In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 454):

~I wisht I had me a bugle, an' could sound the "Charge!",~ Jake thought to himself as Monshure Pwa-reh-eh said that he could see the landing-camp, and told the Texan to wake up everyone. At least Jacob was pretty sure that was what the Frenchman said -- with the man's atrocious accent, "pards" sounded very different than it did when the rifleman said it.

~A bugle'd wake 'em up right quick,~ Jake thought to himself, thinking back to the time that he had recovered a bugle from the body of a dead Injun -- who had no doubt taken it from a dead Blue-Belly cavalryman. Jacob had managed to coax a brassy tooting sound from the instrument, much to the amusement of Travis Sunday, who was quick to inform the Texan that it sounded like the farting of a donkey.

Jacob shook all his pards by the shoulders and said quietly to each, "Tieme to waeke up. Sun's a-peekin' over the hore-rize-zen, an' the landin' camp's in sight."

~Musta been havin' a good dream an' was right sorry to leave it behind,~ Jake thought to himself when the Perfesser, in particular, seemed resistant to the Texan's efforts to rouse him from his slumber.

~That ol' rascal More-fee-uhs musta had a-holdt of him good!~ Jacob concluded.

---

OOC: 18:37, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 7,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1.  Spirit Roll (Dawn, Imminent Landing).

Edit: Added the result of Jake's Spirit Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:17, Sat 23 Feb 2019.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 454):

Tracy arose at the Texan’s first shake of his shoulder, ready to tackle the landing. If he were to consider why, the investigator would have realized that it was because he had slept the longest due to his position as first watch. As it now stood, however, the Californian readied himself for the task at hand.

“Thanks, Jacob.”

Turning to Poirier, he continued speaking. “What now, sir? How long until we land?”

OOC:

23:56, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 2,8 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+2)8.  Spirit, dawn.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 456):

OOC: The Judge cannot make a specific recommendation about whether to spend a benny in most particular cases; however, a success is a success. There would never be a penalty for making a success. There might be a further benefit from a raise, but never a penalty for a success. Since the TN is 4 for most trait tests, Earnest would succeed here -- unless the Judge had decided that there was some negative modifier for this test, based on current circumstances, that the PC's wouldn't know about. In general, that is unlikely for a straightforward Attribute Trait test.

The usually cheerful countenance of Alphonse Poirier now appears quite sober. Each of the men notices this as he wakes from night's sleep, asking questions or taking in the situation of the impending dawn during the first minute of shaking off their sleep. Or in Jacob's case, after he had roused his compadres and returned his attention to their descent.

The descent itself, more than anything, demands the attention of the four adventures. Unlike the hours-on-end of the frenchman's steerage, when the balloon floated a hundred yards or more above the landscape much of the time, the airship is now descending at a rapid rate amidst jagged outcroppings and dangerous rock formations. The pilot works the ropes to maneuver the airship with an effort the men hadn't seen earlier, steering the vessel toward a mesa similar to the one the men had passed some 12 hours ago.

Windham had asked a specific question, to which Poirier responds and immediatey elaborates.

"Mere minutes, Monsieur," says Poirier, stumbling on unintended alliteration in the spur of the moment.

"Two of you, the strongest, unlash those poles from the lip. Ici." He points to the basket's railings, which the men had learned earlier were removable, then calls out in a commanding voice. "Preparez-vous ... em, be ready to defend the basket against the rocks!"

"Les autres, fetchez les cordages... em, take the landing lines and be ready to exchange with the landing crew. Help them attach the landing weights!"

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

OOC: All PCs succeeded at the Spirit check. It was a Fear check, because of the suddenness of the airship's descent amongst the rocky terrain.

Now, each of the men needs to assume a task. Two wielding the poles, two grabbing the ropes and stakes for landing. First-post, first choice of job. The men on the poles should make two Fighting tests (TN 6) to support the pilot in his maneuvering (he may in fact need the help, based on the Judge's first roll for the pilot and the need to use another GM benny). As before, a success is +1 for the pilot, a raise is +2 for the pilot.

The men manning the ropes will need to make two Agility tests: one to effectively hand-off the ropes/stakes to Poirier's ground crew and one to effectively secure the weights proffered by the crew.

Go ahead and make the rolls, do not wait for the Judge or each other. Again, PCs may choose their roles by posting their choices first, until no choice remains (e.g. if the first two players pick the poles, the next two players must take the ropes.

Also, the Judge couldn't help using the fake french a la Python's Holy Grail.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:52, Sun 24 Feb 2019.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 460):

~ Another mornin', one more day in paradise! ~

As Walker and the men prepare to meet the earth once again he is starting to appreciate why Frenchie wanted to fly on through the night instead of landing at the other camp. As the balloon made it's way closer to the ground it's speed became more apparent, as did the impending danger.

~ I'm ready to get off this thing - one way or another. ~

Walker grabs one of the landing ropes and gets ready for his landing tasks. As the balloon gets closer to the ground Walker holds his rope, hanging on the side of the basket, trying to be as steady as he can while one of the attendants on the ground attempts to grab it. Once that task was completed it was easy for Walker to attach the landing weight as instructed.

OOC: Handing off the rope:

07:30, Today: Dave Walker rolled 4,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Hand off the rope.

Attaching the landing weight:

07:31, Today: Dave Walker rolled 17,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (10+7)17,3.  Attaching landing weight.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 460):

Hearing the balloonist describe the task involving the poles, Tracy immediately knew his slight build would not be up for it. However, he felt his quick reflexes would be perfect for the other task. Grabbing a rope, as per their captain's orders, the investigator readied himself to hand it off to the assistant on the ground. Tracy watched Earnest and Jacob as they pushed the airship away from impending rocks; the job looked incredibly difficult to the smaller man.

Nearing the ground, Windham steadied himself, looking for a crew member near enough to take the rope from him. The rope exchanged hands successfully enough, and then Tracy deftly attached the weights with a speed and ease that almost surprised himself.

OOC:

09:00, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 4,5 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5.  Agility, handing off rope.

09:00, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 19,5 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (10+9)19,5.  Agility, weights.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 460):

Seeing Windham and Walker take up the ropes, Earnest moves to unlash one of the poles.

<gray>That's what you get for waking up slowly Earnest!<gray>

...he assists Jacob in fending off the rock walls... poorly.

08:50, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 4,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  'Defending' Balloon Test (TN 6) #1.

08:50, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 4,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5.  'Defending' Balloon Test (TN 6) #1 - Benny Reroll.

08:51, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 3,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  'Defending' Balloon Test (TN 6) #2.

08:52, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 2,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  'Defending' Balloon Test (TN 6) #2 - Benny Reroll.

---

OOC: Welp, Earnest and his bennies were no help at all... hope Jacob can do better (and that it's enough)! ...no pressure!

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 460):

It soon became apparent to Jacob why the Frenchman considered landing the baloon to be potentially dangerous, as the rocky terrain of the ground came rushing at the men in the basket with alarming speed. The Texan stared downward at the rapidly-approaching ground, and by the time he looked up, his pards had already sprung into action at the urging of Monshure Pwa-reh-eh.

Mister Walker and Mister Windham looked to be handling the ropes the way that was intended, which left the Texan and the Perfesser to unleash the railings of the basket and use them to help keep the basket from smashing into the rocks that suddenly loomed up everywhere.

It seemed to Jake that they were coming down to land faster than they should -- not that he really understood such things, 'twas more that they were descending a lot faster than he had expected -- and he found himself ill-prepared to deal with his assignment.

"Goddammit!" he muttered in frustration as he kept misjudging the targets that he was aiming at with his railing-pole. "Be easy to hit them bastards with my rifle! Why I cain't I hit 'em with this stick?"

---

OOC: 13:26, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 3,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Pole (Fighting) Test: Fending Off Rocks.

13:28, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 4,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5.  Benny Re-Roll (Fighting Test).

13:30, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 1,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5.  Pole Test #2.

13:31, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 4,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5.  Benny Re-Roll (Fighting Test).

Notes: Ugh. Unfortunately Jake didn't do any better, Earnest. That "TN:6" is pretty tough when you are rolling two d6s. Given our lack of success, I declined to use Jake's last benny.

OOC: The Judge will be posting another narrative later today. Thanks for all the rolls. The TN 6 was definitely difficult -- you needed one Ace in there somewhere and no one got it. The TN was akin to a Parry against a decent melee fighter. Regardless, it is worth noting that the roll for TN6 was to provide support for Poirier in his piloting. The result of no successes for Earnest and Jake means the pilot is on his own, no support; however, the Judge also had in mind another facet of this activity -- keeping the airship from suffering damage, which would be the usual TN4. The Judge will consider that as he produces the next narrative and makes Poirier's remaining piloting roll.

Alphonse Poirier works the airship's lines, maneuvering the flaps as the balloon descends. He moves to and fro within the basket, sometimes leaning towards one side and calling for the the pole-men to join him on that side or to defend the other side. The frenchman continues to bark out orders the entire time; some of them are in his native language and spoken so quickly that even ENS finds himself failing to translate in the moment.

The pilot avoids a rock formation on the right, narrowly, with both Earnest and Jacob on that side. The two passengers, now vital hands on the airship's crew, weren't sure they had been of any help to the pilot as the made their first attempts to use the poles. At least, they knew in their hearts, they had followed his orders and the ship hadn't crashed into the rocks or otherwise taken damage. And then not a half-dozen heartbeats later another crag comes into view, threatening to tear into the basket. The rifleman and the professor wield the poles -- both making solid contact with the outcropping. Ringgenberg's pole bends against the toughness of the rocks; Jacob's remains unmarred after impact. Between the two men, they pushed the basket away from the danger, even as Poirier yelled at them for jolting the plummeting vessel off course.

After he leaps into the section where the propellor and hand crank engine reside, the pilot call out again, this time heard by all in plain English and then somehow understandable French, as if he had summoned all of his command abilities to address the instant of uncertainty in a language and tone any man could comprehend.

"To the front. Fend to the port. Have those lines ready for the ground crew. Allons y, mes amis!"

Now, with all four men at the posts, the balloon begins to slow down a mite, perhaps because of the frenchman's working the flaps. In fact, the basket bounces upward as the pilot ties off one of his ropes to a part of the engine and pulls the others, heavily. The men, including Dave and Tracy who had found positions of readiness while staying out of the pole-men's way, proved ready for the bounce. None lost their footing. And all kept their wits about them, doing their best as the balloon and basket just as suddenly drop again towards the slim mesa where the ground crew remained positioned, before Poirier jerks the vessel to the starboard to avoid the approaching rock wall.

Now the last defense against the crags is required. The professor's attempt is no better than a glancing blow, perhaps bending the pole even further against a rock wall that extends for several yards before Poirier executes his maneuver. Jacob again manages to keep the ship from scraping the rock face during the pilot's sudden turn -- this time he pushed away just in time for the bottom edge of the balloon to escape a rending.

The pilot ties off another rope and pulls heavily again on the remaining two which were momentarily wrapped around his waist. The balloon jerks again and is now descending directly towards the mesa. Tracy and Dave take their positions as their new pards stow the poles and sink to the floor at the pilot's order. The basket takes one last bounce in the air. The landing crew call out for the lines, as the basket careens toward the earth.

Windham and Walker each hand off the ropes without incident, even if the task is accomplished without much elan. Fortunately, both of the men took hold of the weights as if they had practiced the feat for a fortnight, while two of the ground crew pull themselves into the basket, and immediately add mass to the entire enterprise. Windham's slender fingers easily fasten the hooks of the iron and sandbag weights, quickly enough to lend a hand to one of the men climbing in. Likewise, Walker manipulates the hook latches with ease, but not before the second man had climbed in and hunkered down. The airship plummets suddenly yet again -- this time with a bounce against the surface of the mesa, which in turn bounces the seven men in the basket against each other or into the supply boxes, duffel bags, cranks or engine parts.

And one final bounce lands the airship safely, as it skids to a halt and the newly added weight finally holds it where it falls.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 466):

Earnest continues to lie in the basket for a moment, staring at the pole that he had just wielded, before looking up at Poirier.

I feel there are some goblins to work out of this craft, Monsieur, before it will become a viable commercial enterprise. Perhaps you should start out delivering important mail or small packages?

Eventually, he rises to re-lash the pole to the railing.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 467):

The pilot laughs at Ringgenberg's comments. "C'est ca. This airship was never meant to ferry mere ordinaries. Always it needs men of grit such as you. Why do you think I recruited you?"

The professor sees the tool box's broken lid, hanging from the crate that Dave Walker had opened earlier in the journey, looking for grease.

It occurs to Earnest, that if he had brought his full trunk, that it could have been damaged in the flight.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 466):

After the crash landing Walker doesn't move, doing a slow mental check... arms - good, legs - good, back - good. He then turns his attention to the other men.

"Jeezaz! Was that a good landin' or a bad one? Everybody allright?"

As the men gather themselves and take stock of their current situation, Walker begins to rummage through the basket finding his bags and guns before stepping out.

As he steps back from the balloon and watches the flurry of activity a slight smile creeps across his face...

~ You'll just have to wait Darla, today's not the day ~

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 466):

"Whoo-eee!" Jake hooted out of pure excitement when the basket carrying the aeronauts landed a final time and came to a halt, dust billowing up on all sides.

"That was a far sight more excitin' than ridin' in a train or a staege-coach. An' them landin's shorely do git the blood a-pumpin'."

Turning to the Frenchman, Jacob said "I'd like to watch -- an' listen -- if'n you was ever to carry a basket-full of sin-busters. I'd be right curious as to whether landin's like this one just now would set 'em to a-prayin' or a-cussin'."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 470):

Tracy grinned at Jacob's joke. It was well-timed after the intense last few moments of the craft's harrowing descent. The investigator still felt his heart pounding in his chest; it was the best feeling in the world.

"I imagine a little of both might be in order," Tracy said with a laugh.

Windham slung his worn haversack over his shoulder, his ever-working mind shifting to their impending experience in Nouveau Zion. Somehow, their adventure had only just begun.

Turning to Poirier, Tracy inquired about their current location. "I believe I remember you mentioning that our flight would take us to the heart of Nouveau Zion? How far from there are we right now?"

In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 469):

"It was a good landing, because we are all talking about it, monsieur."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 470) and Tracy Windham (msg # 471):

The pilot chuckles at Jacob's comments and seems to share the Texan's enthusiasm, in general. Whether the silk merchant completely understood the rifleman's drawl is unclear. Nonetheless, Poirier nodded vigorously when Tracy Windham had added his thoughts and then he extends his hand to each of the men for a hearty shake.

"Tres bien," he exclaims, "tres bien, tout le monde." He looks to the four adventurers and to his own crew, beaming.

To Tracy's specific question, the silk merchant motions with a sweeping hand towards the flatlands (relatively) that lay to the south/southest of the raised mesa where the airship now rests. Windham sees farms and town buildings in the distance. A few miles at most, a walkable distance, even if there is no stagecoach service as there was back in Promontory City.

As it happens, the frenchman continues. "A stage will arrive to take us into Springdale, soon. And I will arrange for you men to have a delicious meal at Prickly Pear."

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

OOC: This marks the end of this "session." We can fade to black and fade up at the Prickly Pear whenever PCs are ready -- the Judge will create a new chapter and close this one when we are all ready. Meanwhile, you may continue any conversation with the frenchman, or narrative, including on the ride into town in the coach (a slow, easy ride this time). Or we can just pick up with a Judge's narrative to begin a new chapter whenever we are ready and I'll close this chapter whenever conversation and follow-up are complete. Just post here or in OOC forum when you are done with this chapter.

Bennies are reset for all PCs. If you had any left from before, they are forfeit. Whatever your normal Benny count (e.g. 3 for most PCs, 4 or more if you have an Edge that gives you extras) is what you will have to start in Chapter 22.

EDIT: Fixing the end of the OOC note.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:54, Fri 01 Mar 2019.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 472):

"Yeah - we'll be talkin' about it all right."

As everyone gets ready for the ride into town, Walker turns to ENS:

"While you guys were flyin' this contraption... did he ever say how many times he had flown in it? ...or how often he plans to fly this thing back and forth?"

"I can't imagine it would hold up too long if that was a, em .... "

"Geud landeeing" he says mocking Frenchie's accent.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 473):

"A meal at this 'Prickly Pair' sounds downright scrumptious," Jake replied to the Frenchman's offer.

"But that name's got me a mite curious. So, who's the pair that's on the prod?" the Texan asked Monshure Pwa-reh-eh.

"The owners, mayhaps?" he hazarded a guess.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 473):

When it comes to Earnest to shake Poirier's hand, he also responds.

Et Merci pour vos excellentes compétences monsieur!

He then gathers his belongings and chuckles at Jacob's joke as he prepares to debark the craft. When Dave asks his question, Earnest pauses a moment and rubs his chin.

No, it didn't come up... but our research back at the library implies that the trip must have been made a number of times. Good point about the gondola though, it does seem to be built sturdily but perhaps it has enough 'give' to not break easily with rough landings? A question for later perhaps.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:08, Mon 04 Mar 2019.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 475):

The frenchman's face contorts, perhaps as if working out a puzzle that Jacob's comment has sparked. Some kind of understanding look overtakes the pilot's face as he attempts to clarify.

"Em . . . ah, non, la poire est . . . comment dit-on . . . a pear is a fruit. De le cactus. From the cactus, monsieur," Poirier adds, with a gesture again to the landscape around them.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 477):

On the ride into town, Earnest retrieves his Colt and holster from his bag and puts it on under his coat; he then situates the remaining belongings in the bag. Once done he looks up at Poirier.

So Monsieur Poirier... how will we be getting my trunk up to this town? I'm assuming we will be here for a while. Also, on that point, how does this 'recruiting' process work from this point?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 478):

The pilot responds in a roundabout way, beginning with a comment about their time in town.

"I will take a meeting with the Sheriff when we arrive. I will learn who needs men such as you. By sundown, I expect you will have at least one offer."

The frenchman points to Jacob's rifle. "Em, aussi, your guns will need to be checked with the Sheriff, until you are hired. It is the same as the saloon, em, Depot Dan's."

Elaborating, the silk merchant continues.

"The towns in Nouveau Zion have weapons ordinances. These laws are important to the townsfolk. They would never hire men who refused to abide the law. It is a simple thing, I will drop you off at the Prickly Pear and then visit the Sheriff. You can leave your guns in the coach and I will present them to the Sheriff. That will give you good standing, tout suite."

Finally, he addresses the question of the professor's trunk.

"Professor, as I mentioned before, there is no easy way to get your trunk to Nouveau Zion. The most likely way is by my airship. I have promised that it will be kept safe. If you need it here in Nouveau Zion, I will promise further to bring it on the next flight. That will be, em, a fortnight," he concludes, with a hint of "maybe longer" in his suggestion of a fortnight.

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

OOC: The Judge should have stated the weapons ordinance earlier, or at the beginning of ch21. It was in my head but didn't make it into the narrative. No frets, you have already been in a saloon where guns were checked beforehand (Depot Dan's as Poirier reminds the men). This is the same thing. Based on the character conversation starting ch22, and the fact that all four men had voluntarily checked their weapons in a previous place, the Judge is assuming all four PCs will comply. For the record, this is not a ploy to disarm the characters for an adventure. It is simply the flavor of this adventure; a way to introduce the local environment and establish the scenario.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 479):

Earnest rubs his chin.

Very well Monsieur, I don't need anything that's still in my trunk right now unless someone has a desire for my more specialized skills... we'll cross that bridge when we come to it I guess!

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 480):

'D'accord."