Forim nods and says "I wonder when the worst predators will be out..." as he remembers some of his conversations with the Geik and what they hunted...


12:06, Today: Forim Luk rolled 3 successes, 2 threats using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 3A 3d.  Rolling Xenology.

The Geik have said little about the area to the south, except that they seemed to believe that crossing the badlands without their help would be dangerous. You recall that the Geik migrate seasonally. Often, dangerous predators take advantage of seasonal patterns to hunt aggressively along migration routes. Whatever predators are active in the badlands to the south, they are likely at maximum readiness.

“I powered up from the speeder bike not long ago, I should have enough power for a while, Flight Commander.”
Roger stands by  the group as they discuss plans, “Perhaps we could follow the Blue Stripes as they make their way south; we wouldn’t have to travel directly with them.  They know the terrain; I think it was pretty uneven from what we saw coming down - it’s likely that we’d stumble into unpassable ravines, cliffs, or something forcing us to backtrack and lose time.  We should make use of the Geik knowledge.”
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Sat 23 Sept 2017.

In reply to B1-P3 'Roger' (msg # 438):

"I agree, we can of course provide a security screen for them as well so we both win. It would seem that is the most prudent course of action we can take."

Xyklo has been listening closely, while calibrating the sights on the snipers rifle. If there were large predators he didn't want to adjust for some dopey Imps dodgey aim too late.
"Yeah. I was always told nothing is better than local knowledge on the wilderness. All planets are different right.
Besides, larger groups might put off some of the predators. Well. The smaller ones at least."

He looks at Forim, waiting for the Duros to make his call.

It takes a few hours to reach the central river, which is on the way to the Blue Speckles' river. Where you reach is a wide section, not easily crossed. To the north, a narrower section according to your map, you can see thin streams of smoke rising.

Updated map 1.

In reply to The Force (msg # 441):

OOC:
Will the bike cross over or will it submerge?
Could we use the bike to ferry everyone across?

In reply to The Force (msg # 441):

"We might want to move up the river a bit and try to cross there. Though we can just ferry people across with the bike as long as the creature who started the fires don't come and have a look." Anders will help get the bike ready to begin getting people across.

-

About 10 minutes later, all the rebels have crossed the river without incident. You got to see some very nice fish from the air. Now on the far side, it is possible to continue.

A few hours later, you arrive at another small village. The Geik in this Village response to your arrival with shock and fear. Many working outside the circle of buildings run back towards them, only to return a few minutes later armed with Spears and black powder bombs.

In reply to The Force (msg # 444):

Anders does not approach the village, he has his weapons holstered and raises his hands. Making no fast moves he lets the others in the team and the Geik with them to smooth things over.

Looking around Anders keeps an eye on the horizon for any unexpected Imperial visitors.

Anders Flown rolled 1 success, 1 advantage using the Star Wars Edge of the Empire with a dice pool of 1d 1a 1p.  Keeping watch.

"They looks scared, this is where a Geik to explain our presence could have been nice, but we deal with what we have.  I'm not much of a people person, more of a tecky, who wants to talk to them?" Kraken offers to the group.

Xyklo winces at the prospect of diplomacy. Maybe they should've gagged and bound Caddy? Then let her silver tongue off the leash in times like this.
Hesitantly, he looked up at Forim.
"I'll try if you want captain. But I don't speak Geik."

Forim smiles at Kraken and Anders then says "Just Flight Officer Xyklo, but I appreciate your vote of confidence"

He takes a step forward his hands off to the side in order show he is un-armed.  He says loudly in Geik "We mean you no harm.  We only seek guidance.  We are new to this land"

ooc: let me know if you want me to roll a social skill.

The Blue Speckle geik are adorned with patterns of blue dots across their faces, necks, and heads. They glance between one another, confused by all this. Now that you are acquainted with a few Geik, you can tell that these are not the warriors. Their garb is utilitarian, not filled with holsters for fuses and sheathes for bone-knives. They hold their spears nervously. None are covered with scars from hunting and battle.

More than the lack of combat experience, they seem to lack a leader. As Forim and the others approach peacefully, out in the open and speaking their language, they seem stymied. They glance back & forth between themselves. A tense moment passes.

Anders hangs back and lets those who have dealt with these creatures before do the talking. With nothing on the horizon he watches the reptilian villagers for any obvious violent actions.

-

Forim continues "[Private to group Geik: We seek the Aki-Varshi and the Tree of Knowledge.  Can you help us?]" not moving any further forward.  He does not want these farmers to become worried.

After some debate and shuffling amongst the people, conventionally a forward steps and the keedo elderly female wearing a ceremonial cloak.  She is introduced to you as Keedo, the wise woman of the blue speckles.
The shaman greets you politely, if reservedly.  She begs you to understand that any interactions with outsiders from the tribe must be directed by their chief. "Currently the chief, Zush, is at Shang. She and the warriors are defending our ancestral rights to the river from the perfidious Red Stripe."

In the crowd, you see an adult geik who is not armed and is not wearing blue speckle paint. Like Rak in the Red Stripe village, she wears yellow paint around her eyes. She circles slowly around the crowd to get closer to you.

In reply to The Force (msg # 452):

Andor raises his hand in greeting towards the one wearing yellow paint.

-

Forim nods and says "[Private to group Geik: I spoke with Chief Hezbek about the treaty.  He says that he wishes to honor the Shang Treaty, and that he would match any help the Blue Speckles would make to us if we could convince you to honor the treaty.  It sounds like you both already want to honor the treaty, or am I missing something]"

The shaman is clearly reluctant to say more, but persists regardless.

"The Red Stripe believe that we have been fishing in the river during a moon that we were not supposed to. They are not entirely wrong. But our treaty includes an exception during the Moon before a migration, and it is not our fault that the time came early this year. In any case, the debate is about anger now.

"The fishers were arguing over the matter when some males arrived. The talk became heated and blows were exchanged. So now some in our tribe feel that we are under attack."

Andor meets with the yellow eye, who bows politely. She introduces herself as Gamm, the Visiting Voice of the Yellow Eye tribe in this village.

Forim nods knowingly and responds "Ah, yes.  This has happened many a time before across the stars.  A difference in opinion and a change in circumstance from the original agreement and then someone gets upset."

Pausing to consider his next words he says "I would be happy to act as an ambassador or mediator in your discussions, however I must admit that I am not very political.

We came to this planet searching for the Tree of Knowledge, and we would very much appreciate your help in finding it"

There is murmuring amongst the villagers. You're still getting the hang of reading these peoples facial expressions, but they seem to be nonplussed. The wise woman listens to this and chooses not to respond.

The yellow eye visiting voice does have something to say though. "These visitors from Beyond the sky have come to see the tree of knowledge. Legend has it that this has happened once before." There is yet more murmuring at this.

In reply to The Force (msg # 457):

Andor bows as well before adding to what yellow eye has said "Yes that is correct, we are looking for a guide to the tree as Forim has said."

Kraken interested nods to Forim, "This has happened once before?  I wonder who and when?  Was it Jedi or Empire or perhaps someone else?" he muses watching and listening.

The Geik are sentient creatures, despite their limited technology, but all biologics must content with their instincts. The Geik's instincts were telling them it was time to mate and travel. Still, they are reluctant to defy their leader. Although by now they have lowered their weapons, they are shuffling and murmuring to one another as you talk. It seems no-one in the village wants to miss whatever is happening with the strange outsiders. Small children dart in to sniff and poke at you, only to dart away again at the slightest move. Geik kids are lightning fast.

The Yellow Eye, Gamm, listens politely to Kraken's rhetorical questions. If she has more to add, she chooses not to.

Keedo, the tribal wise woman, points to the east. "We wish to be courteous to our guests, but we cannot send anyone south without the approval of Chief Zush. She is at Shang, the middle brother. It is the river in that direction," she explains helpfully.