Ren C. |
Ren, hearing Chel's voice inside his own head for a moment, replies back in his own skull, unsure if it'll be heard.
Chel Nasko |
Chel smiles at the medic's non-commital answer and walks up to where Raden kneeled in terror.
Stalking around the wretch, Chel lanquidly handles he axe, turning it this way and that, occasionally flicking it out to score a light scratch on an arm or leg, prolonging the Devaronian's suffering for the group's new patron.
Playing to the audience, Chel lunges at Raden as if going for a killing blow, causing him to fall back in fright. Casually, Chel strikes as the Devaronian scrabbles away, hamstringing one leg, blood soaking the ground.
As Raden clutches at his leg, Chel once again let the axe swing through the air, catching an elbow, sending a forarm sailing through the air to land in front of the group of bounty hunters.
A keening wail now emanates from Raden's mouth, an animal sound. Coming up behind him, Chel grabs Raden's chin and brings it up so that Raden looks Darga right in the face. And as he does the same, with a cruel curl on his lip, Chel draws the blade of the vibro axe across Raden's neck, a large red gash welling lifeblood. Stepping back to avoid the blood, Chel tosses the axe top the nearest Gammorean, saunters back to his seat, and grabs a leg of meat as if nothing untoward had happened.
I bet this gets me a dark side point :)
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
Bingo!
Raden's body continues to twitch for a moment then is still. The Gammorreans seem used to this and haul the lifeless meat away. Darga chortles loudly and claps his fat hands. ("Excellent! There may be a place for you here, after all!")
"The illustrious Darga approves of your... actions." The protocol droid squawks.
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
Suddenly the Hutt begins to clap and the throne he sits upon floats slightly upward, revealing it sits upon a repulsorlift. The whole thing spins around and lights come on behind the Hutt, revealing an overlooking box that looks out over a gladiatorial arena.
The Hutt chortles and speaks, and the bounty hunters and guards begin to move. ("Come! Let us have some entertainment. I field a team of gladiators every season on Rikkichik. Perhaps your hatchet man would care to show off his skills?")
"The mighty Darga wishes to entertain you with spectacles of gladiatorial combat." The protocol droid squawks.
Ren C. |
'This could go bad very quickly...' Ren thought to himself upon hearing the Hutt's suggestion. Chel had certainly put on a good show, perhaps too good. The doctor still wasn't sure how much was an act, but didn't want to question Chel just yet. And the mention of wanting to see him on combat, Ren held up his hands and spoke in Huttese. ("As kind as that offer is, Darga, I'm afraid Scar doesn't fight before a crowd. He made it very clear when I hired him that he wants as few people as possible to see him fighting. Just so, if they somehow live, they won't be able to learn how to counter him.")
Deception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (7) + 9 = 16
Chel Nasko |
Chel reaches across the table for a bowl of....something, drawling "O great Darga, that was a slaughter. While I'm happy you enjoyed my little show, I wouldn't waste a fraction of my skill on a dreg like that. I'm no common brawler..."
Deception, Aid Ren, DC 10: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3
Oh well, :)
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
You feel the merest touch of the Dark Side of the Force on Chel, a shadow across his face.
Darga waves one fat hand in dismissal, and orders the betting to begin. The first match is two Gammoreans against a Rodian and a battle droid.
Would you care to wager?
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
Unless he took pains to hide it, yes.
The Hutt chortles and the rest of the scum around you take this as a sign to lay bets. Credits are flying to and from in front of you as the combatants line up!
The Hutt lowers his hand to signal the melee to begin. The Gamorreans hurtle toward the opposing team, vibroaxes humming. The decrepit combat droid suddenly explodes into action, launching tiny bits of itself at the Gammorreans who disappear beneath the assault. One struggles out, while the other is overwhelmed and goes down in a spray of blood. The remaining Gammorrean hits the droid bits, which fly everywhere but allow the Rodian to drop on him from above, a small stilleto flashing. In a second it's over and the droid reforms from the tiny parts.
The Hutt chortles loudly and there are groans and cheers from the crowd. Chel you receive 300 creds as the odds favored the Gammorreans!
As the Hutt chortles, he invites you to stay and has his major domo, the Neiomodean, take you to a suite of rooms. The rooms are nice, decorated with opulent furnishings.
Anything you want to do overnight?
Chel Nasko |
Chel watches the fight with great interest, jerking from side to side as the action moves about , his fist rising into the air as his fighters take the advantage and finally win.
"YES!" he cries, grinning widely as he accepts his winnings.
Returning to the table with the others, he stops Chel and leans in, "That was about as subtle as a Rancor punch. Any questions or concerns, please just ask." he looks Chel in the eyes, completely serious, then winks , claps his hand on Chel's shoulder and walks back to the feast.
Mahath Kishion |
Mahath continues to watch quietly. As the 'entertainment' starts to pick up, he glances around the room. He hasn't been the center of any attention yet like the Doc or Chel, so maybe he might not be missed.
This might be a good time to look around...
Would it be painfully obvious if Mahath stepped out of the room? Are there guards on every door, or is security more lax once we are inside the complex?
If he can, Mahath would like to wander off and get the lay of the land. He won't try to pass by any obvious guards and he won't try to bypass locked doors. Is that something we can hand wave, or would we need to role play it out? If challenged, he'll mumble something about 'toilet' and move on, trying to dodge confrontations.
Before he leaves, he'd make contact with at least one of the others to make sure they see him leaving.
Quen Pah |
Returning the smile, the young padawan will counter, You are playing with forces beyond you ken. The Darkside comes first as a lover, seductive and enticing but will eventually turn on you and destroy you as you did the devarianon.
Chel Nasko |
Chel meets Mahath's eyes over the rim of his drink, then gives the Jedi a nod to indicate that he saw him slipping away into the shadows on the outside of the Hutt's banquet room.
Leaning back in the comfortable cushions, Chel maintains his good cheer at Quen's warning.
"Well said , padawan." he says sarcastically, his voice pitched to imitate the sombre tones of a Jedi Master.
He then frowns, his face growing serious, and waves his hand "I apologize, that was unkind. "
He leans forward , motioning the young Jedi closer, so that thier conversation remained private.
"Fear not, Quen, I will purge the taint of my earlier actions, necessary though they were. A simple ritual , but effective, used by my people for generations. "
Chel Nasko |
Chel smiles and shakes his head, "Oh, you Jedi, always with the labels. No, Quen, my people are acquainted with the Force".
His next thought was inturrupted by the arrival of the major domo, "We can continue our discussion in our quarters, if you wish." Chel murmurs as he follows the Neiomodean to their rooms.
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
The discussion continues on the nature of the Force and its permutations. The suites are comfortable enough and you sleep well.
The next day dawns brightly and you head down to discover a breakfast spread placed for the residents of Darga's palace, but also discover that Darga does not rise before noon. You explore a bit and discover that the palace contains quite a bit: an aviary containing rare birds, a moneychanger's office as well as larger guest quarters that are currently off-limits to you.
Care to explore any area more fully?
Chel Nasko |
Founded shortly after Clone Wars, by Anzati Dark Jedi, Nikkos Tyris, then Jensaarai blend teaching of Jedi and Sith philosophy to form something altogether different. A short time after Tyris and a band of rogue Jedi split off, the Jedi Council dispatched several Jedi Knights to put an end to the Jensaarai. The Jedi Knights accomplished thier mission, killing Tyris and his comrades , but unknowinly leaving behind the families and students of the new Jensaarai tradition. The purge of the Jedi by the Empire came close to eliminating the Jensaarai but they survived.
The Jensaarai walk a dangerous line between light and darkness. Though their dark Jedi masters died early at the hands of the Council's agents, then Jensaarai followers retained much of the philosopy the Tyris had used to found the order. The Jensaarai resemble both the Jedi and the Sith in many ways; they construct and wield lightsabres , the defend their planet from hostile force and they have a strong grasp of the Force and its ways.
Still, they remain quite different in other respects.Jensaarai defenders can be violent and ruthless when necessary. Though many Jensaarai Defenders run the risk of falling to the dark side, very few actually do, as discipline and awareness of the reprecussions of thier actions are two of the most important tenets of Jensaarai training.
- Taken from the Saga Edition Book pg 106-107
Even though, he was quite exhausted by the the long, drawn out discussion with Quen on the Force and his own training, Chel rose early and found himself famished.
Tucking into the breakfast, he waits for the others to rise and arrive before heading off to explore the aviary.
Quen Pah |
The young padawan will take in Chel's story in disbelief and will thank him for his time before he retires.
He will spend the rest of the night meditating on the Force and Chel's story, searching his feelings.
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (8) + 13 = 21
The Council could not have done this. THe Council was about bringing truth and peace and defending the Republic. Did Master Rex know about this? Did he consent?
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 23 Use the Force
Mahath Kishion |
Mahath purses his lips in disapproval at the story of the Jensaarai, but says "Ancient history that doesn't apply to us." But he'll quietly get their attention and mouth the words Be careful; they may be listening.
Mahath will join with the exploring.
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
The interior of the aviary is quiet, and rising up from either side of a winding path are numerous trees, each with many colorful birds sleeping while perched on their branches. The aviary is dark, and a number of small orange lamps illuminate the trail. High above, one of Cato Neimoidia’s moons shines down through the canopy of trees, casting a faint silvery hue over everything within.
The protocol droid is here, staring off toward the far wall. When you enter, he gives a hoot and ambles toward you. "Greetings, honored guests of Darga! I am TC-663, but you may call me Six-Six. I understand we have a mutual friend: Switch of Sel Zonn Station."
Mahath Kishion |
"Switch? Interesting. When is the last time you communicated with Switch?"
Mahath is trying to determine if this droid might be lying. I don't think Switch is of Sel Zonn station anymore since, we, since we ruined everything there for him. :)
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
Six-Six makes a sound that might be laughter. "I received a wave transmission from Switch last night, after I informed him of your arrival. He is most interested in what you have discovered. I understand you and he have an arrangement for the sharing of data?"
Chel Nasko |
Chel crosses his arms over his chest, looking at Six-Six, "Not much to tell really" he says, approaching the droid.
"We made a stop on Felucia, liberated an Imperial Admiral from the clutches of a crazy Imperial scientist creating monster Felucians. You know, routine stuff. Now we're here, working for Draga, just like you."
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
Six-Six chirps. "I believe Switch would be very interested in the research of the Imperial scientist and a liberated Admiral. Should I establish communications with him?"
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
"I have swept the aviary for bugs, listening devices and organic eavesdroppers. I can state with a 97% confidence that we are not being surveilled at the moment." Six-Six chirps.
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
The droid chirps and turns to Quen. "Indeed. I am fluent in over 2.37 million means of lies, discernment and subterfuge. Once again, there is a 97% confidence that we are not currently under observation."
Chel Nasko |
Use The Force(telepathy): 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
Quen and Mahath hear Chel's voice in their heads, "As long as we don't reveal we're working for the Senator, our exploits on Felucia will only serve to heighten our reputation as 'mercenaries', should Darga be eavesdropping."
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
"An interesting question. If I was from Darga, this would be an opportune moment to reveal your loyalties. But I am not asking you to betray the Hutt in any way and I have information about your backgrounds that would be difficult to attain from public records. My employment with the Hutt is simply a means to obtain even more information for Switch. I suppose it all depends upon where you place your trust, Mahath Kishion."
Chel Nasko |
Hmmm, actually not quite. Sorry, OMB, I misread the telepathy part of Use the Force. I should only be able to impart simple emotional cues and a short action "Go", "Dive" etc. It's cool RP device though :)
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
The droid chirps and a panel opens on his chest, from which slides a holoprojector. There is a moment of static, then the head of Switch appears.
"Ah, my associates! It is good to see you once more. I understand you have been busy since our last conversation?"
Quen Pah |
In disgust he will ignore the protocol droid they met on the space station and will even look disappoinglty, even a bit angry at his Master for associating with such being.
The padawan will begin to think about the last few days and what has happened and been revealed. In a sense of loss and despiration, especially since they are associating with less savory aspects of society, he will reach out in the Force to see if he can search his feelings, is this the right thing to do? Should he abandon the Jedi training and do something else with his life?
Use the Force 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (4) + 13 = 17
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
Mahath Kishion |
"Hello, Switch. We have been busy, indeed. Have you heard of a small rock called Felucia? We have been there since we last spoke. The native peoples, a certain plant based race, were quite friendly to us. Less so to the Empire. At the behest of an unnamed benefactor, we secured the freedom of one held in an Imperial outpost. I know little of him, but the benefactor valued him and that is all that was important. With that job behind us, we now find ourselves, well, here. We have just come into the employ of a distinguished Hutt, one of great power who has made himself indispensable to even greater powers we have crossed before."
Quen Pah |
Responding to his vision, the young padawan will attempt to reach out in the Force to the voice.
1d20 + 13 ⇒ (14) + 13 = 27
Where are you? Are you hurt?
Our Mysterious Benefactor |
Switch nods slowly. "Excellent. Please keep me informed. In the meantime, should you require assistance, Six-Six is a trusted agent." With this, Switch disappears.
Six-Six nods and starts to speak, but is interrupted when a Huttese bellow of anger comes from the throne room. "Duty calls." He chirps, then shuffles away toward the noise.
Mahath Kishion |
"Thank you, Six-Six. Switch vouching for you is good enough for me. I apologize for my earlier rudeness, but I think you understand the need for an abundance of caution in our situation. May the -" Mahath catches himself, then quickly tries to cover "May the rest of your day go quite well."
With the departure of Six-Six, Mahath notes the look on Quen's face. He starts to ask, but then pauses, thinking it best to let Quen finish before disturbing him.