SouthWelshland Bushrangers (Inactive)

Game Master Kip84

"Gather what we need: a few days food, some rifles. I'll free the other convicts then they can have what's left. Lets leave quickly."

Rev wipes his knife on the coat of the brand new corpse in front of him. Hearing Aces call out, he yells back in reply, "Ain't a man on earth who can do enough to make this face not pretty!".

Rev then starts searching around the tent for any supplies that might help their escape(Keys for the other convicts/Change of clothes/Weapons/Money, that sort of vain.)

Bruce looks down at the corpse of the guard in front of him with a noticible quiver in his bottom lip. Then looking up at Bralla he says, "You kill Bruce's guard!" Then he seems to notice that he hadn't done his pants up from before the fight started. With a startled cry, he spins around and fixes himself up. Then ambles off to the fire to search for supplies, grinning from ear to ear and slightly red faced.

Bruce looks down at the corpse of the guard in front of him with a noticible quiver in his bottom lip. Then looking up at Bralla he says, "You kill Bruce's guard!"

"They don't make good pets."

Aces, as you scan the edge of the clearing looking for danger you spot the guard that escaped from the tent trying to quietly pick his way through the scrub between the trees in his white long johns. He doesn't particularly pose a danger to your present escape, but he might come back with reinforcements. He has concealment from where you are 20% miss chance

As for finding supplies, The Bruce and The Rev round up plenty, including what you took from the first two guards you have ten Rifles with around 200 shot and powder, 15 daggers, 10 clubs, 30 days trail rations (and not the gruel they've been feeding you guys either), ten guards uniforms (that include breastplate armour), and enough casual cloths that you won't stick out in your convict uniforms. Also Rev finds a strong box with 800 gold coins.

Bralla when you get back to the area where the rest of the convicts are chained up it's pretty chaotic, everyone is awake now from the noise of the battle, some of them have pulled up their chains, some are brawling, one old convict is sitting down arms folded while his younger chain mates try to drag him away "If we escape now the guards will just round us up and whip us harder! I ain't going anywhere! And you lot should all do the same."

Theres no other keys on the camp, your assuming that the ring of ten keys will unlock the other convicts...

Spotting the last guard Aces looks down his rifle...'I'll never go back to the chain' he whispers... breathing out and squeezing the trigger..

After the shot aces will join the others dividing up the supplies..

'we better get moving..we dont wan't more of them comming this way, throw the others the keys they can fend for themselves'

The burly half-orc threatens those who are fighting. “Calm down, d!ckheads. This is no way to start your new life. No way to survive out here.”

He spits at the old man.
“Well, old man, I suggest you simply wait here, or even head east back along the road we’ve been cutting.” Bralla attempts to unshackle the old man’s ankle first, then the others.
“Let's at least make it easier on these men. What you should be doing is trying to convince them, who all want to escape, to help you out along the way.”

To everyone he bellows,
“We’re heading off to make our own freedom. I’m handing you yours on a plate.
“With some food and stuff, you lot should do alright for yourselves. We’re only taking what we need. We’ll leave some stuff for you.
“But DO NOT follow us!”

Standing over the quite large supply of weapons and food, a sly grin spreads across Rev's face. After Bralla has finished freeing all the good folk, he collects all the rifles that aren't going to be used by the party as well as some horns of shot and powder.

Walking amongst the crowd, Rev hands out the rifles to any who look interested telling them all the same thing: "Here, have this. Perhaps you can use it to hunt for animals, feed yourselves and any who travel with you well as you seek your new freedom. But also, perhaps, carry it with you till you find those who have crossed you in some way. Even perhaps if you were to see a patrol of guards, you would give them back some of what they have given us for these past few months!"

Bralla likes what Rev has to say.

BANG the guards brains splattered on a tree, his body slumped in the shadows of the underbrush. He never stood a chance.

Over at the convict section of camp, the convicts are suitably cowed as a blood splattered Bralla makes his presence felt. The old man wipes the spit out of his eyes "Maybe I will head east, but I'll tell you this! When I do get caught I'll be sure to tell all the guards who the ring leaders were so ha!" At this one of the old mans chain mates decks him and he falls over unconscious. The burly con turns to Bralla as he's unlocked and says "Thanks Mate, might as well leave him there. He's been a conny most of his life, I don't think that he'd know which way was up if he wasn't chained up and whipped every hour. He takes a rifle as The Rev passes them around. " Me and the boys are going to head north, we've heard there's a gang of outlaws up there, safety in numbers and all that, we'll be sure to give any guards we see a good shot of lead between the eyes"

With that he and 7 others head off north out of the camp. Four other convicts express an interest in a rifle.

After a while everyone has left in small groups in all directions.

The half-orc sits on a tree-log. He looks happy as he rummages through the pile of clothing for something that will fit, something that is not a uniform.

“I’ve dreamt of this day for many moons. But you know, I always woke up when They were all dead. I have no idea what to do now.”

It's been about 25 minutes since the darkness really deepened and you began escaping. Since you got all the guards you'd guess youve got at least three days before law enforcement can react to the escape. The window of the house to the south is still lit, to the west loom the mountains, a dangerous and for the most part uncharted area where men like yourselves could hide for years.

Aces Looks over the the Remaining supplies from the camp..Taking a some blankets he lays them out and places a few days rations into the centre some of the shot and powder and a nice dagger, plus a flint and steel.
With deft hands he rolls this securely fashioning a light but easily transported pack.

Rummaging through the clothes he looks for simple but serviceable clothing complete with wide brimmed hat and Oil coat....he stands up looking to his new found comrades..'So, do I look the part'.

Aces looks over the remaining rifles and picks what he find to be the best pair...he covers one and attaches it to his bed roll.

Taking a quantity of the remaining powder and shot to be held in easy reach and tucking another dagger into his boot and one in his belt.

He says 'Well I don't know about you lot, but it has been too long since I've had a warm roof over my head and I always found I prefer to ride over walking' with sudden merriment 'there might even be a farmers daughter or two for me to try my hand at...who's in for a wager?'

Bralla watches carefully as Aces packs, “What you want with all that? It just slow you down, make you tired.”

“Okay, maybe a blanket is good idea.” He grabs a blanket and tosses it to the side. It unfolds quite a bit as it lands.

“Clothes are good too. Maybe more clothes for Bralla.” He tosses some clothes onto his blanket in a similar fashion to Aces.

“Hmmm, this food is sh!t, but it better than no food.” Some rations land on the clothes.

“Dagger go in belt. Me want bigger knife. Two-hands is bad-arser than one.”

The half-orc ties the corners together with a leather belt from a dead soldier, and hauls it over his shoulder.
“Roof that way. But we don’t need roof. We men. What say Bruce?”

He gives Aces a very serious look.
“Wager? That you find a farmer’s daughter? Or that you gamble your own balls away before the year is done?”

Aces studies Brallas' actions out of the corner of his eye..'seems that you are not without sense my native friend, and after your display with the guard I feel that yes a bigger knife might be the one thing you need' Aces steps back a bit obviously wary of the large half orc

'As for the wager..I can only take u up on the second' laughing 'History tell me I have no chance of getting in before the Rev decides to praise in his gods name...or get one of the girls to call it out!' Aces pauses ..' Long as there is a good game of cards and a stiff drink in the end of this I will be happy'

Bralla slowly smiles at Aces, “You teach me to game these cards with you. I happy take your money.”

Bralla slowly smiles at Aces, “You teach me to game these cards with you. I happy take your money.”

Aces Grins back...'With pleasure...long as I don't end up on the end of your knife when I take your money..'

Aces Grins back...'With pleasure...long as I don't end up on the end of your knife when I take your money..'

"Does card game use knives too?"

After watching Aces and Bralla making packs, Bruce grabs a blanket and throws some food in the centre. However, when folding the pack together he somehow ends up with the blanket tied rather firmly around his hand. With a look of startled incomprehension, he exclaims "Blanket eat Bruce's hand!" and starts giggling.
After untangling himself, Bruce sits on the ground in wrapt contemplation of the discussion going on around him. In response to Bralla's question, Bruce jumps to his feet, obviously grateful to be included. "House look good", he says. "House may have better food, better weapons than tiny swords, maybe even daughters..." a slight look of terror, quickly hidden, comes to his face when talking about women, and looking embarrased, he sits back on the ground.

Aces agrees with Bruce about the house...'Yes, we do need some better weapons, bigger even just gotta wait for the Rev now' Aces calls out 'Rev where have you got to, we're headed to the house'

After packing up everything you think will be useful you set off south. After about an hour and a half of carefully picking your way through the bush and climbing a steep hill you come to the edge of a clearing. A large log cabin sits in the middle of the clearing the smell of wood smoke infuses the area and you can see it curling out of a chimey against the back drop of the clear starry sky. Light shines out through a large window, the shutters open. The soft sound of a horse whinnying comes from around the back of the house. A large axe is imbedded in a tree stump surrounded by piles of split wood.

Bralla holds his hand up to the others.
“We wait and watch few minutes. Then I sneak up for closer look. It be nice to not be shot at for change.

"Maybe we no need shed blood here. Maybe just wait till morning. Maybe people leave house for us when sun rises. For now, we wait.

"Tomorrow Bralla learn Cards and Knives at table.”

Given the chance, Bralla will watch the house and surrounding clearing for 15 minutes before moving. He circles around through the scrub about a quarter of the circumference, or to a good point of cover, before approaching the house.

Aces unslings one of his rifles and checks and loads it....training the sights on the house he takes up and over watch position in cover, to wait and watch...The position will cover Brallas approach.

As Aces takes up a covering position, Bralla circles around the tree line and approaches from the side.

Rev having grabbed the needed supplies; hopefully a decent change of clothes, another knife tucked into his belt, some foood tucked into a blanket.

He joins Aces on top of the hill for a second, "Cover me too, aye?" and then heads down towards the house, making for a window and to peer inside and have a good look at who is in.

Bralla nods appreciatively at The Rev as he approaches the house.

This shouldn't be too hard... he thinks.

Bruce carefully makes his way over to the chopping block and retrieves the axe, then gets ready to charge the door.

As Bralla reaches the side of the house he can hear a soft snorting coming from around the back, maybe an animal sleeping?

Roland makes his way to the house staying low he reaches the window and carefully peeps over the sill. Inside a young woman sits in a chair a blanket covering her legs and a book resting on her chest. She's fallen asleep the oil lamp on the table is still burning the glass is getting sooty as the wick is burning low. Behind the chair is a dining table on which sit three meals untouched, half melted candles sit unlit in the middle. The fire in the fireplace is getting low. On the mantle sits two sets of ornate revolvers. Suddenly The Rev hears a creak from behind looking over your shoulder you see The Bruce, he's pulled the axe out of the tree stump and is hunkered down behind the wood pile watching the door unerringly.

All else remains quiet.

Bralla moves like a shadow around the house to the front door.
He opens the door so slowly that even the rusting hinges remain asleep and silent.
He walks like a wraith across the floor, missing those floorboards that creak, and gently places another log on the fire for the young woman.
He gathers up the three plates (one atop the other, on his left hand). He grabs the three forks and quietly holds them between his teeth. He takes the revolvers and places them into the mashed potato of the top plate (This be Aces to eat now, he he).

He then has one last look for anything worth taking (with his free hand) before gliding back out of the house.

or at least, that is the intention.

Could I get an acrobatics check for balancing the plates Bralla? DC 13 should be easy enough

As you pause at the mantle placing the revolvers in the fluffy mashed potato you see through an open door The large stuffed remains of a Diprotodon (large wombat) in an angry pose facing off against a full plate armour statue which is brandishing that certain large knife you've been looking for.

Seeing that the poor woman appears to be a heavy sleeper, Rev will move around into the house and start looking for stuff worth taking too. He keeps his knife in hand, ready for any trouble that might arise.

Bralla looks at the ‘large knife’ with some envy. He sneaks over to grab it, a little wary of the stuffed Diprotodon, trying to remove the knife noiselessly. It seems stuck.

G’ah! Crap! Dammit!

The halforc stops. He is balancing three plates with some revolvers on top in his left hand, and scratching at his temple with the other.

Well, here’s goes nothing.

He wraps his right arm around the full plate, lifts it, and runs recklessly through the house.

The loud clanking of Bralla dragging a full suit of plate mail through the house is joined by a loud curse word yelled by Rev. Quickly, he tucks the knife into his belt and bolts for the fireplace taking the second pair of revolvers.

Turning quickly on the spot, he cocks them both and prays to Calistria that they are loaded as he points them at the poor womanfolk seated in the chair.

Hearing the commotion aces picks up from his spot and runs across the clearing to get a better view of what happening...AS he crosses the clearing he cocks his rifle hoping not to have to shed more blood tonight.
The thrill of the nights events still coursing through his veins and the sound of dice rattling in his head.

Bralla runs through the house, somewhat awkwardly balancing the three plates in one hand and carrying a suit of armour under the other. The sound of the armour clanking around startled the young woman out of her sleep. Reacting quickly The Rev quickly steps to the mantle and grabs the revolvers cocking them he spins around to cover the woman.

Outside a loud battle cry rings out through the bush. "NOW" followed by a quick staccato burst of gun shots

Bullets fly from the left and the right as Aces runs across the clearing. A thump in the left shoulder followed by the trickling of blood let's him know he was hit.

Bruce whirls around as the shot whistles past him, searching for the source of the attack.

Bralla stops dead in his tracks at the sound of gun shots. He tries to get the plates back on to the table without losing too much food, and he lets the armour fall to the ground. Then he listens and looks out the window, the ‘large knife’ in his hand, hoping to see that the others are doing the shooting…

Aces letting out a groan as the bullet hits makes a move for the closest bit of cover. Running to it he props his rifle over it and looks down the sights hoping to see where the shot came from.

Calling out ' Ok boys looks like they wanna take us back to the chains...I don't know about you but I'm not going to go back' reaching up to check the wound ' And I would rather DIE A FREE MAN!' the final yell more at the attackers than as the others. 'C'mon you spinless dogs, PLAY YOUR HAND, I'm Ready'

Over the gun fire, yelling and crazy orc running around with a knife Rev keeps his two revolvers trained on the young lady.

"Evening! Friends of yours outside?"

If she moves, he will try and fire a warning shot above her head and warn her to stay seated.

The Woman flinches in her arm chair as the armour crashes to the polished wooden floor, she quickly recovers and gives The Rev a cold smile "My father and my brother, They'll kill you for pointing those at me."

Bralla sees Aces and Bruce through the window both looking around the edge of the clearing trying to spy the source of the shots.

Two men jump up from the west they wear greens and browns and are covered with foliage, one charges in with a long sword drawn, Aces fires his rifle unfortunately missing, meanwhile the other levels his Carbine at Aces and reloading with astonishing speed he takes two shots.

Two more men jump up from the east sporting the same outfits. They also follow the same strategy but targeting Bruce.

Bruce still has One action to complete round one. (either a standard or move)

Bruce springs to meet the assailant charging towards him swinging the axe wildly.

With bullets zinging around him, Bruce, looking decidedly worse for wear after his latest wound, gathers himself and attempts to remove his foes head.

The half-orc tosses his armful back onto the table, then regathers the ‘large knife.’
G’ah! This is going to sh!t. I think I've done enough bloodshed for today.

Bralla bursts through door, yelling.

"ENOUGH! We have your woman in here. She is sitting comfortably. Hold your weapons still and we will leave you or something, with your woman unhurt. And still comfortable."

He trails off, unconvincing mumbling something about saving ammo.

Rev fixes an evil grin and as he stares at the girl. "Lady, if you knew the couple of months I've been having, you would understand how true my friends words are. How about you call on out to pops and your brother and convince them to lay down their weapons before you get your pretty self murdered?"

While keeping both revolvers trained on the poor lady, Rev moves over towards the window, so the people outside can see him pointing weapons at her.

Seeing the damage that Aces and Bruce have taken, Rev quickly mumbles a prayer and unleashes a burst of healing light hoping to catch them both.

edit:

Now coughing blood and trying to avoid the blade of his closest attacker aces throws down the rifle and spitting a mouthful of blood at his attacker he laughs ...'HA, Looks like you want to take the hard way'.

With a burst of speed a knife appears in aces hand (quick Draw) and he lashes out at the foe...blood running from his wounded shoulder...breath laboured.

Aces calls out 'If I'm going down you're comming with me'