Boost Lodd's Economic Class

[Lodd Grimmin]

Lodd recognized that it was an undignified situation for a Viceroy to be in a lecture hall instead of a boardroom; however, the realities of commerce did not align with his personal sentiments. The recent Mandalorian invasion of Humbarine had thwarted the Trade Federation's short-term goals in that region. With the planet now effectively shut down by the Sith Covenant for repairs, the potential contracts he had dedicated months to securing had disappeared in an instant.

Until the directorate was able to reorganize its assets and adjust its priorities within Sith Space, Lodd had no choice but to transition into an academic role instead of serving as a chief executive, which he found entirely acceptable considering the alternative of being unceremoniously dismissed. He adjusted his crescent-shaped glasses to gain a clearer view of the digital roster displayed on the podium. With a puzzled expression, he accessed the seating chart to identify those who had signed up for this lecture.

Front of the Class​

Lysander von Ascania	Braze	Yuri Maji	Brent Warnel	Makai Dashiell	Balun Dashiell
Yael Kandar	Liin Terallo	Novac Lyrikal	R'ayne Asara	Marlon Sularen	Ronhar Tane
Is'ekapi Rex	Aurine Werr

Back of the Class​

He lifted his eyes from the podium to the class and then glanced down again, just to confirm that he was not under the influence of a force-induced hallucination. Yet, every time he looked up, the students did not fade from his memory; they were completely present for Hyperspace Economics.

The class seemed to consist of a mixture of Mandalorians, Sith Lords and Ladies, some well-known Jedi, Imperial Warlords of varying ranks, and the Dashiell Family, who were comfortably seated in the front row of the lecture hall. Despite knowing that this room was now a potential powder keg, Lodd picked up the wooden pointing stick, tapping it against the edge of the podium to quiet the room.

The main holoprojector behind him hummed to life, casting a soft but subtle blue glow across his face as the current Galactic Map came into view. It marked the boundaries of the major powers from the Mandalorian Empire to the Sith Order, and the fleet of Iron Covenant Mandalorians roaming the hyperspace lanes.

"Welcome, ladies, gentlemen and all manner of delegates to Hyperspace Economics with Viceroy Lodd Grimmin." He said.

"Many of you entering these halls believe that galactic commerce is beyond your reach, that you need massive capital, fleets of freighters or the backing of the major powers. This assessment is fundamentally wrong, and so before we get to the main lecture we will go over how one establishes an enterprise when lacking even the most basic of starting capital." He extended the pointing stick toward the holographic map, zooming in on a generic, unnamed planetary system.

"The foundation of all commerce is not credits; it is observation. You must dissect the core needs of the specific planet, settlement or town you call home. For example if you find yourself stranded on a frozen wasteland, attempting to export ice is a fool's errand. The most profitable revenue stream is immediately obvious: you source and distribute heating units. Conversely, if your current residence is a humid, swampy mire, your target demographic requires comfortable, sweat-absorbing textiles." He paused, allowing them to write down this information on the provided datapads before continuing.

 

[Liin Terallo]

The lecture hall carried an atmosphere I hadn't quite expected. Not because of the subject. Economics had never struck me as particularly controversial. But because of the audience.

From my seat in the middle row, toward the left side of the hall, I found myself looking across an assortment of people who, under almost any other circumstances, would probably have been pointing weapons at one another rather than datapads. Sith Lords. Jedi. Mandalorians. Imperial officers. Corporate representatives. Somehow, they had all agreed that hyperspace commerce deserved their collective attention. Perhaps economics truly was the great equalizer. Or perhaps everyone simply wished to know how to better fund their respective ambitions.

I rested my datapad upon the small desk before me, stylus already in hand. Off to my right, several seats ahead, the Dashiell family occupied the front row with a familiarity that almost made me smile. I considered greeting them before the lecture had begun, but decided against it. Balun would almost certainly notice me eventually, and I had not come here to distract him from the class. Besides....I was here to learn.

When Viceroy Grimmin projected the galactic map, my attention settled upon it immediately. Borders. Trade routes. Political divisions. They were the visible anatomy of a galaxy that was constantly reshaping itself, sometimes through diplomacy, more often through conflict.

My own interest, however, lay somewhere much smaller. New Cov. No one around me would have guessed that nearly every note I intended to write would eventually circle back to one isolated world. One day, the foreign occupation would end. I believed that. History has proven that. And when it does, independence alone will not be enough. A free world still needed functioning trade. Reliable infrastructure. Employment. Investment. Stability. A population could not rebuild itself on hope forever; however essential hope might be in the beginning.

"The foundation of all commerce is not credits; it is observation."

I found myself nodding almost imperceptibly. That principle felt strangely familiar. Scientists observed before drawing conclusions. Good economists apparently did the same. Rather than copying the examples about heating units or textiles, I wrote a single sentence across the top of a clean page. Understand what people truly need before deciding what to build. It seemed obvious. Then again, the most obvious lessons often proved to be the easiest to forget.

As the lecture continued, I wrote some questions of my own that were more intended for myself than for the class. Questions like:

What industries recover first after occupation?

How much infrastructure must exist before private enterprise becomes self-sustaining?

How long does confidence take to return once a population has learned to expect instability?

These were questions that no economics text ever seemed particularly interested in answering.

I glanced briefly around the room once more. It was difficult not to appreciate the quiet absurdity of it all. The galaxy had found countless reasons to divide itself. Today, apparently, profit margins were enough to make everyone sit politely in the same classroom. For now, that was reason enough for me to keep listening.

Tag: Lodd Grimmin OPEN

 

[Braze]

Tags: Lodd Grimmin

​

Braze had settled into his assigned seat and set out his small datapad where it would be easy to take notes. He had given the room a curious glance upon entering, though he made no effort to strike up conversation with anyone.

He was dressed in civilian attire, an almost entirely black ensemble, his hair styled in a softer, looser fashion than usual. He hung the soft, fur-lined hooded jacket over the back of his chair, settled in with a quiet little caf, and gave the instructor his full attention.

He understood a few of the basics and had slowly been building several smaller companies beneath a larger umbrella while pursuing trade deals that furthered his business interests. With new ventures on the horizon, his lawyer had all but insisted he attend a class to better grasp some of the concerns Everette had been trying to explain to him...

He could spare the time for an education and hoped to put any new knowledge to use across his growing list of ongoing projects.

 

[R'ayne Asara]

economic class

[]

Savage Queen of Hearts

​

classroom supplies: datapad x2, extra memory chips, a fresh, warm neekoflight pie
outfit: attire
tag(s): Lodd Grimmin _ Liin Terallo _ Open​

I crossed the threshold of the classroom with the measured silence of a funeral procession entering a family's ancient mausoleum, my boots whispering across the polished floor while the unseen currents of the Force coiled about the chamber like slumbering serpents beneath chilsed stone.

Economics.

To lesser minds it was the arithmetic of credits and commerce, but to me it was something infinitely more exquisite; the invisible skeleton upon which empires draped their flesh, the occult geometry that determined whether worlds would feast beneath radiant skylines or starve beneath blood-red suns.

Already, a pair of students had arrived before me. One was an unfamiliar young man whose presence rested beyond the reach of my memory, another nameless thread yet to be woven into the greater tapestry.

The other required no introduction. Miss Liin Terallo possessed the same unmistakable composure I had witnessed at the auction, her presence carrying the refined confidence of one accustomed to navigating currents far deeper than simple conversation.

My gaze then found Professor Lodd Grimmin , and I inclined my head in a respectful nod befitting both scholar and sovereign. "Professor Grimmin," I said with quiet sincerity, "it is a genuine pleasure to learn from someone so thoroughly entwined in the complexities of galactic economics. I have no doubt your experience reaches depths few texts can adequately capture. This is for you, Professor Grimmin."

I gently placed a neatly wrapped box upon his lecture podium, offered no further explanation, and turned away, allowing the gift to speak with a silence more eloquent than any speech.

Without another word, I found my assigned seat, settling into it with an unexpected sense of admiration. There was something profoundly satisfying about the deliberate order of it all; the careful arrangement of names and places, every individual granted a predetermined position within the greater design.

As I adjusted within the chair, my red eyes drifted toward Miss Terallo, separated from me only by a single chair that remained conspicuously vacant, an empty space waiting for its rightful occupant like a missing verse in an ancient liturgy.

I offered her a courteous nod accompanied by the faintest trace of amusement upon my lips.

"Fancy meeting Miss Terallo here," I remarked. "First an auction, and now we are about to be educated further on the intricate machinery of economics. How exciting. It seems the galaxy has an amusing habit of arranging repeated encounters where knowledge is destined to flourish."​

 

[Braze]

Tags: Lodd Grimmin

​

It wasn't long into the lecture before someone else seemed to start talking. Braze set his pad down, drew in a heavy breath, and sighed. He shifted in his seat and moved to take a sip of his Caf before shifting yet again, seemingly unable to sit still.

Perhaps it was all the caffeine making him seem so anxious. Perhaps it was all the sleep he'd been missing due to recent events finally catching up with him. Whatever the case may have been, he didn't seem to stay in one position for very long.

As the cold air started to settle over his thin frame, he felt a chill run down his spine and pulled the soft black jacket on over his bare shoulders. Perhaps he should have opted for thermal leggings instead of shorts.

Chewing gum might have helped him settle down for a bit, but he decided against it, as that might too too loud and annoying... He pulled a small piece of candy from his bag and gently removed the wax wrapper. He popped the medicated lollipop into his mouth and let out a small breath, seeming to relax and settle down a little after that.

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Tags: Lodd Grimmin Braze Liin Terallo R'ayne Asara | Open

If anyone had told Lysander a week ago, he’d be taking notes from Trade Federation’s Viceroy, he might've laughed. But, he did possess an almost shameful appetite for knowledge; if the Emissary wasn't here, he’d likely be rotting in the archives anyhow.

He arrived with time to spare, his presence an anomaly, which he found mildly amusing. In a galaxy where the Covenant would've labeled half the room as "foe," sitting among them was almost something like a tactical experiment. Today, he swapped the usual regalia for a black tracksuit and sneakers. It was mercifully comfortable, and not too sloppy.

Placed upon the front row, the lack of privacy didn't bother him so much. Prime real estate, depending on who you asked. Had the room been crawling with Sith, his hand would’ve already found a familiar lightsaber hilt; as it stood, he was content to observe.

In truth Lysander found that he didn’t mind Lodd so much, even if the Neimoidian was a cheap, stingy bastard who’d failed to provide even a trickle of water at the Summer’s Palace months back. Still, the Viceroy displayed an intellect that was dangerously sharp, and perhaps even a sense of dry charm, just enough to earn a pass for his previous social sins.

Stretching out both legs and cracking his knuckles, he retrieved his personal datapad once the holoprojector kicked into gear. Thumbing the camera open next, he framed the speaker against the backdrop of trade lanes and whatnot. Click

A small smile found his lips as he quickly fired off a message to Verity Stuyveris with the image attached.

Senator Stuyveris, you really should have been here. Think of the growth curve; you might have actually picked up a shred of economic literacy instead of just gallivanting across the Mid Rim. Spoiler: it’s what happens after you make decisions.

P.S. Terribly disappointed that fucking bird isn’t here to witness this circus.

Bracing for the inevitable, namely being roasted, was surely the sensible choice; but alas, he moved on and opened a clean document. Leaning forward, chin resting on a palm, he was prepared to soak in the mechanics of trade.

 

[Braze]

Tags: Lodd Grimmin Lysander von Ascania R'ayne Asara

​

Braze shifted a curious glance to his left at Lysander von Ascania , and after a few moments, it seemed to click… he did vaguely recall a request from Corazona von Ascania in regard to this man.

But… that promise might have to wait a bit longer. He didn't want to interrupt anyone's learning opportunities, after all.

Braze shifted his attention to the shoes Lysander wore, then scrutinized his attire, briefly looking him over from toe to head. He said nothing before his attention shifted once more, taking mental notes of an unreasonably vast amount of information.

He looked over to the woman who was talking to the Speaker and took note of her attire as well. A small frown graced his features before he turned his attention back to the financial guru.

Braze shifted then raised a hand... awkwardly.

 

[Is'ekapi Rex]

Tags: Lodd Grimmin

Knowledge, they say, is power. And those were why she was here.

Rex arrived before the lecture was set to begin. Always she spared extra time in her schedule to never be late. A good thing for someone working in the world of logistics. Today she dressed causally. White t-shirt. Black jeans. No shoes. And a backpack with her stuff slung over the right shoulder. This wasn't a day at the clients office. It was just university. She had to duck her frame under the doorway coming into the lecture hall. Neimoidian architecture let alone much of the galaxy was suited to a woman of her stature.

She scanned the attendees of the crowd as she made way to her assigned seat. She recognized literally no one. Not that all seats were filled. The same was probably true in reverse. She was a nobody to all of them as well. But a friendly smile was given to those who's eyes were met with. Rex took up her seat in the front row. The university was courteous enough to accommodate her request for the special dispensation. The leg room would be appreciated. Sucks to be the guy behind her though.

A big water bottle and a small recorder was placed on the desk. They gave her a datapad for notes as well.

Rex settled back in her seat as Lodd Grimmin began. A twitch down her tail made the tip sway back an forth. She was quite exited for this indeed.

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

Lodd Grimmin

Novac wasn't one to sit in a classroom, very much preferring to learn outdoors. But due to him recently building a settlement it'd probably be a smart idea to be here.

when he came into the room he noticed how much of a variety there was in the people. This could end in two ways calm or terribly, but going off the vibe so far it seemed like it'd be fine..probably.

As he took his seat, which luckily they provided a seat that actually fit his body shape, he gave a small nod and smile to Braze , the only person he recognized. When his eys met Is'ekapi Rex he returned the smile she gave. The sight of her actuallysurprised him a little, someone taller then him, interesting.

Pulling his datapad out he started to doodle a small lizard he'd saw on the way here in the corner inbetween writing notes.

 

[Yuri Maji]

When the opportunity for a class came up, Yuri practically jumped at the opportunity. The Ironworks were operating once again, but it was far from its former glory. To top it off, Yuri knew that it could always be expanded past local business and small orders. What better way to get a leg up on the operation than a class on doing exactly that?

Dressed in a relatively formal attire, the Hound made his way to the classroom and grabbed a seat. He wasn't too fussy about where he was sitting, though a few faces and scents immediately stood out to him. The cast of characters in attendance was something to be admired. Yuri was simultaneously thankful and paranoid that he wasn't wearing his armour. At least the weight of his shoulder holster beneath his jacket gave him a quiet reassurance if his classmates decided to get rowdy.

Class quickly started and the Viceroy began with what Yuri hoped to be an enlightening experience. Notes were taken while his ears tracked the Viceroy's voice, before golden eyes glanced up at him once more. He tried his best to keep his eyes to himself, but he couldn't stop himself from glancing at the rest of the class. Braze stood out to him, surprisingly. It had been years since they spoke, he doubted the kid would remember him.

Good or bad, this day could prove interesting.

Lodd Grimmin

 

[Lodd Grimmin]

Novac Lyrikal Yuri Maji Braze Lysander von Ascania Is'ekapi Rex R'ayne Asara Liin Terallo

Lodd allowed the silence after his opening examples, giving the more astute individuals in the room the opportunity to transform his information into genuine ideas rather than mere memorization. While memorizing facts is beneficial for tests, it falls short when it comes to applying that knowledge in real-world scenarios, particularly in a galaxy characterized by conflict, where trade routes can shift unexpectedly.

He turned his head slightly towards R'ayne Asara as they approached the podium and offered a respectful nod. "It is no problem, student Asara. The next generation of entrepreneurs are sitting in this room, and so what better mentor than the head of one of the most successful corporations in the galaxy when it comes to commercial shipping." He gestured with his free hand, suggesting that his guidance would enable the next generation to accumulate wealth without facing the challenges of managing a business.

He did not mention the gift, simply nodding his head and permitting them to take their seat in silence. He tapped the pointing stick once more against the podium, a crisp sound that cut through the low hum of the holoprojector in order to refocus the class towards the discussion at hand.

Though he did notice that Braze was having a hard time sitting still but ignored it for the time being as they were likely suffering from a severe case of withdraw. He also noticed that Lysander von Ascania was messaging someone in class, sending a discrete warning to the boy through a popup message.

"Observation demands honesty," he continued, "Most failures in commerce stem not from a lack of ambition, but from a refusal to admit what the market actually wants versus what you wish it wanted. Credits flow toward solutions, not toward dreams." The holographic map behind him shifted again, zooming out from the generic frozen world to display a modest mining outpost on a rocky moon. Lodd gestured with the stick, highlighting a cluster of prefabricated habitats.

"Take such a place. Scarce water. High dust. Short lifespans due to poor filtration. A clever entrepreneur does not arrive with luxury goods. They arrive with reliable atmospheric scrubbers, or contracts to retrofit existing ones. You barter your expertise for a share of the material you need most for your next business, such as accepting waste scrap in order to start a smelting business. Suddenly you possess working capital and resources without having spent a single credit of your own."

He adjusted his crescent glasses, peering over them at the class. His large, golden-red eyes lingered for a moment on the second row, particularly the towering Is'ekapi Rex , whose presence made the seating arrangement look almost comical before sweeping across the rest.

"Questions at this stage?" Lodd asked, the invitation polite but edged with the expectation that they be worth his time. "Or shall I proceed to the matter of turning that first meager profit into something that survives longer than a standard month?"