SonofJET

The Fireflies Settlement

PM responded to, @IAmKnight. :)

Crusty Post-Apocalypse Pokemon, now with tetanus

:D

Crusty Post-Apocalypse Pokemon, now with tetanus

I've never done a Pokémon role play before, but for some reason I have the urge to make a junkie-type kid for this. You know, the sort of dude who swears that smoking oregano can get you high, but isn't quite cool enough to know any actual drug dealers. Maybe he can find some Paras and try using/selling their mushrooms. :P

The Fireflies Settlement

Huzzah!

The Fireflies Settlement

As the early light of dawn began to illuminate the forest near the Fireflies settlement, Astor Ermengilde sat motionless upon the thickest branch of a poplar tree.

The man was working his tongue idly, shifting an old bit of cinnamon bark from one side of his mouth to the other for the umpteenth time since he had set out the night before. It had a pleasant roughness that he could focus his mind on as he kept his eyes open for his quarry.

Below him was a carcass. A buck that he'd taken with his bow just two days earlier. It had already been skinned and partially butchered, the spoils brought back to town, and the blood that Astor had collected during the process had been cast all over the surrounding area - ensuring the wide spread of the scent.

Just as he was beginning to consider a more active search for his prey, Astor saw them, padding smoothly and slowly from the trees like ghosts. Wolves. Their snouts were alternately pressed low to the ground or raised slightly into the air.

Wolves had been growing bold recently - sometimes even venturing into sight of the guards who patrolled the outskirts of Fireflies. Naturally, the hunters had been called upon to help. Small bounties had been offered for each wolf killed, and their pelts had always been valuable anyway. It was a temptation that few hunters could resist, and Astor was no exception.

He drew a large revolver from it's place in a shoulder holster. This would be a difficult kill with his bow - and would more likely just result in him losing a precious arrowhead. At least bullet casings could potentially be reused, if he could get slugs and primers from a trader.

He took a moment to get a count. Ten. They were unnervingly close, and despite their focus on the carcass below him, Astor felt that gripping fear seize his gut at the realization that they significantly outnumbered him (and his revolver's ammunition).

Taking a slow, steadying breath, he braced himself against his branch (it wouldn't do to fall into their midst because the kick of recoil caused him to lose his balance), took aim on the largest, and squeezed the trigger.

The large beast let out a surprised yip and slumped forward over it's shattered shoulder, and the others quickly made a break for the treeline at the thunderous report of Astor's .357. He was quick, however, and the wolves were far too close to outrun a bullet. He managed to get off another shot, which knocked another wolf down to the ground with another pained yelp.

After waiting a few minutes to make sure that the rest of the pack was truly gone, during which time Astor holstered his revolver and shot the downed wolves with arrows to guarantee his kills. Once he was relatively certain that he was in the clear, he clambered down from his perch and began readying the wolf carcasses for travel, and then set to work digging a hole for the remains of the buck.

The Fireflies Settlement

@Rawk I like your character image - reminds me a bit of the game This War of Mine.

The Fireflies Settlement

That brings up a good point, @Days. How has the environment changed since the earthquakes? From what I remember, there aren't too many dangerous creatures endemic to the French/European countryside.

From what I've read, in France specifically, there are ticks, black widows, asps, wolverines, brown bears, and wild boars. Expanding out to Europe in general, there are also Eurasian wolves, and the ocean has typical ocean stuff (Portugese man'o war, sharks) - not that that seems too likely to come up.

How has the loss of human population effected the animal populations? Without competition for space/resources, I'd imagine the prey animal numbers skyrocketing (deer, boars, hares, etc.), and the predator species multiplying accordingly.

The Fireflies Settlement

Actually, I was the jealous one, but we worked it out. I had to learn that many people have different levels of friendliness based on their upbringing. :P

And one of my gamer buddies just had to deal with the issue of a woman he was interested in being too busy with work for a relationship.

No one is safe from being used as inspiration for my writing - not even myself. :D

The Fireflies Settlement

Also, oh my, would Astor like to not be single? ;)

@Days

He'd be down for a relationship, but his work keeps him quite busy, and requires him to be quite friendly to everyone. Real life has taught me that this can put quite a strain on a relationship - a partner starts to feel like they're not as important as a job, or they become suspicious that the other is a bit too nice to other people.

That feeling when you spend ages finding the best picture to go with your character but then you see that someone (@SonofJET) is using a picture that looks oh so similar to what I have.... ("o.o)

Dengit, want to be brothers or should I change my guy?

@pokemad1

Brothers, cousins, people who just happen to look alike... I'm fine with whatever. :)

The Fireflies Settlement

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ASTOR ERMENGILDE

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SETTLEMENT: Fireflies

AGE: 30

OCCUPATION: Hunter by day, Bartender by night.

APPEARANCE: Astor is a dark-haired man with medium-length hair, a thick beard, and somewhat severe features. However, when he's dealing with patrons or his fellow settlers, he's all smiles and friendly expressions. He typically dresses comfortably and cleanly. When going on a hunt, he favors earth tones and thick, warm clothing. His casual and bar tending attire, on the other hand, are a bit more relaxed and light. Sometimes he'll throw on some bright colored accessory to attract attention.

FAMILY: Mother and Father, Aloys and Liane, who own and work at The Damn Pub.

RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single

FRIENDS: Astor is friendly with most of the residents of Fireflies, as well as some of the hunters and traders from Water Leafs. He is an open mind and a willing ear when tending bar in Fireflies, and he is helpful and courteous when he is out hunting or returning with the spoils of a hunt.

Many local traders and craftsmen appreciate his attention to detail when he brings them the spoils of a hunt, and most of the patrons he serves tend to enjoy the different dishes he makes with what game he is able to keep for himself (and therefore the bar).

Astor also maintains a good relationship with the guards and other hunters, who he often looks to for training and advice.

HOBBIES: Hunting (obviously), Fishing (occasionally), Cooking, Camping, Crafting (sewing, leatherworking, whittling, etc.).

BIOGRAPHY: Astor grew up in the Fireflies settlement, the child of Aloys and Liane Ermengilde, who had been the owners and operators of The Damn Pub for most of their marriage. Being their son came with several potential benefits for Astor, who remains well aware of said benefits.

First among the benefits that could've been Astor's was the breadth of options that were available to him. Many residents of Fireflies looked to drink for comfort, and made offers to the Ermengildes of training for their son, should they offer free or discounted drinks in return.

Astor's second benefit, of course, was the relative wealth that he grew up with. Owning the most popular pub around, his parents were able to ensure that he never went hungry, and that he never had to wear clothes to the point that they fell apart.

This fact on it's own might have caused him to grow up with a bad attitude, were it not for the third benefit; exposure.

Astor grew up helping out around the pub, listening to the stories and laments of the patrons, receiving advice and warnings in equal measure. Because of this, he learned to be grateful for his prosperity, and decided to try and give at least something back to the community - seeking out training as a hunter.

Astor has been keeping up his efforts for most of his adult life, and has little to complain about. The conflict with Water Leafs has left him concerned for the future, but as of the present, he has yet to have a good, realistic idea for a possible solution.