Faction Beyond Temple Walls [TJO]

[Balun Dashiell]

BEYOND TEMPLE WALLS
LOCATION: Arbra, Liberty's Edge.
INVENTORY: High Republic Jedi Robes | Crossguard Lightsaber | Standard Lightsaber
TRANSPORT: Liberty's Edge
TAGS: Kaleleon | Open to The Jedi Order (THR)

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A life spent serving the Galaxy as part of the Jedi Order was a life well travelled. Jedi Masters and Jedi Students alike were expected to visit countless worlds in their bid to come to the assistance of those in need, and as the Galaxy often liked to interfere with the plans of the living, one could never be certain that something might go wrong.

Yet the Jedi were taught to adapt, encouraged to adjust to the evolving circumstances with which they found themselves, and strive forward in order to achieve their mission parameters, whatever the assignment. Today, a select group of Jedi Padawans, accompanied by two senior members of the Order, would set off on a several-day field trip with the objective of testing their survival skills.

The surface of Arbra welcomed the Liberty's Edge with a slight rock as the ship settled and the floor shuddered while the engine started winding down, repulsorlift thrusters clearing a perimeter of dust and light dirt around the ship before cutting off and providing the forested clearing with an apprehensive silence, as though the avian wildlife were waiting to see what had disturbed their peace.

The students' field trip and learning experience will begin shortly. Until now, they had been free to enjoy the comforts of the rather flash Clifford-Class Freighter, owned by Balun Dashiell and utilised for its space to transport as many as were willing. Considering how lavish the starship was inside, manufactured by Locke & Key Mechanics and later modified by Balun himself, the Students would all have enjoyed a good time of relaxation and leisure on the journey to Abra, soon to be deprived of it in exchange for the open wilderness and only what they were able to carry with them for survival.

“Alright, everyone”, Balun Dashiell’s voice came across the internal comms throughout the ship, reaching the students wherever they chose to be, “We have arrived on Arbra. Please proceed to the cargo bay so we can go over our equipment options for the hike”, he requested before deactivating the comms and rising from the pilot's seat to depart the cockpit.

Within the cargo bay, the largest open area of the ship used for storing transported goods, would be unusually bare, save for several long tables laid out with field equipment, field packs, ration packs, hydro-bottles, and physical prints of geographic maps, all contained within weather-resistant folders.

Together, Balun and those who had volunteered to assist him, would take the time to discuss the field equipment before giving the students the opportunity to choose what they could fit in their backpacks, leaving it up to each Padawan to decide what to prioritise, how much weight they were willing to carry, how much food and hydration they thought they might require, and all the while advice be there should they ask for it.

Former Mentor: Ala Quin
Jedi Apprentice: Cerys Dyn
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Kaleleon]

I let people settle before speaking. Not because silence somehow made things more important, but because people listened better once they stopped worrying about where they were standing or who they were standing beside. A few still shifted their weight. Some looked interested. Some looked nervous. A few had the sort of confidence that usually came from not yet learning how quickly confidence could disappear when things stopped going according to plan.

My hand rested against one of the supply crates nearby while I looked over the group. Different ages. Different backgrounds. Different levels of experience. That mattered. People came into situations like this carrying different strengths. Some understood navigation. Some knew how to improvise. Some had never spent extended time outside places where food, shelter, and safety existed a few steps away whenever they needed it.

None of that made anyone lesser. It just meant everyone learned differently.

"Alright. Gather in a little closer."

I waited long enough to make sure people could actually hear before continuing.

"First thing you need to understand is that your gear matters."

My hand tapped lightly against one of the packs.

"But your gear won't save you by itself."

My attention moved over the group again.

"Things break. Equipment fails. You lose things. Weather changes faster than people expect it to. Plans fall apart. Sometimes you're tired. Sometimes you're cold. Sometimes you're frustrated enough that you stop paying attention. That's usually when mistakes happen."

There wasn't much point pretending otherwise. Experience taught lessons people usually remembered better than speeches ever could.

"If you're relying entirely on what you're carrying instead of what you're thinking, eventually something reminds you why that's a bad idea."

A small shift against the crate.

"Most environments don't hurt people because they're dangerous. They hurt people because people stop paying attention. Heat, cold, exhaustion, dehydration. Pushing too hard because you think you'll be fine. Assuming you know better than the place you're standing in."

Enough years moving through worlds had taught me environments usually won arguments people tried having with them.

"If something feels wrong, stop for a second. Think, and check your surroundings. Check your equipment. Check yourself. You don't get extra points for ignoring problems until they become bigger problems."

That lesson alone would save people trouble later. My attention shifted across the group again.

"Second thing, pay attention to the people around you. People miss things. People push themselves harder than they should. People get quiet when something's wrong. Sometimes people don't realize they're struggling until someone else notices it first."

Experience had taught me that too.

"Survival stops being about just you pretty quickly."

The tone softened some.

"Take care of the people beside you. Help where you can. Listen. Pay attention. People usually tell you when something's wrong long before they actually say it out loud."

I let that settle for a moment.

"Last thing. Don't fight where you are. Learn it. Understand it. Adapt to it."

My arms folded loosely.

"The environment doesn't care what you're comfortable with. Doesn't matter if it's a desert world, snow, mountains, jungle, space, or somewhere in between. It doesn't adjust for you. We adjust for it."

The corner of my mouth pulled upward slightly.

"And drink water before you're thirsty. Trust me on that one."

Balun Dashiell | @OPEN

 

[Ivy Maro]

Ivy settled in among the cluster of Padawans gathering around the supply tables, shoulders brushing against other students as everyone shuffled closer to hear the instructors speak. The atmosphere felt strangely exciting despite the seriousness of the topic. Like a field trip! A very Jedi sort of field trip, sure, one involving survival training and probable suffering, but still. That alone was enough to keep a faint grin lingering at the corner of Ivy’s mouth.

Her long-sleeved broilersuit rustled softly as she pressed near one of the tables, dark gray fabric creasing at the elbows and knees. To play the game of survival right, one ought to show up in their most natural attire they might end up stranded in, and luckily for Ivy, her second skin had been her flight suit as of late. It was insulated enough to hold body heat without becoming stifling, durable enough to survive most accidents she tended to find herself involved in, and—most importantly—covered in pockets.

An unreasonable amount of pockets. Useful pockets. The kind of pockets that made her feel invincible. A walking arsenal of who-knows-what might be hiding in those loaded pockets of hers…

As Balun Dashiell and Kaleleon spoke, Ivy listened more closely than she probably looked like she was. Her fingers absentmindedly fiddled with one of the zippers on her chest pockets while her eyes wandered over the buffet of equipment spread across the tables.

Water purification tablets. Compact medkits. Thermal blankets. Emergency flares. Ration bars that looked only slightly more edible than industrial sealant…

Then she saw it.

Her attention locked immediately onto a compact survival launcher sitting near the far end of the table—a wrist-mounted grappling line system complete with magnetic anchors and retractable cable spool. Was it even supposed to be a part of the equipment options? Maybe not, but Ivy didn’t care.

Exotic. Shiny. Absolutely essential.

“Oh, I’m taking that!” Ivy announced excitedly, pointing at it before anyone else could get ideas. “Nobody touch it, I call dibs! I will defend my claim in honorable combat!” There was playful aggression in her voice as she inched closer to the launcher like someone might attempt theft at any moment, glancing sideways at the other Padawans.

After another second of admiring the grappling device, she finally looked back toward the instructors, expression brightening with curiosity. When an opening came for questions, Ivy raised her hand. “Based on your guys’ experience… What’s the most common survival item people think they won’t need, that they end up needing later?”
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