Campaign The Pilgrims #5: Feel, Don't Think

[Jend-Ro Quill]

"I think the Je'daii have a healthier relationship with their own humanity than the Jedi do. Our way is repression, denial, sacrifice for the sake of sacrifice. What's repressed can vary. Sometimes it's things that need repression. Megalomania, narcissism, vengeance. Often it's not, and repression does more harm than good."

"I've always felt that the code—at least, the way that it's normally presented, after Odan-urr's revisions, if you think that side of history is the right of it all—is flawed. Denial, indeed. There is no emotion, and all that. It's unhealthy. My master—you'd probably have liked him, come to think of it—taught me to focus on the older version, and every day I have to thank him for it, even if I don't really consider myself a Jedi any longer."

-Quill and Cotan Sar'andor , Jakku Enclave North, 864 ABY​

The North Ridge, Quill's old long-range shuttle, touched down in a broad forest that went on forever. Quill swiveled the pilot's seat to look back through the central corridors. He could see some of his companions for this trip, and the rest would be able to hear him: the North Ridge wasn't the largest ship around.

"We're off the map," he said. "This is the planet Gesaril. The Gesarils are tall, six-limbed mammals with two claws per limb. They're sapient, but far more emotional than rational. They're staunchly light and have an instinctive aversion to the dark side - in fact, if we'd been darksiders they'd have caused my ship to crash. They're all Force-attuned, even Force-sensitive, and they frankly have a healthier relationship with their emotions than most of us.

"There's a skill unique to them. They're artists, woodcarvers. They make carvings imbued with the exact emotions they felt when carving. I'm told it's a fantastically valuable thing to know if you're of a crafting persuasion, but it's also of intrinsic value. A path to better understanding yourselves and the Force as well."

He gestured outside the canopy, where furry six-limbed figures were gathering in and between the trees.

"I've prearranged our visit and there's a bunch of translator droids by the airlock. Our hosts are expecting us. Someone crack the hatch - let's go out and meet them."

source​

Abel Denko
Ilian Kastle
Viers Connory
Caedyn Arenais
Jax Thio
Kaia Starchaser
Auraya Irath-Ur
Kaska Arden
Aaran Tafo
Auteme
Viera
Acaadi
Ijaat Mereel
Jyoti Nooran

OOC THREAD

 

[Aaran Tafo]

Emotion, yet Peace.

The first line of the Jedi Code before the revision of the revered Master Odan-Urr. The idea that one's emotions could be controlled in a healthy manner as opposed to the rigid denial of the self that the revised code led to. He could only ever assume that the Draethos Master, advisor to Empress Teta herself had only the most noble of intentions when he made those revisions. It was time for the Jedi of that era to evolve and change into something new.

Unfortunately, it was then the idea that they had reached the pnacle of wisdom and no longer needed to change that led to them nearly being wiped out at the hands of Palpatine's Galactic Empire. They had not changed with the times and adapted to the galaxy around them. People changed; societies changed. For the Jedi to assume they were beyond the need to change, that they had reached the peak of growth was nothing more than arrogance.

Arrogance they paid for. Arrogance they continued to pay for. So, seeing a society of those so closely touched by the Light, yet more emotional than logical would be fascinating. There was the slightest twinge of melancholy in him however, as his hand reached up to scratch the scars around his empty eye sockets, At one point, travelling to a distant world would bring him nothing but joy. But now, he was unable to see alien skies and new faces. His own senses might be heightened to compensate. But there was still some sense of sadness to him that he could no longer see things with his own eyes. While the Force could compensate, it was not the same. And while he knew that he should simply let it go. Travelling and exploring had been one of his passions. And to be unable to experience it fully anymore did still hurt him deeply.

Reapplying fresh bandages over his ruined sockets. Aaran stood up and began to make his way towards the airlock. Holding out a hand to one of the small Explorer Droids that Quill had provided to climb up his shoulder to act as a translator. Taking a breath, he opened the landing ramp. Stepping outside into the forest proper.

"Greetings." He called out, trusting the droid beside him to translate his words. "I would just like to be the first to thank you for hosting us today." Friendly, polite, kind. If they were more prone to emotional responses over logical ones. It would probably be best if he showed himself to be a good guest. "I come bearing gifts in thanks." He said, pulling the large duffel bag off his back. "I bring an offering of Wroshyr wood. A fine material that craftsmen such as yourself may find intriguing." He explained, slowly zipping it open to reveal a rather large supply of the exceptionally sturdy, yet flexible timber.

Hopefully, it would be enough of an offer to make a good first impression. If nothing else, it would show that he was a polite guest in bringing his hosts an offering.

 

[Kyra Perl]

Kyra lingered in the back, making the greatest effort not to draw attention to herself. The days since Ossus were a blur. The pains of withdrawal blended into the world that was too loud, to emotional for her swallow.

She use to live off the energy the world put out, back when she was young and the biggest hurt was a training saber across her spine. Now she shied from it-- painstakingly aware of the twinges of melancholy from the man speaking up front. Zeltrons weren't built to handle negative things. They had cultural mechanisms for fostering positivity in everything. It was necessary on a world of empaths. Human were different. They basked in a wide range of emotions; their energies were like songs.

It use to fascinate her.

Then force took her gifts and yoinked the dial to ten. The nudge of emotions now felt like screams. Hunches now came to her as words and full blown thoughts. Her dreams kept showing up in news articles days later. It was overwhelming, and it was all coming back now. Her fingers twitched, craving the spices that were no longer on her person. She had promised to try.

She needed to try.


Everyone's path in the Force was different, right? She let out a shaky breath and stepped into the warm light of the forest. A curious glance was leveled at the creatures Aaran Tafo addressed. She made no effort to approach them, the girl dipping her toes into the water one moment at a time.

 

[Ilian Kastle]

Jend-Ro Quill | Aaran Tafo | Kyra Perl

Only a few months ago Ilian had been completely ignorant to the existence of larger Force Orders across the Galaxy. He'd unknowingly been living a life of lies, isolated beneath the sands of Savareen. For over twenty years the boy had been raised to believe that he and his enclave were the last of the true Jedi: the sacred keepers of the ancient Order's traditions.

The wool that his zealous sect had put over his eyes was pulled back when the New Jedi Order discovered them. He'd been among the few willing to step away from it all and accept the truth that was presented to them. He was excited to learn that they were not alone after all, but finding common ground with the unorthodox ways of his new peers quickly proved a regular struggle.

To him, the Jedi Way was a rigid code to be followed explicitly. That was how it had been taught to him as a youngling and padawan. It was all he knew. But now, with the archives of the Coruscanti Temple at his disposal, the young Knight found himself spending most of his free time pouring over the texts and teachings that his enclave had hidden from him.

Rebuilding his fundamental understanding of what it meant to be a Jedi was no simple task. Many hours had already been spent locked away in meditation, reflecting on words he'd read or been told, attempting to better understand their true meaning and overcome his disagreements with them. All the while seeking guidance from those who might relate to his challenges. There was so much more to learn, and to re-learn.

Among those things, it seemed, was the very Jedi Code he'd swore himself to as a boy. He knew Odan-Urr's mantra like the back of his hand. He'd spent every moment of his life that he could remember living and honouring it to the best of his abilities. So, to learn that it was merely a revision was, put lightly, a shocking revelation for the Jedi Knight.

If he did not even know the true depth of the Jedi Code, what more could he be oblivious to?

And so it was with these thoughts and concerns that he'd signed up for the Wayseeker's pilgrimage.

Gesaril, Minos Cluster
Landing Site of the GT-9 Shuttle North Ridge​

Ilian had been silent most of the journey to the jungle world. Space travel was still an uncomfortable experience for the previously sheltered Knight -- as was being among a crowd of such diverse opinions. He glanced occasionally between the others aboard the North Ridge, paying a small amount of attention to their conversations and actions.

He recognized a few of their faces from the Coruscanti Temple and Prosperity, though the rough-and-tumble Nyriaanan was the only one he knew personally. The rest were strangers to him. Force users from a variety of other Orders across the stars. For some, their stark differences were apparent at a glance. From leather jackets to tattered robes. Of course, Ilian's own choice of attire didn't do well to show his own affiliation. The Jedi were far too varied these days for such a simple assessment.

With the ship safely landed among the trees, Ilian unbuckles himself from his seat and rises to his feet. Master Quill's description of the natives and their practices sparked a deep curiosity within him. It also made him terribly nervous. Emotions trick the mind, distort judgement, and make you vulnerable to others. They were something to be contained. Or so he'd thought.

Emotion, yet peace.

These familiar words rearranged changed everything.

Giving Master Quill a short bow of his head in passing, Ilian steps down the ramp and beckons for one of the BD units to accompany him. Despite his intention to learn, instinct obscures the Knight's emotions as he joins Aaran and Kyra outside.

 

[Acaadi]

It was both a lesson in emotional awareness and art. Acaadi felt a flutter of panic crawl up his spine. He was an only child who had been doted on all his life and it showed. He was robust, confident and tried to excel in all things. Despite the knocks he had taken in life he still had a healthy self-confidence.

One that was easily shattered at the notion of trying to express his feelings with art.

He was terrible at art and his feelings had been all over the place in recent months. Everything was constantly in flux. Everyone was constantly in flux. His youthful academy had been scattered to the winds as war had taken hold of their sectors. Kyra was here and if he had failed on the flight to express any of his feelings to her them he was going to struggle with a tree.

And now he found out one of the other jedi had gifts.

"I, er, didn't even bring any tools," Acaadi admitted. It was quickly translated.

They had such wide-set eyes he was left awkwardly trying to decide which to look at. Apparently, from the burst of emotion he felt, they were in touch with their sense of humour too. Just at his expense.

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

Gesaril, Minos Cluster,
Landing zone.

Caedyn Arenais had accompanied his Padawan Kyra Perl in their joint participation for the group endeavour, he having his own reasons for wishing to partake in the explorative and educational trip that had been organized by Master Jend-Ro Quill , one of the more well recognized and influential Jedi Masters who did not seem to particularly cater well to the institutionalized Jedi lifestyle akin to that of the Order of the Silver Jedi and the New Jedi Order.

This was something that Caedyn himself was learning to adapt to, similar to his service within the Outer Planets Alliance, outside of the larger structured Temple life that Kashyyyk represented to the Jedi Knight, now putting distance between himself and the institution in order to further his growth and identity as an individual and a Jedi shackled not by the restrictions of political affiliation.

As for his Padawan, the pair had spoken and Caedyn knew something of where Kyra felt she was poised in her own path of growth and emotional intelligence; At times Caedyn wondered if he wouldn't be twice the mess that she felt she had been, were he born a Zeltron. Sadly there was also a sense of familiarity in the distance between the pair, Caedyn having learned to let go of the reigns so-to-speak, now that she had come of age and where she needed her independence most.

Stepping off of the transport that Master Quill had generously provided with his BB-Model Astromech 'Chip' in rolling out in tow, Caedyn spared a glance to Kyra and Acaadi , offering a slight lift of his head in a casual half nod, his acknowledgement and silent promise not to crowd her space whilst they shared in this experience, together with the rest of the group. The Jedi Knight would continue on ahead to join Aaran Tafo and Ilian Kastle who greeted their gracious hosts.

When Aaran Tafo spoke to the Gesaril, Caedyn bowed in respect to the native species and otherwise chose to remain silent. He had never encountered their kind before, and with a fond smile, he studied them with interest having remembered only moments prior to their arrival what Jend-Ro Quill had told them about their particular talents.

 

[Kaia Starchaser]

She’d taken her ship to catch up to the Pilgrims. She’d been working with Jend-Ro to learn all she could about the Force. She was feeling the call to the Jedi and the Wardens, but she had lately been taking in more lessons with Tiland Kortun for the Hand of the Light. Not that she completely loved and was sold on the ‘monk’ approach to being a Jedi, but that weaponless combat, mixed in with her light whip seemed to channel an intent of the Wardens and keeping the peace in their own way.

As a Warden she didn’t like flying with other ships if they didn’t need her, and being as far out as they were, a second ship couldn’t hurt. The Puslar was able to help people get out of a jam. And she got herself logged into Jend-Ro. Still, she landed nearby the North Ridge and boarded on her own, dark blue Warden’s cloak covering her from the elements. Even if it was mildly pleasant.

She smiled over at her sister and then back at Jend. Artists huh… Maybe what they were doing could be turned to music? The options were open…

 

[Auteme]

Kisaku Oroken | Jend-Ro Quill Aaran Tafo Ilian Kastle Kyra Perl Acaadi Caedyn Arenais Kaia Starchaser ​

Auteme couldn't decide what 'end' of the spectrum she fell on. She didn't view it as such, of course; emotion and reason might be opposites but both were essential to the sentient experience. Reason was useful for attempting to understand the galaxy, to ascertain truth, to make sense of things -- yet the galaxy inherently had little reason and little truth. Even perfectly rational beings could not find perfectly rational solutions for all things. As much as she loved knowledge and thought it wasn't always enough.

That was where emotion came in. Auteme considered herself in tune with her emotions (most of the time, anyways) and never ignored them. When reason failed, when emotions overwhelmed her, the only thing she could do was rely on her core. Practicing better reactions led to better outcomes, even in situations beyond reason. After all, the stress of the moment often left the mind clouded. The only thing that could guide her then were her emotions.

At present, confusion was the most prevalent.

Can't Gesaril speak basic telepathically? she thought.

Something else thought back. Ah, she knows us, it thought. Her eyes locked with a rather excited-looking (she couldn't quite tell from a glance, but she could feel that undercurrent in its mind) Gesaril further back.

It's a surprise. Don't spoil it for them.

Ah, well, alright.

She was left with an odd grin on her face. The Gesaril seemed to smile as well.

"Thank you for having us," she said aloud. The droid translated. The pronunciation of the Gesaril language was far beyond her abilities.

She leaned closer to Kisaku. "Listen and learn carefully. Not just from the Gesaril -- Master Quill, even though he's stepped away from the Jedi, is one of the best teachers I know."

Her gaze wandered back to the front, and she waited for the lesson to begin in earnest.

 

[Ijaat Mereel]

If you were to call Ijaat a Jedi, you'd be summarily groused at. Might have a forging tool or whatever was near to hand thrown at you. But the aged beskar smith was beginning to like Quill, and he certainly wasn't of the Dark Side. Grey with Light-side tinging was his thoughtful descriptor. He had spent too long in Vur Tepe, connected to the Tho Yor there, learning the secrets of Madog and other masters of the Je'daii to ever be fully one way or the other.

When he had caught wind of this mission though, he had eagerly come along. Carving that evoked emotions would fit nicely into the piece he was planning now. Something to chronicle his past as a Mandalorian, and work out frustrations of an unknown future now that Ashin Cardé Varanin had brought him out of the Nether. He intended to live. Just.. How...

This mission might be a part of that, but he waited with the other, garbed in simple spacers gear with a beskad and blaster at his side, as always.

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

Quill swatted at a local insect and missed. A silver-furred Gesaril chuckled mind-to-mind and picked the bug from the air with surprising dexterity. It ate the bug happily. A growl-mew made the nearest translator droid stand up a little straighter.

"Welcome, guests," the droid said. "We - I'm speaking for our hosts in the first person, of course - are called the Gesaril people. We understand you would like to learn how we make things. We will try to teach you, even though you have no claws."

The Gesaril elder clacked both claws on one hand, tip to tip. Other Gesarils were bringing out strong half-seasoned deadwood limbs, no longer green but not rotten. Chattering between themselves in their own language, both verbally and telepathically, they started carving abstract pieces with their claws. They seemed quite content to let their guests muddle through by instinct and participation and observation. The Force swirled around them so far as Jedi senses were concerned: a vibrant weave of emotions and skill. When they finished carving, those carvings would resonate with what the carvers had felt while working. Woodchips flew with joyful abandon.

Quill brought out a container of chisels, mallets, gouges, and rasps, as well as several collapsible workbenches. He selected a few tools himself and sat down by the nearest rock with a length of timber to give it a shot.



Abel Denko Ilian Kastle Viers Connory Caedyn Arenais Jax Thio Kaia Starchaser Auraya Irath-Ur Kaska Arden Aaran Tafo Auteme Viera Acaadi Ijaat Mereel Jyoti Nooran

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

Caedyn couldn't recall the last time he had done any sort of wood-work like this, he not being much of a carpenter or craftsman when it came to carving things as the Gesaril were so skillfully performing. They made it look far too easy, for them, it seemed to come naturally.

Looking to Jend-Ro Quill , Caedyn moved to offer to help the Jedi Master in retrieving the equipment, assisting with the collapsible workbenches for the rest of the group and once they'd managed to bring out enough of them, the Jedi Knight took one of the workbenches for his own project, seeking a space to set it up, unfolding the work-station and then proceeding to place his crafting tools upon either side.

A mullet, a chisel, a gouge and a rasp. Looking them over, they were fairly straight forward tools, easy to figure their use, meaning that Caedyn wasn't going to look entirely hopeless in attempting the craft.

Soon approached by one of the Gesaril, he was offered a large length of timber, to which the Jedi Knight bowed his head with a grateful smile, a simple yet respectful gesture in appreciation before setting it to the centre of the bench and studying it in consideration of what he might make of the experience.

Truthfully, he didn't have any idea's that immediately came to mind, thus he turned his attention to the others, wondering whether anyone else was in the same position. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself, at his own expense after a moment of reflection; He realized he hadn't felt like this since being in a Je'daii held class back when he was a Padawan.

Seeking to alleviate his anxiety, Caedyn turned his concentration to the Force itself which flowed in great presence and calm between them all and their hosts. So many Force Users in one place, and the Gesaril who were also naturally inclined to the Force in ways Caedyn didn't quite understand, yet couldn't help but admire their work and how they practised and expressed themselves at the same time.

Eventually, he would begin to put the edge of the chisel to the wood, taking the mullet in his right hand and with the energies that surrounded him, let the Force be his guide as he made the starting chip into the timber.

Jend-Ro Quill | Abel Denko | Ilian Kastle | Viers Connory | Jax Thio | Kaia Starchaser | Auraya Irath-Ur | Kaska Arden | Aaran Tafo | Auteme | Viera | Acaadi | Ijaat Mereel | Jyoti Nooran | Kyra Perl

 

[Jax Thio]

Location: Gesaril
Equipment: Jedi Robes, Jax's Prosthetic Arm, Jax's Second Lightsaber
Tag: See Below

The moment, Jax's X-Wing touched the planet Gesaril he immediately felt calm. There was something about this planet that bought serenity and clarity to the person the moment they've landed. It was like Gaias, a planet that is filled with eternal bliss where the force thrums throughout. Jax received an invitation by his old friend: Jend-Ro Quill to come to Gesaril to learn the ways of the force. The old man was a fountain of knowledge, helping Jax discover himself back at Gaias It would be good to see him again. BB-12 was getting repaired back in the main fight and the battle at Ziost was drawing to a close. The Jedi wanted to go back to Jairdain and pepper her with hugs and kisses but he needed to cleanse himself of what happened during the duel against Lark .

As soon as Jax exited the X-Wing he approached the group of Jedi that were listening to Jend's teachings. "Sorry I'm late folks," Jax chuckled. "There was a going on in a galaxy far, far away."

He turned to Jend. "Good to see you old man," he said grinning. "What are you teaching us today?"












Jend-Ro Quill Jend-Ro Quill | Abel Denko Abel Denko | Ilian Kastle Ilian Kastle | Viers Connory Viers Connory | Jax Thio Jax Thio | Kaia Starchaser Kaia Starchaser | [IMG alt="Auraya Irath-Ur"]https://chaoscdn-12cef.kxcdn.com/data/avatars/s/22/22171.jpg?1611521522[/IMG] Auraya Irath-Ur | Kaska Arden Kaska Arden | Aaran Tafo Aaran Tafo | Auteme Auteme | Viera Viera | Acaadi Acaadi | Ijaat Mereel Ijaat Mereel | Jyoti Nooran Jyoti Nooran | Kyra Perl Kyra Perl

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

Quill's sculpture was taking a while, both because he wasn't much of a sculptor and because he kept trying to be aware of everyone's use of edged tools. Everyone here was a professional with a plasma torch at their hip (apart from him and Auteme , who didn't carry lightsabers these days). They could probably be respectful of a mallet and chisel.

"Glad you could make it, Jax," he said with a warm smile. "I'm not the teacher today, though."

He gestured at a furry, six-limbed, twelve- or two-clawed depending how you counted, quadripedal, hammerheaded Gesaril, who waved in a friendly way. The Gesaril mumbled something, and the nearest translation droid focused on Jax Thio .

"The Gesarils welcome you to Gesaril," said the droid. "Like the others with good hearts, you have been allowed to land."

"They tend to make Darksiders crash," Quill explained as an aside to Jax. "The Gesarils have a carving-based Force tradition that works on emotion. If you touch a Gesaril carving, you can feel exactly what the carver felt as they worked. They've brought out a few examples that they use to remember the feelings around events and lost ancestors and such, and there are plenty of tools. If you listen through the Force, you can start to get a sense of how they do what they do."

 

[Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri]

Kuxirra watched as the others worked, intrigued, and picked up a mallet and chisel, allowing the Force to guide her movements. Occasionally, she would get a splinter, but she just winced a little, pulled it out, and resumed working.

 

[Kaia Starchaser]

The wonderful thing about the Force was that there were so many approaches to it. Kaia was a Starchaser, that gave her an edge in knowing how to navigate, and with her being born starside and traveling as a Warden and Jedi, she was capable of some new approaches to the Force that she could manage for herself. And learning with the Pilgrims? That gave her an even better way to learn. She was glad to experience the galaxy in this way. Her father was a crusader turned researcher, her brother was a fighter, and she was a learner.

She had seen a few different carvings in her time, but none that were ever created by the Force. She was taking a few lessons from one of the Gesaril that came over to her. The being was teaching her the art of funneling her emotions into the Force in the way that they were. She grabbed a few pieces, chisel, small hammer, and a few picks.

“I have an idea on what we can see in this stone…” She smiled as she was projecting the Force from herself into the tools.

 

[Kyra Perl]

Kyra lowered herself onto the ground, her legs folding like a pretzel as she stared at her block.

While everyone else seemed content to pick up their tools and go, she didn't reach for the well worn handles. Instead she tossed a shy glance through a curtain of hair, watching the closest Gesaril work. His energy grew clearer to her the longer she watched. His hands-- claws? Tools moved skillfully across his work, channeling his inner feelings. Goosebumps rose on her arm as his emotions reached her. They were erratic at first but clarity was found in the noise, like a song emerging from radio static.

She reached for her tools and mirrored it.

 

[Ilian Kastle]

Jend-Ro Quill | Aaran Tafo | Kyra Perl | Caedyn Arenais | Jax Thio
Acaadi | Kaia Starchaser | Ijaat Mereel | Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri | Auteme

Ilian watches quietly as the Gesaril greet them by proxy of the droid, and stands idly to the side as the tools and supplies for the crafts are brought out. The concept of preserving an emotional state into an inanimate object was fascinating. It wasn't an application of the Force he'd ever read about or heard discussed until now. His teachers on Savareen had always encouraged the control of emotions.

This was likely not the interpretation that his old Masters intended.

While some moved to begin their work, Ilian steps forward to observe examples that had been brought. Scanning them each, a wide wooden mask sized for a small being catches his attention. The wood is dyed a deep blue and has been sanded to be as smooth as bare skin. Across the entire surface is a complex pattern consisting of a single line, and there are no holes for eyes or any other features to be revealed.

Instinctively, the Knight's eyes narrow and he begins scouring the single line carving for any hint at what it might convey. After a moment, an alien voice speaks up. He glances up to regard the eager Gesaril at the opposite side of the display.

<<Not like that,>> the BD unit on Ilian's left shoulder translates after a delay.

The being reaches one of its long, shaggy-furred arms across the table and beckons with its clawed digits for Ilian's hand. Cautiously, Ilian obliges. Twisting its face into what Ilian can only assume to be a smile, it replies with a series of chitters and chirrups.

<<Like this,>> the Gesaril takes the Knights hand, gently pressing it to the surface of the mask.

The sudden rush of powerful emotions catches Ilian off guard. Then, suddenly, he understands.

A profound sense of love and pride wells up within him, followed shortly after by a deep and stinging sense of loss. His jaw tightens as he runs his fingers along the ridges of its wooden surface, slowly putting together the story of its creation.

After a moment that feels like an eternity, he lifts his hand from the mask and draws a sharp inhale. His bottom lip trembles, but he manages to collect himself with a slow and deep breath.

"I'm sorry for your loss," the Knight says quietly, looking up with sincerity into the artist's eyes.

It dips its head, it's antennae curling slightly.

 

[Acaadi]

Acaadi was neither artistically talented, nor particularly good at leaning on instinct. He liked nice neat, logical and packaged lessons. He had a lump of wood and some tools.

At first he was drawn into watching the locals at work. He couldn't understand how they were doing it, but he could feel the Force at work. They were imbuing the wood, yet we're simply working at it with their tools.

Acaadi hated to admit that this was one of the most frustrating lessons he'd ever been set in front of. That in itself was telling about Acaadi and not the way the training was delivered.

"Okay... What do I want to make you into.." he muttered to his block of wood.

 

[Ijaat Mereel]

The ease of this particular craft wasn't lost on Ijaat. He often carved on the blades and armor he made. Engraving, inlay, and more. Some wood carving, but not much of it, if he were particularly honest. At first, he watched their host. Surely there was a hidden technique or mantra or something. It seemed like these obscure Force orders were always like that. But the longer he observed, the more it seemed they just... Carved... The embrace and manipulation of the Force were inherent and natural, not forced or ritualistic.

And so, he picked up a chisel, and a bit of wood. He had plans already for what he would do when he returned home. And with a gentle series of taps he began, with chisel and mallet, to cut and carve the lines slowly. Weathered hands and scarred knuckles guided the tools with surprising agility for their age and wear. Softly, the warrior hummed an old Mandalorian marching song as he did so.

Jend-Ro Quill

 

[Caedyn Arenais]

Caedyn stood over the plank of timber, his mind closed off to all around him as he worked to chisel each notch out of the sides, then proceeding to smooth the edges over, using the gouge and the mullet carefully. Sanding paper would have been better, yet he only had a limited number of tools at his disposal and with a bit of care and patience, the gouge seemed to be doing the job well enough.

While he had started out with no real idea as to what he was crafting, Caedyn seemed to have got it in his head that the project would be to create a plaque to be mounted upon the wall back home on Mnemosyne. Within the centre of the plaque would be the words 'House Arenais' surrounded by carefully etched waves which were depicted to be swelling up around the Family name, the water symbolizing the Force in all its power. Without moderation, the Force could become a torrential force threatening to overwhelm everything within its path, yet for those with the discipline and patience, it could be channelled into a flowing current, peaceful and yet capable of shaping the world around it.

As the group would all continue to go about their works, Caedyn's presence in the Force seemed to have found that centre of calm, the task set before him distracting his mind from his uncertainties and instead focusing solely upon the project, imagining the final result and doing his best to make the mental image a reality.

Jend-Ro Quill | Abel Denko | Ilian Kastle | Viers Connory | Jax Thio | Kaia Starchaser | Auraya Irath-Ur | Kaska Arden | Aaran Tafo | Auteme | Viera | Acaadi | Ijaat Mereel | Jyoti Nooran | Kyra Perl