In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 431):

Leaning lightly up against the edge of the gondola, Tracy stared out across the landscape, scanning the horizon. The beautiful sights and birds-eye view were a great reward for the hard work he put in on the cranks. Leaning farther over the edge of the gondola, the young investigator looked straight down towards the earth currently below them.

~Whoa! I wonder how high up we are. I'd love to know better how this is even possible.~

Addressing the Frenchman, Tracy asked, "Sir, could you explain to me what you explained to the Professor?"

After talking with Poirier about the airship and resting a bit, it was time to work the cranks once more. The Californian took over for the New Yorker, ready to push his body to the limit again. He felt his limbs protest at his first attempt at the crank, but he pushed through his fatigue on his second attempt. Setting his mind to the task, Tracy fell in line with his rotation partner and helped push the airship through the sky.

OOC:

09:11, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 6,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1.  Smarts check, airship details.

09:13, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 2,2 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2.  Strength check, hand crank.

09:14, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 6,3 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+2)6,3.  Strength check, hand crank.

Oh, and I edited this to insert here that I used a Benny. Probably obvious but I figured that I would be clear. I also changed Tracy's bio after this post, so Tracy really has 2 remaining Bennies.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:24, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 432):

Monsieur Poirier seems quite pleased to talk about his airship. He describes, in varying detail, the instrumentation and machinery, such as the anemometer and the gear systems that turn the propellor. As he did with Earnest, the frenchman focuses on aspects that might be useful in the short term -- he most certainly isn't training Windham to pilot the craft. Nonetheless, he does touch on various details that are of interest in a broad sense, such as how the wind direction affects both their course and speed, and how the balloon is designed to maneuver.

So now the investigator, same as the professor, has an elementary knowledge about the airship -- enough to provide assistance in an emergency. Or, at least, a chance to help in such an event.

By the time Dave and Tracy take another turn at the cranks, the balloon has cleared the great salt lake. It is now traveling mostly in a southerly direction, although Poirier occasionally turns the airship to a more southwesterly or southeasterly direction for a spell, before turning back, in order to use the direction of the wind to their best advantage. To the east, loom a line of mountains, ahead is broken and rough terrain -- perhaps even impassable in some places. The sun now hangs in the sky overhead, just barely to the west after passing over them in the last hour or so. That direction has many hills, valleys, crags and ravines -- at lower elevations and perhaps not as treacherous as the ranges to the east, but certainly an obstacle to any kind of efficient ground travel. The farther they travel south, the more evident this fact becomes. Time pieces indicate it is nigh 1 p.m.

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

OOC: Tracy needs to make two Vigor rolls if he intends to work with Dave through hour 9.  Assuming he succeeds, Earnest and Jacob may elect to attempt another 1-3 hours at the cranks (hours 10-12). We will keep doing this until the journey is over, or something happens and the Judge will post narrative summaries such as this one along the way. There is no need to wait for the Judge's prompt for the next three hours (10-12); rolls can be made and if the results of any rolls change things, the Judge will intervene and rule as to what has happened at that time and what needs to happen (including whether some rolls are moot and other rolls might be needed). At the end of the 12th hour, the sun will be setting. By that time, the group (Poirier and the 4 PCs) will need to agree as to whether they are continuing to fly at night -- as Poirier's stated preference -- or attempt to land. So we will need to take care of that decision point in PC conversation with Poirier or in narrative.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:56, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

OOC: If the men have rations, they should assume they are eating some during the journey (fuel for the cranks).

The Judge has no desire to count beans, or perhaps strips of jerky, literally. Still, the need for nourishment can't be ignored. If the PCs never eat, consequences may mean negative modifiers or other effects in gameplay.

If the PCs don't have any food or rations, we need to play that out, briefly. So far, the PCs have had easy access to food sources, including on the train. In the balloon, not so much.

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

During the seventh hour, the silk merchant surveys the four adventurers.

"Mes amis, avez-vous faim? Em, are you hungry? Did you bring food?" He points to one of the two wooden boxes -- the one that Dave didn't open when he was looking for tools. "Regardez ... J'ai une petite quantitie de nourriture."

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 434):

Glad to have a respite from the cranks, Earnest settles in near his bag to rest.

Whew! Monsieur Poirier will have to figure out a way to relieve his passengers of this duty if he wants to make this profitable... I wonder if there are any small steam engines available?

When Poirier asks about food, he responds.

Thank you Monsieur, but I did bring some food.

With that, Earnest goes into his bag for some of the said food (simple rations), offering some to anyone else that wants some. After eating a bit, he decides that catching some shut-eye would be wise, especially if Poirier intends to keep going after nightfall. To this end, he comments to Jacob.

Please wake me when I am needed on the cranks again Jacob.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 435):

Hearing ENS's offer for food snapped Walker out of his semi-sleeping daydreaming state and back to their current situation: floating along, cranking the damn crank, and getting worn out doing it.

"I'll take you up on the offer for food, I didn't think we'd be up here this long, I guess I'll be askin' more questions next time." he says with a hungry growl.

"When we settle in at our destination I'll make sure to repay the favor."

"This thing is quite the contraption, you think there's a future in ballooning? Seems like it takes quite the effort to keep this thing in the air."

Simply reiterating the above. Waiting for Tracy's Vigor rolls hours 7-9 and then Earnest & Jacob Strength and Vigor rolls hours 10-12. Meanwhile, posting IC with Poirier re: nighttime flight.

The mid-afternoon sun casts shadows of the airship across the foothills to the east, where the range extends roughly parallel to the balloon's flight path. Men continue to turn the hand cranks, powering the propellor and aiding the force of the wind.

"Messieurs, in a few hours the sun will set. Before that, we will pass the smaller camp, em, unless we decide to land there. The winds are almost perfect and your good work has accelerated our progress. I believe we can reach Springdale before the next dawn. Flying only by the moon and stars is dangerous, en verite, I have done so only once ... mais, em, landing is a task in itself. Do you men share my spirit of adventure? Si vrai, allons y!"

In his own way, Poirier has proposed both a course of action -- flying by night to Springdale -- and has asked the men to endorse it before hearing their opinions. Nevertheless, it seems clear that he seeks their explicit agreement as he casts his gaze at each of the four travelers.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 438):

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 435):

and

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 438):

When he wasn't manning the hand-cranks, Jake was watching the scenery pass beneath them, noting that they were now passing over some pretty rough terrain.

"Don't mind iffen I do -- thanks," Jacob responded when Earnest offered food. In all the commotion, the Texan hadn't thought to bring any along. After picking out some jerky, he nodded at the easterner's request to wake him when it was his turn at the cranks again. "Will do, Perfesser," he replied.

"Ease off an' let me take over," the Texan said when it was time to spell Mister Walker. Now that he had more or less gotten the hang of what was needed, it was a little easier for Jake to get into a rhythm turning the cranks.

Jacob looked up, interested, when Monshure Pwa-reh-eh posed his question about continuing to fly the baloon through the evening.

"I'll ad-mit to bein' a mite cure-re-uhss regardin' what it's like to be up amongst the moon an' stars at night."

"I've done been a night-hawk whilst watchin' over beeves, but I reckon I ain't never been up amongst the real night-hawks. I'm game for it iffen everyone else is. Only, I reckon that us hand-crankers may need to rest ourselves some over the evenin' hours."

---

OOC: 16:54, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 3,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Strength Check (Hand Cranks).

16:55, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 5,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4.  Vigor Check #1.

16:56, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 3,9 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+3)9.  Vigor Check  #2.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 438):

The little bit of food hit the spot. Although he was used to foraging for food out in the  wild, he was also fond of going without eating every now and then. One of Madam Selena's regular visitors was an Indian holy man. He had told Walker about their tribe's rite of passage ceremony which included going for days without food and minimal water. He had done the same when out on the trail with Darla on a few occasions, always with very interesting results.

~ There you go Darla, see? I'm still thinkin' about you - you just won't give me any peace will ya? ~

Frenchie's question about landing the balloon, or continuing for the night did not do much to settle his thoughts.

~ Jeezaz Dee, can't tell if this man is more scared to fly or to land this damn thing. ~

Walker, still sitting down, pulls out a small tarnished silver pendant and holds it so it hangs a few inches above his knees. At first he looks at it intently then his gaze softens as he watches it sway slowly around in small random circles. He occasionally closes his eyes for a few seconds before returning his attention to the pendant. After a few minutes he looks up, wraps the chain around his hand a few times and returns it to his pocket.

"Well, I'm no expert in balloonin' or flyin' or whatever you call this, but my vote is to get back on the ground for the night."

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 438):

Tracy pushed ahead smoothly at first, rotating the crank in tandem with his partner. By the second hour of his shift, however, he began to feel his strength leave him. Hearing Poirier mention food made him realize his lessening energy and strength was likely due to his lack of food intake; the investigator had not eaten since the five men had arrived on the train. After finishing up the third hour of his shift, he ate a few of his rations, and offered to share with the others as did the Professor.

Later, as the balloonist discussed the possibility of flying at night among the stars, Tracy perked up. Nodding along with Jacob's answer, Tracy did not totally hide his interest or excitement. "I'm game to fly at night, too. Plus, it would be nice to only land one time, if it is so difficult to do."

OOC:

08:59, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 10,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,1.  Vigor roll, cranks (7).

08:59, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 1,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1.  Vigor roll, cranks (8).

09:00, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 8,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,3.  Vigor roll, cranks (8) second attempt.

09:00, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 4,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1.  Vigor roll, cranks (9).

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 441):

After napping for a bit, Earnest stirs and takes to looking over the terrain again with his binoculars. When Poirier poses his question, he chimes in.

Well, it's not like we will hit anything up here... I'm game for going on, but will that mean that you will be landing in the dark? Also, how far is Springdale from Nouveau Zion?

Once it comes to his turn, Earnest takes up the cranks again. He struggles a bit during the second hour, but manages to persevere.

12:03, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 10,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,2.  Shift 2 Strength Test.

12:04, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 4,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Shift 2 Vigor Test 1.

12:05, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 10,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,5.  Shift 2 Vigor Test 2.

---

OOC: So I guess Earnest didn't 'notice' anything while scanning with his binos earlier?

OOC: Nothing specific. The Judge has taken that roll into account in his descriptions of the sights from the balloon, in general. It was a good roll, but sometimes there is nothing special to be seen -- beyond the natural wonder of the landscape itself, of course.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 441):

OOC: Tracy made one too many Vigor rolls. Just ignoring the last one (so he still used a benny). The pattern is:

First hour - Strength success or done before starting
Second hour - Vigor success or done before starting second hour
Third hour - Vigor success or done before starting third hour, then a break of at least one hour is needed before further work.

The pilot listens to the adventurers that he has recruited for the balloon trip, hearing them exchange some of their thinking on the subject at hand.

Once they had all weighed in and the professor posed his question, the frenchman elaborated.

"Monsieur Walker, it seems you are the only voice for an extra landing. As Monsieur Windham observed, this is the most difficult part. Aussi, Monsieur Richardsen is correct that we would need to avail ourselves of rest if we are to fly all the way to Springdale."

With that, Poirier turns to the professor.

"We may not need to land in the dark. We have made good time -- and we need rest. We can take shifts sleeping and, em, watching, without turning the cranks, if the winds remain in our favor as they are now. We will slow down just enough bring us into the Springdale camp as the sun greets us!"

As an afterthought, perhaps, the silk magnate answers Earnest's second question.

"Eh? Non, mais, permettez-moi d'expliquer. Springdale is the heart of Nouveau Zion."

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

OOC: I believe the fact that Springdale is one of the towns in NZ was previously established, as were others, during the research at the library.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 445):

"That sounds like a plan to me. I can be on first watch if anyone else would like to sleep first. How many of us will sleep at a time?"

Tracy's body was worn down from the hours on the hand cranks, but he could stick it out a little longer for his friends. Besides, he was excited to view the stars from a little closer than usual.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 445):

~ Jeezaz Darla, landin' this thing is the hardest part? I'm startin' to grow tired of all these new facts, especially when they aren't in our favor ~

"Landin' is the hardest part huh? Maybe you just need more practice?"

"Anythin' else we need to know?" he asks the Frenchman sarcastically.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:09, Mon 18 Feb 2019.

In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 447):

"En fait, oui. When we are landing, you, Monsieur Walker, will need to jump out of the basket while holding all of the lines and digging your heels into the earth to slow us down. D'accord?"

The pilot pauses for two heartbeats before laughing. "I sense that digging in your heels is something for which you have practiced."
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:18, Mon 18 Feb 2019.

OOC: The Judge's read is that all four PCs, albeit one reluctantly, have agreed to push through the night.

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

The matter had been decided during the tenth hour of flight. The professor and the rifleman worked at the cranks while the airship and its current crew continued onward under the last few hours of daylight. As Poirier had noted, before long a small camp becomes visible atop a mesa in the rugged landscape. As the balloon floats overhead, its occupants can see a number of bodies moving to and fro, as if expecting a possible landing.

When it becomes clear that no landing is imminent, the bodies slow down, watching the airship passing by. They wave and shout, but the words prove difficult to comprehend. Poirier returns the wave, without any verbal response.

Now, with more than an hour of the sun's warmth remaining and the choice made to fly all the way to Springdale, the pilot suggests that Windham take to one of the two pallets and get some sleep before nightfall -- and before taking a first watch through the night. For that matter, he suggests that Walker join him, since the other two men will be working the cranks for roughly 90 minutes longer. The silk magnate describes a plan for the night, in which he must stay awake to pilot the airship with only short naps when conditions permit and with one of the men awake and keeping him company throughout. Since Tracy had volunteered to go first, he recommends that both he and Dave sleep for approximately two hours, when Richardsen and Ringgenberg would take their place. He leaves the remainder of the watch schedule up to the men -- that is, not spelling out any details about how long to sleep or who will relieve the investigator after the initial watch.

At the end of the twelfth hour, Earnest and Jake wipe the sweat from their brows and welcome the chance to rest. Their two new pards slept -- even if a mite fitfully -- on the two pallets after the had sun set beneath the hills to the west.

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

OOC: The PCs should feel free to post any conversation or narrative during the course of this time. For example, if Dave or Tracy wanted to see the sunset instead of sleeping through it, NP, just provide some narrative to that effect and work in the sleep (or lack thereof) into the postings. This includes determining the order of the watch, time on watch and such. The Judge will break each watch into a short narrative, with die rolls pending as follows:

Each man taking the night watch must make a Vigor check to stay awake while Poirier takes a short nap with the balloon riggings secured in place for the duration. For convenience, Tracy will go first as established above and then Dave, unless the PCs explicitly arrange a different schedule. Then ENS and Jake will take the last two shifts in whatever order makes sense or faciliates game-play, e.g. (when rolls are made, if anything happens to change the schedule, etc.).

Regardless, all four PCs should make a Vigor check and there is no reason to wait for one another. The Judge will sort it out depending on results.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 449):

Earnest is glad for the break once he and Jacob finish their shifts. He occupies the time before Tracy and Dave wake by using his binoculars to observe celestial objects, though his knowledge of such is limited. When he does notice something interesting, he offers both Jacob and Poirier a chance to look with a hearty "Have a look at this!"

Earnest volunteers for the shift after Dave (assuming he goes after Tracy) and then settles in to catch some more sleep. Having slept a little earlier helps him fall asleep better this time as he is a bit more used to the feel of the balloon.

When his shift comes, he grabs a little to eat and then joins Poirier at the back of the balloon.

12:54, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 3,13 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+6+1)13.  Vigor Check for Watch.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 449):

Walker, who has been lightly napping throughout the day needs no additional prompting for more sleep. This wasn't as exciting as he had expected, instead it's a combination of boredom and exercise with the cranks. Kinda like rowing a boat if you think about it.

OOC: Vigor check for staying awake during his stint:

 08:02, Today: Dave Walker rolled 5,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Vigor check for keeping awake.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 450):

Poirier avails himself of the professor's field glasses, taking in whatever Ringgenberg has spotted. The pilot had flown over this terrain before, but no human being could possibly memorize such a rugged and marvelous landscape.

"Merci, professeur. C'est un nouveau curiosite por moi."

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

OOC: Again, everything below is a spectacle; not singling out any particular sight just doing a little RP with the professor.

For the record, earlier the professor had implied that there was no worry about flying at night because there was nothing to hit up here. To any observer, including Earnest himself, there is plenty to run into. The balloon isn't thousands of feet above this rugged terrain. The Judge has mentioned that there is a mountain range to the east and many crags and hills and rock formations -- below and to the west. In a sense, Poirier has been navigating the airship over AND through this rough terrain. If he were to fall asleep and the winds suddenly shifted, the craft could easily change course and head directly for danger.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:45, Thu 21 Feb 2019.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 449):

Tracy didn't find the pallet particularly comfortable, but fatigue from working the cranks still brought sleep quickly for the investigator. When time came for his first watch, Tracy felt himself begin to doze in the first few minutes, but recovered to perform the job dutifully before Walker's turn.

OOC:

13:35, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 2,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Vigor check, watch.

13:36, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 9,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+3)9,2.  Vigor check, watch (#2).

Jacob Richardsen found himself on the last watch with Poirier, as the first rays of the sun radiated beyond the range to the east.

For what he himself had learned from the professor two hours ago, the Texan knew the airship's travel through the night had been uneventful. Earnest had woken him and relayed the good news, while the frenchman subsequently had told Jacob that the voyage was nearing its completion and to keep his eyes sharp for the balloon camp as this last hour would be vital to achieving a successful landing. The rifleman shook off any threat of fatigue, conversing with the frenchman while his eyes adjusted to the darkness and he was able to see the landscape ahead. Compared to their current environs, the terrain they had seen earlier in the day was akin to the plains of his home state. The airship flew relatively low as Poirier navigated amongst the crags, outcroppings and hillocks.

Earnest had been awoken by Dave Walker, who grumbled about being glad to end his shift. It meant little to the professor, who seemed to be enjoying every aspect of the flight, from taking in sights through his binoculars to pondering the mechanics of the balloon's propulsion and steering. The professor had kept the pilot occupied in conversation, shifting topics from the engineering of the airship to more details about their destination, Springdale. The professor had in fact learned that there was an eatery of high quality in town, known as the Prickly Pear Saloon. Poirier said he intended to arrange for the men to enjoy a fine meal there, once they had landed and taken care of things.

Naturally, Dave Walker had stayed awake entire time during his own watch before nudging the professor back to life. The herbalist had ensured that Poirier took no longer than his scheduled nap during a relative calm in the winds. At least, Dave thought to himself -- and probably expressed to Darla at least once along the way -- the damnable exercise had ceased. Unfortunately, the boredom had persisted. The depth of the night made it incredibly difficult to see much of the earth below, while Walker and Frenchie had exhausted themselves with conversation in short order. Nonetheless, Walker did enjoy the moon and the stars, seeing them from a unique perspective aboard the silk merchant's balloon.

Of course, Dave had relieved Tracy Windham, who seemed -- as he sometimes does -- a mite trepidatious. Maybe not, maybe just worn out by the night shift and all of the cranking. Tracy himself had maintained his curious nature throughout, speaking with the frenchman about the route what lay ahead in Nouveau Zion. Like the professor later, the investigator learned about the Prickly Pear and of the various sheep ranches and mulberry farms in the three towns of Springdale, Grafton and Rockville. Tracy marveled at the landscape, even though the darkness made it more difficult to discern in any detail. He gazed at the stars and the moon and felt himself lucky to experience such a journey. Still, he had startled himself by waking up from some dozing during the pilot's nap. He never panicked, but his mind ran in circles for a several seconds as he gathered his wits and realized that no harm had been done, waking Poirier only a few minutes later than planned. Some 30 minutes later, the blood was still pumping through his veins when it came time to wake Dave Walker.

Now, although Jake Richardsen knew only some of the events -- or lack thereof -- that had preceded his watch, it was becoming obvious that their landing was imminent. The frenchman had ordered him to keep a steady eye on the landscape. Several times now, in truth, to the point where the Texan was feeling a mite annoyed. As if on cue, when the sun's rays pierced the gaps in the range to the west, Poirier changed his tune.

"Monsieur, awaken all of your, em ... comment dit-on ... pards. I can see the camp."

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

OOC: Jacob, IC-post-away in the awakening of the other three men.

As each man awakens, and then as Jacob completes that task, a Spirit roll is required as the adventurers take in the current situation in the dawn of Nouveau Zion. Of course, PC conversation and narration is welcome.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 454):

Walker had a restless night. The pallets and confined area of the balloon basket was starting to wear on him. Throughout the night when the others were taking their turn on watch he would occasionally listen to casual conversation between the other men.

When he finally awoke at dawn he took in the sights once more. It was clear the travel by balloon avoided any risk of ambush by Indians or thieves, but he was a bit concerned about the upcoming landing when they reached their destination.

~ Who knows Darla, this might be the day we are reunited ~

OOC Spirit check:

07:38, Today: Dave Walker rolled 3,6 using d6,d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3,6.  Sprit check when waking.

In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 455):

It had been many years since Earnest had slept on a ship (on his passage to America), regardless that experience seemed to stick with him as he had slept well on this airship, despite it's strange sense of movement.

12:32, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Wakeup Spirit Check.

...so well in fact, that he found it rather difficult to shake the cobwebs as Jacob woke him!

---

OOC: Just made that roll! Not sure what the consequences of a failure would be (i.e., is it worth a benny to reroll)?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:36, Fri 22 Feb 2019.