Jeb nods.

"Alrighty. To Deadwood, then."

When the horses have been changed out, Jeb wastes no time hustling his charges back on to the stage. He gets the coach rolling again, and they travel on, left to dwell on their thoughts and feel the growing sense of dread that hangs in the air.

Several hours later, as the stagecoach rumbles over a rise, Jeb and Danny start shouting over the thundering of the coach's wheels.

"Would ya look at that?"

"Well I'll be a stuck-egg mule! Folks, looks like we got goin' just in time! Take a look!"

some mood music

Looking out the narrow slits that pass for windows on the armored coach, the passengers can see, off to the east, marching columns of thousands of troops. A sea of blue coats and glittering long knives are moving in to surround the town of Deadwood.

"We're gettin' there before they do!" Jeb says, and snaps the reigns. The horses whinny and the coach surges, jostling everyone inside.

By the roadside a band of soldiers try to wave down the coach. Most of them look tired and hungry, and a few look like they could use medical aid. Jeb ignores their pleas and the stagecoach pulls past them.

Minutes later, the coach is passing a sea of tents. Miners peer out at the approaching army, watching the columns break. They pay little attention to the stage. Soon, the coach reaches the heart of the city.



The stagecoach pulls up to the Iron Dragon rail station, and rolls to a stop.

"Here's we are! Welcome to Deadwood, Free City of the Sioux Nations!" Jeb says. "Danny, go help the folks with their luggage. Thank you for traveling with the Deadwood-Bismark Express Company!"

((OOC: So, folks...you've arrived in Deadwood. now what are you going to do?))

The Professor patted Jeb on the shoulder, smiling at the man as he commented.  "Sir, you went way beyond the call of duty in getting us here, and for that you should be commended. Excellent work."

He turned to the other travelers, "Now we seek this 'Charlie Bull', who evidently can assist us with lodgings and a sort of 'lay of the land'."

He seemed completely unconcerned with the fact that war was about to break out around the city.  The Professor stood in the street looking for a passer by he could question...

Nate nodded in agreement with the Professor, even fishing out a few coins for the coachmen, "Way beyond.  Thanks, fellas."  The tip wasn't much, but it wasn't nothing.  Might be a sizable bit of the newcomer's spare cash in fact.  Tipping his hat, he heded after he Professor, "So...   We're just gonna ask around?  Is that safe?"  Leaning in, he added quieter, "I've heard tell that Deadwood is the kinda place where new folks disappear....  Y'know?"

((OOC: If you want to gather information about town, you can make a Streetwise check to get the lay of the land with a couple hours of asking.))

Black Jack Boudreaux had joined the others who had gone to Deadwood. He had spoken with Skyhawk and had said that now the the two were blood brothers, he would follow their wishes and complete the journey to Deadwood to aid Wovoka's people. It would also allow him to keep an eye on Zach's and hopefully solve the mystery of his father's death.

"We had better be discreet asking about town. It may be we can find who and what we are looking for without tipping our hand."

"Might be useful if we don't make it clear to the townsfolk how well acquainted we are with one another. Perhaps we can split into pairs. Then we can arrange to meet in what seems a casual manner to discuss what we have discovered."

Jack looked to his friend Zachary to see if the young man wanted to remained partnered up.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:32, Tue 30 Oct 2012.

Nate gives a glance back to Jack and nods, "I agree... "  Then, back to the Professor, "C'mon, Professor.  Let's go see what we can find out."  The would-be prospector hefts his pack of supplies onto his shoulders and ges it settled in as comfortably as he can manage.

some mood music

Finding information shouldn't be too hard...there's three saloons just a block down from the train depot, and all of them look like they're doing fairly vigorous business, even with it being early afternoon.

The Gem Theater is the largest of the three. Sitting on the left side of the tracks, half-naked women drape themselves over the balcony on the second floor and wave at passers by, attempting to entice them in.



Across the street, the more stately Bella Union sits. The sounds of poker chips, roulette balls, and general merriment can be heard from inside.



Squatting next to the Bella Union is Nuttal & Mann's no. 10, a smaller but apparently no less prosperous saloon. This one seems to boast a restaurant as well, judging by the smell of pork chops wafting from the premises.



And that's all within a block of the Train station. Finding people to ask about things shouldn't be a problem, if the group wants to split up.

((OOC: So...which Saloon do you head to, or are you splitting the group to tackle all three of them?))
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:06, Mon 29 Oct 2012.

"Well gentlemen, I suggest we all find rooms at the hotel and then ask around from there. Given the delicious smell of those pork chops I am planning on supper at Nuttall & Mann's." Jack said holding up his bags.

Jack then heads over to hotel and checks to see if there are rooms available. If so he will book one for himself. Knowing that most innkeepers are snoops and rumormongers about new comers, Boudreaux resists inquiring with the innkeeper.

OOC After getting a room he will head to Nuttal's and ask about.
20:01, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 2,3 using 1d4,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3. ask around. Will spend a chip to succeed as needed.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:42, Tue 30 Oct 2012.

The nearest hotel, the Grand Central, is several blocks down from the saloons. Most of the people in the street, however, don't pay Jack a second look. Instead, they turn and watch the long procession of weary soldiers that have just arrived.

Hundreds of soldiers march down main street, heading directly for the same hotel that Jack spied. Heading up to the door, he sees that an advance detachment of soldiers has already arrived, and are waving people away. One of the soldiers gives Jack a bored look as he does the same.

From inside the building, Jack can hear a spirited argument.

"But you can't do this!"

"I can, and I have, madam. This hotel will now host, solely and exclusively, the Union Army, until such a time as the situation with the Sioux has been stabilized. Rest assured, you will be well compensated for our use of your establishment."

"But what about my other guests, Mr. Goldilocks? What am I to tell them?"

"I really could care less. That's your job. Mine is to prepare this town for the inevitable conflict between the army and the thousands of heathen savages poised to wipe this town from the map. Figure out something to say, and refund their money. The Union Army will compensate you for the lost revenue."

"I'm sorry, sir." The soldier at the door to the hotel says. "You can't go in. You'll have to find another place to stay."

But the troops are moving toward every single hotel visible on the street, and the chance of finding a room is growing more remote by the minute.

((OOC: Yes, you'll need to spend a chip on that...3 is a failure.))
This message was last edited by the player at 06:28, Tue 30 Oct 2012.

Jack nodded at the soldier's words and then took off his hat and shook his head as he spoke with his young companion.

"Well that was rather inopportune. We best head over and get that supper before they commandier all the pork chops."

Heading back down to Nuttal's Jack went inside and found a table and ordered supper for himself and Jeb. As he ordered he did what he could to gain his host's confidence long enough to ask a few questions about Charley Bull.

"Just into town and the army has taken over all the hotels. A friend of mine mentioned that he knows a fella who lives here abouts. The fella's name is Charley Bull. You don't happen to know him do you?"

Spend the chip.

Nuttall & Mann's no. 10 Saloon is a lot like other saloons Jack's been in over the course of his travels...cramped, a bit on the dark side, and crowded.

The oddest thing about the place is a roped-off area in the middle of the floor. A circular curtain has been hung around what surely must be prime seating space, and a there's a sign in fading yellow leaf hanging from it:



The ropes and curtain look a little dusty from disuse.

The order is placed, and Jack asks his questions, but it doesn't seem like most of the folk in the bar know anything about a "Carley Bull."

But one of the drunks, a plain brown-haired woman in a dusty shirt and dungarees wearing a bowler hat with an eagle feather stuffed into the band, looks at Jack bleary-eyed. "Yeah, I know Charley Fuckin' Bull," She slurs as she takes a slug from her half-empty bottle of rotgut. "What the fuck is it to you? You ain't after his fuckin' scalp, is ya?"

((OOC: Red or white chip? If you spend the white, you get a reroll. If you spend a Red Chip, you can add 1d6 to the highest die you rolled. Doing so will give you an automatic success (since it bumps your total to 4 no matter what the roll is) and you can check to see if you got a Raise.))

00:22, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.

"My name is Jack, Jack Boudreaux. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintances.

As for your query, of course not madam." Jack said tipping his hat.

"As you can see I am not in need of a scalp. Mr. Bull is a friend of a friend. I was hoping he might be able to aid my associate and I in locating a place to lay our heads. Perhaps you have not noticed but the army has arrived here in Deadwood, and has occupied all the hotels."

"Perhaps you might be able to direct us to Charley."


00:30, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 5,3 using 1d6,1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3. Persuasion.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:35, Tue 30 Oct 2012.

The woman smiles. "Well, ain't you just the fanciest talker around here?" She says, and shakes his hand. "Charmed to make yer fuckin' acquaintance as well, mister. I'm Jane. Some folk call me Calamity Jane, on account o' I get in trouble a lot." She takes a deep pull of her whiskey before she continues.

"And if you ain't lookin' fer ol Charley Bull's scalp, then I reckon I got no beef with you. But as fer leadin' you to him, well, I dunno about that. Bald Don do want his scalp, and so Charley done made hisself mighty scare round these fuckin' parts."

She screws up her face. "The army's in town? What, did Custer finally find his balls? Well, shit. That's just gonna make Ol' Charley even more hard ta find. Not impossible, you understand, but difficult. I reckon I might be able to help ya...but I got a little bit o' a problem my own self that I'm workin' on."

"Oh, lordy." the barkeep mutters. "There she goes again...listen, mister, you might be better served askin' someone else...I'm afraid Miss Canary might just lead you on one of her wild goose chases."

"Go fuck yourself, Tom Nuttal! I told ya! I told ya he'd be fuckin' back! And now he is, oh yes indeed, and Jack McCall's gonna fuckin' die fer showin' his face back here again!"

"Miss Canary, you are drunk. Go sleep it off." The barkeep says. "You shouldn't oughta listen to her. She's always a bit rambley when she's had too much."

Nate watches Jack head off to the hotel and notes the soldierly procession.  He manages to catch the idea without having to go all the way to the hotel to be disappointed.  Instead he looks betweenthe Bella Union and the Gem and tries to guess which might be the favored spit of one Charlie Bull.....   He wishes it were the Bella, so it must be the Gem.  Ah well, needs must, "C'mon, Professor.  And watch your wallet...."  the prospector then heads into the Gem to see what he can suss out...  Whiskies would be ordered, conversations eavesdropped, a few bland questions asked.  Just another prospector off the streets who might be lookin' for Charlie Bull.  Yep.

OOC - Streetwise - 4.
08:04, Today: Nate Williams rolled 2,4 using D4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4. Streetwise.



This message was last edited by the player at 12:06, Tue 30 Oct 2012.

"Lead the way, Nate." The Professor follows the young prospector over to the Gem patting at his coat pockets to make sure that his money is indeed still safe and secure.

some mood music

The Gem is one of those quaint little joints that doesn't hide what it is: an establishment designed, built, and operated to part men from their cash in the most efficient and entertaining manner possible.

Nate and Professor step into the saloon, and immediately their senses are assaulted by the stench of spilled whiskey, unwashed bodies, and a sickly sweet smell of poorly-cleaned vomit. There's women with plastered-on smiles and hollow eyes dancing on the stage to the tune of a poorly-tuned player piano, but it's clear they're only showing off the merchandise, given how little they're wearing.

Rough-looking men watch the doors and exits, ready to break up any fights caused the jubilation of the inebriated and horny, and while the Professor's fancy clothes merit several curious glances, no one really seems to care enough to make any sort of remark.

Nate finds that to get anywhere in this joint, he has to spend cash to loosen lips, and eats through a dollar and a half buying booze for the drunken sots around him before someone mentions that Dan Doherty, the barkeep, might be able to help him best.

Dan turns out to be a lean man with a close-cropped mustache and long hair, dressed in a Stetson and cowboy gear. He has the air of a dangerous man to cross, and Nate's questions about Charley Bull get him to raise an eyebrow.

"You with the DMA?" he asks. "I didn't see a badge."

"I guess someone named Bald Don might be looking for a hair peice." Jack had interjected with smile.


Once the the proprieter had interrupted, Boudreaux assumed the Jane might take his advice and hoped to learn more first. "Well let me express my gratitude for your assistance."

"Hopefully one of you could point my friend and I in the right direction. As I said I can assure you I have no interest in seeing any harm coming to the man."

"By the way these pork chops would do my mama proud." jack added flattering the man.

In reply to Black Jack Boudreaux (msg # 28):

"You don't the fuckin' half of it, Mister Jack." Jane says. "They call him 'Bald Don' on account o' him gettin' scalped by the Sioux during the massacre o' '75, and ever since then he been lookin' to return the favor to as many Injuns as he can get away with. Nasty, nasty man. And when the Injuns attacked them miners a few weeks ago, well, Bald Don done declared open season on all the Sioux in Deadwood. He can't attack Ravenclaw at the Office o' Minin' Affairs without causin' a ruckus, but any other Injun, Nigger, or Spick that catches his eye is in trouble. That means you might catch his ire, so you oughta watch yourself."

"If you want me to help ya find Charley, well, I can oblige ya, but I got a problem o' my own." She takes a swig from her bottle. "So how 'bout this? You give me some help, and I'll help you out. Sound good?"

At Jack's compliment, The barkeep smiles. "Well thank you, sir! I'll be sure to let the cook know his talents are appreciated." he gives Jane a pointed look, as if this was the tale end of some old argument.

"Yeah, and I sure hope that piggy didn't eat anyone I knew before it got to yer plate." Jane says darkly.

Jack nodded. It seemed Jane was prepared to aid them, but like most folks she wanted something in return. Jack was used to bargaining for favors

"Who would I be to deny a lady in distress, I would be happy to aid you in solving whatever dilemma you might face."  Boudreaux said with a gallant smile. As much as he hated it he was not one to deny a lady in distress.

"Shall we proceed now?" Jack asked.

"I ain't no fuckin' lady." Jane says. But she smiles nonetheless.

"You're gonna regret it!" The barkeep says.

"Get fucked!" Jane shouts at him, then nods to the door. "Reckon we oughta go somewhere where there ain't no cocksuckin' cunts," she glares at the barrkeep, "tryin' to butt in on our business."

Jack had to admit he was also none to happy that the proprietor seemed to feel it his place to intrude, but what could be expected of such pedestrian venue.

"It might be better if we did retire to some place more private." Luckily Jack had managed to polish off his supper, though truth be told after all that time in that accursed stagecoach he could have done with seconds.

Jane leads Jack and Zach out the back into the alley.

"Right. Now that we're away from pryin' ears, let me just say that that sign Nuttal's got on that curtain in there is dead fuckin' wrong. Jack McCall shot Bill, right enough, but Wild Bill Hickok didn't die." She fumbles with her bottle. "Well, that ain't right...he did die, but he didn't stay dead. He crawled right up out o' his grave, with a big ol' hole in the back o' his head."

She takes a long pull from the bottle, which is now mostly empty. "Jack McCall got away scott free after shootin' him. Scott fuckin' free! His trial was a shame, and everyone knew it. Bill knew it too. He went after the jurors, 'cause he reckoned they got paid off and wanted to know who was doin' the payin'. Jack skipped town when the bodies started pilin' up. Bill done went after him. And now...now Jack McCall is back in town. And I reckon Bill's gonna be back soon, too."

She looks down at the ground. "No one else believes me. No one thinks Bill's back, but Jack does, I'm sure of it. And I need to know what he knows. But Jack McCall is slippery as a fuckin' eel, and he gets to runnin' whenever he done sees me around. Probably thinks I'm plannin' to blow his brains out, and I won't lie when I say I'd be mighty fuckin' tempted. But if he's back, and he's seen Bill, he can tell others I ain't crazy."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:59, Wed 31 Oct 2012.

In reply to Dan Doherty (msg # 27):

Nate shook his head as he patted his pockets fir effect, "Nope.  Not yet anyhow."  Looking back up again to the bartender, he added, by way of polite interest, "Probably should make it my next stop, eh?  This whole army-marching-down-the-street thing got me a bit turned around.  Was told Bull might be able to help me find a place, since the Army seems to be takin' most everything."

So far the young reporter had held his tongue content to let the older man lead the way. It had been a long time since he had been in a town the size of Deadwood, and he was pleased to feel a certain comfort in the pace and rhythm of town life.  He looked around the alley, well he had done business in worse places, was sure Jack had as well.

"Ms. Canary, you mind if I write some of this down? he asked politely. His eager eyes, waited for her approval before he took out his trusty notebook.

He listened to her story and Zach looked over to Jack, "So you want us to find Jack, see if he's seen Bill." The young man paused and stared at the cowgirl, "Ma'am, you don't seem like the kind of woman you gives one hoot what folks think of you. So, why you really looking for Bill?"