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Ren caught the device and watched the shuttle take off, only now having the thought that he might be in over his head at this point. Taking a calming breath, he flicked the cube on and took a moment to study the map, trying to commit it to memory and hopefully help guide his companions as best he can on this planet. Being ever mindful of seeing that Star Destroyer orbiting this place.
I am assuming it is me, doc, the Jensarri and Mah still in group and with us?
Stepping down onto the living planet makes the breath whoosh out of Chel's lungs.
"I'm not sure I like this" he mutters, the swing over to see how Doc is doing with the directions.
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Does Chel have a bad feeling about this?
Seeing Quen looking at him with a questioning look , Chel shrugs "Too much power in one place....makes me nervous."
It is glorious he says almost dazed and walks off by himself.
Seeing the doc exhibiting some confidence about where to go, Mahath falls in alongside him. For the first time in a long time, he walks with his lightsaber hilt openly at his belt rather than concealed away.
Quen seems to be oblivious to his surroundings, walking ahead of the group.
As the group begins to move in the direction the Doctor has indicated, Quen seems overwhelmed by the sheer life of this planet. Several times he almost steps into a hazard: a pool of green goo that dissolves anything it touches, a trio of fungi that explode when disturbed, leaving the sharp acrid tang of fire in the air, or a sinkhole that opens beneath the feet.
You have been walking for around six hours when you suddenly emerge into a clearing. The cacophony of noise created by insects and other animals makes it nearly impossible to hear the splash of your footsteps through the Felucian swamp. The open area you walk into resembles a large, shallow pool of water with narrow islands rising out of the water, looking like stepping stones that are slightly too far apart to jump across. A faint mist hangs over the swampy ground, drifting over the still pool of water.
From the undergrowth, blending nearly perfectly with the native plants, emerges four figures. Tall and muscular, this bipedal being seems to be a member of the native Felucian species. The long, slender form of a rancor’s jawbone juts down from the Felucian’s hand, and the scout’s body is barely covered by a leafy loincloth. A tangle of tendrils around his face makes it impossible to see his eyes, and the mud and other foliage plastered to his body camouflages him against the backdrop of the swamp.
The lead one makes a threatening gesture with his jaw-bone sword and makes a trilling noise. You can't quite understand him, but in the Force he seems to shine with a natural affinity.
Seeing the plant men (why do plant men need a loin???) and reading their Force aura, the young padawan will attempt to let them read his Force aura drawing on the light side of the Force and the beauty of this natural place rich in the Force.
Mahath stands still, very deliberately keeping his hands away from his weapons. He mumbles to the Doc "I'll follow your lead, Doc. If things go bad, keep me between them and you."
The plant people do not seem reassured by your Force presence. Instead they start to slowly advance, their boneswords held in readiness!
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Ren was not a fan of this mission.
He had been camping a couple times before, but this was far beyond 'roughing it' for him. The map helped guide them in, what was his best guess was, the right direction, but it had also led them straight into a very loud bog as well. It was when he noticed some local residents did he look up from his map and sent his mind whirling with ideas to escape and not have to fight.
Hearing their shrill type of speech, Ren hoped he could replicate it and maybe bluff their way pass. He moved to the front of the group, cleared his throat, and attempted to mimic the harsh screech, glad that, for once, practicing Binary might actually help.
Chel frowns a the plant-men appear, which deepens a the approach threateningly.
He steps up beside Mahath, his hand hovering over the opening to his satchel, watching the plant-men approach and their reaction to Ren's overture.
The plant men stop and freeze as the Doctor makes hooting chirping noises. They emit low noises and the smell of cinnamon floods the area. Three of them step back and one begins to sway rhythmically while making soft chur-upping noises.
The dancing plant-person begins to move toward the Doctor, making soft noises and emitting the smell of roses sharply. The Doctor begins to feel slightly dizzy, as if he were being deprived of oxygen.
Seeing his master in distress and coming out of his reviere the young padawan will draw his lightsaber and with a snap-hiss ignite it so that the green blade emerges. He holds it defensively.
Mahath is practically a statue. He is standing next to the doctor, hands still away from weapons, studying the doctor for any word or signal that he needs intervention.
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He wasn't sure if this new approach was hostile or not, but whatever it was they were emitting it was making it hard to think. Fortunately, his utility belt came with a rebreather, allowing him to breathe oxygen better at least. He motions to Quen and Maharth to keep their eyes open. The doctor was curious about these creatures, and figured he'd try to learn as much about them while he could.
Reaching into his pack, he produced a small synthesizer, generally used as a kind of all-purpose smelling salt item. Different alien responded to different aromas. So, with him recreating the heavy scent being eminated, and mimicing their movement and sounds, just maybe they could avoid a fight.
The snap-hiss of a lightsaber causes the three that wait to make several alarmed noises, while the dancer doesn't seem to notice. But Doc's sudden scents and movement causes the dancer to fall abruptly to the ground. Its torso seems to split open with an unseen seam and a long proboscis unfolds from the seam, blooming at the end with a pale white blossom that seems to quiver gently, as if in an invisible wind.
Chel hisses "Padawan....stand down!" hoping the boy's Jedi conditioning will make him comply without much delay.
He continues to warily watch the strange scene unfolding before them.
The plant person is responding to the scents
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"Brilliant observation Quen." Ren quips at him as he slowly approaches the plant person, seeing it... reveal, itself. He was dearly hoping it wouldn't explode in his face, overpowering his modest re-breather with spores or something. Still producing that powerful scent, he carefully reaches up and grasps the white blossom, giving it a light tug. Wondering if he was supposed to accept it or do, something else involving it.
As the Doctor reaches out to touch the quivering blossom, there is a crash in the undergrowth and a middle aged human man, his head shaved and his face scarred. He holds up a hand to show he's unarmed and makes hooting noises to the Felucians, who seem to relax visibly.
"I wouldn't touch that, sir, not unless you wish to engage the young lady in mating!"
So focused was he on the plant man and Doc, the other man's sudden appearance caused Chel to start and begin to grab hold of his lightsabre hidden in his satchel.
The man's words calm the Jenesaari, who calls out to Ren , smiling "You have a way with the ladies, Ren!"
-Posted with Wayfinder
Looking at the newcomer, And who might you be?
The man smiles. "My name is Vazus Mandrake. I fought on this planet during the Clone Wars. My unit was wiped out and I escaped. The Felucians nursed me back to health and I've been here ever since. After the Empire rose, it seemed like a nice safe backwater to live out a peaceful life on. I tend a herd of kybucks and live near here. I saw your ship and knew it was no Imperial. When word of a scout team finding amorous offworlders spread, I came running."
Mahath smirks at the description of "amorous", but otherwise stays on guard, waiting to make sure this guy and his floral friends aren't going to alert the Imperials.
Kybuks? he asks, curious to find out what they are.
The man describes the creatures as two legged fast runners with hoofed rear feet.
I would love to see them Quen says. His age is apparent in his joy at the strength of the Force here and the opportunity to see new life, as he deactivates his lightsaber and sheathes it.
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Ren jumped at the announcement of this newcomer, quickly yanking his hand away from the Felucian and slowly backing away, just to be on the safe side, towards Vazus. Shutting off his synthesizer and stowing it in his pack along with his rebreather. Ignoring the quip from Chel.
"Certainly know when to time your entrance Vazus. I'm afraid my curiosity got the better of me; I'm not very familiar with Felucians, and I wanted to avoid fighting them if possible." He offered a hand to him. "Dr. Ren Corrain. Would it be at all possible to offer some lodging for the night? We've been hiking all day and evening is setting in. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated, Vazus."
Master, it would not be the first time than an indescretion came back to bite you in the posterior. the pawadawan says with a smile.
Vazus smiles and bids you follow him. The Felucian scouts fall in after you, long practiced in moving through the undergrowth.
Vazus's path emerges in a clearing where several huge mushrooms have been hollowed out or grown in such a way to provide a dozen huts around a central pit. Vazu leads you to one that looks newer and smaller than the others. "My home. But first, we should introduce you to the Chief. It's the way things are done here." He brings you to a seat before the fire, where a wizened old Felucian sits, battled scarred and somewhat shrunken, with the small tentacles around his head seem greyer than the others.
Vazus bows slightly and speaks in the Felucian tongue. The Chief replies and Vazus translates. "He greets you, but asks why you have come to this planet."
The young padawan will open himself up to the Force and try to manifest himself, in the Force, to the elder.
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Ren just grimaces at Quen's comment and follows after Vazus to what was a Felucian village. He followed after him and mimicked his greeting, just playing it safe for now. At the translation of the Chieftain's question, he replied,
"We're here searching for someone that was captured by the Empire. He was doing some intelligence gathering but was caught and put in carbonite. We were headed to the facility where he's being held when we ran into your warriors. Most likely wanting to also know who we are and why we were here."
Chel follows Vazus through the towering mushrooms, nodding at his insistence in meeting the plant-men's leader.
He sits and patiently waits for Vazus to converse with the elder mushroom-man.
Irritated, he notices Quen's Force signature blossom, "Quit showing off, kid." he mutters under his breath, then turn and listens as Ren describes their mission.
The Chief's tentacles sway excitedly. Vazus translates. "He says he is glad to hear you're not with the Empire. He is not pleased by the Empire's presence on his planet and would support any effort to remove them." Vazus listens to the Chief and takes a moment to clarify something. "He will offer you hospitality and a guide to help you find this Imperial facility. He welcomes you to the village."
Vazus smiles at this and the Felucians around you seem to take this as a sign that you are no danger. They begin to return to their business as Vazus invites you to his hut for a meal and rest.
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He smiles as the translation and nods in relief, replying, "We will happily accept any help you can offer us Chieftain." Standing up, glad that the talk went smoothly, he leaves with Vazus and his group, stopping when he hears something. It sounded like something was hurt. He turned to When and said, "Quen, come with me for a moment. I think I hear something that's hurt; I wanna check it out." And headed off in the direction of the sound.
Recovering from his reviere he follows his Master.
Mahath stands as the doctor summons Quen to help him. Unless the doctor signals him to follow as well, Mahath sits again and enjoys the hospitality offered. He is friendly though slightly disengaged and lost in thought.
Ren follows the sound, which leads him to another mushroom hut, where a Felucian woman stands in a room where five Felucian children lay on pallets of straw. They look pale grey, quite unlike the rest of the Felucians with their green skin, and their muscles tremble as they lay softly coughing.
The food in Vazus' hut is mostly vegetarian, but it does not lack in taste. Vazus serves you a thick honey-like drink that tingles your tongue and gives you a pleasantly warm feeling in your stomach, yet does not seem alcoholic or mood-affecting. "They brew this from the honey of an insect here. I call it moondew. Their name is much longer and involves more hooting." Vazus says as he sips his drink.
"Tell me, I see some of you wear lightsabers; are you Jedi? Does that order yet remain? I had heard Imperial broadcasts stating that the Jedi were extinct."