as she was aware, she was alone in this area. As her eyes shifted across the winterlands - mostly wondering at her next destination, or at least another direction to take - she spotted the slowly appearing form of bodies in the distance. It was hard to tell, against the bright light that reflected off the snow, how many people were approaching. After her last encounters, however, Nymoria found herself reluctant to meet with anyone else. She considered heading in a different direction - away from the on-comers - in order to avoid meeting with them, before deciding that might look suspicious.

Twirling her javelin, she strode forward, determined to at least make her presence known, even if it was unwelcome. Maybe they'll actually speak to me...and give me some direction as to where I need to go. Maybe I should've...actually gotten some information about this area before just rushing out and going hunting...stupid, that was.

@Cynna​

 

[Cynna]

The answer, my dear, is they simply take their work very seriously~

Someone, or something had heard @Nymoria. It was none other than Cynna, who just so happened to be a fox taking the form of a magic book of spells.

That is to say we are something akin to tourists guffawing over the sacred arts they have dedicated their entire lives to. Show them in your own way that you are serious, and they are sure to come around. Pride and respect for oneself and ones' surroundings are the universal language of travel, after all.

It was a voice that held the tell-tale signs of being as long-winded as it was self-important. The voice rang and rang like a glass windchime bell shooting the breeze until for a moment it paused, considered, and not a moment longer, was speaking once more.

But enough with the seminar. If you are still searching for me, dear byronic traveler, I am over here, near the soon to be corpse buried in the snow. Well then, might I bother you with a request? I fear my courier may not last very much longer~ Though this is his own issue I still feel I owe The Explorer's League a favor for bringing me along on a certain little tour~ Would you deliver this young man to the passing hunters? Such groups usually travel with a healer and their apprentice~ If you are wondering why I do not do so myself, I fear that The Sun Claws may find my nature... troubling...

Spoiler: yes

It seems chivalry is not yet dead. In return I am happy to help you complete your journey whatever it might be. Do you wish to join The Sun Claws on their hunt? Or is it more their quarry you are after?

*

Spoiler: no

If chivalry is dead perhaps greed might entice? What is it you desire? If it is within my power and it surely is, then I shall see to it on a fox's oath. And there is, of course, what this dear explorer here might be willing to give you in thanks as well. Ah~ and now I spy the javelin~ hm hm~ if it is a rather large quarry you are after~ then you might be interested in the large gash on the back of this young man. That is to say~ I know which way the bear went.

Finally, Cynna seemed to be done talking and awaited Nymoria's reply with great interest.

 

[Nymoria]

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Nymoria spun at the sudden voice, a small hiss escaping her lips as she seemed to glance around, before noticing the half-covered corpse. Her ears twitched ever so slightly as she listened, patiently taking in the words that - is that a book...? odd... - seemed to hover through the air towards her.

At the mention of the passing group, Nymoria's eyes shifted to take in the figures quickly approaching. She doubted that they had missed her own form against the otherwise white landscape. For a brief moment, she seemed to hover, indecisiveness in her eyes as she considered what was happening.

Alright...fine. If all you need is for them to grab the body, I can guide them towards it. But...what of...err...you? I'm assuming you'd not want to remain laying in the cold, wet snow. Might wrinkle your pages a bit, which I'm guessing would be horrible.

She wasn't sure what to make of talking to a book. It seemed like something that someone who had completely lost their mind would be doing, and yet...And yet...here you are. Talking to a book, about the dying and-or dead man whom was supposedly carrying the book. And offering to help the dying and-or dead man, in order to appease the book. She snorted at the thought, before raising her javelin in the air, trying to catch the attention of the individuals in the distance.

Good day and peaceful greetings...have you a healer amongst your midst? There's someone here who needs a little help!

She called out across the open plains, hoping that the figures would hear and approach. As the voice spoke out again, apparently satisfied with her decision, Nymoria whispered, just loud enough that the book would hear her words.

My interest is in the quarry...in the hunt, itself. I desire proof. Proof that I am capable, deadly...courageous.

@Cynna​

 

[Cynna]

A fine answer, I admire your drive. The Sun Claws are gone, yes? Very well~ then let us find your quarry as promised.

The grimoire rose out of the snow and seemed to shake itself off, stop, then shake itself off again rather thoroughly.

Mere snow would not be enough to ruin the pages of a grimoire as powerful as I... but let's not test that... Now, allow me to explain your good fortune and judgement in aligning with me with a bit of a demonstration... Behold~ with the flick of a page, locating your quarry is as simple as...

The tome glowed as runes of arcanamany seemed to swirl off it eventually forming a map in the air. It showed a dotted path but had a large... foggy... patch towards the middle as if it were an unexplored portion of an area in a mini-map of a more typical video game. Grimoire Cynna seemed to be deep in thought.

...I see, or rather, I don't see. It would seem that on the journey that when faced with the rhythmic sway of my porter's cargo that I was nestled in, I may have fallen asleep. And so, omniscience blinks! Not to worry, I assure you, I have already applied my calculations and I assure you that your goal is probably that way.

...

..

.

The map slowly, quietly, manifested an arrow as if to quietly drive home the point. If @Nymoria was familiar with the area, then she would probably realize that this was not a trail but rather a straight shot through pure wilderness from one of the entrances of The Hylands towards one of the nearby Sun Claw villages. It would seem that Cynna's porter had decided to hurry the trip in a case of bad judgement. For the record, Cynna knew next to nothing about the lay of the land. She was more interested in its people.

Bears are territorial and so, upon being attacked in that area, logic would dictate that therein must lie its territory. We need only be attacked ourselves and fare better than the first man or find it first and strike true. You seem eager enough to start, shall we get going~?

@Nymoria

 

[Nymoria]

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Something about the way the book had paused, the way in which part of the map it displayed was cloudy, had caused Nymoria to pause. Had she known the area better, she likely would have wondered as to the book's behaviour - the way it seemed to try and explain away certain gaps, and the weird behaviour it displayed in response to them.

Unfortunately, Nymoria was entirely new to the area. Although she knew something felt off, this book had appeared knowledgeable about the passing party - something that Nymoria never would have known. Already, she was finding herself outdone by the basic knowledge, and found herself submitting to the book's suggestions.

Alright...so we just kind of head...this way, until we come across a bear? Or are we going to lure it out somehow? I brought a few steaks along with me, you know just in case we need to set a trap, or something. Or...hey you're a magical book, right? Do you have some sort of like...magic spell for summoning these things?

All things considered, it felt odd asking a book to help set a trap for a bear. Although she knew this world was fantastical in a sense, talking to a book just felt...well, like those old Harry Potter movies. Childish. Because playing a fantasy game where you pretend to be a super-strong-killer is so much less childish...totally. Just talk to the stupid book and be done with it.

@Cynna​

 

[Cynna]

Hmmm a magic spell for summoning a bear... well possibly, if you are willing to bear----not pun intended----a curse, but I believe the steaks you are carrying are likely more efficient. We are in luck that it's a clear day with little wind, so, minding the snow, we mearly need to retrace my journey's steps and search for tracks. I have also heard that one method is to plant bait, dig a pit, climb into it, and conceal oneself within it with branches, so when the quarry passes one may strike out at its underbelly. Though, it frankly sounds like messy and boring work.

Grimoire Cynna floated along.

Oh~ I know what might be fun~ why not have a picnic where my transporter was mauled~? We can have a nice campfire and do a bit of grilling~ wouldn't that be neat~ ? ~Then~ should we find ourselves coming up empty handed we'll at least have a pleasant experience to warm our memories hm hm hm~ You see~ being a cookbook is a bit of a hobby of mine~

It wasn't clear how serious Cynna was being as she floated alongside @Nymoria . But if Nymoria relented, Cynna would likely go with it. As they neared the space marked on Cynna's map, however, they found blood on the snow and a mess of tracks that Cynna struggled to make anything of at the moment. Cynna seemed deep in thought. In fact, what Cynna was focused on was a number of supplies scattered across the snow.

Say, ms... hunter... did the man you delivered to the Sun Claws happen to have a backpack on him...?

The grimoire was looking for something.

Oh dear... I'm not seeing it and I cannot tell if that is good news or bad news.

The grimoire seemed a little more troubled by the second. Then, there was a Ping! as something appeared on the spell-map.

Ms. hunter, how good are you with that weapon?

Cynna asked.

----Because it turns out I do have a spell for locating the extremely large and likely berserk bear that is headed toward us. At least, so long as said large and likely berserk bear has just so happened to devour my dark-magicially-prepared pudding and suddenly find itself... well... just a bit stronger than before...

An echoing roar punctuated the book's grasping at words.

Well then, let us decide: fight or flight? Since a small amount of this is my fault, I am willing to lend my aid to you to avenge my pudding. Or is this a matter you'd rather settle alone? If your weapon will not suffice, assuming such a form is possible for me. I am also capable of supporting you in this one. Either way...

The grimoire's cover shifted as swirling black runes began to form a barrier-wall of magic.

...this spell will merely buy you time, make your choice, and we shall live with it.

 

[Nymoria]

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Nymoria turned to stare at the book trying to figure out if the offer, or idea rather, was meant as a joke or not. She didn't have time to truly figure it out, however, as the book continued to prattle on about finding the bear and the numerous ideas that it had around doing so. That was, until it mentioned the fact that it had actually managed to locate the thing.

Ha! I knew we could find...wait, pudding? Wha...what do you...shit.

She gave a quick twirl of the javelin, settling it properly in her hand before sliding her footing apart. Her eyes scanned the area, searching for any indication that something, anything was coming towards them. Not looking at the floating book beside her, Nymoria mumbled her question, her voice distant with the distraction of watching.

Which way...is it coming from? I don't see...anything out there, yet. Err...and do you feel up to the task of taking on the bear? If not, I can handle it.

I think...She didn't add that last part aloud, though. Preferring to appear confident and capable in front of the...well, book. An odd thought, when she stopped to think about it. Once again she had an inkling of question floating through her mind about the origins of the book, but that was dashed aside as she focused on the quickly - slowly? - approaching threat. She needed to deal with that, first, before she could focus on the weird book she'd come across...

@Cynna​

 

[Cynna]

If you wish to handle it~ then by all means~ but on the other hand~ we could say that your opponent has a bit of a handicap in its corner... and~ should you fall~ well I would be a little sad~ and left in the snow yet again besides~! Well then~ shall we split the bill~?

The deployed barrier of dark runic magic eventually met a big, big bear. The barrier then promptly met its end as it shattered as the large animal barreled through.

We are not piglets and that is no wolf and yet... I cannot help but see the resemblance. A thrusting weapon is a fine choice for difficult terrain... in that case... a method present itself... deploying field of ritual... ascertaining territorial properties... scanning... scanning...

As Cynna works, lets describe the bear. It was basically one of those rune bears from Elden Ring. Or at least, it was at first, it was quite a sight worse now. Imagine a bear that skipped leg day, put some purple smoking Tron lines on it, and give it crackling eyes of energetic darkness... and there would be your bear. It was hopped up on dark magic from eating one of Cynna's ritual confectionary treats and now feeling more powerful than it ever had before, could not help but crave more. The bear smelled Cynna and began to charge from about 200 meters or so.

...compatibility found, beginning array... deploy~!

A pulse of dark magic seemed to ripple out through the snow, and a second later, countless dark lances thrust up into the air to fill the area before them. They grew like a leafless forest, expanding and expanding to fill the space.

That should even the odds a bit and slow down your quarry. Terrain is the right of the civilized hunter, just so as might belongs to beasts, so make use of it~ Pull this off and surely you'll have bagged the toughest quarry and done the world a favor besides, for this bear is now something of a horror story~ yes~ even without any magical aptitude surely you can see the dark magic simply pouring from its body, oh dear here it comes~

And so the bear charged once more through the lances, taking a series of glancing blows, it hardly cared. It hardly slowed. It felt nothing but an insatiable, irrational, hunger.

@Nymoria