Hunter and the Hunted

Hunter and the Hunted
Date 2085-08-09 GM Robinton Location Puyallup Status Threat Level: Medium
Factions Involved
ShadowHaven	Major Corp
Sticks Poe Obsidian	Character1 Character2

Summary

A strange night of dealing with arcane spirit relationships has the runners moving along an ancient pattern of hunter and hunted, and a night going to ground in order to survive until the dawn.

Background

Eyes In The Dark is engaged in a cyclical power struggle between itself and another spirit, He Who Lies in Wait, the Hunter in the Wilds. As part of their connection to the Plane of Beasts, the both of them trading back and forth who is Hunter and who is Hunted. As the cycle turns, it is Eyes' turn to be the prey.

The Meet

Late during the evening, Sticks hears some conflict outside his restaurant. As he goes out to investigate it, his spirit warns him to drop. He does so a moment before the high powered rifle round which would have gone through his head a moment before passes harmlessly overhead. The spirit urges him to run, to flee, to move, and Sticks begins to run. Some time later, Sticks feels that spiritual push finally let up, realizing he is the middle of the back alleys of nowhere near the worst stuffer shack ever. He sends some panicked messages to Poe and Obsidian in order to rally the troops after EITD is less than forthcoming with explanations about what is going on.

The Plan

N/A

The Run

Poe hears Sticks talk about He Who Lies in Wait and remembers that he is a wolf spirit who is significantly focused on hunting and tracking. Eyes explains that there is a sort of rule and ways to the Hunt, and that He Who Lies in Wait will be likewise tied to an avatar mystic in much the say way Eyes is tied to Sticks. As they discuss the shooting, Poe is able to reason it down to a block or two from where the shooter was likely positioned and that he was far enough away that the sound wouldn't carry.

As they go to leave the stuffer-waffle-shack, a pack of hounds prowls into the area, clearly on the trace of Sticks and his cat. The truck self-drives itself away without attracting any attention.

Sticks learns from EITD that the roles of the hunt must be followed and he realizes that, for now, EITD is prey and the role they must follow is that of survival and evasion. Obsidian notices there are an unusual number of drones in the air as they drive, and assumes there is some drone control operator working for the Hunter's avatar.

The team decides to find an abandoned safe house in Puyallup in order to lay low for a bit and plan. They avoid the drones, mainly because the drones are on autopilot, scanning for Sticks's face.

Sticks has a moment of brilliance and realizes that the prior 'avatar' of EITD probably died during the last cycle of the hunt. Some summoned spirits later, they set the spirits to guard their improvised safehouse. Obsidian commands his spirit to use concealment on the three of them. Poe turns invisible, as does Sticks, and goes out to scout. Poe realizes that the drones are gone - something clearly twigged the hunter to their location (ironically, removing the outer security bars), and that while the pack of wolf-spirits are lurking around the building where they are, but for some reason, don't seem to be moving closer.

As the night rolls on, the team deals with waves of fear spells from the wolf spirits, but is able to survive that, and their own boredom (cough, lack of focus), before dawn breaks and the hunt is called off. Eyes in the Dark rises, proclaims that the wolf spirits are gone, and its safe for them to leave.

The team goes back to Poe's truck in time to see a man in an ornate wolf mask rise from his hidden roost a few buildings away, locks eyes with Sticks, and nods once, before turning and slipping back into the concrete jungle.

Aftermath

The cycle of the Hunt has now turned - Eyes in the Dark is now the Hunter and He Who Lies in Wait is the prey.

Rewards

10 RVP

7 Karma (7RVP)

6 CDP (3RVP)

2 CDP

Game Quotes

Amusing quote from game.

Player After Action Reports (AARs)

Sticks "Ah fucking hated this. Why did ah have to be chosen? This felt like a nightmare, and it lasted 8 fucking hours!"

Poe What a wild night. Took that loco, and the Wudaku earlier. I have to admit, the whole spirit communication and bonding experience is far better now that Raven set me straight. Part of the great spirit cycle, interesting. Should have chatted the dogs up as well. Glad we kept Sticks alive, and for his waffle making skills."

Obsidian(?) "More training is required. Last night's performance was...unacceptable. Fears must be...rooted out. She will learn to face her fears, or she will be overwhelmed by them."