Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jun 14, 2020 2:50:08 GMT -8
Nartaga had slept little over the course of the night, instead thinking on what had transpired over the course of the evening. One of the thoughts that would not leave his mind was Zed's name for Nartaga's abilities. Zed had called it the Force, but Nartaga had never heard of such a thing. As a Tusken, he had been taught since he was an uli-ah that the power of the Shamans came from the Suns and Tatooine itself. Nartaga knew there were Outsider Shamans able to use similar power, but it had never before occured to the Tusken that they were one and the same power, and it originated not from the Tatooine or the Suns. The Outsider Shamans he had seen depicted in stories by other Outsiders shot lightning and carried swords that glowed. He had no such ability or weapon.
How much did Zed know of Outsider Shamans? It was something that he would like to learn further of, but it would have to wait for now. But if the source of his power did not come from the Suns and Tatooine as he was taught, that would mean something that almost all of his people believed was false. This in itself was not as large as a shock as it could have been, as Nartaga knew that some of the things his people believed were not true, but it still gave his soul a heavy weight that he felt manifest in his throat and stomach.
Nartaga shook his head to try and clear the thoughts from his mind. "None of the other Shamans would believe it even if it were true." The Tusken muttered in his native language under his breath before picking up his gaderffii and cycler rifle, setting the rifle next to him while laying back down next to Patashu and putting the melee weapon across his lap. The fire would slowly die as he drifted off to sleep.
Nartaga would awaken with only a vague recollection of a nightmarish vision, but of what he could not bring forth. Like sand flowing from in between fingers when grasped, it already escaped him. Patashu had moved sometime during the night to lay back under the lip of the rocks, where her bedding was; leaving him alone on the ground with only the embers of the dead fire to keep him warm. Nartaga's blinked a few times, gazing up at the still visible stars in the sky to determine the time, as it was still dark. After getting an approximation of the time, Nartaga would begin his preparation for the travels ahead of him and his guest.
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Zed Bakiska
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Post by Zed Bakiska on Jun 15, 2020 6:07:36 GMT -8
Zed had slept little during the night but that what he had gotten had done wonders for him. Although the cold had seeped into the cave his own body had radiated enough heat that it was manageable. Compared to the many frigid days he had experienced this was bearable. Standing up Zed stretched working some warmth into his fingers. Working his hands over the spots where he had applied the ointment the previous night he found that a new skin, smooth as spider silk had already grown. In a few days it would no doubt burn and blister unless he found a way to cover his skin but so was the way here on Tatooine.
Walking outside the cave he looked up at the sky seeing only darkness and stars. Seeing that Nartaga was busying himself prepping or the travels of the day Zed stood near the embers of the fire for a few moments. Although it had been cool in the cave it was downright chilly outside. This early even the rocks had lost the residual heat from the day, Reaching down to one of the loose stones Zed turned in over and found a small lizard that had crawled there to bask in the warmth of the fire, now that it had gone out and it sluggishly tried to get away but the cold had affected it far worse than it had him and he picked it up and placed it directly into the embers. Even with all the food and Nartagass help he had it so ingrained in him to always keep an eye out for his next meal.
Is there anything you need a hand with before we go? Although he was not looking at Nartaga he said it loud enough that the Tusken should be able to understand him without reading his lips.
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Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jun 16, 2020 1:23:57 GMT -8
Nartaga turned toward the noise of Zed exiting the cave before returning to his work. "Almost finish. Just need travel supplies. And trade supplies." Patashu was standing up and her eyes, which had previously been elsewhere, now rested upon Zed as he moved to the firepit to roast his catch. Atop the bantha's back was now a large saddle. The Tusken headed into his home now that he had no fear of waking Zed, and grabbed a few bags that were already packed for travels. He made sure to keep several bags ready for travelling or in case he needed to leave the Mospics quickly. As the Tusken would strap the large bags to the saddle and secure them, he would pause and turn to Zed. "Zed know Outsider Shamans? Said Force, power they use? Like Tatooine Power?"
The questions had been bouncing around in his head since the previous night. He had wanted to meet an Outsider Shaman one day, so if Zed could introduce him to one some day or deliver a message to one it was very fortunate he had rescued him. Nartaga would attach the travois to connectors hanging from the saddle and continue loading up. The journey was not that far in terms of distance, but when it came to travelling by land on Tatooine it was best to be prepared. Not only that, but he had to make sure he packed up worthwhile items to trade at the village. It had been nearly an entire season since last he had needed to go to a village. With another mouth needing water, he would definitely need to stock up if they wanted to survive the desert world. The Tusken would bring out a small crate and set it down next to Zed. "Hide skin. Protect skin." Inside was what appeared to be a small collection of robes wraps and gloves, as well as a single Tusken style mask. The items were worn, as everything on Tatooine seemed to wear out faster than usual, but was still maintained relatively well. The Tusken would pick up the mask and hold it out for Zed to take first. "Take time get used to."
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Zed Bakiska
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Post by Zed Bakiska on Jun 16, 2020 12:01:04 GMT -8
When Nartaga asked about Outsider Shamans Zed became noticeably silent. It seemed that Nartaga was more inquisitive than he had given him credit for. Or maybe more intuitive, more in connection to the power of Tatooine than he had originally assumed. He never should have said anything about the Force but between the lack of food, water, and sleep his mind had been addled. Helping load the saddle bags and carrying random things, some of which he recognized and others that meant very little to him.. He had come to the planet to hide who he was and what he was, and it was just his luck that he had ran into someone who was like him. Maybe he owed it to Nartaga to warn him about the dangers that were offworld currently.
Rubbing the nape of his neck before accepting the mask and placed it on his head. It pressed in, on various places of his head and despite it being made for someone else he still managed to press it on. He wondered if this is what the Mandalorians had to deal with when they wore their own helmets. If this is how Garwig and the other Saarai-Kars felt when they donned their ceremonial Sith Masks. You asked if I knew Outsider Shamans. I do.
Despite having reservations he reached out and using The Force he caused the top of the crate holding the wraps and robes to lift from the ground and levitate for several moments before gentling landing back on top of the crate. I am one. Taking the lid back off the crate Zed began wrapping the parts of his skin that would be exposed trying to emulate the look of Nartaga. I came to Tatooine because the people who destroyed my home and killed my clan are killing people like me. Hunting people like me.
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Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jun 17, 2020 0:30:31 GMT -8
Nartaga was excited to know that Zed did indeed know Outsider Shamans. His hopes of exchanging information and knowledge, learning and teaching each other in the name of mutual understanding, was one step closer. The Tusken's hopeful thoughts were cut off as the top of the crate began to move. Nartaga jumped back in surprise as the lid of the crate began to levitate, caught off guard. The instincts drilled into his soul as both a warrior and a shaman made him instinctively reach toward his blades and ready his own power, but he stopped as soon as Zed took responsibility and further explained his situation to the Tusken. Nartaga breathed a sigh of relief and relaxed himself, thankful that they were not under attack by some mischievous spirit or demon. Nartaga nodded his head in understanding at the tactics of the group that had attacked Zed's clan. "Shamans are the spiritual core of a clan, so it makes sense to kill them to wipe out a clan. The survivors usually scatter and die out." He said in the Tusken language, before repeating what he had though aloud to himself in broken Basic."Kill Shaman. Kill clan. Tusken do same." The fact that Zed's clan had in fact been an Order comprised of Force Users was something that Nartaga had not picked up on. It was not even something that he had considered. Those with the abilities of a shaman were rare among his people. Some Shamans of some smaller clans tribes were not Force sensitive, and were simply spiritual leaders or gifted in medicine. To think that there were entire groups entirely made up of people with similar abilities was beyond his comprehension."Many come Tatooine hide. Many more die. Zed lucky. Even if not think so." Nartaga unfolded a tarp at the canvas tarp at the top of the travois and used it to cover the items loaded onto it, tying it down by the end corners. Nartaga brushed the back of Patashu's right hind leg as he walked by. The Bantha lifted her head to the sky and parted her lips, bearing closed teeth as if she were smiling up at the stars. Nartaga went to his cave and exited with a bag in hand. Patashu brayed as soon as the bag her rider carried caught her eye, stomping her front hooves excitedly. The bantha's prehensile tongue extended out from her mouth and made a beeline for the opening of the bag, but was stopped by Nartaga's free hand covering it. Nartaga instead held the bag out to Zed to take after he had finished covering his skin, signing to the man to explain what it was for before speaking. "Desert plums. Feed Patashu. Stomach lead to heart." The bantha turned her head with teary eyes at the denial of the treat, staring at the two beings before her, saliva trickling out from her mouth as it watered at the thought of the desert fruit. Nartaga would begin to brush Patashu with a coarse hairbrush to calm her down as Zed fed, or attempted to feed, the large creature. "Never met outsider shaman. Talk outsider shamans?" Nartaga signed a better representation of what he was trying to say to Zed.There was an excitement in the tone of the Tusken's voice. He was trying to be mindful and polite given Zed's situation, but the chance to speak first hand to an outsider shaman may never get another chance. Few Tuskens were able to have a peaceful encounter with non-Tuskens, let alone learning about other cultures. It was an area that Nartaga was lacking, but he was always wanting to learn of things. Most of what he knew was hearsay and stories told in exchange for services he provided, the Tusken not having any use for credits. Much of the information he had was incomplete, some of it likely incorrect, but there was no way for him to know that without being corrected by someone who knew the truth.
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Zed Bakiska
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Post by Zed Bakiska on Jun 17, 2020 15:47:01 GMT -8
Taking the bag from Nartaga he reached in and removed a few of the desert plums. Being a newcomer to the planet Zed did not grasp how rare these were, how much of a treat that these plums were to any being who would eat them. If had maybe Zed would have grabbed a few less, there were still many in the bag, but he felt that it was worth it to get such a magnificent beast to like him. Here Patashu, by the looks of it if you don't eat these maybe I will instead. Laughing in trepidation he approached the Bantha approached him cautiously, clearly distrusting of anyone who is not her rider but the desire for the plums overwhelming that. Thats right, Zed is a friend. She swiped he tounge over his now gloved hand taking the two plums that were on it and munched on them noising shaking her head in delight. Zed could see her looking at the bag hoping that this tall strange man would give her more, with his free hand Zed handed the bag over to Nartaga less those large eyes plead with him too hard and he give her another. There is a lot I can tell you, and it would take years, maybe a life time to tell it all. I think the biggest difference is that on other worlds Shamans, Force users do not always stay with their families and clans. Many will go and join a group of other people like them, with the same power so they can learn. Most will use their powers to help people. To help the galaxy... help other worlds. Some will use it to further their own goals. To grab power and in doing so hurt a lot of people. Sometimes it seems that they, that every action taken by Outsider Shamans changes the galaxy. Wiping off the saliva covered hand on the inside of his Tusken garb he continued. Where I lived and learned we called ourselves Jensaarai it a language of people long dead it means "The Hidden Followers of Truth", we were a small clan seemingly always persecuted realizing it was a strange word he signed the closest word to hunted he knew. The ones that help people are called Jedi and the ones who hurt people to gain power are called Sith.
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Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 10, 2020 16:47:25 GMT -8
Nartaga pondered the description of the users of the Force as Zed explained their motives to him. As Nartaga finished brushing Patashu, the bantha having gotten her desert plums as a treat from Zed, she rolled out her tongue and tentatively grasped at the Stennes' gloved hand, searching for more. Nartaga took the bag back from Zed and packed it onto the travois with the rest of their supplies. "Many stories told by Outsiders. Not sure if believe or not. Many seem...like not true. Stories of many ships. Armies of many thousands fighting. Shamans fighting with blades made of light." Nartaga unslung his gaderffii and held it in front of him, his right hand at the center of its handle, hefting the weight of the traditional Tusken weapon before re-slinging it on his back. "Prefer weight of Gaderffii. Metal. Feel weight of attacks...of actions. Light too light."
Nartaga finished up the preparations in silence for a few moments before strapping Patashu's saddle onto her. He gestured for Zed to take his place on the saddle. He would walk for now, until they were safely out of the Mospics. There were still many questions he had, his curiosity getting the better of his manners of not prying into others' business if he did not have too. "What is the Truth your clan follow? Many truths exist."
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Zed Bakiska
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Post by Zed Bakiska on Jul 11, 2020 7:53:48 GMT -8
Zed could not help but laugh at the question. The sound of his laugh seemingly muffled in the second hand fabric. You know Nartaga if everyone who talked bad about your people met you they would change their minds about you being violent savages. Now that he was fully encased in the Tusken outfit he figured he should sign more often as much of communication involved both tone, and the use of facial muscles. As such he signed to Nartaga hoping he understood that he was happy with the questions. You are probably the most intelligent person I have seen on this planet. Some of the stories are true, but I would wager most of them are just myths, Legends if you will. Would you believe me if I said that the Truth that we follow is actually a lie? Or rather one mans lie that our founder Nikkos Tyris. Nikkos found a manuscript, the written words of a long dead Sith who told the history of an ancient schism or break between the Jedi and the people who would become the first Sith. Most of what was recorded was the truth except for one thing. That the Jedi had stolen everything from the Sith and that they were the evil ones. Nikkos believed this without question and turned his back on the Jedi and became the first Jensaarai. Nikkos and his most experienced pupils were slain years later but some survived and followed his teachings for a generation before the surviving Jensaarai learned the real truth and not the one they had been taught by Nikkos.
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Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 12, 2020 1:18:15 GMT -8
Nartaga would begin guiding Patashu out of the grotto with Zed atop the saddle after he climbed upon the bantha. The Tusken would be silent in response to the comments about his intelligence and that of his people, only tilting his gaze down at the ground momentarily as he walked. Instead the Shaman listened intently to the short oral history of the Jensaarai. After trying to wrap his head around some of the unfamiliar words Zed spoke, he thought he understood the gist of what was said. "History change from eye to eye. All see different. Hard tell what true and what just seen by other."
The Tusken had thought on this as well, reconsidering most of what he had been taught since he was a child. If what Zed's people believed to be the truth turned out to be wrong, then so could things that he believed were fact. So could anything his people held as undeniable fact. This was weighing heavily on Nartaga's heart, but there was nothing he would be able to do about it. He was an outcast, all but banished for what were progressive ideas and opinions. If he were to begin speaking of the possibility that everything his people held true about themselves was false, even his status as a Shaman would save him from being made an example of.
"Belief mistaken as truth. Taught as truth. Where come from fades. Always known belief as truth. Not accept anything else." The way Nartaga spoke made it clear he was speaking from personal experience, recalling some of the later infighting that had occurred between himself and his Master and Chieftain. "Hard to make see real truth." Patashu reached her tongue out and used the prehensile appendage to lightly pet the back of the Tusken's mask, sensing the pain within her rider's soul. Nartaga would continue leading to the north north east, reaching the outskirts of the Mospics and into the northern dune sea, making slow but steady progress to the village that he had told Zed of. "What was real truth for Zed's clan? Truth followers need truth replace lie." The Tusken would not even try to attempt to say the word Jensaarai, fearing the word would twist his tongue enough to silence him in Basic for the foreseeable future.
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Zed Bakiska
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Post by Zed Bakiska on Jul 12, 2020 15:33:57 GMT -8
Trying not to fall as he spoke Zed found riding the Bantha both exhilarating and terrifying. He had never ridden on the back of a living creature before and he could feel each breath Patashu made, every step he took rocked through his body despite the saddle beneath him. No doubt if this was a long trek he would have some series saddle sores if he managed to stay on that long. He was grateful that Nartaga had let him ride but part of him wanted to be firmly planted on the ground walking where Nartaga walked.
The real truth was that we were protectors, and defenders of the planet we called home and of the galaxy at large. It was not what we had set out to, but what we became. I think all of us sought out a different truth and wanted to learn as much hidden knowledge as we could and teach others what we could as well. I could recite to you our... code if you would like? He was silent for a few seconds. He did not need to think hard to remember it but the words now held a sort of reverence to him now that the others were gone.
Our passions require understanding
Through understanding, We gain truth
Through truth, We gain true power
Through this power, We gain peace
Through peace, We gain freedom
We follow the truth, We follow the Force.
The words seemed to come out louder than the rest of his words, almost as if there was a sort of power behind them. In Zeds mind there was.
What does you clan believe? I take it you have tried to show them a new truth but rejected it?
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Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 12, 2020 23:18:44 GMT -8
Nartaga listened to the mantra of the Jensaarai, taking in each word. They did not hold the same meaning to the Tusken as they did to Zed, but he could tell there was importance in the code as the man spoke it. The Tusken had the vaguest of feelings as if he had heard the Jensaarai code before. Perhaps in a previous life. Nartaga stopped in his tracks, Patashu following suit. The Tusken took out his monocular and scanned the horizons for anyone trailing them. Satisfied, he would put the scouting device away and sit down in the sand and sip from his waterskin. The bantha knelt down as well, laying on her stomach in the sand to rest for a few moments. "R'Crurak follow old ways. Tatooine belong to Tuskens. Outsiders invaders. War. Never peace."
The Tusken would hold out the waterskin for the disguised Stennes to take, assuming his hopped down from the saddle. As a guide he had learned early on that not many could handle riding a creature like a bantha for long without breaks in between, and they had already been riding for several hours. "Nartaga no see point. Outsiders fly ships. Never stop them. Risk Outsiders revenge. Kill all Tuskens with stronger weapons. No winning. Try talk with Outsiders, allies." The shaman shook his head disappointedly. "Called traitor, coward. Chieftain, Master Shaman send away."
Realizing the outsider may have be referring to the beliefs of the Tusken Shamans, Nartaga would try to elaborate on those as well. It as not something that could be easily explained in Basic by the Tusken, but he would try. "Shamans taught. Tatooine alive. Give energy to all living things. Shamans use Tatooine energy. Use for tribe. For ritual. For fighting. For tribe. For For people. For survival." Recalling back to the earlier explanation of the different types of outsider Force User groups, the Tusken held up his hands as if they were scales. No see different. Jedi. Sith. Tuskens have just Shamans. Any decisions Shaman make, still Shaman. All draw from same power."
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Zed Bakiska
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Post by Zed Bakiska on Jul 14, 2020 15:05:49 GMT -8
When Patashu knelt down Zed jumped from the back of the Bantha into the sands stumbling a few feet as he scrabbled to find purchase in the sand. Stretching the cramps out of his legs he gladly accepted the water and took a sparing drink from it. Most of the people out there he said pointing to the sky see Jedi and Sith as the same. The only ones who really see a difference are each other, maybe as a way to feel better. I and my clan followed the words and teachings from both groups.
It is hard to change your ways let alone the ways of a whole clan or race. Perhaps in the future there will be more people like you who see the outsiders as allies rather than invaders and things will change. Where we are going, do they speak Basic as you do or is it just a place for your language?
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Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 23, 2020 1:56:53 GMT -8
Nartaga signed in response to Zed's question. "Hard say. Not know all Or'Rrk'Rkr clan. Large clan. Larger than R'Crurak tribe. Some might know few words. Far away from settlements. Few Tusken speak Basic." The Tusken raised his hands to sign again as he spoke to emphasize how far away from Outsider civilization the two sentients were. "Most others Tuskens, Jawas, beasts. Few Outsider this far out. Or'Rrk'Rkr trade more with Outsider than most, but still not like. To trade, Outsiders need earn trust of clan. Prove not like kin."Nartaga unslung his gaderffii and began drawing in the sand. Eventually the lines drawn by one of the bladed prongs on the end of the weapon formed a rough sketch of a map. Nartaga pointed one of the bladed tips at a square symbol he had drawn and put an X in it. "Here." The Tusken traced the point above a line drawn to a flat plateau shape with some short wavy lines on one end. "Village here." The Tusken guide traced back along the line drawn and about halfway circled some triangle shaped clusters. "Need camp here overnight. No stay at village. Have trade rights, but have had...problems in past." The Tusken then re-traced back to the plateau and wavy line symbol, circling it again. "Reach Or'Rrk'Rkr village morning. Safer, and not."The Tusken waved his free hand, and the drawings in the sand faded into nothing; washed away by the gentle pushing of a breeze created by the Tusken Shaman. The Tusken brought the same hand to the chin of his mask in thought. The heavy load on Patashu was slowing them down, but it could not be helped. The Tusken stood up, signaling to his bantha it was time to continue their journey. Nartaga moved to check the saddle and all the straps and knots that held in place the various items Patashu was transporting. Satisfied with the strength and resilience of everything he posed a question to Zed. "Walk or ride?"After the disguised Outsider answered, Nartaga would either continue walking along the bantha as before, or climb aboard and sit atop his mount, surveying the surrounding dunes occasionally. It was not unheard of to not come across a single living thing out in the wastes of Tatooine, but it was when one's guard fell that they would learn the hard way they were never truly alone. The Tusken would once again speak up, wanting to hear as much as possible on the subject of Outsider Shamans. "Zed say Force before. Not understand. Force energy like Tatooine, but everywhere? So Tatooine power not everywhere?" The suspicions of the Tusken Shaman that the basic fundamentals of the teachings of his people was incorrect were still festering, so he wanted clarification. The basic philosophical belief that Tuskens were blessed by the Suns and Tatooine with the power to manipulate the spiritual energy exuded by them was something he wanted to be sure he did not misinterpret. If true it would be a reality shattering revelation, but he wanted to know the truth.
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Zed Bakiska
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Post by Zed Bakiska on Jul 23, 2020 8:11:33 GMT -8
Zed was fascinated by the use of what he assumed was the Force, or the power of Tatooine to erase the crudely drawn map from the sand. It was so similar to what he would call telekinesis and totally different than what he had seen the night before. The small use of the Tuskens power had been felt by Zed and he subconciously absorbed the extended energy which renewed his flagging strength better than food or drink could have. So long as he had the Force he could sustain himself as he slowly regained his physical strength. He was so engrossed in the difference that he did not answer Nartaga right away and when he did his voice sounded as if his mind was elsewhere. Walk... Walk for sure. Patashu likes you more. Thank you for allowing me a chance to ride her.
As he walked along beside Nartaga and his Bantha Zed wondered how best to act in the settlement. As it was he towered over Nartaga being over seven feet tall. Assuming his new friend was average for the others of his species and tribes then he would already stand out. If one of them spoke to him he would be truly lost. What then? Should he faint being mute? Speak only with signs?
There are a lot of names for the power that we posses. Different people across the galaxy call it different things, The Force, Ashla, Bogan, Magic, White Current, Tatooine Power and many many more. Zed knew what he wanted to say and how to explain it but there were two hurdles. The first being Nartagas grasp on basic. Although he spoke and understand it well enough it was not his first language so understanding concepts in it could be harder due to his lack of mastery of it. Secondly did he really want to upend all of his beliefs? Although he claimed to want to know the truth, sometimes the truth did not always help people.
Reaching down Zed grabbed a handful of the sand and let all of it slip between his gloved fingers until only a few grains remained clinging to the material. There are animals, smaller than the smallest grain of sand. So small that hundreds or thousands could live on the grain of sand. They live inside of us. Some people have more. Some people have less. They are called Midichlorians. The more that you have living in you the easier that one can connect to The Force or the power of Tatooine. I do not know if anyone knows where the power comes from. Maybe from them, maybe from the planet you live on, or the stars and moons above us. Or maybe somewhere else. So maybe the power does come from Tatooine and now that I am here its power flows through me, just as if you were to leave to another world its power would flow through you.
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Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 24, 2020 0:51:38 GMT -8
Nartaga tilted his head in acknowledgement of Zed's choice and after climbing atop his mount the two humanoids and bantha continued their trek through the desert lands of Tatooine. Nartaga's ears listened attentively to the explanation and theories spoken by Zed, his head remaining on a swivel, the Tusken's eyes watching carefully their flanks. The hairs on the back of the sentry's neck stood up. They were definitely being watched by someone or something, but had yet to reveal itself. "Mid-Chorine-ans? Sound not real." Nartaga reached over to the holster on his saddle, taking out his cycler rifle and taking it in his hands, his grip tight while it was still aimed toward the ground.
The aura given off by the Tusken slowly became more and more skittish as a small outcropping of stone jutted up from the sands and into the air, forming a craggly respite from the endless dunes. "Camp there." The Tusken pointed at the rock formation ahead. Patashu would stop in her tracks and begin backpedaling, though with great difficulty with the travois attached to her. Nartaga took his right hand off his rifle and used it to grab the reins to get her to keep moving forward. The Bantha let out a cry and reared up onto her hind legs, kicking the air with her front. Nartaga gripped the reins with his hand and clenched his legs on the bantha's sides as tightly as possible to avoid falling from the beast's back. Bringing the scope of his cycler rifle to the eye of his mask to try and pinpoint the cause of Patashu's apprehension. "Something near." Patashu again lifted herself high on her hind legs before letting out another bellowing yell, as if trying to intimidate whatever was stalking them, the action steeped in fear; an effort to appear like too much trouble to attack. Nartaga lost site of the horizons as his perch atop his mount became less and less steady as the animal instincts of the bantha began to affect its composure.
A plume of sand shot up into the air around one hundred meters to the north west of the traveling trio. Nartaga reached into one of the saddlebags, taking out a round, rough looking ball. Squeezing the ball and breaking a seal in the center and shaking it. A very pungent and repulsive smelling smoke began to creep from the surface. The Tusken continued shaking the ball for a few more seconds before launching the sphere as far as he could west of them of them, upwind of their current position but still in between them and where the plume had been. Nartaga put his cycler rifle back into its holster and quickly took his gaderffii from his back, using the outward facing bladed edges to cut the ties that kept the travois carrying their supplies and items for trade attached to the bantha. "Stink ball keep busy for short time. Need get to rocks." The Tusken would say before extending a hand to Zed readying to take off toward the rocks.
Another plume of sand rose up to the west of them, following by a deep, thunderous roar piercing the otherwise still desert air, the top layer of grains of sand shifting from the vibrations of whatever was emitting such a sound.
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Zed Bakiska
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Post by Zed Bakiska on Jul 24, 2020 13:52:06 GMT -8
Taking the Tuskens hand, he climbed onto the back of the Bantha and looked off towards the sound of the distant creature. In all his time on the planet he had not encountered anything larger than a bantha, and never gotten as close to one as he had been the past few days. This was bigger that for sure, he could see the sands shifting beneath them as the force of the roar reached them. With nothing to do beyond sitting and hoping Patashu can go faster than she seemed he spoke into Nartagas ear.
If it catches us, do we stand a chance?
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Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 24, 2020 23:50:08 GMT -8
After Zed was upon the back of the bantha, Nartaga yelled something in his native language. Patashu lifted herself up once more on her hind legs, but this time as the bantha's body fell back down, the beast of burden used the forward momentum to give herself a boost in speed. Free from the burden of the travois and the supplies she had been dragging as well as the adrenaline coursing through her body, the bantha was able to travel surprisingly fast for a creature of its size; the fear and survival instinct powered sprint reaching nearly seventy kilometers per hour. Anything not attached securely enough was sure to fly off of the bantha, the breakneck speed of Patashu's mad dash to the rock formation not giving any consideration to anything but reaching the destination without being eaten. Nartaga looked back as another roar echoed throughout the air, and his eyes widened in shock beneath his mask at what he saw rising up from the sands.
A dune shifted upward into the air, the sand falling off from the back of a mighty greater Krayt dragon, the most dangerous of creatures that not only survived but thrived in the barren wastelands of Tatooine. Regarded with both an intense fear and respect by the Tuskens, Nartaga was dumbfounded beyond words as the creature continued to lift what appeared to only part of his body out from beneath the dunes, looking around for the prey it was hunting. While the stink ball had drew it off course, the red amber eyes of the gargantuan reptile widened as it spotted its target: the fleeing bantha and two riders.
Nartaga shook his head to free himself from the stupor that had overtaken his mind. The Tuskens mind flew through every strategy he could think of, trying to weigh their chances of survival at all. The canyon krayts he had hunted in his lifetime would be thought of as ants in comparison to such a beast. Greater krayt dragons were so rare that he had only ever heard of them in the stories told to him as a youngling. One stepped removed being deities themselves, the greater Krayts were legends. To come across such an ancient and power creature in his culture was something that he could almost not process. Nartaga spoke with certainty, his tone solemn. "Not in open sand."
The krayt dragon dove partially back beneath the sands, using its ten mighty limbs and tail to swim beneath the sands towards its quarry as if it were gliding through water. Sand flew up into the air in the wake of the krayt, creating a small sandstorm behind the partly submerged dragon. Its head and neck were above the sand, its eyes locked on its target. It would not lose sight of its next kill again to any more tricks.
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Zed Bakiska
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Post by Zed Bakiska on Jul 25, 2020 14:39:42 GMT -8
Looking back as Nartaga had, his own adrenaline started to pump into his body. Time seemingly slowing to a crawl. Never in his life had he seen a creature as the one that erupted from the sands. Nor would he have believed that the barren wastes they now traveled could support such a creature. Perhaps it functioned similar to crocodilians, needing only to eat once and a while and digesting that food slowly over several weeks or months, perhaps even years. How it got enough water was anyone's guess. Zed started into its red eyes which seemed to stare into him easily visible despite the distance and the sand it threw up in its wake.
I might be able to buy us time to get to those stones.
Reaching out into the force he placed one of his hands onto Nartaga, the other onto Patashu as he gripped onto the Bantha harder with his legs nearly falling as she rushed forwards. Reaching out in the force Zed looked up towards the twin suns imagining their dual waves beating over them picturing it in his mind. He listened intently to the breathing of Patashu, the sound of exertion mixed with fear. The more he focused the better he saw the three of them fleeing their pursuer. Waves of energy bouncing off of them, or leaving them. Using the Force Zed bent those waves to his will. Slowly he would disappear from view as if he were an apparition. The lightwaves bending away as he looked like another spot of sand, then slowly Nartaga and Patashu would follow suit. Although they would be able to see them self the other two would appear invisible to the others naked eye.
The sound was harder to bend to his will but bend it did. There was no way to hide the sound of the bantha, instead he redirected it to make it appear as if it were coming from several different directions at the same time. Trust me Nartaga, get us to the rocks ahead and we may yet live.
His voice sounded strained. Normally this power was only used on one persons body, and not three and the strain of it would have been taxing on him if he had been in the best of shape let alone recovering from his time alone in the desert. Under his wraps he sweated profusely some of it being captured by devices that worked to absorb moisture. He hoped they would make it to safety sooner rather than later, he would have looked back to see if his illusion had tricked the dragon but he was afraid if his concentration broke even for an instant then he would lose his grip on the power and they would be visible once more.
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Nartaga
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Post by Nartaga on Jul 26, 2020 1:25:22 GMT -8
Nartaga's heart would simultaneously leap into his throat and sink into his gut as Patashu seemed to disappear beneath him. With Zed sitting behind the horrified Tusken, he had not noticed that the Jensaarai had also disappeared, thanks to the abilities of the being's Force abilities. Yet, he still felt Patashu beneath him, and they were still making progress to the outcropping of rocks jutting up from the dunes. Nartaga made the connection to Zed's words and trusted that this was a spell of some sort to attempt to hide them from the hungry krayt that was quickly gaining on their rear.
The Krayt was only momentarily fooled by the camoflauge, using its keen sight to follow the sand that was impacted by the fleeing bantha, as well as its powerful sense of smell to lock onto its target. While unable to see the trio the krayt continued to close the distance, until it felt close enough to lunge forth, blindly striking at the sands with open jaws and burrowing itself into the sand to take its target down with it to suffocate it.
Nartaga's head turned, a look a horror on his face as he saw the Krayt's open jaws come in from the side, closing his eyes fearing this to be the end. When he opened them, they were still speedily moving to the safety the rocks promised. The krayt had misjudged the position and speed of its mark, losing the distance it had gained as it had expected the strike to capture its meal. Nartaga glanced behind them to see the sands lifting once more behind them as the creature realized it had not captured them inside its jaws, but instead received little more than a mouthful of sand. The rising sand so close to them only made the invisible bantha's speed grow faster as the uneven dunes turned into downhill terrain, and they finally passed the outer beginnings of the first outhrusts of rock. Patashu's breathing became heavily labored and erratic as her lungs struggled to keep up with her body's increased demand of air.
"Make ready!" The Tusken yelled as he tried to steer his mount as best as he could deeper into the minimal rocky cover. While some of the rocky outcroppings stretched up into the air like spindle like buildings, most of the stones were strewn apart and broken. Some time ago this part of Tatooine may have once been a magnificent natural formation, but something had destroyed the beauty that could have passed the test of time had it not been for outside interference. The Tusken tightened his legs around the visibly hidden bantha as he let go of the reins and unslung his gaderffii. "Tuck, roll! Hit sand! Not rock!" The Tusken shouted before swinging his left leg over the right side of the saddle and pushing himself off, holding the gaffii stick horizontally close to his torso to prevent it from breaking or hitting himself as he slammed into the ground.
Even though he had prepared himself for the impact, the speed that they had been travelling only made the experience more painful. The wind expelled from his lungs as he hit the ground, and the Tusken left a trench of disturbed sand like a ditch in his wake as he rolled. It was close to fifteen meters long until he finally came to a stop. Nartaga's sense of direction was gone until he was able to gather his bearings, stumbling as he climbed to his feet and began readying himself. There was no need for his cycler rifle, which he left in its holster on his saddle. It would have no effect on a creature of this size. The only hope they had would be to drive it away.
Patashu would continue her sprint through the rocks away from the danger after both Nartaga and Zed had leapt from her back, getting as much distance between herself and the predator chasing them. The bantha would not stop running until she felt that the danger was far enough away, or she collapsed from exhaustion.
Not even dusting himself off, Nartaga thrust the twin prongs into the sand beside him to hold it in place upright and raised his arms as he began shouting in his native tongue. R'ur'uv s'rek cor'ur su sk'rsa sorghas uk kr'rk'kak, bae kr'aergh verr uri'k su r'urvk sros'rk vr'ekr kur'ruvk ok'skroae su esk duu'Gk. The Tusken finished the chant a rush of energy expelled itself from the Tusken, drawing the Krayt dragon to his position in doing so. Nartaga would lower his arms and tightly close his eyes, reaching beneath the sands with his power for what he sought to defend himself with.
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Zed Bakiska
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Post by Zed Bakiska on Jul 26, 2020 12:20:07 GMT -8
Zed would not jump from the back of the Bantha so much as he slumped over and crashed hard into the ground. He did not hear the advice of tucking and rolling, nor aiming for the sand. Landing on the sand he equal parts skidded, equal parts rolled to a stop. The exertions of turning the three of them invisible had been too much and as the power receded, each of them becoming visible again Zed still did not move. His breathing was ragged and short, his heart beating erratically the specter of death hung closely to the Jensaarai.
Just as the power drew the dragon closer towards them it drew Zed back from the brink as some of the exerted power was absorbed by him. Slowly his heart rate steadied and breathing slowed. He did not fully rise. but he did manage to get to his knees before the sight of the dragon continuing its advance stilled him.
Not understanding the words coming from Nartaga, but knowing it was something in Tusken he dared hope that it was more than just a Tusken death chant. Crawling onto the rocky outcropping fully he looked around for something that he could use to defend himself and help ward off the animal.
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