Silverlode 1908
Dramatis Personae
Episode Guide
Gazetteer

Examples...
Simple Chase
Example Combat 1
Example Combat 2
Example Combat 3

Risus Monkey

Silverlode 1908

Simple Chase
Wherein Lionel Joseph flees a bandit camp on a stolen horse

Characters

Lionel Joseph
Clichés: Buffalo Soldier (4), Spiritually Gifted Wanderer of the Old West (4).
Jacob Jackson (not present in this scene): Buffalo Soldier (3), Ghost [3].
Chango (not present in this scene): Unusually Intelligent Cavalry Horse (3).
Hook: Social Outcast
Tools: Winchester rifle, heavy six-shooter, cavalry saber, lasso, knife, uniform, camping gear, additional clothing.

Dozen Marauding Bandits
Clichés: Mounted Miscreants with Guns (4).
Tools: All twelve members of this grunt squad carry pistol and are riding horses. A few have rifles.

Setup

The GM describes the scene. Lionel has just stolen a horse and is trying to escape the bandits' camp, where he was previously doing a little reconnaissance.

Round One

GM: Ok, Lionel successfully steals one of the bandits' horses, as the camp comes alive with activity. Bandits are emerging from their tents, grabbing weapons, and mounting up to pursue. What do you do? (As the player character, Lionel gets the first move)

Lionel: I kick my horse into action, draw my saber, and charge through the cluster of currently unmounted horses. I'll stay low on the horse to avoid gunfire and slash at a couple with my sword. Ultimately, I want to exit the camp on the other side, where the terrain is better for riding. (Lionel could have described a shorter attack and this example would probably feel more like a traditional combat. But in this case, the player is hoping for a chase and he is using the first round to set it up.)

GM: I assume you're using the Buffalo Soldier cliché?

Lionel: Yeah.

GM: The bandits will obviously attempt to stop you with gunfire, with those already mounted trying to head you off as you leave the camp. Somebody is trying to push a cart into your path to block you escape. Roll 'em.

Lionel:(Lionel rolls 4d6 for Buffalo Soldier) 12.

GM:(GM rolls 4d6 for the Grunt Squad) 11. You avoid the gunfire, scatter some horses, and manage to cut down two of them as you charge through the camp. At the last minute you jump over the cart and head down the mountain trail. (The GM knocks a die off the bandits' cliché) It's their turn. Obviously, they'll pursue. The faster riders speed out of the camp, jumping the cart as others struggle to move it out of the way. A Sharpshooter at camp takes aim with his rifle, while the rest will shoot their pistols when they can. What do you do?

Lionel: Trusting my instincts as a Spiritually Gifted Wanderer to anticipate the sniper, I veer off path and down a treacherous slope. Hopefully, the bandits will have difficulty following and the sniper won't get his shot off. (Lionel rolls 4d6 for Spiritually Gifted Wanderer) 16. Aha, take that!

GM: (GM rolls 3d6 for Grunt Squad) 12. There is a loud crack as the sniper shoots where you were going to be. The first bandit arrives at the point where you veered off, stops, and fires as you recklessly careen down the mountainside. His companions arrive, hesitate for moment, and decide to make a go of it. But the slope appears to be too much for them as a couple even tumble from their horses. You emerge onto a lower path with more range between you and the remaining bandits. (The GM knocks another die off the bandits' cliché)

Round Two

GM: Your turn, what do you do?

Lionel: I ride and ride hard using Buffalo Soldier. Hopefully, I can build on my lead before they hit the trail.

GM: That's probably the case, the lead bandits will emerge onto the trail and attempt to spur their horses on to desperate speeds, all the while taking potshots at you with their pistols. Back at camp, some of those left behind are taking position at an overlook, where they hope to shoot you as you come by. It's a desperate strategy on their part, so they will Pump their cliché. You want to Pump as well?

Lionel: No, I'm good.

GM: Then roll 'em.

Lionel:(Lionel rolls 4d6 for Buffalo Soldier) 14.

GM:(GM rolls 3d6 for Grunt Squad an extra die due to the Pump) 11. With the loss due to their Pump, they're out of the chase. How does it end?

Lionel: I keep riding hard and then ease up as my horse begins to tire. I ride with more urgency when a few shots from the snipers ring out in the night. But they are far off and not likely to hit, and soon the threat has passed.