Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2022 10:10:41 GMT -8
When Lucius spoke of those Ysanna that gave trouble, the Chistori's eyes closed. Such things meant possible violence. It never did to aid any cause. However, if he could gather enough support from those that did agree, any death that transpired in an unfortunate situations would help alleviate any blame aside from those that continued to resist the project.
"I understand. I'll do what I can to keep such encounter civil and refrain where I can should any violence break out. It'll be unpleasant, too be sure, but it is the hard job we must take on to ensure a brighter future. As you said, for the benefit of all. We can only hope that, in time, they will see this before something terrible happens."
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Lucien Malvern
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
Posts: 225
Affiliation: Jedi Lords/Ossus Jedi
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Post by Lucien Malvern on Jan 3, 2023 19:58:06 GMT -8
Lucien clasps his hands together in great delight and relief.
I know I can count on you, Count Terrek. Good nobles, like you, make our heritage rich and strong.
His name could now be counted among those who rose the obscure and unknown to shine as the exemplars of their order. It further was done as not only a gesture to the deeds of Terrek, but to show that many among the Jedi may rise. Given the warlike nature of his culture, he stayed strong to the ideals of the Jedi and became not just any warrior, but a knight of the Force, a sword of the Light, dedicated to cutting away the darkness and protecting the weak.
Is there anything I may provide to you for your elevation?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 9, 2023 23:11:07 GMT -8
Vakim has glad that his state of mind fell in with what Lucien had hoped for. It’s served as a friendly reminder that even though he had his blood and that deep seated desire for darkness and violence, he had stood above it, channeled it and focused himself into a Jedi worth leading others. It was what had ultimately led to his rise to Count. He would ensure that such a thing remained and that those who saw him would continue to see that.
When asked if there was anything that could be provided, the Chistori shook his head.
"You given me more than enough, my lord. Though we must never neglect help from others in times of need, there are something that must be handled with one’s own hands. In this case, creating the next step of my future."
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Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 432
Affiliation: The First Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nem Yin on Feb 9, 2023 11:25:54 GMT -8
"May the Force be with you." Said Nem, offering a crisp salute to a very confused looking Jedi Lord he had just passed on his walk through the castle halls. He was joined by another of his kind, Lilith Zun-qin, shaper adept under Mira Yim and a handmaiden of Yun-Ne'shel. The two made for an odd pair. By this point in time the Jedi Lords were largely used to seeing the presence of Yuuzhan Vong shapers all over Ossus, performing various works as they tirelessly slaved away at repairing the ill stricken planet. They didn't tend to visit the castle that often, though Lilith was a recognizable public figure, having been involved in several projects thus far that had brought renewed growth and vitality to the wounded world. In appropriate expression of her significant role, the female shaper adept was wearing a form fitting sleeveless oozhith gown over her slender grey form. The long skirt swept the ground as she walked, concealing her feet and making her evenly balanced stride appear more as an ethereal glide, as though she were weightless. Despite her raven hued locks being tied back in a tight bun that was secured by a rainbow shelled clip beetle, a single loose strand had managed to escape and swayed in front of her cerulean blue mqaaq'it ocular implants. Her butterfly wing shaped ears fluttered as they walked together, with her unaltered hand resting on the Executor's elbow.As for Nem, well, he had dressed a bit more absurdly for the occasion. You see, it was the intendant's understanding that the Jedi wore robes. While he was aware that the more militant faction of Jedi Lords also incorporated armour into the mix, robes were still rather traditional and frequently seen. So 'when in Coruscant', or so that infidel expression goes, he had opted to wear a set of robes as well. However, somewhere in the doing so the translation seemed to have broken down. There in the middle of the Jedi Lords fortress monastery, the Executor was clad in a robeskin bathrobe. He wore it loosely over his corpse pallor grey flesh, with the front lapel spread widely enough apart to reveal his naked neck all the way down to his navel. Fresh ink had been needled into the skin of his chest, each a Yuuzhan Vong character representing a name of a Praetorite Council member that had been lost on Shili-Secondus. Sadly, the list was quite long. Beneath that Nem seemed by all accounts to be as naked as the day Mira had transplanted his brain into a fresh body. He kept the hood of his bathrobe pulled back to expose his bald scalp ridges and give him an unrestricted view of his surroundings. Another Jedi Lord passed and once again Nem was quick to raise his arm, press his hand to hairless brow, and offer a sharp salute before saying... "May the Force be with you."Another odd look was returned before Nem and Lilith found themselves alone as they walked towards a spiral stairwell. "You know you don't have to say that to everyone we pass, right? Also, the Jedi don't salute." Lilith's melodic voice captured the intendant's attention away from his inspection of everything around them. He looked up from a brick his ocular implants had magnified to study, the dark pupils in the centre dilating as they zoomed out. "I'm just trying to be polite. Besides, I probably just made that guy's day. These Jedi love hearing about that Force stuff. They're always rambling on about the Force this, and the will of the Force that. Trust me, I saw the way his chest puffed out from his robes when I said it. I guarantee you the first thing he does when he gets home after his shift is tell his ugly wife all about the weird alien man who said the company slogan."Lilith shook her head slowly, patting Nem's arm as she led him up an ascending staircase towards the castle roof. She smiled warmly, her heavy heart finding a moment of peace in the Executor's jovial attitude. She knew he was just putting on a persona, another mask to hide his pain. "It's more of a religious platitude than a slogan." Her eyes adjusted to the dimmer lumens on the walls as they climbed the stone steps.Beneath the intendant's eyes, dark purple eye sacs inflated in obvious concern. "Religious? Wait, does saying it mean I've converted? My plate is rather full as it is; I'm not certain I could take up the Jedi cause on top of all that. Not to mention there is my amphistaff's feelings to consider. I can't imagine Shem-Veesu would be pleased to be replaced with a lightsaber."Lilith snorted, then swatted the intendant for making her lose her composure with his ridiculous train of thought. "No, you big dumb rakamat. Saying it doesn't make you a Jedi. Nor does wearing robes, which I might add you did not need to do. Plus, that's not even the right type of robe. That's a bathrobe, Nem. Jedi wear utility or travelers robes.""What? I'm just trying to show respect for their culture. Plus, it's incredibly comfortable. I get it now why they wear these things. Very airy underneath. Keeps things fresh, if you know what I mean." He winked."And..." She pursed her lips in contemplation for a moment, then continued her thought. "...you would think it is alright if the Jedi Lords showed up at one of our functions wearing Yuuzhan Vong cloakers or perhaps a set of vonduun skerr kyrric, hmmm?"Nem shook his head. "No, of course not. That would be cultural appropriation. Totally different and most certainly not acceptable." He finished turning his head from side to side and let out a sigh. "It's only okay when we do it. And maybe the gungans. Those floppy eared frogs have suffered enough."Finally they emerged onto the roof, just as the sun in the sky had reached its noon time location. Fifteen feet from the stairwell access door was the Executor's faithful chazrach manservant, Scab, in the process of setting up a large conical tent. The tent was actually a singular living organism, consisting of large membranous flaps and long flexible hollow bones. When the reptoid had finished securing the temporary shelter on the roof, it appeared a similar greyish hue as the stone brick roof it was sitting upon. A twenty foot tall cone, there was an opening for smoke to escape at the top, which was fortunate as Scab was beginning to set a fire in a coral brazier. They weren't alone on the roof, there were several other non-Yuuzhan Vong present as well. A few were locals that worked the palatinate lands, cultivating crops to feed their families and fill the granaries belonging to the nobles. There were even a few Jedi Lords that Nem had convinced he had received Lucien's permission to perform this ceremony on the roof. Technically he hadn't gotten permission, of course, but the way he figured it they would be done before the High Lord was any the wiser. It's why he chose this specific time of day to do so, when the High Lord was usually meticulously grooming his magnificent mustache. There was also a harlot in attendance from one of the nearby taverns. The Jedi Lords present currently refrained from looking in her direction, but Nem could tell at a glance that they were previously acquainted. Hey, not judging. You gotta release those excess midi-chlorians somehow, right?"Thank you all for coming." He said in an audible tone, addressing all those gathered on the roof. "May the Force be with you." His mqaaq'it narrowed, intensifying his emerald green glare as he locked eyes with the Jedi Lords, seeming to stare into their very souls. "No, I'm not just saying it. I'm serious. May the Force be with you, and thank you for your service. Lets give em a round of applause people. The Jedi Lords!" The intendant smacked his calloused palms together in several meaty claps, which encouraged the others to do so as well. The Jedi Lords looked a bit embarrassed, but mostly nodded politely in thanks or simply said "hello there". Finishing his show of appreciation, the Executor turned towards the organic teepee and motioned towards it with a wave of his arm. "Alright, everyone inside so we can begin."Nem peeled the outer layer of the cone shaped hut open with a wet squelch of parting membranous lips, waiting courteously as all those assembled began to gather inside, seating themselves around a smoking brazier that was filling the cramped space with stifling heat. Several of the villagers stripped off layers they were wearing, as did the harlot much to everyones excitement, though the Jedi kept their robes on for now. As for the Executor, he stripped out of the robeskin bathrobe he had been wearing to reveal his near-naked flesh, garbed only in a glistaweb loincloth that preserved his modesty. When all were seated, the intendant reached to a pouch of dried ingredients and retrieved a handful of sacred herb. There held in his palm were several large nuggets of Ossus Kush. The intendant added the dried herb to the burning brazier, which signalled Scab to begin beating his scaled hands on the back of a hollow shelled drum-beast. The chazrach created a rhythm of deep bass that they could all feel in their chests, just as the euphoric effect of the herb's medicinal properties began to take effect. Unbeknownst to all save Nem, this was a very special strain of Ossus Kush that the Executor had cultured himself. Extra potent, to the point where it caused hallucinations.As expected, the world around Nem and the occupants of the tent seemed to swirl together, merging into a random soup as the background fell away and each descended into the depths of their own subconscious. To put it scientifically, they were tripping balls. For the Executor who masked the pain held so closely to his heart with humour, he was forced to relive those worst moments, suffering them all anew. The death of the Yuuzhan Vong homeworld, the millennia of madness in the endless night sky between galaxies, the atrocities of the war, Uzas unjust death, and Xarl... Those moments in time tore away at his soul more completely than the bite of a thousand amphistaffs, whittling down at his spiritual essence until there was little to nothing left, strengthening the ennui that promised the sweet release of oblivion. He cried and he roared, frothing on the ground around the brazier, just the same as all the others. Lilith entered the tent, but not before donning a starfish shaped gnullith breathing device over her mouth and nose. The shaper adept walked amongst the writhing hallucinating bodies on the floor, monitoring their health to ensure everyone was alright. Each was suffering through the worst trauma they had endured in life thus far, forced to face it, so they all might gain strength in overcoming it.For Nem it was a release. As he relived those moments, he released them and the hold they had over his heart. In the end it was all just pain of a different sort, and there was nothing that a Yuuzhan Vong was as good at as overcoming pain. Four hours later, the tent flaps opened and the occupants of the sweat lodge emerged. Whatever clothing they had brought with them was soaked through with sweat and most were incredibly parched. Lilith was present to pass around bladder-flasks of 'Vongorade' so that everyone might rehydrate. Oddly only Nem remained inside the tent. The shaper adept said her thank you and farewells to those that had attended the ceremony, seeing them off before finally checking on the Executor inside. Upon stepping into the tent she could see Nem kneeling on the ground, hands resting in his lap, eyes closed. He was breathing slowly in through his stub like nose, then exhaling through his mouth. Each time he drew in a deep breath, his eye sacs inflated, then shrank again as he released a breath of hot air. As though sensing Lilith's presence, the intendant's eyes snapped open, and Nem looked at the handmaiden with a look of utter certainty."I'm ready."
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Harini Bralor
The Mandalorian Assembly
Posts: 165
Affiliation: The Mando'ade
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Harini Bralor on Jul 15, 2023 3:04:43 GMT -8
The Muun Orar's wings move into their upright landing position as it descends towards the landing pad it had been assigned, the Kom'rk's engines shutting down when it has settled onto the landing pad, a few ticking noises heard as the air on Ossus cools the transport's frame.
As she starts going through a quick post-flight routine, Ksenia, a 39 year old female of Shownarri ancestry armored in red and grey beskar'gam, tells her co-pilot, Conaodh, a 48 year old male of Bimm ancestry garbed in tan and silver beskar'gam, "Buckets stay off, sidearms only, and, she points at him with a stern expression, Let Acklay do the talking."
Grinning cheerfully and giving Ksenia an okay sign with his hand, Conaodh says, "Got it, then asks rhetorically, You do remember that I outrank you, right?"
Ksenia shrugs and dryly informs Conaodh, "Yeah, sir, but you sometimes need to be reminded to hang back and let others handle these diplomatic things, and then, finished with the post-flight check, lowers the Muun Orar's boarding ramp and says, Let's go let Acklay and the boys know they're doing the talking."
Nodding as they join Acklay and the ARC troopers at the boarding ramp, Ksenia tells the lieutenant, "The Mando'ade aren't too popular with most Force Sensitive types, so I think things will go more smoothly if you take the lead when we meet with High Lord Malvern. Deciding not to mention the Vong since Acklay and his men have probably not even heard of them and are therefore not prejudiced against them as those familiar with their history might be, Ksenia motions towards the boarding ramp and says, We'll hang back and keep quiet, adding, After you," to invite Acklay and the ARC troopers to disembark first.
After Acklay and the Clones have disembarked, Ksenia points at Conadh and reminds him, "No talking unless some di'kut makes the mistake of addressing you first."
Laughing and miming zipping his lips, Conaodh struts down the boarding ramp with a winning, confident smile as Ksenia marches beside him with a more stoic expression, both Mando'ade taking up a position behind Acklay and the ARC troopers as they wait to be met by whomever Malvern sends to handle the meet and greet stage of the proceedings.
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Mira Yim
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
"I can fix this."
Posts: 105
Affiliation: Handmaidens of Yun-Ne'Shel
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Mira Yim on Jul 15, 2023 4:22:10 GMT -8
It appeared first as a single speck in the sky, a barely discernable dot on the horizon as it flew over the Eocho Mountains and descended towards the lush forest that surrounded the Harcey Palatinate estate, growing larger and more visible the closer it got. The gliding airship was an unusual design, a living creature in fact, shaped by the skilled hands of none other than Mira Yim. Overhead was an encapsulated cupola with a large bladder sac of membranous tissue inflated with a lighter-than-air gas created by the blimp-beast's stomach. The inflated sac was about ten meters long, just large enough for the two seater yorik-coral cupola adhered beneath it, currently piloted by the Master Shaper alone. Her elegantly tattooed face was hidden away behind a tall-yor, more commonly referred to by the infidel races as a cognition hood, that formed a symbiotic connection between the Yuuzhan Vong and the vehicle. Mira was able to see through the eyes of the blimp-beast, as it were, using its visual sensors to help her guide the organic vessel in for a landing.
Spotting the Kom'rk on her descent, Mira manipulated the control reflex and guided her living air-ship down on the roof of the castle. A number of spindly segmented legs extended from the cupolas underside as it set down on the stone work, gently rocking as it dropped anchor and the gas bag began to deflate. A wet squelch sounded as the tall-yor's bone hooks receded from the naked flesh of the Master Shaper's shoulders and the biot retracted back into the ceiling. Mira gave her neck a quick crack before rising to stand and exiting the cupola through a hatch-sphincter in the side. She was greeted by a cool spring breeze blowing in off the forest nearby. She inhaled fresh air, scrubbed clean by the massive terraforming operations of her people. Approaching the edge of the roof she was on, the Master shaper focused her glowing pink mqaaq'it on the Mandalorians down below.
For Mira and the Handmaidens of Yun-Ne'shel, the Yuuzhan Vong War was a distant memory, but the same could not be said for everyone they had encountered in their travels. There was still a great deal of animosity towards her people in the galaxy, much of it directed by the Mandalorians, so it was fair to say she was cautious. Many refused to accept that her people were now pacifists.
Turning away from the edge, Mira made her way inside and down towards the main level where the landing pads were located, sweeping the ground as she walked with the long skirt of her crimson oozhith gown. The form fitting layer of second skin was symbiotically adhered to her figure through tiny cilia inserted into the pores of her corpse grey flesh. Her feet were completely concealed by the low hanging fabric to the point where it almost looked like Mira was floating. It rose up just below the arm-pit, exposing her naked and elegantly tattooed shoulders. The Master Shaper's raven hued locks of waist length hair were held up by a number of insectile-biots threaded through it, making it appear animated or weightless at times when they took flight.
♪♪ "Everything is fine. It's all fine." ♪♪ Sang Mira in a less than confident voice as she paced back and forth just inside the main entrance of the castle. Outside beyond the shut main doors was the landing pad where the Mandalorians had set down. Despite her words, it was clear she was nervous.
The Master Shaper would continue to pace inside the front entrance until Lucien arrived, having no intention of greeting the Mandalorians without the High Lord present.
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Lucien Malvern
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
Posts: 225
Affiliation: Jedi Lords/Ossus Jedi
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Post by Lucien Malvern on Jul 16, 2023 10:17:50 GMT -8
Although the High Lord had agreed to the meeting, he was still finishing up some business with associates from the Merchant Guilds on Ossus. And so, when the entrance to the interior opened, it was the Kel Dor, Yar Sho, trusted retainer of the High Lord and commander of his guard, that came to greet the Mandalorian delegation. He paused though, having noticed Mira Yim was present as well. His eyes glance back the way he come, hoping she'd understand where the High Lord was presently located. The Jedi were all too aware of Yuuzhan Vong and Mandalorian relations, just as hostile as with the Jedi if not worse. After that was done, the Kel Dor continued outside and towards the transport that brought the Mandalorians... and clone troopers?
This was a surprise, considering the old armor they utilized. Phase I had not been seen since the days of the early Clone Wars, since Phase II replaced it midway through the catastrophic galactic war. So for there to be clones using Phase I brought up a lot of questions. Perhaps too many to answer. Still, why where these two together and why come to Ossus? Guess they'd explain themselves soon enough.
Yar Sho came with a handful of Jedi retainers, bannerets that served the High Lord directly as his knights and men-at-arms. These armored soldiers walked behind their captain as the Kel Dor approached. At a first glance, the Jedi could notice little to no weapons, nothing too heavy that the Mandalorians loved to used. Their hands were visible, their faces seen, and their posture relaxed. Even in the Force, he sensed no danger, so perhaps this could be cordial.
=Yar Sho= The High Lord welcomes you to Ossus. He would have come personally, but he is concluding a meeting with representatives of the Merchant Guilds in the gardens on the other side of the complex. I have nonetheless been ordered to escort you to where he is. Please, this way.
Yar Sho motions to the delegation to follow him inside and to where Lucien Malvern awaited them.
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Captain Dice, CT-3949
Member
Posts: 61
Affiliation: N/A; formerly Galactic Republic
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Captain Dice, CT-3949 on Aug 2, 2023 2:15:59 GMT -8
Acklay nodded to Ksenia when she told him to take charge of the discussion. "I get it. Let's hope they find me more charming than my trainers back on Kamino..." Grumbling as he remembered his training days for a few seconds, he motioned for the other clones to fall in behind him. It was a rather large party for a peace delegation, ten ARC Troopers, along with nine more standard troopers. Though Phase I was present in their group, Phase II had been also mixed in, sometimes in full sets or a few pieces here and there. It seemed, in the face of resource shortages, reusing old equipment and extreme personalization had taken the crew of the Victores hard. No doubt, by the end of the war against the Plague Lord, their appearance will only get stranger and more cultured still.
"Thank you," the Lieutenant replied to Yar Sho's warm greeting. Though Acklay had somewhat wished for expediency - anything for the rush of following a true Jedi into battle - he was not against waiting. Perhaps, even, he might detach Sticks to catch one of these merchant-men on their way out, and get to talking about trading with them. After all, any friend of the Jedi would make for a good friend with the clones, and if they weren't friends but instead upcharging the Jedi enclave here...there were other alternatives. Acklay reminded himself he didn't know these Jedi yet. Even the old order had good and bad Jedi, and depending on the leadership here, these men might be the heroes the clones loved so much, or the sort who followed the letter of their codes, not the spirit.
"Sticks, when those merchants exit the meeting, try to catch the friendliest looking one and get working on something," Acklay asked the trooper, and he nodded in acknowledgement. Other than this, Acklay and the troops remained quiet while they followed Yar Sho to his master's lair.
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Lucien Malvern
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
Posts: 225
Affiliation: Jedi Lords/Ossus Jedi
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Post by Lucien Malvern on Aug 4, 2023 15:52:17 GMT -8
Unlike what would be other noble homes, the High Lord's keep was still modest. It did have decor and the aura of a nobility's home, but it was not overly done. The Jedi Lords had sworn to be Jedi first and Nobleman second. The two roles mixed well with the sense of duty and the desire to protect as any Jedi would seek to do. However, there was a bit more militancy, one that could be spotted by the number of armed guards that patrolled about. Both Force-using retainers and otherwise that made up the ranks of the protective unit that ensured the peace and security of this building. Yar Sho showed the party to the other side where large doors opened up to a garden in the rear.
A mixture of Yuuzhan Vong and other species made up the gardeners that tended to this revitalized part of Ossus. Trees were trimmed, flowers were given their due diligence, and the grass was nourished and made green. Ossus was slowly coming back to life and it was a point of pride for Lucien to see this world revived once more. Yar Sho gestured to a ground that stood with a male, bearded and likely in his late thirties. The High Lord was speaking with the various representatives of the Merchant Guilds. Something that Acklay may learn later is how things weren't so safe for merchants to travel further up the Perlemian Trade Route, considering the presence of a fierce dark force that lied in that direction. As such, most trading ventures ended at the trio of Jedi Worlds: Ossus, Rhen Var, and Felucia. It helped with revitalizing Ossus' economy and the goods went a long way.
In total, there were several merchants. Imperials from the First Order, Independents from within the nearby star-systems, and even Corellian, Duros, and Selonians from the Five Brothers. Lucien seemed in deep conversation with them, discussing the present tariff rates and the expansion of the Merchant's Guild hall in Knossa. The High Lord noticed the next party behind the merchants and began to conclude business with them. It seemed there was satisfactory on their faces as the merchants left together, heading back the way Acklay and the others had come.
With that concluded, Yar Sho gestures Acklay forward before turning to his liege. Lucien raises his hand to stop him.
No need for formal introductions, Yar Sho. I suspect these visitors of ours are as earnest to get business as everyone else today.
Quickly, the Lord Malvern drinks from a cup of water before motioning to some servants who came forth to offer refreshment to their guests. The High Lord comes forward, leaving the area he had been before and approaching the clone officer directly.
Welcome to Ossus. I am Lucien Malvern, High Lord of the Jedi Lords and Master of the Ossus Conclave.
He offers his hand to Acklay.
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Captain Dice, CT-3949
Member
Posts: 61
Affiliation: N/A; formerly Galactic Republic
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Captain Dice, CT-3949 on Aug 6, 2023 1:05:14 GMT -8
Acklay noticed little different from the Jedi of his age - there were few places more opulent than the Jedi Temple on Coruscant. It had been a few years since he had seen the grand temple, but it was a sight that was hard to forget. Every time he remembered what happened to it - burned, by his own brothers no less - he winced just a little. All that history, all those younglings, guards and aged Jedi, slaughtered and put on the pyre in the name of tyranny. He swore he'd get the chance to punch an Imperial square in the nose before he died, on the way to Lucien.
The crowd was unique - the furry selonians, the people of Duros, a smattering of humans and near-humans in elegant clothing showcasing their rank and wealth - and of course, a few Imperials. Mission comes first, he reminded himself. Give it a year.
Acklay took off his helmet, sizing up the Jedi Lord for a moment, before gaining a toothy grin and taking the man's hand. "Nice to meet you. I'm Lieutenant Acklay, 447th Legion, 71st Battalion, first company." The clone comfortably retracted his hand. "That all translates to 'guy next to the guy in charge.' Good to see a Jedi again, though I got to admit," he said, leaning in and raising his hand to cover his mouth in mock conspiracy, "I'm surprised to see Imperials here. Given their role models are the guys who chipped us to kill all of you a couple hundred years ago or so." Acklay leaned back, chuckling as if the gossip he had shared was entirely harmless. "Weird times. Anyhow, friend, we're in a bit of an ootoowerg in the Mandalorian territories, but in a way the Captain thought might interest you. There's a man going around calling himself the 'Plague Lord', doing all sorts of things to take over Mando-Space, but he's not just stopping with a military-on-military conflict. It's a fight for survival, not politics, he means it when he says 'Plague.' Now, if that weren't bad enough, it sounds like these people are working for, the New Order of the Eye I think it was, or some splinter group. And, to make matters worse, they're looking for some ancient, ancient tech called a 'hyper-gate' so they can strike from any other hyper-gate. First they'll probably take Mandalore, but any other planet unlucky enough to have a hyper-gate on it could be next. "So, anybody you can spare? I'd love to fight beside a Jedi again."
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Lucien Malvern
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
Posts: 225
Affiliation: Jedi Lords/Ossus Jedi
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Post by Lucien Malvern on Aug 9, 2023 21:27:14 GMT -8
The eyebrow of the High Lord arched at the mention of his name, his unit designation, and that of the Jedi Purge at the time of the Clone Wars end and the rise of the First Galactic Empire. The armor alone did make Lucien wonder about Acklay and those with him. Clearly, he had met the First Order, considering his remarks, which of course, caused the Jedi to glance over the Lieutenant's shoulder and at the way the merchants had left. Good, thought the High Lord, seems the Imperial delegates didn't hear a word of that. Of course, Acklay wasn't the first to remark on the Imperial mercantile presence on Ossus.
Beyond Ossus, further up the major hyperlane, there is a dark power that lurks at Lianna and beyond. It has tainted Mon Calamari and many other systems. In my time, before I was raised to that of High Lord, I encountered them a few times. Our Corellian colleagues even having a brush with them on Dressel.
A faceless enemy with no name beyond the word 'Dominion'.
As such, merchant trade usually stops at Ossus before returning to the Core. While I do have my disagreements with the First Order as a nation, their merchants are well stocked with necessities. Ossus is being rebuilt after it was ravaged many millennia before the Clone Wars. As a Jedi, I have my duties to the Order, yet as High Lord, I must do what I can to promote the commerce and economy of the planet. To ensure that it is rich and stable.
His hand then gestures to what would likely be an oddity to Acklay, the Yuuzhan Vong, Mira Yim.
And it is thanks to a former enemy of the whole galaxy, one who ravaged many systems and killed trillions, that this planet is seeing life again. It is becoming green and lush. It is slowly returning to what was during the golden ages of the Jedi Order before. If I can be friends with those who are still so suspiciously viewed for their bloody past, then certainly, I can tolerate the presence of an Imperial merchant for an hour.
The Jedi smiles at the clone officer. It was a delicate balance to achieve. Ysanna and his own Jedi, Yuuzhan Vong and everyone else, Imperial and the average Ossus citizen and, more than often, the rival merchant. The High Lord had to meditate often to deal with the stress of being both the Master of a Jedi Conclave and Lord of this system, the leader of two halves that make up being a Jedi Lord.
Once more, Lucien's eyebrow arched at the mention of the New Order of the Eye. This faction of Sith had persisted for centuries now. Even though they were no longer an entity on a map where someone could point at where they were located, their disciplines festered and persisted somehow. Survival was a key feature of the Sith, just as it was for the Jedi during the dark times they endured. Yet, the Sith, especially, had a knack for surviving somehow and in some way.
The New Order of the Eye... that's an old Sith group. They once had quite the empire in the Southern parts of the Outer Rim, but they ceased to exist as that entity many many years ago. Before my time and others here likely. Yet, it seems they manage to pop their heads up and do something diabolical.
Lucien reaches up to scratch his beard slightly, walking away for a moment to look at an array of flowers.
You aren't the first to ask for our aid... a certain General Endor of a growing alliance of rebels came not long ago himself. I granted him a warship, the opportunity to recruit some refugees, a cache of supplies, weapons, and such, and the label of friend. I have done my best to ensure my focus is on Ossus, but my role as a Jedi can never be ignored.
The High Lord looks at Acklay then at the Mandalorians in his company.
What is your hope in helping the Mandalorians? Why ask a Jedi Order that is not who you served before?
Lord Malvern needed to hear why. Why the Mandalorians? Why ask the Jedi? He needed to sense that noble spirit to determine his response. Lucien had done the same with Endor, to truly understand his position and purpose. The Jedi would aid the selfless and righteous, not the self-centered.
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Captain Dice, CT-3949
Member
Posts: 61
Affiliation: N/A; formerly Galactic Republic
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Captain Dice, CT-3949 on Aug 15, 2023 13:46:39 GMT -8
"I understand," the lieutenant admitted after Lucien explained Ossus' strange and delicate position. When one was reconstructing an entire world, it would require plenty of different backers, regional and galactic, to pull off, even if one was luxuriously wealthy already. "I'm sure I wouldn't like the policies of the guys who made our ship and our gear."
Acklay looked at the shaper curiously, though not with any prejudice or disgust. They were about as alien as near-humans got, in his book. The facial structure, the eye placement, the nose and the cheekbones all screamed human, but the pale and almost artistically curved skin on their face was clearly alien. He wasn't quite sure how to describe it. Like a very interpretive painting of a weequay. "Sure, people and species can be forgiven, but its the philosophy that causes the big issues. I'm sure you know what you're doing though. I'm no governor."
The lieutenant soaked in the information about the Sith. It all seemed to track, especially with the history he remembers. The Old Sith Wars, The Jedi Civil War, the three consecutive Galactic Wars, the New Sith Wars...it seemed the galaxy couldn't be rid of those dark sorcerers, no matter how hard it tried to exorcise them. When Lucien mentioned General Endor and a rebel alliance, Acklay's contemplative frown shifted to a very pleased grin. He waited for Lucien to finish, however, and he thought for a moment on his final question. Why the Mandalorians? Why these Jedi?
"Sir, you've proven yourself selfless, forgiving, and understanding just in this conversation alone. Aiding others who need it, not letting old grudges get in your way, but not letting more apprehensible people steal your will or force you underground. You're as much a Jedi in my book as any from back home," Acklay said, obviously impressed. "I was hoping you'd prove me right for coming here, and you did. As for why we're helping the Mandalorians...the clones had about three homes, not counting amongst ourselves. We had Kamino, our birth-world. From how it sounds, it's not really the same place anymore, and I doubt they'd care much for us beyond muscle. Everyone we knew is gone anyway. "Then there was the Republic. It was a large, pretty dysfunctional home at times, but we were raised to defend it. And honestly, having had a little time to reflect chipless, I prefer it a lot to the current regime. Any place that has an emperor means somebody took that place over, one way or another. Our Republic is gone, and has been for some time. "That leaves us with option three, the Mandalorians. And, you gotta love them for it, if somebody's gonna be the same after all this time? It's the Mandalorians. And hey, while they might go overboard...a lot...it's still home, in a very, very different galaxy. Home is always worth fighting for. Turns out it does need fighting for, a whole lot of fighting for, hence why we came here. Clones and Jedi, we make a potent force. The Mandalorians need that kind of force in their favor, else they might capitulate to some whack-job Sith and their schemes, just like the Republic and the old Jedi. I don't want to go through that a second time. None of us do."
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Lucien Malvern
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
Posts: 225
Affiliation: Jedi Lords/Ossus Jedi
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Post by Lucien Malvern on Aug 15, 2023 21:14:04 GMT -8
Lucien could understand where Acklay was coming from. The homes that they had were not within their reach. Imperial warlords had set up shop within the vicinity of Kamino, making it a treacherous place to travel to. Not to mention that a Sith Empire had ruled there for a time before imploding from within. The Republic, at least the most recent edition of the long line of successors, had failed from within and without. It's demise was followed by the resurgence of Imperialism across the galaxy, thanks entirely to the successes of the First Order.
The Republic's demise... the most recent Republic that is... was both expected and unexpected. It had long deteriorated to the point that very few systems respected their authority and listened to their commands. The final blow came when a Hapan Battle Fleet exited over Coruscant and brought a forceful demise to it.
The final stroke, a fierce mercy kill to a Republic that was no longer itself. Even now, Lucien wondered why the Hapans, but it seemed that the Consortium returned to its normal ways of keeping to themselves and remaining within the veil. Perhaps what had occurred, what had transpired, had been orchestrated by a darker force. But it could never be confirmed now, more than likely.
I hear that the Mandalorians have force users themselves. A group, with a revived name, the Mandalorian Knights. But given the Mandalorian distrust towards force users, I doubt they are numerous nor well-liked. Still, I hear they serve the Assembly directly and keep the peace. Given their natural skill, I wouldn't be surprised if they excel immensely as warriors.
This was well-known news. Something that came about during the time of the second Manda'lor to rule the Assembly. The Jedi Lords had heard, through the grapevine, that this had been approved and was being implemented. Likely done so to ensure that Mandalorians, who were force sensitive, could use their gifts in the name of their clan and the state that they followed and served. Tolerance seemed to be something key within the Assembly: prove your worth and you were Mandalorian.
Your purpose is noble and your words speak the truth of your conviction, Lieutenant.
Lucien could not deny the clone's desire to help the home of who gave the Kaminoans the means to create them. The Jango Fett Template, something that did not exist today. These clones represented the purest strand and that, unfortunately, may make them a target as others would seek to claim a bit of their DNA to revive a clone army of their own. And yet, knowing the galaxy was different and their allies are no longer around, Acklay's group was dedicated to, at least, seeing Mandalore saved.
I can provide a contingent of Jedi and support. As much as I would love to give more, I still must look to the protection and security of this planet in it's most vulnerable time. Dark forces once ruined and tainted the efforts of the Yuuzhan Vong in restoring Ossus before... and I will not see that happen again.
Lucien raises his hand slightly, motioning to Yar Sho. The Kel Dor went off to retrieve someone for the High Lord.
Although... given how our military was structured before our move to Ossus, and how it stands presently, you may find it a bit... odd to say the least.
And why the Jedi said that was displayed moments later as a pair of B2 Super Battle Droids, flanking a Jedi Baron, came walking down from one of the entrances to the garden. The Jedi Baron, in question, was one of the veterans from the Serenno Unification Wars and someone Lucien could trust in giving what Acklay wanted: a potent force between Jedi and Clone, just as it was before. Lucien knew that the presence of battle droids would likely cause Acklay to raise an eyebrow and question things.
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Captain Dice, CT-3949
Member
Posts: 61
Affiliation: N/A; formerly Galactic Republic
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Captain Dice, CT-3949 on Sept 11, 2023 11:21:23 GMT -8
Hapens, huh? Might need to file that away for later... The lieutenant was a little taken aback, visibly startled...but he didn't snap into a rage. It seemed the reaction was more instinct than pure hatred. "I guess if we can find a new home, the clankers can too. I'd rather the old Separatists than an Empire, though I'd prefer neither. I look forward to meeting your strike team."
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Lucien Malvern
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
Posts: 225
Affiliation: Jedi Lords/Ossus Jedi
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Post by Lucien Malvern on Apr 18, 2024 20:10:17 GMT -8
Lucien glanced at the Super Battle Droids that remained with their wrists upright and keeping to the flanks of their designated commander.
Our branch of the Jedi Order originally hailed from Serenno, Lieutenant.
This would certainly an interesting situation for CIS Battle Droids to be fighting alongside Clone Troopers.
Prior to our branch's unification, a certain Count Aderon Dooku revived the CIS model economy, reactivated old factories, and began rebuilding the planet and its prominence. Yet, his disappearance caused an era of instability. When we formed ourselves, we knew the people needed their rest and rehabilitation from the dark times prior. So we began to rely heavily on the industry started by the late Aderon Dooku.
Even now, the Jedi Lords relied greatly upon the battle droid armies at their disposal. While they had organic troops in their ranks, Lucien didn't feel the need to rely immensely on conscription and allowed namely volunteers. Battle Droids were an easy resource to build and utilize. And their variety ensured complex formations and units were readily available. Training, after all, took months and years to fully instill into an individual and a unit. So far, these droid models had not failed them.
Baron Mervikus will be the commander of the forces I will lend to your cause. I hope that they are enough to aid you, Lieutenant.
Jedi and Mandalorian cooperation, something new to consider and see what may come of it.
I will see if I can lend some vessels too. We do have some newer warships and starfighters that may prove useful.
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