I'll wait a bit until either everyone in the carriage gets a chance to post or someone makes a post that seems like its telling me to just go ahead and post...to get things started. The driver of the carriage will soon see something that freaks him out.
Perform actions within brackets such as
[Notice], [Persuasion], [Shooting] and I'll figure out if it works or not and let you know here in the OOC
Gear – Carries standard issue Springfield model 1873 rifle along with two Colt M1878 handguns. When not in uniform, he wears black trousers and a vest over a shirt. Typically wears a tan trench coat that is ragged on the edges, and a dark brown Stetson.
Worst Nightmare – Being eaten alive
Background –
Lived in NYC, but enlisted at age 16, lying to recruiters about his age. They didn’t really care as the army was always in short supply of fresh meat. During training, one of the horses went crazy but he managed to calm the horse down. A cavalry officer was present, and gave him a shot to try out for the cavalry. He proved to have a knack for riding, and was as good a shot on the ground as he was horseback at full gallop.
He has spent most of his time out west, patrolling the border and fighting the occasional skirmish with CSA patrols. For a while the goal was to keep the Indians and CSA in check but the recent peace deal has made things slow and boring. He has started a few fights with CSA patrols, though has made sure to cover his tracks by making sure they were all dead and leaving no survivors.
After serving in the cavalry for 8 years, he was about to leave the service, however the same officer that recruited him to Cavalry, offered him the chance at a commission to be an officer. He would’ve been a fool to pass it up and took on the chance. Compared to the other officers he felt out of place as he had been a poor boy from New York, but wasn’t going to let it bother him.
What he’ll never forget was his first mission as an officer, leading a group into the badlands of the disputed lands. He’ll never forget the second night. They had just stopped a large group of outlaws that had slaughtered an Indian village. They had killed most of the m, but had managed to capture the boss and a few henchmen. As they camped out, rustling sound could be heard followed by eerie gnarling sound and shuffling. Rick stood immediately grabbing his pistols as the rest of his mean stood to their feet, wary of the situation. Without warning they were set upon, by what seemed living dead. One of the same men that he had personally killed, was on his feet trying to kill him, despite a gaping hole in its chest.
The bodies of the dead Indians were also among them, and they attacked without care. He watched as the dead killed and tore apart some of the arrested outlaws and some of the horses. He rallied his men as they shot and pushed off the attackers. Soon out of bullets they took to hand to hand combat, fighting them off with whatever was at hand. His saber proved useful, as did bashing in the creatures heads with the butts of rifles. Before long, the battle had been over, and he had lost half his men.
He loaded the bodies of his fallen men, on a wagon they found in the village, and they set the remaining bodies on fire. When they arrived back to their outpost, he and his men were taken and isolated in a barrack. It was here he was reassigned. He was to join military intelligence, and work under the officer that had shown interest in his career all these years. What he had seen and experience, he would keep a secret. The populace was not ready to find out about those the things that lurk out there. His men, were also reassigned to a special company that dealt with such creatures, after all they had proven their worth in fighting them off.
Taking on his new role, he would ensure, knowledge of these creatures remain a secret and take care of anyone that would divulge such knowledge.
Gear - Aveline despises violence, even shooting a gun near her makes her jumpy and nervous. And while she has been taught how to shoot, by a lawman who didn't want her to be taken advantage of, she really doesn't like carrying a weapon.
Worst Nightmare - Losing her mind.
Other: Aveline has been practicing, and improving, her speech, but it is still very ineffective for communication. She carries with her a chalkboard and chalk, gifted to her, when she really needs to get a point across, but this can be a problem when trying to 'talk' to someone who can't read. Her newest, and most useless, form of communication is Sign Language. She finally get to start learning signs when the books she ordered arrived from the developed cities in the North. Sign Language has been around since the early 1800s, but isn't very widespread or learned. Still, Aveline, likes learning.
Background -
Aveline know very little about who she is, or was, and where she came from. The woman has amnesia, caused by a traumatic brain injury she suffered. A gunshot wound to the head, the scar still visible on her left temple. The furthest back Aveline can remember is suddenly waking up, strapped to an operating table, a doctor picking pieces of lead bullet out of her skull, the pain slightly numbed with the taste of whiskey in her mouth. Her body had been dumped near a river, where it was found by a local minister. He was able to get her to a doctor before she expired, her survival being seen as a miracle.
When she finally came to, her emergency surgery a success, Aveline found herself struggling to answer the questions asked by the priest, the doctors, and the local law. Not only could she remember almost nothing, she could barely communicate. She had to strain to speak, but even then her words would be slurred and stuttered, the doctors assumed this was caused by the area of the brain struck with the bullet. She had to resort to communicating through written words, where she revealed everything she could remember. A ranch, a home, an argument. A Gunshot. Her name.
As she recovered she tried to recall who she was. Maybe an escort who angered a customer, or a rancher who's competition took matters into their own hands. Maybe she was a criminal, or just a victim of a random attack. But without any identifying documents, or anyone coming forward to claim the confused woman, her true background continued to be a mystery. All the doctors could piece together was that she did not come from Selina, unless her family was keeping away on purpose. And yet Aveline carried herself with a air of politeness, and knew how to read and write, which pointed her towards a past of civilization.
And a civilized past indeed. Aveline does not know, but I know because I am an omnipotent narrator. Aveline belongs to the Amcotte family, affluent plantation owners from the southern states. However, with the continuation of the war, as well as the rumors of the dead rising, the plantation began to suffer, following the death of the patriarch of the family, Aveline's father. Aveline, the youngest of her siblings, was left a comfortable sum in the Will, which angered her eldest sister, who had received the failing farm after the death of their father. Aveline's sister went on a rampage, murdering each remaining member of the Amcotte family, to gain the entire inheritance for herself. Too bad Aveline survived.
Today, Aveline still struggles. Although she has been practicing with speaking, her words are still soft and slurred, and she has a pretty prominent stutter. She fears that people only see her as an anomaly in town, or that her slow speech makes her unappealing. But her life is not all misery, and she is not entirely helpless. She considers herself quite lucky, despite her lingering disability. She can still communicate through speech, even if it is slow and stuttered, and she can write out what she wants to say. Her brush with death, as well as the care she received from both the local priests and doctors as she recovered, has inspired her. As she recovered she began to learn about the art of healing, both medicinal and miracle based. Her mentors and teachers would remark that she learns quickly, especially for a woman who had been shot in the head. She would much rather patch up a wound than cause one, but saying that she would much rather stay inside and read than face off against gunslingers.
ElGappa - Constantin LeBlanc, French Soldier of Fortune
Gear -Gras Model 1874: The dream of every Mercenary, and taken from the dead hands of a french soldier. One of the best rifles of its time, the single shot bolt action rifles is loving cared for by Constantin, who has given the gun the name "Amelie" -1872 Swiss Revolver: Won from a Swiss mercenary during a game of cards in Timbuktu, the six-shot revolver is a loyal sidearm, who has proven its worth, be it in the damp jungles and deserts of Africa, or in the dusty fields of china. -Ida Sword: A personal trophy, taken during contract with Zanzibarran Slavers, Constantin adores the blade he uses as a melee weapon. A strange weapon for an European eye, it has an strange weight in ones hand, and at time, people claim that the blade would whisper...
Background -
Constantin Hector Leblanc was born in a small village in the Normandie, France. His mother, Maria Leblanc, was a young peasant daughter, while his father was a false wandering preacher, abusing the deep religious devotion of the rural population, for his personal gain and would vanish quickly, as Maria´s pregnancy was noticed. Raised in his grandparents house, Constantin learned quickly what it meant to be an bastard, and both his family and his fellow children would not miss a chance, to torment him because of his birth. Yet Constantin was blessed with a grim temper and a strong physic, and before long, not a single child in his village, dared to call him a bastard, in fear of losing their teeth. The simple beauty of violent solutions was among the first lessons Constantin would learn in his life. Moving out of his grandparents house, as his mother hunted a local huntsman, Constantin would learn a second lesson, that would mark his life. His new step-father, whom Constantin took an early liking to, took the boy with him, and would teach him how to load and fire a rifle, as soon as he was old enough to hold it. Enjoying both the thrill of the hunt, as well as the ability to help his new father to feed his family, fate took a turn for the worse, when his step-father, would die in a tragic hunting accident. Widowed, Constantin, barley fourteen at the time, took up the rifle his step-father left him, and took to poaching, to provide for his sickly mother, who would pass away from a fever a years later. Orphaned, Constantin continued his poaching for three more years, until he was caught red handed, and arrested. Facing a deportation into the prison colonies, the Franco-Mexican war broke out, and Constantin was drafted into it. Shipped into a conflict on the other side of the world, which ended in an disaster, would turn out to be a stroke of luck for Constantin. Able to distinguish himself as an capable soldier, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant, and remained in service, even after the humiliating defeat, that saw the installed emperor shot like an common criminal. Still, he returned to France with full pockets, a secure income and a reputation as more then just a bastard. For single, blissful year, Constantin enjoyed a trouble-free time in Paris where he was garrisoned, before the Franco-German War broke out.
Joining up, like any proper soldier would, Constantin would met an Austrian, whom he would develop a friendship with, and a sneering Englishman, whom he would develop a mutual rivalry with. Then Sedan came, and the dead rose from the ground to feed on the living. With Chaos all around them, and no help in sight, the three were on their own, as they tried their best to escape the nightmare around them. It was in this chaos, that a shrapnel would hit his chest, grievously wounding him. Expecting to be left behind, and even cursing Franz Kaufmann to leave him behind and save himself, the Austrian took his remove the shrapnel, and bandage his wound, saving his life from certain death in the ruins of Sedan. Hiking to Paris, the three were able to get their just pay, even through Constantin almost had to break a mans arm for it. Released from his duty, Constantin saw his homeland crumble into chaos and disgusted by the new republic, would leave for the colonies, to make a living on his own. He invited the Austrian to join him on his travels [...]
The next seven years, Constantin would cut a bloody path through the world. In Africa he would break bread with slavers and petty officals, willing to fight for the colonial powers against the natives, now strengthen by new allies from beyond for the right price, until he beat up an Belgian gentleman in Congo, for calling him a bastard, earning himself a bounty and a reason to leave the continent. In south america, he would happily crush uprisings of local workers, while earning a pay from the local plantation owners, before also being forced to leave, after earning himself the hate of an influential Cattle-Baron, after being caught in bed with his wife. Leaving for Asia, Constantin fought both in the Dutch East Indies as well in the Taiping Rebellion. Once more caught in an argument with an Taiping Officer, this time over a prostitute, Constantin drunkenly beheaded the rebel, before switching sides, and taking Quing coins as payment. Joining the "Ever Victorious Army", he took part in multiple lootings of ancient temples, and, after being denied payment, would sack a local palace, before deciding, that with a bag filled with golden trinkets, it was time to return home.
Paying for a passage back into France, and buying a small plot of land in the champagne, Constantin was, while far from wealthy, alive, which was more then most mercenaries could say. He began to court a local widow, with plans set to marriage, before a familiar Austrian would enter his home, talking him into one last adventure...
Gear - A Four Barrelled Howdah Pistol from the Abyssinia Expedition (only four shots but ever so powerful), his 1845 Pattern Infantry Officer's Sword across his back, a Lion Head Cane, as befitting a Gentleman such as he. John wears a three piece suit, quite popular back home, and Army Issue Hessian Boots.
Worst Nightmare - Being beaten by a Frenchmen
Background -
Born into a working class family John's prospect's changed when his father was given an Battlefield promotion during Crimean War. Instead of joining the Grunts like his father and grandfather had done, John attended Military school and gained an lieutenant commission in the Indian Army were he fought in the Abyssinia Expedition.
Shortly after the expedition John was promoted to captain but despite John's skill he was shunned by the officers and men alike for being of working class origin. It got so bad that John was about to leave the Army when he was approached by a member of the Directorate of Military Intelligence and offered an role in the growing organisation. John accepted and for the next ten years worked for Military Intelligence, Helping the Birtish Empire from the Shadows.
The Directorate of Military Intelligence has know about the dead and various other monsters appearing on earth for several years now, with John himself being one of the first members of the directorate to witness it first hand at the battle of sedan.
Posing as "birtish advisor" to French John was actual there to eliminate a French colonel and acquire the documents he carried but with the Frogs losing so badly John was dragged into the fighting before he could escape.
With the help of an Franz, an member of the Austrian expeditionary force and a French solider named Constantin John was able to hold of the Prussian and was about flee when the unthinkable happened: the corpses of the fallen rose up. Soon they were surrounded as undead Prussians, French, and Austrians lashed out from all sides.
They where almost overwhelmed but managed escape though an Prussian Artillery Barrage and fled into the Night. Resting in a nearby forest it was discovered that Constantin had been hit in the chest with artillery shrapnel.
Despite Constantin's Plees and John's suggestion he die instead of "forever be embarrassed that bloody Prussians beat them." Franz couldn't bring himself to abandon a fellow soldier. He pulled the shrapnel out piece by piece and bandaged the wound, saving Constantin from death His screams.
"Tough French Bastard isn't he?"
Hiking back to Paris they arrived just in time for the coronation of Kaiser Wilhelm I. Helping Franz (And Constantin) get their compensation and release from service the group went their own separate ways although before they did, they exchanged contact details... Franz and Constantin were talented soldiers and could been of use to the Directorate.. or to John himself.
Returning to England John continued to work for the Directorate but was now tasked to find out more about the dead and various other monsters appearing that people had long considers to be fairtale stories.
By 1879 this investigation had led john to American. The civil war has recently "ended" with a peacefire and despite some rumours and hostile Indian tribes people flocked to American west to get their hands on "Ghost Rock" a new resource than burns Five Times Hotter and 100 Times Longer than Coal.
By chance Franz, now a member of the Imperial Society and the Frenchman from sedan where also heading to American. claiming to now be an moderate successful Businessman John joined them, claiming to be interested in ghost rock for a factory he part owned.
The group took a ship together across the pond. arriving in American Franz acquired a coach and the small band of old European soldiers is on their way to Selina, Kansas.
Wampower - Franz Kaufman, Austrian Gunsmith and Ex-Soldier
Appearance - Franz is relatively average physically. He’s 5’10”, with an average stature. He has a fair and lightly freckled complexion. He has short light brown hair and a full beard. His outfit consists of a long grey coat, white shirt, tough blue trousers from his military days, blue vest, old army boots, and something like a grey Homburg hat.
Gear - Franz has brought his tools for reloading ammo and gun maintenance and of course his babies
An automatic gatling rifle built in his shop
His modified Gasser M1870 he used to survive during the Battle of Sedan. This pistol was used by officers and cavalry, and Franz has cared for it meticulously and updated some of it’s mechanisms. It has high stopping power, with it’s carbine chamber of 11.25x36mm.
Worst Nightmare - Getting eaten alive at Sedan
Background -
Franz Kaufmann was born to Josef Kaufmann and Marie Kaufmann in poor worker tenements in Vienna in 1848. The chaos caused by the year’s revolutions caused his parents much misfortune, so they named their son after the new Hapsburg monarch, Franz Joseph, who ascended to the throne that year to return stability to the Empire. The family lived an impoverished existence, working hard early industrial jobs in Vienna. Josef and Marie were unable to conceive again, so further strain was put on Franz to work hard for the family. The young man knew his duty, but truly desired to seek fame and fortune from adventure, like so many others. When he was 18, he enlisted in the army for the Austro-Prussian War, much to his parent’s chagrin. The adventure was short-lived when the war ended in quick defeat for the Austrians, but he distinguished himself and received extra payment for his service. With the money, his family was able to rise out of the worst of it’s problems. The experience of a lost war changed him forever, but he ultimately considered it worthwhile to serve his Empire and family. He stayed on in the army and started to rise in ranks.
In 1870, the Prussians turned on Napoleon III’s French Empire. The Austrians didn’t join the war, but the French paid for an expeditionary force to aid them. He joined it eagerly, knowing it would set him up for life if he used his pay wisely. The force found its way to France just in time before the Battle of Sedan, where it fought well with another division of French men. In the chaos of the battlefield, he, a British advisor named John, and a Frenchman named Constantin depended on each other to make sure their guns kept firing. They barely managed to fend off every Prussian advance on their position, unaware that the battle as a whole was deteriorating. As they kept firing to keep the Prussians from braving a full assault, the unthinkable happened: the corpses of the fallen rose up. Soon they were surrounded as undead Prussians, French, and Austrians lashed out from all sides. A living man was worth 10 of the flesh gnashers, but the dead always outnumbered the living. Under the moonlight, they were almost overwhelmed. Then Prussian artillery started shelling the growing horde, allowing them an escape route. As they fled into night, it became apparent that the Frenchman had been hit in the chest with artillery shrapnel. Even though the three knew none of each other’s language, they all knew what had to be done. Despite Constantin's plees to leave him behind, Franz couldn't bring himself to abandon a fellow soldier. He pulled the shrapnel out piece by piece and bandaged the wound, saving Constantin from death. His screams and twisted flesh would haunt Franz whenever he remembered Sedan.
After resting a few hours, the three hiked back to Paris, arriving in time for the coronation of Kaiser Wilhelm I. They managed to strong-arm an army bureaucrat into giving Franz and Constantin their rightful compensation and release from service. Before they went their separate ways, they exchanged contact details, so the three men could correspond later. Franz went back to Vienna, secured an honorable discharge, and decided to settle down. He’d lost his taste for adventure and soldiering after the horrors of Sedan, or so he thought.
Utilizing his carefully saved army money, Franz was able to open a business as a gunsmith in Vienna. He quickly saw success by getting out in front of the newer innovations and was able to set his aging parents up well in his new home. The working class soldier suddenly found himself thrust into Vienna’s new wave of Bourgeoisie. While it was a culture shock at first, he soon became invested in efforts to help modernize Vienna and prepare for the coming age of technology and magic. He joined the state funded Imperial Society of Science and Magic to tell his stories of the horrors of Sedan and his experiences with the new wave of gatling firearms. It helped him to share his experience in a productive way. He also found love in a professor's daughter named Amelia, marrying her and establishing a family.
Franz was happy and successful, while raising his toddler daughter Sophia, but his old taste for adventure started to reawaken. Things in America were getting worse and the Emperor wanted somebody from the Imperial Society to go abroad and investigate more. Franz somewhat reluctantly volunteered. He didn’t want to leave his family and business, but he also couldn’t deny his desire to discover the happenings of the American West. He urged his friends from Sedan in letters to join him. While the Frenchman was reluctant, John agreed readily. The group took a ship together across the pond. Franz acquired a coach and the small band of old European soldiers is on their way to Selina, Kansas.
Gear - Colt Army Model 1860; Polished, Stygian Black Ironwood comprises the grip, nearly matching the coloration of the cold-steel frame. The silvery embellishments weave magically into the colors, making it one hell of a' thing to look at. If you find yourself on the receiving end of that barrel? Well I'd say your luck just ran out... U.S Marshall Attire; Sturdy, black leather boots with added spurs to nudge the steed along, thick tan pants covered with the dust a' outside and grime from the Saloon. It's an attempt in vain to keep the alabaster white undershirt a' his clean, but still he tries, which makes it only the color of his pants, brought together with a black vest with silvery clasp. Aside from that worn U.S Marshall badge, he's the same as you. A Man. When mother nature has one of her conniptions, he may sport a bandana of whatever color to protect his face.
Worst Nightmare - Originally, it was dying at Shiloh. Now, his Worst Nightmare is not proving himself to be a good lawman.
Background -
Born Eli Francis Mckee, he was the first and only son to Jean Mckee, An outlaw and Elizabeth Lerin, a seamstress. Eli was plagued with constant ridicule since he was able to understand what words meant, mainly due to how he came to be. See, Jean Mckee was an Outlaw roamin' the west when he happened about the small stead where the Lerins' lived. Keeping the fact that he was a wanted criminal, he was welcomed with open arms and after some time, regarded as family. He'd help with the family's ranch and in turn they'd offer residence in the nearly empty ranch-house. Why is were so empty? Well both Lerin boys were killed by "Them damn Injuns" in what'd be known as the Great Raid, the singlemost largest indian attack on white cities. This left only Ma and Pa Lerin, along with their daughter Elizabeth.
Life was easy, serine, and albeit a stark contrast to the Outlaw life, Jean came to enjoy it. He also came to enjoy the company of Elizabeth and soon enough, they fell in Love. It was short-lived, as news of Jean's true identity was brought to life when the residing Sheriff visiting the Lerins "Swore he'd seen that feller before". Consulting old wanted posters, it was revealed that Jean was infact an Outlaw, wanted Dead or Alive: $2,000. Once this came to light, all sorts a' lowlife began takin' chances, and at some point had the collective brainwave to ambush the stead. That night, some 50 men stormed the ranch, To which Jean responded with opening fire. Jean was subsequently killed by gunfire. Not even cold in his grave, Elizabeth discovered she was pregnant with Eli, which her parents naturally disapproved. Yet when the child was born, they couldn't find it in em' to hate the boy, and he too were accepted like Jean was years ago.
Eli regarded himself a 'cursed child' due to how ostracized he was, but he soon learned to ignore them. He'd show them He thought He'd show them all. Working on the ranch raised Eli to be a strong, healthy youth and when he came of age, was conscripted into the Union Army. When in training, he met a man by the name of Jesse, who he befriended. After training, He and Jesse were both assigned to the Army of Georgia and both under the enlisted rank of Private. They both ever saw one battle, the dreaded Battle of Shiloh.
He and Jesse were amongst the Union soldiers surprised by the Confederate attack, yet they dug in heels and held against wave after wave of "Them damn greys". The aftermath was brutal on both ends, A Union victory but at the cost of thousands of men. Eli was injured during the battle and subsequently relieved of further duty in the Army. He was granted the Campaign Service Medal and was field promoted to Sargent during the battle. Returning home, he learned that his Mother passed of Yellow Fever. He decided then to be a U.S Marshal and was readily accepted due to his military service. Years later, he learned that Jesse had also survived Shiloh, through a letter sent from Kansas. He may just visit sometime...
The year is 1879 but in the world of Deadlands it is a very different 1879. In both of our worlds the year of 1863 saw the United States at war with itself but in this world things went very differently. For one thing, the war did not end two years later. For another rumors persist...persistently...enough that many have good reason, though oddly little evidence, to believe something else quite important happened that day. The dead of Gettysburg rose and beset the living, Blue or Grey making no difference whatsoever.
That's ancient history now though. Well 16 years, but much has changed in those years. Slavery has been abolished. A new natural resource, known as Ghost Rock, has been found that burns Five Times Hotter and One Hundred Times Longer than Coal. California has, in large part, been reclaimed by the Pacific leaving a broken land known as The Great Maze. Utah has been taken over and renamed The Republic of Deseret. What's more Manifest Destiny has been considerably delayed with the founding of two separate large Indian nations, The Coyote Confederacy and the Sioux Nations. Amid all this chaos, Ghost Rock has dropped the nations into an Industrial Age.
What Is This?
This RP is an attempt to combine the freedom of collaborative non-linear roleplay with some linear storytelling, incorporating as much as possible actual Pen and Paper rules to ensure a dangerous engaging experience. Hopefully it works.
It's a fairly short story with a start and a finish, though leaving things open to play or encounter our characters again.
For this story we will all be either living in or making our way toward a small town in Kansas called Selina. Selina is a small town North East of Dodge. Kansas is known as Bloody Kansas in this setting. Selina is rather basic, consisting of a respectable if quite bare bones Bed and Breakfast run by one Father O’Flanagan, the monastery where O’Flanagan works, a General Store run by a ex-miner who once hit it big, a taxidermist by the name of Zeke, and a small three man operation Sheriff's Department. Selina is more friendly than most toward the various Indian tribes as there has been in large part an unofficial policy of live and let live. Most inhabitants of Selina get by by being as self sufficient as possible and selling any food or goods beyond what very little they truly need in Dodge.
Our Party
2sky11 - Rick Matthews, Union Cavalryman Dragonbud - Aveline, Blessed ElGappa - Constantin LeBlanc, French Soldier of Fortune Lewis - John Blackburn, Investigator Wampower - Franz Kaufman, Austrian Gunsmith and Ex-Soldier
About The Setting
While this adventure won't explore most of the world or many of the themes here is a bit, fresh from the Player's Guide, to explain the setting and where it differs from the world we all live in.
Bloody Kansas and Dodge
Kansas has been the site of 25 years of guerilla warfare, and shows no signs of calming down any time soon. According to the original Kansas-Nebraska act, which opened Kansas to settlement back in 1854, the people of the territory would vote on whether the territory would enter the Union as a free or slave state. One can guess what kind of conflict this caused. For a while, Kansas had been fighting its very own Civil War, well before the Blues and Grays ran into their little problem. “Border ruffians” from Missouri filtered across the border and tried to ensure Kansas became a slave state, while abolitionists called “Jayhawkers” tried to counter their efforts. Neither group shied from violence to influence the decision of Kansas’ citizens. Kansas wound up joining the Union as a free state only a few months before the Civil War broke out.
While no major military campaigns have been fought here, the long tradition of guerilla warfare and intimidation continues to this day. Diehard Rebs and staunch Unionists often live side by side in some Kansas towns. The fact that regular military units are pretty much prohibited in Kansas only allows these tensions to boil out of control, sometimes even erupting into “Territorial Wars” between towns loyal to differing nations. The fire of the Civil War may only be embers and coals, but Kansas is a powder keg, and the fuse is still burning.
Dodge meanwhile, though we’re not going there in this story, is a large bustling trade center thanks to it being a stop on two major rail lines and an area with a plentiful buffalo population. Between all the trade, all the buffalo hunters, and the general tensions of Kansas it’s a hell of a dangerous city. Fortunately Deputy Wyatt Earp has the constitution necessary to enforce a law requiring the temporary confiscation of firearms upon entrance into town.
An Ugly Past
Let’s get this out of the way early— whether in the North, South, West, or somewhere in between, slavery is a thing of the past. While it was a divisive issue in 19th Century America, and many on both sides of the Civil War cited it as a moral motivation to prosecute the war, the real causes of the Civil War were quite a bit more complicated.
In any event, it rapidly became clear to Confederate leadership that in order for the fledgling nation to gain international recognition, the “Peculiar Institution” must be discarded. In 1864, Generals Robert E. Lee and Patrick R. Cleburne proposed a plan to offer slaves their freedom in exchange for military service. President Davis quickly endorsed the plan in a Congressional address.
This helped convert the British Empire’s passive sympathy toward the Confederate cause into formal recognition of its independence, and French Emperor Napoleon III soon followed suit. In exchange for the aid of England and France in breaking the Union blockade of Southern ports, and an agreement with England to fix the Confederate dollar to the British pound at a very favorable rate, the British asked the Confederacy to abolish slavery altogether. The Davis administration complied, and on April 9, 1865, all slaves in the Confederate States of America were freed.
Fearful of losing the moral high ground (and “naturally anti slavery” himself), United States President Abraham Lincoln quickly followed the earlier Emancipation Proclamation (which only abolished slavery in states in rebellion against the United States) with the proposed 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which would end slavery in America. The Amend ment was ratified by the end of the year.
By 1879, racism is becoming a thing of the past in the Weird West. Progress has been made, and more will come as peace returns and folks resume their normal lives. The prospect of further integration of Confederate society is aided by a greater sense of community and shared values than in actual history. Circumstances are similar in the North. Just as in the real West, folks are willing to overlook the color of a person’s skin in favor of the content of his or her character. Bottom line: just as in our own lives, bigoted and outright racist attitudes are the province of villains and the shamefully ignorant.
That’s probably mostly the case, but as it’s close to Dodge (let’s say 2 Days average travel time) if that’s not what you want for your character there you could be just passing through or a fairly recent arrival.
Selina is a small town North East of Dodge. Kansas is known as Bloody Kansas in this setting. Selina is rather basic, consisting of a respectable if quite bare bones Bed and Breakfast run by one Father O’Flanagan, the monastery where O’Flanagan works, a General Store run by a ex-miner who once hit it big, and a taxidermist by the name of Zeke. Selina is more friendly than most toward the various Indian tribes as there has been in large part an unofficial policy of live and let live. Most inhabitants of Selina get by by being as self sufficient as possible and selling any food or goods beyond what very little they truly need in Dodge.
Here is what the Players Guide has to say on Bloody Kansas,
Kansas has been the site of 25 years of guerilla warfare, and shows no signs of calming down any time soon. According to the original Kansas-Nebraska act, which opened Kansas to settlement back in 1854, the people of the territory would vote on whether the territory would enter the Union as a free or slave state. One can guess what kind of conflict this caused. For a while, Kansas had been fighting its very own Civil War, well before the Blues and Grays ran into their little problem. “Border ruffians” from Missouri filtered across the border and tried to ensure Kansas became a slave state, while abolitionists—called “Jayhawkers”—tried to counter their efforts. Neither group shied from vio- lence to influence the decision of Kansas’ citizens. Kansas wound up joining the Union as a free state only a few months before the Civil War broke out.
While no major military campaigns have been fought here, the long tradition of guerilla warfare and intimidation continues to this day. Diehard Rebs and staunch Unionists often live side by side in some Kansas towns. The fact that regular military units are pretty much prohibited in Kansas only allows these tensions to boil out of control, sometimes even erupting into “Territorial Wars” between towns loyal to differing nations. The fire of the Civil War may only be embers and coals, but Kansas is a powder keg, and the fuse is still burning.
Dodge
Dodge meanwhile, though we’re not going there in this story, is a large bustling trade center thanks to it being a stop on two major rail lines and an area with a plentiful buffalo population. Between all the trade, all the buffalo hunters, and the general tensions of Kansas it’s a hell of a dangerous city. Fortunately Deputy Wyatt Earp has the constitution necessary to enforce a law requiring the temporary confiscation of firearms upon entrance into town.
Also, because the section on Kansas mentions it, here’s the skinny on slavery in this setting, straight from the Players Guide. Probably the best way to deal with an awkward situation so we don’t just make it a Black and White morality thing.
Let’s get this out of the way early— whether in the North, South, West, or somewhere in between, slavery is a thing of the past. While it was a divisive issue in 19th Century America, and many on both sides of the Civil War cited it as a moral motivation to prosecute the war, the real causes of the Civil War were quite a bit more complicated.
In any event, it rapidly became clear to Confederate leadership that in order for the fledgling nation to gain international recognition, the “Peculiar Institution” must be discarded. In 1864, Generals Robert E. Lee and Patrick R. Cleburne proposed a plan to offer slaves their freedom in exchange for military service. President Davis quickly endorsed the plan in a Congressional address.
This helped convert the British Empire’s passive sympathy toward the Confederate cause into formal recognition of its independence, and French Emperor Napoleon III soon followed suit. In exchange for the aid of England and France in breaking the Union blockade of Southern ports, and an agreement with England to fix the Confederate dollar to the British pound at a very favorable rate, the British asked the Confederacy to abolish slavery altogether. The Davis administration complied, and on April 9, 1865, all slaves in the Confederate States of America were freed.
Fearful of losing the moral high ground (and “naturally anti slavery” himself), United States President Abraham Lincoln quickly followed the earlier Emancipation Proclamation (which only abolished slavery in states in rebellion against the United States) with the proposed 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which would end slavery in America. The Amend ment was ratified by the end of the year.
By 1879, racism is becoming a thing of the past in the Weird West. Progress has been made, and more will come as peace returns and folks resume their normal lives. The prospect of further integration of Confederate society is aided by a greater sense of community and shared values than in actual history. Circumstances are similar in the North. Just as in the real West, folks are willing to overlook the color of a person’s skin in favor of the content of his or her character. Bottom line: just as in our own lives, bigoted and outright racist attitudes are the province of villains and the shamefully ignorant.
Hell yes. Great Character Sheet. MysteryBroom, Andrew Blade, and Brat342 if you want to join up for the next adventure I'd be glad to have you but we're full up for this one. Hope you stick around to read it and join up for the next one.
2sky11 - Rick Matthews, Union Cavalryman Dragonbud - Aveline, Blessed ElGappa - Constantin LeBlanc, French Soldier of Fortune Lewis - John Blackburn, Investigator Life in Stasis - Sequoyah Guess, Cherokee Huckster Wampower - Franz Kaufman, Austrian Gunsmith and Ex-Soldier War - Eli Mckee, Marshal
I'll start work on an introductory post shortly. We have a bit of a dilemma that I didn't foresee in that there isn't an immediately clear reason for everyone to be traveling together, so rather than start the story that way and leave you all to figure out why you're together I'll start it off with Lewis, Gappa, and Wam's characters (Blackburn, LeBlanc, and Kaufmann) traveling into Selina. We'll work out what the party is looking into and why they come together as we get started.
In the interests of helping out a bit more I'll copy/paste some of the more common types here, they're not at starting level but it'll give a bit of a template. A lot of the information won't be all that useful for this story but maybe it'll help a bit.
Explorer
Attributes: Agility 6, Smarts 6, Spirit 6, Strength 6, Vigor 6 Skills: Climbing, Fighting, Guts, Healing, Notice, Riding, Shooting, Stealth, Streetwise, Survival, Swimming, Tracking Gear: Unarmed Strike Hindrances: •Big Mouth: Can't keep secrets; Discloses plans and info •Habit (Tobacco): Annoying and constant habit •Overconfident: Believes he can do anything; Accepts all challenges Edges: •Knack: Seventh Son: Any time a Fate Chip is used in his presence, he can discard a like-colored chip to negate its effect. •Scout: You are expert at avoiding or detecting hazards.
Huckster
Attributes: Agility 6, Smarts 8, Spirit 8, Strength 4, Vigor 6 Skills: Fighting, Gambling, Guts, Notice, Persuasion, Riding, Shooting, Spellcasting (Arcane) Gear: Unarmed Strike, Derringer, Brass Knuckles Hindrances: •Bad Eyes (minor): -2 to shoot or notice distant targets w/o glasses •Cautious: Plot things out in detail before any action •Lame: -2 Pace; Roll d4 for running Edges: •Arcane Magic: Gain the Magic arcane background •Card Sharp: Only get's caught cheatin' when he rolls snake eyes; people are at -2 to notice Huckster. •Dealer's Choice: Spend Fate Chip to redraw a card. •True Grit: +1 Grit
Gear: Unarmed Strike, Bow, Bladed War Club, Twin Tomahawks Hindrances: •Bloodthirsty: Never take prisoners; -4 Charisma if known •Lyin' Eyes: -2 to Intimidation and Persuasion when he lies; -2 to Gamblin' when Bluffin' •Stubborn: Always wants his way; Never admits he's wrong Edges: •Fleet-Footed: +2 Pace; Roll d10 when running •Steady Hands: Ignore penalty for firing from moving platform
Law Dog
Attributes: Agility 8, Smarts 6, Spirit 6, Strength 6, Vigor 6 Skills: Fighting, Guts, Notice, Riding, Shooting, Stealth, Streetwise, Survival Gear: Unarmed Strike, Twin Colt Peacemakers, Brass Knuckles, Boots, Clothing (Normal), Quick-Draw Holster, Stetson Hindrances: •Cautious: Plot things out in detail before any action •Code of Honor: Honor is key; Keeps word, won't abuse/kill prisoners, etc. •Doubting Thomas: Rationalizes all weird or supernatural events Edges: •Danger Sense: Notice roll at -2 to sense an imminent surprise •Knack: Born on Christmas: See text. •Quick: Redraw initiative cards of 5 or lower •Quick Draw: Ignore -2 penalty to attack after drawing; +2 on draw
Soldier
Attributes: Agility 8, Smarts 6, Spirit 6, Strength 6, Vigor 8 Skills: Climbing, Fighting, Gambling, Guts, Healing, Intimidation, Notice, Riding, Shooting, Streetwise, Survival Gear: Colt Army, Unarmed Strike, Winchester '73, Knife, Bedroll, Canteen Hindrances: •Code of Honor: Honor is key; Keeps word, won't abuse/kill prisoners, etc. •Loyal: Will never leave a man behind •Vow (Minor: Follow orders): Vow causes problems Edges: •Command: Allies +1 on Spirit rolls to recover from Shaken •Nerves of Steel: Ignore 1 point of wound penalties •Soldier (NCO): You are a Non-Commissioned Officer in the Army.
There are three others who are preparing CSs right now so I’ll call that the party. Let me know if you’re interested anyway just in case someone leaves or changes their mind.
The party is
War - Eli Mckee, Marshal Dragon Bud - Aveline, Blessed Wampower - Franz Kaufman, Austrian Gunsmith and Ex-Soldier Lewis - John Blackburn, Investigator ElGappa - Constantin LeBlanc, French Soldier of Fortune Life in Stasis - Sequoyah Guess, Cherokee Huckster (Hope you'll join up for the next adventure, great character) 2sky11 - Rick Matthews, Union Cavalryman
Captain Uni
Antlers
Tribs
Sep
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Tlaloc
TokyoPewPew
Fetzen
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