Shore Leave: Geartopia [Open to All]

[cityship]

||Attention all crewmen, shore leave is now in progress, attention crewmen, shore leave is now in progress...||

Stacy's voiced called the entire crew, until all of them were gathered at the Obs Deck. Then, a dossier appeared on the screens, along with the image of a rotating planet.

Planet Designation: Geartopia
Status: Terrestrial, H-class.
Non-sentient life: Extensive flora and fauna.
Semi-Sentient Life: Yes.
Sentient Life: Homo Sapiens, Homo Animalia, Machina Erectus.
Water: 20.6% of the planet's surface.
Climate: Earth-like, Arid desert
Landscape: 70% Desert..
Air: Normoxic concentration.
Air Pressure: 101.3 kPa (kilopascals) = 14.7 psi (pounds per square inch)
Sky: Blue
Sun: A class G2V, yellow star.
Warnings: Wildlife, humanoids and plant-life can be hazardous.
Nomalanga has given us a map with which areas to avoid.
Mission: Shore leave, and preparing for an attack in a few days, planet's time. Nomalanga has promised food, clothing and animals in exchange for your cooperation in aiding her.



Once, long ago, Geartopia was built by aliens visiting the planet and granting intelligence to some native species. Of course you wouldn't know this apart from the giant black obsidian monoliths humming precariously outside of town. They are formed in a circle formation that might remind those who come from earth of Stonehenge, only built out of a much more study device. This is what Nomalanga used to contact you. The rocks cannot be moved and any attacks on them will be useless. The Wild Ones will come out of the forest at night, leaving a trace of plants as they go back and fro their own forest. The technology the elder aliens left them allows for contact with Stacy but otherwise there is nothing futuristic going on on the planet - the aliens wanted it this way and for the most part the population respects this.

All except Snidley and his goons, of course. Thankfully most of them have gone into hiding once their plot was found out. In fact, Nomalanga and those still loyal to her are busy working on making this planned attack, and getting the townspeople ready for it.

You can also find a few remains of their culture scattered around the land in the form of large stone carvings around the town, in between a wooden tavern bar or used as a sort of tribute, covered in dry plants. Most of the area is dry and arid, with very tiny grass and shrubs growing over the hill, and, strangely enough, an area from town that is densely populated by forest. Few dare go in, due to it being the territory of the Wild Ones.

As you walk around, you notice that the technology is steampunk with a cowboy flare; there is one train that comes from the towns every morning at 6am and leaves at 9pm. Horses can be rented for a price (some normal, some like this), chariot rides as well. Gears and dark clothing seem to be the norm, possibly due that their source of leather. The inhabitants are mostly humans, humanoid animals, alien natives and steampunk robots.

But enough of that, let's see what you can do here:

- Saloon and bars of all sizes, most comically named with an object, and a color. You can find all sorts of them across town, but those on the western side are more sympathetic towards Snidley and hate strangers with a passion. Do not go there unless you're ready to fight a few of them.

They do, however, have the best drinks, and card games.

There are hotels with gear pianos playing wistful tunes as you drink hard liquor made from cactus juice, honey and barley. The honey wine is especially prized and costly.

There is also a small carnival with steampunk and old west fair, sugar and cactus fruit pies, whole animals roasted over open pits, musicians, and a single wooden coaster. It's not much, but the food is excellent.

Be careful, however. The cactus fruit does cause stomach aches for most people not native to this world. Think of it much like lactos intolerance. It's a chance you take eating it. However if you do, it tastes much like an orange, strawberry and a banana were put together in a blender.

As thanks for helping her out, anyone stepping into the city is given by the mayoress as part of her exchange bartering price, one cowboy hat (all brown), one pair of steampunk goggles, a steampunk vest, and, most importantly, one part of leathersnake steampunk boots. This is a gift for anyone who is just visiting to blend with the locals and to prove she's honest about her dealings. As if it wasn't obvious after the first mission, in any case. She'll need your strange and powerful manpower in the upcoming days.

And hey, if you're up to it, you can help with a little cleanup. After all most people here don't know your skills. However, it's also calm and quiet in the farms. You want to do some honest work for a day, they'll give you some of their seeds in exchange. The system seems to be based more on services and barter than any money.

There is still currency and Stacy has given you a few golden coins, spend them wisely. A few farms are opened up to sleep for free, if you don't mind being with the animals.

The General store has steampunk items for sale, but most of them are much too expensive for anyone on the ship to by. You can try to barter.

Oh and news travels fast. Cause problems, and Nomalanga won't be too happy about it.

[OKAY ALL DONE GO FOR IT. You are also free to create additional places, to post your own private logs involving the town! Contact me if you need extra information about Geartopia either via PM to things_go_boom's account or by AIM, I'll be happy to answer. NPC goons if you want to do a bunch of bar fights, just think typical cowboy stuff. Shore leave will last until the 31st and players can go to and from the ship to the city each day, so you can have your characters stay for a day or two and then come back.

People in the miniplots, the mini plots will start up in a few days! There will also be a general fight for anyone who wants to join in on the 29th. Thank you and enjoy yourselves!]

Comments

Shore leave reactions | Clothing

[cityship]

As your characters step down from the usual manner which they land during a shore leave, there are a few people standing waiting for them each day. A giant man standing easily over eight feel tall and looking like a mammoth takes out a piece of string and measures everyone for their complimentary hat, vest, goggles and boots, as a small team works nearby to adjust the sizes of the materials they already have. Thankfully the population is very varied so what spares that they have have been left here as a sort of donation project. It's rather interesting to see them at work, cutting with iron scissors, a spiderlady using her own silken string along with a robot aid to patch things up, and before long you are given an outfit that's been tailor adjusted for you.

Hopefully you aren't too agoraphobic.

They have a picture-perfect memory, so you can't trick them into giving you the same outfit twice...well unless you're a shapeshifter.

You are near the town, next to the haunted cave that a team of seven before you conquered and solved. In front, you can see the entire town, and on the ground there are tracks where the train passes.

[carrieswar.livejournal.com]

Jr.'s clothes on a normal occasion emulated that of something cowboy-esque, so these clothes? Didn't do much in making him look very different than usual - those kinds of clothes suited him best, after all. And he wore them proudly.

And excitedly.

"Woah, we get hats too?" he asked, fitting it on his head and adjusting it. "Nice." He looked around, taking in a deep breath and very much appreciating the desert, the tracks nearby and the town in the distance. "I think I'm gonna like it here!"

[hi_there_aliens]

"Thank you for the generosity. Really. Thank you. But I don't know if these clothes are my type," Daniel tried to shrug away from the tape, but the giant also had an equally giant reach and patience. He continued measuring the archaeologist as if the man wasn't trying to worm out from his grasp. It wasn't as if he wanted to pay for new clothes right now, and if this was a gift, he didn't see what they'd done to deserve it.

Luckily for the man, Daniel caught sight of the spider-lady and her aid, and stopped trying to duck long enough to watch her, utterly fascinated despite himself.

[pretty_lethal]

So maybe this Shore Leave sounded a little appealing to Rachel. Conspiracies and fights? Yes please. She was sure she could find something fun to do here.

Wearing a pair of blue jeans and a nice white blouse with what they'd been given, Rachel was damn sure she was rocking the look (as if there were any other options, really).

She looked pretty pleased with herself, while she looked around, to see if she could spot anyone else she knew, or else get an idea of where to start, on the trip itself.

[guardian-wakka.livejournal.com]

It was a real piece of clothing that wasn't a crazy plant thing. And it was sort of like what he used to wear to play blitzball, if he pretended a lot.

Wakka was made of smiles and sunbeams. He ripped the shirt-plant-thing he usually wore off and just wore the vest. The boots and hat and goggles were a bit weird. His hair wasn't meant for hats. But, sure, whatever, they weren't made out of creepy plants. So he could live with that.

[valaunbound]

Vala wasn't good at being confined, no matter how big Stacy was she was already getting itchy feet and soon as the Shore Leave option came up again she was there like a shot. The promise of clothing factored into the equation greatly, she had to admit.

Although there were no mirrors, she imagined she looked quite the part with her pigtails poking out cutely from under the hat and the leather pants that she'd ripped the Indulgence Cove logo off the ass pocket fitted perfectly.

She gave a little happy sigh and picked up a wheat stalk to chew on. Now that really did complete the look, she thought.

Brisco County Ash

[hates-deadites.livejournal.com]

After Happy Happy Fun World, Ash wasn't sure if he wanted to take his chances on another freaky alien planet. Mission: Get Normal People Clothes flopped, and all he ended up doing was stumbling around a land full of kittens and retro arcade character rejects and who the hell knew what else.

Still, he decided almost anything was better than being cooped up inside that smelly armpit of a space ship for too long.

This anything was a lot better than any space arm pit. Ash could of done without the huge spider lady and other not-so-human looking individuals but he got very comfortable in his cowboy get up very quickly. You could say he wore his entire ensemble very well (http://i.imgur.com/ickO9.jpg).

"Yeah, I could get used to this." He murmured to himself, giving his hat a nice tip.

Re: Shore leave reactions | Clothing

[nobel-berserker.livejournal.com]

Vest, boots, hat. Allenby was pretty pleased with the look. It somehow managed to contain pink along with the metal and leather, but know what? Allenby liked pink. She was of the decided opinion that steampunky cowboy boots with pink styling were about the best damn shoes she'd ever worn.

She'd actually been fascinated with the tailoring process and had peppered the team with questions as they'd worked, but now she wandered around near the edge of town. The hat pulled low over her eyes nicely and the boots kicked up a picturesque little cloud of dust.

Well, wandering around looking like some kind of garish drifter was as good a place as any to be while she tried to stop thinking about exploding henchmen.

Saloons & Bars

[cityship]

Saloons, bars, cheap booze places, they all bare a similar looks and names, although the ones on the west side of town are a lot more shady. They also offer other comforts, and much harder booze.

Of course you get more chance of getting shot in the back too.

The eastern bars contain regulated booze, entertainment and there's still the old west feeling. Its just much safer there. Still pretty fun and be careful not to drink too much cactus beer! It really hits the spot really fast..

[OOC - Feel free to have your characters wander into any bar you want, give it a silly name and write down of it's eastern or western part of town. Other people can join in and I might drop an NPC or two once in a while.]

The Abney Park Saloon--east side of town

[combustible_me]

After the events of the plot were foiled, Ellyn needed a good drink and a good smoke. Not necessarily in that order.

Quaint music poured out of the swinging doors of the tavern, the sound of a man's voice floating along with it. The pyromancer gave a muted grunt, and stepped up on to the wooden flooring, boot heels clicking as she walked in.

Thankfully, the music didn't stop, though the warthog wiping out a glass behind the bar gave her a grunt. Ellyn's lips twitched, and she grunted back at him. She took a seat at the bar, and after a few minutes' more exchanging of grunts, the bartender sat a half-full bottle of whiskey down in front of her, as well as an ashtray.

She gave him a nod and passed over a few coins, taking a nice, long swig from the bottle, a contented sigh leaving her lips.

SECURITY DEPARTMENT POKER

[cityship]

Think of it as a bonding exercise.

Lone Talon Saloon on west side of town

[notadamnangel.livejournal.com]

Sure he could go to the safer side, but where's the fun in that? Things were much livelier on the west side of the town clearly. Not like he couldn't hold his own in a fight, and he was always on alert anyway. He calmly strolled in, and bellyed up to the bar to ask for some whiskey. Either way this world looked like a good place to put down roots possibly someday. Be a shame to leave.

He didn't glance back, but he did have a mission in mind for a certain friend he insisted on coming along.

Re: Saloons & Bars

[youmissed]

Drinks. John wanted some alien booze and he didn't care what color it was. He'd even take the blue Star Wars milk on steroids.

It's one of those days.

John woke up knowing it was one of "those days" when he jerked awake from a nightmare he couldn't remember and banged his head on the top of those Stacy nostril-bed things. He remembered sitting there, sweat beading on his forehead and not even sure why he was gasping like he'd run a damn marathon. It didn't get much better than that even on the trip down to this planet, which he tried to explain to Aeryn looked way too much like Wild Wild West to the point he was half-expecting to get jumped by a giant spider or something, and all he got was one of those looks of hers. Like he was losing it again. So John could guess he was crazy for actually seeing that movie. But she was looking at him like he was having one of those episodes and today John wasn't in the mood for it. He made it a point to try to ignore that itch in the back of his head, the whisper of a slithering voice in his ear. The urge to swat it away only grew stronger as they finally stepped out onto the planet.

John made it through the clothes fitting before he announced to Aeryn, "Don't know about you, but I need a drink."

Maybe if he get himself nice and buzzed, he'd be able to shove everything to the side. Focus. Get it under control. John didn't wait for Aeryn to give him her ex-PK stamp of approval -- he headed out to the...actual saloon (oh my god, seriously?) and parked himself right there at the counter with his alien booze.

It's not going to help, you know.

John fumbled with his glass, nearly spilling booze on his crotch.

He turned at the voice in his ear, only to find that everyone was minding their own business and there was no way anyone could've jumped up that quick and ducked back down. Spooked, John turned back to his drink and decided to hell with nursing the stuff.

Western Side - The Blue Baboon

[valaunbound]

Well this was more like it, Vala found herself quite at home in the Western side of Town. It reminded her of the bars back on Charos, and the varied and colourful locals only helped with that familiarity. Charos seemed like so long ago now, it was amazing how much her life had changed since then. Hell she was still freelancing for the Lucian Alliance in those days. But of course with bars like this - there were bound to be a few card games going on that she could hustle. It seemed nostalgia was the order of the day.

Vala grinned to herself as she slid into the Blue Baboon and ordered a beer. Time to make her few gold coins turn into a few more gold coins, hopefully.

Silver Skunk- West Side (Feel free to try and get the Master crunk)

[syncopath]

The Master discovered some time ago, perhaps as a side-effect of the resurrection process, that he somehow lost a Time Lord's innate ability to regulate his metabolism. In other words, he can't hold his liquor quite as well as he used to. So for now, he's currently slow-sipping his drink, fairly sure that if he does manage to overdo it that'll be the moment the Doctor stumbles upon him and then he'll never live it down.

Probably for the best, anyhow. He's getting awfully sick of the taste of cactus permeating everything.

Re: Saloons & Bars

[notamoron]

Wheatley stepped in front of the entrance to one of the seedier looking saloons. His little harness was decorated in the provided gear; a cowboy hat, a vest, and boots. And a plastic sheriff's badge.

He'd seen enough Westerns, he knew how to fit in. Step one: Walk bow-legged. He crouched and got into a crab-walking position. Check.

Step two: Spit tobacco. Now, he had no mouth with which to chew or spit, but he had that covered. A little water pistol. The perfect substitute.

Step three: A cowboy accent. "Testing, one two three, yee-haw, headin' to the waterin' hole, there's a snake in my boots," he said in the most offensively stereotypical accent he could muster. Perfect. He was going to fit right in.

And so he walked into the saloon, pushing the doors open with both hands and walking in.

Five minutes later, a badly mangled Wheatley was thrown through the window of the saloon into the street.

"Aw, it was all going so well too..."

Town Square & Carnival

[cityship]

A central well that's more there for decoration than anything is covered so that no child accidentally gets in. Along with a stone platform where the mayoress gives speeches, the corridor on both side of the town's square is empty with 4 obsidian pillars, two to the far west and two to the far east.

The carnival is currently situated to the north.

At nighttime, you can catch glowing fireflies in the air. They tend to latch on to people's hair.

[[OOC - start any thread you want and write what time it is or what they are doing like 'carnival, nighttime' or bug catching' nighttime' etc.]]

Bug catching, nighttime

[bequiet_hescreamed]

"Are you eating my hair?" Clef asked... the fireflies, yes. Not that he was really expecting much of an answer, but it seemed a question worth asking at the moment. He had taken off his hat for a moment to use as a little makeshift net for catching bugs, but that turned out to be completely superfluous once he had done so. Several bugs had claimed his head as a prime congregating spot, and his white hair conducted and reflected their light nicely. The whole effect was that his hair looked like it was glowing in spots, which was at turns both pretty and somewhat undignified. And he was afraid to put his hat back on.

All over the place!

[cobalt-inferno.livejournal.com]

A carnival! Hey, he could totally get used to these shore leave things! Hell yeah!

First Happy Happy something whatever world! And now this western type thing town with nifty hats?! Oh yes, Rin was happy! And now he found a Carnival?!

Rin rushed to the location, Blackie in tow as they began to go from place to place, looking amazed and chipper at all the cool stuff!

That is, of course until some cool dude or a sexy chick is nearby. Then he just acts cool cause he totally is! Yup!

Hotel - Free of Charge

[cityship]

There is one hotel on the east side of town that is completely safe and truthworthy and thanks to Nomalanga, free of charge to stay at.

The rooms are modest and the beds tiny, but they are REAL BEDS!

The hotel manager is a robot man. Tall and nerdlike. He moves with the sound of gears. On the front, he seems to have a few nicknacks and a pet lizard.

It is advised not to pet the lizard.

[[If you wish to have nighttime talks between your characters, this is another place to do it. Ps - No petting the lizard.]]

Vala

[hi_there_aliens]

The last time he felt this beat, he'd gone out with the guys to secure new mastadge, and then he'd done the smart thing after, which was volunteer to help Sha're and the other women prepare the evening meal. The result was that he'd nearly fallen asleep face first into a pile of yaphetta flour.

This was a different ache, because at least with the Abydonians, he wasn't completely unfamiliar with how they did things. Now that he'd stopped working, every limb was clamoring to tell their owner just how sore they were. Too bad he couldn't put up a sign. Doctor Jackson's out to lunch, arms and legs, but if you leave a message with the receptionist, he'll get back to you as soon as he's available.

Daniel pushed the door open to his assigned hotel room. It was dark inside, but not too chilly and not too hot. He felt around for a light, but if there was one, he either kept missing it or it wasn't near the door. Or they used something else other than a light switch, because really, why should they use Earth technology:?

His limbs ached. It was a good ache, but he could've done without the allergies. He sniffled. Ugh, still watery. Daniel stepped into the room, pulling the door closed, and stripped off the shirt. He dropped it somewhere to the right. At this point, he didn't even care if it hit the ground or a piece of furniture.

First on his list, sleep. Second on his list, more sleep. If he made it to third, food.

General Store

[cityship]

Owned for generations by the same family, the General Store sells rights for horse riding, train tickets (which you are not allowed to get, being outsiders). They also offer a lot of guns and steampunk items, however their prices are rather high.

The best way to get anything is by barter or offering a service.

thievery ahoy!

[greeedycat]

Cazali had managed to get through HHFW with quite a plethora of stolen goods, in the end. It helped that he could pretty much stuff anything in his body without notice, but there had been crowds and stimulation around for that. The stupid general store was hardly full of tourists. And while Caz was usually much more stealthy...he was a Greeed. Taking things was just what Greeed did.

So there may have been a few less watches than there had been on that counter, with a goggled, yellow-coated Caz nearby enough to be pretty suspicious.

[cityship]

The farms are lands of wheat, pumpkin, watermelons and cactus plants - simple but effective. There are also animal farms with Shepofalant, where they weave the animal's yarn into fabrics.

You can go sleep with any of the farmers if you like, they are nice folk. If you wish to get seeds from them, however, you'll need to offer a service in return, and these folks like honest farm work.

[appletastic]

Applejack had managed to avoid most of the outfitting on account of being a pony who could not wear those things, but she'd had a pair of goggles strapped to her hat anyway. They'd tried to replace that too---but she was not having it. "The hat stays," she'd huffed.

But by now she was definitely feeling better. Farmwork! On a real farm! She'd had a few stares at first, but she'd managed to negotiate a new satchel of seeds in exchange for a few hours of plowing. She knew it'd be worth it in the end, but something about the way they looked at her was...off. As if she was some pet in a zoo. Or...someone to be rode.

"No, sugar, I'm sorry, but horse ridin's over that way. I'm a mite busy today," she explained to a child for the tenth time. It had been unsettling, meeting those other horses. They couldn't talk. Some of them were even made of metal.

Out and About.

[aphephobiaqueen.livejournal.com]

Satella couldn't say that she didn't like the atmosphere. It kind of reminded her of an old movie she once watched and the place wasn't as crowded as the other shore leave.

The hat, boots and goggles had been really cute, even if she was really uncomfortable getting measured for them.

So now she strode through the town, looking for nothing in particular, just enjoying the simplicity and feel of the place.

Re: Out and About.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

Zouichi was nearby, patting the flank of a nearby grazing Shepofalant, when he noticed Satella strolling by. "Planning to do some trading? Or just enjoying the atmosphere?"

Horse riding

[splendid_roman]

Ian has a horse. He feels like he's sold his soul, or at least everything he has just to rent it, but he has a horse. And not an ordinary horse either - those he's ridden in the past. The goggles ended up in his pocket because he needed to be able to see all around him, but the rest of the clothes he's been given he was wearing.

He rode through the town, tipping his hat to everyone he passed.

Re: Horse riding

[facepunching.livejournal.com]

One of the people Ian tipped his hat to was decidedly not dressed to blend in. Soren was clad in long white robes, holding several bound volumes under his arm. He gazed up at Ian with cool indifference, pegging him as crew (after all, he didn't appear to be a native beast-man).

"Good afternoon."

Come Push the Master Off a Horse*

[syncopath]

The Master had also managed to procure himself a horse, though how he'd actually gone about doing so was anyone's guess. Anyone's but his, of course, and his smug smile might have made it more obvious that it hadn't been an entirely... honest transaction.

At the moment he was striking out alone, looking purposeful rather than wandering about like most of the riders. To anyone who knew anything about him, that couldn't be a good sign.

[[ooc: Totally open. Unless we work it out otherwise, all other threads will be assumed to happen before Eleven's. As for the subject line:

* Neither definitive success nor lack of retaliation is guaranteed. -Management]]

[makeherblue]

It was probably only a matter of time before the Doctor switches his luring skills from following River to following the Master. Unlike with River, the Doctor didn't make much of a point of trying at all to be subtle about it, the Doctor seeming to pop up wherever the Master went even if it was from a distance, like the world's worst cat armed with tweed and complete and utterly disastrous sense of style.

If the Master looked behind him, he'd see the Doctor within sight and on his own horse, a big whistling machine that rattled and groaned as its internal parts chugged along. The horse seemed to be making good speed, enough to the point that it would keep up with the Master even if he decided to go for broke and gallop.

The Doctor was disappointed in the Master. Very disappointed. He wasn't sure why he was surprised given all the centuries of disappointment he had before to get used to, but it still felt fresh, still hurt more than he thought it would. He'd thought the Master could learn to accept living with others. That he could maybe, just maybe, find a way to co-exist with all the other lifeforms out there. They were lucky that River was made of far stronger stuff than she should be. The Doctor didn't want to think of what would have happened if it had been any of his others -- he hadn't even had a chance to warn Jamie, Victoria, Jenny or good old Chesterton about the Master yet.

He supposed part of that was for selfish reasons. How did you say "this is my best enemy", only it would take far longer than that to go into enough detail? Not exactly something he'd ever wanted to share with his companions. Now the Doctor rode after the Master, his jacket flapping in the dry wind, the goggles over his eyes.