Black Mask & Pale Rider – Five More Chapters of Outline
More outlines for the rewrite of Black Mask & Pale Rider today. That’s been my day, setting up outlines and doing some housework. Five more offerings this afternoon to go with what I posted this morning (which can be found here). For now, here is chapters 11 to 15.
Chapter 11 – The Hunt Begins
The Tale Continues
Desc: Shani and Pania begin the next chapter of the tale, as they attempt to introduce Captain Samuel Williams.
* * *
The Captain
Desc: Captain Williams receives new orders from the President, and heads off to select his men before heading out to bring down any suspected outlaws. There was heavy emphasis on bringing in Black Mask and Pale Rider, due to their popularity and the troubling things being heard from the Mid West.
Chapter 12 – New Friends
To The Victor, The Spoils
Desc: Scene opens with Shani robbing a bank. Several patrons, all with hands in the air, men with pants around their ankles displaying their undies. There are several nervous looks at Scales as Shani scoops up the cash and heads out of town.
* * *
Something New
Desc: Pania discovers wanted posters. To be exact, she discovers her wanted poster along with another for Black Mask, whom she recognizes. After asking around, she learns that Shani is not far from her location. But Pania has the law in Akron to deal with first.
* * *
Odd Discovery
Desc: As Pania is learning about the wanted posters, Shani is also discovering them, and taking note of the woman named Pale Rider. Unknown to either of them, they are both in Akron at the same time, just in very different parts of the city. Shani begins searching for word on Pania, and is directed eastward toward Pennsylvania. But first, she feels the need to engage in a small poker game at a tavern just on the eastern outskirts of Akron.
* * *
The Chase Is On
Desc: Captain Williams and his men are resting for the night in Canton, and in the morning they receive a wire that both Black Mask and Pale Rider were seen in Akron. Together with Private Johnstone, they plan to overtake the pair in Youngstown, not far from the Pennsylvania border.
Chapter 13 – Blockade
Hot heads
Desc: Shani takes a break from riding at a small tavern where a surly man tries to challenge her for a duel, accusing her of reneging on payment for sexual favours. Shani not only dispatches the man, but makes sure to embarass him as well.
* * *
They’re All Human
Desc: Pania discovers a farmer chasing down a trio of Algonquin, shooting erratically at them. She stops the farmer and attends to the three, finding one of them injured. They are hesitant at first, but Pania convinces them and helps the wounded man heal his wounds. As the man rests the other two recognize Pania from the wanted posters and warn her (after she argues that much of what is on those posters is not true) that the cavalry is planning to capture her just outside of Youngstown.
* * *
The Trap Is Laid
Desc: Captain Williams and his men block off the main escape routes through Youngstown, and have the local law watch the surrounding area for any sign of Shani or Pania.
Chapter 14 – Great Escape
You Take The South Road
Desc: Shani rides into Youngstown, hearing word of the blockade on the eastern side of town from a few whispers. She decides to take a few unused roads south of town to elude detection.
* * *
And I’ll Take The North Road
Desc: Pania, having been warned already, makes for a few roads north of Youngstown in order to escape detection.
* * *
Fleeting Encounter
Desc: Shani has a confrontation with a lone deputy, and much to his surprise, she leaves him alive and unharmed as she escapes toward the Pennsylvania border.
* * *
The Hunt Resumes
Desc: Captain Williams is informed of the unfortunate altercation, but seems very glad to hear the deputy is alright. This brings about a question, however, as to the truth of many of the wanted posters. As they often spoke of Shani’s penchant for slaying lawmen without hesitation.
Chapter 15 – Pennsylvania
Running Fast
Desc: Shani and Pania, oblivious to each other’s escape attempt as they seem to pass by, but never bump into each other, continue toward Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. All this time, Captain Samuel Williams and his posse is hot on their heels.
* * *
Welcome to Harrisburg
Desc: Shani enters the town limits of Harrisburg and begins to search around, learning all she can. She hears word of how the banks operate and how the entire town shuts down on Sundays, and she begins to hatch a plan. Her luck is right there as she arrived in town on a Saturday, which gives her time to look around before the big heist.
* * *
Down on the Farm
Desc: Pania gets some help from a farmer outside of Harrisburg, as she is able to have her horse bedded down and watered and she can get sleep in a real bed.
* * *
Easy Capture
Desc: Captain Williams is informed of Pania’s whereabouts and his posse lay in wait just outside the farm.
Related articles
- Black Mask & Pale Rider – Ten Chapter Outline (taholtorf.wordpress.com)
Black Mask & Pale Rider – Ten Chapter Outline
The rewrite of Black Mask & Pale Rider has been on my mind for a bit. So while I’m writing Rocket Fox, I intend on making good use of my time to get in some plot outlines for Black Mask & Pale Rider. So here now is the first ten chapters in outline.
Artwork is not mine, and actually it’s a Wild West Witchblade, but damn if that isn’t how I imagine Shani. Minus the Witchblade of course.
Chapter 1 – A Festival Tale
The Festival
Desc: Description of the Brockton Festival and the introduction of Pania Alow and Verit. Eventual introduction of Shani Weenemein and Scales. There are a few descriptions (made through conversation between the two) of events of the festival and dropping of names or other characters. Eventually the pair retires to Pania’s family tent.
* * *
The Story Begins
Desc: The gathered group of elven children (describe a few of them, including those of different cultures to show how far reaching the festival attracts visitors) pleads to hear of the adventures Shani and Pania went on. Eventually Pania gives in, convincing Shani to take part. A small, impromptu theatre is set up outside the Alow family tent, and the story begins.
Chapter 2 – Carrollton, Arkansas
The Gates between worlds
Desc: Before Shani describes arriving in Carrollton, there is a quick description of the gates between worlds. This then flows into the description of Carrollton and the surrounding area, ending with being saved by Johnson.
* * *
The Iron Horse
Desc: Clayton pulls Shani from the tracks just in the nick of time. We’ll note here that Shani has a slight stutter. There is some hesitation between Shani and Clayton, but eventually Shani goes with Clayton.
* * *
At The Cabin
Desc: Shani, along with Scales, arrives at Clayton’s cabin where she gets cleaned up. Discussion about various things, such as Scales and what he is, what Shani is, and Clayton and his guns, along with just what it is he does.
Chapter 3 – Chicago, Illinois
Arrival In Chicago
Desc: Description of Chicago and how Pania learned of the area and what she used to pay for things.
* * *
The Stage
Desc: Pania finds a small theatre in need of actors and actresses. Hiding her elven features, she manages to procure employment in the production of a play by an English play write named Shakespear.
* * *
The Brothel
Desc: Looking for a place to stay, Pania finds Dorchester’s Boarding House for Girls and Women. Verit is discovered.
Chapter 4 – Boomers
The Confrontation
Desc: A pair of slaver bounty hunters tracks Clayton to his cabin. Shani helps fend off the brigands.
* * *
A New Weapon
Desc: After the gun fight, Shani demands to learn how to use a pistol, in order to defend herself should more bounty hunters come calling for Clayton. She soon learns a regular pistol affects her negatively, so a brick of elven steel she has is used to craft a new pair of pistols. Shani also gets some new duds.
* * *
Quick Draw
Desc: Clayton teaches Shani how to shoot, how to stand and how to take care of her weapon. She finds quick draw more to her liking and Clayton is surprised with how quickly she learns. As well, Shani is picking up Clayton’s accent and her stutter is diminishing.
Chapter 5 – Twin Volcanics
The Ruffian
Desc: Pania witnesses a rather rough looking character who tries to have his way with one of Aurella’s girls. Aurella manages to force him to leave at gun point, which makes Pania consider obtaining such a weapon.
* * *
The Weaponsmith
Desc: Pania converses with a local gunsmith about making her a pair of weapons using a brick of elven steel. After a great deal of discussion, she settles on the design of a pair of Smith and Wesson Army 32s to be crafted. This is with the assistance of Aurella, where there is a small exchange regarding why Pania must have the pistols made.
* * *
Practise makes perfect
Desc: Aurella teaches Pania the proper use and care for her Twin Volcanics. Pania also determines to use a moniker whenever she sees fit to do battle against such brigands. Thus, Pale Rider is born.
Chapter 6 – The Legend of Black Mask
A New Threat
Desc: Shani learns a bit more about this world, and what the difference in skin colour means to some people. While in Carrollton looking for supplies, she runs into a small group of gunslingers who recognize her as staying with Clayton. She also learns how vile certain words are as she discovers the term “nigger”. (note: it is important to emphasize that Shani finds the words distasteful and vile, putting a great deal of description into the use of the word by the gunslingers)
* * *
The Sheriff
Desc: Shani is confronted by the sheriff of Carrollton County, and has to explain her way around why she started the fight. She leaves the town, promising never to return.
* * *
The Confession
Desc: Shani talks to Clayton about what happened. He tries to explain that life can be hard in the frontier. They talk about the word she heard as well.
Chapter 7 – The Legend of Pale Rider
News Spreads
Desc: Pania picks up a paper from a newsboy, reading about the new adventures that have been the talk of this small city as the recently talked about Pale Rider is reported on. Has a small talk with the newsboy.
* * *
Talk With Aurella
Desc: Pania and Aurella discuss the dangers involved in what she’s doing. Pania agrees she’ll find a way east within the next day or two. Aurella admits she’s been wanting to head to Indiana, being a free state it would be better for a couple of her girls.
* * *
Late Night Attack
Desc: Aurella’s is attacked by the ruffian from before, and three of his friends. Pania becomes involved, and it’s known that Pania and Pale Rider are one in the same.
Chapter 8 – Wagons East
The Journey East
Desc: Pania prepares to leave, saying her goodbyes to the girls of the boarding house and especially to Aurella. She packs up and mounts her horse to head off to the unknown.
* * *
Adventures East
Desc: Mainly a descriptive scene, detailing Pania’s small adventures and getting used to the terrain, meeting Native Americans and feeling a mix of pity and rage for what’s been done to them.
Chapter 9 – North to Pennsylvania
The Gunfight
Desc: Shani and Clayton find themselves pinned down in Clayton’s cabin, as the brigands that previously encountered Shani seek revenge. This time, there is no mercy as Shani and Clayton cut them down.
* * *
Heading North
Desc: Shani and Clayton part ways, Clayton heading to Indiana, while Shani decides to venture north, maybe even to Canada. A long description ensues of her adventures, robbing stage coaches and banks.
Chapter 10 – The Interlude
The Story Pauses
Desc: Shani and Pania discuss making these stories a daily event during the festival as the first day of the Brockton Festival comes to a close.
* * *
The Next Day
Desc: Shani and Pania move to a larger venue, as the children from the previous day have now brought their parents. Pania quickly recaps before introducing Captain Samuel Williams.
