Our story opens to a slate grey day, a day similar to hundreds you've seen before. As fall turns to winter the days grow longer and the winds bite down on the back of your neck more. You are shocked to learn that Professor Samuel Horowitz has gone missing. While details are vague it seems obvious to you that Samuel's work indeed was one of the most dangerous.

Ghost rock a new kid on the street when it comes to powering things in the west. It's a relatively new type of fuel source that people jumped on when they learn about it. Not old Professor Horowitz. He knew this thing had a different type of power and he sought to learn more about it.

When you arrive in town it comes as no shock to learn right from the start that he is missing. But what is rather strange is people from all over the globe it seems are coming to Desolation Ridge. As if moths drawn to a flame. Your trip doesn't give you much time to wonder or piece together too much of the story, it's been a long travel and you are looking for a place to stay.

Luckily the Ridge has a few good hold up spots the best is Silver Spur Saloon owned by Madam Rosalind Wainwright. Some what of a figure in town that has much of her history linked to Desolation Ridge.

This travelers is where your story begins and how you get dragged into something bigger than anyone could ever imagine.

Patrick O'Hallahan rode into Desolation Ridge on the back of his faithful steed, Chestnut. Chestnut is a palomino stallion that Patrick bought around two years ago now. They've been together ever since and so far Chestnut has been an asset to Patrick. Nodding his head a bit as he rose in to town, Patrick paused and pushed his stetson up to the back of his head so he could get a good look at the place.

He was a bit shocked to see that there were so many people in town. This town didn't look all that big so there really shouldn't be this many people in it. He hoped everywhere wasn't booked up if there were so many people. He didn't fancy sleeping in the livery stable with Chestnut tonight. Seeing a sign for a saloon, Patrick steered Chestnut over that way and hitched him to the rail outside. Dusting himself off a bit, he made his way into the saloon and over to the bar. "Howdy there, I'll take a whiskey if you've a mind to. I couldn't help seeing all the extra faces in town today, ya wouldn't know why that is, would ya?"

Lady Jessica, Jessie to her friends, had been in town for five days now and had managed to rent a room at the best saloon in town.

She'd already spent three nights on the run taking money off the locals and was happy to see more out of towners arriving every day. More people more money to win.

Why was she here in the first place, that was easy she had promised  Professor Samuel Horowitz his winnings after they had been involved in a game with a big pot.

It had taken her a while to get the money together to pay her IOU but now she was here only to find he had disappeared... She was a little upset as the man was a gentleman and treated her with respect....she wasn't sure what to do now but she might stick around for a while now the town was buzzing and perhaps the good professor might just show up

This morning she was sat in the tea room at the front of the saloon at a window table when she noticed a man ride in to town, he didn't seem like the normal arrival, Jessie was good at reading people and there was something different about him that made him stand out.

Sipping her tea she watched him tie his horse and enter the bar area and order a, whiskey

Katy got down off the stage, sore and stiff. The company might advertise that the route was 'comfortable and agreeable', but it had felt more like hours being bounced around on a hard seat over rough roads. Being trussed up in her finest clothes didn't help her stiffness.

Desolation Ridge wasn't what she'd imagined. It was large and bustling, looking like it had more people than would fit. Even the weather wasn't cooperating. In stories, it was always sunny, unless there was a need for a dramatic storm. She'd been drawn there by the tales of the Mysterious Disappearance of Professor Horowitz, which sounded just like one of the dime novels she enjoyed so much.

Struggling with her suitcase, she made her way to the Silver Spur Saloon.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:12, Thu 12 Oct 2023.

The ride to Desolation Ridge had been long and cold, filled mostly with barren scrubland and dreary skies. But that had not bothered Del much, if at all. Merely being in the wide open countryside was enough to satisfy her. The countless days she'd spend riding and camping out under the stars passed by like so much dust on the wind for her. Though she enjoyed meeting people--and most of all seeing their expressions upon receiving her deliveries--the quiet solitude of her lone journeys brought her much needed peace of mind.

So it was with no small amount of perturbation that she had discovered that the recipient of her package in Desolation Ridge--a Professor Horowitz--had in fact been missing for some time. Which meant that she would either have to find the man, or wait until he returned. For the package she carried had come with very specific instructions. The sender, known only as "Mr. X" had left a note with the Pony Express office, along with a good sum of money to see it carried out. All that Del knew for certain was that she could not, under any circumstances, allow the package to leave her possession, unless it was into the hands of Professor Horowitz.

Thus, she found herself trudging dejectedly toward the Silver Spur Saloon, recommended by the locals as the best place to hole up. Her clothes--men's riding gear, tailored to fit her slight frame; a black vaquero hat; and a brown leather satchel with a bronze Pony Express pin on the side--were caked in mud and grime from her travels. She led her dapple grey mare, Shale, lightly by the reins, letting the horse follow her more out of instinct than command. The package, despite being no bigger than a bread box, felt heavy in her pack... weighed down by her dour emotions, perhaps.

"Alright old girl, you take a load off here and I'll do the same. Until we can figure out what to do..." She brushed a hand affectionately across Shale's neck and stamped into the saloon. Her hand wandered into the pack at her side, fingers tapping against the thick paper wrapping the mysterious object she carried. Her mind wandered as she walked, to what it might be, and to where Professor Horowitz could have gone off to.

In her distraction, she nearly collided with a well-dressed young lady toting a suitcase, who also seemed to be seeking lodging.

"Whoops! Pardon me, m'am! Hope I didn't muck up your dress none. They have any rooms available here, d'you know?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:21, Thu 12 Oct 2023.

Grey Wolf rode into town in the early morning so as not to draw too much attention.  Keeping to the back roads the Indian drew up his buffalo hide hood to cover his face and cut back on the cold biting wind.  Hoping to come off as a Mountain man or hunter trapper Grey Wolf wished he had not lost his rifle or pistol on his trip here, but wishing wouldn’t help them return and considering the rough river he was just glad he didn’t lose his life or his trusted pony.

Venturing into Desolation Ridge was not his best plan, but his father had said this man, Professor Samuel Horowitz in this area would have answers his people needed.  Steeling himself to possible abuse, Grey moved towards the large building marked with what he thought was a Saloon.  His English was poor at best and his reading was just as meager but at least he could understand most of what was said.  Tying his horse to the back of the Saloon, he patted the beast to calm him and said a few quiet words in his native language to ease the pony and moved his shield to his mount allow him to mix in a bit easier.

Swallowing, he kept to the alley between the Saloon and whatever building was beside it.  Looking over the building, Grey Wolf considered climbing the adjacent building and keeping watch through the window, but knew if he was spotted, he might be thought a thief or worse, so instead squatted outside the Saloon window and listened.  Pulling his whittling rod from his small pouch, the Indian began to carve the wood, hoping others would just dismiss him out of habit and ignore him while he listened to the conversations inside.

OOC:
I’m assuming Indians will be treated poorly in town and even worse if they try to enter a Saloon, so I’ll be eaves-dropping out here by the window and try to join the group once they come out.

In reply to Delilah Del Carter (msg # 5):

At the entrance to the saloon, Katy practically collided with the other woman. She was taken aback at her appearance: she looked like she'd walked right out of one of those novels Katy enjoyed!

"Think nothing of it. I'm trying to find lodgings myself."

She stuck out a hand and smiled.

"Katy Devon."

Inside the saloon, she walked up to the bar.

"How do you do this day. Do you have a room available?"

Alabama arrived in Desolation Ridge by stagecoach. He had never learned to ride a horse, as he either walked where needed, or was on the train to the end of the line to help lay track or dig tunnels through mountains.

(I imagine he could have been on the same stagecoach as Katy?)

Getting off the stagecoach, Alabama grabbed his pack and hammer off the top of it, his hammer making a weighty thud as it is placed on the ground handle up.

Seeing the saloon, Alabama made his way inside, taking off his hat to leave hanging by the entrance, he then approached the bar to order a beer.

Looking about, he gauged who was here, who could be trouble, and who seemed out of place.

Inside of the Saloon you can see it's brimming with people coming and going. By the looks of it a few of the locals sit to the side closer to the back by the bar itself. Inside a few ladies of the night dance with some of the folk traveling around. A good time is being had with hardly anyone making any kind of issues for the owner who is behind the bar. A big fellow with some muscles that showed he meant business.

He greets the new travelers each of them with a warm welcome.

"The town's been over run since the professor went missing. Everyone is trying to discover what he was working on. If I had to guess a good few of you are likely working for different agencies. Anyway, we do have rooms available going for the rate of $3 per night. Ya can take it or leave it but this is probably the last place that is available. Rooms aren't the best but they have a bed and light which is more than most people need."

Patrick nods his understanding, though his eyes bulge at the price of the room. He'd never heard of being charged such high prices for a room. $3, that was outrageous. It'd leave him with very little money if he paid that price. Maybe he could convince him that his prices were not likely to be paid by folk like him and others who didn't have a lot of money to spend. "$3?! You're charging $3 for a small room with a light? Perhaps I misheard the price of the room." Patrick was hoping he'd misheard at any rate, that was half the money he had left.

Jessie wiped her mouth ahd standing straightened her skirt before walking with grace over to the group of people trying to get rooms.

Moving over to one of the ladies (Katy Devon) she went in for a hug "sister you finally made it I was expecting you a day ago.. I have our room already arranged" as they touched cheeks Jessie whispered ~you are welcome to pay the high price for a room or share mine which cost a third of what he is charging 5 days ago.... Us girls should stick together~<

With that she stepped back with a smile on her face
This message was last edited by the player at 06:37, Sat 14 Oct 2023.

Del was slightly overwhelmed--both by the crowded saloon, and the young lady's impeccable manners and dress. For the first time in quite a while, Del felt the tiniest bit self conscious... though she quickly shook such thoughts from her mind. Wiping a hand on her pant leg (which hardly did anything to clean it), she returned the handshake.

"Del Carter. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ms. Devon!"

Trotting after Katy, Del listened in as the owner gave her the rundown. She hiccupped with surprise at the cost of the rooms, a sentiment she apparently shared with a few others, including another man who protested quite ardently. Del nodded and chimed in after him.

"It's a nice place and all, but that's a pretty steep price..."

Katy was about to reply to Del when a strange woman abruptly hugged her.

Now, Katy might be a bit of an innocent when it came to the Wild or Weird West, but she wasn't a complete fool. Strange people coming up and offering cheap rooms had all the hallmarks of some sort of trickery. She smiled at the newcomer.

"Thank you, 'sister', but I'll pay for my own room."

She'd have been prepared to haggle, but the protests at the price made her contrarily want to pay up and secure the room, at least for the night. The town was pretty busy, after all. She rummaged in her bag for the money and paid. She flashed the owner her best smile.

"I don't suppose you could include a hot bath with that, could you? It's been a long journey."

[Private to GM: 14:52, Today: Katy Devon rolled 4 using 1d8.  Persuasion, to include a bath.
Possibly +1 from her Attractive feat]

Still smiling Jessie nodded "of course my dear".she replied to the other lady.

Perhaps she'd misread the woman after all and perhaps should have offered to share her room with one of the other ladies still it was her own money she was wasting and that was her choice.

Grey Wolf simply could not hear all of what was being said. Pulling his hood lower, Grey Wolf slipped around to the front of the building snd inside, sticking to the back of the room, staying to the shadows trying to remain unnoticed.

Looking from one woman to the next, the Indian did not offer comment yet, but tried to pick up any name’s dropped.

The man looks at all the people who are waiting for rooms. When Kathy steps up and asks about the bath and the man rolls his eyes.

"Look, I get it. Everyone is struggling right now. If the lady needs a bath, I'll throw in a bath for the price. I think you'll find that is the going rate for rooms around here with a bath included."

He gives Patrick a look before saying, "If you want a cheaper room, I do have one that has basic cots. Room does come with a bible for some common reading. If you are looking to make some cash I would recommend speaking to the sheriff. He has his hands full right now and while he isn't looking for law dogs, I can tell you, he needs man power."

"Thank you, that's very kind," Katy said to the man, taking her key.

She hung around for a moment to watch the other guests. Her ears pricked at the mention of the sheriff.

"I wonder if he needs woman power as well," she whispered to Del, with a mischievous smile.

Jessie hung about to see who could be a good mark and who might be helpful to know

Patrick sighs and runs his fingers through his hair, having taken off his hat when he entered the place of business. Frustrated and a little indecisive about what to do, he takes out the asked for amount of money and drops it on the counter top. "I'll take the room. Thanks for the tip about the Sheriff, as of now I could use the money." Patrick looked around at the other people but didn't see anyone he recognized so he just stood quietly, waiting for his room key.

Three dollars per night?! Is this how much the frontier costs?? Alabama thought to himself, when the host welcomed him upon arrival.

"Not like there will be much alternative. I'll be paying per night." Alabama replied, pulling out three dollar coins.

Taking a seat, he couldn't help but overhear the various conversations going on around him.
Sheriff needs some help? I could do that, not like they're laying track around here.

Spotting the native in the room, and feeling like the room was awfully white otherwise, Alabama picked up his drink and went over to Grey Wolf.

"Feel like we're the odd ones out in this room. This seat taken?" Alabama asked, gesturing to the seat by Grey Wolf.

The man smiles when everyone agrees to the rooms and collects their money without issue storing it in a lock-box that he keeps under the counter. He hands out the keys to each of the rooms and lets the group know the most are upstairs to the right of the bar. Your eyes follow the stairs up and notice that on the baster are several drunks having a good time. The doors are clearly labeled with a number which your key specifically shows.

Just as you a settling in the door to the saloon opens and three men in black long coats walk in. A hush falls among the crowd of travelers.

You hear people say, "That's the Dearmen gang."

You get a close look at the men as they walk right up to the bar tender. The man plops down coin for a bottle which the bartender gives the man mechanically.

The leader of the group is a grizzled sun burned man with a deep scar over his full face. His black hat hides most all but a worn beard that's well worn on his face. He is followed by two companions as women in black leather with eyes as green as bright as the sun itself. And a native American fellow that's hard to see his true heritage.

They take a seat at a table very well off from the area near the bar.

Jessie studies the new arrivals the woman pricked her interest especially with the green eyes.
Jessie used her senses to try and judge if the woman had powers or not

18:03, Today: Jessica rolled 3,4 using D6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4.  Occult roll.

18:02, Today: Jessica rolled 2,4 using D6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,4.  Notice roll

Katy had just started for the stairs when the gang entered. She'd read dime novels, the occasional Tombstone Epitaph, and other papers from the West that had made their way back East, and tried to remember if she'd heard anything about them.

22:14, Today: Katy Devon rolled 1,5 using d4,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5.  Common Knowledge roll.

Patrick was on his way up to his overpriced room, key in hand when he saw the rough looking men enter the saloon. Not sure why but they piqued his interest and he turned back to the bar once again, acting like he had decided to have another drink instead. "Gimme a beer, partner. I seem to have developed a powerful thirst." Patrick turns around and rests his elbows on the bar behind him, watching the room as he waits for his beer to be poured.