Gunvorton used to be a rather nondescript and unimportant area in Scalvoris. However, it's logistical importance and tactical use became more and more evident following the shadow beast attacks of Vhalar 716 and, since then, Gunvorton has become much more influential and important to the residents of Scalvoris. It has several docks and piers, a few warehouses, two barracks and a stable. It is used primarily as a landing point for supplies which are then brought overland to the Tower and Scalvoris Proper via one of two roads found on the Island.
When Shl’drei set his feet down on Gunvorton soil, he was a bit confused about the atmosphere. Things seems tense and fearful, and the feeling of unease hung heavily in the air. Puzzled, Shl’drei continued to his trek through the farming district. Looking around was what stunned him, as the usual livestock was either forced inside or no longer existed where he could see. It was odd. As he continued his walk, he stopped at a familiar home- he’d stayed on their couch during his rough cycle. He gave the door a firm knock before he could talk himself out of it.
Out came a familiar face, the older woman who treated him like her own. “Oh, dear me,” she whispered before she really looked at the tamer. “We’ll! Don’t you look much more lively,” she said, a small but genuine smile on her lips as her eyes crinkled. Shl’drei smiled and nodded, and as they conversed he asked about the reek of unease. “Oh, that. Well, we’ve had a bit of predator trouble. Normally don’t see them during the day but they’ve been camping and none of us get a lick of sleep when our livelihoods are on the line.” She sighed a very tired sigh and then put a smile back on. “But tell me, what brings you back? We’ve room for you just the same,” she gave him a little wave.
“Oh, no ma’am. I’m here on business? But thank you for being so kind,” Shl’drei said with a laugh. When it died out, he took a look around behind him. “Are all of the livestock inside?” The older woman nodded. “None of them can go graze then, I’m guessing. Do you know what’s hunting them?”
“Goodness no. The least we can put together is some kind of glowing pattern,” she shook her head but continued. “Whatever they are, they’re fast. Couldn’t dart one with the most able hands. And they’re big, they leave these claw marks whenever we put the animals inside where they try to get in.”
Shl’drei hummed in response before Mashu spoke to him. ‘You wish to help. Very well, I’ll assist you.’ With a bright smile, Shl’drei addressed the elderly woman again. “I could try to help, if you’d allow me..?” Seemingly surprised at first, the elderly woman chuckled before nodding and leveling him with a serious look. She stared at him for a few bits like that, saying nothing before she shook her head and spoke.
“Alright dear, but you be careful you hear? And rest here for now, no need to go looking for a place to stay.” With a nod of his own, Shl’drei set out to the barn to observe the damage and see if he could figure anything out.
Last edited by Shl'Drei on Wed Mar 09, 2022 9:37 pm, edited 1 time in total. word count: 489
Shl'drei wasn't sure what he expected to find when he went to inspect the barn. He wasn't some skilled detective that could see clues from miles- and the best he could do was search here and there for the scratches and scrapes the elderly woman had mentioned. What could possibly be big enough to prey on livestock and frighten local farmers to the point of locking up their animals?
"Now is perhaps a good time to put your abilities to use," Mashu nodded, appearing on his right. "Hm, might be of use to get a ranged weapon as well." The wolf said, sniffing the air.
"Why do I need a ranged weapon?"
"You heard the woman, yes? They've tried darting the animal. If they've kept their distance you should do the same until we know more." The wolf huffed.
Right, distance. The tamer nodded his understanding- if they didn't know what to expect, distance was best. Besides, if it was targeting livestock perhaps the animal was just hungry. But glowing creatures… he was a bit excited to find out what they were. Perhaps he could even persuade the farmers to let it live.
"Don't become distracted," Mashu whined, breaking him from his thoughts. He filed it away for later, but turned to Mashu with an eager glint in his eyes. "We'll start with the basics. Once you can hit the creature retreat. I'll have more for you then."
"Mashu, I can't just fire darts or arrows randomly. I could hit someone or something. And why do I have to wound it?" The tamer questioned, confused.
"I'll be explaining a unique benefit of The Great Wolf's blessings. It requires some blood. I doubt the predator causing trouble will take kindly to you hunting them. They might react in kind, in which you will need a means to counter."
"Right," Shl'drei murmured as he considered the wolves words. If it was a large predator, was there anything stopping it from turning it's hostilities on people? So far he'd only heard of livestock, but what if it felt threatened? Would it lash out? All animals were unpredictable, it was the first lesson he grasped firmly from his father. Perhaps the only solution was to hunt it down, kill it. If he let it live there was nothing stopping it from coming back should it be able- and that would probably involve more intense preying, and not on just livestock. "Right. Let's see what we can do then," Shl'drei affirmed.
Shl'drei went around the area of the farms asking others if they had any trouble with the new night menace. So far everyone he'd talked to had either heard of or experienced the problem. No one yet had seen the creature clearly, but some had caught blurry glimpse or remembered seeing glowing patterns. From what he could tell from the whatever he could inspect, the animal was large but also had good claws. Strong enough to rend flesh from bone, and apparently fast enough to chase and get away if needed. They struck at night for the time being, never straying into the open during the morning.
Most of the trial Shl'drei spent asking questions and gathering what information he could. He was confident that the villagers had told him what they knew, and now it was a matter of organizing his thoughts and coming up with a plan. It'd definitely be a night stakeout - the creatures didn't spoke easily from what he could tell, only fleeing when light touched the sky or if loud noises were heard and projectiles were fires, and even then only just. He didn't really have any bait - he doubted any of the farmers had livestock they'd willingly throw in danger with the creature terrorizing the area. He picked up some meat, as much as he could manage and took it with him. Mashu had remained silent since they'd arrived back at the kind elderly woman's home. He supposed he'd store the meet until the night breaks settled in.
"You should attempt to use that bow while you can," Mashu advised eventually. Shl'drei nodded but the wolf could tell he was too invested in his minds eye. And he was - the tamer was deep in his thoughts about what possibly could have such devastating capabilities. Since the sucklesoid incident, he'd no recollection of anything so potentially dangerous happening in any of the villages. He murmured to himself as he consider his plans. His initial investigation didn't turn up much to go on - just that it was big, powerful, and dangerous. From the sounds of the reports he'd received, the creature only hunted for food at the moment. It was like they weren't comfortable in the environment. Perhaps they'd gotten misplaced or let out and had evolved into something more..?
No matter how he looked at it, their hunting seemed off. He was no expert of course - he wasn't confident in his assessment. Though since he couldn't shake the feeling that was enough for him. When the tamer finally turned to look at Mashu, the wolf gave him a disappointed look.
"What?"
"Shl'drei," Mashu sniffed, almost as if sighing. "You need to practice. With the bow. Soon."
"You don't have to say it like you're teaching a toddler." He shook his head but stood to grab the bow and arrow pack he'd purchased. He wasn't excellent in appraisal of weapons, but he certainly thought he'd gotten a decent short bow at least. With little time to dwaddle with Mashu watching him carefully, he headed out.
Shl'drei was blank of mind when he stepped outside the little cottage. Absent and not all that worried, he'd immediately went about testing the bow in his hands. Once he'd more or less gauged the weight and how well it would fit his hands, he quickly realized his mistake. He had no idea about bows or how to wield them. When he turned to Mashu, the wolf had evaporated and told him good luck before quieting in his mind. How helpful. With a sigh, he told himself surely there wasn't too much to it. Eventually he wound up by the docs where he could overthink his current predicament. His plan would amount to nothing if he couldn't figure out how to injure the troublesome creature from a safe distance. Mashu had made it clear he needed blood, whatever for was anyone's guess. He felt a tinge of irritation at the secrecy - but it fizzled quickly when he thought logically and not emotionally. If Shl'drei couldn't grasp the bow, he'd never get the blood, and he wouldn't need to know if that were the case.
Still, holding the bow he felt a certain pressure of expectation. He must have looked distraught because someone clapped a hand on his shoulder and asked if he was alright. He considered the answer for a moment as he turned and looked at the man. He was on the stockier side with messy dark hair and light skin. When he waved his hand at the trainers' face, Shl'drei finally seemed to refocus enough to register the man's concern. He smiled sheepishly and nodded.
"You sure? You look pretty out of it."
"Oh, yeah. I'm stuck at the moment. Learning this thing," He held up the bow for the man to see before he continued. "is a bit harder than I thought. Especially without help." He shrugged as he lowered the bow to his sides.
"You're the guy who's trying to solve the beast problem, yeah?" Surprised, Shl'drei nodded. "Thought so. You need a bit of help? I'm no master but I know a few things." Shl'drei blinked dumbly, once again surprised by the forwardness of the offer. He looked at the bow in his hands then back at the man offering assistance. It couldn't hurt to have a bit of help - though he hoped he was referring only to the bow and not the actual hunt. While he would be grateful for the help, he didn't want to involve anyone else if he could help it. A start was better than nothing as well...
"You know what, yeah. I could really use some guidance." He shrugged with a smile. "I'm Shl'drei. What should I call you?"
"Barrett is fine. How much do you know about bow usage?" Barrett inclined his head in acknowledgment before heading straight to the point. Shl'drei appreciated his forwardness - it was a good thing on a time crunch. Perhaps Barrett valued his time - Shl'drei could respect that. He explained to the stocky man that he knew less than nothing, too which the man nodded in understanding. "Got it. Well, lets start with the basics then, yeah?"
