Public The Tree that Bends Does Not Break

[Braze]

TAGS: Open to a few players who wanna get swept in to a force nexus

​

"Welcome, seeker of the hidden truths. I am Master Shae'lan Vosara, guardian of this ancient holocron. As you engage with this archive, let it guide you to a deeper understanding of the Force.

The path of the Jedi requires more than discipline; it demands harmony with the universe and a commitment to peace. Remember, true strength lies not in power but in wisdom and balance.

Your first challenge is to embody the following wisdom: 'The tree that bends does not break.' To do so, you will undertake a test of endurance and focus. Assume the horse stance—a foundational martial arts position where you stand with your feet wide apart, knees bent, and thighs parallel to the ground, as if sitting on a horse. You are to maintain this stance for four hours.

During this exercise, concentrate on the flow of the Force around and within you. Meditate on resilience and adaptability, using your breath to maintain calmness and concentration. This task will challenge your physical endurance and your ability to remain mentally composed under prolonged discomfort.

Successfully completing this challenge will unlock further wisdom within this holocron. Embrace this opportunity to strengthen your connection to the Force, and demonstrate your readiness to advance on the path of the Jedi.

May the Force guide your heart and enlighten your mind as you step forward into the legacy of the Jedi, embracing the challenges and triumphs that await."

Ever since encountering the stupid holocron his father left him, Braze had been pushing himself , training to hold the horse stance longer and longer. What began as a simple exercise had become an obsession, his muscles burning as though on fire, legs trembling from the strain. But the holocron had shown him old techniques, and Braze wasn't one to back down, no matter how grueling.

Building upon his training with Xojo on Dorin, Braze delved into Force Body and Breath Control, seeking to endure the unbearable. As he neared the four-hour mark, his body felt like it was tearing apart, but his breath remained steady, the Force flowing through him, sustaining him. His muscles quivered under the strain, yet the Force acted like armor, converting his pain into strength.

In the quiet field under the oak tree, Master Shae'lan Vosara's holographic form appeared, observing Braze with calm authority. "Your body suffers, but it is your spirit that must endure. The Force gives, but it also demands. Know when to push—and when to yield."

Braze, eyes shut, tuned out the world, focusing on the Force as his muscles continued to burn. Master Vosara's voice echoed in his mind, "The tree that bends does not break." As Braze's body edged closer to collapse, his spirit remained ironclad.

When the four-hour mark passed, Braze exhaled slowly, releasing the horse stance with a sense of triumph. Though exhausted, his heart swelled with pride.

"You have done well, Braze," Vosara said gently. "You've shown not just strength, but endurance of spirit. You have passed the trial, young seeker. The path you tread, The Dance of Shadows, is not symbolic—it leads to realms hidden within the Force."

With a soft click, a compartment in the holocron opened, revealing a dark, shimmering crystal—the Umbral Prism. It pulsed with faint energy, casting eerie shadows around Braze.

"This is the key to the shadowed realms of twilight," Vosara continued. "It holds forgotten knowledge and great power, but the darkness within is not easily controlled. Use it wisely. The shadows will not easily let you go."

The gatekeeper's form flickered as the holocron quieted, leaving Braze alone with the mysterious artifact, the weight of the next step heavy in the air.

 

[Voraden Tarkos]

Voraden found himself drawn to the scene by the subtle yet undeniable pull of the Force, the quiet field beneath the old oak tree humming with unfamiliar energy. He hadn't planned to be here; in fact, he was certain he'd never been in this place before. But the Force had a way of leading him to unexpected moments, and now, as he stood in the shadows, concealed and unnoticed, he watched with a growing curiosity.

He didn't recognize the young man standing in the horse stance, nor the figure of the holographic projection floating above a strange holocron. He could feel the strain in the air—this stranger was pushing himself to the brink, his muscles trembling from what appeared to be hours of exertion. Voraden's eyes narrowed as he studied the scene, taking in every detail without making a sound. The Force was flowing through the young man, sustaining him, guiding him through the trial that was clearly more than just physical.

Voraden's connection to the dark side pulsed faintly as the scene unfolded. There was something powerful at play here, but it was unfamiliar, something ancient that he couldn't quite place. He kept his distance, knowing that he wasn't part of this trial—he was merely an observer, drawn in by the Force. The voice of the holographic figure spoke in a calm, authoritative tone, giving instructions that Voraden didn't fully understand. The lesson was clear enough, though—this was a test of endurance, not just of body but of spirit.

His attention shifted when the holocron clicked open, revealing a dark, shimmering crystal. The surrounding air changed, pulsing with an eerie energy that sent a chill down Voraden's spine. He recognized the sensation, the unmistakable allure of shadowed power. Though the artifact was foreign to him, the feeling was not. He knew all too well the dangers that came with such things. He could sense the darkness within it, the kind that could either grant immense strength or utterly consume those who sought to wield it.

As the hologram flickered and disappeared, leaving the young man alone with the Umbral Prism, Voraden remained hidden, watching intently. He felt no urge to step in—this was not his place, not his battle. Unless the young man spotted him or sensed his presence through the Force, Voraden would remain a silent observer, content to let the trial play out.

He didn't know who this warrior was, or what power he was seeking, but the shadows now entwined around the scene were all too familiar to Voraden. He watched, waiting to see how this stranger would handle the path before him—whether he would conquer the darkness or be consumed by it.

Braze

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Voraden Tarkos

Braze flopped onto the grass, lying flat on his back, panting heavily as he gasped for air. The cool touch of the earth did little to soothe the burn in his muscles, and with a groan, he shifted his knees side to side, slowly stretching out his lower back. The ache in his body began to ease, though the exhaustion clung to him like a weight. Reaching over for his water bottle, he uncapped it and poured the ice-cold liquid over the back of his head, savoring the sensation as it trickled down his neck. Shaking his head to slick back his messy bangs, he finally took a long drink from the metal bottle.

"By the light, it's about time," he muttered, casting a tired glance at the holocron nearby. A mix of emotions swirled in his mind—satisfaction, frustration, curiosity. He had been so focused on his task that he hadn't realized he was being watched. Scraping himself off the grass-laden ground, Braze stood and moved toward the holocron, which had mysteriously opened.

"What the heck is this for?" he wondered aloud, eyeing the large, shadowy prism that seemed to hum with some unknown energy.

He huffed, letting out a heavy breath as he reached out to grasp the holocron. His fingers barely brushed the surface when it activated, dark wisps swirling about it, and a strange portal began to form. Shadows twisted, opening a rift—an entryway leading to the shadowed realms of twilight,. Braze's eyes widened in surprise as the swirling darkness beckoned him forward.

"Great... all that pain for a stupid rock," he muttered, but the curiosity in his voice betrayed his intrigue.

​

​

​

 

[Voraden Tarkos]

Voraden, now fully stepping into the light of the quiet field, observed the swirling shadows around the portal with a practiced eye. His presence was calm, calculated, as he gauged the young man's reaction. With his crimson cape billowing lightly behind him, Voraden's figure was both regal and imposing, the crimson skin of his Sith Pureblood heritage making him a striking figure against the backdrop of dark energy.

As Braze glanced toward the portal, Voraden spoke, his voice deep and steady. "I am Commander Tarkos," he introduced himself, the title carrying the weight of both his rank and authority within the Lilaste Order. "You're standing at the edge of something far more dangerous than you realize."

He paused, letting the warning settle before continuing. "The shadows you're toying with are not just a curiosity. They are part of a greater force that does not forgive carelessness. Trust me, I've seen others fall to such temptations. The darkness can grant you strength, but only if you can master it. If you let it take control, it will consume you."

Voraden's golden eyes met Braze's, their intensity reflecting years of experience in navigating the balance between light and dark. "I speak from experience," he said, referencing his own journey. "I've walked this path before. I was born into the dark side, taught to wield its power from a young age. But I've learned that true mastery comes from control—not submission to the darkness."

He stepped a little closer, his tone softening but still firm. "If you're determined to step through that portal, understand this: the shadows will test you in ways you aren't prepared for. But if you keep your mind sharp, if you remember that you control the dark—not the other way around—you might just survive it. Power isn't worth anything if you don't come out the other side intact."

Voraden's expression remained serious, but not without a hint of empathy. He could see the ambition in Braze's eyes, the drive that reminded him of his own early days under the tutelage of Laphisto "I can offer guidance if you need it. But the choice, ultimately, is yours. Just be sure you're prepared to face what waits on the other side."

He stepped back, folding his arms over his broad chest, giving Braze the space to consider his words. Voraden had offered the young warrior a choice—a chance to heed the warnings of someone who had walked the same treacherous path before. Whether Braze would accept that guidance or face the shadows alone remained to be seen.

Braze

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Voraden Tarkos

Braze stood up, his muscles still trembling slightly from the exertion of the long horse stance. He rolled his shoulders back, shaking out the tension, but the gravity of the portal and the words of Commander Tarkos pulled his attention away from the ache in his body.

"Tarkos," Braze began, echoing the name with a tone that carried wariness. "You speak of control, of mastering the darkness, as if it's something one can truly tame. I've heard that before." His thoughts drifted to Laphisto , a figure who had shared a similar philosophy that Braze had never fully accepted. Control was one thing, but taming the darkness? That was something else entirely.

Braze's gaze shifted as he studied the man before him, noticing the striking resemblance to Akhema , another who had walked a path of shadow and power. Could Tarkos have come from the ancient past as well? The thought flickered through his mind, deepening his caution.

He frowned, the weight of the holocron and its mysteries hanging heavily over him. His father had left him this artifact—why? If it were something dangerous, why would his father, of all people, have left it to him? It didn't make sense. The uncertainty gnawed at him.

"Do you know what's beyond the portal?" Braze asked, his voice edged with suspicion. There was a deeper connection here, something that tied this stranger to the holocron and the Umbral Prism it had revealed. He had a right to be wary, and more than that, he had questions that needed answering.

The unease in Braze's posture was clear, though his words remained steady.

 

[Voraden Tarkos]

Voraden remained calm, his golden eyes fixed on the young man in front of him, reading the tension in his stance. He could sense the conflict within him, the pull between the desire for answers and the fear of what those answers might bring. Voraden knew that feeling all too well—he had lived it for years, caught between the dark side he was born into and the control he fought to maintain.

"You’re right to be wary," Voraden said, his voice steady, carrying the weight of his own experiences. "Control isn’t as simple as taming something wild. The darkness... it’s always there, waiting for a moment of weakness, waiting for you to slip. It’s never easy."

His thoughts briefly flickered back to his own internal struggles, the constant battle he waged since birth. He had been born into the dark side, surrounded by its influence, yet he had never let it rule him. Control wasn’t a victory he could win once and hold onto—it was something he had to earn every day, resisting the pull that came with his Sith heritage.

He stepped forward slightly, his movements deliberate and non-threatening. "I don’t know who you are or what brought you to this moment. But I can see that this holocron is connected to you in ways that go deeper than chance. Whoever left it for you had a reason, but that’s something only you can uncover."

When the young man asked about the portal, Voraden’s eyes shifted to the swirling, shadowed rift. He could feel its pull, the ominous energy emanating from it. "I don’t know exactly what’s beyond that portal," he admitted, his voice low but honest. "I’ve seen gateways like this before—places that exist between realms, where shadow and reality blend. What waits on the other side is linked to the holocron, and somehow... to you. I can sense that much."

Voraden returned his gaze to the young man. "But stepping through that portal is a risk. You could find the answers you seek, or you could lose yourself to whatever darkness lies beyond. It’s not just about what’s on the other side—it’s about whether you’re ready to face the part of yourself this holocron has awakened."

He paused, considering his own struggles again, the constant vigilance he had to maintain to avoid falling to the darker urges within him. "The shadows will test you, not just your strength but your will. If you aren’t prepared, they’ll consume you."

Voraden’s voice softened slightly, though the weight of his words remained. "I can guide you, help you understand what you’re up against. But this choice—it’s yours alone. If you go through that portal, there’s no guarantee of coming back unchanged."

His presence remained steady, his own experience with the dark side shaping the guidance he offered. He wasn’t pushing the young man in any direction, but he wanted him to understand the stakes. This wasn’t just about the holocron—it was about what lay inside him, and whether he was ready to face it.

Braze

 

[Aris Noble]

"Braze?"

Aris spoke up as he approached, his eyes warily drifting between both the Pureblood and this.. Portal. He couldn't feel the Force like others, but he could tell there was something going on here. It made his hair stand on end. Animalistic instinct, perhaps? "What's uh, going on? Are we going to learn something here? Who's this?" Was he a foe, was the real question. Aris had heard the conversation mostly.

He wasn't too sure how to feel about the beliefs this stranger had.

Braze | Voraden Tarkos

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Voraden Tarkos Aris Noble

​

Braze recognized Aris and looked towards him with a sense of relief in his eyes. "Yeah, I'm not sure who this is," he offered, nodding towards the pure-blood figure. "I finally got the Holocron my dad left me to reveal its secrets... It spit out this weird gem, and now this strange... portal is here?" he half-whispered, his gaze locked onto the swirling void.

The ebony wisps surged and coiled like serpents, emanating an otherworldly energy that sent a shiver down his spine.

Braze stepped back uncertainly, glancing between the mysterious man and Aris. "My dad left this for me—it couldn't be bad... right?" he asked, his voice tinged with apprehension.

Suddenly, blackened tendrils shaped like massive claws burst violently through the portal, slamming into Braze's chest with bone-crushing force. The claws wrapped around him perfectly, each talon digging into his flesh as an icy chill spread through his body. Braze's somber jade green eyes widened in sheer terror, his mouth opening in a silent scream.

The air grew thick with a malevolent energy, making it hard to breathe. Braze's hands clawed desperately at the tendrils, his fingernails scraping against the unyielding darkness.

Before Braze could react or even utter a sound, the clawed tendrils yanked violently, ripping Braze off his feet. The sheer force send harsh winds buffeting outwards. Time seemed to slow as they witnessed this brief moment as Braze was dragged toward the swirling abyss, his terrified gaze locked onto Aris. The portal's darkness engulfed him, swallowing his would be screams in to the blackened void leaving nothing but silence and the gaping maw of the blacken portal.

The portal pulsed ominously, the ebony wisps swirling like a storm before beginning to close.

 

[Voraden Tarkos]

Voraden barely had time to introduce himself. "I’m Commander Tarkos—" he began, but before he could finish, the air around them erupted with sudden violence. Dark tendrils shot out from the swirling portal like blackened claws, slamming into the young man who had spoken moments before. The force of the impact sent him flying backward, the tendrils wrapping around him tightly, digging into his flesh.

"Watch out!" Voraden shouted, instinctively reaching out with the Force, but the darkness moved too fast. The young man’s terrified eyes locked onto the other newcomer for a brief moment before the tendrils yanked him toward the abyss.

The portal pulsed violently, the darkness threatening to close in around him. Voraden acted on instinct, surging forward. "No!" he muttered under his breath, moving with speed as he reached out with the Force, trying to keep the portal from sealing completely.

The tendrils disappeared into the void, taking the young man with them, and the swirling darkness began to shrink rapidly. Voraden’s heart pounded as he threw himself forward, determined to get through before it closed. He drew on the Force, channeling it with precision to pull at the edges of the portal, desperately trying to keep it open long enough to follow the man into the darkness.

He had no time to think—only to act. The portal was closing fast, but Voraden pushed ahead, leaping toward the swirling void in a final, desperate attempt to save him.

Braze Aris Noble

 

[Aris Noble]

Everything happened in sort of a blur. The sort that Aris couldn't do anything about. He blinked slowly, but rather than hesitate any longer he rushed forward at a speed not even those who used the Force should have. And just jumped through the portal. He wasn't going to leave Braze alone in whatever this was.

Braze | Voraden Tarkos

 

[Braze]

Aris Noble Voraden Tarkos

As they stepped through the portal, its surface flickered ominously, rippling like the surface of water casting fleeting shadows that danced around them. For the briefest of moments, they caught sight of a pale figure dissolving into a tangle of reeds and tall grass, swaying eerily in an unseen, balmy breeze. It was a subtle moment, almost imperceptible, and a single blink would have caused them to miss it entirely.

An oppressive weight settled over them, the atmosphere thick and clinging, pressing in on their very beings. The world around them twisted and warped, colors muted into darker, duller tones. Above, the sky swirled with shades of gray, casting an unsettling pall over the landscape. Strange, dissonant sounds echoed from all directions, their origins impossible to pinpoint, creating a disorienting auditorial enviornment of whispers and distant cries.

They found themselves in a wild, untamed land where every feature was more obscured and shadowed than the last. The air was heavy with a sense of foreboding, as if emotions were amplified to a primal intensity. The very atmosphere seemed to push them toward a more instinctual state of being, with an underlying current of survival instinct pulsing through their veins. The Force flowed here in a peculiar manner, its usual harmony disrupted, adding to the unsettling sensation that they were now in a realm where darkness reigned supreme and every step forward may have certaintly held unseen dangers.

The ground beneath their feet felt unnaturally soft, almost as if it were alive, pulsating with a hidden energy that resonated through their bodies. Shadows shifted and twisted around them, taking on forms that seemed almost sentient, whispering secrets that clawed at the edges of their sanity.

 

[Voraden Tarkos]

Voraden felt the shift in the air the moment he stepped through the portal. The weight of the atmosphere pressed against him, thick and suffocating, the shadows twisting unnaturally around them. He glanced over at the other man who had followed him through, noting his tension, and quickly shifted his focus to their surroundings.

"This place..." Voraden muttered, his voice low, more thinking aloud than making a declaration. His hand hovered near his saber, though he hadn't drawn it. The air hummed with a dark energy that was almost alive, and the landscape felt hostile, as if the ground itself might rise against them.

He glanced over at Aris, seeing the unease in his face. "Stay sharp," Voraden said, keeping his voice calm but firm. "This place is... off. It’s not just the danger you can see—it’s the kind that’ll mess with your head. We can’t trust anything here."

His eyes scanned the horizon, taking in the muted colors and shifting shadows. He didn’t know what they were facing yet, but he knew they were in hostile territory. They had to find the one who’d been pulled in—the one who Voraden had tried and failed to save moments before.

"We keep moving," Voraden said, stepping forward cautiously, not waiting for a response. He wasn’t leading; he was just moving, driven by the instinct that they couldn’t afford to stay still in a place like this. "Whatever dragged him in, it won’t just let him go. And this place… it feels like it’s watching us."

He didn’t look back, trusting Aris would follow.


Braze Aris Noble

 

[Aris Noble]

"You're hearing things, then?"

Aris glanced about rather calmly, all things considered. Surprise, terror, those sorts of emotions still weren't fully in his grasp for better or worse. The most he felt was worry for his friend. Braze wasn't here. He didn't feel the Force to begin with, and his Epicanthic nature only added more to the fact that what he could see was all that was going to affect him here.

It put him at a disadvantage. He turned his gaze about, trying to find some marker, some sign on where Braze could've gone. Where that thing that had grabbed him went. He found nothing. No sigh, no inkling. His expression tightened only briefly before he followed along after the Sith.

"Who even are you?"

Braze | Voraden Tarkos

 

[Braze]

TAGS: Aris Noble Voraden Tarkos

Large sections of grass rustled as though something immense moved within them. Beyond the shifting stalks, stained-glass windows peeked from behind swaying branches, their colors reflecting softly in the distance. The atmosphere, typically serene, felt disturbed as a powerful wind surged through the valley like a gale. A sound of scraping emerged from ahead, coming from within the tall grasses, followed by a distant, strangled cry—a chilling disturbance in the otherwise peaceful landscape.

Overhead, the sky was dark and gloomy, resembling a bowl lined with rich black velvet adorned with twinkling diamonds in the distance. A large moon provided the only source of light, glowing faintly in full display.

 

[Voraden Tarkos]

"I’m Commander Tarkos of the Lilaste order," Voraden said, his voice steady despite the growing unease gnawing at him. He felt out of place, unsettled by the strange realm they had entered. "This place... I’ve never felt anything like this before."

His eyes scanned the rustling grasses, his hand instinctively tightening on the hilt of his saber. "Whatever’s ahead, it’s getting closer. We’re not alone here."

He paused briefly, turning his gaze back to Aris. "I don’t know what we’re dealing with, but we need to stay sharp."


Braze Aris Noble

 

[Aris Noble]

Aris tightened his fists, glancing around further. He could hear it in the distance, something approaching. So there were things that lived here? "It'll be here in a moment." He readied himself, eyes narrowing further. They needed to find Braze, but, so too did they need to stay alive.

Braze | Voraden Tarkos

 

[DM Player-Slayer]

TAGS: Aris Noble Voraden Tarkos

It seemed the sounds coming from ahead, where the tall grasses swayed, were... moving away? Yes, they were fading, pulling back into the distance. Yet from behind, soft footfalls could be heard, growing nearer. Two neon green pinpricks of light turned in their direction, catching their gaze.

A buxom woman with ash-gray skin and silvery-white hair stepped into view, her movements fluid, almost ethereal. She walked along the path as though the world itself bent to her presence, pausing for a moment to regard the strangers. Her eyes, glowing faintly with an otherworldly allure, held a hint of danger, yet her lips curved into a demure smile, soft and kind.

"Hello there, strangers..." she said, her voice a melodic whisper, as if carried on the wind. "Are you... lost?" The words, though simple, were inviting.

 

[Voraden Tarkos]

Voraden's gaze flicked between the mysterious woman and Aris, his wariness not easing despite the woman's calm demeanor. Her glowing eyes and fluid movements spoke of someone—or something—connected deeply to this realm. The way she addressed them, her tone almost soothing, didn't quite dispel the hint of danger that hung in the air.

"Lost?" Voraden repeated, his voice steady but edged with caution. "We're searching for someone—a friend who was pulled into this place. There's nothing familiar about where we are, and I'd wager that's not an accident."

He glanced briefly at Aris, noting the man's readiness despite the uncertainty. Voraden kept his hand close to his saber, though he made no move to draw it. Turning his full attention back to the woman, he met her gaze directly, unflinching against the faintly glowing green that seemed to pierce the darkness.

"Who are you?" he asked, his tone firm but not hostile. "And what is this place? It's not like any realm I've encountered before." There was a slight pause before he added, "If you know what's happening here, we could use some answers."

He kept his senses attuned to both the woman and the surrounding area, prepared for any sudden change in the atmosphere or movement from the tall grasses behind them. The subtle tension between her inviting demeanor and the eerie environment was not lost on him.

Aris Noble Braze DM Player-Slayer