[CoCd20] Flintlock & Tomahawk
- Thread starter Old Fezziwig
- Start date
Old Fezziwig
Thanks for the sour persimmons, cousin.
[sblock]OOC: Please note that all characters are present for this scene. Please note as well that this Dedham is not 100% accurate historically. Of course, this is a CoC game, so...[/sblock]29 October 1675: Boston, Massachusetts Bay Colony
Ext. - Dedham Town Center - late morning
Dedham. A town of English colonists a stone's throw away from Natick, the largest praying Indian community in the Massachusetts Bay. Sizeable enough for a town, the center is dominated by a large meeting house and public square, with the stocks and gallows displayed prominently on the western side of the square. A rather large crowd has gathered this morning, and you can see the town elders and a handful of the local militia standing near the gallows. Two men with rifles stand on either side of one set of stocks, guarding a prisoner — a burly Indian dressed in the same clothes as the colonists. His face is bruised badly, one eye shut and his jaw swollen. As you enter town, a child moves forward from the crowd and beans the Indian off the head with a rock. The sound it makes as it hits his forehead is sickening.
And on the gallows, a man prepares a noose.
Ext. - Dedham Town Center - late morning
Dedham. A town of English colonists a stone's throw away from Natick, the largest praying Indian community in the Massachusetts Bay. Sizeable enough for a town, the center is dominated by a large meeting house and public square, with the stocks and gallows displayed prominently on the western side of the square. A rather large crowd has gathered this morning, and you can see the town elders and a handful of the local militia standing near the gallows. Two men with rifles stand on either side of one set of stocks, guarding a prisoner — a burly Indian dressed in the same clothes as the colonists. His face is bruised badly, one eye shut and his jaw swollen. As you enter town, a child moves forward from the crowd and beans the Indian off the head with a rock. The sound it makes as it hits his forehead is sickening.
And on the gallows, a man prepares a noose.
taitzu52
First Post
"Please! Wait!" screams a frenzied barrister Abcott, not even dismounted off his horse as he reels into the square. "Please...." he says again exasperated, as he pushes his way through the crowd. "Warden, this savage may be the only witness, or worse, perpetrator, in the abduction of my daughter." He pushes his way to the gallow pole, and asks again, "Please, stay your hand until we find out what happened to my child." The sober look of sleepless desperation on Abcott's face speaks volumes. His pleading eyes look at the white men on the platform, bent on dispatching this savage.
MummyKitty
First Post
Archibald takes in the scene with horror. "Mr. Somerset! Is there nothing we can do to stop this madness? I'm not sure I caught all of what he is saying, but it seems that poor man is just in suggesting a stay of execution... if this savage was involved in kidnapping his daughter?"
WargamerX
First Post
Somerset looks at Pitcairne, Indeed there is, sir.
Addressing the town elders, Sirs, what has this man done to deserve such treatment and permanant a fate?
[sblock]If possible, Somerset will try to discourage a lynching. If nessessary, using his warrant from Captain Winthrop and the pretext of questioning the native on the kidnapping of young Abcott as a (newly) appointed official of the Colony.
BTW, William is under no delusion that he is an official of the colony. He seriously doubts that he has any official capacity to stop anything or interfer in local law, but figures that even if there is a delay to check his credentials, time will be gained to allow calmer heads (Abcott and Pitcairne) to resolve the situation legally. [/sblock]
Addressing the town elders, Sirs, what has this man done to deserve such treatment and permanant a fate?
[sblock]If possible, Somerset will try to discourage a lynching. If nessessary, using his warrant from Captain Winthrop and the pretext of questioning the native on the kidnapping of young Abcott as a (newly) appointed official of the Colony.
BTW, William is under no delusion that he is an official of the colony. He seriously doubts that he has any official capacity to stop anything or interfer in local law, but figures that even if there is a delay to check his credentials, time will be gained to allow calmer heads (Abcott and Pitcairne) to resolve the situation legally. [/sblock]
Old Fezziwig
Thanks for the sour persimmons, cousin.
Ext. - Dedham Town Center - late morning
One of the town elders, Noah Scudder, nods at your requests. "Ah, Master Abcott, if you would consent to our releasing him into the hands of this man," he gestures to Somerset (who has shown the elders his comission from Captain Winthrop), "we'd be amenable to staying his execution for a little while." As he finishes, he gives the crowd — a prime example of the ugliness war can breed in a citizenry — a knowing look. "I can hold them for a while, so be quick, and find someplace safe. Just in case someone decides to do God's work for Him."
At this last, James and Thomas put both hands on their rifles (moving them off their shoulders). Thomas speaks for the two of them, saying, "I think we can deter any of the townsfolk from trying their luck with that, Master Scudder, between the local militia and ourselves."
That silent observer, the accused Indian, seems to understand what's been said, but he doesn't make any attempt to speak, although his jaw is very swollen. He had flinched slightly at Abcott's mention of his daughter, but otherwise remains stoic.
Tisa:
[sblock]OOC: Most of the buildings in this area are standard wooden houses and look much like in this picture:
The meeting house most likely would be the closest, and may even have a secure basement, but some of the residences might be easier to secure. Once y'all select a place, assume that you have no problem getting aside, and just move on to the interrogation.[/sblock]
One of the town elders, Noah Scudder, nods at your requests. "Ah, Master Abcott, if you would consent to our releasing him into the hands of this man," he gestures to Somerset (who has shown the elders his comission from Captain Winthrop), "we'd be amenable to staying his execution for a little while." As he finishes, he gives the crowd — a prime example of the ugliness war can breed in a citizenry — a knowing look. "I can hold them for a while, so be quick, and find someplace safe. Just in case someone decides to do God's work for Him."
At this last, James and Thomas put both hands on their rifles (moving them off their shoulders). Thomas speaks for the two of them, saying, "I think we can deter any of the townsfolk from trying their luck with that, Master Scudder, between the local militia and ourselves."
That silent observer, the accused Indian, seems to understand what's been said, but he doesn't make any attempt to speak, although his jaw is very swollen. He had flinched slightly at Abcott's mention of his daughter, but otherwise remains stoic.
Tisa:
The crowd looks extremely agitated, and a few of them, some of them people you've known as long as you've known Abcott, eye you suspiciously.
[sblock]OOC: Most of the buildings in this area are standard wooden houses and look much like in this picture:
WargamerX
First Post
My thanks Master Scudder. What is this man accused of doing and who is he?
Turning to his companions, Gentlemen, perhaps we should move this interrogation to the Meeting House?
[sblock] Assuming that the Meeting House is OK with everyone, why don't we conduct the interogation in the basement and leave James, Thomas, and the local militia on the ground floor to control the mob?[/sblock]
Turning to his companions, Gentlemen, perhaps we should move this interrogation to the Meeting House?
[sblock] Assuming that the Meeting House is OK with everyone, why don't we conduct the interogation in the basement and leave James, Thomas, and the local militia on the ground floor to control the mob?[/sblock]
taitzu52
First Post
"Yes," says Abcott, "let us adjourn. Thank you, Brother Sommerset." as he shakes the mans hand, and turns his back to the mob, not liking the look of it all one bit. He asks the men once they are in closer quaters, "How is it that you came by this man anyhow? Was there anything found about him that would point to where my little girl is?" he asks. It is obvious that in these tense times, barrister Abcott, knowing the minds of men, does not always trust that the issue at hand will keep a man from relishing in the abuse of a savage, and thereby ignoring any traces of his daughter.
He motions for Tisquantum to be allowed inside, and moving close to the man, says quietly, "Well, Tis, do you know his marks? Can you understand his speech?"
He motions for Tisquantum to be allowed inside, and moving close to the man, says quietly, "Well, Tis, do you know his marks? Can you understand his speech?"
MummyKitty
First Post
Archibald accompanies the group to interrogate the Indian. He's not an expert in the affairs of the natives, and his specialities in gathering information are more on the research side, but he'll listen and watch to see if he can learn anything. Surely given time he could find more information on this fellow in his library but that is a luxery they do not have...
