Louis rode into the town of Windy Spring on the back of a farmer's cart. He had enough money tucked into his satchel bag to buy a horse. However, it was not nearly enough to buy a store.

After saving every dime for months, he had put it all on the table for a poker game with some off-duty soldiers. He had walked away with five times as much. The bank agent had told him that one hundred dollars would be sufficient security to take out a loan. Then he would be able to buy the stock he needed for his hardware store. Once the store was started in Hyatt's Post, he could sell supplies to prospectors and make a steady stream of income.

Windy Spring seemed to double in size every year. The newly-constructed bank would only help as it lent financial stability to the nearby community. It also added the temptation of concentrated wealth to the eyes of outlaws.

The bank is near the bridge across the Tejadore river. It sits at the apex curve of the town's main street. Two security guards, armed with repeaters, are standing outside the bank. There is a table next to them with a large locked case beneath it.

"Reckon this is where you're looking to get off," calls Ted Barney, the farmer who offered to give Louis a lift. "Good luck to ya."

Louis tipped his hat to Ted "Much obliged Ted, please when you are next in town look me up for dinner, on me." He watched the cart leave and then took in the surrounding town for a minute or two as he lit a cigar with a match from his pocket. Louis could see the hardware store his father and mother had built with their own hands and the sign post they had hung them from....

He need to find a room first so he made his way to the saloon or a dedicated hotel if there was one. As he walked he looked for groups of men who might have noticed his arrival.


-

Louis enters the saloon. At this time of morning there are few patrons. The bartender, currently brewing coffee and dishing out breakfast vittles, disinterestedly writes his name down in her book. "Two dollars a night, breakfast included. Don't haggle, it's more than my job's worth to offer discounts."

Notice to spot anyone who might have paid attention to your arrival.

Louis nods to the Bartender and hands over $4 for a couple of nights. "Though I'll probably be staying longer so don't be giving away my room."

Louis L'Amour rolled 3 using 1d4, rerolling max.  Notice.

He takes a seat facing the door to wait for his breakfast, putting his hat on the table and his coat on top of his carpet bag on the floor. He continues to smoke his cigar as he waits looking out the window if he is able.


-

The town is busy for being sparsely populated. Everyone seems to be on their business, but pausing to say 'howdy' to anyone they pass.

Louis glances at the clock by the bar. 11:15, and getting close to his appointment at the bank. The bundle of bills feels heavy in his pocket.

He finishes up his meal and makes his way to the bank for his appointment. Dipping his hat to the guards as he enters he waits for the cashier if there are other people present before announcing he was here for his appointment.


-

The guards stop Louis outside. "Gun check, sir," one says. "Place your guns and long knives on the table. I'll write a receipt for you, and we'll keep them in this locked box until you're done in the bank. Same for everyone, sir, not just you."

"I understand, probably a smart move, here we are." He takes his Colt Thunderer from its side holster, a pretty standard model with a 3" barrel, but with an action job and a light trigger as well as ivory grips. Next was another Thunderer from a chest holster, this one heavily modified with a 1" barrel that is missing the front sight, a bobbed hammer and the trigger guard from the trigger itself forward was missing. It too had a action job and a light trigger as well as a set of ivory "birds" head grips. They both caught the light as he removed them due to their silver finsh.

"Oh yes these as well." He takes a spear point bowie from it forearm sheath and a push dagger from his belt in the small of his back.



-

"Thank you, sir," remarks the guard as he writes you a receipt for the weapons. He hands it to you as his colleague opens the box, puts them inside, then closes and locks it.

Louis enters the bank. Half the room is cut off from the other half by the counter, with bars running to the roof. There is space for three tellers, but only one is currently occupied. Three customers are here. One is filling out paperwork, another is waiting, and one is talking to the teller.

Louis takes up a position behind the customer who is waiting and looks over the interior of the bank and the customer who are waiting. When it is his turn he approaches the teller and introduces himself and that he has an appointment.


-

The teller is a tan-skinned man with tidy, short black hair in a swirl to cover his early baldness. He smiles at you as you approach.

"Ah, Mister... Klipper, was it, here for a loan application? Splendid. I'll let you in to see the bank manager. If you'll just step in here?"

The teller stands up and walks over to the door. He unlocks it and opens it, allowing you into the employee area.

The bank manager's office is just down a short hallway from the vault. The vault is currently closed, although it's hard not to imagine what sort of wealth must be inside.

"Hello!" says the bank manager, a woman in her fifties. She shakes your hand and brings you inside her office.

"I have some forms for us to fill out, and then we can talk about terms," she says.

"Thank you for seeing me." Louis takes a seat and places his hat on his lap. He will work with the manager to fill out the forms giving any additional information she needs.



-

A few boring minutes of paperwork later, the time has come to discuss terms. The bank manager has a few options that she can offer you. You are reviewing payment plans and interest rates when you hear some unpleasant noise.

Distantly, muffled by the walls of the building, you can hear the popping of guns.

Roll Notice. If you pass the target number, you will notice earlier and have more time to react. If you don't get at least 4, you will have only a single action before the situation kicks off. Remember your Wild Dice.

At the sound of gunfire Louis dived behind the managers desk turning to her he asks "Do you have firearms here ?" He hazarded a look around the side of the desk.

Louis L'Amour rolled 3 using 1d4, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 3.  Notice.


-

The bank manager looks like she is terrified into inaction. She briefly registers your words, gaping at you. "No, no. Just the guards outside and the one in the lobby."

The gunfire seems much louder and more frequent, as if just outside now. The manager, hands shaking, hands you a letter opener.

Louis takes the weapon and then makes his way to the door. He takes a position of behind the hinges so when the door swings in he is hidden. That is assuming they are going for the vault and need the woman behind the desk for the combination.


-

The gunfire goes on, and then stops. There is a pause. Then there is a terrific crash. Some more gunfire and screams of fear.

Louis waits, and hears the heavy tread of feet in the hallway. He lurks behind the door, waiting. Then a foul-smelling man enters the room. He is wearing a coat and a hat, and a bandanna across his face. He looks into the room and sees the manager. He raises a pistol and aims it at her. She cowers behind her desk.

Louis stepped out and drove the letter opener in the man neck while his left hand grabbed for the man wrist. He turned the letter opener in the wound and cut across as he used his foot to close the door.

OOC: Might need a hand with what I roll, I have 1 d6 in fighting.


-

In this case, you would roll 1d6,1d6 for Fighting and Wild Die.

You need to exceed his Parry, which is 5. Since you are surprising him, you have The Drop on him. This means you have +4 to-hit roll and +4 to damage roll on him. It also increases the odds that you will instantly knock out the enemy with a single strike.

The Dealer, on behalf of Louis L'Amour, rolled 2,15 using 1d6,1d6, rerolling max, unique dice ((2,(6+6+3)15)).

Wha-hey, that's a hit. In fact, since there's at least 1 Raise, you get a bonus 1d6 on your damage roll!

19:39, Today: The Dealer, on behalf of Louis L'Amour, rolled 5,3,3 using 1d6,1d4,1d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 5,3,3.  damage.
So, 11 damage, and +4 for the . That exceeds his Toughness with a raise, so he takes 1 wound and is Shaken.
Since you have The Drop and got a Raise on the damage roll, he now has to make a Vigor check

19:52, Today: The Dealer rolled 2 using 1d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 2.  Vigor re KO.

Failure! Since you wanted this one to be lethal, I'm going to rule that you've inflicted lethal damage on him.

Louis drives the sharp-pointed blade into the neck of the dirty outlaw while getting his gun-hand off the line. He struggles, flailing his arms and firing his gun reflexively. The manager shrieks and dives down under her desk.

Louis kicks the door to close it, but another outlaw is just on the other side of it. This man is wearing a similar dirty coat and bandanna, but Louis can see his eyes widen. The man raises his six-shooter at Louis and fires.

20:16, Today: The Dealer rolled 5 using 1d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 5.  Outlaw Shooting.
5 exceeds the Target Number of Ranged attacks, so he hits you.

20:18, Today: The Dealer rolled 26 using 2d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of (6+6+6+4)22,4.  damage.
Ouch. That exceeds your Toughness by 22, which is more than 3 raises. You take 3 Wounds and are Shaken.

Shaken means you only take a Free action on your next turn. On your next turn you can make a Spirit roll, TN 4, to remove that condition. You could also spend a Benny to make it go away automatically. There are other things you could do with a Benny as well.

Louis turns and nearly topples over as he is shot. Using the man he is holding as cover Louis uses the stabbed robbers revolver to fire on the second robber.

Louis L'Amour rolled 5 using 2d10, dropping the lowest dice only, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 4,5.  Shootin.

Louis L'Amour rolled 8 using 2d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 1,(6+1)7.  Damage.

OOC: That's a great damage roll I'm surprise Louis's head not splattered against the wall. I will use a bennie to remove the condition.

The bandit catches the bullet on his shoulder. He grips it, cursing, and falls back into the hallway.

"What are you doing back there?" he shouts from out of sight. "Get out, and we'll let you go. Come on, the offer ain't good all day."

Louis hears the sounds of breaking and shouting from elsewhere in the bank.

Another voice comes from the hall, this one a woman.

"What's going on?"

"Someone's playing hero in there with the manager!"

The Wild Dice is always 1d6, so your Shooting would be 1d10+1d6.

Louis lets the man fall and if he can fires at the other bandit as he flattens against the wall for cover beside the door.


Louis L'Amour rolled 19,5 using 1d10,1d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of (10+9)19,5.  Shootin.

 Louis L'Amour rolled 5 using 2d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 3,2.  Damage.


-

Louis has his stolen handgun levelled at the doorway, ready to fire. Suddenly the wounded man stumbles into the doorframe. He looks surprised. He has scarecely caught his balance when Louis shoots him. The surprise will now never leave his expression as he hits the opposite wall.

The man who pushed the other bandit steps around the door frame. Louis is cocking the hammer when the man levels his own gun and fires from the hip. Louis expects to die in that moment, and time seems to slow down. He takes in every detail.

This new man is wearing a black duster and a black hat. He has several tin stars tucked into the hatband, each with 'sheriff' or 'deputy' or 'marshal' scratched out. His face is concealed by a metal face-plate that covers his nose, mouth, and chin. He has a scar beside his left eye. His boots clank, nearly as loud as gunshot.

Louis feels pain in his hand as the gun bursts. Shattered metal digs into his palm and fingers as the masked bandit destroys his pilfered pistol. Before he can react, the man is aiming a second pistol at his face from a foot away.

There is a second of tense silence as Louis' senses catch up. Then the man, muffled slightly by his mask, says,

"Put your hands up, then turn to face the other direction."

Louis does what he is told, dropping what is left of the revolver onto the floor. He crosses the room and waits.


-

Louis faces the wall. He hears the other bandit enter the room. The manager suppresses a whimper.

"Now?" Queries the woman's voice he heard before.

"Yes. Take care of it now," says the mask-clad bandit.

Louis winces as he hears a gunshot, but once again does not die. He opens his eyes. Out of the corner of his vision he can see the manager, lying against the wall. She has a bullet in her head.

"Give me your gun," the male bandit says. The woman protests briefly, but then stops.

Louis feels something at his side. He glances down to notice a gloved hand slide a revolver into his hip-holster.

"Welcome to the gang," says the mask-clad bandit in his ear. Suddenly there is an explosion of pain at the back of his head. Louis' world goes black.

****

Loius wakes up with a start. He glances around and sees that he is still in the manager's office. She is dead, with a gunshot wound to the head, and has not been moved. The murder weapon is in his holster.

Something feels odd, and he reaches up to touch his face. Someone has tied a bandanna around his face, as though he were concealing his identity.

The room has been ransacked. Papers and accoutremants are scattered everywhere. It is a mess. The manager's clock has been knocked over and is on the floor now. It has only been a few minutes since the fight.

Louis removed the scarf around his face and flicked it and the gun towards the body of the bandit he had stabbed. Standing he clutched his wound as he made his way out of the bank.


-

Louis tries to remove the scarf and finds that it is knotted quite tightly. He tries to at least turn it around so he doesn't look like he is hiding his face. Unfortunately by chance or design the knot has some of his hair woven into it.

The sound in and around the bank has died down somewhat. Now he can hear shouting and horses approaching.

TN 4 of whatever skill you want to use to de-mask.

Louis tries the knot gain and then when that does not work he uses the letter opener. If he is able before help arrives he will lie down at the edge of the desk near the toppled chair he was sitting in and play dead.


Louis L'Amour rolled 1,1 using 1d8,1d6, rerolling max, unique dice with rolls of 1,1.  Smarts. That's not going to do it.


-

Louis lays down and tries to create a non-threatening impression. A few moments passes, and he feels secure in trying again on the bandanna. This time, he manages to work in the point of the letter opener and prying it loose. Instantly he is a law-abiding citizen again.

There is a creak. The floorboards near the door shift when someone puts their weight on it. From his recumbent position, Louis cannot currently tell who it is.

Staying still Louis remained in place as whoever got closer. He would not move until someone turned him over or checked the woman.


-

Someone eases into the room, slowly. Louis feels something prod his foot gingerly. He does not move. The person quickly leaves the room again.

A few minutes later some more people enter the manager's office. They are decidedly less retiring. Their boots stomp and spurs jingle as they enter.

"What a mess!" a man exclaims. "One, two, three... Four bodies. Looks like she put up a fight, didn't she?" he says with black humour. Two more men laugh.

Louis feels the man he stabbed pulled away from him. A rough set of hands is placed on his legs as well.

As they make a move to drag his out Louis makes a cough and then another as he turns on his side and spits out a glob of blood and spit. he then says "Bastards shot me...."

He continues to lay on his side.


-

"Hey, sheriff, this one's alive! Looks like he was shot."

"Was he one of them? I ain't bringing him to the doctor if we're just going to hang him anyway."

Louis' vision is filled by a badly-shaved man's face. His breath smells of onions and his ten-gallon hat is too large for him. He is squinting at Louis inquisitively.

"Well, then, buddy? You one of those no-good bank robbers?"

"Agrr... no I was here for an appointment with the manageress, I was getting a loan. Names in the day book, has been for weeks..." Louis gives another grown and rolls onto his back...


-

"Good enough. You two, get him to the doctor. I'm going to check out back."

The two deputies ease Louis to his feet and help him walk. They escort him to the front of the bank.

It's a busy scene. The townsfolk are gathered in a crowd in the street. Some of them are here out of concern and curiosity. Others are assembling into a militant posse.

The deputies bring Louis to the doctor's office. Soon enough, he has been stitched up. Then the doctor asks to be paid.

"Five dollars should set it right," he says.

Louis checks his pockets and finds he has been robbed. He quickly checks his satchel and finds that his one hundred dollars for his loan security has been stolen as well!

"Never mind, doctor. This one's part of our official business." One of the deputies hung around to see that everything went well. He seems very smug about this remark.

The doctor nods. "I'll add it to the sheriff's account, then."

When the Doctor was done Louis eased himself off the table and clutching his side he makes he way back to the bank looking to collect his weapons that he deposited. If he can't find the lock box he will ask one of the deputies or the Sheriff if he is still around.



-

Sadly, the two men who were guarding the front of the bank have been killed. On their initial approach, the bandits fired heavily on this area. Without any cover, the guards were killed despite fighting back.

Someone has broken the lock on the chest. One of the deputies is standing next to it, but he seems more interested in the organization of the posse than making sure people collect their correct belongings.

Louis approaches the box. He sees his guns and knife waiting for him. He also sees a derringer, a pistol with a pearl-inlaid handle, and a box of bullets.

"A stroke of luck, finally." Louis thought as he retrieved his property and righted the box putting the other items back in it for their respective owners, who would probably not be returning. He stood and watched the men getting ready somewhat surprised that the town in general still gave a damn about law and order.


-

There seems to be some consternation among the posse members. Initially they all seemed very excited. About twenty men and a few women had planned to take part, waving their shotguns and hunting rifles. Now they are growing impatient. The sheriff and some of his deputies seem to be in private conversation, avoiding anyone else.

"Did you have money in the bank, too?" one man asks another.

"Nah, I've never saved a nickel in my life. I'm coming along because the sheriff promised a five dollar reward to anyone who helps out!"

One woman is ignoring the conversation. She appears to be staring intently, eyes narrowed, at the lawmens' conversation taking place a hundred meters away.

Louis approaches the woman as the preparations continue around him. "Good day, Madam. Louis L'Amour at your service." He gives a slight bow, unsure if his approach will be appreciated.


-

At first she does not appear to notice him approach. Even as he speaks, she doesn't look up. Then a moment later, she looks around and sees him. She starts visibly. Then she clasps a relieved hand to her chest and laughs soundlessly.

"You startled me," she says with an odd accent. "I was just watching the sheriff and his people talking. I can read lips, and body language, quite well."

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 41):

"I would imagine they are saying lets go out for a bit of a ride, collect our cash and go to the bar, Yes ?"


-

"No. They're saying that they have to go back on their offer to pay the posse. Something about how the bank isn't going to be able to pay them, so they can't pay us. The sheriff is telling them to handle it, and they're worried about us becoming unruly."

Now that Louis is listening to her more extensively, Louis can tell that the woman is Deaf. Her english is local, but her lack of hearing affects her speech.

She looks at Louis more closely. "It looks like you were already in a fight today. You're probably glad you don't have to get into another one, right?"

In reply to The Dealer (msg # 43):

Louis looked down at his bandaged wound and then back at the Lady, "Yes I  am not up to it as you can see. I was in the bank at the time of the robbery and they pretty much cleaned me out."


-

And so, the young man's dream of stable prosperity ends with a single act of violence and robbery. He is soon forced to fall back on his skill as a gambler to make a living, and must leave the territory for greener pastures. Always one step ahead of sore losers and the occasional greedy winner, he prefers to adopt a charming pseudonym: Louis L'Amour. Still, he never forgot the black-clad gang leader with the scar beside his left eye.

End of Solo Prologue. Gain 10 dollars, and 1 Advance.