PC’s have been hired by the Triple T Ranch, owned by businessman Mason Tillman, as cow punchers. Your group has been place in the south of this 4000 acre ranch and are watching over 600 head of cattle.
The Range Boss, Muriel Hinny, tells you that last year about 60 head of cattle disappeared and Mr. Tillman wants to find out who is stealing his cattle and wants them dealt with.
After a couple days ride you settle the cattle & horses in a small ravine that has a creek running through it fresh with water from the spring mountain thaw. The terrain is a bit greener with the fresh irrigation and the juniper trees dotting the landscape are budding here and there. The camp is located about 500 feet from where the cattle and horses are kept, due to the overpowering smell of the beasts that waft through the camp from time to time. After giving off your horses to the night wrangler and getting some chow from the Cook, a gruff man named Horas and his hoodlum (helper) Jose, you stretch out your bedrolls and after removing a rock here and there, curl up to sleep. As the night gets longer the air cools and the sound of bugs, toads and the occasional coyote or owl is heard from time to time. Its about 2 am when:
Monsters!
Monsters!
Stumbling out of the night is Manuel, the night herder. He staggers into the camp, wet with sweat and wheezing. After 3 steps he staggers and falls just inches from the campfire.