Cole mounts up without a word. He patiently waits to catch the eye of those who will not be riding with him, and silently nods in thanks to each in turn.

He then stares off to the horizon, and waits.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 133):

The Old Man tipped his worn out hat and smiled.

"Sure thing Mister Sunday. That vould be vonderful yah? I'm most grateful I am. Ya bet ya I am. I best be get'n my vahgun ready. Danke!"

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 142):

As the Old Man heard Mr. Big'un speak, he held out his age spotted hand.

"I'll do jus that big feller. I vant ta thank ya for all ya did ta help me n' the girls. So Danke! Ya vatch out for Mr. Trayne yonder. I hope ta make it ta San Fran if I can manage it. Once I get the girls settled yah? I vant ta speak on his behalf. How he help save us yah?"

he then went up and held his hand out to Cole.

"I vish ya the best. Danke! For helping me n' the girls. I'll be see'n ya if I can help it."

In reply to Theodore Winters (msg # 145):

Hands are shaken.

OOC: The Judge's current understanding is:
Rasmin's party, heading north - Trayne, Beauregard, Richardson, Oldman, Rojas
Sheriff's party, heading south - Haverty, Sunday, Winters, Ringgenberg, Trautman women, 3 hunters

If the above is incorrect, please post to clarify. The Judge senses that the PCs are close to heading out, based on recent PC posts. It seems that ENS might have more to say, and possibly others, too, so the Judge is holding a little longer before proceeding with narrative.

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 141):

ENS is taken aback.

So your authority as a ranger is only for looking for renegades? Not for the safety and advisement of travelers? I would think you could at least advise Senor Rojas about the potential threat to his client... give him the chance to lodge an official complaint?

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 137):

Jake smiled at Randy's parting words. "Reckon that if'n we're splittin' up here an' now, I'll ride with you an' Rojas, accompanyin' Cole."

Turning to ENS,Waiting until there was a break in the conversation between ENS and Sheriff Cruger, the Texan held out his hand to the Easterner. "Take good care of yerself, Perfesser. Hope to see you again afore too long."

He also held out his hand to Mister Winters. "Luck to you an' yours, Mister Winters. Sorry to make yer acquaintance in such unfortunate cir-cum-stances." Jake's Texas drawl elongated the final word to three syllables.

Hearing Rasmin's call to mount up, Jake did so, holding the reins of the kid that he intended to ride as a remount, if need be. He planned to look around and see if anyone was tending to the remuda of extra horses.

Edited as noted to take ENS's ongoing conversation with Cruger into account.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:53, Thu 21 May 2015.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 148):

Cruger looks at Ringgenberg as if he sprouted a second head.

"You think Rasmin cannot figure that out for himself? He knows what he is doing. Rojas, too. They have no need for me to advise them one whit."

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 150):

ENS shakes his head. Then pauses to shake Jake's hand.

Stay safe out there Jake... I will see if I can make my way out to San Francisco to join you!

He turns back to Cruger.

Very well then; on the matter of these bodies, who will be contacted to ensure their disposal? Who will you be reporting to?

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 151):

Cruger narrows his eyes as he responds to the professor.

"Are you keeping tabs on me, Ringgenberg?"

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 149):

The Old Man shook the Texan's hand and gave the rifleman a nod.

"Ya too Mister Richardson. Ya too! Thanks fer all yer help. I hope ta see ya in San Fran. Take care ah yerself n' Mister Trayne ta boot."

Overhearing the Professor and the Sheriff's conversation the Winters held up a near skeletal hand.

"Now now Sheriff... The professor vas jus ask'n ah question. Nobody here thinks ya are do'n ah bad job. No siree! Vee are all on the same side. Cholera is nuth'n ta fool vith. If it can be prevented then someone aught ta come back n' look inta it."

He then turned to the Professor "Maybe vee can come back this vay n' see ta it Professor? I'd be up ta help'n ya once the girls ate seen ta that is."

In reply to Theodore Winters (msg # 153):

"Thank you for the vote of confidence, Mr. Winters. I reckon that your new pards feel differently. My report will include the facts about the dead Indians . . . and Ringgenberg's recommendation."

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 154):

ENS nods.

Very well then, as we travel I shall write out my concerns and recommendations for you to include in you report. Thank you for your offer Mr. Winters, we will definitely consider it as we plan to go forward.

ENS moves off to say goodbye to his departing friends.

OOC: Last call for posts before fade-to-black. With the holiday weekend, that call is open through 5/26/15.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:24, Sat 23 May 2015.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 137):

ENS encounters Randy as he finishes up the loading. When he mentions his Fanny, ENS looks somber.

I, I'll look for it Randy... you be safe out there, and take care of Cole. Hopefully I can make my way out there soon.

He exchanges a handshake with the big man and then walks over to Cole and JEB.

OOC: I'm assuming this occurs as part of Randy's msg#137... the timing he mentioned seems correct.

You gentlemen stay safe out there! Mr. Rasmin, splitting this group up when there is an angry tribe at large seems risky to me, but you do have excellent backup along. Nevertheless, you are responsible for their safety... so please don't let your mission overcome your common sense!

He will exchange handshakes with Cole and JEB, and even Rasmin if he desires.

Once done there, ENS will take a quick walk out towards Fanny for the mentioned lance and any other interesting items he may see; he won't linger since he knows the groups will be departing soon.

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 154):

The Old Man smiled at the Sheriff and nodded.

"That's gud yah? That's all ya can do. Who's the Sheriff at Fort Griffin if ya vith the Rangers? It'd be gud ta know. I vant the girls ta be safe ya know?"

In reply to Theodore Winters (msg # 158):

"I am the sheriff of Shackelford county. My assignment on behalf of the Rangers is temporary. On account of the renegade Indians."

With the noonday sun overhead, the men and women who had stood against the Comanche renegades now part ways. Two groups form: several riders being led north by Garrett Rasmin, and a trio of wagons heading south toward Fort Griffin and The Flat.

Some of those returning towards Shackelford County had not expected to see the place again so soon. For others, the place promised safety from the recent perils of the frontier plains. For yet others, the place was home. Although Winters and his granddaughters did not know what to expect in regard to the Fort, the company of these accomplished trail riders--from Travis Sunday to the Sheriff to the hunter called Boyd--offered hope and confidence.

The men riding with Rasmin had their various reasons for doing so. No matter what else a body might say about the man, the bounty hunter cannot be faulted for his dedication to his task. He guides the riders and their small remuda slightly northeast, mentioning that he intends to re-join the trail that the party was following the previous day, following its cut to the northwest.

For a time, the members of the southbound wagon-train and the northbound riders glance over their shoulders to see the distance separating the respective travelers. As the bodies grow smaller on the horizon, the sense of a difficult parting fills the minds of some old pards, as sure as the sun will set in a few hours.

------------------------------------------------

OOC: The Judge is fading to black here.

OOC:
The Judge is requesting input from all players. Points for discussion (in the order that they came to mind this morning):

1. Do you want to continue playing this game? The rest of the questions assume there is critical mass for 'yes' but the Judge doesn't want to assume anything at this time.

2. Do you want to continue playing this game with the same characters? An alternative would be to play in Goin' Through the Mill with new characters, so the Judge is curious whether anyone be interested/open to such a path.

3. Assuming same characters:
a. do you want to continue the current scenario, with Cole on his way to SF at which some point the Judge would fade-up and re-join the story, or
b. would you prefer to skip the resolution of Trayne's predicament, with the Judge (or Judge and players in a cooperative effort, which would also appy to 'a.') summarizing a narrative to advance to a new adventure?

4. Of which are you more in favor?
a. an open-ended scenario, or
b. a structured adventure with a more pre-determined beginning, middle and end

5. Please express any thoughts and ideas about the kind of game you would like to play (or would NOT like to play) assuming #1 is positive. Please include specific ideas about the resolution of Cole Trayne, as well as general thoughts about moving forward in this game.

The Judge has several ideas but wants to hear from the players before moving forward with anything. The Judge expects a hiatus before we would return to the game (again, assuming #1 . . . ) in order to have this discussion and then for the Judge to prepare according to whatever consensus (or majority opinion) we reach. For the record, the Judge has ideas that he could easily develop during a short hiatus if the players have no strong preferences and want to continue; nevertheless, he would prefer to develop something that is of most interest to the most players, and therefore these questions (and probably follow-up questions to the players' ideas).

I definitely want to keep playing. I like Winters and wanted to do some role playing set in the Flat. Yet, if the consensus is to start with new characters, I would not be opposed to that either. I am very open in this regard and would like to hear what others have in mind. Cheers

I'm interested in playing. I'm further interested in continuing with my current character. I do have a character in reserve--not Chance--that the judge would have to approve. I'm good on either front.

When it comes to the scenario, I am not very interested in the labor it takes go through the trial. Personally, I'd like to see Cole acquitted of all charges. Easy enough to say it was a case of self-defense--he wasn't willing to carry out the deed, so he killed the boss before the boss killed him. With no witnesses, there's no case to be made against him. Or something like that to bend the game reality.

As for the future of the Buffaloes and the new comers, well that's more interesting. I would imagine rejoining JEB on his hunt for the gang who killed his deputy would be the logical next step for adventures. That is assuming he wants the help. Since Cole, JEB, Jake, and Randy are together in San Francisco, rejoining Travis and ENS would be the only issue. The telegraph communication method would be the most practical solution.

My piece/peace.

I would like to continue to play.

I would like to use the same character.

I am happy to continue with the San Francisco storyline but....

I think we should play out a structured adventure, which the newer comers had indicated they would prefer, in this case all characters can equally participate (no one sits in the hoosegow past scene 1).

The classic scenario for moving forward is the "pardon" in exchange for deadly mission.  I heard of you, I heard you were dead. or of course a scene 1 jailbreak where the judge starts us in the middle of the action, followed by the next adventure.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 164):

I don't mind the open ended scenarios... makes for interesting developments. I'm also kind of partial to ENS, so I'd like to continue the character.

For ENS's part, he has determined to secure his wagon and make best pace to SF (preferably with Travis and other company, as he doesn't want to travel through the wilderness alone). If he can take his wagon, he will, but he is somewhat resigned to leaving it as long as it is secure.

I guess I am assuming Travis will travel with us until we're near a town, at which point he'll leave to avoid authorities. ENS was prepared to try to arrange a meeting on the trail as needed. However, if a side adventure that resolves Travis' situation can be done, ENS will participate (within his previously played reservations of course).

Thank you for the replies so far. A consensus (or at least majority without dissent) seems to be building for continuing the game with the present PCs. Two players have yet to log in since my posts 24 hours ago and I suspect another will post this morning, so we will see if that consensus holds true. The Judge waits for more input, but a few ideas have been presented so the Judge will respond and ask some follow-ups.

Re: Randy mentioning a "not like" of a trial for Trayne
For the record, the Judge has no desire to play out a trial for either Trayne or Sunday. That has never been on my idea list for the game-play. If the idea to have a narrative summary for such an outcome proves to have a consensus, the Judge would be on board but playing out a trial is not a scenario I want to play in a game forum.

Re: Randy mentioning PCs "are in SF together"
Not sure if Randy means this to say he believes this is the natural outcome of the trail ride, or if he expects this to be the outcome of the trail ride, or if he is just discussing a potential outcome. Travis ideas (next) also seem to indicate an expectation of landing in SF. The Judge is not against that, but neither does he think that is the only way to move forward.

So as a follow-up question in general: if current PCs continue and the general answer to #3 is, "yes, let's resume the scenario at some point" (whether with option 'a.' or 'b.'), then do you have a preference for where we resume? Do you want to resume/reunite in SF? Or are current PCs interested in a different resolution?

Re: Travis mentioning a "classic" scenario (or two)
Those are both similar to ideas on my list. Either of those could work. I have other ideas that are in the same vein. Seeing as Travis easily identified two options and knowing I have other viable ideas (structured or open-ended) that can be developed just as easily, this reminds me of why Judge stated that there were several viable ways to move forward in the game, when we were discussing things as the previous chapter came to a close. Now, if there were a consensus for the Judge to "fade up at the time of his choosing and begin an adventure akin to the ideas put forth by Travis," then the Judge could easily do that. (I will say that my opinion is that the time for the jailbreak has sort of passed--that scenario would have been better in The Flat than say, in San Francisco.)

Re: Winters mentioning his flexibility
Appreciate the flexibility. For some players, trying new PCs is more fun than playing a long time one. The Judge and the player have had PMs about this before and that's how he ended up playing Winters.

Re: Winters mentioning RP in The Flat
The Judge would be open to that; however, it would mean that we would have to have two different groups playing simultaneously for a bit, assuming Rasmin's group also wants to do RP instead of skipping ahead. Or perhaps the Judge and the player work out a PM sidebar for that while (or before) group play resumes. The question of whether we fade-up shortly after the FTB in #160 with more RP time, vs. skipping ahead to some other point in time is a primary question for me.

So, as another follow-up to question 3 assuming that path were taken: how soon do PCs want the story to fade-up? In a couple of days to allow RP in either The Flat or the trail? After the entire group is rejoined (meaning skipping RP such as Winters' RP in The Flat)? At any time of the Judge's choosing, assuming he provides narrative to reunite existing players (or weave in new ones if desired)? In a particular place? San Francisco? Anywhere else? I know Travis has mentioned Deadwood in the past. For clarity, the Judge will reiterate that he is not against a "landing" in SF, he just isn't assuming that is the outcome. I have scenarios in mind for that outcome, because it is a logical progression and because I know some PCs have expressed interested in a SF adventure. But we don't have to continue that way if we don't want to.

Re: ENS thoughts on open-ended scenarios
Thanks for expressing that thought. I find open-ended scenarios more interesting than a structured adventure. The Judge has written structured adventures (DHR's Hidden Canyon is a traditional western adventure with such structure) and is willing to manage such an adventure here if that if it is the group preference. At the same time, the Judge would be happy to continue with more open-ended gaming, including a fade-up shortly after the FTB in #160 for more role playing--if there were a consensus for that path. It seems to me that so far that only one player has voiced a strong preference on the question of 4a or 4b. To me, this is important.

So, the Judge asks again. Please state a preference, as if you were king of the world, as to whether you would want 4a or 4b.

Re: ENS mentioning Sunday's near-future
The Judge isn't assuming Sunday's actions as he approaches The Flat, but based on the PCs IC statements, the Judge would not expect Sunday to enter town or return to Albany. If we were to fade-up around that time, it could be played out, but if we jump ahead, the Judge would move forward with the last plan as stated by the PC--to head west with the intention of getting to SF no later than Trayne--unless the PCs or Travis in particular asked for something different. As noted earlier in this post, the Judge has no desire to play out a trial. Based on Sunday's IC posts, he would not show up for a trial by choice, so that seems like a moot point and the Judge has not spent time, as of now, thinking about a next step that involves Travis in The Flat.

Players might be noticing a trend here, in that the Judge wants the players to frame the next chapter(s) of the game, giving the Judge a basis for setting up the scenario, whatever that might mean. So please continue to give input, especially in regard to #3 and #4 which seem to be the crux of the discussion right now.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:06, Thu 28 May 2015.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 166):

Good morning, all,

Sorry that I didn't get around to posting yesterday. I had intended to do so, but we have company in the house, and that generally cuts down on my gaming time.

Let's see:

1. Yes.

2. Yes, would prefer to continue with the same character. I've grown kinda fond of ol' Jake. :)

3. Would prefer (a.), with the Judge resuming the story at a time and in whatever locations seem most appropriate to him. I would think that anywhere from several days to a week, game-time, would be a good fit.

4. I think (b.), until its resolution, then we can take stock again with respect to going forward from that point. Perhaps we could play out a structured scenario, where forces and people beyond the control of the characters are calling the shots, then revert to a more open-ended progression.

5. I agree with Randy and the Judge, in that I'm not really all that enthusiastic about RPing a trial for Cole, assuming that the party eventually reaches San Francisco. Other than that, I don't really have any strong preferences. That may or may not change, once the party reaches the end of the next chapter of game-play, however that happens to play out.