Sequestered within a small alcove at the heart of the Exis Station's archives, the Kel Dor Padawan had immersed himself in the studies of the past. He was not only intrigued by the Jedi of bygone eras but of the surviving records that had detailed their accomplishments and the many trials they faced during their lifetimes. Stories. Legacies. These words immortalized the deeds of those whose flesh had faded into ash and marred the pages of history. In many ways, as the Kel Dor devoured these second and first-hand accounts, he too wished that his efforts to make a change would be noted in the annals of the Jedi Order. Thus, when future generations had come to learn of those that came before, they would read of him and what he had done to make the Galaxy a better place. Vor'en chided himself for such a childish notion of escapist pride, as his work shouldn't be done simply for the legacy that he may leave. Instead, while his heart had fantasised about such lofty dreams, his mind had reigned in such errant thoughts. The Jedi would do what he must so that future generations of Jedi had the chance to not only learn of those that came before, as he did now, but to thrive in a universe free of violence. Wishful thinking, but not impossible should others walk the righteous path.
Refocusing on the crystalline surface of the data slate held out before him, the youthful apprentice began to read the entry slowly scrolling down the length of the device. What caught his eye was the entry regarding a Jedi Padawan that lived during the Dark Ages of the Order when they were nearly brought to the brink of extinction by the machinations of the Sith. Her name was Drakka Judarrl and was a Zabrak that lived in seclusion on the verdant world of Dantooine. His eyes eagerly poured through the available information but had ended up slightly frustrated as the final details of her story were left incomplete. He wanted to know more, yet he wasn't surprised that some of the data had been corrupted. During that era of strife, there weren't many reports about the Jedi being recorded, mostly because the Imperial Regime of that era had suppressed many monographs to make the Jedi nothing more than traitorous memories. Rousing himself from the floor, and scouring the archives in the quest for answers, Vor'en had finally found what he was looking for - after two hours later of rifling through the cavernous library.
What he had held in his hands, was the account of a nameless agent that was employed in the service of the Rebel Alliance during the dawning of the Rebellion Era. It detailed his interactions with the Jedi Padawan that he had read about hours before, and how she had perished after the Imperial Security Bureau raided her domicile, slew the Zabrak, and had stolen something that was reportedly passed down into her possession by her father. While there were several conflicting theories about what had transpired, one item seemed to remain apparent throughout every detailed and corrupted account. The Codex of Tython. Noted rumours had said that this ancient icosahedron designed Holocron contained the oldest and most guarded of the Jedi secrets. While the Zabrak Jedi Padawan had interested him due to the similar paths they had walked, when the information about the Codex had come to the fore - Vor'en was enthralled. He wanted to know more of this device and to see if the Archives of the Exis Station held something of worth that he could use.
Another hour had passed him by as he scoured through the dozens of data slate's stacked on the table before him. Every report and every entry that he could find had led him to a dead end. It seemed that after a tumultuous battle aboard the Blackguard, one of the many first generation Imperial-class Star Destroyers, that the Codex itself had gone missing. For nearly eight hundred and some years, there was nothing else in the annals of the Jedi Order that had pointed towards its recovery. That meant it was most likely lost, waiting to be found and brought back into the fold once more. Oh, the things he and subsequently the Order itself could learn from finding such a treasure. Had he the ability to smile as Human's did, his mouth would've beamed from ear to ear. Instead, he leaned back in the chair and threw his newly clenched fists in the air. Finally, he had something to strive for that would see his name forever recorded on the pages of history. This wasn't even for posterity's sake, nor to serve his petulant desires for fame and fortune. In fact, if he had acquired the ancient Codex, it was more than likely to contain the secrets of the Jedi Order's mysterious founding - if not shed some light on the rise of the Old Republic.
So many answers to unfulfilled questions and already the Kel Dor could feel his appetite for adventure beginning to stir. However, with the lack of information on hand, it had left him bereft of a defined place to start his quest. Where would he begin? Ord Mantell, perhaps? Or Dantooine? No. Dantooine wouldn't have the Codex if the reports he had read through were accurate. It was found there and had been taken off-world by the Agents of the Galactic Empire. Ord Mantell, it is then, he surmised. Now, if only he could get the approval of someone that held a higher ranking within the Order to embark upon such an adventure. Tearing his gaze away from the gathering pile of data slates, the Kel Dor had spied just who was looking for off in the distance. A Bith Jedi Knight that he had met in passing nearly a day before the present. Vor'en didn't catch his name when the introductions were made, but as the bulbously crowned Knight had resided within the cavernous library, it was most likely he was assisting with the reconditioning of the aging stations centre for learning.
Lifting himself from the chair and taking the data slate loaded with the information he had found that denoted the speculative contents of the Codex and where it might be located, the Kel Dor approached the Bith Knight with an adventurous gleam in his silver eyes, hidden behind the expressionless veil of his protective spectacles.
"Master, I have found something I wish to garner your approval on." Holding out the Data slate, Vor'en continues to speak in his sonorously mechanical voice, "It seems that our records regarding an ancient Jedi Holocron indicate that the venerable artifact known as the Codex of Tython may be in the Ord Mantell system - if the reports are to be believed. Thus, this leads me to request that an expedition is formed to recover this long lost relic, and return it into the loving folds of the Order - before the Sith learn of such a precious treasure possibly lurking near their borders."
| [member="Dune Rhur"] | [member="Freyia Whitelight-Carrick"] | [member="Vorian Adasca"] | [member="Sorel Crieff"] |
