To get things started, I'll provide some introductory information about the game setting and how to create a Sidewinder: Recoiled character. More to come.

It is June of 1865. The War Between the States has recently come to a end, after Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox Court House.

With the war finally over, many soldiers on both sides of the conflict are heading home. That's where Goin' through the Mill starts.

Our heroes (that means you, pards), have recently mustered out, deserted or simply taken off (iffin' you were on the confederate side, more below) -- happily leaving scarred battlefields and muddy trenches while hankerin' for the sweet smells, picturesque sights and calming sounds of rural life back in the Ozarks.

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At least one of the heroes will have a direct connection with the old Homestead in the Ozarks. We'll call him "Johnny" for now (although the name ain't important). It's plumb natural for all the heroes to have a connection (brothers, cousins, or friends), but someone to fill the role of Johnny is required. A volunteer is needed, first-come, first-served, so to speak.

While it would be best for all the heroes to have fought for the same side, even that ain't a necessity. In the Border States such as Missouri, Kansas and Tennessee it was common for families and friends to split allegiances, signing up with either the Confederate or Union armies. Relatives and friends who fought on different sides could well meet up on the road home.

To start up Goin' through the Mill, we can jaw on the "group template" and figure out how to assemble the characters. Maybe you cowpokes can agree on which army you served--or maybe we can agree that with the hostilities ended, friends and families are keen to reunite and make peace. Each player can work up a backstory for his character, including whether related to Johnny or just a companion from his regiment tagging along 'cause he's got nowhere else to go.

Iffin' you've started reading the game rules and pondering what kind of hero you might like to play, keep in mind that you've been a soldier for at least some amount of time. And that it is indeed 1865, so the gear you choose will need to be appropriate to the time (for example, you can't buy a Colt Peacemaker, cause it wasn't made until 1873). I'll post some more game-related information soon--I just reckon it might help to get a head start on your figuring.

DHR provides free character sheets on our website, including one that is an auto-fill PDF. Check them out in the Secret Free Stuff section.

http://www.doghouserules.net/downloads.php

We also have a few free products you can download from our vendor partners.

http://www.doghouserules.net/articles.php

BTW, we are going to be re-doing our website before long. Make sure you go get this stuff soon.

We have our Johnny. You'll see him on The Cast list as 'JW'. I reckon the J stands for Johnny . . . as for the W, 'pears as if we'll just have to use our imaginations.

BTW, because of the nature of this start-up game and the number of players, it wouldn't hurt for at least one or two heroes to be 2nd level. It's logical, too, as the idea is that you've been soldiers and to have someone be a corporal or just an experienced cowpoke works for the startup. Some players like to start at higher than 1st level, others don't. Iffin' you prefer to start at 2nd, just LMK.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #4):

Once we select our Hero type and assign our points, do we email our character sheets to you?

JW