Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

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Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby CarrieVS » Sun Jun 04, 2017 5:09 pm

“Bandits?! You are telling me bandits might have snuck in the town and might be at the dance?” Mr Lehmann shouted at the top of his voice, enough to set the mayor’s thin office walls rattling. He sighed. “Well, it’s too late to cancel it now, and besides, the locals deserve a break from their hard work.”

“But, sir, the security’s compromised no-”

“Don’t you think I understand that?! Rest assured, I’m not going to put the people of Talon’s Creek in danger if I can help it!” The mayor slammed the desk. “Get me the Sheriff, now! And then get me a drink!”

Well, at least it didn’t look like they were here, yet. Maybe, the Mayor hopefully thought as he scanned the hall, just maybe they hadn’t entered the town after all. Perhaps they were waylaid, or went after some other target instead. Lehmann had been on edge ever since he’d been informed earlier in the day about this goddamned outlaw Carter and his men. What could they want from a town barely three years old! Here he was, a fortnight on horse to and back from any sort of authority, trying his best to get the joke of an economy going and build some sort of name for his town and these–these absolute jerks sought to ruin that?

“We’ll see about that!” he blurted out. Composing himself just in time to smile and nod at a modest couple twirling his way, Lehmann caught sight of the person he was looking for skulking in the corner. Making his way to the Sheriff with some difficulty, the Mayor asked in a soft voice, “What do you think? Seen any strange business yet?” Not waiting for an answer, he pressed on, “Listen, you can’t put it off any longer, not especially after we know what we know now. I must again ask you to deputise someone as soon as you find a worthy candidate, please. I will see you tomorrow. Good day.”

The Mayor moved away into the crowd, his mind now on the recent newcomers. Who was he to turn away any one of them? The migrants would only boost the town’s development. But at the same time, if even one among them was a bandit… gah! Lehmann put it all away from his mind. He would think about it tomorrow. For now, he would try to enjoy himself best as he could. He owed it to Talon’s Creek.



Bullseye stretched as he got up from his desk. He strolled through the hideout with a jaunty air. Today, if not earlier, his loyal Captain should have reached the border town with a picked crew.

He reached the largest of the shacks and lean-tos in the hidden canyon.

“Howdy Boss.”
“Hello, Mr Carter.”
“Boss.”
“Hello, Sobriety.” Lucky Pete reached for a glass from under the high trestle that served him for a bar. Carter didn’t need to order a drink: Pete took down the correct bottle and poured him a generous glass of bourbon. "Good news?" Lucky didn't stand on ceremony. He and Bullseye went way back, so far back that alone of the bandits under his command, he was privileged to use the boss' real first name.

"No news yet, Pete, but the crew I sent down to Talon's Creek should be there by now."

"Heh. That town won't know what's hit 'em."

Carter smiled. "How'd you like to set up shop in a real saloon down there, once our boys have licked that bunch of slowpokes into shape?"

"I might not mind that. But time was we'd have been in there doing the licking."

"Time was." Carter took a good sip of whisky. "I can't say I don't miss it too sometimes, but there's something to be said for laying back and reaping the goods while the young-uns have their day, and let them worry about staying one step ahead of the law, eh? They got a Sheriff in Talon's Creek you know, feller called Sneeze or something - Jeremy Sneeze? Something like that. Pour yourself a glass, Pete. Let's drink to the lads putting some pepper under Sheriff Sneeze's nose."



Howdy there and welcome to mafia! Ya’ll should soon get your role/team PM with detailed instructions. If you don’t please let us know. Remember, your role and team is a secret, do not reveal it in your RP posts.

Rules

There are two teams: Townspeople and Bandits. You’re trying to kill each other. Townies win if they kill all the Bandits. Bandits win if they outnumber the surviving Townies.

The game is divided into day phases and night phases, with different rules. Phases will end at 8:30pm BST (UK time), 1:00am (IST), 3:30pm (ET). We realise that not everyone will be able to be here at that time, but each phase will last at least 24 hours, to give everyone a chance to act, regardless of timezone.
If you can act in a phase, you must use your action by the deadline. As soon as we can after that, the GMs will post a write-up of what happened during the phase. If anyone has died, their team and role will be revealed.

Day
Days last for 48 hours, except for the first day which is just a chance to introduce your character and get your bearings, so will only last 24 hours. During a day phase, you can vote for someone to be lynched. At the end of the day, the player with the most votes will be killed. If there is a tie, no-one dies.

Voting: Votes are cast publicly, in this thread. Just include the name of the person you’re voting for in red text. If you’re using their character name, it helps everyone keep track if you include the player as well in out of character text. You can change or retract your vote at any time before the day ends: to retract, use green text. (If you vote twice without explicitly retracting the first vote, the last one counts as long as it’s before the deadline.) Please don’t edit your post to delete or change the vote: make a new post with your new vote.
One of us will post to say that voting is closed for the day, but votes will be counted or not counted depending on the timestamp on the post, even if they are before the GM post. Posts must be before the deadline, i.e. (if you’re in UK time) 8:29 is good, 8:30 will not be counted (but you may still be murdered).

Duels also take place during the day. You can challenge a player to a duel at any time, but to give them time to accept or decline, they have until the end of the next day phase to make up their minds.

Duelling: You can challenge any other player to a duel at any time, but you must post the challenge publicly in this thread. To make your intention clear, please confirm that you’re challenging them in out of character text.
If you are challenged, you have until the end of the next day phase to respond. If you decline, or don’t respond, nothing happens. If you accept, the duel will take place in at the first end of day write-up. (That is, if you’re challenged in the day and accept before the end of that phase, it will happen that day. Otherwise it happens on the day after the challenge.)

In Wild West tradition, you duel in front of the saloon at high noon, with your trusty six-gun d6. The GMs will roll dice and the higher roll wins: the loser dies. If both rolls are the same, both players missed. Gunslingers get a +2 bonus to their roll, but we’ll adjust the numbers so that we can account for that without saying whether someone’s a Gunslinger.
The loser dies, and nothing happens to the winner. If it’s a draw, nothing happens to either of you.


Night
Nights last for 24 hours.
At night, the bandits can attack and kill someone. The Preacher, Night Watchman, and Vigilante can also use their roles.


Any Phase
In day or night phases, you can challenge another player to a duel, and the Doctor can treat one person who died the previous phase. You’re also encouraged to roleplay in this thread, contact other players and make plans behind the scenes provided you keep this communication within the rules (Dead talk, PM forwarding, etc, is not allowed).


Dying:
If you die, you must not help your team. You can’t share any information with any living players, or give them advice. You can keep roleplaying if you wish, but you must use purple text to show that you are a ghost, and keep to the rule about not sharing information.
In the first phase after your death, the Doctor can choose to save you. If they don’t, you’re dead for good after that phase. It will take a full day and night for the Doctor to treat a patient: during that time you can’t use any action, including voting, but once the GMs have confirmed that you’ve been saved, you can talk to other players.
You can talk to a dead player, if you want to: they just can’t talk back. But you should only tell them anything important once they can’t come back! Dead players can say anything they want to each other once both of them are dead for good.

Communicating with the GMs: If you have any questions, please PM us, Ladki96 and CarrieVS, on the forum, or talk to us on IRC or Discord. If it’s not secret, you can also ask a question in out of character text in this thread.
If you have an active role, we’ll have told you how to use it in your role PM.
Any PMs from us, including your role PM, must not be forwarded or copied in full to any other player. This is because if you can “prove” you are what you say you are it breaks the game, and spoils the fun for everyone.

Communicating with other players: You can communicate with other players outside of this thread, in PMs, on IRC or Discord, on a Google doc, or any other way. We trust you to keep this communication within the rules.
If you create any space - such as a shared Google doc - to talk with other players, you must share the link with the GMs. (If you have a personal doc for only your own notes, you don’t have to share with us but we encourage you to: we love to see what you’re thinking.)

Coloured text: Red, green, blue, and purple text have special meanings in this game. Please don’t use these colours for any other reason.
Red is for a vote to lynch someone.
Green is to retract that vote.
Blue is for speaking out of character.
Purple is for roleplaying as a ghost, after you are dead.

Roles
Sheriff: Known to everyone, the Sheriff is definitely not a Bandit. They can’t be night-killed. They have the option to make one player at a time a Deputy.

Deputy: Known to everyone, this role does not exist at the start, but may be chosen by the Sheriff. They can’t be night-killed while they are Deputy. Nothing stops a Bandit from being deputised, except the Sheriff’s judgement.

Night Watchman: This Townie can guard one person each night phase and stop them from being killed.

Vigilante: This Townie can follow one person each night phase and see whether they kill anyone. They can choose whether they want to kill the person if they attack someone, or just watch. If they try to kill them, there’s a small chance they could die instead.

Doctor: The Townie medic who can save exactly one person every twothree phases from dying.

Preacher: This Townie can ‘scan’ one person each night phase to find out their team (but not their role).

Blacksmith: This Townie is so tough that they can survive one “death” by any means.

Captain: This Bandit is the leader of the team. They get the final say over team decisions.

Lieutenant: This Bandit is second in command of the team. They will become the leader if the Captain is killed.

Thug: Like the Blacksmith, but on the other side, this Bandit can survive one “death” by any means

Gunslinger: There may be more than one Gunslinger, and they may be on either team. They get a +2 bonus in a duel.

Due to the number of the people who have signed up, we have added two new roles not mentioned in the sign-up thread, Blacksmith and Thug.

Roles and teams are secret unless otherwise specified. Bandits know who is on their side, but Townies need to work it out.

Now git on that there dance floor pardner! Day 1ends at 8:30PM BST on Monday.
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EDIT: we've changed the Doctor's role so that that can only resurrect every three phases, instead of every two.
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Last edited by CarrieVS on Fri Jun 09, 2017 8:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
A Combustible Lemon wrote:Death is an archaic concept for simpleminded commonfolk, not Victorian scientist whales.
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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby Ladki96 » Sun Jun 04, 2017 8:33 pm

Alright, roles should have been sent by now. :) Ready, set, go!

Roster:
Kivutar (“She”) Vigilante
A Combustible Lemon (William "Billy" Windsor)Plainie Townie
52xMax (Edward Zachary Ryder)
Marcuse (Erasmus Bar) Revived
jbobsully11 (Bubba Bo Bob Brain "Bob")Bandit Captain
IamNotCreepy (Aiden Sneed) Townie Gunslinger
skooma (Rosie Boxcars/Rattlesnake Rosie)
KleinerKiller ("Walter Rainler") Doctor
Deathclaw_Puncher (Cassandra Cassel) Bandit Gunslinger
sunglasses (Lavinia "Hunter") Bandit Lieutenant
DjiboutiDan (Jeremiah Snead) Sheriff
Cpt._Funkotron (Joaquin Pablo Tuco Escobar Murrieta Ramirez) Thug
Piter Lauchy (Piter von Lauchenheim) Deputy
Link1432 (Montgomery Farnsworth)
Jack Road (Agnes) Plainie Townie
Albatross727 (Albert Ross)

Roles reminder:

Townie roles revealed to not be dead yet
Sheriff
Deputy
Preacher
Night-Watchman
Blacksmith


Outlaw roles revealed to not be dead yet
- all Bandits dead
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Last edited by Ladki96 on Thu Jun 22, 2017 9:47 pm, edited 16 times in total.
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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby Cpt._Funkotron » Sun Jun 04, 2017 10:01 pm

Prologue
As the Mexican gentleman stepped outside of his shop, he couldn't help but look at his freshly painted sign with pride, "Trustworthy Haberdasher", in bold, honest looking red letters, though regrettably some of the paint had dripped down from the lettering. He stroked the hairs of his comically oversized handlebar mustache as he remembered the hard years of work as a vaquero it took to save up the money for his very own shop, but he'd finally made it.

Things were just about looking up for Joaquin Pablo Tuco Escobar Murrieta Ramirez.

He looked down and patted some dust off his old poncho; he hadn't been in the habit of wearing the garment knitted by his dear old mother since he came to America, but he had spilled some red wine on his white shirt the night before and the rest of his clothes were hanging from a line to dry. He chuckled fondly of the past night's revelries, having been invited to a fancy dress party for the well-to-do of the community. In fact, unbeknownst to Joaquin, he had forgotten to remove the thin cat-burglar mask fastened over his eyes that had formed art of his costume, being so comfortable that he simply hadn't noticed.

He had some paperwork to sort out at the bank, so we went along his merry way, smiling at passers by. Regrettably his upbringing and frugality had given him a less than complete set of teeth, but he hoed that his inner warmth would at least shine through to his goodly neighbors. First impressions are everything after all.


As Joaquin made his way to the bank, he decided to stop in at the tobacconist to purchase himself a fine cigar, this is the style of well-to-do businessmen, is it not? Shrugging off the odd expression of the clerk, he walks out onto the stoop and puffs away like a texan oil-boss.

Along the way, he passed by the town brothel. A rough, inebriated-looking outsider, hunter by the looks of him, having just negotiated a financial arrangement with one of the corner gals, thrust his long rifle into Joaquin's hands, slurringly telling him to "hold on to this a minute, will ya?". Before he could very well object, the man in question off inside, and Joaquin had little inclination to follow him. He'd have to find somewhere safe to have it kept until the gentleman was in sharper spirits, no upstanding member of the community could be expected to do less.

And so, the large Mexican man, with handle-bar moustache, smiling with missing and yellowed teeth, a thin burglar's mask across his eyes, wearing an old poncho insufficiently concealing a large red splotch on his white shirt, a cigar in the corner of his mouth and a buffalo gun in his hands, walked into the town bank.

He needed to secure a small personal loan from Mr. Sneed, the proprietor. Joaquin's dream shop had been built and stocked, but it could be months before he was personally solvent again. He was always told that straightforwardness was key to a successful dealing, and that reservedness was key to good haggling. And so in utilization of both these qualities simultaneously, he stood his ground and shouted out across the bank floor from the doorway "I'm here for some money" in his regrettably thick accent.
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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby Marcuse » Sun Jun 04, 2017 10:28 pm

The barkeep scowled at Erasmus. "I told you, there ain't noone by that name here. Now are you gonna buy somethin'?"

Though he didn't want to admit it in this room full of people, he'd still got a small purse of gold he'd kept hidden in case he was attacked. He fumbled awkwardly to extract it from his boot. At the same time he read the faded menu chalked above the bar.

"A...whiskey" he selected eventually. By now the barkeep was regarding him curiously. It was as though tipping a pouch of gold from your boot made a man think you were loaded or something. Of course, Erasmus certainly was more than what he preferred to refer to as "affluent". It was just that the majority of it was tied up in certain ventures, and investments throughout the new world. He wouldn't deign to call himself a banker, but he supposed that he was bankrolling a good many projects, especially ones he thought might improve the condition of mankind. Right now though, those ventures were being managed by his house man, and he was out here in Talon Creek alone, with a modest sum in his possession.

The barkeep slammed down a glass, and before Erasmus could properly elucidate his reservations, added the liquor. Erasmus hesitated.

"What?" demanded the barkeep.

"It's just that. This. This glass is filthy."

"Yeah, they get like that out here. Comes from being used so much."

"Might I enquire as to the availability of one which hasn't been used before?"

"None o' them this side of devil ridge."

"Devil ridge?" That was new. Nobody had mentioned that to him. The letter he'd gotten from Silas had mentioned such a place, evil as it sounded. It wasn't the place he was looking for, but it was close. Maybe he could find what he was looking for on his own? It was a fine idea, and Erasmus decided himself a real adventurer for coming up with it. He settled onto the wholly uncomfortable bar stool and fixed the barkeep with his most winning smile.

"It seems I may have some...other requirements. Might you be able to see your way to facilitating them?" He slowly pushed a coin across the counter. The barkeep's eyes widened as he saw the glint of gold.

"I sure can, sir."

"Excellent."
  • 13

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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby Deathclaw_Puncher » Sun Jun 04, 2017 10:58 pm

Cassandra Cassel had an odd drinking ritual. Whenever she'd enter the local saloon she'd order three drinks: a whiskey, a saronno rose, and another whiskey. She never touched touched the third one, however. Instead, she'd just stare at the doors for about an hour, pay her tab, and leave. Everyone thought it quite odd, but no one spoke up lest they get their face bashed in with a hunting rifle.

The only female courier in Talon Creek, Cassandra was in the middle of delivering a package 20 miles out. It was a large box sent out to be delivered to a Mr. Pearl Argyle. She found it amusing that Pearl was a guys' name at some point. "Seriously", she thought to herself,"What's next? Petticoat? Corset? Sanitary Napkin?"

"Whoa, easy girl!" she said to her trusted horse Whinnyfred, who got spooked by what appeared to some crazed vagrant crawling around and mooing. Cass got her hunting rifle at the ready, but opted just to speed up and get to the next town over. She had no time for idiot, and certainly could't spare the bullets these days.
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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby Piter Lauchy » Sun Jun 04, 2017 11:39 pm

Piter laughed and sat up. That was the third one he got! Freaking horses. He never figured out how to ride one without his balls getting squeezed. He suspected it had something to do with how he couldn't stabilise himself properly with just one foot.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The first thing Piter realised about Talon's Creek was that there was not much to do around here. He quickly picked up a routine of waking up, going to the bar, getting shitfaced and doing whatever crazy thing came to mind first.

Today had been a good day. That Cassel woman had been there. He quite liked her, although they'd never spoken a word. Her attending the bar meant free whiskey for him. Not his drink of choice, of course, but what idiot would say no to free alcohol?
There had been another, rather peculiar person that asked for a clean glass. Hah! In Piter's bored state of mind, that would serve as entertainment for hours!

Several hours later, Piter had become worried. He hadn't laughed about that guy in ten minutes now and he feared that this one was milked dry. Milk... cows... he heard neighing outside. Freaking horses... Mysterious mechanics whirred and clicked in his head. He got up, slammed his money on the counter and walked outside.
Piter knew exactly what to do.
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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby KleinerKiller » Mon Jun 05, 2017 12:52 am

The man who was currently calling himself Walter Rainler walked unhurriedly through the town, hands in his pockets, hat brim still pulled low over his face. Why rush? The sun was still high in the sky, and he had nowhere to be at the moment. He'd unpacked his supplies, given the relevant authority figures his sob story, and finished putting everything in place already; he needed what little time could be spared for regaining energy and getting a sense of his environs before he had to go to once more go to work at nightfall. He was so proud of his work, but it required an undistracted mind.

Pausing to adjust his lapels in the shade of a seedy-looking bar, Walter took in his surroundings, and the people milling through them. Quite a few were passing him by without a second thought on their way into the bar -- he'd contemplated a small drink himself to steady his remaining nerves, but had decided against it shortly before reaching the place -- and a few dangerous-looking gentlemen and fetching young ladies passing by on horseback. Strained eyes sweeping over each one and jumping to the next, he wondered how many might be involved in the troubles sure to come, and how many would still be alive by the time he took on the next name and left Talon's Creek behind.

Some scattered shouts drew his attention toward the bank, where it seemed there was some kind of commotion stirring up that was sending some fleeing out and others buzzing in. It might be nothing, or it might be exactly the kind of opportunity he'd come to town for. Putting a cautious brace in his step just in case he had to suddenly dash the other way, he hurried to investigate.
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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby Kivutar » Mon Jun 05, 2017 1:04 am

The traveler plodded down the dusty street and stopped outside the bar. It looked dingy and dissolute - her favourite type. She tied her mule outside, where it promptly snapped at at nearby horse.

"Knock it off, Bob," she snarled, as the horse neighed indignantly, and walked inside before seeing if her knocked it off or no. As she walked in, a scruffy-looking man walked out - a seaman? Strange, to see a seaman here, but she was sure of it. She had seen far too many seamen to mistake one. He seemed drunk, and she wondered whether accosting a drunken seaman would be an auspicious start to her stint in town, or whether it would cause more mundane trouble than excitement. Based on her experience, the odds were about 50-50.

Well, she might as well have a drink first. She walked up to the counter and addressed the surly barman:

"You have any moonshine made of fruit?"
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Then the LORD said to me, "Go again, love a woman who is loved by her husband, yet an adulteress, even as the LORD loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods and love raisin cakes."

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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby jbobsully11 » Mon Jun 05, 2017 3:48 am

Bob was done mending the fence, righting his scarecrow, and scowling at passersby for the day. He decided to head down to the saloon and try to mingle with the townsfolk for a change (and see if he could spot anyone who looked like they might have paid him an unofficial visit). It was a short walk; he made it there in five minutes, and then stopped outside and surveyed the scene. It looked like a few more newcomers had parked their horses outside, and the place was busier than it had been since he first came to town. Bob strolled in and, when he saw an opening at the bar, ordered himself a whiskey, on the rocks. He sat quietly, nursing his drink and eyeing the crowd.
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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby skooma » Mon Jun 05, 2017 4:00 am

Getting in from work, Rosie lovingly put away her fancy satin ruffles and very expensive stockings, then got out her Colt double-action and Dragoon revolvers. As a little girl in the dark streets of Chicago, she'd always fantasized about being a famous Western sheriff, with a charismatic rattlesnake sidekick, and had even come up with legendary tales about their fame.

Well, a lot of things had changed since then, but she did own her small house in Talon's Creek - that wouldn't happen back East! - and kept up her gunplay, practicing nearly every day just outside of town. The work was as promised too, with good pay, no need to touch the customers besides dancing, and the best clothes anyone could ever have; the glamour of a Saloon Girl's wardrobe made rich women's uptight dress look pathetic, a view shared generally by most around here.

Now she wanted a big house with a view and creek nearby someday, but her feelings about a rattlesnake best friend hadn't wavered. She pulled out some torn pink satin, smelling of her favorite perfume, thinking to associate herself to the gorgeous snake she'd been stalking. Then she checked her cage trap just outside, and found a beautiful, healthy rabbit in it, with a lot of lettuce still left.

Guns strapped on and presents in hand, she walked out of town toward the burrow she'd spotted a few days back.

Rattlesnake Rosie basked like the diva she was born to be, easily smelling the woman approaching. Who kind of veered off... toward an abandoned burrow... Harvey's abandoned burrow!! It was Harvey, her elusive nemesis, the bane of her hunting... Rosie put off being impressed that her pursuer had somehow caught Harvey... lettuce, her tremendous rattlesnake sense of smell told her it was lettuce... to start hissing at random sunwarmed rocks.

Rosie Boxcars beamed over her presents, not thinking till later to wonder about the rabbit's lightning-fast flight into the burrow. Then she turned and headed further out of town to shoot some bottles and such, spotting a rough looking type who leered at her insultingly. Idiot, that would get him laid flat fast enough around here.


I stumbled over this and couldn't resist thinking it might be Talon's Creek someday. Ry Cooder's Paris, Texas

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Skooma seems the type of person to chase me down and force me at gun point to receive their encomium with good graces. ~Jack Road

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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby Link1432 » Mon Jun 05, 2017 9:33 am

"Gee willikers, good sir. And people call me crazy," said the man with the lazy eye. For the past few hours, Monty had been sharing his story with this vagrant who had witnessed his arrival in this world. He told him of his time in another town called Edwood, his death, and his brief stay in the empty void that served as his afterlife, before he was pulled away by something unknown and appeared here in Talon's Creek. It all seemed so long ago, and yet instantly familiar.

"Well, I know it sounds a tall tale for certain, but I swear it's true," said Monty. "I've got quite the trouble believin' it myself."

"Oh, don't worry, sir. I believe ya. There's some strange happenin's in this here town, they say. Folks 'round these parts aren't much for talkin' about it, but deep down, they know that out West is a strange and scary place." Sam stared off down the road towards the horizon - or perhaps to the nearby rock; it was tough to tell.

"I really must be goin'," said Monty. "I reckon I've got to figure out what I should be doin' here, now that I'm here."

"Of course. Don't let me keep you. Here," said Sam as rummaged through his bundle and produced a well-worn shirt and pair of pants. "I think you need these more than I do at the moment. Take 'em."

"Well, thank you kindly, uh..."

"Folks call me Silly-Eyed Sam, on account o' my silly eye and my name bein' Sam, but you can just call me Sam."

"Much obliged, Sam. Now take care of yourself." Monty stood, donned the clothing, and entered the main street of Talon's Creek.

This was not the same place in which Monty had previously lived. Sam had helped him discover that; when he mentioned the "steam punks" that had sent Monty out West before, Sam had never heard of any such thing. Monty knew this would be an unusual transition. Just another adventure, Montgomery, he thought to himself. Just like normal.

... But what is normal to me anymore?
  • 11

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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby sunglasses » Mon Jun 05, 2017 2:24 pm

Lavinia was handing out watered down whiskey at the local watering hole.

"Lavinia, huh? Did you hear that song that Mssrs Storm and Tender was singin' about a woman named Lavinia?" a patron asked, the dirt embedded in his skin its own person by now. She wondered if she should offer the dirt a drink of its own.

"Yes, unfortunately, I have heard that song. Makes me think about changin' my name to be honest. But I've always been Lavinia, and it'd be hard to answer to another name, I reckon," she answered.

The man nodded iffin' thought, "Yess'm, you'd be right about that, reckon. It'd be hard to be known by one name but then have to try to remember to another. Wonder how them actors do it?"

"With wigs on, I imagine."

They both laughed.
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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby IamNotCreepy » Mon Jun 05, 2017 3:45 pm

Alden Sneed stood behind the counter of his modest bank. It was a small building, but it was seated on a large piece of land. The property here was relatively cheap and would only grow in value as the town grew larger. Once his bank started to turn a profit, he could expand the size to befit a proper branch of Sneed and Sons Bank.

He was immaculately dressed, as always. First impressions matter, and the appearance of wealth and culture went a long way. It also helped to actually have those things, which he did. He didn't think impressing these provincials would make his father respect him more, but turning a profit would.

So he slogged through the minutia of loans and deposits and withdrawals and all the petty little things these people needed to do. Even with squeezing these people for every penny possible, it would take still take years to turn a profit at this rate.

As he daydreamed about one day moving out of this hick town and back to the luxuries of New York City, he noticed an even-dirtier-than-normal man walk in. He was a large Mexican-looking gentleman with more stains than teeth, including a large one that bore a definite resemblance to blood.

Alden snapped out of his reverie when he noticed the man was holding a buffalo rifle. Then the man yelled out demanding money.

Alden slowly lowered his left hand behind the counter and rested it on the butt of his Colt .45, holstered on his left hip Cavalry-style with the butt facing forward. He hoped to resolve this with words, but he wasn't afraid to use the gun if necessary.

"Greetings, sir, to Sneed and Sons Bank. No relation to the Sherriff, of course. If you could kindly lower that weapon, I'm sure we can resolve this without violence. I cannot give you this money, as it is not mine, but I can loan some to you at what I can assure you are competitive rates."

He steadied his hand on his gun, ready to draw at a moment's notice. He took in a slow breath and held it so his hand would be as steady as possible. And then he waited to see what this oddly-dressed man intended to do next.
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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby CarrieVS » Mon Jun 05, 2017 8:45 pm

Day 1: The Calm Before

Mayor Lehmann had burst out in a furious tirade against outlaws that morning - or so the grapevine had it. When bandits had failed to ride openly into town and begin shooting the decent honest folk of Talon's Creek, an air of tense anticipation had descended upon the little town.

The mills of rumour were not short of grist that day. Everyone was on alert for anything strange: strange names, strange requests in the saloon, strangely behaving snakes, and very strange tales of men who claimed to have been dead. Who could anyone trust with bandits on the loose? Customers at the bar flashing gold of unknown provenance, the callous and dastardly vandalism of scarecrows, and now masked Mexican brandishing a rather large gun was standing in the bank demanding money.

The proprietor, Mr Sneed (not to be confused with Mr Snead, the Sheriff), responded qwuite calmly, while other bystanders watched in horrified or fascinated silence, waiting for something to happen.



Nothing of any consequence happened today.

It's now Night. Bandits may attack, and the Preacher may scan, Night Watchman guard, and Vigilante hunt.

Night 1 ends at 8:30PM BST on Tuesday. Good luck!
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Re: Talons of Blood: Wild West Mafia

Postby Marcuse » Mon Jun 05, 2017 10:44 pm

The barkeep had insisted they wait until night to proceed. Erasmus had spent several boring hours, while the various locals and patrons steadfastly refused to acknowledge him. He paid them as little mind, busying himself with some abstract calculations that occurred to him. When the shadows grew long, the barkeep put down the old dishrag he habitually played with, and walked over to him.

"Now?" Erasmus asked. Now, he confirmed.



Devil ridge turned out to run almost through the edge of the town itself. The Eastern section of it butted right up against it. On the Western side, the incline was smooth. The opposite was perilously sharp, nearly vertical. Looking down in the gloom, he could see still darker shapes, plants, scrubby bushes, the yawning maws of cave systems.

He couldn't see anything out here. But luckily nobody could see him either. He sat for a while, legs hanging over the side of the ridge, staring into the darkness. Sooner or later he could see them, here and there. Fleeting glimpses anyway. Black, shimmering against black, something darker than the night.

"I've seen enough," he announced, "I'll have need of you soon. Thank you."

He tossed the barkeep a gold coin, as promised. It wouldn't do to be seen as a cheat, and he prided himself on being and doing exactly what he said he was. They went their separate ways in the street.
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