FaD Beginner Game: Mountaintop Rescue

It is a dark time in the galaxy. The JEDI ORDER has been destroyed and knowledge of the FORCE is all but lost. Only a handful of people sensitive to the Force remain, scattered across the stars, ignorant of their destiny. Humble scholar Hethan Romund has preserved a fragment of the heritage of the Jedi. Traveling the galaxy, Romund stumbled across a number of people still strong in the Force and offered them what wisdom she could. Now, Romund has been captured by MALEFAX, a servant of the dark side of the Force. Compelled by Malefax to lead him to a lost temple rich in ancient knowledge, Romund has sent a signal to several of the Force-sensitive allies she has made over the course other career.
Drawn together to rescue their mentor, these Force- sensitives now climb the snow-clad slopes of MOUNT TELLEC on the Outer Rim planet Spintir..

You stand at the bottom of a steep stone rise clad in snow and ice. It’s not especially tall, but you will need to brave the elements and exert yourself to reach the top. The path continues upward in a tight switchback exposed to the howling winds. To your left, several tall evergreen trees brush against the cliff face, where smaller trees cling to cracks in the rock. A more direct route would be to scramble straight up the rocks and ice to the valley above. In any event, you have to go up if you’re going to rescue Romund. What do you do?

Dao surveys the slope and his options; the wind-blown path, the game trail Tarast seems to have found, the bare rocks, the tall evergreens... He meditates quietly for just a moment, allowing the environment to speak to him. Then when he opens his eyes he finds he is looking up into thick boughs of the evergreens, and a small satisfied smile comes over his face. His path set, he moves to leap up into the trees.

With the ease of one who has lived all his young life finding moments to sneak away from his studies to climb trees not unlike these, Dao Jodh effortlessly scales the nearest evergreen, finding the thickest boughs to support his weight. Once he finds himself a few meters off the ground, he swiftly pushes off the tree and seems to almost glide to the next one a short ways up the slope.

Onwards and upwards he goes, keeping pace with the Kel Dor below him. He gives a shout to his new friends, "Come, Romund is not far now. Stay vigilant, who knows what we will find!" His voice carries caution, but also obvious excitement from being on a new adventure!

Pon Edestus looks up the cliff. Flexing his muscles and giving his cybernetic arm a few extra pumps. He grins looking back up the foreboding cliff side. "Just what I needed after being cramped in that ship a warm up!" He looks to his companions, "Last one up buys the drinks!" He begins his ascent up the cliff climbing up the rocks.

Dao speaks between leaps as he continues tree-jumping.

"Physical competition- *hurgh!* and metaphysical philosophizing- *umph!* Are each essential in their own way. *Hah!* Learning to bring each of those parts of our psyche into balance- *hup!* is one step on the path to true enlightenment. *Yeagh!*"

Somehow even through his physical exertions, Dao still seems to lace his words with a hint of well-intentioned superiority.

Pon easily climbs up and beats you all to the top.

Dao reaches the summit behind Pon, winded but none the worse for wear. He calms himself and takes a few meditative breaths to find his center again.

"If I had known it was a race I might not have chosen the path I did. Nonetheless, I admit your climbing prowess has bested me, this time. Well done, Pon!"

"Nothing like a good climb to limber up." said Pon. Turning to his companions with a grin, "You gave me a run for my money there Dao. That was fun guys!" Looking onward to the path ahead, "Sooo, guess we should get moving before it gets too cold out here. I figure an old abandoned temple should at least take us out of this stinging wind."

Having reached the top of the steep climb, you pause a moment to take in the view. You are now quite high up the slopes of the mountain, and spread out before you is a tapestry of icy peaks, snow-clad forests, and rolling hills. Above you still is the forbidding summit of Mount Tellec, reachable only by passing through a densely wooded valley. You figure it is at least another hour of hard going before you reach the temple where Malefax, hopefully, is holding your mentor, Romund. But before you can resume your hike, a flickering, ghostly figure appears before you! He appears to be an older Cerean make wearing simple robes, but comprised entirely of silvery-blue light. says the figure. Picture of Gatekeeper - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-iv_NibNV6fa2NGcmc1LTZFQVU/view?usp=sharing

Map of Spintir - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B-iv_NibNV6fZUE5c1BCZURSWGM/view?usp=sharing

Pon remains quiet, letting Dao handle the talking, looking on with curiosity at the ghostly figure. "Is that a live person or a recording? Did some of the old jedi order survive?" He thinks to himself. He refrains from asking, as if the mere sound of his voice might cause the light to vanish. His inquisitive expression betraying the many questions rolling through his mind. He cast a quick glance at Tarast Voon, wondering if he might know.