Landain

♠ Showdowns & Saddles ♠

The most logical place is at the end of the bar closest to the entrance. He is in over his head and just might be getting that picture. I'm hoping his character will eventually change during the story.

♠ Showdowns & Saddles ♠

Finney didn’t understand what Mr. Logan was doing right away. He may have been a bit slow on the uptake. None of his frat brothers would ever think to cheat or steal the pot in this manner. It was foreign to his etiquette. But when Misty Koman pulled out the small sword, he realized the grumpy old man was trying to steal the pot from him. He knew this was a fight he was ill prepared for and did not want to get involved. He would find a quiet corner to melt into and be a proverbial bug on the wall, watching what happened.

Billy on the other hand felt a bit suspicious about Mr. Logan from the beginning of the game as well as the Johnny Reb. He was curious about Miss Johnson and agreed with Misty Koman’s good medicine. He knew the Cree man, was a good person. When he saw the Cree stand up and threaten Mr. Logan after he reached for the pot, Billy stood up dropping his chair to the floor. He gave up his weapons when he entered the establishment, except one; his fists and feet. He was an experienced pugilist, having taken his licks many times.

“Mistah Logan, it would be in yo best interest if you rethought what you was attemptin’ to do heah. This is not gonna go the way ya planned.” Billy addressed Mr. Logan in a very serious tone. Billy looked at Misty Koman simply to let him know, he had his back.

♠ Showdowns & Saddles ♠

Billy rolled an 18
Finney rolled a 5, But Finney folded, so it really doesn't matter. ;)

1. Click on New Campaign.
2. Give the Campaign a title. I wrote Billy's Poker hands.
3. Write a description, "Using dice rolls to determine the outcome of a poker game".
4. Click Submit.
5. Type 1d20 in the box labeled "Roll"
6. Type the purpose of the Roll, "Billy's Poker Hand"
7. Click copy link so you can include it in a post here in this thread.

If you use the link button on the toolbar, you just need to put the URL address in the brackets and then write a title between the two sets of brackets.

♠ Showdowns & Saddles ♠

“Fine to see dark skinned man here. Good medicine.” The Cree spoke him his unpronounceable name, "Mistihkoman, Big Knife, my name. What is your name dark skinned one?" Even Miss Mary found it difficult to repeat.

“Nice to be making your acquaintance, Misty-Ko-Man and Miss Mary,” Billy responded to the Cree man and the woman. He looked at his hand and agreed his skin was a darker color than most.

“What do the rest of you do for a living?” The gentleman who dealt the lousy hand and was supporting the pot quite nicely asked.

“My name is William Kingsley, but most folks call me, Billy. I ain’t got no job at the moment. I was a soldia with the 10th cavalry for more than a few years. I been rambling from job to job just ta git by. Ah grew up in Illy-noy.” Billy looked up at Mr. Logan. “Are you a hirin’ man, mistah?” Billy looked at the cards he was dealt; the ace of clubs and the two of hearts. ‘Here’s hoping the community cards present somethin' worthwhile,’ Billy thought to himself. ‘Maybe four clubs or a few more aces would be nice.’

Billy did not mind the tobacco smell from Miss Mary. It was an odor he had grown accustomed to over the years. He tried smoking tobacco with Commanches, but never picked up the habit.

The other dandy claimed to be a bounty hunter. Billy doubted that lie, but took the man at his word. Most bounty hunters he met, looked more like the Johnny Reb across the table.

Phineas found the conversation fascinating. He listened to the others and breathed in Mary Johnson’s cigar smoke. He tried cigars back at Amherst, but never liked the taste. It was not something he would do again. “Miss Johnson,” Finney looked around the table. “Gentlemen, my name is Phineas Eugene O’Connell from Gloucester, Massachusetts. One of the finest fishing communities in the United States of America,” Finney spoke with an eastern Boston accent. “Most people call me Finney. It is my nickname. I am here for an investigative reason and I find you people quite fascinating. For me it is a calling, you could say.” Finney had a youthful grin or smile plastered on his face. He was excited to be here. The setting was perfect for his purpose. The people sitting at the table were perfect. He was in the moment and loved it. “To be honest, I am a writer. I graduated from Amherst not long ago and have journeyed out to Texas in order to see the West first hand. I want to learn what you know and experience it myself.” As a sidebar, Finny felt compelled to share a little history with his companions. “Did you all know that roughly thirty years ago, Texas was an independent country?” Finny looked at his cards; the five of clubs and the seven of diamonds. He threw them on the table, “Fold.”

♠ Showdowns & Saddles ♠

sorry. :(

Please write in 3rd person past tense out of quotes. It really messes me up when someone writes in the present tense. Three seconds after you write it, it is past tense. It is not happening right now.

♠ Showdowns & Saddles ♠

Should have something posted tonight or tomorrow. (EST)

Battle of the Nations

Halldorian Infantry preparing to receive a Gauldic advance

Duke von Nordmann spoke first. He addressed the assembled retinue. “I am Brigadier Friedrich von Nordman, Duke von Nordman of the Halldor Empire. I have served in prior campaigns in the service of Herr Francisco Marion, following his imprisonment a year and a half ago, the Halldor Empire distanced itself from the Gauldic empire and its previous commitments with that mad man. I know he is a tenacious ruler and combatant. This contest we find ourselves in today will be as challenging as any each of us may have ever encountered in our lives. I have worked under the command of the emperor. He is not to be taken lightly. Any stories you may have heard about him, his reputation. They are all true. He is that good.” Duke Friedrich took out a smoking pipe, filled it with tobacco and lit it. The pipe was made from hickory and the tobacco had a cherry flavor to it which quickly scented the interior of the tent.

“Today, we have my brigade of infantry; about 12,000 strong, 6,000 Dusmane Cavalry, some of the most feared warriors on the continent, a battery of Gauldic artillery and…” Friedrich turned to Major Mackeralini, “how would you best describe your ragtag group of soldiers? They appear to be line infantry, but their numbers are depleted. How can we employ them in this campaign?”

“I intend to deploy two line battalions of my 1st regiment under the command of Colonel Klaus von Kerpin on the far left of the line. They will be positioned behind the military crest; with the first battalion in the lead and the second battalion fifty meters behind the first. Next, is ample room for Major Mackeralini’s artillery. To the right of the artillery will be Colonel Hans von Schmidt’s second regiment. His two battalions of fusiliers will be arrayed in the same manner as von Kerpin’s First. On our far right will be Colonel Joachim Göttisheim’s Third regiment. All three Line regiments will post their first battalions in the prone position to help conceal their location to the Imperial forces on the other side of the valley.” Duke Friedrich then added, "yes, the line infantry and the grenadiers will all have bayonets fixed, naturally."

Duke Friedrich puffed on his pipe then looked at Iouldouz Khan, “there is ample room on the allied right for your cavalry. I am prepared to present you with two battalions of Halldor Royal Grenadier Guards under the command of Colonel Viktor Schneider. They can amply support your advance. Or we can use the Guards regiment as our Allied reserve. In either case, whether the dusmane Auxilliaries or the Halldorian Infantry break the enemy formation, the Royal Grenadier Guards are prepared to exploit that position.”

“For those who are aware of the organization of the Halldorian infantry regiments, you may notice I failed to mention our light infantry battalions or Jaegers. We have four Jaeger battalions that work much better in wooded terrain. We have the luxury of having natural forest on both flanks. Marion may or may not send troops into the forest. In either case, we should be prepared for either the enemy employing light infantry on our flanks or for our use to outflank the enemy when they advance. It is not a matter of if they advance, but when. Depending on Major Mackeralini’s intentions with his light infantry force, he can either employ them in the woods to the south with the Jaeger battalion from the Royal Grenadier Guards regiment or I will post two Jaeger battalions in each of the two woodlots. They can enter the forest at a location west of our positions in order to remain undetected by the enemy. Then, by using their stealth, move east to a position only about a hundred meter, maybe two hundred beyond the forward edge of our line infantry. When the Gauldic attack, they will stop about a hundred meters from the crest to discharge a volley, if using infantry. It is at that time, that the Halldorian line will stand up to exchange volleys with the Gauldic infantry. When the two lines are exchanging volleys, this is the perfect time for the light infantry on both flanks to attack the enemy line in a double envelopment. If the enemy attacks with cavalry first, which is what I honestly expect, we will form battalion squares. The first battalion, von Kerpin regiment is prepared to encircle the Gauldic artillery battery to protect them from attacking cavalry. Once their cavalry charge is broken, we will reform lines and prepare for their infantry assault which should be followed close on the heels of their cavalry.”

Duke Friedrich stopped speaking and allowed input from the other two allied commanders at the table. He honesty wanted to hear their input. Given the terrain and the anticipated objective of the enemy, he felt a strong defense was the best strategic approach for the given battle. But if the Dusmane Khan wanted a more aggressive or audacious plan, he was willing to listen.

Battle of the Nations

I should be able to post tonight. I have two other threads I am in and was able to post to both of them this morning. I have started working on a post for this thread and should have it up this evening. (Time Zone: EST)

♠ Showdowns & Saddles ♠

_{Courtesy: Lord Bowler/Julius Cary}

Billy Kingsley

“Oh, how’d y’all get me roped into this game. I ain’t no gambler, but mees no complainin’ ‘bout winnin’ dis ere money.” Billy never gambled. But somehow someone got him into this game in the saloon in Sweetwater, Texas. He looked over at the older white man who was a few inches shorter than himself. He didn’t know the man, but he looked rough. He was wearing one of those wide brimmed ten-gallon hat, Billy always mocked when he rode the trail. Even the Comancheros he rode with thought those hats were awkward looking. But Billy convinced himself not to say anything about it. He suspected by his accent, the man was from the deep south. If he was going to get into a fight, it would be on his terms. He’d never heard a Louisiana accent, but knew it did not sound like anyone from Chicago, Indiana or Iowa. He spent most of his life up north, but had been in Texas for the past several years. He had gotten used to the Texas accent, but this gentleman did not sound like someone from Texas either. “You kin try n’ take dis money, Missa Logan, but I ain’t in da mind to be givin’ it away.”

There was another Yankee at the table, who went by the name of Finney. He was shorter than everyone else at the table. He could tell by his appearance, that he only recently arrived in Texas and did not know what he had gotten himself into. There was a time when he would view a northerner as an ally or friend, but having received the shit end of the stick more than a few times, he knew not to trust them as much as a southerner. But with this kid, he felt as though the young man would need his help more than a typical Yankee found in Texas. He made a commitment to himself that he would watch the kid and help if he needed, until he betrayed him somehow. With whites, Billy knew it was not if, but when.

Billy didn’t know what to make of the white woman or the Indian. He knew many Comanches and Apaches, but he never met someone quite like him. Billy addressed Mistihkoman, “Where you from, friend? Ah’ve lived with Commanches and Apaches. You be different. Ah reckon, ah can’t place where you from.”

---

_{Courtesy: Dick Brewster}

Phineas O’Connell

Finney played cards with his school mates in Amherst. The stakes often were higher than the game here in the Sweetwater saloon. But somehow, he realized there was more at risk here than when he was at school. For starters, he knew all the boys he played with at school. These people he was playing cards with were all strangers to him. His father told him to be wary of strangers like these. He thrilled at being here in this backwater saloon, the smell of alcohol and burning tobacco. It all excited him. He had never seen a native before and here he was playing cards with one. He wanted to ask the man questions. He wanted to ask all five of the people at the table many questions but felt he would only scare them away if he threw too many questions at them too quickly. He made a point to observe their behavior and make inferences from that. Maybe he could develop a comfortable rapport with these people to ask his questions.

Finney had met several colored folk either in Boston, Gloucester or Amherst, but they were usually fairly well dressed or at least comfortable. This giant of a colored man wore Cavalry trousers and boots. He wore a cowboy hat, one he’d never seen before. He wondered if he served in the army. “Excuse me, mister,” Finney looked at Billy. “Were you in the army?” He wasn’t aware black men served in the army.

“Yes sah,” Billy responded. “10th Cavalry. Buffalo Soldiers.”

Post a random fact about yourself.

So my phone was crushed on Saturday and today my laptop won't start. Still haven't replaced the phone due to the Pandemic and everything still shut down.

@Gunther

Your luck is just getting worse and worse.