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?"

 

[Ronhar Tane]

CAPTAIN RONHAR TANE, TK-3301
TRADE FEDERATION LECTURE HALL
OBJECTIVE I: GET MORE SMARTER

Everyone knew that the whole galaxy ran on credits. Yet it never seemed that the Mahporeem Imperial Remnant had enough of them to go around.

It didn't matter how much they expanded their business across the stars. It didn't matter how many planet's they managed to raid and pillage of their natural resources. It didn't matter how much scrap came in and how much of it was used to create new things for the Imperial Remnant. No matter what they did, Mahporeem was always seemingly on the verge of financial collapse. Ronhar Tane had been sent here to find out why, to see if there was something wrong with the way that the Imperial Remnant conducted business or if there economic model was somehow flawed.

At the very least, Ronhar spotted a number of friendly faces, people he knew and respected: Marlon Sularen , R'ayne Asara , and Aurine Werr , though they were seated rather far away from Ronhar toward the back of the classroom. He spotted some others that he had worked with in the past: Novac Lyrikal , the snake alien who occasionally accepted contracts from the Imperial Remnant, and Braze , who's lawyer had caused Mahporeem its fair share of headaches, though relations between the two had started to trend more positively after Braze had shown Ronhar how to infiltrate Sith-held space. Still, the damage had been done, especially when once considered the two people sitting in front of Ronhar: Makai Dashiell and Balun Dashiell .

Though they hadn't been present at the Great Corrox Conference of 904 A.B.Y, their father Judah Dashiell certainly had, and he hadn't left the planet with the best of impressions of the Imperial Remnant. Ever since that had happened, he hadn't returned any of the Imperial Remnant's calls, and there was no telling what he might have said to Makai Dashiell and Balun Dashiell to turn them against Mahporeem. At least, that was what Ronhar assumed, but perhaps this could be a good opportunity to correct any misconceptions that the two might have? At the very least, he didn't see Judah Dashiell anywhere, and he might have a chance to talk to them without any interference. But how?

Beyond that, Ronhar didn't recognize anywhere else, though their was something about Yuri Maji that made him uncomfortable. Had the two met before? Ronhar couldn't put his finger on it, but something seemed off about the dog like alien.

As Lodd Grimmin continued to drone on and on about "honesty" and "working capital", Ronhar couldn't help but find himself lost in thought...
​

Spoiler: Ronhar's Loadout

• Head
  • Helm of Authority
    • Rangefinder
• Torso
  • Tashai Coat of Coins
  • Mk 45 Protective Vest
  • "Kitetsu" Force Energy Cycler
  • Wampa-Pattern Industrial Exoskeleton
    • Miniaturized Smoke Grenade Launcher
    • Empty Automated Weapon Mounting Point
• Arms
  • Tashai Coat of Coins
  • Wampa-Pattern Industrial Exoskeleton
    • NZ Medpack Display
    • Retractable Vibroblade
    • NZ Pangolin Type 1/A Reactive Armor Plating
• Legs
  • Wampa-Pattern Industrial Exoskeleton
    • NZ MAM MkII Jet Maneuvering Gear
• Cybernetics
  • Mod V Cyberarms
  • Cyberlegs Mod III
• Weapons
  • Burnblade
  • Prototype Sonic Pistol
  • Mahporeem Acid Rifle
  • Model 216 "Big Game Hunter"
• Ordinance
  • Two Rhydonium Grenades OR Three Mk II Viral Bombs
• Medical Supplies
  • Carapace Knitters
  • ABC - Aerosolized Bacta Cannisters

TAGS:
OPEN

 

[Liin Terallo]

I noticed Miss Asara almost as soon as she entered the lecture hall. Not because she demanded attention. Quite the opposite, in fact. She possessed the peculiar ability to move through a room as though she belonged to every shadow within it. By now, I had learned that wherever curiosity gathered unusual minds together, there was a reasonable chance that she would appear sooner or later. The galaxy, it seemed, was much smaller than it's maps suggested.

I returned her courteous nod with one of my own before lowering my attention back to my datapad. There was comfort in taking notes. The act itself forced my thoughts into order.

Observation demands honesty. That line joined several others already filling the page. Markets reward solutions. Needs precede luxury. Expertise can become capital. I paused only briefly after writing the last one. It was interesting. Scientists often viewed expertise as something to protect. While economists apparently viewed it as something to exchange. That distinction alone was worth remembering.

As Professor Grimmin continued describing the mining settlement, I found myself paying less attention to the settlement itself and more to the sequence behind it. Identify a need. Solve the immediate problem. Accept resources instead of credits. Reinvest those resources into the next opportunity. It was less a business model than a pattern. A civilization could probably rebuild itself the same way.

My stylus hovered above the datapad as another note appeared beneath the others. Recovery is cumulative. Stability is built one solved problem at a time.

When Professor Grimmin finally invited questions, I hesitated. Several possibilities came to mind, but only one continued returning. But I lifted my hand anyways. "You've focused primarily on establishing commerce where little exists," I began. "But what about places where commerce has collapsed?" The room remained quiet enough that I could continue without rushing. "If a world's economy has been disrupted by prolonged conflict or occupation, people often become reluctant to invest, regardless of opportunity. Trust disappears long before markets do." I glanced briefly toward the galactic map before looking back to the professor. "What, in your experience, is usually the first indicator that confidence is returning?" The question sounded academic. But it wasn't, for I already knew the world I was thinking about.

Tags: Lodd Grimmin R'ayne Asara OPEN

 

[Braze]

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

​

The snowy-haired young man offered a bow of his head and a small smile to Novac Lyrikal in silent greeting.

Braze listened attentively as Lodd began to describe the basics of supply and demand, a subject that fed directly into the sort of work he had taken on as of late, bringing to mind the new habitations provided by Mister Alex Stern and Outer Rim Resources. Although he may have been commercially gifted, his formal education was lacking. He was less the image of a child genius who owned far too much, and more a young visionary supported by a capable legal-corporate handler who kept everything running smoothly.

Braze wasn't ignorant of business, not truly. The young Echani had signed far too many contracts and sat through too many private meetings, watching how Everette Clairmont turned his half-formed ambitions into binding legal language. From there he had learned that commerce was less so a game of credits and more so a matter of trust, leverage, and consequences of action or inaction. Starports, shipyards, luxury vessels, market stalls, relief contracts, couture commissions, food chains, vendor agreements; all of it existed somewhere beneath his name, branching outward through people far older and far more fluent in the language of ledgers than he was.

Yet, for all that reach, he still sat small in his chair, trying to gain a genuine understanding of the part of the machine he had always trusted others to keep breathing. He knew now, more than ever, thanks to the problems presented by Ronhar Tane , that Everette might not always be around to rely on. A sorrowful, ugly truth the young man was having to come to abrupt terms with. The harsh realities of life cared little for sentimentality after-all...

The young man's attention shifted suddenly as he had noticed the hunter almost the moment they settled into the room, recognizing the man's movement and posture from one of those memories Braze had set aside as very important to know. Braze remembered Yuri Maji well enough; remembered how the man had successfully abducted him and delivered him to the compound… before, for reasons still not entirely clear, having a change of heart and returning to save him.

For better or worse, the little Merchant Prince had drawn the attention of many who wanted control over him or his would be 'empire', each for reasons of their own. He tried not to let that somber jade-green gaze linger too long on the hunter who had joined them, and tried harder still not to let any worry touch his features.

They had parted on good terms… hadn't they?

"My questions are a bit more geared toward the ethics of business," Braze offered, his stylus resting lightly between his fingers. "Do you believe there is a difference between an investment and an obligation if people are depending on the outcome?"

He paused, then seemed to consider how much of the thought to let slip.

"If a company already handles transport, warehousing, vendor contracts, emergency relief, and settlement grants… at what point does it become irresponsible not to offer financial services too?"

Perhaps it revealed some small tidbit of insider information to any stockbrokers in the room paying too close attention, if they even knew who the young, effeminate man seated near the front really was.

"I feel that one could make a great deal of money by taking advantage of opportunities, recognizing a need, and fulfilling that need," he continued. "But I am concerned about what happens when the desire to create funds grows so high that some might be tempted to create the need to be fulfilled instead… or resort to less-than-savory business practices that end up hurting the consumer, or producing inferior goods. Surely such practices reflect poorly on the companies that partake in them, and on the brand as a whole? Where and how do you know to draw that line?"

 

[Aurine Werr]

Tags:
Outfit:
Location: Lodd’s Lecture Hall

Aurine sat in the very back of the class. Not a problem. She had her fair share of formal classes. Yet none of them held the amount of experience from the speaker that Lodd Grimmin had.

Typing notes as the lecture began she glanced around at people she knew, or knew of. Ronhar Tane was easy to spot. Marlon Sularen was someone that Illithor Du'thra had shown some holo pictures of in a Tarisian government security meeting. In the front corner the two looked vaguely familiar. Perhaps she had met their father before Judah Dashiell . For the rest she didn’t have the foggiest of who they were.

"Questions at this stage?"

Aurine almost raised her hand. But questions would be when it actually helped gain more knowledge.

 

[Makai Dashiell]

ECONOMIC CLASS

Wearing | Gear : X | X | X | X | X | L3-37 | Interacting With : Lodd Grimmin | Balun Dashiell

Dressed in a navy blue suit, Makai loosened his dark blue tie festooned with jellyfish. While his datapad was open, he much preferred to take physical notes by hand. Well proven the act increased memory and comprehension of the subject being studied. Although at this point, he wondered if he had signed up for a beginning economics class.

Not that knowledge was bad. He had received lessons from Danger Arceneau herself as a very young boy. Owned a company now. What really brought him to the class was a chance to hear the prospective of Loss Grimmin. A brilliant corporatist and it was a true pleasure to sit in the front row.

Upon hearing the questions of the others, he quietly checked to ensure he didn't sign up for a business ethics class. Quite hilarious if that subject was taught by Grimmin.

Instead he reached for his iced caf to-go cup, taking a sip as he wrote a message on paper to his brother seated right next to him. Shame he couldn't switch seats.

'Won't it be a scandal among your order that there are Jedi and Sith mingling in one spot? I thought they kept you guys apart to cut down on the forbidden romances?'

 

[Balun Dashiell]

LODD'S ECONOMIC CLASS
LOCATION: Hyperspace Economics Class
INVENTORY: Spacer Apparel
TAGS: Lodd Grimmin | Makai Dashiell | Liin Terallo

​

Today's typical schedule had been forgone in favour of something of a personal desire and interest: the Jedi apparel he normally wore had been folded and left in his quarters on Jhaessa Prime, and instead he adopted something more casual and better suited to civilian life. The subject of hyperspace economics was something rather aloof to Balun, not the brightest of the family when it came to technical sciences, and as far as generic economics was concerned, he was something of a small-business-centred success but nothing compared to his older brother Makai Dashiell or the head of the conglomerate Dashiell Incorporated™, Judah Dashiell -- Their father. Balun had a noteworthy grasp of the corporate sector, yet a much weaker one than the other two, not to mention Danger Arceneau .

Much to his surprise and great amusement, Balun had been seated beside his aforementioned brother, whom he didn't realise had signed up for the class too. The grin on the young Jedi Knight's face was a cheeky one, flashing Makai a side-eyed glance. The notion of making this lesson particularly difficult for Makai to focus crossed Balun's mind, though he had come to learn something himself and thus would also miss out on walking away from the class with something to gain. Sparing a glance over his shoulder, he was also gladdened to spot Liin Terallo , who had recently messaged him. He lifted his head in a half-nod of greeting, accompanied by a fond smile, pleased to see her after such a long while. Liin was a good friend to both Balun and his father, Judah, and seeing her in the public spotlight, so to speak, spoke well of her general confidence in life.

Turning back to face their lecturer as Lodd Grimmin opened the class session, Balun reached for the datapad that had been provided to all of them. It was an odd feeling, being seated in a class such as this, not something he had experienced in quite a number of years. Even as a Padawan under Ala Quin , she had known he wasn't particularly interested in the classroom environment back then. Times had changed him for the better, maturing somewhat and aligning his priorities with a healthier lifestyle, both in body and mind.

Lodd's example of analysing a planetary environment for supply and demand was appreciated for its simplicity, something that Balun not only understood but also worked consistently to apply as Jhaessa Prime grew. The previously hidden world was starting to take shape in its early days of habitation by others, Meridian well established as the Capital and now overseeing the construction of another large settlement; the young Jedi had to consider the wants and needs of all prospective settlers, present and future. The holographic image of the frozen world changed to a seemingly barren, rock-laden moon suitable for mining. Right up Makai's alley. 'Credits flow toward solutions, not toward dreams. Ain't that the truth...' Balun mused silently at his own expense, feeling the slow pace of Jhaessa Prime's growth, as large a project as it was.

When prompted for questions from the class, Balun simply gave a small shake of his head. It was all simple enough to follow so far, and something of second nature in his life, yet perhaps it was also supportive of his master's theory that Balun often thought less of himself and was blind to his potential at the best of times. He automatically assumed he was the slowest in the class and was pleasantly surprised to find that the material covered so far was basic. It was still early, however, and there were plenty of opportunities still to find himself lost and overwhelmed by their tutor's academic knowledge and presentation.

The motion of his brother caught him off guard as Makai passed him a note, all very amusing to Balun, who once again felt like a youngling, passing messages between friends. When he opened it up and read the message, however, he had to stifle a dry chuckle, glancing back at Makai with a roll of his eyes. 'Won't it be a scandal among your order that there are Jedi and Sith mingling in one spot? I thought they kept you guys apart to cut down on the forbidden romances?'

'I'm not here as a Jedi, you bantha fart. The Order will always support greater learning. What about you though? They didn't bring any rocks for you to play with,' Balun wrote quickly before crumpling the paper up and tossing it back at his brother with a smirk.

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'​

 

[Brent Warnel]

CLASS
Lysander von Ascania Makai Dashiell Balun Dashiell Yael Kandar Novac Lyrikal R'ayne Asara Marlon Sularen Ronhar Tane Is'ekapi Rex Aurine Werr

​

As Brent walked briskly into the lecture room, he looked himself over. Green cargo pants with a black shirt, green jacket, shades, and a hat, the perfect cover for an undercover Mandalorian. Brent had made sure to arrive early to class, not wanting to draw attention or be late. However, he had forgotten to turn his clock to Galactic Standard and only noticed when it was almost time for the class to start. While he had rushed to get ready, he was still several minutes late.

The door into the class creaked as Brent pushed it open, a squeaking emanating as he entered. Brent made a slight, embarrassed face as he entered, raising his hand to Lodd Grimmin and the rest of the class and mouthing, "Sorry".

It was fine, though no one would recognize him without his armor, and while wearing a baseball cap with shades, he was basically invisible. He saw in a holomovie that some people did that to hide their identity, and it sounded like a good option, so he took it. Not many knew his name, or even his face, so he was sure he was safe.

Brent saw his name on one of the front desks and slid into his seat, not wanting to draw more attention as the professor continued with his lecture.

And what a lecture it would be. Clan Warnel was still a young upstart Clan, and Brent needed all the help he could get with commerce, trade, and capital to build his wealth and cement his Clan's future. This course may not teach him everything, but it would sure as hell get him onto the right track. So he listened and began to learn.

Not the way of the blade, but the way of the pen.

With a fury not seen since Humbarine, Brent began to take notes. Every word Lodd said, Brent wrote down. Or at least, he tried too. The other members of the class listened as intently as Brent did while Lodd continued to speak.

Brent glanced around, seeking out anyone in the crowded room he might know, or who might know him. So far, no one, and he nodded his head in approval. None would be the wiser that he was sitting in class, and not sparing in the pits.

Except, kriff, that was Yuri Maji . Oh, Yuri was staring right at him. Brent slid down in his chair, suddenly looking around at the ceiling before glancing back toward Lodd, ears burning. Did Yuri recognize him? Could he smell him? Did Yuri smell at all? Was he a dog? Brent shook his head. He was getting distracted, he would ask Yuri later, discretely.

"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 could feel his hand begin to cramp as he wrote down what Lodd was saying, and knew he needed some electrolytes to counter his soon fatiguing writing muscles that hadn't been used this heavy in years.

Brent tilted his shades down, looking around at the other members, making sure no one was watching him. He reached his hand into his cargo pants pocket and pulled forth a Beskar Berry Crews-ade™, cracking it open with a loud "tsssk" before beginning to sip it.

"Questions at this stage?"

Brent began to ask a question, but someone else beat him to it. Liin Terallo and Braze both asked questions. Not wanting to overwhelm the professor with too many questions at once, Brent sat back and waited for him to respond.

Liin had asked a question that Brent was going to ask himself. Clan Warnel could never compete with the large corporations running the galaxy, and he didn't want to draw attention to his Clan by going up against them. But a fledgling world, or a world riven with conflict that was just returning to trade, might be a good example of where the Clan could insert itself to make money. So Brent waited for Lodd's inevitable response, hoping the knowledge would benefit him.

 

[R'ayne Asara]

economic class

[]

Savage Queen of Hearts

​

classroom supplies: datapad x2, extra memory chips
outfit: attire
tag(s): Lodd Grimmin _ Liin Terallo _ Braze _ Lysander von Ascania _ Is'ekapi Rex _ Ronhar Tane _ if anyone else i missed

​

The moment Professor Grimmin began to speak, the clamor of the classroom receded into a distant and meaningless murmur, swallowed by the fathomless silence that forever lingered beyond the grim veil of perception.

My attention fastened itself upon him with predatory precision, every sentence weighed as though it were a sacred fragment excavated from some forgotten vault beneath the galaxy's oldest ruins. Galactic economics was no dry recital of credits and commerce to me; it was the anatomy of civilization itself.

Kingdoms rose because they understood the movement of wealth, and empires collapsed when they mistook abundance for permanence.

My fingers danced swiftly across my datapad, recording not every word, but every essential truth, condensing his lecture into elegant notes with practiced efficiency. I had long since learned that knowledge was a living organism; it rewarded those who captured its essence rather than its endless ornamentation.

When several students interrupted Professor Grimmin with questions, I allowed my hands to become still, the rhythmic tapping of my fingers ceasing as naturally as a mourning bell falling silent after its final toll.

Folding my hands neatly atop my desktop, I raised one with quiet dignity and waited with unwavering patience for my opportunity to speak.

Interrupting another, speaking over one's peers, arriving late, or possessing the vulgar audacity to chew gum during a lecture were habits of undisciplined minds; petty indulgences tolerated beyond these academic walls but wholly unworthy of a place devoted to learning.

Thus I remained silent beneath the shadow of my curious gaze, content to wait until Professor Grimmin acknowledged me, for patience, like discipline, was another instrument through which true mastery revealed itself.​

 

[Yuri Maji]

One ear remained on the professor while the other twitched at the sound of a late arrival. He was about to lift his gaze from his datapad when the new arrival's scent reached him. He couldn't help but smirk as he spared a quick glance at Brent Warnel and flashed a wink over his shoulder. He never really got a good chance to see the man without his helmet. Now he had the full picture of a face and civvies to tease him when they got back to the fleet.

The rest of the little zoo forming in the class was also not lost on the mutt.

But distractions were costly, and this class already worked out to be a pretty credit. The Viceroy's words were recorded and thoughts were noted down until the opportunity for questions was extended to the class. The Hound's cybernetic arm raised to the air but quickly lowered when two of his classmates voiced questions that seemed incredibly inappropriate for his kind of business.

Asking questions about weapons supply amidst the topic of morals would likely be an incredibly bad idea.

He did, however, have his own thoughts about the questions raised. "I was taught that morals and money were highly allergic when in the same room." He began, eyes shifting between Braze , Liin Terallo and the Viceroy. "Not to step on any toes here, but I certainly ain't a saint. And from a quick look around the room, I know I ain't the only sinner here. So wouldn't ethics be subjective when talkin' about a galaxy-wide business?" Yuri continued, shifting in his seat.

He had more thoughts, but decided to hold them back for now. His other classmate's question about trust wasn't only a relatable one, it was also incredibly relevant to his own budding business. The Ironworks was built on the trust of the community, it started as a business to give back to the community. His neglect of the family business cost it that reputation. "I am curious about your thoughts on sis' question about trust, though." He interjected once again, gesturing to the unfamiliar woman.

Fifteen years later and he was still a terrible student...

Lodd Grimmin