Character
Cold permeated the young man's very being. He wore a large coat, heavy and well insulated, but it didn’t matter. With every gust of wind on the planetary oblast the cold cut through the jacket and sapped heat from his body. He walked on foot, no riding beast able to survive the journey and no ship being able to fly through the torrent of wind and ice that was a constant presence on the planet.
Lifting the little lamp up into the air he glanced through the falling snow and could see the ruins ahead. A smile crept over his face cracking his lips a little. Ice clung to his face as he stepped forward. Snowshoes helped, distributing his weight and allowing him to walk over the snow rather than sink into it. Still it was slow going and took him nearly an entire day to reach the destination.
The ruins were built into the side of a mountain, its sheer cliff faces covered by layers of ice, where the snow melt in the sun and then froze in the night. Through the semi translucent layers of ice Jaeson could see the temple ruins. In times past they had been built into a large cave. Jae looked at the structure again. Cave might not have been the best word for it, not in a traditional sense. Instead there was a great slab of rock that created a roof for a more alcove like structure in which the temple had been carved into. Of course he could barely make out those details through the curtain wall of ice, water having cascaded over the edge of the opening and over years froze in place.
A lightsaber solved his problem in a hurry, the violet blade cutting through the sheet of ice melting it to water and shooting up gouts of steam which froze nearly as quickly as it evaporated clinging to his face and clothing. The hole he made was large enough for himself, and sealing even as he stepped through. In a matter of hours he predicted it might once again be filled in, surely by the time he wanted to make his exit.
Cracking a few lumination sticks and scattering them around he looked about the cavern. The architecture was something different, reminiscent of ancient Sith construction but also unique in its use of curved angles and lack of straight lines. An interesting blend of cultures that Jaeson would have to examine in more depth at some point, for now however he was on a mission.
Hours passed as Jae illuminated the structure and examined the various walls and murals. There was a story told in picture matched with hieroglyphic writing that he translated. The last expedition to this planet had found other such ruins but not this one and was able to piece together parts of the writing system used. Derivative of ancient Sith Jaeson had a more instinctual knowledge of the language than most and with the notes of those who came before him was able to translate much of the various text on the wall. A god had walked these grounds, dominating local chiefs with their spectacular abilities. Almost immediately Jaeson recognized the image of a Sith lording over various subjects.
As he read across the scrolling wall he finally found it.Only the true light of the masters chosen acolytes could open the portal, or something like that was written on the wall. He looked at the pictogram depicting the light emanating from the Sith’s lightsaber and opening a vault. Wiping at the permafrost with his hand and clearing the stone he was met with a mirror like surface. A smile crossed his face as he raised his saber up and ignited it in front of the mirrored surface, its light reflecting for a moment causing a purple glow to illuminate the whole of the cave.
Nothing happened. Jae stopped for a moment his brow furrowed and thought. Sitting down he deposited his pack on the ground and began to rummage through it. A piece of blood red stained glass found its way into his hand and he placed it in front of the mirror like surface. Again he lit his saber its glow now casting in part red off the mirror surface.
Ancient mechanisms creaked as a stone wall moved seemingly without the use of advanced technologies as scans showed no power source or energy readings of any kind. Yet as the wall opened before it it was seamless without gears or levers visible. An ancient sort of construct.
Met with the next challenge Jaeson stepped through the portal, an opening in the wall that led through a long dark tunnel. At first the opening was large able to fit four Jaesons across and room enough above his head for him to keep his lightsaber ignited as a lightsource. The tunnel however turned to funnel and seen he found himself cramped using an illumination rod for fear of peircing rock with his saber and collapsing his structure. The darkness became preternatural as he began to squeeze through the tunnel with his light having less and less meaning.
Nearly blind he continued to stumble about until he realized that he was going down, an ever increasing slope leading into the abyss. His feet began to slide on the sheer rock and ice of the cavern floor and he began to descend, losing traction and slipping onto his hind parts before beginning a slide down the tubular formation.
Jaeson fell, a single misstep causing him to slide down a tube built like a slide. In other circumstances it might have been fun and yet without vision he found himself in a poor sort. A light at the end of the tunnel nearly blinded him as he approached the end of the line flying from the tube and falling into lush green vegetation.
In his heavy coat he was suddenly sweating, the ice that had been frozen to his face melting leaving his body soaked with water. Unlike the hostile ice planet above the cave was something different. It was an artificial ecosystem with plants, some of which now thought extinct, from all across the galaxy festooning the massive terrarium like structure. Animals could be heard calling to one another, screaming at his presence, and roaring in hunt. With wonder he stared as he began to discard layers of clothing. A geyser, the source of heat and fresh water no doubt for this ecosystem, erupted nearby further drenching him a fine warm mist. It was refreshing to feel such warmth after the frigid cold above.
At first the youth couldn’t tell where the light came from, he was in a cave after all, but then he saw it. Crystals along the cave’s ceiling, Sun Crystals to be exact, littered the ceiling amplifying and reflecting bio luminescence, and other natural light sources into a clear afternoon.
Jaeson stared for a moment before coming to his senses. The light from the sun crystals could blind, and even if it wasn’t that intense the effects of viewing the light on most species of the galaxy was addiction.
As Jaeson entered deeper into the artificial jungle the heat increased and he sacrificed yet more articles of clothing to the jungle floor. The heat was becoming oppressive, perhaps in opposite degrees worse than the cold of the planet above. There was symbolism here although in his sweating state Jaeson was unable to think, the addictive light tingling at his senses, the heat and humidity and scent of strange plants robbing his senses. Still he knew what he was looking for and soon saw the temple.
With reserve of strength he approached the stone structure. It looked simple compared to the elaborate temple above and yet covered in the abundant plant life that hung to it in patterns maintained by incredible foresight or some near magical means left him breathless. Of course that could have once again been the various plants, lights, and other conditions meant to rob him of sense.
Through the door he went. The structure at the center of the gigantic grotto which seemed to lack illumination. Only light that reflected inside seemed to light the dim corridors. Beams of light were formed from the floating dust and Jaeson did his best to avoid standing in the direct light fearful of some photosensitive based traps.
At the center of the temple he had found his goal, a pedestal which sat a book, the book of the first master, if lore was correct. A book containing knowledge the Sith who had created this place, who had been worshiped as a god, had left to be passed down to a worthy disciple. Jaeson knew he wasn’t worthy, and hesitated for a moment as he saw a slew of skeletons strewn around. Other unworthy candidates no doubt.
The book was inside of a large stone container, it’s hinges enhanced by some sort of spring mechanism which pushed against Jae as he lifted up the container. He could see the tome preserved through time in the stone chest. Still he couldn’t reach it. If he reached out with one hand the pressure from the springs increased and pulled the lid back down threatening to close upon him. In a moment of panic he examined the situation carefully. Could the force of the container closing have been enough to have somehow killed those who came before him? It was possible but it didn’t seem that likely.
The obvious answer was he had to use the force, telekinetically grab and pull the tome away. He was no Sith and even less so a Jedi, and besides a quick inspection seemed to indicate the book was tied down, anchored to the stone. Examining the container again he noticed it for the first time. Mechanism that would relieve pressure on the spring if the door was lifted high enough.. It couldn’t be that simple. Jaeson lifted the lid to near high enough before noticing a beam of light that he’d have to cross in order to fully open the container.
His body tensed as he prepared for a trap, his head on a swivel looking every which way prepared to dodge poison darts or other such nonsense that he had come to experience in places like this. He lifted the lid…. And nothing. To his right, left, and back there was no projectiles striking at him, no floor collapsing. He turned to look at the tome prepared to take it from its resting place when it hit him.
A kaleidoscope of light reflected out from the tome, soothing colors numbing his mind made susceptible from previous exposure. It was euphoric, it was calming, it was hypnotic. Jaeson started his face growing vacant, his mind empty and his arms held over his head keeping the lid up.
There was however still conscious thought in him, a shred of himself left outside of the visual pollution spell. Jae snapped his eyes shut, the colors still reflected in the retina. He dove into the chest, his upper body nearly entirely inside the device and began to blindly feel at the tome. There was a simple knot holding it down, although simple may not have been the best word for it. Fumbling he pulled at the various strands his hands following the line to get a better picture. It was almost untied when he heard the clicking sound, a mechanical countdown to the box closing, springs and levers no doubt severing his body in half if he failed to retract himself in time.
The ticking became more rapid as he worked the last strand untying as the sound of a lever tripping was heard. He pulled back with all the speed he could muster the lid slamming just as the book pulled out. Or his part Jaeson fell backward onto the ground opening his eyes to look at his prize. The Book of the First Master of the temple. A smile crossed his face. He would rest here, giving his eyes a break from the narcotic light source before venturing back to the surface.
University of Rudrig
Planet Rudrig, Tion Cluster, Sith Empire
Jaeson was sleeping in class. He had only just arrived back at the school when he was told he had to attend class, his grace period for his expedition was over. This point was made to him in no uncertain terms by the instructor who sat across from him now.
“And despite your patron we’ve been far to lax, far too lenient with your little field trips. We are an institute of higher learning, not some daycare organization designed to cater to your adventurer fantasies.”
Jae for his part didn’t move from his spot bur endured it. It was true enough, his unique position and patronage had gotten him a lot of leeway in his extracurricular activities. Indeed he was away more than he was in class normally handing assignments in via holonet. Still he also knew the money he brought to the school with his ‘field trips’ as the professor called them. He was paying for his education with way more than just tuition.
“Are you even listening to me Mr. Starchaser?” The man was about to go into a long speech about the importance of education before field work, a speech Jaeson had heard many times before, when a newcomer walked into the room.
“Jaeson Starchaser?” the young woman, a student no doubt, was pretty enough. She had a fair complexion for a Zeltron and reminded him of… well that wasn’t important. “There is a VIP here to see you.”
Jae’s smile grew ever wider as he looked back at the professor. Another special case, he thought to himself. “I’m sorry professor but I really have to attend to the universities affairs.”
[member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]
Lifting the little lamp up into the air he glanced through the falling snow and could see the ruins ahead. A smile crept over his face cracking his lips a little. Ice clung to his face as he stepped forward. Snowshoes helped, distributing his weight and allowing him to walk over the snow rather than sink into it. Still it was slow going and took him nearly an entire day to reach the destination.
The ruins were built into the side of a mountain, its sheer cliff faces covered by layers of ice, where the snow melt in the sun and then froze in the night. Through the semi translucent layers of ice Jaeson could see the temple ruins. In times past they had been built into a large cave. Jae looked at the structure again. Cave might not have been the best word for it, not in a traditional sense. Instead there was a great slab of rock that created a roof for a more alcove like structure in which the temple had been carved into. Of course he could barely make out those details through the curtain wall of ice, water having cascaded over the edge of the opening and over years froze in place.
A lightsaber solved his problem in a hurry, the violet blade cutting through the sheet of ice melting it to water and shooting up gouts of steam which froze nearly as quickly as it evaporated clinging to his face and clothing. The hole he made was large enough for himself, and sealing even as he stepped through. In a matter of hours he predicted it might once again be filled in, surely by the time he wanted to make his exit.
Cracking a few lumination sticks and scattering them around he looked about the cavern. The architecture was something different, reminiscent of ancient Sith construction but also unique in its use of curved angles and lack of straight lines. An interesting blend of cultures that Jaeson would have to examine in more depth at some point, for now however he was on a mission.
Hours passed as Jae illuminated the structure and examined the various walls and murals. There was a story told in picture matched with hieroglyphic writing that he translated. The last expedition to this planet had found other such ruins but not this one and was able to piece together parts of the writing system used. Derivative of ancient Sith Jaeson had a more instinctual knowledge of the language than most and with the notes of those who came before him was able to translate much of the various text on the wall. A god had walked these grounds, dominating local chiefs with their spectacular abilities. Almost immediately Jaeson recognized the image of a Sith lording over various subjects.
As he read across the scrolling wall he finally found it.Only the true light of the masters chosen acolytes could open the portal, or something like that was written on the wall. He looked at the pictogram depicting the light emanating from the Sith’s lightsaber and opening a vault. Wiping at the permafrost with his hand and clearing the stone he was met with a mirror like surface. A smile crossed his face as he raised his saber up and ignited it in front of the mirrored surface, its light reflecting for a moment causing a purple glow to illuminate the whole of the cave.
Nothing happened. Jae stopped for a moment his brow furrowed and thought. Sitting down he deposited his pack on the ground and began to rummage through it. A piece of blood red stained glass found its way into his hand and he placed it in front of the mirror like surface. Again he lit his saber its glow now casting in part red off the mirror surface.
Ancient mechanisms creaked as a stone wall moved seemingly without the use of advanced technologies as scans showed no power source or energy readings of any kind. Yet as the wall opened before it it was seamless without gears or levers visible. An ancient sort of construct.
Met with the next challenge Jaeson stepped through the portal, an opening in the wall that led through a long dark tunnel. At first the opening was large able to fit four Jaesons across and room enough above his head for him to keep his lightsaber ignited as a lightsource. The tunnel however turned to funnel and seen he found himself cramped using an illumination rod for fear of peircing rock with his saber and collapsing his structure. The darkness became preternatural as he began to squeeze through the tunnel with his light having less and less meaning.
Nearly blind he continued to stumble about until he realized that he was going down, an ever increasing slope leading into the abyss. His feet began to slide on the sheer rock and ice of the cavern floor and he began to descend, losing traction and slipping onto his hind parts before beginning a slide down the tubular formation.
Jaeson fell, a single misstep causing him to slide down a tube built like a slide. In other circumstances it might have been fun and yet without vision he found himself in a poor sort. A light at the end of the tunnel nearly blinded him as he approached the end of the line flying from the tube and falling into lush green vegetation.
In his heavy coat he was suddenly sweating, the ice that had been frozen to his face melting leaving his body soaked with water. Unlike the hostile ice planet above the cave was something different. It was an artificial ecosystem with plants, some of which now thought extinct, from all across the galaxy festooning the massive terrarium like structure. Animals could be heard calling to one another, screaming at his presence, and roaring in hunt. With wonder he stared as he began to discard layers of clothing. A geyser, the source of heat and fresh water no doubt for this ecosystem, erupted nearby further drenching him a fine warm mist. It was refreshing to feel such warmth after the frigid cold above.
At first the youth couldn’t tell where the light came from, he was in a cave after all, but then he saw it. Crystals along the cave’s ceiling, Sun Crystals to be exact, littered the ceiling amplifying and reflecting bio luminescence, and other natural light sources into a clear afternoon.
Jaeson stared for a moment before coming to his senses. The light from the sun crystals could blind, and even if it wasn’t that intense the effects of viewing the light on most species of the galaxy was addiction.
As Jaeson entered deeper into the artificial jungle the heat increased and he sacrificed yet more articles of clothing to the jungle floor. The heat was becoming oppressive, perhaps in opposite degrees worse than the cold of the planet above. There was symbolism here although in his sweating state Jaeson was unable to think, the addictive light tingling at his senses, the heat and humidity and scent of strange plants robbing his senses. Still he knew what he was looking for and soon saw the temple.
With reserve of strength he approached the stone structure. It looked simple compared to the elaborate temple above and yet covered in the abundant plant life that hung to it in patterns maintained by incredible foresight or some near magical means left him breathless. Of course that could have once again been the various plants, lights, and other conditions meant to rob him of sense.
Through the door he went. The structure at the center of the gigantic grotto which seemed to lack illumination. Only light that reflected inside seemed to light the dim corridors. Beams of light were formed from the floating dust and Jaeson did his best to avoid standing in the direct light fearful of some photosensitive based traps.
At the center of the temple he had found his goal, a pedestal which sat a book, the book of the first master, if lore was correct. A book containing knowledge the Sith who had created this place, who had been worshiped as a god, had left to be passed down to a worthy disciple. Jaeson knew he wasn’t worthy, and hesitated for a moment as he saw a slew of skeletons strewn around. Other unworthy candidates no doubt.
The book was inside of a large stone container, it’s hinges enhanced by some sort of spring mechanism which pushed against Jae as he lifted up the container. He could see the tome preserved through time in the stone chest. Still he couldn’t reach it. If he reached out with one hand the pressure from the springs increased and pulled the lid back down threatening to close upon him. In a moment of panic he examined the situation carefully. Could the force of the container closing have been enough to have somehow killed those who came before him? It was possible but it didn’t seem that likely.
The obvious answer was he had to use the force, telekinetically grab and pull the tome away. He was no Sith and even less so a Jedi, and besides a quick inspection seemed to indicate the book was tied down, anchored to the stone. Examining the container again he noticed it for the first time. Mechanism that would relieve pressure on the spring if the door was lifted high enough.. It couldn’t be that simple. Jaeson lifted the lid to near high enough before noticing a beam of light that he’d have to cross in order to fully open the container.
His body tensed as he prepared for a trap, his head on a swivel looking every which way prepared to dodge poison darts or other such nonsense that he had come to experience in places like this. He lifted the lid…. And nothing. To his right, left, and back there was no projectiles striking at him, no floor collapsing. He turned to look at the tome prepared to take it from its resting place when it hit him.
A kaleidoscope of light reflected out from the tome, soothing colors numbing his mind made susceptible from previous exposure. It was euphoric, it was calming, it was hypnotic. Jaeson started his face growing vacant, his mind empty and his arms held over his head keeping the lid up.
There was however still conscious thought in him, a shred of himself left outside of the visual pollution spell. Jae snapped his eyes shut, the colors still reflected in the retina. He dove into the chest, his upper body nearly entirely inside the device and began to blindly feel at the tome. There was a simple knot holding it down, although simple may not have been the best word for it. Fumbling he pulled at the various strands his hands following the line to get a better picture. It was almost untied when he heard the clicking sound, a mechanical countdown to the box closing, springs and levers no doubt severing his body in half if he failed to retract himself in time.
The ticking became more rapid as he worked the last strand untying as the sound of a lever tripping was heard. He pulled back with all the speed he could muster the lid slamming just as the book pulled out. Or his part Jaeson fell backward onto the ground opening his eyes to look at his prize. The Book of the First Master of the temple. A smile crossed his face. He would rest here, giving his eyes a break from the narcotic light source before venturing back to the surface.
University of Rudrig
Planet Rudrig, Tion Cluster, Sith Empire
Jaeson was sleeping in class. He had only just arrived back at the school when he was told he had to attend class, his grace period for his expedition was over. This point was made to him in no uncertain terms by the instructor who sat across from him now.
“And despite your patron we’ve been far to lax, far too lenient with your little field trips. We are an institute of higher learning, not some daycare organization designed to cater to your adventurer fantasies.”
Jae for his part didn’t move from his spot bur endured it. It was true enough, his unique position and patronage had gotten him a lot of leeway in his extracurricular activities. Indeed he was away more than he was in class normally handing assignments in via holonet. Still he also knew the money he brought to the school with his ‘field trips’ as the professor called them. He was paying for his education with way more than just tuition.
“Are you even listening to me Mr. Starchaser?” The man was about to go into a long speech about the importance of education before field work, a speech Jaeson had heard many times before, when a newcomer walked into the room.
“Jaeson Starchaser?” the young woman, a student no doubt, was pretty enough. She had a fair complexion for a Zeltron and reminded him of… well that wasn’t important. “There is a VIP here to see you.”
Jae’s smile grew ever wider as he looked back at the professor. Another special case, he thought to himself. “I’m sorry professor but I really have to attend to the universities affairs.”
[member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]