⇨ THE HUNT

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 173, the Afternoon
Where: Heartstone Manor Courtyard
What: Everyone goes into the forest with arrows, swords, and horses and is told to hunt and the kill the biggest beast they can find. Best kills win a prize! Or, if you'd rather not, you can wander around the forest and pretend to hunt instead.
Warnings: Violence and ethical quandaries.

BEASTS OF BURDEN↴ Come the day of the Hunt, everyone will be brought to the courtyard forest and provided with arrows, bows, and blades as requested. Magic and other weaponry can be used to hunt, but it is suggested by the Prince that the best kill is the one done in a gentlemanly manner, which probably means he will be most impressed by those using the tools provided. The "Best Kill" will be determined from a mixture or whatever beast the Prince decides is best, and the method in which it was killed. The less damage done to the body the better - tearing the body apart will receive poor grades. The corpses are not yours to eat or keep, and all must be returned to the Prince at the end of the day for judgment. The servants are especially nervous, tense, and solemn today, and unless they have no choice, most of them will be trying to give the courtyard a wide berth. Those that have to serve will have stony expressions, or at best will be trying to put on a cheerful face. If casually asked why they are upset, most of them will say something vague about the Hunt making them nervous, and how dangerous it is to participate. OOC: Those who make top levels will have a chance to be randomly selected for a couple particular plot events, so be prepared for that.

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⇨ THE RESULTS

[ringleaders]

At the end of the day, the Prince will come out to reward the winning kill. From the start, it is clear that there are only two choices: the only two beasts slain were the Dragon and the Cockatrice, and he publicly remarks on what a shame it is that so many of the Ringmaster's stock lacked the nerve for hunting.

The two bodies will be strung up, and he will look them over to determine the method of hunting and cause of death. In the back, a few servants will look away or cover their eyes, while others stare on grimly.

Finally, he will declare THE COCKATRICE as the winning kill, and will ask Carly, Foster, and Miko to come forward to receive a prize. Thanking them for removing that pest on his behalf, he will give them a weird looking bow in an elaborate wooden case.

He will not explain what it does. Instead, he will address everyone a final time:

"Let this remind us - even the hunter can become the prey."

And with that, he will turn and go back into the castle.