Scene II: Horsehead Ranch

[Animalmother]

Cumflutter lowers the rifle but doesn't uncock it or take his finger off the trigger.

[Stormbringer]

You do indeed know this man, Cadaver Kid. This is Sheriff Boone. A former colleague.

Seein' as Cumflutter's in the shadow of the doorway, they haven't spotted him yet.

"Had ourselves a little clown infestation," Doc says. "Not to worry, though, it's all taken care of now.

"So how might we help you gen'lemen today?"

"Well now..."

The Sheriff turns his attention to Doc.

"As your friend Pains here well knows, I am Sheriff Boone, and I represent whatever's left of the Law in Palace. And that ain't much. Needless to say, the Mayor of Palace ain't too happy 'bout what you boys did to his home. I've a mind to bring you in' and collect your bounties. But..."

He glances around at the chaos all about.

"Looks as if you might be the last ones standin' here...which says to me I might be better off strikin' a deal with you boys. How about you turn in whatever's left of these Loudmouths, and whatever you found in their safe...and I'll just pretend I didn't see you boys today? Maybe y'all headed out west into Allhallows Canyon? And only a fool would chase ya down thataway..."

[Wrathbone]

"Mighty noble of you, Sheriff, to recognise how we put an end to not one but TWO dangerous, violent gangs at this godforsaken ranch. Cost us a friend, too. So we'll gladly collect the bounties we're due by law, being the law-abiding folks we all are here, and be on our way."

I give him a very slight nod of respect, then toss the Loudmouth heads on the ground.

[Sly Boots]

Doc laughs. "You think we'd be dumb enough to carry such a wealth of treasure on our persons? We could barely carry it as it is.

"We stashed it at the bottom of that well, hoping to return to claim it later with a wagon in tow... much as it pains me to give it up, if you've a mind you can collect it yourselves."

[Sly Boots]

"Mighty noble of you, Sheriff, to recognise how we put an end to not one but TWO dangerous, violent gangs at this godforsaken ranch. Cost us a friend, too. So we'll gladly collect the bounties we're due by law, being the law-abiding folks we all are here, and be on our way."

I give him a very slight nod of respect, then toss the Loudmouth heads on the ground.

Wait... I assumed he was robbing us for everything we had?

[Wrathbone]

He's clearly trying to. I'm offering a counter-proposal.

I'm not holding out much hope.

[Sly Boots]

Doc will hold off saying what he said until the Sheriff has responded to CK's proposal...

[Stormbringer]

Meanwhile, up on a nearby ridge, an old gamblin' associate of Parcheval 'Roach' Meskaro's, Bluth Femurs by name—but known to most as 'Scrancher'—surveys the scene through the scope of his hunting rifle.

Scrancher was hustled by Roach during a game of cards back at Fort Gullet, and he's been trackin' him south-west for days through the Dust Barrens, ever since he threw him out of the window of the Grimy Scorpion Saloon. He don't see no sign of his prey here, but he does behold a most interesting stand-off between Roach's companions and the Sheriff's men.

[Stormbringer]

"Mighty noble of you, Sheriff, to recognise how we put an end to not one but TWO dangerous, violent gangs at this godforsaken ranch. Cost us a friend, too. So we'll gladly collect the bounties we're due by law, being the law-abiding folks we all are here, and be on our way."

I give him a very slight nod of respect, then toss the Loudmouth heads on the ground.

All right, Cadaver Kid, why don't you roll a d20+2 on WITS to see if Boone accepts your proposal.

[Wrathbone]

12 + 2 = 14

[Stormbringer]

"Well, Pains, you make a mighty-fine good point. Seein' as you an' your boys took out the Loudmouths and the Rodeo Clowns, that's a helluva lot of headache I don't have to concern myself with no more. So let's keep things real' simple. You keep whatever you found here as your reward, and my Deputies and I will return to Palace, havin' seen not a trace of the gang that raided the Mayor's house and fenced his goods. Now how's about that?"

[Sly Boots]

Just to be clear, the sheriff is proposing we hand over the heads so he can claim the bounty on them, while we get to keep the contents of the safe and any other miscellaneous bits and bobs we found?

What was the value of the Loudmouth bounties again?

[Animalmother]

If anyone is asking, Im perfectly fine with that deal.

[Stormbringer]

Just to be clear, the sheriff is proposing we hand over the heads so he can claim the bounty on them, while we get to keep the contents of the safe and any other miscellaneous bits and bobs we found?

Yes.

Loudmouth bounties, combined, were $580.

The contents of the safe were $300 + a golden statue + a pewter statue + a whistle that doesn't seem to make a noise

[Sly Boots]

Yeah, at this stage I'm happy to go with that if CK is too.

I'm guessing the gold statue will be worth a bit, so maybe it will come out close to even.