This here document is set in writing to chronicle the events--wild and wooly or downright mundane--of a group of extraordinary persons prior to their arrival in Shackleford County (1871 - 1876).

Penned by Judge W.H. Ledbetter
Witnessed by Judge B.T. Messalen

So, Randy had a horse in tow and two friends with him: one friend whom he respected tremendously and one whom his hatchet is buried.

He re-emphasized his interest in delivering the horse to the warrior woman.  Likely, the warrior is far ahead of them and singularly difficult to find.  Randy expressed the idea she might want to raid their campfire.  That, he feels, will lure her.

She proved too clever to fall for such a trick as they head toward the Indian nation in Colorado.

A few months passed before the trio felt exasperation and concern their endeavor is simply not working...

OOC:
I know I'm making some assumptions in this short narrative about the months following the herd delivery to Abilene.  I'm interested in knowing if it is palatable and if others are interested in joining.

I can't engrave stone, so the delete key is certainly usable.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg #2):

Travis likes to Forest Gump through history.  He notes

Late 1871 Wickenberg massacre in Arizona Territories...

1872 Modoc Wars in Oreggon and No California

Goingsnake massacre of US marshalls (can you say ob openings?)

1873 Buffalo Hunted to near extinction over next two years. (Tasty)

Custer first encounters Sioux

Mododc wars end

1874 Bat Masterson and the Battle of Adobe Walls.

Deadwood grows to 5000 in population over next two years.

1875  Tong Wars in San Francisco

1876 Battle of Little Big Horn.

Any threads here any interest in going to CA or Deadwood?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:56, Sun 04 Sept 2011.

Yellow Sanders would have followed Travis out when they quit the No Buffalo Outfit. He was reminded that they sought Meri's killer, the Indian (?). He would most likely have tagged along to Arizona (1871). He would have rejoined him as they went to prospect for Gold in Deadwood 1874 or 1875. In fact, they may have been sitting with Wild Bill during the "Dead's Man Hand" incident.


He may have followed Travis to San Fran 1875 & fell in love with a lovely Celestial named Mei-ying Jiang. The young woman was being held as a virtual salve at a Opium den there until Yellow & mayhaps Travis raided the place & rode off with Mei.

Will think on this some more. Cheers Meriyellow

All of the ideas are really cool, but I think we're at the point of deciding on what is logical and suitable for Fort Griffin.

What say we put our efforts to that context?

Travis, is that your decided path?

Yellow, do you concur?

Ayasha, does an Indian go in the woods?  Does a chief wear a funny hat?

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg #5):

No these are just some events I saw spending a few minute with Google.  I was thinking of leveraging 1 or 2 to put some structure on character development.  I'll go anywhere do anything.  I checked out my development path.  My reputation will increase from +1+3 which borders on "High" so it would make sense that he would continue making a name for himself.  Troubleshooting, scouting, bounty hunting, law enforcement (just the gun not the knowledge), protecting the innocent that sort of stuff.

It will be helpful if players work out some back story that would connect to Fort Griffin. It doesn't have to be immediate or continuous over the timeline. So, for example, it's viable for characters to go to Deadwood in 1875 before making their way to The Flat in 1877.

The idea of picking a couple of key events, including any on Travis' list, is fine. But as Randy points out, keeping an eye on connections to Shackleford County, Texas will make the transition easier. For example, Randy's idea to take up a career in prizefighting would provide an easy connection (Shannsey's saloon, owned by an ex-prizefighter).

Events that are in or near Texas (e.g. the Second Battle of Adobe Walls, Buffalo Hunting) could make connections more viable. Also, a number of famous personages ended up in Fort Griffin in the mid-1870s. Finding connections to them in previous years (Forest Gumping it, if Travis pleases) whether in Texas or somewhere else will help.

A few examples: Ben and Billy Thompson, Doc Holliday, Big Nose Kate, John Selman, Sheriff John Larn, Sheriff William Cruger, Lottie "The Poker Queen" Deno, Frank Thurmond, Wyatt Earp, and John Wesley Hardin.

If I read JM correctly, we need to depart the realms of what if and would be nice for the more fruitful pastures of sure, that's a damn good idea.

What Randy says is true, but I meant it when I said I wasn't in a rush. For me, seeing a conversation about this is good progress. If the conversation continues and evolves, I'm happy. Moving from "what if" to "here's the agreed-upon timeline" does need to happen, but it doesn't need to happen overnight. For example, you could agree to combine Randy's prizefighting scheme with a trip to Deadwood, but characters that want to be involved would need to agree and put that on their individual timelines--and then try to coordinate another period of time with the same or other characters. So, please continue the discussion.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #9):

Sheriff James E. “JEB” Beauregard returned to Marshfield, Missouri following his employment with Major Gray’s No Buffalo Outfit during the cattle drive from Texas to Kansas.  JEB was looking forward to a peaceable sequestration, but upon his homecoming he found the town in poorer condition than when he left it largely due to the attention of the James-Younger gang which robbed the Webster County Savings Association on June 14, 1872.  Sadly, the deputy JEB left in charge while he was away, Owen Lorman, was murdered by the outlaw Jesse James as the gang made its escape.  There is no limit to the amount of regret and responsibility JEB felt for young Owen’s demise and this being the motivation for JEB spending the next five years unsuccessfully hunting the James-Younger gang brings him and his posse of sorts to the town of Fort Griffin, Texas in January, 1877 there being a Frank James sighting in the vicinity.  Acknowledging that detaining any member of the outlaw gang alone was madness, JEB recruited his old NBO partners, Travis Sunday, pistoleer, and Cole Trayne, aficionado of animal husbandry, to share the trail.

Travis and Cole serve as proxies for any PC willing to join JEB in the timeline and they are certainly welcome to play any role in the narrative be it even a small one (per Travis' Forest Gump analogy). This is only a concept based on JEB's experience and there are definitely liberties taken with historical references and NPCs. JEB is willing to become a part of any other timeline that presents an engaging back story.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg #10):

JEB and the rest of Cole's former trail-mates would know that if they wished to reach him, they could just leave word at his home town. Cole is known to check in with his friends and family from time to time.

Upon hearing that his friend JEB could use some backup, Cole would be happy to oblige. Cole always did like Owen, so anything he could do to make that there situation right, he would do.

Enjoying the ideas presented here. Looking for Ayasha to chime in as well.

Pretty much any of these ideas can work. I don't mind the liberties taken with connections to historical figures--as long as those connections don't change the history as we understand it today. So, for example, having the James-Younger Gang involved in JEB's back story is okay, as long as his contact with them remains tangental to the generally accepted historical record (JEB's description of 'five years of unsuccessfully hunting' and the tip that leads him to Shackleford County works in that regard).

Of course, if JEB is occupied the entire five years, then the other PCs will have to determine whether they intersect with him at some given point along the trail, or for the whole time, or not at all. That means we need to know where the trail might have taken the lawman, so others can intersect at some point. Five years is a long time on the frontier--it is likely that people would drift apart for one reason or another for a time, perhaps to be reunited later. For example, it would be my guess that Travis would want to join JEB, but maybe not for five years based on Travis' list of possible events he might want to Gumpize, unless those events coincide with the places that JEB must go in his search. It's unlikely (and a bit too much of a stretch for the Judge) that JEB's trek would lead him to San Francisco or Deadwood . . . so if Travis and Yellow (and anyone else) wanted to connect in San Francisco, it would have to happen parallel to JEB's story, with a possible intersection somewhere in say, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri or Texas.

My comments are intended only as continuing conversation about how the various PC timelines can be connected. So, it is still up to the players to coordinate these ideas into a viable timeline that works for everyone.

Keep laying track and nailing those spikes, we'll meet in that proverbial Promontory Point before long.

Chiming in, Judge, chiming in.

I do think actually that if Randy (and others) are serious about catching up to Ayasha, they probably will. She will need to hunt and gather food all the way, because her supplies are non-existent in the beginning. So she probably will be slower than the cowboys. She would be touched by them coming after her, although she might think at first that the men following her are there to get the horse back she stole (if she realizes she is being followed before she can recognize anyone).

I'd be happy to not have her get back to her tribe immediately - something can come up along the way that provides some adventure.

Ayasha would by now understand that there are good and bad white men - and that it is not that easy to condemn all palefaces. Still, I would like to have her (and her society) take part in the 2nd Battle of Adobe Walls, since those are buffalo hunters, and those are the worst white men. (So don't ever tell her you went buffalo hunting...)

There could be someone from the group on the other side, maybe saving Ayasha's life without her realizing it. The battle is a disaster for the Indians of course, and after that she would probably not take part in the Red River War. I'd think she might travel north, to visit with the Northern Cheyenne.

Even though she has realized by then that the white men are not to be defeated, she would find herself in a big camp at a small river named Little Big Horn in 1876. When it is attacked by Custer and his bluecoats, she will fight - she is a member of a warrior society after all. I would find it very interesting when some of the other players could be there with Custer, so that Ayasha can save them from being killed. Obviously, that might not be something for everyone, but I'd like that.

Sounds like early in the timeline, there is consensus for Ayasha reuniting with Randy and Travis. The two men had already discussed following her at the close of the cattle drive back in Abilene. Yellow has expressed a desire to join. Art is uncertain. Sounds like JEB and Cole's stories, from conversations in Abilene and ideas expressed herein, would take them in a different direction; however, I'm amenable to the idea of anyone who wants to join.

I would like to begin by nailing this down. Once connected with Ayasha, where does this group go? What "heroic or meaningful" things will that group do?

At some point, it seems clear that Ayasha would return to her tribe, so that would provide a natural breaking point. Let's fix this early part of the timeline.

I always had the thought in the back of my mind that Randy would 'escort' her to her tribe.

Hopefully, in the time traveling back to the Cheyenne, Randy could learn their language.  In the process, his own speech would improve.  Also, the big boy's attitude toward women would evolve as well--no longer thinking they always need of protection from a man.

Since I (player) don't have a good grasp on the epic travails of the times, it would be to his advantage to team with Travis following the trip to the tribe.  That doesn't mean Randy wouldn't get involved in a skirmish on behalf of the Indians.

Now, Ayasha would be best to take that lead.

Traveling back to Ayasha's village wouldn't take long. And that alone wouldn't meet my criteria an extra level advancement.

The heroes would need to do something for a time (I think I wrote 6 months to a year, although that was more of a guideline than a hard requirement) to qualify for the level. That's also how long Randy would likely need to learn Cheyenne (it would be part of earning the level, yes?). Please bear in mind that at least part of the point of coordinating back stories is because I'm offering the additional level.

Of course, the PCs could go straight to the Cheyenne village if they aren't concerned about this being a triangle that awards a level. The players may view this event as a way to establish a further relationship with Ayasha, for a later reuniting. Still, it's possible an adventure could arise from that decision . . . the players simply need to work out the timeline and summarize the events.

An idea: the group travels to the village, but it is gone . . .

I had the idea that while travelling to the village, they find an attacked settlement. Dead settlers with arrows sticking out of them. Closer inspection reveals though that these are arrows used by a tribe that lives far away from here - basically it's arrows stuck into the bullet holes to blame Indians for the raid.

Someone wants to ignite hostilities...

In the first year since working for the NBO, Cole would return east to sit a spell with his family. Times are tough and he would need to see for himself that his family members are doing well.

During his time there, he will put some of his affairs in order. As Buck is getting up there in years, Cole decides to leave him with his family. He will do just fine helping around their ranch.

Cole and Jack will then spend some time working with Bess and teaching her the tricks that he has found most useful on the trail.

(still working on some details...)

In reply to Ayasha (msg #17):

Travis will go with Ayasha and Randy to A's tribe.

I think he would then spend some time hunting Yuma the Coward and avenging Meri.

Travis has no problems maintaining company with Ayasha and Randy, and partnering with anyone.

If left to his own devices I'd imagine he may sign on as an emergency Deputized US Marshall after Goingsnake.

If he had no further offers... Probably move through Arizona back to San Francisco.  His Chinese and Apache serving him well as he affiliated with Fort Ord (Later Ft Apache) in the White Mountain Indian Reservation stopping Coyotero Apache Indian raids on settlers and later going Yojimbo/Fistfull of Dollars during the San Francisco Tong Wars.

Deadwood would be acceptable if anyone was interested in going there and wants his company.

Travis would definitely respond to a call (he's always available via the SF Western Union Office) to bring to justice Owen's murderer.  This would bring him to Fort Griffith.

Travis would like to earn cash and commission some masterwork weaponry.

Yuma's dead, baby. Yuma's dead.

Oh, come on people. Give Yuma a break.

I'm positive somebody got medieval on his ass.

In reply to Ayasha (msg #21):

It's okay, Ayasha, they're just embarrassed because Yuma almost beat the whole posse by himself.

Hey there! Yellow told Travis he'd follow him on Yuma's trail as well, if the gunfighter will have the cow poke. Being a part of the NBO, he'd get on well with Randy too. Yellow, I assume, would be much like Randy... shy around women. However, being the gentleman would see Ayasha home. Maybe Travis could teach him Chinese? He'd head up to San Fran with Travis & probably split there. Here he'd fall for that Celestial & help her hop town. They'd move west settle in Texas, he'd resume cow-poking for a while & she set up an Apothecary (complete with Laudunum). Somehow he & Mei get separated & then receives word from Travis about the gold-strike in Deadwood. Yellow leaves to join him there. Maybe they stake a claim? Maybe just hang out. Afterword, when the claim is a wash... he heads back to Texas for another stint at ranching, until he hears that Jeb, Travis, & Cole are all headed to Fort Griffin & he heads that way too.

Just my two or three coppers but its late. Let me know. Still strung out on meds so it could be a little wacky. Cheers Meriyellow

In reply to Yellow Sanders (msg #24):

I re read my message and wondered where Yellow had gone.  Doh!

Randy how long do you want to hang with Travis.  When are you Prizefighting to Texas.  Travis could follow.

Notes to self:
Yellow and Travis off with Ayasha and Randy to Tribe.

Travis, Yellow and others to kill Yuma.

Then with Yellow and others to SF.  to accomodate Yellow's timeline.  Then to Arizona  maybe Deadwood and Texas.  Work in other timelines through the last few years.  Travis and Ayasha at the Little Big Horn?

just thinking...