Private The Pilgrims: Unlearn What You Have Learned

[Jend-Ro Quill]

The Visitor touched down on a mysterious planet that Quill didn't think any of his Jedi passengers would have taken seriously if he'd told them about it beforehand. They knew they were going to seek instruction from various Force-using sapient species with unique, highly useful abilities. Maybe they'd guessed one or two of the potential species that Quill had in mind. But he severely doubted they'd guessed this one.

He turned off flight systems and activated the intercom. The Visitor was fifty-two metres, big enough that just yelling back through the corridors wouldn't work.

"Folks, we've made landfall on Entooine in the Outer Rim. It's a gas giant's moon. Ambient temperature where we're at is a notch or two above Hoth; there's plenty of cold-weather gear in the lockers by the hatch. Entooine's a nice quiet spot with two sapient pre-tech species. We're interested in the bigger one. Fair warning: none of them speak Basic. Their language is complicated; I've brought a few basic protocol droids who can speak it reasonably well, and you may need to rely on mind-to-mind contact on top of that."

He left the light freighter's bridge and headed back to the entranceway, where some of the Jedi passengers and protocol droids were starting to gather. The ramp descended, letting in a brisk, snowy breeze. Shrugging into a coat from one of the lockers, Quill took a deep breath and let it out happily.

Huge furry feet were visible through the rampway. He took a few steps down, glancing back at his passengers. "Come on and meet your hosts. Their species doesn't have a name in Basic..."

The huge feet belonged to white-furred, snow-crusted quadrupeds with downcurved pale-blue horns. Steam rose from their nostrils. A protocol droid began to grunt a complex greeting.

"...so spacers and the other locals just call them blue banthas."


Nylea Apollodor Caltin Vanagor Tiland Kortun Amani Serys Milla Caranthyr Bernard of Arca Sakadi Marathi Sinvala Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri Kaia Starchaser
If any other Jedi want to be part of the expedition, let me know.

 

[Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri]

Kuxirra looked at them and gasped. "They're beautiful." She murmured as she started to walk down the ramp. The autistic part of her wanted to hug the blue banthas, but she decided not to. The cold suddenly hit her and she raced back inside the ship to grab some of the cold weather gear before racing down the ramp to join the others, a wide grin plastered on her face.

 

[Dagon Kaze]

It was good to be off and away from Coruscant. Every wayward, the New Jedi always sought to be out there. Transient. Dagon was no stranger to that new wave tradition. Even as a child, his brother and him would explore the wilderness for endless hours. While back then it was all fun and games, now it was different.

He joined Master Quill's expedition to Entooine following his natural curiosity to learn more. Auteme , Dagon's friend and fellow learner, told him about the reclusive Jedi Master. A hermit from Hoth who couldn't bear the company of many people at once and often dismissed himself from crowded meetings. So naturally, it felt special that such a Jedi to call in others on an expedition aboard his own freighter.

The Jedi Padawan put on his leather aviator jacket, the symbol of the New Jedi Order embroidered on its sleeve and zipped it up. He could feel the cold there mere moment the ramp touched the snowy ground. With his traveling backpack on his back, Dagon strode behind the group of Jedi making first contact with the so-called blue banthas.

Serenity washed over him, a welcome reprise from the unshakeable dread of Korriban not long ago. He gazed at their hosts - snow white fur matching the horizon with azure horns standing out. Their restfulness tempted him to leave everything behind and live out his days here as a hermit himself. A glancing thought only but it never fully disappeared.

"Mhm." Dagon confirmed the Togrutan Jedi's admiration. A question popped in his head, then almost inaudibly, "Master Quill, you mention another species - do they-- do they hunt them?"

Jend-Ro Quill Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

"Master Quill, you mention another species - do they-- do they hunt them?"

"The others are the Askhew - short humanoids, furry, also pre-technological except in trading posts. They hunt regular banthas, but these ones they consider sacred. Askhew shamans commune with the blue banthas, learn signs and portents from them, ask their advice. The blue banthas are fully sapient Force-sensitives. They have two powerful and unique skills that are vanishingly rare if not unknown among the Jedi - they can share memories in great detail, and they never forget. The second part is something of a two-edged sword."

 

[Amani Serys]

Silver Rest hadn’t quite felt like home since Amani returned. And with her link to the Force damaged, she figured new experiences couldn’t hurt, at least. Old teachings weren’t cutting it, perhaps something a little more unique would help jumpstart that reconnection.

The cold was no joke. Even with dulled senses, Amani was struck by the frigid winds, and pulled her coat tighter around her person in response. The blue banthas were magnificent creatures. Having never seen one up close she found herself taken aback somewhat by their size, craning her neck to examine the creatures' forms in full.

For now, Amani stuck close to one of the protocol droids, watching the interaction between her fellow Jedi and their hosts. “You said they don’t speak Basic. Can they understand it? Or other languages?” She murmured to Quill through chattering teeth, glancing over at one of the banthas for a sign that it might ackowledge what she was saying.

Jend-Ro Quill | Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri | Dagon Kaze​

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

REDEMPTION IS NEVER OUT OF REACH...​

Location: Entooine​

Equipment: Conservator(Lightsaber), Vanguard(Backup Lightsaber)​

Comm-link, Rebreather, Cold weather gear​

Starship: Starlight Sentinel​

Companion: Astromech R01R - "Roller", Pilot droid Mu51c - "Music"​

Tag: Jend-Ro Quill Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri Dagon Kaze​

​

Caltin was tired of cold weather.​

​

With much of his time spent on Yavin VIII when he was a Knight, training and training the next generation(ironic saying it now, eight hundred fifty years later), he was in the snow day in and day out. However, that was then and this is now. The big guy wore, what could best be attributed to thermal gear, he wore it under his Jedi garb, and his jacket was more streamlined and functional that a robe would be. No hoodie, a skullcap, Everything that he had been through and prepared for allowed him to wear what he did today, no need to layer up if all it would do was restrict movement. He was here out of curiosity, sure, but more so Caltin was here for security purposes. It's not that he didn't trust "other Jedi" but no use making things worse than they were, right? Besides, who knew what beasties were out there and who might need the help.​

​

Tapping his comm-link to "Music" his pilot droid for "The Starlight Sentinel", he was just clearing that the ship was still following, just in case, they needed assistance. They were where they needed to be, and that was good enough.​

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...YOU JUST HAVE TO REACH FOR IT.

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[Tiland Kortun]

Tiland took in a long breath and let out an excited exhalation as he wrapped his robes tighter around himself and strode down the ramp, pausing to look up at the majestic sight of the Blue Banthas. He had never been to Entooine and had certainly never heard of the Blue Banthas and their abilities, even in his long search through the galaxy for the esoteric, the mysterious, and the strangeness of the Force.

The galaxy was simply too large, too strange, and too full of mysteries to even guess at it all. As the chill wind bit against his skin, he cycled through a quick pattern of breathing exercises that raised his body temperature enough to keep him warm. Whether it would work for normal humans or near humanoids, he couldn't say, as it was one he had learned when he was young and being trained by his uncle in the Anzati assassin arts.

It had worked by manipulating his circulatory system, despite the lack of one that non-Anzati had yet to identify. But he still rubbed his hands together in excitement as he gazed up at the majestic creatures.

"Pass memories and remember everything," Tiland said slowly, considering. "Is it akin to the memnii of the Caamasi, do you know?"

 

[Dagon Kaze]

"I understand." he replied to the hermit, his eyes stuck on the large banthas. They reminded him of the Bouncers back home on Ruusan. Young Dagon had fallen bad swinging from a tree and while his twin had rushed back to get their mother, the wind brought the ancient natives of Ruusan to his aid. It was his first tangible touch with the Force.

“You said they don’t speak Basic. Can they understand it? Or other languages?”

"Maybe through the Force?" the padawan suggested to the Mirialan Jedi. That's how he could communicate with the bouncers back home, at least.

Jend-Ro Quill Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri Amani Serys Caltin Vanagor Tiland Kortun

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

Any opportunity to learn was a worthwhile endeavor. The infinite vastness of the Force could never be fully explored, but to Nylea that merely meant that there was always more to discover. Although in recent times her efforts to heal the galaxy, or as much as she could, had kept her too busy to step into the shoes of a student very often, when she was presented with the opportunity to join an expedition to Entooine the echani felt it would've been remiss to turn it down.

And so, Nylea found herself as part of the group of Jedi who had answered master Quill's invitation. They came from different orders and held different creeds, but all found themselves here for the same purpose. There was a sense of unity here that Nylea had sorely missed for some time now, even if she wasn't connected to any Jedi order herself. She would forever be a follow of the creed of the Sacred Lotus, even if the order was long gone.

After finding a set of thermal gear in her size and going through the effort of getting herself ready to face the cold, Nylea followed the rest of the group down the boarding ramp and onto the snowy surface of Entooine. Anything their hosts were willing to impart onto Nylea she would eagerly learn, and the abilities known to the blue banthas that were here today, there undoubtedly was much to be learned.

Jend-Ro Quill | Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri | Dagon Kaze | Caltin Vanagor | Amani Serys | Tiland Kortun ​

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

"You're both right. Yes, several of our hosts do understand Basic, and yes, learning to commune through the Force can help. For everything else...well, that's what the protocol droids are for."

He nodded at Master Kortun's comment. "I've never met a Caamasi, but I'd heard something like that. Me, I first learned memory sharing from the elders of the Gutretee, if you've heard of them. Excited to see what's similar and different here."

One of the droids had finished making the introductions. It turned to the Jedi group.

"Elder Walker-of-Sky welcomes you as guests," the droid said. "You are welcome to use the nearby shelter for rest and warmth if you wish to stay a few days. They regret they have no food to offer that you could eat."

Quill spoke up. "Our thanks to the Elders for their hospitality. The shelter is perfect." They could easily sleep on the ship, but it wouldn't be gracious to refuse. The shelter was a place where Askhew shamans stayed when communing with the blue bantha elders. Its primary components were brown bantha hides and ribs - a fully separate species, like monkeys to humans.

Memories floated on the Force, a gift from the elders: generations-old recollections of Jedi coming here with respect before the Dark Age. Maybe Tiland and Caltin would recognize a face or two.



Nylea Apollodor Caltin Vanagor Tiland Kortun Amani Serys Milla Caranthyr Bernard of Arca Sakadi Marathi Sinvala Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri Kaia Starchaser Dagon Kaze

 

[Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri]

Kuxirra smiled at the gift. It reminded her of her "brother" Slip, who also had the ability to share memories and such. She had never quite gotten the hang of it, but maybe a different teaching style would help..."Thank you, Elders. I look forward to learning with you," she said respectfully, bowing.

 

[Amani Serys]

Amani nodded in thanks to both Dagon and Quill’s confirmations. At least she wouldn’t have to be totally dependent on a droid, though her current shortcomings still meant missing out on one of the key aspects of this expedition, if she couldn’t figure it out.

Her focus had drifted from the discussion to personal musings, her attention snapping back on time to bow in tandem with Kuxirra. The flow of the Force from the banthas hadn’t even been enough to recognize, a distressing realization that began to dawn as others seemed to notice what she could not.

Amani reached out her hand and shut her eyes, searching for the sensation that swam in the back of her thoughts. Muffled, and too far to reach, in spite of her attempts. As if her mind was repelling the forced connection like the same poles of a magnet.

Before long, she dropped her arm and ceased the effort. There would be more chances, but for now, the mirialan was met with disappointment. Nonetheless she shared her gratitude for the opportunity, “My sincere thanks, Elders.”

Amani turned back to Quill, “How long will we be staying?”

Jend-Ro Quill | Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri | Dagon Kaze | Caltin Vanagor | Tiland Kortun | Nylea Apollodor​

 

[Caltin Vanagor]

REDEMPTION IS NEVER OUT OF REACH...​

Location: Entooine surface​

Equipment: Conservator(Lightsaber), Vanguard(Backup Lightsaber)​

Comm-link, Rebreather, Cold Weather gear​

Starship: Starlight Sentinel​

Companion: Astromech R01R - "Roller", Pilot droid Mu51c - "Music"​

Tag: Jend-Ro Quill Dagon Kaze Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri Amani Serys Milla Caranthyr Bernard of Arca Sakadi Marathi Sinvala Kaia Starchaser​

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A face or two? He recognized five or six of them, even one of his old friends, and the Master who taught him Soresu. Maybe this trip would be a little more fruitful than he thought it would. This was nothing against anyone else, this was originally thought to be something he would fall asleep in the middle of. Then there seemed to be some clerical error on the side of inclusion that added him to the list. That was fine, and it was turning out to be worth the cold weather.

He wasn’t as strong in thought projection as he used to be, but Caltin thought of Master Estahr, and he as a young Knight, projecting them out as he had once learned. Maybe that would offer them some semblance of appreciation and not simply that of a guest. This was turning out to be intriguing, something he didn’t expect. He liked that. The cold weather accommodations? Well, he did spend years on a frigid planet, what's one or two more nights, eh?

Either way, Caltin would remain quiet for the time being, he did not need to speak up. Frankly, he did not feel like he offered enough to the conversation to do so, he was a blunt instrument most of the time...

Gee, thanks...

"Most of the time..." you pinhead...

Oh whatever... I'm trying to be polite...

Anyway... he was intelligent and his own manner and right, but the big guy knew when to speak up and when not to.

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...YOU JUST HAVE TO REACH FOR IT.

​

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

“How long will we be staying?”

"I'd wager all of us should be able to learn to share and protect memories within two or three days. Then we'll move on to another set of hosts on another world. Guests and fish, am I right?"

OOC/ This evening or tomorrow, once everyone's had a chance to post, I'll time-jump us by a couple of days (still on Entooine though). Communing with banthas may be good for the soul, but let's skip to the fun part.

Also, have some bio flair:

 

[Sakadi Marathi Sinvala]

The blue banthas were not what she had expected when she had joined this expedition. They were unlike any species she had ever met, in the sense that they strongly resembled banthas and yet had the intelligence and wisdom to guide generations of the Ashkew. But what really sparked her curiosity, was their ability to commune to the Force. It was something that made her feel a degree of familiarity with the blue banthas. One they recognized, and one that led to a long conversation. A conversation were no words were exchanged, but simply thoughts and memories. Occasionally even an emotion or two. The ability to commune through the Force was something she had mastered through daily repetition. Meeting beings who did the same was nothing short of delightful.

That was why she listened only partially to the conversations between her fellow Jedi. Had thunder struck two feet away from her, she wouldn't have noticed. The Jedi Master was simply far too busy reliving the experiences and memories the banthas were willing to share with her.

Jend-Ro Quill Dagon Kaze Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri Amani Serys Milla Caranthyr Bernard of Arca Caltin Vanagor Kaia Starchaser​

 

[Kaia Starchaser]

Her father had mentioned Quill a few times. Another Jedi he looked up to, his ability to be in the moment and not be someone who had other means that seemed to hinge on their decision. It was highly recommended by her father that she trek out with Quill, and despite her misgivings boarded the other’s ship instead of her own for this trip. Of course, her probe droid Drifter was coming with her, but that was more to help catalog everything.

With Master Starchaser doing his own thing, it came down to one of the kids to help out. She had a few suits from the old Levantine Sanctum her father seemed to pack away and well, she wasn’t going to go onto someone else’s ship, on their tour without her own equipment. Still, she wrapped her dark blue Warden’s cloak around her when she stepped off the vessel.

Looking to Master Tiland, she smiled as the elder Jedi did speak of something she had heard of but couldn’t place, for now, she was taking it all in. She was smiling as she saw the memories, a face or two she recollected from an ancient holocron, but that was all on the surface, the real memory inside her was riding on what was gifted, and she smiled. Her droid wasn’t able to see this, but he was helping catalog what he could.

Okay, maybe her father was right. This time.

 

[Tiland Kortun]

“Never met a Camaasi?” Tiland was nearly scandalized at the thought, but in a good natured way. “You’ll have to visit the Caamasi conclave on Susefvi. It is well worth the visit. And I shall have to visit these other elders someday. But to learn from one of the elders of Etooine, that is a privilege.”

He turned and bowed deeply to the bantha elder who spoke, and knelt in front of them, eyes closed as he reached out in the Force. Memories floated to him of other Jedi from ancient days.

Tiland’s face dropped open in surprise. “Master Illia visited you?” The fact he spoke aloud caught him by surprise and he laughed softly at himself. “Of course she did. Why would she not?”

He settled himself back more comfortably and reached out with his mind, letting himself sit still and quiet as he listened and observed, learning what was there to be offered. But the thought of his first Jedi Master had once consisted this world brought a sense of joy he hadn’t anticipated. He had not thought of the eccentric mystic for decades, and he suspected she was long dead, likely killed in the Clone Wars or the subsequent purge. The other faces were not ones he knew, for he had not been a Jedi at the time, and had never visited the Coruscant temple even after taking the oaths.

 

[Jend-Ro Quill]

TIME SKIP

Two nights passed quickly. The furry shelter was warm even without the Jedi art of tapas or the portable heater Quill lugged down from the ship. During the day, the huge elders each took one or two Jedi (plus a translator droid) on a long walk through the tundra and the snowy hills, sharing memories and teaching the Jedi how to protect those memories.

They cautioned the Jedi that never forgetting was a two-edged sword, as Quill had mentioned. They suggested that the Jedi learn to protect only specific key memories by choice, making them permanently unforgettable. The Jedi, unlike the elders of Entooine, often needed to see pitched battle. A perfect, unerasable memory of everything would be more curse than boon. But each Jedi who learned from the elders had the option to become like that, unable to forget.

For Quill's part, he chose to make a variety of good and bad memories permanent, locking them in as a bastion against advancing age. He also learned to share memories, and used that skill to help the elders improve their understanding of Force healing - an especially useful ability for a pre-technological society.

On the third night, the elders and their Jedi friends gathered around a great bonfire to share a bounty of roasted and spiced Entooine vegetables, and to each share a choice memory with everyone else.


Tiland Kortun Amani Serys Dagon Kaze Caltin Vanagor Kaia Starchaser Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri Sakadi Marathi Sinvala

 

[Nylea Apollodor]

There were memories stuck in Nylea's mind that she still wanted to forget. To remember every single thing so perfectly, never to be forgotten was simply out of the question. Still, there were others she would never want to forget. Memories of valuable lessons, memories of joyous moments to be cherished forever, the faces of those she had met over the years, and snapshots of the past shared with her during this trip.

What made these memories all the more valuable was the ability to share them. It would be a great boon in teaching what she knew about the Force to others. Passing on knowledge was just as important as gathering it, and it was something Nylea was dedicated to doing when the time was right. Something less noble, but what the echani was equally looking forward to using the technique for, was simply reminiscing with those close to her.

The group of Jedi and the elders who had been their guide these last few days now sat together around a bonfire. Nylea basked in the warmth of the fire and mulled over which memory she wanted to share, as they all would one by one. There were so many to choose from, but in the end she settled on various views of the planet Monastery. It was where she learned what it meant to be a Jedi under the Order of the Sacred Lotus, and where she met some of the most important people in her life. The final piece of the memory revealed Sanctuary, the place she had called home for many years.

 

[Kuxirra Tano-Bonteri]

Kuxirra, too, thought about what she wanted to preser and what she wanted to share. Somehow, she vaguely remembered a song, a lullaby, from before she was kidnapped. She wanted to preserve that memory. She also wanted to preserve her meeting her parents. Her family that she had been separated from. That memory was the happiest memory she had so far, and she wanted to share it.