@Jangel13 I'm thinking of the fact that heading toward the Shaman path would require a way to study magic. This would be a way to start that while interweaving it with other natural studies.
There was no response from the Iron Jackson and the Long-Dive continued its climb as the newest uninvited party guests exchanged words with Lungfirst’s boss. They apparently decided that it was a good day for them to die. He continued his climb as he already had quite a bit of altitude on the rest of the planes by the time the bounty hunters broke formation. They were also right in the center of his optimal targeting zone for his rear AA missile launcher. Even better, if any of them tried to line up a rocket with him they’d have to get on his six and that would put them squarely in the sights of his rear rocket launcher as well.
Upgraded engines or not, it’s always been a pain to dodge during a rapid climb. Though, they did have one advantage over the Long-Dive. They could dogfight. He could not. He made a mental note to not sacrifice his altitude advantage next time, even if he was ordered to. But, for the present moment, he called Pandora over the data link with a simple text message.
“Tag any special targets – Long-Dive.”
If the enemy planes had a scanner or any other dedicated equipment on one plane or another then he would target those as priority marks for missile strikes. Until they picked their targets and became predictable he would hold off on targeting them. Missile lock alarms can get almost anyone’s attention and he needed more altitude before he actively attracted attention. In the meantime, he held his climb, watched, waited, and kept track of the Iron Jackson’s flight path. He knew that it would look like he was running away. That was part of his plan. Hopefully it would work. If they headed for the Iron Jackson's six o'clock then he could easily adjust his angle of ascent to free up some Air-Ground missiles. They might not be well suited for hitting air targets but they would be about as fast as rockets and explode with twice the area of effect if the hunters failed to react in time.
I have posted! And, by the way, if anyone is wandering about somewhere and feels the need for some company then feel free to stumble Skrik's way. As yet, he only has a crude anesthetic but he has a future in medicine and magic.
By the by, @Jangel13, I'm going to try and lead into some simple magic with polished crystals as focuses. I'm thinking of basic illusion and fire magic as a start, spells like Dazzling Lights to blind the target and Flame Dart. This discovery would lead into additional reverence for the Web of Life, Earth, and Water. He will likely start praying soon as well, whether anyone hears him would be up to you of course.
Skrik had found it easy to find the stream after getting close enough to hear it. The usefulness of water made the sound encouraging but something about it was worrying as well. In fact, he was a little disappointed when he got in view. This was a babbling brook, shallow and moderately swift with a horned rabbit drinking from the bank. It should have been an ideal situation for a hunt with the prey distracted, the wind from the direction of the stream and the sound of flowing water to cover his approach. But, the pebbled bank extended more than ten strides from the water’s edge and was completely devoid of cover. The stones were smooth and dry, prone to rattling when disturbed, and yet some of them were quite shiny. He would take a closer look at the stones when he was done with the business at hand. For now, they would make stealth almost impossible.
In his first hunt, stealth had been his friend. Indeed, he felt that it had a place in this hunt as well. However, it had to play a lesser part this time. The horned rabbit’s head was down. It could see along the bank to either side of it but not directly behind or above itself. The open ground between the pebbled bank and the tree line had one small blessing over the forest floor. It lacked the carpet of leaves and twigs that had challenged his fledgling stealth skills before. It was a blanket of smooth grass that had been grazed smooth by beasts. He would have no problem approaching the bank quietly. However he would have to cross that last leg of the journey without disturbing his prey until he reached it.
There was only one way that he could think of. He would have to jump.
He began to slowly move over the grass, avoiding any noise that could be heard over the wind and stream. The horned rabbit wasn’t being very watchful. It seemed to be very thirsty and Skrik would count on that need slowing its reaction time. It would be a little reluctant to turn from its drink. After he closed to within a suitable distance and had a good feel for the grass underfoot he smoothly and quietly accelerated to a dash, reading the horned rabbit’s posture for clues as to how it would move when it detected him, and then he leaped. He led with his open hand, seeking to pin the rabbit against the ground by its neck or slash its legs if he missed, and kept his knife ready to strike a finishing blow with his other hand.
He knew that this kind of pounce had some risk involved. If he missed he could find himself splashing face first into the stream or the rocks. The worst case scenario could leave him with a broken neck or bleeding from an attack by the rabbit.
Starting Skill: Butcher’s Insight [Heightened ability to find vital points, predict movement based on physiology, and get the most out of a carcass.] Acquired Skills: Slash (claws),
Red Gypsy