1880, March -- East Texas (IC)

OOC:

Rolling Spirit v Nathaniel's 5, then narrating results.

Lumber Town Saloon Interior | Nathaniel & Jeremiah
The barkeep grimaces at Jeremiah--he's about to tell off this nosey stranger (he really is), no matter how large he is...

...but he shuts his mouth when Nathaniel interjects with "Excuse me, sir...."

He huffs, and relents. His voice drops to a low murmur in the already quiet tavern room. "Look, ya'll like as won't believe nothin' I'm saying," he looks at the Bible Jeremiah Cross holds, "but sounds like some of ya'll are good Christian folk. So you know full well, the devil's always workin' his evil in the world."

He leans in closer and looks round to make sure non-of the town folk hear.

Rex leans in too, like a conspirator. "Tell 'em Earnest."

"That symbol is ta ward of evil. We got an ol' witchy women lives up yonder hills an' she says it's a mark ta repel the beast."

He crosses himself. "On nights like ta night, when th' moon is full, an' the two nights round it...something prowls the pines. Somethin' with a taste fer...man. It howls like the devil himself, and will rip ta shreds any decent God walkin' man or woman it sees... folk are afeared. It's why they gather in my place, when the moon is full, so late in to the night--for safety..."

Kaladin Earnest nods solemnly after his tale and moves to fill a shot glass of bourbon for Kaladin.

"Drink is 10 cents friend, but we ain't got no food this eveni--"





His sentence is cut off as a deep, rumbling howl pierces the night. It sounds near. Everyone in the saloon is quiet, straining to listen.

"A beast from hell..." Jeremiah mutters, a frown spreading across his face. He clutches the Bible but not out of fear, more like it gives him strength. He stands up from the bar and pulls out his pistol, looking over it for a moment before nodding. "God saved me for a reason when it took so many others. He put me here to kill monsters."

Will any man or woman join me? A hunter alone...well...he's alone and vulnerable. A posse though, that's a hell of a thing." The large man asks as he pulls his jacket and derby cap back upon his head once more.

overhearing the talk of demons and other things that haunt the night as he takes a nice long sip of the bourbon is sure to make an interesting night. As the thoughts of demons and witchy woman settle in his mind, the interesting fella with the snake tattoo voices a call to action.

after putting his duster and hat back on Kaladin turns to the man: Count me in

"A demon is it now?" Horace downs the rest of his bourbon in one gulp. He's disappointed but only a little. He'd had his eye on a few easy-looking marks near the fireplace but this was probably better. He didn't take much stock in the lord's business but the priest seemed tough enough being of a large stature.

"I'll go with you. You might think I do not look like a worthy adversary but I've slain the likes you've never seen before."

Nathaniel was almost relieved to hear the howling. He was worried this side trek might be all for naught, but now it looks like he found his job. He was also relieved to see that the adults, odd as they may be, were up for fighting this thing. And more importantly, it looked like they could take care of themselves.

Looking at the scarred man, "I'd like to join too sir. If this thing, whatever it may be, is posing a threat to the folk here, it needs to be stopped."

He glances at the Bible, for a moment wondering about the man's conviction toward being placed here to slay monsters, then looks at the barkeep, "Mr. Earnest, the old witchy woman, where does she live? If she has some insight into this thing, perhaps a visit would be best."

Folks at nearby tables turn and stare as the group of newcomers seem to be standing to leave.

Earnest looks surprised at ya'll.

He answers Nathaniel Bigby. "Ole Winnie? She, uh, she lives northeast of town. Up near Bear Rock. But...ya can't go out there!"





Another howl echoes out in the night. A scream, high and sharp, follows.

A woman, near the center of the room stands. She has a faded tin star pinned to her duster.

"Everyone be calm. Just stay calm and go back to yer drinks."

She looks at ya'll standing at the bar. "We can't go out there folks. Not tonight..."

"Why not? Who is afraid of the dark? Horace is visibly disappointed. "You can hear the beast howling out there. Surely you don't just let it be?"

All eyes in the saloon are on Horace and the young woman.

She bites her lip at Horace's question.

She appears to be thinking hard.



The scream outside gets louder--it's definitely a woman screaming for help. Now the sound of a window shattering.

In the saloon a man stands up. "Marshal! Someones gotta do sumthin'!"

She snaps out of it. She looks at Horace and the other, eager newcomers. "Alright... go." She grabs her repeater from the table behind her. "I'm behind ya."

"Then let us get moving." Jeremiah says, opening the front door and heading out into the fierce storm. Drawing the pistol in his hand, he begins to move to where the screaming was originating from. Cocking the peacemaker, water pours down off of his cap as he scans the darkness for their beast or woman in need.

Horace looks at the woman sideways. "What? Don't let looks deceive you. I'll have you know that I am well versed in the martial arts and can hold my own and then some in most altercations."

With another and much louder scream Horace follows the others outside, his Colt Peacemaker drawn and ready as he slides his spectacles back up his nose and draws his hat down over his brow to fend off some of the rain but not block his line of sight.

Swallowing hard, Nathaniel's mouth suddenly feels dry. He takes a swig of water, then reaches into his undershirt and pulls his hand out, balled into a fist around something. He brings his fist to his mouth, whispering a prayer, Lord, please protect us and these people. Make my aim true. Amen.

He places the item back in his undershirt, clumsily hops off the barstool, and begins rummaging in his backpack. After a minute of digging deep he pulls out an item that looks to be rolled up in a soft, leather rag. He undoes the rag and a shiny, spit-polished Colt .45 comes out. Feeling it's heft, he makes sure the chamber is full, then digs back again and pops a few extra bullets in his pocket.

As he heads back toward the cold rain, he passes the Marshall and tips his hat at her "Thank you for understanding ma'am. Please be careful out there."

Saloon InteriorAll eyes are turned to the group of strangers as they file, one-by-one out into the night.

Rex finishes off his shot in a quick swig. "There gonna get themselves killed..." He narrows his eyes at those round him. "I've claim on the big ones gun."







Pine Lumber Town, Outside | The Forming Posse
It's a small town, just a crossroad, on the side of pine covered hill. Rain continues to pelt the rough lumber buildings.

Jeremiah Cross, you see a hulking figure scrambling in the first floor window of a building about 20 meters down the muddy street. Despite the clouds and rain, a massive moon gives a otherwordly glow to the tableau. Whatever is climbing in has a fur covered backside, obvious in even the dim light (-2).

What do the strangers intend to do?

Nathaniel makes his way outside and saddles up next to the large man. There's something reassuring about his size. And his faith. He sees him scanning the local buildings and yells just above the rain, "We need to go help that lady. What do you see Mr?" Pausing for a second, "I'm Nathaniel by the way" holding out his hand toward the scarred man, "Figure we should at least know each other's names."

Pine Lumber Town, Outside the Saloon
The Marshall steps out of the saloon onto the creaking porch. She looks around nervously as Nathaniel introduces himself to the big man.

Horace didn't think much of one of the bar patron's comments. He was already writing them off and claiming their belongings.

after donning his hat and duster Kaladin turns and places 13 cents on the bar. Now that the bar tab is settled, he walks out after the Marshall and once outside asks: can you tell us of what has been happening here and what we are up against? while looking around for any clues of what we are up against and getting a general sense of his surroundings.