On our Baron Samscas request to collect furs for our crafters in preparation for the coming winter. I went out into the morning light and purchased one of Vespers sturdily bred pack horses, packed my bags and packs with supplies and food for my journey into the wilds west of Vesper.



It did not take long until I encountered my first bear, Baron Samsca was certainly correct about the unusual high breeding within the bears this summer. Then again prey has been plenty due to a lush summer. But now as winter approaches the bears seem to be forced to forage into our very streets for food.



The hunt went on for the better part of the day, with many a bear slewn and skinned. The Vesperian pack horse served me admirably, sturdy and surefooted he was. It did not take long for the skins of the animals to weigh too much for me to carry around, so I started filling out the packs straddled over my companions back. As day drew closer to evening the packs were almost full and both me and the horse were getting weary.

Then as we were preparing to find a place for some rest, out of the dusk from between the trees and bushes came a great grizzly bear charging straight for me, and with him a smaller brown bear.



I barely had time to sling the reigns of my pack horse over a large stump of wood, who was on the verge of panic, before the grizzly was upon me. My only arms were my skinning knife. No doubt infuriated by the smell of dead animals and dried blood on my skinning knife he charged me with a roar that shook the trees around!

I leaped and rolled under a broken tree, narrowly escaping his massive pawns, as they splintered the moss covered tree trunk. As I looked up I saw the brown bear had run around the broken tree and was now to my side, almost upon me. I rushed onto my knees and managed to thrust my knife into its skull from under its jaw before he had the time to maul me.

With the brown bear dead, I had the greater threat to worry about. The grizzly was pulling its massive bulk over the tree toward me, the trees branches snapping and breaking under his weight. I threw a sizeable rock at him that was close to my side. It seemed to do little damage other than making him madder still. He came down on the ground in front of me. Knowing I could not outrun the animal I had little choice but to battle him here in the cooling night air.

I charged boldly, if somewhat madly at him, he growled furiously and leaned back on his hind legs! As I came within range of his massive paws he swung one at me. Had I been wearing my armour, his blow would probably have dented my helm and knocked me out, but seeing as I was only wearing my wool tunic and leggings I was swift enough to narrowly escape the bash to the head. I pulled my head and shoulders low as I leaped forward, and could feel the heat of the paw and the disturbed air around it as it swung past, one of the claws tearing through my hair is it did. I applied all the strength I had and sprung at the animals heart, with my skinning knife held out in front of me with all my might. Exploding like a spring uncoiling at the beast, my knife hit its mark and broke through part of the bears chest cage, finally sliding deep into the animal and finding the heart!

The bear roared out in anguish and fell forward. I narrowly managed to jump off to the side before he crashed towards the ground. With a heavy sound of collision he hit the ground, sending up dust, leaves and twigs as he did. The beast was dead.

After a long time after, I managed to calm my pack horse. I then proceeded to skin these final two animals of today’s hunt. It had a long day, with a frightful climax at the end.

I took my horses reigns of the stub and tied him up to a nearby tree, where he could relax in the evening glow of the sun in the cooling air, while biting the forests lush grass.

After skinning the two last bears I cleaned up and unpacked my supplies. I rolled out a bedroll, lit a lantern and set a fire. I then sat myself down, resting my weary self, while listening to the calming crackles of the warming campfire while I cooked a chicken I had packed. It was a serene evening and a fine meal of poultry, bread and wine. I was happy with the days work.



After the meal and the rest, me and my companion headed back to town to the calming sounds of the forest as night drew ever closer. As we crossed the bridge into Vesper both our legs were tired from all the days walking and were longing for sleep. I stopped by the bank to the stables, and put all the skins into safekeeping for when Baron Samsca would request them.



With the skins safely stored, I lead my pack horse to the stables where he was greeted with a warm stable, with a large stack of hey and fresh water. I then tiredly walked back home, and had no sooner arrived home and crawled up into my bed under the fur sheet, than I was sleeping, smiling after a good days work, dreaming of ships and the great icy, frothing open seas of the north.

Great report Havardur!

Indeed you do write good reports Havardur

nice one!

Thanks guys, glad you like it. Makes it worth while.

When the mood sets me and I have the time, I try to give my reports a bit of fictional input and flair to breath some life into them.