Padre keeps his head and his aim, firing at the giant after it bashes Jacob Richardsen.

Just as he thought, he cannot and did not miss from here. He quickly learns a few things.

First, the giant's armor is quite tough. Padre feels like he's shooting bullets at a being made entirely of iron.

Second, bullets do affect it, but even a well-aimed and effective shot couldn't take it down.

Third, Padre clearly has the full giant's attention now.

OOC: Padre made his Shooting rolls correct, and it was a hit with a raise, so 3d6 was correct, except that Padre didn't add the +1 for the Peacemaker (2d6+1). So his damage total was actually 21.

With that damage total, the GOTK takes 1 Wound and is Shaken. However, the Judge spent one of his GM Bennies and made a Soak roll, which was good enough to Soak the Wound and remove the Shaken status.

17:57, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 12 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of (8+4)12.  GOTK Soak.

It is Tommy's turn. See PM.

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 854):

Everything...nothing. Swell...release. Breathe in as one...out as one. The energy bends and pulls and the one becomes smaller, lesser.

But it must. And it will. And it always does.

Binds and threads and light and will and power and wonder and...

OOC:

Spent a Benny to continue Conviction.

18:08, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 3,6,10 using d8+2,d6+2,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4,(6+4)10. 1+10= 11 total Spirit, round 3.

EDIT: Previous total was very wrong. 6+10= 16 total
This message was last edited by the player at 13:35, Mon 24 Apr 2023.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 856):

Tommy witnesses the GOTK stagger just a bit, and even a few sparks fly as Padre's bullets meet
the steel armor. As the GOTK steadies itself Tommy fires.

Letting the buckshot fly from both barrels of the shotgun simulatneously he hopes to finish him now before he can take another mighty swing at the pards.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCC - bonus points based on Judge & Tommy's PM messages
12:19, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 37 using 4d6+6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,(6+6+2)14,3,4. Damage Roll - - shotgun vs GOTK - benny roll 2.
12:18, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 24 using 4d6+6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2,2,(6+4)10.  Damage Roll - - shotgun vs GOTK - benny roll.
12:17, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 21 using 4d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2,4,(6+4)10.  Damage Roll - - shotgun vs GOTK.
12:12, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 11,13 using d8+10,d6+10, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.  Shooting role - shotgun vs GOTK .
2 bennies deducted

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 857):

Pearce had remained in his prone position away from the ritual participants and the other two watchers. The wily Irishman had hoped to remain unseen by the giant or any others who passed through the portal into the rope bridge cavern.

Following through on his plan, he held his fire when the giant old-timey knight swung at the rifleman -- and Richardsen and Juhasz attempted to take down the strange being before it could do any harm to the Texican. It must have been tempting to intervene himself, but the mechanic kept his aim true and his powder dry.

After seeing the giant knock down Jake and dislodge the Texican's Widder-Maeker, and then witnessing Padre hit the giant with what looked like a dead-on shot from the Peacemaker, Tommy figures his best chance to end the fight is now, while the giant might still be unaware.

Indeed, his scheme proves worthy, as Pearce fires both barrels at the giant, spewing a load of shot that takes the being's armored legs out from under it. Perhaps the numerous lead balls find their way into chinks in the giant's armor, or maybe the force of the blast at short range feels like a sack of grape shot to the huge entity. For Pearce, the reason why definitely remains a curiosity, but the after-effects are more imminent.

The giant's knees buckle and it begins to fall. A anguished shriek is heard through the closing portal as the ritual participants finish their task. Now, the massive frame looms over Padre and Tommy, in free fall ...

OOC: Tommy's shot brings down the GOTK. As he noted, he had several bonuses as ruled by the Judge, including the rare SWADE bonus for The Drop. Because of where Tommy had positioned himself, combined with winning his Stealth roll and the giant's attention focused on Jake and Padre, the Judge awarded this situational bonus. And the Irishman had the advantage of seeing Padre's excellent shot do minimal harm to the giant, so he knew he had to do some serious damage to affect it. The Judge used all his Bennies to attempt to soak the Wounds dealt by Tommy, to no avail.

At the same time, as noted in OOC 6, Tracy and Earnest accumulated six tokens in one round and closed the portal.

The giant's body is falling and could land on either Tommy or Padre (possibly both, and possibly landing on a lantern as well). The Dramatic Task is over (so no more Complications, Padre), and this is now a combat round that we will do in order for more dramatic effect as this encounter is ending. The Judge drew for the giant as part of this. Although the creature cannot act, the draw represents its fall vis a vis when the others can act. Fortunately, Tommy and Padre can act before the giant.

Tommy and Earnest must succeed on EITHER a Vigor (–2) or Spirit (–2) roll to immediately recover from the ritual and act normally. This doesn't count as an action, but the result will impact whether they can act, and how. We'll do this in action order, with the Judge ruling on each character's action as we go -- even between Tracy's first roll and before he acts if he doesn't succeed on the roll. (Tracy, if you succeed on Spirit or Vigor, go ahead and take your turn).

17:14, Yesterday: Judge Messalen rolled 5 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  GOTK Soak (Pearce).
17:14, Yesterday: Judge Messalen rolled 3 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  GOTK Soak (Pearce) 2.
17:15, Yesterday: Judge Messalen rolled 5 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  GOTK Soak (Pearce) 3.
17:15, Yesterday: Judge Messalen rolled 3 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  GOTK Soak (Pearce) 4.

Initiative
Earnest Two Spades Sixth
Jake Nine Hearts, Four Hearts Fourth
Padre Jack Spades Third
Tommy Four Spades, Queen Spades Second (Judge assumes Tommy wants to act before GOTK)
Tracy Ace Diamonds First
GOTK Seven Spades Fifth

It is Tracy's turn, per the above notes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:08, Wed 26 Apr 2023.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 858):

And suddenly Tracy was one. Windham had no time to ponder his experience, however. Some sort of huge creature was in midair above his pards.

In a split second, Tracy spots an injured Jake and springs towards him. The Wolverine grips the Texican's legs and pulls as hard as he can away from the beast above.

OOC:

Spent a Benny to continue Conviction.

14:28, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 1,3,4 using d8-2,d6-2,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5,4.  5+4= 9 total Spirit, departing ritual


14:34, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 2,1,3 using d8,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1,3. 2+3= 5 total Athletics, saving Jake 3.

14:33, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 7,2,2 using d8,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,2,2. 7+2= 9 total Athletics, saving Jake 2.

14:33, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 5,3,2 using d8,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3,2. 5+2= 7 total Athletics, saving Jake.

Spent two more Bennies attempting a higher roll. Sticking with my second one.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 859):

Tracy recovers immediately after he and Earnest close the portal. The investigator nearly forgets about the gun in his lap, but he grabs it as he rises and moves towards Richardsen.

His perception somewhat muddied by the shift from nothingness (everthingness?) to individuality, the Californian rushes to help Jake, even though the Texican isn't in fact injured. It seems now, up close, that Jake was only momentarily jarred by the giant's blow -- after he dropped the Widder-Maeker. Still, Tracy reaches the rifleman quickly, and helps him move away from the falling giant and towards his beloved rifle.

OOC: The Judge gave the wrong impression in the narration, saying Pearce saw the giant "knock down" Jake. That might have been Tommy's perception (reasonable), but in truth, the Judge made the Soak roll for Jake, and succeeded, so the only effect was that the rifleman lost his grip on the Winchester. He wasn't actually "down" or needing that sort of "dragging away." So the Judge adapted Tracy's narrative -- he doesn't drag Jake away by his legs. Rather, Tracy helps Jake recover and move away, making it easy to recover the Widder-Maeker this round (when Jake takes his action). Likewise, the Judge is ruling that Tracy was able to grab his own weapon when he got up to move towards Jake.

It is now Tommy's turn. Reminder, the giant is falling towards Tommy and Padre, and could possibly land on either one, or both.

OOC: Although the Judge prefers to give Tommy a little extra time to take his turn in order, he can still go before the GOTK by being on Hold. So Pearce is now on Hold.

It is Padre’s turn.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 861):

Padre knew he had to move and knew he had to move now! The only question was can he get to Mr Pearce. The prone positioning of Mr Pearce was problematic and Padre made the snap decision to let the Lord save Mr Pearce iff'n it was so chosen. For if it is his way, it is his will.

Padre leapt out of the oncoming outline of the Giant Old Timey Knight.


OOC:


17:21, Today: Albert (Padre) Juhasz rolled 5,17 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+6+5)17.  Athletics roll to dive out of the way.

If I were a dishonest man, I totally would have changed my narrative to include Mr Pearce with a roll like that! But alas, I save only myself.

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 862):

Feeling the familiar but still bone-shakingly powerful sensation of the double-barrel blast Tommy watches for any effect on the GOTK. He sees immediately the GOTK buckle and begin to go down. Judging the fall to land on top of him and/or Padre he rolls to his left toward the wall and up close to it's base.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCC -18:30, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 3,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Agility - avoid GOTK fall - benny roll 2 .
-- Forgot to add +2 for Elan  - result should be 7
18:30, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 1,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.  Agility - avoid GOTK fall - benny roll.
-- Forgot to add +2 for Elan roll - result should be 5
18:29, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 1,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Agility - avoid GOTK fall.
2 benny's deducted
This message was last edited by the player at 23:49, Fri 28 Apr 2023.

OOC: The Judge acknowledges the two heroes’ actions, and will provide narrative on the giant’s next turn.

Meanwhile it is Jake’s turn.  Windham helps Jake to move and retrieve the Winchester. Jake can also take an action after that, if he chooses.
This message was last edited by the GM at 09:26, Sat 29 Apr 2023.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 864):

"'Preciate it," Jake said with a nod, acknowledging Wool-verine's timely assistance. It made it easy for the Texican to scoop up Widder-Maeker.

~I gotta saey, Padre an' Eirish did some bo-dae-shuss shootin' just now,~ the rifleman reckoned, settling upon one of cousin LeRoy's favorite fifty-cent words to describe his two companions' exemplary (OOC: my own fifty-cent word -- not Jake's) and judicious application of firepower.

Jake realized that Padre's and Tommy's shooting had more than likely kept the Giant from pounding the Texican to dust.

Once he had his cherished longarm in hand, Jacob commenced firing at their downed foe, working the trigger and cartridge-ejection lever in tandem to fire off five shots faster than you could say "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too".

---

OOC:21:32, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 12,19,12,1 using d12+2,d12+2,d6+2,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 10,(12+5)17,(6+4)10,1.  Rapid Fire Shooting Rolls (RoF 2).

Total Attack Roll: 32.

21:42, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 9,4,2 using 2d8+1,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,7,4,2.  Damage (Winchester, Raise, Conviction).

Total Damage Dealt: 15.

Comments: Jake expended a Benny to extend his Conviction die for this Round. His Benny total has been adjusted.

I believe that the -2 RoF/2 recoil penalty is cancelled out by Jake's Improved Trademark Weapon Edge, leaving a +2 bonus due to the Giant's large size.

I have assumed that Jake's Attack roll resulted in a Raise (can the prone Giant even Parry?). Thus, he gained a d6 from the Raise and a d6 Conviction die.

The Winchester's normal Damage roll of 2d8-1 became 2d8+1 by reason of the +2 Damage to a successful Shooting Roll due to the Dead Eye Edge.

PS. Since the Judge has not yet posted a Summary of Jake's Actions, I elected to expend a Benny, hoping for a better Damage roll. Jake does *not* want that Giant getting up and continuing the fight!

It didn't work out. Eh, c'est la vie. :)

11:56, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 9,1,1 using 2d8+1,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,6,1,1.  Damage Re-Roll (Raise, Conviction).
This message was last edited by the player at 16:03, Sun 30 Apr 2023.

The iron giant falls onto the landing and rolls towards the edge. Just moments before, Juhasz had leapt away, towards the rope bridge. In fact, the man in black proves agile enough to grab the nearby small lantern on his way, and he regains his footing immediately as he comes to a stop near Windham. Pearce had tried a more measured evasion, rolling towards the smooth wall. He presses against it and avoids getting smashed by the knight's bulk, although he feels the ground shake beneath him as the thing lands and rolls.

Richardsen levels the recovered Winchester and levers off five bullets. If the giant weren't already taking a dirt nap, he is now, the Texican reckons.

Before Ringgenberg can even move from his position during the ritual, or the others can do anything but watch, the giant old-timey knight rolls off the edge of semicircular landing and thunders down the chasm for several seconds before slamming into what must be the bottom of a deep fissure. Unfortunately, it also smashed and took with it one of the two large lanterns the heroes had set around the landing.

Just then, the mechanic sees his Spencer teetering at the edge. He had positioned it on the landing within reach for use after the shotgun, but things happened so quickly.

OOC: Gave the lantern save to Padre because of the raise. Pearce should have rolled Athletics, not Agility, but the Wild Die was the best roll anyway, so just using that, which is a regular success and no raise. So no lantern and no Spencer grabbing, but he does get away from the potential damage from the falling giant.

The giant was already dead, but Jake made extra certain. And now, it's gone.

It is Earnest's turn, to end fifth and final round of the DT. There isn't much left to do in terms of combat actions, unless he wanted to try to run and grab Tommy's carbine before it falls into the chasm. In any case, he can do whatever he wants, and then we'll be back to free posting, no combat, in the aftermath of the ritual and the battle with the GOTK.

Everyone gets a Benny for succeeding in this final scene.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 866):

Earnest sees the action happening and tries to rise to help, but he just can't seem to shake the effects of the trance.

06:53, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 3,0 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Spirit - Recover from chanting.
06:54, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 0,-1 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  Spirit - Recover from chanting, benny reroll.
06:54, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled -1,-1 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1.  Spirit - Recover from chanting, benny reroll 2.

OOC: Was going to try to make a grab for Tommy's gun but the Dice Roller wouldn't even let Earnest out of the gate! We'll see what the Judge does with the CF...
This message was last edited by the player at 13:01, Wed 03 May 2023.

The other heroes had sprung to action when the giant buckled and fell after Pearce's deadly shotgun blast. Windham had recovered immediately from the ritual, helping Richardsen, who had levered off several rounds, too, for good measure. Pearce and Juhasz had rolled and leapt away, respectively, saving themselves when the giant knight slammed into the landing and rolled to oblivion.

Professor Ringgenberg remains immersed in the ritual. Even though his mind had balked earlier -- how long ago was it? -- the professor finds it difficult to disengage from the experience. He fights, trying to separate his identity from the oneness. Breathe, mantra, breathe, mantra, breathe ... no, self, one, self, one ....

Earnest passes out. He lives, though unconscious, as if in the deepest of sleeps.

The others observe the professor lying at the end of the rope bridge. He has fallen forwards and slumped sideways, sort of curled up on his left hip. He's still entirely on the wooden slats of the bridge, with his head about one foot from the landing posts.

OOC: The Dramatic Task and combat are over. Earnest is okay, the Judge had decided from the beginning that a CF by any ritual participant would mean passing out. The character would be unable to continue helping get DT tokens or whatever. Nobody got a CF (on DT token attempts) until the professor's last turn. So the result still stands, Earnest passes out and will wake up in an hour or so.

Other players may feel free to post what they do in that hour, but the giant is gone, the portal is closed (and looks like the old smooth wall again).

The entire group needs to discuss IC and OOC how to wrap up this adventure. It's the aftermath of a strange number of days for the heroes, and the Judge has mentioned before (OOC) a desire to resume a more traditional Western. So we can talk about all of this OOC (in OOC 6 forum) while you make IC posts here to wrap up the narrative and decide what to do.

There are some loose ends. The Judge has ideas on how to tidy up a little and to prompt the heroes if needed. Still, prefer to see you all discuss in character here and share player perspectives in OOC 6 about the next chapter in this game.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 868):

Jacob did not begin to understand what was involved with the ritual, or how it opened -- and perhaps closed -- the portal.

And so it was that the fact that Ernest was still slumped over when the Wool-verine had come out of his trance -- or whatever it was -- was a matter of no little concern to the Texican.

Moving over close to where the Easterner lay still, Jake whispered quietly "Perfesser . . . you okay?"

"The pore-tal is gone -- all closed up. You can waeke up now."

He reached over and gently shook Ernest by the shoulder, ready to latch on and keep his pard from falling from the bridge, in case the Perfesser startled awake.

Jake cannot wake the Easterner. Still, the Texican feels relieved, as Earnest is breathing regularly. All four of the conscious heroes agree to let him sleep for a spell before trying again.

Meanwhile, Pearce retrieves his Spencer and the others take stock of their situation. They still had the bodies of the first interlopers, lead by Alejandro, on the other side of the rope bridge. The sharpshooter had argued to drop them into the chasm, but at the time, no consensus was reached. Now, knowing the giant had also rolled into the abyss, Alejandro’s suggestion merits reexamination.

OOC: Jake’s post is logical and fine, but let’s skip ahead to all five characters discussing what’s next. The Judge gives the above as a prompt and clean up of a loose end.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 870):

Earnest wakes slowly, feeling rather refreshed. He looks around quietly then starts as he remembers where he is an what was going on. He quickly locates his friends nearby.

Gott! What happened? Is everyone okay?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 871):

I think we're all a little worse for wear but all right it seems.

Padre was ... unsure of what had just transpired. What had he shot at? Where did it come from? Where had Faraday gone to?

Mysterious ways indeed.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I would for certain like to get out of this cave.

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 872):

Remembering that he saw the giant tumble over the side before he passed out, Earnest takes up one of the bullseye lanterns and looks over the side...

07:15, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 4,13 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+6+1)13.  Notice - Look for giant.

I would very much like to examine that metal giant... but I suppose it will have to wait for another day...

Jacob breathed a sigh of relief when Earnest rose to his feet, and was soon walking and talking -- seemingly none the worse for wear, to use Padre's words.

He nodded to the other man, seemingly in agreement with the Keystone Stater's announced preference for leaving the cave.

"Faradaey an' her people have gone back, an' the pore-tal is closed up."

The Texican glanced around at his pards. "Anything else that needs doin' whilst we're in here?"

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 874):

Tracy listens to his pards discuss leaving the cave and tries to conceal his disappointment. He still felt a pull to this cave, a desire to uncover all of its secrets. After the experience he just had, how could he go back to his old normal? There was so much more to the world than he ever could have imagined.

But the investigator sighs. The others were right. Their time here had come to an end. For now, at least. He turns to the smooth stone wall.

I'll be back.

"I don't think so," he responds to Jake. He gestures to the bodies as he speaks. "We just need to figure out what to do with them."

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 875):

After seeing the knight fall off the ledge Tommy rolled over, took a deep breath and let his mind settle for a minute. He was staring straight up the smooth sided wall. From that perspective the wall didn't appear to connect to any part of the cavern. Just continued straight up into darkness.

Rising to a seated position he looked around to find his other gun. He definitely wanted that Spencer back, he was just getting good with it. While grabbing it from the edge he carefully peeked over into the abyss hoping to maybe see the knights smashed body. Once again nothing but inscrutible darkness.

Due to the lack of light he couldn't see far in either direction so he could not be sure but he had a strong intuition this tremendous column of rock was not really connected to the rest of the cave, not really a part of it. Like a rich vein of coal through the earth it seemed to run through the caves like a knife through a body.

As they pulled themselves together and saw the remaining dead bodies on the bridge it became obvious they had to deal with them

"Can't carry em out, that's for sure. I guess we could try burying 'em but it will be a lot easier to send them down into the chasm. Padre maybe if you say a few words that would be good enough in the eyes of the lord....I seen em do a similar thing a few times on my way over from Ireland"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:54, Sat 06 May 2023.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 876):

"Sounds like a mighty fiene idea to me, Eirish," Jacob said with a nod.

"Once uh-pon a tieme, oh-ver in Sah-vann-ah, a sailor-man spoeke to me ah-bout con-signin' the bodies uhv the dead to the Deep."

The Texican carefully approached the edge of the chasm and peered down into it. "I reckon this could be thunk of as a-doin' the saeme thing."

Jake turned to the Pennsylvanian. "What do you think, Padre? You bein' the sky-pilot amongst us, an' all?"

---

OOC: Fixed a typo (an unintentional one, not a "Texican-drawl" typo).
This message was last edited by the player at 02:30, Sun 07 May 2023.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 877):

Padre had listened as the Horsemen discussed the next steps. Mr Pierce and Mr Richardsen wanted a prayer for the dead. A prayer to Him.

He has forsaken these lands. He has forsaken these people.

Somewhere deep in the recesses of Padres mind, body or soul, there was glimmer not felt for many years. A glimmer not noticed since the war. Padre didnt hate it. It was because of that glimmer, and that glimmer only that Padre said:

Yes, Gentlemen.

Padre stood by the bodies. He removed his hat. He looked at the Horsemen.

When I've finished you say 'Amen' and then you push them into the abyss. 

Padre bowed his head and found a voice he hadn't used in a long time.


O God,
by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest,
send your holy Angel to watch over this grave.
Grant that our brothers may sleep here in peace
until you awaken him to glory,
for you are the resurrection and the life.
Then he will see you face to face
and in your light will see light
and know the splendor of God,
for you live and reign forever and ever.


Padre raised his head and donned his hat again. Something stirred. Something that felt like hope.

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 878):

Earnest bowed his head while Parde prayed. Once Parde finished, he added his Amen. and watched as they rolled the men into the chasm. He didn't think that act was really necessary, but he didn't feel the need to protest either.

Earnest took another look over the edge.

We'll have to return sometime with proper equipment in order to examine that giant... lots of rope... and I'll have to work on strengthening my arm!

He sighs and moves to join the others to leave.