I struggled to open my eyes, but they were sticky from sleep and all I managed was to get one partially open. The daylight outside filtered through, making me squint as I took a few deep breaths and licked my dry lips. My mouth felt like cotton, matching the dryness of my lips. As I moved my legs to the side of the bed and sat up, I realized this wasn't my usual bed. It was much bigger and had an actual mattress, unlike the thin cot I was used to. And then it hit me - I was completely naked. This was a surprise, as the only time I was usually naked was during baths. A quick sniff confirmed that there hadn't been any baths in recent memory. I slowly stood up and took a good look around the room. It was a small shack, with just one room that seemed to serve as both a bedroom and a living space. The walls were made of rough-hewn wood, with cracks and gaps that allowed bits of sunlight to filter in. There was no furniture apart from the chair that held my clothes and gun belt, but there was a small stove in the corner with a pot on top. I walked over to my clothes and put them on, grateful for their familiarity and comfort after being naked for who knows how long. As I strapped on my gun belt, I checked to make sure my trusty Iron was loaded and ready for use. It was then that I noticed a faint smell of food coming from the pot on the stove. Curiosity getting the best of me, I walked over to the stove and lifted the lid off the pot. Inside was some sort of stew - chunks of meat mixed with vegetables in a thick broth. My stomach rumbled at the sight and smell, reminding me that it had been a while since I last ate. Hesitantly, I grabbed a spoon from a nearby drawer and dipped it into the stew before taking a cautious bite. It was surprisingly delicious, filling my hunger almost instantly. As I devoured the stew, I couldn't help but wonder who had made it for me. Finishing off the last few spoonfuls, I put down the spoon and rubbed my now full belly contentedly. That's when I noticed something under my plate - an envelope with my name scrawled across it in messy handwriting. I picked up the envelope and opened it, taking out its contents -an old photograph of me as well as some cash and a note. The note simply read: "Welcome back home." My mind raced as I tried to remember anything about this place or these people who apparently knew me. But all I could remember was waking up in the shack, completely lost and Puzzled. It was a strange feeling, being welcomed back home to a place I had no recollection of ever visiting before. The photograph in my hands showed a younger version of myself, standing proudly in front of a building that seemed vaguely familiar but still out of reach in my memory. Who were these people that knew me? And why did they bring me here? As I pondered these questions, the sound of footsteps approaching the shack interrupted my thoughts. Instinctively, I reached for my gun, ready to defend myself if needed. The door creaked open, revealing a tall figure standing in the doorway. "Mara Blackwood," a deep voice boomed, sending a shiver down my spine. "It's been a long time." I squinted at the figure, trying to make out his features in the dim light. Recognition dawned on me as I saw the emblem on his coat - the symbol of the Lawmen Guild. This man was one of us. "Who are you?" I demanded, my hand firmly on the grip of my gun. Despite the familiarity of the emblem, I knew better than to trust anyone blindly in this unforgiving world. The man stepped further into the shack, his face partially illuminated by the faint light filtering through the cracks in the walls. His rugged features bore the marks of a life lived on the edge, much like mine. His eyes held a steely resolve that mirrored my own, and for a moment, we stood there sizing each other up. "I'm Deputy Marshal Jonah Reed," he replied, his voice steady and unwavering. "I'm here on behalf of the Lawmen Guild." I relaxed my grip on my gun slightly but kept it within easy reach. The Lawmen Guild was known for their strict sense of justice and order, but they were not always to be trusted. Especially not after what happened with my father. "What does the Lawmen Guild want with me?" I asked, my tone sharp and guarded. Deputy Marshal Reed's gaze softened slightly, recognizing the caution in my voice. He took a step closer, his hands held out in a placating gesture. "We've been searching for you, Mara. The Guild needs your help." I narrowed my eyes, studying him intently. The Lawmen Guild seeking my help was unexpected. After all these years of living on the fringes, I never thought they would come looking for me. But my father had been a respected member before... before everything changed. "What kind of help?" I questioned, my grip on the gun relaxing a fraction more as curiosity mingled with wariness. Reed hesitated for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully. "There's a new threat on the horizon. A gang of outlaws led by a man known as 'Coyote Jack'. They've been causing havoc in the territories, preying on the innocent and defying any semblance of law." Coyote Jack. Coyote fucking Jack. The name sent a chill down my spine, stirring memories I had tried to bury deep. Coyote Jack was a name whispered in hushed tones even among the most hardened criminals. Ruthless, cunning, and brutal, he was a force to be reckoned with. His gang left a trail of destruction in their wake, and no town or settlement was safe from their grasp. I studied Deputy Marshal Reed's face, searching for any hint of deception in his words. The Lawmen Guild may have been seeking help, but I knew better than to trust them blindly. However, the opportunity to take down Coyote Jack and his gang was too tempting to ignore. "What's in it for me?" I asked, my voice cold and calculating. Reed's expression remained neutral, but I could see a flicker of respect in his eyes. "The Guild can offer you resources, information, and backup. We know you've been operating solo for years, Mara. But this is bigger than any one lawwoman can handle alone. Together, we can bring down Coyote Jack and restore some semblance of peace to these lands." I mulled over his words, weighing the risks and potential gains. Joining forces with the Lawmen Guild meant more eyes watching my every move, more rules to abide by. Yet, the thought of finally putting an end to the terror inflicted by Coyote Jack and his gang was a beacon of hope in the darkness that had shrouded me for so long. There was also the matter of revenge long overdue. "Fine," I finally said, standing tall and meeting Deputy Marshal Reed's gaze with determination. "But on one condition: I lead this operation. I call the shots." Reed nodded in agreement, understanding the pride and expertise that came with years of surviving as a lone lawwoman. "Agreed. You have our full support, Mara. Together, we'll make sure Coyote Jack and his gang rue the day they crossed paths with Iron Mara." A flicker of something resembling a smile crossed my lips at the mention of my moniker, a reminder of the respect and fear it instilled in those who knew it. I had earned the title of Iron Mara through blood, sweat, and unyielding determination. Now, with the backing of the Lawmen Guild, I was ready to face the greatest challenge of my lawkeeping career. As Deputy Marshal Reed outlined the plan to take down Coyote Jack's gang, I listened intently, committing every detail to memory. The operation would require precision, strategy, and a level of cooperation that I wasn't accustomed to. But if there was one thing I had learned in this harsh world, it was that sometimes strength came not from standing alone but from standing together. After hours of strategizing and preparation, the two of us set out towards the territories where Coyote Jack held sway and where we were to meet up with our back up.

The night had been cold and with the rising sun, a burning orange orb, a mist rose along the ground where heat met cold and battled for dominance. They set off walking to the east following the cliff. Grey had recalled seeing a settlement on a map that lay that way. They hoped to find water there. As they walked through the desolate landscape, Semia couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding creeping up on her. The wasteland seemed to stretch endlessly before them, its shifting dunes whispering secrets of long-forgotten civilizations. Kasey led the way, her eyes scanning the horizon for any signs of life or water. After hours of walking under the scorching sun, they finally caught sight of a cluster of buildings in the distance. The settlement lay nestled at the foot of a towering cliff, its structures weathered and worn by time. As they approached, a sense of unease settled over Semia like a heavy cloak. Grey, ever vigilant, signaled for them to stop as they neared the outskirts of the settlement. He motioned for Kasey to scout ahead and report back with any findings. With a nod, Kasey disappeared into the shadows cast by the crumbling buildings. Semia and Grey waited in tense silence, their eyes scanning their surroundings and the ruins. As the minutes stretched into a seemingly endless wait, Semia's unease grew, gnawing at her insides like a hungry beast. She couldn't shake off the feeling that they were being watched, that unseen eyes were following their every move. The silence hung heavy in the air, broken only by the distant howl of the wind as it whipped through the crumbling structures. Just as Semia felt her patience waning and her hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of her dagger, Kasey reappeared from the shadows, her face pale but determined. She hurried towards them, glancing over her shoulder as if expecting pursuit. "There's water," Kasey announced breathlessly, relief evident in her voice. "I found a well near the center of the settlement, still clean and untouched." Semia let out a sigh of relief, a weight lifting off her shoulders at the news. Water was life in this desolate world, a treasure beyond measure. Grey's stony gaze passed from Kelsy to the ruins,”Untouched and clean?” “Yes, the well looks to be very deep. I drew some and tested it the way you said. I also checked the nearby building nothing but dust, the place is abandoned.” Grey never took his eyes from the crumbling buildings, he saw nothing, but his experience gave him warnings. His thirst gnawed but still…,”We should keep clear of this place,” Grey's voice was low, a hint of caution in his words. “There may be more than meets the eye here.” Semia cast a wary glance at the dilapidated structures looming around them. The settlement seemed to be frozen in time, a ghostly reminder of the world that once was. Despite the promise of water, an ominous feeling settled in Semia's gut. “Grey, we need the water. I don’t like it either but its here as you said it would be and Kasey found the water.” Grey scanned their surroundings once more before nodding. “Alright, We'll fill our skins at the well and then move on. It's best we don't linger here any longer than necessary.” The trio made their way cautiously towards the center of the settlement. The old well stood at the heart of the abandoned settlement, its stone walls weathered but sturdy. Kasey led the way, her steps echoing in the eerie silence that enveloped the area. Semia followed closely behind, her senses on high alert as she scanned their surroundings for any signs of danger. Grey brought up the rear, his eyes constantly roving, watching for any movement or hidden threat. As they reached the well, Kasey knelt down and dipped a makeshift rope into the darkness below. The sound of water echoed back up, a welcome melody in the desolate place. She carefully filled their skins, taking care not to waste a single precious drop. The water was cool and clear, a stark contrast to the dryness that pervaded the Sea of Dust. Semia kept watch as Kasey worked, her hand resting on the hilt of her dagger. The feeling of being watched lingered, sending shivers down her spine. She couldn't shake off

We murdered the world… When the magic became too great for the world to bear, the world simply broke. Shattered. Fell apart. The skies turned to poison, the deserts ate the forest, and the oceans turned to dust. They say the horror of living is something we hide from ourselves, and that is you must eat life to live. We could no longer hide from that horror any longer. Since their crime, wizards have cobbled together small communities. They are the only ones with the magic. There are no warlocks nor sorcerers. Only wizards. We do not know where the gods went and the priests and priestesses went mad in the silence. And the only magic that is left is on scrolls. No more books. Just scrolls. The wizards who knew how to make more are gone, so that is all that is left. All of that was only ten years ago. I think. Time is hard to follow now. There are no calendars or clocks. You measure time by the moment, by the hour. Is it day or is it night? That is really the only question you can ask. When the sun rises, it tries to kill us with its heat and light. The night is all dark. No moons, no stars. All dark. Semia adjusted the mask which covered her nose and mouth and stared out from the edge of the cliff. Below her the dunelets gathered pushed by the harsh winds from across the Sea of Dust. It had once been a mighty ocean of blue green water full of life, beautiful to behold, wet and cool to swim in. She had swum there many many years ago. Now it was just dust. the sealife gone, replaced by deady burrowing things that gave no nourishment only sought to take life from any that dared sail the dust. A sound behind her brought the wizard back from her musings. Grey stood silent a few yards away he watched her watching the dust. At the sound both looked back to see Kasey, the youngest of them climbing toward them. “Camp is set. Stew will be ready, such as it is, in a little while. But this is the last, all we have left are some hard bread, and then only enough for a couple of days. Waters going to become a problem too.” Kasey was 17, she was thin as a rail, gaunt, and tall for a girl at almost six foot. Her hair was cropped short making her look more like a boy than a girl. She was dressed in commoners clothes and carried a long knife on her belt. She was barefoot. She had joined Semia as a companion after Semia’s lasr companion had retired due to injuries. Grey had picked her from the half dozen volunteers back at the compound. Semia wondered why, the girl would not have been her choice, she was too young, hadn’t looked very strong or even capable. But in this, Semia, as always, deferred to Grey and Grey saw things differently than others. “How much water do we have?” asked Grey his low voice almost a whisper yet still audible even through his mask. “One full skin and a third of another, six and a half, maybe seven gallons.” Grey nodded, his eyes betraying no emotion as he calculated their dwindling resources. "We need to ration it carefully," he said, his gaze moving back to the Sea of Dust stretching out before them. The sun was setting, casting an eerie glow over the desolate landscape. Semia turned to Kasey, her expression grave. "We'll have to find a source of water soon, or we won't survive much longer out here." She glanced back at Grey, who had already started down to the camp. Kasey looked down at the dust swirling below, her young face set in determination. "I'll scout ahead tomorrow," she declared, her voice firm despite its softness. "There must be some hidden springs or wells left untouched by the devastation." Semia nodded in approval. "Be careful," she warned, placing a hand on Kasey's shoulder. "The Dust is unforgiving and filled with dangers we can't even imagine."

Fantastic, Amazing, Astounding Weird Tales of Adventure, Suspense, Fantasy and Science Fiction! RANT MODE ENGAGED We play RPGs by play by post. Someone a StoryTeller, Game Master, DM, whatever you want to call them. Makes the world, creates the plot and sets the scene. The players make their characters and enter that world by first reading the setup of the scene and then composing their own text in response. That is of course over simplified, but you get the idea… at least you should y’all been here long enough. And maybe that is the problem. Most of y’all have been doing this for years and years and people have come and gone… and come back… and gone again. So much so that we here have a dedicated group of four. Yup. Four players who can be counted on to join a game and make a character. And then after two or three posts it seems to become a chore to get a post from some. Days and weeks go by… the story is hanging waiting for a post to move it to the next scene. Here’s the thing. I am not the best storyteller out there, I am not a great GM and I certainly am not a great writer. But I try. And I lack Patience. If no one is posting I get bored. When I have to remind someone that they need to post… more than once… I get annoyed. When I get annoyed I get depressed and wonder why the fuck do I bother, You know what get rid of my depression? What soothes my annoyance? What makes me smile? Posts. Its that simple. RANT MODE DISENGAGED Ok hope I didn’t offend anyone with that little rant but if I did… oh well you will get over it. I got to thinking while waiting for post and teetering on the brink of an existential crisis, that if only I could just go ahead and post I would be fine. I kind of did that a few time last week. But then I really let my imagination go. We play this hobby because it is our social outlet Posting is how we interact. And not posting is what bugs me. So I immediately thought, “Well, I will just write my own stories.” That didn’t work, I got bored. Now why did I get bored? No social interaction. I wasn’t posting. Which led me to this idea. Why don’t I write and just post what I write. Brilliant! But then I though that’s a bit selfish of me. And I came up with this. Fantastic, Amazing, Astounding Weird Tales of Adventure, Suspense, Fantasy and Science Fiction! Is not a game perse, but rather a set up for potential games. The concept is taken from the PULP magazine of the 1930s and 1940s. Authors wrote stories which were published in parts. So here is my plan. To keep myself entertained I am going to create this club on the forum. I will create individual Threads that will consist of a story I want to tell and I will make posts in that thread while I wait for posts in our real games. Now here is where it gets interesting for y’all. Because some of you might be waiting on posts and feel the itch to post I am going to open My threads to group participation. Each thread will start with a spoiler section listing the genre of story and what game I would use to play it. If any of you feel inclined, you may insert yourselves into the threads. Just make a character using the rules suggested and. Write a post and fit it into the thread. Once inserted your character becomes part of the story and is fair usage. Game mechanics are not important. Using the game to create a character is mainly to give you an idea of what your protagonist is capable of. If you wish to use game mechanics for combat or skill resolution, use a solo rpg ruleset there are dozens available now. When I said these are not really games, I meant it. It is more of a co-author thing. I don’t expect you to only write your character, I expect you to write the next part of the story and for that you can use any of the characters that have been introduced. Participation is purely voluntary. I am not recruiting players and I don’t expect anyone else to join in. But if a story interests you and you find the urge to contribute feel free to do so. Oh, and if my stories don’t interest you feel free to start one of your own.