In reply to Doc Swensen (msg # 945):

Earnest nods somberly.

Well doctor, I don't relish the thought of relearning how to write and everything else with my left hand... So I'd like to try to recover as much use as possible. I can also give you some details from the time of injury if you think that would help?

In reply to Doc Swensen (msg # 942):

Tracy nods quickly, attempting to put her at ease. “I beg your pardon, Doctor. I should have phrased my question properly. I meant to inquire if you were acquainted with her. The towns seem quite partial to her singing, but I haven’t come across her and her act as of yet. It has peaked my curiosity.” Windham pauses, considering another question. “Where might I see her perform?”

~Huh,~ the investigator thought to himself. ~That was a strange reaction; she seemed as touchy as the bandit was at the mention of her name. Only makes me more interested in discovering her story.~
This message was last edited by the player at 12:43, Tue 03 Nov 2020.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 946):

Taylor's face brightens. "That is no concern, Mr. Richardsen. None of you have reached your limit, as of yet, although this purchase brings you near yours."

OOC: It seems the three players who earned the credit from Mr. Knight forget every time that they each had their own line of credit.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 948):

Swensen nods at the investigator's clarification. "I believe she went east for engagements in other towns. She returns to the towns, with traders, frequently.

Tracy has noticed that a number of the locals refer to this area as "the towns." While Poirier called the area Nouveau Zion -- and some others do as well -- most folks simply refer to the trio of towns at the southern rim on the canyon in that general way.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 947):

"Why, of course, Professor. Anything you believe will help. I understand you also have some medical training, so speak your piece."

She listens, while preparing her medical supplies for the treatment.

OOC: ENS doesn't have to repeat everything. The Judge takes this as RP for a Support roll for the doc. Go ahead and make one.
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:15, Tue 03 Nov 2020.

In reply to Doc Swensen (msg # 950):

Tracy nods to Doc Swensen. “Then I will await her return.”

The investigator remains quiet from that point while the doctor finishes attending to his friends. He contemplates the strange reaction to Miss Alexander as he looks about the room, hoping to notice any detail that he missed upon entering the office. Windham tried to keep his observation skills sharp in moments like these.

OOC:

07:51, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 2,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  Notice, looking about office.

A question for the Judge: have Tracy and the other heroes heard about these other towns to the east?

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 952):

OOC: The heroes know there is a "road" that goes east toward other settlements. The YBBs sometimes ambushed traders on that route, which was part of the problem with the bandits. The Judge doesn't recall the characters ever attempting to learn more about those towns, specifically, so I think it's fair to say that Tracy has heard of "towns to the east" but doesn't know much such as "how far east?" or "directly east?" or "east being a generic term like 'back east'"? -- or even any particular name of a town.

You could make a CK roll anytime for general information about a given subject. The Judge may apply modifiers based on the topic of inquiry.

In reply to Doc Swensen (msg # 951):

Earnest recalls details as he remembers them, what he thought the bullet damaged, the bad bleeding that luckily stopped on it own, etc. All the time watching with interest as the Doctor prepares.

07:38, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 9,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,4.  Healing Support Roll - Benny Reroll.

07:38, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Healing Support Roll.

OOC: Went ahead and burned a benny, to good affect hopefully!

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 954):

OOC: Earnest gives +2 to the doc's roll ... before the Judge makes the roll, do either of the other characters wish to attempt Support? Similar to what people did on the battlefield. Although it didn't happen then, bear in mind that a Crit Fail on a Support roll SUBTRACTS from the roll being supported, so it isn't always a good idea to attempt Support.

In reply to Taylor (msg # 949):

"That's good to hear," Jake replied to storekeeper's clarification about his credit. "Thanks, Taylor."

"An' whilst I'm thinkin' about it, the sheriff was a-thinkin' that the judge might be here in a few daeys to deal with that El Presidente' hombre. Reckon that'll mean a trial."

"Any flannel-mouthed law-yers hereabouts that might be willin' to step in an' de-fend that scalawag? I 'spect that ol' scamp has ack-sess to plenty of money to paey for somebody willin' to step in an' maeke him ah-pere to be as pure as driven snow, an' uhs posse-folks to look lieke dehvils with forked tails."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 955):

Tommy replies to the doctor
"Yes, I'll try to manage without the laudanum..tis quite dangerous. Still maybe you better give me a small bottle just in case. "

After she turns her attention and begins to work on Earnest Tommy encourages her
"Go on now show us how it's done..Professor's arm will be as good as new"

----------------------------------------------------------------------
20:11, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 7,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,2.  Support roll - Doc Swensen.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 956):

Taylor's eyes widen and then narrow as he listens to the Texican's drawl. The proprietor of the outfitter's shrugs.

"An intriguing question, Mr. Richardsen. Whatever you may call such an advocate, I suspect someone will provide counsel to ... the scalawag. As you say, men usually have their price although I cannot think of a body in the towns who would jump into the fray, as it were -- at least no man capable of what you so colorfully describe."

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 957):

"I shall add it to your bill," says the doc. Her preparations nearly complete, she issues instructions to all three men. Neither Tracy nor Tommy are expected to do anything specific, only to jump to it if she asks for any help during the procedure.

"Bite down on this, professor," she says, giving him a rolled piece of leather.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:48, Wed 04 Nov 2020.

In reply to Doc Swensen (msg # 959):

OOC
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Finagle it is exactly what Tommy is trying to do

09:25, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 9,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,4.  Persuasion roll - laudanum

In reply to Taylor (msg # 958):

"Waal, I reckon we'll see," Jacob drawled in response to Taylor's voicing his opinion. "But a man who's got as much money squirreled away as I'm a-thinkin' El Presidente' does, the cards just seem to tend to favor them when all is said an' done."

The Texican turned towards where he had left the saddle and tack that he had picked out. "If'n my credit'll cover it, I reckon I'll taeke these here eye-tems. Got a horse a-waitin' outsiede, an' I ain't Injun enough to en-joy rie-dihn bareback."

In reply to Doc Swensen (msg # 959):

Earnest takes the leather, bites down on it, and prepares for the inevitable pain. He watches as the Doctor does her work, both out of curiosity and as a distraction from the pain, but offers no other comment unless asked... not wanting to distract her.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 962):

The doc does her work. The professor's mental preparation doesn't change the pain. He bites down hard as Swensen resets the bones in his arm. When she applies the new splint and wraps it, he bites down again.

Fortunately for Ringgenberg, the procedure goes well. Only time will tell for certain, but the doc assures him that with proper rest, he can expect to regain some usage.

The Doc hands a bottle of laudanum to the professor. She glances at Pearce.

"There is enough there for both of you, sweetheart."

19:35, Yesterday: Judge Messalen rolled 4,6 using d8+3,d6+3 with rolls of 1,3.  Doc Swensen Earnest's Arm.

In reply to Doc Swensen (msg # 963):

"Thank you doctor, I appreciate it. We'll be sure to take care of the Professor as he heals"

In reply to Doc Swensen (msg # 963):

Earnest wipes pain sweat from his brow as the doctor finishes up. He sits still fro a minute, breathing deeply, before speaking.

Thank you doctor... excellent work.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 965):

Tracy nods to Doc Swensen once she finishes her work. “Thanks, Doc. I owe so much to you and Daniel.”

El Presidente's trial lasted only day, once it finally began.

Sheriff Andersen had sent word for the Judge. As he learned, and shared with others, the magistrate had pressing business in the towns to the east, especially the new burg called Hite near a large mining camp in another canyon.

By the end of that day -- the second day after the men had returned to Grafton and secured beds at the Larsen's boarding house -- the sheriff gathered the heroes, a look of concern on his face.

"I need t'take the prisoner to Hite. The Judge will hear the case there. Now I know ye men already done more'n a day's work for the towns, but I reckon we could use yer help agin."

Anderson explained the situation in full. Somewhat reluctantly, the heroes agreed to the task. All except Ringgenberg escorted the prisoner eastward to Hite. The professor, under doctor's orders and his own common sense, stayed in Grafton.

The journey east proved uneventful. The sheriff and his deputies delivered Owen Andrew Jackson ... the name revealed for the bandit known as El Presidente ... with no difficulties. The trial went swiftly. Even though Andersen had taken depositions from everyone involved, only the sheriff himself took the stand to testify in person. Jake, Tracy and Tommy watched the proceedings. The evidence of rustling -- primarily as gathered by the heroes retrieval of several branded mounts -- proved enough for a conviction. Their time in Hite seemed strange. The place seemed more like a camp than a town, at least compared to Springdale and Grafton. It felt oddly like "going home" when they returned to town with Andersen, after a federal marshal took custody of Jackson.

When they had returned to the towns, the men informed Earnest of the results. By then, the professor had enjoyed a full week's rest and had begun his daily practice of learning to shoot with his left hand.

OOC: Each player should post a narrative, similar to the style of an Interlude. It can be a point in time or a summary of the full ten days involved in the narrative the Judge provided above. That's up to you. Feel free to go beyond the usual scope of an Interlude, perhaps covering all 3 aspects (downtime, backstory, trek) or delving into whatever you have been interested in expressing or establishing about the character within the context of this journey. All the Judge is doing is providing the card draw to give you each a starting point.

Earnest - Spades
Jake - Spades
Tommy - Diamonds
Tracy - Hearts

We will wrap up this chapter with your posts and open the next for the fade-up after the professor's recovery period.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 967):

~Five years . . .~ Jacob thought to himself as he stepped outside the large tent that normally functioned as a bar and gambling-house, but which had been converted to a courtroom to accommodate the trial of one Owen Andrew Jackson -- otherwise known as El Presidente'. It was probably the largest enclosed area -- that is to say, tent -- in the little boom-town of Hite, and it also boasted the luxury of having wooden floor-boards in place (a definite improvement over a dirt -- or mud, during rainy times -- floor, to the Texicn's way of thinking.

Jake thought of rolling himself a quirley, but settled for a plug of chewing-tobacco instead, which was soon enough nestled against the inside of the Texan's cheek. ~Five years for tryin' to kill us, an' mayhap cripplin' the Perfesser -- although I hope to hell that it don't turn out thataway.~

The trial had taken the better part of the day, and by this time the sun was well on its way to sinking down to the western horizon.  Jake pulled his hat down low, so as to shade his eyes, and stepped smack-dab into a pile of steaming road-apples. He slipped and flailed his arms as he fought to keep from losing his balance -- not to mention his dignity -- and won a small victory by managing to stay on his feet.

"Waal, hell," he muttered, spitting a stream of tobacco juice onto the road appples just to teach them who was boss here. "Damn if it ain't a shitty end to a shitty day."

~Don't Jackson's tryin' to kill sworn officers uhv the law -- meanin' us deputies -- account for nuthin'? Near as I can tell ever'body done for-got 'bout that little dee-tail.~

~All them badges done was to keep us -- me, mainly, I s'pose -- from doin' the right thing an' puttin' a bullet in that goat-swivin' bastard's head, back yonder when I had the chance. An' look what we get for it -- 'A y'all boys done good' from the sheriff, an' a 'Don't let the door hit y'all in the ass on the waey out' from the Judge.~

Jake sighed heavily and tried to convince himself to that he should be satisfied with half a loaf. ~Lestways, them flannel-mouthed four-flushers din't get him off scot-free, which I was a-feared might happen. I reckon that five years bustin' rocks in the hot sun is better'n that.~

The Texican looked around for any of his pards who had also made their way out of the tent. "Damned iff'n I don't need me a drink or twelve," he muttered under his breath.

---

OOC: I decided to use the Judge's "Point in Time" suggestion, and wrote of the moments when the verdict has just been rendered, and Jake stepped out of the court-tent. Anyone who wishes to do so can build on this post for their own purposes (or not -- I won't be offended if no one else is so inclined). :)

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 968):

Earnest's first night after the good doctor's surgery went better than he expected... luckily he tended to sleep on his back or left side so he didn't put pressure on the injured arm very much; and the rest did him a world of good!

On the day that they set off for Hite, Earnest made sure to see his friends off. He apologized profusely for not accompanying them and assured them that he would waste no time working on getting better. He watched them ride off until he could no longer see them.

The next day he set about his task. His medical training helped in his rehabilitation since he knew when he might be pushing to much. But even splinted he could work on some movement for the arm. He also consulted with Doctor Swensen regularly, and while she tsked-tsked at his insistence on pushing the arm, she couldn't deny the results: it seemed that the terrible wound was healing remarkably!

When the soreness in his right arm curtailed those activities, he worked on skills with his left. He would regularly visit Mr. Taylor or Mr. Shumway's shop for more ammo (with Taylor fretting about his stock but seeming able to maintain; Shumway merely harrumphed at his requests). He had found a spot just outside of town where he could safely practice with his pistols and shotgun and would trek out there almost daily; he even brought out his whip to practice!

Some of the children of the town took notice of his activities and would follow him to his practice, at first staying back a ways, but eventually joining him when he didn't object. Children being children, they were full of questions. Rather than being annoyed, Earnest fell into old lecturing habits; challenging their questions and encouraging them to think through things. He found this pleasantly relaxing and helpful at distracting him from his pain.

Earnest was working his arm in his shared room the afternoon of his friend's return. Mrs. Larsen came knocking to inform him of their return. He thanked her and dressed to go meet them.

I hope everything went well...

He muttered to himself as he left to go learn El Presidente's fate...
This message was last edited by the player at 19:37, Sun 15 Nov 2020.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 969):

Everything in Hite had a temporary and tenuous quality. It gave one the feeling it might not be there should one ride this way again. Only after a few days did one really feel that a town was indeed slowly forcing it's way onto the landscape. The canvas tents with wagons parked next to them reminded Tommy of the travelling circus that had stopped in Tommy's town when he was a boy. Looking back it was not much of a circus compared to what he had later seen in New York but at the time it had been a glimpse of a larger world.

There was not much to do in Hite, walking around became a way to pass the time. Tommy met a few folks. They were mostly ranchers and homesteaders. On the second to the last day of the trial Tommy and the rest of the pards were hanging around waiting for verdict, waiting to see justice done and get back. After a break for lunch Tommy was strolling back to the "courthouse",when a group of 3 young boys ran up to him asking if Tommy had been the one of the men who captured El Presidente
 "Are you the one who captured El Presidente" asked the tallest boy
 "Yes me and my partners brought him back"
 "Was there a gunfight?"
 "Yes a pretty big one, there were many bad men with El Presidente"
 "Were you injured?, Did you shoot him?"  the questions came tumbling out
 "Got shot twice myself, my partners took him down"
After getting their answers one boy noted
 "You talk funny Mister"
 "I'm from Ireland. We all talk a bit funny around there"
Then the boy asked
 "You going back there when the trial ends"
It was the first time Tommy had thought much about that question, until now it had not crossed his mind. He had written letters and occasionally sent money home but the idea of ever going back... or never going back.. had not crossed his mind.
He felt a strange sensation he could not quite put his finger on.
  "Good question son, I guess I'm not sure..maybe if I'm lucky"
Tommy gave the kids a few pennies telling them he "took these from El Presidente's pocket myself"  The kids ran off with souvenirs to show their friends and Tommy returned to the trial.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 967):

Owen Andrew Jackson. It was strange to learn El Presidente’s given name. Tracy wondered how differently people would perceive him if he were called “The Interrogator” or something like that. ~Or maybe “The Gnat?,”~ he thought. “The Gnat,” always pestering unlucky saps with too many questions. Tracy smiled to himself.

Returning from his reverie, Tracy stole a glance at the horse carrying the captured bandit leader. He was curious how the man felt about his current predicament. The investigator gained nothing from his countenance, however.

When he was not observing Mister Jackson, Tracy was able to watch the more experienced riders in order to improve his own technique. Windham noticed how straight the others kept their backs as they rode, especially Jake. Even when the Texican’s mind seemed to wander from the task at hand, his back remained perfectly straight. After focusing on his own posture on horseback, Windham felt significantly fewer aches and pains at the end of the day’s ride. He silently thanked his friend for the unknown advice.

Of course, all of the riding to and from Hite allowed the investigator to develop a bond with his new steed as well. He liked Brownie already. The mare loved her apple treats and devoured them quickly; he wondered if she received regular treats from the Yellow Bandana Boys. Windham sensed that she had wandered quite a bit in her short life, a lot like he had.

After returning from Hite, Tracy set himself to brushing her down before her return to the Knights’ stables. “You’re safe with me; I promise,” he murmured to the mare.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 00:17, Tue 17 Nov 2020.