2017.10.21 Ba(wn)y Watch

Ba(wn)y Watch
The garou on patrol discover a deadly threat, in the form of a yellow flower.
IC Date	Oct 21, 2017
IC Time	Mid-day
Players	Jake Miller, Halle, Michael Farman, Halona, Brooke, Dragomir (As ST), Terminal Velocity
Location	Within the Inner Bawn
Spheres	Gaian Garou, kinfolk

Scene One: Ba(wn)y Watch This scene serves as a prologue to a few possible avenues. In this scene, the characters will discover that throughout the forest, highly dangerous yellow flowers are growing. Depending on what the characters decide to do, and how to react to this – could lead in multiple directions for future plot.

Disclaimer None of you have had me as an ST before, so let me introduce myself. My name is Jon, and I’m a pretty straight shooter when it comes to ST’ing. I value story over dice, fun over exhaustion, I like it introduce dynamic plot and let players run with it and be absolutely as creative as they like. Take it, run with it, have fun with it – if it’s too left field, I’ll reign you back in. I run combat clean and crisply, I like to keep things fast-paced and concise. I don’t want to get bogged down in rolls and mechanics, so if it seems pointless to roll – I will just hand-waive it. If you don’t like something I ruled on, or don’t agree with my stance – Awesome! Lets talk about it after the PrP. I’m generally laid back – I like metaposing some funny stuff now and then to keep it interesting, and if you’re dumb.. you may lose a leg. That’s just how it is. I ST on an honor system, if you say you have it – I believe you. If you have it, I expect you know how to use it. Otherwise, I’m all about the fun. If that’s cool for you guys too, let’s do this!

Setting

Saturday Morning, 11am. Today’s patrol rotation comprises of a group of names on the list (likely those participating) though as always there are plenty of opportunities to support the bawn patrol or the chance of just being in the wrong place, at the wrong time. (anyone else involved) The bawn comprises of two primary rings, the first is the most secure – commonly known as the Inner Bawn. These are the grounds immediately near the Caern and often the most defended. The Guardian pack and the Warder are generally responsible for this space. The Outer Bawn, stretches beyond the inner ring and normally encompasses far larger of an area and therefore is more difficult to keep secure. This is why the patrols are sent to the Outer Bawn to patrol and report on threats that might need dealt with. As the group is assembling just outside of the Caern and reporting for bawn duty – it seems a good time for determining the route, and how the efforts will be divided. Generally the highest ranking member of the patrol will take charge of the duties and make those determinations on how things will proceed. Also inform the patrol on anything to particularly be aware of or to look out for on their patrol.

Drama and Dialogue

It's patrol time and Jake gathers the group together at the Caern as usual. After welcoming everyone and letting people introduce themselves to anyone they might not know his expression turns serious. "Okay, this patrol is going to be a little different than usual. We'll be checking out the southern area of the bawn and staying out of the Umbra this time. That is, unless something totally unexpected comes up." He looks from face to face, tone low. "This isn't boot camp but at the same time everyone needs to stay focused. This is serious business. Odds are the only dangerous thing we might come across is a rabid squirrel and if we do...don't eat it." He winks. "Also, I will not be leading you today. I will be mainly observing. Questions are fine but I want to see how you all react to basic patrol. Any questions so far?"

Halona dropped Antonia off with some kinfolk at the caern proper and mentally fretted the whole way here, but kept her mother-henning in her head. As she approaches for patrol, she lets that all fade away in the face of duty. With Jake's words, she shakes her head and shifts down to her lupus form and she waits

Brooke stands and listens to the instructions, nodding in agreement. She follows Halona's lead, and shifts to lupus form as well, and waits for the next step.

Halle gives those she doesn't know a friendly smile and introduces herself as Halle Kim, kin to the Children of Gaia. She smiles to Halona in greeting but stays quiet as Jake goes over the patrol. The brunette doesn't have anything to say, just visually showing her agreement with a few quick nods.

Michael comes dressed in his field utility uniform, though without any of the badges or rank insignia. Has a semi auto rifle based of AR-17 slung over his shoulder, a pistol, plenty of water on hand, and a pair of binoculars all slung on his field belt. He listens to the instructions and nods. He looks around and says, "Hey all. For those I've not met - I'm Michael. An active Marine Aviator. This kind of troop work isn't my forte, but I'm trained in military E & E - that's escape and evade - so I have some knowhow. Most important, though, is I take orders well, and will do what needs doing. So point me in a direction and give me an objective. I'll see it through."

As the patrol is organizing, the previous patrol is coming back and checking in from their rounds. One of the Garou, Clyde Matten rited Base Jumper is stopped by the Guardian pack and checked against more thoroughly. "You have taint all over you!" it's declared, and the Cliath seems confused by that. "I didn't even encounter the Wyrm, how's that possible?" he protests the assertion defensively. A growl emits, and he demands, "You're full of shit!" seeming to grow hostile rather quickly at the accusation.

Hushed Blaze turns her head at the growls she hears. Her fur begins to raise as she can feel that hostility coming from the other Cliath.

Like the Wind turns as well, glancing to Jake since he's the elder here, but regardless, she splits away from the others just a bit, turning to face the commotion fully, stance widened ever so slightly.

Halle's attention is drawn to the commotion. The first thing she does is look for any kin in the area who might be put in harm's way if something were to happen. If there are she'll begin subtly shooing them out of the area. If not, the young woman moves over nearer to Michael, as if to be placed where she could intercept any harm coming his way should the need arise.

Jake glances from face to face, looking pleased at what he's seeing and hearing. "Right. Sounds good. And remember, you are now officially a team. You will watch each others backs. Defending the Caern and the outer bawn is our main focus but making sure your brothers and sisters are all safe is also important." His attention is then drawn to Clyde and the commotion, a brow raising. "Yes, how IS that possible?" He steps over to the man, eyeing him up and down, nostrils flaring. "Where have you been Base Jumper?"

Michael keeps some of his awareness towards the imld commotion going on nearby, but his focus is mostly on Jake. He's about to ask a question, but falls silent when Jake's attention shifts to Base Jumper.

Base Jumper slaps his hands on his chest and thrusts his shoulder at the Guardian pack member and points at him, "Say it again! I'll fucking wreck you man." The young Glass Walker isn't normally like this, certainly more irritable than he would normally seem to be. Halle easily ushers away the few kinfolk that were in the area, and others seem to be making space as well as Base Jumper seems more volatile, or as Jake approaches. The rest of the patrol group seem to be confused by the sudden transpiring's and defer to Jake as well when he approaches. Base Jumper looks towards Jake, and at first there's the knee-jerk reaction to submit, but something.. happens? He growls and says, "I did my job.. I walked around the camp site, and didn't fight shit. Now this asshole is accusing me of the Wyrm. Come here you coward fuck!" he snarls at the other.

<<Like the Wind botched on a Perception Test>> <<Hushed Blaze achieved one success on a Perception Test>> “You smell something strangely floral about Base Jumper, coming from his pocket.”

Like the Wind makes the horrible mistake of lifting her head to scent the air. She sneezes, shaking her head violently, then sneezes again, and then again, the third one almost knocking her off her feet as she stumbles backwards and paws at her face, then just dunks her snoot into whatever dirt might be there and snorts a nostril full of earth. She gives herself a violent shake one more time, then settles down a little bit.

Hushed Blaze sniffs and walks closer to Base Jumper. Her attention from the scent she picks up centers on Base Jumper's pocket. <<What's in your pocket, Base Jumper? Did you pick something up?>> She tries to tone down his anger with her question, asking in lupine.

Jake's brow continues to rise as he studies Base Jumper. He doesn't look angry or anything. Merely concerned. No, he's not usually like this. "Calm down, Base Jumper. And tell us about the camp site. Even if you didn't fight anything did you encounter anything or anyone? And do you have something in your pocket?" He positions himself so he's between the Cliath and everyone else, almost like a shield.

Halle gets the kin out of the area, then continues to watch warily, taking a quick glance about before refocusing her attention on the tainted Cliath. She waits, letting the elder take the lead in dealing with it, though ready to act if it turns violent.

Base Jumper looks over towards Hushed Blaze a bit annoyed and then looks down at his pocket and says, "Are you fucking kidding me? You guys are going to give me shit, because I picked some mother fucking flowers for my girl on the way back?" He throws up a hand and points towards one of the other garou on the Patrol and throws up his hand in annoyance as he starts to back himself into a corner like he's being surrounded. "That fucking asshole shit 40 yards from our fucking water source.. just dropped trow and deuced like this was a giant fucking outhouse and you guys are going to start accusing me of being in league with the Wyrm because I picked some fucking flowers?!" He growls, like his rage was racing and he was quickly losing the battle. He digs his hand into his pocket, and pulls out a handful of beautiful yellow flowers.

<<Hushed Blaze rolled Willpower and achieved two successes>> <<Jake rolled Willpower and achieves no successes>> “You find yourself wanting those flowers, there is something appealing, even alluring about them. The smell, the taste, they trip your instincts – your beast’s hunger>>

Michael continues to observe, but takes a moment to unsnap the holster button, and rest his hand on the butt of his pistol, but he does not draw.

Jake blinks, staring at the flowers now. His expression is rather curious and for a moment he's lost for words. He can't seem to take his eyes off them. "Where did you...get those?" Reflexively he slowly reaches out as if he wants to touch them.

Hushed Blaze's fur is standing on end, but she keeps her rage together. She differs to the elder in this situation, but stands at the ready on all 4's.

A few of the other garou in the area seem to take interest in the bright yellow flowers in Base Jumper's hand as well. In fact, they even begin to flank the Elder to close around Base Jumper as well. One even echoes, "Give it here." like wild dogs starting to circle a bone. Base Jumper withdraws back again, and snarls in warning. The flowers are brought backwards, to his chest. He snaps at Jake, "Get back! You can't have them. They're mine! I found them." he demands and snarls, the growl starting to sound quickly guttural and like he's about to shift any moment. He lifts the hand holding the flowers to his mouth, and starts eating them frantically.

"Jake," Michael says, a question on his voice. He takes a few steps back, hand easy on the stock of his holstered sidearm. "You still in command here?" As the aggression climbs, the pistol comes out of its holster, but kept pointed down at the ground.

<<Jake rolled rage, achieving 1 success>> - “It's annoying that the cliath ate what should have been yours.. but you're still in control.”

Hushed Blaze knows bad things could be happening soon and stays focused on the elders and the cliath.

Halle was about to reach out to pull Jake's arm away from the flowers when Base Jumper makes that issue moot by pulling back and beginning to eat the flowers. "Don't eat them!" Halle exclaims. She darts forward and tries to grapple Base Jumper and pin his arms so he cannot eat the flowers.

<<Hand-waive Halle’s grapple, with far superior physicals>> - Result is prevents him from eating all the flowers, but still gets some into his mouth.

Jake doesn't seem to hear Michael's question, his gaze still locked on the flowers and annoyance starts to fill his features. He still doesn't look overly pissed or anything. Just focused...on those flowers. "No! Don't eat those!" He concentrates on the Cliath and reaches out to touch him.

<<Jake activates Merciful Blow – achieving 8 successes to paralyze Base Jumper>>

Halle moves with superhuman speed, closing the short distance to Base Jumper. She seems to overpower him pretty easily, getting his arms pinned in a full nelson and keeping them away from his mouth. "Please, no one touch the flowers," she says, wary of the other Garou who were showing interest in them.

Hushed Blaze watches with focused interest - but does not know what is going on with those flowers - something is certainly not right.

Once Halle has Base Jumper pinned Jake strikes the man lightly sending him to the ground with a rather nasty *THUNK*. Base Jumper doesn't seem to be injured in the slightest although it's clear he's paralyzed. The guy isn't moving at ALL. Nor will he be for a while. Doesn't seem that he's damaged though, thankfully. But then...those damn flowers. They're on the floor. Jake leans down to scoop them up...

Michael continues to watch, pistol out but pointed at the ground. He keeps a good distance from the Garou, not wanting to add to the growing rage.

<<Jake rolls 5 successes on a Willpower test>> - “You manage to shake off the effects of the flowers. For a moment there you wanted to eat them.. you wanted to find all the others that might be out there, and devour them. Your senses returned to you, it’s obvious these are bait now.”

Hushed Blaze moves over to keep a better eye on things, and stands more equal distant from Halle and Jake and the Cliath.

Halle's eyes show alarm as she watches Jake move to pick up the flowers, but she waits to see what happens. She sets the paralyzed Garou down gently on the ground. If anyone looks really closely despite the other action going on, they may notice her fingernails extend and turn into talons, though she is handling Base Jumper gently enough.

Jake ALMOST touches the flowers then he blinks...and blinks again, then shakes his head as if clearing it. "Fuck!" He pulls his hand back -fast-, then stands. "Those goddamn flowers are...I don't know what the fuck they are but they're dangerous. Don't anyone get near them!" Now THAT was an order. Jake rarely shouts out an order like that. He looks at Halle. "Are they affecting you at all? Can you destroy them? We have to get them out of here and figure out what the hell is going on."

If it seems like Jake is back and in control (and the other Garou are following his leadership), then Michael will holster his sidearm and take a few steps closer. If no one else offers, he says, "I don't think they are affecting me. He looks towards Halle to see if she is, likewise, unaffected.

Hushed Blaze asks in lupine, <<Maybe Michael could remove them? He is Kin, maybe it would not affect him the same way?>>

Such.. pretty yellow flowers..

Base Jumper is easy to maneuver, peaceful looking almost for a Garou. Quieter than he was a moment ago, and so much more compliant. The other garou seem interested, but back away a bit when Jake snarls his order.

Then there is a twitch.. a jerk of Base Jumper's body. A gasp even in his paralyzed form, as white foam starts to ooze from the corner of his mouth and his eyes widen and stare back up at Halle in frozen horror.

<<Halle uses Command the Earth to encase the flowers in rock>>

"I don't feel any different from them," Halle says in reply. Her next words are spoken down towards the flowers. "Gaia, seal this taint away for us in rock," she says. The very ground seems to shift, the dirt giving way to a slab of bedrock which flows over the flowers, sealing them inside. The result just looking like flat stone about a foot long by a half a foot wide. Halle is still wary of the other Garou, not sure if having sight and smell separated from the flowers will be enough. She picks up the stone and tosses it to Michael and then moves to be between he and the other Garou. "Let's cover him while we get this out of here," she suggests.

<<Jake rolls 8 successes on Perception + Medicine>> - “It appears the Base Jumper is poisoned, his temperature is spiking, and his body is starting to convulse. The white residue that spills from the corner of his mouth is suggesting a blockage in his ability to breath as respiratory failure is kicking in, inside his body. Whatever is happening, it’s rapid and viscious.”

Michael catches the tossed stone and backs a good distance away from the other Garou. Can we cleanse them some how? Will fire work? And perhaps we find where he got these and cleanse the area?"

Jake glances quickly between Hushed Blaze and Michael, nodding. "Please remove them, Michael. But if--" but then Halle is sealing them away in bedrock which seems to do the trick for now. His attention is drawn back to Base Jumper and this time he does snarl in anger. "NO, hang on, Base Jumper! Hang on!" He drops to his knees to examine the man and his jaw tightens. "Halle, he's poisoned." Jake's calm again. Almost too calm. Sounds like a doctor dictating. He's being precise and methodical. "We don't have much time. He's going to stop breathing." Jake checks his eyes. "Pupils are dilating. Pulse is rising. He didn't even ingest much. Neurotoxic for sure. Like coniine but I suspect it's much worse. Anabasine, lobeline, and related pyridine and piperidine alkaloids cause similar toxicity but I doubt it's any of those. Can you get a handle on this? Get his breathing back?" He extracts his fang dagger. "I really don't want to give him a cricothyroidotomy if I don't have to."

<<Halle rolls 5 successes on Intelligence + Medicine>> - This isn't normal.. this is almost like a combination of natural poisons.. overlapping symptoms. More like this was engineered. What's worse... is you've probably only scratched the surface of what it does. Much less how it reproduces, or what environment it grows in. At the rate of infliction, he won't last more than a few minutes. It's spores are filling his lungs. You could start trying to treat the symptoms.. but without something like Bear's healing.. NOW.. this Garou is going to die.. a very horrible and painful death, while paralyzed.

Halle crouches next to to Base Jumper and gives him a quick examination like Jake did. "Yes, like a lot of different poisons. There's spores filling his lungs. He may only have minutes left." Halle stands and looks around. "Jake, why don't you and Blaze take him to Bear, fast as you can, and see if the Sept totem can help? Michael and I can get the flowers away to be safe, burn them, and then hopefully after Base Jumper is better, the ashes can be cleansed." Halle adds, "If a chiminage is needed, I'm willing to help with it."

<<Jake uses a Clear Water talen to attempt to save Base Jumper’s life, rolling 7 successes to activate>>

It take a moment, which doubtlessly feels like an eternity waiting to see if one of your own will die. Young, very young. Base Jumper was a cub merely a few months ago and has only just arrived. It was difficult for him to accept not bringing technology into the Caern, but he accepted the terms of what it meant to be a part of the group. He was ready to serve Gaia. The young man's breathing stops. A twitch, and involuntary kick of his legs a few times as he suffocates from the spores in his lungs. Eyes wide, as Jake starts to pour the water down his throat and you can see it starting to spill over the sides of his mouth, as though the passage was already blocked.

Michael watches on, unable to help other than to cary the stone, and soon (perhaps) take it away to be destroyed. But for now, he stands and observes, a deep frown carved into his vidage.

Hushed Blaze watches, as she hangs her head low. Worried for her fellow cliath.

While Jake is trying the talen, Halle goes and grabs a bottle of high proof alcohol from the cabin of a Fianna, then stops near one of the firepits and grabs a firestarter. She turns to Michael's side where he's got the rock-encased flowers, and looks to see how it went with the stricken Garou.

Like the Wind has just been... blown away.. Still fighting with an itchy nose and then the commotion and then death! She takes a deep breath and moves forward hesitantly, then pauses, still not quite sure just what has happened REALLY. Wolves don't deal with things like this very well.

Jake's working like a professional EMT or doctor at this point and keeping his emotions in check but he swallows hard and when he speaks his voice starts to fill with emotion. "Please, Base Jumper. TRY to breathe! Try! You can do it." But then the Clear Water doesn't seem to be going down the blocked throat and the Ahroun's teeth grit together fiercely. "Blaze, help me take him to bear if I can't...get this goddamn water into him." He raises his Fang Dagger and lowers it to the indentation between the Cliath's Adam's apple and the Cricoid cartilage. "Here we go." He then, with the skill or a surgeon, makes a half-inch horizontal incision about one half inch deep creating a slit. Jake then puts the rest of the Clear water into his own mouth, leans down and blows it with as much force as he can directly into the incision and down the Cliath's throat!

Hushed Blaze nods to Jake, and watches. She has never seen such heroics before and is grateful Jake knows what to do here.

Michael quietly watches on. He is standing by in case there is something needed that he can help with. Other than that, he just keeps a good distance back, keeping the stone away from the rest of the Garou.

The other garou from the patrol and members of the Guardian pack watch in horror, to see one of their own be taken down by.. a flower?! The kind of thing that shakes their resolve. As Jake works, and the dagger is pushed into the throat of the young man it seems hopeless. Like all is lost, and a warrior of Gaia has died this day. Then suddenly there is a gasp from his mouth, his eyes widening and his body jerks in shock as he gets the first decent breath he's been able to take in minutes. As the clear water is poured down his throat, the white foam starts to face, and the taint begins to ebb. Until finally there is left a trembling Cliath, who just came far too close to meeting his ancestors in person.

Halle lets out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, as she sees that the Cliath is ok. The young woman doesn't lose track of the other things that need doing though. "Hushed Blaze, can you grab the things needed for a Rite of Cleansing?" she asks. Halle glances down to the rock Michael holds. "Both for the ashes, and we're going to need to deal with the place they were picked."

Hushed Blaze nods her head and races to find what is needed, and returns, dropping it off to Halle. She keeps her distance - so she can stay out of the way for this.

Like the Wind lets out a soft little yelp of surprise when Base Jumper breathes and she moves closer, closer, but not TOO close. She has't lost her cool, has been ready to do whatever, but those more capable have done what needs to be doing, so she just remains alert and .. ready

When it looks like the Cliath is done for, Jake nearly chokes with emotion. Killed by a flower? A fucking flower? That's NOT a hero's death and totally senseless. It almost looks like he's going to start screaming at the dead Cliath, ordering him to get the hell up and live when...the gasp does come and Jake breaths a HUGE sign of relief. "Thank you, great spirit. Thank you." He puts a reassuring hand on the Cliath's shoulder. "Shhhhh, it's okay, brother. Just...keep breathing. It's okay." He looks over at Halle and nods. "Cleanse us both please. I'm probably tainted now too. And yes, we have to find that camp site. Every flower should be destroyed. Hopefully we can find them all."

Halle gives Jake a quick shake of her head. "You'll need a Garou to do the Rite. For all that Gaia and Helios have made me part of the nation, I'm not able to do rites like a Garou." She looks over to Hushed Blaze and Like the Wind. "Are either of you able to do a Rite of Cleansing?" she asks. Halle goes over and pats Jake's shoulder. "That was well done, saving him," she tells him. She crouches by the Cliath and smiles at him. "We almost thought we lost you. Glad you made it," she tells him.

Michael keeps the stone for now, so that none o the Garou have to deal with it. Otherwise, he stands ready to help as needed, but keeps out of the way so as not to interfere.

Like the Wind shakes her head, but she yips quietly. "I will find a Theurge." If there are no objections and Brooke doesn't know how, she dashes off back toward the caern, calling out, <<Theurge! Theurge!>>

Jake nods slowly to Halle then looks over at Michael. "As soon as we're cleansed we will leave." He then watches Like The Wind head off to find a suitable Theurge and finally asks the others who were with Base Jumper exactly where this camp site is located.

Halle nods in agreement. She stands back up from where she crouched by the Cliath, and moves back over to Michael. "Looks like keeping it closed away is doing the job," she says, glancing down at the stone encasing the flowers. "Sometimes it's a benefit to not be Garou, right?" she says to him with a soft grin. She turns back, watching as the rite is done to cleanse the affected Garou.

<<Fade Scene One>>