Spring, well north of the arctic circle. 1975. A small surveying camp sits just south of the Middle Fork of the Koyukuk and Bettles river confluence, among dense forests of spindly spruce trees. Above it, the ramplike prow of Sukakpak mountain dominates. It is a striking, curious and isolated peak south of the Brooks range. A survey team is re-flagging the original pipeline route that was flagged in ’71. There is great urgency, as construction of the North Slope Haul Road has already begun and will reach Atigun pass in less than a month. The route must be clearly marked.
Stanley,A short sound breaks the eerie silence. Is it an animal? Or is it the Prey?
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Roll [b]Listen[/b]!
Jeff,Jeff sits under a tree. He is tired from today's physical and psychological strain, and is fighting to stay awake. A short, snapping sound breaks the silence of the forest! He looks around.
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Roll [b]Spot Hidden[/b]!
"I feel as if my soul would be torn out of my body," she gasped. "I am being drawn into a whirlpool. What is happening? What does it mean?" - The Secrets of Dr. Taverner
Jeff doesn't see anything but decides he should probably get back to the camp and see if anyone else is still alive. He puts the flask of drink away, rises and starts walking back in the direction he came.
Jeff stands up and slowly makes his way back towards camp through the dark, silent, ominous forest.
Stanley,The Hunter's attention is now caught by another sound: footsteps, muffled by the soft forest soil. Between the trees, by the faint light, he catches the silhouette of a man walking towards the camp.
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Five rounds left of the Bout of Insanity...
Harry,Harry, to his dismay, notices that [b]Jeff [/b]stands up and starts walking towards the camp! - and, possibly, into the arms of Stanley.
"I feel as if my soul would be torn out of my body," she gasped. "I am being drawn into a whirlpool. What is happening? What does it mean?" - The Secrets of Dr. Taverner
Stanley,Roll [b]Sneak[/b], with advantage / bonus dice!
"I feel as if my soul would be torn out of my body," she gasped. "I am being drawn into a whirlpool. What is happening? What does it mean?" - The Secrets of Dr. Taverner
The forest is made up of ancient pine and spruce trees. They don't grow to form a dense wall, and there isn't much undergrowth... The only obstacles are the fallen trees that are scattered here or there, and the broken branches, protruding horizontally from most of the trees. One can run fast, if so inclined, but can only hide behind the bigger standing trees, or maybe lying down somewhere in the dark.
Stanley,[b]Harry[/b]'s desperate alarm cry and [b]Jeff[/b]'s quickening of pace reveals their location to [b]The Hunter[/b]. Jeff is about 15 yards from him, to the north-west, partially obscured by the darkness and the trees. Harry's voice comes from about 25 yards away, from the north. Stanley cannot see him, though.
[attachment=0]forest map stanley.gif[/attachment]
Jeff,Which direction is Jeff running to? He vaguely remembers which direction is the camp. The way he is standing now (facing in the direction of the camp), he understands that Harry is somewhere to the left, maybe 30 yards away from him? But he cannot see him.
Harry,Harry understands, that his alarm cry probably revealed his (initial) position to Stanley. Which direction is he moving to? He cannot "see" the camp, but he still knows (or at least he is positive he remembers) where it is supposed to lie.
[attachment=1]forest map harry.gif[/attachment]
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"I feel as if my soul would be torn out of my body," she gasped. "I am being drawn into a whirlpool. What is happening? What does it mean?" - The Secrets of Dr. Taverner
Stanley pursues Jeff. While he was not the original Prey, he is closer and has been flushed out. He is now aware of Harry's approximate current location, and he can always track him down later.
Harry heads north trying to circle round where he thinks the camp is. After about 10 yards, he stops. Crouching low, he listens, trying to hear anything above his own thumping heart.
Jeff,[b]Jeff [/b]carefully heads left, but Harry is nowhere to be seen, or nowhere close. There are strange, small sounds in the forest, which unnerve Jeff.
[color=#0000FF]"I'm here,"[/color] he hears [b]Harry[/b]'s voice again, but cannot make out nor distance, neither direction.
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[b]Spot Hidden 45%[/b]
[dice]0[/dice]
Stanley,[b]Stanley[/b] stalks through the forest, getting closer to his Prey. He notices that Jeff is pacing towards Harry for better or worse. Stanley is now about 12 yards away from the Prey, and can see him clearly: But the small twigs that cover the ground here crackle dangerously under Stanley's heavy feet.
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[b]Stealth 50%[/b]
[dice]1[/dice]
4 turns left...
Harry,Harry crouches low and concentrates. He hears footsteps, somebody walking on the forest ground towards him. Jeff, perhaps?
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[b]Listen 60%[/b]
[dice]2[/dice]
"I feel as if my soul would be torn out of my body," she gasped. "I am being drawn into a whirlpool. What is happening? What does it mean?" - The Secrets of Dr. Taverner
Jeff,Jeff hears footsteps, then a figure emerges from the darkness of the forest. He recognizes him - it's his fellow investigator, Stanley Kramer.
Stanley,Stanley, this time not sneaking or stalking, approaches Jeff. Jeff notices him.
"I feel as if my soul would be torn out of my body," she gasped. "I am being drawn into a whirlpool. What is happening? What does it mean?" - The Secrets of Dr. Taverner
Jeff,Stanley comes from the camp, so he is "blocking" the shortest route back. Jeff will have to pass him on his way to the camp, or circle around.
"I feel as if my soul would be torn out of my body," she gasped. "I am being drawn into a whirlpool. What is happening? What does it mean?" - The Secrets of Dr. Taverner