IC Story Thread: Chapter 1, Gamorr - the Diplomats

Kolibri may find it difficult to talk in depth with a Gamorrean about the topic, due to their inability to produce the sounds necessary for Galactic Basic, but at the very least he can be directed to a holo-net database on the topic.

Some of the more interesting examples are the coolsap tree - a native species to the jungle of Gamorr which produces a sap with thermodynamic properties such that it was used as a coolant in the engines is early starships. The gorgt-tree - an important plant culturally due to it's very dense wood, which is used in the construction of both their structures and their weaponry. And a fungus called snoruuk mushrooms, which are mobile and used as a food stuff by some Gamorrean tribes as they are able to be "herded" like an animal.

Ultimately he finds there are no gardens within the Citadel, but the Matron does have a dedicated forest and hunting grounds which abuts to the stronghold, and he could gain access to that.The state dinner is perhaps an interesting affair for the Core Worlders. You find there is very little meat on the menu (for better or worse)! The core of their palette seems to be based around fungi. You've never seen so many kinds of fungi preparation! Roasted and dry, pickled and slimy, and everything in between. There are also root vegetables, nuts, and fruits, and something that you think could most closely be considered a bread, that while it is clearly suited for Gamorrean tusks and wide blunt teeth, you find it would surely break your teeth to try to bite through it.

Other than that the evening passes without incident, and you are able to retire to your quarters.

After the dinner, the Master let's you know that your lightsabers are stored on the shuttle, and that the vessel can be accessed by your normal means (badge) at any time...

Lastly, there are a whole slew of cultural events taking place tomorrow, which the Master encourages you to choose one to participate in:

Pod races, either as an observer, or as she understands it, ad hoc participants are welcomed as well.

A multi-clan group-hunt, which consists of an excursion into the swamps and mountains near the Citadel.

And the meal preparations for the various communal meals to occur during the Accord. During which there are various cultural events put on by various clans for the meal-preparers.

You wake and have the ability to get rations from your shuttle, or there is a "mess hall" in the Citadel that is preparing and has Gammorrean-style food available basically constantly. If you pursue that option, you find that their morning meal is much the same as their dinner, except more heavily weighted towards pickled and spiced fungi.

Master Barouk is sitting in on official talks and negotiations all day, and so you're pretty much entirely left to your own devices as a diplomat and representative of the Galactic Republic, aside from a small detachment of Clone Troopers that accompanies you.

You are also accompanied by an old SP-model protocol droid, a bit over a meter tall, as you both find your way to the bay where transport for the Hunt is arranged. There is a gathering of Gamorreans, many wielding spiked clubs and atl-atl spear throwing devices, and others carrying a bag with... something in it... and nets with weighted corners.

Initially they're all just milling about, socializing, and a couple gamorreans seen to recognize you two from the previous evening as they come up and grunt and make lightsaber form gestures, one of them pointing to Cevron and lifting his arm to tap his armpit area, giving him an awkward-looking thumbs up.

The droid orient's it's optical sensors on Kolibri, then rotate it's body to do the same, and says, "Good morning, visitor.", it buzzes with electronic processing noises, "My programming enables me to facilitate translation, communication, cultural protocol, and limited domestic animal commands.

I am unfortunately not equipped with implements or programming to facilitate harm or violence to any life form."

It rotates back to a neutral position, before turning to Cevron.

"Good morning.

My holo-data records indicate that today's hunt is to focus upon for-sport harvest of Quizzer beasts.

Particular honor is to be brought upon the group which is able to harvest the most Quizzers before sun-set."

Again it returns to a neutral facing, as you hear gears whirr and electronics buzz in post processing.

The little droid makes a buzzing sound that almost sounds like a grunt - Nnnnggt, "Biological classification and phenotypic description is not within my programming.

My apologies, sir."

There's a couple of rapid, almost joyful beeps, as the little droid is clearly within his wheelhouse with these questions and he launches into a rather text-book sounding and dryly delivered explanation in his metallic, rough little voice.

"Certainly. I am an SP model 4ST protocol droid. You can call me Forest.

Such a hunt as this is a common tradition for separate Gamorrean tribes to engage in together, in an attempt to build good will with each other. This is in addition to practices such as marrying off sons to each other and gifts of snorruk-mushroom herds.

The hunt is engaged in against Quizzers, which is a mutual pest species amongst nearly all Gamorreans. Common hunt tactics include stalk-and-surprise, scare-and-surround, setting traps using shiny objects and/or nets, and also chopping down trees to either expose or make more accessible large groups of Quizzer at once. At which point death is administered through the use of a bludgeoning weapon - such as the traditional Gamorrean Thogk, or a bladed weapon - such as the arg'garok, as well as thrown spears or javelins.

However the Quizzer is an intelligent and nimble creature, which as my programming indicates, can make it difficult to kill for those reasons.

The tribe or group which brings back the most Quizzers, by count, whether adult or young, and which shall be ceremonially displayed before the evening meal, is the winner!

In this context, the reward for victory would primarily be an emotional one - such as pride and/or bragging rights. However, in certain cultural context or negotiations, could become an implement for use as status or power within Gamorrean society."

The little droid buzzes and whirrs for a moment, processing, before continuing.

"The Matron's primary mate, Warlord Burloz, should soon begin with a rousing speech, designed to excite and encourage his fellow Gamorreans for the coming slaughter. After which, the representatives of the clans will divide their hunters into groups, and you will all venture off into the Gamorrean wilderness, via shuttle at first, then upon foot, so that you may find your prey and begin killing.

If you ingratiate yourselves to one or more of the tribes, I am certain you would be armed by them with the appropriate implements of death."

The guards who recognized you earlier, from the previous evening, are still nearby. And upon engaging with them again, you find that they are more than happy to collect an assortment of weapons from those around them who have extra.

Soon the Warlord launches into his speech, pacing about atop the hull and wings of a heavily armored and garishly painted transport.

Forest provides a translation that, although you have no doubt as to it's technical accuracy, completely lacks the kinetic movement and emotion you can hear in Burloz's voice.

His tinny voice rattles, "Clans of Gamorr.

Blood of the tusk and roar of the boar.

Hear me.

The thieving Quizzers await us. They watch from the shadows with wary eyes, chattering their tricks, thinking they are smarter than Gamorreans.

They believe their cunning will protect them.

Hah.

Cunning does not stop the arg'garok.

On this hunt, we show them that cunning is nothing before our fury. We will crash through their cherished trees, tear down their perches, and paint the forest with their stinking blood.

Raise your arg'garok. Sharpen your tusks. Let the Quizzers see what happens when the clans of Gamorr hunt together. When we roar, the jungle cowers. When we strike, their cleverness dies with their scream.

Now— we huuunnnnnnt."

He buzzes with post-processing, as Gamorreans begin to pile onto transports.

Gamorreans begin to pile into transports, a small detachment of the Clone Troopers will go with you to the site but will not venture out on the hunt with you - they are not allowed to interact with the Gamoereans in a diplomatic capacity. Forest also boards a transport, but also says that he will not be going out on the actual hunt, as he is unlikely to be able to navigate the natural, wild terrain.