2019.05.17: Tainted Pipe Dreams

Tainted Pipe Dreams
Patrol sent to check out area where Fomori Bear had been, and track where it came from.
Players	Cait, Frost, Lleutrim ST, Mora, Ryla, Troy
Location	Patrol Depot; outside the bawn
Spheres	Gaian Garou

As usual, patrol teams assemble at the Patrol Depot at the Caern. As everyone arrives, Lleutrim greets them and finalizes a few notes to pass on information to the patrols that will be coming in or assembling after they've left. A moment is allowed for introductions if needed (we'll gloss over this part) and once everyone has arrived, Lleu steps forward. "Listen up! As some of you know we've had some re-occurring issues with a sewer line that was put in some years ago along the coast, just south of the city along the forest. We dealt with some fomori and banes, and the leakage was reported to the EPA. Fines were issued, cleanup and repairs were done. That was over this past winter. Even though that area is not technically on the bawn we still send a patrol up there once in a while to sniff around."

Icy grey eyes in his scarred face meet each of the others' gazes in turn, "A patrol came back last night and passed on a report of another fomor found up in that area. It was dealt with, the site was cleansed. /We/ are to go back up there and follow up to try and figure out where it came from. It was a tainted black bear this time. We need to know if it was linked to the sewage pipe or whether it was something unrelated that came into the area, and if so, from where. Any questions?"

Giving a shake of his head, Troy gives a tug of the backpack straps over his shoulders with his various items for cleansing packed away. He casts a look at the 'pack' tonight that will be tagging along and recognizes mostly everyone as he offers a few quick smiles. "How far away was the bear from the sewer lines when they found it?"

Mora comes walking up to the group with her backpack on but takes if off when she is at the meeting room. Placing it down she takes a look to all who is here. "Hello all I have trail mix anyone want some before we leave?" that was asked before Lleu gave his speech "how far...' she stops when Troy speaks the thing she was about to ask.

Frost listens somberly as Lleu gives them the situation, shaking her head slowly as she checks her rifle. Pushing rounds into the slide, she chambers a full load before sliding the spare rounds into a pocket. Shouldering the gun she looks to the others gathered for the patrol, nods and small smiles to familiar faces, respectful nods to those she doesn't personally know. Her hand drops to her thigh, checking her hunting knife, and once she's sure her gear is squared away she waits for the group to move out.

Cait's dressed in her usual 'wear', a pair of low-hanging sweats, an exercise bra and a loose t-shirt over it. She just looks rather comfortable. Today, however, she has a backpack over her shoulders as well with something bulky inside, and she'll smile excitedly as she listens to Lleutrim. She's practically bouncing on her feet, looking quite eager to be off. Questions? There are no questions, just eagerness.

Ryla stands all properly, businesslike, and listens attentively. She repositions those glasses she still wears, and nods. "Check. Ready to head out when you are." Obviously the more seemingly out of place one in her business suit, at least until they get on out to patrol.

Lleutrim leans against the desk as the others speak up, "I don't know exactly. That data wasn't supplied. Being a tainted black bear I imagine we'll have no trouble finding signs, smell the taint, tracks and maybe scat. Then follow that back trail to see where it goes."

A careful eyeing of the group, "IF the trail goes into the city, we don't. Too many dangerous things we could run into and we must protect the veil first and foremost." Lleu looks to Frost, "Now, it's a long run to get up that way and I take all my patrols out in lupus form. You going to be able to keep up with us, Frost? Or you need a ride?" Battle Singer gestures to the others, "Everyone else get into wolf form and we'll head out."

Frost slides the rifle over her shoulder, settling the strap into place before signing to answer Battle Singer, her fingers moving deftly. "If it's flat out I'll need a ride, otherwise I can keep pace. Do you want a Link set up with the group?" She zips up her coat, watching the Garou for his answer.

Giving a long stretch of his body, Troy shifts down into his lupus form and gives a few sniffs of the air as his tail swishes behind him. << I can carry her on my back in Hispo if need be. >> He chuffs to the others as he settles down upon his rump, then gives a scratching at his ear with his hind leg.

Mora bends the light around her that makes it harder to see her but not invisible. Then she shifts her form to that of lupus.

"If it's in the sewers, can't we follow the trail into the sewers into the city?" Cait asks with a slight tilt of her head. She doesn't seem to agree with not following things into the city, but she doesn't say anything at the moment. Her -expression- however shows how shitty she thinks that is though. The mention of wolf form causes her to adjust her backpack and she immediately begins to take her time to shift. She's a young wolf, she's not excellently skilled at this, so it takes her a little time. Once she's done though, she's in a small wolf form, her ears perked up and her tail wagging. Her wolf form is short and stocky, just like her, and mottled with browns, blacks, cream, white, all kinds of color.

Cait will spend some time after she's a wolf to sharpen her claws on a rock. Scratch, Scratch, Scraaaaaaaaaaaaaaatch.

Ryla fluidly shifts to a white silvery wolf.

Twilight's Glimmer shifts... no, more so melts into her lupus form, the white silvery fur covering her body. The smaller lupus prepares herself for going out on patrol, seeking protections, and not quite finding them all.

Battle Singer thinks about Frost's offer, "No, mind link can be too distracting. I can use it with you and convey to the others and vice versa rather than needing to link all of us together." Lleutrim takes a look around, "Mercy's Wings, I'm going to let you take the lead on this patrol and I'm coming along to keep an eye on things." To Cait, Lleu adds, "No, we don't. We may consult with the Wyrmfoe and send a special group to deal with an issue in the city but not for regular patrols. The point of a patrol is to keep the /bawn/ and the Caern safe. This line extends along the coast south from the city to service some homes along the coast but those 'preserves' for the most part were abandoned projects that never got off the ground. The city line supposedly was sealed off long ago."

Back to Mercy's Wings Lleu adds, "I'll carry her. Once we get out there, you lead the others. Let's see how you do." With that, Battle Singer shifts to Hispo so Frost can climb on board.

Frost gives a short nod and walks over towards Battle Singer, waiting until he's shifted to reach up over his shoulders. She grabs ahold and hefts herself up, swinging a leg over to settle into place. Leaning forward she settles into a low profile, attempting to not throw his stride off.

Giving a nod of his head, Mercy's Wings lets out a sharp noise in his throat to the others. << Follow my lead and we stick together. We run as one. If we find the enemy, I will try to distract them so that you may engage easier and take any by surprise. No one Leeroy Jenkins and goes solo. Please. >> He orders politely, then starts off in the direction offered as he keeps a low profile, skimming through the ruffage.

Mora is ready to go as she starts to sharpen her senses around her << I will so much pick on you about that reference later Mercy.>> she is almost in the front.

Twilight's Glimmer follows behind Mercy's Wings, keeping up while taking additional smaller steps than the others. Silence is her goal, while being absolutely alert and ready for whatever comes.

The short, stocky mottled wolf gives a huff in Lleutrim's direction. She's obviously eager to go BEYOND these 'lines' to protect things, but she doesn't push it. An Ahroun like her enjoys hunting, quite a bit, so putting a line there is rather rough. She will prance around the area when she's done sharpening her claws and wags her tail excitedly. As Mercy's wings is said to be the leader, she'll look in his direction, waiting with a very attentive expression on her wolfy/doggy face

Frost gives a single nod to the directions given, the kinfolk all business as she waits for the patrol to move out.

As Mercy's Wings takes the lead and they head out of the caves, Battle Singer has shifted to Hispo. He turns his massive head and lies down on his sternum to help Frost mount up. He waits until she's well settled and has a good grip, balanced, ere he moves to stand and trots out to join the others.

It's a good, long run to the north west. With Battle Singer to pass on directions, Mercy's Wings can take them west and up along the coast. It is a patrol with a goal and yet in transit from the Caern to their destination is still a patrol. The wolves run silent and alert, vigilant for sign of anything of concern that requires their attention. The sun has set, the fat, beautiful full moon is rising. It promises to be a clear night well lit by Luna's magnificent silvery light. The stars by comparison are dim, twinkling diamonds against the night's velvet sky.

Scents are fresh - of earth, pines, live oaks, the woods rife with natural life. As they have to cover many miles it is a pleasant run. It is only as they are starting to get within 12 miles or so of the southern edge of city that Battle Singer chuffs a warning, >> We are drawing near. << They carefully skirt over a gravel road and up ahead there is an old sign posted about underground utilities. Here it's still forest with a few scattered clearings in places that had been made for housing that was never built.

As they come along the coastline, Mercy's Wings gives a soft chuff to the others. << We keep to the cover of the forests for now until we are confident. The moon is thick and will give us some light. Mora, scout ahead of us for now, keep low and to the dark. I will scent for the wyrm. >> He rumbles away as he gives a twitch of his nose upwards, breathing in.

Mora takes a look around and starts to sniff the air to make sure something is not sneaking up on them, but she is not picking up wyrm << can someone back up my sensing the stinking wyrm for me. >> she does not trust her senses now

<< I feel something in the distance, going north towards the city. I am not sure of how far or the distance. Let's push ahead. Mora, take point and keep scouting. Everyone keep their heads on a swivel. >> Mercy's Wings says as he looks back to the others with a nod of his wolven head.

Twilight's Glimmer approaches and is carefully checking things out. Trying to sense something... her nose wrinkles and she rubs her muzzle into her leg.. Something is foul, but it ain't wyrm taint... something just eww. Going to take her a minute to regain that sense.

A strong wolf, the mottled wolf known as Cait runs without breaking stride. She appears to be very much enjoying the run. Further out, she'll leap on rocks and do flips, just generally doing extra things along the way. Why? Because she can and it entertains her while they traverse towards the area. As the sun sets and the moon rises, she'll look up, her ears high and seem mesmerized by the moon for a moment, and then more invigorated! You thought she was twitchy before? She's about 10x more excitable now. Once they get closer though, she'll slow down to a trot, her nose lowering to sniff the ground off to the side. She doesn't run ahead or anything, she allows Mora to scout, and since she wasn't given any other task, she'll listen and use her nose.

Frost slides off of Battle Singer's back as they slow and start looking around. She crouches down, putting her hand against the ground and her fingers into the soil as she closes her eyes and concentrates.

Mercy's Wings is doing just fine so Battle Singer slows and briefly stops, turns his thick head around to see if Frost is dismounting or going to ride until they find something. Then he starts to walk slowly, sniffing around. The huge dire wolf lifts his head to peer northwards but says nothing, allowing the others their chance to sort things out. The Fianna stays to what cover or shadows he may, blending in with the night's landscape incredibly well despite his large size (Camouflage gift) After a good look around and firing off his own Sense Wyrm gift, Battle Singer's silvery eyes follow Cait, keeping tabs on them all as they begin to move once more.

Mora is sniffing the area "There was a fight here and the cleansing was done well." or at least she thinks so "I think I smell a Fomori here.> she seems a bit aggressive at the moment as if she is trying to see if she can pick that up.

Frost pulls her hand back up out of the dirt, holding it and rubbing it with her other as she winces and looks at the ground. She looks to Lleu in silent communication, facial expressions changing as she talks with him through the link; letting him be her voice by default.

Giving a nod of his head, Mercy's Wings says, << We will follow your nose then. Let's keep low and stay quiet. If there is more out there, we need to have the advantage of surprise. >> He gives another sharp nod to the others, swiveling his ears forward as he starts off once more.

Twilight's Glimmer checks around herself, eyeing it all. >> Yes, I see. Northwest - the bear came from that way. Should we check it out that way? <<

Cait's head is down as she sniffs the area and looks at the ground. She'll circle around and around, looking at the tracks and then follows the tracks in one direction before stopping herself and turning to head back to the others. At the orders, she'll chuff again, serious for once, she doesn't make extra noise. Her tail wags towards Twilight's Glimmer and she'll trot closer to her, agreeing apparently.

Mora walks to a area and paws at the ground << blessed be poor bear, may you have a wonderful cave in the afterlife.>> she sounds sorrowful << yes the cave sounds like a good idea. >>

<< If that is where you can smell the enemy, then we will head northwest. >> Mercy's Wings appears to agree as well. << Let's go. >>

Frost stands and returns to the large wolf's side, reaching up one more to clamor up onto Battle Singer's back.

The large Hispo wolf pauses and looks to Frost. Battle Singer listens to her through their mind link (which I forgot my - 2 to my previous roll, bad me) and then he turns his head to look at the others, >> Frost says she can sense the sewer line through the earth. She says the taint is strong in it. The land aches from it. << Battle Singer watches and listens to the others as they chime in with what they have found.

Flicking his ears back towards Lleutrim, Mercy's Wings slows down a bit. He stares down at the ground, pawing at it for a few moments. << We find the fomori first. Dispatch the enemy, and then we trace the sewer lines if possible to find an outlet. There may be a leak, or they may be spilling out into a water source and contaminating the ground. That may be a bigger mess which may require the Elders if possible. >>

Battle Singer sniffs around at the ground and then looks to Mercy's Wings. A flick of an ear, then with Frost firmly once more upon his back, the Hispo Galliard begins to follow the others to the north west.

With Mora in the lead to scout the way, she has no trouble picking up the tainted black bear's tracks. It meanders around in no particular strait line, going here and there, it dug a bit over there and left scat that smells acrid but days old. The faded trail leads a merry wandering pattern of a possessed beast that found and mutilated multiple small animals as it was able to hunt them down, or dig them out of burrows. Their little remains eaten or left to rot, picked part by birds or other things.

It will take a while, all this back tracking of the bear's path. The back trail leads more or less westwards, then back around to the north, a bit more easily and eventually ... it comes back to the gravel road and crosses it. It continues on and on, looping and crossing back over itself through the area and as the trail goes on and on it is slowly also growing fainter and harder to track back. And hiking trail head and small parking area is passed, a not-bear proofed trash can knocked over and the trash strewn about by the bear and the wind. The trail leads a bit more northerly for another couple of miles, again doubling back on itself several times and looping, meandering... like a drunk duck. But then...

Twilight's Glimmer keeps up following the trail as Finder of the Lost leads them, and as they find more nasty smells, there it is. >> I wonder if this is the source. << She moves closer with them all. >> Careful, the ground is soft and wet and likely the taint came from here. The Bear was here. Tracks are there and deep. <<

Mora gives a growl in disgust << bloody hell the leak is around here somewhere underground. >> the fur on the back of her neck is up a bit like a angry dogs does << that poor bear must of lapped up the water here or eaten something tainted by it. >>

<< Then we should begin cleansing. I know the ritual and I will lead it. Ryla will assist me. The rest stand guard and protect us. >> Mercy's Wings says as he shifts to his Crinos form, taking his backpack off of dedication so that he can remove the willow branch, bottles of purified water and a box of matches. << It may be only temporary until we get the Elders. Most of these sewer lines have valves to turn off and stop the flow. >>

Cait will follow the pack more seriously, keeping a low profile which isn't hard for the stocky wolf. She's swift, and will dart from dark shadow to dark shadow to keep stealth-mode on without an actual gift in place. As they come up to a nasty, smelly area, she'll pause and draw up short, shaking her nose as if something is burning it. << Damn, this smells awful.. >> She'll growl low in her chest, a deep reverberating sound. At Mercy's Wings orders, Cait will look quite serious, her head is low, her hackles are up and she'll turn to scan the area, in full protection mode.

Frost buries her face in Battle Singer's fur as they get closer to the stink; even her lacking human nose picks up the unfishable smell. Peeking out from her perch she looks from Garou to Garou, then down to the wolf she hasn't bothered to climb off of just yet.

The Fianna Galliard catches up with Frost on his back. Battle Singer stops and sits on his haunches as the seep is studied and a decision is made to cleanse it. >> Frost told us she could sense the pipe itself is tainted, or something within it. We can cleanse the surface but as long as it continues to seep, the taint will return. We'll need to gain access to the inside of the pipe or .. << His other thought for the moment Battle Singer holds. He'll wait to see if any of the others think of it on their own. His silvery grey eyes slip to Twilight's Glimmer.

<< We would have to dig through tainted soil to get to the pipes, but if we cleanse the lands first, it may allow us time to gain access without tainting ourselves. >> Mercy's Wings says with a furrow of his brows. He gives a glance to the ranking Garou. << You had another idea? We can track the sewer lines to the source. Even if we get to the pipes, we still need to find out where it's coming from. We should cleanse first, then follow the pipe, yes? >>

Twilight's Glimmer chuffs >> Will not hurt to cleanse this area first. Then continue on. Less taint the better. << She moves to assist Mercy's Wings and shifts to Crinos to join him.

Mora keeps looking around as battle singer is cleansing the area to make sure no one is sneaking up on them.

Cait is planted and her head is still low, but she will swing her furry head ponderously towards Lleutrim and Frost, her ears flicking thoughtfully. << I am more resistant to poison now, if you want, I can crawl into the sewer pipe to find whatever it is, if it's big enough. >> She'll glance at Mercy's Wings, including him in her suggestion.

All around them the forest otherwise seems to be peaceful. Quiet except for the wind softly moving through the trees, coming in from the sea. The stars are somewhat muted by the light pollution to the north and east where the city of Prospect spreads over the land, still some miles away. There is also the smell of a campfire not too far away, probably some people enjoying an overnight in the 'wilderness'. The moon hangs overhead as if Luna herself were watching.

Frost looks around and finds a spot to hop off the hispo's back that won't have her sinking ankle deep in...literally crap. She moves off a short distance, looking around slowly at the ground, behind bushes and the like.

As he washes the ground with the bottles of purified water, Mercy's Wings hands a willow branch to Ryla, then lights both his and hers with a strike of flame. He begins his counter clockwise circling of the air, rumbling out in low chants in the mother's tongue as he sings a prayer of cleansing to mother Gaia. He waves the branch back and forth to ensure the ashes fall about the land.

Twilight's Glimmer takes the willow branch from Mercy's Wings and joins in with the chanting. It seems almost like a dance as she moves about assisting with the rite, calling for the cleansing of this ground and place from the taint that is hurting the land.

Frost returns to the group shortly after, giving those performing the rite a berth before approaching Battle Singer once more. Again there seems to be silent conversation, her hand lifting first to point north, then back the way they came before she lightly shrugs.

Battle Singer's ear twitches a flick as Frost slips off of his back. She's safe enough for he's back a little distance from the seep. The huge dire wolf remains in the shadows cast by the trees overhead. He gets up and moves quietly through the area to slowly circle outwards to scope out the area's perimeter while the others set up for the cleansing. It'll take them a little while to perform the ritual.

The patrol left right after dark. It took a couple of hours to get up to the north western area of the forest even for wolves to run the distance. Then it took several hours to back track the bear's meandering path and find this seep. Now more time for the cleansing ritual. It has already been much of the night elapsed in hours with dawn only three and a half hours distant.

The Garou watch and listen, keeping the ritual makers safe. When it is done, Battle Singer comes back to see. The Hispo sniffs around, >> Better. I can smell organics from the sewage but the foul odors left now are entirely natural, untainted. << Mercy's Wings had asked him a question. Lleu considers, >> Better than digging or finding access to the pipe - we should cross over and see what is happening in the umbra along the pipeline. <<

Once the howls of the rituals have completed, Mercy's Wings listens to Battle Singer and nods in agreement. << That is a wise idea. We should cross over and investigate. There may be banes so we must be prepared to fight immediately upon crossing over if they are lingering. >>

Cait's tail actually wags eagerly at the mention of crossing over and finding banes. She's -amped- and really wants to fight something, that much is obvious. << Yes, that sounds like a great idea! >>

Twilight's Glimmer agrees. >> We could also seek out spirits on that side that might give us some more information. Once we are all prepared for it, we should cross. <<

-- (OOC break - part 2) --

Battle Singer listens to each of their inputs and then looks to Mercy's Wings, >> I'd suggest we set up any last gifts we desire. Based on what Frost sensed, banes are likely. << A wolfish nod to what Twilight's Glimmer suggests and then he's looking back to Mercy's Wings to decide how they should proceed. As for himself, the Galliard starts activating a few gifts of his own to make ready.

As he gives a low chuff, Mercy's Wings summons a gift to eliminate pain, then gives a long stretch of his body. << Let's cross over. I will ensure our journey is a safe one across. >> He says as he steps forward to the group. << I do not have a mirror on me and I do not trust the water. >>

Mora says as she is she is looking around << Anyone been in the umbra in this area, anything we should know? >> asked as she is looking to everyone here.

Frost glances from Mercy's Wings to Battle singer, her arms crossing loosely. Her shoulders lift in a shrug but she otherwise stands there next to the large wolf silently.

Twilight's Glimmer concentrates for a few moments, and then within her hand is a mirror. >> Always keep one dedicated just for this sort of thing. << She shares it with Mercy's Wings so he can guide them across.

Battle Singer silently communicates with Frost and remains quietly in Hispo as the others make ready. Twilight's Glimmer gets a wolfish grin at her being prepared.

Mercy's-Wings gives a nod of his head to Twilight's Glimmer, then stares at himself in the reflection of the mirror as his eyes glow brightly, looking to take the party across the curtains. Is Frost coming along?

Frost walks over to the group as they prepare, finding a spot on the wolf doing the crossing over to touch so she's carried along with.

Cait will go where she needs to go to be brought on over. She will try to position herself in a defensive manner to protect the squishier ones.

Mora has been in the umbra many times but does not go to it unless she needs to, but she lets the others guide her way in but if a wolf can show concern it would be now.

Even Battle Singer hasn't been across into the Umbra right here for when he had crossed over before it was further south along the sewer pipeline months before. And so he is silent as he watches the others link with one another for Mercy's Wings to take them across.

It feels like falling ... a sense of brief weightlessness and disorientation and then they are through. The light changes. It's still Luna's moon in the sky overhead and there are faint, shadowy hints of the forest around them. There are however very few if any Gaian sprits around as though the seep had driven them to withdraw, few and far between that they may be even normally. The earth seems to be raised in a slight ridge before them where it had not been in the physical world. The Garou with the shining glyphs of their renown illuminated in their fur can see right through the preumbral earth and there it is before them, shadowy and dim, murky dark as if oily and absorbing Luna's light without casting it back, is the sewer pipeline. It's been there years long enough to have a faint, dark presence. Almost like a tainted, poisoned blood vessel throbbing softly through Gaia's flesh, jabbed like a rusty needle under her skin.

Here there is the smell of rot, death and decay softly coming from the pipe.

Twilight's Glimmer blinks a bit as they step across. Her fur shiny as it is from the moon light, she wrinkles her nose a bit but does not shy away. Eye searching for banes or any threats before time to check it out further.

As he takes a moment to look around, Mercy's Wings eyes the pipe an lets out a low chuff. << We need to be careful my friends. >> After a few sniffs of the air, he lets out a low rumble in his throat. << Ahroun, you're taking point with me. >> He calls over to Cait as he advances upon the pipe carefully, shifting upwards into his Hispo form for added bulk.

The stocky, muscular mottled wolf known as Cait will let a low chuff out and turns to trot over towards Mercy's Wings. She will also shift upwards, to make herself larger in Hispo. Because, more mass will probably be helpful against any banes in the area.

Frost steps back once they are across, resuming her place next to Battle Singer. Her hand comes up to cover her nose, her expression growing into a mixture of sadness and anger at the state of things over here.

Mora keeps her head down low as she is getting ready to track the foul monster that is disgracing this area. << you think tracking bad smelling things would be easy. >>

The pipe is buried in the preumbral earth yet the preumbra isn't the same as the physical realm. The mere desire to go into it, enacted with the start of digging in the 'ground' causes the Garou to get closer to it with ease. Visually it becomes more manifest and translucent at the same time. Dim shapes can be seen to flit and move within the pipe, one of them trying to ooze its way out through a bad seal in the pipe sections and into the earth like a clam sticking out a pseudo foot and feeling around to see if it can sense anything delicious outside it wants to envelope. Sensing the Garou perhaps, it pulls back suddenly!

Mercy's Wings and the others find they can cross through and into the pipe easily, as if it were still only half real on this side. It has not been laid so long ago that it is wholly present in the preumbra yet. Within it however, a thing draws back and hisses!

A disgusting thing that looks like a rat many gaping mouths all over its body slowly coils back into a blobby shape with glowing eyes. Beyond it two more banes lurk, one vaguely like a flat worm and the other larger one looks like a ghoulish man-thing crawling around on his hands and feet! Skin and bones but with fangs and claws, it is the furthest back from the group. The pipe's confines restricts movement for the larger Hispo, allowing only two abreast.

Twilight's Glimmer growls, >> Think we found it. How do you want to approach? << She does not need sense wyrm to know this is bad and needs removed.

<< It's not big enough for than maybe two of us. We should try and draw them out. >> With that, Mercy's Wings moves forward, baying out loudly in a shrill howl as he gathers himself in a rather wicked limp, favoring his back leg in an attempt to appear wounded. He starts to move away from the pipe, hopping visibly. He is prey. Easy prey!

Battle Singer has come through but is sticking close to Frost to guard her. He has come through on the more southern end of the group, with Mercy's Wings and Cait on the northern end closest to the banes. >> Two of you may wish to slip back out and go around to the other side and come at them from the north. I'll watch the south side with Frost in case more come from that way. << If -they- can cross in and out of the 'pipe' with ease it may be that the banes can as well.

Cait will backpedal so that Mercy's Wings can tempt the banes with his gimpy leg act. She'll look over at Battle Singer and then growls in a low tone, << You want me to run around and try to chase them in this direction? I didn't know there was an easy other entrance...>> She'll pause though, waiting for Mercy's Wings to make the call. She's a pretty obedient pup it appears.

Mora uses the others to hide but mostly so they are the only thing to be seen.

Mora without thinking and with pure nerve as the rat bane like monster comes charging at her as she jumps to the side barely not getting hit. She starts to mutter out not nice things about the Wyrms minions.

Twilight's Glimmer lets out her claws and goes toward the Rattybane as the others do their thing. She sees it go after Finder of the Lost, and digs right into it, slashing deep, spilling it's blood.

Frost remains by Battle Singer, watching as the wolves work. It's always impressive to see, as the Garou work together to fight the foul creatures that crawl out of the ground.

As he limps away to draw them out, Mercy's Wings drops the act and turns to face the enemy, jerking to the side as his glowing armor deflects the attack.

Things don't quite happen fast. There is that hesitation, the banes hissing and looking at the Garou as if not certain if they want to run away or attack - until they see Mercy's Wings suddenly move as if making a run for it and limping like he's already hurt. Two of the smaller banes, both the warping ratty looking thing with many mouths all over its body and the flatworm looking bane both move in for the attack. The ghoulish looking humanoid thing with fangs and teeth seems a little smarter with a judging eye. It hangs back and then focuses its attention upon the Ahroun...

The ratbane makes a leap at Mora and tries to /bite/ her but Mora's too fast and dodges it's attack. The hateful, lustful spirit warps and shifts with tainted emotion, not really a rat at all, teeth and jaws clacking shut on nothing but air! Twilight Glimmer's blow makes it recoil with a hideous shriek of pain!

The slimy flatworm looking bane also emanates seething anger and smells of decay, broadcasting a wave of hatred that rolls forth from it like a stench. It is slower but it too tries to do something to Mercy's Wings, blobbing it's form to strike forth with a pseudo pod's foot that emerges from its body. The buffet seems to do no harm to the Garou.

Meanwhile Cait is rushing in for her attack! She skids to a stop and tumbles, snarling in sudden rage herself, baring her teeth! Something flickers through her eyes and for a moment, rage rousing and yet she masters it.

Battle Singer is vigilant. His silvery eyes watch to see if the others need his help even as he guards against other banes arriving through the 'pipe' that might be drawn by the battle. The Galliard's attention briefly snags on the Scrag and his hackles rise. For the moment there is no sign of other banes coming through the pipe. Not yet.

As usual, when Mercy's Wings in combat, he is utterly useless, but at least he's pretty, and that's all that matters. He snaps out with his jaws, but is less than effective.

Mora wishes they had more room to fight as her body shifts to that of a wolf that can double as a horse << oh come here you stinking spirit. >> she says as she starts to make her way to the baneling.

Ain't Dead Yet leaps forward with a vicious snarl and claws at the flatworm with those mega-paws of hers in Hispo form. It's a powerful swipe, but that means she's more focused on attacking than dodging, and the large pseudo foot swats her back, causing her to yelp from the sharp pain it caused.

It looks like a good night for the Garou to clean up. So far only two of the lesser banes are attacking and the Scrag keeps directing its charms against Cait like a leering ghoulish old man leering after her girlish charms. Meanwhile the blobby, slimy Flatworm looking bane hits Cait with its pseudo foot and nails her a good blow across her /face/ - it turns out that the thing as /teeth/ that act like claws inside of the soft appendage! Did its mouth relocate to its 'foot'?

Meanwhile the Ratbane is getting mauled by Twilight's Glimmer and starting to leave oily looking ooze that is like spirit blood and it's smelling worse than ever! It snarls and tries to bite the Ragabash, lightly wounding her! It's long yellowed teeth are in every one of its many mouths that try to get hold of Twilight's Glimmer.

Battle Singer stays by Frost as he watches, then he turns his head sharply to the north. >> More are coming! << Mora should be careful of what she wishes for! The things that are coming look to be /another/ pair Scrags, humanoid and smelling of death, ghoulish and hungry as they lope on all fours more like a dogs than men.

Twilight's Glimmer prepares to swipe again, and then the rattybane hits her first! ARGH!!! She takes the damage and then swipes again! RRRRIIIIPPPPPPIIINNNNGG into it, spilling more of its guts, getting closer to ending this thing.

Frost watches as the fight continues, her eyes going to Cait at her cry of pain. The frown on the woman's face deepens and she reaches down, her hand finding the hunting knife sheathed against her leg. Her attention snaps to Battle Singer as he calls out, the knife pulled free as she turns in that direction.

Mora comes in short of the ratbane but sends it to Twilight glimmer with a few confusing barks setting it up for the other Garou. << good going. >> she says.

Cait will leap back into the fray, attacking the slimy, mucus-infested flatworm with a swipe of her large claw. Growling and snarling viciously, the huge, muscular mottled wolf will claw with those wicked scythes of hers and rip out another chunk of the flatworm.

Following up behind Cait, Mercy's Wings finally earns that paycheck as he chomps his strong teeth into the creature, whipping his head back and forth until it poofs into webs of spirit. He spits and makes a 'bleh' noise in his throat.

Twilight's Glimmer was /just getting started/! Rip, Rip, RRRIiiiiPPPPP!!! And she finishes him off, and takes the rattybane down!

The shit really starts to hit the fan in the preumbra sewer saga. Talk about Tainted Pipe Dreams, this feels like one. No sooner than the Garou are getting the upper hand than two more Scrags show up and start putting on airs to charm the wolves into frenzy if they can - only the Garou are too well disciplined to fall for it. Yet. Amidst much snarling, Battle Singer goes after the Scrag that looks to be about to attack Frost as she goes in with her knife to stab it! The Galliard patrol leader sinks his fangs into the spirit and the Fianna thrashes his head from side to side violently, ripping the thing's back open with a long piece of its spirit flesh tearing loose. The thing screams horribly as it tried to dodge but failed, taking a lot of damage from the Adren. It's plenty enough to keep the thing occupied so it can't attack the kinfolk back!

Both of the lesser spirits are torn apart, taking enough damage to force them into slumber. As soon as Battle Singer sees they are down, he snarls, >> Consume their gnosis so they can't regenerate their essence! <<

-- (OOC break - part 3) --

As he weaves in and out of battle with the scrag, Mercy's Wings finally sneaks in a powerful bite, tearing away spiritual guts, then driving himself forward again for another snap of his teeth. He looks to keep up the pace.

Twilight's Glimmer turns her attention to Scrag 1 as it goes after Ain't Dead Yet! She does not both with the claws, and just takes her semi-huge jaws and RIIIPPSS into the beast!

Frost swings again, her knife flicking out to slice once more at the Scrag. She strikes, yet it's hide is too tough, and the blade goes sliding off to the side instead of puncturing through.

Up close with the original scrag that was in the sewer pipe casting all those charms on her, Cait, or Ain't Dead Yet, looks like she's about to engage, and then there's a huge attack against her that surprises her with its ferocity. She'll turn to dodge it, leaping to the side, but that attack comes down like a sledge hammer, and .... somehow just hits fur. Weird. She looks a little shocked by this.

Mora weaves in with the other and takes a quick bite at it and finds the Scrags thick hide "what the hell elephant thick skin.> she chuffs getting mad she hurt herself more.

Battle Singer has changed targets, leaving the scrag he had started to rip apart to Frost and Mercy's Wings to deal with now it's wounded. Frost clearly is holding her own so far and doesn't seem to need /this/ Galliard looking out for her when she's got the other Galliard there doing his part!

So the Fianna has turned upon one of the two uninjured spirits - scrags are tough and can really do some damage if they hit. Battle Singer's jaws gape and the huge dire wolf sinks his fangs into the second scrag to show up, really tearing into the thing! The ghoulish beast on all fours tries to rear up and twist away from the Fianna but can't escape the destruction. Focused on the tainted minion of the Wyrm, the former Marine turned Garou bites the thing viciously before it can retreat, dragging it down and ripping it to pieces - shreds of essence drift this way and that, disappearing into the preumbra. The shadow of the scrag is all that is left as it is forced into slumber!

But there are still two nasty, vile scrags still up and fighting! They have forgone their charms for the moment and seek to draw blood, hissing and filled with murderous hatred of the Garou enemies!

As he continues to dance about in combat, Mercy's Wings finds another score with his teeth on the scrag, rumbling loudly in his throat as he bares his fangs at it.

Battle Singer's worry that the scrags might really tear up the patrol are swiftly alleviated as he is able to change targets and go after the nearly uninjured scrag that is trying to maul Cait! Luckily the young Ahroun is nimble and also seems to have some luck on her side. The Fianna seriously mauls the Wyrm's vile spirit but even with an incredible ravaging, the Adren just can't bring it down yet! The thin wails like a shrieking banshee and thrashes about, spilling it's ichor liberally all over Battle Singer and Cait! It suddenly looks like it's lost its taste for the fight, fear coming into its eyes!

As the battle rages on and the enemy in front of him has become deceased, Mercy's Wings lets out a loud howl of triumph as he prances about on his paws for a quick victory dance. As he leaps towards the others in the fray, he takes his time to wait for an opening, then nuzzles the Ahroun to deliver a burst of healing that seals her wounds without a scratch.

Frost moves to another scrag as the one in front of her is taken down by one of the Garou. Her blade swings again, slicing up the back of the next one, though the only thing she seems to cut is the layer of mucus coating the creatures.

Mora winces as the Scrag claws bounces off her mystical armor a chuckling chuff is given as she watches the others scratch and mull this bastard. But she sees her chance and goes for a exposed area that has been worked on buy the others. The bite comes in precise and hard sending it to a slumber. She backs off << I need to spar more. >>

Frustrated by this Scrag who seems to really be avoiding her attacks, Cait lunges forward with multiple attacks, a claw slashes forward even as she snarls viciously to snap at the bane. Her razor sharp claws slash at the bane and tears through it, although as she bites, it is apparently just a snarling snap. The healing nuzzle from Mercy's Wings gets a slightly confused expression from the Ahroun, although she will chuff in response and steps back as the Scrag is finally taken care of and looks around for more targets, her tongue lolling out eagerly for more enemies.

Now it's down to one scrag left, Battle Singer has backed off to let the patrol handle it and take out the last nasty spirit without his help. His bright silvery eyes look carefully to see if there are any other banes that have been drawn to the disturbance in the preumbra here. No, not seeing anything else - that or it took one look at the Garou mauling the scrags and changed its mind.

All is quiet now as the patrol finishes off the last tainted spirit. The Fianna observes and then speaks up, >> Excellent. You all did well. Scrag banes can be very vicious. Be glad these seemed to be a little less potent than some. Let us consume or otherwise disperse the gnosis of the slumbering banes to destroy them utterly so that they may not regain their essence and trouble us again. <<

As a group, once they are certain no others among them need healing, the patrol sets to finishing their work. Gaia herself may ease a soft sigh as the sewer line here is cleaned up and rid of its taint under Luna's watchful gaze above. Silvery moonlight bathes them as the Garou and kinfolk perform the last tasks ere they will cross back over into the physical realm.

It's been a good night's work. And Cait earned herself a Rite of Wounding!