2018.09.07: Bawn Patrol - Family Rescue!

Bawn Patrol - Family Rescue!
Group Patrol finds family being held hostage by BSDs
IC Date	Friday, September 7th
IC Time	6:00 pm PDT.
Players	Aleksandr, Johanna, KholST, Lleutrim, Skully
Location	Just outside the Bawn, near campground
Spheres	Garou Gaian

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The group of you have been packed for this patrol, and it's a bit of a longer patrol than most, extending well beyond the bawn into the areas of the forest frequented by campers and hikers, up into the forested mountains and then back around. A long nights run even for wolves to cover that whole area. But it's also an perfect day to stretch your legs. The Sun is just setting on a perfect California day, not a cloud in the sky, and only that slight crispness to the air that seems to carry scents even further than usual on the very slight breeze, as well as promising a night just cool enough to make the run enjoyable. Its almost 3 hours into your patrol, checking closely through areas that seldom see other than wild animals.. and there are several times that you scare up game that makes your ears and nose twitch with the desire to pursue them. But then a scene seems to overshadow the natural scents.. Even as your starting to climb into the mountains lower reaches, its smoke, burning, not out of control, but something seems off about it, it's not just wood smoke.. there is something cloying and sweet about it.

Weathers-the-Storm patrols in his customary position on the left flank, keeping that one eye out for trouble while his nose and ears compensate for his deformity. The Big Bad Wolf lopes along, keeping pace with the smaller wolves and keeping his own council unless the environment says otherwise. Which it does now; that scent of smoke is unmistakable, but so /wrong/. << What is that? >> he whuffs, lifting his head to try to sense a direction for the source.

Starchaser has been taking point on this patrol as she has rank, and stops to sniff. She chuffs >>What is that? It is not right for here. We need to investigate this - but very carefully. << She waits for the others observations and to see what they can figure out before they proceed further.

Lleupine is in pretty fair condition and been roaming around as a wolf a huge amount the past month since his change. Building up calluses on the pads of his feet and all that running and wood cutting improving his muscle. The Galliard cub once more is the lowest ranked, and therefore Lleu is hanging back somewhat from the rest. He's been silent, offering little or nothing by way of comment. It's good to get out and roam as a wolf and even better to head up into the mountains. Silvery eyes are watchful, plenty of brief pauses to pick up scents or to listen. Especially when they begin to scent smoke - strange, sweet, cloying smoke. No, that's probably not pot.

Lights-The-Darkness is oddly very familiar with the forest already, like he spends what little time he has scouting it out. Mapping and remembering each part. So a longer patrol into the forest doesn’t bother him, he even knows almost all the spots campers and hikers stop. He’s not wearing the harness Dragomir has given him for this, it’s a bad idea on a patrol. One needs to be ready. He’s on high alert, often in the middle of the pack, or taking up the rear. Eyes scanning the environment constantly, ears perked, and nose sniffing everywhere. Not wishing to be caught off caught off guard. That’s when the smoke catches his nose, and he sniffs at it, trying to figure out what it is, what is mixed in with it to make those scents. <<Fire. Not right. But fire.>>

Starchaser realizes what it is she is smelling. >>Yes, that is cannabis. And I think alcohol. Someone is hiding something.<< Why else would they way out here be burning pot instead of harvesting and the taking to process and sell?

Lleupine has smelled cannabis burning many times as a Police Officer, yet the Galliard offers no comment. He stands quietly, a little apart, and waits until the others sort out what they want to do.

As you take a moment to exchange what you are smelling, anyone with sense Wyrm will have their hackles go rising , there is something not right.. perhaps the smoke. something more perhaps.. it doesn't seem to be focused yet.. but you can see a hint of the smokes source now, as the flames rise higher, there appears to be a bonfire lighting up the hill a short ways, the smoke a little greasy as it starts to coat the plants and even slower animals in the area from its pall.

>> Cannabis? << Weathers-the-Storm growls softly to Lleutrim in confusion, unfamiliar with the word. Whatever it means, he doesn't really care for it. But it still seems wrong to the big wolf, so he closes his eye for a moment to try a different sort of understanding. After a few moments, he growls a low, familiar word -- >> Wyrmsign << and starts pawing the ground again, kicking up stones and gnarled roots.

The Fianna blooded large grey wolf turns his silver-grey eyes upon Weathers-the-Storm, >> Weed. Smoke it, get high. << Which in lupus speak may require the Galliard to add body language for acting doped, loopy, with a stupid grin on his face. Yeah, you get the idea. Lleupine stops and lifts his nose to indicate upslope, >> Orders? Coming from up there. <<

Starchaser looks to each of them. She has rank here, and must lead the plan. >>We need to get eyes and be careful. No rage losing just yet. This could be bad, but we can handle it. Once we see who is doing what, we can deal with it. I want Weathers-the-Storm and Lights-the Darkness to go to the left, Lleu-Cub and I will go to the right. We circle around quietly, and figure out what we are dealing with. Stealth is the key for now. Then we devise our plan.<<

>> Oh. Uncle Jim grew that. Didn't burn his crop. << Weathers-the-Storm seems dissatisfied at the answer, however, sniffing the air once again. >> Didn't stink of Wyrm, either. Starchaser-rhya, we will follow you. Need sign for plan if separated. <<

The big wolf pads up to Lights-the-Darkness' left, at his hip. >> Take point, I trail, << he offers, ducking his head. >> Not as quiet. Too big. << The Metis knows his limitations.

As you all move in a pincer to approach from two directions you all get a look into what is clearly a camp. There is a family tent with what was once a simple family camp out. The fire though has been built up, ragged and long limbs are thrown over the much smaller fire, and one man has a 5 gallon drum of some liquid that he is spraying on the fire in short bursts, each one causing an explosion of blue-white flames.. and there are heavy looking packets of Pot that are being tossed onto the fire, but two men, while a third one stands over what you can only assume is the family. that was camping there.. the older man is unconscious a gash on his head, the wife daughter and son are huddled around him, clearly whatever knocked him out just happened, as he is still bleeding badly. The largest of the three men standing over them. He calls out "that fire ready?" his voice is rough and angry. "Get the special stuff and get it on there.. we gotta get this done before anyone spots the fire."

Lights-The-Darkness is quiet, not responding to anything. Though he was not expecting it to be the Wyrm. It’s just smoke, why would he think to even look. Still, for some reason he’s not all growly at it. Lots of things stink of the Wyrm. Maybe, as a Crescent Moon he has a different understanding of the Wyrm. He nods to Starchaser, and moves where he is told to, senses ever alert. Doing his best to remain quiet. Scouting is always important. And Wyrm or not, human presence is always a danger.

Moving quietly into position next to Starchaser, Lleupine gets down on his belly to look through the foliage at the fire and those moving around in the camp, as well as what they are doing. The Galliard picks out the family that appear to be, >> Prisoners? << That is offered very, very softly, >> Cannot breach the Veil with them. << That suddenly makes things much trickier, doesn't it? The Cub watches and waits to see what she will decide.

Starchaser considers for awhile. >>Correct. First priority is the veil, and that means protecting the humans. We remain in lupus or Hispo. Although my thought first is for one of us to shift back to Homid, and while someone creates a distraction, the Homid gets the family out of there so the rest of us can stop the men. Anyone have a better thought?<< She is open to their suggestions.

>> Me, << offers Skully, ducking his head. >> Not as vulnerable. Can handle being hurt better. Big distraction, too. << He looks to the other two wolves, marking them each with his yellow eye, and says, >> No better plan here. Willing to be the bait. <<

Lleupine stays hunkered down and almost volunteered but Weathers offers first, and is the wiser choice perhaps. The grey wolf adds nothing and waits, watchful.

As you are arranging yourselves. the one that is putting the pot on the fire, puts the last packet on, then goes to a bucket that's sealed with tar, and grabs it "They said we need to run after I throw this on?" he asks "What's it gonna do? I mean it's not good right?"

Circle complete, Lights-the-Darkness meets back up at the site they designated and listens. He shakes his head though, when Weathers speaks. <<No. I am best. Weathers the Storm stand out. No offense meant. Warriors ready for war. Let me.>> Basic speak of the wolf, hoping his point is made. <<Have thought through. Will be fine. If trouble. Trust to save.>>

Weathers-the-Storm considers the Silver Fang's rejoinder, lowering his head as he thinks. >> Understood. Also good point. Starchaser decides. << He looks up to the Fostern, letting her lead now that options are presented.

Nope. Offering no comments, no opinions. Lleupine is keeping his mouth shut. He watches those around the camp working, the bone fire blazing. An ear swivels around this way or that, otherwise he's lying still until the others make up their minds. That guy though looks like he's about to throw something else onto that fire.

Starchaser considers and says, >>Ok. Lights-the-Darkness - protect the humans. Get them away so veil is protected. They saw enough. Weathers-the-Storm, Lleu-Cub, and I will each take one. Beware that bucket. Keep it from the fire. Do not move until I say so. I will send butterflies to distract captors.<<

>>Must draw man away. From Family. Maybe wolf go. Howl close. Scare. Get family clear, first.<< The silver wolf bows his head to Starchaser though at her accepting of his plan. >>Will need to carry man. Slow. Need good distraction. Know forest well. Get them away. Then come back.<<

The apparent leader, who is near the captives, looks over at the bucket carrier "All you need ta know is that We need to run.. and tomorrow morning, there is going to be a whole new natural disaster that they are gonna call a wildfire.. With a little luck its gonna wipe the whole valley out." he grins "you done with that Alcohol?" he asks the last one. "We can leave once this is on there." he looks to the family "Yall got a choice.. you can take your kids and run.. you might get far enough away.. probably not.. but maybey.. but if you take your man.. there's no chance." he seems overjoyed by this challenge he has given them.

>> Good plan, Lights-the-Darkness. Should be Lleutrim. Very quiet. Can sneak best. << Weathers-the-Storm agrees, his tail flicking to brush the Silver Fang in acknowledgement. >> Who is fastest? Fastest stops man at fire, I think. Fastest most likely to succeed. << The words of the men at the fire do not escape him, and he snarls silently at the cruelty on display.

Starchaser is even more resolved about this now. >>Lights-the-Darkness, get to it. Lleu-cub, sneak up and make the howl to get their attention. I will stop the man at the fire with the bucket. Then rest take the others. We got to do this now.<<

The silver wolf changes easily back into his breed form, remaining in a crouch now that the wolf is gone, out of sight. “Go then, I’ve got them. Don’t worry about me. The comments about Lleutrim seem to be almost obviously ignored as if he doesn’t even recognize the cubs presence here. With that he starts moving quietly to cloak himself behind the tent, out of sight, but close to make his run for the family. “May Luna guide you.”

The plan now decided, Weathers-the-Storm goes silent with a tail-whip for Alek and follows Starchaser wordlessly. Talking is done. His eye is on the thug at the fire (Baddie 3), and he is prepared to do Gaia's will this night and shed the blood of the guilty.

Starchaser noses Lleu-Cub, >>Take cover in the bushes, make your howl to get their attention. Stay low. Then I will howl when we are clear to attack.<< She pads over silently to Weathers and readies to attack when the time is right, her target then man with the bucket.

The oversized Fianna wolf gets up, nods his head once to Starchaser, then Lleu moves off quietly to look for the concealment she indicated. He moves as quietly towards and into the bushes over there as he may, taking a non-direct route as necessary to get into position. There the Galliard waits only a few seconds because the man is about to toss whatever he's holding into the fire. Lleu tips his head back and makes the loudest, most snarling and vicious sound he can, rising up into a savage howl! Nothing soft and mournful about it.

As Lleu makes his snarl, the three men all snap their attention his direction "I thought you said they wouldn't know we were here!" the bucket bearer states, dropping the heavy bucket to the ground "We gotta run now.."

The leader though grins "We can gut them too.. " he states confidently "Just get ready." he grins "And get that damn bucket on the fire. " the one at the fire tosses the last bit of the alcohol onto the fire and starts to jog over as if to help the bucket bearer.

Starchaser calls forth a couple dozen paper butterflies, using her special gift taught to her, and directs them towards the three men, focusing on the man with the bucket, but buzzing around them all. She keeps her eyes though peeled for Aleksandr and the exit of the family.

The Three men were coming closer together, so the butterflies clearly have their attention, lots of cursing as they are trying to figure out what they are all about.

Aleksandr does strike, when the distraction is up, the butterflies, the wolf howling. When the man moves away from the family, he moves quickly. No words, he motions to the family to go a certain direction, holding a finger to his lips and offering them the warmest smile he is able. Reassuring. It takes effort on his part. He knows the woods well, the best path out of the campsite. And more importantly the safest way and fastest in case that fire blows. He helps the father up, taking care of that himself. They need to move quickly and he’s going to do his best to get them there.

The family moves with a surprising amount of speed and listens , within a few seconds they are behind the tent out of sight.. (Now +init

The leader, even as he is torn into is a twisted and deformed Crinos, black ichor drips from his claws as one slashes out at Lleupine, burning like acid as his claw tears a line across lleupine's chest leaving a burned back line where the acid eats at his skin.

Starchaser is not having any of this, when she sees them start to shift. These guys are obviously much worse than anything they have much dealt with before, and shifts right into Crinos as she leaps out towards the guy with the bucket. Her claws sharp and ready, she pounces on the man as her monstrous paws rip into him, taking him to the ground.

The second Brute is down, but the third, he starts his own shift, in a bit of a panic.. Clearly not experienced. but he wants the strength to grab the barrel.. he is going to try to heave it into the fire..

And scrawny though he may be, in Crinos he is strong enough to lift the bucket hefting it over his head, ready to through.. if he gets a chance..

Weathers-the-Storm is on Starchaser's tail until the last moment, breaking hard at the fire-tender and rising off his front paws to flow into his War Form. He snarls, foregoing the battle cry, and rakes claws that catch his clothes but leave him unscathed.

The Galliard kicks it up, using his rage to fuel his shift into Crinos! Huge, snarling, nasty beast to beast! Lleu lays into the leader and bites him most viciously - going for the throat, claws flying at each other. Savage teeth tear into the Dancer's thickly furred throat and there is suddenly a gush of blood soaking Lieu's face! Lots of blood as the two Garou go at it! The -Cub- isn't being timid, he's full on Devil Dogging that Wyrmfoe and tears out the leader's throat! Journey was WRONG! Lleutrim /can/ kill a fucking Black Spiral Dancer /by himself/ - YUS!

Starchaser snarls at the pounced guy, bleeding out beneath her. She opens up her jaws and rips his throat out, ending his pathetic life, and spits it out. He ain't going to be doing anymore damage to anyone again.

Missing his first attack /infuriates/ Weathers-the-Storm, who roar-growls at the Black Spiral Dancer standing at half his height. He swings those heavy arms, raking first one shoulder, then the neck, tearing chunks from his enemy but failing to bring him down.

Lleupine sees that one Black Spiral Dancer is still up and /he/ has that damn tar bucket! Weathers-the-Storm is all over him but doesn't bring him down at once. Lleu rushes from behind, snarling and leaps to make a bite attack for the back of the neck! Mostly he successes in getting thick fur and hide.

Aleksandr gets the family to the tent, but honestly, the Garou can probably handle the fire if it goes, he knows he could. These people, not so much, unless they are more than they seem. Once the fighting starts and they are safely away from it, Aleksandr leads them well out of the clearing. “Go, go.” He barely has to look where he’s going, but he doesn’t want them to see what will happen, Delirium or not. Thankfully they are good listeners and the father is good with some help. He gets them plenty clear. Until he’s sure if that fire goes up, they will be safe. Harrying them to safety. If and when they get there, he will treat the father and any other injuries. He’s good at that. There’s not a lot of Glory being away from the fight, but The Theurge doesn’t seem to care. He will go back and check on his compatriots first though, just in case they are overwhelmed.

The bucket falls from the diminutive Crinos' claws, dead hands letting whatever vile filth within drop free. The enemy slain, Weathers-the-Storm has the presence of mind to slide onto his knees, coming up under the bucket and catching it to his chest to cradle it motionless and safe. The Wyrm stench from the vessel causes him to gag, baring his fangs in a rictus, but he snarls out, << It is secure >>, rising carefully to his feet.

Not satisfied with the mouth full of thick fur and hide, Lleutrim really lays into the smaller Crinos with the bucket. Claws lash out and rip the smaller Black Spiral Dancer's back open, down to the spine, ribcage and kidneys until they are ripped out in a bloody mess. The Galliard snarls with his rage, contained and fueling his speed and aggression ... even as that bucket tumbles out of the dying Dancer's hands...

The fighting is done, Skully got his Football tryout and scored a beautiful interception! Aleksandr got the people away safely. Donnachaidh however is bleeding, slipping from Crinos to change back to Homid because of the Veil - should the family come back. He's got some nasty claw marks that ripped right through his USMC shirt and soaked it with blood.

The big Metis sets the bucket down -- carefully, /carefully/ -- and steps back from it, spitting to one side as he flows back into his Homid form. He wipes his hands in the dirt, then brushes them off on his jeans, a disgusted look on his broad face. "Awful," he mutters to himself, shaking his head. "Just awful. And Black Spirals. Not good at all." He looks over to Lleutrim then, noting the dire injuries, and grimaces. "That looks bad," he comments in concern, stepping over to the Galliard and leaning in for a closer look with that one eye. "You're not gonna heal that on your own, Lleu. But you killed him that gave it to you, and that ain't nuthin'. I wouldn't trade." He looks over to Starchaser then, asking, "Starchaser-rhya, are you capable of healin' this?"

Starchaser shakes her head, >>I haven't finished my learning for that yet. Soon. Does not help now. Sorry.<< She wishes she could and really must get on that.

Lleutrim has dropped himself down, breathing hard as he leans against a tree and watches the others. He may look a little dazed as they deal with the taint, the people Alek got away safely, and the cleansing. A faint nod to Skully, "I'll be ... OK. Dragomir says ... we are hard to .. kill." But man, he's hurting. Barely staying conscious, "I better go before ... those people ... see me."

"Eye of the Storm-rhya is right, but we ain't invincible, 'specially not to each other," Skully says patiently to Lleutrim, kneeling down in front of him and pulling a small bottle from his pocket. "I'm gonna clean this, and it's gonna sting, because I smell bad stuff in there. I'm gonna pour it on three, okay? It's just water, but it don't matter. You ready?" He waits for any sign of assent, but doesn't count; he just pours the water on the wound without actual warning. As planned.

Johanna waits next to Lleutrim. "Let's get you home when he finishes up, then we can get Iris or Journey to come make sure you are all set."

Aleksandr comes back into the clearing, obviously aware the place has not gone up in flames and thankful for it. “They are safe, far from here. I will deal with them. We must cleanse this place, and you guys.” He may not be the ranking Elder here, but it does sound like a bit of an order. “Even if that’s water from the Caern, that’s not going to do much for those.” He notes aside to Weathers.

"It is, and no, it is not going to do much other than wash some of the slime off of him," Skully agrees with a nod to Aleksandr, rising up to his too-tall height and taking a step back. "Not much is. He needs healing of a deeper sort. Says he's okay, though. I don't think it's gonna be a fun walk home for him."

The damage is more than Lleu's stamina in Homid. When Skully pulls off or otherwise removes Donnachaidh's shirt and then pours water over the wound to try and clean it, Lleu sucks in a sharp breath and blacks out from the pain and blood loss. It may take him a minute to two to rouse back to being coherent. The acid in the wound is no longer active but it blackens his flesh.

Johanna performs the Rite of Wounding on Lleu, and then agrees with Aleksandr. "Together, we can handle cleansing the area. Lleutrim needs to get home and get healed."

“Perhaps it will do him some good, I am doubtful. But we should cleanse it.” Aleksandr has no compunction with stating just how he feels about the cub. A glance at Johanna and a nod. “Of course, Starchaser-rhya. Though I think letting him heal naturally might teach the cub a lesson he is sorely needing, if you do not mind my opinion.” A bow of his head her way, there’s cold detachment in those words. “Either way, this will need to be cleansed. He starts getting out his supplies to do. “If nothing Else, I could certainly use your help with the energy for the ritual, unless you would prefer to perform it?”

Johanna replies, "I am not his mentor to decide that. Please go ahead and cleanse the wounds, and he can go back to the Caern. Then together let's do the ritual. There is enough taint to cleanse here from those BSD's, I want to be sure it is really done well."

Skully keeps an eye on Lleutrim, leaning over to pat his face a few times to see if that brings him around. "I can carry him, if I gotta," he states, not necessarily offering but pointing out a fact. "We do need to Cleanse this place, though. I can help, add energy to make it easier. Lleu can wait for that, I think. And we gotta take that bucket to someone can tell what it is. I don't like it." He looks back at the bucket, frowning deeply. "It's evil, whatever it is, and the Spirals wanted it gotten rid'a. But what do you think, Lleu? You gonna be able to walk home?" Skully is able to rouse Donnachaidh. He'd just blacked out from the pain. He focuses on the other and nods, "Yeah, yeah.. " It may take him some doing to get back to his feet unless he's given a hand, but Lleu can get up and is ambulatory. He'll be slow going though on the way back.

Johanna and Aleksandr hold the rite of cleansing, freeing the area of taint, as Skully gets Lleutrim back where he can rest.