Scene IV: Everything Will Burn!

[Stormbringer]

Very well.

Meanwhile, inside the saloon, Doc, Cumflutter and Scrancher hear another explosion from close by which shakes the room, causes the window panes to shatter, the crocodile paintings on the walls to fall down and the horse-shaped candles to blow out.

[Mantis]

"What in tarnation is going on out there!?"

Scrancher rushes out to the aid of the Kid.

[Animalmother]

Cumflutter comforts a trembling Rufus. The poor pigs oversized knackers wobble like a jelly mould in an earthquake. He uses his rifle butt to knock out one of the windows and scans the area with the scope to see if he can spot a target.

[Stormbringer]

While Cumflutter watches from the window, Scrancher runs outside into the burning street and sees whatever's left of Cadaver Kid lying sprawled out near the crater that was the stables.

Burning timbers are scattered far and wide, thrown about from this second explosion.


Just then, a man comes running up the street from the south, out of the billowing smoke.

He's clad from head to toe in plate armour, has a shield on his left arm and a revolver in his belt, a long rifle slung over his back. He shouts at Scrancher.


"What the devil are you doing, son? You can't stand around here no more! The Incorporation's here, and all hell's coming with them! It's 'No Mercy' Makarty; he's brought an army to burn Palace to the ground! Only way outta here's over the draw-bridge, down that-a-way..."


He points a mail-clad finger to the south of the saloon.


"But the damned keys to gate-house are missing! All two of 'em! The Redrum Boys normally keep 'em, but they've all been killed or fled after the Incorporation troops arrived, so I don't know where the hell they are! Could be anywhere in the damn city. I don't know about you, kid, but I'm gonna search for 'em! Good luck!"

The 'knight' runs off to the north, past the Purple Belt, into the enveloping smoke.



The surviving members of the gang may now choose where to go. This adventure is basically a street-crawl on a grid: you can head North, South, East, or West through the burning streets of Palace, and you will have encounters along the way. Somewhere in the city are the keys for the gate-house that will allow you to lower the bridge and escape. Find them!

[Mantis]

Scrancher runs back inside and brings the rest of the group up to speed.

"What say you boys? Looks like we need to high tale it outta here!"

[Sly Boots]

As we've been to Palace before I assume we know the basic layout of the town - do we know in which direction the sheriff's office lies?

If one of us could grab the Kid's special gun as well before we move off, I think that would be good - maybe Scrancher could make use of it for a while?

[Stormbringer]

As we've been to Palace before I assume we know the basic layout of the town - do we know in which direction the sheriff's office lies?

You have indeed been here for a little while; in fact the Purple Belt Saloon has been your base of operations for a few days at least. You know the following details about the city layout:

1. The only gateway in and out of the city is to the centre-south.
2. The Purple Belt Saloon is just two blocks north of the city gate.
3. The Gunsmith, where you purchased your new toys, is two blocks east of the Purple Belt.
4. There's some civilian houses, two blocks west of the Purple Belt.
5. The sheriff's office is two blocks north of the Purple Belt.
6. The blacksmith is two blocks west of the former sheriff's office.
7. There's more civilian houses, two blocks east of the sheriff's office.
8. The mayor's house (which you broke into just the other day) is two blocks north of the sheriff's office.
9. The general store is two blocks west of the mayor's house.
10. There's another saloon, of a far less reputable quality than the Purple Belt...the Drunk Chicken...two blocks east of the mayor's house.

If one of us could grab the Kid's special gun as well before we move off, I think that would be good - maybe Scrancher could make use of it for a while?

An excellent idea. Don't forget to scoop up the shotgun ammo it takes.

[Sly Boots]

On the assumption that the Redrum gang were likely to have been using the lawman's facilities as a base of operation (unless we have any particular intelligence to the contrary!), I suggest that as our first stop to the surviving members of the group - at least one of which must surely be reconsidering his choice to team up with the Bean Bunch

[Stormbringer]

HANG ON!

I've just realised something. Cadaver Kid was wearing that heavy coat he just bought! That minuses damage by 1!

He's still alive!

[Animalmother]

Rufus gallops out of the saloon, his flesh bongos drumming a steady beat against his backside. He snuffles up to the prone body of the Cadaver Kid and squeals in excitement. The Kid begins to slowly regain consciousness. Cumflutter calls out to Rufus and the excitable pig turns suddenly, causing his pendulous love spuds to slap the Kid in the face.

[Stormbringer]

Somebody get that guy some Laudanum!

[Wrathbone]

HANG ON!

I've just realised something. Cadaver Kid was wearing that heavy coat he just bought! That minuses damage by 1!

He's still alive!

Buried beneath piles of horse gore, I groan angrily and wipe what I can off my charred face. Staggering to my feet, I reach for my hip.

"My gun. WHERE'S MY GUN? I'VE GOT FOLKS NEED KILLIN'!"

(Actually, did anyone even take it?)

"Oh... there it is. WHO WANTS TO DIE FIRST?!"

I have laudanum in my pockets, so I'll take a swig. 3 on the d4.

Do cigarettes have any healing properties (despite NHS warnings)?

[Sly Boots]

Hearing Kid's groans, whether from the injury or the application of pig testicles he's unsure, Doc will dash outside and force some laudanum down his gullet.

[Stormbringer]

Hearing Kid's groans, whether from the injury or the application of pig testicles he's unsure, Doc will dash outside and force some laudanum down his gullet.

Roll another d3, Cadaver Kid!

Cigarettes give you 1 hp when resting, but you don't have time to rest just now...

[Wrathbone]

That's a 4. I believe I'm back to full vigour and ready to start blasting our way out of here.

I imagine I'm scarlet from head to toe, dripping with viscera and stinking like the rear of an especially unhygenic mule.