Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
- Tribe of One
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:28 am
Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Black Mesa buzzes like a beehive the next few days.
Much of the hubbub has to do with the changes at the Killian ranch. Although the arrangement between Ella-Reese Killian and the Black Market representatives called for relatively little to change, on the surface at least, there's a natural re-ordering that comes with any shift in the local power structure. Other power brokers in town recruit some of those left without a patron, and more than a few gamblers reconsider which horse to lay their money on.
After Old Man Killian's impromptu wake, business at the Sidewinder settles down a bit, which leaves Baz grousing as he lounges upstairs in his favorite chair. Stella is as sunny as ever, and the saloon serves as an unofficial base of operations for the COT as its members make their way around town on business.
The Black Market is true to its word and gives you a good price for the guns and scrapped power armor you've hauled back to the town, and the credits fund a short-lived spending spree, with some of you spending the next two days in the workshop or cyber clinic while others peruse the varied offerings of Black Mesa's markets.
Tired and tricked out like a bunch of dust-covered peacocks, you all gather at the saloon on the third day, as afternoon gives way to evening. Round about the time the setting sun is creeping behind the Mesa, a dust plume rises in the west, slowly resolving into the hazy shape of a rider, silhouette framed by the blood-red sun at his back.
A few minutes later, the battered hovercycle rumbles up to the hitching post outside the Sidewinder. Its equally battered rider dismounts, shaking sand and dust from his clothes. He limps as he approaches, and his hat and long coat are ragged and faded. Still, he manages to cut an imposing figure as he throws open the saloon doors at the Sidewinder and approaches the table the COT has secured for the meet.
Pulling the dirty bandana from around his neck, the man -- the veteran cyber-knight, Keegan, if your intel was correct -- runs his fingers through his beard and spits on the floor, clearing his throat of the dust of a long journey. This close, you see that Keegan is missing his right eye. Unlike the Sidewinder's larmac owner, he doesn't bother to cover the scarred socket with a patch.
"I hope y'all are big damn heroes, 'cause anything less ain't gonna last a week where I'm asking you to go," he says by way of introduction.
He starts to pull out a chair, then stops in his tracks as Stella approaches.
"Ma'am, I ... well, it's been many a mile and many a heartache since I last saw the sun shining from your face. Sometimes I think I dreamed what we done down in Af ..."
He's cut off as Stella places a hand on his arm and smiles, radiant as ever.
"I think you must have me mistaken for someone else, sir knight. I'm just a saloon gal from Black Mesa, but I'd be happy to bring you something to drink after such a long journey. By the looks of you, you've earned it many times over."
Keegan smiles and nods, bemused (as so many are when first encountering the Sidewinder's resident angel), and Stella runs to fetch a pitcher of beer and a bottle of rye whiskey.
Shaking his head, the grizzled warrior takes a seat and begins to explain his request.
"I don't know what Coake told you, or in what ways my message got garbled up and confused as it passed through that Legion he's got started down in Arkansas. But I've got a task that needs doing, and too few hands to do it on my own."
Making sure he's got your attention, Keegan continues.
"There’s this D-Bee village northwest of here, peaceful folk, stranded after comin' outta some rift or another that snatched 'em off their planet and dumped 'em here. They took me in after I got bushwacked by some Simvan and nursed me back to health, and I've been trying to look after 'em as I can. Well, I got wrapped up in Tolkeen for a while, and by the time I made it back the town had been taken over by bandits from the Pecos, a gang calling themselves the Blue Hand Raiders. They're a nasty bunch, made up of castoffs and black hats and killers who was just too mean for some of the more established gangs down south. They been riding all around north of here, far up as the Colorado Baronies and east to Missouri."
"Nobody seems to know much about their leader, a man they call Shibboleth, the Outsider. But he's got a couple of lieutenants that run things in these parts, a fallen knight calling herself Ronin and a D-bee 'slinger named Cassius, one of the scaly bastards they call vanguard brawlers out east."
Keegan knocks back a swallow of whiskey and bares his teeth.
"Them bastards been raiding all over the territory, but leaving a small force of men to lord it over the village, which had been making a peaceful living bartering with traders and recharging power supplies for travelers passing by. I mean to get rid of the varmints and free the town, but as you can see I got a mite crippled up in the war and can't do it on my own. That's where you come in. With a couple dozen well-armed men, it'll be like clearing a wheat field."
Much of the hubbub has to do with the changes at the Killian ranch. Although the arrangement between Ella-Reese Killian and the Black Market representatives called for relatively little to change, on the surface at least, there's a natural re-ordering that comes with any shift in the local power structure. Other power brokers in town recruit some of those left without a patron, and more than a few gamblers reconsider which horse to lay their money on.
After Old Man Killian's impromptu wake, business at the Sidewinder settles down a bit, which leaves Baz grousing as he lounges upstairs in his favorite chair. Stella is as sunny as ever, and the saloon serves as an unofficial base of operations for the COT as its members make their way around town on business.
The Black Market is true to its word and gives you a good price for the guns and scrapped power armor you've hauled back to the town, and the credits fund a short-lived spending spree, with some of you spending the next two days in the workshop or cyber clinic while others peruse the varied offerings of Black Mesa's markets.
Tired and tricked out like a bunch of dust-covered peacocks, you all gather at the saloon on the third day, as afternoon gives way to evening. Round about the time the setting sun is creeping behind the Mesa, a dust plume rises in the west, slowly resolving into the hazy shape of a rider, silhouette framed by the blood-red sun at his back.
A few minutes later, the battered hovercycle rumbles up to the hitching post outside the Sidewinder. Its equally battered rider dismounts, shaking sand and dust from his clothes. He limps as he approaches, and his hat and long coat are ragged and faded. Still, he manages to cut an imposing figure as he throws open the saloon doors at the Sidewinder and approaches the table the COT has secured for the meet.
Pulling the dirty bandana from around his neck, the man -- the veteran cyber-knight, Keegan, if your intel was correct -- runs his fingers through his beard and spits on the floor, clearing his throat of the dust of a long journey. This close, you see that Keegan is missing his right eye. Unlike the Sidewinder's larmac owner, he doesn't bother to cover the scarred socket with a patch.
"I hope y'all are big damn heroes, 'cause anything less ain't gonna last a week where I'm asking you to go," he says by way of introduction.
He starts to pull out a chair, then stops in his tracks as Stella approaches.
"Ma'am, I ... well, it's been many a mile and many a heartache since I last saw the sun shining from your face. Sometimes I think I dreamed what we done down in Af ..."
He's cut off as Stella places a hand on his arm and smiles, radiant as ever.
"I think you must have me mistaken for someone else, sir knight. I'm just a saloon gal from Black Mesa, but I'd be happy to bring you something to drink after such a long journey. By the looks of you, you've earned it many times over."
Keegan smiles and nods, bemused (as so many are when first encountering the Sidewinder's resident angel), and Stella runs to fetch a pitcher of beer and a bottle of rye whiskey.
Shaking his head, the grizzled warrior takes a seat and begins to explain his request.
"I don't know what Coake told you, or in what ways my message got garbled up and confused as it passed through that Legion he's got started down in Arkansas. But I've got a task that needs doing, and too few hands to do it on my own."
Making sure he's got your attention, Keegan continues.
"There’s this D-Bee village northwest of here, peaceful folk, stranded after comin' outta some rift or another that snatched 'em off their planet and dumped 'em here. They took me in after I got bushwacked by some Simvan and nursed me back to health, and I've been trying to look after 'em as I can. Well, I got wrapped up in Tolkeen for a while, and by the time I made it back the town had been taken over by bandits from the Pecos, a gang calling themselves the Blue Hand Raiders. They're a nasty bunch, made up of castoffs and black hats and killers who was just too mean for some of the more established gangs down south. They been riding all around north of here, far up as the Colorado Baronies and east to Missouri."
"Nobody seems to know much about their leader, a man they call Shibboleth, the Outsider. But he's got a couple of lieutenants that run things in these parts, a fallen knight calling herself Ronin and a D-bee 'slinger named Cassius, one of the scaly bastards they call vanguard brawlers out east."
Keegan knocks back a swallow of whiskey and bares his teeth.
"Them bastards been raiding all over the territory, but leaving a small force of men to lord it over the village, which had been making a peaceful living bartering with traders and recharging power supplies for travelers passing by. I mean to get rid of the varmints and free the town, but as you can see I got a mite crippled up in the war and can't do it on my own. That's where you come in. With a couple dozen well-armed men, it'll be like clearing a wheat field."
GM Bennies: 7/7
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 8, CK 16, Detect Arcana
Rill takes a look at the aura of the haggard man in front of him and says "Well-met, Sir Knight. Tell me, has no healer looked at your injuries?"Character Sheet
- Silverclaws
- Silver Patron
- Posts: 234
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 1:42 pm
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Silver was standing near the door frame to the saloon. With his back against the wall he was able to assess those entering the Sidewinder without scaring them much. Doc Olly Day had done such a fine job with his Optics Package, that no one could tell the difference between his natural eyes and these new ones.
The readouts from his new eyes were giving feedback about Keegan's biometrics and vital signs.
The readouts from his new eyes were giving feedback about Keegan's biometrics and vital signs.
Notice Anything
Know This
Silver remains quiet and lets those who speak better lead off and carry the conversation.- Jack 'Bullet' Jones
- Silver Patron
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- Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2017 11:21 pm
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 5, CK 6
Jack tips his hat as the grizzled cyber knight ambles in. He raises an eyebrow at the...mistaken identity?...of Stella. Ain't many angels lookin' like Stella just galavantin' around. He listens as the knight mentions the Blue Hand Raiders, and pipes up. "Blue Hands? Ah run across a few of them awhile back. Ah've met pissed off rattlesnakes with sweeter dispositions. Them fellas are nasty as they come, no joke. Can't one of 'em play poker worth a pile a' beans though. Get real cross when they get their chips raked away from 'em."Jack sips on whiskey as the knight explains the situation. Jack blinks at the mention of Cassius. "Ronan ah ain't heard of, but ah heard tell of Cassius. Nasty cuss, makes the rest of 'em look like teddy bears. Faster'n a tornado runnin' downhill. Ah reckon we got our share of work ahead of us. But what's this about a couple dozen? You got more hands than yer showin'? Ain't but eight of us here, plus yerself, if yer taggin' along. Orrin, you manage ta talk any a' Killian's hands inta joinin' up?"
Bullet Jones
- Orrin Truthseeker
- Bronze Patron
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:11 pm
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 4, CK 10
Orrin is leaning on the bar explaining to one of the local hands for the third time that he isnt technically a D-bee because of his recent mutation when Keegan walks in."...stands for Dimensional Being, and I'm not from another dimension therefore..." Orrin trails off as the swing doors to the saloon are pushed open. Orrin had never met this Keegan, but from the air of confidence about him, there could be no doubt that this is the man they are waiting for.
Orrin nods to the knight and ushers him over to the table. He makes quick introductions and then listens intently to Keegan give them his quick briefing.
"Orders or not, that sounds like kind of thing we would be more than happy to help with. Unfortunately, our efforts haven't been as...successful in the region as we would have hoped. Though we've got many more sympathetic town folk than we did last week, I doubt we can convice more than a couple, if that, to take up arms on behalf of anything other than defending there own lands." Orrin says, then quickly adds "Can hardly blame them, as that seems hard enough around these parts" lest anyone take offence.Keegan wrote:Black Mesa buzzes like a beehive the next few days.
That's where you come in. With a couple dozen well-armed men, it'll be like clearing a wheat field."
"Luckily I think I know the village you are talking about, and I know of a old hunters trail that bypasses a few chunks of the main road between here and there." Orrin shivers as he remembers the last time he was out on that trail. He came across a Grackletooth just as he was putting the finishing shot into a poor beast at what must have been a hundred yards. I despise the idea of hunting, but I have to admit that hunters know where to find interesting wildlife. Anyway, it might help to avoid too much trouble on the way out there. Do you think the villagers themselves could be roused to fight for to free their town? What would it take?"
"I assume you'll be taking command of the operation?" Orrin adds hopefully.
Orrin Truthseeker
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 4 Success
Common Knowledge 1 Critical Fail
***Kim was fiddling at the table with a few bits and parts for some projects she was planning when the gnarled old cyber-knight Keegan thumped into the saloon. The young techno-wizard looked up at the man, thinking he looked like he’d been run over by a Black Market delivery coach or two. She quickly cleared some of the table for him and took a sip of her ginger ale as she listened to the job.
“What do the bandits want with the village?” she asked. “Are they just holding it for extortion? What kind of D-Bees are they?” she asked curiously. “And how many Blue Hand bandits are we talking about?”
She glanced over at the others. “We might be able to get the Black Market to foot some fighters if we can convince them the village is a profitable place to post an agent. How many travelers do they serve a year?”
***
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- Silverclaws
- Silver Patron
- Posts: 234
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
"Ms. Kim, dealings with the Black Market should be kept to a minimum. Its like crawling into bed with spiders, scorpions, and snakes. One wrong move or misunderstood intent and you are done. No more Legion. No more time to tinker and build. Your life is no longer your own."
"My guess is this village wants to remain remote and of the Black Market raider radar." Silver laughs at his own pun. His laugh causes the saloon to shake and everything inside the saloon trimmers and shakes as well.
From the upstairs can be heard, "SILVER!" Silver stops laughing. Looking upto the second floor, Baz is holding onto the railing with a scolding look on his face. Like a puppy who has torn the morning paper to shreds and was found in the act, Silver's tail goes between his legs and his head hangs near his chest. And everything settles back down and goes silent and still once more.
"My guess is this village wants to remain remote and of the Black Market raider radar." Silver laughs at his own pun. His laugh causes the saloon to shake and everything inside the saloon trimmers and shakes as well.
From the upstairs can be heard, "SILVER!" Silver stops laughing. Looking upto the second floor, Baz is holding onto the railing with a scolding look on his face. Like a puppy who has torn the morning paper to shreds and was found in the act, Silver's tail goes between his legs and his head hangs near his chest. And everything settles back down and goes silent and still once more.
- Sir Blurre
- Bronze Patron
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Sir Blurre smiled at the man's exchange with Stella. I've always suspected hidden depths to that woman, but this hints at something even deeper.
Then he leans back to listen, relaxed but attentive, as Sir Keegan explains the situation. He frowns at the town's plight, and is quite clearly ready to head in there to help, backup force or no. And then he blinks, and leans forward, face intent and somber. "A fallen Knight? That is... distressing. Are these lieutenants usually in the town, overseeing things, or are they out as part of the raiding parties, normally?"
Then he leans back to listen, relaxed but attentive, as Sir Keegan explains the situation. He frowns at the town's plight, and is quite clearly ready to head in there to help, backup force or no. And then he blinks, and leans forward, face intent and somber. "A fallen Knight? That is... distressing. Are these lieutenants usually in the town, overseeing things, or are they out as part of the raiding parties, normally?"
Sir Blurre
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- Severianna
- Diamond Patron
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 10:45 am
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 4,6,6, CK 2
Severianna sits at the table next to Kim. Randomly picking up parts and things with her tail as she watches the Techno-wizard fiddle and work. "Do you need this thing? no? okay." she puts the metal thingy down. "How about this thingy? not that one? okay." She puts the dull circle piece down. "How about this thingy? Does that help? Not right now? Okay." She smiles at Kim and then lets her work on her own while taking a drink of her ginger ale just like Kim.As Stella comes around Sev stares at her, as most do just taking her presence in, and also a nice deep breath and feels relaxed and calm just by the vision of Stella walking by.
Seeing the new guy walk in and speak to the group Sev listens to him. After a bit she slowly brings her tail up at one point as if raising her hand in middle school to ask a question when Jack speaks up and makes some key points, and Sev brings her tail down. Then she slowly raises her tail again, as a question emerged from her brain, and then Orrin speaks up and adds some more specifics to the meeting. She drops her tail again. As the conversation finishes she forgets what her question was to begin with and just sits quietly at the table with the group.
- Tribe of One
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
It's obvious to both cybernetic and mystic senses that the old knight, Keegan, is in pain, though he covers it well. Old war wounds, most likely, as well as arthritis and other ailments that afflict those lucky or skillful enough to survive into old age. He's hale enough he's not going to topple over just yet, but his pain-free days are behind him.
He chuckles when Rill asks about his injuries.
"You got a cure for mortality you're peddling, preacher? Don't worry none, the holes I've got in me I earned, and the scars help hold everything together."
Affable as he is, Keegan seems caught off-guard when Jack says the COT numbers only eight (and that's being generous with regard to official membership).
"What do you mean only eight? I thought you Legion folks ran around in packs? I ran into another one of your SETs up north that had more than 20. Well, hell, if you ain't recruited more yet, we'll have to make do with what you got. Better'n nothing, I reckon, but I've already burned about as much time as I had coming out here to get you."
He takes another swig of whiskey and swirls it around before swallowing.
"We'll just have to fight smarter'n them, which shouldn't be too hard. The lieutenants, Ronin and Cassius, ain't usually in the village, but running around in the desert raiding settlements and robbing them TW trains that run up to the Baronies. The men that stay behind in Marron ain't the top of the pecking order. They'll have the numbers, but may not be smart enough to use 'em against us."
He considers when Orrin asks about organizing the D-bees.
"Mebbe. But the people of Marron are a peaceful bunch. Avoid violence, even in self-defense. Physically, they're mostly human-looking, just a bit stretched, with a kinda golden cast to their skin. From talking with them I get the idea that wherever they're from the gravity is lower, so they grow taller and thinner."
"They also glow a mite in the sun, which I understand is a byproduct of what they eat. They feed off a radiation, turns out, so standing around in the desert with no shade to them is like snacking on a light supper."
"Something like a nuclear gennie is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for the whole bunch, and that's about what they got in Marron. The village is built on top a some old pre-Rifts mine or bunker. The reactor down below went tits up at some point, and everything underground is all irradiated. For the villagers, it's like Eden. They'll send a couple men down, who absorb as much as they can, then come back up and let everyone else soak up those tasty gamma rays."
"They'll also find stuff down there they can haul up and "clean," then trade off to visitors, and the leaky reactor is still good for charging E-clips and such. They was making a decent little living until the Blue Hand showed up. Ronin and Cassius are apparently convinced the villagers are sitting on some pre-Rifts treasure trove but won't admit it. They been threatening and using hostages to try to force 'em to give it up, and it ain't gonna be long before they start executing people to try to break the others."
He chuckles when Rill asks about his injuries.
"You got a cure for mortality you're peddling, preacher? Don't worry none, the holes I've got in me I earned, and the scars help hold everything together."
Affable as he is, Keegan seems caught off-guard when Jack says the COT numbers only eight (and that's being generous with regard to official membership).
"What do you mean only eight? I thought you Legion folks ran around in packs? I ran into another one of your SETs up north that had more than 20. Well, hell, if you ain't recruited more yet, we'll have to make do with what you got. Better'n nothing, I reckon, but I've already burned about as much time as I had coming out here to get you."
He takes another swig of whiskey and swirls it around before swallowing.
"We'll just have to fight smarter'n them, which shouldn't be too hard. The lieutenants, Ronin and Cassius, ain't usually in the village, but running around in the desert raiding settlements and robbing them TW trains that run up to the Baronies. The men that stay behind in Marron ain't the top of the pecking order. They'll have the numbers, but may not be smart enough to use 'em against us."
He considers when Orrin asks about organizing the D-bees.
"Mebbe. But the people of Marron are a peaceful bunch. Avoid violence, even in self-defense. Physically, they're mostly human-looking, just a bit stretched, with a kinda golden cast to their skin. From talking with them I get the idea that wherever they're from the gravity is lower, so they grow taller and thinner."
"They also glow a mite in the sun, which I understand is a byproduct of what they eat. They feed off a radiation, turns out, so standing around in the desert with no shade to them is like snacking on a light supper."
"Something like a nuclear gennie is like an all-you-can-eat buffet for the whole bunch, and that's about what they got in Marron. The village is built on top a some old pre-Rifts mine or bunker. The reactor down below went tits up at some point, and everything underground is all irradiated. For the villagers, it's like Eden. They'll send a couple men down, who absorb as much as they can, then come back up and let everyone else soak up those tasty gamma rays."
"They'll also find stuff down there they can haul up and "clean," then trade off to visitors, and the leaky reactor is still good for charging E-clips and such. They was making a decent little living until the Blue Hand showed up. Ronin and Cassius are apparently convinced the villagers are sitting on some pre-Rifts treasure trove but won't admit it. They been threatening and using hostages to try to force 'em to give it up, and it ain't gonna be long before they start executing people to try to break the others."
GM Bennies: 7/7
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 11, CK 7
Rill, quite accustomed to uncooperative patients, gives a serene nod. ”Mortality is a bit above my pay grade,” he points a finger at the sky, ”but your leg, or perhaps your eyesight, those are certainly not. It will take me a few hours to make an attempt, but if what you say is true, it will be time well spent. We may not have the numbers to resist these foes with violence, but surely having you at your best out there would be of true advantage?”Tribe of One wrote:It's obvious to both cybernetic and mystic senses that the old knight, Keegan, is in pain, though he covers it well. Old war wounds, most likely, as well as arthritis and other ailments that afflict those lucky or skillful enough to survive into old age. He's hale enough he's not going to topple over just yet, but his pain-free days are behind him.
He chuckles when Rill asks about his injuries.
"You got a cure for mortality you're peddling, preacher? Don't worry none, the holes I've got in me I earned, and the scars help hold everything together."
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- Jack 'Bullet' Jones
- Silver Patron
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2017 11:21 pm
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Jack chuckles. "Well, we got eight bodies. If'n it's a fight we're lookin' at, ah believe we punch above our weight. Ah reckon, long as we don't go marchin' down Main Street, drawers flappin' in the breeze, ah could get ten, fifteen on my own without too much trouble. Easier if they're as dumb as you say." He takes a sip of his whiskey and continues listening to the veteran cyber knight."What do you mean only eight? I thought you Legion folks ran around in packs? I ran into another one of your SETs up north that had more than 20. Well, hell, if you ain't recruited more yet, we'll have to make do with what you got. Better'n nothing, I reckon, but I've already burned about as much time as I had coming out here to get you."
He takes another swig of whiskey and swirls it around before swallowing.
"We'll just have to fight smarter'n them, which shouldn't be too hard. The lieutenants, Ronin and Cassius, ain't usually in the village, but running around in the desert raiding settlements and robbing them TW trains that run up to the Baronies. The men that stay behind in Marron ain't the top of the pecking order. They'll have the numbers, but may not be smart enough to use 'em against us."
Bullet Jones
- Sir Blurre
- Bronze Patron
- Posts: 201
- Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2017 9:02 pm
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Blurre nods as Sir Keegan explains the situation. "Then once we secure the town, I assume you plan to wait there for the raiding parties to return--or at least to head out, if we can find a good place to intercept them. Just taking out the ones camped in the town and leaving would invite reprisals against the very folks we're going to help. Besides, bringing in a Fallen Knight is part of the Code." Especially if....
He then listens to the bit with the D-Bee's unusual eating habits. "More radiation?" He looks at Orrin. "Do we have time for the rest of you to acquire some environmental protection? If the situation calls for us to go down below, I'd rather not see what a further dose might trigger in your condition."
He then listens to the bit with the D-Bee's unusual eating habits. "More radiation?" He looks at Orrin. "Do we have time for the rest of you to acquire some environmental protection? If the situation calls for us to go down below, I'd rather not see what a further dose might trigger in your condition."
Sir Blurre
Quick Stats
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 14 2 Raises
Common Knowledge 4 Success
***Kim frowned as well. “More radiation,” she murmured. “Though that might be a good place to put the civilians that don’t want to fight,” she said. “Since it won’t harm them. How many D-Bees are we talking about? How big is the town? And what kind of fighters are we looking at from the Blue Hand? You said a Fallen Knight and a Borg? Anyone else special? What about magic?”
***
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- Duncan Montana
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Thu Dec 07, 2017 3:24 am
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Duncan listens to the group talk with the old, hard buzzard who rode up on the floating horse with one ear while finishing off his steak and beer supper. They was talkin' about helping some deebee village and Duncan had learned from his time with his Lin Cereal friends that he was better off just stayin' quiet and just absorbin' things at this point, as it were. But sometimes he forgot to remind his mouth.
"Oh yeah? What knida game runs that trail? Been wantin' to make up a mess a' jerky some time," he blurts without thinking. As a group they all stop and look at him, a few with raised eyebrows. "Uh, sorry, heh. Nevermind." As the group resumes their palaver he meekly goes back to his steak and beer, a red flush creepin' up his cheeks as he does.Orrin wrote:"Luckily I think I know the village you are talking about, and I know of a old hunters trail that bypasses a few chunks of the main road between here and there."
Duncan Montana
- Orrin Truthseeker
- Bronze Patron
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:11 pm
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
"I'd rather not find out also." Orrin says as he taps on the center of chest, right near his sternum. He then pulls up his sleeve to show the runes that appear carved up around his forearms, leading up the arm and disappearing under the sleeves.Sir Blurre wrote:"More radiation?" He looks at Orrin. "Do we have time for the rest of you to acquire some environmental protection? If the situation calls for us to go down below, I'd rather not see what a further dose might trigger in your condition."
"These will keep me protected from any radiation, along with a few other things."
He shoots a worried look to Silver and Kim, then settles his focus on Kim. "We may have to rely on you for emergency radiation protection though. Do you think you could whip something up that provides a little more flexibility than the...what did you call that thing you coated the reactor with?"
"Anyway, you don't have to do it now, but be ready to if we need it."
"Did you say hostages?" Orrin says anxiously, turning back to the grizzled knight. His face tenses with concern. "That changes things....we can't afford to waste much time then. Something tells me these men aren't going to be as willing to negotiate as the ones at the ranch, even with Jack and his golden tongue." Anticipating Rill's objection - Though Rill had a way of never seeming to object; he simply stated his concerns - Orrin adds, "Though I wont turn down the opportunity if it presents itself."Sir Keegan wrote:They been threatening and using hostages to try to force 'em to give it up, and it ain't gonna be long before they start executing people to try to break the others."
"If the hostages are in the town, we collect our things and get going, we can discuss any plans as we head that direction." He says as a suggestion more than a command so as not to stifle any better ideas.
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Orrin Truthseeker
- Tribe of One
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Keegan laughs at winks at Rill's persistence.
"Real miracle worker, huh? Well, I suppose once we get out on the trail you can have a look and see if there's anythin' to be set right. Though like I said, some of these holes and knobby bones is good reminders of things I'd rather not forget. Or might want to, but shouldn't," he says.
"As for the radiation under the town, I wouldn't worry none. I've been down in the mine once, just to the first level. A couple of the folk of Marron were with me, and they were able to absorb or eat or whatever all of the radiation in a little bubble around us. I had my Geiger counter stuck on the end of a long stick, and when I held it out all the way it was fixing to split, but when I pulled it back in close, say within 3 feet or so of the folk, it was getting nothin', and they assured me that even the counter was scrubbed clean when it came inside range. Long as you go down with them, you'll be fine."
He scratches at his beard and pours half a mug of beer as he considers Kim's questions.
"As for the folk of Marron, I'd say they number between 200 and 300, closer to 300. More women than men, and near as many children. The town itself ain't large, not more than 10 acres. About a third of that is inside a makeshift wall, centered around the entrance to the mine."
"I haven't tangled with the main force of the Blue Hand directly, but I'd say it's best to expect a mix, though tending toward big and dumb and armed with shooters rather than magic or psychics or flashier folk. There's a few, though. That Ronin, especially, is said to have an entourage that's pretty diverse. Cassius surrounds himself with 'slingers and highwaymen, mostly. And the main group's got some heavy ordnance they use for raiding, armored ATVs and battle wagons and lots of hovercycles. We'll need to figure out how to deal with all that, but I've got an idea or two once we get inside Marron and take care of the group that's been left behind on guard duty."
He pulls out a battered datapad and sets it on the table, motioning for you to gather round.
"Now, you mentioned a short cut or two, and it might save us an hour or two. As you know, the old maps ain't much use after a couple hundred years of earthquakes and bombs and phasing with alien landscapes ... but I've patched together a few so you can get a general idea of where we're going. Now, Marron is in a territory that used to be called Nuevo México back in the days of the old American Empire. You can see it here, out west-by-southwest of Black Mesa mebbe 100 or 110 miles."
"That might not seem like too far, but given the terrain, and the route we'll have to take, it'll take us two, mebbe three days. See, if we head out from here southwest, being careful not to stray too far south close to Lonestar, we can cut below the mountains here. There's a ley line running south from the Baronies to one of the peaks, and some nasty critters can pop out of an intermittent rift there, not to mention the occasional demon summoner and bonecaller that likes to sip on the Pee-Pee-Eez. Stray too far north, and you run into those Red River Combine crews and others who use the line to run cargo. They ain't always friendly, but the bigger problem is that's where the Blue Hand does it's raiding, and we ain't got the numbers to take a big group of 'em yet. So we'll swing south, no farther than the Old Four-One-Two, and come into Marron thattaway ..."
"Real miracle worker, huh? Well, I suppose once we get out on the trail you can have a look and see if there's anythin' to be set right. Though like I said, some of these holes and knobby bones is good reminders of things I'd rather not forget. Or might want to, but shouldn't," he says.
"As for the radiation under the town, I wouldn't worry none. I've been down in the mine once, just to the first level. A couple of the folk of Marron were with me, and they were able to absorb or eat or whatever all of the radiation in a little bubble around us. I had my Geiger counter stuck on the end of a long stick, and when I held it out all the way it was fixing to split, but when I pulled it back in close, say within 3 feet or so of the folk, it was getting nothin', and they assured me that even the counter was scrubbed clean when it came inside range. Long as you go down with them, you'll be fine."
He scratches at his beard and pours half a mug of beer as he considers Kim's questions.
"As for the folk of Marron, I'd say they number between 200 and 300, closer to 300. More women than men, and near as many children. The town itself ain't large, not more than 10 acres. About a third of that is inside a makeshift wall, centered around the entrance to the mine."
"I haven't tangled with the main force of the Blue Hand directly, but I'd say it's best to expect a mix, though tending toward big and dumb and armed with shooters rather than magic or psychics or flashier folk. There's a few, though. That Ronin, especially, is said to have an entourage that's pretty diverse. Cassius surrounds himself with 'slingers and highwaymen, mostly. And the main group's got some heavy ordnance they use for raiding, armored ATVs and battle wagons and lots of hovercycles. We'll need to figure out how to deal with all that, but I've got an idea or two once we get inside Marron and take care of the group that's been left behind on guard duty."
He pulls out a battered datapad and sets it on the table, motioning for you to gather round.
"Now, you mentioned a short cut or two, and it might save us an hour or two. As you know, the old maps ain't much use after a couple hundred years of earthquakes and bombs and phasing with alien landscapes ... but I've patched together a few so you can get a general idea of where we're going. Now, Marron is in a territory that used to be called Nuevo México back in the days of the old American Empire. You can see it here, out west-by-southwest of Black Mesa mebbe 100 or 110 miles."
"That might not seem like too far, but given the terrain, and the route we'll have to take, it'll take us two, mebbe three days. See, if we head out from here southwest, being careful not to stray too far south close to Lonestar, we can cut below the mountains here. There's a ley line running south from the Baronies to one of the peaks, and some nasty critters can pop out of an intermittent rift there, not to mention the occasional demon summoner and bonecaller that likes to sip on the Pee-Pee-Eez. Stray too far north, and you run into those Red River Combine crews and others who use the line to run cargo. They ain't always friendly, but the bigger problem is that's where the Blue Hand does it's raiding, and we ain't got the numbers to take a big group of 'em yet. So we'll swing south, no farther than the Old Four-One-Two, and come into Marron thattaway ..."
If you roll a Notice 8 or better, look here
GM Bennies: 7/7
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 10
Rill notices Ned inching for the door, and casually summons a wall of silver light to block him. "Leaving, Ned?"Mysticism
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- Sir Blurre
- Bronze Patron
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
OOC Comments
Sir Blurre pays close attention to the description of their route, making sure that if he's needed to do a dash ahead or behind, he'll be able to continue following the route. Something niggles at the back of his brain, but he dismisses it as jitters.Sir Blurre
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- Severianna
- Diamond Patron
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 5,7,7 CK 4
Severianna giggles at nothing in particular while everything is going on, not noticing anything special or anything in particular. Seems like we're going somewhere else. Sure is a lot of radiation in these parts. Ha, I said 'these parts'! I'm gonna speak talk like these fellas soon enough. These fellas! "Ha ha ha ha ha!!!" she belts out loud thinking to herself.When are we gonna get that transport?
Last edited by Severianna on Tue Jan 09, 2018 10:40 am, edited 2 times in total.
- Silverclaws
- Silver Patron
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Silver still has not moved from doorpost inside the swinging saloon doors of the Sidewinder.
As Ned moved towards the double doors, Silver intercepted the little man in a massive wolfen hug. Just as he laid hold of the man, Silver's fur stood straight out as Rill dropped his magic across the doorway.
"Preacher we need to discuss how close you come to using your gifts around me. Any idea how long it take to get my fur to lay down?"
With that, Silver looks down at Ned, "Where might you be going?"
Notice Anything
Grappling
Reflexes and senses finely tuned, Silver notices a cricket enter the saloon beneath the swinging doors. Looking down the length of the bar, the man he had been keeping sights on has moved to within feet of the COT command meeting. Silver could swear the man had been recording details of the conversation.As Ned moved towards the double doors, Silver intercepted the little man in a massive wolfen hug. Just as he laid hold of the man, Silver's fur stood straight out as Rill dropped his magic across the doorway.
"Preacher we need to discuss how close you come to using your gifts around me. Any idea how long it take to get my fur to lay down?"
With that, Silver looks down at Ned, "Where might you be going?"
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 10
Common Knowledge 4 Success
***Character Tracking
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
“Lead balloon,” Kim answered Orrin. “And yes, I can whip something up. I think only Silver isn’t protected?” she asked.
Kim leaned over to look at the map Keegan produced. Something caught the corner of her eye, and she saw one of the patrons seemed to be paying an inordinate amount of attention to them, and was now starting to slip out of the saloon. Luckily, Silver grabbed him, and Rill blocked the door.
“This mine is a good choke point,” Kim said. “We can defend the wall, and keep the women and children in the mine, use it as a fall back, if we need to. Did they ever find explosives or other equipment in the mine? We might be able to even the odds a bit with some IEDs. We could buy some grenades and explosives before we leave, too.”
***
Kim leaned over to look at the map Keegan produced. Something caught the corner of her eye, and she saw one of the patrons seemed to be paying an inordinate amount of attention to them, and was now starting to slip out of the saloon. Luckily, Silver grabbed him, and Rill blocked the door.
“This mine is a good choke point,” Kim said. “We can defend the wall, and keep the women and children in the mine, use it as a fall back, if we need to. Did they ever find explosives or other equipment in the mine? We might be able to even the odds a bit with some IEDs. We could buy some grenades and explosives before we leave, too.”
***
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- Jack 'Bullet' Jones
- Silver Patron
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 5, CK 15
Jack perks up a bit when Duncan mentions jerky. "Boy howdy, ah could do with a good jerky fer the trail. Ah bet yer just as like ta have a real fine recipe. Reckon on the way back, we might could plug us a meat bearin' animal, there, pardner."Jack gets a look at the datapad map. He shakes his head. "Naw. The shortcut's okay, but here and here -" He points to some areas of rougher terrain. "- the terrain is a mite rougher, but it's a bit safer of a ride. Ah rode through there a few times. Less raiders, less angry critters. Won't do nothin' fer the time ta get there, but it'll sure lop off our chances of a holdup. We don't need ta get ourselves Shanghaied in the middle of tryin' our thrillin' heroics."
He watches the commotion as No-Nose Ned tries to leave without saying goodbye, and is stopped very short by the combined efforts of Rill and Silverclaws. "Well, shucks, Ned. Where you goin' in such an all-fired hurry? Pull up a chair, set a spell." Jack's hand drops casually to the hand cannon at his hip.
Bullet Jones
- Duncan Montana
- Posts: 50
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 5 K-common 0
Rill wrote:"Leaving, Ned?"
Before he can agree to Jack's idea of some huntin' on the ride back, the commotion at the door grabs Duncan's attention. He forgets his dinner and talk of hunitin' and jumps to his feet. "Well, looky here. Seems we got a spy in our midst. Who sent you, fella? Was it the Blue Hand group that we was talkin' about? You from Marron?" he blurts out without thinking.Silverclaws wrote:"Where might you be going?"
Duncan Montana
- Tribe of One
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Re: A Stranger at Sunset
”I don’t know nothing and you can’t make me” Ned says, his eyes darting back and forth between Rill’s wall of light and Silver’s wall of muscle and fur. ”I didn’t hear nothing and I don’t know no Blue Hand.”
Turning in his chair, Keegan squints at No-Nose and spits.
”Check his upper arm. Usually they like ta tattoo the hand there, on the inside. Real secret like,” the old cyber-knight says.
Sure enough, inspection of Ned’s skinny bicep turns up a crude blue outline of a hand, the fingers hooked into claws. He seems to lose some of his bluster then, shrinking noticeably in Silver’s paws.
”Here now, hold on ... uh, maybe, uh, maybe we can, maybe I can, I, uh, know something ... useful,” Ned says.
Turning in his chair, Keegan squints at No-Nose and spits.
”Check his upper arm. Usually they like ta tattoo the hand there, on the inside. Real secret like,” the old cyber-knight says.
Sure enough, inspection of Ned’s skinny bicep turns up a crude blue outline of a hand, the fingers hooked into claws. He seems to lose some of his bluster then, shrinking noticeably in Silver’s paws.
”Here now, hold on ... uh, maybe, uh, maybe we can, maybe I can, I, uh, know something ... useful,” Ned says.
GM Bennies: 7/7
- Silverclaws
- Silver Patron
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Rad Check
- Sir Blurre
- Bronze Patron
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Sir Blurre pinches the bridge of his nose as thing go down, then sighs, his usual good mood dampened. "Really? We can't even get out of town before this goes down? Okay, fine. Get details on the leadership, if you can--those two raiders, and whoever is in charge of the town contingent. Races, names, descriptions, that sort of thing." No need to make my suspicions obvious in front of a spy. Glad I didn't say anything to Orrin yet.
Sir Blurre
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 5 Success
Common Knowledge 10 Raise
***Kim looked at Ned and sighed. “Really, Ned? You’re going to make me do this? I hate doing this. It’s so messy.” Kim looked at the others as she started cobbling some parts together. “So how much brain damage do you want when I’m done mind reaming him like a prison bitch?” she asked. “I can leave him as dumb as Widow O’Brien’s cow, or go complete, drooling vegetable. Both will be super painful. Stella, you might want to warn Baz we’re going to interrupt his nap. And let the sheriff know all the screaming isn’t anything he needs to worry about. Oh, we’re going to need lots of towels for the blood.”
She held up some nasty pieces of machinery, all spikes and pokey bits, with electricity darting between brings. Then she started humming as she casually glued bedazzling to it.
***
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Re: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 15, Common Knowledge 9, Detect Arcana
Rill “tisks” at Ned. ”Ned, what would Shelly think, I wonder? I would encourge you to be truthful with these good folks, and help us avoid any harm to the people of that village.”Tribe of One wrote:”I don’t know nothing and you can’t make me” Ned says, his eyes darting back and forth between Rill’s wall of light and Silver’s wall of muscle and fur. ”I didn’t hear nothing and I don’t know no Blue Hand.”
Turning in his chair, Keegan squints at No-Nose and spits.
”Check his upper arm. Usually they like ta tattoo the hand there, on the inside. Real secret like,” the old cyber-knight says.
Sure enough, inspection of Ned’s skinny bicep turns up a crude blue outline of a hand, the fingers hooked into claws. He seems to lose some of his bluster then, shrinking noticeably in Silver’s paws.
”Here now, hold on ... uh, maybe, uh, maybe we can, maybe I can, I, uh, know something ... useful,” Ned says.
Noticing Tells
As he speaks to Ned, he tries to keep his discomfort at Kim’s threats off his face. I know it to be a fiction; I am sure she would not harm the man any more than Silver has done. These are good people, Rill, and they would not hurt a prisoner, and certainly not with two cyber-knights and me right here... His internal struggle goes on.Character Sheet
- Silverclaws
- Silver Patron
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- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 1:42 pm
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
He Is BIG
"Whoa Ned. Who is Shelly? You all tangled up with the 'Hand' and you are dragging a girl through this mess with you? You might want to have your augmentations checked,"- Jack 'Bullet' Jones
- Silver Patron
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Persuasion
Jack marvels within himself as Kim flips some switch that turns her into a seasoned mistress of torture and interrogation. His normal stone-face cracks into a snicker. What the sam hill is wrong with me?! That's just funny! He turns to Ned, but his laid back demeanor is broken up by uncharacteristic fits of laughter. "Now listen, Ned...heh...maybe you oughta just go on and tell us...<snicker>...shucks. He's all yers, darlin'. Ah believe ah need ta visit the powder room." Jack stands up, barely controlling his hysterics, and saunters to the restroom, where he lets go and bursts into uncontrollable guffawing, audible through the thin walls of the Sidewinder.Bullet Jones
- Orrin Truthseeker
- Bronze Patron
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
.Jack Bullet Jones wrote: "Now listen, Ned...heh...maybe you oughta just go on and tell us...<snicker>...shucks. He's all yers, darlin'. Ah believe ah need ta visit the powder room."
Mechanics
Orrin gapes, completely dumbstruck by Jack's loss for words. He can't help but smile in satisfaction as his eyes follow Jack as he barely makes it into the restroom before, quite audibly, completely looses self control.Well, never thought I'd see the day Jack was at a loss for words...
He then turns to Ned, who is cowering before a Kim that has transformed into a frightening terror better than any illusion Orrin could cast. Almost as incredible is the completely un-frightening picture that Silver makes. Any attempt to snarl is completely offset by something green and leafy green stuck between is front teeth, and any benefit he gets from his size negated by Sev's tail flicking toward him and away again as she struggles to resist the urge to pet him like a dog.
Maybe I missed a rift opening up and we've been thrown into an alternate dimension....guess I might as well give it a try...
Orrin gets out of his chair, stimulates his chakra, and walks over to Kim, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Time for some good cop/bad cop Orrin thinks, as he tries to channel his best impression of Jack...without the horrid accent.
"Now Kim, lets not get carried away. Ned's a reasonable man...smart too. In fact, I'd bet after he heard us talking about the problems the blue hand is causing and our intent to set them straight, he remembered what happened to the Killian's and figured the hand didn't stand a chance. I'd bet he was just getting up to come share some important intel with us, aint that right Ned?"
Orrin spins a chair around a few feet in front of Ned, and settles into it backwards, forearms resting on the back of the chair.
"So what were you going to let us know about Ned? Gonna let us know when the raiding force for sure wasnt going to be in the town? Maybe some tricks those two lieutenants have up their sleeves that we might want to prepare for?" Orrin smiles broadly, hoping the man takes easy out and saves some face.
Last edited by Orrin Truthseeker on Fri Jan 12, 2018 10:20 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Orrin Truthseeker
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
(Rolls held)Orrin Truthseeker wrote:.Jack Bullet Jones wrote: "Now listen, Ned...heh...maybe you oughta just go on and tell us...<snicker>...shucks. He's all yers, darlin'. Ah believe ah need ta visit the powder room."
MechanicsOrrin gapes, completely dumbstruck by Jack's loss for words. He can't help but smile in satisfaction as his eyes follow Jack as he barely makes it into the restroom before, quite audibly, completely looses self control.
Well, never thought I'd see the day Jack was at a loss for words...
He then turns Ned, who is cowering before a Kim that has transformed into a frightening terror better than any illusion Orrin could cast. Almost as incredible is the completely un-frightening picture that Silver makes. Any attempt to snarl is completely offset by something green and leafy green stuck between is front teeth, and any benefit he gets from his size negated by Sev's tail flicking toward him and away again as she struggles to resist the urge to pet him like a dog.
Maybe I missed a rift opening up and we've been thrown into an alternate dimension....guess I might as well give it a try...
Orrin gets out of his chair, stimulates his chakra, and walks over to Kim, placing a hand on her shoulder.
Time for some good cop/bad cop Orrin thinks, as he tries to channel his best impression of Jack...without the horrid accent.
"Now Kim, lets not get carried away. Ned's seems like a reasonable man...smart too. In fact, I'd bet after he heard us talking about the problems the blue hand is causing and our intent to set them straight, he remembered what happened to the Killian's and figured the hand didn't stand a chance. I'd bet he was just getting up to come share some important intel with us, aint that right Ned?"
Orrin spins a chair around a few feet in front of Ned, and settles into it backwards, forearms resting on the back of the chair.
"So what were you going to let us know about Ned? Gonna let us know when the raiding force for sure wasnt going to be in the town? Maybe some tricks those two lieutenant have up their sleeves that we might want to prepare for?" Orrin smiles broadly, hoping the man takes easy out and saves some face.
It’s hard to tell given their normal state, but Rill’s eyes go wide at Orrin’s display. I did not think he had this in him. See, Rill? They were never going to hurt the man. You were just being foolish.
He watches the man carefully, wary for any sign of deception.
Character Sheet
- Jack 'Bullet' Jones
- Silver Patron
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- Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2017 11:21 pm
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Jack steps out of the restroom, having composed himself. He allows Orrin to continue with his interrogatories, giving Ned the side-eye as he walks by. Before Ned begins answering, from behind, Jack claps both of his hands down on Ned's shoulders, trying to exert some bit of extra pressure by giving him that "beset on all sides" feeling. "Go on now, Ned. Orrin's givin' you a fair deal. Ah sure don't want to let Silver loose on ya. He ain't as mean as Kim, but ah reckon it won't feel too good gettin' gnawed on by somethin' that size." Unfortunately, as savvy as Jack is, he failed to recall the family connection. No-Nose Ned is Cobb's nephew. But maybe the gambler's luck is such that this is one of Cobb's least favorite nephews? Maybe Cobb doesn't hear about them working his nephew over?
Not likely. Cobb rarely needs an excuse. Word gets around in Black Mesa. Bullet Jones roughing up Cobb's nephew is bound to cause problems, even if the actual "roughing up" has been embellished.
Bad news travels fast. Bad news for Bullet Jones.
Not likely. Cobb rarely needs an excuse. Word gets around in Black Mesa. Bullet Jones roughing up Cobb's nephew is bound to cause problems, even if the actual "roughing up" has been embellished.
Bad news travels fast. Bad news for Bullet Jones.
Bullet Jones
- Silverclaws
- Silver Patron
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Silver could not remember for the life of him, who Sally was but the thought of No-Nose Ned cuddling upto some human female just made Silver laugh. And like earlier when he when he had laughed at his own joke, Silver let out a deep bellied, gut moving roar of a laugh. It echoed through the Sidewinder and rattled every timber, board, and post in the place, kind of like a Spring cleaning with all the dust that came from the floor boards and the rafters.
The booming roar even set the doors to the saloon a swinging, however, Baz's barking command was even louder. "Silver! On the stoop for a week. Don't step inside the Sidewinder for an entire week or I will have you deactivated to meet the time requirement. Hell, I may use you to power the Sidewinder for an entire week."
Silver shrugs, still chuckling to himself and drags Ned, Jack and whoever else maybe trying to interact with Ned outside the Sidewinder and on to the establishments, run around porch.
Quizickly, Silver looks down at Ned, "You have a girlfriend?" Silver looses it again and nearly looses Ned in the process and shakes the earth like a Jackhammer.
The booming roar even set the doors to the saloon a swinging, however, Baz's barking command was even louder. "Silver! On the stoop for a week. Don't step inside the Sidewinder for an entire week or I will have you deactivated to meet the time requirement. Hell, I may use you to power the Sidewinder for an entire week."
Silver shrugs, still chuckling to himself and drags Ned, Jack and whoever else maybe trying to interact with Ned outside the Sidewinder and on to the establishments, run around porch.
Quizickly, Silver looks down at Ned, "You have a girlfriend?" Silver looses it again and nearly looses Ned in the process and shakes the earth like a Jackhammer.
- Duncan Montana
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 3 K-common 0
Duncan looks from Kim to Ned, his eyes wide. He follows Ned as Silver carries him out to the porch. "Daaamn, son! You better do what she says, I reckon. I'm not quite sure what she's gettin' at when she mentioned the female prison dog thing, but I bet it ain't pleasant. 'Specially if it involves Silver in any way. Regardless, I'd just tell 'em what they want ta know if I were you."Kim wrote:“Really, Ned? You’re going to make me do this? I hate doing this. It’s so messy.....So how much brain damage do you want when I’m done mind reaming him like a prison bitch?......I can leave him as dumb as Widow O’Brien’s cow, or go complete, drooling vegetable. Both will be super painful. Stella, you might want to warn Baz we’re going to interrupt his nap. And let the sheriff know all the screaming isn’t anything he needs to worry about. Oh, we’re going to need lots of towels for the blood.”
Persuasion 5
Duncan Montana
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 5 Success
Common Knowledge 4 Success
***Kim followed the others onto the porch, still bedazzling the device in her hands that sparked, blinked, and buzzed worrisomely.
“He has a girlfriend?” she asked. “Maybe we should question her, too. I bet she could tell us some things. Between screams. Then maybe the boys could have some fun with her. I bet I could come up with something to have fun with her, too.”
Kim had learned a lot surviving the sack of Tolkeen, and her refugee band’s run ins with the 1st Apocalyptic Cavalry. Most of it hadn’t been pleasant.
***
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- Sir Blurre
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Sir Blurre frowns as Kim takes a dark turn. Rebuking her now would run the risk of derailing the interrogation even more than Jack's laughing fit had, and they did need the information. Still, he makes a note to speak with her once they are on the road.
As the grapple is moved outside, he follows easily, walking casually but covering the ground almost instantly, wanting to stay in earshot for the answers.
As the grapple is moved outside, he follows easily, walking casually but covering the ground almost instantly, wanting to stay in earshot for the answers.
Sir Blurre
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Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Rill hurriedly drops the Wall of Defense blocking the exit, hopefully before someone face plants into it like a bird into a glass door...Silverclaws wrote:Silver could not remember for the life of him, who Sally was but the thought of No-Nose Ned cuddling upto some human female just made Silver laugh. And like earlier when he when he had laughed at his own joke, Silver let out a deep bellied, gut moving roar of a laugh. It echoed through the Sidewinder and rattled every timber, board, and post in the place, kind of like a Spring cleaning with all the dust that came from the floor boards and the rafters.
The booming roar even set the doors to the saloon a swinging, however, Baz's barking command was even louder. "Silver! On the stoop for a week. Don't step inside the Sidewinder for an entire week or I will have you deactivated to meet the time requirement. Hell, I may use you to power the Sidewinder for an entire week."
Silver shrugs, still chuckling to himself and drags Ned, Jack and whoever else maybe trying to interact with Ned outside the Sidewinder and on to the establishments, run around porch.
Quizickly, Silver looks down at Ned, "You have a girlfriend?" Silver looses it again and nearly looses Ned in the process and shakes the earth like a Jackhammer.
Character Sheet
- Tribe of One
- Posts: 1209
- Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2017 9:28 am
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Between Kim's homicidal threats, Silver and Jack's guffaws and the 'nice cop' shtick used by Orrin and Duncan, poor Ned doesn't seem to know whether he's supposed to smile or quake in fear. After a brief moment when he seems to shake like he's having a seizure, he settles for pissing himself and begging for mercy.
"Oh my god, I didn't never ... ohmygodogmygodoh ... Preacher! Preacher don't let 'em scramble my brain or make me do the prison dog! Ohmygodpleasepleaseplease! Shelly didn't have nuthin' to do with it! I was jus' tryin' to get some money so's she and I could do the overnight, you know, the whole girlfriend experience 'cause usually all I have is 50 but she only does the hand thing for that and I ..."
Orrin's calmer speech finally breaks through the man's fear and he starts to talk more intelligibly, leaving nothing out nor stretching the truth, as far as Rill can tell. Several times, you wish maybe he would have glossed over the specifics ... but the interrogation, conducted out in the dust of the Sidewinder's front porch, proceeds at a fair clip.
Ned, as it turns out, is only a provisional member of the Hand, posted here in Black Mesa to gather intelligence with a promise of a place in the gang once he's served up something of worth. So far, that's mostly centered on the comings and goings related to his uncle Cobb's business, but Black Mesa's too remote and well-guarded for the Blue Hand to try to rob the man's casinos directly (not to mention the friction that would bring with the Black Market) and Cobb's business interests don't extend much outside the town's border at present.
Other than passing on word of an occasional gambler heading west -- especially those with fat pockets from the tables -- he hasn't had much of interest to pass on, until the COT arrived. Ned says he passed on word of the team's accomplishments at the Killian ranch yesterday, using an old radio tower at one of the homesteads just outside town. He passes on the call sign he uses and some code words, supposed to identify him to the gang as one of their own. He only met his own contact (a grizzled old operator named Tyson) the once, about a week after a tall, thin woman in a black serape recruited him.
"I was just wakin' up from a bender out back of the I-Rizzeses garage. I couldn't get much of a look at her, 'cause of this bandanna she had tied across her face, but her eyes was real good-lookin' and like, stormy, and such. And I figured her and me might have something in common, 'cause the way that bandanna fell sorta flat looked maybe her nose got blown off, too, like mine," Ned says, looking off in the distance all dreamy before Silver flexes one of his claws again and the stain on the front of Ned's jeans get dark all over again.
Once it becomes apparent Ned has spilled all he has to spill, Keegan walks over and spits, squinting out into the dusk that has settled over the town, cloaking everything in a dusty gloom the color of a fresh bruise.
"Shooting him and making a mess on the porch ain't likely to win you no forgiveness from Baz, so I reckon you might as well haul him down to the constable's office and see if they won't lock him up for the next week. He's confessed to enough, and five or six days start will give us time to get to Marron and clear out the sonsabitches that are there now. Won't much matter if the rest of the gang gets word after that."
He grunts and stretches his back, resulting in a series of audible pops.
“Be ready to ride out at first light. It’ll take us about two days, depending on how bad the winds are in the desert, so you’ll want to …”
The Cyber-Knight’s next words are lost as the building across the street from the saloon explodes, sending chunks of concrete and thermoplast through the saloon doors. Everyone hits the deck as the all-too-familiar sounds of laser and railgun fire erupts, accompanied by the high-pitched roar of approaching aircraft.
All hell breaks loose! Anyone with the Danger Sense Edge or a similar ability, make your roll and if successful you can take a full turns worth of actions. Anyone who doesn't have Danger Sense can take a move action (to seek cover or run elsewhere) but nothing more. At this point, all you can see is the explosion across the street, although you can hear other explosions, accompanied by the sounds of small arms fire and people yelling. With a Raise on Common Knowledge or something similar, you recognize the sound of Coalition weaponry and the distinctive whine of SAMAS suits coming in on an attack run ...
"Oh my god, I didn't never ... ohmygodogmygodoh ... Preacher! Preacher don't let 'em scramble my brain or make me do the prison dog! Ohmygodpleasepleaseplease! Shelly didn't have nuthin' to do with it! I was jus' tryin' to get some money so's she and I could do the overnight, you know, the whole girlfriend experience 'cause usually all I have is 50 but she only does the hand thing for that and I ..."
Orrin's calmer speech finally breaks through the man's fear and he starts to talk more intelligibly, leaving nothing out nor stretching the truth, as far as Rill can tell. Several times, you wish maybe he would have glossed over the specifics ... but the interrogation, conducted out in the dust of the Sidewinder's front porch, proceeds at a fair clip.
Ned, as it turns out, is only a provisional member of the Hand, posted here in Black Mesa to gather intelligence with a promise of a place in the gang once he's served up something of worth. So far, that's mostly centered on the comings and goings related to his uncle Cobb's business, but Black Mesa's too remote and well-guarded for the Blue Hand to try to rob the man's casinos directly (not to mention the friction that would bring with the Black Market) and Cobb's business interests don't extend much outside the town's border at present.
Other than passing on word of an occasional gambler heading west -- especially those with fat pockets from the tables -- he hasn't had much of interest to pass on, until the COT arrived. Ned says he passed on word of the team's accomplishments at the Killian ranch yesterday, using an old radio tower at one of the homesteads just outside town. He passes on the call sign he uses and some code words, supposed to identify him to the gang as one of their own. He only met his own contact (a grizzled old operator named Tyson) the once, about a week after a tall, thin woman in a black serape recruited him.
"I was just wakin' up from a bender out back of the I-Rizzeses garage. I couldn't get much of a look at her, 'cause of this bandanna she had tied across her face, but her eyes was real good-lookin' and like, stormy, and such. And I figured her and me might have something in common, 'cause the way that bandanna fell sorta flat looked maybe her nose got blown off, too, like mine," Ned says, looking off in the distance all dreamy before Silver flexes one of his claws again and the stain on the front of Ned's jeans get dark all over again.
Once it becomes apparent Ned has spilled all he has to spill, Keegan walks over and spits, squinting out into the dusk that has settled over the town, cloaking everything in a dusty gloom the color of a fresh bruise.
"Shooting him and making a mess on the porch ain't likely to win you no forgiveness from Baz, so I reckon you might as well haul him down to the constable's office and see if they won't lock him up for the next week. He's confessed to enough, and five or six days start will give us time to get to Marron and clear out the sonsabitches that are there now. Won't much matter if the rest of the gang gets word after that."
He grunts and stretches his back, resulting in a series of audible pops.
“Be ready to ride out at first light. It’ll take us about two days, depending on how bad the winds are in the desert, so you’ll want to …”
The Cyber-Knight’s next words are lost as the building across the street from the saloon explodes, sending chunks of concrete and thermoplast through the saloon doors. Everyone hits the deck as the all-too-familiar sounds of laser and railgun fire erupts, accompanied by the high-pitched roar of approaching aircraft.
All hell breaks loose! Anyone with the Danger Sense Edge or a similar ability, make your roll and if successful you can take a full turns worth of actions. Anyone who doesn't have Danger Sense can take a move action (to seek cover or run elsewhere) but nothing more. At this point, all you can see is the explosion across the street, although you can hear other explosions, accompanied by the sounds of small arms fire and people yelling. With a Raise on Common Knowledge or something similar, you recognize the sound of Coalition weaponry and the distinctive whine of SAMAS suits coming in on an attack run ...
GM Bennies: 7/7
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Danger Sense 5, Common K 6
”Incoming!” Rill shouts as he activates his new shield. He woders, Who would be fool enough to attack Black Mesa?! The Market will not stand for this, and their reprisal will be brutal. We have to cut this off now, before even more violence ensues!
Moving in front of his comrades protectively, he focuses his psionic energy to activate his Protective Energy Aura. He feels the power snap into place, but is momentarily winded by the sudden expenditure of energy and the shock of the attack.
Psionics for Armor 4, Brainburn
Character Sheet
- Sir Blurre
- Bronze Patron
- Posts: 201
- Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2017 9:02 pm
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
OOC Comments
SAMAS. Sir Blurre responds in an unusual fashion, dashing up the stairs of the saloon, trying to get to a window, or even the roof if there's another stair going up. He wants to try to get someplace where he might be able to make a leaping attack. Of course, as he runs, he activates his cyber-armor and the psi-whip, pumping in extra power to the whip so it can cut the Power Armor suits.OOC Comments
Sir Blurre
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- Orrin Truthseeker
- Bronze Patron
- Posts: 220
- Joined: Mon Sep 11, 2017 8:11 pm
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 4 CK 1
Orrin listens carefully to Ned as he spills all he knows, feeling particularly proud of himself for having a hand in convincing the blue hand initiate to cooperate. He makes a special attempt to memorize the call signs and code words that Ned gives them, and makes mental note of what the blue hand symbol on his upper arm looks like in case he needs to fake some in the future.When the building across from the sidewinder blows, Orrin is thrown against the front porch wall.
Whether it was disorientation from the blast or just a bad judgement call, something about the sound of the chaos outside the saloon reminds Orrin of his time training with the federation and one of their most beloved tactics.
"It's the Federation! The explosion is a disctraction, watch the back door for their flanking team!" He yells as he runs to the second floor and positions himself beside a window away from the explosion. In doing so, he unknowingly positions himself framed perfectly in a window facing the explosion.
Last edited by Orrin Truthseeker on Wed Jan 17, 2018 5:45 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Orrin Truthseeker
- Silverclaws
- Silver Patron
- Posts: 234
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2017 1:42 pm
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice Anything
Know This
Silver hears the whine of jet thrusters before he sees the SAMAS. Looking down at Ned, "You hide behind the bar in the Sidewinder and you might live long enough to reconsider your position in life. Stay away from the liqour." With that, Silver slides Ned across the porch under the swinging saloon doors and to the bar.Shouting loud enough for those inside the Sidewinder to hear, "Baz, secure the 'Winder. Incoming Dead Head assault."
With the new Optics Implant, Silver starts sizing up targets. Raising his mofied JA-9 he sights in on either a hover cycle or a SAMAS, which ever appears in the middle of all the CS units.
Little Cricket
Not even looking to Orrin and the rest of the COT. "Better take cover. Most likely they are here for me but in the event they aren't, you best not be here. The 'Winder is secure, GO!"Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 11 Raise
Common Knowledge 9 Raise
***Kim was glad when Ned started spilling. There would be no way she could have carried through on her threats. Unfortunately, her father had always taught her never make a threat you aren’t willing to carry out. She’d learned from watching him, but knew he never wanted her to be like him.
“The sheriff sounds like a wonderful idea, Sir Keeg--” Kim began, when the building across the street blew up, throwing Kim through the door of the Sidewinder and onto her back.
Kim groaned, rolling over, coughing in the dust. “No…” she breathed, hearing the distinctive clatter of Coalition weaponry and SAMAS attack runs. “Not again…” She squeezed her eyes closed, taking deep breaths, trying not to go back there, back to Tolkeen, the bombs and the railgun fire as the Coalition finally broke through the city defenses, slaughtering military and civilian alike. She tried not to go back to that mad scramble through the narrow alleys and streets, trying to find her father, trying to get people out. Was he safe? Was he okay?
“Daddy…” Kim whimpered slightly. But he wasn’t here now, just like he hadn’t been there then, off lost in the fighting. Just like then, it was up to her.
Kim clawed her way back to her feet, wiping at her tears and only managing to smear the dust into mud on her face.
“Stella! Baz! Get in the cellar!” Kim yelled, even as she scrambled out to check on her team. “Eighteen! Check in!”
***
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- Jack 'Bullet' Jones
- Silver Patron
- Posts: 206
- Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2017 11:21 pm
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 3, CK 4
Jack listens as Ned spills his guts. He shakes his head a little bit. "Ned, ya done fell in with the wrong crew, pardner. Yer uncle ain't gonna like this'n."He prepares to head back inside when the building across the street explodes. He grabs Severianna on the way down and lands on top of her in an attempt to shield her from the blast. "Great balls of fire! What the Sam Hill was that?! You alright, little lady?" He scrambles to his feet, helping Sev up off the ground and around the corner to find some protection behind a wall. "They ain't after me. Ah reckon they'd blow up the right buildin' if ah was the target. Montana, you make any new friends recently that don't like yer kind?"
Bullet Jones
- Duncan Montana
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Thu Dec 07, 2017 3:24 am
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 8 K-common 20
Now Duncan Montana may just be a hick from the 19th century, but he knows the peculiar sound of a Coalition SAMAS flyin' suit when hears one. He flips on his helmet and starts moving toward his horse but before he can holler a warnin' to the others the building across the way blows sky-high. Duncan instinctively ducks as pieces of the structure rain down in the general vicinity. "We got Skullface Federales comin' in and hot on the warpath!" he shouts to the others as a few quick steps and a leap bring him to his horse and the rifles it carried.
Duncan Montana
- Severianna
- Diamond Patron
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Fri Aug 04, 2017 10:45 am
Re: Day 3: A Stranger at Sunset
Notice 5,7,7 CK 6
Acrobatic Agi roll if needed 13
OOC Comments
"What the what?"Severianna dives in a Acrobatic and Agile manner behind Silver. She ties to see where the attack is coming from and take the whole scene in. Maybe it's a distraction? "Keep your eyes pealed in all directions", she says to the group.