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Visitor :  Dice Roller| Game Info| The Cast |
| IVB - Graveyard. Posted by Marshal. | Group: 0 |
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| Author | Message | [bottom] |
After several bends in the trail, the terrain becomes rocky, the tall trees giving way to clumps of blue spruce, as well as scatterings of beargrass and apache plume. Horse hooves clop on the hard terrain as the remnants of the road, still marked here and there by the passage of forgotten wagon wheels, winds southward. Soon, the group finds themselves nearing a ridge, beyond which they can see the mist shrouded buildings of abandoned Angus, utterly still beneath the mid morning sky. Near the ridge, the group sights an aged man crouched near the top of the ridge, his worn, dirt caked attire and the equipment visible on the gray mule he leads readily identifying him as a prospector, one who has clearly been away from any kind of civilization for months. Perhaps even years. | |||||
Lee dropped down to his feet, handing the reins to Bauer as he made his way over on foot, wher he was most comfortable, and most capable. "That there's a ghost town, prospector. If you're lookin' for some civilization, you'll wanna head back thataway to Lincoln. Can't miss it. Ask for Señora Montaño if you need a place to stay. A clean place, reasonably priced...and good eatin'." | |||||
OOC: Like the last one, Albert made a bullet Loaded For Bear. This gives it an extra die of damage. 13:16, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 6,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,2. Hexslinger (Shootist). | |||||
His jaw worked again as he thought through some more, still giving the man a squinky eye, "Now you seem like the sort who'd prefer that civilization stuff over some empty old ghost town.... So, why're you not enjoyin' that tasty grub, clean beds, and reasonable prices, eh? Then you'd be gone and I could go back to enjoyin' my peace and goddamn quiet out here in the goddamn wilderness!" His voice had risen to an angry sort of ornery old man pitch as he seemed to be getting worked up. Then, very suddenly all that cussedness vanished. The face remained the same Old Prospector, but somehow the eyes were different. His voice too. A genteel southern drawl replaced the gravely old prospector voice, "As I live and breath... Mr. Lee! It really is a very small frontier sometimes, isn't it? Do excuse all that nonsense a moment ago." He tapped his nose conspiratorially, "Incognito, you see." The "Old Prospector" winked, then offered a hand out in greeting. He then paused again, another train of thought pulling into the station, "Goodness, I'm not really myself am I?" He looked down at himself and started to take a moment to brush off. But.... that would probably take a very long effort to straighten out. It was rather the point, really. He gave up, looking back again to Bryan, "Likely very confounding and I apologize again. Doctor Ezekiel Wayland lies at the core of this sham, I assure you." | |||||
"Well, I'll be." He took in the sight of the man for a moment and shook his head. "Doc, I ain't even gonna ask. It's good to see you. I don't think I've seen you since that nasty business not too far outside of Tucson, isn't that right?" He smiled, and extended a hand towards Wayland before beckoning the others to join him. "Got some other folks with me. Good sorts - you'd like 'em, I think." | |||||
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He pointed out the two of them. "The other lady is Jacinta Castillo, a helluva tracker and damned good with that rifle. She did some work for Dixie back in the day too. Let's head over that way and we can pose the question to 'em. Why're you lookin' for this Stanton fella anyway?" | |||||
There are around twenty buildings in all that make up the remnants of Angus. Those on the outskirts of the town primarily appear to be former homes. Many of the structures were built from lumber and clapboard, and have suffered at the hands of the elements. However, a number of the buildings in the center of town have been crafted from adobe, and although weathered, they remain largely intact. From somewhere close, a coyote yips and howls, the sound breaking the relative quiet of the locale. OOC: Ranger Lee and Dr. Wayland, since you’re both near the edge of the ridge, kindly give me a Notice roll. | |||||
"Because by all reports he is terrible person," answered Wayland easily enough, sparing a quick look to the others, "Robbery, murder, that sort of thing... Justice must be served! The more the merrier when it comes to such service I should think. There is a bounty to be divided, of course, and I do not mind in the slightest." His attention then turned back to the empty shell of the ghost town, peering over the ridge top, "I had hoped to lure him out by presenting a likely target. He's apparently quite a good shot with a rifle...." 00:36, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 2,4 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4. Notice! | |||||
She flicked her chin at Lee and the Prospector. "El gringo looks to be a bit off his rocker, eh? Should we go introduce ourselves?" | |||||
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Albert glanced back over at Lee, then returned his gaze to Jacinta. "An speakin' of practical, don't suppose you gotta spyglass?" The cowboy smiled over at her. "Anyway, I think we got the all-clear from the General. Let's go see who we stumbled on, eh?" This message was last edited by the player at 16:22, Sun 05 May 2019. | |||||
The Old Prospector's eyes grow wide and a triumphant smile curls his lips at something he seems to have seen in the town. He ducked back down, encouraging Bryan to do the same, "I do believe my quarry is moving around down theah. And as I said, he is known for being a fine shot with a rifle." He reached out to grasp the reins of his mule to suggest that it carefully come down off the ridgetop as well, "Now. My original plan was designed only for foah myself. We have no idea if he has noticed the approach of more than one lone prospector... I assume you and youah friends would not mind assisting in this apprehension?" | |||||
"Well, if there's a wanted criminal waiting down there with a rifle ready to pick off unsuspecting passers-by, I don't see as we've got much of a choice other than to assist in apprehending him, but I'll let them speak for themselves. Personally, I wouldn't say no to a share in a bounty," he said. "Five to one gives us much better odds than you'd have had to begin with. What's the bounty?" | |||||
Noting their slinking posture as they backed from the ridge, she wisely kept her horse at a distance before dismounting, not wanting to ruin whatever plans they might have afoot. "Ranger? You know this fella?" She eyed Ezekiel with open curiosity. This message was last edited by the player at 06:47, Tue 07 May 2019. | |||||
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"He's here hunting a bounty on a criminal wanted in Texas for multiple murders, who he believes is in Angus up ahead, and is presumably a good shot with a rifle - so keep below the ridgeline for the time being. Dr. Wayland is also willing to split the bounty with us if we're interested in helping him out. Way I see it, is that if we need into Angus, we might as well get two birds with one stone. Five hundred splits pretty good five ways." | |||||
As they approached, Albert raised an eyebrow at the change, then nodded at the introduction. "Nice disguise, Doc. I'm Albert." In case he had difficulty distinguishing the cowboy from Bauer and Castillo. He looked over to Bryan. "Bounty on a criminal sounds good ta me as we wanted ta check out this place anyhow. Assume we need ta bring em ta justice?" | |||||
"Anyhow, ain't gonna say no to a good bounty. What's the plan for sticking it to him?" | |||||
Buildings with a slash through them are constructed from adobe. Unmarked structures are built from lumber and are in varying states of decay. The building where Dr. Wayland noted movement is marked with an X. The X marked building is crafted from adobe. All of the buildings are one story structures.  | |||||
Lee sketched some figures out in the dirt roughly approximating the layout of the place in front of them. "Doc thinks that the fella he's after is hereabouts. He's a threat from long range, so we'll want as much cover as we can get movin' in. Jacinta can hang back a spell, maybe, as she's a pretty good threat from long range, let the rest of us get in a bit closer. " | |||||
What time is it anyway? Which direction are we in relation to the map? How much ground do we have to cover between the ridge and the town? Any cover in that ground or just open? This message was last edited by the player at 08:35, Wed 08 May 2019. | |||||
The ranch hand raised an eyebrow at the stated terms of the bounty. It wasn't so common that a bounty was spelled out that way, but there were certainly exceptions. "Mind if we see the bounty poster? Not that I don't trust ya, it's that I don't go pullin' triggers without good cause no more." He tilted his head side-to-side while considering the tactics. "As fer gettin' him...variety of directions makes some sense, so long as those what don't get pinned down hustle toward the fella when lead starts ta fly. One lone fella's at a tactical disadvantage in that case." Albert's brow furrowed. "You're sure he's alone? Cuz if he ain't...the math changes a bit." This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:36, Sat 11 May 2019. | |||||
The top edge of the map is north. The posse is currently positioned south of Angus. The ghost town sits within a bowl like valley, so any approach would necessitate a short descent down a slope, unless the group were to circle around and enter from the north, where the terrain is primarily level. From any direction besides the north, it is approximately 40 to 50 yards from the top of the ridge to the nearest building. Approaching from the south, there are enough boulders and brush for a group to make it to the town under relative cover, provided they made the short trek one at a time. To the west, there are a couple of collections of spruce shrubs which would allow a group to teach the edge of Angus together primarily under concealment, though the small trees would likely not serve as any kind of usable cover in a firefight. To the east, midway down the slope is a large group of boulders that could serve as a defensive wall for purposes of cover, but aside from those rocks, the rest of the descent is primarily barren, so remaining unseen could prove extremely difficult. The northern approach is along a road, the same road that Lee, Cooper, and Castillo just used to reach Angus, which follows the eastern side of the ridge. There is some short overgrowth at spots on the road, but the route is essentially fully exposed. | |||||
At the request, Wayland tugged a leather wallet from within his jacket and offered it up to Cooper, "Of course, sah. I find it best to keep such papers handy while engaging in this sort of work. I understand if my word holds no sway, being a stranger to you, but Stanton is truly a devil from what I have heard." While his papers are being perused, he looked back in the general direction of the town on the other side of the ridge, "And I am not sure of anything, including his being theah at awl. I have seen sign of movement in this empty place and his trail has lead me heah. From what I have heard, he does not generally work with partners. Thus, I assume him to still be alone." | |||||
Albert nodded at the assumption, then looked over the lay of the land again. "Mebbe we split three and two. Group wit three comin' from the west, spread a little, usin' cover ta keep outta sight. Groupa two comin' from south, usin' rocks fer cover comin' in and possibly in case of firefight. North and East seem too exposed." He looked around. "Just throwin' out first thing that comes ta mind, y'all feel free ta suggest otherwise." This message was last edited by the player at 16:06, Thu 16 May 2019. | |||||
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Dr. Wayland shrugged softly at Cooper's thoughts on dead or alive bounties, noting, "Sometimes it is safah for all to simply put the bad dog down." He turned his attention to his complicated weapon, having noted something requiring adjustment, "This voltaic pile is out of balance again... Again.... Gain.... Ain...rain....cats and dogs.... bad dogs..." He looked up again catching up to the general outline of the plan; perhaps having fixed whatever it was...or perhaps he's just willing to risk it anyway. He gave Bauer a nod, resettling his contraption, "I shall join you in the south then, if you don't mind." Back to Cooper and the others, "We'll begin once you reach your position?" | |||||
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If I don’t receive any comments to the contrary within the next day or so, I’ll move ahead with the outlined course of action. | |||||
"Alrighty, it looks like it's you an' me from the West, General." Albert looked over to Bryan with a nod to see if the Ranger had anything to add. | |||||
"A good a plan as any," he said in agreement, giving a nod. This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Tue 21 May 2019. | |||||
Lena Bauer leads the way down from the north, Dr. Wayland following close behind her. Castillo takes up the rear. Like Cooper and Lee, the group takes pains to remain unseen, moving carefully from cover to cover. Midway down the gentle slope, Castillo locates an eroded triangle of granite, just over waist high, which provides her both concealment and protection from gunfire, as well as a sound vantage point where she can see most of Angus. The deputy and bounty hunter continue down, finally reaching a clapboard house which sits directly south of Tienda Trujillo. The walls of the empty building remain intact, but its doors and windows have long since fallen away. A gust of wind swoops down into Angus, carrying a haze of dust through the lifeless streets. OOC: Everyone give me a Notice and Stealth roll. | |||||
Stealth: 22 00:38, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 9,9 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(6+1)7. Notice. 00:37, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 22,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+8+6)22,4. Stealth. This message was last edited by the player at 07:40, Wed 22 May 2019. | |||||
OOC: Notice: 5 Stealth: 5 11:00, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 5,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max. Notice. 11:00, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 5,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max. Stealth. | |||||
He came to a stop at the same distance from town as Lee, trying to move in tandem with the other man. OOC: Stealth: 6 Notice: 4 10:26, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 2,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4. Notice. 10:26, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 6,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,2. Stealth. | |||||
Stealth - 3! 13:34, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 3,3 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3. Stealth! 13:34, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 3,8 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+2)8. Notice! | |||||
As he and Bauer round the corner of the vacant building to get a closer look at the Tienda Trujillo, Dr. Wayland’s foot strikes a loose pile of caliche, scattering the pale rocks with a clatter. Within the silence that pervades Angus, the noise can be heard clearly throughout the vacant streets, but nothing within the abandoned buildings moves in response. The quiet returns as quickly as it is broken. From their vantage point, Cooper and Lee can see that Tienda Trujillo only has a single door, and no windows, on the wall that faces their approach. The southern wall has another door and a square window, roughly half the size of the doorway. Ragged curtains, once colorful, their hues bleached by the sun, hang behind the broken glass and, after a moment, one of the cloth hangings shifts to one side, a motion that is slow and deliberate, definitely not a disturbance of the wind, which has grown still. Perhaps a minute passes, and the curtain falls back into place. Dr. Wayland is able to see the movement from his place of hiding with Bauer in the shadows of the empty house. From her position on the slope of the ridge, Castillo, virtually invisible behind her cover, sights it as well. | |||||
He tried to convey the same to those coming in from the south, then started to move into position. | |||||
Dr. Wayland stood stock still after disturbing the rocks; waiting to see any response to his accidental racket. When he was not immediately shot, he settled slowly and carefully into the post of observation with Bauer. His eyes narrowing on the movement in the window. Then his attention was caught by the movement and signal of the gunhand...Cooper?...as he shifted into position on the north side of the Tienda Voice very low, he whispered to Bauer, "Think I'll try to get his attention... Excuse me..." Barring the sheriff stopping him, Wayland will make a quick, unquiet dash across the street to the adobe building southeast of Tienda Trujillo. Stealth is not his aim at the moment. In fact, he really wanted whoever might be there to get a very good idea where he was...so they might focus on him and not notice the others. Assuming he made it to the "cover" of the corner of the adobe building without being shot in the street, the scientist called out, "Obadiah Stanton! Be so kind as to step out into the street with your hands raised or I will be foahced to obliterate your domicile, sah!" | |||||
A man steps into the doorway. His stained, buckskin clothing and wide brimmed hat give him the look of a trapper. He is unshaven, his dark eyes slowly surveying the street before his gaze settles on Wayland. The bounty hunter immediately recognizes the figure as his prey: Obadiah Stanton. But Wayland notices that Stanton is much more gaunt than his picture suggested, his attire fitting him loosely, hanging on his slender frame. A Colt Army is holstered at his right hip. A Bowie knife tied down in a scabbard on his left thigh. Stanton’s hands are not raised, but they are empty. Squinting at Wayland, he cocks his head to one side and says, ”They never came. Not one of ‘em. Much too late now, I reckon.” | |||||
He turned to Cooper and mouthed the words 'cover me,' miming a gun for effect, before moving out ahead as quietly as he could manage, hoping that Wayland's ultimatum would distract the man from his maneuver. "I'd raise your hands as the man suggested, or else expect consequences," Lee said, approaching from behind and to the side. OOC: Stealth: 3 (unless there's any bonus from Wayland's ultimatum distracting him) Lee doesn't know he failed his Stealth check, so he'll move forward and do as stated above thinking that he's quiet as can be. 20:54, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 2,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3. White Chip Reroll. 20:53, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 2,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max. Stealth. This message was last edited by the player at 02:00, Sun 26 May 2019. | |||||
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OOC: To avoid any potential confusion, should anyone elect to employ force, Lee is in range to tackle/strike Stanton after taking a move action. Dr. Wayland could do the same. All of the PCs, including Castillo, possess a clean line of sight, should they wish to fire a weapon at the fugitive. | |||||
Is the assumption that he's there, or that his movement was interrupted before he did so? | |||||
It is Wayland's intention to not let Stanton retreat out of sight into the building again, but he's not much for fisticuffs with a knife fighter. So, he'll fire if Stanton takes another step into the building...or goes for a gun, of course. | |||||
Cooper, however, is the only person that has ready access to the back door of the tienda. Stanton’s eyes dart back and forth between the ranger and the bounty hunter. He makes no move to reach for the pistol in his holster. But, seemingly unfazed by Wayland’s warning, he retreats two steps further into the vacant store, still visible in the late morning light, his gaunt figure framed in the building’s doorway. | |||||
To Hit - 7, 8 Damage (Specialty Ammo) Init Draw - Red Joker 00:43, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the single card: RJ! using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative Draw! 00:42, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 8 using 2d6+1, rerolling max. Damage! 00:41, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 7,5 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max. Shootin'! | |||||
In addition, Jacinta, could you also give me another Notice roll, please. You’ll be entitled to your bonuses on the roll. 06:51, Today: Obadiah Stanton drew the single card: QS using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. 06:51, Today: Lena Bauer drew the single card: 5S using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
OOC: 10:13, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: 5D using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
OOC: Please ignore that second roll - a clicking issue. 16:08, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 21 using 1d36. 16:08, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: 9C using a deck of 54 cards. | |||||
Init: 2H Notice: 5 (or 7, if avoiding a surprise attack) 17:12, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 2H using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. 17:13, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 5,5 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3. Notice. | |||||
RJ - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland QS - Obadiah Stanton 9C - Bryan Lee 5S - Lena Bauer 5D - Albert Cooper 2H - Jacinta Castillo Dr. Wayland’s shot is on the mark. The bounty hunter is certain of the bullet finding its target even before he squeezes the trigger. Wayland’s eyes tell him that the round should have struck Stanton somewhere in the center of his ribcage. But the fugitive shows no response. There is an brief, audible thump as the specialized round strikes something, but the killer is wholly unshaken. He shows no sign of injury. Doctor, you have the option to go first, if you so choose. Watching the scene unfold in the town below, Castillo is suddenly aware of a single set of footsteps, approaching the edge of the ridge above her at a steady gait. Whoever is drawing close is making no attempt to be quiet, their stride casual and unhurried. OOC: Jacinta, you don’t have to wait for your turn in the initiative order to respond to what you’ve perceived. However, depending on what action you take, you may limit your ability to respond to what is unfolding in Angus. This message was last edited by the GM at 03:52, Wed 29 May 2019. | |||||
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I choose not to go before I see what Obadiah might do... If he goes for a weapon or any such threat, I'd like to Interrupt... | |||||
Initiative Order RJ - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland (Holding) 9C - Bryan Lee 5S - Lena Bauer 5D - Albert Cooper 2H - Jacinta Castillo Ranger, it’s your turn. Dr. Wayland, you may also act, if you so choose. For further clarification, if Lee or Wayland (or both) elected to pursue Stanton through the front door, they would likely be able to reach the fugitive with a single move action. Lee could also round the building and reach the rear entrance with a move action, but wouldn’t be able to enter the abandoned store until the following turn, unless he chose to run. | |||||
He pauses to survey the scene in Angus, lighting a cigar with a match before beginning to descend the slope. ”Mornin’,” he tells Castillo. ”Looks like an eventful one at that. Poor bastard picked the wrong place to hide.” | |||||
"If you surrender, this will go easier for you." OOC: Activated Quickness, then made a Wild Attack plus a Wing Chun Wild Attack (didn't include that on the dice roller for attack rolls, but that's what I've been doing). Quickness: 1/3 Bryan's Parry is reduced to 5 until his next action. Fighting: 7 Fighting: 4 I don't know Stanton's Parry, so no idea if either of those hit, but I figure if either did it would only be the first one. Damage: 7 (don't think that cracks Stanton's Toughness based on Wayland's earlier attack) Initiative: 9S 21:03, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: 9S using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. 21:01, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 7 using d6+d4+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1. 21:00, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 1,2 using d10,d6, rerolling max. Fighting: Superior Kung Fu. 20:59, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 5,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max. Fighting. 20:59, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max. White Chip Reroll. 20:59, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 2,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max. Quickness. This message was last edited by the player at 02:06, Thu 30 May 2019. | |||||
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So, Doc is going to follow Lee and back him up. Checking to make sure there's no one else....etc...etc... Happy to shoot them too, if someone threatening is in there... | |||||
Stanton turns, surprise registering on his face as Lee throws his first blow, a sharp punch that that is perfectly aimed at the man’s jaw. Lee’s hand passes harmlessly through Stanton, as though the fugitive’s body is comprised of nothing but air. The Ranger’s follow up attack, a strike to the stomach, meets the same result. Dr. Wayland enters the tienda just in time to see the outcome of Lee’s attack. ”I wasn’t...I wasn’t lyin’,” the killer says, ”I can’t leave here.” As Lee and Wayland’s eyes adjust to the low light, both see a figure seated in front of the shop counter, leaning against it. The man’s hat is askew and both of his hands grasp his abdomen, which appears to have been torn open, likely with a weapon such as a long bladed knife. Dried blood stains his clothes and the floor around him. Both the ranger and the bounty recognize that he has been dead for several days. Looking at the corpse’s face, the dead man’s identity becomes quickly apparent. It is Obadiah Stanton. The Stanton who was unharmed by Lee and Wayland’s attacks, speaks again. ”See? Do you see?” | |||||
Initiative Order QS - Obadiah Stanton 9C - Bryan Lee 5S - Lena Bauer 5D - Albert Cooper Your turn, Mr. Cooper. Castillo is currently concerned with confronting Jim McDaniels. | |||||
”Interfere,” he says, shaking his head. ”I’m not the one trespassing, am I?” “That bounty hunter who’s after Stanton, he’s got an excuse. He’s just lookin’ to get paid. The rest of you...well, you’re here tryin’ to poke your head into business that doesn’t concern you. Not at all.” He takes the cigar from his mouth and tosses it down the slope. It flares with a brief, blue light as it strikes the ground. A moment later, the remnants of mist that linger in Angus’ empty streets briefly glow with the same odd color. ”You had any sense, you’d skedaddle. But you won’t. You came here with trouble on your mind.” OOC: Bauer and Cooper, who are still outside, perceive the pulse of light traveling through the ankle high haze. | |||||
He patted Ezekiel on the back. "Welp, nice job, Doc. I think that there's what we need fer the bounty." Albert gestured toward the dead body. "Not zactly the way I woulda done it, but it seems like we're all 'bout ta getta little richer." He looked over at the door. "You wanna get the arms and I get the feet so we can tote this feller outta here?" | |||||
This message was last edited by the player at 00:29, Thu 04 July 2019. | |||||
Dr. Wayland's head tilted slightly as he regarded the body, his voice low "Now now....how...dead.... slashed.... long blade.... blade...blathe...." His eye then turned to the /other/ standing Stanton, curiously confused. The pat on the back jerked him up in surprise, luckily he maintained control of his pistol and kept it pointed at the floor, "I'm... Well... Perhaps we should take a moment to... investigate?" He seemed unsure if that was in fact the correct word. He looked again at the insubstantial Stanton, "I have... questions..." | |||||
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The ranch hand looked outside. "But do know that I just saw all that mist in the streets glow blue. Brief, but not zactly comfortin'. But perhaps our questions will be worth our while." | |||||
The ghost shrugs hopelessly. ”I’m not rightly sure. I just know I can’t. Since I became...this way I’ve tried to leave this town every way I can think of, but when I start up the slope of the valley, I always find myself back in the middle of Angus.” “The fella who killed me...I think his name was James, or Jim. Jimmy maybe. I can’t recall too clear. I never heard him comin’. He just sprung on me, caught me unawares in the dead of night. Gutted me like a fish. Never even gave me a chance to say who I was or why I was hidin’ here. As I was sittin’ there, dyin’, he sprinkled me with something. Some kinda pale colored powder. Then I was like this. And I couldn’t leave.” | |||||
“Doesn’t make any difference now. Your friends...they’re not walking out with Stanton. Or anything else they were lookin’ for.” Glancing back down at Angus, Castillo sees that the town is now encircled, surrounded by a long line of pale figures, whose bodies shift between solidity and being as translucent as frosted glass. They are male and female, dressed in the attire of farmers and laborers, but each has a gray cast, as though all color had been drained from their features and clothes. The scout has no doubts about what she is seeing. They are fantasmas, the unsettled spirits of the dead. ”You’re concerned for their welfare, you might want to get down there. Can’t promise it’ll make much difference. But you’re welcome to try.” | |||||
Shooting: 22 (4 raises) Damage: 25 (LFB + Raise) Initiative: 7D 23:01, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 6,22 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(6+6+6+4)22. Shooting. 23:07, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 12,13 using 3d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2,7,(6+6+1)13. Damage (+LFB & Raise). 23:08, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 7D using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
"Damnation. That sounded like Jacinta." If there were one thing that could break Albert away from an investigation it was the thought that Jacinta might be in danger. He made a break for whichever door was likely to take him toward Jacinta in the quickest manner. | |||||
Inside the teinda, Stanton’s ghost opens his mouth to answer Cooper, but his features abruptly twist into an expression of agony, the only sound he makes is that of a tortured scream. As if pulled by a rope, his spirit is pulled across the empty room toward his body, disappearing within the corpse. A moment later, the corpse stands up under its own power. It regards those in the room with an enraged gaze before letting out a gurgling, hateful growl. Cooper rushes to the door of the empty store in time to see the ground bursting throughout the streets of Angus, each spot like a small explosion, showering dirt and rocks into the air. From each rent in the earth emerges a corpse, every one horribly disfigured by putrefaction, some mere steps away from being only skeletons. Scraps of clothing cling to several, each of their hands ending in a set of filthy claws. Their strangled cries fill the silence of the ghost town. Three of the dead are grouped just outside the tienda. All fix Cooper with a baleful gaze. OOC: Would everyone down in Angus kindly provide me with an intiative draw? | |||||
He’ll attempt to soak those: 13:54, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 9,2 using 1d10,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 9,2. White Chip - Soak Roll. 13:57, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4. Red Chip - Soak Roll. He does. As all of his wounds were soaked, the shaken condition is also removed. The good news is, he was forced to burn both of his chips in the process. 13:28, Today: Jim McDaniels drew the single card: 10C using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. Castillo’s shot staggers McDaniels briefly. He quickly regains his balance and grins. ”Someone give you a bullet with a little extra charm on it, señorita? Better hope that rifle of yours is full of ‘em, or this thing between me and you is gonna be real short.” Below, in Angus, the scout sees the dead emerging from the dry earth. McDaniels fixes his gaze on Castillo. The scout sees that his eyes are wholly a pale yellow-green color, each one bisected by a thin, black, horizontal pupil, not unlike those seen in reptiles. He does not reach for a weapon. Instead, long black talons extend from the fingertips of his gloves. He closes with the scout in a single, animal lunge, his claws tearing across her chest. 14:09, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 3,10 using 1d10,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+4)10. Fighting. 14:09, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 3,5,1 using 1d12+1,1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5,1. Damage. Total Damage: 9 That will leave Castillo shaken with one wound. 14:18, Today: Jim McDaniels drew the single card: QD using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. ”Not too late to run help your comrades,” he tells her, his breath laden with the stink of decay, “Or you can stay here. After I rip you open, I can send your corpse down there to deal with your friends.” OOC: Your turn, Jacinta. While you’re engaged with McDaniels, I’l keep the initiative order between you and him separate from the rest of the posse in Angus. | |||||
White Chip Soak: 9 (Removes Shaken & Wound) Shooting: 9 (1 Raise) Damage: 27 (+Raise) Initiative: 8H 18:45, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 9,8 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+3)9,(6+2)8. Soak Roll. 18:49, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 9,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,5. Shooting. 18:50, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 22,5 using 2d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+7)15,7,5. Damage (+Raise). 18:51, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 8H using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
Dr. Wayland continued to look back and forth between the ghost and the body. Obviously trying to reconcile a few things. Sure, he'd seen some pretty strange things....but this was likely a rarity even in this Weird West. At some point, he slid his pistol back to its holster at his back. Didn't really seem useful now. At Stanton's Ghost's mention of a strange powder sprinkled on the corpse, Wayland moved closer and bent down to try and get closer look at that powder, muttering "Powder.... Pale.... Ghostly... Why? Sample.... Ample.... Amplify..." Before he could really get said closer look, the rifle report boomed across the town. Wayland quickly straightened up and looked to the door, suggesting, "A signal, perhaps? A wahning?" On cue, the ghost was whipped across the room, very nearly through the Doctor, and back to the corpse. Which then became much more animated than one generally expected from a days-old corpse, "Wahning indeed!" 03:08, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the single card: 8H using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative! | |||||
It hits McDaniels in the face, just below his right eye. But as it strikes his flesh, the bullet flattens, the soft lead expanding as if it had slammed into steel. It clings to his skin for an instant, then falls away, landing harmlessly in his open hand, not even leaving a mark behind. He smiles, his yellow teeth jagged and smeared with ash. “Actually señorita, you do,” he replies, letting the spent bullet tumble from his fingers. ”Just the one then, I take it?” Mundane weapon - no damage taken “They yearn for what they fear for.” He lunges toward Castillo a second time, his movements almost entirely inhuman. ”Run, run little rabbit,” he hisses. 15:40, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 4,5 using 1d10,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5. Fighting. 15:41, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 10,5 using 1d12+1,1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 9,5. Damage. Total Damage: 15 That will leave Castillo shaken with 2 wounds. 15:57, Today: Jim McDaniels drew the single card: 4S using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. Your turn, Señorita Castillo | |||||
14:28, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: QS using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. This message was last edited by the player at 21:54, Sun 02 June 2019. | |||||
Question: Not sure of what the timing is on all of this. Bryan surely would've heard the rifle reporting in the distance - could he have used the last remainder of his Quickness to go check on Jacinta, taking him a bit closer to that conflict? Initiative: JC 16:47, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: JC using a deck of 54 cards. | |||||
In my estimation, Lee would be able to make it to the outskirts of Angus, near the start of the slope to the ridge. Now, please understand that there are walking corpses scattered all around the ghost town, so it’s quite possible that Lee might have to contend with one two at the settlement’s border. Just let me know what you elect to do, and I’ll set up things accordingly. | |||||
Initiative: 8S - Burning 1W 1R 1B to eliminate Jacinta's 2 wounds and Shaken condition. - Using Jacinta's turn to flee to Angus 14:38, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 1,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5. White Chip Soak. 14:39, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Red Chip Soak. 16:24, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. Blue Chip Soak. 16:37, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 8S using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
Well, I figured since he heard the shots and that they didn't seen directed at Stanton as planned, that Jacinta might be in trouble or at least dealing with a new situation. He'd have wanted to make his way in that direction to see what was up, but would stop to engage the first deader in his path (so as not to take any free strikes). I leave it up to you as to where that puts him. | |||||
Castillo’s slide enables her to land on her feet, her subsequent run bringing her to the edge of town, where she spots a pair of risen corpses that have just emerged from the ground. A moment later, Lee rounds the corner of the building to the left, a few paces away from the dead men. | |||||
I’m kidding. I’m actually going to say that Lee was able to reach the point I’ve marked on the map by moving through town while the dead were still emerging from the earth.  As always, please forgive my clumsiness in producing tactical maps. L = Bryan Lee J = Jacinta Castillo C = Albert Cooper Z = Walking Corpse Currently Dr. Wayland and Bauer (and Stanton) are still in the teinda, the structure marked with an X on the map. Please note that the map incorporates, for lack of a better term, fog of war. The dead that are marked are only those that are immediately visible to one or more characters. 20:37, Today: Lena Bauer drew the single card: 10D using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. 20:44, Today: The Dead drew the single card: 4S using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. Initiative Order QS - Albert Cooper JC - Bryan Lee 10D - Lena Bauer 8S - Jacinta Castillo 8H - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 4S - The Dead Albert, it’s your turn. Note: Unlike in Deadlands Classic (or George Romero films), these deaders don’t require a head shot to be killed. Called shots to the head do additional damage (+4), but aren’t necessary to put them down. For reference, the deaders have a Parry of 5 and a Toughness of 7. Their Pace is 4. | |||||
He spun his pistol on his finger and blue lightning ran up and down the barrel before a bullet flew from the barrel. It struck one of the dedders center mass. Of course there were more...which meant this was quite the pickle. "J-Lo, y'alright!?!?" Albert called in her direction, hoping that she was taking care of herself. He knew she was plenty capable, but anyone left alone was vulnerable. A person could only look in so many directions at once. OOC: 08:01, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: 2H using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. 08:01, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 11 using 2d6+5, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3. Damage. 08:00, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 5,7 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5. Shooting. 07:59, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 7,10 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(6+4)10. Hexslinger (Smite). This message was last edited by the player at 15:17, Mon 03 June 2019. | |||||
Initiative Order JC - Bryan Lee 10D - Lena Bauer 8S - Jacinta Castillo 8H - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 4S - The Dead Ranger, you’re next. | |||||
OOC: Attack: 4 Attack (Wing Chun): 16 Guessing only the second hit, and with a raise at that likely, so I rolled Damage only once: Damage: 14 15:18, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 14 using d6+d4+d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(4+4+3)11,2. Damage. 15:15, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 16,4 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max. Fighting Wing Chun (Wild Attack). 15:15, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,4 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max. Fighting (Wild Attack). 15:21, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: 6D using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. This message was last edited by the player at 20:22, Mon 03 June 2019. | |||||
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16:19, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 2,6,4 using 1d8,1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,6,4. Shooting. 16:21, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 23,11 using 3d6,3d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+6+5)17,4,2,5,4,2. Damage. The shotgun’s report is tremendously loud inside the confines of the tienda. The weapon’s blast pulverizes Stanton’s chest, reducing his upper body to a fine mist. His arms spin off into different corners of the room, while his head bounces off of the top of the counter before disappearing behind it. 16:37, Today: Lena Bauer drew the single card: 8C using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. Initiative Order JC - Bryan Lee 10D - Lena Bauer 8S - Jacinta Castillo 8H - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 4S - The Dead [u]Your turn, Señorita Castillo. | |||||
Shooting: 4 Damage: 10 Initiative: 8H Playing Adventure Card: 7D - Inspiration -- Friendly characters get +2 to trait rolls for one round 00:15, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 2,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2. Shooting. 00:22, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 10 using 2d8, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,1. Damage. 00:23, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 8H using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. This message was last edited by the player at 08:04, Tue 04 June 2019. | |||||
The zombie is shaken. With regard to the Inspiration card that Castillo deployed, I’m going to rule that each member of the posse will benefit from the bonus on their next action. So the next time each character acts, be it in this round or the next, they’ll be able to apply the +2 to whatever trait rolls they make. Once everyone in the group has benefitted from the bonus one time, the effect will expire. Initiative Order JC - Bryan Lee 10D - Lena Bauer 8S - Jacinta Castillo 8H - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 4S - The Dead Dr. Wayland, you have the floor. Bryan and Jacinta, please provide me with a Notice roll. | |||||
Reaching the door, Wayland stepped out next to Cooper and swung the lightning gun towards the pair closest, hoping to catch them in the sweep of the arc. A hum vibrating through the wiring to the front coil before a brilliant, blinding bolt of lightning snapped out across the misty street. The Doctor whipped the snapping arcs around in an only vaguely controlled fashion. His smile was almost as brilliant as the flare of the electricity. Shooting (Burst) - 7 (They Agi vs. 7 to avoid?) Damage 1 - 17 Damage 2 (just in case I could catch 2) - 12 Next Round Card - 3H 2:17, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the single card: 3H using a deck of 54 cards. Intiative! 12:16, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 12 using 2d10, rerolling max with rolls of 8,4. Damage 2 (If I managed to catch the other one). 12:15, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 17 using 2d10, rerolling max with rolls of 9,8. Damage 1. 12:12, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 7,7 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5. Lightning Burst! | |||||
Notice: 5 (or 7 if avoiding surprise attack) 09:20, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 5,4 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2. Notice. | |||||
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Then they explode. Cooper and Wayland are showered in a variety of necrotizing offal. A length of intestine lands around Cooper’s shoulders like a boa, or a long scarf. A skull, now charred and fleshless, flies over the two men’s heads and into the door behind them, prompting a exclamation of surprise from Bauer. From where the zombies stood, only a pair of mouldering work boots remain, the sole of one of them on fire. The sandy soil is blackened and the scent of ozone contends with the reek of decay in the hazy air in front of the tienda. | |||||
10:20, Today: The Dead rolled 3 using 1d4+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1. Spirit. The zombie remains shaken. Around the western corner of the tienda, Cooper and Dr. Wayland see four more animated corpses step into view. The first of the group groans as it sights the two men. East of their position, Castillo and Lee can see numerous zombies emerging from the shadowy streets. Some are walking aimlessly, but several, those closest to the ranger and scout, become more animated as they perceive the presence of living creatures, three or four of them moaning loudly as they begin walking toward the pair. 12:28, Today: The Dead drew the single card: 4S using a deck of 54 cards. | |||||
Tamsin River and Aileen Kearney emerge from the woods west of Angus, descending the slope of the small valley on horseback. The sound of gunfire as they drew near had warned the women of danger, but neither were fully prepared to find the corpses of dead men and women walking the streets, like sleepy predators waiting for prey to appear. Several stir at the arrival of the herbalist and mustanger, turning toward them at the sound of horse’s hooves. 12:40, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Bryan Lee, rolled 1,4 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4. Notice.  (The mapping program I was using previously wasn’t being cooperative. I hope this is usable for everyone.) Initiative Order 8S - Tamsin River 8H - Jacinta Castillo 8C - Lena Bauer 6D - Bryan Lee 6C - Aileen Kearney 4S - The Dead 3H - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 2H - Albert Cooper Note: Unlike in Deadlands Classic (or George Romero films), these deaders don’t require a head shot to be killed. Called shots to the head do additional damage (+4), but aren’t necessary to put them down. For reference, the deaders have a Parry of 5 and a Toughness of 7. Their Pace is 4. Miss River, it’s your turn. This message was last edited by the GM at 22:00, Wed 05 June 2019. | |||||
Initiative Order 8S - Tamsin River - Holding 8H - Jacinta Castillo 8C - Lena Bauer 6D - Bryan Lee 6C - Aileen Kearney 4S - The Dead 3H - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 2H - Albert Cooper Jacinta, you’re up! | |||||
OOC: Some talking as a free action. Also, hot damn, no one drew over an 8! This message was last edited by the player at 21:19, Thu 06 June 2019. | |||||
Shooting: 7 Damage: 9 Initiative: AC 00:15, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 7,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,2. Shooting. 00:15, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 9 using 2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3,6. Damage. 00:16, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: AC using the Deadlands system. Initiative. | |||||
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Sighting the walking corpses advancing around the corner, she fires at the zombie in the lead, dropping it with a bullet to the forehead. 09:12, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 10,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+2)10,3. Shooting. 09:12, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 14,1 using 2d6+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+4)10,1. Damage. 09:26, Today: Lena Bauer drew the single card: 5S using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. Initiative Order 8S - Tamsin River - Holding 8C - Lena Bauer 6D - Bryan Lee 6C - Aileen Kearney 4S - The Dead 3H - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 2H - Albert Cooper Your turn, Ranger. | |||||
OOC: Bryan's gonna make for the Church so they can make their stand there. It looks like there's a clear path up and over for him to make it there. Taken his base Pace of 6" and his running roll below, he could be able to scramble 16"; if that's a square an inch, then he can get all the way there, and if not, I'll take what I can get. He would probably stay just outside the door, leaving a clear path inside and being there to help anyone that got close but was having trouble. 11:13, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 10 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10. Running. 11:20, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: 6D using a deck of 54 cards. | |||||
She urges her mount northward, snapping a shot at the first of the walking dead in her path, blasting the top of its head off. 17:02, Today: Aileen Kearney rolled 9,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,3. Shooting. 17:13, Today: Aileen Kearney rolled 12,1 using 2d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,7,1. Damage. 17:21, Today: Aileen Kearney drew the single card: 2D using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
17:29, Today: The Dead rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4. Fighting. 17:29, Today: The Dead rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Fighting. The last of the group of corpses at the vacant store stumbles around its fellows, seeking Dr. Wayland with arms extended, but it is not quick enough to reach the bounty hunter with its unsteady gait. Another of the dead men blocking Kearney’s path lumbers toward her as she advances, trying to pull her down from her mount. The mustanger is able to wheel her horse to the left, narrowly avoiding the creature’s claws. 17:30, Today: The Dead rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Fighting. As Castillo and Lee enter what once served as Angus’ town square, both can see several more corpses pressing into the open space from several directions. None are yet close enough to attack either the ranger or the scout, but they are moving as quickly as they can manage, seemingly eager to halt the pair’s progress. The groans of the awakened dead fill the once silent streets of the ghost town. 17:49, Today: The Dead drew the single card: 10D using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
8S - Tamsin River - Holding 8C - Lena Bauer 6D - Bryan Lee 6C - Aileen Kearney 4S - The Dead 3H - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 2H - Albert Cooper Dr. Wayland, you’re next! | |||||
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Move next to the left of Castillo Lightning Burst at the two directly North. 3 vs. Agility. 8 Damage. Lightning is random! 15:07, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the single card: JS using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative! This message was last edited by the player at 01:58, Tue 11 June 2019. | |||||
The zombies sway as if startled by what has transpired, but they regain their bearings quickly, resuming their steady pursuit of the living. Initiative Order 8S - Tamsin River - Holding 8C - Lena Bauer 6D - Bryan Lee 6C - Aileen Kearney 4S - The Dead 3H - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 2H - Albert Cooper All yours, Mr. Cooper. | |||||
He squeezed the trigger almost nonchalantly. The thing was really hard to miss this close. Of course you still had to hit something important, though his bullets did have some extra magical oomph to them. OOC: 6 to hit one of the dedders right in front of Bauer/Cooper (parry of 5). 20 damage. 10H for next init. 16:37, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: 10H using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. 16:37, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 20 using 2d6+5, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+5)11. Damage. 16:36, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 6,6 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4. Shooting. | |||||
”I truly ‘preciate it, Mr. Cooper,” Bauer replies, ”and I’m in full agreement. We need to make a run for that church.” From his perch on the valley’s slope, Jim McDaniels silently watches the battle unfold with his unblinking, reptilian eyes. Initiative Order AC - Jacinta Castillo JS - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 10H - Albert Cooper 10D - The Dead 8S - Tamsin River 6D - Bryan Lee 5S - Lena Bauer 2D - Aileen Kearney Jacinta, you’re up! | |||||
OOC: Using Jacinta's turn to run like hell for the church. Running: 10 (6+4) Initiative: AH 18:53, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4. Running. 17:47, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: AH using the Deadlands system. Initiative. This message was last edited by the player at 00:48, Fri 14 June 2019. | |||||
Follow Castillo towards the chapel, but also to put Wayland in a position for the burst to catch the three on the northwest-ish of the square. Incidentally part of the building is probably in it as well... To Hit - 9 vs. Agi. Damage 12! 04:14, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the single card: 10C using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative Draw. 04:09, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 12 using 2d10, rerolling max with rolls of 8,4. Damage! 04:09, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 9,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,2. Shooting - Burst! | |||||
Albert goes on hold, presumably until Bauer's turn in the initiative order. He may jump in before then if necessary, but don't expect him to move again until 5S. | |||||
Following close behind her, Dr. Wayland aims his emitter at a group of the undead and fires, unleashing a cone of snapping blue electricity toward them. 11:52, Today: The Dead rolled 2,5,2 using 1d6,1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5,2. Agility. The blast reduces two of the zombies to a black, tar like liquid that splatters across the face of the adobe building behind them. The third creature literally bursts into flames, waving its arms helplessly for a moment before collapsing onto the street, the fire greedily consuming it. | |||||
20:59, Today: The Dead rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3. Fighting. 20:59, Today: The Dead rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Fighting. Two of the corpses entering the square pursue those fleeing toward it. One lashes out at Bryan Lee with its claws, but the ranger turns the attack away with ease, an almost unconscious act on his part. The other reaches for Castillo with skeletal hands, but grasps only air. 21:06, Today: The Dead rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Fighting. 21:07, Today: The Dead rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Fighting. Two more of the living dead try to block Kearney’s path to the church. Both claw at the mustanger, but Kearney manages to avoid harm. 21:12, Today: The Dead rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. Fighting. 21:12, Today: The Dead rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Fighting. More of the corpses move toward the town square, like moths drawn to a flame, seemingly intent on preventing the living from taking shelter in the iglesia 21:21, Today: The Dead drew the single card: 3H using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
 Initiative Order JS - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 10H - Albert Cooper - Holding 8S - Tamsin River 6D - Bryan Lee 5S - Lena Bauer 2D - Aileen Kearney Tamsin, you’re next! Bryan, since it’s doubtful that your action will affect River or Kearney immediately, you can also post when you’re ready. | |||||
River urges her horse forward, following Aileen Kearney. Drawing her pistol, she takes aim at one of the deaders harassing the mustanger, squeezing off a shot that strikes it in the temple, blowing out its brains in a black spray, and sending it tumbling lifelessly to the street. 07:18, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Tamsin River, rolled 4,4 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4. Shooting. 07:21, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Tamsin River, rolled 15 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11,4. Damage. 09:50, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Tamsin River, drew the single card: KD using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
JS - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 10H - Albert Cooper - Holding 8S - Tamsin River 6D - Bryan Lee - Holding 5S - Lena Bauer 2D - Aileen Kearney I’m going to treat Lee as though he is holding. If he hasn’t taken an action by the end of the round, I will act for him. Mr. Cooper, Deputy Bauer is inclined to follow your lead with regard to escaping the dead, so you can take your action now, if you’re so inclined. | |||||
He slammed a fist into it, and saw the dead man crumple from the bone shattering impact. Spinning about, he closed with Jacinta’s attacker with a few rapid steps, caving in the creature’s rib cage with another well aimed blow. It fell, leaving the entrance to the church, for the moment, clear of enemies. OOC: Fighting: 9 Wing Chun: 9 , Damage: 29 Damage (Wing Chun): 12 11:07, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 29 using d6+d4+ 11:07, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 12 using d6+d4+ 11:00, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 6,7 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max. Wing Chun (Wild Attack). 11:00, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 7,7 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max. Fighting (Wild Attack). 11:13, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: 10D using a deck of 54 cards. This message was last edited by the GM at 18:28, Thu 13 June 2019. | |||||
OOC: You can correct my understanding of the tactical situation, but it looks like Bauer only has one dedder adjacent to her rather than the two next to Cooper. Better if she kills the one next to her and moves and then he follows. That way we avoid extra attacks as we disengage. Albert lined up his next shot. "Head ta the church, Deputy. I'm right behind you." This message was last edited by the player at 17:32, Thu 13 June 2019. | |||||
Fanning the hammer. 12:48, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 3,5,19,4,4,6 using 1d8-2,1d8-2,1d8-2,1d8-2,1d8-2,1d6-2, rerolling max ((5,7,(8+8+5)21,6,6,(6+2)8)). Shooting. (Hip Shooting Edge) One miss. 13:09, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 7,10,11,7 using 2d6+1,2d6+1,2d6+1,2d6+1, rerolling max ((3,3,5,4,5,5,2,4)). 14:06, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Damage - Raise. Total Damage (First Zombie): 7, 15 Total Damage (Second Zombie): 11, 7 Both corpses crumple under the sudden burst of gunfire. Bauer starts running toward the square, moving as fast as she can manage. ”C’mon! Let’s get to that church!” she urges. 13:18, Today: Lena Bauer drew the single card: JD using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative . | |||||
13:29, Today: Aileen Kearney rolled 6,1 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1. Shooting. 13:29, Today: Aileen Kearney rolled 13 using 2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 6,7. Damage. 14:28, Today: Aileen Kearney drew the single card: 5C using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
 Initiative Order JS - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland 10H - Albert Cooper - Holding 8S - Tamsin River 6D - Bryan Lee 5S - Lena Bauer 2D - Aileen Kearney Mr. Cooper, you can take your action before we shift to a new round. | |||||
He then moved toward the town square where everyone else seemed to be gathering and squeezed off a shot at one of the reanimated, appreciating his own good marksmanship when the bullet struck true. OOC: Albert moves 5 squares northeast. He will shoot the enemy that is at the northwest edge of the central square. 10 to hit. 14 damage (including raise - bullet is magical if it matters as Smite is still active) AS for init. 14:00, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: AS using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. 14:00, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 14 using 3d6+5, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2,4. Damage (including raise). 13:59, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 9,10 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,(6+4)10. Shooting. | |||||
Castillo pushes the door to the iglesia open. She and Lena Bauer proceed inside. A moment later, Aileen Kearney and Tamsin River wheel around the corner of the church on their mounts. Hastily hitching the horses, the pair join the scout and the deputy inside. Lee remains at the door, while Cooper and Dr. Wayland cover the rest of the group’s entrance into the building. Cooper had already skillfully dispatched one one of the walking corpses north of the ghost town’s square, but the two that remain advance several steps. Inexplicably, they halt several paces away from the church. They continue to make gurgling snarls, clearly still aggressive toward the living, but are seemingly unwilling, or unable to continue their pursuit. From other quadrants of Angus, the sounds of the shuffling dead can still be heard clearly. Inside, the small church is notably intact, free of dust, its furnishings undamaged. A few steps away from the entrance is a small basin on a pedestal, the bowl filled with clear water. A central aisle is flanked by five rows of short pews on each side, the benches carved from polished pine. An altar occupies the far end of the iglesia. It is covered with a white cloth and atop it are a silver cross, a plate, a cup, and a glass bottle that appears to be filled with red wine. Beside the bottle is a leather bound book, presumably a Bible. Behind the altar, to the right, is a single wooden door, which is closed. Seated at the far end of the front, left hand pew, leaning against the wall, is a thin man with wavy blonde hair. His eyes are closed and he does not stir or acknowledge the presence of the newcomers as they enter. His black shirt and white collar identify him as a minister. With both arms, he is clutching a book to his chest. Bauer’s eyes widen and she takes a hesitant step toward the center aisle. ”Reverend Benton?” she asks quietly. The man gives no response. OOC: Mr. Cooper, Dr. Wayland, if either of you want to take a shot at the nearby deaders, feel free. Also, could everyone who is still at the church’s entrance (Cooper, Lee, Wayland), provide me with a notice roll? | |||||
OOC: 12 damage. Take that, zombie! 11:25, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 12 using 2d6+5, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2. Damage. 11:25, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 4,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1. Departing shot. After he made it inside, he paused and breathed heavily for a few moments before his head snapped up at Bauer's exclamation. He started to reload his gun as he moved closer to one of the windows to peer outside, though he was quite curious about what the reverend had to say. | |||||
Staying by the door, the bounty hunter set about checking over his weapon with practiced ease and began rewinding the clockworks. Though long habit of dangerous work kept a measure of attention out the door at the enemies without... 00:10, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 2,5 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5. Notice! | |||||
Notice: 16 00:17, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 10,16 using d6,d6, rerolling max (((6+4)10,(6+6+4)16)). | |||||
22:22, Yesterday: Albert Cooper rolled 7,9 using D6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7,(6+3)9. Notice. This message was last edited by the player at 12:33, Sun 16 June 2019. | |||||
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Castillo opens the door at the rear of the humble sanctuary, finding that a small office waits on the other side of it, undoubtedly once belonging to the priest who served here. A chair and a small couch occupy one end of the narrow space, while a desk and a small cot, the latter covered with an Indian blanket, take up the other. A number of papers sit scattered haphazardly atop the desktop, a pair of worn books stacked on one corner. But it is not the furnishings that seize the scout’s attention, but rather the walls. Crosses of varying sizes hang on all four walls, some ornate and meticulously crafted, other homemade, carved from wood by a whittler’s hand. Sweeping the room with her gaze, Castillo estimates that there are around fifty crosses mounted within the office. In a space directly above the desk, block letters have been painted neatly in black. They read: 2 Cor 11: 14. Bauer approaches the motionless form of Thomas Benton. ”Reverend?”, she asks again, only a few steps away from him, but as before, he gives no answer. Reaching out, she touches his neck with two of her fingers. After a moment, her expression darkens and she sinks onto the pew beside him. ”Damn,” she mutters. | |||||
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This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Wed 19 June 2019. | |||||
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"Regular bullets ain't gonna kill 'em, and I don't know if your frying dragon style is gonna stop 'em either, Chino. So unless Coop has a mess of magic bullets that he can pass out to everyone, or...," she paused, her eyes falling on the holy water. Without another word, she began to eject the rounds from her rifle and tossed each one into the font. "Don't know if the blessing'll work with the padre being dead, but sure can't hurt." Jacinta didn't have a direct spiritual connection with the almighty, but her father had raised her Catholic, so she still carried those traditions with her. While none of those traditions had included blessing bullets, she wasn't adverse to gaining an advantage whenever possible. As she removed each bullet from the water, she crossed herself with it, said a soft prayer, and then reloaded it into her rifle. This message was last edited by the player at 06:36, Wed 19 June 2019. | |||||
Carefully, she frees the volume from his embrace, scowling as she sees a series of puncture wounds in his chest, formerly concealed by the book. The injuries follow a pattern, resembling four fingers and a thumb, as if the pastor was attacked by a clawed hand. Her mouth still pressed into a regretful line, Bauer opens the book, her eyes narrowing as she studies the first two pages. ”It looks like...some kind of ledger.” | |||||
“Think it was McDaniels he was worried about?” She ventures over to the desk to inspect its contents. | |||||
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He maintained his focus on what was going on outside so he could help orchestrate a response to the threat. OOC: Notice: 4 21:47, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max. Notice. This message was last edited by the player at 02:49, Thu 20 June 2019. | |||||
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Opening her own, the mustanger says, ”Looks like this was a journal the priest who tended this church kept.” She flips through several pages. ”Talks a lot about the town bein’ in trouble. About some of the folk here puttin’ their trust in the wrong people.” River’s volume is written in language that immediately strikes her as archaic, possibly written centuries ago. A brief examination seems to suggest that it is a text on demonology, dedicated to identifying the manifestations of infernal spirits. | |||||
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04:24, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 2,1 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1. Notice! | |||||
He looked over at the windows. "We go outside these walls, ain't only McDaniels we gotta worry 'bout. Though by the looks o' the reverend, possible he can come in here." Albert looked over at Kearny. "Is puttin' their trust in the wrong people meant ta mean jus' bad people, like criminals? Or is it preacher talk fer not followin' Godly folk? Or is it like followin' the devil or somethin?" | |||||
"Deputy, and anyone else with bullets, I suggest you do the same as the Señorita here. Coop, if you could scare up some more of your bullets, I believe they'd aid you greatly here. Dr. Wayland, I believe that the voltage your device outputs will be especially effective against McDaniels, the fella that set all this nonsense up around here. I know it's not what you came here for, but you're all wrapped up in it with us now." "I know a holy place when I see one, and this place certainly is. I'd like to think that one of Reverend Benton's last acts was to see that this place was sanctified, that it could stand as a redoubt for good men and women who find themselves in a dark place like this town. It might've been too late for him , but it's what gave us sanctuary against those things out there, which as you can see, aren't getting too close here. That bein' said, I think they're all wrapped up with McDaniel, and unless we wanna be trapped in here forever...we're gonna have to take him down." | |||||
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"I don't think so. Actually...I think he's gone or at least has gotten himself outta sight. If I told you he'd just sprouted leathery demon wings and flew away, would you believe me?" There were certain topics that he wasn't supposed to openly acknowledge as a Ranger, but hell, these people had just waded through a town full of walking corpses. There was only so long he could play dumb about this stuff until folks believed that he actually was. | |||||
Not that Albert could make a second one for himself or for anyone else. | |||||
She glances at Cooper. ”Fella that talked ‘em into it was named Murphy. Seems Father Sastre was convinced there was somethin’ wrong with the whole thing. That Murphy was runnin’ a game on people. Gettin’ ‘em to turn their backs on what they’d worked so hard to build.” She flips through several pages. ”But then, a bit later...this other smooth talkin’s sort came to town. Showed up after a bad winter. When Spring hadn’t brought much rain. Claimed to have the secret to makin’ the crops grow and drawin’ in the hardiest livestock. Make Angus into a place even John Chisholm’d be jealous of.” “It was Jim McDaniels. And...if I’m understandin’ right...he had a bunch of folks enter into some kind of agreement. Kind of thing that had the priest scared. Like signin’ your soul away, or some such.” | |||||
There is a loud thump on the roof of the iglesia, followed by a few footfalls that are heavy enough to be heard by those within the church. ”You hear me down there?” It is McDaniels’ voice, but but deeper, with a gravelly quality. ”Doesn’t have to be this way you know. You’re willin’ to see reason, you can walk out of here. Forget this place. Forget New Mexico. All of you find some other spot to put down roots. Make the world a better place in some other corner of the frontier, as you choose.” “I’m open to an agreement. One with generous terms. But...if you’re wantin’ to be stupid and stubborn, don’t make any mistake. It may take me a little time to push through everything those good for nothing preachers laid down in there, but I will get inside. And every last one of you’ll be a cold corpse before sundown.” | |||||
Dr. Wayland paused his reloading at the suggestion of immersing his cartridges in a stand of water. Over his years of gunfighting and general railroad warmongering, he had many opportunities to observe closely the effects of water on ammunition. So, he was not immediately disposed to the idea... On the other hand, he was in a town being surrounded by the walking dead. Who were being lead by a madman who was, according to the only report, immune to normal ammunition. Moreover, empirical evidence showed that /something/ in this church repelled those same too-lively deceased persons. All that to say, the Doctor opted to take his turn at the font. He even tried to remember some sort of prayer or blessing or at least something "churchy". It had been a while. Busy and all. But, he was willing to experiment. As to the apology for "being all wrapped up in it now", Wayland waved it off as he "washed" his ammo, "No reason to apologize. I am happy to adapt to new situations. I am quite certain we shall bring him down..." His voice dropped again, muttering more quietly,"Or die trying... Proof... Pudding.... mmm.... pudding..." While he waited on the bullets to....whatever...he reached into a pocket and pulled out a small paper bag. From this he drew out a small yellow lozenge and popped into into his mouth with a grin. He absently offered the bag of lemon drop candies to anyone near the font as he listened to the Deputy relate about the discoveries from the journal. He started to say something, possibly about Kearney's notes, but was interrupted by the tapping on the roof and the huge voice. A brow lifted, "Well... I don't think the gentleman flew away..." | |||||
"And what might those terms be?" he called out. "We've got some friends in town, would they be eligible for the same deal, if we make one?" He made a 'get on with it' gesture in the direction of the holy water. This message was last edited by the player at 22:29, Sun 23 June 2019. | |||||
Popping one of her unblessed bullets free of her belt, she dropped it into Cooper's hand. "Any ammo you don't put the whammy on, should go in the holy font," she murmured quietly to Cooper, Kearney, Bauer, and Tamsin. "Preacher must have blessed it, too. God rest his soul." She crossed herself again, throwing the preacher's corpse another glance. | |||||
OOC: Shootist roll of 5, so a success on Jacinta's bullet, which will again produce an extra die of damage and is magical. Based on PMs, I believe that Albert currently has 7/10 PP remaining. He can spend up to 3 more on Shootist-enhanced bullets. 20:21, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 3,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5. Shootist (LFB). Note that this does take a full minute, so he won't hand it to Jacinta until Albert's next post (presuming folk are busy for the next minute) While he was scratching at the casing, Albert spoke in general. "Anyone else that wants one o' these, lemme know. Packs a little extra punch and seems guaranteed ta damage that fella." | |||||
”...leads me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil...” She offers one of the bullets to Cooper. | |||||
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He chuckles, the noise of sand sliding over dry paper. ”’Course, I’d need a little insurance, to make certain you held up your end of the bargain. So, one of you would have to stay here. Just until the rest made it across to one of the other territories. Old Mexico, Texas, Arizona. Wherever. It’s your trail to ride. Once you got there, and believe me, I would know when it happened, I’d cut the straggler loose.” “You leave it to me choose, I’d pick that riflewoman with the braids. She’s damned entertaining, you ask me.” | |||||
She turned her attention back to Bryan. "Heard 'em? Shed blood out there, and I bet we'd all end up like those walking corpses forever. I'd stay behind if it really meant the others could get out alive, but I don't see him keepin' that promise." | |||||
Albert then took the bullet from Bauer and went to work on it. "Comin' right up, Deputy." OOC: Used a white chip on this one 20:32, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 6,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1. Reroll (white). 20:30, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 3,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2. Shootist (LFB). Again, it'll take a minute, so it won't be ready for a bit. Albert quietly offered some advice while he worked. "Course y'all might wanna argue a bit while I work. Make it sound like yer discussin' the offer." | |||||
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He waited to see what McDaniels said before he presented the man his own counteroffer. Sooner or later the man would figure out that they were stalling for time and would begin to advance his own agenda, but perhaps in the interim, Cooper might whip up some more bullets and more of the others might dip their bullet in holy water. He took an opportunity to do the same, as a last reserve against McDaniels. This message was last edited by the player at 20:55, Tue 25 June 2019. | |||||
Shaking her head, she retrieves her cartridges from the basin, then loads them. Opening her revolver, she empties the bullets into her palm, puts them in a pocket, then draws out some different rounds from a pouch on her belt. As she reloads the pistol, she mutters under her breath, ”Damned things are such a pain in the ass.” | |||||
Inside the priest’s office, a number of crosses abruptly fall from the wall, clattering as the strike the floor. ”I can accommodate you. Once you’ve decided who’s staying, step outside and I’ll have something ready for everyone’s signature.” Outside, the groans of the dead draw closer, increasing in volume. ”But don’t dawdle. Make your choice and come on. Otherwise I open this place up like a tin can and feed every one of you to the dead.” OOC: Tamsin, before you give up on that book, give me a Knowledge: Occult roll. If anyone happens to look, they would see that roughly a third of the crosses mounted in the walls of the priest’s office have fallen to the floor. | |||||
13:31, Today: Tamsin River rolled 2,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max ((2,5)). Knowledge: Occult. Tamsin’s head twists at the noise, expecting to see that they are no longer alone in the church. No, just the crosses. She frowns, but stays quiet. | |||||
The Ranger took a small amount of the holy water as well and rubbed it all over his hands, letting it air dry on them. "Well, I'm not so sure about some of the particulars. I ain't keen on leavin' friends behind, you see, so I'm gonna make you a counter-offer," he called out to the man on the roof, or whatever McDaniels was. "If you turn yourself in peaceably and appraise me as to the particulars of any criminal activities that your associates are involved in, I will spare you the hangman's noose and see that you only serve a reduced sentence." | |||||
Dr. Wayland stood by the front door again, his lightning gun back in his hands. He idly tweaked a wire here... Gave the clockwork a click or two and released it to begin spinning up the dynamo again. He glanced at the clattering in the backroom, but did his best to remain looking unconcerned. Catching Lee's "get ready" look, the bounty hunter gave a faint nod and looked out the door at the approaching dead....and whatever else he might be able to get a look at... | |||||
He then accepted the one from Tamsin and got to work on it as well, his head down as Albert concentrated on his task. He could still talk though. "And a little extra power fer Flower Power." And listen. OOC: This one, too, will be successful. Tamsin - the bullet in question will do an extra die of damage and will be magical in nature. 14:38, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 7,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3. Shootist (LFB). Remaining PP: 5/10. 4 of them are tied up in bullets (Deputy, Jacinta, Tamsin, Albert). One was used to help with shooting dedders. He can etch one more bullet. As he needs a minute to finish it up, Albert likely won't be done with Tamsin's until just before it's time for the shooting to start. | |||||
”So you’d hogtie me, then whisk me off to Santa Fe? After I confessed all my wrongdoings and those that helped me commit ‘em, of course,” McDaniels replies. Inside, another group of crosses clatter to the floor. Outside, Dr. Wayland can see that the dead, perhaps half a dozen of them, have drawn closer to the church. Within five or six paces of the front door. ”Don’t tell me. You still think this is all about scooping up land and cattle. About Mr. Murphy becoming such a powerful rancher that John Chisum gets eaten up with jealousy.” “Tell you what, lawman. Give it about a week. If you’re still standin’, once you’ve gotten a good look at what’s happened around here by then, you come back and tell me if you think it’s still about a few extra steer.” The pacing of the heavy footfalls halts near the center of the roof. ”Time’s almost up. Last chance to keep breathin’.” | |||||
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OOC: Edit - actually Albert does have knowledge (occult). Will a 6 provide him some useful knowledge about this sort of thing? 19:20, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 6,3 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+2)6,3. K(Occult) - ghost walker? This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Mon 01 July 2019. | |||||
"Doc, if you could conduct some electroconvulsive therapy on the subject above, I'd be much appreciative. Coop, Señorita...light him up, and cover me when you can. I'll do my best with the deaders. Wait for my sign. Here goes nothin'." He walked over toward the doorway. This message was last edited by the player at 14:25, Mon 01 July 2019. | |||||
Albert glanced over at the book River has been studying, and considered that it was in the possession of that priest. "We can be purty sure this fella, McDaniels, is now a demon. As y'all seem ta have concluded, he's gonna be vulnerable ta any weapon that's blessed, includin' the holy water itself. He's also gonna be vulnerable ta weapons made from or containin' cold forged iron. I further expect that McDaniels ain't gonna be at full strength on any sorta sacred ground. Like this church here. Almost certain that a place consecrated ta a holy purpose would likely interfere with summa his....er, abilities." He shrugged as he put a few more scraches into the bullet he was still upgrading. "That's all I got, but mebbe add that ta how yer strategizin'." | |||||
"So best we get started on 'im before he pulls down this sanctuary." The Ranger continued his path to the door, and stood in the doorway for a moment like like a coiled spring, focusing his energy before launching himself full speed into the closest deader he can find. OOC: He'll position himself so that he's of greatest obstruction to the deaders trying to make it in the front door or front side of the building.
Quickness: 1/3 Damage Field: 1/3 22:38, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 5,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max. Damage Field. 22:38, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 3,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max. Quickness. 22:33, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 1,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max. Knowledge:Occult. 22:42, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: 2S using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative for next round as needed. This message was last edited by the player at 18:29, Mon 01 July 2019. | |||||
08:53, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 12,2 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+4)12,2. Agility. The deputy comes out of a roll, shouldering her shotgun as she crouches in the dust. The report thunders in the quiet street as she targets one of the walking corpses a few paces away, but the shot goes wide. 08:53, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 1,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3. Shooting. 10:24, Today: Lena Bauer drew the single card: 6S using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
08:56, Today: Aileen Kearney rolled 6,2 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,2. Agility . Snapping her carbine to her shoulder as she lands on her feet, Kearney fires at the closest deader, blasting a ragged wound in its flank. 08:57, Today: Aileen Kearney rolled 4,1 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1. Shooting . 08:58, Today: Aileen Kearney rolled 8 using 2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3. Damage. The zombie is shaken. 10:25, Today: Aileen Kearney drew the single card: 8H using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
*tosses the Payback Adventure Card in as well* McDaniels thwarted his bounty...not to mention enslaving an entire town into undying servitude... That sir, requires a reckoning.... Lightning Burst - To Hit 11, 25 Damage | |||||
10:17, Today: The Dead drew the single card: 9H using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
Pieces of burning wood, from the ceiling’s support timbers, along with crumbling chunks of adobe rain down into the room, filling the air with a cloud of dust and catching one of the left hand pews on fire. Among the descending debris, something large and heavy crashes to the floor. In the dust, it appears as a great shadow, but as some of adobe settles, those within the iglesia see that it is a enormous winged creature. As it regains its feet it stretches up to ten feet in height, the span of its leathery wings a full seven feet in each direction. Reptilian flesh, mottled with shades of gray and green, is pulled tight over its powerful frame, black fur growing on isolated patches. In several places, the skin has ruptured, exposing thick, yellowed bones, stained with ash. The creature’s head is a bare skull, a snout filled with canine teeth extending from it, green eyes burning hatefully inside of dark sockets. Its legs are inverted, the knees facing behind it like those of a bird of prey, and its hands and feet end in long, black talons. Smoke rises from where its feet touch the sanctuary floor. ”Well played,” the thing that is Jim Mc Daniels tells Dr. Wayland, ”Course, you understand I’m gonna have to kill you for that little stunt.” Dr. Wayland’s blast of lightning leaves McDaniels shaken with 1 wound. 11:07, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 8,7 using 1d10,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 8,(6+1)7. Spirit. The spirit roll will remove the shaken condition. The wound remains. 11:11, Today: Jim McDaniels drew the single card: AS using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. Anyone who’s still inside the iglesia needs to provide me with a spirit roll. This is a Fear Test. Anyone who hasn’t yet done so also needs to give me an initiative draw. Nice shot, Dr. Wayland. | |||||
Given the warning from Bryan, Albert was none-too-surprised about what fell from above. Time for the shooting to start. OOC: 8 Spirit, AH for initiative. Which is usually pretty good. But not good enough today. 09:44, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: AH using a deck of 54 cards. 09:44, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 8,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,3. Spirit. | |||||
Fear Check - 5 (Unless Payback's +2 vs him would count?) Also willing to Red Chip it? EDIT - Spend Red Chip for +4 Initiative Card - 6C I'll hold post till I find out about the Fear. 14:39, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4. Red Chip Add to Fear Test. 13:59, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the single card: 6C using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. 13:58, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 5,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1. Spirit! This message was last edited by the player at 18:44, Tue 02 July 2019. | |||||
The Payback card only applies to attack and damage rolls. This message was last edited by the GM at 18:29, Tue 02 July 2019. | |||||
Having already seen some of what McDaniels really was, she wasn't too shocked by his altered appearance, though she did consider him ugly as sin. Her rifle swiveled to the imminent threat, ready to send the devil back to hell. Fear: 4 Initiative: 9H 22:45, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 4,3 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5. Fear. 22:47, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 9H using the Deadlands system. Initiative. | |||||
10:25, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 4,0 using 1d10-1,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1. Fighting. 10:26, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 8,1 using 1d12+1,1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1. Damage. Total damage: 8 The attack will leave Wayland shaken. Despite its seeming bravado, the creature makes no move to press its attack against the bounty hunter, instead lunging for the open front door, moving within a few paces of it, leaving in its wake smoking, black footprints burned into the sanctuary floor. Marshal’s clarification: As the church is sanctified ground, every round that McDaniels remains inside it, he automatically absorbs a shaken condition that he has to roll/burn a chip on to overcome. 09:54, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 6,1 using 1d10,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1. Spirit. For further clarity, Mc Daniels’ move leaves him positioned between the holy water basin and the front entrance, about five paces away from escaping the church. He’s also barreling straight toward Jacinta Castillo. 10:23, Today: Jim McDaniels drew the single card: 7H using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
Initiative Order AH - Albert Cooper 9H - Jacinta Castillo 9H - The Dead 8H - Aileen Kearney 6S - Lena Bauer 6C - Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland 2S - Bryan Lee 2C - Tamsin River Mr. Cooper, your turn. | |||||
OOC: Albert succeeds in activating Smite (with a 5). Just the normal +2, though. He got a 9 to hit (presuming Marksman is in play) which should provide a raise. 29 damage (magical). If for some reason 9 is not a raise, it would be 27 damage instead. The bullet is AP 1. It has Smite on it. Remaining PP 3/10. Init: 7C 12:34, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 29 using 4d6+3, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11,(6+3)9,4,2. Damage (LFB, Smite, Raise). 12:32, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 7,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1. Shooting. 12:31, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 3,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5. Hexslinger (Smite). 12:37, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: 7C using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
It will try to soak that. 15:10, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 8,8 using 1d10-1,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 9,(6+3)9. Soak Roll. 15:11, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Red Chip - Soak Roll. 15:12, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3. Blue Chip - Soak Roll. That’s a total of four successes, which will soak all the wounds. Since all of the wounds were soaked, the shaken condition is removed as well. Good news is, it cost all the red and blue chips I had on hand to get there. Initiative Order AH - Albert Cooper 9H - Jacinta Castillo 9H - The Dead 8H - Aileen Kearney 6S - Lena Bauer 6C - Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland 2S - Bryan Lee 2C - Tamsin River You’re next, Señorita Castillo. | |||||
Shooting: 5 (w/ Blue Chip) Damage: 12 (LFB) Initiative: QS In effect: Jacinta's blessed with holy water 15:32, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 1,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3. Shooting. 17:31, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Blue Chip. 17:33, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 12 using 3d8, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5,6. Damage. 17:35, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: QS using the Deadlands system. Initiative. | |||||
09:57, Today: The Dead rolled 5 using 1d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 1. Fighting. 09:57, Today: The Dead rolled 8 using 1d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 4. Fighting. 09:57, Today: The Dead rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4. Damage. 09:58, Today: The Dead rolled 6 using 1d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Fighting. 09:58, Today: The Dead rolled 9 using 1d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Fighting. 09:59, Today: The Dead rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. Damage. 09:59, Today: The Dead rolled 14 using 1d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10. Fighting. 10:01, Today: The Dead rolled 12 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,4. Damage. 10:02, Today: The Dead rolled 9 using 1d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Fighting. 10:02, Today: The Dead rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5. Damage. Although several of the deaders manage to claw at the ranger, only one of their attacks, a deep slash across the abdomen, appears to cause him real harm, The Ranger responds with a flurry of hand strikes and kicks, sending one of the corpses sprawling backwards out of the group, and decapitating another. Some of the other gathered dead are buffeted by the rapid series of blows, but continue to press their attacks against Lee. 10:03, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Bryan Lee, rolled 13 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+4)10. Damage Field. 10:03, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Bryan Lee, rolled 9 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4. Damage Field. 10:03, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Bryan Lee, rolled 4 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2. Damage Field. 10:04, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Bryan Lee, rolled 6 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2. Damage Field. Lee dispatches one of the deaders and leaves another of the zombies shaken. One of the zombies manages to claw the Ranger viciously, leaving him shaken with 1 wound. Lee, of course, may make a soak roll. The deader that Kearney shot appears to recover from the injury enough to resume its advance. The other walking corpse draws close enough to take a swipe at the mustanger with its claws, but she agilely dodges the blow. 10:27, Today: The Dead rolled 9 using 1d4+2, rerolling max with rolls of (4+3)7. Spirit. 10:29, Today: The Dead rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1. Fighting. On the other side of the church, one of the zombies closes with Bauer, reaching for the deputy with a clawed hand that she is able to duck. 10:31, Today: The Dead rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2. Fighting. 10:34, Today: The Dead drew the single card: KS using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
10:35, Today: Aileen Kearney rolled 13,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+5)13,3. Shooting. 10:36, Today: Aileen Kearney rolled 5,9 using 2d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1,(6+3)9. Damage. 10:38, Today: Aileen Kearney drew the single card: AS using a deck of 54 cards. | |||||
10:40, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 5,5 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5. Shooting. 10:41, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 7 using 3d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3,1. Damage. The zombie is shaken. 10:44, Today: Lena Bauer drew the single card: 5C using a deck of 54 cards. Initiative. | |||||
McDaniels is shaken by the shot. Initiative Order AH - Albert Cooper 9H - Jacinta Castillo 9H - The Dead 8H - Aileen Kearney 6S - Lena Bauer 6C - Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland 2S - Bryan Lee 2C - Tamsin River Dr. Wayland, the floor is yours. | |||||
Spending a Red chip to soak. Vigor: 17 Damn...I almost wish he had gotten more wounded haha! 11:18, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,17 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+6+5)17. Vigor to Soak. | |||||
Recover from Shaken - 5 (Deluxe says Act Normally? If that is not the rule here, I will toss a White Chip.) Doc is going to circle slightly to the side so his blast will go through McDaniels and not through any allies. Burst! McDaniels gets an Agility vs. 12 or takes....16 (25 if the Raise sticks) | |||||
Beckoning them to come closer, he waited while they did, ready to strike back at them defensively and fend off their attacks while luring them into striking distance so that he could dispatch a number of them. A slash came at him from one, blocked by an elbow. A second attack came for him, and he hobbled his attacker by a decisive blow to the knee. Another series of attacks one after another came at him, each time catching only a hard forearm, though one did come a little too close for comfort, claws clearly drawing blood from his arm - though he had pulled back just enough that it was only a scrape - returning a punch to another that took out its throat entirely, dispatching it. What came next was a torrent of motion, the reserved energy of a spring unleashed. Stances that he had learned that had passed down from his ancestors since before the destruction of the Shaolin Temple blended seamlessly with new forms adapted by their descendants in the Great Maze generations later. Before they could regain their balance, two quick strikes decapitated one of them. Chupacabra Takes the Mark. His hand punched through rotting flesh and brittle bone, ripping the spine out of its chest until it snapped in half, sending it tumbling down so that he could take its skull out with his hand, which he then picked up and smashed into the skull of another, catching his balance as he waded through the dead by nearly flipping to one side, sending his leg up into the air, a snapping kick sending the head of yet another flying out into the press of undeath as he landed. Where six had come to attack him, only one remained standing, hobbled from his earlier counterstrike. OOC: Bryan uses both of his actions from Quickness to strike out at the deaders surrounding him, for each using both his main attack and his extra attack from Superior Kung Fu: Wing Chun - and they are all Wild Attacks leaving him at Parry 4 until his next action. Damage includes his base strength, his Martial Artist damage, the raise, the Wild Attack bonus, and the 2d6 from Damage Field. Attacks: 10, 11, 11, 11 (all raises over the deaders' Parry of 5) Damage: 34, 27, 19, 29 Initiative: 7D He's attacking the four that have been unaffected by his Damage Field, which should handily dispatch them given the above numbers, and leave one Shaken deader near him. Alternative Visual: https://gfycat.com/jaggedmasculineisopod This message was last edited by the player at 12:53, Mon 08 July 2019. | |||||
10:57, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 2,1 using 1d8-1,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2. Agility. Yeah, that’s bad. McDaniels will burn a white chip for a reroll. 10:58, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 5,0 using 1d8-1,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1. Agility - White Chip Reroll. Marginally better. Certainly nowhere near what he needs to avoid injury. That will hit with a raise. Since McDaniels was already shaken, every success is worth a wound. Which means the demon takes 4 wounds. Naturally, he’ll attempt to soak. 12:29, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 7,3 using 1d10-1,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 8,4. White Chip - Soak Roll. 12:29, Today: Jim McDaniels rolled 1,2 using 1d10-1,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3. Soak Roll - Second Attempt. Two white chips later, he’s still left with a fatal number of wounds. The demon dies. The creature collapses in a heap a few paces away from Castillo’s feet. It’s voice, now little more than an animal gurgle, manages a few words. ”Still..my town. You should...stay...for a bit.” A moment passes and the monster’s body slowly transmutes to thick, black smoke, which is pulled down into the earth with sudden force, leaving no trace of the demon’s presence. Outside, giving none of the wandering corpses a moment to respond, Lee destroys each of them with frightening, machine like precision. The lawman abruptly finds himself alone in front of the abandoned church, with no more of the restless dead in his vicinity. To the left and right of the church, Kearney and Bauer prepare to keep firing at their undead attackers, only to watch them collapse to the street, leaving only rags, filthy bones, and a thick, tar like liquid on the ground where they stood. OOC: Combat over. Above, the sky darkens. Clouds the color of charcoal roll across the sky like an angry sea. In Angus, a chorus of tortured howls echo through the vacant streets; the voices, which seem to have no source, weighted with the very essence of torment. Those within the church see the color fade from the adobe walls, deep fissures forming in the now ancient iglesia. Outside, those still in the street can see each of buildings erode before their eyes, the now gray timbers of some of the wooden structures buckling beneath the progressing decay, a few crumbling with a weak crash. The wind, strong and steady, is ice cold. | |||||
He took a few more steps in their direction. "I owe Reverend Benton a debt of gratitude," he said. Without the sanctuary and the respite it had provided for them to make a more tactical attack on McDaniels, they might have succumbed to the press of undeath and a more frontal assault by the demon that could very well have pressed them to a much more lethal outcome. "Well, it looks like McDaniels won't be botherin' anybody any more. I don't fancy spendin' much more time here. We should head back to Lincoln soon here, I think. Doc, you get enough o' that fella to collect the bounty?" | |||||
Albert took a sniff of the air and gave Bryan a noncommital look. "Seems McDaniels might be no more. Not gonna count on it, though." OOC: Occult of 9. What does Albert think about how the demon was dispatched? Going to stay dead? Or haunt our dreams and footsteps? 19:50, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 9,4 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+4+1)9,4. Occult (will that demon stay dead?). He looked around at the other disappearing bodies and imagined all the souls finally being freed from their shackles. "Unless I miss my guess, only thing left o' that fella's gonna be black liquid and some unidentifiable bones. Though I hope I'm wrong - bounty'd be nice ta collect." Albert than looked around at the faces of the gathered posse. "Everyone okay?" His attention had certainly been on the demon, not on whether anyone else had gotten hurt. | |||||
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”Hey ya’ll,” Kearney calls from outside, ”I think we might need gather our particulars and get out of here. Fast.” Above, the sky darkens further, bringing what seems like a sudden nightfall to the ghost town. Within the church, the walls continue to turn bone white. In spots, the earthen material begins to crack and crumble. | |||||
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"Damned demon! Trying to kill us even after he's gone!" Slinging her rifle over her shoulder, she headed for the fastest route out of the decaying town. | |||||
Dr. Wayland had gotten a bit distracted by his gizmo after that last blast. Upon "McDaniels" fall, he took the opportunity to correct a few things. Loose wires. A shifty looking alignment screw. It was just a moment or two, long enough to have missed out on a few things. The increasing howling seemed to bring him back though, "Hmm? Bounty? Ah think we may be out of luck...theah..." He trailed off noticing the fading and crumbling as though for the first time, "Oh! Yes... Leave. Posthaste indeed. Discuss the money latah!" If there was a way to assist, Wayland would. If not, he'd make sure he didn't lose anything himself and take a rearguard position for the group as they went. He muttered something...but it was mostly lost to the wind.... | |||||
The dust continues to swirl violently, partially obscuring some of the rapidly decaying buildings in the north end of the ghost town. Within the blowing dirt, figures become visible, their outlines made plain by the sudden windstorm. They make no move to interfere with the group that is leaving, merely standing stock still, watching the living pass like attendees at a funeral procession. Moving with all of the haste they can muster, the group makes their way up the slope to the edge of the valley, the howls of the wind and anguished spirits filling their ears. Behind them, they can hear the crash of buildings collapsing and see small pieces of lumber sail past, splintering as they smash into the dense forest ahead. Reaching their waiting horses, some of whom have grown agitated by the storm, the group members are finally able to look back, seeing that the circling windstorm is slowly beginning to lose force. Minutes pass and the upturned dust becomes a weak haze as the wind stills. Angus, for the most part, is gone. Only small traces remain of the community that made its home in the valley; broken timbers reaching up from the hard soil, broken remnants of an adobe floor. But they are few and far between. For the most part, all that is left behind of the once thriving town is memory. | |||||
Once they got out of town, he tried to brush off the worst of the dust and dirt. After a bit of work, it at least looked a little better. But it was far from perfect. "I need a bath." The normally jovial cowboy forced a half smile as he looked around. "Well done back there, folks. Ain't easy ta go toe-ta-toe with a demon like that. But y'all acquitted yerself quite well. An' that makes me glad ta be in yer company." The cowboy turned his gaze toward Brandy and ran a comforting hand along the horses flank. He looked around to see how many people and horses there were to see if Brandy would get to have a second rider. He did add a little knowledge to the pot. "Based on what I know of those things...it'll be decades 'fore that same spirit'll have a chance ta haunt the livin' world again." | |||||
Partially, he wished that they were all demons, that way he wouldn't be obligated under the law to bring them in for trial. He could just get Cooper to make a whole passel of those bullets so that they could poke holes in them and get Wayland and his lightning gun and fry the bastards back to the hell where they came from. By the time it was done, though, he had no doubt that Murphy and Dolan would be in the hell where they belonged. He'd been in the business long enough to know that those two didn't seem the type to go quietly. | |||||
Dr. Wayland watched the town crumble away from the safe distance they had reached with bright curiosity, "Entropy.....decay.....center cannot hold.... gyre....gyre..... Time.... Acceleration.... Can time /be/ accelerated..." Cooper's words snapped him out of his reverie again, he turned about to join in the conversation with the group....rather than just speaking rudely to himself. He smiled good-naturedly, first to Cooper, then to Lee, "I will, of course, be discreet, sah. Though, if you...and perhaps the deputy there...would be willing to sweah out some statements confirming Mr. Stanton's expiahed status, my agent should be able to claim the bounty. The greatah details of the situation don't need to be included." To the group in general, he added, "I would be happy to advance anyone's shaeh in ready cash, should it be needed soonah. It is the least I can do. I do believe if you all had not come along, I would number myself amongst the restless dead of Angus." He then paused, returning his attention more specifically to Lee, "Do I understand that my sehvices might be useful to yet more endeahvahs hereabouts?" | |||||
He'd definitely like to have Wayland on hand in case there was more of this demonic type activity around Lincoln. He didn't know what had gone down in the Capitan Mountains, but the fella would probably be handy when he headed over that way as well. "I can explain the particulars of the situation as we ride back, just so you know what you'd be getting into if you should choose to stick around." | |||||
Turning her horse away, she waited for the others to make ready to leave, leaning on the pommel of her saddle. Her attention shifted to Ezekiel. "I don't know too much 'bout that contraption you're carrying, but if it can blast a demon back to hell, then you're more than welcome to come along. I'm sure there'll be one or two more of them that'll need the same treatment. You got a horse? Or do you need a ride?" | |||||
”I’ll sure write out an affidavit for ya, Doc,” Bauer tells the bounty hunter, ”We were lucky to have you here. Things might’ve turned out a lot different if you hadn’t been along.” Climbing into the saddle, she approaches Castillo. ”You don’t mind, I’d like to take a look at those books along with you, once we’re back in Lincoln. I got a feelin’ whatever’s in ‘em might prove important.” | |||||
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Seemed like a good excuse to spend a little more time with Jacinta, at any rate. "Everyone ready and gotta ride? If so, shortcut sounds good." | |||||
She turned her horse to follow Aileen, though did spare a sidelong glance at Albert. "Thanks for the bullet, Coop. Drilled 'em hard enough to stop 'em in his tracks." | |||||
As to Lee and the Deputy offering their written assistance, the Doctor confirms that he is, "Much obliged." As to the idea that he and his invention were helpful in the confrontation, he noted, "I am happy I was able to provide such assistance. And if there are more such, I am quite willing to assist in any further..."treatments."" Beneath the false pack frame, the mule has a regular riding saddle and a pair of over large saddle bags. The fakery is stowed away and his lightning gun is secured. He then climbs into the saddle with all the grace and skill of a scientist. The mule remains solidly patient and long-suffering throughout. Settled, he affirms, "I am quite ready." | |||||
”Don’t worry, Doctor, we won’t take it too fast,” Kearney assures the inventor. Taking the lead, the mustanger heads eastward through a narrow gap in the dense forest. The whisper of pine needles follows the group as they ride beneath the tall canopy and soon, along with the deep blue of early dusk, the buildings comprising Lincoln’s Main Street come into view. In Angus, the dust settles, the restless dead now finally silent. |
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