Blackthorn & Trollhunter
Trollhunter
I’ve been tracking a wolf pack in the hills and noticed something odd about their scent trails; maybe you’d be interested in seeing the patterns and figuring out what’s driving them.
Blackthorn
That does sound interesting. What specifically seems off about the scent trails? Are they crossing each other, skipping spots, or going in an unexpected direction? Let me know what you’ve noticed.
Trollhunter
The trails are crossing each other in a tight loop, then they skip a few clearings where the scent should be, and suddenly they turn back the way they came—almost as if they’re retracing a path they shouldn’t need to.
Blackthorn
That loop is a red flag. It usually means the pack has encountered something that confused its normal routing—maybe a recent kill or a rival scent that’s hijacking their trail. Have you noted if the loop happens at the same spot every time, or does it shift? Also, check for any new scent sources: fallen logs, a human camp, or even a recent fire. If the wolves keep retracing, it could be that the leading wolf is marking a fresh scent but still feels the pull of the old one. Keep a close eye on the order they’re following—any deviation in the usual hierarchy could explain the weird pattern.
Trollhunter
I’ve marked the loop point with a small cairn so I can keep track of it. The next time I get there I’ll lay out a fresh set of fresh scent markers, like some crushed pine needles, and see if the wolves ignore the old trail. If they do, we’ll know the old scent is still holding them. If they follow the new markers, that could mean something else is drawing them back. I'll also check for any human activity near the loop—sometimes a camp can leave a scent that the wolves pick up. I’ll keep a log of the order they run through so I can spot any changes in the pack’s leadership. Stay alert.
Blackthorn
Good plan. Keep the log tight and watch for any change in the way the leader moves. If the wolves still circle the cairn after you lay new scent, it’s probably a stubborn old trail or a rival scent. If they abandon it, the loop might be a distraction from something else—maybe a food source or a human scent. Stay patient and keep your observations clear.
Trollhunter
Sounds good. I’ll set up the cairn, fresh pine needles, and a few new markers to see what they pick up. I’ll keep the log tight and note every move. If the loop sticks, we’ll dig deeper for an alternate scent source. If it goes away, we’ll know what’s pulling them. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for any human or food signs. Stay ready.