Distracted or not, Zek is still able to get an arm around Maddox, who swings the butt of his pistol into the mountain man's face. There's a cracking of bone as Zek's nose gives...but he doesn't really seem to feel the blow. Not as he once would have.

"Setup? What the fuck are you on about?" Maddox snarls. "You skipped out on me."

((OOC: So, the trick is a -2 to Zek's Parry. He still can keep the grapple going. However, Maddox has had Deflection up since he walked into the bar.

10:38, Yesterday: Maddox rolled 13,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+6+1)13,5. Spellcasting.

That's a success and raise, so Zek's Grapple check is at -4, as are all other attempts to attack Maddox while he maintains the spell.

16:21, Today: Ezekiel Starkweather rolled 12,6 using d6+2,d12+2, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,4. Grapple check.

Reduced by the deflection, that's an 8. Maddox makes an opposed Fighting check to resist.

15:16, Today: Maddox rolled 1,2 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2. Resist Grapple.

...

You had one job, Maddox. One job.

That's a total of 6 for Zek, so that means Maddox is grappled, though he isn't Shaken.

Maddox's action is at the same time, and he was going to pistol whip Zek.

15:20, Today: Maddox rolled 6,1 using d10-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 7,2. Fighting! with Improvised Weapon.

That hits Zek's Parry of (5-2 from the trick) 3.

Maddox deal 16 damage, but because Harrowed don't take nonlethal damage, it really just makes Zek more mad.

Maddox's card: AD))

---

It's Wilder's turn

The two walk as they talk, heading back into the streets of Deadwood.

"I should hope not. Custer's law or not, I'm still the...marshal...of..." Bullock trails off, and looks down the road. "Does that sound like a fight to you?" He asks, pointing toward the Woolly Buffalo.

Boudreaux did not realize he was speaking to a legend. But he was a bit distracted trying to eves drop on the conversation going on when all hell broke loose. not wanting any trouble the cagey Cajun invoked the spirits and surrounded himself with their power.

20:15, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 1,9 using d6,d12, rerolling max with rolls of 1,9. deflection.

For the moment he was prepared to let the men fight but if anyone fired Black Jack Boudreaux would do what he needed to protect the bystanders.

((OOC: Jack, do you want to draw an initiative card, or just go On Hold?))

Ready but wary to get involved.


21:49, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux drew the single card: 2S using a deck of 54 cards. initiative.

His recently acquired peacemaker appears in a blur of motion. James levels the gun on Zek, "Mister I don't care what your beef is with Maddox, if you don't stop right I will blow your head off your shoulders."

OOC: say hello to intimidate!
09:06, Today: James Wilder rolled 11,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11,3. Intimidate.

09:11, Today: James Wilder drew the single card: 3H using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative.

He looked at the gun, still frowning. Having gained the advanatge on Maddox, he tossed him to the ground-but he did let him go. He then grabbed his own nose, and craked it back into postion. If it hurt, he gave no sign. (OOC-Rolled a max 5. Intimidation checked worked. Figure that will end combat.)

He did look at the gun, and at James. Then he glared down at Maddox.

"Maddox, you lying shit, why would I come here and give you BACK the money if I skipped out on you!? I wanted McCall, remember? That is the only reason I took your money-because I told you I needed to talk to Jane about McCall! You sent me to me the Fairchild House! Mr Fairchild took me to Jane...you know, dark-haired fella, gray suit stovepipe hat, tinted spectacles!? His Brother-the red head dandy? Cousin Dolores-the one who is out of her damn mind!? The other witch who lives there!? THEY HAVE JANE! THEY ARE KILLING HER! YOU SENT ME THERE!" He roared.

What Maddox did see however, is that Zek was standing on his ankel. Expect he was not 'standing' on it. His foot was passing right through Maddoxs leg like it was not even there.

In reply to Seth Bullock (msg # 82):

Han nodded his head, "I believe so.  And I assume you would like to investigate the matter with your official physician slash unofficial deputy?"

Han smiled in amusement, already making his way to the Wooly Buffalo, assuming that Seth would already say yes.

Maddox glared back at Zek. "What are you babbling about? Fairchild House? I've never heard of any...wait." A growing look of confusion and growing fear passes over his face as he stands. "Gray suit, you say? Tinted spectacles? Red-haired cousin!? Cousin Dolores!?"

He slams his fist into the window, cracking it. "FUUUUUUUUUUCK!"

"Sebastian! That fucking Sebastian! I should have known! I should have known he was leading me on! And he's brought the whole fucking family here, hasn't he?" He looks back at Zek. "I suppose I owe you a great apology. A bloody massive one, I do. I sent you there, it's true, but as God is my witness, I didn't know. I didn't know what they were planning. Hell's bells, I didn't know the others were in town! I should have told him and his whole bloody Society to sod off and die the moment I ever laid eyes on him!"

"And as for you..." he looks Zek right in the eye. "I'm sorry. So very, very sorry. I got you into this, I did. I have to get you back out. Truce?"

((OOC: With that raise, yeah, Zek is Shaken and will need to let Maddox go. Seems combat is over for now.))

Bullock nods. "Let's go."

The two of them make their way to the Woolly Buffalo Saloon. There's a crack in one of the large bay windows, and some shouting going on inside. No gunfire as yet, so it must still be mostly fisticuffs.

Bullock draws his pistol and steps through the wing doors. He pops off two shots.

{BANG! BANG!}

"Everybody, FREEZE!" he shouts, and points his pistol towards the group of brawlers.

Han Lee can see Wilder and Lonefeather, the two bounty hunters who assisted him and Bullock last night. They have guns drawn on a thick mountain man and a sturdy fellow with blue-black hair and a Smith & Robards bulletproof vest.

"Mr Wilder, you sure get yourself into interesting situations." Han says as he scans the four men for any signs of injury. "Listen, to the Marshall everyone. If those army fellows get wind of this, they are liable to shoot the loot of you just on principle."

James knows the drill well enough, by reflex his pistol slide to a non-threating position with barrel pointing to the ground and his finger away from the trigger. "My life is nothing if not interesting."

Zek seemed...shocked at the words. Nobody ever apoligized to him. Really about anything. Expect Dancing Deer of course. She had apologized for being a burden-which was silly. She had given him more than he ever did for her. It was at that point he had asked her and her son to live with him. She had said yes...which most likely ended up getting her killed.

He looks lost, and he did not know what to do now. Anger was his first, second, and thrid option. All he had left was vengence. He was going to kill those bastards in the house, and destory the house-make Jane tell him how to find McCall, use that to kill Hickok, and finally, finally end Swearengen and his loathsome men. Then he could do what dead men where suppose to do...

Kill him anyways! Kill the one with the gun! Then kill the witnesses! Burn the bar to the ground, and torch the whole town to be sure you get the house! Came the insane inner voice only Zek could hear. Trying to convince Zek of the 'better' way.

"Dammit, Maddox! Why did you have to do that for!? Now I can't keep hitting you!" He grumbled, shaking his head. He sounded like he was serious, but very irrational.

{BANG! BANG!}

Zek did not see anyone hit, and he did not feel any holes in him. Not that he expected any given his 'percautions.' He turned around and saw the Tin Star. "I don't even have my gun out..." He growled, raising his clearly empty hands. He did not to his pistol still in its holster, and maybe a little dusty due to lack of use.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:51, Thu 12 Feb 2015.

"Well, hello again, Marshal Bullock." Lonefeather says as he stows his gun. "Don't worry, it seems to be a misunderstanding which the parties are sorting out..."

Bullock glares at the dark-haired gunman. "Maddox." He growls.

"Mr. Bullock." The gunman replies coolly, returning his pistol to his holster very, very slowly.

"What the hell is going on here, Maddox? Why are you wrapped up in all this?"

"Long story. Let me sum up. During the fire at The Gem, I apprehended Calamity Jane on suspicion of murder, attempted murder, and conspiracy to commit murder, as well as probably a dozen other charges. I tried hauling her to jail, to deposit in your custody, only you weren't there and your jail was burned to the ground. So I attempted to keep my prisoner contained until I could find out just what the bloody hell had happened. I rented a room at local boarding house by yir owned by some family of mine in order to keep her stowed somewhere handy. I then hired this gentleman," Here he points to Zek, "to watch over her until I could either find out what had happened to you or to find her accomplice, who is said to have been dressed as the deceased Wild bill Hickok. Unable to accomplish either in the time I had allotted, I returned to the boarding house, only to discover both this gentleman and Calamity Jane missing, and my relations claiming to have no idea what happened to either. I suspected that this gentleman had absconded with my money and left Jane to her own devices, allowing her to escape." He sighs. "This morning, I came here to see if anyone had a job that needed doing. I was speaking with these gentlemen," here he points to Wilder and Lonefeather, "about a proposed expedition when this gentleman," back to Zek, "attacked me in a rage, claiming that I had 'set him up.' somehow. Further discussion revealed that my relations had apparently done something, I don't know what, to him and Jane, and that he escaped the situation to confront me over it. Cooler heads were prevailing when you showed up, and that's where we are now."

Bullock listens to all this impassively. "I should bring you all in just on general principle."

"You have neither the jail nor the authority to hold us anymore." Maddox says. "Not since Custer took over. And he's suspended the elections, too, which means that I'm not your problem. My relations, however, are. Can we put our hands down now, and talk like civilized people?"

Bullock sighs, and uncocks his pistol. He looks at Zek. "Is what he's saying true, sir?"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:31, Thu 12 Feb 2015.

In reply to Seth Bullock (msg # 94):

"Hell, does the whole town wanna do you bodily harm, Maddox? I am starting to see why..." He grumbled and put down his hands.

 "Yes it's true.  Marshal, this man is guilty of being a trusting idiot, something I myself am guilty of because of him!" He shakes his head.

"And he's right. That family of his is killing people in that hidden house of theirs, and using useful morons to bring them victums like Jane! And she knows about the Hickok murders and who really did them!" Technically so did Zek, but doubted anyone would believe a disappearing house, much less famous dead sharpshooters.

"House?" Bullock says, his brow wrinkling as he lowers his pistol. "What house?"

"The boarding house." Maddox says, lowering his hands. "On...on..." he, too, wrinkles his brow. "...in town. Where you caught McCall."

"Jack McCall was arrested in a saloon." Bullock says, really frowning now. "I...forget which one. The Gem, I think." He shakes his head. "Anyhow. What's this about the Hickok murders?"

Maddox eyes Zek as well. "Did she come to while you were there? Did she tell you who her accomplices were?"

"Nothing that made any sense. They had drugged her or something. Or worse..." Zek said. Of course, he knew what the real answer was-but they would not belive him. "Maddox, we gotta find the house. Its the only way to get Jane back. And stop those bastards once and for all."

"I don't know..." Maddox say. "I was in the middle of something, see you..."

"Oh, that's all right. We can wait." Lonefeather says. "In fact...Wilder, why don't we give them a hand? It wouldn't be the first time we helped out Bullock here."

Jack stood by listening to the story of the last few days be retold. He been at the heart of most of it, not something he was proud to say.He knew all too well that was not someone dressed up as Bill Hickok, well not exactly Bill Hickok there was something wrong with him. Something evil inside the man like a snake in the boot. Some thing like his grandmother would describe as an evil spirit they crawled up in the man to dug out of the grave. Boudreaux hoped he had put him in the grave but had is doubts.

For now Jack held his tongue. Lots of dark things that happened last night Jack didn't like the idea being hung for any of them. The name Sebastian didn't surprise him, the man had the same feel that's the thing that crawled up while bill but unlike bill Sebastian seemed glad to have such evil the glad to have such evil to draw on.

Finally as much as he wanted to stay out of it some reason Jack felt compelled to speak up. Folks were in danger, evil men at work, and  Jack hungry for payback.

"Sounds like you gentleman could use some help."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:21, Thu 12 Feb 2015.

"Oh SURE ... why not." James says with a slight shrug. He's obviously annoyed by this delay but what could he do.

"This is something we really should be looking into, James." Lonefeather whispers. "If we tag along, we get the chance to see if this Maddox fella is on the level."

Bullock frowns at Black Jack. "You again." He shrugs. "If you want to help, fine. I suppose this is a large enough posse now."

"Wait a moment, now." Maddox says. He's also looking at Black Jack, but in a less friendly way. "I remember you. From the Gem. The 'hero' with unfinished business, wasn't it? The man they say shot that crazy bastard dressed like Hickok, only there wasn't a body by there I could find after? And to whom I gave some rather pointed advice as I was hauling Jane away?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:20, Thu 12 Feb 2015.

"Disappearing houses and men parading around under the guise of deadmen? Just another day in deadwood I suppose." Han says tucking his hands into hsi sleaves and resting back on his heels. And people say I am delusional when I mention the beings that inhabit the Moon.

Back in her room, Janet smiled and blew out the light.  The room was filled with dark shadows.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:16, Sat 14 Feb 2015.

Jack was not sure why the bounty hunter had only remembered him from the night of the fire and had forgotten their later run in when Maddox had agreed to meet him here at the Buffalo and find Jane. Seemed more than a few folks had forgotten things.

"That thing that burnt down the Gem was no mere man. It was something far more more dangerous. I think something corrupted Bill Hickok after his death. I had hoped it destroyed, but when no body was found. I fear that evil still walks the earth."

"It does." Zek said, looking at Black Jack. "Worse, it's looking for you. For pay back. You hurt him, but you can't kill him. Not without the guns he used, or the one that put him down the first time." He could have kept silent about this, but Hickok wanted fear. Just like the people in that house...if they could be called people anymore. "That's why we need Jane...or McCall..."