Log:Tatooine Cartel: Dune Sea Negotiations
Representatives for and working with the Hutt Cartel on Tatooine, begin the process of negotiating peace with the Tusken Raiders.
OOC Date: April 19, 2022
Location: Tatooine
Participants: Borgol the Hutt as GM, Fshmaw, Kin-Li Kel, Tamsin Cas, Vorcassh, Tatooine Cartel
[ Borgol the Hutt (B)]
The setting twin suns of Tatooine bathe the sky in oranges, yellows, and reds. A light breeze causes the sands of the dune sea to shift and roll. By morning parts of the terrain will have altered completely. A fortunate part of the setting sun is that the great outdoors becomes more tolerable for the average sentient.
Among those sentients are the so-called Sand People of Tatooine. While it is known that the Tuskens tend to ride in single file to hide their numbers, it's likewise known that they're often most active at dawn and sunset. While they can be encountered at any time, the coolest parts of the daylight is the best time to roam far. Therefore when a Tusken tribe is noted venturing near the recently reoccupied palace following the claiming of it by Lord Borgol the Hutt. It has been noted that their circuit seems to bring them nearest to the palace every four days; they do not act with overt hostility, but seem to treat the palace and the surrounding area with some degree of caution.
The fourth evening comes and as expected the caravan of tusken makes itself known. At first little more than silhouettes in the distance, eventually the train of tusken begin to draw ever closer to the palace. At a point that it would be feasible for a welcoming party to venture out, a skiff launches from the palace and moves to intercept the train of tusken. Miraculously the tusken do not immediately begin engaging the approaching skiff; though that could simply be on account of being out of range. Which in turn provides the diplomatic party and opportunity to discuss their approach and strategy should they desire.
[ Tamsin Cas (Cas)]
Despite the heat of the sun, and the relentless hiss of the sand, Doctor Tamsin Cas had chosen to dress as she usually dressed when she was offworld, looking for all the world as though she were about to go fishing on some secluded backwater. That this particular secluded backwater was the very antithesis of water seemed not much of an issue, as she adjusted the bag she wore across her body, looking between the other members of the party, "It appears that we've caught them at just the right time."
[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]
Fshmaw has a brief conference with his translator, soft *hooting* and gentle *trilling* unlike his demeanor with 'the average denizen of Tatooine.' It is almost tender. He droid *zzt-zzt-zzts* forward, announcing: "zephaarhaz, sarakaa fadewaetoo akaasooni if yvyka ghevaethie ghevaethie il ikead edis pu hoov agieved-- azefeh al ghitiety duphi kosa fadewaetoo ghevaethie il vaga looz fadewaetoo fufurh ywyfesoow..." the droid begins, but in Sand Persons. [Language: aqualish]
S3-P0Y (3P0 Unit 20936) repeats after Fshmaw, "Greetings, residents of Tatooine and visitors to The Most Benevolent Lord Borgol's Personal Estate-- His Excellency welcomes all who obey the most honorable conduct of Hutt custom..."
[ Vorcassh (vor)]
The voice-scrambling vocoder build into Vorcassh's helmet comes to life in a crackle. <"The Hutt would prefer no unecessary complications."> The Ubese states the obvious while tapping at his left wrist-comp. <"All I know is they speak something similar to Ubeninal. Not my forte. Likely offering them water is a good start."> Given the appearance of his armor, the fact its designed for survival, this may be something the Ubese is familiar with. Once the droid starts speaking for the Aqualish. Vorcassh leaves the talkative types to their thing. He's there to look- competent. He's keeping his hands clear of his pistol grips in the meantime. A lot of gentle handgestures while speaking, but nothing to imply he's about to start blasting.
[ Kin-Li Kel (kl)]
Kin-Li Kel stands with the diplomatic party, very likely barely noticed. His head is concealed by a loose-spun hood, attached to a simple poncho whipping in the evening breeze. As the droid speaks, the lean human shifts on what is pretty clearly an injured left leg. Despite that, he scans the approaching nomads with narrowed, keen hazel eyes. He's not....tense, not exactly. But clearly very alert.
[ Borgol the Hutt (B)]
The majority of the tribe remains at a healthy distance, though the keen eye may take note that they have armed themselves and prepared. They do not fire however, so those preparations may very well be defensive in nature. Meanwhile one of the bantha lumbers forward with its rider, accompanied by a half dozen tusken tribal members. Time passes that the bantha slowly wanders forward at the behest of its rider, but as the skiff draws closer and closer to the apparent representatives of the tribe: the bantha is brought to a halt.
The bantha's rider climbs down from the back of their mount and begins to move forward with the other half dozen of their tribemates. It seems that these seven tusken are the point of contact for the rest of the tribe. When the skiff glides to a halt and a protocol droid is thrust forward to speak on behalf of Fshmaw as a pseudo-representative of the local Hutt Lord, the Tusken look first to the droid and then back to the party of living, breathing sentients.
One may note that the apparent leader of the tribal representatives wears the standard garb of the Tusken people, but part of the protective garments which the apparent leader (or leader's representative) wears appears to be the somehow-acquired robes of a Jawa that have been coopted into used as a head wrap.
The lead tusken steps forward and makes a firm chopping motion with his hand, directing it toward the west and the setting suns as he begins to bark and growl out the Tusken's language as translated by the protocol droid, "We do not dwell in these cursed lands. We pass through these sands and mind our selves. Why are you here, offworlders?"
The Tusken's goggle-covered eyes stare unblinking at the gathering of Hutt Cartel muscle and apparent negotiators.
[ Tamsin Cas (Cas)]
"That is a good idea." Tamsin nodded, turning to indicate that a pair of service droids should bring forward two of the largest canisters of water which had been allotted for the skiff's own supplies. She did not have them dropped down to the sands, but instead, only brought them to the edge where they could be seen by the tuskens who were coming forward to approach the skiff. She did, though, begin to make the climb down to the sands, which put her below the level of the tuskens. "We come with no ill intentions, but in the hopes of keeping the peace between your people and those of the Lord Borgol the Hutt." She lifted an arm, allowing the mark of the medical profession painted on her bag to be visible. Such a sifb was nigh universal. "These lands you call cursed have long lain fallow, but are no longer. We wish only to state that it is peace that we wish, and the the Lord Borgol has no wish to encrouch on your lands, and he hopes that his occupation will not be seen as an act of hostility."
[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]
Fshmaw, perhaps, hasn't given the necessary additional instructions to his droid-- so it translate's Tamsin's speech into their language instead, while its owner watches impassively from the skiff.
[ Kin-Li Kel (kl)]
Kin-Li Kel eyes the Tusken leader through slitted eyes, casting his gaze towards his chosen headwear. He idly reaches up with one hand, brushing a sunburned, fair cheek beneath his hood and murmurs softly to himself as he watches. "Brilliant. I need to find a lone jawa...." The words trail off along with the thought.
Right. Game face. His jaw sets, a mask of neutral impartiality setting on his features as he watches the other six Tuskens whilst Tamsin Cas delivers an outstanding initial offer and Fshmaw's droid handles the interpreting.
[ Vorcassh (vor)]
The angular customized helmet of Vorcassh leans slightly to one side. The tinted eye-lenses are fixed firmly on the Bantha. Internally the speed-addict struggles with the concept of willingly riding something so slow. There is a muffled sound in the helmet suggesting amusement. It is over the Jawa Robe turned Head Dress, but noone needs to know this. When the translation is done, there is a minute nod of respect towards the chosen words of the Tusken
Tamsin runs with the water suggestion, it works for Vorcassh. His place is not to be verbose on the behalf of The Hutt. Tamsin is excelling at this right now. His communication skills lie elsewhere, as such, the Ubese continues to keep hands pointedly away from blaster pistol-grips. Though there is one vague gesture towards the water canisters, agreement of a gift.
[ Borgol the Hutt (B)]
The Tusken that stands slightly ahead of the other six looks from one face to another. The garb that the tusken wears keeps concealed whatever lays beneath, but it's obvious by that glance that the apparent negotiator is considering it all. When Tamsin speaks and the droid begins to translate, the Tusken's attention turns to regard the doctor even as she holds up her bag and presents the rune emblazoned upon it. Following Tamsin's words the Tusken's representative brings his covered hands with a hard smack before he begins to speak; clearly gesticulation plays some considerable role in their communication, "The one called Jabba hunted my tribe when he visited this place," it may be noted by the observant that the Tusken does not mention that Jabba had lived or ruled there, but had simply been visiting, "which followed an act of treachery when my cousin's father sought peace. Why should we believe that another of the one called Jabba's tribe will be any different?"
The Tusken may very well view any single Hutt as one part of a whole tribe judging by that statement.
That question is soon followed by another as the Tusken's wrapped head cants to one side while his attention shifts over those gathered, "We wish for peace. If your chief wishes peace? Then peace we will have. We will travel our lands and do not wish to be bothered."
The Tusken seems to stare directly at Tamsin at the mention of that last part. It's possible that the Tusken considers this a bother.
It's hard telling, as the protocol droid doesn't really have any insights as to the Tusken's inflection or more subtle meanings.
[ Tamsin Cas (Cas)]
"I cannot speak for the actions of Jabba the Hutt, for my own memory of him is only in stories, for I am young, even by the recall of my own people." For Tamsin's golden skin and multi-tones hair, coupled with the slightly elongated predator's canines visible when she spoke marked her as distinctly non-human. "But the Lord Borgol is of a venerable age for //his people// and he knows well the treachery of Jabba and the injustices that he inflicted upon your people. And it is for this reason that he wished us to approach you, for to assume that you would simply accept movement so near to your lands without word of leave or communication of intent would be to treat you with the greatest of disrespect. And so, we thank you for taking such time as you have given us, for your willingness to listen, and your willingness to accept a peace between us." Tamsin turned, indicating the water, "Should you wish for water or supplies, we offer them freely, as a mark of respect to you. And I offer you my services as a doctor as well, should your people have need. Now, or in the future, should such services me of value to you."
[ Fshmaw (Fsh)]
Fshmaw's strategy of, in this case, 'let the droid handle it' is working rather well. He observes, neither marking himself as in charge nor shrinking from the gaze of this planet's people. He defers to Dr. Cas, who keeps remarkable diplomatic acumen in her bag...
[ Kin-Li Kel (kl)]
Kin-Li Kel does precisely what good muscle does: he stands there, quietly, watching everyone closely without being overtly threatening or escalatory. His arms are crossed, though he does shift from one foot to the other; blood seeps through the tan flight suit on his left leg, though not a lot of it. His lips are set into a line as me takes the weight off the foot and watches the sand persons. And he doesn't even have a droid!
[ Vorcassh (vor)]
<"Borgol is not Jabba, or I would not be here."> Vorcassh gestures for the droid to translate directly, so much for not participating in speechcraft. <"From one who has lived in lands others consider to be hostile wastes to another. Let him be, and he will let you be."> There is almost a shrugging gesture after the vocoder finishes, believe, or do not. However the Tusken seems to agree to peace, Vorcassh goes back to ensuring non-threatening moves.
Unlike Tamsin he cannot offer them much in the way of skills they could use. Likely he'd be shocked to find out he could. Offering them water was the ONLY thing he could have suggested. Tatooine and Uba IV have much in common. Vorcassh makes a mental note to try to attempt to see how much of the Tusken gesture-speech and his own have in common. Just not today.
[ Borgol the Hutt (B)]
The Tusken considers Tamsin at length. Then the remarks made by Vorcassh earns a glance from the Tusken's representative. There seems to be a long silence that is filled only by the hiss of sand and howl of wind. Finally a nod is given and the Tusken's head bows once before he speaks, while the protocol droid again translates, "Then peace we will have this night and tomorrow and the days after. May your tribe always find shade and water," the Tusken comments firmly. Then he and the rest of the retinue return to the bantha. The rider climbs back onto his mount and the rest begin to walk in single-file in the bantha's wake back to the tribe.
