Faction The Burden [ TJO, THR, and Other Jedi Welcome ]

[Eloise Dinn]

“Who gives a shit which Sith faction did it?” Eloise didn’t stay sitting down for long, her annoyance re-ignited by Jasper Kai'el ’s correction. “They’ll merge together into one empire within six months anyway.”

"You think I am idle, because my work is quiet," Braze said.

"I think you better have just come back from a Barash, Braze," Eloise retorted. "Because if not, then those rumors I've been hearing about you betraying the Jedi on Coruscant better not be true." She ignored the rest of what he said. He was talking out of his ass and had no idea what she had been doing lately.

By now Amani was also getting pissed at her, though she still defended her Padawan from the Naboo Grandmaster's attempt at censure. Even pulled out her commanding Queen of Alderaan voice for it. But Eloise wasn't about to cower behind her master's skirts. She faced Ala Quin with a cold glare. "Why did you even invite us here, lady? To browbeat us into submission?" She clearly didn't care about anyone's opinion other than her own.

The discussion became more benign and boring. Lots of people were giving speeches that, while nicely worded and well-presented, were sorely lacking in substance. Apart from maybe Lily Decoria , who had led a raid on a Sith transport which Eloise had participated in, nobody seemed to have any concrete ideas about how to proceed. Having stirred the pot, Eloise figured she might as well throw her two cents in.

"If the High Republic doesn't start allying with the free systems that are left, the Sith will grab them first. And no, I'm not just talking about Alderaan." She threw that in just in case anybody thought she was promoting her master's current political venture. "I'm not a diplomat, but I've escorted diplomats, made sure they got where they needed to go safely. Some of you can be the diplomats, the investors, the advocates, all that boring shit."

Amani Serys Ala Quin Braze + everyone else​

 

[Ala Quin]

"Amani Serys, thank you for attending, you may leave now," said Ala, "please take your Padawan with you."

| Everyone |​

 

[Braze]

​

Braze cast his student a brief almost apologetic glance. Before offering something briefly said aside in a hushed tone to the little Leos as Ala Quin addressed Amani Serys asking her to take Eloise Dinn with her.

"If you believe I betrayed the Jedi," Braze said, "Then say it without the shelter of rumor, Eloise." Braze stated moving from where he'd been settled as if ready to remove himself from the meeting room to give them peace from his petty squabble with the padawan. He did, after all, as she pointed out, probably didn't belong here.

 

[Leos]

Naboo
Tags: Braze

Epo-1, YT-1760 small transport
​

Leos frowned as Braze stood ready to leave. He huffed, crossing his arms before speaking to Braze out of earshot.

"That's it?" he muttered. "You aren't gonna tell them, like, your brain got screwed around with to make you do that stuff? That you didn't want to? Shouldn't you defend yourself?"

Then again, maybe Braze didn't need to say anything more. He was really good at rambling on and on. Maybe his words had a point, but at some point it was probably like beating a dead taun taun. That didn't mean Leos was happy that he left it off like that. All that purple haired girl did was be angry.

Leos could get being angry, but they hardly offered much solution til the end.

"Are we leaving?"

He wanted to by now.

 

[Pari Sylune]

Pari remained mostly silent during the meeting. She had been hopefully that her master Anneliese Kaohal-Delaine might be in attendance but there was no sign of the red haired flame. Pari hopped that whatever mission her master had been called away on was going alright. She was starting to get worried.

The room dissolved into bickering and harsh words, something Pari had hated to hear.

She stepped forward, her tiny frame almost unnoticeable in her youth and inexperience. She wasn’t even sure padawans were allowed to talk at this things so she was nervous.

“May I speak?”

Her voice trembled slightly but nobody rebuked her so she continued.

“Maybe we need to establish another large Jedi group that can focus on coordinating war efforts. The Jedi Order can continue to protect its people and this new group and continue to work towards war with the Sith in a more aggressive way. Both of these ideas are Jedi ones. Protection by shield and sword and there is a way we can all support each other. As long as we stay united under the banner of Jedi then can’t we operate in separate groups but still preserve unity without all the bickering?”

Perhaps she was young and still naive but her wide wooden colored eyes looked at them all earnestly and sincerely.

 

[Jasper Kai'el]

Naboo
Tags: Ala Quin , Lily Decoria , Colette , Amani Serys , Eloise Dinn , Others...

Lightsaber, Refuge, Respite, Order of Outcasts
​

“They’ll merge together into one empire within six months anyway.”

Given Sith infighting, that wasn't likely. One wouldn't bow to the other easily. Even so, it probably wasn't worth harping on about. He had said his peace, and she wasn't his student to lecture. Not that Jasper really wanted to be the one to teach about the intricacies of war. That stuff was soul draining.

This Jedi Order is the largest and most firmly established sect of Jedi, and if we ever want to achieve something of a larger scale, it will almost inevitably have to be with their blessing and support. And somehow I doubt they intend to forcibly divide themselves just to support this libertarian ideal of yours.

"I didn't say I want them to divide," Jasper sighed. "I'm just not eager to be pulled into a larger net again... not after what happened. If it burns down we'll all get charred. When the time comes I will be eager and ready to collaborate, but I cannot do more. That probably isn't satisfying, but that's my truth. I hope by then the consensus is that allies are allies, not client states. But, I suppose I have my own biases on the matter. Do what you have to do... as long as it's true to what you stand for."

He paused to direct a glance at Eloise. Jasper wasn't sure what she'd decide to do after this. She clearly was going to do great things. Whatever it was, he hoped it would save lives. Maybe even not get herself killed in the process. That would be the best of both worlds.

"Until that day comes I have work of my own I need to finish. Force be with you all."

Jasper could not stay. He had refugees to finish housing back on Refuge. Then from there he had to decide if his role was to continue to build for those who had lost everything...

Or pick up the sword once more.

He offered a simple wave of his mechanical hand, a dip of his head to Grandmaster Ala Quin , and set off back towards his shuttle.

Exit​

 

[Casaana]

Sitting quietly in the rear of the group, Casaana felt a profound sense of sadness at the division being shown here. What hurt the most was the personal attack against Braze, he was her friend, and she'd attended his trail, felt his remorse, and heard the man he'd hurt stand up for him. Now he was being assaulted with rumor, by someone already told they didn't understand what they were pushing for.

The Jedi Order could wage war against the Sith, but without the backing of the High Republic, it'd be run on personal funds and ships. The Jedi weren't the High Republic and couldn't command its policies or make them expand their navy more than they were ready to. As honored and respected as the Jedi were on Naboo and the High Republic, they were a separate entity, guests. And from Casaana's understanding, the Sith ruled their empires while exercising that control. Yes Jedi were very capable, but they couldn't defeat fleets or hold planets on their own.

She thought back a few months ago, to another meeting of the Jedi meant to unify the disparate temples and enclaves. Not much had materialized from that so far other than establishing an alert network, but it was starting to look like it was going to be far more successful than this meeting of the Orders. Then people had been willing to listen and work with one another, setting aside their differences and offering up their strengths. Today, people were wanting everything to be done their way, no matter the wisdom of those who knew the realities of the Jedi Order's capabilities. That Jedi were outright ignoring or sniping back at Miss Grandmaster spoke volumes about their courteousness and willingness to be part of a new Order. She liked Ala and wanted to give her a hug. It was like the people she'd offered a place on her ship were demanding to take the captain's seat while insulting it and the ship, to make an allegory-metaphor-thing. But that reminded her of another about some people sinking a ship just because they couldn't be the captain. But Jedi weren't like that, ruled by emotions and not seeking an understanding.

 

[Vizion Trozky]

THE GATHERING
SHIRAYA'S SANCTUARY ☛ GALLO MOUNTAINS ☛ NABOO

There was one thing Vizion remained sure of throughout gatherings alike to this one — Eloise Dinn was nothing if not consistent.

But what was more: every point at which he thought to interject and speak was headed off by the rising words of others, and in tandem, the low roil of mild frustration within him…. but if Knight Trozky was a master of anything, it was the management and control of himself. His expressions, his reactions, his tongue. Gold-flecked eyes did track from speaker to speaker all the while, notes he scribed to his dataslate flowing while he remained fixed in place as he’d been the entire time.

Then, finally, Councilor Trozky rose, dataslate in hand, and gave a brief bow of his head before speaking… only to watch as another padawan voiced her own ideas, and Master Kai’el said his last words, then departed. Vizion bit back a sigh, making a mental note to reach out to the blonde Master, or have him reached out to, and turned his attention to the Master Healer that his Grandmaster had just dismissed, hoping to catch her before she too would leave. He rapped his knuckles softly on the table, but in a way that would carry, by grace of the Force. Aiming to catch not just her attention, but that of those that remained.

A thing he did in other scenarios as a diversion.

“A moment before you go, Master Serys?” He bowed his head. His tone was respectful, seeking. “Councilor Trozky. My master, as I’m certain yours may have on the basis of your question, taught not to leave disagreements to fester by any means, yes? Consensus, compromise, and working to find equal footing, finding ourselves unity in purpose — more than unity in structure — should be the shape of our foundation.” He gave a small smile, before a momentary glance down to his slate. “No home is built in a day.” This was only the beginning. His eyes lifted again. “As for Vonnuvi, I’ll forward you on to our Waybinder, Master Vodet . That’s our inter-enclave liaison. We’ll have him reach out, he'll be able to connect you to others.”

Then he turned to the gathered, as a whole.

“The offer is the same for other enclave representatives.” Amani had not been the only one, certainly. He moved on. “For those that have offered intelligence, thoughts towards reconnaissance, forward operations, and shadow work, I am the Order’s coordinator and your main contact at this time.” Shadow work. Brandyn’s domain until now. He hadn’t yet told Briana. The message had only just arrived as he was waiting for her to be ready to depart for this gathering. It was awful timing, and he didn't relish the extra domain under his oversight. “Others that have and may make offers, be they ideas or otherwise, we’ll connect you to the relevant contacts or coordinators.”

Then he narrowed his scope again, his keen eyes seeking out the short-haired knight who asked of beliefs, views, early on and was hardly given a response. He believed he knew what was truly being asked.

“Knight Colette,” he didn’t wish to invoke the Noble name, when she herself had not, “not to invite philosophical discussion, but I offer you what I hope is clearer answer: this Council, this Order, is not, and will not be party to cultural genocide,” he cast a glance at those who remained, “a slippery slope if ever there was one.” His gaze tracked back to her, eyebrows lifting slightly. “Historical precedent underlines our moral duty to be vigilant, and current events reinforce that. Sith aggression and tyranny is the rule, not the exception… but there is a line, lest we become what we seek to dismantle.” How to go about handling the Sith could be a sticky subject... but nothing further. Not right now. “All that said, Jedi Philosophy, one of the earliest things I’d wager most of our masters touched on, leads me to another matter.”

That of growth and readiness. Vizion flicked a glance at Master Ike… how was he to put this? He took a deep breath in and out of his nose, and gave a firm smile. Bowed his head in respect.

“While I see the merit of your offerings, Master Ike, I can’t help but think that… Jedi procreation, as you call it, would only make the gap between padawans and available mentors wider.” Or maybe there was something he was missing. What she proposed there was nothing he’d ever heard of, and it made him briefly seek out Briana with a inscrutable look, before going back to the matter at hand. “We are diminished in number as a whole as Jedi, yes, but the answer as I see it is in collaboration and networking.” He then looked to Cora. Simply training padawans had been mentioned already, but little had been said on how to address the inherent problem. “Widening our matching program beyond the membership of our Order,” he clarified, “More mentors than padawans, which should ensure they’re as prepared as possible. That will be one benchmark of our readiness, to answer your earlier question, and the most important one of all. Much of everything else depends on it.”

He wouldn’t be half the Jedi he was without the twelve years he spent under the watchful eye and guiding hand of his Master, but he knew they didn’t have that kind of time. The approach to training, here, would have to be different from that. He looked to the Grandmaster, other masters, and knights of the Order. Then, rather than opening the floor wide, he looked back to Briana, where he would find Romi.

“Master Jade." He gave her a bow of his head, not quick, not slow. "I've benefitted from your mentorship at times in my path, and respect your views. How would you handle the problem of preparing our Jedi for the galactic climate we find ourselves in?”

Ala Quin • Amani Serys • Briana Sal-Soren • Colette
Corazona von Ascania • Orihime Ike • Romi Jade • Ronhol Tomm • Sela Basran​

 

[Colette]

Colette’s foot tapped the floor with increasing rhythm. Eyes darted across the crowd again as people spoke. She should have chosen a better time to ask her question, or maybe she shouldn’t even have bothered to ask it at all. This was supposed to be about how and what, or fuck it, finding any common ground at all. That alone seemed impossible at the moment.

Her eyes closed, Drifter’s words echoed from memory with harsh truths. The purpose of this meeting, her role to play, began to clear. Everyone in this room wanted the same goddamned thing, but nobody wanted to put their foot down and compile it into something real.

Steepled fingers interlocked. She shifted back to watching the crowd. There had to be something she could do or say or anything to change the damned record already. This particular type of arguing wouldn’t get them anywhere productive, but what was the solution?

There was one thing. Colette reached for her bag and began to root around for a datapad. It flicked on with a click. The stylus in her hand swiped away on its blue monochromatic screen as the others continued talking — or rather, blowing up and leaving. Whatever, that wasn’t the point.

It took a bit of catching up, but eventually she had herself a list.

Spoiler

Grievances:

• Too beholden to the Alliance, now is the chance
• There is no war in Republic Space
• Jedi numbers dwindled
• Need clarification on how the Republic and Jedi co-exist
• What resources are we missing before we can fight?
• Rushing the Blackwall: impatience, not courage.
• Order stands with Republic to guard its people
• Focus on regrowth and recuperation before going back
• Is this a war on ideas or people? (Who cares?)
• To call themselves the Jedi Order is a bold claim.
• Maybe we shouldn’t be a single massive order.
• Sith Order didn’t rise from nothing, built during Alliance height
• Do what we can, but focus on rebuilding strength
• We must not repeat the NJO’s problems
• We are NOT ready for what’s beyond the black wall - (Braze knows a way?)
• We need to be more proactive (says some)
• Silver Jedi, or the Ikes can supply resources
• People are dying under the Sith (causes understandable stress and desire to act)
• We are not ready, iterated by someone else.
• Can we turn potential insiders against the Sith?
• Slow rebuild is not a reluctance to fight
• There are plans but they can’t be brought to light yet — (why?)
• Take apprentices and teach them the way of the Force
• Seek ultimate victory over the dark
• Our weakness is their strength, and they know this.
• Conviction is not recklessness (???)
• Anger causes shortness when talking, causes friction in this discussion.
• There needs to be action, but the right kind (???)
• All of this is old news, we’ve seen it before.
• People will die if we start a war
• Doesn’t matter which Sith faction did what, they all need to die.
• Amani and Eloise were asked to leave
• Maybe there could be more than one group? A more aggressive, detached group, and the current Jedi Order that is more focused on recovery.
• Allies should be allies, not client states.
• Jasper Kai’el departs.

The list got far too long before she stopped herself. Colette gave it another look over before she figured she had reached a solid point to distill it into something more coherent. Of course, the meeting was slowly falling apart around her but at least her part in making such an inevitability come true was over with.

Spoiler

Actions:

• Teach more Jedi
• Find ways through the Blackwall, perform recon
• Don’t take on too much at once.
• Find potential Sith collaborators
• Find people who can provide resources
• Reach out to

“Hmm?” Her name was mentioned, Colette looked up from her datapad and raised a confused eyebrow. Vizion, a man she had seen but never talked to mentioned her and at least addressed her concerns. She appreciated it, but at this point she had moved on to her list. Nonetheless he got himself a smile and a grateful nod before getting back to work.

Except then the funniest thing happened.

Master Jade.

It was like a shot in the arm of something she couldn’t describe. A memory from her first few weeks or perhaps even days after leaving home. Master Jade was a name she had only heard in broadcasts from a controversial criminal trial, but surely this wasn’t the same person was it?

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Shirayan Temple
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Arwr Da, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed)
Tag: Briana Sal-Soren | Kito | Vizion Trozky | Ala Quin | Colette | Jasper Kai'el | Eloise Dinn | Amani Serys | Casaana | Lorn Reingard | Bastila Sal-Soren | Orihime Ike | Pari Sylune | Braze

Listening to Eloise and Amani caused Lily to pinch the bridge of her nose. It was not just the mere display of aggressive and foul language being used but the complete ignorance of what was attempted to be said and what was the intention of those gathering. They seemed more keen on slamming on ideas, promoting their thoughts as the only best option to go about business. Lily truly hoped that she would not have to deal with more affairs like this moving forward. While she tried to hold patience and respect, sometimes that could only take you so far.

"No one here is stopping people having their own enclaves, we want to coordinate with those enclaves. That is how this Order began. Enclaves coming together and wanting to inspire a new way forward." Lily stated, "I wish to mention that in the face of what some have stated. And Pari, I desire the Jedi Order to be the hub where people come, collect and share information. Where we can coordinate and strategize ideas before implementing any forms of attacks, there just also needs to be an understanding that we also need to be a hub for training, learning and allowing Jedi to be something other than warriors sent to face an empire. I will be keen on hearing what Braze has learned from his investigations, and seeing what others have learned from their encounters with the Sith. I will also be sharing my own thoughts and understandings."

While they did not have to all live under one roof, that didn't mean they couldn't work together and Lily really wanted to ensure that happened. No matter what, there was a place to talk, gather and push forward. "I look forward to working together in the future Master Jasper, please don't feel like you need to be a stranger." Looking over to the Jedi Master before he left, it was clear that people were beginning to disperse but Lily did not want to leave thinking this was an abject failure. There had to be positives to take away from this.

"I do believe having someone from the Order in communication with the High Republic leadership and informing them of this meeting and our ideas for moving forward would be a positive. Demonstrates that we wish to be open and honest with them. However, that should be someone other than myself, I am not a political person." Lily gave a weak laugh, but she did think if they were as an Order aiming to grow in preparations for war, then coordinating closer with the High Republic could only be a positive.

Giving a bow to the rest of the conclave. "However, I have spoken my mind on the matters and there are other matters I need to attend to. Thank you to the council for organising this discussion and thank you to everyone who has spoken, it has been interesting and insightful to hear and see where we are." Looking over to Kito, she gave a nod of her head. A silent mention that she would be in her room to speak with Kito on what had been whispered to her.

Lily then walked out of the meeting. Giving herself the time to think over what was being discussed and how best to approach her goals within the Order.

<Exit post>​

 

[Corazona von Ascania]

This was, Cora figured, the crux of what every Jedi Order had to struggle with; when heal, and when to raise the blade in an increasingly chaotic galaxy.

She did not envy Ala and her council's position: balancing this Order's mission with the sudden influx of new faces and criticism. On the other hand, insularity and inaction had been partially to blame for the NJO's downfall.

Still - as far as Jedi meetings went - this one was actually going slightly better than expected, even as several attendees were dismissed or left of their own accord.

Cora leveled her gaze back onto the council. It was not unkind, but unwavering and perhaps a tad grim. "There appears to be a general - though not total - consensus on action against the Sith powers.

“Let us not forget that we are not the only force safeguarding High Republic citizens; the Republic has a robust military. We do what they cannot: combat the Force on even ground."

Hands clasped neatly behind her back, she flicked her gaze to Mykel. Master? That was a new one.

"As Knights Decoria, Dawson, Vuto, and many others have alluded to, surgical strikes may serve us well. Resistance does not mean total war - it can mean small, clandestine operations behind enemy lines. Strike teams designed to chip away at Sith power and sabotage infrastructure. We don't need to be reckless about it; we can be clever, and use our limited size to advantage.

“And while the Sith behind the Blackwall are of concern, what alarms me most are the Sith who have taken the core worlds in a single stroke: the Covenant. Their victory has given them tremendous momentum that brings them perilously close to Republic borders. They are not docile adherents to structure, they are anarchist warlords.”

Cora paced forward, just once, and narrowed her focus onto Ala.

"Grandmaster Quin, I understand that your Order's size and mission have precluded it from extending itself beyond Republic borders. However, as Master Serys drew attention to - you are now the beacon of the Jedi, and you must decide what that means. Given light to these new galactic threats and the number of Jedi now finding refuge and seeking purpose within this Order, I implore you and your council to reconsider your stance."

She empathized with strangers coming into your home and levying criticism at you. She also understood how those criticisms came to be.

"Above all, let us keep in mind that our fracturing serves no one but the Sith."

Knight Trozky posed a question towards Master Jade, and Cora fell silent as she lifted her gaze to the legendary Jedi. She had said her piece.

Vizion Trozky Ala Quin Romi Jade Briana Sal-Soren Eloise Dinn Amani Serys Colette Lily Decoria Jairdain Ismet-Thio Ko Vuto Mykel Dawson Kito Jasper Kai'el Casaana Lorn Reingard Bastila Sal-Soren Orihime Ike Braze Aiden Porte Pari Sylune Makko Vyres Jax Thio Connel Vanagor Aiden Porte Leos Sela Basran Ronhol Tomm Zaiya Ceti Jace Rhane Andromeda Demir

 

[Orihime Ike]

Vizion Trozky

She looked at him for a moment as his words came. "Okay." She shrugged as there was always going to be more students then masters it was why the creche's were useful for training early on to put them into the order, the rest of what offered ignored but she had expected that. It was in the minutes from the last conclave and meeting and the ones from Ilum after coruscant. She was listening as the other spoke and some went. Most of the suggestions were repeated. Work with the High Republic check, organize and share information double check. It was less as she listened what they need and should do rather then just do. Her knees came up to her chest while she found a comfortable position she would be able to hover in and listen. arms wrapping around the front with a small smile of contentment as she settled in to listen to the other suggestions.

 

[Jace Rhane]

Jace rubbed his fingertips together, his head down, blonde hair falling downward as he listened. He took a deep breath, before looking up, his hands now clasped together.

"Masters."

He said to the Grandmaster, other high ranking and higher-held position Jedi- a younger woman, inexperienced in this level of burden, a Knight like him, Masters.. The burden she carried was heavy, and he did not envy her. She however, seemed to be rising to the occasion. The others just the same. He wondered how many knew of his not-so-secret past. Not that it was shameful. Many Jedi had come from the dark side.

His sins were against the Jedi, and luckily, his tenure and training as a Sith Knight ended before he hurt the innocent the Sith seemed so keen on exploiting. Other Sith were not so. Infact, many of them hurt the innocent blatantly. Purposefully. He knew their mindset. He used to be them, after all.

"Perhaps Jedi are to be more than guardians of a particular government."