Deputy Lena Bauer and Albert Cooper step through the front entrance of Ramsey’s restaurant in time to see a slender, dark haired woman come charging out of the batwing doors of the Thornton-Curry Saloon, a kerchief concealing all but her eyes. Over her shoulder is the limp form of a young man with hair the color of of sand, his arms dangling toward the ground, a pistol visible in the holster on his hip. As she runs, she turns and, without breaking stride, sends a shot through one of the windows of the bar.

She dashes across the dusty street toward the Courthouse, roughly dumping the body she is carrying in front of the side entrance to the Sheriff’s Office, before continuing her flight, firing another shot behind her. A scream sounds from within the saloon and a moment later, a rail thin young man in a long duster emerges onto the Thornton-Curry’s porch. He shoulders the rifle he is carrying and fires in the direction of the fleeing woman. ”She killed Tom!” he yells, his face twisted with anger.

From the window of Earl Wood’s office, Reverend Allgood is able to see all of this transpire. Ranger Bryan Lee is able to view most of it as well, though some of the fine detail is lost to him, due to the distance between his position at the front door of the Patron House and the Thornton-Curry Saloon.

Lena Bauer, her pistol already in hand, starts for the Courthouse.

At the first sounds of gunfire, most of the street clears, with the exception of the handful of loiterers on the porch of Wilson’s, who appear to be watching what is unfolding with casual interest.

OOC: To be perfectly clear, the fleeing woman ran south, between the Courthouse and Sanchez’ Saddlery (Buildings 11 and 12 on the Main Game Map).

Allgood, Cooper, and Lee: Please give me an Notice and Smarts roll.
This message was last updated by the GM at 01:23, Fri 24 Aug 2018.

Her dirty deed done dirt cheap, the killer sprinted for the brush.  She could sleep when she was dead, and probably would.

Bauer snarls a curse and snaps off a shot at the fleeing fugitive.

14:17, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 3,4 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Shooting.

14:21, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 7 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  Damage.

The shot rips a hole in Kate’s duster, cutting a crease across her thigh as it travels into the tree line ahead.

OOC: That hit will leave Kate shaken. Please give me a Spirit roll before proceeding with any further actions.

Bauer takes off at a run, sprinting to pursue the shooter as the outlaw heads for the scattered piñon trees south of the Main Street. Nearing the Courthouse, the deputy shouts, ”BELL! OLINGER! ARE YOU IN THERE?!? I NEED HELP!”

OOC: Kate, go ahead and give me an Agility roll for a foot chase. Make a card draw based on the number of successes you roll.

14:27, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 4,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Agility.

14:28, Today: Lena Bauer drew the single card: QC using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative (Chase).

The slender young man that identified the killer steps off of the saloon porch, running toward the body of his fallen compatriot.

A heartbeat later, two men emerge on the front porch of the Wortley Hotel, which stands next door to the Thornton-Curry Saloon. One is a bald, older gentleman with a long full beard. He squints at the scene on the street through spectacles. Beside him is a tall, dark haired man with a handlebar mustache, armed with a double barrel shotgun, which he is loading.

The older man’s face registers alarm. ”Holy hell, Jim!” he cries, pointing to the young man who is dashing to check on his wounded friend, ”That fella’s about to bushwhack Deputy Bauer!”

The other man closes the shotgun and shoulders it.

In the same moment, Allgood notices a figure peering around the corner of the Methodist Church building, looking toward the scene in front of the Courthouse. He recognizes him as Jefferey Slaight, one of the church’s caretakers, rendered mute during his service in the war. Slaight is holding a Colt Navy revolver in one hand, watching what has begun to unfold down the street.

The loiterers at Wilson’s continue their observations, though one of their number, armed with a Bullard rifle, stands as he sees more figures emerge into the open. Cradling the weapon in both hands, he steps to the edge of the porch, watching the area surrounding the Courthouse intently.

Kate winced, but she had to run like her life depended on it.  Because it did.

lol Be forewarned I have a terrible history with Chases, whatever I think is going to happen doesn't.

16:18, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 4,16 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+6+4)16.  Spirit to Unshake.

Okay, Kate unshakes at least.

16:18, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 3,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Agility.

1 card.

16:19, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: BJ! using a deck of 54 cards.

lol hell of a card to get!

OOC: As I assume this will inform my next action -

20:53, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 7,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5.  Smarts.

20:53, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 2,8 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+2)8.  Notice.

Allgood turns back to the doctor: "Sir, there may be more urgent need of your abilities outside. There seems to have been a shooting."

Knowing the Thornton-Curry Saloon to be a hospitable establishment, the Ranger was concerned about what trouble might have happened there.

22:22, Yesterday: Bryan Lee rolled 7,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Smarts.
22:22, Yesterday: Bryan Lee rolled 1,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Notice.

Inside the Doctor’s Office, Earl Wood reappears in the examination room, his expression pensive. Scooping up his bag from a nearby table, he starts for the door, asking Reverend Allgood, ”Can you see any injured?”

On the couch, the badly beaten Michael Kibbee struggles to lift himself into a sitting position. ”We’ve...we have to get out there. Make sure...the streets are clear of...innocent people.

---

OOC: If anyone wants to intervene in any impending gunplay, I would need for them to make an initiative draw.

Albert, you’re close enough that you can join in the foot chase, if that’s what you want. If so, I’d need an Agility roll from you. I’d also need you to draw as many cards as your roll entitles you to.

If you’re remaining out of any situations involving either firearms or running (or both), just describe your actions for me.

OOC: I'm not 100% certain, but isn't Albert's horse still tied up right near the saddlery (which is right in line with where he'd have to go in order to give chase)?

I'm guessing that would make catching someone on foot a lot easier.

OOC: Quite so. Unhitching the horse and mounting would essentially take Cooper’s action for the first round of the chase, which would allow him to join in on the next. Not much of a sacrifice, given the speed advantage he’ll enjoy on horseback.

Albert jogged over to Brandy and quickly unhitched her. The fluid motion seemed to be well-practiced, and Albert just as easily slid into the saddle. The lariat with which he was well-trained swung back and forth a little as he kicked Brandy into motion. Most folk would probably figure this for a rather short escape attempt as the range hand's mount surged into motion.

Stepping outside, he swore under his breath as he saw a familiar figure, accused of shooting someone, making a bee line out of town. As far as he could tell, this was a matter for local law enforcement. The truth was that he didn't know why exactly the woman was in town and what her motives were. She had helped with the children, so there was some credit due to her there - enough so that he wouldn't try terribly hard to catch her unless it proved that he needed to do so. That said, he began making his way swiftly over to the Thornton-Curry to ask after what had transpired.

"Down by the courthouse, there's a body, doctor."

Earnest calls out to Kibbee before following the doctor: "We'll do our best to protect the innocent."

The slender man in the duster pauses as he sees Cooper mount up to pursue the fugitive, seeming to study the rider for a moment, seemingly in an effort to commit his appearance to memory.

As Brandy passes him, Cooper feels the horse tense beneath him, the animal veering in her course, as though trying to give the man as wide a berth as she can manage, while still following her rider’s direction.

From the porch of Wortley Hotel, the tall man with the mustache bellows, ”You! In the black duster! Stay right where you are!”

The young man halts, letting his rifle dangle at his side.

Lee, Allgood, and Dr. Wood begin to approach the Courthouse. As they do, all three notice Sheriff William Brady emerge from the front door of the Tunstall Store.

Two deputies burst out of the back door of the Courthouse. One is heavyset, with a thick head of dark hair. The other is blonde with a drooping mustache. The dark haired deputy, a shotgun in his hands, catches sight of Bauer and runs to follow her. The blonde deputy notices the fallen man dumped beside the building and rushes over to give him aid.

OOC: By the time the first round of the chase plays out, Lee, Allgood, and Dr. Wood will be close enough to the Courthouse to interact with the individuals at the scene there.

Kate, you have the “advantage” over Bauer this round by virtue of your card draw. You can make an attack on her (or Cooper, for that matter), if that’s your preference, or any other action that you deem appropriate. If you’re going at an all out sprint, you will be able to reach the tree line this round.

It seemed like enough people were chasing after the fleeing woman, and he didn't want to intervene in that process at this moment, so he walked over to where the blonde deputy was rendering aid to the fallen man that had been dumped there, curious as to whether the man was mortally wounded or whether he'd survive - and also how the deputy seemed to be taking it.

---

14:08, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 3,10 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Notice.

Notice: 10

Yeah chase rules are weird like that.

Kate didn't particularly want to hurt any of the people chasing her, but she had to make this look good.  At the same time...  crap.  Well double crap.

Right now Kate's best weapon might be her mouth.

"Whazzah matter darlin', have so many women slept with yer boyfriend ya just shoot 'em on sight now?  Can't say ah blame him, a face like that'd make a freight train take a dirt road!  I can tell you ain't smart or you'd just make it look like you tried before givin' up!"

All right, because it'd be a bit silly to Intimidate somebody you're walking away from, Kate will use a Test of Wills on the Deputy to try to Shake her because it's better than doing nothing.

16:19, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 7,6 using d6+4,d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2.  Taunt.

Now for her running...

I'm so tempted to benny that, but who knows what I'd even draw.

16:22, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: 6C using a deck of 54 cards.

LOL my luck in Chase scenes reasserts itself.

23:17, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 3,2 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2.  Smarts.

That’s a failure. Bauer is shaken.

Bauer’s face twists into an enraged scowl at Kate’s words, her focus on the outlaw’s words causing her to catch her foot on a stone, sending her skidding to her knees momentarily.

23:24, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 1,10 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+4)10.  Spirit - Unshake.

Snarling, she manages to regain her footing and resume her pursuit.

23:26, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 5,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  Agility.

23:27, Today: Lena Bauer drew the single card: QD using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative/Chase.

23:30, Today: Marshal rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Agility.

The heavyset deputy struggles to race forward while breaking open his shotgun to load it at the same time. He remains well behind Bauer as she follows the fugitive toward the tree line.

Kate reaches the edge of the piñons. The outlaw struggles to find her footing among the exposed roots of the tall trees as she moves between their trunks.

OOC: Kate, as your draw indicates a complication, you’ll need to make an Agility roll at -2 to avoid getting tripped up by the roots. If you fail the roll, you’ll take one level of fatigue.

Albert, please give me a Riding roll at +2. Draw a card for a success and each raise that you achieve.

The blonde deputy pauses before he reaches the fallen man, spying the man with the shotgun on the porch of the hotel. ”Jim, put that thing down!” he urges, ”This fella’s one of the men Judge Wilson deputized!”

The man on the porch complies.

Before the deputy, or Ranger Lee, can reach the body, the slender man in the duster steps in their path, raising a gloved hand. ”Leave him alone!” he demands, a scowl on his face, ”Keep away from him!”

23:50, Today: Josiah Scurlock rolled 12,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+4)12,3.  Intimidation.

OOC: Bryan, you’re one of the target of Scurlock’s intimidation. I’ll need you to give me a Spirit roll to resist it. Should you fail, I’ll need you to make a roll on the Fright Table from the Savage Worlds rulebook.

Albert and Brandy gave chase as well as they could, though Brandy didn't seem to behave like she normally did.

OOC: 6 ride, 9C

06:39, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: 9C using a deck of 54 cards.  Chase card.

06:38, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 6,4 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2.  Riding.

Bryan continued unabated, though he took notice of the man blocking his path who was attempting to shout him down. He'd seen this kinda thing done before, especially common among those who had lead men in the war or simply used their voices to intimidate the enemy. It was, in truth, intimidating. If he wasn't able to center his emotions, he would likely have succumbed to it as well. Instead, he provided a balanced response.

"My name is Bryan Lee of the Texas Rangers. Please step aside and allow me to aid the injured man, otherwise you will be obstructing justice under the law here in New Mexico."

---

Marshal, I spent 2 Red Chips to avoid that outcome.

Spirit: 14
Persuasion: 5 (or 7 if he respects the Rangers)


10:45, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  Red Chip.
10:44, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Red Chip.
06:52, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 3,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Spirit.

10:48, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Persuasion.

Allgood avoids the confrontation between Lee and the man in the black duster and reaches the man lying by the courthouse.

"Is he alive, doctor?"

Seeing Allgood’s approach, “Doc” takes a step back toward the body, leans down, and picks it up, letting his rifle drop to the ground. Supporting the unmoving man with both arms, he stands. Earl Wood, who had tentatively followed Earnest Allgood, halts his approach as this occurs, remaining several respectful steps away.

He glares at Allgood. ”I’ve never seen you set foot in this town before. This was one of my best friends on Earth. Stay away from him.”

Shifting his attention back to Lee, who the blonde deputy, apparently thoroughly intimidated, has taken shelter behind, he says, “I saw this man die, right in front of my eyes. Bushwhacked only moments ago. I’m taking him to Ike Ellis’ place, so Ike can put him down in his cellar til he can get a coffin made for him and Father Narvaez can see him buried proper in the cemetery east of town.”

“You want to stop me from doing that, then arrest me. Please.”

The gathering near the Courthouse hears the approach of running feet. Within a moment, the saloon keeper, Desiree Thornton, has joined them, out of breath, her face streaked with dried tears.

She looks from the slender man holding the body to Lee. ”That’s Tom O’Folliard. He...he was shot inside my saloon. There’s no question in my mind he’s dead, Ranger.”

“I promise you, Doc’s not trying to cause trouble, sir. He’s just upset over...what’s happened. Surely you can understand that.”

Across the street, Sheriff Brady begins to make his way across to the Courthouse, but pauses after taking a few steps off of the Tunstall Store’s porch, his eyes drawn to the Methodist Church. ”Jefferey! Jefferey Slaight!” he calls, ”Put that damned gun away! There’s been enough shooting in this street for one day! Put it up!”

With a surprising surge of speed, Bauer is able to steady herself and sprint for the tree line, moving within a few feet of the fleeing outlaw.

OOC: Bauer uses her superior card draw to catch up to Kate.

Albert, since you drew a Club (a complication), give me a Riding roll at -2. A failure would mean that Brandy’s hoof found a snake hole or similar sunken place in the ground and was tripped up. As you’re just picking up speed, I won’t say that a failure would cause Cooper to be thrown. Rather, it will impart a level of fatigue to Brandy, which would impose a -1 penalty on subsequent Riding rolls.

Albert and Kate, once you’ve both resolved your complication rolls, please give me Agility/Riding rolls for the next round of the chase and draw cards as appropriate.

15:35, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 2,1 using d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Life is Complicated Sometimes.

Bah.  Don't have a Red, it'll have to be my one and only blue, since I never roll anything but white.

15:35, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 7 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7.  blue.

Well at least Kate is footloose and fancy free.

Kate cussed an indistinguishable string of expletives as the errant tree limb threatened her.

15:37, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 3,2 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2.  Agility.

And my usual track record in Chase scenes continues.  Can't not get a card that would be bad.

15:37, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 1,2 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Sure why not.

Good thing that's not an Arcane skill roll, still sucks.

15:37, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 15,11 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (10+5)15,(6+5)11.  Dammit.

Finally.  Down 2 whites in addition to a blue.  Life is hard for an outlaw.

15:39, Today: Kansas Kate drew the 3 cards: 8D, AC, JH using a deck of 54 cards.

>L<

Bryan first looked to Desiree Thornton, then to the man who had tried to shout him off, and another look at the man who, upon closer inspection, was clearly dead. He gave a quick nod of appreciation to Thornton before turning again to address the man she referred to as 'Doc.'

"I'm sorry that you've lost a friend today. Never an easy thing. Can I give you a hand getting him over to Ike Ellis's place? It's a long walk and a heavy deed to do by yourself."

Albert deftly leaps Brandy over a hole that seemed to come from nowhere, and continued pursuit. He hoped to pass by Bauer in this little game of cat and mouse. And dog. Since there were three of them and all.

OOC: Albert passes the initial agility (at -2) so no fatigue. He then gets 6 successes on the chase (I think that means Yahtzee! on these kinds of things?)

16:23, Today: Albert Cooper drew the 6 cards: KD, JD, 2H, 5H, 8C, 5S using a deck of 54 cards.  Chase cards (6 successes).

16:22, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 24,3 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of (6+6+6+4)22,1.  Riding (chase).

16:21, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 7,0 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (6+3)9,2.  Riding.

"Bauer, we need this ruffian alive."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:26, Sat 01 Sept 2018.

Allgood kneels by the young man, offering up prayers for the repose of his soul.

20:12, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 4,9 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+3)9.  Agility.

20:13, Today: Lena Bauer drew the 2 cards: 6H, 4S using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative/Chase.

20:17, Today: Marshal rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  Agility.

20:17, Today: Marshal drew the single card: 3H using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative/Chase.

”Innocent people don’t run, Mr. Cooper,” Bauer shouts back, struggling to keep up with Kate as the outlaw manages to swiftly maneuver through the trees.

Behind her, the heavyset deputy manages to get his shotgun loaded, but remains behind the rest of those headed into the trees.

OOC: Kate, a conundrum for you:

Based on the card draws, the initiative order should look like this (based on the highest card drawn):

AC - Kansas Kate
KD - Albert Cooper
6H - Lena Bauer
3H - Bob Olinger (the heavyset deputy)

What this means, of course, is that with you having the highest draw, you would have advantage over all the participants in the current round. Generally, this would allow you to attack any one of your pursuers, and would prevent them from attacking you.

However...

Because that Ace is a Club, if you take it, it introduces a complication that you’ll have to contend with this round. Going by the complication table, I’ll tell you up front it’s likely to be something (I’m thinking a group of low hanging pine branches) that obscures Kate’s vision and prevents her from making an attack of any kind.

Now, you can take the next lower card, which would enable you to avoid the complication but would switch the intiative order around to this:

KD - Albert Cooper
JH - Kansas Kate
6H - Lena Bauer
3H - Bob Olinger

...which would give Albert advantage where you’re concerned.

Of course, if you’re only interested in staying ahead of everyone, and not putting any fresh damage on either Bauer or Olinger, dealing with a few branches to the face will let you stay in the lead, without anyone catching you.

Just let me know.

Doc regards Lee cautiously, then nods. ”Sure. If you could take his feet, I’d ‘preciate the help.”

He shifts his hold on the limp form of the fallen man, allowing the Ranger to take hold of his legs. Together, the pair start down the street, bearing the burden. Desiree Thornton falls in with them, with the blonde deputy trailing a few steps behind. When the group meets William Brady, the sheriff sighs heavily, then walks along with them the rest of the way to Ike Ellis’ store.

When the gathering reach the Ellis store, the owner meets them up front, his face falling as he sees them bearing a body. ”Oh hell...Tom O’Folliard.” He looks up at Doc. ”I’m real sorry, Josiah.”

He looks back and forth between Brady and Lee, his gaze finally settling on the Ranger. ”There’s a basement under the store. Stays cool down there. I can have a coffin built by this afternoon.”

“The law going to need some kind of guard on him? Need to look him over for an inquest before we can have a service for him?”

As Ellis is speaking, those gathered at the store notice a group of four riders approaching the store from the east. Among them are Quinn Murdock, the stage driver, and the scout, Jacinta Castillo.

The name of the game was making this look good, and murderers flee like cowards.

Kate pressed on.

Yeah I'll keep the high card, I've no actual desire to "attack" since anything I could do short of actually attacking wouldn't be terribly effective at stopping pursuit anyway.

Albert shook his head at Bauer. "In this town, they just might."

Albert had his lasso in hand, but the trees were making it difficult to get a toss off.

OOC: I think Albert is now closer than Bauer? He's going to look like he's trying to lasso KK, but he's going to keep his horse and himself generally between Bauer and Kate so the Deputy can't take another shot without (likely) hitting Albert.

Earnest says "Amen" as the body of Tom O'Folliard is lifted. He watches them carry it to the store, noting that the doctor doesn't join the party. He catches sight of Jefferey Slaight.

"Doctor, I'll join you at your office to discuss Mr. Kibbee's injuries in a few minutes."

He walks down to the Methodist Church and greets Jeffrey.

"Did you know the young man who was killed?"

"I think the basement for now is the right answer, Mr. Ellis. As far as a guard and whatnot, that's up to the local constabulary, unless this proves to be within the purview of my own investigations. I'm still not quite sure what was happening. I was just finishing up breakfast when I heard the gunshots."

He set the body down. "I figure you can handle this from here, Josiah. After you've done so, I'd appreciate a word on the circumstances of your friend's untimely passing and the nature of whatever the dispute was that resulted in him being shot."

He looked up at the approaching folks, waving a hand to Murdock and the others. He smiled at the sight of Castillo as she approached, and looked to see if he could identify the other two folks. He wondered if they had gone, as promised, to retrieve the body of the fellow who had fallen on their wagon ride.

"Mornin, Jacinta. Mr. Murdock. How are things?"

"A bit shaky, amigo," she replied to Bryan.  "Was out scouting the trail Mr. Murdock's stage and saw some disturbing things.  Hustled back at the sound of gunshots, though."

She looked to the body and tilted her head as she leaned on her saddle horn.  "Looks like some disturbing things happened here.  You know what happened?"

"This young man, by the name of Tom O'Folliard, has been shot by an unknown assailant, a woman I believe. I believe I saw Albert Cooper go after the shooter, along with one of the deputies. This fellow here is Josiah, a friend of the deceased. I helped him move the body here to Mr. Ellis's place until a coffin can be made. That's about the sum of what I know about the situation. I haven't been told who the shooter was, what the conflict was about, or really much of anything else."

He took a handkerchief and wiped a trace of sweat from his brow, folding it into a back pocket afterward.

"But after things calm down a mite, I'm interested in hearing about what you saw on that trail if you got some time for an old friend. Where can I find you, if you aren't near at hand?"

Winding through the trunks of the tall piñons with sure footed agility, Kate manages to largely elude Bauer, almost losing the deputy completely as she moves through a narrow stand of pines. Cooper guides his mount skillfully through the increasingly dense forest, maneuvering Brandy between Bauer and the fleeing outlaw.

OOC By my count, this is Round 4 of the chase. If Kate makes it to the end of Round 5 without anyone halting her, she’ll have effectively given her pursuers the slip.

Kate and Albert, give me an Agility and Riding roll respectively, please, along with any resulting card draws.

17:41, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 4,11 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+5)11.  Agility.
17:41, Today: Lena Bauer drew the 2 cards: 2D, 2S using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative/Chase.

17:43, Today: Marshal rolled 11 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11.  Agility.
17:43, Today: Marshal drew the 2 cards: 4H, KH using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative/Chase.

”Yes, sir. I can do that,” Doc tells Lee. Following Ellis, the pair walk slowly toward the back of the liveryman’s store.

Desiree Thornton takes William Brady and his deputy to one side, quietly giving the sheriff an account of what transpired in the saloon.

Earl Wood nods at Allgood. Giving a last look at the retreating forms of Ellis and Doc, the physician begins the walk back to his residence.

Jefferey Slaight blinks in surprise when he sees Reverend Allgood approach. At the minister’s question, his face falls and he nods slowly.

A moment later, Dena Slaight emerges from the front door of the church. Her husband motions her to join him and Allgood. She descends the steps, pausing to regard the gathering at the Ellis Store.

”Did I hear that it was Tom O’Folliard who was shot?” she asks. Jefferey nods in the affirmative. She sighs. Looking at Allgood she says, ”We’ve both known Tom since he was young. He grew up here in the valley. He seemed a decent, hard working young man. Not always wise in his choice of friends, though.” She shakes her head regretfully. ”So young.”

Kate did her best and hoped for the best, moving as fast as she could, but her dogs were barkin'.

18:06, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: 10D using a deck of 54 cards.

18:06, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 5,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4.  Agility.

Albert and Brandy continued through the trees.

OOC:
16:21, Today: Albert Cooper drew the 3 cards: 9S, 7D, 3D using a deck of 54 cards.  Chase cards (3 successes).

16:21, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 12,4 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,2.  Riding (chase).

Chase Order

KH - Bob Olinger
10D - Kansas Kate
9S - Albert Cooper
2S - Lena Bauer

Olinger manages to reach the conifers, getting a glimpse of the fleeing outlaw as he does. He shoulders his shotgun, ready to take a shot, but is stymied by Cooper and his mount blocking his line of fire. ”Damn it, son!” he barks, ”Get out of the way!”

Kate pushes through the copse of trees, finding herself on the edge of a sharp slope that leads down to a dry creek bed. On the opposite bank of the vacant waterway, the pine forest grows deep, the canopy close enough that it is dark, even at mid morning.

OOC: Kate, you’re next. If there’s any action you wish to take, in addition to running feel free.

Albert, you can jump in after she’s done.

Both of you go ahead and give me another Agility/Riding roll and a card draw for the next round.

Kate opted to use an old Indian trick that was, well okay it was old, but it likely had nothing to do with Indians, be they misnamed Native Americans or residents of the famous subcontinent.

As she ran, she grabbed a few large stones and threw them.  It would sound like footsteps and make branches shake and in the confusion it might send a pursuer the wrong way.  It wasn't much, but it was what she had to work with.

Old coots with shotguns are bad m'kay.  Smarts Trick!

19:07, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 3,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Smarts.

Meh, not high enough to matter.  Oh well.

19:07, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 5,5 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Agility.

19:08, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: 3S using a deck of 54 cards.

well poo, least it's not a Club knock on wood

"Ain't planned on going far.  Don't fancy another trip out on the trail just now unless I've got several armed bodies with me.  I think the fallen are going to have to wait a while, if the wolves ain't already gotten to them."  She glanced at the others in their quiet conversations, trying to get a sense of what happened.  "Cooper went after 'em, eh?  You intended to join in the hunt, as well?"

He shook his head in the negative when she asked if he intended to give chase.

"Until I learn different, I consider this a matter for the locals. One or two of the deputies and for some reason, Cooper, gave chase. Cooper was on horseback, so I don't give the runner great odds unless she's particularly cagey, which she might be. Somebody shot somebody else, and I haven't yet managed to discern the particulars of who the shooter was and what the conflict was about. I'm fixin' to go over to Desiree Thornton's, where the shooting took place, to see what I could find out about it."

To Slaight, he simply nodded. "You heard correctly, ma'am. If I might ask, who made up Tom's unwise choice of friends?"

Albert looked over in the direction of the created sound by Kate. "Right, I think they're over there, I'll circle around so you can get a shot off." Of course, Albert 'circled around' so that he was keeping himself between guns and Kate. But shots toward the sound Kate created would be wide open.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:11, Tue 11 Sept 2018.

21:57, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Albert Cooper, rolled 4,11 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+5)11.  Smarts - Cooperative.

OOC: With Cooper’s assistance, Kate can add +2 to her Smarts Trick, for a total of 6.

21:57, Today: Marshal rolled 2 using 1d4, rerolling max with rolls of 2.  Smarts. (Olinger)

22:09, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 4,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Smarts.

The heavyset man shifts his gaze in the direction of the noise of Kate’s thrown stones, tightening his weapon against his shoulder as Cooper circles his mount. Once the young man is clear, the deputy fires, blasting at a shadow within the trees that apparently resembles a fleeing outlaw. Not hesitating, he moves in the direction he shot in.

Bauer spins at the sounds of the rocks and the subsequent shotgun fire, turning to follow her fellow deputy deeper into the pine forest.

OOC: Olinger and Bauer have effectively “lost the trail” and are out of the chase.

The remaining intiative order is:

KS - Albert Cooper
3S - Kansas Kate

So the decision rests with you Albert, whether you want to pursue Kate or allow her to escape (or anything in between).

---

Dena Slaight regards Bryan Lee somberly. ”Sir, Tom used to work for John Tunstall. And Mr. Tunstall...he was a kind hearted man. Believed in giving people second chances. No matter what they’d done before.”

“Some of his hands...well, it’s not for me to judge, sir. But I’m not sure they were worthy of all that John offered them. Billy. Charlie Bowdre. Jose Chavez y Chavez. They never left their bad ways behind, and I think they pointed Tom down the wrong path. It caught up to him. Just as I fear it will catch up to all of the rest of them.”

Desiree Thornton’s conversation with Sheriff Brady comes to a close. The saloon keeper begins the walk back to the Thornton-Curry, while Brady and his deputy step over to Ike Ellis’ store.

As promised, Albert circled around toward the direction the deputies were firing. "Didja get 'em?" He paused and squinted into the gloom and then looked back toward the deputies to see if they might have anything to say. He stayed out of the line of fire of the Deputies and the fake Kate.

OOC: Let her escape. Though she's got some 'splanin to do...

"I'm sorry for the loss of this young man's life. This may be a local matter, but I'll see if I can assist in seeing that justice is done by him."

He wasn't sure anymore that it was a local matter; it all depended on why O'Folliard had been killed. As to why Kansas Kate had presumably shot and killed one of John Tunstall's ranch hands, he was mighty curious. He didn't know the woman aside from a baseline level morality that objected to the kidnapping of children and a skill with firearms.

He looked to Jacinta to see if she'd be joining him at the Thornton-Curry, and looked in the direction of that saloon.

"I'll stick around and see how things pan out," Jacinta said, giving Bryan a nod.  "Always good to have someone watching your back, chino."  Gesturing to the saloon, she moved to follow him.