Ael Jade
The Jedi Order - Corellian Jedi Academy
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Affiliation: Corellian Jedi Order
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Post by Ael Jade on Jan 12, 2014 20:37:19 GMT -8
Double doors led into the Archive chamber of the Corellian Jedi Academy. Inside one could find the typical reference and circulation desks of a library. Further into this space were stacks containing actual books as well as more modern data terminals. Long desks were arranged in spoke fashion around a central data hub containing more commonly sought-after reference materials. Scattered throughout were more comfortable, secluded nooks if one desired privacy in studying. The lighting was cozy, though not dim. Skylights along the roof let in the light of the sun though the designers of this area had arranged things so that the light was deflected through the room instead of falling directly upon the contents within and damaging some of them.
Within the depths of the Archival chamber were the vaults. Generally these were used for temporary storage of valuable items of significance to the academy.
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Ael Jade
The Jedi Order - Corellian Jedi Academy
Posts: 1,544
Affiliation: Corellian Jedi Order
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Post by Ael Jade on Jan 12, 2014 20:54:32 GMT -8
"I see. If there is no opposing creature to these Smoke and Shadow Demons, then perhaps we- Master Velit and I- were meant to be such creatures." Agency was a common theme in Master Velit's meditations. Not for Aleranus of course, she had made his task very clear- serve her, protect her, obey her. But agency for others, the ability and willingness to stand up and say 'I will not be a spectator to this,' was a virtue she treasured in their travels. As Aleranus keeps pace with the Jedi Master, he shifts his satchel and quiver uneasily at her questions. A hand comes to rest on the satchel as the book begins to stir awake.
West."No. I imagine not many hunt them as they are so rare. Many Sith do not know how or bother to call them. A Smoke Demon, even one summoned under great power and compulsion, will not remain captive long. It will perform the task set to it in exchange for the summoning, but once the task is complete it will escape the bonds set by the summoner. This Demon may have been summoned yesterday or it may have been summoned a hundred years ago." West. West.
"When a Smoke Demon kills, it prefers to do so devouring the essence of its victim. Their spark of life. In a planet of billions, what is one unexplained heart attack to the people every week?"West. West. WEST."Master, what lies to the west of this place?" "So, you think it will have retained corporeal form? Or when you first see it, will it arise in its typical smoky essence?" Unexplained heart attacks? The Twi'Lek hesitated at this. As far as she was aware, Smoke Demons left nothing behind. Once they absorbed their prey the evidence disappeared unless of course there was a witness, and in that case she would not place much money on the survival of that witness. "Are you positive that unexplained heart attacks would be symptomatic of a Smoke Demon attack, Aleranus?" she queried skeptically, "Or do you think that the medical facilities of this planet are so inept?" As they entered the Archives, Nala inclined her head to the receptionist in greeting and continued on, taking Aleranus to the vaults. They were passing the main reading area when Aleranus asked about the west.
Nala turned to look at him, before replying in a quiet voice, "The former Imperial stronghold of Bela Vistal." |
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Aleranus
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Post by Aleranus on Jan 13, 2014 13:22:55 GMT -8
"It is hard to know. Sith Demons possess intelligence. If would find travel easier in its smoke form. And it is the same with its method of killing," Aleranus noted, following the Jedi Master into the expansive archives. The enormity of what he was seeing did not fall flat on him- the accumulated knowledge of an entire order, spanning millenia, compacted and accessible within this room. He was careful to avoid the other books as they walked though, clutching his own satchel tightly.
"I don't doubt your facilities are adequate here. I doubt they are just as good everywhere on Corellia. When it comes to evidence of attacks, it depends on if the Demon prefers to leave a corpse. The less time a demon has been free, it will consume everything of its victim and leave no trace behind. If it has been free for many years and grown sure of its power, then... its pride will lead it to try new and interesting ways of killing. Though it can only feed by devouring its prey completely."
*West. West. West.*
It reverberated through the book, through the satchel, through his arm and body and mind. A heartbeat seeking another like it.
"What happened there? At Bela Vistal."
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Ael Jade
The Jedi Order - Corellian Jedi Academy
Posts: 1,544
Affiliation: Corellian Jedi Order
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Post by Ael Jade on Jan 13, 2014 13:36:58 GMT -8
"I see." Nala left it at that and continued walking as she thought this over.
Just as they stopped in the vaults and Nala moved over to a data terminal, accessing vault records to see which were available, a wave of malevolence surged through the room. She turned in surprise, looking first at Aleranus, secondly, at his satchel. Fingers dancing across the screen in front of her, she spoke half to herself, "Bela Vistal was once a highly fortified Imperial stronghold on Corellia. It didn't fall till the rise of the New Republic, and when that happened it was nearly deserted. Only within the past years have pioneering types again begun to move into the area and build up what was lost. It is said that in the main square there is a famous crystal geyser taken from the Agrilat Swamp---" she broke off momentarily as she selected an empty vault.
Walking over to the attendant on duty, a quick conversation resulted in her swift return to Aleranus with two keys. She motioned him over to vault #083, and place both keys into their respective locks. After turning them, she pulled the handles and swung the door open.
Half-leaning against the wall of vaults she continued, "it is one of the things I have wished to see. Still, though by no means deserted, it will be years before it is again a center of commerce. I wouldn't advise going there alone on foot, not at night, and definitely not without being armed. The woods around it are still full of animals, and not all of them are friendly."
It is possible that something has begun over there and we have not yet heard of it. I wonder though, if Aleranus is successful in finding what he seeks, will he leave Corellia immediately and go on with his quest?
She hoped not. But, time would tell.
"No one really knows exactly what happened there under Imperial rule. Not anymore. Bad things can happen anywhere."
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Aleranus
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Post by Aleranus on Jan 13, 2014 16:10:46 GMT -8
The settlement sounded peaceful. Serene even. If a little out of the way. A place to hide from the rest of the world without being truly alone. He wanted to see it too.
"I see," Aleranus says. He pauses with Nalatua'lin at the open vault. The gaping space completely empty, just as he preferred. Aleranus pauses, opening his satchel. He removes the book and opens it, flipping through pages rapidly. The Sith glyphs intertwine and bleed into one another, and every so often a page is revealed, dominated by a black figure, barely humanoid in appearance. Some are hunched on all fours, others reaching into the air, clawing at some unknown entity. Some look out from the pages, the two blank dots studying the thing which studies them.
Finally he pauses at a truly blank page near the back of the book. With one hand he grips the page and pulls, tearing the sheaf of paper free. His second hand closes the book and places it on the shelf before backing away. Slowly.
"It wants to go west," he says, folding the paper gingerly and sliding it into his pocket. "Badly. Do you have any students there now?"
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Ael Jade
The Jedi Order - Corellian Jedi Academy
Posts: 1,544
Affiliation: Corellian Jedi Order
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Post by Ael Jade on Jan 13, 2014 18:39:36 GMT -8
"From the Academy? No, I don't think so." She considered for a moment or two, "That would be irregular, but not impossible." Evidently this book worked if one merely had a page from it? That was the only thing that made sense as she could tell that Aleranus was wishing to go to this place. Nala could tell that he thought the Demon he was looking for was there. But, something wasn't really adding up for her...
"So, this book that you use in your Quest... it is designed to hunt these Demons? It's a weapon?" She queried. Otherwise, why would the book want to find them? She doubted the Demons wished for the book.
She swung the door to the vault closed as Aleranus backed away. After locking it and double checking, she withdrew the keys, handed him one and held up the other, inquiring, "Are you sure?" in reference to him earlier saying that he wished her to keep the second key.
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Archives
Jan 14, 2014 20:47:47 GMT -8
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2014 20:47:47 GMT -8
Terra entered the archives, intending to return her used holobooks. She did a lot reading on a normal day but Jade was on Coruscant and Ralph was busy with his own training so she was having much more time to herself than normal. Without the books to keep her busy in between training sessions, Terra suspected that she might have gone mad...
She made her way through the archives, browsing the shelves for anything that might catch her interest. There were others in the archives but she wasn't paying much attention to them.
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Aleranus
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Post by Aleranus on Jan 15, 2014 13:05:45 GMT -8
"The book was fashioned by Sith to hold the Demons in place. To summon them when needed." Aleranus removes the page from his pocket, holding it up to the light. While the surface of the page had been blank, through the light there are a number of visible etchings of Sith runes just below the surface. "A single Sith Lord could have hundreds of these creatures at the ready. If they were prepared to control them. The book and its pages can hold the essence of the creature- whether it wants to be bound or not. Master Velit was not certain if killing a Smoke Demon actually did kill the creature or merely banished it to another plane. In her mind it was better to hold it prisoner than risk its eventual return."
Again, he replaces the page, and reaches out to grasp the key from her hand. "I am sure."
The Jedi Master knew the danger of the book, but knew little enough about it to use it safely either. Were Nalatua'lin to be tempted by having a legion of smoke demons at her command, it was likely that the first demon she summoned might consume her outright. He preferred the ignorant having access to the book rather than the wise, in this case.
He pauses for a moment, watching the new arrival enter the archives with her stack of books. For a moment he feels the book reaching out to study her, even through the confines of the vault. Its excitement reverberates through the page he holds before the dark tendrils retreat back into its bindings. For a moment Aleranus looks at her and grasps the key in his pocket, making sure it is still there.
"It is reacting very strongly. The creature may manifest soon, and there is no knowing when it will manifest again after it feeds. Is there transport between here and Bela Vistal?"
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Ael Jade
The Jedi Order - Corellian Jedi Academy
Posts: 1,544
Affiliation: Corellian Jedi Order
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Post by Ael Jade on Jan 15, 2014 14:49:00 GMT -8
Nalatua'lin flicked noticed Terra's presence, as she seemed a bit preoccupied with re-shelving books. Perhaps she was looking for things to keep her busy while Master Jade was on Coruscant. She made a note to speak to her soon as the padawan was in the midst of her Trials.
She contemplated the book, feeling the loathing and malevolence seeping from its pages, and she pocketed the second key, determined at the very least to keep it from doing further harm. Perhaps when they were destroyed the Demons did move to another plane of existence, but unless someone summoned them, they would be trapped there. She wondered what Aleranus' intended to do with the book once he had finished his quest. She did not like the idea of an army of Sith Smoke Demons gathered in once place just waiting for someone to summon them. What if they had the power to bend someone to their will and force a summoning?
Nala reached out and tugged on the locked door, reassuring herself even though she knew full well that it was not going to get out of its new secondary prison. "This may be true, Aleranus, but eventually will it not be the lesser of risks to destroy the book? What if a ready-made army falls into the wrong hands?"
What if Aleranus eventually wants a family? I know he is lonely, and what would be more natural? However, the influence of a Sith artifact of this potency will not be healthy on forming minds and it may give us a Sith in the middle of a Jedi gathering. One way or the other, something will have to be done. If we put it off now, we will gain time, but ultimately the same decision will have to be made.
"You'll need to eat first, Aleranus. One's strength must be kept up particularly before a potential battle." She hastened to reassure him, as he seemed in a great hurry, "It needn't take long, in fact, we can eat on the way. But there are a couple challenges we'll face before we even get there..."
Nala's first instincts as a Healer had been to get Aleranus' away from its immediate proximity. And she had been proven right, as he had begun to feel better.
Bela Vistal would be an interesting trek. And she would get to see the crystal geyser. With the childlike awe of someone who marveled at the wonders of the universe, Nalatua'lin was pleased. But, it would be an adventure just getting there. Bela Vistal had no starport, and though speeders could be taken partway, the final approaches would most likely be easier on foot. Not easy, per se, since the woods were filled with animals. But easier. The former Imperial stronghold was generally a quest for hikers and climbers. It would probably take them two days one way, moving fast.
She gestured to Aleranus, and the two of them began heading for the entrance to the archives. This brought them level with Terra Kiros. Nala introduced them, "Terra, this is Aleranus, recently arrived on Corellia." She smiled warmly, not allowing herself to worry at this point, "Aleranus, this is Padawan Terra Kiros." With an encouraging look at the young woman she inquired of her, "Terra, how would you go about getting to Bela Vistal?"
By now she should be familiar with the main points of interest on Corellia itself, in addition to basic interplanetary navigation. In fact, Nala was confident that if Terra did not have the answers at hand, she knew how to get them. And when it comes right down to it, sometimes that it the more important skill of the two. This was going to be dangerous. But as a Jedi, Terra was already familiar with danger. So far, she'd done well, passing two of her Trials already. And besides, this 'problem' would give her something to turn her energies to, instead of routine lightsaber drills, etc.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 16, 2014 19:02:16 GMT -8
Terra smiled at Aleranus as they were introduced, but her attention was quickly turned to Bela Vistal. She had never been there before and didn't actually know the best route to there off the top of her head. She would need a map or something to find the ideal route, but it would be fairly easy to figure out. Her lessons on Corellia had included geography after all.
She shrugged."Um...I think there's a good way to take...I'd need to look at a map though."Hang on, had Nala just meant how to get there as in what kind of transportation they should take. Terra blushed as she realized this."Oh...er...did you mean...should we take a speeder? Um..."She paused for a moment to center her thoughts and took a deep breath."S-sorry...I think the best way would be to get a speeder. It's too far to walk from here."That was slightly embarrassing...
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Ael Jade
The Jedi Order - Corellian Jedi Academy
Posts: 1,544
Affiliation: Corellian Jedi Order
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Post by Ael Jade on Jan 19, 2014 14:33:42 GMT -8
The green-skinned Twi'Lek radiated contentedness and calm as she smiled encouragingly at Terra Kiros. "It might be less cumbersome to use your datapad to store a geographical map of Corellia. In fact, I'd bet you've already got a good one there, and it is quicker to reference information from."
She flicked a speck of non-existent dust from the sleeve of her tunic and adjusted its drape. Oddly enough, in situations of stress, her appearance was not the foremost thing on her mind. In fact, she was not at all unwilling to get her hands dirty so to speak. "A speeder will cut down on travel time. I recommend we acquire one. However, the last climb may still have to be made on foot," she replied in a considering fashion, t'chinn gently tapping her collarbone as she spoke, leading the small group sedately back towards the entrance to the Archives.
Nala turned to look at Terra as something occurred to her, "Have you spoken to your Master about accompanying Aleranus and myself to Bela Vistal?" she inquired.
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Aleranus
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Post by Aleranus on Jan 24, 2014 7:30:23 GMT -8
"Destroying the book is an option, if a way is found that guarantees the Sith Demons within are obliterated. That sort of knowledge is not easy to come by. It may require a Sith's knowledge to get an answer to the question or a trip to Korriban's archives. If you can show me a way or make one, then I will happily turn over the book." He takes a moment to shift from one foot to the next while he speaks. The destruction of the book gives him mixed feelings. HE knows that the destruction of the tome will be for the good of the galaxy as a whole. But it will leave him without purpose. He supposes that he could go back to his old life, his old purpose. That thought fills him with some sense of dread, but there is comfort in the familiarity of old practices.
Aleranus nods patiently as Terra suggests a speeder to get them to Bela Vistal. He was willing to use his master's old cargo ship but it hadn't ocurred to him that a landing pad might not be available for them to land. Trekking on foot for the last leg of the journey would slow them, but if that was how they had to reach the destination, then so be it.
"A speeder should do fine then. When can we leave?" Aleranus assumed the answer would be after Terra received permission from her master to go. He was not too anxious to leave immediately- after all, there was no guarantee that the Demon was actually in Bela Vistal. It could be even farther to the west, but it was as good a place to begin the Hunt as any.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2014 15:20:29 GMT -8
To the archivist's question of if she had asked her master about a trip to Bela Vistal, Terra shook her head. She hadn't actually talked to Jade since she had left for Coruscant so of course her master wasn't here to give permission. Which meant that she might have to sit this one out."Master Jade is on Coruscant. I don't remember when she said she'd be back."Something else had occurred to her, as she didn't actually recall volunteering for this mission in the first place. Had Nalatua'lin just assumed that Terra would be a part of the expedition to Bela Vistal? Someone would certainly have mentioned an upcoming mission beforehand, right?
On the other hand, this would be a far better way to train than just endless drills and other practices in Jade's absence. There was still the problem of contacting her master and getting her blessing for this mission, but that could probably be easily corrected. Jade had left Terra her contact info after all."I can try and contact her right now. Er...if you want me on the mission that is."
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Ael Jade
The Jedi Order - Corellian Jedi Academy
Posts: 1,544
Affiliation: Corellian Jedi Order
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Post by Ael Jade on Jan 24, 2014 15:47:57 GMT -8
Asking a Sith how to destroy an artifact of definite value to them was not a viable option. Not unless they tackled it in a very roundabout way, and generally Sith were not stupid. They would know something was up. Nalatua'lin thought that an undercover trip to Korriban to search through the Sith archives was a more likely solution to the problem. However, Sith archives didn't tend to be as all-encompassing as other archives since they were usually more preoccupied with wreaking havoc upon others and forwarding their own ends. However, due to the tenuous alliance between Jedi and Sith in the war against the Mandalorians---now that provided some initial potential. This was all beside the immediate point though: dealing with the Smoke Demon near Bela Vistal.
"We should gather some food. Hunting will slow us down, but it shouldn't be too long, Aleranus, probably only a matter of hours." She remembered that he had only arrived on Corellia a few hours earlier and her otherwise smooth brow creased with worry. "Are you sure you don't need some sleep first? Smoke Demons shouldn't be tackled when one is at a low point." The Healer knew he would almost certainly reject her offer. Though she had not known him long, she was aware that he held the quest his master had passed on to him in a nearly religious awe, and he was single-minded in carrying it out.
Nala considered Terra Kiros for a moment, lekku gently twitching as they draped in front of her. She had assumed Terra would wish to be involved, but at the same time, she knew this would be dangerous. "This is not a normal enemy we will be facing, Terra." She knew Aleranus would attempt to place himself between them and danger, but a Smoke Demon would probably not take that into consideration in trying to kill them. Not to mention that she had no intention of letting Aleranus die. "I can assume responsibility for your joining us, if you so desire. But, I cannot guarantee your safety absolutely. The decision is one you will have to make for yourself."
While she wished to keep younger Jedi safe and protected, Nala realized that the life of a Jedi is inherently fraught with danger, and one will not be able to adequately defend one's self if one is never placed in harm's way. At least this time, she would be there if anything happened.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2014 20:09:49 GMT -8
Terra found herself a little apprehensive as Nala warned her about the danger of this mission, but it was only for a moment. Even if their enemy wasn't normal, it was still important to find and eliminate the threat. Besides, it was time she started taking a more active role within the Order and this would be a good place to start and hopefully provide some experience before she attempted to pass the rest of her Trials. Despite the danger of facing an unknown enemy, she didn't take long to come to a decision.
She nodded."I understand. I'll try not to be a burden."
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Ael Jade
The Jedi Order - Corellian Jedi Academy
Posts: 1,544
Affiliation: Corellian Jedi Order
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Post by Ael Jade on Jan 25, 2014 18:09:45 GMT -8
"I am sure you won't be, just don't neglect your own safety," Nalatua'lin reassured the younger woman. She hoped Terra would overcome her diffidence in time. Confidence seemed to ebb and flow with her, and Nala was not sure how best to help her. One's opinion of one's self often sets the way others will view and treat one. If confidence is shown, confidence will be returned.
She pulled out her comlink and spoke quietly to the head cook in charge of the mess hall, requesting food and drink that would travel as in worst case scenario they would be gone for a few days and one never knew what might happen.
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Aleranus
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Post by Aleranus on Feb 5, 2014 14:17:35 GMT -8
Aleranus regarded Nalatua'lin calmly. "I will sleep on the journey, Master Jedi. I cannot drive a speeder in any case."
The newcomer, Terra, gave Aleranus some pause. The young woman was very... cautious. Perhaps even unsure of herself and her abilities. A dangerous liability if the Smoke Demon manifested itself in their presence. Bringing Terra could easily unravel their best-laid plans to capture or destroy this creature.
"Terra," the dark-haired boy said. "What are you afraid of?" He fixes the girl with his eyes, unblinking, unmoving, holding his ground. "What in this galaxy scares you to the point where you will turn your back on your friends, your family, and run to shelter?"
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2014 12:14:15 GMT -8
Terra wasn't sure how to answer his question, a bit stunned at how suddenly he had just up and asked her about her greatest fears. Honestly, there was a lot of things she was afraid of but she couldn't think of anything off the top of her head that would scare her as much as what he had said. It wasn't honestly something she liked to think about, much less talk about.
She looked away with a shrug."I...I don't know..."
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Ael Jade
The Jedi Order - Corellian Jedi Academy
Posts: 1,544
Affiliation: Corellian Jedi Order
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Post by Ael Jade on Feb 14, 2014 13:45:20 GMT -8
The Jedi Healer's lekku twitched subtly. Aleranus had asked Terra a question that most would hesitate to ask one they had long been acquainted with. And Terra Kiros was a shy, private individual. Nalatua'lin suspected this was due to several things, at least one factor of which had a perfectly legitimate medical reason. However, she said nothing, instead leading the small group towards the academy's speeders.
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Aleranus
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Post by Aleranus on Feb 16, 2014 9:43:25 GMT -8
"I think," Aleranus said as he fell in line behind Nalatua'lin, "we will find out before long."
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