The Tortuga Hill Gang
((This page is POV, and written from an in-character stance from here on. If you have a problem with it... then get your own page! To summarize everything said here, the THG is an average RP group working out of Edgecombe, and you don't need to want to be a cowboy to join.))
| The Tortuga Hill Gang | |
| Abbreviation: | THG, The Gang |
| Group Numbers: | Under Ten |
| Leadership: | We’re sorta a bunch of “Free Spirits” |
| Goals: | Whatever takes our fancy |
| Recruitment Policy: | Come hang out in the Camp, prove yer worth yer salt, and we’ll invite ya |
| Contact: | We got a Camp set up in Edgecombe |
The Legend
“The original Tortuga Hill Gang was a group of bank robbers, gunfighters, and other sorts of disreputable people who were infamous in the south-western United States. Although they never achieved the same recognition other gangs of the era did, (such as the James Gang), they were still well known for being faithful friends, merciless enemies, and the remarkable way in which banks that were robbed by them were always found to be completely untouched, minus the money, with the safe intact and no sign of forced entry. This, coupled with many other unusual events surrounding the gang, has made for speculation that the gang may not have actually existed, but is rather the invention of fame seekers and imaginative authors of period “penny dreadfuls”. However, the fact that bank records show money loss on the dates of the supposed robberies backs up the claims that The Tortuga Hill Gang may have existed.
Historians believe that one of the factors contributing to both the relative obscurity of the gang, and the doubt as to their existence is the way they simply seemed to vanish, while still in their prime. Aging cowboys have claimed over the years to have been members, but these claims have all proven to be false. Rumors have spread that the gang is miraculously still alive and well, operating in the quarantined city of Malton, which suffered from a still classified act of terrorism in early 2005, but if this is indeed the case, these people are very likely not linked with the original gang, it having disappeared in the mid 19th century. Who the Tortuga Hill Gang were, how they managed their spectacular crimes, what happened to them, and whether or not they actually existed may never be known.”
- USMC Major William Lawrence (ret.), “The Tortuga Hill Gang: Ghost Cowboys of the South-West”
I personally cannot say whether or not the gang ever existed in 19th century America, but I can tell you for a fact it exists in modern-day Malton, and I can tell you that in my dealings with them, I've seen some pretty unusual things, such as a man who looks no older then 20 years, but who claims to have been born in 1841. I have presented the transcribed conversations I had with this person, who calls himself Stephan Colette, the true name of a supposed member of the origional gang, here in the hopes that when the quarantine is lifted, they can be added to the myth of the Tortuga Hill Gang.
The Tortuga Hill Gang Rides Again
“I reckon it don’t matter where I tell you we came from, folks tend towards believing whatever they want regardless. I can tell you, anything you hear about us is probably a lie, ‘cept for some of the real strange stuff. The truth has a way about it that tends to make it stranger than fiction. I guess to make a long story short, I woke up one mornin’ in this town, to the sound of everyone around me not breathin’ no more and eatin' each other, so I just started shootin' anythin' that stank or moved, eventually runnin' into some like-minded folks, and we just decided to go from there. No, I wouldn't be callin' myself a leader. Hell, I can barely even read or write, let alone do arithmetics and leadin' nonsense! Why the hell are you asking me all these questions anyway?”
- Steve Colette, when asked about the gang’s history in Malton.
Internal Policies
"Well, when it comes to official rules and the like, we ain't really got none. I suppose if we did, they'd sound somethin' like this:
1. If yer in the Gang, and yer shooting people for spite, don't be expectin' us to save yer hide. If ya got a decent reason for it, then that's a different matter, but try to keep yer "spurs from jangling".
2. Always, ALWAYS try to be polite to a lady. Just cause there's dead folks runnin' about ain't no excuse for being rude.
3. Know how to use yer pistol! Axes and the like are fine and dandy if yer in a tight spot, but you should at least know which end to point towards whatever yer shootin' if you want respect in the Gang.
4. Keep the Camp clean, and keep the folks who live 'round it happy. If they ask fer help, then pitch in! The way I figure it, the more people 'round us like us, less chance they have of suspectin' us when the bank gets robbed! What do you mean there ain't no money in the vault? We ain't even been there yet!
5. You got free range of the Town, but if the Gang needs yer help, yer obliged to give it, less you want to be lynched.
That there's about all I can figure. Now, why in the hell are you askin' all these questions?!"
- On dealing with group members.
External Policies
"The gang's dealin's with other folks is simple. You don't interfere in our affairs, we leave yers alone. You ain't our enemies, and you ain't our friends. That applies to everyone, 'cept maybe the dead folks, but they ain't much for conversation anyway. Hell, we even understand that livin' folks sometimes shoot up other livin' folks, and we ain't no exception, but so long as yer leaving us and ours alone, we ain't got no quarrel with you."
- On dealing with various survivor "groups" that have formed in the city.
Recruitment Policy
"You wanna join the Gang? Oh, you just want to know HOW to join the gang? I should have known, what with you interrogatin' me about damn near everythin' else!
Well, in the old days, Black Hat Johnson used to be in charge of findin' new guns, which, by the way, is how we met Little Red and in a roundabout way, ending up breakin' up the gang... but therin lies a tale for a different day...
I figure that if you wanna join up nowadays, you first gotta come find our camp. After that, yer gonna need to spend some time provin' to us that you know how to handle yerself and that yer someone we'd want to have tag along. I reckon we are gonna try to keep our numbers small, on account of organization and provisions being mighty difficult. Now, I'm done answering these damned questions! Get me a drink or get the hell outta my Camp! I'm an old man, and what with this whole "end of the world thing", I got better things to do with my time!"
- On joining the Tortuga Hill Gang.
Author's Observations
Following the report, I have included some of my own observations in dealing with the gang.
Leadership
The gang seems to pretty much let it's members reign free. Because of the fact that he is obviously mentally instable, and the only member who considers himself to be any sort of cowboy, I chose Mr. Colette for this report. This does not necessarily make him the leader, as he himself states, just the most vocal member.
Evidence of Activity
Aside from Mr. Colette's claims and the support of the other gang members, the only other evidence of the gang's activities in town are various spray painted messages that can be found near the gang's operating area of Edgecombe. Some examples are:
"The Tortuga Hill Gang Rides Again!" - This can be found around the suburb, indicating some sort of activity in the building it is displayed in.
A large black skull - Found in the same locations, presumably some sort of emblem.
"Reclamation courtesy of the Tortuga Hill Gang" - Found in buildings cleared of undead by the gang.
Various statements about turf - Usually evidence of gang operated Revive Points, Resource Buildings, and Safe Houses.
Allies
Despite Mr. Colette's insistance that "we (the gang) ain't got no use fer friends!", I have noticed them attempting to work with various other Edgecombe groups, such as the VZW, although it does not appear as though any formal alliance has taken place.
Current "Plans"
The gang seems to be attempting to expand it's numbers to reach a quota of ten, building on the current member base of two or three individuals. It is the author's assumption that once reaching the desired size, they will close recruitment, and begin work on reclaiming the south-west side of the city, something which Mr. Colette has "fancied gettin' started on, if the rest of the gang's agreeable" for some time.
Other Means of Contact
Going above and beyond the call of duty of an average reporter, I have taken it opon myself to pass any messages written in the discussion area of this report on to the gang, in order to spare other humans the ordeal of speaking with Mr. Colette.
