Ask Back To The Beginning: Temple Guardians

[Drow Venn]

It seemed that all that Jedi Knight, Drow Venn, had been doing recently was establishing safeguards for the Jedi Order. It was the state of the galaxy, he supposed. The Jedi had power but they were compassionate and not numerous so they needed protection. He'd just spent a lot of time establishing the Yavin Temple Security Force and while it had gone well, here he was doing the same thing.

There was a now an ongoing mission to reestablish the old Jedi Temple on Ossus. It was a monumental undertaking and Drow was honored to have been called upon to help establish it. Every Jedi was doing their part to help and Drow had volunteered to lend his mercenary and security expertise to help establish some new guardians for this new temple. He had brought along a couple of other volunteer Jedi with him, along with Hort'in, a Gammorrean he'd previously fought with before enlisting him in the Yavin Temple Security Guard. Hort'in carried with him a large blaster rifle that Tric Clintegala had instructed him in using and it was Drow's hope that Hort'in could stay on Ossus and instruct whatever new Guardians they procured in marksmanship, discipline and hand-to-hand combat before returning to Yavin.

Right now, the best candidates for Guardians happened to be the native Ysanna, masked beings who lurked around the old Temple. They were already good at guarding the temple, Drow admitted - the Jedi and Gammorrean were currently in their campsite, overlooking the Temple and could already see the limber and poorly armed Ysanna patrolling the walkways. Still, their time scouting the planet had also revealed another possible organization to recruit from - a small Deucalian clan that was currently stranded on the planet and eking out a living raiding the Ysanna settlements and hunting the great beasts that inhabited Ossus. Neither side was going to be easy to convinve and Drow wanted to discuss it further before committing to approaching one or the other.

"Any thoughts on which faction to approach first? I have my preference but I want to hear from you two first. " the Ishi Tib Jedi asked his two companions as he began packing up the campsite, with Hort'in and his astromech assisting.

@samdragon @Rhogar

 

[Drastus Drahr]

Drastus had recently found the camp after his mission with Max and his arms crossed as he surveyed the scouting Ysanna. "Why not both? Sure they're enemies. But we could probably convince them to work together. The Ysanna already protect the temple, which should be a little easier to convince.. As for the Deucalians, they're a warrior Clan. I'm sure if we beat them in a fight, they'll follow us."

He would sigh as he rolled his shoulders. It was weird being with other Jedi, he'd actually gotten used to understanding only half of what his team said. He really had been spending too much time with Max. Now he was all about the diplomacy. Well, sort of. Maybe he would get a chance to fight some Deucs. He was clad in his usual attire, though he did have his armor and lightsaber with him.

 

[Eckaaso Shyn]

Eckaaso sighed softly as he fiddled with his mechanical arm he had to put after the encounter with that Starweird on Dathomir. He looked over the two, pondering their choices. "So. The Ysanna are natives, they know the environment very well, and they've been guarding the temple for only the Force knows how long time. On the other hand, we got a Deucalian clan who's been doing raids on the Ysanna here, but they're likely a force to be reckoned with. Personally, I'd opt with trying to make them team up. The more defenders the better, no?" he reasoned.

 

[Drow Venn]

"I admire both of your optimism but having been around the block a few times, I think we're thinking wistfully if we think two warrior clans are going to be open to the idea of working together. Neither side likes us very much so it will already be an uphill battle to try and get them on our side without also trying to get them to get along with each other too, especillay with the Deucalians raiding the Ysanna." Drow said, hoping that his pragmatism and experience wasn't diluting his Jedi training. Negotiations and diplomacy were hardly his strong suits but he was hoping to get better at them. But he knew warriors, if nothing else and he knew how hard it was to convince them to follow anybody and even harder to get them to work with other warriors, no matter how much it served their own interests to do so. The fact that the two groups had been fighting each other made things even more complicated.

"I'm willing to try if I'm outvoted but I think the best use of our time would be to try and get one side over the other." Drow explained.

@samdragon @Rhogar

 

[Drastus Drahr]

"It's not much more different than any other two warrior clans fighting. Born Mando, so I actually understand the Deucs quite a bit." Drast would offer. "If we favor one, we risk a fight with the other. And as sure as I am of us, shouldn't we try to avoid a war? Picking a side just won't magically end their bad blood and we can't afford to have a base that is a target out the gate." he would offer a shrug.

He knew his advice wasn't worth much as he was still just a Padawan, but he hoped he had harnessed his inner Max and Indy to at least say some of the right words. "Worst comes to worst, if diplomacy fails, then we can resort to combat."

@Fantasy Liver @samdragon

 

[Eckaaso Shyn]

The knight pondered, listening both the Padawan and the other Knight, rubbign his chin thoughtfully. "For once, I agree with the Padawan, Drow. We should at least try to make them cooperate. If that's not possible, we could offer the Deucalians a ride back to their planet or whatever was their original destination before they got stranded here. Just an idea. Definitely we don't want to spark a war between the two, given the already quite tense situation..." he said, looking down the hill, watching the Ysanna roam around the temple. "We could even try to seek if any of the two clans has any Force sensitive members, and offer them membership into the Order. Maybe this could defuse the situation."

@Rhogar @Fantasy Liver

 

[Drow Venn]

And once again, it seemed violence was what the Jedi would rely upon as a backup. Drow found himself, once again, wishing that his skills in combat weren't constantly relied on during the Order, preferring instead to use his other skills to serve the galaxy. He knew the toll violence could take on a young soul firsthand and he didn't want to subject the two younger men to it if these negotiations turned sour, especially with how he'd seen Drastus flirt with anger.

"Neither side is going to react well to strangers but the Ysanna will be easier, provided we can actually convince them we're the Jedi of old. In my experience, primitive tribes tend to take more convincing than most." Drow said, relenting somewhat.

"How about we go to them first? Convince them we're Jedi and that we can make the raids stop if they agree to continue guard the temple and welcome our presence. After that, we can go to the Deucalians and make good on our promise to end their raids." Drow offered his two friends.

"One way or another..." he said darkly, not knowing if the Deucalians would stop raiding due to diplomacy or violence.

@samdragon @Rhogar

 

[Drastus Drahr]

"Well, it sounds like we have our first target." Drast would say. "I'm going to grab my gear though, just in case." he would turn to head for the ramp of the ship. He knew some of the Jedi were keeping very close eyes on him. He had a penchant for using his anger, and of the two present, Drow had seen him nearly burn a mans face off. The cyborg still went out of his way today to avoid Drastus in the halls of Yavins temple.

Once he made it up the ramp, he would go to where his storage locker was and open it, kneeling down. He would activate his comm, and sigh after seeing no messages. Rupert had told him he would inform him when either girl finally woke up. So far? Nothing. He would then contact Master Sati, who didn't pick up. "Hey Master, it's Drast. Hope all is going well with you and Felix. The mission with Max got super extended as we answered the request for help on Ossus. Sorry to worry you. There's a chance for a fight, but I'll try to win it over with words instead. Bye Master." He sighed before deactivating the comm and pocketing it.

Pulling on the set of armor, he carefully, yet skillfully pulled on each set. So far it was just reinforced duraplast, but he had hoped to eventually replace bits with actual beskar. He completed the kit by attaching the shoulder harness with his beskad and clipping his lightsaber to his belt. Finally the helm was pulled on and he would descend the ramp. The whole process maybe took five minutes. His voice now modulated, he would glance at both Knights. "Sorry, had to let my Master know why I wasn't home yet." he'd say with a laugh.

@samdragon @Fantasy Liver

 

[Eckaaso Shyn]

The Kaleesh nodded at the Ishi Tib's proposal. "Sounds good to me. I assume that the Ysanna know Basic? I'm honestly a bit worried about eventual language barriers that may cause misunderstandings or other issues. But that's probably just me who's paranoic about it" he chuckled, standing up after finishing adjusting his cybernetic arm. He wore his usual armor and his lightsaber hung on his side.

After Drastus returned from talking with his Master, he looked at the two. "So, shall we go now?" he asked

@Fantasy Liver @Rhogar

 

[Drow Venn]

OOC: Hope you don't mind the timeskip

"Let's do it" Drow said, resigning himself to this plan. Or, as his teachers would call it, following the will of the Force. The three of them would make their way into the old ruins of the Temple and were instantly surrounded by masked Ysanna wielding zhabokas and slings.

"Who dares enter this most sacred ground?" the biggest of them boomed, holding his zhaboka to Drow's throat. The Ishi Tib Jedi smiled and patted the lightsaber on his belt, both to show that the three of them were Jedi and that he would fight to defend himself if necessary.

@Rhogar @samdragon

 

[Drastus Drahr]

"Absolutely. Lead on." Drast would say in agreement.

The walk was about as exciting as you'd expect, not very. Though the scenery was gorgeous. The farther they walked, the more ruins they found. Still mindful of the fact they were wandering to a Clan of warriors, one hand would stay happily on the grip of his Preef Callo Blaster.

When the Ysanna finally showed themselves, of course they had a blade to the throat of Drow and of course, Drow was cool as a cucumber. Not wanting to spark more violence, or spur anything, Drast would keep his hand where it was and not move threateningly.

@Fantasy Liver @samdragon

 

[Eckaaso Shyn]

Spoiler: OOC

I hugely apologize for not responding in time, real life has been very hectic lately

The Kaleesh nodded and stood up, following the two.

He looked around as they approached the old temple, keeping his hands on his sides, one of them not too far from his lightsaber, but neither too close to avoid misunderstandings. Then, the natives showed themselves, surrounding them and threatening them with their swords. He raised a bit his hands in a friendly gesture, smiling - even though it was concealed due to his mask - and said, in a friendly tone: "Greetings Ysanna, we're coming in peace and with an offer. I am Jedi Knight Eckaaso Shyn, while my two companions are Knight Drow Venn and Padawan Drastus Drahr. We are Jedi, and we've been looking for restoring this ancient temple you've been guarding for countless years."

 

[Drow Venn]

"Eeeerrrrkk..." the Ysanna chittered, looking to his fellows. Light murmurings and nodding

"Many before you have come to us claiming to serve the will of the Force or pretending to be Jedi. What makes you different from them? How can we trust you?" the one with the sword to Drow's throat asked haughtily.

"Because we don't seek riches or power here. We don't wish to take your temple from you. Rather, we want to share in its restoration and work together, teaching your people our ways and learning from you as well." Drow said, putting on what he thought was his winningest grin on his scarred face.

The Ysanna lowered the sword somewhat and Drow was hopeful that this mission might go easier than he expected. But that wasn't the Jedi's luck. A grenade suddenly was lobbed over the walls of the Temple and Drow's instincts took over. He reached for the explosive and hurled it into the sky where it exploded harmlessly, barely in time. The Ishi Tib Jedi winced. He knew this was a possibility but he'd hoped it wouldn't have come. He'd had a sneaking suspicion that the Deucalians had been keeping tabs on the Jedi since they'd arrived and with the Jedi occupying the Ysanna defenders, it was an easy matter for them to swoop in and make a raiding run.

"Prove it then! Help us defend our holy grounds!" the Ysanna cried. Drow unhooked his lightsaber but did not yet ignite it. He could hear Deucalians throwing grappling hooks over the walls of the Temple and knew action needed to be taken soon but didn't want to throw the chance of a Deucalian/Ysanna compromise out the window just yet, no matter how much he might disagree with it.

@Rhogar @samdragon

 

[Drastus Drahr]

So far, so good. When he was introduced to the Ysanna, he offered a bow of his head. Maybe this could be a little easier the-nope. Not at all. A detonator would appear as if from nowhere, before it was launched heavenward and exploded aimlessly. He'd look to Shyn and Venn "I got an idea, but it's not a good one. Just cut the grappels."

Mandalorians and Deucalians had a long history of warfare and assimilation. So he knew the sight of his armor could at least stop the current fighting, long enough to speak. Running for the wall, Drast would use the Force to run up it, before springing over and sliding down one of the grappels to the other side with the attacking force.

Landing with a thud, all Deucalian eyes would pause to look at the glint of the metal, the shape of the visor. "I challenge your leader to a test of steel! Mine versus his! I win, this battle ends! You win, it proceeds." No Clan leader would willingly turn down a duel, as it would affect the image their men had of them. Did he think he was the best fighter in his group? By no means. But he did know that the Deucalians would respect a weapon similar to theirs and not a lightsaber.

@samdragon @Fantasy Liver

 

[Eckaaso Shyn]

The Kaleesh wanted to intervene in the conversation, when he ducked instinctively at the explosion. He looked back towards the grapples, and saw Drastus charging down. He rolled his eyes and ran towards the ledge, lightsaber in his hand, but not active just yet, and looked in a bit of awe as the Mandalorian confronted the numerous group of Deucalians all alone, even though with words, rather than with steel. He had heard a lot about the similarities between Mandalorians and Deucalians, and also their traditions, which somehow resembled also the ones of his own people, so he though that a trial of steel could make sense. He observed the group beneath him, waiting for a response from the Deucalians.

 

[Drow Venn]

The Deucalians said nothing, instead turning to face their leader, a large Human, unhelmeted and bearded with numerous scars on his face and forearms. The man was eagerly looking at Drastus, recognizing that this was not the usual caliber of Ysanna defender before him. He stepped forward and withdrew a knife...

And tossed it to Drastus.

"Knife versus knife. No tricks, no armor, no other weapons. You win, we'll leave this place. I win, I get your saber." the Deucalian leader said, nodding to the lightsaber that Drastus carried.

Meanwhile Drow, did his best to reassure the Ysanna and to get them to not immediately go for their weapons to return fire.

"They invaded our home! You could have led them here! Why would you not want us attacking them if you didn't?"

"Even if you win, you'll just cause more damage to this place. Trust us, please!" Drow pleaded. For now, the Ysanna hung back, the sight of Drow's now-ignited lightsaber, temporarily motivating them to give Drastus a chance. That was good but the Ishi Tib wasn't exactly sure he trusted this plan. Still, Eckaaso seemed to be onboard so Drow would trust his younger companion.

@Rhogar @samdragon

 

[Drastus Drahr]

Drast would nod slowly as the Leader spoke. "None of your men continue fighting while we do, and none of them touch my gear or you automatically forfeit." His hands would lift to remove his helm and would set it down against the wall behind him. "My lightsaber is a steep price, so let's make the reverse as steep.. I win, you and your warriors aid us in our endeavors in these lands. You win, you get my lightsaber.. and my armor.."

His hands would move to his cuirass as he worked the buckles. Words were bond to the warrior races of the galaxy, and so he knew that as he removed his armor, he would not be attacked. Once he was done removing the cuirass and vambraces, he left with only the letharis training vest and greaves.

@Fantasy Liver @samdragon

 

[Drow Venn]

OOC: It's been a hot second. Moving things along for now until samdragon posts

The Decualian leader nodded to Drastus' terms and waited for the Jedi to strip his armor off. Once Drastus was done, the hulking man would charge forward, knife in the typical Deucalian combat stance. He'd slash twice at Drastus' chest and once at his head in truly blinding speed. For a man of that size, he sure could move.

Drow didn't say anything to Drastus but he sent him a feeling of encouragement through the Force. Drastus was a fighter like him. He knew such praises would only get in the way of his concentration. Besides, Drow had fought alongside Drahr enough to have complete faith in the young man's abilities.

@Rhogar @samdragon

 

[Eckaaso Shyn]

OOC: I hugely apologize for answeing only now, real life has been hugely hectic and I've been dealing with some... personal issues too.

The Kaleesh warrior watched the two men's fight from above, his lightsaber in hand just in case something goes wrong, although he knew he could trust the young Jedi. He was more worried about the Deucalian. He heard that they were honorable people, but you never knew when someone of them may have the idea of cheating or such...

While he watched, his thoughts trailed away into the past, into his childhood, when he watched his tribe's warriors fighting, sometimes even to the death, to demonstrate their valor and skill to an opposing tribe, or to impress a potential mate.

@Fantasy Liver @Rhogar apologies again

 

[Drastus Drahr]

Drast knew the moment that last bit of armor fell, it was game on. He had trained his whole life for something like this, whether he knew it or not. A big man meant he would strike high and Drast had no doubt in his mind that the man was truly skilled in combat, for one didn't lead a Clan by being a slouch. As the Deucalian charged, Drast would dive, the knife gliding overhead as he rolled between the mans massive legs, and unlike the Deucalian, Drast had no desire to kill the man, nor even mortally wound him. He would try to drive the pommel of the knife towards the back of the mans knee as he passed, not only to maybe disable the leg, but also to let the warrior know that Drast wouldn't kill him.

It was risky at best, but if the man could lose focus, Drast had a chance. The warrior had all the advantages on Drast: Size, strength, and maybe even speed. So the young Jedi had only one choice: turn the advantages, into disadvantages. Now that it was his turn to attack, Drast would flick the dagger around into a reverse grip as he recovered from his roll. Charging forward he bring the dagger in a horizontal slash at chest height, only to flick the blade as he released it, to catch it with his other hand to try to drive the pommel of the knife into the mans abdomen. The newly freed hand would be used to either block or aid in maneuvering.

@Fantasy Liver @samdragon