Scout 2013/03/11(Mon)17:33 No. 499608 ID: 389f2b
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Those who ask know me as Scout.

I've got some shitty duster coat on, and underneath is some city clothes. I'd rather wear the cheap duster than be seen as a city man.

Scout 2013/03/11(Mon)17:37 No. 499609 ID: 389f2b
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It's early in the morning, and many aren't milling around.

First order of my business is to locate some land to buy. I don't want to stay in the town, so I'd rather something maybe a mile or more away.

I could go to the sheriff and ask about the land policies, or head into a bar and ask around. There's other ways of course, if you can think of them.

is there a mayor in the town? i would think all that legal and bureaucratic stuff like land titles and ownership would pass throw the mayors office/city hall at some point so you could always check in there. Unless they have some kind of bulletin board in town with all the stuff on it.

Also how much cash you have on you.

Hmm. Isn't there usually a land office for this kind of thing?

And depending on how developed / settles this place is, you're either going to have to buy land, or you'll be able to stake a claim so long as you can hold it.

1/1 Scout 2013/03/12(Tue)06:21 No. 499690 ID: 389f2b
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Well, uh...I dunno how this place really looks. It's small, and as far as I can tell, centers around the Sheriff-no other building looks like it could belong to a mayor. As for a land office, those really haven't got down here yet. This whole place likes to act as if it's separate from the Federal Government-like the West is a whole new nation.

I could just claim some land as mine and prove my worth. I don't know how much land goes for down here, and I've only got $100. Granted, $15 probably seems like a fortune, but I need money for food, a horse, clothes..All of the basic stuff.

On the flip side, there are a few bandit gangs out here that offer you a place to stay for your loyalty. I'm not too quite enthused at the thought of going off with a bunch of reckless lawbreakers, with what I've heard. They've been the reasons of whole ranches falling, men hung and women raped to death-I couldn't live with that lifestyle.

In news of the town development, it's hardly any. Few buildings raise above two floors, or even have a proper foundation. Even the sheriffs office is a danky concrete-wood flat.

I see a man pulling out from the bar, and decide that this is a perfect time to ask some questions. He's a ram-guy, and looks just a little drunk, whiskey staining the front of his shirt.

“Hey, stranger. I'm new in town, and I wanna know the deal with getting land. Do I gotta talk to someone, or is this shithole a free-for-all?” I call out to him, unable to stop from being a little rude. I heard men die all the time in quick shoot-offs, and the thought of being in one thrills me. My hand slids a little into my duster, fingers gracing the cool metal of my six-shooter.

He stops, taking long moments to size me up with dizzy eyes. He eyes my hand and breaks into a crooked grin, rotten-yellow teeth so evident I think I could smell them past the whiskey.

>”Well, boy, we ain't got any laws concernin' land at this particular place. If ya' wanna take land without any trouble, y'could do the town a little ol' favor. There a' plenty things ye' could do to earn some respect n' honor from these people.” He's not nearly as drunk as I thought he'd be, and doesn't seem too concerned about my flaunting of the gun. I tilt my head back and consider this.

“And what all needs done? I have few qualms and preferences with the array of things to do for people.”

He laughs harshly, and for some reason I feel as if it's a stab at my pride.

>”Careful, boy! Man-whores and killers don't make it long out here. That's not saying you can't find jobs like that-they'll be everywhere. They're just for men who don't give a chicken-shit about their own life. Just ask around town, and the folks'll give you lots of jobs. You can get even more honor from em' if ya don't ask fer money. Good wishes, city boy.” He lumbers off, laughing heavily. A couple of men hanging out in front of the general store call out for him to shut up, and he sticks his middle finger up at them.

Jesus, I hope I'm not that obvious of a city boy. I won't worry about it-I should start asking around now.

There's the bar he came out of, which has the most noise coming from it. There's the general store and blacksmith, the Inn, a bank, the Sheriff, and a couple of houses. Where should I start asking around for a chore?

bars are good places to at least get an idea of were to start looking. I say go into the bar talk to the barkeep and see if he can't point you in the right direction.

The bar does seem like as good a place as any to go.

Keep your words in check. If what that man says is true, the only thing on your side to get that land is that bit of cash and the good will of the folks around here. Act rude enough, and people will be disinclined to help you.

Scout 2013/03/12(Tue)09:53 No. 499722 ID: 389f2b
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I decide to consult the barkeep. I walk through the slingy wood doors, getting a bit too much of a rush from it. The place is dark, the only light streaming in from dirty windows, so filtered that they barely provide any light. There are some candles by the bar, set up away from the alcohol. Oddly enough, a large woman is behind the bar, heatedly arguing with a pissed of man.

I move forward, shoving past many heavy drunk men and try to listen in.

>”I don't give a shit about what the doctor says, you'll pay the same as everyone else for drinks!” She barks, her voice gruff and deep for a woman's voice.

>”I gots shot though! I need me somethin' to keep the pain away!” A whiney voice wails, and I see the guy pointing at his arm so hard that he nearly tips over.

>”That's yer own fuckin' fault! If you don't got balls don't mess with Chand's gang! Pay up 50 cent or I'm kick ya out, goddamned freeloader!”

I take this as a good chance to introduce myself. I slip the 6-shooter into my hand and walk behind the man, putting the mouth against the back of his neck. I feel him freeze up.

“Do as the pretty lady says and get out before I give you bullet that a drink can't fix.”

The barkeep eyes me warily, but doesn't say anything. The bar goes a bit quiet as it's noticed that I have my gun out and on a man. Long seconds go by, and my arm twitches, wondering what it would be like to just shoot him. No one wants a wimp freeloader anyway, right?

But before I can act on the sudden impulse, the man reaches in his pocket and pulls out two shiny coins.

>”Whatever, just gimmie the fuckin' drink..” He mumbles, pushing the coins onto the dirty bar.

She gives a nod and grunts, sliding him the puke-colored drink.

The man takes his leave quietly, heading to only God knows to get drunk.

The barkeep nods at me approvingly and takes a heavy seat on a barstool on her own side.

>”Thanks, stranger. Anything I can help you with?”

“Yeah, actually. I'm looking to getting some land for myself. A stranger told me earlier that it's a free-for-all, but that'd it'd be better to do some favors for the people of the town to ensure they let me stay. Anymore information I can get? Anything that you need me to take care of?”

>”Oh, yeah. I'd love to see more help-happy arrivals like you. This town just gets drunk off it's ass and then goes do stupid shit like go after a gang hideout to make some quick cash for more booze. Yeah, you can claim land for yourself about half a mile from the town. Not that the sheriff cares, but I'd like to see some order come to, and folks following the Law. As for work, well, folks would indeed be much happier with a new stranger who gives a shit about others, not just themselves. Most of the shopkeeps can use supplies runs, including myself. Nearby ranches will probably ask for protection, and they're more likely to give you food or the right to be on their property. The doctor south of here needs someone to get him supplies. Regular folk will probably just want money, or maybe bring in supplies from the train.”

“Thanks, that actually helps a lot. What can I call you, Miss?”

>”Call me Sally. And what about you, stranger?”

“Scout.”

I guess I should decide where to get work..I could help Miss Sally, or go to another shopkeep, the doctor, a ranch, or some random folk.

help miss sally, since you've already introduced yourself! unless you feel particularly inclined to be someone's "protection". you seem to not exactly be afraid to wave a gun around, so maybe going to a ranch would be a good idea.

I'm leaning towards either the doctor (in case you need to be patched up later) or sally.(because you know her and she seems helpful)

Let's start with a quest of convenience, and give miss Sally a hand. After that let's go sniff around the Doctor's office, unless you're particularly skilled at patching people, yourself included, up