The troop of 10 Cavalrymen keep riding up till they are approximately 15 ft. away from the party. 8 of the troopers fan out a bit as 1 trooper, you figure it is the commander and the banner bearer move about a horse link forward of the rest. The horses come to a halt.
You can see the commander clearly. His Stetson is weathered and the gold band a bit tattered. He is dressed like the other troopers, blue fatigues, high leather boots and a gun belt with pistol at the right side. His hair is blonde, shoulder length and a bit matted. He sports a thick handlebar mustache but there is a few days growth on the rest of his face as there is on the rest of the troopers. Sweat stains can be seen on all the uniforms and a thin layer of dust does cling here and there on all the troopers. However, the two thing that distinguishes the man in the foreground are 1: the sheathed saber at his left side and 2: the insignia on each shoulder, a black bar embroidered in gold. The man leans forward and rests his hands on his saddle horn and says:
"Is that anyway to welcome the Law and Direct Representative of the Untied States Government in the Territory?" he says with a sly smile. "I am Lieutenant Arthur James William Potter of the United States 7th Cavalry. Who might you be?" he asks.
Celeste, upon noticing the group of people becomes immediately tense. She struggles for a moment to suppress an instinctual fury, hands shaking. She manages to stop the shaking before they get close enough to notice it, but her fingers start itching for a firearm that isn't there.
She tries to throw on her best charm, "I'm Celeste Belle. I and these gentlemen here with me work the ranch up yonder. What brings y'all 'round these parts?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Salazar - Human Warlock of the Fiend (1) - The Lucarcian Incident
Shepherd Torrent Brallern Water Genasi Druid (1) - Ekuepool
Celeste Belle - Air Genasi Mutant Blood Hunter (1) - Old West
The Lieutenant takes his right hand and tips his hat. "Miss Belle" he says. Before he can continue the banner carrier leans in close to him and whispers something just out of earshot of all of you. The Lieutenant slightly turns his head to listen then nods.
"Corporal Smith here says you all pitched in with the Henry Ranch, north east of the outpost." he pauses for a moment and seems to ponder this. "I seem to recall that as well." he says. He seems to look over the group, giving each one of you the once over and seems to linger on Keth much more than the rest of you.
"You travel with a half breed, I see. I don't see much sense in letting those types live since they can never be full but, as long as he minds himself and you all can vouch for him, it will be none of my concern." he says. You can tell he has a slight disdain for Keth or maybe just his kind.
"As for what we are about Miss Belle" he continues "Well, we just came from the Stuart homestead, some 10 miles east of here. The Stuarts were a local family and Misses Stuart made one of the best Mince Meat Pies you'd ever taste. We were on patrol when we came across some horse tracks as well as goblin. All heading towards the Homestead." he pauses for a moment. "The track appeared to be about 2 days old but, we followed. What we found at the Homestead isn't for polite company. Suffice it to say the family had been massacred and their livestock had either been run off or taken. We did what any god fearing being would do and gave them a proper burial and followed the track a bit but, lost them in a canyon about 30 miles north east of where we stand now. I and my men were heading back to the outpost for a much needed rest when we came across all of you."
The Lieutenant sits a moment and scratches his stubbled chin. "I've paid you a kindness in telling you this so, how about you repay with the same. What are you doing out here so far from the Henry Ranch and with some of Mr. Henry's Cattle?"
Keth grimaces and takes a deep breath. He had made close friends during his time with the Union army but he knew that a larger portion of the nation distrusted him and his kind.
Rather than antagonize the soldiers he walked slowly to his groups horses and began to care for them.
Rictor lets out a hearty laugh and slaps his knee, his voice still loud but not carrying nearly as far."Oh, sometimes I forget that fighting for the right side doesn't mean you're righteous. Pardon the existence of any undesirables in your lofty midst, gentlemen. We are but humble cattlemen trying to wrangle a head of spooked cattle."
He didn't bother to mention their own encounter with goblins. He didn't trust these "do-gooders" as far as his demonic patron could throw them.
At the question of why we have H's cows, Belle says, "Sorry Lieutenant, I'm going to have to disappoint you if you were hoping for some excitement from us. We work for for the Wild H ranch that Mr. Henry owns. We can have that verified iffin' you need."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Salazar - Human Warlock of the Fiend (1) - The Lucarcian Incident
Shepherd Torrent Brallern Water Genasi Druid (1) - Ekuepool
Celeste Belle - Air Genasi Mutant Blood Hunter (1) - Old West
Lieutenant Potter listens to each of your responses but you see him perk up a bit when "goblins riding flying beasts" are mentioned.
"Hmmm" he says as he places his right index finger over his mouth. "Now that is a bit interesting. I have not heard of that happening in these parts." he seems to say absently.
His focus turns back to the party. "I believe I am tired and my men are tired and we still have a bit of a ride till we find our beds." he says. "I will allow such familiarity from you because of the hour and our goal but, mind you manners a bit. These men are sworn to protect all that live in the territory so show them a bit of respect." he uses his hand to indicate the men behind him. "With that I bit you ado. May God help you in your endeavor and guide you back home."
With that the Lieutenant pulls the reins of his horse to the left and travels around you, followed by the banner carrier and his men fall in line as well. He tips his hat and says "Miss Belle". Some of the men seem to pay you no mind and looks straight ahead as they pass. A couple give a few side long glances at you and Keth but, still move one the the squad.
"That actually went better than I expected," Keth says as he moves back to the group. "We should take their que though and get riding, a long way to go still."
Rictor gives Val a sidelong, annoyed glance but lets it pass, turning his gaze back toward the troops with an obsequious smile on his face.
"A thousand pardons, gentlemen. We'll just be moseying along. Walk with the Lord, my friends," he says, sweeping his bowler hat off his head with a flourish and a little bow. Of course, he found it difficult to say that last part with a straight face, but as he did when saying a prayer over his fallen comrades he ignored the chiding of his patron that rang in his mind.
At last they were alone again and, hearing the relief in Keth's voice, claps a friendly palm on his shoulder. "Don't let them get under your skin. If half of them were half the man you are they would've whooped those Confederate traitors faster than a hare in a hurricane," he says with a laugh. "Oh, and thanks for tending to the horses."
Indeed, his horse seemed calmed than usual when he tried to mount it and he knew it was Keth's calming demeanor that did the trick.
You watch the Cavalry Troop leave the area as you finish up your rest.
Perception rolls everyone.
As a group you break camp and saddle back up. You are able to get the herd moving in the right direction for the most part, once a few of them head in 1 direction the rest follow suit. You travel for about an hour when you see another set of riders approaching from the west. You are cautious at first but eventually recognize them a Boss Bennet and 4 others. They swing out about 30 ft as to not spook the cattle then ride in to you. Boss Bennet looks the herd over.
"Good Job" he says. "But,we seem to be missing about 20 head. I just got word from Mr. Henry, from Jasper here" he points to a small man wearing a boller style hat. "He wants some of us to try and locate those cattle and deal with the rustlers. And since the Cavalry" he looks back in the direction the Cavalry Troopers went "ain't much help, I want you 4 to track the rest of the herd and bring them back."
Boss Bennet reaches into his saddle bag and pulls out a sack. "Cookie sent you enough Tact for a couple days and a little coffee as well. If'n you don't find them in 3 days head back to the ranch. If'n you don't show up within the next week, we'll figure you'll to be dead or rode out on us." he pauses before continuing. "Good hunt'n and see up in 7 days."
Boss Bennet finishes and turns his horse and starts taking over the cattle drive. The other hands do the same and start working the cattle.
Keth pays attention to Bennet and steps up to accept the tact and coffee nodding in thanks. "We will find the cattle sir, no doubt."
As the herd is taken away Keth speaks up to the group, "Val, you and I can easily work together to track them but we need to be ready to run in to those goblins again." (Val's survival is higher so I suggest you roll.)
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
(Catching up; yesterday was my first day out of quarantine)
As the troops leave the group to their own devices, Celeste shivers visibly. Once they are far out of earshot, she says, "I came out here to get away from folks like them." She starts to join in with Rictor's cheering up of Keth, but Rictor's words leave her quiet and contemplative. She settles instead for a pat on his shoulder as she passes him by.
Perception 5
"Yeah, I wasn't expectin' 'em to be particularly helpful. They've got their own game they're playing. We'll go ahead and try to find those last twenty. Hopefully, they're still alive, but for us to have found no trace of 'em, they probably got taken by someone else. Any reward for us if we bring you the ones who took them too?"
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Salazar - Human Warlock of the Fiend (1) - The Lucarcian Incident
Shepherd Torrent Brallern Water Genasi Druid (1) - Ekuepool
Celeste Belle - Air Genasi Mutant Blood Hunter (1) - Old West
This post has potentially manipulated dice roll results.
Rictor waits until the boss is out of earshot, having remained silent for the duration of Bennet's instructions. He kicks a clod of dirt angrily and turns to the rest of the group.
"All the boss cares about is his money. There's monsters in these hills what needs killing. Now, I doubt we find all of the cattle alive and well, but we can make damn sure that those goblins get what's coming to them," he says while swinging his leg over his horse's saddle.
Boss Bennet answers Celeste's question before he leaves:
"Well, since its part of what you're paid ta do, I'd say that is a no on extra pay. You can keep whatcha find if ya get my meaning." he tells you then rides off.
"Good to have you with us, we could always use an extra hand," the half-orc says as he smiles and nods to Clay.
He trots his horse over by Val, "If you could lead me on my horse, I am willing to summon a friend of sorts to help scout ahead of us through an ancient ritual of combining my consciousness with him. He is Aihám, a friendly enough eagle, though still wild."
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
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The troop of 10 Cavalrymen keep riding up till they are approximately 15 ft. away from the party. 8 of the troopers fan out a bit as 1 trooper, you figure it is the commander and the banner bearer move about a horse link forward of the rest. The horses come to a halt.
You can see the commander clearly. His Stetson is weathered and the gold band a bit tattered. He is dressed like the other troopers, blue fatigues, high leather boots and a gun belt with pistol at the right side. His hair is blonde, shoulder length and a bit matted. He sports a thick handlebar mustache but there is a few days growth on the rest of his face as there is on the rest of the troopers. Sweat stains can be seen on all the uniforms and a thin layer of dust does cling here and there on all the troopers. However, the two thing that distinguishes the man in the foreground are 1: the sheathed saber at his left side and 2: the insignia on each shoulder, a black bar embroidered in gold. The man leans forward and rests his hands on his saddle horn and says:
"Is that anyway to welcome the Law and Direct Representative of the Untied States Government in the Territory?" he says with a sly smile. "I am Lieutenant Arthur James William Potter of the United States 7th Cavalry. Who might you be?" he asks.
Celeste, upon noticing the group of people becomes immediately tense. She struggles for a moment to suppress an instinctual fury, hands shaking. She manages to stop the shaking before they get close enough to notice it, but her fingers start itching for a firearm that isn't there.
She tries to throw on her best charm, "I'm Celeste Belle. I and these gentlemen here with me work the ranch up yonder. What brings y'all 'round these parts?"
Salazar - Human Warlock of the Fiend (1) - The Lucarcian Incident
Shepherd Torrent Brallern Water Genasi Druid (1) - Ekuepool
Celeste Belle - Air Genasi Mutant Blood Hunter (1) - Old West
DM for A Waterdhavian Heist
(going ahead)
The Lieutenant takes his right hand and tips his hat. "Miss Belle" he says. Before he can continue the banner carrier leans in close to him and whispers something just out of earshot of all of you. The Lieutenant slightly turns his head to listen then nods.
"Corporal Smith here says you all pitched in with the Henry Ranch, north east of the outpost." he pauses for a moment and seems to ponder this. "I seem to recall that as well." he says.
He seems to look over the group, giving each one of you the once over and seems to linger on Keth much more than the rest of you.
"You travel with a half breed, I see. I don't see much sense in letting those types live since they can never be full but, as long as he minds himself and you all can vouch for him, it will be none of my concern." he says. You can tell he has a slight disdain for Keth or maybe just his kind.
"As for what we are about Miss Belle" he continues "Well, we just came from the Stuart homestead, some 10 miles east of here. The Stuarts were a local family and Misses Stuart made one of the best Mince Meat Pies you'd ever taste. We were on patrol when we came across some horse tracks as well as goblin. All heading towards the Homestead." he pauses for a moment. "The track appeared to be about 2 days old but, we followed. What we found at the Homestead isn't for polite company. Suffice it to say the family had been massacred and their livestock had either been run off or taken. We did what any god fearing being would do and gave them a proper burial and followed the track a bit but, lost them in a canyon about 30 miles north east of where we stand now. I and my men were heading back to the outpost for a much needed rest when we came across all of you."
The Lieutenant sits a moment and scratches his stubbled chin. "I've paid you a kindness in telling you this so, how about you repay with the same. What are you doing out here so far from the Henry Ranch and with some of Mr. Henry's Cattle?"
Keth grimaces and takes a deep breath. He had made close friends during his time with the Union army but he knew that a larger portion of the nation distrusted him and his kind.
Rather than antagonize the soldiers he walked slowly to his groups horses and began to care for them.
Rictor lets out a hearty laugh and slaps his knee, his voice still loud but not carrying nearly as far. "Oh, sometimes I forget that fighting for the right side doesn't mean you're righteous. Pardon the existence of any undesirables in your lofty midst, gentlemen. We are but humble cattlemen trying to wrangle a head of spooked cattle."
He didn't bother to mention their own encounter with goblins. He didn't trust these "do-gooders" as far as his demonic patron could throw them.
Val rolls his eyes at Rictor. “Goblins came at us recent. Killed a couple other hands.”
”I have to warn you, soldier man: they were riding some kind of flying beast. Might be hard tracking them.”
Paladin - warforged - orange
At the question of why we have H's cows, Belle says, "Sorry Lieutenant, I'm going to have to disappoint you if you were hoping for some excitement from us. We work for for the Wild H ranch that Mr. Henry owns. We can have that verified iffin' you need."
Salazar - Human Warlock of the Fiend (1) - The Lucarcian Incident
Shepherd Torrent Brallern Water Genasi Druid (1) - Ekuepool
Celeste Belle - Air Genasi Mutant Blood Hunter (1) - Old West
DM for A Waterdhavian Heist
Lieutenant Potter listens to each of your responses but you see him perk up a bit when "goblins riding flying beasts" are mentioned.
"Hmmm" he says as he places his right index finger over his mouth. "Now that is a bit interesting. I have not heard of that happening in these parts." he seems to say absently.
His focus turns back to the party. "I believe I am tired and my men are tired and we still have a bit of a ride till we find our beds." he says. "I will allow such familiarity from you because of the hour and our goal but, mind you manners a bit. These men are sworn to protect all that live in the territory so show them a bit of respect." he uses his hand to indicate the men behind him. "With that I bit you ado. May God help you in your endeavor and guide you back home."
With that the Lieutenant pulls the reins of his horse to the left and travels around you, followed by the banner carrier and his men fall in line as well. He tips his hat and says "Miss Belle". Some of the men seem to pay you no mind and looks straight ahead as they pass. A couple give a few side long glances at you and Keth but, still move one the the squad.
OCC: Post any responses and if you want to do anything before we continue.
"That actually went better than I expected," Keth says as he moves back to the group. "We should take their que though and get riding, a long way to go still."
Rictor gives Val a sidelong, annoyed glance but lets it pass, turning his gaze back toward the troops with an obsequious smile on his face.
"A thousand pardons, gentlemen. We'll just be moseying along. Walk with the Lord, my friends," he says, sweeping his bowler hat off his head with a flourish and a little bow. Of course, he found it difficult to say that last part with a straight face, but as he did when saying a prayer over his fallen comrades he ignored the chiding of his patron that rang in his mind.
At last they were alone again and, hearing the relief in Keth's voice, claps a friendly palm on his shoulder. "Don't let them get under your skin. If half of them were half the man you are they would've whooped those Confederate traitors faster than a hare in a hurricane," he says with a laugh. "Oh, and thanks for tending to the horses."
Indeed, his horse seemed calmed than usual when he tried to mount it and he knew it was Keth's calming demeanor that did the trick.
You watch the Cavalry Troop leave the area as you finish up your rest.
Perception rolls everyone.
As a group you break camp and saddle back up. You are able to get the herd moving in the right direction for the most part, once a few of them head in 1 direction the rest follow suit.
You travel for about an hour when you see another set of riders approaching from the west. You are cautious at first but eventually recognize them a Boss Bennet and 4 others. They swing out about 30 ft as to not spook the cattle then ride in to you. Boss Bennet looks the herd over.
"Good Job" he says. "But,we seem to be missing about 20 head. I just got word from Mr. Henry, from Jasper here" he points to a small man wearing a boller style hat. "He wants some of us to try and locate those cattle and deal with the rustlers. And since the Cavalry" he looks back in the direction the Cavalry Troopers went "ain't much help, I want you 4 to track the rest of the herd and bring them back."
Boss Bennet reaches into his saddle bag and pulls out a sack. "Cookie sent you enough Tact for a couple days and a little coffee as well. If'n you don't find them in 3 days head back to the ranch. If'n you don't show up within the next week, we'll figure you'll to be dead or rode out on us." he pauses before continuing. "Good hunt'n and see up in 7 days."
Boss Bennet finishes and turns his horse and starts taking over the cattle drive. The other hands do the same and start working the cattle.
Perception: 12
Keth pays attention to Bennet and steps up to accept the tact and coffee nodding in thanks. "We will find the cattle sir, no doubt."
As the herd is taken away Keth speaks up to the group, "Val, you and I can easily work together to track them but we need to be ready to run in to those goblins again." (Val's survival is higher so I suggest you roll.)
Perception 25
Val nods at Keth and moves out with him away from the herd.
survival 20
Paladin - warforged - orange
(Catching up; yesterday was my first day out of quarantine)
As the troops leave the group to their own devices, Celeste shivers visibly. Once they are far out of earshot, she says, "I came out here to get away from folks like them." She starts to join in with Rictor's cheering up of Keth, but Rictor's words leave her quiet and contemplative. She settles instead for a pat on his shoulder as she passes him by.
Perception 5
"Yeah, I wasn't expectin' 'em to be particularly helpful. They've got their own game they're playing. We'll go ahead and try to find those last twenty. Hopefully, they're still alive, but for us to have found no trace of 'em, they probably got taken by someone else. Any reward for us if we bring you the ones who took them too?"
Salazar - Human Warlock of the Fiend (1) - The Lucarcian Incident
Shepherd Torrent Brallern Water Genasi Druid (1) - Ekuepool
Celeste Belle - Air Genasi Mutant Blood Hunter (1) - Old West
DM for A Waterdhavian Heist
Rictor waits until the boss is out of earshot, having remained silent for the duration of Bennet's instructions. He kicks a clod of dirt angrily and turns to the rest of the group.
"All the boss cares about is his money. There's monsters in these hills what needs killing. Now, I doubt we find all of the cattle alive and well, but we can make damn sure that those goblins get what's coming to them," he says while swinging his leg over his horse's saddle.
Perception: 12
Boss Bennet answers Celeste's question before he leaves:
"Well, since its part of what you're paid ta do, I'd say that is a no on extra pay. You can keep whatcha find if ya get my meaning." he tells you then rides off.
Just as the party is about to turn to go you see one of the riders remained, sitting on his horse in front of you (intro)
Clay Henry
(5' 11". Tanned. Brown hair. Blue eyes. 175 lbs.)
The man says: "My Uncle Jonathan told me to help you guys." He speaks with a southern drawl.
"Good to have you with us, we could always use an extra hand," the half-orc says as he smiles and nods to Clay.
He trots his horse over by Val, "If you could lead me on my horse, I am willing to summon a friend of sorts to help scout ahead of us through an ancient ritual of combining my consciousness with him. He is Aihám, a friendly enough eagle, though still wild."