Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
"Revenge, Renewal and the Promise of a New Year" (Boot Hill/D&D)
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 1781623" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter Twelve, “The Dwarven Prospector”, January 5th, 1882, </strong></p><p> </p><p>Even as she was telling her story to Earp, Katherine's mind was back on the train platform in Tombstone. Colby Tucker was talking. "I knew it was you, ma'am, Tom said his girl'd be the prettiest one on the train." She could smile at the comment now, it was the kind of thing he would have said. </p><p></p><p>A strange state of disconnection settled on her. She remembered the sweet way Tom had courted her with notes and flowers, picnics and walks in the park, the joy of the first night of their marriage. Kate smiled gently even as she shook off her reverie. It happened less and less often, and now was more likely to bring a smile than tears, but now was not the time to be absent. </p><p></p><p>Earp was gone, and Ruby was saying, ""Did anyone bedsides me think something is up with Earp?"" </p><p></p><p>"His manners are a little lacking, not taking your hand and all. He sure wasn't brought up in Philadelphia." Jake remarked. "Katherine, be a sweet heart go have Maggie bring three of those whiskey's instead of just one for you. Thanks much." </p><p></p><p>Yes, she could certainly use that whiskey. Mrs. Whipple was pouring it just as she arrived. Katherine quickly drank it and had her pour another one before she carried them back over to Jake and Ruby. </p><p></p><p>Jake then says quietly to Ruby, "I don't want to get Katherine all riled up or anything, but our Mr. Earp certainly wasn't happy meeting Mrs. Kale. Not Katherine mind you, but the wife of Thomas Kale." Jake rubs his beard a moment and sees Katherine returning. He whispers quickly, "I wonder if that Chumbley half pint is around or some other folks that may have some background in Tombstone. Something is not right here. Either foul about Mr. Kale's demise or perhaps something that Katherine was cheated after her husbands passing. Ruby, I have a feeling that you are pretty good out gathering information that folks perhaps didn't mean to give away." He stops talking and smiles as Katherine returns. </p><p></p><p>Jake took one of the glasses. "Here is to you two ladies. You're made of much tougher stuff than your pretty faces would let on." </p><p></p><p>Katherine threw back the second whiskey. It might not be true of her yet, but she would learn. Apparently gunfights were something she would just have to get used to.</p><p></p><p>Tom Lucky and Jeff Mills return from the Doc's, saying that Marvin Keach will be okay, the bullet having missed the bone and the major blood vessels.</p><p></p><p>Just after finishing drinks with Ruby and a pensive Jake says "I need some fresh air." and pushes away from the table. He says his good nights but manages to get close to Ruby and talk in a low voice when the others are looking away. </p><p></p><p>"I'm going to go hang around the Marshall’s office until they take Job over. Sometimes guilt makes a body do funny things. People are predictable, and when they are under stress they often need to talk. And when people talk, you never know what they are going to say. I'll stay out of trouble. I'll just listen outside his office if I can." Famous last words he thinks to himself. </p><p></p><p>"We ought to find someone who is good at following our good Marshall around without him knowing if we need to." Jake muses out loud. </p><p></p><p>"Nanuet. Let's talk to him." Suggests Ruby </p><p></p><p>Jake departs. Job Kane arrives downstairs a few minutes later. His bag is all packed and is ready to go and Tom Lucky offers to walk with him to the Marshall's Office. Everyone else decides to call it a night. Tom and Maggie thank everyone for their help. Despite the early closing time Tom estimates that they made more money this night than he normally would in a week. Ruby empties her tips cup, which she will later count out to total $ 14.26 (plus a room key to Room #18 at the Palace Saloon). </p><p></p><p></p><p>On the subject of Nanuet, a few hours earlier he had an unsettled look on his face as he heard the prospectors answer to the simple question, being informed that the dwarf’s partner is no longer among the living. </p><p></p><p>"He is one of many lately who have met that fate. How did your partner meet his end?" the Indian says, trying his wood elf accent. Nanuet has thought much about death in the last few days. His desire for revenge that burned in him for so long was now quenched and replaced with the feeling of remorse. His foolishness had brought the death of an innocent, someone noble enough to help him in his cause so that his desire for vengeance would be gone, someone who preached peace. Death was becoming too common for his liking. </p><p></p><p>"I hope it was peaceful." he added quietly. The old dwarf looks at Nanuet and says, “No, it wasn’t peaceful. I found him lying dead out by our claim. He had been stabbed a couple of times in the back. Of course around these parts they call that ‘natural causes’.”</p><p></p><p>Nanuet thinks twice about getting involved with this. What he had come here for was done and over with. Then he thought about the folks who had helped him and it seemed that they would be sticking around for awhile, so against his initial judgement he speaks: </p><p></p><p>"Any idea who would have done this? Is there a disagreement about your claim or did your friend start trouble with anyone lately? I am interested in hearing the details." Nanuet says as he pulls the chair closer and then motions for the serving girl to get them something to drink.</p><p></p><p>Flint says "Nobody would'a wanted our claim. Whole thing was a waste of money I tell'ya. Last year we bought us a whole hill near here and have been digging ever since. Ain't found one ounce of silver. Pete headed over there early this morning and I said I'd join him in a bit. Never expected to find him like that. </p><p></p><p>And we ain't got any enemies at all. We just keeps to ourselves. Slept on the hill in a tent at first but come November it started getting chilly at night and Pete's arthritis started to bother him so we got the room here. Maybe we should have stayed in the tent, and then at least I'd have been there with him. </p><p></p><p>Don't know why anyone would want to hurt either of us. Nobody ever had any interest in our hill. The only folks we ever saw near there lately were a bunch of ranchers on a cattle drive that came by yesterday morning. But they seemed like a friendly enough bunch. Called themselves the Cartwright family. They was taking 200 head of cattle up to some big ranch they owned near Lake Tahoe, Nevada."</p><p></p><p>Nanuet speaks a little louder as he stands up </p><p></p><p>"Sounds like there is something missing from this puzzle. I think I am going to head over there first thing in the morning. Duncan, Chow, got any feelings about this? I am not sure how soon the others will return but I am not waiting up for them. I want to get an early start on this tomorrow. Of course Flint, that is unless you object." </p><p></p><p>After the conversation Nanuet takes one last gulp of his drink and heads upstairs to his room. On his way he sees Sonoma out of the corner of his eyes and watches her closely as she goes about her work. "I am a lonely man." Nanuet says solemnly to himself as he pulls his eyes off of the lovely wood elf. He slowly continues the climb up the stairs to his room.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet falls into a restless slumber and he dreams of a windswept plain </p><p></p><p>Before him stands the centaur, dark hair flowing behind her </p><p></p><p>"You are lonely because you choose to be lonely. Your path has crossed many who would seek to be your friends. Choose well. Remember to see what others miss for they do not know what to look for. Open yourself to the possibility of the powers and the people around you. It is time for you to release the past anger so that you may move beyond it. For now rest, interesting times are ahead of you." </p><p></p><p>She wheels on her hind legs and fades into the winds that cross the plains. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet slips into a deep and restful sleep and awakens in the morning with a vivid memory of his vision and a single blue wampum bead in his hand.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 1781623, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter Twelve, “The Dwarven Prospector”, January 5th, 1882, [/B] Even as she was telling her story to Earp, Katherine's mind was back on the train platform in Tombstone. Colby Tucker was talking. "I knew it was you, ma'am, Tom said his girl'd be the prettiest one on the train." She could smile at the comment now, it was the kind of thing he would have said. A strange state of disconnection settled on her. She remembered the sweet way Tom had courted her with notes and flowers, picnics and walks in the park, the joy of the first night of their marriage. Kate smiled gently even as she shook off her reverie. It happened less and less often, and now was more likely to bring a smile than tears, but now was not the time to be absent. Earp was gone, and Ruby was saying, ""Did anyone bedsides me think something is up with Earp?"" "His manners are a little lacking, not taking your hand and all. He sure wasn't brought up in Philadelphia." Jake remarked. "Katherine, be a sweet heart go have Maggie bring three of those whiskey's instead of just one for you. Thanks much." Yes, she could certainly use that whiskey. Mrs. Whipple was pouring it just as she arrived. Katherine quickly drank it and had her pour another one before she carried them back over to Jake and Ruby. Jake then says quietly to Ruby, "I don't want to get Katherine all riled up or anything, but our Mr. Earp certainly wasn't happy meeting Mrs. Kale. Not Katherine mind you, but the wife of Thomas Kale." Jake rubs his beard a moment and sees Katherine returning. He whispers quickly, "I wonder if that Chumbley half pint is around or some other folks that may have some background in Tombstone. Something is not right here. Either foul about Mr. Kale's demise or perhaps something that Katherine was cheated after her husbands passing. Ruby, I have a feeling that you are pretty good out gathering information that folks perhaps didn't mean to give away." He stops talking and smiles as Katherine returns. Jake took one of the glasses. "Here is to you two ladies. You're made of much tougher stuff than your pretty faces would let on." Katherine threw back the second whiskey. It might not be true of her yet, but she would learn. Apparently gunfights were something she would just have to get used to. Tom Lucky and Jeff Mills return from the Doc's, saying that Marvin Keach will be okay, the bullet having missed the bone and the major blood vessels. Just after finishing drinks with Ruby and a pensive Jake says "I need some fresh air." and pushes away from the table. He says his good nights but manages to get close to Ruby and talk in a low voice when the others are looking away. "I'm going to go hang around the Marshall’s office until they take Job over. Sometimes guilt makes a body do funny things. People are predictable, and when they are under stress they often need to talk. And when people talk, you never know what they are going to say. I'll stay out of trouble. I'll just listen outside his office if I can." Famous last words he thinks to himself. "We ought to find someone who is good at following our good Marshall around without him knowing if we need to." Jake muses out loud. "Nanuet. Let's talk to him." Suggests Ruby Jake departs. Job Kane arrives downstairs a few minutes later. His bag is all packed and is ready to go and Tom Lucky offers to walk with him to the Marshall's Office. Everyone else decides to call it a night. Tom and Maggie thank everyone for their help. Despite the early closing time Tom estimates that they made more money this night than he normally would in a week. Ruby empties her tips cup, which she will later count out to total $ 14.26 (plus a room key to Room #18 at the Palace Saloon). On the subject of Nanuet, a few hours earlier he had an unsettled look on his face as he heard the prospectors answer to the simple question, being informed that the dwarf’s partner is no longer among the living. "He is one of many lately who have met that fate. How did your partner meet his end?" the Indian says, trying his wood elf accent. Nanuet has thought much about death in the last few days. His desire for revenge that burned in him for so long was now quenched and replaced with the feeling of remorse. His foolishness had brought the death of an innocent, someone noble enough to help him in his cause so that his desire for vengeance would be gone, someone who preached peace. Death was becoming too common for his liking. "I hope it was peaceful." he added quietly. The old dwarf looks at Nanuet and says, “No, it wasn’t peaceful. I found him lying dead out by our claim. He had been stabbed a couple of times in the back. Of course around these parts they call that ‘natural causes’.” Nanuet thinks twice about getting involved with this. What he had come here for was done and over with. Then he thought about the folks who had helped him and it seemed that they would be sticking around for awhile, so against his initial judgement he speaks: "Any idea who would have done this? Is there a disagreement about your claim or did your friend start trouble with anyone lately? I am interested in hearing the details." Nanuet says as he pulls the chair closer and then motions for the serving girl to get them something to drink. Flint says "Nobody would'a wanted our claim. Whole thing was a waste of money I tell'ya. Last year we bought us a whole hill near here and have been digging ever since. Ain't found one ounce of silver. Pete headed over there early this morning and I said I'd join him in a bit. Never expected to find him like that. And we ain't got any enemies at all. We just keeps to ourselves. Slept on the hill in a tent at first but come November it started getting chilly at night and Pete's arthritis started to bother him so we got the room here. Maybe we should have stayed in the tent, and then at least I'd have been there with him. Don't know why anyone would want to hurt either of us. Nobody ever had any interest in our hill. The only folks we ever saw near there lately were a bunch of ranchers on a cattle drive that came by yesterday morning. But they seemed like a friendly enough bunch. Called themselves the Cartwright family. They was taking 200 head of cattle up to some big ranch they owned near Lake Tahoe, Nevada." Nanuet speaks a little louder as he stands up "Sounds like there is something missing from this puzzle. I think I am going to head over there first thing in the morning. Duncan, Chow, got any feelings about this? I am not sure how soon the others will return but I am not waiting up for them. I want to get an early start on this tomorrow. Of course Flint, that is unless you object." After the conversation Nanuet takes one last gulp of his drink and heads upstairs to his room. On his way he sees Sonoma out of the corner of his eyes and watches her closely as she goes about her work. "I am a lonely man." Nanuet says solemnly to himself as he pulls his eyes off of the lovely wood elf. He slowly continues the climb up the stairs to his room. Nanuet falls into a restless slumber and he dreams of a windswept plain Before him stands the centaur, dark hair flowing behind her "You are lonely because you choose to be lonely. Your path has crossed many who would seek to be your friends. Choose well. Remember to see what others miss for they do not know what to look for. Open yourself to the possibility of the powers and the people around you. It is time for you to release the past anger so that you may move beyond it. For now rest, interesting times are ahead of you." She wheels on her hind legs and fades into the winds that cross the plains. Nanuet slips into a deep and restful sleep and awakens in the morning with a vivid memory of his vision and a single blue wampum bead in his hand. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
"Revenge, Renewal and the Promise of a New Year" (Boot Hill/D&D)
Top