Sample File SHOWDOWN at SUNDOWN

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Sample file SHOWDOWN AT SUNDOWN

WRITTEN & DESIGNED BY Rob Wieland ADDITIONAL MATERIAL: Shane Hensley & Simon Lucas EDITING & LAYOUT: Shane Hensley PROOFREADING: David Harriss, Andrew LaCara, Adam Loyd, Laurie Marks, René Martin ART DIRECTION: Aaron Acevedo & Alida Saxon GRAPHIC DESIGN & LAYOUT: Karl Keesler, Shane Hensley, Simon Lucas, & Thomas Shook INTERIOR ART: Alberto Bontempi, Wayne Miller, Alida Saxon OPERATIONS & LOGISTICS: Jodi Black CUSTOMER SUPPORT: Jodi Black & Christine Lapp PRODUCTION LIAISON: Alexander Hau EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Simon Lucas

DEADLANDS CREATED BY SHANE LACY HENSLEY SampleWWW.PEGINC.COM file

SHOWDOWN AT SUNDOWN DEADLANDS: THE WEIRD WEST

They say absolute power corrupts absolutely. the cusp of opening a portal to Hell in the In the Weird West, things can get even town of Sundown, an act that will spawn all worse. Corruption can lead to damnation manner of terrible creatures. The only thing as the agents of the Reckoners seek out in his way, Marshal? Your posse. those willing to do just about anything for supernatural power. The world is a harsh place, and once some folks get a sample of what that power tastes like, they sink to very THE DEVIL'S DECK murky depths to get another mouthful. Every gambler knows you have runs on top The town of Sundown is a lot like many of the world and runs in the gutter. Silas others on the frontier. It’s a boomtown Wanamaker was in the middle of a really struggling with growing into an actual part bad run. The cards jilted him like a jealous of civilization. Moneyed interests have come lover. Saloons throughout Wyoming kicked into power that want to maintain their hold him out and told him never to return. Even on the people making the money. his powers as a huckster seemed to leave him The richest man in town is spoken of high and dry more often than not. in whispers and allusions because the Eventually, Silas ended up in the small townsfolk are terrified an unkind word town of Sundown, Wyoming, broke and might force them out of town or prompt desperate. He begged for money and lost it their disappearance. Places like this exist all gambling. He stole money and lost that too. over the West. The town of Sundown seems like a perfect example of a place full of good Then he met a traveler by the name of people living under the rule of the powerful Lucius Clay. Lucius offered Silas a very and Samplethe corrupt. special and private game.file The ne’er-do-well accepted and was shocked when he won. But look a little closer at Sundown and The prize? A “Devil’s deck” of cards tied to you’ll see something deeper and darker in a “friendly” batch of spirits, the Whisperers. the shadows of the Weird West. Silas Wanamaker, an inveterate huckster THE WHISPERERS IN THE DARK and gambler of minimal skill, gained The Whisperers in the Dark, as Silas came to power through the occult. He’s on call his new friends, told him the veil between 2 the world and the Hunting Grounds was thin here in Sundown. With his help, they could escape the Hellish prison of the spirit world. In return, the clever manitous promised to S how D own at S undown use their powers to turn his luck around. Silas agreed, not understanding the true extent of the spirits’ plan. But they upheld their bargain. When he gambled with the Devil’s deck anywhere on his person the Whisperers would help him cheat, telling him when his opponents were bluffing, what cards they were holding, and even changing the cards when needed! Now and then, however, the Whisperers pointed out certain individuals and demanded he invite them to a private game, one using the Devil’s deck itself. When those unfortunates inevitably lost, the deck drew them in and revealed its true nature—a number of its face cards are graced with the contorted images of those souls it’s absorbed! At first Silas was terrified, but the Whisperers told him not to worry—all his opponents would be released once the doorway was opened and the spirits were MARSHAL BUCK NORMAN free. Of course this was a lie. A man like Silas makes enemies, and those Silas reluctantly returned to gambling, enemies have a nasty habit of disappearing. saving up a stake until he could play with Sometimes they go quietly, trapped in the big boys. He played it cool, losing a few the Devil’s deck for eternity. But the deck hands here and there before breaking big. He prefers enlightened souls. Those of a lesser soon put the terrible cost aside and enjoyed stripe are handled by Wanamaker’s “pet” his long winning streak. town marshal. A little less than a month ago, he got a Buck Norman came to Sundown intent on job as a dealer at Tawnie McGee’s saloon, getting drunk and raising Hell. But Silas was Gaston’s. At first McGee paid Silas little at Gaston’s when Buck arrived and sensed attention—she was happy to finally turn a the rampage to come. He invited the ornery healthy profit. Eventually, however, she newcomer for dinner and drinks up at his began to meddle and suspect Silas was up house before he could start a bar fight, and to something vile. The deck demanded her there openly revealed the Devil’s deck. soul, and before long McGee graced the deck Surrounded by lies and disappearing as the Queen of Diamonds. She remains there townsfolk, the increasingly worried still, a slowly shifting, screaming image with Wanamaker offered Buck a “seat at the table” betrayal and fear on her exaggerated features. Samplefor his advice and support. file He showed him To avoid constant questions, Silas told the Devil’s deck and told him what it could everyone McGee had gone home to Chicago do. Buck knows power when he sees it, and to be with a dying relative, leaving Gaston’s is also just a little afraid of the thing. So he to him until she returns. quickly agreed to the deal. Urged on by the Whisperers, Silas slowly Buck bullies visitors and collects won pieces of most every business in town, “protection fees” from businesses on his including the local ghost rock mine. own time, and uses his iron fists—and 3 DEADLANDS: THE WEIRD WEST

an occasional knife—to quiet anyone who Eventually Carson caught a glimpse of raises too much fuss about Silas. Silas’ infernal cards—and even got drawn into gambling with him. Carson barely Silas has all but a few of the souls the escaped with his life that night, then rode demons want when the adventure starts. out for the nearest Rangers outpost for help. He’s not yet playing with a full deck, so to speak, but that changes soon. As the adventure begins, Showboat awaits Carson’s return. Fate takes control, though, THE LEGION TAKES NOTICE for Silas has a soul for almost every card in the Devil’s deck. Once it’s complete, the The many disappearances in Sundown Whisperers told him to venture down into haven’t gone unnoticed. The Agency sent one of the old mine shafts where that veil to Adele “Showboat” Jackson to monitor the the Hunting Grounds is exceedingly thin. situation undercover, and the Wyoming The loathsome manitous then plan to Rangers sent Asa “Ace” Carson. Neither stream out of the portal and whisper to knew what the other was up to at first, but each and every person within miles of town. they quickly joined forces as they sensed They offer deals to anyone who listens and something big was happening. raise Hell all over the West. What better Showboat works at the Gaston, right way to spread the darkness desired by the underSample her boss’ nose, and keeps her Agency Reckoners than by playing file on people’s greed credentials firmly under wraps. and secret desires? Ranger Carson took the opposite approach, Unless the heroes stop them. nosing around in Wanamaker’s affairs to try and rile him up. He hoped to push Silas into an obvious mistake and take him down.

4 ADVENTURE SUMMARY The huckster and his hired gun, Marshal Norman, put up a fight alongside a host of The posse gets roped into the drama in manitous—the Whisperers—who materialize

Sundown through a twist of fate. Territorial S how D own at S undown in the flesh. The heroes must fight off their Ranger Ace Carson is returning to town enemies, save their new friends, and close when his stagecoach is ambushed by local the portal to Hell. bandits led by Gus Cantrell. All in a day’s gunslingin’, right? Carson and the passengers fight valiantly but are overcome by the outlaws’ numbers and bloodthirstiness. When the heroes catch THE POSSE up to his bloody stagecoach, he has just This tale of weirdness and woe takes place in enough life in him to press a sealed letter midsummer, 1884, in south-central Wyoming into one of their hands and tell her to see Territory. The Twilight Legion has heard of “Showboat” in Sundown. There isn’t much Sundown’s troubles, and asks the heroes to time to clear up the dying man’s words venture there and see what’s going on. because Cantrell returns to finish the job. It’s up to the heroes to fight the bandits off, hide The heroes are traveling together when out until he finishes picking over the dead, or our story starts, so they either already convince him the posse is a bigger threat than know each other or have simply decided to he and his outlaws. travel together—a common practice in the dangerous wilderness of this untamed land. Once in Sundown, the posse sees Marshal Norman and his bullies roughing up a ADVENTURE RECOMMENDATIONS traveling salesman and scientist named Dr. The party should be Seasoned. Our Deadlands Lindsay Gao. The two groups tussle, and Archetype Cards are perfectly suited to this afterward the newcomers are invited up to tale of Western weirdness. Any type of the “big house” to meet Silas. Pleasantries are hero or heroine can fit into this twisted tale, exchanged, and maybe a few hands of poker but it certainly works best if at least one played—sans the Devil’s deck this time. or two characters have some dueling bona The next morning, Gao has gone missing. fides—Quick Draw or the Duelist Edge are The posse searches high and low but can particularly useful. find no trace of their new friend. Finally, The posse also finds Gambling and Riding Showboat asks them to wait til after the day’s very useful, as well as the usual arcane skills, festivities—it’s “Showdown in Sundown,” a Shooting, Fighting, and of course Notice. dueling competition between all the local gunfighters—then search Wanamaker’s The action is equal parts fightin’, manse for signs of Gao and other mischief. conversatin’, and sleuthin’, so encourage a little balance in the party to make sure After a day of dueling (which might everyone gets the most enjoyment possible include the heroes), Silas and his cronies out of the events to come. drink and celebrate in town, leaving his manor wide open. The posse sneaks in and The adventure starts with the posse encounters the Whisperers, who haunt and mounted and riding toward Wyoming, torment them as they explore the old house. so make sure everyone has a horse if they don’t already. Back in town, Silas has almost completed the Devil’sSample deck, sending the Whisperers Now let’s ride! file streaming into the basement and through a secret tunnel into the nearby mines. The heroes follow and arrive just in time to see a terrible sight—Silas has captured Showboat and Dr. Gao’s souls for the Devil’s deck and opened a portal to the Hunting Grounds!

5 HAPTER C 2

BAD DAY AT BRAD'S ROCK DEADLANDS: THE WEIRD WEST

The story begins at Brad’s Rock, a road They took out a number of the bandits marker a few miles outside Sundown. It but the driver caught one in the back. The marks a crossroad for traffic out of the town shotgunner had to take the reins but he got and onto a wider trail running east to west in plugged as well. The shocked bandits pulled Wyoming. Nobody in town knows who Brad back, but Asa was already bleeding out in the was or why it’s his rock. Anyone who asks coach. He passed out and the terrified horses about the name gets a different answer from just kept running. a different person. Sometimes the answer That’s where the posse comes in, Marshal! is mundane, like a prospector named Brad Read or paraphrase the following to kick off walked toward town after his mule kicked this adventure in true Western style. the bucket in Montana, and this is where Brad made camp afterwards. Other explanations You’re riding northwest through the are strange, like Brad summoned a demon at beautiful rolling plains and scrub forests of the crossroads and trapped it inside the rock. central Wyoming. It’s a couple hours before twilight on a warm June night and you’re Whatever the truth, it’s recently become an still an hour or two from your destination, ambush spot for a gang of bushwhackers run the town of Sundown. by Gus Cantrell. The gang usually focuses You’re with some others you either know on lone riders, independent prospectors, and or have decided to ride beside—strength in other easy marks. Gus stays clear of the law numbers and all that. by giving Marshal Buck Norman a cut of The peace of your ride is suddenly broken the take (a deal Silas knows nothing about). by the sound of galloping horses—coming Gus and his boys are getting bolder thanks straight at you! A stagecoach races from to this arrangement and decided to step up the west toward you. You can see one man their attacks by hitting a stagecoach on its slumped over in the driver’s seat, blood waySample into Sundown. The attack didn’t go file everywhere. The door to the coach is open, exactly to plan. and as it races by you see another man lying The passengers in this particular inside, also covered in blood. stagecoach included Ranger Asa Carson, It’s time for a little heroics, friends. and he didn’t give up easily. He and the man riding shotgun put up a fierce fight, but luck wasn’t with ’em today. 6 CHASING THE STAGE WELL, THAT WAS A HELL OF A THING! The stage is out of control. The horses are With the wagon stopped (one way or panicking and running in terror along the another), the heroes can look over the two road. Any posse worth its salt, and any bloody men (the driver and Ranger Carson B ad D ay at B rad ' s R ock decent cowboy or cowgirl, should get off in the carriage interior). after it immediately. The driver (actually the shotgunner—the Catching the stage is a Challenging driver bounced off a ways back) has gone on Dramatic Task rather than a Chase—the to meet his eternal reward. The man inside scene is more about jumping onto the wagon is a tough, grizzled-looking son of a biscuit and grabbing the trailing reins than simply wearing a worn duster. Clear as day on the catching up with it. shirt beneath is a Territorial Ranger badge. This task is broken down into three stages. Carson’s already dead rules-wise so Each player may try independently (to a there’s no saving him, but in true dramatic point—see below), but ideally one character fashion he manages to get out one word with attempts the task while the others Support his final breath—and no, it ain’t “Rosebud.” in whatever clever ways they can come up He shoves a bloody note into the hands with. These include using Riding to box the of whoever’s looking him over and says main rider’s horse to keep it from veering “Showboat.” Then he settles back into the cold off, pushing the runaway horses away from embrace of Death. Carson’s watch has ended. obstacles, or simply encouraging the rider The bloodstained letter is sealed by wax with Persuasion. with a filigree star symbol that denotes it Catch the Stage (Riding –4): A hero as the property of the Wyoming Territorial needs to get two Riding Task Tokens to Rangers. A successful Thievery roll at –2 catch up with the stage. That’s the easy opens it without breaking the seal. If they’re part. The hard part is keeping her horse successful, or decide to just go ahead and running alongside the carriage as it snoop, it reads: bounces and shakes dangerously beside Gambling is key. them. He took my toy. Jump the Harness (Athletics –2): Once a One riot, one Ranger. rider has pulled up alongside the coach Carson intended the note for Agent Adele and managed to keep her horse steady, Jackson in Sundown, better known by her she has to jump into the harness. This stage name, Showboat. takes one Athletics Task Token. Climbing on the stage itself won’t help because THE GANG RETURNS the reins are now trailing down into the No sooner does Carson expire than the harness rigging. (Another hero might heroes hear the rumble of approaching want to do that to see to the passengers, horses. Cantrell and his gang have returned though!) to the scene of the crime. Grab the Reins (Riding –2): The last The strongbox they hauled off proved to be Task Token is back to Riding to grab the empty, so they’ve returned to loot the dead fallen reins, stand up like a real cowboy and see if there’s something they missed on the wooden tongue that holds the somewhere. harnessSample rig together, and bring the horses file to a halt with style and panache. The heroes hear them coming, so they have a few moments to discuss a plan. If the Dramatic Task is failed, the wagon careens off the road and overturns, smashing it to pieces and causing serious harm to the horses and anyone on or inside the carriage. The stage is Wrecked, causing 4d6 damage to anyone on board. 7 steers. He hopes to convince the strangers to ride off and leave them behind to take care CARSON'S NOTE of the dead. Then they strip the stagecoach and the victims of any valuables and are on Adele “Showboat” Jackson shares their merry way. the contents of Carson’s letter in the next scene. Just so you know, Marshal— There are several ways the posse might here’s what it means. figure out Cantrell’s lying. If anyone asks about the state of the riders, have them make Carson played poker with Silas Notice rolls at –2. Those who succeed see Wanamaker in Showdown and realized one of the “ranchers” hiding a bloody sleeve the man had more than the usual beneath his jacket (he was shot in the attack). huckster’s tricks. The Ranger even Another hero might see a horse turn for just wagered his prize possession on a strong

DEADLANDS: THE WEIRD WEST a moment—exposing a fresh graze along its hand to get Silas to reveal his secret. The flank from a near-miss. The rider tries to keep huckster won anyway, and Carson lost a the horse turned away, but the animal shies powerful pistol he took off a phantom he from the pain on occasion and reveals the calls the “ghost gun.” Showboat called it wound if anyone’s paying attention. his “toy.” Carson didn’t tell Showboat about losing the gun before he left and If things are obviously building up for a wanted to make sure she knew just in fight, Gus tries to “casually” trot over to the case something untoward happened. wagon and take a look, giving him cover from the coming gunfight. What he doesn’t know is that he was almost consumed by the Devil’s deck. He’s also looking for another strongbox, Still, it gave him that itchy feeling and he mail bag, or other loot worth fighting for. decided to head out for a Ranger outpost He only initiates a shootout if the posse in Casper to get some help. Rangers are tells him about Carson’s note. Gus operates notoriously stingy about their resources with impunity around here—as long as though and Carson’s information was Marshal Buck has his back. If Gus senses vague, so the request was refused— any advantage at all, or thinks he can get the hence the One riot, one Ranger comment. note somehow, he’s happy to shed a little blood for it. When the shooting starts, Gus focuses his attacks on the greatest threat first. The gang members ride a ways out before firing, taking BLOODY KILLERS, EVERY ONE advantage of their (likely) greater range. Some might even dismount into nearby trees After the heroes sort out the wagon and for cover. its unfortunates, they see a group of eight riders approaching at a rapid pace. They If Gus goes down, though, the rest of the have about 30 seconds to talk, then the riders gang vamooses. Gus sticks it out until he’s are on them. Wounded, then hightails it out of there if possible. The Cantrell gang doesn’t reveal itself as a pack of bandits right away unless the heroes The Cantrell Gang (5): Use Gunman in start shootin’ before they pull up to howdy. Deadlands: The Weird West. This bunch has Gus SampleCantrell himself speaks for the gang. the Steady Hands Edgefile as they’re used He’s a rugged-looking fellow with bushy to fighting on horseback. Gus Cantrell is gray hair, beard, and mustache, and dark also a Wild Card with Shooting d10 and eyes. He looks over the scene and says they the Command Edge. found a string of bodies along the road, saw the wagon tracks, and were looking to help. He tries to pass his men off as simple ranchers out looking for a few lost 8 CHAPTE 3 R S howboat L owdown SHOWBOAT LOWDOWN

SUNDOWN MESSAGE FOR YOU, MA'AM! FEAR LEVEL: 3 The heroes are likely to head straight for The ride into Sundown, population 683, Gaston’s to see about Carson’s message. takes a few hours. The heroes get in just as (If not, see the Sundown Locales for the dusk recedes into darkness. The miners are other places they might visit.) They arrive clearing out of the bunkhouses to spend their at the hotel at the tail end of Showboat’s wages at the saloons and gambling tables. performance. She’s a beautiful dark-skinned The center of town is made of permanent woman, just finishing up her big song to structures, surrounded by a scattered ring a rush of applause from everyone in the of tents and shacks built by wandering audience. The crowd stays a little rowdy prospectors and poor laborers. after the lights come up. A few audience Stretched across the street is a banner that members might talk her up to heroes who reads: “Showdown at Sundown!” It looks mention her name. well-used, and a Notice roll reveals a number The undercover Agent is surrounded by of bullet holes in it. a lot of fans looking for an autograph, a kiss If someone asks a locals about the sign, he on the cheek, or boldly asking for a little bit or she replies: more. If the heroes want her attention, they need to figure out how to catch her eye or “That’s our quick-draw competition! Day stand out from the rest of the adoring throng. after tomorrow at High Noon right here on Main Street! You don’t wanna miss This is a great opportunity to highlight the it, friend!” skill sets of charismatic or stealthy types. AskingSample about “showboats” gets a few Flashing Carson’s letterfile gets Showboat’s puzzled looks at first, then a local says: attention pretty quick. She smiles at the crowd, then leads the “lucky” suitor to her “Oh! You probably mean Showboat the room. On the way, she tosses off a code performer. Adele Jackson, I think’s her phrase in French to two girls standing on name. Her stage name’s Showboat, I reckon. the balcony nearby. Anyone who speaks She sings over at Gaston’s. Mighty pretty, French understands the phrase, “Listen that one!” for the hen.” 9 Once in her room, the smiling Showboat While Showboat waits for the party to suddenly looks furious. She snaps, consider her request, she lets out a strange cluck, like a chicken. “What the hell are you thinking, coming to me in a crowd like that? Anyone could have “It’s a code. If I don’t give it before seen that letter, you idiot!” about five minutes have passed, those girls out there, well, let’s just say they have Adele reads and then burns the letter, and many talents.” thinks for a few minutes. If the heroes give her the secret sign of the Twilight Legion— Showboat has a Gatling pistol inside a the sign of the half-set sun—she calms down secret compartment cut from a chaise lounge. and tells them what she knows. She shouldn’t need these precautions for the heroes but they might come in useful “Ranger Carson was a friend. A good man. if anyone else comes calling with bad

DEADLANDS: THE WEIRD WEST This town is run by a man named Silas intentions (like Buck). Wanamaker, who seemed to be a down-on- his-luck gambler until something changed “At first I thought the town marshal, Buck a few months back. Now he owns a piece of Norman, was just killing Wanamaker’s most every business in town. Hell, he owns enemies. He’s built for it, mean and cruel. this entire bar. But sometimes Norman was far away from “Enemies of his disappear and are never where someone was last seen. found. Me and Carson were working the “I think Silas is spiriting people case from different angles...me undercover away, but I can’t figure out how. and him stirring things up. He even went The former owner of this place up to Wanamaker’s house on was Tawnie McGee, for example. the hill and played some cards She just up and disappeared one with him. Trying to rattle night. The next day, Silas had the him and stuff. I don’t know deed with her signature. He what happened, but it seems said she had to take care of a he lost his ‘ghost gun.’ It’s a dying relative Back East, handy Colt Navy he said he so she gave him the took off a...well...something hotel and left that unearthly. night without so “He must’ve discovered more much as a suitcase. though, ’cause he took off for Ranger No one can disprove HQ the next morning. Left word with it, of course, though I’ve got the girls he’d be back in a few days the Agency looking for her or with some help or information, but any family members.” I guess it ain’t coming. If Adele is asked to cover “You being here might tip Silas the team’s expenses, she off that we were working together, offers them a $500 reward and I can’t have that. Looks like for helping put an end to you’ll have to take Carson’s spot. the disappearances, and “The folks around town hopefully figure out what are no better or worse than else is triggering her strange anywhere else, but I’ve got sensitivities. She can also this itch I get sometimes. put them up in rooms at LikeSample something bad’s about file the Sunset Arms hotel to happen. Something across the street. from the other side, if you know what I mean.” Adele “Showboat” Jackson: You can find Adele’s profile on page 31. 10