In reply to Chance Osterfeld (msg #347):

It is more efficient if one person collects and pays for all, so I give my fare and Cole's (as I said I would earlier; I'm assuming he's still going down the hill) to Chance. That's $2 each, correct?

The five men already in line are now a party or two away from the purser. One of the sailors with the rifle is just alongside you. From here, you can overhear and get a glimpse of the transactions going on. Sounds like you can purchase passage for your whole group, as it 'pears as if the purser logs the name of the party, the number and then hands out tickets in exchange for the payment.

Artemus and the children are able to move close to the five men, but because the men are so near the purser, it ain't possible to move right up there without forcin' the way in through the crowd--and the sailor with the rifle has warned folks not to crowd in around the sides of the queue. With Buck in tow, Cole must remain on the outskirts of the throng.

OOC: I don't care how you all do the finances, as long as the full amount is deducted from character sheets. I'm happy to assume that Chance has collected the funds, but I fully expect everyone to account for his share.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:18, Mon 01 Sept 2008.

OOC:  Thanks Judge!

When it is his turn in line, Chance hands over the $22 for the trip.  He asks the purser when they may board.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:22, Mon 01 Sept 2008.

OOC: Please play this out; don't pony up any coin until you know the facts. When Chance's turn in line comes up, the following happens . . .

Finally, your turn arrives. The five men, lead by Chance, approach the purser.

"Name of your party, number of travelers, destination, please," the purser says, curt but courteous and meeting the eyes of the men in front (Chance and Meriwether). You see his pen is in hand and he appears ready to write as you speak.

"The party name is Osterfeld, seven adults and two children, one horse and one dog.  Destination is Cape Girardeau."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:41, Tue 02 Sept 2008.

The purser carefully writes down the information. You see that the sailor standing with him holds a strongbox.

"Mr. Osterfeld, yes? $2 each passenger to Cape Girardeau . . . $18. No charge for the dog, but the horse will be $6. That's $24, total, sir."

"Thank you sir, yes I am Mr. Osterfeld."  Chance reaches in his pocket for two more dollars.  "This should do it.  When should we board?"

When it is done Meriwether gives the man a nod & tips his hat. Smiling the Englishman said "My thanks! I say my good fellow? May we all board together?"

I'm with you Meriwether. Now that money has been exchanged we may as well get on board. 

Travis boards unless he can't.  He looks around.  For the time being he doesn't stray from the group and hangs around to see if he can be of assistance to Boss Osterfeld.

OOC:  Sorry for the missing posts this weekend.  I hope you all had a nice three dayer.

The purser takes Chance's money and counts it twice. He logs something, hands the coins and bills to the sailor, and then counts 10 pre-printed tickets. Before meting them to Chance, he writes 'CG' on them; on one he adds 'ls'.

As to Meriwether's question, the purser responds: "With your ticket, you can board anytime. Should be crowded . . . Anything else, Mr. Osterfeld?"

"Thank you for your time."  And at that, Chance steps out of the way of the purser.

Turning to the group that they are, he says, "Well, let us get aboard and get our journey underway.  Shall we?"  He hands everyone a ticket, but hands two to Cole, one for him, marked "CG" and the one marked "ls".  "I assume this one is for your horse."

"Children, take a hand and hold on tight."  Chance reaches out for Abby, burdened as he is with his two rucksacks.  "Gentlemen, don't let these children out of your sight, please."

With that, Chance urges everyone to board quickly.

OOC: I'll assume that Chance stepped aside from the throng and allowed all of the group to assemble for the doling out of the tickets.

Chance sees that Owen is already holding tightly to Abby's hand, standing right next to Artemus. And with the difference in size between Chance and the little girl, it's obvious that holding her hand while navigating the gangplank and keeping hold of both of the rucksacks will be more than a little clumsy. It appears that Art has the children in order, already.

I would prefer that each character confirms boarding, then we'll move on.

Meriwether follows Chance & the others as they ready to board. He keeps a careful eye open as he waits on the others. Giving the children a cheerful smile "Well today begins a grand adventure! Mr. Osterfeld gives good advice & that applies to you two as well! No wandering off lest you get lost. Understand?"

OOC:  Right-o!

Realizing Abby is well looked after, Chance boards the steamer first.  He looks for anyplace they all may assemble, tight as it may be.

OOC:  10:31, Today: Chance Osterfeld rolled 9 using 1d20+1. Spot check for gathering place.

Silas sidles ups towards Travis after taking his ticket from Chance for boarding the War Eagle. He slaps Travis on the back and says, "Hot dang Edwin, looks like you done lost a step or three durin' the war. You done moving slow as molasses down that hill...heck cuz, if'n you move that slow during this trip, it'll be Christmas before we get there. Jolly ol' St. Nick might leave ya a lump of coal."

Travis smiles and follows Chance on to the steamer.

Silas, I always thought a man should walk slow and draw fast.

He sees Chance looking for a place to congregate and waits until Chance has made a decision.  Travis looks down at the children.

Lord watch over these youngins.  I'll do my best but you need too do your part to Lord.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Tue 02 Sept 2008.

Chance can see that the only place that could possibly work, because of Buckshot, would be toward the stern on the main deck. While the steamer is fillin' up, you could probably carve out a space on the starboard side if you wanted to be near the rails and not stuck dead in the middle.

Chance heads to the point on the stern of the main deck and turns to wave the others to the spot.

Meriwether follows Chance to the spot near the rail. Though he had sailed across the sea before, being upon the river did not make the Englishman happy. He moved with grace toward the rail, always looking over his shoulder toward Art & Travis with the kids. Having a huge horse nearby was another matter altogether. Yet there was nothing for it. Buckshot would indeed be a boon once they were on dry land once more.

Looks like Chance found a spot Silas.  Pardon me while I mosey over.

Travis moseys over.

Mosey is an underrated word.  I ought to use it more often.

Keeping the kids directly in front of me, we board; then head toward the stern where the others are waiting.

I need to square up with the Sarge.

Interesting boat . . .

In reply to Artemus Carson (msg #368):

JEB remains with the group wherever it goes.

Cole leads Buck and Bart carefully onto the boat. He keeps both animals close to him as he finds an out of the way spot for them to rest. In order to help keep his horse calm, he keeps a tight grip on Buck's reins and looks over at Bart...

Heel, boy. Stay close.

With that he makes sure that Bart does not wander off.

"Let us all keep vigilant.  One never knows the sort standing behind you.  Please watch your pockets and gear."

Cole quickly realizes there ain't no out-of-the-way spot. Well, at least there won't be right soon. Bodies stream across the gangplanks like ants up the hill, packing every inch of the steamer's main deck. Chance and the rest of the group gather close to the starboard wheel, calling to Cole. Unless he wants to be trapped with Buck in the middle of the deck for the whole journey, he'd be wise to join them.

Chance and Meriwether managed to squeeze right up a grab a piece of the wood barrier, but none others can reach the rail because passengers who boarded first have taken the prime spots. The result: your group is packed in with the multitude--Cole and Buckshot finding themselves next to the starboard wheel--but at least you have a wedge to reach some fresh air. You reckon you could shift around and change places during the journey, giving everyone a chance to hold the rail for a time, gettin' a view of the river and a chance to clear one's nose of the stench of humanity.

And frankly, it becomes obvious that your spot could be a far sight worse--you could be sharing deck space with the dozen or so hogs that board near the end of line, before the sailors pull up the gangplanks and the War Eagle blows off a cloud of steam as it leaves the port of Paducah.

Finally, as the ship departs from the Confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee, a new chapter begins for your unlikely gathering of souls in search of something better out west.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:42, Wed 03 Sept 2008.