Faction Guardians of the Galaxy (TJO/Jedi)

[Zark San Tekka]

GALLO MOUNTAINS
Connel Vanagor Balun Dashiell Bettany Sal-Soren Jared Starchaser Feng Huang Braze Ko Vuto

Master San Tekka drove another piton into sheer cliff face. Once he was anchored the Jedi Master risked a glance down below at the trail of Temple Guard candidates who vowed to undertake this unorthodox physical Trial. Climbing one of Naboo's largest mountains demanded much from both the body and mind. When they reached the summit, he would witness them take sacred oaths to defend this world and others like it across the galaxy.

Old instincts urged Zark to have another look around before he kept climbing. Familiar wingspans on the horizon were growing closer fast. He activated a comlink tuned to the same frequency as the candidates.

"Bogwings incoming," San Tekka warned the other Jedi, "They're fiercely territorial. Be prepared to defend yourselves."

Naboo bogwings could be more dangerous than they looked. Razor sharp talons more than capable of lacerating flesh and the little creatures could carry up to nine times their own weight. Lightsabers cut them down easily enough, but they were agile and hunted in flocks. Strange reptilian cries echoed off the mountainside.

He needed to push them harder than what most Jedi considered an acceptable risk. Forging a Knight of the Temple Guard meant teaching them more than just combat skills. To let go of all their fears and serve something greater. The Order could not train an army of soldiers, but it still needed champions more than ever. Those who made it to the peak would swear to help him bear this burden so that other Jedi didn't have to.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

WORTHY OF TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
GALLO MOUNTAINS
NABOO

Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

• Michael, Gabriel, Raguel, Sariel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel
  [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
• 
  Rides
  
  • "Enterprise" Station Ship
  • Vigilant Reaper
  • Null Vector
  • Speederbike
  • Iron Psalm
  Gear/Armor
  
  
  • Gear(“Bodycam” Datapad, UAD Drone, link to Seraphim AI and Nanotech included)
  • Lightblaster
  • Shortsabers (“Night” and “Day”)
  • Throwing Lightknives
  • Force Blinding Flashbangs
  • RI-17 Rifle-w-MS-0412 Grenade Launcher
  SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
  
  • Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
  • Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
  • Muscle enhancements.
  • Hemo enhancements for blood flow
  • Hawkeye implants for eyes
  • Advanced Medical Implant
  • Scentzy
  • Injected Nanotech upgrades
• Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

He was here for a physical trial, to try and carry on his father’s last position as a Jedi and be accepted as a “Warden”, maybe not today, or tomorrow, but eventually. Maybe then he could feel worthy of the title of “Jedi” and of the name “Vanagor”, he does not right now. Don’t ask, it’s a long story, for another time. All of this being said, he was here with Jared, Balun, and Feng. Even a few others like Ko, and … Braze… there was another here as well. Facial recognition software in his mask revealed her as “Bettany Sal-Soren.”

... another one…

He had absolutely no issue with the Princes and Princesses of Naboo, just seemed like carpenters were building extra woodwork for new ones to come out of.

... a little extreme… but I laughed…

So they were here for a physical trial, and they were rock climbing. Okay. Not wanting to waste time, Connel pulled the rappelling line from his gear and while he did not “free climb”, he drove the hook into the rockface with each move he made. This was not to show off, it was to give others more room to move, after all, Ko Vuto needed it.

"Bogwings incoming," … "They're fiercely territorial. Be prepared to defend yourselves."

No such luck.


Talons raked across his lead arm, sharp enough to break his grip. For a half-second, gravity reached up and tried to claim him. The line held. He swung once, boots scraping hard against the cliff before he slammed back into the rock face, breath punching out of him. Good. Still here. Still in control. Still though. They were protecting. The next pass coming was just too fast to ignore.

CLOSE YOUR EYES FOR TWO SECONDS! This was not a good idea, but yelling out to everyone, he could at least warn them. No hesitation. He ripped the flashbang free, thumb finding the pin by instinct more than sight. The device snapped loose, and with a short, controlled motion, he hurled it outward into the heart of the flock.

A pulse of light erupted midair.

Not fire. Not harm. Just a violent burst of brilliance and sound, like the sky itself flinched. The bogwings around him scattered instantly, their formation breaking apart into panicked streaks of motion as instinct overruled aggression.

Silence followed.

Not complete silence, but enough to give some breathing room. Connel blinked once, vision clearing as he re-centered himself against the cliff. His grip reset. His breathing slowed. He didn’t look down, didn’t check who was watching. He didn’t say anything clever. Connel just reached up…and kept climbing.

Not elegant. Not graceful. Not what a Jedi Master would have done…but no one fell.

Zark San Tekka • Balun Dashiell • Bettany Sal-Soren • Jared Starchaser • Feng Huang • Braze • Ko Vuto
Personal Effects - Omega Squad Loadouts​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Zark San Tekka Connel Vanagor Balun Dashiell Bettany Sal-Soren Jared Starchaser Feng Huang Braze Ko Vuto ​

Braze looked slight, almost delicate at a glance, with soft hands that hardly seemed suited to the harsher edges of training. Their softness had endured in spite of the punishing hours he devoted to discipline, hours he so often pushed beyond reason in pursuit of sharper instinct and quicker reaction.

Braze was tender-footed as well, and had come to the trial with his feet nearly bare, guarded by little more than trapeze boots that left his toes and heels exposed while offering only scant protection to the arches. It was the harsher disadvantage by far; each step invited bruising stone, torn skin, and the waste of strength across a climb that offered little mercy. He had, however, wrapped his hands, wrists, and ankles in lengths of taut beige gauze, lending them what protection and support he could.

The rest of his attire was simple: gi-like robes of Stonewashed Linen layered with heavier panels of Stoneweave Canvas, were practical, and uncharacteristically unadorned, and purposefully weighted enough to turn motion into harder work.

Despite his own personal undertaking in restoring the Jedi Temple of Dantooine, he still seemed to carry an immense weight upon his shoulders; a private guilt over his actions on Coruscant and what he had done to Ko Vuto

Perhaps that was why he lingered near the rear of the group, forcing himself to bear more hardship than the trial required, more even than the punishing extremes he would normally choose for himself in the name of growth. It felt like a private act of penance, a silent bid for atonement in the eyes of his fellow Jedi.

When Zark's warning came over the com, Braze lifted his head, his gaze searching upward and outward until it found the movement. The creatures drew nearer in ragged arcs, their cries carrying strangely over the stone. He tracked them for a breath too long, watching their approach, measuring distance, angle, intent…

Then the flare burst across the mountainside.

White tore through his vision. Braze recoiled against the rock on instinct, eyes squeezing shut as light burned through the thin delay of his reaction. His grip tightened at once, body drawing closer to the cliff while sight dissolved into a scatter of brightness and shadow. He stifled a cry resisting the urge to let it slip in to a curse.

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Naboo
Tags: Zark San Tekka , Connel Vanagor , Braze

Delta-7, Lothal Jedi Temple​

Like Braze , Jalen had chosen to forgo the often recommended climbing gear that protected one's hands and feet. He merely sported open finger gloves and wrappings around he heels. His poncho billowed in the wind around him, as did the long blonde mop that covered most of his head. There was a true discomfort in leaving behind such protection to the digits that allowed for ambulation, but to Jalen it was not worth the exchange. His Force Sight grew stronger when he could feel the ground below him, skin to surface.

It reminded him of when he began to train in the martial arts of the Matukai. One of the ways they encouraged the growth of Soft to Solid was to walk across jagged stones, sometimes ones that had been heated by fresh coals. Many forwent such an extreme training regiment, but Jalen had taken the task upon himself. He craved that perfection, a trait he shared with his older brother.

He moved slowly, much like a mantis pretending it were a branch to stalk pray. Each action was slow. Deliberate. Precise. He did not want to puncture any skin. Jalen wasn't using Soft to Solid yet. He wanted to test what he could do with as little use of the Force as he could manage. Only what he needed to feel his way up.

Jalen took a moment to familiarize himself with the sensation of the flying reptiles that Master Tekka had warned them of. The ripple of their wings as they disturbed the air, the swaying of their awkward proportions mid air. This would have been the perfect opportunity to practice Animal Bond, a skill he had yet to fully harnass. Instead, the sound of an explosive graced - or grated - his sensitive ears. He winced and braced himself in his position slightly. A few spots on his skin were pierced by jagged edges as he braced, but nothing major. No rubble fell, though. A flash grenade? Was that Vanagor that had shouted back-

White tore through his vision. Braze recoiled against the rock on instinct, eyes squeezing shut as light burned through the thin delay of his reaction. His grip tightened at once, body drawing closer to the cliff while sight dissolved into a scatter of brightness and shadow. He stifled a cry resisting the urge to let it slip in to a curse.

The Medic felt little prickles go down his spine as he heard Braze struggle just a little bit behind him. Jalen let out a huff before he raised his voice.

"Hey, jarhead!" he shouted, his field medic side coming out fully. His tone was sharp and direct, the sort he used when trying to wrangle order in a chaotic hospital tent. "This isn't a warzone! The last thing I need is to perform an emergency operation on someone cause you grabbed your helmet instead of your brain this morning!"

This was supposed to be training to learn new skills. Jalen wasn't supposed to be on duty, and he would be quite upset if he had to be.

 

[Balun Dashiell]

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
INVENTORY: Jedi Robes | Lightsaber & K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Zark San Tekka | Connel Vanagor | Bettany Sal-Soren | Jared Starchaser | Feng Huang | Braze | Ko Vuto | Jalen Kai'el

Gallo Mountains proved to be a most daunting climb, a challenge no doubt meant to push the group to their limits, led by Zark San Tekka . T

This was a group of among the Jedi Order of the High Republic who had volunteered themselves in the endeavour of becoming Temple Guard, stalwart defenders of the Enclaves, the Praxeums and places the Jedi considered to be home, where students could feel safe and train without the fear of the outside Galaxy closing in on them.

Not too far from Braze , and with Connel Vanagor somewhere above him, Balun found himself reflecting on his motivations for taking on this challenge. Much of his life, he had been on the outside, leaving Coruscant at sixteen and spending years as a lone Force-User doing what good he could wherever the opportunity best suited his skills, but in the early months of his twentieth year, his son, Kellan Dashiell had been born, and he had later met Ala Quin , who would become his Master. She served the Order as Grandmaster, a role of responsibility and dedication within Shiraya's Sanctuary, and it had started to dawn on Balun that he needed to do the same, show a stronger sense of kinship and support of those around him, rather than risking his life in battle, believing this was all there was to service.

His family would certainly be relieved; his father and brother both argued that he was a detriment to his own health. Having fought in wars from an age far too young, bearing scars and sleepless nights where he would wake up shouting, only to find one of them shaking him back to consciousness in the early hours.

Becoming a Temple Guard would mean serving the Students, the Knights, and the Masters in a stable setting. Surrounded by friends and allies, enveloped in the light of the Jedi halls. Yes, it was certainly high time that Balun involved himself more at home with the Order, having shirked the self-imposed title of Rogue Jedi a year or so ago now, those old habits it seemed were still long to be rid of.

"Bogwings incoming,

They're fiercely territorial. Be prepared to defend yourselves."

The warning came from higher up, their leading Master having spotted the threat before the others. Balun looked up, then glanced over to see Connel Vanagor pull a handheld device free, suggesting they were shielding their eyes. Balun averted his gaze into his own arm as the flashbang exploded midair, a ringing in his ears even as he turned to get a look at the Bogwing flock that appeared dazed and disoriented.

Nearby, another of the group, Jalen Kai'el , whose surname Balun was certain he recalled from days of the Tingle Arm Coalition, exclaimed his displeasure with the added nickname of Jarhead, which usually referred to soldiers, ground troops in the military. Connel may have fit the type, though Balun hadn't spent the time with the larger man to really know much about him.

The Force moved around Kai'el in a means familiar to Balun, however, practising an ability he too had learned in his earliest years, an affinity with nature and particularly animals, a connection in the Force allowing them to communicate on an emotional level, to understand one another without words. Turning away from the rockface, Balun looked for the Bogwings nearest to him, trying to track their movements. Like the others, he had no safety gear keeping him tied to the mountain, so rather than making any swift movements, he reached out into the force, attempting to manipulate his own presence to mask himself from the creature's senses.

No need to harm the poor animals when they were only acting as they naturally would.

Jedi Master: Ala Quin
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Naboo, Gallo Mountains
Tag(s): Zark San Tekka | Connel Vanagor | Braze | Jalen Kai'el | Balun Dashiell | Bettany Sal-Soren | Jared Starchaser | Feng Huang

Ko was a pretty good climber, the key word being was. Since losing an arm the Kel Dor just wasn’t quite as efficient as he used to be. Having one less point of contact put plenty of extra strain on his three remaining limbs and less room for error. On his home world of Dorin there was a proud culture and tradition of mountaineers braving the rugged elevations of the world. Climbing mountains wasn’t really something Ko got to do on Dorin yet. But he once substituted it for climbing colossal trees on Cathar on more than one occasion.

Because of his physical handicap the Kel Dor found himself near the bottom of the pack. Needing to more so hop and grab from one spot to another at a much slower pace than he is used to. Unlike Jalen, Ko was utilizing soft to solid for his climb, as he had in the past. Using it with his claws to act like natural picks to find purchase where there was none, especially if there was nowhere for his feet. Perhaps even needing to hoist himself up by one arm if need be.

He heard Master San Tekka’s warning from their comms. Ko glanced around and turn his neck, trying to find where the intruding creatures were approaching from. The Kel Dor didn’t wish to lose his spot and need to climb all the way back up again.

When the second warning came Ko looked up once again to see a small item tossed. His eyes closed behind his goggles and he braced himself instinctively. His body flinched when the burst came, irritating the extra sensory organs on both sides of his head. A groan came from his throat. That was harsh, but still effective. So Ko couldn’t quite complain with the results.

Once it seemed clear Ko would continue his arduous climb. It’d be pretty sweet if he had a grappling gun, some rocket boots or even a jet pack. But that would surely defeat some of the purpose of this endeavor. The Kel Dor wasn’t even sure about his place here. He still felt guilt for failing to protect the Temple on Coruscant, and more importantly potentially slaying Master San Tekka in the process. He couldn’t quite understand why anyone would really want him around anymore. Ko himself wasn't even sure if he wanted to fully enroll in the High Republics Jedi Order. They seemed to do things a bit differently than he was used to, and wasn't sure if previous mistakes could be avoided.​

​

 

[Bettany Sal-Soren]

Location: Nabooian mountain side
Objective: Climb
Tags: Zark San Tekka Braze Connel Vanagor Jalen Kai'el Ko Vuto Jalen Kai'el Balun Dashiell Jared Starchaser Feng Huang

Bettany felt like a dumbass, when the ping had come in her schedule she was just about to get on the comms to ask who in the nether was going around tagging her in things. But then she remembered she had signed up to this a few weeks ago. Oh well, at least she actually enjoyed out door pursuits and had enough core strength from her gymnastic training that this wasnt the hardest thing the Jedi had asked her to do. And if it could land her extra credits in her training just being the babysitter for some people who really did not need baby sitters, then so be it.

They continued climbing as Zark San Tekka called out a warning and she turned to see the bogwings. Obnoxious things. She looked down her front to reach for her blaster pistol and was grateful that she had as she was deep in her own shadow when there was a flash and a loud bang. Her ears were ringing but she could see. She looked around to see what had happened just as Braze barely stopped himself from falling. "The fuck was that Vanagor? Ive half a mind to cut your rope and let you take your chances with gravity." it was a joke, it came across as a joke... mostly... there was definately an element of anger in her voice that might make people question if the thought had crossed her mind at least a little.

She tracked the remaining bogwings with her pistol for a few moments but it seemed as though they had been made shy by the explosive. She wasnt going to shoot one unless they bothered her so she stuffed the pistol back into her belt and continued her climb.

"Is there a lot of call for skills like this in the temple guard?" she laughed as she reached for her next hand hold.
​

 

[Katherine Holt]

Location: Naboo, Gallo Mountains
Tags: Zark San Tekka | Connel Vanagor | Braze | Jalen Kai'el | Balun Dashiell | Ko Vuto | Bettany Sal-Soren​

Much like the others, Katherine had made the decision to forgo some equipment that would’ve assisted in the climbing. Her hands and feet were protected, but she was not tethered to something or someone else. Unlike the others, the redhead had the advantage of having a pair of wings. Not that she ever intended on using them as a shortcut.

But it did make it an easy choice to volunteer being the last one to start climbing. With Master San Tekka taking the lead, Katherine was in the perfect position at the rear; should anyone fall, to catch them. Whether it be through strength, or utilizing her ability to fly.

That and well, her wings weren’t blocking anyone’s view if they were below her.

As the group continued to ascend, Katherine’s commlink crackled to life with the Jedi Master’s voice.

Bogwings.

Not the first time the winged Jedi had encountered the creatures, but it was a first while she was climbing an imposing tall mountainside. Katherine’s instinct was to kick off from the rock, and spread her wings. A large mobile target would no doubt keep the Bogwings occupied from attacking the others.

But someone else beat her to taking action.

Hearing the warning to close her eyes, Katherine immediately tucked her head down, wings curling up around her for extra measure. The flash of the bang didn’t impede her, but the sharp ringing noise in her ears certainly did. She couldn’t hear anything but that for several seconds, until her hearing finally cleared.

Reminds me of fighting Mandalorians.

Katherine looked over to where the flock of Bogwings had been, now disrupted and disoriented.

“Let’s keep moving, they might be disoriented now, but that doesn't mean they’ll be dissuaded from attacking forever!”

 

[Zark San Tekka]

GALLO MOUNTAINS
Connel Vanagor Balun Dashiell Bettany Sal-Soren Braze Ko Vuto Jalen Kai'el

"Your initiative was admirable, Connel. Next time be more mindful of your surroundings."

His white mane caught on strong winds when the Jedi Master looked down to check on their progress. Vanagor's impulsive decision scared off most of the bogwings while any remaining creatures were turned away by psychic communication. Zark let go of the lightsaber on his belt in begrudging admiration that none of the candidates resorted to violence. They were already well trained in the Jedi arts.

"Is there a lot of call for skills like this in the temple guard?" she laughed as she reached for her next hand hold.

"I must know if you have what it takes to work as a team. Temple guards place their lives in each other's hands."

He drove a new piton into the rock. Despite his age Master San Tekka set a grueling pace. Climbing ropes descended from his position all the way down to the kel dor far below. Their backdrop was a picturesque Naboo landscape almost incomprehensible in its beauty from this altitude.

"Katherine is right. They'll be back," Zark warned the others, "And in greater numbers. Bogwings aren't the only danger in these mountains. There's a local legend about dark voices on the wind that lead climbers astray."

Anchoring himself to the mountain, the Jedi took another look down to check on their progress.

"Braze, see what you can do to help Ko keep up."

 

[Connel Vanagor]

WORTHY OF TRUST AND CONFIDENCE
GALLO MOUNTAINS
NABOO

Omega Squad Every Day Gear Locations

• Michael, Gabriel, Raguel, Sariel, Raphael, Jeremiel, Connel
  [Any text in brackets signifies comm-link usage and not face to face conversation]
• 
  Rides
  
  • "Enterprise" Station Ship
  • Vigilant Reaper
  • Null Vector
  • Speederbike
  • Iron Psalm
  Gear/Armor
  
  
  • Gear(“Bodycam” Datapad, UAD Drone, link to Seraphim AI and Nanotech included)
  • Lightblaster
  • Shortsabers (“Night” and “Day”)
  • Throwing Lightknives
  • Force Blinding Flashbangs
  • RI-17 Rifle-w-MS-0412 Grenade Launcher
  SURGICAL - CRYBERNETIC IMPLANTS
  
  • Repli Implants that would be for the limbs
  • Bonemer enhancements to strengthen structure of the body
  • Muscle enhancements.
  • Hemo enhancements for blood flow
  • Hawkeye implants for eyes
  • Advanced Medical Implant
  • Scentzy
  • Injected Nanotech upgrades
  
  
  
• Shadow Sanctuary - Enterprise

The comments came quickly.

“Jarhead.”

A joke about cutting his line.

Then San Tekka’s voice, calm and precise over the comm. “Your initiative was admirable, Connel. Next time be more mindful of your surroundings.”

That one landed. The others he let pass. Not because they were harmless. Not because he liked them. But because there was no point grabbing every thorn just because it pricked.

So he climbed.

One handhold. One breath. One section of stone at a time. He did not waste energy defending himself. He did not fire back with some sharp remark that would feel good for half a second and solve nothing. If San Tekka was testing whether they could work as a team, then half the group was failing already.

Or maybe he was.

Maybe this was what it looked like when someone acted first and thought second. Fine. Then think now. Connel slowed his pace.

Not enough to make a spectacle of it. Not enough to insult anyone. Just enough to let the line compress a little, enough for Braze and Ko to close distance. When he finally glanced down and saw the way Ko climbed, the strain in the three-point rhythm, the extra work each movement demanded, something in the picture clicked into place.

Not weakness. Work. Different thing entirely.

Connel eased down half a length of rope and settled in near the Kel Dor’s pace without saying a word. Not to hover. Not to coddle. Just close enough that if Ko slipped, he would not fall alone.

Then he saw them again. Bogwings not many. Higher up and circling back, testing the cliffside in ragged arcs. His first instinct was another flashbang. He killed the thought immediately. Too many variables. There were too many bodies on the rock.

That gave too many chances to make the same mistake.

Be more mindful of your surroundings.

Fine.

Connel drew in a slow breath and let the Force settle through him, not as a weapon, not even as a shove, but as a veil. He “pretended” to be a Shadow, why not use one of their tricks. He reached outward, feeling stone, shadow, contour, the rough face of the mountain and the broken lines where the climbers clung to it. The Force was with him, as if to say “I know where you’re going with this.”

Then, carefully, he bent perception.

It wasn’t much. But just enough. A trick of shape. A blur of presence. A suggestion to eyes and instincts alike that there was nothing here worth diving at but stone and wind and empty cliff. Let the mountain keep its own secrets. Let the eyes outward and above see nothing.

Connel held the illusion behind the group, steady as he climbed, jaw set against the effort.

If it worked, the bogwings would see only rockface. No prey. No threat.

No reason to attack.

He did not look around for approval.

He just kept climbing.

Zark San Tekka • Balun Dashiell • Bettany Sal-Soren • Jared Starchaser • Feng Huang • Braze • Ko Vuto
Personal Effects - Omega Squad Loadouts​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Zark San Tekka Connel Vanagor Balun Dashiell Bettany Sal-Soren Jared Starchaser Feng Huang Braze Ko Vuto Jalen Kai'el Katherine Holt ​

For a time, Braze stayed pressed against the sheer rock face, the sharp, jagged little edges of stone pressing into his flesh as the bright, blinding color shifted and swarmed across his vision, slowly and painfully fading back into sensible color and shapes he could better make out. He winced at the displeasure strewn toward Connel Vanagor from the others, but said nothing to add judgment or give voice to his own displeasure over the choice of actions, despite having been rendered temporarily blind by them.

He took a few heavy breaths as he stayed still for a short while, allowing his vision to settle back as he felt the strain of remaining in this position, prolonged contact with those jagged little points becoming much less desirable... perhaps even holding Katherine Holt back from advancing in the process.

He and Ko Vuto were already taking a bit longer than the others to keep pace. His attention shifted upward as he heard Zark San Tekka call down to them all in instruction, before offering a wary glance off into the distance toward the fleeting flight of bogwings. He nodded in reply to Zark, saving his breath and not answering aloud.

The air this high up was thinner, each breath drawing in less than his body begged for, while the cold bit hardest at his extremities. It stung at his nose and eyes, crept into the tips of his fingers and toes, and lingered there beneath the constant, battering sweep of mountain wind. Wind tore across the mountain face in hard, restless passes, scraping at cloth and hair, stealing warmth from exposed skin, and threatening to pull balance from any step taken without care. It made the climb a grueling one; beyond the strain in his muscles, the mountain itself seemed intent on wirring at them from every side at once, as though it would gladly strip away breath, warmth, and footing alike.

His attention shifted back to Ko Vuto , and Braze took a few more heavy breaths, trying to oxygenate his muscles as he started to move in a slow diagonal motion upward toward the Kel'dor. He had been trying to save his energy, knowing full well that trying to rely on the Force could just as easily drain him as well. This was a test of endurance through suffering by the very length of it, and energy was a precious commodity here.

Slowly, he made his way up and over to Ko's flank, carefully choosing footholds and handholds to position himself. He panted lightly as he found a slightly larger segment of stone jutting out, offering more purchase, and settled a foot there. He braced one hand against a small yet sturdy sapling that grew from the side of the mountain, latching on and wrapping slender fingers around the narrow little tree to help secure his place. He swallowed hard, feeling the burn at the back of his throat and the metallic tang in his own saliva as he took a moment to observe Ko's form. With one hand, he drew off a short length of rope he had secured around his own torso.

"Please hold still...And allow me to help... alleviate some of your burden...." he murmured in a quiet tone.

Using one hand, he fashioned a harness around the Kel'dor's waist and hips, more concerned with functionality than any awkward modesty in putting his hands so close to such vital and vulnerable regions. He ensured the knots were secure and drew them taut with a few mild little jerks, even going so far as to use his teeth alongside his hand so as not to jostle Ko's position.

Braze unraveled a further length of rope, then shifted to secure the opposing end to himself, taking a careful, painstaking amount of time to ensure his end was taut as well. He shifted upward, scaling closer to Ko's side where no arm remained, and moved into an intimately close range, positioning himself so that what was left of Ko's former sword arm could be braced against Braze's own shoulder as a point of leverage.

"It'll be easier for us if we work together in tandem... I may not be able to help carry you fully, but I can do this. If you position your steps upward and let me brace against your footholds, we can make better progress. Use my shoulder as a ladder rung to climb higher, and lean on me... I've got you."

Braze spared a brief glance upward, his vision settling on the form of Connel Vanagor through the sweep of wind and motion above them as he drew nearer to Ko. A small nod followed, restrained but no less sincere in the meager gesture given,
"Thank you..."

 

[Jalen Kai'el]

Naboo
Tags: Zark San Tekka , Connel Vanagor , Braze , Ko Vuto , Katherine Holt , Bettany Sal-Soren , Balun Dashiell

Delta-7, Lothal Jedi Temple​

Jalen let out an exhale as he felt the energy of Vanagor descend downward to be near Ko. Braze had been ordered to assist his friend, but he had not. The Medic wasn't going to complain about that, he was doing something productive. In fact, Connel seemed to wisen up and forego his tech for use of the Force to aid. Something less detrimental to the others around him.

He wasn't going to apologize, though. Jalen had no issue calling people out when they needed to be told they had done something stupid. Teamwork had to be mindful, not thoughtless.

"The fuck was that Vanagor? Ive half a mind to cut your rope and let you take your chances with gravity." it was a joke, it came across as a joke... mostly... there was definately an element of anger in her voice that might make people question if the thought had crossed her mind at least a little.

That concerned him more. He had been harsh, sure, but it came from a place of concern. Jalen was only that way because he did care about the safety of others. Even Connel would find that the blind knight would risk life and limb to ensure his survival, if such a need were to arise. That was a joking threat that veiled anger. If Vanagor had sobered up and begun to think properly about how his actions effected others, she was the prime candidate to do something out of pocket next.

Or maybe he was just paranoid. A field medic never really stopped looking for red flags. Those were the sorts of signs that someone might wind up hurting themselves.

At least not everyone seemed to be raring to be reckless. Balun Dashiell had offered aid in warding off the bogwings. He seemed a bit more experienced than Jalen did in the skill, and his efforts certainly did smooth the process. A moment of collaboration, no words needing to be exchanged. He maintained his focus so that he could continue to aid Balun in warding off the flying reptiles.

"And in greater numbers. Bogwings aren't the only danger in these mountains. There's a local legend about dark voices on the wind that lead climbers astray."

And now stories about dark voices? What could cause such a thing? A Force Nexus, maybe some long buried artifact... Jalen wasn't sure. All he did know was that he foresaw such a thing being a threat to the group. It would give him something else to focus on in the meantime, which would help to shake any lingering frustration. As he scaled up higher, Jalen's mind reached out to feel further than the area around him. If there was a dark urge in this place, he wanted to be the first to feel it.

It was better that way. The darkness had assailed his mind enough. He knew he could weather it.

 

[Jared Starchaser]

It wasn’t about legacy, it was about what was right. Jared wasn’t even all that much a fan of the Jedi of old, but the one that were here? He could get behind. Coming from Kattada’s Enclave, Jared was as much his father’s son as ever, and supporting the Waybinder of Master Vodet, he was maybe the most Wayseeker of the Jedi. Yet when Master San Tekka spoke? Jared recalled that way Zark worked with his father in the past lives.

So supporting this Master just made sense.

And since he turned down the double dare, he was catching up on the physical challenge.

Bogwings, and an acre of other Jedi seeking to be part of the Guard. Jared was a Warden, and a monster hunter. This was going to be fine.

When a bogwing came his way, the Warden called up the Force and put a barrier between himself and the bogwing. No hand even moved for the lightsaber. Focusing on the other creature and created a second, and third image of himself, running away, and making noise.

He was coming up and moving up the cliff to where Zark was. The fact was, he had a skill with going after beasts and directing them away from smaller communities. But the challenge? He worked alone.

Hell, he barely ever kept a full crew working from the Oasis when he was flying his freighter and doing a smuggling run. This may be more of a challenge than he knew it would be.

Zark San Tekka Braze Connel Vanagor Ko Vuto Bettany Sal-Soren Katherine Holt Balun Dashiell

 

[Balun Dashiell]

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
INVENTORY: Jedi Robes | Lightsaber & K-16 Bryar Pistol
TAGS: Zark San Tekka | Connel Vanagor | Bettany Sal-Soren | Jared Starchaser | Feng Huang | Braze | Ko Vuto | Jalen Kai'el (LOA)

As the group continued to climb, Balun paced him, taking one subconcious step at a time as though he were moving more on instinct than intentional drive, his mind and focus having expanded out, connecting with the presence of the Force of which they all shared a connection too, and through this link, his awareness expanding to find the other members of the group all pushing themselves higher, compelled to meet the expectations of the challenge set forth by Master Zark San Tekka .

Of the group, Balun sensed the reach of both Connel Vanagor and Jared Starchaser pouring forth into their pool of knowledge and experience, summoning assistance from the ethereal energies that made up the Force in combination with all living things, bogwings included. Balun could feel their spirit's presence expanding around them, then seeking to grow wider in a manner similar to his own, hoping to dissuade the creatures from seeing the group as potential prey, and instead losing sight of them altogether.

It was the peaceful answer to an otherwise tense situation, to cloak themselves from view, and yet with the group spread out across the cliff face, further effort would be required to conceal them all; thus, Balun slowed his breathing and hoped to connect with his peers. He would not speak, but through the Force they might understand his silent plea, a combined effort to shelter the entire group until their safety was all but confirmed.

Though Balun did know and share a close bond with many of the group, and though they knew him little, the Force did not follow the same restrictions as the sentient mind. An individual, enveloped within the force, reaching out to another, could combine their strength with simple intent, and that was what Balun hoped for now. Compliance, acceptance of a group effort. They still find it hard to face the ascent itself, and so exerting one's energy alone would have surely set them at a disadvantage, shortening their chances of success.

Battle meditation, or any such grand feats, were not of his experience. Balun was not a Jedi who had bound the minds and hearts of multiple persons in battle; he did not carry prestige. Nor was now a time for actions of a single soul; if one of them were to fall victim to the ascent, they would all suffer. This was an act of sharing the weight of their pursuit, feeling the importance of standing together for the overall objective awaiting them at the peak.

Jedi Master: Ala Quin
Major Faction: The High Republic
Sub-Faction: Jhaessa Prime
Conglomerate: Dashiell Incorporated™
Subsidiary Company: Dashiell Retrofit™​

"Speech"
'Thought'​

 

[Ko Vuto]

Location: Naboo, Gallo Mountains
Tag(s): Zark San Tekka | Connel Vanagor | Braze | Jalen Kai'el | Balun Dashiell | Bettany Sal-Soren | Jared Starchaser | Feng Huang

Help him keep up?

Ko wondered if he was really being that slow and needed to pick up the pace more. He gritted his cartilage beak under his mask before turning to see the echani making his way over. Once Braze got close enough he braced himself, his body tensing some.

“Huh wh-what are you doing?” Ko said as part of his body squirmed. Feeling Braze begins to try and connect the two of them. The doubtful and pessimistic parts of the Kel Dor almost wanted to feel like this was some elaborate humiliation ritual set up by Braze and Zark. He also wasn’t entirely confident in Braze’s ability to keep him up, especially in a place like this where they couldn’t get the best footing.

“Hmm…” Could Ko really make use of what little left he had of his right arm. It wasn’t much more than an articulating knub. There wasn’t much strength that remained in the appendage since the Kel Dor had neglected to exercise that side of his body much.

But going along with what the echani suggested Ko leaned in some. Pressing his weak side against Braze’s shoulder. He was a bit shaky but managed to use the extra point of contact and leverage to reach up to another ledge without needing to jump up to it with his legs.

Ko was actually a bit surprised by Braze’s willingness to help like this. He understood that people with missing parts tended to creep out the echani. He was also glad that the two of them weren’t being pestered as much by the bogwings. They already had enough on their plate with each other as is.​

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