"Your way is clear," the Gatekeeper said. "And the will of the Force apparent. Go now, young ones, and pursue your destiny. But be warned...the ancient temple holds many secrets that are best kept buried. Make your pilgrimage, but do not unearth the remnants of the past."

The Gatekeeper pointed the heroes toward a bountiful shelter, where they spent the night eating plenty of berries and roots, and strengthened themselves for the rest of the journey.

Thus ends Act I.

Everybody gains 20 XP, and the Force users will please roll a d10 for their Morality, subtracting any Conflict they accrued during the journey. The end result will be added to their Morality scores.

I'm having trouble logging into Orokos. I accrued 10 conflict and rolled a 4. for a total morality loss of 6.

I rolled a dark side point for that last roll, so I have one conflict, correct?

Correct, as I understand it

: 1d10 5

Morality: 1d10 3

Conflict:1

Okay, so my Morality remains the same.

Off to spend xp...decided to go with the Draw Closer talent, drawing me closer to that second Force Die.

Morality: 1d10 3

Conflict:1

Okay, so my Morality remains the same.

Off to spend xp...decided to go with the Draw Closer talent, drawing me closer to that second Force Die.

3 - 1 = 0?

Draw Closer is a good choice!

I'm going to purchase the next two control upgrades for sense, the one that lets upgrade the check twice and the one that lets me use it twice per round.

Sorry, I meant my morality didn't go down--it should actually go up by two.

As the group sits around the fire, enjoying their wholesome supper and reflecting on how far they've come, Kovin leans forward to draw their attention.

"Back there, when I was channeling the Force, I felt something. Normally I feel positive in channeling the Force - I use my compassion, my stronger emotions, to focus my energies, and I'm as powerful as I need. But as I was using the Force I felt something darker. Like I was angry at the creatures in the ravine. Like I hated them," he pauses, the shadows around the fire casting on his face for a moment. "This Force. Does it have a dark side?"

"Yes, it does," Jonas replies with a sigh, the sensation Kovin describes feeling more than a little familiar to him as well. And recent. "And the Dark Side, it gives power easily, quickly. But not without a price." He smiles, albeit mirthlessly. "Have you heard that saying about power, that it corrupts? The Dark Side is that old adage given form and substance, made real."

From across the fire, Maya listened to the conversation intently. What Kovin described was all-too familiar to her. Maya considered Jonas' response. She knew little about the Jedi, but something he had said nagged at her.

"So passion and emotion is not they way?" She furrowed her brow, the firelight throwing her creases into sharp relief. "I don't understand. If using emotions such as love and hatred are quicker and easier, then it makes sense that passion is the true way. What other way is there? If that way is more difficult, I don't see how it's right."

"Exactly. I could understand if using one's hatred were a weakness, but surely to use one's love could not harm others?"

"Love can turn obsessive." Seifer interjected. "A Jedi remains calm and cool. Fear, anger, hatred, greed, are all paths to the Dark Side. The emotions offer an easy power, a power that will burn you up and exact a toll."

"I couldn't believe that. Even my compassion, that which drives me to care for all the living beings around me, surely that couldn't drive me to the Dark Side?"

"Consider how easily -and some might say rightfully- compassion for those being oppressed can turn to hatred for the ones oppressing them," Jonas retorts with a smile. "And how quickly you can go from defending the defenseless to preemptively attacking or killing those who would do them harm. And then perhaps those you assume would probably also hurt others but have not done so yet."

He shrugs. "And slowly but surely compassion becomes less relevant, though it may still be used to justify to yourself and others acts of violence or cruelty. And soon enough no justification is needed. Having the power to do as you please will be reason enough."

"You make a good case," he pauses, idly scratching Zelt's ear. "But if that's true, then surely there must be those who believe that this 'Dark Side' is the best way forward. What if there are Force users who would use their power for themselves?"

"Well that must be confusing, having Jedi, Sith and not-Sith-but-still-very-evil. Any way of telling them all apart?"

Maya stared at the hands on her lap. She considered the conversation carefully before saying "There isn't exactly an easy way to tell. Sith are skilled in deception. That's their way."

"They can't be that good, or else we'd never know they were there. Surely they must have an identifying mark. Do they all go around wearing dark robes and muttering about how dark they are?"

Maya laughed at Kovin's inquisition. She had been so hesitant to talk about these things to him, but now that they others had shown up, she could no longer avoid the subject.

"Some do, Kovin. For years, the Sith remained hidden. I think they were gathering forces somewhere beyond the outer rim or something, but as they others said, they've taken over. Since then, they've not been as cautious, but they're still every bit as deceptive."

She sighed before catching Kovin's eyes. "But every Sith I've ever heard of has been known to use a Lightsaber with a red blade. I don't know why."

"Eh, red's got a lot going for it. I'm not sure how deceptive a galaxy-spanning evil empire could be but I'll be sure to take care."

Sleep came with welcome swiftness, and before the group knew it, their dreams were melting into waking daylight. Before them was the line of a deep forest, extending for miles in either direction. The sun was on the opposite side of the trees, and from their vantage point, the crew caught brilliant reflections of the sun past the trees. Could it be water? The coordinates of the ancient temple were through the forest, no doubt about it. So if the temple was underwater, then they'd have deal with that when they came to it.

The air here was pleasant, and the avians above were singing cheerily in the morning sunshine, an enchanting melody to accompany a truly blissful morning. It had been a good rest, and there was a general feeling of refreshment all around as the heroes munched on the provisions they'd managed to ration thus far.

The direction of travel has taken the group into an area of Tython which which Kovin and Maya are unfamiliar, so their knowledge will not be helpful here.

I'd like a Daunting () Survival check, with one Setback, if you please. The three Challenge dice are not from Destiny Points...just so you know.

Kovin hoisted his pack onto his shoulder, found the well-worn grip on his staff and subtly nudged at Zelt's mind through their bond, prompting the young tusk cat to come bounding back from his hunt towards him. Idly stroking the creature's head, he looked out over the route, planning the way forward.

Alright, this had better be good. I'm flipping a Destiny point, and I believe I still get a Boost from my Survival Kit and from Unskilled Assistance (which I'm guessing someone will give - doesn't matter who).

Survival roll of doom: 3eP+2eB+3eC+1eD+1eS 4 successes, 5 threat

Well that went better than expected...