"Ugh. It slipped this way," Sedona grunted to her company, her face etched with her creasing frustration. The tiny cat prowled through the desert territory with her eyes cast forward, studying the large formation of cactuses with a growing frown. She was certain that its trail led there into the prickly plants, tantalizingly close yet just out of reach.

"With winter so far underway, we need anything we can get..." the lioness pondered in a hushed whisper. She stared hard at the patch of thorns and spines, daring to imagine what it might feel like inside there. Her pelt gave an involuntary twitch. Sedona waited there for a few moments as she half-hoped their target might come out of its own volition and flicked her tail with stubborn persistence. Then, an idea. "We'll have to scare it out. If a few of us can create a diversion on one side, the chasers can watch for where it exits and take it down," the lioness explained quietly, flicking her gaze between anyone who listened. Her chest simmered with bubbling anticipation as her faith in their mission revived itself.

---

|| january y10 | two years | vague AO sovereign | at cactus farm | OPEN | to be rolled May 6 ||
Ranger:
Level 2: +1 dice to hunt rolls
Level 3: -1 to dodge roll for prey

+20 - Successfully lead a large hunt (5+ lions)
+10 - Discuss hunting needs with another

He had not meant to join a group, but he was not the only lion in desperate need of a meal. Winter is always harsh, and this land is no exception. Usually winter would mean the end of the nomadic life he led with his band, and the Rangers would bunker down in a kingdom or return home. But... Arcturus does not have that option anymore, and he is too stubborn to attempt joining another pride when the last had not stayed long enough for him to even step foot inside.

Besides, he has more than enough skill to keep himself fed over the cold months. Even if that means participation.

"Aye," he agrees absently, tracking the scent with his parted jaws, breathing in the taste. Close. "I imagine you do." The tiny woman smells of a pride - the one he had been part of for all of five minutes before it fell to a sandstorm. The scent of cubs lingers on her fur. Not her own cubs, but there must be a few within the Oasis. So they will need food. But so does Arcturus.

"I am not built for crawling into small spaces." He points out simply, red gaze lingering on @Sedona rather pointedly. "I'll take it down."

ART BY DRIFTY, CODE BY LARS

(she will be ao by now, just not grouped yet)

5 years -- no bonus

elsie had followed the scent here, tracking it along with @Sedona until it disappeared in to the thick of the prickly bushes. too soon for her to figure out exactly what it was, but it would seem she would have more of a chance as a plan was laid out.

"i've navigated it before," she offers, her voice small and shy as she looks to the woman who is just as tiny as herself, "the pathways are small, but we could manage." it was rare to find another who matched her size, and elsie dares a smile for the stranger. a stranger that belonged to the pride she had joined; a friend, maybe, if she was so lucky.

the other male was a stranger, too, but for him she has another bright smile. shy though she might be at least this she was good at.

and crawling in to small spaces to flush out prey? well, sign her up for that part of hunting, too. she had led a man from these very cactus before, elsie was certain she could move quickly and efficiently along the pathways.

Dream your troubles away

table by sentinel / art

2 years, Bonuses: Level 2 (+1 dice to hunt rolls) Level 3 (-1 to dodge roll for prey)

This small woman had led hunts through the desert before, and Spark was happy to follow her again, despite how apprehensive he felt about this particular landscape. As the pack runs across the sands, Spark finds himself distracted by the towering, thorny branches - and just like that, the prey slips out of range.
"Godverdomme" he swears under his panting breath, his paws rolling to a stop behind the lead hunter.

The larger lion to his right speaks up first, the timbre of his voice as commanding as his presence. Elswyth speaks next, softly offering to navigate through the prickly terrain. He'd been delighted to see his new friend in the group, and though his first instinct is to stick by her side, Spark's strength lies in his speed. "We really can't afford to let it get away," he agrees with Sedona. "I'll help chase it once you get it out," he grins and nudges Elswyth gently in the shoulder.

@Sedona @Elswyth @Arcturus

+10 Join another Ranger’s group hunt
+10 Discuss hunting needs with another

all you have is your fire

and the place you need to reach

code by corvus

Generally speaking, Mircea was respectful of the earth and all that came from it. The Mother has provided them with many gifts, both that which harmed and that which healed, and all of it carries its own value in some way, shape, or form.

But this...This labyrinthian nightmare of narrow spaces and sharp needles that their prey has just retreated into? As the predator in this equation, he's rather hard-pressed to find any 'value' in cacti.

If only he'd just minded his own business, instead of involving himself with this ragtag bunch. (Oh, but he can almost taste it. The hot blood of their prey made bright with fear. This, he can indulge in without fear.)

He halts, ears twitching to listen to the others strategize while he brings down his elevated breathing, his heart beating at a steady pace from the sandy jog he'd just engaged in. @Sedona's plan seems sound enough - he expects that she already has an idea of who should split which way. Otherwise...he pointedly runs his gaze first over the prickly maze and then back down to himself, with his massive paws and the wide barrel of his chest, before looking back up with a raised brow.

"I will await it on the other side." Naturally, because even he's tempted to laugh at the idea of squeezing himself in there. He's already stalking away at a brisk pace to find a suitable vantage point, not expecting any arguments to follow. "Keep in mind that I won't be tending to any porcupines, should you meet with...misfortune." They could have all the fun with the cacti that they wanted. Away from him.

...He was absolutely going to get roped into plucking needles out of somebody, wasn't he?

Barbarian:
+5 Exercise to gain strength

Medic:
+5 Study the flora of a neutral territory
+5 Participate in a hunt using the rolled hunt system

Mircea Savante

If I wake from dreamless sleep, may tomorrow begin like a dream?

code by corvus

seven years, no bonus
The woman was quiet as she approached the gathering as she listened to one of the smallest in the group give direction. A vague nod given to the girl as she was likely a far more experienced ranger than she. Most of her teachings had been by her siblings and the hunts that she had only participated in and not led. Now that she was re-focusing herself on being more in shape so as to keep her home safe, this was the best way how to do that without leaning as heavily into fighting as others in her life did. This way she could still pack a punch without making her entire personality about revenge (which if she continued down the path she was on, would no doubt lead there).

+10 - Join another Ranger’s group hunt
+5 / +10 - Take down easy/medium or hard/extra hard
+5 - Participate in a hunt using the rolled hunt system

^{ART BY CUSH, CODE BY CALA}

one year, no bonus
For a long moment she debated heavily on simply staying out of sight and thus out of mind. However, given the last hunt that she had wandered across to sleuth around at and not participate in had found a giraffe of all things, she didn't feel inclined to let another good one go. So she came upon the gathering and briefly eyed everyone there, even the lioness leading it (@Sedona) which she could smell was a part of the Oasis pride which happened to be where her mother was currently stationed. Where her mother had said a lot of her cousins lived and while she didn't think that the very tiny girl was one of them, couldn't help but also wonder if maybe she just missed the color scheme by a few miles.

+10 - participate in a hunt using the rolled hunt system
purchased double experience 4/9 - 5/9

^{ART BY CUSH, CODE BY CALA}

He had been loitering a good distance behind the hunters when their target veered. Ölvir pressed a frown against his lips as he slowly approached, pitching his ears forward in an attempt to hear what was being said as he studied the dense cactus labyrinth ahead. He swished his tail low at his ankles, the outlining of a plan enough to keep hold of his attention at least a few moments longer. While the leader of this party seemed quite shrimpy, it was a rather large lioness that held his eye for a moment too long. Whatever position she took, with her matching duo-toned gaze and colossal frame, Ölvir thought would suit him, too.

The titan lowered his head between his shoulder blades and began his stalking pace, finally surging forward in an attempt to strong-arm their prey only once the cue had been given and the creature scattered. Surely he would sleep well that night from the day's hard labor.

---

|| january y10 | two years | rogue lion | at cactus farm | no bonuses | @Laerra ||
+10 - Participate in a group training event
+5 - Exercise to gain strength
+5 - Participate in a hunt using the rolled hunt system

7 years, no bonuses

When they lose sight of the prey in the thicket of thorns, Hera's first response it to panic - but the lioness leading the hunt takes control of the situation quickly. Her plan is a good one, but as the hunting party picks their stations, Hera realizes there may not be enough lions able to lure out their prey.
"I'll go with you," she says to the tiny woman who had first offered to brave the spiky terrain. "There's an opening there, right behind that large cactus," she indicates the slip where their breakfast had disappeared. "Just past it I think there's a small gap between the cacti, we should be safe as long as we're careful." She smiles at the mauve lioness, "I'll follow your lead."

(medic):+5 Participate in a hunt using the rolled hunt system
(pathfinder):+10 Discuss the features of a territory with someone

there is bravery

in being soft

code by corvus

HUNT REQUEST
— RESULTS —

Rolled Prey: Rhinoceros Calf
Number of Prey Animals: 2

Hunting Party Stats: 8 Adults, 1 Yearling, 2 Lvl 3 Rangers, Lvl 2 Ranger = 20d20
Lion Hits: 7
Prey Dodges: 3 - 2 = 1

Lion Successful Hits: 6

LIONS HAVE WON!

dice were rolled in discord by @AbjectTerrier. You can play out the remainder of the hunt however you’d like.