A Force, Undying (New Jedi Order CK2 Quest)

Meeting Your Padawan

The defeated are hustled to a medical tent. They aren't hurt badly, or at least they don't seem as such-- and you don't feel them leaking pain into the Force-- but best not to run the risk of something worse, no? Amelia, meanwhile, sits herself in the dirt, crossing her legs, even as the masters walk towards the other events, search for other students. It seems, then, that graceful defeat may have served the true purpose of this entire exchange more than an "awkward" victory.

Or perhaps not.

She has, after all, garnered the eyes of the Grandmaster.

You walk silently towards her, soft boots making barely a sound on the sands.

"I will finish what you started."

Oh. Oh, that is ominous as all hell. There is no arc of that phrase that leaves you happy. Incredibly powerful Jedi with bad tempers making ominous declarations does not have a pleasant history for the Order, starting with Revan declaring the Mandalorians must be destroyed to Anakin saying he will be the most powerful Jedi ever some day.

The Force has a cruel sense of humor, indeed.

"You know, this was a lightsaber exercise."

"Who-- ah, Master Thorn." She scrabbles to her feet, bowing as she does. "My apologies. I just... I know this was a lightsaber tournament, but then he hit me after I saved him, and that was a...well, it set me off, as you could all see."

"Padawan." If you had a cane or a walking stick or something, you'd be leaning on it at about this point, possibly with an enigmatic look. At least your hood's up-- to keep the sun off, of course, and for purely that reason. "Do you believe you can recite the code for me?"

"We have a few, Master." Her hands fly to her mouth before she can think as she tries to unsay those words,. You turn around-- and smile.

"Keep that up, and lose some of the temper, and you might just be a Jedi yet."

She slowly lets go of her mouth, her eyes wide.

"But in this case, I meant the code of Oodan-Urr."

She closes her eyes, and a thin smile begins to play at the corner of her lips:

"There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force."

You feel her out through the Force, for just a moment. There is a centeredness to her that there was not before-- as if the code, the thing of the Jedi, has become an absolute rock on which she attempts to anchor herself. "Very good. But now answer this: if I kill a man because my wife cheated on me, is he less dead than if I killed him because I was a monster?"

She looks to the ground, suddenly very interested in a rock on the far horizon. "No, Master."

"And if I violate the rules because I am mad at an unsporting play, have I violated them less than because I could not bare to lose?"

"...No, Master."

One of the first things the New Order managed to recover was the journal of Master Yoda, kept during his exile on Dagobah. In it, he describes how he put Luke to the test by intentionally being a little green troll, and not at all the wise Master he could have been right from the get go, to test Luke's discipline even at that point. He found it acceptable.

This little condescending school-teacher thing you're putting on? A lot like that, and you will admit some part of you is pleased. Rather than begrudging acceptance, as Luke offered, or anxiety fueled by fear, as Anakin did so long ago, she instead is searching, scrounging, cutting through your words, hunting for some ancient bit of new knowledge for her to devour.

Of course, that, in its own way, is a mistake. Anakin and Luke might not have shown so much patience, but they also would have recognized a cigar as a cigar. This is the same basic Jedi philosophy you learn as a youngling-- at most you've made the crimes more dramatic.

But, then, perhaps, some part of your ego is gratified to have someone so convinced that you're constantly speaking wisdom-- so you offer, at least, some sincerity. "Padawan, I do not begrudge you this: it was a rude move. But you could not control what he did, only your response. I umbrage you partially to remind you of this fact-- you have control over yourself. Nothing more, nothing less.

There was...one other thing, however. You need a teacher, someone who can guide you down these paths to...how did you put it? 'Finish what you started'? I would offer you that teaching, that guidance, if you would accept."

" I would honor your teachings, Master."

You put your hand on her shoulder. "I do not ask that you honor them, Jedi, but that you live them."

She scans the horizon a bit, before her voice goes low. "But Master, before you would teach me, I must tell you, I am..."

"A Skywalker?"

She looks at you, and her eyes go wide. "How did you know?"

"I served with Luke on the Council, and now I see Leia a disturbing amount. Your sound in the Force, it matches theirs-- if, perhaps, with a healthy dash of what I can only describe as 'how cinnamon would sound as musical notes'".

"How easily could you tell?"

"You can rest easily on that front-- the Cinnamon is doing a lot of work. If I had not spent so much time with Luke, and then Leia, and now having you here without guards, I would not have known."

"Good. The time is coming when the galaxy needs to know, but there are things I need to do first."

"Seeking to learn lessons anonymously?"

"No. Trying to convince my grandmother that the galaxy will not burn if it knows my parentage."

You shoot her The Look-- the same one Master Tionne used to give, when you would try and worm your way out of giving important information. "Which is?"

"...I am the daughter of Jacen Solo and Tenel Ka Djo.

I am Allana Solo."
--

Allana Solo
Born: 36 ABY

The Daughter of Jacen Solo and Tenel Ka Djo, the Granddaughter of Leia Organa Solo and Han Solo, and the Great-Grandaughter of Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, authority and power flows through her like blood through her veins. Idolizing her great-grandfather, her mother, and her uncle, she seeks to live up to that heady legacy, in the best way-- however, as her temper tantrum in the field proved, she lives up to it in the worst way, as well.

While her grandmother has taught her some of the basics, for one reason or another, many of the more advanced lessons seem to have evaded her on the family level.

Traits:
Strong in the Force: Though she is a Padawan, her potential is unlimited. (+2 Wisdom)
Strong: Imposing as Vader, without the suit. A gift from her mother's side of the family, though. (+3 Personal Combat)
Ambitious: For good or for ill, there are certain...expectations, set by a legacy. (+2 All Stats)
Wrothful: Fury blinds, and anger stifles thought. Master Bao-Dur fought with this quality all his life. (-4 Wisdom, +2 Personal Combat, lure to the Dark Side)
Padawan: A Jedi student, making her first steps into a broader world. (Gain access to Wisdom)
Strong Style (Knight): A style dedicated to dominating in Lightsaber combat, it favors strong, precise strikes to tear apart an opponent's defense, ideally so outmatching them that they surrender-- or never threaten another. But, against blaster wielding opponents, its slowness and precision cause problems, and may allow you to be drowned under blaster fire. (+3 Personal Combat, +10 Against Lightsaber wielding Opponents, -15 against Blaster Wielding opponents)

Stats:
Wisdom: 19-4+2+2=19- Her rages blind her, but when she is calm, at peace, and passive, she knows to follow the will of the Force.
Personal Combat: 20+3+2+2+3=30- Like you said, her potential is unlimited. Give her some real experience on the field, and she would outshine all Masters-- of that, you have no doubt. Certainly, she will surpass you.
Diplomacy: 8+2=10- Aside from her "Vader Moments", she is capable of being a competent, if uninspired, diplomat.
Strategy: 20+2= Daughter of Jacen Solo, Great-Granddaughter of Anakin Skywalker, is anyone surprised that she turned out to be a warbeast?
Intrigue: 7+2=9- Not, exactly, a great schemer, in your opinion.
Administration: 18+2=20- Daughter of a queen, grandaughter of a princess, and great-grandaughter to a Senator, is it any wonder she has something of a natural penchant for a leader's role?
-
So I think she bribed my dice.

Galactic News

Allana Solo, Revealed: The daughter of Jacen Solo and great grand-daughter of Anakin Skywalker, Allana Solo, has finally revealed herself to the galaxy at large, joining Jedi Grand Master Daro Thorn. She seeks strength from her ancestors Luke and especially Anakin Skywalker. Indeed, there are rumors that she has sworn to finish the work he started so many decades ago:

The abject dissolution of the Empire as a state and a nation.

Only time will tell whether or not this is truth.

Ben Skywalker, Returned!: Ben Skywalker, the son of Luke Skywalker, has returned to Ossus and the Order in truth, accompanied by his apprentice, Kira, and an unknown Force-wielder.

Ahsoka Returns: The wandering Jedi Ahsoka Tano has been seen attempting to convince worlds not to contribute resources, soldiers, or equipment to the war effort, an unwelcome intrusion onto the war. She has a surprising pull on a number of worlds, for a half-trained Jedi renegade who disappeared after the Clone Wars. To come out now, arguing against your efforts of liberation for an entire people and the many sectors trapped under that corporate boot is a most unwelcome and unwholesome development.

Echani Interference: Seeking to sharpen their skills as warriors a number of Echani mercenaries have deployed to the aid of the GA Military. Already reports of their flowing movements, quick strikes, and strategic assaults rip through the morale of the CSA homefront.

Battle for Erysthes: To weaken the defenders at Etti, the Galactic Alliance has deployed the Fifth Fleet to Erysthes, a supply world for Etti. The Fifth is comprised primarily of new Mon-Cal warships, dedicated war beasts that pack as much punch as a Star Destroyer despite coming in at a smaller, more efficient size, and is reinforced by Sullustan vessels. The space battle was fierce, a harsh knife-fight at distances of only a few kilometers. A blood-soaked affair.

Then came the ground landing.

Many thousands of dropships, millions of soldiers, landed on that swampy hell. It seemed every few kilometers there was an old, ancient castle, or redoubt, or Pius Dea armory. A thousand nightmares are strewn on that surface. Many calls were sent to weeping widows, wailing husbands and wives, new made orphans and newly childless parents. There is victory, especially once the Echani arrive, but it is a harsh thing, a thing of little love, leaving the people asking an important question:

Why do the Jedi content themselves with the blockade, when there is so much more work to be done?

Space Battle For Issagra: Issagra is a hell of a fortress world when its resources are put to the proper use. An army of pirates, smugglers, gamblers, and mercenaries arrayed before the forces of the Galactic Alliance, bought by CSA credits. A hefty investiture, no doubt. Add to that a number of orbital defense platforms, minefields, and of course a small armada of CIS surplus. Clone Wars vintage, but a pain to fight, without the sense of self-preservation required to flee.

But the First Fleet does not run from battle. Itself comprised of modern Star Destroyers and Hapan Battle Dragons, and under the command of the second generation Officer Ballya Dar, it ripped through the pirates like death itself. Casualties were fierce, but the orbitals of Issagra lie open. It is under siege, and when it falls the revolutionary government will be linked together.

54 ABY Council Meeting (Turn 5)

The Council Chamber is silent as Ben Skywalker enters, flanked on one side by his apprentice, on the other by his pet Sith.

Vestara Khai. Slayer of Natua Wan, betrayer of her every oath, enemy to your enemy-- but far from a friend to the Jedi.

But she is of little import, compared to the Jedi who she travels with.

Ben Skywalker. Talented, powerful, and wise, he eschews the jumpsuits and armor and soldier's uniforms that are so common in an Order that has such a militant history, in favor of plain robes of a sandy color-- the ascetic aesthetic broken only by the plain leather breast plate. A Jedi's Jedi, through and through.

"Master Thorn. I apologize for my absence." He bows. "I felt my presence was needed elsewhere."

"All's well which ends well, Master Skywalker. Now then, why have you gone-- and what is your request?"

He hooks his hands on his belt, resting with an easy air. "The War in the Corporate Sector is a destructive conflict. Worlds burn, people are slaughtered, and suffering echoes out like a toneless cry into the void." He falls into silence, as no few murmurs sing through the Council chamber. He looks at all of you, his eyes unreadable.

I propose a Force of a hundred Jedi, Padawans, Knights, and Masters in equal distribution, be deployed to the war zone, to aid in the recovery and in the healing, as a long term assignment."

"And... you would lead this task force, then?" Master Ramis has one leg resting on the other, looking at the young knight.

"If the Council would permit it, yes, though I believe the idea has merit no matter who leads it."

"Very well, Master Skywalker. We will consider the matter and allow you to know our final deliberation, once it is reached."

"That is all I request, Masters. Thank you." He bows once more before heading out the same door.

"Much sorrow in that one."

There is silence fallen in the room, a deep, smothering blanket falling over the proceedings.

"Master Solo-Fel." Your voice cuts the blanket. "How goes the training of your Padawan, Keln Kelur?"

Wordlessly, she slots her own holo into one of the arm-rests of your council chairs.

Holographic images play-- the Ysanna, a yellow lightsaber in hand, deflecting blaster bolts back to their targets. His moves are adequate, but tense, troubled, and his brow ever furrowed. "Every trial I have placed before him he meets without fear. But some part of him is slowed, leashed by the weight of a world on his shoulders.It distracts him, turns him away from his learning. I cannot tell you whether he will be ready to meet this trial-- and that frightens me."

Well. You were feeling a little too optimistic.

(You have 10 Dice Available, 1 Force Die (Single Use Dice guaranteeing one success))

Martial: Jaina Solo presents a number of options to you, representing a few different ways to patrol the galaxy-- for now, there is little improvement you can make. With your entrance into the Corporate Sector War, she has preented a number of places where Jedi help is most necessary.

Actions:
[] Show of Force: The Hutts have also elected a new leader of their Cartel, Kada Dazh Tibure. Little is known of this Hutt, except for raw ambition-- you fear he may seek to take advantage of the Chaos. Dispatch Jedi to dissuade him, by patrolling the Mid-Rim nearby. (40%, 1 success)
[] Aid to the Slaves: A revolt has raged in the Corporate Sector for years, led by slaves and revolutionaries seeking freedom. The government under Daala helped her old Imperial buddies, and promised to arrest any Jedi that did not stay away from the Sector-- plenty went anyway, of course, but then the thing with the Sith and Abeloth happened. This new Chief of State, on the other hand, has already sent support, aid, and ships to the rebels, as well as millions of soldiers, with more, in surety, to follow. You certainly don't mind pummeling slavers. While you helped the war effort in the Star Battles, you could deploy Jedi to the occupation, as well. (50%, 2 successes)
[] Work With the Hapans: The Hapes Consortium is a small-- but vital-- part of the Galactic Alliance-- its coffers fund much of the rebuilding efforts from the seemingly endless war which has plagued recent decades-- if that is disrupted, millions, if not billions of beings will suffer, needlessly and painfully. Which makes it somewhat unfortunate that the great treasure ships of the Consortium are under threat by pirates and worse. Send the best Jedi pilots to protect them. (40%, 2 Successes)
[] Campaign-The Twelve Systems: The Galactic Alliance Military is pushing towards Etti IV, the capital of the Corporate Sector, with the hopes that ripping out their beating heart will end the war, decisively and quickly, in your favor. (30%, 4 Successes)
[] Campaign-A House Divided: The revolutionary front is currently divided in two, one capital on Deltooine, the other on Kalla. Linking them together is of vital importance, for very obvious reasons-- send Jedi, and make it happen. (60%, 2 Successes)

Diplomacy: The way of the Jedi is to keep peace-- and what better way is there to do that, than to ensure no war begins?

Actions:
[] Looking for Allies: The Jedi Order is independent in large part because a number of your members either are, or come from families which are, wealthy. But having more resources will allow you to be more independent, and get more done at the same time. (60%, 1 success)
[] Yuuzhan Vong Reconciliation: The Yuuzhan Vong were the enemy. Trillions died at their hands-- your first kill was crushing one under a pillar on Yavin IV. There has been a shallow peace between they and your people since, but it is not true peace-- only a lack of active violence. But perhaps it that can be set right, then the galaxy may be set right. (35%, 5 successes)
[] A New Temple: For the most part, there are too many abandoned Jedi ruins for you to feel comfortable opening new ones when you can just reclaim the old ones. The Frontier Star League, however, is a different case-- being utterly without Jedi beforehand, there are no temples here, nor enclaves, nor anything else. You ought, at least, to build a recruitment center. (60%, 3 Successes)
[] Ben's Plan: Ben Skywalker wants to lead a force of a hundred Jedi into the Corporate Sector, to help the healing process and the recovery. He would, no doubt, lead the detachment-- it is the nature of things for Skywalkers to lead. They would be unavailable to you, for a time. (1 Success, 100%)
[] Chiss Assent: The Chiss Ascendancy is a potent state on the galactic stage. It is also unfathomably cruel to those Force Sensitives born inside its borders. There must be some way to cease the cruelty, the madness, and to bring an end to these crimes against life. (3 Sucesses, 40%)
[] What the Hell Ahsoka: What is the meaning of this? To seek to sabotage a war to free slaves? Has she fallen to the Dark Side? Taken all leave of her senses? Meet with this wandering quasi-Jedi, and determine why she would seek to cripple the war. (1 Success, 60%)

Administration: While there tends to be an air of mystery, suspense and adventure around the Jedi, it does have one commonality with all other large groups-- namely, paperwork.

Actions:
[] Lost Worlds: While the Jedi Order greatly centralized following the Ruusan Reformations, and concentrated much of the strength of the Order on Coruscant, things are different now-- for one, they had up to 10,000 Jedi-- you have all of 1,000. They could patrol all of the galaxy, even with that great inefficiency-- you, on the other hand, might be well served by reestablishing the many Enclaves and Praxeums of the Old Order, or establishing your own. (50%, 2 Successes)
[] Check Ups: There is a certain generation, born between the Empire's rise and collapse, which was never thoroughly checked for Force Sensitivity. Finding them now could be useful. (60%, 2 successes)
[] Colonial Investment: Plenty of people are making the journey into the Unknown Reaches, to found new settlements on uncharted, unknown worlds-- and they require resources. Say what you will, but a Jedi is a pretty potent resource. (50%, 1 success)
[] If You Build It, They Will Come: The recruitment drive you held last year told you one thing-- there are plenty of potential Jedi, your net simply isn't catching enough. It would be stupidly easy and make life easier on everyone if you started building chapter houses where potential recruits could be tested, not proper academies but just enough to let them, and you, know that they can become Jedi. (60%, 2 Successes)

Knowledge: It is the way of a Jedi to learn and to teach-- to be, in their time, both student and master.

Actions:
[] Witches' Knowledge: You have made friendly contact with the witches of Dathomir, and impressed them. You could ask them to teach at your academies now, to pass on what they know to your people. (50%, 2 Success)
[] Weaving Webs: Despite their fearsome appearance, the Lucent are a people of peace and calm-- they could teach the Jedi much, and vice versa. Travel to the Voidfire Nebula, and seek an audience with them. (50%, 1 Success)
[] Bird Brained: The Talortai are, to a man, Force Sensitive-- but they hate this, and few have ever become Jedi or Sith. You imagine there is a story here-- you would like to know it. (40%, 1 Success)
[] Hiding Holocrons (Special from Mystic): Repositories of Sith and Jedi knowledge, there are plenty of Holocrons floating throughout the galaxy-- some in private collections, some in your own archives, and some lost until the Force should will otherwise. Seeking these out should be a top priority. (40%, 3 Successes)
[] Seek the Jal Shey: An order of diplomats, scholars, and intellectuals, the Jal Shey seek to understand the Force from a more-- scientific perspective. They seek to sew peace, order, and justice where they travel, and would leave the galaxy a better place for their having been in it. Seek to learn more from them and of them. (60%, 2 Successes)
[] Trailian Contact: Universally Force-Sensitives, the Trailians were introduced to the wider galaxy by Cronal experimenting on them, attempting to turn them into warriors. While the New Republic and Galactic Alliance have attempted to heal those wounds, they are less than interested in interaction with the galactic community. Perhaps the Jedi can help? (50%, 1 Success)

Intrigue: It is not the way of the Jedi to slink about in secret-- but you may, on occasion, prefer a strategy of some subtlety.

Actions:
[] Where Are They?: As surely as do the Jedi, the SIth have their places of power. Korriban, Dromund Kaas, Ziost, -- all places the Sith have longly walked, have marked as their own, like some beast claiming its territory in the jungle. It is where they will go, to hide and to hunt. Find their location, hunt them down, and bring this to an end. Insomuch as you can, anyway. (70%, 3 Successes)
[] Imperial Angst: You've trusted hutts more than you trust Jagged Fel, Mr. "Military Men making Hard Decision ought to have all the power in the galaxy." Further, even if Master Solo is correct, and you can trust the Emperor, no Empire is built on one man. No doubt there are those in the Empire who would have a return to the 'good old days'-- seek them, so you will be ready for them. (???)
[] The Long Road: The Hutts kidnap many sentients to work as slaves in their hellish domain, under the most contemptible of conditions. While you cannot crusade against the Hutts yet, Jedi agents can help smuggle people to freedom. (1 Success, 40%)
[] In Shadowed Repose: Some of your Jedi know how to be...subtle. Discreet. Unknown. Deploy them to aid the Evocii in their revolutionary efforts, and in turn, to perhaps avoid a war with hutts as well as with the bankers. (2 Successes, 50%)

Personal: Insomuch as any Jedi Master can have free time, this represents yours.

Actions:
[] Train Your Style: While you are already greatly skilled in Medium Style, you would like to become even more dangerous with it-- push it beyond the average, start innovating the Style beyond the rut it has fallen into since the rediscovery of the classic forms. (50%, 5 successes required)
[] Find a Form: You will ask Master Katarn to begin teaching you in one of the seven classical Forms. (50%, 1 Success required)
[] Seeking Companionship: You could bloviate some nonsense about trying to convince your fellow Jedi to expand your numbers, or to help make yourself less alien to the common people, or maintain emotional stability through connections, but to be honest? This will mostly be you, tossing yourself onto the dating market, because you are lonely. (100%, 1 Success)
[] Seeking Wisdom (Mystic): You thought this might be the case-- but one of your texts, when compared with a text from the Grandmaster's personal library, has revealed a hidden treasure-- what, you could not say. (60%, 3 Successes)
[] Take the Field: They want the Jedi to contribute more to the war effort? Fine. You, and your Padawan, will personally take to the field. It will be good practice for the both of you. (100%, 1 Success)
[] A Lesson of Echoes: Your Padawan needs teaching, guidance, lessons-- but if she is given them, she will one day surpass even you. You will offer her an important lesson-- the lesson of echoes, of consequences, of choices. (???)
[] A Lesson of Power: Your Padawan needs teaching, guidance, lessons-- but if she is given them, she will one day surpass even you. You will offer the lesson of power, of responsibility, of fire. (???)
[] A Lesson of Wisdom: Your Padawan needs teaching, guidance, lessons-- but if she is given them, she will one day surpass even you. You will give her the lesson of contemplation, of peace, of detachment and its place in the galaxy. (???)