In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 896):

"Yer welcome."

Glancing at each of the men, now expecting that all of them are of the same mind about the end of their deputization, the sheriff reiterates.

"Thanks to each of ye. I know the folks in the towns will treat ye right for as long as ye care to stay."

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

OOC: It seems that the PCs don't have much interest in further conversations with the sheriff. That's fine. As noted earlier, feel free to move on to whatever RP you want to do in the towns.

Daniel Knight proceeds to relate the incidents of the deputies week traveling to and from the Echo Canyon Trail.

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

OOC: The Judge sees no reason to recap everything -- it's all in writing above. If characters want to listen to Daniel's narrative, please state that in your own narrative. Otherwise, as above, please continue with any RP you wish to initiate in the towns. Feel free to skip ahead to another place or time (the doc's, the Prickly Pear, Taylor's, the gunsmith, etc.).

All RP is up to the PCs at this time.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 898):

Jake stood off to the side as Daniel Knight gave his "official report" to Sheriff Anderson. As he listened, he found himself wondering what the Yella Bandanna Boys would do, now that El Presidente' would be locked away. ~Wonder how loyal they are to him? Will they try an' bust him out, or has one of his lew-tenants mayhap been bidin' his tieme, a-waitin' for a chance to taeke over?~

Once that discussion had ended and the younger Mister Knight had moved away, the Texan spoke up.

"Can I have a moe-ment of your tieme, Sheriff?" he asked.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 899):

Tommy listens to Daniel's report to the Sheriff. At the last minute before moving on to the doctor's place he asks

"What happens to him now Sheriff? You're keeping him here for trial?"

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 898):

Earnest listens to Daniel's report, ready to add anything if necessary. But the young man's account is told well, and truth be told, there were some parts where Earnest was nearly unconscious and didn't recall the happenings.

Regardless, he listens, nodding occasionally, until he is done. Then he stands by while the others make further inquiries.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 900) and Jacob Richardsen (msg # 899):

"Yessir ... he'll set in the hoosegow until the Judge arrives."

Amongst the heroes, Pearce probably knew the least about the three towns. Likely, Sheriff Andersen assumed the Irishman meant "somewhere in the three towns" when he used the word "here." One thing Tommy does remember ... the sheriff's office itself resides in Grafton. That's where the mechanic met Jake, Tracy and Earnest less than a fortnight ago. He cannot recall whether the office contained a cell. Nor does he know whether the towns have a prison.

"O'course, Mr. Richardsen," answers the sheriff, looking to Jake for some sign as to whether the rifleman meant "in private" or if he intended to have his say with the others in earshot.

In reply to Sheriff Andersen (msg # 902):

Jake made no move to step away, so it seemed clear that he was comfortable making his comments public (although he did turn away from El Presidente', seemingly in an effort to prevent the bandit leader from hearing what he had to say).

"Sheriff, I know that you ain't had much tieme to give thought to what might happen, now that El Presidente' is gonna be a-sittin' in yer jail. But I been coj-itaetin' on it for nigh on three days now, an' it oh-curs to me that one plaey that the Yella Bandanna Boys could maeke is to try an' bust him out."

"Now, I ain't saeyin' that I got any in-for-maeshunn on that point, one waey or the other. But I wanted ye to know that even though I turned in my badge, ye can count on me to back yer plaey whilst I'm here in town, should that bee-come necessary."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:04, Thu 15 Oct 2020.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 903):

"Much obliged. Might be a few days."

The sheriff glances at El Presidente. Hyrum and Ammon had pulled him down from his mount, while Daniel Knight had given his report. The bandit keeps his head bowed, his preacher's hat hiding his face from most of the gathered townsfolk.

In reply to Sheriff Andersen (msg # 904):

Jacob chuckled at Sheriff Anderson's comment -- perhaps a sign that his sour disposition was beginning to improve.

"Waal, I wasn't ah-temptin' to hurry along no bad happenin's. 'Never' works good for me -- even better'n 'a few days'.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 905):

"I'll be available too Sheriff if you need any assistance"

Tommy turns toward Earnest and the rest of the group

"Earnest I will accompany you to the doctor whenever you are ready.... and then look forward to some good food and a good rest. Daniel, Hyrum, Ammon I assume you will be heading home. You've been brilliant and brave, it's been a pleasure. May I ask you to kindly leave us a few of the captured horses?"

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 905) and Thomas Pearce (msg # 906):

The sheriff chuckles. "I meant to say, might be a few days 'fore the Judge arrives."

Andersen nods to Pearce, once the Irishman adds his promise of support.

"Thank ye. I reckon I have work to do. Good day," he says, moving towards the bandit leader.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 906):

Daniel Knight responds on behalf of his friends. "We will head home after we help the sheriff." He glances at the kids. "I can think of no reason why not, Mr. Pearce. Do you want to borrow the tack until you can procure your own?"

OOC: PCs can choose from one of five new mounts. The last three joined the remuda after the fight with the bandits in the echo canyon valley -- given names by Daniel and his pards. They keep El Presidente's mount.
Roan
Lad
Brownie
Patches
Fleur

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 908):

"Reckon I'm par-shall to Roan, here," Jake remarked as he stroked the horse's neck after the conversation with Sheriff Anderson came to a close.

"That's a naeme I won't mind callin' out, if need be. All these other kids sound like they was named by a ladies' sewin' circle."

"Wall, 'ceptin' for 'Flerr', mayhap. What the hell's a flerr, any waey?" he remarked to no one in particular.

Truth be told, the Texan was somewhat at loose ends. He wanted to swing by Taylor's store and re-stock on ammunition and trail food, but that could wait until it was closer to time for the group to head back out.

Turning to Earnest, he asked "Perfesser, you want any company at the sawbone's place?"

"If'n not, I reckon I'll mosey on over to the saa-loon."

---

OOC: Edited as marked by coloration. A flerr by any other naeme . . .
This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Sun 18 Oct 2020.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 909):

Earnest nods at the offer of a horse.

I'll take Patches if no one objects... It'll be nice not to have to keep borrowing a horse.

When Jake makes his offer, he grins at his friend.

You're welcome to come if you like, but I will have Tommy here with me. Frankly, I'd rather be joining you at the saloon!

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 908):

After a couple minutes inspection, Tracy chose Brownie. On the smaller and meeker side, Tracy thought that Brownie might be overlooked by his friends. The investigator knew a bit about being overlooked on account of size; thus, he immediately felt a connection to this steed.

“I’ll take Brownie,” he said to the others. Windham walked up to the horse and patted it’s neck. “We’re going to do great things, you hear?” He murmured softly to the horse, likely out of earshot to the rest of the group.

Joining Earnest and Jake’s conversation, he added a thought of his own. “I think I’ll join the two of you headed to the sawbone’s for a bit; make sure my wounds are healing well.”

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 911):

"I'll take Lad...that's a name I've been called myself many times. Hopefully he's also got a bit of Irish in him as well"

"Yes Daniel I'll keep the tack until I get some of my own. Hopefully I should be able to get some in town here, maybe you know of a place?"

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 912):

"Start with Taylor, I reckon, although some of the ranchers might sell an old saddle. Most of these belong to my father, except for the two from the bandits. I suspect no one would object to you men taking both of them."

Back in the valley, the rancher's sons had decided to take only two of the saddles confiscated from El Presidente's riders. Mostly, Daniel argued, because of the need to keep the remuda fresh. Hyrum picked out two in the best condition ... he said the others were too worn to be worth much.

With a nod, Daniel turns his attention to the sheriff and the proceedings with El Presidente.

OOC: Game conversations like this one always remind me the myth of the cowboy's horse. Most cowboys didn't have a horse. They were expensive to keep, regardless of how a body came to owning one. On the other hand, most cowboys owned a saddle. If one showed up for a job in a cattle drive without a saddle, one was probably not hired. All expectations were met iffin' a body showed up with a saddle they knew how to tack.

In these three towns, the Judge strives to strike a balance between gameplay and history ... and so far the heroes have borrowed horses and tack from ranchers who have them (including the fathers of Ammon and Hyrum). Reasonable in the current circumstances, especially as the heroes traveled to Nouveau Zion via Poirier's airship. Also, a few ranches in the area are prosperous enough to have s stable with several horses.

In previous chapters, some of the player characters owned, traded, and sold mounts during the game. The Judge has no issues with the characters obtaining horses -- good RP by Tommy there and it helps with the next adventure assuming the player characters decide to return to Hidden Canyon. While in the towns, it will be easy to get tack, supplies, stabling, etc. -- and some of the heroes still have credit from Jacob Knight, enough to cover a couple of saddles and more. It's just a matter of a little bookkeeping at this time, unless the players WANT to RP any of that.

BTW, the heroes could have collected some ammunition and weapons in the aftermath of the battle in the valley. Jake's mention of re-supplying reminded the Judge.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 913):

"I'll do that..thank you Daniel"

He greets Lad and rubs his nose. He begins to move all his gear from his current mount over to Lad. This includes a Spencer rifle and a half loaded ammo belt he acquired off one of the dead bandits on his way out of the valley.

He glances over to the Professor and Tracy  "Gents I'll be ready when you are"

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 913):

"Reckon I'll mosey on over to the Prickley Pear," Jake said, "an' mayhap wet my whistle a mite."

"Ain't like we all need to go traipsin' over to visit the sawbones."

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 914):

Earnest had been moving his gear from Sweet Pea to Patches as the others talked. As he finished he gave Sweet Pea a bit of apple and thanked her for not jostling him too much on the ride back.

He nodded when Tommy indicated his readiness and mounted Patches, now used to the one handed method. While he waited for the others, a thought occurred to him.

Oh, Daniel... don't forget to turn in the arms that Hyrum and Ammon gathered from the canyon to the Sheriff. Give my best to your parents and sister.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 916):

Before heading over to the saloon, Jake turned to address Daniel Knight. "Mister Knight, I reckon that if'n y'all don't mind, I'll have you taeke Roan out to your ranch."

"Don't reckon I'll need him afore we head out again, an' I'd jest as soon not start paeyin' the liveryman 'til I have to."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 917):

"Sure thing, Mr. Richardsen."
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:32, Sat 24 Oct 2020.

OOC: Per OOC forum, the Judge awaits the player's narrative taking them somewhere else for RP. Apologies if that wasn't clear. If no one wants to RP, then simply narrate what you are doing; if any rolls are needed, the Judge will ask for the players to make them, or the Judge will make them.

E.g., if all we need is a roll to see if the doc can repair Earnest's arm, I will just make the roll and we can move on. But if you want to roleplay, the Judge requests that someone start with a post that puts the character(s) in place. "Earnest knocks on the doctor's door, having tied Patches to the only hitching post in Rockville ..." or "Tracy listens to the sawbones as the doc examines the professor's wounded arm ..." or "Tommy had decided to ride his new mount to the doc's, but he wanted to get to know the horse. Now he waits for the doc ..."

For Jake, it's a couple of miles to the Prickly Pear (Springdale > Rockville > Grafton, east to west per Main Game Map). He could surely walk if he wanted to ... so same request from Jake, please provide narrative that sums up activities or takes him to a place he wants to RP.

To reiterate: the Judge is quite willing to roleplay anything in the towns. Just want the players to take the lead.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 918):

Jacob aquinted and looked up at the sun, then peered off in the direction of the Prickly Pear.

After rubbing his chin-whiskers in thought, he turned to face Daniel. "Done changed my mind," he said with a slight shrug of his shoulders, "seein' as how it's a right far piece to the saa-loon.".

"Reckon I marched nearabout ten thousand miles in Ol' Blue Light's Foot Cavalry* durin' the War. That's enough to last me for a good long while. Now I riede, if'n I can. Reckon I'll taeke Roan back from you."

"An' I also reckon that if'n I'm gonna keep Roan, I oughtta  go an' see Taylor an' git me a saddle an' some tack afore I commence to drinkin'."

---

OOC: *I believe that I have mentioned before that some of T. J. ("Stonewall") Jackson's troops affectionately called him "Ol' Blue Light" for the crackling intensity of his blue-eyed gaze, (which some likened to "blue lightnin'").

"Jackson's Foot Cavalry" was what his troops started calling themselves as he quick-marched them all over the Shenandoah Valley, striking and defeating various Union units before they could join up against him and overwhelm him with numbers.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 920):

Arriving in front of the doctor's office Tommy dismounts, ties up Lad, and walks over to the front door. He peers inside the window but doesn't see anybody. He tries the door and it opens, he steps inside. In the quiet of the office he calls out

"Good Morning, anyone here. My friends and I are in need of some attention"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:31, Sun 25 Oct 2020.