In reply to Roadkill (msg #9):

Noting the panic behind him, Trejo slowed down. When the vehicles pulled over he pulled a U-turn, then parked by the Rig's driver door. He yanked open the door, saw Roadkill slumped over the wheel.

"You look like shit, amigo."


Understanding it was the souls trapped in the ghost wall that had ripped at Roadkill's soul, he lay his hands on his chest and mumbled a prayer in Latin.

As Rowan started medical treatment on Jane, she realised that her vital signs were crashing. She was having a massive cardiac arrest. Rowan pulled open Jane's Police vest so she could attach electrodes from her paramedic's bag to Jane's chest. While the portable defibrillator charged, she started chest compressions.

The defibrillator gave a BEEEEEP! to warn it was shocking, then Jane's chest jumped. The readout recorded a steady heartbeat afterwards. As she worked, an off-road motorcycle roared up carrying someone she didn't recognise, a young black woman in a Templar's white tabard with red cross.

"Holy mackarel! When we got word from Simon's Rocl a Templar was coming through, they sent me to meet you here. Let me see what I can do to help!"

She dismounted, then climbed into the back of the technical. Laying on of hands took a moment, then thanks to Rowan's trauma care and the Templar's help she regained consciousness after a few minutes. Both her and Roadkill would be ready to travel within the half hour and be right as rain. Marshall's Note: neither has any Wound levels.

Smoker had a look at the Rig's engine but it seemed to be fine (and even didn't have any damage from ramming the Black Hat SUV). The storm wall only damaged the flesh, not inanimate objects. As a scavenger he concentrated on suburbs, battlefields, outlying towns and left the ghost storms to the crazy and desperate scavvies, most of whom never came back. What he'd seen inside Wichita's ghost storm hadn't made him doubt the wisdom of this strategy, although Boise seemed a little less.. unnatural. Probably some benign influence of the Templar order.

The local Templar, Tasmin, talked with Trejo a little, then addressed the group.

"I've never seen the storm hit people so hard here, as bad as anywhere. We take it for granted it's weaker and hurts less, but it can still kill. And your people should be dead... I've never seen our laying on of hands work so well, either, so fast. Really, something freakin' unusual is going on!"

"If you could, let's get going. Trejo, Simon wants to meet you at the Temple as soon as possible. He's got something he really needs your help with, your friends, too. People's lives are at stake."
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:01, Fri 04 May 2012.

Muttings, Smoker climbs back into his perch.

"Best to stick to stuff I can fix with a screwdriver... nasty spooky stuff, want no more of clouds of demons or whatever..."

In reply to The Marshall (msg #16):

Jane felt her body rise up and thought for a moment that she was headed to whatever lay beyond the great beyond.  Then she felt is crash again.  With a moan she felt almost as normal as she should feel, considering the circumstances and felt her eyes open.  She stared vacantly for a bit and blinked until her brain decided it was back from vacation and could connect up with her mouth so that she could speak.

"_{Let's not do that again anytime soon huh?}"  Jane tried to smile but it was an effort.  As she tried to sit up she noticed there were some new people there and that her vest had been undone.  "Ummm.  What happened?  Thanks Rowan.  You can sit by me anytime.  Who's your friend there."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:08, Fri 04 May 2012.

Rowan frowns not sure what to make of this Templar. Some how to clean and untouched compaired to the ones that Rowan has known. Still she was clearly blessed with the healing gift and willing to use it, that negates many other things in Rowans eyes.
She smiles gently at Jane, "rest a little friend, your heart beat decided to take a leave of absence and I had to shock you to get it going again".
The Templar met us on this side of the barrier her name is Tamsin I think

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg #19):

After Trejo started the prayer, Ian moves out of the way so that he does not interfere.

After the prayer is finished Ian thanks Trejo for his help and asks Roadkill, "How are you feeling now?  You think that you are up to driving for the next bit or did you want me and Gilles to take over so you can rest up until we get to Bosie?"

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg #19):

Jane looked into Rowan's eyes with a serious expression.  "You pulled me back.  Thank you.  Umm.  I didn't say anything embarrassing while I was out or when I first came too did I?"

As an after thought, Jane gingerly turned her head to the Tasmin.  "Forgive my manners. Thank you also for whatever you managed to do."

Jane turned her head to look to see if the others were ok and then back to Rowan.  "Everybody else ok?  Can I get put back together now?  Baby all right?"

In reply to Rowan Dawson (msg #19):

After getting over his little 'moment' and taking a moment to get it together outside the truck, he looks back towards what they just came through.

"I really wish the dead would just be dead and not bother the living so much, then again, coming back as a wall of pain to annoy people does have its appeal."

He looks up into the sky..

"hmmm, maybe I could be some sort of ghost rider in the sky"

Roadkill heads over to peter and his pickup to just have a quick check.

"You guys good? we should follow Trejo to his boss and then get some rest after that"

Roadkill goes back to the truck and makes sure all is ok with the crew. Grabs a smoke and breaths that smoky goodness into his lungs...

"Ian, Gillies, i can take it from here."

He would say thanks to Ian but he never did get that drink he wanted.

In reply to Roadkill (msg #22):

Jane gives a chuckle, and immediately regrets it, when Roadkill walks over and asks if everybody is all right.  She still has her vest undone and probably not all the equipment was put away yet.  "Unfair that you're walking so easily Roadkill.  What?  I was the only one who got zapped so hard?"

"Afraid so Jane. Must be something you ate. I stick with what I know that damned cactus was plain old weird looking." Airen chuckles to let Jane know he was kidding.

In reply to Tech. Sgt. Airen Crichton (msg #24):

Jane chuckled at Airen's comment and then winced as her body was still sore.  She then glared at Airen which brought another chuckle and wince and just gave up.

Rowan "easy friend, you beat the crap out of the men later".
Rowan turns bows to the Templar.
"I am Rowan, I bring the sad news and fall of three of your order and the swords of two of them so they may be honoured in your hall and their memories kept for what they achived, in their lives"

Peter gave a loud grunt as the pain hit him, like a sucker punch to the stomach, only with more force behind it. Like a spiritual gutshot. The technical swerved just a bit as the pain hit him, but he didn't lose control so that was good.

But things were not good.

Jane cried out and dropped. Peter resisted the urge to immediately slam on the brakes and leap out to check on her. He gritted his teeth, knowing that either Rowan or the Templars could help her best but he slowed down when the rig did, and hoped Rowan could help her in the meantime. He wanted to curse and yell at them for idiotically stopping instead of pressing on but he bit his tongue...literally, but just a little...to hold his silence.

He parked and ran to the back to watch over Jane without getting in the way. He gave her shoulder a pat when she regained consciousness. He turned and glared at Trejo for the man keeping silent about what he was and not trying to lay on hands on anyone. He didn't know the whole story, but he didn't care right then.

He checked on Roadkill who looked to be okay. He folded his arms across his chest and watched silently as things began to be spoken of. He was too angry and hurt to speak, and still shaken from both the nightmare the night before and Jane and Roadkill almost dying.

In reply to Peter Firecrow (msg #27):

Jane felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Peter.  That, more than anything, did her heart good to see him up and around even if he was scowling.  She turned her head off to one side so her cheek briefly touched him.

"Ok guys.  Help me sit up.  Did anybody check baby yet? Did you take any damage Peter?  If you didn't I'm sure it's because I took enough for everybody in our truck.  What a team player huh?"  Jane looked at Raven and tried to get her to understand that she hated all this attention now that she was better so perhaps they could get going?  Of course she couldn't say that out loud but she hoped that after all this time out in the wilds her woman to woman body language still was in tact and it was, somehow, conveyed.  "_{Guess I will have a lot to write in my journal this next time. Hope I have enough pages left in it.}"

Rowan takes a long look at Jane, "you will do" helps her to her feet and says with a smile "all yours Pete".
"Okay gang other things to do around here" then packs her equipment away

Trejo mounted his bike, kicking it to life. It rumbled beneath him as he gripped the handlbars. Looking over his shoulder at Tasmin, his fellow Templar, he said,

"It's like Rowan says. It was bad. We lost two in Wichita. Chance was sacrificed by the Anti-Bishop. Then Arthur Dayne was killed by Selene and her Coven. We got their swords. I'd a been next if Roadkill and his crew hadn't come along."

For some reason Trejo neglected to mention the book of Witchcraft that Rowan had rescued from the desecrated altar of blood inside the Cathedral of Doom. The one that was beside him as the Anti-Bishop prepared to sacrifice Trejo as part of the blood ritual that would seal his dark, evil pact.

His black eyes did flick towards Rowan for a second, then back to Tasmin.

"After, on the way here, Arthur's Squire Michaela caught a bullet in the back just outside Cheyenne. Black Hats. Dayne shoulda taught her to duck better. Wasn't his style, I guess."

"If we're done talking, I got a Squire to meet up with. Simon can wait."

Without waiting further, he revved the bike's engine and slipped the clutch, taking off like a shot into the remains of downtown Boise.

In reply to Trejo (msg #30):

Tasmin watched as he roared away.

"I'm sorry to hear about your friends. I guess you folks better mount up and follow me."

In reply to Tasmin the Templar (msg #31):

Roadkill, who had the truck running for some five or so minutes, gives a blast on the horns and takes off after Trejo.
He looks to Ian and says

"You know these templars are cold hearted bastards, my sort of people, except for all that hocus pocus magic shit."
He thinks for a bit
"Hmmm, a bit like Rowan but with more of a death wish and a big sword. oh and pass that bottle would you, it goes great with this smoke... not the water one but the one with the really hard spirits in it that may or may not make me pass out"

Why did this guy not even pass him a drink when he almost died he thought.
This message was last updated by the GM at 11:04, Sat 05 May 2012.

The ruins outside the Boise maelstrom looked like those around most other cities.

Buildings lay rubbled and blasted, scores of scorched cars filled the streets, and here and there old signs of the aftermath—battles fought between mutie bands over the last scraps of food—were evident.

Then you passed through that raging, violent maelstrom. It hurt—like it always
does—but seemed a knot or two slower than elsewhere. Maybe the Templars have something to do with it. Maybe you just got lucky.

Either way, you’re through it now.

Where you expected either more rubble, or perhaps a gleaming city of gold, there is neither. Instead, there are a few stone buildings and countless tents, lean-tos, and shacks made of scavenged debris. In this sea of temporary homes are several hundred people. Most mill about hastily built kiosks, bargaining for food with bags of salvage. Others sit despondently, waiting to petition the Grand Master for aid.

A much smaller number of young men and women look as if they hope to be squires. They duel with each other, most armed with little more than sticks or iron pipes. Compared to the semipermanent population of aid-seekers, your band must look like veteran warriors.

And you, the Templar, might just be the one who takes them away from
their misery and gives new meaning to their lives.

- From the memoirs of Jo, a Templar.

---

The posse arrived into the occupied part of Boise. Unlike the part of Wichita they'd seen when they were inside the Ghost Storm, Boise seemed to lack the subtle and somehow sinister warping of shapes and the strange leaching out of all natural colour. Instead, they passed by what looked a lot like normal ruins, save for the whirling storm wall all around.

There were several intact or rebuilt-looking buildings in the occupied part of downtown.

They pulled up in front of the Temple. Tasmin told them to wait. Getting off this bike, Trejo ignored her and strode off into a nearby tent city, looking for someone. In front of the tent city a handful of male and female prospective Squires practiced their martial arts, hand to hand and especially melee skills. They looked hopefully at Trejo and practiced just a little harder, showing off. Was he a Templar, would he take them as his Squire? But when he ignored them they just looked a little down, but soon were back at it again.

---

The Temple: neither a fortified citadel nor a palace, the Grand Temple was an old Freemason's hall was based on Idaho Lodge No. 1, an early 20th century 2-story gray brick office building modeled in Renaissance Revival style. The extensive damage repaired and new additions (and fortifications) made in stone and red brick.

The Hall of Heroes: An old church and graveyard on a nearby hill. The cremated remains of Templars are interred inside, the bodies of Squires and Companions were buried outside. This was where Michaela would be put to rest. They didn't have either Chance or Arthur's bodies, but there would be plaques honouring them placed inside.

The Hospice: A repaired 8-story apartment building next to the temple. Petitioners stay here, including those who seek armed intervention by the Templars, and those seeking healing for themselves or others. It's said the Templars can cure the sick and heal the wounded, and lacking a health care system many people believe they are their only prayer. Sometimes their prayers are answered.

The Barracks: an old hotel nearby. Templar housing.

Downtown: About fifty or so "Downtowners" live more or less permanently in the a shanty town beside the Town Square. Companions and Squires live in a tent city next door, as well as would-be Squires waiting for a Knight to take them on.

The Town Square: An intersection between the Hall of Heroes and the Temple. It's become a festive marketplace, serving the needs of the dozens of petitioners who come to Boise on a monthly basis. As well as the Downtowners who serve the Templars in ways (cleaning, cooking, weapons smiths, maintenance, mechanics).

Various tables, tents and carts have been set up to sell various goods like food, clothing, weapons, and religious icons and trinkets.

The Water Tower: Self-Explanatory. People gotta drink. On the hillside above the church. Water pumps are powered by solar power cells on the temple, barracks and Hospice roof.
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:44, Sat 05 May 2012.

When the rig came to a halt, Smoker scrambled down from his perch and stretched. Then he walked round to the cab and looked up.

"You all right, Roadkill? Had me kinda worried back there..."

OOC little time travel

"What *Ahrrrg* Nothing. Still the man. Take that . .... * hurmmm * dead spirit babies"

Trejo comes to the rescue

"See, not a problem smokers. Give me one of your smokes"

"You never seem to have any of your own," grumbled Smoker, passing one up to Roadkill.

<quote Smoker Nix>
The posse arrived into the occupied part of Boise. Unlike the part of Wichita they'd seen when they were inside the Ghost Storm, Boise seemed to lack the subtle and somehow sinister warping of shapes and the strange leaching out of all natural colour. Instead, they passed by what looked a lot like normal ruins, save for the whirling storm wall all around.

There were several intact or rebuilt-looking buildings in the occupied part of downtown.

They pulled up in front of the Temple. Tasmin told them to wait.
Rowan Streches walks over to the colonel, "not what I expected love" she says.
"Some how I expected the Templars and the people they protect to have rebuilt more of the inner area".
"And look where they would give Michaela rest, she deserves more than that"
Rowan looks around the area her eyes sad.
Behind them some thing else stirs, some thing has her anoued.

Schaeffer looked around with a jaundiced eye.

"Is not some fairy-tale Bavarian castle, no. Nor a grand cathedral."

"It seems, though, that people have some purpose here. They have built what they need, and little more. It is a functional place. Not the home of soldiers, perhaps, but fitting for warrior-monks. Believe me, I shall build you that fairy-tale castle one day! Complete with dragon. You deserve it, my love.

"I think Michaela will be honoured here. Remembered. And this is a far better burial place than so many have gotten in the wastes."

Jane struggled to get up.  She felt like Roadkill had run her over but she was moving and not leaking any vital parts so she it was better than she thought it would be.  When she got up she gave Baby a good looking over to make sure that she was undamaged and gave her a "good girl" comment when she saw that she was ok  As Jane stepped out of the vehicle, steadied herself for a bit before walking over to Peter's window and patting his arm and smiling at him.  She didn't say anything just looked at him for a bit and then turned and leaned against the truck but away from the door so he could get out if he wanted to.

"So is there another way out of this town besides having to go through that wall again?  Just curious."