Göçebe

The sun dipped low behind the jagged peaks of The Dread Valley, casting long shadows over the checkpoint. It was a solitary structure, a fortress of stone and steel, sitting on the border between the valley and the outside world. Guards paced the perimeter, their eyes sharp and unyielding. They had learned the hard way that any sign of weakness, any slip of the hand, could be the difference between life and death.

The checkpoint wasn’t just a barrier; it was a test, a filter for those seeking to enter the valley. The governments of surrounding nations had been given strict regulations by the Valley Tribes, granting passage only to those they deemed worthy with only a handful of groups allowed through at a time. Despite the desire to uncover the valley’s secrets, the fear of its dangers kept most at bay. The Automata, the ancient Üstün machines that roamed the valley, some had casual jobs; maintain the Valley, harvest the fruit and crops. Then there were some that had a singular purpose: to hunt and destroy any technology that dared to breach the Valley.

A low hum filled the air as each group approaching the checkpoint went through the security screening process. The guards, cloaked in uniforms of muted green, inspected every piece of equipment, every device, with meticulous care. If there was even a hint of an electrical field; if a single device buzzed or pulsed with the faintest current it was confiscated and tossed into the growing pile of forbidden relics to be collected once the owner had returned.

Bey stood off to the side, watching as her latest expedition group was inspected. She knew the drill well. Her people guarded the other side of the valley, where the land grew more dangerous, where the Automata would hunt anyone foolish enough to venture without preparation. Her role was to ensure that these outsiders understood what they were walking into before guiding them to the camps where they'd be taken to their various work places, tourist attractions and guided by the locals.

The group passed through the final set of gates and made their way across the gravel path toward the waiting building in the distance. It was a sturdy structure, squat and unadorned, built for function more than form. The large doors swung open, revealing the briefing room; an auditorium of sorts, with rows of seats rising behind a small stage. The harsh stone walls reflected the dim light, casting the room in a cold, sterile glow. The sound of footsteps echoed, heavy in the silence.

Bey led them to the front, her footsteps purposeful. The group filed in, taking their seats. There was a mix of nervous energy and curiosity in the air. Some of the faces were familiar to Bey; guides and experts who had made the journey before but the rest were newcomers.

As the group settled, the murmurs faded, and a figure stepped onto the stage. Göçebe. She was calm, her posture steady, but her presence commanded attention. Her sharp eyes scanned the room, locking onto each individual before speaking.

"Welcome to the Dread Valley." She said, her voice cutting through the silence. "I am Göçebe, and I will be your guide until we reach the first village staging point but before we begin, there are rules that must be followed. They are not optional, and they are not negotiable. The Valley does not care for your wants."

She began pacing, her footsteps echoing against the stone. "First, as you've already been briefed by your travel agent and the Security guards who checked you on your way in, no technology. No communication devices, no electrical equipment. The Automata will destroy anything they detect. We’ve had expeditions cut short because someone forgot this rule. Don’t be that person."

She turned to a projector on the wall, clicking a button on a small handheld controller. There was a group of tourists from Ilmaria. "These are Riley Matthews, Ava Sinclair, Maya Patel, Liam and Karren Cruz, the last two being the famous travel vloggers." She clicked the button as it went through several different slides of their trips through the world until one came to the room they were in, a selfie photo.

"Miss Karren Cruz decided her vape was..." She then put on the young, hip over the top argumentive woman tone that matched the Karren name. "...'Just a no go for leaving, I can't do without my bubble-gum Strawberry vape!'" She sighed, looked at the people then clicked the button.

A gruesome photograph of the group torn to shreds and a dead Automata. "She killed six people including the Guide working it. Don't be Karren Cruz." She said. Continuing.

"Second, respect the land. This is not a place for profit, nor is it a playground for your curiosity. The valley is alive with history, and it demands respect. The locals are the keepers of this land, and we, our people, are its protectors. You are guests, and that means following the guidelines we set."

A few of the newcomers shifted uncomfortably, but no one interrupted.

"Third, stay within the designated areas. The Dread Valley is unpredictable. Some places are safe; others are not. Do not wander. If you go off the path, you do so at your own risk. The Automata will not hesitate to act if they detect you where you shouldn’t be."

She stopped pacing, her eyes locking onto one of the guides in the back. "I’m sure some of you have been here before," she said, her voice softening slightly. "But the rules remain the same. The valley hasn’t changed in the millions of years it has existed; and neither have we."

"Any questions?" She asked.

#OpenRP #FeraRP #ModernRP #FantasyRP