4. You find a satellite herd made of a dozen zebra. (Bonus Event!) 1. Nothing else happens. (If you would like to incorporate your own rolls do so in your first post! 2 D4. You can also use my rolls! Whichever you'd like ^_^)
{everyone here is an adult-regardless of present image XD}
Neri circled above the small group of hunters, they were hopeful. Zishaye had been certain she had caught wind of some zebra's but they weren't too sure if it had been residual, a carcass, or there were, in fact, zebras nearby. Neri had her eyes on the lookout but didn't fly too far from the small party in the event something happened and she had to go get help.
Zishaye side eye'd Thandeka and Amne with a worried expression. "I hope my nose isn't playing tricks on me...." Her stomach rumbled in protest at the hunger that gnawed in her tummy.
Thandeka and Amne shared glances, "I'm sure you're not imagining anything." Though if Thandeka was being honest, she daydreamed about kills. Amne was just trying to survive at this point and was along in the event they did in fact find some food. "Well, if we do find a herd that would be a huge boost for all our spirits." The lighter female said with a smile, hoping to reassure the red lioness.
((Adult prompt 3: You find the bones of a zebra. The carcass has long been picked clean.))
Chazama, now with her vulture companion Umfula, had managed to find something out on their own. Unfortunately for them, that something was already picked clean by other hunters and scavengers. "How depressing," Chazama sighed as she poked at the bones of the long dead creature.
"It looks to have been a zebra," Umfula replied solemnly, her large wings flared at her sides. There were no scraps for even the vulture to pick at. She wasn't terribly surprised, however, at how things had been going around the territory lately.
The lioness nodded her head in agreement. A zebra would have been a welcome meal to anyone in the pride. Chazama rose to paws and stretched, there was still time to go searching for something else. As she swung her gaze around, she spotted a small group of lionesses headed her way and smiled warmly to greet them. "Have you all found anything interesting?" Perhaps she could tag along with the group for a little bit. If they did find something, it would be much easier to take it down as a group.
2. You find a starving wild dog. It is defensive of the small kill it is protecting. (Bonus Event!) 3. You are exhausted. (Penalty!) Sindisa was a vibrant lioness, full of vim and vigor on most days, and she'd gone out with as many hunting parties as she could over the last few weeks to try to help in bringing down a kill for her pride. Her exuberance was beginning to take its toll, though, especially with little to show for her efforts. She still went out with another group of lionesses though, hopeful that this time they might be successful and her stomach would stop feeling as though it was tearing itself apart. She ignored the hunger pains as they walked, trying to be a source of energy for the group. Thankfully Amne was on the same page as the grey lioness and she joined in to try to help cheer her half sister up.
"A herd would be great," she agreed, trying to put a little bounce in her step without exhausting herself further. "Even a small one. Then we can eat and send Neri back to the pride with the good news." Normally they wouldn't over hunt a herd, but hopefully a few more lionesses would come to help them if they did find one that was large enough to take down a few from.
A moment later and she spotted Chazama and Umfula making their way towards their small group. Great, another pair of wings and another set of paws to help!
"Zishaye thought she caught wind of some zebra, but we haven't found anything yet. We're on their trail, though," she said with a grin. "How about you?"
(Adol/Adult) Your paws may not take you to far-off, foreign lands, but during the night, you still wander all the same—albeit much closer, a day's travel at most—in hopes of finding something... 4. You find a satellite herd made of a dozen zebra. (Bonus Event!) 4. You are attacked and manage to subdue your attacker. (Bonus +2 points to total)
Hunger gnawed at her belly, but it was no deterrent to Noxolo. Ever since the meeting where they had learned what needed to be done, the black-and-white lioness had charged in with both paws, hunting with as many groups as possible, and only resting when forced. The hunters needed her! She looked like a zebra, she reasoned, so it should be easy for her to hunt them, right? Unfortunately, this had so far proven false - and though the flighty female bounced alongside her companion, still excited and raring to go, her usual vigor was somewhat dimmer than normal.
A dimmed sun was still quite bright, however. "Ladies!" Noxolo chimed, thrilled to see another hunting party - and with Cinga among them! She had a good feeling about this trip already! "Any luck? Anything fun?"
Following placidly behind the lively lioness was another, mud-splatted pelt blending with the dust and scrub. Ezinothuzi had no problem trailing Noxolo - she was here to help however she could, and her pride-sister's cub-like demeanor appealed to her. As a matter of fact, she was often one of those demanding the younger female to take some time to herself. She would rather be spending her time watching over actual cubs, of course...but there were precious few of those anymore. Ezino's expression darkened. There wouldn't be any more, not if they couldn't find something to feed everyone. All the more reason for them to do their best, and take care of one another. She didn't speak as they approached, only smiled, with a nod of appreciation for their efforts.
Anderleit
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AstoriaFallen
AstoriaFallen
Winter Wolf
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2022 1:57 pm
Out of their present party, Zishaye stood out the most. Her rich, red, pelt a pop of color against the dreary backdrop. Her companions all had the ability to blend in a far cry better than she would. Though that never kept her from her duties as an Umzingeli in the pride. Giving a glance towards Chazama's current location as they approached it appeared she had found something, but nothing worth noting. Bones by the sounds of it. Perhaps that was a good sign they were heading in the right direction? If there were bones, that mean something had passed this way. It was hard to tell how fresh some of the tracks were given how dry everything had been lately. These could be hours old or days old. "Nothing of interest, at least not yet." She was going to remain hopeful.
Thandeka gave a small, hopeful smile. "Zishaye did catch wind of some zebra so we're hoping we are on the right trail." It was more of an affirmation of what Sindisa had said. Please don't let this be a fluke. Giving a glance towards the sky she looked for her companion, Neri. She had been fortunate enough that one of Avani's chicks had bonded to her. She knew a brother had been given one when Budek was still here, but he had left. She counted herself lucky to have such a bond, it was unique and special. She had a close friend, outside of her lioness companions. The bond between a vulture and a lion was a different to Thandeka. Maybe one day she'd become a Cigna, but for now she was quite content being an Umzingeli.
Neri spotted Umfula with Chazama below and decided to take a break from the sky and descended upon the small hunting party. Opening her wings she hopped as she landed and gave Umfula a small dip of her head in greeting. "Have you seen anything on your travels?" She asked the other vulture. Hopefully they had seen something in their travels perhaps? Since they were able to see things their lion companions weren't able to sometimes.
Amne gave a small nod of her head. "Indeed, if we were able to find one Neri would be a great asset to fly back to the pride, though now we also have Chazama and Umfula to help in the event we need it." They were a sizable party now. Perhaps they'd provide some good news for their efforts later on. "How much longer do you think our lands will be barren?" It seemed like an eternity between kills and she was really hoping for some good news soon.
SilverLutz
Anderleit
Jovi of Shadows
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2022 2:14 pm
As Noxolo and Ezinothuzi joined the hunting party Sindisa began to feel a bit more hopeful about their prospects. Even though they hadn't laid eyes on any zebra yet the scent of them was in the air, strong enough to draw all those out searching to this place.
"At least the rest of today," she said cheerfully, her tail swishing behind her. She was one who tried not to dwell on what they didn't have and focus on what could be in their future. It really did help keep moral at least somewhat high. Once they gave up or considered something hopeless was when they would be ruined.
"There's a lot of us now, what if we spread out a bit and look for more signs of the herd," Sindisa suggested, looking around at those gathered. "Walk in a long line moving in the direction the scent is coming from, perhaps? A decent distance between each lioness but close enough that if someone spots or smells something we can communicate without alerting the zebra?"
Chazama gave each of her pride sisters a warm smile as she approached the group, glad for the company, and glad for the hope that this group seemed to carry with it. She had been growing more and more depressed and desperate the longer the pride went without food, and her worry for Dina, her mother, had only made the stress that much worse. But for now, Chazama hid those anxieties behind a warm expression. "I've only found bones so far," she admitted when Sindisa and Noxolo asked her what she'd found. Though she was quite happy to hear that they were following the scent of something!
Umfula spotted the other avian as she began to descend, and she patiently waited for Neri to join her on the ground. She returned Neri's head dip with a bob of her own as she hopped over to be closer to the other avian. "Frustratingly little, darling," Umfula replied, her large wings spreading out into an avian shrug. "Though perhaps our luck will change soon?" Sooner or later, someone had to find something. Or so she hoped.
"Hopefully not much longer," Chazama replied to Amne, though she wasn't sure how well she believed that. Something had to give, she just hoped it wasn't the pride that wound up losing. "That's a good Idea, Sindisa. I think we'll have the best chance of finding them if we do as you say," Chazama agreed, a bit of hope returning to her voice.
SilverLutz
AstoriaFallen
Anderleit
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2022 9:55 pm
"Splitting up sounds great!" Noxolo beamed at Sindisa, no hesitation in her immediate and unabashed support. Why would there be? It was a solid plan, and plans were great! Plans would help them succeed where their pride-sisters had failed so far (all of them - but don't think about that). Help them be stronger together, and bring back good news for everyone.
Ezinothuzi nudged her shoulder against the younger girl. It stilled her bouncing not at all, though it did earn her a small smile and a glance filled with warmth. Ezino knew well what it felt like it be worried for the pride. Though she was not nearly so good at hiding her concerns as Noxolo, she was also much harder to hide such things from.
"It does sound like a wonderful idea." The muddy lioness looked past her self-appointed charge, head raising to take in the other lionesses. "We have a healthy number here. Perhaps the experienced huntresses should take the outside, and the younger the middle." They could do good work in a line, but she want to see any of their less experienced companions caught off-guard, or led astray.
AstoriaFallen
SilverLutz
Jovi of Shadows
Anderleit
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AstoriaFallen
AstoriaFallen
Winter Wolf
Online
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2022 3:02 pm
Zishaye wasn’t sure if anyone present was inexperienced per say, they were all getting along in years, at least a few seasons old at the very least. She wasn’t one to judge, there were likely many who just didn’t go out on as many hunts as the others. “I think splitting would work out effectively. As there are 7 of us, not including the avians, I think if we do as Sindisa suggested from here on out. If you feel like you fall in the inexperienced category then by all means move to the center if you wish, but I think how we all are now is fine.” She said, agreeing for them to spread out to cover more ground.
Thandeka gave a nod of her head and began to move further away from her pride mates, she was starting to catch wind of the Zebra at this point and was getting her hopes up. Perhaps this would be it! Perhaps they’d be able to provide food to the pride at long last, if even a small meal.
Neri had hoped to hear better news from the other Avian, perhaps in time they’d all have news of some sort to share. Hopefully good more so than bad. Still, unless anyone had good news to offer to the pride, she wasn’t sure how well some of them would continue to hold up mentally. This famine was wearing on the lions and Neri was slowly watching everyone wither away. Neri found herself a tree nearby and made herself comfortable to oversee the lionesses.
Amne wouldn’t call herself inexperienced, just as she wouldn’t call herself experienced. Still, she figured she’d stick where she was, which was towards the center as she fanned out. She was ready to find whatever was the cause of the scent, hopefully a herd, or even a couple stragglers from a previous herd. Anything would be welcomed at this point.
Zishaye froze as they moved along. They were still at a decent enough distance that they could talk at a hushed tone to the lioness next to them. Though, at this point she was sure they all saw what she was seeing. “There, it looks like a small herd.” She said excitedly.
“Oh man..” Thandeka’s mouth began to water at the thought of fresh meat.
Amne looked over towards Sindisa and the other’s as if to say, ‘Let’s do this.’ She was ready.
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2022 4:20 pm
As everyone agreed with her plan and began to position themselves in a stretched out line, Sindisa put herself pretty much directly in the middle. She was the youngest, after all, and had no qualms letting the older lionesses or Chazama and Umfula stick to the edge. She found herself beside Amne on her left and Noxolo on her right, far enough that they could search but close enough that they could communicate.
She had to admit, she felt pretty proud that her idea was working so well! Crouching down to hide in the tall grass, ears pressed back against her head, Sindisa followed the lead of her pride sisters as they began to move as one. She heard her actual sister's voice through the grass, low but excited, and she had to resist the urge to pop up out of the tall grass she was in to try to get a look. She'd see the herd eventually, she was sure.
She was about to ask about a plan of attack when she stepped into a small clearing and came face to face with a very surprised pack of wild dogs. She froze in place, eyes wide, as the creatures stopped feasting on what appeared to be a baby zebra. Three of them hopped over the kill while the other two turned around, facing Sindisa with snarling maws.
"Oh! Uh, sorry, didn't mean to-"
But they weren't having it. One lunged without warning and the others followed suit, charging towards Sindisa with fangs bared. The lioness gave a startled yelp and turned away to run. Even on a good day when she wasn't exhausted from hunger and expending energy she didn't have she wouldn't be able to take on five wild dogs.
"Help!" she yelped, feeling teeth graze her tail as she ran.
It was a good plan. Chazama had been on many a hunt before, so she was comfortable taking one of the outside positions while Umfula took up a position in a tree slightly ahead of her. Everything was set, the lionesses were moving ahead as a unit. Eventually Chazama also caught the scent of the nearby zebras, which only strengthened her resolve. They were so close. Her claws slid from their sheathes as she settled into a crouched position in the tall grass, her ears swiveling towards the positions of her pride sisters. They would need to coordinate their attack if they had any hopes of taking down one the prey beasts. Her shoulders wiggled as she prepared to signal the start of the charge, her muscles tight with anxious energy, when a yelp cut through the silence like a fang through flesh. Chazama watched in horror as the startled heads of the striped equines shot up in unison, and a moment later the call for help sounded and a flash of hooves had the herd running for safety.
Oh dear. Umfula had been keeping her eyes on the herd, but the second the first yelp sounded the large vulture had startled into the sky. Her eyes snapped to the commotion where she spotted Sindisa and her misfortune. The herd had already startled and was alerted to their presence, by the time Umfula called out, "Wild dogs! They're after Sindisa!"
Chazama's ears went flat against her skull with momentary indecision. There were others closer to Sindisa, she reasoned, and the pride really, desperately needed this kill. With teeth bared in a frustrated snarl, the lioness sprang into action, in an attempt to chase down one of the startled zebra. Unfortunately, her momentary indecision at the call for help, put her much further from the herd than she would have hoped. She wasn't sure if she'd have the energy or the strength to catch them at this point, but hunger spurred her onward.
AstoriaFallen
SilverLutz
Anderleit
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2022 6:26 pm
Ezino shrugged half-heartedly at Zeshaye, but took her place to the right of Noxolo. Her addition was not meant to be an insult, and she was sorry if it had been taken that way. She thought it simply fact that some of their number had been hunting longer than others. Perhaps it had not been a terribly effective suggestion. It certainly wouldn't be the first time that someone had accused Ezinothuzi's thoughts of being less than useful, and it probably wouldn't be the last.
Even if she wasn't the best at ideas, she was no longer quite so terrible at hunting...not anymore, at least. That certainly had been inexperience, pure and simple - but the pride had seen to that. She chuckled a little at the memory, easing herself into a crouch and stealing forward alongside the rest.
There were some who had never had the chance to be ineffective at hunting, however. Though she was almost vibrating with anticipation, Noxolo skulked forward, stealthy and sure, eyes bright. Now that the others had mentioned it, she could definitely smell the zebra on the air. They were so close! Her claws kneaded the ground, itching slightly at the dirt, primed and ready, prepared to pounce...!
So prepared that at the squeal to her side, and the sight of Chazama darting out in front of her, Noxolo followed after like a shot. She knew something had gone horribly wrong, but tried her very best to drive some of the fleeing beasts toward the gold-and-white lioness anyway. There was no time to worry about anything else!
Meanwhile, Ezino had showed similar commitment: she abandoned the hunt entirely, hackles bristling, to wheel towards Sindisa. It took the normally-slow lioness only moments to grasp the depth of her distress before charging into the wild dogs with a furious roar, pinning one under tooth and claw.
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Jovi of Shadows
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AstoriaFallen
AstoriaFallen
Winter Wolf
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Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2022 5:03 pm
Neri had been positioned too far down to have spotted the wild dogs but instantly took to the air and started to dive at them to help ward them off of Sindisa. Grabbing and pulling on one's tail she got it to turn and snap at her, which caused it to slow down and get further away from the lioness. Neri evaded it's chomping jaws and circled around to peck at one or two other's that were advancing on the lioness.
Zishaye was about to charge when a yelp caught her attention, followed by some distant snarling. She was too far from the incident to see exactly what was going on but she spotted Neri diving at something in the tall grass. Other lionesses were already going to Sindisa's aid and the herd was already spooked at this point. Heading towards the ruckus she hoped no one was seriously hurt.
Thandeka and Amne were also a bit of a ways from Sindisa, but not far enough that they wouldn't be able to aid her quickly. Both of them gave up on the spooked zebra and charged after one of the wild dogs nearest them. Thandeka snarled fiercely as Amne bulldozed one over, causing it to flip head over feet and get up with a dazed expression. "Are you alright?" Thandeka asked Sindisa hoping she wasn't hurt as Amne snapped after a different dog to cause it to become distracted.
Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2022 7:20 pm
Sindisa knew she couldn't keep running forever. Her energy was pretty much gone even before this surprise chase and now it was pure adrenaline that was keeping her going. Hopefully the wild dogs wouldn't consider her a threat, or maybe they'd get tired too, or-
A roar cut through the air like a clap of thunder and a startled yelp sounded from the closest pursuer. Sindisa didn't look back right away, still straining to get some distance between her and the wild dogs. But as other roars joined in and snarls from the wild dogs faded, she slowed her run to a lope that eventually stopped. She turned, breathing heavily, and surveyed the scene.
Ezino had a wild dog pinned in the dirt, the smaller creature squirming and snarling as it tried to free itself. Thandeka and Amne joined the mix, scattering the remaining wild dogs who scurried off one by one, leaving the pinned canine on their own.
"Yeah," she panted, her tone exhausted, her whole body feeling drained. "I'm sorry, everyone, they just...were there! I didn't see or smell them until I came right on them...oh no..." It was then she noticed a few of the other lionesses weren't among the little rescue party. She could see them trying to chase down the herd which had scattered. So much for that.
Hanging her head both in shame and exhaustion, Sindisa closed her eyes and tried to catch her breath. Her legs were a little shaky but she did her best to stay on her paws, not wanting to draw the other wild dogs back in to try to save their friend from Ezino.
It was a fruitless endeavor to try and chase down one of the panicked zebra at this point. Even with Noxolo's help, the herd had just been too far away from the beginning. Eventually, Chazama realized this and despite the hunger and desperation that gnawed at her belly and her mind she stopped, signaling Noxolo to do the same. "That's enough," she breathed heavily, as she watched the small herd gain more distance between them. This certainly wasn't the first time a hunt had failed, and it wouldn't be the last, but with the state the pride was in every failure felt like a kick to the gut.
Umfula had stayed circling in the sky, keeping an eye both on the wild dog foray and the panicked zebra hunt. At least the lionesses seemed to be getting the upper paw over the wild dogs, but the zebras, well, that was a lost cause. Spotting her orange and white lioness finally coming to a stop, Umfula dipped her wings and dove closer so she could get within earshot of Chazama without shouting. "You tried darling, that's something." She knew it wasn't enough, and it wouldn't fill bellies, but she could see the disappointment on her lioness' face. "They may still require some help with the wild dogs," Umfula suggested, ever gently as she returned further into the sky to circle and point out the direction to Chazama.
Chazama took a moment to catch her breath before following Umfula's gaze to the commotion. At the very least, she could help her pride sisters with her presence. More lionesses meant the dogs would be less bold and less likely to continue the attack. She set off at a lope to join the rest of the hunting party, to help deter any further aggression from the pack.
Sindisa was a vibrant lioness, full of vim and vigor on most days, and she'd gone out with as many hunting parties as she could over the last few weeks to try to help in bringing down a kill for her pride. Her exuberance was beginning to take its toll, though, especially with little to show for her efforts. She still went out with another group of lionesses though, hopeful that this time they might be successful and her stomach would stop feeling as though it was tearing itself apart. She ignored the hunger pains as they walked, trying to be a source of energy for the group. Thankfully Amne was on the same page as the grey lioness and she joined in to try to help cheer her half sister up.
