Faction The Sword Returns | The Jedi Order

[Kito]

//: Lily Decoria //: Everyone else lol //:

Kito silently stood beside her master. While she wanted to chime in, echo the voices that wanted slaughter and eradication of the dark, she remained silent. Looking to her Master as the woman spoke of her convictions, Kito felt pride swell in her chest. This woman was her Master. Someone who stood for what she believed in.

She was someone that Kito could trust… with one of her greatest secrets.
A secret she didn't wish to keep as tight-lipped as she did. Now wasn't the time to express it, but she now saw her Master in a different light. Standing taller than the Echani, Kito let that pride be her armor. If anyone were going to come to her Master, she would defend the woman with everything she had.

Reaching forward, Kito did something she had never done before. A hand rested in the center of her Master's back. She knew the woman didn't need the reassurance, but it was all she could think of to let the woman know she wasn't alone, even if it felt like it. In this moment, Kito understood the true notion of redemption.

Leaning in, after her Master had finished, Kito whispered quietly.

"Master, I fear we might be alone in your beliefs…" She paused, looking at the faces that stood beside the man claiming to be the Sword of the Jedi.

"Is this the Order I gave up my nomadic ways for…?"

Kito kept her words silent, only for her Master and herself. Her mind wandered to the woman she left behind on Eshan. Valaine wasn't evil; she wasn't a monster seeking the destruction of the galaxy... she was a girl that Kito had come to love with every fiber of her being.

Would she be seen as worthy of redemption? Would these Jedi destroy her because she wasn't attached to a Jedi of importance?

The young padawan could feel the anger rising in her chest, flames burning at the back of her throat as she began to learn to hate those of her own kind. Knowing that these were the people she was blindly following only burned at the edge of her mind.

Kito's hand fell from Lily's back, as it balled into a fist at her side. The Jedi were supposed to be symbols of justice and salvation... not on the same level as the Sith... seeking to force their beliefs on others.

 

[Lucia Blackwood]

Already, the ambitious heart of Lucy could not stop its drumming beat. That terrible mix of determination and ambition, too potent in such an inexperienced body, would not allow her to sit back and watch the Jedi tear themselves apart over this issue. She knew she was young. She had not crossed blades with the Sith or fought for control of planets, but she did know one thing.

She had to stand up for what was truly right.

A united Jedi effort. A strong and powerful Jedi effort. Real galactic change to save the lives of those who fell under the shadow of the Dark Side. If those on the Council were so blind to such dangers, if her own peers were content to divide themselves along artificially drawn lines of righteousness and redemption, if they were not willing to stand, then who would?

She knew she was making a mistake. Staring down the barrel of being so young, yet so desperate to be important, she looked across the room at those who stood before her. They had fought, bled, and suffered where she had never even seen the red glow of a Sith lightsaber. But deep down, a part of her so arrogant and young simply thought the words:

I know better.

Her master was gone, the leash that had held her back at such critical moments, staying her tongue when it threatened to run ahead of her wisdom. She would not attempt to make enemies. She would try to be respectful. But she simply had to speak. The words felt as though they were climbing through her throat and threatening to spill forth without her permission, as though her stomach itself was raging in defiance against the will of her brain.

She could not stop herself.

"Knight, I cannot understand. You accuse others of seeking redemption only for those they personally prefer. You accuse those here of venturing down a dark path. You accuse them of lying to us for some inconceivable reason. What do they have to gain through deceit? What does anyone have to gain here by lying?"

At least her intelligence and knowledge could serve her where experience could not. For all her shortcomings, she was well-read, an academic at heart. A small choke caught in her throat, the uncomfortable reality of speaking before so many beginning to worm its way into her consciousness.

"When did the New Jedi Order do such a thing? We have learned a critical lesson from our fallen brothers and sisters, those who now lie strewn across Coruscant and Tython. That lesson is simple: we cannot wage a conventional war against the Sith. They outgun us, outnumber us, strategically surround us, and possess the industrial heartlands of the galaxy in the Core. Eventually, through attrition, the people of the Galactic Alliance lost faith in their institutions and rallied behind the populist strongman Torbin, who was merely a plant for the rise of Solipsis and his terrible Dark Side Elite."

A bead of sweat broke across her brow. She could feel the tension of daring to speak to her superior in such a manner. Her former master had been a known quantity. She had grown accustomed to being a little arrogant around him. This, however, made her shy in all the wrong ways.

A small gulp echoed through the chamber as an awkward silence settled over her for a brief moment.

"I... I didn't mean any offense, Knight. But we must learn from our past, as you have said. Your solution was to involve the entire High Republic. To wage a full-scale war. Wouldn't that kill and slaughter even more innocent people? Are we not supposed to escalate such matters only as appropriate to our capabilities? This Vanguard could accomplish what a full-scale war could not. It could save the lives of untold billions and..."

Her stomach suddenly felt light, cutting her off. She quickly composed herself. She knew the next words were not particularly polite, but her arrogance would not allow her to leave them unsaid.

"You haven't won a war against the Sith Order, have you?"

For all the nervousness in her argument and the terrible feeling twisting in her gut, that mixture of ambition and arrogance brought with it a strange sense of relief. It felt good to finally get the words off her chest.

Then the better part of her nature finally won out. A single, tangible word escaped her lips.

"Sorry."​

Tag | Lily Decoria , Everyone Else.

 

[Katherine Holt]

​

Now Katherine would admit, there was a selfish part of her that wished she had just gone back home rather than hanging around Naboo a bit longer. But she knew that was never the right course, and as Cora had mentioned, these kinds of discussions; harsh and rough as they could be, were healthy to have.

For the winged Jedi, it was also good to get all the facts, to observe all the perspectives that were on display before her.

All the same though, she did raise an eyebrow when Lorn suddenly yelled for everyone to be quiet. It was the first time Katherine had even heard the man raise his voice. A mix of anger and frustration, the latter of which was reflected in Zark’s words too.

Katherine said nothing, just remained where she was and closed her eyes.

She listened to what the others said, felt their presence as they either left or stayed. Some didn’t surprise her, others did. This was not an easy conversation to be had, but at the same time it felt like a necessary one. Katherine only hoped it wouldn’t cause a permanent schism.

Before she could speak however, Katherine felt the emotions bubbling within one of those in attendance, one who had remained silent up until now, but the desire to speak; to have their voice heard, was too strong. The redhead’s lips smirked a little, the eagerness to just burst out into conversation reminded of her own Padawan years.

Finally, Katherine opened her eyes once more.

“I know I speak as someone who hasn’t officially been part of the Republic; or the Order, for that long, especially compared to some here. So I’m here as someone who is ‘observing from the outside’ of sorts, taking in all the facts. This is what I’m hearing right now…”

Katherine pushed herself away from the wall she had been leaning against, taking a few steps forwards.

“There are two sides to this, on one hand.” She began, raising her left. “One side feels frustrated that neither the Republic or the Order are doing enough to combat the Sith Order’s advance. That to them, this course of action feels necessary if we’re to stop the Sith before any more atrocities can be committed. Doing so with the intent of still maintaining the Order’s stances on matters, such as redemption." Katherine paused, raising her right hand. “The other side is concerned that going down such a path will quickly become a slippery slope. That while intent might be spoken, it may get lost in the ugliness of war. That any Jedi that take those steps, will lose themselves by the time the smoke clears.”

The winged Jedi let out an exhale, taking a moment to catch her breath. “And that’s not even going into the logical part of it all, as Padawan Blackwood mentioned. The Sith are vast, a war will be on multiple fronts and the conflict will be one of attrition, and not in our favour. We need to approach it on a united front. We need both sides, for better or worse.”

Lorn Reingard | Connel Vanagor | Corazona von Ascania | Sakadi Marathi Sinvala | Rik Perris | Aiden Porte | Colette | Briana Sal-Soren | Zark San Tekka | Lily Decoria | Rik Perris | Feng Huang | Ala Quin | Ilaria Morvayne | Novac Lyrikal | Aveline Cuiléin | William Thule | Renard Fenn | Kaleleon | Lucia Blackwood | Kito​

 

[Zronware Ydrevinyc]

Zronware is not one to speaks much. He’s not planning to start doing so today. The White Wolf is only heeding the call to listen, to decide, never to preach to the choir.

He had been forced to take refuge in Naboo in the past few months due to a bounty a Mandalorian had put on his head for permanently maiming their clan member in an unfortunate altercation. The time he spent within the Temples of Shiraya had given him some impressions, good and less than good, on the order, but to join was the only logical step for him at that time. The call that Lorn Reingard proved that the former Ronin was mistaken in some of his judgments.

"This will not be easy," Lorn warned, his eyes scanning every face in the crowd. "We will not be offering redemption. We will not be saving those who have entrenched themselves in the dark. Every single one of you will be pushed to your absolute limit. Consider the weight of what I am asking before you commit to this crusade."

With those words it seems that all of the thorns and suffering that he’s faced throughout his journey has only ever meant to take him to this righteous call.

He’s been on the road, he’s seen it all. Destructions, corruptions, those are the reality that the Sith brings, the reality thr Dark Side thrives in. The so-called empaths can try to disagree with that, but anyone with clarity in their beliefs in the Light knows that it’s true.

And there are always going to be doubters, and those conspires in the shadows to manipulate those not vigilant enough to take a strong stance. Those are problem his sword is more capable of answering than his mouth.

A small gulp echoed through the chamber as an awkward silence settled over her for a brief moment.

"I... I didn't mean any offense, Knight. But we must learn from our past, as you have said. Your solution was to involve the entire High Republic. To wage a full-scale war. Wouldn't that kill and slaughter even more innocent people? Are we not supposed to escalate such matters only as appropriate to our capabilities? This Vanguard could accomplish what a full-scale war could not. It could save the lives of untold billions and..."

But this one the Witchbreaker feels like he has to address with words.

“Wasn’t the Rebellion built on HOPE? Isn’t this righteous duty that we have sworn to all rooted in the FAITH that the LIGHT is GOOD, and that GOOD will always PREVAIL?”

The White-manned Knight pauses, his eyes travels through the crowd of Jedi as he makes his first stand in the meeting, lingering a second longer in faces he has grown to be familiar with in the Foundation.

“A fight will ever only come out our way if we believe in our full CONVICTION that we are the LIGHT who’s sole purpose is to outshine the DARK and free the world from the creeping shadow.”

He once again paused, his eyes trailed and stopped at the Vanguard of Shiraya.

“Master Lorn Reingard , you have my SWORD, and the CAUSE will have my eternal DEVOTION.”​

Briana Sal-Soren | Lorn Reingard | @Everyone​

​

 

[Novac Lyrikal]

Novac sat there listening to everyone, a pair of hands tapping against his tail. while his head rested on his upper right hand. Some had already left, others joining, while others didn't choice yet.

What was he to do. What would those he knew and respected think? His old master probably would have wanted him to join. but matthew of valendale wouldn't wish for him to. But it was his choice, not theirs.

"...I may not have much experience, I've only ever fought a single sith lord with help from Corazona von Ascania and lead my droids on dromund kaas in a small raid as others attacked their army. I refuse to not offer those who can be and are willing to be redeem redemption. I will fight to protect others and drive back or in some way negatively effect the sith. Theres thing you've said that i don't agree with. But over all I think that this i something needed. I'll gladly put my life on the line to protect life. But know this, my main focus is on the farworld alliance and those in it. This comes second to me. If i disagree or think this is going down the wrongpath, I leafe, no questions asked, no warning."

 

[Aveline Cuiléin]

​

Aveline watched as people left. She wouldn't let it shake her resolve. They made their choice, she made hers. The pathways laid clear before them. She knew what she had to do, there was no other option that could sit right with her conscience. She wouldn't let herself be drawn into a debate that could get heated. Until…

It was difficult to keep her anger from flaring up. The words of Lily Decoria stung, and she felt both misunderstood and misrepresented. Aveline wasn't familiar with this iteration of the Jedi Order, but if they had no faith in each other's judgement, then they were truly lost. They want us to offer redemption, but will only trust their own assessment of who can be redeemed.

Was this a suicide mission? Perhaps. Perhaps that was what was needed to open their eyes. Perhaps the Vanguard would be that lone force that in death inspired the rest to action. There is no death, only the Force, Aveline repeated the calming mantra in her head before she spoke.

"Sit around and do nothing, and this order will burn. You speak of making an army. I would welcome it" love it, in fact. "But I see no signs of it happening. The New Jedi Order were butchered, the Galactic Alliance fell. And Shiraya made peace." Aveline let out a deep, calming sigh. Reign yourself in. Aveline was still at war, but this wasn't the way for her to create allies.

"I will keep fighting. For hope, for the Light. Not to kill, to save. But I will do what I must."

"Be the last line of defence then. If we fall, and I die like you say I will, when the Sith come for Naboo, think better of those who gave their lives for what they believed in."

Aveline couldn't see the future. Whoever was right, she only hoped they would win in the end. They were all on the same side, after all. Aveline promised herself she would stay silent and let others do the talking. She had made her position known. This couldn't be allowed to descend into bickering, and so she waited to hear how those who remained were to proceed.

 

[Colette]

Zark San Tekka Lorn Reingard Lily Decoria @everyone-else

It was the fact that both sides held a measure of righteousness that made the debates equally fascinating as it was frustrating. Colette did not agree with this initiative because she wasn't the type to seek a fight, but for those who needed a purpose that went beyond sitting around and hoping for the best it was without a doubt the light they had needed to set their sights on for a long time when the darkness seemed so overbearing.

Despite all the posturing and opinions, opposite as they were, Colette still gave Lorn and Zark a sympathetic glance each before she let in a deep inhale and stood up again.

"Just stop! At this point there is no point in arguing whether or not this is the right idea. So stop pointing fingers and calling each other names, it's beneath you." Colette raised her voice. "There are enough people here to show that this is something that will happen whether we want it to or not." An empathetic look went towards Lily. She wasn't wrong, but the point of no return had already passed for many of those in attendance. "And as leadership it would be foolish to think we could just stop it from happening. Either we stand as one or this 'crusade' will break off from the Order whether we like it or not, further fracturing the Jedi."

She stepped down from the stairs upon which she had taken a seat.

"The door has been shown to those of us, like me, who will not be part of this crusade. But I lost my first ever Padawan because I couldn't accept that people wanted to fight more than they wanted to sit and talk. Ultimately, I tried to force them to become something they weren't." The quartermaster put her hands on her hips. "In our final, rather explosive gathering as 'master' and padawan she reminded me that we have the Shadows, and I couldn't really justify that when she pointed their purpose out to me."

A beat, nothing more. Colette took another deep breath.

"But that's where this crusade can operate. This crusade can work under the Jedi Shadows." That was the best case scenario she could think of. "The purpose is the same: rooting out and destroying corruption where they can find it."

"All I ask is that you remember who our biggest sponsor is, and the reason this Order is even able to operate at all: The Republic. Without them, this Order's supply chains will fall apart. Just like they did in the Galactic Alliance, and just as they did in the old Republic."

 

[Bastila Sal-Soren]

She had not been here when Shiyara's Rest had been abandoned.

At the time, she had still been on Jakku, her training unfinished and every effort still being made to keep the youngest Sal-Soren away from the weight of her family's legacy. Yet as she stood amongst the gathering, Bastila could not help but appreciate the irony. Perhaps not irony. Something closer to symbolism.

Of all places, it had led them back here and she understood the appeal more than most.

The old halls felt untouched by the rapid expansion of the High Republic. They belonged to another age. An age before the Republic's banners flew over half the galaxy. Before Naboo's influence had stretched so far beyond its own borders. The stones carried none of the confidence of the modern era. Only memory. They felt strangely familiar. Stories told by her Sister. Lessons shared by her Brother. Expectations that were inherited rather than chosen. Shiyara's Rest existed within the Sal-Soren family as much as it did within stone and mortar.

Slowly she moved to Briana's side.

The injuries from the Outbound Fleet still lingered. A slight limp remained despite her efforts to hide it, but she ignored the discomfort as she placed a reassuring hand against her sister's waist. Briana would have felt her presence long before the touch. That was not the point. Sometimes intent mattered more than words.

"They won't stay." The words were quiet enough for Briana alone. "Not all of them."

Her gaze drifted towards the departing Jedi.

"The Alliance broke more than governments. It broke faith. The remnants of the New Jedi Order have found something familiar here. A place that reminds them of what they lost." A sad smile touched her lips. "And asking them to become the vanguard means asking them to leave that behind for a cause they don’t understand."

Her eyes found Lorn amongst the gathering. A small nod passed between student and master. Nothing more. It did not need to be. Returning her attention to Briana, Bastila let out a slow breath.

"I don't entirely agree either." There was no defiance in the admission. Only honesty. "But the Shiyara Order still flows through my veins. Until it doesn't, I stand with my Master." A moment later she nudged Briana gently with her shoulder. "And with my sister." The smile that followed was small but genuine.

Her gaze wandered once more across those who remained. There were fewer than they had hoped yet more than they had feared.

"Maybe that's why we're here." The words came almost as a thought spoken aloud. "Not because everyone will stay. But because enough of us will."

Only then did she look back towards the gathering.

"And Brandyn needs to hear about this from us. Before he hears it from anyone else."

OUTFIT: XoXo | TAG: Lorn Reingard Briana Sal-Soren Brandyn Sal-Soren EQUIPMENT:

​

 

[Ala Quin]

"Quiet!"

The sharp demand for silence struck Ala like a blow to the chest, making her flinch as the cavernous chamber instantly went dead. The sudden absence of noise did not bring her peace. Instead, it unleashed a deafening roar within her own mind. The collective expectant breathing of dozens of Jedi, and Lorn's declarations, faded into a dull, distant blur. All that remained, ringing violently in her ears, were the bitter echoes of their last private argument weeks ago. His voice now sounded exactly as it had then—hard, unyielding, and already miles away from her.

"We could be family, Lorn. But if you do this..."
"I understand."

She waited for a lull. A quiet spot where her small voice would not be drowned out by booming voices that commanded authority with ease. But you didn't need a voice like thunder to be the storm.

The Grandmaster stepped forward. Hand raised to calm and politely request a moment. After all. they were all Jedi. No need to talk over each other.

Once Colette had finished speaking, Ala simply bowed her head in deference to the young woman that was slowly becoming her friend. And then she offered a nod to Lily, understanding the Echani's passion in these matters. And then she looked at Lorn, and offered the same nod of respect. And then to Briana.

"Briana Sal-Soren. You were the first to lead this Order. And it was the single greatest honour of my life to be granted the responsibility to continue what you began. The authority I exercise in this moment is only mine because you trusted me. And I trust your wisdom in seeing that I was the right person for this time."

She turned back to Lorn.

"By your own lips you acknowledge these actions are unsanctioned by the Council. If you hold the voice of the council in so low regard, then your seat is forfeit. I accept this as your resignation."

She did not flinch, holding his eyes, avoiding the fresh heartache this would entail. Only when she chose to do so, did she look at those arrayed with the man she still loved in spite of this second abandonment.

"And here me this day, Jedi. Friends. Should you choose this path, and the Council deem you to not exhibit the mercy, wisdom and levelheadedness that is excepted of a Jedi. Should any of you transgress..."

She looked at Briana...then her eyes swept across those aligning with Lorn, before finally resting on him again. Her jaw clenched. Heart threatening to race, but she kept it in control.

"...I will arrest you myself."

She paused to let the words settle.

"We have plenty of cells with big walls where you can record each day you spend there...for the rest of your lives."

And then, Ala smiled. A sharp, tragic show of resolute optimism in the face of what was likely her greatest failure, and all she would be known for as so-called leader of the Jedi Order.

"That is all." And she turned on her heels, and began to walk towards the door.

Lorn Reingard Briana Sal-Soren Colette Lily Decoria Aveline Cuiléin Novac Lyrikal Connel Vanagor Corazona von Ascania Rik Perris Lucia Blackwood Sakadi Marathi Sinvala Kito Aiden Porte Zark San Tekka Katherine Holt William Thule Kaleleon Renard Fenn Sera Rosh Ilaria Morvayne Feng Huang Zronware Ydrevinyc

This is does not need to be an exit, but for all intents and purposes...it is.​

 

[Brandyn Sal-Soren]

Tag: Lorn Reingard Briana Sal-Soren Colette Lily Decoria Aveline Cuiléin Novac Lyrikal Connel Vanagor Corazona von Ascania Rik Perris Lucia Blackwood Sakadi Marathi Sinvala Kito Aiden Porte Zark San Tekka Katherine Holt William Thule Kaleleon Renard Fenn Sera Rosh Ilaria Morvayne Feng Huang Zronware Ydrevinyc
Attire: Link​

He was a ghost. The Jedi had trained him to be. They had taken an idealistic Padawan and put him deep undercover with a group that sort their death. And then they had made him the Master of Shadows on the Council.

It was in the latter role that he had stood against Briana when she had sought to begin her crusade. And Lorn had stood with him. Clearly, Lorn's heart on the matter had changed.

The shroud hiding his presence in the Force dropped, and he stepped into the circle. With a a sweep of his hand, Brandyn dropped the hood from off of his head. The dim yellow of his prosthetic eye now held the appearance more of infection than illumination.

His gaze fell on Lorn for a time, but then settled on his sisters across the room.

"It is clear to me now...that we cannot rest safely in the Republic. Proactive is the only approach."

His head dipped in a half-nod of approval towards his sisters.

"The crusade is justified..."

As is mine.