Round 3 order
Rufus (Joker, go any time get a +2 to Trait rolls)( went)
Gunmen(JS)(went)
Kris(JH)
Flying Eagle(9D)
Roden(8H)
Lord Borak(7s
Roden Fires at the man attacking Lord Borak, and hits mostly dirt. Rufus, drops number two with a well places shot and seems to graze number 4. The 1st man has had enough and pure out turns tail and run for it, he is not shooting he is just running with his back to you. Gunman 4 is backing up and shooting at Kris, but it does nothing but parts his hair.
Gunman 1's run
Guman 4's Shaken roll
Gunman 4 At Kris Damage AP 1
Round 3
Map Pre Lord Borak movement.
The Cards
Turn Order round 4
Lord Borak (Joker, you get the +2)
Rufus (9D)
Flying Eagle (6S)
Gunmen (5S)
Kris (4S)
Roden (2D)
Flying Eagle shoots at the nearest man to him :
Doing
Round 3
Lord Borak's Bolt of hellfire or whatever the hell it was, burns though gunman 4. It does not just burn him, it bores a fist sized hole though his chest. The man looks stunned and you can see though him. A little blood falls from his mouth and then he crumbles, dead before he hits the ground.
Round 4
Lord Borak (Joker, you get the +2)
Rufus (9D)
Flying Eagle (6S) (acted)
Gunmen (5S)
Kris (4S)
Roden (2D)
Flying Eagle takes aim at the last man, the one running for his life and fires. He grazes the man's thigh but does not drop him. However, the man seems like he has no will to fight left and is running hard.
Rufus quickly leathers both of his colts, and picks up his rifle.
He looks at the man running, and flips it back over his shoulder.
Damn it I have a couple of holes.
As he leans back on the barrel that was his friend.
Let him go. His boss seems like one to shoot the bearer of bad news.
Rodan goes back inside to check on Abby and the store clerk.
Flying Eagle inspects the men that are down, to see if they are dead or need medical attention.
After reloading, Rufus makes his way to devil eyes and scabbards his rifle.
He will then go out into the street to see if any survived. He will take the guns off those that didn't, and help Flying Eagle with getting the survivors to a sawbones.
Well, they ain't going to need them, and we might sooner or later
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Lord Borak does not yelp in triumph as the standing shooter goes down in a heap of pain and vainglory. He does not grin or smirk or celebrate. He simply nods. All who see that nod knows what it means.
'As it should be.'
His magic, not fully understood even by him, allows him to continue his motion. Translating not just ground, but apparently through space-time itself, he walks forward at a normal, even leisurely pace, but his Power still lets him close the distance on the final villain.
"COWARD!" he yells, again raising an open palm. "Look at this brave man! Look at he who was all BRAVDO and SPIRIT when he fell upon us, we innocents, whom he spoke VENOMOUS words at and scowled at us when he came with friends aplenty! But now NOW it is only now he gains WISDOM and does what he should have done when the sun rose--find other places to be."
His palm glows red.
"Nay I say to you NAY! Did you grovel, did you BEG, then perhaps we could show forgiveness. But this? I see in this you are not sorry you have tried to kill us who just protected a woman...
...you are sorry you got caught."
Like a frozen rope the ray of Midday Sun races from palm to fleeing back.
Lord Borak Strikes the fleeing man down like an avenging angel, or a demon killing the man before he can run much farther. The streets are silent, the horses are upset with the gunplay but hitched to posts and unable to flee.
Flying Eagle and Rufus check the downed men, but none are among the living any longer. Just eight new corpuses under the hot Texas sun. You notice a few people looking out windows now that the shooting has stopped.
Roden turns around as Abby marches toward him with a rifle, but sees all the gunplay is over "Guess I didn't need this" She says holding the rifle.
"So, what do we do now? Wait for the sheriff and explain that they shot first? Or just leave?"
"The bigger question is if the sheriff is in the pocket of the railroad or not.
What say you Abby, can we trust the sheriff or should we get while the getting is good, once we have the supplies?" Rodan turns to Abby
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"A sheriff worthy of the breath it took to mention his name would have been here by now," Lord Borak muses as he polices the bodies.
He has seen many dead bodies, many of which he had a hand in making that way. Gore and viscera are no impediment and he makes a search as thorough as any coroner.
"Any sheriff that would have allowed this day's activities to have occurred is irrelevant."
Kris takes a gulp of whisky and says Best we just leave now. The law won't take kindly to our dealings here.
Abby Heads toward the wagon "There is a Marshal that rides though once or twice a month, but the railroad is not going to like this. This is trouble." You can see the few folks in the doors looking into the street. The Undertaker looks your direction and seems to be headed your way. "I think he has the right of it" She says pointing to Kris "We should Get"
Rufus tosses the guns off the dead into the wagon, and then goes to help load the wagon with supplies.
I guess I am going to need Ms. Abby to patch up my holes.
He takes a few moments each trip to rest.
Rodan hobbles over to Rufus to help load the wagon.
Ye know your leaking right? I am no doctor, but I can try and put a bandage on ye?
Abby looks over at Rufus "It looks like it'll keep, lets get!" Lord Borak has taken time to Liberate funds the dead no longer needed, patting them down for coin purses and lose coinage. On Phelps, he also found a nice watch on a chain. He could strip gunbelts and even the boots, but he is in the middle of the town with witness and Abby seems in a hurry. The undertaker, seeing the looting thinks better of getting close and heads back toward his shack.
On the fast search Lord Borak can find the watch and each man's coin purse. Between all 8 dead men there is $63.40. Each man carried a Colt frontier and a gunbelt. Phelps carried two guns. Grabbing the guns is fast, but it would take time to strip the belts. Same goes for things like boots.
With no one objecting Abby gets the wagon rolling. You are left to follow the wagon or stay in town. If these men worked for a railroad, they likely will not take kindly to you killing them.
Flying Eagle gets in the wagon.
"Is there no sheriff or judge we can speak to to explain that these men started the fight?"
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Lord Borak cares not for an audience. Indeed, betimes he's found that a throng of mewling sheep can be used for O, great purpose. But now he pays them no mind. -HE- was attacked. And he cares not if others see the aftermath. Indeed, he prefers it. The only wat to not make an enemy...is to make sure everyone knows what you do to enemies.
Hence, he takes the time to strip gunbelts as well. Guns are tools...well, not for him, but for others less initiated, and they are always worth coin. And though gold is but dross, the body must needs be sustained.
The boots he cares no a whit for. Unless they might be inlaid with silver, but such a case is a rarity. They won't be worth as much as the guns in any case, and there's only so much manual labor he can stomach.
Coin and guns and watch policed up, he enters the wagon as it starts up.
As if he planned it that way.
After throwing Rufus slips the reins back over to the saddle as he climbs aboard Devil Eyes.
Easy girl, I know you didn't like the gunplay, but we have to live with things we don't like.
He slides the rifle back into its scabbard, as he trails out after the wagon.
After making sure Rufus will not bleed out on the ride back.
He helps grab the guns to toss in the wagon and climbs up on Sandstone.
"And this was starting to be such a pretty day." he says as he gives a swift kick to stay by the side of the wagon.
As they pass through town Rodan keeps an eye on windows and the roofs incase some sidewinder tries to take a pop shot at them.
Hey. Eagle. Listen ere'. No one is gonna care "why" we kilt these men, they're only gonna care that we did. They gonna string up your red skinned hide first, and then mine right behind ya. Let's get out of here. Kris says to the native man as he rides alongside him in the wagon, his shotgun cradled in his arms.
Keep eyes out. Someone's bound to come looking for those men. Kris says louder to everyone in the posse.
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"Would you?" Lord Borak rumbles back at Kris as he counts the day's take.
"Imagine. You are a petty bandit chief. You prey on the weak, and only attack when you are fairly sure you have surprise and overwhelming numbers. Like eight men against a woman with a new and under-strength entourage.
However, what you thought were massive odds are actually swept away, and none return alive. What would you do?
Do you risk all? Do you pour in more of your ever-dwindling manpower into the fight? Would your men even go? Would men, bullies, really, men who are ne'er-do-wells and layabouts who only want an easy score to spend on liquor and loose women, would that kind of men stick their head in the woodchipper that already claimed so many of their fellow thieves?
O, I hope they do, for such men are, apparently, well paid and equipped, and I ever do favor thickening my own purse. But to think that they will do so automatically like ants at a stepped-on hill? Let us not do them so much credit."
Abby Shakes her head at Flying eagle. "Folks handle their own affairs, a marshal rides though once or twice a month. Can't expect him to show up before the railroad hears of this"
Rodan keeps Rufus from bleeding to much an watches the town folk as you ride out. No one gives you trouble, and the undertaker decides on the dead like a vulture as you ride away. The ride back to the ranch Abby is quite, and clearly worried. As you ride into the ranch its clear something went on with the speed she is driving the wagon. As soon as she gets the wagon stopped she tells you to take care of the supplies and heads toward the house.
Luke, seeing this all unfolds heads toward you. seeing Rufus bleeding leg he asks " What happened?'
Well, Phelps and some of his men decided to waylay us in town. They drew a pat hand only to find us holding the aces.
A bit of gunplay and well, Ms. Abby is fine. the eight of them not so much.
Rufus dismounts, and and hobbles over to the well to wash out the injury and wrap it up again.
Do we have someone that can plug up this set of holes?
We got lucky they happened upon us and the road was level, as it were. Had they a little smarts they would'a bushwhacked us on the road while we weren't expectin. We should'a done it to them fore they can do it to us. Kris says
The railroad ain't gonna take kindly to us butchering 8 of theirs in one day. They'll come, in force.
So what happened here that Ms. Abby ran off like that?
"Perhaps the fight was more disturbing to her then we thought. Or it was watching Borak throw his power around like a child playing with toys. I fear that death fallows that man where ever he goes." Rodan answers Rufus quietly outside of Borak's hearing while watching Abby enter the house.
Luke looks to the house "I say she went to have word with her Uncle. He has been worried about this. Jacob is our best for injuries'. Have him look at it. I'll go talk to the boss" With that he walks toward the house.
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That evening Stutter address you all as you eat supper "Some of you men have heard of the trouble in town. The railroad made its move and our boys came out the better gunmen" A whoop and a few cheers from the men and back slaps to some of you who where involved. Sutter waits to it passes and keeps talking "We'll not take any chances, I want you boys to get some sleep because we are moving out in the morning. I'll not wait for the railroad to make another move. We need to get"
During the downtime, Rufus will see Jacob.
That night at supper, Rufus keeps quiet about what happened, not really proud of his part, but still game.
The Drive
The Lazy S riders are split between riding point, swing, and flank Here is a pic of that
*The point riders are the most experienced hands outside the trail boss. They have the coveted spot at the head of the herd and keep the lead steers headed in the right direction. They also set the pace for the drive. Luke Canton is almost always assigned to one of the point positions.
* Swing men ride in pairs, one on each side about a third of the way back along the herd, and keep things moving.
* The flank riders are usually positioned in a pair about two thirds of the way back and are responsible for wrangling in cattle that drift off to one side or the other of the main body.
As the least experienced (at least at the Lazy S), You are given the job of “riding drag” on the drive—which means they follow directly behind it. Drag riders are responsible for rounding up any stragglers and driving the slower cattle at the herd’s pace. You also get to breathe the dust and flatulence of several thousand cows.
The two other Positions are the Chuckwagon and the “remuda", which is Abby's post. The Remuda's job is tending the crew’s extra riding horses. Each cowboy, has a string of five horses, you can switch off during the day to keep a fresh mount and many riders have horses they like for set tasks. As such there are several dozen horses in the remuda.
After you are given your assignments the drive gets under way.
Jacob heal roll
The heal roll failed, so you are stuck with natural healing. Meaning you get to make a vigor roll once per 5 days to heal
When given his assignment, Rodan just shakes his head and mumbles "Years ridding on the trail and now back to being treated as a greenhorn, riding drag."
Back in the bunk house Rodan starts to pack his gear. He thanks Rufus for the loan of the rifle as he hands it back.
"It's a nice shooting iron, that is. Thanks for letting me use it."
Luke hands out the assignments, Luck and Owen take point. Ashely a Short fella with red hair and Bart a green eyed man with a lisp ride left
swing. John Halburk and Amos ride right swing. Jacob rids with Abby and the rest of the men ride flank.
As the Drive gets under way Luke falls back to your group. "You are not just back here because you are green. The boss expects trouble and you men can handle yourself in a fight. Trouble is not likely to meet us head on, so he wanted a hands back here who could handle it." He nods to you. "Keep an eye open"
"It is good to know he has faith in us."
Kris just grins and pats his shotgun at the mention of trouble.
Rodan smiles at Luke and chuckles "Ether way, I am eating dust the whole time on this drive. And he pulls up a bandana to cover his nose and mouth for the trail ride.
The first day is a hard one, the Texas sun is hot, the wind is warm and the dust and smell of cow flatulence is so thick you can taste it. You spend the day on the look out, and wrangling stragglers. You switch horses often and try to keep your throat from being as parched as the landscape as you,
A bit past mid day, you can see the Chuckwagon laid out. You can smell the beans and coffee and you can see a number of the others cowhands sitting on the grass near the wagon chowing down. You might be dirty and smelly but at lest you get lunch. Luke, Stutter, Owen and Abby are off to the side talking.
As you reach dismount John waves to you, he is sitting with a few others. "Not much shade, but there is coffee, beans and bread!". Antonio smirk's "And you are not behind cows" He says with a laugh.
Rodan, you can hang onto that, until you get yourself a decent rifle.
At lunch, Rufus dismounts and pulls his bandana off.
He then rinses it out and washes up with water from the barrel as he digs in for lunch.
After lunch, he saddles up a different horse, and then gets his leg rewrapped.
and takes up his post at the back again.
Flying Eagle sits near the others, but not very near anybody, and eats his lunch in silence, unless someone talks to him.
Kris, as always, sneaks a few pulls of whisky whenever he can.
He eats and rests as much as possible. All this hard work isn't his idea of a good time.
Amos Pours a little whiskey in his coffee and passes the bottle to Kris. John picks at his plate "I hear you got into a dust up with some rail men yesterday. Word is you put eight of em in the ground.". Antonio nods "That is gonna be trouble, those types don't let you putting bodies in the ground slide, or just saying no." a few of the other cowhands nod