(PRP) Colder than the hinges of Hell

[Bleeds Well]

There's a tickle at the back Bird's mind. Something gnawing at this consciousness. The word catches. Gnawing.

The hisil seems too close, the barrier between worlds should be thicker here in the storm drains of the city than they are.

The shuffling behind Bird increases in volume as more feet scrap along the floor of the tunnel, following his path into darkness.

Ahead the darkness stretches on into oblivion, beyond the range of his gifted eyesight, the scent of his quarry fading from his nose. Near-bye the hisil looms.

Somewhere close, past the shuffling bodies, back out into the open air of night, a strangled, hoarse, howl of warning cuts through.

[Bird]

Yes. He knows what that means. Rats are digging. Chewing. On the move.

He's found the nest. Or maybe, the nest has found him.

And then, the howl rings out. He tries to remember: is that Bleeds Well? Is that the howl of his pack? Or something...else?

Remember Bleeds' howl, 4 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-09-15 19:07:21	Bird rolls 5 to Intell + Comp (10 Again)	10, 8, 10, 6, 4, 6, 9	4 successes

He has to see goddamnit. Has to peek across the veil. Maybe, if they're all on this side of the curtain, he can give himself some space to maneuver by stepping across.

If not, he'll need to keep moving further into the drain. But there's no where to hide down that way. It's a straight shot. And no way to know where it ends.

So, he peeks. Focuses all his will and tries to open his eyes to the other side.

Peek, 1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2021-09-15 19:04:10	Bird rolls 7 to Wits + Empathy + PU -1 unskliled + 2 (Irraka) (10 Again, WillPower)	2, 7, 3, 8, 4, 3, 2	1 success

[Bleeds Well]

A veil, much to thin, falls away from Bird's eyes. For the briefest of moments hisil resembles a yawning abyss, and then the shadows come into focus. In the distance there is movement, far too much movement. The hisil around Bird is a long burrowed tunnel, and deep deep within a mound of rats beyond counting.

All at once a million tiny, beady eyes turn and open, a red and black glow in the darkness focusing on him.

Sounds of growling and barking, teeth gnashing and bones snapping.

"Bird!" Bleeds Well calls out the voice faint and far.

[Bird]

A world of rats. Vermin as far as the eye can see. And they see him right back.

Fa-Ninna is one of the People. He does not shy away from a fight. But he is also a New Moon, a Cunning wolf, and he does not make stupid decisions in the name of Glory.

No, he needs to retreat. For now. Find another approach. Because what lies beyond the veil is nothing but death. And pointless death at that. The hunter must live to hunt another day.

As if on cue, Bleeds Well calls out. Tearing Bird's attention away from the Hisil. He turns and race back the way he came, streaking down the tunnel on four legs.

If unimpeded, and none of the herd have followed him into the tunnel to witness the change, he will shift back to Hishu before he emerges.

Let me know if I need to roll for a foot chase!

[Bleeds Well]

With Bleeds Well's warning Bird escapes successfully. Knowledge gained, and enemy territory scouted.

closing this up