Ask Watch The Skies

[Soren Rel]

Endor - Jedi Base Camp​

Soren stood over one of the Jedi that had been attacked earlier. His sleeves rolled up, the edges stained with the blood of his patient of the young man on the table. The initial scout reports had said nothing about predators being in the area but the attacks had started this morning.

Something had spoked the colony of Condor Dragons. Luckily these two had been the only serious injuries so far. Soren had been the one with the most medical experience in the area at the time, but he needed someone to scale the cliffs and find out where these creatures were coming from and stop them before someone else was attacked.

Master Thral entered the tent a moment later. "Master, thank you for coming. The creatures are coming from the cliffside above us. If we don't do something about it soon, someone else is going to get hurt." he said quickly, taking a pause to wipe some of the blood from his hands. He felt somewhat awkward giving the Jedi Master an assignment but he had been tasked with setting up this basecamp so he took charge, hoping she would understand. "As far as we can tell, they are nested in shallow caves carved into the cliffs," he said, offering what little information they did have. "Take whoever you need. We don't have any ships that can get you close, but I have the scouts climbing gear outside that you are free to use." he said before turning back to tending to his patient.

Soren was uncomfortable sending Jedi to exterminate creatures that had likely nested in these caves for thousands of years and he held some hope they could find a way to peacefully remove them but the safety of the Jedi here was his highest priority.

@Forsythe Crowholde @Reyn

 

[Izel Thral]

When Izel heard that the Order was establishing a presence on Endor and needed the assistance of experienced Knights and Masters she was glad to volunteer. She believed in the cause of expanding the Order's reach throughout the galaxy, and while she would have preferred them building closer ties with more populated worlds and systems, any act to expand into new places was a wise course of action in her mind.

The base camp was small, just barely getting off the ground as she arrived. Having been told the Knight in command of the operation was one Soren Rel, she immediately sought him out once learning where he was. The large insectoid ducked slightly to enter the medical tent, antennae immediately twitching with distaste as she was hit with the scent of their injured comrades. The Condor Dragons had done quite a number on them, but at least they were alive. She bowed her head respectfully as Soren greeted her, and listened patiently as he explained the situation.

"That's alright." She responded to Soren once he had finished. "Scaling the mountain shouldn't provide too much difficulty. A small team should be able to move quickly enough so as not to be spotted, I won't deprive you of any more of your people then necessary." She raised a hand to pat the side of his arm. "Don't worry Knight Rel, we'll have this settled in no time. Just make sure to have the Jedi here remain on alert until I've returned. We don't want anyone getting carried off." The Master's tone was confident. Compared to some of the escapades she had gotten into recently, it felt more like a fun adventure to do something so simple and straightforward. Certainly the Condor Dragons would be a threat, but it was nothing she felt she wouldn't be able to handle.

After leaving the tent Izel would scan the camp for any Jedi available to come with her. In her mind she doubted they would need more than a team of two or three people to accomplish this mission. "Any of you like mountain climbing?" She asked in an upbeat voice as she pointed her thumb towards the cliffs above. "I'm going on a field trip and could use a hand..."

@Raydo @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

He was getting more and more used to space travel, and without Master Alex to oversee him. Granted she had been off to missions on her own, but it was a setting they had already discussed about and agreed into. There were things and missions she ought to do without him, and vice versa. He understood the weight of her words. the responsibilities she now were saddled with, and that he was still helping her without having to be physically there by her side. And yet Maiko still felt that this increasing independency granted to him was coming way faster than he would ever admit. The young Padawan knew he still had lots to learn from the Morellian Jedi Master, and yet he was also aware that there was much to learn from other Master and Knights other than her.

Endor reminded him of Sorgan, but only a little. The greenery was very much present, yes, but the mountains were oddly terrifying and beautiful at the same time. Maiko still couldn't form a proper opinion about the forest moon, but with the Jedi choosing to make an outpost here already left a positive remark on the Padawan. Endor was a historical place as well, tracing back to the Battle of Endor followed by the destruction of the second Death Star.

He wasn't here to admire and dwell on history, however.

Maiko had volunteered to be a part of the Jedi Taskforce led by Knight Soren Rel, offering his aid in whatever task that needed to be done while the outpost was being constructed. He was confident enough that he could help in any way possible, his self-esteem having been raised and nurtured during his travels with his Master. Now was also the time to put to use everything he'd learned from Master Alex, whether if it's healing or other applications of the Force.

The attack of the Condor Dragons settled where the Padawan's aid was needed. While Master Rel tended to their comrades who suffered serious injuries from the creatures' assault, Maiko had dutifully helped look after those who were lightly injured and taken by surprise by the attack. He looked up from talking with one of the Knights and saw Master Izel Thral emerge from the tent. The Vratix Jedi pointed a thumb upwards before making the query, her voice upbeat in a way that intrigued the Padawan. Mountain climbing? Field trip? Would it be connected to the Condor Dragons attacking the Jedi, perhaps?

Only one way to find out, and he would be more than glad to help.

"I-I can help!" Maiko volunteered, raising one hand as if they were in a classroom setting. His cheeks turned pink from embarrassment when a few of the Knights shared good-natured laughter at his enthusiasm, but he could feel that they were in no way trying to poke fun at him. The Padawan rose to his feet and began to approach Master Thral. "I'd like to go, Master Thral. It's about the Condor Dragons, isn't it? I-I'm sure there's something I can do to help!"

His eagerness bled through the Force. Knowing that this could very well be a learning experience alongside being able to prevent the threat of more attacks from the spooked creatures, Maiko wouldn't let this opportunity of being under an experienced Jedi Master's supervision slide so easily.

@Raydo @Reyn @Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

Isen was glad to hear that the Jedi weren't putting all their eggs in one basket, so to speak, by working on creating a number of different locations for the Jedi to commune. One of the reasons Ajan Kloss was so horrific was the fact that it was, by and large, the only truly active Jedi establishment. By opening up a few more temples and locations, it was possible for the Order to expand more quickly, but more importantly, they would be a bit more insulated from an attack like that at Ajan Kloss.

As such, the Jedi Knight was more than willing to show up on Endor and see if he could be of any assistance in getting the place up and running. He had just arrived when he heard that one of the Masters on site as trying to get some volunteers to help with a little animal problem. The condor dragons known to the planet were becoming a bit of a nuisance. It just so happen to be a problem that Isen may be uniquely qualified to help solve with his growing ability to form Force bonds with beasts of all types.

He headed to where the master in question was trying to drum up some support, and much to his delight, he saw his old Master, Izel Thral (@Reyn ) the one banging the drums. He was approaching her from behind when she asked, "Any of you like mountain climbing? I'm going on a field trip and could use a hand..."

He was paused right behind the Vratix master when Padawan Maiko Sigur (@Forsythe Crowholde ) offered his help. He was sure that Izel would accept. Behind her shoulder, Isen said with a small grin, "What about an old sour apprentice of yours? Is he welcome?" He was quite excited and happy to see his Master. It would be the first time they had crossed paths since the day he was knighted. He already served missions helping to free the Sulstans from their Sith tyrants, clearing a Haven-class med station, helped tame a rancor enough to help Drow acquire some sort of plant, capturing two Sith in the attempted capture of Byblos, among other missions. It had been a long while, and seeing her here on Endor brought a renewed sense of joy to the Kiffar Jedi.

@Raydo

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel chittered lightly at the Padawan's over-eagerness along with the rest of the Knights present. It didn't take the Force to sense his enthusiasm. He seemed to have gathered what the mission's purpose was, and despite witnessing the effects of a Condor Dragon attack, was still willing and ready to go. Bold. They would see if he had the skill to match. Izel stood over the young Padawan and leaned in to inspect him briefly before replying.

"You're Master Voran's student yes?" She asked. "Maiko Sigur? I'm curious to see what she's taught you. You can come along, just stay close. These creatures are no laughing manner." That was when she heard another, more familiar voice volunteer, and the Vratix went still for a moment. Her antennae twitched, and slowly she turned to see her old apprentice Isen Ramm standing behind her. The Jedi Master was plainly overjoyed to see her student after such a long time, dropping all pretenses of professionalism for a moment to grab the Kiffar and pull him into a hug.

"Isen!" She chittered before releasing him and stepping back. This mission just kept getting better and better. "What a pleasant surprise! You've been quite busy haven't you? I've heard all about it." she patted him on the shoulder warmly. "I'm proud beyond measure. Of course you're welcome! I'll need my resident expert in animal bonding if we're going to resolve this problem without a bloodbath." Izel had hoped she could avoid killing the moon's native fauna as much as possible through the use of Beast Control. It would have been a difficult task on her own, but with her apprentice here the strategy seemed much more viable. And she could potentially teach a useful trick to Maiko as well. The Vratix took a step back, looking between the two humanoids excitedly.

"Oh, Padawan Sigur, this is Knight Ramm if you have not already been acquainted." She introduced them, not knowing if it was necessary or not. "Knight Rel has had some climbing gear set aside for us. Why don't the two of you grab what you need? After that we can head out. I don't want to waste any time. We want to avoid any more attacks if we can." Being an insectoid Izel herself would not need any special equipment to assist her in climbing, but she was well aware of the difficulties it presented to her less sure-footed companions.

@Forsythe Crowholde @Isen

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Maiko stood straighter, trying to make himself as tall as possible when Master Thral shifted her focus on him. She towered over him by a large margin and instead of feeling nervous or apprehensive the Padawan simply smiled at her as she seemed to inspect him. He nodded in response at the question, his thoughts briefly going to where his Master might be and if she was okay.

He had faith she was.

"Yes, Master," he replied to both questions. Master Thral's reminder would not go unheeded, with Maiko nodding again eagerly to show that he understood and planned on doing just as what he was advised. His hand unconsciously hovered over his newly-constructed lightsaber, a testament to the growing independency he now possessed. Ever since that day on Mygeeto, Maiko promised himself that he would make Master Alex even more proud of him by utilizing everything she had taught him.

He wouldn't be a burden anymore.

Maiko shuffled a bit to look past Master Thral when a somewhat familiar voice spoke behind her. The Padawan hadn't properly met Isen Ramm but he could recognize the latter as easy as breathing, having made a positive mark on Maiko despite the newly-minted Knight's aloof nature during Drastus's party. It felt like a lifetime ago, when the galaxy still wasn't plunged with even more blatant Sith attacks. Maiko had heard in passing of Isen's elevation to Knighthood, and the Padawan felt happy for the Kiffar Jedi.

He watched fondly as former Master and apprentice reunited, his eager smile turning soft at the display. Master Thral and Isen– no, Knight Ramm seemed pretty close, with the Vratix Jedi Master pulling the Kiffar in for a hug. A funny thought about third wheeling flashed briefly in Maiko's mind and he quickly banished it, placing a hand over his mouth to stifle a laugh about his own private joke.

Animal bonding? The young Padawan remembered his first meeting with Master Voran, especially the incident regarding the piranha beetles, as well as the tiny adventure he was roped into by Crix and facing the Oggdo. Maiko's gaze shifted to Knight Ramm, his enthusiasm to learn about the Kiffar's skill only curbed by the Padawan's sudden shyness.

Breathe, Maiko. Work through that and learn.

He waved a hand friendlily at Knight Ramm before moving to offer that same hand to the latter for a handshake. "Hello, Knight Ramm. Congratulations on achieving Knighthood!" he told the Kiffar, wincing mentally. Was that right, or should he have gone with the more casual 'Congrats, you got Knighted'? But he couldn't take back what he said so he would leave it at that. And besides, Maiko never really got to interact with Isen during that party from long ago, and the Padawan couldn't decide if it was even worth mentioning.

Maiko would briefly but warmly shake Knight Ramm's hand should the Kiffar accept the handshake before turning to look back at the Vratix Jedi Master. He nodded before heading off to gather what they needed, not waiting for the Knight to follow after him. The Padawan didn't want to be seen as some sort of a burden this early into their task as he entered the tent, greeting Knight Rel before retrieving the climbing hear Master Thral had mentioned. Given the Vratix Jedi's constitution, the young Padawan assumed that she wouldn't need the climbing gear as much as Maiko and Isen, and having her carry one of her own would be unnecessary. Maiko double, then triple-checked if any gear was amiss and nodded to himself in satisfaction upon seeing none. Taking the gears with him, he returned where he left the two Jedi and offered Knight Ramm his own climbing gear.

"I look forward to working and learning from both of you, Master Thral and Knight Ramm!" he told the two upon his return. Maiko was ready, and he would do his best to apply everything he had learned from Master Alex.

@Reyn @Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

The Kiffar gave his master a warm embrace, a rare show of emotion from the young Jedi. It truly was good to see her again. When she mentioned that she was keeping up with him and hearing about his missions, he was glad to have had some successes for her to hear about. He always wanted to do her proud, and he was happy to have been able to oblige early in his role as Jedi Knight. "It's good to see you too, Master. It's been too long."

Izel introduced Maiko and Isen. The two had a few interactions back on Yavin, but Isen was very near to working on his trials just as Maiko was starting to get his feet under him as an active Padawan. Their paths didn't cross much, but Isen recognized him. In fact, he was quite sure he was at the party where Isen may or may not have gotten a little headstrong about how serious, or lack of seriousness, the Padawans were giving to their practice.

Maiko extended a hand and Isen took it as he bowed to give his respect. "Hello, Knight Ramm. Congratulations on achieving Knighthood!"

Isen rose and nodded as he gave the Padawan a light touch on the shoulder. "Thank you, Maiko. It's good to see you again."

He followed the Padawan to gear up and asked Izel to come along while he did so. After all, they had some catching up to do. "I'm very sorry that I haven't kept in touch any better than I have. I've been all over. Every time I finish something, I either get sent back to the field or I send myself. I did year that you got your rank as Master. I don't know anyone more deserving. Congratulations, Master. I'm embarrassed that I wasn't there to see your promotion."

@Reyn @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Izel Thral]

It seemed the two younger Jedi had already met in the past. Well that was good. It should be easier to work together in that case. Izel followed her former Padawan as he and Maiko went to gear up for the climb, shaking her head immediately as the young Kiffar started apologizing for not keeping in touch more. "It's no trouble at all Isen." She insisted. "We're all busy. I'm just glad we have this chance to work together again. I've missed you." Izel had plenty of friends within the Order and her new apprentice to keep her company. But that wasn't quite the same. Isen had been her first Padawan. She had barely been more than one herself when she took him under her wing. She believed he had taught her nearly as much as she taught him. He was family to her.

It didn't take long for the other two Jedi to prepare themselves for the journey. Once he was ready to go Maiko once again voiced his eagerness to set off, and to learn. His enthusiastic declaration drew another amused chitter from the Vratix. She was already liking this Padawan. She had a feeling they'd get along just fine. Once Isen had his gear on as well the master would set off from the camp, leading them on the path towards the cliffs.

"Make sure to keep your eyes up above." She advised them. "Condor dragons often circle before attacking, you should be able to see them coming." As they walked she would look back at Maiko. "Do you have any experience with the ability called Beast Control Padawan? I'm hoping we can tame the beasts rather then simply slaughter them all..." If the young Jedi was unpracticed Izel would demonstrate the basics for him. Between the three of them she could see the strategy working, if they didn't stumble upon a massive nest all at once. It would be tricky, but was definitely doable.

@Forsythe Crowholde @Isen

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Once he was all geared up Maiko followed along dutifully after Master Thral and Isen, keeping close and alert for any surprise attack from the creatures that might come their way. The Condor Dragons might have hurt some of their fellow Jedi, but the Padawan couldn't fault the creatures from either getting spooked by their presence or defending their colony. As much as he wanted to help resolve this problem, he also wanted to end this without having to kill the creatures. Just because they were non-sentient did not mean that they were not to be respected.

He kept his vision tracked overhead as advised. At the question posed towards him, Maiko shifted his gaze to look at the Jedi Master and nodded. "I have, Master, though it still needs more refinement, I believe."

While a lone Oggdo had been easy to pacify and tame, Maiko had found trouble with a swarm of piranha beetles. Believing that it was failure on his part and not knowing that the lone piranha beetle had lashed out as intended by Master Alex, the young Padawan worried about the possibility of making the same mistake with regards to the Condor Dragons.

His desire to keep the creatures alive rather than killing them aligned with the Vratix Jedi, giving Maiko the courage to banish his initial fears. He was with two, experienced Jedi – should he falter they were there to support him. However, he didn't want for things to come to that. He would try his best to pull his own weight and not to be a burden to worry about.

@Reyn @Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

Isen gave Maiko a long sideways glance after they packed up and started making their way toward the rocky terrain they were to climb. The Padawan was nervous. Isen could sense that coming from him. There was a fear of failure or disappointment. To that, the Kiffar Jedi could relate. He handled his insecurities as a Padawan differently than Maiko, however. Instead of fretting about it, Isen bottled those feelings up, put on a stone-cold face, and acted much more decisively than he should have.

"Don't be nervous. You're with Master Thrall. You can't possibly mess up enough to keep her from getting this mission completed," Isen said with a grin. "And, she's a healer. If you get a hunk of you bitten off, Master Thrall will keep you plenty alive until we can get you to a bacta tank." Isen was joking of course...sort of...but his outward emotions wouldn't betray that. He looked quite serious. "Besides, if you want to bond with these creatures, you can't be afraid. You have to at least be their equal in both and strength. A quiet confidence has been my best tool in bonding with large, proud animals." It was a fine line between being tough enough to get them to accept a Jedi as someone to bond with while not being too overbearing. Isen found that out the hard way with the great angler when Knight Rah taught him the foundations of bonding with beasts.

Isen shot his climbing anchor into the mountain above and started climbing using the rope to help his way. He looked over at his mentor and said, "Just like old times, Master. Maybe I should stir up some extra trouble while we're here...for old times sake. I'm not sure this mission will be exciting enough as it is."

Isen said this flat-faced and simply started climbing. Izel would know he was joking, but he wasn't so sure about Maiko. But, if it got Maiko's heart rate up, perhaps he wouldn't be so nervous when it really was just the condor dragons they had to worry with.

@Reyn @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel nodded in reply to Maiko's explanation of his skill level. Well of course it still needed refinement, he was just a Padawan after all. But it was good that he had a basic grasp of the skill, that would make things easier. "Well you'll have plenty of practice today." She replied, maintaining her cheerful attitude. Like Isen, she could sense Maiko's desire not to fail. He very much wanted to show his worth. Izel wanted to exude an aura of confidence, so that the Padawan's nerves might be smoothed over and he would feel the same.

Of course then Isen had to go and talk of their horrible failure and potential for being mauled. The Vratix couldn't help but chitter in amusement. "Still have yet to master the pep talk technique I see?" She asked her former apprentice humorously before looking back at Maiko. "He's right though. In order to calm another creature's mind you must be completely calm yourself. Remember your meditation exercises. Recite the Code in your head if it helps keep a level mind."

Finally they reached the cliff face. As Isen fired his climbing anchor and started his ascent, Izel would step up onto the bare rock, beginning to climb the near vertical surface as though she were still just walking on flat ground. She would maintain a slow pace, so as to stay close to her companions. Again Isen invoked the nostalgia of being on one of their old missions together. He obviously missed those times as much as she did. Izel was well aware of her former apprentice's difficulties with making friends. She knew he would likely be feeling the missing camaraderie even harder than her. "Let's wait to see how many man-eating beasts there are before you try anything." She teased back. She was afraid given their proximity to the Condor Dragon colony they would have to deal with attacks during their ascent, but the skies looked totally clear. Which meant so long as her non-insectoid comrades didn't have any difficulty getting up the mountain they would have a clear shot to the top. A fine start. Hopefully their luck would hold.

Dice
@Forsythe Crowholde @Isen

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Maiko returned Isen's grin, though it quickly vanished when the Knight casually mentioned that bit about getting a hunk bitten off of him. The Padawan instinctively felt for any flashes of amusement through the Force that might indicate that the Kiffar Jedi was simply joking to help ease the Padawan's nerves, and he was quick to catch a flash of amusement. Grin returning to his face Maiko nodded once, then twice at Isen's advice, grateful for having received them.

"Thank you," he told the Knight in appreciation while imitating the former's movements in securing his own climbing anchor atop the mountain. Maiko's attention then shifted to Master Thral when she spoke next. The Padawan couldn't stop his grin from widening at the former Master and student's dynamic, with Master Thral seemingly being the more open and extroverted type and Isen the... well, opposite wasn't the right word to use, so Maiko simply opted for reserved.

No, that's still not it, I think, he mused to himself while taking in the Vratix Jedi Master's own advice to help the Padawan learn further about bonding with creatures through the Force. Being calm was a common ground between the two more experienced Jedi's advice. Maiko had gone about pushing calm into non-sentient creatures' minds in the past without really consciously thinking about his own. Now he saw clear where he had gone wrong with the piranha beetle that bit Master Voran on their first meeting.

"Thank you, too, Master Thral," said Maiko and began his ascent. Climbing a cliff was vastly different from a tree, the Padawan soon learned. The rocks beneath his palms and feet shifted from being steady to precarious, and while slow and steady won the race he really couldn't afford to lag behind his companions. So with as much care as he could Maiko continued his ascent, grateful for Master Thral's slowed pace and Isen's actions that the Padawan could mimic.

Fortune seemed to be smiling upon the group since the skies remained clear of any Condor Dragons. Maiko felt that he couldn't be complacent, however. Not until they reached the top. Well, not really since that would only be the beginning of their mission. Smiling sheepishly, he glanced at Master Thral before returning her teasing with a joke of his own.

"Master Thral, please," said the Padawan, feigning apprehension in the way he lightly chuckled. "Let's reach the top first before trying to make a head count of the Dragons. Please!"

Well now. Here's hoping their luck would hold. It would be really hard for him to calm down in his attempt to bond with a Condor Dragon in the middle of climbing a mountain.

@Reyn @Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

To Isen's credit, he was a strapping young man at this point. Not quite to his physical prime, but he was getting there. No longer a teenager, he was every bit a man in his early 20's now. The years of hard work and heavy training, not to mention the Force, made his climbing of the mountain a relatively easy task. He looked over at his former master and shook his head. "You're cheating," he said stone-faced. It was a sight to behold, really. A massive sentient being climbing a rock face with no rope or harness. There was no need for her to search for footholds or notches for her hands. She was scaling it as if it were flat ground.

Isen continued his climb and turned his attention over to Maiko to see how he was fairing. He was nervous, and understandably so. While the group was trying to keep the mood light and easy, there was a very real danger. By now they had ascended quite a ways up the face of the mountain, and a fall would be tough to navigate without injury or worse, even for a Jedi. Not to mention, there were the condor dragons to worry about. Isen climbed naturally using his arms for the rope and letting the Force guide his foot holds as he climbed. "Maiko, this isn't unlike the very first lesson Master Thral taught me in the jungle of Ajan Kloss." He looked over to Izel and asked, "Do you remember that Master?" before turning his attention back to Maiko. "I eventually got to where I was leaping blind from branch to branch in the trees trusting only the Force to guide me. After a few misfires and falls, I eventually got to where I leap and leap without even remotely falling off a branch. I did jumped from limb to limb all the way into canopy chasing Master Thral through the trees."

Isen looked down again at the big drop below them before turning his eyes back to Maiko. "Then again...misfires and falls right now would be no good. Maybe Master Thral can teach you that lesson another day."

Before Isen could say something a little more encouraging, a large screech echoed around them and a single adult condor dragon shot straight up into the sky from where Isen supposed was the unseen nest somewhere on the mountain. The large reptavian began to swing in a wide arc to their right so that he would eventually make a large circle around the mountain. It was clear to Isen that the beast was scouting. It was quite possible with the debris they were kicking down the mountain, the clanging and jangling of the insertion of the grappling wires, and possibly their talking, they had alerted the condor dragons to their presence.

Isen looked at Izel and said, "If they don't where we are now, they will soon enough. We're going to need to starting climbing double time to get to flat ground. Squaring off against a condor dragon with one hand clinging to the side of a mountain doesn't ring of success." He looked over at Maiko. Isen was pretty sure that this was news he did not want to hear. "You good to start climbing faster?"

@Reyn @Forsythe Crowholde

Spoiler: Dice

23 out of 100 I actually rolled a 77, but I messed up and labeled high rolls bad and low rolls good. So, I subtracted 77 from 100 to get a 23 which is a mild fail.

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel was glad to see her fellow Jedi keeping in high spirits, with Isen even bringing up stories from their first days as master and apprentice. That all felt so long ago now... He was making her feel old. "Oh no, now's the perfect time for a lesson." She replied jokingly, and glanced back towards Maiko. "We'll put on some blindfolds and see how well this goes..."

Any more joking was cut off by the distinct screech of a condor dragon soaring out over the ridge. Their quarry had finally revealed itself. At least they were fortunate that it was only one for now. Isen's first instinct was to pick up the pace and get to the top. A sensible plan, as they would be more vulnerable here. Even she wouldn't be able to fight quite as effectively as she could on flat ground. But there were alternatives to hasty action.

"Just lower your voices, try not to speak." She whispered, looking between the both of them. "Stick close to me and keep moving. I won't be able to keep this up for very long..." Raising both her hands Izel strained to summon the Force. Using a cloaking technique she was able to hide herself, Isen and Maiko from view. They would remain hidden for what was left of the climb to the top, but it would put a significant strain on the Jedi master. Cloaking one person was hard, but three was extremely taxing. Thankfully, her concentration held, and she would be able to cover their ascent the rest of the way to the top of the ridge. What they found there was yet to be seen...

Dice
@Forsythe Crowholde @Isen

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Eagerness bled from the Padawan through the Force as Isen regaled Maiko with a glimpse of his days as an apprentice under Master Thral's tutelage. The Knight had climbed trees under the Jedi Master's instruction... while blindfolded? That sounded dangerous, but knowing that the Vratix Jedi Master wouldn't have let her student come to harm brought a sense of reassurance to the young Padawan.

But as much as it seemed to be dangerous, the prospect of undergoing such training made Maiko excited mote than nervous. His desire to grow strong to be able to protect was greater than his fear, and the grin he offered the two Jedi was bright and a little mischievous. He would have gladly joked back about being blindfolded but a flash of anxiety cut through the Padawan upon hearing a loud screech overhead.

"Agreed," he whispered over to Isen with a nod. "Yes, go. I can keep up, don't worry."

Maiko sent a nod Master Thral's way as well to show that he understood. Keeping close to both Jedi, the Padawan increased his pace with hurried but careful movements. The Jedi Master's Force Cloak held true, and Maiko would not waste it by making miscalculating his movements during the ascent. Once his hands finally reached the top of the ridge the Padawan pulled himself up, breath coming out in quiet pants and sweat clinging to his forehead.

Please don't let us walk straight into their nest, he chanted repeatedly in his head as he lifted his gaze from the ground then up ahead.

Ah, sugar-honey-ice-tea.

Fate seemed to smile kindly on the trio of Jedi, however. While they had inadvertently walked right into a nest, only two of the condor dragons were only present, excluding the third that flew past them earlier. Facing a condor dragon each was more favorable than a whole colony, and Maiko would take whatever was handed to him now any day.

The creatures were a terrifying sight to behold, nonetheless. Sharp, yellow eyes. Large, leathery wings. And those were some mean-looking claws and fangs...

Maiko took a deep, fortifying breath to calm himself. Both Isen and Master Thral reminded him not to panic, and if he was to bond with one of these creatures the Padawan needed to show his own strength while projecting calmness. The weight of his lightsaber on his hip reminded him that it was there to be used to defend his fellow Jedi and himself, but Maiko hoped the trio and the condor dragons wouldn't have to end up fighting.

@Reyn @Isen

 

[Isen Ramm]

As Isen got his footing, he noticed what Maiko had noticed. They were staring the condor dragons right in the eyes. Isen could feel Maiko thinking about the lightsaber. To be fair, Isen was quite aware on where his were too at the moment. Still, the Force was a curious thing, and it managed to tip animals off when others were nervous and what the dangers were, especially as it pertained to danger from sentients.

Isen held out a hand first o Maiko. "Try to forget you have a lightsaber for a moment. They'll sense that you are a danger to them and they'll strike first."

To some degree, the cloaking trick by Izel was still working. He knew it wouldn't last long. Two big reptavian animals in front of them and one of them flying. It appeared to Isen that the one that shot up out of the mountain was larger than these, so he reckoned that it was the male. "Seems like a free shot," Isen said. "I'll try to start the process of bonding with the larger one in the nest." It was a large, green adult. Based on what limited anatomy he knew of the creatures, he figured it was the primary female of the nest.

Isen lifted out his hand, shut his eyes, and gave the early stages of bonding a go. After a little engaging mentally and through the Force, the early adhesion of a connection was made. Unfortunately, it stirred the younger condor dragon. She screeched loudly, a warning to the trespassers and a call for daddy condor dragon to return...

Spoiler: Dice

Barely a success (38 out of 100) - Rolled to see how well the animal bonding went with momma condor.

 

[Izel Thral]

They had walked right into the dragon's teeth it seemed, but Isen was already working his magic. Izel couldn't help but feel a pang of pride as her former apprentice boldly walked forward and started to engage with the mother condor dragon, offering advice to Maiko as well. Unfortunately they still had a few problems to contend with. The offspring spotted them through the Vratix's cloak and let out a frightened cry for it's father. Cursing to herself Izel dropped her concentration and reached out to put a hand on Maiko's shoulder.

"See if you can tame the fledgling, I'll deal with the other adult." She told the Padawan. She figured it wouldn't be too difficult, and he would have Isen there to assist him if he needed it. Meanwhile the Jedi master turned and walked back to the edge of the cliff, trying to spot the father. Already he was circling back to return to the nest. He was a big one, and angry by the looks of it. Izel took a deep breath and lowered her pike, reaching out with one hand to try and establish a connection with the beast. Unfortunately things didn't go as she planned.

The moment she touched it's mind she realized the creature was very angry, and determined to protect it's mate and offspring. The powerful defensive emotions caught the Vratix off guard, causing her to momentarily lose her concentration. That was all it took. The condor dragon slammed into her bodily, knocking the wind out of the Jedi master and sending her into a daze. Vicious claws dug into her as the beast lifted her skywards. Izel fought it, but he clearly had the upper hand on her. Tearing at her robes and opening several deep wounds, The condor dragon would then fling the master down a steep drop into the trees below before circling back to head towards the nest once more.

Izel tumbled through the air, hissing as she tried to suppress the pain she was feeling and summon the Force. She managed to slow her fall enough not to kill her, but she still hit the tree canopy hard, crying out in pain as the contact snapped a branch clear in half and left her to tumble the rest of the way through the foliage to the forest floor. There she groaned in pain as she tried to get up and collapsed, head spinning. Well, it seemed the others would be on their own for now...

Dice
@Forsythe Crowholde @Isen

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Heeding Isen's advice, Maiko made sure not to let his hand stray too close to his lightsaber. Knowing that the weapon was simply within his reach would only pressure him into using it to defend his companions, more so tp remind him that the three of them were faced with dangerous, possibly angry creatures.

The hand on his shoulder brought a sense of calm in the young Padawan. Nodding at Master Thral, Maiko mimicked Isen's movements and inched slowly, closer, to the young Condor Dragon. It ignored Maiko and opted to screech out to call for the third Dragon they saw earlier. The young Padawan persevered, letting calm flow from his mind through the fledgling's in response to her screeching. The moment she shifted her attention to him the largest Dragon seemed to have returned from its scouting, and the momentary distraction of its return was more than enough reason for the fledgling to abandon her mother's side and charge head first towards the Padawan.

He barely noticed Master Thral getting snatched into the air by the largest of the three Condor Dragons, with Maiko shifting his focus on the fledgling through the Force a little too late. Head ducked low to barrel over the Padawan the fledgling made contact with Maiko's outstretched hand. Working around with the Force to augment the strength of his legs and arms a little too late Maiko was sent sprawling on his back with the fledgling hovering over him. she screeched at the Padawan but he held his ground, shaken but still maintaining the connection he had already made with the young Condor Dragon. She was trying to resist him, but the constant calmness he was projecting from her mind to his through the Force and the eye contact he held with the creature were beginning to bear fruit.

In a final act of defiance the fledgling batted Maiko's hand away with its own clawed hand, almost slicing the Padawan's wrist before she had pinned it to the ground. Maiko felt something snapped before pain flared from his pinned wrist. He was quick to shut the pain down through his bond with the Condor Dragon through the Force, knowing that it would definitely spook her if she felt it as well.

It's alright, he assured the fledgling, mind touching hers. You're alright. We're not here to hurt you or your family. It's okay, girl. Let's get you calmed down, yeah?

As if to respond to his words the fledgling tilted its head curiously at Maiko before slowly letting him go. With careful and gentle movements the Padawan rose to his feet, holding out his uninjured hand towards the Condor Dragon. She hissed before nudging his hand with her head, lowering both her wings and clawed hands not in submission but in recognition of the human before her.

Mutual respect. That was good.

Holding his broken wrist close to his chest and shielding the fledgling from the pain through their bond, Maiko turned to look at his companions and saw that Master Thral was missing. The father Condor Dragon was nowhere in sight as well, and the Padawan mustered to maintain a level head when he asked Isen, "Where's Master Thral?"

@Reyn @Isen

Spoiler: Dice

Rolled a 41. Maiko succeeds in bonding with the fledgling, but ends up getting a broken wrist for doing so.

 

[Isen Ramm]

Things had started relatively smoothly. Almost...too...smoothly. Isen had seen this episode play out a hundred times. Things are going pretty well until the other shoe drops, and when it drops, it's a big ol' boot right up a puckered keister. And that's exactly what happened here. The huge condor dragon plowed into Izel and then tossed her down the mountain after gripping her with his claws. Even Isen had to grimace at that, especially hearing the cries of pain from his former Master as she crashed through the tree tops toward the forest floor. Through his Force bond, he could tell she was alive, but she was hurt very badly.

Taming a fledgling was a great start and welcomed good news right now, but taming the mother condor dragon would require more than just calming it. Especially with one of the Jedi so close to the fledgeling, the maternal instincts inside the adult female started ramping up. She needed to be dealt with. Not to mention that massive adult male, the apparent daddy-dor, was circling back and screeching warcries.

Isen looked over at Maiko, and broken wrist aside, he seemed to have the fledgling under control. He nodded to the Padawan and said, "Good work. Learning hurts sometimes, doesn't it? Baby bird is calm and won't cause you any trouble right now, but you don't have a bond yet." He looked down toward the forest floor where Izel laid somewhere in pain and in a very vulnerable position with the big bad daddy dragon circling back. "You work on that bond while I'm gone, alright?"

He was sure that Maiko wouldn't like that sound of that. in fact, he might even get confused as to why Isen thought it was a good idea to leave him alone by a riled up condor dragon nest. To be fair, he would have a point if he thought that. It might not be a good idea, but all they had were bad choices at this point.

The Kiffar Knight didn't give Maiko time to question. Isen yelled and bowed up at the mother causing her to stand on her legs, flap her massive wings, and screech a warning. That was what Isen wanted her to do. He lunged at her, grabbing on and trying to spin around to her back. He had every intention of flying down to check on his Master. It served multiple purposes if it worked. The father dragon would instantly see that as the primary threat, which should protect Maiko from having to deal with either of the two killer condor dragon parents. Second, it would expedite Isen's pathway to help Izel get to place of safety.

As expected, the mother tried to lift off in an attempt to shed the Jedi from her, but Isen weighed too much. Instead of getting air, she started tumbling down the mountain with Isen holding on for dear life. Isen was getting pounded as they rolled against the mountainside, so when he had a chance, Isen used the Force to push off hard with his legs to put them into more of a free fall. The mother had the good sense to spread her wings so that they would glide towards the ground. Isen hopped off just before the reptile would land and roll to a ready position. With the sudden loss of weight, the mother misjudged her landed and tumbled end over end, screeching in pain.

Isen wasn't much better off. He was bruised and blooded from hitting the mountains, but luckily, so significant injuries were present. The most pressing issues, however, were two very, very angry condor dragons and they were looking to their ire out on Izel and Isen.

@Reyn @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Izel Thral]

Izel struggled to try and get up, her limbs aching terribly and blood seeping from the wounds the condor dragon had inflicted on her. She looked up as she heard another screech and watched in dismay as her former apprentice joined her, tumbling down the mountain with the female condor dragon to do so. At least Isen managed not to get himself killed in the process, but he wasn't much better off than her. Things were quickly going sideways. And now she had to worry about Maiko being all on his own as well.

"What are you doing?" She asked with a mixture of worry and exasperation as she propped herself up with her pike and limped towards the Kiffar Knight. "You should have stayed with the Padawan!" She couldn't say any more however as another reptavian war cry drew her gaze skyward. It was the father again. He was screaming in to attack the both of them, drawing a pained groan from the Vratix. Despite her condition she tried to stop him, raising her hand once more and attempting to lock the creature in place with Force stasis. Her hope was to restrain the beast's wings and let it fall to the earth. It was already close enough to the ground that it shouldn't have been a fatal fall, and it would be out of the fight. As she tried to focus though she felt light headed from her injuries, wobbling on her feet and almost falling over.

She managed to restrain the male for only a few moments, allowing it to start to fall but then releasing it again when she lost her concentration. The beast shrieked and righted itself in the air, then flew by and started to circle around again. Izel had only bought them a few extra moments time, and she could still barely stand. Nevertheless she raised her pike, and inched forward to stand beside her former apprentice. "Just like old times huh?" She asked Isen with a huff. This was going to be painful...

Dice
@Forsythe Crowholde @Isen