Chapter 1 - George, Donovan and Harris

Mar 19, 2020 4:06 am
https://dl.dropbox.com/s/2hg5ghdvzdcrznl/2018-04-30%2014.16.12.png

November 4th 1888: Somewhere west of Flagstaff in the Arizona Territory

Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway's engine number 271, a 4-6-0 Baldwin Consolidated locomotive, slowly chuffed its way through the rapidly darkening desert landscape. Two and a half hours earlier the train had put in at Flagstaff to resupply the tender, refill the boiler and give the passengers an opportunity to stretch their legs or purchase a meal from one of the dozen or so local vendors who had flocked to the station as the train approached. The train had been an hour behind schedule when it stopped and the twenty minutes it took to repair the return arm had only served to increase the delay. By the time the whistle sounded the sun was already low in the western sky.

Behind the coal tender was a single secure car filled to the rafters with baggage and mail. It was locked at both ends and only the conductor seemed to possess the key. Behind that were two coach class cars, twenty rows of padded bench seats filled with people, luggage and the occasional pet. The coach cars were crowded, loud and thick with a heady mixture of people, stale alcohol and tobacco smoke. Behind these two cars was a crew kitchen and a dining car which housed a dozen tables serving reasonably priced, tasty meals. For the First Class passengers these meals were brought back to their own private dining area and served on fine china with silver utensils.

A latched brass accordion gate acted to separate the dining car from the first class sleeper car. In here there were eight, double bunk, private cabins with lockable privacy privacy doors, as well as four very luxurious purple velvet sofas in an observation room and a private washroom. Every night a steward appeared and turned the beds down, organizing both the pillows and privacy curtains and every morning he put everything away and made the beds. Bringing up the rear is the first class lounge / dining car, filled with high back stuffed leather arm chairs, oak and mahogany inlaid tables. A well-stocked bar with brass fixtures is served by a portly copper clockwork mechanical with a silver mustache and monocle.

https://dl.dropbox.com/s/lb6pnhgdgj0jbjz/Photo%202020-03-19%2C%209%2012%2037%20AM.jpg

George B Treble sits quietly in the first class smoking car, it's more than he could afford but with his familial connections he could ill afford to not at least try to keep up appearances. He was busy reading through a copy of the New York World, one of their reporters, a woman of all things, named Nellie Bly had recently begun publishing a riveting series of expose articles entitled "Ten Days in a Mad-House." Bly had apparently had herself committed to the Women’s Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell Island and then began writing about her experiences upon her release.

Donovan Pearson stood on the observation deck of the last car smoking Cuban cigars with a pair of white jacketed Southern Gentlemen. They puffed their cigars and chatted passionately about their cotton plantations near Atlanta as Donovan quietly watched as the horizon quickly vanished into the gathering darkness. His latest job, though well paying, had been particularly tiresome. Escorting a thin nosed, squint eyed, be-speckled, nervous nelly of a man named Professor William Preston. Donovan didn't know what the professor was carrying that's so important or why he seemed to jump at every random sound that passed. Preston refused to let a battered leather valise out of his sight, going as far as to sleep with it most nights. The soft sounds of Raggle Taggle Gypsy drifted back from the forward cars and Lionel felt very out of place in the first class car. He sighed and took a puff on his cigar noticing a flickering orange light on a low ridge to the North.

Harris Darrington sat across a large dining table from one Lady Verity Fortingall, he was pretending to read an article about the recently launched heliograph HMS Harbinger, but truth be told he was busy trying to decipher the papers spread across the far side of the table while eavesdropping on the conversation Lady Fortingall was having with her maid servant Ruby. Lady Fortingall it seemed, fancied herself something of an inventor and was also bound for the Exposition in San Francisco.

"Don't fret mum," Ruby said offering the sherry to her mistress, "you'll figure it all out, you always do." Ruby always seemed to have a cheerful smile on her face, and she appeared faithful to her mistress as the day was long.

Lady Verity took the glass with a brief ghost of a smile before her facial expression turned back to looking rather worried. "I truly appreciate your belief in me, Ruby...but I fear that I may actually be in *serious* trouble this year." She let out a little sigh as she continued to parse through her myriad of notes and designs. "While I am quite pleased with my torch concept, I need something else." She nibbled fretfully at the top of her fountain pen for a moment, heedless of the possibility of damaging its very costly and relatively fragile ebony cap. "Something *genuinely* amazing, perhaps even revolutionary!"

"You could always do that lightening thing that makes my hair stand on end mum." Ruby replies with a smile moving to stand behind her mistress, "That's always a good opener, people really seem to enjoy that."

Outside on the deck Donovan hears a muffle bang and the music drifting back comes to an abrupt halt. The two Southern gentlemen on the deck with Donovan stop their conversation at the sound and look forward along the length of the train.

Those inside the smoking room hear nothing.
Mar 20, 2020 2:44 am
"Excuse me, gentlemen," says Donovan, "that needs to be looked into!" Donovan knows a gunshot when he hears one. The former Pinkerton pulls a small revolver from inside of his jacket and checks the the loads. Satisfied that it is ready for action, he says to Higgins and Lionel, "it's probably best that you two gentlemen stay here." With his pistol at the ready, Donovan enters the first class car, intent to go find out what is happening in the forward cars.
Mar 20, 2020 4:51 am
"Mister Pearson," the older of the Southern gents says with concern on his face, "I don’t reckon you ought go check that out alone." He reaches inside his jacket and pulls out an ornate pepperbox pistol. "Mister Samuels and I would be honoured accompany you."

The younger man nods seriously drawing the Colt revolver from the holster on his hip.

The three men who had been smoking on the rear deck of the car return to the lounge, their pistols drawn.
Mar 21, 2020 2:34 pm
Donovan leads the them into the first class lounge car. He addresses the occupants, "folks, there seems to be a situation on the train. These two gentlemen and I are going check into it. Please stay here, and lock the door behind us." He gives a small smile to the two women, tipping his hat.

He makes his way through the lounge car to the door. As he opens the door, Donovan hopes that Higgins and Lionel are not going to be a liability.
Last edited March 21, 2020 2:36 pm
Mar 21, 2020 4:38 pm
OOC:
Going to give George and Harris a chance to respond before I jump in and say anything.
Mar 22, 2020 2:16 pm
Harris, although a bit surprised to see a woman trying to make her way as an inventor, is curious as to what she might be working on. He is used to seeing the designs of men, as he has been attending any and all science faires and inventer's events that he could get tickets to. But perhaps a different perspective, a woman's perspective, might offer a difference that could be capitalized upon? He will cough politely, and fold his reading down onto the table, and look at the women across from him.

"Please pardon my interruption fair Lady, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation and find myself helplessly intrigued by the topics that you are discussing! My name is Harris, and I would be delighted if you would be willing to give me a brief glimpse at the wonders you plan to bring to the Exposition? I am actually headed to that very same place myself!"
Mar 23, 2020 2:51 am
OOC:
Waiting to hear from George.
Lady Fortingall looks at Harris and smiles, "You’re not a fellow inventor, Mr. Darrington? Well that would be refreshing."

Ruby looks Harris over suspiciously, "Be cautious mum, he is an American, like that dreadful Mr. Edison."

"Oh pish posh Ruby, Mr. Darrington is simply curious." She smiles at Harris, "besides you know I patent everything before coming to America. One can not be to cautious around that Mr. Edison."
Mar 23, 2020 12:09 pm
George snorts from his news paper hearing the conversation shift to the view of Americans and quickly edges it up although he's done.

"Not all Americans are bad, bit wild in truth but that's not always a bad thing." George comments from his seat before standing and coming over. "My apologies, George D Treble of the English Trebles." he adds introducing himself.
Mar 23, 2020 4:16 pm
OOC:
George, make a bureaucracy roll, after this is when Donovan comes in weapons drawn. 4d2
Mar 23, 2020 7:16 pm
OOC:
So my post I guess didn't actually go through normally it'd be 2d2 if you don't have the skill but +1 for each level of the skill right?
Last edited March 23, 2020 7:29 pm

Rolls

Bureau - (3d6)

(453) = 12

wrong dice total - (3d2)

(221) = 5

Mar 23, 2020 8:32 pm
OOC:
I show George as having 1 point in Bureaucracy, +3 Int makes 4. Either way you succeed.
George knows Lady Fortingall, well he knows of her, they’ve never met but he’s certainly read about her. She’s mid 20’s, un-married despite her parents best efforts, and is well on her way to becoming an old maid if she’s not careful. She’s the sole heiress to the Fortingall fortunes in Devonshire. The society pages say she’s something of an odd duck, rumoured to be a scientist (clearly this is true) who spends all of her time with her maid (also clearly true) and has seemingly rejected the advances of a number of well heeled suitors.
Mar 23, 2020 8:47 pm
It is about this time that Donovan and the two Southern gents come in from the back deck where they’ve been drinking whiskey and smoking cigars, all three have weapons in their hands.

"Mr. Treble," Lady Fortingall says extending a hand, "delighted to make your acquaintance."

Professor Preston looks at Donovan and his eyes go wide, "Dear god," he exclaims his face turning ashen, "what’s going on Mr. Pearson? Is something wrong? Why do you have your pistol drawn?"

Outside you notice that the train is beginning to drop into a gully or perhaps a canyon.
OOC:
Everyone make a Perception roll.
Mar 23, 2020 11:13 pm
OOC:
I was going to ask this in the OOC thread but it is locked. How do I know what die type to roll? Did I miss a rules post somewhere? Donovan has a 5 in perception.
Mar 23, 2020 11:33 pm
OOC:
Roll d2s and every 2 is a success, you need more success than the difficulty lvl to pass the test
Mar 23, 2020 11:46 pm
OOC:
What TheVagrant said... so Donovan has a Perception of 5 roll 5d2 and we go from there.
Mar 24, 2020 12:04 am
Perception roll

Rolls

Perception - (5d2)

(11221) = 7

Mar 24, 2020 1:42 pm
George has no time to reply to the greeting when things seem to escalate rather quickly.

Rolls

Perception Check - (6d2)

(211222) = 10

Mar 24, 2020 4:37 pm
Donovan looks about the room and thinks something is missing but can’t quite figure out what.

George looks towards the forward door on the car, he can hear raised voices on the other side and suddenly he thinks, ‘The Frenchman, Guy Camus and the twins aren’t here.
Mar 24, 2020 5:08 pm
"I take it your gun out involves our missing associates? The quick rundown please."
Mar 24, 2020 6:03 pm
"Mr. Treble, we heard a gunshot from one of the other cars. Other than that, I don't know what's happening. But I aim to find out!" Donovan open the lounge car door, and moves through to the sleeper car door. He peeks through the window before continuing on.
OOC:
These online dice rollers really don't like me. Not only in this game either! LOL
Last edited March 24, 2020 6:05 pm

Rolls

Is the coast clear? - (5d2)

(11221) = 7

Mar 24, 2020 6:26 pm
Moving forward Donovan can hear voices in the next car moving towards this car.

"Take your ‘ands off me you uncouth wretch! Zis is unacceptable."
Mar 24, 2020 7:01 pm
Harris will smile warmly towards the Lady, "Well m'Lady, it seems that something is afoot! I would be delighted to hear about your inventions in but just a moment and to forestall any worries, I have no interest in stealing your creativity, but I am looking for creativity to invest in, if you get my meaning. However, before getting to hear your wonderful voice delve into scientific discourse, allow me to see what is going on as well here."

With that he will nod his head, tip his hat, and stand up, placing a hand on his pistol and moving to interpose himself between the hubbub and the Lady. His eyes will turn a bit harder, but shining with excitement as he peers towards the commotion.

Rolls

Perception - (6d2)

(221211) = 9

Mar 24, 2020 7:22 pm
"Oh bother... I agree you might want to tidy up your documents and papers if you don't want them in disarray. I'll join you in a minute." George states marching into his room unpacking his longarm.
Mar 24, 2020 8:36 pm
OOC:
George’s longarm is going to be in his room beyond the door where the angry French lady is, and where there’s one there’s usually two.

As a refresher you are all in the very last car of the train, it’s like your own private luxury car for the well heeled crowd. In front of this car is the sleeper car, there’s a small lounge at the back of the car and 8 private cabins in front of that.

I’ll respond more in a bit, feeling sick, got a cough, going to lay down.
Mar 24, 2020 11:34 pm
The nervous little professor grabs his leather attache case and looks around his eyes wide with fear, "It’s Rasmussen, I know it! He found me! Pearson do something!"

Lady Fortingall and her maid servant begin quickly packing away her papers, "I do hope it is nothing serious."

The voices beyond the door are getting louder and closer, you can now see shapes through the frosted glass of the door.

"Espèce de sale fils de prostituée, gardez-vous les mains ou je serai forcé d'agir!"

"Oh my." Ruby says with a blush as she continues to organize her ladyship’s papers
Mar 25, 2020 7:31 am
OOC:
Emberskyes, I hope it's nothing serious. Please stay healthy.

What is the layout of the sleeper car lounge? Can someone be in there and not be seen? Are the berths on both sides with a hallway down the middle, or are they all on one side?
Mar 25, 2020 12:46 pm
George frowns looking around for something to prod people out of his way or from man handling a lady.
Mar 25, 2020 2:44 pm
The sleeper car looks roughly like this, the lounge car you’re in is just a large wide open space with couches and chairs, a large oaken bar to one side and bathrooms forward just beyond a door with frosted stained glass at the top and oak at the bottom.
https://dl.dropbox.com/s/m0t2rb4dl99s16s/2020-03-16%2017.40.16-1.jpg
OOC:
George has any sidearms / knives / canes etc, any rifles will be in your sleeper. There is a union cavalry sabre hanging behind the bar.
Mar 25, 2020 2:58 pm
OOC:
If the forward most of the sleeper car is to the left in the picture, then it looks like there might be cover coming in from the first class lounge car. I can't read the print on the picture.
Donovan will quietly open the door into the sleeper car. Then quickly, he will dash to sleeper berth A.
Mar 25, 2020 5:06 pm
 https://dl.dropbox.com/s/nutuicxyrf6t3z1/Photo%202020-03-25%2C%203%2021%2030%20PM.jpg
OOC:
This is pretty much the car you’re in, there’s a door between the area with the bathroom and galley and the compartment you’re in. The people you can hear and vaguely see are on the far side of that door. The sleeper car is one car in front of you. Thus, the bandits if they are bandits, are in the same car as you. Sorry I made a muddle of explaining it.

The train is kind of this.

Engine / Tender / Mail & Freight / 2nd Class / 2nd Class / Galley & Dining / 1st Class Sleeper / 1st Class Lounge.

The couches are slightly less regular, in their placement, more organic, the wall next to the door to the washrooms on both sides does not have seats against it.
Mar 26, 2020 12:51 am
OOC:
ok. In my mind donovan was already through the lounge car and ready to enter the sleeper car. So there is only one door between us and them, or two doors?

Its tempting to read the other thread, but I'm holding out. Lol
Last edited March 26, 2020 12:57 am
Mar 26, 2020 5:57 am
OOC:
If you wish to fight, you have the bar or behind the door for cover, plus lots of expensive furniture. Either way let me know.
Mar 30, 2020 12:54 pm
OOC:
Sorry for being slow to respond, been working 12s at work due to Covid.
Harris will look around to see what the commotion is about and if he needs to engage with it, or just stand by and protect bystanders from harm.
OOC:
Does he see the "bandits" or what is going on?
Mar 30, 2020 1:48 pm
OOC:
Do we want to fight it out or try to negotiate? I've not read the other thread so I honestly don't know what is happening.
"That sounded French. Anyone speak French?" Donovan takes up a position behind the bar. He crouches, his arms braced on the bar to steady his revolver.
OOC:
Emberskyes, I need some clarification. Donovan has been hired by Professor Preston, correct? What are the terms of their contract? Also, in the introductory post, it is mentioned that "Higgins refused to let a battered leather valise out of his sight, going as far as to sleep with it most nights." Is it Professor Preston that has the valise?
Mar 30, 2020 3:53 pm
OOC:
@HoorayRat, Preston and Higgens are the same person, apparently I changed his name mid sentence. He looks like John Hillerman who played Higgens on Magnum PI way back in the 80’s.

Donovan is certain, 99.5%, he heard a shot, something big and loud.
OOC:
@Tower_Shield, totally all right. It is a trying time for the world and most PbP’s I’ve been in die on the weekend... which I don’t quite get, more free time and all.

Harris can sort of see shapes beyond the frosted glass in the door coming closer, getting darker and becoming more distinct. The terms of the contract are protect him and his cargo, the bag, from New York to San Francisco.
Ruby looks up from the papers she’s organizing and says to Donovan. "She called him the son of an, ummm, well a lady of the evening and requested, quite forcefully, that he keep his hands to himself."
Mar 30, 2020 5:58 pm
"Well that's inappropriate." George mutters, "I'm going to my room, I'll have a word with them on the way."
OOC:
I have linguist at 2 slow to the party yes.
Mar 30, 2020 8:12 pm
George takes three steps towards the door, the shapes behind the door get large fast and there’s a sudden exchange of words before the door practically explodes open, slamming against the wall and shattering the etched inlaid glass in the center. A person comes sailing in, and not so much of their own accord by the look of it. A tangle of navy fabric, red hair, white petticoats and black gaiters with white buttons lands in a heap about 10' in from the door.

"Well that shut 'er up." A voice says rather matter of factly from the other side.

"Zat was not call for mon ami," a female voice says quickly as another woman, her hands in the air, gets pushed into the room. Her outfit looks remarkably similar to the heap on on the floor.

The barrel of a shotgun rests on her shoulder pointing into the cabin, "Gents, lets keep our hands where we can see them you don't cause no fuss and we won't need to make a ruckus."

Behind the woman in the blue dress George, Donovan and Harris can see a skinny man in a mask wearing a thread bare Union uniform and a grey Confederate cap. There are two more masked men behind him with guns and a forth man with blonde hair is laying face down on the floor at the door leading into the sleeper car.

Ruby stands between Lady Fortingall and the bandits forcing the taller woman back into a corner. The two Southern Gents glance towards Donovan from where they’re in cover behind the bar.
Mar 30, 2020 9:31 pm
Here’s a rough sketch of where I understand everyone to be in the car.
[ +- ] Rough Sketch
Mar 31, 2020 4:08 pm
Donovan instinctively ducks his head at the sound of the breaking glass. After just a moment, he tries to steal a quick look at the person on the floor in front of him. Anger flares in his eyes, when he sees it is a woman. He looks through the sights of his revolver to see if he has a good shot at the lead robber.

"What do you want, asshole!?!" Donovan calls out.
Apr 1, 2020 1:37 am
"Mister Pearson," Ruby says sounds somewhat irritated, "language there are ladies present."

The man with the shotgun standing behind the one twin, you’re not sure which, "Really? You must be new. Here’s how it works, it’s a basic exchange tenderfoot, you give us your money and we don’t fill you full of lead. So hows about you lay your iron down and no one gets hurt."
Apr 3, 2020 4:33 pm
"My apologies, Miss Ruby," says Donovan. Donovan turns his attention back to the robbers. "I'll lay my gun down and you let the young woman go." Before waiting for an answer, Donovan stands up and sets his gun down on the bartop. "Will you let the young woman go now? We'll cooperate."
OOC:
Will Diplomacy work in this situation?
Apr 4, 2020 3:15 pm
"Toss your irons first, the woman, she’s insurance you do as we say and my boys and I don’t make a horrible mess of her."

"You are a coward Monsieur," the woman say angrily, "un voleur incompétent qui s'attaque à ceux qui sont plus faibles que lui."

"Hey hey," the bandit says lowering the shotgun and poking her in the ribs hard so she’s forced to take a couple steps forward, "no need to get nasty."

The second man, a tall gangly fellow with blonde hair and a confederate officer’s jacket steps into the room and tosses a carpet bag at George’s feet. "Money, jewelry in the bag."

The third man, broad around the belly in a brown duster glances quickly to the side.

Outside you notice the train is fully in the gulch now.
OOC:
You could try to talk them down.
Apr 5, 2020 11:11 pm
OOC:
I'm waiting to see if Tower_Shield or Remnant have anything they want their characters to do.
Apr 6, 2020 1:27 pm
George looks down and picks up the bag to shake it to check out what's in it. "I'm currently broke and I'm having a dry spell until I find work." George admits shaking the bag a bit.
Apr 6, 2020 2:32 pm
OOC:
Bag is currently empty.
Apr 6, 2020 3:27 pm
George checks the bag for frays and cracks. George sniffs a few times to check out what the bag might have been used for before.
Apr 6, 2020 4:58 pm
OOC:
Rewrite, the bag has a couple hundred dollars and some jewelry in it, they already robbed the French connection.
The lead bandit looks at George, "You puts your money and jewels in the bag sunshine, it ain’t a present."

The bag looks solid to George, it’s not high quality or fancy but it’s functional.
Apr 6, 2020 5:18 pm
George looks behind him at Donovan and then the lead bandit then down in the bag."Understood my apologies, I'm a bit new to the criminal profession and I was curious if this bag was originally yours, I was curious of the faint smell it was very slight and couldn't help myself to investigate, did you by chance carry or store a human head and other body parts in the bag, like an arm or a leg, maybe just a hand... Also there's a tip of a finger in here amongst your collected valuables and I honestly can't stop staring at it… I probably should feel ashamed of myself. If it's not yours, well, the devil's story from who ever you took valuables from opted to put a dead man's finger in here as well. Was it a mistake or is it valuable." George states jiggling the carried bag and peering inside.
Apr 8, 2020 2:46 am
The bandit frowns at George, "Beggers can’t be choosers and such old son, now enough of being such a clever dick, toss your coins in the bag and pass it around."

Outside the train heads into a tunnel, it’s 1888 and the lights in the car are electric and the world does not go conveniently dark but smoke and steam from the engine does begin to waft in through the open doors at either end and the partially ajar windows.

There’s a weird pause as all of the sound drains out of the world and brilliant green light pours down the length of tunnel and through the windows into the car.

The bandit leader blinks and looks about, "What the devil?"

As the light grows brighter a deep bass note that rumbles through your bones fills the air and green lightening arcs between every exposed metal surface in the car and all of the light bulbs explode in a shower of molten glass particles. The trains brakes suddenly engage and everyone is thrown violently forward. Before you even have the opportunity to hit the ground you feel everything twist sideways as the air is filled with this unearthly bass noise.

The world goes dark.
Apr 8, 2020 1:43 pm
OOC:
Totally not expecting that!
Apr 8, 2020 2:24 pm
OOC:
There is a new combined thread for everyone.
Apr 8, 2020 6:26 pm
OOC:
My apologies for the long absence, but I'm back. I was working an untold amount of hours due to Covid, but things have settled a bit.
Harris has been watching everything that has gone on while standing guard over the two women, waiting to see who would make the first move, sensing that things were not going to go smoothly.
OOC:
I'll jump to the other thread now as well.

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