Into the West (Inactive)

Game Master Simeon

To Kuruk's inquiry Mort responds, "Afraid there ain't mister. We're not quite that civilised yet."

The storehouse is a large barnlike building against the western wall of camp. Two wide doors stand open, and a man with the badges of an officer but the tough clothes of a warehouse worker stands inside. Upon hearing Angus he turns and nods, "Alright, I can do that. Follow me and I'll get you the supplies you need. Horses are on the other side of camp, but I can help you with that too." With Officer Clyde's help you're able to gather the supplies you need, and pending the paperwork will be ready to hit the road.

'that should be everything.' Putting a checkmark by everything on the list as the place it in a pile, he quickly adds the weapons and ammunition at the bottom. He signs it and dates it, then writes 'Requisitions for Corps of Explorations' at the top. He hands the piece of paper back to Officer Clyde. "I assume you'll find that all in order, can you give it to the Major or do you want me to walk it over to him? Now about those horses, do you mind I we go pick out four or do you have something else in mind?"

The officer looks at the list before saying, "Seems doable. I should have it together by tomorrow. If you're after horses, there's a stable across the fort. If you're needin' help with pickin' them out I can come with you. Otherwise I got some other work to do."

Angus nods, "We will gather the gear tomorrow. If you don't mind I will pick four animals when we load up the gear the next morning."

Taking his leave of the storehouse officer, Angus asks the others, "So where to now folks?"

Do we need to look up the scout? And, tomorrow we should head for Jackson and Tilda Smith's place. That's who officer Charles from the supply train told us to look up.

Angus nods his head in agreement with Zaranna, "I believe you are right on both counts. The village where the scout lives is a few days out and the Smith's were a days ride. It sounds like we should touch base with both after we head out."

Angus shrugs his shoulders, "We can head out tomorrow after we get the gear, or we can wait till the next day. We just need to decide."

after were done talking
As they continue talking Angus heads toward the saloon. "Before I turn in I'm going to talk to a few locals to see what I can find out."

Once they finish the discussion Angus goes into the saloon and spends a while speaking with the locals. Once the night is over he will bunk down by the fire, near the others and sleep under the open skies.

gathering information
diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (11) + 11 = 22
time spent in hours: 1d4 ⇒ 1

hey just one hour, he will retry :-)
diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (6) + 11 = 17
time spent in hours: 1d4 ⇒ 3
booo, that's what I get for trying to be slick

I say head out tomorrow unless there is a reason to stay?

"Aye, Angus, talking to some locals sounds good. If we are leaving in the morning I will check to see what I can find in some of the local drinking houses. I have years of getting lose conversation going."

Know: Local: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (20) + 6 = 26

John Thomas will keep a slight distance form Angus, find other establishments if possible, to maximize what can be found.

"Aye, Angus, talking to some locals sounds good. If we are leaving in the morning I will check to see what I can find in some of the local drinking houses. I have years of getting lose conversation going."

[dice= Know: Local] 1d20+6

John Thomas will keep a slight distance form Angus, find other establishments if possible, to maximize what can be found.

dang, John just got the addresses of every single female in the camp

Something we need to help with?

After some time John Thomas works himself back to Angus to bring him up to date.

"Seems there is some sort of holdout forces, Sons of Mexica, in this area. Might not be as stable as it looks, best keep our eyes open while in the area."

earlier with Zaranna
"Heading out tomorrow after we get the gear works for me. We will pick up the horses first and load up and head out."

at the Saloon with John
'Sons of Mexica' at least we have a name.' Angus nods his head in agreement with John, "I heard the same, didn't get a name though. 'Son's of Mexica' Not very original, good job John. Your right we'll need to be cautious. Shall we head to the tents and get some rest, I guess tomorrow will be the big day."

If it's ok we hand wave selecting the horses and just pick them up after we get word that the gear is ready. That way we can load up and head out.

Handwaving the gear pickup and all that is fine. Once you all decide where to go I'll post accordingly.

We're headed for Jackson and Tilda Smith's place.

With pack animals and supplies acquired, the group sets out for the Smith homestead. You travel for a while three the scrublands outside of For Worth, and as the shadows start to grow long you approach reach a bluff that Zaranna remembered from Officer Jenson's directions to the homestead. You hear hoofbeats approaching from off in the distance, although from which direction and how many horses isn't immediately recognisable.

Perception checks please.

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (20) + 8 = 28

After selecting what appeared to be the strongest horses possible, Angus assists in loading the gear. He bids goodbye to the officers and horse soldiers they had met and heads west with the others towards the Smith homestead. As they reach the bluff near the homestead Angus hears hoof beats, "Do you folks hear that?" As he begins to draw his rifle from it's scabbard.

Well I think that will about do it.

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (17) + 6 = 23

"Horses? Thought this had been to easy so far."

He steps away form his horse and checks that his dagger is in its holster in case it is needed.

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29

Zaranna draws her bow. It isn't a drake, but it still could be danger.

So much for our good rolls.

Sorry, John. Didn't mean to make your perception feel inferior. ;)

There's a single horse, coming from behind you. The beats slow and you hear the gruff voice of an older man, "Afternoon y'all. Awful far from civilisation, might I ask what your intentions might be?"

Zaranna turns to locate the face behind the voice.

We're headed for Jackson and Tilda Smith's place.

Leaving his rifle in it's scabbard, Angus Turns to the rider and tips his hat, ""Good day sir, I'm Angus Elphinstone my colleagues and I are the new Corps of Exploration. We have been sent by Colonel Swift to map out the new lands acquired by these United States in the war. We were sent to the Smiths place by an officer Charles. He asked us to look in on them. Might I inquire who you are?"

Looking to influence attitude here
diplomacy: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (14) + 11 = 25

John Thomas, standing beside his horse simply nods a greeting and puts on his biggest friendly grin.

Turning to face the rider, you see an older man wearing a wide-brimmed leather hat with a grey mustache and large mutton-chops. He carries a well-crafted rifle slung over his shoulder. He smiles and says, "If it's the Smiths you're lookin' for then you found Mr. Smith,"he sidles over to Angus, putting away his rifle, and extends his hand to shake, "But please, call me Jack. I was just headin' on home to see what Tilda made for dinner. We might not have quite enough, but I'm sure Tilda could whip up somthin' extra for y'all."

Perception: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (14) + 6 = 20

"Evening Jack, John Thomas. Very nice of ya to invite us back and were happy to come along. We brought food though so ya don't need to put the misses out."

He scans the gun.

"Nice piece. Never got the hang of them myself but looks like you got it down."

Perception: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (17) + 10 = 27

Wow, you must be good with the rifle. Have you seen any drakes around here?

"Zaranna is ever vigilant about local drake populations."

perception: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 8 = 21

'Interesting marks.' Angus takes in the measure of the man as he reaches out and shakes his hand, "A pleasure Jack, We don't want to impose on Tilda and yourself, but a hot mean would be nice. We'll be happy to trade a few dry goods and news from back east for a hot meal and a little information about what were headed into."

He smiles and nods in agreement with Kuruk, "Yes Zaranna is ever vigilant."

'don't want to seem rude.' Angus turns Marion toward the homestead, but waits for Jack to take the lead.

"Ain't any drakes around here, although one of these notches came from a nasty tussle with a canyon drake a ways to the west. They ain't too common though. That trade sounds quite alright Mr. Elphinstone." The group rides slowly for about an hour, before cresting a hill to reveal a valley down below, with a tidy little homestead nestled in it. A log cabin makes up most of it, with a large garden out front bordered by sunflowers. A barn is behind it and a few horses can be seen milling about in a pasture.

John Thomas lets out a low whistle.

"Heck of a nice place ya got here Mr. Smith, er Jack. Must be nice having no one around to bother ya most the time."

Wow. I've never seen a canyon drake. What color are they?

She indicates her armor.

This is River Drake hide.

'A nice place indeed, a veritable garden in the desert.' Angus nods his head in agreement with Johns statement, but doesn't interrupt the conversation between the two hunters.

"I like to think it's pretty nice, glad you do too. It's a little lonely sometimes, but I couldn't ask for someone better than Tilda to spend my days with," he turns to Zaranna before saying, "Canyon drakes are a sorta reddish-brown colour. Lot like canyon walls out in the badlands. Awful good at sneakin', seems like they just blend right in. Never seen a river drake though. What're those like?"

They are blue and green and ... pure evil, and worthy of extermination. Thanks for the tips about the canyon drakes. I'll keep an eye out.

As they near the farmhouse Angus Nods toward the corral, "Mr. Smi... er, Jack, I'd like to take care of my animals before I join you inside." Looking around for the well, he quickly asks, "Where can I clean up at a little, I don't want to track too much dust into Mrs. Smith's house. Doesn't seem like it would be polite, after as kind as you've been."

"Feel free to tie up your horse in the corral. Dinner'll be ready soon so don't take too long," Jack pauses a moment before continuing, "If you want you can leave your boots on the mat just inside the door once you get inside the house. Me and Tilda've seen enough dust to last a lifetime so a little more doesn't make too much difference."

Zaranna takes care of her horse and eagle and washes up before going into the house.

Like the other John Thomas tied up his horse and unsaddles him before heading to the house and slipping off his boots.

"Your mighty nice to strangers but I feel bad putting you folks out. Anything I can help with?"

Walking into the house, you see a small living room, with several comfortable looking couches. Doors sit on either side, along with an open doorway directly in front of you, opening into a kitchen and dining room. Jack calls out, "Tilda, we got some company." A voice calls out from the kitchen, belonging to an older woman, "Well good for them, I made some extra cornbread and chili." Jack turns to John Thomas and says, "Well, if you're wantin' to help you can give me a hand settin' the table."

Angus takes Marion to the corral, quickly unsaddling him and rubbing him down. Going to the well he pulls up a bucket of water and taking a quick drink then dumping the rest of the ladle on his face and hair. As he steps on the porch he pulls his boots off to place them on the mat. Once inside he drops the boots on the mat. Removing his gun belt first he hangs it on the wooden wall peg, then placing his buffalo coat and hat on top.

Smiling as he turns and nods to Tilda "Ma'am everything smells wonderful." As he takes in the cabin at a glance, he realizes that John is setting the table. His smile widens as he asks, "So did she find out about your previous occupation?" He pulls up a chair and sits down.

Zaranna takes a chair at the table, but only if it looks like there are enough seats for everyone. If not, she sits in the living room and listens in.

Heading into the dining room you see a large table, eight chairs arrayed around it. A well-equipped kitchen sits at the end of the room, with an older woman bustling about it. She would look the picture of a kindly grandmother were it not for the hunting knife strapped to her belt. She turns to Angus and says, "Why thank you young man. Dinner'll be ready soon, if one of y'all would check the cornbread in the oven I would be much obliged."

Zaranna looks in the oven. The cornbread is there. She doesn't know what else she is supposed to check, so she slinks out of the kitchen and takes a seat at the table.

"Mam, you have a toothpick or some such I can check the bread with? Make sure it is done."

You don't run taverns your whole life without learning a bit about food.

John Thomas is able to find a knife to check the cornbread, pulling it out of the oven when it's a perfect golden brown, smelling like some of the best cornbread any of you have smelled in a long time. A few minutes later, the seven of you are settled down at the table, bowls of chili and cornbread with healthy helpings of butter. Once the food is served at people have tucked in Tilda asks, "So what brings you all out here? Surely you've got somethin' better to do than visitin' a couple of old timers just for the fun of it."

We're exploring says Zaranna with a grin.

"Yes, off on a jaunt to explore." he nods "But part of exploring is meeting the folks I say. Were lucky to meet good folks like you here and hand to god this is the best cornbread I have had in some time."