Chapter 104: 91. A Hunting Pack

“I’m poor,” Adam sniffled, resting his face on the table before breakfast. 

“So…” Dunes began.

“We’re working today?” Jaygak asked, staring at the Half Elf. 

“Yes,” he said. “This time we’re going to hunt down every Forest Wolf in the world.”

“That would be terrible,” Jurot said. “The ecosystem of the forest will be under threat if we were to do that.”

Adam blinked. “You know, Jurot, you’re not so bad.”

“Yes,” Jurot said. “I am very good.”

They ate breakfast together, which was full of meat and grilled vegetables, before heading out with the trio of Porters.

“Working hard already?” Pam asked, already beginning to pack some jam buns.  

“I’m poor,” Adam said, frowning at the women. 

She eyed up his puthral plate mail. “Mhmm, I’m sure.”

“Poor for an Adventurer,” Adam explained. 

Pam nodded, smiling slightly. There was poor, and then there was Adventurer poor.

Currency: 14SP -> 9SP

“You must be poor if you’re only spending five silvers,” she said, winking at him.

“Right? The less money I have, the less we’ll buy in here,” Adam warned her. 

“Then work hard today!” Pam said, waving at them as they left. 

Adam pat Jurot’s back. “Let’s bring back a great story for her.”

Jurot nodded his head, narrowing his eyes as his focus grew, finishing his jam bun.

“Heave!”

“Ho!”

They set off towards the forest, once against being led by the combined efforts of Jurot and Kitool leading them. 

It hadn’t taken long for Kitool to stop the group, motioning to a group of tracks. “Five total.”

“One Elder?” Jurot said, looking at the track, leaning in. 

Kitool nodded her head. There were few types of creatures which could make a paw print this large. There could have been a different type of Wolf, but the pair eventually came to the conclusion it was most likely an Elder Forest Wolf.

They followed the tracks, trekking through the thick forest, leaping off of small mounds. Jurot donned his shield, which caused the others to don their own and take their positions. Jurot and Kitool at the front, Adam with the Porters, and Jaygak and Dunes bringing up the rear, since they had the heaviest armour which still jingled every so often. 

Jurot stopped, his ears twitching. Kitool’s ears twitched too and she squatted into a low stance, readying for battle. At their movements, the Porters dropped their palanquin and Adam drew Lightsear, which gleamed in the rays of the sun peeking through the canopy.

The soft thumps of wolf paws revealed their presence as four Forest Wolves, beasts with brown fur, leapt from the brush, each larger than a typical Wolf, though there was one which even dwarfed the rest. They snarled at the newcomers as the other Forest Wolves circled around.

Battle Order

D20 + 1 = 4 (3)

The Elder Forest Wolf, noting the eagerness of the intruders, leapt into the fray after a roar, heading towards Kitool, though Jurot intercepted it. It’s large paws struck Jurot harshly, knocking the wind out of the powerful Iyrman, even dragging him to the ground with its mighty blow. 

Jurot grit his teeth before roaring back at the Elder Forest Wolf, swinging his axe wildly, though it only cut through fur rather than flesh. Kitool slunk to the beast’s side and barely missed as the Forest Wolves, seeing their leader strike at the two without metal armour, rushed in to them. One leapt to strike the fallen Jurot, who shoved his shield against its jaw, though another managed to slash against his shoulder from behind. Another two surrounded Kitool, trying to find purchase with their teeth within her flesh, but instead bit into the edges of her clothing as she nimbly danced between them.

The Porters circled to one of the Forest Wolves beside Kitool, skewering one of them with their trio of spears, moving methodically together as they had planned. Jeremy and Remy had almost died, and so kept within arm’s reach of one another. Nobby followed the lead of his uncles, as expected.

Dunes, knowing his role, charged forward into the fray, slamming into the side of a Forest Wolf as he dropped down. “Do not fall yet, Iyrman! By the good Lady’s grace!” His healing magic filled Jurot, closing the wound against his shoulder, his shield pointed up towards the Elder Forest Wolf, trying to protect himself as he healed in the chaotic fray.

Yet the carnage had not yet begun.

Adam inhaled deeply for a moment. Just a moment.

Warrior Spirit: 3 -> 2

Attack (Flanking)
D20 + 8 = 14 (6)
D20 + 8 = 11 (3)
Hit!
1D6 + 2D6 + 5 = (3)(2, 6)
16 damage!

Onward Soar: 1 -> 0

Attack (Flanking)
D20 + 8 = 26 (18)
D20 + 8 = 25 (17)
Hit!
1D6 + 2D6 + 5 = (2)(2, 6)
12 damage!

Mana: 8 -> 7
Spell: Healing Word
1D3 + 3 = 6 (3)

The Half Elf leapt into the fray with frightening speed, charging forward. He leapt over the kneeling Priest, Lightsear gleaming. The Elder Forest Wolf looked up towards the charging figure of silver and purple, before screaming as the blade pierced through its side. Adam tumbled across its back and spun around, slashing across the back of the creature, causing it to howl in pain as blood splattered across the forest floor. 

“Jurot, I’ll handle this one,” Adam said, his Mana coursing through his voice as it healed the Iyrman, who was about to leap to his feet, invigorated by the healing he had received. 

Yet, the downed Iyrman saw another shadow above him, as Jaygak, with shield and blade in hand, pierced through the Elder Forest Wolf’s throat with her blade, which gurgled with blood, before she withdrew her blade and turned to face the other Forest Wolves. 

Her blade, which was wet with blood, began to vibrate slightly, the blood following the trail of the Runes which had glowed for a moment. 

Bloodseeker was on the hunt for more blood. 

The Forest Wolves howl, enraged, but one voice was silenced as Jurot’s heavy axe tore through the side of a Forest Wolf’s throat, before he leapt onto his feet, covered in the blood of the various Wolves. He, like Bloodseeker, was on the hunt for more blood. 

Kitool struck a wolf with her Seekerstaff, crushing its skull, and the remaining Forest Wolf, seeing that it was now alone, turned to flee, only to fall under the light of a Trick, and three spears, which struck it through its back. 

“Oof,” Adam said, watching as the last Forest Wolf receive more blows than even its leader. “Good work everyone,” Adam said, nodding his head. 

Victory!
Elder Forest Wolf
Forest Wolves
XP: +40
XP: 2950 -> 2990

‘Well, I suppose there are a ton of us here… Slow and steady, I suppose.’ He glanced around the party. “Is anyone injured?” he asked, before noting Jurot was still slightly wounded.

Mana: 7 -> 6
Spell: Cure Wounds
1D6 + 3 = 8 (5)

“Thank you,” Jurot said. 

“Any time,” Adam said. “Let’s butcher them and head back?”

Jurot, Kitool, and Jaygak began to butcher the dead Forest Wolves, throwing them into the palanquin once they were done, with Nobby taking a few into his wooden backpack. 

“That was rather easy,” Adam said. “Well, it’s a nice change of pace from almost dying to a pair of Herbearvores.”

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Dunes nodded his head.

As they made their way out, a low growling filled the air. Emerging from the trees appeared two large creatures, each familiar.

Two Elder Forest Wolves.

“Me and my big fucking mouth,” Adam said.

Battle Order
D20 + 1 = 5 (4)

Jurot, having not had his fill of battle, roared and charged in, Kitool following him with her staff. Jurot’s axe narrowly missed the Elder Forest Wolf, but Kitool, who attacked the Elder Forest Wolf as she emerged from behind the larger Iyrman, struck it with her Seekerstaff.

A beam from the heavens struck the Elder Forest Wolf as Dunes called out, and three javelins whistled through the air. The Elder Forest Wolf had been winding up to attack Kitool when it fell to the ground, lifeless.

Jaygak shouted, charging in to face the other Elder Forest Wolf, her blade cutting through the air as it ducked under her blade, which was still thirsting for blood. 

Warrior Spirit: 2 -> 1

Attack (Flanking)
D20 + 8 = 20 (12)
D20 + 8 = 15 (7)
Hit!
1D6 + 2D6 + 6 = (3)(3, 6)
18 damage!

Adam charged forward, striking the remaining Elder Forest Wolf with Lightsear, which caused it to howl in pain. It quickly realised that it was no match for them, and slipped backwards before leaping away. 

Dunes threw out another beam from the heavens, but it wasn’t enough, and it managed to slip away. 

Victory!
Elder Forest Wolves
XP: +30
XP: 2990 -> 3030

Adam stared down at the dead Elder Forest Wolf, and looked to Dunes. “Should I say it again?”

Dunes glanced to the rest of the party, noting how the Iyrmen were still eager to fight, but the Porters were almost already carrying full loads. “No.”

Soon they returned back to the town, where the guards noted their arrival. “Hey, didn’t you guys bring back a pair of Herbearvores just the other day?”

“That’s right,” Adam said. 

“You kids are working too hard,” the guard said. “You know, my cousin’s cousin’s father in law’s nephew was an Adventurer, and he worked near daily. He made a pile of gold coins, but he couldn’t spend it because he came across a Red Bear. You should be careful, and spend the coin while you have the chance. Keeps the economy going, you know?”

“I assure you, I spend a lot of coin,” Adam said, chuckling. “I have expensive taste.”

The guards glanced between another, before nodding their heads to the Half Elf. “Whatever you say, young man.”

Insight Check
D20 + 1 = 10 (9)

Adam wondered what that look meant, glancing between them, but he couldn’t quite judge it.

Currency: 16CP -> 12CP

The Adventurer’s Guild soon welcomed them, and the Porters placed down their loads. Jeremy and Remy worked on stretching their backs, whereas Nobby kept an eye out on the their loads.

Braun stared at the Forest Wolves, glancing between the four smaller beasts, and the two larger beasts. “Not bad,” he said, nodding his head. “I thought it was luck last time.”

“It might be luck this time too,” Adam said, smiling. 

“Perhaps there is a little bit of luck, but,” he stared at all the other party members. “I think it’s more than that. A large group as yourself probably can handle such deadly threats. Most people try to keep their group small, three to five members, but eight, with three Porters, is quite unheard of at Copper Rank.”

Adam smiled. “So…” He clasped his hands together. “Show me the money!”

Quest Complete: Forest Wolf Hunting
XP Gained: +280
XP: 3030 -> 3310
Stamps Gained: +2
Stamps: 16 -> 18
Currency Gained: +270GP

“I have quite a few stamps now,” Adam said, staring up at Braun. 

“I’ll be informing Vice Master Paul,” Braun said, nodding his head, writing down a few notes. He had to keep some of the beast parts in the pile of Iyrtax the Guild was in charge of collecting for them, including the specifics of who had offered it and when, and to which families it would go to. He was slowly beginning to understand Adam’s relationship with the Iyr, which he’d need to inform Paul about.

“Nice,” Adam said, wondering if he should be excited to Rank Up. ‘I could stay Copper Rank for a while, though, right?’ 

Currency: 46GP -> 80GP

Adam took a moment to figure out how much he should hand over to the Porters. 

“Adam,” Dunes said. “Is the Party Fund meant to pay for my stay in the Guild?” the War Priest asked.

“Yes,” Adam said. He blinked a few times. “Oh, my bad. I forgot since we don’t have to pay.”

Dunes nodded. “I had forgotten too.”

Adam cleared his throat. “I’ll try and keep up on that. How much is it?”

“Two gold a night,” Dunes said.

“Take ten gold and I’ll keep track of that from now on.”

Dunes nodded. 

Adam had kept note of how much people had been putting into the Party Fund. Somehow, the party had been putting in the same amount as one another, even more than the minimum, arriving to the same number independently. He’d need to make sure he didn’t forget to use it to assist the party. ‘I don’t want to be a loser, damn it!’

Currency: 80GP -> 73GP

He paid for the Porters, paying them each two gold coins, before paying another gold for some bread for the entire group, though most of it with the Porters as per usual. 

Jurot regaled the tale of the fight to Pam, including how he had nearly torn a wolf in half with his axe. 

“May I touch your axe?” Pam asked.

Adam almost choked on his jam bun, before quickly stumbling outside, sipping down his water. 

“Are you okay?” Nobby asked.

“Yeah,” Adam said, splashing some water onto his face. “Nobby, make sure you stay as sweet and innocent as you are right now, alright?”

“Okay,” Nobby replied, simply. 

 

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