2.0 - Lure of the Lost

Csillag - since we're in narrative time, we'll assume you can get to the point to succeed without risking Conflict. Dagger is healed 3 to 2 wounds and is conscious again, but not in great shape. Urik heals 5 wounds per stim rules.

Is anyone going to help Heyop push his rock uphill? There's not a lot more, narratively, to close out.

(OoC: I'm fine either way, it's more for personal reasons because of his past than something that will progress the story.)

In due course, Kaveri and Heyop are able to push the fury of the dark side out of the den mother. She is still a wild animal, but no longer twisted by the dark side and the negative emotions from some time ago. As you finish up, another small group of icewolves enter the cavern, but they are tranquil and mill about uncertainly. Moments later, the den mother's breath stills as she enters, what appears to be a very deep sleep. Moments later, she exhales her last breath and the remaining members of her pack howl mournfully as the oppressive aura within the cave begins to lift. The crystals in the wall flare to a bright incandescence, and when you are all able to clear your vision -- the pack is gone and you sense that the dark side presence within the cave has been cleansed, at least for now.

Gathering up the barely conscious Dagger and the wounded Urik -- along with the holocron -- you make your way back to the temple. The going is arduous, but mostly because you've been through a lot -- and you're still processing things. You definitely feel that you've helped fulfill the will of the Force in the cave.

In time, you arrive back at the temple -- and the Curator greets you at the door with great enthusiasm, "Excellent! Welcome back! Let us get my colleague's holocron back into place!" He leads the way into the holocron chamber in the temple and Heyop, the one who carries the holocron slips it into his dedicated housing.

A soft click sounds as the holocon slides snugly into place. A moment later, you notice the humming of generators coming online as long-dormant systems activate. The fierce-looking gatekeeper you saw in the caves manifests beside the Curator, but this time a wide smile replaces the aharsh expression you saw initially. "My thanks to you. It is good to be within the Dawn Temple once more, and to return to the charge I was forced to leave unguarded. My duties must be resumed, and it is thanks to you that this is possible. Without the third gatekeeper, my knowledge remains limited, but I will teach you what I know, if you wish it."

Her expression turns somewhat stern again, though the smile remains. "My lessons are not for the weak of body, mind or spirit. I do not think that is a concern for you, but even a Warden such as myself cannot protect you from your own failings. Be sure to make yourselves ready for the challenges to come. The last gatekeeper must be restored."

With Heyop's statement, the Curator and the Warden apologize and encourage you all to seek your rooms and recover for as long as you need. And, indeed, the march of time heals you all; especially when coupled with Csillag's help and medkit and a bit of mothering from Hethan Romund. As you all start to mill about some more, the Warden and Curator manifest and inform you of some doors at the back of the Great Hall which are now open, thanks to the Warden being restored to her place.

These permit access to a sub-level of the Dawn Temple and to a security center. From here, you're able to access security cameras around the temple and see what's afoot -- although with just the five of you in residence, it doesn't make for particularly gripping entertainment. The Warden does note that several systems appear to have been sabotaged due some tampering on the main level -- and she's happy to point out systems within the security system that could use some repair, if there was someone inclined to assist.

Hethan sallies forth from time to time from the Dawn Temple to the nearby settlements and city, conducting research -- acquiring supplies and generally getting the lay of the land. It seems she has something interesting bubbling, but she holds the details close to her chest when pressed, saying only "I need to make sure that I have a couple more sources that lock this down before I share it."

In time, the Warden reveals that she is quite happy to train each of you combat skills should you choose to do so. One day, she manifests when several of you are in the Great Hall and says, "Heyop -- I sense that you have rested enough. If you'd be willing, please get your lightsaber and show me some of the forms that you know."

The Warden pauses, in appraisal. "Hmm -- I can see that you have a quickness about you. I think the Ataru form would be most suited to the way you move and are built. But what's this about not having a lightsaber? Surely all padawans still receive a saber from the Temple that recruited them before going out into the world? Have you lost it? A lightsaber is your life, you must care for it and ensure you don't lose it. Can you not requisition another one?"

The Warden pauses, taking this all in. "Oh. I see." A moment later, the Curator manifests before you -- next to the Warden.

"The Warden has mentioned that you have a supply issue," he begins.

"And, I can teach you to build a lightsaber," the Warden adds.

"But while there are many of the requisite components here in the temple -- enough to help you build the physical hilt for a lightsaber -- we do not have any lightsaber crystals," the Curator finishes.

The Warden paces slightly, "If you can find crystals -- I can instruct each of you to build a lightsaber for yourself -- and instruct you in the usage of the weapon that marks you as a jedi. It is an ancient weapon -- much more elegant than those blasters you carry -- and given proper training I can help you leverage your strengths with the weapon." She points at Heyop, "Your agility." And then to Urik, "Your strength." Lastly to Csillag, "Your intelligence."