Robert Micklethwait, Gangatsu, Katy Devon, John Smith

"Riders on the storm, riders on the storm
Into this house we're born, into this world we're thrown
Like a dog without a bone, an actor out on loan
Riders on the storm"
--"Riders on The Storm," The Doors

Sunset, April 9th, 1879.

Nathanial Frost could barely believe his ears.

"A deputy!?" He shouted at Luke, who cringed in the face of the Cajun's wrath. "Since when does that tinhorn marshal have the power to swear in deputies!?"

"I don't know, Nate! But that's what he said! Him and the Injun what knocked out Dave!"

Nathanial swore. Things were not going according to plan. First the escape of the Bluebellies, then the Indian on the road (now calling himself a deputy!) and then the tinhorn chasing him out of the Grand Bull...and now this.

"No. Ah ain't gonna accept this. We done too much work gettin' the run o' town to let some asshole with delusion of authority tear us down now." He turned to Luke. "Gather up some of the boys. Grab that box o' dynamite we got stashed. And git us a wagon for Tex. We're goin' to town tonight, to teach Evans and his deputies who's really in charge o' this town."

"You think this is a good idea, Nate?" Gus spoke up from the side. "Ward will be spittin' mad when he hears about this."

"That's why you ain't commin', Gus. You're to make sure he don't find out 'till we gone done what we need to do." Nathanial replied. "Trust me. Ah guarantee, he'll thank us when we've lanced that boil, even if he do get mad at first. We're doin' him a favor."  He buckles his gun belt, then takes a small silver charm and pockets it before jumping up on his horse.

He joined up with the rest of the boys and the covered wagon, then led them out on the trail.

Evans would regret crossing the Dust Adders. And any who sided with him would have hell and fury visited on their heads tonight.

Meanwhile, back at the Grand Bull...
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:28, Wed 04 Aug 2010.

Back in the Grand Bull, Evans, Robert Micklethwait, and Gangatsu are discussing recent problems, while Katy Devon has just said good evening to Vincent Kaje, with the promise of a meeting later that evening. As it grows darker outside, the meals ordered arrive.

[Private to John Smith: John, if you'd like to get in on this, give me an indication of what you've been up to since you and Evans parted company earlier.]

Katy was still feeling a bit flushed from her drink, and was glad when her food arrived. Maybe drinking on an empty stomach hadn't been such a good idea.

Still, she was looking forward to the evening. She'd never been backstage at a theater.

She listened intently to Evan's reason with deathly silence, and while she understood, she had no sympathy for it.  His hands were bind whether or not there was evidence. The sheriff was an easily replaced figure and Doctor Ward seemed to hold a totaltarian rule over this town withhis low down enforcers.

" Hmm. Lucky you got me around here then. I have no social fears of that magnitude.. " Still, the doctor found them quickly there was no one around at that time.. A machine was going crazy in the streets, bullets flying, robert called out for someone, anyone to call a medic, but.. He got there pretty quick..

" Danny said there was ghost rock on all o them.. And he's pretty sickly, even before he ran across us.."  To think, If you get sick from exposure to this rock, why would they carry it?I didn't  make a lick of sense to  the woman, making  mental notes of this. Ward and the prime suspect, but the dust adders had to be something more of public brutes. It couldn't be the six men from a mine. though her thoughts are interrupeted as Robert continued, aiming a bit to find out about her..

" I'm damn good with my sword.." She started openly as if that might have been a challenge, though she closed her eyes for a moment and noticably soothed..  "I am biding my time in waiting for my mentor, any more diggin' upon dat, I oughta say is personal... " Her eyes shift a little.

" But.. Now that fella left..  Thtere's a detail or so I left out. The blue belly mentioned that there was some kind of force that froze him in place, like a kinda magic..  And.. Those ropes.. It was strong and good as damn new when I held them in meh hands.. then they.. turned to sand like that when it was touched.. He was in my sight da whole time, no way dry rot can do soemthing like dat so fast..  Couple this with the 'supposed' 'dead man nad.. Maybe magic ain't too hard to believe... Or maybe that's my empty belly talkin..." For a moment, her eyes closed and her hand reached up to rub her brow, absently wiping off the persperation. It had been a long day, indeed.
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:32, Wed 04 Aug 2010.

Evans rubs his chin. "Could be Rock Fever, which implies they've been mining the stuff for at least half a year without proper ventilation. Could be other diseases, though...Heaven knows there's plenty of illnesses running through Texas these days. When you say he was 'sickly,' how do you mean, precisely? Babbling insanity and fever? Delirium and raging thirst? Abnormal growths and boils, particularly around the belly? I think I need some more elaboration on that."

At the discussion of skill at swordplay, Evans nods. "That may indeed prove handy. I don't want this situation to degenerate into violence, but I fear something will need to be done, which is why I'm relying on people from outside town to begin with. But you must understand...there are a lot of people here who aren't Dust Adders. And even some who are, but are decent enough chaps anyway. People who work to keep food on the table for themselves and their families. People who have nothing left except the ranch keeping them from being destitute. I want to get to the bottom of all the strange things I've noticed in my time here, but I've no stomach for causing a mess larger than the one I'm trying to solve. So while it might be nice that you've got few reservations or 'social fears,' young lady, remember that you don't cure diseases by killing the patient."

"So what exactly is the story with the Dust Adders?  You called them a group of bandits, and said they worked for Dr. Ward, how much of that is proven fact, how much is just a suspicion?  Can any be arrested for what happened earlier?"

OOC; what happened to the one Charging Bear KOed?  I don't think Robert saw it, I'm just curios

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #6):

Evans takes a bite from his recently arrived meal before he starts speaking.

"As I understand it, Nathanial Frost and the Shaw brothers used to work for Dixie Rails as a rail gang in New Mexico before being discharged. They came to town a few months after the Mine closed, while Dr. Ward was expanding his ranch. Ward wanted to hire on 'stock inspectors' to shoot rustlers and intimidate other ranchers into selling to him, while Nathanial wanted a job where he could hurt people with impunity. He and the Shaw Brothers organized all the cattlehands and other stock inspectors working for Ward into a gang -- it was either join the gang, or not work for the ranch."

"As for what can be proven and what can't, well, usually they just ride in to town and demand discounts and bully those who try to stand up to them. They've been terrorizing the place for so long before I got here that no one will press charges against them for fear of retaliation from the rest of the gang. Most folk figure that the money the ranch brings to town is worth putting up with the Dust Adders nine months out of the year."

"And remember, I'm only an acting marshal. I technically only have as much authority as the Town Council gives me until I'm officially sworn in by the circuit judge. I'm overstepping my bounds a little hiring deputies in the first place...the Council would prefer if I played nice with the Adders and only worried about locking up drunks and kicking out outsiders who rock the boat. I can't really rock the boat unless I get a circuit judge here...or the Texas Rangers." He makes a sour face at the mention of the Rangers.

Robert nods.  He understands that the law is often applied unevenly in the west.  "So we really can't do much about them, unless they do something really blatant.  Well, unless they ride into town to kill us, we'll just have to play it by ear.  This mind, what do you thing about trying to backtrack it tomorow?  I assume the redman can track, not sure where he this evenin'"

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #8):

"Sounds like the start of a plan. What about you, Miss Gangatsu? Would you be willing to help us investigate this issue while you're waiting to meet your contact? Knowing where you met this fellow would help us immensely in backtracking him"

The meal is quite tasty. It doesn't help the intoxication much, but by the end of her meal Katy is feeling quite pleased with herself.

It seems the West was just about everything the dime novels said they were...full of excitement and adventure at every turn!

 Her head bows a little, lifting the hot bowl up she took a deep  inhale before placing it back down.  With a sigh, she picked up a spoon that came with it  and started eating, listening to even's a bit. " No boils or abnormal skin irritations.. He was only wearing pants, he was just.. emanciated and.. Had a bad cough.. Nothing more usualy then that.." She claimed, least there was nothing she could think of that would be odd. " His blood was.. So dark, it almost looked black, but.. No signs of clumps or clotting, just ooze like blood.. I doubt he'll die without someone actually finishin' him off." Robert brought out the starting of a plan and Evans agreed, asking her to come along.

" Mmmm.." Breaking the hot soft bread, but bitting into it, it wasn't too fresh. Just taste like they steamed it to make it soft and warm, but hell. Add some of the broth and it tasted mighty fine. " Well, reckon that would mean you'll be housin me for the evenin' Sheriff. Mighty generous of you."

Katy enjoyed her meal. Odd words from the nearby conversation drifted towards her - Dixie Rails, dust adders, sheriff. She had a vague mental image of the sheriff having to deal with some snakes on a train...

She got to her feet with care, not wanting others to see how the drink had affected her.

[Private to GM: Is it close to the time for her to visit the theater?]

PM

[Private to Robert Micklethwait:

Robert Micklethwait:

OOC; what happened to the one Charging Bear KOed?  I don't think Robert saw it, I'm just curios

Whoops! Missed this. While you were waiting for Evans to return, Luke returned with a wagon to haul Dave and Bill back to the ranch. Robert was likely napping at the time.]

In reply to Gangatsu (msg #11):

"Gaunt and a bad cough...hmm. And dark blood, you say? That's frightfully odd." he muses.

The gumbo is quite good. The shrimp is fresh, and so is the okra and rice.

Evans pauses at the mention of putting her up for the night. "Er...yes. I...suppose that would be generous of me. Very well."

[Private to Katy Devon: It's a little early, but Vincent did say he wanted to show her around backstage before the performance.]

Katy headed out to the street, and took a few deep breaths of the evening air to clear her head.[Private to GM: Even though it doesn't work :)] It was a bit early for the theater, but Vincent said he wanted to show her around first.

She had to ask for directions, so it took her a little time to get there, but she finally reached the door. The stage door - she was sure that was better than the front door if she was going to be shown backstage.

"Is Vincent Kaje in?" she asked the man on the door, [Private to GM: Assuming there is one!] "He asked me to meet him."

OOC: unless I got my signals crossed, the guy that Katy was having dinner with was subtly keeping an eye on us.  He left some time ago, and she just left as well.

Seeing Katy leave (OOC: not that Robert knows her name) he puts down his fork.  "Excuse me, I need to check on something"  He rises and follows after her.

11:25, Today: Robert Micklethwait rolled 5,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5. steath to follow unnoticed.

The men had arrived. During the ride, they'd pulled bandannas to cover their faces. It was a technicality...anyone who lived in town would know who did tonight's dirty deeds, but they'd be able to claim otherwise on account of never seeing a face. And that was the healthiest option, given what the Dust Adders did to rats.

They surrounded the Marshal's Office. "Come on out, Evans!" the leader in black and silver shouted. "We need to have words with you!"

Seconds ticked by. Then minutes.

"He ain't here." One of the men said at last.

"Maybe he's gone to sleep early?"

"Maybe he's lit out the back like the yeller coward he is."

"Shut it!" The leader barked. He pulled a bundle from his saddlebag. "It don't matter where he gone. We're gonna leave him a message just the same!"

There was a cheer from the assembled. They waved torches and hollered. Some even shot off pistols.

And from a covered wagon nearby, there came a chuckle that rattle wood..."Hurrr! Hurr! Hurrrrr!"

The leader reached into his saddlebag again, and pulled out a second, smaller bundle. He handed it to one of the assembled. "Here. We got another message to deliver tonight. Roland done defied me once too often. Now it's time to make him see the error o' his ways!"

The rider took the bundle and nodded. "Got it, boss." He said, wheeled his horse, and galloped off.

When the man was out of sight, the leader took a torch and touched it to a cord hanging from his larger bundle. Then he tossed it onto the roof of the marshal's office. There was another cheer from the assembled men.

"Now scatter!" The leader said, and the men on horseback rode again. They didn't ride far...just enough to get a good view of the commotion...

---

[[ooc: >_< Garr! Backposting a little...you have remarkable timing, Robert...]]

Evans nods in understanding "Of course. I understand completely."

Robert slides out of the Grand Bull, and Evans turns to continue talking with Gangatsu...but the conversation between Evans and Gangatsu is interrupted by the sounds of shouting and gunfire from somewhere out in the gloom of the street.

"What the devil?" Evans says, standing up...and then there's the sound of galloping hooves, and suddenly something flies through the window of the grand bull and lands right on Robert's plate...three sticks of dynamite, bound together, fuse already lit...

[[OOC: Gangatsu, roll a Guts check for me or be shaken and unable to act before the bomb goes off. Remember, you have a -3 penalty from the Fear Level but a +1 bonus from your Grit, for a total modifier of -2. Also pull cards for initiative...we're in combat rounds now!]]

[Private to GM: The Amazing Evans rolled -1,-3 using d4-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1. guts check.
he Amazing Evans drew the single card: KS using the Deadlands system. Initiative. ]

---

Robert slides through the darkness and watches as Katy meets at the back door of  a dance hall not far from the Grand Bull.

The man at the door leers at Katy and gives her a foul grin "Why, a lovely little thing such as yourself, seeking that ruffian? Alone? People might talk!" he wheezes through green teeth. "But then, he did say he was expecting a pretty young lamb to wander by the wolf's lair." He opens wide the door. "Enter, my dear." He says, still grinning like a Cheshire Cat.

From further off, there's the shout of shouts and gunfire...and then galloping hooves, and a crash of glass back from the direction of the Grand Bull...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:40, Thu 05 Aug 2010.

12:54, Today: Robert Micklethwait drew the single card: RJ! using a deck of 54 cards. init card.

OOC: what's the "light level"?

[Private to GM: if robert is told the bomb landed on his plate, he's going to be a bit confused as to how they knew where he was sitting]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:13, Thu 05 Aug 2010.