Coarse Roads

[Boluc Laar]

IKTOTCH​

​

His feet marching on the barren surface, almost seemingly lost with his sense of direction carrying him nowhere. That may seem when on a world such as Iktotch. A world full of culture, yet somewhat backwards in sense of technology. Its natives still working with archaic and ancient tools where worlds like Empress Teta could outmatch their progress by tenfold. For an individual as Aulkren, however, he much liked primitive technology that matched cultural customs. Something he held in common with Iktotch's inhabitants was just, especially when coming from a planet as Kro Var.

While the young K'paur hybrid may have lost his way, he knew exactly where his feet where taking him.

His funds were short considering coming from a regressive culture and tried to keep as many credits as he possibly could. Only spent them on food (mostly food) and off-world transportation. What didn't cost was information, or well most of it. He learned that there was a Jedi Temple established on the rough gravel of Iktotch which could serve him well. To precisely which Jedi Order it belonged to didn't matter to him. Green Jedi, New Jedi, Silver Jedi, Praxeum Jedi, it didn't matter. They were all something he had to burn.

Not until he got what he came for...

The shemagh protected his face from the loose sands and gravel flying about with the winds, fortunately the winds hadn't develop into a harsh windstorm; something that was infamous about Iktotch. And for the harsh heat? He welcomed it. They were timber and wood feeding to his flame. Strengthening his blazing fire unlike others that would complain about the unforgiving heat. Fueled him on his path to the Temple.

[member="Sundara Nyveit"]​

 

[Sundara Nyveit]

Once upon a time, Sundara would've systems less technologically inclined such as Iktotch outside of humanitarian ventures. The disconnect from the galaxy was useful in small amounts, but had often left the knight restless. It was sort of to be expected. Years of training had built her up believing the Devaronian was destined for something great had her less than enthused to deal with lesser matters, not when there was so much more in the galaxy to contend with.

That was the mentality of a younger time, a simpler being who called herself a Jedi with little thought to do otherwise. Now, Sundara welcomed the solitude that came with being unplugged from the universe. The self-imposed exile provided some sort of peace of mind, keeping her focussed on smaller matters, leaving the rest of the galaxy to higher powers.

She wasn't a Jedi, not anymore, not in the traditional sense. Encounters with certain Sith had proven one thing to be true. Her methods had slid too far into darker mindsets, she'd grown lax in any semblance of code. All in the name of progress, right? Whatever progress that was.

It'd been a small wonder this temple had accepted her with open arms, paying little mind to her questionable past, even after she inquired. It seemed this temple would be a small sanctuary where all else would seek to tear her apart. For that, Sundara was extremely grateful and just as furiously protective. The inhabitants of this temple had earned themselves a new guardian of sorts, and the Devaronian was firm in her decision. Anyone seeking to harm the people of this temple had best look to new targets.

[member="Aulkren Yoso"]​

 

[Boluc Laar]

He would’ve appeared much similar to a Tusken Raider due to his robes and clothing he wore in terrain as this; however, this was not Tatooine, and the near-human would consider Iktotch much superior than Tatooine. At least the vast harsh valleys of sand on Iktotch had culture than that hive of scum.

Up ahead he could see the form of architecture arising from the planet’s horizon. Its design had corner and walls that made it appear quite religious, and there was one major group of religion that lives amongst these rocks. The Jedi. What attraction brought them here to this wasteland of a planet, Aulkren wondered. There was some history between Iktotch’s natives and the Jedi Order, something that be picked up from the locals when asking for the location of this Temple. The bond between the two groups was mutual from what it appeared. There was no complaints or signs of irritation; otherwise, there’d been some conflict by now.

The man with determination pushed on, fighting the sand and loose gravel in his way. No signs of a sandstorm yet. He had come quite unprepared for that type of situation, but he’d accommodate to find whatever comfort there was.

The K’paur hybrid came to the bottom of the stairs that led to inside of the Jedi Temple. Like all temples there were statues built in honor for ancient Jedi that had done good deeds or made some impact on the Galaxy and order itself. Of course these statues were limited as the Temple was not as grand as Coruscant’s Jedi Temple. Well, not so grand after the Sith Empire left it to rubble.

He climbed the stairs, hands on his dual broadswords that were built of fine phrik. Those swords were his only armament and the Force. His intentions were not to cause trouble...yet. But the idea of surrendering his swords bothered his mind. No one seemed to address him, perhaps its inhabitants and Jedi were to be found much further up the stairs.

[member="Sundara Nyveit"]

 

[Sundara Nyveit]

Something - Sundara couldn't quite put her finger on it - felt off. As if an alarm she'd never seen triggered before was going off. She couldn't quite determine the source of the feeling, nor did she know how to stop it, only that something wasn't right. And perhaps that sensation spurred the Devaronian on as she walked her silent patrol. The dark leathers and materials of her robes and armor weren't particularly suited for the desert environment. The short, thick patches of fur not protected from the elements practically bristled with that sensation of foreboding.

Something was afoot. Nyveit was sure of it.

And it was that feeling that had Sundara cutting her patrol off early, heading back to the temple when she'd otherwise scout the perimeter. Better to remain close to her home away from home, rather than to be caught away when the pin she sensed finally dropped. It was at the entrance of the temple, while she was sipping water from her canteen, when that figure first came into view. The knight didn't know what to make of the entity with swords at his side. It'd been some time since she'd laid eyes on such an outsider. For that reason, perhaps it was best she didn't approach outright, instead opting to flank one of the temple's leadership as they themselves went to greet this stranger.

It was with cautious eyes and a hand on her saber that she approached, the fingers on her other hand twitching, ready to call upon the force at a moment's notice, her senses scrambling to identify the man and his intentions.

[member="Aulkren Yoso"]​

 

[Boluc Laar]

As expected he was approached and soon to be addressed by the Jedi. Aulkren had nothing to hide from them, he would just act as a lone wanderer in need of shelter from the coming storm. Though another storm was brewing. One that was stirring within his core; he would be that storm for the Jedi and would make sure nothing could be a haven from him.

But that came later, not now. This trip would be in vain if he didn’t get the information he was seeking.

”Greetings, traveler. I do hope your journey was not a rough one and found some...tranquility amongst the sands,” one of the Jedi said. A female human. At her side was a male Iktotchi. Aulkren noticed some people in the background taking notice of him. Different species, but wearing the same robes and sharing the same religion they followed. They all were curious obviously.

”Do tell, how may we assist you? Hungry and thirsty,” the Iktotchi asked.

”I am,” Aulkren said, and he was. Literally and figuratively. He had to hide his latter intentions. Did not want to raise alarm from these people. ”I also come for knowledge and information...about the Vahla.

The two Jedi looked at each other in surprise, alarmed by that word. Vahla. The Vahla and Jedi had a bitter history between the two which led with the latter attacking the former, leaving the Vahla in search of their long lost home. Aulkren was not of Vahla descent, just a K’paur hybrid. Yet he considered himself as one of them after his training with a Vahla firebender on Kro Var.

”Right...let’s first give you a proper meal. We can then help with whatever you are looking for.”

The pair of Jedi would lead Aulkren through the halls of the temple, some would follow. While adept in the arts of shaping fire he was never skilled at suppressing the dark side within him. He did not know any Force technique and if he did, would never be able to perform. Just try to keep a clear mind with normal thoughts.

[member="Sundara Nyveit"]