9 text by anders & tove gillbring 9
THE SOUL-EATER
Lee Travers looked into the fabled Soul-Eater, the saloon mirror
rumoured to destroy men and capture their souls. Not that it
seemed to stretch out any unseemly tendrils towards him – quite
the opposite. When he looked at the bottles in front of the mirror,
Lee spotted the bounty hunters pointing their weapons at him.
He spun around, but to his surprise the bounty hunters were
nowhere to be seen. Just as Lee was about to relax, they entered
the saloon. It was obvious that they had counted on catching
Lee off guard, but they had no such luck. As soon as they went
for their weapons, Lee shot them dead. But he can still see them
with guns blazing when he looks into the Soul-Eater ...
There are plenty of adventures available when you
play Western. Åskfågeln has developed some and
industrious Game Masters can put together others
themselves. They can take place in a wide variety
of locations, from the plantations in Mississippi to
the boom towns in Black Hills, from the bristling
metropolis New York to the Kentucky coal mining
districts and rural settlements south of the border.
In game, you sometimes need a reason to make the
player characters travel from one place to another.
This is a quest to get the players to break camp and
start travelling, literally by hiring them to transport
a giant saloon mirror from one town to another. Here
you will find a number of ingredients that you can
apply as you see fit. We refrain from naming any places
or locations. Instead, the locations will be determined
by where the characters currently are and where you
as their Game Master would like them go next.
Three Non-Player Characters are introduced at
the end. They all want to get hold of the mirror and
are willing to go to extremes to succeed. We suggest
that you use one as the person hiring the player’s
characters, thus becoming their boss. The other two
will then become adversaries, trying to seize the mirror.
THE quest at hand
The player characters are contacted by one of the
three NPCs who needs help transporting a newly
purchased saloon mirror from one town to another.
Now it is close to where the characters are when they
receive this quest – and if they agree to take up the
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offer, they end up where you want them to go next.
Instead of every new scenario beginning with luring
the characters to a new place of adventure, this will
function as a tie in to achieve that goal and deliver a
short stand alone scenario in the process.
The delicate mirror is valuable and comes with
a particularly interesting backstory, so it cannot be
replaced by any other similar piece of furniture. Thus,
it is important that the mirror arrives safely, without
any mishap along the way. The person who hired the
characters can join in on the journey – partly to make
sure that the mirror travels safely. Keep in mind to
decrease the number of henchmen this person bring
with him or her. Since we do not know who you will
choose to hire the characters, and who will end up as
their antagonists they all have about the same amount
of firepower. It will not be as fun if the henchmen sa-
ves the day in all the trials that lies ahead. The player
characters are meant to be the leading cast in this story.
Transporting such a large saloon mirror will test the
very spine of the characters. It’s an ungainly item,
and at the same time fragile and at risk of breaking
if handled too brusquely. They will need to put time
and effort into securing the mirror while travelling,
ensuring it’s protected from both bumps in the road
and the fury of the weather elements. They can’t put
just anything in the wagon with the mirror either, at
least not without securing any additional cargo care-
fully. These are just the hazards from the transport
itself, not even counting possible challenges by the
human adversaries they will encounter along the way.
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 9 illustrations by lukas thelin 9
Different Styles of play
Adapt the obstacles with the Style of Play you se-
lected before your players created their characters. In
Realism, the number of henchmen could be few, but
the amount of practical problems from Mother Nature
more difficult to handle. Stormy weather, panicked
animals and a broken wheel can be major obstacles.
Keep it interesting and challenging, even when they
are not encountering open conflict with others.
In Campaign Play, spice up the events with friends
and foes from the characters past. A sour looser can
hunt after them, demanding a chance to win back
his/her money after a humiliating defeat at the gam-
bling tables (that might have occured just a day or
two before the characters started their journey with
the mirror). They could stumble upon a childhood
friend who lives along the road. That could be just
a short encounter, or sprawl out to a side quest of its
own. A reporter who recognizes them from a previous
adventure may want an interview when they reach a
new town, and that in turn can stir up some emotions.
You never know who reads that interview, and want
to make their sentiments known to the characters. To
just mention just a few of the options available to them.
If you all selected Action as the Style of Play,
then let cinematic events follow one after the other.
The can encounter everything from robbers along
the way, to desperados with a posse in hot pursuit
and even a prairie fire seemingly putting the entire
world on fire. Nothing is really too far over the top,
as long as it calls for nerves of steel and fast reflexes .
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influences on what happens
When you play a journey, instead of the players stating
where they want to go and then arriving there, make
it worth the added time. Add encounters and natural
obstacles. Let the terrain change along the way. You
can draw inspiration on different terrain-types and
their random tables in the chapter Chases & Mounts
in Western’s Corebook II – The Law of the Land, or
decide on your own straight away. An ambush in a
mountain pass is exciting, but it doesn’t work if your
players are nowhere near a mountain ... Trying to
cross a raging river and keep from drowning is nerve
rattling, but impossible in the desert.
Just as the terrain will determine some of the events
and obstacles they encounter, so should the weather. If
it’s winter and cold, anything from hail-storms to icy
roads can complicate things. Heavy rains can cause
mudslides where entire mountain sides can peel off
and come crashing to the ground, and once dusty
roads can turn to impenetrable mud several feet deep.
When the heat of Summer turn the humidity in the
air to steam, no reasonable person pushes on at high
noon without a shadow to keep cool in.
add more scenes and encounters
Add events along the characters journey. Even a short
encounter now, can prove valuable for future gaming
session. Begin with what you already know, and go
from there. What time of year is it? Who else could
be in the area at that time? A trading caravan? Or
prospectors travelling to a new possible boom town
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 9 bonus-pdfs for western backers 9
in the mountains? The cavalry patrolling the frontier
to keep order and peace? Or young braves hunting?
Bounty hunters chasing a lawless gang or surveyors
trying to calculate the best route for a new railroad?
You can always find inspiration or randomize events
with the help of Western’s Corebook II – The Law of
the Land.
THE soul-eater, a SALOON MIRROR
A saloon mirror is never cheap, but this particular
one is more expensive than most and attracts a lot
more interest. It is surrounded with stories, rumours
and myths. Some believe them all, or just a particular
story they heard long ago. Others scoff at the super-
stition. Be that as it may, whatever truth lies behind
the stories, they all make this saloon mirror special.
The very first story dates back to right after the
Civil War. According to this tale, the brand new mir-
ror had been purchased for the Lyon House Hotel in
Springfield, Missouri. There it hung behind the bar
in July 1865, when Davis Tutt and Wild Bill Hickock
played poker at the establishment – right before their
notorious duel in the town streets. Some say that Tutt
caught sight of his own reflection in the mirror, right
after seizing Hickocks pocket-watch – and lost his soul
at that very moment. That became his undoing, since
he died in the subsequent duel between the two men.
According to other stories, several people are said
to have seen strange shapes in the mirror, shadows
that no human present could have cast ... Maybe they
are the last remnants of lost souls, trapped within the
mirror? Their own vanity could have tied these souls
to the mirror, and shortly afterwards they lost their
lives. The mysterious shapes are all that is left of these
victims of the mirror, known as ”The Soul-Eater”.
Not all stories end badly for the people who en-
counter this mirror. It is said to make a choice when a
new person show their reflection in the mirror. Just as
some are believed to get trapped and lose their souls,
others are said to be treated more kindly and even
gain benefits from it when needed. The desperado
Lee Travers claims that he saw three bounty-hunters
draw their weapons at him when he stood at the bar
in a saloon and looked into this mirror. Nothing spec-
tacular about that, you might think. But according
to his story, he saw them there – moments before
they entered the saloon doors! This omen made the
difference between life and death for Travers. Since
he knew what was coming, he was able to shoot his
opponents as soon as they went for their guns.
The beloved actress and singer Samantha Starr also
loves this mirror. She claims that it always shows her
best features, and even seems to suggest new hairstyles
or dresses as times. She would love to carry the mirror
with her wherever she goes, but life on the road out in
the west is not made for travelling with saloon mirrors.
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AGENDAS
At least three people wants this mirror. Let one hire
the characters, and the other two be their opponents.
You can add other interested parties. Maybe the cha-
racters wants to salvage the mirror for that saloon or
gambling establishment you usually feature during
their gaming sessions? Even fancy clubs or organi-
zations like the Cattlemen’s Association might want
this mirror, as it comes with a great deal of status.
Not all interest in the Soul-Eater is benign, but in
order to keep the gaming interesting you should let
them all want to get hold of it. To just destroy it is
way too simple. For instance, a deeply devout priest
or a sect might wish to debunk the myths or wash it
clean with holy water. Others might want to taunt
the current owner by stealing something they desire.
When it comes to henchmen, adapt how many and
how skilled they are by the Style of Play you selec-
ted. If it’s Action, then let the characters try to shine
against seemingly impossible odds. In Realism, or
with less combat oriented characters, hold back on the
gunfights and let your players try to solve their pre-
dicaments with cunning, negotiations or even bribes.
AUGUSTUS McPHERSON
McPherson’s Mobile Museum has not had a new sen-
sation to display for a while. McPherson needs The
Soul-Eater to create new headlines, tell new tales and
attract more people to his mobile exhibition. If he is
offered another crowd puller, he might back down.
But he is to stubborn to change his focus initially. He
wants the mirror and he is prepared to use violent
means to get it. Augustus can have all sorts of circus
people around him, should you wants a more light-
hearted tone to the adventure. His museum hosts both
wild animals and a freak show. A gang of tough Irish
war veterans has also worked with him since the war.
FARO FARRAH JOSEPHS
Farrah believes in entertainment and the value of
novelty to attract new gamblers to her establishment.
She has already made headlines claiming that the Soul-
Eater will soon hang in her gambling parlour, and she
does not want to loose face by failing to procure it.
Typical henchmen Farrah would hire to help her
get hold of the mirror could be gamblers, a gunfighter
and a bouncer from her gambling establishment.
BENJAMIN ASHCROFT
Benjamin believes that his brother’s soul is trapped
within the Soul-Eater, so he has to bring the mirror to
the medium Cassandra Delphi. Only she can release
his brother. This fear makes him fanatically stubborn
in his struggle to seize the mirror. He has slim to none
weapon skills, but he is rich and can hire Pinkerton
agents to help him get hold of the mirror.
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AUGUSTUS McPHERSON
An industrious man with a creative
conscience. He left the Green Isle and
became a Union soldier before he got
ashore. The Civil War was raging and
new recruits were in high demand.
Soon he was a Quartermaster and
controlled the black market trade. His
road to success was to reward loyalty,
accept the occasional loss to maintain
control, a good mood and cheap liquor.
After the war he joined the Hell on
Wheels formed in the shadow of the
transcontinental railroad. His business
sense and Union contacts proved
useful. McPhersons Mobile Museum
was born, a circus with wild animals,
a freak show, song and dance, carnival
games and curious things. All is held
together by Augustus’ well-oiled gift
of the gab and tough control.
Augustus is a good judge of character
and has an eye for peoples weaknesses.
He can pay the characters well for their
services or as a bribe, but will not tole-
rate being double-crossed. That would
trigger his vindictive and brutal side.
GAME STATS
Age 41; 5’9; 180 lb; Blue eyes; Red hair;
Place of Birth; Cork, Ireland; Right-handed
talents Business Sense/Slippery/Liar
obstacles Blunt/Vengeful/Judge of Character
reputation -15/95 destiny p. 2 Obstacle p. 3
cool 17 con 12 dex 14 int 15
qck 13 STr 13 vig 15
guts 2 grit 11 combat exp. 7 defense 10
WEAPON TH DV CS A Q
British Bulldog 20 - 17 3 ±0
Shotgun 22 - 15 3 ±0
SKILLS
Appraisal 12, Arithmetic 17, Business/Enter-
tainment 15, Dance 5, Deal 15, Drill/Infantry 14,
Drive/Wagon 12, Eloquence 10, Etiquette 10, Exp/
Economy 15, Exp/Mil. Strategy 10, Exp/Politics
10, Game/Cards 8, Law/Military 10, Leadership
10, Org/Army 13, Read/Write 14, Rel./Catholic
12, Ride 10, Scout 11, S/Forest 10, Telegraphy 10
9 the soul-eater 9
FARO FARRAH JOSEPHS
A skilled gambler who can play on
others weaknesses. Her inscrutable
poker face reveals no more than she
wants people to know. Usually she is
less strict, and prefers to convey herself
in the way she believes has the greatest
chance for success at the moment.
Growing up in Baton Rouge has
taught her one thing. If you play your
cards right, you can be whomever and
do whatever you want, Provided you
are prepared to leave everything be-
hind and start over somewhere new
should everything go to hell.
After some years on the road, she
has now won a gambling establish-
ment in the city or town where the
player characters are heading. Its a
nice place, but it lacks something that
will seriously draw the curious crowd.
The Soul-Eater mirror would be per-
fect. Farrah is convinced none of the
stories surrounding the mirror is true,
but what does that matter? Its enough
that people will talk about it and want
to see it! In her gambling establishment.
GAME STATS
Age 34; 5’4; 143 lb, Blue eyes; Black hair;
Place of Birth; Baton Rouge, La; Right-handed
talents Charismatic/Cardsharp/Just Like a Man
obstacles Dandy/Woman/Reckless
reputation -5/125 destiny p. 2 Obstacle p. 3
cool 18 con 13 dex 15 int 13
qck 14 STr 8 vig 17
guts 1 grit 7 combat exp. 3 defense 10
WEAPON TH DV CS A Q
Colt Cloverleaf 20 - 16 3 +1
Sharps Derringer 18 - 16 3 ±0
SKILLS
Act 10, Akrobatics 10, Appraisal 10, Arithmetic
17, Business/Gambling 15, Dance 12, Deal 10,
Drive/Wagon 10, Eloquence 12, Exp/Criminals
10, Etiquette 12, First Aid 8, Game/Cards 18,
Game/Hazard 12, Game/Pool 8, Hide/Seek
7, Read/Write 15, Ride 10, Scout 8, Sleight of
Hand 18, Stealth 7, Swim 14
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BENJAMIN ASHCROFT
Benjamin is not a brave man, nor does
he harbor any illusions about his own
importance. Everybody believes the
wrong brother died, but few would
say so to his face – except his father
when the old man is drunk. Benjamin
never protests, he shares the sentiment.
That’s why he needs the Soul-Eater!
In his despair, Benjamin has con-
tacted mediums to reach his brother
Archibald on the other side, but none
has succeeded. Until he met Cassandra
Delphi. She told him that Archibald’s
soul had been devoured by the Soul-
Eater and was trapped in the mirror.
It was almost impossible to reach him,
but if she had the Soul-Eater, she could
perform a difficult and expensive ritual
to save Archibald’s soul.
Benjamin is neither charismatic nor
strong. He is a nervous and clumsy
tenderfoot, spoiled since birth. But his
despair makes him desperate enough
to never quit, regardless of the risks
or circumstances. He must save his
brothers soul and get that mirror!
GAME STATS
Age 37; 5’6; 148 lb; Brown eyes; Brown hair;
Place of Birth; St. Louis, Missouri; Right-handed
talents Artistic/Dilettante/Spoiled
obstacles Gullible/Pessimistic/Superstitious
reputation 5/50 destiny p. 2 Obstacle p. 3
cool 10 con 9 dex 15 int 14
qck 14 STr 8 vig 15
guts 0 grit 2 combat exp. 1 defense 8
WEAPON TH DV CS A Q
Colt New Line Pocket 15 - 12 2 ±0
Unarmed 15 - 10 2 -
SKILLS
Arithmetic 15, Art/Draw 14, Dance 10, Drive/Wa-
gon 9, Eloquence 10, Engineering/Architecture
15, Etiquette 15, Exp/Economy 15, Exp/History
15, Exp/Literature 12, Exp/Politics 9, Exp/Spiri-
tualism 10, Law/Civil 12, Music/Piano 9, Org./
Spiritualism 12, Photography 8, Read/Write
15, Rel./Christian 10, Ride 8, Sports/Tennis 8