Yellow Snow

[Marcus]

The beings watched as the Jedi performed their tricks. There were a few smaller of them around - presumably younger - and they seemed to look on with a level of increased amazement. The one in front maintained his gaze on the three Jedi, and did not move. It would be come clear that he was a rather large human, noticeable even with the furs, and carried a spear. It was no ordinary spear, but had a metallic reflection in parts. Next to him would appear to be a female with longer hair, more petite features - although her muscular make-up would not become clear in this weather - and possibly something more slender with her facial features.

The man tapped his spear on the ground and the Jedi would probably sense or hear and see the others on the ridge. They would depart their watching posts and head off somewhere - back to town maybe, or perhaps to fall back and flank the Jedi? Hard to say just yet.

"Jedi." The woman said in an accented basic. She had no visible weapons, but then again all the ones in view were wearing thick clothing.

"Come," spoke the man in a gruff voice, again in basic with accents. "Or die." He then turned and headed back away from the Jedi, towards the other end of the canyon. The man had guts to utter those words, as it did not come across as a bad translation of any sort. A few with similar clothing, although much taller, would remain behind and let the Jedi follow, remaining behind to either guard or follow in kind.

 

[Sinbi]

Sarell would have laughed if it wasn't so precarious a situation. He figured his companions meant to impress, but it was obvious the locals already knew of the order. He pondered for a moment, whether they had encountered Jedi before and simply learned the name, or if they were more advanced than the three had been informed? The metallic sheen on what Sarell presumed to be the Leader of the party's spear made that question more difficult than he would have liked.

He had to think fast. This was a vital moment. His companions had shown their skill with the force, which gained interest at least, but he had to contribute something he considered far more important. When the man ordered the Jedi to come or... gulp, die, Sarell knew that disobeying the order wasn't going to make things go any smoother. That said, he knew that simply following the orders of the locals would be a display of weakness, one that the Jedi could not afford to give on a world so close to Sith territory, and with a culture they were informed might be inclined to value strength over many other things.

He stepped forward calmly, arms hanging loosely at his side. "There is no need to threaten us. We'd be happy to accompany you, in fact, that's why we're here,"
he said, keeping his expression neutral. Without another word, he began to follow, hoping the wordplay wasn't lost on the shortspoken locals. He made sure to comply without appearing indignant or submissive, simply informative and matter-of-fact. First impressions are very important.

 

[Enzo]

He once again drew upon the force to enhance his sight, turning his head to scan the area around them picking up the various presence of the tribals nearby. It was clear they had to be careful of the tribals and their next move, unclear if they where stalling for to ambush the three but it was not like Kal was worried. He placed a hand on Sarell's shoulder and made a discreet signal with his hand, doing with the same with Kip although they where probably already aware of the situation.

He had come to assume the man or the old woman was the chief or at least high ranking members of the he tribe, he didn't know know this kind of stuff coming from a noble house in a Matriarchal society. He knew that even if they where lured into the heart of their den and then massed on by their warriors the three of them could hold their own easily with their force powers and their lightsabers.

 

[Talon maara]

Kip felt his fellow jedis hand on his shoulder, he smirked knowing what he meant by it. Slowly but surely kip followed suit with the man and women. Still placing his hands folded behind his back in a none aggressive stance as he approached to what he assumed were the elders.

Shortly after passing the two guards he cautiously looked back at both kal and sarell, assuring they kept an eye open for anything or anyone who tried to take advantage of the situation.

 

[Marcus]

The man led them through the canyon and out of it, towards a hilly area, and then down into a valley. It took them about 20-30 minutes of walking, completely silent, even if the Jedi asked questions or said anything themselves. There appeared to be crags or even taller cliffs around them, although possibly hundreds of meters away. It was a vast space with actual vegetation - a tundra area of sorts. Who would have thought on this ice world such things could exist. Well, these people knew about it, and it would seem they claimed it as their own. If one could visit the cliffs and crags and such, not only would you see trails and make-shift outpost huts, but also cave entrances and such. At a glance, and from space, and from far away, this would look like a random warm zone on the planet. On the outskirts, this was viable.

"Over here," said the man. He pointed to a collection of huts just down the hill from where they got their first view. There were still very few people around - mostly just those who welcomed them. These tents, up against a crag themselves, must have been a frontline gathering spot. Three in total, one larger than the others, that latter of which they went into now. The huts were made of rock, hides, some wood, and some metal. An odd concoction, and not everything could have come from this world, or at least this are of the planet.

No one asked for their weapons, but the guards were there for sure, a couple around the man and woman. There was no place to sit in this main hut, although there were some make-shift tables and cabinets around the sides. If one were astute enough, this might just be a main gathering point for these people's scouts and hunters - bring in food, animals, supplies, and then take them to their homes further into the valley beyond.

"Why are you here?" asked the woman, bluntly. She removed her mask and revealed she was not all that old and had a rather curious beauty to her. Again, no one seemed Force sensitive here, but somehow they did indeed know who these three men were.


((OOC: If anything gets too weird for your tastes, or far-fetched, just shoot me a PM. I'm open to ideas. :) Changed the female's words to pink to tell them apart.))

 

[Sinbi]

During the trek into the decreasingly snowy valley Sarell remained silent except for the crunch of his boots marching through snow patches and grass. Kal signaled a warning earlier, one that Sarell simultaneously appreciated and cursed him for. He'd be more alert for the possible ambush, but that alertness comes with that niggling paranoia that tended to manifest as a lump in his throat and a pit in his stomach. These subsided a bit when they entered the Valley proper, met with an impressive landscape with frosty rolling hills. As they approached the largest hut, Sarell made note of the foreign materials.

"I don't think we're the first off-worlders to visit," he whispered to his companions in as discreet a manner as he could muster given they were being escorted. Let's just hope these are either gifts or re-purposed salvage taken from a crashed ship, rather than stolen materials from peaceful Jedi folk that do not want to die, thought the bulky Jedi as they entered the hut, glad he was allowed to keep his weapons. That was a show of faith, one he intended not to squander.

Onto business, then.

"I am Sarell Nor, a Jedi Knight of the Order," he pauses to allow Kip and Kal to introduce themselves as well, "And we were sent to Rhen Var in order to investigate the valley you've led us into," he said, offering a nod of thanks, his expression still neutral. "We've also come to approach any who reside here," he gestured to the locals tribesman around them, "And ask for your support in exchange for whatever aid you might require."

 

[Enzo]

Kal gave a slight nod in agreement, it was now clear that this tribe was not completely isolated from the rest of the galaxy. Kal kept quiet as Sarell kicked off the diplomatic talks, it was a smart move to first put up the Jedi's offer to aid the tribesmen although their support was really more of a formal thing, it was more for compliance for when the Jedi take the sector to expand their influence further across the galaxy so it was incremental to get them all on board. he channeled the force, extended his mind out to his two companions telepathically as a means of communicating with them without the tribals knowing.

< Be careful what you say, we don't want to create any hostilities or flex the idea that we are invaders > He thought to the other two jedi, nodding along to the conversation that was going on. He hoped the man and the old lady where not to stubborn or itching for an easy fight, otherwise it would be like talking to a brick wall.

 

[Talon maara]

As Kip entered their chambers he removed his cloak folding it and politely placing it the the left of the exit door and placing his sabers upon them in an orderly fashion. Slowly he approached the elders standing off a few meters from their front, slightly bowing while he maintained eye contact.

"Good evening sir, mam.." Acknowledging him first, seeing he was the initial one to invite them into their home "my name is Kip koom. We are sent by the jedi council bringing peace, goods and protection. In exchange for our placement of an outpost being placed amidst your peoples land to the north."

Kip had went full speed in hopes to seem more homest and not vague and lacking the whole truth.

He aimed to try and earn their trust by the removal of his outer garments symbolizing politness, the removal of his hilts for trust, presenting himself with a bow before speaking for respect and opening up to them right aways as both trust and honesty.

It was possible kip had made the wrong move but he felt it should be done, for they were both former trespassers to their land and newly guests into their homes.

 

[Marcus]

The man looked at all three, stopping on the two that spoke and then last focusing on the silent one. The Jedi could probably sense the distaste that could easily be fueled into anger or rage. It would be noted that his guards and others in the room would look to the man in an almost concerned way. On most days, he would have likely tried to spear them all. But these were Jedi, and maybe this was one of their first attempts at reaching out.

He calmed himself and then cocked his head, looking back to Sarell - it would seem he was pegged as the leader of the group, to the man. "Jedi come, Jedi go. Sith come, Sith go. Fa'Rhen come, Fa'Rhen stay, Fa'Rhen kill those who do not go."

The tension in the room rose again and the man smiled widely. His companions did not, as they knew he was threatening the Jedi. The woman took a couple steps forward still looking at the man. She patted him on the shoulder, which seemed to relax him again, his proud smile waning slightly. "Chou'su, Koax."

She then looked at the three Jedi, landing her eyes on Sarell. He spoke first each time, so she spoke first to him. "We don't need anything from you," she said in far better Basic, still with an accent. "The Jedi and Sith only bring each other, and death with them. We have kept our valley cleansed for centuries because of this. It is by this path we survive and enjoy life."

 

[Talon maara]

"Mam if i may" taking a step forward kip replied. "We know from past experiences our brothers of old had put many bad experiences in your thoughts, but the sith....the sith are here as we speak...looking to create an army...an army that will not only bring a maximum of evil with them. But that will plague your lands, even your planet for many centuries. You may not see its full disaster in your lives but what of your children and ypur childrens children?"

Slowly kip maintained his focus upon the two elders. But slowly looking amongst his guards as well who seemed to be just as on edge as the matriarchs male counterpart.

"We dont desire to own any of your planet let alone any of your land. We just request to move freely amidst the northern parts of your land creating a presence in these parts of the galaxy helping create a barrier for the free people of the galaxy"

Kip looked to his fellow knights for encouragement.

"The sith desire control over these parts, control over you and yours. The galaxy is at an ever so evolving war against the sith and their empire that is intensifying each second that we dont act. 'There are things that go bump in the dark sir'....." Looking to the patriarch "and we are what bumps back"

Kip looked to sarell and kal in hopes theyd aid him in his plea bargain.

 

[Sinbi]

Sarell opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again as Kip made his speech. He took a deep breath, and ran his fingers through his hair. They were a proud people, that much was clear, and they felt they could protect their valley without assistance. Sarell kept his eyes locked with the leader of the group, but his words were aimed at the woman beside him. She seems to have a bit of sense, at least. Might not even be local, he thought, and slowly produced a holoprojector from the folds of his robe beneath his snowsuit.

Hopefully he wasn't shot then and there, as he pressed a button that displayed a small 2-dimensional map of the galaxy. The image was simplistic, and wobbled and shuddered like disturbed water every so often, but it did the job. "We are here," he pointed to the white pearl that was Rhen Var, " And what we believe to be the borders of ever-expanding Sith territory, are here." his gloved index finger barely moved, as Rhen Var sat at the edge of Sith Space. Then he circled the estimated reach of the Sith Empire, a massive chunk of the eastern galaxy. He allowed them to take this information in, if they didn't already know, then flipped off the projector and stowed it away.

Sarell furrowed his brow, and shook his head, attempting to appear very concerned. To be fair, he was. He wouldn't want these people to be killed, conquered or enslaved, and if he could prevent it he sure as bantha shit would, but his motivations were, at their core, focused on keeping the Sith at bay with an established Jedi border coupled with the Border Alliance. "I understand, we understand, that you have protected your home thus far, and that is admirable, but a veritable armada--" he cleared his throat, and spoke simply, both to be concise and just in case the surly leader of the tribesman couldn't keep up. "The Sith army will be coming for you, and everyone else. They will conquer, destroy, and then raze your valley as they fight amongst themselves. It is their way. Allow us to establish a foothold here, to fight alongside you if they or anyone else wish to harm your people."

 

[Marcus]

"Fa'Rhen are stronger than you think." The man stamped his staff down, sparks emanating from the bottom. This was clearly a modified staff and not just a walking stick or bostaff. And the man was clearly agitated, which prompted a conversation it would seem.

The man and the woman spoked in hushed tones, a dialect that would be unknown to almost anyone. Another guard approached the two and also gave comment. There were no raised emotions or anything perceived therein, but it did last several uncomfortable minutes.

The man looked at the three Jedi finally, the woman's gaze following the man's as the guard returned to his station. "We have idea."

The woman nodded. "We came here centuries ago, and settled in this valley. We have survived, and fought many battles - including the Sith and you Jedi." Her accent was intoxicatingly exotic, and yet her words flowed flawlessly in conversational basic. "We have no fear of what is to come. And yet, we understand your words."

"We don't want your outpost," said the man. "But we give chance."

The woman shook her head with a grin. The man, presumably her husband/mate, or perhaps a forced dual-leadership relationship, was trying his best to speak to the Jedi. He just didn't have the vocabulary. The group had been separated fro most of the galaxy for the better part of a millennium, with nothing to on but odd visitors such as these Jedi. "You go back to your Jedi and tell them that if the Sith do not follow soon, we will talk further." One could tell they had little faith in the test they had laid out before the Jedi. They firmly believed the Sith would visit, or both groups would fight right in their front yard. And that is why they were so cautious and unyielding.

 

[Enzo]

To this point Kal had not said anything, simply listening to the debate at hand between the the two parties. As reluctant as they they where the tribal leaders must know on some level that alone the sith would just ravage their homeland and move on to their next target while leaving nothing but ruin behind them. he folded his arms and gave a stern expression and the the tribe leaders where taken through the holographic presentation of the ever changing territory of the sith and occasionally scoffing at the mans attempts to subtly threaten them. The foothold though putting them on the Siths doorstep would be a major strategic advantage.

He did not speak until the woman suggested they go back and talk to the Jedi. What a waste of time that would be to wait for their superiors the debate the situation until the time they came up with an answer when the situation was already clear, he wondered if it was stalling or a tactic to get of them at least for a little while.

He looked at the old woman with a raised eyebrow and said " look, it's a waste of time going time going back to the Order when we have already told you the score, you're literally on the Siths doorstep and its not a matter of IF they come its when they come and when that time comes they will come in their droves and wipe out your valley and your people without a second thought" he paused to let this sink in before he continued " You might not like the Jedi but my own race has more of entitlement to hate them more than you do. You know that our proposal to create an outpost is the right course of action to take"

 

[Sinbi]

Sarell cleared his throat, loudly, and placed a hand on Kal's shoulder. He gave him a stern look, indicating this wasn't helping the situation. He spoke with an almost fatherly tone, stern but wanting nothing more than to find a way to get through to the locals. "We understand your reasoning. There is a lot of misconception surrounding the Jedi, and a commonly held myth is that where we go, the Sith appear as well. In reality, we move to intercept and preemptively stop their power hungry advances, which is what we're doing now." This was an act, of course, he felt that was that and wanted to get off the detestable ice rock as soon as possible, but the task was an important one.

"They will come, and it will be because of your self-fulfilling prophecy. Is there no other way for us to convince you?" Sarell said, removing his heavy fur cloak. It was getting a little warm in the hut, but he didn't think it had anything to do with temperature. He could feel an ultimatum coming, and using the force or any tactic other than diplomacy wasn't an option he wanted to take. It wasn't an option at all. They were prideful, but intelligent enough. He felt his words made sense to any with the ability to reason.

 

[Talon maara]

Kip moved slowly over to the side of kal button hooking around him once again facing both the patriarch and matriarch.

"I believe what my friend here is trying to say..."
Nodding to sarell.
"Do you have kids?" He questioned "the sith empire grows stronger every day...every hour...minute even second we dont act. They are taking over vast amounts of territory amidst the galaxy as we speak. As you say you have faced them (sith) you know what they are capable of. The damage they cause. The pain the harbor......The sith are willing to sacrifice anything and everything to dominate these parts of the galaxy.....for all we know they could have multiple thousands...maybe even millions of darkside followers....who are outside these walls...your walls....your home...your family....willing to take them away. We are here to only aid you against them. Willing to give it all too....but for peace, and freedom throught the galaxy. We just ask for permission and your help to fight back against these foul beings. Who have no regard for anyone elses life but their own......."

Looking back at his colleagues "Is there anything we can do to help pursuade you sir? Mam? All we want to do, all we need to do...is to push this evil back. To destroy it once and for all, and not only will you share part of the victory. Which would be an honor for your people to have AIDED the jedi who came to YOU for help before all else in these parts and destroyed the sith and their dark grasp, but also im sire Could have word with our leaders and establish that we would leave once the war was over if desired and never come back....only leaving supplies and goods for you and yours."

 

[Marcus]

"Who says you not evil?" asked the man rhetorically. He huffed and went towards the back of the shelter they were in. The others left him alone.

The woman stayed, shifting her gaze from Sarell to Kip, the last to speak. She knelt down, pulling a dagger out from her backside sheath. It was not a threatening draw, and Jedi would not sense any hostility from her (other than her current agitated mood). She began drawing nothings in the dirt and dust that had gathered on the metal and wood floors over time. If anyone could surmise that these people knew the Force, one might think she was performing some ritual. But that too would be incorrect - she was doodling, a calming agent.

"You don't understand. The Fa'Rhen are not afraid." The slavic-sounding accent was weaker now that she was calm. "The children are ready to die. The men and women are ready to fight anything that comes their way. We would fight a thousand Sith with a thousand Jedi trying to kill us from the back." They were obviously a proud people, and they wouldn't budge much.

"But I hear truth here, even if your war will never end, even if you believe it will." They had seen war after war, and they would see more. She scribbled out her doodles and stood up, pointing her dagger at them as if it were the finger of an angry parent. "You bring a small unit, well outside our valley, with coordinates we give--"

"Ghasa monakt, Yuna!" The man shouted.

She held up her empty hand back towards him. "If the Sith come near the Tundra of the North, we will attack any who would threaten our existence. Anyone..."

The man turned and grinned, but went back to pouting in the corner. It was a bold move, but it gave them an out. And a bloody one at that.

 

[Talon maara]

Kip nodded in agreement. Slowly reaching around his neck, he pulled a necklace from around his neck.

The necklace was made of Bantha hide strands and with a raw yellow kyber crystal encased in cortosis bands holding the two together.

He approached the woman slightly bowing holding it out to her as a gift in thanks.

"We appreciate everything you have done mam'." He added in a soft grateful voice "we will emplace our unit to the north in the outskirts of your peoples village to your choosing."

 

[Sinbi]

Relief washed over Sarell. The Denizens of the Northern Valley, the Fa'Rhen, had given them an in. This was it, an actual opening for negotiations to take place. Make or break. Roll with it, he thought, and quickly spoke up. "That's fine, we can work with that. An outpost manned by a small unit of members of our Order well outside your territory is a good place to start," he smiled a toothy, genuine (for once) smile, "And we agree to stay out your way, going about our business and doing our best to keep the Sith at bay."

Sarell glanced back at his compatriots, giving them a reassuring nod, and watched as Kip offered his necklace as a gift. The large Jedi clasped his big gloved hands and took a moment to look around at the Fa'Rhen in the frigid hut. While he didn't find their overwhelming pride very appealing, he did admire their independence and desire for security. If the locals were to be believed, and they had defended their homes from both Sith and Jedi in the past, then they would be a powerful ally to have in the future, even if they are only tolerating the Jedi's presence near their Valley at the moment. Sarell hoped after a stretch of time, they would slowly accept their presence on Rhen Var and perhaps even allow expansion.

But Sarell was thinking much, much further ahead than he had any right to, and brought himself back to the present, in the cold hut with his two fellow Jedi and the territorial Fa'Rhen. After pulling his comfortably warm glove off to expose bare skin, Sarell extended an open hand to the woman. He knew that might not be their cultural deal sealer, but extending a hand was usually a symbol of acceptance of some kind. This mission was going a lot better than he expected.

 

[Enzo]

Kal said nothing, folding his arms. This was a weak deal in his mind, there was nothing to say the Fa'Rhen wouldn't change their mind and massacre the unit in charge of the outpost unless they made some serious negotiations to safeguard the people the order sends. It was clear to Kal that the male leader was not one hundred percent behind the idea. He needed some guarantee that their accord will be kept.

" How can we be sure you wont go back on our agreement? " saying this directly to the female leader clearly meaning the male leader. " Can you guarantee there will be no resistance from your tribe? "

 

[Marcus]

The man came around after the deal was more or less agreed upon. The one Jedi extended a necklace and the woman's eyes became saucers. She either knew a bit about what was in that thing, or she was extremely impressed by its beauty. Or both. The man stuck out his spear and grabbed it instead, holding it up high in the air, bringing it down so that she could have it finally. She poked her dagger at him irritated... he might have a small speck or cut even though she was mostly joking or just chiding.

The other two spoke and the man finally replied. "You are not dead, no?"

The woman was busy putting the necklace on before she spoke, but she nodded at her compatriot's statement. "When you next visit, and the Sith have not come, I return your Jedi gift, as is our way." She seemed to know of the crystal, perhaps... "If the Sith come, you will not want to visit again."

The man tapped his staff on the ground, sparks flitting again. "Fin'orat!" The guards came around and pointed towards the door, but not without three soft bags. "Take, drink, and be warm. And be gone from us."

The man and woman retreated to the rear of the hut, with a couple guards in front of them acting as some sort of curtain. It would appear the negotiations were over, with the guards standing by to guide them out of the valley.


((OOC: You may not need me anymore, but I will watch the thread. The bags have a warm, mild tea-like drink. And the guards would guide you to roughly where you first met them.))