Ask Kashyyyk Aggressive Negotiations

[Arctus Friers]

Spoiler: Mission Brief

Claiming the Unclaimable

The temple’s location is remote and practically unknown to all but a couple of nearby tribes. The Utia and Hrurtooombarfhuaa clans could be powerful allies to the incoming Jedi if it weren’t for the fact that they’ve had a violent feud for several years now. Allying with one is certain to incur the wrath of the other, unless the Jedi can make good on their reputation as mediators and find a way to bring peace between the clans.

​

Arctus was not really the mediator type for something as complicated as clan wars. His experience was only limited to barfights which further devolved into even more chaos when he was still a smuggler, and presently? Settling disputes between bickering Younglings on the matter of who would play either Master Luke or Rey Skywalker during their games of pretend.


This wasn't his first time on Kashyyyk, but it sure as hells was his first time setting foot on the planet as a Jedi. Well, as a Padawan if one desired to be pedantic, but still he had to mentally remind himself that he was not here to settle playground disputes nor drunken barroom brawls. Along with two Jedi – one Oren Zapan (the name somehow rang a bell) and a Lucien Adami – he was tasked with finding a way to settle the quarrels between clans Utia and Hrurtooombarfhuaa, which would ideally end with the Jedi securing said clans as allies. Arctus knew that having both clans make peace with one another was more important but he guessed that the Jedi Order really did need more allies in light of recent events.


Thank the Force for Senator Aezzairr-whatever-his-full-name-is, huh, thought the former smuggler as he and his senior-ranking companions finally reached their destination. In a move as equally stunning as the Wookie Senator's, the two warring clans agreed to meet the delegation sent by the Jedi to hear what they had to say. Of course each clan chief brought with them their own retinue, which made the situation even more tense than it already was. The three Jedi representatives were positioned between the two clans, with the Utia Clan seated across the makeshift table to their left and the Hrurtooombarfhuaa Clan to their right. The meeting was being held on a platform atop a wroshyr tree located in a no man's land, the area unclaimed by either clan.


As he took his place behind his fellow Jedi, Arctus asked himself for the fifth time since their ship landed on Kashyyyk as to why he signed up for this particular mission. He supposed– no, he was certain that he could learn something from the experience, but he was beginning to get more concerned about what he could contribute. He thought perhaps that he should pitch in first his silence as the clan heads glared at each other across the table, neither speaking yet and obviously waiting for the Jedi to open the floor with some kind of an opening remark.


I feel like the Wookies aren't going to appreciate a ‘howdy’, so I guess it's better if I zip it for now.

@TWD26 @Lucien

 

[Oren Zapan]

It had been nearly a decade since Oren had partaken on a real mission within the Jedi Order, he had once been a Councilor and was in position to become the Grandmaster, but he left the Jedi and vanished. He spent the time away from everything and everyone, helping random planets and charting the mysteries of the galaxy. Not many knew who he was at this point, he was a legend among the ranks of newcomers as a Jedi who willingly exiled himself, but now he had returned -- and in a way it felt like old times.

Some things don't change... The Jedi thought to himself as he took a seat across from the two clans. He'd look to the group, and then to his Jedi who accompanied him on this mission. "This is a beautiful place to find ourselves," the Jedi Master would say with a quiet gaze. "We thank you for meeting us under these circumstances, myself and the Jedi Order would like you to know that we won't leave until your dispute is handled and both sides are found to have been treated fairly, does that sound like a deal?" The Near-Human would ask as he looked around to both his Jedi friends and the Wookiees.

tag: @Lucien @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Lucien Adami]

The walk to the platform was all it took to remind Lucien that he loved Kashyyyk. His tenure as a Padawan had brought him to the Wookiee home world before, but he never got his fill of its natural beauty. Today he had gazed upon the jagged peaks, twisting trees and pristine waters for the first time as a Jedi Knight. It was so ideally serene. And entirely opposite to the tense situation now unfolding atop the wroshyr platform.

Lucien's eyes flicked between Utia and Hrurtooombarfhuaa. He couldn't tell which tribe's entourage looked more likely to pounce across the table. Even the protocol droid seemed to be on edge. The Jedi Knight was grateful for its presence - he only knew a few words of the Wookiee language.

Master Zapan opened the talk. It only made sense with him being the most experienced among them. Lucien smiled politely as the Jedi Master looked around. He'd heard much gossip about Oren Zapan back at the Temple.

Although Lucien was the youngest of the three Jedi he was eager to speak up and play his part in negotiating the peace. He awaited the Wookiee response with growing curiosity.

@Forsythe Crowholde @TWD26

 

[Arctus Friers]

With Master Zapan opening the floor for discussion, Arctus willed his slightly trembling hands to still. At least the tension wasn't blowing off the roof still. A representative from the Utia Clan – probably one of the chief's advisors – inclined their head in recognition of the Jedi Master's words. They began to speak, extending one hand magnanimously towards the three Jedi while pointedly ignoring the clan on the opposite side of the table.

"And we of Clan Utia extend our gratitude towards the Jedi Order for acting as mediator in this meeting," translated the protocol droid.

Alright, at least they're not denying outright that there's a problem between–

The droid continued after the Utia representative added something which earned the ire of some of the Hrurtooombarfhuaa Wookies, "U-Unlike the ungrateful rabble across the table–"

A series of roars and howls erupted from both sides, promptly ignoring what had been said by Master Zapan earlier. The protocol droid jumped in surprise, hands flailing as it waited helplessly for the shouting match to settle. Instinctively, Arctus stepped forward beside the Jedi Master and – almost without thinking – slammed one hand forcefully on the table. And while the shouting didn't come to an abrupt stop the feuding clans managed to get the point and began to pacify their own.

How long-lived sentients like these bunch manage to act like children never evaded Arctus, the two clans' shouting match reminding him of the Younglings back in the Temple. He wouldn't be surprised if the respective head and representatives of each clan were decades or centuries older than him, but this discussion really wouldn't go anywhere if the Jedi let them squabble and throw insults amongst each other like misbehaving schoolchildren.

Right. Here goes something, I hope.

"Gentlebeings, please," the Padawan prefaced, surprising himself with how steady his voice came out. "We won't be able to settle your disputes if insults will be traded back and forth for the duration of this meeting."

He stood firm even after being subjected by scrutinizing gazes from both Wookie clans. Arctus raised one hand as a sign of peace, gaze shifting between the Utia and the Hrurtooombarfhuaa. He was nervous but he was aware that the emotion wouldn't help so he pushed it down, taking a deep, calming breath before continuing.

You signed up for this, mate, so do your best.

No apologies were offered by both clans towards each other, but they were quick to extend it to the three Jedi. Arctus ignored the protocol droid's translations in favor of delving straight to the root of the problem.

"May we ask what started the feud between your clans? We will listen to both sides, a'ight? Clan Hrurtooombarfhuaa," great, he didn't butcher the name "the floor is yours."

The chief of said clan tapped his wroshyr stick defiantly on the wooden floor, gaze burning as he leveled the Utia chief a dark glare.

"There was once an agreement between us and the Utia. We keep our share of the land and the waters, they keep theirs. No one crosses the border, or they will suffer the laws of our tribe. It's as easy as following a 'no trespassing' sign, but what did your people do? Spit upon our agreement and savagely kill my own!"

"We did no such thing!" protested the Utia chief, the protocol droid keeping up with translations for both sides. "It was your people who broke the agreement! Killed our people! Leaving nothing but mangled bodies in their wake–!"

"Like what your people did with mine!"

Oh. Shite. Thought this was going to be something petty, but nah.

@TWD26 @Lucien

 

[Oren Zapan]

The Jedi Master sat with his fingers crossed, both his blue and white eye peered over the crowd with a curious gaze. The emotion filled the air, and seemed to bubble as past grievances came up between them all. It was a shame that things had gotten to this point, but there was always a silver lining. The two tribes hadn't resorted to all out war, yet and so something could possibly be worked out, if they were careful about it. Oren contemplated what was being said and judged his words carefully. After the pair began to break out in insults, the Jedi would raise both of his hands -- flesh and mechanical motioning for the group to silence.

"There's always multiple parts to a story. Please, explain respectfully the matters that lead to this death. Both sides will explain, and then we will see if we can find more information to resolve this." His words were firm and direct, but the Master said them with respect.

tag: @Forsythe Crowholde @Lucien

 

[Lucien Adami]

Seems as if we've found ourselves in some kind of territorial dispute. And there's obviously been blood shed, accusations of a broken treaty. These wounds run deep.

Master Oren tried his hand at regaining control. No response. A tense note hung in the air as the two Wookiee retinues stared each other down. Deafening silence settled over the wroshyr platform. The leaves rustled overhead and Lucien could hear the distant waves lapping against the shore. It felt like the calm before a storm.

The Hrurtooombarfhuaa chief spoke. His angry roar had softened to a measured growl and after two Jedi interventions it seemed as if the talks might proceed in a more productive manner. Lucien let out the breath he didn't realise he'd been holding in.

"Master Jedi, I shall tell the Hrurtooombarfhuaa story. Assuming I'm permitted to speak without further interruption." Translated the protocol droid as the Wookiee gestured toward the Jedi. The Utia leader held his tongue for the present. "There is a mangrove forest that falls within Hrurtooombarfhuaa lands, an ancestral hunting ground of our people. That is where this event transpired."

The chief raised a massive furry hand and gestured to one of his followers. Lucien noticed that this other Wookiee was carrying an item swathed in cloth that she now began to unwrap at her leader's signal. Shaking the item free of the cloth, she let it drop onto the table. With a thud, the ornate bowcaster came to rest in front of the Hrurtooombarfhuaa chief.

The leader of the Utia stood up, straining to get a better look at this new development. As soon as he recognised the gold-trimmed weapon he roared in protest, gesticulating violently across the table, eyes alight with bloodlust.

Things look about to get ugly. Before the protocol droid could begin his translation Lucien leapt to his feet. He felt the Force flowing through him in the heat of the moment, and he focused its energy into his vocal cords.

"Silence!" Lucien's voice reverberated around the meeting area. It felt like everybody had stopped what they were doing to stare at him. He took a breath. "My apologies, friends. I wish to remind you all that everybody will get their turn to speak. I know this is difficult and I understand you have your disagreements. You will get to air them and we shall listen to everybody."

It took another tense pause, but Lucien was thankful that everybody calmed down, allowing the Hrurtooombarfhuaa chief to continue his part.

"I bring evidence before you, Jedi. This bowcaster belonged to my nephew Krrsost," The protocol droid gave its best try at conveying sadness while the chief wailed softly with downcast eyes. "He was last seen heading out to hunt in our mangrove forest. Krrsost was a strong Wookiee and a skilled hunter among the best of us. I do not believe he died at the hands of his prey."

@Forsythe Crowholde @TWD26

 

[Arctus Friers]

Things weren't looking up as Arctus listened to the protocol droid's translations as the Hrurtooombarfhuaa chief provided another bit of information with regards to his people's side of the story. Territorial disputes would be a problem that they could easily settle but when murder was involved, well...

Complications further arose as the Hrurtooombarfhuaa chief revealed that his nephew was killed, and the implication wasn't lost on the Padawan. He glanced at the leader of the Utia tribe, eyes narrowing ever so slightly as he watched the latter shake a shaggy head, hints of confusion flashing in contrast to the bloodlust in his dark gaze.

"Mayhap it is now my turn to speak?" asked the Utia leader rather wearily, all hints of aggression dissipating for a moment as he gazed upon Krrsost's bowcaster. The Hrurtooombarfhuaa chief kept his silence, and his counterpart took it as cue to continue. "One of my scouts reported the presence of a Hrurtooombarfhuaa Wookie making their way to the mangrove forest– and no, the scout did not cross the border and stalk your nephew. He entered the mangrove forest unharmed, as reported, and the scout departed from the area immediately. So, while you believe that your nephew didn't die at the hands of his prey, I am equally sure that it is not any member of my tribe that has caused his disappearance."

"You don't think Krrsost is dead?" Arctus clarified, gauging the Utia chief's emotions through the Force. The Wookie was angry at the implication that one of his men was the cause for Krrsost's disappearance – even death – but he seemed to truly believe that none of his subjects had done the crime.

The Utia leader heaved a weary sigh, gaze unwavering as he returned the Hrurtooombarfhuaa chief's stern stare. "That, I know not. But think of it like this, lad," translated the protocol droid as the two tribe chiefs engaged in an intense stare off. "Would you leave an evidence if you killed someone from a neighboring tribe?"

The Hrurtooombarfhuaa chief growled. "So, you admit to the crime?"

"No, because none of my people committed it!"

Arctus, however, noticed something from each tribe leader's words. Using the Utia chief's analogy, the former smuggler thought about the claims over territorial dispute and the killings that occurred. He wasn't an expert on Wookie customs, and killing trespassers was a tad extreme for the Corellian. He understood that such things happened, of course, but why stress on breaking a mutual agreement then deny responsibility for the deaths that occurred but accuse each other about it?

The Padawan was beginning to get the sense that neither the Hrurtooombarfhuaa and the Utia was even responsible for the killings. But if not them, who?

"Er, quick question to the Hrurtooombarfhuaa chief," Arctus requested, gaze shifting between the protocol droid and the chief in qiestion. "I'll go on a limb and assume that your nephew won't just leave his bowcaster lying somewhere. But have you sent scouting parties to search for Krrsost, or his remains, if you believe he's truly dead?"

"Aye, that we did, young Jedi," revealed the Hrurtooombarfhuaa chief, demeanour turning downcast. "And we have found none, save for his bowcaster, as you can see."

Arctus rose from his seat, offering each side a compassionate, "I'm sorry for your losses. Truly. And I hate asking this, but... the bodies. The ones you found and accusing one another of being responsible for such deaths. Can you describe the state they're in when you found them? 'Cause if I remember correctly," he glanced at the Utia leader, "you said they were mangled? Like, literally, or...?"

"They were torn apart, yes," supplied the Utia leader. Arctus looked at the Hrurtooombarfhuaa chief, silently asking the same to which the latter replied,

"Yes. Torn apart."

@TWD26 @Lucien