The island was in ruin, truth be told. Wolfbron suffered frequent rock slides and cave-ins, she had to put some distance in between herself and her home for the sake of her sanity. All her favorite napping spots were under rubble at the moment, and she often just sat in the middle of shit, looking around and wondering if she tucked herself in a new hole, would it cave in and bury her in there?

Her best bet seemed like heading out to her favorite hunting spots and seeing whether the prey animals have all been spooked off the island by the weather and disaster phenomena. Swift, trotting paws brought her down the mountains and to the forest grove beside them - seeking out the clearing that lay within. The tall grasses there would hide her for the most part, but when she arrived, she realized that snowfall covered much in the area, and much of the plant life was buried beneath a frozen cover that hadn't yet melted.

There was a scent of deer on the wind, likely foraging for the spring shoots stuck under the snow and ice. She wondered if the snow and ice would benefit her or hinder her. She sought to investigate further, and began trudging towards the scent of ungulates.

---

AW! Axelle is investigating Amethyst Grove and the effects of the BWP has on the herds :>

BWP Tickets
+1 Make a BWP-related post
+2 Analyze changes being made to the land
+2 Assess the impacts of the weather on herds and prey

Potential XP:
pathfinder
+5 Bonus BWP XP
+10 Discuss the features of a territory with someone
+5 Study the weather or an astronomical phenomena
+5 Correctly track something through a territory
+5 Use the terrain to your advantage
+5 Scout a neutral territory

ranger
+5 Study herd migration habits
+5 Study the weather and how it will affect hunting
+5 Follow the scent of prey

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OUTLAW EXP
+5 Explore a new territory and find something useful
+5 Scout a neutral territory
+5 Practice speed or strength

Rest was always quite brief during times as chaotic as these. Stay still for too long and one of the roving storms would find you eventually. Fissure was not looking to run for safer places, instead, he enjoyed pursuing the storms, which in a sense kept him out of their way, but allowed him to observe their power. As much as he enjoyed the spectacles, he also knew things needed to settle down so life could recover and move forward. He would ask mother nature for her mercy, while also singing her praises of beauty and power.

Sometimes even he needed to have a break from it though if only to get some rest and to obtain something to eat. To hunt was not as simple as it once was, and frequently he found creatures removed from what was familiar to them. Already he had found zebra up the side of a mountain instead of in the grasslands, monkies in the open plains instead of swigging across the treetops in the jungle.

This place was more tranquil, though incredibly cold still, despite spring having been some months in already. Ahead he would note a lioness on the prowl, studying the effects of lasting winter on the landscape and on the herds. He considered leaving her to it, he might only hinder her given his contrast against the white world. "Hunting or simply observing? I specialize in hunting and can perhaps be of assistance to you." He questioned in hushed tones as he drew near @Axelle, not wishing to startle the lioness by simply appearing there.


🎫 +2 - Study one of the natural phenomena occurring
🎫 +2 - Pray to a god or deity for guidance
🎫 +2 - Analyze the changes being made to the land
🎫 +2 - Assess the impacts of the weather on herds and prey
🎫 +5 - Use knowledge from your trade to help someone else

image by moogle/code by saph

Buttery paws followed behind @Axelle as the other lioness left the bluffs behind. Rocks slides had become more frequent there, causing an upset to the residents that she'd felt to the core. Even her shells with herbs to promote good energy seemed to do nothing, thus she'd abandoned refilling them after numerous rock slides had occurred around the pride lands. Those embattled lions must have brought karma onto themselves.

After reaching the glade the other lioness had slowed, seemingly searching for something. Prey, she gathered, by the scent of deer that wafted on the cold winds that whistled through the grasses, solidifying the snow beneath their paws. Sunset eyes peered at the backside of her pride mate as another lion (@Fissure) approached them, offering aid disposing of prey.

I would be a little surprised if the herds stuck around this weather. A dour expression wrote itself on the blonde face as she stepped forward. Grim to think the entire island was being ravaged. Perhaps they should hunt now in the hopes of filling the pride cache in the case that prey grew slim. At least their pride would be well fed. Wind howled around them with a sense of brutality just as she observed the snow that surrounded them during a time it should have begun melting. The snow should be melting by now.

+5 Study the weather or an astronomical phenomena
+1 - Make a BWP-related post
+2 - Analyze the changes being made to the land

CODE • LION • BG

Axelle hadn't immediately noticed she had been followed by a pridemate, though she quickly noticed @Lycaonia when she noticed @Fissure and paused in her step, allowing the two of them to catch up with her. Axelle couldn't help but wonder if Amara had sent her to watch over Axelle, to ensure she wasn't a traitor or otherwise. While she wasn't, she felt that Amara hadn't trusted her at all, and after catching the lioness watching her sleep the other day, she couldn't put it passed the Bluffs Queen that she'd do something like that.

"I, too, specialize in 'unting. Perhaps I can be of some assistance to you?" she cheekily echoed back at the melanistic lion as he closed the distance between them. His assumptions about her were not welcome, but she wouldn't ostracize him for it. She'd simply answer him when she was sure Lycaonia was in ear-shot, so she didn't have to repeat herself. "Oui, I was observing. Mainly, I want to know if zee 'erds are still 'ere and whezzer zee snow is affecting zem." As in, their food sources. Were they starving? Would they be easy to catch? Could a three lion hunting party take down a healthy ungulate if it had been stumbling around in the snow all day looking for spring shoots?

These were the questions she wanted answered.

"You would zink zat the snow would be melted, but clearly zere is somezing strange 'appening 'ere," she replied directly to Lycaonia, tipping her head signaling the two that joined her to follow as she aimed to walk further toward the scents on the wind.

IMAGE

The lioness would offer a retort as he came forward, offering his assistance and know-how. He did not take offense to @Axelle's remark, he rather looked amused by it. This one had claws and wasn't afraid to shove her weight around if it was necessary. "I imagine there are many ways such lovely little viper could be of assistance to me, I have no doubt. Lead on boss." He assured her, also making it clear he did not intend to step on her toes, he was here to offer what he could, not try and control the situation.

Attention would turn then to a newcomer, who smelled similar, perhaps part of her same pride? Fissure still had much to learn about the prides and all the lions that resided in each of them. @Lycaonia was a lovely creature, pallid coat with warm golden markings. He would dip his head to her in quiet greeting, not wishing to interrupt the discussion the pair were having. For the moment he did not offer input, merely observed the lands as he trailed behind Axelle.

image by moogle/code by saph

Not only did the lions of the bluffs like fighting but they had an abundance of accents among them. Unlike many of them she was just a commoner who spoke the common tongue, yet likely sounded odd to these lions who very likely spoke a foreign language. At least the ink lion that stood present seemed to speak like her, so there was no need to attempt to translate the words.

Buttery head bobbed in relation to Axelle's words, agreeing that something was amiss. As she wasn't an expert in hunting like the two lions she kept her lips sealed, hard pressed to engage when the conversation wasn't about something she really knew about. Nose quivered lightly as she tested the air, hoping to catch a scent on the wind just as @Axelle did.

As the gray tipped lady beckoned them forth she would nod to @Fissure, accepting him into the hunting group, as she fell behind the lioness with brown locks. To her it seemed that the herds had moved or at the very least were scattered, though she wasn't that smart to know for certain what had happened to them. I wouldn't like the snow if I was prey. As her paws carried them forward she commented idly, wondering just how extensive the snow reached.

CODE • LION • BG

Content with the male's subordination and response, Axelle led them downwind - or as downwind as she could muster. The winds seemed to have a mind of their own, and while snow wasn't falling at the moment, the winds still whipped frosty air in different directions. It was possible that a hunt would not happen today, or at least right now in this specific place, but it would help all three of them to know what condition the herd was in anyway.

The tall grasses were brittle and patchy, wilting and covered with snow that shouldn't have been there. There were "bald" spots in the cover, but as long as they remained quiet, they should have been able to avoid spooking the few stragglers they could see up ahead, nosing through the frozen ground for some nibbles. "Mm," Axelle hummed in thought, settling behind the few grass shoots that'd cover her. She made room for someone to settle in beside her.

"I wouldn't ei'zer," Axelle murmured, looking back at @Lycaonia as she spoke in reference to her comment. "Merde, I don't now."

Then her eyes flicked to the black male, @Fissure. "Chasseur Professionnel, what are your observations on zis?"


BWP Tix
+1 Make a BWP-related post
+2 Analyze changes being made to the land
+2 Assess the impacts of the weather on herds and prey

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They may be here to observe the herd animals and the manner in which they endured the unusual weather, but Fissure was more observant of the pair of lionesses in his company, quite shamelessly as well. Mostly his attention had shifted to @Lycaonia though, finding that @Axelle seemed more aloof of the pair. Eventually, he would decide to speak to the pallid white and gold creature, though in quiet tones so as to not alert other animals, perhaps not even Axelle. "Forgive my prying my golden lady, but what name shall I put to your lovely face? I am called Fissure, of the Crows." He introduced in his usual exotic drawl.

Attention would only return to the smaller female when she spoke to him directly. He would take several paces away from the group, to observe the hooved beasts for a time, not entirely sure what sort of intel the lady was after. He would come back after a time. "The lands are still frozen, but new shoots of grass have already started to grow beneath the snow in anticipation of spring. The creatures are thin, but sustained for now. They would not make for the best meal, but better tough and lean meat than none at all. It could prove difficult for them to raise their young if the snow doesn't leave soon, they should start having them soon." He wasn't suggesting they hunt, only voicing his take on the situation.

image by moogle/code by saph

Uncharacteristic snow drifted from the grayed out skies, echoed in the depths of her pastel candied eyes. Something about the world being so cold left her unsettled though not immediately alarmed. Two other lions accompanied her after all, safety in numbers.

Gaze turned to the ink washed lion as spoken to. Dual-toned eyes alighted on the dark body, charcoal tresses, wondering who exactly he was. I'm Lycaonia Dawnbringer, pale lips smiled against the plush face, @Fissure of the Crows. Repeating his name only suggested that she enjoyed the way it was given, discretely amused by the man's introduction.

Disruptive grey and brown woman lead the team, a trio that traversed against the glade's frigid landscape. The lack of prey left subtle suggestions of starvation. However much they spoke of the diminished numbers the umbra man spoke with confidence of the land's revitalization. Buttery face turned to blink at the hollow landscape, not so sure the land would recover neatly. Maybe they'll fatten up but the herds seem smaller. Dual-toned eyes skirted to @Axelle whom seemed to have a grip on the situation.

+1 - Make a BWP-related post
+2 - Assess the impacts of the weather on herds and prey

CODE • LION • BG

Axelle was too focused on the herd, she didn't realize (or notice) the subtle flirting happening between the male and her pride mate, @Lycaonia. Though, she did hear them exchange names, she hadn't offered her own. Gold and blue eyes watched the emaciated herbivores in the distance, studying the way they seemed to nuzzle into the snow for what little plantlife still lived underneath.

When the male came back with his report, she nodded. Yes, all of that made sense to her, too. They were thin, and they were going to have their young soon. Axelle hoped for everyone's sake that the snow did clear up soon. "Very good observations, Chasseur Professionnel," she jeered, flicking her eyes to Lycaonia when she added her piece as well. Axelle began to rise in the grass, not taking care to remain quiet any longer.

"Merci pour votre temps," Axelle stated plainly, shaking the loose foliage and snow from her coat. "Staring at zheir bones does not rile a 'unger in me, so I will be going. If you two decide to 'unt zhem, good luck."

Axelle began to turn away from them, but paused. "Oh, and zank you for your compétence, @Fissure of zee Crows." Then she offered a silent goodbye in the form of a nod to Lycaonia before turning and leaving the area.

/exit

BWP Tix
+1 Make a BWP-related post
+5 Complete a BWP-related thread (with 10+ posts)
+5 Complete a thread with a character you've never threaded with before (Lycaonia)

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