In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 879):

Once Earnest joins the others, he acquires one of his grins, claps his hands once, and addresses them.

Well gentlemen, we have certainly done a thing here today! I fear our oil supply severely limits our remaining time in this cave, but is there anything left to do here? Any last scratches to itch?

He looks them over, glad to be in such good, capable company.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 880):

Padre hadn't exercised his liturgical bone in quite some time. It had also reminded him of something.

Im thinking we go back. We could restock and whatnot. Ive burned my Bible and can retrieve the other one from Genesis.

All the excitement had distracted Padre from the gap he felt. The void. He had immolated the Good Book and he didnt have one on him.

First time in I dont know how long I haven't had one. Good thing I had to memorize it years ago. I am never really without it.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 880):

and

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 881):

Jacob chuckled upon hearing the Perfesser ask about whether there were any "itches left to scratch."

"I got me a hunch that thaere's still some old-timey knights' treashurre to be found in the rat caeve," the Texican replied.

"But I also got a hunch that we might be bitin' off more'n we can chew if'n we kept after it right now."

Jake chuckled again. "It ain't goin' nowhaere no tieme soon, I reckon. I can come back some other tieme."

"Soooo . . . although I'm a-feelin' the pull uhv that treashurre a-tuggin' on my gizzard, at the moe-ment I'm a-leanin' the saeme waey Padre is. 'Tis the smart man who knows when to fold uhp tents an' move ah-long, all the while plannin' on circlin' back on a diff'rent daey."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 882):

"I agree Jake, probably a lot more here to discover and we've got some unfinished business with that silver but let's get back to town and restock ourselves. I'm sure we could all use some rest and a decent night's sleep."

A thought then came to Tommy which he immediately was unsure about.

"Maybe, just maybe we should take out this bridge before we leave here. This way we stop others from so easily using the portal to come to our world. It would also stop some from leaving, some whom maybe here already...so I don't know.."

He looked around at the pards to gauge the reaction to his thought
This message was last edited by the player at 18:55, Sat 13 May 2023.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 883):

Tracy now felt resolved. "I've also got some 'itches to scratch,' as the Professor said, but I'm ready to go for now."

However, the Pearce's suggestion surprised the Californian, causing Windham to raise his eyebrows. ~Quite the idea. I understand the logic of it; this portal is dangerous. But...~

Perhaps it was aftereffects of the ritual, but the investigator could still feel a pull towards the portal. Beyond it, there were other worlds. So many things to learn and experience and discover. They had only gotten a small glimpse into these worlds so far. He wasn't ready to cut the cord just yet.

"I think that's a good idea, Tommy, but I think it's too early for now. We don't know the all the effects that might have. Besides, we saw that the she-wolves had powers we couldn't understand. I don't think the rope bridge will do anything to stop some of these...beings." He pauses before adding, "Perhaps you could take some notes on how best to take out the bridge, so we'll be ready if we ever decide to."

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 884):

Earnest looks over the bridge while Tommy and Tracy speak.

It might be good to rig it as some sort of drawbridge controlled from this side later... It could at least slow portal travelers down. We have a lot of decisions to make about this place... I agree with Tracy, let's rest and plan a bit more before taking any drastic action.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 884):

Speaking of notes, Tracy and the others take inventory of their things. As Jake reclaims his cook set, which is strangely dry after the ritual, the Californian checks his sketchbook and notes, and others take care of their own belongings.

The Texican half-expected the small cook pot to have some remaining foul-smelling liquid, but all he sees is a slight residue from the mushroom-spider brew when he holds one of the lanterns near it. He resolves to inspect it more closely in the daylight, perhaps after they return to the base camp.

Windham prepares to stow his book, when he notices serveral words scrawled on a page in the back. It isn't his own handwriting. Pearce, standing nearby with a lantern observes the Wolverine's countenance, and shines the lamplight over Tracy's shoulder.

The page reads:

Half of writing history is hiding the truth.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 886):

OOC: I'm assuming this is public knowledge.

Earnest speaks as he pulls out his own notebook to examine it.

Dr. Faraday must have written that when she was looking at your drawings... How odd... Advice for how we should proceed?

He'll flip through his notebook to look for anything unusual.

OOC: I don't recall specifically lending her Earnest's notebook, but I imagine he would have had she asked... Let me know if I should roll anything.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 887):

Jake picked up his cook-pot and inspected it, even the Perfesser was talking about something that had been written in Wool-verine's notebook.

The Texican was a bit surprised to find neither a liquid residue in the bottom of the pot, nor could he detect any lingering fumes that were left over from the ritual.

After a moment he set the pot down and wandered over to see what had attracted his pards' attention. It took him a moment, put he was able to puzzle out the words.

"Ain't that the truth," he muttered, shaking his head.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 887):

Earnest flips through his notebook, searching for any writing in what he assumes is Faraday's hand. As he noted to himself, he couldn't recall lending his notebook to the scientist. Windham, meanwhile, had definitely loaned his sketchbook to Danielle because of the investigator's drawings.

With his cursory flipping through pages, the professor finds nothing similar to the message inscribed in Tracy's book.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:23, Thu 18 May 2023.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 889):

Tommy nods his head in agreement with the others
"Agreed, yes, we'll leave the bridge intact for now"

Tommy made sure he still had the batons given him by James. In Tommy's mind these items from other worlds were a different sort of valuable treasure. He examined the area where the knight had stumbled and fallen in case any small piece of armor that broke off might also be retrieved.

When he had finished he turned to the others
Well I'm ready to head back. Shall we get moving?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
11:28, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 3,6 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Notice roll - piece of knights armor.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 890):

Padre was no stranger to cryptic messages. After all, His word was full of them.

Half of history.. Interesting. I wonder what truth was being hidden and by whom?

Padre reckoned back to his attempt to extract information from Dr Farraday and Alejandro. Some success, sure. But Padre still could not shake the feeling that the answers were cagey at best.

Padre asked to hold the notebook. Padre holds the page up near a torch to try and notice any hidden messages or the like.

OOC:

11:43, Today: Albert (Padre) Juhasz rolled 5,4 using d8+2,D6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2.  Notice roll - looking for secret messages.

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 891):

Earnest rubs his chin.

Sounds like a quote... I wonder if anyone in this world is credited for it? Fairly cynical, but not entirely untrue. I suspect she's advising us to keep the existence of this portal quiet.

When Tommy makes his announcement, Earnest nods.

Yes, I think it's time to get going as well!
This message was last edited by the player at 12:59, Mon 22 May 2023.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 892):

Tracy continues to stare at the words, rereading them as the others spoke. ~I think she sensed my keen interest in the portal, the secrets of the world. There's so much more to discover; perhaps she's encouraging me to do so.~

However, there was still the present to think about. "We'll have plenty of time to discuss what she might have meant. Let's get out of here."

OOC: The Judge was waiting to see another post from all 5 players before moving on.

The Judge had already addressed the professor's earlier Notice roll, via PM.

For Pearce's roll: The Irishman doesn't find any fragments of the giant's armor. However, upon thinking about it further, the mechanic isn't entirely sure that it was "wearing" armor. Picturing the GOTK in his mind's eye, he recalls it looking more like it was made of armor -- iron, specifically, if he recalls his mechanical knowledge correctly. During the fight, such notions were irrelevant. In hindsight, maybe important.

For Juhasz' roll: First, assuming Windham is willing to let the man handle the book while holding some form of flame ... the man in black doesn't see any sort of hidden message anywhere. Just the plain text already mentioned and discussed a mite by the group.

That said, here we go. Any decisions about gear, etc, can be determined as you continue. Mentions below are for flavor. Pausing here for conversation with RS before riding back to town or what-have-you.

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

After the five men had taken care of all their tasks to clean up the rope bridge cavern, they all agreed it was time to move on. Lamp oil was quite low, as they had needed it for the journey, the ritual, and the clean up.

Taking a direct route from the cavern to the base camp, the heroes intend to stop and sort the gear they wish to take back to Red Shirt's camp or leave here. The lamp light had held out, and their best estimate now was about an hour left in two of the three remaining lanterns.

The brightness of mid-day assaults their eyes as they emerge into El Presidente's old barracks. It takes a little time to adjust to daylight and to sort the gear.

Even so, enough daylight remains for the journey to the camp where the Paiute and the horses waited. The men reach the rockslide with an hour to spare before sunset. They descend and squeeze through the defile into the box canyon where the horses graze.

The Paiute, brushing one of the mounts, acknowledges their return with a tip of his hat. As usual, he doesn't speak until spoken to.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 894):

OOC: I had forgotten the Judge responded in PM. For the other's (since Earnest would have told them): there were no such messages in Earnest's notebook.

Earnest greets Red Shirt, glad for the return to something normal. Once they gather together, Earnest addresses him.

Well Red Shirt, we have sent our 'guests' home... Did you notice anything out of the ordinary out here in the last several hours?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 895):

"No." The Paiute pauses, glancing around at the horses.

"But they were agitated this morning," he adds.

In reply to Red Shirt (msg # 896):

Earnest nods and rubs his horse's muzzle.

Interesting... Could you sense it Patches? If only you could talk!

In reply to Red Shirt (msg # 896):

Jake touched the brim of his Stetson by way of reply to Red Shirt's tipping his own hat in greeting.

"Reckon we was, too," he drawled a laconic reply to the Paiute's remark about the horses being skittish earlier in the day.

"Leastways, for a while, thaere."

OOC: Seeing only a bit of small talk with RS from a couple of players, the Judge is likely to fade the scene again and fade up with the assumption that the characters will pull up stakes the next morning and head back toward the trio of towns to the south.

Not in a hurry, so feel free to continue small talk, etc, as desired, in the interim.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 899):

As they settle around the fire for the evening meal, Earnest looks around as he speaks what hopefully all are thinking.

Well gentlemen, it's been an adventure to be sure... but I think it would be best if we keep all that has happened to ourselves for the time being. We shouldn't even make a claim on the silver vein yet... if ever.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 900):

The Texican nodded upon hearing the Perfesser's words. "I'm plumb tickled to be shed of them caeves, myself," he replied with a rueful shake of his head.

Glancing over at Red Shirt, he added "An' you was right as rain ah-bout them Spie-ders. Them's nuthin' to be took lieght-ly."

Turning back to Ernest, Jacob continued "An' Ah ah-gree 'bout keepin' what we seen in thaere under our hats, leastwaeys for the tieme bein'."

With a chuckle, Jake concluded "Reckon it can be our own Lost Dutchman*."

---

OOC: * The reference is to the legendary "Lost Dutchman" mine, which is still being sought today out in the wilds of Arizona, if memory serves.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 901):

Frankly Padre replied Mr Richardsen and The Professor Not a single soul would believe it anyways. Splitting of the Red Sea seems downright mundane compared to this.

Padre set his eyes into the fire. It reminded him of the burnt bible and the crisis of faith he had just been through.

Maybe its me that dont believe it

OOC:

Spelling Edit
This message was last edited by the player at 21:19, Tue 30 May 2023.

The Paiute voices his opinions at great length.

"I know nothing of it."

Whatever their deepest down feelings might be, all five of pards agreed not to talk about their exploration of the caves of Hidden Canyon. There was no argument from Red Shirt.

After getting a fine night's sleep under the clear skies of Nouveau Zion, the six men awoke and broke camp. For the Paiute, this dale had become a temporary home. While the other men had gone back and forth between here and the caves, Red Shirt had taken the care of all the horses without incident or complaint. He seems to have enjoyed the solitude. His look lingers over the area as the men mount up for the ride back to the three towns at the southern rim of the canyon system.

That ride spans two nights, during which each camp is as calm and clear as the previous. Late the third morning, as the men approach the rim, they see a rider approaching. The mount moves at a steady gallop, but the rider slumps in the saddle.

The Paiute signals for the men to stop. He speaks.

"Daniel Knight," he says.