Those Damn Damsels!

[FifteensAway]

Okay, simple question: why don't more western games feature a damsel in distress to help drive the narrative?  Seems a great way to extend beyond a simple shootout game.  Seems a shame to go to all the trouble to collect and paint so much in the way of buildings and figures and 'scatter' to only use for a few straight out shoot-em-ups.

More damsels, I say!  And be quick about it, Pilgrim.  And keep your hands where I can see 'em.

[NickNascati]

I think because Hollywood would have us believe that women in the Old West could pretty well take care of themselves. If not, they found men who could protect them very quickly.

[Elbows]

I'd like to play more scenario based games.  I was actually working on a Old West Side Story a while back as a scenario...

[Harry Faversham]

The problem with a damsel in distress, in our games, is that she's usually the first one to get it in the melon! You can't ride the high country with a distressed female in tow... best slot her out of the way, damn quick, then get to a proper whisky fuelled showdown with a bunch of low-life Mexes!

[YPU]

You could always start playing using the pulp alley rules, which are very narrative driven, and a "plot point" might very well be a damsel that needs to be saved!

[Harry Faversham]

Having said that, we did once have a game where the Marshal was at the far end of town fettling a Mexican widdo' women, as a jailbreak took place. When the dust settled the baddies had set their compardre free, only to see him cut down by deputies. The gunfight ended with Tuco and the Ringo Kid last men standing as Marshal Twerp came up the street with Conchita clung to his leg. Twerp, unable to get at his shooting irons for Conchita pulling down his strides, met a bit of an undignified end, trouserless and severely perforated in the dust on main street. Then occurred one of those priceless wargaming moments that you just can't script... after having a quick snivel over her dead paramour, Conchita picked up and levelled Twerp's Bluntline and put one right between Tuco's minces, the Ringo Kid was still laughing at the Marshal's fate, as her second shot did exactly the same for him!

   

[rumacara]

See both Bandidas and Bad Girls movies for "damsells in distress" ideas.

[NickNascati]

There is a great TV mini-series called "Broken Trail", that revolves around two cowboys who find themselves protecting and escorting a group of young, Chinese women from point A to point B.  Maybe not in distress excactly, but still in need of protection.

[FifteensAway]

Well, glad to see some interest in this concept.  And, really, think upon this: I have a list of possible old west/cavalry versus indian gaming scenario options, probably thirty things on that list (whereever its hiding at the moment) but most people just play a simple shoot 'em up and call it quits.

But some for instances: range war cattle versus cattle, cattle versus sheep, cattle versus farmers; train robbery; bank robbery; war between two rival railroads heading for the same - and only available - pass; cattle rustling; river pirates; a game gone bad down at the gambling hall - or on board the river boat.  So many more options than the simple gun fight.  This is why I have figures for the period, the extraordinary diversity of possible scenarios.  Oh, can't forget, robbing the noon stage - about two thirty in the afternoon (late, you know).  

And that's before we bring the cavalry and the plains indians - or the Apaches - or the Mexican Federales along the border, etc.

[Harry Faversham]

Well, glad to see some interest in this concept.  And, really, think upon this: I have a list of possible old west/cavalry versus indian gaming scenario options, probably thirty things on that list (whereever its hiding at the moment) but most people just play a simple shoot 'em up and call it quits.

But some for instances: range war cattle versus cattle, cattle versus sheep, cattle versus farmers; train robbery; bank robbery; war between two rival railroads heading for the same - and only available - pass; cattle rustling; river pirates; a game gone bad down at the gambling hall - or on board the river boat.  So many more options than the simple gun fight.  This is why I have figures for the period, the extraordinary diversity of possible scenarios.  Oh, can't forget, robbing the noon stage - about two thirty in the afternoon (late, you know).  

And that's before we bring the cavalry and the plains indians - or the Apaches - or the Mexican Federales along the border, etc.

There you go, the Railroad comes to Dead Man's Gulch...

 

[Cory]

I think because Hollywood would have us believe that women in the Old West could pretty well take care of themselves. If not, they found men who could protect them very quickly.

Given that two of the fellows I game with descend from a settler once know as "Mad Murderin' Mary" our lack of damsels in distress shouldn't be too surprising.

[sneakgun]

Come on out west and meet one, you'll find they aren't in distress too often. My iwfe is descended from Montana miners, she can take care of herself.

[FifteensAway]

Okay, time to own up just a bit.  While I really think old west games have tremendous scenario variety, what really started this thread was reading up on 'memes' of the old west movies (and books, I guess) and seeing that damsels in distress is pretty standard faire (the tough as nails ladies are - for the most part - post women's lib of the late sixties: not to say there weren't tough women in old times, of course there were.  but, on the whole, I think in the time period the average woman was lucky to be treated as a third class citizen, let alone second class).  But just don't seem to see this element added into many western games.

[BunkerMonkey]

If using the GW Legends of the Old West rules, you could modify the Hang 'em High scenario. I'm not sure if that's the actual name of the scenario but it's the one where you rescue a prisoner about to be hanged in town square. Simply get rid of the gallows and substitute a Damsel in Distress for the prisoner and ride in and rescue her in a set number of turns. If the posse doesn't succeed she remains in the clutches of the Bad Guys!

[Murphy]

I'd like to play more scenario based games.  I was actually working on a Old West Side Story a while back as a scenario...

Gutshot has a lot of different scenarios (some in their rulebook, and a LOT on the website). I think you'd find them interesting and fun!