Faction [NJO] (Alter Environment Training) Baby It's Cold Outside

[Jonyna Si]

Ilum
Ilum Jedi Temple
Objective One:
Let it Snow​

Just outside of the temple gates, Jonyna stood waiting for padawans to arrive. She had set up a place to finally pass on her knowledge of the Force. Knowledge over the power of nature.

Why Ilum?

Because snow was easy. It was simple. Create a crystal and make it fall. She hoped that was the case, at least. She remembered her days as a padawan, struggling to even create the smallest flame. Still, snow was a start. Then they could move on to fog, and beyond. The weather is a fickle thing, but she hoped she could teach the young ones the full extend of it someday.

Objective Two:
Crystal Hunt​

With a new wave of padawans coming into the order, the tradition of finding kyber crystals in the caves of Ilum is once more honored. Delve into the depths, follow the Force, and find a new crystal to bond with. The bond between a jedi and their crystal is sacred, and a padawan's first is always special.


Seek it your calling, young one...

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Jonyna Si

​

It had been some time since Braze had returned to Ilum. His last visit here was with Loomi , and now he wanted a chance to do things right—on his own. This time, he was ready, more confident in his abilities, and perhaps, just perhaps, this would be the opportunity he had been waiting for.

He could keep an eye on the younger padawans now, maybe even offer some guidance. It felt strange, thinking of himself as a mentor figure, but he knew the value of such support. After all, his own journey had been shaped by those willing to show him the way.

The tradition of crystal hunting was a sacred one, and Braze was no stranger to its significance. He remembered the moment he found his first kyber crystal, how deeply it resonated with him, and now he had the chance to witness others experience the same. It was a good opportunity—not just for himself but to reconnect with others, to see the new faces coming up in the Jedi Order.

​

 

[Sazo Vass]

Sazo nudged at her familiar. Who remained stubbornly in the ship's hold, listless.

"...Jiub, c'mon. Do something. We gotta go."

The akk dog gave her the equivalent of a nasty look, before circling up in a shivering ball, back turned to her.

'AKK DOGS ARE REPTO-MAMMALS, YOUNGLING', boomed the amused voice of Talion Vass, ancestor spirit within her sword. 'MY WORKING THEORY- WHICH DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A THEORY ANYMORE- IS THAT YOUR FAMILIAR IS SOME DEGREE OF COLD-BLOODED SO...ILLUM DOESN'T SEEM TO AGREE WITH SOMETHING BORN ON HARUUN KAL.'

Conceding the point- Sazo herself was layered up to a degree Ran Serys thought was amusing- made her way out of the ship. The Padawan had left the Selvaris Enclave to participate in the pilgrimage to Illum for kyber crystals- a tradition even Talion had participated in, as a Padawan before the Gulag Plague. She didn't initially see the point- wasn't the crystal for a lightsaber, and she had a sword which she liked more then lightsabers?- but it was "more than just a crystal".

"By the Corellian hells", she swore as a breeze wafted by, feeling like it cut even straight through her. There was a gaggle of Padawans milling about, making their way to the temple gates where Jonyna Si was waiting for them. She waved awkwardly as she shuffled quickly through the crowd; she hadn't been at the Temple long before the Empire turned their sights on Coruscant, and she was on Selvaris now, so there was a lot of new faces and also it was cold.

Sazo's eyes brightened as she spotted Braze , whom she hadn't ran into since that mess on Myrkr a few months back. She shuffled quicker towards her fellow Padawan.

"Hey there Braze! How ya doing?"


Braze | Jonyna Si

 

[Dezorath Barcu]

OBJECTIVE I
TAGS: Jonyna Si Sazo Vass Braze​

As Dezorath stood among the younglings outside the temple gates of Ilum, a strange discomfort gnawed at him. The biting cold of the icy wind didn't faze him; he had endured far worse in the unforgiving wilderness of Mandalore and as a mercenary. No, this was different. He glanced at the Jedi initiates around him—children, really, no more than ten or twelve in standard years. They were eager, wide-eyed, and visibly excited at the prospect of learning something new. In their youthful faces, Dezorath saw innocence, hope, and a spark of excitement he hadn't felt in…well, ever.

Yet, despite his towering frame and his physical maturity, he couldn't shake the odd feeling that he was the youngest one here. It was true in a way, but it still felt wrong. He was 150 years old, a Gen'dai warrior who had seen battle, death, and the harsh realities of life. In human terms, he was barely two. He wasn't a child in the same sense as these younglings, but compared to the lifespan of his species, he was still in his infancy—just as inexperienced, just as unformed.

It made sense, and yet, it didn't feel fair.

Dezorath shifted uncomfortably, his armor clinking faintly with the movement. He wondered if the others could sense it, his restlessness, his struggle to fit into this serene environment. The younglings were so eager to learn, so excited for the class to even start and he couldn't get it out of his mind. Briefly Dezorath looked at his hands—metaphorically calloused from war and bloodshed—and he suddenly didn't feel like they were made for whatever delicate work was going to occur on this day. And yet still he remained.

Why am I even here? The thought lingered in his mind, a bitter whisper.

 

[Ran Serys]

Illum was not like Selvaris. Far from it. The difference between a Tropical Storm and a Blizzard mattered little to the Jedi Knight. The same could not be said for her padawan. As Ran watched the young woman bundle herself up, she laughed. So many layers were worn, to the point it seemed like Sazo might waddle and tip over in her travels. She wouldn't of course. Like Ran she was too graceful and stubborn for that. The Knight did not mimic her padawan. She donned no more layers than normal. A brown cloak and her own scantily clad take on Jedi robes was all she wore. Her bare feet touched the freezing snow without so much as a grimace. Experienced Jedi had ways of regulating and protecting themselves from harsher climates.

Ran joined the others outside the temple gates. One group would become two shortly, splitting up between those that came for the pilgrimage and those would learn to manipulate the weather. Ran had no such talent for the skill. Her strengths lie elsewhere. Ran had chosen to journey alongside the padawans into the crystal caves. She'd be adult supervision for the younger and was a sabercrafting master to all. Her knowledge was indispensable in a pilgrimage like this, so the decision was easy.

Padawans greeted and met each other in several directions. Ran listened as even Sazo exchanged hellos with those familiar to her. Ran put an affectionate hand on the padawans shoulder as she passed her by, unsure if she would feel it through all her layers.

"Hello Master Si," Ran nodded to the Jedi Master taking a temporary place beside her. "Ran Serys," She reminded her. Ran had been before the council before, and had sent reports on the war effort and the Enclave on Selvaris' progress while the cathar Jedi master was present. "It is nice to see you again." She said, "Thank you for allowing me to be present today. To assist those who need guidance in finding their first crystals is an honor." She explained somewhat diplomatically. She wasn't as familiar with the Master as others were, and wasn't as comfortable being familiar.

Jonyna Si Braze Sazo Vass Dezorath Barcu​

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Ran Serys Jonyna Si Braze Sazo Vass Dezorath Barcu

"Hey there Braze! How ya doing?"

Braze wore his usual sleeveless crop top and hakamas, his gloved hands flexing in anticipation. As always, he seemed unaffected by the chill, though he wore little to guard against it—it was training day, after all.

He offered Sazo a warm smile. "Hello. I'm... okay... how have things been with you?"

Braze peered over at the Gen'dai with a spark of curiosity in his eyes. The figure was massive, his presence almost overwhelming, yet something about him drew Braze in. He'd seen plenty of intimidating warriors before, but this one felt… different.

"I don't think we've met before; I'm Braze. You here for hunting as well?" he said, his voice laced with curiosity. His gaze traveled over the Gen'dai's form, noting the layers of muscle and armor that spoke of a life devoted to battle. He offered a slight smile, trying to read the stranger's silent aura.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Objective I - Alter Environment Training
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Dezorath Barcu & Jonyna Si | Open to Interaction

The chill of Ilum surrounded Zaiya, but she barely noticed it. Being a Dresh Lovalla had its perks, and her body naturally adapted to the cold to survive even the most brutal winters, producing hormones to keep her blood flowing smoothly while her lungs expanded to draw in more oxygen from the thin, icy air. She felt surprisingly comfortable wrapped in a few layered robes while everyone else bundled up as if they were facing the edge of Hoth itself.

Zaiya took a deep breath, watching her breath puff into little clouds in front of her. Everything here was blanketed in pristine white, the kind of bright, endless snow she'd never seen before. It made her smile. She glanced toward the groups gathering outside the temple -- students everywhere, some clustering near the path to the crystal caves and others near the training grounds where they'd be learning new Force skills. She spotted a few familiar faces, like Braze , Ran Serys , and Sazo Vass in the caves group. They were already deep in conversation, so she gave them a quick wave before heading toward the training area.

Her opal blue eyes landed on one particular figure ( Dezorath Barcu ) -- someone she'd never met before. A towering figure clad in armor that seemed to stand out against the snow, they looked… tense. Zaiya felt a spark of curiosity as she noticed the stranger's body language, which seemed to suggest they were maybe a bit out of their element here. The mottled patterns on her skin flickered to a concerned shade of gray with faint pale yellow flecks, then brightened to an interested, curious orange.

"Oh, hello! I don't think we've met before," she called out, waving at him with a friendly smile. As she made her way closer, she noted that, despite his towering height, he was only just barely taller than Aris Noble . Well at this point, there were only a few like Aris and Ayhan who could tower over her.

With a joyful shimmer of bioluminescence, Zaiya stopped a few feet away, radiating warmth despite the cold around them.

"I'm Padawan Zaiya Ceti," she introduced herself with a bright, welcoming smile. "A pleasure to meet you!"

 

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Ilum, Outside the Jedi Temple
Objective: 1 - Alter Environment Training
Tags: Jonyna Si | Braze | Sazo Vass | Dezorath Barcu | Ran Serys | Zaiya Ceti

​

Katherine regretted putting on so many layers this morning.

Upon hearing that a group of Padawans were going to be heading to Ilum, the redhead didn’t hesitate to join. Sure, she wasn’t exactly the youngest of the lot these days. But Katherine was always eager to learn, and was particularly curious about what Master Si had in mind for teaching the ‘Alter Environment’ technique.

Tempted as she was to participate in the crystal hunt, Katherine knew her current physical disability would just make it a headache. And if she was going to be honest with herself, she was more inclined to focus on straightening her Force abilities right now. It was something Katherine had been more heavily relying on lately.

So what better way to spend some time, than refine that connection?

If only she had remembered how unbothered she was about cold weather. Katherine had prepared herself adequately to combat the chilly weather. Only to forget a key fact, that in her past life as Lorelei, she had been trained in the matters of survival on Mygeeto. Not that it meant she could endure such temperatures with minimal layers.

But Katherine had adorned herself with one too many layers, to a point she wondered if she was going to start sweating at some point.

How in the Force did I forget I had some level of immunity?

Katherine shook her head, instead opting to focus on who else was present around her. Sitting in her hoverchair, the Padawan began to look around. Amongst the younger Padawans were familiar faces to the redhead, some she had directly spoken with, and others she had only seen in passing. And then there were the few that Katherine hadn’t seen until today, like the towering form of the Gen’Dai Padawan.

 

[Dezorath Barcu]

OBJECTIVE I
Alter Environment Training
TAGS: Jonyna Si Sazo Vass Braze

​

Dezorath took one step back, his massive figure towering over the two Padawans, feeling just a bit out of place under their friendly gazes. He took a quick glance at Braze, his yellow eyes lingering on the other's exposed arms and the thin fabric against the cold, before looking away, trying not to stare too long. The Gen'dai knew what it was like to be stared at. He could feel, what felt like to him, the constant flinching of the others around him. With a brief side glance he noted one such other padawan Katherine Holt .

If only they knew that he most likely felt the same as they. And if only they all understood how attuned he was with the environment around him. Not for any special skill or ability but one more biological to his species. Every snowflake seemed to move in slow, deliberate arcs as it drifted toward the ground, and Dezorath could sense the subtle shifts of air currents surrounding him. His awareness stretched out, reaching beyond what was visible, catching the quiet, rhythmic pulsing of nearby heartbeats—a dozen, maybe more—all within range of his acute senses. Each one expanded and contracted like the beats of a soft, distant drum, and he could feel their lungs expand with every inhale, their exhalations like faint whispers in the cold. Time slowed in his perception, each passing second stretching longer than it did for others. His awareness, sharpened by his very heritage, brought every detail of the moment into sharp focus. He felt the fragility of each life around him, the subtle warmth of his fellow students against the backdrop of the frozen wilderness, their heartbeats grounding him in an otherwise unfamiliar place.

"I dont take your meaning, Hunting?" The Gen'dai paused briefly. "…You don't feel the cold?" he asked quietly, curiosity slipping into his tone. His words came out rough, but his interest was clear as he nodded toward Braze 's minimal attire. "Seems… you should be freezing." He let out a low breath, surprised he'd spoken at all, but couldn't help his fascination at how effortlessly the other Padawan stood against the cold, almost as if he didn't notice it at all.

When Zaiya Ceti a greeted him, he found himself looking down at her with a slight tension, his eyes drawn to the warm bioluminescent glow that flickered on her skin. "…Dezorath. I'm Dezorath Barcu," he finally replied, his voice just above a murmur as he shifted his weight, feeling strangely embarrassed that he almost forgot to introduce himself. Her brightness, her open smile—they both held his attention in a way that left him feeling just a little unsteady. All of it was not what he was used to. This place was so open and warm, despite the physical nature of Ilum. During his time serving in the Dark Empire he could not say the same.

He gave a slight nod, glancing between them both. He had so much he wanted to ask, yet words felt heavy and difficult to get out. Instead, he managed a small, quiet smile, his presence softening, if only slightly, as he let himself settle into the group. " Well met. "

 

[Wulrenkit Claymus]

OBJECTIVE 2

Veradune was a planet of many diverse and varied biomes and environments. Sprawling woods, snowy tundras, and scorching deserts. While Wulrenkit might not lived in the scorching heat of that last place, the plains where he had been born were far from this frigid wasteland that bit down to his bones with its freezing temperatures. "I-I'm glad I ain't grown a tail yet. 'Fraid it'd freeze off out here like some kinda furry icicle." He'd bundled up in the warmest robes that the order had to offer and still he wondered if he should have somehow dressed even warmer as he wrapped the robes around himself so tightly they threatened to cut off air and blood flow.

His purpose here was simple. If he was to be a jedi, he would need to be armed like one. He'd left the wilders because he abhorred violence. hated that it was all that he seemed to be good at. The jedi, he hoped, would provide a place to learn peace, not just amidst others, but within himself. But there was no denying that the jedi were guardians of the galaxy. Also no denying that one day he would feel the instinct. The need to protect that drove so many of his kind to bear arms. The abhorrence of violence was no reason to not prepare for it. "So how does this work? Walk the caves, find shiny rock, an' walk out?"

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Objective I - Alter Environment Training
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Interacting with: Dezorath Barcu

Zaiya's smile brightened as Dezorath introduced himself. She couldn't help but notice the hints of discomfort in his stance, and her bioluminescent markings responded, shifting to gentle shades of empathetic bronze over the usual blue and gold flecks. Maybe crowds weren't his thing? Or he just felt out of place? Either way, Zaiya was determined to make him feel more welcome.

"Well met, Dezorath!" she greeted warmly, beaming up at him. "Where are you from? I've been traveling a bit, so I know there are quite a few new faces around the Temple. Are you based somewhere specific, or did you just join the Order?"

She was burning with curiosity about his species -- he was unique, that was for sure -- but she didn't want to start off with such a personal question. Also, his armor was super fascinating, and for a techie like Zaiya, it made her want to study it closer. However, for now, she'd keep it casual, getting to know him as they waited for Master Si to arrive and start the training. Her eyes sparkled with interest, and she hoped her own calm confidence might help ease the tension in his posture.

 

[Dezorath Barcu]

OBJECTIVE I
Alter Environment Training
TAGS: Jonyna Si Sazo Vass Braze Katherine Holt
DIRECT TAG: Zaiya Ceti

"Well met, Dezorath!" she greeted warmly, beaming up at him. "Where are you from? I've been traveling a bit, so I know there are quite a few new faces around the Temple. Are you based somewhere specific, or did you just join the Order?"

Dezorath glanced down at Zaiya, his gaze softening as her markings shifted to warmer tones. Her open friendliness made him feel a bit more at ease. That was what he noticed. In fact maybe all he really needed was time to adjust. Well I have time. Lots of time. There were entire philosophies dedicated to the perception of time through the eyes of Gen'dai.

He briefly glanced at Braze. He wanted to hear what they meant, but the conversation was rather free flowing and it was best in Dezoraths mind to just let it flow.

"Endor," he finally said, his voice low and hesitant. "Originally, anyway. I… spent some time with Mandalorians before… this." He gestured vaguely, indicating the Jedi temple nearby. In fact he hoped he wouldnt have to explain that answer now. It might be mind boggling to comprehend. Well timeline wise. "Joining the Order was… very recent I'll say." He paused, feeling strangely compelled to continue under her warm gaze. "My kind never really stay in one place for long." A hint of a smile ghosted across his face, a flicker of quiet appreciation. "And you? How long have you been here?"

 

[Jonyna Si]

TAG: Zaiya Ceti Braze Sazo Vass Dezorath Barcu Katherine Holt

As the padawans began to arrive, Jonyna stiffened up, standing a bit taller on her paw pads than she normally would. Some were showing signs of chills, and the jedi master couldn't help but smile at that. Ilum was a place still rather unfamiliar to her, but the cold was an old friend.

"Hello, to all of you." She started, using the power she was going to teach all of them to amplify her voice. "I hope you all made it well. Today, I hope to teach you all something new. Something interesting. Cold, isn't it?"

Jonyna waved her hand, and suddenly a wave of warmth washed over all of them, and the snow beneath them melted, showing a barren rock below them. "The Force is a path to many abilities. Today, I wish to teach all of you how to harness the very nature around you. The worlds we walk on, the air and water around us. It's all connected."

Jonyna looked to the students as they gathered, smiling. Braze was at least familiar with a few of her tricks. "Braze here has trained with me a bit on this. Braze, would you mind acting as an aid for today's lesson?"

 

[Mahsa]

"It’s s-so c-co-cold…!" The Kazelrrian mumbled out her protests to no one in particular, the thick sleeves of her robe trying to retain as much warmth as possible with her arms tightly wrapped around herself. She even asked Aris Noble how exactly he used the Force to keep himself all warm and toasty, though the explanation he’d offer gave her little insight.

Honestly, she should’ve known better by now.

She wore her hair down in its entirety, the shoulder length strands of snow white hair shifting into pale and frosty blues at the end to showcase the discomfort Mahsa currently felt. She sniffed loudly before a hand rose to rub her nose, trying to ease the icy feeling on its tip, though the redness that colored it and her ears would stubbornly remain.

Her gaze swept over those present, almost as if wishing to know she wasn;t the only one struggling with the cold. Some seemed to be in a similar predicament to her own, while others had clearly figured out how to channel the Force—or perhaps their bodies were just well adapted for such snowy landscapes.

Despite her discomfort the Kazelrrian had to admit there was a crystal like beauty that could only be observed in the glaciers and ice plains that places like Ilum offered… but did it really have to be so cold?!

There's still time before the lesson... A loud sneeze echoed as the Kazelrrian tried to reason with herself, doing her best to focus on her surroundings as she pleaded to the Force for some warmth. Please, just a little bit…!

---

Apparel

Devices

Weapons

【✶】⋆【✶】⋆【✶】

【✶】⋆【✶】⋆【✶】

【✶】⋆【✶】⋆【✶】

[ OPEN ]​

 

[Braze]

​

Zaiya Ceti , Jonyna Si , Sazo Vass , Dezorath Barcu , Katherine Holt , Ran Serys , Wulrenkit Claymus , Mahsa

Despite the lingering gaze of Dezorath Barcu, Braze didn't seem abashed or bothered by the large man. He was casual, entirely unfazed by standing next to someone who towered over his small frame of only 5'2".

Braze's smile brightened, excitement bubbling up in eyes as he caught Dezorath's name.

"I dont take your meaning, Hunting?" "…You don't feel the cold?""Seems… you should be freezing." "…Dezorath. I'm Dezorath Barcu,"

"Hunting, yes. As in searching for a kyber crystal to forge a lightsaber with. The new Padawans are going on a 'crystal hunt,'" Braze explained softly. "And no, I'm not cold. I'm endurance training a Force technique called Tapas until it's as natural as breathing. Tapas helps keep you warm."

"So how does this work? Walk the caves, find shiny rock, an' walk out?"

"Yup, that's about it! Just try not to slip on the ice," Braze chirped simply, his tone light as he acknolwedged the question. "You'll know when it's the right one," he assured, glancing over as he saw Zaiya dive into conversation with Dezorath. Perhaps she thought he might be a bad influence on the Gen'dai—Or maybe she just wanted to help the Gen'dai feel more welcome. Then again, perhaps she liked the tall, strong, silent types, or maybe, he mused with a small shrug, he was just too short for her to notice. Or maybe his own paranoia and thought demons were running wild and rampant. Braze gently chided himself to keep a positive outlook despite his self-conscious thoughts.
Regardless, Braze caught her eye briefly, trying to brush off his own doubts, he offered her a quick, warm smile, and murmured, "Nice to see you too, Zaiya," as he stepped away, content to let her talk with Dezorath.

Jonyna's voice cut in, addressing the group,

"Braze here has trained with me a bit on this. Braze, would you mind acting as an aid for today's lesson?"

Braze turned his attention to Jonyna, nodding respectfully, then glanced at Mahsa after hearing here sneeze. He stepped up beside her and nudged her elbow lightly, slipping something warm into her palm. should she look down, she would find…an egg? Yes, an egg. A warm, freshly hard-boiled egg, still almost hot to the touch.

Braze grinned, giving her a playful wink before padding over to Jonyna's side. "Yes, I'd love to help," he said softly, his tone cheerful. "What is it you need of me Master Si?" Braze asked.

​

 

[Mahsa]

Be hotter… be hotter… Her brain understood the meaning behind Aris Noble ‘s advice but, by the Force, it still sounded off in her head—and a faint chuckle escaped as a new thought surfaced. Very Aris of him.

The light nudge on her elbow brought Mahsa out of her concentration, golden eyes peering at the source before she smiled. "Hey Bra—o-oh…?" Surprise and curiosity rippled through her hair in shades of apricot and citrine, peering curiously at the very warm hard-boiled egg that Braze handed over.

Jonyna called for him then and the Kazelrrian mouthed a quiet 'bye' as she waved, before her attention turned to the egg in her hand. It’s really warm… Freshly boiled by the look and feel of it, and the Kazelrrian was already considering if to have it as a snack now rather than later when a lightbulb finally went off in her head.

That’s it!

Her eyes closed again as the girl focused on the egg and the heat that emanated from the egg, focusing on how the comfort it brought as it chased the chill from her very bones. She held onto the feeling, willing it to expand and grow, and little by little she felt the cold that plagued her slowly receded.

"It worked…?" Tapas was a skill she remembered reading about before, but not one the Kazelrrian had ever felt the need to try out until today—excitement flooding through her and brightening her complexion with a sunny ombre as Mahsa realized she’d been successful. "Hehee, it did work~"

The below from Master Jonyna Si quickly snapped her to attention, the Cathar giving them a taste of today’s lesson as she manipulated the air around them. Gone was the chill that gnawed at exposed skin, replaced instead by a comfortable warmth, as the snow under their boots melted to reveal solid rock below.

"Whoaaa…"

---

Apparel

Devices

Weapons

【✶】⋆【✶】⋆【✶】

【✶】⋆【✶】⋆【✶】

【✶】⋆【✶】⋆【✶】

[ OPEN ]​

 

[Aris Noble]

There wasn't a whole lot Aris could actually learn from Alter Environment.

Or so he thought. The tall as ever Padawan stepped beside Jonyna, hands clasped behind his back. For it being a frozen world, he was dressed in his usual light clothing. Flame resistant clothing, considering how he was glowing ever so faintly to stay warm. And the fire bird perched on his shoulder. He looked about the group that was going to remained, blinking at first as he saw Mahsa. He gave a much more sheepish smile, already thinking about the advice he'd given her. At least it seemed to work.

He assumed it helped. He hoped it helped.

His gaze shifted to Zaiya next. Which, had him turn just a little red as he looked off again, scratching his cheek. Thankfully she was busy talking to the Gen'dai to notice that initial burst of embarrassment. For now, though, he just stood at attention.

To learn whatever it was he was going to, anyway.

Zaiya Ceti | Jonyna Si | Braze | Mahsa | Katherine Holt | Dezorath Barcu

 

[Ran Serys]

Obj. II - Crystal Hunt
Tags: Sazo Vass Wulrenkit Claymus Braze Aris Noble Azurine Varek

There was a shift as Master Si began her lesson. It was abrupt, and somewhat chaotic while the padawans began to fall in. The future of the Jedi, it seemed, was quite chatty. Ran smiled. Her amusement was evident. It was the small moments, moments like these, where Ran understood the life she had missed out on. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she absorbed the moment. Took in their smiling faces, their nervousness, their embarrassment, their excitement, and all the other inexplicable eccentricities of youth. She lived vicariously through them for a moment, and that was enough for her. She wouldn’t have traded her life for theirs. She wouldn’t be herself if she did, and Ran liked who she was.

Ran parsed through the crowd quickly to divide the group without disturbing the ongoing lesson. Those who wanted to find a crystal had mixed with those who would learn from the Cathar Master. Ran would put an end to the confusion as she whispered quietly and individually to those that came for the pilgrimage.

"So how does this work? Walk the caves, find shiny rock, an' walk out?"

“That is exactly right! Although I don’t believe I could’ve put it as eloquently as you have.” She whispered to the young man playfully and with a kind expression. “We’re going down into the temple and its caves now. It is a sight to behold. Stay close for the time being.” She instructed.

As the group bound for the temple made their way. She found herself walking next to the young man.

“My name is Ran Serys. What is your name, Padawan?” She asked. As she swiveled her head looking for her own padawan, Sazo Vass .

Before the group stood an icy behemoth. Sheet after sheet of hardened ice had developed over the temple’s entrance after some time of disuse. It was a marvel to see how quickly the ice had taken form since she had last been years ago. Ran wondered if the ice had been influenced by the force. She assumed so. The temple was a strong point of force energy and so were many of the crystals inside. They’d need protection against those who wouldn’t honor them. The ice could’ve been a natural defense. It was likely the reason the Jedi of the past had built the temple in the way they did.

Ran looked to the young Jedi in tow. She knew how to deal with the ice sheets that blocked their entry, or at least she knew how she’d deal with them. She wondered if the younger Jedi had their own ideas.

“Looks like the pilgrimage may be cut short,” She feigned ignorance for the younger padawans to get them to rebel against the idea and think of a way to enter. They would believe her words for a moment at least. The older of the lot would humor her for the younger’s sake but not for long. “Unless we can make it through the ice.” She continued.

“Any ideas?” She opened up to the group.

 

[Zaiya Ceti]

Objective I - Alter Environment Training
Outfit: x x x x x | Equipment: x x x x x x | Weapons: x x x
Companion: Domxite
Nearby: Jonyna Si Katherine Holt
Directly Interacting with: Dezorath Barcu Braze and Mahsa

Zaiya's eyes lit up with excitement, a swirl of warm teals and glimmering gold spreading across her skin. "Oh! Endor! The forest moon!" she exclaimed, bouncing on her toes. "I visited once, met a tribe of Ewoks! They were super friendly and made the most delicious stews. I love trying new foods, and theirs was amazing."

When Dezorath mentioned spending time with the Mandalorians, her curiosity only deepened. "Wait, really? Which clan? I met one once, and they mentioned there are many clans. Did you get that armor from them?" She leaned in to admire the intricate detailing, her gaze sparkling with fascination. "I make armor pieces too -- for friends, mostly prototypes though. Yours looks amazing!"

Her enthusiasm was interrupted by Braze , who paused in his conversation to respond to Dezorath's earlier question. Zaiya gave him a bright grin and a wave.

"Nice to see you, Braze! We should catch up soon!" She watched as he headed off with Master Si, feeling a little nostalgic for the days they'd all been at the temple together more regularly. Missions had kept them all so busy. Honestly, he seemed a bit more reserved today. She hoped he had been able to find someone to talk to. Perhaps they could catch up later and see if he was doing okay.

Then she spotted Mahsa , her dormmate, and her face brightened further, swirling with a joyful blend of blues and gold.

"Mahsa! I didn't know you were here with your master!" Zaiya waved her over eagerly. "Oh! Meet Dezorath! Dezorath, this is Mahsa -- she's my dormmate at the temple."

Just then, a tingling warmth sparked along Zaiya's senses, a very familiar presence nearby. Aris? Her heart skipped a beat at sensing Aris Noble . And while she didn't turn to look at him right away, a gentle flush of pink spread over her cheeks, which she hoped everyone would just blame on the chill of the cold.

Of course, sensing all this emotions, Zaiya's backpack shifted slightly, and a small flap lifted on its own. Suddenly, a curious little droid popped its head out, its sensors wide and glimmering with colorful splatters that mirrored Zaiya's own expressive hues. Anyone with a sense for the Force would feel a flicker of their emotions; curiosity and a cheery hello! -- communicating with emotions just as much as Zaiya had earlier.

"Oh! And this is Domxite!" Zaiya beamed as she introduced her droid companion, who gave a happy, inquisitive buzz and head shimmy from her pack.

By then, however, Master Jonyna Si had called to get all of their attention. Oh, was the lesson starting? Turning to look over at the Cathar, there was no mistaking Aris's towering presence there. Yup, she had been right -- wait, what was that on his shoulder??!

Was that a flaming bird??!!!

What!??

 

[Sazo Vass]

Objective 2- Crystal Hunt
Tags: Wulrenkit Claymus | Braze | Aris Noble Azurine Varek | Ran Serys

Braze:
He offered Sazo a warm smile. "Hello. I'm... okay... how have things been with you?"

Sazo shrugged lightly. "Oh, you know, I'm good. Training on Selvaris Enclave with Master Serys. Learning a bunch. Haven't been in the field as much." She patted him on the shoulder good-naturedly. "We're going to have to catch up when we aren't on a frozen popsicle. That 'okay' seemed to say a lot." She shuffled off; if she got too behind she would have to walk, and lose precious body heat.

Her eyes swiveled around, catching an absolutely huge alien- easily Aris Noble sized- that she'd never seen before, that was engrossed in conversation with Braze and Zaiya Ceti . 'GEN'DAI', Talion helpfully supplied- something to look up later. She gave them quick wave, then blinked as Master Jonyna Si began her lesson regarding using the Force to adapt to her environment. She blinked again as she noticed Aris behind her with...a flame bird on his shoulder?

The group seemed to be splitting between the Cathar Master and Master Serys, who would lead them on their pilgrimage to these crystals. She waved at her as Ran swiveled her head around while talking to another Padawan, Wulrenkit Claymus , as she shuffled behind them. Soon, they were at the temple entrance, which was blocked by sheets of ice.

"Looks like the pilgrimage may be cut short," She feigned ignorance for the younger padawans to get them to rebel against the idea and think of a way to enter. They would believe her words for a moment at least. The older of the lot would humor her for the younger's sake but not for long. "Unless we can make it through the ice." She continued.

"Any ideas?" She opened up to the group.

She looked at her sword hopefully.

'NO HELP, FIGURE IT OUT LIKE GENERATIONS BEFORE YOU', boomed the ancestor spirit within.

Rolling her eyes, Sazo raised her hand. "Can we...interact with the ice somehow with the Force? Feels like brute force would take a long time and maybe cause damage."