PROLOGUE: Rockton Heights

[Norjax]

Rockton Heights, 9:30 pm

After arriving at Basil Station via the Trans Central Railroad, you located a stagecoach and departed the Swissfold, crossing the Geneva River at Fort Kenworthy to enter the Rangemark Territory. From there, you traveled along the right bank of the Zurich River until reaching its first cataract in the Barbarossa Mountains where the mining town of Rockton Heights awaited.

West Central Region Map



The three-week journey from the Basel Station provided ample time for everyone to get acquainted. Drawn from all corners of the Federation, you answered a mysterious want ad in Lore of the Plains:



Determined to reach Rockton Heights before nightfall, the driver pushed forward through the summer evening rain, unwilling to camp along the remote mountain trail. With Saber Cats roaming after dark, known to prey on horses, and the occasional human, stopping was not an option.



At 9:30 p.m., you arrive in front of the Cataract Hotel, Rockton Height’s sole dedicated lodging. The driver swiftly hops down to help you disembark.



Actions?

Action Details:

Characters:

Monsters:

Brynner
Carter Stone
Huck L. Berry
Elijah Wolf
Zebedee Goldrush
Buck Saylor

[Rex]

Elijah

"A little late gentleman, but we are finally here."

[Straither]

Brynner

Not used to sitting on a cushioned bench seat in a stagecoach, probably lounges uncomfortably throughout and angles for any window seat.

As we pass he might point out various trees and animals he can identify beyond those commonly known.

"Call of the wild blue yonder and a few extra bucks to get me back on my feet brought me here. How about you?" he asks, making 'meet and greet' small talk.

He looks the 'wild frontier' part in his rough canvas clothes, fringed hide jacket and tomahawk covered in feathers and lucky charm rabbit feet swinging at his belt. But he is not an uneducated hilly-billy; carrying several biographical tomes that he reads to pass the journey, tales of exploring heroes that may have come this way before.

"Horse Norse. Anyone experienced much with them?" he asks.

[Stirling]

Zebedee Goldrush

Truth be told, he was rather 'run out' of the last town, taking the next stagecoach to anywhere, preferably the middle of nowhere. The advertisement stuffed in his pocket to justify his out of pocket expenses to purchase a seat on the coach instead of a wagon to 'Boot Hill'.

He doesn't call himself a 'swindler'. That is for those who's guile and craft is for swindling; He is "A man of holy conviction, a mystic peddlar of godly oils, soul creams, musculature soothings and psychedelic aspirants to those who wish to enlighten body and soul with nature and the divine." God had anointed him, to 'preach the good news, shepherd the sheep to Nature's grass', demonstrating his ordination through the healing ability of 'laying on of hands'. But praying over the widows and preying on them is a fine line to cross in some sheriffs view.

"God has called me to new pastures, new lands of promise. Perhaps this posse to find these lost sheep will help open up these good townsfolks hearts. Could build a sanctuary here, a place of pilgrimage for all the sick and needy "

[cybersavant]

Carter Stone

The young man seemed to carry not more than the clothes on his back and something bulky in the satchel slung over his shoulder. He wore a six-shooter on his hip and dressed not like a traveller or cowpoke, with his stylized buckled hat, fancy vest and semi-long coat. He sat quiet for the trip. Upon arrival, he stepped out of the stagecoach with the others. "Well, looks like a fine little town. Anyone been to a mining town 'afore?"

[OGRE MAGE]

Huck plays his hand close to the vest as the others chat about their lives, keeping his secrets to himself for the time being.

When they finally arrive at their destination, he helps the wagoneer unload the other passengers belongings so he can take a good look at what everyone else brought.

"Tell me driver, do ya know if they offer gambling anywhere here in Rockton Heights? At the inn or saloon perhaps?"

"And this Boss Herzog fella, any chance ya know where he might be found at such an hour?"

[ybn1197]

Buck Saylor

Buck tried to sleep as much as he could while the coach bumped along the dusty trail. He didn't have much on him and those who watched him climb on board the coach at the station saw he only carried a few things; one of which was a small keg, and he guarded that as though it was his last worldly possession. He also carried a large staff-like object with him. It was a regular staff on one end but the other (which he kept upright) looked like an elongated spoon. The end with the spoon was discolored from the end he kept on the ground.

"Needed a change of scenery," he says to Brynner during their "meet and greet." "Heard tales that when a sailor was ready to give up the sea for good, he would take an oar and proceed inland. The first settlement he came to that didn't know what the oar was, that was where he would call home. I reckon to give it a try with my staff."

As they get off the coach for the last time, Buck looks over at Carter and shakes his head negative. "First time. Till now there hasn't been much call for me to travel far."

[Norjax]

Rockton Heights, 9:30 pm

No one acknowledges any experience with the Horse Norse, either out of fear or genuine ignorance. Almost everyone has heard the horror stories of travelers slaughtered in the night and their bodies hung high in oak trees as a sacrifice to the pagan god Odin. Worse yet are eyewitness accounts of the 'Blood Eagle', the preferred Norse method of sadistic torture. Only hardened individuals can muster the courage to confront these barbarians.

While removing your belongings from stowage, your driver, Bode, offers the information you seek.

Map of Rockton Heights

“The Happenings Saloon is over there,” he says pointing across from the Cataract Hotel. "You'll find plenty of games of chance and skill, though the mining crews can get a bit rowdy at times."

“Ma Renfroe’s is the only kitchen in town, but there’s no fun to be had there.”

“Boss Herzog?” Bode replies to Huck. “If he’s not working late at Herzog and Manchester, he’s probably in for the night.” He nods toward a house on the hill above. “That’s his place up there, but he doesn’t take visitors.”

Actions?

Action Details:

Characters:

Opponents:

Brynner
Carter Stone
Huck L. Berry
Elijah Wolf
Zebedee Goldrush
Buck Saylor

[OGRE MAGE]

Huck looks over the area before grabbing his bag and heading to the hotel to check in for the night.

"Once we all get settled in, I suggest a quick look around the saloon, you know, to find clues and things."

[Rex]

Elijah

"A good idea Huck, I will join you. We should plan on going looking for Boss in the morning, or when we get up anyways."

[cybersavant]

Huck looks over the area before grabbing his bag and heading to the hotel to check in for the night.

"Once we all get settled in, I suggest a quick look around the saloon, you know, to find clues and things."

Carter Stone looks at the man. "Clues for what? Drunks? Th' ad i read said somethin' 'bout miners disappearing. I'll talk to the boss in the mornin'. No use wastin' time runnin' 'bout in th' dark stumblin' over drunks." He heads for the hotel, hoping there's rooms available for the night.

[ybn1197]

Huck looks over the area before grabbing his bag and heading to the hotel to check in for the night.

"Once we all get settled in, I suggest a quick look around the saloon, you know, to find clues and things."

Elijah

"A good idea Huck, I will join you. We should plan on going looking for Boss in the morning, or when we get up anyways."

Carter Stone looks at the man. "Clues for what? Drunks? Th' ad i read said somethin' 'bout miners disappearing. I'll talk to the boss in the mornin'. No use wastin' time runnin' 'bout in th' dark stumblin' over drunks." He heads for the hotel, hoping there's rooms available for the night.

Buck grabs his keg and hoists it on his shoulder. "I'm inclined to agree with Mr. Carter. We know little of what Boss Herzog wants and even less about this area. The last thing we should be doin' is stickin' our collective noses in places they certainly don't belong. I full-heartedly agree with gettin' some rooms at the hotel and then a fine meal, but I for one intend to end my evenin' there.

[Straither]

Brynner

Grabs his satchel and basics. "Thank you Bode. God's mercies on your travels back."

The kitchen sounds a bit rough but frontier cooking often has needs for scavengers and hunters to provide. On the way to the hotel, he will stop by Ma Renfroe's, checking out her stew of the day and hotpots and seeing if any other rangerly-hunter types are around hawking deer carcasses and bushmeats.

[Stirling]

Zebedee Goldrush

The mystic swags the last of a bottle of health elixir, "Marvelous stuff, puts hair on the dog and vitality in your bones."

He offers Bode a bottle of cure-all wishing him a safe return to.

"You tell your friends, if they need any dose of nature's finest, then rush to Goldrush."

He grabs his travel bags and takes another wistful look at the Lost Miners advert.

"The Hotel, a room and fresh scrub will be fine for me."

[Norjax]

Rockton Heights, 10:00 pm

Freed from stowage, you gather your gear and head into the hotel. The receptionist greets you with a insincere welcome before stating that rooms are available for each of you at a rate of $1 per night.

Carter and Zebedee settle in for the night, opting to forgo any late-night socializing. Meanwhile, Buck and Brynner make their way to Ma Renfroe’s for a meal before calling it a night.

As you step into the kitchen, you notice the lamps are lit, yet the room is empty of patrons. You enter politely, searching for the proprietor. Moments later, a woman of West African descent emerges from a door at the back of the dining hall.



“Running a bit late, aren’t we?” she says with a thick Mali accent. "At this hour, all I have left is some chicken soup and hard biscuits."

Huck and Elijah mosey their way across the street to Happenings. The spacious saloon hosts a half-dozen patrons, and behind the bar, the bartender's gaze meets yours as you step inside.





“Velcoms, strangers,” the bartender says in broken English, revealing his Scandinavian origins. “Jus enter in town?”

Actions?

Action Details:

Characters:

Adversaries:

Brynner
Carter Stone
Huck L. Berry
Elijah Wolf
Zebedee Goldrush
Buck Saylor

[cybersavant]

head into the hotel. The receptionist greets you with a insincere welcome before stating that rooms are available for each of you at a rate of $1 per night.
Carter and Zebedee settle in for the night, opting to forgo any late-night socializing

Carter Stone

"Ah, that's a might steep fer me. How much fer th' stable?"

[Rex]

Elijah

"Yes indeed. I am Elijah Wolf, just arrived and thought I would take a look around before settling in for the night."

[Straither]

Brynner

Steps inside, careful to wipe his boots and tips his hat to the proprietor.

"Ma'am. Late? Blame the stagecoach if you will though Bode recommends your stewpots and fayre. Chicken broth is fine if that is all you have."

He will take a seat by any hearth and wait patiently until served, looking around at the kitchen mess hall wondering whether lack of patrons means all are fed and housed. He had expected a throng of miners and prospectors working coming in after late shifts.

As he is served, he will ask Ma Renfroe about the locals and the locale and if she ever buys in hunted deer and bushmeats. Does she know of any hunters in town?

[OGRE MAGE]

Huck follows inside behind Eli, looking the interior of the establishment over carefully before saying anything himself.

"Indeed we did mister.......?"

Say friend, my folks are from the old country. Your accent, it sounds a lot like theirs," he lies.

The Swindler looks over the other patrons carefully as the man answers him.

[Stirling]

Zebedee Goldrush

He will sign his name into any reception book with a flourish,

"Thank you young Sir/lady" as appropriate, "I can carry my bags." he says, handing over a silver coin.

"Just for tonight, Mr Herzog expects my company tomorrow and I may leave forthwith on some important endeavour." he explains his arrival and intentions before asking if there is a reading room in the hotel, a lobby to lounge and gather the news. His advert from the Lore of the Plains is three weeks old and he would like to catch up on the latest speculative tabloid news in the region. Mayhap the advert is now obselete with the lost miners fate resolved?

He will also ask about any local shrine and religious site that the Mystics might use for personal reverence. Tipping the reception an extra silver coin for information gathered.

-2sp