Deadlands Reloaded - Ghost Towns PDF

Ghost Towns
Ghost Towns
by Ric Byrne Connely
Credits & Acknowledgements
Additional Material: Matthew Cutter, Piotr Korys, Tomasz Z. Majkowski

Editing: Matthew Cutter, Piotr Korys
Deadlands Brand Manager: Matthew Cutter
Art Director: Aaron Acevedo
Layout and Graphic Design: Aaron Acevedo, Joel Kinstle , Mike Chaney
Cover Art: Chris Bivins
Interior Art: Cheyenne Wright, Chris Bivins,
Carly Sorge, the Doomtown Artists
Cartography: Cheyenne Wright, Mike Burns, Mike Chaney
Savage Worlds by Shane Lacy Hensley

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Contents
The Tombstone Epitaph . . 1 Hope Falls. . . . . . . . . . . 63
The City Now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Introduction. . . . . . . . . 24 Points of Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . 65
The Locals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Talk O’ the Town. . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Devil’s Backbone. . . . . . 23 Better Than Human. . . . . . . . . . 69
The City Now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Postdiluvian Cultists. . . . . . . . . . 69
Points of Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Evil in Toyland. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
The Locals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Power Corrupts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Fehler’s Rail Car . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Talk O’ the Town. . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Rulamer. . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Bustin’ Loose. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
The City Now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Let’s Make A Deal. . . . . . . . . . . 34
Points of Interest. . . . . . . . . . . . 75
The Locals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Grant’s Pass Talk O’ the Town. . . . . . . . . . . . 78
(Xin Huihuang). . . . . . . . . . 36 Channel Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Dragon’s Caress. . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
The City Now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
The Collector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
The Relentless. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
The Locals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
The Siege o’ Rulamer. . . . . . . . . 85
Talk o’ the Town . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Random Difficulties. . . . . . . . . . 87
Ghost Sioux Siege . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Culverton. . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Wagonsend. . . . . . . . . . . 89
The City Now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
The City Now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Titles in Wagonsend. . . . . . . . . . 92
The Locals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
The Locals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Talk O’ the Town. . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Trick Shot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
A Just Crime? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Talk O’ the Town. . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Return o’ the Blue Gibbon. . . . . 50
Double Down. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Rumors & Hearsay. . . . . . . . . . . 51
Sundry Clues & Evidence. . . . . . 97
Riverbed Sweeper. . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Josephine. . . . . . . . . . . 53. Strange Locale Generator. . 100

Let’s Deal!. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
The City Now. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Random Fear Levels. . . . . . . . . 108
The Locals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Finishing Touches . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Accursed Countryside. . . . . . . . . 57
Talk O’ the Town. . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Encounters. . . . . . . . . . . 112
Amslers’ End. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Creepy Critters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
The Family Crest. . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Friends & Foes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Sweet Meat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Ghost Towns! an epitaph special report
Tombstone, Arizona Vol. 5, No. 14 Sunday, August 15, 1880
Author’s Note
Most towns don’t survive a year’s
exposure to the Weird West’s dangers.
Be it boomtown, trading post, aspiring
county seat, or festering backwater,
no matter how hardy or craven the
residents might be, every town stands
at risk of destruction by natural
disaster, man’s folly, or the myriad
dangers lurking in the dark. At every
turn, a settler’s path is menaced by
threats mundane, terrifying, and just
plain queer. It’s a wonder any towns
survive at all.
Towns come and go all the time,
you see, some prospering to become
hives of finance and industry—like
newcomer Potential, Arizona, or the
great Dodge City—while others are
ruined by corruption and conflict.
Some towns get rail lines and others
end up deserted. At times what seems
Plucked from nearly every region
like a blind alley turns into a new start,
of the West, the Ghost Towns in this
with Dead End, Arizona being a prime
report represent up-and-coming
example. Every settlement exists on
hotbeds of weird events and terrifying
the brink of oblivion. With great effort
tales, scientific advances and industry,
and plentiful luck, some persist.
and even new horizons of circus
We at the Tombstone Epitaph have labored entertainment. But inspect carefully
to make the threats plain—or at least the accounts of the towns that follow,
known—over the years. Not wishing to Perspicacious Reader, and walk
flag in our pace or fail in our duly adopted gingerly down their streets if you
task, we bring you a brief compendium of visit. While some towns don’t survive
some of the West’s weirdest new additions their first year, some unwary visitors
over the past few years. The name “Ghost don’t survive their first hour. Take care
Towns” is given due to their relative you’re not among them.
strangeness, not because they’re deserted
Your Chronicler,
or falling to pieces. Some of them might be
soon, though! Lacy O’Malley
The Tombstone Epitaph
Devil’s Backbone
Location: Commonwealth of California new mesa were obliterated. A few were
Population: 192 sliced cleanly in half, and still teetered
It’s said even the Great Quake in place as the aftershocks passed.
couldn’t destroy Devil’s Backbone, but Soon after, enterprising citizens
time may yet achieve what the quake discovered a fact they’d never have
could not. Back in 1868 it was called known if Grayson Flats had not been
Grayson Flats—as local folk spin the thrust into the sky. The great rocky bluff
yarn—a humble, inland California beneath their feet was a honeycomb
burg with no remarkable history of twisted caves and tunnels, packed
to speak of. It got all the history it with enormous quantities of ghost
needed when an aftershock tore rock. Out of certain destruction, riches
through Grayson Flats in a fashion as emerged instead. By all estimates,
spectacular as it was unlikely. there was enough ghost rock under
Finding itself at the epicenter of a Grayson Flats to make everyone in
titanic clash of geologic forces, most of town a millionaire.
the town and the rock projection it sits When a curious scout discovered
on were thrust nearly a thousand feet that a trail indeed still accessed the
above the desert floor, and there it’s mesa top, there was joyous celebration
been perched on its aerie to this day. in the streets. Miners fired six-shooters
One long, rocky ridge still leads to the at the sky, whiskey bottles were
mesa’s top, “as crooked as the Devil’s uncorked, and songs were belted
backbone” according to locals in out by a thankful chorus of dusty,
recounting how the mysterious place bedraggled survivors. They had no
got its name. idea of the privations in store for them.
They don’t recount much besides,
for a veil of mystery has fallen over the
The Crooked Trail
town of Devil’s Backbone—one only Once the euphoria wore off, folks
the Epitaph has pierced! realized the outlook wasn’t quite so
rosy as first impressions implied.
Untold Riches The crooked, perilous trail providing
Back in August of 1868, it’s said, so-called “access” to Grayson Flats—
the locals picked themselves up and with its new moniker of Devil’s
dusted off their britches and skirts, and Backbone—was, in this reporter’s view,
set about assessing the damage. The a journey only a trained mountaineer
town was more or less intact, though it would attempt without misgivings.
now ended at a dizzying, lofty cliff on The Crooked Trail is narrow,
every side. Most of the structures that crumbling, and terrifying. At any
had been located along the edge of the moment, a single misplaced step could
lead to a deadly plunge of hundreds of Crooked Trail, ready to snatch any

feet. Certainly, most people in Devil’s ghost rock exported from the mesa.
Backbone wouldn’t dare even attempt Their leader, the most notorious of
it. A few of those who did were never the lot, is a wanted murderer known
heard from again. as Emmett “Black Heart” Hartley.
No full accounting of this author’s Don’t let his short stature and skinny
trip up or down the Crooked Trail frame fool you, Reader. According to
can be given, due to a strange and a victim who miraculously escaped
pervasive vertigo which overtook Hartley’s depredations, the outlaw
my faculties during the soaring is dangerous and unpredictable, and
climb. Presumably, my guides took holds his minions in the thrall of fear.
pains to ensure my safety. As I “A few of us decided to leave
learned from the townsfolk upon town, and we survived the trail,”
my eventual arrival, I was lucky to said a victim who wished to remain
be alive. According to local legend anonymous. “Most of us, at least. Just
the trail is haunted by spiders as when we thought we were in the clear,
big as coyotes—no doubt related to we came upon a crude stockade fence
the dreaded terrantulas of the Wild barring the way. When the masked
Southwest, which we at the Epitaph men jumped out, they told us to put up
have previously reported on. our hands, and we wouldn’t be hurt.
The trail leading to Devil’s Backbone— “But then Hartley slipped out from
elevation 913 feet—is also littered with behind the gate, just like a snake,
fragments of ghost rock. It might sound and started shooting into the mass
like something out of the most fanciful of us. Just shooting and cackling his
tales of the Ghost Rock Rush of 1869, crazy laughter. I fell under a body and
but this was no tall tale, witnesses played dead while they cleaned out
insisted. Everywhere along the trail are everyone’s pockets, then crept away
strewn ghost rock nuggets ranging from after dark. He left them all to rot in the
thimble- to fist-sized, free for the taking. desert sun, Hartley did. He’s as evil a
The main problem, of course, is that no man as I’ve ever known.”
one can take it anywhere. We’ll let the words of the witness
be warning enough to you, Reader.
Black-Hearted Bandito Tread the trail with utmost caution!
Devil’s Backbone isn’t an easy And avoid contact with “Black Heart”
place to reach. Even if one avoids the Hartley’s band if at all possible, as
unnatural perils of the surrounding they are dug-in and remarkably well-
region, the base of the bluff on which supplied for so remote a hideout.
Devil’s Backbone perches is haunted by Some speculate the bandit might enjoy
abominations of another sort—outlaws. support from distant backers with
Moreover, they’ve built a fortified deep pockets, but no proof of such
encampment smack at the base of the collusion was offered or uncovered.
Trapped! roasting them over a slow fire. Several

There are no two ways about it: Devil’s destitute locals swore to the dish’s
Backbone’s remaining population is savory flavor, but others told of the
stuck. Unlikely to survive much longer, sharp cramps and pains they endured
unable to escape due to the bandits’ for hours after eating spider meat. This
siege tactics, and many unwilling to reporter cannot attest to the flavor
simply walk away from the biggest lode either way, as he declined to touch it.
of ghost rock they’ve ever seen, they Between Marshal Jane and Mayor
cling to life. Several individuals around Jedediah Hennessee—who possesses
town have taken it upon themselves to the remarkable knack of being able to
do something about the situation, but find water where no one else can—the
they don’t always see eye-to-eye. town persists.
The only business with its doors still
open is the beloved Flat Top Saloon,
Stairs to Nowhere
run by Jane Carol—who’s also the town Travelers who gaze up toward Devil’s
marshal, by the way. Her business Backbone from the desert floor on a
activities mostly amount to charity, clear day are treated to a curious sight.
sharing out what little food can be Among the busy miners hanging from
scrounged. With starvation staring the mesa top in their bosun’s chairs,
them in the face, many have resorted to a wooden staircase extends from the
hunting unnaturally large spiders, then mesa’s top like a 400-foot-long skeletal
arm, one bony finger pointing at the
desert below. Brainchild of Devil’s
Backbone inventor John Fehler, the
so-called “Stairs to Nowhere” represent
only one of the scientist’s attempts to
engineer a safe route off the mesa.
Locals reported widespread support
for the project until it became clear
just how many buildings would
have to be demolished to complete
it. Fehler remains optimistic, but is
unable to gather enough support to
take down any more structures. As
local entrepreneur Owen Halpin put
it, “What happens if we pull the last
plank from the last house, only to find
that our staircase hangs a hundred
feet—or even two-hundred feet—over
the desert floor? What then? We would
truly have nowhere to go.”
In spite of setbacks and opposition, Epitaph have discovered a seldom-spoken

John Fehler labors on, desperate truth: It’s entirely possible to go there and
to discover the egress. True, his get back safe and sound, as this reporter
Miraculous De-Elevator project was did. A small group of determined
fatally stalled when it was discovered individuals—strong of will and sinew
the town held no rope whatsoever, and and alert to each others’ distress—can
his Trackless Rail Car was abandoned navigate the precarious trail and avoid a
due to the fact that driving it down the long drop off a short cliff. Did we mention
Crooked Trail would almost certainly travelers need some luck, too?
result in catastrophe. Fehler doesn’t Even with all those ingredients the
seem as though he’ll be dissuaded trip isn’t certain to end well, but there’s
from his task until his fellow citizens at least a chance. It could be exactly
are safe. what the folks of Devil’s Backbone
need to finally quit their prison, and
A Ray of Light? cash in on their claims. Surely anyone
For all the rumors and hearsay who aided in such an endeavor would
surrounding Devil’s Backbone, we at the find themselves rich as well!
Grant’s Pass &

Xin Hui-huang
Location: Disputed Territories, The Battle of Grant’s Pass
south of the Sioux Nations Kang sent one of his trusted
Population: 1,216 warriors, Yüan Cai, along with 20 men
Like so many other towns, Grant’s Pass to wipe out the fledgling settlement.
was founded on high hopes. The original The journey wasn’t without incident,
inhabitants staked their claim along the as nearly half of Cai’s men perished
Oregon Trail just south of the Sioux Nations’ in a Sioux ambush. But he arrived at
border, with the expectation they could Grant’s Pass with 12 brave rail warriors
parlay their holdings into a major Union at his side, and they grimly set to work.
Blue railhead. From there, they believed, the In short order Kang’s operatives
Union’s national rails would overrun the dynamited the nascent rail line,
Sioux Nations and drive out their stubborn destroyed the work camp, and killed or
inhabitants. Like so many other places in scattered the rail crews. They advanced
the Weird West, what actually took place on the town, easily overwhelming
was undreamed of by the townsfolk. what little defense could be mounted.
For a while their new home at the That’s when, according to the reports of
mouth of the feature they named Grant’s eyewitnesses, things took a weird and
Pass was productive. A railhead was horrifying turn.
constructed, inhabitants rallied to present To this day, none are willing to attest to
their home in the best possible light, and Bayou Vermilion’s involvement—or even
promoters were dispatched to major cities interest—in the small town. Inquiries at
Back East to lure investors and settlers the B.V. offices in Tombstone garnered no
to what would surely become a new comment. Nevertheless, the very nature
metropolis of the West. Slowly but surely, of the shambling, stinking, decaying
the industrious people of Grant’s Pass laid plague that descended upon Grant’s
track headed south, hoping Union Blue Pass just as the battle was joined points
would link with them as soon as they the finger directly at Baron La Croix. Yes,
took notice, and a deal could be struck. loyal Reader, the walkin’ dead themselves
In short order Union Blue signed rose from the earth all around town and
on in a provisional fashion, sending followed the scent of tasty human flesh.
various functionaries, security men, In the chaos, Yüan Cai found himself
and rail warriors to the town. Little and his men battling for their very
did they know someone else had survival beside the people they’d come
already taken notice of their activities, here to defeat. It’s said the fight lasted all
someone who had no interest in seeing night, with the outcome always in doubt,
them succeed—Warlord Kang.
until the morning sun illuminated a of letting Cai and his men stay.
main street choked with cadavers. But Eventually the matter was settled in the
Grant’s Pass had survived. newcomers’ favor, and the people set
about the important tasks of burying
Surprising Settlers the dead and making repairs before
Yüan Cai had a change of heart that the Sioux noted their vulnerability. If
night. The bonds forged in battle proved they were skeptical before, when they
stronger than loyalty to Kang, so Cai saw how hard the ex-Iron Dragon men
humbly asked the people of Grant’s Pass if worked to repair the damage they’d
he could join them as a friend. Stunned, but caused they were certainly reassured.
still keenly aware of the previous night’s An informal survey found that some
attacks, the townsfolk argued bitterly and in Grant’s Pass still hold a grudge, but
at length, according to all reports. a significant number of people have
Cai found an unlikely ally in Union united against persistent external
Blue security man Simon Colin. He’d threats, such as the Sioux war bands or
also survived the plague of deaders, a possible return by Bayou Vermilion’s
and he spoke passionately in favor unholy forces.
A City Divided counting coup on various enemies, and

Cai built his home in the rocky opening setting fire to buildings. In response
of Grant’s Pass, founding the small Cai and his right-hand-man Simon
settlement he called “Xin Huihuang.” In Colin have endeavored to organize the
the years since, Xin Huihuang has grown townsfolk into a Vigilance Committee.
from a tent city and mere appendage to So far the attempts have been less
a bustling settlement of its own, forever than a rousing triumph, according to
connected with but also divided from disgruntled eyewitnesses. By the same
Grant’s Pass to the south. It is not so token, the Sioux haven’t yet managed
much prejudice or suspicion that keeps to burn Grant’s Pass to the ground, so
the towns separate, but rather the origins they must be doing something right.
of their association—some refuse to let With the influx of Chinese settlers
bygones be bygones. They can’t or won’t have come representatives of the
forget what Cai and his men intended to California Triads, powerful and
do before their change of heart. ruthless gangs that rule cities such as
Xin Huihuang has become a haven for Shan Fan. Others serve Warlord Kang,
Chinese settlers, and their homes fill the as we made plain in prior issues of the
pass itself, rising up the steep slopes. A few Epitaph. But never before has the Triads’
lend a distinctly Chinese flavor to the city’s influence spread so far into the heart of
architecture. But not only the Chinese have the Union. The so-called “tongs”—rival
found Grant’s Pass and Xin Huihuang a gangs of kung-fu practitioners—engage
welcoming place. In fact, to this reporter’s in open combat in Xin Huihuang’s
eyes it appeared as if every nation on earth streets, in defiance of Cai’s decree and
had sent its representatives to people this Simon Colin’s imposing presence. By
little plot of land. While they retain some all reports, the situation is due to get
customs and treasure their heritage, nearly worse before it gets any better.
every man and woman is bent to the task And with all that plagues the good
of helping the town survive. fortunes of Grant’s Pass, to this reporter’s
With all the dangers lurking about, eyes a definitive lack of weirdness
and what rancor remains among persists. There is foreboding here, like
citizens, it’s a good thing most of everywhere else in the Weird West, and
them work together! With current the shadow of the walkin’ dead plague
developments, however, even those in its history hangs like a thick gray
strong bonds may begin to fray. cloud over everything. But unlike most
places, it’s quiet—far too quiet. Whether
Threats New & Old it’s a return engagement by Bayou
The Sioux remain a constant peril, Vermilion, or some other strange terror
especially to hunting parties in the that has yet to show its face, visitors to
pass. Small bands of Sioux raid the Grant’s Pass are advised to keep their
town on a regular basis, stealing horses, eyes wide open, and note well the
shadow creeping closer. Best of luck!
Culverton
Location: Tributary of the from view. He was a constant threat,
Mississippi River yet he seemed not to exist.
Population: 5,032 Buckley’s vessel, the Blue Gibbon, was
Culverton was the creation of a feared up and down the Mississippi
rich Canadian expatriate named for its daring and brutal raids on
Eric Culver. Purchasing 4,800 acres Confederate holdings. It was said the
at the prime rate of 12 cents each, he Blue Gibbon could vanish from sight at a
endured the derision of those who word from Buckley, and thus evade all
doubted his mission. No matter to pursuit. Numerous eyewitness reports
the wealthy Culver; he fully expected attested to the fact. Some whispered
his town to become a major center of that Buckley and his men had promised
commerce between the many states their souls to the Devil, and in return
whose borders touched the banks of the adversary gave them their infernal
the mighty Mississippi River. skills. Still others swore that Buckley had
He didn’t count on the War Between actually died during one of his earliest
the States, nor the arrival of one “Pirate raids, yet he commanded the Blue Gibbon
Buckley,” a Union loyalist-turned-privateer with a spirit too ruthless to move on.
bent on using Culverton as a staging area The legend of Buckley’s depredations
for raids against Confederate cities and grew over the years, as the war ground
supply lines. In short order Buckley’s on and on, making meat out of men.
brutal pirates took over the town, wresting When a ceasefire finally brought fragile
control from the elder Mayor Culver and peace to North America, no one knew if
his supporters. Tragically, Eric Culver lived Buckley lived, if he’d become a ghost, or
long enough to see all his grand dreams if he rested in some watery grave. When
wither and finally die. the tales got weird enough and circulated
far enough, they found the ears of a
The Legend of Texas Ranger. From that moment on,
Pirate Buckley Buckley’s days were numbered.
With Mayor Culver out of the picture,
Buckley set about firming up his hold Hell Comes to Culverton
on the town. He put his own men in all Texas Rangers aren’t the type to
the positions of influence, and assumed forgive and forget, especially not
the name of Carlton Smith, as well as when such heinous crimes against the
the lofty title “Official Naval Trade Confederacy as committed by Buckley
Consultant.” Though all these details are involved. One rode into the region
came to light, and to the keen ears of and took to the riverboats, canvassing
the Tombstone Epitaph, much later, at the every eyewitness he could round up.
time it was as if Pirate Buckley faded That Ranger visited every town, pier,
ranch, plantation, trading post on storied privateer. A Ranger riled is like

the river, allowing no lead, however a force of nature.
tenuous, to languish uninvestigated. Perhaps startled a little more than he let
In a few months’ time, triangulation on that a Confederate town could be so
of all known sightings of the Blue thoroughly undermined, Capt. Fulgham
Gibbon pointed toward a few likely reacted with overwhelming force. A series
hiding spots, the prime suspect being of dynamite and gunpowder explosions
Culverton. Then that Ranger went rocked the port as he and his posse scuttled
missing, and wasn’t heard from again. every ship in the harbor. A series of running
But that was far from the end of gun battles raged through the streets, as
their stubborn involvement. The next Buckley’s supporters and accomplices were
Ranger, Capt. Brant Fulgham, quickly cut down. Finally Buckley surrendered—
discovered nearly all the town council by hanging himself from a beam in the
was loyal to Pirate Buckley, or even General Store he’d holed up in. It’s said the
knew him personally. When the link strains of a Ranger Regimental Band drove
between “Naval Trade Consultant” him to his suicide...
Carlton Smith and Buckley was Justice done, the matter was closed.
established—that they were one and
the same—it was all but over for the The Legend Reborn
Since the Texas Rangers intervened,
Culverton’s fortunes have been looking
up. Long after Eric Culver’s death, it seems
his dreams of a major trade center may
never come true. But the town bearing
his name is prosperous nonetheless,
handling a respectable amount of river
trade, and gaining more traction from
the burgeoning tourist industry. Few
people seem willing or able to put Pirate
Buckley behind them. If anything, today
his legend is larger than ever before.
Culverton has become a grand city
always keen to outdo itself. Twice
now it’s thrown its hat into the ring to
become capital of the CSA, and twice it
has failed. That hasn’t dampened the
spirits of the locals, in whom a strong
competitive fire is stoked. In short, there
doesn’t seem to be any achievement
Culverton’s industrious folks won’t try
to best. For all their progress, and the
new arrivals coming to live there every of bloodthirsty, blue-bellied specters, still
day, it seems the town will always be rides the muddy Mississippi tides. A local
beholden to its history and origins. rag called the Culverton Soothsayer—no
The Legend of Pirate Buckley has doubt attempting to rival the Epitaph’s
indeed refused to die, just as—some popularity—prints stories of the weird and
say—Pirate Buckley was too implacable unexplained every chance they get, and
to be killed by a mere hanging. A healthy they get plenty of chances. Oft-repeated
tourism industry has sprung up around and much dreaded are the tales of Pirate
famous sites such as Buckley’s Roost Buckley himself: that only a Texas Ranger’s
north of town, the spot in the General bullet can put him down for good.
Store where the pirate was hanged, and We at the Epitaph were unable to get at
the place in port where the Blue Gibbon is the truth of the matter due to suspected
said to have capsized and sank. interference by citizens loyal to the Soothsayer,
although such allegations remain unproven
Persistent Fears and no formal charges have been filed. In lieu
Despite the seeming frivolity of these of reliable witnesses, the Epitaph calls upon
diversions, an almost palpable dread visitors to Culverton to furnish their own
pervades local peoples’ lives. Some whisper reports of the weird events that persist there.
that the Blue Gibbon, now a ghost ship full Normal rates for contributors apply.
Josephine
Location: The Great Northwest inquiries about weird occurrences are
Population: 624 posed. Having befriended several
To arrive in the bucolic environs of Josephinians at a fine establishment
Josephine is to be transported from called The Leaping Deer Inn, I was
the Pacific Northwest evergreens to able to catch them in less-guarded
some European countryside. With the moments, and their candor was
forests held at bay by hale woodsmen, instrumental in the writing of this
a patchwork quilt of manicured fields report. For reasons at which I can only
flourish, separated by tall, straight guess, they stipulated anonymity.
hedgerows. On the horizon rise white What most residents believe—but
peaks that might as well be the Swiss never speak aloud—is that Josephine
Alps. Once one hears the clattering is a cursed city. Evil creatures of the
of hooves on Josephine’s narrow, forests are drawn to it like moths to
cobbled streets, and gazes about at a flame, not to mention the ravenous
the Old Country inns and chateaus, wolf packs so common in the region.
the transport is complete. A rabid grizzly terrorized the village a
But when night falls, and the moon few winters ago, slaying eight before it
hangs bloated in the sky like a rotten could be killed. Then there’s the matter
hunk of yellow-gray cheese, a different of churches—bad things tend to happen
aspect of the Old Country creeps to them in Josephine. After enough fires,
into view. The keening cry of a wolf lightning strikes, and unexplained fatal
echoes over the far hills, answered accidents, the people here just gave up
by a yapping, unnatural chorus. and stopped building them.
Dark, leafless trees reach toward So how did the curse originate?
the sky like the desperate hands of Josephine was named for the
dying prey. The locals shutter their daughter of the man who founded it
windows, turn down the lamps, and in 1865, Manfred Amsler. A beautiful,
pray for the best until morning’s light. ginger-haired girl, Josephine Amsler
After a night when no one vanishes, was known around town as much for
they pray in gratitude. Dear Reader, I her kindness as her looks. She loved
saw their fear and it was real. to walk along the mountain paths
and pick wildflowers, which she
A Cursed City? would fashion into gift bouquets for
The residents of Josephine are her family and friends.
welcoming and generous, with a One day she returned from her
full arsenal of delicious cuisine to usual walk pale and trembling, and
mobilize in said generosity. But they fell into a long sickness during which
tend to remain tight-lipped when she was seldom seen. Eventually she
perished. Her father Manfred kept in such conditions, starvation rips

to himself more and more. And ever through town like a wildfire across
since then the curse has held the a prairie.
town in its icy grip. Travelers in the area should take
care, especially in winter but year-
Hard Winters round, to pack enough food and
For all the Old Country cuisine to beware the open roads at night.
be had in Josephine—fine cheeses, Reports persist of furry, bipedal
lean beefsteaks, a bedazzling variety creatures menacing folks with
of chocolates—when winter’s snow abandon, and even a few attacks—one
begins to fall the people know there’s of which left a man dead. Whether
a hard row to hoe ahead. Just like in these are the fabled sasquatches
the Great Maze and similar regions, (proof of whose existence is still
around Josephine even canned sought!), flesh-eating wendigos of
foods spoil in the jar. Provisions Native legend, or some other, as yet
wither away under whatever baleful unidentified, threat, none could say
influence pervades the land. And for sure. What’s certain is there’s
more at work here than winter’s pair—brother and sister, cousins of

cold; something quite unnatural and the original ill-fated inhabitants.
malevolent dwells in this little slice Truthfully, I was a bit crestfallen.
of the Old World. At the home of Stefan and Jolene
Amsler I was treated to a sumptuous,
Conspiracy of Silence eight-course meal, followed by
Amsler Mansion still looms over brandy and cigars on a wide, marble
the town of Josephine, though its veranda that juts from the rear of the
namesake and her father Manfred are manor. Most importantly, I was able
long dead. Their descendants live there, to converse at length with the city’s
though, and sometimes they’re seen unofficial guardians and caretakers.
cruising over the cobblestones in their The Amslers admitted that they
coach with curtains drawn. Curiously, determined matters of law and
residents close their shutters or simply punishment, and perhaps some
avert their eyes when the dark coach prior, harsh decision had led to the
passes. A few are seen to visibly sigh in townsfolk’s reluctance to discuss
relief after it passes. Most importantly, them. But, they added, justice in
though a few people will speak of the so unkind a place as this must be
curse in rare circumstances, no one ever maintained with a steady hand. “The
speaks of the Amslers. people of Josephine have far more to
Clearly the current Amslers have fear from starvation and wolves than
some knowledge of how the town’s they do from any Amslers,” Stefan
troubles got started, or might shed light said. In this reporter’s estimation,
on its current predicament. Receiving the man’s sentiment was genuine.
naught but a blank stare when I posited
this to a companion, I avowed to Two Worlds Adjoined
discover the truth of the matter. In more mundane news, Josephine
Here at the Epitaph, we go the still has a few reminders of its place
extra mile to bring you a story. In in the Weird West rather than rolling
this case, the extra mile was this Alpine foothills. Particularly, the
reporter’s walk out to the Amsler town has become a minor hub of
Mansion, since no one would give trade with local Indian tribes. Native
him a ride there. Expecting some crafts and furs are traded in town
evidence of bloodshed, murder, for civilization’s accoutrements, like
or other bloodcurdling activity as steel knives and firearms. The Indian
would typically be described in these trappers and traders serve as a vital
pages, imagine my surprise at being source of information for Josephine’s
welcomed by a courteous, hospitable isolated folk, and a lifeline to the
outside world. They sure can use one!
Hope Falls
Location: The Wild Southwest on a new settlement not 20 yards
Population: 792 from the ghost rock strike. It was later
Of all the places to raise a city in the determined that the purchase and
dry Southwest, a green oasis fed by a incorporation of Sheltonsville were
natural spring and surging waterfall is based on entirely non-existent capital
a fairly good start. One thing Hope Falls promised by Mr. Shelton. But by the
has never wanted for is water, and in time anyone figured out what he’d
that regard it’s fairly unique among the done, the initial investment was paid
strange locales and eerie burgs of the back 100 times over, Harry Shelton
desert’s expanse. was long gone, and the Sheltonsville
town council held a brand-new Bayou
But even more than water, a
Vermilion Railroad contract.
Western town’s fortunes are driven
by commerce. When local prospectors All Hope Falls had was copper and
struck a sizeable vein of copper things water. The bustling population of over
looked up, and when ghost rock was 2,000 steadily shrank to its current
struck approximately 10 miles north, the number...and continues to fall.
town’s imminent enrichment seemed a
sure thing. The only remaining tasks
Oasis of Fear
were to secure a Bayou Vermilion spur, Those who remain walk in fear of
and to sit back and watch themselves mysterious killers. Reports circulate of
get rich—or so they thought. some strange animal that has come in from
the desert to make its den in Hope Falls.
Opportunists & Railroad Men Victims seem to have been mauled by
Speculators ran rampant, selling hundreds of tiny claws and teeth, leading
extensive parcels of desert land at some to speculate that a new, bizarre form
inflated prices. Saloons, brothels, of water rat has taken up residence in their
gambling dens, and all the purveyors midst. Moreover, several of the victims
of sin came to roost like vultures, but were children whose deaths have spread
not even the vice lords could turn the waves of unease through neighborhoods
townsfolk from their quest for wealth. abutting the Hope River.
So fixated were they on the money they
The Disappearing Lawman
were about to make, no one noticed
The people of Hope Falls are stubborn
when their boomtown status was stolen
and garrulous, willing to chat about
right out from under their feet.
anything over a glass of whiskey or a
Harold G. Shelton, a “town promoter” cup of coffee. Nearly all of them tell the
who was wanted Back East on fraud tale of Leonard Cave, the disappearing
charges, managed to break ground lawman of Hope Falls.
Leonard Cave was renowned When a local tells the tale, one can’t
hereabouts for his unimpeachable help wonder if it serves as an allegory
character. He always abstained from drink, for Hope Falls’ noble intentions, and
and received no bribes from any business what became of them.
owner—a practice thought noble by some
and merely stupid by others. He enjoyed Derringer’s Wonders
no man or woman’s company unless he’d It’s not all gloom and doom in Hope
raised a posse for some specific task, and Falls, at least not to hear Mr. Aldo
he kept his own counsel on matters of Derringer tell it. A distant cousin of
import. Most of all, he kept Hope Falls Henry Derringer—eponymous inventor
buttoned up and safe from mayhem. of the ubiquitous firearm—Aldo has
And what did Leonard Cave get for brought to Hope Falls one of the few
being so noble? A two-bit, no-good tangible benefits remaining to its citizens.
outlaw from El Paso ventilated him With the help of his Power Station, most
with a Gatling shotgun hidden under of Hope Falls is lit by electricity!
his poncho. Moreover, Cave’s corpse I had the honor of visiting the Hope
disappeared right out from under the Falls Power Station and receiving a tour
smoke of the gunfight that killed him, by Mr. Derringer himself. He is known for
and he was never seen again. Most several wondrous inventions, including
presume the body ended up in the desert, a suit of personal armor and a so-called
consumed by coyotes and vultures. “Weathersphere” capable of producing
powerful, highly localized winds. But
all of these New Science marvels work
by means of a shaped ghost rock core,
burned to produce steam power.
A large, squat building of imported
brick and local limestone, the Power
Station harnesses water’s natural
power, rather than heating it into
steam. Enormous turbines, spun by the
waterfall’s never ending torrent, hum
in metal cylinders to produce what
Mr. Derringer called “an electrical
current.” Turning a river’s current into
an electrical one—a nifty trick, that!
With the electrical current homes,
businesses, and streetlamps are lit,
and the electricity can also be used to
power various New Science devices
(which poses few of the risks associated
with ghost rock exposure). I noted the
turbines themselves, operating on a Faster Than Lightning

principle Derringer named “hydro- Not everyone in Hope Falls is convinced
electricity,” produce none of the howls of electricity’s benefits, focusing instead
associated with burning ghost rock. on tales of Power Station workers literally
Mr. Derringer’s latest project involves the fried to death. Mr. Derringer doesn’t
export of electricity, with Sheltonsville the deny that a few accidental deaths have
first customer. Power lines are being run occurred on his watch, but he maintains
across the desert even now by Derringer’s steadfastly that his power is clean and
crews. Derringer figures if Sheltonsville safe. Yet tales of the Lightnin’ Man
has the revenue and the rail line, this is continue to make the rounds.
the most likely way to tap into it. Plenty Superstition is difficult to sway with
of folks around town call him crazy, but a knowledge. No matter how the science of
few expressed cautious optimism. It was electricity is explained, tale-tellers insist
reassuring to see hope hasn’t died entirely. a bolt of “the juice” can leap across open
air, hide inside a rain barrel, or creep
along the riverbank until it finds prey to
shock. “And it ain’t no little shock,” said
one such wag. “It’s a jolt through the core
like you never thought possible. A man
does a crazy sort of jig, his hair smoking,
and falls dead and scorched. That’s how
the Lightnin’ Man gets you.”
Some even claim to have seen the
Lightnin’ Man walking along the streets
at night, disappearing in a flash when he
was sighted and leaving no trace. Then
again, others insist the nightly walker
who disappears in a flash could be none
other than Leonard Cave, Hope Falls’
own vanishing lawman. Time, and
further investigation, will tell!
City in Decline
Many of Hope Falls’ businesses and
residences, built during the initial boom,
stand abandoned and empty, lending a
lonely feel to much of the town. There’s
still life here, but it seems to be dying out
before one’s eyes. What’s for certain is all
the town’s hopes for prosperity rest upon
Aldo Derringer and his Power Station.
Rulamer
Location: Great Maze The captain made me put on a
Population: 187 blindfold, and we spoke no more.
Of all the Great Maze’s fabled hidden Despite lack of sight, I could tell
pirate coves, Maze rat cities, and the route to Rulamer was dangerous,
buccaneers’ hideaways, the latest to catch and hard on the old salt’s vessel. I was
the public imagination is a place called tossed about in my cabin as the ship
Rulamer. No one can say for sure where negotiated the channel, and could
it lies, and it’s marked on no map. But the hear waves crashing against the prow.
continuing raids of its vessels—in defiance Several times the skipper cried out in
of Kang’s authority—attest to its existence. dismay or anger, and once a sickening
So fret not, Loyal Reader, for the crunch seized the hull, followed by
Epitaph was able to secure an exclusive a long grinding of wood and metal
round trip to Rulamer, to see its against rocks. But true to his word he
putative wonders with our own eyes. got us to Rulamer, so I happily paid the
This reporter was not disappointed— charter fee and took my leave of him.
more like stunned!
Lay of the Land
Wreck of the It’s easy to see why the shipwreck’s
survivors chose to plant themselves on
Seigneur Chanceux
that particular beach. A small, deep
The skipper who agreed to take me
harbor filled with steam and sailing
on the “Rulamer Run” spilled the beans
vessels sits surrounded by a wide,
on some of the pirate haven’s history. In
bowl-shaped mesa, its hills stretching
the old salt’s words, “This must have
gradually up from the docks. The Great
been back in 1869, at the height of the
Quake shattered the mesa into a number
initial ghost rock rush, when the fever
of distinct sections, and these are now
was driving men to risky decisions,
linked by a network of rope bridges and
and many to their doom.
wooden trestles. The “streets of water,”
“A French sailing vessel—the or rue l’mer, between them lent the city its
Seigneur Chanceux—found itself deep name, and now are plied by small vessels.
in the channels, in a spot that was
Huddled near the docks are a number
landlocked before the quake. There
of establishments catering to the small
they were set upon by a Maze dragon.
but boisterous pirate population.
It killed most of the crew and the
Everywhere sailors carouse and spend
captain, and the ship was smashed to
their hard-earned pay. The Anchor
flinders against the channel wall, but
Saloon offers the usual spirits and beers,
some escaped in the ship’s boat. They
along with faro games, and most other
were the few who founded Rulamer.”
other vices can be indulged in Rulamer
as well. But evidence is also apparent of Opposing Brun’s Boys are those loyal
a more rural population, and a Chinese to Bedivere Webbe, a former British
one at that: Farmhouses dot the sailor and, by all accounts, tough nut
hillsides above town. Rice is cultivated indeed. Taking the safe route between
in a few spots on the mesa, and a these enemies proved a paltry source of
few water purifiers—including one information, but we are sure our Wise
with astoundingly overpriced wares Readers now know enough to remain safe.
owned by a gang of scoundrels calling
themselves Brun’s Boys—operate on the Are Rulamer’s
mesa to keep folks properly hydrated. Days Numbered?
After I’d taken my leave of Brun’s The talk around Rulamer always
Boys’ establishment, I later found turns to Warlord Kang eventually, and
myself glad I’d not raised a real one detects a deep wariness among
ruckus. Informants claim Brun’s Boys the locals when they speak of the triad
have their fingers in most of Rulamer’s leader and Rail Baron. Everyone has
commerce, by virtue of their leader heard stories of Kang’s functionaries,
Brun Desmarais, a cagey sailor who operatives, soldiers, and spies actively
parleyed his small fortunes into working to unlock the secret of
something much greater. Rulamer’s location. But a few whisper
darkly that spies may already have
infiltrated the jigsaw mesa. They could But it seems we’ve gotten ahead
be among that crowd waiting for water of ourselves, Dear Reader, for the
at Brun’s Boys’, or perhaps one of Mr. encounter with Kang’s vessels of
Webbe’s kung-fu-wielding toughs. No war happened only after we evaded
concrete evidence was forthcoming, Rulamer’s darkest secret...
yet the air of paranoia was thick.
On the way out of Rulamer—once The Seigneur Chanceux
I’d managed to secure a berth on Returns!
Captain Millicent Schork’s modified Along the Rulamer Run out of town,
Maze runner, not an easy task—hard Captain Schork deftly managed the
evidence of Kang’s intentions was water hazards which reared their
on full display. The channels in the ugly heads. She called them by names
vicinity of Rulamer, although deep in ranging from the exotic “water dogs”
the Maze, are patrolled by a number to the chillingly blunt “riptide”—I
of Kang’s vessels, an ominous black imagined our tiny vessel literally torn
ironclad among them. in half, and we spilling out into the cold
Captain Schork’s vessel, the brine. In a narrow passage between
Dragon’s Caress, was detained by a high cliffs, we were overtaken by a
pair of Kang’s gunboats, who trained chill, damp darkness that might have
Gatlings on us and demanded to know been fog. I say “might” because I could
our port of call. Schork maintained we not be sure what sort of pall had fallen
were sailing out of Goodwill—a claim on us. It was slightly oily to the touch,
difficult for Kang’s men to verify, and blotted out the sun.
given the town’s association with the In the moment of greatest fear a
rival New Tomorrow Triad—but they great, dark sailing vessel loomed from
simply weren’t buying it. nowhere, its tattered sails framed by
Luckily, a flourish of my press pass sickly moonlight. The shadow of its
and complimentary copies of the latest prow fell upon us, and it was only
issue of the Tombstone Epitaph were by virtue of Captain Schork’s skilled
sufficient to distract the men from their piloting that we were spared being run
duty and interest them in publicizing down and sunk. As the Dragon’s Caress
their own exploits. All were keen bobbed helplessly on the black ship’s
to pose for photographs with their wake, we could see its deck teeming
weapons brandished. (Those loyal to with the dead. Once sailors, now they
Warlord Kang please note—the author were skeletons draped with black and
wished only to escape safely, not to green sea wrack, screaming their eternal
conspire in keeping Rulamer’s secret, agony and hatred. And the name on the
and we sincerely hope no offense is side of the vessel read Seigneur Chanceux.
taken. Let these admissions act as mea Be vigilant in the waters near Rulamer,
maxima culpa. –Ed.) Dear Readers, and keep your eyes peeled for
events and phenomena even more strange!
Wagonsend
Population: 600–2,000+ the value of such a place in times such
In many towns, it’s not uncommon for as we now face cannot be overstated.
a traveling circus to visit once or twice However, to gain the full value of
a year, provided reasonable access to a one’s leisure dollars it pays to learn
major trail or rail line. In stark contrast, some of the local lingo. It could save you
nearly the entire town of Wagonsend a trip to the Strongman’s office, amigo!
is a circus, making it unique among When the late, great J. T. Boniface
the Weird West’s odd locales. Since its founded his grand experiment in
founding this way stop of wonders entertainment, he wanted to adopt as
has grown from a simple midway and much of a circus-like atmosphere as
big top to an entire town based on the possible. To this end, he retitled all
proposition that every man and woman the top positions in town to his liking.
has the right to be entertained. Surely The mayor is called the Ringmaster.
this is a noble—if modest—cause! Instead of a marshal, Wagonsend
But there’s another side to has a Strongman, with deputies called
Wagonsend, one that shows itself in Strongarms. Mail carriers are Barkers,
the dead of night, or in deserted side- the president of the Chamber of
streets. Visitors traveling alone have Commerce a Busker, and saloon owners
been known to disappear from the referred to as Clowns. And if one of
midway at the height of the crowd’s your trail buddies up and dies on you,
rush, and children separated from Poor Reader, you’ll need to call the
their folks are often never seen again. local Knife Thrower—mortician, that is!
At times the bright, pealing music of
the steam-powered calliope assumes A Fine Place to Visit...
an unpleasant, chilling aspect and the The population of Wagonsend
tents a garish and threatening hue. The reportedly dips as low as 600 during
screams of delight from freak tents off-peak times, and swells as high as
could be shrieks of agony, and images 2,000 or more on warm Sundays in fine
of evil and despair seem to leer from weather. Its location near a confluence
every shadow and funhouse mirror. of several rail lines allows families to
travel as many as a hundred miles for
A Mayor by Any Other Name a chance to experience Wagonsend’s
For all its oddness and quirks, we wonders for a day. In the sunshine,
wouldn’t want to detract too much from the midway full of breathless revelers,
Wagonsend’s entertainment value, the place inspires a profound sense
Discerning Reader. The town offers of happiness. “We traveled here
welcome diversion for settlers and with Papa and Mama in a steam
travelers beset by myriad troubles, and locomotive,” said one smiling, 12-year-
old circus-goer from farm country. “So musicians. Like nearly every other center
far, it has been a delight.” of commerce in the West, a vibrant
Tourists aside, the native population— service economy has sprung up in town
most of which dwells in a sprawling to provide drink and diversion for the
tent city surrounding the town proper— professionals—and soak up their wages!
remains high when traveling sideshows The midway is chock full of games
are wintered, or when weather or other of chance and skill, barkers selling
major events (skirmishes of the Great Rail refreshments—liquor chief among them—
Wars being only one example) preclude and other wares, the aforementioned freak
touring the region and farther afield. show tents, brass bands providing all the
Wagonsend is full of professional oompah a body can stand, and clowns and
clowns, lion tamers, freak show other performers putting on a show for
attendants and freaks, acrobats, and anyone willing to toss a few coins in the
hat. Without a doubt, what passes for a
“Main Street” in Wagonsend offers almost
every diversion a person could desire.
...Let’s Hope We Can Leave!

At times the air of frivolity reaches such
a fevered pitch that violence explodes,
leaving locals or visitors dead or dying.
Gun or knife fights in Wagonsend’s
lanes are not uncommon. At times the
air of mirth borders on mania, and the
crowds of the midway and the big top
feel dangerous, seething, as though
any second a lone traveler might be
attacked. It was, admittedly, a curious
feeling, but one I could not dismiss upon
experiencing it, nor rationalize later.
Visitors to Wagonsend ought to keep
in mind the rash of disappearances
spanning the past few years, and keep
a keen eye trained over their shoulders.
One eyewitness spoke of being stalked
through the streets by a group of
shadowy figures who called his name but
wouldn’t answer his challenges. Another
recounted a tale of narrowly escaping the
grip of a strange man wearing a sackcloth
mask, only to notice the man had half-a-
dozen masked accomplices at his side. to circulate. How disturbing, you ask?
After a spirited chase the intended victim Let’s just say the next time you see a sad
ducked into an open saloon door to save clown—or especially a happy one—it’s
his life. Other visitors tell similar tales, best to head in the opposite direction
and not all have such happy endings! with a good deal of pep in your step.
Many of Wagonsend’s clowns have
Restless Things assumed bizarre and unnerving
In the last six months or so, reports of costumes in ongoing attempts to outdo
hauntings are on the rise in Wagonsend. each other for the crowd’s attention. A
But these aren’t your typical ghosts, good number seem somehow deformed
moaning and clanking chains together in their posture and gait, as though the
as you’d read in a gothic novel, and freaks are leaving the tents to begin
appearing as transparent, wispy shades careers in clowning. Altercations
of human beings. They’re rather animate between performers and visitors are on
objects, intent on causing bodily harm! the rise, and Ringmaster (that’s mayor,
That’s right, Astute Reader, this remember?) Thornton Fessler seems at
reporter spoke with numerous citizens a loss to explain the events or prevent
who’d been attacked, accosted, or them occurring again.
otherwise detained by objects that What’s undeniable is that
seemed to possess wills of their own. eyewitnesses have reported lone
One gentleman reported a sapling pedestrians set upon by packs of
uprooting itself to pursue him along a clowns. An offensive stench seems to
shady lane, reaching out to grab at the permeate the performers’ tents. And
nape of his neck with long, leafy arms. A most disturbing of all, Wagonsend’s
woman told the tale of being seized and children whisper blood-curdling stories
nearly suffocated by the flap of a tent. of a clown called “Big Botho,” taller than
Another lady, fresh out of Pennsylvania any of the others, with blank, gleaming
and still green to the West’s ways, was eyes and a slack, grinning mouth that
shocked to look into the mirror of an antique drips drool under his bright red nose.
vanity she’d carted with her, only to see “Better get home before Big Botho finds
what she described as “a horrid face—pale you,” they tease each other...but the fear
and wild-eyed and red-mouthed—staring is audible in their voices.
back at me from the glass, cackling in a This reporter was unable to put the
host of voices, like a devils’ chorus. It so matter to rest by proving or disproving
troubled me that I could do naught but put Big Botho’s existence. After a close
the vanity up for sale.” call of my own with over-enthusiastic
jesters—who also happened to be
Send in the Clowns pickpockets—the decision was made to
If vanished folks and poltergeists let the matter rest. As always, further
weren’t enough, disturbing stories of reports from any of our Loyal Readers
the clowns of Wagonsend have begun on the scene are solicited and welcomed.
Introduction
The towns of the Weird West are that it’s there. Look to the characters’
legion, but information about them backstories and Hindrances for ways to
tends to be scarce. Deadlands: Ghost motivate them. Foreshadow the town’s
Towns aims to remedy that situation, importance with NPCs who speak of it
pardner, by supplying a number of beforehand, and by all means provide
interesting burgs in various regions, your players with the Tombstone Epitaph
all of which can be dropped into a story concerning the locale before they
campaign whenever—and wherever— arrive.
the Marshal wants to spring them on an On the other hand, you can always
unwary posse. plop one down as the town that just
Part of what keeps a posse unwary is happens to be over the next rise. In
they don’t read the Marshal’s material this case, the posse comes into town
before play begins. So if you’re a player “cold,” and has to get things heated
and you haven’t taken the hint by now, up by poking their noses where
it’s best you vamoose before secrets that they don’t belong. Using the major
ought to stay kept are spoiled instead. characters, conflicts, and Savage Tales,
That’s right, amigo, just put the book a cunning Marshal can provide all the
down real easy and back away. trouble her group’s liable to get up to.
Combining this book’s information
How to Use This Book with the appropriate Encounter Table
All right, Marshal, let’s get a for whatever region you’re playing in
move on. As we’ve said, Ghost Towns (see the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook)
gives you a number of ready-made also provides novel adventure ideas.
municipalities set in just about every We also provide a Strange Locale
major region of the Weird West. They’re Generator for creating settlement-based
not detailed down to the last building adventures on the fly, each with its fair
and inhabitant—that way there’s room share of secrets, evil, and dramatic
to add your own creations—but each complications. That nifty system starts
town’s history, physical layout, major on page 94.
players, and interesting storylines are
provided to give your group a good Reading the Entries
start. Unless the cowpokes decide to For each of the Ghost Towns herein,
settle in and stay a while, most times it’s we begin by giving you a general
all the information a Marshal needs. introduction to the place and its peculiar
When you use one of these towns as a history. Then we get to The City Now,
set piece for your story—a destination, which lays out the burg’s current
or the site of a major event—give your fortunes. This section starts by listing
heroes a reason to visit, beyond the fact the town’s default Region and Fear
24
I n t roduction
Level. (Additionally, a Price Modifier is are described for your edification. Some
listed for Rulamer, but you can ignore it of these rate only a modified stat-block,
if you’re not using Deadlands: The Flood.) in which case the Marshal is directed to
Although each place is designed for a the appropriate listing in the Deadlands
region, it can be located nearly anywhere Marshal’s Handbook and told how to alter it.
inside it, or moved to another region The true Big Bugs get stat-blocks of their
entirely with minor modifications. own; you can find them in the last chapter.
A sidebar lists each town’s Points of Under Talk o’ the Town we spill the
Interest, all of which are shown on the beans on the Savage Tales, encounters,
accompanying maps. You’ll notice we and random plot threads a gang of
don’t provide you with maps of any compadres might run up against. Some
building interiors, Marshal. This allows are full-blown Savage Tales, and others
you to use your own tabletop terrain, map are story seeds of varying length and
tiles, or a sketch on a piece of notebook complexity.
paper to represent the structures. Without further ado, Marshal, let’s
Next is a section called The Locals, begin this-a-here tour of the wild, weird
where the town’s movers and shakers yonder!
25
Devil’s Backbone
Originally known as Grayson Flats, Tombstone Epitaph on page 3) behind his

Devil’s Backbone has seen its nickname makeshift stockade. His operation is far
eclipse its proper one. Thrust from its better funded now. Watchtowers flank the
home on the desert floor by the Great stockade walls, which are equipped with a
Quake, it now sits on an isolated plateau. Gatling gun or two and manned by a score
A singular long, narrow, twisting trail— of desperate outlaws.
“Crooked as the Devil’s backbone,” the The rumors of powerful backers are true
saying goes—is the only way in or out as well: The Greater Maze Rock Miners’
of the city, unless one is willing to climb Association—or “Rockies” in common
treacherous cliffs. Considering the trail parlance—supplies Hartley with supplies
rises nearly 1,000 feet from the bottom to and materiel, hoping to claim the riches of
the city entrance, that’s no mean feat. Devil’s Backbone for their own. Hartley, for
Grayson Flats wasn’t located within the his part, has promised the mining cartel
radius of the quake that ruined California, no ghost rock will leave the mesa—as
but it was affected anyway. A powerful long as he and his men are well-supplied
aftershock sent the city much higher than with food, whiskey, and women. So far
the area around it. Though a great deal everyone’s kept their end of the bargain.
of the city was damaged or destroyed
outright, the town center remained intact.
By some miracle or curse, most of the The City Now
population survived the upheaval.
Region: California
Soon after the townsfolk recovered from
the initial shock, they discovered vast Fear Level: 4
reserves of ghost rock under their feet. Devil’s Backbone is home to less than
Many resolved to stay, thinking they’d all 200 terrified people and covers only
be rich if they mined the rock and carted it several hundred feet in a rough oval
away from here. Others saw no future in it pattern that ends at the cliffs. A good
and loaded up their families and belongings majority of the population is here because
in a minor exodus. These folks had a hard they’re hell-bent on pulling all the ghost
time of it on the trail, for the most part. rock out of the mesa they can, or they’re
Harried by horrifically large spiders, a few just determined to get their piece of the
stumbled off the trail’s edge and suffered pie. But a good many families are just
lethal drops. One or two suffered bouts plain trapped, uninterested in mining
of debilitating vertigo, brought on by the and unable to negotiate the treacherous
sickening heights and paralyzing Fear. trail or avoid the bandits’ fort. Besides
When the stalwart survivors reached geography, pretty much the only thing
the bottom of the Crooked Trail, they were they all have in common is fear.
greeted by the notorious bandit Emmett Most of the buildings near the town’s
“Black Heart” Hartley (as recounted in the edge are dangerous, teetering piles of
26
D evil ' s B ackbone
rubble, having been torn apart when collapse and dash everyone onto the
the city was expelled from the desert rocks far below.
floor. Every so often, falling rubble Currently, the steps reach down about
endangers—or ends—the life of a miner 400 feet, where progress has stalled due
dangling below on his bosun’s chair. Some to lack of wood. On moonlit, Fear-fueled
of the more dangerous spots had crude nights the so-called “Stairs to Nowheres”
barricades erected, but over time these take on the vague aspect of a skeletal arm
were scavenged for raw materials. Most with its hand chopped clean off, reaching
buildings have been gutted for anything down into an abyss of darkness.
useful in trying to leave town, leaving less All that said, food and other supplies
than a few dozen houses intact. come in sporadically. Adding these
Raw materials for what? Glad you to the staple “prairie dog stew” and
asked, amigo. Half the citizens are carefully rationed vegetables from the
working on a massive construction: a mayor’s garden, the townsfolk are able
wooden staircase extending from the city to survive—but only just.
to the desert floor. This project is likely
to leave Devil’s Backbone a ghost town Travelin’ the Crooked Trail
once completed—one way or another. Getting to and from Devil’s Backbone
The optimists believe they’ll finally have isn’t easy, but folks do it more often than
their escape route. Critics of the plan the Tombstone Epitaph’s pages would
point out that the bandits are likely to imply. The trail’s not really so treacherous
notice the stairs long before they reach only a mountain climber would attempt
ground, and prepare appropriately. That it, but it’s no wonder folks believe that
is, if the rickety staircase doesn’t flat-out given the amount of accidents suffered
27
G host T owns
by travelers. Bouts of vertigo—brought
on by the dizzying height, anxiety, and
Points of Interest bad mojo from the enormous quantities
Here are some of the best-known, of ghost rock nestled above—are fairly
biggest, and most popular places in common.
Devil’s Backbone, as shown on the Make a Spirit roll each time a character
nearby map.
makes the trip. With success, a hero isn’t
Crooked Trailhead: Here’s the spot troubled whatsoever for the rest of the
where the Crooked Trail reaches Devil’s current trek up or down the trail. Failure
Backbone. Even from here, one can see
on the roll means a hero becomes dizzy
the tempting nuggets of sparkling ghost
rock strewn all along the trail’s length. and discombobulated from the lofty
heights.
Fehler’s Workshop: John Fehler works
tirelessly to discover an escape from the This is similar to being Shaken, in
mesa. Constant banging and clanking that the poor sod can only perform free
issue from within, with thick black smoke actions. But the character must move her
puffing from the forge’s chimney. Pace each round in a random direction.
Flat Top Saloon: This wide, squat To determine exactly which way the
building seems to exemplify its name lone cowpoke goes, have the player roll a
with a flat, slightly sloped roof. Owned d12 and read it like a clock face. As long
and operated by Marshal Jane Carol, who as there’s a friendly hand to guide her,
uses the saloon for her legal duties too. the hero doesn’t suffer much more than
Halpin General Supply: The shelves inconvenience.
of Owen Halpin’s shop are ostensibly At the narrower parts of the trail (only
bare, but his secret storeroom is chock 2–4” wide on a battlemat), suffering
full of hoarded food and supplies. vertigo alone becomes downright deadly.
Mayor Hennessee’s House: Mayor A character that walks off the edge
Hennessee donated half his house to plunges to the desert floor far below (a
John Fehler’s staircase-building project, fall that inflicts maximum damage along
so what remains isn’t in very good repair.
most of the trail’s length; see Falling in
Ruins: The remains of buildings Savage Worlds). Watch your step, amigos!
demolished to fuel the staircase
project. Now they provide shelter for Each round (before moving their
prairie dogs and sometimes worse Pace), make a Spirit roll (–2) for each
things, like terrantula swarms (see the traveler suffering vertigo. Success means
Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook). the stalwart compadre recovers, and can
Stairs to Nowhere: John Fehler’s act normally for the rest of the journey.
infamous, unfinished staircase. An A Fate Chip can be spent at any time
Agility roll is required to safely negotiate to shrug off the vertigo’s effects for the
its length. On a failure, the cowpoke slips remainder of the current trip.
and falls if she fails a second Agility roll If snake eyes come up on any Spirit
(at –2) to catch hold. On snake eyes, the roll to avoid or recover from vertigo,
entire staircase breaks off and plunges to the cowpoke gains a permanent Minor
the desert floor, hundreds of feet below.
Phobia (Heights) Hindrance.
We’d refer you to the Falling rules in
Savage Worlds, Marshal, but it probably Fort Bandito
won’t help your poor heroes avoid that
Crouched at the base of the Crooked
sudden, fatal stop.
Trail like some ramshackle beast is
a crude stockade fort. Officially the
28
place has no name, but passers-by have feasting on bandits and their horses
dubbed it “Fort Bandito” by virtue of its more often than not. Weird, coyote-
custodian and commander, a no-good sized spiders also lurk in the region.
son of a bitch by the name of “Black Draw for encounters as usual (per
Heart” Hartley. the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook),
His bandits man the small fort’s walls with an encounter on the desert floor
and skulk all around the base of Devil’s indicating a hungry desert thing, and
Backbone mesa, waiting for folk to pass a trail encounter indicating terrantulas
by. Most are charged a toll—totaling instead.
everything a body’s got, naturally—and • Desert Thing (1): See the Deadlands
sent on their way. Troublemakers and Marshal’s Handbook.
sass-talkers are shot full of lead and • Terrantulas (1 per hero): See
dropped into a shallow grave. Terrantula (Large) in the Deadlands
Hartley’s Boys also ride along the Marshal’s Handbook.
sides of the trail, enjoying the relative
safety of the desert floor, searching for
the remains of folks who took a bad
step from the heights. Even with the
advantage of a fort and Gatling guns,
these craven cowards prefer looting the
dead to a fight any day.
• Hartley’s Boys (20): Use Outlaw stats
in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
(We spill the beans on their leader,
Emmett “Black Heart” Hartley,
on page 122.) They wield a
variety of weapons, but
two man the stockade’s
Gatling guns (Range:
24/48/96, Damage:
2d8, RoF 3, Shots
100, AP 2).
Critters
a-Lurkin’
Criminals aren’t
the only obstacle
on the path to Devil’s
Backbone. Ornery
critters lurk on the
desert floor and
along the trail in
search of easy
meals. A desert
thing has taken
to the area,
29
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Emmett “Black Heart” Hartley

The Locals Emmett Hartley was a shiftless bum
before the Great Quake. Now he’s one of
After a cowpoke arrives in Devil’s the most feared men in the area of Devil’s
Backbone, his or her first concern is likely Backbone. His oily black hair is long and
getting a stiff drink, a bath, and maybe a unkempt, drooping down as far as his
room. Plenty of intrigue and stories lurk mustache. He leads a crew of bandits with
in Devil’s Backbone for those who look, an iron fist that belies his thin build and
and it doesn’t take a genius to see the stature. Most follow him out of fear, others
town seems somewhat unnatural. because Hartley always seems to know how
The townsfolk in Devil’s Backbone have to avoid weird critters and other hazards.
become plenty embittered over time. After Together, they take every opportunity
all, even if the majority of those left are to rob, murder, and otherwise harass
able to get at all that ghost rock, they’re so anyone left vulnerable by the effects
isolated from the rest of the world they’d of the ghost rock lining the trail to the
never be able to sell it. Worse yet, long city—under the guise of a “toll.” Rarely
periods of inadequate food and supplies does a mail carrier get into town, and
have taken their toll, diminishing the never does Hartley allow one to make it
townsfolk’s numbers and weakening them out again. “Black Heart” is well on his
mentally and physically. way to becoming a Fearmonger, as his
On the political front, they’re torn efforts have kept the city cut off from the
between the optimistic John Fehler and world around it and in constant dread.
the pragmatic Owen Halpin as to the Hartley never runs alone; he always
wisest course of action—to stay and has a good number of bully boys to back
mine all they can, or focus on finding him up. Although none of them are as
a way out besides the Crooked Trail. experienced as Hartley (he kills the
Though Halpin has a ready supply ones that get too good), they can handle
of what folks need, what seems like themselves in a fight. He has other allies,
profiteering doesn’t sit well with many. too—the Rockies provide him with men
On the other hand, Fehler’s critics have and materiel in return for his efforts in
a point when they mention the many keeping Devil’s Backbone isolated. Their
crackpot failures that complement the hope is that a rock-bottom offer will
scientist’s unflagging optimism. eventually be sufficient to snap up the
The locals cling desperately to any entire town.
newcomers that make it into town, eager • Emmett “Black Heart” Hartley:
for word of the world outside. They listen See page 122.
most intently for news of “Fort Bandito,”
and whether the hated brigands are still Hubert Lavigne
dug in. There are few heroes here; the local Hubert Lavigne is a recent addition to
marshal was lost not too long ago, and the town of Devil’s Backbone. Always
the town has never bothered to replace seen wearing a well-kept (if starting to
him. After all, it seems pointless to lock show some wear) suit, he keeps his dark
someone up when they’re all trapped on hair trim and his face clean-shaven. He
top of a plateau anyway. Those who take watches the trail closely, rarely speaking,
a stand soon find they have a following. seemingly waiting for something or
Some of the most notable people in someone. He brushes off most attempts
and around town are: at conversation, only interjecting when it
30
looks like Owen Halpin’s going to get one The majority of the respect she receives
over on John Fehler. is because she’s an expert cook, able to
Lavigne is actually an Agent, dispatched stretch simple ingredients into palatable
with a partner, Hedley Kramer, to bring soups and stews to last days. Just like in
in Hartley and prove the collusion of the Lost Angels, you don’t want to anger the
Greater Maze Rock Miners’ Association person who’s providing the food.
with the notorious outlaw. Forced up Marshal Jane (as she’s known around
the trail after being robbed by Hartley’s town) is moderately attractive, but Devil’s
Boys, Lavigne was the only one to make Backbone has aged her beyond her years.
it to the city. A misfire on Kramer’s She keeps her graying, brunette hair
Mnemomizer—dropped as he became cropped short—after all, soap isn’t easy to
dizzy—caused Agent Lavigne to forget come by. Kind-hearted, Jane is generous and
his partner’s fatal plunge, so he waits for soft, able to disarm many a hostile situation
Kramer to appear. with a soothing word. She often acts as a
Lavigne is eager to get back down to the mediator between Fehler and Halpin—and
desert floor and about his business. He any posse that lands in the city.
seeks to partner with a posse whose morals • Jane Carol: Use Townsfolk stats in
and allegiance he shares. Agent Lavigne the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
knows full well that both Hartley
and Owen Halpin (see below) John Fehler
are working with the Rockies, This German engineer was
but he has no proof. If the one of Grayson Flats’ most
Rockies could be rebuffed, the prosperous citizens. Now he’s
Union might be able to claim Devil’s Backbone’s hardest
Devil’s Backbone’s riches. worker. One can normally
Hubert Lavigne: Use see his stocky build and thick
Agent stats in the Deadlands mane of blond hair laboring long
Marshal’s Handbook. through the day and night in the
city center, putting something
Jane Carol together or taking it apart.
Jane’s actually He’s been consumed
the owner of the with getting down to
Flat Top Saloon, the desert floor, despite
although fortune repeated failures.
has thrown The attempt at
her into the an elevator? Not
role of the local enough rope. The
p e a c e k e e p e r. trackless railroad
Marshal Jane car? No one to
found she’s a decent drive it. Now the
hand at it, but mainly staircase project
as she’s the only hand, has halted, because
the town’s previous even with scrapping nearly
marshal having taken a everything in town—and
swan dive off the trail large parts of the town
nearly half a year itself—John ran out of
ago. wood with over 500
feet to go.
G host T owns
In spite of the failures, Fehler retains a
rather optimistic outlook, determined to
Fehler’s Rail Car lick this problem no matter the cost. His
wild ideas of a wunderwaffe—a “wonder
weapon”—ignite hope in a number of the
Acc/Top Speed: 10/20; Toughness:
8 (2); Crew: 2+4; Notes: Driving
townsfolk who help him whenever they
–2 in rough conditions; travels can. Every night he prays for inspiration
approximately one round-trip down and every night he receives it, as a sneaky
the trail and back per pound of ghost manitou whispers to him as he sleeps. After
rock. all, the more divided the town remains, the
Malfunction: Rolling a 1 on a more conflict there is to feed the Reckoners.
Driving die (regardless of the Wild John Fehler: Use Mad Scientist stats
Die) causes the ghost rock boiler to from Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, with
explode, blasting everyone in a Large the addition of the Strong Willed Edge.
Burst Template (including those
aboard, and the vehicle itself) for 3d10 Mayor Hennessee
damage. Jedediah Hennessee wasn’t always
Due to the substandard materials the mayor. At first he was a simple cook
used, when a Club is drawn the rail at the town’s only saloon, the Flat Top,
car suddenly ejects its boiler, springs and not much of a prospect beyond that,
a steam leak, blows a gasket, or possessed of a slightly pudgy frame
suffers some other minor malfunction and black hair going prematurely bald.
that causes the entire rig to stop
However, Hennessee has a strong and
functioning. This means someone
needs to leave the protection of the car abiding faith, one that has turned him
for 2d6 rounds to repair it (subjecting into a leader over time. Those that remain
them to the effects of exposure on the in town flock to him as their shepherd.
trail—and terrantulas!). He lacks the confidence to do major
miracles, but he’s kept the town in water,
clear of disease, and free of walkin’ dead,
which led to his eventual appointment
to mayor. Soft spoken, his confidence
has begun to waver in recent months.
Hennessee has a nagging feeling that
God’s patience must be wearing thin from
his frequent entreaties. Although he still
maintains the garden he grew for cooking
ingredients, he dreads the not-too-distant
day the last vegetable is harvested.
Mayor Hennessee: Use Blessed stats
in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, but
he lacks the Champion Edge and has the
Knack (Born on Christmas) Edge instead.
Owen Halpin
Unlike many of the townsfolk, Owen
initially was quite content to keep the status
quo. Whereas other residents’ appearances
32
have started to reflect the feast-or-famine out again. Run this Savage Tale when the
nature of the food supply, Owen retains a exodus occurs.
sheen of health. A conniver of the highest You can make this as simple or complex
caliber, when Devil’s Backbone became as you want to suit your game. To give
isolated he set himself up as a trader— the posse a sense of the frustration the
with an agent of the Rockies. This allows people here have endured, you might put
him to bring in food despite Fort Bandito’s persistent cowpokes through multiple
presence, which in turn allows the mining failing scenarios before they hit upon
to continue (for what the Rockies believe is a workable idea. You should reward a
a cheaper price than hiring laborers!). posse’s creativity in any case, Marshal.
A charismatic speaker, he’s begun to
amass a number of supporters for keeping The Blind Leading the...Um, Who?
things the way they are. He’s found Cowpokes taking the time to consider
himself on the wrong end of arguments the situation might reason that a large
with John Fehler, as the German feels the enough group should be able to simply
growing stockpile in Owen’s house could walk the path out of town. So long as
help the effort to leave Devil’s Backbone most folks remain free of the vertigo’s
more than it can help them stay. effects and herd everyone along a safe
Owen’s also a landlord, owning several path, this could work. Even then, getting
of the properties where his supporters down the trail only means they’re alive
stay. He now has quite a hoard of their to face Hartley and his crew.
possessions, taken in lieu of rent. Owen Most of the townspeople sternly
feels that he shouldn’t have to give oppose this approach, both Fehler
anything up without getting something and Halpin’s supporters agreeing that
in return. It would take a lot for him it amounts to suicide. They’ve seen a
to allow Fehler to root through his number of folk try, and they always
valuables to scavenge for supplies. either fall off the side and perish, end up
• Owen Halpin: Use Townsfolk stats back in town with all their possessions
in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, stolen, or simply vanish—most likely
adding Persuasion d8, the Snakeoil killed by Hartley himself.
Salesman and Charismatic Edges, An alternate way into this scenario
and the Greedy (Major) Hindrance. arises from the posse’s mere presence
in town. A group of strangers trying to
find a way out is enough to set off some
Talk O’ the Town tempers, as people lash out rather than
get their hopes up again. In this case,
A number of opportunities for twisted Halpin and his supporters show up—on
tales hide within Devil’s Backbone. Here behalf of the Rockies—to toss the posse
are a few tales to get you started, Marshal. out of town, forcing them to head down
the trail they way they came.
Bustin’ Loose Driven to Death

John Fehler’s designs are brilliant, but he
Location: Devil’s Backbone (Fear Level 4) lacks resources to complete them. Those
No matter what sorts of trouble the with experience in the New Science could
posse gets into in Devil’s Backbone, review or adapt some of John’s inventions,
sooner or later they’re going to try to get with the trackless railroad car seeming
33
G host T owns
like the best idea. A mad scientist could fighting the young ’uns, Hartley’s men on
knock the six-person vehicle into working the stockade walls open fire.
order without much trouble, and there’s Hartley watches the fight from inside the
certainly enough ghost rock around fort’s gate, swooping in on horseback if the
to power it. Repairing Fehler’s rail car posse seems nearly defeated, but pulling
requires 2d6 days’ work and a successful back before getting in any real danger.
Weird Science roll at –2 (assistants can use • Rattler Young ’Uns (1 per hero): See
Repair to aid in a Cooperative Roll). the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
The rail car isn’t built to be a weapon; • Hartley’s Boys (2 per hero): Use Outlaw
it’s not rugged enough to withstand a stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
prolonged assault. A few rounds are all
• Emmett “Black Heart” Hartley: See
it would really take for a determined
page 122.
group of attackers to pull it apart or blow
it up. Also, given that the only people Aftermath
capable of driving the thing would be If Agent Lavigne is with the group, the
one of the posse alongside John Fehler, sight of Hartley reawakens his memories,
it’s likely to need several trips to ferry all leading him after the villain. Hartley has no
Fehler’s supporters down the side. intention of being captured, but is willing
Ferrying passengers out of town is to be taken alive rather than dead. Inside a
a Dramatic Task (see Savage Worlds). safe in the fort are documents proving the
For each of the five actions, the rail car Rockies’ involvement in Hartley’s activities,
driver draws an action card and makes along with a small fortune of $5,223.
a Driving roll (–2). Only the co-pilot For helping capture Hartley and
can aid the driver in Cooperative Rolls. blowing the Rockies’ activities wide-
See the sidebar on Fehler’s Rail Car for open, Lavigne offers the posse a share
additional complications. in the reward ($1,000 total) and a good
word with his Agency bosses.
Stockade Gates
Regardless of how the posse eventually
gets out there’s still trouble waiting for Let’s Make A Deal
them below, in the form of Fort Bandito.
Seeing the posse come out again leads Location: Devil’s Backbone (Fear Level 4)
Hartley to believe they still have most of While poking around town, the posse
their valuables, something he intends to stumbles upon one of Fehler and Halpin’s
rectify. He’s no fool, though, so he rouses frequent arguments, moderated by Mayor
his men as soon as he sees the posse get Hennessee, and surrounded by a crowd that’s
halfway down the Crooked Trail. growing rowdy in support of their favorites.
Hartley recently intercepted a package With a faint German accent, John
of captured rattler young ’uns (and Fehler shouts,
everything else the wagon had on it)
We’ve been over this again and again,
being sent Back East for study. Realizing
Mr. Halpin! Your cache of goods holds
what he has, he unseals the package and
a number of items that could make my
drops it at the base of the trail just before
projects significantly more feasible—
the posse gets to the bottom. As the posse
hammers and nails chief among them.
approaches, the voraciously hungry pack
Yet you steadfastly refuse to make life
attacks. Once the posse are enmeshed
easier on these people. Infuriating!
34
Completely frustrated, Fehler turns to Halpin’s Hoard
the posse and says, If they’re victorious, Halpin takes
You haven’t been here long enough to Fehler and the posse to the center of
be tired of this. You argue some sense town. He unlocks his shop, leading the
into him! group into the back area where he keeps
“the good stuff.” Once inside Halpin’s
The Great Debate
trove, virtually anything the posse or
Use the Social Conflict rules in Savage Fehler needs can be found (excepting
Worlds if any smooth-talking buckaroos improbably large amounts of wood,
want to get involved. Owen Halpin’s an armory’s worth of ammunition or
argument opens with his insistence on shootin’ irons, Smith & Robards devices,
his legal right as a business owner to set or the like—use your best judgment,
his own prices, turns in the second round Marshal).
to his own efforts to keep the townsfolk
Read the following:
alive by clever “rationing” strategies,
and concludes by underlining the fact Fehler seethes with rage. He shouts,
that many of Fehler’s “escape plans” are, “They’ve been in here all along?!”
in reality, crackpot flights of fancy. Grabbing some hammers and nails, he
storms back to his work.
Halpin’s no fool and won’t be easily
swayed unless something truly valuable Meanwhile, Halpin keeps trying to
is on the line. Furthermore, he fears make deals with the cowpokes, hoping
losing face in front of his supporters, so he has something they need—something
he drives as hard a bargain as possible. worth ghost rock. Halpin acquired
Kramer’s Mnemomizer and sussed out
If Halpin wins the debate (or it ends in
how to make it work. Acquiring ghost
a tie), he walks off sneering and takes his
rock would benefit him greatly, as he
supporters with him. If the posse wants
could “suggest” people give him their
to help Fehler now, they need to devise
belongings instead of having to haggle
some other way of parting the miser
for them.
from his hardware.
Shrewd characters—or those
Assuming the posse can rustle up five
experienced with the Agency—should
or more successes on Persuasion rolls,
get a Notice roll to see the device sitting
Halpin caves and offers whatever Fehler
on a shelf labeled “Not For Trade”
needs, just to save face. With a margin of
alongside a few other personal items
victory of three or four successes, Halpin
of “purely sentimental value”—the
grudgingly agrees to help, but demands
Mnemomizer.
enough valuables to make it worth his
while—at least $100 worth of goods. In Halpin’s innate greed means that if
the case of only one or two successes, they do provide him with some ghost
Halpin offers the minimum support rock, he gleefully starts using the device
necessary and demands no less than on the townsfolk and the posse. In a very
$250 worth of goods in return. short time the posse has to deal with a
gluttonous savage they’ve created—who
• Owen Halpin: Use Townsfolk stats
may now have all their weapons locked
in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook,
up in his cache...
adding Persuasion d8, the Snakeoil
Salesman and Charismatic Edges, and
the Greedy (Major) Hindrance.
35
Grant’s Pass
(Xin-Huihuang)
Grant’s Pass was initially a medium- already embroiled in a fight for its life.
sized city filled with middle management Seems Black River’s Mina Devlin also
and security forces of Union Blue Railroad. knew of the attempt to start a Union
Built in the Disputed Territories, the town Blue rail line into the Sioux Nations and
was founded to provide support for a decided to sabotage it. She sent in a few
Union Blue attempt to enter the Sioux of her witches to raise a horde of walkin’
Nations from the South. This attracted the dead, hoping the attack would appear to
ire of Iron Dragon’s Warlord Kang, who be a Bayou Vermilion assault.
sent a young samurai named Yüan Cai Cai and his men found themselves
to eliminate the problem. Yüan Cai set fighting for their lives alongside what was
off with 20 men to Grant’s Pass, visions of left of the Union Blue security in a battle that
glory and victory inflaming their passions. lasted ’til dawn. When the smoke cleared
It was a rough ride to Grant’s Pass only a handful of Union Blue security were
through the Disputed Lands. Only 12 of left, but the people of the new settlement
the original 20 made it to their destination looked on Cai and his men as heroes.
with Cai. Grant’s Pass had stockade walls Reflecting on his hardships
and a gate to defend against the Sioux, encountered on the path to Grant’s Pass,
complicating the task set before Warlord Cai decided that destiny had played
Kang’s servants. The rail warriors set about him a new hand. He convinced his
their task, using dynamite to sever rail lines men to defect with him and settle the
leading into the city and destroying a camp north outskirts of the town, which they
of workers laying track just before dark. decided to call “Xin Huihuang.”
Cai and his men knew with their
depleted numbers there would be little
chance of surviving a charge against The City Now
the city’s gates, but were resigned to
their duty. After mentally preparing Region: Disputed Territories
themselves to die most honorably in Fear Level: 2
the completion of their task, they set Grant’s Pass—inclusive of Xin
off. When they arrived to raze the Huihuang—is a city of duality. The
city at dusk, things took a turn for the original tenants call it Grant’s Pass,
unexpected—the Battle of Grant’s Pass and much of that original town is still
was in full swing. intact. The southern portion of the city
As Cai and his men rode into Grant’s is widely spaced, with lots of open areas
Pass, they found the gates open, the city and greenery. Union loyalty runs strong
36
G ran t ' s P ass (X in H uihuang )
among the residents, but loyalty to their each other and climbing up the sides of
home swells even larger in their chests. the pass, even now crowding against the
Even though the idea of becoming a southern half of the city.
Union Blue station long ago perished— Unfortunately, not all the refugees
the main Wasatch line cutting off Union seeking shelter are virtuous. A growing
Blue access pretty much put a stop to number come from the various California
it—people have staked their claims and Triads, hoping to start their own inland
aren’t budging. Families now live here operations. Opium dens, once unheard of
and the city is gaining a reputation as here, have begun to operate clandestinely.
a “safe haven” on travels to the West. The south gate into the city still stands in
Furthermore, the Pony Express uses it as its original form, while the north gate was
a way station on their delivery runs. pushed out to make room for the new folk.
The northern part of the city, Xin As the city grows crowded, tensions build
Huihuang, has become a refuge for Chinese as tempers flare and mistrust festers.
immigrants. In some places Xin Huihuang Whereas the original residents lived side
is a near-mythical destination for oppressed by side, these new citizens have begun
Chinese railroad workers. Deserters from regarding each other with suspicion.
the major rail companies frequently have It’s been several years since Cai came to
this city as their destination. town, and in that time, he’s set himself up
Xin Huihuang continues to grow as a reluctant, untitled leader. His name
by leaps and bounds, more and more alone can settle most arguments, as he
resembling a crowded Chinese city. often takes a direct hand in enforcing
Homes and shops are stacked on top of the peace on both sides of town. Recently,
37
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though, the residents seem to have
Points of Interest forgotten the city’s origin, so Cai’s grasp

on the town has diminished. Some of his
founding men now actively work for their
Here are some notable places in
own interests, hoping to turn this peaceful
Grant’s Pass and Xin Huihuang, as
shown on the nearby map. village into their own personal empire.
Law Office: From this base of Warlord Kang hasn’t forgotten the
operations and place of incarceration, betrayal of Cai, nor has Mina Devlin
Simon Colin maintains the peace. forgiven Cai’s spoiling of her plans. Both
Pony Express Station: Here Johnny have planted agents in the city after
Gomes oversees the Pony Express numerous direct assaults failed, hoping
riders constantly coming in and out. to subvert it at the root. Even Union Blue,
He’s got a finger on the pulse of news having lost the grand race known as the
round these parts—because he’s a spy first Great Rail War, is reevaluating whether
for Kang! it should attempt a return to Grant’s Pass—
Rail Depot: Though the tracks still perhaps a subterranean one, taking a page
don’t go anywhere except south, hopes from Hellstromme’s book—to start work on
for a link-up with Union Blue abide in the railhead again. This town’s several-year
many of the townsfolk’s hearts. history of peaceful coexistence threatens to
Rusted Spike Saloon: A popular shatter any day now, something the Sioux
watering hole and meeting place are keenly observing.
among local miners and former
railroad workers.
The Locals
Yüan Cai’s House: A large residence
constructed in traditional Chinese
The people of the dual city of Grant’s
style, walled and well-guarded against Pass (Xin Huihuang) are as varied and
intrusion, serves as home to the great diverse as the town itself. Although the
hero (and to some, villain) of Grant’s town seems to have a split personality,
Pass, Yüan Cai. The place sits roughly most folk roam from the northern to
at the center of the north part of town, the southern parts of the city, and back
Xin Huihuang. again, with no concerns.
A number are willing members of the
city militia under Simon Colin, as the
siege mentality engendered by living so
near Indian Lands builds a strong bond
among the residents. It’s that very sense of
community that has kept the city together
despite the machinations of the Rail Barons.
Here are a few of the city’s leading
lights:
Anna Quaini
Anna Quaini is a thick woman with a
pompous air. She is often seen around
the south side of town (never the north,
heaven forbid!) dressing someone down
for “improper” activity.
38
Highest on her personal list of sins is visitors who end up on the wrong side of
mixing with “those people,” although Simon’s suspicions.
she won’t say directly who “those • Anna Quaini: Use Cult Leader stats in
people” are. She’s a rabble-rouser capable the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook. Tack on
of swaying people with her brute force Intimidation d8, Taunt d8, the Strong Willed
of will—or simply brute force. She’s most Edge, and the bolt, deflection, and fly powers.
recently been seen objecting to the fact (We did say she’s one of Mina’s best, after all.)
that there’s no “good, proper marshal” to
keep Grant’s Pass in line. Simon writes Johnny Gomes
off her tantrums to her having “an Italian As manager of the local Pony Express
temper,” a statement that visibly angers “Home Station,” Gomes is either found
her if she overhears it. delivering the newest packages, or
Of course, all this bluster is a cover. tending to horses waiting for their turn
Anna is a plant for Mina Devlin, who to run.
hasn’t forgiven the slight against her by At first glance, Gomes looks like a
Cai. Mina sent one of her best witches to more down-to-earth version of Simon
Grant’s Pass to help fracture the populace. Colin. Dressed simply, Gomes has
The hope is that once the people turn on garnered quite a bit of trust and loyalty
each other, Anna will be in position to in the southern side of town as a fair and
burn down the town in front of Cai. practical arbiter of disputes. He always
Anna hitches on to any opportunity to has a kind word for everyone, even
sow dissent. She’s openly sympathetic to cantankerous locals like Anna.
39
G host T owns
Being such a likable sort, no one shrewdly, he’s apprenticed to a Chinese
suspects Johnny of being a spy for gunsmith near the center of town. Not
Warlord Kang—but that’s exactly what he only is he learning how to make the very
is. Seeing everything that goes in or out weapons he wants to supply to other
of the city allows him access to privileged Ravenites, he often gets a chance to handle
information. It also makes it unlikely for (or acquire) some of the more powerful
anyone to see the messages Johnny gets weapons that make their way into town.
from Kang, leaving people unsuspecting Lately Crow has taken to getting travel
of his loyalties. At the same time, Johnny’s information from visitors to feed back to
not above using his position to make sure a waiting raiding group. Together they
something gets “lost” if doing so would haven’t been preventing people from
strengthen the city. entering the city, but they make it very
Lately, though, messages from Kang have difficult to leave.
been few, far between, and less inquisitive. • Kangi Yuhamani: Use Indian Brave
Gomes is a little jumpy out of fear Kang (Veteran) stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s
is planning a massive retribution, and has Handbook. Add Climbing d6, Lockpicking
left Gomes out of the loop. d6, and the Thief Edge, and replace the
• Johnny Gomes: Use Townsfolk stats in Old Ways Oath with the Vow (Serve the
the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, but Order of the Raven) Hindrance.
add the Charismatic Edge.
Liwei Jin
Kangi Yuhamani, Jin is one of Cai’s men who remained
“Crow Carries Walker” standing after the walkin’ dead ravaged
Kangi Yuhamani is living proof that Grant’s Pass. But Jin no longer considers
the Sioux have not forgotten about this himself one of “Cai’s men,” instead
city, built near territory the wicasas claim professing loyalty to himself and his
as their own. Attempts to take the city by patients. Taking a vow of pacifism, he
force have failed for the Sioux as much as has left behind his previous life, devoted
for Kang or Devlin (although Indians can only to the present.
claim partial credit for a few of those, as the He’s uncharacteristically tall for
Sioux unwittingly attacked groups headed someone of Chinese descent. Combined
to wreak vengeance on Grant’s Pass). with a brawny build, he cuts quite an
Crow Carries Walker is a proud young intimidating figure. He is also the best
brave with a clever plan. Having infiltrated doctor in the city, combining influences
the city, he stays in the northern part of from multiple cultures to care for his
town, using the white man’s ignorance patients. Even the outspoken Anna
to conceal himself amongst the Chinese. Quaini has been known to begrudgingly
Although most of the Chinese residents turn to Jin in times of need.
have spotted him, they pay him little A devout Taoist, Jin often shares his
attention. This allows him to spy on the beliefs with patients. He rambles on about
movements of the entire city, reporting how the Jade Emperor formed humans out
back to his allies when he can. of clay, leaving them to bake in the sun.
But Crow isn’t just a Sioux, he’s also Rain caused some of the clay men to become
a Ravenite. Living in the city gives him misshapen, thereby allowing sickness and
significant opportunity to acquire the abnormality to enter. Jin keeps a respectable
white man’s weapons without the wicasas number of shrines in a cellar beneath his
catching on to the source. Even more office, showcasing many of the departments
40
of Heaven. Show enough interest in his he’s not too far from the truth, as agents
stories, and he may even let a cowpoke see a of discord lie in wait hoping to destabilize
few of the more interesting ones. the fragile peace.
He’s begun to suspect a few things • Simon Colin: Use Gunman (Veteran)
about the townsfolk, namely Yuhamani stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
and Quaini. If he were to speak out about
his feelings, he’d likely be instrumental Yüan Cai
in uncovering one of the many plots Cai has undergone a spiritual
to ruin Grant’s Pass. For now he keeps transformation since his arrival at Grant’s
silent, shrewdly observing the ever- Pass. No longer the young man he was
growing town, while his sword and when he settled here, he keeps himself in
traditional armor gather dust. fighting form. But he’s grown a palpable
• Liwei Jin: Use Rail Warrior (Iron presence that extends beyond his athletic,
Dragon) stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s five-foot-eight-inch frame. When he
Handbook, but add Healing d8, the decided to settle down, he had a vision
Brawny Edge (for a Toughness of 7), that rivaled Warlord Kang’s, though
and replace Mean with the Pacifist more pure. His dream of a home where
(Major) Hindrance. people of many races worked and lived
cooperatively turned him from the path
Simon Colin of thug to that of leader.
Simon Colin was one of the few Union The troubles of recent years have taken
Blue security men to survive the Battle of their toll on Cai. He is plagued by the sad
Grant’s Pass. Now he’s Cai’s right-hand realization that the early years of Xin
man, acting in what could easily be seen Huihuang may have been its glory years,
as a marshal’s role as the head of the city his dream of peace already spiraling into
militia. Between the two of them they’ve a decline as people begin to distrust each
managed to keep the peace for the past other. Adding to his stress is the constant
few years. Cai may be well-known for paranoia generated from fending off
his unrivaled hand-to-hand fighting plots from agents of the Rail Barons
ability, but Simon Colin is unmatched and occasional attacks from the Sioux.
with a shooting iron ’round these parts. Less virtuous men would have become
A tall, lanky man, Colin looks every embittered, but Cai still holds out hope
bit the British gentleman his great- he can turn things around.
grandfathers were, right down to his • Yuan Cai: Use Martial Artist (Superior)
well-waxed moustache. He’s polite, well- stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s
mannered, and will fill you full of lead Handbook, but add the Celestial Kung
(with an apology) for breaking the peace Fu (Eagle Claw) and Celestial Kung Fu
or attacking the city. Colin is so loyal to (Mantis) Edges, and the Vow (Bring
Cai, one might think he came with him peace to Xin Huihuang) Hindrance.
to Grant’s Pass.
Simon’s diplomatic nature has
smoothed out a number of squabbles, but Talk O’ the Town
recent tensions have seen him sometimes
A number of story opportunities hide
ignored. A lawman that feels impotent
within the twin cities of Grant’s Pass and
is not a pretty sight, so he’s been harder
Xin Huihuang. Here’s a short Savage
than he should be on visitors—suspecting
Tale to get started with, Marshal.
fomenters of revolt in every saddle. Sadly,
41
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Ghost Raids
Ghost Sioux Siege What this means for the posse is
one of their evenings in Grant’s Pass is
Location: Grant’s Pass (Fear Level 2) interrupted by the telltale whooping
It’s hard to live so near Indian Lands and gunfire that accompanies an Indian
without the Sioux’s permission; one raid. Bolting from their beds, the heroes
is constantly under siege by them. see Sioux running rampant through the
Grant’s Pass has refused to knuckle city—then suddenly gone as if they’d
under (in defiance of both the wicasas never been there at all.
and Washington), so it tends to the If it weren’t for the evidence of an
latter. Complicating matters is how occasional tomahawk, destroyed store, or
much Grant’s Pass sticks in the craws of bullet hole, it’d be easy to write the event
Warlord Kang and Mina Devlin. At this off as a bad dream. Kangi has started
point, pretty much everyone is out to get rumors that the attack was the work
them—and they’d have done it by now, of “ghost Sioux” who are displeased at
too, if the city weren’t so well-defended. so many outsiders residing on “sacred
land.”
The Story So Far
When Joshua Chamberlain sent his Most of Kangi’s effectiveness as a
men into Grant’s Pass, he fully intended spy has been been due to keeping his
for them to make it a permanent home, mouth shut. Once he starts spreading
defensible from the Sioux or anyone else. the rumors, he gives any prying
That sort of preparedness served the investigators a chance to trace the ghost
city well; even the rail line was going stories and weird rumors back to him.
to have gated entrances in and out of Doing so requires at least one successful
the city. Nowadays, though, without Streetwise roll (–2).
Chamberlain’s guidance or much Union Alternatively, with a successful
Blue presence to speak of, some of those Tracking roll (–2) the posse might stumble
defenses have weakened. upon some hurriedly hidden tracks that
This is exactly what the Ravenites have lead back to the rail car gate. This gives
been waiting for. With Kangi (“Crow heroes the option to wait for the next
Carries Water”) as their inside man, local ambush (and plan one of their own) or
Ravenites receive a steady supply of modern try to track down whoever operated the
weapons. Their stockpile has grown to the gates inside...which leads back to Kangi,
point where they think they can raid the of course.
city proper. Even these opportunistic young Whether or not shootists discover
braves know better than to attempt that Kangi’s treachery, by capturing, killing,
with all the city’s defenses intact. or driving off the next group of raiders
As a means to this end, Kangi has been they can eliminate a threat to Grant’s
testing and prodding the walls of the city Pass—at the cost of making eternal
from the inside, trying to find a critical enemies of the Ravenites.
weakness. The aforementioned gates for the • “Ghost Sioux” Ravenites (2 per
rail cars still stand, and Kangi discovered hero): Use Indian Brave (Veteran)
a group could be smuggled in—and out stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s
again—undetected, and quite swiftly. Handbook, but replace the Old Ways
Oath with the Vow (Serve the Order
of the Raven) Hindrance.
42
Culverton
Culverton got its humble start when a city under the assumed name Carlton Smith.
Canadian named Eric Culver purchased Buckley figured that by hiding in plain sight,
4,800 acres of land for the princely sum he’d accomplish a lot more than if he tried to
of $40,000. Building on the banks of maintain an island base like Lafitte.
a Mississippi River tributary, Culver Buckley ran many successful raids
expected to turn his city into a major into Confederate territory, always
inland port for transferring goods
throughout the Confederacy. At
first this was a boon to the
city, with access to a major
waterway allowing a great
deal of commerce to pass
through and drawing
businesses to set up shop.
Unfortunately, Culver
didn’t count on the Civil
War, and moreso, he didn’t
count on pirates taking
over the town. A brutal
Union loyalist named
Joseph Buckley turned
his good eye towards
Culverton and saw an
ideal base for raiding
Confederate supply
lines, by land and
water alike.
Buckley was an
incredible tactician
and a man with an eye
for cash. By replacing the
aging Mayor Culver and
installing men loyal to
him in other positions
of influence, Buckley
became the official “naval
trade consultant” to the
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G host T owns
South. Rumored to have a ship—named
the Blue Gibbon—that could disappear
entirely from view, some called Buckley
Points of Interest a pawn of the Devil himself. It didn’t
hurt that Buckley and his crew fostered
Here are some of the best-known, these tales, believing they added to their
biggest, and most popular places in
success and reputation.
Culverton, as shown on the nearby
map. After the ceasefire, continued tales of
Chancer’s Variety Theater: At ghostly ability caught the ears of a Texas
Chancer’s one can enjoy popular Ranger. The fact that Buckley had raided a
entertainments such as singers, dancing few Ranger encampments during the war
girls, one-act plays, musicals, comedians, probably didn’t help him avoid notice,
and the like. either.
Culverton Soothsayer: Offices of the The first Ranger to come gunning
popular local rag, usually manned by for Buckley vanished off the face of
young reporter Chesterton Ward. the earth. When further investigation
Floyd’s Pirate River Tours: Though determined that Carlton Smith and
it’s the object of a good bit of local Pirate Buckley were one and the same,
derision, Floyd Brock keeps running hell came to Culverton. The next Texas
his lucrative river tours past Pirate Ranger did not play games; he scuttled
Buckley’s old haunts. every ship in Culverton’s port, rounded
Harbor: Culverton maintains a brisk up a posse, and began searching for
river trade on the Mississippi, overseen Buckley. In a series of shootouts that
by harbormaster Monroe Wagoner. lasted several days, the Ranger and his
Opera House: Owned and operated band whittled down Buckley’s forces
by Ms. Henriette Deschaine, the opera and cut off his local support.
house caters to the upper crust and
Buckley holed up in a general store,
provides refined entertainment for
discriminating tastes. judging it to be the best-supplied location
to make such a stand, and determined to
Town Hall: Here Judge Heathcliff
wait out his hunters. Days later a Ranger
Crittenden dispenses justice, and the
town fathers devise new ways to make Regimental Band arrived by steamboat,
Culverton the capital city of the CSA. and began a ceaseless medley of sailors’
songs to taunt the beleaguered pirate.
Trapped, his crew routed, it’s said
Buckley hung himself from a beam in
retreating to Culverton. The locals didn’t his lonely hideout to make the lurching
complain too much, as Buckley’s raids shanties go silent.
brought plenty of cash and goods for the Legend still holds that Buckley was
open commerce of the city, as well as the too mean to die from hanging, that it
covert. Culverton itself was never sacked would take a Ranger’s bullet to finish the
or attacked by pirates, so more and more deed. The people of the city have tried
legitimate commerce headed that way. to move on, but Pirate Buckley’s legacy
Legends sprang up about Buckley and has overshadowed them for many years.
his amazing ability to evade capture. Tall That’s because the tales fomented by
tales spread far and wide, giving Buckley Buckley and his crew have taken on a
a supernatural stature throughout the dark existence of their own, thanks to
the Reckoning.
44
C ulverton
someone to attempt to double the feat in

The City Now their town. Sometimes these publicity
stunts work, other times they end in
Region: Mississippi River spectacular failure—but either way, they
Fear Level: 2 draw people and attention.
Culverton is a Confederate city trying Culverton has a significant tourist
its best to become far, far more important economy, Pirate Buckley’s past exploits
than it is. Twice now Culverton has drawing curious travelers. Enterprising
made a bid to become the capital of the locals have turned some of the pirates’
CSA—both times falling far short of the possessions (and a number of fakes)
mark despite its teeming population into a lucrative business, even including
of approximately 5,000. But life is still tours of his “pirate hideout.”
big and grand here, the booming port Traveling performers, freak shows,
attracting more people daily. and circuses often stop here, finding
Any posse that makes it to Culverton the city hospitable to their events—for a
from the wide-open spaces of the West short time, anyway. The nightlife bustles
is sure to be struck by the city’s sheer in Culverton; the city books plays,
size. It’s not the biggest in the West, but musicians, and even operas to present
it’s certainly ahead of the curve, and far itself as a cultured, refined place.
larger than most of the flyspeck burgs Culverton’s competitive nature extends
dotting the dusty trail. to every aspect of life—a newspaper named
Culverton tries to do everything the Culverton Soothsayer is trying to rival
bigger than anywhere else. If a stunt is the Epitaph in printing stories of the weird
tried, Culverton city officials convince and unexplained. The Soothsayer has a very
45
G host T owns
limited circulation as of yet, much of its bespectacled, his short hair well-styled and
content less spectacular than its Tombstone always under a hat, there’s no mistaking him
sibling. Filling the paper out with fluff stories for an average citizen. Pencil and notepad
and short fiction, reporter Chesterton Ward at the ready, Ward constantly seems to be
and the paper’s editors hope to soon grab a in motion. Sharp of wit and well-read, he’s
scoop to put it on the map. meticulous about sourcing information
Despite its history, Culverton is reputed and getting every possible angle on a story.
to be hard on criminals these days. The His articles in the Soothsayer are amongst
local head Judge, Heathcliff Crittenden, is the paper’s most popular.
ruthless, cruel, and bloodthirsty. He often Chesterton Ward harbors not one,
hands down punishments wildly out of but two interesting secrets. First, Ward
proportion with the crime committed. was born Charlotte Ward. She’s been
He’s even happy to provide an illusion posing as a man because her early stories
of escape, telling prisoners that if they were rejected by the papers unless she
complete some impossible task he’ll let submitted them as a “letter to the editor.”
them go free. The sad result is several Second, she’s one of Pirate Buckley’s
of the local law have stopped arresting children. She’s been using her role as a
people for minor crimes, feeling that, say, reporter not only to make a living, but
losing an arm might be a little too severe a also to unearth the truth behind the final
penalty for starting a bar fight. disposition of her father’s ill-gotten gains.
Buckley’s legacy haunts Culverton • Chesterton Ward: Use Townsfolk stats
not just in the cruel overreactions of in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook,
Crittenden but also in more sinister but add Smarts d8, Investigation d8,
ways. The black market established Persuasion d8, Streetwise d8, and the
during Buckley’s reign of terror exists Attractive and Investigator Edges.
to this day, hidden in back streets and
riverside alcoves pocketed through the Floyd Brock
city. Anything—and anyone—can be Floyd is one of Culverton’s local
bought or sold here, if you know the attractions, much to the dismay of
right names or pay the right bribes. Judge Crittenden and other sons of the
South. Floyd runs several “Pirate River
Tours” that draw in mobs of tourists.
The Locals Flamboyantly dressed in a modified
Union Army uniform, he paints Buckley
Culverton’s people are as big and as noble antihero—as much a Union
boisterous as the city itself. Many are in spy and military genius as murderous
the tourist business, with a number of pirate. Unsurprisingly, a good portion of
snakeoil salesmen in training. A city this the population loathes Floyd Brock and
size has quite a few civil servants, from his interpretation of their history.
politicians to a marshal and deputies Guiding people through the harbor,
of all ages, origins, and stripes. But the Floyd ends the tour in a small cave said to
specter of the city’s past still hangs over it, contain part of the Blue Gibbon’s scuttled
at times giving a sinister and suspicious hull. Actually, it’s a scrap of hull that
feel to dealings with the residents. Brock painted the fragmented words
Chesterton Ward “lue Gibbo” on, and sank in the cave.
Chesterton Ward looks every bit the Floyd also runs the Authentic Pirate
young reporter. Stylishly dressed and Museum & Souvenir Shop near the harbor,
46
C ulverton
passing off wood slivers as shards of the Blue Loomis “Crazy-Eye” Hattie
Gibbon’s hull, and the like. He’s sold “the rope “Crazy-Eye” Hattie is the man to know
that hung Pirate Buckley” no less than four when you want something that isn’t available
times to gullible history scholars. Despite on the open market. If it exists and can be
his shady nature, Floyd makes sure to keep bought, copied, or outright stolen, Hattie
everything aboveboard when watchful “knows a fella” who can do that for you. He
eyes are around, in order to avoid facing can navigate Culverton’s black market like
Crittenden on trumped-up fraud charges. no one else, always knowing which doors to
Floyd Brock: Use Townsfolk stats in knock on—and how to do the knocking—to
the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, adding get whatever you might need. So long as
Boating d8, Persuasion d8, and Stealth d8. you’re willing to pay up, that is...
Heathcliff Crittenden Hattie’s more than just an hombre in
the know, however. He works well as a
Crittenden isn’t just a hangin’ judge—
middle man, able to size up
he’s a cut-off-their-hands judge, a
hired guns willing to do
firing-squad judge, a draw-and-quarter-
“extralegal” tasks for a
’em judge, and sometimes, surprisingly,
little coin. He excels
just a judge. A short, dumpy man, he
in identifying and
makes up for his inadequacies by being
convincing people
the most feared and powerful city
that jobs are on
official around. Even other judges give
the up-and-up,
him a wide berth, not wanting to appear
i n s t i n c t i ve l y
in the courtroom across from him.
figuring out the
Crittenden’s fanatical zeal isn’t just due best approach
to a passion for law and order—he has a to sell someone
very personal stake in this. He’s a bastard on being a lackey
child of Pirate Buckley, a secret he’s for other plans.
kept hidden for the majority of
his life. Although he shares
his father’s bloodthirsty and
ruthless nature, he hopes
that he can absolve himself
by “straightening out”
the criminal element in
Culverton.
• Heathcliff Crittenden:
Use Townsfolk stats in
the Deadlands Marshal’s
Handbook. Add Intimidation
d8, Taunt d8, the Strong
Willed Edge, and the
Command, Command
Presence, and Inspire Edges
for whenever he rounds up a
posse. He has the Dark Secret
Hindrance, and also the
Bloodthirsty Hindrance
(though it’s no secret).
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Ironically, Crittenden has been a boon
to Hattie’s business, as decent folk are Talk O’ the Town
horrified by some of the ruthless judge’s
sentences. Hattie regularly cites the judge’s A whole heap of adventure opportunities
tyrannical reputation as justification for lurk in Culverton’s streets and back alleys.
his crimes, since, as Hattie puts it, “Only a A few suggestions are provided here for
dishonest man is honest in this town.” your convenience, Marshal.
• Loomis Hattie: Use Townsfolk stats
adding Persuasion d8, Streetwise d10,
A Just Crime?
plus the Connections (Black market), Location: Culverton (Fear Level 2)
Snakeoil Salesman, and Charismatic
Run this tale when the travelers are
Edges.
settling in at the local hotel, where they see
Monroe Wagoner people in all sorts of odd predicaments.
Wagoner is the harbormaster of Read the following passage:
Culverton and perhaps the most financially One man sits at the bar, nursing a
stable of the city’s officials. It’s long been wrapped arm missing a hand. Another
an open secret among criminals that to get walks past on crutches, pain crossing
anything in or out of Culverton by water, his face with every step. You see an old
a small “donation” to the harbormaster woman with a fresh eye patch, and young
makes it happen without inspection. street ruffians with bandaged arms. The
Monroe Wagoner is corrupt to the bone, more you look, the more people you see
willing to extort fees at any opportunity with various physical impediments.
and to skim a portion off the top. He
Ol’ Crazy-Eye
keeps the books himself, making sure to
After a few minutes “Crazy-Eye”
hide his embezzlement between the lines.
Hattie drops in and starts answering
A former sailor, Wagoner is mum questions, whether they were asked or
on whom he might have sailed with not. He says,
in the past. He’s a massive individual,
You’ve noticed the victims, eh? They’re
standing over six feet tall and thick at
victims of Crittenden, and his brand of
the shoulders. He’s painfully aware of
justice. That man there without a hand—
his size, using it to intimidate people
he was caught stealing food for his family.
who refuse to pay one of his outlandish
The hobbled one? He was sentenced to
fees or start asking too many questions.
have his legs smashed after he kicked a man
Wagoner hides a pretty big secret, as in a bar fight. All because of Crittenden’s
well—he’s none other than the infamous hatred for the good folk of this community.
Pirate Buckley. Turns out all those tales
Once Hattie feels he has the sympathy of
about no rope being able to kill Buckley were
the posse, he weaves another tale. Pointing
correct, or the Reckoners just made them
out a lone figure in a corner, a nebbish man
so. In either case, the great pirate pulled
deep in his liquor, Hattie relays,
himself out of the ground determined
to keep a firm hold on what he’s always That man there is one Dr. Felton, a
considered his personal property—the city medical doctor and inventor who was
of Culverton. working on a new machine. A wondrous
machine. The device would allow him to
• Monroe Wagoner: See Pirate Buckley
see into a patient’s body without hurting
on page 124.
48
C ulverton
them. But it was horribly loud, and the on the mission, Hattie enthusiastically thanks
neighbors made a fuss. Judge Crittenden them, suggesting they meet at midnight
had the machine and all the doctor’s notes behind the hotel. He then excuses himself to
impounded after several noise complaints. console his (now obviously drunk) “friend”
I feel just horrible for the poor dude. and return him to his room.
He only ever wanted to help people. I The actual recovery of the device isn’t too
can’t stand to see the doctor crushed, his difficult—at first. Hattie’s map shows a break
life’s work unjustly ripped from him. in the tall wooden fencing surrounding
There’s just no reasoning with Judge Crittenden’s impound lot. The device
Crittenden, though there might be a way itself is just inside the gate, covered with a
for brave souls to recover the doctor’s tarp. It’s large and weighs a little more than
machine. You buckaroos happen to know 300 lbs., but there are wheels on the bottom
anyone that might be interested? to help move it. A successful Strength roll
If Hattie senses any interest in the (min. Strength d6) moves it with no trouble.
suggestion, he goes on, The machine itself looks like two eight-
I know one of the bailiffs at the impound inch thick tabletops, separated by two
lot, who gave me a map, including the feet, with poles on the outside. Two of the
location of the device. I just need a few opposite sides are open with no poles,
stealthy buckaroos to retrieve it during indicating that someone would put an
the guard change at 10:00 p.m. injured body part between the two tables.
A successful Weird Science or applicable
Mission Accepted Knowledge roll allows an egghead to
Savvy cowpokes might suspect deduce that it’s some kind of large, crude
something’s up, but the drunken doctor in the camera. (Barring that, a cowpoke could
corner earnestly and honestly confirms every take a gander at the detailed instruction
detail of Hattie’s story. Should the heroes take manual lying on top of it.)
49
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It’s Complicated • Henchmen (4): Use Townsfolk stats in

Having the device is one thing, but getting the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, but
it back to the alley behind the hotel—along add Strength d8.
with the doctor’s copious notes—is another. Sorting Out the Mess
There’s a risk of being spotted by one of
No matter what, the posse is in a
Crittenden’s bailiffs or a deputy marshal on
difficult situation. If they take Hattie
patrol. Make a Stealth roll for each stealthy
and the device to the marshal or bailiffs,
hombre, opposed by the deputies (with the
they probably have to confess to stealing
deputies assumed to be inactive guards).
it in the first place. Likewise, killing any
Deputies (2): Use Gunman stats in the man who surrenders brings along some
Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook. They’re unwanted attention.
armed with shotguns (Range: 12/24/48,
Hattie offers to let the heroes return
Damage: 1–3d6, RoF: 1, Shots: 1, Shooting
the device to the rightful owner, with the
+2), and have six extra shells each.
understanding that he won’t ever lie to
The Hand-Off them again. In exchange for his freedom,
Behind the hotel, Hattie waits with a Hattie offers the posse any one thing they
few men, ready to tote the device away. want or need that his Connections can
Hattie says quickly as the posse arrives, provide—at your discretion, Marshal.
Good work. We’ve got to get this thing
to the doctor’s lab for safekeeping. Return o’
Hattie stays and chats with the posse,
distracting them from the device’s removal
the Blue Gibbon
as much as he can. His men simply load the Location: Culverton (Fear Level 3)
parcel into a small, horse-drawn wagon
All of Culverton is awash with tales of
and take it away if they’re not prevented.
the Blue Gibbon, returned from its watery
A Notice roll allows a suspicious grave to hunt ships and their living
cowpoke to realize Hattie’s nervous crews. The Fear Level rises to 3 until
about something. In fact, Hattie has someone can solve the mystery and set
a buyer lined up for the impounded things right.
device, and he intends to deliver it to the
buyer instead of the doctor. Extra! Extra!
If Hattie is confronted, he tries to At a couple places around town,
talk his way out of it, offering whatever newsboys hawk the Soothsayer. Of interest
his Connections can provide that is a contest sponsored by Chesterton
will extract him from this mess (and Ward, senior reporter, to confirm or
hopefully buying time for his men to disprove reports of the Blue Gibbon
get away). If the posse goes straight for patrolling the waters near Culverton.
the movers, they complain they don’t Anyone with valid information gets to
get paid enough to fight, and promptly choose between $100, or a year’s worth
surrender. of tickets to the local opera. Either choice
• Loomis Hattie: Use Townsfolk stats in also nets the winner a subscription to
the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, adding the Soothsayer, naturally.
Persuasion d8, Streetwise d10, plus the Asking around town with a successful
Connections (Black market), Snakeoil Streetwise roll yields rumors about the
Salesman, and Charismatic Edges. Blue Gibbon and its history. The few
50
C ulverton
“eyewitness” reports are from drunks
and late-night partygoers, making it
difficult to discern the truth. See the Rumors & Hearsay
Rumors & Hearsay sidebar.
Other rumors are possible besides
Surveying the River these, but we figured we’d provide
Should the posse investigate the recent a few to get you started, Marshal.
sinkings, they find a few others camping out For each success and raise on a
trying to spot the infamous craft. Most of the Streetwise roll, provide one of the
thrill-seekers fall asleep prior to midnight. following rumors:
For those who stay awake, read the following: Death from Below: The Blue
Gibbon has the ability to sink below
To your amazement, a ship rises
the waves, bursting into sight when
from the low-lying fog. It looks rotted another vessel gets too close and
and worn, with Blue Gibbon clearly smashing them to pieces. Most
emblazoned on the side. Blinding lights reports state it only appears after
appear from within the rotted hulk, midnight, ghostly light shining from
washing over the shore, before the ship it, a half-mile or so north of the port.
slowly sinks beneath the black water. Ghost Pirate: Locals insist the
Anyone with the Boating skill, or a ghost of Pirate Buckley haunts the
background in nautical matters—ship area, still trying to find his lost
building, sailing, etc.—can, with a treasure.
successful Common Knowledge roll, Buckley’s Revenge: Others say
determine that the craft they saw was not Buckley’s ghost seeks revenge on the
seaworthy. A raise on the roll determines Texas Rangers that trapped him and
it wasn’t even a vessel, but rather caused his death.
supported from beneath somehow, not Lost Treasure: Few folks agree on
floating and bouncing with the waves what Pirate Buckley’s lost treasure
the way a real ship would. might consist of, or its location,
but all agree its somewhere in the
The Hidden Cove riverbed mud.
Should the posse sail in the direction Union Cache: It’s said Pirate
the ship was headed, a discovery awaits. A Buckley maintained a sizeable
successful Notice roll (–2) reveals a small, cache of weapons—rifles, cannons,
natural harbor and cave about two miles ammunition, and gunpowder—
somewhere near Culverton. The
north of the city on the opposite side of the
cache has yet to be discovered.
river. The searchers arrive just in time to
see the fake Blue Gibbon rise from the water
and sail into the cave. If the posse brought
a canoe (or traveled by water), they can
reach it easily. Otherwise, they have to go
through the effort of swimming across.
Read the following if the heroes
approach without being detected:
Voices echo from the cave. Two men
emerge, following a rough path formed
beside the water. Working swiftly, they
cover the entrance to the cave with tarps
51
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stained with mud and leaves. As they
work, they talk softly.
Riverbed Sweeper “The ship should have been there.

That’s exactly where it blew.”
The mysterious benefactor who shall “You said it couldn’t have made it more
not be named is far more terrifying than a mile. That’s a lot of riverbed to cover.”
than the posse. In fact, it was Monroe “We’ll find it, don’t worry. I won’t let
Wagoner—Pirate Buckley himself— our efforts go to waste.”
who commissioned the craft with a
If the pesky cowpokes choose to confront
mad scientist in Salt Lake City and had
it delivered to Culverton. Wagoner
the pair, they find a pair of dock workers
doesn’t care what mischief the boys willing to defend their little scheme with
get up to—the more, the merrier—as weapons and fists, if needed. If they choose
long as the legend of Pirate Buckley to follow the duo, they’re led south to a
keeps growing. rowboat hidden in the reeds, which the two
Acc/Top Speed: 5/10 (4/8 men use to sail back to Culverton’s port.
submerged); Toughness: 10 (2); Crew: Dock Workers (2): Use Maze Pirate
2+2; Cost: $18,000; Notes: Travels stats in Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
approximately 50 surface miles on one If the dock workers are defeated, and
pound of ghost rock. The hull contains
successfully Intimidated, Persuaded, or
four man-hours of oxygen.
Taunted into giving up the truth, they spill
Malfunction: If a Boating roll results the beans. They have been identifying
in snake eyes, the submersible’s
ships with valuable cargo, sabotaging them
clockworks fail catastrophically
for 3d6 damage in a Medium Burst
mechanically or with explosives, then
Template. Depending on the result using their unique craft to pick through the
of this roll, the crew and passengers wreckage on the riverbed. They won’t under
may find themselves in grave danger any circumstances say how they got the
(submerged with no means of submersible, only that a “benefactor” in town
surfacing, for example). was involved in its acquisition—one who
A result of 1 on the Boating die insisted it look like the famous pirate craft.
(regardless of the Wild Die), means
the submersible overheats and shakes Aftermath
violently. The driver and passengers When the nosy investigators check the
take 2d6 damage. In addition, the inside of the cave, they find the false Blue
submersible is disabled and unusable Gibbon. It’s a small, four-man submersible with
until it’s fixed, which requires a Repair a false top (see sidebar). A lighting rig powered
roll and 2d6 rounds to complete. by the submarine sits on top as well, allowing
passengers to see well into murky waters.
The mystery solved, the posse can
either report the truth back to Chesterton
Ward and win the Soothsayer contest, take
the dock workers into custody, or both.
The saboteurs’ fate isn’t pretty—they
end up in front of Crittenden and are
hanged by the end of the week. As for
Ward, the Soothsayer pays the reward to
the posse and runs a piece on the “New
Pirates of Culverton.”
52
Josephine
Josephine was founded in the way many when Manfred announced his daughter was
cities of the West were—people got tired of marrying a betrothed from “back home,” a
moving on, so they decided to make the best of man of similar complexion and sleeping habits.
where they ended up. The city founder was one Eventually, though, the rumors died down,
Manfred Amsler, who saw the snowy peaks and now Josephine’s cousins have inherited
and was reminded of his Swiss home and her family mansion—and her habits.
heritage. As the city grew with tons of European The city became a significant hub for
influence, Manfred became so enamored with it trade, as trappers and furriers flocked
that he named it after his teenage daughter. to the area for its abundance of wildlife.
A lovely ginger-haired girl, at first she With a strong reputation and growing
seemed at home in the mountains, often wealth behind it, Josephine became a
hiking and exploring with friends. A few bustling retreat. Several hundred people,
years on, though, she took ill. Around that drawn by the “old world” charm or the
time Manfred began building a better home profitable fur trade, now make it their
for his family, one with all types of modern home.
innovations—and oddly, very few windows. Curiously, few churches have been able to
It seemed that Josephine was no longer the keep a congregation. It’s not that the people
sweet, vibrant girl that had come to settle with aren’t faithful, but bad things seem to happen
her family. Rumors swirled around the city to churches in the city. Fires, lightning
about how the girl had grown pale, and she storms, minor avalanches, and even what is
was only seen for brief moments purported to have been packs of wolves have
at dawn and dusk. It destroyed houses of God in the past.
came as a surprise Nowadays, people just
to townsfolk don’t even try to build a
new one.
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saloon. Those who cross the Amslers rarely
The City Now do so a second time. Their presence, cruising
through the streets in a very regal carriage,
Region: Pacific Northwest sets everyone into disquiet and a rush to
Fear Level: 3 get indoors. Almost all business is handled
through their servants, with only the rare
Josephine is the exact opposite of a town
visitor ever called to dine with them.
one would expect to find in the Pacific
Northwest. Whereas your average place is There’s still money to be made in
rugged and rough-hewn, Josephine is as Josephine, so people head there with
pristine as its name. People here are vibrant golden dreams. Trading with natives
and boisterous, rarely even unfriendly. Its from the Pacific Northwest can be
warm and inviting atmosphere belies the enormously profitable, and Josephine is
snows into which it is comfortably nestled. often used as a way station for doing so.
With the occasional bleating of sheep or The amount and diversity of wildlife also
cattle, one would think she’d walked out of brings those looking to trade in furs and
the West and into Europe. Of course, this exotic leathers, so trappers and hunters
façade is a sham—it wouldn’t do to take also use Josephine as a base. Sometimes
anything here at face value. those craving adventure—such as
trailblazers and cartographers headed
The Amslers, although not the political
for the mountains—stop this way.
heads, for all intents and purposes run
Josephine. Jolene and Stefan Amsler are Upon entering the city, a cowpoke is first
rarely seen, but the mere mention of their struck by the overall cleanliness, then by
names can bring a hush to the noisiest the bouquet of aromas. The founders of
54
J osephine
the city loved the foods from their home, Known for its deer sausage and
so as a result multiple inns and taverns other rustic dishes, the Leaping Deer
specialize in Swiss fare. Cheeses, rosti, has recently started to lose ground as
cervalet sausages—and yes, chocolate— the premier establishment in town to
are all popular foods here. It’s rare for a Buckhorn Tavern. Their new “secret
traveler to leave unfed or unsatisfied. recipe” Buckhorn sausages are the talk of
the town. Arnbjorg suspects something is
off about the new delicacy, often musing
The Locals aloud as to how they’re able to make such
sweet sausage without molasses or sugar...
It’s hard for your average cowpoke to look
• Arnbjorg Knutson: Use Townsfolk stats
at the people of Josephine and not feel he’s
in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
been dropped 50 years in the past of Eastern
Europe. The cold weather gives cheeks Erling “Weasel” Godmunsdottir
a perpetual rosy bloom, warm clothing Erling not only owns Buckhorn Tavern,
hiding most people’s body sizes and builds. he is also an avid hunter and trapper. Unlike
Genial to a fault, the people seem outwardly Arnbjorg, Erling is reclusive and secretive.
cheery and delightful. But look closely, and He goes so far as to prepare his trademark
it’s clear that years under the rule Buckhorn sausages in a hidden location
of the Amslers lends a outside of town, using a recipe known
sadness to peoples’ only to him. He’s “affectionately”
eyes that belies their referred to as Weasel, his gaunt
friendly cheer. features and scraggly, dark hair
Arnbjorg Knutson giving him more than a passing
resemblance to the rodent.
Arnbjorg is the proud
proprietor of the When Erling is seen in town, it’s either
Leaping Deer Inn, to make a delivery to Buckhorn or to
one of the more trade furs with Gregory Hobston.
popular eateries It’s well known that he has
in Josephine. private apartments behind
If he weren’t the Buckhorn Tavern,
completely bald, though he’s rarely seen
he’d fit the around them. Rarely
stereot y pica l talkative, those who do
description of meet and greet Erling tend
Santa Claus. A to describe him as rude and
man of large condescending—not that the
propor t ion s cheerful people of Josephine
and an let that get them down.
even louder • Erling Godmunsdottir:
p e r s o n a l i t y, Use Soldier stats in the
he’s always telling stories Deadlands Marshal’s
and jokes to entertain his Handbook.
guests. The only time the
twinkle leaves his eye is at the
Eva Westberg
mention of his competitors. Wherever there are
miners, traders, or furriers,
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is always neatly pulled back, her dresses
and clothing immaculate. She flits back
Points of Interest and forth between the front and back of
the house, checking on all of her clients.
Here are some notable places in It’s no surprise that a woman in
Josephine, as shown on the nearby map. her position keeps a great number of
Amsler Estate: Perched on the hills secrets, since she’s always at the center of
just outside Josephine, this traditional information about the town. In public, she
Swiss chalet is the ancestral home gives the Amslers a wide berth, leading
of the Amsler Family...and their many to believe the Amslers have little
unrelenting evil.
knowledge of what Eva does. Nothing
Buckhorn Tavern: More a drinking could be further from the truth—Eva acts
establishment than an eatery—though as the eyes and ears of the Amslers in the
it does serve vittles—the Buckhorn is
town, going so far as to identify potential
run by Erling “Weasel” Godmunsdottir
victims for their unholy thirst (see below).
and is popular among hunters.
• Eva Westberg: Use Townsfolk stats in
Hobston’s Furs: Gregory Hobston, a
former slave, provides taxidermy services the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, adding
and various furred clothing items. Persuasion d10 and the Charismatic and
Very Attractive Edges.
Leaping Deer Inn: Owned by
Arnbjorg Knutson, this cozy restaurant Gregory Hobston
and tavern is among the city’s most
popular. Gregory is a vibrant and pleasant man. He’s
truly thankful for his life in Josephine, having
Winsome Salon: Run by Eva
escaped from slavery in the South during
Westberg, this beauty parlor and
barber shop is actually just a front for the Civil War. He’s accepted by everyone in
the local brothel. Those hankering for Josephine, and Hobston’s Furs, his taxidermy
company on a cold, lonely night can and fur shop, is bustling throughout the
find it here for the right price, along day. Whether they’re customers, traders, or
with a clean shave and a bath. acquaintances, someone’s always around.
Gregory has become concerned about
Jory Helgramme (see below). Gregory’s
seen that haunted, hunted look on men’s
faces before and it makes him nervous. For
there are brothels nearby. Some operate
Helgramme’s part, he suspects Gregory’s
openly, flaunting their profession and
success might come at the cost of dealings
business in front of the entire town. Others,
with the Amslers beyond just selling them
like Eva’s establishment, are a bit more covert
fine fur clothing. Either way, the two men
in their dealings. For the entire town to see, the
have begun to go out of their way to avoid
Winsome Salon is a beauty parlor and barber
each other, leading people to talk.
shop that serves everyone. The fact that many
of the men who go in for a bath and a shave Gregory Hobston: Use Townsfolk
come out looking almost as unkempt as when stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
they entered is one of the few giveaways as to Jolene Amsler
what goes on behind closed doors. Let’s get one thing out of the way,
Eva leads a life of luxury. Her beauty Marshal—Jolene Amsler and Josephine
is pristine; at first glance her complexion Amsler are one and the same person.
seems to match porcelain. Her blond hair Now we can tell you the whole story.
56
J osephine
While spelunking alone years ago, the
poor girl stumbled upon an extensive
cache of human remains—an abattoir
of bones. She was curious, seeing all the
Accursed
dead bodies lying about, as to what could Countryside
have caused such carnage. She discovered
her folly when she met Mythos—a spawn The bucolic farmland, forests, rocky
of the legendary Count Dracula—who crags, and hilly meadows around
resented the intrusion on his sanctuary. Josephine are beautiful and inviting. But
for some reason—known to locals as
He took Josephine as one of his “children,” “The Curse”—they hide more than their
giving her the dark gift of vampirism. He share of weird abominations looking to
hoped to make her his immortal bride. prey on travelers. Roll a d6 and consult
Instead, she found out how to kill him, and the table below whenever the posse
afterward made a pet of a passing explorer enters or leaves Josephine to see what
with whom to share her eternal unlife. they run across outside the city limits...
Her lithe frame hides an incredible amount or what runs across them.
of power, and her eyes turn bloodshot red
when in the throes of rage. Even though d6 Result
she’s ill-tempered, she’s also very smart. 1 2d6 wolves (see Savage Worlds)
She’s made sure that all her meals were
2 d6 wolflings
people passing through the city, and not
the residents. When she has to, she dines on 3 Catamount
an actual animal or (as a last resort) one of 4 1d6 cemetery wolves
the townsfolk, always taking care to choose
someone whose absence is easily explained. 5 Chinook
Jolene views the city as hers—it bears her 6 Dire wolf (see Savage Worlds)
name, after all—wanting to keep it static and
unchanging as long as possible, a cheerful
reminder of the home she knew as a child.
Jory keeps an eye on the Amslers,
But strange beasts stalk the fringes of the city
instinctively certain of their nature but
more often than anyone likes to admit. Maybe
lacking proof of their undead status. Still,
the Reckoners don’t like an abomination that
he knows someday one of them will slip—
refuses to feed them more Fear.
then he’ll be ready to wipe them out and
• Jolene Amsler: See page 119. burn down their estate. Recently he’s come
across a diary in a language he’s never read,
Jory Helgramme
which fuels his suspicions, as the final page
Jolene and Stefan Amsler aren’t the
features a very old sketch of Jolene Amsler.
town’s only dangerous residents to travel
here from the Old World... so too has • Jory Helgramme: See page 123.
come Jory Helgramme. He’s one of the Stefan Amsler
few city folk who can be seen to carry not
Amsler isn’t Stefan’s true last name—but
just weapons, but a single silver cross on
he’s forgotten his prior surname entirely.
a chain around his neck. He scours the
Enraptured by Jolene (née Josephine)
inns and restaurants for newly arrived
when he first met her, he allowed her
travelers, hoping to discern whether
to subjugate his will entirely. Now he
they are threats or potential allies.
carries her name, so there will always be
an Amsler in the town of Josephine.
57
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Stefan was a trapper before he met Jolene, The Story So Far
and that’s reflected in his short, compact Recently, former monster hunter Jory
build. His dark hair always seems to just Helgramme acquired the diary of Manfred
cover his eyes, which fire darts of rage at the Amsler from contacts in Seattle. It is written
tiniest slight towards Jolene. Stefan follows in code, one that Helgramme is desperate
Jolene’s lead in all regards, wearing fine to crack. As he suspects, the diary holds the
clothing and trying to stay very cautious. secret history of Jolene. Manfred knew all
Trying, though, isn’t necessarily doing. along what his daughter had become, but
Stefan always appears just a little out of he couldn’t bring himself to kill her. In the
place. Also, he’s not always so careful process he cursed the town to never ending
about how he selects his victims—which Fear, which is what draws abominations to
is likely to become a big problem for him. the wilds all around.
• Stefan Amsler: See page 120.
The Set-Up
As your posse exits one of the inns of
Talk O’ the Town Josephine at night, the cowpokes nearly
run smack into Stefan Amsler. Read the
A number of opportunities for twisted tales following passage:
hide in and around Josephine. Here’s a general The noble Stefan Amsler stops short
suggestion along with a few Savage Tales. as he’s leaving the shop of Gregory
Huntsmen on the Hoof Hobston. He has a new sable coat cradled
in his arms. He sneers at you, “Step back
With all the critters lurking about,
into your place!” and passes by in a huff,
those brave enough to go monster
climbing into a waiting carriage.
hunting near Josephine are sure to get
on the town’s good side pretty quickly. Amsler ignores any jibes the cowpokes
Granted, that involves a good amount of might toss his way (although he responds
soul-scarring fear and danger. in kind to violence).
Each night the posse rides the wilds • Stefan Amsler: See page 120.
near town, draw an Action Card and roll As the scene seems to be winding
a d6, using the Accursed Countryside down, read this out loud:
sidebar on page 57. On a face card, double The carriage trundles noisily down
the amount of critters faced. If the face the cobblestones a bit, then stops. Stefan
card is a Joker, roll twice on the table reemerges, and approaches you once more.
and combine the results, and double the “I must apologize for my
amount of any varmints on the scene. impertinence,” he says earnestly. “I have
had a bit too much wine this evening.
Please let me make it up to you, since
Amslers’ End you’re new in town.
Location: Josephine (Fear Level 3) “Join me and my lovely wife for dinner
at our estate tomorrow night. A joyful
Run this little tale when you want to
gathering, savory foods, and plentiful
impart the real history of Josephine, and
libations should help to repair any insult
begin a brand-new era at the same time.
from my poor manners.
Naturally, that means putting your posse
square in the path of oncoming thirsty “I must mention, however, that Jolene
vampires. prefers formal attire at our gatherings.
The Winsome Salon and Hobston’s Furs
58
J osephine
can help you dress the part.” Stefan
hands you a small scarf emblazoned with
a family crest. “This will provide full
payment at either establishment. See you The Family Crest
tomorrow evening at seven o’clock!”
The Amsler family crest is thickly
With that, Amsler disappears into his embroidered on the scarf, about the
carriage and it clatters away. Your buckaroos size of a fist. It features three golden
are free to go shopping now or the next day, deer’s heads on a blue field with a white
as they see fit. Refer to the sidebar titled The chevron. Showing the scarf to Gregory
Family Crest whenever they do. Hobston or Eva Westberg gives the
posse access to pretty much anything it
One Suspicious Hunter asks for—at your discretion, Marshal,
When your sodbusters return to wherever as always—including some “special
they’re staying, Jory Helgramme confronts services” at Westberg’s establishment,
them outside. Read the following passage as the Winsome Salon.
Jory pulls a random caballero aside: Hobston’s Furs: Hobston cheerfully
outfits the group, although he suggests
A hulking figure, bent over a walking
they ought to get gussied up at the
stick, steps from the shadows and grabs
Winsome Salon. If asked, Hobston
you by the lapels. There’s passion provides a little bit of background on
burning in his eyes and whiskey burning the Amslers, particularly the “current
on his breath. generation” and how they run the town.
“You fought them before, those unnatural He also warns them to stay away from
things. I can smell it on you. And you’re Jory Helgramme, in his words an “old
still standing. So I’m going to give you a obsessed fool” who causes nothing but
warning. Those who cross the Amslers—no trouble for friends of the Amslers.
matter how slightly—well, eventually they Winsome Salon: The crest is a signal
pay the piper. Never seen again. to Eva as well, letting her know that
these dudes are to be watched. Their
“The Amslers, they’re up to something.
movements are closely followed by Eva,
I haven’t figured it out quite yet. I have who does her best to persuade the posse
got some book learning to do.” to return immediately before dinner to
He’s willing to listen to any intelligence get ready. She tries to get an accurate feel
the investigators might have uncovered, for how well-armed the party is—and
but isn’t interested in providing any whether they’re planning violence—
more of his own. Brushing off questions, while she provides free baths and
Helgramme shuffles away into the dark. washes clothing. When they come back,
Eva offers to launder and store their old
• Jory Helgramme: See page 123. clothing while they’re at dinner, hoping
to stealthily disarm the heroes.
Guns Are So Rude
If your dudes and gals agreed to a Either way, she relays everything she
finds out about the posse to the Amslers.
sprucing-up from Eva the following day,
This information gives Stefan and Jolene
she sends a girl to fetch the posse a few plenty of time to perfect their dastardly
hours before the scheduled dinner. Eva’s plans.
girls attend to every need (yes, every single
one), but most importantly offer new,
formal clothing to all of the cowpokes.
When she takes their dirty clothes, Eva
puts the heroes’ weapons away and does
59
G host T owns
her level best not to reveal she’s done so. Any gussied up in their best bibs and
shootist, with a successful Notice roll, senses tuckers, Helgramme made the final
his smokewagons are misplaced. If anyone breakthrough and cracked the elder
raises a stink Eva brushes it off, saying, Amsler’s code. He wasted no time riding
If you insist, of course you may have out the estate when he discovered the
your weapons. But I’ll have you know Amslers’ simple yet terrifying secret.
it’s simply bad manners to take guns to Read the following when all the chit-
formal dinners. chat’s done and you’re ready for the final
Any hero who demands his outfit back act to begin, Marshal:
is given all his weapons and ammunition After a delicious dinner, the best you’ve
without any more fuss. Of course, Eva had in years, but before dessert, your hear
dispatches a girl to the Amsler Estate a sudden crashing and commotion from
immediately with a note listing all the details. somewhere in the house. It’s followed by
a few sharp thumps.
It’s Supper Time
Stefan smiles faintly and asks, “What
When the guests are cleaned and on earth could that be?”
dressed, a carriage arrives to take them
The dining room doors crash inward.
to the Amsler Estate. Once there, success
Helgramme stands in the doorway with
on a Notice roll means an hombre senses
a pistol aimed at Stefan’s chest. “It’s all
a pervasive strangeness about the home.
over for you, Hellspawn!”
Allow a Smarts roll for any cowpoke
who’s had prior doings with nosferatu or Deal out your Action Cards now,
other vampires. With success that hombre Marshal.
correctly notes the lack of natural lighting, Jolene cries out for the party to stop
as it were, due to heavy shades and shutters Helgramme, claiming he’s delusional. Stefan
covering all the windows. plays along only if he isn’t attacked. If Jory—
A young woman—the same who fetched who fires as soon as he’s able—is on target,
them to Eva’s earlier, and who delivered Stefan shrugs off the wound and rages,
Eva’s warning note to Stefan—welcomes Then this is how it shall be. I welcome
the posse at the door. They are escorted to a it. After all, the dinner wasn’t FOR you,
very formal, but aged, dining room. it was always going to BE you!
Stefan Amsler greets them warmly and Stefan charges into battle, first slaying
introduces his wife, Jolene. Everyone sits Jory Helgramme then turning to face the
down to a sumptuous dinner with polite well-fed posse. When Stefan commits
and scintillating conversation. Stefan himself to duking it out, Jolene attempts
Amsler seems a well-traveled man with to flee, turning to fight only if cornered—
opinions on many facets of the Weird in that case she’s a fierce foe. Amsler’s
West—all of which he’s willing to discuss at loyal servants arrive the following round.
length. You might use this opportunity to • Amsler’s Minions (2 per hero): Use
drop a few pearls of knowledge concerning Gunman stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s
your own plots and locations, Marshal, or Handbook. Amsler’s minions are armed
choose a few players to relate anecdotes with shotguns (Range: 12/24/48, Damage:
using the Interlude rules in Savage Worlds. 1–3d6, RoF 1, Shots 1, Shooting +2) and
Bowie knives (Damage: Str+d4+1, AP 1).
Hunter’s Revenge
• Jolene Amsler: See page 119.
This dinner is doomed to be
• Jory Helgramme: See page 123.
interrupted. While the heroes got
• Stefan Amsler: See page 120.
60
J osephine
If Jolene makes it out the back, she’s Erling declares, “If you can’t tell what kind
almost sure to get away in the form of of meat it is, maybe you need to talk to a real
a bat or wolf... and return to harass the cook!” He stomps back inside the Buckhorn
posse in the future! Either way, when Inn and slams the door behind him.
the battle’s over Helgramme imparts “A real cook? A real cook!” shouts
the knowledge he gained from Amsler’s Arnbjorg. “If you folk want to see a real
diary. If he’s left dying after the fight, cook, come inside the Leaping Deer!”
Helgramme passes on the book as he With that, he spins on his heel and
shuffles off the mortal coil. crosses the street to the Leaping Deer
Inn, beckoning for you and everyone else
to join him.
Sweet Meat
Leaping Deer Inn
Location: Josephine (Fear Level 3) Hungry hombres have their choice
Erling “Weasel” Godmunsdottir’s tasty of the Leaping Deer or the Buckhorn.
sausages have a very special ingredient Should they choose the former, read this
indeed: “Weasel” has been hunting out loud:
sasquatches and dragging their bodies The Leaping Deer Inn is lively and
to a cabin in the woods near Josephine. full of reg’lar folks, the air thick with
There he grinds up the noble creatures to cooking smoke and the scent of rich foods.
make his coveted links from their flesh. Arnbjorg’s mood seems brighter; he and his
It’s up to any curious connoisseurs of wife serve the influx of guests cheerfully.
cuisine to root out Erling’s secret.
Noticing the posse, Arnbjorg is so
A Public Feud eager to impress new guests he offers
While strolling down Main Street the them half price on all their meals. As he
posse finds Erling and Arnbjorg (see pages interacts with the cowpokes, he might
55-56) arguing in the middle of the street. A relay some of the town’s history as part
small crowd has gathered around to witness of a welcoming spiel. Only mention
the unfolding drama. Read the following: of Erling or the Buckhorn darkens his
mood, though not for long. He says,
“Thief! You stole my recipe for rosti!”
Arnbjorg shouts. No one knows what type of meat Erling
uses. He prepares his sausages outside of
“That overcooked paste?” counters
town, and he only hunts at night. Now
Erling, “Who’d want it? You’re just
doesn’t that seem odd to you? With all
jealous of my sausages!”
the wolves roaming the hills around here,
“How can I be jealous of a sausage you’d think hunting at night would be
when you don’t even tell us what meat quite dangerous.
it is?”
Arnbjorg doesn’t have any other facts to
The crowd gasps. relate, but he offers a full range of desserts and
Heroes who make small-talk with can talk all day about cooking techniques.
gathered townsfolk can, with a successful
Streetwise roll, find out that the contents Buckhorn Inn
of the—extremely delicious—Buckhorn Should the posse head over to
sausage have been a source of speculation Buckhorn, they find the mood there a bit
for months. Meanwhile, the cooks go more dour. Read this to your group:
on bickering. Finally, read the following As you go in the front door, people
passages to your group: are leaving the restaurant, complaining
61
G host T owns
bitterly about the lack of the featured dish. Marshal’s Handbook. He’s armed with
The hostess tries to mend fences, saying, a double-barrel shotgun (Range:
“Erling has already left to prepare more, 12/24/48, Damage: 1–3d6, RoF 1 or 2,
so please come back for your Buckhorn Shots 2, Shooting +2), and has four
breakfast tomorrow!” spare shells in his pocket.
The hostess has no useful information
The Weasel Turns Mean
to impart to curious cowpokes asking
after Erling, but brightly suggests that Erling doesn’t fight to the death, but
they might come back for breakfast in the rather surrenders if he suffers one or
morning and talk to Erling themselves. more wounds. Inside the cabin, the
posse finds a grisly sight. Large, furry
Should the posse desire it, a cowpoke
body parts lie strewn about, along with
with Tracking can pick up Erling’s trail
brown pelts and the gear one would
from where he left the city. Fresh snowfall
expect primitive hunters to carry. When
imparts a +4 modifier to the first mile’s
confronted, Erling confesses to hunting
Tracking roll, the sausage maker’s boots
the noble sasquatches for their meat. He
leaving impressions that are easy to follow.
claims the first time he tasted sasquatch
For the second and third miles, the flesh was a matter of life or death, but he
tracks’ direction changes abruptly couldn’t seem to shake his desire for it
and often, usually near some rocky afterward.
outcropping or stream. At these spots
Once the talking is done, read the
Erling tried to hide his trail, so Tracking
following:
rolls gain no bonus for the last two miles
of pursuit. Erling may be sneaky but he’s It’s hard for you to get any more out
also not used to being followed anymore, of Erling. As he speaks, his features
so he has gotten a bit sloppy. Luckily for distort, growing thicker and wider.
him, the rough, forested, and hilly terrain His teeth and fingers sharpen and
does a lot of the job for him. elongate, his whole body growing
more massive and sprouting black fur
That Smells Delicious! as he slips his bonds. He’s some kind
A scant three miles outside Josephine, o’ big, mean critter!
the posse smells a savory, meaty scent Erling has become the sasquatches’
wafting on the breeze. No Tracking roll mortal enemy, turning into a wendigo
is needed to follow the smoke back to a right before the posse’s eyes! Make a
small cabin tucked into the hills, but a Guts check for every cowpoke who
Stealth roll might be wise if any players witnesses this and then deal Action
suggest it. Make an opposed Notice roll Cards, Marshal.
for Erling, who is always considered an • Erling the Wendigo (1): Use Wendigo
active guard at his cabin. stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
If he senses intruders, Erling bursts out After the battle is over, the posse is left
of the cabin as they approach. Wearing with the difficult decision of what to tell
a bloody butcher’s apron, he lowers a the townsfolk of Josephine, if anything.
shotgun and fires! One thing’s for sure—Arnbjorg doesn’t
• Erling Godmunsdottir: Wild Card. mourn the loss of his chief rival, no
Use Soldier stats in the Deadlands matter what explanation is given.
62
Hope Falls
Sometimes a city is founded on its Hope Falls was on the road to becoming
chosen spot because it’s just the only another brewing den of Fear in the Weird
possible place to do so. Surrounded by West. When prospectors struck a vein of
dust basins and dry land, Hope Falls is ghost rock nearby, the people of Hope Falls
one of those places. In fact, it’s no less felt their hopes rise—they expected to see
than a pristine oasis. Taking its name the miners and money flowing through
from the waterfalls that feed said oasis, their town increase, even if the criminal
Hope Falls is an ideal place for tuckered- element might increase along with it.
out hombres to soothe their saddle sores Problem was another town,
before they hit the dusty trail again. Sheltonsville, which sprung up nearer
Water alone does not a city make, so it to the ghost rock vein—the expected
wasn’t until a large vein of copper was population boom happened there instead.
found that the former oasis became a The Bayou Vermilion rail line promised
boomtown. With the flood of miners to Hope Falls never materialized,
came the usual accoutrements—saloons, instead heading to the ghost rock and
brothels, and crime. It wasn’t long until Sheltonsville. Most of the miners went
63
G host T owns
there too. In a short time, Hope Falls went the ghost rock vein to dry up, bringing
from a thriving community of thousands people and money back to Hope Falls.
to just under 800 people. There’s a single ray of hope, in the form
Some miners stuck it out for the copper, of the Hope Falls Power Generator, but
hoping that its abundance would make it’s a thin one. Few can deny that at this
up for the price difference with the more rate, it looks like Hope Falls may soon be
lucrative ghost rock. Others wish for nothing more than a ghost town.
The City Now

Region: The Wild Southwest
Fear Level: 4
For all their travails, the stalwart people
of Hope Falls aren’t ready to pack it in just
yet. Although it’s only a fraction of its former
size, it’s home to a dedicated—some might
say “stubborn,” others “hard-headed”— type
of person. The inhabitants won’t let anything
run them off easily, not when the roaring falls
allow for farming, ranching, and a modicum
of comfort in Death’s domain.
The concept of a remote, isolated location
that retains the amenities of modern living
appeals to a number of people. Indeed,
H ope F alls
recent years have seen a small upswing
in the number of residents, including the
prominent inventor Aldo Derringer.
Aldo is a distant cousin of Henry
Points of Interest
Derringer, creator of the palm pistol that Here are some of the best-known
bears his name. A scientist rather than and most popular places in Hope Falls,
a gunsmith, Aldo revels in the attention as shown on the nearby map.
his name garners. The locals are more “Boltholes”: These secret entrances
than happy to have a “celebrity” as an to a network of pneumatic tunnels
attraction in Hope Falls, even if he’s under the city are known only to
known as a bit of an ornery cuss. Aldo Derringer and the mysterious
Aldo dreamed up and built the Hope Leonard Cave. They provide access to
Falls Power Generator that promises to Derringer’s secret workshop under the
change life as the locals know it—should Power Station.
he ever get it functioning. Aldo’s creation Children’s Dream Toy Emporium:
rivals the new power station in Niagara Here the unsavory—and highly
Falls, New York, but runs more efficiently unethical—Jonas Fellbane peddles
cheap knock-offs of Derringer’s
and at a lower cost. The electricity provided
creations as toys for children.
by Aldo’s roaring turbines is one of the
more tangible benefits of life in Hope Falls. Hope Falls Power Station: Here the
Hope River’s might is used to power
The facility employs a number of locals, turbines which, in turn, provide
making them feel indebted to their local electricity to Hope Falls—and soon to
mad scientist. He’s outfitted many of the Sheltonsville!
locals with electric lights and fans at little Lost Angels Mission: From this
or no cost—after all, they still pay Aldo makeshift church Missionary Paulson
for the electricity to run them. Currently preaches the word of Grimme.
they’re building lines to carry electric Power Lines: These lines stretch
power all the way to Sheltonsville. north out of town, across the desert,
Many feel Derringer and the plant deflect arrowing toward Sheltonsville. The
some of the bad press about the city’s work crews are supervised by lineman
troubles. Rumors of a strange mechanical Edmund Crier.
monster that walks like a man and abducts Security Office: Olivia “Liv”
the unwary pop up about once a month Turner, while not the local marshal,
or so. Tales are also whispered about the is in charge of keeping the peace. A
dangers of electric power, with its deadly close ally of Aldo Derringer, she does
ability to fry a man who grasps a “live her work from this office, which is
equipped with several jail cells.
wire.” Most locals just shrug and dismiss
these stories as the product of jealous rivals
from other towns (read: Sheltonsville).
The city is hospitable enough to
travelers—maybe a little too much so.
People go out of their way to offer a warm lots with crumbling houses ring the
handshake or an inviting smile. A posse outskirts of the town, easily had for a
arriving in town is met with genuine cheap price. Given how green the area is
curiosity and lots of friendly suggestions in comparison to the drab surroundings,
as to why they should stay. Abandoned that could be a very tempting offer.
65
G host T owns
Jonas Fellbane
The Locals Jonas is one of the people who have
benefited the most from Aldo’s presence
The folk of Hope Falls embody the in the town. After a number of Aldo’s
spirit of the rugged frontiersman. Above discarded blueprints found their way
all, they honestly believe in their home into Jonas’ possession, Jonas used his
and want it to prosper. Any suggestion or incomplete knowledge of the schematics
event that breaks their idealized notions to engineer inferior copies, which he sells
of their city is met with polite denial. as toys. When a child buys a toy from his
Children’s Dream Toy Emporium, the
Aldo Derringer joyful light in her eyes matches the greed
Hope Falls’ most famous resident is also burning in Jonas’.
its most reluctant celebrity. Aldo has long Most of the toys are animatronic in
been obsessed with proving himself a skilled some fashion, running on a sliver of ghost
inventor and stepping out of the shadow of rock. Although Jonas was capable of
his more famous cousin, yet he abhors the replicating the original function to some
limelight. Never without his trademark cigar, extent, his skill pales in comparison to
the inventor sports expensive, stylish clothing. Aldo’s. For Aldo’s part, he takes one look
To Aldo, fashion is as important as ethics are at the gaunt, pale, always-sweating Jonas
meaningless.The only things that really matter and dismisses him entirely. If Jonas is
to him are his work and his next meal, in that able to make some money on far
order. Truth be told, he can be a bit inferior copies of Aldo’s
mean-spirited at times. work, Aldo couldn’t
Aldo is also a bit care less.
paranoid, refusing to • Jonas Fellbane:
go anywhere without Use Townsfolk
a few members stats in the
of his personal Deadlands
security team. M ars h al ’s
He’s installed Handbook,
nu m e r o u s with the
“boltholes” H i nd ra n c e
around the G r e e d y
city, a system of (Major), and
pneumatic tunnels Repair d8.
only he
knows the
locations of.
Any of these
tubes whisks
him back to
the safety of his
lab, none the worse
for wear.
• Aldo Derringer:
See page 122.
H ope F alls
Edmund Crier scientific advances into Santa Anna’s

Edmund is the “lineman” for the hands. For the most part he’s regarded as
grand civic project to convey power from harmless, although Missionary Paulson
Hope Falls to the town of Sheltonsville. has cross words for Alonso whenever the
His weathered skin reflects a lifetime of latter speaks of Santa Anna’s “rightful
hard work, proving this kind of thing claim” to California.
is right up his alley. Well, at least the Too bad no one has ever taken a look
work part of it, anyway. Dealing with through Alonso’s personal belongings—
saboteurs, thieves, highwaymen, and all they’d find less in Alonso’s past to link
sorts of outlaws was never his cup of tea. him to Santa Anna, and far more tying
Unfortunately, his job as head-lineman- him to Reverend Grimme. In truth
in-charge marries what he’s good at to Carlos is a member of the Church of Lost
what he’d rather not have to deal with. Angels, and a believer of Grimme’s word
What makes matters worse is Edmund and faith. He stands ready to claim Hope
feels completely ignored by Aldo Falls for Grimme when the time is right.
Derringer, unless the inventor is berating • Carlos Perez Alonso: Wild Card. Use
him for something. Aldo’s moved on to his Guardian Angel stats in the Deadlands
next experiment, and the civic project he Marshal’s Handbook.
dreamt up barely reaches his notice. The
Missionary Paulson
fact that it could be vital to keeping the
town alive also escapes Aldo completely. Though Missionary Paulson has been
So all the grave responsibility is directly in town less than a month, he’s already
on Edmund’s shoulders, something he caused quite a stir. Buying a vacant
hasn’t been wearing too well of late. building and turning it into a church,
this devotee of Rev. Grimme and the
• Edmund Crier: Use Townsfolk stats
Church of Lost Angels has been very
visible. On street corners he preaches
adding Repair d10, Knowledge
the word of Grimme insistently, with his
(Electrical Systems) d8, and the Quirk
“helpers”—actually Guardian Angels
(Wrings hands nervously) Hindrance.
in plain garb—handing out prayer
Carlos Perez Alonso tracts. Although most in the city dislike
Carlos isn’t new to town but he’s not a Paulson, they’ve yet to find a good reason
native, either. Most of the locals treat him to run him out.
almost as one of their own, or at least accept Paulson and Carlos Perez Alonso always
the loud, large Mexican as part of the seem at odds with each other. Truth is the
scenery. He tells sweeping and grandiose entire thing is an act, their enmity false.
tall tales, and rollicking stories of his term It just wouldn’t do for the townsfolk to
in Santa Anna’s army. Carlos is affectionate realize how many of Lost Angels’ faithful
and boisterous, and anyone coming near are taking up residence in Hope Falls. In
one of the town’s two remaining saloons the meantime both are hoping to get their
finds him outside regaling residents and hands on Aldo’s advanced weaponry.
travelers alike with his stories. Doing so would garner high praise from
Carlos has been a little more vocal lately Grimme and transfer a good deal of lethal
in his support of Santa Anna, giving public armament to Lost Angels.
speeches listing the general’s virtues, • Missionary Paulson: Use Cult Leader
and campaigning to get a few of Aldo’s stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s
Handbook.
67
de facto law of Hope Falls, she
makes sure everything stays
safe and, more importantly,
ensures Aldo is unmolested.
A less scrupulous bodyguard
could make an easy living
selling off Derringer’s discarded
blueprints, but not Liv. She took
a vow to protect her boss, and
she aims to keep it.
• Olivia Turner: Wild Card.
Use Rail Warrior stats in the
Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook,
replacing the Hindrances with
Vow (Protect Derringer). Add a
Bullet Proof Vest to her Gear.
Leonard Cave
Leonard Cave used to be
the local Marshal, and one of
the most dedicated lawmen in
the West. He’d forgone women,
family, and even friends in order
to remain “beholden to no one” as
he would say. He was never seen to
touch a drop of liquor, was polite but
firm at all times, and always available
for any emergency, big or small.
The past tense is used because that
type of clean living is liable to get a man
killed in the Weird West, and Leonard
Olivia “Liv” Turner
Cave was no exception. Caught flat-
Olivia—or “Liv,” as she’s known to her
footed by a sneaky hombre who shot
friends—came to Hope Falls with Aldo, the
from underneath his poncho, Cave’s
head of his personal security force. She pulls
death was avenged by Olivia Turner.
back her hair and takes care to sharpen her
Only problem with his death is that
soft features in order to better represent
the body up and disappeared from the
him. It wouldn’t do for someone to glance at
gunfight, before the undertaker could
the 5’11” brunette and think Derringer had
even measure him up for the coffin.
hired a lady instead of a specialist.
Cave’s face featured a distinctive scar
Olivia’s a consummate professional,
passing from the left of his nose to the
commanding Derringer’s security
top of his lip. Maybe that’s why, every
forces with skill and respect. As the
so often, a local thinks they’ve seen him
town lost more and more people, Olivia
walking the city at night. Must be some
shrewdly co-opted the local lawmen into
other scarred fella with a penchant for
Derringer’s employ. In actuality, they’re
somnambulism.
more loyal to her than to him. Now the
• Leonard Cave: See page 123.
68
H ope F alls
Talk O’
the Town Postdiluvian
A number of story opportunities wait in
Cultists
Hope Falls, ready to jump out and shout
If your game is set after the events of
“Boo!” at passers-by. Here’s a story seed and Deadlands: The Flood, Marshal, you might
a trio of Savage Tales to get things moving. be wondering why a Church of Lost
Angels missionary or a loyalist of Santa
Don’t Let the Lightnin’ Man Getcha! Anna would even bother to persist,
The Hope Falls Power Generator given that their leaders have been swept
promises huge technological away and deposed. Well, faith and
advancements, but superstition reigns fanaticism are funny things, amigo.
supreme. According to the fevered tales After the Great Deluge wipes out
of locals, electric bolts might leap across half of Lost Angels, swallowing up
the open air to strike a man dead, travel Grimme and his inner circle like the
through the earth to set buildings alight, proverbial whale swallowed Jonah,
or hide in an otherwise innocent-looking the church goes on. In fact, it’s a little
bucket of water. No amount of rhetoric more in accord with the “good” word
can disabuse them of their odd notions, now, since a heap of pure evil’s been
nor stop them spreading the hair-raising removed from behind the scenes.
If this is the case in your campaign,
rumors.
assume Missionary Paulson’s plan is
Through the dark magic of the to try to reclaim material ownership of
Reckoning, tall tales of electricity’s dangers Lost Angels from the Wasatch Rail Co.
have given rise to a malicious creature of The more advanced weapons he can
living voltage called a Lightnin’ Man. It grab, the better off the church will be.
can leave a man blackened and smoking With Santa Anna’s ultimate
with no visible cause. Between it and Hope downfall also complete, change Carlos
Falls’ rampant gremlins (see the Deadlands Perez Alonso’s loyalties to Emperor
Marshal’s Handbook), freelancers hired by Maximillian instead of Santa Anna.
Aldo Derringer to solve the mystery have He constantly extols the virtues of the
their hands full. rugged and implacable French Foreign
Legion. It’s still a sham, just one that’s
• Lightnin’ Man: See page 117. more in line with the times.
Better Than
Human Leonard Cave, bless his soul if he
really is dead, was a hero to this town—
Location: Hope Falls (Fear Level 4) no less than a hero. He didn’t deserve
Almost as prolific as the help wanted what happened to him.
posters in Hope Falls are MISSING Festus Dooley, now there was an
posters showcasing the distinctively ornery cuss. He came into town with a
scarred face of Leonard Cave. Talking chip on his shoulder. It seems his cousin
to a local—or making a successful had been working on the power line to
Streetwise roll—gets at some of the story Sheltonsville, and an accident caused
behind these posters. It always sounds him to get fried alive by electricity. Festus
about the same:
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Dooley figured he’d take out his sorrow into the tube, he was sucked into Aldo’s
and frustration on Mr. Derringer. labs in a bloody fwoooshh!, where he landed
Leonard Cave, always making peace, tried unconscious on the floor.
to talk the man down. Dooley shot Cave Aldo came across the body in his lab, and
with a holdout gun hidden in his poncho. Liv was struck with inspiration. It was clear no
Turner heard the commotion and intervened, one had any idea what became of Cave, and
gunning Dooley down in the street. he would have died anyway, had Aldo not
When the smoke cleared, Dooley was intervened. Most of all, what subject would
dead and Cave’s body was missing. We be better suited for what Derringer had in
searched abandoned buildings, alleys, mind? He replaced most of Cave’s body
under sidewalks, everywhere, but with pneumatic parts, driving it all with
nobody found him. A lot of folks say he’s a ghost rock engine, hoping to create an
still alive, somewhere...protecting Hope Augmented Man—a bodyguard more loyal
Falls from the shadows. and powerful than any human being.
Derringer had no idea that only Dr. Gash’s
The Hole Truth X-19 formula (as described in The 1880 Smith
The truth is sometimes a little more & Robards Catalog) could possibly make
gruesome in cases like this. Cave wasn’t such augmentations function on a human
killed by the bullet that tore a big hole host. And even worse, Cave’s psyche didn’t
through his innards. Fact is, he wasn’t come back—a manitou came back in his
killed at all. He crawled away from the fight, place, animating the pneumatic parts
hoping to make it to the local sawbones as with evil magic. For a few moments Aldo
Liv Turner and her men closed in with thought the operation had been a smashing
guns blazing. Instead, Cave accidentally success... until Cave jumped off the table
uncovered one of Aldo’s boltholes. Falling and started smashing all the equipment.
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H ope F alls
In a rage he broke out of Aldo’s workshop, The pneumatic system can be shut down in
nearly killing the scientist in the process. Aldo’s workshop, allowing single-file travel
Cave’s deviously intelligent, but driven through the rather tight copper cylinders.
more by instinct than anything else. Now Navigating the dips, twists, and turns
his instincts tell him to kill. He stalks the can be treacherous. This means complex
streets of Hope Falls at night, using Aldo’s movement, like fighting, is more difficult.
pneumatic tubes to cross the city in the blink When a novice user of the tunnels makes a
of an eye, seeking ghost rock to fuel his unlife Fighting or Shooting roll, have them subtract
and fomenting Fear in the process. His focus 2 from the result. Cave is a skilled user.
on victims who have ghost rock adds an
extra dose of fright in a city so dependent on Aftermath
the New Science for its livelihood. Finding Leonard Cave isn’t easy (it’s up
to you how and when the dogged trackers
Cave Sightings find him, Marshal), but defeating him
Getting the posse involved in this one’s means the compadres can grant him some
not too hard if they’re ever out after dark. peace at last. A successful Weird Science
Cave tries to catch someone alone, and roll allows a hero to recognize the design
targets hombres likely to be carrying ghost and workmanship—particularly the use of
rock—mad scientists, miners, and such. ghost rock boilers to power small electrical
He pops out from a bolthole, grapples his turbines—as something that might come
prey, and drags them in with him. from Aldo Derringer.
Cave might also go for a quick smash and Confronting Aldo about his role in
grab, either while the posse is sleeping or Leonard Cave’s disappearance and
has foolishly left some device unguarded transformation is possible, but likely makes
back in their room. Either way, when the the posse somewhat unwelcome in Hope
posse notices their gear has the ghost rock Falls. Olivia Turner brooks no harassment of
ripped out of it—or awakens during the her boss. For Aldo’s part, he simply states he
robbery—Cave runs off to hide, and tries “forgot he tried to fix Cave”—true, given his
to ambush any pursuers. Absent–Minded nature—and dismisses the
• Leonard Cave: See page 123. issue.
Into the Tubes

Even though a successful Notice or Evil in Toyland
Tracking roll tells a cowpoke where Cave
went, a successful Lockpicking roll is needed Location: Hope Falls (Fear Level 4)
to open an entrance to Aldo’s underground Jonas Fellbane has never concerned
pneumatic tube system. Once inside, a himself with the longevity of the toys he
novice user is typically sucked directly sells. His goal is to make a quick buck off
into Derringer’s secret workshop under the any parents who allow their children to get
power plant, unharmed. Skilled users—or close enough to see the windows of his shop.
those who succeed on a Smarts roll at –4— If he weren’t so greedy, maybe he’d use better
can direct their travel through the tubes materials or even make his own instead of
to points within the city as they choose. If copying Aldo’s failed prototypes. Regardless
an inquisitive soul takes 1d6 hours’ time to of quality, each toy proudly contains a
practice using the tubes, and then succeeds “Children’s Dream Toy Emporium” emblem
on a Smarts roll, she’s considered a “skilled” on the back.
user thereafter.
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To be fair, it’s not easy to take blueprints
of fighting machines and tanks and Power Corrupts
render them in miniature, harmless
enough to be sold as toys. Proving the Location: Hope Falls (Fear Level 4)
point, even Fellbane has failed to do so. When the posse hits town, they see an
odd twist on the typical wanted poster.
Demonic Whispers
Scattered throughout Hope Falls are HELP
There’s a problem with Jonas’ toys far more WANTED signs posted by Edmund Crier.
sinister than their origin. They’re powered Crier is looking for hardy folk skilled at
by ghost rock, and over time have gained the security and protection—in other words,
attention of manitous looking to cause trouble the heroes. If shootists don’t respond to the
among the younger set. Given independent signs, it’s only a matter of time before Crier
motion, the manitous take up residence in the approaches them with a job offer.
toys and whisper to their young owners as they
sleep about the horrors of the Hunting Grounds The Story So Far
and the ruin of humanity. Soon the children Missionary Paulson has his Guardian
are possessed of malicious imagination Angels hiring the lowest-down outlaws
and precocious energy, at times attacking and saddletramps they can, putting
their families or friends. Meanwhile, the guns in their hands, and pointing them
manitou-ridden toys get up to mischief of their at the new power lines. He hopes to halt
own—which is usually blamed on the child. construction on the lines and bankrupt
Aldo Derringer. Paulson plans to offer a
Quality Control
large sum for several of Aldo’s military
This encounter can get started when the inventions, with a sizeable tax paid to the
posse witnesses a few strange events around city. The city officials—some of whom are
the city, such as sabotage and vandalism, or already plotting with Paulson—would then
sees local children throwing screaming fits put pressure on Aldo to complete the deal.
and tantrums for no apparent reason.
“I just want another toy right NOW!” A Line in the Sand
shrieks the young ’un. When Crier presents his case to the
At each scene, a Notice roll reveals one group he explains the entire situation,
of Fellbane’s toys prominently held by the whether in service of persuasion or
child, discarded amidst the wreckage of a merely to inform. He says,
livery stable, and so forth. Inspecting a toy The need for these power lines betwixt
shows that each is equipped with a tiny Hope Falls and Sheltonsville is desperate,
ghost rock boiler, which is now blackened friends. The city needs this to survive. But
and empty. Every one of Fellbane’s toys I can’t do it alone, just me and my crew.
bears his tell-tale emblem on its back. Mr. Derringer’s already hired everyone
Eventually this could lead to a who can pull a trigger, but he’s loathe
confrontation with Jonas, if the posse wants to send them out along the line, leaving
to sort things out, but Fellbane angrily himself wide open. Certain folks have got
denies any wrongdoing. Should the posse it in for him, since he’s the big bug ’round
get overly hostile with Jonas, the manitoys these parts. That’s the way it is.
take action. Defending their maker, the But I too am constantly under threat
manitou-propelled toys spring to life and from a variety of attacks—both human
attack everyone besides their maker. and...otherwise. I’ll pay you handsomely
• Manitoys (2 per hero): See page 118. to ride out with the next crew and keep
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H ope F alls
an eye on them. And, of course...do what they open fire. With success a hero notes
it takes to keep them safe. some small clue that all’s not right—a bird
Crier pays in copper at the fairly decent taking flight or a rustle of grass—while
wage of $15 per regulator per day. He also a raise grants a glimpse of a readied
offers the posse free room and board in weapon clenched in white knuckles atop
one of Hope Falls’ abandoned houses for the canyon rim.
as long as they’re under contract. Deal Action Cards as soon as the
ambush begins; heroes who failed the
Mojave Linemen Notice roll are surprised and don’t get a
If the posse takes the job, they ride out card the first round.
the next day with Crier, six linemen on • Hired Guns (3 per hero): Use Outlaw
horseback, and just as many pack mules. stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
The mules are loaded down with tools, They’re armed with El Cheapo
cable, and equipment to hook up to the Winchesters and single-action revolvers.
next relay, roughly 40 miles out of town.
If any of the outlaws are captured and
Crier leads this crew personally, interrogated—with a successful Test of
warning the posse that the past few Wills—they reveal the name of the man
weeks have seen more attacks than usual. who hired them, Fred Jenkins. Sure
He openly ponders if someone could be enough, ol’ Fred turns out to be one of
coordinating these encounters, although Missionary Paulson’s “helpers” back in
he admits that would be very difficult. Hope Falls. Of course, Fred’s actually a
• Edmund Crier: Use Townsfolk stats Guardian Angel.
adding Repair d10, Knowledge Root ’Em Out
(Electrical Systems) d8, and the Quirk If the posse decides to follow the trail
(Wrings hands nervously) Hindrance. of the Guardian Angel to its source, they
• Line Crew (6): Use Townsfolk stats in have a chance to put the Church of Lost
the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, but Angels out of business in Hope Falls. But
add Repair d6. Missionary Paulson is a canny sort who
• Mules (6): See Savage Worlds. always tries to look like the mild lamb
even when he’s planning the wolf’s work,
Worse Than Rattlesnakes so to speak, so he’s not easy to catch out.
As the posse heads towards the relay, Paulson is horribly ineffective in a
draw for encounters as usual, using the fight, usually attempting to do nothing
Wild Southwest encounter table (in the other than get away. As for his Guardian
Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook). On the Angels, there are eight of them including
second day of travel, they’re stalked Fred, and when the chips are down they
by a rather large band of hired guns— put up more of a fight.
assassins, to be exact. • Guardian Angels (8): See the Deadlands
The bad guys line both rims of a Marshal’s Handbook.
narrow canyon, waiting for the hapless If a scrap transpires, it draws the
heroes and the line crew to ride into attention of Olivia Turner and some of
firing range. Edges such as Danger Sense Derringer’s security team. They’re only
and Scout come in handy here. Otherwise too happy to take Paulson into custody,
watchful heroes receive a Notice roll (–3) furious at his attempt to manipulate the
to detect the well-hidden attackers before town.
73
Rulamer
Rulamer’s history began when a French ship The refuge they found—a natural harbor
became utterly lost in the Great Maze. After with gentle slopes reaching up from
several days of wandering and close calls in the beaches to a wooded area atop the
the narrow sea channels, the captain of the mesa—was perfect for settlement. Initial
Seigneur Chanceux was relieved to finally spy attempts to sail back out of the area led to
what he believed was a channel to the open difficulties and setbacks, though, making
sea. Unfortunately, the next thing his crew saw the sailors gun-shy. But they settled in
was a California Maze Dragon—and unlike the for the long haul, and began to make the
miraculous channel, it was no mirage. best of their situation. A few weeks later,
The wreck of the Seigneur Chanceux a rudimentary settlement was in place,
killed nearly three-quarters of the ship’s and the most persistent sailors had found
crew, as well as its captain, who went a navigable route back out into the Maze.
down with the ship. Luck remained with Over time, the tiny settlement expanded
a few, who managed to put a longboat with the addition of other shipwrecked
in the roiling waters and row a short seamen and random stragglers lost in the
distance away from the sinking vessel. Maze. Given the relatively low elevation
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R ulamer
of the settlement, expansion came with
bridges leading over to the tops of other,
nearby mesas. The predominantly French Points of Interest
locals noted the city had “streets of water,”
or in their own tongue, “Rue l’mer.” A Here are some of the most prominent
derivative of this name, Rulamer, stuck places in Rulamer, as shown on the
nearby map.
around as the city became a hidden port...
and a den of pirates! Anchor Saloon: By far the most
popular drinking establishment in
town. Sailors, soldiers, pirates, toughs,
The City Now merchants, and strongarms mix here,
and sometimes mix it up.
Region: Great Maze Brun’s Water Station: Here Brun’s
Price Modifier: x5 Boys sell their overpriced wares and
house their large, ghost-rock-powered
Fear Level: 4 water distiller. Brun Desmarais
Rulamer has grown into a significant oversees operations from a house next
pirate harbor in the past few years. A door.
combination of dangerous currents and Renard Imports & Exports: Sournois
underwater hazards make it the perfect Renard runs this business, which is
hiding spot for skippers who know how to little more than a front for fencing
avoid the rocks. The rushing sea currents stolen goods and running smuggling
also drive schools of fish into Rulamer’s operations.
harbor and prevent their escape, making Rulamer Harbor: Small but deep,
fishing an expedient way to provide most and equipped with several wharfs, this
of the port’s food. With its innovative water harbor normally shelters 20 or more
filtration system, Rulamer supports nearly vessels at a time.
200 people, which borders on extravagant Webbe’s Estate: Bedivere Webbe
for a Maze settlement—one that isn’t makes his home in this building
owned by Warlord Kang, anyway. perched on a high, broken column of
mesa overlooking the town.
The population consists mostly of
Maze pirates and fishermen, some rice
farmers, and the people who provide
all the entertainment by working in is attacked, everyone defends it. It’s not
Rulamer’s saloons, Fan Tan parlors, like there’s anywhere to flee to, so this is
brothels, dance halls, theaters, and such. more out of necessity than choice.
Due to the difficulty of reaching Rulamer A strong Chinese influence has taken
in one piece, the transient population hold, with rice now grown in the few
tends to remain few. areas around town that can support it.
There’s little in the way of true local That and fish make up the majority of the
government. Instead the port is ruled food in the town. As with other places
by local crime bosses, and they make or in the Maze, food’s still scarce enough
break the rules as they go along. There’s that everyone stays peckish and always
no such thing as law enforcement as far on the lookout for their next meal. Fresh
as the public is concerned, with even water is provided by a purifier controlled
the Texas Rangers and Agents run out by a notably ornery local gang known as
of town. The only common law—more Brun’s Boys, and it’s going at a premium
of a guideline, really—is when the city price—$5 per glass.
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Pirates who know how to reach Rulamer such, he’s also a conduit for most of the
use it to unload “excess cargo” (which is stolen goods exported from Rulamer.
to say stolen goods) before putting into Webbe learned the French martial art of
larger ports like Shan Fan. Tucked into savate from one of the city founders. Thanks
the little-traveled recesses of the Maze, it’s to this useful skill, he’s found himself leading
avoided the notice of all the major fleets a number of the thugs he once routinely out-
patrolling the area, remaining a safe boxed in street fights. He turns a blind eye to
harbor for the time being. most of their activities, so long as they avoid
Folks looking to book passage do human trafficking, which Webbe finds
so at their own risk. Information on rather distasteful. After all, we did say the
chartering ships, along with statistics for Brit’s got his principles, Marshal.
a whole passel of vessels, can be found • Bedivere Webbe: Use Martial Artist
in the Deadlands: The Flood Player’s Guide, (Superior) stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s
available free at www.peginc.com. Handbook, but add the Celestial Kung Fu
(Drunken Style), Celestial Kung Fu (Tan
Tui), and Feet of Fury (Spin Kick) Edges,
The Locals and the Code of Honor Hindrance. Because
the trapping is savate, his attacks are a
Rulamer’s average inhabitant is
combination of kicks and boxing techniques.
a shiftless, lowdown, dirty, rotten
brigand—and those are the nicest ones. Millicent “Masher Milli” Schork
There are a few cutthroats who stand At a glance, Millicent Schork the look
out among the rest. Most people avoid of a tomboy about her, and an hombre
attracting attention to themselves, as it’s might be tempted to dismiss her as a
the safest way to survive here. threat. It doesn’t pay to judge a book by
Bedivere Webbe its cover, as she’s one of the toughest salts
in all of Rulamer. Most of the gangs know
One of the two major gang leaders
not to mess with her, but that doesn’t
in town, Webbe is the more reluctant,
stop them from goading newcomers
honorable one. He’s a crafty fighter more
into trying. Many a sailor’s first night in
than a brute, something that carries over
Rulamer has ended with him face down
into his strategies. Standing just over six
after taking one of “Masher Milli’s”
feet tall, his long, curly red hair is his
feared right hooks to the kisser.
signature feature. He carries himself like
a leader, so many people instinctively She might as well be made of steel, as
treat him as such. Finesse and subtlety she’s also one of the best Maze navigators
are his marks in trade. In most dealings, in all of California. If there’s a reason to go
Webbe finds a way to come out on top. anywhere, Milli can get you there and back
again. She not only knows the waterways
Webbe was an English sailor whose
and some of the land routes, but she also
vessel was shipwrecked in the Maze on
has intimate knowledge of the local Maze
its way to British Columbia and its vast,
dragons’ nesting and feeding habits.
recently uncovered reserves of ghost
rock. The waterlogged Webbe found Milli’s customers include some of the
Rulamer by blind luck. He saw potential, local rice paddies and the infrequent
slowly maneuvering himself into a key treasure hunter, though she takes on
position of power. Now he’s the town’s anyone with enough money—double the
primary fence for ill-gotten booty. As usual fees for chartering a vessel in the
Great Maze.
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• Millicent Schork: Wild Card. Use Maze he slams it harder. This has carried down
Pirate stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s to every member of his organization, who
Handbook, but add Fighting d10, replace have begun to realize they might be missing
the Edges with the Captain, Cannoneer, out by being on Desmarais’ team instead of
and Martial Arts Edges, and replace the Webbe’s, despite Brun’s ownership of the
Hindrances with Wanted (Minor). town’s only water purifier—and the loyalty
of a couple scientists who maintain it.
Brun Desmarais
• Brun Desmarais: Wild Card. Use
Desmarais is one of the few French Outlaw stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s
sailors who crewed the Seigneur Chanceux Handbook, but add the Brawny and
and still lives in Rulamer, the rest having Reputation Edges and the Greedy
died or moved on in the years since its (Major) Hindrance.
founding. As such, Brun was only a
cabin boy, but his status as one of the Sournois Renard
men who survived the wreck buoys Renard ostensibly runs an import/export
him. This reputation led to him being house in Rulamer, which is laughable
considered a lot tougher than considering Rulamer has no natural
he is, and his bully tactics resources in enough quantity to
have kept that reputation trade. He’s openly known as the
intact. It doesn’t hurt that front for Webbe’s fencing operation,
his crooked nose and purloined goods being dropped off
matted brown hair sit on here daily for delivery or pickup in
top of a massive, nearly other parts of the Maze. If you need
seven-foot-tall frame. to get something in or out of Shan
Brun’s Boys are pure Fan, Lost Angels, or elsewhere,
malice and threat, pushing Renard can make it happen.
their way into every vice Renard is also known for his
the city can offer. They love of the ladies, those few
follow their leader who make it into town
more out of fear becoming the subjects of
than respect. his wiles. Rakish good
Desmarais looks and a devil-
prefers it may-care attitude
that way, to courtship
as he has has won over
no idea many a passer-
how to through. It’s
actually also left a
l e a d string of angry
anyone. husbands,
H i s boyfriends, and
usual fiancés behind,
plan of something that
attack is may catch up to him. For
brute force, now, he slicks his black hair
and if that doesn’t back, trims his pencil-thin
work the first time, moustache, and turns on
G host T owns
Without charts showing
the precise location of the
jagged rocks hiding just
under the water’s surface,
the location of dangerous
currents, and sudden
turns, approaching vessels
stand a good chance of
being smashed to flinders
before they reach the pirates’
cove due to the dangerous
series of canyons called the
“Rulamer Run.”
Charts might be
purchased for an exorbitant
fee in another major port,
but this requires a Streetwise
roll (at –2) and a payment of
$500 or more for the charts.
Forgeries are common; a
failed Streetwise roll means
the heroes find out that fact
first-hand. Alternatively, a
guide who knows the way might
be hired, but the cost depends on
the guide. Naturally, the more reliable
Maze guides cost the most.
Rulamer can be reached by the seat of one’s
the charm, pants, but it ain’t easy. A ship that runs the
unworried approach too fast is likely to smash against
as to what the future the channel walls, while one that goes too
might bring. slow can get trapped in a dangerous riptide.
• Sournois Renard: Wild Card. Use For these reasons, navigating the approach
Townsfolk stats in the Deadlands to Rulamer is considered a Dramatic Task
Marshal’s Handbook, but add the (see Savage Worlds).
Attractive, Charismatic, and Snakeoil On each of the five actions, the
Salesman Edges. captain of the vessel makes a Boating
roll at –2, and members of the crew
may Cooperate on the attempts.
Talk O’ the Town The –2 penalty is negated if the
captain is aided by accurate charts
The rocky sea channels that hide Rulamer or a knowledgeable guide. Failure
also shelter a number of story opportunities. on the task means the vessel suffers
Here are a few suggestions and Savage Tales. a Collision (see Savage Worlds) at
Approaching Rulamer maximum speed, and is run aground.
Success means the ship reaches
Just getting to the hidden pirates’
Rulamer more or less in one piece.
cove can be an adventure...or a disaster!
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R ulamer
Ghostly Vengeance
The ghostly wreck of the Seigneur
Chanceux emerges from the mists near
Rulamer some nights to exact revenge
Dragon’s Caress
upon the sailors who lived—and anyone Millicent’s Maze Runner is
else it finds, too! christened Dragon’s Caress, and
Consider the ship a Large Freighter it’s been extensively modified. It
that seems to glide across the waves requires less crew than a normal
with supernatural velocity (Acc/ runner at the cost of a weapon mount.
The Dragon’s Caress mounts two
Top Speed: 10/30, Toughness: 16 (5),
Gatlings—her maximum armament.
Crew: 12+28, Notes: Travels 50 miles
per pound of ghost rock). The crew Acc/Top Speed: 10/30;
Toughness: 10 (2); Crew: 2+5;
numbers 24, and they are ghosts one
Cost: $25,000; Notes: Travels 40
and all. They assume a semi-solid miles per pound of ghost rock.
state when closing in to attack a vessel, Mounts two Gatling guns (Range:
meaning they can be hurt by normal 24/48/96, Damage: 2d8, RoF 3,
weapons (use Maze Pirate stats in the Shots 100, AP 2).
Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, adding
the Undead Special Ability).
If the Seigneur Chanceux is sunk or
on her vessel for a quick trip. Schork
its crew “killed,” the victors are free
is vague on the details, merely saying
to sail away. But the ghosts of the
she needs to pick up some supplies for
Seigneur Chanceux can never rest until
Sournois Renard. She introduces her
the last survivor of the original wreck
deckhand, John Tucker, a mute who
is finally dead. Until that time, the
diligently performs his tasks without
ghost ship simply reforms the next
question.
night under the moon and continues
marauding, hoping to finish off their • Millicent Schork: Wild Card. Use Maze
former crewmates. Pirate stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s
Handbook, but add Fighting d10, replace
the Edges with the Captain, Cannoneer,
Channel Run and Martial Arts Edges, and replace the
Hindrances with Wanted (Minor).
Location: Rulamer (Fear Level 4) • John Tucker: Use Maze Pirate stats in
There are a few situations in which you the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
might run this tale, Marshal, depending
on how the posse gets to Rulamer in the Sailin’ the Channels
first place. If the poor muchachos are lost The trip is long, punctuated by
or shipwrecked, Millicent Schork might frequent turns and stops to prevent the
rescue the group in the Dragon’s Caress, Dragon’s Caress (see sidebar above for the
taking them to Rulamer in return for a ship’s stats) from being noticed by the
favor—one that’s called in to kick off this various factions of the Maze. Throw in
tale. some random encounters if you feel it’s
Otherwise, Schork approaches the appropriate, Marshal.
posse with her offer: $50 each per day, Read the following passages when the
plus food and water, to act as guards Maze runner reaches its destination:
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Eventually Milli pulls into a small cove, hands of the posse as they load them onto
whistling a staccato rhythm as the rocks the Dragon’s Caress, with nothing spilling
approach. The whistle is returned in kind, out. A failed Strength roll means a barrel
and from behind an outcropping emerges drops with a crash, eliciting a mouthful of
a wiry Chinese man. He hails Schork, verbal abuse from Milli. With a successful
nervously eyeing the armed posse. Notice roll (–2), a listener catches a faint
“Expecting trouble?” he calls out. muffled yelp or groan as the dropped
Milli replies, “Never from you, Po.” barrel hits the ground.
They engage in small talk as Po leads If snake eyes are rolled, a barrel
you all to a small, natural alcove in the accidentally smashes open—skip ahead
shoreline containing eight large barrels. to Precious Cargo, below.
The barrels are the cargo, and they are Unwanted Attention
very heavy; each barrel weighs from 60 to When all the barrels are packed onto
150 pounds. Milli cautions the shootists— the boat, Schork waves goodbye to Po
who, unless they protest, have now become and steams off toward Rulamer. When
cargo handlers as well—that the contents are all seems to be going well, the Dragon’s
very fragile despite their weight, and they Caress chugging through calm Pacific
should be careful putting them on the boat. waters with blue skies overhead, call for
A successful Strength roll from each Notice rolls from the entire posse, and
worker on the job ensures the barrels are First Mate Tucker as well. Success means
safely moved, shifting and turning in the a cowpoke sees dark shapes gliding
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underwater around the boat, followed “Suitcase Lee.” Basically, it’s a note of
by a series of faint, sharp thumps against profound thanks to Renard for helping
the hull and paddlewheels. these poor girls escape servitude, with
Read the following when the captain is lots of flowery phrases and purple prose.
informed of the threat: A successful Smarts roll allows a reader to
Captain Schork starts barking orders glean a deeper meaning—these girls were
at everyone to man the guns and get bound for slavery in Kang’s mesa town of
ready for a fight. Seconds later the water Dragon’s Breath before agents of the New
around the boat froths and roils. The Tomorrow Triad hijacked them and placed
dorsal fins of what look like large sharks them under Feichei Li’s protection. With a
are visible in the foam. raise on the Smarts roll, the reader infers
Suddenly, a huge shark explodes from the that Renard’s duty is to smuggle the girls
water! It lands on the deck in a shower of inland and away from California before
brine. Legs and arms begin to form where Kang’s people learn what’s happened.
tail and fins had been. What do you do? Milli mutters,
These aren’t your garden variety If Kang finds out about this, we’re all
sharks, Marshal, they’re weresharks. doomed.
Deal Action Cards now—the rest of She plans to have words with Renard
the creatures spend the first round as soon as they dock. For now, all they
underwater, shapechanging into bestial can do is head directly for Rulamer at
forms, and then climb onboard in the full steam and hope for the best.
second round of combat.
Dragon Chasers
• Weresharks (1, plus 1 per two heroes):
See the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook. Unfortunately, the worst has already
happened: Kang knows his property was
Precious Cargo stolen, and he’s dispatched an ironclad,
After the fight, one of the barrels the Relentless, to retrieve it. A few hours
lies broken open. Inside, to everyone’s after the fight with the weresharks, the
surprise, is a young Chinese woman, low-profiled warship appears under two
roughly 20 years old, seemingly lifeless. plumes of black smoke, bearing down on
Success on a Healing or Knowledge the smaller vessel.
(Medicine) roll reveals the girl is alive, Use the Chase rules in Savage Worlds.
but in a deep sleep. A raise tells the This is an Extended Chase between
physician she was knocked out with a watercraft, so Boating rolls are made
powerful anesthetic. by each ship’s captain. The Chase leads
Schork is just as shocked as the rest through an incredibly dangerous series
of the posse; a successful Notice roll of channels, making maximum speed
reveals a lack of any duplicity on the impossible, so Milli gains no bonus for
part of “Masher Milli.” Livid with fury, her vessel’s higher top speed.
she pries open the rest of the barrels to However, Milli can gain the benefit
reveal seven more women, all between of Cooperative rolls from a total of two
the ages of 12 and 20. additional navigators so long as they
In one of the barrels a note is hidden, have the Boating skill. Other passengers
addressed to Sournois Renard from can man the Gatlings, make attacks each
someone named Feichei Li—a.k.a. round with their own weapons, provide
damage control, or stand by and watch.
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Milli has First Mate Tucker moor the
ship, and to you she says, “Let’s go.”
The Relentless She storms off towards Renard’s
establishment, fury written on her
Ironclads designed for use in features. As she enters the small shop
the Maze are much smaller and whose sign reads RENARD IMPORTS
more maneuverable than standard & EXPORTS, Milli pushes a customer
ironclads. Their heavy armor and low out of her way and decks Renard,
freeboard make them less vulnerable dropping him with a single punch.
to the currents of the Maze.
Renard is outraged, but when Schork
Acc/Top Speed: 5/15; Toughness: picks him up and demands an explanation
18 (7); Crew: 12+20; Notes: Travels for what was in the barrels Renard becomes
10 miles per pound of ghost rock. The
noticeably more compliant. He explains,
Relentless mounts three muzzleloader
cannons port and three starboard, My sweet Milli! It’s not what it seems,
another two cannons fore and two aft, my dear—it is true love.
and two Gatling guns port and two Yes, I fell in love with a young woman,
starboard. Wei Lei, who was bound for slavery
in one of Warlord Kang’s mesa towns.
My staunch ally Feichi Li arranged for
the girls to feign their deaths and be
Underwater hazards—rocks, wrecked transported to Rulamer. Those other
ships, or debris left over from the Great women are family and servants of Wei
Quake—are rife along the Chase’s path, and Lei... the girl you rescued from the life of
unpredictable currents are liable to throw servitude and suffering.
a ship right up against the channel walls
Schork calms down when she hears the
if the skipper’s not careful. Whenever a
whole story, but hits Renard again anyway for
character’s Action Card is a Club, in addition
“not being up-front.” Renard wipes the blood
to any other Complications the character’s
off his lip with a handkerchief, then doubles
Boating rolls also suffer a –2 penalty that
her pay, including the posse’s share, thanking
round due to some water hazard.
everyone profusely for their discretion.
If the Relentless’ crew is able to run the
When Wei Lei and Renard are reunited,
Dragon’s Caress aground or destroy her
it’s clear his story was true. Either way
mobility, they close in for a boarding
you cut it, Renard owes the heroes a big
action and attack. If the Dragon’s Caress
favor, and he tells them so.
manages to escape, she reaches the
safety and seclusion of Rulamer.
• Captain Xu Jin: Wild Card. Use Maze Pirate The Collector
stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook,
but he has Smarts d6 and Spirit d8. Add the Location: Rulamer (Fear Level 4)
Command, Command Presence, Fervor, Run this short tale when your
Inspire, and Natural Leader Edges. cowpokes are thirsty. They get involved
• Relentless Crew (30): Use Maze Pirate with the gangs of Rulamer, and it
stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook. shouldn’t be too hard to choose sides!
Back in Rulamer The Story So Far

Read the following to your group If there’s one thing Brun Demarais is
when the ship arrives at Rulamer: known for—besides his brute strength—it’s
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his greed. He’s recently taken to “collecting” When the posse is out of sight of
two items: the badges of lawmen who find Brun’s Boys’ water counter, a young man
their way to Rulamer, and as much of what approaches casually and says,
belongs to Webbe and his boys as possible. I want you to meet with my boss, Mr.
As usual, he causes problems to get a rise Webbe, about a job. More accurately, it’s
out of his opponent. In the latest of a series of Mr. Webbe who wants to meet you. So
blunt insults to Webbe, Brun opens a water what do you say?
counter near Webbe’s estate, charging double If the group agrees, the boy guides
his usual price to Webbe’s people ($10 in cash, them through the city, over several
or two water vouchers, for a single glass). It bridges. Folks with any knowledge of
just makes him laugh when they get sore and Rulamer know how how dangerous
holler at him. Plus, he hopes his enemies are these neighborhoods are reputed to
driven to such distraction they’re unprepared be at night, but a successful Notice or
for a raid on Webbe’s warehouses. Streetwise roll along the route reveals
armed sentries hidden in dark alleys
The Set-Up
and under shadowed elms, watching
The compadres become involved when carefully. All of them seem to be looking
they attempt to buy water or redeem water out for the heroes’ well-being.
vouchers and stumble upon the scene,
only to find Brun charges them double Meetin’ Webbe
too. Any kind of protest on the part of Finally the boy stops at a large estate
the characters brings unwanted attention on an isolated plateau accessed by only
from Brun’s Boys, and soon Brun himself. one bridge. This is Bedivere Webbe’s
If any of the heroes are lawmen—openly estate. The single guard at the end of the
or in secret—Brun’s Boys aim to find it bridge allows them to pass.
out. They inspect every customer closely, Once they’re ushered inside, the
especially strangers in town like the posse buckaroos find Webbe’s home very
members, trying to figure out if they’re modest by “civilized” standards,
involved in enforcement. If they are, or if but almost opulent for a small Maze
the Boys even think they are, they become settlement. Webbe greets them in a small
targets of the gang lickety-split. room that barely fits him and the posse.
• Brun’s Boys (2 per hero): Use Outlaw He says,
stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook. Thank you for joining me. I trust your
They’re armed with knuckledusters walk here was uneventful? Good.
(Damage: Str+d4), a few have shotguns I know what happened at the water
(Range: 12/24/48, Damage: 1–3d6, RoF counter today, and I’m appalled. He’s
1, Shots 1, Shooting +2), and most wear charging my men double too. The
double-action revolvers (Range: 12/24/48, question is why. And why did you
Damage: 2d6+1, RoF 1, Shots 6, AP 1). receive the same treatment?
They all have the Mean Hindrance.
So here’s the proposition—I’d like you
Shady Characters to join Brun’s gang. Infiltrate it, to be
Whether the party is identified as exact. Find out what they’re up to. In
containing lawmen, or just associated return I’ll pay you handsomely, and give
with Webbe by virtue of being charged you all the fresh water you can drink.
double, Webbe instinctively susses out Brun might own a purifier, but most of
that he ought to make friends with these the smart folks who live here have rain
newcomers to Rulamer. barrels, and plenty of ’em.
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If the group accepts, Webbe offers them purifier, chugging away through the night
$350 each for the job. He also lets them to make money for Brun and his cutthroats.
know they’re probably being watched by The purifier itself is about 13 feet in
Brun’s men even as they speak. He suggests, diameter, and sits in the warehouse’s center
We have to make it look like you’re no and rises up into the loft. Pipes for steam
friends of mine. So we’re going to act like and water condensation fill nearly the
you came here looking to join up, and I entire space—dripping, wheezing, rattling,
turned you down. To make it authentic, one shrieking, and generally making the place
of you hombres is going to trade punches as hot as election day in a hornet’s nest.
with my lad Herschel here on the way out. Two harried-looking engineers scramble
His “lad” Herschel Sorn might be 18 across the scaffolds and up and down the
years old, but he looks big enough to hunt narrow staircases that encase the two-
bears with a switch and catch a dozen. story-tall machine. They’re hard at work
When everyone’s ready, Webbe starts in to with wrenches and pliers, preventing the
hollering about how these rotten, no-good gizmo from flying apart at the seams.
varmints better be off his property pronto Numerous barrels of ghost rock line the
or he’ll string ’em all up. Herschel and few walls, acquired from a variety of sources,
other men herd the posse out. On the front guarded by at least a dozen of Brun’s Boys.
lawn Herschel gives one of your heroes a Brun emerges laughing from a tangle
nice, hard shove. of pipes and cloud of steam, loud and
Let the cowpoke have fun with this boorish, as he says,
fight, Marshal, after all, it’s just to get the You joined the right side by taking in
point across. Herschel’s punches deal with me! That Webbe doesn’t know his
Non-Lethal Damage, and the lad expects arse from his elbow, and he’s going to
the same from his opponent. be left high and dry when we take over
Herschel Sorn: Use Outlaw stats in Rulamer. Cornering the market on fresh
the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, but water’s only the beginning.
Herschel has Strength d10, Vigor d10, the How are your backs? Strong? Tonight
Brawny Edge, and Toughness 8. we’re going to find out what you’re made
As the rigged fight ends in front of of, amigos. Do right by me, and you’ve
Webbe’s estate, Webbe shouts at the posse, got nothing to worry about. We’re just
You’re not good enough! Never come waiting for one o’ my boys to arrive, and
back here again. If you do, you’re dead! we’ll do our thing.
In the meantime, what happened over
Brun’s Water Station at Webbe’s place?
As soon as the cowpunchers are Allow the dudes a chance to explain
out of sight of Webbe’s estate, they’re themselves, using the front Webbe suggested
approached by a surly looking sailor, or some other story, and have the leader
who asks if they’re looking to join the make a Persuasion roll. Any sodbuster with
winning side. If they answer yes, he takes a mind to can aid the roll with a Persuasion
them to a more squalid and run-down attempt of her own. It’s opposed by Brun’s
area of Rulamer to meet Brun. Read the Notice d6; if he’s convinced he accepts the
following when they arrive there: posse with open arms, offering them a place
Arriving at a large warehouse, you amongst his Boys.
hear a high-pitched wailing and clanging • Brun Desmarais: Wild Card. Use
from inside. It’s actually the gang’s water Outlaw stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s
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Handbook, but add the Brawny and I’ve decided not to kill you, Herschel.
Reputation Edges and the Greedy See, it’s like this—Rulamer needs a balance
(Major) Hindrance. of power more than it needs a despot. So I
• Brun’s Boys (15): Use Outlaw stats want you to get the hell out of here, and rally
in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook. whatever’s left of Brun’s gang. Tell them
They’re armed with knuckledusters whatever you want about your escape. Say
(Damage: Str+d4), four have shotguns you fought us and escaped. Doesn’t matter.
(Range: 12/24/48, Damage: 1–3d6, RoF What’s important is you’re going to lead
1, Shots 1, Shooting +2), and 12 of them them if Brun is dead. Understand?
wear double-action revolvers (Range: There’s just one thing, Herschel. To make
12/24/48, Damage: 2d6+1, RoF 1, Shots 6, your story authentic, you need to look like
AP 1). They all have the Mean Hindrance. you’ve been in a fight. One hell of a fight.
Webbe thrashes Sorn, turning him
Not Him Again!
every which way but loose, and finishes
While waiting for the last of Brun’s Boys the beating by opening a gash across the
to arrive, Brun expounds upon his hatred of bigger man’s cheek. Webbe says,
lawmen of all stripes, be they public servant
Never forget where you got that, or
or private investigators. He shows off several
why. Get out.
marshal and sheriff badges pinned to the inside
of his coat. Any lawmen among the posse might Webbe thanks the posse, apologizing for
be disconcerted enough to require another the plan’s going to pieces. He pays them
Persuasion roll opposed by Brun’s Notice, as the agreed-upon fee, and asks them to stay
above, but that’s at your discretion, Marshal. with him during their visit to Rulamer as
his guests. The fact that this allows Webbe
As Brun finishes his tirade, the last
to keep an eye on such a destabilizing force
member of his gang arrives—Herschel
as the heroes may or may not go unnoticed.
Sorn, the very guard the posse threw a
fight with earlier! “That’s them,” he says, It’s up to you, Marshal, whether it’s truly
pointing at the cowpokes. Brun screams, Webbe or Brun (if he lives) who has the
“Private lawmen, the worst kind!” and pistoleros’ best interests at heart. One or both
signals his men to attack! of them could be looking to take advantage
of the heroes rather than befriend them, and
Herschel Sorn: Use Outlaw stats in
each goes about it in his own way. If Herschel
the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, but
takes over the remnants of Brun’s Boys, he’s
Herschel has Strength d10, Vigor d10, the
a bit slower to attempt to regain the heroes’
Brawny Edge, and Toughness 8.
trust, but eventually makes a play for their
Aftermath allegiance if they stay in Rulamer long enough.
When the fight is over, Herschel Sorn
surrenders immediately if the posse
won. He confesses to being bought off,
The Siege
naming another of Webbe’s guards who o’ Rulamer
also accepted a bribe. If he’s brought back
to Webbe, Herschel spills the beans on Location: Rulamer (Fear Level 4)
the entire plot—Brun was just using the Run this tale at some point after
water prices as a distraction as he planned your heroes have already undertaken
a robbery of Webbe’s warehouses, which the Channel Run (see page 79), but
would have happened tonight. not before you’re ready for the posse’s
After the truth comes out, Webbe says, residence in Rulamer to end.
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Every town has secrets. Rulamer’s exact they might have known of the impending
location is its biggest. Known only to a nuptials already. Read the following:
select few pirates who can reach it with Renard walks with the beautiful Wei
vessels unscathed, it keeps itself out of Lei on his arm, she dressed in colorful
major conflict by virtue of inaccessibility. Chinese finery. Renard throws you all a
But rumors fly, information seeps out, wry grin. “What can I say?” he shouts,
and as it’s sometimes said in the Maze, “I fell in love as soon as I saw her. We’re
“Kang finds out everything eventually.” even doing this according to her customs!”
The Story So Far The bridal party includes all the girls
rescued from barrels in one of your previous
When he first heard the name of Rulamer,
exploits. As they cross over a bridge, several
Kang was dismissive of the idea that a
of the girls pull out long cylinders, lighting
Maze city could escape his reach. Not being
a match to them. Holding them aloft,
imprudent, though, Kang assigned a spy to
bright fireworks scream out, exploding into
discover Rulamer’s exact location. When
the early evening sky over Rulamer.
that spy failed to return, Kang sent another.
And then another. With three competent One observer isn’t amused by the
agents lost, Kang was convinced of only display. Though her cries go unheard by
one thing: Rulamer most certainly existed. most, Milli Schork shouts,
At no lack of guile or patience, Kang Stop, you idiots! You’ll tell the whole
settled on another strategy. Rather than Maze exactly where we are! Stop!
looking for Rulamer, he instead tracked Milli manages to reach the bridge
the origin of certain stolen, fenced goods and snuff a few of the fireworks before
entering Shan Fan (with help from Thin they go off. Wei Lei turns to Schork,
Noodles Ma). That led him to a certain apologizing profusely, and claiming she
crew of importers, and their trail ended was only following Chinese tradition.
at Renard Imports & Exports—and the She claims not to have realized the
labyrinthine network of fog-shrouded, danger, and asks the girls to put away
treacherous, haunted sea channels that the rest of the incendiaries right away.
surround Rulamer. If any observant cowpoke has a
Now Kang has an agent in place who successful Notice roll on her side, she can
can assess Rulamer’s situation and, more tell Wei is lying, despite her flushed cheeks
importantly, make sure Kang’s will is felt. and seemingly flustered demeanor. It’s
Wei Lei is one of Kang’s best assassins, hard to press her for more information,
second only to Red Petals Su in skill and however, as she and Renard continue the
achievements. She concocted the plan to get wedding procession. Schork sighs, looks
herself and some elite trainees into the city, at the group with a wry grin and asks,
one which the posse unwittingly helped Any o’ you hombres need a drink? I
enact in Channel Run (page 79)! sure do. Come on, I’ll join you.
The Set-Up Drinks at Anchor

It’s early evening when the posse passes Milli takes thirsty cowpokes to the
Renard’s shop, only to bump into Milli Anchor Saloon, a small, cramped bar
Schork and get stopped in their tracks that seems to know her well. Read the
by a full-blown wedding procession. following to your group:
Depending on how involved in Rulamer’s Several of the regulars shy away
day-to-day life the hombres have become, as Milli enters the Anchor, and the
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bartender has a whiskey ready for her.
Someone cracks a joke about Schork
being in a mood because her sweetheart’s Random Difficulties
getting married, a comment that loses
Use this table to roll for random
him consciousness and a few teeth
dangers the posse encounters if it tries
courtesy of a Schork right hook. to escape Rulamer by land. Subtract 2
Milli returns to her drink. “I went easy from rolls on this table if the posse has
on him, on account o’ he might be right.” no guide.
The rest of this scene simply provides
posse members a chance to get to know d6 Result
each other better, especially if someone’s 1 Bridge out, new
new to the band. Give the newest route needs to
characters Interludes (as described in be found.
Savage Worlds), or give everyone a chance
2 Rubble falls
to draw a card and discuss a bit of their
from cliffs
history if you prefer, Marshal.
above. Agility
After a night of carousing, everyone roll to avoid
heads home for a long-awaited sleep. Little Fatigue (Bumps
do they know a great noose is beginning & Bruises).
to tighten around all their throats...
3 Fire blocks the
The Siege Begins path forward.
The following evening just after 4 2d6 Maze rats
dark, Wei Lei’s devious plan comes to loyal to Kang.
fruition. Led by the wedding procession’s 5–6 No problems,
fireworks, Kang’s fleet of Maze rats arrives path is clear.
near Rulamer and prepares to shell the
town from afar. Read the following to your
group:
Abruptly you hear rumbling, like embankments hidden in the cliff faces.
distant thunder, followed seconds later It’s too little, too late, and there’s nothing
by the entire building shaking slightly. to shoot at. Any pirate vessels that make
Another rumble sounds in the near it out through the dangerous Rulamer
distance, followed by more shaking, Run, or another of the few straits that
the sound of glass shattering, and the access Rulamer, have Kang’s fleet of
distinct crack of earth and stone shearing ironclads, gunboats, and Chinese junks
off into the ocean. People start to scream. to face. The town and its hardened
Rushing outside reveals the source of residents are in chaos.
the disturbance: a fleet of ships the next
You Got a Better Idea?
channel over, barraging the town with
indirect cannon fire. Already a sizeable As the bemused heroes try to find
amount of the city is showing signs of shelter from the rain of cannonballs, Milli
destruction, with half-collapsed buildings, Schork approaches and yells over the din,
falling debris, and small fires everywhere. Renard! Help me find him and get
The townsfolk scramble to react, him out of here, and I’ll take you with
sailors boarding ships and Webbe and us. I’ll drop you anywhere you want,
his men manning their own cannon for free. Well?
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If the posse let her go on her own courtyards, around tight corners, and across
way, they need to try to navigate the half-destroyed bridges. Roll twice on the
treacherous landscape without a guide. If Random Difficulties table along the way.
they join her, they’ve got one hell of a fight Finally the party runs past a small,
ahead of them. wood-framed house, and finds
themselves staring from a sheer cliff
Assassin Squad!
at the water below. Schork insists they
Arriving at Renard Imports & Exports, move a sizeable rock, which hides a
Milli and the steadfast cowpokes find narrow tunnel leading downward and
the place all locked up, shades drawn a rope ladder. The ladder leads down
and windows shuttered, though clearly to a tiny cove sheltered by high cliffs. A
a lantern glows within. steam launch bobs on the waves, this one
Inside Wei Lei and her fanatical fellow named the Graceful Exit.
warriors have Renard tied to a chair and gagged First Mate John Tucker is already onboard,
in the study, while they pore over a hastily prepping the ship to cast off. Good timing,
sketched map of Rulamer and discuss—in too, as once the fleeing sodbusters board,
Chinese—whether to assault Bedivere Webbe one of Kang’s junks, armed to the teeth
or Brun Demarais first, and what ploy to use to and packed with Maze rats, sails past the
gain access to their headquarters. narrow entrance to the cove, having found
Creative players might suggest any one of the two narrow straits leading to the
number of methods to gain access, from the hidden city. They don’t notice the Graceful
use of some gizmo or power, to Lockpicking Exit unless the cowpokes’ escape has been
rolls, even creating a loud diversion or just too easy for your liking, Marshal.
knocking on the front door. They might Barring any further trouble the launch
even wait to see if Wei Lei makes the first sails out with none the wiser, and Milli
move, in which case they set out for Webbe’s makes good on her promise to take the
estate after roughly an hour of planning. buckaroos to whatever port they want to
We’ll leave the exact circumstances up visit.
to you and your posse, Marshal, but until
then Wei Lei and her nest of rattlesnakes Aftermath
await in Renard’s place. All the while, The city of Rulamer shudders as
fusillades of cannon fire continue to rain cannon fire hits it in continuous waves. A
down upon the pirate cove. tremendous crack and roar sees half the
Wei Lei: Wild Card. See page 125. city demolished, falling into the ocean.
Wei Lei’s Warriors (8): Use Rail At that point all resistance is shattered,
Warrior stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s the gangs either dead or fled into the
Handbook, adding Strength d8. They are rice paddies. The rice farmers were
armed with Chinese swords (Str+d6). smart enough to hide in their root cellars
moments after the cannon fire started!
Gettin’ Outta Dodge It’s up to the Marshal which of the
Once the assassins are dispatched or city’s locals survived or perished in
the posse retreats in defeat, Schork gives the barrage. If Wei lived, she swears
directions. If the rescuers failed to get bloody vengeance upon the people who
Renard, they’d better think of another plan prevented her from executing Kang’s
and execute it quickly—Milli won’t leave will. For the time being, she’s put in
without her beloved Sournois. The exporter charge of Rulamer’s reconstruction as a
retrieved, they rush down back alleys and settlement firmly under Kang’s control.
88
Wagonsend
Wagonsend took its name from the Wagonsend in part as a permanent

literal cause of its foundation. A traveling circus, another part home to the circus
sideshow hit upon rough times, their folk who work there, and partly a base
wagons falling ever further into disrepair. for other traveling sideshows during off
When it was decided their tour could go months and between tours. He supposed
no further, they decided to settle in for a a grounded structure would allow more
spell. Once rooted, however, their wagons elaborate performances than a mobile
gained stone foundations instead of new circus could ever have dreamed of, and
wheels. Over time, they accepted the area a fortuitous convergence of rail lines
they’d settled in as home. nearby helped his cause immensely.
J. T. Boniface, proprietor of the original So determined, Boniface spent most of his
entertainment troupe and one of the savings and liquidated all of his traveling
town’s founders, had a visionary idea. equipment to build permanent fairgrounds.
Instead of traveling all around the West, Within the year J. T. Boniface’s Circus of
why not make the people come to the Wonders opened and made back its initial
show? Clear of purpose, he planned investment, and then some. Word spread,
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positioned to become a rarity
in the Weird West—a town
that thrives purely on its
entertainment value.
For a typical Western
settler, accustomed only to
farm or ranch life, Wagonsend
can be a very disconcerting
place. Conversely, the place
is a relaxing refuge for
the traveling sideshows,
vaudevillians, freaks, geeks,
and carnies who make a
living roaming the West. It’s
an ideal place to make repairs
on specialized equipment,
mend tents, and swap tricks
of the trade. Moreover,
Wagonsend is the place where
they’re free to be themselves,
without putting on false airs or
hiding their appearances. Truly
the town lives up to its nickname,
“Weirdest Town in the West.”
The City Now

Region: Deseret, Great Northwest, or
and visitors came to Wagonsend from all Disputed Territories
around to see daredevils perform the most Fear Level: 3
spectacular stunts known in the West. Wagonsend is grandiose and vulgar
Furthermore, the city grew prodigiously as all at once. For first-time visitors, it’s
businesses opened to support not just the hard not to get caught up in the spectacle
visitors but circus folk of all stripes. of Wagonsend. From outside town one
Keeping to his original vision, Boniface catches the rich, savory scents of circus
used circus terminology whenever possible food, or hears the faint hum of organ
in developing a local government. Even music. Soon the gaudy lights of the
the titles of city officials are right out of the attractions come into view, just beyond
big top, with Boniface installing himself as the next hill. Their shows run Thursday
the first “Ringmaster” (that’s Mayor to you through Sunday, each and every one of
and me, amigo) of Wagonsend. Although them standing room only.
Boniface was an exemplary businessman, The current Ringmaster is Thornton
the matters of government escaped him. Fessler, a sword swallower and career
He soon abdicated his position to a more circus man with a great deal of business
bureaucratic member of his retinue. Three savvy. He’s able to pick out the most
Ringmasters later, the city is strongly favorable terms of any contract and can
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negotiate a gunfighter out of his trusty
sidearm if given enough time.
His family members have moved
Points of Interest
into the dual roles of performer and Here are some of the best-known,
politician. His wife, Susie Fessler, is the biggest, and most popular places in
town Barker, while his brother, Ezra, is Wagonsend, as shown on the nearby
the Strongman—and incidentally one of map.
the best jugglers ever seen ’round these Big Top Saloon: Decorated in
parts. Under their leadership, the town festive, circus-worthy colors, this
has prospered as an attraction to normal tavern is popular among tourists but
folk and a safe haven for carnies—and not often frequented by circus folk.
those who might be considered “freaks” Circus of Wonders: The enormous,
somewhere else. striped tent at the center of town
It’s difficult to tell how many people houses the main event—the Circus
live in Wagonsend at any given time. of Wonders!
The constant flow of people in and out Fessler House: Here the Fessler
of the city means that except for the Family dwells in vile evil, but you
winter months—when the sideshows wouldn’t know that to look at the
“come home” and the tourists tend wholesome exterior. Inside, Susie
to stay home—there’s no consistency Fessler invokes bloody rituals for
her dark masters.
from day to day. At best guess, there’s a
minimum of 1,000 people in and around Funhouse: Located at the midpoint
Wagonsend, but that can drop to 600 or of the midway, the funhouse is
always open for an afternoon’s
rise to double that in the space of a few
diversion, with oddly distorting
days. The city is most crowded with mirrors, confusing mazes, and halls
tourists and gawkers on weekends. designed to rattle and shake with
Small acts and gewgaw merchants line the help of steam-powered pistons.
the main streets, entertaining visitors to Some folks who go into the funhouse
the Circus of Wonders as they pass—and never come back out...
taking their money, of course! The Circus Midway: This long avenue passes
itself is an opulent, tent-shaped building for Main Street in Wagonsend, and
capable of holding hundreds of people, leads to the Circus of Wonders
situated so every street leads by twists and itself. But all along its length are
turns to its main gate. Smaller tents ring booths, games, shops, entertainers,
the building, serving as entranceways or refreshment stands, and the like, all
for visitors’ amusement.
individual acts and freak show booths.
White Elephant Inn: A popular
With the amount of money that comes
place for families who stay
into the town, it’s natural for human overnight, as well as the residence
greed to follow. Street vendors pass off of undercover Texas Ranger Morgan
overpriced, showy trinkets as collectibles, Devon.
scams and rigged games of chance lie
in every alley, bandits harass people
heading to the town, and pickpockets are
everywhere. Regular folk should keep
an eye on their cash and weapons when
walking around Wagonsend, or they
might end up losing both.
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The Locals
Titles in Wagonsend The people of Wagonsend are some of
The naming conventions used for the most diverse in the West. Every sort
official titles in Wagonsend do not of unusual specimen and nationality
denote any real difference in these resides here, from dwarves to bearded
positions from other towns. It’s just ladies to Siamese twins and people of
a way to lend added flavor and a seemingly every place on earth.
unique charm to Wagonsend, which A few abominations have found their
is what Boniface intended.
way into Wagonsend as well, either as
Most officials aren’t upset when attractions or pets...but as you’ll see,
called by the title they’d have Marshal, a few of the locals are worse than
somewhere else, but most will
any critter the Reckoners could conjure up.
also gently correct the offender.
For convenience, here’s a listing of Thornton Fessler
the positions and their names in
Thornton Fessler is a capital showman,
Wagonsend. Eliminate or create more
of these as needed to fit your tales, having come to Wagonsend after a few
Marshal. years of touring with his “Marinated
Men Sideshow” act. He’d built up a
Acrobat: Madam
decent bit of a reputation among other
Barker: Mail carrier performers as a fellow who would fight
Busker: President of the Chamber for the right cause at the right times.
of Commerce
His wavy hair and neatly trimmed beard
Clown: Saloon owner allowed him to put on civil clothes and
Contortionist: Owner of a small appear almost as a proper gentleman. This
shop or store; an entrepreneur had the effect of disarming a good number
Knife Thrower: Mortician of bureaucrats and politicians who sought to
Lion Tamer: Tax collector sneak out of their contracts. If they saw his
Ringmaster: Mayor show, the sword-swallowing, fire-breathing,
flaming whip, and bed of nails tricks never
Strongman: Marshal; deputies are
called “Strongarms” failed to crank up the intimidation factor.
When Thornton, his wife, and brother
first set foot in Wagonsend, they saw a
city rife with potential. When the next
Ringmaster elections came, Thornton
Ghost stories and fevered tales of threw his hat into the ring, winning a
hauntings are on the rise in Wagonsend, close race. He’s been so popular since
but it isn’t because the souls of the then, though, that he won the most recent
dead have suddenly gotten restless. It’s election in a landslide.
because of the town’s growing manitou
It didn’t hurt that his closest competitor
population, drawn to the region by
had a sudden engagement in New York
Susie “Meadowlark” Fessler’s diabolical
he just had to attend, leaving in the middle
influence. These foul things dwell in the
of the night. Nowadays, Thornton’s word
Hunting Grounds, but in the dark of night
is pretty much law, and the people of
they sometimes slip through to the real
Wagonsend obey with little question.
world for a few hours, or whisper horrible
inspirations in sleeping people’s ears. • Thornton Fessler: See page 124
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Susie “Meadowlark” Fessler showcase his curly blond hair and

Susie “Meadowlark” Fessler is a full- grinning youthful features. He barks
blooded Indian, with a small but very orders to his ever-present Strongarms,
athletic frame. The story most people sending his deputies to do all sorts of
know about her life is that her tribe grunt work and general security.
had been wiped out by a rival one, and Unlike his performance as a lawman, he’s
Susie—then called Meadowlark—was second to none as a showman. His tricks
kept alive as a slave. involve not just his Shooting skill but also
Somehow, the silver-tongued Thornton his juggling proficiency. One particular
talked his way into performing for a crowd pleaser is when he juggles six guns
Sioux tribe as the Marinated Men left at a time, drilling six different targets with
Deadwood, in exchange for safe passage a shot from each gun as it hits his hands.
from the Nations. While the show went He’s a tad bit overconfident, but it’s no
on, Meadowlark snuck into their wagon stretch to say he’s the most dangerous man
and stayed hidden until they were well in Wagonsend with a shootin’ iron.
out of the Disputed Territories. As stories • Ezra “Eagle Eye” Fessler: See page
go, it’s not a bad one. Like many stories, 122.
not a word of it is true.
George McKinley
Susie’s actually an adept sorceress,
Some would say the most unusual thing
so adept her family was shocked at
about George is that he’s seven feet, eight
how long she’d hidden her talents. Her
inches tall. Others would say it’s that he’s
people cast her out when they figured
the town Busker, with a head for numbers
out she was dealing with manitous.
like you wouldn’t believe. He’s a first rate
That didn’t set too well with her, so she
accountant with a keen insight to human
set about making quite a few deals with
nature, able to deduce what businesses
dark powers in order to punish them.
need to do to make more money—and
In the end, she destroyed her tribe and
when and how to support them.
rendered her soul ripe for damnation.
Wagonsend has made many a pretty
Meeting Thornton allowed Susie time to
penny in increased revenue based on
concoct a plausible story. Truth be told, she’s
George’s suggestions. In addition, he and
the real Ringmaster of the town, forcing
his wife, Doris, run a “Lost & Found” that
everyone to dance to her tune. With the black
caters to reuniting lost children with their
magic granted to her by the Reckoners, she
parents, a frequent hazard in the town.
serves as active Fearmonger of the region, and
is largely responsible for weaving the dark George is also the definition of the
web of dread that’s fallen over Wagonsend. gentle giant, so keenly aware of his
strength that he always shies away from
• Susie “Meadowlark” Fessler: See
confrontation. Ezra Fessler gets away
page 124.
with bullying George whenever the urge
Ezra “Eagle Eye” Fessler strikes, mainly because George is afraid
Ezra Fessler is Thornton’s younger of what would happen to Ezra if George
brother and the current Strongman took a swing at him.
of the town. His position really isn’t George’s wife, a diminutive four-foot-
about enforcing the law, it’s more about five feet in height, always hectors George
protecting the interests of his brother to stick up for himself—which makes it
and sister-in-law. He’s almost a dandy look like George is getting bullied by two
in his elaborate, colorful outfits that people.
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• George McKinley: Use Townsfolk stats It’s this raw charisma that is the reason
in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, but the Agency felt he’d be a perfect undercover
add Strength d10 and the Brawny Edge. man for Wagonsend. The number of
oddities to come out of that town has
Bertha Drucker grown over the past year, some of them
At one time Bertha was the Bearded outright abominations. They wanted a
Lady of another touring sideshow. That man on the inside, so “Devon”—real name
was before her hair began to fall out, Mark Scott—was tapped to be that man. So
which made it tough to keep her billed far, Devon has pegged that Thornton and
correctly. Worse, she started losing Susie aren’t quite right, but he doesn’t have
weight and put her second billing as much more than his gut to prove it yet.
“World’s Largest Woman” in jeopardy. • Morgan Devon: Wild Card. Use
She decided the life of a touring freak Agent stats in the Deadlands Marshal’s
wasn’t hers anymore, and stayed behind Handbook, adding the Charismatic,
when last her troupe left Wagonsend. Marksman, and Speed Load Edges.
It’s fortunate for her she did so. A
passing sawbones recognized her from a David & Dexter Baltimore
prior engagement, and more importantly David and Dexter Baltimore are one
recognized her symptoms. He provided of the newest attractions in Wagonsend.
her the proper treatment for the disease Abandoned at birth, their last name is that
that was causing her to waste away. of the city in which they were found. As
Inspired, she convinced the doctor to conjoined—or “Siamese”—twins, they are
stay, and trained under him as a nurse. unable to leave each other, sharing part
When eventually he passed on, she took of their abdomen and torso but otherwise
up the role of emergency sawbones for having full use of a pair of arms and legs
visitors. She’s not had the gumption to each. They were first discovered as an “act”
go to medical school for more formal in their late teens, traveling with circuses for
training, but Bertha can patch someone several years before landing in Wagonsend.
up long enough to get the poor devil to a The brothers do a vaudeville-style act, a
proper doctor. back-and-forth joke and musical routine.
• Bertha Drucker: Use Townsfolk stats The current celebrities of Wagonsend,
in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook, they’ve upended quite a number of
and add Healing d8. other acts in popularity. But the fact that
David is rude and surly when he isn’t on
Morgan Devon stage hasn’t helped the locals take to the
Morgan Devon, at first glance, is a brothers. Crockett M. Thatcher has been
good-natured, weathered cowboy. His notably outspoken in his dislike of them.
outfits aren’t extravagant like Ezra’s or Indeed, as their popularity cools, their
his tricks as fancy, but he has a warm, arguments with Crockett grow more
charismatic manner that draws people heated. When the twins finally hit rock
to watch his act. There’s something bottom, it remains to be seen whether
very “salt o’ the earth” about how he the other circus folk are at all helpful.
lifts his hat to push back his short black • David & Dexter Baltimore: Use
hair and the easy way he smoothes his Townsfolk stats in the Deadlands
moustache. All told, he’s the type of Marshal’s Handbook. Add Smarts d10,
fellow one would like to sit at a saloon and the new Hindrance Siamese Twins
with and shoot the breeze. (Major): the twins’ Pace is reduced by 2,
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they roll a d4 for running rolls, and suffer never taken. It’s probable that Thatcher
a –2 Charisma modifier. Each twin acts would have been a friend to the twins, as
on his own Action Card, but both suffer he was initially curious about their medical
–2 on Agility-based skills that require issues. David’s sharp tongue drove him
physical movement (e.g., Climbing, away, by dismissing Thatcher’s “sport” as
Fighting, Swimming, Throwing, etc.). a pastime for brutes and fools. Thatcher
David also has the Mean Hindrance, has been content to get back at the brothers
while the Loyal Hindrance is Dexter’s by becoming increasingly popular, and he
cross to bear. hopes to upend them from the top spot.
• Crockett M. Thatcher: Wild Card. Use
Crockett M. Thatcher Martial Artist stats in the Deadlands
Crockett is a barrel-chested man with a Marshal’s Handbook (with wrestling as the
menacing scowl always etched on his face. Trapping), adding Strength d12+2.
An imposing six-foot-three and 280 lbs.,
he’s the current “Catch-As-Catch-Can”
champion of the Circus of Wonders’
resident wrestling troupe.
Thatcher is a strong man and
a capable champion; he’s
never lost one of his weekly
“open challenges,” where
people from all over try
to beat him inside of ten
minutes. He’s taken to
wrestling two of them
at a time just to make it
more exciting as he
legitimately pins
each and every
one. He’s recently
opened his challenge
to include other
champions, taking
one on roughly
every other week.
T h a t c h e r ’s
dislike of the
Baltimore
Brothers is
well-known to
the locals. Many
a night he offers
to face them in his
r i n g—“ Two - t o - o n e
odds! With one hand tied
behind my back!”—an offer
the brothers have wisely
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out, knocking the victims unconscious
Trick Shot and stuffing them in burlap sacks. If the

poor devils wake up at all, it’s during the
feast, and they’re the main course!
Depending on your group, you may
have a pistoleer who would fit the For the most part, the clowns are
bill as a trick shooter. If you’d rather degenerate performers who’ve given their
have that cowpoke be the one who souls to the Reckoners and been twisted into
fires the trick shot that seems to kill cannibal critters for their trouble. But their
Carnus, Marshal, then Ezra arrests the terrible acts and the stories whispered about
hapless pistolero instead of Devon. the victims’ fates have given rise to a new
Morgan Devon approaches the posse abomination haunting Wagonsend’s back
after the arrest, claiming he knows the streets—Big Botho the Clown. “B.B.,” as the
character is innocent and wants to help ghoul-clowns their leader, is always hungry.
them prove it. The posse might not get
their hands on Devon’s files this way, Big Botho is a particularly loathsome
but they gain a valuable ally against cuss, even for an abomination. At a glance,
the Fesslers. it almost looks like a typical clown, maybe
a touch oversized, wearing a cap with
bells on it, white makeup, and a big red
Talk O’ the Town nose. If one’s unfortunate enough to take
a gander close up, the effect is decidedly
On its surface, Wagonsend is a popular different. Botho’s skin is oily and deathly
source of local entertainment, if a bit pale, his red nose a massively swollen,
unsettling after dark. But the shadow of oozing carbuncle, and his wide mouth is
Fear clearly hangs over the circus town, filled with teeth like those of a shark. Also
leading to dark tales of horror. Here are a like a shark, Big Botho’s eyes are pure
few suggestions: black—all pupil. Maybe that accounts for
Botho’s preferred diet of raw people.
Cannibal Clowns • Big Botho: Wild Card. Use Ghoul stats
The itinerant clown population of in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
Wagonsend is diverse, embracing
• Cannibal Clowns: Use Ghoul stats in
everything from fools to jugglers to the
the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
painted faces of true “clowns.” Some of
those clowns, however, are more interested Haunted Objects
in lining their guts with terrible feasts than Manitous have been slipping through
spreading joy and laughter. All they spread the veil in increasing numbers to plague
now is pure misery. the inhabitants of Wagonsend—drawn
They’ve actually become ghouls, and by Susie Fessler’s wicked emanations, no
hide the fact by slathering on make-up doubt. But a manitou’s spirit-stuff can’t
and wearing fanciful costumes. In this last long in the physical world, quickly
way, the evil things walk among the fading to shadows and smoke as the sun
population unseen and unhindered. rises. To prolong their forays into our
The ghoul-clowns are responsible world, the crafty manitous have taken
for several disappearances of visiting to possessing objects such as furniture,
spectators. One or two of them lure their curtains, tent flaps, and so forth,
prey to lonely spots with fanciful games attempting to bludgeon or suffocate an
and pantomime routines, then the rest leap hombre when he least expects it!
• Manitou: See page 118.
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Double Down
Sundry Clues
Location: Wagonsend (Fear Level 3)
This scenario starts by establishing a
& Evidence
light, circus-like feel for Wagonsend, right To make your life easier, Marshal,
before kicking the legs out from under we’ve moved all the available evidence
it with a simple tale of revenge. But the and lines of investigation here, so you
evidence gained gives a heroic posse have it readily available no matter what
everything they need to face down greatest order the posse decides to investigate.
evils of Wagonsend. Bullet Hole: A Notice roll reveals a
few discrepancies. For one thing, the
The Story So Far bullet hole doesn’t quite line up with the
David and Dexter Baltimore are fed up direction of the trick shot. A raise shows
with Crockett Thatcher’s not-so-veiled the hole appears to be slightly larger than
threats, David moreso than Dexter. A a typical bullet, or as though the bullet
manitou has been whispering in David’s were fired upward from crowd level at
dreams, goading him into taking revenge Carnus, rather than from the direction of
on his rival. David concocted a plot to the open-air arena.
shoot Thatcher during the upcoming If the posse looks outside the tent,
Trickshot Competition. If it were done it’s clear the area between the tent and
just right, the dark spirit promised him, the shooting range is sheltered by the
open air arena’s wooden bleachers.
no one would be the wiser...
With a Notice roll, an observer finds a
The Set-Up bit of scorching around the bullet hole,
and with a Common Knowledge roll
When the cowpokes arrive in
deduces it might have been caused by a
Wagonsend, two events are generating a muzzle flash—meaning the shooter was
buzz—the Trickshot Competition and the very close to the tent.
“Catch-As-Catch-Can Championship”
A successful Tracking roll at –2
wrestling match. Whether they’re discovers footprints in the mud near
interested in watching or getting the bullet hole, showing that not one,
involved, heroes might find either event but two people were standing by the
a welcome diversion from the dusty trail. hole, at an odd angle to each other, and
quite close. The footprints head off into
Games o’ Skill the road before the trail is obliterated,
The events are both drawing huge remaining at the odd angle the entire
crowds that are already starting to queue way.
up. The Trickshot Competition is billed Carnus’ Belongings: Carnus’ luggage
as a showdown between Strongman is still in the changing room. A quick
(in the sense of Marshal) Ezra Fessler search of the bags finds extra wrestling
and local cowboy Morgan Devon. The gear and documents showing Carnus’
wrestling spectacle, between reigning real name (Christopher Connor). None
champ Crockett Thatcher and challenger of it is germane to the mystery, since
Carnus the Great, is being held under a Carnus was just an innocent victim.
large tent near the Circus of Wonders.
The shooting match is in an open-air
arena only a few dozen yards away.
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Read the following if the posse stops
in to watch:
Sundry Clues
The wrasslin’ starts about half an hour
& Evidence before the shootin’, and goes long into
(Continued) the day. The contest is a bevy of holds,
Crockett Thatcher: If questioned just
counters, and technical showmanship.
after the shooting, Thatcher is shaken The slightly younger Carnus is larger
and quite disturbed. Later he’s a bit than Thatcher, but appears at the mercy
calmer, drinking whiskey at the Big of the more experienced grappler.
Top. He reveals that if the shot had The Trickshot Competition highlights
taken place even half a second earlier, it not just Ezra Fessler and Morgan
would have hit him instead. Carnus had Devon, but also a few other gunslingers
Thatcher in a hold facing that side of the who’ve enrolled. After Devon fires—and
tent, Thatcher barely able to wrest away
misses—a particularly difficult shot, a
as the shot rang out. Thatcher clearly
remembers hearing the shot.
scream comes from the wrestling tent,
women and children leaving in droves.
Morgan Devon’s Files: He’s been
very thorough in his research. The files A circus worker rushes from the
detail his suspicions on Susie being the tent, yelling, “Carnus is shot! We need
true power of Wagonsend and a witch Bertha!”
to boot, her total control over Thornton
and Ezra, Ezra’s “miraculous” and Scene o’ the Crime
physically impossible shots, and so Ezra Fessler bolts through the crowd
forth. The fact that Susie was born of and makes his way into the tent. If the
the Sioux, and might have betrayed her heroes follow, they have to wrestle past
tribe, is noted. people exiting, horrified. Once they
A file on David & Dexter Baltimore get inside, they see Ezra over the body,
suggests they have been trying to get claiming they don’t need a doctor, they
in the good favor of the ruling trio, need a Knife Thrower (as in, a mortician).
particularly with Ezra. The file contains Ezra walks over to a hole in the canvas
detailed anatomical drawings and
of the tent, roughly the size of a bullet,
sketches of the brothers, particularly
showing how they stand and walk. A inspecting it for a few moments. He then
searcher who inspected the footprints leaves the scene to arrest Devon—or
outside the wrestling tent and reads this whoever the trigger man is—leaving
file can deduce, with a Smarts roll, that a bloody Thatcher and a dead Carnus
the odd angle of the footprints matches behind for the undertaker.
that of the Siamese twins’ feet. Ezra takes inordinate pride in
The Scene o’ the Crime: Anyone proficient arresting Devon, remarking, “Only
with a gun can, with a successful Smarts roll, a second-rate sharpshooter would
determine that a ricochet from Devon’s shot make such a mistake.” He hustles
couldn’t possibly have killed Carnus, plain Devon off to jail, announcing that the
and simple. The bullet would have had to pass competition is over.
through a wooden, whitewashed wall.
Investigations
About an hour later, a Strongarm
comes to the posse, asking them to
come to the jail at the request of Devon.
Seems he wants to talk to a member
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of the posse, either the one who is best Brothers, who are performing their act
known or the one who entered the in the arcade. Read the following when
contest, if applicable. He implores them the sodbusters close in for the kill:
to investigate this, claiming, Seeing you arrive from their spot at
I know a trick shooter when I see one, center stage, the brothers curtly excuse
and you’ll be able to figure out there’s themselves and duck out the back for a
no way I could have fired that shot. Go costume change. After a few moments
check the angles, and prove me innocent. pass, and grumbles spread through the
Look here. crowd, you doubt the Baltimore Brothers
Devon surreptitiously pulls out a small are coming back.
scrap of paper and a piece of charcoal, Fortunately, the brothers do not run
and scribbles quietly for a few seconds, very quickly, so it’s easy for the posse to
hoping Ezra Fessler won’t hear. He folds catch them if they want to. Confronted
the message over and presses it into the with the evidence at hand or outright
hand of a cowpoke, telling them, accused of the crime, Dexter starts
Be thorough in looking into my story, babbling and confessing to everything,
would you, friends? And start right while David tries to force his conjoined
away. brother into silence. Out of options,
On the back of the paper is written: David pulls a derringer from his vest
“White Elephant Inn 8, under bed, 42-8- and shoots Dexter through the head
15.” Should the posse go investigate, they before he can implicate the Fesslers.
find a pair of Strongarms ransacking the Dexter doesn’t die immediately,
room. Eyeing the intruders, they pull instead wounded by the shot. If the pair
their guns and shoot. are taken to Bertha Drucker first, she
• Gunman (2): See the Deadlands tries to save Dexter but ultimately fails,
Marshal’s Handbook. then lets Dave know he’s going soon
himself. Ezra reluctantly frees Devon in
The fight is bound to draw attention,
light of the twins’ confession. For their
giving the posse only a few moments
trouble, Ezra offers the posse free tickets
to search the room and get out before
to the Circus of Wonders.
they’re discovered. Under the bed, they
find a small (but heavy) combination The Baltimore twins are dead by
safe, roughly two feet square. Inside morning.
are a number of files on various local Aftermath
personalities (highlighting Thornton,
Once Morgan Devon is clear of the
Ezra, and Susie), a Sioux knife, $300, a
jail, he thanks the posse for its help,
U.S. Marshal’s badge, and documents
and offers to arrange pardons for any
proving Morgan Devon’s real identity
crimes they’ve committed in the CSA—
as that of Mark Scott, undercover U.S.
this removes the Wanted Hindrance,
Agent!
should any outlaw have it. Otherwise,
By Their Own Hand he provides them with the cash from the
Eventually, the clues should point safe as payment. He also lets them know
investigators toward the Baltimore that if they need an ally in Wagonsend,
he’s happy to assist in any way he can.
99
Strange Locale
Generator
Settlements in the Weird West are few we do a quick rundown so there are no
and far between. Many of these small surprises later on. No bad ones, anyhow.
islands of civilization are freshly founded,
In the first two steps—for which we
and for most it’s a daily struggle to survive
borrow familiar terms from Texas Hold
the frontier’s harsh realities. A lot of towns
’Em—the Marshal draws a number of
are inhabited by honest, God-fearing folk,
cards from the Action Deck. For these
just trying to make better lives for their
steps, just compare the cards’ suits and
families in a land of opportunity.
values to the table entries to determine
Others might be ruled by the iron a town’s general layout and disposition,
hand of a local cattle baron, hanging what makes it special, and what makes it
judge, ruthless city marshal, or gang of weird. In the third step, use the cards you
cruel outlaws. Monstrous horrors of the already dealt to fill in the final details.
Reckoning haunt some cities and others
We provide a passel of handy tables
harbor strange cults, insane inventors, or
below to tell you what each card might
diabolical servants of evil. But all have
mean. Put ’em all together, and they
one thing in common: if cowpokes dream
provide a nice outline to be filled with your
of hot baths, feather beds, or company
own devious creations, Marshal. But don’t
other than their horses, they can’t be picky.
feel constrained; change any result that
They’ve got to ride into the next settlement
doesn’t fit the plan. Sometimes, though,
on the trail and see what’s to be found.
odd associations that arise between
This system helps you determine what semingly disparate results create the most
sort of adventure takes place when they get unpredictable, memorable adventures.
there, Marshal. If you’re the type who likes to
One thing to remember, Marshal: The
improvise, this system creates a unique—and
Joker isn’t a suit. If you draw a Joker, use
often complex—situation into which you can
it as the card’s value and draw another
drop your posse. If you like to have all your ducks
card to determine the suit.
in a row before game time, take the results and
use them as inspiration for a full-blown, scripted
adventure. Just be sure to tailor the results to Let’s Deal!
your players’ tastes and their heroes’ abilities.
To begin, shuffle the Action Deck
Usin’ the Generator and deal two cards: These are your hole
With this generator, Marshal, you cards, to use in the Hole Phase (Step Two,
can determine all the elements of a described below). You can look at them now
town-based adventure, lickety-split. Just or later, Marshal. Then deal out a row of
follow the steps described below. First three face-down “community cards.” Turn
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S t range L o cale G enerator
them face-up one by one, starting with the Left Card: A Nice Place to Spend the Night
leftmost card. After each turn, consult the The left card establishes basic information
proper table and follow the instructions. about the settlement—whether it’s a lonely
trading post or a busy cattle town. It stands
Step One: Community Phase
for the general character of the place, its size,
Start with the leftmost card. Find its and its purpose. A posse can gather this
value in the table, then move to the middle information with only a few moments of
card, and finish with the right card. This casual observation.
fleshes out primary characteristics of the
Suit: The size of the settlement, and also
settlement, its denizens, and the horrors
determines the number of extra hole
that lurk in the shadows—waiting for a
cards drawn for the Hole Phase (below).
delicious posse to venture into their lairs.
Spades Large: The settlement is bustling, perhaps as the local hub of

commerce, justice, or entertainment. It’s composed of several
streets and large enough to support competition between
similar enterprises. There may be more than 1,000 permanent
residents living within its borders (but probably less).
Draw two extra hole cards.
Examples: Bustling cattle market. Buffalo hunters’ base. City
founded by previous generation of settlers. Large military fort. Town
with an important railway junction. The county seat. Main winter
camp of an Indian tribe.
Hearts Medium: Your typical western town with a single Main Street—or
a settlement of similar size—inhabited by no more than 400 people.
Draw one extra hole card.
Examples: Large ranch. Military outpost. Boomtown. Rail depot
and its surroundings. Indian village. Maze pirates’ home port. Large
wagon stop on important trail.
Diamonds Small: This settlement is composed of a few buildings, its

population no greater than a few dozen.
Draw no extra cards.
Examples: Religious mission. Large farm. Lumber camp. Lonesome
mine. Mad scientist’s secret laboratory. Strange, secluded mansion of
quirky family. Bandit hideout.
Clubs Tiny: A single building, home to no more than a dozen

people—and no less than one.
In a settlement of this size, there is room for only one special
place or person. In the Hole Phase, choose only one of your
cards to be meaningful—use the other to build a poker hand,
but ignore its meaning.
Examples: Lonely cabin. Hunting lodge. Secluded trading post.
Stagecoach station. Little house on the prairie. A hermit’s cave.
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Value: Purpose and character of the there. Of course, not every person in a mining
settlement. This establishes why was the town is a miner—but certainly there are more
place created and what type of people live members of that noble trade than any other.
Deuce Refuge: The settlement was established by people trying to

avoid prosecution. They might be harmless victims of prejudice
or rightly feared cultists.
Examples: Religious community governed by charismatic preacher. Town
inhabited by members of a minority: Chinese, Polish, disfigured, or all female.
Town with no racial or gender segregation whatsoever. City of cannibals.
3–4 Production: Folks of this settlement are the backbone of

society: They provide food, ore, precious minerals, or even
mass-produced wonders of the New Science. The place is
completely dominated by industry.
Examples: Lumber camp. Town in the shadow of a factory and the
mansion of its owner. Mining town. Trapper’s cabin. Buffalo hunters’
camp. Lone farm.
5–9 Commerce: The settlement was created to make a profit—it’s a

market for commodities from the area, shipped from here by rail
or wagon. There are no producers living within the borders, only
merchants and providers of important services: barbers, tailors,
dentists, and such. And the town has its fair share of entertainers,
ready to suck every cent created in healthy commerce.
Examples: Cattle market. Boomtown, addressing to the needs of
local miners. Trading post, serving as middle ground for settlers and
Indians. Town governed by cruel mayor who pays for the scalps of
local Indian tribe members.
10 Transportation: This town is a gateway to the West, a place where

folks from the East arrive by rail or Conestoga wagon trains to
start their western journeys. Veterans might also come here to
find a way out of the frontier’s nightmare. Keep in mind that this
place serves travelers—settlements created to protect the interests
of a rail baron is covered by another category (see below).
Examples: Railroad station. Pony Express field office. Town by the
trail. Experimental airfield created by Smith & Robards. River port on
the Mississippi.
Jack Military: There are no proper settlers in this place, only

soldiers and civilian outpost staff, guarding something
important in the area. Military drills, the chain of command,
and army uniforms are the polar opposites of life in a lawless
frontier boomtown.
Examples: Cavalry fort. Lone outpost guarded by few men. Secret
military laboratory. Naval base in the Maze.
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Queen Rail Baron: War scourges the High Plains—and we don’t mean the
War Between the States. This settlement was created to serve the
needs of a ruthless Rail Baron—it’s filled with precious resources,
hired guns, and secret weapons to be unleashed on the competition.
Examples: Camp of Iron Dragon workers. Cavalry outpost
protecting Dixie Rails trains. Mine owned by Union Blue. Ghost
town filled with Bayou Vermilion employees (and walkin’ dead!).
A Wasatch test field, protected by automatons. Ordinary village
terrorized into complete submission by a Black River gang.
King Government: The town was created to divide and rule the area, and
serves as the center of local authority—official or not. In any case, no
one in many miles is ready to challenge this settlement’s power.
Examples: City with permanent court of law. Hacienda of the
territory’s richest rancher. Seat of county sheriff. Tiny cabin of a local
wise woman who wields terrible power.
Ace Native: This place is inhabited and governed by Indians. It

might be independent, rebellious, or subjugated to the white
man’s government—but in any case, the natives call it home.
Examples: Indian tribal camp of tipis. Pueblo. Hideout of Apaches
fighting white men. Hermitage of a mysterious medicine man.
Joker Hidden: The purpose of this place is top secret. Nobody who
learns the secret can walk free.
Examples: Military operation posing as frontier boomtown. Secret
Agency training facility. A villain’s base. Mad scientist’s hidden
laboratory. Gathering place of the Ravenites. The remote cabin where
Stone spends his free time fishin’ and buildin’ ships in bottles.
Middle Card: Nice to See a Familiar Face strangers—the initial reaction of

The second card determines the local townsfolk and general atmosphere
population’s outlook and main concerns. of the town. Remember, Marshal,
This provides a good idea of how the that all important individuals
townsfolk might react to a posse’s should have reactions of their own.
arrival, and what kinds of conversations After all, there is at least one friendly
can be overheard in the local saloon. person in a town that otherwise
Suit: This determines the greets visitors with slammed doors
settlement’s general attitude toward and shuttered windows.
Spades “We are all brothers and sisters in this community.” The inhabitants
of this settlement are friendly to the extreme. For some reason, they
are willing to share everything with the posse and are always
ready to help. The default reaction of local folks is Friendly.
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Hearts “Howdy, strangers.” In this place, cowpokes are likely to feel

like fish in water. Folks are generally nice and polite toward
strangers, just as God-fearing people should be, but no more.
The default reaction is Neutral.
Diamonds “Mind your own business, pardner.” Sure, folks are ready to
consort with strangers, but newcomers shouldn’t count on any
extra courtesy. Strangers are tolerated, but nobody in their right
mind would call the locals “hospitable.” The default reaction is
Uncooperative.
Clubs “We don’t like strangers ’round here.” When heroes ride into this
town, they are welcomed with closed doors and evil looks. Locals
are suspicious and rude, ready to run off visitors engaging in any
sort of misbehavior. Maybe they’re not used to visitors, or perhpas
they’ve seen too many strangers of late. They are Hostile, but not
willing to initiate violence without serious provocation.
Value: This determines the main the adventure, more a source of flavor
local concern of mundane origin. It’s and potential topic of conversations
not necessarily the central theme of with the locals.
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Deuce Persecution: The population of this settlement is persecuted

for some reason, or persecutes someone else. In the former
case, saddletramps should be prepared to hear laments over the
persecutors’ cruelties. If the latter, heroes might witness verbal
bashing of perceived inferiors, or maybe even a witch-hunt.
Examples: Town of religious folks, harassed by cynical cattle
baron. Camp of devoted Indian followers of a prophet ridiculed by
most tribes. Jayhawkers’ city, always ready to shoot some Rebs.
Cavalry fort filled with bigoted soldiers, tormenting black members
of the regiment.
3–4 Wilderness: This settlement lies in a particularly wild part of the

West, and its dwellers struggle constantly with rough weather,
hostile animals, transportation troubles, and so forth.
Examples: Isolated mountain village, cut off from the civilization by
snow for most of the year. Desert mission where water is as sacred as
the sacraments. Lumber camp haunted by vicious, feral wolves.
5–9 Welfare: The locals are poor and cannot deal with cruel fate
without constant complaining. Or they were recently enriched,
and enjoy rubbing their newfound wealth in visitors’ faces.
Examples: A town struggling after the local mine is depleted. A farm
on the railway route, trying to raise its value. Strategically located port
in the Maze, courted by local warlord with money and luxury items.
10 Crime: This place is endangered by bandits, or provides refuge

to hunted outlaws. Or maybe streets of the city are haunted by a
serial killer of unknown identity.
Examples: Remote cabin, headquarters of a dangerous gang. Trading
post serving as fence for stolen goods. Town whose marshal was gunned
down by a roaming pistolero.
Jack Corruption: Someone in the city turns a blind eye to suspicious

activity after being bribed. Or a local judge accepts money to issue
favorable verdicts—and his corrupt ways are public knowledge.
Examples: City mayor was bribed to grant a particular railway the
right-of-way. Corrupt county sheriff extorts money for “protection.”
On a simple farm, any outlaw can find haven—for a price.
Queen Scandal: This community is shaken by outrageous scandal—

maybe the preacher’s daughter ran away with the handsome
stranger, or the good doctor was caught disemboweling a patient.
Examples: Fiercely independent newspaper owner exposed as front
man for the mining company. Son of an Indian chief abandons the Old
Ways and attends the white man’s university. Supposedly honorable
cavalry officer has dalliances with a number of married women.
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King Warfare: The settlement serves as stage for a large-scale

conflict between honest, hard-working settlers and a local
power figure, or between governments’ or Rail Barons’ forces.
Examples: Independent stock growers versus all-powerful cattle
baron. Two Rail Barons duke it out over a local rail spur, with the
townsfolk stuck in the middle. Union or CSA military—represented by
a cruel colonel—versus local settlers and peaceful Indians. Ranchers
and homesteaders in a fight to the death for prime acreage. Two towns
struggle to become the county seat. Miners do battle with claim jumpers.
Ace Natives: The conflict is with local Indians. The Indians might
be hostile, harassing townsfolk without mercy, or peaceful and
persecuted by white settlers.
Examples: Indians try to preserve their traditional lands from a
greedy lumber company. The road to town is haunted by rogue Indian
bandits, claiming to be a war party sent by the local tribe. Firebrand
preacher orders the baptism or extermination of all Indians in the area.
Joker Posse: The place is so remote, peaceful, or boring that the posse’s
arrival is the only interesting event in months. Everyone’s
talking about the strange visitors, and try to befriend them or
uncover their life stories.
Depending on the general attitude toward strangers, the
locals might be annoyingly friendly, taking the posse for some
kind of folk heroes, or paranoid, suspecting them of the most
heinous crimes.
Right Card: Somethin’ Wicked, one. For example, a monstrous

Somethin’ Weird cult could blame local Indians for
Every Western settlement should its ritual killings, or the Indians’
have its portion of weird, Marshal, so hostility could be a direct response
it’s high time we establish the source to the cult’s misdeeds.
of supernatural trouble haunting the To create the most ordinary of
town. Weirdness provides a reason towns, skip this step. Instead,
for heroes to intervene and a main promote the Middle Card’s mundane
theme for local adventures. concern to main theme for this
The evil may or may not be related adventure.
to the chief local concern established Suit: The evil’s roots. Manitous rarely
by the Middle Card. To create a link arrive uninvited; the supernatural
between them, either assign the troubles harassing good townsfolk
supernatural evil as the source of the are usually rooted in some shameful
settlement’s trouble, or disguise the human activity...
supernatural threat as the mundane
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Spades Shameful past: The settlement was founded on some original
sin. The truth lies buried under lies and deceptions—or was
forgotten and modern settlers have no idea why they are
harassed by the ghosts of the past (metaphorical, or quite literal).
Examples: The town was founded by two brothers who murdered
the third during a quarrel over the place’s name. Before the first
rancher settled here, she studied magic under an evil witch. The
original founders were cultists, but they abandoned their cult some
time ago in hopes the demon they summoned will never return.
Hearts Ignorant wrongdoing: Someone in the settlement accidentally

unleashed unspeakable evil. He or she may not know they’re the
one to blame. The results of an evil act are apparent—a monster,
curse, pile of dead bodies, or somesuch—but the posse needs to
find the guilty party before the supernatural events cease.
Examples: Young man tried to hex the girl who shunned him with a
love charm, but instead allowed a manitou to possess her. The settlement
was built upon a sealed portal to the Hunting Grounds. A poor, hungry
group of Indians the settlers helped all winter were in fact Ravenites.
Diamonds Servant of evil: Someone in the settlement is a servant—directly

or indirectly—of the Reckoners. Hiding amongst common folk,
the servant of evil causes harm and provokes fear. He differs from
the ignorant wrongdoer insofar as he’s painfully aware of his own
evil, sometimes recognizing it as a painful necessity, sometimes
embracing the darkness with an open—yet black—heart.
Examples: Preacher’s obsession with chastity turns him into a
serial killer, gutting soiled doves. Saloon owner invites demons to
gamble for souls in his joint, in exchange for eternal youth. To find a
universal cure, a local doctor experiments on patients and makes them
walkin’ dead after they die horrible deaths. A vainglorious renown-
seeker attracts monsters to the area to secure a job as town protector.
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Clubs Terrifying fearmonger: The place is haunted by a creature straight

out of the worst nightmares—a fearmonger. The monster might be
hidden in the settlement during the day and leave its hideout each
night to wreak havoc. Or it might live in the nearby wilds, visiting the
settlement each full moon to claim a human sacrifice. In any case, it’s
a horrible creature of pure evil. The locals fears it more than anything.
Examples: A wife, murdered by her insanely jealous husband,
returns from the grave as a vengeful ghost. Local nurse invents scary
shadow creatures to keep children in line; the shadows take material
form and terrify little ones for real. A feral beast of Indian legends
lives deep in the woods, killing lumberjacks and nature lovers.
Joker Draw again and use second card’s suit. In this case, the Joker
serves only as the value (see below).
Step Two: Hole Phase

Random Fear Levels All right, Marshal—we’ve established
the general character of the town, and
The local Fear Level is a convenient exactly why an intrepid posse should care
tool, insofar as it gives a general sense of about it. It’s time to populate the area with
how difficult encounters will be during interesting folks and places for them to
play. Usually, the Fear Level should be dwell.
calibrated based on a posse’s average Remember those hole cards from
Rank and how hard the Marshal wants Step One? We dealt two at the
Guts checks to be. But if random is what
beginning and possibly drew one
you need, draw a single card and check
the suit against the table below. or two more during the Community
Phase. Now check the values of all
Suit Fear Modifier your hole cards against the following
table, Marshal. Choose two to serve
Spades Hidden Threat: as the most important elements in the
Subtract 1 from the adventure. For a tiny settlement—big
local Fear Level. enough for only one special person
Hearts S o m e t h i n ’ or place—use only one hole card.
Wicked: Use local People and places chosen in this
Fear Level. step are meant to be exceptional and
Diamonds Te r r i f y i n ’ worth a posse’s attention. But they’re
Presence: Add 1 to not the only ones in the settlement.
the local Fear Level. Use the values of your additional
Clubs Rule o’ Terror: Add hole cards to determine the other
2 to the local Fear important establishments in town.
Level. They’re just fairly ordinary, and not
a focus of the story at hand. Use the
Joker Hellmouth: Add Establishments sidebar (page 102)
3 to the local Fear to round out the ’burg’s offerings,
Level (maximum 5). either by random roll or choosing
what makes sense.
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Suit: The exact suit doesn’t matter this glance, some of these might contradict the
time, just the color. A red card means so- general purpose of the settlement from
mething good—perhaps a potential ally Step One, but take some time to consider
or place of refuge—and a black one means how each might fit in. A military outpost
trouble, as shown for each result below. could certainly feature a barber shop. A
Value: The value determines the pur- rough and tumble boomtown might hou-
pose of the place or profession of the per- se a fine art gallery funded by rich and so-
son, and provides a slew of examples to mewhat idealistic widow. Unusual com-
get your mind working, Marshal. At first binations make for unique settlements.
Deuce Crime: The person or place is somehow associated with illegal activities.
Black: Dishonest lawman, framing strangers for his crimes. Former
leader of a gang, trying to avenge his fallen comrades. Inconspicuous Chinese
laundry owner, running a protection racket and involved with opium trade.
Hotel owned by charming cannibals. Labyrinth of underground caverns,
filled with Mexican outlaws guarding lost treasure. Dishonest attorney’s
office employing crooked tinhorns to defend the worst criminals.
Red: Unscrupulous yet heroic saloon owner, willing to do whatever it takes
to protect his town. Wrongly accused gunman looking to clear his name. A
Harrowed regains Dominion and seeks and opportunity to redeem himself
after the manitou’s killing spree. A no-questions-asked boarding house with a
strict non-violence policy. Secret room in the casino, where one can overhear
any conversation in the place. Smuggler’s tunnels, leading out of a Maze port’s
trouble.
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3 Exploration: The settlement’s surroundings are mysterious and

perhaps a little dangerous. The unknown waits to be explored.
Black: An esteemed pilot, insanely protective of his routes through the
Maze and willing to kill to protect his secrets. A mountain man visits town
once a year to replenish his supplies—and kidnap another woman. An obsessed
prospector suspects everyone as a claim jumper. Unexplored network of
caves beneath the city, filled with dangerous critters. The pass leading out of
a mountain town is blocked by heavy snow and haunted by strange beasts.
Dense forest full of vicious animals, and even more vicious bandits.
Red: An army scout who knows the area like the back of his hand. A brave
explorer seeking volunteers to participate in yet another expedition. The old
drunk is the only living person who knows the way to Aztec gold, hidden by
greedy Spaniards two centuries ago. Enormous deposit of ghost rock in an
unexplored cavern near the town. Undiscovered trail, ready to be blazed. The
perfect hideout, accessible but hidden from sight.
4 Transportation: This point of interest is related to the shipment of goods

and people into and out of the settlement.
Black: A greedy mayor is ready to sell all the town’s land and citizens to
Baron LaCroix. Telegraph owner, spying for a railroad company and twisting
messages for their purposes. A guide leads travelers out of town to their certain
demise. Elegant delivery service making a profit by stealing goods sent by
customers, and blaming Indian raiders. A Maze port where the unwary are
conscripted into the Mexican armada against their will. An old covered bridge,
infamous for being haunted by bandits and outlaws.
Red: A young and capable Pony Express rider. The idealistic scientist who
works hard to improve a rail engine. Tough stagecoach driver who knows all the
local gossip. That derailed, abandoned club car is an ideal place to spend a night
or two. Railway company office in need of protection for good pay. Best livery
and blacksmith in the territory.
5 Nourishment: This place or inhabitant is somehow connected to the

production, sale, or consumption of food.
Black: An eloquent killer who’s also a connoisseur of human liver.
Dishonest and unscrupulous food broker in a starving region of the Great
Maze. French chef determined to make the town a classy place by removing
all troublemakers with deadly force. A blueberry grove frequently visited
by deadly, venomous snakes. Restaurant feeds customers horse meat, stolen
from a nearby livery. Cattle ranch constantly harassed by feral dogs that kill
livestock and guards.
Red: Foul-mouthed mama, feeding all the poor in her joint. Chili Queen
adored by cowboys from the area. An old trapper who can make a proper
meal out of anything. The one and only apple orchard in the area. The best
damn restaurant in West. Cabin on the edge of the town where quality,
home-made liquor can be bought at any time of day.
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6 Commerce: Someone in the city is making money hand over fist.

Black: A ruthless smuggler who made the city dependent on her
shipments, now squeezes from it every dollar she can. The general store
owner has seven adult sons and stands ready to chase out any competition.
A Miners’ Union willing to ensure its privileges with violence. a rich and
dangerous mine, ready to collapse any moment. A Bank that takes advantage
of illiterate customers.
Red: The tough rancher with a heart of gold who provides jobs for the
area’s poor. A mad scientist seeks wealthy businessmen to fund her research.
A rich widow who sponsors the local school, orphanage, and hospital. Closed
club for the privileged and powerful, where heroes are always welcomed. A
charity center that feeds and clothes the poor. An honest claims office that
safeguards the interests of hard-working prospectors.
7 Services: The town provides fine services: Offices of tailors, cobblers,

barbers, photographers, and other businesses are numerous, where
miners or cowboys can spend some hard-earned cash.
Black: A barber who slices the throats of his customers. A photographer
blackmails the local elite with pictures taken in brothels with his Epitaph
camera. A jeweler who sells worthless trinkets to gullible frontier folks. A
pawn shop full of El Cheapo gear sold as new equipment. The bathhouse sells
overheard snippets of conversation to local muckrakers. A smithy works with
outlaws by marking the horseshoes of rich and potentially defenseless clients.
Red: A pain-free dentist. The gunsmith who has extensive knowledge of
monsters, and makes custom bullets capable of hurting them. A wily bootblack
who’s ready to provide important information and bits of practical wisdom.
An elegant ladies’ shop with Parisian confections. Chinese laundry where
martial arts are taught in a back room. A Smith & Robards field outpost.
8 Spiritual Concerns: In the Weird West, providers of spiritual

services are generally held in highest regard.
Black: A fake medicine man who cons Indian tribes with false prophecies.
A rabbi obsessed with the idea of creating a golem to punish unbelievers.
Bernadine monk readies catholic population of the town for coming of Santa
Anna’s army. Sinister cemetery infested with ghouls. The ancient Indian
burial ground makes walkin’ dead out of anyone laid to rest in it. An evil
cult’s temple is hidden in the general store’s basement.
Red: A kindly undertaker sneaks persecuted people out of town in
coffins. A wise Chinese elder who supplies ancient Oriental wisdom. The
charismatic preacher lowers the local Fear Level with sermons full of hope
and comfort. Th church stands on holy ground, so no monster can enter. A
hotel built with an Indian totem pole as its main support, and protected by
its spirits. A great, outdoor medicine wheel.
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9 Health Care: The West is full of illness and injuries. No town can do
without a good doctor for long.
Black: An equally mad and evil scientist, who experiments on humans.
Insane doctor who performs unnecessary amputations and preserves his
“trophies” in alcohol. Nurse poisons patients who—in her opinion—are
suffering beyond help. A well of tainted water that gradually drives drinkers
insane. Orphanage funded by a mad scientist who uses it to test new drugs
on the children. A drug store where the secret ingredient of every drug is
opium—and the city is nearly addicted.
Red: Iconic drunken doctor with a bad temper and a heart of gold. The
first female doctor in the state. An old Indian medicine man who tends
patients the local doctor can’t heal. A hospital for Great Rail Wars victims,
funded by the local stagecoach company. A farm where ailin’ horses regain
their strength. Home for elderly, poor, and lonesome cowboys.
10 Knowledge: In a land of illiterate cowboys, violent gunmen, primitive

mountain men, and Indians cleaving to the Old Ways, people and
places of knowledge are of special value.
Black: The bookstore owner sells dark tomes to youngsters. A mad scientist
seeks opportunities to test his brand-new death ray. The town elder who obscures
local history to cover his own past sins. A library with dangerous books of black
magic and demon summoning hidden deep in the stacks. A school where children
are tormented and mistreated to generate Fear. Remote farm where an Explorer’s
Society esthete studies dangerous monsters he acquires through sinister means.
Red: A kindhearted heir to the ancient British aristocracy has a marvelous
private library full of obscure books. Teacher who opposes the racial prejudices
within and without her class. An old wife who’s full of local wisdom and
genealogical knowledge. The military cartography office, where soldiers are
curious and helpful. Tipi with the history of an Indian tribe painted on its
inside. Local newspaper archive covering five solid years of town history.
Jack Justice: Frontier justice is quick and unforgiving. In this settlement

the law takes its course—for better or worse.
Black: A self-righteous teenage girl, aching to deliver justice to her father’s
murderers and willing to believe anyone’s guilty. An agreeable judge who’s a little
too fond of letting villains walk free. A stubborn, malicious judge who’s a little
too fond of hanging innocent men. Trigger-happy lawman who uses his post to
settle private scores. The over-strict reformatory reforms rebellious youths into
full-blown outlaws. At the state prison inmates are subject to weird experiments.
Red: The kid witnessed a robbery and is hiding from the bandits, waiting
for a judge to arrive. Private investigator who takes any case the county
sheriff neglects. A marshal who’s willing to believe the posse’s version of a
story. A secure and humane prison. The county archive maintains files of all
criminal cases from the last decade. A permanent courthouse with its own
offices, jail, and gallows.
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Queen Entertainment: Who would a deny hard-working farmhand, miner,

or cowboy his or her portion of entertainment? Saloons, gambling
dens, dance halls, and their ilk are common sights in the West.
Black: A soiled dove who kidnaps her customers to sell to a local gang. The
barman tells a local villain juicy details about the posse. A pair of gamblers
who work together to run swindles masked as games of chance. A dance hall
infested with pick-pockets. The illegal fight club forces strangers to do battle
in bloody duels for the audience’s amusement.
Red: A virtuoso pianist hides out in the local brothel from assassins
hired by a competitor Back East. Barman who tells the posse juicy details
about a local villain. Chinese fireworks maker who provides the posse with
any special effects they may need. Theatre with professional thespians
and quality productions. Gallery of fine art, established by local person of
substance. Casino that robs the rich blind and lets the poor win.
King Authority: Many frontier towns do just fine without any governance,
or some old coot takes the title of mayor to brighten his waning years.
Here, authority and civil services hold strong.
Black: Evil mayor who holds his office by fear, challenging opposition to
deadly gunfights. Warmongering Indian chief eager to kill white settlers. A
cruel colonel confiscates most local food production for the army. An imposing
town hall, built with bloody money taken from the poor. A shantytown
where the persecuted minority is forced to live. A secret government prison
for politically inconvenient inmates.
Red: A journalist who takes this whole “fourth estate” business very seriously.
The good preacher holds power and is determined to make the town a paradise on
Earth. A fire-brigade chief who jumps into any danger if his town is threatened. A
council of the town’s war widows meets once a month in the coffeehouse, passing
laws to preserve peace within the town limits. A statue of the town’s founder
stands in the town square, providing mysterious inspiration to those who seek it.
Ace Outsider: This very interesting aspect of town came from outside its
borders, and is just passing through.
Black: The Harrowed gunman—who bears a worrisome resemblance to a
man called Stone—is passing through town, on the hunt for some other hero.
A renowned outlaw takes his time in the local brothel. Snake oil salesman who
works his charms in the town square. Traveling freak show kidnaps, terrorizes,
and abandons orphans along the road. An infected cattle herd driven by rough
and tumble, constantly drunk cowboys. The mobile brothel’s girls steal from
customers.
Red: A war hero travels the area in search of former soldiers who need his
aid. Saleswoman of rare goods and curiosities who visits town periodically. A
real-live Western celebrity! An honest candidate for governor visits town on
his campaign tour. Traveling eye doctor’s office makes a monthly route of all
the county’s towns. A genuine circus, with rare animals, clowns, and acrobats.
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Joker Weird: Since weirdness was covered in Step One, we mostly avoided it
here. The Joker indicates an independent supernatural being or place
in the settlement, possibly unconnected to the source of Fear.
Black: A villainous card sharp who gambles for opponents’ souls. The
sinister voodoo bokor is followed by suspicious bodyguards, their movements
a bit too stiff. In human form a werewolf has the manners of a perfect
gentleman, but he’s unable to control the curse. A ghost train arrives at
the railway station every full moon. A vampire-infested brothel. The cursed
hotel inflicts bloody nightmares on all its guests.
Red: A supernaturally skilled healer heals injuries thought permanent.
Old gypsy woman who foretells possible futures. A mysterious Chinese
doctor writes down powerful spells on little slips of paper, to be used by
the patient later. A still lake covered by mysterious mist sends visions of
things past. The sacred tree protects an Indian village from foul weather. The
curiosity shop sells minor Relics.
Step Three: Poker Phase the plot, but it should certainly arise as an
The adventure’s outlines should be important element of solving the problem.
coming into sharper resolve, Marshal. Choose five cards from among all
Now let’s finish it up by adding a your hole cards and community cards,
complication to the story elements you’ve and use them to create the best possible
already determined. Exactly how this poker hand—Jokers are wild. Compare
rather generic complication plays into the the result to the table below, and figure
drama depends on what works best for out how the element best fits your tale.
High Card Enemy Mine: The heroes must work with folks they
consider enemies to solve the problem.
Pair Hunt: Before the posse deal with the trouble, they have to
track and catch it—or find a tracker to help them.
Jacks or better Time Limit: If the evil isn’t defeated or contained within
a certain timeframe—usually a short one—things get a
damn sight worse.
Two Pair Investigation: The posse must uncover hidden evil by

collecting clues and connecting the dots.
Three of a Kind Weakness: The trouble has but one solution—a supernatural
weakness. The secret must be uncovered to solve the
problem.
Straight Intrigue: The main concern is the social class where the
trouble occurs, or of the wrongdoer. Appearances must
be maintained.
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Flush Trap: To catch the villain, the posse must set a trap. Or
perhaps a trap is being set for them...
Full House Sacrifice: The posse has to sacrifice something or someone

they hold dear, or convince an NPC to do the same, if they
want to win.
Four of Rivals: The posse can’t do it alone—even if they want to.

a Kind A group of rivals races the posse to the solution, or merely
tries to prevent the heroes’ success.
Straight Flush Hunting Grounds: Nothing on God’s green Earth can

stop this evil. The solution lies somewhere in the shadowy
Hunting Grounds.
stay buried, or the saloon owner displays

Finishing Touches a “genuine mermaid” in the back room
for a modest price. Heck, maybe all these
Now, Marshal, you’ve got the broad things are true. Let your most fiendish
strokes of a Western settlement, imagination run wild, Marshal.
including the inhabitants and points of
interest most likely to play a part in your s Proud Past: The settlement was
group’s adventure. Let’s wrap ’er all up founded on the site of famous historical
by add a few finishing touches: the local event or built near an important site. Maybe
peculiarities and distinctive name that the town’s foundin’ fathers were butchered
set this place apart from others. during the Civil War, or the town famously
defended itself against the Native tribes’
Distinguishing Mark rage. Maybe it was established by Francisco
This step is simple: Count up how Coronado or during Lewis and Clark’s
many cards you have of each suit, and expedition. Perhaps it lies near an important
figure out which one numbers the most. battlefield, a place of Indian martyrdom, or
Consult the winning suit’s entry below to the lonely shack where Jacob Smith built his
figure out what distinguishes the town. first wondrous invention.
In the unlikely event of an equal
amount of each suit, consider the town a 1 Famous Folks: One of the settle
weirdness magnet—it attracts supernatural ment’s folks—living or deceased—has
events like a cow patty draws flies. It gained some degree of fame or notoriety.
also attracts gossip-hungry muckrakers, Maybe the town’s lawman is a famous
self-important do-gooders, and secret gunman hired for the job, a successfully
government operatives by the gross. retired prospector lives in a mansion
Perhaps one of the locals disappears built with her amassed riches, or a
each full moon and is never seen again, veteran scout tells stories in the saloon.
maybe strange lights appear in the sky Could be a legend of the West is buried
with alarming regularity, the dead don’t in the local cemetery.
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ancient name like Thebes, Amphipolis,
s Testament to Human Genius: One or Hadrian’s Well.
or more structures in the settlement
provoke awe and wonder. This might Eponymous: Maybe the town’s founder
be a magnificent church, modern saloon named it after himself or his beloved:
powered by wonders of the New Science, Whateley, Wayne, or Daisy Town.
glorious railway station, pneumatic tube Francais: Back East, towns don’t hesitate
system, art gallery, hotel designed by to honor their French origins with names
famous architect, or modern printing press. like Angouleme, Belleville, and LeRoy.
Geography: Name the town after
c Marvel of Nature: The settlement the most prominent feature of the local
lies in the proximity of a natural wonder, landscape, like Twin Hills, Golden
such as a marvelous waterfall, oddly- Creek, or Coffin Rock.
shaped rock, giant redwood tee, perfectly
Nostalgia: Use a name the original
round and clear lake, strange canyon,
settlers brought with them from the Old
bottomless chasm, or petrified forest.
World—Breslau, New Limerick, or Firenze.
A Town by Any Other Name… Purpose: The town’s name describes
…would probably smell just as bad, on its main feature or purpose, like Ghost
account of all the mud and filth strewn Rock, Green Fields, or Lumber Town.
about. But the town needs a sweet-smelling Spanish West: In the Southwest
name nonetheless. Here are several easy use an Hispanic name, preferably a
ways to baptize your strange locale: Catholic saint—such as San Leticia, San
Biblical: Take a more or less obscure place Bartolome, or Santa Librada.
from the Bible, which shows the townsfolk’s Values: Stress the locals’ moral
piety: Hebron, Sidon, or Moriah. rectitude and hopeful attitude with
Book-Learnin’: Highlight the city a name like Absolution, Chastity, or
founder’s classical education with an Deliverance.
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Encounters
The dark power of the Reckoning Lightnin’ Man

dropped a veil of terror over the Weird With the advent of the Hope
West. In its shadows abominations spawn, Falls Power Generator, folks started in
taking life from the fearful tales told of to spinning tales about the dark side of
their hideous atrocities. With so many tales electricity—primarily its ability to burn a
being told, new critters and vile beasts are man to a crisp. Pretty soon the tales weren’t
springin’ up all over the place. It’s only about the raw energy, they’d changed
natural we give you the lowdown, Marshal. subtly into stories about a “Lightnin’ Man.”
Most of the abominations and human A cracklin’ white bolt of energy with a
characters in this chapter are keyed mean streak, tales say the Lightning Man’ll
to specific locales and situations, but get anyone who works on the power lines,
that doesn’t mean you can’t use them anyone using electricity in their home, even
elsewhere, Marshal. Deadlands: Ghost folks who get too close to a lamp post at
Towns is assembled much like the night. From these tales and the Reckoning’s
“toolbox” format used in most of our shadows coalesced the being that now
Plot Point books, making it easy to pull haunts Hope Falls’ power lines.
apart and put back together in whatever
For now The Lightnin’ Man is a
way works best for your campaign.
unique creature, but if its legend persists
Although we’ve presented a fair amount as electric power spreads, more could
of detail for each town, we’ve also left a lot spawn across the Weird West.
unsaid, or merely suggested. That’s so you
Attributes: Agility d10, Smarts d8, Spirit
can make each town your own, Marshal,
d8, Strength d4, Vigor d12
and weave your own tales—as well as the
player characters’ backstories—into the Skills: Fighting d10, Notice d8, Stealth
tapestry of your campaign. d10
Pace: 8; Parry: 7; Toughness: 8
Special Abilities:
Creepy Critters • Fear: The blinding sight of the
cracklin’ Lightnin’ Man provokes a
All critters big and little abound in the
Guts check.
forgotten corners of the Weird West. The
following section presents the varmints • Invulnerability: The Lightnin’ Man is
of our Ghost Towns, and later on we get to largely unaffected by physical attacks,
the people (some of them possible allies) except those incorporating its Weakness.
dwelling in them. As always, Wild Cards It can be Shaken, but not wounded.
are denoted with a marshal’s badge, like • Lightnin’ Bolt: The Lightnin’ Man can
this one right here: project a bolt o’ lightning to smite foes.
This works like the bolt power, but
inflicts 2d8 damage, is activated with
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Agility, has AP 2, and costs no Power Pace: 8; Parry: 6; Toughness: 8
Points. If a target is carrying more Special Abilities:
than 10 pounds of conductive metal, • Bite: Str+d6.
in contact with water, or otherwise
• Camouflage: Manitou have the ability
touching an electrical conductor of
to blend into their surroundings—
some kind, he takes 3d8 damage.
literally. Anyone encountering a
• Shock o’ Your Life: With a Touch manitou must succeed on a Smarts
attack (+2), the Lightnin’ Man delivers roll opposed by the manitou’s Stealth
a powerful stroke of electricity that or be surprised (see Savage Worlds).
deals 2d6 damage, or 3d6 damage to a
• Fear (–1): The sight of a manitou
target in contact with water.
provokes a Guts check (–1).
• Wire Travel: Pace 20. The Lightning
• Possession: A manitou in the
Man can speed through power lines
physical world can take control of
at a remarkable clip.
an inanimate object—a chair, sheet,
• Weakness (Magic): Arcane powers tree, or even a knife—and use it as its
and abilities affect the Lightnin’ Man “body” for the duration of its stay.
normally.
• Rend: A manitou’s favorite tactic is
• Weakness (Rubber): The Lightnin’ to literally rip its foes in half. If two
Man cannot move through or across manitous successfully Grapple a single
non-conductive substances. A weapon foe, they can act in concert to tear him
made of rubber inflicts normal apart. The manitous make a single
damage. cooperative Strength roll, opposed
• Coup (Joy Buzzer): A Harrowed by the victim’s Strength. If they’re
who makes a meal of the Lightnin’ successful the manitous do Str+2d6, or
Man’s essence gains the ability to deal Str+3d6 with a raise. An Incapacitating
foes—or friends!—a painful jolt once per wound delivered in this fashion tears
day. With a Touch attack (+2), the charge a body part from its socket—roll on the
is delivered. The target has to make a Injury Table to figure out which one.
Vigor roll or be at –2 Parry until his next • Size +2: Manitous stand about eight
action, due to painful muscle spasms. feet tall when in humanoid shape.
Manitou Manitoy
These are the evil spirits most Kind of like a manitou, manitoys
likely to wriggle through into the aren’t all that fearsome in and of
physical world for a few days’ jaunt. themselves, but when they attack in
Each day a manitou exists in the real groups of three or four, singling out one
world, it must make a Spirit roll. With a cowpoke at a time, they can be deadly.
success it remains another day, and on Manitoys prefer to keep their dark nature
a failure it fades back into the Hunting hidden as long as they’re able, whispering
Grounds. They are extremely creative in their dark dreams, since fighting gets
their cruelty. them nothing. But when they’re forced to,
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit they swarm over targets with biting teeth.
d10, Strength d8, Vigor d8 Attributes: Agility d4, Smarts d4, Spirit
Skills: Fighting d8, Guts d10, d4, Strength d6, Vigor d6
Intimidation d10, Persuasion d10, Stealth Skills: Fighting d4, Intimidation d8,
d8, Taunt d6 Notice d4, Stealth d6
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Pace: 4; Parry: 5; Toughness: 3 Jolene Amsler
Special Abilities: As a child of Mythos and a
• Bite: Str+d4. descendant of the legendary Count Dracula,
• Construct: +2 to recover from being Jolene Amsler is more of a “cinematic
Shaken; no additional damage from vampire” than others in the Weird West,
called shots; constructs do not suffer Marshal. She still looks human most of
from poison or disease. the time, her monstrous features emerging
• Fearless: Manitoys are immune to only when she’s attacked or is preparing
Fear and Intimidation. to feed. Then her eyes turn black, with a
faint red gleam, and her fangs and nails
• Improved Dodge: Attackers’ Shooting
lengthen. At her best she’s quite fetching,
and Throwing rolls suffer a –2 penalty,
but at her worst she’s one ugly so-and-so.
and the toys add +2 to Agility rolls to
evade area of effect attacks. Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d10, Spirit
d10, Strength d12+2, Vigor d12
• Size –2: The toys are small, most no
larger than a grown man’s fist. Skills: Fighting d10, Intimidation d12,
Notice d8, Shooting d8, Swimming d8,
• Small: Anyone attacking these toys
Throwing d8
suffers –2 to their rolls.
Pace: 10; Parry: 7; Toughness: 10
• Whispering Will: The toys are
capable of “whispering” to a Special Abilities:
target, giving glimpses of the • Change Form: As an action, a vampire
hellish Deadlands. Success on an can change into a wolf or bat with a
Intimidation roll—at +2 if the target Smarts roll at –2. Changing back into
has the Young Hindrance—opposed humanoid form requires a Smarts roll.
by a cowpoke’s Guts means the toy • Charm: Vampires can use the puppet
breaks the target’s will, forcing her to power on the opposite sex using their
roll on the Fright Table. With a raise Smarts as their arcane skill. They
on the Intimidation roll, the Fright can cast and maintain the power
Table roll is made at +2. indefinitely, but may only affect one
target at a time.
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• Claws: Str+d6. resilient if he draws in a greater
• Fear (–2): When their true form is vampire’s essence, granting +2
revealed, these bloodsuckers exude an to recover from being Shaken
aura of pure malevolence that forces all (cumulative with Combat Reflexes).
who see it to make a Guts check (–2).
Stefan Amsler
• Improved Frenzy: Vampires may make
Stefan was made a vampire by
two attacks per round without penalty.
Jolene, and thus is a lesser vampire subject
• Invulnerability: Vampires can only be to her absolute control. Even though he’s
harmed by their Weaknesses. They may fairly “young” in vampire years, very little
be Shaken by other attacks, but never of his humanity remains. His powers are far
wounded. less potent than Jolene’s. But he’s similarly
• Level Headed: Vampires act on the fearsome when he bares his fangs to attack.
best of two cards. Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d8, Spirit
• Sire: Anyone slain by a vampire rises d8, Strength d12+1, Vigor d10
as a lesser vampire in 1d4 days, under Skills: Fighting d8, Intimidation d8,
the control of its creator. Notice d6, Shooting d6, Swimming d8,
• Speed: Vampires are incredibly fast, Throwing d6
and roll a d10 running die. Pace: 10; Parry: 6; Toughness: 9
• Undead: +2 Toughness; +2 to recover Special Abilities:
from being Shaken; called shots do no
• Claws: Str+d6.
extra damage (except to the heart—see
below). No wound penalties. • Fear: When their true form is
revealed, these bloodsuckers exude an
• Weakness (Sunlight): Vampires catch
aura of pure malevolence that forces
fire if any part of their skin is exposed
all who see it to make a Guts check.
to direct sunlight. After that they
suffer 2d10 damage per round until • Frenzy: Lesser vampires can make
they are dust. Armor does not protect. two attacks per round with a –2
penalty to each attack.
• Weakness (Holy Symbol): A
character may keep a vampire at • Level Headed: Lesser vampires act on
bay by displaying a holy symbol. the best of two cards.
A vampire who wants to directly • Invulnerability: Lesser vampires can
attack the victim must beat her in an only be harmed by their Weaknesses.
opposed test of Spirit. They may be Shaken by other attacks,
• Weakness (Holy Water): A vampire but never wounded.
sprinkled with holy water is Fatigued. • Sire: Anyone slain by a lesser vampire
If immersed, he combusts as if it were has a 50% chance of rising as a
direct sunlight (see above). vampire himself in 1d4 days.
• Weakness (Stake Through the • Speed: Lesser vampires are incredibly
Heart): A vampire hit with a called fast, and roll a d10 running die.
shot to the heart (–4) must make a • Undead: +2 Toughness; +2 to recover from
Vigor roll versus the damage total. If being Shaken; called shots do no extra
successful, it takes damage normally. damage (except to the heart—see below).
If it fails, it disintegrates to dust. • Weakness (Sunlight): Vampires catch
• Coup (Toughened Up): The fire if any part of their skin is exposed
Harrowed’s body becomes more to direct sunlight. After that they
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suffer 2d10 damage per round until
they are dust. Armor does not protect. FRIENDS & FOES
• Weakness (Holy Symbol): A Here are a number of folks looking to
character with a holy symbol may make an impression on your heroes—
keep a vampire at bay by displaying some good, and some decidedly bad. A
a holy symbol. A vampire who wants few of them wield prodigious powers, so
to directly attack the victim must beat be careful about setting them loose on a
her in an opposed test of Spirit. low-Rank posse that’s not ready for them.
• Weakness (Holy Water): A vampire Unless otherwise stated, Arcane
sprinkled with holy water is Fatigued. Background (Black Magic) works exactly
If immersed, he combusts as if it were like Arcane Background (Magic) from the
direct sunlight (see above). Savage Worlds rulebook and grants access
• Weakness (Invitation Only): to any power the Marshal prefers. Folks
Vampires cannot enter a private who know black magic have willingly
dwelling without being invited. They given themselves and their souls to evil
may enter public domains as they in return for a measure of infernal power.
please. Which is to say they’ve gone bad and
• Weakness (Stake Through the they’ve got no regrets to speak of.
Heart): A vampire hit with a called
shot to the heart (–4) must make Grit
a Vigor roll versus the damage. If Wild Card NPCs have Grit equal to half
successful, it takes damage normally. their number of Edges (rounded down),
If it fails, it disintegrates to dust. to a minimum of 1 and maximum of 5. If
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an NPC has an Edge, Hindrance, or other (Fully Autonomous Walker), windstorm
ability that directly modifies Grit (like the (Wondrous Weathersphere); Power
True Grit Edge, Tenderfoot Hindrance, or Points: 30
being Harrowed), don’t count it toward Gear: Tool kit, monocle.
the total number of Edges, and apply any
modifiers after you halve the total. That Emmett “Black Heart” Hartley
way every cowpoke gets his due, Marshal. Hartley’s been around Devil’s
Backbone for a bit, but even though he’s
Aldo Derringer approaching his late 30s, he’s still a mean
After discarding his Amazing hombre. Indirect exposure to the ghost
Augmented Man, Fully Autonomous rock has weakened him a bit, but he’s still
Walker, and Wondrous Weathersphere formidable with a pistol. He keeps his bandits
projects, Aldo is on the verge of a true in line with a scowl, and every so often a bullet.
breakthrough. Diverting some of the flow Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d10, Spirit
from the Hope Falls Power Generator, d10, Strength d8, Vigor d10
he’s completed a prototype of an electric
Skills: Fighting d8, Guts d10, Knowledge
cannon. This complex and devastating
(Battle) d12, Knowledge (Devil’s
weapon needs only to have its power
Backbone) d6, Notice d10, Persuasion d6,
source miniaturized to be viable—an ideal
Riding d8, Shooting d10
reason to open up trade with Sheltonsville
(a source to replenish his rapidly depleting Charisma: 0; Grit: 5; Pace: 6; Parry: 6;
supply of ghost rock). Problem is, as Toughness: 7
Derringer diverts power and resources Hindrances: Bloodthirsty, Cautious,
to the electric cannon, the deal with Enemy (Minor, Hubert Lavigne), Greedy,
Sheltonsville grows ever more precarious. Mean, Wanted (Major)
Attributes: Agility d6, Smarts d12, Spirit Edges: Combat Reflexes, Fervor, Hard to
d8, Strength d6, Vigor d8 Kill, Dodge, Hip-Shooting, Marksman,
Skills: Boating d6, Driving d6, Fighting d6, Reputation (Bad), Steady Hands, Speed
Guts d8, Intimidation d6, Investigation d8, Load, Quick Draw
Knowledge (Biology, Chemistry, Occult, Gear: Colt Frontier (Range: 12/24/48,
Physics) d12, Notice d8, Piloting d6, Repair Damage: 2d6, RoF 1, Shots 6, AP 1), knife
d12, Shooting d6, Streetwise d8, Taunt d8, (Damage: Str+d4).
Throwing d6, Weird Science d12
Ezra “Eagle Eye” Fessler
Charisma: –3; Grit: 5; Pace: 6; Parry: 5;
Ezra hasn’t been tainted by his
Toughness: 6
sister-in-law’s service to the Reckoners,
Hindrances: Curious, Greedy, Mean, but that’s mostly because he was mean
Vow (Create Own Legacy) enough before she met him. It’s only
Dementias: Absent Minded, Eccentricity, a matter of time before he’s a damned
Paranoia participant rather than just an ambivalent
Edges: Arcane Background (Weird one. He’s come about most of his skills the
Science), Charismatic, Filthy Rich, hard way, through hard work, experience,
Gadgeteer, Luck, Level Headed, McGyver, and pushing beyond his limits.
Mr. Fix It, New Powers, Power Points, Attributes: Agility d10, Smarts d8, Spirit
Scholar (Biology, Physics), Strong Willed d10, Strength d6, Vigor d8
Powers: Armor (Amazing Augmented Skills: Fighting d8, Gambling d8, Guts d10,
Man), blast (Electric Cannon), speed Intimidation d12, Knowledge (Law) d6, Notice
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d8, Persuasion d10, Riding d10, Shooting d12, Gear: Twin double-action Peacemakers
Stealth d10, Survival d8, Tracking d8 (Range: 12/24/48, Damage: 2d6+1, RoF
Charisma: 0; Grit: 5; Pace: 6; Parry: 6; 1, Shots 6, AP 1), Bowie knife (Damage:
Toughness: 6 Str+d4+1, AP 1), walking stick.
Hindrances: Arrogant, Mean, Leonard Cave
Overconfident, Vengeful (Minor)
The rebuilt Leonard Cave is much
Edges: Command, Duelist, Improved hardier than he was in life, although that
Dodge, Improved Hip Shooting, comes with the loss of his soul, personality,
Improved Trademark Weapon (Colt and most of his memory. The manitou
Navy Revolvers), Hard to Kill, Improved terrorizes the folks who once who adored
Level Headed, Luck, Quick Draw, Speed the local hero, and whatever vestige of
Load, Strong Willed Cave remains crudely rationalizes that
Gear: Two modified Colt Navy revolvers he’s only protecting himself from those
(Range: 12/24/48, Damage: 2d6+1, RoF who killed him.
1, Shots 6, AP 1), Bowie knife (Damage: Attributes: Agility d4, Smarts d6, Spirit
Str+d4, AP 1). d6, Strength d12+2, Vigor d12
Jory Helgramme Skills: Fighting d10, Stealth d12 (+2
The Danish Jory’s bulky, inside the tubes only)
imposingly tall figure with close Parry: 8, Pace: 6, Toughness: 10
cropped blond hair makes him look Special Abilities:
like he was once a soldier. Even though • Fear (–1): Cave is an abomination, and
it’s a weakness, his limping gait adds meeting him provokes a Guts roll (–1).
to his menacing presence as he lurches • Fearless: Cave’s new form isn’t quite
forward, leaning heavily on a cane. His capable of comprehending Fear, and
face is pocked with small scars and cannot be Intimidated.
blemishes, and he’s even missing part of
• Hardy: A second Shaken result does
his left ear.
not cause a wound on Cave.
Helgramme was a rather famous
• Iron Hands: Str+d6. Cave strikes once
monster hunter at one time. But he ran
with each iron hand each round, with
afoul of some pretty unsavory—and
no penalty.
unnatural—customers during a mission
to the catacombs under Istanbul. Now • Undead: +2 Toughness; +2 to recover
Helgramme looks irreparably broken, a from being Shaken; called shots do
pale imitation of his former self. no extra damage (except to his power
source—see below).
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit
d6, Strength d6, Vigor d8 • Weakness (Power Source): Without
his power source in place and filled
Skills: Fighting d10, Guts d6,
with ghost rock, Cave deactivates. It’s
Intimidation d8, Knowledge (Occult)
a called shot at –6 to target the power
d10, Notice d6, Shooting d10, Streetwise
source, but dealing Cave a wound
d6, Survival d6, Tracking d8
in this fashion shuts him down
Charisma: 0; Grit: 2; Pace: 4; Parry: 7; permanently. Any Mad Scientist can
Toughness: 6 make a Smarts roll to determine the
Hindrances: Lame, Overconfident, Vow function of the canister and eject it.
(Destroy or contain the supernatural) Good luck getting Cave to hold still
Edges: Hard to Kill, True Grit long enough to do it, though!
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Pirate Buckley Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d10, Spirit

Pirate Buckley has been keeping d12+2, Strength d8, Vigor d10
tabs on “his” town ever since he dragged Skills: Fighting d12, Guts d12, Healing
himself back out of the ground. Too mean d10, Intimidation d12, Knowledge
to be killed, he’s been biding his time to (Occult) d12, Notice d12, Persuasion d12,
raze the entire city of Culverton. He’s not Riding d12, Spellcasting d12+2, Stealth
expecting his cover to be blown, so any d12, Survival d12, Swimming d10, Taunt
discovery by his kin or a troublesome posse d10, Throwing d12, Tracking d12
catch him a bit flat-footed. Needless to say Charisma: +2; Grit: 8; Pace: 6; Parry: 8;
he’s a little rankled at any such discovery. Toughness: 7
Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit Hindrances: Bloodthirsty, Mean,
d6, Strength d6, Vigor d8 Overconfident, Stubborn, Vengeful
Skills: Boating d12+2, Fighting d10, (Major), Vow (Major, serve the dark
Gambling d8, Knowledge (Occult) d6, powers)
Riding d6, Shooting d8, Stealth d8, Edges: Arcane Background (Black
Survival d8, Swimming d8 Magic), Charismatic, Command, Expert
Charisma: –4; Grit: 5; Pace: 6; Parry: 5; (Spellcasting), Fast Healer, Fervor,
Toughness: 7 Followers (Circus Folk), Harder to Kill,
Hindrances: Bloodthirsty, Greedy, Mean Improved Dodge, Improved Nerves of
Steel, Improved Tough as Nails, Inspire,
Edges: Arcane Background (Black
Quick, Strong Willed, Very Attractive
Magic), Combat Reflexes, Danger Sense,
Dead Shot, Expert (Boating), Implacable, Special Abilities:
New Power, Power Points, Reputation • Reversal of Fortune: Susie has
(Bad), Stitchin’, Tough As Nails learned about suspense and the art of
Powers: Bolt, deflection, fear, whirlwind; showmanship, channeling dark power
Power Points: 20. to accentuate her art. Even the most
dangerous situations appear to be
Gear: Double barrel shotgun (Range:
going against her before she escapes
12/24/48, Damage: 1–3d6, RoF 1–2, Shots
unharmed. Once per cowpoke per day,
2, Shooting +2), knife (Damage: Str+d4).
she can spend a Fate Chip to force an
Special Abilities: attacker to reroll the attack and keep
• Harrowed: Grit +1, needs 1d6 hours of the lower of the two results.
sleep per night, only a head-shot can • Weakness (Sioux Weapons): Because
kill, “death” only puts Buckley down she betrayed and murdered her tribe,
for 1d6 days. Susie is especially vulnerable to
their weaponry. Sioux weapons, or
Susie “Meadowlark” Fessler
weapons that have been wielded by a
As a servant of the dark powers
Sioux, inflict +4 damage against Susie.
she venerates, Susie Fessler has spent
a good deal of her time performing Thornton Fessler
terrifying rituals to garner the attention of Thornton Fessler is a master of
evil spirits—manitous. She’s done a darn misdirection and guile. His budding
good job, drawing a whole swarm of them service to the Reckoners alongside his
to Wagonsend in no time flat, and in turn wife has granted him a few peculiar
drawing numerous other abominations to abilities that most people assume are just
the area. With Thornton and Ezra at her part of his act. Little do they know...
side, she’s a mean one to beat.
124
E ncoun ters
Attributes: Agility d10, Smarts d10, their way out. He can expel them at
Spirit d8, Strength d8, Vigor d12 a target, which undoubtedly looks
Skills: Fighting d10, Guts d10, delicious to the ticks. See Prairie Tick
Intimidation d12, Knowledge (Occult) in the Deadlands Marshal’s Handbook.
d8, Notice d12, Persuasion d12, Riding • Swallow: Anything that Thornton
d6, Stealth d8, Survival d12, Swimming can put in his mouth, he can store for
d8, Taunt d12, Throwing d12 later. Although he can “swallow” a
Charisma: 0; Grit: 5; Pace: 6; Parry: 7; sword, he can’t get the hilt in, so he
Toughness: 8 can’t store weapons that size or larger.
Hindrances: Bloodthirsty, Overconfident, He can store flammable oil, nasty
Vow (Major, serve the dark powers) critters, and the like indefinitely,
though.
Edges: Fast Healer, Fervor, Harder
to Kill, Improved Arcane Resistance, Wei Lei
Improved Dodge, Improved First Strike, The devious, waiflike, deadly
Improved Sweep, Improved Tough as Wei Lei is well along the road to
Nails, Nerves of Steel, Quick, Strong becoming one of Warlord Kang’s most
Willed, Trademark Weapon (Swallowing prized assassins. Although she’s not yet
Swords), Two-Fisted a true rival for Red Petals Su, in truth
Gear:, “Swallowing Swords” x2 (sabers, she’s a craftier opponent. Infiltrating and
Damage: Str+d6), whip (Parry –1, Reach revealing the location of Rulamer will go
+2, If the wielder scores a raise on his a long way toward gaining Kang’s favor.
attack roll the attack does not inflict Attributes: Agility d8, Smarts d6, Spirit
an additional d6 damage. Instead the d8, Strength d8, Vigor d8
victim suffers –2 to his Parry until his
Skills: Fighting d10, Guts d8, Healing d8,
next action).
Intimidation d6, Knowledge (English)
Special Abilities: d10, Notice d6, Persuasion d10, Shooting
• Regurgitate: Thornton can summon d6, Tracking d8
up anything he’s Swallowed (see Charisma: 0; Grit: 5; Pace: 6; Parry: 9;
below) on command, expelling it in a Toughness: 6
Cone Template. This allows him a few
Hindrances: Bloodthirsty, Mean,
unsavory tactics:
Stubborn, Vengeful (Major)
• The Flaming Whip: After using
Edges: Arcane Background (Chi Mastery),
Regurgitate to spew oil, Thornton
Celestial Kung Fu (Shaolin), Combat
makes an Improved Sweep attack at
Reflexes, Command, Connections (Kang’s
+2. Defenders who score higher than
Triad), Counterpunch, Improved Dodge,
Thornton move out of the way, while
First Strike, Improved Block, Improved
others take 1d10 damage and roll to
Martial Arts, New Powers, Sweep
see if they catch fire.
Powers: Armor d6, deflection d8, quickness
• Prairie Tick Trick: Thornton used
d8, smite d8; Power Points: 20
his Swallow ability on a pair of
prairie ticks, surprising them when Gear: Wedding dress, bouquet.
they found themselves unable to eat
125
Index
Aldo Derringer 16-17, 65-69, 71-72, 122 Jonas Fellbane 65-66, 71

Anna Quaini 38-40 Jory Helgramme 56-60, 123
Arnbjorg Knutson 55-56 Josephine 12, 53
Bedivere Webbe 19, 75-76, 83, 88 Kangi Yuhamani 40

Blue Gibbon 9-11, 44, 46-47, 50-52
Brun Desmarais 19, 75, 77, 84 Leonard Cave 15-17, 65, 68-71, 123
Lightnin’ Man 17, 69, 117-118
Carlos Perez Alonso 67, 69 Liwei Jin 40-41
Chesterton Ward 44, 46, 50, 52 Loomis “Crazy-Eye” Hattie 47, 50
Crockett M. Thatcher 94-95
Culverton 9, 43 Manitou 96, 118
Manitoy 118
David & Dexter Baltimore 94, 98 Mayor Hennessee 28, 32, 34
Devil’s Backbone 2, 26 Millicent “Masher Milli” Schork 76-77, 79
Dragon’s Caress 20, 79-80, 82 Missionary Paulson 65, 67, 69, 72, 73
Monroe Wagoner 44, 48, 52
Edmund Crier 65, 67, 72-73 Morgan Devon 91, 94, 96, 97, 98, 99
Emmett “Black Heart” Hartley 3, 26, 29-30,
34, 122 Olivia “Liv” Turner 65, 68
Erling “Weasel” Godmunsdottir 55-56, Owen Halpin 4, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35
61-62
Eva Westberg 55-56, 59 Pirate Buckley 9-11, 44-48, 51, 52, 124
Ezra “Eagle Eye” Fessler 93, 122
Rulamer 18, 74
Floyd Brock 44, 46, 47
Fort Bandito 28 Seigneur Chanceux 18, 20, 74, 77, 79
Simon Colin 7-8, 38-41
George McKinley 93-94 Sournois Renard 75, 77-79, 81
Grant’s Pass 6, 36 Stefan Amsler 54, 57-58, 60, 120
Gregory Hobston 55-56, 58-59 Susie “Meadowlark” Fessler 124
Heathcliff Crittenden 44, 46-47 The Relentless 82

Hope Falls 15, 63 Thornton Fessler 23, 90, 92, 124
Hubert Lavigne 30-31, 122
Wagonsend 21, 89
Jane Carol 4, 28, 31 Wei Lei 82, 86-88, 125
Jedediah Hennessee 32
John Fehler 4-5, 28, 30-34 Xin Hui-huang 6, 36
Johnny Gomes 38-40
Jolene Amsler 14, 56-57, 60, 119 Yüan Cai 6, 7, 36, 38, 41
126

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Ghost Towns

Credits & Acknowledgements

Additional Material: Matthew Cutter, Piotr Korys, Tomasz Z. Majkowski

Savage Worlds by Shane Lacy Hensley

Produced under license by Studio 2 Publishing, Inc. The Studio 2 logo is a

Josephine. . . . . . . . . . . 53. Strange Locale Generator. . 100

lead to a deadly plunge of hundreds of Crooked Trail, ready to snatch any

Trapped! roasting them over a slow fire. Several

In spite of setbacks and opposition, Epitaph have discovered a seldom-spoken

Grant’s Pass &

A City Divided counting coup on various enemies, and

ranch, plantation, trading post on storied privateer. A Ranger riled is like

perished. Her father Manfred kept in such conditions, starvation rips

more at work here than winter’s pair—brother and sister, cousins of

turbines themselves, operating on a Faster Than Lightning

...Let’s Hope We Can Leave!

Originally known as Grayson Flats, Tombstone Epitaph on page 3) behind his

Emmett “Black Heart” Hartley

Bustin’ Loose Driven to Death

Points of Interest forgotten the city’s origin, so Cai’s grasp

someone to attempt to double the feat in

It’s Complicated • Henchmen (4): Use Townsfolk stats in

Riverbed Sweeper “The ship should have been there.

The City Now

Edmund Crier scientific advances into Santa Anna’s

Into the Tubes

Back in Rulamer The Story So Far

The Set-Up Drinks at Anchor

Wagonsend took its name from the Wagonsend in part as a permanent

The City Now

Susie “Meadowlark” Fessler showcase his curly blond hair and

Trick Shot and stuffing them in burlap sacks. If the

Spades Large: The settlement is bustling, perhaps as the local hub of

Diamonds Small: This settlement is composed of a few buildings, its

Clubs Tiny: A single building, home to no more than a dozen

Deuce Refuge: The settlement was established by people trying to

3–4 Production: Folks of this settlement are the backbone of

5–9 Commerce: The settlement was created to make a profit—it’s a

10 Transportation: This town is a gateway to the West, a place where

Jack Military: There are no proper settlers in this place, only

Ace Native: This place is inhabited and governed by Indians. It

Middle Card: Nice to See a Familiar Face strangers—the initial reaction of

Hearts “Howdy, strangers.” In this place, cowpokes are likely to feel

Deuce Persecution: The population of this settlement is persecuted

3–4 Wilderness: This settlement lies in a particularly wild part of the

10 Crime: This place is endangered by bandits, or provides refuge

Jack Corruption: Someone in the city turns a blind eye to suspicious

Queen Scandal: This community is shaken by outrageous scandal—

King Warfare: The settlement serves as stage for a large-scale

Right Card: Somethin’ Wicked, one. For example, a monstrous

Hearts Ignorant wrongdoing: Someone in the settlement accidentally

Diamonds Servant of evil: Someone in the settlement is a servant—directly

Clubs Terrifying fearmonger: The place is haunted by a creature straight

Step Two: Hole Phase

3 Exploration: The settlement’s surroundings are mysterious and

4 Transportation: This point of interest is related to the shipment of goods

5 Nourishment: This place or inhabitant is somehow connected to the

6 Commerce: Someone in the city is making money hand over fist.

7 Services: The town provides fine services: Offices of tailors, cobblers,