The Pillow Book (Taiden Keth)

[Matsu Ike]

Location: Shri-Tal Mountain Range

Research Notes: The history of the Asobi system based on my research and the SIlver Jedi's discoveries. It is hard to explain, there is more to the worlds then meets the eye at first, more to the species and creatures that speaks of something far more sinister or strange. It is my estimation that whatever these Go Nagai really are, be they the mythological Destructors or a species that attached themselves to the legends to intimidate other species.

Their enslavement of the Fa-Ut, Ren-Popo, Vu-La, La-dab and the To-Chw shows that they have gone around the galaxy. Other species being found within their legends and stories that have been from around the galaxy. The other species they seem to have used and learned from, have taken in to be soldiers in their ancient past. The ruins left behind speak of far greater things and grander places. Something we are still trying to unearth as we dig deeper into their ruins.

In my opinion grandmaster, these beings who have attacked us and come back to their home system are dangerous and misguided but they are not the only secret or mystery of the world. They are a piece of the larger puzzle and we still need to discover what destroyed the hypergate or caused the infection on the moon. There are many mysteries left to find that myself and my team shall look into as we work out of the Aoi temple and move into the mountains.

Matsu Ike to Grandmaster Iella E'ron​

Matsu looked up from her console while she was working in the room. Her crew was moving around the Harlequin and the jedi had her research teams notes/ She had set it up somewhat as a dossier for the system to get some up to speed about what was there and what they could expect but you couldn't prepare some jedi for things. A small smirk on her face as the sight of it all compiled into a single file but the world, the planets, the people and species. All served a grand purpose compared to some she had seen as she sat there.

Then she was coming out of the room with her equipment packs and gear for the trip as they were going into the atmosphere of the planet and towards the mountain range with the lake. The Silver Jedi's temple on the lake and built into the ancient tunnels that honey combed through the worlds crust sometimes down deep in the dark with even more dangerous creatures. She looked at the table with its holodisplays as the Will of the Force was updating them on movements and information in real time.

"Welcome to Shri-Tal in the Asobi system and possibly one of the strangest wonders in the outer rim territories. The Aoi Estate is a place built for the Silver jedi. Like the rest of the world." As she spoke the map of the mountains zoomed into the lake showing the two level estate then displayed underground the intricate and large system of rooms, tunnels and caverns. "The surface is minimal while beneath a world of its own."

"We have spent time securing and making the tunnels private access but it shares with a school on the other side of the lake and there is some other areas deeper that are not easily accessed." Now she did have a grin on her face going over the area to show the lake and how thy had mapped some of the area with some of the local wildlife as well as smaller farms, outposts and towers, scattered shrines. "The world is run by an Emperor and his empress but the major power on the world is the Miner's Guild. They have held the worlds, held the system for thousands of years."

"Any Questions before we depart padawan?"

[member="Taiden Keth"]

Asobi System:

Sentient:

• Go Nagai:
• Del-Ya
• Tal-La
• Vu-La
• Sal-Aru
• Ren-Popo
• Lav-Ra
• Dw-Fa
• As-Aki
• Do-Ro-Ro
• Ki-La-Sa

Semi-Sentient:

• La-dab
• Mar-Ro-Toe
• Fa-Ut

Non-Sentient:

• Tova-Ra
• Jun-La
• Skr-Ul
• Ba-La
• Amberite
• To-Chw
• Ami-Su
• Grn-Dl
• Ta-Wa-Ka
• Av-Ra
• Dov-Atu
• Ra-Set
• Va-La-Ta
• Am-Mor-Ah

The Miner's Guild:
Cole: Secretive Head
Amora Hayes Secret Recruiter[/url]
Ichi Sa'lar: Psychotic Overseer
Kinzie: Press Correspondent
Leviathan Unit

 

[Taiden Keth]

Studying her map as she zoomed in, the motion of the screen was how his race read things, and it made understanding the information she displayed easier. Taiden had done what research he was allocated, thoroughly. He was nothing if not his Keth namesake in preparation, at least what they were once known for. He didn’t take as much from the written word as he would seeing these records in motion, Echani tended to record records of events rather than hard data, and so had requested any recordings he was allowed to watch to better prepare him.

"What dangers should we prepare for on the mountains?" Not just the species, he wondered if there was anything else of note to be on guard for. Taking her lead he had arranged a pack of his own, a small white one, packed with just the essential practical gaer.

Full white hooded tunic, polished white leather boots, white trousers, simple white perfection and purity on show, silver hair and silver eyes, with nothing out of place. Any spec of dust daring to settle on his shoulder might surely evaporate from its inadequacy to match the white gleam. Keth blade across his back, silver and polished to such a degree you could see your face in it from five feet away, golden dragon on its reverse edge, it was only a vibroblade but so much more.

As it was he had many questions, but would choose his time carefully when to ask them, not his place to question an elder without cause. Elder being the term Echani used as a mark of respect not age. Datapad in his hand, reading her work in great detail even now, Taiden seemed lost somewhat in his thoughts. Until eventually the young Echani had boiled down his curiosity and thirst for knowledge to a few simple direct questions.

“What is the relationship between the miners’ guild and the ruling caste?”

And of course, more directly, “where do you wish to start Elder Jedi?” Youthful spirit about ready to head out as soon as she was ready. Even if by the way he stood, he was completely motionless, the want was there deeply to assist in a greater cause. Guilty you might say for his past actions, and you might be right.

[member="Matsu Ike"]

Spoiler

First of all, awesome amount of work you've put in. I'll play Taiden somewhat naive to local customs but with some of the background known, to ease my transition into it

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Taiden Keth"]

Research Notes: In my studies further of the history and secrets of the worlds. I have come to the conclusion that the Silver Jedi will be able to flourish on these worlds, more then anything there is a strong presence in the force that can work with us. There is an underlying sense within the worlds and the Miner's Guild has become powerful with their ability to use the world and farm it. They have risen to power outside and within the bounds of the society created. The Emperor and Empress residing over them while also controlling their expansion within the system.

The more dangerous of relations is the conflict between the guild and the different ruling families. On Shri-Tal there are four prominent families that have created the main district of the Imperial city. Their different estates across the planet have proven as intricate to navigate as the politics in dealing with the Silent Sisters. Their order surviving from the time before the formation of the Republic near one hundred thousand years ago. The Taung's might have died out as a species but much like with the mandalorians their influence on the culture and traditions of humans who followed them as converts and slaves is wide felt.

We have been working on gaining the hearts and minds of the people. Their work and help in establishing areas of interest we can keep up with. We have been working to explore further the deeper tunnels filled with creatures. We have excavated the tunnels finding vaults, passages lewading to larger caverns and shrines dedicated to some of the ancient gods. I am sending along most attachments we have on the major locations documented both from exploration and from legend. This world of Haven we have yet to explore or find a safe way to but the other worlds. We will continue our investigations and move towards relations with the important figures within the world.

Matsu Ike to Grandmaster [member="Iella E'ron"]​

Matsu looked at him while she was chewing her lower lip to think about the idea. There were many things to compare and talk about when it came to the inner workings of the worlds... hell just the intricate situation of ascension might take hours but Matsu would try to make it easily navigated while she spoke. "The relationship is neutral, the guild is one of the biggest economic sources on the planet and pays the most towards the government... in exchange they might get considerations but they don't have sway over policy. Usually sometimes it goes heavily in their favor but it seems to be more because common interests."

There was more, she had not met the bulk of the miner's guild... their leaders and board were hard to get a hold of but the people who worked for them were usually dangerous. Always that edge between dangerous and friendly but you knew they could change at any moment. "The Empress though is a welcome sight when she hosts one of her grand balls that go throughout the city districts, they close the streets down and have stalls of food and a great deal of fine dresses." She did have to laugh at that though while the ship was coming in towards the mountain range. The large lake sparkling through the viewport.

"And there it is." Matsu was looking at the viewport to look over it while the sights of elaborate houses were built around the edges of the lake. Some with huge ornate gates closing off sections of land. The native Jun-La's being ridden while the shrines on the lake were working heated with smoke coming off a few. The ship touching down in the private landing area off from the side of the estate that had several side and rangers working. The entrance they had been making to head down into the temple and tunnels open but protected as the jedi secured her equipment pack and looked over the things they had.

"Welcome to the Aoi estate and Silver jedi temple... most won't know the second as it is on paper just a nobles home. We leave minimal surface visibility to not scare the members of the school across the lake." Matsu was walking towards the ramp heading down to the estate while her droid was moving off to communicate with the others and crew were going to work. She breathed in the scents of the planet for a moment and smiled seeing a few of the younger apprentices learning how to ride the large creatures. They were starting to get the hang of it while a hand went over her satchel pack before drifting to her saber on her hip.

[SIZE=9pt]Locations[/SIZE][SIZE=9pt]: [/SIZE]

• Ni Uki: The bright sun at the center of the Asobi system
• Ura-Hata: First planet in system and containing an asteroid belt, the surface of the world is desolate but contains an atmosphere able to breathe.... Just little to nothing can survive on the surface.
  Jurichi Debris Field:

[*]Dariya: The second planet in system and just outside the habital zone, there is a massive honeycomb of caves and tunnels throughout the planet.

• Miner's Guild City:

[*]Shri-Tal: Third planet and first in the habital zone.

• Companions Temple
• Citadel:
• Miner's Guild Headquarters:
• Sakura Mountain Temple:
  Sakura Shrine:

[*]Aoi Estate

• Silver Temple:
• Silver Vaults:
• Silver Shrine:

[*]Imperial City:

• White Tower:
• Weeping Stone:
• Yoshiwara District:
• Akhibara District:
• Metsuka District:
• Melbourne District:

[*]Dov-Loa Estate:

• Loa Underground:

[*]Tokko Academy:

• Academy Underground:

[*]Twilight Sepulcher

• Matukai Spire
• Shadow Spire
• Disciple Spire
• Silver Spire
• Twilight Shrine:
• Crystal Caves:

[*]Cazador: The fourth planet in the system and in the middle of the habital zone obscured by its many moons.

• Nakara Academy:
  Academy Underground:

[*]Nagai Temple:
[*]Savage Land:
[*]Ni-Gan-No-Zo:
[*]Miner's Guild Outpost:

[*]Sekirei: Fifth planet in habital zone
[*]Kazahana Asteroid Field: Separating the habital zone from the outer system and planets
[*]Una-Hana: Sixth planet in system and outside the habital zone. The surface it colder and more mountainous but there is the possibility of life.

• Saeko Valley:

[*]Cha-Lish: Seventh Planet in system and littered with scattered military and research bases for conducting experiments in the poisoned atmosphere

• Miner's Guild Headquarters:
• Somarith Belt: A large asteroid belt around the planet giving it a ring that has exogorths jumping between the rocks
  Kiha Asteroid:

[*]Cryptium: Eight planet in system with a massive honeycomb of tunnels and cities built under the frozen surface

• The Core:

[*]Kal-Shi: Ninth Planet in system and covered with biodomes to regulate temperature.

• Chintara Dome:

[*]Asobi Nebula: The uzemi nebula that surrounds the system and isloates it from much of the galaxy providing a buffer for the unique and diverse life to flourish here.
[*]Haven: Tenth planet located within the nebula and heated by solar winds

• Kal-Shi-Rok:
• Hev-An:
• Rosenthal Academy:
  Rosenthal Underground:

[*]Kala Moor:

• Goranger:
  Dora-Sewers:
• Helziki Caverns:
• Sleg Tower:

[*]Gokeiger:

• Old City:
• Wu Trinity Towers:
• Goe Walls:

[*]GoSeiger:

• Gosai City:
• Kalo's Gates:
• Nera Canyon:

 

[Taiden Keth]

Common interests that seemed true enough, of all of them, the Jedi included. Taiden naturally walked and talked at the same time often enough, here he simply deepened his stance to become more familiar with the ship, and what it was experiencing as it cut through the atmosphere, the ship’s motion becoming a foundation of his own expression.

Meeting her laugh, a small smile was given when [member="Matsu Ike"] spoke of dresses and balls. He’d danced as a youngling, a dance that taught you the steps for personal combat, but that was all, and true of all young Keth. Graceful as he was, he wouldn’t know what to do at an actual dance.

“You honor me by allowing me this chance,” he stated humbly as any keen young Echani warrior might, listening, and watching out the viewport as the lake came into view, he felt the bump coming down, and that was his signal to readiness, you could see his stance shifting, step ready.

Taking those first steps on the ground, he was impressed. He was impressed because of the minimalist approach the Silver Jedi had taken here not to harm the surrounding landscape. Minimalist was something Echani often believed in, less is more. Less words, and less complexity, though they had their grand designs, they were always simple in nature, and practical.

“I appreciate you preserving the natural beauty,” his voice carried that appreciation as they walked, almost a personal showing of gratitude in his subtle bow, they'd blended the temple in as if it wasn't even really there, becoming part of the community. Taiden was soon trying to see an understanding of how people felt here, watching for their body language and hints to whether everything was as it seemed. The younger Jedi at play or riding betrayed a sense of ease at least.

[member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Taiden Keth"]

Research Notes: The honeycomb of roads, tunnels, cave systems and cities that have been created, maintained and destroyed since ancient times... have proven amazing. There is an entire network within the mountain range alone that leads to the vity allowing for the surface to be untouched. Industry within the ground that has room for progress and we have the chance to explore it. In some cases finding dangerous creatures but it has been worth it. As the Silver Jedi's temple expands deeper and uses the area to provide storehouses of food, equipment we have been working on the defensive provisions.

That has been the most interesting as the tunnels were made to be sealed off and protected in several areas. The large bugs of the planet a danger but their natural tunnels proving beneficial and easier to shape it seems. The guilds and artisans of the world knowing how to best use the resources provided in this case the natural instead of blasting or cutting to endanger their people. Assuming they use these techniques on other worlds, it would explain how they were able to rapidly expand and set up operations. We have not been able to explore all of the tunnels with some sealing off from destruction but there are a great many around the temple.

Those are the ones we have explored and begun to excavate, then renovate using modern technology to bring them on par with modern temples. The lower reaches that are secured and protected being used as vaults to house artifacts we have found and tunnels leading into the mountains or cities sealed off with protected doors. The rangers stationed there to protect them and monitor in case anyone comes there seeking to sneak in or for help. Some areas set up as libraries and training rooms with the largest designed for a bunk area. Smaller rooms have been used to house jedi in pairs if possible but it is proving strange for now and supplies will be needed.

Matsu Ike to Iella E'ron​

Matsu looked at the padawan and had a grin on her face as she motioned with her head going into the entrance they had. The temple was under the ground and as the path went from newer materials into the ancient carved stoneways there was a shift. The lighting coming brighter in grooves that showed off the fading murals, older paintings and some polished new parts of it. Script written to indicate what led where and newer systems being added that upgraded and sealed off some of the more dangerous sections. Matsu stopped looking at one of the lifts they had installed and the sounds of the lower chambers came with a stream running.

"A tova breeding pit most likely, they love to be in the steam and mud. It lets them go and spread throughout the planet." She kept moving and there were more rooms being outfitted and secured with projectors as the map room was working. Holograms showing the silver jedi's systems and planets with detail from the monitoring stations and the massive Will of The Force that was feeding information to them. The smirk on her face though wile the initiates were looking at the map of the planets on Voss while getting a history lessons was well worth it. "Voss might be the home of the Silver Jedi but its temples and visibility make it vulnerable."

She kept moving as another section held a large chamber with stairs leading down to more paths, tables where jedi were eating and socializing. Above them were stacks with more displays as well as the readouts from the stations. "Here we can observe and relay large amounts while also keeping the main jedi on the planet fed. Our friends who have worked hard on things to get us supplies also gave us a great deal of land we have tunnels and direct access to. The farmland on this world is better then most have expected." Now she was moving towards the other paths stopping at the one doorway to check some displays.

"This leads to my section of the temple, mostly research and sleeping but it has direct access to the shrine on the lake.Most do not have a need to go in there and disturb my daughters during their lessons." Matsu backed away from it and was leading the way into the tunnels going while she spoke. "We have fashioned and designed training suites using the technology we acquired through deals to provide different environments for training purposes as well as smaller more accessible versions of the astrometrics labss created to observe, map and plot out courses. Sonic sensors are being used to map the tunnels for better navigation by teams."

She was leading the way down into one of the larger tunnels and there was large sets of lights before a double door secured by several ranger's. She looked over at the bay of Specter Speeders for moving quickly throughout the deeper tunnels. They had been working on sections and as more connections to the lower levels were protected with the vaults while the jedi walked towards the larger doors. The ranger's opening them as two Jun-La's were ready, the blind creatures ready while Matsu climbed up on one of them motioning for the padawan. "It is easy to stay on, they are very nice creatures but be careful of their nose. Don't want to mess of their navigation."

The Miner's Guild:

• Cole: Secretive Head
• Amora Hayes Secret Recruiter
• Ichi Sa'lar: Psychotic Overseer
• Kinzie: Press Correspondent
• Leviathan Unit
• Kacey and Theresa:
• Oda:

Royal Family:

• Emperor:
• Empress:
• Heir:
• Dal: Royal Guard
• Vassels:

Noble Houses:

• Melbourne House:
  Ulfric Melbourne:
• Matilda Melbourne:
• Osa Melbourne:
• Vassels:

[*]Metsuka House:

• Oba Metsuka:
• Selene Metsuka:
• Alena Metsuka:
• Vassels:

[*]Akhibara House:

• Lucas Akhibara:
• Jennifer Akhibara:
• Jessica Akhibara:
• Vassels:

[*]Yoshiwara House:

• Yanto Yoshiwara:
• Juri Yoshiwara:
• Atton Yoshiwara:
• Vassels:

 

[Taiden Keth]

Watching the water's movement, eyes naturally drawn to the motion and where it came from, he heard Matsu’s remarks on vulnerability. Keth were trained from birth in strategy, tactics and traditional Echani culture both in Wodenstam and at the Baobab archives.

Taiden's preference had always been away from strategy toward more cultural pursuits, tradition and family, but he could see the benefits of hiding the facilities to make them less open targets. “There is wisdom in what you speak.” Although Echani kept everything in plain sight, he could see why an order of “Jedi need to take precautions.”

Allowing him to see the Jedi socializing, eating and generally relaxed, allowed him to know, instinctively that conditions here were happy, and that people were cared for well. He bowed to any that passed him lightly, eyes on a level as he moved, some bowed back but most just grinned or smiled politely.

Training suites, unknown to Taiden Keth, [member="Raien Keth"] had used similar constructions a life time ago, the suites allowed visual representations, movement and motion to be expressed, rather than static data, which was all important to teach an Echani anything, Taiden could already appreciate the possibilities they offered to the different races here, to allow them their own way of learning.

“How many students do we have here?” He had begun counting some time ago, realising he’d probably not seen half of who was here, given how well laid out the complex was.

Avoid the nose, “yes Elder.” Another might have hesitated at the prospect of riding, but not someone who had lived in the outdoors and loved his time on Wodenstam as a child. The blind furry creature was patted on the side a few times to introduce himself. Carefully avoiding the nose, with a gentle palm, Taiden picked a small piece of fruit out of his pocket and offered it to the Jun-Li which happily ate it out of his hand. Making sure the beast was ready, he slowly raised himself on its back, petting it again till it adjusted to his weight.

[member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

Research Notes: Aika my old padawan, it does me well to see you in such a position and I am sending what reports I can. The Silent Sisters who are the oldest human group on Shri-Tal are much more. With the discovery of the Wicked hammers and their unleashing the sisters seemed to know the truth and buried it under the imperial city. The Weeping Stone holding one of the hammers within it and able to only be pulled by the true emperor or empress. A carry over from their time as taung and servants of the ancient taung. The temples they created along the mountain ranges we have begun to investigate and the stories of the unknown regions and exile from Coruscant are recorded with what happened afterwards.

Matsu Ike to Lorekeeper Aika Kawakami​

Matsu looked at him as he spoke and shrugged a little. "Ehh there is a good amount, compared to Voss it might be one of the larger temples with more resources. Plus we got to work with a large area of rooms and space compared to just temple sections." As she sat on the creature there was a snort from it while she focused on the force slowly letting her eyes adjust to the low light of the tunnel. In the darkness she knew one of the few skills to allow for seeing in the dark as well as seeing the Disciple they had on the moon of this world. Light bending disciples who were teaching the silver jedi who wanted to train in it how to see through cloaks.

"It is usually very smooth, if he smells anything just tug to straighten his head and he'll ignore it unless you tell him to search." She had a grin on her face now though with that thought and was moving off into the tunnels. The light scrapping of their clawed feet on the stonework as into the mountains they went with the sounds of running water and underground lakes. Amberite crystals glowing lightly in some areas that offers a pale glow to illuminate faded murals, directions and moss covered stones. The droppings and bodies of the small creatures along with prey that had been brought down into the tunnels were scattered.

Matsu was leading the way from the silver temple towards the ruined temples in the mountain range for a moment until she pressed her heels into the Jun-La and it went off faster and faster the legs moving quickly over any debris until she could see the harsh light shimmering through slits and then an opening. The stone work becoming natural formations and jagged where things had crashed into the walls. The large mountain range near them overlooking the large city as its circular design could be seen with the large walls dividing the districts and in the center the large white towers. "Below that is the weeping stone where the Silver jedi found one of the wicked."

She thought back to that and that was something that had been interesting for the time, researching and trying to find what they could for those hammers. The vaults had been breached in the battle and one went missing from what they had but she kept her remnant blade in case of such dangers. As her grip tightened on the reigns Matsu was leading the way up the paths towards the temple on the mountain range. The path going up to it as she let the creature climb over the rocks that were blocking the path. A smile on her face now while she was moving up it as the temples ruined walls were overgrown.

[member="Taiden Keth"]

 

[Taiden Keth]

Taiden rode his mount like a practiced rider, which he was, he wasn’t however used to how it rode, and so was paying more attention to his mount than its direction, never in danger of hitting anything given his attention to detail, but always in danger of veering off course. Having had no such skills as Matsu to see in the dark, he was keenly aware of her position and lead ahead which made his many course corrections during their journey easier. All the while he learned to communicate, or at least listen to his Jun-Li communicate to him through its movements and posture.

Straightening the mounts head out a few times too many, he was very gentle, each touch carefully considered in its repercussions on his animal, he patted it down again to settle it. His touch almost had a sense of affection for their brief bond, but more a sense of appreciation for its work in carrying him.

Crystals around, his mind wandered to his time before the order as a crystal cutter, and a pained sensation hardened his body, his posture tightening and deepened his focus. Not a pleasant memory, but ahead was the future, and that is where [member="Coci Heavenshield"] had pointed him on mon calamari, not the past.

Mountain coming into view, the way the land was shaped rather than any one sight, that is what he paid attention to. “Wicked, Master Jedi?” Taiden asked curiously, expression neutral as it usually was. However the temple, if anything in an Echani at all could take something from appearance would have been breathtaking, that was not Taiden though, Taiden was merely impressed with the routes upward, the spiralling design of the stairs, and the routes they took. “A breathtaking journey, does this place hold special meaning to you Master?” He hadn’t thought it till now, that with all the sights she was showing him, driven forward, did this temple hold a deeper meaning for Matsu?

[member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

Matsu looked at him as she held a small grin on her face. "No not a special meaning.... but this is one of the temples. The Silent Sisters observe and have built as high into the air as the Go Nagai built into the ground. These mountains are littered with the remains of their temples, some occupied and some empty. I have had teams exploring to see what they could find. Not always safe but here in the mountains they have some amazing sites as well as chances to train. The forests leading to the valley's the natural caves and other lesser used lakes." She kept moving now coming to a stop and climbing down off the creature.

She wasn't certain what he meant though but walking the steps up to one of the chambers that was filled with some of the sisters. She bowed to them as the one spoke. "Greetings Matsu, we are glad you were able to come. When we sent the message we were not certain if you would receive it in time. There were reports of Leviathan moving around." Matsu was looking at them and going towards the window as she looked out. "Are they protecting survey teams or?" There was a lingering question but looking at them she wasn't sure. "We are not certain, with them they move around just like the others in private tunnels. Though we have seen them around the school."

Matsu gave a nod of her head to that as they spoke. She had seen some increased activity but given they protected the men who mined the resources of the world she hadn't thought much of it. More she was interested that the one school was letting them get that close but she was now looking into the valley. "Looks like they might be getting close to the school, could prove a useful place to check and you never know what might be found. I'll have to send a team sisters, thank you and how is that other thing I asked you about?" Matsu stood there for a moment as the woman straightened up showing her outfit more as an initiate.

The other sisters had masks when they entered and stood there in armored robes but were speaking with telepathy. "The Dragon King foes not wish to see the Silver jedi, any of them. He still finds your presence on the world a danger and will remain within his palace." Their eyes were showing from under the masks lined with ornate teeth like a lamprey for a moment while they stood there. Matsu bowed her head and spoke. "Thank you then sisters, we'll go and see to this and tell you. Hopefully continued cooperation will provide trust from your master in our intentions." Matsu turned to look at the padawan and motioned with her hand to bow as they were leaving.

[member="Taiden Keth"]

 

[Taiden Keth]

The scrolls of Taiden Keth, Entry #47, Leviathans and the Dragon King.

“I will be keen to explore the sites, at your permission.” [member="Matsu Ike"] explained in great detail her journeys through the area, Taiden listened or rather watched her body language like any young Echani warrior eager for adventure would. He was over eager to experience some of these mysteries himself, that was clear at least in how he stood, a thirst for knowledge and experience now he was away from home.

Behind Matsu, while she looked outward at the window, “A leviathan? I have yet to encounter one in my studies Knight Ike, shall we face these creatures together?” There was a definite over-keenness in the padawan, it was a sense of youthful adventure wanting to run off into the unknown and see what happened, finding what tales he could bring back to write about. His journal and the scrolls he kept were growing in number daily.

Customs and tradition, all Keth respected it, almost all. The sister's masks, if he was honest, were enchanting to the young Echani. He took nothing from appearance, and their hiding theirs drew his interest to exactly how they moved. When the masked sisters had entered Taiden needed no motion to bow, he bowed when the sisters entered, when they spoke and when left, only at Matsu’s behest the bow was all the deeper and more respectful as they exited, another might read that display as him being interested in them.

He agreed that their presence here and aid, might offer “a gesture to the King Elder Ike, but might we appeal to anyone else for aid in this task?” If not the King would anyone else aid them, it sounded like quite a challenge ahead, "could the King be reasoned with by another?" Taiden sensed that this was critical, something his old ancestor was able to do, a defining moment that would shape something for the better or worse.

[member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Taiden Keth"]

Matsu looked at him as they stood there in the silence for a moment. It is not a real leviathan, oh there are some of those on the world but the Leviathan soldiers are crude and very dangerous. Paid to protect miners and whatever interests they have on the world. Anything that is a danger to that be it wild animals, or someone nearly causing one of the miners to get in an accident or their family." She was trying to think how best to say it, the miners guild she had observed were very strange... providing jobs, providing more then enough pay and protection even extending that to the families... but then they would and did kill anyone who tried to compete with them.

She kept looking out the window and pointed as the sisters were standing around one of the pools. A tree in the middle on a platform and a large area raised up. "As for the king he isn't really a king, as I understand it the title was given as a joke to the first stardragon that visited the world and the ones didn't know the difference or just kept the title because their names are hard to pronounce." She kept looking though and they were handling their things as she looked away going towards the door as she motioned with her hand. She was walking and speaking more before she stood in the doorway with a small smirk on her face.

"Others may be able to talk with him, few have tried aside from the jedi who come here. It is not Voss but it provides a great deal of resources and some other things. Helpers who build the temples are a powerful thing to have." Now there was a smirk on her face while she was looking over the temple out into the bridges heading down towards the forests. "When and if you are ready, we can see what else there is. Never know what else there is and it might teach you others parts of the world." She moved checking her equipment and hair for a moment as a stick tied her hair into place.

 

[Taiden Keth]

Taiden’s faced deepened in concentration. Some of what Matsu was saying, or rather not saying had him worried, the words didn’t mean as much as what she held back about the miner’s guild, he didn’t know exactly what it was, but it worried him that they were dealing with someone dangerous? What danger did he see unexpressed?

“The king has never been challenged?” Which was infinitely more legitimate to a traditional Echani’s eyes than birthright or politics, let alone just assuming the title, especially a scholar of history like he was. Any admiration he might have been harboring for the titled owner left Taiden, titles were meaningless with nothing behind them. He followed her finger to the Sisters, their mystique however held the young Echani’s attention even all the way over here, and he realised he was staring, so he looked away.

When and If? Taiden didn’t check a thing, he stood as ready as he’d ever be, as ready as one who was eager for adventure could be. “Knight Ike, I am ready for this.” Ever since failing to save Atrisia, Bimm and then later again at Togoria, or to stop his ancestor, Taiden had felt like a pariah to each battle he had fought in, one small victory, one adventure where he put his sword and his heart to something successful, just one to show himself that he could do right. That would mean the world, and the way he was holding that emotion it might say it. “It would do my honor a great service, for my arm to be used for something I can be proud to write about, not hide from.”

White tradition, the silver gleam of the sword on his back, neither matched the keenness of his eyes. "With your permission." He bowed his head again, body firm and balanced.

[member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Taiden Keth"]

Matsu looked at him for a moment while she was walking towards the bridge. "I do not know if any have challenged him, it is not a title or something you can win. Stardragons are solitary creatures and rarely appear together. Ones come here after another dies sometimes centuries later." She was moving and stood near the bridge though with a grin on her face. "Though for you I did say there was things to learn and aside from geography some lessons within the force are always a good thing to have. Assuming you haven't practiced these techniques yet." Matsu remained there for a moment longer before jumping up to sit on the railing.

"The world is many things but a jedi needs to learn how to navigate it all, from the smallest fissure within the world to the strongest gale winds. You want to be able to work within them. On other worlds it might be easier for some of the things they do but here for those who know how to work it. You can generate the living force from deep within the heart of the world and allow it to protect you." She held a smirk now straightening her hair as from her equipment pack that got strapped down the jedi produced two sticks covered in script that she slid into her hair setting it up into a top knot and tight. No loose strands out of place before producing fans.

"Some jedi when I was young were taught how to alter the world around us, how to ride the winds and it made us stronger. Ale to adapt compared to others, we were taught to not dwell on the past or mistakes. Something that helps assure yourself but something no one else will ever want to let go, hopefully these lessons will help you be able to handle if you make a mistake." She moved quickly letting the fans open as the gleaming turadium twisted making the wind wrap around the jedi while she stood up there. "It is a simple lesson first, use the world around you to glide. The force can bend the rules and allow you to fly but the rules will still exist."

She stood there on the railing for the moment as she turned the fan slightly to shift it then raise herself up. "The way down into the forest is easier and more educational from above. If you wish to try your hand at altering the environment itself and seeing how far you can go with it. Masters were able to feel the vibrations from the world itself. Reading the world and the people within it, something the echani are skilled at. One of my old friends was teaching how best to use such a skill before she disappeared." The smirk was on her face though was there now before Matsu was leaping back to hover with small tinges of blue light in her eyes.

 

[Taiden Keth]

The Scrolls of Taiden Keth: Entry #48. Matsu and the movement of worlds.

It had history, the King title symbolic but without legitimacy, that was interesting and had the Echani pausing to deliberate local custom. “I have learned the language of healing Elder Ike,” Taiden dipped his head briefly to a quarter bow, “but I am yet to learn of the force’s great intricacies, the movement of the energy over a larger area.”

Matsu was careful of her appearance, though the appearance itself was lost on Taiden, her careful nature with her hair wasn’t. His own hair hung down longer today, strands catching the breeze in front of his white hood, and he too straightened up his tunic, also gentle in his movements, deliberate when they came.

Then as if by chance, no not chance. Matsu it seemed, unknown to him, had been around his kind before. She spoke in a way he might understand. To alter the environment, how, how would the motion be possible without the body? Then it was he remembered [member="Nima Tann"] ’s lesson about following the energy's movement.

That and Matsu spoke of the movement of the planet itself, the heart of the world. The planet moved, it dawned on Taiden, he had never watched or felt the planet in motion before, the suns and stars. Things were always moving. The Echani’s silver eyes had never seemed so deep in concentration as the winds lifted him up, gliding gracefully with her help.

Correcting his mistakes: He did wobble when he tried to exert control, side to side, small careful deliberate corrections. He was unsteady that was clear, but learning. Shutting his eyes and listening to the planet, its motion, he wasn't a Master and didn't feel it all, just a sense, just the small glimpse of movement beneath him, no around him! He began to slowly circle like it did. She had given him a great gift, his posture relaxed, and Taiden Keth saw that he didn’t need to win a battle to achieve something great.

With her help, Taiden Keth was gliding mid air, spinning in a small slow circle. “You honor me.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzczg3MreZg​

Gentle Reminders from the Past before it all started, for any of the Keth's, she had found his roots, in the wilderness to grow.

Little did Matsu know that she, [member="Nima Tann"], [member="Maya Whitelight"], and [member="Coci Heavenshield"] were healing a great wound with his family, one that gone on for far too long.

“Elder Ike. I will follow you. I am ready.” He would take the leap of faith over the edge with her, if she thought him ready for what was to come.

[member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

Matsu looked at him as she was smirking a little to herself. "There you go and I'd recommend being careful with your hair, when you are flying. Your head is the rudder to direct it so move it and you can change course." She made a small motion to show why her hair was out of the way and rose up then into a loop before stopping and turning around. Her eyes flicking back and forth quickly as she was searching for it and found one. the small white membrane of the creature as it was drifting with the air currents. Matsu pointed with her head and kicked off the air almost as she went up and extended her arms almost gliding

The white creatures were drifting with the wind and Matsu spoke. "Don't fight it unless you believe you can control it. Use the winds currents to glide down to the forest floor and you'll get a handle of it." Matsu kept herself moving slower on the wind as her body shimmered with resistance from the force. To keep up with the padawan but also provide some help should it be needed. She knw how to carry and keep another safe before rushing off towards the forest below. There was the shimmer and afterimage of one of the creatures below that she knew could be dangerous but they were reasonable.

"We'll touch down there." She was moving towards one of the larger open areas and slowly the jedi master descended pausing only enough for the padawan to be cushioned with the force while she stood there and listened to the air. The shuffling of clawed feet as the figure speeding across the edge of her vision came into view. The large purple Tal-La stood with large horns on its head. She had been able to research them and they had a single gender... themselves as it were so the figure held both male and female parts. It had the jedi looking at it while moving just a little bit to stand her ground.

"We are not here for your stuff, just teaching a student about the land." Matsu was stiff as a board though and motioned for the padawan to remain as such while the creature moved forward quickly.... Its tail swishing back and forth, its primitive clothing torn and not really concealing anything. The different purple hues giving way to golden eyes that starred down at the short jedi. "You creatures have been making to much noise in my forest.... go but disturb my possessions and I will peel the flesh from your bones and wear it. Your student will be given a fate much worse jedi." She didn't stay around moving quickly into the trees.

Matsu watched it going off into the distance and was listening for it to come back. She knew they were dangerous, more then that their territory was massive easily the size of a small city and all they cared about was what they claimed within it. She was looking towards the treeline for a moment before turning back to the padawan and speaking. "I suspected one would be here but we must be close to its cave. We will need to be careful to not stumble upon it... Their not famous for being forgiving after a warning." Matsu slowly brought her hand to her hair pin and took it out sliding it back into her sleeve.

A small smirk was on her face though while she motioned with her head now towards the rest of the forest and some of the other things seemed to come out. Wild Jun-Las that were running around in herds together with the corpses of the Sal stretching high in area's of the forest. The tree creatures old bodies ancient with roots going deeper as she started walking and there was the sound of other creatures roaming around. The shriek of one as a hiss echoed from the Tal getting a fresh kill to eat. The jedi was pushing herself now as she followed the trees looking up at the floating creatures and the Fa-uts that were roaming around.

The small blue creatures looking like jelly humans before dissolving and roaming down inclines to get into cracks. She stopped seeing one of the cats in the large tree and bowed her head as the humanoid curled a tail around the branch for a moment jumping down and speaking with a thick accent created with her tongue. "It is good to see you, finding where you touched down was difficult jedi but I do have some reports." Matsu bowed though while speaking. "You know we value your field reports on the tunnels and movements." There was a look for a moment as she stood there and ran a hand along her figure picking as leaves.

"The Leviathan units were digging into the Silver jedi vaults, they used the schools tunnels to access under the lake and Lav-ra to access the vaults. With no one looking at the submerged tunnels they made off with a hammer from the taungs. It looked like the one from the weeping stone but we couldn't be sure and following to close to them is not always a good thing. They have a tendency to throw grenades and use flamethrowers.... but we'll keep following them and might get lucky. Word was the chairmen wanted anything rare or of value to the people. The silver jedi have the hammers." She bowed looking at Matsu and slinked off.

[member="Taiden Keth"]

 

[Taiden Keth]

For the second time today he imitated Matsu in carefully keeping his hair behind his hood, leaving two strands to blow free in the wind, which blew him free! Corrected by his careful pinpoint focus on those same two strands of hair, a gentle care to which way they pointed stilled Taiden’s wobble.

The Echani found himself drifting on the current, going with the movement and motion of where they were. Taking the Knight’s advice and letting go to it for now, this being his first time. A few times Matsu would need to help him, but only a few, as each time she showed him direction, his concentration watched exactly what she did. Gliding wasn’t so hard for him as you might think, because it was much like duelling to him, communicating with another, and here that racial trait was taken to a place where nobody was hurt or injured, the birth of something new.

Like the creature below, Taiden shimmered briefly himself in his aura as they glided down, foreshadowing of what might come given time along this more gentle path. The large creature was greeted with calm, calculated reflection of body and mind, inner light. The challenge the creature barked was not flinched from, but nor was there a desire to fight a territorial stranger in the middle of the forest about nothing at all. Matsu had it well in hand regardless, “I shall be cautious Elder Ike.”

Straightening his own appearance to bring it back to a state of cleanliness. An observant person might say he’d taken a liking to Matsu by how much he was taking his cue from her, behind that was appreciation for the way she moved and carried herself with grace and poise. His own clothes were white and free of pattern, they had limited expression of anything but what the body showed, at this moment it was poised ready even after the creature had walked away, naturally so to act had it been needed.

Walking through what could only be described as an exotic rendition of an Echani ballad, every creature imaginable trotted or flew by the padawan, and his concentration was firmly fixed in fascination, youthful wonder to someone with an eye for his body language. Though his head barely shifted, each minor movement indicated an increased appreciate for where they were walking through, ever species silently studied and observed to learn its language by how it walked.

Taiden gave a bow to the cat-like creature with the tail, awaiting her report. “Elder Ike, should we see to the vaults, find the hammer, or await reinforcements” Wanting to leap right in like any young warrior, but also Taiden was calm calculated, and ready to wait for help if she wished it. “I feel preparation would suit us well.” Preparation because he still knew so little of this brand new world, full of life and connections that he had yet to see or experience anywhere else. “What else might you tell me about the leviathan units.” She’d spoken on them briefly, and he’d seen the notes, but reading was one thing, meeting something up close was a different thing entirely. For the scholar who often spent too much time in doors studying, it was often a completely new experience!

[member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Taiden Keth"]

Matsu was walking as she heard him and raised an eyebrow. He was learning and that was good while she stopped for a moment and looked. "We'll need some more to go after them on this. We could fight them and hope they have it, hope there is proof but that could take time and alert them... As could waiting around for people. I am not certain there is a good plan for this but we can at least see what they are up to. Observe but not alert them to our intentions." She had a few ideas of how best to talk with them and search around but the leviathan units weren't known for their nature while she spoke more.

"They are trained killers, ex soldiers and ones who showed skills when they signed up. With the creatures in the system there is a great deal of work that goes into protecting and all serve a purpose." She wasn't sure what they would fully find but they could call in for help... just... "Also I don't want to aggravate the Tal with more people." She didn't want to endanger another group while risking the creatures speed and claws. There might be other dangers but she was thinking about what sort of reinforcements they could bring in that were quiet and fast. "If you know someone who was fast it might and quiet they could help."

She had a few ideas though while going and there was a large section open and leading into the ground. More footsteps as she touched her arm bringing from the robe a golden fan for a moment that gleamed but opened. "Turadium, great for deflecting sabers and not as obvious as a saber. We'll wait here and see how far in they are or if there in reinforcements we can get."

 

[Taiden Keth]

Observation is something Echani excelled at, his posture became free of the slightest trace of doubt. Her leadership becoming valued, a deserved reputation in his eyes. “Observation would be a wise course of action.” His aura was visibly brighter through the force than before they had set foot atop this planet, the motion of this world and all its inhabitants were more connected to his step, small degrees of change in Taiden, but change nonetheless.

Trained killers, “then they are predictable knight Ike, they will do as their training dictates, we at least know that ahead of time. Perhaps their training can be pointed at a threat they can face, limiting bloodshed?” Droids? A natural challenge? A strategic young mind looking for a way to break the deadlock with as little violence as possible. It could have been so different for Taiden, but he really was becoming a Keth who thought outside of the next battle, or conflict, thanks to them.

“If you wished it, I could bring the Keth honor guard to assist us, to send them ahead, they wait not far in orbit. They are well trained, and will move and act as one on your order.” Only small in number, the six Echani would be hailed on his wrist communicator if she needed their aid to scout ahead. Echani were nothing if not quick and precise when they acted. "Might the tunnels be simply sealed behind them?"

Footsteps, he paused, his concentrated silver attentions seeking ahead with hers, motionless, awaiting what approached, defying the need to move or act until it was time. She had all kinds of hidden surprises, a small smile formed on his lips, an equally precise and subtle nod following it toward her fan. You might believe Taiden was beginning to like her.

[member="Matsu Ike"]​

 

[Matsu Ike]

[member="Taiden Keth"]

Matsu looked at him and raised her eyebrows for a moment as he seemed confused with her statement... then she let the world become still. The air around herself shifting while she raised her foot up, letting the force move around her and there was a sense of anticipation before she was closing her eyes and brought her hands out. Palms up for a moment while flickers of white generated energy came she stomped her foot at the opening while the force went from her body into the ground with a wave bringing a sense of reverberation for a moment until the flickers on her hand gave form, gave shape into a wave reaching out and spiking for moments.

The tingle was on her hand each time it spiked while she counted mentally and slowly opened her eyes letting the force energy pop. The jedi stood there in the stillness not sure how much time had passed but spoke softly. "There are thirty two heartbeats three kilometers into the tunnel. In one of the smaller caves. Ten of them are heavier, weighted down with a steady beat of calmness. The other twenty two are working, straining and faster paced. Their words reverberating off the stone to keep a pace as a unit instead of them each being on their own. They are organized and practiced in this. The smaller creatures in the tunnels stay away."

Matsu's eyes shifted, going from black orbs with slightly lighter rims to pools while her brain sped up the processes. The force enhancing her mind and making each movement and corner of the area on her memory better then most maps. She had the rack and tunnels with their turns and an internal compass for it almost as she spoke letting herself come out of it. The energies pooling while the white lines of energy danced along exposed skin slowly fading from the visible spectrum. "I know the way." She looked at him offering finally a small smile while she brought her hand up to her brow and dotted it for the small gleams of sweat.

"It is not always easy but since Leori healed most of my body, I have been able to use the force much as I did in my youth." The smirk was on her face though while she straightened herself into a standing position. "Your reinforcements would be welcome so long as they can be quiet and careful. This is observation only and predictable can also mean dangerous as their patrol patterns can be mapped but they'll usually know if something happens. Check ins if they are regular can mean less time to be careful. As for the rest." She now had a little beaming of pride almost but caught it. You could bask when you did something but don't let it rule you.

"That you can look at as another lesson... though explaining it is hard. To generate the force means you tap instead into your own strength and instead into the world around you. Able to take life from a world or gather the energy, the force can overwhelm and harm you... or if done correctly you can see an entire world in the passing of a moment." She was looking down into the tunnel below before letting out a breath of pent up energy. "And there might be some other skills you will need down there, I am not certain how easy it is to teach techniques such as the grip and inertia."

 

[Taiden Keth]

Hair blown aside, white potential light ahead, the same color as his aura was beginning to show. The movement of Matsu's force energies was nothing short of staggering, he saw the motion rather than the end result, and it was… enchanting there was no other way to say it. At this rate she was going to have him following her around at her beck and call, like a prophet of this world’s energy’s movement to him! He was already beginning to hang on her words, with the questions anyone might have who sort scholarly understanding.

“How do you hear them Elder?”

Listening attentively as she told him of the tunnels and what they would face. Taiden was patient even if he was keen, a depth of patience that drew greater from her own, and her talent for handling this white light she drew from the planet. He felt a deep connection with the wildernesses light, like a once much different [member="Raien Keth"] did, only here Taiden had people to guide him that valued life and fostered its care.

Concerned for the Elder’s safety when she tried the next technique, how fully she drew herself into the planet, that she might lose herself. His fear for her, as ever, didn’t show outwardly, still she might sense it as she dabbed her forehead, but it remained unspoken for it wasn’t his place.

“Perhaps later I might try to heal you further Knight Ike?” Confident of the young Padawan, but his technique was slightly different, in that he spoke to the pains of the other, in a visible form, reflecting what they needed back, or answering them to help release injury. No small sign he was interested in helping her reconnect with her potential, wondrous as it was to him.

“Our assistants will be silent as the wind, you have my word, Echani bring only what they need, and disturb little. I will make the arrangements.” A bow of his head, his wrist communicator was activated, using signals of motion rather than sound, a button was pressed to record the hand signals, then released to the small ship waiting above. “They will join us on the way.”

Next as his Elder explained the details of generation from inside himself, all he could do was stare at the depth of her understanding. “Should I attempt this now?” He ventured, feeling the flow of the planet against his aura, standing separate from it but it could so easily be integrated with the right training, to be a greater part of the whole, to contribute to it with his own energies. To become part of the current itself.

[member="Matsu Ike"]​