Private Educational Crusade

[Persephone Dashiell]

CROWN OF ASHLA

The Ruins | Coren Starchaser
​

Ession. A city-wide planet all except for one area. A large golden section of vegetation, rivers, and ruins. It was one of the sites of the Ashlan Crusade, a movement that had since died yet still contained adherents and fringers who worshiped and followed its teachings. Yet as she and Master Starchaser arrived at the edge of the golden oasis, it was quiet of much sentient activity. Birds and wildlife could be heard but compared to when they landed at the spaceport it was calm, quiet, peaceful. Idly, she wondered if this was by design from the Ashlan followers or if there was something more at play.

Master Starchaser was yet another tutor her parents had spent a heap of credits on. Known in the galaxy as an explorer and treasure hunter to some extent, both parents had sourced the Master for his knowledge to stoke the interest that she was slowly building around history and artifacts. Between himself and Ran Serys ,she was sure to gain some real hands on knowledge beyond the bookwork her other tutors put her through.

The pair was on the path now to the ruins and she was buzzing with questions. Persephone had prepared herself by reading and combing through texts about the Crown of Ashla, at least what she could find. So far some things were interesting to her teenage girl sensibilities, such as the story of the lovers who created the forest and golden oasis. In some ways it was like a fantasy romance novel from Lady Velvet.

Yet a question was burning on her mind. Master Starchaser knew the Force well. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to ask since they had yet to reach the ruins.

"Master Starchaser." A small pause, playing over how to phrase her question. "The text say this place can heal mental wounds. Do you think this is true?"

Persephone knew her parents wanted to send her to therapy regarding her upbringing, trauma around her mother's death, and obsession to find out who her father is. Or was. Did this place assist with such a thing? Or was it merely a religious tale? Not wanting to reveal her feelings to a stranger, she would have to carefully prod around the subject.

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The fact that a Dashiell was out to explore was not the surprise. The fact that she came to Kattada on a passby through the galaxy? That was a bit more of a random chance. But what she was going after, well, that was a whole different breed of ironic. Coren Starchaser had been approached by the Ashlan Crusade once upon a time, he was seen as a bit of a crusader during his stint in the Galactic Alliance that arose from Sullust. He wasn’t much for the crusade life after what happened on Coruscant.

Having bounced around from the Alliance in Exile to a few Outer Rim posts and back to the Levant Sanctum, he made it a point to be who he should have many years ago. Not a warrior, but a teacher, and explorer. And it helped he was making some decent credits off this. Not that a retired Jedi had much to worry on. He had a temple to run, and his past made him decent credits, so even though he was a bit of a Wayseeker, credits were still coming in.

Coren knew a great many things about the galaxy, but sometimes he preferred to learn as he went, and had prepped only a small bit of research on it. He had a few things yet to learn. “You can call me Coren, its fine Persephone.” He was much more low-formality than many others. As for her question? He took a deep breath, definitely the Jedi that most thought he was, but also not the warrior of his past.

Hopefully, the type of Jedi the galaxy needed.

Despite being in more leathers of a Jedi Sentinel, than the actual robes that people saw on holoflicks.

“There is a definitely swirling of the Force. And its definitely on the light side… For all the Ashlan were a bit over the top, this was a creation of good.” That sounded so very philosophy textbook. “I’m thinking it may take some time of being here for a mental wound to change.” If he had to guess, it was a trauma response. “Is that what you’re looking for here?”

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"So Mister Starchaser, then? Its not proper to call adults one barely knows by their first name."

At least, if her parents could see her now, they would be happy finishing school was paying off in some ways. Perhaps a bit more slow than the other students but it at least some lessons were sticking . As they walked, her hand reached out to brush against the tall golden grass that was growing in a long patch on the hardscrabble path they were currently on.

As Coren Starchaser asked if she was here to heal a wound, her brows furrowed. A mental debate raged if she should tell him or not but ultimately she decided against it. It wasn't the real reason she was here anyway. It was merely something she had read in her studies and wondered if it was true or not. Beyond that, Persephone was quite convinced things that healed mysteriously through the Force were only for those who could control it. For ordinary teenage girls like herself, she was confident these Force enhanced things did not affect her. So no reason to ask and open up a can of worms into her personal life.

"No, just something I read." Hand left the grass and she buried them inside her pockets. "I'm here for a field trip, basically. In short my parents have enough credits to foster my education. I am fascinated by the creation story - the lovers - and wanted to know more. To see more. I've been slowly getting lessons on translating the language. Its hard to find anyone on an academic level to teach me more, so here we are."

She paused.

"Boring for you. Educational enrichment for myself."

 

[Coren Starchaser]

“Sure, Mister works. Or just Starchaser…” He was really at a loss for that whole interaction. Most were fine with calling him Coren, or Cap, if they served with him in the Alliance. Others, who knew him through his Jedi paths did call him Master, but those were Jedi, and as much as sometimes he didn’t always feel it, he earned that title. But for most explorers who came by? Coren worked fine. He didn’t hold a doctorate, not officially, but his training in the field was extensive.

As they made their way towards the ruins, he checked his gear. Two lightsabers, mostly for the symbolism of being a Jedi, and his ascension gun. He was a Jedi Master, yes, but he was still just a man. And he never did stray out to learn the Witch traditions, those teleporting ghosts. He had great respect for them, and actually housed part of one of their clans on Kattada.

“Reading does get you so far, but the last 10% is found in the field. My father taught me that.” And he didn’t have the chance to teach that to Jared or Kaia or Kyra… but the twins, yeah, they learned it from him directly. Helped when he wasn’t in the middle of a war. Now? All he’d be doing is advising, and some trailblazing. But this? Exploring old ruins? That was what he wanted more in this stage in life.

“Hard to find history of the Ashlan?” He looked at the student, finding things in the field was more important, rumors and tall tells changed things, but when you found it? Exciting the whole way through. “Not boring. I’ve never been here, to this world, this nexus. I’m learning as much as you, just probably a different topic.” Looking her over. “First time in the field, is it?”

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Sure, Mister Just Starchaser."

A small quirk of a smile as Coren Starchaser checked his gear. She had a backpack with supplies for exploration and a knife that Iko Vel had made for her. The knife should probably be in her pocket but it appeared Starchaser had a lightsaber or two so it would at leasrt buy her time to grab it out of her bag. Maybe. Hopefully.

"What was your father like? A Jedi too?"

Persephone seemed to note many Jedi she had encountered had come from either long lines of Jedi or were orphans. Very odd, in her opinion. She was, technically, a one-time orphan but all the other ones she knew were pretty much like herself. Plain and nothing extra special.

"Only ten percent? I feel like it would be more but you're the instructor..." As for his question regarding the Crusade. "A little bit? I feel there are some adherents to the religion who are hoarding many texts we haven't seen. Most academic professors - the big ones - are in the Core so as far as my own research goes none are interested. Or at least interested enough to provide private lessons to a fourteen year old girl."

She paused.

"So you are learning about the nexus just by walking? By being here? Or is there more to it?"

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Children were wonderful, according to Master Yoda and most parents out there. And he had to agree, about his own. But sometimes, someone else’s kids were a bit of a headache. Lucky for the Dashiell family, this one was a fun headache. Coren shook his head and just laughed. Looking at himself, then her, he really did have to wonder if maybe he should start accepting a respectful moniker. Maybe at the same time, stop wearing combat-ready gear.

Leather with saber holsters was a look, but for a much younger Jedi. He was a smuggler, pilot, and explorer, he probably didn’t need to carry both in the open like this. One was enough to show his station, the second was a found-saber from the High Republic. He really should expand on that, at the stop to Tanalorr.

“My father? He was a Jedi. In the Jedi you have the ones they make holovids about…” Coren having been the topic of a few during the first Galactic Alliance. “And then the ones who do the real work, the explorers, the agriculturists, the geologists…” And technicians and a few others. “My father was a Jedi Explorer, helping link worlds after the Gulag disconnected the galaxy."

Having been part of the Order of Selab for almost as long as he was a Jedi Master, Coren knew of protecting, or hoarding, depending who was speaking, knowledge. He had a vault with holocrons he’d prefer others didn’t see. “The Core doesn’t know what its like to unearth anything, I feel. I was born on Corellia, and it wasn’t until I made my way to the Rim, that things felt real.

“And as for walking this? I’m sensing the Force, and feeling the ripples it gives me.”

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"So your father, in a sense, is an unsung hero. Doing the work others chose not to take on?" To Persephone, that just seemed like following orders. Doing what one's religion or belief system commanded, especially in the case of the Jedi. Yet she was learning and such things often had nuance. "So which Jedi are you? The pretty one in holovids or the one getting his hands dirty?"

Up ahead, Persie could see ruins. Strangely not covered in vegetation like one would expect. Her brow furrowed a bit and she slowed down, looking around the forest. It was lively. A good sign, she had been told. It was only when nature got quiet should one be very,very concerned.

"Ripples? Like echolocation? The ripples come back to you and tell you about the nexus?"

Again, she was spit balling. A good, educated guess. Much of the Jedi life was a mystery to her. Beyond discovering the Jedi boys were not as mature as they presentee to be, that type of life was shrouded in darkness. It could stay that way.

"Up ahead. There is no vegetation on the ruins. Either someone has been here or maybe it's some type of toxic or impervious stone."

Coren Starchaser

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The girl had a point. Coren had nothing but respect for his father, and had tried to follow in his footsteps. And for a while did. Coren explored with the likes of Jorus Merrill, and smuggled like the best of them, a bit enhanced with the Force but it was all for a greater good. One that helped shape the Levantine Sanctum, and then a higher calling reached out. “I agree, his work had shaped a lot of different lives, and in a much more Jedi way than I did.” He smiled, a bit of the youthful smirk he once had appearing as he looked inward.

“Me? I’m whats called a Jedi Sentinel, or I was, once. Used the Force to hunt down the Dark Side, and combat the Sith head on. It was… necessary.” He was proud of his time, more because he could give another generation of Force users the peace they needed to be who they were. “But now? I’m more than happy to get my hands dirty, in a simpler life.”

As they continued, he waved that thought off. Being here? It was part of what he wanted in his life. And his goal when the Republic fell to make room for his Alliance, and the One Sith and First Order hit the Alliance? It was to give the rest of the galaxy messages. One that you could fight against the oppression, and two, it was safe to go your own way.

“Not too unlike it. You’ve thrown a stone into a lake. The Force, at least to me, works like water. There is wave action, but also certain things cast ripples into the Force. And the Nexus is a big obstacle casting ripples.” She wasn’t so far off, honestly. Potato. Potato.

“It could be how its made, but step lightly, alright?” He didn’t want to act overprotective, but he did tighten his pace and stance, ready for anything as they got closer.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Casting ripples, got it."

The water-and-rock explanation was perfect enough for her. Having no knowledge of the Force it was easy enough to follow along and visualize in her mind. Circling back to the other topic, mouth quirked in a small grin. Persephone, at heart, was a smartass. She had the good enough sense to know she was and how irritating it would be.

"So you were a pretty holo-Jedi and now you get your hands dirty. Got it, so multifaceted. Its good to know if we get kidnapped we're both pretty enough to get on the news. Don't ever see ugly missing folks, now do you?"

Approaching the ruins, she looked over the structure. Or what remained of it. Hands were on her hips as she looked over the stone. It seemed normal. Nothing highly unusual. The only unusual thing so far had been the golden forest they had just walked through. Varied yet all one golden hue.

"They say the Golden Forest was created when the lovers kissed and it created a lightside explosion." Persie paused, quite unsure. "While a romantic story - how much is real and how much is just a creation story? I've read many and its clear its uneducated, ancient people just trying explain something ordinary."

She looked around, curious.

"Like the golden forest. Has any scientist studied the area? Genetically? Maybe everything is just mutated."

Coren Starchaser

 

[Coren Starchaser]

There was a lot of different ways to view the Force. He’d read the books, seen the holocrons. Elzar Mann, an ancient Jedi Master had the same vision he had, another woman saw the Force as a musical symphony. Getting the point across was simple, but seeing it all in person, and teaching others? That was the challenge. Lucky for Persephone and Coren, she didn’t need Force training. Just treasure hunting training.

He wanted to roll his eyes at her, but honestly? She was right. Coren had been in a few Jedi Holos from a while ago, He looked at her and wasn’t about to admit it, but did nod. “Yeah, a bit of both.” But her next statement made a double take. One he wasn’t going to bite too hard on, sure if he had been her age, he’d have made the joke back, but … personal levels of respect. “A face does sell media…”

As he stepped through the forest, he was seeing the Forest, the life. “Some ancient stories have truth in them. The Force does allow for us to have the control over our lives and the world. It could be romantic fluff, that is for sure. But I’d never be able to confirm it.” He wasn’t the one who could see backwards in time. Maybe they could find someone who could…

Or reach to someone who has the secrets of the Ashlan passed to them.

“I’ve always noticed that scientists don’t tend to go hunting Force relics and focus points."

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

“I’ve always noticed that scientists don’t tend to go hunting Force relics and focus points."

"Probably 'cause it doesn't matter for us normal people. Doesn't affect our life. I don't feel any different being in this 'nexus'. Don't Jedi have scientists to study this stuff? Or is that an oximoron?"

Persephone tended to note religion and science didn't go exactly hand-in-hand. Maybe it depended on the sect. Again, her knowledge of the Force was limited. Moving closer to the ruins, she peered inside. Pulling off her backpack, she started digging through and pulled out a flashlight.

"Ready to head on in?"

Coren Starchaser didn't indicate anything was amiss. Since he didn't mention anything, she turned on the flashlight and disappeared inside the ruins. She was immediately surprised there were no spider webs. No insect activity. She turned the flashlight up, revealing massive paintings that were starting to fade. There was a gentle breeze and from her 'father' she knew that meant one thing.

"There's a cavern nearby...or this leads somewhere outside."

 

[Coren Starchaser]

The nice thing about being a teacher was that Coren got to just follow along and provide guidance. When he was in charge of the Jedi war effort against the Sith or the First Order, he was in charge. He had people following him, and people who knew that he was the one to lead them to victory, or death. In this path of life, he wasn’t so worried about it. He was here to advise and guide, something that could suit any veteran.

“The Force is one of those things that affects everything. Much like science. They tend to meet at a crossroads, I’ve noticed. And we do, they’re called Sages, or Artisans, depending how much mysticism versus science you want.” He was learning more to be the former in his aging years, well, between that and a tech specialist. But the latter was more an approach to life than anything else.

When she stated she was ready to head in, he nodded. There was a part of Coren Starchaser that was always ready for combat, and he grabbed his lightsaber, the one he made years and years ago, clean, an green anodized frame, and Corellian bloodsteel decor. The weapon was the one he built so long ago, and was just as capable of opening most locked doors.

“If you’re ready, lets go.” As they continued, he was looking, both with his eyes and with his feelings. With regard tot he cavern, he nodded. “Want to check it out?” He spoke just as he continued on, the leather keeping him warm from the breeze, but he could feel it on his face still. As he stepped ahead of her, he lit the teal blade, offering a cool, almost tropical-sea like light. Still no webs, but there was plenty of life here. He could feel it.

“This place is… natural. But I feel life. Lots of it.”

Sentience, not so much.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

​

"Your lightsaber is a pretty color. Reminds me of an ocean grotto."

Persephone craned her head up, looking at the curved painted ceiling. Eyes squinted a little in the dim light - being distantly Hapan made low light conditions difficult at times. She wasn't as bad as Makky though, and she could easily make out the paintings and drawings on the ceiling. It was just a little dimmer than perhaps what the 'average' person would experience.

"Crazy ceilings." Persephone tilted her flashlight up, trying to find a pattern of the paintings to look at. She spotted a few familiar things carefully painted. "I think the ceiling tells the tale of the lovers....I haven't really dove into the language yet....that's more my 'mother' of all intents and purposes, she has a passion for language. However....I'm just scratching the surface of my journey on learning about the Ashlan Crusade. "

Persephone shook her head.

"We don't have to explore the cavern, just something I noticed. Maybe it leads down to 'healing' or 'spiritual' waters though? It seems to be a very....It seems to me this place was built for a purpose other than just 'hey, we're the Ashlan Crusaders'. Maybe for rituals?"

Coren Starchaser

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Coren looked over at the kid. His lightsaber had been with him through so much. This wasn’t his original, but it did have parts of the original. A real ship of Theseus saber. The emitter was from his original, and the handle had been changed a few times, no longer set up to be a telescopic saber pike. It was easier to carry this way and he really didn’t need to be knocking everyone out around him.

“Thanks. Used to be a dark blue saber. A bit of a story but they can change over time.” She was not a Jedi student, he knew, but it was still his way of going about things. The blades color was now much more calming than just the warrior blue, with some Counselor green thrown into it now.

As he looked around, he nodded. “I never was one for making art. But I can appreciate it. This must have taken some skill, and a good devotion of time.” His eyes looked from the student to the ceiling as she spoke. “Does she know the Ashlan language? I’ve heard parts of it, they were crusaders of a type, supporters of the Light Side.

“It could be for rituals, yeah. I think depending on what you’re looking to uncover, that made be the place to start. It could be the heart of this all.” The Sentinel of Sullust’s eyes surveyed the room. It was quiet here, but did not have that eerie quiet of somewhere bathed in either the darkness or exempt from a Force aura.

It was comfort, what he was feeling.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

“Does she know the Ashlan language? I’ve heard parts of it, they were crusaders of a type, supporters of the Light Side.

"I don't think so...she specialized in Huttese dialects but she also knows Bocce, Sy Bisti, Taarja, Meese Caulf, Minnisiat, High Galactic, Hapan, Naboo, Tapani, and Pak-Pak....those are the ones she can speak. I've got a whole 'nother list of what she can understand but I don't think Essonian is on that list..."

Persephone chuckled a little, shaking her head. She struggled to speak one language, let alone multiple. Maybe in time. She carefully crept forward - nothing on the ground but still caution was most likely prudent. At least until they got more of a lay of the land and what was actually contained inside the structure.

"With that being said, at least I have a built in tutor. When she's not dealing with my baby sister."

A suggestion to go down to the waters. Deeper into the caverns. She had been down in cavern systems before, although those were strictly mining operations.

"Yeah, let's go down."

Flashlight off the ceiling, Persephone illuminated the path in front of her, making their way down. It was a narrow pathway down - well worn and smooth but not slick. Much had been left natural but the path itself was clearly engineered for ease. It meant to her that the Ashlan had come down often.

Coren Starchaser

 

[Coren Starchaser]

That was quite the collection of languages. Coren had a few himself. “Thats a huge amount, what does she do exactly?” Business, maybe? Coren knew Basic, Olys Corellisi, Cheunh, Huttese, bigger trading languages in the areas he traveled. Didn’t really help him too much, and being able to speak to Chiss was good for his military history. And then there were the written Jedi languages. That was nice to have in his back pocket too, but didn’t seem to be helping him here with the Ashla text.

“Your baby sister?” Did he know the Dashiell’s had more kids? No, not really. He knew of the family in passing, mostly from certain business meetings on a galactic scale. And with Starchaser Enterprises in the resource location and retrieval business. Both in raw and salvage materials, it was a small circle.

“Lets get moving then.” He nodded, he had his saber illuminating their path along with her flashlight. “Seems we’ve got a good pathway here, at least the floor. The rest feels like they respected something here, left it as it was.” As he continued down, the air was getting more damp, cool, but not the frozen cool of a snow-fed spring. The water was coming from somewhere and taking heat but also… stress, out? It was… different.

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

“Thats a huge amount, what does she do exactly?”

"Heiress to Arceneau Trade. Don't think she needs all those languages, she's just smart. Not like there aren't droid translators."

Much like her own passions, Persephone had just chalked it up to an obsession or a potential challenge one gave themselves. Much like her journey into learning about the Ashlan Crusade. Part history lesson. Part proving she was smarter than what those around her originally thought. Learning out of spite?

“Your baby sister?”

"Yeah, arrived not too long ago. She's not half-bad." Persephone looked up at Coren Starchaser , seeing he looked a little confused. He was most likely thinking of Judah and not the younger cohort of Dashiells. "You know my parents adopted me, right? They are barely ten years older than I am. I am a real Dashiell.... just complicated."

Persephone didn't want to get too deep into her family history or tree. Most people who met her 'parents' instantly knew she was adopted. Yet being busy much if the coordination with Master Starchaser had been through holomail.

Descending down the path, Persephone could tell they were going down at a slight slope. It was already much cooler and damp almost. Light bounced off as they walked, her ears straining. She was trying to listen for anything beyond their movements. As they went, about half-way there, Persie could have sworn she heard a splash.

Brows furrowed and she looked to Master Starchaser as if to say did you hear that?

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Oh. OH. her mother was an Arceneau. That was a name that Coren knew. Not from first hand experience, he was never a businessman, but through the grapevine, his time with Silk lead to him knowing of the ATC empire. “She may not, but I’m sure it looks impressive to some beings.” He knew that it was a mark of skill and strength to be able to communicate properly. Coren had learned a few, to get by, without a droid.

But for him, his skill with the Force was what solidified where he was.

“Ah, your adoptive father is Makai, then?” He was finally piecing that little mystery together. Way to go, Coren. Not so bad for an old man. Family trees were a bit complicated, but at least it wasn’t incredibly boring. Especially since he did know the names involved. Made it more like a little lesson in what was going on in the world.

When he looked at her, Coren gave a nod that said to stay behind him. Moving forward, his lightsaber in a two handed grip, but still held out for light, but ready to move quickly if something popped up in front of them. Something to worry about, and something to fight.

As he stepped forward, he held to the all like someone who had fought in one too many wars, only to see…

What exactly was that? He looked at the beast, something small, his hands letting his saber fall in relaxation, a feline of some sort just took off out of the water, and away from the ruins. But that didn’t stop Coren from taking in the area around them… “And you said this place was created by two lovers?”

Persephone Dashiell

 

[Persephone Dashiell]

"Yeah, Makai is my adoptive father. I've been with them now since they were engaged."

Which really hadn't been that long. Persephone had been 'out and about' in the galaxy for about a year and half now. It was hard to believe her Mama had been dead that long. Even harder to believe how her life turned out. She had gone quiet and introspective, plus trying to make sure she could hear the splashes. If the noise was coming closer or going further away.

They were soon greeted with the culprit ; a feline looking creature. Both had scared it off and it trundled away at a good clip, going away further in the cavern. Persephone watched it go - having eased slightly behind Coren Starchaser due to the potential threat she decided it was safe to resume normal movement.

"Yes. The story goes the two lovers finally kissed and purity of their love created some 'light side explosion'. So supposedly the nexus has its origins in this ruin we're in. According to their own lore the Force and planet responded to their power of love. Now...this is a great story I'd read in some Lady Velvet book. Is it true? I think like anything centered around religion it is exaggerated. Without the Force....I don't know if this is a nexus or whatever you guys want to describe it.....if I investigate more I guess I'll have to drag a forcie with me each time."

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Adoption. That was good. There were many a children in the galaxy that didn’t have their family, and it did hurt Coren’s heart. Sure, he was a Jedi, and many of the younglings in the Order didn’t know their families, but he doubted they were all legal orphans. Most were taken. The Corellian traditions had their own way of going through things, sure but… well, it didn’t matter. He wasn’t about to start adopting the galaxy’s youth. The Master nodded as he looked back at Persphone.

She seemed to be confident on her own, and with others. Sure, Coren wasn’t someone most needed to fear, least of all ones who weren’t in fact, Sith. And in the Ashlan area?

Well, that was not a bad place to be. As for what they found? The feline, Coren watched as it ran. His lightsaber extinguishing. Watching her, he smirked. She was safe, and seemed confident.

The fact that she had read what he was now starting to quantify as Force-historical-smut-tales, he was trying to steel his expression. A Light Side explosion though, that was something that may have happened. Would it be due to love? Some other strong light side emotion. Nexi were special occurrences and Coren wanted to understand them. He’d never been able to create them but they were around, typically dark side, or even light sided. A great cataclysm, a great sacrifice. Great love could be true.

“I mean, there is definitely something radiating out from a center. Can’t pin that down yet… But there are waves of light side… Its got a warmth to it, unlike the dark, which has a cold feeling…” He continued. “I could get some of the ExplorCorps out here, once we find what you need to lead the team…”

Persephone Dashiell