The man with the clubbed foot steps out into the street, his stride smooth, that of one who has had many years to learn how to make up for a deficiency. He watches Kansas Kate manipulate her Schofield, his gaze not leaving her until she loads the weapon.

Coming to the street’s center, his attention goes briefly to Dr. Wayland. Sighing at the sight of the bounty hunter, he gives a low whistle, which prompts the bearded whittler from Wilson’s to emerge onto the saloon’s porch, a Bullard Express leaning on his right shoulder.

Satisfied, the man with the twisted foot draws his Peacemaker, shifting it back and forth briefly with a turn of his wrist, feeling the weapon’s weight. Satisfied, he holsters it.

”Kinney wasn’t inclined to risk his neck for a man he hates working for. At least not if he didn’t have to,” he explains.

He removes the leather glove from his right hand. ”You have a name?”

OOC: Kansas Kate, go ahead and draw your hole cards. You can initiate the face off.

"Several, ah collect 'em here lately.  Some more flatterin' than others and some are better'n others.  Ah'll give you one dependin' on how well ya do, how about that?"

She took a step forward, not minding anything but this man who approached her.  If he wasn't her intended prey, he would have to be an example.

"Kinney's a little chickenshit."  She seemed to suddenly hiss.  When she wanted to, she could really lean into her natural rasp.  "How does it feel knowin' yer gonna die fer that little pile o' chickenshit?"

It was a simple question, but its meaning transcended the words.  Normally, she'd leave it at that, but something had come over Kansas Kate lately and she had to append it.  "Ah've seen hell boy.  It's real.  An' you ain't gonna fare well there.  Walk away from this, tell Kinney ya won't fight his battles."

She had not intended it, but the way she added it so sincerely was disquieting.

Keeping it short and simple.  First let's do the Intimidate roll since Double Kay is being ominous and creepy.

Kansas Kate is Strong Willed, so she adds +2 here.

21:50, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 3,5 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.  Intimidation.

Ugh that stinks.  You can't chip to soak in a duel but you can chip this roll, so I'm going to throw a Red at it.  It's good to do better on this roll than worse.

21:52, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 8 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8.  Red.

All right that actually worked out a 13 is entirely acceptable.

Now the hole cards.  Kansas Kate gets 2, plus 4 more for her Duelist Edge (she gets 3 Grit from ranks plus her True Grit Edge adds 1 more), so 6 total.

21:54, Today: Kansas Kate drew the 6 cards: 8D, 10C, RJ!, KH, AC, 9C using the Deadlands system.  Hole cards.

Well that's interesting.

”You‘re not killin’ anyone, you raspy voiced mongrel,” the dark haired man answers in a level tone. ”If you’ve been to hell, you’d have been wise to stay there. But...I’m happy to send you back.”

22:48, Today: Clay Allison rolled 10,5 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+2)10,5.  Intimidation.

He’ll toss his lone Red Chip at that in hopes of doing better.

22:48, Today: Clay Allison rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Red Chip.

Total Intimidation: 15


22:56, Today: Marshal drew the 3 cards: 4H, KD, 5H using a deck of 54 cards.  Face Cards.

Ugh that's so frustrating I can almost make a really good hand but not quite... Well I'll Shoot, I have 3 of a Kind (KD, KH and the Joker)

OOC: As a side note, I had the same thought about the cards that came up for Allison. Depending on what came up later, there was a strong potential for a good hand. However, it wasn’t as blatant as Kansas Kate’s draw. If a Queen or Jack had landed among the Face Cards, she would have been set.

22:51, Yesterday: Secret Roll: Clay Allison drew the 8 cards: AC, 9C, 2H, KC, 10S, 2D, 5H, 3C using a deck of 54 cards.  Hole Cards.

As it stands, the best hand Allison can generate is Two Pair: two Kings and two fives. That will place Kansas Kate one rank above him and give her a bonus of 1d6 damage on her shot.

As Kansas Kate lost the Face Off, she’ll take a -2 penalty on her shot.

Allison will shoot for speed.

Kansas Kate likewise.  Possessing the Quick Draw Merit, she takes no further penalty.

Might as well give you the shooting roll.  I have a historical habit of missing the Shooting rolls in duels.

18:41, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 0,3 using d12-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5.  Biiiig Iron.

My streak remains unbroken.

18:41, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  blue.

Okay that give me a hit, but I'm going to use a Red as White and see if I can reroll the whole thing and get a better result of any kind.

18:43, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 6,5,8 using d12-2,d6-2,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 8,(6+1)7,(6+2)8.  White (red).

Oh yeah that gets me a 14.  Cost me a lot but worth it.

18:44, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 4,3,4 using 2d6+1,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1,3,4.  Damage - Pistol, Raise, Duel Bonus.

LOL wow that is an awful roll.  He wins.

12:44, Today: Clay Allison rolled 9,4 using 1d12+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 8,4.  Shooting.

12:46, Today: Clay Allison rolled 8,5 using 2d6+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5,5.  Damage.

Total Damage: 13

That shot will leave Kansas Kate shaken with 2 wounds. She can, of course, make a soak roll to deal with the injury.

The twin blasts of gunfire echo through the quiet street. The club footed gunfighter grunts, gritting his teeth as Kansas Kate’s bullet slashes his ribcage.

The hit will leave Allison shaken.

12:47, Today: Clay Allison rolled 5,1 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1.  Spirit.

He’s able to lose the condition with the successful Spirit roll.

12:49, Today: Clay Allison drew the single card: 8D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

Kansas Kate, go ahead and give me an initiative draw please.

---

Dr. Wayland, please provide me with a Notice roll.

Yeah I'll have to try.

13:28, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 7,9 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7,(6+3)9.  Soak Attempt.

THERE's a good roll at least.

13:29, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: QH using the Deadlands system.

Dr. Wayland was no stranger to a gunfight.  Though, to be honest, he generally did his best to avoid "fair fights."  Worked out better for everyone that way.  Well, maybe not /everyone/.  He kept his attention moving, watching for the sign that they might also decide to avoid fighting fair....

19:49, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 3,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Notice!

Dr. Wayland notices two alarming developments simultaneously. First, the rifleman across the street moves to shoulder the weapon he is carrying, as if preparing to take a shot. His focus, however, is not on Kansas Kate, but on Wayland. Secondly, the doctor spies movement from within Wilson’s Saloon; another individual, or perhaps more than one, preparing to move out of the barroom to the street.

OOC: Dr. Wayland, please give me an Initiative draw.

---

OOC: Kansas Kate, go ahead and take your turn.

Dr. Wayland's eyes narrowed a bit as the muzzle of the Bullard swung his way...


8S

13:41, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the 2 cards: 8S, 3H using a deck of 54 cards.  Draw!.....for Initiative - Level-Headed.

Kansas Kate gritted her teeth and slapped that hammer like it owed her money.  She had one target and she intended to serve him a lead salad.

So, only 5 shots left in the cylinder.

20:03, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 9,9,6,5,-1,1 using d12-2,d12-2,d12-2,d12-2,d12-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 11,11,8,7,1,3.  5 shot fan the hammer.

2 regular hits, 2 with a Raise.  Let me put them in order -

21 damage - 20:06, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 17,4 using 2d6+1,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+5)11,4.  Damage with Raise 1.

17 damage - 20:06, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 10,7 using 2d6+1,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5,(6+1)7.  Damage with Raise 2.

Then 7 and 7 damage (so no damage lol).

20:06, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 7 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5.  Damage 2.

20:05, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 7 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1.  Damage 1.

lol I did more damage there than I did dueling.  And then reload!

The smoking Schofield broke open, and six new opportunities slid in smoothly and evenly.

OOC: The first hit will leave Alison shaken with 3 wounds. He’ll attempt to soak.

10:21, Today: Clay Allison rolled 7,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3.  White Chip - Soak Roll.

That gets one, almost two. I’ll throw a Red Chip at it to see if he can do better.

10:21, Today: Clay Allison rolled 11 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11.  Red Chip.

That’ll take care of all three wounds and the shaken condition.

The next hit will leave him shaken with 2 wounds. He’ll try to soak again.

10:23, Today: Clay Allison rolled 2,5 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5.  White Chip - Soak Roll.

That will clear one wound, leaving him with one.

10:24, Today: Clay Allison rolled 2,5 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5.  Spirit.

The Spirit roll will enable him to shed the shaken condition.

One of Kansas Kate’s shots tears through the club footed gunman’s left shoulder, spilling blood down the front of his shirt. He grits his teeth, grimacing at the injury, but stands his ground, focusing calmly as he returns fire at his attacker.

OOC: Allison will fan the hammer.

As he has the Nerves of Steel edge, he is able to ignore 1 point of wound penalties.

12:23, Today: Clay Allison rolled 3,7,4,-1,6 using 1d12-3,1d12-3,1d12-3,1d12-3,1d12-3, rerolling max with rolls of 6,10,7,2,9.  Shooting (Fan the Hammer).

That totals to 3 hits, none with raises.

12:25, Today: Clay Allison rolled 9 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3. Damage - Shot 1.

12:26, Today: Clay Allison rolled 6 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Damage - Shot 2.

12:26, Today: Clay Allison rolled 25 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+6+6+5)23.  Damage - Shot 3.

Damage:

Shot 1: 9
Shot 2: 6
Shot 3: 25

Allison has the Speed Load edge, so he will reload his pistol.

11:22, Today: Clay Allison drew the single card: 4H using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

---

Seeing the rifleman move, Dr. Wayland is able to read his intentions easily. The whittler means to fire at the colorful bounty hunter, hoping to get the drop on him before he has the chance to respond.

11:25, Today: Doroteo Saenz drew the single card: 7S using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

Fortunately, the rifleman isn’t quite as quick as he thinks he is. Dr. Wayland has the opportunity to act first.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:30, Wed 02 Sept 2020.

That's still a lead salad.  Double Kay will spend the last white on a Hail Mary.

19:50, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 11,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+5)11,2.  Hail Mary Soak Roll.

And just like that Kansas Kate converted.  11 is almost 12, I might as well Red Chip it.

19:50, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Red Dead Redemption.

Total of 16.  The dice roller giveth and the dice roller taketh away.

Dr. Wayland fancied himself a bit of an expert in firearms technology.  He had used and built quite a few in his rather violent days.  So, when he found himself actually looking down the business end of a Bullard Express.  He gave it all the respect that the weapon like that truly deserved.

So, he began moving...quickly.  His hand whipped under his coat, past the gatling, to the handle of his special revolver.  Still moving, the bounty hunter leveled the pistol and snapped a shot at the rifleman...  The round zipped safely past the rifleman and smacked into the wall of the saloon.  It snapped with a brilliant flash of blinding light.  Bad luck for any who might be looking at it.

Miss.  Chipped it.  Still Miss.

Dr. Wayland will use his movement to get behind whatever cover might be in range of his movement.  A sturdy wall corner.  A wagon.  Crates.  A barrel or two.  A water trough would be rather fitting to the setting.

22:20, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 2,-1 using d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1.  Burning a Red Chip as a White.

22:19, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 1,2 using d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Draw and Fire - Flash Round.

OOC: Okay, before I adjudicate the results of Dr. Wayland’s action, I want to put this out there:

Kansas Kate rolled 4 successes on her Soak Roll.

The result of the hits she received are as follows:

1st: Shaken with 1 Wound
2nd: Shaken
3rd: Shaken with 5 Wounds

So, let’s say she applies the Soak Roll to the last hit. It’ll absorb four wounds, leaving her with a total of two. Granted, the stray shaken outcomes might bump that to three, but I imagine she could clear at least one (possibly all) of them with a Spirit roll(s).

My point being, I think she’s hurt, seriously so, but she isn’t out. And, for the record, Allison’s out of chips he can use. Yes, I might be stretching the rules in your favor just a touch, but I think it’s premature to call Kansas Kate doomed just yet.

Let me know your thoughts and I’ll move forward accordingly.

Yeah I should have specified, that's honestly the best I can do.

I'm probably dead, I don't know I'll ever get rid of Shaken with the wound penalty.  But who knows, the dice roller is fickle.

OOC: How about you try them in order? Again, I might be pushing the boundaries of the rules a bit, but Kansas Kate only has one wound when she’s trying to shed the first Shaken. And if she doesn’t manage it, she still only has one when she’s trying to lose the second Shaken. Those would only be at a penalty of -1. At least the way I see it.

17:22, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 6,2,1,1 using d8-1,d6-1,d8-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3,2,2.  Spirit 1 and 2.

Rolled it all at once, the first passes, the second not so much lol

Cries immediately arise from within Wilson’s Saloon at the sudden burst of light. Clearly surprised by the unexpected outcome of the shot, the rifleman briefly lowers his weapon, glancing down the street toward the Murphy Store and the Courthouse. In that moment of hesitation, the doors of the Tunstall Store and the Sanchez Saddlery burst open, and Tamara Thomas and Javier Sanchez emerge from their respective businesses carrying rifles. An instant after that, John and Claire Ramsey step through the front door of their restaurant, he with a Navy Colt, she with a shotgun.

It is Sanchez who speaks up. ”Enough! We have all had enough muerte here in our town! Clear out! Vamanos! It doesn’t matter who you work for! Go!”

Allison pauses, briefly considering his chances, then glances over his shoulder at the whittler. ”Move! Go! There’s nothing good that can come of this. We tangle with these people, that new sheriff will be on our trails faster’n we can blink.”

The rifleman runs for the gap between the saloon and the Torreón, Allison following him, the gunfighter watching both Kansas Kate and Dr. Wayland as he retreats, giving neither of them his back. A moment before he disappears between the buildings, gripping his wounded shoulder, he addresses the outlaw. ”See you around, shootist,” he tells her before stepping out of view.

The citizens that have stepped onto the street remain, weapons still in hand. From his position in front of La Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, Father Navarez begins to move toward the center of the town, intent on trying to restore calm, and assist the injured.

OOC: Combat over.

Kansas Kate, you’re still upright but seriously hurt. You’re currently shaken with 3 wounds.

Despite herself, Kansas Kate grins a bloody smile and tips her hat to him.

"Oh, it's Siobhan Miller by the way."  She called out.  He'd done a good job trying to kill her after all.

Well, this hadn't gone well.  It wasn't the first time interference had ended one of her duels, it was a common misconception one duelist died.  Sometimes neither or both did but in a way that was worse because nothing was decided.  Granted she didn't wind up dead, but she hadn't sent much of a message to Murphy either.  She looked around for the Doc, or Professor, or whatever he was, not really sure what to do this second.  She wanted to fall over in the street, but, well, that would make this even worse.

As the townsfolk step out, Dr. Wayland steps back out from the cover he had just managed to find.  He keeps his pistol free until the "bad guys" are out of sight.  He then quickly replaced the spent round and holstered said pistol lest the righteous townsfolk mistake him for a "bad guy."

Hoping that he was right and no one would make that assumption, he headed for the wounded Kate.  After a quick appraising look, he suggested, "Well... Do you ca-ah to walk to find Miss Rivah?  Or would you prefeh to have a seat right heah whilst I go find her?"

"Ah bettah walk."  She grumbled.  It wouldn't do to be seen as any weaker.  It was one thing to get all shot up, it was quite another to get all shot up and act like it weren't no big thing.  It obviously hurt, but Kansas Kate gritted her teeth.

Dr. Wayland simply nodded, "As you wish.  Ah think ah'll walk with you, if you don' mind."  He glanced around to the townsfolk and touched the brim of his ostentatious hat, "Aftah-noon, everyone.  Lovely day.  Thank you awl for comin' out.  If you'll excuse us..."  He walked off alongside the limping Kate.  Acting for all the world like they were just having a stroll down street.

OOC: The newspaperman, Michael Kibbee, one of those who witnessed the entire confrontation, can attest to the fact that Kansas Kate was opposing persons loyal to L.G. Murphy. As such, he will be able to convince Earl Wood, Lincoln’s resident doctor, to treat her.

20:04, Today: Earl Wood rolled 11,2 using 1d12-3,1d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of (12+2)14,5.  Healing.

That will remove two of Kansas Kate’s wounds. I would also say that by the time Doc Wood has finished bandaging the outlaw up, she will no longer be shaken.

Miss Winter may step in to treat the remaining wound. If not, Kansas Kate could request the help of Shabbakasha.

Feel free to join the rest of the posse in the ”A Heart of Thorns” thread.