[PbP] Shadows of the Future IC

[ColonelCommissar 1,243]

"So what are the Jedi? And why are they fleeing?" he pauses. "I've been away from the galaxy for five years. Before that I was sequestered in a labour camp, working for a Hutt. Maya - and I hold no grudge against her - has told me little of the outside world. So I ask you."

[Silver Crane 199]

"Well, we have some rather deep subjects here.  The Force, the Jedi and lightsabers."  Seifer collects his thoughts as he takes the medpac and begins to start treating Jonas.  "The Force is what binds the universe together.    The Force comes from all living things, yet only certain individuals or creatures are able to utilize it.  This is what we call Force Sensitivity.  The Force enable all sorts of feats that normally would be impossible.  Take Xan there for example, he has a flair for moving objects through the Force.   Even you, Kovin, seem to have skill with the Force, even though you might not have been aware of it.  Your bond with your partner Zelt is a prime example of an animal bond.  The Force is generally characterized by the morality of those who use it.  There is the Light side which is aligned with happiness, joy, love, and benevolence.  The Darkside draws upon, fear, anger, hate and greed."

 

and medicine roll, this one will be for the average difficulty crit on Jonas

 

Rolling to heal Jonas (average Crit): 1eP+3eA+2eD 1 success, 2 threat

 

Well looks good so far.  I'll use one of my Stimpacks on Jonas so that will take care of 5 wounds, I'll have to do more in the morning since we only have one check right now.

 

Siefer shifts position to be better able to access some other wounds on Jonas.  "Now as to the Jedi, well... the Jedi Knights have been the protectors of the Republic for several millennia.  We are servants to the Light Side of the Force.  We are protectors, diplomats, and healers.  We stand opposed to those who would use the Dark Side, the Sith.  As for the weapons Xan, Jonas and I wield, they are called lightsabers.   Lightsabers are used by both Jedi and Sith as both groups, with a few outside exceptions, are the only ones capable of using them  A lightsaber can deflect blaster bolts aand is capable of cutting through most materials.  A Jedi typically builds his own lightsaber once he achieves Knighthood and no two lightsabers are identical."  

 

 

"As for the current state of affairs, well I guess it all started 20 years ago.  A Jedi named Revan fell to the Dark Side of the Force.   He lead his forces in a war against the Republic and the Jedi.  Many of Jedi were killed, others fell to the Dark Side and now follow Revan,  still others went into hiding.  Then there's us.  We are part of the Resistance and we stand opposed to Revan."

Edited September 10, 2015 by Silver Crane

[awayputurwpn 7,720]

Mending Jonas' injuries took longer than expected. Seifer knew he could try to get Jonas all back in one piece, but doing so would take the majority of the night and preclude both of them getting any rest. 

 

Both Jonas and and Seifer receive 1 strain. 

[Korro Zal 54]

"Once, the Jedi were the guardians of the galaxy, upholding the peace through diplomacy and negotiation, utilizing violence only as a last resort. But we were betrayed by one of our own, a man I used to admire. But he joined the Sith," Xan says, looking away for a moment, lost in dark thoughts, "the ancient enemies of our order. They believe only in power and control, and do not have any qualms about the means they employ to achieve them."

 

"And that," he adds, turning to face the two Togruta and look them in the eyes, "is why we are here, to stop the Sith and bring justice to a galaxy that sorely needs it. We seek others of our kind, or any lore or artifacts they may have left behind."

 

"And now that we have answered your questions, please answer ours: how did you get to be here? And where did you learn of the Force?"

[kaosoe 7,573]

Maya grabbed the emergency blanket she had salvaged and wrapped it around her. She had remained silent as the others talked and tried not to let it show how uncomfortable the conversation was making her. Now that attention was brought back to her she looked away from the group.

 

"For as long as I could remember, I was able to predict things. The Trandoshans, my first keepers, found my ability to predict weather patterns very useful for their hunts. That's how we were able to find you. I had a vision that you were coming."

 

The teen-aged Togruta sat down on her pallet, resting herself against the cold stone wall. "As I mentioned earlier, I crashed here - escaping from my master's yacht. I sensed a chance for freedom and I took it."

Edited September 11, 2015 by kaosoe

[ColonelCommissar 1,243]

"I was a slave, bonded in service to Zorval the Hutt. I spent the first fourteen years of my life growing up in his labour camp in Ylesia. We tried to escape, aboard a ship, but after the hyperdrive was damaged we could only jump blindly into the Core. The ship crashed, my parents died, and I nearly joined them. That's why I have the limp," he pauses, and looks deep into the fire. "It's true what you say, about this Force. I never understood it, but I feel it now. I sense all the energy and breadth of life around me. This staff, when I took it to splint my leg it was meant to be just temporary, but as it grew with me I knew I had to keep it. And my bond with Zelt, that's the deepest expression I can think of of this connectivity."

 

"I will help you find what you seek, but tomorrow. For now, tell me more!" Kovin leans back, and launches into a barrage of questions.

 

I'm done for the night, although IC Kovin is still pestering the others to clarify their answers so this may take a while!

[ColonelCommissar 1,243]

Kovin spends the rest of the night constantly asking questions of the others - anyone who's awake. His enthusiasm is met with a range of reactions: usually frustration, but he gets answers to anything.

 

I'm going to assume that your characters have all been able to satisfy Kovin's curiosity. If you want to add any IC responses to his questions that might be fun but assume Kovin now has at least a basic Galactic understanding!

[awayputurwpn 7,720]

I'm going to assume that your characters have all been able to satisfy Kovin's curiosity. If you want to add any IC responses to his questions that might be fun but assume Kovin now has at least a basic Galactic understanding!

 

If anyone has any qualms about sharing general information with Kovin, please narrate as much, but IMO the above is a good assumption going forward. 

 

Now that they were safe from the elements and holed up defensively against any possible attack, the group turned to thoughts of sleep and watches during the night. 

[kaosoe 7,573]

At this point (while sleeping), I would like to use Foresee. We can just use the results I rolled in the OOC thread if you want. Otherwise I can reroll. Up to the GM.

[Korro Zal 54]

Xan has the Recruitment Duty, so he would certainly answer their questions with an eye towards bringing them to Alderaan to train as Jedi. I would certainly emphasize the evil of the Sith.

[Silver Crane 199]

Between the 3 Jedi in the party we ought to be capable of dispensing some training ourselves too.  Seifer would see talking them with as a way to protect them and given his Personnel Duty he would support Xan's thought process.  He likely would be wary of their age and about the risk of them turning to the Dark Side...

[awayputurwpn 7,720]

Vigilance (Assisted): 2eB+1eP+2eA+2eD 1 failure, 1 advantage

 

Jonas joined Kovin and Xan after having his wounds seen to, moving a little gingerly and trying not to undo the work Seifer had performed. The group chatted idly for a while until, being satisfied that they hadn't been followed here and were safe for the time being, they all began to nod off into dream.

 

The noise of the jungle surrounded their shelter, sounds of nocturnal creatures in their element. But for now, the newly banded-together heroes rested undisturbed. 

 

--

 

The morning came swiftly, and the first light of the sun shone golden and red into the cave, its beams reaching through the thick jungle. Several clouds were gathered on the horizon just above the sunrise, dark and foreboding, but here the air was pleasantly cool and fresh, the sky above was a brightening blue, and the dew was still thick on the grounds and trees outside. 

 

As the sleepers began to rouse, so also did their stomachs, and the first thought on nearly everyone's mind was nourishment. 

[kaosoe 7,573]

With a sudden gasp of hair Maya bolted upright. It took her several panicked breaths before she realized she had woken from a dream. She disregarded the others around her as she stared at her hands, turning them over and inspecting every inch. Quickly and without explanation she approached a bin they were using to store rain water, and vigorously washed her hands.

Edited September 14, 2015 by kaosoe

[ColonelCommissar 1,243]

Kovin is blithely chatting with the others, and so misses Maya's odd behaviour entirely. He is more concerned with the joint issues of securing all his gear for the last time, plotting the best route to their destination and enquiring about the finer points of the traditional garb of a Jedi.

 

"That's odd, I never realised the significance. I just found these robes while poking around one of the caves near here. They're comfy enough I never thought to change them. But these are Jedi robes? Amazing!"

[Korro Zal 54]

"Kovin," Xan says, "we need to get to an old Jedi temple. We meant to land there, but we're about fifty miles of course due to our rather dramatic landing. Can you guide us there? There should be a lot of old Jedi artifacts there...a good chance for both you and I to learn more about them."

 

"And, by the way, I don't suppose you have anything to eat? If not, I have some ration packs in this survival kit we can share."

[Korro Zal 54]

"Firan, I assume the ship is a total loss? Even if we found usable parts on a wreck somewhere? So we have to find another one to get off this planet, correct?"

Edited September 15, 2015 by Korro Zal

[Silver Crane 199]

"The engines were shot.  It was all I could do to being the repulsorlifts back on-line before we crashed."  Seifer interjects as he readies himself for the day and adjusts the fall of his cloak.

[kaosoe 7,573]

Satisfied that her hands were indeed clean, Maya took a long draw of rain water to quench her morning thirst and steady her nerves. It did little for either.

 

Shakily, she made her way to the others who were busy preparing for the day. Clearly they were planning on journeying to the ancient temple Kovin often spoke of. Doubt threatened to overcome her as she crouched nearby and wrapped her arms around her knees.

 

A few meters away, Kovin was receiving instruction on his latent sensitivity to the Force. Soon he will begin to learn to actively tap into the power she had sensed in him since her arrival.

 

Unbidden, regret and loneliness swelled within her, threatening to pull her down. She did as she always did when her emotions began to overcome her. She guided them and turned their power into focus. I have to get them away from me. She thought.

 

Quietly she moved closer to him. "Listen, Kovin. Those flesh raiders are bound to come looking for us. They know about where our camp is. You go take them on ahead. I'll hang back lay a false trail, and meet up with you after a few hours."

 

It was a feeble lie. Maya was terrible at lies. Most of the time, she preferred to not say anything at all.

Edited August 2, 2016 by kaosoe

[Revanchist7 459]

"The Wintermander is certainly not going to be flying again." Firan answers Xan's question as he stands up from the wall he slept against the night before. "But there could very well be plenty we can try and salvage.  I wouldn't mind going out and trying."

 

He reaches down and begins to re-equip the weapons and equipment he had set down onto the floor beside him when he went to sleep.  Leaving off his helmet for now, he gazes outside the entrance of their shelter and tries to enjoy the morning air of this new world.

Edited September 15, 2015 by Revanchist7

[ColonelCommissar 1,243]

"Maya, you aren't staying. I've faced these things for far longer than any of you, and the best solution is to get far away from them before they notice you. There's ways we can hide our trail easily enough - once we get to the river we can easily lose them - but if you stay you'll only get yourself killed. And I couldn't face that," he turns back to the others.

 

"I can definitely guide you there - I've been often enough! But if I'm going to learn about your 'Force' perhaps I should use it to remind myself of the journey," Zelt pads up, and Kovin kneels to scratch his chin, aware of his hunger as much as anybody else's. "Our food supplies are very limited I'm afraid. We'll have to forage more before we can head off. On the other hand, your ship isn't far so it might be a good plan to go and retrieve anything useful - if it survived."

Edited September 15, 2015 by ColonelCommissar

[FCastor 81]

As he stretches, the act chasing what is left of last night's sleep away, Jonas notes how his injuries seem to be mending quite nicely. Certainly he is a little tired, having stayed awake longer, but it was necessary. And Seifer proved to be a capable healer. "Thank you," he says to the other man once they have all woken up and gathered together to discuss what they are to do now.

 

"I do not think I find that all that safe, Maya," he interjects once the young woman has spoken of her idea and intentions. "If these... flesh raiders catch sight of you, you may find yourself outnumbered and in serious danger. Your use of the Force, impressive though it is, may not be enough." Shaking his head, he continues. "Perhaps one of us could stay with you, watch over you while you prepare the false trail? That is, if you are set on this plan, which is not a bad plan. Just a somewhat dangerous one, I think."

[awayputurwpn 7,720]

The heroes gathered their supplies and looked towards the horizon. Each of them had their own variation on a "bad feeling." The Flesh Raiders would certainly be looking for them, perhaps hoping to settle the score, and every hour they delayed was only more time given to the vile aliens in their hunt.   
 
The Way Forward:
 
The way this shakes out is that it's a multi-day journey. Every day, someone will need to make a Survival check. The check includes finding food, finding paths, finding shelter, and generally just "surviving" the wilds of Tython. Each day, a different person will need to make the check, until either you arrive or each of you has made a Survival check.
  
You can expect to cover about 10 miles per day, but the time can be shortened—or lengthened—depending on the results of your Survival check. Large amounts of Success will speed up your journey, while Threat might slow you down. Multiple Failure symbols can be detrimental as well. 
 
You have enough rations among you to last you the day (if you're willing to share), making for an Average ()* Survival check. Once the rations are used up, subsequent Survival checks will be more difficult. 

• Kovin and Maya know the jungle to some degree, and so as long as one of them are with you, their knowledge will impart a Boost . 
• Kovin's wilderness survival kit, if he's willing to share the implements, will provide an additional Boost . The kit isn't a consumable, so as long as nothing breaks, you can use it every day.

I might recommend someone with a lower Survival score taking this first check, while the going is easy You are also free to suggest other skill uses while on this trek, or to narrate your efforts in assisting the group, but only the Survival checks will actually push you forward. You are also free to do other things (for example, attempting to salvage parts from the burnt wreck of the Wintermander), but getting sidetracked will delay your journey. 

 

You're also free to split up—this ain't a railroad—but the going will be tough alone, as Jonas wisely advised IC. 
 
*(the challenge die is owing to a dark side destiny point that will be spent to upgrade the difficulty)

Edited September 15, 2015 by awayputurwpn

[ColonelCommissar 1,243]

"I'd prefer to stay with Xan and Seifer, if that's an option," says Kovin. "I've got a lot of questions to ask you!"

 

"If you want to go back to the ship Firan, and distract the Flesh Raiders Maya, you might be safer together. I won't have you alone Maya. But perhaps we don't need to split up. If we all go back to the wreck together we can carry more with less risk. It's not up to me though, it's up to the group."

[kaosoe 7,573]

Not sure who all besides Kovin is good at survival, but Maya has a decent Cunning. Once we start that journey.

 

Maya grew more and more uncomfortable. "I can do it myself." Her shaky voiced belied the confidence she tried to intone. When others offered to go with her she merely began to pack up her things. "Never mind. If Kovin thinks we can cover our trail as we go. Then we should just get a move on. We can scavenge as we go."

 

She tried her best not to sound moody, but fear and doubt clouded her better senses. The future's always changing. They're blood won't be on my hands.

Edited September 15, 2015 by kaosoe

[Silver Crane 199]

"Well, I've never been much of a wilderness kinda Jedi, I'll take up the rearguard".