Well, I am astounded. Given the hellfire war this country has just endured I was certain those prisoners would never live to see Judgment Day. But mercy prevailed and it’s very curious indeed. I guess there’s hope for us after all. I was fixin' to continue on home once this business concluded, but perhaps I'll stick around awhile. There just might be something worth hangin' around fer.

JEB follows Cole and Meri.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:08, Fri 21 Aug 2009.

Travis linesthe sights of his new Sharpe on the middle of Frank's back.

Breathe in, breathe out. 

This is terrible.  I can't believe he's trying to escape.

His target walking slowly down the road seems larger in the gunsights.  He squints and moves his finger over the trigger.

Too bad for you Frank.  Someone has to pay the devil.

I also posted this is the PM section, but it is so well crafted I want to share it with all....

I would like to carry on.  I have plans for a hunter/trapper from Mississippi named 'Otter'.  With the success I've had with Charles' speech affectation (a different game in a different time), I'd do the same with Otter and a deep-swamp accent.  Another idea is a Mongo-type (Blazing Saddles) brut-squad-of-one-but-painfully-dumb guy.

I'd like to continue with the d20 rules for S:R, mostly because of the investment in the rule book.  I'd also like to see a loosely-constructed travel to the west.  I spoke before of the campaign against the greedy land-baron who is forcing good people off their hard-earned land.

At the least, we've got one thing settled: the Judge is super fallible.  All of the issues we experience are due to him. LOLz

Seriously, if we do go on, I'll have a better sense of humor about whatever character I play.

Don't forget to post me your private plans as the character thinks about them right now. Regardless of how our conversation about the future of the game turns out.

A couple of you have posted in the post-mortem but you haven't sent me your character's private thoughts/plans for the future.

RECAP: The result of the PM experiment was interesting. Without revealing each player's specific intentions, desires, or thoughts, the following describes the general inklings as if all y'all had sat around the kitchen table after the meeting in the front yard, jawin over a jug of fresh squeezin's about what's next for the lot of ya.

Those thinkin' to stay in the Valley for a little while (vague timespan, but a month or two seemed to be common) to help rebuild, before moving on:
Cole
Meri
Silas
Artemus (leaving sooner than a month, but not immediately)

A man thinkin' of stayin' in the Valley for at least that while, possibly longer:
JEB

Those thinkin' to stay in the valley for good (well, for  long term commitment in any case):
Chance
Owen (& Abby) OOC: Did anyone ever get the anagram for their last name? i don't recall anyone mentioning it)
Hattie

A man ready to leave the Valley that afternoon:
Travis

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

This gives us a good start for developing the back stories over the years. If you want to roleplay this a little, the natural thing to do would be for Travis to say his simple goodbye, as he wrote to the Judge in PM, after everyone else said his piece. Knowing what each other's druthers are, you could do some roleplaying here to establish the reunion 7 years later.

Feel free to roleplay any of that. The Judge will use any plans/agreements PCs want to arrange publicly, along with PMs between Judge/Player or Player/Player as well as the Judge's own ideas, to build and then set the stage for the next chapter of GTTM.

EDIT for a note about Artemus
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:22, Mon 24 Aug 2009.

OOC: I noticed 'Baby Normal' for Abby, but thought nothing of it.  Guess I shoulda.

Resuming gaming...

Travis wakes from his nap and takes in the air.  Feeling refreshed he walks up to the house.  He speaks briefly and quietly with Hattie.  Satisfied that she is pleased with the outcome of today's events he turns towards his companions.  Noting that they are all together he quickly takes advantage of the situation.

Gentleman, it has been a pleasure serving with you.  I am moving on.  This very afternoon in fact  to parts west. I'll finish checking my saddlebags down by the road and head out in the next half hour or so. I have no plans in particular.

With your permission I would like to keep this rifle as I currently have no longarm.

You're all good company so if any of you is of a similar mind I'll be happy to share the road with you until our paths part, whenever... if ever... that may be.  If you're of a mind to stay here for a while, and I can certainly understand that, then should we meet in the future, I would be pleased to work, drink or fight with you again.   

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #630):

OOC: To really get rolling, it's going to take me a few days to update Artemus and pen a short back story.

Resuming gaming...

It’s been an honor to call you “friend.” Artemus extends his hand.

OOC: Interesting editing artifact, notice the black line under the red text? I wonder what else is possible?
This message was last edited by the player at 13:13, Mon 24 Aug 2009.

OOC: I believe Travis meant to resume gaming the wrap-up of Jonas Comes Marching Home. We won't be moving forward 7 years for a little while, as everyone needs to coordinate back stories and make it possible for a reunion. If all you players go off on your own and write extensive back stories that don't involve each other at all that will make it difficult (or just plain magical) for the reunion to happen. I want plausible connections to facilitate a reunion in six or seven years. Please talk to each other. Use this wrap-up opportunity not just to say goodbye but also to create a link to the future of GTTM.

OOC:  I have no idea other than a-bunch-of-adventurers-meet-in-a-tavern-and-look-they-are-your-old-friends technique we may employ other than a group of one or two picking up strays along the way.  What about reputation, can we build our rep and have one person wrangle the lot hearing where we may have been recently?

...

OK here is one.  Chance/Hattie/Owen/Abby <insert name> died in Ft Wherever and we were all close enough to pay respects.

Sorry I'm no help at all.  $700 has clouded my brain.

FWIW: Travis will probably take a level of diplomacy.

OOC: The Judge doesn't understand why this is so hard. So you need a head start.
----------------------------

Owen Lorman says (pick one).

"How will we find you again, Mr. Travis?"

"Do you expect to come back for a visit sometime?"

"Ifn the trains make it out to California, where should we look for you?"


Hattie says (pick one).

"Maybe we can communicate by letter, or telegraph."

"Send us a post when you make it to California."

"Maybe all y'all can send posts to us here in Marshfield and we can keep track o'ya."

OOC: This is appreciated as the Judge set forth some requirements and you players will need to coordinate to make sure things are covered.

Navigation likely fits with Artemus' skill set.

I tell you what Owen, Hattie.. Gentleman, Western Union has a transcontinental telegraph system.  A man can be at any Western Union location and for a fee check to see if he has messages at another specific location.  I will periodically check to see if there are any messages for Travis Sunday at the san Francisco Office.  I promise to always check as soon as possible after this date every year.  If I need to contact any of you I will leave a message in your name at the San Francisco Office as well.  You don't need to check but unless you have any other ways of contacting you that's what I'll use.  Owen I promise to send you a post from San Francisco when I get there.

Meriwether then stood & walked over to Travis & then looked back over his shoulder. The Englishman then gave all his companions a friendly nod "I suppose if all things are in order here... well I shall be joining Travis. That is if he can stand my company."

He then looked at all his new found companions & cleared his throat "After all it will be one less mouth to feed. I do wish to say that it was both a honor & a privilege to fight & live amongst you all. I shan't forget any of you. Master Owen... do look after Miss Abby will you? All take good care!"

He then gave them a half bow "I bid you all a fond adieu!"

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #637):

"That's a boss idea Mr. Travis. I bet there's a Western Union office in Springfield," Owen says, glancing at Chance and Hattie.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:05, Tue 25 Aug 2009.

Meri, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Travis tips his hat and moves on.

The Englishman raised an eyebrow at the back of his retreating friend "Beautiful what? By Jove!"

He too tipped his bowler & made to follow Travis "I say! Which way is west ole chap?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:10, Tue 25 Aug 2009.

In reply to Meriwether Lewis Smythe (msg #638):

Cole, with Bart sitting by his side, looks up, from underneath his hat, at Meri and Travis...

Happy trails, fellers. Watch your backs now, you hear?

As I've written, treasure is good.

Silas walks over to Travis and Meri each before they leave, clasps each man's hand in his own and gives it a hearty shake.

"Fellers," he says, "it's been a mighty pleasure travelin' with ya both...me 'n Edwin'll surely miss ya. Not rightly sure what I aim to do but think for the short term I'll stick around here for a few weeks at least. Mayhaps our paths shall cross agin."

"Travis, you have been a true friend and will always be a hero in my eyes.  I think I might write this story and send it to Chicago where they publish some of the tales of frontier heroes.  How tall would you like to be for the story?" Chance chuckles.

Chance turns to everyone.  "In all seriousness, none of you had any reason to come with me, yet you did.  You had no reason to defend my home, yet you did.  You sacrificed much of your own goods and money.  You have my unending gratitude.  You have a place to call home if you wish."

"Oh, and gentlemen, have you filled yourselves from the still in the back?  I will tear it down before long.  I would hate to see its contents go to waste.  Darn, I do not know if anything is in there or not."

Chance take Meri's hand.  He shakes it heartily.  The engineer stops short of reaching out for a hug, though it is obvious he cannot express himself in that way.  "Meriwether, I will have the utmost respect for any Englishman I mean on account of you.  You prove out similarities far outweighs our differences.  Take care friend and visit us if you head back to your kingdom."

OOC: If anyone knows how to brew liquor, Chance will not interfere.  In fact, if the supplies are available, he will give them to assist.

"Yes, I'd like to give it a try, and thank you for the warning. I was thinking, and we'd have to test it, but it may burn nicely in your lanterns. Might be nice to have a steady supply of lamp fuel. Just a thought."

During the following weeks, Silas sticks around but teeters back and forth from friendly and affable to distant and quiet to ornery and outspoken. He tinkers with the still along with Art...though his tinkering involves more drinking than distilling, and he lends a hand wherever he's needed. He also proves to be no slouch at hard labor, working with determination at whatever task is at hand.

One day after nearly a month has passed Silas is gone without a word, his meager belongings and Ol' Hank gone along with him. Laying upon his bed is a note scribbled in very poor handwriting.

hit the road
take care thanks

Silas

In reply to Meriwether Lewis Smythe (msg #638):

JEB approaches each departing brother-in-arms and gives him a firm handshake. With a tip of his hat JEB wishes them good fortune:

Hasta luego, compadres. May the road rise up to meet you and the wind always be at your back.