epidemiology | EVENT ★ WELCOME TO PERDITION'S REST

ARRIVAL

Recruits leave Oska at midday, with about 10 minutes of final warning given from over jewelcomms. Then the white mist rises as rifts open, and Oska is left behind. When they arrive in the new world, they’ll find themselves aboard a train, specifically seated in the coach traveling compartments. The other passengers -- humanoids with muted skin tones and bright eyes -- have already been notified of their arrival, so although there will be a good deal of curious staring, particularly from children, no one is going to be very alarmed at the strange, eclectic assortment of aliens that suddenly show up on board.

It seems that, for once, recruits will enjoy a peaceful arrival. The dusty scenery flashes by placidly outside the windows, the rumble of wheels is constant and soothing, and there’s even a snack cart that makes its way around (the snacks aren’t free, though -- recruits are provided a modest sum of Qorral currency, and the locals are already interested in getting in on it).

BAD COMPANY

The first sign of trouble appears about two hours after arrival when there’s a faint BOOM and each of the train cars gives a little shudder. That would be the rear train car’s back wall being blown open. The other passengers know exactly what this means, and some lock themselves into traveling compartments while others haul out previously put away shotguns and pistols, ready to do what needs doing.

And what needs doing is to fend off the troupe of bandits that have decided that this train looks ripe for the plucking. They board from the gaping hole they blew in the last car and begin shooting their way up the length of the train, robbing as they go, but they also circle out on their horses (mechanical and only vaguely horse-shaped four-legged contraptions that easily keep pace with the train) to provide an armed and unfriendly escort. They’ll shoot through the windows if anyone looks like a troublemaker, and are old hands at ducking to the other side of their horses to use them as cover from any return fire.

The conductor and all present passengers would really appreciate a hand from any recruits who feel like stepping up. Those not quite ready to engage in a shootout can always keep the civilians locked into the compartments company. They, especially the children, might need some calming words (and the sage advice to keep away from the windows, and stop making faces at the bandits).

The bandits put up a pretty good fight, but will eventually be driven away (hopefully without having snagged too many ill-gotten goods from the hardworking citizens of Perdition’s Rest), and peace falls back over the train. The passengers will be a bit frazzled afterward, though, and no one can quite ignore that whistling sound caused by the missing back wall of the final train car. It’s a long two more hours before they reach their destination.

WELCOME TO PERDITION’S REST

A dusty wooden sign swings on rusted hinges overhead as the train pulls into the station: PERDITION'S REST. The engine finally stills with one puff of smoke, and as the passengers begin to disembark, recruits will find a small group awaits them.

The Mayor, his aide, and the sheriff are gathered just outside the train station, and once everyone is more or less off the train and conveniently gathered, the Mayor will clear his throat for attention.

"I'm guessing y'all had a long ride here, didn't you?" He addresses the crowd calmly, with the kind of voice that doesn't need to be raised much to be heard. "Heard about them bandits.They ain’t gonna trouble you here in town, but best mind your wanderin’. I'm Mayor Mordecai Jones, and Perdition's Rest welcomes your company. You'll find our businesses hospitable and our services ready. We're a quiet place, keep mostly to ourselves and don't bother none. You'll do just fine here if you abide that."

The aide waits quietly as the Mayor speaks, while the sheriff eyes the gathered bunch with a resigned wariness. She, and a few other locals who would be willing to speak up if asked, are of the opinion that they've gotten by just fine for 30 years without anyone's help, and they don't figure they need it now. But they'll tolerate the meddling, so long as everyone plays nice.

Mayor Jones's speech draws to a close with a last note that trouble can be brought to him or to Sheriff Rosamund Holladay, and he, his aide, and Sheriff Holladay break the meeting without further ceremony and head away.

Welcome to Perdition's Rest. It's recommended that you look around a little, familiarize yourself with the place, and find lodgings. It's going to be home for a while.

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Mission: Perdition's Rest! This mission will last for around three months, currently slated to end in mid-December. Depending on developments, this schedule is subject to change at our discretion.

You can view the dossier here, which contains information that is ICly known to all characters, no matter their arrival time. You can find locations here.

Please direct all questions pertaining to the mission to the dossier page to keep questions and responses in one place for easy player reference. General game questions should be directed to the FAQ.

The Bounty Board will be updated this weekend, so keep an eye out! Remember you can also request bounty missions or submit player plots at any time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sabo was browsing around the gun shop himself.. though he wasn't looking for any guns. He honestly wanted a new pipe. As the other man finger guns at him saying those words, he decides to play around.]

Oh, you got me! Though I believe you got the wrong criminal. [His hands are straight up, with a grin to boot. Your move, Rhys.]

[ Awwwww, yeah, thank god someone has a sense of humor. And understands the concept of 'fun'. He lowers the pistol a little, making a performance out of squinting at Sabo suspiciously. ]

Oh, yeah? So you're saying you're not the notorious bandit king, uh. [ He falters, trying to think up a name. ] El— El Diablo?

Close! But no match. [No pun intended. Though Rhys won't get it since he's unaware of his fire powers. He laughs, lowering his hands then.. what a comedic act he has with this guy.]

The name's Sabo. [He closes an eye, and holds his pipe to the ground and salutes.] I'm here to look for a new weapon as well.

[ Sabo. That is a weird, weird name, although he doesn't mention it, because... you know, Rhys. AKA Riss/Ritz/Rice/Reeze, he is a man of many mispronounced names, apparently. He looks at the pistol in his hand, still holding it like someone who has never actually had their hands on a gun before. ]

Oh. I'm... not actually— I just. Thought it would be fun. [ God, so lame, he's a little embarrassed to admit he just wanted to play with the guns. ] I looked cool, though, right? So, mission accomplished.

A moment to be had. [He tips his hat to the mechanical eyed man. A bit awkward sure, but he's definitely not terrible or anything. He's seen more awkward marines trying to hold up guns and cannons. He crosses his arms, peering over at the line of various guns.]

I'm about the game of fun myself. [He chuckles.] The shop doesn't look like it has what I want though.[He glazes a hand over some of these guns with a subtle frown.]

[ He tipped his actual hat, that's so endearing, Rhys can't even tell if he's pretending to be all Western-y or if he's just naturally like that. Either way, he grins a little to himself, pleased, then places the pistol back where it came from. ]

There's like, a zillion guns. [ Maybe two zillion!! ] I'm pretty sure you can find one you like.

Oh, but I'm not looking for a gun though. [He slides up his pipe from behind him and shows it in front of Rhys.]

I was looking for a new pipe. Maybe something of a different color. [Because totally, gun shops should also have other weapons...Sabo, no.]

Uhhh. Hm.

[ A pipe, that is possibly the most unclassy weapon ever. Don't blunt force trauma your enemies to death, Jesus. It's messy and gross. He scratches the back of his neck, looking Sabo up and down. ]

But, I mean, a gun is better? So maybe it's time to put old Pipey out to pasture.

I wouldn't doubt my pipe just yet. Not with my hands.

[He takes a few steps from Rhys to give himself some space and holds it to a defensive stance. A few seconds later, embers appear from both ends of the pipe, like some kind of invisible magic trick.]

How's that?

Whoooaaa, shit. [ He jumps back a little when the flames show up, immediately putting his hands up like I surrender!!! It's a reflex for when people are pointing weapons at or near him, it's how he... doesn't die. ] Okay, okay, I changed my mind, that is awesome, where do I get myself one of those.

[ He runs his hand through his hair, preening like he suddenly cares how he looks in front of Sabo. Which he does, sort of, Sabo just jumped up a few spots in order of importance with this sweet-ass pipe. ] How does it work, I mean, I figure there's some hidden pyrotechnic mechanism somewhere?

Pyrotechnic mecha-what? [He tilts his head and slants his mouth, confused a little by the fancy wording Rhys used. He may be smart.. but the futuristic terms are still a boggle for him.]

No no. [He then shakes his head, and putting out the flames on each end the pipe, smirking.] This is just a pipe I found back in a junkyard. The flames? They're a unique power I inherited from my brother. Or rather.. my brother's fruit that had given me this ability.

EVENT ★ WELCOME TO PERDITION'S REST

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