The balloon had been in flight for only 20 or 30 seconds, but already one thing had gone amiss.

Tracy Windham had turned the metal hand cranks with all his might. He felt initial resistance but he fell into a quick rhythm, turning two full rotations and starting on a third.

At the same time, Dave Walker had failed to turn his pair. He struggles to make one-quarter of turn. Yelling out to the pilot, not to mention everyone in the close quarters of the basket, the herbalist voiced the problem just before they all felt its result. Namely, that the airship's propellor begins to turn but it lurches jostling all of the occupants.

Poirier calls out orders.

"One of you, help Monsieur Walker! Tout suite!"

OOC: Whoever rolls first, Jacob or Earnest, should go to relieve Dave. Strength roll.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 407):

Jake didn't know what 'Toot Sweet' meant in English, but given the situation and the Frenchman's tone of voice, he supposed that "Git yer ass movin'!" was a pretty good guess.

Having been assigned a task of his own, the Texan hadn't really been paying much attention to what Mister Walker and Mister Windham were doing. He had heard the New Yorker call out something about the device that he was working on -- "hand-cranks", he had heard Monshure Pwa-reh-eh call them -- was stuck. Given the Frenchman's reaction, it seemed that this was tendin' towards bein' a mite problematical.

Jacob moved quickly to aid Mister Walker. It did take some effort to get the hand-cranks moving, and the Texan mused that they both would most likely benefit from a big dollop of bear-grease to loosten 'em up some.

"All right, the toot's been sweeted -- leastways somewhat," Jake called out to the Frenchman.

---

OOC: 13:43, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 4,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4.  Strength Check (To Aid Dave).

No raises, but, hey -- I'll take a Success. :)

PS. Hey, Judge -- is a double Success as good as a Raise? (Most likely not, but you can't fault a hombre for tryin'.) :)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:22, Mon 04 Feb 2019.

Jacob steps in to replace Dave at the right (or starboard) side of the gondola. He takes hold of the starboard hand grips, beginning to turn the gears after giving the task all of his effort. Thinking to himself that Walker was right -- this task was never no easy matter -- the Texan finally gets the gears moving as they were intended.

Within several seconds, the rifleman calls out to Poirier. A moment later, the propellor begins to turn steadily. Jacob and Tracy fall into a rhythm, naturally, as they each continue to turn his side's hand cranks and thus the gears that drive the balloon's propellor.

Meanwhile, both Earnest and Dave can see the way ahead -- and behind -- as they feel a steady wind helping to lift the already aerial balloon. The airship is floating over the lake, generally southward, with the hills and summit around Promontory City gradually diminishing behind them and more water, desert and mountain ranges stretching out in front of them.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 409):

The frenchman calls out to the passengers as he manages a handful of lines that feed into pulleys and attached to the balloon -- including, the professor notices, a set of . . . flaps . . . that Poirier is using to pilot the airship.

"Tres bien, messieurs. Keep turning. We have the tailwinds, n'est'ce pas?; but we need to increase our velocity."

Dave and Earnest can both sense that the airship is rising as at moves south, with the rising sun casting a shadow of the balloon over the terrain far to the west.

OOC: The PCs should feel free to converse as the airship travels, with each other and with Poirier. The ship is stable now and the men can enjoy the flight for a time. He will fill them in on other details as we go.

For now, Jacob and Tracy will need to make a Vigor roll during the first hour of flight. Make the rolls at any time -- they won't have immediate effect, but failure will mean that someone else will need to take over after the first hour ... or Poirier will have to rely only on the winds to take them to Nouveau Zion for a time, perhaps, if no man is up to the work. Nothing the frenchman wouldn't expect, of course, as men can only keep up such work for so long. Short breaks would be expected during the time at the hand cranks, but essentially every hour a successful Vigor check will be required to continue manning these cranks.

NOTE: The Judge has posted a few messages in a row today, as the Judge or as Poirier.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 408):

"Thanks Tex!" - Walker was relieved that the Texan was able to get the crank moving. It probably would have been a short trip if he didn't.

"I hope the rest of this air ship is better maintained than this crank was - probably just needs a bit of grease."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 411):

Earnest was engaged in looking at the sights and contemplating retrieving his binoculars when Poirier called for the replacement, so he simply watched while Jacob jumped to action. Once things had settled down, he moved towards the men and found a seat.

If either of you gentlemen need a break, let me know!

Earnest then occupied himself with Poirier's actions to control the airship, trying to discern function without bothering the man too much.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 411):

and

In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 412):

and

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 413):

Jake nodded upon hearing Mister Walker's analysis of what ailed the hand-cranks on the right side of the basket. "I do bee-lieve you've got the right of it," he replied. "Iffen I had me some bear-grease handy, I'd slap some on the inner-workin's of this sum-bitch. Reckon she'd ease right up, then."

The Texan continued to turn the cranks on the right side of the basket -- it seemed to him that he and Mister Windham were taking on the duties normally performed by mules or horses -- namely, providing the power to move the balon-contrapshunn along.

"From watchin' birds, I din't have the im-preshunn that this much muscle-work was in-volved in flyin'," he remarked dryly after a bit, his face red from the effort required to keep the hand-cranks turning.

After a bit more time had passed, Jake turned his head and looked at Earnest. "This damned hand-crank contrapshunn has near-'bout wore me down to a nub, Perfesser. Iffen you're up for spellin' me a mite, I shorely wouldn't be in-clined to argue the point with you."

---

OOC:
13:09, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 2,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  Vigor Check (Turn Them Cranks!) . . . or not.

Poirier chimes into the conversation while he continues piloting the airship. Speaking to no one in particular, as his eyes remain true to his task, he responds to the talk of greasing the gears.

"Mes ouvriers, em, my men, they should have applied the grease before we left. Tools and supplies, ici," he adds, pointing to a couple of small wooden boxes lined up near the front of the basket.

The frenchman busies himself for a few moments reading gauges.

"The winds are almost 10 knots. If you men need to rest, we will still fly well. Neanmoins, the longer we drive the propellor, the faster we get to our destination."

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 413):

Earnest finds no seats available in the basket. He spies two straw-filled pallets near the middle, one on each side in front of the machinery section where Jacob and Tracy have been toiling at the cranks.

The professor also takes notice of the two small boxes mentioned by Poirier, either of which could serve as temporary seats, while neither of them provides any view beyond the interior of the basket -- they are far too low to sit on them and still see over the edge.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 411):

Either his body had not fatigued or he was too focused to notice, as Tracy continued to work the hand crank with the same determined expression on his face. "I'm still in good shape for now. I'll let you all know whenever I could use a break."

Part of Tracy was curious to take in more of their bird's eye view, but his duty to perform the task at hand overpowered that feeling. Besides, he imagined that he would get plenty of time to just enjoy the flight. Tracy kept rotating the hand crank and continued to await further instruction from Poirier.

OOC:

09:57, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 2,9 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+3)9.  Vigor roll, cranks.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 415):

Walker, seeing the Texan start to tire, was about to get up to relieve him when Frenchie replied about the grease.

~ Geezaz Darla what kind of outfit does this guy run? Not even makin' sure the gears are greased? He wouldn't last more than a day working on a steam locomotive. Can't wait to see how he lands this thing. ~

"Oh yeah, I love gettin' greased up early in the mornin'!" he quips under his breath as he takes the few steps to the box and opens it looking for grease, and anything that could be used to apply it.

OOC - not sure if I need to make an attribute check for finding the grease and using it. Looking for the judge to step in here...

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 417): and Dave Walker (msg # 418):

Having heard the othes' rejoinders, witty or factual, the pilot interjects.

"Rest for five minutes, Monsieur Windham, while Monsieur Walker pleases himself with the grease." the frenchman says, laughing and reminiscent of the time when the four new pards had met the frenchman at Depot Dan's. Clearly, he has been enthusiastic throughout their journey -- from Sacramento station to Promontory City and now as the fly over a great salt lake -- but this time it seems more personal and spontaneous.

"The engine works best if both are in unison." Poirier pauses, a look on his face as if he isn't sure his words came out the way he intended them.

"Professor, s'il vous plait, come learn to read these gauges. Monsieur Richardsen, come take in the view."

Walker finds the toolbox. Its contents are unfamiliar to him. While he is a smart fellow, his practical knowledge of tools and machinery are limited. He finds a tin can with some pasty substance at the bottom, nothing else seems close to what he might need.

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

OOC: First, the grease will make no difference. The gears were properly prepared by the crew, or the Judge would have given a negative modifier (-1) to the Strength roll. Dave will just have to make another Strength roll to take over in the second hour. Or Earnest may need to step in. Meanwhile, Dave could have made a common knowledge roll -- in this case, his thought to defer to the Judge makes sense because no trait test is required, at least until Dave tries to apply grease to a mechanism of a kind that he has never seen before. The Judge would prefer that Dave finds the can of nasty grease and decides to try the crank again without it before considering any other course of action.

Tracy is able to take a short break and still continue in the second hour. Whenever it is decided who is taking over for Jacob, both men can roll the Vigor roll for the second hour -- unless no one else succeeds and Tracy must stop per Poirier's note that both cranks need to operate together, or neither. The same will apply to others who work for more than one-hour at a time. The hour assumes short breaks where both men pause before resuming. Each Strength roll lasts a full hour, with the breaks. Then a Vigor roll is needed to continue for another hour, maximum of three hours.

Eventually, men will need to sleep. In the first hour, the men learn from Poirier that the journey will take more than the daylight they have available. They will either need to fly continuously for roughly 24 hours (give or take depending on speed), or land at a smaller camp in the mountains midway to NZ and hope to take off again from there. He prefers the former -- although he has had to make the stop at the midway camp before, because of rough weather or still winds, it is the more dangerous of their two options.

Earnest, if he chooses to join the pilot, should make a Smarts roll to learn, at minimum, rudimentary details of these gauges.

Jacob should continue in his inestimable idiom.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 419):

Earnest joins Poirier at his invitation, eagerly taking in the instrumentation presented.

08:17, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 6,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3.  Smarts: Instrument review.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 419):

~ Please myself with the grease huh? Frenchie doesn't want to press too much on what pleases me, lest he find out... ~

Walker takes a look in the box, find the grease easily enough but it looks like the last person to use it wasn't keen up cleaning up the mess.

~ Jeezaz Darla, I bet Frenchie will let anyone work on this balloon, includin' us now trying to fly the damn thing. ~

Rather than make a mess of himself he decides to wait until Tex gets tired before jumping in for his turn. Keeping an eye on the Texan Walker spent the rest of his time looking at the countryside below, abiding his own thoughts.

~ Darla you would love this, the view up here is simply amazing. Probably what it looks like from heaven, although you wouldn't know anything about that now would ya? ~

When Tex was starting to slow down Dave stepped up and offered a hand.

"Here let me give it another go now that you managed to get it goin' "

Walker was able to move the controls this time. The Texan, relieved that he could now take a break, switches places with Walker and is finally able to enjoy the view.

OOC:  18:32, Today: Dave Walker rolled 4,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5.  Strength roll for his turn at the crank.

Reiterating, updating after Dave's Strength test and cleaning up errata. Edits in the quoted text are in aqua.

So, as above, both Tracy and Dave need to make a Vigor check for the 2nd hour.

The Judge is happy to see narrative from the players. As we have done a couple of times, it doesn't have to be linear. It was helpful for the PCs to react to the scene where the balloon took flight but we are now in a travel mode similar to the train in regard to narrative, unless the Judge introduces any given incident. Now, it's a free-posting interlude with the trait tests.

The Judge will probably accelerate the checks (or make some assumptions), so things don't drag on, but I wanted to establish the parameters for the journey before skipping ahead. Also, it's good practice for both players and Judge to make these rolls and get used to the mechanics.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 420):

Stoking the professor's curiosity, Poirier explains the use of his revolving-cup electric anemometer. Ringgenberg drinks in the knowledge, like nectar. The frenchman discusses some of the mechanics of his engine -- which turns out to have a small battery that the silk merchant holds as a reserve power source.

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

OOC: Anyone within earshot may make a Smarts roll to understand the concepts the pilot is communicating, with the assumption that they themselves would have time to look at the gadgets and listen to Poirier. However, this only helps in practical usage of the machinery for this adventure -- he is not teaching anyone how to fly the balloon, nor he is teaching any particular knowledge skills. However, the RP experience could be applied for the taking of a new Skill in Advancement at some point, should any PC care to do that.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 422):

It only took a few minutes for Walker to get into a steady rhythm with the crank, keeping it going at the same pace as the other one wasn't a big deal.

~ It's like digging a hole, one you get started it doesn't seem so bad... ~

As the novelty of the experience wore off Walker found his mind drifting back to his days on the trail with Darla. Sure was a good time at first, but as is normal in life, everything changes.

He kept up the pace for a while but after about a few hours his muscles started to complain, and that old familiar pain in his lower back was starting to flare up again.

"I'm not as young as I used to be... I need a break - who's up next?"

OOC: Vigor check

09:04, Today: Dave Walker rolled 5,10 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+4)10.  Vigor check to keep cranking.

Then... next vigor check

09:07, Today: Dave Walker rolled 2,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2.

Oh well :)

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 422):

~That little feller's shore-'nuff got some sand,~ Jake thought to himself, impressed that Mister Windham gamely kept his cranks turning, even as Mister Walker and then the Texan himself tired whilst trying to work the cranks on the other side of the basket.

Still there was no denying that Jacob was a bit winded, and he accepted Mister Walker's offer to take over with a nod and "Thanks. I do bee-lieve that I'll taeke you up on that. I wouldn't much care to git bear-caught 'cause of this con-trapshunn."

Jake heard Monshure Pwa-reh-eh urge him take the opportunity to enjoy the view, and the Texan decided that sounded like a fine idea. He sidled over to the side of the basket, and took a moment to enjoy the feeling of the wind in his hair and of being up among the birds.

Having been through the war and its aftermath in a destitute South that had been crushed by invading armies, Jacob had lost a goodly bit of his youthful idealism. Still and all, he could not deny that this experience made his heart sing.

Turning to the Fenchman, he smiled broadly and remarked, "This flyin' . . . it's a feelin' like no other, ain't it? Hell-fire . . . too bad I ain't no poet. I could write some mighty scrumptious things 'bout soarin' up high, up amongst the clouds."

---

Edit: Fixed a typo.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:08, Fri 08 Feb 2019.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 422):

Tracy felt his limbs start to tire, but he pushed through it. Always underestimated, the slight man was intent on wowing others with his shows of surprising strength and skill. He must finish out his three allotted hours.

The young investigator pushed his body to the limit, rotating the hand cranks in time with both of his rotation partners, Jacob and Walker. The propeller responded in kind to their forceful gyrations, pushing the airship along through the bright midday sky. Even though it drained his body, Tracy enjoyed the physical labor. It would make staring out across the vast landscape an even sweeter reward once he had finished.

OOC:

18:40, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 10,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,4.  Vigor roll, cranks (hour 3).

The four new pards, who have become workers rather than passengers on the ballon flight, alternate turns at the cranks for the first three hours.

The astounding sights from the balloon and intermittent conversation helps to pass the time, as well as learning some rudimentary facts and operations of the airship. None of the pards could possibly fly the thing on their own for any duration, but the flight was less mysterious and more marvelous now that they had been airborne for some time. Earnest had learned enough about the instrumentation to make him want to learn more. He had been watching Poirier handle the various lines that worked the flaps and thought, perhaps, in an emergency he might be able to maneuver the balloon to avoid plummeting to the ground. Landing . . . that would be a different matter entirely.

Now, it seems to be the professor's turn at the cranks, unless the men decide to travel by wind alone. Tracy had put in three solid hours at the task. Despite his wiry frame, the investigator proves his mettle -- if it had ever been in doubt. Dave had worked the cranks for two hours, after the initial hour by Jacob. Now, he too needed a break and therefore if falls to the professor and the rifleman to take their turns.

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

OOC: Jacob and Earnest need to make Strength checks to work the cranks. If both are successful, they may then make up to two vigor rolls each, if they want to attempt continue the work for three hours. If one of the two fails the strength test, there will have to be a time where Poirier pilots the ship with only the aid of the wind.

Addtionally, the Judge had noted that others could make Smarts tests if desired, to learn a little about the ship. So far, Earnest is the only PC to make the test.

"Tres bien, Monsieur Windham," says the frenchman as Tracy completes his full shift at the cranks. The silk magnate looks to the east, where the sun continues to rise and begins to warm the men in the basket.

"Come find a place to enjoy creation as do the birds."

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 428):

Earnest made a point of checking if Tracy needed a break several times, but the young man seemed determined to show his mettle and kept waving him off.

Doesn't quit... good to know.

He therefore occupied himself with discussions with Poirier on the instrumentation and operation of the airship... soaking in as much as he could. He also eventually got his binoculars out and surveyed the terrain below for a while, looking for anything interesting.

12:08, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 7,13 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(6+6+1)13.  Notice while surveying... just in case.

Eventually, Poirier himself called for Tracy to take his rest, so Earnest moved to take the position, handing him the binoculars in the process.

Well done Mr. Windham! Now take in the sights.

12:11, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 5,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Initial Strength check.

12:11, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 8,11 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,(6+5)11.  2nd hour Vigor check.

Earnest starts out a bit slowly, but eventually falls into a pace and actually starts feeling invigorated by the 2nd hour!

12:12, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 2,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  3rd hour Vigor check.

12:13, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 5,9 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+3)9.  3rd hour Vigor check; Benny re-roll.

By the 3rd hour, he is feeling a bit chuffed (May have overdone it the last half-hour or so!). However he soldiers on and manages to maintain the pace through the third hour.

---

OOC: If anybody expresses a desire to use the binoculars, they are welcome to them without having to RP asking; just put their use in your narrative.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:22, Sun 10 Feb 2019.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 427):

"Time for me to tote the bale for a mite," Jake remarked to Mister Walker, motioning towards the hand-cranks that the New Yorker had been working.

"You done good, but we cain't have New York showin' up Texas when it comes to gettin' the job done," Jacob added, flashing a smile to show that his comment was intended in good humor.

Once the Texan had taken over at the cranks, he soon worked himself into a smoother rhythm than had been the case the during his previous efforts, and Jake was able to continue for a full three-hour shift this time around (although his msucles were beginning to protest by the end of the third hour).

---

OOC: 13:39, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 3,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Strength Check (Turn That Crank!).

13:40, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 7,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4.  Second-Hour Vigor Check .

13:41, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 5,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1.  Third-Hour Vigor Check.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 430):

The view was interesting at first, but after a few hours Walker was bored and started to nod off to sleep. He woke up a bit later and figured it was time to relieve the Texan.

"We are puttin' in a good day's work that's for sure..." - Walker remarks as he steps up for his turn at the crank.

The gears seemed to be moving easier now. Walker was not much for machinery and all that engineering stuff. Put him out in the field just about anywhere and he'll survive, but don't be asking for help with mechanics. Nevertheless, he was certain that Frenchie's men just didn't take care of the machine. Who knows, mabye he and Tex (mostly Tex) ground through whatever was holding things up. Maybe it was a moth or something got gummed up in the gears?

OOC: Strength, vigor rolls:

16:57, Today: Dave Walker rolled 5,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4.  Strength check to take over for Tex.

16:57, Today: Dave Walker rolled 10,10 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,(6+4)10.  2nd hour vigor check.

16:58, Today: Dave Walker rolled 7,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7,4.  3rd hour vigor check.