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Silence blankets the forest, broken only by the occasional flapping of wings or creaking of tree. A seldom used road lies just on the other side of the tree line, leading into the nearby town. Twilight draws near, shadows lengthen. Crouching low, Catscratch surveys the paths available. He needn't trod them yet, but a good Assassin plans his path in advance. The trees seemed fairly close together, but Winter's chill had removed any foliage cover. The ground was pure and white, marred only by the passing of wildlife, some of which had created clear trails to several points exiting the woodlands. Deer.. rabbit.. fox.. ahhh, what's this? Catscratch carefully brushes aside a low-hanging set of branches from a nearby bush. A set of human footprints, partially obscured, purposefully no doubt. So, I am not the only one to have been here recently. Troubling. Somebody must patrol here, but I cannot tell how often. Damnable snow.. Glancing around the area, it appears that traveling by ground is not going to be one of the better options should this area be under surveillance. He would have no time to properly conceal his tracks once the mission was under way. Alright, through the canopy it is.. but this chill and winter idleness had not been kind to my body. I shall need to prepare myself or risk injury. Reaching into a concealed pocket, he pulls out a folded slip of paper. ___________________________________________________________ | | | Your invitation has been procured and is contained within. | | This is a requirement to pass through the front door. | | Winds guide you, Shadows hide you, Contracts bind you | | 17 crows must fly by the 2nd moon | |___________________________________________________________| The party was being held at a manor just up the road from where he would exit the woods, roughly a mile. It wouldn't do to have anybody seeing a guest at such a prestigious event running out of a forest, not to mention running up to the gates. A carriage ride was out of the question.. no loose ends. That left running the short distance without looking like he had done just that with only a couple minutes to clean up. Putting away the slip, Catscratch notices something on the ground at his feet. Oh.. please don't.. bloody hell.. The invitation lay half buried in snow where it must have fallen from his pocket. Careful examination of the sodden parchment reveals an ornate design bordering a personalized invitation for one Sli Steil. Of course, no such person existed but there would be far too many people for the door attendant to double check every invite. No, now the problem was that half of the ink had ran and bled out, ruining the invitation. Damn and double damn.. looks like I'll have to re-forge it or getting in will be difficult. This template took far too long to procure and there are only six weeks remaining until I am to meet my contact. I must not mess this up if. I will become stronger, I will become better, I WILL make my Clan proud to have accepted me. Glancing one last time around before returning to his Den, Catscratch vanishes into the dusk's purple shadows, his tracks obscured behind him. To Be Continued... - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Catscratch must work on a few goals if he is to be able to traverse the canopy, make it past the front door, and make contact all without drawing undue attention to himself. He will need to work on his strength and endurance for this. Also, he will need to hone his artistic abilities if he is to recreate the invitation. Muscle and endurance building is the overall goal and will consist of three parts: weekly routines of sets, minimum distance running per week, and eating healthy. Catscratch will need to Level Up if he is to advance amongst the ranks of Assassins. Like a Leaf on the Wind (Str +2, Dex + 2, Con +1, Sta +2, Cha +1) Mondays and Thursdays: - Warm-up routine: Stretches and 1 set of Level 1 Power Up - Ripper: Level 1 Tuesdays and Fridays: - Warm-up routine: Stretches and 1 set of Level 1 Power Up - Strength of Thor: Level 1 Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays: - Stretches - Work on other Goals He will allow himself to miss 2 individual sessions if something comes up and he is absolutely unable to perform. He can't beat himself up for events he can't control. Down the Silent Road (Sta +1, Con +1) Weekly: - 2 sessions of at least one mile each. Going to try for the best time he can achieve. Health and Obscurity (Con +1, Wis + 2) Eating healthy from home: - NO FOOD FROM VENDORS! It is important that he remain as unseen as possible. Also, his cooking is healthier than the cheap fare offered for the patron on the go. Side Quest: Forgery (Wis +2) Increase artistic ability: - One complete drawing a week of varied subjects. His hand must be steady and sure if he is to pass off this forgery. Grading A - 100% B - 75% C - 50% D - 25% F - 0% (Not an option) Leaf on the Wind: A = 0 Weeks with a missed session B = 1 Week with a missed session C = 2 Weeks with a missed session D = 3 weeks with a missed session F= 4+ weeks with a missed session Down the Silent Road: A = 0 Weeks with a missed session B = 1 Week with a missed session C = 2 Weeks with a missed session D = 3 weeks with a missed session F= 4+ weeks with a missed session Health and Obscurity: Minus one letter grade for every 2 meals acquired outside the Den's kitchen. Side Quest: Forgery: Minus one letter grade per week sans completed drawing. Will Catscratch be able to train himself to perform the tasks as needed? Will his forgery pass the doorman's scrutiny? Time will tell...