[PQ] [SE] That's just the way of the world

Some humor here to fend off fear

The first light snowfall of the season was already melting away. Despite the relative warmth lingering in the sunlight, nights were now freezing over regularly and last night's wind storm had stripped the trees of most of their leaves. It was a clarion call to all the hunters of the region, signalling that the last organized moose hunt had arrived, and one morning all those interested in partaking had gathered on the main square of the Village. 

Groups were split up, areas of the Greatwood assigned, and Maea was surprised to find herself as the leeader of one such group. There had been little time to talk before they set out, and the hurried pace left little breath to spare during the march, so it wasn't until they reached their destination that she had a chance to take a better look at her fellow hunters. 
Slipping her bow off one shoulder, she stringed the weappon, checked the tension of the sinew and adjusted the quiver of arrows. Pulling down the thick woolen scarf from her face, she breathed out a slowly into the chill air, watching how it condensed into a pale cloud and dissolved somewhere above their heads. 

"We can leave the packs here," she suggested in hushed tones, and pointed to a hollow beneath a gnarled root where backpacks, packed lunches and extra weapons could be concealed. "Show me what weapons you brought, and I'll assign you a spot. We're a bit late; the beat should be passing through here any minute, so let's be quick." Gazing expectantly at the others, she nevertheless offered an encouraging smile; if it was stiffer than normal it was due to the cold, that not even layers of clothing could stave off entirely. 

---

Welcome to this PQ where the aim is to help the people of the Greatwood with the last moose hunt of the year! Everyone will leave with a share of the meat so let's pray for good fortunes! 

Please begin with your character introducing themselves and declaring what weapons they brought to the hunt, if any! 

Participants: 
1. Maea
2. 
3. 
4.

and I'm a little more lost, oh dear

Maea

Liam

Only twenty minutes to sleep

The last great moose hunt of the season had indeed arrived and, with it, a variety of hunters from across Caido. Perhaps the Greatwood made for easier hunting, in some ways, than other, more hostile environments - if one could get past the ever-shifting paths, that is. In this, Liam hoped that his group - thankfully the one that Maea seemed to have taken charge of - would fare better than others. While he could still get just as lost as anyone, the forest seemed to like him more the longer he'd been a resident, and it was possible that that would prove beneficial in their efforts today.

The soldier had dressed warmly, though he hadn't needed as many layers as he was sure Maea was boasting, and he carried a regular bow in his hands. While he favored a crossbow, he'd found that it often took too long to reload, and in a hunt like this, he needed to be able to move quickly - so a plain longbow it was, with a quiver of standard arrows that he'd procured from the village. He wasn't a master hunter, by any stretch - and moose were not his preferred prey - but he hoped to do well enough to at least not make a fool of himself.

They reached a hollow, and Maea gave her instructions. Liam gravitated towards her after setting his pack down, then held up his bow. "Bow and arrows," he rumbled. "And my sword, though I'm not sure if it would be useful in this." Sure enough, his Oakblade hung at his hip, a dagger on the opposite side. He glanced around then, measuring their companions, and waited for the rest to speak their piece.

---

Liam brings everything on his profile, a normal dagger, a normal longbow, and a quiver of 12 normal arrows.

But you dream of some epiphany

It's not about the money we make
It's about the passions that we ache for

Callum doesn't normally find himself in the Greatwood, and he wanders through the trees towards the designated meeting spot with his hands thrust into his pockets and his alert gaze on the branches arching above. There's a bow on his back and a dagger at his side, and he's prepared for a hunt with dark clothes that are sure to camouflage into the forest. There's also his falcon shift, though in such dense tree cover, he's not sure how much use that will be. Besides, if they're going after larger prey, a relatively small bird isn't going to be much use.

In any case, he arrives to find everyone gearing up, and he makes his way towards a pale Ancient who seems to be in charge. "You running the hunt?" he asks, flashing a casual smile, his voice hushed to match hers. "I'm Callum. Was in the area and figured I'd help out. I'm a decent shot with a bow, so just stick me where I'm needed." He pauses, then adds. "I can also shift into a peregrine falcon, but not sure how useful that'll be."

---

Callum brings himself, a normal longbow, and a quiver of 12 basic arrows. He also carries a basic dagger.

What makes your heart beat faster
Tell me now what does your body long after

Callum

Iskra

If I could just lay my head down and rest
If there was nothing to fight or protect

In an effort to continue to improve, Iskra has been trying not to say no to much, though admittedly hunting is not his favorite task. It's a skill that he could certainly improve though, and the need this time of year is high, so he finds himself in the tide of others fanning out for this moose hunt. He's come to the Greatwoods to dodge some of the sharper chill in Halo, but he's still dressed for the snow in his boots, thick pants, and layers of long-sleeved shirts, flannels, and jackets.

Strapped to his back, Ampere gleams through the scattered forest light. On his belt a smaller, more ordinary axe swings with each stride. Tucked into his pockets, a box of matches and a wooly cloth prone to static cling when rubbed. Beside him, Goose trots along, the husky wavering from shrub to tree root to rock. His leg lifts on occasion, but if he falls behind he lopes ahead, nose working the terrain and the stories each odor tells him. Let it be known though, there's no serious severity to the hound's mannerisms, just a curious thrill that could easily shrivel into a coward's fear at the slightest interruption or mild threat. Goose is good company, but beyond that he doesn't serve much use.

Recognizing Liam through the dispersing crowds, Iskra clings towards the fringe of that group, arriving as introductions make their way. Iskra nods with a smile towards Liam, then turns towards Maea and Callum with a little wave. "I'm Iskra," he begins, hand abruptly shoved up as Goose's head bucks up under his fingers in a demand for scratches. "And this is Goose. Neither of us are hunters, but I'm handy with an axe and I've got some lightning and fire magic." He shrugs, certain he can pull his weight somehow.

---

Iskra brings a regular axe, his pet dog Goose, matches, a wooly cloth, and Ampere.

Ampere | A greataxe decorated with engravings depicting feathers and lightning bolts. Produces lightning where its blade strikes.
Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic | Cost: Action

Maybe then I could finally be free
Maybe death is like falling asleep