The Fangs of the Carpathians

Rules:

1. Your character can be a friend of Mike's, a local Romanian that somehow joins with the group, or some other tourist they meet at the lodge. But to start, all characters are human.

2. If your character must have a gun, keep it simple. No one's bringing an AK or a sawed off shotgun on vacation. Get creative. The characters are expecting to be going camping, more or less. Bear mace and a machete or hatchet makes a lot more sense than an assault rifle and broadsword.

3. There is going to be an overarching plot. So, don't wing it too intensely. Throwing in plot a twist is fine, like having your character drop nearly to their death or sending in a pack of wolves to harass them. But, don't say, have a plane crash on the next mountain over and have our characters take in the crash survivors and lead them to safety through the treacherous mountain passes. I'm not just building a thread to emulate camping and rock climbing and attending a concert. That'd be dumb.

4. We're playing normal Americans (for the most part), who are highly athletic at best. Your character shouldn't be so badass to where they can build shelter, start a fire, fend off two black bears, and set eight cracked ribs, all with the same stick. They should be naive to long term wilderness survival for the most part, yet should not be entirely helpless. People may have very helpful or useful skills based on their life, such as first aid if you're a nurse, or tracking in the case of an avid hunter. Though, we Americans can pick up handy information from say, the Discovery Channel, like starting a fire with the polished bottom of a Coke can, or that spider web works just as well as gauze in a wound. That being said, no MacGyvers.  

5. Having more than one character isn't necessary, but it'd allow us to kill off a couple in the course of the RP with out totally removing the RPer.

6. This is a mature RP. It will contain graphic depictions of violence, strong language, and may contain drug/alcohol use/abuse and sexual references or scenes.


Profiles (Use my profile as a skeleton. Everyone should have Climbing Gear, under the Gear section. Nothing else is necessary, but it'd be smart to bring a knife, magnesium block, compass, etc.):


Name: Michael Rook
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Race: Human
Career: Wildlife/Wilderness Photographer
Bio: Mike had always been an athletic guy in highschool and college, becoming a member of various sport teams at one time or another, but never really committed to anything long term. He now spends a lot of time biking through the wilderness  trails around Seattle, snapping pictures for National Geographic magazine. Free time is spent mostly in bars, watching TV, and bonding with his girlfriend, or with the occasional camping trip or hiking excursion.
Gear: Rock Climbing Gear (Harness, Grappling Hook, Rope, Carabiners, SLCD's), .357 Revolver (Six Bullets), Hatchet


Name: Meagen Brount
Gender: Female
Age: 25
Race: Human
Career: Sous Chef
Bio: Meagan is the sister of Mike's girlfriend, and the only reason Mike was able to score the tickets. She is a chef in a prominent casino in Las Vegas, and specializes in healthy, organic foodstuffs. Unlike her sister, Meagan has always enjoyed the outdoors, and was raised in the countryside in the rural South. She is no Redneck, but she has no qualms killing her food or getting down and dirty when necessary.
Gear: Rock Climbing Gear (Harness, Grappling Hook, Rope, Carabiners, SLCD's), Portable Butane Stove, Camping Cutlery Set


Name: Brandon Massey
Gender: Male
Age: 30
Race: Human
Career: Musician
Bio: Brandon is an up and coming musician and the bassist of the band "The Dirigible Pilots," along with being Meagan's significant other. He grew up in the city most of his life and is your stereotypical city slicker. Along with playing music, Brandon has a degree in Psychology, and enjoys urban free running.
Gear: Rock Climbing Gear (Harness, Grappling Hook, Rope, Carabiners, SLCD's), Flares (3), Swiss Army Knife, Personal Locator Beacon


Name: Genevieve "Evee" Constantine
Gender: Female
Age: 25
Race: Human
Career: Dancer/Martial Arts Instructor
Bio: Evee had gone to specialized dance schools all her life as ordered by her strict, wealthy parents. In high school, she convinced them to let her attend a public high school, where she met Mike through the mixed-martial arts club. Due to her strength from ballet classes her whole life, she took to martial arts like a professional, and quickly ascended the ranks to black belt, and left her inheritance behind to teach martial arts. She still dances and performs every once in a while, but not to the degree she once did.
Gear: Rock Climbing Gear (Harness, Grappling Hook, Rope, Carabiners, SLCD's), walking stick,  .357 Revolver (Six Bullets), first aide kit

Name: Norm Grey
Gender: Male
Age: 29
Race: Human
Career: English Teacher
Bio: Born with chronic dwarfism, Norm always was the odd guy out, being 3'10 and all. To make up for this short coming(Pun not intended), he developed a very severe anger management problem which he has only recently began to deal with. However, despite his napoleon complex, he has a rather keen mind, specializing in linguistics. Had he not gone into english teaching, he would have likely became a professional linguist. He has recently divorced his wife due to unknown circumstances.
Gear: Hunting Knife, Rock Climbing Gear, A box of matches, a small radio, and some extra blankets.


Name: Kenneth Jackson
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Race: Human
Career: Sub Shop
Bio: Kenny never really STOOD out in highschool, preferring to stand on the sidelines. He wasn't the best student either, constantly needed tutors for most of his classes, he did however, join the band, as their lead bass guitarist, and quite good at that. Kenny met Mike during one of the football team tryouts. Although he didn't make the team, the two still became friends, and have been since. After graduating from highschool, Kenny took over the role of managing his uncle's sub shop in New York.
Gear: Rock Climbing Gear (Harness, Grappling Hook, Rope, Carabiners, SLCD's) Tactical Knife, bottles of water, matches, guitar

Name: Genevieve "Evee" Constantine
Gender: Female
Age: 25
Race: Human
Career: Dancer/Martial Arts Instructor
Bio: Evee had gone to specialized dance schools all her life as ordered by her strict, wealthy parents. In high school, she convinced them to let her attend a public high school, where she met Mike through the mixed-martial arts club. Due to her strength from ballet classes her whole life, she took to martial arts like a professional, and quickly ascended the ranks to black belt, and left her inheritance behind to teach martial arts. She still dances and performs every once in a while, but not to the degree she once did.
Gear: Rock Climbing Gear (Harness, Grappling Hook, Rope, Carabiners, SLCD's), walking stick, .357 Revolver (Six Bullets), first aide kit

((Accepted. I'll wait a while longer to see if anyone else joins, and start it in a day or two if no one does.))

Name: Norm Grey
Gender: Male
Age: 29
Race: Human
Career: English Teacher
Bio: Born with chronic dwarfism, Norm always was the odd guy out, being 3'10 and all. To make up for this short coming(Pun not intended), he developed a very severe anger management problem which he has only recently began to deal with. However, despite his napoleon complex, he has a rather keen mind, specializing in linguistics. Had he not gone into english teaching, he would have likely became a professional linguist. He has recently divorced his wife due to unknown circumstances. 
Gear: Hunting Knife, Rock Climbing Gear, A box of matches, a small radio, and some extra blankets.

((Accepted. Interesting character choice. I don't believe I've ever seen a little person do rock climbing.))

The bus bumped along the mountainside road, a steep precipice to one side and a steeper rock face to the other. The sun was just coming up as they neared the small town they would hike to the mountain from. Mike had slept through most of the ride, preparing himself the best he could for the long day ahead. The bus made its descent back to ground level, finally arriving in the small village at the base of the mountain. Mike awoke slowly, just in time to hear the driver spout off a couple words in Romanian. He recognized the name of the town in his words, and took that as his stop. He grabbed his bags and stood, waving to get the attention of his group. "Guys, c'mon, we're here!" He said, stepping off of the bus. The village was rather small, but seemed homely, with the villagers bustling about as they went between the few buildings compromising the town. There was a grocer and a butcher, a bed a breakfast and a couple other unremarkable establishments. Mike turned around as the bus pulled off, looking back at the group. "All right guys, this is perfect, we're right on time. It's a two mile hike from here to the climb. I figure we'll get there, climb to the summit, and we can set up some tents and crash there for the night, roast some hotdogs and smores and you know, just hang out. Tomorrow morning we'll climb back down, catch some breakfast at the B&B, hang out in the bar, and then take the bus back to the lodge in the evening. Sound good to you guys?"

"Sounds like a plan. Meagen and I can go grab the food. We'll meet you guys on the trail in thirty minutes." Said Brandon, smiling as he and Meagen turned around and started off towards the store.

Evee adjusted her backpack on her shoulder, her long brown hair pulled up into a ballerina's bun. Some habits died hard, "Need me to do anything?" she offered, doe eyes blinking slowly.

Mike smiled, looking over at Meagen and Brandon as they strolled off together. "Well, they could probably use a little help with the locals. Norm might be a little more help than the either of us, though. But they'll be fine, I'm sure. I guess we might as well go find the trail. Bring a compass?" He asked.

She shook her head, "No, I didn't. Where can I pick one up around here?"

Mike shrugged a bit. "Hold on, I'll call Brandon. See if he can get one." He said before pulling out his phone. He grimaced, before taking a few moments to hold it above his head. "Yeah... no signal at all." He said with a sigh, lowering his hand. "I don't really know. I guess we can just look around for a sign or something, the travel guide just said the trail started on the east side of Corsti. If we need one later, I can figure that out in the woods. We aren't going too far, it shouldn't be a big deal." He said, returning his phone to his pocket. "So, wanna look for that sign?"

Evee nodded, fidgeting with her backpack straps a bit as she stood, "And you're sure we're not going too far in? You know I've always been a city girl." She gave him a playful, yet worried smile, "I only came because it was you who asked me to."

Mike stepped a bit closer, placing his hand on one of the shoulder straps on her backpack before pulling the nylon adjuster, tightening the pack on her a bit so it had a firm yet comfortable fit. "That better?" He asked before stepping back. The corner of his mouth perked up into his classic, charismatic half smile- the same smile that convinced people to fly to Romania to scale a mountain. "I'm sure. Trust me. I'll have you back in a Ramada suite in Brasov in three days." He assured her. "And I appreciate you being here. A lot. It'll be fun, I promise. C'mon. Lets go find that sign." He said, nodding to the side a bit for her to walk with him as he turned and began to stroll through the town.

Evee chuckled, "Your definitions of fun are what got me cut off, if you recall." she teased, not an ounce of bitterness in her voice.

Mike frowned slightly. "Yeah... sorry about all that drama. I feel like I caused a lot of it. Or at least didn't help. But, shit. Legs like yours need to be doing more than pirouettes. I'm glad I got you into martial arts. Well, I was glad. You could kick my ass now, no sweat off your back. I'll have to watch out." He joked with her, smiling as he went on looking for the sign. After a few minutes of searching, they found the trail on the outskirts of the town. It was little more than a worn dirt path, the soil pressed hard from the various walkers it had seen. The forest enclosed the path on both sides, and the larger village as well, the mountain-hugging road they rode in on being the only cleared land besides the path and the village itself.

Evee shrugged, "I was miserable rich. Poor, I was happy. Crazy, but I needed the kick in the ass." She have him a tender smile, her way of saying there were never hard feelings to begin with.

He laughed a bit, shaking his head. "Well, I guess I'm glad I could help with that, then." He said before looking up, raising his hand to block the bright sunlight from his eyes. "Here comes Brandon and Meagan. I guess we're almost ready." He said.

The two returned, each's pack a little more heavy, and Brandon sporting a cooler twined to his backpack. "So, we're ready if you guys are. We got plenty of stuff to eat for the night. Probably enough to leave something for the wolves." Brandon joked, before Maegen elbowed him in the ribs lightly.

Mike smiled, looking around the group. "All right, everybody good to go then? Got warm clothes, and your climbing gear? I have a pretty big tent, anyone else bring one? We can start a fire when we set up camp, but it'll still get pretty cold at night." Mike said, making sure nothing was left out.

"I've got a tent, too. And we got some starter logs at the store. It should be easy to get that fire going." Replied Brandon.

((Waiting on Beetz.))

(Ooc: Hope I'm not interrupting. (:)

Name: Kenneth Jackson
Gender: Male
Age: 26
Race: Human
Career: Sub Shop
Bio: Kenny never really STOOD out in highschool, preferring to stand on the sidelines. He wasn't the best student either, constantly needed tutors for most of his classes, he did however, join the band, as their lead bass guitarist, and quite good at that. Kenny met Mike during one of the football team tryouts. Although he didn't make the team, the two still became friends, and have been since. After graduating from highschool, Kenny took over the role of managing his uncle's sub shop in New York.
Gear: Rock Climbing Gear (Harness, Grappling Hook, Rope, Carabiners, SLCD's) Tactical Knife, bottles of water, matches, guitar (idk if it's gear)

(Nope. Consider yourself accepted, but I recently injured my arm pretty badly, so I might not be on enough to give this thread the attention it needs for a while. )

((I guess I'm back, for the most part. If anybody's still down to, we can go forward with this. Reply to my above post, or I will to start 'em off on their grandiose adventure.))

((Go nuts.))

With everything in order, Mike smiled. "All right. We'll climb up today, spend the night on the summit, then climb back down in the morning and get some breakfast in town. Let's get this show on the road!" Spoke Mike enthusiastically.

As so they began their arduous trek- from the small village, they hiked the two or so miles uphill to the road, where there was a convenient dip off of the side, allowing cars to turn around or park beside the narrow road. This dip was nestled perfectly into the side of the mountain, and this is where they began.

After a quick run-through of rock-climbing know-how and etiquette for those unaware, the group began their ascent. It was slow going, but fun- it was tough, and tiring, but an invigorating experience. As long as they never looked down. They scaled the mountainside, everyone connected by a flexible, secure rope, and it went mostly without a hitch. They would stop here and there to rest on a ledge, or snap a photo or two to review when it was all said and done. As they neared the peak, the sun was nearly at the horizon, dusk beginning to set in.

When the last of the group had climbed up onto the summit, they began to set up camp. Their location was a grand and beautiful bastion of virgin nature- the craggy rocks gave way to a  near-flat, gentle slope, ledges on three sides before giving way to a steep, heavily forested path down to other parts of the mountain. The summit was covered with grass, rocks sticking out or poking up here and there, with three or so trees filling out the area slightly. The area was mostly open, an amazing and unobstructed view of the sky. It wasn't even completely dark yet, and you could begin to make out stars- this unspoiled land was a far cry from what you'd find in a city, no foreign lights or sounds to dull the natural landscape.

As night fell, the gang set up their tents and sleeping bags, and got a fire going for warmth. After all was said and done, the sun had set, though it wasn't particularly dark- the starts and moon shone over the landscape, illuminating it much as the sun had, the warm yellow light replaced with a serene, pale bluish-white. Mike grinned, rummaging through his bag before pulling out a large, transparent bottle of vodka. "All right guys. Time to get this party started." He said with a smirk, tossing the bottle over to Brandon.

Brandon caught the bottle, laughing a bit as he shook his head. "We're on the top of a mountain, and you brought liquor? Don't you think that's, like... a little dangerous? I didn't see you pack a parachute."

Mike just shrugged his shoulders, cocking his head to one side slightly. "Old habits die hard. Now throw me your marshmallows, its smore time."

"Don't be such a pussy." Piped Meagen sassily, her elbow bumping into Brandon's ribs as she took the bottle from him, twisted off the cap, and took a swig. Brandon just rolled his eyes and smiled, stepping over towards his pack before tossing the bag of puffy, ivory cylinders to Mike.

Evee grinned, doing a few dancers stretches to make sure she wasn't going to cramp up after the trek. Martial arts, ballet... Both were rigorous, but rock climbing was a different sort of work out. She sat cross legged by the fire, "All booze and candy, huh?" She teased, "And here I had hoped for a ghost story."

((Crazy fun Romanian Fact, a coworker of mine's work visa expired so she had to move back to her home country of Romania. She recently posted on facebook about how "gypsies" stole her phone and wallet.)) Mike laughed a bit, shaking his head as he speared a marshmallow on a stick. "Don't tell me you don't like booze and candy?" He teased, offering Evee the stick to toast on the fire. "This is Romania! Forget ghost stories, we could probably find a ghost if we looked hard enough." He exclaimed before walking over to the edge of the summit, looking out over the vast forest. He noticed a small patch of trees shaking in the distance, the woods around it still with the lack of wind. Faintly, a noise could be heard in the distance, much like a loud crack or crunch echoing over the treetops. One of the shaking trees fell, and was soon followed by another. "That's strange." Mike mused to himself, before turning around and returning to the fire, sitting by Evee and ignoring the ruckus in the distance.

Brandon gathered a few long, sharp sticks for the group as Meagen went to join the others at the fire, Brandon soon finding a place at her side. "Well, my buddy that got me set up with Golden Stag told me a local legend. I think its such BS though. He said his dad's all traditional and shit, grew up in some really small village in the woods. I can tell you what I remember. If you think you can handle it." He teased. Meagen took another swig or two of the bottle, then handed it over to Mike, who did the same.

Evee laughed, "Nothing wrong with booze and candy. You know me, though. Adrenaline gets me off." she teased, hugging her knees against her chest, "Speaking of booze, pass one my way, will ya? And why not. I'd like to think I'm a little tougher than the rest of you babies."