| Picture of three beast-walkers. One "cat-like" female, one "dog-like" male, and a "ferret-esque" child. A dark forest will be in the background. |
Biology: Half man. Half beast. All teeth. Beast-walkers are able to walk on four legs and two just as easily as the
other. When they do walk on two legs, they walk on their "toes", which means their legs have some serious bend to
them. Some are more savage than others, but all have a very "animal" head. There is no mistaking them for a
humanish! They all have tails, claws, and pointy teeth. Beast-walkers were once associated with any animal, but over
the years, the more friendly (plant-eating) races were slayed by humans, or eatten by their carniverous bretheren - until
only those that had sharp teeth remained. You cannot easily look at a beast-walker and say "oh, you're a cat". There
are those that you can do that with, but they're so mixed together, that it's rare to find a "pure blooded" walker. A
common beast-walker would have the heritage of... wolf, panther, badger, bat, fox, hedgehog all in one!... all of which
have pointy teeth - or at least, that's what showed up as a result. At least there's no cultural diversity between the
various beast-walkers (anymore, as the non carnivores are now extinct) - we beasts must stick together... And they
usually do so, in tightly-knit clans. The most common mistake when making a beast-walker is to add herbavore parts.
Common Culture: The beast-walkers are not savages. At least not amongst themselves. They have clans with
permanent homes (as opposed to the nomadic Panite or Ssashirk). Their clans are placed throughout all of Pethia,
each one with it's own unique culture. Beast-walkers are renown however for being "savage hunters". Beast-Walkers
usually don't get along with Humans or Ersatz. In fact, they tend to have a loathing for Humans specifically, just as
humans tend to have a loathing for them. They've been hunted for far too long. They respect the Uthax however, and
usually trade well with the Panite and Ssashirk and Avian - the other "beast races" as they would say. There is no
cultural difference primarily between the genders - it is a culture where the strong survive and take what they want, and
the weak are powerless to stop them. The more dominant and powerful rule the tribes, eat, and mate as they please.
But no strong would want to take a weakling as a mate (that would make weak children). It is therefore obvious, that
women in the beast-walker culture find it best to be strong themselves; most beast-walker women are powerful
huntresses and warriors, and strive to out-achieve their (physically stronger) male peers.
Religion: Though a beast-walker can follow any god or goddess, the beast-walkers are one of the few races who
find no taboo in worshiping the god of shadow. It was, after all, the god of Shadows that saved them when they were
exiled and hunted by humans - pushed far beyond the desert and into the Dark Wood. In their time of most desperate
need, they turned to the Goddess of light, and she ignored them (in favor of her "precious" humans). And whether it be
to slight his sister, or for honest favor of the - the God of Shadows took pity upon them, and gave them his gifts of the
wilds, his gifts of the blood and hunt. He favors his wild children, and so they favor him.
Language: Broken Common. Though beastwalkers speak common, and can learn to speak common just as well
as any human, they tend to speak a broken version of common.
Common Names: A beast-walker always has two names. The name for which they are known, and the name the
spirits gave them. The name the spirits gave them they rarely (if ever) share - this is a name like Douv, or Gansna.
The name for which they are known is whatever their clan decided they would be called when they reached the age of
speaking. These names (though they can be very long) are usually shortened... So a name like "Light dappled by
shadows of leaves" may be shortened to "Shadows" or "Light Shadow".
Game Traits:
Double Fatigue Pool
Hunted as monsters! -2 charm to Humans, -3 charm to Panite, -1 charm to all other races
Has "Walker Features"
Begins with a single minor Spirit
Can access "Spirit Magic" skill group
Suvival Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Tinkering Skill Group grows at /2 the normal rate
Keep in mind when making Beast-Walkers:
*Beast-Walkers are "mutts" of many different sharp-toothed species. You can make your Walker to look like "a dog" or
"a wolf", but there is no such thing as a pure "dog" Walker. You can say that they resemble a dog, but there's no way to
say "Oh, my Walker is a german shephard.".
*You may make your Walker's inspiration of many many animals. All of which however must be mammals and have
pointy teeth. This means you cannot use hooved animals or rodents or rabbits. You may notice however, that even
otters and moles have pointy teeth. So not every walker must be "panther-wolf".
other. When they do walk on two legs, they walk on their "toes", which means their legs have some serious bend to
them. Some are more savage than others, but all have a very "animal" head. There is no mistaking them for a
humanish! They all have tails, claws, and pointy teeth. Beast-walkers were once associated with any animal, but over
the years, the more friendly (plant-eating) races were slayed by humans, or eatten by their carniverous bretheren - until
only those that had sharp teeth remained. You cannot easily look at a beast-walker and say "oh, you're a cat". There
are those that you can do that with, but they're so mixed together, that it's rare to find a "pure blooded" walker. A
common beast-walker would have the heritage of... wolf, panther, badger, bat, fox, hedgehog all in one!... all of which
have pointy teeth - or at least, that's what showed up as a result. At least there's no cultural diversity between the
various beast-walkers (anymore, as the non carnivores are now extinct) - we beasts must stick together... And they
usually do so, in tightly-knit clans. The most common mistake when making a beast-walker is to add herbavore parts.
Common Culture: The beast-walkers are not savages. At least not amongst themselves. They have clans with
permanent homes (as opposed to the nomadic Panite or Ssashirk). Their clans are placed throughout all of Pethia,
each one with it's own unique culture. Beast-walkers are renown however for being "savage hunters". Beast-Walkers
usually don't get along with Humans or Ersatz. In fact, they tend to have a loathing for Humans specifically, just as
humans tend to have a loathing for them. They've been hunted for far too long. They respect the Uthax however, and
usually trade well with the Panite and Ssashirk and Avian - the other "beast races" as they would say. There is no
cultural difference primarily between the genders - it is a culture where the strong survive and take what they want, and
the weak are powerless to stop them. The more dominant and powerful rule the tribes, eat, and mate as they please.
But no strong would want to take a weakling as a mate (that would make weak children). It is therefore obvious, that
women in the beast-walker culture find it best to be strong themselves; most beast-walker women are powerful
huntresses and warriors, and strive to out-achieve their (physically stronger) male peers.
Religion: Though a beast-walker can follow any god or goddess, the beast-walkers are one of the few races who
find no taboo in worshiping the god of shadow. It was, after all, the god of Shadows that saved them when they were
exiled and hunted by humans - pushed far beyond the desert and into the Dark Wood. In their time of most desperate
need, they turned to the Goddess of light, and she ignored them (in favor of her "precious" humans). And whether it be
to slight his sister, or for honest favor of the - the God of Shadows took pity upon them, and gave them his gifts of the
wilds, his gifts of the blood and hunt. He favors his wild children, and so they favor him.
Language: Broken Common. Though beastwalkers speak common, and can learn to speak common just as well
as any human, they tend to speak a broken version of common.
Common Names: A beast-walker always has two names. The name for which they are known, and the name the
spirits gave them. The name the spirits gave them they rarely (if ever) share - this is a name like Douv, or Gansna.
The name for which they are known is whatever their clan decided they would be called when they reached the age of
speaking. These names (though they can be very long) are usually shortened... So a name like "Light dappled by
shadows of leaves" may be shortened to "Shadows" or "Light Shadow".
Game Traits:
Double Fatigue Pool
Hunted as monsters! -2 charm to Humans, -3 charm to Panite, -1 charm to all other races
Has "Walker Features"
Begins with a single minor Spirit
Can access "Spirit Magic" skill group
Suvival Skill Group grows at x2 the normal rate
Tinkering Skill Group grows at /2 the normal rate
Keep in mind when making Beast-Walkers:
*Beast-Walkers are "mutts" of many different sharp-toothed species. You can make your Walker to look like "a dog" or
"a wolf", but there is no such thing as a pure "dog" Walker. You can say that they resemble a dog, but there's no way to
say "Oh, my Walker is a german shephard.".
*You may make your Walker's inspiration of many many animals. All of which however must be mammals and have
pointy teeth. This means you cannot use hooved animals or rodents or rabbits. You may notice however, that even
otters and moles have pointy teeth. So not every walker must be "panther-wolf".
Walker Features are purchased using Walker Feature Points (you start with 10 to spend if you are a
Walker)... Each feature has a different cost. You must purchase a minimum of 1 ability from each category
except "other". Unless the feature states otherwise (or in the "other" category), you can only purchase one
feature from each category. You do not have to spend all your points. Below is a list of common features.
FUR TYPES
Fine Fur, Cost 0. You are covered head to toe in a short and fine fur, like a mouse or a badger.
Thick Fur, Cost, 1. Adds the ability "winter coat". Your fur is thick and warm, like that of a wolf or bear.
Repelent Fur, Cost 1. Your fur is water-repelent like an otter's, allowing you to swim without being heavily
hindered. This can be taken with Fine and Thick fur, but not Shaggy.
Shaggy Fur, Cost 2. Adds the ability "thick fur". You have a great and shaggy coat like a llama or a yak.
Quills, Cost 2. Gives the move "thorns". Somewhere on your back-side (neck, shoulders, back) you have
short porcupine-like quills. Can only be taken in addition to any other fur type.
Mane, Cost 2. +1 charm. You sir, have a mane. Can only be taken in addition to any other fur type.
Shed, Cost 1. Gives the ability "loosen fur". You can seemingly drop your fur at will... and often times, not at
will at all. Can only be taken in addition to any other fur type.
Camo, Cost 2. Gives the move "stalk". Your fur matches the natural surroundings so well, that in a
wilderness setting, you can sneak up on your prey. Can only be taken in addition to any other fur type.
EYE TYPES
Round-Eyes, Cost 0. You have round pupils like a dog, and don't see particularly better than an average
Human.
Cat-Eyes, Cost 1. Adds the ability "nightvision". Your eyes are slightly larger, and slitted like a cat's, allowing
you to better see in the dark.
Glassy Eyes, Cost 1. Adds the ability "diurnal spirit". Your eyes are large and glassy, lacking pupils
all-together. You survive well during the day, but have poor night-vision.
Cavern Eyes, Cost 3. Your eyes are milky white, small, and useless. Adds the ability "sonar sense". The
character is blind and uses sonar to 'see'. It is immune to all secondary effects of light and dark attacks, but
does not suffer any accuracy penalties. Attacks related to sound are doubly effective against the creature.
CLAW TYPES
Claws, Cost 0. Gives the move "scratch". Your fingernails are replaced with small claws.
Talons, Cost 4. Gives you the move "maul". Your fingers end in thick claws - the true mark of a predator.
Climber, Cost 2. Gives you the move "climb". Can be taken in addition to any other claw type.
TOOTH TYPES
Fangs, Cost 0. Gives the move "nip". Your canines are much sharper than a man's.
Nettle-teeth, Cost 3. Gives the move "bite". Every tooth in your mouth is pointed, like a shark.
Saber-Tusks, Cost 1. +1 to bite damage. You have great tusks or saber-fangs sticking out of your mouth.
Can be taken in addition to any other tooth type.
TAIL TYPES
Short Tail, Cost 0. You have a short and fairly useless tail, like that of a deer, dog, or bear.
Long Tail, Cost 2. +1 dexterity. You have a long tail, used to help you balance like that of a rat or cat.
Thick Tail, Cost 2. Gives the move "Tail Slap". You have a thick tail, which you can use to strike at your foes,
like a kangaroo would have.
Two Tails, Cost 4. You have an additional tail of whatever type you originally picked. Can only be taken with
Short or Long Tail.
Prehensile Tail, Cost 3. Gives you an extra attack that is tail-related very 3 turns. Your tail can be used to help
you climb, or pick up objects, like a monkey. Can only be taken with either Long or Thick Tail.
OTHER FEATURES
Webbed Hands, Cost 1. You have webbing between your fingers, giving you the ability to swim twice as fast
as other men.
Wingsies, Cost 3. You have small and useless bat-like wings.
Great Stature, Cost 3. +2 strength, -1 dexterity. You can assign no more than 2 stat points in dexterity. You
are easily twice the size of a normal man - a true giant. Cannot be taken with small stature.
Small Stature, Cost 3. +2 dexterity, -1 strength. You can assign no more than 2 stat points in strength. You
are easily half the size of a normal man - a true dwarf. Cannot be taken with great stature.
Powerful Legs, Cost 3. Gives the move "jump". Your legs are powerful like that of a kangaroo or panther.
Keen Ears, Cost 1. Gives the trait "danger sense" for free. Your ears are more sensitive than others,
allowing you to hear your enemies approach before they actually reach you.
Keen Smell, Cost 1. Gives the trait "keen smell" for free. Your nose is more sensitive than others, allowing
you to smell your enemies approach before they actually reach you.
Howl, Cost 1. Gives the move "howl". You can howl like a wolf, or some other beast in the night.
Roar, Cost 2. Gives you the move "roar". Your roar is mighty, loud, and entirely terrifying.
Walker)... Each feature has a different cost. You must purchase a minimum of 1 ability from each category
except "other". Unless the feature states otherwise (or in the "other" category), you can only purchase one
feature from each category. You do not have to spend all your points. Below is a list of common features.
FUR TYPES
Fine Fur, Cost 0. You are covered head to toe in a short and fine fur, like a mouse or a badger.
Thick Fur, Cost, 1. Adds the ability "winter coat". Your fur is thick and warm, like that of a wolf or bear.
Repelent Fur, Cost 1. Your fur is water-repelent like an otter's, allowing you to swim without being heavily
hindered. This can be taken with Fine and Thick fur, but not Shaggy.
Shaggy Fur, Cost 2. Adds the ability "thick fur". You have a great and shaggy coat like a llama or a yak.
Quills, Cost 2. Gives the move "thorns". Somewhere on your back-side (neck, shoulders, back) you have
short porcupine-like quills. Can only be taken in addition to any other fur type.
Mane, Cost 2. +1 charm. You sir, have a mane. Can only be taken in addition to any other fur type.
Shed, Cost 1. Gives the ability "loosen fur". You can seemingly drop your fur at will... and often times, not at
will at all. Can only be taken in addition to any other fur type.
Camo, Cost 2. Gives the move "stalk". Your fur matches the natural surroundings so well, that in a
wilderness setting, you can sneak up on your prey. Can only be taken in addition to any other fur type.
EYE TYPES
Round-Eyes, Cost 0. You have round pupils like a dog, and don't see particularly better than an average
Human.
Cat-Eyes, Cost 1. Adds the ability "nightvision". Your eyes are slightly larger, and slitted like a cat's, allowing
you to better see in the dark.
Glassy Eyes, Cost 1. Adds the ability "diurnal spirit". Your eyes are large and glassy, lacking pupils
all-together. You survive well during the day, but have poor night-vision.
Cavern Eyes, Cost 3. Your eyes are milky white, small, and useless. Adds the ability "sonar sense". The
character is blind and uses sonar to 'see'. It is immune to all secondary effects of light and dark attacks, but
does not suffer any accuracy penalties. Attacks related to sound are doubly effective against the creature.
CLAW TYPES
Claws, Cost 0. Gives the move "scratch". Your fingernails are replaced with small claws.
Talons, Cost 4. Gives you the move "maul". Your fingers end in thick claws - the true mark of a predator.
Climber, Cost 2. Gives you the move "climb". Can be taken in addition to any other claw type.
TOOTH TYPES
Fangs, Cost 0. Gives the move "nip". Your canines are much sharper than a man's.
Nettle-teeth, Cost 3. Gives the move "bite". Every tooth in your mouth is pointed, like a shark.
Saber-Tusks, Cost 1. +1 to bite damage. You have great tusks or saber-fangs sticking out of your mouth.
Can be taken in addition to any other tooth type.
TAIL TYPES
Short Tail, Cost 0. You have a short and fairly useless tail, like that of a deer, dog, or bear.
Long Tail, Cost 2. +1 dexterity. You have a long tail, used to help you balance like that of a rat or cat.
Thick Tail, Cost 2. Gives the move "Tail Slap". You have a thick tail, which you can use to strike at your foes,
like a kangaroo would have.
Two Tails, Cost 4. You have an additional tail of whatever type you originally picked. Can only be taken with
Short or Long Tail.
Prehensile Tail, Cost 3. Gives you an extra attack that is tail-related very 3 turns. Your tail can be used to help
you climb, or pick up objects, like a monkey. Can only be taken with either Long or Thick Tail.
OTHER FEATURES
Webbed Hands, Cost 1. You have webbing between your fingers, giving you the ability to swim twice as fast
as other men.
Wingsies, Cost 3. You have small and useless bat-like wings.
Great Stature, Cost 3. +2 strength, -1 dexterity. You can assign no more than 2 stat points in dexterity. You
are easily twice the size of a normal man - a true giant. Cannot be taken with small stature.
Small Stature, Cost 3. +2 dexterity, -1 strength. You can assign no more than 2 stat points in strength. You
are easily half the size of a normal man - a true dwarf. Cannot be taken with great stature.
Powerful Legs, Cost 3. Gives the move "jump". Your legs are powerful like that of a kangaroo or panther.
Keen Ears, Cost 1. Gives the trait "danger sense" for free. Your ears are more sensitive than others,
allowing you to hear your enemies approach before they actually reach you.
Keen Smell, Cost 1. Gives the trait "keen smell" for free. Your nose is more sensitive than others, allowing
you to smell your enemies approach before they actually reach you.
Howl, Cost 1. Gives the move "howl". You can howl like a wolf, or some other beast in the night.
Roar, Cost 2. Gives you the move "roar". Your roar is mighty, loud, and entirely terrifying.
In addition to all that, the Beast-Walkers (and only the Beast-Walkers) may choose from ONE of the following listed
below. To take your choice of one from below, simply copy and paste the appropriate code provided for you - we
suggest you put it somewhere like your character profile once you sign up with the roleplay site. Until you sign up
however, you could save it to a word-file.
below. To take your choice of one from below, simply copy and paste the appropriate code provided for you - we
suggest you put it somewhere like your character profile once you sign up with the roleplay site. Until you sign up
however, you could save it to a word-file.
She had tracked it this far, and she
was not willing to give up. Her padded hand touched the ground where she was
sure it walked, and she could see where the blades of grass had bent
from it's passing. It no longer left tracks, too far from the lower part of the hills where the water sat the longest, but she knew it went this
way. She was not willing to give up. She stood errect, and silently,
her ears twitching in the dead air, listening for even the faintest of sounds.
Nothing. Her wolf-like nose twitched, and she caught just the faintest
of scents - a nutty smell, sharp, but far away. He was close now.
She kept her long tail tucked low against her legs to prevent it from rubbing against too many branches, lest they make noise, and she kept her head low as she crept toward her quarry. She would not give-- AH! She dropped noiselessly down to the ground - or so she thought - the leaves rustled. The stag in the clearing raised his head, his eyes rolling nervously as he looked for whatever might have caused the noise. He must have dismissed it in the stillness, for he lowered his head again. Perhaps he thought she was a rabbit, hah! Wouldn't that be something. Imagine, her, a frightened little rabbit... no such luck for the stag.
Her stripes hid her well, blending her into the shadows as she slowly inched her way toward him. She could'nt hear her brothers in the background, but she knew they were there - slowly surrounding him. Once she was in possition, she waited. She would have him, she would. She tightened her grip around her spear - it's tip the sharpened weapon of another stag from long ago - this one.. this one would do nicely. Ready.... ready... NOW!
She lept into the clearing, a snarl escaping from where it had been hiding deep in her throat, her teeth bared, and spear raised for the kill. The stag turned to run, but found his exit blocked by another - one of her brothers had presented himself - to help make a loose net of bodies. The stag reared on it's back feet, twisting so it could change direction, and bound in another direction only to be cut off again. It realized it's escape options were running out, and it took a bold chance - leaping between two of the walkers with a single stride, and off he went into the forest. If only he knew that their lives depended on it as well, and they would not give up so easily.
She snarled again, and heard the cries of outrage from her brothers - the growls, the roars, and the hisses. After him they ran - most with spears in their hands. She let her feet do the work, avoiding branches as she lept over rocks, dodged around trees, ducked under overlying branches. She didn't even notice the pain when a thorned bush scraped her arm - she was after her quarry, and she would have him! Her eyes were mad with the hunt, and she could taste his fear upon the air - it stank of it. Oh how she loved that smell.
She was getting closer now, was she fast enough? Or had he slowed? No - she ran past the branch that he got his anlter stuck on previously - the perfect thing to let her gain more ground upon him. Her brother got to him first. Curse him! He lept into the air at the stag, his spear raised over his shoulder as he Screamed out his battle-cry, his white fur glistening in the moonlight, his mane flowing behind him like ribbons. The stag wheeled around on his hooves, and lowered his head. The spear missed, landing solidly in the soil - her white brother never did land. His stomach splattered on the ground, and as the stag shook his head to rid himself of the weight, his body finally fell - laying still with the rest of his organs. Curse him!
The stag snorted, fog coming from his nose, blood covering his antlers - he backed up from the body, and faced his new foe with his weapons ready. He stared directly at her - he was going to charge, she knew it! He had some fight in him, he did, ha! She
would be ready to dodge his coming attack! He did charge, and as he came crashing toward her, his head lowered, she stepped to the side - but he turned his head, and caught the side of her arm as he ran past. She hissed in pain, but the scream came from him instead. She turned to look at him, and saw a spear from another brother sticking from his rump - this spear had crimson feathers tied to it - it was Golden-Back. Oh how she marvled at his skill - had he thrown the spear? He must have!
He kicked wildly into the air, sending dirt and leaves and blood everywhere as he screamed in protest from the fire that was in his haunch, just as the fire was in her arm - but she was a hunter, not some fearful stag! She would not scream as such a creature! She snarled out her fury, and lept at the stag from the side while he was turning the other way, and brought down her spear deep within' his ribs. There was little resistance, and it slid in nicely. He gave a gurgled cry, and fell to the ground by her white-brother's body, flailing his dangerous legs in the air and against the ground. He thrashed his head, and tried to stand, but likely his body was turning to stone on the inside.
Golden-Back was here now, and she could hear her other brothers arriving as they made a terrible racket rushing toward where
they lost their foe. Golden-Back grinned at her, his pearly teeth glistening in the moonlight - and drew his dagger across the stag's neck. He lay still. She clutched her arm to ease the burn, and he looked her up and down, grinning again. "Nice hunt, sister" he smirked at her - but he was not mocking her - he was... staring at her, as one would stare at a hare. She laughed nervously, "Nice throw." And just to accent her point, she punched him in the shoulder. He laughed. This is when her other brothers arrived - and the four of them together cried out their victory into the night as loudly as they could - their mourning sound reaching far into the distance - if they cried loudly enough thier victory, perhaps even the shadows would hear - and he would be pleased.
Together they brought them back - the two of them. The victors (she and Golden-Back) carried the stag together, and her other brothers (Keen-Nose and Wind-Speaks) carried their dead brother, the white one, The Pale. Once they arrived back at their village, the entire town celebrated their victory - the glory of the hunt, and celebrated in mourning the death of their brother. They rubbed charcoal in the wound on her arm, and wrapped a bandage around it - she would always be able to tell of her great story of the hunt with the stag who slayed The Pale. And others would see her arm, and know this is truth.
They all danced around the fire as they sang, and cried out, drank wine of the deepest purple berries, and watched the pyre burn away the lowly flesh of their brother - his ashes floating toward the sky. They feasted on the roasted meat of the stag, and laughed as they recounted each other's adventures. The hunt was successful, the pups would be well-fed. It was a good night.
She could feel the Shadow-Born staring at her while she ate, his ice-blue eyes grazing over her form. She was afraid of him - but she dared not show it. It wasn't so much him that she was afraid of, but more of what he represented. It was twenty and three years ago that The Shadow (himself) came to thier village. He claimed the best huntress the village had to offer, Azula Swift-Paw. He fancied her perhaps because of her beauty, but more likely because she was the best. Shadow favored the hunters, for he enjoyed the games. He even joined them in a hunt himself one night long ago - but that was the night he gave her a pup - oh how he favored her. But that was a long time ago when Shadow-Born was made - and she feared that The Shadow might come again and favor her... It wasn't that she feared him, but... she... she...
And that was when she noticed the hungry gaze of another. Golden-Back. Oh, how handsome he was. His belly was shadowed like the darkest of nights, his back faded to a brilliant golden brown, riddled with waving stripes. He was lean, and cut strongly - his facial features sharp, but his ears rounded... she didn't mind the ears - especially with a chest like that.. she could see the muscles ripple beneth his fur when he ran, hunted, dance. When he strode over to her boldly, his golden eyes coveting her form. She couldn't help but smiling to herself, but pretended to ignore him. At least until he so boldly swooped down and stole a kiss, licking her neck and jaw. She grinned openly at him, but pawed away his face, causing him to fall on his backside in the dirt. Everyone laughed, she smiled, and he just grinned up at her.
-------------------
She kept her long tail tucked low against her legs to prevent it from rubbing against too many branches, lest they make noise, and she kept her head low as she crept toward her quarry. She would not give-- AH! She dropped noiselessly down to the ground - or so she thought - the leaves rustled. The stag in the clearing raised his head, his eyes rolling nervously as he looked for whatever might have caused the noise. He must have dismissed it in the stillness, for he lowered his head again. Perhaps he thought she was a rabbit, hah! Wouldn't that be something. Imagine, her, a frightened little rabbit... no such luck for the stag.
Her stripes hid her well, blending her into the shadows as she slowly inched her way toward him. She could'nt hear her brothers in the background, but she knew they were there - slowly surrounding him. Once she was in possition, she waited. She would have him, she would. She tightened her grip around her spear - it's tip the sharpened weapon of another stag from long ago - this one.. this one would do nicely. Ready.... ready... NOW!
She lept into the clearing, a snarl escaping from where it had been hiding deep in her throat, her teeth bared, and spear raised for the kill. The stag turned to run, but found his exit blocked by another - one of her brothers had presented himself - to help make a loose net of bodies. The stag reared on it's back feet, twisting so it could change direction, and bound in another direction only to be cut off again. It realized it's escape options were running out, and it took a bold chance - leaping between two of the walkers with a single stride, and off he went into the forest. If only he knew that their lives depended on it as well, and they would not give up so easily.
She snarled again, and heard the cries of outrage from her brothers - the growls, the roars, and the hisses. After him they ran - most with spears in their hands. She let her feet do the work, avoiding branches as she lept over rocks, dodged around trees, ducked under overlying branches. She didn't even notice the pain when a thorned bush scraped her arm - she was after her quarry, and she would have him! Her eyes were mad with the hunt, and she could taste his fear upon the air - it stank of it. Oh how she loved that smell.
She was getting closer now, was she fast enough? Or had he slowed? No - she ran past the branch that he got his anlter stuck on previously - the perfect thing to let her gain more ground upon him. Her brother got to him first. Curse him! He lept into the air at the stag, his spear raised over his shoulder as he Screamed out his battle-cry, his white fur glistening in the moonlight, his mane flowing behind him like ribbons. The stag wheeled around on his hooves, and lowered his head. The spear missed, landing solidly in the soil - her white brother never did land. His stomach splattered on the ground, and as the stag shook his head to rid himself of the weight, his body finally fell - laying still with the rest of his organs. Curse him!
The stag snorted, fog coming from his nose, blood covering his antlers - he backed up from the body, and faced his new foe with his weapons ready. He stared directly at her - he was going to charge, she knew it! He had some fight in him, he did, ha! She
would be ready to dodge his coming attack! He did charge, and as he came crashing toward her, his head lowered, she stepped to the side - but he turned his head, and caught the side of her arm as he ran past. She hissed in pain, but the scream came from him instead. She turned to look at him, and saw a spear from another brother sticking from his rump - this spear had crimson feathers tied to it - it was Golden-Back. Oh how she marvled at his skill - had he thrown the spear? He must have!
He kicked wildly into the air, sending dirt and leaves and blood everywhere as he screamed in protest from the fire that was in his haunch, just as the fire was in her arm - but she was a hunter, not some fearful stag! She would not scream as such a creature! She snarled out her fury, and lept at the stag from the side while he was turning the other way, and brought down her spear deep within' his ribs. There was little resistance, and it slid in nicely. He gave a gurgled cry, and fell to the ground by her white-brother's body, flailing his dangerous legs in the air and against the ground. He thrashed his head, and tried to stand, but likely his body was turning to stone on the inside.
Golden-Back was here now, and she could hear her other brothers arriving as they made a terrible racket rushing toward where
they lost their foe. Golden-Back grinned at her, his pearly teeth glistening in the moonlight - and drew his dagger across the stag's neck. He lay still. She clutched her arm to ease the burn, and he looked her up and down, grinning again. "Nice hunt, sister" he smirked at her - but he was not mocking her - he was... staring at her, as one would stare at a hare. She laughed nervously, "Nice throw." And just to accent her point, she punched him in the shoulder. He laughed. This is when her other brothers arrived - and the four of them together cried out their victory into the night as loudly as they could - their mourning sound reaching far into the distance - if they cried loudly enough thier victory, perhaps even the shadows would hear - and he would be pleased.
Together they brought them back - the two of them. The victors (she and Golden-Back) carried the stag together, and her other brothers (Keen-Nose and Wind-Speaks) carried their dead brother, the white one, The Pale. Once they arrived back at their village, the entire town celebrated their victory - the glory of the hunt, and celebrated in mourning the death of their brother. They rubbed charcoal in the wound on her arm, and wrapped a bandage around it - she would always be able to tell of her great story of the hunt with the stag who slayed The Pale. And others would see her arm, and know this is truth.
They all danced around the fire as they sang, and cried out, drank wine of the deepest purple berries, and watched the pyre burn away the lowly flesh of their brother - his ashes floating toward the sky. They feasted on the roasted meat of the stag, and laughed as they recounted each other's adventures. The hunt was successful, the pups would be well-fed. It was a good night.
She could feel the Shadow-Born staring at her while she ate, his ice-blue eyes grazing over her form. She was afraid of him - but she dared not show it. It wasn't so much him that she was afraid of, but more of what he represented. It was twenty and three years ago that The Shadow (himself) came to thier village. He claimed the best huntress the village had to offer, Azula Swift-Paw. He fancied her perhaps because of her beauty, but more likely because she was the best. Shadow favored the hunters, for he enjoyed the games. He even joined them in a hunt himself one night long ago - but that was the night he gave her a pup - oh how he favored her. But that was a long time ago when Shadow-Born was made - and she feared that The Shadow might come again and favor her... It wasn't that she feared him, but... she... she...
And that was when she noticed the hungry gaze of another. Golden-Back. Oh, how handsome he was. His belly was shadowed like the darkest of nights, his back faded to a brilliant golden brown, riddled with waving stripes. He was lean, and cut strongly - his facial features sharp, but his ears rounded... she didn't mind the ears - especially with a chest like that.. she could see the muscles ripple beneth his fur when he ran, hunted, dance. When he strode over to her boldly, his golden eyes coveting her form. She couldn't help but smiling to herself, but pretended to ignore him. At least until he so boldly swooped down and stole a kiss, licking her neck and jaw. She grinned openly at him, but pawed away his face, causing him to fall on his backside in the dirt. Everyone laughed, she smiled, and he just grinned up at her.
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