Geonosis is a mere parsec’s travel from Tatooine, but the two planets have not had much to do with one another. The relative poverty of Tatooine and the relative isolationism of the Geonosians explains why, though Teemo the Hutt plans to change matters. In the days before the rise of the Galactic Empire, Geonosis was a hive of activity. The insectile inhabitants of the planet designed and engineered several innovative types of military equipment. Most notoriously, the Baktoid Combat Automata B1 Battle Droid was manufactured by the Geonosians and widely used by separatist forces during the Clone Wars. The use of such droids is now frowned upon and the fortunes of the Geonosians have waned somewhat, though they are still regarded as innovators in the field of military hardware.
Outsiders often find Geonosian society difficult to understand, let alone penetrate. Approximately 99 billion Geonosians live on the planet, crowded into great hives that tower high in the sky and extend deep into the ground. Each hive is governed by a ruling council, though the Geonosians also recognize an aristocratic caste of dukes and archdukes. Rumors of Geonosian queens also abound, though little is known of them. Most Geonosians belong to a worker caste, though many belong to a stronger and more aggressive soldier caste.
In recent years, the Geonosians have found themselves under the yoke of the Empire, though since the Battle of Yavin there have been reports of rebel
activity on the planet and several minor insurrections against the Imperial authorities stationed there.
It is not typical of Geonosians to take an interest in the black market, or to deal with criminal syndicates... not under their present compromised circumstances, anyway. However, two Geonosian Dukes, competitive rivals named Piddock and Dimmock, have made a tentative outreach to representatives of the galaxy’s foremost criminal organizations, willing to sell and smuggle Geonosian technology out from under the very noses of Imperial forces.
After the loss of his intermediary Sivor, Duke Piddock shelved his plans to tender services to the galaxy’s criminals, but recently he has been entertaining the notion once again. He is hosting a private party in which he has invited representatives of some organizations he feels may be interested in doing business with him.
Of these representatives, only a few would be so reckless as to turn up in person. These are the sorts of people who have underlings of underlings of underlings to do such things for them. One such person is Ota, a Bothan spy of great repute.
Hive-Spire Diplomacy (Episode 15)
Moderator: GM Fang
Re: Hive-Spire Diplomacy (Episode 15)
The discussion with Ota continued and thee following was learned -
"Some Geonosians are fed up with the Empire choking off their trade. People like Piddock are reaching out to the black market, the Hutt Cartel, and others. This party is about making the contacts necessary to do that business."
Ota doesn't know what dealings Teemo has with Piddock exactly.
"Kubaz are an insectivorous species; they eat insects. The antagonism between them and all insectile species is well known. It’s rather like the relationship between Trandoshans and Wookiees – they just don’t get along.”
"I don’t know who else might be invited to the party. Anyone who’s there will probably be like you – acting on behalf of someone else and eager to keep their employers’ true identity, or their own, secret. I wouldn’t bother prying into such things."
Once the question and answer session was complete, Ota left the crew with these last words:
“I need to make some more arrangements, but I will be back in the morning to see off to Geonosis. I encourage you to talk about it among yourselves. Come up with a detailed cover story of why you might be invited to a party held by a Geonosian duke. He thinks that I’m an arms dealer, so he’ll expect you to want to buy weapons from him – that will do for the duke, but you may need yet another cover story for the rest of the guests."
Nyn and B’ura B’an are somewhat shocked to learn about the details of Ota’s offer, though they do say that it sounds like a perfect opportunity to strike at the Hutt.
It eventually occurs to the crew that posing as arms dealers is easier if they have enough cash to actually buy weapons. Nyn coughs politely and suggests that they buy a few Geonosian weapons for her militant cell. She offers them 3,000 credits to buy guns for her, hoping they can buy two or three new rifles.
In the morning, Ota reappears. Once more he sits down with the crew and makes sure that they know what they are doing. “I have finalized arrangements. The party is due to start tomorrow afternoon, more than enough time for you to make a hyperspace trip from Ryloth to Geonosis. This communicator,” the Bothan holds up a small electronic device, “provides the encrypted signal that will allow you through the Geonosian security cordon. Make your way to the landing pad of Gogum Hive, a small city to the north of the planet. The Geonosians there will look after your ship and escort you to the party."
“The next morning, you should fly to Trellik Hive, due west from Gogum Hive. This is the home of Duke Dimmock. Once you are there, use this communicator to contact me so we can plan our next move.”
"Some Geonosians are fed up with the Empire choking off their trade. People like Piddock are reaching out to the black market, the Hutt Cartel, and others. This party is about making the contacts necessary to do that business."
Ota doesn't know what dealings Teemo has with Piddock exactly.
"Kubaz are an insectivorous species; they eat insects. The antagonism between them and all insectile species is well known. It’s rather like the relationship between Trandoshans and Wookiees – they just don’t get along.”
"I don’t know who else might be invited to the party. Anyone who’s there will probably be like you – acting on behalf of someone else and eager to keep their employers’ true identity, or their own, secret. I wouldn’t bother prying into such things."
Once the question and answer session was complete, Ota left the crew with these last words:
“I need to make some more arrangements, but I will be back in the morning to see off to Geonosis. I encourage you to talk about it among yourselves. Come up with a detailed cover story of why you might be invited to a party held by a Geonosian duke. He thinks that I’m an arms dealer, so he’ll expect you to want to buy weapons from him – that will do for the duke, but you may need yet another cover story for the rest of the guests."
Nyn and B’ura B’an are somewhat shocked to learn about the details of Ota’s offer, though they do say that it sounds like a perfect opportunity to strike at the Hutt.
It eventually occurs to the crew that posing as arms dealers is easier if they have enough cash to actually buy weapons. Nyn coughs politely and suggests that they buy a few Geonosian weapons for her militant cell. She offers them 3,000 credits to buy guns for her, hoping they can buy two or three new rifles.
In the morning, Ota reappears. Once more he sits down with the crew and makes sure that they know what they are doing. “I have finalized arrangements. The party is due to start tomorrow afternoon, more than enough time for you to make a hyperspace trip from Ryloth to Geonosis. This communicator,” the Bothan holds up a small electronic device, “provides the encrypted signal that will allow you through the Geonosian security cordon. Make your way to the landing pad of Gogum Hive, a small city to the north of the planet. The Geonosians there will look after your ship and escort you to the party."
“The next morning, you should fly to Trellik Hive, due west from Gogum Hive. This is the home of Duke Dimmock. Once you are there, use this communicator to contact me so we can plan our next move.”
Re: Hive-Spire Diplomacy (Episode 15)
The journey from Ryloth to Geonosis is uneventful, proceeding exactly as Ota describes. The Geonosians at Gogum Hive are expecting people such as the crew to arrive for the party, and are happy to escort them to the venue, once they provide the proper signal. The only thing the Geonosians stipulate is that offensive weapons are left on board the Vagrant. The crew may take pistols to the party, but larger weapons will have to be left behind.
The duke’s party is an exclusive affair. Ostensibly, he is showing off his new cantina, a lavish but somewhat cramped chamber dug out of the Geonosian rock, intended to draw off-world spacers and their business to the hive. Ota explained that the guests at the party are expected to be fairly well behaved. The Geonosian standard of civilized behavior is not quite as sophisticated as it is elsewhere in the galaxy, so some degree of rudeness and heated debate is not likely to raise eyebrows, however.
The team enters the cantina, the saloon style doors flanked by a pair of the biggest Geonosian soldiers ever immagined. They heft the largest wide-bore blaster rifles that you have ever seen too, clearly of some improved Geonosian design. The guess is that Duke Piddock has employed the guards partly for intimidation, but also partly as a sales pitch – their guns are very impressive. Inside, the décor is something of a surprise after the rough rocky walls of the hive at large. Clearly, someone has designed the cantina in order to appeal to a cosmopolitan clientele. From the cantina stage, an upbeat jatz band has been commissioned to provide some entertainment. The band consists of a lanky Bith on kloo horn, a hyperactive Rodian on mozz box, and a blue-skinned Twi’lek blowing a mean siren whistle. A pallid and exotically dressed Twi’lek girl with stunningly long lekku intones sultry vocals over the frenetic melodies.
A couple of Geonosian workers man the cantina bar, and a Roche J9 protocol droid is stationed nearby. An old Geonosian with a number of golden bangles and pieces of gilded armor stands close to the bar speaking to an elegantly dressed human woman. Not far from them is a table occupied by a young human man and woman, clinking their glasses and laughing. A Gand in dusty and tattered robes sits by himself in the corner of the room and a young Sullustan male sips his drink and watches the band, occasionally glancing over his shoulder at the final guest, a Toydarian who flutters nearby. Three small private rooms line the wall to the right, clearly set aside for guests who wish to talk without fear of eavesdroppers.
One of the group goes to speak to the Protocol droid. "Greetingzzz, master. How may Drone BeeGee-TooTooToo zzzervice the colony? You wish to be introduzzzed to the larval Zzzulluzzztan? Mu Nanb, who wishezzz to vizzzit coloniezzz throughout the galaxy. Bezzzt leave him be – he is enjoying the zzzonic vibrationzzz.” The droid a Roche J9 Worker Drone, BG-222 is a rather utilitarian design of droid with an off-white carapace and a large head topped with a multifaceted optical apparatus.
The droid is instantly friendly. However, it does suffer from the infamous limitations of the model. BG-222 talks in a buzzing monotone, and translates language from an insect perspective. "Pleazzz feel free to enjoy the complimentary nectars," it says while indicating the bar.
"Open bar?" Spanner intones. "Count me in!" Kilian agrees and FLA-R3 heads over to acquire various blue colored drinks for each of his companions.
Duke Piddock eventually excuses himself from his discussion with Maru Jakkar. As the duke takes a stately walk around the room to check on his guests, Maru steps up to the crew who are at the bar. “Such a fascinating society the Geonosians have made or themselves here. Have you managed to catch any of the ritual combats during your visit?" A slender human woman with coldly sophisticated airs, she wears a close fitting suit of black silk and accessorizes with a flowing, brightly colored headscarf worn in the fashion of wealthy Coreworlders. However she seems to quickly tire of any conversation and moves on to mingle with others.
Eventually the Duke makes his own way over to the crew. A grand old Geonosian, he wears a shining breastplate and several golden bracelets around his wrists and ankles. He is regal and stiffly polite. “Ah, I take it that you are the traders from Ryloth, is that so? Very good, I hope this evening will prove to be profitable for us both.”
- geonosis.jpg (36.69 KiB) Viewed 2619 times
The team enters the cantina, the saloon style doors flanked by a pair of the biggest Geonosian soldiers ever immagined. They heft the largest wide-bore blaster rifles that you have ever seen too, clearly of some improved Geonosian design. The guess is that Duke Piddock has employed the guards partly for intimidation, but also partly as a sales pitch – their guns are very impressive. Inside, the décor is something of a surprise after the rough rocky walls of the hive at large. Clearly, someone has designed the cantina in order to appeal to a cosmopolitan clientele. From the cantina stage, an upbeat jatz band has been commissioned to provide some entertainment. The band consists of a lanky Bith on kloo horn, a hyperactive Rodian on mozz box, and a blue-skinned Twi’lek blowing a mean siren whistle. A pallid and exotically dressed Twi’lek girl with stunningly long lekku intones sultry vocals over the frenetic melodies.
A couple of Geonosian workers man the cantina bar, and a Roche J9 protocol droid is stationed nearby. An old Geonosian with a number of golden bangles and pieces of gilded armor stands close to the bar speaking to an elegantly dressed human woman. Not far from them is a table occupied by a young human man and woman, clinking their glasses and laughing. A Gand in dusty and tattered robes sits by himself in the corner of the room and a young Sullustan male sips his drink and watches the band, occasionally glancing over his shoulder at the final guest, a Toydarian who flutters nearby. Three small private rooms line the wall to the right, clearly set aside for guests who wish to talk without fear of eavesdroppers.
One of the group goes to speak to the Protocol droid. "Greetingzzz, master. How may Drone BeeGee-TooTooToo zzzervice the colony? You wish to be introduzzzed to the larval Zzzulluzzztan? Mu Nanb, who wishezzz to vizzzit coloniezzz throughout the galaxy. Bezzzt leave him be – he is enjoying the zzzonic vibrationzzz.” The droid a Roche J9 Worker Drone, BG-222 is a rather utilitarian design of droid with an off-white carapace and a large head topped with a multifaceted optical apparatus.
- J9 prrotocol.jpg (5.08 KiB) Viewed 2619 times
"Open bar?" Spanner intones. "Count me in!" Kilian agrees and FLA-R3 heads over to acquire various blue colored drinks for each of his companions.
Duke Piddock eventually excuses himself from his discussion with Maru Jakkar. As the duke takes a stately walk around the room to check on his guests, Maru steps up to the crew who are at the bar. “Such a fascinating society the Geonosians have made or themselves here. Have you managed to catch any of the ritual combats during your visit?" A slender human woman with coldly sophisticated airs, she wears a close fitting suit of black silk and accessorizes with a flowing, brightly colored headscarf worn in the fashion of wealthy Coreworlders. However she seems to quickly tire of any conversation and moves on to mingle with others.
Eventually the Duke makes his own way over to the crew. A grand old Geonosian, he wears a shining breastplate and several golden bracelets around his wrists and ankles. He is regal and stiffly polite. “Ah, I take it that you are the traders from Ryloth, is that so? Very good, I hope this evening will prove to be profitable for us both.”
- Piddock.jpg (19.19 KiB) Viewed 2618 times
Re: Hive-Spire Diplomacy (Episode 15)
The conversation and discussion with Duke Piddock is relatively short and to the point. The Duke leads the crew off to the side in the hopes of keeping any talk private. He would have taken them to a private room, if the crew hadn't jumped right into talk about buying weapons.
Piddock quickly explains the advantages of Geonosioan weaponry and what is available. The Geonosian weapons are a bit more focused and deadlier than standard weapons of the same type. The crew does not haggle much and agrees to purchase two Geonosian rifles. Duke Piddock assumes they are test weapons and doesn't suspect they only have 3000 credits total to buy the rifles for Nyn, without kicking in some of the group fund. The group asks what caused the rift with Teemo and breaking of the deal, but Piddock seems unfazed.
Piddock cut off dealings when he learned that Teemo employed a Kubaz spy. It was the final straw, but things hadn’t been going too well for a while.
Piddock suspected, but could never prove, that one of his technicians, Sivor, was abducted or killed by Teemo. Piddock considers this an annoyance, not a major crime – he is not sentimental about drone-caste Geonosians.
Piddock does not take money or hand over weapons in the bar, but instead he is happy to make a verbal agreement on the understanding that they meet one of his agents at their freighter a little while later, hand over the credits, and take delivery of the guns. The team agrees and Piddock moves on to other discussions, heading to a private room with the Sullustan Mu Nanb.
A few moments later the Toydarian flutters over. “Great party, eh? These bugs have learned a lot about entertaining us mammals since the Clone Wars. Good wine. Good jatz. I could almost believe I was home in a Mos Eisley cantina, eh?” A typically shifty member of the Toydarian species with light blue skin, he introduces himself as Anatta. He even name drops one of his best customers, one Jabba the Hutt.
The team asks him some questions, but he insists that he does not provide any important gossip for free. His first bit of info goes over like a lead balloon, but Anatta assures them he has some juicy tidbits for 100 credits. Kilian agrees to pay and the Toydarian flutters closer and lowers his voice. "Yes. Teemo saw to it that Sivor was killed in a highly exclusive gladiatorial bout; just him and his closest cronies were spectating. As the bout was finishing, Teemo allowed his Kubaz spy, Thwheek, to enter the ring and deliver the killing blow to Sivor. It had been a long held ambition of Thwheek’s to kill a Geonosian.”
This seems to satisfy Spanner and he suggests leaving the party and getting out of the eye of scrutiny, while they wait for the rifles to be delivered. Most of the others agree, although FL-AR3 decides to wait around a bit longer. As he sits, observing the azure liquid before him, the droid overhears some discussion about Maru Jakkar, when an exuberant Anatta is close enough to be heard with his enhanced sense. "Maru Jakkar is quiet about this, but she is a bigot. She has given a great deal of money to an organization that seeks to undermine the notion of rights for droids."
A bit after that, Flare seens the Gand consulting a wrist-mounted communicator and moments later go over to the protocol droid. Together the two of them approach Flare's table. The Gand talks to the protocol droid and it translates for the Gand as it apparently does not know Basic. "The Gand introduces himself as VRIXX’TT. He asks why you are here."
"We are here to buy weapons just like everyone else," FL-AR3 responds naively, as while others may indeed be buying weapons, the other guests presented themselves otherwise.
The protocol droid interprets again. "Not everyone. I am a representative of an as yet informal organization dedicated to promoting the interests of insectile sentient species throughout the galaxy." FL-AR3 is aware however that most Gand are in fact bounty hunters.
"Where are you from? Did I hear you were from Ryloth?" The Gand continued to inquire.
"We spent time on Ryloth, yes." Flare answers. "I am not sure where I'm from." The Gand considers that unusual statement for a moment, then types on his wrist mounted communicator again. "Do you have interests in Ryloth?" FL-AR3 continued.
"I have heard some interesting information about Ryloth recently. What business do you do on Ryloth?" Came the cat and mouse response from the Gand.
Suddenly FL-AR3 decided this conversation was starting to get risky. "I think I hear my friends calling me. I must go! My friends need me," he says, standing up and heading for the door.
The Gand tries to get the droid to give him contact information but FL-AR3 decides it might be a trick or a trap. "I don't wish to share. sorry."
As he watches FL-AR3 depart, the Gand offers one more translated comment. "I know who you are!" FL-AR3 makes his way to the ship, but makes sure not to be tailed.
------------------------------------------
Unused XPS (+5 XP)
Spanner - 5
FL-AR3 - 5
Kilian - 5
Pron - 25
Group Funds - 1837 credits
Piddock quickly explains the advantages of Geonosioan weaponry and what is available. The Geonosian weapons are a bit more focused and deadlier than standard weapons of the same type. The crew does not haggle much and agrees to purchase two Geonosian rifles. Duke Piddock assumes they are test weapons and doesn't suspect they only have 3000 credits total to buy the rifles for Nyn, without kicking in some of the group fund. The group asks what caused the rift with Teemo and breaking of the deal, but Piddock seems unfazed.
Piddock cut off dealings when he learned that Teemo employed a Kubaz spy. It was the final straw, but things hadn’t been going too well for a while.
Piddock suspected, but could never prove, that one of his technicians, Sivor, was abducted or killed by Teemo. Piddock considers this an annoyance, not a major crime – he is not sentimental about drone-caste Geonosians.
Piddock does not take money or hand over weapons in the bar, but instead he is happy to make a verbal agreement on the understanding that they meet one of his agents at their freighter a little while later, hand over the credits, and take delivery of the guns. The team agrees and Piddock moves on to other discussions, heading to a private room with the Sullustan Mu Nanb.
A few moments later the Toydarian flutters over. “Great party, eh? These bugs have learned a lot about entertaining us mammals since the Clone Wars. Good wine. Good jatz. I could almost believe I was home in a Mos Eisley cantina, eh?” A typically shifty member of the Toydarian species with light blue skin, he introduces himself as Anatta. He even name drops one of his best customers, one Jabba the Hutt.
The team asks him some questions, but he insists that he does not provide any important gossip for free. His first bit of info goes over like a lead balloon, but Anatta assures them he has some juicy tidbits for 100 credits. Kilian agrees to pay and the Toydarian flutters closer and lowers his voice. "Yes. Teemo saw to it that Sivor was killed in a highly exclusive gladiatorial bout; just him and his closest cronies were spectating. As the bout was finishing, Teemo allowed his Kubaz spy, Thwheek, to enter the ring and deliver the killing blow to Sivor. It had been a long held ambition of Thwheek’s to kill a Geonosian.”
This seems to satisfy Spanner and he suggests leaving the party and getting out of the eye of scrutiny, while they wait for the rifles to be delivered. Most of the others agree, although FL-AR3 decides to wait around a bit longer. As he sits, observing the azure liquid before him, the droid overhears some discussion about Maru Jakkar, when an exuberant Anatta is close enough to be heard with his enhanced sense. "Maru Jakkar is quiet about this, but she is a bigot. She has given a great deal of money to an organization that seeks to undermine the notion of rights for droids."
A bit after that, Flare seens the Gand consulting a wrist-mounted communicator and moments later go over to the protocol droid. Together the two of them approach Flare's table. The Gand talks to the protocol droid and it translates for the Gand as it apparently does not know Basic. "The Gand introduces himself as VRIXX’TT. He asks why you are here."
- Vrixxtt.jpg (16.91 KiB) Viewed 2614 times
The protocol droid interprets again. "Not everyone. I am a representative of an as yet informal organization dedicated to promoting the interests of insectile sentient species throughout the galaxy." FL-AR3 is aware however that most Gand are in fact bounty hunters.
"Where are you from? Did I hear you were from Ryloth?" The Gand continued to inquire.
"We spent time on Ryloth, yes." Flare answers. "I am not sure where I'm from." The Gand considers that unusual statement for a moment, then types on his wrist mounted communicator again. "Do you have interests in Ryloth?" FL-AR3 continued.
"I have heard some interesting information about Ryloth recently. What business do you do on Ryloth?" Came the cat and mouse response from the Gand.
Suddenly FL-AR3 decided this conversation was starting to get risky. "I think I hear my friends calling me. I must go! My friends need me," he says, standing up and heading for the door.
The Gand tries to get the droid to give him contact information but FL-AR3 decides it might be a trick or a trap. "I don't wish to share. sorry."
As he watches FL-AR3 depart, the Gand offers one more translated comment. "I know who you are!" FL-AR3 makes his way to the ship, but makes sure not to be tailed.
------------------------------------------
Unused XPS (+5 XP)
Spanner - 5
FL-AR3 - 5
Kilian - 5
Pron - 25
Group Funds - 1837 credits