Posted by Gamemaster CockRoach (GM) in Main Sim - Alien Planet - Landing Party 2 Approaching Valiki
[snip]

Seeming to find what was said the gruff man shoved the bag roughly back to the man, “..Bah, fine, guess you can pass on through, one day you can bet we will find an excuse to hang your fey neck and pointy arse ears..” he said waving the two through who did not comment. It seems these locals did not like outsiders or those who did not fit a certain ‘normal human’ pattern.

She shook her hand, “The guards were more friendly if not bored with their job. We didn’t see any other species while we were there. The Sun Cultists were looked at with disinterest or kind of…quirky and weird, but not really respected. They on the other hand were very friendly and willing to help others. We passed a few farms on the way in, and the overseers didn’t like having strangers around too much.”

The next person in front of the team, was a shorter human man in darker-brown/black leathers and clothes, he carried a a few small bags, and only bore a pair of daggers on his person. Approaching the gruff guard he murmured something that the team could not pick up and as they watched a quick exchange of coin went from the shady man to the guard. Without a word the guard waved him through without searching his belongings. It might occur to the team that given they had a few replicated coins based on scans, they might be able to get through with minimal fuss by paying off the guard in a similar way. Or they could take the risk of the guard finding or not finding any of their hidden equipment from the Sentinel.

GM CockRoach

Rand didn’t think appealing to their compassionate nature and trying to find her lost brother was going to work here. They couldn’t risk their equipment being found, and they did have coin, but it was probably best for her to stay quiet. The guards made her nervous and were intimidating and gruff. Last thing she needed was to start stammering. Of course people like that might enjoy making her uncomfortable and get some sport out of it and then leave her be.

Yeoman Rand

As they approached the gate Kovan began his observations. First, a quick study of the people in line, then a more in-depth study of the guards. He noted their dress, their posture and expressions, their body language. Things an experienced linguist like himself instinctively searched for and picked up upon. Thus, the exchange of coin for an easier passage did not go unnoticed. Kovan discreetly asked the NE’s for their replicated coin then added it to his own coin purse. He then handed the much fuller coin purse to XO Alden, “With your coin added to this purse, it should be enough for the guards to look past our larger group.”

It could be too much coin but to Kovan it was better to prevent a search of their belongings now then potentially suffer a deficit of coin later.

Ensign ch’Sirhc, COMMO/ENGR

Roman had nodded quietly to Rand’s information. Lovely. They’d gotten the more… protected village. He took the coin pouch and added his own to it with an uneasy expression. “Let’s hope.” He stood towards the front of the group where he could do the talking and hand over the money. Neither this situation nor the one at the cave was one he liked. Far too dangerous for his preferences. He covered his unease and put a confident, stoic expression on. Guards like these would sniff out weakness and exploit it.

~ Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

As the team finally got up to the gate, the burly guard from before stopped them with a non-friendly held up hand. “..Halt there, state your names, and business in Valiki!” he demanded. Thankfully there was no one behind the team waiting to enter so they weren’t holding anyone up, they had all the time in the world to end up answering this guard’s questions if he felt like it.....

GM CockRoach

“Roman, Miranda, Alwyn, Kovan, and Mthunzi,” Roman gestured to each person as he said their names, going by first name to seem more casual. He struggled to remember everything Rand had told him about acting, to appear more convincing. He gave little away with his face, he was almost always stoic and today was no different. “We’re travelers, looking to replenish supplies, perhaps stay for the night. Then we’ll be moving on.” Hopefully, they wouldn’t even be staying for the night. But it sounded believable. He kept his hand near the pouch of money the group had prepared if he needed to pay off the guard.

~ Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO