And a powerful ally it is

[Brooke Waters]

The next exercise was pretty simple for her. Savannah was supposed to be taking a book that Master Starchaser had handed her, one in actual paper. She had spent a few days thumbing through it. It was basically ‘the world as a sentinel.’ He had given her a few lectures recently, about why she was selected into the Sentinel program, and about what it meant to serve the New Jedi Order. With him as a teacher, there were more schools open than just that of the Jedi. Though some new data that had crossed her teacher’s desk had provided that the Jedi were a bit different than what some would call the traditional Jedi. The Galactic Empire of Palpatine changed a lot in the galaxy, including how the Jedi were defined.

The Jedi from legends, Luke Skywalker, Kyle Katarn, Kam Solusar, Corran Horn, Jaina Solo, Tionne Solusar, these names among many others were some that were passed to her as Jedi who trained later in their life, or chased pursuits that were not solely on the focus of a Guardian or Consular tradition. That was what made the Sentinels. Jedi who had skills beyond the obvious. Slicers, and tech specialists were one group that called being a Sentinel their path.

He stated she didn’t need to practice just one path or direction. Hell, she didn’t even need to focus too exclusively on the Jedi. Her own teacher, as he stated, had worked with the Levantines, the Lords of the Fringe, and any number of fringe groups, serving equally the New Jedi Order and the Outer Rim Coalition’s Judges. Just with a war time situation, he was at home, working on setting up Sullust again.

Another book she had been given gave her access to a number of Force groups, the ‘New Jedi Order Fringers’, basically. Matukai, Wardens of the Sky… both sounded interesting, but the one that really peaked her fancy was the Jal Shey.

 

[Brooke Waters]

That was when she approached her teacher, she was finding a few things but the one that was really getting her excited was this Jal Shey. The writers were pretty simple, and it was clear that there were notes in the margins, some even by Master Starchaser himself. The other groups were interesting, and the writing about the Jal Shey had given her a little bit of insight. They were able to imbue items, and that was something that was interesting. Changing the property of something, or adding more to it? Making it become something more? That was really similar to the Jedi Sentinels, wasn’t it? She figured as much.

The Jedi were working with the Jal Shey as alchemists of sorts. The Sith had alchemy, her research found, but it was very different, very perverse in the way. The changed the complete nature of things, and that was… apparently against the Force and life. The Jal Shey were able to imbue things, almost anything with the Force. To enhance it, and grant it more than it needed. There were a few names scribbled… Merrill… Rave? She didn’t know who that was, but it was on her list now, in her datapad, the one where she was keeping everything.

There were others who were able to do this, including some Jedi, a tradition called Alkahest? Was that even a word? Light side alchemy it seemed. She was interested in that, but it was probably a ways out of her league. She had just really recently been understanding the Force, feeling it, and working with it. The girl wanted to become more, but she was told it was a steep learning curve.

She could deal with that, a college graduate after all. But that was tooting her own horn. Right now she had her book from her teacher, and her own datapad, as well as a hot chocolate, and was sitting in a private library of one [member="Taeli Raaf"]. It was apparently a favor from her instructor and that was fine by her. She was hoping she could take notes, but assumed that Master Raaf wouldn’t mind. And that her deeper secrets were off locked away.

“Alright.” Savannah spoke to herself, standing up. She ran a hand through her dark blonde hair andtied it back in a ponytail. “Time to get to work.” She put her earbuds into her ears and grabbed her stylus.

So, Starchaser said to look into the Jal Shey, and the history of Jedi Artisans. She pulled a few books down from the shelf and started getting to work.

 

[Brooke Waters]

So the first step was the Jedi Artisans, they were the easiest group to look into. It was literally all there. The New Jedi Order had access to all manner of holocrons, from The Jedi Order of the Republic, the Jedi Holocron Network, and the Silver Jedi Order, and that meant a lot of learning about the Jedi. The Artisans were the ones who handled doing a lot of work with construction of personal goods. The focus was that of understanding creativity. She kept writing a few notes.

Jedi Artisans were apparently the creative branch of the Sentinels. The Force was allowing them to create a number of works throughout their career. Doesn’t seem terribly combat focused but… it doesn’t have to be. A control of the Force in this way could do a lot of things. Seemed there was a Duros who did a lot of work with lightsaber construction, imbuing wood and crystals and metals to be stronger and more resilient. Seems like stone could be used to. I bet this could be used for making blasters and other weapons and tools? Maybe some datapads or… I don’t know, something to steal data from servers?

She took as second to look up. Biting her lip, she sipped her hot chocolate. She was going to have to start making her own drinks. She looked down at her BB-Unit and smiled. “Yeah, I know we’re on Coruscant and I’m stuck in a library. I know, I know. Master Starchaser said I didn’t need to be back on Sullust at any time soon but…” She shrugged. “I need to get this work done.”


Her droid tweeted at her before rolling around to a corner of the room, mostly scanning what was here and seeing if any data streams were finding something that Savannah would want. Good droid.

Right. So, as I was saying, steal servers. One of the things that the Sentinels can focus on, short of stalking down the dark side wherever it goes – which is why I want to be a damned good Sentinel, for Thyferra, but still, there are more than one way to slice the Sentinels. Ha,… Right, its funny because in the material Starchaser provided, the Sentinels are more than just the ferrets who chase down the dark side. They’re internal affairs, they’re recruiters, they watch systems and sector – not a far reach from the Wardens of the Sky? – and they have skills beyond others. Hackers, slicers, artisans, obviously, and work with blasters. Starchaser said most older students can become a Sentinel quite easily, but the real interest is the skills that can be learned.

Starchaser mentioned that he is well versed in a few aspects o the Force, including methods of protection and barriers. It seems that is a skill to have. And if I could mix that with some of the Artisan work? Maybe I could even one day become a Shadow!

And a tech specialist who could advance the tools I use with the Force. Maybe Purple, my BB unit could use some enhancement?

Oooh, mechu-deru, now… does she have anything about that?

 

[Brooke Waters]

Seems Mechu-Deru is the skill of working with machines and the Force. That could be something to mesh with this Artisan work. The job does seem cool. I may have to download some blueprints of various things, maybe goof around with my stunbaton and sporting blaster, see what I can do with it. Boost its capabilities? Maybe even make some new changes to the way the Force works around it. Not anything that’s going to burn down a house, but maybe something that could resist weathering and damage? Or grant calming feels to someone? Change their mood?

That’s getting ahead of myself. Where was I? Mechu-Deru. The art of… understanding machines. The books are saying it’s a dark-side ability. That may be a no go, but just to have stuff about it in my notes, for later. Seems that the Jedi did use a bit, but only a few tech specialists. I’ll have to talk to Starchaser. He always talks about an understanding with his tools. And starships. Maybe he knows about it. There was also apparently a modified A-Wing with the Jal Shey from him. That was pretty neat to hear about. My own ship, maybe I could do something some day.

Ah dreams.

Right, Mechu-Deru. It can bind the will of machines, and also… create organic-techno beasts? That doesn’t sound fun. All I’d wanna do is make it so I could modify the working of machines. Maybe improve a starship. Seems that I could also use it to help ferret out Force users. Now that is something I’d love to try. Still, this is all traditional Jedi and Sith stuff. Maybe I could use this Mechu-Deru to counter the Sith? Rip their toys apart? I like that idea.

Savannah put her stylus down and packed her things up. Looking over at her BB unit she nodded. “Hey Purple, going to get a drink outside, stretch my legs. I’ll be back in a few. Can you keep my books together?” She smiled at the droid as it beeped.

 

[Brooke Waters]

“OK, maybe it was an hour. I got food. So sue me!” Savannah laughed as she stepped in. Shaking her head she rolled her eyes at her droid. “I have a keycard and Jedi access to get in here. I can take a break, Purple!” She fixed her hair again and pulled the blanket that she pulled from her bag over her shoulders. She was glad she brought it. Putting her commlink on the table next to her datapad, she picked up the stylus again. She looked. Mechu-Deru. She had logged a few books by number down and some names. It was going to be a bit of research ahead, but this was great to get her thoughts on paper, so to speak.

We’ll come back to mechu-deru. But the real interest here today is Jal Shey. They’re interesting. Seemed to be nomadic. They traveled and studied the worlds. That is pretty neat but I don’t know if that’s exactly where I fit in. I love seeing new places and maybe once I’ve got a better grasp on this Force thing? It could be really neat. But for now, lets focus on what they did beyond just studying.
They built armor, gloves, belts. They were used to enhance the wearer. Imbuing the items with Force power helped to protect the wearer, adding to reaction time, and perception. Some could even get it to help block out the dark side. This seems like something a Shadow can use. Maybe I could help the Sentinels and Shadows… and the Inquisition. Could be good. Imbuing.

Imbuing. That’s something new. Looks like I could give an item a focus, from weapons to armor… And enhance its attributes or that of the wearer. That is something I need to look into. Core--- Master Starchaser had taught me about the Force Weapon power. Some creative name. But that seems to be just like the imbuing. I can make my stun baton strong… like really strong. Could do that even for the soldiers, maybe?

Maybe starfighters.

Zeison Sha, they’re another group to check out. Discblades, modified with the Force. It seems that this doesn’t really have a side, not like Alchemy. Maybe.

 

[Brooke Waters]

So the list is pretty simple.

Jal Shey
Zeison Sha
Jedi Artisans
Sith Alchemists

These are the big ones I’ve seen for doing imbument and enhancement. The Sith though, they’re the anti of the rest of the group. Like totally bad. But there were a few books. I sent a message to Master Raaf, she pointed me to some reference work. I am going to need to track down this Rave Merrill, if they still exist. Maybe Starchaser heard of them?

Still, there is a lot of data here.

So the Sith are… perverted. They take the Force and change things. Like they do with mechu-deru, making life into machines and enforcing their control? What I’ve gotten out of the books here is that Sith alchemy permanently modifies something. Maybe the Light Side could do that but there seems to be this underlying perversion. They make Sithspawn, for one. Creatures modified by the darkness and to serve dark purposes. Seems that they can make swords tough, so that’s not unlike the Jal Shey, but it could be the intent?

If a Jedi looked at imbuing and strengthening things, maybe it wouldn’t be so bad? Like… Yeah! Sithspawn are bad, they’re completely bad… taking something and breaking it down from what its supposed to be and enforcing your own twisted idea on it for control and aggression? Bad. Very bad.

But if I could take something, like a stick and strengthen it to fight against a lightsaber, so I could defend people? That doesn’t seem so bad. I don’t know. The Jal Shey seem to be ok with it, and the Zeison Sha, and they’re… according to the books, hunted dark siders, so they are essentially making a weapon for defense.

I like the way that sounds.

 

[Brooke Waters]

Silly me, talking to this datapad for notes like it’s a diary. I had a diary on Thyferra, took it with me to school too. But Starchaser says to just write what I feel, not only the facts. So, yeah, that’s what I’m doing. I’ve been in this library for the better part of the day, reading, writing, and taking notes. So let me get a few more things out in this entry then I think I may turn in for the evening. I have a bed in a hotel nearby, I am not staying in the Jedi Temple. Not yet. I’m not really a Jedi.

Coren says I am, but I’m still… learning?

Ok, so lets get some data down here.

Places to visit.
· Felucia. Light side friendly world. Well, Force friendly, but are shamans able to be dark side? The jungle is full of life, and that means the Force is strong there. Apparently the local amphibians were influenced by Force users. The Shaman seemed to have a tight bind on the Force, for healing and protection… I may need to visit about the protection aspect alone. It hurts attackers. They must have a way to make weapons out of the Force. I’ll get a pass to go here.
· Dathomir – Home of the Nightsisters and other witches. Seems to be that his planet is strong with the Force, and reports show that its either really dark side, or a natural world. I will want to check this out, maybe they can help. Confirmed they can make weapons out of the Force, and the Nightsisters can even make ranged weapons? That’s frakking sweet. Maybe a good witch could as well? Will need to get more accounts on what I’ll find here
· Ithor – Another rich jungle world. Ithorians are very Force sensitive. Like plants and serve in the Jedi a lot. Nature priests have a connection for the Force, but for communing. Interesting.
· Dagobah – Apparently Luke Skywalker was trained here?
· Yavin IV – Sith Alchmist had a temple here. Maybe when I know what I’m doing, and before Dathomir
· Cerea – another tropical world. Or temperate. Meditators, and focusing. Maybe something to be learned

Things to look for
· Apparently there are charms all around, and enhanced weapons and armor. Jal Shey seems to stay, Zeison Sha as well, same with their weapons. Would love to feel how the Force works around it.
· Oh and crystals! So many crystals
o Ankarres Sapphire – Maybe a myth? Can enhance the light side, burn dark siders
o Opila makes a lightsaber stronger
o Firkann seems like it hurts droids, maybe EMP?
o Qixoni adds power to the user’s Force ability… Concentrating crystal?
o Stygium, I’ve heard this makes cloaking devices, maybe it could hide people?
o Something from the Cereans – Kasha? Helps clear the mind


Yeah, I think that’s enough for now.

And I know I’m going to have a ‘Write what it means to be a Sentinel’ paper…

With that, Savannah got up. "Alright Purple. I've got some data downloaded. And I know I've got some other stuff to do soon. Lets go get some shut eye?" She smiled at her droid.