Chapter 4 - Comancheria (Charlie & Ezekiel)

[jemmus]

Will need and Indian Contact roll at +2. Ezekiel can roll too.

[Rex]

Charlie

Wasn't sure if the +2 was to the roll (penalty) or the score (bonus).

Indian Contact +2 (9) [1d20]=7

[jemmus]

It was a bonus. Going forward I'll say "bonus" or "penalty".
Charlie recognizes the riders as Comanches. A typical raiding party comprised of young men roaming for adventure, to raise havoc with encroaching settlers, and capture loot and captives. This kind of party is usually organized by a group of friends and not led by a war chief.

[Rex]

Charlie

"Comanches, out to raise some hell. Best let them be if we can."

[Bluetongue]

'Sarge' Ezekiel

What Ezekiel wouldn't do is to ignore the Comanches if they were shooting at the Cowboys and from earlier cries of pain, it seems that may have happened.

While he doesn't want to get too involved, I don't think ignoring the situation is good. So I will try to get around the raiders by flanking them and taking a bead on their position and numbers, watch how they act.

Ezekiel: Observation (14) [1d20]=15 Luck (7) [1d20]=4

He might not see much but hopes that under the cloudy sky, he is not seen either.

Sarge Ezekiel: Riding (19) [1d20]=3

I will ride as close to behind the group as possible.

[Rex]

Charlie

"Your call."

[jemmus]

Under the gibbous Moon, around a hundred yards further down the gentle slope of the grasslands hill, a Comanche spots Ezekiel and Charlie. Soon 10 pairs of eyes are on them.
https://i.imgur.com/Y305uWX.jpg
The Comanches look at the head of the cattle approaching at a run, back at the scouts, and turn and ride to the north at a gallop. They fire some rifle shots into the mass of cattle, and there are bellows of pain. The head of the herd veers away from sound of the shots, more toward the south. At the shots, the six mounted cowboys dashing to get in front of the herd from its north check and rein in, as do the three at the herd's east side, also riding to cut it off. A cowboy at the north takes a shot at the Comanches galloping away.

The back ranks of the herd have turned to follow in the direction the lead cattle are running. The herd's front cattle reach the foot of the hill, running full tilt. They're around a hundred yards away.

The lead edge of the herd can run around 30 yards per 6 second turn. Here's the map from last turn, before the Comanches turned and started galloping. It seems that if you wanted to pursue, you could ride north and clear the herd. But there are 10 of them, and two of you. Actions?

[Rex]

Charlie

"I have no interest in chasing down Comanches outnumbered like we are."

[Bluetongue]

'Sarge' Ezekiel

Ok. Lets stay out of it. We should ride to a safe spot.

[Rex]

Charlie

"Sounds like a good idea." Charlie will lead the way away from everyone and the herd.

[Bluetongue]

'Sarge' Ezekiel

Keeps a low profile and rides away so we can stay unnoticed.

[jemmus]

The herd of 8,000 or more hooves bellows across its ranks charges as a mass up the gentle northeast slope of the hill. The scouts touch spurs to their horses' flank, and the equines respond and smoothly break from a watchful stand to a gallop away from the herd, across the prairie toward the destination toward the west. Charlie and Ezekiel ride down the off side of the hill, up the side of another, and to the round slope of another. The rumbling sound of the cattle and the sharper sound of pistol shots and voices yelling of "Hey ya!" "Whoa!" and "Hee-ah!" continue but grow more faint. It seems that the herd didn't stop at the top of the hill. It continues running on to the south. The direction the cowboys had brought it from this evening.

The gibbous Moon has risen in a clear June sky over the rolling prairie. The scouts' plans for the night watch have been spoiled. It's either get less sleep tonight, cover fewer miles tomorrow, or push the horses hard. From the top of the rise, far off in the distance to the southwest, a mile or further away, the glimmer of a lonely kerosene light can be seen.

Horses run 36 yds per Combat Turn, cattle maybe 30 at best. Good quality horses can do even better. But-- in a quick one-second Shootout Turn, a cattle bull is very, very quick to charge and cover ground. A quarterhorse is quicker than most, but both Charlie and Ezekiel know that a charging bull is a force to be reckoned with. Whether a cattle one, or a buffalo herd one.

Take shorter watches: Roll for Strength. On a fail, -1 to Observation for the day, -2 for firearm shots to hit.
Cover fewer miles tomorrow: You covered 31 miles today, on Clear (no roads) terrain. The estimated distance from San Marcos to Camp Clark is around 250 miles. Both Charlie and Ezekiel know that the destination is deep within stony desert country.
Ride the horses harder: Can be done. But a Riding or Survival skill check would be needed. On a fail by either PC, the miles would be crossed, but the horse would lose Strength (HP).
Need daily rolls for Observation. PCs can roll for any other skills they might have, if they'd like. (I'd recommend that they do. ). Actions?

[Rex]

Charlie

"I say we find a good spot to rest the day away in the shade."

Scouting (14) [1d20]=2 Survival (13) [1d20]=13

[Bluetongue]

'Sarge' Ezekiel

More concerned with arriving safely and in good condition then on any time deadline. Resting up is fine with me.

Ezekiel: Strength (17) check [1d20]=2

As for dodging and tacking raging bulls, my horse is quite skilled in herding and cutting skills.

During the rest, aware that 'rogue' comanche riders had been nearby, we need some extra vigilance. I will sleep with rifle loaded under by blanket.

It also has some learned tricks.

[jemmus]

Successful survival skill noted.

Ezekiel and Charlie leave the cattle herd and its cowboys behind continue west for five miles or so. Charlie notes some prickly pear cactus, which are common to the area. In a pinch, one can remove the thorns and peel them and chew the gel-like flesh. They're a decent source of nutrition, but more importantly, a source of water in an emergency.


From a rise, the men see a small group of mule deer around 75 yards away.


Again following a wildlife trail, probably of deer, Charlie finds a shallow stream around two yards across. It's shaded by live oak and wild pecan trees. Which explains the abundance of squirrels in the branches overhead. There's a rise just a hundred yards to the south that might be a good place for defense. It seems like a good place to rest.

You can shoot at a mule deer if you'd like (Short range, Normal size target). If you kill it and eat it, you could save at least a day's rations. The disadvantage is the sound of the shot(s) would be audible for a good ways around.
Please make your Observation rolls for the day.

[Rex]

Charlie

Charlie will pass on the shooting for now, this close to the Comanche.

Observation (16) [1d20]=15

[Bluetongue]

'Sarge' Ezekiel

Ezekiel: Observation (14) [1d20]=13 Luck (7) [1d20]=11

Some fresh meat might be good though.

Ezekiel: Rifle (4): Careful Shot vs Dex 17 [1d20]=5

[jemmus]

Ezekiel draws a bead on a yearling doe and fires. It drops to the ground and the herd bolts. The deer stands up on three legs, one leg diabled.

Since the deer isn't a threatening NPC, to move things along I'll roll the Wound Location (1d20) and Wound Severity Number(1d6).
[1d20]=5[1d6]=5
Left arm (front leg), serious wound. 5 damage to Strength 16, -1 for leg wound location = 4 damage. Ezekiel can shoot again or finish the deer off with his knife.

[Rex]

Charlie

Charlie will keep watch in case the shot was heard while Ezekiel finishes his work.

Observation (16) [1d20]=6

[Bluetongue]

'Sarge' Ezekiel

I'll use the knife.