=== 102 Pen and Paper Adventure | Beta Age | The Man Without A Name === ======= SCENE 3b — MANDALA’S MOUNTS ======= {{:102_pnp_illustration_mandalasmounts.png?direct&400|}} ===== 1 | Scene Overview ===== * **Location:** [[mandala_s_mounts|Mandala’s Mounts]], SE Public Services Ring, [[new_kourou|New Kourou]] * **Type:** Stable · Negotiation · Preparation * **Era:** [[beta_age|Beta Age]] * **Tone:** Pragmatic · Gritty · New Frontier **Atmosphere & Sensory Cues:** Rasp of wooden gates · hoofbeats echoing on stone · odor of oiled leather and pellet dust · dim gray light filtering through slats · Rajid’s calm baritone cutting through the wind ---- ===== 2 | Read-Aloud Descriptions ===== **Initial Read-Aloud (Scene Opening)** The smell of leather and hay greets you as you step through the creaking gate of Mandala’s Mounts. A lean man with oil-stained hands leans on the counter beneath a hand-painted sign: “Second or Third Hand — But They’ll Run.” He wipes his palms on his apron and looks the group over. “*Looking for a ride? Brave folk. Got five [[veyra|Veyras]] left — for sale or for rent. Take your pick.*” {{ :read_aloud_mandala_s_mounts.mp3 |}} ==== Staged Read-Alouds (Progressive Descriptions) ==== | **Trigger / Timing** | **Read-Aloud or Short Narrative Insert** | | When PCs inspect the yard | Hooves stamp on the floor. Steam billows from their nostrils as the Veyras move around in their stalls. A small sign hangs in front of each stall, indicating the availability status of the animals. And it looks like today is a lucky day for customers. All five Veyras are currently still available to rent or buy... | | During Rajid’s offer speech | “Second-hand or third-hand, they’ll still run,” Rajid says, tapping his ledger.“Just depends how hard you push them and how long you want to stay alive.” | | After successful deal or rental | Rajid rings a brass bell. From the stall block comes a low thrumming sound as the maintenance bot hauls a saddle into view. “You’ll ride out by the south gate,” he says, handing over contracts stamped in ink and dust. | | When riders mount to depart | Cold air cuts through the yard as gates swing open. Hooves scrape stone, then thunder into the white-gray distance. Behind you, Rajid’s voice fades: “Bring ’em back before seventeen — if you can.” | ---- ===== 3 | Scene Intent ===== | **Scene Type** | **Player Intents** | **DM Function / Story Link** | | **Negotiation / Equipment Scene** | Secure fast mounts · Test budget · Explore risk vs speed | Alternative to convoy route; leads to [[tmwan_ambush_RalarRegion|Scene 4b – Zark Ambush Ralar Region]] | ---- ===== 4 | Key (N)PCs + Dynamic Cues ===== | **Name** | **Role / Affiliation** | **Motivation / Goal** | **Dynamic Cues — How They React in Play** | **Wiki Link** | | **Rajid Mandala** | Owner| Earn profit · Avoid theft · Protect reputation | Polite approach → offers honest advice on mount temperament • Hard bargain → grins, drops price 10% on Persuasion (DC 13) • Threat or intimidation → adds 10% “handling fee” and keeps hand near rifle | [[mandala_s_mounts|Mandala’s Mounts]] | | **Kaltaar** | Older Veyra | No stress · Peaceful life| Solid Veyra, looking a little tired | [[veyra|Veyra]] | | **Saffi** | Young Veyra | Impatient • Fast | Scratches with hooves | [[veyra|Veyra]] | | **Brindle** | A slightly overweight Veyra | Eat | Searches for leftovers in the food bowl, shows little interest in the PC| [[veyra|Veyra]] | | **Rime** | Best-condition Veyra | Get around with a good rider | Looks at the PC intently but confidently, | [[veyra|Veyra]] | | **Obsidian** | A little worn, with some traces of past adventures in its fur | Not getting shot at by bandits again | Turning its back on the PC shows the opposite of interest. | [[veyra|Veyra]] | | **Maintenance Bot** | Refurbished service bot | Follow routines | Whines as it drags tack to the rail | [[maintenance_bots|Maintenance Bots]] | ==== Special Character Notes (only applies if PCs are in the party): ==== * [[lexa_rourke|Lexa Rourke]] will always prefer her own Veyra Kelta if she is in the party. * [[rogan_sokolov|Rogan Sokolov]] will always refuse fast mounts and argue for slower, safer travel. ---- ===== 5 | Triggers, Clues & Consequences ===== | **Trigger / Cue (Player Action or Event)** | **Immediate Reaction / Change** | **Ripple Effect / Future Hook** | | 💰 **Ask Rajid about the availability of the mounts ** | Rajid names the five available mounts (Kaltaar, Saffi, Brindle, Rime, Obsidian) and gives them further information about their traits and prices (see NPC table above). | Players compare speed vs temperament; may influence checks during [[tmwan_ambush_RalarRegion|Scene 4b]]. | | 🗣️ **Persuasion or Deception (DC 13)** | Rajid reduces price 10%. | Saves budget; improves Rajid’s trust (+1 rapport for future encounters). | | 💥 **Intimidation (DC 14)** | He adds a 10% fee and keeps rifle in sight. | Minor tension. | | ⚙️ **Insight (DC 11)** | Rajid recommends the mount that best fits the rider’s temperament. | Grants advantage on first Animal Handling check on route. | | 📜 **Mention [[ezrah_scherkenstein|Ezrah Scherkenstein]] / OfSO** | Rajid lowers voice and comments that [[office_for_special_operations|OfSO]] clients rarely return mounts in one piece. | Foreshadows reputation of OfSO missions; adds color to world. | ===== 5a | Pricing & Conditions ===== | **Service** | **Handling / Conditions** | **Price** | | **Veyra Rental** | Contract; 120 K deposit; return by 17:00 | 40 K/day + 5 K/day feed; deposit refundable | | **Veyra Sale** | As-is inspection; age/shape noted | 400–800 K (condition/age) | | **Feed Pellets** | Per-day ration per mount | 5 K/day | | **Late Return** | Returned after 17:00 | Charged as additional day (40 K) | ---- ===== 6 | DM Notes ===== * **Tone Reminder:** Frontier realism * **Key Pressure:** Time vs Budget — renting is fast but costly. * **Economy Beat:** Highlight personal risk (financial and physical) versus safe convoy choice. * **Gear Beat:** Provide mount stats (AC 12, HP 22, Speed 60 ft, Adv. on Stealth in snow). * **Travel Timing:** Veyra route reaches Firetown after 5–6 hours, 1 day ahead of the convoy. ==== DM Tutorial: How to approach the scene ==== **Short version:** {{ :dm_briefing_mandala_s_mounts.mp3 |}} ---- ===== Related Pages and Further Information ===== * ↑↑ **Start:** [[the_man_without_a_name|Adventure Hub — The Man Without a Name]] * ← **Previous Scene:** [[tmwan_departure_debate|Scene 2 — Travel Preparations]] * → **Next Scene:** [[tmwan_ambush_RalarRegion|Scene 4b – Zark Ambush Ralar Region]] * ↔ **Alternate Route:** [[tmwan_courier_station|Scene 3a — New Kourou Courier Station]]