Dominion Winter Wonderland | GA Dominion of Zeltros

[Spirit of Diligence]

Zeltros, a planet of opulence and hedonism, constantly in a state of never-ending revelry. Many an Invasion has ground to a halt, the invaders overtaken by the celebratory atmosphere and powerful pheromones of the native inhabitants. For the first time since anyone can remember, it has begun to snow on Zeltros, coating much of the planet in a blanket of pristine snow.

A LITTLE THING CALLED LIFE DAY

The planet being covered in snow has done little to dissuade the revelry, and in some cases, it seems to have only caused it to grow. The festivities have grown to a roaring raucous, as food and drink of all kinds flow freely and the people mingle. Now is a time to make connections, or merely enjoy the revelry, for on Zeltros, the holiday season doesn't last a single day or week, it lasts months!

THE RETURN OF PAZAAK

In much of the Galaxy the game of Sabacc has become the dominant pastime that many seek to master. However, in some corners of the Galaxy, the much older Pazaak still holds sway. Zeltros is once more hosting the Annual Pure Pazaak Golden Gala and players from across the Galaxy have arrived to test their hand and bet it all on winning the Grand Prize, a rare item of unknown origin. Do you dare attempt to win the Grand Prize?


​

Spoiler: Rules

• Each Player will roll a d6 and a d4
• Players may choose to either add the result of the d6 or subtract the result of the d4 from their score. They cannot choose both results.
• Play will continue for 5 Rounds (5 Posts)
• The closest to 20 without going over wins the Grand Prize (a Factory or Codex item created by GA Staff)

​

MAGIC IN THAT OLD HAT

The Children of Zeltros have been enjoying the snow just as much as anyone else. In fact, a group of them have just built a snowman and adorned it with a beautiful, black top hat. However, what no one has known, is that the hat was an ancient Force Imbued Artifact, lost since the days of the Old Jedi Civil War. The Snowman has sprung to life and created an army of snowmen to conquer the planet. Take up arms against this army of snowmen, with a Candy Cane sword in one hand, and snowballs in the other, defeat the Army of Snowmen, and save the planet from Frosty ruin.

BYOO
Zeltros has many aspects and features to explore. Take your time and enjoy the moments and discoveries you're bound to find.

​

​

 

[Vynara Rylthar]

Diplomatic Mission
Admiralty Board of the Free Zeltros Navy

Zeltros. Despite being a world of peace, parties and hedonism, had found themselves with quite a navy over the years. After a brief action at Keshi, 5th fleet had gone to berth in orbit for repair and refit, eventually joining with the Galactic Alliance vanguard. Vynara had spent days poring over her logs, writing casualty letters home to the folks of the deceased and other mundane tasks of logistics a small fleet Cmdr must attend to.

Then she'd been tapped by Alliance Naval Command for a diplomatic mission. In her head she balked a bit, choking on the knowledge she'd have to face a board of Admirals from the Zeltros Free Navy. Already she felt the warm bliss of the planet taking her, flushing her pale cheeks red in sharp contrast to her grey and orange Class A uniform.

She was poised to knock upon the grand doors of the hall and dine with the Admiralty and other delegates the Alliance had sent in tow with her. She noted they'd sent a Jedi Knight as part of her security detail. Beside her stood Captain Cortan, Captain of her Flagship Resolute Dawn in matching attire. A trio of Marine guards flanked them. All parties appeared unarmed to the naked eye despite holdout blasters and synth-weave vests under their garb.

You never know. Here goes...​

She knocked once, twice and a third time, striking the door a solid blow each iteration. Then the door s swung back, to reveal a grand hall built of dark stone, with wonderful teal, purple and blue tiles across the twenty five of so meter hall. In the center sat a long table, adorned with blinking lights, and illustrious foods and wines.

She stepped in, making her way to her designated seat and then the procession followed, striking small bow as they pulled their seats and sat in unison.

Their Zeltron host graciously began.

"To what do the Admiralty of the Free Navy owe the pleasure Commander?"

She did not clear her throat but nodded cool and composed.

"We hope to negotiate a suitable deal between the Free Navy and GADF. The Alliance recognizes the Zeltrons have held sovereignty over their system for the history of the Galaxy. We hope to honor that and find a winning solution that strengthens the Alliance Navy as well."

The Zeltron nodded...

She paused, leaving space for any others from the delegation to make their opening statements...

 

[Rik Perris]

A LITTLE THING CALLED LIFE DAY
CITY CENTRE, ZELTROS CITY​

What Rik looked forward to the most for Life Day itself every year was celebrating with family; the coziness of being at home with his parents, brothers, and sisters all gathered together, the mix of Corellian and Alderaanian traditions, his mom's ryshcate... oh, all that and more made him smile when he thought of it. Like it couldn't be helped.

Until then, there were parties and celebrations throughout the season that he could take in all the same, when he had a little time. Like now? Rik had more than a little. Enough to really enjoy the season as much as possible, do favours for friends, and even let his thoughts wander...

But today, he was here in the moment. Life Day on Zeltros wasn't ever anything he'd considered as a thing, despite the fact that he had met some Zeltrons over the years; most of those relationships were professional, and rarely strayed into talking about stuff like this. So when he heard through the grapevine that a bunch of Alliance types were going to take part in the festivities, he was curious. Seeing Zeltros in a different way... well, why not, eh?

So after poking around to see what was on offer for food and drink, Rik grabbed a warm spiced cider, zipped up his coat a little more to keep out the chill, and went to walk the capital city, to really see what it looked like under this rare and fluffy, frigid blanket. Snow could be magical, if you weren't hunkered down in a snowbank, and on the job.

His breaths came out in slow clouds while he walked, and his boots made soft crunches on the footpath as he moved through the throng of people, looking up at buildings and shops, and stopping occasionally for a spell to get a good look at some decorations. It was pretty cool to see the kinds of decorations that different cultures made for Life Day, the different colours and symbols, and how they were hung. One even caught his attention enough, that he wasn't quite watching where he was going!

"I wonder if mom would like tha--"

And he walked right into someone! Rik stopped right away and turned his head to see just who he'd ran into, backing up a step and working a gloved hand through his snow-speckled hair while he did, with an apology on his tongue, and a polite smile on his face.

"--sorry! Totally my fault, wasn't watching..."

Thank goodness he didn't drop his cider. Thank goodness for takeout lids!

OPEN TO INTERACTION! ​

 

[Matthew of Valendale]

TAGS: Rik Perris
​

Matthew thought perhaps this would be a good opportunity to let his little monsters— Jackie Rosso , Roman Vossari , and Roten —wander freely and enjoy the festivities. It was a rare chance to take a break from his typical masked duties. He was savoring a sip of hot chocolate when someone bumped into him.

Unfortunately, unlike Rik, Matthew was a bit clumsy. The jostle shook him from his distant thoughts, and his cup slipped from his grasp. His wings instinctively flared open as the cup fell, hitting the ground with a splatter of steaming cocoa.

Turning to face the person who had bumped into him, his wings brushed against some snow-laden branches. The motion sent a flurry of icy snow cascading down, dousing Matthew and coating him in the cold, hardened frost.

He shook off the snow, stepping back awkwardly and nearly tripping over the uneven buildup beneath his feet. After a moment, he steadied himself and let out a sheepish laugh. "Oh... uh... sorry about that."

Matthew reached up to brush the snow from his hair and shoulders, his feathers trembling slightly before puffing up like a startled pincushion.
He moved to kneel down to take a look at the damages to his drink in the snow below.

 

[Diogo Talon]

OBJECTIVE 1: Lookin' to be cheered up
LOCATION: Purposefully ambiguous
TAGS: Open​

Diogo frowned, nursing a warm drink thick with fragrant notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and cloves, while wearing a drooping Life Day hat, and feeling miserable. Sitting on a firm bench, he observed those around him.

He finally got what he wanted, didn't he—some rest and relaxation? 'Cept, all he could think about was what was gonna go wrong. A recent vacation to Niamos ended in abduction by Rishi pirates. Fine, chit happens. But not long after, a getaway to Keshi ended with him knee deep in spider guts; and, thanks to some bone-plated buckethead with a penchant for electricity and a menagerie of horrifying creatures, his still-recovering body hurt like hell. So, how could he not worry? What the feth was gonna happen this time?

Diogo raised his glass, to nobody in particular, and took a sip. He looked out, his eyes following the falling snowflakes. He imagined himself laying in the snow—tipsily making snow angels until he couldn't feel anything anymore—as he waited for the other shoe to drop.

Maybe a Lady Velvet novel would cheer me up. Wait... what? Diogo crinkled his nose. Damn Zeltron pheromones had him all kinds of messed up.

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

OBJECTIVE 1: Celebrate his cultural holiday
LOCATION: Just around
TAGS: Diogo Talon

​

A towering Wookie walked, draped in a massive red robe that rippled softly with each slow, deliberate step. The robe, richly dyed, swayed around his legs like a ceremonial mantle, its deep crimson hue stark against the white snow gathering at its hem. Large, furry hands, gnarled with age and wisdom, held a Life Day Orb with reverence. The orb sat gently within his palms—this fragile yet powerful symbol—glowing as though it cradled the very essence of the stars themselves.

The Life Day Orb was a wonder to behold. Its surface shifted and swirled like living space; brilliant streams of azure blues and luminous cyans danced across its texture, blending like the gases of far-off nebulae caught in eternal motion. Twinkling lights scattered throughout, appearing as pinpricks of starlight shimmering within the orb's depths—tiny galaxies trapped in a fragile sphere of glowing glass. Its brilliance pulsed faintly, its glow breathing in harmony with the Wookiee's own calm. He walked without haste, his massive form casting a long shadow upon the snow, his presence both solemn and sacred.

Moving toward the center of the celebrations, where others—Zeltrons and travelers from every corner of the galaxy—gathered to share in the revelry. Golden eyes shined faintly out from under the red hood over his furry visage as he gracefully sat next to another sipping a drink. A youngman with distinct green hair.

For who was better suited to teach about the meaning of Life Day, than a wookie?

 

[Roten]

Zeltros
Tags: Rik Perris , Matthew of Valendale

​

"--sorry! Totally my fault, wasn't watching..."

"Oh... uh... sorry about that."

"It's impressive that you walked into a dude that's seven feet tall actually," Roten noted, shuffling up to his master.

This place was awful, and it wasn't about the wet and cold part. It was those blasted pheromones stinking up the place. No wonder he always saw Jackie Rosso as greasy. This was borderline overwhelming. It was probably just as pungent as the communal lavatory the pirates used, at least as far as the strength of the smell. At least it wasn't the smell of nasty criminal body sweat and cheap booze.

Just really sickening body spray.

"This place reeks," the Bursantian sighed, "I feel like I'm swimming in perfume, but like the kind old people use to mask the smell of their bodies decaying."

How did he even have fun in a place like this? Not that he wanted to have fun. That was childish. He just wanted a good fight. Which was getting stronger. Not fun.

Gods, he was being broken in like a house cat...

 

[Shan Pavond]

Snow. Huh. That was something Shan hadn't really been able to see much recently. Twirling a few stray snowflakes around his hand as the Mirialan sat outside in the cold. Enjoying the weather as well as he could. 'Tis the season to be jolly and all of that. It was also a good time for him to try and relax once again.

This seemed like an interesting first time on Zeltros. With all of the joy and cheer in the air. Alongside a chemical cocktail of pheromones all over the place. For now though, Shan scrolled through his datapad to read through a few small stories. Now that he was going to try and relax, it was a perfect time to start reading through the backlogs of stories he had built up. Of course there were probably plenty of romance books he could be reading considering where he was...but alas the Mirialan had lost his interest in romance. It was far too much work in his eyes. And it had a chance to ruin friendships.

That thought just caused Shan to run a hand down his face, letting out a long groan. Why did he have to start thinking about that now of all times? Today was meant to be a time to relax. Not a time to dwell on past regrets and mistakes. It was time to celebrate Life Day after all and be grateful for what he had. Which were...erh...just give him a little bit of time to figure out.

 

[Reima Vitalis]

OBJECTIVE 2: THE RETURN OF PAZAAK

Round 1 of 5​

Reima Vitalis was resplendent in a fashionable black dress, a confection designed by the esteemed fashion house of Blue Lotus that favored her lean figure. Reima preferred racing to gaming, and she preferred Sabacc to Pazaak, but the Pure Pazaak Golden Gala was the stuff of legends and when the opportunity arose to take part, she was all too happy to give it a try. She had played Pazaak, of course, though like Sabacc she gathered every parlor and casino had its own little twists and nuances to the rules, so she was on alert to be sure she played to advantage if she could.

After a few minutes of observing and nursing an old fashioned, she stepped forward to one of the empty chairs, placing a sizeable stack of chips on the appropriate spot on the table as she settled herself down. "Deal me in, please," she told the dealer, then sat back to review the hand she was dealt. (d4 rolled on rolladie.net).

Open to Interaction​

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Zeltros | OBJECTIVE : II | TAG (FRIENDLY) : @ | TAG (FOE) : @

MAGIC IN THAT OLD HAT

Buster LOVED the snow! It was hilarious to watch. To see the little guy prancing around and just living his best life made Connel’s heart just sing as he could do was laugh and sling snow into the air and play with him and play with local children on top of that, all the better! More playmates! He had sent a message to Ryana mina about bringing Pip out here for some fun, and hoped she would. He had not seen his Padawan and friend for a bit and they needed to catch up. He was sure they would have a blast out there. He just needed to wait until the snow stopped and the snow cleared before they could go further than right next to his ship.

His steward droid was all too happy to stay within the ship and “Brad” was regulating the surrounding temperatures so all was fine.

Famous last words.

What looked to be “snowmen” were suddenly popping up and throwing snowballs at the kids. They seemed to be organized, and determined to conquer. This was a small army forming…

… of snowmen…

… yeah.

There was clearly something wrong here as two of them caught eyesight of him and Buster. Connel’s first instinct was to get Buster inside the ship but that was not happening. It was the first time he had ever seen the Mountain Aak Dog growl and someone, or in this case something. Buster took off after one of the snowmen and charged right into it. Popping and digging out the other side, he…

… well…

… he relieved himself on the snowman

 

[Vera Noble]

Zeltros

​

Tag: Aris Noble

​

The crisp Zeltros air was a curious mix of winter chill and the faintly sweet aroma of holiday festivities. Decorations hung from vibrant buildings in an array of colors, and the sound of music and laughter echoed across the lively city streets. Despite the festive warmth, the ground was coated with an uncharacteristic blanket of snow — a rare weather phenomenon on the pleasure planet that had brought both locals and visitors out to play.

In a small, quiet courtyard away from the bustling crowds, Vera crouched over a pile of fresh snow, her face alight with determination and mischief. Her gloved hands pressed the powder together with precision, and a faint shimmer of runic energy glowed faintly in the air around her. A series of delicate symbols carved into the frosty surface hummed with life, each one carefully etched and meticulously infused with Force energy.

"Dad always makes this look so easy," she muttered, her violet eyes narrowing in concentration as she traced another rune. "But he didn't want to come here. Not exactly his kind of place." A small grin tugged at her lips. "Said something about taking Mom somewhere else for their anniversary. Probably a good thing… don't think he'd survive all the noise here." That and he wasn't a fan of the pheromones.

"We should probably get them a gift, too. For Life day. They always spoil us, so maybe we should do something for them? With the new baby and the holidays, and all."

Vera chuckled softly to herself, then glanced over her shoulder to make sure her brother, Aris, hadn't wandered off. "You're gonna love this, Aris!" she called out, her voice brimming with excitement. "Dad taught me how to do this ages ago, but I've been practicing. Watch this."

With a final flourish, she pressed her hands firmly against the chest of her creation and channeled the Force into the runes. The snow shifted, the faint glow intensifying until it coalesced into movement. Slowly but surely, the snowman began to rise, its lumpy form reshaping into something more animated. Two rounded arms lifted from its sides, and a crude but oddly charming face formed in the center, complete with jagged snow teeth that curled into an unsettlingly mischievous grin.

The snow golem stretched, its movements stiff and exaggerated as it came to life. Vera stood back, her hands on her hips and a triumphant smirk on her face. "Ta-da! Now he just needs some weapons."

The golem turned its head toward her with a curious tilt, then to Aris, its jagged smile widening in what could only be described as impish delight.

​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

BYOO
Valery Noble
​

Isolated from most galactic holidays, today was just like any other on far-removed Midvinter, and any native might be forgiven for not knowing what had so many foreign worlds celebrating to their hearts' content. For those keeping up with the galactic calendar would know today was Life Day. The Valkyri had their own such holiday set in the middle of their long winters, called Yuletide — a time for clans to feast together in defiance of the darkest time of the year, shunning the bitter cold by warming their homes with love and charity by exchanging gifts and making plans for the thaw.

But Thurion knew Life Day and its customs well. This year marked yet another spent alone in a house too void of life for such an occasion. Whereas in the past he and his wife would have danced and shared laughs together, the last few years had been spent dutifully awaiting her return. Neither did the pitter-patter of tiny feet delight his ears, for there were none to be found within his halls. Time had simply left him behind.

This year would be different, he decided.

Thurion closed his eyes firmly shut, forehead creasing as he drew upon his newfound powers bestowed to him in the name of just vengeance. He'd been an instrument of Justice since that fateful day defending the Wellspring of Life, summoned unto the most dire battlefields that he might turn the tide or accomplish some greater goal. Today, of all days, he decided himself being worthy of more than death and mayhem.

His expression softened as he felt in control. "Valery," he whispered, then opened his eyes. Before him the maelstrom had appeared, not as a summon but as a means of transportation. Beyond he could hear joyful laughter and the crunching of snow, and the light of day shone through the swirling mist. Thurion strode forth, for once unburdened by arms and armour as he appeared on the other side in a cloud of aetherial mist.

"This is Zeltros," he remarked aloud as he marveled at the winter wonderland. It wasn't cold, at least not compared to what he was used to, but mild and inviting to the senses. He spotted a familiar sight in his dear friend, having appeared but a handful of feet from her.

"Val," he said, overjoyed to see her. It wasn't until she turned to him that he was made privy to her very advanced condition, and a pang of guilt hit him. Had it truly been that long since last they saw each other? It stifled his stride somewhat, yet he made it to her regardless and gently put his arms around her.

It felt good, not being alone.

 

[Ryana mina]

Objective 2
Connel Vanagor


Ryana had gotten her masters message and was happy to oblige and show up mainly so they could catch up and so she could see buster. But partially so she could see how pip reacted to snow she had managed to get him in a cute outfit to help keep him warm or atleast that was the idea as they landed close to connels ship. Much to her amusement pip saw buster as ryana was finishing the landing sequence and got super excited "Oh is that buster is that your best friend" she said as pip spoke up in agreement as he began running around the cockpit in excitement which made her smile.

As she finished her final sequence she got up and pip immediately climbed up onto her shoulder chittering as he couldn't handle his excitement she had grabbed a heavy coat and the gold bracelet she had imbued on ukatis was around her gloved hand. She had on a warm hat that covered her lekku that had little white balls of fuzz at the tips as she walked out into the snow and towards connel and buster when she saw buster peeing on what was once a snowman "buster you come here" she said as buster came running as he finished his business.

Ryana knelt down to give buster headscratches as busters butt began wiggling and wagging as his tail whent a lightyear a second as he licked her face "oh I've missed you to" she said as she and pip played with buster the lethan twilek smiled. As she saw pip and buster playing in the light snow around connels ship she had noticed the snow men "is this common for lifeday?" She asked connel looking at him.

 

[Makko Vyres]

M A K K O​

outfit

Corazona von Ascania

Makko had never been to the homeworld of the Zeltron. After a recent trip for a Ukatis gala he was slightly unsure how Cora would deal with the pheromones flying around a celebration.

They had taken a walk towards a marketplace. Instead of a raucous part, they were enjoying the old and beautiful city. It was even more of a sight with the dusting of snow. He was hoping to find somewhere particularly picturesque.

He was frequently distracted by sightseeing by the very simple act of walking in his heavy boots. There was childlike wonder in his smile every time he crunched fresh snow underfoot. Makko - much like many of the Zeltrons - had never experienced winter snow before.

"What about books for gifts?" he asked Cora. A gentle tug on her hand directing them towards a small shop. They still had a lot of names on the list to check off.

 

[Valery Noble]

​

Outfit: winter coat | Wedding Ring

Valery stood amidst the snow-covered wonderland, her amber eyes bright as she watched her children frolic in the soft powder. Their laughter echoed like music through the air, each sound warming her more than the mild Zeltros winter ever could. A hand rested gently on her rounded belly, her connection to the life within her an ever-present reminder of the blessings in her life. She felt the approach before she saw him, a familiar presence calling to her through the Force like a warm flame in the cold.

When she heard her name spoken aloud, Valery turned sharply, her gaze falling on the tall, imposing figure that had appeared out of ethereal mist. "Thurion," she breathed, her surprise melting into a radiant smile. She didn't hesitate as he approached, opening her arms wide to meet his embrace. The hug was gentle yet full of warmth, a gesture that carried the weight of time and the unspoken bond they shared.

"You picked a good day to surprise me," she teased lightly, stepping back just enough to look up at him. Her amber eyes shimmered with emotion as she took in his features. There was joy in seeing him again, but also a flicker of concern. "But it's been far too long, my friend. You've been keeping yourself busy, haven't you?"

Her tone was warm and maternal, laced with the subtle hint of a scolding for his absence.

As she stepped back fully, Valery's hand instinctively moved to her belly, her smirk softening into a knowing grin as she noticed his gaze flicker downward. "Surprised?" she asked, tilting her head. "I've been keeping busy too, as you can see."

Her expression softened further, and she reached out to touch his arm lightly. "I'm glad you're here, Thurion. It's good to see you smiling again." For all her teasing, her words carried an undeniable sincerity. After all, Life Day wasn't just about family and celebration — it was about connection and finding light in the darkest times.

"I was planning to get some gifts for the kid and husband. Would you like to join me?"

Thurion Heavenshield ​

 

[Diogo Talon]

Tag: Grrwunhoooll Agaburry

"Hey, man, that seats tak-" Diogo started, but stopped himself. Feth it. "Ah, nevermind. Sup. Happy Life Day, or whatever."

Diogo didn't have the energy. It was easier to just be submissive when you were still licking your wounds. Besides, if chit went down here, this big guy would probably tank a few blaster shots for him. The scruffy, green-haired boy sipped at his drink, hoping its strong and sweet notes would block out the smell of wet Wookiee.

His glance shifted to the orb in the Wookiee's hands. The blue, crystalline glow danced happily in his pale, wounded eyes.

"This is originally your peoples' holiday, right?" he asked the large furball. "What are you doin' here on Zeltros? Celebratin' with some purple love?"

 

[Kara Jade]

Location: City Centre, Zeltros City
Objective: Enjoy the Life Day Festivities
Tags: Aiden Rennek​

It had been a long time since Kara had gotten the chance to properly enjoy Life Day. The past number of years had been a whirlwind, resulting in having to uproot her life. Although it certainly wasn’t the first time. That happened when her sensitivity to the Force had ‘awakened’ a lot later in life. The resulting incident almost landed her in jail, but the New Jedi Order had found her instead. But even that wasn’t without its issues.

During her journey from Padawan to Knight, Kara experienced a near-death experience on Ilum. That had led her to drink, if only for a night or two to drown out the initial nightmares. It was at a bar that she met a handsome and charming marine, the night they spent together resulted in the second reason.

Cassius Jade, her son and joy of her life.

But life wasn’t ever without its drama. And try as she might, Kara was unable to track Aiden down to break the news. It reached a point where she had almost risked both her life and that of her unborn child. It took her friends finally talking sense into her, for Kara to relent in her search. Eventually though, a chance encounter with a mutual party revealed the fact Aiden had reunited with an old love.

Not seeking to be the source of a wedge between the two, Kara uprooted her life. She stepped away from the Order, and left Coruscant to make a new life far away.

Fast forward to today, Kara had brought Cass with her to Zeltros. Snow had fallen heavily upon the planet, and Kara knew she couldn’t miss the opportunity to let her son experience his first bit of proper snow.

Both were dressed in warm layers, wearing matching wooly hats. They had only just arrived, opting to take a casual walk around the city centre. Cassius was held aloft in her arms, head on a swivel as he took in all the activity around him.

“Mama, look at all the lights!” He said excitedly, bringing a smile to Kara’s face as she looked up.

“I know, aren’t they all so pretty?”

 

[Aiden Rennek]

​

Life Day wasn't supposed to feel like this.

Zeltros, with its glowing lights and infectious cheer, felt like the complete opposite of what had become his new reality. For years, Aiden had imagined spending this day with Briana — laughing, sharing quiet moments, and building a life together. Instead, he wandered the snowy streets alone, a heavy coat shielding him from the cold, but doing little to warm the hollow ache inside his chest.

The amnesia had changed everything.

At first, he'd thought the gaps in his memory would close with time, that he'd reclaim the life he'd lost. But as weeks turned into months, the pieces didn't fit like they used to. The connection he once felt with Briana — the spark that had pulled them together — was missing. She had tried, he knew, but something in him had shifted. And in the end, they had made the decision together.

Life felt adrift now. He was a soldier with a personal war to fight, a man without a place to belong. And so, here he was, on Zeltros, wandering through the sea of happy faces with no clear destination. His squad had insisted he come, told him to "enjoy the lights, the drinks, and the company." They hadn't realized just how foreign the idea of company felt these days.

His boots crunched through the snow as his mind drifted, lost in the static haze that had become all too familiar. Until a voice — a bright, joyful voice — cut through it all.

"Mama, look at all the lights!"

Aiden froze mid-step. The sound tugged at something deep inside him, and he found himself turning instinctively toward its source. A woman stood just a few feet away, holding a small boy in her arms. Her blonde hair peeked out from under a wooly hat, and her laugh — soft and full of warmth — stopped him in his tracks.

"Kara," he said, her name slipping out before he even realized it. The sound of his own voice startled him as much as the sight of her. She turned at the sound, her golden eyes widening as they met his.

Aiden's breath caught. He hadn't seen her since… stars, how long had it been? That night had been a blur of laughter and fleeting passion, a memory buried under the weight of everything that came after. But now, standing here, she was real. And so was the boy in her arms.

Aiden's gaze dropped to the child, taking in his dark hair and bright, curious eyes. Something shifted in his chest, a feeling he couldn't quite place. He didn't know how, or why, but the boy felt… familiar.

"Kara," he said again, softer this time, as he took a step closer. "It's… been a long time." His green eyes flicked between her and the boy, his mind racing. "I—uh—I didn't think I'd ever see you again."

And then, against the backdrop of falling snow and the glow of Life Day lights, he asked the question that had already planted itself firmly in his mind.

Kara Jade ​

 

[Connel Vanagor]

"In my experience,
when you think you
understand the Force,
you realize just
how little you know"​

[COMM TRAFFIC]
LOCATION : Zeltros | OBJECTIVE : II | TAG (FRIENDLY) : Ryana mina | TAG (FOE) : @

MAGIC IN THAT OLD HAT

Chapter 1: The Snowy Encounter

Jedi Knight Connel Vanagor trudged through the thick snow on the planet Zeltros, his faithful dog Buster by his side. The two of them were on a mission to investigate reports of strange disturbances in the Force on this remote world. As they made their way through the snow-covered landscape, Connel couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows, a Lethan Twi'lek with vibrant red skin and piercing green eyes. She was accompanied by a raccoon-like creature that chattered excitedly as it scampered around her feet.

"Padawan Ryana Mina," Connel greeted her with a nod. "What brings you to Zeltros on Wookiee Life Day?"

Ryana smiled warmly at her master. "I sensed a disturbance in the Force and felt compelled to investigate. And Pip here insisted on coming along."

Connel chuckled at the antics of the racyon. "Well, it seems we are all here for the same reason. Let us join forces and uncover the source of this disturbance."

As they continued their journey through the snow-covered landscape, they encountered strange snowmen that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Each snowman had a different expression on its face, some smiling, some frowning, and others looking downright menacing.

Buster growled low in his throat, sensing the dark energy emanating from the snowmen. Connel ignited his lightsaber, ready to defend himself and his companions if necessary.

Ryana reached out with the Force, trying to sense the intentions of the snowmen. "They are not alive," she said, her voice tinged with confusion. "But there is something... off about them."

Just then, one of the snowmen lunged at Connel with surprising speed, its icy hands reaching for his throat. Connel deftly dodged the attack and sliced the snowman in half with his lightsaber.

More snowmen appeared, surrounding the group on all sides. Connel and Ryana fought back-to-back, their lightsabers flashing in the dim light of the snowy landscape. Pip chattered excitedly, leaping onto the snowmen and clawing at their icy bodies.

As the battle raged on, Connel couldn't help but admire Ryana's skill with her lightsaber. She moved with grace and precision, her movements fluid and controlled. Together, they made a formidable team, each covering the other's back in the heat of battle.

Finally, the last of the snowmen lay in pieces at their feet. Connel deactivated his lightsaber and turned to Ryana with a smile. "Well done, Padawan. You fought with courage and skill."

Ryana beamed at her master, her eyes shining with pride. "Thank you, Master. I couldn't have done it without your guidance."

As they stood amidst the wreckage of the snowmen, a sense of peace settled over the group. The disturbance in the Force had been vanquished, and they could finally enjoy the beauty of the snow-covered landscape on Wookiee Life Day.

And so, Jedi Knight Connel Vanagor, Padawan Ryana Mina, Buster, and Pip continued their journey through the snowy world of Zeltros, united in their quest for justice and peace in the galaxy.

HUH? Snapping out of what was clearly a daydream. Pip and Buster were busy having a BLAST(Pip was looking festive) and Ryana just asked him a question.

Wha? Ohhh oh hi! I… no… never really seen this before, but I grew up on an island on Alderaan, so… what do I know? Heh. How’ve you been? He knew she was taking a few “classes” on her own and was glad to see it, it not only gave her more confidence but more skills as well. It also made these reunions that much more fun.

Before he knew it, Pip was climbing up his pant leg (Connel rarely got to wear “regular clothes” like a tunic, pants and boots, though his “gear” was in the ship if necessary) and reaching into his jacket pocket. You little cheater!

The Racyon then took off with two paws full of “dog treats” to share with Buster. Connel did not bother chasing, he just watched with a grin shaking his head. Then another snowman popped out of nowhere, throwing snowballs in all directions. Uhhh…

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

​

Growing up, Cora had experienced the wonder of snowfall like clockwork. Ukatis, though temperate, was colder than Zeltros. Winter could be a particularly harsh season.

Wandering through snow-capped streets was familiar, but it did not lessen her contentment. She spied a pair of native Zeltrons in chic, fur-lined outfits that exposed enough of their midriff and legs to catch the eye of a foreigner.

Cora leaned closer to Makko Vyres and whispered, "How are they not cold?"

She giggled and squeezed his hand as he guided her in the direction of a quaint book store. Her attention shifted from the Zeltrons to the snow lined awning, to the display in the window. There, lined up for a special holiday sale, were Lady Velvet's latest releases.

A pink flush surfaced on pale cheeks. A gentle gust of wind had a few cold crystals landing on her face, which melted quickly.

"Oh, are you sur-"

A soft jingle could be heard as they passed through the door of The Scorched Corset.