Castillo's shot tears through the spruce branches, prompting a cry of pain and surprise from the partially concealed rifleman, who immediately ducks down in response to the scout's fire.

The rifleman is shaken.

The warriors each loose arrows in the direction of the restaurant, the missiles whistling through the air like angered hornets. Roberts' allies clearly have no sense of who does or does not belong to the Regulators, as one arrows slices past Kansas Kate's face and another spears the dirt between Bryan Lee's feet.

17:28, Today: Marshal rolled 2,1,4,5 using 1d6,1d6,1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1,4,5.  Shooting - Apache Warriors.

One of the arrows cuts a deep gash in Charlie Bowdre's shoulder. The young cowhand yelps in pain and surprise, even as he draws his revolver.

17:30, Today: Marshal rolled 10 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Apache Warrior - Damage.

The last of the missiles clips Scurlock's duster, tearing a piece from the garment, but leaving the Regulator otherwise unharmed.

17:31, Today: Marshal rolled 3 using 2d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  Apache Warrior - Damage.

The female warrior on the porch, along with another of the group within the mill, let out long, undulating cries, sharp on the ears, and audible throughout the previously quiet town.

17:32, Today: Charlie Bowdre rolled 3,4 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Soak Roll.

His gun clearing leather, Bowdre retreats toward the restaurant door, firing a shot at one of the warriors on the upper floor of the sawmill, but the bullet thuds harmlessly into the wall left of the open window.

17:34, Today: Charlie Bowdre rolled 2,2 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2.  Shooting.

Scurlock follows suit with Bowdre, backing up toward the shelter of the restaurant. As he moves, he shoulders his rifle and fires at another of the Apache warriors in the sawmill's windows, the man tumbling backward out of view as the shot finds its mark.

17:34, Today: Josiah Scurlock rolled 2,4 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  Shooting

17:35, Today: Josiah Scurlock rolled 11 using 2d8, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,2.  Damage.

A gray haired man with a thick mustache emerges from the restaurant's entrance, his eyes wide with panic. "No shooting! No shooting! Por favor! The mining office..."

Chavez y Chavez charges across the street, twisting around to fire a shot at the sawmill as he rushes to join his comrades. His fire appears to strike one of the warriors in the shoulder, but the woman does not retreat.

17:36, Today: Jose Chavez y Chavez rolled 3,4 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Shooting.

17:37, Today: Jose Chavez y Chavez rolled 6 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Damage.

The warrior is shaken.

The last of the Regulators on the street follows after Chavez y Chavez, emptying his pistol in the direction of the female warrior that had flanked Roberts on the sawmill's porch. One of his shots slams into her abdomen, and she crumples to the ground, her buckskins rapidly darkening with blood.

17:53, Today: John Scroggins rolled 6,-3,1,0,-2 using 1d6-4,1d6-4,1d6-4,1d6-4,1d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,1,5,4,2.  Shooting - Fan the Hammer.

17:55, Today: John Scroggins rolled 13 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+5)11.  Damage.

Several of the other stray shots slam into the wall of the vacant Assay Office, one shattering a window as it flies into the building.

In January of 1880, Matthew Ruskin, a down on his luck prospector, stumbled across a small vein of sliver while digging up in the foothills near Blazer's Mill. Convinced that there was more of the precious metal to be found, Ruskin used his money to invest in the equipment to build a proper mine, and set up an assay office in the town, intending to establish himself as the authority for any mineral finds in the area. By the time he was finished, Ruskin was broke, but had all he needed to chase any fortune to be discovered in the area.

He never found another hint of silver. Neither did any prospector that came to Blazer's Mill.

When a representative from the National Bank of Santa Fe, the institution that had helped finance some of Ruskin's venture, came to take payment on what they were owed a year later, Ruskin fled town, and was last seen riding west at a fast clip. The bank officer posted a notice on the assay office, making it clear that all of the equipment and property within belonged to the firm, to be removed and sold at a later date in an effort to collect on an unpaid loan.

So it was that all the remains of Matthew Ruskin's failed venture sat gathering dust in an empty building at the edge of town. Including a fair amount of the dynamite he had purchased for blasting in the nearby foothills.

---

An instant after the window of the Assay Office breaks, a detonation rocks the building, blowing most of the western wall out, along with a portion of the roof. Splintered lumber and pieces of debris sail into the air.

Next door, the shock of the blast sends the bodies of the two fallen Apache warriors tumbling down the street like discarded toys. A groan sounds from the sawmill itself and the creek fed wheel leans outward, its hold on the building suddenly tenuous, still turning in a sporadic jolts as the water finds it.

Among the wreckage thrown into the sky by the explosion is a thick canvas sack, which is hurled into the trees close to where Castillo and Bauer had concealed themselves. When it strikes the earth, there is a second blast, which reduces one of the pines to splinters and tosses another uprooted one out onto the trail. A dark cloud of earth hides the rest of the treeline from view.

18:06, Today: Marshal rolled 12 using 5d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3,2,1,4.  Damage.

18:06, Today: Marshal rolled 16 using 4d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3,(6+2)8,4.  Damage.

Initiative Order

BJ! - Andrew Roberts
AH - Jacinta Castillo
KC - Apache Warriors
9S - Regulators
8C - Albert Cooper
7S - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
7S - Billy the Kid
5D - Dave Rudabaugh
3H - Kansas Kate
3C - Bryan Lee
2C - Lena Bauer

OOC: Mr. Cooper, you have the floor.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:07, Mon 19 Aug 2019.

Albert swore, mostly under his breath, as all hell broke loose. He did have the good sense to place a hand on his hat when the dynamite went up. Wouldn't want to have to try to find that thing later. Nor did he want any more dust on it than already was on it.

With a heavy sigh, he decided he'd go ahead and do something stupid, even though every gunfighting instinct told him to get behind a barrel, windowsill, or door. Instead of doing that, which is what he really ought to have done, he instead moved between the charging Robertslion and the deadliest gunfighter in town. "Knock it off, Roberts! That shot didn't come from Bonney. It came from over yonder." Albert pointed in the direction it seemed to have originated.

Albert looked over at Billy the Kid. "Find cover, Billy. Fightin' Roberts means you lose either way."

OOC: Let's try the old talky-talky.

09:19, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 3,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Persuasion.

That certainly won't do it. Red chip to the rescue?

09:20, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Red Chip.

Even if there's a -2 penalty (perfectly reasonable under the circumstances) I'm hoping that's still a success?

The mountain lion halts as Cooper interjects himself into the fray, its yellow eyes regarding him with an understanding that is clearly human. The cougar’s stance relaxes considerably at the cowboy’s explanation, its eyes following where Cooper points.

The Kid eases his hands away from his guns and gives Cooper a respectful nod. ”I’ll do that.” He looks down at the great cat, then back at Cooper. ”Thank you.”

Backing up to the porch of the restaurant, he calls, ”REGULATORS! STAND DOWN!”

OOC: I’m going to pause combat, given that the belligerents have halted their hostilities momentarily. Everyone can act freely, though there is the matter of the rifleman still to contend with.

Albert nodded at both of those that seemed to relax a little. He didn't relax at all - he was still a sitting duck out here. As was everyone else. He raised his voice again, this time for Jacinta. He recognized the report from her rifle. "Jay Lo! What're ya seein'!?"

Kansas Kate whooped in the explosion.  She only wish she'd set it off herself.

Those sons of bitches shot an arrow at her.  She was pissed.

She had no idea where they were out there, but it wasn't going to be for lack of trying.  She started to haul ass.  "Glad you gals could kiss 'n make up.  Now come on ya'll.  They might still be out there.  Let's find that sunuvabitch!"

Jacinta was well aware of the chaos around her, of explosions behind, shooting, and yelling.  She was aware, but her singular focus was on the copse where she'd shot the unwelcome sniper, hat gone and braids flying, running as fast as her half-breed legs could carry her.  Being closer than the rest, and knowing exactly what she was looking for, she reached the trees alongside the trail first.


Notice: 7
Tracking: 12

21:19, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 7,6 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4.  Notice.
21:20, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 12,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+4)12,5.  Tracking (if needed).
This message was last edited by the player at 05:29, Tue 20 Aug 2019.

Covered in dirt, a man in a black duster emerges onto the street from the eastern side of what remains of the Assay office, his pistol in one hand, his hat in the other. "Billy! Say, Billy! We gotta watch it. I think there's still more dynamite in that damned mining office."

22:54, Today: Frank Baker rolled 1,5 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5.  Spirit.

Castillo and Lee both see hints of movement behind the cover where the rifleman has taken his position. A moment passes, then three sharp wolf whistles sound from the spot, each one shrill and brief.

OOC: At the moment, the only two characters that have sighted the rifleman's position are Castillo and Lee. Based on Castillo's prior callout, any of the remaining members of the posse that want to spot him can do so with a successful Notice roll.

If anyone wants to try to take a shot at the sniper, be aware that he is currently at long range for the purposes of rifles and carbines and he's concealed behind medium cover, which would add an additional -2 modifier.

Jacinta, your movement toward the rifleman's position will cut the range between you to medium. However, be aware that cover becomes sparse beyond the border of Blazer's Mill.

If anyone that's in the vicinity of the restaurant porch isn't rushing to locate the rifleman, please give me a separate Notice roll.

Jacinta took cover in the trees on the opposite side of the trail, firing off a wild shot into the brush at the concealed sniper.  She yelled at the others in town.  "There's more of 'em comin' from other directions!  Watch your backs!"


22:31, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled -1,1 using d8-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.  Shooting (Med Range, Med Cover, +Marksman).
This message was last edited by the player at 05:35, Tue 20 Aug 2019.

Dr. Wayland was forced to grab for his own hat and turn away from the blast.  He was suddenly quite thankful for his penchant for wearing protective glasses.  As his duster was blown back, he leaned into the pressure wave and drew the gatling pistol.  He thumbed the catch to release the spring; arming the mechanism.  Armed was good, cover might be a handy thing as well.  The mill belonged to a cougar-man and his Apache friends; who might not really care who's "side" another armed white man was on.  The restaurant belonged to the Regulators; whom Wayland had no particular trust in at the moment either.  The assay office seemed....well...unstable.  So, Wayland made for the wall of the blacksmith shop; to put /something/ between him and who-knew-what-else from at least one direction.  At Castillo's warning, he cast about for the "more" she referred to, yelling back, "Define them!?"

Move towards Blacksmith's Shop.  Draw Gatling.

Notice - 11

05:22, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 5,11 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+5)11.  Notice.

This message was last edited by the player at 09:27, Tue 20 Aug 2019.

Albert heard Jacinta's report and swore. "Damnation. Everyone get ta cover. Seems like we might be gettin' surrounded. Prolly ain't the first time fer most of us."

Albert pulled out his gun as he moved to join the doc. He scanned about as he moved, hoping to pick out a target.

OOC: Notice of 5.

09:06, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 4,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5.  Notice.

Let's see if K² goes the right direction.  She's moving either way.

12:44, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 1,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Notice.

She does not.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Jz1TjCphXE

His signals sent, the rifleman takes resumes his kneeling position, taking aim with the Bullard.

11:48, Today: Frank Baker rolled 7,4 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4.  Notice.

At the sound of Castillo’s shot, Bowdre turns and heads for the noise, pistol in hand.

An instant after the scout shouts her warning, a group of riders enter the street from its northern end. Cooper and Dr. Wayland catch sight of them as they round the corner, as do Bonney and Scurlock. Most are dressed in the attire of ranch hands. All are brandishing firearms. Near the rear of the gathering, two of their number stand out: a slender man dressed in black and gray and a clean shaven man clad in a fine navy suit. The riders are roughly sixty yards away from the restaurant and sawmill.


Billy the Kid cracks a smile. ”Evans and Dolan,” he says, looking over at Scurlock, ”Hell, Doc, this might not be such a bad day after all.”

OOC: As I understand it:

Castillo is on the trail that leads into Blazer’s Mill, facing down the sniper. Kansas Kate and Charlie Bowdre have made their way to the trail to investigate the gunfire.

Dr. Wayland is in front of the blacksmith shop. Cooper, Bonney, Scurlock, Roberts, and Chavez y Chavez are in the vicinity of the restaurant.

I’m not certain where Lee went, but he can update me.

Rudabaugh is beside the sawmill. The surviving Apache warriors are inside the sawmill.

Tamsin River is inside the restaurant, if she’s joining in.

The riders that just arrived are north of the restaurant and sawmill. They’re roughly at medium range for purposes of most firearms.

Lena Bauer’s status is unknown.

If I have anyone in the wrong place, please correct me.

Everyone please give me a fresh initiative draw.

The Ranger moved toward the restaurant, and hunkered down near where Cooper was. He pointed out the location of the sniper.

"The shooter is over there, a good ways away and with cover. I don't know if your particular tricks can overcome that, but I figure at least knowin' could help. The Señorita saw him so she could probably keep him on his toes, but I figure him havin' a free hand at takin' pot shots at us can't be good. Looks like we have the House descending on us in force."


OOC:

Sorry for having been tardy; I missed the line where you said we were out of turn order.

Sigh...6S for Initiative

23:34, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: 6S using a deck of 54 cards.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:35, Thu 22 Aug 2019.

The dice roller giveth and taketh

18:02, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: 4C using a deck of 54 cards.

:21, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the single card: 9H using a deck of 54 cards.  Draw!

Albert nodded at Bryan. "My tricks could, but I think we got enough trouble close by. If Jay-Lo's got 'em pinned down, well, that'll haveta be good 'nuff fer now."


OOC: 7 of Hearts

16:35, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: 7H using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

18:19, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 10C using the Deadlands system.  Initiative.

06:46, Today: Tamsin River drew the single card: 9S using the Deadlands system.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:33, Fri 23 Aug 2019.