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21:18, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks.

Posted by Judge MessalenFor group 0
Dave Walker
player, 232 posts
I have something for that
P:6 T:5 W:0 F:0 B:5
Sat 20 Jul 2019
at 17:06
  • msg #692

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 691):

"I agree with Tex, if we try and hurry up we'll be more likely to come up on some unwanted surprises."

"We can also see if we see any smoke tonight, that might give us an indication on how far we have to go tomorrow."

Tracy Windham
player, 178 posts
Rogue Investigator
P:4; T:6; W:0; F:0; B:3
Sat 20 Jul 2019
at 20:00
  • msg #693

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 691):

Tracy’s first thought was to argue for a run at the pass tonight, but the investigator thought better of it. Walker and Jake were right; charging in quickly could prove costly. Besides, as Jake had said, they had already had an eventful day dealing with those outlaws.

“I’m fine with making camp as well. Did anyone spy any good spots in the area? I’ll go search for some if not.”
Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg
player, 182 posts
The young professor
P:5 T:5 W:1 F:0 B:2
Sun 21 Jul 2019
at 04:12
  • msg #694

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 693):

Sounds prudent gentlemen... perhaps we can find a spot that allows more unobstructed observation with the binoculars before it gets too dark?
Judge Messalen
GM, 5432 posts
The Hangin' Judge
P:6 T:10 W:0 F:0 B:4+WC
Sun 21 Jul 2019
at 12:29
  • msg #695

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

OOC: The Judge is reading what could be two different objectives -- find a camp or find a better view. Of course you can say both, but then neither is the priority.

Either way, the PCs should make a Notice roll. If any PC intends to look for both (a good campsite and a better vantage point), make two rolls at -2 each. Label any roll with the objective.

As always, please feel free to accompany your rolls with narrative or speech.
Tracy Windham
player, 179 posts
Rogue Investigator
P:4; T:6; W:0; F:0; B:3
Mon 22 Jul 2019
at 12:18
  • msg #696

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 694):

Tracy had already begun to look for a spot to camp when Earnest suggested that they could reach a better vantage point. Luckily, the investigator found what seemed to be a pretty good location fairly quickly.

~Time to report back to the others.~

OOC:

08:16, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 10,11 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,(6+5)11.  Notice, campsite.

Dave Walker
player, 233 posts
I have something for that
P:6 T:5 W:0 F:0 B:5
Mon 22 Jul 2019
at 13:44
  • msg #697

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 696):

~ Jeezaz Darla, this kid could find a snowball in hell ~

~ Speaking of hell, you makin' yourself comfortable down there? Saving a spot for me? ~

Jacob Richardsen
player, 276 posts
Handy With A Rifle
P:5; T:6; W:0; F:0; B:2
Mon 22 Jul 2019
at 16:26
  • msg #698

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 695):

Privately, Jake found himself second-guessing his recommendation to stop for the night. ~What if them owlhoots was ae-lerted by the gunfire, an' thaey're fixin' to skedaddle? We might be pissin' awaey our chance to catch up with them, leastwaeys without havin' to chaese 'em some more.~

~An' Ol' Blue-Light shore wouldn't have pulled up short. He'd have gone right at 'em. Most likely Marse Robert would have, too. Gen'ral Hood shore as all hell would've. I reckon that I might've chose the wrong fork in the road. But our kids is pretty well tuckered out, an' I don't know how well they'd have stood up to our pushin' 'em hard.~


With doubts rattling around in his head, the Texan rather half-heartedly searched around for a good spot to stop for the night. Pretty soon he found his steps taking him in the same direction as Mister Windham.


OOC:
12:22, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 8 using 2d6, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,4.  Notice Check re: Campsite.

Between the two of them, Tracy and Jake should be able to find a helluva-fine spot. :)

Judge Messalen
GM, 5433 posts
The Hangin' Judge
P:6 T:10 W:0 F:0 B:4+WC
Mon 22 Jul 2019
at 21:41
  • msg #699

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

OOC: The Judge will be posting a narrative later this evening.
Judge Messalen
GM, 5434 posts
The Hangin' Judge
P:6 T:10 W:0 F:0 B:4+WC
Tue 23 Jul 2019
at 02:49
  • msg #700

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

Windham and Richardsen had led the efforts to find a suitable campsite. Truly, it didn't take long to spy a few places within a quarter mile that afforded a view of the Echo Canyon area to the west, but most of those were less than conducive to sheltering a remuda of nine horses. Soldiering on, the two scouts wind up their search in similar area -- an elevated mesa roughly one-third of a mile to the southeast of the spot where Red Shirt. Enough space to let the horses graze without being out in the open, while providing some cover from wandering eyes. A view towards the canyon can be had from the northern edge of the mesa, which rises some 50 or 60 yards above the trail the heroes had been following when they discovered the tracks.

By the time they had reported back to the others and all had gathered at the site, the hour was nigh 6 o'clock. Light was scarce, although the sun had yet to set, as the mountains and rock formations rising above the canyons to the west block out the remaining rays.

In the end, the men have confidence that their decision was indeed prudent, as any encounter that they might have envisioned could well have occurred under darkness -- with an obvious advantage handed to their opponents, who would have presumably known the terrain far better than the heroes.

OOC: The PCs need to set a watch schedule. Narrative posts at camp are welcome ... no, encouraged.
Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg
player, 183 posts
The young professor
P:5 T:5 W:1 F:0 B:2
Tue 23 Jul 2019
at 17:30
  • msg #701

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 700):

Once they reach the campsite, Earnest dismounts and retrieves the map and his binoculars.

I shan't be long gentlemen, I want to take advantage of the last light... place me in the watch order where ever is prudent.

With that he proceeds to the mesa's high spot and tries his best to view the canyon.



11:30, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 5,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4.  Notice: Echo Canyon.
Jacob Richardsen
player, 277 posts
Handy With A Rifle
P:5; T:6; W:0; F:0; B:2
Tue 23 Jul 2019
at 20:31
  • msg #702

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

Jake felt a little better about calling for the group to make camp when he saw how quickly the late-afternoon shadows were gathering. Ambling over to stand beside Mister Windham, he said "Good eye. Betwixt the two of us, I think that we settled upon a right-fine spot to settle in for the night."

Raising his voice a little, the Texan asked "Saeme watch-schedule as last night?"

"Oh, an' my incli-naeshunn would be a cold supper -- no fires tonight."

Red Shirt
Wed 24 Jul 2019
at 01:38
  • msg #703

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 702):

"Good thinking," says the Paiute, in response to Jake's suggestion about a cold meal. Red Shirt begins to remove the saddle from his horse.
Daniel Knight
Wed 24 Jul 2019
at 01:55
  • msg #704

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Red Shirt (msg # 703):

As soon as the men made camp, Daniel Knight had focused his attention on the horses in his care. The young Knight begins to unsaddle Lucy, who had been relieved of Daniel's weight for half of the day.

When the Paiute began to do the same, Daniel re-visits the topic he had raised earlier in the day, to no one in particular, although he seems to expect an answer from at least one of the other men.

"I reckon we should give some of these kids a night of rest without bearing the burden of their tack. And I am still of a mind to keep only six saddles." Looking around, he adds, "Seems as if we could hide them up here and come back and get them later if we had the inclination."
Red Shirt
Wed 24 Jul 2019
at 01:56
  • msg #705

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 704):

"Good thinking," says Red Shirt, in reply to Daniel's suggestion.
Judge Messalen
GM, 5436 posts
The Hangin' Judge
P:6 T:10 W:0 F:0 B:4+WC
Wed 24 Jul 2019
at 02:23
  • msg #706

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 701):

The professor finds a suitable spot to settle in and survey the area of Echo Canyon. He runs out of daylight before long, but not before his diligence pays off. Perhaps not the way he had envisioned, but certainly in regard to information he gleaned as a result.

Scanning the canyon area and the mountains to the west of it, including the Great White Throne, reveals little of interest. Earnest had looked at similar terrain in each of the last few days while circumnavigating Zion under Red Shirt's guidance. Canyons, rock formations, mountains, valleys, mesas, gaps, switchbacks ... all of that lay before him now, as seen from his perch to the east of Echo Canyon. Ringgenberg spies nothing about the landscape that might aid the heroes.

Just as Earnest had thought to return to camp, he sees a rising plume of smoke through the lens of his field glasses. He cannot determine its source, but it appears to be coming from a valley near Echo Canyon. Lowering the binoculars for a moment, the professor sees a pair of riders heading east, southeast along what he believes is the same route where Red Shirt had found the tracks. They quickly disappear behind the rocks as they descend -- and it is too dark to pick them up again.
Tracy Windham
player, 180 posts
Rogue Investigator
P:4; T:6; W:0; F:0; B:4
Wed 24 Jul 2019
at 04:17
  • msg #707

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 702) Daniel Knight (msg # 704):

Tracy nodded to the Texan. "Same to you, sir." He turned and looked out over the mesa. "I was a bit hesitant to set up camp for the night, but I'm glad that we did. Although it's hard to admit it to myself, I need the rest tonight."

"The watch order still works for me."

To Daniel, the investigator added to the conversation about their newly acquired remuda.

"If I took Gus tomorrow, would Lefty remain here at the mesa?"

~I'm sure he'll be okay out here, but I'm still a little worried. Lefty's a good boy.~
Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg
player, 185 posts
The young professor
P:5 T:5 W:1 F:0 B:3
Thu 25 Jul 2019
at 00:13
  • msg #708

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 706):

Once Earnest loses sight of the riders, he hurries down to the others at a brisk pace. Upon arrival he reports what he has observed.

It seems likely that we are close... perhaps we should get up early tomorrow and see if we can survey that valley from above?



OOC: Just to be clear, the "perch" that Earnest was on is west of the canyon, not east, right? Also, did he see yellow bandanas on the riders?
This message was last edited by the player at 00:13, Thu 25 July 2019.
Daniel Knight
Thu 25 Jul 2019
at 02:50
  • msg #709

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 707):

"No, sir, Mr. Windham. I would still bring all the kids along. Unless someone had a good reason otherwise. I still say we leave the extra saddles behind."
Judge Messalen
GM, 5438 posts
The Hangin' Judge
P:6 T:10 W:0 F:0 B:4+WC
Thu 25 Jul 2019
at 03:01
  • msg #710

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 708):

OOC: No, the PCs are on a mesa east of the canyon. Per the map, under in area just below the last letter, 'n' of 'Echo Canyon.' That part of the map isn't well-defined, but the men have traveled around the Great White Throne from west to east this day and are now east of the massive landmark and both the main canyon of Zion as well as Echo Canyon.
Tracy Windham
player, 181 posts
Rogue Investigator
P:4; T:6; W:0; F:0; B:4
Thu 25 Jul 2019
at 21:26
  • msg #711

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 709) ENS (msg # 703):

Tracy realizes how he misunderstood the words of the young Knight. He nods.

"Ah, I see. Good thinking for sure, Mister Knight."

The investigator addresses Earnest next.

"I'd get up early with you to take a look. It seems like that might help us get a leg up on those Bandana Boys."
Dave Walker
player, 235 posts
I have something for that
P:6 T:5 W:0 F:0 B:5
Fri 26 Jul 2019
at 12:16
  • msg #712

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 711):

Walker spent the evening quietly to himself. Cleaning his guns, getting himself mentally prepared for what is to come tomorrow.

The news from the professor was not unexpected. He knew they must be getting closer, and spotting the two men on the trail was a good sign.

"I've also been thinkin' that we may want to sleep just a few hours and head out in the middle of the night. Anyone else think those two may be lookouts on night watch? Any encounters we have this close to the camp will surely bring the others lookin' for a fight so we gotta be careful."

Turning to the Indian: "How many hours to do you think it will take for us to get to the yellow necks camp based on the professor's description?"
Red Shirt
Fri 26 Jul 2019
at 13:44
  • msg #713

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 712):

Chewing a piece of jerky, Red Shirt listens to Walker. When the herbalist turns to address the Paiute directly, the guide swallows and looks at the stars while responding.

"We do not know where their camp is, yet. Maybe two or three hours."

After a brief pause, he adds, "Slower if we go in darkness. Not wise for walkers to ride in darkness." Red Shirt turns to look directly at Walker as he utters the last phrase, then glances at Windham.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:56, Fri 26 July 2019.
Judge Messalen
GM, 5439 posts
The Hangin' Judge
P:6 T:10 W:0 F:0 B:4+WC
Fri 26 Jul 2019
at 13:49
  • msg #714

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

OOC: There seemed to be a general consensus for the same watch order as the previous night. The men had doubled up and taken longer stints on guard. The Judge is assuming that will be the case, but isn't moving forward with the overnight narrative until the heroes are done conversing.
Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg
player, 186 posts
The young professor
P:5 T:5 W:1 F:0 B:3
Fri 26 Jul 2019
at 17:54
  • msg #715

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 711):

Earnest rubs his chin.

I would appreciate the company Mr. Windham! I don't think we should go in the dark, but maybe just before the sun rises. I propose that we first move up to the canyon edge so we can hopefully get a layout of any camp down there... Mr. Windham and I can do that, perhaps with Red Shirt along as well, then we can return here to plan... thoughts gentlemen?
Jacob Richardsen
player, 279 posts
Handy With A Rifle
P:5; T:6; W:0; F:0; B:3
Fri 26 Jul 2019
at 20:39
  • msg #716

Re: Chapter 22: Prickly Pears and Four O'Clocks

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 715):

Like Red Shirt, Jake was chewing on a piece of jerky. He glanced ENS and nodded when the easterner gave voice to his thoughts.

"Sounds good to me, Perfesser," he said.
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