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SCENE 3b — MANDALA’S MOUNTS

1 | Scene Overview

Location: Mandala’s Mounts, SE Public Services Ring, New Kourou
Type: Stable · Negotiation · Preparation
Era: 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 Veyras left — for sale or for rent. Take your pick.*”

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 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
Kaltaar	Older Veyra	No stress · Peaceful life	Solid Veyra, looking a little tired	Veyra
Saffi	Young Veyra	Impatient • Fast	Scratches with hooves	Veyra
Brindle	A slightly overweight Veyra	Eat	Searches for leftovers in the food bowl, shows little interest in the PC	Veyra
Rime	Best-condition Veyra	Get around with a good rider	Looks at the PC intently but confidently,	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
Maintenance Bot	Refurbished service bot	Follow routines	Whines as it drags tack to the rail	Maintenance Bots

Special Character Notes (only applies if PCs are in the party):

Lexa Rourke will always prefer her own Veyra Kelta if she is in the party.
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 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 / OfSO	Rajid lowers voice and comments that OfSO clients rarely return mounts in one piece.	Foreshadows reputation of OfSO missions; adds color to world.

5a | Pricing & Conditions (2627–2632)

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:

Related Pages and Further Information

↑↑ Start: Adventure Hub — The Man Without a Name
← Previous Scene: Scene 2 — Travel Preparations
→ Next Scene: Scene 4b – Zark Ambush Ralar Region
↔ Alternate Route: Scene 3a — New Kourou Courier Station

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102 Pen and Paper Adventure | Beta Age | The Man Without A Name