In reply to Alouette (msg #126):

The man blinks once at Alouette's plea, then shakes his head. "I tell you what man I don't think so man I don't want no machine clanking around up the dang ol' roof droppin' down on my dang ol' head man and asides I don't rightly see what you want up my dang ol' roof anyhow there's nothin' up there but dang ol' birds and droppin's I tell you what so why don't y'all just step right back out the dang ol' door there and go back where you came man."

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #128):

The door is, in fact, locked.

Alouette gamely tries to decipher/answer all this: "Self is not man, Ain't Peter Boomhauer, not flesh," it points at the wound in its casing, in case Pete hasn't noticed.

"- self is Alouette, angel. There is a small kitten on your roof who is stuck: high probability kitten is Dandelion, missing from home of Sal Robertson, 8 years old."

It looks back at (/beyond, if he's not come in yet) the swing doors on hearing the plural. "Howdy, Called Charging Bear!" it chirps, as though it hadn't seen him two minutes ago.
"Called Charging Bear is also leaking," it notes, seeing the ex-sergeant's face bloodied by the bullet-graze.

In reply to myself (msg #128):

... "hmm.  The Sherrif is out, and I've only been an acting deputy insce this mornin'.  We can probably haul your prisoner to m'hotel room, and discuss things there."  He prods the prisoner.  "On your feet."

(weird, my post was eaten)

Charging Bear half-smiles at the automaton as he moves transitions from the street to the bar and is reminded of the nick on his cheek, "Indeed I am. What bring you here Alouette?"

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #132):

The boy glares at Robert, then his body shakes as he tries to cough through the gag in his mouth.

He mumbles something that sounds a bit like "Guh jumph hin uh lhake, hRev." and nods to the ropes tied around his legs. "hnot goin' hanna war lhik hiss."

"Looking for the tiny kitten Dandelion, who is missing from the home of Sal Robertson, 8 years old - cattlehand said to mosey on outside and they would help get kitten from roof, but he...pulled a gun and...and... *tik* retrieval error."

The clank shakes itself again, but more cautiously, as though aware of damage. "Ain't Peter Boomhauer says he 'don't want no machine clanking around up the dang ol' roof droppin' down on my dang ol' head man', but kitten is stuck..."
It looks to Charging Bear in the hope he will know what to do.

In reply to Danny Boy (msg #134):

Robert unties the ropes around the prisoner's feet, lifts him up with a grunt, and prods him in the direction of the hotel.

Robert, make a notice check (with a -2 penalty) for me, please.

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: Oh, and just so you know, working on the restraining order for the Grand Bull against the Dust Adders netted you $15. Thank you Inflation Calculator!]

Augustus did his best, trying to be reasonable and keep the lady out of harm's way during the short scrap.  These western towns can be so dangerous.  But, at some point during it, the scientist's brain would piece together various out of place sounds coming from the general direction of the fight...

"Really, miss.  We should be....getting...." He trails off and turns, to really try and get a good luck.  And what wonder to his eyes should appear?  An Automaton!  Here!?  Good Lord.

Coughing a bit into a handkerchief, Augustus mutters some attempt at politeness to the young lady.  After which, he grabs up his case and carpet bag and hurries off to the Red Eye after the mechanical marvel.  To do so, he has to hustle past his former conveyance.  As well as the sheriff's office and those in discussion there.  But he pays little mind.

There's Science afoot!

The thin scientist makes it across the street with little trouble, passing Asians, lawyers, a dead, headless Yankee on the back of a horse, a rather more live Yankee of his unfortunate acquaintance, and an old prospector lugging unconscious men out of the road (and going through their pockets for loose cash) with hardly a glance.

He reaches the swinging doors where the voice of the Automaton can be heard, apparently speaking with someone about a missing cat...



[[OOC: Behold, the power of SCIENCE! Warning: may cause tunnel vision. :D ]]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:22, Tue 20 July 2010.

John looks around for clues but seems to be particularly unobservant as he searches the area. "Damn." he says and spits. "I think it either got back up and wandered off or someone came and took the body." he said frowning. "And I ain't no tracker."

[Private to GM: John Smith rolled 3,2 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2. Notice.]

Evans sighs. "Well. That's inconvenient. But all hope is not lost yet." He reaches into his jacket and withdraws that boxy red-and-blue meter device he was messing with last night. "Behold! My patent-pending AEtheric Disturbance Detector! Hopefully with the interference from the storm gone I can pick up some clearer readings than before, and that may yet provide us with insight." he fiddles with some knobs, and the machine starts whirring and clicking.

Evans does a sweep around the area, looking at a readout on the device with a deepening frown. "Hmm...that's odd..." he mutters once or twice. He occasionally gives John a puzzled look.

Eventually, he finishes his scan, and walks back to John. "Well. I'm still getting some odd readings, but the oddness may bring some clarity to a few matters. I'm detecting three distinct patterns. One of them, I believe, came from our dead man, as it's very similar to the one I detected on our yelling guest in the cell last night. It's faint, many hours old. It's all around this area, but doesn't extend any further, so I don't think it got up and lurched around again. I can't be certain of that, not without visual confirmation of the corpse, but I theorize that whatever aetheric entity brought our friend to a second life departed again shortly after its shell was rendered unusable."

"The second pattern," he continues, "is one that I've seen quite often before, though that fails to lessen its worrisome nature. It's one that's woven itself in and around Blackthorn often in the six month's I've observed it. I believe it indicates the presence of a person or persons who have studied a form of ritual that taps into scientific principles as yet not fully understood to contact aetheric entities and compel service from them. To the layman, this would appear to be a form of black magic, if they were to see it performed. I've had unfortunate encounters with these sorts before, which tends to make me cautious. Students of Hoyle are a dangerously unpredictable lot."

"Which brings me to the third pattern." This time, he looks straight at John, and his free hand moves to rest lightly on his gun. "The third pattern is the strongest in the area, and it's coming from you. I thought it was interference from the storm when I read it last night, but there can be no mistake now...there's a trace mixed in with the first pattern over where you said you fought the walking dead man, and that trace is the same age. But the very same reading is coming from you now. Is there something you'd care to explain to me? Now would be the time, I assure you."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:31, Sat 24 July 2010.

In reply to Alouette (msg #135):

Charging Bear thinks for a moment and slides his tomahawks into loops on his breeches. He says, "I'll see to this Alouette, I'm sure Peter Boomhauer will allow me use of a ladder." He pats the clank on the shoulder and steps into the bar.

"Peter Boomhauer?" he inquires as he walks in, with a neutral tone

In reply to Charging Bear (msg #142):

"That'd be me man." An old fellow with a shotgun held warily in his wizened hands, eying the Cherokee with as little enthusiasm as he was the clank just moments ago. "I tell you what I ain't a friend of dang ol' Indians nor dang ol' machines so speak yer piece real quick man or I tell you what they'll be picking pieces o' you both out the dang ol' walls and floors and the dang ol' ceiling man. What'cha want man?"

[[OOC: Time for a Persuasion check as you make your case! And remember the outsider penalty...]]

Charging Bear notes the weapon but looks at the old man, "I won't suggest shooting a deputy, nothing good'll come of it." he pauses to let that idea sink into the older man brain before continuing, "I was simply wishing to borrow a ladder to rid you of that dang ole machine as it has a one track... whatever it has in it head. So if I remove the cat from your roof, the machine will go away."

OOC: Oh the fun of untrained skills
09:39, Today: Charging Bear rolled -3,-1 using 1d4-4,1d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3. Persuasion (untrained, outsider).
09:39, Today: Charging Bear rolled 6,0 using 1d4-4,1d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of (4+4+2)10,4. Persuasion (white chip).

Augustus steps into the bar with eyes only for the automaton.  Wide, happily surprised eyes at that.  His bags are set down absent-mindedly.  He attempts to walk a small circle around the machine, to see it from all angles, "Marvelous...simply marvelous...  What a wonder...  How does it manage to stay upright and in balance...  I had heard Dr. Hellstromme had been working on such things but...  And it even plays recordings as though it could talk!  What a wonderful toy..."  He isn't really speaking with anyone but himself.  Barely even acknowledging that there are even other people around.  No thought at all is given to the notion that the automaton could be sentient or interactive.  Clockworks, steam, and player-piano paper instructions can't think or feel.  That's simply preposterous.

Charging Bear:

The old man curls his lip. "Dang ol' Evans made you a deputy? Well I tell you what that's some dang ol' horseshit right there man." Still, he grudgingly lowers his shotgun, then putters off to a back room. He returns bearing a ladder over one shoulder, his shotgun clutched in the other. "Well here's your dang ol' ladder man. Don't you go choppin' it up for no dang ol' fire wood or tepee sticks or nothin' now you hear?" He hands the ladder over with poor grace. "I swear to god dang ol' town's going to Hell I tell you what. Dang ol' savages bein' made deputies. What's next dang ol' nigger git made sheriff?"

[[OOC: for the record, I in no way endorse or sympathize with Crazy Ol' Pete's racism. I'm just trying to play the character according to my image of the bigoted old coot. I truly hope none of you are offended by his ignorant intolerance and foul language.]]

Augustus Spotswood:

The old coot stops speaking with the brawny Cherokee brave when he notices a thin man wandering around the automaton. "Hey now! Oh man I tell you what man you be careful 'round that dang ol' machine man. It done near kilt a man not ten dang minutes ago man!"

Alouette truly is a marvellous machine: the automaton's hands alone would bring the average mechanist near tears, clearly as articulated as any mortal bone, but the attention to detail and genius of the workings continues over the whole object. Most of the brass casing is finely tooled and finished. It makes the mind reel to try and imagine the hours of work and dedication put into this thing, to make it an object of beauty as well as function.

No attempt has been made to make it look overly human, however, as though its creator appreciated it for what it was and knew it would see less perfect if it appearaed to imitate live flesh. Despite the femminine name the Cherokee just used to it there are no ornamental breasts, nor is it wider and man-shaped at the shoulders. Its head is birdlike, almost, or like some strange ancient helmet, coming to a point with large dark lenses in place of eyes. There's a nasty gouge out of the top of the "beak" at present, and its golden-polished fingers are held to a dent seeping fluid.

"Not toy, Spinning Man," it corrects him mildly "-self is angel. Self has internal spirit level, gyroscope and counterbalance system."

Then, to Pete: "Town, Texas, will not go to Hell."

[[Gm's OOC: Here's a rough draft I was asked to link to, with the caveat that this is only a rough draft:]]


This message was last edited by the GM at 19:21, Wed 21 July 2010.

In reply to Crazy Old Pete (msg #146):

Charging Bear accepts he ladder, doing his best to keep his face and manner neutral as the old man definitely didn't care much for him. "Thank you Mr. Boomhauer, you're property will be returned as you gave it."

Stepping outside with the ladder, Charging Bear looks to Alouette, "Come on Angel let us see if we can't rescue that kitten."

Alouette's a little confused by the grammar, but having learnt a little of (dis)trust recently, it decides it trusts Charging Bear and follows obediently at heel, gently moving Mr.Spotswood out of the way if necessary.

PM.  sorry, I missed this

[Private to GM: 12:47, Today: Secret Roll: Robert Micklethwait rolled 3,-1 using d6-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1. notice. ]

Charging Bear walks to a lowpoint in the buildings roof and sets up the ladder. He takes a few moments to look for the cat in question before giving Alouette instructions. "Alright, I need you to hold the ladder so it doesn't fall when I climb it. I'll find the kitten and see about getting it down. Understand?" Charging Bear waits to hear if the automaton understands.

[Private to Robert Micklethwait: s'ok. With all the posting going on, it's sometimes easy to miss the little things. That's why we have the OOC thread. I'm thinking of start a "Who's waiting on whom?" thread for the purpose of people posting who they are waiting on...thoughts?]

The first thing Robert notices is the smell of damp earth around the boy as he unties the rope. Puzzling, but not overly so, as there was a storm last night.

The other thing he notices is that the ropes around the boy's legs are quite brittle from age, almost falling apart as he unties them. The question of why anyone would tie a man up with such a bad material blinds Robert to the sudden jerk of the boy's hands as he finishes standing, which part the ropes tying his wrists together with a *SNAP!*.

"Suhphrize!" He shouts through his gag as he kicks for Robert's groin. The shot connects, and pain shoot through the old man.

Taking advantage of his fleeting surprise, he bulls past the pair and dives into the water trough where Robert threw Luke's gun, apparently intent on arming himself.

[Private to Gangatsu: You notice that for someone who was nearly brained half an hour ago, the boy is moving with astonishing speed...]

[[OOC: Danny boy gets The Drop on both Robert and Gangatsu. He tries an unarmed attack against Robert, with a called shot towards the unmentionables and a Wild Attack, which will lower his Parry by 2 until his next action. his total mods are: +4 (The Drop), +2 (wild attack), -2 (multi-action penalty), -4 (Called Shot to the Vitals)

The attack: Danny Boy rolled 1,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4. Attacking Robert's unmentionables.

Danny spends a blue chip for a bonus: Danny Boy rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4. blue chip. Combined, that's 8, which is enough to hit Robert but not enough for a raise.

Damage: Danny Boy rolled 8 using 1d6+6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Robert is Shaken and takes 1 wound, which he may attempt to soak.

Danny then moves 4 squares to the water trough.

We move into normal combat round now. Drawing initiative for everyone:]]

Initiative for next round:

Gangatsu: Red Joker! (you may go at any time during the round, and you have a +2 bonus to all trait tests and damage this round)
Robert Micklethwait: King of Clubs
Danny Boy: 2 of clubs (Parry 5 3, Toughness 5)
This message was last edited by the player at 01:53, Thu 22 July 2010.

"Yes - hold the ladder, in a manner not condusive to falling, when Called Charging Bear climbs it." It may still be a good idea to show the literal-minded thing exactly how to hold the ladder, but it seems to get the general idea.