Arc I - Trade Summit on Ruusan

[Doctor Who]

It is a period of peace.
It has been nearly 1.5 centuries
since the Jedi Freedan Nadd
vanished after slaying his master
and renouncing the Jedi Order.

In that time, the Republic
has grown stronger, spreading
to more and more worlds with
the Jedi existing as keepers of
the peace and negotiators.

On Umbara, Jedi Master
Seer Curvian has accepted
a crop of Jedi initiates,
who she hopes will aid the
Jedi in the future troubles
she has foreseen.

Her new initiates are pulled
from their studies when
the Republic asks Master
Curvian to attend a trade
summit between the Hutt
Clans and the Republic on
Ruusan...

---

[Doctor Who]

The shuttle from Dantooine arrives, cutting through the murky fog that enshroud's Master Curvian's Praxeum. Its lights are barely effective in the gloom, mostly scattering or reflecting back at the cockpit, but the pilot doesn't seem to mind, as if he's done this sort of landing before.

The shuttle settles down just inside what looks like a small settlement, next to another shuttle. Arca, Trixie, and Zyla are greeted with a cool breeze as the shuttle's doors open to let them off. It's been a long ride from Dantooine, and you are all a bit cramped. You've gotten to know each other a bit over the time, but a lot of it was spent in silence. Zyla has a bit of a grin on her face as she steps off/

Next to the other shuttle stands ST-3R, a large droid. Beside him stands Waz'aru and Varc, both also clearly new arrivals.

[kanila]

Tugging his robes closer around himself Varc observed the others that were gathered. There was no sign of Master Curvian, were they expected to wait here? Or were they supposed to go looking?

Maybe someone else knew what they were expected to do? Varc covered the distance to the other shuttle and the other padawan. "My name is Varc, anyone know what they want us to do?"

[DeepSpacer]

Trixie hugs herself for warmth as the cool breeze hits her. She has always preferred the warmth of the sun where she's traveled. For what it's worth, she has gotten to know Arca and Zyla about as much as they wished to be known...which is very little. Zyla seems to care little about anything other than perfecting her dueling skills while Arca keeps very much to himself.

"Varc? I am Trixie. We come from Dantooine. WAIT seems to be the immediate answer. We just arrived, but I certainly won't wait here long."

Trixie steps around to get a look at the shuttle pilot, trying to make eye contact. She'll point to the large, center building with an inquisitive look on her face.

[ShadoWarrior]

Arca smiles inwardly, much enjoying the refreshingly cool air of this new world, a very welcome change from the warmth of Dantooine. He stands, a bit apart from his fellow Padawans, quietly observing the actions and reactions of his companions and those from the other shuttle.

[ThreeBFour]

Waz'aru stands next to ST-3R taking in everything he can about the area around them. Well Steer what do you think about our new home for now? Personally I like the ambiance." He says before striding down the ramp towards the others.

[Vergence]

"It appears to be overcast to me" ST-3R replies back to Waz'ru. As ST-3R stood next to the Jedi shuttle awaiting for the final Dantooine arrival, its passive optical light amplification would constantly adjust settings with the Umbara murky surface. In due course, the last shuttle approached the settlement whipping around a wild breeze amongst the droid and Padawans from its thursters landing nearby. Once the Arkanian, Falleen, and Twi'lek presented themselves to the planet's surface, the young Padawns began introductions.

"Greetings; I am ST-3R. Its my directive to escort you all safely to Master Curvian's Praxeum" the droid announces. The visor on ST-3R lit up red as it switch to thermal imaging to perform a security sweep around the initiates. As it swiftly scans the parameter the droid announces "Secure; Proceed with present directive. Please follow".

ST-3R would escort the Padawans through the gloomy dim settlement to the tallest building in the compound. The droid's movement and posture was extremely fluid progressing though the Shadow World commune. Surveilling the environment with its scanner for threats until the end, the party arrives at the Praxeum's entrance. "How do I look?" ST-3R questions. Nodding without providing the initiates much of a chance to respond, it replies "Yeah, I agree" as it enters inside.

[Doctor Who]

The inside of the building is a large circular chamber, with stairs spiraling along the side up to the ceiling and the floor above. The room is empty save a small chair at the far end, clearly designed for meditation. Along the walls hang tapestries with robed figures fighting each other with lightsabers.

Sitting on the chair is a tall, well built individual. Her ashen white skin gleams in the rather harsh lighting that permeates the room.

Ah, ST-3R, you successfully carried out my orders, you may last longer than your predecessor."

Standing up, she walks toward the group.

"Students, thank you for your attention. It was originally my intention to simply observe your skills her, before observing in the field, but it seems that schedule will have to change. I have been called to help organize a trade summit between the Hutt Clans and the Republic, on a small farming world near our border with Hutt Space called Ruusan. As such, we will quickly assess your skills with the blade here, before we will be forced to leave. A Jedi must be ready at all times for the unexpected, that is my first lesson for you."

She walks toward one of the tapestries on the party's right, pulling out four lightsabers. She tosses them to each of you, except ST-3R.

"Training sabers. I want each of you to show me what you've learned. Twi'lek, you first."

She draws her own blade, ignites it, then takes a defensive posture.

[kanila]

Varc catches the training saber and looks it over. He then turns his attention from Curvian to the Twi'lek. It would seem a live test of their abilities was an introduction to their next steps on the trail to the knighthood trials.

[ShadoWarrior]

Arca, after catching the saber, holds it at the ready, finger poised just over the activation control. He focuses his attention solely on Master Curvian.

[DeepSpacer]

"Training sabers. I want each of you to show me what you've learned. Twi'lek, you first."
She draws her own blade, ignites it, then takes a defensive posture.

Trixie's wide-eyed look of surprise turns into one of determination. Never having been in a true live-combat situation, she anticipates this will turn out as all training sessions do......no one gets harmed and we're all friends in the end. She puts on a moderate display of swordsmanship with the Master, successfully (she thinks) testing the Master's defenses.

Spoiler:

Trixie; TotOR; LS Test:
1 Success, 1 Advantage

[Vergence]

ST-3R takes Master Curvian's comment as a form of sweet affection. "Herding Padawans on Umbara is easy; I excel at my job" it thought. Interested in what is about to transpire, the droid begins to observe the Padawans and the new Master.

[ThreeBFour]

"Not exactly my strong suit Master, but as you command, so shall it be." Waz'aru his regular clothes marking him as different from the other Padawans in their Jedi robes. Stepping forward with the saber still hanging loosely in his hand, he brings it up igniting it's he swings upward towards her missing completely, but allowing his momentum to swing him back out of her immediate range.

Spoiler:

Waz'aru ; TotOR; Lightsaber test:
1 Failure, 1 Advantage

[Doctor Who]

After casually blocking Trixie's swing, she shakes her head and sighs.

"You lack form and focus, your Master was lax in his training. You will not accomplish much without more strength and skill in your blows."

As Waz'aru steps forward to swing, Curvian's brow raises. "You seem eager," she retorts as she casually dodges his blade. She pounces at him and easily knocks the blade out of his hand with some fancy sword play. "Eagerness is not a virtue, Mr. Waz'aru, and you will best remember that in the future. If you are going to charge a superior opponent with such pathetic sword skills, you would do best to charge as a group, rather than on your own."

She gestures for him to go back and stand with the others.

"Next. Arkanian. I hope your skills are better, for the sake of the order."

She takes a defensive stance once again.

---

Zyla momentarily looks hopefully when Curvian utters the word "next", but her whole body droops when Arca is named.

[ShadoWarrior]

Arca ignores the taunting as he steps forward, takes quick aim and lances out with his borrowed blade.

Spoiler:

Arca Gavalun; Tales of the Old Republic; aimed attack:
3 Successes, 1 Threat

[Doctor Who]

Curvian chuckles as she once again bats aside an attack.

"There's promise in you, although you lack any emotion behind your swing. Your skill is their, but no technique or drive beyond clinical precision. Duels are not merely won through crisp lightsaber blows, nor should a Jedi only excel at such things. Now, the Devaronian or the Falleen."

She pauses, looking between the two remaining padawans. Zyla's anticipation is nearly palpable.

"Devaronian, let's see your skill."

[kanila]

Stepping forward Varc makes his attack. Though he wasn't exactly sure how anything was to be determined by this initiation. His uncertainty of the test's purpose was easily seen in his actions.

Spoiler:

Varc Jesk; Tales of the Old Republic; Lightsaber Demonstration:
4 Successes, 2 Threats

[Doctor Who]

"You have all the emotional intensity, but none of the clinical skill," Curvian says as she blocks Varc's attacks.

Pausing for a moment, she turns to look at Zyla, who is fidgeting now. After drawing out her stare for almost an entire minute, she beckons to Zyla.

Zyla charges, and clumsily seeks to hit Curvian. Curvian dodges without even bothering to parry.

Spoiler:

Zyla; attack!:
1 Failure, 3 Advantages



Alright, I'd hoped for a roll like this, but this is too perfect and I am happy

Zyla looks crestfallen. Curvian motions her back to the group

"All of you have some skill and some drive, some more than others. That being said, the Republic shuttle to pick us up will be here in two hours. Until them, make yourselves familiar with this compound and get to know each other. The only ones you can ever truly rely on in the field are other Jedi. ST-3R, get to know them, as you'll be aiding me in assessments."

She turns and walks back to her chair, sits, and closes her eyes.

[kanila]

Varc bows to Master Curvian add she heads back to her seat of meditation. Looking to each of the others he shrugs before turning to look for their dormitories.

He wasn't exactly afraid to speak his mind, but felt it best not to earn their new Master's ire this early. Plus he felt it wise not to speak where she was meditating.

[Vergence]

Observing the Padawans, ST-3R thought "Why does he get a lightsaber and I don't?" as the Master Curvian disarms Waz'aru. Highly entertain by the lightsabership tests, the droid was upbeat until the Master's comment towards Arca. Reciting the Jedi Code internally, it thought "No. That can't be right. She is wrong, very wrong. He needs peace behind his swing, not emotion. It's the Jedi way". Of course once she comments on Varc, ST-3R struggles to remain silent! "She has been away from the temple way to long! Peace is the answer" the droid internally argues for a moment until it clicks... "Ahhhh, peace".

After Zyla embarrasses herself, ST-3R takes Master Curvian's advice by approaching Padawan Arca. "I believe you'll be a fine Jedi. The force guides all of us to serenity and there you will discover peace within your saber strikes" the droid proclaims.

[ShadoWarrior]

Arca replies to the droid, "I did not expect that you would contradict Master Curvian, despite her ... lapse in recalling the tenets of the Jedi Code. I appreciate your effort to lessen the impact of her chastisement of me, but I assure you that all that she accomplished is to demonstrate that she may be unfit to train others ... especially in Form VI. I have two questions for you: what is your designation, and are there any other Jedi who have completed their training currently present on this world?"

[Vergence]

"I am programmed to be of service to the Jedi Order. My personal appraisal holds no contradiction to my assignment which is to develop a connection with the Padawans for your assessment" the droid states. "I am security operator ST-3R for the Jedi Order. As I am newly assign to Umbara too... it is conservative to presume since the Praxeum does not appear to be new, yes" ST-3R replies back to Arca's questions. The droid pivots towards all of the present Padawans "Has anyone been to Ruusan? I have not been" it asks inquisitively.

[Doctor Who]

Zyla sullenly responds, "No, I haven't been. Can you believe her, making fools of us like that?"

[DeepSpacer]

Cold and dreary, like this planet. Trixie thinks to herself concerning Master Curvian. Trixie is more concerned with the Master's lack of compassion than efficiency of the training. That wasn't much of a training session, but the Twi'lek puts it out of her memory and moves on to other things.

"ST-3R, what else is here besides residences?"

[Vergence]

The droid imagines Ruusan just like Umbara based off Trixie's description. "Within the compound is a cafeteria, living quarters, storage room, and my favorite a training room. Would you like to explore?" ST-3R asks the young Padawans.