>[VOLUNTEER QUEST CURRENCY VALUES: ... Twenty five silvers in a gold, fifty coppers in a silver.]
>75 silvers isn't all that match for a hunting job-but it'll put me at nearly a gold
Erm, isn't 75 silvers equivalent to three gold? The relatively high pay was one of the major attractions of the orc job.

>>289738
[Correct, I misrecalled my own conversion rate, the job is 75 silvers-which would push you up to three golds.]

Check for a cave first, I think. Even if it's unoccupied when you find it, there'll probably be traces of its resident about if the orc is actually sheltering there. As for distance, that depends on the condition of the thing when you see it. Lacking footwear may mean it's lacking protection in other areas too. Thus you may find a use for your bow after all, even if only to wait in ambush and then put an arrow through a foot or lower leg to kill the orc's mobility. If it can't move well, then you can plink away at leisure instead of having to worry about getting only a couple shots off before it rushes you.

Tho i can think of no method As to finding tha thing be discreet as possible, surprise and planing can be more lethal than any weapon.

However you do find it if you catch it unaware and know where its going set up some traps. Particularly ones made to trip, cut, and bleed feet and legs. Trip wires, and hidden barbs all in its path. Dig a small hole, stick sharpened sticks and/or knives in it then cover it with brush (use arrows if short on time). Are there any plants nearby that make a good poison or hallucinogen? Put some on your loaded bolt as any more poison than that would probably take too long to make. Or maybe poison some of the meat your carrying and put it in its path, they aren't very cleaver are they?

YOU FORGOT TO TELL THEY BOY ABOUT HIS POISONED BLOOD!

Granted it would have been awkward, but I think it will be more awkward when another hunter comes to slay him after hearing how his entire town got sick and died after he scraped his knee.

Anyway, string Bow if unstrung.
Follow tracks, keep ears open.

Aim carefully. Eyes/neck would be a good target, wait until you have a sure target and release.

If you hit, it will stumble and flail. It will.
If it has a weapon, dodge to the side it has it in.

Your next target will be back of the legs with those nice daggers you just got.

You also need some silver tipped ones, just saying. You can try a stainless steel with Silver along with or substituting for chromium. If this means nothing to you, ask a blacksmith about silver steel or silver weapons.

Make sure to be as stealthy as possible in the forest. Check the ground for tracks if you can, and keep your ears open for anything.
It sounds kind of iffy using a bow, i think we should get a pistol or two out, attempt to sneak up to it to within firing distance, then aim for the head and fire. one shot, one kill

>>289771
I think trying to make a trap or dig a hole would put too much strain on the injured hand.
looking for poisonous plants would be good, though.

>>289746
I go looking for a cave first.

I trudge off the road, angling towards the hills, steps as soft as I can manage as I keep my ears perked-but no more shouts are heard. I weave around rock and tree, making my way over the last of the flatlands-

I hear an Orc's cry again, a bit farther away than before.

In fact, I hear it right as I find a cave, not hidden at all, on the slopes of the foothills. As it could well be the place the orc currently calls home, I decide to investigate while I'm here before heading on. I duck inside, pistol and crossbow at the ready.

Within the cave... I find evidence of habitation. A gathering of pelts in one corner, the remnants of many fires, a soot-stained roof, a woven shield to close up the entrance-but none of this looks orcish-

I feel an arrow's head rest oh-so lightly against the back of my neck, at the base of my skull.

>[???]"I'd move reeeeaaal careful now-and get to explaining what yer doin' rooin' through my home."
"I'm a Hunter."
>[???]"I can see that-and yeh dinnit answer my question."
"I'm here hunting that orc."
>[???]"What yeh doin' that over here for? The orc's north-north west about a mile and change, gettin' ready to attack some travellers most like. No tracker worth his salt would come here."
"....Given how easily you snuck up on me, I hope you can believe me when I say I am not much of a tracker."

Nothing is said for a moment. And then-

>[???]"Alright-just keep away from me home, ya here? I didn't move out here to be bothered!"

The arrow withdraws, I turn around-

No one is there.

......My luck has been shit since that job near Stiltown-what was that, some mad old master stalker?

>>289786
>>289818
As I flit about, pondering the ghostlike hunter that cornered me so and vanished, I realize I explained nothing to Saul of what happened to him-a given, considering his young mind is having to deal with turbulent issues at the moment. I resolve to revisit him, after this job or the next, to see how he is doing-and see if he is strong enough to accept the knowledge of what he is-the secret he must bear. The changed blood-the goblin meat he ate-the poisoned blood-but for now, I must hope he can handle himself. I note with some interest that my own veins do not buzz so badly now-instead, they seem to pull and sway oh so slightly to the south-shifting the direction they pull to always be south, no matter how I contort. ...Interesting.

The third Orc cry I hear is far louder-and I smell blood in the air.

I dodge closer, seeing movement through the trees as I re-approach the road-

I stop, peeking from behind a particularly sturdy evergreen, some fifty feet from the road.

I see three figures. Two are fallen, blood still pooling from massive wounds to their torsos, one nearly cleaved in twain, despite having leather armor. I see a broken shield beside a bent sword, just out of reach of the nearly split fallen warrior. The one he escorted breathes her last as her lifeblood seeps into the trader's pack on her back. The third figure, the Orc I hunt, is a full head taller than me and at least five stone heavier, laden with blood and grime streaked muscles, knotting and flexing under pebbly gray-blue hide. In the beast's hands I note a truly massive iron axe-if he closes the distance on me......

Keeping in mind the ranges of my respective weapons.....




How should I approach this?
The Orc wears no real armor-should I hope a shot to its heavily muscled back will do the trick, assume I can break through the thickest part of the skull-or should I dare try to get the beast to turn towards me, to expose softer targets?
Or do I have another plan?

Rather than a shot to the back or the head, perhaps a shot to the back of the knee to screw with it's mobility. Then just keep your distance and fire at softer targets as it turns around, but prioritize not letting it close. Luring it into the trees and weaving through them if you can. Don't use trees as if they were a shield though, don't want to risk it cutting straight through one, but to limit it's mobility even more and block it's line of sight to you in between attacks.

>>289978
You should consider opening the range a bit before firing. Your crossbow will be accurate well beyond fifty feet, and odds are it will charge you after your first shot- and if it runs into the woods, this will be a somewhat longer and more dangerous endeavor in any case. Ideally you'll get at least two shots with the crossbow before you have to resort to pistols- you know how fast orcs can charge, so judge the distance appropriately. And when you fire, make sure it's from behind at least some cover so that he might not see you immediately when he turns- could buy you a bit more time.

Targeting its knee first would be good, as suggested, or failing that its spine. Something likely to lessen its mobility; if it stays still for long enough, you'll finish this job no sweat.

If it manages to charge you to the point that you have to draw and use pistols, aim for the face and try for a kill. You won't be able to effectively run away through the trees with your injuries not yet healed.

>>289983
I agree with firing at the back of it's knee, but I think we should try to pop out our bow and fire that instead of the crossbow. We have some barbed, wooden arrows that should work seeing as how we no longer need to worry about armor penetration. With the barbs on the arrows he'll be forced to either pull them out or tear up the muscles. You know it's not even the muscles that are the worst part, it's the fact that there's also that big popliteal artery there which he'll probably sever if he exerts himself with one inside of him.

And at some point we should look for that old master stalker and ask him to teach us, preferably in a manner that doesn't chance him shooting us on sight for being near his home again. That guy is damn good, if we could learn even a portion of what he could teach us we could do some serious hunting.

While armor penetration isn't a problem anymore, those fucking muscles are. A toned guy feeling like solid rock isn't just a feeling - muscles can also serve to protect the body, if they're strong enough.

I think one president stopped a bullet with his pectorals? I can't remember.

Anyway, back of the knee, yuh. Good idea!

>>290064

If a president did something badass, it was probably Theodore Roosevelt.

>>289983
back of the knee's a good target. If it gets too close start aiming for weak points on the arm that wields the axe, so at least if we face him in close combat we won't be cloven in two.

>>290064
While I thank you for pointing out the obvious, I must clarify I only want to shoot him with the bow and arrows as an opening attack against his posterior knee. In case you aren't aware it isn't exactly an area rife with muscle and on most animals doesn't have particularly thick skin or hide covering it.

>>290064
You're thinking of Roosevelt, but he only survived because the handguns of the time didn't actually have the stopping power to serve as combat pistols. Our pistols are the real deal - if we shoot him, he's not getting back up.

>>289983
>>290083
I carefully, quietly rehook the loaded crossbow at my side and resheath the pistol within my brace, as I slowly pull out my bow. I step behind the cover of the tree more fully-waiting until I hear the sound of the orc feeding on the corpses to string it, hoping to mask the sound. I wait several moments-no disruption to the sound of eating, and my bow is read. I lay a barbed arrow against it, carefully drawing back the gray-feather fletched bow, sighting at the back of the creature's knee, waiting, ensuring my target does not move, that I am aligned just so-

I let go.

An arrow whispers through the intervening space-and embeds itself in the back of the orc's bent right knee. Immediately, instinctively, the orc jrks to rise-

The barbed tip of the arrow further shredding the innards of a pivotal joint-I hear growls of pain as the beast nevertheless begins to turn around-

But not before, my bow propped against the tree, I draw pistol and crossbow, firing both. The bolt catches the orc in the upper back, blood seeping and oozing about the embedded metal head, as blood begins to spill from its right upper arm, where the bullet bit flesh-twin shooting is not my specialty, but a wound is a wound.

Despite a bolt four inches deep in its back, an arrow in the back of its right knee (said knee's internals now likely savaged), and a bleeding bullet wound to the arm, the orc howls at me-

The point at which, pistol and crossbow replaced in their holsters and bow reclaimed, I begin to withdraw.

>>290064
>>290080
I fire off an arrow in a snap shot, the point impacting his upper chest-

And rebounding off the orc's furiously knotted muscles after nothing more than scratching the skin. ....That was a three-quarters draw snapshot from forty feet. I keep forgetting how damn hard orc's muscles are-'swhat makes them so deadly charging in a raid-can't plink at them, and they overpower you in close quarters.

....I have other options though.

Specifically, tied to the following two points:
-The Orc's limping, blood streaming from it's wounded leg, its back and its arm, and I can easily outrun it. I regretfully cannot outrun it walking backwards and firing arrows.
-I have several means of attempting to shoot the orc to death no matter how good of armor its muscles may make-and I could very well wait it out and let it bleed to death.







How should I approach ending the wounded orc's life?
Once it is dead and I have claimed its head as proof of the deed, what should I do about the two dead travellers?

>>290239
Eliminate risk. Let it bleed to death. Or at least bleed for a while longer so you can get an easy killing shot.

>>290239
Back off for a while, letting it chase you and slow down from blood loss and weakening torn muscles. When it's moving a bit slower, go for the headshot with your pistols. If those don't work just play keep away until it bleeds out.

>>290239
If you believe yourself good enough, spend a few more moments to shoot the Orc in the eye before high tailing it to the hills. Don't move too fast. Keep out of its range, but keep an eye on it.

Can Orcs understand human speech?

If so:

Run. Load crossbow while running. Shoot when you can. Insult him to make him keep chasing you. Run him through shit that will make the wound worse, uneven/unstable terrain, for instance.

This is gonna be fun.

>>290247
I agree, 100%.
>>290259
no sure running while loading the crossbow is going to work...at all.

We should probably let it bleed out some, but get as far away as you need to to reload your crossbow, and then shoot it in the other knee first. Also, beware of it deciding to throw stuff, such as debris or it's axe. Don't assume you're entirely safe just because it can't close with you.

Its the front of their body that is most resistant right? Well then out run it, double back and shot it in the back, or better yet in the Other leg joint. Repeat. Aim for make big blood-letting wounds. Then let it bleed to death. But before you get anywhere near it put something in it's head just to be sure.

aim for the eyes with your barbed arrows

rolled 24 = 24

---

>>290239
If you believe yourself good enough, spend a few more moments to shoot the Orc in the eye before high tailing it to the hills. Don't move too fast. Keep out of its range, but keep an eye on it.

[Rolling to remember if orc's have accelerated healing or won't bleed out]

>>290240
>>290247
>>290262
I start to jog away, my head turned and ear cocked as I listen to my laboring pursuer, gauging distances. I stay a solid fifteen spans away, with even the possibility of a thrown battleaxe accounted for. I duck about a few trees in my withdrawal, forcing the creature to keep turning, always putting more and more strain on that injured knee, the blood as ever flowing freely.

After it remains upright and chases me without slowing for a full minute, I turn, drawing my remaining loaded pistols, and ignore the orc's sudden turn of desperate speed as I crouch and sight.

Two reports crack through the muffled air of the evergreen forest, and the Orc's head whips back, wounded leg buckling at the shifting weight as it topples backwards-

And immediately is trying to get back up, an eye ruptured, a bullet lodge in its right orbital and a wound on his forehead from where his skull deflected the other bullet. ...Hm.

>>290298
I resheathe the spent pistols in the brace while I begin walking away, pulling free my crossbow as I prepare another bolt. The Orc has been on its feet for all of a second before it gets a crossbow bolt in the neck. It goes down once more, gurgling, its rage drowning as its life bleeds away.

I rearm the crossbow as I patiently watch the body for half a minute, proving to myself it is not playing dead, before cautiously advancing. I carefulyl prod the body with the bolt pressed to its remaining eye, and at this final lack of reaction I set to my grizzly work, slicing through flesh with one of my new knives before I pull out my short saw and cravea path through the spine. Once I have wrested my prize free, I reclaim both crossbow bolts, and begin to stand, thinking of the two dead travellers-

>"Terrible hunting, poor marksmenship, clumsy movement and an unnecessary amount of force-if that wasn't just a juvinile out to prove how hard it was, but instead a veteran of one of the tribes-well, I imagine it'd be having another snack-what's a Hunter doing with such piss-poor stalking skills?"

...From behind me comes the voice, that of the old man-I can feel him standing there behind me, yet I dare not turn, confident he will be gone like a puff of smoke.

"I was the bookish type when I was younger, I admit-I came late to the Hunting field, with no firsthand experience, only the intellectual-I had to learn from there. My studies are ongoing."

Now, from a bush ten feet to my right, the exact same voice, the presence behind me having vanished while I spoke.

>"At least you know how inept you are."
"Should I take your commentary as an interest in conversation?"

This time from the tree above my head, some twenty feet up and muffled by the branches, again his response comes from a radically new place.

>"No, just making my farewells now that this little episode has concluded."

And so the voice is gone, the presence with it, and I am once more alone-or so it seems.

Either way, I make my way back to the traders, find a bag to wrap the Orc head in, and claim what transportable belongings they had while I set off back to town-I can decide what to do with their goods, and more fully inspect them, there.

The journey back is slower, more days passing at a snail's crawl thanks to the heavy pack. I crack five days in, prying it open-to find metal pots, pans, kettles, bowls and cutlery-nothing of silver, sadly, but decent tin utensils, and iron cookware. Could be worth a good bit, to the right person. I think about who to go to for the next two days before making my decision.

On my eventual return, after claiming the 75 Silvers for the Orc's head, I visit a money-changer and acquire two Golds for fifty Silvers, before I seek out Henrik--half an hour later I walk out with a grand total of two Golds, forty eight Silver and ten Copper. I consider what to do with nearly four gold, as I also note that there seems to be a flood of Were-things on the prowl, only tales of their rampages circulating in the taverns. Hm....






What kind of gear should I seek out for my next mission, which looks like it may be a Were-hunt?
Or should I use some of these funds for another pursuit and see what jobs open up later?
If I plan to research the event with the Elf, how should I go about looking for answers?

rolled 55 = 55

---

Four gold?

Buy yourself some silvered weaponry, bro. And is it on touch that it harms, or in the bloodstream like the Elf? Rollan.

If it is on touch, see if you can't get some silver bracelets or rings. If in the blood? Buy silver pellets for that blunderbuss you was gonna buy.

>>290842
If there was anything in the traders' packs identifying who they were, ask around town for someone they knew and pass on word of their demise. Hell, give a description regardless. If they happen to have anyone in town that can claim relations or similar to them, give them their effects. Otherwise, sell them off- someone in town who sells such goods should be able to give you a decent price- and pocket the money. One can only go so far when trying to do the right thing.

See if you can take a job which would lead you back towards Saul; you should really talk to him sooner rather than later, and hopefully see that he's doing well.

Reference what you know about weres. Make sure you've got something to play on their weaknesses- can you get a small set of silvered crossbow bolts, perhaps, to match your iron ones? You'll also want a melee weapon which could work against them, even if it's not your specialty, and to replace your throwing knives; your lack of plentiful rapid-fire weaponry if being closed in upon like you were those goblins concerns me. Make sure that you have a throwing knife in both iron and silver, if silver is the weres' weakness. If there are any other common weaknesses to deal with, get something for those as well.

Aside from that... see if there's an herbalist or healer in town who could take a look at your recovering wounds and give you advice. If there's no overt evidence of your pact, anyway; you need to make sure that your wounds heal up as cleanly and completely as possible, but that's not worth spilling that particular secret. And pick up a few simple bits of advice on what to do if you get injured again, maybe some herbs or bandages which you might be able to use. It's only thanks to foul magic that your last set of wounds didn't get infected, I'd bet.

Also buy some good traveling food, preferably with water-resistant or otherwise good containment- that situation with the goblins is to be avoided in the future.

Are you familiar with any methods of preparing Wolf's Bane for coating weapons? I figure some of the books you've read probably referenced it, but did any go into specific detail about it's preparation? If so, you should see about getting some, along with whatever you'd need to prepare it.

>>290852
Having already traded the travellers' belongings away to Henrik, I consider the last thing I have left-a locket with the intiials G.F. inside. I walk back inside, speaking to Henrik-he knows not who the intials could belong to, but promises to hold it on the chance someone comes looking for it. Having always been a man of his word, I leave the trinket with him as I make my way to the heart of the market.

>>290846
[Lore 55/100]
I consider what I know about Were-things, and their vulnerability to silver-unlike the fey, it does not seem that I need to shove pieces of silver in their flesh and keep them there to kill them-though such a tactic would work most excellently against even the most potent were-thing. All that really seems necessary is wounds created by silver-a silvered blade should suffice-or silver arrow and bolt heads, since they may end up staying within the beast.

So, a silvered weapon can wound and ultimately kill them, and getting silver arrows, bolts or bullets in their flesh will drop them faster than the wounds really should, since their vulnerability compounds the effect of the silver staying inside their body.

...A blunderbuss sounds a perfect idea for even the fastest of Were-things-

And to that end, I seek out the Bussenbon family, renowned tinkers that specialize in gunsmithery-I purchased my brace of pistols from them half a year ago, I imagine they shall recall me.

I flit through the crowds, careful to watch my purse as I push my way inside.

>"Can I help... ah, those are some of our pistols-AH, Mr. Byrd, how wonderful to see you again-my goodness, what happened to your hand?"

Frederic Bussenbon, the current head of the family of tinkers, greets me like an old friend-his highly personal disposition is largely responsible for the majority of his initial customers, with the quality of his families work pulling them back-

Even as the prices demanded weed out those less... successful. In Barboth, it is said that only the Hunters that know what they are doing shop here-the rumors helped by his willingness to build just about anything on commission. I consider that with 4 gold I could get a very nice firearm-but I could not come close to buying the most impressive of his pieces. ...4 gold is only enough to lay down a deposit, but I could commission from the Bussenbon family a work of art and lethality if I so wished







So what do I tell the friendly Frederik about how I lost part of my hand?
And exactly what am I looking for here? (Tech levels: Percussion based firearms are available, repeater and revolver based weapons are not. Pepperbox designs have just been dreamed up, and cost a premium to obtain. Bullets still do not come with pre-prepared cartridges, and must be hand-loaded.)
Once I have made a purchase, should I try for a solo Were-hunt, and if so, what kind of Werebeast should I look for (There's tales of just about any Were beast right now, so any animal base is fine. The larger/more dangerous the base creature, the more valuable the job)
Do I want to consider hunting a Were Pack, or maybe working with other Hunters for a group mission?

I don't suppose there's any other harmful metals to monsters besides cold iron and silver? I'm thinking you could get an alloy of iron and silver made, and then you could just use that as the ammunition for your weapon.

For the gun, what about a close-burst shotgun? You seem to need better close-range equipment.

I say we go after a were-bear. Singular. Money is something we want, and hunting a pack of any were-creature is the sort of thing I would want to avoid doing alone. We could work with others to hunt a group, but personally I don't really like the idea.

As for what you're looking for, a full stock, multiple trigger, common drilling if he has something like that and you can afford it. Probably not the case, but really, if possible you want a weapon that uses scatter-shot, with multiple barrels and triggers being a nice addition if it's possible. Also, you'll want to see about getting some silver shot.

>>290971

>So what do I tell the friendly Frederik about how I lost part of my hand?
If he asks say you lost it on a job and leave it at that. If he insists on prying give him a pained look and say it's not something you like to think about.

>And exactly what am I looking for here? (Tech levels: Percussion based firearms are available, repeater and revolver based weapons are not. Pepperbox designs have just been dreamed up, and cost a premium to obtain. Bullets still do not come with pre-prepared cartridges, and must be hand-loaded.)
A flintlock blunderbuss with either a spring loaded bayonet or a sword bayonet if possible.

>Do I want to consider hunting a Were Pack, or maybe working with other Hunters for a group mission?
Let's do it. Go out and look for any other hunters, maybe ask around the local tavern or at this tinkerer's place for leads. I'd be looking for a big brute, someone who can take some blows and attract attention away from you.

>>290971
Whatever you do, don't go hunting a werebeast without at least some silver weaponry actually in-hand. It seems that you haven't bought a thing yet. Silvered crossbow bolts and pistol bullets would probably be your best bet at the moment. Buy those first, THEN worry about getting other stuff.

Delicious blunderbuss, you must buy it. With a silver-tipped bayonet, if possible. Make sure that the length is sturdy enough, and it'll be like a shortspear.

>>290972
[No Lore Roll]
I idly consider if I am aware of any other monsters with known vulnerabilities like that-and I can't name any off the top of my head. I discard the thought as I consider what I want-a gun that fires shot, a spread of metal bullets-an iron or silver storm on command, as it were. Something that, while not particularly useful at range, would be absolutely lethal up close.

>>290994
"Tell you what Frederic, I can talk about my hand in a bit, but first I want to see if I can purchase or will need to commission what I am in need of."
>[Frederic]"Certainly my friend-please, tell me what it is you seek, and old Fred will tell you what can be done!"
"Okay. Well, I imagine you heard the stories going round, about the big influx of Were-things in the lands around here-"
>[Frederic]"Who could miss such troubled talk? Old Fred thinks he knows what you will ask-but he shall wait, and see."
"Well, I'd like to think I've learned something from losing a few fingers-and as such, I want a blunderbuss with a bayonet, a silvered bayonet to be precise-one heavy and thick enough to cut through even thick hide-I'm talking a bayonet that would cause harm to even a Were-bear or the like."
>[Frederic]"A blunderbuss, of course such could be provided on the spot-but one with a heavy, silvered saber, a bayonet to match the gun... it can be done, but if you want it in time to join the many Hunts now starting, I will need to grease many pockets. Surely, for now less than six-"
"Now Freddy, we both know you have more than a dozen Blunderbusses of assorted sizes at any given time-they are something of a flagship good for you. So really, all you need to get is a bayonet-and as you said, with so many Werethings around, surely such is not as hard to find as normal. Why, only a gol-"
>[Frederic]"Certainly I do carry many Blunderbuss of all shape and size-but each takes time and skill to craft-surely you would not be seeking a cheaply made product?"
"Of course not-but each Hunter that is happy with their purchase and lives to tell about it spreads your name farther-drawing ever more customers."
>[Frederic]"If I made deals for everyone to say such a thing, our family would be destitute! But for such a wise and well-versed customer, four golds!"
"Tell you what-"

I pull free one pair of my long daggers, dangling the steel blades before the head of the Bussenbon family.

"How about these get used to make said silvered bayonet? Each mounted below the barrel, angled out to either side for a parallel bayonet set-all they would need is silvering and mounting."
>[Frederic]"To mount blades meant for the hand, and mount them securely, requires steel joinings-and a silvering is not a cheap process-"
"No, but it is fast, and this way you need not seek anyone out-I know you have the means to do in-house silver treatments. I don't need a thoroughly infused weapon-just a surface coating."
>[Frederic]"Are you sure you have just bought from me the once, it is as if you have known me my whole life! ...Fine, a bargain, three golds and n-"
"I shall pay two and a half golds for such a weapon-after all, I am contributing to the eventual quality of what your family will be able to claim crafting credit for-surely I should get a discount for contributing to your good name on such a level?"
>[Frederic]"Truly, you should have been a trader!"
"Yes... I should have..."
>[Frederic]"Hm?"
"Nothing... so, two and a half gold? So two gold, twelve silver and twenty five copper?"
>[Frederic]"Though it wounds me yes-but only AFTER you tell your good friend Fred what happened to your hand-you struck me as the careful sort, keeping foes at range-how did such a thing come to pass?"







[To complete the customized Blunderbuss purchase, you must create an appropriate tale of how Geremiah was wounded-keeping in mind that blood-pacts and eating monster flesh are both considered vile acts by other Hunters.]


What should I say?
After getting my blunderbuss, just what kind of were-thing mission should I seek out? (Small/Medium/Large Werething, Single/Small Group/Large Group of Werethings, Solo/Group Job?)
>[Blunderbuss will come with three shots of silver pellets, and ten shots of iron pellets]

Tell it more or less like what happened up until' the pact, but adding dramatic flair suited to the sorts of tales you've read, tempered for what he likely knows from trading with hunters so often. When it comes to how you managed to survive in that spot, talk about how your mind was racing, wondering if the shot would go off, you pulled the trigger and... well, clearly you're still alive, right?

As for the type of werething, I say go for large. They're less likely to be as good at sneaking up on you. If you go after more than one, find a group.

>>291072

>What should I say?
I would agree with >>291077, but we've already gone with a version of the story that excluded the elf elsewhere, might as well stick to that one for consistency's sake. I'd just go with we fought an overwhelmingly large group of goblins. They managed to close in on us and one of them them did grievous injury to our hand.

>After getting my blunderbuss, just what kind of were-thing mission should I seek out?
(Small/Medium/Large Werething, Single/Small Group/Large Group of Werethings, Solo/Group Job?)

Medium - Large Werethings/Small Group/Group Job

>>291072
>What should I say?
You've already told the story of what happened, and you left out the elf then; in order to keep your story consistent, you need to leave him out once again. Just tell the tale of your going up against a group of twenty goblins, and while you were able to bring almost all of them down before they reached you- a few made it to your tree, and proved better able to reach you in your perch than you'd expected. There was a somewhat desperate fight, which culminated in your falling from the branches and desperately fighting several of them in melee. A close thing, but in the end you were the one standing at the end of it, albeit half a hand short. You bound your wound as best you could, but the fingers had been lost in the swamp. That was that, and now you've learned the value of being more prepared for an enemy to close from range- thus your request for the blunderbuss, and the somewhat larger daggers which might actually have some use in melee.

>After getting my blunderbuss, just what kind of were-thing mission should I seek out? (Small/Medium/Large Werething, Single/Small Group/Large Group of Werethings, Solo/Group Job?)
Medium werething, either single on your own or a small group as a group job. No sense getting too ambitious and getting yourself killed.

As you have some money left, I would once again bring up the concept of getting some silvered crossbow bolts and pistol bullets. Three blasts from a blunderbuss and a melee weapon ain't going to cut it for anti-were capabilities, particularly if you're going after several or a larger one- I mean, honestly, a normal bear wouldn't get brought down by a blast from a blunderbuss; why would a werebear, silver or not? We'll need to be able to strike with several pre-loaded weapons in quick succession. That means getting several weapons readied with the appropriate ammo. Anything less is stupidly careless.

The suggested stories are fine.

Medium sized , Small group, group job (3).

>>291077
>>291082
>>291099
>>291169
"Well.... I'll tell you what happened, certainly, but I'll ask you not to repeat it, the tale is somewhat embarassing..."
>[Frederic]"Hoh, you've piqued my interest. Please, go on."
"So, I was hunting some Worgs that had been stalking herds, killing a few cattle-when I heard of Goblins being sighted out in the swamps. As far as what I heard was concerned, there were only a few goblins."
>[Frederic]"I think I see where this is going... how many-"
"More than twenty-something I learned AFTER deciding a defensible shooting position was better than running and gunning."
>[Frederic]"Ah. Well, at least you were fighting goblins-anything else and you probably would have lost a great deal more than half a hand."
"Very true.... well, I am a Hunter, and a have heard tales of Werethings abounding-will my commission be ready by the end of the day?"
>[Frederic]"Geremiah, who do you take me for? Of course it will be."
"I needn't have asked, then-I shall see you before the sun sets."
>[Frederic]"May you continue to cheat death, Hunter."

Without further comment I walk out of his shop, two and a half golds lighter. After seeking out one of the vendors that deals in silvered arror and bolt-heads and supplying myself with a handful of each, I make my way-

To the Hunter's Repose.

The largest, oldest pub in Barboth, its iron-barred, smoked windows keeping its interior dark, hidden from the outside-not for safety, but because its patrons have become used to not being seen. When I push open the doors twenty seven eyes look my way for the briefest instant, long enough only to recognize me as a fellow hunter, before they turn back to their drinks and conversations. I start by sidling up to the bartender, getting myself a tankard, and asking for more specifics on the flood of Were-thing reports from around the land. I slowly start nailing down which incidents have already had Hunters stalking away to bring a grisly resolution to the situation-

And find a rather... interesting... job still on the table.

To the west, near to the village of Hillside, there are reports of an alabaster Werebear, a titan as large as an ogre, having wandered down from the mountains, with between two and four much smaller following Were-bears. It is presumed a mother and her cubs. The group has ransacked and massacred caravans and raided the town larders and herds alike-if this continues Hillside will slowly be starved to death.

For a group of easily visible, white Were-bears, only one of which is reported full grown, the offer-

Is eight gold.

Well, that's unsurprising, Werebears, ESPECIALLY the white ones, largest of their kind, would never get dealt with if the pay wasn't so good...

But no way I'm going to tackle a mission like this on my own. I start looking around the bar-

Hunters already in pairs and trios nurse their drinks-a three-way split or higher wouldn't really give me much in the way of returns....

>[Hunter]"You-the half-handed one."

I turn to see a Hunter in boiled leather with plate scattered about his person, a silvered shield and sword alike in the hunter's posession, as he calmly regards me.

"What is it?"
>[Hunter]"You plan to hunt the white Wear-bear and her cubs?"
"Of the jobs not already taken that I am equipped to handle it seems the most lucrative. That and the village is going to die if the mission isn't addressed sooner than later."
>[Hunter]"Altruism AND Pragmatism.... do you have other armaments than what you carry, o' ranged Hunger?"
"A silver bayonet sporting blunderbuss with silver shot."
>[Hunter]"I see. You seem armed well enough-I assume you can account for your physical impairment without issue?"
"I've performed missions without issue since my hand was injuired, yes."
>[Hunter]"Then, as a ranged Hunter, how would you like to partner with a melee Hunter for this mission? It is my opinion between the two of us that we could best the Werebears-and have more money to split betwixt us. What say you?"

...Hm. This guy's obviously made a considerable amount of money, considering every bit of metal he wears or carries gleams with veins of silver-and I see both wood and iron stakes circling his waste-be it a werething, a fey or a vampire, it seems he is equipped to face them down. Hmm....





Should I say yes to partnering with this melee Hunter that has not given me a name, and partner with him for this eight gold mission?
If so, should we determine how the funds will be dispersed now, or later?
Anything else I should attempt with my limited remaining funds before we depart?

>>293154
Always get a name before working with someone. It's kind of important. Aside from that, this guy seems like he'll be good help in getting the job done.

Fifty-fifty split is fair, unless you think this guy completely outclasses you.

Before you leave on the mission, discuss strategy; when working with a group, it's best to have at least basic plans set up rather than need to shout to one another constantly. Do you want to ambush the werebears? Lure them into a trap of some kind? Have him draw them past a position from which you can freely blast away, then have him turn on them once they're hopefully weakened? Does he feel comfortable about his odds in melee against the big one- and if not, how much do you need to shoot it before he'd be willing to engage? I doubt a few arrows, bolts, or shards of silver shot are going to take it down all the way. And if either of you knows anything particularly interesting about the habits of werebears (rolling for that), now would probably be the time to bring them up.

You've got up to five targets, so... at the moment you've got what silver armament, one arrow and one bolt each, with a blunderbuss shot at the big one for change? I suppose it's probably about as much as you're likely to be able to use, regardless. I'm somewhat inclined to get some silvered pistol ammo simply because that would give you additional things to spam; the long seconds that it takes to reload are something you might not have. Two silver-jacketed bullets per pistol probably wouldn't be too difficult to find or break the bank.

Aside from that, just buy some good traveling food and a good cloth bandage in case you or your partner get clawed. Torn clothes aren't exactly ideal, and I doubt you've got the medical knowledge to do anything other than bandage an injury. And dump alcohol on it to disinfect, perhaps. Might pick up some strong booze for medical purposes.

rolled 94 = 94

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>>293162
>I said, ROLLING. Damn.

rolled 84 = 84

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>>293154
>Should I say yes to partnering with this melee Hunter that has not given me a name, and partner with him for this eight gold mission?
This is the kind of hunter I was hoping to get, let's get his name down and work out our contract.

>If so, should we determine how the funds will be dispersed now, or later?
I'd say an even split of the profits would be ideal. I could stand taking less if we get to keep the pelts and any other bits off the beasts we can harvest. I asked earlier, bigger werethings are supposed to make good material for armor. We could make the mother into a duster and the cubs into a a full set of werebear leather gear.

>Anything else I should attempt with my limited remaining funds before we depart?
Do you know anything about plants and herbs that could be used against monsters? I would suggest checking out any local horticulturists and browsing their wares. We should be looking for things like wolfsbane, garlic, and arbutus unedo. They may also have resins you can make incense out of so try to find some copal or frankincense.

If you know those kinds of things do diddly squat then just buy a spade and/or a axe. We can use them to make pitfalls and traps, if we get them silvered we could also use them as backup weapons if need to. With out skill set learning and possessing the skills to make traps could be very, very helpful.

This
>I'd say an even split of the profits would be ideal. I could stand taking less if we get to keep the pelts and any other bits off the beasts we can harvest. I asked earlier, bigger werethings are supposed to make good material for armor. We could make the mother into a duster and the cubs into a a full set of werebear leather gear.

and this

>You've got up to five targets, so... at the moment you've got what silver armament, one arrow and one bolt each, with a blunderbuss shot at the big one for change? I suppose it's probably about as much as you're likely to be able to use, regardless. I'm somewhat inclined to get some silvered pistol ammo simply because that would give you additional things to spam; the long seconds that it takes to reload are something you might not have. Two silver-jacketed bullets per pistol probably wouldn't be too difficult to find or break the bank.

Also, you should probably talk to him about how he would like to engage them based on what he and we know. Be honest about not being used to working with others, so the more information he can provide on how he likes to approach things will help keep you coordinated in the hunt.

>>293162
"You happen to have a name you'd care to share?
>"Derrick Flint, Hunter."
"Geremiah Byrd, likewise. What do you say to a fifty fifty split?"
>"Pre-determined portions, rather than per-head? I do hope you plan to pull your own weight."
"I'm the one with disposable silver for attacking-not like you'll lose that sword."
>"See these divots in my shield? Can stick stakes in it-and a lost silver stake-THAT will set you back."
"Alright, so is your issue with the fifty fifty, or with my possible lack of ability?"
>"You DID lose part of your hand."
"I DID hear consistent reports of a couple goblins sacking a farm and investigated with depleted stocks to find TWENTY of the buggers. In a swamp, where they can outrun you. And before you scoff such wouldn't happen to you, what happens if a few Orc spear-chuckers catch you below a rock ledge? I would say you'd be just as in trouble."
>"You'd call it poor luck then, rather than lack of care."
"Damn right I would."
>"...Fifty fifty suits me fine."
"Alright then Derrick-let's get to planning."

It takes three hours for the two of us to work out our rough guesswork of how we'll do this. Derrick's shield has a set of clasps to hold a torch-when the sun is fading, he will approach the were-bears-

>>293164
[LORE: 94/100]
Which I assure him will be together, werethings, ESPECIALLY werebears, being notorious for keeping a close eye over their young.

>>293368
[Lore 84/100]
Derrick took my comment that while wearbears can climb trees they CANNOT climb cliffs and ran with it-and has a plan he hopes quite ideal. With the werebear and its cubs focused on him and his torch, I, having climbed some form of rocky ledge (the area is well known for such, Derrick comments, so finding such a perch should not be overly difficult) will fire upon the cubs with my crossbow. The goal is to tap the protectiveness of werebears, and get the mother to turn and charge me-either opening itself to a silver-staked shield bash by Derrick or leaving him to butcher the remaining cubs while I then focus on filling the werebear matron with as many silvered bolts and arrows as possible, until Derrick can wrap up dealing with the cubs and come to my aid.

If the plan works correctly, neither of us will be exposed to undue risk (Derrick getting cover, myself getting an ideal shooting point) and should wrap things up neatly. Both of us being fairly practiced at this job, we assume things will go badly-

And use up our remaining petty funds (or at least what Derrick claims is his remaining petty funds) to top up on some potent ropes, a loose-weave cloak I hope to turn into camouflage for use in the field, and a few more stakes/arrows/bolts, all silvered-one can never be too careful.

A plan assembled, aggreed upon and equipment procured, we do what is natural-we set out, for the West, to hunt Werebears.




>Last chance to change/alter plan before arrival.
Upon reaching the afflicted village, what kind of reconnaisance/social investigation should we do?
Anything else we should do on our way to such a dangerous job?

Learn as much about how he fights as possible! Share information about how you work.

>>295551
>Anything else we should do on our way to such a dangerous job?
Establish backup plans, if you can. Account for contingencies. If, for example, the mother bear breaks off charging you when she realizes that her cubs are under attack- then what? What if her cubs charge with her rather than remaining behind, or if they all flee rather than attack?

Know what you'll do in each of these situations, and have rally points set up beforehand. Possibly also some method of signaling one another other than shouting, if everything goes horribly wrong.

>Upon reaching the afflicted village, what kind of reconnaisance/social investigation should we do?
Ask around for where it was last seen, who was attacked, get a more detailed description of its actions and appearance if possible. Anything that might give you useful tips. Also ask about any other problems in the immediate area- there might be more than a werebear out there, and that could end poorly.

>>295571
This, plus account for the possibility of the cubs charging you and the mother staying to deal with him.

Moreover, what else do you know about... white bears? They're usually not territorial, only hunting humans for food, and will often just leave if they're not hungry when aggressed, so Derrick might have to attack the cubs anyway to even get the mother to focus on him. If that's the case, the mother might not go after you, since he'd already have gone after the cubs. They also have much shorter claws then other bears, and a nastier bite.

And you may want to ask around about anything that may be going on upnorth. Anything that can drive Were-Bears away could be trouble.

Putting this on hiatus-I have an idea I think will work better and have more longterm appeal that I want to try first.