Disclaimer: I in no way own Harry Potter, although I wouldn't mind one bit if I did.
– Separator –
6: hunting wolves
As we leave the temple I realize we need rest. So I once again guided the girls back to the tavern.
After resting in the large south bedroom we exit the tavern and head for the north gate.
As we enter the forest north of Farhaven words I recognize as a new quest flash over my head. "a new quest, Getting at the Heart, has been added. I've entered the Forest of Deepwood. The forest has become dangerous, filled with bandits and wild creatures. I'll need to explore it carefully if I want to discover what is causing the recent troubles."
Dismissing the notification we head north.
After exploring the road that led north before turning west then back north, and not seeing a single wolf I decided to retrace my steps back to the east-west road and explore the trails. It took a while but at last, near an ancient road, I found my first wolf. Defeating it gave me a wolf pelt, my first out of 20. Encouraged by this success I set out to find more.
Locating a trail that seems to circle the forest I start exploring it. It isn't long before we run across another 2 wolves. Defeating them only gives us 1 wolf pelt, but that is 1 more we need.
Continuing south I find an even larger trail and turning onto it begin following the trail looking for more wolves. It isn't long before we are attacked by a pack of 3. Defeating them gives us 2 more wolf pelts. That brings our total up to 4 out of 20. After storing them away I continue looking for wolves. Following the trail south we come across a fallen tree blocking the road. This could lead to something important, but for now, I think I will ignore it.
As we explore the trails we come across another siggle wolf from which we get our fifth wolf pelt. The funny thing is that when that battle ends Ginny reaches level 5. When did she reach level 4? Checking my own level-up screen I find myself at level 4. I place my attribute point into Willpower to raise my magical damage. As for my skill point, I raise my "Firebolt" skill to rank 4. Making it even more powerful. I noticed that removes "Firebolt" from my skills upgrade list. I guess it's maxed out.
Meanwhile Ginny places 1 of her attribute points into Constitution, and the other into Strength. This brings her Constitution up to 10, and her Strength up to 11. For her skill points, she purchases "Master Focus". Asking her what it does nearly causes her to giggle. I guess I'll just have to wait since I have the same skill available.
Reaching the water we explore along the edge. First, we find a cabin which I mark on my map. Next, we run into a pair of wolves and a pair of ravens. We defeat them rather easily, but we receive no pelts for the fight. What we do get is a level for myself and luna.
In my level-up screen, I place my attribute point into Willpower bringing it up to 11. I decide to save my skill points.
Luna on the other hand puts her attribute points into Constitution bringing it up to 10, and Dextarity also bringing it up to 10. For her skills, Luna purchases "enhanced focus" leaving her with 0 skill points.
We continue to explore the forest picking up items from dead what I guess to be dead adventurers. Eventually, we run into another wolf. Although just like the last time we get no pelts from the battle. We continue searching the forest. Fighting another wolf with nothing to show for it. I hope my luck will kick in soon.
As we explore a trail that leads us to the water's edge we are attacked by 3 olves. We defeat them easily, but none of them give us a pelt.
We explore north of the bridge for a minute before heading back to the trail following the water on the south side of the bridge. While exploring we are attacked by another trio of wolves. At least this time we get a wolf pelt from the fight.
Noticing what looks like a camp sight we head toward it. Just before reaching it, we are attacked by a single wolf. Thankfully this 1 also gives us a wolf pelt. That brings us up to 7 out of 20.
Upon locating what looks like a ruined building we begin searching for a way to get in. While searching we are attacked by a wolf and 2 ravens. The fight was worth nothing except as an experience since that's all we got out of it.
After getting lost for a bit among the rambles we come across a group of chests. After looting them we are attacked by a pair of wolves. Thankfully these drop a wolf pelt for us.
As we explore near the bridge we run across a man traveling the trails.
"You're either very brave to travel this far into Deepwood, or very foolish. You don't have the look of a bandit, though. Not quiet enough, either."
I give him a look. "My name is Ivy Potter; I mean you no harm. Who are you?"
The man doesn't relax. "My name is Jonathan. I patrol the forest alongside my ranger brethren, to keep Farhaven safe."
I smile at him. "Then you have nothing to fear from me. I too am here to safeguard Farhaven."
Jonathan looks a little less on guard. "Then you have my best wishes for success. I wish I could go with you. But as you explore the forest, maybe you can be of help to me."
I nod. "I'd be happy to help. What can I do?"
Jonathan looks around. "You've probably noticed that the forest has become overrun with predators. If you happen upon any wolf dens, would you mark them on your map? If we meet again, the information would be a great help."
I realize this request could help me find more wolf pelts. "Why can't I just clear the dens myself?"
Jonathan shrugs. "Fighting those beasts isn't your duty. But if you're willing to, I'd be grateful."
I smile at Jonathan. "I need some wolf pelts for the general store anyway. I'll take care of the wolves, don't worry."
Jonathan looks me over with a smile. "You sound like one of us. It's unusual to hear such generosity in a stranger to the forest. You have my thanks, friend. Go with the blessing of Deepwood."
As Jonathan walks away flashing words appear over my head. "A new quest, Predators and Prey, has been added. To help Jonathan the Hunter, I should clear any wolf dens I encounter."
Now that I am listening for it I can hear wolves growling and snapping nearby. Following the sound I come upon a wolf den. As we approach the den The wolves within the den leap forth to defend their territory.
We had to fight 4 "Tainted Wolves". Unfortunately, we only received 1 wolf pelt at the end of the fight.
As we leave the wolf den Luna looks sad. "I mourn for what has become of these creatures. There is no evil in their nature, but they have become monsters."
Before we left the empty wolf den I noticed the "Level Up" flashing over my and Ginny's heads. Tapping the tab I put my attribute point into Will Power raising it to 13. For my skill points, I scanned down the list until I came to "enhanced focus". Looking next to this skill I saw the text "A passive skill that increases the unit's mana regeneration rate." Since I had enough skill points I purchased the skill.
For her part, Ginny placed her attribute point into her Strength. Bringing it up to 12. Matching her Will Power. For her skills, she powered up "Blazing Strike" to level 2.
Once we finished with our stat and skill distribution we headed for the bridge. After crossing it we turned east off the road. At once I heard the howl of another wolf den. Tracking the sound we walked around until a pack of wolves lept out at us
Unlike the last den, this one had 5 wolves guarding it. We did our best and took all 5 wolves down, but I ended up getting knocked out. I had to rely on Ginny and Luna to finish off the pack. Unfortunately, we got no wolf pelts from this encounter. Oh well, that's 2 wolf dens down. Time to go hunting. Even though I can't move on my own.
Before that though Luna leveled up to 6. She places her attribute point into her Intelligence bringing it up to 15. For her skills, she raises the rank of her "Hands of Healing" to 2.
Since I am currently dead weight the girls carry me back to the temple. Upon reaching the temple altar I am placed down and Father Ignatius prays over me. With a burst of white light, I can move once again. Thanking the father I lead the girls out of the temple and back to the northern gate.
As we walk through Farhaven I quietly thank Ginny and Luna for getting me out of there and for wiping out that wolf den. Ginny blushes, but Luna takes it all in stride. Apologizing for not getting me healed up in time. I tell her not to worry about it as we reach the gate.
As we travel the north-south road picking up items from bodies scattered on the road we are attacked by a trio of wolves. unfortunately, the wolves don't drop any wolf pelts. Shrugging to myself we move on.
Before reaching the bend in the road we turn off it toward a lumber mill. After looting a chest we found we explored the nearby thicket for a bit. Especially when I catch the sound of wolves. Following the sounds we find our next wolf den. I sigh in relief as only 3 wolves leap out of the den.
With Luna keeping our health up Ginny and I use our Firebolt spells to kill the 3 olves. To my joy, the wolves drop 2 wolf pelts. This brings our total up to 11. Only 9 left to go. This also clears out our third wolf den. There can't be many more.
On top of all that I was able to reach level 7. I placed my attribute point into Will Power bringing it up to 14. Matching my Intelligence stat. I also looked through my skills list and found Firebolt had 1 more rank to get. So I raised Firebolt to rank 5, maxing it out.
I wasn't sure where the next wolf den was located, but I remember seeing a plateau during our early search of the forest. I didn't mark it on my map, but it couldn't be that hard to find could, it?
As we searched for the plateau we were attacked by a single wolf. Defeating it netted us another wolf pelt, and Ginny grew to level 7. Ginny placed her attribute point into Strength, and her skill point into "Blazing Strike".
Heading south I notice a grassy gnoll on my map. Following the map we make our way to the gnoll. Unfortunately, we found nothing but a chest. As we looked for another place to search for a wolf den, we were attacked by 4 wolves. After the wolves were taken care of we received another wolf pelt. This brings us up to 13 out of 20 wolf pelts.
While searching around the area near the gate to Farhaven we discovered a high ridge that overlooks the road. On this ridge, we found a chest that contains a Friar's Robe. After examining the robe I gave it to Luna, who equipped it at once. After this, we returned to the road.
At last, as we explored the area near the high ridge I spotted the plateau. Following my map we make our way toward it. As we approach the plateau Jonathan appears and cautions us. "Be on guard, my friend. An alpha lives in this den - he will not be subdued easily!" Keeping his words in mind I step forward and blanch as 5 wolves attack us. Fortunately, Jonathan joins us in fighting these wolves.
After a short but intense battle, we kill all 5 wolves. Unfortunately, none of them drop wolf pelts.
Jonathan looks us all over. "Now that we've slain the alpha, the creatures should be much easier to manage. It's good fortune that you were here to help. You've done the forest a great service. Let me repay you; I know many secret paths in the forest - perhaps they can help you in your travels."
I smile in relief that this hunt is over. "I was glad to be of service."
Jonathan shows me several paths on my map that I had not discovered before. I beam at him as I thank him for the information.
As Jonathan walks away to continue patrolling the forest I glance at the flashing gold words that have appeared over my head. "quest, Predators and Prey, completed. Several wolf dens have been cleared, and I'm sure the forest is much safer thanks to my efforts."
– Separator –
An: and that is where we will finally leave this chapter. This is the largest chapter so far, but don't expect this very often. It took forever to find the last 2 wolf dens, and I didn't complete the quest I wanted to.
Next chapter Ivy and company continue hunting wolves for pelts and run across someone they never thought they would ever meet.
As always if you have a comment or questions you can leave me a review, or send me a PM. I hope you are enjoying this story, and I will see you all next time.