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El Paso - Salt Wars campaign
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/13/2009 16:03
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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Hey, everybody, I'm new to Modern d20 rules but I just bought Sidewinder Recoiled and have an excellent idea for the campaign.
What I'd like to do is just start posting all my research on the topic and go from there.
Basically, when all is said and done, I hope to have about a 64-page supplement for my campaign.
It's based on the Salt Wars around San Elizario and El Paso. Really compelling stuff. It's like right out of a Clint Eastwood movie - villains who ran El Paso, corrupt Texas Rangers, angry Commanches who have been run off their land, politics were a major part of developing the southwest part of the town. There will also be a pretty extensive 10 year timeline.
My campaign will have varying starting points, depending on where you want to begin.
I'll start posting over the next week.
If you have any comments, let me know. Like I said, I'm just starting to learn the rules. |
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| Brad |
Posted on 04/13/2009 17:35
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Administrator
Posts: 640
Joined: 14.08.06
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Sounds interesting. Keep us apprised. One of the thing many find most difficulty about a Western campaign is how to get the game started. |
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/14/2009 09:36
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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There are a lot of options. This whole idea is based on a screen play I wrote that is out there but as a long time roleplayer, I couldn't help but realize what an incredibly robust gaming environment this can be.
There are political ramifications, Indian issues, a railroad to woo, a huge salt industry that supplies the entire southwestern US that is up for grabs, and one of the most lawless areas this country has ever seen.
You can be a member of the Texas Rangers, a rogue Texas Ranger (a lot of them at this time has warrants out for their own crimes), you can be a cattle rustler, you can be a member of the US Army at the nearby fort, you can be a resident of El Paso trying to make a living.
There are NUMEROUS events that will change the area and how the players interact could and should play a part in the future. |
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/14/2009 13:38
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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NPCs
(this will be the post that I put the biographies of all the NPCs)
John Kinney, b. 1847
Background: Kinney was born in Massachusetts. He enlisted in the US Army after the Civil War and mustered out in 1873 as a sergeant. He settled in New Mexico and became an outlaw, cattle rustler and murderer. Kinney was actually shot in the face by Billy The Kid and survived.
His role in this campaign: Kinney is the leader of a gang of about 30 rustlers, killers, and theives. The John Kinney Gang was the most feared gang in the territory. They rustled cattle, horses, and mules throughout New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, and Mexico. The John Kinney Gang went to San Elizario and were deputized. The John Kinney Gang stayed in Texas, with Kinney working at a saloon in El Paso called "The Exchange."
John B. Tays, b., 1841
Background: Tays was one of three brothers that made their name in Texas. John B. was born in Canada and moved to Texas where he spent 30 years traveling. In 1872, they moved to Texas. John B. invested in El Paso properties, mining and cattle.
His role in this campaign: Tays was the ineffective commander of the first detachment of Company C of the Rangers from 1877 through 1878. He is known as the only leader of the Texas Rangers to ever surrender, which led to three people under his watch being killed by a mob and his Rangers disarmed and run out of San Elizario in 1877. Tays was an opportunist, but at heart believed in the law.
Mark Ludwick
Background: Ludwick was recruited to join the Texas Rangers in 1875 and became a sergeant in the ranks, serving under John B. Tays.
His role in this campaign: Ludwick was the first "White Hat" Texas Ranger. He was under the command of Tays, who was ineffective and - although not corrupt - Tays did certainly avert his eyes to what was going on under his command. Ludwick, however, was a true believer. In 1879, he tracked down two former rogue Texas Rangers who had shot at the Rangers headquarters. Ludwick saddled up and went into a hostile Mexico to track these men down. He personally shot both within a few seconds, leading to the phrase, "two men dead in five seconds", which became his calling card. Ludwick and Tays did not get along. After Tays stepped down, Ludwick made it his goal to clean up El Paso and he did.
Victorio, b., 1825
Background: Victorio emerged as chief of the Chihenne, one of four bands of the Chiricahua Apache tribe. One of the other chiefs of the bands was Geronimo. Victorio was considered the greatest guerrilla warfare fighter among the U.S. Army. The Chihennes knew every rocky height and sinuous crevice of the tangled land, and they knew how to position themselves on craggy elevations invulnerable to enemy assault and usually ideal for ambushing any pursuing force. His territory extended from El Paso to New Mexico. In the fall of 1879, Victorio's tribe had been herded away from their sacred land to a disease ridden reservation and declared war.
His role in this campaign: Victorio started out with 200 warriors. His tribe terrorized the territory, at one time killing more than 70 settlers and stealing their weapons and horses. After attacks, they would flee to the mountains were they couldn't be tracked or go to Mexico where the US soldiers had no jurisdiction.
Edward Hatch: b., 1832
Background: Hatch was from Iowa. In 1861, he was a captain in the Second Iowa Cavalry. In less than a year, he was promoted to Colonel. He served in the Union Army in the South under General US Grant. He was able, decisive, ambitious and personable. At the Battle of Collierville in Tennessee, Hatch was outnumbered 3 to 1 but still charged and surprised the Confederates, who called off the battle. He was a Colonel of the 9th Cavalry.
His role in this campaign: Hatch was the leader of the Buffalo Soldiers. He was respected as an Indian fighter. Hatch's main goal is to bring some stability to the area while also tracking down Indians.
Bob Martin
Background: He was an outlaw who learned from the ranks of Jesse Evans and other famous outlaws and became known as one of the "the boys." He stole horses, robbed stage coaches was chased by posses. Martin was arrested a few times and kept in the El Paso jail. But the El Paso Sheriff Charles Kerber was under the influence of rustling king John Kinney and Martin often "escaped."
His role in this campaign: Martin was involved in heavy cattle rustling, robberies and numerous other crimes. If something is going on illegally, he's likely to be involved or at least know who is. He is protected by Kinney and, to a point, the sheriff. It is believed that Kerber turned the other way to allow Martin to escape. From 1877 to 1880, Martin was one of the most active criminals in the region.
Father Antonio Borrajo: b., 1814
Background: Father Borrajo was the parish priest of San Elizario. He was in favor of allowing the salt be free to the residents who harvested it. Borrajo was feared and respected by his followers.
His role in this campaign: Father Borrajo controls the Mexican vote, which makes him a very powerful man. A large majority of the people living in the county were Mexicans.
George Wythe Baylor, b., 1832
Background: Baylor was an ex Confederate officer. He became a Captain in the Texas Rangers and the overall leader of the detachment in El Paso. Baylor had a temper. He once killed a fellow Confederate officer who had slapped him and called him a liar during an argument about military matters. Baylor shot him even though the man was unarmed. Baylor made his name by tracking and killing Apaches while with the Arizona army. After the Civil War, Baylor joined the Rangers in 1879.
His role in the campaign: Baylor has a temper and spends most of his time worried about tracking down Indians. Baylor even made deals with the Mexican government to allow for soldiers to cross borders while tracking and fighting Indians.
Edited by El Paso GM on 04/18/2009 15:56 |
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/14/2009 13:38
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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TIMELINE
(this will be the post that I put the Salt Wars campaign timeline)
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/14/2009 13:40
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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ORGANIZATIONS/POLITICAL GROUPS
(this will be the post I put the organizations such as Rangers and military outfits and outlaw gangs)
The Texas Rangers: This group was not the law-abiding group that they have historically been reputed to be.
The biggest threat to Texas was lawless residents. In 1874, the Texas legislature created two Ranger forces to lay down the law. The Frontier Battalion, led by Major John B. Jones and an organization called Special Forces under Capt. Leander McNelly, was created.
Racial tensions between Mexicans and whites meant for the most part only whites signed up to be Rangers. The Rangers accepted anyone who signed up, taking people from the ages of 18 to 61. From 1877 through the early 1880s, the Ranger unit in El Paso attracted thugs from Texas and New Mexico. They used their positions to get intelligence on Ranger actions and tipped off their rustler friends. One Ranger commander estimated eight of his Rangers were killed as outlaws.
Silver City Rangers: This was what king cattle rustler John Kinney had operations in Silver City, New Mexico before coming to El Paso. When Kinney needed his dirty work done, he recruited and deputized a group of rogue criminals and they were known as the "Silver City Rangers." These men were nothing more than thieves, murderers and bandits with badges. After a mob in San Elizario killed two Texas Rangers and two other men, it was the Silver City Rangers that went in and wiped out the remaining inhabitants. Women were shot and raped. Not good men, yet Kinney was powerful enough in a recluded area surrounded by bad men and hostile Indians that were wasn't much that could be done.
The Silver City Rangers were officially under the guidance of El Paso Sheriff Charles Kerber. But they really took their orders from Kinney.
Buffalo Soldiers: In 1878, Fort Bliss was established as a permanent post. It was about seven miles from El Paso. The military sent "Buffalo Soldiers" and the 9th Cavalry was sent there as a response to the Salt War. It had about 40 black men, many former slaves.
The term "Buffalo Soldiers" is believed to be originated by the American Indians. It was given because the Indians respected their rivals, much like the buffalo.
They were determined fighters who learned to live off the land, much like the buffalo.
Buffalo soldiers generally had the lowest desertion rate in the army. Their army posts were often the worst. They were subjected to the harshest discipline, they had racists officers, poor food, equipment and shelter. Many succumbed to dystentary, more than actually died in battle.
It is important to note that the US Army was powerless to go against criminals due to a 1878 law. The law stated the US Army couldn't engage in policing that belonged to the state authorities. It was in reaction to the US military's presence in the South during the reconstruction period. The U.S. Army was the one force powerful to deal with the cattle rustling, but wasn't allowed to.
Edited by El Paso GM on 04/15/2009 11:54 |
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/14/2009 13:42
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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INDIANS
(this will be the post I put the Native American populations and tribes) |
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/15/2009 03:54
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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GEOGRAPHY OF THE AREA
(this will be the post I describe the landscape, area and important trade routes of the region)
The Guadalupe Salt Beds: The salt beds of the Guadalupe Mountains supplied the entire southwest region of the U.S., including part of New Mexico, Texas and Mexico.
Salt is what made southwest Texas important.
According to Spanish law, the title to all mines and minerals (including salt) belonged to the government.
When Texas became part of the U.S. in 1848, the law changed to British common law, which stated that ownership to minerals belonged to the owner of the land.
The San Elizario Salt War of 1877 started over this dispute.
People from the region would make a 70 mile, two day journey from San Elizario to the salt beds. The salt would then be transported by mule drawn wagons south, where it was an important trade item. In addition to traditional uses, the salt was used in the smelting of silver.
In 1881, the arrival of the railroad in El Paso meant that goods from all over the country could be easily and cheaply shipped to the area. Cheap salt from Kansas put a temporary end to the ancient tradition of gathering salt from the mountains of the El Paso area.
Edited by El Paso GM on 04/15/2009 04:42 |
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/15/2009 12:16
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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CAMPAIGN FAQ FOR THE GAME MASTER
(this will be the post I put all the little questions and tips based on historical information that will have an impact on the campaign)
Why don't they just call in the Army?
Well, there was a law passed called the Posse Comitatus Act in 1878 that prevented it. Due to the severe dislike of the military occupation during the reconstruction after the Civil War, this law was generated. It stopped the federal government from using the military for law enforcement. That meant arresting the cattle rustlers, bank robbers and other criminals was the responsibility of the undermanned and underfunded local police.
The US Army was the one force powerful enough to stop all of the criminal activity, but were handcuffed. Colonel Edward Hatch commander of the US Army's District of New Mexico reported to General John Pope: "Referring to the robbers who infest the frontiers, there are undoubtedly a gream many of the worst characters. The military are powerless however to do anything with them on US territory they are under the jurisdiction of the local laws of the states and territories."
Edited by El Paso GM on 04/15/2009 12:45 |
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/17/2009 09:36
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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DAILY LIFE IN THE EL PASO REGION
(this will be the post I put all the stuff that helps the GM flesh out what life in the Wild West was like)
A day in the Ranger's life:
FOOD
The battallion quartermaster supplied each Ranger company with set rations of flour, bacon, beef, coffee, sugar, salt, soda vinegar, pepper, candles, potatoes, onions and rice. Rangers would also scavange what they could find. At times, Rangers would camp near pecan groves or in areas where they could find wild honey.
HOUSING
The state furnished Rangers with canvass tents that worked well in the summer. But in the winter months, log huts or cabins were made if wood could be found. The cabins were 16 to 18 square feet with a fireplace and chimney.
ENTERTAINMENT
A favorite pasttime of the Rangers was horseracing. Many units developed race tracks.
Card playing was popular.
When a Rangers post was near a town, the Rangers took advantage of the social events. In fact, a Texas Ranger named James Henry Christ was accidentily shot and killed at a ball attended to by several Rangers. This became a problem for the commander, John B. Tays, because there was a battallion wide order not to wear firearms to a dance.
Isolation:
The Texas Rangers Detachment C headquarters were in Ysleta and that was about 30 miles from San Elizario.
Ysleta was 600 miles away from Austin and San Antonio.
By stagecoach, the trip from San Antonio to Ysleta took more than a week. Weather, Indians and outlaws frequented those trails.
A mule train carrying supplies might take up to six weeks.
Before 1881, travel by rail went from Topeka, Kansas to Austin to Santa Fe, N.M. Then a stage coach from Santa Fe to El Paso completed a 10-day trip.
Telegraph messages between Austin and El Paso were routed via Santa Fe and could take 24 hours to 10 days.
Edited by El Paso GM on 04/17/2009 22:57 |
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| doc |
Posted on 04/18/2009 13:41
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Member
Posts: 30
Joined: 05.09.06
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Looking forward to details on your campaign |
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/18/2009 15:59
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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Thanks.
I'm posting all the background now when I get some spare time.
NPCs section is shaping up.
Campaign hooks is another section I'm going to add shortly.
The actual campaign won't begin for probably 3 or 4 months. I'm 44 and most of the people I game with get together about once a month and none have played a Western before. They are all into Fantasy D20. So I have to get them involved in this but I want a fully detailed campaign first. |
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/18/2009 16:00
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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CAMPAIGN HOOKS
(this will be the post I put all the campaign hooks for PCs)
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| Max |
Posted on 04/20/2009 22:44
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Posts: 46
Joined: 06.08.06
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Good looking info. Thanks for sharing. I like all the different plot lines you can run with.
Max |
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| doc |
Posted on 04/21/2009 14:23
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Posts: 30
Joined: 05.09.06
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What about bandits from across the border, have you any thing on them ?
You could always call one of you rogue Rangers Carter Slade  |
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/27/2009 09:00
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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Doc, max,
Thanks for following.
I was busy with the real life so I couldn't post as much as I had lately.
Mexico will be its own mini module. It's a fascinating part of the whole El Paso town. It's got its own government that still has a chip on its shoulder over the whole "independence" thing.
And it's where all the bad guys run for shelter from the US marshalls, rangers and posses looking for them.
There's a very interesting story about one Ranger chasing two rogue Rangers into Mexico. He shot them dead and then the Mexican Army arrested him. He got out, but I'm sure there was a lot of bribing and politics involved - which is great for roleplaying situations, too.
Right now, I'm just trying to post the basics. The Who, What, Where and When. |
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 04/27/2009 10:18
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Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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POLITICS IN EL PASO
(Politics played as big a part as anything in the shaping of the Wild West. Here's where I'll post everything the GM needs to know about the political intrigue that helped create the future of Texas).
SAMPLE CAMPAIGN HOOK
The elections of 1878
In the fall of 1878, there were political and ethnic tensions.
The Americans were much in the minority and thought there would be a lot of Mexicans crossing the borders to flood the ballot boxes in US elections in San Elizario and El Paso.
The Mexicans feared the the cattle rustling king John Kinney would use force and intimidation with his Silver City Rangers to influence the elections.
Kinney had the incumbent sheriff in his back pocket - Charles Gerber. He also had the help of County Clerk G.W. Wahl, who was a friend of Gerber.
The Mexicans - backed by Texas Ranger John B. Tays - had a candidate who couldn't speak, write or read English. That was Benito Gonzales of Ysleta, who was a former mayor Ysleta and a private in a different company of Texas Rangers in 1874. He hoped to become the first Mexican sheriff since 1871.
It was Wahl who started a letter writing campaign to Tays' superiors asking them to remove Tays for mixing politics with his job. Every time Tays had a problem - such as a soldier under his watch getting killed or that Tays had his own cattle he was using Rangers to tend to - it was Wahl that was informing Tays' superiors.
But there was also rumors the Texas Governor would never let a Mexican be sheriff, so the plan was to have Gonzales removed by proclamation after the election and replaced by Tays.
Kinney's entire operations were at stake. Just three days before the election, several of his Silver City Rangers had been jailed in El Paso under the watch of Kerber for the numerous crimes they had been charged with while acting as Kinney's thugs.
All of them managed to escape Kerber's jail, which upset many of the local Mexicans who had been wronged.
As you can see, a simple sheriff's election is filled with political manuevering and backstabbing.
Edited by El Paso GM on 04/27/2009 10:21 |
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| devastationbob |
Posted on 12/13/2009 08:17
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Posts: 5
Joined: 25.06.09
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Wow, you sure have put a lot of work into this. Very interesting stuff. Have you had a chance to play it yet? |
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| Fooboyx |
Posted on 05/25/2010 16:24
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Posts: 16
Joined: 24.03.10
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I'm blatantly ripping this off. How did it go? |
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| El Paso GM |
Posted on 02/07/2011 09:45
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Posts: 16
Joined: 13.04.09
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I don't have anyone to play this campaign with and don't foresee it in the future. But I love creating campaigns and am going to start fleshing this campaign out again some more.
It's fun building a Wild West campaign. |
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