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15:04, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Posted by The StrayFor group 0
Augustus Spotswood
NPC, 326 posts
Scientist! 4W3R2B1L
P2 T6 F/ W-0 C -2
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 07:42
  • msg #89

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

"I'm certain I can whip up something.  No, not that, we don't need uranium.  What exactly did you have in mind?"

OOC: I have the Gadgeteer edge.  In game terms, what would be the power he's describing? 

Dr. Dexter Ward
NPC, 144 posts
Southern Gentleman
P4 T5 W0 F0 B2 Cha+4
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 08:16
  • msg #90

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

"Well, here is my plan. We chip some of the ghost rock from the walls, and pack them around a core of dynamite stuck in a jar, flask, or canteen. When attacking, we lit the fuse and toss our makeshift bomb. The dynamite explodes, igniting the ghost rock shards, and hopefully the flaming ghost rock shrapnel will travel ahead of the pressure created by the blast, causing both Aetheric and temporal harm to anything in a wide area."

((OOC: Well, you can whip up an area attack with the Blast power. you'll have 10 pp to use for this power (Augustus didn't take Extra PP at all), which you can split up between area and damage as you like.

Because these are sticks of dynamite, we'll lower the range but allow you to do an extra die of damage for each attack. The range will be 6/12/24 and use Throwing to activate. For 2 pp, the burst deals 3d6 damage in a Medium Burst Template and have a chance of setting things on fire. For 4 pp, you could do either an extra die of damage, or make the range a Large Burst Template. For 6 pp, you can do both. You have 10 pp to divvy up, so make the sticks you will. Making these things will take 1d20 minutes and consume 10 sticks of dynamite. Since Tex is carrying a whole case of the stuff and none of it has been used, that won't be a problem.))

Mad Irish Murphy
player, 217 posts
Irish Dust Adder
P6 T5 W0 F0 Cha 0 W2R3B1
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 08:30
  • msg #91

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Murphy puts on a surprisingly clean shirt in the meanwhile, muttering something about a "bloody Saxon bard" as he does.
Mike Bennett
NPC, 39 posts
Lean Dust Adder
P5 T5 F0 Hench
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 08:37
  • msg #92

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

The Dust Adders startle and shift a bit, looking for Jeb. Joe crosses and re-crosses himself. Carl ghost-stares at the noise, tensed. "It's all right, it really is him...he ain't gone wrong like Nate. Say, Jeb, you got a pistol or anythin' over there?"

The idea of throwing bombs in the mine gets an uneasy murmur. "Sir, you certain it's stable enough for that?"

"I'll fight the Comanch' all day, but - with respect, Doc, - I will not fight under a weak ceilin' if folks're throwin' bombs about. That 'mite is a last resort to block somethin' in, that's enough risk. I'm no coward, sir, but Ah do not like it. Not at all,"
Heavy Henry says, swallowing.

"No sir, I do not want to b'come another boney monster with them redskins. Shit, that's a fate worse'n Hell..."


Carl catches Ward's eye and nods towards Murphy slightly, though it's hard to concentrate. "..."

[[The Dust Adders really object to those trappings!]]
Dr. Dexter Ward
NPC, 145 posts
Southern Gentleman
P4 T5 W0 F0 B2 Cha+4
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 09:01
  • msg #93

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Ward sighs. "Gentlemen, I understand your concerns. But you need to look at the situation. The attack on the ranch was repulsed without a single casualty on either side. We know there are between two and three score renegades out there. Only fifteen attacked the ranch. A like number attacked the town, from what you've told me."

"Men, we are outnumbered. At best, we are facing two-to-one odds. At worst, there could be five or six of them for each of us. We only have a single weapon that we know will be effective against them that we can rely on right now. And the shaman is preparing to unleash a power that will horrify the nation. This is larger than our lives, gentlemen. The fate of the nation may well rest in our hands. You went into this knowing that it would be difficult, and that was before we learned what it was we were truly facing."

"This plan represents our best chance of getting to the shaman to pluck the portrait from him and rob him of his greatest advantage. Unless any of you have a better plan that we can work with? Any other weapons with which we may fight this menace? Any stratagem clever enough to overcome the odds we face?"
Augustus Spotswood
NPC, 327 posts
Scientist! 4W3R2B1L
P2 T6 F/ W-0 C -2
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 09:21
  • msg #94

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Augustus sits down with his tools.  "This ought to take a few minutes.  I'm also adding my sonic technology, to give it some extra oomph.  No, we don't need a transducer, this should be enough.  We believe we can mount it onto a shotgun so it can be launched."

OOC: Adding a Sonic trapping to the device (just because that's what he'd do, no significant game effect) and I'd like to make a case for launching the makeshift bombs like a grenade.  That's exactly what the original grenade launchers were, anyway.

01:16, Today: Augustus Spotswood rolled 19 using 1d20, rerolling max with rolls of 19. Minutes until completion.

So, it'll take me a bit. 

Mad Irish Murphy
player, 218 posts
Irish Dust Adder
P6 T5 W0 F0 Cha 0 W2R3B1
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 11:26
  • msg #95

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Buttoning up and tucking his shirt into his pants, Murphy says: "All due respect, Doc, that's malarkey. Carl and me, we just dug our way into this bloody mine. I'm not particularly looking forward digging meself out again.
Plus, we don't really need to kill them or anything. Just scare them. They' might not be scared of bullets, but, Jesus, we got Tex! And Tex is one scary brother. No offense, mate."

He nods at the huge burned muscle of a man.
"If the walls come tumbling down - which they won't if we're all nice and easy and quiet", a quick look at Carl, "we won't be getting near the fucking picture too. Now, we all might not care all that much about it when we're all buried in here, but I'd like to see me wife and me kid again."

He swallows.
"Maybe if we're not all marching and hollering to where were need to go, but instead some place else, we might be drawing some of them off. Then a smaller 'band of brothers'", he makes sour face at the phrase as if he'd bitten into something both tasting and smelling unpleasant, "could find the snake shaman and talk him into handing over the picture."
Charging Bear
player, 1023 posts
Native Warrior
P8(1)T6 W- F1 FC:W2R1B4
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 15:03
  • msg #96

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Listing to white men talk about combat always marvels Charging Bear They make things so complex.

"You cut off the head of the snake ... you don't throw dynamite at it. The shaman is the head of the raiders without him most of the braves will fall back. Without the magic all will. A few men moving quietly could get close enough to deal with the shaman, though I doubt it will be with talk."
Dr. Dexter Ward
NPC, 146 posts
Southern Gentleman
P4 T5 W0 F0 B2 Cha+4
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 16:59
  • msg #97

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Ward  sighs. "I do not suggest any of this lightly, and attacking the renegades with dynamite is something we should do only if all else fails. But we need to prepare for the worst-case scenario now, before we proceed any further and discover any surprises the hard way."

"Consider all that may go wrong with your plan, Mr. Murphy. Tex's intimidation factor may not frighten enough of the renegade to significantly inconvenience their aims. The Shaman could have defensive powers active, or have surrounded himself with warriors capable of fending any small band that would get near him. Instead of falling for any distraction, they may see through the ruse and reinforce their position. The shaman will not likely be dissuaded by any means short of violence."

"Having a reasonable way of harming the Comanche in numbers, should it prove necessary, will allow us an option to take if your frankly optimistic plan of 'cause a distraction and scare them to draw men away and leave the shaman vulnerable' does not proceed exactly as you envision. You can only cut the head off a snake if you can catch it. If you encounter a nest, more drastic measures need to be taken."

"And another thing all of you should consider--what if the serpent has other minions? I should like to remind you that we have not yet encountered the specter of Nathanial Frost, who still has a grudge against myself, Mr. Allans, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Spotswood, and now Mr. Charging Bear. Can any of you claim to have a way of dealing with the specter, should he appear at a critical juncture?"


"I might be able to help there." Says the ghostly voice of Jeb. "I'm a ghost, too. I got a knife with me. Don't know if'n two ghosts can duke it out, but if they can, I can try my best."

Ward doesn't even bat an eye as the spirit's voice "Thank you, Mr. Jefferson. That gives us an option. But I would very much like it if we had more than one option with us. By all means, let us attempt to get close enough to the shaman to deprive him of his picture. But let us at least entertain the thought that this trip may be fatal for all involved."

"I made a grave miscalculation when I first began toying with Tezcatlcoatl. Now that the spirit is near awakening, I am willing to do anything in my power, up to and including sacrificing my own life, to keep it contained to these halls forever. If any of you do not share my conviction, then the exit is that way."


He points back towards the mine entrance. "You are welcome to depart now, and godspeed. But know that we need every advantage we can get if we are to prevail. To save the town, to save your friends and family, to save the world itself, we must be ready to lay down our own lives for the greater good. If you leave now, you may be saving your own life for a few hours only, for if we fail, I shudder to think what will become of this part of Texas. So if any of you are weak in heart, then go. But go with the knowledge that you are weakening the rest of this group, and that if we fail, it will be on your shoulders for the rest of whatever remains of your lives."

((OOC: So you want to use Shooting instead of throwing for the device? That will work, but if you're going for a dynamite launcher, you're probably going to want to hand the device off to someone with a better Shooting score than you, and you won't be able to parcel out the bombs among the group.))
Mad Irish Murphy
player, 219 posts
Irish Dust Adder
P6 T5 W0 F0 Cha 0 W2R3B1
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 19:07
  • msg #98

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Murphy shrugs.
"If we have all this dynamite, then why not use it to blow the whole damn mine and bury snakes and ghosts and all while watching from the outside?
I mean, Jesus Christ, you said yourself you did a 'miscalculation', so what makes you so sure, you're not miscalculating again?"

Charging Bear
player, 1024 posts
Native Warrior
P8(1)T6 W- F1 FC:W2R1B4
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 19:50
  • msg #99

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

"If the picture is what's making the raiders difficult to hurt, it need probably needs to be dealt with by a more face to face means. Objects of power are difficult like that."

"As for Frost, I might be able to deal with him. I did spend a great deal of time in the hunting ground here of late, which I'm guessing is why I could hurt the raiders when none of you could."
Heavy Henry
NPC, 10 posts
Fat Dust Adder
P5 T6 F0 Cha -1 Extra
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 23:17
  • msg #100

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

"Ever hear o' Satan's Garden, Paddy? Ghost Rock starts burnin' in the ground, it don't stop. Never."

Mike nods grimly, answering a small gesture from Carl as much as chipping in to the conversation. "That's without counting the prospect o' settin' off Rock dust or gas from the last explosion - sure, we'd git the Snake, but they'd have to go redraw all the maps on 'count of drawin' round where Texas was. I don't think we could 'fixiate 'em that way neither, not without riskin' the Rock."

"It's a real good reason not to blow shit up,"
Henry adds, glancing at the ceiling, though he doesn't seem to be aiming to leave. "I signed up for high risk o' hurt an' scalpin', yes, not suicide."

"No, I didn't,"
Mike responds to Carl's indication of the captured tomahawks. "Shit, dint even think to test it out on them...they might not know if'n their weapons can cut them either, though. Could be we could bluff 'em if it came to it."
Carl Allans
player, 498 posts
The Quiet One
P6 T6 Cha 0
Tue 10 Dec 2013
at 23:22
  • msg #101

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Carl nods and scrapes a blood-stuck lock of hair off his stitches left-handed. He takes a moment to breathe, pulling in whatever it is that allows him to talk. The drugs in his system make the air seem to shiver, everything at once hyper-clear and distant as the moon. "Shaman might be up for duellin'. Reckon Bear c'n hold him awhile at least if we distract 'em. Everyone pilin' deep down an' usin' air pro'ly ain't the best idea anyhow."

He licks his lower lip, then looks at Ward and paces closer, bare feet almost silent on the dusty floor. His voice is low, but there's no trace of submission in his stance. "Advantage is usin' what you got. Not numbers. Mebbe your life ain't been so dear t'you awhile, but you do not weigh us that way. Not our lives."

Carl watches Ward a moment. "'Specially not Murphy's, acause that choice is b'tween knowin' how we're tryin' to stop it, or, if it all goes to Hell, bein' there."

A few more seconds of stare and Carl moves over to get Murphy's attention with a hand on the shoulder. "..."
Dr. Dexter Ward
NPC, 147 posts
Southern Gentleman
P4 T5 W0 F0 B2 Cha+4
Wed 11 Dec 2013
at 01:32
  • msg #102

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Dr. Ward frowns at the arguing. "Listen to me." he says. "Because you haven't been, up 'till now. You all seem to be under the impression that this course I'm suggesting is to be our first line of attack. It is not. I am asking that we prepare for the worst--that we cannot reach the shaman without being overwhelmed ourselves, then we have the means at our disposal end the threat once and for all. My fondest hope is that we can end this having never used a single stick, that we come to some sort of resolution that leaves Blackthorn the means to rise once again, with the renegades dispersed and the serpent safely back in slumber. And I am still waiting for the rest of you to offer a better contingency plan in case all else fails."
Mad Irish Murphy
player, 220 posts
Irish Dust Adder
P6 T5 W0 F0 Cha 0 W2R3B1
Wed 11 Dec 2013
at 19:12
  • msg #103

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Murphy shakes his head again.
"Excuse me, Doc, but what you're proposing is not a contingency. It's just plain stupid."
He raises his hands warding off any interjections.
"We know we can't hurt them with our guns, now can we? So I agree, we do need to find some way to get to the bloody shaman. I'm just not sure it'll be done using anything that he's building."
He points to Augustus.

"I mean for Christ's sake, he's babbling like a madman! You want to have this... 'contingency' be based on something that could kill all of us, if it's even the least bit unstable. And no kidding, he doesn't seem to be the kind to be allowed around explosives, anyhow."

He looks at Jeb. Murphy doesn't seem to be in the least disturbed to be talking to a ghost, it seems.
"On the other hand, we have Tex. We have Jeb here. They have to count for something. We have him", he's pointing to Charging Bear, "and we have your wits, doctor. Hard to believe you can't think of a better option. I've already offered one. Try to draw them out, allow a smaller team to sneak in. It#s bound to be worth a try first, at least."
Augustus Spotswood
NPC, 329 posts
Scientist! 2W4R2B1L
P2 T6 F/ W-0 C -2
Wed 11 Dec 2013
at 23:43
  • msg #104

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

"I am not babbling like a madman!  Mad men don't babble anyway, they gibber.  Everything we say has meaning.  Yes I know it's going over their heads.  Now shush.  I may talk to myself, but everything I make works.  And I assure you, I can make this device work."
Heavy Henry
NPC, 11 posts
Fat Dust Adder
P5 T6 F0 Cha -1 Extra
Thu 12 Dec 2013
at 08:52
  • msg #105

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

"Yeah, that's what we're worried about."
Augustus Spotswood
NPC, 330 posts
Scientist! 2W4R2B1L
P2 T6 F/ W-0 C -2
Thu 12 Dec 2013
at 20:01
  • msg #106

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

"If you're worried about my aim, or my tactical decisions. I can pass the launcher off to someone else the moment I'm done.  Then you decide if it's needed or not.  However, let me remind you that sound is the only weapon we have that's proven effective against these warriors."
Mad Irish Murphy
player, 221 posts
Irish Dust Adder
P6 T5 W0 F0 Cha 0 W2R3B1
Thu 12 Dec 2013
at 21:00
  • msg #107

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

"Sound?" Murphy raises an eyebrow.
"You mean like yelling and singing?"
Mike Bennett
NPC, 40 posts
Lean Dust Adder
P5 T5 F0 Hench
Thu 12 Dec 2013
at 21:16
  • msg #108

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

"No...his blastative gun, it works on sound," Mike adds to Murphy. "You dint hear it when he blasted you 'cross lots 'cause it's real low, like snakes can hear, ain't that right?" he looks to Augustus.

"Kinda a vibration...his axes hurt 'em too,"</DarkBlue> Mike points out Charging Bear's weapons. "Mebbe their axes, too." He pats the strange grey tomahawks through his belt.

Carl nods to Augustus' offer. "We'll give it to the one as has most t'lose. Murphy, if you're stayin'."

This is entirely too much for Ned. "I...I can't do this. I'm sorry, I..." he shakes his head. "...I'm goin'. I might die o' shame out there, or of all the heathen hellbeasts, but that ain't now...now I jest want to live. I'm sorry." Ned closes his eyes tight as though speared by sorrow, but slinks past the others all the same, heading back.

Carl watches him without expression, then shrugs, returning his attention to Ward. "If it comes to it, we'll fight the Snake."
Mad Irish Murphy
player, 222 posts
Irish Dust Adder
P6 T5 W0 F0 Cha 0 W2R3B1
Fri 13 Dec 2013
at 19:03
  • msg #109

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Murphy looks at Carl, an incredulous look on his face.
"What the fuck's that supposed to mean - 'if'?. You don't think I'd be digging meself into this bloody mine to just leisurly walk out again when the fun starts?"
Charging Bear
player, 1025 posts
Native Warrior
P8(1)T6 W- F1 FC:W2R1B4
Fri 13 Dec 2013
at 19:30
  • msg #110

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Charging Bear didn't speak, he just listened to them talking. His eyes scanning the group trying to put the pieces together. There was talk of the serpent, the raiders, the shaman and it all boiled down to that odds weren't in the good guys favor. The native son shrugs slightly as though he knew this already or perhaps he was simply used to the idea. It wasn't like being a member of the Texas Calvary had been something others of his people had done.

He smiles as he started wondering what happened to Dandelion and young Sally.
Carl Allans
player, 499 posts
The Quiet One
P6 T6 Cha 0
Fri 13 Dec 2013
at 23:45
  • msg #111

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Carl looks over with something that's almost a frown before Murphy goes on to make light of it. "..." He shrugs slightly.
Charging Bear
player, 1026 posts
Native Warrior
P8(1)T6 W- F1 FC:W2R1B4
Mon 16 Dec 2013
at 16:50
  • msg #112

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Charging Bear shakes his head to pull himself from his own thoughts. His eyes land on Ward then move to Carl "We NEED to get moving ... this talk isn't helping solve the problem at hand. If your men aren't willing to do what is needed to save the town and the possible all of Texas then they should just leave now, else they'll just slow us down."
Carl Allans
player, 500 posts
The Quiet One
P6 T6 Cha 0
Mon 16 Dec 2013
at 23:13
  • msg #113

Re: Chapter 17.1: The Second Coming ((Wendell Mine))

Carl snorts, then gestures for Murphy, Mike and Henry to continue guarding the feverishly working scientist and nods down the tunnel to Ward. "?"
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