The four adventurers had fought tooth and nail -- so to speak -- against the rat swarm. The vicious swarm had hurt two of the pards, and the gunfire in the tunnel had affected everyone's hearing, even if only temporarily. The effects on Windham had ebbed almost immediately, while the others struggled to hear each other. They all found themselves speaking in loud voices in the aftermath of the battle.

The professor set to patching up Tommy and Tracy as soon as the rifleman had smothered the fire. As curious as ever, Jake went to the end of the tunnel with one of the lanterns, peeking in to see what they had fought to discover. The Texican found a large irregular space filled with mounds of mud, effluvia, and other debris piled up around the small steam that wove its way through the cavern and spilled into the tunnel. The place smelled foul, but nowhere near as bad as Jake might have expected.

He saw a few rats scattering, but only a few. No sign of the swarm with its dangerous nest-mind. Richardsen felt certain the men's efforts had effectively dispersed the swarm and made it safe to enter the cavern. More importantly, he saw rays of sunlight across the cavern, flickering over the stream. Evidently, this cavern had a way out, although he couldn't see an exit from here. Soon enough, after Jake had informed his pards of his findings, the men followed the stream into the cavern and around a craggy bend to find an opening leading to a small bluff amidst the canyon walls. Similar to the bandits' hideout, but much smaller, this relatively flat butte is surrounded by steep walls and a deep drop off a sheer edge. The stream forms beneath a sort of slowly-dripping waterfall along one of the walls and meanders into the cavern. The fresh air explained why the cavern didn't smella as bad as it might otherwise in a lair of hundreds of rats and piles of who knows what else.

The professor took advantage of the daylight to tend to the men's wounds out on the bluff. They all rested briefly, here, with Jake and Earnest gradually recovering their hearing. The muffled, stuffiness in Tommy's left ear remained, although he could now hear the others in his right ear. That left ear felt like someone had stuff a wad of cotton deep into it.

Thoughts of searching the cavern passed through all four of their minds, although it seemed less than urgent after the defeat of the rats -- not to mention the disagreeable nature of digging through the muck, which was obviously required if they hoped to find anything.

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

OOC: The Judge is allowing a little time to pass and summarizing some of the events here to move things forward. We are also resetting all Bennies at this time, although anyone may still use the Benny that was just awarded by the Judge, for anything involved before we move to searching the cave. See below.

By the professor' fob watch, it is about 2:30 p.m. when the four pards have rested and healed and are ready to do whatever they want to do next. They know it takes about 1 hour to get back to their basecamp, so they have some time left to search this cavern if they choose to do so. Their guess is they could perform a good search and still have time to make it back to their camp before nightfall, but not to do much else.

The Judge will follow-up with rules about searching the cavern, but first, let's do an Interlude during the time of healing and resting. The heroes should feel free to post narrative and dialogue, too, but each player who posts narrative for an Interlude shall earn a Benny, as usual. If you want to use the Benny earned from the rat battle (sorry Earnest, you already used it), to get a different card for the Interluder, you may do so, Just request that and the Judge will draw again. As usual, you can decline to participate in the Interlude, but you won't get the Benny.

Interlude (see Savage Worlds p130 for a reminder of how this works)
Earnest - King of Hearts
Jake - Five Clubs
Tommy - Ace Clubs
Tracy - Two Hearts

Edit in aqua above for clarity
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:36, Mon 21 Feb 2022.

                                                                 ~~Interlude~~

The man was dead, sure enough. Jake had kicked Jenkins in the head and the man's body had shown no reaction. Between that and the hole in his chest, his status seemed rather conclusive.

"Got what you deserve, you bastard," Jake growled. The Texican took off his old slouch hat and mopped some of the sweat from his forehead. In this case, it was mixed with blood -- Jenkins had fired first, and his near-miss had caused sharp-edged rock shards to pepper Jacob's face.

Jacob had not intended for it to come to this. Not that he had expected to hear that his family's homestead had "gone for taxes" when he had returned home after the war. Come to find out, Alois Jenkins had been buying up lots of acreage in the area. No one knew where he had gotten the cash to pay the back taxes on the land that he had acquired, but the stories being told all involved the sale of the rot-gut whiskey that Jenkins was known for making to Union occupation troops. After all, they were the only ones in the area who had any ready spending money.

Regardless of how he came by the money, Jenkins had used it to buy the land owned by his neighbors when the cash-starved Texans could not keep up with the taxes that had been levied. Southerners had coined the name "carpetbaggers" for the Northerners who had flooded down after the war, eager to take advantage of the destitution that was rampant in the South at the time. But even worse than the carpetbaggers, to the thinking of ex-Confederates, were fellow-Southerners who also took advantage of the situation; these they called "scalawags" . . . and other less pleasant names.

Jacob's mother had passed during the war years, seemingly losing the will to live after hearing that her only son had been killed in the fierce fighting in the cornfield on the Confederate left flank during the bloody battle at Sharpsburg (known as "Antietam" to the Union forces). His younger sister, Jessie, had run off with a sweet-talking, flashy Mississippi gambler-man shortly thereafter, and had not been seen or heard from since.

Jake's father, Joshua, had not lived to see the coming of the war. He had been a good man, but a poor farmer. He had chosen land that depended upon rainfall to water the crops that he stubbornly attempted to grow -- and rainfall was never very reliable in west Texas. Worn out from years of hard toil and that some years had not even yielded subsistence-level harvests, he had passed during the freezing cold of a harsh winter.

So, perhaps it was not surprising that there was no one to even attempt to pay taxes on the Richardsen homestead. Well, other than Alois Jenkins, that is. Not that it would have mattered, not really.

"Ain't nothin' to be done about it, boy. It was all done legal and proper. It went for unpaid taxes. Mr. Jenkins owns that land now," the sheriff had gruffly told Jake when he had inquired. It seemed clear enough that the lawman felt little sympathy for anyone who had worn the gray -- or, in Jacob's case, now, butternut -- during the war.

Jacob thought that something might be done if he walked out and spoke to Jenkins himself. What was done was that Jenkins lifted a rifle and fired at Jake before a word was spoken. Perhaps the sight of the rough-hewn, nut-brown man wearing butternut and carrying an Enfield rifle had spelled trouble to the moonshiner. Or perhaps he had recognized Jacob Richardsen, and given that he was standing on what had been Richardsen family land, that had, in Jenkins' mind, meant trouble with a capital "T".

His reflexes and shooting eye honed by years of warfare, Jake instinctively returned fire. And Alois Jenkins had dropped to the ground, where he lay still and unmoving.

And so it was that Jacob found himself staring down at the man he had just killed. To his way of thinking, he had fired in self-defense. But he doubted that the Sheriff he had talked to earlier would see things that way.

The Texican leaned over and picked up the rifle that lay next to Jenkins' body. It was a shiny new Winchester. Jacob had first seen repeating rifles during the siege of Petersburg (just outside of Richmond), late in the war. Those had been Henry repeaters, which the envious Confederates had dubbed "that rifle that you load on Sunday and shoot all week long."

"May as well be hung for a sheep as a goat," Jake muttered, voicing a saying that dated back to the old country. He decided then and there to keep the Winchester, which would technically make him a thief as well as a murderer in the eyes of the local Law. Hell, it wasn't like they could hang him twice.

~~After all, it ain't lieke Jenkins'll be a-needin' it whaere he's goin'. I reckon the wood would catch on fire, and the metal would melt awaey.~~

Jacob pulled out a bandanna and wiped away the sweat and blood from his forehead. He glanced up at the west Texas sun, which burned down with a white-hot malevolence. Replacing his hat, he looked about himself.

"Tieme to get a move on, Jacob. Ye'll have to leave this place behind, and never look back. Ain't lieke I got anything to bind me here no more, any damn waeys. Nuthin's left here for me."

He glanced down at the fine repeating rifle that he now held in his hand. "I christen thee 'Widder-Maeker'. And I purely do ah-preshiate yore waitin' 'til I claimed ownership uhv thee afore ye commenced to livin' up to thy naeme."

---

OOC: The rifle claimed by Jacob during this story would have been an 1866-model Winchester. The model referenced in the rules is a Winchester '73. Perhaps the Texican "traded up" to a more recent model at some point, while retaining the same name.

A Club was drawn for Jake. The above story reflects the following Club-based theme: "Backstory: A tale of misfortune from your hero's past, perhaps revealing something of his Hindrances or a dark secret."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:07, Thu 24 Feb 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 1):

Earnest settles on a rock, grateful for a rest after the battle, and puts away the first aid supplies. He shakes his head, thinking:

Bandits, rats and spiders! How did you get yourself into all this Earnest!

He stretches his bad arm then picks up a good-sized rock and proceeds to raise and lower it to work on the arm. He does this for a while until it starts to ache a little. Next he gets out his notebook and pencil to write some notes about what they have observed so far, but he finds his right hand shakey from the exercise.

Bad arm and a bad ear... and only 28...

He shakes his head again and rubs his hand, momentarily chuckling to himself as he thinks of Jake's arm raising and how it sometimes reminds him of an eager student that wants to answer a question.

After a minute of rubbing the shakiness subsides and he writes his notes about the cave and the peculiar animal behaviors they have observed. Once finished, he sits back, looks over at his friends and sighs.

A fine bunch of fellows... I do hope we manage to avoid any more injury...

---

OOC: I decided to go with Downtime (using the exercise as 'practice') with some introspection; sorry it's a bit short, but I think it gets the point across.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 3):

                                                            ~ Interlude ~

Tommy was very thankful for the professor's expertise in quickly working to care for his wounds. After some time resting in the sun and fresh air of the high butte he felt a bit more like himself. The hearing in his left ear was muffled or maybe more than muffled, he couldn't exactly tell. He turned his head side to side listening to the casual conversations between the others with each ear. He repeated the experiment with his right ear fully covered, his glove pressed up tightly against it. It did seem as if all his hearing was indeed coming from his right ear at this point.

This deafness brought to mind a school yard fight with a boy named Lester. It was one of those fights which had been brewing for months. Lester was not fond of Tommy, more specifically Tommy's mouth. It was always spouting wise cracks and puncturing Lester's holy Joe attitude at every turn. Looking back Tommy could see it had just kept building up, he'd actually taken an instant dislike to Lester more so than the other way around. Probably because he was the headmaster's nephew and a Jackeen as well. Tommy thought of him as a spoiled wealthy snob but in truth Lester was no where near upper class just a bit luckier and further up the ladder than most at that school.

It was a good fight and a fair fight. Lester had clearly been in a few scraps before and he was bigger. He caught Tommy on the ear with a solid punch as Tommy moved into take him to ground. Wrestling him down Tommy got a few punches in before he was thrown off and it was broken up by the teacher.

Sitting in the headmaster's office with Lester they were made to wait and wait as always. Eventually the headmaster addressed them
"What's all this about? You boyos not getting along these days"

After a pause Lester spoke first "It's nothing"

Tommy said "Yeah just throwin shapes ya know"

Tommy and Lester's eyes met in tacit agreement to not say more

Lester was excused and as the door closed Tommy felt another blow on the same ear Lester had hit
 "You're not to speak with him, touch him, rile him up. Do you hear me Pearce?"

 "No sir I cannot hear ya, ma ear seems a bit bajanxed today" Tommy replied , cupping his ear for effect

 "Hear me now"  yelled the headmaster into Tommy's left ear

 "Yes sir. You'll have no trouble from me, I will treat him like he's real British not just pretending to be"   said Tommy, knowing immediately it was below the belt for any true Irish man

With no lack of malice on the headmasters part both ears were boxed this time and then Tommy was told to go. His ear swelled and ached for weeks. He remembered the trouble he had hearing and how difficult that made some parts of his life. All the compensating he had to do to was surprisingly quite difficult.

Resting on that lovely butte he could only hope that like before his hearing in that poor, cursed, left ear would return but at the moment he was going to have to live with it once again.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Mon 28 Feb 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 4):

Tracy whips another stone at the wooden post. THWACK. The stone connects with its target, splintering a couple chips of wood to the ground. He steps back a bit, now at a distance of about forty feet from the post. Removing the last stone from his pocket, he stares daggers at the four-foot-tall stake. Suddenly, he slings the projectile, which pounds into its target with an even louder THWACK. He smiles wryly. Still too easy.

His pockets now empty, Windham walks back towards his collection of rocks a few feet away. Bending down to pick up another set of stones from the pile, young Tracy sees the door to the nearby house open. Mister Jones was watching him again.

It didn’t concern the fourteen-year-old Californian, though. While the wooden posts with which Jones encircled his homestead were quite a distance from the nearby woods, the old man could never catch him if he turned and ran. Besides, Mister Jones never did more than watch him anyway. ~Probably worried I’m trying to steal from him. Smart man,~ Tracy thinks with a slight grin.

Windham fills his pocket with more ammunition and returns to his previous spot. He studies his target. Pockmarked with chips and indents from his numerous throws, the wooden stake had seen better days. In a flash, a look of determination crosses the young man’s face. He steps back farther, now at a distance of about seventy feet from the post. He had attempted this toss many times before, always narrowly missing. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, the young man stares at the small target with intense focus. He fires, sending the rock flying at the top of the post. THWACK!!! The sound echoes across the quiet field, and Windham stands still, eyes-wide, marveling at his feat.

“Hey, boy!” He’s awoken from his reverie at once, the voice surprising him with its proximity. In his shock, he hadn’t noticed Old Man Jones sneak up on him, Colt revolver in hand. In a panic, Tracy turns and runs, quickly putting ample distance between himself and the old man. He darts from side to side, just in case the landowner tried to put a bullet in him.

“Wait a minute, son!” Jones calls out again, this time with more kindness. “You’re pretty good with those rocks. Anyone ever teach you how to shoot?”

OOC:

I chose "Downtime: practices a skill," but I wanted to write it in the past.

Edit: OOC section adding context to Interlude, describing response to prompt.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:09, Mon 28 Feb 2022.

Having rested, the four pards focus their attention on the piles of muck in the rat cave. Clearly, they must dig through the dreck if they hope to find anything of value. It seems worth the effort, judging by appearances, although the men reckon the stench could overwhelm them as they work. From their cursory look-see, they spy a few shards of ceramic, bits of cloth, and so forth, giving them reason to conduct a more thorough inspection.

Even though they have some helpful tools, it's bound to prove a dirty business.

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

OOC: The characters can search through the cavern, with the Judge enforcing some basic rules:

One Survival roll per hour spent, with one hero making that roll and other heroes making rolls to Support for a max +4 Support as usual. Survival, Notice, Science, Academics, and Thievery are allowed for Support. The Judge may allow another skill use if the characters make a strong case for it. A single skill may be used for Support no more than twice every three hours. As always, you can make an unskilled roll at d4–2 if needed or desired.

Successes will find something. Failures have consequences. Critical Failures have even more consequences. Raises are better than normal Successes -- after all, what serious adventurer would settle for finding just any old thing, eh? The Judge will reveal details as the searching goes on.

We will do this one hour at a time. The players can do 3 hours worth of searching before they need to head back to base camp (assuming they do so as planned). The Judge prefers that the heroes discuss this in IC to start, and to have IC or OOC notes about who is doing what. The Judge assumes Tracy will make the Survival rolls because nobody else has that skill (unless ... see notes about Advancement in the OOC forum). The Judge also prefers that the Supporting characters make their rolls first, before Tracy makes the Survival roll.

The Judge is inclined, as usual, to give Bennies for top-notch narration and description during the process. You don't need to describe how you Support, you can just make the roll. But if you provide strong narrative, the Judge is likely to award a Benny here and there.

"Damnaeshunn!" Jacob muttered, wrinkling up his nose in disgust, as he glanced around the floor of what he now thought of as the "Roe-dent Cave."

"This plaece stinks worse'n ol' Ezra Bumgartner's privy, back home. An' you can bet yore bottom dollar that that's a purty fierce con-dem-naeshunn."

In an effort to help ward off the stench -- and mayhap any other harmful airborne effects -- the Texican pulled a bandanna up over his mouth and nose, much as cattle-drovers who rode behind the herd did, in an effort to protect themselves against the dust raised by the multitude of beeves.

"Mieght be sumpthin' good hereabouts that went an' got itself covered up," Jake suggested hopefully.

"You know, like summa that gold that them old-timey knights hid awaey somewhaeres in here."

"Who knows what might be hid under all these roe-dent turds?" he added as he glanced about, hoping to identify some areas that looked to be worth investigating further . . .

---

OOC:

18:50, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 5,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Notice Check (To Support Tracy).

18:51, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 2,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2.  Benny Re-Roll (Notice).

Comments: I burned a Benny in an effort to gain a Raise, but the Dice Roller did not cooperate. Jake's Benny Total has been adjusted downward by one.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 7):

OOC: That's +1 so far to the first hour's Survival roll for searching the muck. Even though the Benny reroll wasn't successful, it wasn't a crit fail, so Jake can still use his original and better roll of a 5 (success) to give +1 to Tracy's Survival roll.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 8):

While they were still resting, Earnest walked out onto the bluff a little with his map, compass and binoculars in hand. He examined the area with the hope of marking it on the map.

16:59, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 7,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4.  Notice - Survey area around bluff.

He rejoins the others just as Jake is making his assertions. He joins in the examination with a scientific eye.

These mounds are interesting... I wonder if they are burials?

17:02, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 4,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2.  Science - Examine mounds.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 9):

OOC: The Judge assumes that Earnest's Science roll is for Support. If correct, that means total of +2 so far. Tommy may still attempt to add to the total.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 10):

Although following closely behind Jake, Tommy only makes out his first sentence and last few words. He chuckled quietly to himself and thought
~ Jake does have a wonderful way with words, they'd just love him back in Ireland~

As he came in from the fresh air to the full stench of the cavern Tommy remarked
"O goodness ehhh" it was somehow worse than before."I'd say that's also some pretty fierce condemnation of Eliza Baumgartner's privy"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09:40, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 5,10 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+4)10.  Notice roll - Tommy support for Tracy.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:47, Fri 04 Mar 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 11):

OOC: Tommy adds +2 to the first Survival roll, for +4 total.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 12):

Tracy grins at the remarks from his pards. Their humor distracted the Californian a bit from the putrid smell of the cave. Besides, he was ready to get digging.

The investigator puts to work the knowledge of tracking that he gained from Red Shirt. He looks for evidence in the muck of some hidden debris in the same way that he hunted animals tracks in the dirt of mountain paths. The aid from his friends proves very helpful as well, as a couple of them spot signs in the mud that the apprentice tracker did not.

The four adventurers make quick work of the first hour, finding tons of interesting items in the aptly named "Rodent Cave."

OOC:

09:42, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 25,6 using d8+4,d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of (8+8+5)21,2.  Survival check, with Support.

Now that's a big roll!

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 13):

The four pards proceed to dig through the piles of crud, led by Windham. So far, they cope with the stench, although from time-to-time any one of the four men feels an urge to expel his last meal. Fortunately, they have all resisted that urge.

With excellent teamwork under the Wolverine's direction, the men manage to find something in the first 30 minutes. It's a long and beautifully crafted knife, completely made of metal. It appears that the weapon was once housed within a leather sheath, as remnants of the tanned hide stick to the blade. Somewhat tarnished, the knife is otherwise in fine condition. A little elbow grease should make it good as new.

No one has ever seen the likes of its craftsmanship.

OOC: The multiple raises are important, but the Judge isn't revealing all the house rules for the adjudication of these rolls on the first foray. However, because of Tracy's good roll, this search takes only 1/2 hour, instead of the full hour. As a result, possibly the men think, they could get in an extra search (4 instead of 3) before it's time to head back to base camp.

The professor's notice attempt doesn't reveal much, although he is fairly confident the bluff is situated in a similar position to the bandit's hideout -- that is, it definitely faces west.

The men can make another set of Support rolls and Tracy's search roll. They may also make any rolls as desired to inspect the knife they have found.

BTW, the Judge is skipping over things they may have found that are of essentially no value (small scraps of leather or cloth, shards of earthenware or glass, etc). If any of these such finds add up to anything of practical usage, the Judge will say so.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 14):

Jacob let out a low whistle when the Californian showed everyone what he had found. Even covered with muck and who knew what else, it was a mighty impressive blade. It looked like it had been in the cave for a very long time, and that started the Texican to wondering if the old-timey Indians would have been able to craft such a weapon. He doubted it, which made him even more confident that he was on the trail of the knights from long ago who had hidden their treasure hereabouts.

"Mighty nice find, Wool-verine!" the rifleman exclaimed.

"Perfesser, that book-learnin' of yourn tell you anything about this blade?"

Without awaiting a reply from Earnest, Jake (perhaps spurred on by the pards' recent find) once again turned his attention to trying to find a likely spot for the Woolverine to delve into next . . .

---

OOC: 12:31, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 3,9 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+3)9.  Notice Check #2 (To Support Tracy).

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 15):

While doing their digging, Earnest does take interest in the smaller items (i.e., the 'no value' items the judge mentioned), setting them aside in organized piles for later study. As they work, Earnest continues to assess the purpose of these mounds.

12:17, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 3,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1.  Academics - determine reason for mounds.
12:18, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 7,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5.  Academics - determine reason for mounds, benny reroll.
OOC: Are they garbage piles? Sacrificial mounds? Burial sites (noting the Judge hasn't mentioned finding any bones yet)?

When Jake asks about the knife, Earnest comes over for a look.
Hmmm, let me take a better look...

He takes the knife to the water to rinse it off, then steps outside (grateful for the brief respite from the cave's smells) to examine it in the light.

12:24, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.  Academics - examine knife.

Feeling that the cave's various distractions have upset his train of thought, he returns after a few minutes.

I'm afraid that I cannot glean much about this artifact right now... I'll give it another look once we're back at camp later... Now, where should we look next, hmmm?

12:29, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 10,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+2)10,5.  Science - Support Tracy.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 15) and Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 16):

OOC: Both Jake and Earnest give +2 to Tracy's next Survival roll. Since that's the max +4, Tommy should hold his Support until the next time. Remember what the Judge wrote earlier: you can use the same skill to Support only 2 out of 3 searches.

The Judge will provide narrative or OOC re: the professor's first Academics roll (reason for mounds) at the same time as results of the search.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 17):

Tracy grins as the Texican reacts the perfectly preserved blade before returning to his scouting of the area. The Wolverine was hot on the trail now; a distraction couldn't turn him away for long.

Guided by Jake's keen eye and Earnest's scientific knowledge, Windham tracks down another suspicious area and digs around for more lost treasure.

OOC:

18:50, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 4,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4.  Survival check second search.

I forgot to add the +4, so that's an 8.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 18):

The men uncover a second metal item after digging through the heaps of muck in the rodent cave. The search takes nearly a full hour, during which the men sift through various dross -- bits of fabric, fragments of ceramic, small splinters of bone, and rusted nails, just to name a few -- before they find another intact object.

Like the knife, this object is forged completely of metal. While it's covered in dirt -- at least until they wipe it off and rinse with some water -- it also shows virtually no signs of rust or decay. Clearly, at least to Pearce, this is some kind of one-ended spanner, although its design is something he has never seen. The Irishman has heard of spanners designed to adjust in size, but never had the pleasure of using one himself. This one has a gear -- more like a screw, he reckons -- that moves one side of the spanner. It's brilliant, the mechanic thinks. He must spend more time with it to understand its design and functionality more completely.

The professor draws some conclusions from their work so far. These probably aren't any kind of formal burial mounds, although the remains of dead creatures as obviously mixed in here. It is possible they could find some human skeletal remains here -- assuming they haven't already combed through tiny pieces of human bone, he muses. Yet, their findings up until now have been too random to indicate anything of design or human intent. It's more likely that the rats (or possibly other creatures over time), dragged things here. Or -- it occurs to Earnest -- some people dumped refuse here over time and then the rats moved in. With all of that in mind, it's far too early to know for certain. They could find something that does indicate the intent to hide (or bury) objects and even people. And there is much more searching to be done.

The men know they could continue to search for hours. They also know it takes time to dig through the piles in such a way as to minimize breaking anything that might be fragile. Based on the professor's fob watch -- and evinced by the sun descending to the west from the view of the bluff -- they can easily search for another hour. If they are fortunate, they might be able to find one or even two more items before they must depart for the evening.

OOC: The group can make rolls for a third search. Jake can't use Notice again for Support, as he has used it twice in a row. Likewise, Earnest can't use Science again for Support, as the Judge ruled he used it in the first search to give Tracy a +1 towards the total +4 and then used it again in the second search window. Tommy can use Notice again, as he didn't use it in search #2. See msg #6 for the list of skills that may be used for Support in this endeavor -- and the Judge will remind the group that raises matter.

As noted previously, there is definitely time for another search this day, possibly two depending on the results of the third attempt.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 19):

Jake didn't really know what the second object that the Californian found was, not until Mister Pearce explained what it was and how it would be used. "That's right clever," he remarked after the Irishman had finished his explanation.

"So, if'n I unnerstandin' you a-rightly, a man can re-size this here gadget to as needed, to fit diff'rent-sized nuts an' bolts. Took a mighty smart feller to come up with that, I reckon."

After taking a little while to look over the new find, Jacob went back to trying to help the Wool-verine decide where next to look. This time, instead of eye-balling the floor of the cave, the Texican spent a little time thinking about the slope of the cavern's floor, and what that would mean for things like water-flow.

He also tried to figure out whether rats might tend to favor certain parts of the cave more so than others. ~~Although I ain't so certain-shurre that I can think enough like them poxy roe-dents to do much good,~~ he decided after a while.

Still and all, he pointed out a couple of areas to Mister Windham that he thought might merit a closer examination . . .

---

OOC:
22:29, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 2,11 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+5)11.  Smarts Check (To Support Tracy).

Notes: This time, Jake used his noggin instead of his eyeballs (Smarts instead of Notice) in an effort to support Tracy's efforts.

I will also note that per Merriam-Webster, the first known use of the word "gadget" was in 1886, which I figured was close enough for Jake to use the word, considering that we aren't striving for strict historical accuracy.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 04:05, Wed 09 Mar 2022.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 20):

OOC: As noted in the OOC, the Judge isn't allowing an Attribute roll in place of a skill roll for Support of the searching. However, the Judge is allowing Jake's existing roll to represent Survival roll (Jake's choice of the allowed Smarts-related skills for the searching process) at the unskilled penalty of –2. The d6 Wild Die would have been d6–2, and Jake's good roll was on the Wild Die. The unskilled d4–2 would have been rolled instead of the d8, but that is moot because of the Wild Die result. The Judge is inclined to say "the Wild Die has spoken" in this case. Therefore, the result is 11 – 2 = 9, which is a +2 to Support Tracy.

Pearce? Ringgenberg?

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 21):

Earnest is somewhat dumbfounded by the tool.

Why would natives create such an item? Perhaps Jake's theory does have legs...

With a better idea about the reasons for these mounds, he discusses their next moves using the knowledge accumulated over years of schooling.

15:04, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 11,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+3)11,1.  Academics - Support Tracy.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 22):

Tommy examines the new found tool. It is remarkable. The design is smart and he sees it's usefulness immediately. He demonstrates it's use for the others

"But gents why is it down here? What possible use could it have here?

Even after who knows how long in this muck it is functional with just a little cleaning and lubrication of the mechanism. It is clearly well made, but how it was made, the engineering of it, and what metal it is made from remains a mystery to the mechanic
~If it was iron it surely would have rusted into an unusable lump by now and it's far harder than tin. I'll have to examine it more when we have better light and more time~

After a minute or two Tommy returns to examining the cave for the best potential spots to search.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09:08, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 1,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1.  Notice roll - support Tracy.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:10, Thu 10 Mar 2022.

OOC: The Judge is glad to see everyone posting and keeping things moving. This include's Tommy's post #23, which includes a Crit Fail!

However, the Judge isn't going to accept that roll. It wasn't needed and could only have a negative result on Support, because the combination of Jake's and Earnest's rolls already achieved the maximum bonus. If we were sitting at a gaming table, that roll never would have happened. Someone would have said, "no need to make the roll, we already have the max +4." Here in RPOL, it's easy to miss details, and timing of the posts can make things awkward.

So, the Judge is ruling: Support = +4 for Tracy's next Survival roll.

And the Judge suggests that Tommy make a Repair roll for his inspection of the new tool they found, in lieu of the ill-fated Notice roll.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 24):

Taking into account Jake's input on the slope of the cavern and the Professor's academic expertise, Tracy searches further into the muck of Rodent Cave. Even though their party was a mite tired from the day's excursions, battle, and previous two excavations, the Wolverine and his pards keep focused on the task at hand.

All of a sudden, something catches the investigator's attention, buried just at his feet among the mud and fragmentary items.

OOC:

17:17, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 6,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5.  Survival Check three.

+4 is 10.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 25):

While the professor and the Texican continue to help the Wolverine, Pearce remains fascinated by the new tool they had found. The mechanic cleans it up, fiddles with the thumb-screw mechanism, and ponders its origins. Thumb-screw, he thinks, seems like a fitting term. With his attention focused on the gadget, as Jake had called it, Tommy loses track of time. He's taken a mite by surprise when Windham turns up another object.

This time, Earnest puts aside some of his scientific thinking and turns his mind more towards the philosophical. Jake draws on some of the observations he had made of both Red Shirt and the Wolverine during their travels, doing his best to think like a survivalist. The new perspective proves valuable for both of the men, as they work with Tracy to winnow the dreck from the treasure for another hour or so.

All three of the searchers feel the urge to vomit as they work. Although they have coped with the stench, they have not become used to it. Stands to reason they will need the break they plan to take, soon, returning to their base camp.

Windham's find makes it worth the effort. First, he sees a small rounded object, like a dirty coin. When he picks it up, he sees another. Soon, the men dig up remnants of a leather bag, with a number of these coins spilling out of it. Seventy-four of them, by first count. Some are dirtier than others but clearly they're all the same. Some kind of silver they think, on a preliminary inspection, with a strange stamped design on just one side.

OOC: There is not enough time left to attempt a search and still make it back to base camp before dark at a normal pace. The heroes may elect to make another search, of course, or decide not to go back to base camp, or what-have-you. But the Judge needs a consensus from the group as to what happens next if it is to be anything other than keeping to their plan to return to base camp. They still have one day left before using the three days as agreed with Red Shirt.

Same as before, the pards can make other rolls for non-search activities, if desired. The Judge still wants Tommy to make a Repair roll.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 00:01, Fri 11 Mar 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 26):

Even as they discover the unusual silver coins, which to Tommy look somewhat medieval, he continues to work the spanner in his hands. He even heats it a bit with the lantern and subjects it to various other ad-hoc tests to discern what he can of it's nature

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
19:43, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 9,5 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3.  Repair - spanner examination - benny roll.
19:42, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 2,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Repair - spanner examination.

This message was last edited by the player at 00:46, Fri 11 Mar 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 26):

"It's part of the treasure!" Jake exclaimed when the pards began finding what proved to be silver coins, his eyes as big as saucers.

"This proves it! Them old-timey knights was here for certain-sure!"

The Texican hopped from foot to foot in his excitement, looking as if he would have danced a jig, if he had been a dancing man. Clamping a lid on his enthusiasm with an almost visible effort, he turned to Earnest.

"What about it, Perfesser? Shorely you've sighted pictures of knights' coins like these in them books of yourn!"

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 28):

Earnest takes one of the coins, rinses it off, and examines it in some better light.

Well this is certainly interesting, let's have a look...

There is still skepticism in his voice, but less than before.

08:07, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 10,7 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+2)10,(6+1)7.  Academics - Determine coin's origin.

OOC: Good time for this kind of roll!

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 27):

Fascinated by the spanner, Pearce subjects the tool to various tests. With each trial, he learns something and deepens the mystery at the same time.

The mechanic has never touched -- or even laid eyes on -- a metal alloy of this nature. Iron and steel have been around for ages, he knows, and he has accumulated some small knowledge of metallurgy while plying his trade. Back in Ireland, he would have said "beagán de" knowledge, he muses.

This spanner is undeniably steel, but it must have been mixed with with other metals while in its molten state. Tommy had already put aside thoughts of tin. Putting the thing to flame produces almost no oxidation. Incredible. He considers a few ideas about what would endow such protection. Carbon? Nickel? Chromium? Zinc? Cobalt? The mechanic knows of these metals, but he must admit he doesn't know enough to speculate as to which combination of elements might produce such a marvelous device.

Something he noticed initially, but let pass from his thoughts as he contemplated the material itself, is a strange marking on the tool's handle. Whoever made the molds for this device also managed to imbue it with an identifying mark. A single strange symbol embossed in the ... well, in the "steel" he thinks, not sure what else to call it. The symbol reminds him of a cattle or horse brand. Yes, that's it, someone's brand it must be. He tries to remember such a practice amongst the various blacksmiths and other artisans he has known, but fails to recall such an extravagance.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 29):

The professor has more than a dilettante's comprehension of currencies used around the world. He has studied other languages and cultures, read many books, and even handled various foreign monies in his work and travel.

And yet, all he can determine from inspecting these silver coins is what they are not.

They are not sterling, not sou nor franc, not peso nor peseta, not lira, not real, not statem, not thaler ... well, not anything he can identify.

Earnest's confident conclusion: these coins weren't minted in any known country he could possibly identify. Moreover, the stamp on them is quite unusual, even if also somewhat familiar. Like many coins of yore -- and even today -- the stamp appears to be a symbol of state. Not a monarch's head, but an insignia to be sure. In his estimation, based on their condition even after being buried in this cave, is that they were minted within the last 100 years.

Comparing notes, Earnest and Tommy, share their observations about the spanner's brand and the stamp on the coins. They are clearly not the same.

Having returned safely to their base camp at El Presidente's former hideout, the four adventurers take a much needed rest. Although both Windham and Ringgenberg had had notions of conducting another search before leaving the rodent cave, all of the pards had agreed it was best to depart as planned, giving themselves plenty of time -- by the professor's fob watch -- to make it back before dusk. After all, as the Earnest said, those piles of muck aren't going anywhere overnight.

They eat and drink their fill, especially enjoying the last of the venison Red Shirt had prepared for them. Small talk occupies their attention, including any speculation on the things they had found so far in the piles or what they might find next.

Knowing they had one more day before they needed to return to the valley where the Paiute was waiting, the men settle in for a night's sleep. They take watches as usual, hearing the sounds of the canyon but experiencing no troubles overnight.

Now, as all of the men awake with the sunrise, the men prepare themselves for their last day within the caves.

OOC: Fade-up to the camp. The Judge took the liberty of advancing all the way to the next morning, although it's fine if the heroes want to declare any particular actions or dialogue which may have taken place overnight -- or fill in any gaps in the Judge's narrative. Likewise, please feel free to post dialogue in the morning, as desired.

Players should ensure they have updated their bio line for Bennies, etc. The Judge recommends completing your Advance at this time, if you haven't already.

The Judge figures the characters will return to the rat cave to search further. One thing the Judge needs to get a heads-up on: are the heroes planning to return to Red Shirt's location later this day, or the following morning?

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 32):

OOC: Based on Jake's statement in the other thread, I'd say we head back this afternoon. I will post Earnest's advance this weekend.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 33):

When Tommy finally laid down to sleep his mind was still racing with thoughts of all they had discovered in the cave. The rope bridge and the hidden valley with the abandoned dwellings, the tapestry and the scenes depicted on it, the symbols on the walls of the large room and now the coins, the sword and the spanner. It was mysterious how all these things were hidden down there but obvious, he thought, that there were several groups of people who were responsible. Maybe here at the same time but probably at different times most likely. Despite the intensity of his thoughts his exhaustion caught up with him and he soon was sleeping deeply

The next morning he awoke with the same excitement

"Morning gents!, let's get going and see what else is in that cave shall we".

"Red Shirt will be expecting us tonight so let's not dawdle"

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OCC - Tommy agrees with the others that we should plan to return to Red Shirt by this evening

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 34):

Good morning! Sounds like an excellent plan Tommy!

Earnest prepares for their foray; but he does take a few minutes to examine the knife they found once more, focusing on its place in history if possible.

07:21, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Acedemics - examine knife.
07:21, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 7,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,2.  Academics - examine knife, benny reroll.

OOC: I'm assuming the first roll failed because I misspelled 'academics'!

The professor's fob watch aligned its hands to precisely 8:15 when the four pards entered the rodent cave. They had broken their fast, resupplied, and traveled to the reeking cavern as quickly as possible, hoping to maximize their searching time before reuniting with Red Shirt.

The rankness assaults their noses once again. Sleeping the night before in the relative comfort of their base camp, along with soothing aromas from their food and coffee, had caused the men to forget the pungent reek of the piles in the cavern. It takes a few minutes to reacclimate themselves as they prepare for another spell of searching the muck for valuables.

OOC: The searches can begin at 8:30 a.m. As the characters experienced the day before, it takes one hour per search roll, usually. Raises can reduce the time to 30 minutes (as happened on Tracy's first Survival roll, although the players don't know exactly how many raises are needed for that). So the number of search rolls available during the day depends on a few factors -- the rolls themselves, any unforseen events, or any other priorities the men might have before returning to the valley before nightfall. The Judge doesn't need to know a full plan, but with each search and passing hour, the players should provide narration to help define the course of the day.

Same as before, re: making Support rolls and Survival roll for the searches. Carry on with your narrative posts and die rolls.

Jake was quick to pull up his bandanna over his nose and the lower portion of his face, as soon as he smelled the aroma given off by the rat cave. He supposed that it might've helped a little, although the place still stank to high heaven.

"I won't lie to y'all," he muttered as he glanced around the floor of the cave. "I ain't lookin' forward to more of the same today."

"I hope that we can find the rest of the treasure right quick, so's we can skedaddle outta here an' go meet up with Red Shirt."

The Texican busied himself with looking around for likely spots to dig into, tending to avoid the areas that had been explored yesterday.

---

OOC:
21:50, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 1,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Support Roll for Tracy (Notice).

Comments: Not great, but at least it's a success.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 37):

Earnest grins at Jake, but it is not seen for long as he raises his own bandanna over his nose.

I am in agreement that today's work goes quickly Jake!

He looks over the remaining piles and provides his advice and assistance to Tracy.

06:52, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 6,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,2.  Science - examine piles.

OOC: Did the Judge see Earnest's rolls in msg #35?
This message was last edited by the player at 12:54, Tue 22 Mar 2022.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 38):

OOC: No, missed it, as you posted while the Judge was composing #36. Thanks for the follow-up note. Funny, re: acedemics. See below.

So far, Tracy has a +2 to his Survival roll for Support. Tommy can still add to the bonus with his Support roll.

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

Earnest studied the knife before the men had left their base camp, attempting to assess the blade's place in history. Based on the stylized steel handle, he concludes it is most likely a ceremonial knife -- not a dagger as it has a one-sided blade -- representative of the period of the late European Renaissance. Although he is fairly confident in this evaluation, one observation gnaws at him. The knife is in fine condition; it looks like it was forged much more recently than its design would indicate. Perhaps it is a replica?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 38):

Tracy digs at the muck, grateful for the tool the Texican had given him that morning. "Thanks for the shovel, Jake. It's helping me work a lot quicker than yesterday." The investigator studies different sections of the cave, often feeling around with his feet to detect suspicious areas before clearing the muck with Jake's spade.

He pauses a moment and lets out a small smile. Sure, it smelled incredibly putrid in here. But the Wolverine was happy to be sniffing out these hidden treasures. The objects they had found so far were both familiar and not at the same time. Tracy got a strange sense from them that he could not explain.

Turning his attention back to his work, he continues searching with curious fervor.

OOC:

11:29, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 3,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Survival, day 2 check 1.


11:29, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 6,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3.  Survival, day 2 check 1 reroll.

Spent a Benny for a bigger roll and only got a slightly bigger one. I figured I'd get the Survival roll in now just so y'all wouldn't have to wait on me.

Jake, I worked to address what you said OOC about the shovel here.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 40):

Putting their minds to the task again this morning, the four heroes search through the muck. It's a careful business, as no one wants to destroy something of value. Digging, sifting, and brushing are required to properly unearth desirable artifacts.

Perhaps that is why they have found only metallic objects so far, the professor muses. While the investigator's skill has proven beneficial -- nay, required -- and each of the men in his own way has made a contribution, they have also uncovered plenty of bone fragments and ceramic shards, along with bits of glass, fabric, or leather along the way. Possibly, the pards themselves have damaged some such items, as none of them are seasoned excavators. There is no sense in dwelling on it, Earnest thinks, as they are all doing the best they can.

About ten minutes later, Tracy's shoveling issues an audible thunk, followed by the Wolverine's gasp. Even the men with hearing problems are alerted to the sound.

With some methodical brushing and digging, the men realize they have unearthed what looks like an old-fashioned chest made of wood and reinforced with metal. At first, they expose only a corner of it -- the top they believe -- but with diligent work they uncover the entire box. The wood is rotting in some places, but it seems generally intact. There is a crude lock, still functional by all appearances.

The men haven't tried to pick up the chest, yet. They have simply dug around it until they could see most of it. The base still sits in another inch or so of earth. The four adventurers gathered around it, slack-jawed for a spell.

OOC: Some of the searching flavor the Judge has mentioned before. RPOL is a long slog, so reiterating in this post details that might have been forgotten.

Tracy has +2 for Support already, which makes his roll an 8, which is one raise. Tommy couldn't improve that result -- he could only make it worse if he happened to roll a Critical Failure -- so the Judge is moving forward with a single raise on the 1st search today (4th total).
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:44, Wed 23 Mar 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 41):

Still too stunned to speak, Tracy kneels down by the chest. Perhaps a closer look could help him understand more about it.

He inspects the wood, looking for any distinguishable patterns or anything else of interest.

OOC:

15:43, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 2,8 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+2)8.  Notice, chest.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 42):

The Wolverine inspects the chest thoroughly. As far as he can tell, there is no pattern to discern. The one thing he notices is that the rotting wood seems likely to fall apart if the chest is subjected to any substantial movement, such as trying to carry it anywhere beyond this cavern. He figures it can be moved a little, if desired, but trying to haul it back to base camp as is appears risky, at best.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 43):

Earnest rubs his chin (carefully, so as not to get any of the muck on it)…

Astonishing! Let's take it closer to the cave opening so Tommy can get a good look at that lock.

Once there, Earnest also gives the chest a good look, trying to determine if its condition and age fit in with what he has observed from the other items.

18:10, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 5,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4.  Notice - examine chest.

OOC: By 'opening' I mean the one in this section of the cave.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:11, Thu 24 Mar 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 43):

Jake's eyes had gotten as big as saucers when he heard the "Thunk" that resulted from the Californian's efforts. His hearing wasn't the best, but the Texican could tell that the sound was different than when hitting something metallic.

Jacob let out a whoop when it became evident that a chest had been uncovered. "Thaere it is, boys! Right yonder's the trezshure, tucked awaey in that old stove-in chest!"

The Texican bent down closer, hoping to spot the gleam of gold or silver in the lantern-light, gleaming through the cracks that marred the surface of the wooden chest.

---

OOC: 22:25, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 4,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1.  Notice Check (Lookin' for Trezshure).

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 44):

OOC: As gathered by Tracy, it's risky to move the chest. It can be moved, but it isn't as simple as saying "we move it."

Therefore, the Judge is pausing any result from Earnest's post. Other heroes need to chime in about whether they agree about moving it. If the other 3 pards agree, then a die roll will be required (to be determined by the Judge). If there is any disagreement, discussion is needed to resolve it. Of course, Earnest could try to move it by himself, but if anyone objects they must have a chance to stop him. The Judge doubts that such a conflict will occur, as the expectation is the characters will agree on what to do -- one way or another -- but the Judge cannot allow this action to be a unilateral decision by one character. So again, results of that are on hold until other characters weigh in.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 45):

The Texican, already excited by the find, sees a glint of something shiny in one of the cracks of rotting wood. It looks like gold to the enraptured rifleman.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 46):

OOC: Apologies, I took your post to mean we could safely move it a short distance without needing a roll. I agree with holding off the rest of my post until the others agree, etc.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 48):

OOC: NP, nothing to apologize for, as the Judge's post wasn't crystal clear on that point. Glad you concur re: consensus needed as to whether to move it. The Judge would like to see IC conversation about it.

It will require a Strength roll, for which only one person may Support (with Strength or Athletics roll).

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 49):

As Tommy gets his first sight of the chest he is amazed. Despite all Jake's talk of old timey treasure Tommy had harbored doubts about anything like that existing down here. Yesterday after the sword and the coins were discovered he began to feel just maybe they might and now here in front of them was what seemed like Jake's treasure.

He looked at the lock and the poor condition of the wood.

"By the looks of it, it might just fall apart on us if we move it. Maybe it doesn't matter if we going to take what's inside but I can try picking that lock from here if one of you can assist me by holding the lantern.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 49):

"That wood looks like it'll fall apart if'n we breathe on it too hard," the Texican observed.

"Why don't we just pull the chest ah-part an' put the trezshure in our pockets?" he asked.

"That waey, we can carry it out an divvy it up all fair an' square once we get back to camp."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 51):

Earnest shakes his head.

I'd like to be a bit more careful... The chest itself might offer clues about where it came from.

He bends down to give it a better look in the lantern's light.

OOC: Can we just use Earnest's previous Notice roll here?

When Earnest takes a closer look at the rotting chest, the answer to his pondering becomes quite clear.

No, its condition and age don't fit in at all with what he has observed from the other items. The style of the chest, including the lock, looks centuries old. He is somewhat surprised the wood isn't completely rotten. The metal reinforcements have certainly helped. But it's nothing like the spanner or the knife or the coins. Ringgenberg observes nothing that would tie these finds together.

Visions of pirate chests parade through the professor's thoughts. He doesn't necessarily believe it's a pirate's booty, or even a Knight of the Templars trove -- there is nothing specific to lead him to such a conclusion.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 53):

After relating his observations to the others Earnest leans back, rubbing his chin.

This place is an enigma buried in rat scheisse! But please let's be careful with the chest... it is a treasure by itself!

OOC: The Judge's read is that at least two of the pards want to handle the chest carefully. Understandably, the Texican is eager to find out what's inside, but the Judge suggests Tommy tries to unlock it before anyone attempts to move it or bust it open.

If anyone objects, please say so, otherwise, the Judge is looking for a roll from Tommy.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 55):

Listening to his pards speak for a bit, Tracy chimes in.

"If we're careful to support the rotting wood as we carry it, I think that we could move it a bit. I'm ready to try once Tommy unlocks it. Who's going to lift it with me?"

The Wolverine was game. They had accomplished much more difficult things than move a chest. Besides, the investigator desperately wanted to know what was inside.

He stoops down and looks over the chest once again. This time, he wanted to figure out where to best place their hands to avoid the possibility of breakage.

OOC:

10:50, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 4,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2.  Notice check, plan to carry.

Edit: continuity issues
This message was last edited by the player at 14:53, Wed 30 Mar 2022.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 56):

Tommy leans down and examines the lock on the chest. It's obviously old but does not appear to be any different from most of the standard key locks.

He begins to tinker with it, he pulls out his switchblade and needle nose pliers and gets to working on the mechanism.

"Let's just see if we can open this without breaking the whole box"

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16:57 Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 3,9 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+3)9.  Pick lock - repair roll.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 57):

OOC: The Judge was expecting a Thievery roll from Pearce under the current circumstances. It sounded like the intent was to pick the lock (Thievery), rather than take it apart (Repair). However, Repair would apply if in fact the intent was to dismantle it. Either way, Tommy's Wild Die is a solid result that would have gone with either Trait roll, so the Judge is moving forward assuming, once again, that the Wild Die has spoken.

As part of this post, the Judge looked up the first known usage of "jimmy" as it seems a most appropriate verb here. MW says 1893, which seems close enough in this game's slightly different history.

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

Pearce finds himself a little out of practice when he tries to jimmy the lock on the rotting chest. With one ear still clogged up from yesterday's battle with the rat swarm, Tommy has to turn his good ear toward the lock as he works. Still, his mechanical skills serve him well, and after only a minute or so he hears the click of the gears releasing.

He lifts open the top and the four adventurers gaze at the contents under the lamplight.

A tangle of jewelry sits atop a line of silver bars. The jewelry is mostly fashioned from silver, it appears, with a few gold items mixed in. Necklaces, pendants, bracelets, brooches, and such. The lamplight catches the color of a few gems as well -- they appear to be set into the various baubles, as opposed to being loose stones.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 58):

Jake reached out a gloved hand towards the glittering treasure -- almost as if it were iron being involuntarily pulled towards a magnet -- then he suddenly jerked it back again, in the manner of one who has placed his flesh too close to a hot stove.

"Day-umn!" he managed to croak, staring fixedly at what lay before him in the ruined chest.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 59):

Earnest looks bug-eyed at the chest, then around them nervously as if someone might suddenly jump out and yell at them, then back at the contents.

This is... astounding...

He manages to get out, for once lacking words.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 60):

It seemed to the Texican that the wonderment of what had been hidden away inside the chest had rendered Wool-verine and the Irishman speechless -- which, Jacob had to admit, had very nearly been the case with him, seeing as how he had managed only a single word upon catching sight of the dazzling treasure that lay glittering in the lantern-light.

Turning to Earnest, he muttered "Waal . . . what now, Perfesser?"

"You still in-tent on sal-vagin' the chest?"

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 61):

Tracy had obviously never seen such items. But he could not have even imagined them, either. He had spent his whole life scrounging and scrapping to survive; this much gold and silver astounded the investigator. Even though he was not particularly interested in the valuables for money's sake, he still could not help but fix his gaze on the bright shine of the treasure.

Shaking himself from his indefinite reverie, Windham addresses the others. He had a slightly different concern.

"Whether we salvage the chest or not, how do we expect to bring all of this with us? I can't imagine it's a good idea to just show up back in town with a chest or even pockets full of these precious items. Should we just take a few things and leave it buried here? Or hide it somewhere else in the cave? It's very likely no one but us knows of this area's contents."

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 62):

Earnest snaps out of his stupor and takes a deep breath.

Good points Tracy... I think we should just leave most of it here for now and only take some samples. And yes Jake, I would still like to preserve the chest... All of these items came here somehow and everything is a clue!

He looks back at the contents and rubs his chin before bending down to examine the items closer.

Let's see what we can learn now...

06:54, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 4,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Academics - Examine jewelry, bars.

OOC: Trying to determine origin and/or age of the items... do they correspond to the chest?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 63):

As Tommy releases the lock and opens the lid of the chest he is stunned by the sight of the treasure. For a few minutes he is speechless. He reaches down gently touching the coins and jewels, careful to not disturb them, he gently draws his fingers across them to make sure it was real and not some trick of this mysterious cave.

Memories and thoughts of his youth crossed his mind: when tales and stories of Irish pirates derring-do were read and told to him which always involved treasure. Here was one such treasure as real as can be, right in from of him.

When he had recovered a bit he joined the debate

"We may not get back here very soon. We should take what we can now and bury the rest. Maybe we split the gold and silver pieces which are easier to carry and leave the jewelry and bigger items hidden here. Those will be less easy to split up.

We should cut Red Shirt in for a share as well"

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 63):

While Pearce gently slides his fingers over the jewelry, a few moments later Ringgenberg reaches in and extracts a silver bracelet from the tangled pile. He picks a piece he believes can be removed easily, which proves mostly true, although a few of the other pieces shift a mite when he pulls it out.

Before the professor gets a chance to examine the item, his eyes fall upon something alongside the silver bars underneath the tangle of jewelry.

It's a cylindrical, rolled up swath of cloth, which gets rubbed slightly by a couple of necklaces that were touching the bracelet. An odor rises to Earnest's nose -- in fact, everyone smells something like burnt sugar.

Pearce immediately recognizes a tell-tale sign -- a number of small crystalline bumps on the cloth. The full implications now reveal themselves to Tommy, who informs his pards without delay. It's an old stick of dynamite.

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

OOC: The professor's action leads to this discovery. At this time, the Judge is ruling that nothing bad has happened, and that the men can (and do) put a little space between themselves and the chest as they comprehend more about what they have found. Earnest's Science and Tommy's Repair tell them (automatically, no roll needed) that they aren't in any immediate danger, but that moving the chest runs a real risk of exploding the dynamite, which shows signs of instability.

The men know -- evinced by Earnest's action -- they can extract items from the chest without causing the dynamite to explode. Again, the mechanic and the professor, believe it can be done safely, if they are careful. In game turns, it's a Repair roll, which can be Supported by Science or Athletics, and the obvious danger is in rolling a Critical Failure, while the Judge is keeping the result of a regular failure to himself for now.

For the sake of moving forward, the Judge will also state that Earnest doesn't see anything particular about the bracelet that would correlate to the age of the chest. Rather, much like all of their finds, it is his opinion that the silver and gold items are of various styles and manufacture that have no direct correlation to the chest.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 65):

Earnest catches his breath after the scare.

Well that's not centuries old! I'm beginning to think that a very few of the bandits, maybe only El Presidente himself, used these dung piles to hide stolen loot. It's also possible that some previous group may have stashed it...

He pauses to rub his chin.

We'll have to ask Red Shirt and the townsfolk about treasure legends of this area, but if it's recent, we may be asked to return it.

Earnest re-approaches the chest to look down into it at the cloth roll, trying to determine how difficult it would be to carefully remove it.

18:10, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 7,11 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(6+5)11.  Notice - ease of roll removal.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 66):

OOC: No problem with Earnest's roll, but it wasn't necessary. The Judge already indicated this is a relatively easy task in msg #65.

A successful repair roll is good enough to remove the items safely. And others can Support with Athletics or Science (or Repair, I should have noted that, too). A Critical Failure will detonate the dynamite. The result of a failure won't be known until it happens, but it won't cause detonation.

"Why, them no-good, back-stabbin', belly-crawlin', toad-lickin' sumbitches!" the Texican growled when the full extent of the perfidy of the dynamite-riggers' scheme had been revealed. The very idea of trying to blow up treasure that dated all the way back to the days of the old-timey knights!

"Dunkin' 'em in oil, then rollin' 'em in tar an' danglin' 'em head-down oh-ver a slow fiere is too good for the likes uhv 'em!"

"Then bury 'em up to their scrawny, worthless necks in a fiere-ant mound for good mez-shure!" he huffed.

After expending some of his ire in thinking up appropriate punishments for the evil-doers, Jacob seemingly calmed down a little.

"All rieght. I'm ready to haelp rem-edy this-here trav-esty uhv all that is rieght an' ah-prop-ree-at. Sumbody who unnerstands what needs doin' jest sing out an' let me know the hows an' whats uhv what needs a-doin'."

---

OOC:

12:45, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 1,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.  Support Roll (Athletics).


12:45, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 2,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Benny Re-Roll (Support).

Comments: Hunh. Well, the Dice-Roller is not being very cooperative today. Perhaps the Texican is still too agitated to be of much assistance. :) Jake's Benny Total has been reduced by one.

Edit: Tweaked Jake's drawl in a few places. No substantive changes.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:03, Fri 08 Apr 2022.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 68):

Upon seeing the dynamite, the investigator felt a brief jolt of excitement. He had always been curious about explosives. His first thought was to reach out and grab some, but he quickly shook it off. ~Those things are dangerous,~ Tracy reminded himself. ~I've got to help my friends get these items out safely.~

OOC:

11:43, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 1,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5.  Athletics, support.

OOC: That’s +1 from Tracy towards a Repair roll, presumably by Tommy. Waiting for Earnest’s Support roll.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 70):

Earnest looks back at the others.

Tommy, would you be okay with removing the dynamite after we clear away some of the jewelry? I think there are only two sticks in there, if we can get them outside the cave using the nearby opening and out in the open then Jake can set them off with a rifle shot!

Earnest looks back into the chest for further assessment, advising Tommy on how to proceed based on his science knowledge.

19:05, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.  Science - Assess how to remove dynamite.

19:05, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,9 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+3)9.  Science - Assess how to remove dynamite, reroll.

OOC: Good result from the use of a benny!

OOC: Yep. That’s total of +3 to Tommy’s Repair roll whenever he is ready to make it.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 72):

Tommy considers Earnest's request

"Well I'm not sure professor...old dynamite has a very bad reputation as being awfully tricky stuff. I remember we had an incident with it one time when I was working the railroad.

I'm not sure about moving it but I guess you would know better than me though. Maybe let's just see how we get on with removing the valuables"

"You gents better stand back and take cover. There is no sense in all of us getting killed if this goes off"

Tommy studies the open chest for a minute. In the mix of jewelry and coins he decides to avoid the necklaces with chains as those are most likely tangled up under the surface and would start pulling on other items in the box. He reaches down and pulls up what he sees as the most interesting item that lies on the top of the silver bars. It's a relatively large silver cross with encrusted jewels.
------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC - I didn't add the +3 for support in the dice roller, so this is an 8 I believe
08:25, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 5,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Repair roll - remove treasure.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 73):

After studying the chest and its contents, the mechanic sets himself to the work. He remembers a few unexpected explosions during his time working on the railroad -- even under relatively favorable conditions. One task at a time, he thinks.

Fortunately, the work proceeds without incident. After Tommy removes a silver cross, a tangle of necklaces, and a silver bracer, he starts to feel comfortable. His pards help from time to time: Tracy moving or lifting a piece at Pearce's instruction -- or taking an item from the Irishman -- and Earnest offering suggestions for avoiding the dynamite until Tommy is ready to handle it.

Before long, the mechnaic concurs with the professor's observation. There are two sticks of oozing, crusty dynamite wrapped in the cloth. He believes he could extract them safely, in due course, and finally that time comes as Pearce has removed most of the jewelry. The silver bars and the dynamite are wedged together at the bottom, now clear of the other items. Pearce decides to lift out the dynamite next. He tells his pards to move away, just in case. Taking a deep breath and exhaling fully, the mechanic extracts the cloth bundle and lays it gently on a small mound of dug up earth near the chest. He then steps back a few steps, slowly, rejoining the others and breathing deeply.

OOC: The Judge is speeding this up a bit. Only one roll is needed and Tommy got a raise with the Support. The Judge is ruling heroes have extracted the dynamite, but they haven't tried to move it beyond Tommy's initial action. Also, they can remove all the chest's contents if they want to, without needing any further rolls, but since there was discussion about what to take or not take, the Judge isn't assuming that has happened.

The heroes need to confirm IC or OOC what they are taking or leaving -- and how. Obviously, the chest is still fragile, even if becomes empty, so any attempts to move or handle it will require rolls as noted before. Any attempt to further handle or move the dynamite will require a roll. Players should resume free posting to decide their next steps.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 74):

Tracy could feel their entire party exhale as Tommy backed away from the dynamite. They weren't out of the woods yet, though.

"So what's the plan? Are we hiding this stuff? Bringing some with us?" He pauses a moment. "And what about the dynamite? Tommy, is there a good way to dispose of it? If there is, I'll help with that."

OOC:

Judge, could Tracy roll Notice on the dynamite? Would he have to get a bit closer?

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 75):

Tommy has done good work! But I still think the dynamite needs to be taken outside... As it is now, a rat could set it off!

Earnest rubs his chin a moment.

Another, more disturbing thought occurs... What if whoever placed this chest here also buried more of this dynamite elsewhere? Future excavations will need to be made more carefully I fear.

OOC: What needs to be rolled to carefully take the dynamite outside Judge? No need for Tommy to take all the risk!

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg #75) and Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 76):

OOC: There's nothing new about the dynamite anyone can notice now, after it has been extracted.

Handling explosives requires the Repair skill. The Judge will again allow Science and Athletics for Support; however, only two people can make Support rolls, with one being a Science roll and the other an Athletics roll.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 77):

"I think you're right Earnest. Keeping that old dynamite here might be a bad idea. We should probably get it outside and dispose of it.... but setting it off will call attention to us as of course the explosion will be heard for miles around"

Looking at the pile of treasure, now spread out neatly on the floor of the cavern, Tommy returns the other question at hand

"I guess we should decide exactly what to do about all of this. I doesn't make much sense to me to leave it in here...I'd like to bring it out"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:54, Sun 17 Apr 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 78):

Well, the area outside is in yet another canyon so I don't think anyone would locate it even if they do hear it... As for carrying this all out, I guess we'll have to assess how much it will burden us all, but first the dynamite.

Earnest will discuss the safest way to transport it outside with Tommy. He will also accompany him to make sure there are no unseen drops or trip hazards.

09:22, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 10,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+2)10,4.  Science - dynamite disposal.

---

OOC: Apologies! I was waiting for Tommy's post but totally missed his Sunday post!

Judge: Can Earnest quickly estimate the weight of all the treasure (including the large knife and coins previously found)?
This message was last edited by the player at 15:25, Tue 19 Apr 2022.

The Texican stroked his chin-whiskers thoughtfully. "It maekes sense to me to git the die-no-mite awaey from the trezshure. Mayhap we kin carry the ex-plo-zives outside somewhaere, an' I can set 'em off from a distance with Widder-Maeker."

"Irish, I'll haelp with the totin' -- jest tell me if'n I'm ae-bout to do sumpthin' that'll git us blowed up."

---

OOC: 13:56, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 1,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5.  Athletics Check (Support for Tommy).

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 80):

Tracy quickly shrugged off his concern about bringing so much treasure to town. The investigator wasn't one to shy away from a dangerous situation. Still, he was curious about the reaction upon their return.

"While you three take care of the dynamite, I'm going to look over these items think about how many we could feasibly carry back with us to camp."

OOC:

Could Tracy roll Survival or CK for this?

OOC: With the Support rolls from Jake and Earnest, Tommy gets +3 to his Repair roll if he does indeed attempt to move the dynamite.

The Judge will need a little more description from the players as to exactly where they plan to move and leave (and shoot to detonate) the two sticks of dynamite. "Out" is possible from this cavern, as the heroes know, but it is only a small bluff, so more narrative about where you intend to put it and from where you take the shot is needed -- assuming that is what the professor and his pards are talking about. Re-read msg #1 in this chapter to refresh your memories about that space.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 79) and Tracy Windham (msg #81):

OOC: There's no roll needed for either Tracy or Earnest to size up the treasure.

The jewelry and coins in total weigh something like 15 pounds. It would be easy to divvy that up and carry it in haversacks, bags, packs, pockets, etc. The silver bars are a different story. The men estimate they weigh between 5-10 pounds each, and there are 12 of them. No one could carry them all without suffering negative effects of some kind (being overencumbered). Splitting them up is possible, but even a couple each would put a strain on the most of the heroes, who are already carrying a decent amount of gear while exploring the caves.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 82):

OOC: I (OOC) don't really remember the layout of the outside terrain, as seen from the bluff that you mention.

Can the dynamite simply be dropped from the bluff, to probably explode well-below where the PCs are standing?

Or, if the dynamite doesn't explode, presumably it could be fired at from the bluff.

Thanks.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:24, Wed 20 Apr 2022.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 84):

OOC: Essentially, Jake has an accurate understanding and has summarized what the Judge is getting at. There's a small bluff with steep walls sort of enclosing it. Below is the drop into the canyon. You can't really take it any farther than the bluff -- and detonating on the bluff is probably dangerous because the shooter couldn't get very far away for a safe shot. Sure, you could drop it off the side, but you don't know if it will explode on its own on the way down, or if it will land somewhere that affords a shot. So the Judge is in fact asking, "how" and "where" are you putting the dynamite?

"Ree-gardin' these here ex-ploe-sives," the Texican said, "I'm a-thinkin' that we oughtta just fling 'em over the side uhv that little bluff out yonder."

"I reckon that the fall'll be far enough that they'll prob'ly ex-ploede when they hit bottom, 'less they hit a siede wall afore then."

"Maybe we oughtta fling out a waeys from the bluff. Long as they don't land die-reckly under the bluff, I oughtta be able to shoot at 'em to set 'em off, iff'n need be."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 86):

OOC: Your description in Msg #1 talks about "a deep drop off a sheer edge"... Can we see the bottom? Does it look isolated or is it part of a bigger canyon? Can we tell if it is a canyon we have been in?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 87):

OOC: It definitely is NOT a canyon you have been in. It looks like it is part of a "canyon system," likely connected to other areas you have seen from above -- such as the canyon spaces underneath the path from the rockslide to the bandit's hideout, which you have traversed a few times now. You can't see "the bottom" per se, but you can see rocky crags, other bluffs and various outcroppings as you look down.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 88):

Tommy replies to Jake with a smile

"I think flinging it off the cliff just might be one of those things that's gets us blowed up...or at least an arm blown off.

Maybe we just set it out gently on the bluff nice and easy and leave it there to continue disintegrating in it's own good time"

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 89):

Picking up a couple bars of silver, Tracy can immediately tell that moving the treasure would require some planning. They were heavy--at least 5 pounds--and there were quite a few of them. He and his pards would have to decide how to distribute all that weight.

Joining the conversation about the dynamite, Windham remains silent for a bit. Since he was not well-versed in explosives, he wanted to listen to the others discuss the matter before he spoke up.

Hearing the ideas voiced by Jake and Tommy, he poses a question to the Irishman. "Are you saying that attempting to throw the dynamite in this state could make it explode in someone's hands? And how does it disintegrate? Are there any dangers of leaving it out on the bluff indefinitely?

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 90):

Earnest rubs his chin.

We could just leave it there... that would be safe enough I imagine. But the edge is pretty sharp so you could just drop it over the edge and jump back before it hits anything. I'll leave that up to you.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 91):

After listening to the various ideas Tommy replies to Tracy
"Yes I'd be afraid to make any quick moves, or shake it up in anyway, but dropping it over the steep edge seems safe enough."

Tommy takes a deep breath. He crosses himself as in church and then squats down to pick up the dynamite. He very gently grasps one stick with both hands and motions to Jake to do the same. He raises up slowly to standing position.

"Professor if you will be so kind as to lead the way Jake and I will carry these outside and just drop them over the edge."

Looking at Jake  he says
"On the count of 3 we are just gonna let em drop and then jump back. ok?"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
09:49, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 8,4 using d8+3,d6+3, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1.  Repair roll - move dynamite from cave.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:54, Tue 26 Apr 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 92):

Pearce sums up things with his pards, before directing them in perhaps the most dangerous activity the heroes have undertaken since entering the caves. Fighting swarms was harrowing, but this feels a mite different, somehow.

Fortunately, the mechanic knows his way around explosives. His deliberate instructions and steps result in Tommy and Jake standing at the edge of the bluff, with Earnest standing near the cave entrance and Tracy inside near the treasure.

The Irishman starts the count. The men release the rolled up cloth bearing the two sticks of unstable dynamite. Both men jump back, as Pearce had suggested, with the Texican also dropping prone as was his habit when trying for some cover against incoming fire.

The mechanic continues counting in his head, and Jake stays low while waiting for the Irishman's say so. Four seconds later, they hear and feel an explosion beneath them. It's too far away to cause any direct harm, although a cloud of dust floats up from below. Small bits of debris fly and settle on the bluff, too. Tracy, having stayed out of the way and now keeping an eye on the passage into the rat cave, avoids the billowing chaff. The other men do their best not to inhale a mouthful of dirt while they retreat towards the cave, and the cloud of debris passes over them.

A few seconds later, the cloud clears (mostly) and all four of the men find themselves intact, even if a mite breathless after the explosion. After another few seconds, all four of them feel another rumbling within the earth beneath them. Because of their various hearing problems, some of men don't really hear any noise from the second set of tremors -- unlike the dynamite's explosion -- but the Wolverine does. Windham believes the rumbling and the tremor come from deeper in the caves, back the way they came, as he detects a low, rumbling wave of sound emanate from the tunnel.

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

OOC: Earnest, Tommy, and Jake need to make Agility rolls to evade the cloud's effect. It is the usual Agility –2 roll for the two men who handled the dynamite, and a straight Agility roll (no modifier) for the professor. Tracy being inside, could easily avoid the effects without making a roll. The Judge will disclose the effects after the rolls are made.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 93):

Jake head a low "Whump!" when the dynamite blew, and a moment later he felt a slight tremor in the earth somewhere below him.

He was just rising to his feet and dusting off the knees of his britches when the dirty-gray cloud came roiling up over the edge of the ledge where the Irish and Jacob had stood only moments before when they had dropped the dynamite over the edge.

The Texican had been wearing his bandanna around his neck to help prevent any rats from getting to his neck, so it took only a moment to pull the cloth up over his mouth and nose.

The cow-driver's technique seemed to work well enough, and as near as he could tell, Jake did not breathe in any of whatever was in the cloud. By reason of luck and mayhap a measure of innate agility, the Texican also avoided being struck by any of the more solid objects -- bits of rock and whatnot -- that had seemingly been hurled skyward when the dynamite blew.

---

OOC: 22:48, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 11,0 using d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (10+3)13,2.  Agility Check re: Dust Cloud From Explosion.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 94):

Earnest stays in the cave entrance to keep watch over Tommy and Jake, this affords him an extra moment to get his bandana up over his face as well.

09:28, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 7,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1.  Agility - avoid cloud/debris.

When the deeper rumbling occurs, a look of concern crosses his face. He turns to call beck to Tracy.

Tracy! Keep an eye out for a debris cloud coming from inside the cave!

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 95):

It had been quite a while since Tommy had been this close to a blast of dynamite. A little surprised by the dynamite explosion he remembers to cover his face with his hat. He manages it just quickly enough to protect himself from the dust and debris blown skyward by the explosion.

He turns to his partner

Nicely done Jake!..wow that old dynamite still had some kick in it didn't it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15:44, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 4,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2.  Agility - dynamite dust and debris cloud - benny roll.
15:42, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 0,2 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  Agility - dynamite dust and debris cloud.
Benny count adjusted
This message was last edited by the player at 20:00, Wed 27 Apr 2022.

OOC: None of the heroes suffer any effects from the debris cloud. Please carry on with RP narrative and actions.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 97):

OOC: Are we assuming that Tracy (because of his positioning) was the only one of the pards to notice the second set of tremors following the explosion?

Thanks.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 98):

OOC: No, the others felt the secondary tremors, but didn't hear the rumbling -- and therefore didn't have the same sense of "where" as did Tracy. Nonetheless, Earnest's request to Tracy makes sense -- assuming Tracy has informed the others, which was the Judge's intent insofar as the usual "what's posted publicly is public knowledge." Just proceed with the idea that Tracy heard the rumbling so he had a better sense of it at first. He alerted his pards to what he heard, and the professor followed-up and that's where you are.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 99):

Earnest steps inside the cave and then listens to see if he can hear any more noise.

11:12, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 5,9 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+3)9.  Notice - Any more cave noise.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 100):

The professor moves into the cave and closer to the tunnel leading back to the big cavern. He puts his good ear towards the tunnel, pausing to listen.

Earnest hears what he considers normal sounds down the tunnel, Mostly, he hears the spring water, which forms a stream through the cave and trickles gently into the tunnel and beyond. Although he harbored concerns that perhaps a cloud of debris could be headed from the interior of the cave system, he perceives nothing to support his concern. While he certainly felt the secondary tremors, they have stopped, and enough time passes that the professor concludes there is no reason to suspect immediate danger.

OOC: To keep things moving, the Judge will confirm there is no immediate danger. Please continue RP and narrative. If the group wants to search more, just say so and make some rolls. If the group wants to investigate the secondary tremors, that's fine, too. Or divvy up the silver bars ... whatever the heroes want to do is currently up to them. This is still free posting mode.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 100):

"I'm not seeing any dust, Professor. But that rumbling is pretty concerning. It seems to be coming from the passage back to camp." After a pause, he adds, "I don't know what's going on in there, but I'm worried it might make it hard for us to get back to camp if we don't move quickly."

"After my survey of the chest, I believe we can split all of the treasure between us, but it will make it more difficult to move. Our options are to grab as much treasure as we can without slowing us down or bring it all with us and take the risk of being caught up in whatever might have been stirred up by that explosion."

"I'm going to have a hard time carrying much, so I don't think I should make that decision. It's up to you three."

After he finished speaking, Tracy turned and knelt to the ground, placing his hand upon the stone floor. He wanted to figure out how strong the tremors had remained and a more specific idea of their location.

OOC:

09:57, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 9,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,4.  Survival, tremors.

I didn't know if this would be Notice or Survival, but Tracy has a d8 in both anyway.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 102):

While Ringgenberg listens, Windham replies and offers his thoughts about the current situation.

Tracy then concentrates his senses and memory on the tremors, which he concludes have now ceased. The rumbling didn't last long, maybe three or four seconds. His gut feeling was those tremors came from relatively nearby. Based on his knowledge of the cave system, if he had a mind to look for their source, he would probably head towards the area of the bat guano and the two tunnels, to start.

OOC: Survival makes sense here.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:19, Fri 29 Apr 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 103):

The Texican scratched at his chin whiskers thoughtfully. "Y'all wanna know the truth, I'm more'n a mite curious 'bout them follow-up shimmies an' shaekes."

"My druther'd be to see if'n we can fig-ure out what that's all ah-bout afore we skedaddle."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 104):

Earnest nods.

I agree Jake, especially if the result is going to hinder our return to camp... I suggest we take the jewelry items but leave the silver bars for now. Considering the state we found them in, I seriously doubt anybody will be coming for them anytime soon; but we could close and cover up the chest if anyone is nervous about that.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 105):

"We might find some of the other tunnels may have caved in. I hope we are not blocked from getting out"

Pausing for a second as he collects his thoughts he then continues

"Yes I agree, let's get to back to the treasure and take what we can. We can hide the rest as Earnest suggets"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:05, Sun 01 May 2022.

OOC: It seems clear there's a consensus to take what can be carried comfortably and leave the rest. The Judge is moving forward based on character posts. To keep things simple without doing a bunch of math, let's say the men can take the jewelry, coins, three silver bars without over-encumbering themselves. Tracy is the only character who doesn't carry a silver bar, but the coins and jewelry are divided up amongst all four pards.

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

The four explorers divvy up the treasure and hide the remaining silver bars in the muck of the rodent cave. They retrace their steps into the tunnel and then out into the big cavern. So far, they haven't seen any cave-ins or other notable damage in the underground spaces. They do feel and smell faint traces of a dirt cloud once they enter the big cavern, but it's nothing alarming and nowhere near as thick as what they experienced at the bluff. Somewhere nearby there must have been some disturbance, but it seems minor.

Following Windham's hunch, the men head towards the area where they had found the bat guano -- and the shaft above it -- along with the two tunnels, one which went slightly downwards and lead them to the rope bridge while the other went upwards to the cave with the mushrooms. As they draw near enough for the lantern to illuminate the area, they see a lingering cloud that mostly rises up the shaft. Stranger, though, is what's on the cavern floor where they had found the patch of guano -- a scattered layer of dead bats.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 107):

Tracy's eyes widen as he spots the dead bats. They were certainly not there before, and he did not remember seeing any actual bats in this cavern, just the guano. Plus, the cave where the four of them did find bats was not in this section of the caves.

The investigator quickly pulls out his notebook and records this information, adding it to the list of oddities he had been compiling. The rope bridge to nowhere, the strange coins, the strange metal device, the hivemind swarms of creatures. And of course the treasure, part of which weighed down his haversack more than usual.

Bending down now, he surveys the bats. He wanted to figure out how long ago they had died and the reason for their death, if possible.

OOC:

11:01, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 5,6 using d8,d6 with rolls of 5,6.  Survival, bats.

11:01, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.

11:02, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 6,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5.  Survival, bats Benny reroll.

I forgot to click "Reroll max." Used a Benny for a raise and didn't get it. My highest roll is 7.

Perhaps someone could Support Tracy to get the extra point. See if we learn something cool.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 108):

OOC: EDITED: The Judge is pausing in case anyone wants to Support Tracy, per the above -- and because part of what Tracy wants to know is usually covered by a Healing roll (i.e., forensics, cause of death). We could look at this in reverse, with Tracy's roll in Support for Earnest's Healing roll.

That said, when it comes to animals -- especially game animals -- the Judge considers Survival a reasonable roll for such info (e.g., when did this deer get killed and what kind of predator was it?). In this case, with the bats, neither Survival nor Healing seem exactly right. So the Judge would allow either of these skills as the main roll or Support roll to get the info Windham is after.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:12, Tue 03 May 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 109):

Earnest observes the bats and looks up where they likely came from. He sniffs the air carefully to see if there are any worrisome odors.

18:23, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 6,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3.  Notice - unusual odors.

When Tracy starts his investigation, Earnest joins in.

18:24, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,11 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+5)11.  Healing - assist Tracy's examination.

OOC: Is there new rubble among the bats? Like they came down with the ceiling? Or does it appear that they just dropped on their own?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 110) and Tracy Windham (msg #108):

Earnest and Tracy compare their observations about the layer of dead bats, which they estimate at a count of thirty or so. The first thing they observe is that these mammals are still warm. They must have died quite recently.

The bats lay in a generally circular area, beneath the roughly circular shaft above. All indications are they fell from a roost above. It looks like the fall itself killed them, assuming they weren't dead already when they impacted the cavern floor. The better question is why did they fall?

The rubble here is minimal. It looks more like a small disturbance rather than a substantial cave-in from above. Sniffing at the air, the professor smells the musty cave and the hint of dirt still drifting around them. He detects nothing else unusual. Finally, Windham and Ringgenberg concur: there's nothing here to evince a cave-in or any significant damage nearby -- above or around the shaft. It looks like the creatures simply fell to their deaths. Strange, to say the least.

OOC: This narrative should address the investigator's desired knowledge and the professor's OOC questions.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 111):

Earnest holds his lantern up to try to see that top of the shaft where it seems the bats came from.

OOC: Can he see the top of the shaft? Knowing a bit about the layout of the cave so far (he had been sketching a rough map along the way), is there any way the top of the shaft could be near where the dynamite went off outside?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 112):

Holding his lantern to shed light above, the professor sighs. While he had hoped to see the top of the shaft, the lamplight doesn't penetrate far enough to make that possible. Still, it begins to answer the question he poses to himself.

The shaft must rise a fair distance to evade the lantern's illumination. Meanwhile, Earnest estimates that the rodent cavern -- and the bluff from where Pearce and Richardsen tossed the dynamite -- are at roughly the same elevation as the foursome's present location, at least based on his mapping sketches, notes, and their recent experience exploring this section of the caves. Indeed, he remembers, Tommy and Jake threw the dynamite downwards into the canyon. And not long ago, Windham had said he thought the tremors they felt after the explosion might have come from beneath them, not above them.

All of these facts and hypotheses lead Ringgenberg to a solid conclusion: the top of the shaft cannot possibly be anywhere near where the dynamite exploded. Unless, all the natural laws as he understands them are meaningless here -- that is, if up is down and down is up. Laughing at himself, Earnest dismisses this thought immediately.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 113):

Earnest sighs and looks back at the others.

This is a puzzle... I'm sure the blast didn't directly affect them, maybe it released some gas pocket that rose up and killed the bats? But I don't smell anything and nothing seems to be affecting us. That tapestry showed some sort of vapors... Could that have anything to do with this?

OOC: I feel some sort of clue has been given...

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 114):

OOC: Yes, the Judge has been dropping clues regularly. Tracy summarized some things of importance in msg #108. Obviously, the dead bats are the initial "what's new" after the dynamite and the tremors. See also msg # 961 in OOC 5 forum.

These clues aren't meant to be easily explained. They seem to be adding up to something, but the Judge doesn't intend for the heroes to determine an "answer" at this time. You're not "missing" anything at this time. For now, it is a matter of continuing to take actions, whatever they may be. The Judge will continue to reveal things based on character actions. For example, if the group had decided to stay in the rodent cavern and search for another hour or two, they wouldn't yet know about the dead bats. Now, because of their decisions, they do. They Judge advanced the players to this spot after they decided to toss the dynamite and then to head back and inspect their path for any changes since the tremors.

Moreover, the players had expressed a sense of urgency after the tremors (a sensible reaction). The Judge encourages the players to continue that manner of thinking at this time. Don't try to "figure it all out," just continue to make decisions and things will continue to be revealed, appropriately.

Right now, obvious action options include:

• Make note of the bats and continue back to base camp, looking for any other changes along the way.
• Try to climb up the shaft to learn more about it.
• Re-explore the other two nearly passages -- the one up to the mushroom cave and the one down to the rope bridge -- to see if anything has changed there.
• Ponder the mysteries of your navels until the truth is revealed.

This message was last edited by the GM at 14:30, Fri 06 May 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 115):

Tracy wanted to explore some other sections of the cave and see if they had changed after the explosion as well. However, he knew they should probably hurry to avoid any ill effects themselves. Plus, he had no idea how much time they had left if they intended to meet with Red Shirt today.

"Professor, do we have more time to explore some other caverns? Or do we need to keep moving back to camp to meet with Red Shirt?" After a pause, he adds, "I'd like to check out the rope bridge cavern again if possible."

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 116):

OOC: To keep things moving ... it's almost 10 a.m. by the professor's watch. The Judge assumes roughly an hour to return to basecamp and roughly two hours to return to the valley. So there's no rush in regard to getting back to Red Shirt.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 117):

"I'm with you Tracy, let's go see the state of that lower cavern with the bridge"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:10, Sat 07 May 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 118):

"Sounds good to me," Jacob agreed with Wool-verine and Irish.

Earnest nods.

Agreed... Let's see if anything has changed down there.

Much the same as he had done the first time the men followed the tunnel to the rope bridge, Windham leads the men in their usual marching order. The natural passage bends and narrows, levels out a bit, and then turns sharply to the right after 25 or 30 yards. As they now remember, this turn provides just enough space to squeeze through -- a stretch of 3 or 4 yards -- without risk of harming themselves or damaging any equipment. The lantern bearers continue to do their best to light the way through this challenging pass.

After the turn, the explorers step into a relatively flat space. It remains eerily dark here, especially beyond the range of the lantern light, which illuminates the beginning of the rope bridge. As the pards know, the bridge spans a deep chasm and ends on the other side, anchored on a small semi-circular landing which abuts a relatively flat stone wall.

From here, everything looks much the same as the men remember it. They had detected faint traces of the lingering dirt cloud as they traversed the tunnel, but it feels and smells more clear here in the cavern. As before, their lantern light extends only to roughly the middle of the bridge, which appears intact and unchanged. The other end of the rope bridge disappears into darkness, but they believe it is still firmly anchored on both sides.

The investigator takes one of the lanterns and moves forward carefully on the bridge. Tracy -- and all four of the men -- had done this before, so he feels confident going forward without redoing the preparations they had made last time, when they used Pearce's safety line. The Wolverine passes the midway point of the bridge, his lamplight penetrating the darkness on the other side. Immediately, he takes in something that wasn't there before. It's a body, lying flat on its back on the semi-circular floor. The body appears quite still, as if asleep or perhaps unconscious. From here, Windham can't make out any discerning details about the person. He turns around and takes several steps back toward his pards, and tells his hearing impaired friends what he has found, using the most quiet tone he can manage while ensuring they can hear him.

OOC: Since the heroes have successfully navigated the bridge already, the Judge moved forward with the assumption that the men would continue to investigate the landing on the other side, where they do find something different. To keep things moving, the Judge also assumes that Tracy would alert his pards to his findings. Now, all four heroes can state further actions, conduct dialogue, or whatever they choose to do -- and the Judge will wait for IC actions, etc. from the group. If Tracy wants to clarify the Judge's assumptions -- such as he decided to go all the way back to pass along his findings -- that's fine. Just build that into your narrative posts.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 121):

Earnest is visibly stunned at Tracy's revelation, responding in a similar quiet tone.

Are you sure? Well, we must talk to this person! Perhaps he can enlighten us on some of the mysteries of this cave... But when we get over there, we should respect his meditation and wait until he addresses us.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 122):

Jake wasn't entirely sure what "med-itae-shunn" was. He suspected that it might be what the people who frequented the opium houses in Frisco did when they were under the effects of the drug. Why anyone would be doing such a thing way out here on the back side of beyond was beyond him.

"How do you know he's . . . med-itae-tin', Perfesser?" he whispered to Earnest.

"Looks to me like he might just as well be dehdd, or mayhap un-conchuss."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 123):

When Tracy saw the figure across the bridge, his mind began to race. Why would someone come all this way just to lay here? Seeing the flat stone wall behind stone ledge, he could not conceive of any other way this person could have traveled here. But how could a single person move through these caves without any gear?

~Maybe I just couldn't see the gear,~ Tracy thinks to himself. ~Gotta go see for certain.~

To Jake's last comment Windham replies in his own whispery tone. "No way to find out unless we head over there. I'm ready when y'all are."

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 124):

A thousand questions flew through his head when Tommy heard Tracy's report of a person laying on the other side of the bridge.

`Did it look like a bandit? What was he dressed in? Did he seem injured?`

He voiced none of them but agreed with the others about investigating.

"Yes but let's be wary of any ambush. I'll stay back here for now"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 01:22, Thu 12 May 2022.

OOC: Since Pearce said he would stay back, before proceeding the Judge prefers to know, explicitly, who is crossing the rope bridge. At present, the Judge's understanding is:

Tracy intends to cross to the semi-circular landing.
Tommy will stay on the entrance side of the rope bridge cavern.
Earnest intends to cross (based on his "when we get there" comment).
Jake's intention is unknown, please confirm.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 126):

~~I figure Wool-verine and the Perfesser have got the look-see part of this shin-dig covered,~~ the Texican thought to himself.

"Reckon I'm a-gonna hang back with you," he told Irish.

"Jest in caese that rascal over yonder is playin' 'possum, hopin' to get the drop on whosoever is comin' oh-ver the bridge to gain a closer look at him."

---

OOC: Jake will ready Widder-Maeker and position himself to (hopefully) have a clear LOS/LOF on the prone person, unimpeded by Wool-verine's and the Perfesser's advancing across the bridge.

Earnest nods.

That sounds like a good precaution... Ready when you are Tracy.

The investigator and the professor cross the rope bridge, while the mechanic and the rifleman remain on the side of the chasm which leads back to the big cavern. Tracy and Earnest proceed carefully, knowing the bridge is safe but recognizing there is still the potential for danger because of a misstep or other unforeseen circumstance.

After his two pards pass the halfway mark, Jake believes he can maintain a good line of sight on the area around Tracy's lantern, wherever the Wolverine shines it. Otherwise, not he can't see much else. Although it's dark across the canyon, the rifleman figures he has a clear path to shoot if needed. Still, the darkness might make any shot more difficult, depending on the circumstances -- such as, how close Tracy gets to the body or the wall or what-have-you, and the angle of the lamplight. Tommy keeps an eye on the tunnel behind them, seeing nothing but the walls of the dark tunnel, so far.

The traveling pair reach the end of the rope bridge, safely, stepping onto the semi-circular landing. From here, a fact becomes clear: the body is a woman, dressed in dark clothing like a hunter might wear, with laced up military-style boots. She has long black hair, tied-back. No weapons or any possessions are noticeable on her person, or nearby.

Creeping a mite closer, the two advance men can see her chest rising and falling, slowly and steadily. Best guess from here -- still a yard or two away -- is that she is either asleep, unconscious, or an expert at playin' 'possum, as Jake had suggested.

OOC: The Judge is assuming each duo has one of the two lanterns, in case light is needed on either side. Also assuming Tracy has one lantern and Tommy has the other. If either duo has specific ideas about how to use their lantern (or not use it or who holds it, etc), please clarify as we proceed.

To be perfectly clear: Tracy is within 2 yards of the person, Earnest a step behind. If you want to draw closer or do something else, be specific.

For the moment, Richardsen and Pearce will experience a slight delay when it comes to observing anything about the woman. The Judge is assuming Tracy and Earnest are NOT yelling across the chasm to relay information immediately. It's okay if you want to do that, but you need to state such explicitly. So our "what's posted publicly is public knowledge" remains true, but let's give the two heroes nearest the body an opportunity to respond before posting Jake or Tommy post anything related to what Tracy and Earnest perceive up close. At first, all Jake and Tommy have gathered from the light of Tracy's lantern, is that it appears to be a woman; they can't discern anything about clothing or gear or whatever. The Judge will move on with more assumptions after 48 hours, if no one posts in that time frame; meanwhile, the Judge suggests Jake and Tommy should feel free to make IC posts, but nothing beyond the fact that it's a woman, until Tracy or Earnest state what they're doing next.

Notice rolls are ok, but you won't learn anything "generic" with a roll, even a raise. You might learn something specific if you try to notice something in particular stated when you make a roll. In other words, please don't bother with "do I notice anything else" sorts of rolls. Be specific in what you want to detect if you do make such a roll.

EDIT: made a few edits for clarify in aqua above.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:08, Mon 16 May 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 129):

Earnest taps Tracy on the shoulder and indicates they should remain quiet. He looks over to Jake and gives him the OK hand signal, though as he does he wonders if Jake or Tommy know it.

It's pretty well known out East... Not sure if it has taken hold down South or out here.

He guides Tracy around the woman towards the wall, ensuring Jake has a good view and that they are not in his firing line. He then squats down about 6 feet from her (if the layout allows) and takes a good, long look at her.

07:21, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 13,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (10+3)13,4.  Notice - examine woman.

OOC: Earnest is looking for details: is she a native? if so, can he identify a tribe from her clothes? can he see any weapons or something that would provide light?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:22, Mon 16 May 2022.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 130):

~Weird,~ Windham thinks. ~And how did she come so far without any gear? Even a lantern? How did she cross the rope bridge without being able to see?~ An idea occurs to Tracy, one that feels incompatible with logic or reason. He shakes his head. ~No, perhaps she dropped her lantern accidentally.~

As Earnest observes the mystery woman, the investigator sets the lantern down between the two pards on the stone landing. Then, he kneels down by the end of the rope bridge and begins to study tracks.

The Wolverine wanted to see if he could find sign of her boot prints and their freshness should he find them. Perhaps he could find out how long this woman has been here. Or he could find out that...

~No, that's absurd.~

Windham doubles down on his search for tracks.

OOC:

10:15, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 1,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.  Survival, woman's tracks from bridge.

10:15, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 2,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  Survival reroll.

10:16, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 7,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4.  Survival reroll 2.

Jake lowered Widder-Maeker's barrel a bit when the import of the Perfesser's and Wool-verine's discovery became known to him.

"A fee-maele?" he muttered quietly to Ei-rish.

"What's she a-doin' here?" he wondered aloud.

"Hoepe thaere ain't no prob-lems. I ain't never pulled the trigger on a fee-maele, an' I don't much cotton to startin' now."

---

OOC: Here I am applying the in-game standard that what is known to one (or several) pards (IC) is known to all.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 130) and Tracy Windham (msg #131) and Jacob Richardsen (msg #132):

The professor and the investigator communicate silently, moving around the semi-circular landing and taking up new positions. Tracy leaves the lantern in a spot to provide decent light for both he and Earnest -- and for Jake across the other side of the rope bridge.

Meanwhile, the Texican and the Irishman continue their vigil on the other side, with the former whispering to the latter about the fact revealed by Tracy's lamplight.

Earnest moves as quietly as he can, staying about 2 yards away but changing his position on the landing. He sees no signs of any gear at all: no weapons, no source of light, nothing but the body and the woman's clothing. He's also sure that her clothing has no connection to any native tribes he has ever encountered. The soles of her black boots are thick and the laced-up uppers have metal ringlets. Quite different than say, moccassins. Her facial features don't seem to indicate any native tribal ancestry either. He can't tell for certain, but if he had to place a wager, he'd say some European descent. Still, whether she's from the Emerald Isle, the northern nations, or the home of Da Vinci is anybody's guess.

After setting down the lantern, Tracy focuses his attention on looking for tracks around the rope bridge. It doesn't take long to see evidence of his own movement here -- as well as the professor's. Glancing at the woman's boots, he concludes confidently, there are no other recent tracks to be found. Especially, he thinks, not from her footwear. Although her boots seem to be about the same length as his own, they appear much heavier and even a bit wider, with distinctive grooves on the soles. There's no sign of any tracks like that between the bridge and her current position.

OOC: A couple of things:

Earnest and Tracy: make a Stealth roll, no modifiers unless the character has a regular modifier the Judge has overlooked. Please don't post any other IC narrative relating to what they've found before the Judge can adjudicate BOTH rolls.

Jake, that's fine and appropriate at this time, per the Judge's notes in msg #129. That fact (female) is known to all, while the new information in this post is brand new and unknown to Jake and Tommy, at least for the moment. Plus, the results of the Stealth rolls are important before we proceed.

That said, any IC posts and narrative that DON'T touch on this new information are fine (e.g., Tommy responding to Jake or something like that).

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 133):

06:55, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,8 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+2)8.  Stealth - for the Judge.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 134):

OOC:


12:07, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 4,17 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+6+5)17.  Stealth check.

OOC: Thanks for making the Stealth rolls. Nothing has changed. Please continue.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 136):

Seeing no evidence of her distinct boot prints, Tracy's mind races.

~It's unlikely she would cover her tracks before she even left this ledge. Perhaps...she really didn't cross the rope bridge? It seems like she just...appeared here. Although I don't even know how that would be possible.~

The more evidence this absurd theory gained, the more he felt his stomach churn. Still, the investigator returns his focus to the current situation. He and Earnest needed to decide what to do.

Getting the Professor's attention, Tracy attempts to offer him two options with hand signals. Should they stay here or sneak back across the rope bridge?

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 137):

Earnest shakes his head at Tracy's notion of returning over the bridge. He waves Tracy over to squat near him. Once Tracy is nearby, he speaks in a normal voice.

*Ahem* Excuse me, Miss?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 138):

Tracy joins the Professor. It seemed that Earnest intended to talk to her, and Windham agreed that it was a good idea for him to join beforehand. The investigator watches her face and attempts to detect any movement as the Professor acted.

OOC:

15:36, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 7,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5.  Notice, movement.

At the sound of Ringgenberg's voice, the woman's eyes peel open faster than Jake's levering of the Widder-Maeker during the battle with the rat swarms. She reaches her left hand for something that isn't there and sits up abruptly.

"Crivvens! I wasnae'slip. Jus givin' m'ayes a rest, eh."

She blinks and starts to take in the forms of Tracy and Earnest squatting nearby.

As the Wolverine was studying her face, his assessment of her reaction is one of genuine surprise and instinct.

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

OOC: Essentially, the two heroes have a free round of actions before she can do anything else. The Judge needs to know what the professor and the investigator are doing before determining what happens next.

For that matter, the same is true for Jake and Tommy. They witness the woman's reaction, although neither of them can really make out her speech, as they are farther away and hard of hearing to boot. They also get the free round, but should keep in mind these facts when posting in the free round.

The Judge will wait up to 48 hours for all 4 to post -- you might even get a nudge offline or in PM in interim if the Judge is feeling kindly. Keep your posts "combat style" in that any dialogue should be brief and any particular actions and rolls fitting to regular combat round format; that is, one action or multi-actions with rolls (and multi-action penalties as applicable), movement, free actions ....

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 140):

"Hunh!" Jacob grunted in surprise when the woman on the far side of the bridge suddenly sat up. It seemed to the Texican that she had spoken also, although he could not understand any of her words. She did not sound especially hostile or hysterical, as near as he could tell from her tone of voice.

He kept Widder-Maeker at the ready, but he waited to see how Wool-verine and the Perfesser would react to this new turn of events . . .

---

OOC:

Free Action: Speak (grunt).

Hold: For the moment, Jake will choose to wait and see . . .

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 140):

Earnest immediately recognizes the Scottish brogue, he lifts his open hands in a placating manner as he speaks again.

Easy miss, we mean you no harm...

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 142):

Once the woman seemed to regain her senses, Windham asked her the questions that weighed heavy on his mind.

In a gentle but serious voice, the investigator asks, "How did you get here? Do you know where you are?"

He hopes that his demeanor and her state of surprise might prompt some real answers to these important questions.

OOC:

Unsure if the Judge would call this Persuasion, but I'm going to roll for it just in case.

09:51, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 1,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Persuasion check.

09:51, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 7,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3.  Persuasion check 2.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 143):

"Well I never!..."

It appears immediately as if there is some conversation amongst them. He turns his good ear toward the other side of the bridge to see if he can hear any better. He does this while glancing down and checking his trusty Webley which he removes from his coat pocket.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC - Tommy also goes on hold

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 143):

OCC: This doesn't require a Persuasion roll. It would be needed if you try to convince the woman to divulge something she is reluctant to say, or to do something she wouldn't otherwise do. It may come to that depending on how things go, but to start this is simply a question -- one that she might be willing to answer naturally. Please take back the Benny. The Judge appreciates the proactive roll as it speeds things up, and as stated previously, the Judge won't penalize a player for making a roll that isn't needed, even if it ended up being a Crit Fail.

The woman's expression of surprise turns to confusion. She answers, in a fashion, with her own question.

"How di'ya get in hir? Tha's the question."

Her eyes dart around, taking in the two men and the area of the landing on this side of the rope bridge, and she deftly scrambles to her feet.

Earnest and Tracy notice two things. Her accent lessens a mite, it's not as thick as it was initially. And secondly, her confusion grows -- the look on her face seems one of recognition and puzzlement, at the same time.

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

OOC: The Judge wavered as to whether drawing Action Cards is warranted. Final decision is no, for now. We'll continue free posting, but the Judge encourages players to log in daily if possible, to keep this moving. The Judge reserves the right to move things forward if players don't post within 24 hours (or so) after each Judge post.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:31, Mon 23 May 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 146):

Earnest also stands when she stands and lowers his hands to his sides.

Perhaps we should take a step back... I am Professor Earnest Ringgenberg and this is Mr. Tracy Windham... What is your name?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 147):

The woman displays an immediate reaction to Ringgenberg's question, before she speaks. Her eyes narrow, now adjusted to the lantern light, as she calmly focuses her attention on the professor and Mr. Windham. The investigator gets the feeling she has done a quick and measured appraisal of the two men.

"If ya min tae be all friendly-like, ah sugges' ya keep yer hands whur ah can see'em."

Her accent wavers. It sounds to the professor as if she decides to shift between the Queen's English and her Scottish brogue, at a moment's whim.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 148):

Tracy raises hands his slowly, to just over his waist level. "If we're going to build some trust here, you could at least tell us what to call you."

He keeps his gaze calmly focused on her. Based on her actions thus far, the investigator figured that she would understand the subtle signal that he sent by only slightly raising his hands. He and Earnest had the advantage. He would give a little ground to show a bit of good faith, but she could not dictate this encounter.

OOC:

This feels more like Persuasion based on what you said, Judge.

09:57, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 6,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,4.  Persuasion check, name.

09:58, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 12,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+4)12,5.  Persuasion check 2.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 149):

The woman in the thick-soled, military boots and dark clothing grins. She takes advantage of the pause offered by both Tracy and Earnest -- as they endeavor to establish a dialogue -- glancing at the landing, the rope bridge, and the lantern light across the other side.

"Och aye, mate. Ahm Desmona Hume. Are those yer friends yon?" she adds, tilting her head toward the other side of the chasm.

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 150):

Earnest nods.

They are indeed Miss Hume, We'll introduce you soon I'm sure. But first, how in the world did you get this deep in here without light or equipment?

Jake and Tommy perceive most of the happenings on the other side of the rope bridge. They still can't make out all of the words, especially when the woman speaks, although they do hear the last sentence spoken by the professor -- and they noticed the woman glancing in their direction just before Earnest replied.

OOC: The Judge felt such a post is needed at this time. It's fair to say Jake and Tommy have a strong gist of what's happening and what's being said, especially by their pards, although the wavering accent of the woman makes her words muddier for now.

The Judge is pausing for a few hours or so before responding with Desmona, in case anyone else wants to post before her response to Earnest's latest question.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 152):

"Waal," Jake remarked to Ei-rish, "don't know whether it's 'zackly hunky-dory over yonder or not, but it ah-pears like things is pro-ceedin' good enough."

"'Course," he added, "I reckon that could change. I ain't ready to stand down an' re-lax just yet."

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 151):

"Ah dinnae. Ah wuz hopin' ya'd tell may."

She pauses for a few seconds, taking an even closer look at Windham and Ringgenberg, especially the men's footwear.

"Och, mate. Wha'yir is it?"

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 154):

Tracy raises his eyebrows. A strange question. ~But this is a pretty strange situation,~ Tracy thinks to himself, recalling the lack of boot prints at the ladder's edge.

"What year is it? It's 1877." Windham pauses briefly. "That's a surprising question, I must say. Why do you ask?" The investigator studies her face carefully as she hears his query and responds. Based on her actions thus far, he did not believe she would give much information with her words.

OOC:

10:30, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 4,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4.  Notice, Desmona's reaction.

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 154):

It seemed that the caves had strange accoustics -- not that Jake would recognize the word, although he recognized the effects easily enough. Maybe the woman turned in a certain direction and the cave walls somehow funneled her comment to the Texican. Maybe there was a sudden breeze that sprang up from somewhere, and carried her words along to Jacob's hears.

Whatever the circumstances, Jake's eyes widened in surprise as he heard her question clearly, as if she were standing right next to him instead of some little distance away.

"Ei-rish!" he hissed to his pard.

"That fee-maele -- she just asked the Perfesser and Wool-verine what year it was. Whatd'ye make of that?"

---

Edit: Added a missing letter and struck through a typo (shown by coloration).
This message was last edited by the player at 16:14, Fri 27 May 2022.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 155):

Desmona's eyes widen a mite at Tracy's answer. She glances towards the smooth stone wall.

"Jus'part of oor trainin'..." she begins, before a blank look takes over her entire visage. For a few moments, her black-clad body rocks back and forth. To the eyes of the professor and the investigator, it looks like she's about to pass out, her body suddently a dead weight ready to topple to the dirt floor.

Before they can take more than a single step, the woman's eyes refocus, and her form re-steadies. Dropping to one knee in a defensive posture, she looks directly at the smooth wall.

"Crivvens! Di'ya see tha?" She then gasps, obviously disoriented.

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 157):

Training? Earnest thinks to himself.

He takes a step towards her as she wavers, but pauses as she takes her stance.

Miss Hume there's nothing there... Perhaps you should just sit down, I have some water if you'd like? Then let's work this out.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 158):

Her eyes still wide, Desmona glances at the professor and the investigator before returning her attention to the wall.

"Ya dinnae ... nae, mate, Ahm feen," she answers, still staring at the wall. After a few seconds, she gets to her feet again.

In a more clear and barely accented voice, the woman speaks loud enough for Jake and Tommy to hear.

"We mus' get tae the other side, now. Grab yer lantern, mate."

Desmona takes steps towards the rope bridge.

OOC: Please continue free posting, but be clear about whether the heroes take her advice or otherwise. Trying to physically stop her will require the Judge to draw Action Cards.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 156):

As Tommy watches the action on the other side of the bridge he replies to Jake

"I don't know what to make of it. Truth is I don't think I've heard anyone ask that before that wasn't me dear ole gran every New Years.

I tell ya though it certainly wouldn't be the first question on my mind if I just woke up where she just done."

As Desmona heads onto the bridge he tenses but keeps his pistol lowered.

"Here she comes"

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 159):

Tracy does not attempt to stop her, nor does he begin to move. However, he does respond.

"I'm not going to blindly follow your orders, Desmona. I'm willing to guess our friends across the bridge won't either. Not without some information about what is going on."

OOC:

Should Tracy keep rolling Persuasion? This feels like it might be Persuasion again.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 161):

"Suit yerself, mate. Ya cannae say Ah dinnae warn ya." She continues moving, with increasing urgency.

OOC: No, in general, the Judge doesn't want to make repeated rolls of the same skill. The previous attempt worked; it made Desmona more friendly to the group. At this time, in the current circumstance, a Persuasion roll doesn't really fit.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 160):

and

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 162):

The Texican smiled at Ei-rish's reference to his "dear ol' Gran", and added "I 'spect I might've asked the very saeme thing at vary-ous tiemes durin' what some would call my ill-spent younger years . . . on mornin's when I woke up down in the mud with the pigs,  with a bellyful of who-hit-john an' a brigade o' Dwarves poundin' awaey at iron anvils in my head."

Jake lowered the barrel of Widder-Maeker so that the business end of the rifle was down at knee level.

"She does ihn-deed seem to be a-headin' thisawaey, an' with a right good head uhv steam. Wonder what put a bee in her bonnet?"

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 162):

Earnest looks to Tracy, then to Desmona, then to the wall. He starts to follow her.

I think we should listen Tracy... I suddenly have a very bad feeling about this place.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 164):

Tracy shrugs in agreement. He just hoped to get more information out of her. There was really nowhere else to go.

He picks up his lantern and follows Desmona and the Professor across the bridge.

Tommy and Jake see the woman approaching their position, just ahead of the Wolverine's lantern light. The professor follows a few steps behind her, and Windham brings up the rear.

The mechanic and the rifleman reckon she's not a threat -- at least based on the body language of their two pards following her. While they remain alert, they put their trust in their companions' decisions leading up to this moment.

"Ahm Desmona Hume. Call may Dez," she says as she steps onto the landing and turns around to watch Earnest, and then Tracy, step off the bridge.

No more than a heartbeat after Windham's feet hit the cavern's floor, the heroes hear a rumbling sound and a feel a tremor -- not unlike what they experienced back at the rodent cavern after Pearce and Richardsen dropped the dynamite off the bluff.

OOC: The Judge needs a Notice roll from all four of the men. The players have 24-36 hours (ish) to make the roll, after which the Judge will roll for anyone who hasn't logged in and posted.

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 166):

Tommy detects her accent right away but as he is about to reply and introduce himself he feels the rumbling in the cave
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20:55, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 6,4 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2.  Notice roll - cave rumbling sounds.

"Howdy," the Texican said, nodding affably enough and touching the brim of his Stetson when the strange woman introduced herself.

"An' ah'm Jacob Richardsen. Call me Jake," he replied.

A look of concern crossed his face when another rumble and tremor occurred.

"Wisht it would quit doin' that," the Texican muttered, to no one in particular.

"I don't much caere for all this shimmyin' an' shaekin'. Not when the rocks are doin' it, anywaeys."

---

OOC: 11:11, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 5,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  Notice Check re: More Rumbles.

Edit: Added punctuation.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:37, Wed 01 June 2022.

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 166):

When the rumbling starts, Earnest immediately turns towards the landing on the other side.

Tracy, hold up the lantern and try to light the other side please!

16:34, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 7,4 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Notice - cave rumbling/other landing.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 169):

Tracy turns and lifts the lantern as the Professor begins speaking. He and Earnest had just witnessed Dez's strange interaction with that wall. It seemed they had the same idea.

The investigator studies the smooth rock as the tremors continue.

OOC:

07:34, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 3,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Notice check.

Desmona and the four men turn their attention to the smooth wall at the edge of the landing on the far side of the rope bridge. As the men know from their previous crossings, the lantern light barely extends to the middle of the chasm.

Regardless, what they immediately see, hear, and feel is beyond the pale. The tremors quicken and the low rumbling morphs into to a booming hum. A moment later, the wall shimmers with a white light, and the hum reaches a crescendo.

Six bodies step through the shimmering light. Quickly, the light dies behind them. As a result, the six forms now stand in the dark, beyond the reach of the Wolverine's lamplight. The five heroes on the other side of the bridge get one brief glimpse of the six forms before the darkness envelopes them. They look like armed cowboys forming a posse.

It occurs to Tracy and Tommy -- the only thing their lamp light is doing is making it possible for the newcomers to see the group of heroes. Well, maybe not Jake because he he taken a tactical position, probably Tommy as he's holding one of the lanterns, and definitely the three who just crossed the bridge and now stand nearby the Wolverine's lantern. By the investigator's and the mechanic's quick assessments, even if the six-man posse couldn't discern individuals, they could determine the heroes' general position based on the light.

OOC: The Notice roll was to see whether your hero reacted quickly enough to the strange happening above. Everyone rolled a success so you all got Action Cards in the opening round. Desmona automatically received a Card.

Per earlier posts, the Judge assumes Pearce is still handling the 2nd lantern.

Initiative
Earnest Seven Diamonds  Fifth
Jake Queen Hearts, Six Hearts Second
Tommy King Hearts, Six Spades First
Tracy Five Diamonds Seventh
Dez Five Spades Sixth
WC Jack Hearts, Eight Spades Third
EX Eight Clubs Fourth

It is Tommy's turn. The Judge is giving 24 hours (ish) to each player to post in this combat situation. You go on Hold at that time.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 171):

Tommy douses both lanterns and immediately moves to a lying position on the landing.

In a hushed tone he asks "Dez do you know those fellas..friends of yours maybe?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC - Tommy will go on hold
Free Action - douse lanterns, speak and move to prone position, unless judge rules dousing counts as an action (doused both lanterns because Tracy goes last)
This message was last edited by the player at 19:14, Fri 03 June 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 172):

OOC: Dousing Tommy's own lantern is a free action. Movement is separate from actions, so no problem. Dousing Tracy's lantern is an action -- and it would be the mechanic's only action so no issue there -- but the Judge will only allow it if in fact the Wolverine consents. Otherwise, it would become an opposed roll (Athletics), if Pearce tries to do it even after Windham objects. The Judge doubts that would happen -- and encourages the mechanic not to press it if Windham objects. Current expectation is that either Tracy allows it or Tommy continues on with his own action after being denied by the investigator.

Dez will answer on her turn.

It is now Jake's turn. The above will be resolved whenever Tracy weighs in on his decision. It would help if Windham posts his decision before WC goes third in the round (which is after Jake).

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 173):

Some of the things that Jake had learned in the army had stuck with him, and some he had been quick to forget. In this instance, the  challenge that he called out marked him as a veteran of the late conflict, at least for other men who had also served.

Raising his voice, he called out to the newcomers "Halt. Who goes thaere?"

While not aiming directly at the new men, Widder-Maeker's barrel was now raised up to waist-height.

---

OOC: Jake will take a Free Action to challenge the newcomers, and then will go on "Hold".

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 174):

OOC:

Tracy allows Tommy to douse the lantern.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 174):

After Pearce extinguishes his own lantern and moves to do the same to Windham's before dropping to a prone position on the landing, the Texican calls out to the newcomers.

A moment passes before the five on the exit side of the cavern hear a rejoinder. At the same time, a light emanates from across the cavern on the other landing.

"Nosotros somos amigos," one of them calls out in response. His voice is mellow and affable.

The light shines in front of the six men, illuminating the area around the rope bridge and showing the six shadowy forms around the source of the light. The heroes reckon that's probably how they looked to the newcomers across the chasm, before the mechanic had put out their two lanterns.

Three of the six men advance, deliberately. The first man steps onto the rope bridge and proceeds several steps, while the second man mounts the bridge about 3 or 4 yards behind him. The third man stops at the end of the rope overpass, and the light behind him suddenly douses.

OOC: Jake is on Hold, so he can attempt to interrupt the newcomers actions, if desired. Make an Athletics roll if the rifleman does choose to do so, and the Judge will make an opposed roll.

It is Earnest's turn, unless Jake chooses to interrupt before the professor acts. Also, as Jake is on Hold, he may interject and act whenever he wants, even if he isn't attempting to interrupt someone else's action.

"Reckon that's far enough 'til we git this sorted out . . . amigos." the Texican called out to the newcomers who had advanced out onto the bridge behind their pards.

He didn't want the new men -- if, indeed they were men and not ghosts or something else -- crowding Wool-verine,  the Perfesser, or the woman who had given her name as Desmona Hume.

"You savvy their lingo, Perfesser?" he asked the easterner.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 177):

Earnest speaks in quick order.

Yes I do, he said they are friends... Tracy, we need that light back!

He the calls out.

¡Detente donde estás, no te acerques a este lado!

Miss Hume, do you know these men?

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 177) and Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 178):

OOC: That's a significant amount of conversation for a single combat round. The Judge is ruling that the Jake and Earnest have used their entire round to converse with each other (and the newcomers and Dez). However, the Judge will allow an appropriate skill roll for both men, should they choose to do so, such as Notice, Common Knowledge or something else you can make a case for, if desired. Meanwhile, the Judge is proceeding to the next participants in the action order (Dez and Tracy).

Answering both Pearce and Ringgenberg, curtly, Dez says, "Nae."

She moves several steps away from the bridge and drops to one knee in a crouching position.

"If anyone can spare a gun, slide it here," she says clearly.

OOC: It is Tracy's turn. There is no reason to wait for Earnest or Jake, as any roll they choose to make -- even if it gives them some information -- will have no bearing on the Wolverine's actions, in the Judge's current ruling.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 179):

After Earnest had answered him, Jacob peered at the newcomers (about whom he was quite curious) in an attempt to see if he could learn anything about them from their clothing or any other clues that he might notice.

---

OOC: 11:15, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 2,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Notice Roll re: New "Amigos".

11:18, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 3,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Benny Re-Roll (Notice).

Comments: The Dice-Roller is being rather stingy today. I have deducted a Benny from Jake's total.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 179):

OOC: How can we 'notice' anything... haven't all lights been extinguished at this point? Or am I missing something?

OOC: Notice involves mores than one of the five senses, yeah?

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 183):

Tracy did a quick calculation upon hearing Dez. Someone here was a threat. If it turned out to be the men advancing across the rope bridge, then it would benefit them for Dez to have a gun.

"Here," he says quietly. Windham deftly removes his Derringer from his pocket and slides it to her. She wasn't getting his damn Colt.

Then, he crouches and positions himself to the left of Desmona and some distance away. Sighing to himself, the investigator attempts to ignite the lantern once again.

OOC:

If Tracy is able, he will attempt to light it now. If the Judge rules that he has already used his full action in this round (by sliding the gun, crouching, and moving), then he will attempt to light it next round.

Also, I said "some distance away" because I don't have a good sense for what this side of the landing is like physically or where Tracy began this round.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 184):

The four men and Desmona reposition themselves and converse briefly amongst themselves and with the newcomers. They can neither hear nor see the newcomers for a span of those several seconds. Even Richardsen, who concentrates on perceiving them for a moment, picks up no sign.

OOC: Retrieving and giving the weapon to Dez is definitely an action. The Judge rules that Tracy was close enough to her when he slid it that no roll is needed. However, if he attempts to light the lantern in this combat situation, it's definitely that will require an Athletics roll -- at –2 because of Multi-action in the round. The Judge will allow the roll anytime in the next 24 hours. Likewise, Earnest may still make some kind of justifiable roll.

No one is familiar with the terrain here; Windham's vague description is apt. The Judge is determining where everyone is -- so far, no one has done anything crazy so there's no chance to fall into the chasm or anything so dire. The Judge simply placing you on the rough map that you can't see here on the desk. Unless there is good lighting, the Judge prefers it this way.

That said, as the four heroes have been here a couple of times now, they all know the cavern about 10 or 15 yards from the rope bridge to the tight passage where they entered the cavern. the landing is about 20 yards wide at its widest point.

Initiative
Earnest Queen Diamonds  Fifth
Jake Ten Diamonds Hearts, Four Diamonds Seventh
Tommy Nine Diamonds, Queen Spades Fourth
Tracy Ace Spades Diamonds Second
Dez JOKER First or Anytime
WC Jack Clubs, Jack Diamonds Sixth
EX King Spades Third

That was a crazy draw. It is Desmona's turn. Everyone gets a Benny. The Judge will post for Desmona by this afternoon. Tracy should be prepared.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 185):

"Cheers, mate," says Desmona after Windham passes her the derringer. A moment later, Tracy senses her departing from her position, even though he can't really see her at all. "Cover may, eh?" he hears her say as her voice moves away.

A single heartbeat later, everyone sees something extraordinary.

A small white light blinks in an out, as the woman moves towards the chasm and remounts the rope bridge from the heroes side. The light seems to emanate from Desomna herself -- or maybe her hand as she moves. The light continues blinking in an out, illuminating her form momentarily each time, while she continues with deliberate paces along the bridge. She appears and disappears, with the light shining just in front of her feet until finally the light shines straight ahead and remains bright for a couple of seconds. Dez fires Tracy's small, two-shot weapon, twice at the man some 10 yards in front of her and revealed in the beam of light.

The results of her shots are unclear, as the blinking light goes out again, and stays out. However, Tracy and his three pards get an idea of where the first newcomer is: roughly halfway across the bridge, with what looks like some kind of scattergun cradled in his arms as he's moving.

OOC: The light isn't enough for people to see what happened. Best guess is that even though she had some light on her target, she suffered some kind of penalty for less-than-optimal illumination. The Judge rolled in the Dice Roller but didn't include any penaltiesin the rolls -- or any public damage rolls -- in order to keep the players temporarily in the dark, as it were.

It is Tracy's turn.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 185):

Having nothing else to do, Earnest turns his good ear towards the rope bridge and listens intently...

16:27, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Notice - Listen intently.

OOC: ...if it's not too late for this.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:30, Mon 06 June 2022.

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 186):

Retracing his steps to his previous position, Tracy attempts to light the lantern as the Professor requested before immediately fixing his gaze on the rope bridge. The Wolverine crouched with his hand on his Colt, prepared to cover Dez.

OOC:

19:21, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 15,9 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+7)15,(6+3)9.  Athletics, lantern.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 187):

OOC: It's kind of late. We'll just say the professor thinks he heard continued movement on the rope bridge before Dez moved.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 188):

Windham repositions and lights his lantern. He can shine it wherever he wants, but initially it reveals the end of the rope bridge on his side of the chasm as well as another several yards along the bridge before the illumimation fades a little behind the last flash of light where Dez was.

The man fired upon by Dez returns the favor. Tommy hears the distinct sound of a scattergun. It's still too dark to tell whether the man hit the woman or what damage the buckshot might have done.

And it remains dark behind the first man, as well. However, voices are heard -- none intelligible -- and the sounds of movement on the rope bridge are detected even by the heroes with bad hearing.

OOC: It is Tommy's turn.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 190):

Tommy's mind is spinning, trying to grasp what's exactly transpiring even as it happens:

In just a few minutes Dezmona had already displayed enough mystery and spirit to convince Tommy she might be one of those magical faieries he grew up hearing about in Ireland, especially seeing the unexplained blinking light as she crossed the bridge.

She had chosen to attack the group, despite not knowing them or at least claiming to not know them. His guard was up, he would be watchig her closely.

He hears the shotgun. At such close range it would seem missing Ms.Hume might be impossible, but only if the trigger had been pulled in panic and fully not aimed, but again  that seemed doubtful of a man travelling in what clearly was a posse.

In his mind the movement on the bridge indicated the men were charging across or trying to capture Dezmona or possibly retrieve something from her corpse. Tommy reacts by crawling forward on the bridge to get a better view.
------------------------------------------------------------
OOC: Movement-crawl forward on the bridge. Action-on hold
This message was last edited by the player at 14:36, Wed 08 June 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 191):

The mechanic inches forward, maintaining his prone position. It's slow going, but Pearce reaches the start of the rope bridge -- that is, where it's anchored to the landing on this side of the cavern.

Many thoughts fly through the Irishman's head as he makes his way. Some of the thoughts are quite fanciful, others more pragmatic. When he reaches the point of the bridge's anchor, he can sense it moving under the weight of Dez and the newcomers. It creaks and sways with their movements, although he still can't see much in the darkness. He estimates Dez is 10-15 yards ahead, near the newcomer with the shotgun and around the middle of the bridge. Regardless, as the mechanic had assessed the structure's durability the first time they came here, he remains fairly confident it will hold up under a significant amount of weight -- and even some degree of abuse. The last thing he wonders is: just how much of a burden can the bridge withstand?

OOC: Tommy was on the landing, in a prone position as of msg # 172. The Judge paused when reading "crawling forward on the bridge" because Tommy was still some distance from the actual bridge at the start of the round. So the Judge is ruling that Tommy crawls forward to reach the point where the rope bridge starts on this side's landing, but that he is still on the landing and not yet on the bridge itself.

Also, the Judge will allow Tommy to take movement and go on Hold for his action this turn. Most SW GM's don't allow characters to take movement during their turn and still go on Hold, but this Judge allows it when it fits the circumstances, as it does in this case.

It is Earnest's turn.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 192):

Earnest is intrigued by the small, quick-acting light but more pragmatic issues are pressing. He pulls his Colt and kneels down before calling out (using his 'teachers' voice).

You are tussling on a rope bridge that may be very old and rotten! Stop moving now and we'll talk this out!

OOC: Earnest will hold action for now.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:48, Wed 08 June 2022.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 193):

The professor calls out across the chasm. He holds his position while doing so, waiting to see what reaction his plea for a parley might bring.

OOC: It is Jake's turn.

OOC: A side note. Tracy's lantern is on as of his action, but it doesn't help much as its reach doesn't go far enough to see Dez or the newcomers. It does allow him to see Tommy, although the Judge is ruling that the Irishman is just outside of the main flood of the lamplight around the start of the rope bridge -- and thus not clearly illuminated. Tracy's particular position gives him a decent view of Pearce on his belly, but not much else. Likewise, Jake might have seen some movement near the rope bridge, recognizing it as someone on this side of the chasm, but he can't see whether it was Tommy or Earnest or whomever.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 194):

"What the hell?" Jake muttered under his breath as he watched the woman who had given her name as Miss Hume move back out onto the bridge, her way lit -- at least to some degree -- by a flickering white light that did not appear to come from a lantern.

Within a few seconds, gunfire erupted on the mostly-darkened foot-bridge -- Jacob could distinguish the bark of a pistol, followed very quickly by the heavy "Whump!" of a shotgun.

The Texican heard Earnest shouting at the people out on the bridge, trying to impose some measure of order on the chaotic situation. Jake was not shy about joining a gun-battle, but he could not see much of what was going on out beyond the ledge -- and even if he could, he did not know who he should be shooting at.

"Con-sternae-shunn and damnae-shunn!" he growled.

---

OOC: Not sure if Jake has any actions left this Round after speaking twice (albeit fairly briefly). If he does, he will go on Hold.

Edit: Fixed a typo.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Thu 09 June 2022.

The first newcomer on the bridge fires the second barrel of his shotgun.

This time, it clearly has an effect, because Dez yells in fury. Her light blinking again as she rises from a prone position, she rushes the man with the scattergun and exclaims loud enough for anyone to hear.

"Crivvens! I’ll gi'ye a skelpit lug!"

With the light blinking, the heroes who Desmona just met can see her appear to lurch forward in small jumps until she is next to her opponent on the bridge. They don't see her arm swing, but they do see her gun hand smack the side of the shooter's head or neck. A glimpse of his face indicates surprise, but it seems like nothing more than a glancing blow.

For an instant, the four pards see a glimpse of the second newcomer closing in on the first man and Dez.

The light stops blinking again.

No one seems to heed the professor's plea, least of all Desmona Hume.

OOC: Interestingly, the two engaged on the bridge went first and second in the Action Card order (new deck after the Joker). The heroes believe Desmona was hit, but it doesn't dissuade her from continuing her attacks. At the same time, it doesn't seem to be going well for her. She has used all of her Bennies.

Initiative
Earnest Ten Diamonds  Fifth
Jake Jack Clubs, Jack Diamonds Fourth
Tommy King Spades, Eight Clubs Third
Tracy Six Diamonds Sixth
Dez Ace Clubs Second
WC Two Hearts, Six Clubs Seventh
EX Ace Diamonds First

It is Tommy's turn. He has the best view of Dez and her opponent. It occurs to him that the first shot might have missed her, as she was lying flat on the slats of the bridge when she got up this time -- not exactly where he expected her to be and perhaps not where the shotgun newcomer might have guessed, either. Clearly after the 2nd shot, it's a different matter.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 197):

Tommy crawles further onto the bridge and from his prone position fires his Webley at the spot where for just a brief moment he had seen the second man approaching.

He does so only because he feels he has at least some angle between that spot and where he last saw Dez. Still before firing he yells out a warning hoping she will stay out of the line of fire.

"Dez just put your head down now and keep clear!!"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC - Tommy continues crawling onto the bridge and then shoots. Assumed -4 darkness penalty on shooting roll
14:21, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 0,12 using d6-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+6+4)16.  Shooting - firing at second man.
20:40, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 13,16 using 2d6+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+3)9,(6+6+4)16.  Damage roll - shooting damage - benny roll.
20:39, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 6,1 using 2d6+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2,1.  Damage roll - shooting damage

Benny count adjusted
This message was last edited by the player at 00:43, Sat 11 June 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 198):

OOC: Tommy's risky shot pays off! It's a hit with a raise even in the darkness (-4 was the correct penalty for Dark in this case). The Judge will give Tommy extra time to complete the damage roll.

Pearce takes a shot in the dark. The Irishman feels certain his Webley's bullet struck the target. Although he can't see any kind of result, Tommy feels a change in the movement of the bridge, which he believes means that newcomer is no longer moving forward.

The noises, flashes of white light, and brief explosions from the muzzles of firearms give the three pards on the landing some idea of where people are on the bridge. They can see Pearce lying on his belly on the bridge, maybe 3 or 4 yards far from the edge of the landing and partially illuminated by Tracy's lamp light. The mechanic clearly fired a round, apparently at the second newcomer who was approaching Dez and the first newcomer. No one can see for what the result was -- it's just too dark.

OOC: It is Jake's turn. He believes he has a viable shot at one engaged with Dez, although the obvious drawback is the possibility of hitting her. Iffin he was thinking of firing at the second newcomer, Richardsen would have an idea of where the man was just before Tommy's shot, but he can't see him right now. No one else has presented themselves as targets, although Jake knew a third newcomer had mounted the bridge before -- it would be risky in the dark, but he could fire at his best guess location if he had the notion. The –4 penalty would apply for pretty much any shot, with the Judge ruling whether any other modifiers apply to the circumstances.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 200):

Jacob was very leery of firing on people in the dark when the situation was muddled. Although the Texas Brigade had not been on the field at Chancellorsville, he knew that General Jackson had been killed there when he was fired on in the early evening gloom by Confederate pickets who had mistaken Jackson and his staff (who had ventured out to reconnoiter enemy lines) for Yankee cavalry.

And in this instance, he did not know who was friendly and who was not. But it did not sit well that the newly-arrived men had fired on a woman, and Ei-rish seemingly knew enough to take sides, having begun firing his sidearm at the newcomers.

The woman -- Dez -- was apparently quite the spitfire, having rushed to close-quarters combat range with the man who had fired a shotgun at her. The Texican reckoned that spitfire or not, she would be overmatched in a test of physical strength -- and on an unsteady bridge no less, one that could mean death for both combatants if one of them were to slip whilst grasping the other.

And so it was that Jake dropped prone so as to present a smaller target, then squeezed off a round aimed at the man who was closest to Dez. The intermittent muzzle-flashes from weapons that had been fired had lit up the scene from time to time, much in the manner of lightning flashes during a rainstorm, so he felt like he had a reasonable idea of where his target should be . . .

---

OOC:

Free Action: Drop Prone.

Action: 11:05, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 6,2 using d12-4,d6-4 with rolls of 10,6.  Shooting at Man Engaged With Dez.

Notes: I forgot to factor in Jake's Improved Trademark Weapon Edge (+2), and Marksman Edge (cancels 2 points of penalties) when I rolled his Shooting Skill, so I think that the -4 from Darkness would be cancelled out, and Jake's die-roll of 10 would stand, unaffected (resulting in a Hit and a Raise).

Damage: 11:22, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 10,3 using 2d8-1,d6 with rolls of 3,8,3.  Damage (Winchester, Raise).

11:24, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 5 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Re-roll Max Damage Die (d8).

Total Damage: 18

Notes: I forgot to check the "Reroll Max" box when I rolled for Damage, so I rolled the d8 that Aced separately.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 201):

Like Pearce, Richardsen takes a shot in the dark, targeting the newcomer engaged with Desmona Hume. The Texican knew it was risky, but he had reasoned that man was his best target.

And the Civil War veteran aims true, he reckons. He can't see for certain, but he thinks the Winchester's round takes down the newcomer. Jake believes he hears the woman laughing at the result, although, with his bad ear, he can't be sure.

OOC: It is Earnest's turn. Note the Judge's OOC comments after Tommy's shot.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 202):

Disliking the situation, but noting the aggressive movement of the new group after declaring themselves "friends", Earnest speaks his thoughts, then fires on where he believes the 3rd newcomer is, if for nothing else than to give him pause...

Schiesse!

17:38, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled -5,-4 using d8-6,d6-6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Shooting - fire at 3rd newcomer.
17:38, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled -3,3 using d8-6,d6-6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+3)9.  Shooting - fire at 3rd newcomer, benny reroll.
17:39, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled -4,-4 using d8-6,d6-6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2.  Shooting - fire at 3rd newcomer, 2nd benny reroll.

OOC: Guess it wasn't meant to be...

OOC: Oh crap! I just noticed that I fat-fingered '-6' instead of '-4'! So the 2nd roll may have hit? I will wait for the Judge's adjudication though... But just in case:

17:44, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 6 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  Damage - Colt.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:45, Sat 11 June 2022.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 203):

Perhaps against his nature or at least at odds with his initial inclination to parley, the professor joins in the exchange of gunfire with his pards and adds a round from his Colt to the succession of shots into the darkness.

Earnest's target, the third newcomer to start across the rope bridge, was a little farther away than the others, but the professor hopes still in reasonable range for his Colt revolver. Hearing no ricochet or other impact, Ringgenberg has a feeling he might have hit the man. Still, he can't see well enough to draw a conclusion.

OOC: It is Tracy's turn. As noted previously, see the information in the reply to Tommy, especially in regard to the current direction and reach of the Wolverine's lantern.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 204):

Feeling his deadly focus taking over, Tracy calmly walks to the edge of the rope bridge and sets his lantern down just behind Tommy. He wanted to provide a better view of the newcomers attacking Dez.

The investigator remains standing, hoping to present an easier target to draw their fire and protect his friends from harm.

Windham lifts his Colt and prepares to fire.

OOC:

Would Tracy get a chance to see his targets more accurately right now before he fires? I want to clarify that before I declare a target and make the Shooting roll.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 205):

After the investigator moves to the bridge and sets down his lantern, he and his pards can now see adequately to about halfway across the bridge. That's pretty much where Dez is now. Her opponent is down -- Jake nods with satisfaction upon seeing the result of his shot. Roughly a few yards past Dez and the first newcomer lies the body of the second member of the posse -- the result of Tommy's Webley round.

The third man remains standing on the bridge, shrouded in darkness beyond the full swath of Tracy's lamp light. While the third newcomer's position is nonetheless detectable to Tracy and Earnest, the result of the professor's shot cannot be determined, except that the newcomer appears to have survived it.

OOC: Because light is important for this encounter, the Judge is providing this narrative based on Windham's movement. The third newcomer is the only target whose position is known to Tracy, but it is still –4 for darkness because of his position. Same as the professor, it is just within short range for a revolver. Tracy can make a Shooting roll as desired.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:09, Sun 12 June 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 206):

~Glad I know where Dez is now,~ Tracy thinks, before he fires his Colt in the direction of the third newcomer.

OOC:

13:19, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 4,7 using d10-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 8,(6+5)11.  Shooting check.

13:20, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 5 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2.  Damage, Colt.

13:20, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 10 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Damage, Colt reroll.

I believe I have adjudicated this correctly.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 207):

Windham fires into the darkness, like his pards before him. Although the Californian has a decent idea where his target on the bridge is -- and believes his aim is true -- he cannot discern the result of his shot, as the third newcomer stands beyond the range of the lamp light.

On the other side of the chasm, a brief flash from from the muzzle of a long arm precedes its weapon report. Several bullets are fired in two successive shots -- the first aimed at Dez and the second aimed at Tracy.

All indications are that the man shooting is using some manner of repeating rifle, with notable expertise. He hits both of his targets.

OOC: Dez is Shaken by the hit (4+4=8 damage; Tracy takes 2 Wounds from the hit (6+9=15 damage). Obviously, the Wolverine may make a Soak roll by spending a Benny, immediately. The Judge has drawn Action Cards, but the round won't start until Tracy makes his roll (or elects not to) -- and Tommy picks his card (Calculating).

To recap: the first and second newcomers on the bridge are down. The third was hit, but the heroes don't know the extent of the damage, if any. The exact whereabouts of two of the six posse members is unknown, although they are probably not on the bridge but rather on the landing with the smooth wall. The sixth man is near the bridge on that side's landing, based on the shots just taken.

Initiative
Earnest Five Diamonds Fourth
Jake Five Spades, Four Hearts Third
Tommy Three Hearts, Ace Hearts Fifth (Tommy chose low card)
Tracy Seven Spades Second
Dez Two Spades Seventh
WC Ten Spades, Four Spades First
EX Three Diamonds Sixth
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:17, Tue 14 June 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 208):

OOC:

17:23, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 5,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Soak roll.

17:23, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 1,7 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+1)7.  Soak roll 2.

It doesn't matter which roll I take. Tracy Soaks one wound.

Edit: changed Benny count to 1.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Sun 12 June 2022.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 209):

OOC -- Tommy will choose the lower card and go 5th this round

Pearce sees an opportunity to act again, but the mechanic chooses to study the newcomers and gauge the situation. He had developed a knack for improving his odds of just about anything, once he gave himself a few heartbeats to think.

Meanwhile, the newcomer with the repeater -- which Windham now recognizes as the sound of a carbine, much like the Spencer he had acquired from the yellow bandana boys -- discharges the weapon again. The man fires a single shot this time, with the muzzle flash indicating he is likely prone near the anchor post of the rope bridge. He targets the Wolverine, who stands boldly in the lamp light as if daring the newcomers to choose him when they aim. The man with the Spencer seems most willing to take the dare, hitting the Californian once more.

Richardsen hears the telltale report of the carbine and sees the muzzle flash, too.

OOC: Tracy soaked one Wound and was still Shaken. He is now hit again for a Shaken result, and since he was already Shaken, he takes another Wound. He may roll to Soak before his turn. If he succeeds he can soak the one new Wound and won't be shaken. If he fails, he will still get his Spirit roll to unshake before his turn starts.

08:50, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 4,2 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,4.  WC Shooting Tracy.
08:51, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 9 using 2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 2,7.  WC Shooting Tracy damage.

Now that some light has been shed on the situation, and participants on both sides have moved or hunkered down or fired, the Judge will begin explaining some rolls. The penalty for the newcomer is only –2 because of Tracy's position near the lamp. Range is no penalty for the Spencer. In the previous round, the newcomer used the Rapid Fire Edge to get RoF 2 for an extra Shooting roll. His rolls were at –2 for illumination against both Tracy and Dez (who is also illuminated at the edge of the lamp light) plus another –2 for the Recoil effect of RoF 2. That's why the dice roller showed –4 for the two shots. This time, the newcomer is shooting a single bullet with a single action and so the penalty is only –2 for illumination. The –4 penalty for illumination still applies to Shooting rolls targeting anyone outside of the lantern's range, which is currently all four of the conscious newcomers. None of them have moved since the Judge's descriptions during the last round.

Tommy opted for the low card. The Judge updated the Action Card order in msg # 208. That made newcomer WC with the Spencer first in the round.

It is now Tracy's turn. The Judge is giving a Benny to Tracy for playing out his Death Wish and drawing the fire of the newcomer, twice now.

EDIT: Clarifying the illumination penalty notes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:10, Tue 14 June 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 210):

Tracy fires his Colt towards the muzzle flash and drops prone with a grimace. He felt frustrated, wanting to keep absorbing fire. However, he could tell his last shot wasn't very effective. He would have to find a better way to protect his friends.

He crawls a bit away from the lantern light. He had an idea, but he would have to wait for the right moment.

OOC:

16:18, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 4,0 using d8-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1.  Soak roll.

17:00, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 6,1 using d10-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 7,2.  Shooting, Colt. Plus additional -4 brings this to 2,-3.

Taking the miss.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 212):

~~That scoundrel over yonder is a purty good shot,~~ Jacob thought to himself as he saw Wool-verine stagger a little from the impact of another bullet that had seemingly been fired by the newcomer who was using a longarm, the man who had already hit the Californian and Dez.

~~I need to git after him.~~

With that, the Texican sighted a little above the muzzle-flash that was near to the anchor-post of of the bridge on the far side of the chasm, aiming where he thought the man's head and body should be . . . and pulled the trigger.

---

OOC:

Free Action: Think to oneself.

Action: 18:01, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 7,3 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3.  Firing at Muzzle-Flashes.

18:04, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 3,4 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Shooting at Muzzle-Flashes (Benny Re-Roll).

18:06, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 5 using 2d8-1, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1.  Damage (Winchester).

Notes: I believe that as was the case with the previous Round, Jake's Improved Trademark Weapon Skill (+2) and Marksman Skill (2 points of penalty cancelled) should cancel out the -4 Darkness penalty. I suspect that Jake's target may gain a benefit from being prone, but I believe that the Shooting Roll should still result in a Hit without a Raise (which is how I rolled Damage).

I have deducted a Benny from Jacob's total.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 213):

Richardsen sights the sharpshooter near the bridge, but curses when he hears it ricochet into the chasm below the prone newcomer.

OOC: Indeed, the man is prone, which gives –4 cover bonus. Therefore, Jake's shot misses as it is a 3.

It is now Earnest's turn.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 214):

Not wanting to waste shots to the poor conditions, Earnest moves closer to Tracy and speaks in a hushed voice.

Glad you decided to get low... do you need help now?

OOC: Earnest will hold action for now.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 215):

Tommy moves up to where the body of the man he shot is slumped on the bridge. Remaining prone and using the dead man's body as a shield he aims his Webley over the corpse at the source of rifle fire that hit Tracy.
----------------------------------------------------------
22:02, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 15 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11,3.  Damage roll .
22:01, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 3,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Shooting roll - benny roll .
21:59, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 1,1 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Shooting roll.
1 benny deducted
This message was last edited by the player at 02:08, Thu 16 June 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 216):

Pearce moves forward. Immediately, he realizes he must rise and move at his a regular pace to reach the man he had shot. He didn't need to run, but crawling just wouldn't work. Passing Dez on the way -- she is kneeling near the body Jake had taken down -- the mechanic drops prone again a yard or so beyond Dez and another yard or so behind the fallen newcomer.

Tommy sights the sharpshooter near the bridge, but sighs when he hears the bullet take a chunk out of the chasm wall beneath the bridge.

OOC: Same as the Judge told Jake, the newcomer who shot Tracy is prone, which gives –4 cover bonus. Therefore, Tommy's shot misses as it is effectively 0. Tommy's math was correct, Calculating negates 2 of penalty for illumination on the initial roll, Calculating and Elan negate the –4 for illumination on the Benny roll. Then ... the prone penalty. Per PMs with both players, prone works both ways.

The Extras will act soon, then Dez. The Judge is about to make some rolls, and will draw new Action Cards. Decided to post this first.

Two more muzzle blasts appear on the other side of the cavern, both on the other side of the rope bridge from the newcomer who hit Tracy.

They fire -- one at Dez and one at Tommy -- but neither hit. Pearce feels certain the bullet flew overhead. The one shot at Dez plugs the body she is using for cover.

The third newcomer on the bridge shows no actions. He is still outside of the lamp light and none of the heroes is sure whether the man is down or still in the fight.

A moment later, Hume gets up, jumps over the body and passes the Irishman. She kneels at the body Tommy was trying to reach, her light flickering on for a moment, illuminating the shiny Colt next to the dead newcomer's body. She takes it, falls prone, and aims at the sharpshooter -- drawing a bead but not discharging the weapon, yet.

OOC: The two newcomers had the benefit of Aim from the previous round. That negated the –4 illumination penalty. Pearce's prone position made one miss. The Judge at first thought Dez was hit, thus rolling damage, but then remembered to apply Dez's –2 cover and therefore the 5 became a 3. (Lucky for Dez, because it was a big damage roll).


Initiative
Earnest King Clubs Second
Jake Queen Hearts, Six Hearts Fourth
Tommy King Hearts, Four Diamonds Seventh (Tommy chose low card)
Tracy Nine Diamonds Fifth
Dez Queen Spades Third
WC Ace Spades, Joker First
EX Seven Diamonds Sixth

It is the Sharpshooter's turn. Hold on to your hats!

EDIT: updated Action Card order after Tommy's choice.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:49, Fri 17 June 2022.

The Sharpshooter calls out to the other newcomers, in Spanish. To those who don't savvy español, it sounds only like some kind of order.

Next, the Sharpshooter discharges his carbine, targeting Pearce at the middle of the bridge.

OOC: The Sharpshooter has the +2 for the Joker. He does a multi-action, with the Joker bonus offsetting the multi-action penalty. He uses his Inspire Edge and Shooting.

12:09, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 2,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  WC (Sharpshooter) Inspire roll.
12:09, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 4,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5.  WC (Sharpshooter) Inspire Benny reroll.

14:51, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 1,4 using d8-6,d6-6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(6+4)10.  WC (Sharpshooter) Shooting Tommy.
14:52, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 8 using 2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  WC (Sharpshooter) damage Tommy. (The Judge forgot to add the +2 damage for the Joker, so the total damage = 10).

The other newcomers will get +1 to any Shooting rolls they make this round.

For the leader's Shooting roll (it's pretty clear the Sharpshooter is the leader), Tommy and Dez are at the edge of the lamplight -- as indicated earlier, it extended to the 2nd newcomer on the bridge. The Judge ruled that the illumination penalty was therefore –2. Pearce was prone, which the made the roll –6. The result of 4 on a Shooting roll after that negative modifier is a hit, no raise.

Tommy takes one Wound and is Shaken. In addition to needing Tommy's decision about which Action Card he uses, Tommy can FIRST spend a Benny to make a Soak roll if desired. If he fails (even after reroll(s) should he choose to spend more Bennies), Pearce can make a Spirit roll to unshake, or spend a Benny to unshake at anytime during the round.

We are on pause until we get Tommy's potential Soak roll and decision on Action Card.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 219):

OOC- Tommy will again take the lower action card and go 7th
10:14, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 10,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,5.  Vigor check - soak roll .
adjusted benny count
This message was last edited by the player at 14:27, Fri 17 June 2022.

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 220):

OOC: Acknowledged. It is now Earnest's turn. See the updated Action Card order in msg #218.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 221):

Hearing the newcomer leader's order, Earnest calls out.

Tommy, they're aiming for you, move!

Then to Tracy as he looks around for the other lantern:

We need light over there, do you know where the other lantern is?

OOC: Earnest will hold action pending the Judge's/Tracy's answer.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 222):

After the professor calls out to Pearce, he focuses his thoughts on the second lantern, which Tommy possessed and doused when this encounter with the newcomers started.

OOC: Tommy never specified what he did with his lantern after he doused it. The Judge is making a ruling, pending PM with Tommy. Earnest could attempt a Notice roll, which would be at –2 for Dim illumination in this area.

Hearing the professor's call, Dez glances at the mechanic.

"We cannae stay put, mate. Follae may."

Without waiting for an answer, the woman scrambles to her feet and starts running toward the other side of chasm. Pearce can feel the bridge rolling and swaying from her steps, while the blinking white light resumes as Dez runs.

Nearing the other landing, Desmona jumps off to the side -- where the heroes saw the two muzzle blasts and away from the Sharpshooter's position. Like before on the bridge, everyone sees quick, flashing images of a strike with the butt of her pistol -- now the Colt she took from the dead newcomer -- against a man lying prone near the bridge's anchor post.

It's hard to tell whether her blow lands, but it is clear she's now engaged in melee with the poor fool who lies prone. It reminds everyone: lying flat is a good way to avoid gunfire, but it's lousy way to avoid hand-to-hand combat.

OOC: It is now Jake's turn. The professor can act whenever he wants, including an attempt to interrupt should he see an opportunity.

Dez had –2 for multi-action (running), but the foe's Parry is reduced because of his prone position. The Judge isn't revealing the result at this time.

16:52, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 1 using 1d6 with rolls of 1.  DH running.
17:19, Today: Judge Messalen rolled -1,3 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5.  DH Fighting
This message was last updated by the GM at 22:05, Fri 17 June 2022.

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 224):

Jake was quite frankly surprised at Dez's bravery. Her willingness to charge well-armed foes who had a good defensive position would have done the Virginians of Pickett's division proud.

~~I called her a spitfire a mite earlier. That maey be a mite on the taeme side. Could be that the lass is truly tetched  . . .~

Be that as it may, the Texican figured that he had a job to do -- and that was to try to put the man on the other side of the chasm who was causing so much trouble with his long-arm out of the fight.

He had miscalculated slightly on his previous shot. This time he took a little more time with his aim . . .

---

OOC:

Action: 20:45, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 3,7 using d12-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(6+5)11.  Firing at Sharpshooter (Penalty for Prone Target).

20:46, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 9 using 2d8-1, rerolling max with rolls of 6,4.  Damage (Winchester).

20:47, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 10 using 2d8-1, rerolling max with rolls of 5,6.  Damage Re-Roll (Winchester)

Comments: I deducted -4 from Jake's Shooting roll, to account for his target being prone. His +2 for the Improved Trademark Weapons Edge and +2 for the Marksman Edge should cancel out the -4 for darkness.

I have deducted a Benny from the Texican's total.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 225):

The rifleman stays put, using his experience as a marksman to achieve the best possible shot -- across the chasm and into the darkness, no less.

This time, Richardsen reckons the Winchester's ball found its target. Alas, he cannot tell whether the lead pierced the man's skull, grazed a limb, or buried itself in the newcomer's torso.

Windham sees Dez move with the blinking light. He sees Jake firing. The Califorian's quick impression is that both succeeded at their attempts, but what manner of damage they had done remains completely unclear.

OOC: It is now Tracy's turn. The Judge will give Tracy a free Common Knowledge roll to recall what Tommy did with his own lantern after snuffing the Wolverine's lamp, in regard to the professor's question.

Jake hit, but the Judge isn't revealing the result at this time because of the illumination.

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 224):

Earnest will look for the lantern or take Tracy's advice, whichever works first. Once located he will move to retrieve it.

13:01, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 0,-1 using d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  Notice - locate lantern in dim light.

OOC: Doh! I'll wait to see if Tracy can guide him.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 226):

"I believe he left it a few feet to your right," Tracy replies quietly to the Professor. His intense focus on the battle made his answer sound a bit distant.

A few moments later, Windham makes his move. Just after Jake takes his shot, the Wolverine leaps to his feet and sprints headlong across the bridge, just as Dez had done.

As he leaves the edge of the lantern light, Tracy uses his balance and quick reflexes instead of his sight to navigate the bridge and remain on his feet.


OOC:

07:51, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 7,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3.  CK, lantern.

08:07, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 2 using 1d6 with rolls of 2.  Run.

08:07, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 8,0 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (8+2)10,2.  Athletics.

I had no idea where the lantern was (and I couldn't figure it out reading back), so I just made something up to address the successful roll.

Tracy Runs first, using the 2 on the Running die to account for the movement needed to stand up. Then, he takes another action (at -2 for Multi) to keep on his feet in the darkness. I thought that an Athletics roll would be applicable to attempt this. Let me know if there's any issue here, Judge.

Oh, and I was curious if the raise on the Athletics roll would have an added effect in this situation.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 228):

Windham answers the professor, although his attention remained elsewhere. With his dash towards and across the rope bridge, the investigator reaches the midpoint of the bridge, to the edge of the lantern light and very close to Pearce's position. The Wolverine's nimble approach allowed him to move quickly without stumbling.

OOC: The bridge is 12" across. The Judge has never specified the exact number, but the narrative about the bridge before and during the battle has adhered to this distance. That means Tracy can get roughly halfway across in this turn of movement, while running (getting up as he stated, mounting the bridge and running across). It was similar for Dez (with similar running roll), as she ran from roughly halfway to the other side after getting up from prone position, and then jumped near the end to engage the prone newcomer. Likewise, when Pearce moved roughly halfway earlier, the Judge noted that he had to get up to make it as far as he wanted (crawling wouldn't do). The first newcomer moved from the other direction to about the halfway point, before Desmona's initial movement to meet him at that half-way point.

The raise on Athletics doesn't have specific effect -- not all raises have a game effect, sometimes a success is a success -- but the Judge figures Tracy's narrative and the Judge's added commentary illustrate the success of his dash. Moreover, as Tracy wasn't sure how far he would get, the Judge will ask for small clarifications at the end of his movement, as facilitated by his good roll. Does Windham want to fall prone or remain on his feet when he reaches this point? And where in the span from the first dead newcomer to the second does he want to end up? It's a span of maybe two yards, with Tommy lying prone on the bridge between the two bodies?

The answer about the lantern is fine. It's correct enough for our gameplay -- Tommy left his near the rope bridge answer post, which is several feet away from the professor. Now that Tracy says that, Earnest sees it in the dimly lit area.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 229):

OOC:

He stays on his feet. I'm conceiving of him still in mid-run. Let's say he's just nearer to the second body (the one closer to the WC).

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 229):

Finding himself engaged with Desmona Hume, the newcomer near the rope bridge post gets to his feet, deftly moves a couple of yards away, and attempts to shoot the woman with his revolver. He misses.

The other newcomer follows orders, shooting at Pearce -- just as the professor had warned. Fortunately, he misses, as the Irishman's prone position protects him well enough.

OOC: The Judge made two mistakes when rolling for the man engaged with Dez. Realized both errors immediately after making the rolls. Fortunately, the newcomer's roll was bad, so it made no difference to the end result.

First, it's not against Parry because the man can move and use Extraction (Edge) to disengage without Dez getting a Fighting attack. He then shoots from several feet away. He had +1 because of the Sharpshooter's Inspire roll. Still, he misses -- and the roll to see if it was a Critical Failure for this Extra is still valid.

11:05, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 1 using 1d4, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  PP Shooting Dez (against Parry).
11:05, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2.  PP Shooting Dez (against Parry) Crit?
11:06, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 5 using 1d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  RN Shooting Tommy.

It is now Tommy's turn, last turn of the round before the Judge draws a new set of Action Cards.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 231):

Earnest will retrieve the 2nd lantern as his action now if possible.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:19, Mon 20 June 2022.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 232):

OOC: Picking up the lantern is a free action, but to be clear, Earnest already took an action. He rolled Notice. Another would result in multi-action penalties. We'll say the professor ends the round there with the lantern in hand, near the bridge post, using the full round to ask about, locate it, and retrieve it.

Giving Tommy extra time because of Father's Day and holiday.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 233):

With the strange acoustics and his bad hearing Tommy barely makes out the warning from the Professor. When Dez tells him to move he realizes the posse is actively targeting him.

Before he can move Dez launches herself down toward the end of the bridge,other gunshots are fired and then Tracy appears alongside him also moving quickly toward the other side.

~That's a few too many people running on this bridge for my liking~

Having some thoughts about the old bridge's stability and feeling reasonably covered in his current position he stays put and aims at the spot where he saw the sharpshooter last fired from.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC - Tommy will use Aim for this turn

In the dark cavern, with the chasm separating the combatants, the fight goes on.

Pearce and Richardsen had maintained their positions, while Ringgenberg, Hume, and Windham went on the move. Dez's charge to the other side of the bridge threatens to turn the battle. Whether that's in the favor of the heroes or just upside-down is unpredictable.

Meanwhile, the Sharpshooter and one of his men had kept their positions, while the posse member near the post had made it to his feet when attacked by Desmona.

The Irishman, who had now drawn a bead on the Sharpshooter, sees his best opportunity for a shot.

OOC: The Judge gave a brief recap above.

A crazy low draw, escept for Tommy. His Aim comes into play now, he gets to ignore 4 penalty points.

Initiative
Earnest Five Spades Fifth
Jake Four Hearts, Three Hearts Seventh
Tommy Ace Hearts, Queen Diamonds First
Tracy Six Diamonds Fourth
Dez Four Spades Sixth
WC Seven Spades, Two Spades Third
EX Ten Spades Second

It's Tommy's turn. There is no option for waiting until later in round to get another bonus. Of course, Tommy could go on Hold, but it would waste the good timing with the Aim as well as the opportunity to hit the Sharpshooter before his turn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 15:42, Tue 21 June 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 235):

Tommy takes aim into the darkness, he carefully pulls the trigger of the Webley, once again hoping to hit the sharpshooter hiding down at the end of the bridge.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC - Tough going today with the dice roller.
 9:09, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 3,-1 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1. Shooting Roll -sharpshooter -benny roll 3.
19:02, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled 2,1 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Shooting Roll -sharpshooter -benny roll 2.
19:01, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled -1,0 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Shooting Roll -sharpshooter -benny roll.
19:01, Today: Thomas Pearce rolled -3,1 using d6-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5.  Shooting Roll -sharpshooter
-- benny count updated

In reply to Thomas Pearce (msg # 236):

Tommy fires at the Sharpshooter, but the man's prone position protects him from the Webley's bullet, despite the Irishman's patient aim.

Oddly, the two newcomers near Dez pause, waiting for orders. The Sharpshooter himself gives them instructions, it seems, as he calls out again in Spanish. He doesn't fire again these several moments. Perhaps, think the heroes who have been in a gun battle before, he chose to reload and use his leadership abilities instead.

A moment later, the two posse members shoot at Desmona. The four pards on the bridge and the other side of the cavern hear the woman laughing, loudly.

OOC: That was a tough dice roller sequence, Tommy. You rolled 1-5 but no 6, the only number which could hit.

Turnabout being fair play, the newcomers didn't do any better.

21:15, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 4,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2.  WC (Sharpshooter) Inspire roll.
21:22, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 2 using 1d4+1, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  PP Shooting Dez.
21:23, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4.  PP Shooting Dez Crit Fail?
21:24, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 5 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 4.  RN Shooting Dez.

It is Tracy's turn.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 237):

Unfazed by the multiple shots fired nearby, Tracy continues his single-minded sprint across the bridge. After a couple strides on solid ground, the Wolverine launches himself in the air towards the sharpshooter, using the man's recent shots to guide his maneuver.

Windham aimed to take the man by surprise and pin him to the ground, preventing him from firing his weapon.

OOC:

11:43, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 5 using 1d6 with rolls of 5.  Running roll.

15:25, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 4,3 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5.  Athletics, grappling against WC.

15:44, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 12,-1 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (8+6)14,1.  Athletics grappling 2.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 238):

Far too late, the Sharpshooter perceives Windham's intent. When the Californian falls upon him, the man in the leather duster struggles to fend off the smaller attacker.

The newcomer cannot match the Wolverine's ferocity. Tracy's heart pounds as he keeps the man pinned to the dirt floor. The determined investigator has one of the man's arms twisted behind his back, and the carbine now rests a foot or so away from the Sharpshooter's legs.

OOC: Nice ... Tracy got a raise on the opposed roll, so the Sharpshooter is Bound. That condition can change from round to round, but since only the heroes have actions left in this round, it can't change until after the next Action Card draw. While keeping the man Bound, Tracy is Vulnerable.

16:27, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 7,2 using d6-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,3.  WC Opposed Athletics.
16:29, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 1,4 using d6-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5.  WC Opposed Athletics benny reroll.

It is Earnest's turn. From his vantage point, he saw Tracy running towards the other landing. Both the professor and the rifleman can tell that the Wolverine attempted to engage the prone Sharpshooter, but they cannot discern the result in the darkness across the cavern. And there was no carbine muzzle flash this time from the Sharpshooter's position. Both men also saw the flashes from the barrels of the two newcomers' revolvers, when they shot at Desmona -- thus, the two heroes have a better idea of where those two are than what the situation is with the Sharpshooter and Tracy.

Tommy, who had aimed at the Sharpshooter (and who is closer), catches sight of Windham's grappling attack. Although Pearce also can't be certain, it looks to him like the Wolverine is holding the Sharpshooter to the ground.

EDIT: minor word choice change, plus a note the Judge now has 2 regular Bennies remaining.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:04, Wed 22 June 2022.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 239):

Earnest had thought he would light the second lantern and find a place where he could sling it across to break and hopefully catch fire to provide light on that side... but Tracy's mad dash across the bridge caused him to rethink that plan.

Instead he relights the lantern then hurries onto the bridge as far as he can to provide some light.

OOC: Earnest is not running on the bridge, he is moving quickly but holding the rail as well. Not sure if I need to roll anything and I'll leave it to the Judge on how far he gets.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 240):

The professor moves with purpose onto the bridge, holding the now lit lantern. He passes through the portion of the bridge illuminated by the lantern Tracy left burning near the anchor on this side of the chasm. When Earnest reaches about a quarter of the way across, he clearly sees the two dead bodies near the middle, with Pearce lying flat on his belly in between. The professor's lamp light now extends further across the bridge as he reaches Tommy's position. He can see the bridge's anchor posts on the other side of the cavern and he can just barely see Desmona Hume, but the light doesn't yet extend far enough to reveal the others, including Tracy.

OOC: No roll needed to cross the bridge. The pards tested it thoroughly earlier and Earnest has been across it very recently, so the Judge is ruling it's easy unless you're trying to do something extraordinary.

Same as with Tracy, the Judge will ask Earnest to state whether he is staying on his feet or going prone (etc.), at the end of his movement, which finishes right behind Tommy (or a little further back, if he chooses).

It is Dez's turn. Stand by, Jake.

Desmona laughs loudly, as if confirming Jake's thoughts about her mental state, when the two newcomers miss her with their revolvers.

She nows fires at the man she had attacked with the pistol butt just several seconds ago.

"Keep yer heid!" she shouts at him as she hits the man with a bullet from the other dead newcomer's Colt.

Her target feels the punch, but he soldiers on.

OOC: The man soaked the Wound from Dez. The Judge now has 1 regular Benny remaining (bio update after the post).

12:21, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 7,3 using d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 9,5.  DH Shooting PP.
12:22, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 9 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  DH damage to PP.
12:24, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  PP Soak.

It is Jake's turn. See the previous notes about what he can see of the 3 newcomers across the chasm. The Judge will draw new set of Action Cards after Richardsen's turn.

In reply to Desmona Hume (msg # 242):

~~Seems like Wool-verine is en-gaeged in some hair-pullin', nose-bitin', an' ear-'nawin' -- or howsomever it is that they go about their 'rasslin' out in Cali-forny,~~ the Texican thought to himself after he had seen the Californian rush in to close with the enemy who had been firing the long-arm from the other side of the bridge.

Jacob mentally crossed the sharpshooter off his list of targets, at least for right now, given the poor lighting and the 'rasslin' that was taking place.

By the light of the muzzle-flashes from various weapons, he saw that one of the two remaining enemies was closely engaged with Desmona, having risen to his feet to confront the high-spirited hellcat. He felt that there was enough separation between the two to give him a clear shot at the man whom he figured must be a Mexican, given their foes' use of the lingo.

And so it was that Jake took a moment to line up his shot, then took it . . .

---

OOC:

14:15, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 9,5 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 9,5.  Shooting at Man Engaged With Dez.

14:16, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 7,7 using 2d8-1,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3,(6+1)7.  Damage (Winchester, Raise).

Total Damage Dealt: 14.

Comments: As has been the case previously, I believe that Jake's Improved Trademark Weapon Skill (+2), and his Marksman Skill (+2 reduction to penalties) will cancel out the -4 darkness penalty.

I also believe that the man whom the Texican has targeted has risen to his feet to confront Desmona, so I made the roll without penalty for a prone target.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 243):

Richardsen takes note of the battle unfolding in front of him. Amongst his pards -- and now also the woman Jake thinks of as the hellcat -- the rifleman is the only one who has maintained his position since the fracas began.

For the second time, his steadfast attention to finding a suitable target pays off. He squeezes the Winchester's trigger just a few heartbeats after Dez had done the same with her confiscated Colt. Both of them had fired on the same newcomer. Like before, the man was too much in the dark across the chasm -- even with the professor's lamp light reaching the far end of the bridge -- for the Texican to feel certain as to the result. Nonetheless, he felt a surge of encouragement when he heard the hellcat exclaim.

"Pure dead brilliant!" she yells.

OOC: It is the WC's turn. The Sharpshooter is still Bound by Tracy. His only allowed action is to attempt to break free. Tommy will go next. The Judge will follow-up with the Sharpshooter's turn, within the next 12 hours.

Initiative
Earnest Two Diamonds Seventh
Jake Seven Diamonds, Jack Spades Fourth
Tommy Seven Hearts, King Clubs Second
Tracy Queen Hearts Third
Dez Six Hearts Sixth
WC King Hearts, Three Diamonds First
EX Eight Hearts Fifth

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 244):

The Sharpshooter continues to struggle against the Wolverine's hold. The leader of these newcomers seems determined to fight to the end, despite the battle's tide turning against him.

Like a slippery bird twisting free from the jaws of Windham's namesake nickname, the man strives to escape.

OOC: The Sharpshooter used his last Benny ... Tracy needs to win an opposed roll to either keep his full hold (Bound), or at least keep the hombre Entangled. The Judge assumes the Wolverine will use Athletics.

08:44, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 1,0 using d6-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  WC Opposed Athletics to break free.
08:45, Today: Judge Messalen rolled 0,15 using d6-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+6+4)16.  WC Opposed Athletics to break free (benny).

Tommy's turn begins now, although the 24 hour window won't start until after Tracy makes his roll.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 245):

OOC:


11:52, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 0,7 using d8-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+2)8.  Opposed Athletics.

No Bennies left, unfortunately.

Also, I realized that I forgot to add the -1 for Tracy's Would on the initial roll. However, an 11 would still be a raise over the WC's 7.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 246):

The Sharpshooter executes a crafty maneuver, sliding his free arm underneath himself and releasing the pressure on the arm Tracy held. Continuing to twist away, the newcomer leader frees himself from the Wolverine's hold. He rolls away a few feet and gets to one knee. Likewise, the Californian finds himself neither prone, nor standing, kneeling as well a few feet from the edge of the chasm. The carbine is between them, no more than a yard away from each man.

The mechanic perceives movement around the area where the Sharpshooter was positioned before Tracy's attack. He sees two dark forms now, and neither is prone, but the Irishman isn't sure he can tell them apart -- except that he knows Tracy is a relatively small person.

OOC: All good. Officially Tommy's turn now. The –4 penalty for darkness applies, but no prone penalty if Pearce decides to take the risk and fire. The Judge MIGHT apply other situational modifiers, but the uncertainty of the situation means Pearce won't know any such details ahead of time.