[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/UbZyQHq.png[/img][/center] [hr] [hider= Prelude] Irelia was sitting on a rotten log: a makeshift stool for quick lunch. The fire was low, barely stoked as to not give a bigger smoke trail. She was deep into the forest, a small clearing made to house her simple camp. This was just a small break, and off deeper she would go: unideal for a hunter of her 'condition' Lia was at the mercy of the forest-- nature, creatures, monsters, bandits. At any moment, a bear could easily wander and ruin her flow. She also had to be careful not to eat unripe/ poisonous matter. All of these, she had to consider as she ate wild berries: silent food, meant to be eaten by the piece. Lia had tested this bunch extensively, first rubbing it on her skin, and then to her lips. If any irritation occurs, that was a tainted bunch. Carefully, she chewed. Slowly. Her hearing would be important to track her mark. Every twitch, every breath of the forest alerted her to stop and check her surroundings-- but she wasn't looking for those whispers. Lia came here for the beast. She had to listen for the big game. Lia was just heating up a tin of water to boil some saffron: a hunger suppressant. That is, until she sensed it coming. Her adrenaline spiked; instinct kicked it as she scrambled. She drank the warm water, keeping the spice in her pouch to steep for later. 'thump.' 'thump.' 'Thump.' [color=a0410d]"..!"[/color] The rustle of twigs, snapping of branches and subtle tremors on the ground could only mean one thing: her target was close. Every step it took closed the gap. Closer and closer, hunter and monster. Lia slung her pack, and then her bow to prepare for the hunt. Her quiver was at the ready: outfitted with the necessary arrowheads to take down the gargantuan. Lia quickly snuffed the fire with her foot, burying the obvious sign of her presence. She positioned herself by a tree, running her finger by the notches she had made: a noticeable "I·XXX·I" had been carved on its side. It meant [b][i]a trap was nearby·for giant creatures·meant to immobilize.[/i][/b] [hider= Irelia's Trap Guide] Here's a quick guide to understand Irelia's tree markings. Will definitely add more acronyms as the RP goes on. Her markings consist of three parts: Distance·Trap Size·Trap Type Distance: Follows Roman Numerals to gauge proximity. Each number is 10 seconds of straight walking in the direction she is facing. Trap Size: Each X is an increment for size. [hider=Size Chart] X: small creatures eg. rabbits, foxes, gnomes XX: medium creatures eg. humans, tigers XXX: large creatures eg. trolls, ogres, bears XV: very-large creatures eg. giant, dragons [/hider] Trap Type: Indicates the nature of the trap. [hider=Trap Chart] I: Immobilize P: Poison K: Kill M: Mark [/hider] Each acronym is separated by a large circumpunct. [/hider] The ogre lumbered, not even concealing its location.. The creature didn't survive because of stealth anyway. What it lacked in speed, it made up with raw bulk and power. She had targeted Ogres before, far bigger than this mountain pass scourge. However, this was her first blind hunt. How she would handle this would either make a new reputation as a respectable hunter, or have her stay the disgraced daughter of one of the best hunters in the land. A tall shadow to overcome when all she sees is darkness. Silica crouched by the foliage, bow in hand. She nocks a broadhead and holds her breath. Her stance was low as she could make it, to reduce noise and visibility-- not that ogres were known for their perception. In honesty, Lia had more with her four senses, than the ogre did with its five. 'thump' 'thump' 'thum---' She was completely quiet as she snuck over to get a better sense. The leaves crunched against her weight. Every crisp was a threat to give away her location. Lia froze, only moving when 'it' did. She matched every step the beast took, never far behind. The creature groaned and grunted, oblivious to the creeping hunter. His stench gave wisps of dirt and gore, perfect for tracking. 'thump.' 'thump.' [color=a0410d](Come on.. Come on..)[/color] Suspense. Lia hoped her trap was good enough: a pitfall trap to pin it in place. Sharpened bone was dug in place at the bottom: boar tusks and ribs to impale. If not, the hole was deep, some few feet to keep the beast confined up to the chest, enough leeway to land an arrow. There was a giant goat carcass on top of the thatched opening: only a heavy creature could break the entwined branches. [color=a0410d](Just a few more...)[/color] She readied her bow into a draw. Any second now, the trap should spring. 'thump.' 'thump.' 'thu------CRRRRRRRRRRRASH!!' The creature rasped in pain. At this point she didn't doubt the bones' effect; this would be something to note for future hunts. The ground tremors grew in magnitude as the ogre thrashed about! It threw what it could, stomping about and lacerating itself in the spikes! Quickly, she shoots! She could hear another groan! It tosses what it could: dirt, pebbles and other matter! This only helped Lia pinpoint where the creature was. Her senses zeroing in with every action of the brute! She nocks another arrow and pulls, waiting for the beast's movement. A rock soared, scathing Lia! She releases pre-maturely, missing, evident by the sound of impaled dirt. This tirade continues another time until she could guess where the head would be. Her arrows could only harm it, only a shot to the head could kill. Each maligned arrow was just a papercut, something to wait out until healed. Swiftly, she unloads her quiver at the location, some would hit, but most just landed on the dirt. By the twelfth arrow, she had gained some sizeable injuries. Lia kept going, exhaustion getting the best of her. To whittle down a week's worth of quivers would definitely take its toll. She imagined how easy it would have been if she could just see the eyes-- if only. On the 20th arrow, the creature finally relented. It screamed as loud as it could, louder than ever! The unmistakeable sound of bone being pierced heralded her success! [color=a0410d]"Please.. please.... please....."[/color] Lia was ready to collapse, yet she kept on. She leaned onto a nearby tree to anchor herself. If she falls down, then she would be prey to the wolves that prowl. No, she wouldn't let that happen! She waited until the groaning stopped, a hoarse, labored breathing replaced. That was her cue to end it: end the hunt and finally return to Rothenburg. How she dreamed of being welcomed as an honored hunter, and this will definitely be her ticket. Lia pushed herself off the tree and shambled towards the dying beast. Some last sets of grunting as a sign of its leaving life. Her glassy eyes tried to make contact; she at least tried to 'look' at it in the eyes as she pulled her dagger. The creature had surrendered. It lay there, literally two feet in its grave. She didn't recite a litany nor given it any more honor than to end its suffering soon. Her hand clumsily grabbed it by the top of the head for a firm hold. Lia pushed her dagger deep into the beast and made it fast. 'SSSSK SSSSSSSSSSK SK SK SK SK SK' There was only one undeniable way to prove she had hunted an ogre. [/hider] [hr] [Location: Rothenburg] Lia had to make camp after her hunt. She was severely hurt and tired; she couldn't leave her wounds to fester. Three days later, she ambled towards the city gates. Without the signs of nature, Lia was left to use a walking stick to navigate the kingdom-ward roads. Each bump against the stone path disconnected her more and more, until the chirp were replaced with rabble, and the trees were now stands of merchants. It was a cacophony that left her unable to sense anything around her. She would hit a person or two along the way-- yet nobody dared to shout nor reprimand the blind hunter, not out of pity but respect. Her cranial trophy was hoisted and slung snugly on her back. It's blood had already dried on her leather tunic, along with the battered armor from the ensuing struggle. It had been marked down to the bone, clearly with her name: "Irelia" This was her way of fending off would-be fame seekers, believably more capable of her achievement. She navigated around the city, reaching where she last remembered the guard's barracks would be. [color=a0410d]"I've come here for my reward."[/color] She boldly announced, as if the thing she's carrying didn't alert the entire city of the blind girl with a giant head strapped to her back. Lia had something to show the captain, even a king's guard if she would be allowed to. Clutched in her hands would be a tattered, barely recognizeable hunting notice from two weeks ago.