Populate Shadows of Power | THR Populate of Bothawui & Masterra

[Sibylla Abrantes]

High Assembly Convocation Hall
Theed, Naboo


Decarii Tithe Dominique Vexx Sentapoth Findos Kel Se'Taav Annasari Decarii Tithe

​

The chamber continued its soft murmurs, a few nods here and there, while a few more objections were also tossed to the delegates.

All the while, Sibylla stood next to Senator Sarn, watching the fry, listening to the proposals and counterproposals. She said nothing as Representative Kel Se'Taav finished speaking. The Bothan's words had been passionate,stirring, with enough information to tempt alarm.

It was a well crafted plea, she thought, but then again, so were most traps.

Attention was drawn back to Senator Sarn, as he gave a low, contemplative hum through his twin throats. Not disagreement. Not quite approval either. Just… thought.

Senator Findos rose, his tone clipped and surgical, slicing through the emotional appeals with the cool precision of a diplomat who knew how to gut policy with a single word. His argument was logical... cold perhaps, but necessary. He wasn't wrong, not really. And still, Sibylla felt that familiar unease that came when principles alone weren't enough to hold a galaxy together.

Then came Senator Dominique Vexx.

The sight of her brought a flicker of a smile to Sibylla's face. There was always a kind of ruthless elegance about Dominique, as if she wielded words the way others did vibroblades. All beautiful and lethal, calculated, calm. Sibylla couldn't help but admire it.

But this wasn't the time for admiration, not for what was at stake.

Dominique laid out her counteroffer like a card on a sabacc table: if the intelligence failed and brought needless death, then Bothawui would pay. Fully, publicly, without recourse. It was bold, showing that there would be reprocussions if this was just a show of smoke and mirrors.

Sarn didn't speak right away. His eye stalks swept slowly across the chamber, taking in every reaction, every shift in posture. When he did finally speak, his voice came with the calm resonance of someone used to waiting out tempests.

"There is wisdom in what has been shared," he said, each word even, steady. "Senator Findos is right to remind us that process and caution are not weaknesses. But Senator Vexx speaks to something just as vital, the integrity of this chamber. The trust we hold with the people who elected us."

Sibylla watched the room as his voice echoed through the rotunda. Some leaned forward. Others studied datapads like they weren't listening.

"If we are to consider expedited admittance," Sarn continued, "then let it be with eyes open. Let the intelligence be reviewed immediately by Republic Intelligence. If verified, then we proceed, but not without consequence...."

His voice dropped slightly, the words quieter, but somehow heavier.

".....Should it prove false, as Senator Vexx proposes, then Bothawui must surrender itself to full investigatory review."

He turned, just slightly, to glance at Kel Se'Taav once more.

"This is not about punishing loyalty. It is about protecting the Republic we have sworn to serve. And compassion without scrutiny," he added, "is not a strength but merely a surrender."

Sibylla let out a soft breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

It was the right move.

Not too harsh, not too trusting, but walking the fine line between ideals and necessity.

​

 

[Kel Se'Taav]

“Review of the information beforehand is not a condition we are willing to disarm ourselves with,” Kel said plainly. “Did the Covie have to prove that their biomolecule reserve was healthy before you accepted them into the Republic? Did Geonosis have to end its civil war first? What of Tatooine and Toshara, who lack the formal government system needed to even entertain membership in a greater political engine?”

It was hypocritical politicking at its finest. The Republic, it appeared, was perfectly suited to expedite the entrance of any world it saw fit, even those without governing bodies, so long as they had biomolecules, phrik, and droid factories. Bothawui has stood as a symbol of progress and cooperation before the powers of the galaxy much longer than, say, Vandor or Tarnoonga.

“Bothawui’s offer remains unchanged. The reputation of the Spynet alone is more than enough to compel the Republic to expedite our entrance into the Senate upon the transference of sensitive data regarding the syndicate.”

He swallowed, carrying on. “We will adhere to an investigative review only after having been granted a seat in the Senate, and only should our intelligence prove inaccurate or misleading; to investigate us beforehand, as an independent planet, is to infringe on the rights of agency my people have fought and died to safeguard for a millennium.”

The Spynet agents in Kel’s pod stirred uncertainly as the older statesman spoke. They were young and brash, unaware of the dance that must be done in the Senate chambers to elicit the results desired. Kel knew the value in standing his ground, even in taking two steps back for every single step forward. Eventually, the Republic would see that the precedent they fear has already been set, and that by demanding sensitive information as a bargaining chip, they’re actually flipping the status quo.

As of now, all a planet must possess to gain the Senate’s approval is an uncorroborated presence of natural resources; how does life-saving intelligence of imminent danger differ?

Tags: Annasari | Decarii Tithe | Dominique Vexx | Sentapoth Findos | Sibylla Abrantes​

 

[Dominique Vexx]

"Well, of course, Commander, this Senate is not unreasonable -- as you should well appreciate," Dominique replied with a casual warmth, followed with a pointed stare. "As I said, we'd only investigate should it turn out this entire affair is naught but a farce that may result in the loss of innocent life. Naturally, should it turn out everything is exactly as you said, and your information saves lives this Senate will be most appreciative of your peoples' hard work and grateful for any further you could provide."

"That said," Dominique paused for a pregnant second, "being granted a seat ahead of any such investigation -- were it to occur -- Bothawui would have no standing to vote against or attempt to otherwise deter that very investigation. Just to be clear."

Dominique regarded the rest of the Senate in attendance. "Now there's a little assurance and some stakes at risk -- should the spynet's contribution not measure up to the factories of Geonosis or the biomolecules of New Cov, unfathomable as it sounds -- it seems much more reasonable to consider their request to join our membership. No one here has, after all, called to task the Bothan's ability to contribute." Time to see if anyone would conjure a hard reason to scuttle the affair. Personally, she was in favor of it, but wanted to ensure some no-name world wouldn't claim a secretive contribution that never panned out, and then wasted the Senate's time trying to legalese their way of retaining their seat.

Kel Se'Taav | Annasari | Decarii Tithe | Sentapoth Findos | Sibylla Abrantes​

 

[Thayze Montserrat]

|| SHADOWS OF POWER ||
Head in the Clouds - Chapter 1
———
TAG: Briana Sal-Soren | Vizion Trozky

CHANDRILA

Being of the nobility has its perks; you are connected. A padawan, Thayze has probably travelled to more planets than an average knight, and he has friends everywhere. Even between the hectic schedule of his Jedi training and missions, he tries to stay connected, and this time it’s proven to be an advantage for him.

The newly joining Grandmaster of the Ghorman Enclave, Laurent Costeau , has been urging Briana to seek another enclave; the Aetheris Watch of Chandrila, and it just happened that Thayze had spent a good deal of time there. His parents have some business partners in Chandrila, so he has been visiting on few occasions since he was a kid, through his formative years.

So he went there with his Master and Master Vizion, standing by their side as they all discussed about the Galactic Empire situation and Chandrila’s proximity to the impending incursion. The meeting went quite well, but even then there’s something else that’s distracting Thayze. It just happened that The Enclave’s grandmaster’s recently knighted padawan, who also attended the meeting, is an old friend. Smiles and glances were exchanged throughout the meeting, neither acknowledging the past that they had.

Perhaps the ship had sailed but the warm, fuzzy feelings remained as memories they still and will cherish, forever.

Even afterwards, when he was just with the two senior Jedi to debrief and discuss the situation, his mind still lingered through the fresh air of Chandrilan mountain. Not just of memories however, but also worries now that he pondered his feelings closer.

“It’s hard to imagine having to even think about leaving such beautiful place for safety and security,” he muttered to Briana and Vizion as the three strolled around a garden terrace with the view of Chandrila’s highland forest and wilderness, his eyes wandering through the beauty of Chandrila.​

 

[Cassian Abrantes]

"We're tasked by the big pencil pushers to recon and clear an area on Hoth in order to raise a covert base there and place a garrison there. After some deliberation, it was decided that said base would eventually be delved in the deep of the Icefall Plains. But make no mistake - this world falls in the heart of Sith territory. The Blackwall and its patrols are very real. Luckily we were able to find a way in thanks to the Confederate presence on Christophsis and its hypergate. But there's no telling what is on that surface. This is a map that predates the Wall, but we shouldn't discount the native wildlife either. We're going in blind with no backup. You were all specially selected based on your skills on these kinds of ops, ladies and gentlemen. Do not disappoint and make sure your shots land."

The Grand General spoke and Cassian's eyes stayed focused, but also to that of the soldiers under his command. He had a great respect for those under him, just as they did for him. They had fought with him for over two years and they had a strong trust with each other. They wouldn't let him down or anyone else for that matter. Despite all that, he was their General and it was his task to make sure they stayed focused and most importantly that they all came back together and alive.

"Any questions?"

It was a straight forward mission, yet one of high importance. No questions were asked as they all sounded off as one to declare their readiness. Cassian glanced towards Lesha Tarot and gave a readily salute as he looked back to those under his command.

"Stay focused and be on your guard at all times. The cold isn't the only thing out there waiting to take lives."

 

[Vizion Trozky]

SHADOWS OF POWER
AETHERIS WATCH ☛ CHANDRILA ☛ CORE WORLDS

​

Like Thayze, his own family had business with Chandrila, and he had seen many places, but for the Brentaalan, that was largely under the auspice of his training under his master, from his eighth year. He had been to some rather far-flung places, one of which gained him the orange crystals that now lived in the hilts on his belt, and served as the last of his trials, around half a decade before.

Had you asked him back then if he ever saw himself where he was now, a councillor and advisor and more besides, he would have discounted the possibility. Thoroughly. He was a hunter, a tracker, an investigator by calling, far from the fields of his work. He was all of twenty-four.

But so was Thayze's master. He skirted a sidelong glance at Briana, who by cause of disaster he'd known his whole life. Without that, who might have he become? If his parents hadn't fled the core back then, fled Brentaal IV, what kind of Jedi would he be? Would he be one at all? Though the back of his mind went to his family likely becoming refugees for a second time, Vizion was present in the here and now, strolling a garden terrace, taking in the illusion that manicured grounds and undisturbed forests gave.

The incongruence wasn't at all lost on him. "It was an experience you could say I had before I was born," he admitted, "but one I've witnessed since, more times than we should have to count. If you know the history of the flavour of darkness that stains this region... you may have an idea of what's coming."

The disquiet within him thrummed. He knew all this effort might not be enough, but that wasn't all that bothered him. What he supposedly was. The implications.

Briana Sal-Soren • Thayze Montserrat​

 

[Sentapoth Findos]

Kel Se'Taav Decarii Tithe Dominique Vexx Annasari Sibylla Abrantes

​

Sentapoth had chosen to make his stance unpredictable at times, criticizing the Bothan's reputation while also recognizing their legacy. This was clearly a stalling tactic employed by the Neimoidian, not to aid the Assembly in deciding whether to allow the Bothans into the Republic, but because war was lucrative.

If there was even a slight possibility of the Spynet aiding the Black Sun through a false-flag operation, it would be advantageous for him. As the Trade Federation would have to step in to advocate for a new intelligence oversight commission. Such a body would be responsible for all intelligence collection and information sharing, ensuring accountability and transparency in all espionage activity.

This was more about preventing any investigation into his own actions than genuinely contributing to the government's overall effectiveness. Sentapoth's fingers curled slightly against the edge of his pod as he rose once more to speak his mind after Senator Dominique Vexx and Commander Kel Se'Taav got done trading statements.

"Commander Se'Taav," he began by addressing the Bothan's first mistake. "Your comparison is entirely flawed, as Biomolecules and droid factories are tangible commodities. Their value is quantifiable with a mere audit, Intelligence on the other hand is ephemeral, especially when it is withheld." A pause though just long enough to let the weight of that particular distinction to settle among the other senators.

"You speak of rights and agency, yet you continue to ask this esteemed body to surrender its agency to act on faith alone, blind to the very threat you claim demands urgent actions. That is not negotiation under any definition of the word, this is coercion plain and simple though wrapped in the finery of precedent." His tone maintained that sharp but effective political style to get the point across in a way that the Bothan Commander might recognize before continuing.

"And let us be entirely clear if the Black Sun's danger is as dire as you insist, then withholding said intelligence that could potentially save lives is not protection it is recklessness, one that is entirely demeaning to one such as yourself. A celebrated Senator of the Alliance."

He took a glance towards Dominique Vexx then Senator Sarn ( Sibylla Abrantes ).

"Senator Vexx's proposal is more than fair. It is necessary. If the Spynet's intelligence proves true, Bothawui gains not just membership, but the gratitude of a Republic bolstered by its foresight. If it proves false, then the consequences must be severe enough to deter any other world from treating this chamber as a marketplace for hollow threats. I will personally back such a measure to the High Chancellor" He finished with a soft bow in respect to the Chancellor's podium before withdrawing the pod to come up with additional counterarguments. The chamber seemed to reach a consensus though mostly in principle.

 

[Sibylla Abrantes]

High Assembly Convocation Hall
Theed, Naboo


Decarii Tithe Dominique Vexx Sentapoth Findos Kel Se'Taav Decarii Tithe Annasari

​

Senator Sarn sat in silence, his large frame still within the floating pod, listening as the chamber filled with voices that danced between reason and passion. Kel Se'Taav's voice echoed with a defiant pride in it, but also something deeper beneath the surface. A desperation. A quiet fear disguised as principle.

Sibylla took a deep breath. How would this go? The cost of politics wasn't always counted in credits or votes. Sometimes it was trust. Sometimes it was time.

He took in Dominique Vexx 's calm, calculating counter. It was not cruel. It was precise. And then Senator Findos sliced through the debate with facts and warnings. Sarn couldn't fault either of them. Their points were sound.

He hummed softly in the way of Ithorians, a gentle, vibrating sound from his dual throats that rippled beneath the murmur of the room. Then he leaned toward the speaker on the edge of his pod, and the lights in the rotunda shifted subtly to him.

"The chamber has heard many truths today," Sarn said, his voice deep and slow, like riverwater moving over stone. "Commander Se'Taav speaks of lives and the skill and reputation of the Spynet. Senator Vexx reminds us of the consequences. And Senator Findos has warned us of haste. These truths do not cancel one another. They are part of the same picture."

He paused, letting the room breathe with him.

"We must not abandon caution. Nor should we ignore opportunity. To welcome Bothawui without condition would be reckless. But to shut them out entirely would be a mistake. And I believe, deep down, most of us know that."

He inclined his head slightly toward Senator Vexx's pod.

"I find the Senator from Denon's proposal reasonable. Let us allow expedited membership -- but only if the intelligence can be verified soon after. Should it prove true, we will recognize Bothawui's foresight and value. But if it proves false, then consequences must follow. Serious ones. We will not open our doors to manipulation and call it diplomacy."

Sarn let his eyes pass across the chamber with steady expectation from them all.

"It is time this matter be placed to a vote," HE said simply. "Let it reflect that we act not from fear or blind faith....but with tempered trust and a responsibility to those we serve."

He lowered his hand, folding it calmly over the other. Now, the decision would belong to all of them.

 

[Mishel]

"The dead are never silent here. They wait for someone to listen."​

☾ Mishel Kryze ☽

"The last time I walked through fire, I didn't come back whole. Maybe that's the point. Maybe we're not meant to. But if there's a soul left in that place, even a single one left saving, I'll find it. Even if it means burning again."

- Jedi Master Mishel Kryze, approaching Ord Masterra
​

A HIGH REPUBLIC STORY
- ANCHORS OF THE REPUBLIC -

The veil thins. The flame falters. The forgotten Order calls.

Jedi Masters Coren Starchaser and Mishel Kryze descend into the Veilcarved Expanse of Ord Masterra, drawn by ghostfire, memory, and the last cry of a long-dead cryptkeeper.

​

---

​

---

When a cryptic map marked with Force signatures and ancient Jedi funeral script appears in the hands of Jedi Master Coren Starchaser, it's traced back to someone long thought dead, Charlyra Araano, a former Sith-turned-ghost of the Order of the Veilbound Pyre.

The map leads to Ord Masterra, a forgotten and haunted world where Jedi once tended to the dead, protected the living from corrupted Force echoes, and performed sacred rites of passage. The Veilcarved Expanse, an arid stretch of land scarred by ancient battles and rituals, has begun to stir with dark presence. The flame the Veilbound once guarded is now flickering, and Charlyra, its last guardian, cannot leave.

Coren, unable to ignore the weight of the message, reaches out to his padawan and fellow Jedi Master, Mishel Kryze, a woman shaped by fire and loss. Together, they return to the past, to a forgotten Order, a haunted world, and perhaps a chance to mend what time and war unraveled between them.

​

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Post 4/5​

"Calling it a big red warning label might be putting it mildly," Mishel muttered as she dismounted, boots crunching against the gravel. She stepped forward, one gloved hand hovering near the old sigil embedded in the stone. "You're right though, whatever's pulsing out of this, it feels like it's trying to lead us."

She looked out toward the path ahead, where the mesa loomed above a series of diverging trails. The air tasted dry, heavy with dust and memory.

"You know anything about this order?"

"The Veilbound Pyre," Mishel said, her voice shifting into something almost reverent. "They dealt with the dead. Specifically Jedi dead, though they didn't turn away others, from what I've read. Or… what little there is to read."

She paused, walking a slow arc around her Orbrak before mounting back up, reins in hand. "That stone? The one the sigil's carved into , it's local. Pulled straight from this land. Not imported. Not accidental." And it'd probably been there for years, decades, centuries more likely.

The wind wailed through the valley ahead, low and mournful, like something grieving.

"Yeah… place gives me the creeps," she admitted, squinting toward the ridgeline.

A beat.

"You think this is some targeted dark side scavenger hunt? Or just another one of those general haunts of Jedi memory, soaked in ghosts and rot?" Mishel followed the lingering pulse the sigil gave off, the pulse seemed to radiate from one sigil to the next, leading those who were willing to listen down the trail. All around Mishel and her master laid the ruined remnants and archaic remains of the Old Republic. "Cold in a hot environment, think that might give us more of an idea of what we're about to get into?"