In-Character Thread - Chapter 1, Vur Tepe

"Observing the world around them, they saw two moons in the one sky—light Ashla and dark Bogan—and they understood the dual aspects to the Force, light and dark. The light defined the dark as the dark did the light. When balance was not maintained, Tython reacted to the imbalance with severe storms and quakes. And so the Travelers defined themselves, ever seeking a balance. They became the Je'daii, a Dai Bendu term meaning "mystic center." Only through the harmony of balance could the Je'daii maintain a peaceful world."

- Dandsu Fahri, Je'daii Master 6,590 Tho Yor Arrival (TYA)

Temple Mistress Yen Faen stands before a dozen new Journeyer arrivals, rigid with dignity, evaluating each silently. The auburn fur framing her chestnut face is pulled behind her head and plaited into a long braid that hangs down almost to her knees.

The receiving room is high above the fumaroles of Tythos Ridge and the industrial workings of the factory-temple, but there is still the faint smell of sulfur and the deep thrum of distant manufacturing processes permeating the room.

Her voice is light but cutting, "Welcome, Learners, to Vur Tepe. The Forge.

You will each have your own reasons for why you chose Us as your first step on your Great Journey. Perhaps you are genuinely interested in metallurgy and the fabrication of the tools which shape our world? Perhaps you thought it would be the most difficult of Journeys and you wanted to take it on while still fresh, with a learner’s ready mind? Or perhaps you had just heard of our lovely scenery, and weather?"

She smirks mildly, looking out of the floor-to-ceiling window behind them. Boiling clouds and jagged peaks frame a grey sky, and flowing molten basins stretch to the horizon.

"Whatever the reason, destiny has brought you here, now. Now you are a white-hot bar among many in the flame of the Forge, ready to be shaped. Soon you will be a hammer among many on the belt of the Je'daii Order, ready to shape the world. And even as we are many, we are all one in the Force. The anvil. We are each a crucial part of the Forge, and the Je’daii Order, and the Force. And now you are one with all of those in Our ranks who toil and prosper here. The beating heart of the Force.

We welcome you."

The cathar mistress goes on with the orientation to talk about the workings of Vur Tepe, "Whatever Anil Kesh can imagine Vur Tepe can make real.", she states matter of factly. Within its walls the Je’daii craft a wide range of goods, from the very practical to the very technical. From holo-tech to spacecraft. She talks of the Temple itself, describing its structure and layout and accommodations. She ends her speech by describing the expectations of Journeyers. Most days, she explains, will be characterized by three hours of lecture and study and practicals, with the rest of the day being dedicated to clerical tasks, labor, or other Temple responsibilities. This leaves a handful of hours in the day for personal projects – many use this free time at Vur Tepe to construct their blade – or for leisure, or whatever the Journeyer elects to do with it.

"Now… before you are shown to your rooms, and given a moment to settle in, what questions do you have for me?", she looks expectantly across the faces assembled before her.

The cathar nods to the ithorian, "There are holo-terminals to be found at junctures throughout the Temple, there is a public level of access that you can use to navigate the facility. There are also many droids and personnel in clerical roles that should be able to help you, as well. Any actual tour will have to be self-guided, I'm afraid.

There is no curfew. You are expected to attend your allotted courses, and perform your assigned Temple duties, and to do so in at least a satisfactory level of proficiency. Anything beyond that is your business. You are Journeyers now. The course of your Journey is yours to plot."

She quirks an eyebrow at his next question, smoothing the front of her tabard, "Ehm... well, as with all aspiring Je'daii, you are expected to strive to embody the tenants of the Je'daii Code. The societal laws of the Je'daii Order apply here in Vur Tepe just as they do at any other city or Temple on Tython. As a Journeyer, you will find the types of contraband which are restricted and forbidden across the rest of the Settled Worlds are just as restricted for you here. Rangers and Masters have a greater latitude in this regard, of course. For certain pieces of armor, weapons and other equipment, you may be able to obtain permit through normal channels. If you need a refresher, I'm certain our Solicitors can provide you with a copy of the Codex? ... What is your name Journeyer?"

The gammorrean looks to her side and grunts, then reaches up to tap her sternum while uttering a few syllables in her native tongue. Depra thinks she said, "A second skin...", but she quickly snaps back to attention as the cathar Master Je'daii begins pacing their way.

The cathar's face softens, "Journeyer Artes. You are the beating heart of the Force, the fear in you is nothing more than blood. Let it wash through you, and you will find you still remain. Remember that, always.", she looks across all the faces of the room, clearly meaning that for everyone. Returning her gaze to the ithorian, "I asked your name, not as a rebuke, but because of your apparent eagerness. You ask when we begin? See Master Genlah on your way out after this. It just so happens we have an immediate assignment that needs filling.", she motions to a graying Je'daii human, male with a long and bushy full beard.

...

Mistress Faen looks to the trandoshan and smiles a thin smile that does not reach her eyes, "Well, I guess that depends on where your talents lie and if you posses the ingenuity to apply them. If you craft your blade while you are here - as most Journeyers do - you will certainly use the Force, to waken mere steel ore to the very fabric that unites and animates the universe.", she squints at him appraisingly, and you get the feeling she is probing with more than her eyes. "Perhaps you too will serve Vur Tepe well on our newest... task. See Master Genlah after orientation, Journeyer."

...

She pauses for a few moments, pacing before the gathering, "If there is nothing else, everyone please follow Rangers Lissu and Palek to your chambers.", she motions to two - possibly twin - twi'leks, "With the exceptions of our two chosen Journeyers, of course.", she smiles to the trandoshan and ithorian.

Mistress Faen nods a slow nod in recognition of Depra's offer, a thin satisfied smile creasing her lips, almost as if she was anticipating such a gesture.

Master Genlah's hand goes up above the heads of the Journeyers filing out of the room, beckoning to the three chosen.

The graying human Master has tanned and weathered skin, though he has many wrinkles the fullness of his skin gives you the impression they are more from exposure than age. He is wearing close-fitting and durable clothing colored in dark earthen tones. The blade strapped to his back has a long handle, and aside from that he appears to be carrying little beyond some snap-pouches on his belt. He nods to each of the three Journeyers as they approach.

"Greetings, to you all. Yes, welcome.

Pressing? Hmmm, well, they are new, and we haven't chosen anyone else to fill them. It is certainly no emergency though.

A trandoshan... do not get too excited, Jounreyer Rossa. This is not some hunt to bring you glory...

Follow me, all of you.", he begins walking at a slow pace behind the other exiting aspirants, talking as he goes. He takes you all down a couple of hallways and through some doors to a communications room, ringed with holo-terminals.

"So... recently, indeed just a few scant hours before you all arrived, an... emissary ship... landed at Vur Tepe from Shikaakwa. Unannounced, and uninvited. As relations are presently strained between Tython and Shikaakwa, we are not inclined to turn them away, yet as you all know, we restrict Tython to Force sensitives only. This emissary has come baring many types of... envoys... none of which are Force sensitive. Of course, we do allow those without a connection to the Force on-planet, but they must have a guardian with them at all times. For their safety. Well, Vur Tepe does not often receive these types of visits, and we are lacking the personnel to watch over our visitors.

That is where you all come in...", he motions to some seats centered around a holo-terminal in the communications room.

Master Genlah nods as Missotrav speaks, "Yes yes, it is an Envoy-class heavy transport, owned and piloted by the Ryo Syndicate corporate representatives.", he manipulates the holo-terminal controls and a staticky, blue holo-projection jumps up in the center of the seating.

"The ship is presently docked at our commerce bays, as our pedestrian landings cannot accommodate a ship of this size, and it would be unethical to make them land afield... especially so close to the Abyss of Ruh as we are, given that they've brought no Force sensitives. And make no mistake, Clan Ryo knew this - all of this that I've told you so far, and it likely factors into the larger picture, whatever it may turn out to be. If you were not aware, Clan Ryo is a venerable and respected family, of significant power, throughout the System. Indeed they have produced many honorable Rangers and even Masters throughout the history of the Je'daii. Several Rangers serving this day... of course none at Vur Tepe...

They have sent trade, technical, and diplomatic representatives on this ship. As I mentioned, Ryo knows exactly what they're doing. And I get the feeling what they are doing is trying to overwhelm us on diplomatic and logistical levels. There is most clearly no outward, direct hostility intended. The ship is not equipped for anything more than defense, and our scanners indicate it posses only normal numbers of occupants for its crew, security and support contingent - nothing of a size that could be a militaristic threat to Vur Tepe.

Do not worry about making any calls, that is not your role here. As I mentioned, those without a connection to the Force must - by mandate of the Council of Masters - have escort while on-planet. You all, in addition to a few more yet to be chosen, are merely to be the guardians in the Force of the members of this contingent, while they are here to conduct their business."

He pauses a moment, looking to the Journeyers.