In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 964):

"You're a lawman, then? Of sorts?" asks Barnes. His inquisitive tone remains civil. "With just cause to form a posse, of sorts?"

In reply to John Barnes (msg # 965):

Former sheriff and deputy in the states of Missouri and Texas, respectively, and I maintain we have just cause. But I'll give it to you straight because you impress me as a forthright man. This operation is not sanctioned by law enforcement. It is a private affair.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 966):

The lanky fellow named John Barnes pulls at his bushy moustache before pulling a swig from his drink.

"If you had said anything else, I would have known you for a flannelmouthed liar."

Barnes seems to be considering the exchange so far.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 962):

The rifle-less rifleman listens to the conversation from his perch near the table, leaning against a wooden rail designed to hold a man's drink or his smoke. He spies two men farther down the table, who appear to be listening to the exchange between Beauregard and Barnes. In fact, a scruffy cowpoke makes eye contact with Jake, for just a mere moment.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 963):

When Luke rises from the bench, Cole observes.

The Scot takes notice of being noticed. "Joos a wee beer to wash doon the whiskey, eh?" he says to Cole, as a sort of explanation, as he approaches the bar and talks to Zed.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 966):

Cole quietly, but not rudely, inserts himself into the conversation.

Barnes, if it means anything, I've know JEB for a long time. I can vouch for him, without hesitation.

The wrangler then returns his attention to Luke.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 968):

Jake silently pushed himself away from the rail, and ambled over to where the Scot was talking to the barkeep.

Keeping his voice low, he asked, "Don't mean to interrupt, but do either of y'all know them two boys sittin' down the taeble a waeys from JEB an' Mr. Barnes? Thaey seem t'be doin' their best to listen in on the diss-cusshun."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 971):

Jake moves to the bar and whispers to Zed and Luke. Hearing him, neither man makes any sudden moves. In fact, both men cast their eyes in a most subtle and deliberate manner, observing the patrons at the long table without drawing undue attention.

Zed speaks, matching Richardson's soft tone. "They are regulars . . . from one of the ranches nearby. Cannot recall which one."

Luke nods in agreement, picking up his freshly drawn beer.

In reply to John Barnes (msg # 967):

JEB looks Barnes straight in the eyes as honest men do. He stays silent for a short time giving the ranch boss the respect and space to consider his words, then continues - "I hesitate to say more as I fear our conversation has not gone unnoticed, but I think you know enough to understand what's at stake. If you and you're men are agreeable to joining our cause, we can toast our union and move to a private location for full disclosure."

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 973):

As Luke returns to the table, he hears the mention of a toast. That makes him smile. He raises his beer glass.

Barnes notices, a slight smirk appearing under his moustache. He lifts his tumbler, preparing to make a toast.

"You have the bearing of a military man, Sheriff. For now, I shall ask you to follow me." He drains the whiskey, and then stands, as if to depart the saloon.

In reply to John Barnes (msg # 974):

JEB raises and tilts the whiskey glass. He rises to accompany Barnes and gestures for Cole and Jake to follow.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 975):

Jake decided not to make an issue of the two men who seemed to be trying to listen in on JEB's conversation, since the Missourian's comments made it clear that he had noticed the fact that other people had taken an interest in the proceedings.

He finished his whiskey, nodded to the Scotsman and the bartender, and turned to follow JEB out of the saloon.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 954):

I don't know. I wouldn't want to tip our hat if anyone was paying attention.

Barnes, Trayne, Beauregard, Richardson and the others file out of the Cowhide Saloon. It is immediately obvious to all that two men who had sat along the other end of the long table arise and follow Barnes. One of them speaks.

"Mr. Barnes, we could not help overhearin' . . . " the ranch hand begins.

"Come along, then," answers Barnes.

-------------------------

A ten minute walk to the northwest takes the group of men to a sturdy barn.

The ranch boss invites the various men to make themselves comfortable, such as it is inside the barn. He then invites Beauregard to fill in the details as yet unspoken at the saloon.

In reply to John Barnes (msg # 978):

In the interest of full transparency because JEB cannot help but trust Barnes completely, he fills in the new potential recruits to the best of his knowledge from origin to drop point at the brewery.

"I will not sugarcoat what lies ahead. Armed conflict is likely as some our group have already been attacked. But I believe absolutely that this is a just cause. When there is injustice in the world, only God can idly observe. The rest of us are compelled to act. Perhaps this world is a world in which children suffer, but we can lessen the number of suffering children, and if we do not do this, then who will do this? I'd like to think I'd done something to lessen that suffering."

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 979):

The various men listening to JEB's story allow a few moments to pass before speaking. Including Cole and Jake, who already knew the facts.

JEB's telling struck each of those two men, the wrangler and the rifleman, as interesting in regard to the points that the Missourian made or did not make. Alas, all men rarely see things the way; each has his own eyes and his own memory of the facts, not to mention the meaning a given cowpoke might take away from a life-threatening, or life-affirming, event.

Nonetheless, the tin-star communicated what was germane. And moreover, his story rang true. Having responded to questions throughout, JEB had clearly satisfied Barnes. The other men gathered had all agreed to be a part of this affair, wherever it went.

The only remaining task would be to coordinate the volunteers and give assignments for the next day's activities.

Looking at their time pieces, the men realize that the hour is nearing 9 o'clock.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 977):

ENS nods to Travis's concern.

A risk to be sure, but Mr. Conway seemed to believe there would be no guards tonight and first-hand information on the tunnels could be vital for our successful completion of this endeavor... a walk by them might even be beneficial. But you're better versed in such situations, so I'll defer to your final judgment.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 980):

It's time to join Travis and Ringgenberg, find out what they have observed and make final preparations.

Barring no any objections, the group leaves for the brewery.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 982):

OOC: The Judge needs explicit instructions for the NPC posse. That can be as simple as "we will contact you here tomorrow at 'x' o'clock" or "please come with us now" or it could be more detailed as the PCs deem necessary at the moment. In any case, the need for explicit instructions for the NPCs is crucial.

Furthermore, the Judge won't be playing these characters in any depth during the adventure; the PCs must control them (of course, you can expect the Judge to interject some flavor RP dialogue from Luke and Barnes from time-to-time, but the Judge won't be playing these characters as full NPCs). They are followers in game terms. The Judge will provide stats to the players. As per the Posse rules, they are relatively low level ordinaries, usually Tough Ordinaries.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 981):

OOC: The Judge assumes from the back-and-forth that Travis and ENS are staying at their perch, at least for a while longer. Please consider this the wrap-up for the night's reconnaissance, adding any final remarks between the characters before returning to the apartment (assuming they do return).

The Judge will be closing this chapter soon and fading up on the next the wrap here and with the other group, as above.

------------------

Time passes upon the top floor of the Albion castle. The professor's watch reads quarter-past 9 o'clock.

The events on the water this last hour or so changed little from the previous, as night settles in. Activity on the beaches continues, with campsites dotting the India Basin, but few boats or ships of any kind on the water. The port of Oakland remains busy ... not the docks themselves, but the inevitable night life around them.

In reply to James E. Beauregard (msg # 982):

Jake was a little surprised to see the level of interest that the prospective new members of the posse exhibited, based upon JEB's "doin' the right thing, fightin' injustice, pie in the sky" approach.

Once upon a time -- afore the War -- I mighta thunk the same way. Reckon I was downright starry-eyed back then. But the War pretty well beat that outta me by, oh, prob'ly right after the Seven Days, 'roundabout Richmond. Marse Robert whipped the Yanks, sure enough, but we left thousands dead on the fields o' battle, an' the limbs was piled near as high as a man's head 'round the sawbones' tents.

These days, I reckon I'd do it to back a pard, like somma these boys is maybe doin' for Cole . . . or money. An' I din't hear JEB menchunn none o' that, least in terms uhv what these boys can expect outta the deal.

Howsomever, I reckon I shouldn't be lookin' a gift horse in the mouth. The more men an' the more guns we got lined up, the better it is for us.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 983):

JEB instructs the posse to assemble at the barn two hours before sunset tomorrow, armed and ready. JEB, Jake and Cole return to the apartment.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 981):

Can we investigate it when we depart?

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 987):

ENS checks his watch.

Oh yes, we should be heading back! A walk by there on the way back should help... let's go!

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 988):

Although they had heard rumors of tunnels in the area, Travis and ENS know of only the subterranean passages beneath the Albion castle. Sunday had learned that from Edgar earlier in the day, when he mistakenly took the man's small talk for a threat. Sunday himself had never seen the tunnels firsthand.

While the new moonlight afforded a decent view of the basin from the top floor of the brewery, it is less helpful with ground travel on the unexplored slope towards the water itself. The professor had been correct to think about needing a lantern for the task of exploring this tunnel -- or any other tunnel that might exist around Hunter's Point. Regardless, the lantern at the writing desk in the Albion's guest room was not intended for outdoor use. Rather than scavenge their host's abode looking for a better lantern, the men had decided to take a quick pass down by the waterline before walking back to town.

Descending deliberately toward the water, the men reach the thin, somewhat rocky shore. Indeed, there is an opening in the earth visible nearby, but it leads to a spring cistern rather than a navigable tunnel. Logical, the men realize, to have a good water source for making the beer, as Travis remembers Edgar mentioning specifically. Walking along the narrow beachfront, the men discover a second opening, this one slightly higher on the slope. Striding up towards it, even without good light they recognize it as storage area for the beer, bottled and in casks. The cool cave seems well-suited for the task. If it leads deeper, they cannot know without adequate light . . . and stumbling around glass bottles in the dark seems a mite foolish.

The men continue to walk a stretch further along the slope, until it becomes clear that they have run out of time, at least for now, if they intend to return to the apartment at the scheduled time.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:22, Wed 13 July 2016.