IC: The Sun Never Sets, IC thread for The Sun Never Sets Options

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla glories in the feel of the wind over his wings, the sight of the mountains below, the feel of the life all around him in the Astral.

The thermals start to recede as the day wears on, weakening as night approaches.

Combined with the reduced visibility of the Astral, he decides to lower his altitude until he is skimming the tops of the trees.

He begins to wonder if anything will come of this tracking.

Confident in Jake and Stogie's abilities, he declines to involve his spirit brother just yet.

[pbangarth]

Stogie notices the time of day. He communicates with Jake. Night comes. Are we close to those you trail?

[Tecumseh]

You've been hiking for about an hour. Everyone is in reasonably good shape and so progress is steady, but still tiring. You've hiked about three kilometers, gaining 1000 meters of elevation in the process.

Jake indicates that the trail leads toward the top of the ridge you are climbing. It would be about 100 meters of additional elevation, which you could probably do in under 10 minutes. That said, Jake indicates that he's starting to pick up some other scents in addition to the wild dogs from Greenwater. It's possible that this territory is home to more than one pack.

Stogie knows that you're in bear country too. Normally the bears in this area would start hibernating in October but in warm autumns (like the one you're currently enjoying) it's possible for them to wait until later in November. Jake can pick up some hints of them here and there but the scents are mostly dim and faded.

[Tecumseh]

The group continues to climb north-northeast, aiming for the top of the ridge that's now within sight. The slope is steep but progress is made considerably easier by the air spirit's Guard power. You consistently find that your footing is secure, even on the steepest stretches with the loosest rocks and soil. Normally you would have to be on your hands and knees by now, or grabbing the vegetation growing out of the hill to steady yourself, but under the spirit's care you march confidently up the hillside, requiring no more effort or attention than you would spend walking up a long flight of stairs.

Above, Smohalla swoops back and forth over the trees, surveying the forest. Having a difficult time penetrating the vibrant astral scene, he narrows his eyes to concentrate on a spell to help him differentiate between the flora and the fauna. The spellcasting is routine for someone so experienced; the results are solid. The eagle braces for a moment, expecting the sting that often accompanies sorcery, but the moment passes without a flicker of discomfort.

The mana of the spell flows through the eagle's mind, directing him to all the life for 150 meters in each direction. Naturally, there is life everywhere. Birds rest in trees, the non-migratory species that will stay through the autumn and winter. Mice and woodrats sleep in their burrows, waiting for night to emerge; squirrels and chipmunks skitter about, splitting their time between the ground and the trees. There aren't any cougars or bears in the area, nor any deer or elk. The only large mammals present are the group of hikers, Jake, and the pack of six wolves waiting near the top of the ridge.

Jake can be forgiven for not smelling them. The winds are blowing from the southwest, channeled by the mountain pass behind you. The wolves are downwind, facing the direction of the party. In fact, they seem to be waiting: they are seated on the edge of the ridge, about a hundred meters from where the party would reach the top. Their ears are alert and seem to be tracking the group's progress.

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla summons his will and sends a small portion of it down to his teammates below.

An insubstantial, ghostly eagle swoops down to the party, hovering in mid-air in front of them.

Smohalla's voice issues from the area somewhere near the translucent form.

Brother Wolf and five of his younger brothers wait near the top of the ridge.

I can sense no hostile intentions in them.

Yet they wait for us, aware of our arrival.

The ghostly eagle continues to hover near the party, staying nearby as they progress upwards.

[AtroposReborn]

Ellesar continues the hike, pushing aside the low hanging branches of the numerous trees they pass. He seems generally at-ease despite hearing the news about the pack of wolves that they were now nearing. His brow is lightly blotched with sweat, causing a lock of his golden hair to stick to his face and slightly obscure his vision.

"Why would they be waiting if not to attack us? Doesn't seem too logical."

[pbangarth]

Stogie crests the ridge and looks in the direction of the waiting wolves. The woods obscure his view. "If we approach them, or vice versa, it would be good to let me be the point of contact. I have a way with animals." He moves to be between the rest of the team and the location the ghostly eagle had indicated.

Jake. Stay close to us.

[Tecumseh]

You reach the crest of the ridge, which is studded with trees. You cautiously weave your way around the trees, keeping your eyes open for the wolves. After a long minute of ducking under branches and slowly circling around evergreens, you finally see them.

The top of the ridge is about ten meters wide. The wolves have spaced out in a semi-circle to block progress past them. They're all sitting down, watching attentively. They don't growl or act as hunters, but more like sentinels.

The wolf in the middle is huge and quite clearly the alpha male. Even sitting down he's probably chest-height. The fur on his back is predominantly black and gray, with tan highlights dusted through his fur; his legs and underside are more white. He's a very handsome canine, but he watches you with an attention that seems more human.

On cue, he stands up and transforms into a human. His head rises slowly, showing you human eyes hidden behind a dark tangle of hair that hangs past his brow to his shoulders. His beard is more white and tan, like his muzzle had been. Of course he's stark naked, but he has so much dark body hair that you could pretend he's wearing clothes.

His human form looks to be in its thirties and is clearly strong and athletic. He folds his arms in front of him as he looks you over, pausing to consider Jake for an extended moment.

He directs his look toward Stogie. "You are not typical backpackers," he rumbles from beneath his hood of hair. He glances up at Smohalla, then to the watcher spirit, then to Jake and back to Stogie. It's clear he understands the connection between all of them. "Tell me why you are here and why you are following my pack." He puffs out his chest a bit in a territorial display, watching to see how you respond.

[pbangarth]

Stogie motions for Jake to stay back. Jake seems happy to do that and sits by the group. Stogie steps forward a pace or two, seeing as the shapeshifter seems to be addressing him. Not sure whether his animal handling abilities will work on one such as this, he nevertheless looks for cues from the pack in general as well as the speaker, and applies body language appropriate for canines. This is clearly the Alpha, and he won't be interested in conversing with someone who isn't the same, so Stogie moves forward and positions himself as his "pack's" Alpha. His posture is confident but non-aggressive. No drawn weapon. He seems to be sniffing, though his human nose is no good for such things.

"We wish to learn what happened in the human village below. The fire and what the humans saw during it are strange. We found your trail and followed it here, thinking you might know something. We accept this place as yours," he indicates the forested ridge, "and seek only to learn, and perhaps to pass through. Stories are told of three women, magical women, who live in these woods. We would like to find them and learn of them as well." Jake, keep alert.

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla lazily circles the 2 groups, gliding on the air currents as though he were waiting for carrion.

His eyes watch for any third parties that could interrupt the meeting.

The watcher spirit keeps him informed of the conversation going on below him.

[AtroposReborn]

Ellesar paces between the others, listening carefully to the conversation at hand and watching the pack carefully. He grins slightly, noticing the shifter did not bother glancing his way. As usual he is overall generally calm yet showing a slight unease about the situation at hand. He seems just fine letting Stogie handle the talking.

[Tecumseh]

The shifter pauses for a long moment, seemingly uncertain of how to respond. He looks like he's about to say something but then stops. Something about Stogie - the way he carries himself, or his words - seems to have thrown the shifter off balance. His aura reflects some of his confusion. It swirls with a red shot of defensiveness and aggression, but then is curtailed by a white drop of openness and a spreading green wave of curiosity. He finally decides that he needs more information before coming to any conclusions.

"It was not the fire that was strange, it is the humans and their settlements that are strange. They have no place here in the mountains and the woods, with their concrete scars slicing through the valleys." He stops for a meaningful look up at Smohalla before continuing. "But perhaps you have already accepted this truth as your own."

He returns his eyes to Stogie. "Tell me what you would wish to learn. It may be that the Sisters wish to find you, and learn of you, as well." He stares at Stogie intently, and it seems clear that much depends on his response.

[pbangarth]

Stogie's gaze follows the shifter's up at Smohalla, then drops down to his teammates on the ground. Ellesar as usual is waiting to see what falls out from the discussion, and Jeff... well, who the hell can tell what he is thinking? How did I get to be the face?

"Seasons change. The environment changes. Those who don't adapt become something's lunch. Nevertheless, there are those of my kin who scar the land more than it can bear. I have felt their heavy hand myself, and lost some dear friends because of it." He looks back at Jake. "I work to hold those people back from doing more such harm. I have heard that the Sisters do so as well. Yet what has happened here at the town and elsewhere does not seem like the work of those who wish to maintain, but work of those who live to destroy. Magic has been at work, and the feel of it is reported to be twisted, somehow against nature. We seek to find answers and stop what is happening before innocent ones are hurt. The Sisters seem like the best place to look first."

[phlapjack77]

Smohalla waits, allowing the Shepherd to control this situation.

[Tecumseh]

The shifter pauses again, visibly uncertain of how to respond. Stogie's advanced rhetoric and nimble phrasing have exceeded his own limited oratorical abilities. The shifter scrunches up his face and scratches his head. It's probably not fleas.

"My innocents may be different from your innocents," he finally says, folding his arms again and glancing around to his wolf pack. "Or perhaps they are not," he adds, looking to Jake. "I did not like the town and I am pleased that it is gone. I do not mind the Sisters nor their magic. Their mana is not unnatural to me; it is, perhaps, more natural. It is self-preservation, nature coming to its own defense, as every living thing is entitled to do.

"If you wish to meet the Sisters, then I may be able to assist you, but you must tell me truthfully of your aims. If you wish to harm the Sisters, then I and my pack will oppose you." He tenses but remains in human form, awaiting your response. The wolves pick up on his physical cues and stand on guard, keeping track of the group attentively.

[pbangarth]

Here it is, then. Walk carefully and we can avoid a tragedy.

"I thank you for your honesty. I hope you will see that my reply is as truthful. My pack has suffered loss because of shortsightedness and mistakes. I do not wish for anyone else's pack to also suffer. We have heard that the Sisters have turned to unnatural magic and are destroying things, acting strangely, differently from the way they used to. We have been chosen to stop the destruction. We need to find out if the stories we have been told are true. It wouldn't be the first time I have been lied to to get something done. Maybe the Sisters are working to keep something bad from happening. Maybe we will end up finding a way to help them keep that bad thing from happening, and then they and everyone else will be happy again. How can we know for sure if we don't meet the Sisters for ourselves?

"But we will do what we can, what we have to, to stop the destruction. If we fail to stop the destruction, others will come. Others who maybe won't be so willing to hear both sides of the story."

[Tecumseh]

The shifter points at Stogie. "What you call destruction is what I call cleansing, or repair. I do not wish to stop it. Perhaps when you understand more, you will not wish to stop it either, and you may stand with the Sisters against others who may come.

"I tell you that the magic is not unnatural, not in the way you say. If you wish to meet the Sisters then I will take you to them. But not today. The sun is low and the night will be cold and windy. If you wish to come with me, you must stay the night here. We will go in the morning. It is a long walk from here."

He glances to the watcher spirit and Ellesar. "Talk among your pack if you need, but stay where you are. I understand the treachery of men and will be wary of it."

He watches the group closely.

[AtroposReborn]

Ellesar stops pacing and watches the pack, waiting for the slightest hostile movement.

[phlapjack77]

Speaking through the watcher spirit, Smohalla says,

Wolf is trustworthy. He will keep his word.

Let us rest here for the night. Tomorrow we will find the Sisters, with Wolf's assistance.

But I am still curious, why Wolf and his kin wait here, guarding this trail.

What or who do they expect? On whose command do they act?

[pbangarth]

Stogie looks around at his teammates, then turns back to the shapechanger.

"You seem to have been waiting here for us to come. Is this something you do for the Sisters? Guard the approach to their den? I for one am willing to hear what the Sisters have to say. Staying here overnight might be a little uncomfortable for some of us. Is there a place nearby where those unused to staying in the natural world can take shelter from the night?"

[Tecumseh]

"I do not guard the Sisters; it is they who protect me," the shifter says. "I waited for you because I heard you, and because the Sisters said that men would come in time. I do not know how the Sisters knew, but their understanding of the world of men exceeds my own."

The shifter looks over the group and judges your clothing before deciding that it is desirable to spend the night sheltered. "There are caves nearby that will serve the purpose. I will take you there." He turns his head slightly, indicating for you to follow.

He walks north slightly, descending over the crest of the ridge. He checks back to see that you are following, including Smohalla. The wolves trot behind and to the sides, not in a menacing manner but certainly as escorts.

"There are dried woods and mosses suitable for making a fire," he says, pointing at some eligible fuel. "Be careful to keep the fire clear of the trees, as it is very dry."

He walks toward what looks like a rocky overhang about a hundred meters away. Approaching it, you see that it is a shallow cave. It's no more than a few meters deep but it has three sides and a ceiling, shielding you from the wind. The opening to the north looks down onto a forested valley. The ground is mostly dirt and sharp pebbles that will need to be cleared away before laying down.

The shifter turns when he gets to the entrance of the cave. He gestures to the wolves, who disperse in the general vicinity. "Rest, and I will return at daybreak." He turns to go.

[pbangarth]

"OK. The cave looks good. How about you guys start collecting some dry wood and some moss. I'll start a fire with the collected material. We can build a windbreak with some larger branches of evergreens, too. Figuring out the sightlines from here would be a good thing. Set up a patrol periphery. Smohalla, you wanna give us an overview, see if there is some water nearby? And if you see a nice rabbit or something, that would be a bonus. Heh, and let us know if you see a bear! Jake and I will look see what we can find in the way of food. I have some emergency nutrition bars, but I didn't plan on feeding everyone.

"Once we're settled in, maybe we can figure a few things out."

*short whistle followed by a long one, trailing off in volume and pitch* "Jake, away." Stogie heads along the ridge and the dog shoots out ahead and to the right of him. Stogie unslings his shotgun and readies for some hunting.

[AtroposReborn]

"I'll check out the immediate area and see what I can find for kindling," Ellesar states, pulling out a tomahawk from his backpack. "There isn't much of a shortage of foliage around here, to be sure."

[pbangarth]

Stogie calls over his shoulder, "I'd go for the deadfall if I were you. Don't know how these folks feel about cutting down living branches."

[AtroposReborn]

Ellesar looks back as he's walking away, "Ah, no worries. I had no intentions of cutting anything down, but there may be need for chopping up that which is already fallen."