Ask Eriadu Hunter Becomes the Hunted

[Uul Rha Shan]

It felt like it has been ages since Uul-Rha’Shan has had a good hunt. His nerves tingled with excitement. If this hunt goes as well as the reptile is hoping this will satisfy his desire to hunt for a while. Doing his job as a ranger will be much easier to carry out once his desire to hunt is satisfied. Too bad he was told he can only use his rifle, otherwise he would use his tactics for hunting the raptor used when back at home or fighting in the ring when he was a combat slave on that blasted Hutt planet. The robot next to him is starting to get on his nerves though, the robot constantly came over to tell him about the rules. Of course, he has them down to pat. He may be a hunter at heart, but he isn’t so blood thirsty that he’ll break the rules during the hunt. How will they know if he had broken a rule anyways? He was told that there is no technology in the jungles of Eriadu.

He just needs to keep his temper under control for a little longer. Then he’ll be away from this annoying droid. Why can’t it be a being? Well, a person could potentially be just as annoying as a droid. Some of them can be. However, he didn't stop tapping the curved killing claw of his left foot with annoyance in regards to the droid.

The vehicle transporting him to his drop off point zig-zagged along a old beaten path that took him deeper and deeper into a patch of jungle somewhere on Eriadu. He didn't care how far away from civilization he was taken. The further away from society the better the hunt will be. He paid to be taken far away as possible anyways. Eventually the transport came to a stop with a jolt. The vehicle needs to be taken in for some maintenance it shouldn't have come to a stop like that. With an excited hiss the reptile departed from the transportation vehicle; ducking his head so he didn’t hit his head on the way out, the droid again telling him, “Please follow the rules and have a good hunt.” The doorway was then closed, and the transport vehicle sped off.

Glancing around the Tiss readied his rifle wondering just how the people running this hunting safari will know if he decided to break a rule or two. The smells of the jungle were interesting. It was a bit quiet however, which was strange. Perhaps it is because of the transport vehicle. With his rifle in hand Shan stepped off the beaten path so his potential prey could not see him coming. Heading in a northeastern direction he kept his breathing and footfalls in check. Allowing himself to fall back on his predatory instincts. As he walked further and further into the humid forest the sounds of nature eventually increased in volume.

Now this is more like it.

@Blue Oakwood

 

[Sskyr Uros]

An arranged hunt with limited weapons compelled his instinct to take up the opportunity. Could he kill with a single rifle, and what the forest provided for him, using nothing but his skill to outsmart the prey? They had said the hunt would be challenging and the prey would test him, they had better be right for their sakes. The anticipation was brewing within the Trandoshan, adrenaline was pumping through the young Hutt prospect's veins. A proper trophy killed the traditional way! The goddess would be pleased. They both arrived at the same time a distance away, so neither knew the other was there. On landing the protocol droid was reciting the rules to him too, but his rambling droid was less fortunate. "ssss Counterpoint." Sskyr got his hands around the mechanical monotony, squeezed, and slowly ripped the rules-droid's head off! Toothy Grin.

With appropriate rules established, he kicked its body out the landing ramp and took its head with him, clipped to his belt. The red-armored hunter began moving through the jungle like it was a second home. He wasn’t light but his steps were well placed, avoiding noisy thickets and obvious spots that broke twigs, knowing where to step, and on what ground to step to reduce tracks. He was getting into the spirit by shouldering his rifle, the first thing he did was rip a straight branch down off a sturdy tree, and start to sharpen the end into a point with his claws as he prowled, he could add stone and twine to it later if this lasted longer. A spear was a silent killer, enjoying the thought of using the natural world to corner and kill difficult prey.

Maybe an hour went by, maybe less, and he caught a possible direction. He crouched down and listened for the direction jungle prey were avoiding, the jungle could always speak if you knew how to listen. The Safari hadn’t told him there would be competition, so his mind was working out what kind of creature Uul Rha Shan could be, big enough to ward off comparable prey. Certainty needed to be created. Feeling for the direction of the wind, Sskyr wanted a predator to catch the scent. Needing bait to entice his creature, he cut across his palm with his makeshift spear, and smeared a small trace of blood across a tree bark. A light cut to Trandoshan's physiology that regrew entire limbs wasn’t worth noticing. While the scent of blood was very useful for attracting predators.

Circling to a good point in view of the blood, Sskyr picked a location, and started climbing upward *CRACK* went a branch. Barely containing his growling anger as the branch fell. He ignored it, continuing upward to find a spot on the tree, hoping the blood would be enough to override the sound.

@Nommie

 

[Uul Rha Shan]

Uul Rha Shan had estimated that he must have been wondering deeper into the jungle for at least an hour or so. While the lack of prey has been annoying he isn't going to rush to find something to end this hunt. Shifting the rifle in his hands the Tiss hissed quietly as he picked up on two scents. Well one he can't quite pinpoint where it is coming from. The other scent is coming from his left. The raptor came to a stop looking around at his surroundings to see if he will see the source of the two scents. Ok one he will not be seeing, maybe it has ran off. But the one to his left? Whatever it was it sounded like it is something huge. Facing the direction Shan took some steps backwards in the direction of Sskyr. Deciding to use the bush behind him as cover from whatever it is that he is hearing. Once he has seen what it is then he'll know how to take it down.

With a slight turn of his head the Tiss caught the faint smell of blood in the air coming from somewhere behind him. That certainly explains a thing or two. However the reptile will have no time to pinpoint where the smell was coming from as a small herd of panicked Fathier rushed in his direction. Forcing his way through the thick bushes behind him to avoid being trampled barely getting out of the way in time. Shan watched the panicked horse like creatures continue their mad dash. Maybe the smell of blood caused them to panic? Due to the noise the panicked Fathier created the Tiss had failed to hear the sound of a branch breaking and landing on the forest floor.

But as he looked around he spotted the said branch. Well it is not due to the panicked animals.. no foot prints of anything.. wait. He examined the area around the branch some more. Yes there are foot prints. Hissing he looked up to see where the branch had fallen from. The smell of blood is much stronger here as well. Again his mind will be dragged away from what he is doing at the sound of a Fathier making such an unusual noise followed by the sound of bone snapping. Shan hissed with excitement, "Oh something exciting to hunt." The Raptor hissed stepping away from the tree wondering what had taken down one of the Fathier. From his estimation the herd maybe got a mile or two away before coming across whatever predator they encountered. Well the scent of a dead animal will bring many more predatory creatures to the area for sure. However to Shan's disadvantage he is a bit too heavy to climb the tree next to him. The branches from what he can see are far too thin to withstand his weight. Unless he climbed it like a gecko. Oh how the indignity of climbing like that.. but if it got him off the forest floor before any large predators came into the area it will be worth it. It's not like there is anyone here to see it right? Shouldering his rifle the Raptor bit down a hiss as he prepared to climb the tree.

@Blue Oakwood

 

[Sskyr Uros]

Seconds cooled to minutes and felt like hours in the tree perch, you had to learn patience hunting, a natural issue for most young Trandoshan hunters, one they worked out in time. Perched up high, he propped up the spear, took the rifle, and leaned over the branch he was on to get good aim. At this height, it was a thick tree, and hard to spot much from the outside, though branches and leaves could still move against the natural wind.

His finger started to squeeze the trigger, the moving Fathier were in his sights, but they were easy prey, and something in him doubted they were what he was hunting. At the last minute, he held back, a slight hiss under his breath. Something rustled below, and he turned around trying to spot it.

With both hunters now closing on each other. That moment just before the kill, was the perfect moment, and the Trandoshan wished he could draw out the anticipation indefinitely.

Turning caused some slight movement in the tree above. Sskyr wasn’t obvious about it, but there was a movement among the leaves somewhere above Uul Rha Shan, and the wind wasn't responsible for all of it. Through the foliage it was hard to pinpoint for the Trandoshan if this was the same tree the predator was climbing or a nearby one. Sskyr once again favored the spear and watched for any movement, seeing if the disturbance was below or to his side.

Alert green eyes tried to catch sight through the twisting branches and leaves. The tension of the moment was closing to the kill, he could taste the adrenaline on the tip of his tongue. Either way, the spear awaited the unfolding of its purpose, a thrusting attack. Slowing his breathing to near silence, if he could reach a jab with it he would, but it had to be timed right.

The tree above was very quiet right until…

@Nommie

 

[Uul Rha Shan]

Uul-Rha-Shan was just about to start climbing the tree when he heard some movement coming from the direction the noise of a Fathier being killed came from. The movement of the foliage failed to muffle the sound of massive foot falls that echoed. Once again noise from other animals came to an abrupt halt. As though the other animals are now trying to hide from what monstrosity is moving about. The reptilian stared in the direction of the foot falls until they too came to an abrupt halt. Shan tried to peer through the brush to try to catch a glimps of the creature but either it is able to camouflage or it is still a considerable distance from his and Sskyr's position. What is clear however is that whatever it is the animal is an experienced hunter.Even though it cannot be seen Shan knows that it is watching.

Silently Shan moved closer to take cover behind the tree, managing a few steps before the sound of movement picked up again. A massive Rancor came bursting out of the foliage with a roar. knocking trees over as though they are made of toothpicks. The raptor moving out of the way of one tree that toppled, barely avoiding being grabbed by the massive creature. Now this is the excitement that Shan was hoping for. Yes, if he survives this encounter with the Rancor, this will satisfy his desire to hunt for a while.

The raptor started sprinting away from the Rancor to look for a better position to take a shot at the beast. Though this one is faster than a typical Rancor so remaining out of reach while looking for a chance to attack will be difficult. Bursting his way through a set of bushes Shan climbed up a pile of boulders. Hiding behind one to catch his breath after that mad sprint. As he caught his breath the raptor peeked at the beast his brain already working out how to take it down. A young Rancor is difficult enough, a fully grown one? That is nearly impossible. Not without taking considerable risk. Especially with a Forest Rancor that is faster and smarter than it's more common counterpart. Shifting some Shan looked around at his surroundings, looking for a place better to ambush the Rancor from. He will have to find a better position quickly with how smart the Rancor is already proving to be as it searched for it's lost prey.

Taking this beast down isn't going to be very easy.


@Blue Oakwood

 

[Sskyr Uros]

Rustling turned to rampage. Entire trees were broken or toppled, to say nothing of the inhabitants atop them. Looking for a way down before it was his turn, he wasn’t going to make it, the tree started to creak and be pushed over. The best he could do was cover up behind the trunk for the fall.

His spear fell to earth, the tree, and soon after his body, claws etched into the thick bark, carving his uncertain existence to its trunk, holding till he was thrown clean and landed in a heap. Green eyes snapped up following the Rancor's rampage, as scooped up the body of a Fathier and chowed down.

Now this was a hunt! Rage started coarse through him, adrenaline pumping the heart faster.

No explosives, no heavy weapons, grenades, or traps, he had the environment. The beast had weakened many of these ancient trees. The Trandoshan started firing across from the Rancor into the base of one tree behind it. First, it looked at him, then the tree, repeated red blaster shots chipping away at the bark. It turned to try and smack him with a mighty backhand, just as the weakened tree behind it lurched straight onto its back. Splinters flew up everywhere in frenzied woodchipery, knocking it off balance.

STOMP STOMP STOMP

Giving his finest Toothy Grin, Sskyr turned to run, grabbing his spear in passing. A rancor with a sore head was no friend of his. It was obvious at this point something else was here, he still hadn’t seen what yet. A poacher? Sskyr was running near whatever it was. Was that feet and eyes? Tempted to take a shot over at Uul Rha Shan’s direction, but the mightly Pfassk'd off Rancor behind roared its intent to not be ignored.

STOMP STOMP STOMP, closing on him the ground shook, an overpowering disgusting stench of its breath as it roared. All he could do was dive into a small opening, rolling end-over-end down an embankment, which gained him distance and lost him in the thick foliage below. The resulting fall also gave him more bruises and a scrape across his red armor. The fall put him west of Uul Rha Shan's boulders, along with one enraged smart rancor at the top of the decline. Time for the Tiss to plan the impossible, but not much time.

@Nommie