The Hunt at Krag

Slowly the pair made their way into the mountains, snow perpetual at those heights. The hunter and his companion, a large, black cat, made their way conspicously on the road towards Krag. They had been hunting in the lower lands by the edge of Krag, their prey the undead that pullulated near the hills. They had taken their sworn task quite seriously, and had travelled further north than they had originally intended, but they had little choice now.

Two days ago, a Skymage had descended upon the small camp they had rested at, and had demanded to know the hunter's identity, and his purpose there. He answered truly, and he had been told to make his way to the Castle in two days, and thus he did. The Skymage had mentioned some vague promise for a reward if proof of vanquished undead was shown, so the hunter and his companion had taked the liberty of collecting some evidence of the success of their hunt, namely some bone parts, and whatever other small valuable the skeletons might have carried as proof of their demise. He had heard much about the Black Network, and he had seen them while they held Shadowdale within their grasp. He knew it was best to not openly defy such people if he wanted to maintain his hunting grounds, and thus he travelled into the mountains.

Snow was a foreign thing in the True World, only the tallest mountains had snow atop their peaks, but the hunter was not unfamiliar with it. The memories of his young days in the calmecac, the school for nobles, came to mind. He had been about fifteen years or so when he had first encountered snow. Part of the training for the military elite was survival classes from experienced cuachic, old retired warriors that had taken the role as mentors and teachers to young trainees, in all types of terrains. Hun-Balam was an enthusiast of nature from a young age, and thus he had taken those survival lessons to heart. The thrill of encountering snow for the first time, the crunch under his fur covered feet, the biting cold felt across the special fur clothing... it was all so distant in time, but so fresh in his memories. He had arrived to the eastern shores many years ago, and he had travelled far and wide. The cold climates of the northern lands had been particularly challenging, but he had braved them well enough. Men could get used to almost anything, he thought.

Mictlali was not as enthusiastic. The large black jaguar did not enjoy the snow at all, from the cold, soggy, wet feeling of travelling through it to the helplessness of being highly contrasting due to her black fur, she was displeased by it. Perhaps that was why she had so savagely fought against those two goblin scouts they had encountered in the morning of that day, perhaps she was venting out some annoyance.  The hunter and his companion reached the final length of the road, and soon enough the imposing walls of the Castle Krag came into view. Volcanic magma emanating somewhere nearby from the vowels of the earth tinged the air with a particular odor that reminded him of the ever raging summing of Mount Zatal, the great volcano of the valley of Nexal. The ground had less snow, and there was some warmth to the place.

They came upon the great doors and moat and identified themselves to the guards, mentioning why they were there. The hunter hoped the Skymage would remember their encounter, and patiently waited at the gates for a response while the pair rested from their effort to be there.

It would appear that luck was with Hun-Balam this day. Rather than out on patrol, it was that particular Skymage's day to tend to the dull job of watching the gates for any intruders. As Hun identified himself, the Skymage would almost smile to himself. Finally, something to relieve the tedium, he thought.

The robed mage would step forward and gesture the hunter to him, sliding a hand inside black robes.

"You no doubt come for payment. Show me that you taken the -un- out of undead, and you will be rewarded."

He pulls out a bag of gold that weighs a good bit. There are perhaps, about 500 coins in it.

The hunter and his large cat recognize the Skymage and at his request produce evidence of the results of their hunt:  A decently sized bundle of femur, hip and skull bones, and some equipment obtained from the undead, particularly a ring that glows with white light and a high quality enchanted rapier. All the items are handed to the Skymage.

Hun-Balam says to the man:

Quote :

"This hunter asks for continued permission to hunt the undead that populate the hills near Krag. We have no animosity with the Black Network, and in fact would not be opposed to trade of goods obtained from our hunts and words heard from other places."

The Skymage would look over the items given and nod to himself, hiding them away in his robes which have extra dimensional pockets apparently. He would find a use for all of the items one way or another. The mage was especially pleased with the rapier and the ring.

"Good finds. Nothing powerful, but they can enchanted, or placed within our stores for someone who can use it."

The sack full of gold would be given over to Hun.

In response to his words, the Skymage would gesture to the nearby a Zhentarim Officer by the looks of the man, and say,

"Battle-Captain Tray will draw up some papers for you, so that you may present them if you are ever come upon by the Black Network again. They will take a look, and then move on. Once that is done, you may trade and stay at the inn here, should you wish it. Though, I do warn you, I will have no compunctions about slaying you should you enter restricted areas, such as the Keep. Likewise if you disrespect Bane here. Now move along."

The Skymage would step past him and resume watching the gates.

((PM Sent))

The Hunt for The Coven

~@~@~@

The winter season had proven a challenge, but the hunt at the northern mountains had been extremely successful. Both man and jaguar had perfected their stalking and hunting methods on the various creatures they encountered. A necklace and collar made of frost goblin teeth and various other small bone fragments now adorned both travellers as they approached the southern lands nearing the Beast Tower. They were a proud display of the results of their northern forraging.

They stopped at some known gathering places and camps, always seeking news of their new quarry. They heard rumors here and there, and their first solid evidence lead them to Shadowdale. They learned much from some old acquaintances in the town, though the hunter's presence was not entirely welcome. He took notice of the increased numbers in the defenses and troops come from the elven lands, their numbers and preparations. Shadowdale looked well defended.  His talk with the Circle and other druids was also enriching, and surprisingly cordial. It gave him food for thought, and guided his steps to the Misty Falls. To know your prey is important for any successful hunt. Their last stop was the ranger camp by Fox's Ridge. There, the pair gathered provisions and the last remnants of knowledge they could. The Clan Ironhouse was on the move as well, as he had been told.

~@~@~@~@

The pair strayed towards the west, and continued north. Their steps headed towards the Daggerhills. They had talked at length with people and travellers by the camp at the base of Krag, and decided to see with their own senses what they could find in the areas near the place once known as Freehaven. A foreboding dark thought entered the hunter's mind and did not leave as they trekked the distance with determination, but caution.

~@~@~@

The dead spread no words. All through the barren hills, the pair stalked their prey. They searched every spot they could think of, and then searched some more. They hunted and fell some undead. Blackened, corrupted hearts, akin to the one he had obtained in the southern forest were torn from the walking dead and offered to the Lord of the Hunt and the Eater of Hearts each day. To destroy the undead menace was a sacred task to the pair. But a more mundane task was what had brought them there:  They searched for the elusive Coven with dedication.  They had a task to complete, they had agreed to do so, and a hunter always finds his prey...

((Seeking DM approval))