Bad Moon over California

[The Shaman]

The bass rumble and the heaving ground spur Dakota to action. “Lucky, up!” he calls, reaching for the dog, pulling the mutt up on the saddle. Once Lucky is safe in his arms, he clicks his tongue and snaps the reins – Thunder leaps forward, followed closely by Lightning.

The wrangler’s eyes look up the snowy slopes as the horses bound through the snow.

 

[Committed Hero]

Michael will make sure no one straggles behind on the way to the pines.

 

[synecdoche]

D'Artois steadies himself, and, looking more than a little spooked, grabs what he can carry and runs off to obey Bear Trap's call.

 

[Max]

Riley McClean

Riley joins in the gallop for the trees, hoping he doesn't see a wall of snow come roaring down the hill. "I'd hate to get killed by something I can't even shoot back at," mutters the gunfighter.

 

[Bobitron]

The fresh snowfall combined with the quaking earth has created a deadly flow of frozen snow, ice, and dirt. It slams down into the valley with incredible speed. Bear Trap spurs on his mount, and the rest of you follow his example. The mounts seem more than willing to run through the thick snow, but the pace is much slower than you would like considering the tons of debris coming at you. The surging avalanche overcomes you as you twist and lurch to avoid it.

OOC

Saving throws:

Mount #1 (Bear Trap) 22, saves for half damage, taking 18 points.

Mount #2 (Marshal) 11, fails save, taking 23 points.

Mount #3 (Dakota) 15, saves for half damage, 10 points.

Mount #4 (D'Artois) 21, saves for half damage, 16 points.

Mount #5 (Michael) 13, fails save, 25 points.

Mount #6 (Riley) 12, fails save, 21 points.

Thunder: 16, saves for half damage, 17 points.

Lucky: 17, saves for half damage, 9 points (Lucky indeed!)

Damn Mule: 7, fails save, 26 points.

Bear Trap: 17, saves for half damage, 12 points.

Marshal Colburn: 13, fails save. Adding an action die brings it to 18, saves, 11 points.

Dakota: 20, saves for half damage, 14 points.

D'Artois: 28, saves for half damage, 19 points.

Michael: 23, saves for half damage, 11 points.

Riley: 16, saves for half damage, 12 points.

All those who failed the saves are buried and will take 1d6 damage per minute until they are freed. Please let me know if I missed anything.

 

[Max]

Riley McClean

Racing his horse for the trees, Riley watches helplessly as the wall of snow thunders down the mountain side. He reflexively, and futilely, tightens his grip on the reins as the snow hits with the force of a sledgehammer, ripping him out of the saddle. Bouncing off of trees, rocks, and who knows what else, Riley is amazed when he finally stops to still be able to see the sky.

After looking himself over, he decides that nothing was broken, but he is bruised from head to toe. Both pistols are still with him, held in place by the hammer thongs, but they will need a good cleaning. Not surprisingly, his hat is nowhere to be seen. Staggering to his feet, he takes a quick look around and is relieved to see all of his companions more or less alive, but half of the horses are missing.

"Everybody still alive?" he calls out, to see who is conscious. Before he can ask what happened to the horses, he sees part of the snow moving as if something large was buried and trying to get out. "Damn, looks like some of the horses got buried under the snow. Anyone got a shovel?" he asks, as he staggers over to try and dig the horse out with his hands.

 

[The Shaman]

Breathing heavily, blowing steam from his mouth and nostrils, Dakota spins Thunder around and grabs his lariat. Good work, boys - and you too, mutt, he thinks as he looks for sign of the buried animals.

“Clear the snow from their noses,” he calls to the others, “and unbuckle the belly bands on their saddles.” He readies the lasso to pull the trapped animals free.

 

[synecdoche]

D'Artois unsteadily starts to move towards the horses, and begins digging with his hands to clear a way for the animals to breathe.

 

[hobbit_killer]

Bear Trap

Bear Trap picks himself up and makes his way towards the point where his mule went under the snow.

"Aye, I got me a shovel, but its on that damn mule who got himself buried!"


With care that belies his words, he starts to gently clear away the snow from where he believs the animal's head may be.

OOC: I would like to make a survival check (take ten) of 24 to make sure there is no more danger of another avalanche. I would then like to clear away the snow from the mule and when possible, take 10 on a treat injury to stabilize (result 15). If my horse fails his MDT save, treat him first.

 

[Committed Hero]

Michael assists the digging, careful to spot signs of frostbite.