Star Wars CLOSED Epitaph Between Prologue

~OOC~ Special thanks to @Sinrebirth for this joint post! It was a pleasure

Sheel Ix
Location: Nouane City Docks - Nouane City

The docks of Nouane City, the walls and the city beyond were even larger than what Sheel Ix could imagine...

There was something wonderful about it, despite the nagging sense... the warning.

“You’re not gonna put your hood and veil up?” Captain Andreas asked as the Tartesso berthed.

“Is there a need to do so?” Sheel Ix touched the clasp to her cloak to make sure it was still secure. She glanced about and noticed some of the looks from the dock workers. The uneasiness... felt somewhat unwelcoming. “You told me this place was a cultural hub...”

Andreas chuckled and nodded his head. “That I did. And it’s true, depending on your interpretation of cultural. You’ll be alright.”

Sheel Ix narrowed her eyes and glared at him. Did he mislead to make a joke at her expense?

Andreas was already off with the manifest and she followed behind. It was too late already to shroud her appearance.

A man greeted them as they disembarked.
"I am Captain Erwen. To what does Nouane City owe the pleasure?"

“Good day, Capt’n Erwen,” Andreas started to introduce himself, his ship, the Tartesso, and cargo to trade or sell at the markets.

Sheel Ix found her gaze lift upward to look at the walls and the distant tower, with a funny face on it, beyond.

There was an opening for her to speak. “Good day, Capitan Erwen...” She greeted the man, matching his intense blue eyes. “I am Sheel Ix, I am from south and travelling? A visitor... passing through?” She looked to Andreas who grimaced at her broken sentence structure.

The officer arched an eyebrow at the sentence, but didn't say much else. There was very little that fazed him in terms of language; he was used to seeing all manner of species at these docks, and in the southern quarter of the City. "Passing through?" At this, he did question, looking up from his datapad.

"On the other side of the City is the northern highlands... the tribes up there do not brook visitors..." Erwen paused. "That seems like an unlikely story, Sheel Ix." Andreas grimaced again, at this point.

But Erwen's eyes shone with curiosity, not censure. While yes the City had a fair share of black market commerce, he found that nonhuman's more often than not were secretive for its own sake to humans... or simply embarrassed by the personal nature of their family structure. Especially Sullustans. They never wanted to admit that they had been summoned by their Den-Mother due to a perceived affront They wanted to keep it as quiet as possible.

As such Erwen was more than capable of giving the woman the benefit of the doubt.

Especially when it gave his datapad time to complete a rudimentary scan of the boat and the two of them.

“The Northern Highlands?” Sheel Ix blinked and gave a quizzical look. Was that where the source of this disturbance? It was hard to pinpoint exactly where this... calling was leading her. “I am still learning, Capitan.” She smiled gently. “My destination is still unclear to me and I hope to spend some time to gather my bearings and provisions before I set out again.” That much was true. “Is there a place you can recommend for I to do so?”

Erwen smiled back, evenly, and he produced a datapad from a pocket. "City map. Four quarters. The southern will have lodgings for you at the edges, or near the centre. The Togrutan Slums are in the middle, between the Chadra-Fan and the Zygerrians. The latter are a bit feisty when newcomers joins the Togruta, so try not to make waves..."

The man paused. "You'll need a permit to go to the other parts of the City, and I can't issue that without calling it in to the Protectors."

Andreas made a strangled noise of panic. Erwen looked to the man, and then back to Sheel Ix.

Sheel Ix ignored Andreas’ reaction as she inspected the contraption with curiosity. She followed the explanation of the layout of the city and felt conflicted thoughts. It was not to do with ‘what is a Chandra-fan? A Zygerrian?’

There was her duty... To find the source of this disturbance and in turn find if there is some connection to the ‘poison’ afflicting her lands... However, there are others in this city that are like her, what can they teach her? Would they know her family?

Her lips pouted a fraction. The ‘Protectors’. Would she see one in their natural habitat? Best not tempt fate and fire when so much to do. According to her instructions, they are not meant to be aware of her just yet.

She looked back to Erwen and bowed her head. The twin beaded feathers at the bottom edge of her headdress swayed along with her lekku. “Thank you for your advice and assistance, I appreciate you showing me. I should keep to the South and avoid these... Zygerrians?”

"Yes," Erwen said, with a shrug. "There is an investigation on-going as to whether they have been, well, kidnapping and selling members of other species in the Southern Quarter."

His eyes turned to Andreas. "And smuggling them out the City in boats."

Andreas blinked innocently. "I don't know anything about that." The Force would tell Sheel that was a lie.

"Which is the reason there are officers on all the public and indeed private ways into the City by the river." Erwen kept his eyes on the ship captain. "Indeed, the Zygerrians have a particular fondness for taking Togruta."

A heartbeat pause.

"Allegedly, of course."

Sheel Ix frowned at the wave of emotions she was picking up from Andreas. This felt like she was being played along like Ymir had always done, but there was something else, something other. This place is different and she did not know the full extent of what is expected of visitors and citizens. “I see... then if I find anything is out of the ordinary, who shall I go to?”

Erwen found the Togruta's focus to be intriguing, though it was open, without an ounce of deception evident. Merely caution, and a sense of worldiness that those who came from the hinterlands possessed. "You can call and request my assistance, of course, or appeal to the Protector in charge of your region. Protector Vale Sera has care of the south."

The man looked back to Andreas. "Similarly, if your find yourself forced to cooperate with any party with untoward intentions towards the City, please do let me know." The ship captain sketched a salute.

"Of course, sir."

Erwen stepped back, looking to go. "If that is all, I leave you to your visit, Sheel Ix."

Sheel Ix bowed her head. “Thank you again... May bright skies shine upon your day, Capitan Erwen.”

She gave one last glance to Erwen before she started to the gates to the city, glancing up at the walls. She took a deep breath, curiosity and trepidation about what to expect. She gave a sideways glance to Andreas. “Is there something you wish to discuss before I go in?”

Andreas held up his hands innocently as Erwen departed. "Don't look at me, Sheel. I didn't know about the Zygerrian rumours... nor has my boat been used for that business." There wasn't a modicum of truth to that statement, but there was a lie somewhere in there.

Sheel Ix eyed Andreas carefully. His words and behaviour felt at odds with each other. He had not lead her astray so far but then again, she did not know him that well. He could turn into another Ymir and she would find herself as some scapegoat for others to pin the cause of their calamities on.
“I see...” she said cautiously. “And these “Protectors”... what are they exactly?” It won’t hurt to see how others view the group. “Have you seen one before?” She pursed her lips as she looked back to the Tartesso and shook her head and looked back to its Captain. “Forgive me. I am probably delaying you from unloading your shipment and schedule. If...I... how would I seek passage home from here?”

"Oh, they're the unofficial but official religion of the City, though they'd deny it. The Master of the Protectors, some guy that nobody has ever seen under the cloak of, he's in-charge though apparently he recruited some apprentices a while back - a holostar historian, a librarian, a police officer and a handyman, I heard."

A shrug. "I've never met them. You're welcome to try, though - they live at the Clock-Tower. The Lords and Ladies recently gave each of the new Protectors responsibility for a quarter of the City."

Hearing the call of another boat, Andreas looked at her. "I'll let my colleagues know; if you put my name out there, someone will volunteer, and pay me a referral fee too." He grinned like a pirate. "But it's the City. People who go in here, they never seem to want to leave. We're so uncivilised on the outside, y'know?"

He shooed her off his boat, goodnaturedly.

“If so, then I am an ‘uncivilised savage’ to them.” Sheel Ix shook her head and gave a wiry smile. “Thank again for your services.” She checked her gear were securely attached to herself. Satisfied, she gesturing a farewell. “Until we meet again.”

Sheel Ix mulled over the other details as she disembarked and headed for the gates. So there was the Master and four other... the librarian was recruiting five to the cause... were the other three doing the same or were they handling other tasks?

Were the issues with these Zygerrians and missing Togruta related to the ‘disturbance’ she felt?

Maybe there be some clue to unearth along the way...

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

OOC: This is a combo post between me and @Sinrebirth ! Thank you for that!

IC: Lagertha Atreus
Location: Clock-Tower Temple

The battle ended suddenly, their enemy disappearing. Lagertha's ego was bruised. She was supposed to pummel the enemy with her saber and shield. She had trained for such a moment, but to be honest that was her first combat with another Force User. A very experienced Force User. Maybe it was a win of sorts as they all survived and there were no civilian casualties.

She received word that a girl was there to see her. It must be Praer, she had not gone back to the village it seems. Lagertha went to the place where she was supposed to meet her. "You should have gone back home, Praer." she said as she saw the child. "This is not a good place for you."

Praer grinned her face off. She was slightly older than that time she had nearly intruded on Lagertha's meeting with the Master, all those months ago. "Well, the village elder had a vision of you and some Dark Lord so she sent me with a message..." She shrugged. "Seems I was a bit late, but she expected that, so she told me to say this to you when you said that."

She cleared her throat and took a tone.

"Well you should have made it a good place for Praer to come."

Lagertha frowned, what did that mean? Did she fail? Or... or what? She remained silent for a few moments, pacing about. "Was that the whole message? Or is there anything more?"

Praer shook her head. "Here is the note," she produced an envelope, still shut with the wax seal of the elders. "I wasn't allowed to read it; apparently it's for the eyes of the Protectors only."

Lagertha was wondering what was all of that. It made sense to not include the girl in this. She took the envelope and broke the seal. The warrior took the letter out and unfolded it.

The envelope actually contained two pieces of flimsi, the first which was opened in the pen of the Elder, handwritten, as was their tradition.

Dear Lagertha,

This letter was originally wrote in ancient times by our forefathers, when they settled Nouane and turned their backs on the Lords and Ladies. Or, rather, they turned their backs on us, and came to believe that what we had fought was gone. It has been duplicated with reverence, in the hand of the current Elder, at their ascension.

This tradition has continued for sixty-five thousand years, if the Histories are true, which they can only be, for you have been summoned by the Master of the Protectors to fulfil the role our tribe separated from the City for all those years ago. I would enclose the original text, which has been rewritten by me, I so swear, in the exact form I found it. To alter the Word would be to alter the Intent of the Father, and we dare not.

The next letter was a short one, and had an ancient cadence to it.

There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no fear, there is power.
I am the heart of the Force.
I am the revealing fire of light.
I am the mystery of darkness.
In balance with chaos and harmony,
Immortal in the Force.

Lagertha was not sure what to make of that message, maybe it will be revealed to her in time? Oh how she hated these kinds of things. Ancient cryptic messages, she liked things to be clear cut. To have an enemy to strike down or innocents to protect. Maybe she could find that Vydra person, he could give her some advice?

"Praer, your task is done, go back to the village." she turned to the girl.

Praer whined. "Can't I stay with you and the Protectors? The bald one is dreamy. You must have noticed, Lagertha!"

Lagertha shot her a chilly gaze "Now you definitely need to go, and no, I have not noticed." she said at last "This is not a place for a child, not right now, until we deal with the current problem, we will see afterwards."

********************************

Lagertha sent Praer home, at least she hoped the girl would listen to her and head right back towards the village. A thought gnawed on her, where had Praer seen the bald guy? Things did not add up, but it was late for such inquiries. She walked slowly to her room, preoccupied by the message that she was given. Lagertha could feel the Force coursing through her. She needed to find balance.

Once inside of her Spartan room she took a small mat and placed it on the floor. A small luxury, but she did not want her feet to freeze on the cold floor. The warrior woman had decided to do something she rarely did... meditate. She sat cross-legged on the floor and tried to clear her mind. She took the piece of flimsi and opened it, then put it in front of her so that she could see the words scribbled on it.

Lagertha was focused now, allowing the Force to take over. Her eyes upturned revealing their whites, the material world slowly disappearing. The floating sensation... images started flashing... voices could be heard. Lagertha strained but felt sluggish as if in a dream. She pushed with all her will... the image started clearing, what was being said could be understood.



Lagertha saw an impossibly large city and a temple in the midst of it. Was that Nouane's future? There was a female voice saying that everyone could feel the pull of the Dark Side and that it was part of the Force. Lagertha mentally frowned at that, but focused on what could be seen. She saw a handsome young man making what seemed to be an important decision. The woman continued rambling that the Dark Side can't control you if you don't let it. That were the words of a delusional person. The images shifted showing different people, a small gremlin like creature, a Togruta, an evil looking Temple. Meanwhile the woman continued saying that she was strong because she was fighting for others and that the Force was in all living things and that you can't master it if only you were focusing on yourself. The last image she saw was of an elderly person holding the dying body of a red and black tattooed alien, closing his eyes. What was that all about, they looked so different? They can't be friends? But doing that to an enemy?

The image flashed again showing the Togruta and other Protectors, a great conflict, was that the one the Master was warning them about? An evil sounding voice mocking them for being crippled by empathy and shackled by obedience to the Master or was it Masters? A Council? Maybe the ones that came before them? Like Vydra and the others? A myth of equality? Was that the same person who attacked them earlier? The voice sounded older though. Serving the Force was not a belief system... Jedi Order? Republic? Why do they need to be destroyed?

An impossible spaceship appeared. It was enormous and triangular. It looked evil, as if a machine could have such a trait. But behind it... behind it was an almost Eldritch horror... a dead moon... a space station. That was surely impossible. The voice kept rambling on about the democratisation of fear.

Then another dark shift... a stormy sky, thousands of ships. Soldiers in crimson armor running around. Ways of the Sith? There was a Sith among them, could he betray the Master and the Protectors? She needed to keep an eye on him. To plant terror and hatred in their hearts... But he did not seem to be exhibiting such traits, yes he seemed reckless but this?

More conflict, armored warriors, shattered worlds. A wiser female voice telling the truth that violence can only destroy and can't inspire others to greatness. The power of the Dark Side is a lie! More Protectors fighting dark figures. My ally is the Force and a powerful ally it is... So the gremlin was a great warrior and a philosopher. If it wasn't serious she would have thought it amusing. There was a hooded figure... an evil hooded figure that somehow reminded her of the Master. Could he be the tuk'ata in nerf's hide?

A deep and strong voice saying that success was not coming from summoning of the Force, meanwhile a troubled young man with a damaged lightsaber was mauling through some aliens. One thing she noticed that all the evil figures had red sabers. There was that woman among them with one. Another person who will need to be observed. Taking control of the Force, as if such thing was possible.

An elderly woman started talking. To have fallen so far and learnt nothing!? Was that directed at her? No, she had not fallen anywhere. There was that hooded figure sending lightning in the sky bringing thousands of ships down. How can they face such power? What hope was there for them? This is what you have wrought! No, that can't be true. Their training has only just begun... Countless murders! NO! Lagertha screamed at what she was seeing, that is not their fault! Slaves, assassins, born of wars... More protectors fighting on different worlds, a dimly lit corridor, alarms blaring... a red saber... a towering dark figure... people screaming... dying... the terror... And instead showing them truth, power, all you have shown them is how the Galaxy may die... The dark figure was replaced by the elderly woman holding a holocron.

Lagertha opened her eyes with a scream. Her heart was pounding, her clothes soaking wet from the sweat. She needed to talk to the Master or someone who knows of such things, who could explain to her what she had seen. Does it mean that they had doomed the Galaxy?

TAG: @Sinrebirth @darthbernael @greyjedi125 @QueenSabe7

 

A serene combo with @Sinrebirth


**************************************



***************************************
IC: Jin Long
Aftermath


Though the Clock Tower was damaged in their confrontation against the proclaimed Dark Lord of the Sith, in the end, the Protectors had prevailed.

True, Darth Caedus managed to escape them, but his plan to kill and destroy had been foiled, thanks to their ability to trust each other and coordinate. Many lives were saved due to this, yet Jin Long did not seek or relish effusive demonstrations of gratitude. Adulation is not why the Protectors did as the Force bid them.

The monk humbly accepted the many thanks that were offered, understanding that doing so was helpful for those doing so, but made little of it. Jin Long had no desire to feed base vanities whatsoever.

Aside from that, the Protectors had also gained a ‘Friend’. One who was strong in the Force and seemed to have formed a bond with No Name.

Jin Long himself thanked his fellow Protectors and sought to deepen their collective bond. He now understood that their synergy was a key factor in their battles against darkness, both present and future.

Despite wishing to learn more about their new ‘friend’, it seemed news had traveled fast concerning their first ‘Victory’ and each Protector was being summoned by their respective ‘Leader’ or ‘Elder’. This, upon reflection, could not be a coincidence. Jin Long himself received news that the Abbot from his Temple sought an audience with him, one that was deemed important, if not urgent. Thankfully, he didn’t have to travel too far for it.

“I am being summoned.” The monk announced to his fellow Protectors. “I will return as soon as I am able. Contact me for anything you need. Peace be with you.”

After offering a respectful bow, the monk gathered his travel satchel and made his way to the appointed location.


*****************************

IC: The Abbot

The Temple





The Abbot sat, cross-legged, as Jin was accepted at the edge of the Temple grounds. He was bare foot, his eyes closed, the softest meditation filling him and the room. He had the Force, but in the smallest way possible, a mere candle to that of their greatest student.

The attendants made to wash Jin of the external impurities of the outside world, paying little heed to the intimacies of such matters as was their way, before returning to him duplicates of his attire while the others were washed and cleansed.

They did not attend to his soul, and the Abbot would not speak to him until Jin had performed the necessary cleansing of his internal balance, with his external symbolically purified by the process that the attendants had completed.

As tradition demanded, Jin Long closed his eyes as he sat himself in Lotus Position at the appointed distance from the Abbot, then began reciting the mantra of Inner Purification for the pre-determined count and time. His conductive tattoos began to pulse softly and rhythmically in accordance to his inner flow of prana.

Jin Long was a patient, disciplined and dedicated man with a profound respect of tradition. He would wait until the Abbot deemed him ready to receive his wisdom.

As Jin spoke, the eddies and whorls of today's events swirled around him, allowing Jin to replay the dark mans surprise at the loss of his blade, and his reckless abandonment of all conscience in his pursuit of victory. A few of the words he growled out were retained, but made very little sense without the proper context. But the panic of the bystanders, the strain of the Force, and the violence that had been performed was plied away from his body, pushed free by the calm he had filled himself with.

Time passed, though how much could not yet be said without inspection of ones chrono.

But the Abbot knew that Jin would not do that in his presence, for to invite technology and other arbitrary matters would be a breach of the sacredness of the moment.

The Abbot made sure to give himself a final examination as he too completed the mantra of Inner Purification, and he opened his eyes, satisfied, though never overconfident, that he was free of any of the darkness that had just been poured into the Force.

"As expected, the Force summoned you to the Clock-Temple."

It was a statement, not a question.

"Share with me what happened, Jin."

A solemn nod of honesty and understanding was offered before he began.

“I do believe I was the last one called to arrive at the Clock-Temple, for there were others already there communing.” Jin stated in serene recollection of that incident. He went on to describe the other Protectors he had encountered. Jin found himself inwardly surprised as to how clearly and vividly their names and descriptions came to him now that things were far calmer.

A human female warrior of steely demeanor: Lagertha Atreus, A male sith pureblood: Sek’nos Rath, A male Kwa; M’tael, and a mysterious human female, simply known as No-Name.

“We revisited the Master’s last lesson regarding the Old Ones and the Holocron of Heresies, that we needed to prepare for the advent of the Destroyers. He spoke of Seven who would emerge and of The Twilight War.”

Jin regarded the Abbot, his expression still serene.

“The Master spoke of mysteries at length, which I continue to meditate on.” He confessed.

With a smooth and graceful motion, Jin caused the holocron he had in his possession to float to his waiting palm, then caused it to simply hover between them.

“Soon after, we communed with our Lightsabers, which in turn revealed their colors to us as we formed a bond with the crystal within.”

The monk called the silver and gold cylinder as he had the holocron and also caused it to float before him and the Abbot, however, he did not ignite it. Without only a small pause for inspection, he went on to list the colors as they had been revealed. Atreus blade was Silver,Sek’nos and N’tael both had Purple colored blades, and his own had been White. She who was No Name was awarded a Red colored Blade.

“We had little time to reflect on their meaning as we were suddenly set upon by one Darth Caedus, Dark Lord of the Sith, who had caused the Clock-Temple to shake and destroyed the ‘clock’ in the process.”

Jin tilted his head in a moment of reflection.

“It’s worth mentioning that Sek’nos did not seem to know this ‘Dark Lord of the Sith’, as it were.”

“However, Darth Caedus was indeed full of the Dark Side and proclaimed to be our ‘Destruction’.”

“We tried to engage him peaceably, but he would have none of it, as it made it clear that he would destroy the city. He did speak strangely however, as this are his words: To undo what has been done before it is done.”

“A paradox of some kind?” Jin wondered aloud.

“The Dark Lord was able to stand his ground against us, but we Protectors managed to route him with the help of a ‘Friend’, who’s mere presence seemed to tip the ‘Balance of Power’ in our favor.”

Jin frowned slightly, trying to recall a name he realized had not been given him.

“Our new ‘Friend’ was already wounded, so medical droids were dispatched to attend him, along with No Name. It was then that we all received word of our respective leaders wishing to meet with us, and why I am now here before you.”

The detailed summation was appreciated, as a great deal seemed to have occurred in the time since they headed to the Clock-Tower. The Abbott paused, listening slowly, and nodding when Jin spoke of the lack of a connection between Sek'nos - a Sith by species - and Darth Caedus - a Sith by religion, it would seem. An apt deduction.

He froze as Jin described their colours, and seemed to muse more heavily on that point. Silver, purple, white, and red. The Abbott continued listening until Jin finished, and he dwelt for a moment.

"The steeled one has a colour which matches metal..." the Abbott said. "There is significance to the colours, clearly." His eyes were closed. "If so, then your colour reflects well upon you - of a purity or even balance to you... and the blades of purple would reflect an amalgamation of two paths - as two colours so mixed."

The Abbott was curious as to this.

"The prior Protectors had colours of purple, white, green, blue and... I am unsure as to the last one." His brow beetled. "He vanished, I gather. It is not well know that the Master had five apprentices at all, as a matter of fact."

"The woman of purple was a military one with, I was told, a complicated personal life, while the Chistori of white was a handyman of sorts, before the Master called. The man of green was a librarian, an odd choice in the circumstances for an order as martial as the Protectors... meanwhile the man of blue was an actor-scholar, yet the leader, for a time."

The Abbott paused, again. "Purple being a militant colour... or perhaps a conflicted one." His hands lifted, weighing them both. "It implies a negative and a positive aspect, to the blue and to the red.... and of course your red wielder is one with no identity to speak of? How odd."

He hadn't asked a question, but was instead verbalising his thoughts aloud, inviting a response, or even reaction, from Jin. He hadn't even reached upon the comments of this Dark Lord, nor the other, injured, visitor.

Jin smiled lightly as he listened to the Abbot speak, feeling very much as if he were back at the monastery, a mere student eager to learn. Those were good and simple days, a solid foundation he was grateful to have had. Presently, he was not surprised at the Abbot’s pool of knowledge. As far as he was concerned, the Abbot was the wisest and most knowledgeable man he ever knew.

“When we engaged the Dark Lord, we Protectors reacted with unrehearsed synergy, trusting and enhancing each other’s actions almost instinctively. It is my belief that the Force was leading us, despite our subtle differences. The Dark Lord did attempt to wrest control of No Name’s Red Blade, but she resisted him successfully. We all have very different origins, but we were all summoned to the Clock Temple. I do believe that what is in our heart is what matters most, and our numbers are as they need to be at this moment, for the Force has deemed it so.”

Jin offered a respectful nod at the end of his declaration, both thanking the Abbot for his insight, and wishing not to be misunderstood as he spoke.

“Abbot, there are still mysteries that need come to light. I shall continue to share what I learn, of myself, our mission and my fellow Protectors.”

Jin felt the Abbot’s concern regarding some of the colors, but was at the moment unable to address that concern directly. This was something he would need to look into. Why were there no blue or green blades? And how was this significant?

“But, indeed. The Dark Lord disappeared in a flash. It seemed he was acting alone, yet, he knew where to find us, and I wonder if that shall always be so. Conversely, how do we find him?”

A curious thought blossoms in the back of the monk’s mind.

“I must speak with my fellow Protectors to agree on a course of action.”

To undo what has been done before it is done.

The Abbot paused, intrigued by Jin's view, but caught on that saying. He paused, an uncertainty filling him which was most unlike the monk. "It is best that you return. I shall unravel the mystery of the Sith... once you have more information." He nodded.

"May the Force be with you, Jin Long."

"And you Abbot, always."

With a smooth gesture, Jin Long recalled his floating Holocron and Lighstaber, then deposited them within his satchel. Rising with seemingly no effort, he bowed deeply, speaking the words of departure and promise to return, before moving on, in order to return to his fellow Protectors.




Tag: @Sinrebirth, @TheAdmiral, @darthbernael, @QueenSabe7

 

A very enjoyable combo with THE Master GM, @Sinrebirth

******************************************************
IC: Jin Long
The Monk and the Sith

It was as it always was, after sharing in conversation with the venerable Abbot. He always felt refreshed and inspired, reassured that he was on the right path. The Abbot didn’t so much as answer his questions, but rather, caused him to think with greater understanding; after all, naivety was charming only on children.

Jin Long’s mind was on reconvening with his fellow Protectors and learning more about the recent events surrounding the attack on the Clock Temple, as well as their meetings with their respective elders. One did not have to be an investigator to suspect an overall connection between these matters.

Traveling through the city streets, Jin Long allowed himself to take in a ’sense of the city’, to better understand the current state of affairs regarding the citizens and recent events. It would be remiss for a Protector not to concern himself with those he was Protecting.

Citizens of Nouane were a hardy and resilient folk, but not impervious to the causalities of reality as it were. Every action had a reaction, after all. Therefore, it was always better to be vigilant than to be caught by surprise.

Jin Long’s vigilance was one ingrained in him from his days as a young monk and they’d served him well. That’s how he came to sense an ‘air of unrest’, even before he stepped inside the Clock Tower proper. The feeling was coming from inside, then suddenly and far closer - from behind as well. The monk began to turn just as his name was being called.

“Jin!” Sek’nos Rath exclaimed, getting his attention and holding him in place by simply speaking his name.

The monk only managed a nod in response, as Sek’nos began speaking, preventing him from issuing a proper greeting. Jin Long calmly listened, as this seemed important.

“I just had a very unfortunate discussion with the Matriarch of the Sith - she has decided to order all the Sith in the City into our quarter, to keep them safe from citizens who might act against them because of Caedus. I think she's overreacting, and I am going to need help getting it reversed - to convince the Circle of Sith that its a bad idea.”

“A bad idea?” Jin echoed and grew silent for a moment, absently stroking his chin. His conductive tattoos continued to pulse softly and calmly.

“As you said, it is for the safety of all sith citizens. How is this a bad idea? What would you have her do instead?”

It was always best to hear both sides of any issue before offering any counsel on the matter.

Sek'nos was surprised by Jin's comment. "It speaks of fear! Of our kind being worried about the ramifications of a human wearing the cloth of Sith as if a vile and terrible thing."

He hammered his chest. "We are a great and prideful species. For someone to appear a Dark Lord of our kind, it is unacceptable. Darth or Daritha, I care not for either; if we withdraw to the shadows - more will worry what we are doing in them."

The young Sith took half a step closer. "Can you not see that we cannot defeat fear by allowing it to change what makes us who we are? That these... terror tactics are merely the heavy handed acts of a radical human, not a herald for the Sith themselves?"

Jin found that the could not entirely disagree with Sek'nos, for the sith wasn't inherently wrong in his reasoning; but there was more to merely being right about a matter.

"I am not disagreeing with you my friend, but let's examine the issue further. Would opposing your Matriarch not cause a rift among your people? Especially during a time when they should come under a single banner? And what happens if an innocent, Force forbid, is injured by the fruits of irrational impulse? What then? There is a time to be Proud and there is a time to be Cautious. Expose this False Lord of the Sith for the sham that he is, but not at the risk of innocents. If need be, I will help you hunt this pretender, but I ask you to consider the wishes of your Matriarch as well. Nothing more."

Sek'nos was passionate, and his distaste for misrepresentation was well justified. However, cool heads did always prevail. Jin remained where he was, hoping that his words had the desired effect. The Protectors business was inherent in their name, anything else would likely lead to folly.

The Sith teen slammed a fist into his chest, as a salute. "I would be honoured to hunt with you, my friend. The sooner we discover the location of this False Lord, the better." He was pleased to be doing something. "We should ask the others to allow us to hunt together, while they deal with the Lords and Ladies, and indeed the other traveller - he appears to have a familial resemblance to Caedus, which is another mystery for us to unravel..."

"Does he? I find it difficult to distinguish between humans, or, um, similar species." Of course, Jin was not entirely human, so it was on the borderline of offensive, though Sek'nos didn't intend it so.

"Then we hunt together.The Force will lead us." Jin offered genially, then looked towards the stairs.

The monk was not sure if Sek'nos had understood his point, but he was pleased that his fellow Protector no longer seemed to pursue a course of action that would cause a rift amongst his people. Of course, that was probably due to an unspoken compromise when he agreed to hunt for the False Lord alongside him. Jin understood how Sek'nos felt, but as Protectors, they needed to be Masters of their passions, not the other way around. Still, he would also have the unique opportunity to look after Sek'nos while unravelling the mystery of the sith. However, doing so would keep him from fully learning what was occurring at the Clock Temple. It would seem this could not be helped.

"Let's go speak with the others." Jin said, agreeing to proceed, and finding no offense in Sek'nos' choice of words. Especially because he had a point.



Tag: @Sinrebirth

 

Combo with Sinre

IC: Ben Solo and No-Name
The Clock-Tower, Nouane

One minute she was looking expectantly off into the distance, sensing him coming closer and closer and her desperation for aid only growing as the space between them dwindled. The next minute she was screaming, some place in her mind triggering a reaction to the violence the strange Sith Lord released.

The ground cracked and buckled, chunks peeling from the earth to become airborne, flying dangerously close to the four Protectors that were in much more immediate danger. Regardless, she was forced to collapse to her knees to avoid being pulverized by the ensuing cloud of debris that was swept into the Force-tornado that enveloped their attacker. Hunched over and keeping low, she peered into the blackening smoke, her thoughts drawn further into what she couldn’t see but only feel. An instant flickered by in which the Sith’s face manifested in her mind's eye as clear as day - she could tell the look upon his features and their intrusive meaning, somehow she knew he had briefly wondered about her the same as she wondered about herself every minute of every day.

Who is she?
Who am I?

And then he was gone.

She could no longer sense him. He vanished from her thoughts and from the Force.

Did he die?

The winds abruptly stopped then, everything they carried hanging in midair as if the entire scene had been frozen. She looked up in awe, climbing back to her feet just as everything came crashing down in a thunderous roar before her. Covered head to toe in soot and dirt, the dust settled quickly to reveal that the man at the epicenter of the storm was indeed physically not here anymore. He had escaped.

The girl with no name merely stood staring, stock still, eyes wide as saucers. Casually giving a glance to the form of the mysterious man who appeared from thin air to race across the plains of Nouane to their rescue, arriving too late and crumpling to the ground nearby, she was expressionless to it.

What a day to finally walk up through that cellar door…

--

Because of all the excitement that she felt incredibly ill-equipped to handle, it was no surprise that the events that followed went by in a feverish blur. The next clear thing she would remember was being in a room within the Clock-Tower – one of its many nondescript and sparsely furnished spaces. There was only a bed against one wall with a chair beside it, and recovering upon that bed was the tall, dark-haired man from the hillside. The one who had offered his help without hesitation.

As it if were there was no other place she'd rather be, her heavy feet carried her towards him and her body fell into the hard seat with an audible thud. A servant droid buzzed softly beside her, tending to a wound of his that she didn’t focus on. She didn’t want to pry. In fact, she didn't even look at him, gaze staying put upon the hands she wrung on her lap.

“Thank you for trying,” she whispered, not checking to see if he was awake enough to hear her, keeping her senses appropriately restrained. However, just sitting here next to him, she picked up on his strength more potently. She could at least surmise he was very powerful and also in a significant amount of turmoil, which she recoiled from.

I hope I didn’t cause this.

Ben started, blinking his surprise and sitting up-right. "Rey?"

"No, you're not Rey," he said, frowning. He looked haggard; battered, even. "You feel similar to her..." his eyes searched her face, softly, not quite pining but also not a surface gaze; he sought to eye her very soul, but not with the obtrusiveness of a mind-probe, but the seeking of a connection, as if heart to heart.

"You're hurting," Ben said, turning to take her hand in his. "I'm Ben Solo - the last Skywalker."

He said those names as if they had significance to someone.

She blanched, hunching away slightly as he reached for her with a name that was not her own wet on his lips. It stung for reasons that didn't make sense. Rey did not belong to her.

"Skywalker," she blurted rather loudly, not intending to. She chewed on the name yet could conjure nothing from memory that held weight. Her mind was in tightening knots. "Whatever you're the last of, Ben Solo, where did you come from?" It had been her most pressing concern since their whirlwind connection was created. Where? And -

"Why are you here? At the Clock-Tower?"

Her hollowed-out eyes finally drew a slow line upwards to look into his darker pair, shadowed by much more than strain and physical ailments. They were bottomless, full of curiosities that already began to lure her in.

Their eyes met, and Ben felt a bond none too dissimilar to that he had with Rey... but she wasn't Rey... was she like them? He didn't understand, but empathy made him reach out to her, and touch -

Ben paused... thinking of events, and the nameless woman, child-like in her disposition, perhaps, felt the moment swirl between them - through the touch of their skin.

Rey and Ben lay collapsed on the floor as Emperor Palpatine released himself from the Ommin harness and drifted down. He stood straight and strong now. Invincible.

The Emperor raised his voice to the throng. "Look what you have made," he said. Their chanted response was thunderous, and he stood, hands slightly raised, as if absorbing worship as power.

Ben forced his near-lifeless body over to his hands and knees. Rey remained limp beside him as he struggled to his feet and faced his enemy.

The Emperor was not impressed. "As once I fell, so falls the last Skywalker."

He lifted Ben with no more than a thought, thrust him away with such force that he tumbled end over end through the length of the cathedral, then disappeared into a flashing abyss.

Rey would have screamed, but she could barely draw breath.

Then he fell into the grass overlooking the City, and had felt her call. "Not where, but when, I suspect," he breathed in, and out. "Who are you? Am I on the Clock-Tower you speak of?"

She gasped as the torrent of images was shared between them, the scene so vivid and clear it was as if she had actually been there with him and remembered the event as if it had happened to her, not him.

Ben Solo.

The chair she occupied scraped backwards with a wood-on-stone grinding as she pushed away with her feet, shooting up straight to standing at the same time. "What was that?" she whined, tears rimming her eyes. The man, the creature with glowing yellow eyes that had attacked Ben was so terrifying to her even in thought, she felt as though she could even sense his massive strength in the darkness just through memories that were not her own. It made her shudder and recoil. It frightened her.

"His name is Palpatine, his Sith name Darth Sidious," Ben said, breathing in and out. "He enslaved the galaxy before I was born... we thought he was dead, but he survived, somehow."

Crossing her arms in front of her chest, squeezing herself tight for comfort, she began to slowly pace at his bedside and belatedly realized he had asked her questions.

"I am..." an awkward pause as she thought of just how to explain who she was, then decided against it. "Yes, you are within the Clock-Tower now, on Nouane. Home of the Protectors." She stopped and stared away from Ben. "I suppose I am one of them now," she whispered, turning back to him then. "Judging by what happened to you, did you bring that... Sith Lord... with you? Are you the reason he came here? We are a peaceful people- well, I mean I think...."

She trailed off then, biting her lip and looking at him again with open intrigue. She shrugged, feeling as though she were rambling nonsensically. "I feel like you do, probably... dropped into this world so suddenly it feels like you need to relearn to walk."

Ben was finally getting a grip of himself. "The other darkness, I don't know who he is. He feels like me, when I... a long time ago, it feels like now." A sadness permeated him. "Yes, I do. I have no idea where I am, but know that I need to get back."

"Rey needs me."

He stood, wavering, and stepped towards her, his height such that he seemed a gentle giant of a man, notwithstanding the cuts across his face. He was so fresh, so new, but, of course, he had been healed by Rey not a few hours ago for him - back on Kef Bir. "I need to get back to Exegol - to help Rey stop Palpatine - he has a fleet, of superweapons - a Sith armada -."

Ben's face wet with his tears. "Will you help me?" His expression pleaded, connecting with her in a surprisingly deep manner, his hands held out to her. "Can I help you?"

Ben came closer and she had to look up to meet his gaze, initially intimidated by his presence and not only in the physical sense. He was someone extraordinary and she had no proof as to why, but in her gut she just knew. Ben Solo meant something of great importance somewhere, perhaps in another time. To another person.

Chewing her lip anxiously, she hurriedly nodded in affirmation to his plea. "Yes." It was strong and true, and he would feel her conviction in the word. "I will help you as best I can, I'm just not sure how?"

Looking down at his outstretched hands, she raised her own and placed them on top of his. It was strange in a way she couldn't begin to explain, but for the first time in her life - the life she could remember - this seemed to be her purpose, however temporary it was. To help this man.

"I, well I don't think there is any helping me, but thank you for the kind offer." Blushing slightly in embarrassment and fear, there was no way to properly describe her situation without seeming like a silly girl who needed to be kept locked in the basements as she had been. She shook away the idea and returned her determined gaze back to his darkened one. "Maybe to start, tell me about this Rey?"

Ben looked agonised for a long moment, prevented from focusing on the mystery before him. “She’s the other half of me; we’re conjoined in the Force - a Dyad. I just wish I’d worked out this feeling earlier.”

“It feels like you, actually - like you’re half a person; that there is more to find and reconnect.” Ben’s eyes drew her in again, and he sighed. “I left her facing the ultimate evil - the Emperor of the Sith - he tried to tempt Rey to fall... she’s his granddaughter, and if she kills him in anger, he will take her as his own.”

He murmured the rest. “I helped her with her anger - but now I’m gone?” Ben squeezes his hands into fists. “I fell though a crack on Exegol; and landed here. At that grassy knoll, overlooking the City. I need to head back.”

A fatigue seemed to grip him and his last word, which trailed off. “Ask the others... if they’ll help.” He suddenly fell back, rebounding slightly on the cot bed.

She hadn't realized she had been leaning in until Ben had fallen back, causing her to lose her balance slightly and stumble a step forward into the space he had been occupying. She was enraptured now, by Ben Solo and his stories. Such adventure, and there was no denying his deep feelings for the girl he was bonded with; his other half of the dyad, Rey. It was like watching a particularly animated lesson from her Holo, most of which were admittedly dry and strictly for knowledge. Some, however, had read like a thrilling tale of a journey full of risk and peril.

Just like Ben's journey.

His exhaustion rippled in the Force and she assisted him the rest of the way into his bed, helping to position him comfortably so that he may sleep well and recover. Looking down on him once she had drawn up the bed sheet and tucked him in, she followed the impulse to reach down and gently brush away his dark locks from his eyes. The same eyes that desired to look upon his Rey once more, to save her. A feeling she had not known before surged into her chest as she watched him, squeezing tightly about her heart.

Longing - in the sense of wanting to know just how it felt to desire someone else so strongly, that you would cross the very fabric of time to return to their side. She of course, had no idea, but she would do everything she could to get Ben back to where - and with whom - he belonged. And that meant she needed to speak to the other Protectors, strangers as they may be.

TAGS: @Sinrebirth, @greyjedi125 @darthbernael @TheAdmiral

 

IC: Jin Long
Clock-Tower

Listening to everything that was being said and weighing it all internally, the monk took a centering breath. Nothing worthwhile was ever easy, that much he’d learned quite well; being a Protector was no exception.

Jin Long found he could not formulate a rebuttal for N’Tael’s conclusion as to who should appear before the Lords and Ladies of the city. As a monk, Jin Long always avoided even the idea of ‘political involvement’ anywhere. It seemed as a Protector, such a thing was unavoidable.

Sek’nos had taken himself out of the equation, with good reason. N’Tael, though the most qualified for the meeting, pointed out that sending a non-human might not be the best choice or decision. Jin Long could not argue with that.

The monk also agreed with the Kwa regarding Protector ‘leadership’. Everyone had roles to play. Besides, the FORCE would lead them all. No Name, from what he understood, had lived within the Clock Tower all her life? Was that right? And the Warrior Woman, Lagertha…well, admirable as she was, when was the last time a fierce warrior was sent on a ‘diplomatic’ mission?

Jin Long took another breath before speaking.

“I’ll go.” He said finally. “I’ll do it. I’ll speak to the Lords and Ladies of the City.”

Half turning his head, he glanced at Sek’nos. “Forgive me brother, I will join you on the hunt as soon as I’m able. Meetings with the Lords and Ladies of the City is also High Priority and the responsibility has fallen to me.”

The monk looked to his fellow Protectors and waited to see if there were any objections.




Tag: @Sinrebirth, @darthbernael, @TheAdmiral ,@QueenSabe7

 

IC: Lagertha Atreus
Location: Clock-Tower Temple

Lagertha was wary of No-Name and this newcomer, Ben Solo. The thing was that he looked like one of the people in her vision. He was on a ash covered world tearing through some aliens, wielding an unstable forcesaber. The fact that he had spent time with the girl, who also had a red colored saber put her on edge. She needed to be ready to spring into action. The others seemed complacent enough and underestimating the threat. The Kwa seemed to understand it though… she eyed him for a second, hopefully he will connect the dots too.

She did not want to meet the Lords and Ladies, she was a barbarian to them, a savage, so they will not listen to what she is going to say to them. The city folk always thought down on people like her. Good thing the monk volunteered, he seemed the most suitable for the task.

“I can work with you, if you want.” she said casually to the Sith, she wanted to keep an eye on him as well, just in case.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @darthbernael @greyjedi125 @QueenSabe7

 

Another enjoyable combo with @Sinrebirth

****************************************************
IC: Jin Long
Representing the Protectors

There was much deliberation between the Protectors themselves, as to their immediate missions and tasks. All were in agreement that he, Jin Long, would represent them before the Lords and Ladies of the City.

It was then that he felt a presence by the Clock Tower door that he’d almost missed.

”I seek the Representative of the Protectors.”

The monk turned at the sound of the voice.

“I am he.” He said as he closed the gap with several steps and nodded in welcome.

“I’m called Jin Long. It is I who shall represent the Protectors before the Lords and Ladies of the City this day.”

With a smooth gesture, he invited the robed man to step inside.

The adjunct led the Protector to the airspeeder hovering by the entrance, and it promptly conveyed him to the western quarter - where the government elements of the City existed, including its universities. The northern district was where the Clock-Tower was located, with other religious and educational institutions. To the south of course was the general population, and to the west, the agricultural and artistry aspects.

The city was not a small affair, circled by walls, hemmed in to the east and west by the valley, with hills to the north, and a flat plain to the south which included the outer-city, split by the river which snaked into the western part of the City, and then the villages and jungle was more south than not.

The City Hall was a relatively old design, one which would be favoured in the years to come.



City Hall

Each tower belonged to a Lord or Lady, with the central plinth for meetings. Each quarter had its own needs and concerns, and it was theorised that once upon a time four warring clans had came to this point and squared off. Some of the northern most tribes had fled for the hills, unwilling to abandon their ancient traditions - the places where Lagertha Atreus had came from - meanwhile the more industrious clans settled down.

The air speeder settled Jin Long at the central tower, and at the entrance a man stood in tight-fitting outfit.

It was the Herald, a gaunt man who had held the office for some years by the name of Eriadu Valorum.



He sniffed slightly at the monk Protector, and pressed a button to open the doors to the chamber, technology shielding them both from any winds high-up. This part of the City had much more mechanical answers to nature than say the Chandrilan quarter, which eschewed much machinery in its production, though the northern and southern districts settled into a happier medium.

"May I present to the Northern Lord, Chandrila Mothma, the Eastern Lord, Alsakan Kya, the Western Lord, Nubia Graul, and Lady Alderaan Organa, of the South."

The names of the Lords and Ladies were named after Nouanese deities, with anyone selected for office required to abandon their first names and take on their names of office. Indeed, many of the positions within the government were ceremonial, including of course the adjunct, Eriadu.

The four nobles were seated at the same level before them, but there were many other seats evident at differing heights - thirteen seats in total. It represented that there were those above and below the Lords and Ladies, with two seats above them, and seven below. In that, they took the third through sixth seats. The two higher seats represented the duality of existence, in some belief systems, but there was some argument about that as there was one seat higher than all seats within those two.

All in all, there was more symbolism than governance here...

As encapsulated in the four, who each had their faces obscured by masks.



Alsakan, Chandrila, Alderaan, Nubia, left to right.

They were archetypes, not politicians, and so they waited for him to show the appropriate respect, and they would discuss matters further.

If nothing else, the Monk was honest with himself. That was a necessary first step to be honest with others; and in all honesty, nothing could have prepared Jin Long for this experience, for in these social matters, he was indeed inexperienced.

At the very least, he hoped he kept himself from seeming that way to onlookers.

The city was indeed a sight to behold, and truth be told, he’d never gazed upon her from an airspeeder. He never before felt the need to do so. Little did he realize what a grand view he had been missing.

It was all so varied, so beautiful, all in near perfect balance: That at least, he could truly appreciate.

City Hall was a structure he had never seen and it was awe-inspiring. It all seemed so grand. There was a lot of history here. History which he was vaguely aware of.

Jin Long took a breath as he did his best to prepare his mind for what came next. He took a moment to meditate and center his mind for this challenge, as he could not possibly guess its depth.

Needless to say, Jin Long was at his social best when meeting the Herald,Eriadu Valorum. Meaning, as best as he knew how.

“A pleasure, sir.” He said, sounding overly formal.

The technological wonders he experienced in his travels, were exactly that: wonders. But he could hardly allow himself opportunity to be amazed by them. It seemed he was the only one who found them fascinating, which stood to reason, as they were common place to everyone else.

Upon being introduced to the Lords and Ladies, the Monk Protector, as he was being called, bowed to each single one of them. Jin Long memorized faces and names as the proceedings progressed. He noticed the seat placements, the different heights and the fact there were thirteen in total.

If only N’Tael were here to see all this.

Especially the four who wore masks. Jin Long found that to be very curious. Why wear masks during such a public meeting? Why hide their identities? If they did not wish to be seen, why attend?

Questions for another time.

Taking the place where he should address those present, Jin Long composed himself.

“Lords and Ladies of Nouane, I am known as Representative Jin Long, monk Protector from the Clock-Tower. I have come to you in response to your summons.”

Jin Long gave a long officious bow, then righted himself and waited to be addressed in turn.

"Representative..." Chandrila said, latching upon the word.

Nubia huffed. "Do the Protectors not answer to one Master?"

"Missing, he has been, as with the other Masters..." finished Alderaan, sounding bemused.

With a cross of his leg and a threading of his fingers, Alsakan replied. "What does a monk come with - what authority does he have to discuss with the Lords and Lady of Nouane?"

There was an odd resonance to their voices, but it was an affectation, it seemed. There was no power in the Force behind their words. Indeed, their attire did nothing to conceal themselves from him; their disdain, their curiosity, their scheming and conniving natures.

Jin Long let their words hang in the air for a moment and regarded them all. What pity he felt, he kept it from showing on his face. The City Hall architecture was indeed beautiful, neutral. It did not judge. It contrasted with the imbalance and in some of them, darkness, he now sensed.

"You asked for me and I have answered."

This he said plainly.

Now he understood why N'Tael wished to skip the proceedings altogether. However, that was a luxury he presently did not have. Besides, if there were any legitimate questions here, he would be happy to answer those.

"Were there concerns regarding the City that you wished to discuss?"

"Excellent," said Chandrila. "Precisely what we wanted to here."

"We call; you answer," Alsakan said with a chop of his caricature head.

Alderaan scoffed. "You may not realise, but this is not often what occurred."

"Indeed, we would call the Master of Masters, and he would never answer..."

"But we take it that you and your Protectors intend to listen to reason, which is pleasing," Alsakan said, shrewdly.

"Now, now," Alderaan chided. "The young man-monk doesn't need this character assassination of the Master of Masters."

"Though it is nice to see the face of who we speak to..." Nubia added, drily, with a degree of irony.

"Come on, come on," Chandrila said, authoritatively. "We are all busy."

Alsakan spoke firmly. "Yes, the aforementioned Master of Masters... and, indeed, the other Lord Protectors..." He leaned forward, resolutely.

"Where is he?"

"The Master is no longer at the Clock-Tower, for he, has left us Protectors, in his place, even as he responds to a higher calling -which we at this time are not privy to."

The monk spoke carefully now, as he could sense a trap. He understood he was being baited, and though that realization disappointed him, it also informed him to be cautious. A curious thought entered his mind, regarding one off the lessons given by the Master of Masters.

The Great Darkness of the Seven.

Jin did not believe in coincidence - and in a most subtle manner, studied all the seats and all the appointed Lords and Ladies that sat thereon. The Seven, the Four and the Pair.

"I have leave to answer any questions." He said, further prompting conversation, as he opened himself in the Force.

They canted their heads, looking at each other. Their jaws worked, and clearly they had a way to speak to each other without anyone else hearing. Technology, after all.

Alderaan spoke first. "There was a commotion in the market square."

"He called himself a Dark Lord of the Sith," said Nubia, "and we have seen an upswing in discussion targeting our Sith populace."

Leaning forward, Alsakan appeared to be thinking. "Our population is divided amongst many nonhuman species. We cannot afford for one to be perceived as a threat."

"So what are the Protectors doing about it?" Chandrila asked cautiously.

Jin did not hesitate to respond, though he did choose his words carefully. He was beginning to get the sense of these 'Lords and Ladies of the City.'

"Agreed. The nonhuman species are not a threat. The sith species is not a threat. Their position has remained the same, before the appearing of the so-called Dark Lord of the Sith, and after. Any who thinks otherwise only reveal their own prejudice." Jin Long allowed that to hang for a moment.

"We Protectors are currently investigating this so called Dark Lord, who happens to be a human and is no sith at all. In fact, I was on the team tasked to pursue him, but it was decided that my appearance before you took precedence. Another has taken my place as not to delay said investigation. We will inform you as soon as we have any information, seeing how the attack just occurred."

Alsakan, Nubia, Chandrilla, then Alderaan. Noted.

Jin offered a small nod, indicating he was ready to continue.

"In days gone past we offered special forces task forces to the Protectors - twenty officers from our police each, and made them Protectors of a Quarter each," said Chandrila.

Alsakan coughed slightly. "Though we could not tell you what they did with them, as literally all but one of the officers involved also disappeared."

"Suspicious, is it not?" Nubia said, bluntly.

"Concerning, what with the disappearance of the Master, Protectors, their families and these officers..." Alderaan drawled. "We would request the new Protectors also investigate this occurrence."

"I have no knowledge of these disappearances, as they are before my time." Jin Long confessed easily. "But I shall put the matter forth to my fellow Protectors and place your request before them. I don't foresee an issue with this investigation, thus, I shall keep you informed."

This was a curious request, however, knowing the past history of the Protectors would help what base knowledge they had of their own 'organization'. The subtle accusation also did not escape the monk's attention. Politics. Though revolting, he vowed to endure through it for the sake of the greater good.

Jin offered another nod, conveying his understanding and willingness to proceed.

"Good, good," said Alsakan, who leaned back in the chair again.

"Is there anything else?" Alderaan said lightly. She was looking at Jin, but her side was profiled to take in Alsakan, as if he had done something.

Nubia snorted. "Isn't that enough? Absent parties, a Dark Lord, inter-species conflict? What else do you want?"

Chandrila huffed. "Well this is what we have Protectors for."

"Indeed." Jin Long agreed. "...And we are pleased to serve. Now, if there are no other pressing matters, I would like to return to my fellow Protectors and resume our ongoing investigations, Lords and Ladies."

Eriadu stepped forward. "If I may take Protector Jin Long back, Lords and Ladies."

The Lords and Ladies turned away, and dismissed him. Eriadu gestured to the balcony speeder, bowing slightly to the others.

Jin Long bowed to the Lords and Ladies and waited for an opportune moment to speak to Lord Eriadu.

"Please lead on, sir. I shall follow you."

The meeting with the Lords and Ladies of the city had been most intriguing and revealing in many levels, including Protector history. Jin Long would have a lot of content in his report to the others. The level of intrigue in city politics was not to his liking, and so, he could appreciate why the Master had never responded to their summons, and more to the point, that the city carried on safely without his attending.


Tag: @Sinrebirth, @darthbernael, @TheAdmiral, @QueenSabe7

 

OOC: This is a combo between me and @Sinrebirth ! Thank you!

IC: Lagertha Atreus, Sek’nos
Location: Marketplace

The marketplace was a busy place. There were a myriad of people going about their business. There were species she had never seen before, so Lagertha had to force herself to focus, there was no time for a little-girl's curiosity. Speaking of little girls, hopefully Praer had listened to her and went back to the village.

She closed her eyes for a second, nothing, aside of the bustling life and swirling emotions of the people around them. The thing was that she did not trust herself with the Force right now. Her last experience had shaken her so profoundly that she feared that if she let the Force in it will fill her up with new visions. She turned her head towards her companion "Can you sense him?"

Sek'nos shook his head. "Not at all. But it makes sense, if he's as powerful as it seems. He must be able to hide himself in the Force, and if he's stronger than each of us, he can hide from us individually."

He scanned the crowd again; it peered back, gaze shifting from the Sith to Lagertha, almost as if judging her for the company she kept. Sek'nos scowled, but managed to instead say. "I suspect we need to stop using the Force if we're going to track Caedus down."

Lagertha nodded, that could be a useful skill to learn. If only the man was not evil, she would have liked to learn from him. It did not hurt that he was handsome, but that was another matter. The Sith was right though, she was an excellent tracker, and the marketplace was just another type of hunting ground. The rules were almost the same, just some of the variables were different. "Look for anything that must not be here." she said as she started doing exactly that.

Sek'nos frowned, peering across the penned-off area. There was not much to pick out, but there was something... the Sith pushed his mind away, and just used his eyes. The City's detectives had not combed the site yet, wanting to leave a Force-related issue to the Protectors.

His impressions guided his eyes, but there were two he was drawn towards. He stepped by an overturned market stall, and saw it. "Lagertha," the Sith said, using her name. "Look."

Under the upturned wood and metal frame was a patch of mud, clearly wet from the rain and then blocked from the sun to dry it. There was a clear boot print - but also, on the scaffold - a slice of fabric... part of Caedus's cape.

"Pay-dirt."

Sometimes you had to rely on such small things to uncover the bigger mysteries. It was a good start and she was an excellent tracker. Caedus would not stand a chance. Lagertha picked up the piece of cloth and looked forward. There were faint muddy tracks leading the way. "He must have been in a hurry. Follow the mud. We have to minimize our Force presence, rely on your other senses."
The Sith used the Force to nudge the cape part free, and he carefully moved it into a pouch without touching it with his hands. He drew the Force close to him, minimizing it as much as possible. He stood to go, and then his senses caught something - in his distraction, a fruit splattered on his face, and Sek'nos winced.

"Go back home!"

It had been thrown from the milling crowd, but there were so many people in the busy central market space that it would be difficult to ascertain precisely who had thrown it.

Lagertha frowned and reacted without thinking, drawing the hilt of her lightsaber. Then something stopped her as she realized that these were just ordinary people. "Go back to your business." she said not caring about their feelings of aggression towards them. "This does not concern you!"

A piece of fruit sailed towards her, and Sek'nos reached out, catching it with the Force. "Enough," he snapped back. "We are Protectors. It is not us who invited the Dark Lord here, he came hunting war, when we are a world of peace. We must find him, if we are to keep that peace... unless you would prefer we did not, and went back to the Clock-Temple and let him wreck havoc unimpeded."

There was a still moment, with a collection of eyes turning to the weapon in Lagertha's hand, and then the crowd dispersed, leaving a smattering of fruit on the floor; abandoned.

Sek'nos released the fruit, dropping it also. "I am sorry," was all he could say, so ashamed was he.

Lagertha glared at the people while they went back to their business. Those entitled city-folk. Without the Protectors they would have been murdered by this maniac. They can still do, unless they found the darksider.

"You are sorry about what?" she asked sharply at first, then her features softened as it was not his fault "Those people live a pampered life, compared to the countryside. It all takes a small disturbance in their petty little lives to make them angry and blame the people who try to save them, because they can't see beyond the tips of their proverbial noses." she grunted. "Let us continue."

Sek'nos grinned at Lagertha. "You're right." He took his hilt in hand, and advanced. "Let's go on."

The crowd had entirely parted, and they could get on their way. Nouane City was big, but the path - the smidge of mud here and there, it headed south, to the more heavily populated parts of the City. "Most of the non humans live here," Sek'nos explained. "Have you ever came to the City before?"

Lagertha was looking around, checking for any more clues "I try to stay away from the City." she stated simply "I prefer being out in the wild. It is more... honest, if I can put it that way." she focused on something, but that was a false lead "I lived up North, in the cold." she smirked "It does not allow people to get complacent and soft, also it keeps us honest." Lagertha eyed him still remembering her vision. "You? Have you grown here, or somewhere else?"

"Here," Sek'nos said, thinking on her use of the word honest. He liked it. He pointed a direction, slightly away from the tracks into the streets. "The Sith Quarter is that way, actually. All the species here have their own streets and boulevards."

Then the tracks deviated.

"Uh-oh."

Into the Sith quarter.

It made sense, the species to have their own quarters. People tend to flock to the familiar, it gave them a sense of community and safety. That was the irony of the big cities. The more they tried to bring everyone in the same place the more people segregated into different quarters.

She stopped next to him "What?" Lagertha asked and looked towards where he was looking "At least that will make him easy to find."

"But if we do find him in the Sith Quarter? Surely that'll destroy any chance we have of them trusting my species again?" There was a darkness simmering in the shadows of this quarter, and Sek'nos blanched. It stank of a deep, unnatural, and horrible rot.

He hesitated, and felt beneath his conflicted feelings his fear.

This was the dark side.

"Can you feel that?" Sek'nos released a breath he hadn't realised he had held.

Lagertha could sympathize with his concerns. She would probably feel the same if that Darth Caedus was hiding among her people. The warrior woman could sense the darkness within the quarters. It was both seductive and repulsive at the same time. "Yes, I can, the problem is that he can sense us too." she stated flatly "We need a different approach."

"I don't know how to hide from the Force like that..." Sek'nos paused. "Do you want to go on anyway, or should we report back to the others so we can make a decision together?" He hesitated a bit. "It seems a dangerous choice to make alone but you understand how best to track people..."

Lagertha gave him a serious look "You run to get the others." she ordered "I will keep him occupied." the warrior woman gave him a feral grin "Don't worry I am not that easy to kill." she smirked.

Sek'nos nodded. "May the Force be with you, Lagertha." At that, he turned and rushed back towards the Clock-Tower.

Lagertha frowned and pursed her lips. Good thing she did not wear her cloak. The sabre handle was easily accessible. She took a deep breath and stepped in the Sith Quarters.

TAG: @Sinrebirth @darthbernael @greyjedi125 @QueenSabe7

 

~OOC~ Special thanks to @Sinrebirth for input regarding the child

Sheel Ix
Location: Months upon months ago, somewhere in Nouane City

Nouveau city is a sensory overload for the uninitiated. So many beings, so many different threads of life, on their own paths and intermingling... from observation, these interactions go without awareness of the one another save for the immediate, fleeting contact they might share before disappearing.

It could be comparable to a jungle... though more complex series of emotions emit from the creatures that call the city their home.

At least the jungle allegory allowed Sheel Ix to feel a bit more at ease with her surroundings. The living... no matter how weird, wild or wonderful... she could find something that she could relate to and the presence they emit to the natural canvas. The mechanical beings on the other hand, these ‘droids’, as Vydra had named them... perplexed her. Do they have souls? Do they feel pain or emotion? Do they cry?

To her, they are puzzling negative spaces amongst the living.

The undertow that guided her was more ominous. A veiled danger, just outside of her sensory reach... no matter which direction she took, it felt both close and just out of reach. It was aware of her... that was starting to make sense. Who was the Wombara in this hunt?

She stopped at a junction point to get her bearings. Her green-blue eyes surveyed the faces of the beings passing her. More mechanical gliding beasts and carts went about their business with cargo... though that did not hold her focus. The tall structure in the distance was looming closer than she had anticipated. She wondered how close were the boundaries of the ‘Protectors’ territory... that warning to avoid making her presence known to them just yet came rushing back to mind.

She wondered about them though again, today was not the day nor time to do so. The tug of danger was similar to the sensation of being stalked by a panther. One that is preparing to pounce.

Would it pounce? How tantalising to make the prey? Most predators strike while the prey is occupied and their defences lowered.

She stepped to the side and opened the seal of her waterskin canteen to take a sip. As the cooling water touched her lips, her other hand gently rested over where she kept her dagger as her eyes and other senses remain alert.

A shiver tingled down her lekku and back. Any moment now...

Sheel Ix froze.

Her eyes locked onto something she had not anticipated. There was a child...
Not just any child, a Togruta child.

It had separated itself from the ‘herd’ of others. It looked as Sheel Ix had when she was a child, except the pigmentations and marking were different... as were the development of the montrals and lekku. Is that normal? Am I an abnormally? Is there a purpose to the different markings? A swirl of questions entered her mind.

A cold weight in her stomach as she sensed the focus of the elusive yet omnipresent danger shifted away from herself, honing in on a new prey.

No!

Sheel IX moved with purpose. Securing the waterskin to her sling, she kept her eyes on the child as she approached the position. Conflicting feelings. A small voice warned to not get involved with matters not her own. To observe and assess what the danger was before leaping in. Yet, how could she not? This was a child! Besides, was there not benefits to safety in numbers? She slowed her pace as she got within close proximity.

Do I say something? Do I pretend she doesn’t exist? Where... and what was this hunter?

The perception surrounding the child shifted, and it sought to ensnare Sheel Ix instead. She would feel, in the extended senses the Master had introduced her into, that she had been noticed. The sensation withdrew- but not far.

Not far.

The child looked at Sheel, tears in their eyes. “My mummy was here, but now she’s not. Can you help me, lady?”

Sheel Ix double blinked as she processed the child’s words and picked up upon the emotions. Mummy? Madre?
Faint memories surfacing for when she was a little... the tall trees and scary caws, suffocating weight of the humidity, lost in the jungle, her parents gone-

Stop it! Not here, not now!

Sheel Ix knelt down to be eye level with the child. She placed a hand on its shoulder and gave a comforting squeeze. Her tone as soothingly as she could muster.

“It will be alright, little one. If you have seen your mama just a moment ago then she would not be far. I will help find her....”

She opened up one of her pouches and produced a small carved wooden figure of an animal, a plump quadruped with comical large nose and eyes on its stocky head. She held it out to the child.

“...if you promise to keep this safe for me...”

The child, wide eyed, nodded and took the figure carefully. “What is it?”

“This is a little wombara.... come on, I’ll carry you and we shall go and find your mama.”

Sheel Ix lifted the child up, threaded the little legs about her sling and quiver strap as a makeshift harness and then wrapped her arms protectively about the child. She closed her eyes for a moment, reaching out through the sense in her training. There was something out of place... almost mocking her. Did it take the mother?

Sheel Ix started moving, on the trail for the mother with the child snug to her chest, playing with the wombara toy.

“My name is Sheel Ix, what is yours?”

TAG: @Sinrebirth

 

OOC: This is a combo between me and @Sinrebirth ! Thank you for your patience!



IC: Lagertha Atreus, Thok Rath, Darth Caedus
Location: Sith Quarters

The Sith Quarters was rather depressing. It seems the leaders of Nouane were discriminating against them. Could that be the reason for them becoming Dark? It would certainly be an understandable one, maybe it could be averted with improving their living conditions... But for now it was not the moment for such considerations. She was on the hunt, that Darth Caedus must be brought to justice.

She almost struck the old man who appeared so suddenly. That would have been tragic and she took a mental note to be more careful, sometimes single-minded determination could have disastrous consequences. "Your grandson?" she asked, the man looked familiar "Are you talking about Sek'nos?"

"I am, of course," he said, softly chuckling. "He's always rushing around, chasing whatever self-proclaimed mystery he can find." He tapped along, approaching Lagertha. "He was eternally chasing that Protector Master of his, until of course he wasn't." A dry chuckle. "I gather you were not supposed to do that before your time was to begin?"

There was a sudden thud of metal meeting wood, but the wood was the lean-to that the old man was walking by, the metal was a twisted and sharpened weapon, and the old man was run through. Urk was the noise that emerged from the Sith, and the cloaked bundle that was Caedus emerged from an alleyway between two wooden constructs, lashing out with his crimson lightsaber in a loud snap-hiss.

The blow was lightning quick, angled downwards for Lagertha's neck -

Lagertha was about to reply to the old man when things started moving very fast. "NO!" she managed to scream upon seeing him being run through. Her role was reversed, from hunter she became the hunted. Her instincts and training kicked in and she managed to parry the attack feeling the heat of the energy weapons. Its hum was deafening, so close, "AAARGH" she screamed again as she pushed the weapon back. Even though Caedus was not physically impressive he was a very tough opponent.

She managed to jump back, her saber lit, the lights of the two weapons colouring the dark alleyway. Lagertha studied his posture, looking for a potential opening where to strike. "You will be brought to justice." she hissed to him, though she knew that it would have no effect.
The Sith man sagged, clearly impaled and dead, but Caedus didn't respond to her comment, standing loose and ready.

Before, he hadn't had a lightsaber to match her blade, but he allowed her to push him back.

A snort and smirk appeared, before the expression had even fully flitted across his face he gestured his off-hand off to the left, using the Force to grab at her sword-arm and pulling it out of line - and stepped forward and brutally chopping for her with a single-handed and swift blow.

Lagertha's eyes widened as the man was using the Force to move her hand. She resisted of course, but what chance do you have against such tight grip and power. She gritted her teeth, her mind racing with possible ways as to how to deal with the situation. An idea came, using her free hand Lagertha decided to use the Force to push him back, hopefully that will break his concentration.

Caedus slid back and his blade merely nicked her arm, but the moment the blade dipped, he stepped forward, bringing his off-hand back to the hilt and swinging up with vicious speed. He was expecting Lagertha to dodge back, but in these narrow confines she would be limited and so even as his blade swept up he was already launching his foot at her stomach - another lightning whip-kick, and in his mind's-eye she would fall over his boot and he would simply slash down across her exposed neck.

Of course, he wasn't relying upon his boot connecting.

Lagertha gritted her teeth at the wound that she received. Caedus was pretty fast, normally that would not have been a problem, but here in this limited space she barely had any options to maneuver. She saw him trying to kick her so she raised her hand and used the Force to stop it. There should be a way to get him off balance, then she could go on the offensive.

Caedus was surprised by her raising a hand to stop his foot, and eyes widened as he imbalanced. He tugged himself back with the Force and rolled, holding his weapon arm out and as he came up to his feet - crouching for the moment - he hurled his hand forward and allowed a blaze of Force lightning to emerge at close range.

It was the quickest and simplest response he could have, as his lightsaber was far out of line -

Lagertha barely had enough time to raise her saber to block the bolt. For something so ethereal it surely was hard to hold off. It pushed her back a bit, she had to steel her muscles so as not to lose her balance. The Warrior Woman managed a small step forward. Her teeth were gritted, some sparks touched her face and stung her. Another step...

Caedus took the opportunity to stand up, and reset his guard. He released the guard and lifted his hand, intending to bodily grab her and hurl her into the roof, but similarly he was ready to fight more traditionally if she nudged aside his Force grip and swung.

He was, typically, smiling.

This woman was good.

And he was a Skywalker by blood.

His next move almost caught her off-guard. Almost. But sometimes that was enough as she lost her balance then an invisible hand grabbed her and hurled her towards the roof. It was sleek and slippery from the rain that was pouring. Lagertha managed to get her bearings before she could crash so she managed to free herself and soften the landing. Though the impact cracked several tiles. That gave her an idea, Lagertha focused with the Force and sent some pieces of the roof cover towards her assailant.

Caedus stepped back, deflecting with his blade as if the tiles were blaster bolts, but they exploded into gravel and dust. Similarly, he could not step back far in the narrow confines, and the debris agitated his eyes. Irritated, he flailed slightly, exposed for a moment and coiling the Force within him as he knew how exposed he was -

Lagertha gave a feral grin, some progress at last. She had to change position soon, the roof was slippery and she could easily trip. "Had enough?" she asked, checking for an opening. She could sense him gathering the Force, she had to make him release some then strike. Lagertha decided to try something. A portion of the wall of the building opposite her was cracked, she focused on it and pulled a bit with the Force, there was a crack and masonry mixed with bricks rained down towards Caedus.

Caedus had been building his power up for that moment, and as a man of the Skywalker bloodline it didn't take him long; a Force wave exploded outwards, ripping into the Sith complex, blowing apart flanks of buildings and hurling shacks and bodies and generally detonating with the force of a small bomb -

It was not his destiny to die here!

Lagertha's eyes widened from the shock, but it did not last too long as she was hurled back, crash landing through the window of a house, into the living room of a Sith family who were huddled in terror from what was going on outside. She managed to maintain her consciousness even though her whole body was screaming from the pain, small shards of glass were sticking from her body, cuts all over her were bleeding. She could see the ceiling crack so she managed to muster what remained of her strength to keep it from falling using the Force, thus protecting the family. Hopefully her comrades would arrive soon enough...

TAG: @Sinrebirth @greyjedi125 @darthbernael @QueenSabe7

 

IC: Jin Long
Sith district battle

Events moved quickly, maybe faster than he had anticipated, but even so, he could sense it: Evil, Darkness and Death. It had suffused the Sith Distict already. Were the Protectors too late?

Jin Long was reaching out with the Force as a means to glean a clearer and immediate understanding of the area of conflict, but something unseen had perched itself on his neck. His hand moved instinctively to swat away whatever had caused the sudden intrusion on his person, when a single flash of warning blared in his conscious mind.

In that instant, the speeder he, Sek’nos, N’Tael and Ben traveled on, exploded as its underside was struck by sith lightning.

Jin Long was caught by the beginnings of the explosion as fire and flying debris burned and slashed at his flesh, even as he erected a barrier to protect himself from the worse of it and rode the wave of the detonation.

His form careened and bounced off several walls before he landed unceremoniously on the ground. However, the Warrior-Monk turned Protector had already called on both the Force and his Monk powers and rose immediately from the heap, his conductive tattoos glowing a bright fiery yellow. He tapped on the dual techniques of Force Body and Force Valor to help him face this dangerous Dark Lord.

Aware that his fellow protectors would need a moment to recover ( and noting that they were, quite thankfully, still alive ), Jin Long rushed at the Dark Lord with such rapidity, that he seemed to be flying. The monk's intention was to ram into their dark opponent ( and through the slates he had flung ), tackle him to the ground and engage him in hand-to-hand combat, where he was confident he would have the advantage.

Jin needed to ’tie-up’ Darth Caedus with a continuous flurry of attacks, force him into a defensive stance, until the others could assist him in subduing the Dark Lord and put an end to his rampage.



Tag: @Sinrebirth, @darthbernael, @TheAdmiral