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Post by <imaginative username here> on Feb 16, 2011 10:01:37 GMT
Gannat grasped Verran's hand.
"You will do well."
His expression faltered.
"However, I meant what I said about it being a parting gift."
He returned to his backpack, and retrieved a datapad, which he handed to the new Jedi Master.
"The Republic bureaucrats have got wind of our plan to take down Kryysh, the Trando slaver that was recently released. Not only do they not sanction the attack, they have stated that unless evidence of his continued wrongdoing is shown in a court of law, they will protect him from any "personal quests of vengeance.""
He sighed.
"The government believes that he has served his time and that his past crimes have been absolved - most likely due to the sizeable amount of money that mysteriously appeared in several bureaucrats' bank accounts when the question of release was raised."
"So it falls on the Jedi Order to act - to move directly against the Republic's orders for the greater good. I have decided - and Master Kai and the others have agreed - to leave Yavin. I will be stripped of my rank and title; no longer a member of the order - and thus, my actions will no longer represent their policies."
The togorian still stood a good few feet taller than Verran, but looked strangely aged - smaller, older, with a degree of sadness in his bearing.
"I will infiltrate Kryysh's inner circle of goons and thugs, and work my way up to his right hand. I may - in fact, I probably will have to do some despicable things. I am sure you remember that Kryysh is a cruel master to his slaves, and delights in causing them pain - pain I will not only have to ignore, but likely participate in. When I am ready - when I have gathered irrefutable proof, proof the Republic cannot ignore no matter how much money they receive - I will call for you, and we can sever the proverbial snake's head, bringing the whole slaving circle down around his ears."
He stepped forward, placing a heavy paw on Verran's shoulder.
"I am fully aware how dark the path I speak of looks, my friend. How it likely conflicts with much of what I have taught you. But for the sake of millions of would-be slaves, I have to do this."
"The other jedi outside of the council will know nothing of this - an ignorant mind cannot be guilty of deception, should Republic investigators come knocking. But I believed you - as a Jedi Master, and my most accomplished pupil - deserved to know the truth."
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Post by isemmens on Feb 16, 2011 13:09:58 GMT
Verran seemed to stand in a silent shock as Gannat talked, his eyes staring blankly upon the information as it scrolled upon the datapad. Everything he had just conversed with Gannat about a Jedi never wanting to change the world around him dashing through his head. He took a moment to centre himself before looking up to the disheartened looking Togorian.
"I worry for the stability of the path you walk Vert, but I understand your willingness and intent for self sacrifice."
He paused for a second, his hands moving to a leather cord around his neck untying it and taking it off.
"You had a time advantage for your parting gift, I hope that mine will suffice."
Verran opened his hand out to Gannat, the leather cord coiled in his hand with the link of a chain threaded onto it. The link had been the one that gave when Verran had broken his own cuffs within the slaving ring bust several years ago. As a Jedi he had taken it to wearing it around his neck to remind him of his past life and how he should strive to avoid giving into pure anger.
"You are the closest thing I have to family Vert, I would hope that after this we can return to this sparring ground again."
He smiled lightly, an odd calm descending over him.
"I may also ask of the council if I may take up the mantle of Battlemaster in your absense."
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Feb 16, 2011 13:40:27 GMT
Vert returned the smile, and took the cord. Reverently, he tied it around his left wrist.
"I will treasure it. You are my greatest pupil, Verran - and both a son and a brother to me. I too hope we can spar again soon."
With that, he turned and picked up his backpack.
"I have already packed my belongings, and my fighter is fuelled and ready to go. I will speak to the council personally and recommend you for the role of Battlemaster, but then I must be on my way."
"Goodbye, Master Verran."
And with that, he left the clearing in the direction of the academy.
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An announcement was made a few days later - Master Vert Gannat had been dishonourably expelled from the Jedi Order, stripped of his role as Battlemaster and rank of Jedi Master. Only the higher-up Jedi knew why, and would refuse to discuss it even with their padawans.
Shortly afterward, newly ordained Jedi Master Verran, the Togorian's student was made Battlemaster, and took on his new role with tenacity. Over the next few months, he became well liked among the students for his easy-going nature, although his tight-lippedness about his former master might have irritated one or two apprentices.
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Feb 16, 2011 14:23:37 GMT
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Dappled morning sunlight provides patchy illumination on two Jedi, sitting at the foot of a small waterfall not far from the Grand Temple of Yavin IV. The quiet birdsong and constant gurgle of the brook provide a peaceful setting for Virgil and his apprentice Brilhann's meditation session. The two sit opposite each other on smooth water-worn rocks, wearing comfortable tan Jedi robes.
Brilhann's eyes are closed, his face a picture of calm but his body language indicating tension and concentration, as around him small stones and rocks gradually levitate. The mental exercise Virgil is teaching him is designed to strengthen one's finesse and multitasking with the force - an area Brilhann is not brilliant at. The goal is to levitate rocks and other items from the surrounding area, and stack them together. They will almost certainly not stack perfectly, so control must be maintained on the tower to keep it upright, while simultaneously adding to it.
The apprentice has been trying the exercise all morning, but has never made it past the sixth stone. Virgil can sense that something is bothering the young twi'lek.
Brilhann's eyebrows knot in concentration as the six-stone-high tower quivers with the touch of the seventh, then crashes down. The padawan lets out an angry grunt, and the top stone slams like a bullet into the rocky waterfall base, shattering.
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Feeling the cleansing effect of being back on Yavin IV Virgil is a lot more open and relaxed enjoying the feeling of the sun shining down, after the ever present underground gloom of the last mission, looking across at his young Padawan he is surprised at his progress in certain fields since joining the order and especially at an age older than advised in all the old texts.
“Good, good. You are getting much better - I remember when I first met you, barely wobbling garbage cans, never forget how far you have come since then, but I sense that all is not well with you, a problem shared is a problem halved my mother told me.”
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The apprentice opens his eyes, and his shoulders sag.
"I'm sorry, master. It's just -"
He abruptly stands up.
"Balancing rocks!? This isn't what Jedi are meant to do! We're warriors, master - guardians of the galaxy, champions of justice. Our predecessors fought in the clone wars, and against the Sith before that. Why is it that while injustice is happening, while the Imperial Remnant still exists - why are we sitting in our little temples, meditating and practicing philosophical mental tasks like this one? It's a disservice to the galaxy - to have the power we possess, and let it waste away."
Brilhann pauses, and notices that the peaceful nature of the meditation area has been shattered. The birdsong has stopped, the birds having flown away when the stone exploded; the bubbling waterfall sounds faded and muffled. Shamefaced, he sits down again, unable to meet his master's eye.
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Slowly closing his eyes both to spare his padawan the agony of eye contact and to centre himself once again in the broken tranquillity he takes a deep breath and in a slow voice asks
"There is more to this task than meets the eye, one of the very first things you are taught to do in this temple is search your feelings through doing this we make sure that the path we follow is the right one, the stronger you are in the force the more you can make sure you act only for good.
Learning is not a means to an end, it is an end unto itself I myself went out into the galaxy and was shown how little I know about it and its dangers, and I think I yet know more about the galaxy in which we live." Virgil half opens one eye "especially with the marks you got in your last history lesson.
The greatest duellist I know who can take on many men far his superior in combat, do you know what he is doing now? He is participating on a spiritual journey he is meditating in his own way, one of the greatest men in aspect of Jedi as lightsaber users mace Windu, do you know what he said? He stated that Jedi are keepers of the peace, not soldiers."
Sensing that perhaps quotes from ancient masters might not be quite the thing to sway his young padawan’s mind he tries a different tack.
"You must remember that there are over a hundred thousand inhabited worlds in the Republic, and there are now only a few handfuls of us. Billions of beings have never seen a Jedi. Millions have never even heard of our Order. Or of the Force. When we do appear, we must be the best of all they can imagine the one view they get of you might be the only one they ever see of a Jedi. If what they see is a being ready for war and sacrifice of others whilst wielding powers above what they can, then all we receive is distrust and malice our role can not be fulfilled.
Also, it is the internal struggles, when fought and won on their own that yield the strongest rewards. If we fight and win them all then you stole that struggle from them, cheapened it. If you care for others, then recognize the value in sometimes letting them fight their own battles. And when they triumph, they will be even stronger for the victory."
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Feb 16, 2011 14:24:18 GMT
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Brilhann sighs.
"You are right of course, master. I just feel that if the force has granted me these abilities, it's wrong to waste them meditating on whether they should be used. Master Windu said that we are keepers of the peace, I know; but he himself led troopers into battle.
He pauses, then meets your eye. "And all the students have heard about your latest mission, master - that you and your allies single-handedly turned the siege of Axxila around, saving countless lives of both Republic military personnel and civilians. I doubt the slaves you and the others rescued would say they felt their struggle was cheapened, or the crew of the Dauntless, for that matter."
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"War does not determine who is right, only who is left."
He leaves a gap it goes on for slightly to long and just when it seems he is not about to continue he does.
"Were it not for our study and meditation of the force prior to the event, we would not of been able to even attempt to do what we did and you really think it was so single handed? Do tank companies count for nothing these days? Were it not for them we would of struck hard fast and in futility"
"Now lets see if you can carry on your task and this conversation if so, well lets just say that no good deed goes unpunished" and although his physiology does not allow Virgil the luxury or a smile there is a definite air of joy to his face.
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Brilhann looks sullen for a moment, and then straightens his posture.
"I just want to try my hand at something more becoming of a Jedi, master. Some of the other apprentices, and definitely the older masters like the serene aura of this place, but I find it unsettling - I'm itching to do something, to test what I have learnt. I admit my reasons for wanting action are not entirely selfless - I want to prove that I've grown."
He closes his eyes, and the stones start to move.
"So I will keep trying with this exercise, on a condition."
The second stone pauses, levitating a few inches above the first, almost as if waiting for an answer.
"You'll take me on your next mission."
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Virgil looks Brilhann dead in the eyes, and gravely says.
"Last time I checked you was the padawan not me, if you can perform this task quickly efficiently and without disturbing the peace of this place AND the mission is appropriate, then I shall consider you"
He settles back closed into the meditation posture closes his eyes and continues with a smile, "Of course, I shall have to weigh you up against all the other padawans I’m training at the moment.”
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Brilhann drops the second stone in surprise, then catches it with the force a split-second later. Without opening his eyes, he smiles. "That was unfair. But fair enough, I will prove that I am better than your "other" padawans."
With unprecedented speed, presumably granted by his newfound motivation, the padawan manages to build the tower of six stones. It sways gently in the morning breeze, but as the seventh and final stone is placed, the tower does not fall. With a calm smile, the student slowly opens his eyes and looks at his master, the tower still holding steady.
"Done."
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Feb 16, 2011 14:27:20 GMT
"See what can be achieved when properly motivated,” says Virgil with a degree of pride – and then under his breath, "As long as the motivation themselves are true."
"did I mention that at your stage in training I could not manage the feat you just did? Well, how could I ever look you in the eye again unless I took you with me.
“Now, will you do an old man a favour and sit with me and meditate a while longer, for if my instincts are to be trusted it will feel like a very long time before we are able to have the luxury of enjoying the uncomplicated marvel of nature and the force again."
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With an expression of flushed pride, the young apprentice closes his eyes again and quietly meditates for the rest of the morning with his master. Occasionally, he has to be told to stop fidgeting, but his focus gradually improves.
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Over the next few months, Brilhann grows to enjoy these quiet meditation sessions with his master, often turning up to them eager to demonstrate his mastery of a new trick or subject. It would seem that motivation was all that was needed to get him to improve in the fields he previously struggled in. The sessions also serve to temper his reckless and impulsive nature, allowing him to better attune himself to his surroundings.
His master spends some time developing training techniques customised for the padawan's mindset: Practicing opening a physical lock, holding the tumblers open with the force alone; disarming a grenade by removing the pin while keeping the squeeze bar held down, and so on. These techniques and regimens help Brilhann see the practical application of the less flamboyant and visually impressive uses of the force.
In addition to downtime experience, Brilhann will receive 700exp.
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Post by vaxsgbstpachibgdk3 on Feb 16, 2011 22:38:17 GMT
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Post by isemmens on Feb 16, 2011 22:57:27 GMT
That is pretty awesome...though I believe the skin tone is also wrong.
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Post by vaxsgbstpachibgdk3 on Feb 17, 2011 0:05:45 GMT
Aye, Nagai are naturally pale, but I couldn't find a paler tone that looked right *edit* meh nevermind that, made the model paler, cba to redo the pictures though
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Post by isemmens on Feb 17, 2011 1:07:27 GMT
Still its a good starting point for a Character Avatar and what not
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Mar 9, 2011 1:55:11 GMT
"Let's get a dog, stick it in an ewok suit and hit it with sticks."
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Mar 17, 2011 12:43:20 GMT
"The woman looks at Khan, lying on his back with her lightsaber at his throat; looks at the blazing inferno of a jedi in front of her, looks back at Khan and turns her saber off. "I surrender."" Sorry, but your expressions were priceless.
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aturin
Frequent Member
"There is no shame in falling, There is only shame if you refuse to rise once again."
Posts: 180
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Post by aturin on Mar 17, 2011 17:23:04 GMT
"you'll never get a better chance"
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Post by <imaginative username here> on Mar 21, 2011 0:57:57 GMT
Sorry to all for today's session being somewhat lackluster. Kind of my fault - I've been playing too many scripted games recently, leading to me thinking "I could do that next session, that'd be suitably epic" - without a) paying heed to logic or b) anticipating the players deviating even slightly from what I expect, even when doing so is perfectly sensible.
Also, an apology about the way Brilhann's developed, particularly for Neil. The NPC was supposed to be naive and susceptible to temptation, but has just become, as Dave put it, an Anakin - i.e., a whiny bitch. He's also clearly annoyingly un-genre-savvy - he'll pick up the sithy artefact, talk to the dark jedi alone, charge into melee with unbeatable opponents etc. Just wanted to say that this was a mistake, and I'll endeavour for him to mature somewhat once the situation with Kess is resolved.
I was also going to ask: Do people want the campaign to be more freeform? It may be me just being overly introspective, but I worry the campaign so far has felt a bit over-scripted - you get sent to planet X to do Y, and as soon as you're done you're sent to planet A to do B; with little choice or input into what you're tasked with doing. You're all nearly Jedi Masters now; ordering you around like grunts is a) untrue to the lore and b) undermining in regard to your characters' power. If there's something you want to do as a party, without it feeling like a downtime sidequest that deviates from "Alex's plot," please say so and I'll implement it.
Anyhow. that is all.
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Post by vaxsgbstpachibgdk3 on Mar 21, 2011 1:09:19 GMT
Well, I'd assumed that as far as plot goes, this was a logical developmental progression.
We were Jedi. Plaque of Victory adventure got us to Knights. We were Knights. Planet of Star Destroyers and Butter Sticks got us to respected Knights. All the way through this, our side plots developed and we grew a strong sense of character. Maybe I over-analyzed it, but I thought that in this case, it was a test to see if we were ready to be Masters: theres a planet full of Sith artefacts, the things we deem most dangerous, that we know a mysterious group of Dark Jedi are messing with. We completely entrust you 4 to go investigate and deal with it appriopriately.
And that in doing so we would unravel deeper layers, be drawn into something that required planetary travel, meet some big bads, resolve some character tensions and dreams, becoming better people for it and achieving Masterhood. By which point, our personal goals and those of the Jedi Order (or at least within our scope of the order) would have aligned (ie defeat the growing Dark Jedi organisation or somesuch).
Running a campaign is difficult. Making it believable is harder. Making it compelling, immersive and having players truly care about their characters is the most difficult thing you can do. And you've clearly succeeded there. Pacing in such a campaign will always be tricky, but I think you've handled it well. Sessions like this are inevitable, and they also make the big showdowns or exposition that much more important.
So I don't know about the rest of you, but for Krai, investigating the goals and going-ons of the mysterious Dark Jedi who showed up and had the goddamn nerve to use Force Lightning on me is priority A. He'd be more than willing to investigate the planet and see where it goes.
And we'd hate Brilhan whatever he was or how he acted, because we're dicks and we think him turning evil would be experience...funny....lending a greater depth to the plot and Neil's character.
As for scripted adventures and how we react, I have the exact same problem, its pretty much unavoidable: players play with a mix of idiocy and genius that is hard to plan for.
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