The Gathering [Invite Only, PM if Missed]

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron chuckled to himself, watching the ship pull out of hyperspace. Nodding to the captain, he turned to make his leave. "See ya around then, i'll make sure to get some pictures.", he said jokingly. Walking back out into the main hallway, he smiled upon noticing his padawan wandering about. "Rael! Enjoy the ride? You're about to get your first crystal. I'll bet you're excited."

[member="Rael sul B'an"]

 

[Garik Reed]

[member="Gherron Vael"]

Rael, having heard the announcement, dropped his overpacked backpack onto the hallway floor. He started pulling out his gear. He pulled thick wollen pants over his Jedi standards pants. As Gherron greeted him, he was zipping up a large, furry jacket that made him look like one of the Huks his people spent years fighting. "Ah, hello, master. Yes, I am rather excited. Well I was, but I assumed excitement was an emotion not befitting a Jedi..." He pulled five fingered gloves over his three fingered hands. His claws cut through the tips of the gloves fingers, and Rael grunted, moving to change his boots. Finally, when he was all down, he slung his now much smaller, not about to explode backpack over his shoulders. The pieces of the lightsaber he wanted to build rattled inside of it. "Shall we get going?"

 

[Catherine Soja]

Had arrived late, oh she was in for it today. She was supposed to meet a master @Aaralyn Rekali and she due to her ship being delayed at dock due to weather had taken extra time. As she ran down to where she was supposed to meet her she remembered why she hated the cold weather it always sucked bundling up. Her normal armor and green robes were not enough and she had to add heavier robes atop it all.

 

[Kiren sepherus]

Kiren sighed as he heard the announcement that they would be landing shortly. He quickly put his datapad in his bag before heading somewhere private in the ship to change into the clothes that he had brought that could withstand the hard weather of Illum.

Finding a private looking compartment Kiren immediately began changing. Looking into the bag he began subconsciously checking off the things that he had brought with him, until all the belongings that would be going with him to the surface were on the floor.

After the short change, he walked out into the hallway in his gear meant for cold weather. He sighed a little bit as sweat rolled off his brow, the warm interior of the ship made his new clothes fill hot and stuffy but he would learn to enjoy it while he could before he was on the Iceball of a planet.

 

[cowboyrepeater]

Layna pulled up her hood as she strode down the ramp. Immediately she was glad of her extra layers. Illum was just as frigid as Master Aralyn had said. Her boots crunched the snow as she disembarked the ramp.

Illum's skys were iron grey, her ground white and her bodies of water shining ice. The wind howled and the snow pelted Layna's robes. She was forced to hold her robed closed against the gusts. Looking back, she hoped the Masters would hurry.

She turned her head and looked off in the distance. There, just visible through the snow were the Crystal Caves. Somewhere inside an otherwise inanimate crystal would resonate for her. Perhaps it would be the traditional blue of the Jedi Guardians.

 

[Nefertari Sovint]

Armed and ready, Nefertari threw her cloak over her shoulders when the announcement came. No matter what waited for them on the cold, icy terrain below; she would have to be ready to be sure both her and [member="Kiren sepherus"] got out alive.

Nef walked into the corridor, meeting her trusted apprentice there
"Are you nervous Kiren? If not, then let us make haste for the caves."

 

[The End Narrator]

Surface of Ilum

-15 Degrees

Half a Kilometer East of the Jedi Temple

Aaralyn hadn’t much time to contemplate during the journey about her recently acquired Padawans - [member="Catherine Soja"] and [member="Layna Akhora"]. The last time she had a Padawan was shortly after [member="Corvus Raaf"], the young woman had unfortunately saw her demise during the Invasion of Empress Teta at the hands of Daella Apparine. It was a sad affair to say the least and it was a burden to which Aaralyn had to bear each day – but the Jedi needed to grow in strength and that called for a new generation to be trained. So it was time for action, not apprehension.

She would zip up the heavy overcoat and latch down her boots tightly, moving past the assembling Padawans and Knights who had a varying degree of anxiety and excitement of their own. She wouldn’t call her own Padawans to the front – no, this was a group journey at first and then an individual experience.

This was for them, not for her.

The lessons they would learn inside the caves would be their own trials they would bring back to her and explain to her what it is they learned the most. She would have minimal to do with it beyond their survival. She knew that the caves themselves could be dangerous if occupied too long, the resident beasts within were hibernating luckily, for now. That would change with the prolonged exposure of the Force sensitive individuals within – fortunately, it would be able to be controlled should it get out of hand.

Aaralyn would make her way down the ramp, and past the outer door and into the howling snow, strands of chestnut hair blowing wildly as the cold nipped at her flesh. A chill ran down her spine despite the warmth of the clothing that encompassed her form. This place was hallowed ground, sacred to say the least – every Jedi, regardless of the path they had chosen when they went on to become Knights or even Masters, walked this very ground.

She too would walk it , again and guide the future of the Order to their first test.

It would be a test of unity, more than strength. A test of focus, more so than power.

Gloved hands would reach behind her head and pull the furred hood up and over head scalp, concealing her long flowing hair before she turned to yell up the ramp.

“Let’s go, the sun has risen and the day has begun…and so shall your journey into the caves beyond.”

[member="Sam Jhovna"] | [member="Jack Rand"] | [member="Sabena Shai"] | [member="Kosuke Yamauchi"] | [member="Maria Natalja"] | [member="Gherron Vael"] | | [member="Elizie Adasca"] | [member="Sophia Walsh"] | [member="Veega Anarth"] | [member="Kiren sepherus"] | [member="Ayden Quell"] | [member="Nefertari Sovint"] | [member="Rael sul B'an"]

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Gherron chuckled softly at the ridiculous sight in front of him. He'd hoped the padawan would try to rely on his own wits, instead of trying to take it into his own hands, but it was all part of the learning process. Hopefully, when the time called for it, Rael would know what to do. Walking toward the ship's exit, he started going through the basics with the younger Jedi. "Now Rael, when you get into the caves, remember what I said. Don't try to run off and grab the first crystal you see. You have to let the force guide you to it. I'll be right with you, but any trial you face, it will have to be your own." Of course, if it got too tough, or he was in any serious danger, Gherron would step in. But for the moment, he wanted to make sure the other was prepared.

[member="Rael sul B'an"]

 

[Ayden Quell]

Cold and gray.

Ayden Quell's initial impression of the planet of Ilum was that it was cold and gray. The first thing that assaulted his senses was the cold, and then the rather sad fact that on Ilum there was only one forecast: overcast. It was as though someone had turned the lights off, and the colors disappeared with them. The sun could barely be seen through any discernible mass of hunky gray clouds. Everything became grayscale. It dulled the senses, made one feel weak and tired, as the dual combination of darkness and cold besieged the body. It was the embrace of a frigid winter, which burrowed down into Ayden's being, enraptured his body, sucking away any ounce of warmth he may have possessed. Then the bitter wind made its howling wail, and the bones of the young Padawan shook from the inside out.

Yet, this planet was strong in the Force. Ayden's heart palpitated with delight. The crystals were here, the journey was here, Ayden was here. A piece of him would be left here on the planet, he knew, when all was said and done, a section of self that stripped away during the trials and tribulations of The Gathering. It was necessary for growth and improvement. He only hoped it was a small piece, and not his entire body or soul.

With nervous exuburance in the very fiber of his being, the young Ayden Quell stepped off the metallic ramp.

 

[Jsc]

Sam carried her helm under her arm and approached the comical [member="Jack Rand"] with a somber smile,

"You know. You're not half as bad a pilot as I thought you'd be."

She smirked and motioned to the ramp,

"I'm just here for sightseeing. Ah, and I promise only to throw the troublemakers into the garbage this time. Hehe. Mix things up a bit. ...So? Shall we?"

Joking aside, she applied her helm and sealed the breach. After all, it was cold outside.

 

[Kosuke Yamauchi]

[member="Layna Akhora"]
Kosuke Yamauchi, bare-foot and only wearing thick robes, stepped out onto the snow and instantly did it send jolting sparks of frosty pain through his nervous system. His teeth clench, and he was quick to focus on the internal energy within him - that is what would keep him warm. Practice makes perfect, and he was throwing himself in the deep end. He saw his friend up ahead and he was quick to traverse the light snow-ridden terrain. He was struggling to keep himself warm, but he tried to focus on what heat his body still held, and flaring that heat, fanning it. "Hey," Kosuke said to Lanya.

 

[Jack Rand]

As Jack was putting on his heavy coat and snow boots for the sojourn ahead of him, when suddenly a familiar face came up next to him on the ramp. "Thanks, I'll be honest I never flew one of those things before." Jack let out a laugh before he finished doing up his scarf, and when he was done dressing he gave a short glance to the Jedi.

He looked onwards as she mentioned sightseeing, seeing only snow as far as the eye can see. "Well it's nice looking snow, though I wouldn't mind seeing a trash compactor or two." He turned his head to the girl and gave a charming smile and then snapped his head towards the rest of the group.

"So you aren't going into the caves, do you feel bad for little old me?" He said this in a mostly kidding voice, not meaning it seriously. Though he did hope that he wouldn't have to sit outside of a cave door for five days as everyone went on a crystal hunt.

[member=Sam Jhovna]

 

[Garik Reed]

[member="Gherron Vael"]

Rael nodded as his master spoke. He pulled his thick furred hood over his head. The only exposed parts of his body were his claws, and face. And most of his face was covered by an, albeit not warming, bone mask. He walked down off of the ship, stepping onto the icy ground. His feet slid a little bit. Snow was something the desert being had never experienced before. The warrior balanced himself before he fell. Rael crossed his arms, and looked around. Normally, he would've looked at their leader, but he was so enthralled by the icy landscape. The kaleesh looked off into the distance, trying to see the entrance to the caverns

 

[Kiren sepherus]

As Kiren stepped off the ramp to the ship he immediately it's warm interiors. Illum was colder than he had imagined, 'Don't focus on the cold, just focus on the crystal.' Kiren thought quickly before turning to his master. "So you have been here before? What was it like then?" he asked, already having a pretty good prediction of her answer.
[member="Nefertari Sovint"]

He quietly observed what the other padawans were doing, the answers were varying, the most interesting of which was of the Kallesh, it seemed that it was his first time in snow. He chuckled a bit before looking out into the distance, looking for anything.
[member="Rael sul B'an"]

 

[Jsc]

Sam raised an eyebrow to [member="Jack Rand"] . Was he really not going inside? Her helm articulated her voice,

"Are you really not going to chance inside one of the most sacred places in all Force history? One might think it would look smashing on the after-action report. ...Daring Commander ventures inside frosty caves to do battle with arch-evil visionary-self. ...Ah yes. That has Admiral written all over it."

She chuckled to herself. Maybe that wasn't what he had in mind.

"I'll be going inside, yes. The front doors are rumored to close akin to a solar calendar system. So. Being outside would be just, ugh, dreadful."

The Knightess raised one of her twin lightsabers up to the light and placed it on her belt.

"...And where's the fun in that, hm? Hehe."

 

[Jack Rand]

Jack stared at [member="Sam Jhovna"] as she mentioned him going into the temple, he had never even considered it. Then again it might be better than staying in the cold outside.

"Maybe I should join, though I've heard rumours of the place. It doesn't sound like somewhere someone like me should go." Jack tunred to Sam and gave her a wide smile, maybe he would go in. His father always collected souvenirs, maybe he would grab himself a crystal. Though he was still hesitant about going into the caves.

"Plus I doubt the masters would allow me to go in, let enough alone." He was no Jedi and he was a bit weary of them, though a couple of them he liked. In fact, there were very few he didn't like.

 

[Bubák]

Shortly after the Knight left to chat with other Jedi, Elizie focused on her connection to the Force, spending the time it took to travel to Ilum in a state reminiscent of a standard meditation. The Light Side of the Force gave her hope and strength to overcome any trial that awaited her deep in the frozen caves, possibly separated from others by thick walls of ice. The young Arkania let go of the perception of time and embraced the Light, feeling it wash over her body and give her some extra energy. She’d definitely be needing that if she were to spend a long time inside the caves. The Jedi Code resurfaced in her mind and she repeated over and over, just for herself, inside this ethereal world of comfort and peace she contrasted within her head.

It came to an end when her senses registered the pilot’s announcement among the voices of others. Getting up from the seat and retrieving the coat first, the young Padawan took it on, immediately feeling the heavy material weighting her down. On the bright side, it made her feel really warm, which was ultimately all that mattered on ice cold planets like this. For some reason, she remembered her homeworld, particularly her time not as a Jedi, but as a rich daughter from a noble family. Those times were fun, she could not lie; the same fun she completely replaced with responsibility and duty after becoming a Padawan.

With these thoughts, Elizie made her way to the exit, marching on the ramp, feeling the freezing wind wash over her skin. This made her shiver a bit, but at the same time, she smiled. It was just like home when she ventured out of the city. The snow as white as her hair, the air as chilly as the hearts of many of Arkania’s inhabitants; she loved it all. Feeling and hearing as planet’s white cover crunched beneath her boots, the teenage noble stopped not far from the others and looked around, the white plains looking exactly the same as the last time she visited. It almost felt like yesterday…

The mix of white and blue hue of ice and snow made her realize she had no idea what color would her new crystal have; a silly thought, yet one that made her smile grow wider. She wished for green the last time and the Force granted her the wish. Now though, she had no particular desire for any color, leaving it in the hands of the Force.

For a good moment, she let the breeze that whistled around caress her face and play with her hair before she finally pulled the hood up and turned towards the other Jedi, following Master Rekali and her group. They would not remain together for long; each Jedi had to face their fear alone. Such was the nature of the test. If they helped each other, it was because the Force let them.

 

[Jsc]

Sam played with her cuffs. Ugh. Darn space-suit rigging computer-stuff. Well, if [member="Jack Rand"] didn't want to come. So be it.

"Suit yourself cowboy. I'm off."

She gave him a silly smile and ventured off into the snow. Far too enthusiastic to let anything stop her now. They had a walk to accomplish before straying into the halls of glittering ice that awaited them. Even this close, Sam couldn't wait to be inside.

She even broke into a jog.

 

[Gherron Dragovalor]

Walking out with the other Jedi, Gherron breathed in the cold, icy air of Ilum. He really did enjoy the landscape, and from what he saw in his padawan's expression, the kaleesh did too. Smirking softly, he tapped him on the shoulder. "Come on Rael, the real treat is inside the caves. Trust me, it's amazing." He raised an eyebrow, smiling as he watched [member="Sam Jhovna"] jog past. Either she was in a hurry, or she had a set plan. Knowing her, more likely the latter was true.

[member="Rael sul B'an"]

 

[cowboyrepeater]

[member="Aaralyn Rekali"][member="Kosuke Yamauchi"]

"Hello," Layna said, turning her head to see Kosuke standing beside her barefoot.

She regarded him a moment before adding

"I hope we are out of this soon."

Out of courtesy she chose not to remark on his bare feet. It probably had cultural significance. The Twi'lek was glad for her own boots; Jedi or not, it was frigid. She looked over her shoulder for her new Master.

It still seemed strange to have a Master. Having one meant she may yet be a Knight of the Order. She had only spoken briefly to Master Aralyn. She was fortunate to have such a teacher and mentor.

Aralyn was a master of several lightsaber forms including Soresu. Recently the youth had discovered her affinity for the third form. She looked forward to personal tuition from her Master. She would also seek to learn the fourth form to compliment Soresu.

One step at a time, she told herself. First, she would find her crystal. Then with lightsaber made she would work on mastering the forms.