"I don't know about you, but I just want to get a heaping helping of what Mr. Wakeland is fixing up there. An then find a warm place to curl up in and catch up on my ZZZ's"! Said Shane.
You sleep like the dead though the night, the house gets a bit cool, but is well insulated and you have plenty of covers. But you awoken early from your sleep the next morning in the predawn hours.
Sara has fixed a breakfast of fried ham and meal gravy which you get with cornbread she provided. "Johns out getting the horses ready, looks like it rained last night" Glenda sits sleepy near Tommy in the cool kitchen and your told the baby slept most of the night, but you should find some formula as what you have wont last to long.
the sky is overcast and gloomy with no sun to be seen and a light cold rain falls around you as you make your way to the barn. It's a bit chill but may be near 50 out you guess as you find john saddling the horses inside the barn.
The place is old, but well taken maintained, the rain tings off the old tin roof and you can make out a chimney on one side. As you step inside, you see the wakelands have a few horse in the stalls and the upper level of the barn is filled with hay.
"Ah there ya are!" John bellows " Had to be up to take care of the live stock, the second coming or not cows gotta be feed. You boys might want to keep an eye out as folks are crazy in the best of times and now..." he lets his words trail off as he shrugs.
Keep low and watch for the crazy's, and son if you have no where else to go you and your lady come back this way.' He says looking at Shane "Besides farming hard work, we can always use more help" He says with a chuckle as he walks back toward the house.
"Wow, thank's for your concern for my safety and well being and all". Says Shane. "But Tommy, don't you and Bryan have Kith and Kin nearby that you have your own concerns about? It would be selfish of me to drag you all the way up to Campton, when I don't even know if I'll be coming back this way. Beside I thought riding shodded horses on pavement wasn't the best thing in the world to do. For both the horses or the riders.
A single man on a Mt. Bike, is alot more quiter then the lip clop of horses hooves on pavement. An alot less threatening to anyone they might come across. Perhaps you can accompany me as far as Mr. McCoy's and help him make his way back to his family here".
"Suit yourself". "Kind of a weird attitude for an army guy...most of them try to keep the squad together, and realize that a group is stronger than it's individual components, but if you want to go off on your own...knock yourself out". "The offer stands is you change your mind".
"And we don't ride the horses on the road, we ride on the side of the road". We'll go get Grandpa, and head back". "Also might want to resupply with at least some baby formula".
"John, you still got that old hay-wagon we used to haul the church Sunday school around in on Halloween". "Might be better to hitch up old Saul and use that, than individual horses". "Especially since we've got non-riders here". "We could also bring back more supplies, and even Grandpa and his stuff on board"?
John is halfway to the when He stops "EH' the wagon? I thought the town the awful crowed with cars, but sure the wagon would work pretty well. " He says then starts back toward the barn to help Tommy hitch up the wagon
"I'm in the Coast Guard and not the Army". Said Shane. Continuing he said. "A Unit that has trained together in tactical maneuvers in enviroments and situations that they are likely to come across would be a great asset. But I'm sorry, but you, me and Bryan going down the road, clippity cloppity, is not such a Unit. I think I would do better on my own, moving quietly. I may even just travel at night to better avoid confrontations".
"I don't know if you want my opinion or not. But I think trying to take that haywagon into town right now would be a mistake. To many cars on the road. An the three of us won't be enough to defend it against any organized gang or such. That may see it's as the very valuable asset that it is"!
"I'm in the Coast Guard and not the Army". Said Shane. Continuing he said. "A Unit that has trained together in tactical maneuvers in enviroments and situations that they are likely to come across would be a great asset. But I'm sorry, but you, me and Bryan going down the road, clippity cloppity, is not such a Unit. I think I would do better on my own, moving quietly. I may even just travel at night to better avoid confrontations".
"I don't know if you want my opinion or not. But I think trying to take that haywagon into town right now would be a mistake. To many cars on the road. An the three of us won't be enough to defend it against any organized gang or such. That may see it's as the very valuable asset that it is"!
"Oh and who's going to watch your back while you sleep"? "Who's going to help you up if you fall down a ravine, or if you get attacked and injured". "You're not from here, and don't know your way around or have any friends you might call on".
"I understand you've got a mighty high opinion of yourself, and think you don't need anybody, but the way things are now you can't pick up your radio and call your superior officer for support". "And while we might not be up to your level of sophistication and training, I reckon we can hold our own".
"You helped us, and I'm trying to help you, but you make it very tough to like you"! Tommy is now getting his temper up, the veins in his neck starting to stand out.
"So just go on off by yourself". "Maybe if you don't make it to your sweetheart, and help her get down here where it's safe she'll still be OK, but I'm thinking you're kind of selfish thinking only about yourself".
OOC: Is the haywagon something like this? (Cut & Paste to Browser to see).
http://www.pscomputerconsulting.com/northwoodscarriage/pics/Hayride/HayWago n1.JPG
(For some reason I can't edit and remove space between o and n on "HayWago n1.JPG", delete the space when it is in your Browser).
Or something like this? (Cut & Paste to Browser to see).
http://www.desertclassics.com/image3/HayWagonRedWheels1.jpg
Either one is not exactly non-conspicuous. An would at the least need two horses to pull it.
IC: "Well I think just the three of us making it to Mr. McCoy's and then you two getting him back safe and sound to his family here, would be a big enough accomplishment". Said Shane.
"Remember the baby needs formula and probably other baby supplies also. I don't think that can wait. An I can't wait to go either. An like I've asked before, but never got any answers to, don't you guys have family and friends in the area, that you want to find out what their situation is. It seems this would be a good place to bring them. Like Mr. Wakeland said. There is alot of good farmland here, that needs people to work it and defend it".
A glow of pride and love comes to the face of the young man as he continues. "As far as my Sweetheart goes. Suzanna can take care of herself. She's a regular rennisance woman. Beside being a nurse practitioner, she's nearly has her black belt in Taekwondo. In the Society of Creative Anachronism, she is a heavy fighter and shoots archery as well. Along with knowing such archaic skills such as spinning and weaving cotton and wool fibers on a shuttle loom. As well as herbal lore for both cooking and healing, to name just a few. She has identical twin younger brothers, Sean and Connor, age 17, which she has basically raised for the last four years, since their parents died in an a auto accident. Both of them are also Fighters and Archers in training. (For legal purposes you have to be 18 to Heavy Fight or shoot Archery in a sanctioned SCA event). But of course with a signed legal waiver, teens 15+ can train at a sanctioned SCA practice, with their Guardian present. Their SCA Household/Clan of 10+ SCAers, are from within 10 miles of Campton. So like I said, I don't know whether or not I'll be coming back this way or not. I'll have to see what the situation is up there.
So I think it would be pretty selfish of me, to bring you two all the way up there to Campton with me. An then ending up telling you, 'Thank's anyway, but I've decided to stay up here. Good luck with getting all the way back to Jackson by yourselves'. Right"?
"Well I think just the three of us making it to Mr. McCoy's and then you two getting him back safe and sound to his family here, would be a big enough accomplishment". Said Shane.
"Remember the baby needs formula and probably other baby supplies also. I don't think that can wait. An I can't wait to go either. An like I've asked before, but never got any answers to, don't you guys have family and friends in the area, that you want to find out what their situation is. It seems this would be a good place to bring them. Like Mr. Wakeland said. There is alot of good farmland here, that needs people to work it and defend it".
A glow of pride and love comes to the face of the young man as he continues. "As far as my Sweetheart goes. Suzanna can take care of herself. She's a regular rennisance woman. Beside being a nurse practitioner, she's nearly has her black belt in Taekwondo. In the Society of Creative Anachronism, she is a heavy fighter and shoots archery as well. Along with knowing such archaic skills such as spinning and weaving cotton and wool fibers on a shuttle loom. As well as herbal lore for both cooking and healing, to name just a few. She has identical twin younger brothers, Sean and Connor, age 17, which she has basically raised for the last four years, since their parents died in an a auto accident. Both of them are also Fighters and Archers in training. (For legal purposes you have to be 18 to Heavy Fight or shoot Archery in a sanctioned SCA event). But of course with...
The group hitches the wagon and with a cold rain beating down on them from an over cast sky they start the eleven mile trip toward Jackson. The road is empty as the rain beats down upon the blacktop sending cold chills down your backs. The mist rolls off the mountains in great banks of fog as the trodding of the horses seem to echo in the dim morning light. Somewhere near dogs bark.
Most of the way you have no trouble with the wagon and only once have to push cars out of the road as you make your way toward the Town. As you approach you notice the fires most have been put out or the rains quenched them as only a little smoke can be seen. You notice no lights from the pawn shop as you pass and many of the cars have been pushed out of the main road as you enter the city, you see not a soul in the gloomy rain streaked light.
The town seems oddly deserted in the morning rain, as you carefully work the wagon around the dead cars. The parking lot to Jiffy mart is full of cars. Some with doors standing open. The stores windows are smashed and you see several people inside picking though what seems to be near empty shelves or at lest badly cleared shelves.
A few look up, grasping bats or pipes as the wagon loudly comes to a halt in the parking lot.
"It looks like the looting has began". "We'd better get our share". "Lets head for the pharmacy, then family dollar, then rite aid". "We'll also the florist, and auto parts store on the way out".
It's been less then 2 days since the Event that caused everything to go to heck in a handbasket. So Shane, being who he is, feels quite conflicted about the looting. An doesn't do any himself. Though he well stay outside and keep an vigulant eye on the horses and haywagon, as well as any possible dangers, while Bryan and Tommy do so. Some how justifing in his mind that being a look out and watching the escape vehicile isn't the same thing as actually stealing. Thinking that somehow he can still manage to take the high road, even in these circumstances. He wonders where Officer O'Brady and the rest of the local law enforcement are.
When they pass the Pawn Shop, that they had gone to the day before, a twinge of guilt caused Shane to peddle quickly by it, trying not to glance in its direction. He'll be glad when they finally get to Mr. McCoys, where he remembers seeing some stuff in the shed when he Bryan made the Stretcher/Litter in, that he wants to use to modify his Mt. Bike with.
You make your way into the store and the others seem to avoid you being three mean with bows and all. Tommy leads you toward the Phamacy aisles, most of it looks intact, very little seems to be gone from this aisle.
Alot of the pop and water is gone from the place as is alot of portable food and such. You are able to pack out almost a full shelf of baby items, food, formula and diapers. Rading the back of the store you find whole pallets of can goods and paper products, cereals and the like. Seems not to many have been back here just yet. And the three of you take to loading the Wagon down with cases of can goods.
As your packing out your items however a group of six men approach your wagon. "Nice wagon you got there, you seem to be taking an awful lot of stuff." says a man with a mullet, ball cap and flannel jacket. The others are dressed close to the same, jackets caps and all seem to be holder thick tree limbs or pipes
"Yeah duck, they sure do have alot of stuff" Another with a pipe says. The first man" duck" grins at you "I think you boys need to go, we'll be sure to put this stuff to good use" The horses start to nah a bit as the men start to spread out toward you
Shane has no intention of going into and looting any store, as mentioned in his last post. He well be standing watch outside. When seeing the orginized mob of thugs coming into sight. Shane will stick his head in the door and yelled.
"Bryan and Tommy we got trouble incoming, get your asses outside ASAP".
At the same time thinking to himself, I told them that damn haywagon would draw in trouble, like horse manure draws flies!
(Shane would of shouted a warning to them when they were at least three times as far away as they are on the combat map.
"It appears you've set your sites on aquiring something that doesn't belong to you. So approach no further or I'll be justified in starting to send some arrows your way. To warn you, I've been shooting one of these thing since I was six! So whose going to be the first to taste some of my feathered death"?.
OOC:With his Draw and Loose and Rapid Nock Skills, how many shoots would Shane get off before they got to where they are in the combat map? I would say atleast 3 or 4. Let me know what dice mechanics I need to use to figure out if Shane hits and how much damage is done.
So has Shane gained any extra experience points or special benefits for having his(Virtue: Justice and Vice: Pride) played as well as they have?
Good Gaming,
Marc
Init:
Bryan=9
Thug 1=8
Thug 4=7
Shane=6
Tommy=6
Thug 2=6
Thug 3=6
Thug 4=5
Thug 5=5
Tommy goes running outside at the shout, pulling his bow and nocking an arrow as he goes.
Shane will shoot at the Duck guy and the two thugs closest to the horses, using 3 of his hunting arrows.
Duck
Thug1
Thug2
Bryan scans to doorway and doesn't see much but there is a broom setting near the doorway and you did pass an aisle of kitchen items, bound to be a bunch of kitchen knives in it
As the men make their way across the lot Shane draws and looses at the lead man then one at each other man nearest to "Duck"
Duck
Thug 1
Thug 2
The first Arrow grazes duck and the first and second thug
Now it is round 1 :)
Init:
Bryan=9
Thug 1=8
Thug 4=7
Shane=6
Tommy=6
Thug 2=6
Thug 3=6
Thug 4=5
Thug 5=5
Now it is round 1 :)
When it is his turn, Shane will shoot point blank into the wounded Thug that comes at him.
Additional 3 dice for the 10's rolled.
Additional 2 dice for the 10's rolled.
Then Shane will set his Composite bow down and draws his Machete and Survival knife from their scabbard and sheathes on his belt.
If Shane is not engage in hand to hand next round, he will keep firing the bow until thus engaged. An then go to the Machete and Survival knife man to man combat skill set.
Tommy rounds the corner in time to see Shane send his arrow through the eye of one of the charging men. He then looses a arrow, before laying down his bow, and taking up his fire axe. He likes close combat better.
"Hi-Li-Li-Li-Li-Li-Lo" Tommy screams ha he looses an arrow, and begins to descend upon the ruffians.
Bow shot (7d10.open(10)=72)http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/2647769/
[ooc]I'll work on the posting of that. It's five successes.
Init:
Bryan=9
Thug 1=8
Thug 4=7
Shane=6
Tommy=6
Thug 2=6
Thug 3=6
Thug 4=5
Thug 5=5
[occ] Ok went for Bryan[/ooc]
Bryan grabs the top off the broom and runs outside. "Duck runs behind a car getting out of Shane's bow arc as one of the thugs runs forward swinging a pipe at Shane
Tens
Ten
And the pip hits Shane good in the ribs Shane staggers back and puts an arrow though his attackers throat. Tommy with a yell put an arrow in another, hurting hium but not dropping the man
Two of the wounded men charge Shane and Bryan
Shans
ten
Bryan
Shane and bryan both take hits with pips
The man Tommy hit crawls off while the last unhurt man charges him with a bat
Hitting Tommy a bit with the bat
New round
health
Shane=2
Tommy=6
Bryan=6
Tommy swings viciously at the man with his fireaxe. "You'd better get out while you have the chance". "You're going to end up like your friend there".
Fire Axe Attack (1d10=9, 1d10=3, 1d10=8, 1d10=10, 1d10=4, 1d10=3, 1d10=7, 1d10=6)
(3) successes
2nd Combat Round
Shane will set his Composite bow down and draws his Machete and Survival knife from their scabbard and sheathes on his belt. Trying to distract the Thugs he says, "Hold on for one more minute you guys, I see the Cops coming"!!! An then attacks the hopefully somewhat distracted Thug in front of him.
Str 3+ Weaponry3+ Cloak & Daggar2, using D hilted Survival Knife as Shield/Parry
Init:
Thug 1=8
Shane=6
Tommy=6
Thug 2=6
Thug 3=6
Bryan=9
"Duck charges from behind the car bringing his bat down upon Shane, getting in a solid hit with the bat , Shane remains up and yells about the police as Shane attacks the first attacker with his knife cutting the attacker, the man is bleeding but still up
Tommy swings his ax at his attacker slicing him with the ax,in return he swings his bat at Tommy slamming into his side Meanwhile bryan's attacker swings his pipe toward him only to have Bryan duck out of it's path
Shanes stamina with will point
"Shane you have to take a -3 to all rolls".
OOC: -3 dice, or -3 to each 1D10 roll????
Seeing Shane taking a beating, and knowing things are getting desperate Tommy screams his war cry, and uses all his strength and concentration hoping to take down the foe in front of him, and maybe demoralize the rest of the thugs.
(8-dice, +2 for All-out-attack, +3 for will power point, -2 for defense = 11 dice)
Exploding dice (1d10=9, 1d10=4, 1d10=1, 1d10=10, 1d10=9)
For a total of 9-wounds (Lethal)
"Shane you have to take a -3 to all rolls".
OOC: -3 dice, or -3 to each 1D10 roll????
8-dice, +2 for All-out-attack, +3 for will power point, -2 for defense = 11 dice)
Bryan hits his attacker twice, hard and fast with the broom handle, and the man collapses, seemly knocked out. Duck once again hits Shane with his bat as the other man hits his ribs with the pipe
Shane hurting bad makes a wide swing with the knife but hits only air as darkness claims him. Meanwhile Tommy brings the axe down into his attackers side, and the man goes down bleeding .
Leaving just Shanes two attackers standing over him
Bryan=9
Thug 1=8
Shane=6[ out]
Tommy=6
Thug 2=6
Thug 3=6
Bryan=9