cityship: (Meanwhile...)
cityship ([personal profile] cityship) wrote in [community profile] trans_92011-10-24 10:59 pm

Shore Leave: Geartopia [Open to All]

||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!]
valaunbound: (emote → daisy duke smile)

[personal profile] valaunbound 2011-10-31 12:57 am (UTC)(link)
Jamie's got his work cut out for him then. Sense and Vala don't often go hand in hand, and being told not to do something is likely to make her do it just because... twice. She's also likely to laugh out loud at any suggestion that her being female makes any difference to anything whatsoever. She'll be quite happy to entertain him though.

"Oh Jamie. Hello," Vala smiled, wondering if that was some sort of trick question. "Isn't it obvious?"
bonnypiperlad: (Riiight.)

[personal profile] bonnypiperlad 2011-11-01 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
It wouldn't be the first time that a lassie's decided to go off and do something just to be contrary. Or the second, or the third. His track record at actually managing to talk them out of things generally wasn't so great. Not that it stopped him from trying, of course.

"Aye, well, apart from having a drink, no, not so much. Why come all the way over here when ye could do that in any saloon?"

The question is, what exactly was it she wanted to do here? He gave her a rather thoughtful look, trying to figure out what it was - because he somehow doubted she's simply going to up and volunteer the information.

"Unless, of course, you've something else in mind."
Edited 2011-11-01 06:56 (UTC)
valaunbound: (emote  →  pigtails - cute)

[personal profile] valaunbound 2011-11-02 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
Vala's not too fussed about being forthright, in fact it's a talent of hers. Unless she has reason to be circumspect about her activities of course. But she saw no need to hide anything from Jamie.

"You see that group of drunken men over there playing cards," Vala leaned in and whispered, casting a surreptitious glance over her shoulder, "one of them has a tiger's head, can't miss him. Well I've been watching them for a while now, and I think if an innocent looking attractive woman such as myself were to challenge them to a game, they'd think it'd be easy money."

Vala took a sip of her drink and smiled conspiratorially at Jamie. "I on the other hand, think quite the reverse. They're all ego and alcohol."
bonnypiperlad: (warning)

[personal profile] bonnypiperlad 2011-11-04 08:14 am (UTC)(link)
Jamie risked a quick glance that way himself. It was hard to miss a man with a tiger's head - and, sure enough, they did seem to be more than a bit into their cups. Still, he's of the opinion that it's not a good idea for her to get into a game of cards with them.

"I don't know, Vala," he commented, using the same sort of warning tone he's used in the past as part of that effort to convince his female friends not to do something dangerous. That conspiratorial smile she's wearing didn't give him much hope, however.

"It'd be an awful risk you'd be taking. What if they figure out what you're doing and decide to do something about it?"
valaunbound: (emote  → puhlease)

[personal profile] valaunbound 2011-11-06 03:25 am (UTC)(link)
Vala's immune to be being warned against doing something, unless it's Daniel and even then there's no guarantee. She also has an ego on her that would rival anyone's.

"They'll barely be able to figure out where their money went Jamie, never mind spot a seasoned hustler. Besides, everyone needs a little danger in their lives."

She took another swig of her toxic beverage just as one of the hapless band of drunks decided that the waitress's ass needed slapping. It said it all really. "And if they do, it's time to run."
bonnypiperlad: (hrmph2)

[personal profile] bonnypiperlad 2011-11-08 08:33 am (UTC)(link)
While he wouldn't completely disagree with the idea of having a little danger in one's life - after all, he used to travel with the Doctor for a reason - he was beginning to get the feeling things weren't going to end well with this scenario at all.

On the other hand, Vala was clearly undaunted by the prospect of something going wrong. Even though he's not thrilled with the situation, he's also not about to simply leave her there to face that alone, and a resigned expression appeared on his face.

"Och, fine. Let's go ask them to play, then."
valaunbound: (emote → weighing you up tilt)

[personal profile] valaunbound 2011-11-08 02:20 pm (UTC)(link)
"Fabulous!" Vala shot him an excited grin and started to move from her seat. "Wait," she stopped suddenly in her tracks pointing a finger, only just realising what he'd suggested, "You're not seriously suggesting coming with me are you?"

Vala was skeptical, as good company as he'd proved to be, she wasn't entirely sure Jamie's talents lay in scamming the pants off people. She eyed him with a scrutiny she'd not bothered with before. Hmm, he did have that sweet naive look about him, maybe it would work to their advantage. No offence Jamie, but she calls them like she sees them. Besides, it was endearing.

"How's your poker face?"
Edited 2011-11-08 14:21 (UTC)
bonnypiperlad: (uniform)

[personal profile] bonnypiperlad 2011-11-12 08:58 am (UTC)(link)
"My what?" Jamie wasn't quite sure he understood the question. Why would she want to know that? His face when he played cards was almost always the same, unless he was winning, in which case...oh.

The puzzled, somewhat clueless expression on his face slowly faded as he caught on. It was a bit like playing a part to try and fool the other card players while Vala did whatever it was she had in mind. And he'd certainly done that enough in the past. He was confident he could do so again - as long as something didn't go wrong during the game.

Smoothing his features into a semblance of impassivity, he gave Vala a rather bland look - one that didn't betray any of what he was feeling. "Will something like this do?"
valaunbound: (emote  →  pigtails - cute)

[personal profile] valaunbound 2011-11-17 05:47 pm (UTC)(link)
So he was a little slow on the uptake, that much was obvious by the amount of time it took him to work out what a Poker face was, not to mention the facial tell as the penny finally dropped that was as obvious as a nun in a brothel.

"Well it's passable I suppose." Vala sighed, maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. "You'd probably be better off smiling though right from the start, it's easier to maintain and won't make them think we're out to shaft them."

First rule of gambling; don't try and pretend to be something you're not. Friendly and affable were Jamie's natural traits, he'd be better sticking to them.
bonnypiperlad: (smile2)

[personal profile] bonnypiperlad 2011-11-21 05:19 am (UTC)(link)
At least he got the idea. There were other things that could have come up in conversation that would have left him completely confused. Or, better yet, resulting in him pretending like he knows what's going on, which could be downright disastrous in the wrong situation.

As it was, it just might make things trickier - for Vala, at least. "Aye, I can do that," he replied, a perfectly pleasant smile appearing on his face. A little crooked-looking, perhaps, but certainly affable enough for anyone's purposes.

That done, he figured it was to get down to business. The sooner they were able to get this game over and done with, the better, in his opinion. Maybe then she'd listen to reason and go somewhere a little less dangerous. "So that's settled. Could we not go play now?"
valaunbound: (animated → flirty smile)

[personal profile] valaunbound 2011-11-22 11:53 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's probably more convincing." She smiled back in approval, thinking it might actually make the hustle easier. If they thought they were simply fun-seeking tourists getting the 'experience', they wouldn't see them as a serious threat of any sort.

Vala retrieved their drinks from the bar, handing Jamie's to him and then linked his free arm with hers in readiness to approach the burly looking group.

"Gentlemen," Vala smiled with a practiced ease and breezy confidence as they reached the table. "You wouldn't object to a couple of tourists gambling their limited funds away with you would you? We've always wanted to play a real game of Black Jack in a saloon like this, haven't we darling?" She turned to Jamie at the latter part of that.
bonnypiperlad: (sideprofile)

[personal profile] bonnypiperlad 2011-11-24 08:36 am (UTC)(link)
Shoving the last of his misgivings aside, he nodded and took his drink, fixing his smile firmly in place as they approached the table. The man with the tiger's head looked up at them as they approached, and the conversation at the table petered off, leaving the group to stare at them in what Jamie thought was a decidedly unfriendly manner.

Vala was very good, though, at least so far. Some of worst of the unfriendly looks were already starting to turn somewhat more speculative. And it was easy enough for him to pick up on her train of thought and play along. He gave her a warm smile - as well as a brief, affectionate squeeze at the same time. Hopefully that would help make them look like more of a couple.

"Aye, hen. I know we have." Turning back to the group, he blithely added, "Kirsty and I would be grateful if ye would consider letting us join ye at least for a hand or two."