The train isn't much to look at, in a previous life it may have been something to talk about, but that was several railroad companies ago in its long an storied life. It has everything you'd expect for the lengthy trip from Boston to Great Salt Lake. A tired but well maintained engine tows eight railcars of different colors and eras; An oversized coal car, a small livestock car toting only a few bails of feed hay, then a sleeper car, 2 passengers cars, a dining car, baggage car and a caboose to round it out.

Sleeper Car: A sparsely furnished sleeper car split into four partitions off to one side of the car. There are a total of 16 berths, that's 4 bunks to each "room".  Thick red flannel curtains can be drawn across a compartment to provide a small amount of privacy. Each bunk comes with a thin feather-stuffed mattress.

Passenger Cars: Have 10 double-sided benches, each side of which can comfortably seat two passengers, that's "40 sardines to a tin" if the cook is recalling the good ol' days with a higher traffic line. Many sleeper car ticket-holders spend much of the daytime hours in these cars as there are no seating accommodations in the sleeper. Travelers that didn't pony up for a sleeper ticket will commandeer an entire bench for themselves so they’ll have a little room to stretch out at night. On this particular trip, there are few regular passengers.

Dining Car: This car has a dining area and small kitchen. The dining area holds four booths capable of seating four passengers at a time, and a small bar with three stools. The kitchen contains a stove, a couple of prep tables and a tiny larder. Passengers aren’t normally allowed into the kitchen, and while crew members are, the cook, Harold, becomes grumpy if they raid his larder. $1 hot meals include coffee and a wheat roll. Between meal hours, the dining car also serves as an informal lounge. Passengers occasionally scare up a poker game to pass the hours, and the cook serves drinks until 10 PM. Harold has a small bunk at the back of the kitchen.

Baggage Car: This car is locked and off-limits to passengers. All the travelers’ personal effects are stored here, along with bags of mail and any cargo. A Mr. Seyberth comes back here several times a day along with most of the crew needing to pass through to the Caboose.

Caboose: This is where the crew (except the cook) sleeps and spends most of its free time. The men are fairly happy on this trip because there are only five of them, which means each man has plenty of space.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:16, Mon 25 Jan 2021.

Fellow Passengers: (details added as discovered)

Penelope Brown: A pretty redhead

Richard Chasen: Grizzled, keeps to himself

Gregory Dawson: With his carefully groomed black hair and mustache, Dawson cuts quite a figure. He’s always impeccably dressed and frequents the lounge.

Jacob Emmet: Jacob is a middle-aged Mormon missionary.

Laura Giles: Laura is an attractive woman in her late 20s, rumored to be the spoiled daughter of a wealthy cattle baron on a sightseeing tour.

Denise Merritt: Inquisitive, bordering on annoying. She’s trying to make a living as a freelance reporter or dime novelist, but hasn’t gotten a break yet.

Mr. Allan Seyberth: Allan is a well-dressed young man in his mid-20s. He looks a bit like a tinhorn but speaks and moves with confidence.

Abiel and Aloysius Squatpump: These twin brothers are crude, grimy, trappers heading West for better game than they found in Kentucky.

The Wilson Family: Rick, Jenny, and their two hellion boys, Amos and Jethro

Crew:

Harold 'Ham' Buchanan: A middle-aged, balding man with a pot belly. He may be the lowly cook but he's also the bartender!

John Stearn: Oddly enough, a stern man, skinny as a rail and the train's young conductor.

Pete Franklin: The quiet, business-like, daytime engineer.

M.A. Maggert: You've overheard the M.A. stands for 'mean-ass' and you believe it. He fills the role of the daytime fireman.

King White 'Nighttrain': King is the overnight locomotive operator. He’s the most experienced member of the crew and always polite to paying passengers.

'Plain' Jane Hunt: Jane is a perpetually coal-dust-covered husky woman of undiscernible age who serves as King’s night-shift fireman.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:42, Mon 25 Jan 2021.

The morning sun broke through the white clouds and began chipping away at the chill in the air. The mountain rail passes on the remaining journey ahead had only reopened just in recent weeks as snowmelt progressed and a late spring began to take hold of the weather.

"ALL ABOARD!" you hear the conductor Mr Stearn outside your window shouting, halfheartedly, not with any real purpose but purely out of routine. He walks down the train car order and hops up on the caboose. This particular stop hadn't amounted to much more than a dangling mail bag on a wooden post outside of a tiny, rough-hewn log cabin office. You didn't even catch the name of the place.

The train lurches forward in fits and starts. Eventually as the small, empty passenger platform shrinks into the distance behind, you find yourselves once again huddled over your beverage of choice in the dining car with a faint smell of breakfast wafting from the kitchen. Same damn time, same damn table, and with the same damn trees occasionally rolling by as previous mornings.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:49, Mon 25 Jan 2021.

Brother Ignatius finished his morning prayers and decided to check up on his mule. He liked animals immensely and the walk through the cars up to the livestock carriage was refreshing. As he passed by the other members of the train he took notice, as he often did, of the little things.

Of particular interest to him was the Wilson family. The two boys reminded him much of his brother and himself. Oh, the trouble they could get in. He decided to pause on his walk to check in on the family to see how they were doing this fine day. He had yet to discover their final destination and from whence they came and decided now was as good a day as any for some conversation.

"Oh Lord! Thank heaven!" Jenny Wilson exclaims and springs up from the bench with a startling quickness, her arms full of one kid, the other wrapped around her leg like an ornery constrictor snake.

"Puh-LEASE be a dear, Brother, Rick an' I han't a lick of coffee yet an' barely a wink of sleep between us..." you don't get much of the rest of her prattling-on because she's actively foisting Amos onto you while simultaneously pushing her husband back towards the dining car and forcefully shaking Jethro from her leg.

You might think you could get a word in edge-wise but that's hardly the case and before you know it you're practically saddled with both brats and slick Jenny has one foot halfway out the door begging for you to allow her and her husband to flee to the dining car for a moment's respite. They both shoot you... the saddest glares for miles around.

Morty finished his coffee, and decided to go check on his mule Gladys. He didn’t really want to chat with any other passengers, choosing to keep to himself. He started walking towards the front of the train, passing by a guy in some robes with two kids. Who let this guy have two kids?, he thought.

Ignatius was caught off guard by the sudden departure of the Wilson parents, but decided to make the most of the moment.
“Would you boys like to go feed the animals with me?”
They seemed enthusiastic enough, though for what reason only time would tell.  He stepped back and nearly bumped into his curiously reclusive bunk mate.
“Eugene, correct? Myself and these two fine lads are headed off to see the animals and it would appear as though you are heading in the same direction. Care to join us? I’d be interested in hearing some of your story. Every life has a great narrative and I’ve yet to discover yours.”

Morty grimaced to himself. The guy with the kids was his way-too-friendly bunk mate. He sure didn’t want to get chummy with anyone, but he was too polite to tell him to scram. “Suit yourself, partner.” Morty passed by him and the two kids, and continued on way towards the front of the train. He figured he’d check on Gladys, then start figuring out which stop to get off at. Where could he find a new stake to do some mining?
This message was last edited by the player at 05:38, Tue 02 Feb 2021.

The thought of not being the only animals on the train momentarily fascinates the twins, though it quickly wears off and devolves into hoopin' and hollerin' accompanied by copious finger gunnin'. You can't tell 'em apart for beans, and it doesn't much matter which one dunnit but one of the little buggers stomps right down with all his might on the foot of Brother Ignatius! An expertly angled 'n sharp heel to be sure.

Linking hands they spree for the Sleeper car undoubtedly headed to the Livestock carriage and nearly toppling the Ol' Prospector on their way. They're off to the races and as they disappear through the door at the end of the car, the one you'd guess is Jethro yells over his shoulder "Last one to pet a animal sucks eggs!"


((Ignatius make an Athletics check TN4 to avoid getting your foot stomped))

A sore footed monk and an old prospector are left to their lonesome in the middle of a gently swaying passenger car, you share a surprisingly peaceful moment.

The steady clicking of the tracks marks the passage of seconds during a rare bout of daytime quiet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:58, Thu 28 Jan 2021.

Morty shook his head, and let out a sigh. He was too old to be chasing kids around. “Well, shake it off... what was your name again? Ignatius?” Morty began walking towards where the kids had just ran off. “What were you doin’ with them anyways?”
This message was last edited by the player at 05:39, Tue 02 Feb 2021.

Nursing his bruised foot, Ignatius looked up at the grizzled old man in front of him. “I apologize for not formally introducing myself earlier. My name is Brother Ignatius, of the Jesuit order. I had hoped to become acquainted with this young family but the father and mother of those two took off like a bat out of hell, pardon the saying. Those boys remind me of my own brother and myself. We could rile up our housekeeper so....” Ignatius trailed off, ashamed that he was drabbling on. “And you, good sir, where do come from? Where are you heading?”

Morty gave the robed traveler a deadpan look. “From back East; heading West. Come on, we’d better track those kids down before they break somethin.” Morty didn’t want those kids messing with stuff on the train; especially Gladys. He walked out of the dining car, and into the first passenger car.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:40, Tue 02 Feb 2021.

Ignatius followed along a few steps behind the old man, limping slightly but quickly regaining his composure.

The kids had vamoose'd and were nowhere to be seen in the passenger cars. If you had a mind to search high and low, your plan is cut short by a small face mushed against the slim window of the far car door leading farther towards the locomotive end of things. A hastily blown raspberry leaves some gross marks on the glass.

Advancing to the sleeper car yields much the same results, rascals have beat feet all the way to the livestock car at least, maybe as far as the coal car, heaven forbid all the way to the engineer. You hear a bit of faint scraping and clanging ahead but can't tell through the door to the livestock car if it's ordinary train clangin' or something more mischievous. Train travel ain't exactly a quiet affair, especially on this ol' line, ya cheapskates.

Ignatius advanced up to the door of the livestock car and pushed it open. “Boys? You in here?”

Morty pushed past Ignatius into the doorway of the livestock car and scanned the area. Morty was very perceptive in most situations, able to pick up details others may overlook. This time he was a little annoyed at the whole situation, so he just gave the place a normal look around without focusing a ton.


Rolled 4,4 using 1d8+2,1d6+2 ((2,2)) to Notice what's going on in the livestock car. Alertness gives +2 to Notice rolls
This message was last edited by the player at 05:38, Tue 02 Feb 2021.

The cold breeze of the drafty stockcar hits you the moment the door slides open and while Morty can see the two boys wrasslin' to use each other as a step-stool to begin their first mule ride, Brother Ignatius can't catch much more that an eyeful of ol' prospector. Well, that an the aforementioned gust of sobering air.

The boys cease there bickering, staring back towards you two with their eyes wide an mouths slightly agape. Gladys looks mighty worried.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:06, Tue 02 Feb 2021.

Ignatius knew better than to draw the ire out of the elderly. Plenty of his superiors were grumpier than this old man and had taught him the value of patience in the midst of frustrating moments. Glancing over Eugene’s shoulder, he took in the scene.

Rolled an 8 (6+4-2)
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:08, Wed 03 Feb 2021.

Y'all may not have a lot of experience with children, but deep down any human can discern true heartbreak when they lock eye to eye with it. Two boys might never have been so disappointed with their best-laid-plan in the history of these loosely united states.

As you keenly step over and around the sloppy mound of manure they had hastily scraped together just inside the car door, their shoulders slump, the light goes out of their eyes and Amos punches Jethro (or possibly the other way around) landing a hard hit square on the side of his shoulder "You mussa gave it away ya dummy!"

A brief awkward silence, well at least as silent as a gusty moving stockcar can get, is broken by relieved bray from ol' Gladys.

"Can we still ride it?" the boys ask almost in unison.

“No! Get away from there!”, Morty growled out. He walked over to Gladys and gave her neck a pet. Morty was very protective of the old mule, being she was his only companion out on the claim. Plus he needed her to haul his equipment & gear. Morty flashed  the kids an angry look, “Get on back to your parents, you two.”

Ignatius wasn’t one to argue with the elderly. “Best do as he says, boys. I’ll bet you can still get some warm grub from the food car if you hustle.”

Completely dejected, the boys head off snappin' each others' suspenders and wompin' each other with their hats.

Moments later, from the engine end of things, Conductor John Stearn appears lookin' gaunt as ever in an aged but clean navy blue suit complete with striped vest and fancy cap. He doesn't pay you two much mind until he gets to the pile o' poop near the car's exit at which point he turns on his heel whip-quick and scowls at you both
 "Correct this." he says flatly, furrowing his brow. Obviously annoyed, he hooks the keys he was holding onto his belt before he tugs the chain of his pocket watch and clicks it open, then shut before stepping over the mess and trudging out of sight. "Never again." you hear him state loudly as the door closes behind him, you're unsure if he's referring to making this particular long trip, allowing you two aboard, or hauling ass.

Brother Ignatius turns to Eugene and remarks, “You know, this reminds me of an odd tale some brothers from the Amazon would recount. A certain tribe held the ‘foo bird’ in high reverence. If ever it were to defecate upon your person, you were not allowed to remove the offending article. Such strange folk. The saying went something like, pardon my saying, ‘If the foo shits, wear it.’”

With that he picked up a pitchfork and hefted the matter out the window.

Morty gave Ignatius a confused look. What the hell was he talking about? "Uh, huh...", he said to the strange monk. He walked back towards the back of the train, and into the next car. Morty had to start considering where to get off the train. He wanted to be near a city he could get supplies from, but far enough away that he could find a new claim. The less people around the better. Morty was going to go talk to the conductor to see where the train's next stop was.

After that... interesting anecdote, and briefly tending to your animals and their mess, you make your way back through an empty sleeper car, then on-by the bulk of the other passengers spread out amongst the two passenger cars without encountering the young Mr Stearn.

!!SUDDENLY!!
Call it luck, chalk it up to experience, a sixth sense or what-have-you, but as Eugene opens the door to the dining car he jerks his head sharply to the right while simultaneously raising a hand in a wild fit, as if swatting away a biting horsefly. A slight wet sensation on the back of the old prospector's hand immediately precedes Ignatius getting whapped right in the schnoz with a soaring spoonful of warm grits! Holding wooden spoons, both twin boys stare wide-eyed at y'all from a few tables down on your left. Time stands still for both you and the Wilson clan.

Reality resumes when the pair of hellions break into a raucous childish cackling, right before Rick and Jenny start in on an angry ruckus that mostly takes place underneath the table of their booth, which is where the boys have disappeared to. Insults, threats and a good deal of spankin' sounds erupt from the swirling melee. Things only a frontier father could dream up. Things only a mother of twins could curse somebody with.

You decide it best to press on and find the conductor, at least for now. "Ham" Buchanan unceremoniously hands Ignatius a clean dish rag as you two move past the bar counter and to the rear door.

When you exit the dining car at the far end, you catch sight of Conductor Stearn and Mr. Allan Seyberth talking as you make your way through the car doors. You could see Stearn shaking his head as he returned his keys to his belt, and both men look to you as you enter the baggage car. "I trust that unseemly mess up front was dealt with?" Stearn asks of you. You're standing in a small ante-room of sorts between the door into the baggage car and a wall with a locked door behind the other two men where all the baggage and cargo is securely stowed. It's roughly the size of a walk-in closet, it's fairly loud with track noise, and it's not surprising how uncomfortable it is for 4 grown men that aren't well acquainted.

For a second Morty didn't know what Stearn was talking about, until he remembered the pile of shit the kids had tried to trick them with. Morty wasn't phased by the pile of excrement, as he had dealt with plenty in his time; and that's why he had ignored the conductors odd command and pressed on. "Uh, sure. You can thank Brother Broom back there." Morty thumbed towards Ignatius. "Say Conductor, what's our next stop on this here train? What's the nearest city from there?"

"The next stop is Miner's Paradise and..." he removes a thick, folded piece of paper from a vest pocket, glancing at it he adds "... without cause for delay we should arrive tomorrow sometime after noon."

He looks you two up and down and recommends in no uncertain terms you should return to the passenger area.

Seyberth tersely nods adieu to the conductor, reiterating the words "It's important." Then he awkwardly shuffles past you both in what could have passed for an slow, shambling and  offbeat 10 second square-dance at a home for crippled veterans. He slips through the door to leaving the 3 of you with a bit more room but it doesn't make things noticeably more comfortable. Possibly due to the conductor's glib, lingering stare.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 06:59, Sat 06 Mar 2021.

Brother Ignatius sensed it was time to move on, and likely approaching time for mid morning prayers. “Gentlemen, I beg your leave.” He followed Seyberth out of the confined quarters and began heading back to the passenger area.