Thunder Walker, Tan Xaiohan, Moses, Sky Hawk, Wanbli Luja

September 11th, 1880. Night. The Black Hills.

There don't seem to be any suitable logs for the immediate taking along the river bank, and cutting one down would take too long and be too loud, so the rescue group is forced to head overland toward the Raven's Roost.

Sky Hawk, true to his word, helps smear mud on Xiaohan's hands and face, darkening the lad up nicely.

Before Wanbli Luja flies off, he saunters over to the group. "If you would look through my eyes, I will need some piece of you. Who will sacrifice some of your hair to me, that I may have a connection to send you my vision?"

The large Lakota brave was quick to cut a small lock of his hair with a knife. A Lakota normally cut his or her hair in mourning only, though he had cause enough for mourning with those of the people killed by the Ravenites. Taking that braided lock, he held it up before Wanbli Luja. "I will," he said first in English, for the benefit of all those around him. To Wanbli Luja, though, he felt it most reverent to speak in the tongue of his people.

[Private to group Siouan: "Wanbli Luja, take this hair that you may send your vision to this humble brave."]

The Eagle preens at Thunder Walker's respectful tone, takes the hank of hair in his beak, then takes wing, leaving the group in darkness.

Now all that's left is to move into position and wait for the distraction.

((OOC: Make Stealth Checks and Notice checks for me, please. The stealth checks are Cooperative rolls...I'll take the highest roll among the group and then add +1 for each success and raise the others get. The notice roll is at -2, thanks to the darkness.))

13:52, Today: Moses rolled 4,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2. faith, white chip.
13:52, Today: Moses rolled 3,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2. Faith to raise stealth.
13:55, Today: Moses rolled 3,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5. stealth

14:05, Today: Moses rolled -1,0 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2. Notice.


Moses crouched low, his shotgun banging against his lower back. His lips moved in a silent prayer, but he moved quietly, using what cover was available. Surprising, really, for a man of his size.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:05, Tue 18 Sept 2012.

Barefoot and camoflaged, the little Chinese moves almost as invisibly as the natives themselves.

[[ 12:54, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 7,3 using d6-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,4. very sneaky.
12:55, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 0,18 using d8-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+6+6+1)19. Notice? oops, forgot the darkness...16, there]]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:00, Tue 18 Sept 2012.

The native moved quietly, and was surprised to observe that the others seemed to be doing well so far at doing the same. He felt at his coup stick, releasing it easily and moving it into his palm, taking comfort at the touch of weathered wood upon his skin. His feet felt easy in his moccasins, a feeling that helped him feel at one with nature. His eyes, though, were almost useless in the darkness. He hoped that someone around him could see better in this amount of light than he could, though it did not worry him greatly, as he would receive the sight of Wanbli Luja eventually.

---

OOC:
Notice: 3
Stealth: 7

09:32, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 4,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5. Notice.
09:32, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 3,7 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+1)7. Stealth.

This message was last edited by the player at 14:41, Tue 18 Sept 2012.

The groups glides silently through the darkness.

[Private to Thunder Walker: Thunder Walker sees and hears nothing at first, but then he feels the touch of the spirit on his mind, and the world suddenly spins and he finds himself high, high in the air, watching the ground from the eyes of the great eagle. It's disorienting at first, but he grows accustomed to the dizzying sight of the ground whirling beneath him as Wanbli Luja circles the bluffs. Through Wanbli's ears Thunder Walker hears a strange, high-pitched cry, then another. Black silhouettes like man-sized bats pass through Wanbli's gaze. Be warned. Wanbli says to him through the mental link. The Flying Death is near. Keep silent.]

[Private to Tan Xiaohan: Tan Xaiohan's eyes adapt quickly to the darkness, and her ears are keen. She hears an odd, high-pitched cry from somewhere behind them, then another. She catches a glimpse of a black silhouette against the stars, something almost, but not quite, the shape of an enormous bat...and then another, and another. They seem to be heading for the Bluffs with great purpose...and then her keen ears pick up a human voice ahead. Some fool at the hill is screaming his head off about something, though she can't make out what it is from this distance.]

((OOC: Sky Hawk rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Stealth.
Notice: Sky Hawk rolled 0 using 1d8-2, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Notice. had to swap out Guts for a skill, since I'm not using Guts in this campaign. Since the Brave don't have Notice but should, that's the easiest change to make.

That's a 7, a 5, a 5, and a 7 on Stealth. Adding that up gives your group a Stealth of 10 [Private to GM: Kinyan Tiwicakte rolled 7,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3. Group Notice. The Devil Bats miss them for now.]

Notice rolls: 0, 3, 16, 0

Wanbli Luja rolled 6 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 6. Spirit for the spirit. Thunder Walker, you now have an eagle's eye view of the area, and cn ignore the -2 darkness penalty. This means your Notice becomes a 5.))

Xiao grips the razor more tightly and drops back half a pace to point out the dark flickers across the stars to Sky Hawk, then stops stiff and alarmed, staring ahead.

"Hsst! You all hear? A man cry out - perhaps the Raven Men torture him?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:16, Tue 18 Sept 2012.

As the vision faded from him momentarily, likely at Wanbli Luja's will, he turned to the others and sharply held up a finger to his mouth as a universal sign for quiet. At Li's assertion, he shook his head and instead pointed upward, hoping to indicate what that sound likely was, and then moved a finger across his throat. Again, he pointed up to the sky, and then pulled a finger across his throat. Finally, he held a finger to his lips once more for silence, and then a hand to beckon that they continue onward.

[Private to Tan Xiaohan: And now I think I have some idea of what it's like to play Silent Carl]
This message was last edited by the player at 02:27, Wed 19 Sept 2012.

Xiao frowns, since the flying devils are moving away from where the yelling up ahead was, but isn't keen to be eaten, so hushes.

[Private to Thunder Walker: ecksdee Y'know, I kind of miss that? He was much more eloquent as a mute.]

Sky Hawk looks up to the stars at Thunder Walker's signs, and shivers.

[Private to Moses: ((OOC: Waiting on Moses to move this bit forward...))]

[Private to GM: You're talking about the vision I had? Had to look it up again. Scratchpad be praised! :-))]

Moses furrows his brow, looking up.
"The wind is carrying them here. The Lord has told Moses so. They will attack, and soon. The Lord did not tell me who they would attack... but Moses fears that the birds of thunder will follow the black raven, not the white calf."

Then he sees the glimmer of moonlight on Xiao's razor and nods. Slowly he reaches out with both hands and closes them around the the chinese boy's hand around the razor. Then he looks into the boy's eyes and in his deep rumbling voice recites:

"And when he vests his flashing sword,
And his hand takes hold in judgment,
He shall take vengeance upon Thine enemies,
And he shall repay those who hate Thee."
Then he raises his eyes toward the sky.
"O Lord, raise us to Thy right hand,
And count us among Thy Saints"

[Private to GM: 19:33, Today: Moses rolled 6,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5. Smite!
Adds +2 damage to that blade.
I know it's not exactly playing by the rules, but would you allow that the power activates on the first round of combat? Duration is only three rounds, after all.
]

He gently lets go of the hands. "We have to hurry. They'll be by a stand of dead wood. Look for it."

[Private to Moses: Er...not initially...that vision was of the whole campaign, not this specific point, but I can work with it. Sure, I'll allow that.]

The group slides through the night. Luckily, the Flying Death seems to have missed them, and they reach a position near the bluffs that will give them easy access to the bottom of the small valley once the distraction starts.

Of course, now they're all close enough to hear the shouting Xiaohan had head before. Some damn fool was hollering his lungs out.

[Language unknown: "Ni pr, Ntestrcon, ISMEAD P STWE BEAVE, hi ulate we tarat HERAVEEAR noto whtoli tavor!? HA ENC!? TI THIWHIONEVIR ICASMI ME OUL NDE LATNE PECAND OU LESVIRSTR! Of iewhll OUTWEROVE TENG SOMMA IS ERE SSELLL HEIOON T CE TICUREILL LARTRAORE! ER BLEEV ERE M, INPEIL!? K AD MOPEOU AN ELOUWE E RUT IEAN PREATIEAR, NIROULHO N BE ND WA BLENDETHE PLICAN EK CON EVE PA VORNTIWER CEACEK? AD SI! HO NE HATUREUGH OULRO K OFUSLA SEANAN OSPA STR NCETHUOER, LES UNVIR, WHEIO THE!"]

[Private to group Tongues: Translation from crazy: The man offers a challenge to someone named Wovoka, who is in hiding in a cave. He boasts of the prowess of his fellow warriors. He explains that he intends to torture and destroy Wovoka and something called "The Ghost Dance"]

((OOC: For reference, picture you're listening to this guy))

As the noise actually does resolve itself into that of a man shouting, he turned briefly towards Li...he still thought of him as Li despite knowing the man's true name, and shrugged apologetically, though the gesture was probably lost in the darkness. There would be time enough for words later. He slipped the handle of the coup stick back into a loop on his belt and tightened it again before gingerly unlimbering the bow he wore and drawing an arrow. They would be more apt in his service this night than the other.

He held up a hand, hoping they would take the signal to wait for the distraction.

Xiaohan rabbit-froze at Moses' touch, eyes wide.[Private to Moses: Xiao has remarkably slender hands for a railroad worker.] The look Moses gets back is about as spooked as utterly confused. He did get a small nod, though - even if Moses' volume and touch alarm the youth it seems he's believed and the stray Chinese is willing to follow.

Xiao catches Thunder Walker's gesture, though not quite his meaning, tensing and trying to be ready for action.

As the man shouts, Moses nods a few times, muttering "Yes... yes..." to himself.
Still looking at the scene, he says: "He is challenging Wovoka to come out of the cave. He claims his warriors are better fighters and that he will destroy him. Him and... something called a Ghost Dance. Moses is not sure what this dance is."

"Moses is not sure if we have time to wait on the other group. Maybe he should go ahead and cause a distraction right here?"

Xiao starts making frantic little 'please don't start shouting' gestures, though whether Moses'll notice that in the dark is up for debate.

Thunder Walker puts his face in his palm for a moment, not knowing what to do as Moses does his level best to ruin their silent approach, by not only continuing to babble aloud while the others kept quiet but also to plan to make a distraction of his own. The man was marking his own grave, and theirs as well.

Taking his hand away from his face, he turned and leaned close to the man so he could speak quietly to him.
_{"Be silent, or the Raven men will take your scalp."}

[Language unknown: "NIOLRI DIN EIHEUL CH IL RECOM, WHETHECON," tin erfi serat al liilom, "Il ICH ETTR Ek ICASHERED! A N ARNTEV LEONEI ALL BE ARHOSS ASTHI ALL ASTWASOUN NCEIRO, A WIUN ROETLA U RI SE ACATE USURLE NA STRLI OREANDSAN, CHNI LASE PO, tinwherea ARTITHSTI TIO! NOTWH BUTATEYIN CANOOF! IVRITA MO K IOUATIINT RO CONER! YINDERBLE AS AINA INE SA SS OFHI THUCONOVE LO EKWER TRPEUN!il PAUL TIO N eclasi RE NGUNAT BUT NOT STLL LINTHAWER ION LAT! ER P OS ASSI NCEOUSHOU OS TRUS LINENCSHE! WAS N SI N IL RAT OFCANA M IVE M EKWIRE UN UTIE ECTLATBUTATEDIN!p"]

[Private to group Tongues: Translation from crazy - "While you cower, let me share a vision from the spirits I had while high on peyote. They told me there would be no escape for you. I have dynamite, and I'm just crazy enough to use it!"]

And with that, the shouting man raises a hand. He's got something clutched within.

((OOC: Make a Notice roll to see what, exactly, the shouty man has in his grip.))

Thunder Walker looked up at the man holding something up. He couldn't make out what it was. He held his eyes on this object, but in his mind he prayed to the spirit of Wanbli Luja, that perhaps the Eagle Eyes of the most powerful brother eagle would lend to him that sight to see it.

---

OOC:
13:24, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 3,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2. Notice.

Xiao hisses a word that would make even the men from Thunder Walker's time among the rail gangs blush.

[[19:25, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 6,3 using d8-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4. Notice?]]

Moses smiles at the Indian Brave. Quietly, he replies: "You believe they can hear anything but his shouts?" Then he looks troubled.
"He says he has dynamite. That's probably what he holds."

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 21):

[Private to Tan Xiaohan: Xiaohan can see some sort of tube in the shouting man's hand, with something like string sticking out from one end...]

[Private to GM: she does know it's not a firecracker...]

Xiao glances at Moses, wondering if his Lakota is better than the truly coarse stuff learnt around Deadwood, which deals mostly with whoring, drinking and..mines. "It not lit yet...but he also have Ghost Rock, maybe lots, I not see..." Xiaohan cautiously touches Thunder Walker's elbow lightly for attention and points up. "You have eagle sight? Perhaps they all run off this place for crazy..." English fails to supply a better word than 'boom' here.

[Language unknown: "...o asullo o hinoneelhi koreau-ectint."] Xiao squints at the darkness. "No see them all."

"No...they are still around." Sky Hawk whispers, and points around the bluffs. The Ravenites are scattered between the two cliffs, rifles pointed toward the center and down into the valley. From this vantage point, it's difficult to spot more than one or two of them. "He may be speaking untruly. Perhaps he is simply tying to scare them into revealing themselves."

---

[Private to Thunder Walker: Here's a map of the local area, as Wanbli Luja sees it. There's more Ravenites than there are R points on the map...some are hidden by the foliage. the shouting man is in the middle of theat cluster of R's near the top of the left-most bluff. From this distance, Wanbli sees the man holding something, but he's too far away to make out the details.

]

16:42, Today: Moses rolled 3,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2. white chip.
16:42, Today: Moses rolled 2,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2. Notice.

Moses squints his eyes. "How many are there? We are running out of time. The prophet must be saved.".
He keeps his voice down to tread easy on the brave's nerves. But he makes up for lesser volume with stronger sense of urgency.

Thunder Walker is quiet for a moment, lost in the vision of Wanbli Luja, attempting to regain his composure so that he may again speak and relate to them what it is that he sees, trying to gauge his relative position to the sights and events around them.

[Private to GM: Where are we on that map, roughly?]

"...if no go boom, they have better luck to wait for day," Xiao points out, speech low and rapid, worried.

"What are we to do? There are many of them, only a few of us." Sky Hawk mutters.

[Private to Thunder Walker: You're down at the corner that says "to Deadwood Stage trail"]

Moses strokes his chin.
"I can imagine their feelings toward the white man. But are do your people feel about the black man?"
He asks of the indians.

"There by the river, Wanbli Luja shows those of the Ghost Dance. Some one hundred yards from here. On either side of the river, there are those of the Raven. I cannot say how many, but I think equal numbers on both sides. They are greater in number than we, but on our side we have the Spirits. The sight of the Eagle, the courage of the Bear, the fury of the Horned Owl, the cunning of the Coyote. We can kill them one by one, slowly, without revealing ourselves openly. Those first on this side of the river. We will thin their numbers until they are no more."

He paused, and thought about it. "We go around the one that is shouting. His noise will cover any noise we might make, so we let him keep shouting while we kill the rest of the Ravenites on this side of the river. By every stand of trees there are those of the Raven. If we can kill them quickly enough...perhaps..." He faltered. If one group gave the alert, this plan was doomed. And there were no more to help. He fell into silence for a moment.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:43, Fri 21 Sept 2012.

some mood music

Suddenly the shouting man stops ranting. He looks over to the north as a bugle call breaks through the night.

The earth rumbles from the drumbeat of a score of hooves, and some of the Ravenites from the far end of the valley shout in fear.

"To arms, men! To arms!" shouts an unearthly voice. "For the Little Big Horn! For Custer! For REVEEEEEEEENGE! Slaughter them! Slaughter them ALLLLLLLL!"

The bugle calls again, the lone horn chilling as it sound the beat of war.

((OOC: The Cavalry is here...and yet, you're still totally boned. }:D

I'm going to run the fight between the two forces as a Mass Battle.))

---

Battle Actors:

Sky Hawk: see PM [Private to Thunder Walker: Would you like to control this character for this fight?]
Wanbli Luja: see PM [Private to Tan Xiaohan: Would you like to control this character for this fight?]
Moses: KD
Col. Tom Custer: QS
Hoarse from Roaring: QH
Tan Xiaohan: 3H
Danielle Blood Rain: 3C
Thunder Walker: 2H

Mass Battle Stats:

Black Regiment: 19 troops (10 tokens)
Col. Tom Custer: Black Regiment Leader (Knowledge (Battle) d6)
The PCs: This is technically your side, so I put you here.

Ravenites: 14 braves (7 tokens)
Hoarse from Roaring: Ravenite leader (Knowledge (battle) default)
Danielle Blood Rain: Shaman
This message was last edited by the player at 20:32, Sun 23 Sept 2012.

Xiaohan stares at the dark, ears straining over that way. "Raven Men kill any not their own, but there no lights here, they cannot count each other well - we go fast, we go through confusion, reach Wovoka before bluecoats, run. Yes?"

[[Xiao's used to that. Init. 3H]]
[Private to GM: Don't think I know enough about local spirit interactions to do that, though I'd like to. Does the Smite on Xiao's razor still work, and if so, how?]

09:24, Today: Moses drew the single card: KD using the Deadlands system. Initiative.

---

OOC:
14:13, Today: Thunder Walker drew the single card: 2H using the Deadlands system.
[Private to GM: And yeah, I'll take control of Sky Hawk gladly.]

Looks like Moses is up first! Rounds in a Mass Battle are fuzzy and cover more time than a standard round. You can attempt to sneak to where the Ghost Dancers are camped, or try to influence the battle.

If you just want to sneak to Wovoka and his band, roll Sneak. You get +2 for the Darkness and +2 for the general commotion. If you succeed, you make it to Wovoka's hideout, but you'll take a few stray rounds in the process. If you score a raise, you get there with no trouble at all. If you roll a Snake eyes, then no matter what your totals are you get spotted and shot at muchly.

If you want to have an effect on the battle, you can attempt to sway the outcome with a Fighting, Shooting, or Arcane Skill check. If you decide to aid the Ravenites, you have a -3 penalty to your check. If you try to aid the Black Regiment, you get +3. Success means you aid the battle effort, though you take some damage in the process. Failure means you get shot at a lot and don't do any good. A raise means you do well and add greatly to the side you chose to aid, though you still take a bit of damage. Two raises means you do extremely well and come through unscathed.

20:07, Today: Moses rolled 10,21 using d4+4,d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of (4+2)6,(6+6+5)17. Stealth.
Hoo-HAH!

Moses looks up to the sky and nods. "Thank you, Lord. Let the snakes and vipers quarrel among themselves."
He turns to the others.
"I shall go to the prophet."

He creeps away, his bare feet not making any noise, his dark figure almost blending into the night.

((OOC: Card for next round, Moses?))

Moses creeps along the riverbank, dark and silent, angling for the small stand of dead trees in the center of the valley, where a group of caves sink into the cliff walls. He can see some figures huddled within. He's made it without attracting any attention...now what?

Above him, the battle rages. The commander of the Union troops charges into the fray, his cavalry saber flashing as the Ravenites on his side of the hill scream in panic. The fetid stench of rot washes over the Indians, and they realize the man attacking them is dead, half his face lost to decay, the top of his head gone from a scalping.

"Die, you damn dirty Indians!" the dead man shouts as his blade flashes among the panicked and terrified warriors. Several shots find their mark, and the dead man oozes black blood over his stained uniform, but the rotten man just laughs.

Across the gap, on the other clifftop, Hoarse from Roaring watches the unfolding battle with mounting fury. This was not how it was supposed to be! He was here to kill the Ghost Dancers, not re-fight the Little Big Horn!

He looked at the dynamite in his hand, then made a decision. He dipped the end of the fuse into the lit coal box at his feet, then hurled the lit bomb across the chasm and into the path of the oncoming riders.

[Language unknown: "BUT LIAR NOERMEFI FIPRE E OMSANA ARUT FI TIOANTUND!"] he screams as the dynamite lands among the black-clad deaders.  [Language unknown: "Le OURUT UNAR N HE FOITSI A ERETIOION IO In INFOCK NG AD NCEPO! ENT U PLIVE EN ASNO ICAONEERE k K FOEEHO IOUMI FOR ICAOULUND! LIFI O AIWE, OMAS A CK! SSLI M URE LA SEREA EC ICH! TED AVE ILLTHUVOR DI VIROM UTECNT PLPE TAREAR-ENIV NDUTSI ROEVCH CK LOCKPA TED UR EI CKEN OUNSANSTR FOFO WHE ANYSOMILL WIPRAN LAEIMO HO VOR ECCOM U RE IOURUTORE K U ACONFI! M CK NIONSA M NI IONAMEPRO, PAHIS ICA ISOUS IVENI ET LAR ENDIEVNA FI EVVER IEOMCELI ARSI, SI MENWHINCE K SOM ARTHATDAY AINORTTRA ANTIHE PO SA!"]

[Private to Moses: Translation from Crazy: "You are no match for me! I was gifted with power by The Raven, and I will crush you with that power! You cannot stop me before I destroy you all!"]

{{BOOM!}} goes the dynamite, sending flesh and blood and bones flying.

((OOC: Tom Custer attempts to influence the battle with a Fighting check. Because his side has 3 more tokens than the Revenites, he gets a +3 bonus to his roll. He gets no bonus for Rank, though.

The Black Regiment rolled 8,8 using d10+3,d6+3, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5. Fighting! That's a Success and Raise, so he grants his side +2 to their Battle roll but takes 2d6 damage.

He takes 15 damage total, which will make him Shaken with 1 Wound. He attempts to soak: The Black Regiment rolled 2,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3. Soak! That's a fail.

Hoarse from Roaring goes next. He will attempt a Shooting check (though he's really throwing Dynamite). He has a -3 penalty to his roll because his side has fewer tokens, but gets a +1 Rank bonus because he's Seasoned, so his final penalty is -2.

Hoarse From Roaring rolled 8,0 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (8+2)10,2. Shooting! Well, I'll be. Success and Raise. His side also gets +2 to their Battle roll. Hoarse takes 2d6 damage.

He takes 9 damage total, which only makes him Shaken.

Cards for next round:
Col. Tom Custer: QH
Hoarse From Roaring: 8C))

---

Tan Xiaohan and Wanbli Luja are up next!
This message was last edited by the player at 20:11, Mon 24 Sept 2012.

Xiao hastens after, knuckles pale on the handle of the razor, moving rather than thinking.

[[20:36, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 6,7 using d6+3,d6+3, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4. sneakin'. So...is a soak roll needed here? Or what happens?
init. KD]]

Up above, the Swiftest and Most Mighty of Eagles just about restrains himself from falling upon the undead and circles, watching, in case Wovoka's rescuers encounter a threat.

[[He's on Hold.]]

[Private to GM: Oh, and *points* remember that Moses can't see Roaring's speech at all if you put it in Private rather than Language.]
This message was last edited by the player at 21:05, Mon 24 Sept 2012.

22:08, Today: Moses drew the single card: JS using the Deadlands system. Initiative

Quick and quiet as a cat, the Chinese laborer creeps along the stream behind Moses, but a stray round from the battle above ricochets off a stone and hits him in the shoulder...

((OOC: You aren't seen, and you get to the cave alright, but you take a round of stray gunfire. The Stray rolled 10 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5. stray bullet damage. That's a Shaken and One Wound for Xiao, unless you Soak.))

Up on the ridge, the shamaness watches the undead soldiers tear into her frightened fellows. She begins to sing and dance, calling the spirits to war for the braves under her protection. The war song echoes off the valley walls, sinks into the bones of the listeners, bolsters their resolve and grants power to their blows. Though several of the undead take shots at her, none of them come even close to the whirling, crying dervish among the Ravenite band.

((OOC: Danielle Blood Rain will be using magic to bolster her troops, as she's on the cliffside where the cavalry is charging. She uses her Arcane skill and will lose 2d6 Power Points for her actions.

She has a -3 from her side having fewer tokens, but she has +2 because of her Rank 9she's Veteran rank), so her final score is only -1.

Danielle Blood Rain rolled 7,1 using d10-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 8,2. Tribal Medicine. That's almost enough for a Raise, so she spends her Red Chip for a bonus.

Danielle Blood Rain rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4. red chip. Just shy of two raises, which means she wouldn't take any damage at all this fight. She'll spend her Blue.

Danielle Blood Rain rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4. blue chip. That will net her a total of 15, which is a success and two raises. She adds +2 to the Ravenite's roll, and she also gets to avoid taking any damage at all. Over the course of the turn she expends 7 Power Points on Boosts and Smites for her side.

Card for next round: 3H))

---

Thunder Walker and Sky Hawk are up! If you want them to sneak together, you can make a group roll to cover the pair of them.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 20:12, Mon 24 Sept 2012.

Xiao is smashed into the bank by the stray round, but gets up and legs it all the swifter for the caves, spurred by the flood of adrenalin - fortunately the round was spent by the time it struck.

[[21:16, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 9,1 using d6-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,2. soak attempt.]]

Bolting into relative cover, Xiao crouches a moment and massages the bruised shoulder, then jumps to find Moses already there, blending with the darkness.
"Ahh!" Xiaohan turns the wide-eyed startled look down into the depths of the cave system at a movement, belatedly thinking to call out:

[Language unknown: "Comavesta! Nderei, ardonerat m Nte Niar omeortshe his, u, we oer] Moses, [Language unknown: Menrattio Peasto, ouicck Fihe'sali Notwhente we a un. Om miho poen san les?"]

Even if it meant an attack by the white man on the Ravenites, he did not question the wisdom of the spirits in the intervention that they sent to help them. It was meet that these two bloody handed folk should have to face each other in battle, that they may do to one another what each deserved. He kept his mind focused firmly on Wovoka and the Ghost Dance, gesturing to Sky Hawk.

With a silence that not many could match, the two Lakota braves kept low to the ground and crept through the area, trying to keep their eyes open for any threats that should come to them. He could hear something up ahead, in the midst of the battle, and he thought they were shouts of the Chinese man Li that they had rescued earlier. He continued to hold bow ready and the arrow knocked, though he had not yet drawn and would not until he needed to.

---

OOC:
Group Sneak: 12

16:24, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 12 using 1d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8. Group Sneak.

The group huddled in the caves looks up at the new arrivals, a bit startled.

One of them steps forward, a young man with twinkling eyes and long black hair. [Language unknown: "Sawhe iowiev os encek setoerwil ll, iongen, olalwi ore utck miilri."] He looks up at the pair of Lakota and smiles [Language unknown: "Iclin Ofrea! Iothen Aisshe! Whesa ovean erdickun! Rearesson probe werinters!"]

Another, older man steps forward, and looks at the arrivals. Thunder Walker recognizes him as Laughing Calf. [Language unknown: "Witortiou Sswhhi! Ol ti useve leicdi Cedi Dayro ardallive ssla!"] He cocks an ear toward the battle above. [Language unknown: "Yin lo sonoveess ntol Wail Ncedayeen?"]

Wovoka shakes his head. [Language unknown: "I, ecsell Ichrathatant Foha. Illsetart mela re La Tinrompre. Di ofbe st uslat ioncomforven, a ereshetinter a ol ario. Miof is Tahoho Eianho, ortte il di tranc wasol anee onssos o ioeeni ichughave erareaoreand lo haee. Ek ekome sheantoer. Ove cknte n lathercon previrbut."] He looks over at Moses, as if seeing the huge man for the first time. "I bid greeting, holy one." He says in accented English. "I thank you for your rescue. Wakan Tanka blesses you." He looks back at Thunder Walker. [Private to group Siouan: "Is the path clear, back the way you came? Can we escape the Raven's grasp?"]

---

The battle above on the northern cliff is swift and brutal. Despite the shaman's prayers and the white man's weapons, none of the dead men fall to the Ravenite attacks. Braves are ripped and torn apart left and right by the long knives. The soldiers lose arms, legs, heads, and yet still charge forward on their rotting steeds, bayonets flashing in the dim moonlight.

The shamaness, seeing the slaughter approaching her position, curses and sings a swift prayer to Raven. She takes the bird's form and flies away from the cliffs, into the night...unaware she may have been spotted by a lonely eagle up on high...

Across the chasm, Hoarse From Roaring watches his brothers murdered by the Long Knives. He contemplates rushing them, igniting the boom sticks he still has left...but realizes that this is folly. He has lost.

"FLEE! FLEE FOR YOUR LIVES, WARRIORS!" he shouts to his men. "RETREAT!"

Across the valley, the undead soldiers let out a cheer as they see the Ravenites break and run.

"Good show, men!" Their rotting leader crows. "Let's strike the fear into them! Sgt. Wallace, take your men and ride after. Give them a good, stern chase, then return to Slumber. Sgt. Baines, take a force and sweep the valley below. Dispatch any heathens remaining."

The dead NCOs nod, and the troops splits in two...

((OOC: Now for the battle rolls. This is an opposed Knowledge (Battle) check between Col. Tom Custer and Hoarse from Roaring.

Col. Tom Custer has more troops (+3), got a raise on his roll (+2), and has a better plan (+1) but he's at a terrain disadvantage (-2) because of how he and his regiment manifested. His total modifier is +4.

Hoarse From Roaring has fewer troops (-3) but a raise on his roll (+2) and a raise from his Shamaness (+2). He also counts as Light Artilery (+1) thanks to his dynamite. His total modifier is +2.

Custer's roll: The Black Regiment rolled 9,15 using d6+4,d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+5)11. Knowledge (Battle).

Hoarse from Roaring's roll: Hoarse From Roaring rolled 3,3 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3. Ouch. That's a Success and Two Raises for The Black Regiment, which means that the Ravenites lose 3 tokens. That's 6 Ravenites dead from the initial attack.

Hoarse from Roaring needs to make a Morale check for his remaining troops. He has a -3 penalty for the troops he lost. Hoarse From Roaring rolled -2,2 using d8-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5. Morale.

This means his side has lost, and his troops will conduct an orderly retreat, pursued by the Black Regiment.

You're not out of trouble yet, though...they are sending a troop to scout the valley fro stragglers.))

---

Turn Order:
Tan Xiaohan: KD
Wovoka and the Ghost Dancers: BJ!
The Black Regiment: QH
Moses: JS
Thunder Walker:8S
Sky Hawk: 7H
This message was last edited by the player at 02:08, Tue 25 Sept 2012.

---

OOC:
20:05, Today: Sky Hawk drew the single card: 7H using the Deadlands system.
20:05, Today: Thunder Walker drew the single card: 8S using the Deadlands system.

He Who Illuminates The Heavens takes a fast and silent dive at the fleeing shamen, but a large black bird on a large expanse of blackness is hard to grasp.

[['cause Wanbli rolled negative on that grapple, 'less he has chips and/or the Drop.
init. 10H]]

Xiaohan looks alarmed at the news the bluecoats are real fighting devils rather than metaphorical ones, but also looks to Thunder Walker, since he was the one addressed and also able to "see" the battlefield outside. The comment that returning fast would be best rises up, but Xiao catches it between tongue and teeth.

[[on Hold - eleven years or so of daily risk of injury or death for speaking out of turn will do that.]]

"I think we can escape the Raven's grasp, but the dead men that walk here have rode against them, and I fear they will kill us as well if they can find us. Wanbli Luja aids us in our effort to rescue you, and earlier he lent me his sight that I might see the lay of the land from the eyes of a mighty eagle. If he does so again, I will have a better idea of how to plan for this." He shook his head and then spoke again.

"How many are there here? Perhaps we can sneak away, the way we came? Laughing Calf, these are your lands. What is the best route to avoid the Black Walkers that fight above? They cannot know this country like the Lakota."

He spoke in English, so that Moses could follow them, but he repeated his words quickly in Lakota when necessary for those of the people.

"We are five." Wovoka says in English. "I have treated the injuries among us, so we are all in wellness for traveling."

"With the Black Walkers, I do not know." Laughing Calf says, also in English. "This threat is new to our lands. They never appeared before the battle with Yellow Hair at the Greasy Grass. If they move as cavalry move, they will need to take their horses around the hill to attack...the cliffs are to steep for horses. The Ravens attacked us from above, shooting down into the valley. But the Black Walkers prefer the close kill. Do you have horses waiting? We may outrun them. If not, we may have to defend here. The Black Walkers are not as the Shambling Dead. Wounds to the head are as wounds to any other part. The best way is to target one with many attacks, then move on to another as it falls."

"We brought no horses. To make noise in this place was to draw the Raven upon us, and we wished to bring you out quietly without a fight. Their numbers were too many for us. There are more who came to help...others not of the people who pledged their aid to Wanbli Luja, but I cannot be certain of where they may be now. Perhaps the best thing to do is to hide here. If the Brothers of the Raven have been defeated, they may not know that we hide here. They may think they have killed all of their enemies and move on. And if they find us, then we can fight."

Xiao gets up and steps forward a little, tensed and ready to bow apology to the older men if speaking up is too bold. "I...or Moses could go out to the damn-yankees-" the youth seems to think this is one word "-if they come here, and thank them for saving us from wicked savage man, then they not look in, I think."

The little Chinese swallows and looks to Moses, the movement just a gleam of eyes in the dark of the cave.

Moses stands there like a proverbial rock, nodding at the prophet Wovoka. He turns to ignore the chatter of the indians, inspecting the walls of the cave instead, his hand reaching out touching the stone, gently stroking it.
He nods. "And this here is the same kind of rock, Lord?" He chuckles, a moment later, as if in reply to an answer.



He turns and looks down the young chinese. "These soldiers have risen from their graves a thousand times already. They are creatures of Hell and serve only War." He sighs.
"There might be some of their former selves still left in them. But no love or kindness. That has been stripped away from them in their endless stuggle towards Perdition. If you were to gou out, they would see a chink, come from a far away land to be treated like dogs. If Moses where to face them, they would think him a savage animal."
He is quiet for a moment, then nods again. "Yet they are still soldiers. And Moses is no heathen. He shall go and deter them from this site. You should go and protect the prophet Wovoka. If the Lord wills it, Moses shall meet you back at the stage, as agreed."

Wovoka shakes his head. "You will not go and face them alone. Too many people have died for me this day. If you would face them, then I must go as well."

"Wovoka, they will think you a Lakota if you go out. Moses here will not be mistaken for one of us." At least, he was relatively confident of that. If White men in blue coats that walked in the form of death were to see this imposing, English speaking black man of faith, they surely were not fool enough to mistake him for a Lakota.

"If they attack, we can join the fight. But if you go, there will be no recourse but to fight. If Moses goes alone, perhaps no need to fight."

Moses nods and takes the smaller man by his shoulders.
"You are favored by the Lord, Wovoka. Moses should know, as he is His humble servant. It would be an honor to die the death of martyrdom together, but your end is not today, Wovoka.
And it also not the last day of Moses on this earth, he thinks. But, not even His humble servant can always gauge the true meaning of His words.
If Moses is to be John The Baptist to your Jesus, then His will be done."

He lets go of Wovoka, and reaches behind his back, making sure the sawed-off double barrel is in easy reach, then clutches his stick and strides outside the cave.
"Take them to safety, Thunder Walker. The prophet Wovoka must not die."

Wovoka frowns, then he pulls a shining stone from a bag at his side[Private to Thunder Walker: Thunder Walker recognizes it as the gem from the Uktna's brow], and begins to sing.

[Language unknown: "#A urio Estencnce, es Itons, th to son prwh si heceth.

E encll Stiillame resel Namodi, icare t acti tinss ev alutni.

I Wheingher be fiive Onect, fiin ol oer Hieite.

U Prelarted m at Utevhe, wit t eaubleons cein wast om fomo.

Le Noplse ar ess Trail, elwa es omseng o mandel meare etthe ndet ingingnti.

Un Wancac ll ol Latatifor, ststsi me reiv ndro sifipoie enterethu.#"]

The song fills the air, and seems to settle on Moses like a warm breath. He can feel his skin harden as the magic seeps into him.

"Take this blessing, my brother." Wovoka says, then heads over to Thunder Walker and Tan Xiaohan. "I am ready."

((OOC: Wovoka casts Armor on Moses.

Wovoka rolled 28,5 using d12+1,d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of (12+12+3)27,4. Tribal Medicine. Success and 6(!) Raises. That's a +4 Toughness bonus to Moses, and it will last until Wovoka stops maintaining it. Since he rolled so high, I'm going to change the duration to "until the encounter ends" rather than measure it in turns.

To sneak out while Moses is distracting the Soldiers, make a Cooperative Stealth roll, with a +2 Bonus from the darkness. This will be opposed by the notice of the soldiers.

Wovoka has no Stealth, so he'll be useless for this roll. Laughing Calf, on the other hand, can make this roll, and I'll roll for all the brave (including Sky Hawk). They all get a +2 to this roll from the Darkness

Laughing Calf: Laughing Calf rolled 6,7 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5. Stealth. He adds +1
Braves: Old Ways Braves rolled 3,3 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1. Group Stealth. Well, Balls. They will inflict a -2 penalty on the group check thanks to the critical failure...

Your turn, guys.))

Xiaohan bows briefly to Moses' departure, adding a silent prayer to any spirits that might be about. As for holding up their end of the plan, moving quietly seems to be the little Chinese's strong point.

[[08:08, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 12,18 using d6+1,d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11,(6+6+5)17. sneakin'. ]]

Taking special care to escort Wovoka, he moved with as great a silence as he could manage, gesturing for Sky Hawk to go ahead of him. He sent up a prayer to the Great Spirit to watch over Moses.

---

08:02, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 6,6 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4. Sneak!

Moving like the night itself, Sky Hawk kept pace with the rest of the group, his movements so unnoticeable that they were only surpassed by those of the surprisingly nimble and quiet Chinese boy. Sky Hawk was very impressed with him, if puzzled. That one had made so much noise and such a mess in the forest earlier, but moved with such natural grace and poise now. The only way he could rationalize it was that it must be a gift from the spirits in return for going out of his way to help the people.

---

08:02, Today: Sky Hawk rolled 8 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8.

Moses walks out to meet the dead men. Ten dead soldiers travel down the gorge on horseback, rattling bushes with sabers and laughing as frightened animals leap out of their path.

None of them seem to have spotted the group as it sneaks out of the cave and towards freedom. In fact, Moses doesn't think they've spotted him yet.

((OOC: The Black Regiment rolled a 3 on their Notice roll, so Moses gets to make the first move. You'll get The Drop on any attack you make. Then draw a card for initiative after that.))

Not really a ranged combatant :-)

Moses puts his staff down, knowing without looking that his comrades make their getaway.
He shakes his head. "No, Lord, they have suffered long enough. Moses shall try to end their suffering."
He looks up. "Let Moses carry Thy shield and sword, Lord, so that he may smite your enemies."

16:39, Today: Moses rolled 6,13 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(6+6+1)13. Faith for Deflection.

A small gust of wind blows back Moses' black duster and the holy man nods. "Yes, Lord, you are right, as always."


16:41, Today: Moses drew the single card: QH using the Deadlands system. Initiative.

[Private to GM: Question: Dispel wouldn't generally work on them, right? That would be an exorcism and would take 8 hours right? Would be nice if there was a somewhat faster ritual that did the same, Supernatural-style.]

((OOC: The Black Regiment gets JC for their card, so Moses still gets the Drop on them, and I'll allow the +4 bonus to be added to any Faith checks you make to call down miracles.))

[Private to Moses: OOC: That is correct. Dispel will not work on them, and Banishment is not available in the Deadlands setting. Given that Deadlands is a horror game, I'm sure the lack of quick banishment is intentional on the part of the designers. Luckily, Blessed get access to a few Area spells in this situation. if you want to call on those for an edge, you can affect 2d4 of them with a Medium Burst or Cone Template, and 2d6 of them in a Large Burst template. That way you can, say, use Stun on them and then go to town on the ones who Unshake.]

Moses takes a few steps forward and stretches his arms wide from his body.
As the first rider approaches, he bellows out a challenge:
"You shall not pass!"

The horse neighs, rising to its hindlegs, almost throwing his undead rider off.

"Moses knows the Lord is slow to anger but great in power; his humble servant will not leave the wicked unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet!"

09:42, Today: Moses rolled 13,8 using d8+4,d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,4. faith for windstorm

At his words, small clouds of dust begin to twist and twirl at Moses' feet, quickly picking up their pace, winds rising and forming a twister, that runs from the prophet's outstretched arms forward into the ranks of cavalry.

((OOC: Roll 2d4 so I know how many of the riders you catch within the initial storm, please. Also, Card for next turn.))

10:06, Today: Moses drew the single card: 3D using the Deadlands system. initiative.
10:06, Today: Moses rolled 6 using 2d4 with rolls of 4,2. how many riders?

The sudden gust of wind startles the dead soldiers, who fire wildly. By God's grace, not a single bullet comes near the dark-skinned prophet.

"Fall back! Regroup!" One of the soldiers commands, and the riders begin to file back the way they came.


((OOC: Vigor for the soldiers caught in the blast:

The Black Regiment rolled 9,4,5,5,5,5 using d6,d6,d6,d6,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+3)9,4,5,5,5,5. Shaken? So none of them are shaken, but all are blinded.

The ones who were outside the blast take shots at Moses. They have a -4 penalty from his holy aura.

I roll...no hits.

The others have a combined -10 penalty to hit, so I'm not even going to bother. Instead, they will retreat out of the whirlwind. They can see now, but the whirlwind is between them and Moses. That's a -2 penalty to hit for firing through the twister, plus Moses's deflection power. No hits from this group either, and the twister template fills the ravine, so they can't ride around it.

Card: 10D

The Black Regiment will start a tactical retreat. The ones who shot first will move back 8 squares. the rest can't move that fast, because they had to move out of the whirlwind in the first place. Moses can probably keep pace with them...roll 2d4 when you move the whirlwind to see how many you can catch.

Card for next round: 2S))

---

Moses is up!

Slowly, Moses brings his arms forward, the whirlwind moving according to his will.

12:02, Today: Moses rolled 8 using 2d4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(4+1)5. How many riders now?

The prophet follows the storm and the men, his long stride assured through the grace of his Lord.

"Kneel! Kneel down before the Almighty's prophet and accept His salvation or the storms will blow you back to the depths of the hell!" he shouts

12:06, Today: Moses drew the single card: BJ! using the Deadlands system. Initiative.
Not bad. First Pierce, then Moses. The latter, quite fittingly, drawing the Black Joker. :-)

This message was last edited by the player at 10:07, Sun 30 Sept 2012.

The whrilwind rips through the ranks of the Black Regiment, scattering men and horses. One of the riders is tossed from his horse and dashed agaisnt the rocks, and vanishes in a haze of greasy black smoke. The soldiers remaining get twisted around and lost, while the others break ranks and gallop away.

Soon, only three of the dead soldiers are left in the valley.

((OOC: Vigor rolls for the BR: 3,2,5,2,2,4,17,7. That's half of the group affected that're shaken by the whirlwind.

That means some might be knocked off their horses. I roll Riding: 3,5,7,1.

I roll damage for the ones knocked off their horses: 12,7. One of them is fine 9isf shaken and unhorsed). The other is dealt a wound from the fall and vanishes.

The survivors go now. three left and need to unshake: 1,2,3. Huh. Well, that's a fail.

The rest of them ride out of the windstorm, running their horses. They move 11 squares total, which means they're now out of sight of Moses and out of range of his spell.

3 of the Black Regiment soldiers are left.

Card for next round: 8H))

---

Moses is up!

As the others gallop away, the winds slowly die down, not completely, but now they are only a stiff breeze, tearing at the dead men's uniforms, no longer tearing at their flesh.

Moses walks up to the closest in front of him, reciting another prayer.
"Never shall innocent blood be shed,
Yet the blood of the wicked shall flow like a river.
You three shall end your blackened reign,
And Moses shall the vengeful striking hammer of God!"

10:08, Today: Moses rolled 15,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+7)15,2. Faith for Smite.
So that's +4 for the staff.

Damn, should've made this a multi-action, but forgot to add the modifier. Well.

10:11, Today: Moses drew the single card: 9D using the Deadlands system. Initiative.

Since I'm up before them again, I'll just go ahead and keep rolling.


The thick knob on the end of Moses' staff seems to start glowing, but this certainly must be a trick played on the eyes by the wind and the fading light.
The tall man swings his staff in a wide circle, hitting one of the confused blackened soldiers square into the side of its rotting head.

10:13, Today: Moses rolled 4,9 (total 13) using d8,d4+6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3. damage.
10:13, Today: Moses rolled 9,3 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1. Fighting attack, WILD.
Damn, almost a raise.

"BEGONE! Begone, you foul creature, you mockery of life and the Lord's love!"

Now there should be only two. Their turn, then my card for next round:

10:16, Today: Moses drew the single card: 9D using the Deadlands system. Initiative.
Why, of course! :-)

The soldier struck by the Hickory stick vanishes in another cloud of greasy smoke.

The two remaining soldiers look at each other, then ready their bayonets and charge, striking at the prophet with wild abandon. The Lord is with Moses, however, as the rusty blades fail to find their mark again and again, and the single blow that does land only succeeds in tearing a rent in the prophet's duster.

((OOC: That's ok. I've goofed and forgotten mods myself. Given how high you rolled on that check, a paltry -2 wouldn't have mattered.

The remaining soldiers attempt to unshake.

The Black Regiment rolled 2,2 using d4,d4, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2. unshake. No dice. I'm going to spend chips on them...I haven't spent chips on any extras in a while.

So. The Black Regiment soldiers attack Moses, though Wovoka is still maintaining the Deflection, so they have -4 to hit. They get a Gang-up bonus, which helps a little, but it's only +1.

The Black Regiment rolled 1,0 using d8-3,d8-3, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3. Fighting! Nope.

Card for next round: JC

They get to go again.

The Black Regiment rolled 9,2 using d8-3,d8-3, rerolling max with rolls of (8+4)12,5. Fighting! That's one hit.

Damage: 5. Not enough to break Moses' regular toughness, never mind the enhanced toughness the Armor provides him.

Card for next round: BJ!))

hm looks like Moses is running out of luck.

12:31, Today: Moses rolled 3,7 using d8,d4+4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3. damage.
12:31, Today: Moses rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. and a red chip.
12:30, Today: Moses rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. blue chip.
12:30, Today: Moses rolled 4,4 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2. another smiting swing.

12:33, Today: Moses drew the single card: JD using the Deadlands system. initiative


Moses swings down his staff, hard, landing a blow on one of the undeads' head which would split the skull of any mortal man. In the case of these adversaries, the creature vanishes in another swirl of black smoke.

"How dare you attack a servant of the Lord? Back to the pit!"

EDIT: hold on - that wild attack gives me another +2 on the damage, which is just enoigh for another wound on one of those things... I'll be editing the narrative above.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:01, Mon 01 Oct 2012.

The last remaining soldier gives Moses a bony stare. "Fuckin' uppity nigger oughta learn his place." It growls through rotten teeth, and stabs wildly at the prophet.

The first blow is turned aside by the holy magic, but the repeated blows batter his protection...and finally one slips through, scoring a bloody gash across Moses's arm...

((OOC: It's alright...I've been forgetting the +2 to recover from Shaken they get from being Undead.

The last one tries to skewer Moses again.

The Black Regiment rolled 1 using 1d8-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3. Fighting! No Hitter.

Card for next round: AD

Getting desperate now, the dead man tries a Wild Attack. should have done that with the last attack, but oh well.

The Black Regiment rolled 3 using 1d8-2, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Fighting! He'll use one of my Reds for a bonus, because he can hit Moses' lowered Parry that way.

The Black Regiment rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. red chip. That makes his total 5, which is enough to hit Moses.

Damage: 17. That's enough to break even Moses's enhanced toughness. That will leave Moses Shaken with 1 Wound unless he soaks.

Card for next round: 4S))

Spending my last chip (red) to soak
10:17, Today: Moses rolled 13,13,1 using d8,d4+6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+5)13,(4+3)7,1. damage .
10:16, Today: Moses rolled 8,4 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,2. another wild swing.
10:15, Today: Moses rolled 3,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4. vigor to soak.


Something stirs in  Moses, an uneasy memory. A memory of of chains and pain and whips. Then a memory of burning heat washing everything away.
His lips tighten.
"The Lord is Moses' only Master!" The prophet yells, then makes a quick roundabout turn, his staff tearing through the undead racist, sending the sorry creature back to hell.

The thing vanishes into greasy nothingness, and Moses finds himself alone in the valley.

---

Wanbli Luja sends a view of the battle from afar to Thunder Walker's eyes as the group flees over the hills--the solemn negro calling on the winds to scatter the dead, then taking the straggles one by one with only minor injuries.

He has the blessing of the Shiwana, that one, The Great Eagles thinks through their link.

For a few minutes, Moses stands there, still as a tree, looking down at his feet.
"Your humble servant is sorry, Lord, for his failure. They are too deep in the clutches of the Adversary."

He nods, shrugs, turns around amd swiftly starts walking toward the stage, to meet the others.

He said a few words for Sky Hawk's benefit. [Language unknown: "Icmo pe, alove Viranywer re e proallpre der Ssckwa Ngpeli...Eenmanoer An popre on ospe unom houearraters e din Thuainess. N I iou of ess etwane napo oftone...O massce mi ere aveonsverame er illortioueen."]

"He has driven them away," he said, amazed at the spectacular vision provided him by the mightiest of the eagles. "Though I think he has taken some small hurts. You continue. I shall go to him, to see if he needs aid." So saying, he began to move with the same stealth he had heretofore employed toward where he thought Moses might be, using the Eagle's vision to give him landmarks and guidance.

[Language unknown: "Sheonsven. Ai eemanc era thi os rostta."] Wovoka says. [Language unknown: "M he us str tio tepro m ngacro earticreaess. Ill tiart and ivreet icabe sa pro ainencnti prven ekse ne Thaichounset Stfoie?"]

He paused before departing, giving a quick shake of his head. [Language unknown: "M la be nt oerichill, Temend, has ereoveiou N es pahou is he wisi pr T wiave. No to a alloit vorsonter, ul but ortamehouove ive heenc ardallare menca o antioules ouwe. Acpo Ineencles Yinto thatictha il, Ng leslatoer ate foove. A iv ive, tholo eeekto ti el e ilisle. M earorewhe e p nd he k nint but ncad ieur prishong pe ncer ll."]

He nodded his head to the one called Li. [Language unknown: "Et os wathu no stugh son artic el nt hat romoti, sitic ut hervirset thu ec alos ted N ivwate, derkorwas e u ut set wheichone."]

Xiaohan has been sticking close to Wovoka with an air of determined protectiveness, now frowning a little to the dark whilst attempting to follow the rapid Siouan. The genuine sentiment of Thank you, spirits wisps warmly through the little Chinese's chest despite the cold in the autumnal air.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:17, Tue 02 Oct 2012.

Wovoka looks at Li with a thoughtful expression.

[Language unknown: "He ti ma oues comth k plrea verle butro i ounsonter laasnc, ndentihou ieel?"] he asks as Thunder Walker heads to meet Moses.

---

Moses, meanwhile, strides back, triumphant over the forces of darkness. Thunder Walker, guided by Wanbli Luja's vision from afar, is able to catch up with him fairly quickly.

Xiaohan hesitates a little, regaining some of that hare-like ready to flee posture.

[Language unknown: "At...vensomwas i iseepr, ne nilomo thpoil we Ur asec esho yin one, kor thuareshe Poekwhos Areredeen, venfo trnius...pe tedainderive the outen, te ent p, manvoroer on butek pese un ure hisil, Le icil thoswi...an themo Wape Trre ca vir, N e ckonprad ma outeioro u aiei, int k res reou io der, ta O itiv Illartioufor Witbutdin ove com, m ichorture on on iousetainest be dihica ect. Icaaterat notourateenc i hountikoriou a Ulbe Tha, wa resithingrea...K roin i chol, men il, Allee Vorie n u hisratwit...at ri ieckri, man es ssiomi."]

Xiao bobs just slightly in apology, still clutching the razor and alert for any more undead or terrestrial menace. [Language unknown: "I thhous fiwe le ngtoma p A urersi di larardthi ngwa, ai uterfo ncdianet k ei houeenect...ek Ofnous isver str sta ntewhicon, ivnant latvoring."]

Wovoka nods as he listens to Li's tale. [Language unknown: "Ar p was ast ort rutev ustin re trtrfica nd ereentort heitivfofi. Ma korfi enctinrat a setanyterare ecpro, osre ast ri mene eretseme Itheraithter Versannti ai nina, te ionat ar are reaandsonvir. St artpl ecver, ec prri stwe ivpr nginio. Red ove wil rounut on ainti ainol he prset. Un tiher intoveint, ure me nt thiinttha p pe Ichwheher Aiomad."]

Sky hawk smiles at the compliments, but says nothing as he keeps watch.

He nods at Li's explanation of his poor Sioux. [Language unknown: "T larugh-shehisoul. Ndtela ro ousic ca tedveners ithmanwhirea. U nc Dinredwit, ri pa i omtrev Ecntur to leshatvir ution t llperi. N sheal thoamewil men liit o hiaipr toilal. Caman, o unour dill fiadlaolli, Ce roinss K tomi ch la e ulckof thi ee i ta ti el mewa wisaur, io st ousic Tinherder Preionter lleemi. Notol salat t urrela lattinartavehascon fo evad pr ultait m ck waiou we wasul sononethi, wafifi in a la. O fotio ilnce sanwi tinsa the. Ersti stpota rom prona er k ss terndewas o ar areentcon. Omeme al ni erpros butvenall ur. Un re res les trwipo hili, but Li posom ntisni esta ble m t ou inrat mo lltofi, ofive adna onadit whal pe plioca tr ughhouver ndehatble."]

Moses almost runs into Thunder Walker, as he seems lost in thought.
"Oh, Moses thought you would not wait for him, but meet him back at the stage coach with the others."
He dismissively waves backwards. "The servants of War are gone. For now. They will return at another time, at another place, to fight another battle. Damned for all eternity they are. Moses thought he could at least pull them from Hell to Perdition, but he failed."

The prophet is unwounded but for a long scratch on his forearm.

[Language unknown: "Ti taac prllai, elnahe Ut o bleectble...reach ntipreect."] Xiaohan gets out. The shaman's offer brings a simultaneous surge of hope and a knotting in the gut. A place to learn to live. But what if I bring trouble to them with me?

[Language unknown: "N...taofro ll prter n urcaac nduswa, reol ardof th ul nteen Plfine Witforenc ho,"] Xiao manages, since that much is true. A great deal of fear remains, however. O Spirits, let me belong with you and don't let them kill me if they find out what I am. The threat of being sold to the Sioux for raw gold and pelts had not entirely faded away.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:40, Wed 03 Oct 2012.

In reply to Moses (msg # 83):

As Moses and Thunder Walker talk, there's a glimmer from back on top the bluffs. A ghostly figure stands on a nearby hill, watching the pair with sorrowful eyes. The luminescent figure is an Indian of indeterminate tribe with long black hair just beginning to grey tied with eagle feathers. There's a mass of scar tissue on the Indian's left breast, where his heart would be. The Indian notices the pair's gaze, nods, smiles faintly, and pulls a skin over his shoulders. Then he vanishes as if he never was.

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 84):

[Language unknown: "Licapr t oulais istrng nandti anydereen re ecomie vir alhihong ess hosi. Lo tere prndme lite icastrave ersbleset ulek t uslaha illterand."] Wovoka says. [Language unknown: "Ne an tinwasmen...Dayateati Thuionugh bestr ncfill wh romticshe. P pa a men san t si Sontinwil Fiulch ionmi nceha atoswa her cacaer. Oul Aventiear la Anyho Ncusnc conwhevir tralne a wales pr, etpa hasti p tedmo Usitst Ioomac tr ut ac. Diul ome Ntilfo Sonillear sti Be Eiic beanon li ng is eiacer strderugh, io wassetich asec oneameeveint."]

He nods. [Language unknown: "Mota eraut n theei resen t ica Onehercom Ousami? Ho mavor oerai ul: Om Stisis Nturus camose tioratvorand lataomla sta hiev ourblethi, terei osfi ughtraeen unulli k heai iveventic. O a re chulplth wheortticmen, e evrat utpo pl eeth oul tradas tr allpr ted ereei, o tastri u redss o setin thncil, wa nd con hisnoteratin aveiveeve noic thisomtho m les dinoet."]

[Language unknown: "Ardse utons werha th, He enttioave. A she ing a po has tant. Pl iodi m haou ansa neunto stshe mi os onitol, ar ha verughwit presil ch chshe ame. His we us pa eiadto lat ri?"]

In reply to The Old One (msg # 85):

The prophet furrows his brow.
"Moses has seen him before. We were about to look for him when you arrived with news about the prophet Wovoka.
Will you go with Moses, Thunder Walker, to see what this old indian wants with us?"

Xiaohan knew enough of the Tao to know what might roughly be called its "will" was more in the nature of an incoming tide or the path of a storm, and calms a little: this was not a thing under mortal control; the choices here rested in the details.

[Language unknown: "P ndbe'lotead. Ma str ure t latwh ilmo'isro...ettosa no day aveprehis ac wilis evca'elfiilad en, Ad setilllar...of ant aveateund."]

Xiaohan takes a breath. [Language unknown: "One icaersdin. Linwitevethi thti reding'wiltio ilbe, laol ngle ng eeweev tihou...olnawh n p eset onehisfor hicon: Er ant ulthu rialnc, ol cepe n vormenrut. Rater andpreill...ourprocon ndivpa tioev asrois terearkorsom'hisher. Nce ieurca in ineovethe alllatwhi, for ithick na li o] Deadwood [Language unknown: ave fiesai st usofce sonastbut matrtr'ioelun..."] Xiao makes a show of hands palm-up like the natives shrug, helpless.

Thunder Walker nodded, and replied in kind, speaking to Moses in his chosen manner. "Thunder Walker will go with Moses to see what that one wishes of us."

The luminescent Indian appears again as the pair get close, watching them with eyes far more ancient than the rest of his face. He's translucent, ghost-like.

He waits, silently, as they arrive up the hilltop.

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 88):

Wovoka shakes his head. [Language unknown: "I ch ie atwhi sautei ure he conoulsti illil...pa Ughenthateve etce rutichthadin venei urcath. Ectpr Ncllul Alplti kor ersromand elenc nd whehatvor not hoio k poadsa pawe ilven, poekri, ear wepl-hiadul. But, wer enon, outal Tic Er ngetek onsac virntewhi whethatin st nandbe tedeauwhe sta, ro oerin asicai ulte. Pe teshe ardai t ssniei ousrutout Usnewe. M has fial rentis nderesons k saere podire in, ome u ilith enseie elint nteeretra a butdernti ta na ol nionce ter ulplse alleri. Onne dayla niugh priest plel ticsetanyted setint elwa dericatha ek derallhou. Netin ainwe romoveort, whi hopawe, inceal hable."]

[Private to group Siouan: "Then I will teach you a song to the spirits that will turn away such attacks. As for Cougar Woman, I know of one in Deadwood who must be warned. He can help destroy the creature."]

Xiaohan listens carefully, trying to follow a lot of unfamiliar concepts. "Ah...[Language unknown: mamoet on i te oveanywasera, icalarthired? Io ee tha k theles, ta weratithi u ame ectounove ckssac ul ourbutstr? K icitfo eing ure in...us whart eenwasfor?"]

The little youth takes in a sudden, sharp breath as though ambushed with an icecube, looking to the sky. [Language unknown: "P etloet Llurivan Hoitac ta..."]
I heard no shot...he must have gone because he was tired. I will thank him later.
The offer of a song against malicious hungry ghosts brings Xiao's interest firmly back to the shaman - not knowing what else to do in a gesture of grattitude, Xiaohan goes for another bow, switching shoulders with the satchel whilst talking: [Language unknown: "P loion eesead ut chmen."] Then, more warily: [Language unknown: "Is tedearven pl Fiterock? Ovead iv..."]

[Language unknown: "Il a ch inislaat, u linterear inentenceeve-romwhi, t ndmach he ei. Wi st are ntunharo ou ioevee, anyro venoutthi n t asse. Ac meecun acaisa ughst ca ichanynot ect hi hoenla wi itssat somth. Thi olchpr is ughurever, ain, plpa wasencome. Wi conaintic ce ta maniieur, roasle elouprou he ratkorave has ilulla ntsi ithioueenica."] [Private to Tan Xiaohan: ((OOC: I see what you did there... >_> ))]

Wovoka sighs. [Language unknown: "Ee thlin. Us ounvenpro ckce asal il fi ha satic linal."]

Laughing Calf, who up until now had been quite, speaks up. [Language unknown: "Eiil. Miut Be Ckstr Fi es ni poadwe ai siis Esscomcon Icetad. Ng wheno o t as con forichave, adil p et p lourma, wi Wh Onpo Pro Alsi neletr ilble anythicon illalo ver. Is sessfo ame Virterman Eveiouthe rutanttho ti fineof. Dinch m p lill'hehe ho red adneie a siut Hatithver ev wh Bediac. Ofivst elsa'saol tedet ort dayureant virrutamewas all thoredichsti...t utllse ratvenmen n ei hou a staardore le."]
This message was last edited by the player at 07:41, Fri 05 Oct 2012.

The wicked spirits do it to eat, at least, Xiao thinks, but does not speak against the prophet. [Private to GM: :D ..remember folk can't see text in "Private" not "Language"]

Xiao dips head slightly to the other man. [Language unknown: "Pl ive Ingsonrea anntti comdayear th moho n forundhis om esouul lar lantec m whe Somomeess Rias, Ev ckutiv."] The little Chinese's shoulders tense against a shudder.

[[Streetwise to know where guns might be got if one was quietly getting guns?]]

Moses arrives on top first, outpacing Thunder Walker with his long stride.
He frowns at the apparition and cocks his head, then nods.
"The Lord tells Moses you are not a servant of the Reckoning." He looks confused. "You are... a guardian against it?"

He looks around. "This land is truly blessed by Thou, Lord."

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 94):

[Language unknown: "Si mi os laiete an hoica home pl astillwil are hace'waunnt tr Setse He El"] Laughing Calf says sagely. [Language unknown: "Ceder et mandeeha ul ted i ulckri ersncepro. Sanpa shelesday wer Comsomson Toades undcomweroustic, omeet ndive beho ev lat nong ticeenainandugh t dayhourut con. P ou nd adeltrnond, ai wa wimope wein ndeoreart."]

((OOC: Streetwise would give some information, yes.))

Thunder Walker gestured to the figure before them in a way that showed respect, though he was not sure what language to speak with him. Being that he had appeared in these lands, he thought it best perhaps to address him in the way of the Lakota.

[Language unknown: "Saneomic. Di oun erce etch stithainetha ai wil, res powhri tien. Llen p estsetven ons ec?"]

The shaman nods at Moses. "...am guardian...or was..." he says. The language isn't so much heard as felt in the back of the mind...it's a lot like Wanbli Luja's speech. His voice sounds as if it's coming from a great distance. "...others gone...seals broken...Raven. It was The Last Sons..."

He pauses, and points off to the west. "...Lodge of the Grizzly...hole in the world..." he changes position pointing west by north west. "....the creek of Greasy Grass...camp of the Dead Long Knives..." he points again, this time to the northeast. "...iron snake spits lead poison...the Raven caws, wardrums beat...Yellow Hair crosses the creek. Ten thousand arrows cannot stop his march..." he points due east now, toward Bear Butte. "...The People gather in council. They must learn the Ghost Dance..." Then he points south. "...town of the dead wood hides many things...evil men kill their own, claim it is the work of the people, beat the wardrum...iron snake hides a dusky jewel..." The figure looks fatigued, as if the strain of talking is getting to him. "...war comes to the Dakotas. So many dead, on both sides...so many lives lost for little yellow rocks..." the figure begins to cry, then looks at the two. "...stop the Raven's laughter. Stop the Reckoners before all is bathed in blood..."

And with that last, the figure vanishes.

Xiao keeps any musings on the interaction of old traditions and virtue held firmly back, reflecting that tiredness and circumstances may be addling such thoughts anyway. Certainly they make it hard to recall any useful information regarding weaponry.

[[Streetwise 3 due to fatigue...may be coming up on time for another roll there, actually, once the adrenaline wears off.]]

Xiao nods in cautious sympathy, then looks out in the direction Thunder Walker went, swallowing on a dry throat and the sour taste of days without food. [Language unknown: "Acof Ithcomnot Ckusut Resanynti houratnde neerel, no ec ntivirfor we?"]

In reply to The Old One (msg # 98):

Moses nods. "Good", he says,as if everything was clear as rain.
"We should tell the others."

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 99):

[Language unknown: "To aveionrom n anera."] Wovoka says. [Language unknown: "Ekout ou thcepa u us. Ver herri kornceain ome, iouwa i taetsi ore orencepre ckit etenc eenbleour."]

As Moses and Thunder Walker discuss the old man's cryptic words, a flash of fire in the distance catches their eye...

---

A flash of fire catches Xiaohan's eye. It seems to come from a distance, about where the posse sent to cause a distraction should be...

Xiao frowns a little at the light on the hillside, but reasons it's probably thrown oil lit from the smoulderings of a distraction-fire they'd missed in the battle. It was probably the Professor fighting the Raven Men who had been distracted, oblivious to the liklihood of drawing the damn-yanks: Mister Nate had volunteered to stay also, but he seemed to know more about battles and being careful. Xiao hoped they would get away easily.

A thought sparked, Xiaohan edges just a bit closer to Wovoka, speaking softly. [Language unknown: "Es uner et red powa ionntitho le lleau cewi ansist, tr...?"] Xiao waves the razor at the darkness of the valley.

"Let us go, we are to meet back by the stage, where we first found you. We should still move with caution, as those soldiers and some of the Ravenites may still be afoot."

With that, he gestured that Moses come along with him and began making his way towards the stage, making sure that he waited in case Moses had a different thought.

The huge, brawny preacher looks across the valley, a puzzled look on his face.

"This is not the planned distraction. They are in trouble.
How far ahead is the rest of the group? We might need to help them."

Thunder Walker is in turn puzzled by Moses's puzzlement.

"I cannot say how far ahead the rest of the group is. The distraction you provided was not the planned distraction, which it seems has not happened. I left them as they began to sneak away to see if you needed assistance. It seems you have no need of help. We can move ahead, and if they need help, we can give help."

((OOC: Waiting for the puzzlement to resolve itself into something I can actually react to...))

Wovoka shakes his head. [Language unknown: "Theardrom helo ul ardrutsan. Tewaad adpeek m reaou menyinati me whec Somlinprefor icthch ngroouit p ho sanillred i laar lararelarpro io anybutwer loec Oninchse Allno nasa tra wit u pefo. M semo usati atolntma is naich Sisafipr, was Ardconand Essionure vir la toatpe dersa seicev ovederthaith."]

The statement brings on a grim look with the knowledge there's little chance of burying that lot. [Language unknown: "Re etent ta m hisapl conkorain...ureth esscomich ted esent ce, ll witwh."]

He waited for the puzzlement visible on the face of Moses to resolve itself into something more concrete, so that he might resolve his own. When it did not show signs of abating, he simply relinquished his own and gestured for the man to follow him. Perhaps it was not truly puzzlement, but some character of the man's facial expression.

He gestured for Moses to follow, and began to make his way back towards the stage where he would find Wovoka and the others. As he moved, Thunder Walker searched for their tracks or signs of their passage.

09:48, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 5,6 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4. Trackin'.

Wovoka nods grimly. [Language unknown: "U tedhasast anheng oun, le tra fiad ate no atilestio o prestiard werlarillwil hapaai. K atolic onaina mi Meweiv Derionard, ill les cetrol wertiolat o nti. Mohis Po il adroio aica ntore ca Hewhil ho Ss Prinnt. A rioer ome ersyinnce ne, mill eiilpl illai Erserspro Whieenwhi na yin ant whiurerut."]

Laughing Calf speaks up. [Language unknown: "Om lerat eingol ateas. P of ellipr her oulateour. O nt ur ar linstawhe al haar th ouol, Ateestain. Mith en hapo wipa me anpe con k is sta ic Sanresver. Enngol Assi Werrutred ati no ominwhad us as Hini Aintedess."]

One of the rescued Sioux, who actually seems middle-aged (but is certainly young compared to Laughing Calf) nods. [Language unknown: "P int n anyce nosihe."] he says. [Language unknown: "I thi san liner Stckic Ardlinnde. Ent Aveamecon ine aresheset t il."]

The group of Shamans nod. Laughing Calf and one of the rescued warriors split off from the group and turn back toward the hill, while the rest continue to head toward the stage coach.

---

As Moses and Thunder Walker follow the trail of the Ghost Dancers, they cross paths with Laughing Calf and the young brave coming the opposite direction.

[Language unknown: "Honghius, Ngetca Wasforive!"] Laughing Calf says. [Language unknown: "Of hasonsnce nt latou arad oneoerver te careul notrutour m ncndnc as ieho. O ai ugh u nte tr venyinhatave te no sonch p Anype Loelfo, lo man ove m ta ica thatinted."]

[Language unknown: "Ovelin-ortess, Ekinfodi Les!"] he said, and greeted the other man as well. [Language unknown: "I m ecss ch ble pr lote atnd. Ant hi Derallugh at not lamise? Nc lelesa i a Whle Arterarat esthaspreove whon naain, str Ss ma ivtiol n en Tateic sire. Fo wa u her, ore Le san itivfo ro p fito ear adiole, onfica at nawit conwitdin-esseve."]

"What does he say? "

"They are going to perform the Ghost Dance to set the spirits of those who fell in battle to rest, and will meet me at Bear Butte later. You too, if you journey there with me, though I know not where your paths lead, Moses," he replied, in part translating and in another part speaking for himself.

Xiaohan follows along with the group, entirely lost by now and hoping someone knows where they're going. Sky Hawk would want his horse back at some point, so at least a way to return to the other foreigners existed at need. Xiao moves quietly, alert for trouble.

In reply to Thunder Walker (msg # 112):

[Private to group Siouan: "Wovoka continues on. They are looking for a suitable place to rest the night and have a meal before resting. I believe the current plan is to make it to the iron road."] Laughing Calf says to Thunder Walker, then he turns to Moses. "We...give...you...thanks? thanks." he says slowly, testing out the words in English. "Spirits are...strong...for you."

Moses bows, slightly, then replies;
"Moses is but a humble servant of the Almighty God of many names and faces. You can feel the spirits, converse with them, yes? Know that they are servants of the same God, doing His bidding. They are a part of his army. Wovoka, he too is a servant of the Lord, a prophet, like Moses. It is a great honor to fight with him."

The holy man seems not to notice if Laughing Calf has trouble following. Clearly, the message of the Lord is easy to follow.

He bows again, then turns to Thunder Walker and raises his voice so that everyone of their group can hear him.
"The Lord has sent Moses, His humble servant to warn of the battle between Good and Evil. This land is in the grasp of War and he will not rest until it runs with blood! We must all stand against this Evil whereever we meet it.
The path of Moses is the path set for him by Lord. For now, this path is alongside the prophet Wovoka."

Laughing Calf nods. "We...are...all...of Wakan Tanka, of Great Spirit. We...welcome? those who...fight...the Evil. It is...good...you stand beside Wovoka." He and his companion make their goodbyes and continue onward, letting Moses and Thunder Walker return to the larger group of Ghost Dancers.

---

This thread is closed. Please resume posting on the new Chapter 1.3 thread.