Lessons Learned

Lessons Learned
>be me
>still LARPing post-apoc
>flecktarn w/ G3
>stuck innawoods thanks to TPTB
>not doing too hot atm
>all my friends are dead
>trouble walking out during day
>smell like blood and death
>hunger getting worse since Night of the Furries
>random headaches are now a thing
>getting use to it though

>spot first outpost expedition since NotF
>stalk em till they set camp near eve
>scouting around for census/goodies
>four scouts, five busybodies
>twink with em. two hunters from NotF, too
>smells like trouble
>datammothough.png
>got enough, but is there really such a thing?
>also brought stuff to barter
>wonder what I can get for a witch staff
--------------------
"He's definitely gotten bigger," Magister Zell noted, "What have you been feeding him?"

"Those damn werewolves," Sylvia replied, "A spirit told me he ate their corpses."

"Maybe Corpse-Eater would be a more appropriate name?" Sheffield asked, "Why would anything do that?"

"There is a saying from the old world," one of the scholars pipped,"Eat its heart to gain its courage."

"If the monster has been eating witches that would explain a lot," another scholar added.

"How long has he had that skull?" Zell suddenly asked. His tone put everyone on edge. Sylvia asked, "What's wrong with it?"

"Look through your third eye," Zell commanded. Sylvia reluctantly peered through her witch-sight. Her comrade Sheffield and all the scholars glowed with life. The Magister standing next to her pulsed with arcane might. Witch-Eater stood in a circle of red light, forming chains that held him in place. A small spirit emerged from his rifle, hugging him protectively. A man made of vines stood behind them, giving her a slight nod before fading away. She focused on his head. Several currents of magic twisted around Witch-Eater's head, tearing at each other. A weeping man wearing a flecktarn-patterned jacket at the center of it all, clutching his head.
"He's probably suffering from some serious headaches right now," Sylvia sighed. Zell nodded, "We'll need to fix that, preferably before it destroys whats left of his rationality and makes him into a real monster."

"Why are we 'fixing' him?" Sheffield interrupted, "We ought to kill him and be done with it."

Zell and Sylvia snapped at the same time, "Don't be a fool!"

"Ok, I'm lost," Sheffield groaned, "Help me out here."

"Do you have any idea what's hidden in this forest?" a scholar snapped,' Why the Salvagers have an outpost as close as they can?"

"Consider the treasure trove of old-wold salvage in the northern parts," Zell explained, "Even with all the perils in these woods, it's still tempting. A dangerous witch-eating monster in the forest is a great deterrent."

"The Coven of Shadows fear no man," Sylvia added, "But this thing...it scares them. Witch-Eater can be an asset against them."

"So what are we going to do," Sheffield asked, "I doubt he'll let us near him."

Sylvia looked at the Salvager's tribute for Witch-Eater, "I've got a plan..."
--------------------
>group meandering around ammo box for a while
>up to something? hard to think clearly
>thanks headaches
>they finally pull away from it
>about time
>wait a few minutes before approaching it
>gimmie gimmie
>open box despite witch smell
>forgot gimmie gimmie never gets
>staff-girl did something to box
>circle forms around, glowing red
>immobilized...sort of?
>have I seen this before?
>hear someone say, "It can't move. We should be safe."
>staff-girl approaches, hands held up
>says the worst thing expected, "Stay calm, Witch-Eater. We're here to help."
>ohfuckno.gifv
>can still move leather-tied arm
>go go gadget bayonet
>circle breaks
>bayo starts screaming, "KILLFRENZYKILLFREN-"
>stow bayonet, unsling G3
>growl out, "NAP VIOLATION."
>staff-girl meet butt-stock
>stock bounces against shield
>witch tries again, "You're hurting, we can he-"
>fool me once, shame on you
>shouldn't have stowed bayonet, stuck tryna beat raifu against shield
>unsatisfying WHAP noise on each impact
>scouts and leftie rushing forward
>armed with a scattergun, a pair of spear, and a hunting rifle, leftie has a black spear
>stop beating shield to fire at them
>G3 barks, dirt kicks up, scouts flinch
>purposely missing, aiming at ground in front
>witch violated NAP, not sure about outpost
>leftie charged through gunfire, kudos
>earns himself a buttstocking
>no shield on leftie, knocked out cold
>scouts form perimeter around leftie and witch
>gonna need a heart-to-mouth with twink about all this
>scamper away on all-fours, resisting urge to howl
>thinking back to witch's words
>is something wrong with me?
--------------------
Her sympathy for Witch-Eater's dropped low. With the threat gone, Sylvia dropped her shield and rushed over to the downed Sheffield. A large bump was already starting to form. One of the scholars with a first-aid kit took over.

"So much for that plan," grumbled a senior scout. A greener scouts shouted, "We need to go after him!"

"Great idea, newbie," the senior scout sarcastically replied, "Lets chase the monster that's great at sneaking around deeper into its forest. How about we leave our weapons and torches behind, too?"

While other group members took turns ragging on the greenhorn, Zell leaned close to Sylvia and quietly asked, "How long has he had that?"

She quietly asked back, "Had what?"

"That spell-breaking knife, how long?"

"I'm not sure," she answered, "As far as I know he's always had it. Does it mean something?"

"It can pierce our barriers. It means we're not safe here," Zell began hyperventilating, "You shouldn't have tried trapping it."
--------------------
>they didn't follow?
>means I'll need to go to them
>probably try and run during sunrise
>got till then for payback
>backtrack to meeting point
>tent and three fire-pits already set up
>pair of scouts around two, hunters around third
>all of em got torches, already on alert
>must be the smell
>need to take out scouts, then hunters
>can't kill scouts
>only source of ammo and spare parts
>and they're neighbors
>nosing around perimeter again
>prey gathered around one tent
>targets, not prey
>strong urge to howl followed by grinding headache
>maybe I do need help?
--------------------
Zell was no longer fit for command. Learning his barrier was effective as TP left him a nervous wreck. The scouts discussed it among themselves, and decided to follow the Hunters. Under her orders, they were quick to reinforce camp. A large tent was erected, with bonfires to light the area. The meeting spot already had ample firewood. It was just a matter of gathering it up. After their tasks were complete, Sylvia ordered them into the tent. The fires were lit, the non-combatants as safe as they could manage. They were ready.

Witch-Eater was here. The stench of blood and rot beset the camp. One of the newer scouts puked, either from the smell or his excitement.

"Don't panic," Sheffield called to the scouts, "As long as we stick together, we can handle this."

Then the puking scout disappeared when no one was looking. His partner disappeared with a yelp. The remaining scouts and Hunters converged on the yelping noise. They could hear one of the abducted scouts whimpering not too far away.

"We'll get him and get back to the tent," Sheffield called out, and left before she could stop him. Her instincts screamed at her to stay in the light, but she knew he couldn't leave an injured man behind. Sheffield and the remaining scouts went into the brush. There was shouting, the crackling discharge of Sheffield's spear, and then silence. She wanted to run in to help, but she knew it was too late. Not including the scholars and Zell hiding in the tent, she was alone. Again.

There was some rustling in the brush. An inhuman voice grumbled to itself.
Sylvia had the nastiest sense of déjà vu as Witch-Eater stepped out of the darkness.
It's skull glared at her and said, "WITCH."
--------------------
>scouts and leftie
>"What are you planning?" nam asked
>didn't think that far ahead
>"Don't kill her," nam says with stern voice, "You can't afford to feed the curse."
>witch violated NAP, what should I do?
>"Forgive her. She's an idiot."
>how can I do that
>"What else can you do?"
>WhAt ElSe CaN i Do
>surprised look on nam's face
>first time back talking him in years
>WHY SHOULDN'T I EAT IT
>"Cool down, bundy," nam warns, "You don't want to do this."
>DO WHAT, CoOl DoWn? EAT THE WITCH?
>FEELING PECKISH, WHY SHOULDN'T I?
>"Don't make me-"
>DON'T MAKE ME WHAT? EAT THE WITCH?
>not sure where this is coming from, headache's getting worse
>oh hey, nam's got that look
>like someone about to catch a hayma-
>brief moment headache eclipsed by nam's fist
>reel back in shock
>"You slack-jawed-," jaws click together from an upper cut
>"Boneheaded-," nam headbutts me, he really head-butted me
>"Weak-kneed -", leg kicked out from under me
>hit the ground, "-Miserable excuse of a specter!"
>what just happened?
>feel a boot on the back of my neck, "You had best unfuck yourself or I will unscrew your head and shit down your neck!"
--------------------
Sylvia's life flashed before her eyes.
A lonely childhood in the Coven.
The news of her mother and grandmother's deaths.
A failed ascension. A night of betrayal.
Fleeing into the night, hunted.
A merciful Hunter's helping hand.
Teenage years surrounded by suspicion
Pride when she became what the Coven feared and hated.
Hunter-Witch Sylvia had no regrets. She would die with her head held high.

Or so she thought. Witch-Eater collapsed.

She held her breath. He didn't get up. No time like the present. Moving quickly, Sylvia redrew the ensnarement spell. This time she pinned the Monster's right arm down with her belt knife. It was wrapped with that leather, she remembered, leather that was probably from a looted Hunter's cloak. That was probably why he could still move his arm.

Speaking of knives, Sylvia checked for Witch-Eater's bayonet. It wasn't on his belt. She didn't see him drop it. Where did it go?
--------------------
>anger boiling over as spell works
>nam standing behind her, holding bayonet
>"I'm going to hold onto this until they finish fixing you up. Get well soon, bundy."
--------------------
Witch-Eater laid there, twitching occasionally. With his bayonet missing and his arm pinned with a spear, the expedition was as safe as it could be. However, they were running on a timer. The trapping circle would be good for a few hours, but the scholars and Zell were going to need every minute. It took precious time and all of her persuasive might to get the Magister out of his tent. He only emerged after sending not one, but two scholars confirm their safety. Retrieving all five of the abductees took up more time. Witch-eater had tied them to different trees around the camp. All but Sheffield were unmolested. He was found stripped down to his skivvies with his wrists bound to his ankles. With the expedition regrouped, everyone got to work.
--------------------
>spear hurts less than overall situation
>desperately trying to reach raifu
>pair of busybodies took her away
>twink and witch step in close, biting close
>can't move though
>overpowering witch smell from both
>twink places a mirror in front
>"Look deep inside," witch says, "What do you see?"
>trying not to look, but curiosity is overwhelming
>take a peek into the mirror
>broken wolf skull looking back
>should've grabbed something else
>a desperate spirit struggling not just to survive, but to live
>consumed power from a mother and daughter
>darkness swallowed, trying to boil out
>a curse spat out by a dying mage
>a leashed wolf trying to break free
>wards of the Hunters, wrapped around it all
>what a mess, maybe nam was right...
>nam's voice echoes out, "The first step to fixing your problem is admitting you have one."
>twink says, "We'll need a more in-depth view."
>witch making disgusted face
>starts tugging at my head
>leather straps holding it together untied
>feels like I'm losing my mind
>at least the headache isn't as bad
>more light, more witch smell
>what are they doing?
---------------------
After removing the wolf's skull, Sylvia and Zell spent an entire hour tracing the essence flows around Witch-eater's head. Zell concluded, "The skull was too damaged. We will need to replace it. Scouts!", he called, " Find a stag and bring me it's head."

"Why a stag?" Sylvia asked after the scouts filed out. One of the apprentices explained, "Its two parts function and one part symbolism. It will be a new skull, with many more focal points. And for symbolism, the Stag is the King of the Forest. It would be a fitting crown for him."

It took most of the night, but the scouts returned with the a large buck. Without ceremony they began butchering it. Their leader took its head and began scraping off its flesh. He presented the stag's still bloody skull to the Magister and Sylvia. Sylvia inspected it, "Can we use it?"

He asked Sylvia, "How much time do we have?"

"A few hours, give or take."

"Can you refresh the circle?"

"It is going have diminishing returns," she explained, "Instead of several hours, it would hold for only a few. If I use it again after that the spell will hold for an hour at best. After that, it will have no effect. What is your plan?"

"We need as much time as you can get us. Carving glyphs into this will take time," Zell said as an apprentice handed him his tools, "This is very precise work. If we do it right, it should mitigate the damage to his mind."
--------------------
>close to dawn
>witch cast locking spell again few hours ago
>feeling it wearing off
>nam not around, don't know where he went
>hope he's taking care of bayonet
>anger faded away since they took off wolf skull
>feeling naked without it though
>twink and witch finished working on their thing
>holds out a new deer skull, weird stuff carved all over it
>twink puts skull in place, witch straps it down
>headache slowly fades away
>who's got two thumbs and a new face?
>witch pats new head, "For what its worth, I really am sorry."

>bodies all leave in a hurry
>still stuck, but headache gone
>nam lights a ciggy nearby, "Feeling better?"
>yeah...
>"Then you can have this back," nam says
>bayonet plops next to raifu
>both still out of reach
>not gonna let me out?
>"Nah. The magic will wear out soon, and they need the head start."
>trapping circle flickers
>nam finishes his smoke, "Good hunting, Bundy."
>witch smell gone
>snatch up raifu and bayonet
>sprinting through the forest after them
>might be able to catch them
--------------------
The group marched at double-time. For the hunters and scouts that was a leisurely jog, but the Magister and scholars struggled to keep up. Their lifestyle wasn't very conductive to running. Only when they cleared the last of the trees did their pace slow. However, the group kept moving until Zell huffed, "I think this is far enough. He shouldn't be able to leave the forest."

As the scholarly portion of the expedition stopped to catch their breath. Sylvia looked back at the woods. Sheffield asked, "Do you think Witch-Eater will catch up?"

As if on cue, a new silhouette stood in the treeline. It looked like Zell was right about its boundaries. Unsure of what to do, she waved at it.
--------------------
>staff-girl waving at me
>did they forget I have a rifle??
>take a few potshots, purposely aim high
>they did fix me after all
>hear staff-girl shout, "We're still in range, keep running!"
>bodies starts running again
>they totally forgot lmao
>what they get for stopping in G3's shooting distance
>stop shooting when they get too far
>should've brought DMR stuff
>wait till they run out of sight
>good time to chill

>be chilling for a few hours
>pretty sure they don't won't be back
>heading back in as the sun sets
>making way back to camp site
>still got an ammo crate to rut through