As the posse moves up the wide staircase of Lawrence Murphy’s home, they notice that the house has gone quiet. There are no sounds within the building, giving the sudden impression that it is now entirely vacant. Only the soft creak of wood underfoot and the wind rattling the eaves of the structure disturb the pervasive silence.

Following John Kinney’s directions, the posse enters the hallway that extends from the upper floor walkway, moving past the open doors of three well apportioned bedrooms on the right, all of which are unoccupied. At the end of the corridor, propped against the wall, is a wooden cross of the type often used to mark graves, noticeably out of place amongst the expensive wallpaper and fine furnishings. The wood has been rendered pale by the sun, the dryness having split it in several places. Wound around every part of the marker are vines, thick black strands studded with thorns.

To the left, just as Kinney said, stands a single door with a brass knob. It is closed.

"Enny'un got a scattergun?  Ah brought one, but ran outta shells downstairs."  Kansas Kate asked the others.  Her approach to this was apparent.

Dr. Wayland kept his eye hard on the door.  Like he expected it to try and eat him at any moment.  At Kate's question, he tilted his head slightly and hefted his lightning gun, "It does scatter a might a more than you may intend, though..."  The bounty hunter reached into his vest pocket and withdrew the little derringer.  The same little pistol with which he had not too long ago literally blew the head off of one of Murphy's numerous gunhands.  It was small, but apparently packed quite a surprising punch, "Ah prefer to use this for knocking on doors..."

"Well ah guess'n if we all shot at once.  Right thar, 'bove th' lock, then kicked 'er in."  She formulated the plan as she spoke.

Albert listened to the quiet conversation, then nodded. "I ain't got no better idea." He understood the concern, but didn't have a good feel for what sort of problems the door might give them.

Wordlessly, Horn passes Kansas Kate a pair of shotgun shells.

Equally wordlessly, she accepted the "Skeleton Key" and retrieved the double barrel scattergun.  Well, they had a proper breaching implement.

"Well thar's step one, who's gonna kick th' door in?"

As it was rudely dismissed as an option, Dr. Wayland put away his pocket gun.  He gave it a soft pat of apology.  In answer to Kate's question, the scientist walked over to the door...  He shifted to the side of it, just in case, and made sure that no one was standing directly in line with the door.  If everyone seemed ready, he tested the door to see if it was even locked.  If not, he will push it quickly open.  If it is, Wayland will deal with that in a more dramatic way.

To be clear, he'll check to make sure folk are ready and waiting before he knocks open the door.

Trying the knob, Dr. Wayland is unsurprised to find the door locked. Placing his right foot against it, level with the lock, the bounty hunter activates the steel spring loaded in the heel of his boot. The spring shatters part of the door, sending the knob bouncing into the room beyond and scattering wood chips in every direction.

The door flies open, revealing a room that has been completely overtaken with black vines which are rife with long thorns. They are everywhere, occupying every available inch of space. The posse members can make out the remnants of furnishings among the dense entanglement, some of which have been crushed and ruined by the invading vegetation. Once a bedchamber, the area now has the appearance of a ruin, of a place that has been long abandoned to the elements.

The group sees no one in the immediate vicinity. On the left side of the overgrown room, the dark vines have separated to form an opening, a tunnel that travels though the threatening greenery. The makeshift passage is only wide enough for one person to pass through at a time, and leads into darkness.

Kansas Kate just glared into the room.

"Now that's just dumbass."  She seemed angry and disappointed at once.  "Leave it up to a man ta deckerate a room like that."

Was... was that a joke?  Granted it would be a sexist joke, but that part was on brand for Kansas Kate.

Albert couldn't help but chuckle at Kate's jest. He pushed the brim of his hat up with his right forefinger as he regarded the gunslinger. "Doesn't exactly have a lot of comfort or warmth, does it?"

Albert did take a look at the vines to see if they might pose any threat.

OOC: Let me know if you need any kind of roll.

"Miss River, you don't happen to carry any sort of an herbicide on your person do you?"

Lee looked at the room, attempting to gauge the distance to the portal.

"Reckon we'll need to go in there. Anyone got a light source?"

Cooper looks at the vines closely, recalling having encountered them before in Lincoln’s schoolhouse and the deteriorating farmhouse where some of the town’s children had been held captive. The overgrowth is motionless. Cooper does not perceive that the strange plants themselves are moving, or that anything is lurking within the dark tangles. Outside of the need to avoid the discomfort of the thorns, the gunslinger sees no other danger.

Lee estimates that from the doorway, the entrance into the narrow passage through the thorns is roughly fifteen feet away. The lawman feels certain that the bedroom was originally quite spacious, most of it now lost to the dense foliage.

"Doc, could that device bust off these here hinges? We could separate this door and use it to get by these thorns - make it through to the other side."

Doctor Wayland worked a catch and kicked his boot down, resetting the springs with a series of ratcheting clicks.  While he was doing so, he looked over the room with the others.  The mention of an herbicide began to tick through his mind as he mentally inventoried what he had on him.  The light source question was more easily answered.  Wayland reached for...his pocketwatch.  He gave it a gentle shake, then clicked it open.  In the dim and dark of the strange room, the watch glowed and shone a bright green flare of light like a bull's-eye lamp or the lamp at the head of Hell's own locomotive.

He swept the light through the thorn room for all to get a good look around.  To Lee, Wayland casually answered, "Ah am sure Ah can remove the door any number of ways...  Ah can also do a number on the thorns...  Though Ah am unsure the room would survive it... Sometimes the only way is straight on through."  He set the the watch-light on the path through, "He left us a path theah. Probably not safe, but what is, really?  Ah'll be glad to go first and test the theory...  Scientist, after all..."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:33, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

"We could just toss a lantern in and burn the entire bloody house to the ground," Jactina suggested.  She'd brought her lantern with her from the basement and held it aloft, adding to Ezekiel's illumination.

"We's overthinkin' it.  That's what 'e wants."  Kansas Kate concluded, agreeing with the Fancy Man, as he was known in her subconcious.  "In 'n through, likely ta kill whoe'er goes first.  Roshambo ya fer it?"

Without batting an eye, Dr. Wayland firmly shook his head at Kate's notion, "No.  You have already had your turn.
Selfish. " To Jacinta, he could only shrug, "If only it could be so easy...  The the only way we can truly be sure is to pull him out root and stem".

The Doctor glanced back at everyone, tipped his hat politely, "Ah'll be right back...". He then stepped into the room to dare the road less traveled.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:31, Fri 26 Mar 2021.

"Hm. Vines ain't currently movin'. Seems like only them thorns ta worry 'bout." Cooper looked over at the doctor. "Zeke, mebbe we should all head through? Still got my uncle's machete if we run inta any vines that need cuttin'."

"Let'em in a step 'er three, just ta see if they react to 'im, we cain't help 'em none if'n they does something."  Thinking about the machete comment, she smoothly switched over to the Toothpick.  A machete it was not, nor was it really a chopper, but it was still a big knife.

”I’ll follow along with you,” Bonney tells Dr. Wayland, unholstering both of his pistols as he speaks, ”I’m eager to see this thing done.”

Dr. Wayland and Bonney follow Kansas Kate’s suggestion, venturing into the narrow passage a few paces, watchful for any reaction from the surrounding vines. The plants remain inert, the long, thorn covered tendrils unmoving.

The pair, along with any who follow, press forward, noticing after several more steps a gray light up ahead. Continuing on, they see the passageway broaden, then end at an opening that is washed with a pale glare.

The group find themselves on a rocky plain, the sloping earth suggesting that they are on a mountainside. The tall skeletons of ancient pine trees, long dead, dot the landscape, which is canopied by an overcast sky the color of slate. A wind stirs through the lifeless pines, its touch chilling, its soft moan lonely.

The ground is littered with bones, the long abandoned remains of those fallen in a forgotten battle; bows, clubs, and tomahawks laying beside many of the sun bleached skeletons. There are around fifty of the dead resting on the incline, seemingly left at the very place where they died. Glancing about, the posse members can see arrows speared into the trunks of nearby trees, and angled into the hard packed ground.

Further up the slope, perhaps sixty yards away, sits a small shelter, built from raw timber and adobe. In front of it, a campfire burns within a circle of gathered stones, the crackling of the flames audible within the hush that envelops the mountainside.

Seated cross legged in front of the fire is Lawrence Murphy, clad in a buckskin shirt and dusty jeans. His focus shifts from the flames to those that have just arrived, who he regards with mild curiosity.

”I imagine it was a long walk to get here,” he calls down, ”Not sure it was worth all that trouble.”

Tamsin's hands know their way around plants. Her fingers carefully weave between thorns on vines as she follows quietly. Everything is dead here.

Lee followed cautiously, making sure everyone was alright as they made it into the tunnel, then moving forward. The scene they were in unsettled him. The sight of the dead, the weapons that lay so close by. It gave him a sense of pause, though he did his best to appear unruffled.

"I'd have to agree. Bringing in common criminals is rarely worth the trouble."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:50, Sun 28 Mar 2021.

"Ya oughtta arrest his gardener.  Ah've seen greener thin's growin' in a Union soljer's arsecrack."  Kansas Kate walked along, looking, well, disgusted.  "Course ah guess this here's yer dumbass plan fer th' whole world ah reckon, long as ya gets yer way who gives a damn if everythin' else goes ta hell."

The starch was back in her voice, that sound like nails on a chalkboard.  Whether she slipped into that voice purposefully or not was hard to tell.

"Thar's one thin' missing he ain't showin' us though."

When Dr. Wayland arrived on the other side without being torn to shreds by terrible, bloodthirsty thorns.  He sagged, just a little; possibly disappointed.  The somber scene he stepped into of an impossible place that you should not be able to get reach from a bedroom did catch his attention.  He straightened back up and readied his lightning gun.

He looked first to Lee as he spoke, then Kate as she did...then back up to Murphy on his hill of death.  The Doctor didn't seem to be in a chatty mood just yet...  More waiting for the moment...

Albert nodded at the others and then shrugged as his response. "Ain't nobody here afraid of a bit of hard work. I tend to enjoy long walks m'self. Good fer yer health, and yer mind."

”Long walks indeed,” Murphy says with a smile. He prods the fire with a branch, a small shower of sparks emerging from the burning wood.

”A question for you, Ranger,” he calls to Lee, his gaze still fixed on the flames, ”If I elect to come with you, to submit to arrest, where will you take me? Obviously I would be jailed, but I’m genuinely curious about where exactly I would be.”

"Not terribly far, Mr. Longley. We would transport you to Roswell to stand trial for your crimes," he said.

Jacinta followed the others through the thicket of thorns, and suddenly realized why Murphy hadn't joined in the fun downstairs.  He was in another reality altogether.  Or they were.  She couldn't really tell which.  Chasing the bastard was getting damned confusing.

The butt of her rifle resting casually on her thigh, she waited motionless beside the others with a clean line of sight to the man.  His talking, she surmised, was a stalling tactic.  There was no way in hell he'd be coming quietly.  Ever cautious, she scanned the surrounding area in search of other threats.


Notice: 6

21:46, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 6,5 using d8+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Notice.

Bauer looks about, her attention resting on several of the skeletons resting nearby before it shifts to Murphy. Seemingly echoing Castillo’s thoughts, she mutters, ”After all this killin’, all the folks he’s put to misery, there’s no way he’s just gonna up and surrender.”

Castillo scans the posse’s surroundings, alert to any hint of danger. The scout finds no signs of activity amongst the barren trees and sharp rocks. Aside from Murphy and those that have come seeking him, the only inhabitants of the lonely mountainside are those long dead.


Murphy nods. ”Roswell. Probably to be held in Captain Ayuso’s guardhouse until a judge arrived to set a trial.”

“You know, I’ve half a mind to take my chances with a good lawyer. I imagine half of what would be said in that courtroom wouldn’t be believed by those listening. Regardless, it isn’t an option.”

“The first buildings in Roswell were built on 1869. That’s...what?...almost seven hundred years from now. In fact, if I have my dates right, in just a matter of days, Richard the First will be meeting Saladin at Arsuf. It’s a few centuries before anyone from across the Atlantic sets foot anywhere near here.”

“Of course, that means all the land off the mountains is unspoiled. So you and your people will manage. You’ve got plenty there among you who know how to get by with just what nature gives them.”

"Mr. Longley. If anyone knows how to get by with what nature gives them it is me. And you..."

Tamsin sighs heavily.  "Mr. Longley, your time has passed. I wish you could see that."

She doesn't sound sad, so much as she sounds defeated.

Albert grunted. "Course walkin' inta the past ain't so good fer yer mind. If that's when yer sayin' this end o' that tunnel's at. So long as ya don't go back through, seems ta me the town and its folk'll be safe enough."

Kansas Kate was no philosopher, but she took issue with that.

"If'n some'un goes back twenny year an shoots a whore, an' that whore don't pump out a whorespawn, half of us don't never exist."

She didn't elaborate, but she felt like she didn't have to.

"Now mebbe it don't work like that, hell if ah know, but hell if ah'm takin' that chance neither."

Wayland's attention jerked away from Murphy at Kate's summation of possible issues with time travel.  His brow crinkled in thought as he slowly looked back to the man they'd all come to see, muttering quietly, "Whorespawn...  Spawn...  Any spawn...  Spawning...dawning... Little footprints...  Every little step could change a thing...  Really?  Fascinating...  Kill him, change the past...  Might not dawn...spawn...  But then we couldn't kill...  Circles...  Antinomy..."  He paused, then spoke again in a more normal tone of voice, "But, if we're here and we do then we can't have not been.  Right?"  The doctor looked again to Kate, the Temporal Mechanics Specialist.

"He didn't say anything about him staying here," Jacinta pointed out.  "I think he means to strand us."   Her roving gaze returned to the man himself, dark eyes staring him down.

”My time has passed,” Murphy says quietly, seemingly contemplating River’s words. ”Almost, Miss River. Almost. I have one last task to complete before I can rest, whether that be in a retreat from the world, or death, I’m not certain. But then, and only then, will I be finished.”

Cooper’s statement brings a smile to Murphy’s face. ” I suppose from your point of view, that might be correct Mr. Cooper. Save for one detail. Constructing a passage to this particular moment in time wasn’t a simple undertaking. It involved a considerable expenditure of power. It was done for a very good reason, mind you. And with the hard work came certain...advantages. Among them, the passageway opens and closes on my command. And on my command alone. I opened the way because each of you seemed extremely eager to meet with me. But if you were to suddenly decide to try to go back the way you came, I’m afraid you’d find the path blocked.”

He chuckles. ”Señorita, you’re one of those that could thrive here if you chose. The untamed wilderness is virtually your home. If you and your friends want to head down the mountain, you can have the run of the place as far as I’m concerned.”

He gestures to the left and right. “You can likely tell what happened here. This was the site of a battle. A time where the forces of creation and destruction met in open combat. They have a hard time coexisting, after all. There’s a lot of power here, lingering in the earth, in the bones of the fallen. I came here to gather it. To sharpen my focus before the end.”

“I’m not going to try to defend my existence to the likes of you. Since I was young, I sensed that I was an agent of ruin and I embraced it. But consider the world you’re so desperate to defend. Ask Ranger Lee to recite for you some stories from that book he and his fellow lawmen work to keep secret from the uninformed masses. Horrors that would fray the mind. Most of you have seen your share. A couple of you have even become monsters.”

“Or forget the things that lurk in the dark. There’s plenty to be terrorized by in the light.” He points to the three Regulators. “You think those bloodthirsty boys would be do gooders if they hadn’t found vengeance as an excuse for their killing? If they hadn’t ever met John Tunstall I can guarantee you they’d be tearing across the territory, stealing anything they could lay their hands on and shooting those that resisted them dead.”

“Why do you think we need so many enforcers like Bryan Lee, or Pat Garrett? Or the U.S Marshals? This land, this frontier, is descending into chaos. But it’s nothing to be terrified of. It’s simply the swinging of a pendulum. The balancing of a scale. Dissolution is pushing to have its day. To ascend, just as it must from time to time. And yes, I’m helping it along.”

“You know how you stop the spread of entropy? You feed it. You satiate it and let it go to sleep. Lincoln and the valley are consumed. A tragedy? Of course. But what comes after? Life and new beginnings. You clear away the old to make way for something better.”

"Oh that tears it!"  Kansas Kate threw her hands up in sheer frustration.

"Ah ain't never heard o' so much horse hockey in a stable wut ain't been cleaned in a month of a sinner's Sundays!"  She kicked a skull.

"Do ya listen to yerself man?"  She mocked him as best she could, trying for a deeper inflection.  "Ah'm an agent of ruin!"

She shook her head.  "Are ya twelve years old son?  Ya better because ya ought to have most past sech nonsense."  She paused.  "HORSE SHIT!"

She then uncharacteristically calmed down.  "Ya's right about one thing though.  Ah let mahself become a monster.  Ya talk a lot of shit Murphy or whatever th' hell yer damn name is.  Heh, guess that's somethin' we has in common ah ain't got no damn idea what th' hell mah name is neither.

"But ah knows this.  Ah was a better monster than you will ever be, an' a better man too cuz least ah learned me somethin'.  Ya know that's a damn shame when yer losing a cock measuring contest wit' a female.  An' ya know what?  It don't matter.  It don't matter a damn.  Ya think anyone here is th' least bit impressed by any o' that?"

She gestured around, her voice whispy and yet loud.   "They ain't.  Not a bit.  Ain't no one impressed with yer little stunt here neither.  Ya didn't even do this yerself, this here's power from beyond.  If ya picked up a shovel an' pick an' done this, ah might be impressed then, but t'ain't so.  No one gives a damn 'bout yer load of fresh, hot pig shit wrapped in pretty paper.  Do ya know what matters, what matters a damn at all?  It ain't killin', it ain't stealin', it ain't yer damn 'ruin', it ain't yer damn 'en-troe-pee' or whatever nonsense, it ain't nothin' excitin'.  It's... whatever in th' blue hell th' opposite of all that bull shit is, ah ain't got no word fer it.  If yer so great and grand an' smarter an' better 'n me and ya can't figger that out, that's the damnedest thing ah ever saw an' I once seen a drunk doin' unspeakable things to a donkey."

She stepped closer and looked right at him, practically whispering.  "If ah do one god damn decent thing in my sorry life, it will carry more power'n glory 'n'if I kilt all these folks layin' dead here mah damn self.  Get over yer shit, you sorry ass bastard."

Murphy smiles. ”Somehow, Kansas Kate, I knew it would be you that ended up speaking for this rabble. There’s something that’s very fitting about that. Throughout most of your...existence, it does seem that violence, and violence alone, is the only tool you possess to interact with the world in any meaningful way.” He shrugs. ”A shame you and your father there couldn’t come to some kind of peace before this happened. But, I’ve killed you before. I’ll certainly do it again, if that’s what you require.”

He stands. All across the shadowed slope of the mountainside, the dead stand with him.

”I’m presuming, by your silence, that the rest of you are in agreement with her. So let’s see this done.”

OOC: Everyone kindly give me an initiative draw.

She smiled at him, that wicked, wicked smile.

She'd been worried, for a time, that realizing she'd been so wrong would make her lose her edge.

She shouldn't have been.

"Ya'll had a damn army last time, sonny boy.  This time, ah gots th' damn army."

13:51, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: AH using the Deadlands system.

Also, playing this on Murphy, no reason to delay it:

7S - Karma Thief
“The hell?”
Take a fate chip of any color from any other Wild Card (this may include other player characters).

After all, it's a perfect reversal of fortunes, it seems Double Kay ought to steal some of old Murphy's mojo.  I'll take the best color he's got.

Jacinta frowned at the rising dead.  "Always comes down to this, doesn't it?"


22:19, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 6C using the Deadlands system.  Initiative.

Dr. Wayland snapped out of his temporal musings and swung the lightning gun to bear.  To Jacinta, he answered the rhetorical question unnecessarily, "Yes.  Always.  Always this."

10S

12:33, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the 2 cards: 9H, 10S using a deck of 54 cards.  Draw!
This message was last edited by the player at 16:48, Sat 03 Apr 2021.

Albert chuckled at a bit of the back-and-forth between Kate and Murphy. Or whoever either of them actually was. "Agreement? Mebbe with the general sentiment, but I ain't smart enough to put it like she does."

He looked over at Jacinta with a lop-sided smile, then to the others. "I ain't no believer in fate, but this seemed ta be our destiny. Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more."


OOC: 10:09, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: 9C using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

Bryan didn't think that Murphy was the type to be talked down nor that he would go quietly into the night. They had all come here knowing that arrest and apprehension wouldn't be the likely outcome. He had offered it as a matter of course, a mechanical, rote offering to comply with his obligations as a lawman insofar as what people saw. But as a Ranger, he had greater obligations and those including ending the existence of Lawrence Murphy.

OOC:

Actually not the worst initiative I've drawn!

21:28, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: 9D using the Deadlands system.  Initiative.

13:19, Sun 04 Apr: L.G. Murphy drew the single card: BJ! using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

13:20, Sun 04 Apr: Marshal drew the single card: 3C using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative - The Dead.

11:42, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Tamsin River, drew the single card: 8H using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

11:43, Today: Marshal drew the single card: 6D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative - Allies.

OOC: Kansas Kate, your theft will transfer one red chip to your hand.

Initiative Order

BJ! - L.G. Murphy
AH - Kansas Kate
10S - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
9D - Bryan Lee
9C - Albert Cooper
8H - Tamsin River
6D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
6C - Jacinta Castillo
3C - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

Bearing spears, tomahawks, and clubs, ancient implements of war, the dead begin to move across the slope, approaching the posse from every side.

Murphy spreads both of his palms open, each aimed at the ground at his feet. From the earth, shadows emerge, drawn to the ruthless killer. They surround the tall man, swirling about him like tendrils of smoke in a windstorm.

Power Points expended: 4

Initiative Order

BJ! - L.G. Murphy
AH - Kansas Kate
10S - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
9D - Bryan Lee
9C - Albert Cooper
8H - Tamsin River
6D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
6C - Jacinta Castillo
3C - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

Kansas Kate, it is your turn.

First things first.  Spend a White, play this:

3S - Shakin’ in Thar Boots
“Nobody move or I push the button!”
Your hero must do or say something that gives his foes pause. All foes within 12” lose their next action.

She pondered what to do exactly.  She wasn't real big on mojo, despite having been close to it. Well, maybe that's why she wasn't so big on it.  Even at her lowest point, she'd refused the dark gifts of the Wichita Witches and wanted to know nothing of it, even after they literally tried to burn it into her.

But she figured there was some connection here, between Murphy and all them dead critters.  There had to be.  If you got through to the man, you go through to them dead critters too.

So Kansas Kate said the worst thing she could think of.  Which for her, was something.

"HEY MURPHY!"  She paused to ensure she had his attention as she smoothly pulled her not as commonly used, but sometimes the right tool for the job, rifle out of its scabbard and with a smooth whirl of the lever chambered a round.  "I'M GONNA SHOOT OFF YER PECKER!"

Now, she knew, even with the rifle, that was a damn hard shot.  It was such a small target.

But the damned thing is, she just might make that shot.  Murphy couldn't dismiss it out of hand.  And if he was apprehensive, he'd hesitate, and more importantly, he'd look down at his wedding tackle involuntarily.  It was a cruel trick, like driving nails into a hollowed log and putting a shiny object in it to catch a racoon.  The animal couldn't help it, it wasn't fair.

It was especially cruel because she wasn't actually going to shoot him in the dick at all.  She wanted to put that slug right through his noggin.

Looks like Murphy is easily in Short Range of the rifle.  Quick Draw, now I have a rifle!  It's like the Old Spice Commercial.

Kansas Kate probably is not going to be able to do this, but she is going to take her best shot (pun intended) at sinking this in one.  She is taking a Head Shot.

19:50, Today: Kansas Kate rolled -2,-2 using d12-4,d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2.  Shooting.

Not a good result, but to be fair she would have missed on that roll anyway.

Right, let's throw a Red chip into that.

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

That's fine because I spent that Red to spend this White.

19:50, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 6,5,7 using d12-4,d6-4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 10,(6+3)9,(6+1)7.  Reroll with a White.

There we go, there's a 13.  That, is a Headshot with a Raise.

19:58, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 25,2 using 2d8+4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(8+6)14,2.  Damage.

27 damage, that's what Mommy likes.

19:59, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: 9H using the Deadlands system.

Having taken her shot, she figured the reprisal was going to be worse than eating the last one in like at the whore house and quickly came up with her Toothpick.

Quickdraw Edge abuse!

The attack would leave Murphy shaken with three wounds. He will, naturally, attempt to soak that damage.

14:53, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 23,1 using 1d12+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (12+10)22,1.  White Chip - Soak Roll.

Right. That will do away with both the wounds and the shaken condition. He is, however, true to Kansas Kate’s prediction, notably more pissed off.

The shot rings out across the mountainside, its report especially loud in the pervasive quiet. The bullet is on target, as best that the outlaw can see, but if there is any effect on Murphy from the attack, Kansas Kate observes none within the swirling shadows that surround him.

OOC: Before proceeding further, everyone kindly give me a Notice roll.

Also, anyone who has the Knowledge: Occult skill can also provide me a roll using it, if they choose.

Initiative Order

BJ! - L.G. Murphy
AH - Kansas Kate
10S - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
9D - Bryan Lee
9C - Albert Cooper
8H - Tamsin River
6D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
6C - Jacinta Castillo
3C - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

Dr. Wayland, you have the floor, sir.

I tried!  Your turn everyone else!
15:34, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 5,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Notice.

Even as Kate was leveling her rifle, Dr. Wayland was moving off to the right.  He brought his lightning gun up to his shoulder, thumbing the release on the clockworks.  The strange weapon clanked...and whirred...and hummed to power as the rifle shot barked out.  Wayland skidded to a halt and pulled the trigger.

With a snarling snap, bolts of lightning arced out from the emitter.  The bolts whipped and crackled, slashing and burning their way through the dead...  Carving up the turned earth of the hill...  Heading for Murphy...

Well...  I'm guessing on the cone...  But the book says its 9" long and 3" wide at the widest point.

I think there's a point on the right side where he could get to and fire.

I think it should catch 5 or 6 deaders and Murphy?

Shooting 11 vs. Agility or take...  37 for the Deaders and 17 for Murphy.  I mean...
 I'd like to switch that, but them's the labels on the rolls...

Next Initiative - 7C

02:34, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the 2 cards: 4C, 7C using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative Draw.
02:20, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 17 using 2d10, rerolling max with rolls of (10+2)12,5.  Lightning Damage vs. Murphy.
02:20, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 37 using 2d10, rerolling max with rolls of (10+9)19,(10+8)18.  Lightning Damage vs. Deadites!
02:11, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 6,11 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(6+5)11.  Ride the Lightning!

Notice: 9

00:18, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 7,9 using d8+4,d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Notice.

Forgot to Notice - which could fairly be considered an auto Notice fail...

Notice: 5

09:22, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 5,2 using D6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Forgotten Notice.

18:49, Today: The Dead rolled 3,6,5,1,3 using 1d8,1d8,1d8,1d8,1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3,6,5,1,3.  Agility.

19:02, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 8,16 using 1d10+2,1d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(6+6+2)14.  Agility.

The blast of lightning tears across the mountainside, its sudden glare blinding in the gray light that permeates the lifeless terrain. Five of the undead warriors are caught in the path of the ferocious energy, each one instantly reduced to ashes. Murphy narrowly sidesteps the storm of electricity, the ground where he stood blackened by its passage.

 

Initiative Order

BJ! - L.G. Murphy
AH - Kansas Kate
10S - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
9D - Bryan Lee
9C - Albert Cooper
8H - Tamsin River
6D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
6C - Jacinta Castillo
3C - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

Ranger Lee, it is your turn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:39, Tue 13 Apr 2021.

OOC: 4 Notice, 4 Occult.

17:46, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 4,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Occult.

17:46, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 4,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4.  Notice.

OOC:

Going to Hold temporarily for any relevant information the following may allow our Ranger to glean:

Knowledge: Occult   8
Notice              4

11:59, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 8,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Knowledge:Occult.
11:59, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Notice.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:01, Tue 13 Apr 2021.

PM

Bryan moved toward a lone zombie to the left, and started a flurry of attacks against it, but the unsettling nature of his foe seemed to throw him off his game, sending two punches wildly missing, though he did strike it once with a glancing blow.

OOC:

He sucks it up twice, hits once, but doesn't beat the toughness.

00:49, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 5 using d8+d4+2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  Damage.
00:48, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 1,1 using d10,d6, rerolling max.  Imp Frenzy.
00:47, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 1,1 using d10,d6, rerolling max.  Wing Chun.
00:47, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 6,5 using d10,d6, rerolling max.  Fighting.

00:53, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: AS using a deck of 54 cards with rolls of .

Initiative: AS

Albert rotated the cylinder of his old Colt Army so the special bullet he'd made with Murphy's name on it was ready to fly. Faint white light engulfed the gun wizard's gun as blue lightning faintly danced across his eyes. "Back to hell, demon."

The cowboy depressed the trigger and watched as the white streaked bullet flew in the direction of whatever was using Murphy's name and body these days.

OOC: Albert first boosts shooting, then does a smite. With the use of a single blue chip, both are raises and thus cost a single point each. Shooting jumps to d12 and all bullets are magical and get +4 damage. Albert is, of course, using one of the specially made bullets for stopping the abomination called Murphy. KK, J-Lo, and Flower Power also have one each.

Albert has a 15 to hit, but I have no idea how much defensive stuff is around his target. I also don't know the exact damage output of this bullet against Murphy, so please let me know what I should roll for damage if it hits (of course Albert will use a blue chip to ensure it hits if necessary). Note that Albert will be out of PP at the conclusion of these actions.

14:39, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 11,15 using d12+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 9,(6+6+1)13.  Shooting (Marksman).

14:38, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Blue Chip (Smite).

14:38, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 7,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5.  Hexslinger (Smite).

14:37, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 6,11 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(6+5)11.  Hexslinger (Boost Shooting).
This message was last edited by the player at 21:50, Thu 15 Apr 2021.

OOC: The shooting roll would stand as it is; a hit with a raise.

The tallow infused bullet, when used against Murphy, would cause him to be treated as though he has a Toughness of 8, rather than 12 for purposes of damage.

OOC: Looks like 18 damage (AP 1) then. Magical (as well as being a special bullet).

Black Joker for next round's initiative.

20:26, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: BJ! using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative .

20:25, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 18 using 3d6+5, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5,5.  Damage (AP1).

Lee closes with one of the nearest of the risen warriors. Though the fallen brave is clearly undead, it does not move with the halting stiffness of one long forgotten in the grave. Its motions are fluid and graceful, even touched with unnatural swiftness. Although the creature’s speed does not match that of the Ranger, it is quick enough to avoid some of the first hand strikes the lawman directs at it, suffering only a glancing blow that does not seem to cause it any significant harm.

Cooper’s shot will leave Murphy shaken with two wounds. He’ll attempt to soak the damage.

16:39, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 9,5 using 1d12+3,1d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3.  White Chip - Soak Roll.

He manages. The two successes will rid him of the wounds and the shaken condition.

Cooper’s bullets tears a smoldering gash through the left side of his buckskin shirt. The cattle baron looks down at the singed leather and scowls.

Bauer takes aim at one of the undead warriors and fires. The shot blasts a few splinters of bone from the walking corpse’s ribcage, but appears to do little to slow it down.

17:59, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 2,4 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  Shooting.

18:15, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 6 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1.  Damage - Shooting.

Like his deputy, Garrett fires at one of the undead. His shot blasts a hole in the warrior’s ribcage. The wound doesn’t drop the creature, but it does halt in its tracks, seemingly stunned.

18:14, Today: Patrick Garrett rolled 2,4 using 1d10,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  Shooting.

18:16, Today: Patrick Garrett rolled 8 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Damage - Shooting.

The dead warrior is shaken.

”Hey, Murphy!” Bonney calls, his exclamation punctuated by the report of his pistol, ”What is it with you not lettin’ dead folk stay in the ground where they belong?!”

His shot shatters the forehead of one of the corpse warriors, sending it crashing to the ground in a clatter of tumbling bone.

18:22, Today: Henry McCarty rolled 5,5 using 1d12,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Shooting.

18:22, Today: Henry McCarty rolled 16 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,5.  Damage - Shooting.

From further down the mountain, there is an eruption of gunfire. Over the din, Chavez y Chavez’ voice can be heard, calling up to Bonney.

”Billy! You n’ the others watch yourselves! These dead bastards move really damn fast!”

Initiative Order

BJ! - L.G. Murphy
AH - Kansas Kate
10S - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
9D - Bryan Lee
9C - Albert Cooper
8H - Tamsin River - Holding
6D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
6C - Jacinta Castillo
3C - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

Tamsin hasn’t had the opportunity to sign in for the past few days, so I’ll have her hold her action.

Your turn, Señorita Castillo.

"Ain't nobody worried about that damned earth shake we just felt?"  Jacinta asked under her breath.  She lined up her shot and pulled the trigger, sending Al's special bullet Murphy's way.



Shooting: 10
Damage: 16 (LFB - Tallow & Raise)
Initiative: QH

22:41, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 5,10 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+2)8.  Shooting.
22:49, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 13,3 using 3d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,2,5,3.  Damage w/ Raise.
22:52, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: QH using the Deadlands system.  Initiative.

The shot will leave Murphy shaken with two wounds. He’ll attempt to soak the damage.

07:04, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 8,12 using 1d12+3,1d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+4)10.  White Chip - Soak Roll.

He does. The result will absorb the two wounds and do away with the shaken condition.

Castillo’s shot creases Murphy’s jaw, but the cattle baron gives little reaction, his attention seemingly focused on the advancing warriors, his demeanor like that of a commander studying a battlefield.

Seemingly in response to the scout’s question, another tremor rattles the mountainside, this one more powerful and violent than the first. An instant later, a few paces away from the posse, the earth erupts, gray soil and broken stone showering the area. A creature emerges from the newly formed pit, the pale yellow of the ancient bones that make up its form easily visible, even in the cloud of dust. Bones of many shapes and sizes, some human, some not, comprise its body, which sprouts four legs and six arms. It stands almost eight feet high, but crouches as it sights the posse, much like a predator preparing to pounce on its prey. As best any can see, the monster has no head, or even eyes, but it is plain that it perceives its enemies.



07:05, Today: L.G. Murphy drew the single card: 10D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

07:06, Today: Marshal drew the single card: AC using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative - The Dead.

07:09, Today: Marshal drew the single card: JS using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative - Bone Fiend.

07:10, Today: Marshal drew the single card: 8C using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative - Allies.

Initiative Order

BJ! - Albert Cooper
AS - Bryan Lee
AC - The Dead
QH - Jacinta Castillo
JS - Bone Fiend
10D - L.G. Murphy
9H - Kansas Kate
8H - Tamsin River - Holding
8C - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
7C - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

The Bone Fiend has a Parry of 8 and Toughness of 11.

Your turn, Mr. Cooper.

Albert slipped over towards where Lee had things well in hand with one of the dedders, mostly to adjust his range to target. Once in place, he slipped his thumb back to the cylinder of his revolver and again selected the empty chamber. The cowboy first aimed his weapon at Murphy, though when he depressed the trigger, a pale, green glow leapt from the barrel of the gun and briefly engulfed Murphy, and then the skeletal arrival.

For good measure, Cooper then fired a magical bullet at the bone fiend, striking it dead center.

OOC: First, Albert is going to spend a blue chip and play the card that allows him to regain all his power points. He will move northwest of his current position to put Murphy in range (the spot I'd like to end at is the space northeast of Bryan).

For his turn, he is going to take two actions. He is going to try to reduce the Vigor of both Murphy and this new creature using Lower Trait on two targets. He's then going to shoot the new skeletal thing.

Both Murphy and the skeleton will need to resist using Spirit against a roll of 13. If they fail, their Vigor goes down 1 die. If they fail by 4+, it goes down by two.

Edit: Without Marksman, that shot becomes a 2, so I will white chip it. The reroll is 18 and now thedamage is 21, magical. As it happened second, it should be against any adjusted toughness from success on lower trait.

7S initiative for next round.

I know I have some bookeeping to do, I'll get to that a little later today.

09:53, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: 7S using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative .

05:49, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 7 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7.  Raise Damage.

05:49, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 18,1 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (12+6)18,1.  White Chip (shooting).

09:53, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 14 using 2d6+7, rerolling max with rolls of 4,3.  Damage (AP1).

09:52, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 4,4 using d12+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2.  Shooting (Marksman,BJ,MAP). - BUT he moved, so it's only a 2. Going to white chip this.

09:52, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 13,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+5)13,3.  Lower Trait (BJ,MAP).
This message was last edited by the player at 12:53, Wed 21 Apr 2021.

18:44, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 10,9 using 1d12+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 9,(6+3)9.  Spirit.

Murphy misses his Spirit roll by 3, which will reduce his Vigor from D12+1 to D12. That alteration will not impact his Toughness. The effect will last for three rounds, beginning with this one.

18:45, Today: The Bone Fiend rolled 1,15 using 1d12,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+6+3)15.  Spirit.

The Bone Fiend passes its Spirit roll.

The shot will inflict two wounds on the monster and impose a shaken condition on it. It will attempt to soak the damage.

18:47, Today: The Bone Fiend rolled 4,5 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5.  White Chip - Soak Roll.

That will absorb one of the two wounds. It will retain one wound and still has the shaken condition to contend with.

18:58, Today: The Bone Fiend rolled 4,4 using 1d12,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4.  Spirit.

The fiend is able to lose the shaken condition.

Murphy pauses as the green glow engulfs him, taking a deep, shuddering breath when it finally fades. The cattle baron glowers at Cooper, clearly angered by the effect that the gunslinger’s magic has had on him.

The bone creature shows no reaction to the eerie glow, but when Cooper’s shot strikes it, it staggers a pace, fragments of shattered bone scattering across the ground at its feet. Those nearby can see a jagged hole in what presumably is the creature’s chest, the leavings of the gunfighter’s deadly marksmanship.



Initiative Order

BJ! - Albert Cooper
AS - Bryan Lee
AC - The Dead
QH - Jacinta Castillo
JS - Bone Fiend
10D - L.G. Murphy
9H - Kansas Kate
8H - Tamsin River - Holding
8C - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
7C - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

The Bone Fiend has a Parry of 8 and Toughness of 11.

You have the floor, Ranger Lee.

He remembered words of ancient wisdom from the book his father had given him. Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.

They would expect him to fly headfirst into what was before him, but instead he would now take time to prepare, and he hoped, would soon fall like a thunderbolt.

Bryan took a moment during this battle to take in a deep breath, and flowed into a fighting stance he had learned in Shan Fan. He didn't know what this new thing was, but was pretty sure he would need whatever he had left in the tank to counter it. He stood for a moment still, though inside there was a whirlwind that was about to be unleashed upon any who dared to strike him and any that he took the field against.

OOC:

Quickness: 4
Damage Field: 18
Initiative: 8D

20:37, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: 8D using the Deadlands system.  Initiative.
20:37, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 3,11,7 using d6,d6,d6, rerolling max.  White Chip.
20:36, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max.  Red Chip.
20:35, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 2,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max. (<---- Misclick)
20:35, Today: Bran Lee rolled 2,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Damage Field.
20:34, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Quickness.

OOC: Each of the undead warriors possesses a pace of 9.

19:42, Today: The Dead rolled 8 using 1d4+2, rerolling max with rolls of (4+2)6.  Spirit.

The warrior that was shaken by Garrett’s shot loses its shaken condition.

Their ancient weapons raised, the dead men rush down the slope with unnatural speed, trails of shadow following the paths they cut across the mountainside.

The dead man already engaged with Lee swings its tomahawk at the lawman in a fast diagonal arc.

19:07, Today: The Dead rolled 11 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of (8+3)11.  Fighting - Tomahawk.

19:09, Today: The Dead rolled 7,7 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(6+1)7.  Damage.

19:49, Today: The Dead rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Damage - Raise.

Total Damage: 17

That strike will, of course, expose it to Lee’s recently activated damage field.

19:27, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Bryan Lee, rolled 9 using 2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3.  Damage Field.

Total Damage: 9

The field will render the dead warrior shaken.

The first of the advancing undead launches itself at Cooper, lunging at the gunfighter with its spear.

20:02, Today: The Dead rolled 8 using 1d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of 6.  Fighting - Spear (Unarmed Defender).

20:02, Today: The Dead rolled 4,5 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,5.  Damage.

Total Damage: 9

Two more of the warriors rush past the bone creature’s left flank. The first barrels toward Tamsin River, swinging at the herbalist’s ribs with the war club it wields.

20:18, Today: The Dead rolled 5 using 1d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Fighting - Club (Unarmed Defender).

20:19, Today: The Dead rolled 2,9 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+3)9.  Damage.

Total Damage: 11

The second warrior aims a slicing blow at Jacinta Castillo with its tomahawk.

20:35, Today: The Dead rolled 5 using 1d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Fighting - Tomahawk (Unarmed Defender).

20:35, Today: The Dead rolled 7,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,3.  Damage.

Total Damage: 10

Two more of the animated corpses snake around the bone creature’s right side, moving to attack Kansas Kate and Bonney.

One of the dead warriors thrusts its spear at Kansas Kate’s midsection, but the outlaw turns the attack aside with her Arkansas Toothpick.

20:48, Today: The Dead rolled 1 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Fighting - Spear.

The other warrior cracks Bonney on the thigh with a swing of its war club.

20:51, Today: The Dead rolled 7 using 1d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Fighting - War Club (Unarmed Defender).

30:55, Today: The Dead rolled 6,2 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,2.  Damage.

Total Damage: 8 (Bonney is shaken.)

The last pair of undead charge toward Dr. Wayland. The first of the two warriors closes the distance between itself and the bounty hunter. It swings its tomahawk at him, but the inventor manages to duck the blow, the weapon whistling over his head as it passes.

21:08, Today: The Dead rolled 3 using 1d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Fighting - Tomahawk (Unarmed Defender).

The second warrior hangs back a few steps, then hurls its spear at the doctor.

21:14, Today: The Dead rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Throwing - Spear.

21:16, Today: The Dead rolled 7,5 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5.  Damage.

Total Damage: 12

Initiative Order

BJ! - Albert Cooper
AS - Bryan Lee
AC - The Dead
QH - Jacinta Castillo
JS - Bone Fiend
10D - L.G. Murphy
9H - Kansas Kate
8H - Tamsin River - Holding
8C - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
7C - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

The Bone Fiend has a Parry of 8 and Toughness of 11.

Ranger Lee, the warrior’s attack left you shaken with two wounds. You are free to make a soak roll.

Mr. Cooper, the warrior’s attack left you shaken. You may make a Spirit roll, or spend a chip, to lose the condition.

Miss River, the warrior’s attack left you shaken with one wound. You are free to make a soak roll.

Señorita Castillo, the warrior’s attack left you shaken with one wound. You are free to make a soak roll.

Dr. Wayland, the warrior’s attack left you shaken with one wound. You are free to make a soak roll.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

Señorita Castillo, it’s your turn.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:52, Fri 23 Apr 2021.

OOC: Albert will unshake.

23:10, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 4,7 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5.  Shaken! Not stirred.

"¡Dios mio!"   The bloody beast was on her so quickly, that Jacinta barely had time to defend herself.  The tomahawk hissed through the air, slicing through her sleeve and grazing the skin.  She brought her firearm up and around, giving the evil dead a hard rack with the butt of her rifle.


Soak Roll: 5 (eliminates wound & shaken)
Fighting (improvised weapon): 10 (Raise w/ 2 Blue chips)
Damage: 9
Initiative: 6D

23:56, Thu 22 Apr: Jacinta Castillo rolled 7,5 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  White Chip - Soak Roll.
22:43, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 8,1 using d4-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of (4+4+1)9,2.  Fighting (Improvised weapon).
22:47, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Fighting - Blue Chip.
22:47, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Fighting - Blue Chip.
22:50, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 9 using 3d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5,1.  Damage.
22:51, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 6D using the Deadlands system.  Initiative.


Going to play this Adventure Card:

4S - Last Stand
“Stand together now!”
Your hero and any adjacent allies gain +2 Parry and Toughness. Allies who move into contact after the card is played gain the bonus as well. The effect ends when a Joker is dealt. The Narrator gets to draw 2 random chips from the fate pot.

In effect:
Jacinta and adjacent allies (Tamsin, Bauer, and Garrett) at +2 Parry & Toughness.  Any others that join her will also gain +2.

The butt of Castillo’s rifle slams against the dead warrior’s head with a hard, dry crack, staggering the walking corpse and knocking its jaw askew.

OOC: The undead warrior is shaken.

In a strangely animal-like gesture, the bone creature shakes itself violently, as if clearing its head from the effects of its recent injury. With a sudden burst of speed, it surges forward, cha sing after the one who wounded it, swiping at Cooper with one of its long claws as it catches up to the gunfighter.

13:46, Today: The Bone Fiend rolled 26,6 using 1d12-1,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of (12+12+3)27,(6+1)7.  Fighting.

13:47, Today: The Bone Fiend rolled 7,8,2 using 1d4,1d10-1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (4+3)7,9,2.  Damage.

Total Damage: 17

From his position near the campfire, Murphy watches the melee with hooded eyes, his expression grim.

OOC: Murphy loses his action due to the effect of the Shakin’ in Thar Boots card.

Initiative Order

BJ! - Albert Cooper
AS - Bryan Lee
AC - The Dead
QH - Jacinta Castillo
JS - Bone Fiend
10D - L.G. Murphy
9H - Kansas Kate
8H - Tamsin River - Holding
8C - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
7C - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

The Bone Fiend has a Parry of 8 and Toughness of 11.

Ranger Lee, the warrior’s attack left you shaken with two wounds. You are free to make a soak roll.

Mr. Cooper, the bone fiend’s attack left you shaken with two wounds. You are free to make a soak roll.

Miss River, the warrior’s attack left you shaken with one wound. You are free to make a soak roll.

Dr. Wayland, the warrior’s attack left you shaken with one wound. You are free to make a soak roll.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

It is your turn, Kansas Kate.

Well this is what I'd been afraid of. She mused.  But she'd tried, oh Lord how she'd tried.  There was nothing for it but to try to fight out of it.

She thrust, but not at the enemy who was expecting it.

So Double Kay is going to do something stupid by Wild Attacking the ornery critter in her face.

15:26, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 9,3 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,3.  Fighting.

Because I forgot how numbers work, that is actually an 11 due to WA bonus

15:29, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 5,3,1 using d6+2,d4+1,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2,1.  The Toothpick Stick.

Well, that's a 9, which will do something, but not much because these are undead.  However, it's Shaken, which is enough to do this:

Her ferocity let her plant the blade where a heart would normally be, except it was dead so that did nothing.  However, the sharp jolt seemed to stagger the thing momentarily, and she cut out.

Since I haven't moved yet and it can't do anything while it's Shaken, I'm going to cut across to the space diagonal to Castillo, so the Last Stand bonus will counteract my Wild Attack penalty.

15:33, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: 5D using the Deadlands system.

Dr. Wayland skidded a backstep on his bootheels as the dead thing swung in on him, managing to just avoid the claws.  The spear, on the other hand, caught him full in the vest.  Surely that would do for the scientist...  But then it fell away.  This one had surprisingly thick skin.  Or at least a thick vest.

Soaked 1 Wound, which also clears Shaken?

22:41, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 1,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  White Chip - Soak Roll vs. 1 Wound.

Albert shifted his stance slightly and threw his left arm at what seemed like the bone fiend's most aggressive assault. His well-timed (some might say lucky) movement kept him from taking any significant injury.

OOC: Soaked three wounds.

20:21, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 7,13 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+5)11.  Soak!

[Posted by Marshal]

Tamsin will attempt to soak the wound she received.

14:43, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Tamsin River, rolled 1,4 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  White Chip - Soak Roll.

She succeeds, soaking the wound and doing away with the accompanying shaken condition.

Attempting to fend off the attack of the dead warrior, Tamsin fires a shot at the undead creature, but in the struggle, the shot goes wide.

14:44, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Tamsin River, rolled 3,4 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Shooting.

15:10, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Tamsin River, drew the single card: 6S using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

Bauer circles Castillo, moving to the scout’s right side while leveling her pistol at the warrior Castillo is struggling with. ”Get off of her,” the deputy snaps, ”Head back to hell where you came from.”

She fires, the shot reducing the walking corpse’s head to scattered fragments.

11:33, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 7,4 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4.  Shooting.

12:35, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 11 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+2)8.  Damage.

As the warrior is already shaken, Bauer’s shot will kill it.

Garrett sets his sights on the dead warrior that hurled its spear at Dr. Wayland. Pausing long enough to be certain of his aim, the sheriff squeezes off a shot, blasting a wide hole in the corpse’s chest. The warrior wavers, then collapses in a heap of ash and bone.

12:38, Today: Patrick Garrett rolled 8,3 using 1d10+2,1d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1.  Shooting.

12:39, Today: Patrick Garrett rolled 9,5 using 2d6+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7,1,5.  Damage.

Total Damage: 14

The shot will inflict a wound and destroy the walking corpse.

The Kid manages to free his Bowie knife from his belt and bury it in the dead warrior’s shoulder. The attack seems to stun the corpse, but it remains upright, its pale eyes still burning with hatred.

12:40, Today: Henry McCarty rolled 7,4 using 1d10,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,4.  Spirit.

Billy is able to lose the shaken condition.

Quick Draw Edge: Draw Bowie knife

12:40, Today: Henry McCarty rolled 3,14 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+6+2)14.  Fighting.

12:41, Today: Henry McCarty rolled 5,3,2 using 1d6,1d4+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2,2.  Damage.

Total Damage: 10

The dead warrior is shaken.

Initiative Order

BJ! - Albert Cooper
AS - Bryan Lee
AC - The Dead
QH - Jacinta Castillo
JS - Bone Fiend
10D - L.G. Murphy
9H - Kansas Kate
8H - Tamsin River
8C - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
7C - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

The Bone Fiend has a Parry of 8 and Toughness of 11.

Ranger Lee, the warrior’s attack left you shaken with two wounds. You are free to make a soak roll.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

Dr Wayland, you have the floor.

Dr. Wayland dropped his right hand from his lightning gun, which freed it to go for something more personal.  He dragged the gatling pistol free of the holster, thumbing the catch to release the spring.  He didn't have much room, though and the mechanical pistol chattered away too soon...peppering the ground and uselessly off to the side of the dead thing...

Action 1 - Draw Gatling
Action 2 - Autofire w/ -2 from multi-action.  Miss.  White Chip.  Miss.

Next Initiative - AS

00:18, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the 2 cards: AS, 2D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative Draw - Level Headed.
00:14, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 1,2,2 using d10-2,d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4,4.  White - Reroll.
00:13, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 4,4,1 using d10-2,d10-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,6,3.  Full Auto Gatling Pistol vs. Dead - Parry: 6.

21:40, Today: L.G. Murphy drew the single card: 10D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

21:45, Today: The Bone Fiend drew the single card: 10C using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

21:47, Today: The Dead drew the single card: 2C using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

21:49, Today: Marshal drew the single card: 2S using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative - Allies.

Initiative Order

AS - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
10D - L.G. Murphy
10C - The Bone Fiend
8D - Bryan Lee
7S - Albert Cooper
6S - Tamsin River
6D - Jacinta Castillo
5D - Kansas Kate
2S - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
2C - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

The Bone Fiend has a Parry of 8 and Toughness of 11.

Ranger Lee, the warrior’s attack left you shaken with two wounds. You are free to make a soak roll.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

Your turn, Dr. Wayland.

Dr. Wayland gritted his teeth and adjusted the pistol slightly to bring it to bear on the dead thing seeking to enlist him.  His finger never really left the trigger as the machine gun continued to chatter and spit lead.  Now the bullets thunked into the thing...to very little effect...

Autofire without the Multi Action...  Red Chip spend nets two hits.

Both fail to beat Toughness.

Next Draw - 9C

22:09, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the 2 cards: 5C, 9C using a deck of 54 cards.  Next Init Draw.
22:08, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 5 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,3.  Hit #2.
22:07, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 6 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Hit #1.
22:04, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Red Chip Add.
22:03, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 5,1,7 using d10,d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1,(6+1)7.  Full Auto Gatling Pistol vs. Dead - Parry: 6.

Murphy extends his hand, palm up. Shadows gather above it, quickly forming a small sphere of impenetrable darkness. With a snap of his wrist, the cattle baron sends it streaking down the mountainside. In the blink of an eye, it lands at Bauer’s feet and explodes, briefly swallowing up a portion of the battle in a burst of ice cold blackness.

Cast: Blast

Power Points expended: 4

11:03, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 5,2 using 1d12,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Spellcasting.

11:26, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 11 using 3d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,4,2.  Damage.

Total Damage: 11

The blast is centered on Bauer, and will catch her, Castillo, Kansas Kate, and Garrett in its area of effect. Each will need to contend with the damage dealt.

The bone monster circles Cooper, its long steps bringing it between the gunslinger and the nearby Ranger Lee. With a wide swing of one of its long, clawed arms, it slashes at both men with a scythe like strike.

The Bone Fiend possesses the Improved Sweep edge, which allows it to target all adjacent foes with a single melee attack.

12:37, Today: The Bone Fiend rolled 2,4 using 1d10-1,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Fighting - Improved Sweep.

That would miss, so the beast is going to burn its last white chip to try for a better result.

12:38, Today: The Bone Fiend rolled 5,18 using 1d10-1,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 6,(6+6+6+1)19.  Fighting - Improved Sweep - White Chip.

12:40, Today: The Bone Fiend rolled 1,6,8 using 1d4,1d10-1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,7,(6+2)8.  Damage.

Total Damage: 16

The bone fiend’s attack would subject it to Lee’s damage field.

13:29, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Bryan Lee, rolled 10 using 2d8, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,1.  Damage Field.

The resulting damage won’t get past the creature’s toughness.

Amusingly, improved sweep hits everyone adjacent to the user, both friend and foe, so that result will demolish the dead warrior that was shaken by Lee’s damage field. Think the cave troll trying to kill Gimli in The Fellowship of the Ring.

As the bone beast carries through with its swing, its long claws decapitate the dead warrior that had attacked the lawman, the walking corpse’s body dissipating into dust an instant later.

Initiative Order

AS - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
10D - L.G. Murphy
10C - The Bone Fiend
8D - Bryan Lee
7S - Albert Cooper
6S - Tamsin River
6D - Jacinta Castillo
5D - Kansas Kate
2S - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
2C - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

The Bone Fiend has a Parry of 8 and Toughness of 11. It is carrying one wound.

Ranger Lee, the warrior’s attack left you shaken with two wounds. You are free to make a soak roll.

Ranger Lee, the bone fiend’s attack left you shaken with two wounds. You are free to make a soak roll.

Mr. Cooper, the bone fiend’s attack left you shaken with two wounds. You are free to make a soak roll.

Kansas Kate, Murphy’s blast left you shaken with one wound. You are free to make a soak roll.

Señorita Castillo, Murphy’s blast left you shaken with one wound. You are free to make a soak roll.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

It is your turn, Ranger Lee.

Kansas Kate managed to drop aside at the last second, though she knew she was about done in this brawl.  At least mentally.

Fudge.  Yeah Got past it but it cost me!

14:28, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Fudge.

14:27, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 3,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2.  Soaker!

The bone fiend's strike caught him unawares, ripping his shirt spilling the first blood on him in this particular fight, though certainly not the first of the day. As he struggled to recover, flailing wildly in his defense, the sweeping attack from the fiendish creature that followed was nearly just as bad.

But Ranger Lee was nothing if not stubborn, and so he gathered his inner reserves of strength, pushing away the emotions that threatened his neutral state, ignoring the pain of his injuries to fight through.

His fists flew at the most potent threat that was there before them, threatening himself, Cooper, and if it survived them the rest of his comrades. He moved with the speed of lightning, and struck with the fury of the storm, as if he was possessed of more than two fists, seeing between seconds, avoiding defensive maneuvers and finding the perfect spot to attack each time.


OOC:

Well, looks like about four wounds between the two attacks. I'll go ahead and spend an Adventure Card on that:

10C - Second Wind
“I’m feeling much better now.”
Play on your hero to automatically remove all wounds sustained in this combat (but not crippling injuries). If Shaken, he is un-Shaken now as well. The Marshal gets to draw 2 random chips from the fate pot.

Let's roll up some Attacks on the big ugly Bone Fiend. I'm gonna make them all Wild, playing a bit risky with that there given the situation, but hoping that a good offense can help here. Between his base attack, the Wing Chun attack, and the Improved Frenzy attack on each of his actions (a la Quickness) hope for some good options here. Including the Ganging Up bonus from another adjacent ally (Coop) after the fact as I forgot to throw it onto the roller:

Attacks: 12, 11, 6, 12, 6, 9

That should be four successes, two of them raises. So time to roll up Damage, which takes into account Strength, Wild Attack, Brawler, Martial Artist, Damage Field, and raise where applicable.

Damages: 19, 26, 36, 24

So that should be:
- Shaken with 2 Wounds
- Shaken with 3 Wounds
- Shaken with 6 Wounds
- Shaken with 3 Wounds

Initiative: RJ!

Bank of Rolls Below

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
23:17, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 24 using d8+d4+4+2d8, rerolling max with rolls of (8+7)15,1,1,3.  Damage 4.
23:17, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 36 using d8+d4+4+2d8+d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3,(8+8+1)17,7,2.  Damage 3 (Raise).
23:16, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 26 using d8+d4+4+2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(4+2)6,3,(8+4)12.  Damage 2.
23:16, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 19 using d8+d4+4+2d8+d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,1,5,3,2.  Damage 1 (Raise).
23:08, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 8,4 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 6,2.  Frenzy 2.
23:08, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,5 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Wing chun 2.
23:07, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 11,6 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 9,4.  Fighting 2.
23:07, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 5,3 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max.  Imp Frenzy.
23:07, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 9,10 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max.  Wing Chun.
23:07, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 8,11 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max.  Fighting.
23:03, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: RJ! using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

---

OOC: I went ahead and made my soak roll...which succeeded. But I'm going to wait to see what the results of the General's attacks are before deciding on Alberts action.

Both wounds soaked with use of a white chip (one left!)

09:39, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 1,9 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+3)9.  Soak!

Lee’s determined assault on the bone monster somehow shatters the binding force that holds the creature together. As his last strike lands, the beast collapses into a massive pile of ancient bone, dust rising from the yellowed heap of forgotten remains.

The din of gunfire from further down the slope continues without pause. In the midst of the gunshots, a voice can be heard urging Desiree Thornton to “hang on”.

“There are more of the dead men!” Andrew Roberts yells to whoever might be listening, “They’re coming out of the tree lines! East and west!”

Jacinta, Tamsin, and Kansas Kate: Due to Bryan Lee’s initiative draw, the protective effects offered by the Last Stand card immediately cease.



Initiative Order

AS - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
10D - L.G. Murphy
10C - The Bone Fiend
8D - Bryan Lee
7S - Albert Cooper
6S - Tamsin River
6D - Jacinta Castillo
5D - Kansas Kate
2S - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
2C - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

Kansas Kate, Murphy’s blast left you shaken with one wound. You are free to make a soak roll.

Señorita Castillo, Murphy’s blast left you shaken with one wound. You are free to make a soak roll.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

Your turn, Mr. Cooper.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:57, Sun 02 May 2021.

As the bone creature tried to injure Albert after doing the same to Bryan, Albert timed a leap perfectly. Pulling his knees toward his chest in mid-air allowed the cowboy to avoid what would surely have been a painful gash.

As the General worked on the bone creature with extraordinary efficiency, Albert turned his weapon on the dedder next to him. His shot was true, the bullet striking with a sickening thud.

OOC: 10 to hit, which is still a raise against the 6 parry. 14 damage, magical, AP 1.

6C for next round.

10:04, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: 6C using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative .

10:04, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 14 using 2d6+5+d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1,3.  Damage (AP1) + Raise.

10:03, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 10,4 using d12+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 8,2.  Shooting (Marksman).

Cooper’s shot blasts a hole in the corpse’s chest, the warrior collapsing in clatter of dry bones an instant later.



Jacinta, Tamsin, and Kansas Kate: Due to Bryan Lee’s initiative draw, the protective effects offered by the Last Stand card immediately cease.

Initiative Order

AS - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
10D - L.G. Murphy
10C - The Bone Fiend
8D - Bryan Lee
7S - Albert Cooper
6S - Tamsin River - Holding
6D - Jacinta Castillo
5D - Kansas Kate
2S - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
2C - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

Señorita Castillo, Murphy’s blast left you shaken with one wound. You are free to make a soak roll.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

As Tamsin has been absent of late, I’ll have her hold her action until near the end of the round.

Señorita Castillo, you have the floor.

The blast caught her off guard and nearly knocked her off her feet.  She turned at the last moment with a yell of warning, catching the brunt of the attack along her shoulder.  Recovering her balance, Jacinta swiveled in the direction of the attack and caught Murphy in her sights.  Her finger curled about the trigger and the resounding crack of the rifle echoed across the mountain.


Soak: 4 (w/ Red chip)
Shooting: 11 (1 Raise)
Damage: 22
Initiative: 7H

23:54, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 3,1 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1.  Soak.
3:55, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Soak - Red Chip.
23:56, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 11,4 using d10+2,d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of 9,2.  Shooting.
23:57, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 22,5 using 3d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(8+3)11,7,5.  Damage w/ Raise.  (Whoops - forgot to change the dice to 2d8 for a normal bullet, so only used the first 2 rolls plus the d6 roll)
00:09, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 7H using the Deadlands system.  Initiative.

Smite: 3/15
Shots: 2/15
This message was last edited by the player at 07:04, Thu 06 May 2021.

Castillo’s shot will inflict two wounds on Murphy, as well as rendering him shaken.

The cattle baron will attempt to soak the damage.

20:36, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 6,3 using 1d12,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,3.  White Chip - Soak Roll.

That’s only one success, which will only remove a single wound. That will force him to burn a red chip to see if he can better the result.

20:36, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Red Chip - Soak Roll.

The second roll will enable him to soak both wounds and lose the shaken condition, but it was a costly recovery.

Castillo’s shot slashes across Murphy’s left arm, shredding the sleeve of his shirt, and leaving a gash that wells blood freely. He looks down at the injury, his expression one of earnest surprise, seemingly shocked by his own, unrecognized vulnerability.

Initiative Order

AS - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
10D - L.G. Murphy
10C - The Bone Fiend
8D - Bryan Lee
7S - Albert Cooper
6S - Tamsin River - Holding
6D - Jacinta Castillo
5D - Kansas Kate
2S - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
2C - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

Kansas Kate, it’s your turn.

Kansas Kate cursed the situation.  She took stock.  Part of her wanted to plink at Murphy, but they couldn't all just do that.  This mess had to be policed, and an outlaw wasn't much for police-work.  So she split the difference.

"Hey Doc Fancy Pants!"  She called out.  "Do somethin'!"

He'd been cut off (thanks to her in part).  Momentarily bringing her Wincester up to her cheek she fired it at the dead thing threatening The Fancy Man, trying to give Dr. Wayland some relief.


Quick Draw abuse!  Draw Winchester as a free action!

So good solid hit with a Raise... 21:01, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 11,9 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 11,(6+3)9.  Pew Pew.

But crap damage - 8 damage - Well it's Shaken maybe that'll do something.

Cursing it hadn't much more, she brought the infamous Toothpick back up, and she closed the distance with the deader threatening River.

Quick Draw abuse again!  Toothpick as a free action!  Moving west to get in melee with that thing so someone can get Gang Up Bonus

"Gang up on them ya idjits!  Ah don't care if ya fight like yer limpdick daddy! "

21:11, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: KS using the Deadlands system.

Bauer draws her Spencer and shoulders it. The deputy squeezes off a shot at Murphy, which goes wide.

Quick Draw edge: Draw carbine

11:05, Today: Lena Bauer rolled 2,1 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  Shooting.

Garrett shifts his aim to the dead warrior that had attacked Kansas Kate. Drawing a bead on the corpse, he fires, the shot blasting apart the left side of the warrior’s chest. The dead man’s bones clatter to the ground a moment later.

11:09, Today: Patrick Garrett rolled 7,12 using 1d10+2,1d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,(6+4)10.  Shooting.

11:10, Today: Patrick Garrett rolled 9,2 using 2d6+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3,2.  Damage.

Total Damage: 11

With the dead man that is facing him stunned, Bonney raises his pistol and shoots the warrior in the forehead, the bullet tearing the top of its head off. Bones and ash fall at the kid’s feet as he opens the cylinder of his Colt, dumps the remaining ammunition, and quickly feeds six rounds from his gunbelt into it.

11:22, Today: Henry McCarty rolled 6,1 using 1d12,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1.  Shooting.

11:24, Today: Henry McCarty rolled 19 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of (6+4)10,(6+2)8.  Damage.

Reload: Speed Load edge

[Posted by Marshal.]

Still struggling with her undead attacker, Tamsin manages to fire another shot. The bullet creases the dead warrior’s skull, leaving cracks in the yellowed bone, and seemingly stunning the creature.

11:41, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Tamsin River, rolled 9,4 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+3)9,4.  Shooting.

11:42, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Tamsin River, rolled 8 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 5,2.  Damage.

The dead warrior is shaken.

14:25, Today: The Dead rolled 4 using 1d4+2, rerolling max with rolls of 2.  Spirit.

14:26, Today: The Dead rolled 9 using 1d4+2, rerolling max with rolls of (4+3)7.  Spirit.

Both of the shaken warriors are able to shed the condition.

The walking corpse facing Dr. Wayland takes another swing at the bounty hunter with its tomahawk. Dr. Wayland sidesteps the heavy blow, the warrior’s weapon arcing through vacant air.

14:35, Today: The Dead rolled 3 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Fighting.

The walking corpse contending with Tamsin manages to recover its faculties. With a quick, sideways swing, the warrior lashes out at the herbalist, but she is able to duck the attack.

14:54, Today: The Dead rolled 5 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Fighting.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:48, Thu 06 May 2021.

08:51, Sun 02 May: Secret Roll: The Bone Fiend rolled 1 using 1d4, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Reformation.

As the battle continues across the mountainside, the heap of bones that once comprised the imposing skeletal creature stir, beginning to move seemingly of their own volition, snaking a few paces north as though guided by an unseen hand. As more stir, the speed of their motion grows.

It is not only the bones that formed the beast that seem to come to life. The remains of the recently felled warriors scattered across the slope are suddenly pulled toward the monster’s carcass, drawn as if by a magnet.

The collected bones rise, arranging themselves into a hideous form that is immediately familiar to those on the mountain: that of the massive bone creature. Only now, the beast possesses five legs, rather than four, and seven legs, as opposed to six. Some of the jagged skeletal remains that comprise the monster’s chest open and close in a motion reminiscent of a great maw lined with sharp teeth.

The reformed monster shakes itself, pawing at the stony earth.

True to Roberts’ yelled warning, the posse members see more of the dead emerge from the forest; two to the east and one to the west.



16:03, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Tamsin River, drew the single card: 10H using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

16:03, Today: L.G. Murphy drew the single card: QC using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

16:04, Today: The Bone Fiend drew the single card: 9H using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

16:06, Today: Marshal drew the single card: 6D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative - Allies.

16:08, Today: The Dead drew the single card: 4H using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

Initiative Order

RJ! - Bryan Lee
KS - Kansas Kate
QC - L.G. Murphy
10H - Tamsin River
9H - Bone Fiend
9C - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
7H - Jacinta Castillo
6D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
6C - Albert Cooper
4H - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Bone Fiend now possesses a Parry of 9 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

It is your turn, Ranger Lee.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:48, Thu 06 May 2021.

OOC:

Marshal, I'd like to go On Hold until no later than before the Bone Fiend's next action.

Initiative Order

RJ! - Bryan Lee - Holding
KS - Kansas Kate
QC - L.G. Murphy
10H - Tamsin River
9H - Bone Fiend
9C - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
7H - Jacinta Castillo
6D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
6C - Albert Cooper
4H - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12.

The Bone Fiend possesses a Parry of 9 and a Toughness of 12.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

Your turn, Kansas Kate.

With a scream Kansas Kate lashed out at the dead creature, trying to drive her steel deep into it.

All right, Wild Attack +2, and we have 4 people touching it so that should add Gang Up for +3.  Total +5.

I would do a called shot but... well it's undead.

16:48, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 8,7 using d8+5,d6+5, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2.  Wild Attack with Gang Up.

Wow, it's a good thing I didn't that's a terrible roll lol

9 damage at least - 16:48, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 6,3 using d6+2,d4+1, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2.  Damage.

Yeah... oh well.

16:49, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: 3D using the Deadlands system.

He knew that there was a deader behind him, and while an immediate sense of urgency very nearly seized him to move towards the tremendously large fiend in front of them and he knew these ladies were more than capable of fending for themselves, a gentlemanly impulse seized him. He turned back and threw a punch, fist connecting with rotting flesh. He felt more than heard the sickly but satisfying crunch of bone before his steps took him past Cooper to approach the bone fiend.

He remembered fighting a thing like this before in the streets of Lincoln, and he remembered its weak spot - the blackened skull that lurked within its bony carapace. He cursed his poor memory; shattering the thing hadn't been enough last time. It had taken blasting that skull apart by one of Cooper's well aimed bullets to do the trick. He planned to attempt a similar feat with his bare hands. Thrusting his calloused fists through gaps in the ribcage to try to strike at its core.


OOC:

My plan is to take his first action here, and hold the second one until the outcome is more clear.

Turning around and throwing a punch at the deader.

Attack: 17
Damage: 23

Assuming that takes it down, he uses his movement to get around the top side of the Bone Fiend. He's going to throw in another two punches, hoping to strike the black skull in the middle of the creature's body - assuming that there's enough gap in the skeletal structure for him to reach it. The -4 Penalty to hit will counteract Lee's Wild Attack and Joker bonuses, so this is a straight skill roll.

Rolled a 2, which wasn't good enough so I spent the Legend Chip to bump that up.

Attack: 9
Damage: 24

Given that 10 damage did for it last time, I figured that may be enough. But threw another punch in just because...it amounted to just another 2, so we'll just leave it at that since I'm running low on chips now.

Now, if he couldn't have aimed for it, his attacks would get a bonus (Large Creature +1, Wild Attack +2, Joker) and he'd get a raise, etc. so I'd just have to add that in (damage goes up to 27).

Holding his second action on the outcome of this.

Already stunned by Kansas Kate’s vicious knife attack, the dead warrior never seems to sense Lee’s lightning fast strike to the back of its head. The powerful blow decapitates it, sending the walking corpse’s head flying over Tamsin River’s left shoulder. The headless body comes apart a moment later, earth encrusted bones landing in a heap at the herbalist’s feet.

The lawman rushes the newly reformed bone creature, his eyes glimpsing a tell tale flicker of black within the monster’s torso. He punches the beast twice, the second blow breaking through a veritable wall of bone and striking the skull that is sheltered within.

A horrible groan sounds across the mountainside, a deep bass sound that causes the trees and rocks to tremble with its force. The bone creature’s arms wave spasmodically, as if the beast has been overtaken by excruciating pain. Then, it collapses in a sudden torrent of jagged bone.

OOC: Ranger, I’m going to need you to give me an Agility roll in order to dodge the avalanche of bones. There’s no negative effect if you pass. However, if you do make your roll, you’ll need to move one square backward (straight back or diagonally) as part of your successful avoidance.

"Every dog has his day, Longley. Even a no good rotten mangy mutt like you," he said, his enhanced speed started to fade, but not before he threw in a few more hits at Longley.

OOC:

Agility: 6

That should send him backwards, up a bit further towards Murphy. He'll use the rest of his movement to get up to ol' Murph, then throw in a few swings.

Attacks: 21, 9, 10

I'm going to go ahead and assume that he has the Martial Artist Edge like our last few opponents. If he doesn't, the second attack will hit and the last will get a raise. But if he does...

Damage: 15, 21, 33

Initiative:.....3H

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

23:44, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: 3H using the Deadlands system.  Initiative.
22:06, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 29 using d8+d4+4+2d8, rerolling max with rolls of (8+5)13,2,5,5.  Damage 2.
22:05, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 15 using d8+d4+4+2d8+d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,2,5,1,1.  Damage 1.
22:04, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 10,5 using d10+4,d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1.  Improved Frenzy (Wild Attack, Joker).
22:04, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 7,6 using d10+4,d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2.  Wing Chun (Wild Attack, Joker).
22:04, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 21,7 using d10+4,d6+4, rerolling max with rolls of (10+7)17,3.  Fighting (Wild Attack, Joker).
08:46, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 6,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max.  Agility.
08:42, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  Raise.

08:42, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 21 using d8+d4+4+2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2,5,6.  Damage again.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 13:45, Tue 11 May 2021.

The first attack by Lee would leave Murphy shaken. I’ll address it after resolving the Ranger’s other two attacks.

The second strike would leave Murphy shaken with two wounds. He’ll attempt to soak the damage.

18:41, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 8,4 using 1d12,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 8,4.  White Chip - Soak Roll.

He does. That result will clear both of the wounds and the accompanying shaken condition.

The third attack would inflict five wounds and impart a shaken condition. Again, Murphy will try to soak.

18:43, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 16,10 using 1d12,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (12+4)16,(6+4)10.  White Chip - Soak Roll.

Four successes will clear four wounds. The last wound will stand.

That leaves two shaken conditions that the cattle baron is under.

19:09, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 9,6 using 1d12,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 9,(6+1)7.  Spirit.

19:09, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 8,2 using 1d12,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 8,3.  Spirit.

The Spirit rolls will enable Murphy to shed both shaken conditions.

The lawman’s strikes push through the shadows clinging to Murphy and Lee hears the tell tale crack of bone as one of his blows lands. But Lee finds that reaching into the swirling darkness is like plunging his hands into a frozen lake, the cold so deep that it burns.

13:01, Tue 06 Apr: Secret Roll: L.G. Murphy rolled 3,10 using 1d12+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,(6+4)10.  Spellcasting .

The shadows surrounding Murphy function as a damage field. Each of Lee’s strikes will expose him to it.

19:19, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 10 using 2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 4,6.  Damage Field.

19:19, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 7 using 2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 6,1.  Damage Field.

19:19, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 5 using 2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.  Damage Field.

The first result would inflict one wound on Lee and leave him shaken.

The second result would leave the Ranger shaken.

The third result inflicts no harm.

As Lee lands his last punch, he sees the shadows contract around Murphy, the darkness growing so dense that the cattle baron’s features are lost from sight. An instant later, both the dark and Murphy himself vanish completely.

19:25, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 4,-3 using 1d12-3,1d6-4, rerolling max with rolls of 7,1.  Spellcasting.

The penalty on the Wild Die should have been -3, not -4.

Cast: Teleport.

Power Points expended: 3

He suddenly reappears between Albert Cooper and Kansas Kate, the air surrounding the gunfighter and the outlaw growing icy cold. Without a word, the cattle baron lashes out at Cooper with a fist that is enveloped in darkness.

19:28, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 6,14 using 1d12-3,1d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 9,(6+6+5)17.  Fighting.

19:38, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 7,7,6 using 1d12-1,1d8,2d8, rerolling max with rolls of 8,7,1,5.  Damage.

Total Damage: 20

Murphy also expends an additional 2 power points to sustain the damage field.

Initiative Order

RJ! - Bryan Lee
KS - Kansas Kate
QC - L.G. Murphy
10H - Tamsin River - Holding
9H - Bone Fiend
9C - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
7H - Jacinta Castillo
6D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
6C - Albert Cooper
4H - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12. He is carrying one wound.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

Ranger Lee, Murphy’s damage field left you shaken with one wound. You are free to make a soak roll.

Ranger Lee, Murphy’s damage field left you shaken. You may make a Spirit roll, or spend a chip, to rid yourself of the condition.

Mr. Cooper, Murphy’s attack left you shaken with three wounds. You are free to make a soak roll.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

As Murphy is currently engaged in melee, anyone shooting at him should note that a result of one on a Shooting roll will strike a friendly bystander.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

Tamsin River will hold her action.

It is your turn, Dr. Wayland.

Señorita Castillo, as the good doctor hasn’t signed in for a couple of days, you may go ahead and take your action as well.

One last matter of business: Ranger Lee, Mr. Cooper, and Kansas Kate - I need to ask each of you to give me a Notice roll.

Dr. Wayland continued to step back carefully under the assault of the relentless dead.  Kate's admonition to do something fell on seemingly deaf ears.  No time for banter at the moment.  Or it is just hard to hear under the monstrous chattering away of the gatling pistol's barrage.  Which continued...  The bounty hunter pressed it forward trying to let the bullets simply chew enough of the dead thing away to make it less of a threat...

Full Auto vs. the Dead Thing

Hit #1 - 9 to Hit, 6 Damage
Hit #2 - 11 to Hit (Raise), 5 Damage

I will burn a chip and spend my Bullseye! card  on Hit #1 to double it to a 12.  Which will hopefully take it out...  No more ammo in the gatling...  It feels like a sad use of Bullseye!, but it has been a lot of sad rolls. Meh!

Next Initiative AD

23:16, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the 2 cards: 10S, AD using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative Draw w/ Level Headed.
23:14, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 5 using 3d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2,1.  Hit #2 w/ Raise.
23:14, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 6 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 3,2.  Hit #1.
23:13, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland rolled 4,9,11 using d10,d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,9,(6+5)11.  Full Auto Gatling vs Dead Parry: 6.

Zeke's burst of gunfire caught her attention and she sent a shot in the direction of one of the nearby dead, though the bullet seemed to thunk harmlessly into it's squishy body.



Shooting: 5
Damage: 5
Initiative: 5S

Wow... such massive damage... O.o

22:12, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 5 using 2d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of 2,1.  Damage (w/ Smite).
22:11, Today: Jacinta Castillo rolled 5,3 using d10+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,1.  Shooting.
22:17, Today: Jacinta Castillo drew the single card: 5S using the Deadlands system.  Initiative.

Smite: 4/15
Shots: 3/15

OOC:

Since this is the same round as a Joker, I continue to get a +2 to Trait rolls. Spending 1 White Chip to Soak.

Vigor to Soak: 4
Spirit to Unshake: 6
Notice: 9

00:25, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 7,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Notice.
00:24, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 4,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Spirit.
00:22, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 1,2 using d8,d6, rerolling max.  Vigor.

17:56, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 8,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8,3.  Notice.

Albert danced out of the way of the assault from Murphy, then looked around to make sure he wasn't missing something sneaking up on him.

OOC: It took two white and two blue chips, but Albert is still unscathed!

Notice of 4

Soak total of 16 when all is done.

17:11, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 7 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7.  Another blue chip.

17:10, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 2,3,7 using d6,d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3,(6+1)7.  White chip reroll? (Vigor, Wlld, Blue Chip).

17:08, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  Blue Chip.

17:07, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 1,2 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2.  Soak!


17:13, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 1,4 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Notice.

The last torrent of lead from Dr. Wayland’s gatling pistol virtually tears his attacker in half. Each side of the undead warrior falls to the ground in a different direction, both becoming mere piles of bone moments later.

Castillo’s shot strikes one of the advancing dead warriors in the center of the breastbone, the bullet ricocheting from the corpse’s chest to the ground, kicking up fragments of rock as it lands.

Perceiving Murphy’s sudden appearance mere paces away, Bauer moves to the right, training her pistol on the cattle baron. She doesn’t yet fire, trying to make certain that her aim is true, and that her shot doesn’t harm any of those in Murphy’s vicinity.

Bauer will aim.

Garrett fires at one of the dead warriors approaching from the east. The sheriff’s aim is true, but aside from blasting a few splinters of bone from the corpse’s shoulder, the bullet does not seem to cause it any harm.

11:47, Today: Patrick Garrett rolled 7,7 using 1d10+2,1d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Shooting.

11:48, Today: Patrick Garrett rolled 7 using 2d6+1, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1.  Damage.

Bonney also draws a bead on one of the warriors emerging from the eastern treeline. He fires, his shot striking the corpse in the left chest. A second later, the undead creature bursts into flames, the fire greedily reducing it to ash within moments.

”You can jump around this mountain all you like, Murphy!” he calls out, ”Ain’t gonna change a damn thing! You’re a dead man!”

12:00, Today: Henry McCarty rolled 6,5 using 1d12,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5.  Shooting

12:02, Today: Henry McCarty rolled 8,4 using 2d6+1,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5,4.  Damage (Sacramento Surprise).

”Hang on,Chavez! I’m coming!” the posse hears Scurlock yell, his voice barely audible over the echoing gunfire.

Initiative Order

RJ! - Bryan Lee
KS - Kansas Kate
QC - L.G. Murphy
10H - Tamsin River - Holding
9H - Bone Fiend
9C - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
7H - Jacinta Castillo
6D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)
6C - Albert Cooper
4H - The Dead

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12. He is carrying one wound.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

As Murphy is currently engaged in melee, anyone shooting at him should note that a result of one on a Shooting roll will strike a friendly bystander.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

Your turn, Mr. Cooper.

Albert was mighty curious about what Murphy might be carrying at his hip. So he did what any gunslinger would do. He tried to shoot it and was pleased when his aim was true.

OOC: Called shot at the recently discovered item. -4 for called shot, +2 for marksman, need to achieve at least an 8 as Albert is in melee range.

Note that Albert needs to maintain his Smite and shooting boost at the cost of 2pp, which should leave him with 7/15.

8 to hit and absolute minimum damage. The combination of those two I believe is a success as the cloth doesn't like 7 points of damage.

23:47, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: 6D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative .

23:46, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 7 using 2d6+5, rerolling max with rolls of 1,1.  Damage (AP1).

23:46, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 8,1 using d12-2,d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 10,3.  Shooting (called shot, mksmn).

Despite the struggle he finds himself in, Cooper’s shot is precisely aimed. Blazing with energy, the bullet tears through the bottom of the buckskin pouch on Murphy’s belt, ripping open the leather like a careful cut with a knife.

From out of the pouch falls a tight bundle of black thorns, shaped like a sphere, as large as a hand. A faint light, deep violet in color, flickers within the knot of vines like a flame. The object rolls a few feet away, the ground darkening around it, as if smeared with ash.

Murphy cries out in alarm, but the sound of his voice rapidly becomes inhuman. As the sphere leaves his possession, his body twists violently as it undergoes a sudden, hideous transformation. The cattle baron’s legs and arms lengthen, dark fur sprouting from his crest and extremities. Razor like claws extend from his fingertips as the flesh draws back on his face, leaving his visage a virtual skull, marked by jagged fangs and blazing red eyes. What appear to be misshapen antlers spread outward from each side of his head.

The monster that is Murphy stands to a height that is more than seven feet, roaring like a wounded beast.

The remaining warrior from the eastern tree line sprints down the slope, reaching the fallen sphere and standing over it, clearly meaning to guard the forbidding object from any who would try to claim it. The dead creature swings its war club at Kansas Kate, seeking to ward the outlaw off, but she anticipates the attack and dodges it easily.

11:46, Today: The Dead rolled 3 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Fighting.

The warrior from the western side of the slope likewise moves to guard the sphere. It swipes at Bauer as it reaches the posse, its tomahawk smashing the deputy’s shoulder.

12:03, Today: The Dead rolled 12 using 1d8+2, rerolling max with rolls of (8+2)10.  Fighting (Unarmed Defender).

12:03, Today: The Dead rolled 3,3 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Damage.

12:17, Today: The Dead rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Damage - Raise.

Total Damage: 11

The attack will leave Bauer shaken with one wound.

12:11, Today: L.G. Murphy drew the single card: 8H using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

12:12, Today: The Dead drew the single card: QD using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative.

12:12, Today: Marshal drew the single card: 2D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative - Allies.

Initiative Order

AD - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
QD - The Dead
10H -Tamsin River - Held from last round
8H - L.G. Murphy
6D - Albert Cooper
5S - Jacinta Castillo
3H - Bryan Lee
3D - Kansas Kate
2D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12. He is carrying one wound.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

As Murphy and the dead warriors are all currently engaged in melee, anyone shooting at any of them  should note that a result of one on a Shooting roll will strike a friendly bystander.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

Your turn, Dr. Wayland.

Dr. Wayland reholstered the gatling smoothly as the dead thing collapsed in its pieces.  Almost as though he'd done this sort of thing before.  Fighting dead monsters in alternate realities.  Some people lead interesting lives...  He took hold the lightning gun and was swinging it around to engage the next likely target, just in time for Murphy's transformation.

He muttered quietly, likely so low that no one could hear, "...lest monstahs we become...  come...come along...  git along..."  The lightning gun came up to his shoulder, with the business end centering on the Murphy-thing, the dead, and possible companions.  The muttering continued in a sing-song as the mad scientist considered his shot, "Git along...little dogie...  It's your misfohtune...and none of my own..."  Electricity crackled menacingly off the emitter...

Reholster gatling, maneuver a couple squares closer to the melee.  Ready his lightning gun on the issue.

Next Initiative - 3D

0:10, Today: Dr. Ezekiel Q. Wayland drew the 2 cards: 2S, 3D using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative Draw - Level Headed.

Its attention drawn to the crackling weapon in Dr. Wayland’s hands, one of the dead warriors turns to face the approaching bounty hunter. Raising its tomahawk, it hurls it at the inventor. Dr. Wayland sidesteps the stone hatchet, feeling it stir the air as it sails past his head.

11:31, Today: The Dead rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2.  Throwing.

The other walking corpse, seeing that Bauer has been injured, tries to bring down the deputy with a heavy vertical swing of its club. Bauer is quick enough to see the attack coming and step back, the ancient weapon smashing the ground at her feet.

11:32, Today: The Dead rolled 3 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Fighting.

[Posted by Marshal.]

River opens her pistol, loading a single round into one of the empty chambers. As she does, she rushes forward, giving the monster that is Murphy a wide berth as she draws close to Albert Cooper.

”The tallow bullet,” she says, extending the weapon to the gunfighter.

A wind stirs to life on the mountainside, arriving with a gust that rattles the dead limbs of the nearby trees and scattering loose ash and dust into the cold air.

At the dead warrior’s feet, the burning glow within the sphere of thorns grows brighter, the ground around the fallen object becoming as black as soot. Whispers brush past the ears of the posse members, a hushed female voice speaking ancient words, their meaning lost to time.

The creature that is Lawrence Murphy gives a bellowing roar, his capacity for lucid speech apparently subsumed by his true, bestial form. Scanning those close to him like a trapped animal, he lashes out at Kansas Kate with his filthy claws, but the canny outlaw is quick enough to avoid them.

13:27, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 0,4 using 1d12-1,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5.  Fighting.

Initiative Order

AD - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
QD - The Dead
10H -Tamsin River
8H - L.G. Murphy
6D - Albert Cooper
5S - Jacinta Castillo
3H - Bryan Lee
3D - Kansas Kate
2D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12. He is carrying one wound.

The Dead each possess a Parry of 6 and a Toughness of 8.

As a reminder, if you are attempting to shoot an enemy that has engaged you in melee, you will have to make your Shooting roll against their Parry, not the standard target number of 4. Note also that you can only use a pistol to shoot an attacker that has engaged you in melee. Larger firearms like shotguns, rifles, and carbines cannot be fired at an adjacent foe that is making a melee attack.

As Murphy and the dead warriors are all currently engaged in melee, anyone shooting at any of them  should note that a result of one on a Shooting roll will strike a friendly bystander.

Note also that should you elect to withdraw from melee combat, an opponent is entitled to a free melee attack against you. You may use the Defend action to add +2 to your Parry, should you choose to withdraw.

You have the floor, Mr. Cooper.

Albert, happy with his previous shot, moved to finish what he'd started. The cowboy was pretty sure that getting his hands on the...thing on the ground would end the threat of the dead. He wasn't terribly quick, but he moved for the heart all the same. He hoped that his hunch about it was right.

OOC: Trying to pick up the heart that has so recently been liberated. Hopefully it doesn't kill Albert to do so.

OOC: Albert, since there is a dead warrior standing over the heart, actively guarding it, I’ll need you to give me an opposed Agility roll to snag it.

10:02, Today: The Dead rolled 13 using 1d8, rerolling max with rolls of (8+5)13.  Agility.

OOC: 18 total!

Used 2 B and 1 R, but I got it!

08:12, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 8 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+2)8.  Blue Chip.

08:12, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Blue Chip.

08:11, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 4 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4.  Red Chip.

08:11, Today: Albert Cooper rolled 5,3 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  Agility.

With a quick feint, Cooper is able to fool the dead warrior standing watch over the sphere, prompting the corpse to move to the left and creating an opening that the gunfighter is able to take advantage of. Diving, Cooper seizes the heart with both hands. The moment he grasps it, the bundle of thorns visibly loosens, and the violet glow which burns within it is suddenly extinguished.

The wind stills and within a moment, night has fallen on the mountainside. The sky is a curtain of black, absent of stars. A blanket of cold, akin to the deepest winter, settles over the slope. All becomes still.

From behind, Cooper feels an icy hand fall upon his shoulder.

The dead warriors, who mere seconds ago were given over to battle, lower their weapons, bowing their heads reverentially.

From further down the mountain, the near constant din of gunfire ceases.

Only Murphy remains unaffected by the shift, snarling and scraping his claws on the earth as his attention moves to Cooper.

The remainder of the posse can see the figure behind Cooper clearly, the slope bathed in a watery gray light that has no apparent source. It is a slender woman, her skin unnaturally pale, clothed in a simple dress the color of charcoal, the garment similar to those worn amongst the Mescalero. Her hair is raven black and her face is concealed in shadow, wisps of darkness drifting away from her like smoke.

She extends her free hand and the warriors become ash, their powdered remnants drifting into her open palm and vanishing.

”I have had many dark dreams,” she says. Her voice is not audible to the ear, but blooms within each of the posse members’ thoughts. ”In my dreams, many sought my destruction. Each of you among them. It seemed that much of the land cried out to be laid low, to be given over to ruin, so that all could be remade. Though I did not understand the need for so much to be harvested.”

“Why have I been awakened?”

OOC: Combat paused.

Looking around, the outlaw couldn't help it.  She asked.

"I done dreamed more dreams than I ever thought ah could have dreamed, but ah don't 'member 'em too much no more, not 'wake no how."  She said honestly.  "Then ah woke up twixt.  Th' first were a nightmare I deserved.  Th' second were a new chance ah did not.  Which one 'r you?"

She was back to the voice that didn't sound like it wanted to violate your hearing.

”If I was anything to you, Siobhan, I was a nightmare,” the shadowed woman answers, “I came to you before your time. Regardless of your actions, your pathway here had not come to an end. I separated you from your life wrongly. My sister was right to restore you.”

Her gaze travels across the mountainside. ”We are not far from where I find rest. It seems, for a long winter, some have tried to stir me to action. To sweep across a portion of the land. To cleanse it.” She pauses, removing her hand from Cooper’s shoulder and taking a pair of steps up the slope. ”There are times when such seasons cannot be avoided. When I must gather a great many souls to myself and help them to cross the veil. But it is not such a time now. This valley, it has seen much death already. It is not meant for more.”

She turns back to fix her gaze on Murphy. Extending her hand, the torn remains of the pouch where the heart was carried drift into her palm, as if carried on the wind. Unfolding the damaged leather, she studies it for a long moment in silence. Those close can see that a number of symbols have been tooled into the pouch’s interior.


”These are signs used by the witches of the Shis-Inday...who you know as the Mescalero. The workers of terrible magic who seek to bind spirits to their will.” She holds the pouch up. ”This is a prison. A place to entangle one in endless fear. Why was I placed within it?”

"You were taken here to serve the ambitions of one small, petty man, who wanted to utilize the forces at your disposal as if he had the right to them, as if he understood them in the context for which they're meant. We came here with the aid of your sister that you might be freed from this bondage and restored to her company," he said, approaching closer to the scene.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:28, Tue 25 May 2021.

Albert nodded at Bryan's response. "That seems ta be the short of it, ma'am. We are lookin' ta set things back ta right."

"As right as anything ever gets with this mess."  The outlaw couldn't help speak her thought aloud this time.

If everything magical and weird would just leave the world to the evils of man's own depredations, well she wouldn't be happy, but she'd be less miserable.

The woman of shadow listens respectfully to what she is told, her gaze returning to the ruined pouch in her hands. Finally, she looks up at the creature that has called itself Lawrence Murphy, her dark stare steady and piercing. The monster roars in rage, lunging for her, its long claws extended, but before it can travel even a few steps, she holds her palm up, the gesture paralyzing the wendigo, holding it frozen in mid-stride.

In her hands, the pouch blackens, then becomes ash.

”There is much that needs to be set right. Much work for my sister and I to do to see things returned to balance.” Her voice within each of the posse members’ thoughts is quiet, almost a whisper. ”It will be done. You have my promise.”

“I am in your debt for freeing me. Each of you has shown great courage in doing so. I will not forget.”

Extending her hand, palm up, she draws the heart from Cooper’s hands to hers. A pale light glows within it as it reaches her gentle grasp.

”I have one last thing to ask of you. It is my rightful place to gather. To collect. Not to destroy.”

She looks at the motionless wendigo, then back at the posse. ”Avenge me.”

From the Main Street of Lincoln, the first glow of dawn, gray and tentative, can just be seen at the edge of the Capitan peaks to the north. Lanterns, hanging from the overhang of walkways, and burning within a handful of windows, lend a firelight glow to the wide thoroughfare. None have passed through the town recently, the dust on the empty road still and settled.

The posse find themselves standing between the Torreón and the empty schoolhouse. Of the Crow Mother and her heart, there is no sign. To the east, a few steps away from the weathered doors of La Iglesia de San Juan Bautista stands the wendigo, the true monstrous form of William Longley, who has terrorized this valley as Lawrence Murphy. He glowers at his gathered enemies, his eyes burning like coals in the morning shadows. Hunching, he prepares to attack those who face him.

Without a second of hesitation, Jacinta shoulders her rifle, centers her aim on Murphy, and fires. Glimmering with a faint blue light, the shot strikes the wendigo in the center of the chest.

11:24, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Jacinta Castillo, rolled 6,4 using 1d10+2,1d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,2.  Shooting.

11:25, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Jacinta Castillo, rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5.  Shooting - Blue Chip.

11:26, Today: Marshal, on behalf of Jacinta Castillo, rolled 18,3 using 2d8+2,1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+2)10,6,3.  Damage.

Total Damage: 21

Castillo’s shot will leave Murphy shaken with two wounds. He’ll attempt to soak the damage.

11:32, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 5,4 using 1d12-1,1d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 6,5.  White Chip - Soak Roll.

That will soak one wound, but not both.

11:33, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Soak Roll - Blue Chip.

And that won’t help. So the second wound will stand.

11:59, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 7,0 using 1d12-1,1d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 8,2.  Spirit.

Murphy is able to lose the shaken condition.

Initiative Order

AD - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
QD - The Dead
10H -Tamsin River
8H - L.G. Murphy
6D - Albert Cooper
5S - Jacinta Castillo
3H - Bryan Lee
3D - Kansas Kate
2D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12. He is carrying two wounds.

For purposes of distance/range, Murphy is four squares/inches from the gathered posse’s current position.

Ranger Lee and Kansas Kate, you may each take your turn. You may certainly coordinate your actions, should you desire to do so.

OOC: I don't think I'd drawn initiative after grabbing the heart. JC for next round.

11:06, Today: Albert Cooper drew the single card: JC using a deck of 54 cards.  Initiative .

OOC:

This is not taking his action, Marshal, still planning that out with KK.

But all the same, I'd like to lay the ground for the scene's narrative development by playing

AH - Here Comes The Cavalry
“I thought you guys would never get here.”
Help arrives on the scene from some source determined by the GM. The Marshal gets a draw from the fate pot.

OOC: So noted. The cavalry will assuredly be putting in an appearance. :)

He exchanged glances with Kansas Kate, who looked to be thinking the same thing that he was.

"I thought I'd be the only one closing in, but this'll make for a better story."

OOC:

Thought I'd riff on some old KK dialogue for this scene. Going on hold until Kansas Kate's action has concluded. Ladies first!


This message was last edited by the player at 14:17, Fri 28 May 2021.

The outlaw broke eye contact and went from her first gear (grim) to her second gear (sadistic).

"HEY MURPHY!"  She put a round into her Schofield and close its action.  Or she appeared to.  A bit of slight of hand she could manage expertly.  "Now that yer twice as big an' five times' as ugly, ah'm gonna shoot yer pecker off!  Again!"

The muzzle pointed at her opponent, she took two long running steps and fired.  Murphy had been conditioned that a shot in the crotch was really a shot in the head.

Except the shot only went into the air.  At the same instant the report from the shot was heard, the pistol was reholstered and pivoted at her waist.  It wasn't quite a roll, it wasn't quite a spin, it was simultaneously awkward and graceful at the same time as she came up with the hungry Toothpick, which wouldn't be fed.  She came in wide and low deliberately, the real goal being to make him recoil back while also still trying to protect his head or crotch or both.  But she wasn't going to get any purchase, but that wasn't the point.

An imaginary shot in the face and a wide, low slash, both feints, she hoped would be one of the best Okie Dokes she'd ever pulled off, but she had to do it fast, much faster than the monster could react.

So a good old fashioned feint, and one that should put Double Kay in reach of this abomination.

10:04, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 5,1 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1.  Agility Trick.

lol wow, really, on a d12 I get a 5.  Well,

10:05, Today: Kansas Kate rolled 3 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3.  Cheep.

Okay that's an 8 that's more like what I was hoping for.  It's not "good" but it's an eight.

10:05, Today: Kansas Kate drew the single card: 5D using the Deadlands system.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:07, Fri 28 May 2021.

21:21, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 3,1 using 1d10-2,1d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,3.  Agility Trick - Opposed Roll.

Kansas Kate’s misdirection manages to fool the wendigo into reflexively lowering its head in anticipation of a gunshot that never reaches it. The monster’s needless dodge provides the outlaw with just enough time to close the distance between herself and Murphy, reaching the hulking creature with blade in hand a moment before it begins to recognize that Kansas Kate’s bullet has passed harmlessly overhead.

Kansas Kate’s trick succeeds with a five point margin, a raise, which means that due to her distraction, Murphy is shaken and receives a -2 penalty to his parry until his next turn.

Initiative Order

AD - Dr. Ezekiel Wayland
QD - The Dead
10H -Tamsin River
8H - L.G. Murphy
6D - Albert Cooper
5S - Jacinta Castillo
3H - Bryan Lee - Holding
3D - Kansas Kate
2D - Allies (Bauer, Garrett, Billy the Kid)

Murphy possesses a Parry of 8 and a Toughness of 12. Due to Kansas Kate’s agility trick his Parry is effectively 6 until his next turn. He is shaken carrying two wounds.

For purposes of distance/range, Murphy is four squares/inches from the gathered posse’s current position.

Ranger Lee, I believe you have the floor.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:41, Sun 30 May 2021.

"You've had this a long time comin', Longley. I reckon you were always more monster than man, in a sense. This is for all the people that you've hurt in the path to come to this point. For the children you had kidnapped. The families you terrorized. Not the least, the people you killed and ate on that wagon train. This is for all of them," he said, almost spat.

Throughout this struggle, Lee had largely fought with a cool and dispassionate demeanor, using his focus to keep emotions at bay. He had occasionally thrown a barb out to attempt to taunt an enemy into a foolish mistake. This was different. He was truly and sincerely angry for all the needless harm that had been caused in one man's quest for power, and he let it show.

He didn't have the energy for the faster than believable strikes anymore. This was the best he could manage, and it was going to have to do. These might have been the last three punches he had in him today. He had to hope they'd be enough.

He slugged him, then slugged him again, and again, and each time he did so the memories of all the people the man masquerading as Lawrence Murphy had killed or tormented flashed in his mind. He wasn't a religious sort, but every punch he threw was as close to a prayer as he was like to get.

OOC:

Spending a chip to play the Payback Adventure Card. Might as well get another +2 Attack and Damage while I'm at it.

Attacks: 14, 17, 13 (Gang Up, Payback, Wild Attack)
Damage: 15, 23, 14 (Martial Artist, Payback, Wild Attack, Brawler, Raise)

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
07:28, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 14 using d8+d4+6+d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,2,5.
07:27, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 23 using d8+d4+6+d6, rerolling max.
07:27, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 15 using d8+d4+6+d6, rerolling max.
07:26, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 10,13 using d10+5,d6+5, rerolling max.
07:26, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 17,8 using d10+5,d6+5, rerolling max.
07:26, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 8,14 using d10+5,d6+5, rerolling max.  Fighting.

16:55, Today: Bryan Lee drew the single card: 6C using a deck of 54 cards. If needed.

---

Lee’s second strike will leave Murphy shaken with two wounds. He will try to deal with that damage first.

19:28, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 1,1 using 1d12-2,1d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,3.  Blue Chip - Soak Roll.

No. He’ll have to burn another chip for a reroll.

19:30, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 2,6 using 1d12-2,1d6-2, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+2)8.  Blue Chip - Soak Roll (2nd Attempt).

That will soak one of the wounds, but not both.

19:37, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 1 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1.  Blue Chip.

Investing a third chip doesn’t change the outcome. Murphy is now shaken with three wounds.

Lee’s other two strikes would also each inflict a single wound as Murphy was previously shaken.

22:40, Today: L.G. Murphy rolled 8,2 using 1d12-3,1d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 11,5.  Blue Chip - Soak Roll.

He is able to soak one of them, but it requires the expenditure of the last chip he has access to in order to do so. He can do nothing about the second wound, which will incapacitate him.

Lee’s blows hammer Murphy, one of them smashing the wendigo’s skull-like visage, flattening an angular cheekbone and shattering several of the hideous monster’s fangs. Blood flows freely from Murphy’s eye socket, bathing the right half of his face in crimson and soaking his matted chest. Another strike finds the creature’s breastbone, caving it inward with a sickening crack.

He staggers back a step, then falls, his strength failing him. Behind Lee and Kansas Kate, Bauer, Pat Garrett, and Billy the Kid fan out, the Sheriff and Deputy to the left, Bonney to the right; each one seeking to draw a bead on the monster that has turned Lincoln into a killing ground.

Murphy’s eyes burn with hatred as he glares up at those standing against him, focusing his gaze on each enemy in turn. He speaks. His croaking voice has lost much of its humanity, but his words, despite his helplessness, are still the unmistakably arrogant pronouncements of Lawrence Murphy.

”Do you know who in the hell I am? I am William Preston Longley and I have survived far worse than the likes of you! I have escaped the worst lawmen and bounty hunters there are! I have faced hanging, beatings, and drowning. Even starvation and freezing in those cursed fucking mountains! I overcame it all and I will be damned if I die here! Not one of you is…”

The wendigo pauses, suddenly aware that his breath, his words, are escaping him in plumes of steam. Somehow, the air has grown painfully cold, its stirrings sufficient to bring a burning sensation to the exposed faces and hands of the posse members.

At the eastern end of the street, the lanterns in front of Ike Ellis’ stables and the Montano Store suddenly go out. Then those in the window of the assay office and above the door of the iglesia follow suit. The darkness travels steadily westward and one by one every light in Lincoln is extinguished. Even the rays of dawn traveling over the mountains fade from view, as if obscured by a great shadow. Somehow, Murphy’s inhuman, blood soaked face manages to register horror.

The rumble of hooves sounds from the east. Murphy turns in time to see it appear: The spectral wagon train, the ragged transport of those he led to doom in the Capitan Mountains, drawn by skeletal horses, and crewed by the tormented spirits of the innocents that the Owl Mother was unable to save.

The wagons rush forward. But they are not alone. From between the darkened buildings of Lincoln, more ghosts appear, the countless victims of Bill Longley, once imprisoned in the tombs beneath the cattle baron’s home, free now that his command of the Crow Mother’s heart has been lost. Each of the cadaverous phantoms still bear the wounds inflicted on them by their murderer. They move with a terrible, inexorable purpose.

The wagon train draws to a halt, the ghosts it bears leaving the caravan to close in on the wendigo. Murphy is surrounded on all sides by specters. Some brush past the posse as they press forward, their nearness bringing a deeper chill than that which has overtaken the town. Murphy whirls about like a trapped animal, each spirit that draws near the victim of one of his crimes, acts that he contemptuously presumed he had escaped punishment for.

”NO! NO!” he screams. Then, they are upon him, their skeletal hands tearing at him from all sides, their collective strength overwhelming. Blood wells from countless freshly torn wounds as the spirits take hold of their tormentor.

As one they drag him eastward into shadow. He shrieks, his voice high pitched and agonized, his cries filling the street, the sound of primal torment. In moments, the darkness swallows them up and Murphy’s unending screams fade from hearing.

The chill recedes. The lanterns along the main street flare to life. The soft glow of dawn finds its way over the mountains.

And all of Lincoln is at peace.

OOC: Combat over.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:50, Mon 31 May 2021.

She stood there, Toothpick in hand, tense, ready to die from the reprisal.  She was the paralyzed in fear and watched it all happen.

A tiny part of her felt a little pity for the man she'd called Murphy.  She'd done bad things too, perhaps a similar fate awaited her.  Who could say, given what she'd already been through.

But the bad things she had done and the bad things he had done were not the same.  It all came back to her at once.  Living in the back room of the laundry.  Her mother and the horror of the laudanum abuse, neglect and harm.  Spending years killing for Black River, nearly joining the coven to the point of taking the devil's mark, but backing out at the last possible second in a flurry of gunfire and winding up with the price on her head.

She got to her feet, staggered to a wall, slumped against it.  Her hat fell off into her lap.  She just stared for a moment.  She looked at her exposed hand and the scar that would always be there.

She had come here to find her father and kill him.  She didn't care any more about either goal.  Hadn't for a little while now.  She was tired of it all.

She realized some of it she'd never outrun.  What she'd seen and done here.  The bounty that was still on her.  The fact someone someday would be out for revenge against her.  But she didn't need to keep lugging around the weight of hatred for all people, including herself.  She didn't need to attach her self concept to nihilism either.  Whatever cosmic cycle she'd been caught in had been broken.  And she'd just as soon never see a ghost a spirit or any such thing ever again, though she doubted she'd be that lucky.

She hadn't survived, not really.  She put the hat beside her, took a moment to lean forward and remove her bullet-riddle duster, fold it up, and put it underneath.  She'd have to replace them, they were practical necessities, but she'd hidden behind these for so long.  Kansas Kate was dead, but she'd gone out the right way.  She was pretty sure she couldn't bring herself to pitch her voice like that any more even, it took bile and hatred that she just didn't have any more.

Siobhan Miller had no idea who she was.  And that was the lesson, if there was one.  She'd spent so much time becoming what she believed she had to be she'd spent none becoming what she really was, and she was as hollow as her filthy diatribes.

Well, except maybe that one about how she hadn't been the least bit impressed with Murphy's explanation of how important and special he was.  That one had some substance to it at least, if only because she realized she was taking the same route.  Will, that road had been dynamited and washed out by now at least.

She sat there, knees folded up, hands on her head.  Not crying nor weeping, just lost in the moment as it all hit her at once.

Jacinta rested the muzzle of her rifle on her shoulder and crossed herself, murmuring a silent prayer in Spanish as the phantoms disappeared and took Murphy with them.  It'd been a hard fight, and nearly all of them sustained some type of wound, but they'd survived and defeated the evil that had overtaken Lincoln.  She'd been full of doubts, faced with the bone monster and the walking dead, but they'd made their last stand together regardless.

Letting out the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, she threw her compatriots a glance and couldn't help but grin.  "'Not one of us is' what...?  Curious on what his last words were gonna be, but glad somebody finally shut 'em up.  Anybody else need a whiskey?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 07:44, Thu 03 June 2021.

Lee was silent for a time as he watched the scene transpire. It was a good end for Lincoln, or at least as good an end as they were like to get. He walked over to where Cooper was standing.

"The world doesn't bend toward justice, Coop. Sometimes, if we're lucky, we can make it do that, but it won't do it on its own. Dealing with a riot is one thing, but one man or women often times isn't enough. Not every stagecoach is gonna be filled with people with enough steel in their spines to stand up to someone like Murphy, though. We got lucky on that one. Sometimes though all it takes is one. You can't do it by yourself, but if folks see that there's someone out there that'll stand up with 'em, it sometimes gives 'em the steel to do so themselves. Desiree Thornton. Your uncle and his ranch hands. The McSweens. Renata Montano. Valentina Perez. Lena Bauer. They all had that - but if we didn't show up, who knows how this would've ended?"

He gestured to the local law dogs in their company, then the Renegades, and then Buckshot Roberts.

"You can even bring unlikely allies together in the cause. They'd have all easily been at each other's throats instead of at Murphys. I don't think that without our interventions they would've been forged into so effective a force." He paused.

"Lincoln deserves this much at least, and they'll have their peace for a time, or at least the kind that Garrett and Bauer should be able to maintain. But there's a lot of places that won't. Too many for me and my colleagues to reach on our own, but every one counts. You've seen some of what's out there, Coop. And you have a particular bag of tricks that won't be as well used just being here on a ranch. After you've had a chance to stay in town for a bit, spend time with family, I'd like you to come with me to Roswell, and then back to Austin after that. Join the Rangers."

After shaking a minute and being silent (rare for her), Siobhan busted out laughing.  And then singing.

"Oh mother, oh mother, it's for your sake alone
That I left Dodge City, my house and my home
My hate for you, it has caused me to roam
I'm a rabble rouser, an' saloons're my home!"

She wasn't a wonderful singer, but she sounded infinitely better when not deliberately trying to sound horrible.

"Queen of diamonds, queen of diamonds, I know you of old,
You've filled my poor pockets with other men's gold
Oh, whisky, you villain, you've been my downfall,
You've kicked me, you've cuffed me, but I done it all."

She pushed herself up.  She'd stashed a bottle of whiskey over behind the general store earlier in the wilderness, back when she was still dead.

"My foot's in my stirrup, my bridle's in my hand,
There ain't nothin' for me in this civ'lized land
Ain't no one that likes me, they call me a whore
I ain't sold my body, but I done so much more."

She contemplated the shotgun.  It wasn't hers, and she couldn't haul out of here with so many guns.  Bauer had eaten it pretty hard earlier.  She trundled over, moving like she was a little drunk already.

"They say I drink whiskey, My money's my own;
All them that don't like me, can leave me alone.
I'll eat when I'm hungry, I'll drink when I'm dry,
If a bullet don't kill me, I'll live 'til I die."

She broke the shotgun open to render it safe and gave it to the law in the form of Lena Bauer as she sang the last verse, and dropped the shells in the nearest exposed pocket of anyone with a badge.  She figured that was a decent use for a decent shotgun.  Might be better to give it to one of the ranchers, but they weren't around.

"I've rambled and trambled this wide world around
Raised all kinds of hell, so that's where I am bound!
Rye whisky, rye whisky, Rye whisky, I cry,
If I don't get rye whisky, I surely will die!"

She added a whoop.  "Now where'd I put that damn bottle... come with or stay here I don't care, either way I'm going lookin' for mah whiskey.  Ah don't got to have all of it just the first of it!"

She figured there wasn't enough whiskey on earth to make her forget this anyway.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:53, Fri 04 June 2021.

Dr. Wayland watched over the ghostly abduction of Mr. Murphy with mild suspicion....and no small amount of uneasiness.  Not really the way he preferred his resolutions.  His preference was for real world solutions that he could turn in for the bounty...  He thumbed off the lightning gun and continued to consider the whole affair.

It did make a heck of a story...and it would have been a difficult bounty to collect on anyhow...

The odd gunman remained oddly quiet throughout his thoughts and the others responses.  Thinking his own thoughts and methodically reloading his guns.  Just in case.  Just in case...

Albert nodded. "Drink sounds good. And I'm guessing he didn't think us worthy of beatin' him. Weren't the only thing he didn't quite get." Albert shrugged, then looked over toward Bryan.

He listened to the law man's commentary about justice and how this had ended well. He didn't have to think very long. "Shoot it or recruit it, eh Ranger? Well, you can count me in. I ain't done tryin' ta help folk. Few things I gotta do 'round here before ridin' off ta Roswell, as ya guessed, but I'd like ta join yer ranks."

A lopsided grin tugged at the left side of his face as the cowboy listened to Siobhan 'sing'. If one could call it that, anyway. Accurate tones or no, it was one of the most wonderful sounds he had ever heard. "Sounds like we got three folk that have decided this has earned them a drink."

Albert looked over at Zeke. "How 'bout you, doc? Up fer a drink at least? Certainly earned it."

Bauer grins at Kansas Kate’s song, accepting the offered shotgun with a nod of thanks. She places the open weapon on her shoulder, glancing over at the darkened entrance of the Murphy Store. ”Ah can’t believe we’re finally quit of him,” she says, ”To tell the truth, I wasn’t really sure it was ever gonna happen.”

Garrett opens his pistol and begins methodically reloading it. ”This’ll go a long way with the people here,” he tells the deputy,  ”Help restore some of their faith  in their fellow man. Show ‘em that all the hardship and suffering they endured, tryin’ to stand up for what was right, wasn’t in vain.”

”Hey, Miz River, could you lend us a hand, ma’am?” Scurlock calls out to the herbalist, ”Buckshot here was able to get Miz Thornton fixed up, but Jose and this Horn fella could still use some help.”

River is still gazing at the darkness where Murphy vanished when the Regulator calls out to her. His request draws her out of her reverie and, taking her bag of cures from her belt, she moves to help the injured without hesitation.

Slowly, Bonney returns his pistols to their holsters, his restless eyes still taking in the vacant street. Unlike most of those around him, his expression is not one of happiness, or even relief. Instead, he bears the look of one who is lost, suddenly cast adrift in a strange country. He sighs, seemingly focused entirely on his own private thoughts.

When Scurlock speaks up, he blinks. Casting one last look down the empty street, he turns to check on the welfare of his companions.

The sky slowly takes on the orange and violet hues of sunrise. On Lincoln’s Main Street, doors slowly open. Figures emerge from the Patron House, La Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, the Assay Office, and Ike Ellis’ stables. At first they are cautious, having heard the sounds of conflict and the terrible encroachment of the dead. But as they see that the road is filled only with those they know as friends, they step out, making their way toward those who have been in battle, eager to learn all that has transpired.

From the west comes the sound of horses. In the dawn light, the group can see the distant figures of Henry Cooper and his ranch hands riding alongside Shabbakasha and the Mescalero warriors, all heading toward the quiet town at a quick pace.

Once she found the bottle, she opened it with the butt of the Schofield.  No, she didn't shoot the neck off, she wasn't a barbarian.

She took a pull, not as much as she'd anticipated, but it was plenty to help her feel warm and shake that feeling of existential pondering.

She did kind of wish she'd found out who her father was, but, she wondered, maybe it really was better this way.  Trying to go down the road of her past hadn't led her anywhere good.

Having satisfied herself and had the first swallow as  claimed, she let whoever wanted it take a pull.  She made up a few new verses too.

"It's beefsteak when I'm hungry, whiskey when I'm dry
Greenbacks when I'm hard up, and hell when I die.
It's with this old sixgun I'm doomed to roam
I'm a rabble rouser, and the West is my home."

"If the ocean were whiskey and I were a duck,
I'd dive to the bottom to get one sweet suck.
But the ocean ain't whisky, and naught else I got,
So I'll play queen of diamonds and then I'll get shot."

"I'll take up my fiddle, I'll rosin my bow
But the gunsmoke will follow wher'ver I go.
Ain't no one will like me, I might have to whore
I might sell my body, I ain't got that much more"

"Sometimes I'll drink whiskey, Sometimes I'll drink rum,
Sometimes I'll drink brandy, At other times none.
But if I get boozy, 'Tis whiskey's my friend,
Them that don't like me, won't let the fight end!"

"No husband to quarrel, no babies to nurse
Not a friend in this world, empty is my purse
Rye whisky, rye whisky, Rye whisky, I cry,
If I don't get rye whisky, I surely will die."

She laughed at herself between horrible rhymes.  She wasn't exactly optimistic about the future, but at least it was her future, come hell, whoring or getting shot.

"Well'd ya look at that, it's Wolf What Walks off over yonder.  I'm glad he made it, he's the only one around here worth the pimple on a Confederate general's ass.  The only one I tell ya!  To perdition with the rest!"

Maybe she'd taken a longer pull of whiskey than she'd thought.  And maybe Kansas Kate hadn't entirely been an act.

Dr. Wayland suddenly snapped out of his reverie as Cooper addressed him directly.  The pensive thoughtfulness melted away quickly.  Unnervingly so.  His hands continued to feed rounds into the spring-loaded gatling cylinder, but gave Cooper a brilliant grin, "Now, that does sound a treat, sah.  Ah accept.  The rounds thereaftah, will be on me, Ah think."  The cylinder was snapped back into place and the scientist looked over at Kate as she pronounced them all bound for perdition.  His smile disappeared completely again, muttering quietly, "Perdition...  no...  not yet...  damn the luck... damn...damned..."

Wayland blinked, then smiled again at Cooper as though he hadn't missed a beat, then off to all the rest who had taken part in the fighting, "Ah do hope the Thornton-Curry is well stocked..."