Populate [GA + Friends] Niv Hani Fire Festival | GA Populate of Takodana

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Niv Hani
Objective: 4 - Snowball Fight
Tags: Tarw Rhyfelwr (Allies) | Vera Noble Nos Voros (Enemies)​

Despite the fact both her snowballs had missed, Katherine couldn’t help but smile. It was impossible not to, with how infectious the joyous energy was. Not just in their part of the battlefield, but all the others around them too. Plus there was the added absurdity of zipping around in her hoverchair too.

Hearing Tarw’s suggestion for a change of plan had the Padawan pause for a moment. It made sense, she did have the greater chance of spotting Nos a lot better than the soldier.

“Roger that!” Katherine replied, hovering back over to their little base quickly to grab a few more snowballs.

Flying back up above, the redhead began to search for the elusive target. Her immediate thought was where such a towering person could possibly hide. There was no way he could’ve crossed the no-man’s land between, not without either her or Tarw catching him. Which could only mean…

Katherine almost facepalmed as she spun around and began to follow the trench around. It didn’t take much longer for the Padawan to spot Nos, as he emerged from a cloud of powered snow, a giant snowball in tow.

Uh oh, that’s not good!

She quickly hovered over, and began to pelt the Zeltron with snowballs. Katherine aimed specifically for his shoulders and legs, trying to interfere with his continued to push the sizable snowball. Realizing Nos was just tanking the hits, Katherine sharpened her focus. With a snowball in hand, she pulled her arm back before slinging it forwards and releasing the ball.

One directly aimed for the side of the Zeltron’s head, hoping that it would either stun Nos, or knock him off balance enough to shift the SBMD’s trajectory.

 

[Aadihr Lidos]

Outfit: Casual Attire
Weapons: Walking stick / Lightsaber Pike

Aadihr steeled himself. He had to simply trust in the force and the kindness of strangers if he caught fire. He left his outer robes and staff by a nearby tree and waded into the dance, feeling blind in the crowd for the first time, navigating by heat as much as force sight.

Azurine Varek aura was brilliantly purple as she attempted to replicate the Grandmaster's and son's dance, and Aadihr knew she had a fragility within her. He wanted to be present, not to burden her with worry as he reminded himself that she took could see his aura.

Aadihr eventually worked his way back to Azzie's side, and when her eyes met his blindfolded gaze, she winked. Aadihr's heart fluttered a moment, making disguising the fear of flame all the easier as he smiled back at her, able to forget about the invisible combustion all around him.

He caught himself 'staring' again, standing motionless facing Azzie, lost in thought and the sight of her presence in the force, slightly away from the main ceremony of dancing.

It wasn't until her aura registered recognition that he was still motionless that he snapped back to his senses. He wiped the dumb grin from his face and cleared his throat.

"So, the friends you wanted me to meet, the one dancing with the grandmaster to begin the ritual was one of them?"

Azurine Varek
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[Diogo Talon]

BYOO
Braze

Diogo watched with quiet admiration. The soft, flickering glow of the torch and the gimbal lantern's tender radiance highlighted the fair features of the white-haired figure. With just the two of them, there was a kind of distilled intimacy; the shared energy of the private moment between them was powerful in its transient fragility. No physical contact required, just distance and light—the two constants of the universe.

"Oh, uh... h-hello there. Sorry, I didn't realize anyone was... uh, here," he stammered, words tumbling clumsily as he struggled to string them together.

"That's cute," Diogo teased with a sly, eye-crinkling smirk. "Why are you sorry? I'm the intruder here. And I would apologize, but… I'm not sure I'd mean it. Whatever you were doing, it was fun to watch and very impressive."

Braze's body language did little to mask his discomfort, which Diogo did his best to defuse by softening his eyes and relaxing his posture. Perhaps it was just the beer fermenting in his belly, but Diogo wasn't feeling nearly as tense.

"Let me start again," he said, his voice steadier now. "I'm Braze. Needed a bit of quiet away from the crowd too?"

"Yeah, you could say that," he admitted. "A little walk helps clear the mind."

"Nice to meet you, Braze," he said as he stepped forward, black boots crunching against frosted snow, and extended a hand in friendly greeting. "I'm Diogo. Anyway, I am sorry for crashing your party. I can go, if you would prefer to practice alone."

 

[Roman Vossari]

OBJ II
Tags: @Open

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The air crackled with a joyful energy that resonated even within Roman's heart. The Fire Festival of Niv Hani was a spectacle to behold, a swirling mixture of light and sound that did its best to drown out the ghosts of battles past. He wasn't one for the boisterous celebrations now-a-days, the communal spirit that seemed to pulse through the very ground beneath his feet. A quiet melancholy had settled into his bones, a constant companion since... well, since too many things to name. Still, he found himself drawn to the heart of the festivities, the Ember Market, a place where the vibrancy of life seemed to burst forth from every meticulously crafted stall.

He drifted through the market, a shadow amongst the revelers, his eyes taking in every detail. Lanterns cast intricate patterns on the cobblestones, their warm light illuminating stalls overflowing with the treasures of a thousand worlds. The scent of exotic spices mingled with the sweet aroma of caramelized fruits, a symphony of smells that was enough to make his stomach rumble despite the knot of loneliness twisting within his chest.

A stall draped in shimmering fabrics caught his eye. Intricate tapestries depicting scenes of ancient Epicanthix legends hung alongside delicate, hand-painted silk scarves. He ran a calloused thumb over a deep sapphire-colored silk, almost feeling the soft caress of it against the skin of the woman he knew would wear it best. He made a mental note to return before moving on.

The next stall was a riot of color, piled high with handcrafted ornaments. Tiny wooden carvings of mythical creatures, iridescent glass baubles, and polished stones that seemed to contain the light of a thousand stars. He picked up a small, intricately carved wooden bird, its wings outstretched as if in perpetual flight. It reminded him of someone, a symbol of freedom and hope. He turned it over in his fingers, feeling a faint tug at his heart.

From ornaments, his wandering gaze took him to jewelry. A stall that glittered with precious metals and sparkling gems. He stopped before a display case showcasing rings, delicate and ornate creations that seemed to whisper of forgotten stories. He scanned past the rings, pausing on a thin bracelet, crafted from interwoven silver and obsidian, he could picture it on Anneliese with ease.

Today, he wasn't one for feasting, he wasn't one for dancing, and now, he seemed to be getting less and less interested in the celebration all together. Yet, here he was, threading his way through the crowd, his eyes scanning for the perfect gifts, a silent testament to the love for his friends that still burned within him despite the solitude that threatened to consume him. He was here for them, for the people that made him feel less alone, even when they weren't around.

The end of the year was fast approaching, and for the first time in a long time, he wasn't entirely sure how he was going to face it. But for now, he had a market to explore, and gifts to find. The Fire Festival had offered a reprieve. He hoped he could make something out of it.

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Diogo Talon

Cute? Braze frowned slightly at the word, unsure how he felt about being described that way. He wasn't supposed to be cute—he was supposed to be fierce and majestic!

Shaking off the thought, he caught the faint scent of alcohol on the emerald-haired man, the scented tang unmistakable even in the crisp winter air. At first, it struck him as odd, his brow furrowing slightly, but his thoughts soon drifted to something more somber. Whatever had driven the man to drink, Braze suspected it wasn't a cause for celebration.

"No, that's alright. You don't have to go... and thank you," he said, his tone softening. "Though I can't say I was expecting to perform for a spectator; but it's good to know it's coming along." He held the lantern out toward the man, offering it with a small smile. "Want to give it a try?"

Braze thought that perhaps inviting him into a shared activity might help lighten the mood. There was a heaviness about the man that Braze couldn't really ignore. Braze suspected he'd likely come out here to be alone with his thoughts. It was a feeling Braze understood all too well. He often sought solitude when the weight of pretending became too much—when keeping a false smile, suppressing his thoughts, and shielding his emotions around Force-sensitives and empaths in the Jedi Temple felt like an impossible task.

His gaze lingered on the man's vibrant green hair, curiosity bubbling to the surface. The question slipped out before he could stop it. "So… did you dye it that color, or does it grow naturally? Like grass?" he asked, a hint of mirth creeping into his voice.

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[17-KR7 "Enigma"]

Tags: Rulonom Laborr Serina Calis Gil Horn
OBJ: 3

Enigma's glowing crimson visor tilted slightly as she listened to the unfolding conversation, her frame immaculately still despite the vibrant interplay of firelight reflecting off her glossy pink chassis. The measured, mechanical hum of her systems was a faint counterpoint to the organic voices around her. When Rulonom finished, her posture shifted subtly, as though calculating the most precise vector of response. Her voice, smooth and deliberate, carried a weight of ancient authority and cutting clarity.

"Viceroy Laborr," she began, her tone devoid of hostility but sharpened with a precision that could cut through durasteel. "You are mistaken if you think I am shackled to the past. My observations are not relics of a bygone era but principles derived from constants in galactic history—principles your own Federation once embodied. But allow me to correct your misconception: I am no mere tactical droid parroting pre-programmed responses. I am Enigma—a product of innovation and ambition, concepts your Federation now seems more content to profit from than to pioneer."

She leaned slightly forward, the motion deliberate, her illuminated visor fixed on the Skakoan. "You boast of the Federation's survival and its dominance, and yet you guard its secrets as though they were the only currency keeping you afloat. That secrecy suggests fragility. Do you fear your competitors—or perhaps your allies—might see weaknesses you cannot admit even to yourself?"

Her words lingered, cool and calculating, before she continued. "You speak of methodology and progress, but I see an organization that has abandoned its identity for mere self-preservation. The Trade Federation I once knew sought to reshape the galaxy, not simply to survive within it. It pushed boundaries, engineered new possibilities, and wielded its fleets and factories not as tools of mere commerce, but as instruments of power and influence. Now, it appears to hide behind profit margins and cautious neutrality, watching from the sidelines as the galaxy burns."

Enigma straightened, the light of the flames casting long shadows across her angular frame. "You dismiss hope as sentimentality and question its utility in the face of empty stomachs and shattered lives. But hope is not an economic variable; it is a catalyst. It drives innovation, fuels resilience, and compels beings to act. Without it, there is no rebuilding, no renewal—no future worth striving for. Even your Federation, for all its cynicism, relies on hope: hope that your ships will continue to trade, that your markets will stabilize, that your rivals will falter."

Her attention remained locked on Rulonom, her tone softening slightly but losing none of its edge. "If the Federation truly intends to lead the galaxy in these turbulent times, it must do more than observe and profit. It must innovate again. It must inspire. And it must take risks—not for survival, but for transformation. Otherwise, it is no better than the scavengers who pick at the ruins of collapsed empires."

Finally, Enigma turned her gaze to the fire, her voice quieter now, but no less deliberate. "You question the purpose of a flame, Viceroy. Is it to warm, to illuminate, to destroy, or to forge? The answer depends on who wields it. If the Federation truly wields the galaxy's largest flame, as you claim, then I ask you: What are you forging? A stronger galaxy, or merely another fragile empire destined to collapse under the weight of its own complacency?"

Her words hung in the air, the faint hum of her servos resuming as she settled back into stillness. The crackling of the flames filled the silence that followed, their light casting her sleek frame into sharp relief against the darkness of the Niv Hani night. She would respond to the others given time, but there was something about the topic of the Federation. Not long ago in her memory she was fighting in the Clone Wars, heralding its banner, while for others this was the topic of a long forgotten age, to her, it was as if only mere weeks passed. The variables, the information, it was a top priority for her.

 

[Serina Calis]

Location: Niv Hani Fire Festival | OBJECTIVE: 3
Tag: Gil Horn 17-KR7 "Enigma" Rulonom Laborr

Serina listened intently as Gil spoke, her blue eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. His words carried a warmth and conviction that contrasted sharply with the colder pragmatism of Rulonom and the precise logic of Enigma. Yet, as much as she admired his optimism, she couldn't ignore the quiet unease his perspective stirred within her.

When he finished, Serina straightened, her hands resting loosely in her lap. Her voice, when she spoke, was calm, yet laced with a faint tension that hinted at the darker thoughts stirring beneath the surface.

"Renewal. Growth. A future shaped by unity," she echoed softly, her gaze flickering toward the fire. "It's a beautiful idea, Knight Horn. And I don't doubt your sincerity. But sometimes, beauty feels like a mask—one we wear to avoid facing the harsher truths of the galaxy. Connection, hope, even unity… they're fragile. Easily shattered when tested by the weight of reality."

Her eyes met his, steady and unflinching. "You speak of individuals coming together to light the way, to inspire change. But what happens when that light isn't enough, when we must make the tough decisions? When the forces we face—hunger, war, chaos—demand something more than belief in possibility? Is hope enough to fill the void left by failure? Or does it simply keep us moving until we collapse under the strain?"

Her words lingered in the air, their weight tempered by the softness of her tone. She glanced briefly at Enigma, acknowledging the droid's earlier point with a faint nod. "I don't dismiss the value of hope. But I've seen how quickly it can falter without strength to support it. And strength without purpose—without clarity—can be just as dangerous."

She let the silence stretch for a moment before shifting her attention to Rulonom, her expression thoughtful but tinged with curiosity. "Viceroy Laborr," she said, her voice measured, "you've spoken at length about the inefficiencies and failings of the Jedi Order. You see us as flawed—reluctant defenders at best, a symbol of misguided ideals at worst."

She leaned forward slightly, her gaze sharpening. "So tell me, how would you run the Jedi Order? If you had the power to shape it in your image, what would you change? Would you have us abandon hope entirely? Focus solely on efficiency and pragmatism? Or do you see another path entirely?"

Her question was genuine, though there was a faint edge to it—a subtle challenge wrapped in curiosity. Serina wasn't merely seeking to understand his perspective; she was testing it, probing for insight into a mind that viewed the galaxy through a lens so different from her own.

 

[Caelan Valoren]

ATTIRE: Link
TAGS: Aiden Rennek

He was completely lost in his thoughts when someone approached him. Easy to do after everything he'd been through in the past year. But when the man spoke, he looked up and nodded towards one of the seats nearby. When the man spoke, Caelan smiled a little bit and shrugged his shoulders.

"It's been a bit of a crazy time," he said.

That was an understatement. With everything that had happened it was hard to get his head around it. Especially the disappearance of Arhiaa. How was he just supposed to ignore the fact that the girl he'd professed his feelings to had just vanished into the wind? It was strange. Like, he knew she'd lost her father and didn't have any remaining parents, but that wasn't any different from him and he had promised to be there for her. So why had she disappeared?

"My name is Caelan Valoren. I'm the crown prince of the Kingdom of Devit on Lazerian IV. My parents were murdered several months ago and I was forced to flee. I met someone here, fell in love, then she disappeared. I survived Tython, then Onderon, then Iridonia, then Keshi, and it goes on from there. I've seen so much death and killing."

He looked down into his cocoa and swirled it around once or twice.

"Don't think I really know what to do about it all, to be honest."

 

[Azurine Varek]

Flames Of Connection

Outfit: Fiery Dress | Glove | Right Arm | Talisman
Weapons: Lightsaber (hidden in arm compartment)

Azurine’s gaze softened for a moment, catching the way his smile didn’t quite reach the rest of his expression. And the realization hit her more than she was expecting. He couldn’t see the flames the way he could, but he felt their heat, their unpredictable danger, and she understood his fear more than he likely realized. She stepped closer, her voice dropping just enough to break through the noise without drawing attention. "Thought I’d lost you to the allure of the flames for a minute there.” She said, hoping her playfulness might be enough distraction.

Beneath her teasing, her heart raced in a way she couldn’t entirely dismiss. The weight of his presence—of his gaze lingering even without sight—made her stomach twist with something familiar. She told herself it was nothing, just the heat of the fire and the night playing tricks on her. Still, her fingers brushed absently over the edge of the talisman around her neck for a moment, a small gesture of grounding against her thoughts.

"Yeah. That's Aris Noble ; he's practically my brother, and stars, he did amazing up there!" He'd looked so happy and free—she sure wished she could find a way to convince him to let loose like that more often.

" Zaiya Ceti should be here somewhere..." Azzie spun around, moving to her tiptoes to try and see past the bodies around, eventually having to try to rely on her aura sight to pick up on familiar patterns. She didn't find Zaiya, but she did find a couple of others, a grin crossing her face when her purple eyes landed on Mahsa, who was clearly atop someone's shoulders, and even if she couldn't see him, the patterns said it was Ayhan.

She pointed over to the two with a quick laugh, "But there's Mahsa and Ayhan!"

Azzie quickly grabbed onto Aadihr once again, this time taking his hand without thinking, and moved quickly around the outskirts of the open dance area to get to them—glad to have an excuse to get him away from the majority of the setup fires as well—brushing by where he had left his staff so he could grab it. Aris and Zaiya would catch up.

"Need a hand there, Ayhan?" She joked playfully as she approached. He still had way more of his right arm than she did, but it was funny to her nonetheless.

Aadihr Lidos | Mahsa | Ayhan​

 

[Aiden Rennek]

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Aiden leaned back slightly, his green eyes softening as he listened to Caelan's words. The weight of everything the kid had gone through hit him like a punch to the gut. Crown prince, orphan, survivor of battles that most adults wouldn't make it through unscathed… and yet, here he was, holding it together as best he could. For someone so young, it was an incredible testament to his strength — even if he didn't see it that way yet.

"That's… a lot," Aiden said after a moment, his voice quiet but steady. He let the words hang in the air for a moment, not rushing to fill the silence. "More than anyone your age should ever have to deal with."

He reached out, picking up a small stick from the ground and turning it over in his hands. "I can't say I know exactly what you're going through," he admitted, his gaze dropping to the flames for a moment. "But I've had my share of loss. Woke up one day with no memory of even the people closest to me. Tried to rebuild, only to realize some things just couldn't be fixed the way they were before."

Aiden's voice softened as he glanced back at Caelan, offering a faint smile. "But you know what? The fact that you're here, talking about it, means you're stronger than you think. It's okay to not have all the answers right now. You've been through hell, but you've made it this far. That says something about who you are."

He tossed the stick into the fire and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Sometimes, the best thing you can do is take things one step at a time. You don't have to have everything figured out today, tomorrow, or even a year from now. It's okay to feel lost, to hurt, to take your time finding your way."

Aiden gestured lightly toward the festival grounds, where people were laughing and enjoying the warmth of the fires. "And it's okay to lean on others, too. Even when it feels like you're carrying the weight of the world, you don't have to carry it alone. There are people who care, people who want to help."

Caelan Valoren | Open​

 

[Tarw Rhyfelwr]

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Objective: 4 - Destroy enemy snowballers.
Location: Niv Hani
Attire: Life Day Soldier
Tags: Allies - Katherine Holt | Enemies - Nos Voros and Vera Noble

His taunt had worked and Tarw caught himself chuckling since he was now dealing with the gremlin of the NJO. The first snowball came towards him, his body twisted and narrowly missed his large form. Tarw displaying his naturally fast reflexes, however, the second snowball skimmed past his shoulder and demonstrated the very precise aim that Vera had. She was not someone to look over when it came to the fight. Her skills were impressive. "Gotta be smarter than that Shortstack!" Tarw taunted with a grin as Vera seemed bubbling with excitement.

Before he could launch a counter attack at Vera, Nos burst out of the snow with some insane oversized snowball. Delivering it like it was a massive destructive bomb to destroy the carefully curated stash of additional ammunition. Katherine was attempting keep Nos at bay with a barrage of attacks, which was a solid try but Tarw knew the big soldier was going to be a tough nut to take down. He was someone who was willing to go toe to toe with a Sith. Tarw knew that he needed to work on stopping Nos. He couldn't let the others get the advantage.

The soldier in Tarw knew exactly what he needed to do. Charging forward, Tarw built his momentum to spear tackle Nos and the massive snowball far away from their supply. He knew that he told Katherine to handle Nos but this was something very drastic and he had the strength to stop Nos. A spear tackle into Nos should guarantee that and a little drastic but what was the fun in being safe.

 

[Vera Noble]

Niv Hani

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Tag: Nos Voros Tarw Rhyfelwr Katherine Holt

Vera peeked over the edge of the trench, her multi-colored eyes gleaming with giddy delight as Nos emerged from the snow, pushing what could only be described as the Snowball of Mass Destruction. She gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her chest.

"Commander Nos, you've outdone yourself!" she called out, her voice dripping with theatrical reverence. "Permission granted — deliver the payload!"

But as she watched Katherine hover closer, armed and ready to rain chaos upon Nos, Vera's grin turned devious. "Oh, no, you don't," she muttered under her breath. She reached out with the Force, a subtle shimmering barrier forming around Nos just in time to intercept Katherine's barrage. Each snowball splattered harmlessly against the invisible shield, leaving Nos free to continue his attack.

Her attention quickly shifted as Tarw, living up to his reputation, charged like a snowplow with a singular goal: stop Nos and his oversized snowball at any cost. Vera gasped again, her expression one of faux outrage.

"Oh no, you don't either!" she hollered, grabbing a handful of snow and packing it quickly. Her fingers moved with the precision of a Jedi on a mission as she formed the perfect snowball.

With a twinkle of mischief in her eyes, Vera took aim at the charging Tarw. She waited, timed it just right, and then let it fly. The snowball soared through the air like a comet of icy justice, its trajectory true.

Aimed straight for Tarw's face.

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