conversations.from: system
conversations.value: November, the first. 1859. Pike's Peak Country.
  
  My Dearest Melissa,
  
  I have arrived in Pike's Peak Country, well ahead of the men chasing me from Fort Leavenworth. This is a relatively calm and law-abiding place, compared to the dogwashes and boomtowns I've ridden through these past few months. More than one hundred thousand working folk have settled in the area, looking for gold, and trying to stay out of the argument of for or against slavery. I think you know my stance on it.
  
  I'll send for you and the girls, as soon as I can. Until then, I have included my first wage packet, minus my food and lodging.
  
  All of my love,
  Aaron.
  
  *(Letter from a fugitive slave, Aaron (surname unknown), to his wife. Found in the Lawrence Post Office, Kansas. Burned down in Oct. 1862)* 
  
  ***
  The capital may have been in Denver City, but Pike's Peak Country was the heart of the newly formed, and extralegal, Jefferson Territory. Folks from all over filled the region. Unlike the lawless Deadwood, or corrupt Central City, Pike's Peak Country was a relatively calm and safe place to live and work.
  
  Space and resources were abundant, and the Jefferson Territory Marshall, John Merrick, was a fair and decent man. His deputy marshals kept the peace, without being oppressive. They thoroughly investigated any time someone disappeared into the wilderness, and worked closely with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to maintain peace and co-existence with the neighboring Orone and Peoha tribes.
  
  Pike's Peak should have been the shining emerald of Jefferson Territory, and the New West. But with winter just ahead, and those disappearances becoming more frequent... well, you know how people love to talk. Superstitions turn into tall tales, and tall tales become rumors. Before long, rumors become accusations. And in the cold, dark, mountain winter, fear springs eternal.
   
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Consumptive: You suffer from tuberculosis. You have loud, uncontrollable coughing fits, often at the worst possible time.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Book-learnin': You have a bachelor's degree from a fancy university back east. Engineering, medicine, geology, you name it. Player's choice.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Get Rich: Deep gold strike, fat poker stake, doesn't matter. As far as you're concerned, money CAN buy happiness.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Preserve Nature: They call it "manifest destiny."
  
  In your eyes, it's nothing but greed and egomania.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Gunfighter: When it comes to pistols, you're a pro. Accurate, fast, unbelievable.
  
  Long guns, not so much. But hey, nobody's perfect.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Indian Agent: You are authorized, by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, to interact with local tribes and "encourage upon them" a civilized way of life. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Miner: There's gold in them thar hills! And you're going to find it. Pannin', sluicin', dredgin'. Don't much matter, you're here to get paid.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Preacher Man: Spreading the Good News to good folk and sinners alike.
  
  Everyone's got their demons, and you fight yours with God's Holy Fire. 
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Fugitive: The law can't hold you, as long as they don't catch you, again, that is.
  
  People may recognize you from "Wanted" posters. The drawings are close, but not perfect.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Drunk: Sure, you might black out once and awhile, but if you quit drinking, the DTs will kill you.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The Gaslamp Hotel: A friendly place in the foothills of Pike's Peak. Owned and operated by Mary Tucker, widow of Bill Tucker.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Thomas "Old Thom" Benson: Former miner, originally from Kentucky. He's only about 29, but since coming back from a prospecting jaunt, he looks to be in his 50's. Very close with his business partner, Jed Rackers.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The Bank: All important paperwork is held at the bank. Bills of Sale for gold, land deeds, town register, pending treaties, etc. Also doubles as the local jail, since it's the only building with a lock.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: The Tents: Two rows of seven canvas tents, with one at the end of the clearing. Four men can live in relative comfort, six in tight quarters, and eight asses to elbows.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: "One-Eye" Jed Rackers: Former miner originally from Kentucky. Lost his right eye in a mining accident. Or so he claims. Runs the supply depot with his dear friend, Thom Benson.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Jack Harmon: Owner of Harmon's Mine. Came west from St. Paul to found his own city.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Kurt Harrison: A Deputy Marshal for Pike's Peak Country, former US Army infantry. Honorably discharged to return home and care for his ailing wife. Lives at the Gaslamp Hotel.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Mary Tucker: Runs the Gaslamp Hotel. Keeps her personal life very private.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: The Tracks: East of the Peak about 15 miles. Owned by Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Further construction has halted until a treaty with the Orone Indians is settled.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: "Grey Coat": A mysterious bounty hunter. Travels with two silent companions. Wears a long, grey duster.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Gravel in Your Gut: Been in or seen enough brawls to get out alive. Flip a table, break a beer mug over some jerk's head, or just turn a three-legged stool into some kind of club. Whatever gets you out the door with most of your teeth.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Henry Rifle: This gorgeous long gun fires .44 caliber and holds 16 rounds. Perfect for hunting.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: LeMat Revolver: This unique sidearm is also known as the "Grape Shot Revolver" because of its secondary barrel, which fires 20 gauge buckshot.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: "Hawk" and "Bear": McCullough's custom Colt Army 1860 revolvers.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Bounty Hunters: These vicious automatons seem to be powered by an intense hatred of humans. And steam.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: FIRE!: It's a fire.
  
  What do you want from me, a sonnet?
  
  It burns shit. It's really hot.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Rebecca: One of the Gaslamp Hotel's barmaids. She's a strong and capable pioneer, one of two survivors of her wagon train west.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Whiskey: Not just for drinking. You could smash it on someone's face, set something on fire with it. Hell, be creative!
  
  You could drink it, too, I guess.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Jed and Thom: These two have each other's backs, just like they were brothers.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Sawed-off Shotgun: Don't let the size fool you. Its bite is absolutely as bad as its bark.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Hunter and Trapper: All of them fine, rich lady folks need their coats and minks.  Guess who supplies them?  Not one to shy away from the wilderness, you're as familiar to the forest and rivers as you are your own pants and shoes.  Just don't be expected to keep up airs for townsfolk.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Wild Smarts: You are familiar with all manners of survival in the wilderness, from hunting, to gathering, to navigation.
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Anti-Social: Be it nerves, autism, stupidity, or just plain lack of care, you are just not good with people.  You'll often say the wrong or offensive things at the wrong times.  Why is eye contact so hard?
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Survival: You've lived this long with little problem...and you intend to keep it that way.
conversations.from: gpt
conversations.value: Federal Mandate: You represent a federal agency of the largest government on the continent. Even in a separatist nation this carries weight.  
conversations.from: human
conversations.value: Word of the Lord: Call it the power of God. Or unquivering guts. Your strength with the Holy Ghost makes you as calm as Daniel in the Lions den.