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"
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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.
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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

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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!