Jeremy didn't turn up again, and has indicated that he may no longer be playing in the group for the foreseeable future, but Nigel returned for more Wild West shenanigans. A few minor rules tweaks for the Gunslinger game based on the previous two sessions of play-testing had occurred, most notably the quicker healing rates.
Characters:
Henry played Franz Gebhard "The Good"
Craig played Billy Dalton "The Ugly"
Justin played Jack Thompson "The Ugly"
Luke played Smokey Pete "The Bad"
Nigel played Sean Campbell "The Good"
NPC (Jeremy) Doc Giggles "The Ugly"
RECAP:
After the meeting with Big Bill Blakely, the group headed back to Sanctuary without Doc Giggles. They took one of the bodies along that they had maimed to appear as Big Bill in an attempt to fool the Marshall into thinking that he had been killed so that they could claim the bounty. But, after waking the Marshall up in the middle of the night, he wasn't convinced, so the body was taken to the Undertaker instead.
In the morning, Doc Giggles still hadn't returned. Marshall Drake was asked to check the body again, in the light of the day, and this time instead of Billy Dalton trying to convince him that the corpse was indeed the fugitive, Franz stepped in and claimed that lying down the body looked smaller than if it was standing up. The Marshall, begrudgingly it must be said, accepted this and took Franz, Billy, Jack and Smokey to the Sheriff's Office to claim their bounty. Big Bill Blakely was now officially dead.
The four headed back to the Golden Sally to celebrate their financial windfall and to determine what to do about their missing companion, when they found a stranger hauling an unconscious and very sorry looking Doc.
The stranger claimed in response to Jack's questioning of who he was and what was he doing with their friend, that he had found the man unconscious about an hour from the town. He had suffered a serious blow to the head, suffered from the elements and had a strange note pinned to his jacket. The note was a series of instructions, which was eagerly taken and read, whilst Franz helped Doc Giggles to bed and rest. He was indeed in a serious state. He had nothing on him save the clothes he wore and an empty gun belt.
The stranger introduced himself as Campbell, an itinerant from Scotland, and he was welcomed to the fold for assisting their friend.
Days passed as the group healed their various injuries. The directions left by Big Bill pointed them north by about a week of riding, straight into Indian territory. The tribe of Indians in the area were particularly violent and aggressive, especially to Europeans. Plans were made, provisions stocked and a last game of cards was had by Jack at the mine site. Campbell had attempted to find out if the miners knew of any traders or trappers that had dealings in that area and was warned from going there. Still the group assembled to leave after 4 days of rest during which Jack gathered as many provisions as possible and loaded them up on the only mule in town.
The trail was at times difficult to follow. The directions that seemed rather straight forward were more ambiguous than at first thought. Still, with collective wisdom, the group headed in the right direction. Watches were set, 2 a piece each night, as the warnings about the dangerous inhabitants were taken very seriously.
Indeed, on the 4th day out, the group awoke to the sight of 4 horsemen on a hill watching them. It was clear, especially to the sharp eyes of the Scotsman that they were Indians. Two appeared to be holding rifles whilst another carried a feather decorated spear. As the group packed their camp and made ready to depart, one of the four turned and rode away. It was widely acknowledged that this probably was not a good sign. Tension further heightened when the Indian with the spear hurled it into the ground and the remaining three turned and rode off after the first.
Was it marking their territory? A declaration of war? Was it merely gifting them with a free spear as Smokey suggested facetiously.
The group rode on, past the marker, but on the lookout more than ever before.
They were not ambushed though they thought that they would be any moment.
Finally, on the morning of the seventh day, a series of small mountains (or very large hills) rose before them. The directions indicated that they should head to the mountain on the right, and this they did, following a small trail up the steep sides. There were all manner of Indian markings on the trail, including a carved pole adorned with scalps, one of them rather fresh. Suddenly, a rifle shot rung out amid the rocks and Bill Dalton was struck hard in the side.
As Billy turned tail and fled, gaining the ire of the rest of the group and particular chagrin from Jack who named him Billy "Yellow Belly" Bolton, the others readied themselves for a shootout. Jack rode forth drawing his pistol as Franz reached for his rifle, Campbell rode to the side to try and get cover and Smokey simply dived from his horse for the nearest rocks.
Another rifle shot rung out, this time catching Jack. A single Indian with a rifle was hiding at the top of the trail taking the shots, and it appeared he was alone. Franz and Jack returned fire, missing or not striking their assailant true. As the Indian raised his rifle to fire again, the Buffalo gun of Campbell boomed out, striking the Indian with the large caliber projectile and sending him to the ground, dead or at least as close too it as possible.
Billy returned in shame as the group checked for further Indians. Finding none, they continued up the trail.
At the top of the trail was a small cave as the directions indicated. However, the horses were jittery near it, and Campbell and Franz both spotted a rattlesnake hiding near the entrance. Franz fired a single shot from his rifle, decapitating it easily enough.
All bar Campbell then headed into the cave as Campbell waited outside. But the cave was small and shallow and there was nothing in it bar the drag marks of something heavy (perhaps a box), being dragged outside. The group cursed and returned to Campbell who asked them politely.
"Would you be upset if I told you we were about to have company, and lots of it?"
Everyone could now hear the sound of many approaching horses.
-- Game to be continued --
No comments:
Post a Comment