Faction Ordo and Chaos || Mandalorian Empire

[Athena Faar]

​

Tag: Runi Kuryida Zel Sharratt Adonis Angelis IV Zee Caromed Sibylla Abrantes Aether Verd Red Mobius

The discussions continued as they moved from the chamber, lead by Runi. Athena found the conversation enlightening. The Ambassador from Naboo's inquiries continued to fuel the flow of knowledge.

The next chamber revealed the platform over the pit. Athena watched as the Shaman paused, seemingly still and quiet. But something was happening. She felt it, a flutter in her consciousness, like movement at the corner of your eye that you aren't sure was really there or not. Then the warriors appeared. Runi mentioned opportunities, only one of which was revealed. While eager to take advantage of the Shaman's offerings, she would wait until all were revealed. It only made sense.

The revelation was interrupted. The Mand'alore arrived. His presence filled the room as he strode in, greeting each one individually. It was an appealing practice, Athena felt, small, personal interactions that strengthened bonds. When Aether bumped her shoulder, she greeting him with a smirk and a nod. The Mand'alore's arrival was followed quickly by a familiar helmet.

Red entered the room. After making her own quick greeting, the Mobius made her way to Athena's side. The armorer addressed the Korun more personally.

"You're the best." Athena quipped back, grateful for Red's generous help with making new armor affordable. "I am happy to work some more to cover those additions." She offered, not wanting to take advantage of her new friend.

The group moved on, past the ancient training warriors, deeper into the temple, until Runi announced the Council Chamber. There the second opportunity was revealed. This one was a defense against more devious threats, those against the mind ltself. Intriguing for sure, but there was still one to be revealed. Already, Athena had learned so much from Runi, as well as Zel, as if holes in understanding were being filled in by truths from the past.

 

[Adonis Angelis IV]

Objective I​

Tag: Runi Kuryida Zee Caromed Sibylla Abrantes Zel Sharratt Aether Verd Red Mobius Athena Faar​

Adonis watched the others with calm detachment, arms resting at his sides, the polished sheen of his vambraces catching flickers of temple light. When Aether Verd had clapped his shoulder, he hadn't flinched or faltered, he only met the gesture with a respectful nod and a rare glint of a smile. It hadn't been about deference. Just recognition.

Some chose legacy through bloodlines, others through banners. Adonis had chosen his through creed.

He had walked away from nobles with polished names and empty ideals. Now the Mand'alor knew his name. That was enough.

As Runi moved them deeper into the temple, revealing the Council Chamber and the next opportunity, a mental discipline forged from Tarre Vizsla's legacy, Adonis's gaze narrowed slightly. He didn't fear the idea of invasion, but he knew the kind of enemies who sought to break men from the inside out. Knights were made to resist more than just blades.

Still, he didn't speak up. Not yet. One more offer remained, and Mandalorians didn't waste movement on half-known paths.

Instead, he shifted course and moved beside Sibylla Abrantes, catching the way her questions had carried a scholar's edge, not a soldier's. Her bearing reminded him of someone from home, curious, calculating, polite but steel-spined.

"You handle yourself well," he said evenly, offering no title or grand flair. Just an observation. "Most offworlders treat our ways like ruins to be studied. You treat them like a flame to keep lit."

A pause, then, his eyes drifting toward the consoles, then back to her.

"Don't let that fire consume you, though. Mandalorian culture isn't just war stories and relics. It's a burden. Same as any crown."

He didn't wait for a compliment or agreement. Just stood steady in his armor, waiting, for the final path, and whatever came after.

 

[Runi Kuryida]

Runi regarded the young woman from the High Republic when she inquired if the Manda were required to learn such a skill. "You have the Manda within you, Sibylla of House Abrantes, though you may not be able to draw it out as others might. You can still learn this talent, but it may not protect you against those knowledgeable in certain... ruthless applications." Even so-called Non-Force Users could resist a mental probe. However, against someone trained in extracting information even a strong mind could only endure so long. "What will matter most is why you wish to learn. The strongest the need, the greater the focus."

The group was surprising reserved. A shadow of a smile touched the corners of her lips before the cloaked woman strode forth from the chamber to guide the group to the third location within the temple.

Meanwhile, the apparition of Tarre Vizsla regarded them until they left, and then it turned to examine the emptied council chamber.

Their guide led them through the stone corridors once more deeper into the mountainside. "While originally built to train Jedi in service to a Mand'alor, Tarre Vizsla sought to train Mandalorian warriors in the ways of the Jedi's Force to endure the warfare with the Sith at the time. Psychological perils were as common as clashes with lightsabers. Each of these threats required constant, tireless training of any warrior willing to learn. Yet, the path to Strength is not just one of body, or mind, but of spirit as well."

Soon, the group strode through another archway and out onto a broad platform where warriors could train, but it lacked the scars of battle -- real or practiced. "A warrior must also learn to endure physical and mental pressures. The body and mind can learn power and to suffer pains, but for how long? Here," Runi stopped at the edge and gestured to either side of the towering structure before them, "they would run a gamut of trials made to push them to their limits. To know where it is. To gauge their progress. And to understand its importance. Even the most powerful creature can be felled if it does not last long on the field."

Runi slowly turned around to face the group. "Body. Mind. Soul. Strength. Defense. Endurance. Whether you wield a blaster, or call upon the Manda, a Mandalorian must be prepared to face and conquer foes of any kind or strength."

Sibylla Abrantes | Athena Faar | Adonis Angelis IV | Zel Sharratt | Zee Caromed | Aether Verd | Red Mobius​

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

​

OBJECTIVE I: TOUR THE TEMPLE
Location: Lost Temple of Ordo
Interacting with: Runi Kuryida Zel Sharratt Adonis Angelis IV Aether Verd Athena Faar Zee Caromed Red Mobius


To hear that, while she may not be able to draw on the Force, she could still learn the talent was fascinating and certainly one she wanted to pursue. It was a practical skill, and the pragmatist inside her could only nod in approval and certain interest at that confirmation.

"So the greater the reason and will to use it, the better the focus with it to protect myself?" Sibylla asked, eager to learn more.

Corde, beside her, was also intrigued, listening intently as the Shaman led them deeper through the stone corridors until they came to a broad platform.

The more Sibylla learned about the Mandalorians, the more she began to understand why they placed such deep reverence not just in physical strength, but in mental discipline as well. To be pushed to one's limits and to understand those they might face so they would not falter.

It was a lesson Sibylla could learn to respect, although in the back of her mind, she could still recall the damage the Mandalorian Raiders had caused not only to Theed City but to Dee'ja Peak as well.

Of course, that didn't mean that all Mandalorians were to blame for that. She was coming to understand the nuances between them, but even then, she couldn't help but see why it had been so easy for Theed and Dee'ja peak to fall to the Mandalorians.

With strengths and persistence such as these for every man, woman, and child, each bred and expected to be able to defend as well as conquer any foes of any kind of strength and skill, those who guarded Naboo did not have a chance, even with the Order of Shiraya there to help defend it.

Which begged the question, what needed to change for Naboo. Should resources be redirected to help militarize their garrison? To ensure it could defend itself. It was a conversation to consider and bring up to Senator Sarn.

 

[Seris Mataan]

Seris Mataan stood at the edge of the landing platform beside the Mand’alor.

She did not speak as they descended into the temple grounds. She did not need to.

Her presence, like his, was a statement quiet, unwavering, intentional. Where Aether’s armor reflected light in burnished gold and battle-worn steel, Seris moved like a whisper between shadows. She wore silver robes over practical gear, her crimson hair hung loose just past her shoulders.

Together, they descended the path toward the gathering.

When they arrived, Aether moved first. His steps were steady, grounded. Seris followed a breath behind, her hands loosely clasped before her, gaze drifting over the others already assembled. She recognized none of them but then, that was the point. This wasn’t a reunion. It was a beginning.

She exhaled slowly.

Runi was at the center, the shaman’s calm weight anchoring the chamber, drawing the others into her orbit. Seris stepped forward only once Aether had greeted those around him, offering her own nods of respect in turn first to Runi, then to each member of the group in silent acknowledgment.

When she finally spoke, her voice was low but carried easily across the stone.

“Forgive the interruption. I am Seris Mataan. I've come to join if you'll have me.”

TAG: Aether Verd Runi Kuryida Sibylla Abrantes Red Mobius Zel Sharratt Adonis Angelis IV Athena Faar

​

 

[Runi Kuryida]

"As with all things," Runi replied to Sibylla Abrantes with a nod. "The Manda can shield a mind, but that is no different than a ray shield that protects your body from harm. Each is effective at the task, but you possess within yourself the ability for self-defense. A hardening of the mind to intrusion. The misleading of invaders to thoughts not at all of their choosing. It is a skill like any other that with time strengthens your capability."

The Shaman's hazel eyes turned to regard Seris Mataan . "Be welcome in this place. The past is strong here, and the opportunity to learn at hand."

"If it is Will you wish to learn, the chamber," she spread her hands out, "is ours to explore the hidden strength within."

Aether Verd | Red Mobius | Zel Sharratt | Adonis Angelis IV | Athena Faar ​