Into The Forest (Galliban's Wilderness Survival Training)

Galliban Tyren · May 10, 2004, 05:58 PM

(Continued from Ranger Hall thread)

Galliban nodded to Tev and adjusted the straps on her back as she turned and walked towards the door. She stepped outside and breathed in the fresh, cool air. She looked up to the sky. It was moderately overcast, but the clouds were moving so the sky might clear up later. Galliban started toward the forest and stepped onto the north path. She maintained a moderate pace, as Tev had advised, a brisk walk. As she walked she wondered, how long it would take for the Master Ranger to join her and she wondered also what her wilderness survival training would entail.

Tev · May 11, 2004, 05:13 PM

As Galliban proceeded on the north path, the forest became more dense with trees. The undergrowth also became more dense but not as tall and plush as it was initially. Slowly but surely the path was narrowing to become a game trail. She was able to notice the various signs of animals having passed by. Broken twigs were on either side of the trail; some had small tufts of fur hanging from them. Along the ground were droppings of animals that had passed.

There were sounds of birds singing and small animals scampering in the undergrowth. More noises came from above. There was ample life within the trees themselves. Life in the forest seemed to be going on though not much of it was in view as Galliban moved on. The action seemed to be confined to what was just out of her sight.

Galliban Tyren · May 11, 2004, 05:46 PM

As Galliban walked, she observed her surroundings carefully, slowing or even stopping occasionally to inspect something particularly interesting. She moved as an elf, gracefully and with a light step.

Galliban was thouroughly enjoying herself. As a girl, she felt more at home in the Prime wilderness than in her family's house in the city. Even though she was not a full elf, she still felt the in-born connection with nature that her kin possessed. She continued down the forest path, her acute hearing picking up the sounds of nature which were music to her ears. Galliban began to sing softly to herself. The song was very old, older than the Allerian Empire. It was a hymn of Carmelya in Ancient Ke'Tralan, said to have been sung by elves during their first years in the mortal realm in praise of the Goddess and her gifts. The words were beautiful mysterious, and seemed to echo within the woods. Galliban herself had some knowledge of the ancient langauge, but even so the hymn filled her with a sense of awe each time it was sung.

Tev · May 12, 2004, 10:49 PM

As Galliban sang there seemed to be a few more birds in the immediate area. More were visible and there seemed to be more of their singing. It could make her wonder whether her own song was attracting them. Before long it was evident that the birds were getting closer to her. It was as if there was trust developing.

Then something different appeared before her, a small furry animal that was almost all black with a white stripe running from head to the bushy tail that had just risen upright. It was feeding on some plump red berries that were low on a bush alongside the trail just ahead of Galliban. Now it stopped eating and eyed her warily.

The birds were unconcerned and continued with their song and flight as they too fed on the red berries that were on either side of the trail.

Galliban Tyren · May 12, 2004, 11:03 PM

When the small animal turned its attention to her, Galliban stopped walking. She wondered what had made the animal so sensitive to her presence. Perhaps she was within its territory, or perhaps the animal simply did not like to be disturbed while eating. Galliban backed up by a few steps and knelt on the ground, still singing the hymn softly. She watched the animal closely and attempted to let it know that she had no intention of harming it. Her presence was gentle and she continued to sing softly. She doubted very much that such a small animal would be very aggressive. Galliban also observed the berries, trying to commit their appearance to memory so that she might gather them later.

Tev · May 13, 2004, 11:03 PM

When Galliban backed up a few steps along the trail, the furry animal was sufficiently placated that it lowered it's tail about half way. However, it's eyes remained fixed on Galliban and there was not even a hint of it resuming to eat the berries. It was obviously wary of her.

A young brown and orange bird landed in front of Galliban and pecked at an insect. In a moment the bird lifted it's head, the morsel was swallowed, it glanced at Galliban, hopped over to side of the trail and then flew up onto a low branch of a nearby tree.

Galliban Tyren · May 13, 2004, 11:12 PM

Galliban watched the bird with brief fascination as it made a meal of the insect then flew up into the tree. She wondered for a moment what the bird's thoughts were when it glanced at her, and considered the bird's behavior. Her eyes followed the bird up into the tree, then she turned her attention to the small, furry animal standing on the path. Galliban knew that she had to keep moving, but she did not wish to frighten or upset the animal if at all possible. She took some of the same red berries from the plant beside her, careful not to crush them.

"I mean you no harm." she said in a smooth and gentle Trelorean Elvish as she reached out her arm slowly and offered the berries to the animal in one gloved hand.

Tev · May 14, 2004, 11:00 PM

Gads!

What a stench!

The polecat turned quickly, raised it's tail and sprayed toward Galliban. The odor was terrible and she felt a burning sensation in her eyes.

As Galliban stood there reeking of the spray, the animal withdrew off the trail and into the thicket.

Galliban Tyren · May 14, 2004, 11:15 PM

As the animal scampered away, Galliban retrieved her flask from her pack and opened it. She poured a small amount of water into her eyes to flush them out. They stung for a moment, but they soon felt clear again. She put the flask back in her pack. All she could do was shake her head. She couldn't really blame the animal for its behavior. Galliban figured that the incident was probably for the best, because it was a learning experience and because she was probably less likely to get attacked by dangerous creatures in her current state. She simply continued to walk down the path, looking around for a stream to wash in.

OOC: By the way, skunks are carnivorous (for the most part) and they would most likely spray you if you even came near them. They are rather high-strung animals.

Tev · May 15, 2004, 04:52 PM

Flushing out her eyes, succeeded in clearing the sting out of Galliban's eyes. despite her positive outlook in rationalizing the situation, Galliban found the odor offensive difficult to tolerate. In spite of that she moved on down the game hoping to find water. Her expectation was realistic. Most game trails did lead to water of one sort or another.

As she progressed, Galliban noticed that a few lesser trails connected to the one she was travelling. There were more signs of animals having passed by. Some of the spoors were recent. Then came the sound she was seeking, the movement of water. It came from ahead. As she walked on along the trail the sound of the water became more distinct. Before long the trail began to incline upward, then it veered to the right but a less travelled trail went up a hill, toward the sound of the water.

OOC
This skunk, (a member of genus Mephitis), is omnivorous.

Galliban Tyren · May 15, 2004, 07:40 PM

Galliban stopped near the split of the trail. She stood perfectly still for a moment, trying to confirm the general location of the water. Being an elf, or at least half-elf, her hearing was excellent. After a quick but decisive debate, Galliban decided to take the path heading up the hill. She figured that if Tev was going to catch up to her, such an experienced Ranger would have no trouble tracking her down. Besides, the smell that had attached itself to her was becoming very distracting and she had to wash. With that thought, she started up the hill and toward the sound of the water.

Tev · May 15, 2004, 09:25 PM

The Trek up the hill was not easy, the trail became considerably steeper as she went on. fortunately the Half-Elf was in excellent physical condition and the uphill hike did not bother her. The sound of the water was louder as well. Soon Galliband came to an small open area and she saw a narrow stream before her. The water was flowing rapidly among a large number of jagged rocks that were protruding above the surface.

Over to the right was a waterfall that cascaded down about 50 feet into a wide pool of water. Beyond the waterfall, the water in the pool was placid and flowed very slowly.

Galliban Tyren · May 15, 2004, 09:44 PM

Galliban walked through the open area and knelt by the stream, setting her pack to the side. She removed her gloves and dipped her hands into the clear water. She paused for a moment as she savored the feeling of the cool water flowing around her hands, then washed her face and removed her cloak. She then washed her neck and removed the rest of her clothing. She washed her body quickly. The water felt a bit chilly on her usually unexposed skin, but it was still nice. Galliban didn't have time for a proper wash, but she did her best to remove the smell. She then put on a new shirt, pair of pants, and cloak. As she stuffed the ones she had worn previously, she wished that she had taken more clothes along. She wished also that she had the time to wash her clothes, but she obviously did not. She had to keep moving.

When Galliban had finished, she grabbed her pack and started to head back toward the main trail.

Tev · May 17, 2004, 09:21 PM

Feeling refreshed, Galliban went back down the hill to the main game trail. After walking along that trail for a few minutes she found herself at the wide pool she had looked down upon. The trail went alongside the pool of water, both left and right.

A short distance away to the left was the waterfall. it cascaded down an outcropping of numerous rocks. The waterfall itself was considerably wider than the stream above. At it's base was foaming water that spread out into the wide pool of water. The pool was almost a small lake. It seemed to be about 100 yards across.

To the right the trail seemed to lead along the edge of the pool.

Across the pool on the other side there were deer at the edge drinking. There were three, a buck, a doe and a fawn. The buck paused for a moment and looked over toward Galliband. After a brief assessment, he resumed drinking.

Galliban Tyren · May 17, 2004, 09:32 PM

Galliban stopped along the trail and looked over the pool towards the three deer that were drinking from it. She smiled a little as she watched them. Galliban assumed that the buck and doe were the parents of the fawn. The three of them together made for a beautiful sight. Their peacefulness was the essence of nature itself, of Carmelya Herself. The young half elf could have spent hours watching the deer, but she reminded herself that she had to keep moving. Before she started off again, she refilled her flask with water from the pool, then set off down the trail along the edge of the pool.