TEXT: Western Seeds I
  Authors: Ric Martens, Frank Miles, Scott Moore, Robert W. Thomson
  Editors: Joseph Browning and Suzi Yee
  Seed Art by Ian Armstrong
  Requires the use of the Dungeons & Dragons, Third Edition Core Books, published by Wizards of the Coast, Inc.
   
  Introduction
   
  Welcome to Seeds and to the 41st product in the new line by 
  Expeditious Retreat Press. Seeds are story ideas, plot ideas, 
  creature ideas, adventure hooks, anything that can grow into 
  an enjoyable gaming experience. Each seed is small (only 
  a paragraph or two at most) and each Seed product will 
  be small as well (only four to fi ve pages), but just 
  like their namesakes, they have great potential when 
  provided with the right environment.
   
  We’re pleased to introduce Western I to our 
  line of Seeds products and are happy to announce 
  we’re accepting submissions for additional western 
  seeds as well as seeds for the other genres (horror, supers, 
  fantasy, sci-fi , modern, pulp,  and post-apocalyptic). Western 
  Seeds I is four pages packed with adventure ideas suitable for 
  western gaming. We received this bunch from an open call at ENworld 
  and RPGnet and we hope that you’ll be inclined to send us your seed 
  ideas for perusal and possible inclusion in future Seeds products. We’d 
  love a continual series of Seeds created by the very people who enjoy 
  reading them the most.
   
  So drop by the Expeditious Retreat website, check out our 
  submission guidelines to fi nd out more about the process, and then 
  send us your seeds. Hopefully you’ll soon be reading the latest Seed 
  containing your successful seeds. Whew! Enough with the alliteration 
  already, on to the fun!
  Joseph Browning & Suzi Yee
  A local landowner is looking to build a ranch on his property. He 
  has posted signs all through town looking to hire individuals to help 
  him clear land, build a home, barn, and stables, and care for his 
  animals and fi elds. It is hard work, but the wage is fair and it 
  may be a good way to pass a season if the characters fi nd 
  themselves short on cash and far from home. 
  The town’s new sheriff is corrupt and actually 
  allows crime to run rampant in the town he’s charged 
  to protect as he gets a “kickback” from several local 
  gangs based on the valuables they steal, crooked card 
  games they win, and the rustled cattle they sell. The 
  sheriff’s deputy is a well-meaning, but not very bright, 
  young man who will not believe any of the accusations made against 
  the sheriff unless he is presented with irrefutable proof of his partner’s 
  abuse of power. If presented with such proof, he insists on confronting 
  the sheriff, who everyone in the town knows is much better at handling 
  a gun than his deputy is.
  A well-known preacher from the east coast has traveled out to the 
  frontier for a religious revival. The townsfolk are all excited about his 
  upcoming visit and the town has a carnival-like atmosphere the week 
  before hand, with many supplementary community events such as bake 
  sales, farmer’s markets, breakfasts, and livestock shows scheduled for 
  the week before the event. Unfortunately, on the day of the event, a pair 
  
  of unscrupulous individuals stole all the donations that came in during 
  the revival. When news of the theft spreads around town the following 
  day, the townsfolk are at fi rst shocked and depressed, then driven to 
  ferret out those responsible for this crime.
  A dusty drifter strolls into town one day and stops at the local saloon 
  asking where he might be able to get a room. As this is a relatively small 
  town where everyone knows each other, news of the strange drifter 
  spreads rapidly. The individual doesn’t seem to have a job, is never 
  seen without a six-shot pistol holstered to his belt, and doesn’t seem 
  to speak or socialize much, even though others in the town have tried 
  engaging him in conversation when they see him about. However, he 
  always pays his room bill and food and bar tab on time, and 
  acts like a respectful, albeit aloof, gentleman in front of 
  ladies and children. Most in the town just don’t know 
  what to make of him.
  During construction of a new town in the great 
  frontier, a delegation of Native Americans arrives 
  asking to talk to the leaders of the settlement. The 
  Indians inform the settlers that the valley they are 
  currently in is a rich hunting area for them and they wish 
  to know the settlers intent for this area. The delegation is neutral 
  and non-threatening, but wants to understand if this settlement is to be a 
  permanent one or not. Either way, they want to be assured that these new 
  settlers do not over harvest the wildlife and other natural resources, such 
  as lumber, of the region. As long as they agree to this, the delegation 
  leaves on good terms. The Indians will then monitor the situation to 
  make sure the settlers keep their word. If they do not, it will be brought 
  to the settlers’ attention in hopes of getting them to rectify the situation. 
  If the delegation is treated harshly, or their terms are not accepted, the 
  settlers have gained themselves an enemy for a neighbor.
  A local, well respected, church-going family has recently stopped 
  attending church services and family members are only rarely seen 
  about town any more. When they are, they act cold and distant, never 
  taking the time to talk with old friends who might show concern for 
  them. In actuality, a famous outlaw, currently on the run after being 
  shot during a successful heist, is holed up on their ranch outside of 
  town. He has intimidated the family members with threats of violence 
  if they do anything to reveal his presence on their ranch while he rests 
  and recovers there. The family members are terrifi ed that he may attack 
  those close to them if they do anything to cross him.
  A slick politician name Zebedia “Zeb” Lyndon moves into town 
  several months before the next election for mayor. The man is quite an 
  orator and can easily fi re up any crowd that takes the time to 
  listen to him. He talks against the town’s current mayor, 
  speaking of his shortcomings and inadequacies, as well 
  as calling his integrity and character into question. 
  The current mayor is actually an honest gentleman, 
  although nowhere near as well spoken or educated 
  as this new upstart, Lyndon, seems to be. Zeb plans 
  to slander the town mayor and run against him in the 
  next election. If he wins, Zeb plans to profi t from the 
  crime in the town by allowing it to occur for a cut of the 
  proceeds. Cattle rustling, claim stealing, armed robbery, 
  blackmail, and extortion will only be the beginning if “Zeb” 
  gets into offi ce. If the characters discover his plans and try to fi x the 
  election results in any way, the current mayor will try to stop them. He 
  is, after all, an honest man. 
  An infamous gang of train robbers has planned another heist. This time, 
  the prize is a shipment of gold headed for the US Treasury back east. 
  The robbers plan to hit the train along a secluded and uninhabited stretch 
  of desert near the foothills of a local mountain range. Unfortunately for 
  them, they did all their planning from an out of date set of maps. The 
  region is no longer uninhabited since a group of prospectors settled 
  there several months back. Since that time, a town has sprung up around 
  
  their settlement. Little do the townsfolk realize that when the next train 
  goes by, they are going to see one heck of a show. Little do the bandits 
  realize, there’ll be an entire town on hand to witness their next caper.
  The characters receive evidence that the town sheriff is actually 
  corrupt and getting a kick back from local gangs. If the characters try to 
  expose him, the sheriff’s naïve, honest, and well-meaning deputy will 
  arrest the characters for trying to besmirch the sheriff’s good name as he 
  doesn’t believe a word of it.
  A shipment of diamonds is due to pass through the character’s small 
  town in a few days, but only the sheriff and his deputy are aware 
  of it, as the shippers fi gure the less people who know, the 
  less likely they are to fi nd trouble along the way. Word 
  has found its way, however, from the shipping offi ce 
  to the ears of a local gang who fi gure the haul on 
  this job might be too good to pass up. The plan on 
  blowing into town a few days before the shipment 
  arrives and seizing control of the town… through any 
  means necessary.
  A tall, dark, and quiet lone stranger drifts into town and 
  decides to stay in a local boarding home. Although he doesn’t cause 
  any trouble or even socialize much, people get a bad feeling about this 
  drifter, despite the fact that his constant companion is a copy of the 
  Good Book, which he always keeps under his arm or in his hands. One 
  of the characters notices him sitting alone, having a drink in the local 
  saloon. While he thinks no one is looking, he quickly opens the Bible, 
  places something in it, and closes it again. The character notices that 
  book seemed to be hollowed out. What was that that was in there? A bag 
  of gold dust? Currency? A pistol? 
  A local gang has hired legendary sharpshooter and master criminal 
  Johnny Ringo to assassinate the town sheriff. When news of this 
  reaches the characters and they try to warn the sheriff, the tables are 
  suddenly turned on them and they are arrested and thrown in jail. It 
  seems someone tipped off the sheriff that the characters were the actual 
  assassins and the sheriff was just about to go round them up when they 
  conveniently sauntered into his offi ce and made the job easy for him. 
  Now the characters have to fi nd a way to bust out of prison, clear their 
  names, and save the sheriff. 
  The workers of the gold mine near Central City have suddenly, 
  and adamantly, refused to go to work because they claim the mine 
  is haunted. When the characters talk to the workers, they will tell 
  of strange sounds and glowing fi gures in the mine. Upon 
  investigation, it is discovered that a group of men who want 
  the mine for themselves have been using tricks such as 
  rattling chains, trapped phosphorous gas in bottles, 
  and creative sounds to make the mine seem haunted. 
  When these men are found and stopped the mine will 
  go back to work.
  A poor family that runs a small farm outside of town 
  are being threatened by a group of masked men. These 
  men claim that if the family does not leave its farm in the 
  next week they will all be killed. When this matter is investigated, it is 
  discovered that a nearby railroad baron wants to continue to build his 
  railway through the families farm.  Because the man has already built 
  most of his railroad, it is to late for him to select a different sight. Also 
  because he is now on the verge of bankruptcy he can not afford to offer 
  the family any money for their farm. Can the characters fi nd a way to 
  stop the railroad man, or will yet another family fall to greed?
  A group of bandits attempted to rob a bank but it went bad, and now 
  the bandits are holding everyone inside the bank hostage. The bandits 
  are demanding to be let go but will not release any hostages until they 
  
  have gotten away. What can the party do to stop the innocent people in 
  the bank from being killed?
  A local judge’s daughter has been kidnapped. The reason she has been 
  kidnapped his because one of the men currently being held in the local 
  jail is part of a nearby gang of bandits. They are holding her captive 
  until the judge releases their friend, and they are threatening to kill her 
  if he does not release their partner within a week. The judge has already 
  tried to send the sheriff after them but he refuses to go. Why? Could he 
  be in league with the bandits as well? If so will that make it harder for 
  the players to rescue the judge’s daughter?
  The PCs are traveling through some isolated area when 
  they encounter two very aggressive people. A father 
  and son who want nothing to do with the PCs and 
  threaten them to get out of the area. The father is 
  quite distinctive with a large birthmark on his cheek. 
  Later, when the PCs reach a nearby town, they hear 
  that several bounty hunters are seeking the man they 
  saw with the birthmark. Will the PCs tell them? Will 
  they try to get the reward themselves? Do they care 
  what the man was supposed to have done?
  The PCs are hired by a priest to transport supplies to an Indian 
  community some distance away. The priest warns them that the people 
  in the nearby town don’t like the Indians and are likely to try to stop 
  them. Indeed, a number of the local men, covering their faces to not be 
  recognized, will attack the PCs with the wagon. However, the PCs will 
  eventually discover that hidden within the wagon and supplies are a 
  large quantity of rifl es and ammunition.
  A photographer by the name of David Barry wants to travel from 
  Bismarck, Dakota Territory into Wyoming and Montana to photograph 
  Indians in their own villages, but he knows not all tribes will be friendly. 
  He needs people who can protect him, and possibly help convince 
  unfriendly tribes to accept him and let him photograph them.
  A Pony Express rider is more than 48 hours overdue, something that 
  never happens. What happened to him to make him so late, and will he 
  ever turn up?
  Sir St. George Gore, an Irish Nobleman, is marauding his way through 
  the West, killing buffalo, deer, elk, pronghorn and birds indiscriminately. 
  Indian tribes, the US Army, and fur traders all want Gore gone, and 
  rumors abound of promised rewards from all three if Gore is 
  forced from the country, or killed.
  The Mandan chief Big Weapon and Plains Ojibwa 
  war leader Badger have both brought their bands to a 
  trading post to trade buffalo robes, but the small post 
  is nearly out of supplies for the season. How will the 
  two react when they fi nd out that only one of them will 
  be able to trade?
  It is 1864 and the American Civil War has come to the West. 
  ‘Galvanized Yankees’ – former Confederate prisoners of war released 
  after swearing allegiance to the USA and joining the Union Army 
  – are sent to garrison the forts of the West, many of them fur trade 
  establishments. How will the Sioux, Assiniboine, Crow and Cheyenne 
  react?
  Several Mandan led by Chief Crow-Flies-High have left Fort Berthold 
  Reservation and traveled up the Missouri River, building a new village 
  of earthlodges near the US Army’s Fort Buford. The Army doesn’t 
  want the Mandan so close, but the Mandan refuse to leave for fear of 
  
  being attacked by the Lakota. The Army, unable to spare the men at 
  the moment, needs someone to convince Crow-Flies-High to take his 
  people back to the reservation and to guard them from Sioux attack 
  along the way.
  The PCs winter with a village of River Crow led by Chief Split Lip 
  as they camp along the Tongue River in Wyoming Territory. During the 
  middle of winter Split Lip invites them to go with him and some of his 
  warriors on a horse raid against the Blackfoot.
  A tenderfoot from back East by the name of Theodore Roosevelt 
  needs several strong, rugged individuals to help him round 
  up his free range cattle in the Dakota Badlands. Anyone 
  helping out the hyperactive Roosevelt is immediately 
  on the bad side of the Marquis de Mores, a Frenchman 
  and rival cattleman.
  Buffalo Bill Cody needs ‘authentic’ cowboys, 
  Indians and Indian fi ghters to be a part of his show as 
  it travels to London and Paris, bringing the Old West to 
  paying European customers.
  Buffalo are getting harder and harder to fi nd and the tribes of the 
  Northern Plains are increasingly concerned. Rumors come in of one 
  last great herd of buffalo in the Judith Basin of central Montana and 
  the Lakota honor the PCs by asking them to go along. But the Lakota 
  are not the only ones on their way there; the Blackfoot have also heard 
  about the heard, and so have ruthless White buffalo hunters.
  Someone is stealing dynamite and blasting caps from the Union Pacifi c 
  Railroad in Utah and Wyoming. Who are the thieves and what are they 
  doing with all that dynamite?
  Virginia City, Montana Territory is a rough and tumble town. Bandits 
  and highwaymen ply the roads to the east and the west, making travel 
  to either Bozeman or Butte extremely dangerous. A local merchant, 
  seeking to clean up the town and make getting news and supplies 
  back and forth to the larger cities easier, is looking to hire a group of 
  ‘regulators’ to take care of the outlaws any way possible.
  No one really believes stories about ghosts and Indian magic, but 
  when strange things start to happen after a Southern Cheyenne burial 
  platform is plundered people begin to wonder if maybe there isn’t really 
  something to all that stuff after all.
  A stagecoach full of ‘soiled doves’ breaks an axle on 
  a rocky road in southern Colorado. The girls, all far 
  more beautiful than the average hog ranch girl, would 
  be ever so grateful to anyone who fi xes the coach and 
  sees them on to their destination in Arizona.
  A strange man, half Chinese and half American, is 
  wandering the towns of the American West fi ghting outlaws 
  and corruption. A US Marshal, tired of vigilantes that work outside the 
  law, needs several folks to become sworn deputies and track down the 
  martial arts vigilante.
  An earthquake has shaken San Francisco to its very foundations and 
  there is no communications in or out of the city. Can someone fi ght their 
  way through raging fi res, looters, and frightened mobs and then keep 
  them from looting the US Mint?
  
  OPEN GAME LICENSE Version 1.0a
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  System Reference Document Copyright 
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  liams, based on original material by E. 
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  Western Seeds I, Copyright 2006, 
  Expeditious Retreat Press, 
  Authors: Ric Martens, Frank 
  Miles, Scott Moore, Robert W. 
  Thomson
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SOURCE: textdata/thevault/Deadlands [multi]/Misc/Western Seeds - 1.pdf