Background to Roleplaying in Outmian Yakta, Tatooine
From Chimaera Roleplayers
Contents |
Introduction
Welcome to one of the busiest cities on Tatooine, Outmian Yakta, home of Dune Sea Enterprises and the guild; Dune Sea Desperadoes (SEA). We hope you have an enjoyable time roleplaying with us. This is intended as a guide to joining in, to give you some background to what is happening in the city and to add to the atmosphere of RPing with us. Our RP style is one of realism, rather than high fantasy, there are no all powerful characters that can rush in to save the day, we are just citizens of a city going about our daily lives. As you RP with us more, you may find that life is not all it seems.
Time Line
Taking June 2003 (game launch) as the first month of 0 ABY (After the Battle of Yavin), we are currently in 5ABY. It had been generally agreed that the events Of Episode V: those on Hoth; Han in carbonite etc, will only happen in our game universe when SOE decided to advance the time line. With the introduction of the Battle of Hoth as a Heroic Instance, it was agreed that this would take place in game. In the SEAverse lore the Battle of Hoth occured in mid/late 5ABY.
The Company
Dune Sea Enterprises (DSE) is a legal, fully licensed interplanetary company, trading across the galaxy. It used to be heavily into smuggling: spice, bacta, weapons; you name it. But now the company concentrates on contracts such as the importation of water, ore and minerals. Whilst exporting sand to improve the beaches on Naboo and Corellia, high quality artisan products and foodstuffs such as bantha meat and strong spirits. No contract is too large or too small and no distance too great.
Since the occupation of Outmian Yakta in mid 3 ABY leading to the seizure of assets (a fair portion of assets are not actually declared and held off-planet) and subsequent bombardment of OY, Caerwynn Royce and her business partner, Cravon Wolfgang, have largely steered the company away from smuggling. Creative accounting has ensured that bank accounts on Nar Shadaa, Coruscant and Corellia (to name but a few), makes tracking transactions near impossible for those not in the know. Individual pilots, employees etc, doing a little private business are not discouraged, but company business must come first. If caught though, they will not get the support of the Company, not officially anyway.
Smuggling
Smuggling does not take place in OY, or at least not overtly by anyone employed by DSE. Caer would kill them for muddying their own doorstep when she's worked so hard to put a clean face on DSE. Jabba's Palace is just up the road though, an ideal place for smugglers to congregate. If you approach anyone in the organisation and ask about any kind of illegal activities, you will get the cold shoulder. It doesn't mean to say it doesn't go on, but only those who are trusted ever hear about anything illegal. Trust has to be earnt.
The Environment
Outmian Yakta is many miles into the western Dune Sea, there are no houses or habitation in the vast wastes outside the city, between it and Wayfar, or Sunfall. Only the hardy desert plants survive in the city’s gardens, including that rare beauty; the desert rose. Jawas are occasionally seen in the city, when their sand crawler trundles in to do trade, buying and selling second hand droids, you buy one at your own risk! Far less frequently now, Tusken raiders may attack the city, but they are the subject of a shoot to kill order. Overall, the atmosphere is one of a bustling city, the streets full of people at dusk and dawn, the cooler times of day. The cantina does a brisk trade most days and is a cool oasis in the heat of the desert. Other buildings are also often occupied, the DSE office, the Medical Centre (domain of Jacoreb Illstrike), The Dune Sea Desperadoes Hotel, the Imperial office as well as private houses.
Climate
The climate is terrible, but still an improvement on Iridonia. Zabraks are probably the race most comfortable with the heat, along with Trandoshans. Sullustans and Mon Calamari are possibly the least suited to a desert climate. Under the twin suns, the heat during the day is scorching, with dry winds that whip up into harsh sandstorms, capable of stripping the skin from your body. Most sentients conduct their business in the early mornings and evenings. However, at night, the temperature drops rapidly and fires are welcome in homes to keep the chill out.
Security
Used to policing it’s own citizens and protecting it’s warehouses before the city grew large enough to warrant an Imperial presence, DSE has it’s own security team (DSEC) which has the powers of stop and search as well as dealing with thefts and disturbances within the city. Major crimes such as murder, armed robbery, etc are referred to the Imperial forces responsible for this sector of Tatooine, currently the 771st Stormtrooper Platoon, stationed close to Outmian Yakta. Please respect the fact that we view the 771st as the Imperial unit that has jurisdiction over us, it may seem amusing for you to conduct an Imperial patrol in an RP city, but when we have been stopped for the third time that day, it gets very tedious and is no fun for us. Please check first that a patrol is acceptable.
Imperial Presence
The Empire rules and has, more or less, total control over the galaxy. Even in OY, they have control over law and order. Bad mouthing, disrespecting or assaulting an Imperial trooper will lead to punishment. Treat them in the same way you would treat a policeman in real life and accept any consequences that arise from your conduct. Any resistance should be covert, because you'd be hunted by the full force of the Imperial might. There will be no support from DSE either, the company has a reputation to maintain, it even supplies the Empire. Individuals within it may support the Alliance, either by actions or funding, but there would be no overt displays of Alliance insignia or uniforms. Life is harsh in the Dune Sea and justice likely to be swift and violent.
Plots
Our plots are overseen by GMs (Games Masters: Cravon, Hendar, with Caerwynn as the final arbitor) and RP Planners (currently Sarparious, Bounder, Jarryd and Quincey) they create plots as well as weaving in those created by SEA members. We have no objection to you starting plots and story arcs in OY. Please register with the RP forums, link in the side bar, and check with the GMs that the plot is suitable. For example: all food and drink in the Desert Nights Cantina are pure, any drugs, poisons etc, would have been added after the barstaff have handed you your order. So make sure that anyone you are setting up as a poisoner is in agreement, as a plot example. Also bear in mind that plots like this can happen rather too frequently for the regular cantina visitor. Assassination and kidnap plots are often the stuff of RP life, again make sure your target is happy with the outcome and wasn't the victim of a similar plot last week! If we have a plot currently running, we may choose not to get involved in other scenarios, as we have a busy timetable and need to keep our roleplay on track.
Consequences
New RPers may not be as aware of this as the more seasoned RPer, but you must accept the consequences of your actions. For example: if you do something that draws the attention of the Empire, you will be arrested. Punishment for your crime will be meted out, ICly, it all adds to the grist of RP and unkillable characters will be respected, of course. Your agreement will be sought in tells.
Summary
If you wish to RP with us, please bear the above in mind and that we have active story arcs that may lead to events occurring in the city. You are asked to respect this and to contact any of those involved with a tell, to see if it’s appropriate for you to get involved. Often it will be, but good manners are always appreciated. Some of our RPers may seem a little aggressive, some even insulting, please remember that this is roleplay and not a personal attack on you, the player.
One last thing, in this corner of the Universe, Jedi and Rebels are hidden and if you openly state that you are one, or display any Force abilities, you are likely to receive attention from the Empire. You may even be reported by those who want a quiet life in their city.
