Black Jack Boudreaux, Sam Bass, The Professor, Nate Williams, Zach O'Connor

September 11th, 1880. Night. The Black Hills.

The group planning the distraction heads off to find a suitable place to draw off defenders.

((OOC: Make Smarts checks, folks. You can also make Knowledge (Battle) checks if you have that skilled trained.))

The Professor looked around, trying to find a suitable place for the distraction.

OOC -
18:55, Today: The Professor rolled 5,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5. Smarts check.

Not sure if this is a general knowledge roll or not

As does Nate...

OOC - Check - 6

19:32, Today: Nate Williams rolled 6,2 using D8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,2. Smarts Check!

Between Nate and The Professor, a suitable ambush point is found. It's a hillock in full view of the bluffs, but with enough vegetation in the area to hide a few bushwhackers. Now the only question is...how best to set up this little distraction?

((OOC: Everyone involved, please make Notice Checks, -2 because of the darkness.))

[Private to The Professor: If it's a Common Knowledge check, I'll call it out as such. This check was more to let the PCs figure out a suitable place for their distraction.]

Having found a likely spot, Nate begins eyeballing the area and the route the ravenmen would have to take to figure out some effective placement...

OOC - Notice Check - 9

09:20, Today: Nate Williams rolled 2,9 using D6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+3)9. Notice!

"Hold on a minute here..." The Professor commented as something caught his eye.

OOC Unskilled lucky roll FTW! - 14:41, Today: The Professor rolled -1,10 using d4-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+6+2)14. Unskilled Notice in the dark.

As they moved into through the darkness Boudreaux muttered and curced in Creole [Private to GM: 17:25, Today: Secret Roll: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 5,3 using 1d6,1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3. cast Dark Vision. withdrawing a bag that held two cat's eye marbles he callled on the Loa to grant him the ability to see in the night.]


17:18, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 8,3 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,3. find.

Jack did not know too much about fighting battles but he had been in a few scrapes and had been jumped on more than one occasion. So he did his best to find a good spot.



17:21, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 1,5 using 1d6,1d4, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(4+1)5. notice.

As they moved Jack did his best to spot any threats, including any from the sky.

Sam helps the group scout out a location, but they seem to have a good grasp on what they're searching for already. The distraction point is a good one.

But that's not their major problem right now. All of them hear a strange, high-pitched chittering noise from on high

The Professor catches sight of a shadow passing over the stars...something like a large bird. Except not. The shape's all wrong...

Sam notices it, too. He pulls his pistol, the one Jack returned to him, and points at the sky.

((OOC: Sam Bass rolled 18,1 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (10+8)18,1. Smarts.

Everyone got a Raise (except Zach, who hasn't rolled yet), so you guys will get an additional +2 bonus on Stealth checks to conceal yourself once the distraction is underway...

Sam Bass rolled 9,-2 using d4-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of (4+4+4+1)13,2. Notice (default). Notice.))

Nate freezes in place at the sound, then slowly places a finger to his lips.  With this nigh universal symbol of silence, he slowly turns to demonstrate its meaning to each of the party.  There is a demanding seriousness to him that hasn't been there before.  Spotting Sam's upraised gun in the gloom, the prospector gives a slow, but authoritative shake of the head.

Jack spotting the thing in the sky whispers "Don't move. It might not spot us if we stand still till it moves along."

Boudreaux hoped it would move on soon. if not they were going to start this diversion by trying to keep that giant bat from eating them.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:49, Wed 19 Sept 2012.

The Professor nodded to Jack, taking care to freeze in place and remain as still as possible until the dark shape passed.

Unfortunately for Jack, the critters seem of hunt by sound as well as movement. No sooner had he whispered to Sam than a piece of the sky fell on him, black and hissing...and it isn't alone.

Others sheets of blackness swoop down on the poor posse with a horrendous screech. It's going to be hard holding still with such horrible things flapping down from above...

((OOC: The devil bats attack! There's one of them for each of you guys. The one that target Jack gets to go first.

Kinyan Tiwicakte rolled 6 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 6. Fighting! That's a hit but not a raise, so it will only do normal damage. It's normal damage is still pretty high, though.

Kinyan Tiwicakte rolled 11,3 using d12+1,d4, rerolling max with rolls of 10,3. 14 Damage total, which is a Shaken and 2 Wounds for Black Jack. Jack, do you wish to spend a chip for a soak attempts?

Meanwhile, the rest of you get a chance to avoid the bats. Roll Spirit (+Grit, -3 for the local Fear level, -2 because it's hard to hold absolutely still while some shrieking thing is dropping down on you from the darkness).

Sam Bass, for instance, has a Grit of 2, so he rolls his Spirit check at -3.

Sam Bass rolled 1,-1 using d6-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2. Fear! That's normally a fail, but ol' Sam has a Blue Chip because he's a Wild Card, so I'm going to roll that and see if it will help him. Sam Bass rolled 11 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11. Blue Chip. That makes his total 12, which is a success and two raises. Sam escapes an attack from the Flying Death.

When you've made your roll (or attempted to Soak, in Jack's case), I'll resolve the rest of the attacks, and then we'll move into actual Combat Turns.))

Flinching, the Professor holds up his leather satchel and as such draws the attention of one of the flapping beasts.

OOC - 09:00, Today: The Professor rolled -2,-2 using d6-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2. Spirit.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:02, Thu 20 Sept 2012.

Gritting his teeth, Nate forces himself to stand still despite most everything in his brain yelling to do exactly opposite.

OOC - Spirit Total - 4.  Blew all chips to get it (maybe not the best plan, but...) so I guess I'm all in.  A red chip add in there too, Boss.

09:12, Today: Nate Williams rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Red Chip.
09:12, Today: Nate Williams rolled 2,-1 using D6-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2. White Chip.
09:11, Today: Nate Williams rolled 1,0 using D6-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3. White Chip.
09:11, Today: Nate Williams rolled 1,0 using D6-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3. White Chip.
09:11, Today: Nate Williams rolled 2,1 using D6-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4. Spirit.

some mood music

Sam hardly dares to breathe as the thing swoops in on him, but The Professor's flinch draws bad attention his way. he hears the rustle of leathery wings sweep his direction, an unholy screech of triumph as the thing's claws dig into his back...

And then the world lurches, and The Professor finds himself staring at the ground and at his companions as the thing launches itself back into the sky, carrying him along with it...

((OOC: Kinyan Tiwicakte rolled 13 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of (10+3)13. Fighting! That's a hit and a raise...not only is The Professor about to suffer damage...he gets picked up off the ground as well!

 Kinyan Tiwicakte rolled 8,3,2 using d12+1,d6,d4, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3,2. damage (with Raise). 13 damage total, which is a Shaken and 2 Wounds for the Professor! Professor, do you wish to soak?

Also, you're now airborne. The creature hasn't flown too far yet - you're only about 4 yards in the air right now. But on it's action, it will fly a LOT higher...))

---

Draw cards for initiative!

Current Turn Order:
Nate Williams: JS
The Professor: 9S
Kinyan Twicakte: 7S
Black Jack: 5H
Sam Bass: 5D
This message was last edited by the player at 18:22, Thu 20 Sept 2012.

As the creature flaps up into the air, the Professor struggles against hope to free himself from the clutches of the beast.

OOC - Two wounds soaked! White chip + red chip spent for soak roll:

13:15, Today: The Professor rolled 5,7 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+1)7. Soak Roll.

13:19, Today: The Professor rolled 4 using 1d6 with rolls of 4. Red Chip to soak.

Initiative:

13:20, Today: The Professor drew the single card: 9S using the Deadlands system. Init.


[Private to GM: So..here is my plan for my next action. He will be grappling the creature in an attempt to climb up upon it's back and 'ride' it (keep it grappled, but it looks so much cooler to have The Professor on top of the thing). More than likely, another red chip will be spent, so be happy ;-)]

Nate silently curses in thought as he hears the things descend on Jack and the Professor....

OOC - JS for my Card

 13:24, Today: Nate Williams drew the single card: JS using the Deadlands system. Initiative.

11:02, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. red chip soak
10:58, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 5,1 using 1d6,1d6. chip soak.
10:57, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 1,1 using 1d6,1d6. soak.
10:56, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux drew the single card: 5H using a deck of 54 cards.

Boudreaux manages to slip away a bit from the creatures attacks but is still wounded.

((OOC: That leaves with 1 Wound and you are Shaken, Jack.))

---

Looks like Nate Williams is at the top of the round!

Nate's jaw tightens as he continues to resist the urge to jump into action...  Not yet...

OOC - Hold!

Nate's jaw tightens as he continues to resist the urge to jump into action...  Not yet...

OOC - Hold!

Nate's jaw tightens as he continues to resist the urge to jump into action...  Not yet...

OOC - Hold!

The Professor manages to wiggle free enough of the claws that he's not pinned...but he's still in the air and rising rapidly. What do do?

---

The Professor is up!

[Private to The Professor: Alrighty. Sounds fun...make an opposed Fighting check!]

With a cry of "Tally Ho!" The Professor swings his legs up and onto the back of the leathery flying beast. With a might effort he manages to pull himself (and his leather satchel) up on top of the creature.

OOC - 21:51, Today: The Professor rolled 3,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5. Grappling. I'll spend a red fate chip if I need to to bump up the result.

The demon bat thing screeches and swoops, trying to shake him off.

((OOC: Kinyan Tiwicakte rolled 5 using 1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Fighting! You need to spend a chip or get tossed.))

Impossibly, The Professor manages to get himself on top, straddling the wings with his legs. He held on with tenacity, riding the creature as if he were taming a wild stallion that was flying through the sky.

ooc- Red chip spent!

((OOC: What's the total from your chip? I need to know, because I need to know if it's a Raise or not.))

PM

[Private to GM: 20:03, Today: The Professor rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4.]

The trouble with ridding the flying Death like a stallion is that it is not, in fact, horse shaped. The Professor's legs pull in hard enough to choke the thing, causing it to pass out mid-flight. Bat and rider go plowing into the earth, hard.

The rest of the flock, seeing their comrade in distress and everyone else still standing, turn tail and flap away.

((OOC: And that makes it a Raise, which makes the thing Shaken. which means it can't keep flying and drops to the ground. Make a Ride check or suffer 2d6 damage from the fall. The Devil Bat just suffers damage.

Kinyan Tiwicakte rolled 12 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7,5. falling damage. That's a Shaken and a wound for the Devil Bat, which is an extra and thus is now Incapacitated.

The rest of the Kinyan Tiwicakte take this opportunity to flee...they were after easy prey, not crazy people.))

---

Combat over, unless you want to do anything to the fleeing Devil Bats.

Although the Flying Death is not in fact a riding beast, The Professor steers the unconscious glider into the ground, and hops off at the last second unharmed and mostly unruffled.

ooc - Used Epiphany adventure card to gain Riding at d6 for the rest of the scene. Marshall gets a fate chip.

02:38, Today: The Professor rolled 3,4 using D6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4. Ride (epiphany adv card used).

There's a moment of silence as the group collects itself.

"Well, that was an experience." Sam whispers, then moves over to Jack. "Hey...you alright? That thing gashed you up pretty bad..."

[Private to Black Jack Boudreaux: If you want to use Healing on yourself, remember that your Wound Penalty counts against your total]

He looks over at the downed bat thing, which is unconscious but still breathing. "What the hell do we do with this thing now?"

Once the coast seemed clear, Nate took a deep breath as quietly as possible.  Turning around, he looked down at the thing with whatever scanty twilight was left.  "If you have a knife...  Stick the damn thing."  He too kept his voice a low whisper, just in case, and moved slowly towards the Professor, "If you're alright, sir, we still need to do that distraction...."

Nodding to Nate, he whispered.  "I'm ready...let's press on. And I agree, while I would love to be able to deliver that creature to some colleagues for study, we have more important things to do. So someone needs to either cage it, or put it down."

Sam nods, and flicks a knife. He kneels by the thing and slits its throat, then stands back to watch the thing gurgle and twitch.

((OOC: Make Notice checks, please.))

The Professor watched as Sam euthanized the creature.

18:58, Today: The Professor rolled 5,3 using d4-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (4+3)7,5. Unskilled Notice.

Nate, for his part, didn't much care to watch the thing bleed out.  Instead, he watched the area nearby as best he could, straining his ears to fill in the information stolen by the dark.

OOC - Notice 5

22:25, Today: Nate Williams rolled 4,5 using D6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3. Notice!

Nate, for his part, didn't much care to watch the thing bleed out.  Instead, he watched the area nearby as best he could, straining his ears to fill in the information stolen by the dark.

OOC - Notice 5

22:25, Today: Nate Williams rolled 4,5 using D6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3. Notice!

[Private to GM: 22:50, Today: Secret Roll: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 1,5 using d6,d10, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5. heal.]

"It is not as bad as it looks." Jack said so quietly he was almost mouthing the words.

He seemed to be pulling a few things from his coat and it sounded as if he muttered a prayer of thanks. Boudreaux was too busy to notice anything.


22:49, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 1,2 using d6,d4, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.

"I think we continue as we had planned." Jack whispered.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:55, Mon 24 Sept 2012.

As Nate scans the area, he hears something faint in the distance.

A moment later, the Professor hears it, too.

It's a bugle, sounding a cavalry charge. And it sounds like it's coming from the bluffs a half-mile away.

It looks like causing a distraction is no longer an issue...

"I think I hear gunfire." Sam says, looking up from his task towards the bluffs.

Then they all hear it.

{{BOOM!}}

The crack of a dynamite explosion rolls like thunder across the plains.

"Goddamn!" Sam curses. "They been spotted! We gotta get over there!"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:32, Mon 24 Sept 2012.

Boudreaux nodded. "Hope we are in time."

Jack followed the experienced desperado amd headed to find the others. Boudreaux kept an eye on the night sky as they moved.

Nate's shoulders fell just slightly in exasperation.  It was dark though, so probably hard to tell.  The heavy, what-the-hell-sigh was much easier to catch though.  He started off with the others, making sure the Professor also kept up, "I heard cavalry bugles..."  The scattered gunfire and explosion helped sell the idea, "There might just be a raid on...  Might have provided a better distraction.  Cavalry's good for that."

The Professor followed, allowing the other two men to blaze the trail as he moved in at the rear.  He rummaged around his satchel, pulling out a strange, Gatling like gun with two attached transparent globes filled with an oily, reddish liquid. The ghost rock powered gun looked as if it was designed to shoot this liquid, though it was unclear what the liquid was exactly.

The group runs toward the sounds of battle. The battle on the hills lasts several minutes, at least long enough for them to get within a few hundred yards of the cliff...just in time to see a group break off and run down the side. In the dark it's hard to make out exact numbers, but it looks like the Indians met their match. They tumble down the hill, withdrawing as the Union soldiers (at least, it looks like union troops...their uniforms are so dark in the moonlight they appear black) tear apart their compatriots on the other hill.

Unfortunately, the soldiers spot the fleeing Sioux, and send riders after them...

And wouldn't you know it? The fleeing Indians are heading straight for the group!

((OOC: Draw initiative cards, please. Keep in mind that all these guys are still quite a distance away))

PM

[Private to GM: 19:48, Today: The Professor drew the single card: QD using the Deadlands system. Init.]

17:54, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 5,2 using d6,d4. notice.
17:53, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux drew the single card: 10H using the Deadlands system.

[Private to GM: I cast that spell to see  in the dark. Any better idea of what is going on? Are they chasing the good injuns or the bad injuns?]

"I don't recomend standing in the way of them fleeing that cavalry. They are not likely to be too gentle." Jack said.

"We should bid this place a do my friends."

((OOC: Card: 4C))

[Private to Black Jack Boudreaux: The Indians heading your way all have rifles and are wearing warpaint. It might be a safe assumption that these were the ones causing trouble.

But there's only six of them and nearly twice that number charging down on them. And all of them are dead, rotting things in black uniforms, riding steads that are shedding hunks of flesh off their brittle bones as they charge.

The dead men remind him of his narrow escape from Baron LaCroix, on a train crewed by the damned, of the threats the Baron made of sewing his lips shut and burying him alive, then raising his corpse to use as a weapon against his grandmother...

Make a Fear check, -3 for the local Fear Level, + Grit.]

((OOC: I'm putting Nate Williams On Hold until he draws, so that the rest of you can get actions in.))

---

Turn Order: (Keep in mind that without a light source (or magic) you're in Darkness, which means a -2 penalty to attacks)
Hoarse from Roaring: AD
The Professor: QD
Black Jack: 10H
Ravenite Braves: 8D
The Black Regiment: 8D
Sam Bass: 4D (does anyone want to control Sam duing this fight, since he's an Ally?)
Nate Williams: Not Drawn Yet
[Private to Zachary O'Conner: Zach O' Connor: If you're still around, this would be a great time to get involved...draw a card and post it, and I'll work you in]

I'll have a map up and do HFM's action when I get back from work tonight. Remember, when you take an action, draw a card to cover your next round's action.

PM

[Private to GM: 13:09, Today: Secret Roll: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 2,14 using 1d6,1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(10+4)14. fear check.

I think that makes the check. Hopefully I can warn the others.]

One of the Indians running from the horsemen, a stocky man with wild hair, takes a pot shot at the approaching soldiers, though his shot goes wide. he shouts something unintelligible at the riders, probably a curse of some kind.

((OOC: Hoarse from Roaring will fire his Winchester at the approaching soldiers. He has a -2 darkness penalty and a -2 penalty because he's going to be running.

Hoarse From Roaring rolled 1,0 using d8-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4. Shooting! About what I expected. HFR tosses a Blue chip in.

Hoarse From Roaring rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. Blue Chip. Well alrighty then. No hit for HFR.

He runs. He's fleet-footed, so he moves 8 squares + a d10 more. He rolls a 4, so that's 12 squares.

Card for next round: 8H))

---

The Professor is up next!
[Private to Black Jack Boudreaux: Yup, that's a success. If you want to yell out a warning out of turn order (technically, the Professor is next, but he will be gone until Sunday) go ahead.]

The Professor holds his strange weapon, waiting for a target of opportunity to present itself.

ooc - holding my action

"Those injuns are bad but what is chasing them is worse."

"Those cavalry soldiers are dead, undead rotting things in black uniforms, riding  undead mounts. They are an army of the damned and they appear to have ridden out of hell itself."

"We had better run!" Boudreaux said loud enough for the others to hear.

Zac's heart was beating from the devil bat attack. He had been in scraps before, but then his dad had usually been there with him or at least on the adventure. Now, he felt alone and scared, and he had to pee.  He looked closer at the cavalry men.  Zac had lived enough to know the cavalry riding in wasn't always a good thing.

At Jack's shout, he looked to the Cajun, then started to run in whatever direction he took off. "Just cause they're dead," he shouted through puffs of air, "How do we know they're evil, seems they're killin' the bad guys here."

The young reporter, looked for a place where the group could hide and avoid the charging undead cavalry.

[ooc: 10:51, Today: Zachary O'Conner drew the single card: 3S using a deck of 54 cards. SIngle Card Draw.
Sorry to disappear, been offline traveling the past week and a half, finally back, and caught up on posts.]

As the group discusses running, the Indian braves fire a ragged line of shots at the pursuing soldiers. One of the dead men falls off his horse, breaking apart into a greasy black mist as he hits the ground.  The Indians whoop and cheer, though they continue running...straight toward the hilltop the posse stands on!

The dead men continue to ride, ignoring their fallen comrade and returning fire. Zach and Black Jack have to duck as several stray rounds kick up dirt near them...If they are going to flee, it has to be now!

((OOC: I'll take this time to roll for the Ravenites and the Black Regiment.

The Ravenites are at Medium Range on their rifles and have a Darkness penalty. In addition, they are running. That's a total of -6 on their shooting rolls Vs. the Black Regiment soldiers.

18:05, Today: Ravenite Braves rolled -1,-3,-3,4,1,-3 using d8-6,d8-6,d8-6,d8-6,d8-6,d8-6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3,3,(8+2)10,7,3. Panicked Shooting! One of them actually hit his target.

Damage: 10 damage, which makes that soldier Shaken. I make a check to see if he stays horsed. he doesn't, and takes a crapton of damage from the fall, so that's One Undead Soldier down!

Then the Ravenites run. I roll on running die for them all. They get 7, so they run and are now perilously close to the party...

9 Soldiers remain.

The soldiers spur their horses on (They run 4 squares, in addition to the 8 from their normal pace) and return fire. There's 9 of them, they're in medium range, they have no penalty for firing from horseback and can see in the dark, so their penalty is only -4. So save my sanity, I roll them in batches of 3 each.

None of them come even close to hitting. Since none of the PCs are close enough to be considered "Innocent Bystanders," I ignore the 1's they rolled.

Next round:
Ravenites: 5S
Black Regiment: QH))

---

Turn Order: (-2 Darkness penalty)
Hoarse from Roaring: AD
Ravenite Braves: 8D
The Black Regiment: 8D
Black Jack: Black Jack is up!
Sam Bass: 4D (does anyone want to control Sam duing this fight, since he's an Ally?)
Zach O'Conner: 3S
Nate Williams: 3D
The Professor: On hold
This message was last edited by the player at 00:37, Mon 01 Oct 2012.

Nate watches the skirmish with the others.  When a part of it heads their way, he finds himself in a new and strange frame of mind: being in agreement with Black Jack Boudreaux....

OOC - 20:31, Today: Nate Williams drew the single card: 3D using the Deadlands system. Initiative!

"Don't wait and find out .. run!!" Jack said as he started to run away from the line of charge of the cavalry.

"Shit on a shingle...run where?" Sam says, following behind Jack. "We can't lead these...things back to the stage!"

((OOC: Looks like this is turning into a Chase...are all of you in agreement that the best thing to do is run? If so, I'll calculate the Chase rules for you all.))

((OOC: Still waiting on replies from The Professor and Zach O'Connor, who are next up in the Initiative order...what are you folks up to?))

Jack's words were enough for the young reporter. Jack broke into a run, following the Cajun out of the line of the Calvary charge. He looked around, his heart beating from exertion and fear -- where could the run to?  A place to hide, a place they could defend possibly?  What did the Calvary want?

The thoughts flew around his head as he tried to escape.

[OOC: Sorry, thought I had posted Zac running already. Also what's the general lay of the land, is there someplace they could run to as opposed to just trying to get out of the way of the charge and escaping Indians?]

Nate does his best to skeedadle over to whatever sparse cover can be found out here.  Scattering will make it harder to get all of them and might split up the cavalry should thy decide to come after him and his friends.  Reaching a bush, he'll shrug off his miner's pack and try to get it open...   Might be somethin' useful...

OOC - Scamper to light cover and scrounge in bag. Next card - 2S
16:24, Today: Nate Williams drew the single card: 2S using the Deadlands system. Initiative.

[Private to GM: I'd really like to pull the Gatling pistol.  Thoughts?]

((OOC: The characters are on a hilltop, with some vegetation scattered around that they had been planning to use as cover for an ambush. It's still possible to hide...make a Stealth check, which will be opposed by their Notice.))

[Private to Nate Williams: I think the appearance of a squad of The Black Regiment riding down on you counts as an acceptable time to Rock And Roll in the Agency playbook...you can explain away the Gatling pistol later.]

The prospector's boots skid on rocks as he scrambles towards cover...maybe they won't notice...

OOC - Stealth- 3

The Professor followed Nate's lead, moving quickly to hide behind a scraggly bush.  It was clear (at least to anyone but The Professor) that the man had chosen a poor spot to hunker down as he was clearly visible through the tangle of thin branches and stubby leaves.

OOC - 19:28, Today: The Professor rolled 3,3 using d4-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of (4+1)5,5. unskilled stealth check.

Sam, meanwhile, relying years of bushwhacking skill, manages to conceal himself very effectively in the bushes.

((OOC: 23:15, Today: Sam Bass rolled 5,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4. Stealth!))

---

Zach and Black Jack, please make Stealth Checks.

There's wasn't much cover on the hilltop, maybe if they had time, but in a rush like this... sure looked doubtful.  But what choice did he have? Zac scrambled forward, but he felt his feet give way, as his boots slipped on the rocks under then. He half picked himself up, and part crawl, part run, made his way forward to the little cover that existed.

He didn't have Sam's experience, but he thought he did a pretty good job of it. Of course still might be for naught.

[OOC:
12:19, Today: Zachary O'Conner rolled 1,8 using D4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+2)8. Dive for cover. ]

The party heads for the trees, diving beneath bushes and behind trunks.

But the very movement brings the attention of the fleeing Indians. Several start running for the trees themselves!

One of them, the apparent leader, points at the small copse and begins shouting!

[Language unknown: "ARULOM, LA WHIHERORERUT! US U WERTA THETHULES! AN OMEBUTOUN RED AVEAC ALUTIN MONONG THO IVEHOUECT NOCK PRITOF HOEKEC KORORETIC HO BLESTIRES U PLUT OUT I SHE ANLISS POAIUL! CONAT! AROF IS ADSIEC! OU ING THATHAWAS-TERIONNCE!"]

And he runs for the trees himself.

Which, naturally, means the entire force of undead soldiers wheels around and follows him directly toward the posse's hiding spot!

((OOC: We seem to have lost Jack, so I'll roll for him.

10:37, Today: The Stray, on behalf of Black Jack Boudreaux, rolled -1,3 using d4-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5. Stealth!

That's 3, 3, 3, 5, 8 for the Stealth checks. This is an opposed roll vs. the Notice of those who might see you.

The Ravenites have a -2 penalty from the darkness and -2 penalty from the distraction of combat.

Ravenite Braves rolled 2,-1,-1,3,3,1 using d8-4,d8-4,d8-4,d8-4,d8-4,d8-4, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3,3,7,7,5. Notice. Two of the Ravenites notice some movement. They don't directly see the party, but thing "Hey! That's a good place to hide!" and start running in that direction...

Hoarse from Roaring also makes a Notice check, same penalties. Hoarse From Roaring rolled 1,5 using d8-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+3)9. Notice. Well, that's bad for our band.

He runs for the treeline himself, and yells at his warriors to do the same...leading the Black Regiment right to your hiding spot!

I don't have to work hard for the Professor's Trouble Magnet hindrance, do I?))

---

I'll let this go a bit freeform...post an action, and wait for the other PCs to post theirs. I'll post the NPCs at the end of the player's actions.

Having dashed to a good place to hide jakc is none to happy when the Injun's point in their direction and begin to approach their hiding spot.

OOC To be clear we are hiding in bushes on a hill top. The Injuns and cavalry will have ride up hill to reach us, correct?

In reply to Black Jack Boudreaux (msg # 67):

((OOC: Correct, but the slope is not severe enough to do more than inflict a few movement penalties.))

Nate dragged something free of his pack, though it took two hands to find and extract.  Meaning he had to set that rifle down in the meanwhile.  Hard to see just what it might be in all the dark, but his fiddling produces a ratchety soft click.  Noting that the tide has turned directly for them, he hisses a whisper, "Now would be a great time to fire, Professor."  The prospector then shouts back towards the indians and persuant cavalry in a keening facsimile (not a bad one, mind you) of a Sioux warcry.  Can't beat 'em, join 'em.

OOC - Action - Could that be a smarts trick?  Or Intimidate perhaps?  EDIT.  So, Smarts Trick on the cavalry then  With a 4.

22:57, Today: Nate Williams rolled 2,4 using D8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4. Smarts Trick.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:02, Sat 06 Oct 2012.

Several of the Ravenites hesitate, clearly confused and alarmed by the shouting coming from their supposed refuge.

The undead soldiers also seem to be very confused by the war whoops.

((OOC: The Black Regiment rolled 2,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1. Resisting trick.

That's a fail for them, so they get -2 Parry until Nate's next action.))
This message was last edited by the player at 06:38, Sat 06 Oct 2012.

OOC - I'm just a little confused.  I'm not sure if the PC's are being threatened, and if so by who? I got the impression that the undead were fighting the natives and we were hiding from the collateral damage.  Am I wrong?

((OOC: Posts updated to reflect the change in action! Professor, do your thing!))

"Gentlemen," The Professor stage whispers to the others.  "Mind the fire."

And with that the man stands up, in full view of the oncoming Indians and undead, hefting his strange Ghost rock powered gun.  He points it straight at the leader of the Indians and pulls the trigger.  Twin jets of an oily, red liquid squirt from the barrel, and at first glance it looks as if The Professor's goal is to soak everyone in the front rank in strange liquid. However, as the liquid arcs across the distance, it appears to react with the air and almost blossoms into a cone of fire

Rerolling twice by spending a white chip, then a red chip. Check the dice roller, it was THAT ugly (*sigh*)


08:39, Today: The Professor rolled 1,9 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+5)11. Second reroll weird sci in dark.

((OOC: So, is this placement correct?))

Sure...works for me

An arc of fire bursts forth into the night. The Sioux caught in the blast scream as the wave of flame washes over them. One of them has the presence of mind to roll out of the way, but the rest are wreathed in the hellish blaze.

((OOC: The Indians get a change to dodge out of the way, though it's going to be hard for most of them because of that 9 you rolled.

Ravenite Braves rolled 3,13,2 using d8,d8,d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(8+5)13,2. Agility. One succeeds, the other two are hit with Raises

Roll damage for the guys you scorched. Since you scored a raise on both of them, each damage roll gets an additional d6 of damage added on. I'll check to see if they catch fire once that's resolved.))

feel free to roll the damage. I'm out all day and eve and rather than hold things up, please roll for me.

As the ball of fure conumes the ravenites jack drops what may have been a flask and says what sound like a mix of a prayer and a curse in French.

[Private to GM: (13:24, Today: Secret Roll: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 5,8 using 1d6,1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 5,8. cast deflection) gives me them a minus four.]

Boudreaux was impressed by the professor's attack but still concerned.

"Ravenites flambes. Not particularly appitizing but very effective. I hope you have another trick like that up your sleeve because I think the greater threat is those riding dead men."


[Private to GM: OOC Boudreaux prepres to summon a whirlwind to break up the charge of the cavalry.]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:27, Mon 08 Oct 2012.

Zac watched the flames toast the Indians, he felt a pang of sympathy for them, before remembering just moments before they were the enemy. Still, it was never a pleasant thing to watch someone burn alive. His gaze went from the Braves to the charging undead. Jack was right, they were still a threat, and that fire blaze ruined any chance they had of hiding. Now it was time for plan B..., whatever that was.  His father would have had a plan, Zac found himself missing his dad's presence, it wasn't the fear, but rather the comfort of him being near.

"What about the devil bats, could we call them back," he asked the question to no one in particular, but it was primarily focused on Jack, he was closest to. Zac had no idea if it was a good idea, but they needed to do something, and running for it probably wouldn't get it done.

"If that don't call them back I don't know what will Zach. Just not sure they will eat dead things. Lot's of critters won't." Jack said in reply.

Two of the Indians caught in the blast of caustic flame shriek as the blaze consumes them. The grass catches, and the whole side of the hill is bathed in firelight.

In the infernal glow, the Black Regiment stands revealed. Nearly a dozen dead soldiers in uniforms stained black with dried blood sit astride rotting horses.

One of the damned soldiers raises a bugle to his putrid lips, and blows a morbidly cheerful tune. The mocking call echoes across the field.

Then as one the dead soldiers vanish, breaking apart into puffs of oily black smoke that soon vanishes.

The remaining Indians scatter back into the wilderness, leaving the posse alone on the hilltop.

((OOC: Damage for the two Ravenites:

Damage 1: 31 (!)
Damage 2: 13. Wut?

Anyhoo. That drops both of them, so I'm not even going to bother checking to see if they catch fire...the point is moot.

Meanwhile, The Black Regiment decides to bugger off, having accomplished their primary objective.))

"Nicely done indeed professor." Boudreaux said as the undead horsemen wheeled and rode off.

"Best we get going before they change their mind."

Nate narrowed his eyes against the sudden brightness of the flames and the ensuing flaming natives.  Despite the flare, he catches sight of the Black Regiment's "cheerful retreat" and the scattering of the indians.  Somehow, none of it leaves him with a particularly victorious feeling.  Stuffing something back in his pack, he starts to reshoulder it and take hold of hs rifle again, "Yeah..."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Thu 11 Oct 2012.

"Thank you gentlemen. Please, lead the way through the wilderness so that we may avoid any other unpleasant encounters."

"Do you reckon that was enough o' a distraction?" Sam says wryly, slipping his gun back into his holster. "Maybe we should be headin' back to the stage now...I think whatever the Injun wanted to do up in them cliffs is done already."

"I agree," offers Nate as he begins to head back in the general stage coach direction, "I don't really think our distraction would've been nearly as good as that one...."

"I agree time to head back and make our rendezvous. It seems to me that them Ravenites had a bad day. While those cadavers surely are not on the side of light, the destruction of the followers of the Ravens struck a blow against gear." Jack said as he watched the mass of undead ride away.

Zac drew in a slow breath as the death cavalry vanished into the night.  "What a story..." he said to himself as he reached for his notebook without thinking, and jotted down some quick words to remember what he was feeling and everything he had seen. He put the book and pencil back into his pocket.

"A job done is a job well done, my daddy used to say. Something you don't know how a thing will turnout till it gets to the end." He shook his head in disbelief.

With that, the distraction group returns to the Rendezvous point.

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This thread is closed. Please resume posting on the new Chapter 1.3 thread.