GM Tarondor's Skandersvik - Traveller (Inactive)

Game Master Tarondor

Yuri looks over the others and sighs.

"I will be running security for the group again, I assume. Can I see the restrictions on weapons and armour for this 'berg, sir?"

"I am not sure we need to do freebies. We could always do a discount for a first time user and generate a good reputation." Crastor says.

That's a good idea for sowing goodwill, either way Frey... waiting to see if we have room for more than a small box of medical supplies from the ship though. Not sure what the shuttle can handle.

"My shuttle can handle easily handle it if we want to take that." Crastor offers.

Corellon salutes (or simply acknowledges) in the fashion he's learned the owner prefers and queries. "Yes sir. What is our timeline for reporting back to the Skander?"

Getting a clear idea of how much time they are being given to handle the mission before returning to the ship is the scout's main concern at this point. As it is their team's mission to suss out intelligence of both military and commercial value, Cor figures they'll be on their own in getting those answers. But Zaeta's question as well as Yuri's clarification on whether officers are allowed weapons or armor planetside is also of interest to him.

Yes sir, I have a question. We have a lot of mail and freight to deliver here. Will we have time to handle that after we get back, or should we leave instructions for the cargo crew? Also, how much cargo can the shuttle carry, if any? I got your point loud and clear about long term relationships and goodwill... just wondering if we run into someone who wants to do a deal now, if we will have the ability or not.

Sundstrom nods. He likes that Zaeta is seeing to her duties. "Plenty of time to discharge your duties. The deck crew will handle the cargo offloading as usual, but you can handle the brokerage and other fees before you go."

Yuri looks over the others and sighs.

"I will be running security for the group again, I assume. Can I see the restrictions on weapons and armour for this 'berg, sir?"

"They're fairly absolute. No weapons of any kind." See the Condaria briefing, above.

"Recommend you secure your team's weapons in the armory before you depart, Mister Sokolov."

"Goodwill ... so Z, let's load up the medical supplies we purchased into the shuttle. I will offer to see some patients and if we offer a few freebies, so be it: the market for medical supplies on planets with tainted atmos is usually excellent. Let's do this."

"A good strategy and one I have often used myself," says Sundstrom. "It creates not only goodwill but a market for more goods of the same kind."

"I am not sure we need to do freebies. We could always do a discount for a first time user and generate a good reputation." Crastor says.

That's a good idea for sowing goodwill, either way Frey... waiting to see if we have room for more than a small box of medical supplies from the ship though. Not sure what the shuttle can handle.

"My shuttle can handle easily handle it if we want to take that." Crastor offers.

The Core Rulebook, p. 222 shows a Ship's Boat and its capabilities. In addition to two crew and six passengers, it can accommodate 13.5 tons of cargo.

Corellon salutes (or simply acknowledges) in the fashion he's learned the owner prefers and queries. "Yes sir. What is our timeline for reporting back to the Skander?"

"I've budgeted five days planetside, though our schedule can slip by a day or so if necessary," replies the Ship's Master. "Just be sure to report in daily so we know your status and whether you need anything."

Glancing at the others to make sure there are no further questions, Corellon responds. "Yes sir, we won't let you down. Thank you, sir."

Once headed off with the others, Cor speaks with them much more informally. "So we've got about 13 and a half tons of cargo space on the shuttle. Should be more than enough to handle anything we might pick up. And we can bring the medical supplies as well as some of the consumables and industrial goods - we might find a market for those. I'd suggest we fill about two-thirds of our hold heading out, plan to sell some or all of it if we can find a good price, with room left to return with more cargo even if we don't sell much. Any thoughts or suggestions to further refine that plan?" And let's not forget our secondary mission, gathering some intelligence on what the local military is planning here."

Off-hand, thinking we take all 3 tons of medical supplies, as well as 3 tons of common consumables and 3 tons of common industrial goods? That'd be 9 tons to potentially sell, leaving us about 4.5 tons of free space.

Freyjason wrote:

"Goodwill ... so Z, let's load up the medical supplies we purchased into the shuttle. I will offer to see some patients and if we offer a few freebies, so be it: the market for medical supplies on planets with tainted atmos is usually excellent. Let's do this."

"A good strategy and one I have often used myself," says Sundstrom. "It creates not only goodwill but a market for more goods of the same kind."

Crastor Deems wrote:

"I am not sure we need to do freebies. We could always do a discount for a first time user and generate a good reputation." Crastor says.

Zaeta wrote:

That's a good idea for sowing goodwill, either way Frey... waiting to see if we have room for more than a small box of medical supplies from the ship though. Not sure what the shuttle can handle.

Crastor Deems wrote:

"My shuttle can handle easily handle it if we want to take that." Crastor offers.

The Core Rulebook, p. 222 shows a Ship's Boat and its capabilities. In addition to two crew and six passengers, it can accommodate 13.5 tons of cargo.

"So, based on the owner's approval, let's load up a ton of meds. We leave 2 tons in reserve which the locals can purchase. I will serve the community to the best of my ability, hopefully I can get at least 1 person to help with that."

Yuri takes his place at the exit from the ship and checks to make sure that all crew members that exit the vessel are not armed.

Zaeta takes care of the delivery arrangements and arranges to collect the fees for the mail and cargo before heading off to the other side of the planet:

Zaeta is careful to leave all weapons behind before they get off. When she and Cor start talking about trading, she responds

So, I think one ton of medical supplies should be fine (per Frey's post). We can also bring some uncommon ore and gems/crystals... get them out of your hold and if they don't sell, we'll load them back into mine because I have clear space now. For my part, one ton of each is fine. I think anything we leave here we will probably also be able to sell, and if people there want more, I'm sure we can arrange transport.

She turns to Crastor

Hey Crastor! You want to bring any of your trade goods for distribution or sale when we head out?

She agrees to go with Frey to help distribute medical supplies, but on the condition that they visit some animal clinics, and help people's animals as well as humans. She had been working with exotic animals for a long time, and she wanted to cultivate contacts there as well, making sure that they knew if they traded in animals that they would be well taken care of. Plus, some good pictures of Sword Worlders with kittens and Tribbles would be sure to improve their image.

Zaeta takes care of the delivery arrangements and arranges to collect the fees for the mail and cargo before heading off to the other side of the planet:

** spoiler omitted **

Zaeta is careful to leave all weapons behind before they get off. When she and Cor start talking about trading, she responds

So, I think one ton of medical supplies should be fine (per Frey's post). We can also bring some uncommon ore and gems/crystals... get them out of your hold and if they don't sell, we'll load them back into mine because I have clear space now. For my part, one ton of each is fine. I think anything we leave here we will probably also be able to sell, and if people there want more, I'm sure we can arrange transport.

She turns to Crastor

Hey Crastor! You want to bring any of your trade goods for distribution or sale when we head out?

She agrees to go with Frey to help distribute medical supplies, but on the condition that they visit some animal clinics, and help people's animals as well as humans. She had been working with exotic animals for a long time, and she wanted to cultivate contacts there as well, making sure that...

and children, and children with pets.

Mmmmmokay. I've lost track of your goods, going every which way! You're on the honor system now!

Ounarin is a short sub-orbital hop away. Crastor brings his ship's boat out of the atmosphere and skips it along the surface until, 4,000 km away, he drops back down towards the ground.

Ounarin is a typical ‘grain town’ of a few thousand people, surrounded by outlying farms. The landing area is little more than a concrete apron with a loading gantry at one end. There is no-one around and the equipment stands idle but you see a grain truck arrive at one of the silos and offload its cargo.

A lone dog looks up from the shade to acknowledge your arrival.

Zaeta approaches the dog to see if it is friendly, and pets it if so.

Cor glances at the dog, then scans the area with a slight frown. "Not much of a reception. Let's head over toward that grain truck and see who's around."

Once they arrive, he fixes a friendly smile on his face and approaches whoever looks to be in charge. "Greetings. Second Officer Corellon Anders of the merchant cruiser Skander. Where might we log in our arrival and cargo inventory?"

So I think it's 1 ton of medical supplies, as well as 3 tons of common consumables and 3 tons of common industrial goods? That'd be 7 tons to potentially sell, leaving us about 6.5 tons of free space.

I added in a ton of gems/crystals and a ton of uncommon ore in place of the medical supplies we were going to bring... gives us more of a variety of goods to display and get people interested in at least.

After petting the dog, Zaeta replies to Cor

Okay, let's go out and meet the locals.

After they get to the truck and after Cor's formal greeting, she adds

I'm Zaeta. What's your name? We're looking to get to know everyone and talk to you all about what you might be in need of out here. Do you think we could arrange a community meeting of some sort?

Zaeta approaches the dog to see if it is friendly, and pets it if so.

The dog is laconic and allows Zaeta to pet her without much enthusiasm. It then flops back into the shade and scratches before returning to its rest.

Cor glances at the dog, then scans the area with a slight frown. "Not much of a reception. Let's head over toward that grain truck and see who's around."

Once they arrive, he fixes a friendly smile on his face and approaches whoever looks to be in charge. "Greetings. Second Officer Corellon Anders of the merchant cruiser Skander. Where might we log in our arrival and cargo inventory?"

The man offloading the grain truck has a scruffy three-day beard and wears well-worn overalls. "Welp," he says thoughtfully. "They's a office in town. A whatyacallit... business office. You get your cargo signed for there. They's a man what signs for it. Alcar or maybe Ferrin, if he's not too busy at the feed store. It's just a walk thataways." He gestures towards the middle of town.

I'm Zaeta. What's your name?

"Name's Mikal. Mikal Arguundir Hanaasen. Folks mostly just calls me Junior. You can call me Junior or you can call me Mikal. I drive the truck."

We're looking to get to know everyone and talk to you all about what you might be in need of out here. Do you think we could arrange a community meeting of some sort?

Mikal considers this. "Welp, I guess I'd start with the business office? But they's a dance on St. Norton's Day. I guess you could talk with folks then. S'a few weeks off, though."

Thank you Mikal. Also, do you know of anyone in need of medial care? We have a doctor with us, and I have some minor veterinary skill as well, if there are any injured animals. You guys might already be fine in that department, but thought I would ask just in case, since we are only here for a few days.

"Welp, Eneri Taron's got the gout and Widow Nelis has the artha-ritis. And that Felaro boy ain't walked right since he fell out of that tree. Mmmm, and Deputy Zane's got the crawlies, so I heard, but that's probably just talk. Oh, and let's see, Miss Uril's goat's sick, but I don't know what's wrong with it and..."

Mikal's list of the sick and afflicted is long and exhaustive. He seems to know half the gossip in town and the outlying farms, at least as regards the health of the residents.

Zaeta nods and smiles in the appropriate places, and takes notes on her mobile comm. When he finishes his list, she starts getting general directions for each so they have a list of places to stop by.

"Z, will you transmit that ailment overview to Frigg (my SuitCOMP)? I think we will be good with colchicine & allopurinol for the gout, and I certainly have some NSAIDs handy to help with arthritis. A broken leg or sprain is another thing though. Not sure if we can look up idiomatic expressions like "crawlies" ... but we can certainly speak to the Deputy. For the goat, I guess we can make a house call."

Frey smiles ... at least these people needed help

Zaeta shares her list with Frey.

So, where to now?

Zaeta thanks Mikal for his time and starts walking towards the middle of town and the business office, planning on meeting whoever is there and maybe arranging a larger meeting before going on medical visits.

The team moves through the dusty streets of Ounarin, asking directions and arrive shortly thereafter at a two-story brick building with plate glass windows that probably haven't been cleaned since the Fourth Interstellar War. Inside, they encounter a man and a woman, dressed simply but neatly.

"Ah! Our visitors," says the woman. "Hello. I'm Verdia and this is Porris. We just heard you were coming, so please forgive the informality. Can I get you some kaf? I just put on a pot. Well, why don't we go into the conference room?"

The rather small and antiquated room has a table and chairs made of real wood. Porris gets you situated while Verdia brings some steaming cups of kaf.

"Now," she says. "Welcome to Ounarin. Porris and I represent the local farmers and businesses. I'm president of a local trucking company and Porris is director of the Board of Water and Light. The farmers and businesses empower us to speak on their behalf when ships come."

"To tell the truth," says Porris, "We haven't much grain to sell. We trade regularly with ships from Mire and the silos are mostly empty right now. But we could make a deal for a few hundred tons if the price was right."

You know that there is insufficient room aboard Skander for any worthwhile amount of low-value goods to be transported.

Corellon nods politely as Verdia introduces herself and Porris. "Greetings Verdia and Porris, you can call me Cor. I'd love some kaf, thank you. It's been a long flight."

He waits for the others to make their own introductions, then follows into the meeting room. Once seated, he listens to the offer and smiles as the tactful Zaeta takes the lead.

Ha, posted at the same time as Zaeta! She said pretty much what Cor said, but in a much better way so I'll let her do the talking. :)

"It's so nice to meet you. We appreciate the offer of grain to trade, but we unfortunately don't have the room for a bulk load like that. I'm guessing that is why people usually come here though, so apologies for not meeting your expectations."

I'm Zaeta, and we're here from the Sword World ship the Skander. We're here to meet you and find out what you need. If grain transport is what you need, perhaps we could set up an agreement between you and our trading company, where we transport grain as freight for you, so that you can sell it all along our trade route rather than just to people who come by?

You might already have something like that though. We actually just want to take some time to talk to you and figure out what you are in need of that you might not get regularly, and if there is something like that, maybe we can help. We brought a doctor and some medical supplies, and Mikal let us know about a few people that might be in need... but we also have samples of other things like gems and crystals, consumables, industrial goods, etc. If we don't have what your community needs, maybe we can arrange for it in the future. We're looking to set up some long-term trade agreements.

"We appreciate the doctor's visit. We have a few veterinarians and there's a clinic run by Doc Daro. Doc's wonderful, but he's 86 and doesn't get around much."

"As for contracts, I'm afraid our grain contracts are long-term. I think you may find a small market here for most of your goods. I could see about a contract for some business and communications equipment, but the volume wouldn't be large by your standards."

You can sell Common Electronics her for 25,000 credits per ton (that's 125% standard) and Common Manufactured Goods for 24,000 credits per ton (that's 120% standard). But they can take no more than 10 tons of each.

While your conference goes on, Verdia gets a comm. She excuses herself and steps out, returning in a few minutes.

"That was Ivan Malo over in Reulei, a town about 600 kilometers southeast of here. Seems he somehow heard that you had come. Ivan represents a consortium of distilleries in the Madaran Valley. He's offered to put you up at his ranch so you can come and try some of his people's liquor. I believe he's got quite a nice ranch."

We don't mind small contracts, if it is what you really need. We just take that sort of thing into consideration when we plan our trading routes... and thank you, that is a great idea. We'll have to stop by and see Ivan as well, after we finish our visit here.

That shouldn't be a problem since our trip is allowed 5 days, right? We can visit both communities, and maybe others around here if they need anything, or have something cool to trade.

Probably correct. :-)

Corellon agrees with Zaeta. "If folks here can use the cargo, we'll be happy to part with what we've got. Can you tell us more about Ivan? Sounds like he must have some good connections if he knew we were coming. We hadn't even decided on our course until a short time ago!" His tone is light, but the officer wonders how this rancher might have obtained his information so quickly...

Corellon agrees with Zaeta. "If folks here can use the cargo, we'll be happy to part with what we've got. Can you tell us more about Ivan? Sounds like he must have some good connections if he knew we were coming. We hadn't even decided on our course until a short time ago!" His tone is light, but the officer wonders how this rancher might have obtained his information so quickly...

Erryll thinks, "Who would have guessed; the 'mouth' at the edge of town has a comm!?!? I wonder if everyone here knows they have an informant living with them? Probably a LOT of local profit that gets 'diverted' which is sad really."

She gives Erryll an odd look, not really sure what he's talking about.

"This is a small town and you have a spaceship," Verdia says to Cor. "That's news on any day. Plus, you're Sword Worlders. That's noticeable too. For someone like Ivan, hoping for an opportunity to sell his goods on the interstellar market, I'm sure he's been tracking your ship since it entered orbit. Don't tell him I said that. He does make a fine single malt."

Was meant to be thought-speech, not voice-speech, hence the italics
(and 'Erryll thinks')

LMK if there's a better way to note that in the future?
Erryll will be thinking some FAR less complimentary things, I wouldn't want them overheard. Although if that was the tip-off that the community is psionic, that's cool too ;)

Ah yes! The old Psionic Farmer trick! No, I just misunderstood. One thing I've seen people do is put thoughts in both italics and <brackets>

But I'll just try to read closer next time.

Ha ha. We won't tell him, but it works. What he is looking for is exactly what we are looking for. Good trading opportunities that benefit everyone. If there is anyone else you know that is looking for something like that, we're definitely interested. ... As for you, we'd be happy to set up some small contracts with you guys for common electronics and common manufactured goods. Anything else you are looking for?

... Just in case, Zaeta looks up local regulations to make sure there aren't any laws restricting transport and sale of alcohol that they might need to know about.

"Verdia, I am sure you would understand this; I must pay my respects to Doctor Daro and seek his counsel, especially before offering to treat patients in the town he serves. Could anyone introduce me, or at least help me find him? I would appreciate it very much."

Cor smiles at Verdia. "It was a pleasure to have met you, Verdia. Let's take care of those contracts you mentioned, I'm certain we can set you up with some of our goods. And please let us know if we can be of further assistance. We will be around the area for a few days and will most certainly visit this Ivan while keeping your own observations entirely out of conversation. We wouldn't want to be responsible for you missing out on any future single malts."

Cor is in agreement to meet with the doctor before heading out to Ivan's ranch later this afternoon once their business in town is concluded.

Tarondor, I wouldn't mind unloading my entire inventory of common electronics (6 tons) back on the ship here for that price - if we can work out a contract to have it offloaded from the Skander, as we didn't bring any in the shuttle. Let me know if that's possible. Our rather small inventory in the shuttle only includes:

1 ton of medical supplies
1 ton of gems/crystals
1 ton of common ore
3 tons of common consumables
3 tons of common industrial goods
4.5 tons of free space

Probably just send a message to the captain and tell him we're coming to pick something up... or he can have someone drop it by if he would rather? While we're at it we can see if there are any other little settlements to visit?

We do actually have a mission here team: the whole goodwill thing? That the owner tasked Beta Team with? I'm sure he'll be good with our regionalizing the plan, but courtesy & chain of command kinda dictate that we at least say something before we race off to the scotch tasting ... and we should actually DO something goodwill related in the location he sent us to. Unless I'm missing something, just selling stuff isn't going to make the Skander stand out to this community (and Verdia has basically told us that too)

Ha ha. We won't tell him, but it works. What he is looking for is exactly what we are looking for. Good trading opportunities that benefit everyone. If there is anyone else you know that is looking for something like that, we're definitely interested. ... As for you, we'd be happy to set up some small contracts with you guys for common electronics and common manufactured goods. Anything else you are looking for?

... Just in case, Zaeta looks up local regulations to make sure there aren't any laws restricting transport and sale of alcohol that they might need to know about.

There aren't any long-term contracts to be had, but you can sell Electronics and Manufactured Goods at a reasonable price. Remember that if you don't have them, Sundstrom does. Also remember that he's okay just selling some goods to create a market later.

"Verdia, I am sure you would understand this; I must pay my respects to Doctor Daro and seek his counsel, especially before offering to treat patients in the town he serves. Could anyone introduce me, or at least help me find him? I would appreciate it very much."

"Of course, Doctor. When we're done here I'll drive you over to his house myself and make the introductions."

Tarondor, I wouldn't mind unloading my entire inventory of common electronics (6 tons) back on the ship here for that price - if we can work out a contract to have it offloaded from the Skander, as we didn't bring any in the shuttle. Let me know if that's possible.

No problem. You can return to Skander, pick it up and bring it back to Ounarin after your trip to Reulei. Should be plenty of time.

We do actually have a mission here team: the whole goodwill thing? That the owner tasked Beta Team with? I'm sure he'll be good with our regionalizing the plan, but courtesy & chain of command kinda dictate that we at least say something before we race off to the scotch tasting ... and we should actually DO something goodwill related in the location he sent us to. Unless I'm missing something, just selling stuff isn't going to make the Skander stand out to this community (and Verdia has basically told us that too)

Well said.

I wasn't suggesting that we leave immediately. We planned the whole doctor visit things, and everything else we've suggested has been doable within the 5 day limit while still doing everything we planned. Why don't you just narrate the "DOING" stuff if you want to get on with it?

As for contracts, I suggested that because she said "I could see about a contract for some business and communications equipment, but the volume wouldn't be large by your standards." If that meant just trading, totally cool, but contracts I thought meant something recurring.

Yep, I'm having a bit of trouble with this style of gaming so far. I'm enjoying the sci-fi element and all, but making up stuff to do without any sort of story elements to work with is difficult for me as a player. I'm all good with learning as we go, but bear with me as I try to learn how to do this whole 'freeform' style of RPing where the player is both creating the situations and interacting. Definitely not in my usual comfort zone.

He has different orders for you.

_______________________________________________

”Second, Third and Fourth Officers to the Captain’s Ready Room. Legal Officer and Ship’s Doctor, to the Captain’s Ready Room. Briefing in ten. That will be all.”

Once you are all assembled, Magnus Sundstrom and First Officer Margueritte Johansdottir greet you. Sundstrom speaks. ”I am designating you Beta Team. As Second Officer, Mister Anders is in command, though I expect each of you to represent the ship professionally and well.”

”This will be your first opportunity to function independently. This is your chance to impress me and gain the opportunity for more of the same in the future. Success will not be measure in terms of short-term economic return but instead by long-term relations forged and the goodwill of the people with whom you interact. Please remember that.”

”I am sending you in a shuttle to the town of Ounarin. Both Mister Anders and Mister Deems are rated pilots, so I’ll leave the flying to you. Your orders are to be seen and make a good impression, to seek out commercial opportunities and obtain whatever information might be useful. Explore opportunities, make friends find out what our friends on the far side of this world may have to sell or need to buy.

”Questions?”...

Cor is in agreement to meet with the doctor before heading out to Ivan's ranch later this afternoon once their business in town is concluded.

Sorry guys, could totally be me, but I read the whole 'head to Ivan's ranch later this afternoon' and it really kind of threw me, like why would they do that ya know? They JUST got there, they just found out that actual doctor who is there is decrepit, Frey has suggested being respectful about that so that we seem like nice people before stepping on the old guy's toes, and then the word could go out, and then he could see some people and do a community health diagnosis and some individual treatment plans, and then maybe when things are kinda squared away, they could go to Ivan's having created a massive overall improvement in Ounarin; the task originally assigned to them by the owner. I really feel like I must have missed something though. I am totally okay with just leaving if that is the will of the team.