Difference between revisions of "Deadlands"

From benscondo.wiki-rpg.com
Jump to: navigation, search
(→‎The Setting)
 
(37 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
Here is the wikipedia link [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadlands]
 
Here is the wikipedia link [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadlands]
  
−
If I ran a Deadlands game it would be much less overt than the standard setting.  Magic and all those things would exist, but they would not be common knowledge.  From the first glance the world would look exactly as ours did in 1863.
+
If I ran a Deadlands game it would be much less overt than the standard setting.  Magic and all those things would exist, but they would not be common knowledge.  From the first glance the world would look exactly as ours did in 1873.
  
−
=One Shot Recap=
+
=Rules Snafus=
−
Yesterday we ran a one shot of Deadlands from Dime Novel #1, 'Perdition's Daughter'.  It was pretty successful.  There were plenty of snags, and I need to buckle down if I am to learn the system, but generally it was a success. After the conclusion of the game the players decided they would like to continue with this, at least for a short campaign. To that end, beginning May 3, we will run a weekly Deadlands game from printed scenarios.  There is room for another player, and I will list all of the pregenerated characters which are available to be used.  Anyone can drop by for a single game or as an ongoing thing.
+
Hey, look what I found! http://www.sonic.net/~dkjedi/deadlands/
  
−
==The Setting==
+
=The Posse=
−
It is the world of 1873.  Things are pretty much as you might see in a history book, with a few exceptions.  The Civil War rages on, seemingly endlessly.  Every time one side or the other seems poised to make a telling strike, something happens to prevent the conclusion from occurrin'.  People are a little on edge; things are a little unnerving everywhere.  Nobody knows why, but somehow they all know.  The superstitious whisper about devils, or monsters, or things that cant be described.  But nobody has any proof, nobody of any respectability has seen them, and no serious intellectual considers it anythin' more than wives tales.
+
−
 
+
−
==The Posse==
+
 
[[Reuben McRotch]] An ornery old cuss of a prospector who cant seem to keep his mouth shut about how he doesnt trust people, or his ex partner, or, well, anythin' really.
 
[[Reuben McRotch]] An ornery old cuss of a prospector who cant seem to keep his mouth shut about how he doesnt trust people, or his ex partner, or, well, anythin' really.
  
−
[[Jonah]] A huckster from back east.  Or at least he dresses like it.
+
[[Jonah Benton]] A huckster from back east.  Or at least he dresses like it.
  
−
[[Miranda Valentine]] A two-gun gal from parts unknown.  She doesnt say much, she lets her six guns do the talkin'.
+
[[Miranda Valentine]] A two-gun gal from parts unknown.  She doesnt say much, she lets her six-guns do the talkin'.
 +
 
 +
==Other Available Characters==
 +
Most likely, any new character would be an Agency operative.  But just in case, or for one off purposes, I will keep these guys here.  Who knows when you might need a priest?
  
−
===Other Available Characters===
 
 
[[Wandering Bear]] A Shaman of the Peiute tribe.  His entire tribal group was wiped out just a few months ago, leaving him their sole survivor.  Even though he is only 13, he is determined to complete his visionquest and reunite his tribe and return them to their former glory.
 
[[Wandering Bear]] A Shaman of the Peiute tribe.  His entire tribal group was wiped out just a few months ago, leaving him their sole survivor.  Even though he is only 13, he is determined to complete his visionquest and reunite his tribe and return them to their former glory.
  
Line 23: Line 22:
 
[[Father 'Silver' Hank O'Keefe]] A travellin' preacher who resolves to drive the devils back to hell by force of his faith and will, alone if necessary.  He's seen 'em, but he has enough sense to keep to himself about it.
 
[[Father 'Silver' Hank O'Keefe]] A travellin' preacher who resolves to drive the devils back to hell by force of his faith and will, alone if necessary.  He's seen 'em, but he has enough sense to keep to himself about it.
  
−
===The Links that Fasten 'Em===
+
==The Links that Fasten 'Em==
 
All of the characters, as well as potential characters, have direct knowledge of the supernatural evil thats pointin' its bony finger at the world.  All of 'em are damn sworn to do whats necessary to stop it, too.
 
All of the characters, as well as potential characters, have direct knowledge of the supernatural evil thats pointin' its bony finger at the world.  All of 'em are damn sworn to do whats necessary to stop it, too.
  
−
==The Action==
+
=The Setting=
−
Somehow all of the posse saw a newspaper article that drew them to inquire about employment from a Mr Irving Backlund.  See, he claims his son was hornswaggled into runnin' away with a cult after his mother's death six months ago.  Come hell or high water, he wants his kin back.  In fact, he is willin' to pay $500(!) each to whoever brings him back.
+
It is the world of 1873 (its 1874 now, the game began December 1873).  Things are pretty much as you might see in a history book, with a few exceptions.  The Civil War rages on, seemingly endlessly.  Every time one side or the other seems poised to make a telling strike, something happens to prevent the conclusion from occurrin'.  People are a little on edge; things are a little unnerving everywhere.  Nobody knows why, but somehow they all know.  The superstitious whisper about devils, or monsters, or things that cant be described.  But nobody has any proof, nobody of any respectability has seen them, and no serious intellectual considers it anythin' more than wives tales.
 +
 
 +
=Current Recap=
 +
After acceptin' the Agency's offer, the posse begins trainin' back in Denver.
 +
 
 +
==The Mission==
 +
Its a warm afternoon when Agent [[Andrew Sykes]] invites the posse into his office.  He is pleased with their progress, and is ready to offer them a job to do.  Seems one of their field agents has been out of contact for over 6 weeks.  They need to find out why.  His last known whereabouts was somewhere in eastern Arizona, and he was investigatin' some religious outfit.
 +
 
 +
Wait, Arizona?  Aint that Confederate territory?
 +
 
 +
Damn right pardner, damn right.  This is gonna take a good cover story and some undercover work.  But be careful, if'n the Confederates get wind o' what yer doin', its espionage, and that is punishable by hangin'.
 +
 
 +
Now that we have that out of the way...
 +
 
 +
==The Trip==
 +
After some conversin', the posse decides that religious folk is the best cover story.  They can be on some sort of pilgrimage, and it makes sense to visit other religious establishments along the way.  Yep, that works all well and proper.
 +
 
 +
So the posse hits the trail, and for the next three days makes their way to the missing agents last known whereabouts. 
 +
 
 +
==Pueblo Viejo==
 +
Its nothin' but a tiny, one-horse town of maybe 50 folks.  They make their way to the local roomin' house and saloon and secure themselves some lodgin's.  After checkin' in, they proceed to gently probe the barkeep about the missin' agent. 
 +
 
 +
It seems that no one has seen him or anyone from the mission in weeks.  Thats a mite strange too, considerin' they used to make it to town every two weeks or so for supplies and such.  Its almost a two day ride out there, but the posse decides they had better hit the mission pronto.
 +
 
 +
==Finally, They Arrive==
 +
Its an uneventful day and a half ride to the site of the mission.  When they arrive, around one, the scene is still and serene.  Deadly serene. 
 +
 
 +
Cautiously they approach, guns drawn, alert on high.  The compound is surrounded by an adobe, 8 foot wall, with a thick, log gate in the front.  Lucky for them, its wide open.  Did I say lucky?
 +
 
 +
Scattered around the inside of the compound are bodies and plenty of them.  Old and picked, with some arrows stickin' in 'em all nice like.  The compound itself consists of 5 buildin's, one of 'em a church.  The others, well, we will see soon now wont we?
 +
 
 +
==Mission, Proper==
 +
Once inside the posse splits up and investigates the buildin's.  They quickly determine that they consist of a mens and womens dormitory, a rectory, a church and a dining hall.  Each of them seems to be also full of bodies, and the dormitories have a selection of beds; some slept in, some not.   
 +
 
 +
Jonah finds hisself in the church, lookin' through every nook and cranny all by his lonesome.  He inspects the pews, enters the prayer room, and even hits the bell tower for a spell.  But by far the most interesting discovery is somethin' found in the confessional. 
 +
 
 +
On the floor he spies a gold double eagle, wedged between a chair and the wall, and partially under the wall itself.  Behind the priests chair a concealed panel hides the entrance to a tiny room.  After opening it, he finds what was likely a treasury of some sort.  Now, however, its only home to $120 and a torn bag.
 +
 
 +
Reuben is in the mens dormitory, futtsin' around with this and that.  He counts bodies and beds, and finds that the members of this sect had little for personal effects.  He also notices a collection of scratches near the base of a pot bellied stove and that gives him an idear or two.  He gives it a fine shove and it moves revealin' a passageway.   
 +
 
 +
==The Star of the Desert==
 +
Armed with this new discovery, he makes his way to the courtyard and signals the others.  After a few minutes of waitin', the posse is reunited and alerted of the system of tunnels residin' just a few feet below.  This leads to a resumed search of the others, and discovery o' four more tunnels: one in each buildin'.
  
−
That aint nothin' to sneeze at, pardner! So, they pack up their belongin's and head on down to Derry's Ford, home of the Church of the Holy Flame.
+
Together, the posse descends into the depths below. After a thorough investigation and some cogitatin' they determine that the maze of tunnels creates a pentagram.  They all seem clear, well, except the one beneath the church.
  
−
===Derry's Ford===
+
==The Tip of the Starberg==
−
The town is a nondescript little stop on the road from Denver to Utah, population about 250.  Immediately the posse begins acquaintin' themselves with the local townsfolk, startin' with the pokes at the saloon around 10:30 am on December 23.
+
Under the pulpit sits an altar, a horizontal, blood stained, symbolically engraved abomination of an altar.  Reuben and his sharp old eyes notice spigots leading down the corners into blood stained grooves on the floor.  Everyone is disgusted.
  
−
It aint too difficult to get opinions outta the locals when it comes to the Church of the Holy Flame.  Everybody says a little, but nobody cares much.  Mostly, they keep to themselves and thats just plain ok with the townsfolk.  Reuben decides he has some other fish to fry, and he leaves Miranda and Jonah to their own devices.  Jonah wins some poker, Miranda shares a shot or two with some rabble, and everything seems to go fine until...
+
But Jonah, as focused as he is, begins contemplatin' exactly what they are findin'.  After reflectin', he comes to the conclusion that some sort of summonin' ritual is goin' on here.
  
−
In stumbles the local preacher, Reverend Bernard Owsley.
+
Its been a nice hard first night, so the posse decides to make camp here.
  
−
Seein' her opportunity, Miranda sidles up next to him and offers him a drink, to which he grunts his acceptance.  Next thing you know she is askin' him about the Holy Flame, to which he responds with a borderline insane conniption (or as Ed likes to call them, a connitpion).
+
==Little Indian Girl==
 +
During the second watch, a little something happens.  Something I am sure at least one of the posse wishes they could forget.  But between you and me, I doubt she ever will.
  
−
What was that all about?
+
Jonah is up, keepin' watch on the posse as they sleep.  Everythin' seems to be goin' pretty much as they would expect.  Miranda starts to become restless; tossin' turnin' and other evidence of less than ideal sleep.  Then, suddenly, she bolts up and mutters:
  
−
After peace is restored, everyone pretty much ignores the outburst. The posses inquiries are countered with 'Just leave him be'. After a little regroupin', they decide a night visit is in order. Reuben takes a nap, Miranda takes a walk, and Jonah visits the preacher again, and reconnoiters the Holy Flame compound.
+
Dream, girl, crazy...laughing, doll, blood...AAAAAAHHHHHHH!
  
−
===Church of the Holy Flame===
+
Immediately she is in hysterics.  Reuben and Jonah do their best to calm her down, but it takes a while.  Eventually its clear that she had a nightmare, and a particularly awful one at that.  After some calmin' and a little proddin' from the others, she relates her tale o' horror.
−
Jonah takes the hour ride in the mid afternoon by himself.  He settles in on a bluff 500 yards from the compound.  From there he spies sect members loadin' boxes from one large building to the barn.  Eventually, one of them catches sight of him and immediately points him out to a stocky gentleman in a bowler hat.
+
  
−
====Edgar DuChamp====
+
She found herself wakin' up in one of the dormitories to the sound of a gigglin' child, and when she walked into the courtyard she could see fires burnin' all around.  The shadows are eerie, and occasionally a dark figure darts from one to another.  She can never make 'em out, but somehow she knows these are the ones who killed the disciples.
−
That man rounds up 4 burly gentlemen and rides out to great our fair hero.  After a few moments he arrives and introduces himself as Edgar DuChamp.  He politely tells Jonah that he would appreciate if he would take his worldly ways as far from the compound as possible, as quickly as possible.  Seeing no reason to protest, he agrees.
+
  
−
===Back to Town===
+
And speakin' o' the disciples, their mutilated bodies, fresh and bloody, litter the compound in front of her.  Again she hears the laughin' and she turns to find a little Indian girl runnin' away clutchin' a doll.  Somehow she keeps pace ahead, and even finds time to stop next to a gruesome corpse and touch the blood, still bein' all giggly-like.   
−
Once everyone is awake he shares the story.  Undeterred, they prepare for their night visit.  Reuben gives a small handful of bills to the proprietor of the hotel to ensure that they were in their rooms all night.  Saddle up, pardners.   
+
  
−
===Holy Flame, take 2===
+
That was it.  Miranda couldnt take anymore and ran full steam up to the lil' gal and grabbed the back o' her dress.  She pulled her away from the body and turned her around to face her.  And when she did, it was clear her throat had been violently slashed.  Blood drained down the front of her dress.  Oh, and that doll, well its neck was cut so deeply that its head lolled back and forth as she moved.  She was still gigglin' all right.  Clear as day.
−
Upon seeing the compound the posse determines that a little sneakin' around is in order.  All of the disciples are inside, singin' their hymns.  The only person on the grounds seems to be dapper Mr DuChamp.
+
  
−
As things tend to do, this deteriorated quickly.  Everyone easily made their way to the barn and determined that they are packed for a short trip.  No personal effects are stowed, so it seems they are comin' back.  Reuben decides he needs to get in the house, while Jonah figures he would like to check out the rest of the compound.  Miranda, well lets just say she felt like stayin' put.
+
==Cleanup==
 +
After everyone finally calms down a bit, they get a little rest.  But not much.  Reuben makes his famous biscuits for breakfast the next day, but the conversation is sparse and light.  Eventually they decide to split up their duties slightly.  Jonah and Reuben will pile up the dead and make a bonfire, while Miranda does some searchin' outside the compound.  Its a tedious days work, but it has to get done.
  
−
While Jonah was sneakin' across the lawn he caught the attention of the studious Mr DuChamp, who immediately wrangled up some gentlemen from the hymnals.  Everyone hid just as well as they could, but it werent more than a second or two that he ferreted 'em out.  After a good few minutes o' scoldin', a strikingly beautiful woman waltzes in, and directs Mr DuChamp to bring them into the house.
+
Outside Miranda finds a path to the east that leads to an outside pulpit and pews up on a hill.  There is a grove of trees and a sparse collection of underbrush.  Its interestin', so she comes back and shares her discovery with the rest of the posse immediately. Jonah and Reuben take a welcome break from their grim task and venture out there for a looksy. 
  
−
====Lady Cynthia Carstairs====
+
Immediately Jonah notices somethin' aint right.  At first the others dont see it, but when its pointed out, its clear as day that the pews and pulpit are facin' the same direction (the mission).  That means that whoever did the preachin', did it with his back to the flock.  Mighty strange if you ask me.
−
She brings the posse some water and begins to chat with them.  After the initial pleasantries she asks for the reason for their visit.  They mention the young Mr Backlund, so she has Edgar summon him.  While they wait, the posse tries a ruse or two, to no avail.  She smells 'em like somethin' stuck to the bottom o' their boots.
+
  
−
When he arrives, Christopher is cordial and clearly healthy.  He seems to be in his right mind and possessed of his wits.  He adamantly refuses to leave and asserts that he is here to save his mothers soul. Dad will have to accept it, as will the posse.
+
When they return Reuben and Jonah get back to work, and ol' Miranda circles around and looks for anythin' else she can muster outside.  Eventually she finds some tracks, and follows them all the way to a cave on a small mountainside. Inside she finds some shackles secured to a wall.
  
−
Ms Carstairs dismisses him, and indicates that she hopes they are satisfied.  She also says that she has already summoned the sheriff, but they wont be pressing any serious charges.  Soon he arrives, and takes them off for a little night in the pokey, to clear their heads of course.
+
What the hell was that?
  
−
===A Jail of a Good Time===
+
==Another Night in Paradise==
−
While sequestered the posse discuss their options.  They want out, and pronto, but the deputy, Zeke, has no intention of obligin' them.   
+
And so it begins, another night on the trail.  Sure is a glamorous life our agents lead, eh?  At least they have roofs over their heads.  O' course, those roofs are inside a spooky compound littered with nearly 50 bodies.  Now thats a vacation!
  
−
Well, not until ornery old Reuben engages him in a conversation about his brother.  Zeke it seems is perturbed about his brother sayin' he has such a winner of a horse, but it is obviously a nag.  Reuben concocts a plan whereby they can be let go early, and Zeke can get back at his brother.  Far-fetched though it sounds, he buys it.  That is, as long as they come along and take a look at his fine specimen of a riding animal.  Egads, its snowing!
+
Miranda knows whats comin'.  Yep, but there aint nothin' gonna prevent it.  Nope, no siree.   
  
−
===On the Double!===
+
When she drifts off into la-la land, it all begins in the same place, and continues just as before.  But that aint all.  It goes on, and I dont rightly know if thats any better or not.
−
Back to the compound go our heroes, and quickly they arrive.  It seems they may be too late.  Nobody seems to be anywhere near, as dawn breaks over the ridge.  Soon they realize that since there are no burnin' fires, they are probably gone, so they should head on down.  Once they arrive, they break into two groups: Miranda moseys on over to the dormitory, while Jonah and Reuben comb the house.
+
  
−
===The Lady's Gruesome Surprise===
+
This time, after she turns the little girl to face her, she wrests herself free from Mirandas grip and skips away toward the church.  Miranda yells to stop, but she aint listenin', almost like it were her ears cut instead o' her neck.  Once she reaches the front steps of the church she kneels and begins to play in the dirt while hummin' some kind o' song or rhyme.  As Miranda approaches it begins to become clear.
−
Once inside her house, its clear she has no intention of returning.  All of her belongings are gone, and Reuben notes an ominous stench coming from the kitchen.  Cautiously, the two make their way towards it.  Upon arriving the kitchen, its clear the smell comes from the basement, but thats locked with a giant, rusty padlock.
+
  
−
'Aw Hell' grumbles Reuben, as he rares back and kicks his foot clean through the door, knocking it off its hinges and down the staircase.  He raises his shotgun, and Jonah his knife, as they descend the stairs into the darkness.
+
'This is the church, and this is the steeple...' She then reaches back and flings open the door. 'Open the door and see all the people!'
  
−
What they find sends their bacon and eggs scurrying across the floor.  Littered around the basement are mutilated corpses of wild dogs surrounded by burning incense candles.  Just as they seem to recover from the shock of such a grisly scene, it gets better.  Much better.
+
Inside, the room is ablaze with light distilled red through the stained glass of the churches windows.  Unnerving as that is, it is just the beginnin'.  Impaled on hooks from the ceilin' are at least 10 bodies, still writhin' with life.  Their agony is clear and disturbin', and Miranda starts awake.
  
−
The dead dogs rise from the floor as if suspended on some fiendish marionette strings right before their eyes.  Immediately those feisty hombres attack.  Both are too shocked to react, and Reuben especially has a hard time motivatin' his bones to move.  In all, seven dogs rip into them with their disgusting yeller fangs.
+
==Frenchy 'n Friends==
 +
The next day Reuben and Miranda are tryin' to figure out the best way to git into the well while Jonah is investigatin' the chapel.  Its mid-mornin', and the sun is startin' to get warm.  Just as the two prepare to drop dynamite down into the abyss, they notice a couple o' gentlemen approachin' on horseback.  He hails the two and they begin a discussion.
  
−
Just when things seem bleak, down the stairs come the cavalry.
+
Then, outta nowheres, the men come chargin' into the mission, guns a'blazin'.  All the while two other men are climbin' the fence and makin' their way into the courtyard. The posse is surrounded!
  
−
==='taint Just Miranda===
+
The leader charges past Miranda and Reuben as Miranda stands dumbstruck.  Reuben, thinkin' quickly, jumps on top o' her and covers as the leader rains shots down upon them.  Two of them find their mark, but he is only grazed.  Two men dismount and head into buildin's for cover, one of them shootin' shotgun blasts all the while.  Reuben fires at the leader as he rides on by, but it is wide left.
−
Guns blaze as Miranda Valentine rushes down the stairs, also horrified by the smell and scene.  But she aint alone, not by a long shot.  Right behind her, brandishin' a giant hunk o' oak, is none other than reverend Owsley!
+
  
−
The fightin' is brutal, gruesome, and deadly.  The devil dogs sink their disgustin' maws into the posse as fast as they can, but eventually their just aint any left.  All of 'em are bleedin' and Reuben badly, but luckily the reverend has a little somethin' up his sleeve.
+
Now things get interestin'.  Reuben rolls off of Miranda and takes a shot at the leader, grazin' him.  Jonah steps into the doorway of the chapel and the leader blasts him with two pistols.  He is seriously injured.  Rifle and shotguns blaze from the doorways from the invadin' henchmen, but Miranda finds cover behind the well and blasts one of 'em with both pistols.  He stumbles back inside.
  
−
That would be the hand o' god, o' course.  His miraculous touch makes 'em all feel a little better, but there aint no time to waste.  No sirree.
+
Utter chaos reigns as guns blaze from everyone, everywhere for what seems like forever.  Some henchmen are hit, Jonah takes on another wound, and Miranda has her dress ripped to shreds by shot.  Reuben gets all crotchety and impatient, and lights a stick o' dynamite and throws it into a buildin'.  The henchman inside has no choice but to run out towards the other buildin', but Miranda gives him a generous gift of lead.  In the middle of it all an injured man crawls over the fence to his waitin' horse.
  
−
===Git Along===
+
BOOM!
−
The reverend apologizes for how weak he has been and how he has let the demon drink consume him, as it were.  But there aint much time for socializin'.  Their gear stowed, the posse hits the trail.  The snow complicates things, coverin' much of the tracks, but with the skills of Miranda and the reverend, they are never in danger o' losin' the scent.  Eventually on a trail up the valley, an overturned cart is spied in the distance.  Suspicious, the posse spreads out and approaches cautiously.
+
  
−
===Ambush!===
+
Everybody keeps their head down for a minute, but Reuben is busy lightin' another stick.  The single mounted dude (the leader), gains control of his horse just as the other stick flies in his direction.  He tries to get away, and squeezes off a shot or two, but the inevitable comes.
−
Those dad gum cultists couldnt keep their trigger fingers from jumpin', so a couple of 'em fired a little soon, spoilin' the surprise.  The posse moves in and blazes away with their shootin' irons, besting the ambushers, but with a cost.  Reverend Owsley lay dead.  One of the church members barely clings to life, and its clear (after a short conversation), that his brush with death has broken the lady's hold.  His hold also didnt last, and he expires in front of their eyes.
+
  
−
Sad though it was, they steel their resolve and pull up their bootstraps for the hard fight ahead.
+
BOOM!
  
−
==The Big Finish==
+
Unbeknownst to Reuben, behind him two other henchmen have entered the chapel and begun shootin' it out with Jonah, and unfortunately, it aint goin' so well.  A flurry of shots sends Jonah to the floor, but one of the invaders gets wounded in the process.  Miranda finds her bearings and opens fire. Reuben gets her back and blasts the last henchman on his side with a shotgun.  Finally, the last remainin' one heads for the fence and a safe getaway, but when he wont stop the posse is forced to gun him down too.
−
Off in the distance they hear rhythmic chantin' and the sound of feet stompin' in unison.  The ritual has begun! On the double, pardner!
+
  
−
In the far edge of a butte canyon sits lady Carstairs behind an altar, protected by Edgar DuChamp.  To their left a slaughtered horse, everywhere else, flailin' churchgoers rejoice and dance, with nothing but blank stares.  In the center, a giant flame burns.  The lady's soul flame they reckon.  Its 100 yards to paydirt, but a cold blooded killer with two six-guns stand in their way. What will they do?
+
==Aftermath (or After French, if you prefer)==
 +
When the smoke clears Reuben and Miranda know they need to find the missin' invader.  They split up and head outside, but its clear that he aint gone far, since his horse is still tethered to the fence.  Before they embark on a long, drawn out search, they decide they should make sure Jonah will be ok.
  
−
For a few minutes they bicker and discuss, then all hell breaks loose as the religious ceremony turns into a bloodbath.  They are killin' each other!  Lady Carstairs smiles ominously and Edgar looks on impassively.  Their evil plan is coming to fruition.
+
He looks terrible, but fortunately, he should be ok.  After a little R 'n R, the posse commences a search.   
  
−
'Not on my watch!' snarls Reuben, he grabs a stick o' dynamite and hobbles around the flank.  Jonah realizes that he is naked without support, so he runs up the middle while Miranda loads a rifle.  Edgar quickly notices Jonah, but true to plan, doesnt seem to see Reuben.  They engage in some magic versus gun combat, but not for long.
+
==Right Under Their Noses==
 +
And their feet as well.  Eventually, the search leads down into the catacombs, where lyin' on the main altar they find the mutilated body o' the escaped desperado.  Blood is everywhere, but organs seem to be gone.  Grisly though it is, the posse spends the next few hours doin' a thorough search.  Still no perpetrator.
  
−
Reuben pitches the stick right at the lady, but completely misses.
+
=Past Recaps=
 +
[[Deadlands Recaps]]
  
−
'Dad gum, that aint close!' he screams, until a little light bulb goes on in his head.  Is that a smile on his face?  One bounce, two, and the dynamite lands right under dapper mr DuChamp and explodes, killing him, filling the air with smoke and snuffing the flame.
+
=What's Next?=
 +
Next Sunday: A trip to Salt Lake City (The City o' Gloom) and a walk down The Road to Hell.
  
−
The concussion knocked Reuben to the ground, and completely obscured the lady's whereabouts.  Miranda cant find a target, and Jonah also scans the piles of rock until he is blasted by a magic bolt from the eyes of miss Carstairs.
+
Now that the posse are agents of the Secret Service all right and proper, the whole world is different.
  
−
Hobblin' as fast as he can, Reuben raises his double barrel scattergun and lets loose with both right into her.  Anti-climactic though it was, thats all she wrote.  Immediately, her hold on the 75 members of the church is broken.  Confused stares are the norm as each of them realize what they have done.
+
=Status=
 +
This game is active and weekly.

Latest revision as of 23:26, 6 July 2008

Here is the wikipedia link [1]

If I ran a Deadlands game it would be much less overt than the standard setting. Magic and all those things would exist, but they would not be common knowledge. From the first glance the world would look exactly as ours did in 1873.

Rules Snafus

Hey, look what I found! http://www.sonic.net/~dkjedi/deadlands/

The Posse

Reuben McRotch An ornery old cuss of a prospector who cant seem to keep his mouth shut about how he doesnt trust people, or his ex partner, or, well, anythin' really.

Jonah Benton A huckster from back east. Or at least he dresses like it.

Miranda Valentine A two-gun gal from parts unknown. She doesnt say much, she lets her six-guns do the talkin'.

Other Available Characters

Most likely, any new character would be an Agency operative. But just in case, or for one off purposes, I will keep these guys here. Who knows when you might need a priest?

Wandering Bear A Shaman of the Peiute tribe. His entire tribal group was wiped out just a few months ago, leaving him their sole survivor. Even though he is only 13, he is determined to complete his visionquest and reunite his tribe and return them to their former glory.

lil' Tim McKenzie A wanderin' muckraker who just might be the one who writes that book about what is happenin' that nobody'll speak of. The tales livin' in this brain pan might curdle a double whiskey.

Father 'Silver' Hank O'Keefe A travellin' preacher who resolves to drive the devils back to hell by force of his faith and will, alone if necessary. He's seen 'em, but he has enough sense to keep to himself about it.

The Links that Fasten 'Em

All of the characters, as well as potential characters, have direct knowledge of the supernatural evil thats pointin' its bony finger at the world. All of 'em are damn sworn to do whats necessary to stop it, too.

The Setting

It is the world of 1873 (its 1874 now, the game began December 1873). Things are pretty much as you might see in a history book, with a few exceptions. The Civil War rages on, seemingly endlessly. Every time one side or the other seems poised to make a telling strike, something happens to prevent the conclusion from occurrin'. People are a little on edge; things are a little unnerving everywhere. Nobody knows why, but somehow they all know. The superstitious whisper about devils, or monsters, or things that cant be described. But nobody has any proof, nobody of any respectability has seen them, and no serious intellectual considers it anythin' more than wives tales.

Current Recap

After acceptin' the Agency's offer, the posse begins trainin' back in Denver.

The Mission

Its a warm afternoon when Agent Andrew Sykes invites the posse into his office. He is pleased with their progress, and is ready to offer them a job to do. Seems one of their field agents has been out of contact for over 6 weeks. They need to find out why. His last known whereabouts was somewhere in eastern Arizona, and he was investigatin' some religious outfit.

Wait, Arizona? Aint that Confederate territory?

Damn right pardner, damn right. This is gonna take a good cover story and some undercover work. But be careful, if'n the Confederates get wind o' what yer doin', its espionage, and that is punishable by hangin'.

Now that we have that out of the way...

The Trip

After some conversin', the posse decides that religious folk is the best cover story. They can be on some sort of pilgrimage, and it makes sense to visit other religious establishments along the way. Yep, that works all well and proper.

So the posse hits the trail, and for the next three days makes their way to the missing agents last known whereabouts.

Pueblo Viejo

Its nothin' but a tiny, one-horse town of maybe 50 folks. They make their way to the local roomin' house and saloon and secure themselves some lodgin's. After checkin' in, they proceed to gently probe the barkeep about the missin' agent.

It seems that no one has seen him or anyone from the mission in weeks. Thats a mite strange too, considerin' they used to make it to town every two weeks or so for supplies and such. Its almost a two day ride out there, but the posse decides they had better hit the mission pronto.

Finally, They Arrive

Its an uneventful day and a half ride to the site of the mission. When they arrive, around one, the scene is still and serene. Deadly serene.

Cautiously they approach, guns drawn, alert on high. The compound is surrounded by an adobe, 8 foot wall, with a thick, log gate in the front. Lucky for them, its wide open. Did I say lucky?

Scattered around the inside of the compound are bodies and plenty of them. Old and picked, with some arrows stickin' in 'em all nice like. The compound itself consists of 5 buildin's, one of 'em a church. The others, well, we will see soon now wont we?

Mission, Proper

Once inside the posse splits up and investigates the buildin's. They quickly determine that they consist of a mens and womens dormitory, a rectory, a church and a dining hall. Each of them seems to be also full of bodies, and the dormitories have a selection of beds; some slept in, some not.

Jonah finds hisself in the church, lookin' through every nook and cranny all by his lonesome. He inspects the pews, enters the prayer room, and even hits the bell tower for a spell. But by far the most interesting discovery is somethin' found in the confessional.

On the floor he spies a gold double eagle, wedged between a chair and the wall, and partially under the wall itself. Behind the priests chair a concealed panel hides the entrance to a tiny room. After opening it, he finds what was likely a treasury of some sort. Now, however, its only home to $120 and a torn bag.

Reuben is in the mens dormitory, futtsin' around with this and that. He counts bodies and beds, and finds that the members of this sect had little for personal effects. He also notices a collection of scratches near the base of a pot bellied stove and that gives him an idear or two. He gives it a fine shove and it moves revealin' a passageway.

The Star of the Desert

Armed with this new discovery, he makes his way to the courtyard and signals the others. After a few minutes of waitin', the posse is reunited and alerted of the system of tunnels residin' just a few feet below. This leads to a resumed search of the others, and discovery o' four more tunnels: one in each buildin'.

Together, the posse descends into the depths below. After a thorough investigation and some cogitatin' they determine that the maze of tunnels creates a pentagram. They all seem clear, well, except the one beneath the church.

The Tip of the Starberg

Under the pulpit sits an altar, a horizontal, blood stained, symbolically engraved abomination of an altar. Reuben and his sharp old eyes notice spigots leading down the corners into blood stained grooves on the floor. Everyone is disgusted.

But Jonah, as focused as he is, begins contemplatin' exactly what they are findin'. After reflectin', he comes to the conclusion that some sort of summonin' ritual is goin' on here.

Its been a nice hard first night, so the posse decides to make camp here.

Little Indian Girl

During the second watch, a little something happens. Something I am sure at least one of the posse wishes they could forget. But between you and me, I doubt she ever will.

Jonah is up, keepin' watch on the posse as they sleep. Everythin' seems to be goin' pretty much as they would expect. Miranda starts to become restless; tossin' turnin' and other evidence of less than ideal sleep. Then, suddenly, she bolts up and mutters:

Dream, girl, crazy...laughing, doll, blood...AAAAAAHHHHHHH!

Immediately she is in hysterics. Reuben and Jonah do their best to calm her down, but it takes a while. Eventually its clear that she had a nightmare, and a particularly awful one at that. After some calmin' and a little proddin' from the others, she relates her tale o' horror.

She found herself wakin' up in one of the dormitories to the sound of a gigglin' child, and when she walked into the courtyard she could see fires burnin' all around. The shadows are eerie, and occasionally a dark figure darts from one to another. She can never make 'em out, but somehow she knows these are the ones who killed the disciples.

And speakin' o' the disciples, their mutilated bodies, fresh and bloody, litter the compound in front of her. Again she hears the laughin' and she turns to find a little Indian girl runnin' away clutchin' a doll. Somehow she keeps pace ahead, and even finds time to stop next to a gruesome corpse and touch the blood, still bein' all giggly-like.

That was it. Miranda couldnt take anymore and ran full steam up to the lil' gal and grabbed the back o' her dress. She pulled her away from the body and turned her around to face her. And when she did, it was clear her throat had been violently slashed. Blood drained down the front of her dress. Oh, and that doll, well its neck was cut so deeply that its head lolled back and forth as she moved. She was still gigglin' all right. Clear as day.

Cleanup

After everyone finally calms down a bit, they get a little rest. But not much. Reuben makes his famous biscuits for breakfast the next day, but the conversation is sparse and light. Eventually they decide to split up their duties slightly. Jonah and Reuben will pile up the dead and make a bonfire, while Miranda does some searchin' outside the compound. Its a tedious days work, but it has to get done.

Outside Miranda finds a path to the east that leads to an outside pulpit and pews up on a hill. There is a grove of trees and a sparse collection of underbrush. Its interestin', so she comes back and shares her discovery with the rest of the posse immediately. Jonah and Reuben take a welcome break from their grim task and venture out there for a looksy.

Immediately Jonah notices somethin' aint right. At first the others dont see it, but when its pointed out, its clear as day that the pews and pulpit are facin' the same direction (the mission). That means that whoever did the preachin', did it with his back to the flock. Mighty strange if you ask me.

When they return Reuben and Jonah get back to work, and ol' Miranda circles around and looks for anythin' else she can muster outside. Eventually she finds some tracks, and follows them all the way to a cave on a small mountainside. Inside she finds some shackles secured to a wall.

What the hell was that?

Another Night in Paradise

And so it begins, another night on the trail. Sure is a glamorous life our agents lead, eh? At least they have roofs over their heads. O' course, those roofs are inside a spooky compound littered with nearly 50 bodies. Now thats a vacation!

Miranda knows whats comin'. Yep, but there aint nothin' gonna prevent it. Nope, no siree.

When she drifts off into la-la land, it all begins in the same place, and continues just as before. But that aint all. It goes on, and I dont rightly know if thats any better or not.

This time, after she turns the little girl to face her, she wrests herself free from Mirandas grip and skips away toward the church. Miranda yells to stop, but she aint listenin', almost like it were her ears cut instead o' her neck. Once she reaches the front steps of the church she kneels and begins to play in the dirt while hummin' some kind o' song or rhyme. As Miranda approaches it begins to become clear.

'This is the church, and this is the steeple...' She then reaches back and flings open the door. 'Open the door and see all the people!'

Inside, the room is ablaze with light distilled red through the stained glass of the churches windows. Unnerving as that is, it is just the beginnin'. Impaled on hooks from the ceilin' are at least 10 bodies, still writhin' with life. Their agony is clear and disturbin', and Miranda starts awake.

Frenchy 'n Friends

The next day Reuben and Miranda are tryin' to figure out the best way to git into the well while Jonah is investigatin' the chapel. Its mid-mornin', and the sun is startin' to get warm. Just as the two prepare to drop dynamite down into the abyss, they notice a couple o' gentlemen approachin' on horseback. He hails the two and they begin a discussion.

Then, outta nowheres, the men come chargin' into the mission, guns a'blazin'. All the while two other men are climbin' the fence and makin' their way into the courtyard. The posse is surrounded!

The leader charges past Miranda and Reuben as Miranda stands dumbstruck. Reuben, thinkin' quickly, jumps on top o' her and covers as the leader rains shots down upon them. Two of them find their mark, but he is only grazed. Two men dismount and head into buildin's for cover, one of them shootin' shotgun blasts all the while. Reuben fires at the leader as he rides on by, but it is wide left.

Now things get interestin'. Reuben rolls off of Miranda and takes a shot at the leader, grazin' him. Jonah steps into the doorway of the chapel and the leader blasts him with two pistols. He is seriously injured. Rifle and shotguns blaze from the doorways from the invadin' henchmen, but Miranda finds cover behind the well and blasts one of 'em with both pistols. He stumbles back inside.

Utter chaos reigns as guns blaze from everyone, everywhere for what seems like forever. Some henchmen are hit, Jonah takes on another wound, and Miranda has her dress ripped to shreds by shot. Reuben gets all crotchety and impatient, and lights a stick o' dynamite and throws it into a buildin'. The henchman inside has no choice but to run out towards the other buildin', but Miranda gives him a generous gift of lead. In the middle of it all an injured man crawls over the fence to his waitin' horse.

BOOM!

Everybody keeps their head down for a minute, but Reuben is busy lightin' another stick. The single mounted dude (the leader), gains control of his horse just as the other stick flies in his direction. He tries to get away, and squeezes off a shot or two, but the inevitable comes.

BOOM!

Unbeknownst to Reuben, behind him two other henchmen have entered the chapel and begun shootin' it out with Jonah, and unfortunately, it aint goin' so well. A flurry of shots sends Jonah to the floor, but one of the invaders gets wounded in the process. Miranda finds her bearings and opens fire. Reuben gets her back and blasts the last henchman on his side with a shotgun. Finally, the last remainin' one heads for the fence and a safe getaway, but when he wont stop the posse is forced to gun him down too.

Aftermath (or After French, if you prefer)

When the smoke clears Reuben and Miranda know they need to find the missin' invader. They split up and head outside, but its clear that he aint gone far, since his horse is still tethered to the fence. Before they embark on a long, drawn out search, they decide they should make sure Jonah will be ok.

He looks terrible, but fortunately, he should be ok. After a little R 'n R, the posse commences a search.

Right Under Their Noses

And their feet as well. Eventually, the search leads down into the catacombs, where lyin' on the main altar they find the mutilated body o' the escaped desperado. Blood is everywhere, but organs seem to be gone. Grisly though it is, the posse spends the next few hours doin' a thorough search. Still no perpetrator.

Past Recaps

Deadlands Recaps

What's Next?

Next Sunday: A trip to Salt Lake City (The City o' Gloom) and a walk down The Road to Hell.

Now that the posse are agents of the Secret Service all right and proper, the whole world is different.

Status

This game is active and weekly.

Retrieved from "https://benscondo.wiki-rpg.com/index.php?title=Deadlands&oldid=10204"