The atmosphere in the den shifted as Adrian, Marcus, and Seraphina described the Armored Grazers. The news that these creatures possessed a strong vital energy, hinting at valuable XP, captured the full attention of Garrick, Silas, and Elara. A noticeable quickening of their fundamental need for nourishment was felt by all.
Silas, who had been quietly listening, pointed to a spot on Seraphina's diagram. "If we can cripple a leg or force it into terrain where its movement is hampered, the underbelly becomes a viable target. A pitfall trap, or something to entangle its limbs, using the Bloodvines?" [System Notification: Group Objective (Combat Preparedness: Craft or improve three personal defense/hunting implements using available materials.) – Progress 3/3. Objective Complete!]
[Crimson Kindred - Group XP +30]
"A sound strategy," Adrian affirmed. "Marcus, can you lead us back to them and attempt to isolate a single Grazer, perhaps a younger one if possible, without alerting the entire herd?" Marcus nodded confidently. "Their senses are sharp, but they rely on established grazing paths. We can anticipate their movements."
The plan solidified: Marcus would track and guide. Silas, with Elara's help for lighter, quicker work, would attempt to prepare a subtle snare or trip hazard along a predicted path using the strongest Bloodvines, reinforced with sharpened Ironshroom fragments. Garrick would be the primary force for a direct confrontation if the trap only partially succeeded, aiming to shatter a leg or create an opening. Adrian and Seraphina would act as support, ready to exploit any weakness or draw the creature's attention. The objective was one Armored Grazer.
They set out as the crimson light of the cycle began to wane, the forest around them taking on deeper shadows. Marcus led them with unerring accuracy back to the territory of the Armored Grazers. They found a small group of five, including two smaller, though still substantial, individuals.
Under Marcus's guidance, Silas and Elara worked with swift, silent efficiency, weaving a deceptively strong net of Bloodvines across a narrow game trail, anchoring it to sturdy fungal stalks and concealing it with loose detritus and Ghostlichen. The rest of the Kindred took up concealed positions, hearts thrumming with a mixture of predatory excitement and cold calculation.
Hours passed in tense silence. Finally, one of the younger Armored Grazers, lagging slightly behind the others as they moved to a new patch of lichen, ambled towards the prepared trail. It stepped onto the concealed vines. [System Notification: Trap Activated (Bloodvine Snare)! Target: Armored Grazer. Outcome: Hind legs partially entangled. Mobility reduced.]
The Grazer let out a startled, furious bellow, its attempts to pull free only tightening the vines. "Now!" Adrian hissed.
Garrick was the first to move, a blur of speed despite his bulk, his Ironshroom club held high. He aimed a devastating blow at the creature's exposed hind leg, just above the entangling vines. The sound of impact was like stone cracking, and the Grazer shrieked, its leg buckling. [System Notification: Armored Grazer sustained Critical Injury (Hind Leg)! Further mobility severely impaired.]
The creature thrashed, its armored head swinging wildly, but its compromised mobility made it a more manageable target. Adrian and Marcus darted in from opposite flanks. Adrian, wielding his crude spear, feinted towards its head, drawing its attention, while Marcus, agile and swift, tried to slip past its desperate lunges to target its softer underbelly with his own sharpened implement.
The Grazer's plated head slammed towards Adrian. He sidestepped, the movement almost too fast for the eye to follow, but the edge of a bony plate still scraped his arm, drawing blood. The pain was sharp, but the flow felt… different. He instinctively activated his 'Blood Focus,' willing his own sanguine energy to the wound. [System Notification: 'Blood Healing (Minor)' + 'Blood Focus (Rudimentary)' synergy activated! Healing rate temporarily boosted.] The bleeding slowed almost immediately, the pain dulling.
Seraphina, seeing an opening as the creature was distracted, directed Elara. "Elara, its left flank! Below the rib plating!" Elara, a smaller, faster shadow, darted in and plunged her own short spear into the indicated spot. It wasn't a killing blow, but the Grazer roared in pain and stumbled.
This gave Garrick the chance he needed. With another earth-shattering roar of his own, he brought his club down on the creature's already injured leg joint with all his vampiric might. A sickening crunch echoed through the clearing, and the Armored Grazer collapsed, its struggles weakening.
Adrian moved in, his expression grim. The hunt was brutal, a necessity. He plunged his spear into the creature's exposed throat, ending its suffering.
A wave of potent, intoxicating aroma washed over them – the scent of rich, vital blood spilling onto the Ghostlichen. The fundamental need for nourishment, held in check by focus and adrenaline, now surged with undeniable force. [System Notification: Armored Grazer (Young Adult) – Deceased.]
[Crimson Kindred - Group XP +250 (Successful Coordinated Hunt - Challenging Prey)][Adrian - XP +50 (Leadership, Combat Contribution)]
[Marcus - XP +60 (Tracking, Combat Contribution, Trap Assist)]
[Seraphina - XP +40 (Tactical Analysis, Coordination)]
[Garrick - XP +70 (Primary Damage, Combat Contribution)]
[Silas - XP +50 (Trap Design & Deployment, Tactical Support)]
[Elara - XP +60 (Trap Assist, Combat Contribution)]
The numbers were significantly higher than anything from the Grunters. Before Adrian could even suggest it, his companions were upon the fallen Grazer, their fangs bared. The sounds of urgent feeding filled the clearing, a raw, primal scene under the eerie glow of the Ghostlichen. Adrian, along with the others, partook of the fallen Grazer. The effects were noticeable; the System would soon reflect their improved condition. Once this task was complete, a measure of calm returned to the Kindred.
[System Notification: Sustenance Protocol Update – All Kindred members at Optimal Sustenance Levels.] Then, one by one, new notifications began to flash in their minds. [Garrick - XP Threshold Reached! Level Up Pending Confirmation!]
[Elara - XP Threshold Reached! Level Up Pending Confirmation!]
[Marcus - XP Threshold Reached! Level Up Pending Confirmation!]
A triumphant, feral grin spread across Garrick's bloodied face. The first true hunt had yielded its promised rewards.