Unfortunately life has intervened and two of our players are missing the final, two-three sessions. So we begin with Diago, Cody and Winston.

Winter is coming to an end. The Scouts of the Prairie have been a big success, drawing crowds from across the towns and villages of this remote area of New Mexico.

Winston

The Homestead Inn is doing well; the actors from the Scouts of the Prairie have booked out the rooms over winter. Maxwell, Delgalito and Pedro have proved to be shrewd hires. Diago is overseeing the kitchen; business is booming.

Cody

Sheriff Cody approaches Winston to search room 7, with the suspicion that Mungo Lachlan, previous accountant of Clarence King and the previous occupant, has hidden the Jefferson Disk (a cypher used to steal secrets from King).

They tear apart the room, finally unscrewing a bedpost to find the deconstructed Jefferson Disk. They put it together, and Cody hands it over to Tabitha, his sister and a bookkeeper in Steaming Rock.

Tabitha quickly puts together the deciphered documents. They show signs of embezzlement and fraud. King is stealing land and businesses through corrupt practices and force. They highlight that he has plans for a Casino and more hotels, slap bang in the middle of the Apache Reservation. There is also correspondence with Captain Richard Woods of Fort Cummings.

There is a lot here that could make things difficult for King, but could it bring him down? That probably depends on which judges and politicians he has in his pocket.

Cody is also thinking deeply about the deal he’s struck with King. The first part was to get the Jefferson Disk to him, which he has done, but not before taking copies of the decoded letters. Cody’s story about finding the disk, i.e. in a barn where Mungo was shot dead, seems not to have been believed by King, but also, King doesn’t seem to care.

Diago

Diago is working hard to convince his new parishioners that he is up to the job of leading this flock. In addition, he’s working in the kitchens of Winston’s establishment and keeping an eye on the new help.

Turn of the Season

Sheriff and Mayoral Elections are established. A new irrigation system is built, which the growing number of farmers and homesteaders are very happy about.

The town decides to build out Schools and a firehouse for the Spring season. Are the players worried that the final sessions will end in a fiery conclusion!?

Just a building away from moving from a Shanty to a Village!

We move on to the businesses; Father Carter aka Diago has a rotten time of it, the congregation are struggling to warm to him, and just a paltry $18 is made.

Winston has turned around the Homestead Inn; everyone gets paid, and there is a 10% (2xcapital) bonus. Surely even bigger successes lie on the horizon.

Cody welcomes the increase in their Sheriff wages.

They all have enough money to live comfortably for the next season; in fact, Diago plans to be well-off - using the increase in Fame to help his future preaching income.

In terms of personal fortunes, Cody has made an enemy of John Fletcher, now the town drunk; he harangues Cody at every opportunity, when not passed out under the boardwalk. Cody has even had to manhandle him away from Cody’s new home after he’s been there in the early hours, shouting and swearing, calling Cody a traitor. Something has to be done.

Diago survives a minor miracle; he steps into the house of a family living with the pox. No one dared visit them, but Diago brings them food, drink and medicine and prays with them. The townsfolk are convinced they’ll soon all be dead, including Diago, but they emerge alive, recovered, and the town sees this as a sign of great providence. Diago’s standing with his parishioners increases.

Meanwhile, Brody Aneheim returns from Silver City considerably richer than when he went out. He tells his friend Winston all about the success he has gained and the new card techniques he’s learnt.

Finally, spring brings with it perfect conditions for farming. Along with the irrigation, the improved conditions in town and now a distinct lack of vermin, the Lord is shining a light on the little town of Steaming Rock.

A Chip in the Big Game

As spring comes to Steaming Rock, new guests arrive, a posse of six arriving at the Homestead Inn. At their head Phelim Quinlivan, he gets his boys settled and has a private word with Winston.

Quinlivan knows something big is going down in Steaming Rock, and he wants to be in on it. He’s heard rumours, but he’s playing his cards close to his chest. He asks Winston if Winston and his friends are still loyal? If so, now is the time to show it. He wants them to go out and find out what King and his men are planning. He suggests they do this by talking to King’s workers. Winston notices a tic from Quinlivan, a tell he’s seen before, suggesting that Quinlivan is under a lot of pressure.

Winston goes to the kitchen to speak with Diago, and between them they meet up with Cody. A quick discussion, and Diago suggests he talks with his parishioners about any rumours they’ve heard. After a brisk walk around the town and a few conversations, it seems they are worried about the Apaches over on the reservation. It is clear the miners, under the employ of King, have been warning the people of Steaming Rock of various altercations with the people on the reservation. Cody admits there have been complaints, but nothing of any substance was found.

As a follow-up, the three of them saddle up and head north to the Apache Reservation. As they come over the brow of a hill, they spot the encampment, now large; likely a good 500-600 people live here.

They seek out their friend Kuruk and his family. Kuruk lifts himself off his bed; he’s weak and coughing badly, but is pleased to see them. As they talk to him, they notice others in the camp are ill, and Kuruk says there is a fever going through the tents that won’t leave.

Kuruk says the miners' words are false. The people here keep to themselves; they only come into town for work and supplies.

Cody asks if Kuruk remembers the poisoning at the ranch where they met; could they also be being poisoned? Kuruk doesn’t like this, but nods; it’s possible. All their water is from the creek at the bottom of the hill.

Diago suggests that they try to trade more with the people of Steaming Rock, offering them goods and services, to show that the miners are not to be believed.

Kuruk explains that they give much of their goods to Danny; he says he negotiates with the people of Steaming Rock to get the best price. In return, they get food from him. It’s been just enough to see them through winter, but they have been asking Danny for more as their numbers have grown.

Danny is thinking about it, but he has said markets are down, or selling is scarce, or something, but Kuruk and the tribe trust him; he is one of the few white men who have given them work.

They suggest to Kuruk that he and those who are well enough head into town to secure fresh water and do not drink from the creek. Kuruk nods. Diago also suggests that Kuruk arm himself and the best warriors with guns, just in case.

At this last point, Kuruk’s eyes blaze, “We will have guns and axes. We will fight until the last. They want us gone from here, but this is our land; we will never leave. We will make our stand.”

Kuruk turns to Diago and asks him to get them guns, as many as he can.

The group look at each other, pondering their next move and wondering what will be left of them and the town of Steaming Rock in the days to come.