The Jedi Iroh
DAGOBAH- THE SWAMPS
The mud sucked at Tiland's boots and the quarterstaff as he picked his way through the swamp, leaning against a curled tree root to maintain his balance. "Watch your step," he called back over his shoulder before hauling himself onto a fallen trunk. Moss draped down its sides, and mud plastered the side of the wood. Tiland crouched on the limb and listened as the squawks of birds and other distant creatures rolled through the gloom.
None of them were visible, of course, but he could feel them through the laters of the life that saturated the planet. Little flickers and flares within the Force. Some shone brightly, others lingered deep beneath the water's surface, and some vanished instantly, caught by some other creature in the endless cycle of life and death that sustained the universe. The Living Force into the Cosmic Force into the Living Force, together as the Unifying Force. That was something he had found difficulty with in the past, in many of the perspectives of the Jedi. Many feared death and sought to prevent it at all costs, as if preserving life was the greatest possible good. Now with sentients, he could see that being understandable. But was there truly a separation in the Force between sentient and non-sentient beings? Tiland remained unsure. If that were true, then logically, preserving non-sentient life would be as critical as sentient life. But was it truly evil for a Nexu or an Acklay to kill and eat its prey? Ecologically, they were necessary for their natural habitats.
When removed from their natural habitats, they caused problems- especially when used as creatures of terror and the entertainment of bloodsports. That was not an unreliable analogy for the Dark Side. He paused in his reflection to stride along the length of the fallen tree, one foot in front of the other with a delicate certainty, before leaping lightly off and landing with a splash on the far side.
It was a small island over here, covered in ankle-high water flowing from a mineral hot spring, filling the usually pungent air with the starkly contrasting mineral scent of sulfur. But at least it was warm. He moved to the far side of the small island and settled himself on a protruding rock, leaning the staff against his knees.
"The water here is good to drink," Tiland said, scooping up a small cup of water and cradling it in his hands. "The high temperatures of the spring kill bacteria, but only drink from the rocky island we're sitting on. Beyond, it runs into the swamp itself."
Not that the water tasted good, or smelled good, but some held that it traditionally had health benefits, depending on the species, at least. "Let us begin by meditating on our surroundings, yes?"
The lesson's content had been left vague, only that it was a journey into the swamps for a lesson on self-reflection and purpose. They may get something out of it, or they may not. That was beyond Tiland's ability to control.
The student, and the student alone, dictated the outcome of their learning.
The mud sucked at Tiland's boots and the quarterstaff as he picked his way through the swamp, leaning against a curled tree root to maintain his balance. "Watch your step," he called back over his shoulder before hauling himself onto a fallen trunk. Moss draped down its sides, and mud plastered the side of the wood. Tiland crouched on the limb and listened as the squawks of birds and other distant creatures rolled through the gloom.
None of them were visible, of course, but he could feel them through the laters of the life that saturated the planet. Little flickers and flares within the Force. Some shone brightly, others lingered deep beneath the water's surface, and some vanished instantly, caught by some other creature in the endless cycle of life and death that sustained the universe. The Living Force into the Cosmic Force into the Living Force, together as the Unifying Force. That was something he had found difficulty with in the past, in many of the perspectives of the Jedi. Many feared death and sought to prevent it at all costs, as if preserving life was the greatest possible good. Now with sentients, he could see that being understandable. But was there truly a separation in the Force between sentient and non-sentient beings? Tiland remained unsure. If that were true, then logically, preserving non-sentient life would be as critical as sentient life. But was it truly evil for a Nexu or an Acklay to kill and eat its prey? Ecologically, they were necessary for their natural habitats.
When removed from their natural habitats, they caused problems- especially when used as creatures of terror and the entertainment of bloodsports. That was not an unreliable analogy for the Dark Side. He paused in his reflection to stride along the length of the fallen tree, one foot in front of the other with a delicate certainty, before leaping lightly off and landing with a splash on the far side.
It was a small island over here, covered in ankle-high water flowing from a mineral hot spring, filling the usually pungent air with the starkly contrasting mineral scent of sulfur. But at least it was warm. He moved to the far side of the small island and settled himself on a protruding rock, leaning the staff against his knees.
"The water here is good to drink," Tiland said, scooping up a small cup of water and cradling it in his hands. "The high temperatures of the spring kill bacteria, but only drink from the rocky island we're sitting on. Beyond, it runs into the swamp itself."
Not that the water tasted good, or smelled good, but some held that it traditionally had health benefits, depending on the species, at least. "Let us begin by meditating on our surroundings, yes?"
The lesson's content had been left vague, only that it was a journey into the swamps for a lesson on self-reflection and purpose. They may get something out of it, or they may not. That was beyond Tiland's ability to control.
The student, and the student alone, dictated the outcome of their learning.
