The year, 1880, the place, the Wild West. Steel will be drawn, will you survive when it does? Will you make your fortune or squander everything for a drink, some cards, and a girl.Run by DM Tet'Nak using GURPS 4E.
Johnathan Colton, or Cole, sits peacefully on a bench looking out into the mountains surrounding this place. The tracker has never been this far north, and the cool climate and snow capped mountains make him shiver, even with the furs he wears.
Cole planned to arrive a couple months earlier, but 'complications' kept him in New Mexico longer than he would have liked. The grizzly. That's what Cole has on his mind. Their furs and skulls fetch a nice price, and if he can bag a couple on this trip, it will be worth it. The day has just started, and his head hurts from last night's whiskey. At least he's not still in Colorado City, where he damn near had to kill a man. People are complicated. Animals are easy.
Welcome haya to the game! This thread is for Hayabusa only
"Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies."
While Cole glances over the surroundings he lifts off his hat. He swipes the sweat from his forehead, almost regretting last night's drink. But he'd never do that because he likes the amber drink too much.
Cole puts his the dark brown hat back on his head and stands up. There's no point in wasting too much time. If he's able to get the trophy he'd have enough money to get back on his way.
Before whistling for his horse, Cole pats the dirt from his clothing and walks towards his ride to get back to track.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
Cole whistles, and the horse hitched to the post nearby neighs lightly. The hunter walks over and mounts it, knowing that it might be a tough climb for the horse in the mountains. Here goes nothing.
Riding out of town he follows the map he bought in Colorado City. He hopes it wasn't a trickster.
The path leads around and through some thick trees, and his horse is already having trouble. The trails here are very narrow and not very well beaten.
Any further movement with your horse will take ride checks to navigate the paths and trails
"Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies."
Recognizing that it would be too complicated to keep riding the horse, Cole dismounts his equine. He takes a look around to be sure that there's no one else in the vicinity, before he gets close to the animal, throwing the bridle over the saddle's pommel.
He pats the horse lightly on the nose and whisper a few words. It would be too dangerous to tie it to a tree or something else. There are probably other beasts in the mountains, waiting for a meal that cannot run away. Of course Cole might lose his only long-time companion, but he'd rather have it run away from another hunting animal than to be responsible for a stupid death.
After Cole pulled his rifle from the saddle's holster and slinging the rifle over his shoulder he leaves his horse behind. He wanders a hundred yards before he consults the map for a last time. Sighing he begins to remember the steps to hunt a bear. At first he looks around through the trees, trying to imagine where carnivorous mammal would live and hunt. Then Cole begins to check the ground for any traces or remains a bear would leave behind.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
Cole begins to release his horse, but thinks better of it. He can simply take it back down to the base of the hill.
I'm not letting you just get rid of your horse, that's kinda crazy. Its just like abandoning a car present day. You wouldn't do it, its worth too much money.
Knowing he might be in the mountains some time, he pays the livery to board his horse. Five dollars a day is expensive, but at least the creature will be alive. Walking now, he takes his rifle and some trace amount of rations ...
"Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies."
Well, I didn't want to send/abandon my horse. I just thought I could leave it and it'd stay there, while I'm away.
So there's no deeper loyality between the horse and the chasracter?
Cole knows that it was a damn rip-off, but at least the horse'll be safe. Well, of course he had to pay a lot, because the man knew he depended on the livery, if he wouldn't want to lose his most important asset.
Certain that he doesn't have to worry anymore, Cole begins to climb up the hill. He makes a lot of stops to search for traces and he doesn't want to be exhausted if he can find the bear.
Should I use Tracking?
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
I'm not sure what you mean? The horse isn't smart enough to know what's going on. Sure, it has loyalty to you, but to stay around in the wild, no. It might get eaten, it would stay, if you tied it down, etc
Cole begins looking for signs of a bear, or bears. He moves steadily up the mountain, and eventually spots a pile of fresh dung. Looking through it, he can tell that it is likely from a bear, from volume and what's inside. Small claw marks lead off the the northwest. They seem fairly fresh as well ...
Tracking: 9 vs. 11, Success
"Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies."
Cole pulls the rifle from the shoulder as he recognizes the marks. He considers to take a closer look at them, but since they're that fresh, he doesn't want to distract himself to much. With his Winchester at the ready he slowly follows the trace, making sure that he's always walking towards the wind. He doesn't want the bear to catch his scent and get spooked or even worse, make him angry.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
The hunter continues up the path. Finally, he spots a point where the tracks lead off the path. In following them, he moves around a small stream that runs down hill. Cole has been hearing it for some time, knowing likely the bear is there fishing itself.
There it is, in the stream, attempting to catch fish. It is a funny thing, seeming something so massive grabbing a fish out of the water, plucking it into its mouth, and easily devouring it.
*SNAP*
Cole looks down, he's stepped on a branch and broke it in half. When he looks up, the bear is peering straight at him. He better do something, and he better do it now.
Stealth: 14 vs. DX-5 (Default) = 7, Fail
"Kings have no friends, only subjects and enemies."
Cursing, Cole raises his rifle and aims down the barrel. He's quite sure the bear won't drop on the first shot so he wants to be sure to disable the bear so he cannot come after him. Or at least not very fast.
Aim.(That's all I can do in one round, right?)
Then shoot.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
