In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 816):

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OOC - I think it makes sense for them to get to know each other a bit more, at this point they are still strangers, but I don't want to drag it out if everyone is ready to FTB. I guess we can RP that later at the Prickly Pear as the next adventure gets started.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:01, Tue 11 Feb 2020.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 817):

OOC: Having read Tommy's thinking -- and also keeping in mind Jake's comment about using this as a way to introduce the next new player -- moving the conversation to the Prickly Pear seems appropriate. We shall continue in free posting mode, RP as you like. The Judge will RP some NPCs, as well. The Judge will add the Prickly Pear back to one of the game map groups, later today.

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Having enjoyed Mrs. Larsen's pie -- blackberry by the Irishman's way of thinking, but actually mulberry, which he learns is a staple here in Nouveau Zion -- Pearce suggested they all head over to the Prickly Pear to hoist a pint. Like the other heroes, Tommy had been there before and experienced the relative weak ale, but it was only place nearby to enjoy such a libation.

The small restaurant enjoys a full clientele this fine spring evening. The tables are taken, with a few men standing. Notably, there are no women in the place; however, upon seeing the trio of heroes enter, the locals quickly clear a table, murmuring thanks for their service to the town and insisting that the four men avail themselves of the seats.

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OOC: To Earnest's questions:
It is May 3, 1877, just past 8 o'clock.

• It's $2.50 for each person, to share the room, for one week. Otherwise, it is $1 per person, nightly, for a bed in the shared room (shared only by the heroes). Initially, Pearce is in a different room but that could change with consensus.
• Horses: the PCs may elect to acquire horses; otherwise, it could be part of the agreement to head back to HC if the PCs are doing this on behalf of the townsfolk, again -- that is, they could get horses on loan from Mr. Knight or other ranchers.
• Nothing from the PP telegraph operator

EDIT: Added an important, missing phrase.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:51, Wed 12 Feb 2020.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 818):

Earnest takes one of the chairs, thanking those that freed the table for them. He makes himself comfortable, then starts to reach into his inner coat pocket as he speaks.

Well gentlemen, we've had a busy day... I for one am for a whiskey and a cigar!

Whereupon he extracts said cigar from his coat.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 819):

Answering the professor's statement even though he was not asked, Monsieur Poirier's voice booms across the Prickly Pear. From whence he came is a mystery.

"Mais non, le professeur, la Prickly Pear est sans ... whiskey. You shall drink the weak beer and nothing else; however, tonight you shall pay no tab."
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:06, Thu 13 Feb 2020.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 820):

Tracy grinned as the Frenchman’s voice boomed from the ether. The investigator was glad to see him again, even though the man could be a bit much. After catching the eye of the barkeep and asking for an ale, he addresses Poirier.

“Good to see you again, sir! How have you been since we last spoke?”

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 821):

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 820):

Tommy hears the French accent and smiles with the others in mutual recognition

Monsieur Poirier, I've always appreciated your generosity... and I won't stop now. Merci, mon ami

He catches the barkeep just as Tracy orders Make it two ales...tanks.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:18, Thu 13 Feb 2020.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 821) and Thomas Pearce (msg #822):

The silk merchant nods to Pearce, answering Windham.

"I have been airborne, mon ami, as you must have learned by now from Monsieur Pearce. I am glad to know that you have made his acquaintance. Amongst the birds is where I belong, non?"

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 823):

The door to the Prickly Pear opens and in steps a slender man, roughly 1.9 meters tall, clad in plain white shirt and a sleek silken black vest. His jet black hair is perfectly combed to one side, with not a hair out of place. Upon his strikingly handsome face, just above his lips rests a spectacularly manicured mustache, with its ends curled slightly up and away from the corners of his mouth.

He takes a step towards his favorite table, but then catches notice of his boisterous friend at the other end of the restaurant.

"Alphonse, mon frere! I must say, my new vest is doux comme un lapin."

He claps his hand upon Alphonse's shoulder as he turns to the group at the table.

"Mon Dieu, are these the men I have heard so much of from my customers today? The men who rescued the Knight girl? Quel plaisir!"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:19, Fri 14 Feb 2020.

In reply to Rofgia Beaucheveux (msg # 824):

~So there’s two of them now?~

Tracy glances quickly at Jake to catch his reaction to the second Frenchman joining the group before turning his attention back to the newcomer.

“Yes, sir, I suppose we’re those men. I’m Tracy Windham; who might you be?” The investigator offers his hand to the bold man with the groomed mustache.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 825):

~I swear, the man's lieke a force uhv nae-chure -- lieke a hurry-caine, or such-lieke,~ Jake thought to himself when he first heard Mon-shure Pwa-reh-eh's voice.

~Waal, leastweys he's buyin',~ the Texican told himself, ~an' I reckon that he cain't haelp bein' windy -- it's jest the waey he is . . . lieke that cougar who was chaesin' deer . . . it's what cougars do. An' he ain't really a bad sort -- jest the sort who I tol-eraete better in smallish doe-ses.~

A moment later another fellow -- another Frenchie, it seemed, given his accent and his foreign words -- greeted Mon-shure Pwa-reh-eh quite amiably. Jacob pursed his lips thoughtfully and eyed the newcomer, waiting to see how he would respond to Mister Windham's greeting.

---

OOC: Edit: Tweaked Jake's drawl a scooch. No substantive changes.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Fri 14 Feb 2020.

In reply to Rofgia Beaucheveux (msg # 824) and Tracy Windam (msg # 825):

"Il est Rofgia Beaucheveux," answers Poirier, "mon compatriote. And the finest barber from here to Montana," adds the pilot, slapping his friend on the back.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:59, Fri 14 Feb 2020.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 827):

"Comme je suis grossier! Oui, I am Rofgia Beaucheveux and I am the traveling barber of these parts, providing the finest haircuts to the good people of Grafton, Rockville, and Springdale. To thank you for your recent heroics, you must let me give you all a trim," he says as he brings his fingers up to pinch the right curl of his mustache, winks, and then motions to Jake, "especially you monsieur, perhaps a pruning of your mustache might bring a smile to your face!"

He takes a moment to breathe, "Pardonne-moi, there I go again... you fine gentlemen must tell me your names."

OOC: The name is pronounced by Rofiga as Rahf-gee-ah Boo-sheh-voo
This message was last edited by the player at 20:17, Fri 14 Feb 2020.

OOC: The Judge is willing to bet a double eagle that's NOT how Jake will pronounce it.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:42, Fri 14 Feb 2020.

In reply to Rofgia Beaucheveux (msg # 828):

"Waal, Mon-shure Bushy-voo," Jake was quick to reply to the Frenchman, "I don't reckon that I'd much cotton to havin' no pruenes 'round the vih-sinitie uhv my mus-tash. Never much caered for the taeste uhv 'em."

He rubbed his face and felt the two- or three-day growth of whiskers on his cheeks. "Reckon I could mayhap do with a shaeve, though," he offered by way of a consolation prize. After all, Mon-shure Bushy-voo seemed like a nice feller, and Jacob didn't want to offend him after the Frenchman had made his kind offer.

"Oh, an' I'm Jaeke. Jaeke Rich-cherdsen. Pleased to maeke yer ah-quaint-ence."

---

OOC: Edit: Deepened Jake's drawl in a spot.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:39, Fri 14 Feb 2020.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 830):

Tracy smirks slightly at the exchange between Jake and Monsieur Beaucheveux, stifling a laugh. The way that Jake stumbled into an acceptance of the new Frenchman’s offer was almost too humorous to be an accident. The investigator sensed that the two of them might be quite a pair should this sort of confusion continue.

Having already introduced himself, Tracy awaited his other friends’ response to Beaucheveux.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 831):

Earnest rises to shake Monsieur Poirier's hand.

Bon jour Monsieur Poirier! And merci for the drinks!

When the barber comes in and introduces himself, Earnest replies with a smile.

Bon jour Monsier Beaucheveux, very nice to meet you... I am Professor Earnest Ringgenberg, at your service!

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 832):


It's a pleasure Mr Beaucheveux

Tommy reaches out to shake the barbers hand and continues

I could do with a bit of a trim but ah be honest wiya.... I was not actually involved in the rescue....in fact this is the first I'm earin of it.

Tommy turns to his companions.

Judging by our reception ere tonight sounds like you gents have done a cracking job saving that girl. You musta had yourself a elluva a fight. I'm well impressed. Was it a case of kidnapping?

Tommy had been wondering about this group since he met them, especially after he overheard Mr Windham ask the sheriff something about bandits. This evening at the Prickly Pear was proving eye opening and he found himself quite impressed and also wanting to know more about his dinner companions
This message was last edited by the player at 05:56, Sat 15 Feb 2020.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 833):

Rofgia turns to Tracy, Earnest, Tommy, Jake, shaking each of their hands. As he does this, he thinks to himself, ~"What a lovely gentlemen Monsieur Jake is, but I am struggling to understand what he means by the taste of 'pruenes'."~

He shakes the thought quickly, "What a merveilleux group all of you are, I can see that Alphonse has plied you all with drinks, may I join you for a Bière?"

"And in the morning, I would be delighted to make l'art of your faces with mon rasoir, mon pinceau!"

Monsieur Poirier expels a chuckle from deep within his belly as he crowds in around the table of now six men, three on each of the two wood benches available. Facing the door are Poirier, Windham and Richardsen; with their backs to the door are Beaucheveux, Ringgenberg and Pearce.

"Moi, aussi, mon freres. I would like to hear tales of the rescue of Elizabeth Knight, who was taken by these outlaws," says the Frenchman, nodding towards Pearce.

A young serving boy brings ceramic mugs filled with a pale, weak ale. Anyone who wishes may grab a mug.

OOC: The Judge will remind all that the "whatever is publicly posted is public knowledge" rule. The three PCs who were involved in the rescue don't need to re-tell the story -- the new PCs can read about it if they so choose. But this scene enables us to say that information was conveyed between the characters.

Of course, at the same time, the Judge would enjoy further RP and narration. It's been great so far, as all 5 characters come together, albeit using the trope of the tavern well-met, has been enjoyable to read.

So perhaps Jake, ENS or Tracy can narrate a little, or add a comment about a particular part of the journey they found memorable / notable, etc., while also using this as a way to prepare for what we know is coming -- a return trip to Hidden Canyon -- by providing details of the approach, obstacles, defenses of the bandits and their hideout. And also answer any direct questions that the two newcomers have.

In reply to Alphonse Poirier (msg # 835):

Jake could not follow what Mon-shure Bushy-voo was saying, but he smiled at the man -- who certainly seemed to be a nice enough fellow -- and nodded amiably to the Frenchman. He made a mental note to ask the Perfesser later for a translation.

After Mon-shure Pwa-reh-eh had spoken, asking for a recounting of Miss Knight's rescue, the Texican claimed one of the mugs of ale and raised it to the baloonist by way of a toast. "To yer health, Mon-shure," Jacob said.

The Texan then shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know what thaere is to tell 'bout gettin' Miss Knight back."

"Red Shirt guided us to their camp out from town a waeys. Once thaere we had a right spiritied dust-uhp with them hardcaeses, but managed to git the upper hand ohn 'em after losin' one of our own. Seein' as how we had 'em by the short-hairs, after a short parley they agreed ree-leese Miss Knight to us, an' to leave the area."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 836):

Earnest raises his mug with Jake, then nods as he speaks before chiming in.

Well, "leave the area" might be too much to hope for, but the have very probably left that camp area... it was tricky to get to and there didn't seem to be another way out. We know there is a cave there, but we didn't get that far.

Earnest takes a sip of his beer.

The Sheriff seems determined to go back there to investigate. It will be interesting to examine the area... I find it hard to believe they would trap themselves, so either that cave or some crevasse probably provides a way out.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 837):

“Miss Knight also said that one bandit in particular hinted that those caves might be important for some other reason as well. The group may have chosen that locale for more than just its safety and secrecy.”

Tracy did not feel like it was his job to run all the bandits out of town, but he really wanted to investigate those caves. He would help the Sheriff and the other townspeople run the hardcases out of town without question; however, quite a bit of his drive to do so came from his desire to uncover the secrets of that hideout.

Shaking himself out of his minor reverie, Tracy attends to the conversation once again.

“Have you heard any townspeople talking of the Sheriff’s plans, Monsieur Beaucheveux?”

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 838):

Rofgia grabs a mug, and takes a sip.

Oui, the, how do you say... "buzz", he says with a wry wink, "around town is that we may finally see an end to the bandits with the help of some heroes, much like the chevaliers I see in front of me now!"

He leans in and drops his voice much lower, so as that only those at the table could hear him.

"And I would be enchanté to assist such a group in their quest vertueuse."

Rofgia straightens back up, swirls his beer around for a moment, and then throws it back for a long gulp.

In reply to Rofgia Beaucheveux (msg # 839):

Earnest grins at the bold barber.

Well, I'm sure the Sheriff will take all the help that is offered!

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 840):

Jake pursed his lips and his expression became one of concern when the talk turned to exploring the caves near the olwhoot's main camp. As far as the Texican was concerned, the less said about that old-timey knights' treasure back in there, the better.

Then another thought occurred to Jacob, and his eyes narrowed as he sized up Mon-shure Bushy-voo. ~Is this one a-nother spy for the Frenchies, lieke I'm a'thinkin' Mon-shure Pwa-reh-eh mieght turn out to be?~

~That would shorely explain why he's wantin' to riede out yonder with us. Why would a bar-ber be wantin' to do such a thing, other-wise? An' is he even a bar-ber? Shorely looks lieke this'un could be ae-nother see-cret ae-jent for the Frenchies.~

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OOC: I don't know how much of the backstory Tommy and Rofgia's players have read, but if you are interested, please see Msg. #713 (p. 29 of this thread), and the other nearby messages to see what Jake is talking about (the treasure of the Templars! Sacre' Bleu!) :)