Have Gun Will Travel - Powder Smoke in Dodge City

[Grognardsw]

Yes, behind the barrel with pistols out and cocked per original post.

From behind the barrel, Paladin watched the senior Nunn. He was poised, waiting to see if Nunn drew a weapon, or the younger Nunn appeared. He thought over what options the Nunn’s had to get rid of the “unconscious” Duffy.

[jemmus]

The younger Nunn appears at the end of the street beside the older one. That older one says, He didn't make it very far, did he? Bring the horses over. We'll throw him over my saddle and tie his hands to his ankles. He might slide off and end up riding under the horse's belly, but that will be comfortable enough ride for the drunk bastard. I'll lead the horse and you ride ahead a little and scout. Stay in the dark and dry to avoid any barkin dogs. We'll go west toward Boot Hill til we're out of town, then turn south to the Arkansas. No talkin unless we have to. The other man nods and heads toward the front of the saloon. He returns leading two horses and holding a coiled lariat. I had to borrow this from a goat roper's saddle. The other man nods. He takes the rope steps over to Duffy lying in the street.

Duffy suddenly yells, Mr. Paladin! Where are ya? Help! They're gonna murder me! The Nunns start, then move to draw their pistols from their belts.

Please roll for initiative.

Duffy (The intoxication rules don't modify initiative. Only Coordination, Observation, Strength, and all skills scores) [1d6]=6 tiebreaker[1d6]=1
Nunns (No modifiers) [1d6]=3 tiebreaker[1d6]=5

[Grognardsw]

I assume Paladin can take action before the final point of your post. His hiding was to get surprise, figuring he’d need it potentially going against two.

Shoot Out Round One

Paladin, crouched behind the barrel, rose enough to eye the Nunns and rest and aim his cocked pistols on the barrel top. He heard their scheming to kidnap Duffy - there was the crime admission.

When the younger Nunn returned with the horses and said “I had to borrow this from a goat roper's saddle,” then Paladin barked from the darkness: ”Hands up Nunns! You’re under arrest. I’ve got you both covered. Don’t give me an excuse to shoot!”

I’ll pause there, as the next seconds unfold. Paladin is trying to avoid the gunfight (but with no hesitation to shoot if they reach for their guns) and took action when they announced the kidnappimg crime. That point of action was after their verbal exchange, and when Nunn stepped back in range with the horses, and before Duffy blurted out.

It seems Paladin has the complete surprise on the Nunns, per p. 35, with the darkness and hiding and their attention being fully on Duffy. Here are some rolls, though I’m not sure they apply in this turn or next.

Tactics 14 [1d20]=2 Yes
Initiative [1d6+1]=2+1=3. The +1 for Tactics success
Tiebreaker Initiative [1d6+1]=3+1=4 Lost, though with surprise condition I’m not sure it applies? Anyway, Paladin’s declared action described above. With surprise, his guns cocked, aimed, Paladin should be able to fire first on an earlier count if they move their arms for a fast draw.

It feels like attempted kidnapping would be a crime back then. I Googled to confirm:

Enough to put them in jail and let the judge decide.

[jemmus]

The lively piano behind the wall cycles back to "Camptown Races" again
The younger Nunn brother returns leading the two horses. He hands a circle of rope to the older Nunn. I had to borrow this from a goat roper's saddle.
The man takes the rope and steps towards Duffy lying on his side in the street.
Somebody inside the Long Branch joyously yells Yehaw! Lands a Goshen!
Paladin starts to rise from behind the squat oak beer keg, cocked pistols in hands.
Duffy cries, Mr. Paladin! Where are ya? Help! They're gonna murder me!
Paladin barks from the faint light of the Moon and stars and the kerosene lamplight from the saloon's spaced windows, Hands up Nunns! You’re under arrest. I’ve got you both covered. Don’t give me an excuse to shoot!
The Nunn men start and hesitate for a split second, their faces showing many considerations for a decision that must be made in the blink of an eye.

The Nunns get Observation rolls to notice the beer keg in the street. And possibly with penalties for not knowing if a beer keg would be an unusual sight on this street. Or along any side street in Dodge City. This will determine whether a surprise or initiative situation applies.
Elder Nunn [1d20]=4 Suspected something, kind of wary and observant. Not surprised.
Younger Nunn [1d20]=7 Surprised. -2 Speed Shootout Turn modifier for sequence of actions applies.

NPC Bravery checks
Discretionary GM modifiers for drawing against leveled pistols and surprise, vs. the known lawless nature and general unaccountability for actions and ease of escape into the frontier applied. Maybe the whole Long Branch's witnessing in the Marshall and Deputy Marshal's severe wounding and evacuation as well. But the mind of a man is facing an imminent shot from a gun targeted at his gut tends not to have time for weighing many such considerations before deciding to act.... Unless the man has been in this kind of situation before. And survived it.

Elder Nunn [1d20]=9
Younger Nunn [1d20]=16

Paladin sees the younger Nunn with the horses' reins spot him, hesitate, and look toward the older Nunn. The man hesitates from just as long for a hat to drop part way to the dirt of a street. His hand jerks toward the long pistol tucked under his belt.

Shootout Turn 1 into be continued.

[Grognardsw]

Shoot Out Round One - Continued

At the instant Paladin saw the older Nunn go for his gun, he opened fire with both pistols, hoping his aim was true. The right pistol spit thunder as the bullet pierced Nunn's left arm (2, Light Wound)

Not relishing the two-to-one odds against him, Paladin yelled: "Duffy, now!" in hopes the drunk Irishman would blow the younger Nunn's face off at point blank with his cap & baller.

Paladin's left pistol banged out lead straight into Nunn's chest (5, Serious Wound)

"Give it up Nunn! Duffy ain't worth dying for!"

Rolls

Right pistol Careful Shot on Count 5 (given the Cocking -1 Count)
Coor. 19, +4 pistol, +2 snipe support, -4 night fight, -6 two guns = 15
Right pistol Careful Shot - 15 [1d20]=13
Right gun Wound Location [1d20]=2 Left leg, modified by Pistol 4 up to 6, left arm. Is that his firing arm?
Wound Severity [1d6]=3 Minus 1 for arm, so 2 a Light Wound (-1 Accuracy mod, -2 Str. points)

Ambidextrous - Left pistol Careful Shot on Count 5 (given the Cocking -1 Count)
Coor. 19, +4 pistol, +2 spipe rest, -4 night fight, -6 two guns = 15
Left pistol Careful Shot - 15 [1d20]=10
Left gun Wound Location [1d20]=13 Adbomen, modified by Pistol 4 up to 17, Chest.
Wound Severity [1d6]=4 Plus 1 for Chest, so 5 a Serious Wound (-4 Accuracy mod, -5 Str. points. For the whole Turn, total -5 Accuracy mod and -7 Str.)

[jemmus]

We can't leave anything to chance here in a Shootout Turn. Lead flying, boards splintering, the thunder of guns, bodies being spun by the impact of .44s, mortal wounds or near death ones. All in the space of 6 counts along a few 6-count seconds.... Standing and firing back as a target or ducking from fire to take cover for an opportunity to fire back in a more favorable situation....

Well, we're beyond all of that. Be right back with the NPCs' actions. Shootout Turn 1, continued.

[jemmus]

Post significantly revised after posting
Shots noted and recorded.
The dice say the elder Nunn is right-handed. So his gun arm wasn't hit.

By the light of the Moon and the Paladin sees the younger Nunn look at Paladin and glance to his brother, frozen in hesitation. Duffy raises his pistol, points it at the nearer man threatening and quickly jerks the trigger. Paladin aims at the elder brother and fires his two steadied pistols at once. The slugs catch the man in the left bicep and full in the chest. An instant later the man on the left's pistol fires, his bullet hitting neither Paladin or the keg he is sheltering behind. The younger cringes, drops the horses' reins, runs back toward the corner of the saloon.

Duffy: Hipshot at elder on count 2. +4 (point blank), -4 (night), -2 Coordination (six drinks) [1d20]=14 Clean miss.
Elder Nunn: Draws on count 3. Steady shot (1/2 Coordination) on count 6. -4 (night), -1 (light wound). [1d20]=7 Miss.
Younger Nunn: Runs 2 yds. (The rules say 4 yds of running movement in a shootout turn. But he's starting from a standstill).


Turn 2
The elder Nunn's mouth hangs open with shock. It quickly fills with blood. He raises his left hand to Paladin, indicating "Don't shoot!" while he lowers his right hand and his gun.

[Grognardsw]

I don’t know if I can do this, as its an in-Turn reaction action using my last remaining Count on 6. I’d like to take a 1-count fan shot at the retreating younger Nunn. If so, here is the roll:
Fan shot at younger Nunn - 4 [1d20]=1 OMG that has to be man. Wound and severity TBD.
If not, just ignore the that part of the post.

Seeimg the younger Nunn step to run, Paladin let loose a fan shot that struck the retreating brother before he could move a yard.

Paladin kept his guns on the Nunns as he said:
“Duffy watch the younger!”

“Both of you drop your guns behind you! Lie face down on the ground,” said Paladin. ”Duffy search him/them for other weapons. Tie their hands with his belt.”

Paladin kept his guns on the pair as Duffy did that.

Or

if denied the “1” shot:
As soon as Nunn tossed back his gun, Paladin bolted forward to the corner of the street and glanced around the building, head only in case the younger Nunn decided to continue the fight.

[jemmus]

The way I read the rules (p.33), a character can take multiple actions (including shots) during a shootout turn. The modifier for shooting at a running character applies throughout the turn. With the 1 roll, that should be a hit. TBC

[Grognardsw]

Wound Location [1d20]=13 Abdomen, with Pistol 4 modified to 17 chest.
Severity [1d6]=3 With +1 for chest, total 4. Serious wound (-4 Accuracy, -4 Str points)

[jemmus]

Nice shooting!

Paladin's fanned shot, his third in the space of a second, catches the running man through his upper ribs. his momentum carries him pace before he drops facedown to the ground-- either because of Paladin's command or the pain. The elder Nunn tosses his pistol forward and sits down in the street, bleeding profusely from the right side of his chest. Don't shoot, mister, he says and lies facedown.

Duffy rises unsteadily to his feet, cap and ball revolver still in hand. Inside the hubbub of drunken voices dies down, but the piano keeps playing. The sound of pairs of boots moving to the barroom's front door and the sound of the shots is heard. Duffy weaves the couple of steps to the elder Nunn's lying prone in the street and points the pistol at the man's back.

Duffy initiative [1d6]=6 tiebreaker[1d6]=6

[Grognardsw]

Paladin took the Nunns’ guns, searched them for hidden weapons, and tied their hands up with their belts.

“Good work Duffy!” Paladin slapped him on the back. ”Let’s bring them to jail and I’ll give you what you asked for.”

At the marshal’s office, Paladin put the pair into separate jail cells. “You’re under arrest for attempted kidnapping, drawing on a law deputy, and stealing a rope. I’ll get the doctor here to patch you up.”

He left the door to the jail section ajar, and in the next room Paladin offered Duffy a cup of cold coffee. “I’m a man of my word, so here is the $5.” As he handed the drunk the bill, Paladin added with a smile and a wink: “Now don’t drink it all. By the way, did you help out on the Mack lynching?”

[jemmus]

We have to rewind a little to back in the street by the Long Branch.

Duffy stands unsteadily over the prone older Nunn, his gun pointed between the man's shoulder blades. Ya bastard! Troid to murder old Johnny Duffy, did ya? He pulls the trigger and the pistol barks, but the ball only kicks up dust in the street. He cocks the hammer and takes aim again. The piano continues playing and the first of the drinkers and players come out of the saloon's front door, looking toward the area of the shooting.

Duffy -2 (intoxication), -4 (dark), +4 (point blank)[1d20]=18
Duffy initiative [1d6]=5 tiebreaker[1d6]=3
Nunns initiative [1d6]=5 tiebreaker[1d6]=5

[Grognardsw]

Since Duffy already shot in this Turn started in the previous post, I might as well do a Careful Shot to shoot the gun out of his hand.

As Paladin picked up Nunn’s gun with his left hand he realized what the drunk Irishman was doing.

“Duffy, no!”

Paladin fired his right pistol, the bullet finding its mark in Duffy’s gun which went flying out of the Irishman’s hand.

“Do you want to hang for murder Duffy?! Stand down!”

19 + 4 pistol -4 night -4 very small target = 15
Careful shot at Duffy’s gun - 15 [1d20]=1 The Dice Roller’s notorious low-rolling reputation is a good thing in Boot Hill.

[jemmus]

Paladin's shot strikes Duffy's cap and ball pistol square on the cylinder, it flies in an arc out of the man's hand, the cocked gun discharges, and the whine of a tumbling ricochet slug zings through the night air. Duffy looks at hand and smarting fingers hit with a hard slap. He turns his head to give Paladin a hard besotted look. Oy, Mr. Paladin! Ya about roit shot me clean off, didn't ya? What do ya mean, "hang"? The bugger tried to murder me. Ya saw and ya heard it yerself!

The first of the curious revelers come out of the Long Branch's swinging front door and crane their necks to take a look toward the area of the sound of the gunshots. The Nunn brothers lie in the street, the older rolled over to face up and on an elbow to rise and run or fight for his life. The younger curled up in a ball with his hands covering his head. Both are holed through the chest and soaked in blood. With more still pulsing out in copious amounts. A drunken cowboy, as yet unbathed from some weeks on the trail, comments, Day-um. Ah guess ya didn't care much fer them fellas, mister. Another man says (indicating the elder Nunn), By golly, that feller there's coat is smoking with a smolderin bullet hole. Well ah'll be. Ah knew bullet's was hot, but ah didn't know they was hot enough catch fire to things. A second cowboy, this one younger and freshened up in clean new clothes (and maybe sporting some cologne) says, Oh yeah. That's why ya don't feel no pain when yer shot. The hot bullet fries everthing around it on its way through. A third man (an older one) says, Ah don't know whar ya heard that, boy. But whoever told to ya wasn't in the War.

Soon most of bar room, if not all of it, has come out into the street to see what the shooting tonight in the infamous Dodge City was about. Including Miss Kitty. She nods to Paladin, indicating her understanding of the situation. And also firmly indicating her disapproval of his risky and dangerous choice of course of actions. She beckons to staff inside the Long Branch Saloon and loudly states, Johnny Junior! Run and bring Doc Adams!

Duffy sits down in the street and slumps forward, semi-passed out. No matter of Paladin's attempts to rouse him succeed. Leave me alone.... Get out and away.... It ain't goin ta work.... Oi'll sleep and doi roight here...! Left me alone! He tips to the side and lies in the dirt of the street, contently dead to the world, snoring and snorting.

Paladin separates the Nunn brothers from their pistols. He finds no other weapons on them, other than big general use clasp knives in their pockets. They're able to stand, walk or ride to the U.S. Marshal's office down the street. Duffy can't be moved by self-propulsion, though.

[Grognardsw]

“Murdering your own attempted murderer is just as bad in the eyes of the law,” Paladin replied to Duffy. The drunk seemed reluctant to stand up so Paladin thought to motivate him; he kneeled down to him and whispered: “Get up and let’s go to the sheriff’s Duffy. I’ll give you your money there.”

Paladin nodded at Kitty as he clipped his badge on and pointed to the three closest men in the crowd. “You three help out. Two of you bring the older man to the sheriffs, and the other help the drunk. I’ll take this one. Kitty, send the doc to the jail.”

Paladin lifted the younger Nunn, not as injured as his older brother, to his feet, put his arm over his shoulder, and supported him walking the few blocks to the jail. Paladin still had one gun in his hand while doing so.

[jemmus]

More men come out of the Long Branch. A cowboy says, Look at that. That feller's got mah lariat. I made that cowhide hondo myself. He takes his rope and pulls the younger Nunn up to his feet, none too gently. The drunken customers help with getting the Nunns and Duffy toward the marshal's office. Bandaged-up and exhausted-looking Matt and Chester ride up. Evening, Paladin. We heard the shooting. Are you all? It looks like our dining hall waitress heard right about these men. I guess they weren't expecting there to be a second deputy in Dodge. You gentlemen, help get these men to the marshal's office, if you would. We appreciate it.

At the office, Chester locks the Nunns in one cell and Duffy in the other. Matt asks Duffy, Why did these men want to kill you? Were you a part of Nathan Nunn's lynching? Duffy slurs, Oi wouldn't say oi was a part of it. Oi was there seen it, but oi didn't know it was goin to happen when we set out. Oi thought we was goin to rough Nunn up a little. Fix his nose for him or give him a new smoile, somethin loik that. Dillon says, Alright. And what about the men shot the deputy marshal and me? Do you know them? Duffy replies, What? Oi didn't even know ya were shot. Ask them murderous blackguards. He indicates the bloody Nunns lying on frame beds in the adjoining cell. Matt nods. The younger Nunn turns his head and says, "Blaggard?" Learn to speak English, ya damned Mick. I'll learn it to ya, but you'll have to git close the the bars between these hotel suites. Duffy says, Ain't that's yer smelly fishwife doss mum said to your dah, aboot noin months before she dropped ya in in tha mud of the street, and continued choppin last week's foul fish? Both Nunns start to say something, but Dillon cuts them off.

Alright. Federal judge Rice will be interested in hearing all of your stories when he's here on his circuit. Chester says, That's scheduled for 13 days from now. You'll have a little time to get sobered up by then, Mr. Duffy. I'd advice that y'all boys mind your mouths and don't get to know each other too well along the way. Abide the peace and don't cause any trouble. Duffy groans, sighs and runs his hands through his hair. He lies on his side on his frame cot.

Then he remembers something. Oi, Mr. Paladin. What about the fiver ya promised me? Matt and Chester look at Paladin expectantly. Then Matt goes to his desk, opens a drawer, shuffles through some papers and finds the one he wants. He hands it to Paladin. Federal Marshal's Office Reimbursement Form OPM-1450. It's a little long, Deputy U.S. Marshal Paladin, but you might as well fill it out and get your five dollars sent to wherever you're headed. It'll take a little while for the government to process the payment. It's a nice thing you when you did,

What are you owed currently, Chester? Chester replies, Hmm. I've kind of forgot. One got replacement horse. Two rounds of whiskey shots that the times five drifters/informants at the bar in the Long Branch. I kind of expect that the pencil pushers in Ft. Smith will deny those. I might deny those myself if they came across my desk. But we do have a lot of ammunition on stock, Marshall Dillon. Around 10 crates of powder, beeswax and lead balls for old cap and ball revolvers. He breaks open Duffy's revolver and sights down the barrel toward the lit kerosene lamp. He whistles. Dang, Duffy you have a whole suitcase in here. But Duffy is asleep on his side on top of his jailhouse blanket, snoring terribly and oblivious to the world.

Matt stands and shakes Paladin's hand. Paladin, it's good to see you way out here in Dodge City, Kansas. You came along at just the right time, "Deputy U.S. Marshal Paladin." Duffy would have been dead in the street if it had just been Chester and me, you know that. of course. If you want to stay on, you're of course welcome. I'll make the paperwork work. I know the pay isn't much, but the rewards are high for an honest man. About every night in Dodge City, Kansas is about like tonight, But if you need t to move on-- like you usually have do-- we understand that too. Say good-bye to Kitty before you leave, if you would. That would mean a lot to her, I think.

[Grognardsw]

Paladin lit a cigar and relaxed after the tense encounter.



“Thanks for the compliments Matt. Truth be told, it was the Nunns who came along at just the right time. Duffy was the bait. They confessed their intent.” Paladin knew the ploy probably wasn’t in the marshal handbook, but the gunslinger-deputy saw the opportunity for swift justice and took it.

“I’d feel better staying in Dodge until the Murphy brothers who shot you are apprehended. They are staying at the Harvey House, where I am too. I’ll be checking their rooms tonight. If they hear the Nunns were caught, their plans may change.”

Paladin remembered what Matt had said.

…So, here's who we'll be watching tomorrow. Jay Connor. The man accused of hanging Red Mack. The main man the "Mack" or "Murphy" men who arrived by train would want to shoot. Lives on a ranch not more than a mile and a half from town. I'll take Connor.

Bob Cray. A friend of Connor's since they were kids and the foreman at his ranch. But he has his parent's old house in town. That's for you please, Chester…

“I can ride out with you to Connor’s house tomorrow if you like, or accompany Chester in town.”

“Matt, I’m suspicious about that Ray Hubbard. I played at his table tonight and saw him making unusual eye contact with the Nunns. And he’s made public his desire to “civilize” Dodge, which includes changes in the marshal. He’s someone to watch.”

Paladin topped up his pistol ammo.

“Alright Duffy, here’s your $5. Don’t drink it all at once.”

Paladin took the Office Reimbursement Form OPM-1450. It was a reminder why he didn’t work for the government. “I’ll fill this out and hand it in tomorrow.”

Paladin then stepped into the back room with the jail cells.

“You Nunn brothers can help yourselves here. Where are the Murphy brothers?”

[jemmus]

The younger Murphy replies to Paladin from his cot, Now how the hell would we know that? I didn't see no Murphys at the saloon, I didn't see no Murphys on Front Street, and I don't see any of em in this U.S. government bird cage.

Matt says, We appreciate your putting off your travels for a while, Paladin. When the Murphys hear that the Nunns are locked up, they might give up on any plans they had for getting revenge. The cat's out of the bag that they were trying to kill one of the suspected lynchers. And they're down to two men, instead of four. Chester, if you were them, what would you do? Chester replies, Hmm. I think I'd lay low for a while. Especially if Paladin's right and it was them that shot us. Then when some other trouble comes up in Dodge City and everybody's distracted, I'd go for Connor. Maybe give up on the smaller game and try to at least get the main man. Matt says, Hmm. How about you, Paladin? What would you do in their situation?

[Grognardsw]

“Play smart Nunn,” Paladin said to the elder Nunn. He may have more wisdom than the younger hothead sibling. “Help us get the Murphys and it could help you with the judge. We know you came in together on the same train to Dodge, that you had breakfast with them this morning, and you would be meeting up with them probably tomorrow. Now when and where is that suppose to be?”

Afterwards, in the conversation with Matt and Chester, Paladin replied: “I agree with Chester. Though on the other hand, if I were them I may decide to strike fast and take out Conner before tomorrow. How far out from Dodge is Connor’s place Matt?”