The train ride from Cedar City was long, but uneventful. Denver-Pacific normally is, as most robbers are hesitant to go up against the rail owned by the cabal of scientists, Smith and Robards. Stories get around of scorched skeletons, piles of ash and guns that fire so fast it looks like a constant stream of lead. It's a bit costly to ride, but you get there in one piece. The Avenging Angels also tend to leave the train alone, at least for now...
The train car you were assigned was almost full, but your fellow riders seemed pleasant enough. A gambler named Brett Rivers was a bit jumpy at first, but seemed to calm, at least during the day. There was also a man who went by "Finn", and said he was a reporter, looking for a good piece out west. 'Professor', as he introduced himself, Bertram Smythe a bit wild eyed, talking about a elixir he created that it would cure all your ills, make you better, faster and smarter. There was even a Native, who went by "Plays With Fire", sitting at the window, often leaving to examine the train or check on his horse in the baggage car. The other man was a bit of a mystery, not speaking much and sleeping through most of the trip. He introduced himself as John Harrison, and then dropped off to sleep. A final arrival, who almost missed the train from the look of him was a man of the cloth, who went by Elias Quinn. He was missing an arm, but didn't let that get in the way of stowing his gear and taking a seat.
You've been riding for two days when with a hiss of steam matched by the high screams from the boiler, the train pulls into Twin Rivers. An odd name for a city in the Mojave, but you've heard odder ones. Stepping onto the platform, the bustle of the growing boomtown rolls over you. You hear calls from small stalls set up near the station, and see a man in a long dusty coat in the process of hanging a poster, one in a line along the far wall of the station. There's a small group watching them, seemingly more subdued than the people walking by the train.
The train lets out another scream from the whistle, and begins to move, sliding into the train yard to begin the complicated procedure to turn around and begin the long trip back. A quick glance around reveals a ticket counter, and over to the side, a large steel door, guarded by two humorless men. Out the main doors, you can part of a large clock tower, and a wide bustling street.
The Players
FTC: honk.
FTC: HONK.
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As he's strolling along he notices a group of people gawking at something, and immanently headed in that direction. If it's got all these folks interested it may be something worth his time.
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"Pardon me, but could you please tell me where the good Sheriff keeps his office?"
"New here are you? Well, head out the doors, down the main street. Walk towards the Clock tower, the office is at the crossroads. You'll see the sign." He sighs and shakes his head. "Good luck..."
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"You were on the train, right? I believe we think alike, my boy. Great minds, and all that! I was just about to head over to the Sheriff's office myself. Do you mind if I tag along? The name's Edmond Finnegan, but everyone just calls me Finn. "
With that he extends his hand.
"Hrm, a damsel in distress?" Brett thought to himself. He overheard a couple gentlemen from the train.
"You gents headed to Sheriff's office too. Sounds like we'll be right proper bunch headed over there." He remarked. Having a couple traveling partners, however briefly, would be a slight reprieve from his usual solidarity.
Without realizing it, he follows the group of men that are headed to the sheriff's office, entranced by their weapons and fancy dress, and consistently distracted by the train.
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
Hearing three of his car-mates' discussion, he begins to shadow them. If they are intending to brave the wilds for this girl, then they could make use of his wares. Helping himself would hopefully get him on good terms with local law enforcement as well. If they turn out not to be interested, he could at least use their distracting the sheriff to see if any of his past transgressions have followed him here in the form of wanted posters or notices.
The Sheriff's office is on one of the corners of the square, a figure stretched out on a chair in front, a dusty hat pulled down over their eyes. A glint of shiny metal can be seen on the front of their coat. You can see a notice board with lots of various piece of paper tacked to it, but most people seem to pass by without giving it much care.
Celebrim, give me a notice check, if you will?
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Notice: 5 (Edit: correction to result. Roll was 2,5)
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"Did'nt your momma teach you to always greet a lady first?"
Her voice has traces of an odd accent, mixed in with a more pronounced Texas drawl. It's a very strange sound, a mix you've not heard before. Her long coat falls open as she moves, revealing a worn gun-belt with a six iron securely in place.
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"That my momma did m'am, afternoon. Like Finn here, I was dropping by ask after the reward for the kidnapping." Brett addressed the woman, doing his best to turn on the charm.
She lifts herself off of her seat and stands at her dimnuitive height.
"Well, come on, I'll show ya in, Sheriff's a nice guy, just don't annoy him. He's got enough on his mind than dealin with a mouthy gunslinger."
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"Much obliged ma'am. Please lead the way"
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
"Got some folks here that want to talk to ya Sheriff, bout the posters we put up."
The Sheriff looks up and gives the group a once over. He's a big guy, not fat, but simply large. A several day growth of stubble makes him look much more haggared than he normaly would, but his eyes are still fairly bright.
"Xie Xie Sarah, I'll take it from here. You go back to makin' sure no one steals the Clock tower."
Sarah gives him a wave and exists, taking up her post in front of the station.
The Sheriff lets out a long sigh and leans back, his chair creaking.
"So, you're here about Jessica. Do you know anything about it, or, from the look of you, you're fresh off the train?"
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The Sheriff gives the group a calculating look.
"I don't mind telling you that you're not the first group that we've sent out. $400 is a lot of money, and word's gotten around that it's not likely a person'll collect it. If you still are intrested, good luck to you. We don't have many leads, but if you want to start, try up at her parent's place. Head east, and turn right when you get to the tailor. You'll know which house, I'd wager. Sorry we can't offer more help, but we've got our hands full trying to keep down panic. This place may look impressive, but it's still new and I'm awfully short handed."
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Finn then turns to address his new companions.
"Well fellas I think we better get moving."
"Smythe's the name." He says extending his hand. "I believe I can be of some assistance in your search, if you're willing to take on another hand. Safety in numbers, I always say."
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Finn. I'm Father Elias Quinn - I believe we spoke on the train, briefly. I might be of assistance in finding this unfortunate girl... if you've no objection to an old man tagging along, of course. I assure you I shan't be a burden."
Inclining his head towards the Sheriff, Elias goes on to ask:
"Sheriff Madsen, I don't mean to make light of this, but I must ask - if there's been no bodies nor a trace of any 'foul play,' as it were, do you know for certain these girls haven't simply, ah, eloped, as young lasses are wont to do?" The Priest fumbles with his hat somewhat uncomfortably. "I understand, after all, Frontier women can be somewhat more... willful than most." He glances out the door through which the Lady Deputy just left.
"That aside, how long ago did the last disappearance before Miss Walker's occur?"
"Pleasure to meet you, Father. I don't mind at all, please feel free to accompany us. Might be good to have man of the cloth around."
"How many of us left our horses on the train?"
"Awww crap! I forgot about ol' Percy again! I tell you what, Mr. Rivers, I'll go take care of Percy and meet you over at the Walker's. I want to dig around there for clues myself."
With that, Finn bids goodbye to his compatriots and scurries off to the train depot.
Walking out of the Office, Sarah gives your group a nod as you walk past and head towards the house. You're not quite sure which one was hers, but suddenly that becomes obvious. One of the houses has a line of candles 3 deep stretching in front of the gate. There are also flowers, Saint's medals and hand written notes. Even as you approach, you see one person take a candle out of their pocket, and set it on the ground, the faint light in the middle of the day adding to the grim spectacle.
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"Looks like a memorial service to me. Perhaps we should wait to investigate the house until it is over. I wouldn't want to upset these poor people more than they already are."
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
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PAX Prime 2014 Resistance Tournament Winner
They tried to bury us. They didn't know that we were seeds. 2018 Midterms. Get your shit together.
"Excuse me, I don't mean to bother you during this sad time, but myself and my compatriots," He gestures back to the rest of the posse, "are investigating the missing girls. Do you know where I could find the girl's parents so we can discussed what happened?"
The lady shakes her head sadly, looking down at the ground.
"We just don't know what to do. The Sheriff's tried getting more men up here to search em out, but the heads of the town say it'll be a while before they can, heh, 'Authorize the cost'. I suppose a few girls going missing isn't that important to the rail lords. I wish you the best of luck, but I'm afraid we're not very hopeful..."
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