Yeah, I liked that too, but I liked it better when Chance spelled it correctly.

In reply to Meriwether Lewis Smythe (msg #225):

Nice Meri.

Thanks Travis & edited Judge. Cheers Meri

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #222):

As much as I don't want no pardner to feel unwanted, well, them cattle gotta git to market.  Fast horses'll git caught up quick-like.  Hell, if'n we gotta, we can meet up in a cow town along the way.

I'm guessin' I ain't got no differ'n opinion; just wanna kick up some dust.  So, how 'bout we meein' at a saloon in San Antone to make it easy?  (I like easy.)

Cole says you'ns fellers is good folk.  Seems you'ns rode with 'em and fought with 'em.  I ain't had no man stand for me like Cole does for you'ns.  I guess friends a good measure of a man - makes me eager to meet you'ns.

I heard something about a feller you'ns went to Mizzou with.  Like he ain't no drinker.  A man don't share a whiskey don't know where he stands with ya.  You'ns ain't gotta worry 'bout that with me - I drinks and spits and kisses the girls.  Don't thump no bibles neither.  I don't care for church and church don't care for me; even-Steven.

So, pards, if'n I may, git off'n your asses and hitch up in San Antone.

Randy

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg #231):

<Dr. Venkman> Nice to meet you... Randy.  Is Chance in there?  I want to talk to Chance... or maybe Zoul. </Dr. Venkman>

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #232):

Ain't Chance that feller what wanted to save them children by walkin'em cross them Ozarks.  Best give them children good bed, good clothes, good home; don't need no book smarts to know that.  That feller, Chance, thought he's a smart one, didn't he.  Smart ain't smart when dumb things done.

Now you mention it, I been havin' dreams I'm this Frenchie called Charles.  Silly feller thinks he can bed any woman he pleases - seems he don't please every woman he beds, though.  He's got these two pals: one don't like his hair, other don't know his Bible.  They got somethin' gonin' 'bout as rift with baby and hags and wolves and magic and such.  Damn, dreams don't make a licka sense never.  'Nuff 'bout fantasy, gotta stick to the real world to git things done.

Mama, Fair Mary, tells me before she died, "git your money first, else you ain't got no money to git," she says.  Welp, I guesses that means, take care'a business first, else business'll take care'a you.  No sense dreamin' when work's to be done.  Them steers ain't gonna keep on trail without us.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:18, Tue 15 Sept 2009.

Gotta agree with this and what Randy says later...might as well get started. Them lolly-gaggers can catch up to us on the trail.

That banter gave me a good laugh this morning...thanks.

In reply to Silas Walker (msg #234):

I concur.

I abstain from voting on this, as I am new. So don't wait on my vote.

Ha! That is exactly what I use to do as a newbie. I will continue to abstain as my character is nearly finished but I could wait on the others as well. I say! Majority rules what? Cheers Meri

Little One, them longhorns only listen to ya when ya grab their horns.  Sooner ya do it, sooner they listen.

If'n ya got a opinion, well, I says say it.  Your name's on The Cast, ya gots votin' rights - ain't nobody minds a opinion.  Speak up!  Hey, I heard this Limey say once, "stop whisperin', start shoutin'."  Feller is a singer and plays that guitar - Thom his name, yeah, Thom York if'n I remembers right.

My opinion my good fellow is that I would be happy with either choice you see. I said I would be along for whatever the majority thought most pleasant. I thought you Yanks would be pleased with my statement. Very Democratic what? Cheers Meri

August 1865: Cole sticks around Marshfield enjoying the hospitality of the towns folk

September 1865: Cole leaves Marshfield and heads home to see his family. After what happened to the family Osterfeld, Cole thinks he'd best make sure his sister and parents are ok. Before Cole  leaves, he gives Jeb and Owen his family's address.

October 1865: Cole discovers his sister has married and is a few months pregnant. Regretfully, his new brother-in-law had been killed by a stranger with a circular scar on his left cheek. OUt of concern, Cole decides to stick around until the birth of his nephew.

April 1866: Cole's sister gives birth to a little girl named Susan. Guess Cole was wrong, wasn't a boy after all.

July 1866: Feeling restless Cole leaves town

October 1866-October 1867: Cole finds odd jobs working Ranches and riding protection for stagecoaches. During that time, he discovered that coaxing a little more distance out of his rifle served him well.

Jan 1868: Cole sees that Bart is getting up there in years. The kids at the McPherson ranch have taken a shine to Bart, so Cole decides it would be best to leave him there.

May 1868: Cole ends up in South Arkansas. Finds 'hisself another pup. Names him Jack.

August 1868: Tired of whoring it up in saloons, Cole begins to court Jane Gally, a local innkeeper's daughter.

December 1868: After a terrible misunderstanding regarding, well, whores, Cole decides it might be best to leave town in a hurry. The timin' just wasn't right with Jane.

Spring 1869: Cole makes his way to Mississippi. He discovers the joys of riverboat gambling, and re-discovers, whoring. Must forget Jane!

Fall 1869: Cole is quickly reminded that gambling can be just as  dangerous as the trail. Particularly, after a long lucky streak. Some fellers just don't take kindly to losing. Sheriff decides to "suggest" Cole leave town for a while 'fore someone gets shot, again.

April 1870: Cole, Buck and Jack finds themselves in San Antonio. He joins the No Buffalo outfit, driving Cattle north to Abilene. Nice place to lay low and make some money while things settle down in Mississippi. 'Sides, being on the trail is where Cole feels most at home.

Fall 1871: Figuring his old friends might appreciate some opportunities in Texas, Cole sends a letter addressed to the Osterfeld Homestead addressed to both Chance and Jeb.

To: Osterfeld Homestead, Marshfield, Missouri

Chance, Jeb

It has been a long time, hasn't it?! Boy do I have an offer for you and the fellers! I'm hopin', you know how to reach Jeb, Silas, Meri, Art and Travis? I bet all of 'em could use some time on the range. The whole lot were an awfully soft bunch! If you have trouble locating Travis, I seem to recollect him saying something about the telegraph and the San Francisco office, just before he left Marshfield? Silas just up and disappeared one day, so I don't rightly know how to find him.

I'm down here in San Antonio running cattle with some good men. We call ourselves the No Buffalo Outfit. The trail boss told me that he is looking for some ol' boys to hire on for the next cattle next run to Abilene. Pay is 'bout $75. Maybe more, depending... When I heard that, I thought who better than my old trail 'pards? Y'all gotta be here by mid-June, though! So, get your asses movin' and come on down! Hell, it has been a LONG while. I think it's 'bout time we all hit the trail, again!  I just hope you broke-ass cowboys have horses, this time! Me, Buck and Bart got damn tired of walking everywhere with you sorry excuses for cowboys! Ha!

If you're interested, come on down and ask for me or Randy Oldman. Randy is in the Outfit and is a good man on the trail. You can't miss 'im, he's a biggun'.

Cole
No Buffalo Outfit
San Antonio

Spot on! Spot on I say!

Little One throws humility out the window. "I vote for moving on then. The faster you cowpokes get the cattle moving, the quicker I'll be able to join you."

And great timeline, Cole. It put a smile on my face.

WESTERN UNION SAN ANTONIO STATION

TO: MR C TRAYNE, NBO

I ACCEPT OFFER <STOP>

WILL ARRIVE 2ND WEEK IN JUNE <STOP>

EMBRACED SOBRIETY? <STOP>

GIVEN UP GAMBLING? <STOP>

CONSIDERING MARRAIGE? <STOP>

T SUNDAY <END OF MESSAGE>

Nicely done, Cole. I enjoyed the letter to Chance and JEB.

And I enjoyed everyone's timelines. The Judge is grateful for the player participation in advancing the plot and timeline, rather than the Judge unilaterally jumping ahead without context. For me, this stage of the game has been interesting and fun (even iffin I did have to cajole a few pards to get things done).

Now we move on. I'm creating a new chapter forum and will post an introduction. It would be nice if Cole were to re-post his missive to Marshfield in that forum, along with Travis' telegram and anything else folks want to post about getting the news and making their way down to San Antone.

I hope that Art will re-join, but depending on the when, we'll just have to figure out how.

And indeed, Little One will join once the herd is on the move.

I see that not everyone who upgraded a character has posted the upgrade in the character details, plus most haven't updated the Bio line with new grit, AP, etc. Please do.

And if you bought a Good or Excellent Horse and ain't chosen the benefits, do it right quick 'fore the Judge decides for you.

Dang JM, just reminded me I need to buy and figure out my horse qualities...where the heck was that again???

In reply to Silas Walker (msg #248):

Message 212.

Randy Oldman's Timeline (as far as you know)

1867 – Randy fought in some staged fights for part of the take.  He proved well suited and did a fine job of acting as if he were really beaten by a smaller man.
1868 – Randy finally got to fight a real fight.  He positively pulverized his opponent.  He fought in a 'come as you are' fight throughout a night; he won his fights, but fell short of the title.
1869 – Randy served with Major Gray as the trail boss with the No Buffalo Outfit.  Major Gray is a hard, no nonsense man, but he also has a reputation for fairness.  Randy did well his first drive.
1870 Summer – Cole Trayne and Randy Oldman met as hands on a cattle drive with the No Buffalo outfit.  They drove from San Antonio to Abilene.  Cole and Randy drove the remuda back to San Antonio through the autumn.
1871 Summer – Third ride with the No Buffalo Outfit.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:31, Sat 19 Sept 2009.

I will be experimenting with the 24 hour rule in these early stages. I'll move the plot along every day or so. My intention isn't to cut off roleplaying or character interaction, but neither will I be waiting around for it. As we did in the later in the Jonas adventure, I expect there will be some non-linear discussion and that's fine, as long as it doesn't contradict or make problematic any plot advancement that has already occurred.

Good to hear Judge...I think as long as there is interaction or stuff going on that's being enjoyed, let it roll. However let's not lolly-gag when nothing is happening or while waiting for one person to respond.