Iron Stars - delmar-strongtide

Delmar Strongtide awakens in their small home on Heras, the capital world of the Elysium Protectorate. Delmar is a Merlon, having left Terezinho the moment commercial space flight became cheap enough in the Post Scream universe to allow it. Very few locals leave Terezinho, a tropical world that is both your home and a popular vacation/retirement spot for many for those fortunate enough to survive The Scream and retired to tell the tale. None the less, wanderlust effects organics alike in this universe and the draw of the plucky hawk polity was a call you could not ignore. A smooth talker as most Merlon are , coupled with an understanding of business and some quick reflexrs to boot. Delmar ventured here hoping to to take advantage of an emergent economy as a trader, doing business with the various polities and friendly neutral enclaves the Protectorate is in contact with. A knock at the door awakens Delmar from their repreive and thoughts of the past. @Delmar Strongtide (no need to reply/ping feature, just tagging you so you know where your thread is. Any new text in here lights the channel up)

At the sound of the knock rousing him from his thoughts, Delmar will quickly get dressed, splashing his face with some water as his mind races. "Why is someone knocking at my door? Am I late for a meeting? Did I forget I invited someone over again?" Is what he thinks as he finishes waking himself up. After a minute or so, he makes his way over to the door, and opens it up, really hoping he didn't forget something important.

There is a Protectorate Courier at the door with a heavy bag of both personal mail and Protectorate official communications on their shoulder. "Delmar Strongtide?" he asks, producing a large envilope that is bulging with both papers and the faint impression of a data pad. "Message from the Protectorate. Your eyes only, I'm just the deliveryman. You mind singing for it?" he says, holding out a compad and stylus. "They want to certify this was delivered to the right person."

Delmar's face will brighten in surprise at the news. "The Protectorate...? Sorry, yes. I am Delmar Strongtide." He takes the stylus and signs for the package, wondering what kind of message it could be.

Verifying the siguature and your face match whatever official records are on file, the courier nods once and hands over the documents. With a tip of their cap they jog off, heading to another one of their many stops over the course of the day. The envilope contains a number of files and a compad about an issue the Protectorate would like some assistance with. The number of projects, military operations, and other important polity needs march on and only expand as the polity expands. There is no financial or resource crisis yet, but mismanagement is easy to fall into and could have one looming. With some reputation for business accumen in your resume, the Protectorate has reached out, commissioning you to assist them with a small local economic matter. Trade across the surface of a planet is as important as travel between planets, and it is often times that the less flashy local markets get overlooked. The city of Janusus has long been overlooked , along with the fontier settlements within a few hundred kilometers of it. Hailing from a cross roads of sleepy river intersections in the southern part of the planet, if a market for goods can be developed there, the rfiver system will allow them to be shipped cheaply across the planet. Experts in other departments cannot be spared, and the Protectorate would like to commission you for the job.

Delmar read the files with a growing grin on his face as he began to understand. Whether it was dumb luck, or someone had put in a good word for him, he would probably never know, but he wasn't going to let this chance go. After checking if there is anyone he needs to contact about the job, he starts excitedly packing his things in anticipation of the trip from Persepha to Jansus.

There is a Protectorate office in the city that can assist or provide some information for you, and transport on a river barge has been arranged for you shouldf you accept the job. The office also has a room there you can use as quarters while you investigate and explore the city. The forms say to expect to be gone for about a month ,but you will be well paid for the endeavor should things prove successful and a local market developed. A file with the dock location and barge number is included.

With information in hand, Delmar finishes packing whatever he thinks he needs, and heads to the river to start the journey south. On his way there, he starts to think about what he knows about Jansus, and what opportunities he might find there.

(Believe it or not in our long history no players have actually been there, so we'll be adding the description of the city to the world anvilw hen you get there)

6:02 AM

Heading to the docks there is a barge there waiting to take you south. The captain is an old salt, and his mates look to be other members of his family, namely his three sons. Each of them has a long hunting rifle strapped to their back and are finishing rolling the last barrels of dried goods on board. The ship is laden down with some manufactured goods for the distant city, and the captain perks up on seeing you approach.

6:02 AM

"Good morning! You the person we're taking down to Janusus?"

Delmar will approach the captain with a smile. "Yes! That would be me. I am Delmar." He says, extending a hand to shake with the captain. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Captain."

"Do you have a weapon Delmar?" he asks, gesturing for you to climb up the shallow boarding ramp to the deck of the boat. "If not, one of my sons can give you one to borrow for the duration. River pirates can be an issue in the lower delta, we might see them, we might not. If we do, you'll want a way to defend yourself"

His smile turns down slightly at the mention of pirates. "Yes, I have a pistol. I purchased it for self defense awhile back" He says as he starts to climb up the ramp onto the boat. "I am not the best shot, but I should be able to defend myself."

(d10 as we head out! )

(Rolled a 10!)

(Great! this is just a roll on some hex tables i have so for reference 1 isn't a fail and 10 isn't a pass, its just what column I look in) Leaving the city and floating lazily down the river the crew is in good spirits this close to regularly patrolled waters. There are several fishing poles passed around so everyone has a chance to do some sport fishing, and if possible suppliment the ship's good with a freshly caught meal instead of freeze dried traveling rations.

Delmar happily does some fishing with the crew. He always enjoys a good meal of fresh fish, as it reminds him of home.

(survive/wis)

(8)

There is a tug on your line as the vessel begins making its way quietly and carefully down the stream. There is notably a fish on as the line starts to gently bow as the fish tries to break the line and make its escape. You and the barge crew battle the beast for several long minutes before the green scaled fish is pulled into the boat. It is a river fish and its upturned mouth indicates it is not a bottom feeder and is otherwise good for eating.

Delmar will share his catch with the crew as the boat continues its lazy drift down the river. At some point during the trip, he will start to ask them about Jansus, and what they know of the place.

(talk/cha. they'll give some facts as a base level but they might get more into the gossip and some other topics with a good result)

(Rolled a 6, unless I can use my diplomat foci on this roll)

(It's not really a negotiation, we're just trying to get some information from them) Janusius is the crossroads of the southern river system and they are known for their heavy armor formations. Wide plains surround the city to the west and east dotted with many tributary villages. Those villages have their own mayors and systems of home rule which are allowed to continue so long as militias are maintained, tithes and taxes regularly come in to both the Khan and the Protectorate, and fealty is otherwise paid in the proper amounts. The city itself has many modern roadways and bridges and the city is lined with transportation infrastructure. Tall buildings overlook the roads and canal systems inside the city and warehouses occupy the river crossings all over the settlement allowing goods to be shipped both further west and east. Its people are hard working and industrious, but the city makes little of its own goods, instead making money as a transportation and logistics hub in exchange for what it needs.

8:36 AM

There are elements of organized crime in the city who rip off warehouses and barges, and river pirates are known to lurk in the area as well to prey on vulnerable shipping.

At the mention of pirates the conversation quickly comes to a halt. One of the suns holds up a hand with a clenched fist. Quiet. Danger. After another few seconds the distant thrum of a boat motor can be heard drifting across the water, but the high reeds and winding tributaries in this area keep the approaching vessel out of sight for the immediate moment

(So sorry for the lack of response the past few days! Been busy with exams and such.) Understanding the situation, Delmar pats his side, making sure his pistol is still there as he listens and waits for the approach of the oncoming boat.

(all good, discord eats notifications sometimes, happens to me a lot, just wanted to be sure it didnt get eaten)

The boat in front of your barge comes to a halt and you can see four figures on it including the driver. All of them have weapons aimed at the boat. "Good afternoon gentlemen and gentlefish. This is a robbery. We don't want your lives but we will take them if you resist" the pirate at the bow says. They're younger than you'd expect, older teenagers and a few that look to be in their young twenties and none of them seem to be confident with their weapons.

Delmar quickly puts a hand up, trying to diffuse the situation, "Hold on there, there's no need for any violence. This barge isn't carrying any valuable cargo. Certainly nothing worth dying over." He then glances over at the captain, realizing it may not have been his place to speak, but he isn't really used to these kinds of situations yet.

"I'll be the judge of that!" he says with wavering confidence in his voice. "This is our river, anyone who comes by has to pay the toll. Where are you heading, anyway?" he asks as their boat drifts closer.

"We're just heading south, to Jansus. Please, do not bring your boat any closer. I don't believe anyone wants to be shot today."

"You're going to need to pay the toll if you want to go south. This is our stretch of river . Everyone that comes this way has to pay it. Is your life really worth fifty credits? "

"If it will avoid any unnecessary bloodshed. I will pay the 'toll' for this vessel then."

The barge drifts close and one of the pirates on board reaches out a hand to collect the credits. "I'll tell the others you've paid the toll. They won't bother you. Thanks for doing your part to keep the rivers and wetlands safe" the inexperienced pirate says while the other two on the boat laugh

After handing over the credits, Delmar will frown, but won't say anything else to the pirates. "My apologies if it was inappropriate of me to speak up on your vessel, captain. I am not... experienced, with these types of situations." Delmar will say to the captain after stepping back away from the pirates.

The pirates slap a decal on the side of your boat so you will not be harassed by other crews, and carve a notch out of it. You're not sure what the purpose of it is. They push back from your boat and snicker to one another as they begin to speed away, toll in hand. "You did the right thing. We wouldn't have been able to cover it but when we get where we are going I will give you the first share of credits from whatever we sell. I am sorry we put you in this position" the captain says, removing their hat and placeing it over their chest in a solemn gesture. His children shipmates also look similarly downcast at what has just happened.

(Sorry for going full dark for the past month and a half. Turns out they weren't kidding when they said the final year of Uni would be the busiest

. I'll post a response tomorrow if that's cool?)

(of course, life comes first, good to hear from you!)

Noticing the downcast mood of the crew, Delmar will pipe up. "Ah well, nothing else to be done now. I suppose we should get moving again and hope there are no more obstacles?"

(one more D10 and we're there) The locals are downcast, but are alive and your words go some way in inspiring them to keep their heads above water and in to it. The further you get from the pirates the better everyone seems to feel.

At some point, in an attempt to raise spirits after the pirate encounter, Delmar will tell the crew about what Terezinho is like. He will also offer to tell some stories about his life there before he left.

(talk/cha, at a +2, lets do it)

)

Stories of home, of better worlds with other water ways and the wonderful adventures had there cheer them up. The pirates are long forgotten by the time your story ends and the barge with its reduced cargo makes its way into the bustling barge docks of the city. THere are crowds on the dock and teams of longshoremen that work for the docks, providing cargo services as part of the payment to dock there. The boat master talks to one of them as mooring lines are thrown and it seems they are well acquainted with one another. Janusus is a riverlands city through and through. Canals are as common as streets here as are personal watercraft belonging to the locals for their own business and personal conveyance. Fishermen, cargo barges, pleasure craft, and the occasional local security forces patrol craft all frequent the waterways here and the traffic has an organic flow to it like cells moving through arteries. Most of the expensive property has water access in the city. The access ranges from simple piers made from cannibalized wood to elaborate, guarded moors where expensive luxury boats are docked. Warehouses, fisheries, canneries, and the adjacent industires keeping the fishing boats running are common sights along the waterways. Aquamining and aquaculture are secondary industries of Janusus and bobbers belonging to crustacean baskets are ubiquitous in the waterways. The Khan of Janusus has a palace in the heart of the city removed from the water. Its towers can be seen from all parts of the city, and the keep resembles a fortified castle with modern enhancements. It is all function, with little in the way of flourish aside from the fluttering of city banners.

Delmar looks around for a while, taking In the sight of the city, and mentally noting areas to check out that look interesting. Delmar will speak up when the captain returns. "I thank you and your sons for delivering me safely, Captain. I must make my way to the local protectorate office, but give me a call next time you're in Jansus. We can grab some drinks." (Delmar will address him by name if he learned it at all during the trip. I completely forgot to ask so that's up to you lol)

"Captain Alcar. Nice to meet you, owe you that much after the pirates and all. Can't thank you enough. Good luck checking out the city. Trying to get it working like a part of the planet is going to be a tall order, but the Protectorate picked a smooth talker for the job. You'll be sitting on a pile of gold in a few months. I just know it" he says, wishing you well and returning to coordinate the unloading of the remaining unstolen cargo with the nearby longshoremen

8:10 AM

(3xp, 5000 credits for our adventure so far)

(3 XP is level 2, right?) After saying goodbyes, Delmar makes his way towards the protectorate office so he can drop off his things and properly explore the city. On his way there, he enjoys the scenery of the place, taking in the atmosphere. He also checks out any interesting looking places he may have spotted on his way in.

(yes, 3xp is level 2. Xp also does not reset to 0, it is cumulative)

**Level Up**
Level: 2
Focus: Starfarer (Revised)
Old HP: 7
HP Roll: 10
New HP: 10
New Skills: Shoot 0 for 1 SP, Pilot 2 for 2 SP and Focus, Lead 0 for 1 SP
Current AB: 1

(the foci should give you 3sp toward pilot, which would get you to 2 already. Is that extra 2sp just being applied to it anyway even though it doens't lead to another level up? )

(I was at pilot 0 previously, so I needed to put 2 points in to bring it to 1 and then the focus to make it 2? Unless I'm mistaken? If I take a point away on the sheet, the skill goes down to level 1)

(i checked it over last night when I was doing personal goals and its all corect, I just wasn;'t sure about the exact breakdown,but you got it right)

8:32 AM

(connect/cha as we arrive and we'll see how the docks are looking)

(ooh, 12)

The wharfs seem to be the focal point of business for the city and the longshoremen are eager to complain about loading goods from one ship to put on another, on and on forever until their retirement. (if you've got specific questions for them they'll answer honestly)

Delmar will try and get any information on possible organized criminal organizations within the city. In addition, he will try and get local opinions on the economy and possible business opportunities. (Was sick the past week or so, sorry!)

The Khan has a direct interest in the city and its trade. Organized crime does exist in the city but it is focused on other vices such as gambling and substances as to operate without earning the ire and heavy crackdown of the city khan. Most people see their jobs as important and a means to make ends meet but barely. There’s little extra but those who own barges and warehouses have plenty of money to spare. Class disparity is writ large within the canals of this city

Delmar will thank those willing to share for the information, and ask for contact details so he could contact them in the future if they are willing. Armed with the new information, he will continue to make his way to the protectorate office where he will be staying.

The Protectorate office is close to the docks and is a three story building overlooking the busy docks and surrouding streets. Your arrival is expected and the third floor, the dormatory only level has been made available for your use. There are no other Protectorate agents here at the moment, so you have some liberty over the space. Outside, the busy work of the barges and longshoremen continues unabated.