The mountain remains quiet as the riders continue their trek, Roberts, Castillo, and Kansas Kate in the lead. The patches of forest that shadow portions of the narrow trail retain the same dead pallor that the posse has witnessed at lower elevations, the tree trunks the color of slate, flowering plants drained of their vibrant hues, their fragile forms appearing as though they would crumble at the slightest touch. Here and there, the jagged rocks are frosted with a light dusting of snow.

After an hour, the path abruptly snakes to the northeast, leading up a rocky rise that terminates in a plateau which is thick with tall grey pines. Through the dense cover, the riders can see that the level table of rock stretches out into an open flat, dotted with structures that are difficult to identify through the foliage.

Several members of the posse find their attention drawn to a spot just right of the path. There, between the trunks of two dead pines, a single blue spruce has sprouted, just over knee high, its needles rich with blue green coloration. At its base, a handful of harebells, their petals the color of a clear morning sky, have bloomed.

The wind whispers amongst the trees, a sharp chill accompanying its hushed voice.

OOC: Everyone kindly provide me a Notice roll. If you possess the Tracking skill, you can give a roll with that as well.

This whole episode had Kansas Kate on edge.  She was even more surly and sour than usual, but on the upside, it meant she was on the very precipice of the razor.


21:42, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 13,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+6+1)13,2.  Notice.

Jacinta kept a wary eye out for danger as they ascended the mountain, searching for more mottled tracks or other indication that they weren't alone.  Her keen senses rarely let her down, though her dealings with the supernatural were still rare enough that she didn't know exactly what to expect.


Notice: 5
Tracking: 7

22:34, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 4,7 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+1)7.  Tracking.
22:34, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 5,3 using D8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1.  Notice.

21:05, Today: Tamsin River rolled 4,2 using D8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2.  Knowledge: Herbalist.
21:03, Today: Tamsin River rolled 3,9 using D6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+3)9.  Notice.

Tamsin stops at the sudden sign of life in the plants, dismounting her horse hurriedly to inspect the sapling and its friends. “Well, this is a good sign. This brings good fortune,” she says as her fingers touch the needles. ”But how are you here when everything around you is dead?”

"Hm." Albert was slightly perplexed at the blue spruce. It probably meant something, but he wasn't exactly sure what.

00:00, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 2,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5.  Notice.<
This message was last edited by the player at 08:02, Fri 28 Feb 2020.

The Ranger's thoughts were distracted since leaving that cabin. The events of the last few days had taken their toll on him, and he wasn't paying as much attention as he should've been as he tried to think through what all information he had access to. He stared absent mindedly at Kansas Kate's hat as a landmark as he followed along.

OOC:

15:50, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 1,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Notice.

Examining the plants, River can see that both the spruce and the flowers are healthy, all showing signs of having successfully weathered the cold temperatures of the mountain heights. Glancing down, the herbalist's attention is drawn to the earth in which the plants are growing. She can see that, unlike the hard, gray terrain that makes up much of the riders' surroundings, the patch of soil where these specimens have found purchase is dark and rich, able to be turned by hand.


Kansas Kate sights motion within the trees to the right of the trail, shifting that Albert Cooper notices as well a split second later. Something in the fleeting movement suggests to both observers that what is concealed within the trees is human, not any sort of wild animal.

Castillo catches sight of a similar motion on the left of the path, a glimpse of a dark form keeping low to the ground, changing position from one vantage point to another.

Albert removed the gun from his holster as he noted the movement. He considered calling out, but hoped that his movement would quietly alert the others.

Kansas Kate likewise did not let on.  She could have a gun in her hand at a moment's notice, the problem was firing a lot of rounds on horseback was... not a great idea.  Spooking your transportation was a terrible idea.  Instead she drew rein, just enough to nudge up against...

Who was right behind Double Kay at the moment?

Jacinta nodded, rifle at the ready.  Her eyes flitted over the ground briefly, catching sight of tracks like they'd seen below.  Frowning, her eyes narrowed as she refocused on the wood.

Tamsin stopped and thought for a moment. “If this Owl Witch is reflecting what she sees, there will always be spots like this!” she said excitedly, gesturing to the trees. “She’s reflecting the bad things but there is always something good in a person which she also reflects.”

She turned to get back on her horse.

Albert nodded at Tamsin's commentary. "That...hm. Will be interestin'."

He couldn't help but wonder what sort of reflection would come from his heart.

Kansas Kate couldn't help herself.  She was trying to counter ambush, but that talk made her snort with bitter laughter.

The figures on either side of the trail remain low to the ground, largely cloaked in the shadows of the grey trees, apparently watching the riders closely. If either are aware they have been spotted, they give no indication.

After a moment, the figure on the right quietly shifts position. As it does, one of the thin strands of illumination that has pressed through the thick canopy glints off of what is unmistakably the barrel of a firearm.

OOC: Kansas Kate, I’ll say that it is Shabbakasha who is directly behind you.

Kansas Kate quickly gestured to the Wolf Who Walks, pointing silently with her fingers, and then at the ambushee.

And just as soon as the glint shown, Kansas Kate whirred into motion and drew iron.

And the intent there if it's not clear from IC is to Quick Draw the repeater and shoot the would-be sniper before he shoots us.

OOC: Everyone kindly provide me with an initiative draw.

Kansas Kate, since you're starting the festivities, should you happen to draw anything under a 9, redraw your initiative card.

Initiative: 10C

02:45, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 10C using the Deadlands system.  Initiative.

KC for Albert.

19:36, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: KC using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.