Earnest shakes his head.

Just pass the word to the powers that be about the Legionnaires... anything else Tommy?

Tommy replies to Harlay
"If you don't mind letting me take a couple of extra blank sheets of that official telegram paper, otherwise that's all. Thank you, we are very appreciative of the assistance"
Turning to Earnest "ok Professor, let's get back to the others and see if we can pull this off"

Earnest tips his hat to Harlay.

Yes, thank you for your help Mr. Harlay!

He turns to join Tommy and Daniel, they mount up and start back to Rockville.

OOC: Take it away Judge!

The telegraph operator looks a mite uncomfortable with Pearce's request for official company materials, but he sighs again and nods in acquiescence. Only a ungrateful sod would deny such a modest request from one of the men who helped drive off the invaders.

The three men ride back to Rockville, meeting their other three pards at the boarding house. The Matron has made a warm bath ready for any of the heroes, should they choose to avail themselves of it. Although no one can be completely certain what prompted such a kindness, Richardsen can't help but wonder whether his Excelsior System is inherently flawed.

Regardless, it's nighttime in the town, and mostly quiet. The men have time to discuss their plans for the morrow.

OOC: Okay, take it away players. Remember, Red Shirt has departed; whereabouts unknown. The Judge is giving time for the players to revisit things, but you don't need to come up with a master plan. It seemed there were differing opinions on how to proceed, so giving time to reach consensus.

Earnest avails himself of a bowl of the warm water from the bath, which he then uses to wash and tend to his wounds while talking with the others.

Well, we could go with the courier idea using Mr. Harlay's telegram, but whoever does it should be prepared to be detained and questioned by the invaders... meaning, he would need a good cover story.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 659):

Tommy was eager to talk with the others and get things sorted out for the morning but still warm baths were few and far between in these parts
~I'll make it quick ~ He availed himself of the bath for just a few glorious minutes and then joined the others

"I guess my idea is to play dumb. Just a guy who agreed to deliver a message to Grafton for a few pennies. Hopefully just deliver the message, look around a bit, talk to Taylor and leave"

"Like you said Earnest they will surely be asking questions and searching the man top-to-bottom. I had a thought we might use the blank stationary to make a message about something that would peek the invaders interest, maybe distract them in some way. If anyone's got a good idea for that ruse let me know"

"What do you think it should say, Mister Pearce?"

Daniel seems interested in the idea, even if a mite skeptical.

Jacob had pulled his feet down off the window-sill, and was now standing. Secure in the knowledge that his feet now smelled evening-breeze fresh, he had not, however, stepped back into his boots.

He listened as his pards discussed the idea of Eirish carrying message to Grafton, including wondering what the message should say.

Scratching his chin-whiskers thoughtfully, the Texican mused "What if'n we was to let on that some uhv the Legion was spotted comin' accrost the river, up from Mex-icoe? If'n these hard-cases are truly dee-serters wishin' to staey clear uhv them that might hang them, we might can tell that from their ree-ackshunn."

"On the other hand," Jake added, "if'n they seem ihn-clined to reach out an' maeke con-tact with them that's suh-possedly comin' accrost the river . . . waal, that'd be a-tellin' us sumpthin' diff'rent."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 662):

Earnest winces as he pokes at the wound then nods at Jake.

That seems like an excellent idea Jake! It could be very telling! Daniel, you said you know of an overlook where we could keep an eye on Tommy as he enters town?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 663):

"There are few places, professor. Depends how close we want to be. Perhaps close enough to ride in if things go awry?"

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 664):

Tracy nods enthusiastically at the Texican's suggestion, a stronger reaction than normally elicited from the investigator. "I think that's brilliant, Jake."

Then, Windham turns to Daniel. "Yes, that would be best. How far away is the closest spot?"

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 665):

Padre agrees with the Pards. Mr Richardsen and Mr Pearce had been concocting well.

Even if it didn't clear them out it may cause them to send a couple of 'em to scout it out.

Padre rubbed his whiskered chin and twiddled his chained cross in his fingers.

Yes... This is a great idea..

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 666):

Earnest finishes his wound tending and cleans his hands.

Let me see the message Harlay gave you please Tommy... and one of the blank sheets.

OOC: Earnest will craft a message using Harlay's style informing Taylor that a squad of French Legionnaires were observed crossing the Virgin River between Rockville and Springdale... Do I need to roll anything?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 667):

OOC: Yes, make a roll for Academics. Glad to see everyone chiming in. After the professor's roll, you all need to confirm the time of your departure, based on Daniel's next post.

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 665):

Daniel continues to listen to the other men, nodding when Windham asks his question.

"If we head out before daybreak, I believe we can reach a ravine that will hide us roughly 50 yards away. That is, we can reach that spot without being seen by any sort of patrol."

OOC: It will take 2 rounds to travel 50 yards on horseback.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 668):

Here's the roll:
06:47, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,8 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+2)8.  Academics - Prepare "telegram".

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 670):
"Spot on Jake!...that's exactly the type of thing I was hoping for"
Tommy removes the two slips of offical message paper from his interior vest pocket and hands them to Earnest
"Here you go Professor, best I think if you keep the second one safe and at the ready in case we need another message to be fabricated"
Tommy goes about preparing himself to impersonate a messenger. He carries only his Webley revolver and sheds his bandolier. Swapping his Australian outback hat in favor of a more American style one he borrows from the kindly matron who offers him one left behind by an earlier guest. "I think maybe I should also switch horses? he asks aloud ...just in case I run into that rascal who got away and he recognizes it"

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 669):

"That'll give me tieme to get my boots on," the Texican replied to Daniel with a nod.

"I'll be ready."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 672):

Probably a good precaution Tommy... you can take Sweet Pea if you like?

Earnest finishes cleaning up and checks his bandages once again, then finds a place to settle in for some shuteye. He pauses when Jake comments, replying with a grin.

None too soon for getting your feet covered Jake!

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 673):

"Just before daybreak sounds good to me."

~Something tells me we'll find Red Shirt there somehow,~ Tracy thinks to himself with a smirk.

“Thanks Earnest, Sweet Pea  lovely II’ll take good care of her”

Looking back at Daniel
“I’m fine with that,let’s get an early start”I can leave a few minutes earlier so wecare not seen leaving town together “

The heroes settle in for the night, getting some more sleep before an early morning departure. Unfortunately, some of the men oversleep their intended waking time, as it is even before the rooster's call. Fortunately, Daniel Knight, who had suggested the early morning plan, rouses himself early enough to shake the others into action.

Pearce mounts and departs before the others leave the boarding house. It's a precaution, probably not necessary but the heroes had postulated the notion of invader spies and were playing it as safe as reason allowed. He rides slowly, then moves off the road to give the others time to reach their position before he rides into Grafton.

Daniel leads the others to the ravine he had described. They understood his urging to travel before daylight, as the spot is quite near the road, to the south of it, which leads to the eastern edge of the town's buildings. They reach the ravine without incident, although they can't be sure that no one spied their approach. One or two men can dismount and take up a position to observe the road into town, while the others stay in the ravine with the horses, out of sight.

OOC: If we were playing at the table, I might ask all player to make a Vigor (or Spirit) roll to wake up on time. But it's too cumbersome here, so the Judge took liberties ...

The heroes moving to the ravine, need to make Stealth rolls; please do as soon as possible so we can keep moving. Feel free to post any narrative, but the Judge also needs the players to confirm which two heroes are taking the observation positions--and those two men need to make Notice rolls in addition to the Stealth roll. Those who aren't in that position can still make Notice (hearing) or other appropriate rolls to Support the two observers.

The Judge assumes that Pearce isn't trying to be stealthy, but if he wishes to make any other rolls on his approach, please do.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 676):

Earnest will move to one of the observing positions with his binoculars.

06:58, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,8 using d4-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+4)10. ...Forgot to add the memo, but this is his stealth roll.

07:01, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 0,0 using d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2.  Notice - Observe Tommy enter town.
07:02, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,2 using d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Notice - Observe Tommy enter town; free reroll.
07:04, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 4,3 using d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5.  Notice - Observe Tommy enter town; benny reroll.

OOC: Benny deducted.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:04, Yesterday.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 677):

Padre dismounts Genny. He stumbled a bit getting out of the saddle. Oversleeping had remaded his mind to being fuzzy for the time being. Never the less Padre felt he had retained a level of stealth.

Padre notice the Professor moving to watch out over Mr Pearce and joined him.


OOC:

15:57, Today: Albert (Padre) Juhasz rolled 4,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max ((4,3)).

5:58, Today: Albert (Padre) Juhasz rolled 7,9 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max ((5,(6+1)7)).

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 670):

OOC: On my original 'telegram prep' roll, I forgot to include the -2 for Earnest's wounds so the roll is actually a '6'; after discussion with the Judge I went ahead and did Earnest's free reroll and then tried a benny reroll...

07:01, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,3 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Academics - Prepare "telegram"; free reroll.
07:01, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 3,1 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  Academics - Prepare "telegram"; benny reroll.

OOC: I guess the dice gods demanded a sacrifice for my oversight... Benny deducted and '6' it is!
This message was last edited by the player at 13:08, Today.