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SJG00895 GURPS - Deadlands - Dime Novel 2 - Wanted - Undead or Alive (2001)
SJG00895 GURPS - Deadlands - Dime Novel 2 - Wanted - Undead or Alive (2001)
WANTALIVE
UNDEAD or
DIME
NQVEL
GURPS Dead/ands
Weird West
Dead/ands, combines the romance and
action of the Old West with the horror of
invading Things Man Was Not Meant To
Know. Now this great background will be
explored in a series of GURPS worldbooks.
Adventure as a shootist, a card-slinging
huckster, or a prospector searching the ruins
of California for "ghost rock." Saddle up,
hombre. The Weird West awaits!
GURPS Dead/ands
Dime Novel 1 - Aces and Eights
Aces and Eights continues Pinnacle's
tradition of merging great action-packed
st01ies with ready-to-play adventure
scenarios. Our first Dime Novel is a great
way to bring your GURPS heroes into the
Weird West of Dead/ands!
Aces and Eights includes an bonus
16-page section of conversion rules.
GURPS Spirits
The creatures of the Other World are all
around us. Some were once alive. Some
were created by human imagination. And
some are completely inhuman but thirst for
our souls.
GURPS Spirits is a guide to the spirit
realm and its inhabitants. It includes a
catalog of spirits from around the world, and
a campaign guide for characters who see
spirits, serve them, use them, or fight them!
UI 'FLOOR PL!~~1 ~
Floor Plan 1 - Haunted House
:z '
Every horror game needs a haunted house.
This set includes eight sheets depicting a
c
=.:.==-=-'"'"..::::::-..:."":::-:~
--------··-
_ _ _ _ _ _ R _ . . _~
By Paul D. Rickert
Edited by Andrew Hackard
Cover by Brom • Illustrated by Paul Daly
ISBN 1-55634-567-4 I 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 IO
e-mail [email protected] with "subscribe est in the printing industry, and the author is currently
GURPSnet L" in the body, or point your web
-
working for an Austin printing company. This is Paul's
browser to gurpsnet.sjgames.com. first published work; he is very grateful for the oppor
The Wanted: U11dead or Alive web page tunity to be published, and to continue working with
is at www.sjgames.com/gurps/deadlands/ the production staff at Steve Jackson Games.
dn1/. Aside from gaming, Paul's hobbies include writ
ing, collecting anime, and playing computer games.
�ACE REFERENCES He is currently supported by an amazing wife, a lov
INTl\DDUCTZDN - ..•.. -
CHAPTER l
Neither Mary Joanne Evans nor Caleb Harling spoke as they rode between rows of build
ings.Their breath fogged in the cold air, leaving a fleeting trail to mark their passing. There
was the hint of orange on the horizon; it would be dawn soon. Mary Jo stopped her horse in
front of a two-story wooden structure with "Grady's Hotel" on a sign over the main door
-lights shining through its front windows were the only indication that Bailey's End wasn't
a ghost town.
"We've been riding all night.You ready to tum in?" Mary Jo said.She rubbed her gloved
hands together. "Damn this weather.Remind me again why we came north?"
Caleb motioned toward the stone building at the end of the dusty street. Light flickered
from behind the barred windows. "Let's check in with the sheriff and then see about rooms."
Mary Jo followed Caleb to the jail. While Caleb tied up the horses, Mary Jo walked up to the
door. She raised her hand to knock, then paused.
"Caleb," she whispered, "there are bullet holes in this door."
"I don't think we've ever been in a sheriff's office without bullet holes."
''These are smoking ... "
"Ah, hell ...
"Caleb drew his pistol and passed Mary Jo her shotgun. From his side of
the doorway Caleb nodded to Mary Jo, who slowly opened the door. The front room was
dark. A flame in the back room barely lit the far wall.The shadow of a thin arm scythed
through the patch of light, and Caleb heard � wet smack. Blood spattered the wall and floor.
With his Colt pointed toward the door, Caleb drew the knife from his left boot.Looking to
his right, Caleb saw Mary Jo with her shotgun leveled - this was going to take more then a
couple of slugs from her .44, most likely. As Mary Jo stepped forward, the boards creaked
under her. The creature froze, then turned; with a crash, the light flickered and went out.
A hiss threatened from the black, drawing Caleb's attention. Caleb could barely see a
skeletal form hovering in the back room.The first rays of daylight turned patches of the room
a dark orange, partially revealing knifelike claws on the end of charred bone arms. The abom
ination hissed again. Caleb aimed at the source of the sound and fired. The claws jerked once,
then disintegrated.
''Well," said Mary Jo, "I guess you didn't need m-" Another skeleton leapt from the back
room, knocking Caleb to the floor.Mary Jo fired both barrels, barely missing the creature as
it rebounded off the front wall and hurled itself on top of Caleb. He grunted and parried its
claws with his knife. Mary Jo, wielding her shotgun like a club, swung at the monster's head,
knocking it back just long enough for Caleb to bring his pistol up and fire two rounds. The
first round passed harmlessly between the creature's fleshless ribs, but the second round shat
tered the abomination's fanged black skull. The skeleton exploded in a cloud of ash, coating
Caleb with the dust of its destruction.
......
. WANTED: UNDEAD DR ALIVE
"That was new," said Mary Jo."What
CHAPTER 2
The hotel opened into a saloon on the first floor. Considering the time of day, there were
quite a few people moving about. Several people were sitting alone at tables by an empty
stage, eating what looked like breakfast. It wasn't New Orleans, but it was warm, and that's
all Caleb and Mary Jo really wanted.
"Hey, you looking for breakfast?" the owner of the hotel called out. Caleb nodded and
waved him over. Caleb took a chair with its back to the wall and Mary Jo followed suit. The
owner walked toward them, wiping his hands on his grease-stained apron. "Welcome to
Grady's. That's me, Ryan Grady. My wife and I run the place. What can I do for you all this
morning?"
"Sugar, you can get me four eggs and a side steak. I'm so hungry I could eat a whole
steer." Mary Jo winked and Grady smiled.
"Yes, ma'am. What about you?"
"Same. We also each need a room to sleep in. The two of us were supposed to report to
the sheriff this morning. Unfortunately, looks like some critters got there first."
"What kind of critters?"
"Skeletons, burned black like they were roasted in a fire."
Grady grimaced and stared at the two dusty newcomers. Then he shrugged his shoul
ders. "So much for the law taking care of things." He looked over to a man sitting alone at
the bar in front of a line of empty shot glasses. A doctor's bag lay on the floor at his feet.
Grady's gaze shifted back to Caleb and Mary Jo. "You coming to see the sheriff?" Caleb
nodded. ''Then you're here for the bounty on Sean."
Caleb tipped up the brim of his hat as he leaned back in the chair. "Why do you say
that?"
"Lately, that's the only reason we get new folk around here. Breakfast is on the house."
"Really?" Mary Jo piped up.
"Sure," said Grady. "Every man deserves a last meal."
Caleb narrowed his eyes. "I'm not sure I care for what you're implying, Mr. Grady."
Grady backed up with his hands in the air. "Good luck. That's all I'm saying." He
glanced back to the man at the bar, then disappeared into the kitchen.
Caleb watched him go, then turned his gaze back to the doctor. "Come on, I want to talk
to this guy."
"Why?"
"I just got a feeling, come on." Caleb walked toward the man at the bar, with Mary Jo
a few steps behind. "Hey Doc, buy you a drink?" The man didn't even raise his head, just
lifted a finger in affirmation. "Grady, get this man a mug of coffee."
"I thought you were buying me a drink."
..,
...• W A N T E D : U N D E A D DR A L I V E
"Whiskey generally isn't my
drink of choice just after dawn,"
Caleb said.''That kind of drinking
MARY JCANNE EVANS 147 1/2 FCINTS
Age 19; 5'9"; 140 lbs.
will kill you." ST 12 (20]; DX 14 [45]; IQ 12 (20]; HT 10 [0].
The doctor let out a low mirth Speed 6.00; Move 6.
less chuckle. "It matters little." He Dodge 6; Parry 9 (Brawling).
rolled a shot glass between his Advantages: Ally (Caleb, 15 or less) (30]; Beautiful (15];
Wealthy [20].
thumb and his forefinger. "I'm
Disadvantages: Greed (-15]; Obsession (Must always
dead anyway. I was there in the
have her Sharps 50 nearby) (-10].
beginning. It's fitting for me to be Quirks: Calls men "sugar." (-1]
one of the many targets for his Skills: Animal Handling-12 [4]; ArmouryrrL5-13 [4];
hatred." Brawling-14 [l]; Dancing-12 [1/2]; Guns/TL5 (Pis
"You want some backup, Doc? tol)-16 [1]*; GunsrrL5 (Rifle)-19 [8]*; GunsrrL5
(Shotgun)-17 [O]*t; Knife-13 [ l /2]; Riding (Horse)-
We'd be happy to help. I hear
13 [1]; Stealth-12 [1/2]; Tracking-12 [2]; Whip-13 [1].
there's a $3,000 reward going for *Includes +2 forIQ
Sean Bailey." t Default from Guns (Rifle).
The doctor looked up at Caleb, Equipment: $3,000; rifle ammunition (.50 caliber, 100
studying his face. "Very well. rounds); Small knife; Remington double barrel shot
Meet me out in the street just gun (p. DL72); 10 yards of rope; Sharps Big 50 (p.
DL71).
before noon." Grady brought over
Caleb and Mary Jo's breakfasts,
and the doctor stood and pulled a Mary Joanne Evans is a 19-year-old redheaded spit
fire. Her specialty is sharpshooting, and her first love is her
small pouch out of his trench coat.
Sharps Big 50 rifle, custom-made for a left-handed shoot
Narrowing his eyes, he placed the er. Mary Jo comes from a rich family, and is used to get
pouch on the bar. "For your trou ting her way. Her attitude often gets her into fights, so she
ble, Grady." has learned to handle herself in hand-to-hand combat. She
Grady watched him go, then always keeps her rifle within arm's reach, and prefers to
picked up the pouch. He weighed use it to shoot from a distance. If forced into a close fight,
she'll use the shotgun from her saddlebag. Mary Jo grew
it his hand before looking over to
up unaware of the terrible monsters and strange powers
Mary Jo and Caleb. abroad in the world, until a group of werewolves attacked
"We've gone through nine her family ranch in Montana, killing her parents. With her
sheriffs so far, including the last own father gone, she has leaned heavily on Caleb and will
one." The bitterness hung in his follow him no matter the cost. (Caleb, for his part, once
voice. remarked to a friend, ''Never tum down the help of a lady
who can drop a snarling were-beast at 300 yards.")
"You may have lost the local
law, but Mary Jo and I came to this
town looking to claim a bounty, and that's what we intend to do."
''Take the two rooms at the top of the stairs on the left. If you're still here tomorrow
morning, we can talk about payment then." He shook his head and moved to the other end
of the bar. Mary Jo and Caleb finished their meal in silence and retired to their rooms. They
needed some shuteye. They had to kill a man at noon.
CHAPTER 3
"It's time," Mary Jo called, knocking on the door of Caleb's room. Caleb rolled over to
the side of the bed and stood up.He hadn't even bothered to get undressed.Looking out the
window, he saw that the doctor was already waiting in the street, his black bag held at his
side. Mary Jo knocked again and Caleb opened the door. Her hand was raised in mid-knock;
she held a box of bullets in her left hand and her Spencer in the crook of her right arm.
a W A N T E D : U N D E A D DR A L I V E ..,
....
risen from the dead in the first
CHAPTER 4
Caleb walked quickly toward the hotel. Several townsfolk looked away as he passed
through the door. Grady set a glass of redeye on the bar and motioned to Caleb, who waved
him off. Taking the stairs two a time, he rushed up to Mary Jo's room. Caleb opened it and
was startled to see a young kid, perhaps 16 years old, kneeling over Mary Jo. Blood pooled
on the floor, contrasting with Mary Jo's pale face. Caleb pulled his Colt and cocked the
hammer.
"I don't know what you're planning, kid, but you need to step away from my friend
there afore you find yourself in more trouble then you can handle."
The kid stood slowly, turning to face Caleb. He held his hands up, revealing a deck of
Hoyle cards in one hand, a ghostly poker hand in the other."I'm not looking for trouble,
mister.I just wanted to help.I got lucky too. See? Full house, kings over fours." He dis
played the hand with a flourish.
"I don't see how that's supposed to help in this situation. Now stand aside. I need to get
her to a doctor." This kid can't be what I think he is.
�..
.... WANT ED: U N D EAD D R AL I V E
"Uh ... "The kid glanced out the window and then back to Caleb. "You do realize the
Doc is dead, right?"
Caleb opened his mouth to reply and then closed it. He uncocked the pistol and shoved
the kid to the side. He knelt down and inspected the bullet hole. It looked like the bleeding
had stopped.
"Look, I'm telling you she'll be fine . .. "
To Caleb's amazement, the hole closed up almost completely and color returned to
Mary Jo's cheeks. Caleb looked over to the kid. "Did you do that?"
"Well, I could say I have
the healer's touch, but I'd be
CccTcn DILLIS 56 1/2 PCINTS lying. " He winked. "Name's
Age 57; 5'9"; 150 lbs. Jack Cohen, at your service. "
ST 10 [0]; DX 11 (10]; IQ 13 (30]; HT 11 [10]. With a flick of his wrist, the
Speed 5.50; Move 5. cards disappeared, and he held
Dodge'5. out his right hand to shake.
Adva11tages: Composed (5]; Disease-Resistant [5].
"What do you say we put this
Disadvantages: Age [-21]; Alcoholism (-15]; Enemy (Sean
Bailey) (-10]; Guilt Complex (-5]. lady here on the bed and let her
Skills: Area Knowledge (Bailey's End)-17 [8]; sleep this off?"Caleb nodded;
Diagnosis!fL5-14 [4]; First Aid!fL5-16 [0]*; GunsffL5 together they lifted Mary Jo.
(Pistol)-12 (1/2]*; GunsffL5 (Rifle)-12 (1/2]*; Leader Once they got her to the bed
ship-14 [4]; Pbarmacy!fL5-14 (6]; Physician!fL5-16 Jack moved to take off her
(10); Physiology!fLS-11 [0]*; Surgery!fL5-14 (10);
boots.
Teaching-13 (2).
* Guns skills include +2 from IQ. First Aid and Physiolo "You don't want to do
gy are free from Physician. that," said Caleb.He tilted his
La11guages: Ancient Greek-1 I (1/2]; English (native)-13 (0]; head toward Mary Jo. "She
Latin-12 [ l ]; Navajo-10 (1/2]; Spanish-11 (112]. wouldn't like it, and that
Equipment: Colt ''Texas Paterson" (p. HT124); doctor's black wouldn't be healthy."
bag; pistol ammunition (.36 caliber, 100 rounds).
"OK ..."Jack backed up
until the back of his legs hit the
Doctor Gillis is in his late 50s but looks haunted by death.
red velvet chair in the comer.
His hair is gray and thinning and he wears a wrinkled black
suit and coat. He is extremely competent, when he is sober - Throwing his hands up, he fell
but since Sean has come to town, the doctor has taken to drink back in the chair. A deck of
ing ... heavily.If Sean doesn't kill him, jaundice surely will. cards appeared in his hand.
He blames himself for Sean's return and the deaths that fol Absently shuffling, Jack con
lowed. Unlike the rest of the town, the doctor has been wait tinued, "A guy tries to be nice
ing for his showdown with Sean since the first day.
and all he gets are threats.So
much for the good Samaritan."
"Look, kid ..."
"Jack."
"Jack. I started my day shooting charred skeletons, got into a firefight with a walking
dead man, and I just saw my partner recover from a gunshot wound in under a minute.
Tomorrow I get to fight the bastard again, and given today's performance, I figure I'm going
to be in a bad way.So why don't you just tell me how you healed my friend here?"
"It's not really a poker hand. I'm a huckster. "
"No, you're not.''"
"I damn well am, and a good one too.
"Hmm. So you play poker with unseen spirits and make things happen."
"Well, not really ... "
CHAPTER S
Three hours later,Caleb,Mary Jo,and Jack were on horseback riding to the abandoned
ghost rock mine 20 miles north of town.Jack led the way, Caleb and Mary Jo following close
ly behind.
"So Jack,what's the deal with this guy?" asked Mary Jo.
"It's a long story."
"Give us the short version."
"OK.The Bailey family started this town 20 years ago.It was called Bailey's Point back
then.They started the coal mine up in the hills,and the town grew pretty quickly.Unfortu
nately the coal ran out in '67 and people started leaving. The families that stayed tried to take
up cattle ranching."
"Let me guess," said Caleb."Miners don't make good cowboys."
Jack nodded."Sean was convinced the coal wasn't gone,so he and his brothers stayed up
at the mine trying to find a new vein.Then the Great Quake hit.There were a lot of people
injured,so Father Davison gathered everyone into the church to pray and tend the wounded.
Just after everything was set up and running smoothly,the Bailey brothers busted in. Sean's
yelling about how he saved the town,they've found coal.There was a stove burning in the
comer and Sean opened the door and threw in a small chunk of ghost rock."
'The screams from the rock spooked everyone?"
"We had no way of knowing what it was.The screams and howls that came from that
furnace were terrifying.Father Davison declared that the brothers had discovered the Devil's
rock and that the mine had to be destroyed.Everyone was still frightened from the quake, and
a mob gathered at the mine. There was a standoff for a while,as the mob screamed and the
Bailey brothers blocked the entrance to the mine with their bodies.
"It didn't work.Everyone was scared and angry.The 'Devil rock' gave them something
physical to focus their anger at.The mob pushed and dragged the Bailey brothers into the
mine. I don't know if they planned to kill them,but someone lit a stick of dynamite just as
another tremor hit.The walls caved in and a crevice opened up,swallowing the brothers and
many of the townsfolk deep in the Earth. There was an explosion, and the ghost rock in the
ground burned for 14 months." Jack took a silver flask from his duster and took a swig.
"No one saw the brothers for a while after that.I thought they were dead until Sean rode
into town eight months ago. He killed Father Davison that first day. Hauled him right out of
Sunday service into the main street and shot him in the head. Then he took a torch into the
church and burned it down. He disappeared for about a month. Then be started to show up
every few days and challenge someone to a duel. Every person that's tried to run has shown
up the next day at sunset anyway,a broken body tom to pieces in a pile on the street."
12 W A N T E D : U N D E A D D R AL I V E -·�
....
"That's a pleasant image," said Mary Jo.
"I didn't say it was a nice story. Hell, I didn't even mention the sheriffs we've been
through."
''That's fine, Jack," said Caleb. "I think I'll pass on more stories about my impending
demise. How far away are we from the mine?"
"We're almost there." Jack spurred his horse, pulling ahead of the group.
"Hey, Caleb?"
"Yeah, Mary Jo?"
"You notice the wall moving?"
"Son of a . . . Jack!" Caleb pulled his pistols just as a wall crawler landed on Jack and his
horse. The impact threw Jack clear, but his horse was not so lucky. The wall crawler quickly
killed the poor animal and turned to Jack. Caleb could see Jack already had a deck of cards
in his hand. Jack winked, energy crackling over the cards. Caleb shook his bead and wheeled
his horse back toward the cliff face just in time to see another wall crawler launch itself at
him. A shot from Mary Jo sent the creature flying to the side, wounded but still able to fight.
"Nice to see the numbers stacked on our side for once, eh?" said Mary Jo, right before
three more crawlers dropped from the cliff and snapped menacingly at Mary Jo and Caleb.
"You were saying? Jack! We could use some help here!" Caleb saw a ball of light flare
out of the comer of his eye. Glancing over, he saw that Jack's creature had been cut in two.
"On my way!" yelled Jack, pulling a derringer out of his pocket.
Caleb fired and hit the creature closest to him , forcing it back.
"Dammit, Jack, we need more fire power than that!"
"You just get them into that draw there - I'll take care of the rest."
Cards appeared in his hand again. Another wall crawler dropped from the
cliff. Two scuttled forward, only to be pushed back by gunfire from Caleb
and Mary Jo.
''The kid you found is a little cocky, Mary Jo."
"Hey, I didn't find him - he found me. And considering he saved me
from bleeding all over the floor, you can cut him some slack." Again the
crawlers surged forward. The horses panicked, throwing both Caleb and
----�
Mary Jo to the ground. Caleb blacked out, regaining consciousness after
Mary Jo rolled him to the side to avoid being caught in a whirlwind of raking claws. Land
ing on top of him, Mary Jo parried the creature's attacks with her rifle. "Caleb, wake your ass
up! I can't do this on my own!!"
Reaching around her, Caleb fired his remaining pistol into the creature - killing it, but
pinning Mary Jo and Caleb under its bleeding carcass. The crawlers, who had been waiting
to see what their ally accomplished, rushed forward just as Jack fired his derringer. An explo
sion roared through the canyon, melting through the four remaining beasts and part of the
dead crawler on top of Caleb and Mary Jo.
"For the love of all that is holy, what was that?" Caleb stared in disbelief as Jack saun
tered up with a smoking derringer in hand.
Jack grinned. "She's small, but she packs a wallop!" He braced his shoulder against the
dead crawler and pushed, raising it just enough for Caleb and Mary Jo to get out. "Sorry it
took so long. I had to build up quite a bit of energy in order to get them all. Good thing you
found some cover."
''Too bad it was trying to eat us at the time. I swear, Caleb, the farther west we go, the
weirder it gets." Mary Jo sat up and looked at her rifle. "Dammit! That damn bug put a scratch
on the barrel! That's it. As soon as we get out of this, we're heading east."
•u•�•• W A N T E D : U N D E A D D R AL I V E 13
Caleb cracked his neck and walked over to where his hat lay smoking on the ground. He
sighed, realizing half of it had burned away. "From what I understand, it ain't any different
anywhere else. They're just better at hiding it back East." He turned to Jack. "Well, we've lost
our horses. How far are we from the mine?"
"Not far. I figure another 45 minutes on foot. From there, it's five hours back to town."
He turned back to his dead horse.After rummaging around, he pulled a mass of shredded
cloth from the saddlebag. "So much for our blankets."
"Wonderful." Mary Jo stood up."If we don't make it back to town we can freeze out in
this wasteland overnight. Always wanted to freeze to death . . ." Mary Jo kicked the carcass
of the beast that had tackled her. "You happy now?"
Jack scratched his head."Look, it's not really that bad. Besides your temper will prob
ably keep you warm all night. "Jack chuckled.
"You baiting me, boy?
'Cause I'd be happy to give
you a little discipline, "Mary Jo
sneered.
JACK COHEN 134 FDINTS
Age 16; 5'4"; 110 lbs.
Caleb raised an eyebrow.
ST 9 (-10); DX 10 [0];IQ 14 [45); HT 10 [0].
"OK, kids.Let's work through Speed 5.00; Move 5.
this a bit. Jack, is there any Dodge 5.
body around here we can get Advantages: Luck (15); Magical Aptitude 4 (Huckster) (50);
some supplies from, especially Mathematical Ability (10).
Disadvantages: Compulsive Gambling (-10]; Curious (-5];
horses? I'm sure we could
Youth (-4].
make it back to town on foot.I
Quirks: Always shuffling cards. [-1)
just don't relish the idea." Skills: Accounting-11 (112); Area Knowledge (Bailey's End)-
Jack scratched his head. 16 [4]; Bard-13 [1]; Fast-Talk-17 [8]; Gambling-15 [1]*;
"Well, there's the widow of Guns!fL5 (Pistol)-15 [8]*; Mathematics-14 (1/2]; Riding
Mr. Holland, the mine's old (Horse)-10 [2]; Sleight of Hand-11 [8]; Spell Throwing
(Curse-rnissile)-12 [4].
owner. She'll have horses but
* Gambling skill includes +2 for Magical Aptitude (Huck
I'm not sure she'll give them
ster). Guns skill includes +2 forIQ.
to us." Languages: English (native)-14 [0]; Hebrew-13 [ 1 ] .
"Why?" Hexes: Earth Lock-16*; Little Shooter-16*; Missed Me!-16;
"Her real name is Tasida Soul Blast-16; Shadow Walk-16; Trinkets-16. [6]
* New hex; see p. 28.
Lahpeealakt.Mr.Holland took
to one of the local Indian girls Equipment: $200; English 1840 Model Pepperbox, .36 (p.
DL71); Hoyle's Book of Games; 2 decks of playing cards.
and married her. Caused quite
a stir." Jack Cohen is a 16-year-old huckster . . . and he loves his
"I'll bet," said Mary Jo. work. When he was nine, his mother brought home a book on
"Let's head to her place.Is card games a customer left in their shop. She had no idea the
it far, Jack?" games were actually hexes - but Jack cracked the code within
a month. Jack loves to gamble; he is smart enough to keep his
"No. It's actually quite
winnings down and stay out of trouble. Lately, though, he's
close to the mine, near as I can been fleecing Grady's patrons for a little more then usual, and
remember. Don't be surprised he has started looking for a way to skip town.
if she doesn't help us, though. He never learned who his father was, and his mother
She's been out here a long time didn't talk about it. After Sean killed his mother, Jack sold the
and doesn't take to strangers. " family business and took a room at Grady's inn. Despite all his
hardship, Jack remains in good spirits and is always smiling.
"Well, we'll just have to
He prefers to wear imported shirts and silk vests and always
change her mind. Come on, carries a silver derringer and a whiskey flask.
lead the way."
14 W A N T E D : U N D E A D D R AL I V E .·�·�·-
CHAPTER S
Tasida lived in a house carved into the canyon. The trio made their way through a nar
row fissure in the rocks to get there. Caleb felt that the high walls of stone were closing in
on him. At last, the fissure opened into a large valley. A squat, one-story house of stone was
built into the wall. To the left was a huge brass bell hung between two tall totem poles. Cov
ered with ghoulish faces, the colored poles stretched 30 feet into the air. At the top of each
was a human figure, crouching and staring at the heroes.
"Jack, those poles are giving me the creeps," said Mary. ''The human carvings at the top
are scaring the hell out. of me."
"Mary Jo," said Caleb, unbuckling his pistol, "I think the human carvings are alive."
Their movement was off from the slight swaying of the poles, so minute as to be almost
unnoticeable. Caleb put his hand on Mary Jo's shoulder. "Hold up a minute. Let's not walk
into anything too hasty here."
WA NT E D: UND EA D DR ALIVE 15
"Don't tell me," said Mary
••••• W A N T E D : U N D E A D DR ALIVE 17
CHAPTER 7
As Caleb stepped through the portal, he was momentarily blinded. He considered for a
moment that this was probably a bad idea, but he hadn't felt like he had a choice when the
woman beckoned. She said come, and he came, just like the others. The room he walked
into was small. Pegs on the wall held cloaks and skins. Tasida, for surely that was who the
woman was, motioned to the rack. The cave was slightly warm, so Caleb shucked his heavy
coat and the others did the same. Tasida walked through another door to the left. Jack start
ed following immediately. Mary Jo moved slower, only moving forward after Caleb pushed
her a bit. He looked behind them as the white portal flickered out, leaving a stone wall cov
ered in Indian writing. As he moved out of the small room, Caleb began to understand why
Tasida's home was co11.sidered a cave. The room they had entered opened up into a huge
cavern with many paintings on the walls and floors. More totem poles were here, carved
from the mineral pillars holding up the ceiling. The cavern was lit, not only by torches lin
ing the walls, but also by a soft green glow emanating from some of the paintings. Caleb
was also certain he saw gray figures darting in and out of the shadows. Tasida motioned to
1S WA N T E C : U N C E AC DR AL IV E ......
a low table. She sat and the outsiders followed suit. Placing her hands on the stone table,
she spoke.
"You come to kill the spirit of the mine."
Caleb looked to his companions and then turned back to this powerful woman. "If you
mean Sean, then yes, we've come to find a way to kill him. Jack said that Sean was killed
after a ceiling brace fell and crushed him. We're going to try and find it."
Tasida nodded. ''That is wise. When the townsfolk set fire to the mine, Sean escaped the
fire. His brothers, however, were not so lucky. He might have made it had he not heard their
screams and looked back. The ceiling fell and he was crushed along with several others,
including my husband." She paused and looked around her. "Afterward I retreated to this
sanctuary of my ancestors. My sons, Keith and Daniel, joined me and I taught them the
ways of the Apache warrior. When they reached manhood they took the names Keese and
Dasan and became my protectors."
"You mean the to figures outside . . . are your sons?" Jack was dumbfounded.
"Yes. And they must have seen great good in you," Tasida motioned to Mary Jo, "to
spare your lives."
"We are humbled," said Caleb, "to be allowed access to this sanctuary, but we can't stay
here forever. We came here for supplies for our journey. Can you help us?"
Tasida smiled. "You are closer to your journey's end then you realize, bounty hunter. To
find the item you seek, you must enter the demon's house. The mine is alive now and crawl
ing with the souls of Sean and his skeletal brothers. Your quest will not be easy. I cannot go
with you, but I can provide you with some help." Reaching around her neck, she untied one
of her many necklaces and hand-
ed it to Mary Jo. "This talisman is
made from the tip of a stone arrow KEESE AND DASAN 212 PDINTS
grasped in Eagle's claw. Concen Age 23; 6' l "; 170 lbs.
trate and he will show you the ST 14 [45]; DX 1 3 [30]; IQ 11 [10]; HT 11 [10].
path to that which you seek." Speed 6 .00; Move 7.
Mary Jo bowed her head and Dodge 7; Parry 9 (Brawling).
Advantages: Absolute Direction [5]; Acute Hearing +3 [6];
placed the talisman around her
Acute Vision +3 [6]; Alertness +3 [15]; Combat
neck. ''Thank you."
Reflexes [15]; Danger Sense [15]; Fearlessness +1 [2];
''To you, bounty hunter, I give High Pain Threshold [10].
this small flask carved from the Disadvantages: Enemy (Sean Bailey, 6 or less) [-5]; Social
bone of Panther. The fluid it con Stigma (Half-breed) [-10]; Sense of Duty (Family)
tains is very dangerous and will [-5].
Skills: Acrobatics-13 [4];Animal Handling-13 [8]; Bow-16
burn shortly after making contact
[24); Brawling-12 [112); Breath Control-9 [2);
. with the air around you. Use this
GunsffL5 (Pistol)-13 [112); GunsffL5 (Rifle)-13
on Sean; perhaps meeting the fate [1/2); Knife Throwing-12 [112); Riding (Horse)-13 [2);
of his brothers will finally end his Running- IO [2); Singing-12 [2); Streetwise-IO [1);
madness." Survival (Mountains)-12 [4].
Caleb nodded and accepted Languages: English (native)-13 [2); Navajo-14 [10].
Equipment: Arrows (20); small knife; short bow.
the flask, fastening it to his belt.
"Finally, the trickster." Tasida
Keith and Daniel Holland took the names Keese and
reached beneath her robe and pro Dasan after their father's untimely death on the night of the
duced a small glass orb. ''The eye Quake. Following their mother into the mountains, they
of Raven should suit you. Use the spend their time studying the shaman ways of their ances
eye to see through illusions, but tors. They do not speak unless they feel it is absolutely nec
essary.This is very rare. Both would give their lives to
be careful, lest you trick yourself.
protect their mother.
Raven is a fickle spirit."
....... WA NT E D: UNDE A D DR AL I V E 1S
"Many thanks." Jack looked down at the
small black eyeball encased in glass and
shuddered as it looked back at him. He
dropped the glass ball into his right pocket.
Tasida motioned to the back of the cave.
As Caleb peered into the darkness, he
noticed an opening large enough for one
man to walk through. "Follow that pas
sageway, bounty hunter. At the end
you will find a hole in the ground with
a ladder leading deep into the earth. It
will take you to the lair of your enemy. A
stone blocks the entry to this sanctuary. My
sons will move it for you. Once you enter the
mine you will not be able to return." She
raised her right hand and sprinkled red dust
in the air in front of the passageway. "May
the spirits guide you in your quest."
Caleb entered first, with Mary Jo and
then Jack trailing behind him. A soft blue
light lit the tunnel, refracting through the
crystals in the rock. This place had a differ-
ent feel then Tasida's sanctuary. The cold
air made his breath visible. The traces of
coal mixed with the ghost rock gave the
floor a wet sheen, causing Caleb to ques
tion his footing. Resting his hand on the
wall, Caleb could feel veins of ghost rock
crisscrossing the surface. Ghost rock, spirits
locked in stone.
The small passageway opened up into a
large room. The ceiling stretched upward
another 100 feet. Blue light streamed down
from the vent hole at the top and reflected off
the stone walls. In the center of the room, the
vent continued down. A wooden ladder
dropped into the darkness.
"Guess we go down, eh?" Caleb looked
at Mary Jo and then over to Jack, who was
peering into the hole.
Mary Jo arched her left eyebrow and
looked over to Jack. "You go first. I'm
not sure I trust that thing."
Jack shrugged. "Hey, Tasida would
n't have sent us this way if wasn't safe."
"I'm going first," said Caleb, "then
Jack Mary Jo, you go last."
He started down slowly and his
companions followed. Despite its aging
ZC WA N T E D : U N D E A D D I\ AU V E ••••••
•
appearance, the ladder held all three heroes without complaint. The blue light faded as they
descended, replaced by the glow of a lantern below. Finally, after dropping 150 feet, Caleb
reached the bottom. He stepped back to give his companions some space. The room below
was not much bigger then the one above. Ahead of him stood the same two gray figures
from the canyon. This close, he could see the gray mud that covered their bodies. Neither
spoke. The one on the left stood next to a small man-sized opening in the wall. A large round
stone sat behind him.
"Hoyle's deck! It's the same bastards that gave me all the trouble up topside!"
exclaimed Jack as he reached the room.
Caleb nodded. "I'm fairly sure they won't harm us now, Jack. Though I doubt they'd
let us climb that ladder again."
"What's the matter, Jack? You scared of a couple of half-naked Indians?" Mary Jo
chuckled as she hit the ground.
"I don't remember that flippant attitude before, Mary Jo. Come on, stop messing with
Jack and let's move. I want to finish this." Caleb started forward and was stopped by the
Indian on the left. The gray man picked up the lantern on the ground and handed it to Caleb.
"Thanks." After all three passed through the door, the round stone rolled into place
behind them. From this side they could see it was covered with ancient symbols.
"Wards to keep away the dead," said Jack. "We're on Sean's ground now." He looked
to the left and right. They were in a large tunnel with a slight grade up to the right.
"You don't think he already knows we're here, do you?" said Mary Jo. Her shotgun in
her hand, she looked as though a target would pop up at any second. Her Sharps was loaded
and slung on her back. She'd save that for Sean.
Caleb shook his head. "I don't think that Sean's that powerful. Jack, what do you think?
You've got more experience in this area."
"From the shootout I'd say he has the ability to control the earth. Beyond that, I don't
know what powers he has. Though it wouldn't surprise me if he controls the black skele
tons as well. Hey, you don't suppose . . . I'll be damned."
"Suppose what? Finish the sentence, poker boy."
"I think I figured something out. What Tasida said before, the skeletons, they're Sean's
brothers! They died in the explosion, but Sean died from the collapse."
"So what are you trying to tell us?" said Caleb.
"You said you killed two skeletons at the sheriff's office, right?"
"Yeah."
"Well then, I'd say we're going to be facing Sean and six of his eight brothers."
"Oh, that's just great," said Mary Jo, "seven against three. I still don't see any good
news here."
"I'm not happy about the odds, I'm happy because I think I know where they are. Tasi
da didn't close off the sanctuary until after the mine was closed. We just came down one of
the ventilation shafts."
''That much I gathered, Jack. Stop stalling and get to the point."
''There were three major shafts used for ventilation. We came down one. I know the one
by the main entrance was destroyed in the explosion. If Tasida has sealed this off, that
leaves only one shaft left. That's where Sean and his brothers are going in and out."
"OK, "said Caleb, scratching his head. "So where do we find this third shaft?"
"Mary Jo, take off the talisman Tasida gave you."
"I don't see how this is going to help." Mary Jo took off the talisman and held it in front
of her. Immediately it started spinning.
CHAPTER S
The tunnel didn't always go up. Caleb noticed that they often had to take a passageway
down. Each time they had to make a decision as to which way to go, they consulted Mary
Jo's talisman and it pointed them in the right direction. At least, he hoped so.
"Damn," said Caleb as he turned the comer.
"What is it?" asked Mary Jo a few steps behind. As she caught up she saw the reason.
Between them and the rest of the tunnel lay a chasm 20 feet wide. "Damn."
"What's with all the damnation?" asked Jack as he rounded the comer. "Oh."
Caleb adjusted his hat. "Well, this way ain't going to work. Check that talisman again."
Mary Jo lifted the Eagle claw pendant from her neck and let it spin freely. After a few
moments it stopped, clearly pointing across the chasm. She looked up. "That doesn't help
us much, does it?"
"No. We've got to get across somehow, because we can't go back the way we came,"
said Caleb. "Any ideas?"
"What about the rope on your pack?" said Jack.
"I've got about 30 feet or so, but I don't see anything over there to lasso, if that's what
you're thinking."
"Not a problem. Mary Jo, could you get the rope off of the pack and hand it to me?"
"I got a sign on my forehead that says Jack's Servant?"
"I'm getting a ready to work some magic here. If you've got a problem . . ."
"No, no, I got it." She walked over and started unstrapping the rope. Caleb stood there
with an evil grin on his face. "One comment out of you, bucko, and I'll make certain you
see the bottom of that chasm first-hand." She walked over, rested the rope on Jack's shoul
der, and then stepped back. Jack was concentrating, as card after card appeared in his hand.
Then he leaned back and stepped through the wall.
"What the hell?" Caleb jumped forward and touched the spot where Jack had passed
only moments before. Mary Jo simply looked stunned.
"I'm over here guys!" Caleb and Mary Jo both turned to see Jack standing on the other
side. His pearly white teeth gleamed in the darkness.
"How in the world did you do that?" said Caleb.
22 W A N T E D : U N D E A D D I\ A L I V E •••••
Jack lit a lantern and set it on the ground. "Darkness is connected. If I concentrate hard
enough I can pass from one shadow to another." He tied the rope to one of the support
beams.
"That . . . is amazing," said Mary Jo.
"Catch!" Jack tossed over the untied end. Caleb tied it to a beam on their side.
"You want to go first?" asked Caleb.
"No, no. By all means, you go ahead."
"Right." After a check to make sure everything was tied to him, Caleb grabbed the
rope and swung his feet up. Pulling himself hand over hand he easily made it to the other
side. "Ok, Mary Jo, let's go."
"Damn it all . . . " She too grabbed the rope and started hand over hand to the opposite
side. When she was halfway across, the beam anchoring the end of the rope shifted, caus
ing Mary Jo to suddenly drop two feet. The jolt shook Mary Jo's boot knife loose and it
fell into the chasm. "Did anyone hear it hit?"
Caleb looked at Jack.
Jack raised both his eyebrows and tilted his head to the left. "I heard it. Must be deep
though . . . Took a minute to hit."
"Ah." Mary Jo moved forward, and once again the beam shifted, causing her to drop
another two feet. "God damn this thing to hell!"
"Mary Jo, I don't think it's wise to damn something you're currently using," said Jack.
"Quiet, Jack. Mary Jo, it's just another few feet. The rope's touching the edge of the
chasm now. Just get a little closer and I'll pull you up."
"If I move again, I'm going to drop again."
"No you won't. Come on. You can do this," encouraged Caleb.
"All right." Moving one hand at a time Mary Jo slowly inched forward. Behind her the
beam began to moan. Reaching out with her hand she grabbed onto Caleb just as the other
end of the rope went slack.
Jack ran to help and together they hauled her up onto the ledge. "Well, that was excit-
ing," said Jack. All three of them lay on the floor, catching their breath.
"Caleb," said Mary Jo. "Come here."
Caleb leaned toward her, only to punched very hard in the shoulder. "Ow!"
"That's for tying the rope to a faulty beam."
Jack started to chuckle, but was cut short by a blow to his shoulder as well. "Yow!
What was that for?"
Mary Jo sat up and dusted herself off. "Lying to me. You didn't hear that damn knife
hit. Now let's go."
Jack looked over at Caleb. "Is she always like this?"
"Usually."
"I heard that!" said Mary Jo, already starting down the tunnel.
"Let's go before she loses us."
"Right." Jack took one look back at the chasm, shook his head, and then hurried to
catch up.
CHAFTEH S
It wasn't long before the tunnels began to widen. Tracks ran along the ground. Soon the
passageway was wide enough that 10 men could have walked abreast.
"Jack," said Caleb.
"What?"
.
.., ... WANT ED : UNDEA D D R AL lV E 23
"Put the lantern out." As the light died, darkness engulfed them. Far ahead, however, a
flicker of light spilled into the main passage. "I thought so. Look up ahead," Caleb whis
pered. "Move to the wall. I'll lead, and watch your step. We still have a ways to go." Caleb
slowed his breathing and moved slowly down the wall. His right hand guided him along
while his left held one of his trusty Colt pistols. The 300 feet to the opening stretched on
forever. Caleb stopped after 50 feet and looked back at his companions. Jack behind him
had a grin on his face, his white teeth the only thing visible in the black. Behind him Mary
Jo was breathing heavily.
Caleb could tell she wanted
payback for the shot she
437 FDINTS took earlier. He could feel
Age 46; 5'9"; 135 lbs.
her anger through the dark,
ST 13 [30]; DX 1 1 [10]; IQ 10 [0]; HT 10 (0).
even though he couldn't
Speed 5.25; Move 5.
Dodge 5; Parry 8 (Brawling). see her face. It was like
Advantages: Harrowed [206); Strong Will +4 [16). they were hunting those
Disadvantages: Obsession (Kill all the people who were present at werewolves all over again.
the time of his death) [-5]; Sadism (-15). After felling the two abom
Skills: Administration-IO [2]; Area Knowledge (Bailey's End)-20 inations that had terrorized
[20); Brawling-12 [2]; EngineerffL5 (Mining)-15 (14);
the countryside and killed
Fast-Draw-12 [2]; Fast-Talk-12 [6]; Gambling-9 [I]; Geolo
gy!fL5-12 (8); Guns!fL5 (Pistol )-15 [8] *; Guns!fL5 (Rifle)-
Mary Jo's parents, the local
13 [l 1/2)*; Intimidation-15 ( 1 1 1/2]; Knife- 13 [4]; Riding sheriff told them about the
(Horse)-12 [4]; Tracking-17 [16). reward on Sean. It seemed
+ 1 for IQ.
* Includes to Caleb like a good tip at
Harrowed Powers: Create Minion [50]; Earth Grasp [45) (see
the time. They'd just tack
p. 26).
led werewolves, what kind
Equipment: Colt ''Texas Paterson" pistol (p. HT124); Large knife;
Pistol ammunition (.36 caliber, 100 rounds); Bailey's Heart of trouble would one gun
(see p. 31). slinger be? It was supposed
to be an easy $3,000. Itfig
Sean's family started the town of Bailey's Point back in 1856
with the help of the Holland Mining Company. When the coal ures, Caleb thought, shak
veins were exhausted in '67, he felt it was his duty to reopen the ing his head. No such thing
mine. He thought he had succeeded after the Great Quake; little did as easy money.
he know it would bring about his death. The side passage was
Sean's unlife has been a quest to take revenge on all the peo
right ahead of him. Caleb
ple he thinks are responsible for his murder. His hatred of the town
stopped and the others did
overshadows everything. Sean believes he keeps his manitou firm
ly in check; actually, he is doing exactly what it wants. the same. Taking off his
Sean has a blue crystal - Bailey's Heart (p. 3 1 ) - that allows hat, Caleb started to lean
him to create illusions. While these illusions cannot cause any around the corner, only to
physical damage, he can use these duplicates to confuse his be pulled back by Jack.
opponents.
Caleb turned to Jack,
repressing an urge to throt
tle the boy, but Jack met his ominous stare with a wink and pulled a small brass periscope
from his coat. Caleb narrowed his eyes as he accepted the scope. That huckster's a wily lit
tle bastard, but I have to admit he's useful in a pinch, he thought. Extending the brass tube
to the corner, he looked through the eyepiece and nearly dropped the periscope in shock.
The doorway opened iinmediately into a huge chamber, at least 40 feet tall, with an elevat
ed rail system 15 feet up. A wooden elevator system in the middle of the room appeared to
have been designed to lift carts up to the trestles that spanned the chamber. The trestles met
in a T, crossing the chamber to three tunnels from higher up in the mine. On the main floor
two small rooms opened off of the far wall of the chamber. One was filled with old crates;
Z4 W A N T E D : U N D E A D DR A L i v E ..,,
�·-
the other contained a figure on a bed - Sean Bailey - and a table full of raw meat. It
appeared that Sean was asleep.What truly terrified Caleb were the black skeletons crawl
ing all over the room. Without counting, Caleb guessed there were at least 30. He moved
back to the wall and handed the periscope to Jack.
"Sean's asleep, assuming he does such things, but skeletons are crawling everywhere,"
Caleb whispered.Jack looked perplexed. Extending the periscope, he also looked through
the eyepiece.His head jerked back. His eyes went wide - then, suddenly, his brow fur
rowed. He dug in his pocket, then grinned as he fished out the Raven's Eye.Jack handed
the periscope and the glass ball to Caleb.
''Try now, " Jack whispered.
Looking through the periscope again, Caleb saw only six skeletons. Two were on the
trestle above, one was at the base of the elevator, and three crawled along the walls. "What
the . . ." Caleb mouthed to Jack, handing both Eye and periscope to Mary Jo.Jack just
shrugged and pointed to the Eye.Mary Jo looked confused until Jack took the glass orb
from her and pointed to the periscope again. On her second look she shook her head as if
to clear the image.
za wA N T E D : u N D E A D D R AL I v E ••�•u•
In the back, Sean stirred and sat up.
"You're early, bounty hunter. I'm not supposed to kill you until noon." Sean swung his
legs over the side of the bed and stood. He looked around the room slowly, taking in the
now-empty space. "I see you were very unkind to my guests."
"We sent your brothers to hell, Sean, and you will be joining them soon!" yelled Mary
Jo. She dropped the shotgun and swung her rifle into position.
"Joining them? My dear young lady, I will not join them - they will join me." Sean
reached into a large wound in his chest. Caleb heard a loud snap and watched in horror as
Sean pulled forth one of his ribs and dropped the bone to the ground. The rib expanded and
soon grew into an entire skeleton.
"My God!" exclaimed Mary Jo.
"As you can see, I am quite capable of. making my brothers join me whenever I fancy
them." He raised his arm. "And now, my dear, you and your friend here will die . . ." He
closed his hand in a fist, and a startled look crossed his face.
"Having problems, Sean? Mother always said you were worthless." Jack stepped from
the corner, sporting, as always, a wide grin across his face.
"Jack, you little bastard. I should have killed you along with your mother."
"What is he talking about, Jack?" said Caleb.
"Sean was always chasing after my mother, back when he was alive. She never let him
touch her. So, a few months ago, he killed her for it."
"Now Jack, you can't go throwing those kinds of accusations around. Someone might
get the wrong idea. I wouldn't want to have to hurt you." A Colt pistol appeared, almost
magically, in Sean's hand.
"Jack! Look out!" Mary Jo tackled Jack. She heard the bullet whiz by her ear as they
both fell. Caleb dropped to the ground as well, as the bullet ricocheted several times before
finding a soft surface.
Sean laughed. "Afraid you might get hurt, cowboy?" He fired several shots into the air.
The sound of the pinging around the room reverberated and grew, causing some rocks to
fall from the ceiling. When Sean finished, he tossed the empty weapon casually to the floor.
Caleb looked up from his hurried reloading, trying to make sure nothing large enough
to crack his skull was going to fall on him. Then he saw it. "Jack," he hissed. Jack looked
over. "We need to get him up there." Caleb motioned with his eyes to the tunnel to the right.
On the side of the tracks was a pile of boxes labeled ''TNT' in large red letters. The ping
ing stopped and they heard a crack as Sean pulled out another rib. Another skeleton formed
instantly.
"Gentlemen - and my dear lady," cried Sean, his eyes flashing, "it's time for you to
die." The skeletons rushed forward, Sean walking calmly behind them.
Mary Jo took a knee and raised her shotgun. "Go ahead boys. I got you covered."
Racing toward the elevator, Caleb ducked as the first skeleton exploded into dust from
Mary Jo's shot. Jack dropped to the ground, rolled, and popped back to his feet - spreading
a fan of poker cards at his target. A stream of light hit the skeleton square in the chest, dis
integrating the monster. He then joined Caleb on the wooden platform of the elevator and
winked. "Gotta love a full house!" Caleb shook his head and shot the rope tying the eleva
tor down. The counterweight plunged to the floor, throwing the elevator upward and cata
pulting Jack and Caleb to the second level. Sean watched in amusement.
za wA N T E D : uN D E A D D R AL I v E ......
.
"I got it . . ." muttered Mary Jo, taking a bead on the real Sean, on top of Jack. She took
a deep breath and held it to steady the rifle.
"What are you babbling about, boy?" Sean stood, holding Jack by his neck. Mary Jo's
aim was true, but Sean stood suddenly. The bullet missed his head and blew off his right
arm - the arm that was holding Jack. Sean screamed. He grabbed the bloody shoulder with
his left hand, the remaining phantom Seans fading away. Jack fell, barely catching hold of
the metal rail. "Why won't you people die!" yelled Sean as he kicked Jack in the head.
'
Jack's grip slipped and he fell to the ground, unconscious. Mary Jo ran to his side.
"We could ask the same of you," said Caleb. In his left hand was the flask Tasida had
given him. He backed up slowly, wanting Sean to advance farther into the tunnel.
"What are you going to do, bounty hunter? Throw that bone at me? You've been talk
ing to that old witch in the Indian sanctuary. You're a fool to trust her. I've been around a
long time. I've killed a lot of people. All of them were sniveling cowards in the end. They
saw their death coming and begged for mercy."
"You could have given it to them," said Caleb. Just a few more steps, he thought.
"Bah. Like the mercy they gave me? I was going to save this town. We were all going
to be rich!"
''That's not the way I hear it . . ."
"Liars! They branded my brothers and me with the mark of the devil. My brothers
burned and I was buried alive. You can't imagine what terror tastes like as you struggle for
air, drowning in the dirt of your own tomb. Now die!" As Sean's foot reached the tunnel
entrance he lunged forward, his remaining hand outstretched toward Caleb's throat. Caleb
popped open the flask with his thumb and splashed the contents across Sean's face and
chest. The liquid ignited just as Sean's fingers clasped around Caleb's neck. The sweet,
acrid smell of a chemical burn on charred flesh filled the air. Sean screamed again and
clutched at his eyes. Caleb felt his skin blister where Sean had touched him. Sean's clothes
began to catch fire and he stumbled onto the tracks, falling right next to one of the old TNT
boxes.
There was no way to get past him - and Caleb had no time, anyway. "Mary Jo! Jack !
Run!" He turned down the tunnel and ran as fast as he could. He hoped Mary Jo and Jack
had heard him, but there was nothing he could do about it now. The explosion knocked
Caleb off his feet. Rocks and dust fell everywhere. Sensing a side tunnel, he ducked inside
just as the main tunnel collapsed. As the dust settled, Caleb realized how dark it was. He
put his hand to his face and sighed. He couldn't see two inches in front of him. He was spent
from the adrenaline rush of the battle and he felt fatigue wash over him. He lay back against
an old timber brace and promptly fell asleep.
3C WA NT E D: UND E AD D R AL I V E .......
NEW RELICS
each week it is used, roll 3d; on a roll of 18, the
user acquires the Confused disadvantage when
he is not using the Claw.
Sean Bailey received a gift when he
returned from the dead - a new heart. This uncut
gem is approximately the size of a human fist
and has the appearance of a brilliant, uncut dia THE EYE er RAVEN
mond. Those who gaze deeply into the gem see The Raven, also known as the Trickster,
the flames that killed Sean's brothers . . . or per appears in many American Indian tales. This
haps they are the fires of hell. Sean isn't saying. relic is created by encasing the right eye of a
Power: This item allows the owner to cre large raven in glass and performing a compli
ate phantom versions of himself, somewhat like cated ritual.
the Image advantage (p. CI72). However, these Power: Holding this relic gives the bearer
illusions are able to act independently once cre the ability to see through any illusion. It also
ated. The illusions cannot interact with the confers the ability to see into the spectral realm.
physical realm. Anyone attempting to identify Taint: After 1 d weeks of use, the bearer of
the real person among the images must make an the Eye of Raven must make a Will roll daily;
IQ-5 roll. An illusion that is successfully on a critical failure, he begins to see illusions
attacked vanishes. everywhere, bestowing upon him the Paranoia
Taint: After 1 d weeks of use, the bearer of disadvantage.
Bailey's Heart must make a Will roll daily; on a
critical failure, he acquires the Murder Addic
tion disadvantage. FANTHEn FLASK
Panthers are deadly animals. These relics
are made by soaking the bones of a panther in
EAGLE'S CLAW firewater and performing secret magic rituals.
Eagles are powerful animals in American The marrow changes into a fluid that eats
Indian belief. An Eagle's Claw talisman is through any soft organic matter, generating
made from a lodestone and the left claw of an immense heat in the process. The panther-bone
ancient American eagle. These magical items flasks which contain the fluid are themselves
are extremely rare, as the shaman creating the immune.
item must ask the spirit of the eagle to leave a Power: Upon contact, the liquid bums
part of its essence in the stone. through soft organic material at the rate of 1
Power: The user concentrates on the loca yard a round. After l d turns the fluid loses effi
tion he wants to reach. On a successful Will cacy. Any flammable material doused in the
roll, the talon of the claw points in the correct contents of a panther flask, or touched by some
direction. thing which has been doused in the fluid, is
Taint: After a time, the bearer of Eagle's very likely to catch fire - only a roll of 17 or 1 8
Claw becomes dependent on its guidance. After o n 3 d prevents this.
1
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