Trials of Mastery: Grug

[Vollen Shai]

The Trials of Mastery are an ancient tradition of the Jedi Order, used at various times throughout history. The betrayals of the Hundred Years Darkness and the Rise of the First Sith have pushed the Jedi into action, and the Trials are once again returned to their place of sacred importance in the Order. Jedi Knights face great challenges every day, and when they believed they are ready, they must stand and be judged harshly by their would-be peers, ensuring that only the greatest Knights are entrusted with the title of Master.


---------​

In the high chambers of the Council of Mastery inside Tython's largest, ocean wracked temple, a council gathered for a most unusual Trial. It had piqued the interest of many a Jedi, not merely those on the Council today.

And among those gathered, Vollen sat deeply interested. He had worked together with Grug many years at this point, and intermittently between. Though stories of the Gammorreans combined valour and quirks abounded, a trial before the Council was far more than a listing of skills and accomplishments. Also to be understood was the applicants insight, their spirit, and their mental strength alongside their physical one.

There were many ways to do this, and undoubtedly all those present would have their own questions to offer Grug, but as Vollen watched him be ushered into the room, he offered a smile to the Gamorrean before leaning forward intently,

"Good morning Grug. It's good to have another applicant come before us. And while we have all heard of your efforts against the Sith, it prompts me to ask something a little direct" he gazed at the Knight before him, before looking across his fellow Masters gesturing toward them,

"Why leave those efforts behind for a time to seek the rank of Master?" it was short and provocative, and would hopefully see an interesting answer from Grug.

Spoiler: OOC

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The trial begins! Grug can reply, then we'll go from there. Thanks everyone and lets try to keep to 48 hours between posts to keep it moving :)

 

[Grug]

Grug had really not spent much time on Tython itself besides coming for this trial. It was the result of his constant attempts to further the Jedi missions. Fighting the Sith, helping worlds defend from bandits, and so forth. The Gamorrean Jedi was a busy knight for sure. He did not have time to bathe well before the trial as a result of his busy schedule. To be honest he likely would not have bathed anyways. Grug at least had the courtesy to leave his Vibro choppa and rifle in his temporary quarters before coming into the gathering. In one hand he had a map of the temple leading to the chambers and in the other he had a half eaten bagel.

"Good morning." He grunted back to Vollen just before the question was asked, deciding to take the rest of the bagel down in one bite while listening and thinking.

The large Jedi would probably have filled the chamber with his smell by this point. A combination of the sweet parasites and his natural, moldy funk would not be pleasant but he could have been far worse. Grug did not wish to offend them but this was the true state of his being. He wanted to do his best to be his honest self and show the council that he was ready. That or scare them into never wanting to be near him again.

"Am one Jedi. Can fight lot, but am still one being." He started his response to Vollen slowly, trying to craft the basic as best he could. "If guide others, help lead, make bigger difference. Give up fight for short time, gain better Jedi Order to do more than can do alone."

A morrt crawled from the left armpit and up Grug's neck to rest under his chin instead. It began to burrow a bit there instead to feed. The Gamorrean did not seem to notice or care but many would find it disgusting. Grug loved his little pets. They smelled so sweet and were very cuddly. Plus they never took too much blood to make Grug ever feel weaker than normal. A perfect friendship if there ever was one.

"Am have goal to help lead Jedi with little green ham. Make difference. Can do not as much if not Master."

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[Jinlo Halan]

No two trails of Mastery were ever likely to be the same, a sentiment that had been made clear since the introduction of the Trails into the current incarnation of the Jedi Order. This sentiment couldn't be any truer at this very moment! Every candidate that had stood before the council had differed in one way to other, to say that the current candidate stood out from the rest was an understatement. The Jedi knight come prospective master certainly had a proven track record that proved his dedication to the Jedi's cause, yet the way that the Gamorean Jedi had presented himself certainly was unique.

But as the Raven haired master knew all to well, the Jedi Order was a melting pot of different races, cultures and backgrounds that were all united under a shared belief. Each and every one in the Order was unique in their own respective ways. A light chortle escaped the female master's lips as Grug decided to finish off what she presumed to be the remains of his breakfast before greeting Master Shai. This would certainly be a unique trail.

Intently the raven haired master read the transcribed speech scrawl up on her wrist mounted auto scribe, her vibrantly glowing Ice Blue eyes slowly raising up from the screen of her hearing device to regard the Gamorean Jedi Knight. His sentiments were admirable, many a report had passed through to the Jedi Masters of Grug's efforts to help repair the peace in the galaxy, and there was a desire to further himself and the Order by taking on greater duties it seemed. "Rest assured Jedi Knight Grug" Jinlo spoke out briefly as lent back into her seat. "The smallest contribution of any Jedi will eventually grow to make an impact that would inspire those around you" she continued as she cast a warm smile to the Jedi knight.

Pursing her lips momentarily she mused on the last comment from the Jedi Knight, whilst it is notable that the Gamorean wished to make a difference and help lead the Jedi. There was a slight concern that was raised by the sentiment that it would be limited by his status within the Order, many of the prospective Masters who stood before the council had shared differing opinions as to what the title of Jedi Master meant. "You say that you cannot do as much as you could as a master" Jinlo spoke after a moment's contemplation. "Could you share why you feel that is the case Grug?" she inquired warmly, intending to understand the Knight's interpretation of what being as master entailed. "How would you see that your duties in the Jedi would be different as a Master?"

 

[Grug]

Five hundred pounds of man was a lot to maintain. Grug could feel himself getting hungry again already which meant his focus was starting to stray. He had to focus on this though or they'd think poorly of him. The Gamorrean Jedi turned his focus to the woman that spoke. Her question was a bit odd to him though so he had to think about it. Thinking hurt and was so hard. Grug didn't spend too long in thought before giving what he thought would make the most sense.

"Can inspire and make difference as Knight. Not can lead much as Knight. Not can sit on councils to make choice helps. Not can access things need for bring bigger fight to Sith as Knight." Grug said simply, hoping it would answer the first question adequately. "Duty not much different as Master. Still help other. Still fight Sith. Still be good Jedi."

Grug paused for a few moments after speaking to gather himself together more. There would be some changes to his duties when he became a Master, but he would still do much of the same. The Gamorrean motioned towards the woman who had spoken to him just before speaking again. He honestly was unsure who she was but it didn't affect his answer either way. She was obvious a Master of some kind.

"Master, you am know best how duty change. While do many same, will have others duty too." His fist moved to support his head as he thought, but forgot the morrt was there until it was crushed under the pressure. "As Master am take more role of leading. Help guide knights, help guide order. Use battle skill and knowledge for bigger plan. Not just in fight."

A bit of sadness passed over Grug for the briefest of moments after realizing he squished one of his pets. The smell would be absolutely horrifying but Grug would see it as a last tribute of his friend. There were a dozen more on his body. Grug had an odd relationship with them to say the least. The morrts came and went with time. This did manage to break Grug's attention a little. Luckily though he had made through the question without drifting away. Now his mind was on which morrt he squished and what he had named it. He couldn't remember.

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[Bruce Guleya]

The Jedi Master known as Bruce Guleya, sat calmly on the council as they brought the Gamorrean in to face his trials, while Bruce would admit, he wasn't overly familiar with the Jedi Knight before him, he just knew him mostly by name since he was the only gamorrean in the Order - or at least that Bruce could think back to. He watched as the pig-like Knight finish up his meal, oddly Bruce wasn't put off by that; food was good. As Grug spoke to the council Bruce found himself slightly distracted by the small creature that crawled over his body; all it did for the bardottan was make him rise an eyebrow it was rather peculiar. It was the little things the suarian like master noticed in the galaxy.

Bruce drifted his attention away from the Knight as he looked at each of his fellow masters, none of them seemed to be bothered by the putrid scent that permeated the air. Without a second thought, Bruce returned his attention to the task at hand as he tapped a button on his chair. These council chambers were, like the rest of the temple, were surrounded by an ocean with a heck of a view - but also the clean crisp air of the Ocean, and Bruce wasn't going to let that pass by. With the tap, some of the floor to ceiling windows began to open from the top, he didn't need to open them fully just needed to open them a tad bit - enough for a decent breeze to fill the chambers and evacuate the natural scents of a gamorrean; which was certainly helpful when the morrt expired.

Bruce could feel the shot of sadness running through Grug when the knight realized what had happened to the creature. However the Master didn't address that, he kept the task at hand focused. "Knight Grug, could you please tell me about the Force? What does it mean? What is it? Those are things I would like you to consider when you formulate an answer. I would also be interested in knowing - despite all of your efforts - what exactly does it mean to be a part of this Order? To be Jedi?"

Bruce could almost taste the stench as he finished up, but that was soon replaced by the fully circulated ocean breezes now.

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[Grug]

It seemed every time Grug answered one question, these Jedi Masters had more. It took a bit of focus to return to the matter at hand but luckily Master Guleya's actions reminded him of the conversations at hand. The Gamorrean watched the windows open. He could feel the fresh air coming in with the ocean breeze. Grug was not the biggest fan of it but he could handle a little bad stench for a short time if he really had to do so. Perhaps this was a piece of the test. They wanted to see if Grug could be comfortable in changing conditions. He clearly would not be beaten by a simple change of smell. That said, he was a bit nervous to be present with so many Masters of the Jedi.

"The Force is what flows..." Grug paused as he felt a bit of gas build up fighting to escape. "Flows in all. Is life behind universe. Old Master say force is power that keep galaxy in balance, but bads like Sith try abuse it. Force destroy abusers. Jedi are tools of force to help keep balance. Stop darks from abuse and hurt the balance."

Grug stopped for a moment to gather more thoughts on the force. His belly gurgled quietly as the gas fought to escape. The Gamorrean needed to fart but that was sometimes rude in other cultures. He knew this. A quick decision was made that he would cover up a quiet fart while speaking so no one would notice it. The horrid ocean stench from outside would probably cover up the smell too. That is what Grug hoped as he began to speak and slowly let out the gas.

"That answer bit of second question too am think," the fart was not nearly as quiet as he had hoped but it was too late now. "To be Jedi is to be light that push away dark. Am job to stop evils like Siths and help others in Galaxy when can. Me life is for service to other, make galaxy gooder. Order exist to do that on big scale. Help many, defeat big bads, balance galaxy and bring peace. Make force happy."

A mistake had been made. Grug hoped to release the built up gas from his nervousness slowly and quietly. Instead it was like a loud whistle that lasted even for a couple of seconds after he finished speaking. It was not a booming roar of a fart but it certainly would be audible to most in the room. The smell from Grug's butt would not take long to waft around the room even with the efforts of the open windows. For the sake of the other Jedi, Master Guleya had great foresight.

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[Jinlo Halan]

Pursing her lips in thought, Jinlo read the prospective Master's response initially to the question she had posed the Gamorrean Knight, her glowing ice blue eyes suddenly jerking away from the holo pad's screen as the projected light through the windows shifted in her periphery. As soon as realisation set in that it was the windows opening the raven haired master turned her attention back towards the growing transcribed speech being displayed on the device. Her free hand moving up towards her head to brush a few errant strands of raven black hair away, which had been blown loose by the cross breeze running through the chamber.

Quietly she observed the discussion taking place between Bruce and Grug as the Bardottan Master continued with his own line of questioning. As the Gamorrean Knight concluded his closing response and the transcription software went into idle, Jinlo's eyes narrowed slightly as a pungent odor gradualy built up over the crisp ocean scent that had passed through the chamber. Although there were no means for the deaf master to have heard the flatulence, there was no mistaking the odor that had started to creep in across the senses. Blinking for a few brief moments, partly out of bemusement and partly to shift away the build up of tears. There was truth to the understanding that some senses enhance over time to compensate for the loss of an other, that truth was being made abundantly clear to the deaf Jedi at this very moment.

Still as pungent as the odor was, it fortunately paled in comparison to some of the scents the Healer had been exposed to tending to her duties within the Halls of Healing. Raising her gaze away from the holopad, the raven haired master adjusted her posture slightly in her seat as she regarded Grug for a moment. "Knight Grug, What do you think is the most significant challenge the Order is facing currently?" Jinlo enquired as she leaned forward in her seat, whilst resting her holo pad onto her lap. "And what would you feel is the best solution for the Jedi to overcome it?"

 

[Grug]

Grug watched the Jedi Masters to see if they had reacted to his stench yet or the noise. The woman seemed to avoid mentioning it while going right to another question. He could tell she was not a fan of the current smell filling the room, but she was polite enough. The Gamorrean Jedi realized that not everyone appreciated his scent. Later this would likely amuse him but for now he kept the laughter at bay. Some of the others still had time to react to it after all so he would save the laugh for a good one.

A short pause followed the question from Jinlo. Grug was enduring hard to keep thinking clearly and not wander off. This trial would be important either way so he had to keep on top of it. His breathing became more even as he relaxed in his thoughts. There were a few issues Grug saw in front of the Jedi but he had to think of the most significant one. In the end he decided to essentially give two answers.

"Big challenge outside of course am Siths. Must fight and stop Siths. Must keep build like ams already. Make gooder friends Republic again. Push back evil before more hurt." He grunted out his answer first before quickly adding on another bit. "Challenge inside most big am fear. See many not want fight, easy give in, leave us for Sith. Many give up. Forget that Jedi are light and serve, defeat fear and evils. Is tough solve with one idea."

The answer was the deepest Grug had thought in ages, but it was something he noticed. As a Master he wanted to help inspire others and show them the way. His lack of fear did not mean bold stupidity despite his obvious low intelligence. It meant he was willing to die and throw himself into the battles. Grug was not afraid of defeat or death. An early life on Gamorr taught him that much even before he became a Jedi.

"As Master would be role model, inspire others be Jedi. Need show that fear only path to pain, suffering, and true death. Betray force bad, but want do easy and run." He hoped he was making sense to them with his deep ideas, and at least this time the newest fart was actually silent. "Both challenge help other. Do gooder fight Sith, less Jedi be afraid. Less Jedi afraid, more good Jedi to do gooder fight Sith. Grug stand at front and show that Jedi am not fall to fear."

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[Bruce Guleya]

The bardottan remained silent for the answers as he observed and was judging his reponses. It wasn't hard to tell that there was a passion behind the gamorrean, Bruce thought it might be time to change direction and he figured he'd present a bunch of questions at once.


“Let's move on. You receive a mission to Tatooine to assist a citizen. You arrive at the destination and see greeted by a young zabrak female who is delighted to see you. She explains to you that her son is ill and she requires medicine to treat his illness. She provides you with a destination, and despite the fact that you suggest she goes to a medical center or even if you offer to tend to the young lad, she is insisting she needs the medicine and doesn't trust you - a Jedi - to tend to the sick boy; and the hospital have been less than friendly. Given all this you quickly make your way to the destination she provided you.”


“After a short travel you arrive in a less than desirable location and the individual she sent you to is a rodian wearing a trench coat, and is off the beaten path. The rodian grins as you approach and ask for the medicine on behalf of the zabrak female. It soon become apparent the rodian is a spice dealer and he just handed you a small supply of spice.”


Bruce paused a moment to let the Knight process the story. “What do you do with the spice and the dealer?”


Bruce listened to the man's response showing no indication as to his own opinion. Once the gamorrean finished his response Bruce would continue. “For argument sake now, let's say you take the spice - regardless of what you did with the dealer. You know have in your possession the illegal substance and approach the zabrak female from before. She asks you if you have the medicine and when you do her eyes get excited and she begs for you to hand it over. If you decide to tell her that you know that there is no medicine here she becomes increasingly hostile in her words. She demands you turn over the spice and tells you how annoying her children are, constantly fighting with each other, constantly annoying her and that she believes the only way she can handle them is by taking spice.”


Bruce's expression was neutral as he finished the second part of the tale. The entire time he told to story he had watched the prospecting master making note of any changes in facial expressions, emotions, etcetera. “Once again I ask you, what do you do?”


And once the gamorrean Knight provide his answer to the second half in the question, Bruce remained silent, leaving the words in the air. “You're quite the fighter, my friend. Slaying the Sith. The bad-ones or whatever you'd prefer to call them. How does each time you kill a Sith weigh on you?”

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[Grug]

The first bit was a story that Grug tried to imagine. Tatooine was not a world he enjoyed but he could see himself there as he had been there once before at least. It seemed like an odd situation but he followed along anyways. By the time Master Guleya got to the question, Grug had already considered what he would do. It was a pretty simple reaction and not something he had to think about deeply. Not that he thought deeply too often.

"Am think is simple. Not am job stop all spice dealer in galaxy or try fix all life on small things. Would not take spice. Tell spice go rethink life but maybe is legal or maybe am only way survive. Not hurt." He then listened to the second bit before grunting out another answer. "Again pretty simple. Am not spice dealer or spice runner. Why she am not able get for self if need? Grug and Jedi am not mothers or local police. Would not even get spice to begin, but if had for some reason would just give but tell her is bad choice. Should not lie about health or take spice. Ams bad but not going hurt her or make change life."

Maybe not the answer they were seeking, but Grug was a simple Jedi. He would not be one to harm such small time crime on a planet full of it where maybe it is legal even. The Gamorrean would leave them to their life as long as no one was being harmed. Spice was not good but those were a personal choice many made. Not a Jedi's job to tell people to stop their drugs or change their lifestyle. The next bit was a bit different and Grug did not have to think for this answer either. He was even feeling more relaxed now with simple questions.

"When am slay Sith or bads, always offer surrender first." He grunted out simply with a shrug, which released some of the armpit morrts to scatter a bit around his body. "Am bit sad when must die, but am warrior and understand must happen to stop bads. Not all can capture or save. Is will of force to stop dark. Not feel weigh or bad from kill bads if am only choice."


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[Bruce Guleya]

“I have one more situation I would like to give you.” Bruce said once the Knight finished his answers, as always Bruce was indifferent with this reaction. This time he wanted to present a moral situation, something he took from Vollen on a previous trial. Although, obviously it wasn't going to be the exact situation. He was thinking of how to phrase it.


“You're tasked with saving a single individual. Typically, resources wouldn't be spent so heavily for a single person, but this individual is a person with great importance who actually has the power and ability to make a difference on a large scale.”


“As you progress through your mission you begin to understand that the individual's captor has more than just him in his possession. Instead you begin to notice that there's several prisoners, some being subjected to questionable treatment. You've managed to free a few extra captives but as you get to the finale of your task you're struck with a crossroads.”


“You discover that you have the opportunity to free just over a hundred people, right here right now. Unfortunately, doing so would mean the failure to complete your mission and the person you were told to rescue - the individual who has the power and ability to make an impact on a large scale - will die. You're told to make a decision right here and right now, the captor is also an option.”


Bruce was leaning forward now, resting his head on the back of his hands. “Decide. Now.” Bruce wasn't allowing Grug even the chance to think about the options, and the longer Grug took the worse Bruce would make the situation but informing Grug that more people have died. But if the gamorrean answered quickly Bruce would say no more have died.


He'd put the pressure on Grug. Figuratively, of course.

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[Grug]

Grug's focus remained on Bruce, though he was surprised to see more questions from the same person twice in a row. So far they seemed to take turns. The Gamorrean listened to the scenario and thought again it was a weird scenario. He started to think of how he would respond when the Jedi Master demanded an answer right away. Not that it was problem. Grug mostly knew what to do but wanted to word it best. Instead he grunted out whatever he had on his mind.

"One person can make difference, but many can become like that. Life of one not worth life of many. Even Master Jedi must know self not more worth than save many if can." He said quickly, not pausing much at all. "If main target die, but save many, has made big impact."

The Gamorrean then turned his focus to others in the room, wondering what they were thinking. His answers were honest and quick, but he was unsure exactly what they wanted to hear. Whether he was right or wrong, Grug was happy with them. At this time he also noticed one of the morrts was getting too fat again but this seemed a bad place to discard it so he ate it. That would make for some nasty breath (for others to smell).

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[Fennex Zeerda]

Fennex was dying.

Or at least he thought so. He wasn't sure yet if it would be literal or figurative death, but he did know that his poor nose would never be the same again. His whiskers were twisted up tight, his nostrils straining to keep the scent at bay while his ears slick tightly against his head in solidarity. His tail twitched spasmodically. This was brutal torture that he hadn't been exposed to when he first met Knight Grug on Iktotch, standing in an open air breezeway and shielded from his awesome stench. If not for Councilor Guleya's quick thinking, he wouldn't have made it through this trial. Bruce's strategic usage of the windows and thorough questioning technique bought Fennex enough time to gather himself and catch his breath (though not very deeply) and prepare to choke out his question.

"Knight Grug," He choked out with as much composure as he could manage, "Tell us about the five Trials of Mastery you've faced, and why you think you've completed them satisfactorily?"

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[Grug]

A few moments passed not so much out of thought, but amusement at the small Master's reaction to Grug's fart. The Gamorrean did also think about the question though. It was something he had to keep in mind before he even applied. All he had to do was recall why he determined himself ready. Each one had, at the time he applied, been something he thought he was ready to pass. Grug would tackle them one by one and hopefully remember them all.

"Am think. Are many," he grunted slowly as he gathered them together. "First am skill and courage. Am have both completed am think cuz am fight much. Have defend temple of Iktotch from Sith attack. Have fought off Sith on Ilum when out number. Am have fought many time for good and win. Many battles for Jedi have done. Feel am skilled and never afraid confront enemy. Most know Grug am this way, not need say much am think."

Another pause came as he let the Masters think that over. The next set would be talking about Insight and Spirit which could really only be proven by their earlier questions. Little could be said there but Grug would try his best to go through it. Grug was a bit unsure where to start for a moment but went for whatever came to mind before he waited too long.

"Next am... inward sight and spirits." Grug said them sightly wrong. "Am think most questions here give the in... insight of Grug. Am dedicate to Jedi. Am have visit old clan on Gamorr, closure with family, be full Jedi. Help them one last, take leave of Gamorr past. For these trials am think best answer is what am have said before. Live for Jedi, fight for Jedi, die for Jedi. Help others, fight bads."

Grug stifled a burp but not the full smell as he finished. The next bit would be the toughest one to explain but he would give it a shot. It was much harder to describe or even defend. He believed his constant trial was enough but it was hard to say for certain. Grug would speak with confidence here as he truly felt he had passed it.

"For flesh trial am also pass. Lost many in life, have been injure, have lived much. At Iktotch am failed Cora, lost her. Cared for much and thought was am not good enough to save. Understand now not Grug fault. She okay, but never be same. Also am been injured many time in fight. On Gamorr injured in fight against bad warlord to save clan. Not afraid to fail, or lose someone, but work hard make sure not happen." After such a long explanation he paused to consider the many adventures he had embarked upon so far, thinking of those who had not made it through. "Biggest trial of Flesh be Cora, am think, but have many in life. Am defeat own past on Gamorr, am defeat darkness many time, am avoid being dark many time. Feel am ready be Master and am role model. Show other how Master of Jedi be, lead Order to do goods and stop bads."

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[Jinlo Halan]

Leaning back in her seat, Jinlo silently read the growing transcript of the current meeting's proceedings so far, Masters Zeerda and Guleya throwing down some hard hitting questions towards the prospective Jedi Master. So far the responses had been resolute, in the mind of the Gamorrean the Raven haired Master could sense that the answers were truthful. Pursing her lips in thought there was something that perhaps would raise concern, was that the Jedi knight standing before them was focused on stopping the 'bads'. A trait that was commendable in it's own right, it did however in the mind of the raven haired Jedi master raise a few questions as to how Grug would react when things panned out for the worst.

Closing her eyes the raven haired Jedi drew a simple chained necklace that hung around her neck, slowly revealing an mounted Ice Blue kyber crystal and softly taking it into her hand. //Masters, please prepare to open your minds to receive my projections// the raven haired Jedi telepathically whispered into the backs of each of the Council member's minds. Channeling the currents of the force within her, her mind focusing on forming a scenario and casting them into her minds eye, the ice blue hue of her Kyber crystal phasing into a vibrant white light, as it started glowing with intensity as she focused solely on relinquishing the restraints on her natural psychic abilities. Slowly tendrils of the Force started to snaking out from Jinlo's minds eye and circling the chamber seeking a point of entry into the minds of those in her vicinity, the gossamer threads of the Jedi Master's psychic touch softly and gently moved into the minds of those around her.

As Jinlo continued to imbue her psychic traits into the currents of the Force, visions, sounds and thoughts that were formed in the mind of the young Jedi Master that was being broadcast-ed into the sensory centers into the minds of all those around her to sense, her mind casting a projection of visualized situation, so to give the council a clear representation of how the Gamorrean Jedi would face such a hypothetical situation as if it were reality itself.

The Gamorrean Jedi was pacing through the familiar halls of the Tython Jedi temple, each foot step echoing throughout the unusually silent halls. The bustling hive of activity had fallen deathly silent, the light that flowed from the Temple's nexuses had grown cold and bitter, as if the darkness that had once shrouded the planet had returned. The air was thick with panic, as was the stench of burnt flesh. Reaching up to his head he could feel the warm trickle of blood along the side of his face, looking down onto his fingers he could see them caked in blood soaked masonry dust. Would explain why he had found himself awakening among the rubble of a collapsed wall.

As Grug proceeded deeper into the halls his eyes fell upon the bodies of slain Jedi; Masters, knights and young lings all alike. Each and every one of them showing clear signs of either mercilessly cut down by the blade of a light saber or heavily charred through the use of the corrupted energies of the Dark side.

As the Jedi knight continued closer to the central hall of the temple, the bodies of those he encountered grew increasingly familiar. The lifeless bodies of the two young male Jedi Knights Gantz and Tynian whom the Gamorrean had sparred with on a regular basis, their faces carrying an expression of shock and surprise as if they had not expected their lives to be cut down so suddenly. Like them the surrounding young lings they were leading to the training chambers for their lessons had met the same fate. Grug approached the great oak doors that lead to the central chamber, the air was thick and heavy, not only through the fresh scent of death but through the dark corrupting influences of the dark side. As a green hued hand was placed upon the thick wooden door, Grug could feel a terrible darkness within the chamber.

The doors swung open, revealing a sight that would fill even the most steely of Jedi with dread. Within the center of the room stood several dark robed Sith knights and troopers, each one of them turning on the heal to face the new arrival. The tightly clustered group fanning out to encompass the Jedi knight, revealing at the very center of the group a familiar looking figure. The once green and beige hued skin had become corrupted by the Dark energies that flowed through him staining his skin pigment with mottled grey and black patches, his large amber eyes now dyed a blood red crimson. The dark black slits looking up towards his Friend momentarily before turning down to a young girl being suspended through the Force, her body wrestling against the constricting energies as she thought for her breath. Through her writhing actions the young captive revealed herself to be Loa, her eyes slowly rolling back on themselves as the constricting grip strangled out the life of the young Truffle Girl.

A deep bitter laugh resonated from the fallen Hutt Jedi, as he slivered his body around to face the Gamorrean Jedi. The black slits set upon the crimson hued eyes fixing soundly on the Gamorrean, as a hand held out to the side of his body, and igniting a blood hued lightsaber. Before Grug could have the opportunity to speak Jubba, slithered closer. "Join me Grug" the hutt spoke, his tone far raspier than how it was the last time they had spoke. "The Jedi, they failed. They help the republic war, The Jedi and Republic are the true bads, they wipe out Nar Hutta, kill family" he continued as he continued to slither closer to the Jedi knight “The Siths are not bads. bads is a word used by the ignorant and the weak. The Dark Side is about survival. It's about unleashing your inner power. It embraces the strength of the warrior.”

Quietly Jinlo maintained the psychic projection into the minds of the Jedi around her. The projected events will be maintained to allow for the conclusion of the interaction between Grug and and the Corrupted form of his best friend Jubba. The purpose of the illusion was to throw the candidate into a real life situation, without any knowledge or understanding of what had transpired. The transition from the trails into the vision would come as if nothing more than a simple lapse in memory, perceived to be brought about from awakening in the rubble of the collapsed wall. It was the Raven Haired Jedi master's intent to make every detail as life like as possible so it would be perceived as being real life, Like so many of the prospective Masters before Grug, the words they spoke were often enough to show understanding of the Code and the greater weights of the decisions that Jedi Masters would have to bear on their shoulders. One thing that the trails had started to identify, actions would speak louder than words.

OOC: @Cazar if you can for the next post treat the illusion as the current setting then will break it off after your post

 

[Grug]

A tinge of confusion came to Grug as he awoke to the new scene. Part of him wondered if this was part of the trial or if something had happened during it. Either way, he'd likely react the same to the situation. Grug was too simple to go around lying or trying to put a different face on. The Gamorrean Jedi would approach this just as he would anything else, real or not. His focus was on Jubba who spoke to him, and he wondered what could really make his peace loving friend turn to such a path.

"Jubba, not realize you am become so weak. Am sorry if Grug failed Jubba." He grunted bluntly to his friend, taking in the scene as he did so. "Can kill Jedis, can maybe kill Grug, but you am lose all. Am sad for Jubba, but can still join Grug. Not am too late."

As he finished speaking, Grug looked to the others in the room. He was outnumbered and fighting alone would be foolish. His friend had betrayed the light and made the Jedi hurt, but no one would be worse off than Jubba himself. Grug spent so much of his life learning that a warrior of the light was better than this. Jubba needed to be saved. If this was even real.

"Survival not important if hurt others. Power am selfish, Jubba. Jedi, Republics, not perfect. Sometimes am bads. Not mean should go to darks and be more bads." Grug did not raise any fist or weapon as he spoke, knowing his refusal to join might mean death. "Warrior strongest when fight for others, not when fight for self. We am fighted togethers. More important, we am eats togethers. Jubba am friend. Am was brother."

At this point, if he had not been struck down, Grug would raise his lightsaber. If dying here as the last Jedi was his fate, he would do it. If he could defeat them he would. If it was all a test in the trial he would hope he made the right choice. He was sad to have to fight Jubba but darkness was a taste few let go of once they had it. Grug knew to avoid it at all costs even if his friend did it.

@Nightfall096 @Loco @Plebometer @Zigara @Xorism

 

[Jinlo Halan]

Gradually the illusion faded into darkness, as the Raven haired Master skillfully brought her psychic projection to it's conclusion. The light threads of her Force enhanced natural abilities gently retreated out of the minds of those around her, slowly her eyes opened, revealing a pair of brilliant white glowing irises that were slowly phasing back into their vibrant Ice blue hue. A kind smile crossed Jinlo's features as she directed her gaze onto the Gamorrean Jedi. "Very good Grug" she spoke softly as her eyes connected with the Jedi Knight, "Be assured that was only an illusion to see how you face a betrayal many of us are likely to see, as you know the Darkside can seduce those we would least expect" the raven haired master reassured Grug before leaning back into the depths of her seat.

"Whilst your actions are what many of us would do when faced with such a situation" Jinlo continued as she adjusted her posture. "If you could enlighten the Council" the master spoke before pausing momentarily. "Could you please share with us how you felt? How did what you witness affect you?" she inquired.

Although the council could see what the Gamorrean's actions would have been in such a scenario. To see those closest, fall to darkness, be it the deaths of those who have played a part in his life as Jed or the descent and submission to the influences of the Dark side. Jinlo had been felt such emotions in her life both before and during a Jedi, she appreciated that facing such circumstances were never easy and often challenged her strength and will to serve the Force.

 

[Grug]

Grug was glad to see the scene return to normal in the chamber. He looked over the woman speaking who seemed to be in control for the moment. A moment to reflect was taken as he thought about how he felt. It was not something he had thought to really define in the moment so he had to try to imagine it again. Jubba being a big bad dark Sith made him sad. Seeing so much death and destruction of his allies made him sad too. Mostly it just made him a bit sad.

"Guess am felt sad? Friend be bad make me am sad. See lots hurt and dead make sad too." He rubbed his belly for a moment as it growled out in hunger. "Not sure affect Grug lots. Am was sad see friend go bad, but not am be different. Am simple. Be sad for bit but not change life."

The Gamorrean's stomach could be heard crying for some more food. A bagel was certainly not enough and the morrt had only made him hungrier. Grug looked between everyone present to see if anyone else wanted to speak or had a reaction to him. He wondered how many more questions would come. The fat Jedi was ready for whatever came next, but he wanted lunch.

@Nightfall096 @Loco @Plebometer @Zigara

 

[Vollen Shai]

It seemed to Vollen that the trial was coming to an end. At least, for now. Looking round at the other members of the Council, it seemed there minds were made up, or had heard enough to try. Turning now to the applicant, he gave a small nod and looked calmly at the gamorrean,

"This Council thanks you Grug, if you could leave us for a moment, the guards will escort you in once we are finished with our deliberations" with that the Temple Guards would escort Grug out, while the doors closed behind him, leaving the Masters to discuss in private. It would be no easy task, it never was when deciding upon a new Master, for to decide them was to decide the direction of the Order would take in the future as well.

But such was the task. Such was their duty.

* * *
​

As the doors reopened and Grug was allowed to re-enter, the Council sat before the man, ready to deliver their decision,

"Knight Grug. In your time as a Jedi we have seen many displays of courage, and sacrifice, indeed your efforts in battle are still stories told amongst many of the younglings, or so we hear. Rest assured, we have no doubt of your skill, or your dedication to this Order and to the Light" Vollen began, reminding Grug, and the Council of the many efforts Grug had made on their behalf. But he was not yet finished,

"But a Jedi Master cannot be solely a Master of battle. A Master represents the Order, both as an individual and on the diplomatic stage. A Master is a teacher, to both students and their peers. Both are areas where we would hope to see you step into Grug" Vollen offered with a smile. Perhaps Grug knew what this would mean,

"I for one have no doubt that you might take these on effectively, and when doing so understand the differing requirements of a Jedi when stepping into the role of diplomat, the role of teacher. Reflect on that. And indeed, reflect on those questions to which there may be no right answer, and yet a Jedi would be forced to act either way" A final piece of advice, before the final words,

"For now though, we do not grant you the rank of Master. Do not be disheartened though, not all trials are completed with words" Vollen offered with a knowing smile. But the Council had reached a decision. Grug was a good and dedicated Jedi, one that certainly had a future in the Order. For now though, his efforts as a Knight would continue.

"Thank you, Grug. May the Force be with you"

/EndThread

@Cazar