Winters' Coming & The Northern Dawn (Micro-ImuEvent)

The airs had changed, the temperature was beginning to shift downwards as a number of species began moving to enter a short state of hibernation, these creatures primarily insects and plants pulling in and withdrawing from the word for a sparse few months while the worst of the severe cold blew through.

Within Imuchakk Tradition, they called this time Geamhradh’s Return (Winters Return) this time was a time for Imuchakk that wandered the ice fields and forests, bringing back food to their home-settlements and join great feasts, the Imuchakk would produce great stews for everyone to enjoy boiling down bones, meat, herbs and roots.

The homesteads and settlements would use leftovers, in addition to make use of everything that they can, in this land wasting of anything would be a disappointment and the Imuchakk did enjoy their great meals.

Both young and old would involve themselves in talks, games and the great enjoyment of eating.


....

At the mid-point of Winters' Coming, the beautiful event known as the Vaktir of Norðlægur Daga (Shift Of The Northern Dawn) This period held a large significance as a number of days would be filled with beautiful aurora's of green, blue and yellow hues through the crisp cold air of the Imuchakk winter.

This was a time for the Imuchakk to bring them further together, presenting gifts to family. However there was one more important part of it.

Others would use it as a point to present those that they held in significance as love interests, in attempts to draw another into courting them or to show their interest in them before they took to their personal challenge of hunting and slaying a Rampaging Unicorn and making themselves Adult.

....

These harsh winter times were a chance for the Imuchakk to prove themselves further, the animals becoming more dangerous with the slight reduction in food.

A time of enjoyment, drinking and romancing.

Vodarara had been closer among the Imuchakk, since his introduction within it by Asisiak after he was captured after hunting down a rampaging unicorn, on the icy steps of the Rampaging Rivers, over the time of his occasional bartering and trading days, the huntsman had come to see the many events and somewhat the undue expectation from a wanderer like himself. Though it wasn’t a large burden and during this colder period it was somewhat more difficult to efficiently hunt as the remaining predators and prey became more aware, alert and aggressive leading to increased chance of injury.

Vodarara skulked his prey alongside his pack-sister the rabbit-wolf Shevika, whom observed the huntsman with her recently found chick tucked atop upon the fur of the nape of her neck and her ears. The huntsman began to Hide his Presence as he closed in, he would maintain this state in a sustained manner.

Vodarara aimed to always take a target out of action with a single arrow before he would dispatch them by cutting through a primary artery with his knife to speed the time of death of the creature.

What he was stalking was an old bull moose, this creature that Vodarara had dictated as a target it was at the end of its prime and it was time for new blood to flow through the herds, in addition he had rather fine antlers still adorning his head.

The huntsman sat at a range of about 45 meters. The huntsman had nominated his arrow of choice, sliding another bladed bone-sheathe for additional stopping power over the head of the arrow, the Huntsman would bring the arrow into bowstring allowing it to rest against the bow.

As Vodarara drew back his bow he took in deep breaths as he set his position as he set his eyes in on his target the huntsman took hold of his breath as his eyes locked down on the position of creatures’ heart, the arrow aimed to land slightly behind its forward legs, The huntsman took a Pin-Point Shot his breath remaining held as the arrow flew towards its target.

It wasn’t long before the creature was struck, it made it a short distance before it began to further succumb to its wounds, as the huntsman still with his presence disguised approached cautiously to dispatch the creature…

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Hide Presence:

Pin-Point Shot:

Hide Presence - 10+5(sustain) = 15 stamina
Pin-Point Shot - 40+10(hit scaling) = 50 stamina

235/300 Stamina
300/300 Magoi

Xandros had awoken on such a glorious day in his village, everyone had begun preparing for the festivals that had been talked about for quite some time for a couple of weeks. A great number of hunts would be attempting to hibernate and this was the perfect chance for him to go and collect some beast for his family stew, wanting to help present something marvelous and hefty. Xandros had wondered out of his bed and into the kitchen, wearing nothing but his lonesome boxers, going to gather up some hot tea to drink, as the cold within the air didn't affect him at all. Brewing the tea over a fire pit, Xandros sat and thought to himself. ' What type of beasts should I go out and search for? Seems like their many to choose from, but I just can't decided. ' ending his ponder, the pot steaming as Xandros removed it from the fire and put it out. " Ahh some hot tea " He speak, his parents awaking in the other room, their yawns could be hear inside the living room, Xandros spoke to his mother and father. " Morning mom, dad. How'd y'all sleep? " he'd asked them. " It was okay, Xandros, but I wanted to ask you something " his mother would say, than his father would step forth and speak. " Son, have you thought of settling down and mating?" Being direct and not easing his way into it. Xandros just pouring himself a cup of tea, than two cups for his parents. " I don't really think I would benefit exactly from.. a spouse. " Pausing inbetween, his father looking pretty rash. " Hmph, what do you plan to go hunt for? A deer or Iweth would help with the stew were preparing " His father quickly changing the topic, as his Mother just seemed to drink the tea her son made. Xandros asked to be excused to his room  and begun to place his clothing on, his scarlet eyes pericing through what seemed to be torches being lit, people already preparing. Getting his Charkarams ready placing then on his side belt loop. Walking back out into the hallway, Xandros spoke to his parents once more. " I'll be back with a Iweth haha, they seem to have more meat than a deer or Ilk. " he said, his father looking mad and upset while his mother spoke. " Alright please return, before dark. " she said, Xandros leaving the house to take off. 

Stamina: 150/150
Magoi: 70/70

As the huntsman closed on the creature his eyes scanned and flicked across its body observing it for movement and twitching, though the creature still breathed lightly. Though Vodarara paused he doubted the creature was completely downed, a creature in such a state was still dangerous and in this land, being injured could lead to a quick death sentence especially if the cold caught you.

Though the huntsman hated the use of tools that seemed to penetrate to the very soul and earth, it wasn’t worth the risk of injury, he had a few pieces of equipment that could do such things though he strongly avoided using them, part of his cloak was one of these things.

Vodarara generated a Phantom Mirage sustaining its energy and sending it forwards towards the downed creature, it could only leave him by five meters though he could move it as he closed towards the creature, the majestic white skinned creature still roared with its last fires of life as it rent the mirage with its antlers.

As the creature turned its vision to focusing on its illusion, Vodarara made his attack his target the creatures primary artery of its neck, using his gauntlet protected hand as he rammed his weight against the wounded creatures shoulder and flank, he took a grip of its left antler to yank its far antler round leftwards away from him to bend its neck to allow for a cleaner strike as he drove his hunting knife deep into its throat, with a quick movement of the wrist to deploy the finishing wound to the artery to speed the process of the creatures death as the huntsman knocked the creature to the ground.

It wasn’t long after that the creature gave its final breath, the huntsman gave the creature a small blessing to thank the land for its sacrifice, as thy gives its flesh, it returns to the earth and nourishes new lands anew.

___

Phantom Mirage:

Magoi: -10 magoi activation, -5 magoi sustain = 15 magoi

Vodarara’s aim was to make use of this hunt at the first Imuchakk Village, he had “visited” though it was more or less that he was captured, it was technically his place and it was also the village of the Demolisher herself.

The huntsman observed the skies, the weather seemed like it was closing and closing fast. The huntsman set to dragging the creature across the flats towards an area he was aware that could make shelter though the area was hard to reach even when not dragging something across the terrain, Vodarara companions Shevika and the chick that sat upon her head followed behind the huntsman and his dispatched catch.

Hours passed as the temperature further began to dim and the frostfall began, snow trying to take up position on the huntsman’s shoulders, dragging this prey was expending a high volume of energy but the huntsman needed shelter to prepare it.

The huntsman had the area insight, the crags of this hill was his aim the huntsman with his falling body temperature would yet again have to make use of another of his disliked possessions though it was better than freezing to death, so close to a place he could make camp.

A crystal plate that could generate pillars of crystal, the huntsman felt the item sap some of his endurance as he touched it to the ground as the Stalagmite generated five pillars of crystal generated at angles coming together to help make a pathway as it continue to drain further energy as the huntsman sustained it, as quickly as they appeared they began to cool and ice slowly began to creep from their edges central, the huntsman began quickly pressing forwards Shevika and the Owl Chick just behind, the moment Vodarara entered the shelter of the crags he swiftly began working on setting a fire, a fire meant heat and heat meant safety against the cold and time to prepare for the rest of the journey.

Over the night, the huntsman could bleed the animal as well as skin it before the next day, this would allow him to set up some preparations to allow him to also transport the creature with further ease by carving it down to allow him to spread the creatures weight in his load.

Tonight once the fires were going, with the animal hanging from the crag to bleed. The huntsman, Shevika and the chick sat around the fire taking in the warmth though the animals were more hardy here, the snow blast outside wasn’t something you wanted to stay in.

___

Stalagmite:

Magoi: -10 Activate, -5 Sustain = -15 magoi

235 - Stamina
260 - Magoi

Overnight, Vodarara would continue a number preparations in addition to his rest. Once the animal had completed its bleeding process Vodarara would begin skinning the creature of its skin, the hide of such a beautiful animal had to be removed carefully.

The higher quality, the pelt the higher the value of the pelt carries for trading.

After this had been completed and the hide scrapped down from the inside to remove any remain raw flesh from the inside of the hide to prevent it rotting quicker over time.

Vodarara would leave the meat a few hours before he would begin carving it down, he sat down to continue a deep rest with his companions, they would first eat a small meal made of both his ration meat and a snack food ((onigiri)) this would help him regain further energy for the next day of his travel.


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Resting - Profession Rest Tier C tier Resting +30 Stamina
Eating - Onigiri, D tier +50 Magoi

Stamina: 265
Magoi: 300

The winds chilling, breathe was unsteady stepping out into the frost thinking about bringing home some Iweth game for the stew. Feeling the urgency of nothing more but enjoying himself and honoring the beast all together. Nobody going to stop Xandros, once he set off from the village, but he did stop to hello to an elder he recently helped and her granddaughter. Heading off from the village gates, torches lit with flames flying high nothing more rasing his spirits as he left into the frozen abyss of the tundra and fields of snow. Disappearing from the line of site of the guards as he just gotten further away. The first place Xandros, went to search for the Iweth's or Iweth, is the mountains. Usually he doesn't know where most animals hibernate or go during this season, but he took assumptions while making his way their, the winds pushing against his skin as he felt refresh with each passing.

Over the period of the night, while the flames of his campfire dwindled as strong winds blew outside his shelter, the huntsman began work on carving down the carcass of the creature. Making use of a far stronger blade, its blade longer and broader than that of his hunting knife, he would use to carve his way through the joints, to separate it from the main body.

As he removed each of the creatures rear legs, one at a time, he would make use of a finer knife to carve the meat away from the bones, this leg meat would then be wrapped up, before the huntsman would discard these bones for returning to the earth.

After these legs had been removed, the huntsman would rub a number of herbs in to aid with the preservation and reducing the effect of frost on the meat.

In the morning, Vodarara would set off with his companions for the remainder of the journey to the Imuchakk Settlement, it was a place of odd memories for the huntsman after all, the place that he had become a part of them in a sense.

It was a few days later, the huntsman had set out into the wilderness and he finally arrived in the village, This village the biggest Imuchakk Settlement in the landmass, It was home to the largest Hall of the Ancients, a building dedicated to fallen Imuchakk legends, items entombed there as constant marks for the future generations to view of the great Imuchakk that once walked this land.

This village was the home village of Asisiak, The Destroyer. The Imuchakk’s current ruler she had brought the tribes under her in unification, her ability unmatched though the Huntsman would say he had noticed changes in her from when he had first met her though he couldn’t say for certain but her energy was different, he had heard that she had battled a human whom could don a form of another and that Asisiak could do the same but he had not seen such a sight for himself.

Vodarara at least had a catch to present, after all he would rather avoid having his shoulder dislocated by The Demolisher again, he had tried his best to remain in her good books, after all she was a powerful creature and being, as such she held massive respect in both the Huntsman’s mind and heart.

It was not soon past day break that the huntsman arrived at the outskirts of the village, as usual layered in his animal hides fur atop furs to help him keep a solid temperature in this environment though the huntsman could endure without them for a period, without them however he would eventually succumb to the cold.

The outermost layers of his furs were white and grey, whereas the deeper they went the colours were slightly less focused whatever he could acquire, the outer layers the huntsman relied on for camouflaging and hiding him in the environment, most of the hunters backpack was hidden by a overthrow of fur from his outer layer, to help anything more fragile from freezing though more critical pieces were within the internal layers that surrounded his body.

The items exposed that others could see would be what he required quick access to, A quiver hung across the back of the huntsman’s hips keeping his overcovering fur from flapping in the wind. A number of handles could be seen these were pieces of equipment required for quick access, mainly the huntsman’s knives and a bandolier that contained a number of bomblets both poisonous and explosive. The most obvious items were the Huntsman Ice Climbing Tools and his deep red bow, this bow was his mark of being an Imuchakk, an adult a slayer of a unicorn.

By his side, he was joined by Shevika, his rabbit-wolf companion whom had both many tails and beautiful fur of mainly white and grey with a small dash of orange, atop her head sat an Owl Chick a fluffy black ball of fluff with a beak.

The huntsman headed down through the rough pathways between the longhouses of the Imuchakk aiming for the village centre, he planned to drop off his tribute there, It would be soon that the time of change in the colour of the skies would occur in the coming week and days….

The time of change in the skies had closed and the changes in colour that whipped their way across the star scattered night sky, hues of blue, purple, green and other colours helped illuminate the sky into a new world of majesty casting a new dawn across the land.

The white of snow and the clarity of ice helped to radiate the lively tones of this emotion of colour, allowing it to twinkle both among the stars and the soil, this site could be said to be a truly remarkable sight for those who were not used to it. Though for the Imuchakk, it was the norm it brought in the end of days of the period of frost, the point of hibernation wouldn’t last all that much longer.

Soon the temperature would ever so slightly warm, the biting winds slightly lesser and those that had rested would return to the surface and help keep the cogs of the land turning as the strong wintery life would continue its cycle on the land.

Hatchling Rampaging Unicorn would continue in the depths growing in strength, while a number of juveniles would lurk around the outlets in search of prey, which made them prime targets for the young Imuchakk that wanted to prove their maturity and ascend into adulthood.

It was a dawn of a new day and revelry as usual consumed the Imuchakk, much like they consumed food and mead, a grand stew sat at the heart of many a village, items committed to it by its populace, a great fire would burn stoking such a food, as the Imuchakk continued to tell their legendary stories to each other…



The Huntsman seeked warmth himself, though he wasn’t one to join in the entertainment unless he felt he would end up in significant harm if he didn’t shelter himself near a point of warmth, places like this did allow at the very least to not carry as much weight on his shoulders.

He was joined by his companions, Shevika and The Owl atop her head, they enjoyed a small amount to eat as they watched the Imuchakk enjoy themselves.

An enormous bonfire, surrounded by many drunken and celebrating Imuchakk, crackled and glowed in the middle of Asisiak’s village. The leader of the Imuchakk, Asisiak, mingled among them, partaking in the festivities alongside her people, when the lone human hunter, Vodarara, entered with his rabbit-wolf. He had earned his place among the Imuchakk some time ago, but he always kept to himself, remaining alone in the wilderness.

The Imuchakk leader stood to hold up her drink for a toast. “I am proud to spend this day with you, my Imuchakk people. As many of you know, we gather around this time of year to celebrate the glorious and prosperous year we’ve had. Winter is also coming. As a people, we ensure each other’s survival and the safety of the hibernating animals by sharing our leftovers with one another. I thank you for the part you all play during the winter. For now though, there’s plenty of food and drink to go around, so enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content!”

Her people let out a booming cheer as they clinked their mugs together. Asisiak made her way to the human hunter that had sat away from everyone. Her eyes bore down on him, stern yet kind, studying him for a moment.

“Nice of you to finally join your brethren, Vodarara,” said the amazonian warrior. “There’s no need to be a recluse. Come, partake in some merriment among the Imuchakk. You earned your place among us long ago, so why must you ruin the fun by remaining in solitude during a celebration?” She bit into a chunk of meat she grabbed from a nearby table and chewed, enjoying the delicious flavor of the juicy meat.

“Get up. Having you sit here alone is spoiling even my mood. I won’t have it,” she said in between bites. The Imuchakk beauty stood and peered down at Voda, her expression serious, hinting that if the human hunter declined, it would not be pleasant for him.

The first thing the Huntsman felt was a piercing gaze and the creeping sense on the spine of a hunter or predator approaching, it wasn’t long before a shadow flicking slightly from the shifting of the bonfire dominated him, even Vodarara was not naïve enough to not know who this was, such a towering presence could only mean one person.

He felt himself dominated without physical contact almost as in he was shrinking into his spine, as he made eye contact with Asisiak, The Demolisher.

In a sense, she was a real beauty, elegant form, an amazing presence and ability to rival and dominate even the most powerful of beasts in this icy land single headedly. She spoke to him in the sense of it trying to pull him into the merriment and out of his self-imposed solitude, she complained that he was spoiling the fun by not involving himself further than trying to absorb some of the bonfire’s heat.

She continued, calling for him to get up, her tone suggesting she wouldn’t be happy with him spoiling her mood. The choice the huntsman had was to follow her request, after all he had previously experienced some of her dominance to himself physically.

The huntsman would also not leave her request in silence, but rather with his duty of respect to a being of her power, he would even lower his mask as to allow him to speak and converse more clearly.

Vodarara once stood up would find the chill of the air nibbling at his lips, Vodarara would find himself quite close to Asisiak's body as he looked up past her bosom which sat above his at the top of his height continuing his eye contact with Asisiak, she stood above him in height as did the vast majority of the Imuchakk.

The huntsman began to speak humbly saying…  “How else may I improve your mood, My dear chief” as he gave a bow of his head and brought his clawed hand over his heart before resuming his eye contact with her.

Asisiak frowned as she looked down at the human Vodarara. She was not pleased with the answer he gave especially since he called her his dear chief. The amazonian warrior thought he would have learned To further express her distaste for Vodarara’s answer, she grabbed him and held him in a position that would injure the shoulder that was previously dislocated.

“For starters, don’t ask stupid questions. Secondly, chief is just fine.” The Imuchakk warrior let go with a small push forward. “Go enjoy yourself and socialize for a change. Just try not to be an embarrassment or ruin anyone else’s mood.” She turned to join her people in the celebration. “In simple terms,” she said, giving Vodarara a quick side glance, “behave.”

The beautiful leader of the Imuchakk rejoined her people in the celebration, but she would not lose sight of the human hunter. Someone had to keep an eye on him in case he did something stupid. Still, keeping an eye on Vodarara didn’t mean the warrior had to cut back on her own pleasures. She took a chunk of meat to eat with a mug of ale to wash it down and enjoyed the company of the Imuchakk around her as they too celebrated.

Vodarara didn’t quite expect such a reaction from Asisiak, he had thought nothing he had said was wrong in his mind, Vodarara was slightly struck by confusion as he found himself as she wrenched his arm behind his back. It didn’t seem like she randomly decided on what arm she targeted either.

After she had finished another set of words with him, she phrased “enjoy” and “socialize” but if socializing was going to always end like that the huntsman didn’t think he would really enjoy it all that much, the most socialising the hunter did was when he was bartering for sales, he found himself dumbstruck with what to do next.

She said to enjoy himself, but how was he meant to do that enjoyment was a weird thing, Vodarara didn’t really have much enjoyment, this state of confusion effected Vodarara as he scoured his memories thinking of things that were enjoyable, contentment had been his existence, he had few memories of enjoyment there was that one time the huntsman continued to rake his mind for other memories of enjoyment.

The huntsman began to pace heading towards the meat, while he blindly thought about what was occurring as he collected some meat before heading back over to his companions to share it some meat with them, as he considered what he else he could do for enjoyment.

That huntsman had entered deep thought though he couldn’t come up with anything significant that would work in this situation, he had watched the Imuchakk during several of their events through the years but have never involved himself in these events himself.

Contentment was one thing, the hunter always had that and never pushed for more. Maintaining the wilds brought him Contentment, the only thing that could be “enjoyment” he had was feeling like he had companions and family, it was rather a weird feeling.

Vodarara had no knowledge of his family or where he was from, he had been wandering the ice fields for as long as he could remember. However, a human like him would freeze to death at a young age until they were experienced enough to survive.

Vodarara feared questioning Asisiak but in the end, you can always run if the creature tries to eat you. Vodarara cautiously worked his way into a position that put him close enough to her earshot. As he stared into the flickering flames as the Imuchakk danced around it, drank around it, told stories around it and ate around it.

Vodarara said in a quiet but directed tone, “What is enjoyment, what does it feel like, how do I communicate when I only communicate in tongues of trade and barter, what different am I from beast that we hunt”

Asisiak kept an eye on Voda, watching as he positioned himself close enough for his voice to be heard. “You’re not much different from the beasts we hunt,” she admitted as she set aside her drink, “but then again, even beasts know how to enjoy themselves. Enjoyment is simply having fun or taking pleasure in something. It’s hard to explain in words since it’s different for everyone.”

The warrior queen glanced at Voda. Her eyes glistened with a mixture of emotions, pity, curiosity, annoyance, and the tiniest bit of understanding. “Perhaps I chose the wrong words. You have always been away from people, alone in the wilderness with nothing but your pets to keep you company. That’s probably your only source of enjoyment… or maybe it’s just that you’re content. There’s nothing wrong with that, except it is a tad disheartening that you don’t try to humanize yourself when you compare yourself to the beasts we hunt.”

“It is late, and I’m tired. I wish you well, Vodarara.” Asisiak stood and went to her tent while encouraging her people to be merry as long as they wished despite her premature departure.

Vodarara watched as Asisiak departed too her tent, Vodarara couldn’t understand what had caused her to take such action though she had tried to convince him to stop talking about himself as just another beast, she even said that it was a tad disheartening. Though in truth Vodarara’s little understanding of words did make him wonder if any of the words were said with other meanings.

Vodarara would rest out this night, digging himself a snow-hole his intentions were in morning to head out and begin a hunt anew, maybe begin working on getting the young owl chick to begin fledging. Though while he rested he would consider what Asisiak had told him.

Vodarara would still need far more clarification or time to understand Asisiak, there were still significant mysteries to her than made the hunter who had always aimed to know as much as possible about predator or prey. It lead him in confusion to the different paths of action she took with him…