03:15, Today: Tamsin River rolled 1,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max ((1,5)).
03:16, Today: Tamsin River rolled 3,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max ((3,4)). (+2 if Fear test)

Tamsin’s eyes sweep the burial grounds when they arrive, frowning as she thinks. She stays silent, her brow furrowing deeper as the wind passes.

"Stay on your guard. Whether or not we can see it yet, I can feel trouble brewin' anytime now," he advised his friends as he scanned the surroundings actively, watching for something to go wrong. They had all known it would after a fashion, but it was better to have a sense or a premonition of trouble even a moment before it happened than none at all.

Kansas Kate looked unsettled.  That wasn't too common for her.  Oh there were occasions, like the time she found out what the Dobbs Brothers did to those orphans.  She'd regretted she'd only been able to shoot them they deserved so much worse.  But this was different.

She grunted, pistol in hand, stepping about.

Albert grunted and frowned at what he heard. He committed the words to memory even though he didn't entirely trust the origin of them. It seemed like something intended to divisive. But there could be a grain of truth to it.

After the pause due to introspection, Albert agreed with the Ranger. "Yup. Sure does feel that way, General." Like Kate, his pistol was in his hand even though there wasn't any obvious target for it.

Jacinta hesitated, uneasy at the passing wind and feeling of waiting, anticipation.  She shook her head.  "We shouldn't be here," she said quietly.  "Better if we went around to not disturb those that linger."

The wind gains strength, its chilling hand rattling the standing graves and loosing pine needles from the nearby trees. Its howl is joined by the same trio of wolves that have sounded their mournful cries previously, the animals’ calls even more distant than before.

In the graveyard, a post yields to the wind’s pressure, leaning forward with a dry crack, the platform it supports taking on an awkward angle that causes the bones that it holds to slide partially onto the stony ground. Several of the other monuments creak and sway, the fragility of their age readily apparent. With a groan, one of the wagon rolls forward unsteadily for a few feet.

OOC: Everyone kindly provide me a Notice roll.

Kansas Kate trundled along, uneasily and disquieted.

12:41, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 1,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Notice.

Lee continued to scan the area, on edge.

OOC:

Notice: 6

Albert looked around at his companions, eyes briefly narrowed, before he again looked at the graveyard and its unwelcome movement.

OOC: I got doubles! Do I get to roll again?

15:45, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 5,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Notice.

The scout's fingers tightened about her weapon as she took a solitary step backward, not in retreat but to secure her footing.  Her keen gaze flitted over the burial ground.


Notice: 10

00:05, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 10,9 using d8+4,d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5.  Notice.

Castillo is the first to see them, but the remainder of the riders catch sight of their approach only seconds later. Even as they become visible another group of distant howls sounds, the apparent deception of experienced predators seeking to fool their prey into a false sense of safety.

It is a pack of wolves that charge down the upgrade north of the graveyard. Their pace is fast, faster than would be expected from animals of their kind, though a number of the riders are able to see that most of the canines are missing patches of fur and flesh, their yellowed bones exposed to the cold air. Their eyes, milky and white as chalk, burn with something akin to hatred. Two of the creatures in the lead unleash howls in unison, the eerily hollow sound carried forward by the strengthening wind.

In all, the riders count twenty of the beasts, the pack’s charge leading them straight toward the burial ground.

OOC: I don’t need an initiative draw from anyone yet. The wolves are still a sufficient distance away where they cannot attack any members of the posse. Given their pace, it’s likely that those at the head of the pack could reach the group by the following round.

For now, those wishing to shoot at the wolves, or to change positions (or both), can do so.

The only immediate sources of cover/interfering terrain are the group of boulders to the east of the group’s position, the tree line behind them, or the collection of graves. This evening, I’ll do my best to put together a map that more clearly illustrates the current geography.

"Y'all get ready!" Jacinta shouted.  Rifle already at her shoulder, she squeezed the trigger and sent a bullet hurtling toward the leader of the pack.


Shooting: 13
Damage: 18

23:38, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 18 using 2d8+1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(8+7)15,1.  Damage w/ Raise.
23:36, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 9,13 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(6+5)11.  Shooting.

Reminder: Jacinta has the DODGE Edge if and when it applies.

Kansas Kate realized if they lost the horses, they were boned.  She dismounted hers and smacked its haunch.  "Git!"  Hopefully the horse would be found after.  Hopefully.

On her feet, she snapped the Winchester into action, not really having time to get a proper sight picture, but real gunfights were messy.

So adjudicating for myself a bit, I assume shooing the hoss would be considered an action.  Readying the rifle would be a second action, but Quickdraw.  So my second action is actually taking the shot, a -2 MAP.

06:23, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 1,-1 using d12-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1.  Shooting.  Wow, glad I got that roll out of my system.

As she predicted the shot went well wide,  but she wasn't upset about it.  Yet.  She might be here in a moment.  At least the noise would encourage the horse.

"Well...shit." Albert hopped down off his horse and settled himself into balanced stance before he raised his pistol and squeezed off a shot.

OOC: Dismount. Free action to boost shooting (got a raise and then some) 1 PP expended, shooting goes from d8-->d12.

Shoot a bullet. 7 to hit. 9 damage (AP 1). Ordinary (non-magical) damage.

Initiative (making an assumption here) BJ.

14:59, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: BJ! using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

14:59, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 9 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4.  Damage (AP1).

14:58, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 7,2 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,2.  Shooting.

14:57, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 14,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+6)14,3.  Boost Shooting.

Finally vindicated in his constant worry over these wolves, Lee grinned confidently.

"Finally gonna get these sons of bitches," he said.

He made his way toward the place the wolves seemed to be heading to present himself as a target. He leaned down towards one of the defiled cairns.
"I beg your pardon for the disrespect but I promise to do my best to take down whatevers disturbing your rest."

He climbed up onto the rocks, just above ground, and prepared his mind for a calm execution of his training to take on the wolves that were always coming.

OOC:

Just before they arrive in melee range, Lee will invoke Quickness with a success and Damage Field with a raise.

01:43, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 13,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Damage Field.

01:43, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Quickness.

01:55, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: JD using the Deadlands system.

Tamsin hopped down from her horse and made sure she was ready. Gun out and loaded. “It’s always the wolves.”

Bauer dismounts as Lee moves toward the collection of graves. She squeezes off a shot with her carbine, but misses the charging creatures, the round kicking up fragments of stone as it strikes the ground.

10:27, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 1,2 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Shooting.

”Dear Lord,” Kearney mutters. Remaining mounted, she draws her pistol, draws a bead on one of the approaching wolves, and fires.

10:28, Today: Aileen Kearney rolled 2,10 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+4)10.  Shooting.

10:53, Today: Aileen Kearney rolled 7,3 using 2d6+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1,3.  Damage.

As Castillo takes aim, Roberts swings out of the saddle, dropping to the ground. Shouldering his rifle, the bounty hunter fires at one of the lead wolves.

10:59, Today: Andrew Roberts rolled 7,1 using 2d6+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5,1.  Shooting.

11:00, Today: Andrew Roberts rolled 13 using 2d10, rerolling max with rolls of 7,6.  Damage.

Roving Wolf begins to intone a soft chant, the words in the language of his people, the tone solemn and prayerful. Without pausing, he lifts his bow, loosing an arrow at the approaching swarm of predators.

11:02, Today: Shabbakasha rolled 2,1 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  Shooting.

Dr. Wayland mutters a few words, thoughts about canines that are drowned out by the nearby reports of firearms. Drawing his Voltaic Emitter from its case, he activates the weapon, the crackle of electricity and the scent of ozone filling the air as the lightning gun surges to life.

As shots ring out, three of the beasts are felled by Castillo, Kearney, and Roberts, each of the undead creatures collapsing in the midst of their charge, creating rolling clouds of ruined fur, bone, and grave dust. Cooper’s shot finds its mark as well, the targeted wolf letting out a yowl as fragments of bone are blasted free from its flank. Its charge slows, its faltering pace forcing it to the rear of the approaching pack.

OOC: Three of the wolves are killed. One is left shaken.

The wolves cross into the graveyard, agilely snaking through the collection of monuments as they rush toward their prey. As they do, an unearthly shriek rises from the earth, a noise of mingled rage and torment. Jagged cracks tear across the gray soil, the cold in the air redoubling as wisps of shadow, like black smoke, begin to rise from the sundered ground.

11:09, Today: Marshal drew the single card: 4S using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative - Wolves.

11:09, Today: Marshal drew the single card: 9H using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative - Allies.

11:12, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Jacinta Castillo, drew the single card: 7D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

11:13, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Tamsin River, drew the single card: 8C using a deck of 54 cards.

11:13, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland, drew the single card: 6C using a deck of 54 cards.

12:40, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Kansas Kate, drew the single card: QC using a deck of 54 cards.

Initiative Order

BJ! - Albert Cooper
QC - Kansas Kate
JD - Bryan Lee
9H - Allies (Bauer, Kearney, Roberts, and Shabbakasha)
8C - Tamsin River
7D - Jacinta Castillo
4S - Wolves

17 wolves remain. 1 is shaken. The wolves have a Toughness of 6 and a Parry of 6. They are not considered unarmed.

Ranger Lee, despite the quaking beneath your feet and the black fumes rising from the earth, no harm has come to you. Whether you wish to remain where you are during the next round is entirely your prerogative.

Also, Ranger, for your purposes, the wolves are in melee range.

At their current pace, the wolves will cross the graveyard and reach the posse’s current position on the following round.

Due to the wolves being among the various grave monuments, they will be considered to have light cover (-1 to shooting rolls) during the current round.

Mr. Cooper, you have the floor.

Albert spun the revolver on his finger as the gussied-up weapon became bathed in white light. He took a slow steady breath and squeezed the trigger again at the end of his exhalation. The bullet trailed sparks behind it as it flew true, blowing a hole in one of the wolves.

Hopefully he'd be able to keep his shoes on to count the living ones pretty soon. Or at least the animated ones. Or whatever it is one called undead wolves that were still able to cause trouble.

OOC: Cast Smite, got a 9, which is a raise. Only costs 1 and provides +4 damage. PP 3/10

13 to hit (with joker, marksman and cover) which is a raise.

17 damage, AP1 (should be plenty)

9H initiative.

Go KK!

14:51, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: 9H using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

14:51, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 17 using 3d6+5, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3,4.  Damage (AP1, magic, raise).

14:50, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 13,5 using d12+3,d8+3, rerolling max with rolls of 10,2.  Shooting (joker,marksman,cover).

14:49, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 9,7 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5.  Hexslinging (Smite).
This message was last edited by the player at 21:56, Tue 21 Apr 2020.

Kansas Kate didn't debate much about what to do.  That there was a lot of mean ornery wolves.  What weren't alive.  Pot and the kettle?

She got the strangest ideas in her head when her Schofield was barking.

So, Quickdraw!  One Schofield Revolver Please!

Time for everyone's favorite game, Fanning the Hammer!  With new and improved penalties!  But I'm sitting a lot of chippers too.

All right here goes one hell of a gamble.

20:27, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 8,5,8,12,0,5,0 using d12-3,d12-3,d12-3,d12-3,d12-3,d12-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 11,8,11,(12+3)15,3,8,3.  Spray and Pray the Wolves Away.

Wow.  That came out pretty well actually.

Hit with Raise
Hit
Hit with Raise
Hit with Raise
Miss =C
Hit

But wait there's more

20:31, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Red Cheep.

20:31, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  2nd Red Cheep.

Well, I was going to try to upgrade two of the hits, but that 1 stopped me, so I'll turn the miss into a hit.  Unfortunately +1 won't turn my other non Raise hit into a Raise.

So now we have:

1 - Hit with Raise
2 - Hit
3 - Hit with Raise
4 - Hit with Raise
5 - Hit
6 - Hit

I coded them so this roll's easier to decipher:

20:35, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 12,5,9,21,7,7 using 3d6+1,2d6+1,3d6+1,3d6+1,2d6+1,2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4,4,2,2,4,1,3,(6+6+2)14,3,3,1,5,2,4.  Damage 1, Damage 2, Damage 3, Damage 4, Damage 5, Damage 6.

So:

1 - 12 damage  Hooyeah!
2 - 5 damage  *sad trumpet sound*
3 - 9 damage Mejor Que Nada
4 - 21 damage Hooyeah!
5 - 7 damage Mejor Que Nada
6 - 7 damage Mejor Que Nada

"Th' gray one!  What wit' th' clipped ear!  One wit' th' one eye!"  She hoped that would be sufficient for others to call their own shots.  Kansas Kate's quick hands released the latch and the sparkling brass fell down around her, but it did not reach the ground before fresh ammunition was already loaded.

Speed Load!  Who abuses her Edges to take too many actions in a round? I do!

Next round!

20:40, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: QC using the Deadlands system.

The wolf that Cooper targets bursts into fragments of white light, embers that quickly fade as they scatter across the ancient burial ground.

The thunder of shots from Kansas Kate’s Schofield puts down two more of the wolves in an instant, reducing both to broken bones and ash. The rest of the shots are not wasted, the hailstorm of bullets wounding several of the approaching predators, some grievously, as bone is torn free from flanks and muzzles and eyes are darkened. A chorus of ghostly yowls arises from the graveyard.

OOC: Between Cooper and Kansas Kate, three more wolves are killed. Kansas Kate’s torrent of bullets also inflicts shaken conditions on three of the surviving beasts.

All told, 14 wolves remain. 4 of them are shaken.

The wolves have a Toughness of 6 and a Parry of 6. They are not considered unarmed.

A sincere “Thank You” to our resident outlaw for the way you broke your post down. It made my job enormously easier.

Initiative Order

BJ! - Albert Cooper
QC - Kansas Kate
JD - Bryan Lee
9H - Allies (Bauer, Kearney, Roberts, and Shabbakasha)
8C - Tamsin River
7D - Jacinta Castillo
4S - Wolves

Ranger Lee, it is your turn.