01:50 (418) gerardpaloma: now let's see, there was someone who updated their sheets, but I didn't upload them to the site. I think that was CorSec.
01:50 (497) Paden: prolly
01:50 (418) gerardpaloma: do you have the latest versions? could you IM them to me?
01:51 (495) Megan: brb
01:52 (418) gerardpaloma: thanks
01:52 (497) Paden: yup
01:53 (418) gerardpaloma: ok, I think I've got everything
01:53 (500) Cleavon: I can't wait for next week now. Dragon food!
01:54 (418) gerardpaloma: do we need the teamspeak server anymore?
01:54 (495) Megan: Yay!
01:54 (495) Megan: I don't.
01:54 (500) Cleavon: Dunno.
01:54 (418) gerardpaloma: well screw that shit, then!
01:54 (500) Cleavon: Guess ont
01:55 (418) gerardpaloma: Ok, so we last left our western adventure with everyone diving behind cover, and waiting for the rider or riders to come into view.
01:56 (418) gerardpaloma: **Start Session 4**
01:56 ** (496) Chase (summons a baby Red Dragon to eat everyone.) **
01:57 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon gets his rifle-musket ready.
01:57 (418) gerardpaloma: As it were, riders come into view. 3 of them, to be exact. Distance: 20 meters.
01:57 ** (495) Megan remembers she has a bow and arrow and prepares it. **
01:58 ** (497) Paden lays low, but keeps his rifle handy just in case. **
01:59 (418) gerardpaloma: Their horses are trotting, and the riders are scanning the area.
01:59 (500) Cleavon: "Freeze, sucker!"
02:00 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon shouts as he lines up the closest one.
02:00 (418) gerardpaloma: (I suppose I should set up the map)
02:00 ** (496) Chase startles as Cleavon's voice bellows into the night. She holds her position though, waiting to see how the riders respond to one man. **
02:00 (495) Megan: (( It might be handy, yes. ))
02:02 (418) gerardpaloma: (ok, you might have to scroll down to see the bandits)
02:02 ** (495) Megan thinks she might be able to get a shot off at Bandit 1. **
02:02 (418) gerardpaloma: (pay no attention to the other stack, or Henry. He's back at the bar, getting drunk or something)
02:02 (418) gerardpaloma: Round 1
02:03 (497) Paden: [1d10+19] -> [6,19] = (25)
02:03 (500) Cleavon: Init: [1d10 + 15] -> [1,15] = (16)
02:03 (496) Chase: [1d10+22] -> [3,22] = (25)
02:03 (500) Cleavon: (I assume we're rolling init and not just going in order)
02:03 (418) gerardpaloma: The bandits yell in Spanish (Megan can understand what exactly they're saying).
02:03 (418) gerardpaloma: (right)
02:03 (495) Megan: (( so what are they saying? ))
02:04 (495) Megan: (( What's init again? ))
02:04 (497) Paden: (( Send out the white womens so we may have them for our devillish usage! ))
02:04 (418) gerardpaloma: [1d10 + 1d10 +5] -> [6,2,5] = (13) [1d10 + 1d10 +5] -> [9,1,5] = (15) [1d10 + 1d10 +5] -> [1,5,5] = (11)
02:04 (418) gerardpaloma: (init is 1d10 plus your ranged AT)
02:04 (500) Cleavon: (That's pathetic)
02:04 (418) gerardpaloma: (yeah, yeah it is)
02:04 (500) Cleavon: (Well, sort of. It's on your weapon chart)
02:05 (500) Cleavon: (Labeled "initiative")
02:05 (497) Paden: (( maybe they're drunk) ))
02:05 (418) gerardpaloma: The bandits are yelling, "I knew I heard something!" "There's someone there!" "Get them!"
02:06 (495) Megan: (( Heh. Never really figured all that out for the bow. ))
02:06 (500) Cleavon: (Okay, then it's your Ranged skill plus your Athleticism)
02:06 (495) Megan: [1d10+11] -> [10,11] = (21)
02:07 (418) gerardpaloma: Ok, so order is:
02:07 (418) gerardpaloma: 1. Chase and Paden
02:07 (497) Paden: 8D
02:07 (418) gerardpaloma: 2. Cleavon
02:07 (418) gerardpaloma: err, 2. Megan
02:07 (418) gerardpaloma: 3. Cleavon
02:07 (418) gerardpaloma: 4. Bandits
02:08 ** (497) Paden fires a shot at Bandit 3. [1d10+16] -> [10,16] = (26) **
02:10 (418) gerardpaloma: (what's Paden using?)
02:10 (497) Paden: (rifle)
02:10 (418) gerardpaloma: (ah, yes)
02:10 (418) gerardpaloma: (fairly certain that's a hit, then. d10)
02:11 (497) Paden: [1d6+19] -> [3,19] = (22)
02:11 (497) Paden: oops
02:11 (497) Paden: [1d10+19] -> [10,19] = (29)
02:11 (497) Paden: [1d10+19] -> [1,19] = (20)
02:11 (497) Paden: (um, sorry, forgot the 19 is there)
02:11 (497) Paden: [1d10] -> [1] = (1)
02:11 (497) Paden: [1d10] -> [1] = (1)
02:11 (418) gerardpaloma: (the first ones count)
02:12 (418) gerardpaloma: (so a general head shot)
02:12 (418) gerardpaloma: (well, wait, roll a d20)
02:12 (497) Paden: [1d20] -> [16] = (16)
02:12 (418) gerardpaloma: (omg)
02:12 (418) gerardpaloma: (brainstem)
02:12 (497) Paden: (w00t)
02:12 (495) Megan: (( Ouch. Good shot. ))
02:13 (418) gerardpaloma: (I'm not even going to bother figuring out damage, Bandit 3 drops dead)
02:13 ** (496) Chase keeps herself low, but aims at Bandit 1. **
02:13 (418) gerardpaloma: (what does Megan do?)
02:14 ** (495) Megan tries to keep most of her body behind her pile o' dirt while taking aim at Bandit 2 with her bow. **
02:15 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon squeezes off a shot at Bandit #2's head.
02:15 (500) Cleavon: [1d10 + 14 - 4] -> [1,14,-4] = (11)
02:15 (500) Cleavon: [11 - 1d10] -> [11,-9] = (2)
02:15 (500) Cleavon: (Do I blow my own head off?)
02:15 (418) gerardpaloma: Cleavon's shot goes to the wide, wide, world of sports.
02:16 (495) Megan: (( Gooooooooooaaaaaaaal! ))
02:17 (418) gerardpaloma: The remaining two bandits fire wildly. The first fires at Paden. [1d10 +7] -> [6,7] = (13)
02:17 (418) gerardpaloma: And misses.
02:17 (497) Paden: (whew)
02:17 (418) gerardpaloma: The second fires at Cleavon. [1d10 + 6] -> [9,6] = (15)
02:17 (418) gerardpaloma: and also misses.
02:17 (418) gerardpaloma: (man, these guys are jokes)
02:18 (418) gerardpaloma: (I guess that's what I get for pulling them out of my ass ;))
02:18 (495) Megan: (( Where's the violence? Where's the bloodspray? ))
02:18 (418) gerardpaloma: Round 2
02:18 ** (497) Paden turns slightly, lining up Bandit 2 in his sights. He fires again. [1d10+16] -> [4,16] = (20) **
02:18 (418) gerardpaloma: Bandit 3's horse, spooked by the gunfire, runs off, dragging bandit 3's body along.
02:19 (495) Megan: (( Ouch. Sand burns. ))
02:19 (500) Cleavon: Init: [1d10+ 15] -> [7,15] = (22)
02:20 (497) Paden: [1d10+19] -> [3,19] = (22)
02:20 (496) Chase: [1d10+22] -> [1,22] = (23)
02:20 (495) Megan: (( Are we init again? ))
02:20 (496) Chase: (looks to be so)
02:20 (495) Megan: [1d10+11] -> [1,11] = (12)
02:21 (418) gerardpaloma: 1. Chase
02:21 (418) gerardpaloma: 2. Cleavon and Paden
02:21 (418) gerardpaloma: 3. Megan
02:21 (418) gerardpaloma: 4. Bandits (I'm not going to bother rolling for them, they just go last)
02:22 ** (496) Chase takes a shot at Bandit 2 [1d10+20] -> [3,20] = (23) **
02:22 (418) gerardpaloma: (d10)
02:22 (496) Chase: [1d10] -> [6] = (6)
02:22 (496) Chase: [1d10] -> [4] = (4)
02:22 (418) gerardpaloma: Kidney shot
02:23 (418) gerardpaloma: I forgot to roll HPs for these boys. [1d10] -> [5] = (5) [1d10] -> [5] = (5)
02:23 (496) Chase: (ha!)
02:24 (418) gerardpaloma: Bandit 2 takes the full 7 damage to his kidney.
02:24 (418) gerardpaloma: Let's see if he can stay conscious: [1d10 +1d10 - 15] -> [6,4,-15] = (-5)
02:24 (418) gerardpaloma: nope
02:25 (418) gerardpaloma: Bandit 2 slips into dreamland.
02:25 (418) gerardpaloma: Paden's shot misses Bandit 2, as he slips in the saddle.
02:26 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon sets down his rifle-musket and gets out his revolver.
02:26 (500) Cleavon: (quick draw, so I'll go next phase)
02:26 (418) gerardpaloma: (very well. What does Megan do?)
02:26 ** (495) Megan takes aim at Bandit one with her bow and fires. **
02:26 (495) Megan: [1d10+9] -> [9,9] = (18)
02:27 (418) gerardpaloma: (d10)
02:27 (495) Megan: [1d10+9] -> [2,9] = (11)
02:27 (495) Megan: [1d10] -> [8] = (8)
02:27 (418) gerardpaloma: Right knee
02:27 (418) gerardpaloma: (how much damage does an arrow do?)
02:27 (495) Megan: (( I have no idea. ))
02:27 (500) Cleavon: (BD * 2.5)
02:28 (495) Megan: (( If I'm lucky, it goes through his knee and sticks him to his horse. ))
02:29 (418) gerardpaloma: (ok, so 5, severity is *2 for the knee, total 10 damage, which also happens to be 200% of the bandits HP. Megan must be using broadheads, because...) The arrow sails through the air, and slices through the bandit's right knee. His leg quivers, then falls to the ground.
02:30 (495) Megan: (( Sweet! ))
02:30 (418) gerardpaloma: That's massive bleeding, so he's a dead man.
02:30 (418) gerardpaloma: End combat
02:31 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon puts away his revolver and commences reloading his musket, in case there are more.
02:31 (418) gerardpaloma: Bandit 3's horse is stampeding through the brush.
02:33 (418) gerardpaloma: The night is quiet, the only noise coming from the spooked horse.
02:34 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon waits about 20 more seconds without moving or speaking before he relaxes.
02:34 ** (495) Megan puts away her bow and wanders over to Bandit 1 to check him out for any signs of who he might be or what he might be doing there. **
02:34 (495) Megan: (( Investigation? ))
02:34 ** (496) Chase slips her revolver into its holster. She gives the dead and dying bandits a looking over to determine what weapons they have (if they're compatible with hers, she'll be more than happy to relieve them of the weapon and the bullets). She and Paden make quick work of moving the bodies off of the trail and into a small gulley where they'll make good carrion for the wildlife that could feed off of them. **
02:34 (418) gerardpaloma: (roll investigation, right)
02:34 (495) Megan: [1d10+11] -> [1,11] = (12)
02:34 (495) Megan: (( Arrgh. ))
02:35 (495) Megan: (( What's the you suck roll? ))
02:35 (496) Chase: (you know, Kill Bill makes a good sound track for this session.)
02:35 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon mounts his horse. "I'm gonna track down that errant horse. I'll be right back."
02:35 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon sets off after the horse.
02:36 (497) Paden: Just be careful.
02:36 (418) gerardpaloma: Megan doesn't recognize anything about the bandit. He's dark-skinned, seems to be of Mexican descent. That's all she gathers. Their weapons are cheaply made, cap and ball revolvers. The guns and ammo are basically useless.
02:36 ** (495) Megan frowns and shrugs. **
02:37 ** (495) Megan moves on to Bandito 2. **
02:37 (495) Megan: [1d10+11] -> [10,11] = (21)
02:37 (497) Paden: Whoever they are, they weren't well armed.
02:38 (495) Megan: Probably poor.
02:38 (418) gerardpaloma: On the second bandit, Megan finds a list, written in Spanish, of course.
02:38 ** (495) Megan pulls a list from the Bandito and looks it over. **
02:38 (495) Megan: Hey guys, a list.
02:38 (500) Cleavon: (Assuming I catch up to the horse) Cleavon tries to calm the bandit's animal down. Horseback: [1d10 + 5] -> [3,5] = (8)
02:38 (497) Paden: (French Toast, French Bread, French Fries...)
02:38 (418) gerardpaloma: (hehe)
02:38 (500) Cleavon: (+6 charisma, so 14)
02:39 (495) Megan: (( Freedom Toast and Bread and Fries, tyvm. ))
02:39 (495) Megan: (( They want to look patriotic. ))
02:39 (418) gerardpaloma: The bandit's horse whinnies nervously, and bucks the bandit's body off before trampling it. Cleavon does manage to get the horse calmed down.
02:39 (418) gerardpaloma: The list reads, "Horse. Chicken. Cow."
02:40 (495) Megan: This list looks like a shopping list for the meat market.
02:40 (497) Paden: (phone)
02:40 (418) gerardpaloma: (break it)
02:40 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon looks down at the bandit to see if he's carrying anything high-quality or valuable, but doesn't dismount to search him. Investigation: [1d10 + 5 + 6] -> [1,5,6] = (12) If there's nothing, Cleavon leads the horse back to the others
02:41 (500) Cleavon: [12 - 1d10] -> [12,-7] = (5)
02:41 (418) gerardpaloma: Cleavon learns nothing other than the bandit is also of Mexican descent.
02:43 (500) Cleavon: Upon arriving back at the group, Cleavon inspects the horses more thoroughly, trying to get an idea how much they are worth. Education: [1d10 + 6 + 8] -> [7,6,8] = (21)
02:44 (418) gerardpaloma: Megan notices the bandits are rather thin. Cleavon sees that 2 of the horses look malnourished. The other is in good shape and health, and could fetch a decent price.
02:45 (495) Megan: These guys don't look good.
02:46 (495) Megan: Maybe they're stealing for food.
02:46 (497) Paden: Yeah...
02:47 (500) Cleavon: (Rather thin must be an understatement with 5 HP. That corresponds to a Physique of 0, for christs sake!)
02:47 (418) gerardpaloma: (hehe, yeah)
02:47 (500) Cleavon: (Starving African children have more HP than that)
02:47 (500) Cleavon: (Is the good horse better than Cleavon's horse?)
02:48 (497) Paden: (( they're halflings ))
02:48 (500) Cleavon: (Cleavon's is just base stats across the board)
02:48 (418) gerardpaloma: (oh, ok. No, it's the same as Cleavon's)
02:48 (418) gerardpaloma: (just a different color)
02:48 (495) Megan: I wonder if that good horse might belong to one of the ranchers.
02:49 (500) Cleavon: "Well, this horse ain't half bad. Probably fetch fifty dollars for this one."
02:49 (495) Megan: Might wanna clean the blood off it, first.
02:50 (418) gerardpaloma: Bandit 2 rests in the saddle of the only decent horse. He's still breathing, barely, but unconscious, and bleeding internally.
02:50 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon laughs. "Clean off the blood? Man, that's woman's work. You clean off the blood."
02:50 (497) Paden: (lol)
02:51 ** (495) Megan raises an eyebrow. **
02:51 (495) Megan: Educated, eh?
02:51 (495) Megan: Well, that's remaining to be seen, ain't it?
02:51 (500) Cleavon: "I'm just kiddin' you. *muttered* Takin' everything all serious..."
02:51 ** (495) Megan grins. **
02:52 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon walks up to the bandit and looks at the wound. He grimaces. "Oooh, that's not good. One of us should do the merciful thing."
02:53 (497) Paden: Well, you're there.
02:53 (500) Cleavon: When no one volunteers, Cleavon takes out his revolver and puts it to the bandit's head.
02:53 (418) gerardpaloma: Cleavon know enough about medicine to know that the bandit would never make it to a qualified doctor in time.
02:53 (500) Cleavon: Steeling himself, he squeezes the trigger. BANG!
02:54 ** (495) Megan watches the bandit's head explode with a wince. **
02:54 (418) gerardpaloma: The blast shifts the bandit's weight, and the body slides off the horse.
02:54 (500) Cleavon: Slightly shaken, Cleavon turns back to the group. "Had to be done. Gut shot's the worst way to die."
02:54 ** (495) Megan nods. **
02:54 (418) gerardpaloma: (just ask Sam!)
02:54 (500) Cleavon: (hehe)
02:55 (500) Cleavon: Sam reloads the spent cartridge.
02:56 (500) Cleavon: (doh!)
02:56 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon reloads the spent cartridge.
02:56 (418) gerardpaloma: (LOL)
02:56 (495) Megan: (( That's funny. ))
02:56 (497) Paden: (ha ha!)
02:56 (495) Megan: So what now? Take the bodies to the sheriff?
02:57 (495) Megan: Find a ranch that has good horses, chickens, and cows?
02:57 (495) Megan: There's gotta be more of these guys.
02:57 (495) Megan: Considering what they've been taking and how unfed they still look.
02:58 (497) Paden: (sorry, I'm only paying half attention. friend from out of town is talking my ears off)
02:58 (495) Megan: (( Say something is on fire and you have to go. ))
02:58 (500) Cleavon: "Hmm. Well, if there are more, I doubt they'll be making any more attacks when two of their guys don't come back. I'd say we're done here."
02:59 (500) Cleavon: *three of their guys
02:59 (500) Cleavon: (What's my problem today, anyway?)
02:59 (495) Megan: Or will they make more attacks as retribution?
02:59 (495) Megan: Of course, if they're stealing for food only, that might scare 'em into stopping.
03:00 (500) Cleavon: "If they're half as sorry as these guys, they're not gonna wanna continue a fight with a bloodied nose."
03:00 (495) Megan: Pending they have a choice.
03:00 (500) Cleavon: "One way to be sure. If there are no more attacks, we'll know we did our job."
03:00 (495) Megan: We really have no idea what's driving them to this.
03:00 (495) Megan: True.
03:01 (500) Cleavon: "Not like we have any leads to follow."
03:01 (495) Megan: True.
03:01 (418) gerardpaloma: There's howling in the distance as the coyotes smell the blood.
03:01 (500) Cleavon: "Unless... hey Chase, you think you could track these guys to wherever they came from?"
03:01 ** (495) Megan frowns. **
03:01 (495) Megan: You think it's fair of us to leave them as feed for wild dogs/
03:01 (495) Megan: ?
03:02 (500) Cleavon: "Don't think it makes much difference to them, anyhow."
03:02 ** (496) Chase shrugs her shoulders. **
03:03 (495) Megan: Ah, were it the future when maybe witch doctor types could tell us where they came from based on the paper and the ink used on the note I found.
03:03 (418) gerardpaloma: ("Oooh, baby, baby, it's a wide world...")
03:03 (418) gerardpaloma: (err, wild world, rather. fuck)
03:03 (497) Paden: I think we owe it to the townfolk to see what's causin all this trouble.
03:03 ** (495) Megan nods. **
03:04 (495) Megan: Me too.
03:04 (497) Paden: (sorry for the delay, totally distracted with sound making people here. they're gone now)
03:04 (495) Megan: (( You know what would be a crazy twist? To find out Hank's behind it and that's why he's not been here, he doesn't want the bandits to recognize him. ))
03:04 (500) Cleavon: (lol. That would be awesome)
03:05 (418) gerardpaloma: (crazy? Perhaps. Downright ridiculous? Indeed)
03:05 (500) Cleavon: (That's what we did in the Superhero game when two people dropped out)
03:05 (497) Paden: Mayhaps it'll be somethin we can take care of. If these fellas is any indication, seems they need more help than not.
03:05 (418) gerardpaloma: (hehe)
03:05 ** (495) Megan nods. **
03:05 (495) Megan: Ayup.
03:06 (500) Cleavon: "Alright, so what do you propose exactly, then? We can't track 'em at night, if we can track 'em at all."
03:06 (495) Megan: Head on back to town, report what we know, see if it rings a bell with anyone.
03:06 (497) Paden: Soon as it's daylight out, we've got a fresh set of tracks to follow.
03:06 (495) Megan: I mean, this boys can write. That's not a regular skill in their type.
03:07 (500) Cleavon: "True. He's probably the only literate bandit in these parts."
03:07 (500) Cleavon: "On the other hand, we could make camp here and follow the tracks in the morn'.
03:07 (495) Megan: That is a possibility.
03:07 (418) gerardpaloma: (don't forget about the wild coyotes)
03:07 (495) Megan: But there's coyotes and fresh meat.
03:07 (497) Paden: (we can build a fire)
03:08 (495) Megan: (( Coyotes looooove roasted bandit. ))
03:08 (500) Cleavon: "Just fire a few shots, and the coyotes'll scatter. That ain't no worry."
03:08 (497) Paden: A little fire goes a long way with them. They'll be busy with the dead to bother us.
03:08 (418) gerardpaloma: (mmm, roasted bandit)
03:08 (497) Paden: (they're mexilicious!)
03:08 (500) Cleavon: (lol)
03:09 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon looks for something to build a fire with.
03:09 (495) Megan: Can we at least move the bandits out of sight so we don't have to watch the coyotes eat them?
03:09 ** (496) Chase and Paden make quick work of moving the bodies off of the trail and into a small gulley where they'll make good carrion for the wildlife that could feed off of them. **
03:10 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon tries to build a fire.
03:11 ** (495) Megan gets her horse and puts it with the others to form a little horsey pack to protect them from the coyotes. **
03:11 (500) Cleavon: (I was alone, I took a ride, I didn't know what I would find theeeeeeeere)
03:13 ** (496) Chase sets about making herself a comfortable spot to sleep for the few hours until daylight. **
03:13 (500) Cleavon: (The coyotes attack Cleavon and eat [1d4] -> [4] = (4) balls)
03:13 (418) gerardpaloma: (woot, I just got an email from the domain registrar. The domain will be transferred on 6/7. That's a fucking load off, I tell ya)
03:14 (495) Megan: (( That's good. ))
03:14 (418) gerardpaloma: (oh noes, Cleavon's balls!)
03:14 (495) Megan: (( Turkey fries. ))
03:14 (418) gerardpaloma: (luckily, gerardpaloma still has [1d4] -> [1] = (1) balls)
03:15 (418) gerardpaloma: (shit)
03:15 (495) Megan: (( You may want to keep that to yourself. ))
03:15 ** (497) Paden (points and laughs) **
03:15 (418) gerardpaloma: The night passes uneventfully.
03:15 (418) gerardpaloma: (or should I say, the rest of the night. Hadn't you guys already camped, and Chase spotted the bandits?)
03:16 (497) Paden: (yep)
03:16 (495) Megan: (( Do we need to say we eat because we haven't and such and it'd be stupid if we starved to death. ))
03:16 (497) Paden: (( it's assumed we ate the bandits ))
03:16 (418) gerardpaloma: (no, it's assumed that you can feed yourselves)
03:16 (500) Cleavon: (Damn, beat me to it)
03:17 (418) gerardpaloma: (meh)
03:17 (495) Megan: (( OK. ))
03:18 (418) gerardpaloma: 6 am, sunrise.
03:18 (495) Megan: (( Are we still taking shifts? ))
03:18 (418) gerardpaloma: (yeah, you took your shifts as they were stated previously. I forget the order)
03:18 (495) Megan: (( OK. ))
03:18 (497) Paden: (chase, paden, you other people)
03:18 ** (495) Megan wakes up with the sun. **
03:19 (500) Cleavon: (Gonna tell the story morning glory all about the serpentine fire)
03:19 ** (495) Megan (notices a large bloody spot in the front of Cleavon's pants.) **
03:19 ** (496) Chase pulls the blanket over her head in a vain attempt to shut out dawn's light. **
03:19 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon doesn't wake until everyone else is up and making noise.
03:20 ** (495) Megan rolls up her roll and puts it on her horse, avoiding looking at the ditch where unpleasant odors were coming from. **
03:20 ** (497) Paden nudges Chase with the toe of his boot. "C'mon sleepy head. Lots of work to do and not enough daylight to do it." **
03:21 ** (496) Chase begrudgingly sits up and greets the day as she always had - with a surly frown and her hair flying out in all directions. **
03:22 (418) gerardpaloma: (lol @ Chase)
03:22 (497) Paden: Don't give me that look.
03:23 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon opens one eye, looks at everyone, and then closes it and pretends to still be sleeping. After a few minutes, he finally lets on that he's awake and grogilly gets up.
03:23 ** (497) Paden splits time between making the coffee and decamping. **
03:24 ** (496) Chase 's first task is preparing the horses for the day's ride. Once that is finished, then she makes herself ready for the day's ride, including striking camp, but not before two servings of coffee. **
03:25 (500) Cleavon: After eating and having some coffee, Cleavon unloads the ball in his musket and reloads it with new powder. He also inspects his revolver.
03:26 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon then sets about tying the captured horses to the group's horses.
03:26 ** (495) Megan drinks some coffee and wanders around, trying to get some movement into her joints before being stuck on a horse for a while. **
03:27 (495) Megan: So what's the plan for today? Track the banditos?
03:28 (497) Paden: I reckon.
03:29 ** (496) Chase walks around the spot where she saw first saw the bandits, looking for the tracks their horses made in the dirt. [1d10+14] -> [7,14] = (21) **
03:30 (418) gerardpaloma: Chase picks up the trail easily.
03:30 (418) gerardpaloma: The trail is fresh and clear
03:30 ** (496) Chase mounts up and begins following the trail to its origin. **
03:31 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon saddles up and follows Chase.
03:31 ** (495) Megan mounts up and follows Chase. **
03:31 ** (497) Paden brings up the rear of the convoy. **
03:32 (418) gerardpaloma: The gang rides for almost an hour. Chase never loses the trail, which leads far out past the farms, and into the untamed southern countryside.
03:32 (418) gerardpaloma: In the distance, a few tents are visible.
03:33 (495) Megan: (( How nice are the tents? ))
03:33 (418) gerardpaloma: (nothing special. Just canvas tents)
03:33 ** (496) Chase stops moving forward as soon as she sees the tents ahead. She waits for the others to decide how to proceed. **
03:34 ** (495) Megan pulls up next to Chase. **
03:35 (495) Megan: We could see if they're looking for some...entertainment while the boys spread out around them.
03:35 (500) Cleavon: "Mmm, that might not be a good idea until we have an idea how many of them there are."
03:36 (495) Megan: Well, that depends on how many tents and how many might fit in the tents.
03:36 (497) Paden: Me either.
03:36 (495) Megan: Of course, they are Mexicans, the human sardines.
03:37 (500) Cleavon: It's Cleavon's turn to raise his eyebrow at Megan.
03:37 (497) Paden: If we're goin in, I think only two of us should go. You being one of 'em, (indicating Megan) since you speak their language. See if there's a diplomatic way to end their thievin.
03:38 (495) Megan: Well, you'll have to present them with a male they can respect.
03:38 (500) Cleavon: (I volunteer Hank!)
03:38 (497) Paden: (she said respect)
03:39 (497) Paden: Sheit.
03:39 ** (496) Chase goes through the motions of laughing even though no sound comes out. **
03:40 (497) Paden: Well, we ain't doin no good sittin around here. Let's get this done and over with.
03:40 (418) gerardpaloma: (Hank rides up. "What's going on? Are there bandits out here brokebacking it? Let's get em!")
03:41 (495) Megan: (( You know he really wants to join in. ))
03:41 (497) Paden: (I was a good bandit once, lol)
03:41 (495) Megan: Well, they might give us a shot if it looks like we might want to hire them for something.
03:42 (500) Cleavon: (So is Hank here, or did he up and disappear, or what? Because he should seriously be the one to go if he's here.)
03:42 (495) Megan: (( Or we could wait and see if Pete actually shows up at some point. ))
03:42 (418) gerardpaloma: (I was operating under the idea that Hank decided to stay back at town. Maybe watch over Sam, or something)
03:43 (500) Cleavon: (Ah, OK)
03:44 (495) Megan: Well, this folks recognize money and they recognize respectability. They have no real concern for color if you're male as long as you have money and you fear your god.
03:44 (495) Megan: *these folks
03:44 (500) Cleavon: "Alright, so Paden and Megan will go and Chase and I will cover you." Cleavon begins looking for a good firing position. A large rock outcropping would be best.
03:44 ** (495) Megan looks at Paden. **
03:44 (495) Megan: Just don't talk much.
03:44 (497) Paden: O_o
03:45 (418) gerardpaloma: ("There's a warning sign on the road ahead, there's a lot of people saying we'd be better off dead.")
03:46 ** (495) Megan waits until Chase and Cleavon have found cover before conitnuing on. **
03:46 (418) gerardpaloma: Plenty of cover about. Untamed countryside, and all
03:46 ** (496) Chase finds a good spot where she can see and remain at least somewhat hidden. **
03:47 (497) Paden: Alright, then. Let's not get dead.
03:47 ** (495) Megan nods and starts her horse towards the camp. **
03:47 ** (497) Paden rides slowly towards the encampment, hoping they don't get shot outright. **
03:48 (418) gerardpaloma: The tents are about 200 yards out.
03:48 (497) Paden: So, what's our story then?
03:48 (418) gerardpaloma: (err, 200 meters. Damn imperial system)
03:49 (495) Megan: Our story... Well....
03:49 (418) gerardpaloma: (I spit on the Imperial system, *ptui*)
03:49 (495) Megan: We could say that you just inherited a nice ranch and could use some hands, but no one will work for you.
03:50 (495) Megan: Obviously you can pay them. After all, you were able to pay for my services.
03:50 ** (495) Megan grins. **
03:50 (497) Paden: Not that I had a choice, you mean.
03:50 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon goes from rock to rock, trying to get as close as possible without being spotted. Tell me how close I can get without potentially running into the line of sight of the camp and having to make a Ninj roll
03:50 (495) Megan: They don't know that.
03:51 (418) gerardpaloma: At 100 meters, Cleavon can see into the camp. No one's about.
03:51 (495) Megan: (( Of course, if the camp's deserted, it won't matter. ))
03:52 (418) gerardpaloma: Megan and Paden close to 50 meters.
03:52 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon closes to 50 meters. [1d10 + 6 + 6] -> [9,6,6] = (21)
03:52 (497) Paden: (The no warning, the ground begins to rumble. From beneath them, the ground opens up and a howitzer raises into view...)
03:53 ** (496) Chase follows deftly behind Cleavon. **
03:53 (418) gerardpaloma: Cleavon is invisible
03:54 ** (495) Megan waits until they're within a decent range and stops her horse and calls out to the camp. **
03:54 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon closes to 30 meters: [1d10 + 6 + 6] -> [7,6,6] = (19)
03:54 (418) gerardpaloma: At 25 meters, a voice calls out, in Spanish. Only Megan can understand. "What took you so long?"
03:54 ** (495) Megan furrows her brow. **
03:54 (496) Chase: (the wha?)
03:55 (497) Paden: What?
03:55 (495) Megan: He wants to know what took us so long.
03:55 (418) gerardpaloma: The voice is decidely feminine.
03:55 (495) Megan: "We didn't know we were being waited on."
03:55 (495) Megan: *she, then.
03:56 (418) gerardpaloma: A tentflap is pushed aside, and a woman steps out. "Did you..." she stops suddenly, and looks confused.
03:56 ** (495) Megan raises an eyebrow. **
03:57 (418) gerardpaloma: "Who are you?"
03:57 (495) Megan: "Not who you were expecting?"
03:57 (495) Megan: "Who are you?"
03:57 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon aims with his revolver, just in case, but his finger is off the trigger.
03:57 ** (497) Paden watches, like a tennis match, from Megan to the woman and back. **
03:58 (418) gerardpaloma: "Where is my husband? And the others?" She turns her head to the side, as if she's addressing someone else. "Stay there!"
03:58 ** (495) Megan frowns. **
03:58 (495) Megan: "We don't know anything about your husband or any others."
03:59 (418) gerardpaloma: "What do you want?"
03:59 ** (495) Megan nods towards Paden. "He's looking for strong workers." **
03:59 (500) Cleavon: (You want to find your husband? Look in the coyote shit)
03:59 (495) Megan: (( That's harsh. ))
03:59 (418) gerardpaloma: (yeah, yeah it is)
03:59 (497) Paden: (Your husband is dead. I keeled him.)
04:00 (418) gerardpaloma: "None here. My husband and the others are not back yet."
04:00 (495) Megan: (( Is this woman actually Mexican? ))
04:01 (418) gerardpaloma: Another voice, male, is audible. "But Mom, I can work!"
04:01 (418) gerardpaloma: "Quiet! And stay there!"
04:01 ** (495) Megan looks over the camp. **
04:02 (418) gerardpaloma: (she's dark skinned, at this distance, you can't tell if she's Mexican or just tanned.)
04:02 (495) Megan: "Doesn't seem like you folks are doing as well as could be. If you're having hard times, we can help you out. I'm sure he'd even have use for a woman in the kitchen, if you're up to it."
04:02 (495) Megan: "And nothing untoward."
04:02 (497) Paden: (damn)
04:03 ** (495) Megan looks at Paden then look back to the woman. **
04:03 (495) Megan: "He enjoys peeing standing up.
04:03 (495) Megan: "
04:03 (418) gerardpaloma: She looks unsure.
04:03 ** (497) Paden whispers, "If you're gettin me in trouble..." **
04:03 ** (495) Megan simply smiles. **
04:04 (418) gerardpaloma: "There are two other families here. Does he have use for all of us?"
04:04 (495) Megan: "How many all together?"
04:04 (495) Megan: (( Of course, I have no idea what to do with them after I convince them to work for us.... ))
04:04 (497) Paden: (( kill them and eat them ))
04:05 (418) gerardpaloma: "Myself, two women, 8 children. And my husband and the others."
04:05 (418) gerardpaloma: A young boy, about 12, races out. "I can work, Mom!"
04:06 ** (497) Paden mutters under his breath things not fit for mixed company. **
04:06 (495) Megan: "So we're looking at three women, eight kids, and pending all the women are married, three men?"
04:06 (500) Cleavon: (Sell them to slavers. 10 slaves at 50 bucks a head is mad money!)
04:06 (418) gerardpaloma: (omg)
04:06 (495) Megan: (( Because the black man selling slaves is always a good idea. ))
04:06 (418) gerardpaloma: She nods.
04:07 (495) Megan: "Allow me to discuss it with him."
04:07 ** (495) Megan looks to Paden. **
04:07 (418) gerardpaloma: "My husband and the others should have been back by now. I don't know what's keeping them."
04:07 (495) Megan: Looks like we may have killed all the men they have.
04:07 (497) Paden: (BULLETS TO THEIR HEADS, BITCH!)
04:07 (497) Paden: Shit.
04:07 (418) gerardpaloma: (it's the merciful thing, really)
04:08 ** (495) Megan looks back to the woman. **
04:08 (495) Megan: "Do you have other means if the men don't return?"
04:08 (497) Paden: Now they really need help and we don't know what the hell to do.
04:09 (495) Megan: (( We could give our dear ol' GM a bunch of work and make them all our personal NPC slaves. :D ))
04:09 (418) gerardpaloma: She takes a deep breath. "I...haven't thought about that." The boy pipes up again. "I can work, Mom! And so can Jesus!"
04:09 ** (495) Megan mutters how they probably could stand Jesus right now. **
04:09 (497) Paden: (Jesus? Goddammit, we're so fucking dead. We killed Jesus' dad!)
04:10 (418) gerardpaloma: (lol)
04:10 ** (495) Megan furrows her brow. **
04:10 (495) Megan: "There's been a string of ranch theiving lately. You wouldn't know anything about that would you?"
04:10 (418) gerardpaloma: (Jesus is back, and this time: It's biblical)
04:11 (418) gerardpaloma: She looks nervous. "No."
04:11 (495) Megan: "Because if your men are involved and they're not thieves at heart, they may have met up with an angry ranch owner."
04:12 (497) Paden: (or some hired guns who killed them in the middle of the night)
04:12 (495) Megan: (( We don't tell them that. ))
04:12 (497) Paden: (( but we wouldn't know anything about that ))
04:12 (418) gerardpaloma: She stands silently for a moment. "We were just trying to survive."
04:12 ** (495) Megan sighs. **
04:13 ** (495) Megan looks to Paden. **
04:13 (495) Megan: I'd say we found our bandits.
04:13 ** (495) Megan looks back to the woman. **
04:13 (497) Paden: "Yeah," Paden says half heartedly.
04:13 (495) Megan: "Can you go back to Mexico? Do you have a chance there? Because, right now, you really don't have one here."
04:14 (500) Cleavon: (Cleavon's finger slips and he paints little Jesus's face with his mothers brains)
04:15 (497) Paden: (ER-ROR!)
04:15 (418) gerardpaloma: She looks devastated. "If my husband and the others are gone, we don't have much of a choice. We have no skills."
04:15 ** (495) Megan looks to Paden. **
04:15 (495) Megan: What should we do?
04:15 (495) Megan: I suppose I could direct them towards Hawk, my employer, but even that's not a definite.
04:16 (495) Megan: Either way, staying here will assuredly split their families up.
04:16 ** (497) Paden looks thoughtful a moment. "They should know their men are dead. After that, I just don't know. This ain't at all what I suspected." **
04:17 ** (495) Megan nods. **
04:17 (495) Megan: "I think we should talk, face to face, ma'am."
04:17 (497) Paden: If you got a direction for them, let them make that chioce if you think it's right for them.
04:18 (495) Megan: (( Mama don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys. ))
04:18 (418) gerardpaloma: She nods. She turns to her boy, says something the others can't hear, and he returns to the tent. She walks towards Megan.
04:18 ** (495) Megan dismounts from her horse and meets the woman halfway. **
04:18 ** (497) Paden eases himself down from his horse as the woman approaches. **
04:19 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon looks at Chase with a look that says "Well, shall we join them?"
04:20 ** (496) Chase takes only a second to think, nodding her head in response. **
04:20 ** (495) Megan struggles to find the words then softly tells the woman: "There's nothing we can do to take back what we've done. We were hired to take care of the bandits stealing from the ranches. And...we did." **
04:20 (495) Megan: "We had no idea they were good men trying to take care of their families."
04:20 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon holsters his pistol and strides out from his hiding spot, as if it's the most natural thing in the world to have been crouched behind a boulder.
04:21 (418) gerardpaloma: Her eyes fill with tears, and her lip quivers. She sobs once, and then nods. "Thank you...for not letting me wonder."
04:21 (500) Cleavon: (And now we're gonna take care of you)
04:21 (418) gerardpaloma: (omg)
04:21 ** (497) Paden looks down at his feet, pushing at a rock with his toe. **
04:21 (418) gerardpaloma: ("The shooting's easy if you've got the right gun.")
04:22 ** (495) Megan nods. "There's not much that this land can offer you and yours, but I do know a man who might be able to give you work. He's your best shot at keeping your families together and keeping you and the other women out of whoring." **
04:22 (495) Megan: "But I won't lie. His work is usually dangerous and hard."
04:22 (497) Paden: (the irony is he pays you with sex)
04:22 (495) Megan: (( Just like you, baby. ))
04:23 (418) gerardpaloma: She looks hopeful. She nods again.
04:24 (495) Megan: "His name is Hawk. Head west and a little bit north. If anyone bothers you along the way you tell them you're on your way to Hawk for work and you should be all right. And you may want to learn English as soon as you can."
04:24 (418) gerardpaloma: Now that she's up close, Megan can tell the woman is Mexican, but appears to be mixed. Possibly a product of a mixed marriage. Or a rape.
04:25 (497) Paden: (or worse)
04:25 (418) gerardpaloma: She nods again. "I appreciate that."
04:26 (495) Megan: "Again, we're sorry for what we've done. The best thing you can do is not let your sons repeat this mistake."
04:26 (418) gerardpaloma: She draws herself up, and wipes her eyes. "No. My sons will have better lives."
04:27 ** (495) Megan nods. **
04:27 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon says to Megan. "What about the horses?"
04:27 (495) Megan: Give them back.
04:27 (495) Megan: They'll need them. If not for the transportation, the meat.
04:27 (500) Cleavon: "What about the good one? They probably took it from one of the ranchers."
04:28 (495) Megan: And we took away their men.
04:28 (497) Paden: Let 'em have it.
04:28 (500) Cleavon: "Their men drew steel on us. What happened ain't on our shoulders."
04:29 (495) Megan: It ain't on theirs either.
04:29 (497) Paden: Maybe so, but they shouldn't be made to suffer for someone else's mistakes.
04:29 (495) Megan: The rancher can get another horse. They can't. Not for a long time.
04:29 (500) Cleavon: "No, but I don't see why we shouldn't return what's been stolen. The other two, fine, but that last one is clearly farmer property."
04:30 ** (495) Megan turns to Cleavon. **
04:30 ** (496) Chase points to Cleavon and nods her head. **
04:30 (495) Megan: How much have your people stolen to make their lives better?
04:30 (495) Megan: The farmer will get over it.
04:30 (500) Cleavon: "My 'people'," Cleavon starts, his voice starting to raise, "and who exactly are 'my people'?"
04:31 (495) Megan: Well, I used to think they were honorable noble people.
04:31 (418) gerardpaloma: The woman looks at the group, not understanding the words, but understanding the intent. She interrupts, "Please, don't argue over us. You have given us hope, that's enough."
04:31 (500) Cleavon: "Let me explain something to you. My father is a successful man. His father was a successful man. None of 'my people' ever stole shit. You got that?"
04:31 (497) Paden: (( YOU STAY OUT OF THIS, SPIC! ))
04:31 (418) gerardpaloma: (lol)
04:32 (495) Megan: (( Dewback, actually. ))
04:32 (497) Paden: Hey, hey. Let's step back a second. This ain't gonna be solved by shouting.
04:32 ** (495) Megan turns to the woman. "I wish to give you all the horses, but some of us wish to return the one that we believe was stolen." **
04:32 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon takes a deep breath. "Sorry, shouldn't have yelled."
04:33 (495) Megan: "Do you know if it was stolen?"
04:33 (500) Cleavon: "Oh come on! Do you know how much horsefeed it takes to keep a horse well-nourished? There's no way that horse is rightfully theirs."
04:33 (418) gerardpaloma: Understanding dawns on her face. She nods. "What was stolen should be returned."
04:34 ** (495) Megan nods. **
04:34 ** (495) Megan turns to Cleavon. **
04:34 (495) Megan: You get to keep your horse at her request.
04:34 (495) Megan: But you better not sell it.
04:34 (500) Cleavon: He nods, satisfied. "All right, then."
04:34 (495) Megan: It better go straight back to the farm it came from.
04:35 (500) Cleavon: "Yeah, yeah," Cleavon says dismissively.
04:35 ** (495) Megan pulls out the piece of paper that has the shopping list on it. **
04:35 (495) Megan: "Do you have something to write with?"
04:35 (500) Cleavon: "I'll gather the horses." Cleavon sets off and returns a few minutes later.
04:36 (418) gerardpaloma: She pulls a stub of pencil out of her pocket and hands it to Megan.
04:36 ** (495) Megan draws a Hawk with a knife through its heart on the back of the paper and hands it and the pencil to the woman. **
04:36 (495) Megan: "This should keep you protected and show you the way."
04:36 ** (497) Paden takes Chase aside for a moment. His voice never gets above a whisper, but her motions are hurried and determined. Anyone with half a brain cell can tell she's angry about something - at least at first. Paden calmly speaks to her and she eventually cools down a little. She reaches into a pocket and shoves some money at him. She turns quickly frustration still evident on her face. **
04:37 (418) gerardpaloma: She takes the paper and nods. "Thank you."
04:37 (495) Megan: De nada.
04:38 ** (497) Paden pauses for a beat before approaching Megan and the woman. He holds out some money to the woman, "Tell her this is something to help them along. It don't compensate what happened, but it should do some good." **
04:38 ** (495) Megan raises an eyebrow. **
04:39 (497) Paden: ($35 dollars)
04:39 (495) Megan: "He wants to help out. He knows it doesn't pay for what's been done, but it might get you some good food along the way."
04:39 (497) Paden: (sorry, bio break)
04:40 (418) gerardpaloma: The woman looks at the money, then at Paden. She takes the money, and looks him in the eye. "Muchas gracias, senor."
04:40 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon comes back with the horses. He takes the two and hands the bridles to the woman. Since he doesn't speak Spanish, he doesn't say anything.
04:40 (495) Megan: (( And as soon as we turn our backs, they shoot us. ))
04:41 (418) gerardpaloma: She thanks Cleavon, as well, and then thanks all of them again. She leads the horses back to the camp, which is now abuzz with activity.
04:41 ** (495) Megan mounts up. **
04:41 (495) Megan: Maybe in the future, we should find out a little more about our intended victims before killing them.
04:42 (497) Paden: (back)
04:42 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon responds by simply repeating "They drew steel," as he mounts his horse.
04:42 (500) Cleavon: "If they'd had half a brain, they'd have frozen when I said freeze."
04:43 (495) Megan: They may not have understood you.
04:43 ** (496) Chase mounts her horse, and if she wasn't mute already you'd swear she was giving Paden the silent treatment. **
04:43 (500) Cleavon: "Everyone understands when a man calls out in the dark in that tone of voice, it means you don't move a damn muscle 'lest you're tired of havin' a head on your shoulders."
04:43 (497) Paden: We done what was right last night, and we done what was right today.
04:44 (500) Cleavon: Cleavon nods at Paden's words. "Damn straight."
04:44 (418) gerardpaloma: And with that...
04:44 (418) gerardpaloma: **End Session 4**
04:44 (500) Cleavon: Woot!
04:44 (495) Megan: Yay!
04:44 (418) gerardpaloma: That was, if I can state an opinion, the best session yet.
04:45 (495) Megan: It was pretty good.
04:45 (500) Cleavon: By far. Conflict is fun. A group that always sees eye to eye on everything is boring.
04:45 (497) Paden: 8D
04:45 ** (495) Megan nods. **
04:45 (495) Megan: Definitely.
04:45 (418) gerardpaloma: we almost went 3 hours, so I'll say 30 XP for everyone.
04:45 (497) Paden: Heck, Paden and Chase are even at odds!
04:45 (500) Cleavon: It's a good thing Sam wasn't there.
04:45 ** (495) Megan laughs. **
04:46 (495) Megan: Enh, poison will quickly take care of him.
04:46 (500) Cleavon: He'd have been stealing what little they had while they were talking to Megan.
04:46 (418) gerardpaloma: hehe
04:46 (496) Chase (exit): 16:46
04:46 (495) Megan: He's a lot like Jayne.