In reply to The Stray (msg #35):

Robert reassures Mike, "I don't think you have to worry about that.  Once Ward's in jail or swinging, the Dust Adders won't be a problem any more."

he thanks Clem and Dutch

to Greg, with a knowning wink, "As far as I know, Frost said he was there to kill Evan's and he drew first, if that's what you saw, and you testify to it, we should have no problems"

Robert goes back for some lunch and to report to Evans.

OOC: this will probably take longer to resolve than, say, what Wildcat is up to, so just let me know when everyone else is caught up

GM reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #38):

[[OOC: Well, Wildcat's actually not too far off, time wise, since she spent the morning talking to folks, trying to discern the whereabouts of the missing Dust Adder...it's near lunch for her, too.]]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:45, Thu 16 Sept 2010.

The match hardly helps. The cabin is a one-room affair, and has been emptied. If there were anyone else here, they'd have to be invisible, as there's no place to hide...unless they were creeping among the rafters...no, that's just paranoid.

The figure (a man dressed in dusty trail gear, though that's about all she can determine without getting closer) stirs, flinching away from the light. "It hurts...so thirsty...all alone here..." He grunts.

In reply to The Stray (msg #39):

Pretty sure this the a Dust Adder, Kat isn't falling over herself to help him immediately, although that is her intention.

"Can you move sir?"  Kat looks around the modest cabin for a coal oil lamp or some kind of lantern, suspicious how a man complaining of thirst has such verbosity.  He probably is plenty thirsty if he's been in here since last night, but he's being a bit dramatic.  He's not going to die of thirst that quickly and there'll be plenty of water in jail... wherever jail is going to be.

The cabin is just as empty of lamps and lanterns as it is of any furnishings. There's an iron stove over on the far wall which was probably too heavy to move by whoever took everything else. The only thing here is four walls, a floor, and the man.

He struggles to his feet, using the corner to brace himself. There's an odd shine to his eyes in the matchlight, almost like the shine of a cat's eyes when the light strikes it just right.

"It hurts." he says. "The light...it hurts..."

[[OOC: Have you moved in, or are you still in the doorway? Oh, and make a Guts check (+Grit, -3 Fear level) for the shock...]]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Thu 16 Sept 2010.

In reply to Luke the Dust Adder (msg #41):

OOC:  I assume I'd have stepped over the threshold to be able to get much of a look of what was in here since it's just a match.

18:23, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. red chip on guts roll.
18:22, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 3,3 using 1d4-2,1d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (4+1)5,5. guts roll.

So that's 5.

"It's all right now.  Come on, there's plenty of water where we're going.  Might want to shield your eyes though, the sunlight's going to be killer on you after being in here all night...  what's wrong with your eyes anyway?"

[Private to The Stray: Also, any chance of a Knowledge Occult roll?]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:24, Thu 16 Sept 2010.

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #42):

The man slowly takes a few steps towards Wildcat, talking as he does.

"Not thirsty for water...they took me in, said they'd help me. But they emptied me out, then dumped me and left me to die...but I didn't. I didn't die. Wish I did, though. I'm sorry, but I'm so thirsty...the scent's driving me mad...I don't know what they done to me, miss, but I can't...can't stop myself...ain't nothin' wrong with my eyes, it's the light that hurts...burns...Red sky at morning, sailors take warning...Red sky at night, sailors delight..."

And suddenly the man leaps at her, latches on, and bites her shoulder...

[[OOC: Good to know... }:D

I likes me those Red chips...sure, make a Knowledge (Occult) roll. First, though, make an Agility check to avoid having him get The Drop (and an extra 4 damage) on you. Also, draw a card, as we're now in combat rounds.

16:39, Today: Luke the Dust Adder rolled 14 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+6+2)14. Bite!

Luke the Dust Adder rolled 5,4 using d10,2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2,2. Damage. That's 9 damage, 13 if he got The Drop. That's a Shaken, and 1 wound if he got The Drop.

Luke the Dust Adder drew the single card: 3C]]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:50, Thu 16 Sept 2010.

In reply to Luke the Dust Adder (msg #43):

Wildcat grimaces in pain at the sudden assault and finds herself the victim of the worst kind of masher.

OOC:  Sucks to be me.

18:58, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 3,10 using 1d4,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+4)10. Knowledge Occult roll.

18:59, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 4,1 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1. Agility Check.

Question, is that an opposed roll or a simple matter of he either got The Drop or he didn't?  I can see it working either way.  It's kind of important because I'm assuming it's the latter and I succeed since he doesn't seem to be using a Trick.  If I'm wrong it would change what I do from here forward and I'll have to edit this post.

Spending a white chip to remove Shaken condition.

19:06, Today: Wildcat Hawkins drew the single card: 8S using the Deadlands system. initiative.

Assuming I do go first, my plan is to push him out the open door and into the sunlit street.  I'd call it an opposed Strength roll, but it might be a Fighting roll instead.  Your call, Marshal.

In reply to Wildcat Hawkins (msg #44):

[[OOC: It's a matter of whether he got the drop or not. Since you rolled a success, he didn't.

You go first. I'd call it a grapple check (Fighting to hit, Opposed Strength/Agility to manhandle him outside)]]

The Ranger grunts and does her best to remember hand to hand combat training as she struggled with this... thing.

OOC: That sucked...

19:24, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 5,5 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5. white chip to reroll that disaster.
19:24, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 1,1 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1. Fighting Check: Grapple.

[[OOC: and the strength check?]]

In reply to The Stray (msg #47):

OOC:  Silly me.

19:47, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 1,8 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+2)8. the forgotten strength check.

Wildcat and the crazed man grapple for a moment, and Wildcat managed to turn the man's bulk against him. She sends him stumbling out the door and into the street...where he promptly bursts into flames! He starts screaming as the fire burns him. He rushes back towards the door, charging straight at Wildcat!

[[OOC: Luke the Dust Adder rolled 3 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 3. opposed roll. Fail.

Luke the Dust Adder rolled 11 using 2d10, rerolling max with rolls of 8,3. on fire! This makes him Shaken.

He spends a white chip to remove the Shaken and moves back inside...though he's still on fire. The room is dark, but Luke is warm and bright, negating any light penalties

Luke the Dust Adder rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3. Bite! fail.

Luke the Dust Adder drew the single card: 3S

Pull me another initiative card and roll me another Guts check...fighting people on fire wasn't covered in Ranger training!]]

In reply to Luke the Dust Adder (msg #49):

Wildcat reeled for a second, swallowing the fear in her belly as she realizes the man was on fire and still fighting.  Well, she had chastised the Dust Adders from the night before for giving up too easily.  Be careful what you wish for.

OOC:  Damn you Guts checks...

20:12, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5. regretfully spending blue chip.
20:10, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled -1,3 using 1d4-2,1d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5. guts roll.

That's a 10.

20:12, Today: Wildcat Hawkins drew the single card: 2S using the Deadlands system.

Heh, I lose initiative to a 3. My luck done ran out.

The flaming man continues trying to grab at Wildcat, screaming as he does. Wildcat can't tell if he's trying to get help or take her out, but it's disconcerting whichever the case is.

[[OOC: Luke is still on fire, so he takes fire damage. The damage does not increase this round.

Luke the Dust Adder rolled 3 using 2d10, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2. fire! That doesn't even scratch his toughness

Luke the Dust Adder rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Bite! Miss. Wildcat's luck holds.

Luke the Dust Adder drew the single card: 7H]]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:39, Fri 17 Sept 2010.

Wildcat levels her Peacemaker and squeezes off a shot, which embeds itself in the wall.

OOC:

20:53, Today: Wildcat Hawkins rolled 1,2 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2. Shooting.

20:54, Today: Wildcat Hawkins drew the single card: 6C using the Deadlands system. initiative.

Luckily for Wildcat, what her gun failed to do, the fire did for her. The man finally collapses as the flames take their toll...and as the flames die out, there's nothing left of the man but ash.

That makes it certain. He must have been some kind of vampire.

Vampires. That just made this whole bad situation worlds worse. Vampires are way above her pay grade.

[[OOC: Luke the Dust Adder rolled 14 using 2d10, rerolling max with rolls of 9,5. burn baby burn! That's enough to take him down.]]

The asian woman sat at her table for a ltitle while. On producing the ghost rock, she took the fifteen dollar pay off for it. She had forfeit Nathaniel's gun, but at least she kept a bullet.  Rolland brought in her request and she took time in silence to eat, listening faintly to the noise around her, but her attention was heading to the Ranch. They'll be caught there before reaching the house, she was certain.  She tore her biscuit into little segments and sectioned out piece of her egg with a fork. The woman's gaze shifted over to Evans as he told the others to get their foot loose on tracking people down.

 She ate and pushed the dish away and hefted her bag, her hat. She really didn't know how Evans knew John was going with her and for some reason that sent a ominous feeling. Perhaps John mentioned it.. Well, she she had a good hour's walk ahead since she didn't own a horse. Her sandals clicked across the boards, her straw hat shading low on her eyes as she headed out of town.


Moving to Chapter 6.2

OOC:  Oh for a copy of the Ranger's Bible right about now.  What do I know about vampires other than they exist, and they catch on fire in the sunlight apparently?

Kat leaned against the doorframe, feeling drained physically but moreso spiritually.  Fighting this creature had taken too much out of her.  She hadn't been hurt precisely, thank God, Jesus, and all the saints - even though Katrina wasn't raised Catholic that didn't seem to matter too much at the moment - but it had taken all of her willpower to triumph.

The worst part was, this thing hadn't spontaneously congealed here in the corner of the abandoned house.  Somebody had grabbed this poor sap around the theater, and drug him here.  Somebody, or something, had to have done this to him.  This creature was created, not born.  And what was with that weird chanting?

There's a whole nest full of 'em somewhere.

The thought made her shudder momentarily.  What she had first suspected was just a corrupt little town with a handful of strange elements where the status quo had been upset was far more.  There were things going on here, wheels within wheels, well over her head.

Is this what it was like for you, Pa? she wondered.

Remembering the rotten smell from before, Kat pulls herself back together and makes one last check of the place to make sure there's nothing else in here.  It's possible the pungent odor had come from the creature itself but it won't hurt to verify.

There's more to do, but protocol dictates this new discovery warrants some administrative actions.  She's off to Evans' office, and then hopefully a telegraph office.

[[OOC: You also know they drink blood, and usually need to be dealt with by a stake to the heart, at least if the stories are anything to go by.]]

The house is still empty. It seems the smell left with the creature, though there's a lingering odor near where it was crouching, probably just from the contact.

Eva's office is (or rather, was) a couple blocks away from the cabin. The building is a wreck. It looked like it was blown apart with dynamite. Evans and Katy can be seen in the rubble, turning things over and occasionally picking them up. Evans has an armful of brass fittings, glass flasks, and other things that Wildcat couldn't begin to guess the purpose of.

In reply to Robert Micklethwait (msg #38):

Robert, coming back from his interviews with the witnesses, is directed to the Marshal's office (or what's left of it). Evans is still  picking through the rubble.

"Ah, Robert." He says, not looking up from his search. "What's the word on those witnesses?"

Before much can be said, Wildcat runs up, looking a little distressed...

"Afternoon Marshal."  Wildcat addresses Dr. Evans, hoping she doesn't look like she's been in a fight.  Ah hell, who is she kidding, her duster has a fresh tear in the shoulder, there's powder on her Indian side glove, and she smells like someone burned the bacon.  Best just to hope people are too polite to ask.  "Ma'am."  Kat nods to Katy, acknowledging her presence.  "I hope neither of ya'll will mind terribly if'n I borrow the Marshal for some momentary law enforcement bureaucracy, if'n ya'll aren't over head and ears at the moment."

[Private to The Stray: Should probably pause here to let Robert catch up to Evans and say his piece first, or else maybe Evans is busy at the moment.  What I have to say with Evans isn't terribly involved but I will have to monopolize him for a bit.]

Robert nods.  "What I have isn't pressing.  I wouldn't mind seeing what you turned up."

Evans nods at Robert. "What I've turned up so far is mostly bits of junk that I might be able to finagle into something useful, as well as a headache from my visit from the town's Mayor shortly after you left. He is more concerned with keeping the peace than preserving the law, but backed off when I told him that the whole mess was now in the hands of the Rangers." He turns to Wildcat. "Speaking of which, I hope your investigation was fruitful, though I don't see any wayward prisoner with you. Have you managed to find our lost rascal?" He starts heading over her direction, arms still filled with stuff.

"Mr. Mickle-thwate."  Kat nods to Robert, having failed to acknowledge him for some reason.  "It's a matter of some delicacy Marshal, one I'd prefer for your ears alone for the time being, but it's not pressing or terribly interesting. I'd personally much rather hear Mr. Mickle-thwate's report, seeing as I'm itching to arrest somebody, and our good deputy here can talk a slug out of a banker.

"But I don't think I care to hear it out here in the street."

Robert nods.  "How about this.  I shall return to the local dining establishment, and arranve for victuals to be delivered to my room.  It is small, but we can sit down, eat lunch, and discuss things."