The Kid sees that Chavez y Chavez is trapped at the door by the remaining dead men. Taking aim at the lead skeleton, he squeezes off a shot. The bullet finds its mark, shattering a portion of the revenant’s spine, prompting it to collapse into a pile of dry bones.

20:20, Today: Henry McCarty rolled 3,5 using 1d10,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Shooting.

20:21, Today: Henry McCarty rolled 6 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1.  Damage.

As the dead man was already shaken, that’s sufficient to take him down.

Scurlock remains at the gap in the wall, firing another shot at the bone creature. It ricochets off of the monster’s back, whining as it thuds into the ceiling, causing the beast no apparent harm.

20:26, Today: Josiah Scurlock rolled 5,5 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Shooting.

20:27, Today: Josiah Scurlock rolled 10 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Damage.

Chavez y Chavez pulls his knife from his belt and lashes out at the other dead man near the door. The slash caves in a portion of the skelton’s brittle skull, and it falls to one side, its bones spreading across the open ground.

21:00, Today: Jose Chavez y Chavez rolled 13,4 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+5)13,4.  Fighting.

21:01, Today: Jose Chavez y Chavez rolled 3,2,5 using 1d8,1d4,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2,5.  Damage - Bowie Knife.

The monster’s screech fades, and with some manner of unseen effort, it draws itself together, the gaps in its form vanishing, its very size becoming noticeably smaller as it tightens, it’s undead form shuddering with the strain.

A heartbeat later, it explodes, showering the interior of the Sheriff’s Office with razor sharp fragments of bone.

20:32, Today: The Bone Fiend rolled 13 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+4)10.  Damage.

Scurlock is shaken. Bauer, Cooper, and Lee are all shaken with one wound. Bauer manages to shield Brady from the blast with her own body.

20:48, Today: The Bone Fiend drew the single card: 9D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

Outside, the courthouse appears to tremble from the sudden jolt of force unleashed within it.

20:53, Today: Henry McCarty drew the single card: RJ! using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative .

20:54, Today: Lena Bauer drew the single card: 4S using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

Initiative Order

1. The Regulators
   
2. Bryan Lee
   
3. Tamsin River
   
4. The Bone Fiend
   
5. Reverend Allgood
   
6. The Undead
   
7. Albert Cooper
   
8. The Deputies
   
9. Kansas Kate

The Kid stops dead in his tracks when the Fiend explodes. Turning back, he rushes over to Scurlock. ”Doc! You okay?!?” he asks.

Scurlock gazes at the scattered bones that once comprised the beast, giving Billy a mute nod in response. As the Regulator watches, the bones begin to move of their own volition, sliding across the floor and pulling together as if being reformed by a pair of unseen hands.

Chavez y Chavez is also distracted by the noise of the beast breaking apart. The young man turns back to the courthouse, then begins running to join his friends.

Ranger, it’s your turn.

Bryan's eyes went wide and he moved to cover them and crouch to make himself a smaller target, but a shard of bone took him in the thigh anyway. He yanked it out, blood leaking down his leg and onto the floor of the erstwhile office of Sheriff Brady. He staggered a bit from the pain before finding his balance, and managed to grit his teeth and ignore it as he rose to his feet again.

For just a fleeting moment, he seemed relieved, thinking that perhaps he had shattered the thing, which would've been worth the cut, but watched in horror as the fragments of bone drew themselves together again. He assumed a fighting stance and took a moment to study the creature to see if he could find a weak spot.

OOC:

Bryan has 1 Wound now, and is waiting to see what he gleans from the Notice roll before I have him act.

Notice: 4
Vigor: 3 (Spent a White Chip to make the roll; Failed to Soak)
Spirit: 4 (to unshake)

10:52, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Spirit.
10:49, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 2,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max.  Vigor.
10:49, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Notice.


This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Fri 08 Mar 2019.

Albert was unsurprised by the explosion of the thing and had already found some cover to help him avoid the shards of bone.

OOC:Soak successful

10:07, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 5,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  Soak.

PM

"Shoot for that black skull in the middle!" he called out to Cooper and any that might hear him before advancing once again and hurling himself at the construct. For his part, he was too close, and would have to work this way through too much bone to get a shot at it - but the others, with distance, could take better aim. His aim was to keep the thing tied up, and from doing too much damage to anyone else in the mean time.

In the back of his mind, at the edge of his concentration, he knew that there were other threats without. He pushed all of that noise, the stray gunshots, the shouting, and everything else out into a void and with focus, threw himself again at the bone beast.

---

OOC:

Lee's going to go back to beating on it...also known as trying to work down the Marshal's stack of chips.

Damage 1: 15
Damage 2: 17

Fighting 1:  6 (Miss)
Wing Chun 1: 9 (Hit)
Fighting 2:  8 (Hit)
Wing Chun 2: 5 (Miss)

Note: This is the final round of Quickness/Damage Field unless he chooses to extend that next round (probably will do that if it's still up).

14:01, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 1716 using d6-1+d4+2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(4+3)7,3,5.  Damage 2 (with 1 Wound).
14:01, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 1514 using d6-1+d4+2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2,6,2.  Damage 1 (with 1 Wound).
Note: Above I incorrectly subtracted the wound penalty from my damage roll, before remembering that it doesn't affect Strength, as the Strength component isn't a Trait roll.
14:00, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,5 using d8+3,d6+3, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Wing Chun (Wild Attack + Large Size Creature - 1 Wound).
14:00, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 8,6 using d8+3,d6+3, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  Fighting (Wild Attack + Large Size Creature - 1 Wound).
14:00, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 9,6 using d8+3,d6+3, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3.  Wing Chun (Wild Attack + Large Size Creature - 1 Wound).
13:59, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 6,5 using d8+3,d6+3, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2.  Fighting (Wild Attack + Large Size Creature - 1 Wound).

08:36, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: KD using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:37, Mon 11 Mar 2019.

19:29, Today: The Bone Fiend rolled 7,4 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4.  Vigor (Soak Roll).

19:29, Today: The Bone Fiend rolled 3,1 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1.  Vigor (Soak Roll).

19:30, Today: The Bone Fiend rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Red Chip (Soak Roll).

With the additional Red Chip roll, the Fiend manages to absorb the additional wounds dealt to it.

Lee’s additional blows manage to smash additional clusters of bone, scattering them to the far corners of the ruined office. The fragments continue to pull together, the individual pieces adhering to one another, striving to reform the beast’s insect like body. Bauer, Cooper, and Lee each can see the limbs of the monster beginning to take shape.

OOC: The fiend is forced to spend the round to reform.

Initiative Order

1. The Regulators
   
2. Bryan Lee
   
3. Tamsin River
   
4. The Bone Fiend
   
5. Reverend Allgood
   
6. The Undead
   
7. Albert Cooper
   
8. The Deputies
   
9. Kansas Kate

Tamsin, you’re next. Followed by the Reverend.

Tamsin attempts another shot at the undead, but it misses,

22:13, Today: Tamsin River rolled 1,3 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.  Shooting.

OOC: I will treat the good reverend as though he is holding his  action, which will allow him to take his turn later in the round, if he so chooses.

08:27, Today: Skeletal Gunslingers rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Spirit.

The lone surviving undead gunman remains shaken.

As River’s shot whizzes past its skull, the remaining skeleton stumbles backward in the direction of the trees to the south, clearly considering fleeing in the face of bad odds.

Initiative Order

1. The Regulators
   
2. Bryan Lee
   
3. Tamsin River
   
4. The Bone Fiend
   
5. Reverend Allgood (Holding)
   
6. The Undead
   
7. Albert Cooper
   
8. The Deputies
   
9. Kansas Kate

Mr. Cooper, you have the floor.

In reply to Tamsin River (msg # 108):

Yes, please.

Chavez y Chavez appears at Scurlock’s side, his eyes widening at the sight of the rapidly reforming monster. ”What in the...”

Before he can complete his question, Cooper fires. The shot strikes a thick piece of bone within the swirling mass of the reconstituting creature, ricocheting with a loud whine and slamming into Chavez y Chavez’ shoulder.

09:16, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Albert Cooper, rolled 14 using 3d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+1)7,1.  Damage.

The hit leaves Chavez y Chavez shaken with two wounds. Normally, I would make a soak roll for him, but I’m completely out of chips.

The young ranch hand cries out in pain, tumbling backwards onto his back on the deck outside. Scurlock’s expression is one of stunned surprise. The Kid’s face registers sudden rage.

Momentarily transfixed by the beast reshaping before her eyes, Bauer returns her attention to the fallen sheriff. Pulling the bandana from her neck, she tries to bind the worst of his wounds.

11:04, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 6,2 using 1d4,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+2)6,2.  Healing.

Brady stabilizes.

Brady gives out a soft groan. The bleeding from his head and neck begins to slow.

Outside, Deputy Diaz disappears into the forest south of town, his panicked shrieks still audible even over the cacophony of gunfire.

Initiative Order

1. The Regulators
   
2. Bryan Lee
   
3. Tamsin River
   
4. The Bone Fiend
   
5. Reverend Allgood (Holding)
   
6. The Undead
   
7. Albert Cooper
   
8. The Deputies
   
9. Kansas Kate

OOC: Your turn, Kate.

In case there’s any confusion, Kate can see both the torn open courthouse, and the swirl of bones within it, as well as the last skeletal gunfighter standing.

"Well this here's a bag of nails."  Kate weighed the options.  They weren't good, but she weighed them.

That big critter was a problem, sure, but it wasn't all up to Kate to deal with it.  In fact that feller seemed to have it pretty well handled.  Kate reckoned he needed the help less than the walkers by who might get picked off by a damn shooting skeleton.

Eye on the front sight.  Fire.

So let's try for the skelly, to get it down to one, plus who knows who this skeleton will shoot at.

19:33, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 8,9 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 8,(6+3)9.  Pew Pew.

19:34, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 7,3 using 2d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5,3.  Damage - Rifle, Raise.

lol still not enough damage to matter

19:34, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: 10C using the Deadlands system.

OOC: The undead gunfighter was already shaken. Kate’s gunfire finishes it off.

Kate’s well placed shot blasts the skeleton’s skull away from the rest of its fleshless form, the remainder of which collapses to the street, bones bouncing on the hard earth.

From behind the Torreón, Kate can hear a group of voices hissing in a quiet argument. As the report from her own weapon fae from her ears, she catches a male voice saying, ”...care. No one said anything about monstruos. We need to go. Leave while we still can.”

Inside the sheriff’s office, the creature’s body continues to take shape, moment by moment, as it somehow works to draw itself together once more.

22:33, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Tamsin River, drew the single card: 9S using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

22:35, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Rev. Earnest Allgood, drew the single card: 10C using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

22:35, Today: The Bone Fiend drew the single card: JH using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

22:36, Today: Lena Bauer drew the single card: 10H using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

22:40, Today: Marshal drew the single card: 5D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative - Regulators.

Intiative Order

1. Albert Cooper, Bryan Lee
   
2. The Bone Fiend
   
3. Lena Bauer
   
4. Kansas Kate, Reverend Allgood
   
5. Tamsin River
   
6. The Regulators

Albert, you’re next, followed by the Ranger.

After his mis-fire, Albert lined up another shot at the skull before squeezing the trigger. This time the bullet flew true and slammed into the black skull that was within the tangle of bones.

OOC: Used a blue chip to hit (at -4). Damage is 10, AP1. It is magical damage.

Initiative for next round is KD.

10:59, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: KD using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

10:58, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 10 using 2d6+3, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Damage (Smite).

10:58, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  Blue Chip.

10:56, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 1,-1 using d10-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  Shooting (skull).

The well aimed bullet streaks through the shifting column of bones, slamming into the blackened skull at its center. The skull shatters when struck, breaking into numerous jagged fragments, wreathed in blue light.

As the skull explodes, the innumerable bones immediately become motionless, floating in place for a moment before falling to the floor in a shower of skeletal fragments, creating a momentary percussive commotion. Silence overtakes the interior of the sheriff’s office, the musty scent of the grave overwhelming the space.

Outside, those waiting behind the Torreón scatter, heading out into the dark foothills north of Lincoln. Save for a handful of witnesses, the lone occupant of the street is the decayed wagon train, still resting where it came to a halt, keeping a quiet vigil over the town.

OOC: Combat over.

Kate moved quick, trying to converge on the source of the voice.  Let everyone else worry about that debacle, she had enough irons in her own fire.

The blur of lightning-quick motion that had been the Ranger settled down into place as the skull shattered.

"Told ya there was gonna be trouble," he said to no one in particular, taking a moment to catch his breath before heading over to check on the Sheriff, who appeared to be sheltered behind Bauer.

"Hang in there, Brady," he said, crouching momentarily over the injured man to inspect his condition before rising again to his feet venturing to the hole in the wall to see who he could see out there, hoping he could spot Tamsin River or the Reverend.

Albert spun his gun on his finger before depositing it back into its holster. He looked over at Brady to make sure he wasn't a corpse and started yelling. "Hey! We got wounded in here! Send a doc!" He had discovered during the rail wars that yelling for a doctor sometimes got you someone that was capable of providing some sort of medical attention.

Albert nodded at Bryan's musings. "Sure was trouble. Good instincts, General."

He then looked over toward Chavez y Chavez. "Ya alright Jose? Sorry 'bout gettin' ya caught in the cross fire."

Lee can see that Brady is breathing, slowly but steadily, a hint of a rasp audible when he exhales.

”I can get him over ta Doc Wood’s if need be,” Bauer offers. ”Might need some help movin’ him, though.”

Billy’s face twists in anger. ”Sorry? Damn right! What in the hell were you even aimin’ at with that first...”

”Billy, it was an accident. A ricochet,” Chavez y Chavez manages hoarsely as he sits up, the right side of his poncho darkened with blood. ”Could’ve happened to anyone. Even you.”

He grins and coughs. ”Sides, I’ve had worse. Susan’ll see to it I’m patched up.”

Scurlock stoops down, helping the wounded man to his feet. ”Think you can ride?” he asks, ”Might be wise for us to make ourselves scarce. Even with a Ranger present, I can almost guarantee you that, by mornin’, a fair number of the folks around here, especially the Murphy faithful, will have figured out a way to pin some of this on us.”

Moving in the direction of the overheard voice, Kate circles around to the north side of the Torreón. There she sees several figures making haste for the stands of pine to the north of town, doing their best to keep to the deep shadows.

One lone individual has remained at the old tower. Jesse Evans lights a cigarillo as Kate approaches, the match flame briefly illuminating his features. He shakes his head, exhaling smoke. ”Old habits. They don’t have any trust in the way of things around here. I understand ‘em. I’ve spent plenty of time runnin’ But there’s no reason for it now. We’ve got benefactors that will ensure we’re in good standing with the public.”

He frowns as he regards her. ”What led you to start shootin’ out there? Weren’t expectin’ what came callin’?”