>>26546315
There’s a large crowd of onlookers staring at you, of wildly varying shapes and sizes. Some look like they’ve been carved out of rocks or trees. Some are humanoid, but strangely coloured or with strange appendages or just too many limbs. Some look almost human, but are impossibly beautiful, or just look slightly wrong, somehow, like something wearing a perfect latex mask without any understanding of how it ought to sit or move. All of them are waiting for your decision.

[]Examine the deer carefully. See if there are any tiny differences that might influence your hunt. ((Roll 2d6.))
[]Ask Avril for any advice. She seems to have helped catch these deer, she might know something you don’t.
[]Just pick a deer. They’re all giant, antler-decked, angry animals. You might as well get this over with as quickly as possible.
[]Other

((Archives are located at http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Monsterhearts%20Quest and/or http://archive.foolz.us/tg/search/subject/monsterhearts%20quest/type/op/order/asc/ ))

Rolled 1, 5 = 6

[]Examine the deer carefully. See if there are any tiny differences that might influence your hunt.

Here we go.

Rolled 6, 6 = 12

>>26546328
[]Examine the deer carefully. See if there are any tiny differences that might influence your hunt. ((Roll 2d6.))

>>26546328
((Okay, writing now.))

>>26546501
>>26546702
You take a close look at the deer. They're all stamping and thrashing about, and they all have massive, many-pointed antlers... but that one there has the biggest antlers, and that one on the far left has the smallest. And you think it's limping slightly on one of its hind legs, too. Not much, but maybe enough to make a difference over a long chase. You nod to Avril. "That one, on the far left."

Jill picks the one right next to yours, possibly at random. Avril pouts a little, but looks over the remaining two. "All right, I'll take that one." She points to the one you'd picked out as the biggest, most dangerous stag. There's a worryingly predatory smile on her face.

The crowd are shuffling back as a small group of servants start separating the stags out more, wheeling them over to the edge of the forest. The first stag to be released is the last one, the deer that none of you selected and that presumably is for Avril's father to chase down. You don't actually see him anywhere in the crowd, now that you think about it.

The massive silver chains are thrown off the stag, and it bolts for the woods. It gets about five steps before a massive vine almost as wide as your body bursts from the ground, snakes around its legs, and then wraps around the deer's neck with a very final-sounding snap. The deer sags, and you can hear cheering from the crowd. Avril grins, and steps forward, drawing her own dagger.

Do you want to do anything to prepare for your hunt?

>>26546877
Stretch out a little, make sure that we can run in our clothes?
Seems that you're allowed to use your powers during the Hunt, so Jill can use hers to get in stab her deer a little.

Us, though, we're going to have to run ours down. Better loosen our collar and roll up our sleeves.

Rolled 2, 1 = 3

>>26547073
agreed.

>>26546877
You start rolling up your sleeves, casting a critical eye over the terrain ahead. Lots of rises and falls in the land, lots of variety in the type and density of the trees. You're going to have to think carefully about how to go about this hunt.

Avril's deer is let loose, and she bounds after it - she's springing over logs and branches, chasing the deer down with sheer speed and agility. They disappear into the forest together, and you see some members of the crowd break off to run in the same direction, presumably hoping for a closer look at the action.

Jill has started levitating her dagger, which wobbles around her head. She still looks somewhat queasy. When her deer is released the dagger darts after it, Jill running along behind. Now it's your turn, and the rest of the crowd seems to move forward, anticipating a good show. The servants throw the heavy silver chains off your prey, and it leaps towards a large, bramble-covered thicket, diving into the foliage with powerful legs.

[]Dive in after it. The brambles might slow it down more than they slow you down.
[]Circle around. It has to come out eventually.
[]Try to predict which way the deer is going to go later, and plan to ambush it.
[]Stop and analyse the terrain more. It'll slow you down initially, but it might pay off later.
[]Other

>>26547295
[x]Try to predict which way the deer is going to go later, and plan to ambush it.
Maybe hunting with intellect would be better?
Sure, it's not exactly what the Fae want, but we're supposed to 'bring the spark of Human ingenuity to the Court', aren't we?

>>26547295
>[]Dive in after it. The brambles might slow it down more than they slow you down.

Yeah, can't let it get away.

>>26547295
>[]Dive in after it. The brambles might slow it down more than they slow you down.

>>26547295
>[x]Dive in after it. The brambles might slow it down more than they slow you down.
this is the perfect chance to stop thinking so much and have some carnal fun.

>>26547295
((Writing now.))

>>26547577
You dive into the thicket, weaving your way around branches and bramble stems, chasing after the stag. You can clearly see the path it's torn through the undergrowth, stamping and thrashing. It's still ahead of you a little, but you're starting to close the lead.

You burst out of the other side of the thicket, the stag just ahead of you. It leaps down a short hill, running fast down the slope. The trees are less dense here, and with the open ground the stag is starting to build up a lead again. You can see its muscles straining with sweat, its weak leg trailing a little. You feel a hunger starting to rise in you. You will win this hunt. You know it.

You glance around. You could try running along the higher ground to one side, following the stag at a distance. If it has to come back up the slope again, you'll have an advantage - but if the valley continues you'll still have to get down there after it, and the stag may build up a lead in the meantime. You could just chase directly after it, down the slope. It's clear ground, so you can run as fast as you can, but the stag can also run as fast as it can, and it can probably outrun you. It looks like there might be a small stream at the bottom of the valley. If you head for that you might be able to cut the stag off, but you'll be engaging it on very slippery ground. It could be dangerous.

[]Stay on the high ground. Keep the height advantage. It has to come to you eventually.
[]Chase straight after the stag. It will tire before you do.
[]Head for the stream. Engage the stag head-on. Fight and kill.
[]Other

>>26547793
>[]Chase straight after the stag. It will tire before you do.
Our human endurance is more than a match for a deer.

[]Chase straight after the stag. It will tire before you do.

The faster it runs, or tries to, the higher the chances of its leg giving in.

>>26547793
>You could just chase directly after it, down the slope
Chase it down the slope the leap from the slope onto it as it gets to the mud of the stream at the bottom.

>>26547793
>[x]Stay on the high ground. Keep the height advantage. It has to come to you eventually.
its a hunt. gotta keep the high ground.

>>26547793
((Ok, writing.))

>>26548064
The stag's leg is already starting to give out. All you have to do is drive it hard and it will falter.

You press on, racing down the slope after the stag. Your feet are pounding hard and your chest is tightening - you've never run this fast or this long in your life. But you're still keeping pace. The lead is closing. The stag is just ahead, its antlers smashing low branches aside as it charges towards the bottom of the small valley. Out of the corner of your eye you see movement on the higher ground - spectators, maybe. You try to jump upon it as the stag reaches the stream, but it's too quick for you, leaping away across the stream and barrelling through the undergrowth, heading down the valley.

You bring one hand down and draw your dagger as you chase after it. Despite the ornate and complicated hilt and guard, the blade is long, plain, and razor-sharp on both sides. You're not sure what metal it's made from - you assume it won't be iron or steel.

You're beginning to draw in on the stag now. One good burst of speed is all you need. Of course, you'll still have to fight once you catch up with it. What's your plan for taking this beast on?

[]Try to chase it towards thicker undergrowth. Corner it so that you can whittle it down at your leisure.
[]Put on a burst of speed, leap upon the stag and bear it to the ground. Pure force will win the day.
[]Keep chasing the stag without attacking. Tire it out so that it will be easier to kill later.
[]Be flashy. You've got an audience, play to them. Dart in and out, big visible attacks.
[]Force the stag into the stream. If it loses its footing it will be more vulnerable. Less dramatic, but practical.
[]Other

>>26548364
>[x]Force the stag into the stream. If it loses its footing it will be more vulnerable. Less dramatic, but practical.

>>26548364
>[]Put on a burst of speed, leap upon the stag and bear it to the ground. Pure force will win the day.

>>26548364
>[x]Other
Slash its back leg. That should stop it from running. Then move in for its neck for a quick and decisive kill. I think that would be most impressive.

>>26548406
>>26548472
>>26548604
((Okay, so we have three solid attack plans and no consensus. I'll give it five more minutes for a tiebreaker and then roll a d3.))

Voter from here >>26548406

We're not mediocre at combat, but we're not great, either.

Given that, even weakened, this is a deer of above-average endurance and strength, we should go with a more conservative attack plan.

>>26548604
Seconding this, let's prevent it to keep running away.

>>26548757
((Okay, writing now.))

>>26548837
You move in, dagger out. You try for a few quick slashes at the deer's weak leg, but the mud makes it hard to keep your footing while you lunge, and you have to draw back in order to keep your balance. Then you spot your moment - the stag slips, splaying its legs out to keep upright. You strike quickly, a long spray of blood spattering across the ground as you hamstring the beast.

It turns, dragging its now-useless back leg, and lowers its antlers. You grab at one of them with your free hand and force its head up, your muscles straining against the stag's. With a mighty wrench you push the antlers away from you and whip the dagger across the deer's throat. It collapses, blood spouting across your face and chest. Your shirt darkens a little where the blood soaks into it.

You strain to lift the deer's carcass, seeing a number of the servants from before now making their way down the slope. They lift the rest of the body, helping you to carry the deer triumphantly back to the clearing.

Three other deer are piled on the grass, with a group of people gathered around them, cutting off massive chunks of meat for the enormous fire that has been readied nearby. Off to the side, Avril and Jill are resting, waiting for you. Avril is grinning widely, her long green dress splashed with blood. Both her arms are wet with blood almost up to the elbow. It looks like she killed her stag with her bare hands. Jill is kneeling on the grass, looking like she’s about to – no, wait, she’s just started throwing up. You can’t see any blood against the red of her dress, but one of the dead stags looks like it’s had a smooth hole punched through its chest, from one side to the other.

((Cont.))

>>26549156
Some of the spectators are crowding around you, shaking your hand or patting you on the back. “Excellently done, Ambassador,” says a man with two curling ram’s horns and the lower half of a goat. An incredibly gorgeous blonde woman in an indecently sheer white dress smiles and says “I was rooting for you all the way, Chris.” Someone who looks like a walking pile of thorns in the general shape of a man pats you gently on the back. “I haven’t seen a hunt like that in years, Ambassador,” he tells you. “It does us good to have a mortal among us. Such fire, such passion. It warms my heart.” A towering pile of rocks with glowing eyes scoffs at you. “You could have had it down earlier if you’d pushed yourself more.” “Oh, don’t listen to him”, says a vaguely familiar looking man in an elaborate, multi-coloured suit. “He’s just jealous that you’re prettier than he is. It was a fine hunt, for a mortal.”

You make your way up to a long wooden table that has been brought onto the green, flanked by lines of high-backed chairs. Avril comes up to stand at your right hand side, trailing Jill, who still looks quite nauseous. At the centre of one of the long sides is a giant chair, empty at the moment. Avril guides you to a seat almost directly across the table, taking the central seat for herself and seating Jill at her other side. The assorted Fae take their seats according to some complicated order of precedence. When all the guests are seated, there’s a sound like a massive thunderclap and the giant chair is suddenly filled by the looming figure of Avril’s father, his body encased in massive, ornate armour and his antlers tipped with elaborate golden decorations on each of their points. “Begin the feast!” he declares, and the servants begin to bring out courses.

Avril is busily digging in to her food. Is there anything you want to talk about now, or would you rather wait until dinner is done?

>>26549169
ask if this kind of a thing is normal amongst these feasts. She could have given us a heads up in that case.

>>26549169
smile to avril "that was far from the best surprise i ever had, but it was thrilling none the less."
make some small talk to jill about other guests. it should be fun and should take her mind off from the hunt.

>>26549169
>says a vaguely familiar looking man in an elaborate, multi-coloured suit.
I may be being dense but can you elaborate why this guy is familier? Is he the one from one our previous visions?

>>26549310
((You're not sure - it's just one of those "Huh. I think I might know that guy, but I can't place where I've seen him" things. Could be.))

>>26549310
Is he the one from one of our previous visions?
More specifically, is he the one who was marrying Avril?

>>26549169
"Jill, feeling better? You didn't push yourself too much, did you?
"Fast moves, by the way, Princess. Should have known you could move that fast."

We ARE surrounded on all sides by Fae. Letting them think that Jill was throwing up due to over-exertion is probably better than that she's overwhelmed by their customs. Gotta keep up appearances, and following protocol.
Especially since Avril's dad invited us to dinner.

>>26549169
((Writing now.))

>>26549340
((That vision was nearly two weeks ago, and it was pretty brief. You don't remember it all that clearly now. It's possible, certainly.))

>>26549461
jill is not a part of fae court. i dont think it makes much difference to them why she threw up. anyone with a decent observation would know the reaon regardless anyways.

>>26549492
You glance over at Avril, who's continuing to dig into her meal, seemingly oblivious to the blood still coating her hands and lower arms. "So, is this a standard practice for large feasts? It was an... interesting surprise."

Avril puts down her starter (some form of fish that you're pretty certain came from nowhere on Earth), and looks back at you, slightly confused. "More or less - there usually aren't guests of honour, so it's me or my father doing the hunting, but we can't run things like humans do, with factory farms and battery chickens." She shudders a little. "This is the way the Fae do things. Only what is freely given or honestly earned. Or bargained for, but you can't really make bargains with plants or animals."

You indicate Jill with your fork. She's still looking nauseous, although she's eating a little. "You couldn't have given us a bit of a heads up first?"

Avril looks rather embarrassed. "I didn't think of it. I'm sorry. You've fought off a werewolf, I assumed a deer wouldn't be an issue. And you both did quite impressively. You've earned my father and yourselves quite a bit of political capital with those displays."

Jill raises her head, glaring at Avril. "Political capital?" she hisses. "There was blood everywhere. I killed that poor deer! What did it ever do to me?"

Avril shrugs. "What has a cow or a chicken done to you? People have to eat to live. Well, most people, anyway. You gave it a clean, honest death."

The servants come out, bearing larger plates. Each one has a thick steak, lightly cooked and sitting in a small, dark red pool. Jill takes one look at her plate, pushes her chair back and gets up, dashing off into the woods. Avril's father furrows his massive brows, but says nothing. Avril puts a hand on your arm. "She'll be back in a moment. Eat your venison. You earned it, remember."

[]Go after Jill. This isn't right.
[]Give Jill a moment alone. She probably doesn't want blood-stained company.
[]Other

>>26549883
>[]Give Jill a moment alone. She probably doesn't want blood-stained company.

>>26549883
>[x]Other
ask avril if she can send a servant after her. let her have her time alone but a servant watching her to make sure she is okay and doesnt wander off in the forest or anything would be good.
after thats dealt with, dig in.

>>26549883
[x]Give Jill a moment alone. She probably doesn't want blood-stained company.
Leaving the table now could be problematic, politically, and to be honest, we've got a lot of blood on us now.
We'll comfort Jill later.

>but we can't run things like humans do, with factory farms and battery chickens.
>Only what is freely given or honestly earned. Or bargained for
Actually, I've wondered about that.
What about agricultural products, and vat-grown meat? Do those count as 'earned', since work went into growing them?

>>26549984
((Avril has previously shown no issues eating farmed vegetables - at least, she eats the school salads, and you presume they use farmed vegetables rather than wild-grown ones. You have no idea what her opinion on vat-grown meat would be - feel free to ask her at some point.))

>>26549883
[]Give Jill a moment alone. She probably doesn't want blood-stained company.
Tuck in to our steak!

>>26549883
((Writing now))

>>26550185
You look at the woods Jill ran into, then at Avril. "Should you send someone after her? Just to keep an eye on her?"

Avril smiles happily, keeping her voice low. "The servants have tongues, and other people have ears. It's best to let her be. She's still got her dagger - nothing out there is a danger to her."

You nod, trying not to frown, and start on your steak. It's surprisingly good for something that was cooked over an open fire. It fills your stomach and sates your hunger better than any steak you've ever had - in fact it feels like eating something you hunted down and killed yourself is good for your more esoteric hungers as well. There's still a small, dark tendril coiled in the back of your mind, but it doesn't feel as pressing as it did a few minutes before.

Avril's father doesn't seem to eat during the meal - that is, plates of food are placed before him by the servants, and they're later removed, empty, but you never see him lift a fork to his mouth. He casts his gaze around the table, slowly but firmly. You're just finishing your steak when his gaze passes over you, then Avril. He pauses when he sees Jill's place still empty, and lifts his gaze from the table, looking out at the forest.

A silence falls over the table, not by any signal or command but simply by all conversation slowly falling silent. Avril looks up at her father, opens her mouth for a moment, then closes it. She looks over her shoulder at the forest, with a worried expression.

There's a pause, then a sudden loud crack, like the snapping of a branch. Then another.

Avril's father shifts his chair back and rises to his feet. There are a few scattered gasps from various guests.

Suddenly the massive chair is empty. You turn in your seat and see the enormous, armoured and antlered form of the Fae King striding into the forest. Avril goes to rise from her seat, stops, and turns to look at you. Her expression is studiously fixed, but there's fear in her eyes.

>>26550608
((And that's a nice solid cliffhanger for tonight's thread, I think. Questions, comments, curses, etc. below. Next thread will be Tuesday, and I'm considering getting a Twitter as well.))

File: 1376182748650.gif-(1.04 MB, 290x189, 1372888401950.gif)

1.04 MB GIF

>>26550608
avril is going to be punished for this. and its going to be enjoyable.

>>26550608
i am sure jill will be fine, a guest of a fae king should be pretty safe. even if she angered the said king by leaving the table.

>>26550608
Did we make sure to give Jill the Fae Etiquette Primer?
The fear in Avril's eyes does not do much to assuage my anxiety, >>26550751

>>26550696
Punished by us? Certainly enjoyable.
Punished by her father?
Not so much.

>>26550871
((No. No, you did not.))

>>26549169
>receiving compliments and not giving our thanks
>receiving something and giving nothing in return
>with fairies
Uh, we should have had an opportunity to avoid this slip-up, shouldn't we?

>>26552842
You're just being paranoid. I hope.

>>26552024
>did not give etiquette lessons right before big meeting with a Fae King
Well, we fucked up again, didn't we?