Thus commences the first adventure in the saga of Caleb, Concat, Hal, Romwell and Rumbly!

You’ve reached Douglass City, a town not hardly large
enough to warrant being called a city. It’s a dusty, dry day,
and the air is blurred from heat rising off the dirt. The
town is little more than a single dusty street lined with
wooden buildings. There’s a small crowd gathering off to
the side of one of the buildings and a handful of rough,
armed men walking up and down the street.
Looks like trouble.

(Reply with a description of your character, why you've come here, and your character's next course of action. You've got 3 days for this.)

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 1):

Romwell is an elf, (standing 7’9”) his back ramrod-straight with ebony skin and bright blue eyes. A set of half-moon glasses sits on his long nose, his silver and black peppered hair so thick that it simply stays wherever it’s molded, in this case it’s slicked back neatly and comes down to his earlobes. Wearing a two-piece button up shirt, tie, and silk vest along with dress pants, all with what look to be patch jobs of more flexible fabric about his shoulders and other joints; probably due to his considerable musculature either ripping the careful tailoring, or to prevent chafing.

He has come seeking a new perspective on life, looking to enrich his experiences before he is contained to his duties defined by his noble heritage.

With a backpack carried like a suitcase in one hand he smiles warmly and greets his companions officially for the first time with a posh British accent. “Romwell Alfrick Bradshaw, at your service! Pleased to make your acquaintance. Let us investigate this rabble!” And he will make for the commotion after introductions are completed.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:30, Mon 02 Jan 2023.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 1):

Caleb is a Satyr, with a fairly average build. He has two horns which go up and then curl backwards. His left horn has a gold hoop through the end while his right horn has a silver one. He is wearing a thick, brown, wool vest over otherwise standard clothes - a white t-shirt and Khaki pants. He has a gun holstered on either hip, although the holster shapes make it very clear that the one on his right hip is no ordinary gun. Caleb is extremely quick, with a speed only matched by his tongue. He also prefers to avoid fighting (this means aggressive intimidation just as often as it does peaceful negotiation), but is still willing to get his hands dirty if he has to.

He has come here looking for adventure, and also to see if there are places where he might be able to help people who are struggling against oppressive nobles (or anyone powerful really) - he used to do the same at his home and has since decided to go further afield to find people to help.

"Well well well, looks like we got some excitement already! And just when I'd feared I might get bored!" Caleb remarks, seeing the crowd up ahead. After introductions are done, he sprints around the crowd to the side, so as to get a clear shot at the armed men, his hand resting on the gun holstered on his right hip. But he doesn't draw the weapon. Not yet.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:14, Tue 03 Jan 2023.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 1):

Rumbly is a human, bigger than average build and some tough fists, he woke up not too long ago, not too far down the street, he lives here in Douglass City as its the only city that doesn't prosecute him for tax evasion. he grabbed his backpack and duct taped his quad barrel shotgun to his hip as he lost his holster a couple of days ago. he joined this party of adventurers as he thinks the mayor is catching on to his misdeeds and wants a way to get out with free board.

"Im up, im up, whats the hubub, im here, what are we doin' today! oh my name? uhh yeah i'll get back to that" he joins the band still half asleep in his pajamas and just waits for the first  person to do something as he has yet to get the gist of the situation.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:45, Mon 02 Jan 2023.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 1):

Hal is a Simulacron, is 5'9", and would look like an average human, if not for the fact that he is made out of metal and has eyes letting off a strange yellow glow. He wears a large leather cloak, made in an attempt to hide most of his body, however the hood seems to no longer be there, leaving him to deal with the looks of distrust, however people seem to ask less questions here. He carries two guns on him, with a revolver on his hip and a giant gun of unknown design on his back attached by a sling.

He has come here in order to learn more about the world, as the nature of his creation has led to him not knowing how many things work, outside of a few exceptions that he learnt about in books.

"Its weird to meet anyone that's so welcoming, I'm Hal" he replies, his voice emulating a humans, however with mechanical imperfections. As soon as introductions finish, he heads towards the outer part of the crowd in order to see what's happening while trying to not draw too much attention.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 1):

Concat is a gnome. He is wearing faded blue overalls, with a pale green shirt underneath. He has a giant leather backpack on him, carrying much more than it looks like he should be able to support. Despite his small stature, he struts mightily as if he were to dominate any encounter he should face, whether it be a fight or a conversation. He carries two guns with him: a smaller, molten-orange gun that appears as though it had just been forged, even despite its age, and a rather large gun in one of his backpack pockets.

Concat has been working and fleeing many times throughout numerous cities. He has experienced the most claustrophobic corners of an airship, and the diverse social communities on the outside of cities. Through his experience he has learned not just the use of many machines, but also manipulative tactics to gain an edge wherever he needs. This is his next stop.

He is carefully assessing the situation before making any moves. He'll barely blend in with the crowd, so he decides to take some distance on the outside of the crowd.

Romwell approaches the bank, the others in tow. 4 masked men are outside. 2 patrol the front perimeter, rifles in hand. One stands at the top of the bank's steps with his hand on the revolver at his belt. Another sits slumped in a chair, hands resting on the two pistols in his lap. Heavy, thumping footsteps can occasionally be heard inside the bank.

"Don't go no further, old man," says the closest one, training his rifle on Romwell. "not unless you wanna be picking bullets outta your brain."

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 7):
Romwell continues smiling warmly, but a subtle change occurs in his eyes. “Gentlemen. Surely there is a way to resolve any qualms you may have peacefully! Violence would inconvenience both of us. Why is it that you are threatening my life?” He slowly places his backpack on the ground, never taking his eyes off the gunman. I would like to see if I can determine their race and possible affiliations. What do I roll for my actions taken here?

In reply to Romwell (msg # 8):

(I made a cunning roll for you, result of 3)

All guards here are human. They have no distinguishing marks that would belie their allegiance with any group.

"The boss says nobody gets in or out of the bank. You'll back up now, that clear? Last chance."

The man in the chair stands up. He grabs his guns and holds them ready, cocking the hammers back in preparation to fire.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 9):

“Certainly!” Romwell raises his hands disarmingly and takes his backpack off the ground, moving back one step. “Is your employer the owner of this bank?” Do any of the men bear significant scarring or odd features, and is there any forms of cover near me?
This message was last edited by the player at 20:48, Wed 04 Jan 2023.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 7):
i want to try and loop around to the back of the bank and see if there is an unguarded way in from the back

if i get caught my alibi is im trying to take a piss

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 7):

Caleb whispers to his newfound allies (the people with whom he's approaching the bandits, at any rate), his mouth moving as little as possible. "I might be able to, err, convince one of them to drop his gun, but if I do that, it's open season - there's not gonna be any more talking. I mean, I can try talking first, but I'd say I have a quick tongue, more so than a silver tongue."

While he's talking, Caleb continues to watch the bandits, his right hand still hovering over the gun on his right hip...
This message was last edited by the player at 04:54, Thu 05 Jan 2023.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 9):

Hal walks over to Caleb and draws his revolver, although he keeps it hidden under his cloak for now. "Shooting now could get Romwell in danger, as he has no cover" he whispers back. "Although I don't think that talking will get us through this situation peacefully, so get ready"

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 9):

Concat draws his gun, though he is unable to hide it due to his small stature. "Go big or go home" he whispers back. "No time for peace around these parts. Get Romwell out of danger and let's show these bandits what they deserve."

None of the men bear particularly odd features, though it’s hard to tell through the balaclavas. Romwell is out in the open, the nearest point of cover being the closed door of the General Store.

“Charlie ain’t so much the bank’s owner as he is the one in control,” says the outlaw on the front porch. “Now I’m thinking you’ve been standing here long enough. Boys, make an example of him.”

The outlaws' trigger fingers are tightening. Combat is begun.

PRIORITY GROUPS (rolled by me to reduce posts required)

Hal and Concat (20, 13)
Outlaws (9)
Caleb, Romwell and Rumbly (8, 8, 5)

(This only matters for the first round. After Hal and Concat have taken their first turns, it’ll just go Outlaws, then everyone else in any order).

OUTLAW STATS (so you don’t need to query if anything resists, hits or kills)

Evade: +0
Defense: +1
Soak class: 1/2/3/4

Brute: +2
Cunning: +1
Dexterity: +3
Spirit: +0
Sciences: +0
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 14:40, Sun 08 Jan 2023.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 15):

Hal fires his gun at the bandit in the front, however he misses and ducks behind the barrel that's right next to him to prepare to bring out the BFG.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 15):

Concat also fires his gun at the bandit in the front, and successfully hits (for 8 damage i think? the roll was t2). He ducks behind the same barrel as Hal.

Outlaws' turn.

The one in front fires a shot at Romwell.
(14 acc, 6 eva, 7 def) The shot connects, dealing 11 damage. Romwell is on 20 HP.
Then, having just been shot at, he runs for cover in the stable across the street. He's now in full cover, giving him a +8 to evade until you close the distance.

The outlaw by the stairs crouches down behind them, granting light cover and so +4 to evade. He takes aim at Concat for a Penetrating Shot.
(9 acc, 18 eva (heavy cover)) The shot hits the wall next to Concat, knocking out a few splinters of wood.

The outlaw on the porch draws his revolver in the blink of an eye, takes aim and fires at Hal.
(13 acc, 14 eva (medium cover)) The bullet is absorbed by the barrel Hal is behind.

The outlaw on the chair stands up, cocks one revolver, and takes a shot at Romwell.
(8 acc, 3 eva, 8 def) A glancing hit, causing Romwell 3 damage. He is now on 17 HP. The outlaw ducks behind the porch railings, granting light cover and a +2 to evade.

Your move, people. (map updated with everyone's new positions)

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 18):

Romwell looks down at his vest, concerned. “Oh dear. It appears I have been shot.” He leaps to grasp the rooftop, clambering up and moving as far as he can to gain cover from the opposing slant of the roof. Could I expend my action points to move further?

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 18):

Caleb draws the gun on his right hip. Abomination would be a better word. Covered in what appears to be a patchwork of metals of various types and shapes, and with a faint haze hovering around it, it reflects the light in eerily off-kilter ways. The double barrels reflect no light, though - they are a blackness that seems to fall back into an eternal abyss.

(Caleb's gun is Horrifying mq I --> Tier 2 Spirit to resist. The outlaws take -4 because they're rolling against the source of their fear, right? If I did this right, the outlaws suffer the effects of Tier 1 Fear, a -2 on all resist rolls?)

Caleb fires a Warning Shot that flies past the Outlaw with the rifle who's still in the open, mere hairs away from him. (Warning Shot is one of Caleb's Specialties)

(Roll to Intimidate, add Marksmanship skill --> Cunning +3, Marksmanship +2, total bonus +5. The outlaw takes -2 on the resist because of the fear, right? If I did it right, I rolled a 15 to intimidate, he rolled a 9 to resist --> I intimidated him successfully)

"Drop the gun." Caleb orders the outlaw, "I'm only asking once."

(Can I say the outlaw dropped his gun, because I intimidated him successfully...?)
This message was last edited by the player at 00:15, Wed 11 Jan 2023.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 18):

i want to assume that the thing in front of me is a door, if so, i would like to look around and inside if the door includes a window for any hostiles

In reply to Romwell (msg #19):

One AP gets Romwell on the roof, due to his elven climbing ability. Any further is up to you - there's little to see up here.

In reply to Caleb (msg # 20):

The outlaw drops his gun involuntarily, crouching down and flattening himself against the porch. He and all other outlaws are suffering from tier 1 fear until they can shake it off. They have -2 on all resists.

In reply to Rumbly (msg #21):

You're in an alleyway, as yet unnoticed by the outlaws. The thing next to you is a ladder onto the roof of the bank.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 18):

Hal peeks out from the barrel and takes the footing stance, firing the BFG at the outlaw on the porch, dealing 21 damage.

(Do you want us to write what we roll in the posts?)

In reply to Hal (msg # 23):

The shot hits his non-gun hand. The massive bullet tears off multiple fingers, rendering that hand useless. (You went straight through his HP and most of his wounds. Good job! And yes please, in future include the results of your dice rolls in your posts.)

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 22):

since i have nothing better to do, i would like to climb the ladder on to the roof and see what is there

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 22):

Romwell, after moving up as far as he can on the roof, unfolds a long, flat-bladed shovel with almost no bend to it. It’s blade three millimetres thick at the base as it tapers off. He brandishes it in both hands and takes a running leap off the roof in a straight line at the nearest rapscallion. “Tally ho lads!”(rolls a 1) Having clearly telegraphed his attack, his enemy immediately notices him and sidesteps easily. Romwell strikes the earth with his shovel, hard, and crumples into the ground.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:27, Thu 12 Jan 2023.

This message was deleted by the player at 15:21, Sat 14 Jan 2023.

In reply to Rumbly Toeblo (msg # 25):

Getting onto the roof of the bank takes 2 AP, leaving you with one remaining. On the roof of the bank is nothing much - it provides a good vantage point of the street below, though.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 22):

Concat follows Rumbly up to the roof.

In reply to Concat (msg # 29):

Outlaws' turn.

The one cowering behind the stairs picks his rifle back up with shaking hands. Still crouching in cover, he cycles the lever, passing a fearful glance at Caleb.

The one Romwell landed next to takes his time to line up a shot on Romwell's noggin.
(Called shot, 10 acc, 7 eva, 16 def, 16 to resist) The shot clips Romwell's head, but he shakes off the dizziness. Romwell takes 6 damage, dropping him to 11 HP.

The outlaw with the injured hand clumsily cocks his revolver, taking an opportunistic shot at Concat as he heads down the alleyway.
(14 acc, 3 eva, 10 def) the bullet's aim is true, but has trouble with Concat's energy shield. Concat takes 4 damage, leaving him on 17 HP.

The outlaw in the stables chambers a new round. As he peeks out of cover to fire at Caleb, Concat's Head Popper speciality activates!
(10 acc, 4 eva, 6 def) The Dragon's Breath seems to fire almost of it's own accord, nailing the outlaw for 7 damage.
(10 acc, 17 eva(deflected)). The outlaw fires, but having just been shot himself, he misses.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 30):

Caleb trains his weapon on the outlaw with the injured hand, firing at the outlaw's one good hand, but he misses. (Called shot, 1 acc, 1 eva --> Outlaw has Peerless)

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 30):

Concat readies the Coconut Cannon.

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 30):

Hal reloads the BFG

In reply to Archfey13 (msg # 30):

Romwell scrapes himself off the road and gripping his shovel, swipes upwards at the man before him. (1) The man no longer stands in the space romwell swung, and romwell, seeing that perhaps it’s just not his day jumps the banister and enters the general store. he says “I’m currently quite wounded, do you have something that may help by chance?” To anyone that might be listening.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:48, Tue 24 Jan 2023.