Welcome to the Old West!
Welcome to the Serenity Ranch. You travelled far, but were lucky enough to get hired by Mr. John Cordon, and English gentleman who has recently purchased this ranch and a hundred head of cattle. Competition is fierce, especially with the very successful Slade McInyrne's ranch near by.
You find that you are not the only newly hired help, as you are shown your way to your cabin. Dinner is at 6, and you will be given vurther instructions then. So stash your gear, clean up for dinner, and feel free to sit at the table and describe/inroduce yourself.
Culver politely thanks the guide and dismounts Jack after the guide has left. He pats the horse on the neck, and nose, and removes the bit and bridle. He briefly whispers something in Muscogee to the creature, removes the saddle and saddlebags, brushes down the horse’s flanks, and lets it loose near the cabin. The horse wanders away, eating the harscrabble grass and giving Culver a mournful look. ”Jack, it’s grass. Don’t look at me like that. I’ll get you an apple from Cordon, or something.” Jack returns to munching grass and Culver chuckles to himself before whistling briefly.
From beyond a ridge, Yahvev peeks his head up and sniffs the air, then saunters past Jack as he approaches Culver with his tail wagging.
Culver enters, cleans himself off, and changes into a mix of his blue sergeant’s uniform and traditional garb, playing up the accessories to accentuate what he believes Cordon might expect. ”We all have to play a part in this world Culver. You’re no different. This Englishman is expecting a certain something from you - and you can’t afford to lose this job” he says to himself, sighing, as he checks his reflection and straightens a few things. Sheathing his axes to blunt the edges, he hangs them from his belt loops. He considers the hat, and then leaves it on his bunk, along with his rifle, bayonet and ammo pouch. He exits the cabin and pets Yahvev, who has finished his jerky and is waiting expectantly for more. ”I’ll get you a big bone buddy, let’s go.” and the hops onto his horse, bareback and rides to Cordon’s house. Yahvev runs ahead and announces Culver’s presence with his own. Culver hops off Jake and says to the hands who try to lead the bridle-less horse to the stable ”You might as well just let him wander around outside the house, he’s not going to want to go to the stable” and then chuckles when they try to wrangle him. Culver heads to the entrance and then says to Yahvev ”Stay” and Yahvev lays down a few feet from the entrance. When Yahvev hears Culver through the dining room window, he goes and lies down under the window to wait for Culver’s return. Culver shakes hands with all the help and settles in to wait for the others. As they arrive, he stands up and says ”Good evening, my name is Culver. It is a pleasure to meet you” while shaking hands or bowing to each other hired hand that he meets.
The wiry Caucasian man enters the cabin wearing a simple light brown shirt, leather pants, and boots. a cowboy hat sat, until he entered the room, on his head, and was now held in one hand. He had a pair of saddlebags hung over one shoulder, and he began looking around for a place to set down his kit.
He had seethe man arguing with his horse outside, but he decided he didn't want to get involved in a lover's quarrel. Instead, he headed inside and found that there was a pitcher of water and a ewer, which he took advantage of to shave in, using the mirror on the sideboard. Once he was clean-shaven, he tossed the water outside and then went and refilled the pitcher from the well.
Perry follows the directions to the cabin glad to have someplace to stow his gear. He takes proper time removing the saddle and other gear from his horse, rubbing the animal down and setting a feed bag for the animal. "Guard him Ghost. I'll bring you some food after I check in and meet the other drivers."
He leaves his pack and crossbow in the cabin taking some time for stretching exercises as he waits and watches to meet the other workers. "Well met Culver. I am Perry Moran."
Dakota arrives well after the rest of the group, a frown on her face and a coyote skin bag slung over her shoulder, she sets her belongings just inside the cabin door and dusts herself off. Giving each of her new associates a polite nod, she sets herself at the table and observes the surrounding while she quietly hums to herself seemingly in an attempt to pass the time without talking to much.
Culver smiles at Perry’s friendliness and shakes his hand warmly ”Well met. Are you from the New Mexico territory or are you a traveler, like me?” He gestures to Perry to take a seat and leans forward to learn more.
When Dakota enters later, he stands up, startled for a very brief moment, before regaining his composure and bowing slightly as he repeats his greeting. He glances at her a moment longer before returning to his conversation with Perry.
Perry takes a seat when Culver motions to one. He stands when Dakota enters, then sits again after the lady does. "I'm from the territory, but I haven't really had a home since I left the one horse town I was born in. Worked a local ranch there for a couple of years, then moved on after a short drive. Was running a bit low on cash though and glad to get a job here."
Wei finished his afternoon training and headed for the big house, he comes in site of the door as Dakota enters, hurrying to follow he is brought up short by the wolf, but as it appears tame, at least not aggressive, he moves to the door, stopping on the porch to remove his dusty boots and hat.
He steps into the room and takes in the crowd, he bows to the group as a whole, hat in hand.
In only mildly accented English he says, ”It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Li Wei, please call me Wei.” He takes in the others. ”I have just arrived, have any of the rest of you meet Mr. Cordon?”
Culver nods at Perry. ”Same here, just trying to make a buck. The family does not have much these days. I am from the Indian territory. I thought it wise to strike out farther west to make my fortune.”
When Li enters, Culver bows in return, ”Well met. I have been here a while and have not seen hide nor hair of Cordon. I expect he will be along presently. Rest a spell, you have likely had a wearying trip.” Culver takes his seat
"Not Particular like, Mr. Wei. I only juss arived m'self."
A heavy set man with only a few wisps of hair remaining despite a full beard and mustache greets you as you enter the dining hall. "Come in, come in. Take a load off. My name's Cookie. I'll be makin' the grub around here. Can't promise it will always be good, but there will always be plenty of it!"
Setting a pitcher of brownish water on the table, he motions for you to take a seat.
Once everyone is seated, a stack of tin plates comes out and everyone gets one, piled high with chili and cornbread. You aren't sure about it at first, but as you each start taking small bites, you find it is rather delicious.
Then a leathery older man comes in, nods to Cookie, and takes a seat at the head of the table.
"Hey. I'm Hank. I'm the boss. Do what I say, when I say it, and you'll do just fine here. This here is a workin' ranch. After dinner, we are going to saddle up and head out to the back corner. Got a nasty pack of coyotes out there, and need to clear them off." Noticing Dakota's bag, he grins. "You should fit right in."
"Tomorrow, Mr. Cordon will address everyone, but tonight it will be just us. So, let's go around the room and tell me your name, and where you hail from, and what your past ranch experience is."
Once the food is brought in Perry takes a large helping. He eats most of it then turns in his chair, lowering the plate to the floor and lets out a loud warbling whistle. "Shadow. Come."
Once he sees his wolf bound in he turns back to the group, "Sorry, I should have asked but, Does anyone mind? He'll sleep outside so the gas won't be bad on us!" He ends the statement with a grin.
When Hank comes in he relaxes and leans back in his chair. "I'm Perry Moran, and the wolf over there is my friend Shadow. I'm from Falls Gap, a little nothing town about 50 miles out. I've road with a couple of ranches in years back but was usually just temp hired for a drive."
Wei looks to 'Henry' "It is just Wei, no honorific is required"
He digs into the meal with gusto, eating with his finger and saving some of the cornbread to mop up the last of the juice then licks his fingers clean.
At Hanks question he stands and bows slightly. "I am called Wei, I come from, the Henan Province of China. I am accustom to most forms of manual labor, my experience with cattle is limited, but I am a quick study, and an able rider." He sits back down and waits to 'meet' the others.
Culver watches the others as they introduce themselves and says ”Good evening Hank, I am Culver, and I am from the Indian territory. I was in the army a few years ago - but worked on a ranch more recently where I drove cattle. I came west for more opportunities and a chance to earn some extra money. I can handle animals, bows, guns, traps, and I am comfortable on a horse or on foot. My horse is Jack, and I have a big hunting hound named Yahvev. I prefer to keep them near me. The hound is well trained- but I would not bother him much. He does not cotton on to strangers much.” Culver runs his hand through his hair. ”I know a bit about mending clothes, so let me know if something of yours gets damaged and I can take a look. I know a bit of Spanish but I am a Creek, if you are wondering.”
Dakota nods at cookie as he speaks, eye's lighting up at the mention of consistent food. When the meal is served her serving is gone almost before it leaves the ladle, in the name of politeness she eats her cornbread more slowly than the chili in an effort not to ask for second before everyone has been served. Once she is on her second plate it's gone almost as fast as the first, though this seems to mostly satisfy her apatite for now. "Thanks to you." She nods towards Cookie with a trace of a smile on her face.
When Hank enters the room Dakota listens to his words intently, nodding towards him when he mentions her bag. "My tribe has hunted many of them on our journey east, they should give me no trouble. And no, I do not mind the dog, Mr. Perry." Getting up from her seat at the table, Dakota approaches her bag and begins to pull the gear she believes she will need for the fight. Her double barrel shotgun, three shells and a slug, her tomahawk and her lucky battle feather. "I am ready, tell me when you are and we will go." She says to the rest of the group before taking her seat again at the table, asking for another small helping of chili.
After dinner, Hank points to Perry and Culver and says "You two are on cleanup tonight. We rotate daily, so no one is stuck with it too often, but we all pitch in here."
Then he stands up and heads for the door. "Thank you, Cookie. The rest of you have one hour, and then we saddle up. If anyone needs a horse, go see Sassy at the big red barn... she'll find you a match and gear. Anyone not have a weapon? Coyotes ain't too fierce, but I wouldn't want to wrestle one. One hour."
Perry gathers the plates and such, looking around for the well and where the cooking equipment is to be stowed once it is cleaned up. "Sounds fair, and quicker started is quicker finished. These hands have seen plenty of scrubbing work."
Culver nods and finishes eating. ”No, I have my own weapons.” He gathers the scraps of cornbread onto one plate and heads to the cleaning area with Perry. There he asks cookie for the meat scraps, gathers them up with the cornbread, whistles, and dumps them out the window. ”Cookie, have you got any fruit? Anything will do.”
Culver takes off his dress jacket, folds it neatly, and the cleans the mess with Perry.
"Fruit? Yah, there's a bushel of apples in the back. Will that do?"
Once the dishes are cleaned up, you head for the stables.
Henry didn't really have much to say during dinner; it's clear that he's used to keeping his own company.
Once dinner had wrapped up, he went and got his pistol from his saddlebags and strapped it on. Unlike standard hip holsters, Henry's sat more or less along his belt, in the small of his back.
As long as it's just Coyotes Henry thought to himself.
Perry finishes up his tasks, gathers his weapons and returns to his horse. He saddles his horse and whistles for Shadow and directs him to follow. "Coyotes are pack animals. If we can spot the alpha and kill it, the pack will run. Then we can shoot them down as they try to run away!"
Culver nods and thanks Cookie, then gathers his things. Yahvev silently joins him when they leave, and Jack wanders up after a moment. Culver gives him the apple and he snorts appreciatively, then returns to the cabin to change into his armor and travelers clothing. He returns to the group. ”Coyotes hey don’t usually attack cattle drives... but when they do, they’re more likely to go after strays from the herd. If we manage the strays we might not even have any trouble. Keep the herd together and surround it. Do not go chasing down enemies. Stay together, and watch your flanks. There’s worse than Coyotes in the world.”
Wei heads to the barn, and raps on the door frame.
"Hello, I am Li Wei, I have been send to acquire a mount and tack for a specific task.
He respectfully waits for a time.
Anyone who didn't ride in with a horse is given one, complete with saddle and saddlebags. For those that brought your own, your mounts have been well fed, rubbed down, and are good to go.
Hank rides up - apparently he was already in the saddle for a bit. He says "Mount up, and follow me."
He leads the way, and you are starting to realize exactly how large this ranch is. You pass a few watering holes and small groupings of cattle, occasional groups of trees, and even a large, dry creek-bed.
After about an hour riding across the range, Hank pulls you up short, and pulls his rifle out from his pack. In the dusk, it is hard to see, but hi points his barrel out ahead, and you can see a pack of coyotes feasting on a dead steer.
"We can just scare them off, but I prefer if you manage to clear them out for good. We can't afford to let them regroup and take another."
Perry is glad to see that all of the horses were well tended. He clicks his tongue to let the animal recognize him before he mounts, then sets off to follow Hank, directing Shadow with a whistle to follow.
Once the coyotes are spotted he readies his crossbow and moves to a good range. Knowing the ways of such animals he directs Shadow to defend. "Kill 'em all then!"
If needed
If needed minus ?? if we are more than 80' out.
There appear to be about 5 coyotes, and they are about 200 feet away.
Culver holds his hand up, ”Perry, have care. They could have hydrophobia. You do not want Shadow getting bitten. One bite could kill any of us. Let me take a shot at them with my Springfield - if they scatter then we know they are not diseased. It would not due for us to lose our horses or our companions on the first hunt. If they do not scatter then we know they have no fear and we can take them at range.”
Perry pulls up on his horse. He has some medical training but hadn't considered that.... "Valid point, and a much more serious issue. We need to kill them though. Let's all take a stand here and start firing. Even at this range we should be able to drop them with a bit of luck."
Culver says nokose while looking at Yahvev, and raises his Springfield to aim at the ground in front of the pack. Aiming, he says ”I am ready to engage. They may take off if they sense us anyway... if they do not then we know there is something wrong.”
He activated bear focus for Yahvev, increasing the wolf’s con score by 2 (to ward off rabies!) as a swift action.
Henry draws his pistol and prepares to shoot any coyotes that get too close to the group.
Wei slides smoothly off of this horse and moves to stand near Perry.
"I am reminded of a fable my master told us about the Goat and the Coyote, 'A goat and a coyote, being thirsty, jumped into a well. And once they had satisfied their thirst, the goat looked all around; he searched for a way that they could get out..'
Something about his calm tone as he recites the story is oddly soothing
performance to inspire courage in his allies (including
himself ), bolstering them against fear and improving
their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be
able to perceive the bard’s performance. An affected ally
receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm
and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and
weapon damage rolls.
If not I’ll take a shot - that’s what we were hired to do, right?
Perry waits until any with a long gun are ready then gives a quick countdown. "Hit 'em hard and quick. We might get two shots before they have a chance to react.... Three. Two. One. Fire!"
On Fire he does
If he hits
Culver listens to Li intently, and watches Perry. He considers for a moment, whispers something under his breath, then dismounts Jake, moves forward a bit, and takes a shot at the largest critter with his Springfield, the rapport echoing across the plain.
Move action dismount, 5 foot step, fire rifle with -4 due to range, +1 due to inspire courage, aiming at the largest.
”Now we will see what they do”
Perry manages to clip one from the far distance , and the crossbow is relatively silent, so the other coyotes don't immediately react. But Culver's shot is louder, and the creatures look up and see you.
They are watchful, but don't come any closer to you. The injured one limps around, trying to bite the bolt in its hind quarter.
Hank just shakes his head.
Perry reloads and starts to take aim, but then pauses watching the animals. "Wait a minute and watch. They're not moving away or toward us. See if you can tell which animal they are watching, which one is directing them. That would be the alpha male."
Culver shrugs and turns to hank ”These do not appear to be much of a threat, and are likely not visibly rabid, boss. What do you want us to do? At the least we should take out the injured one - no reason to let it suffer.”
Culver reloads his Springfield and holsters it, then draws his bow.
”If we have to hunt them down - we should approach. None of us are good enough shots at this range, even with Li’s fascinating story.” He smiles at Li.
The coyotes go back to their meal, except the injured one that lays down.
"Told ya already. Want 'em shot. Can't have 'em pickin' off another of the herd. So, get to it!"
Henry rides forward and shoots one of the Coyotes.
Hearing Hank's annoyed direction, Perry swings back into the saddle. He keeps a hold of the crossbow in one hand and the reins in the other. "My horse isn't battle trained but it can get me closer a lot faster than my feet. Let's go guys! Shadow. Come."
Culver shrugs and walks forward, whistling briefly at Yahvev. ”You are the boss.” At the end of his movement, he briefly says imvhe and aims his bow towards the animals.
Move action - walk 30’ diagonally towards the coyotes (please count it out for me, fuzzfoot).
Standard Action - cast “aspect of the falcon” on self
Yahvev move action - walk 30’ towards the coyotes. Should be about 10’ from Culver.
Wei, walks forward with the others continuing his story.
"..The coyote said to him, “Don’t worry. I saw what we’ll do so we can get out. If you stand up straight, and put your hands against the wall, and raise your head up so that your horns can fall behind you,..
Move: Move forward 30'
Standard : Move forward 30'
Bonus: Maintain Inspire Courage
Henry proves to be a good shoot, and kills one of the coyotes, as the rest of you get closer. With the shot, the others take off running, although the injured one does not get far.
When the group jumps up to run away, Perry commands his horse to stop and takes the long shot.
After his shot Perry grabs the reins and kicks his horse into a gallop. "Wounded they won't go as far. If we can keep them in site we can wipe them out."
Henry continues riding forward, firing again.
Henry kills another one, and Perry wounds one pretty well. It is doubtful it will survive. The other get away.
Hank shakes his head. "Not too bad, for some greenhorns. Next time, maybe talk to each other and coordinate an attack. Meanwhile, let's go get that steer and see if anything can be salvaged."
You ride up to the corpse, and see your handy work. A wounded coyote lays panting nearby.
Perry moves up to the steer and dismounts to examine it.