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Master Vrook Lamars eyes would flick open to present him with the view of space. The inky blackness twinkled back at him as he sat cross legged in his quarters of the jedi patrol cruiser. The ship was the pride and joy of the engineers of the order, a masterful piece of craftsmanship, and had already been used to ferry jedi all across the galaxy. Vrook himself had made this journey himself many, many times. This journey was for those in the other room. He could hear them talking, on and off as he had meditated almost the entire journey. It had varied from excited chatter and nervous whispers. He did not appreciate it. Anyone who knew Vrook knew of his stern nature, though many may prefer to describe him as cantankerous, There was a rumor among some of the younger initiates that in his life, Vrook had never once smiled. No one seemed to be able to argue against this.

With a sigh the old man would slowly clamber to his feet, feeling his age in his joints and bones as he did. The balding man was dressed in his trademark red robes with the blue shoulder pads. They were cut shorter than what most perceived as Jedi robes, or at leas the stereotype the public held. These looked more like a uniform than robes, and the style was popular with most Jedi these days.

He would turn to walk slowly down the silver rounded corridor of the ship, pausing before the door that the noise of talk emanated form. He would step forwards, the door opening with a his as he is greeted with the sight of the initiatives. They had gathered in the dining galley as they usually did in the morning. It was one of the few times they would see the master as he went for food. He would usually take the time to pose rigorous tests for them, ranging from galactic politics to flora and fauna.

'Good morning' he would say in a gravelly voice before stepping into the room, the door sliding shut behind him. 'Today is the final day of your journey young ones. Soon, we will arrive at Illum and the crystal caves'. He would pause, his piercing gaze sweeping over each one of them. 'Today, you will become padwans in the Jedi order, if you pass. You have all trained hard, and the order believe you to be ready for this. But it is down to you to prove them right'.

Walden Albright was focused on Master Lamar's words. Today was the day he would prove himself to be a Padawan and serve the Order.

"I can do this. I've trained for this." he thought. To Walden, serving the Order meant that he would be on the road to be like the Watchman who saved him from Mandalorians.

And then no one would suffer what he had suffered. No one would have the people that they knew since they were born placed into body bags and taken somewhere.

No one else would see their mother and father burnt to a crisp by a plasma grenade.

And no one else would see their friend die in front of their eyes while waiting for the medics to arrive.

"Just wait, Izzy." Walden thought. "I'll definitely make this galaxy peaceful again."

Matt sat on his seat, hearing the news.

this is it, the movement I've been waiting for.

He was ready, ready for anything.

He will f ind the sith, the man who killed .... he couldn't think the name, much less say it, he will find her killer.

And he will pay

Gaze Eeboh listened to the Master's words, but made no comment, finding the stern old man less than chatty. Adults fell into a few categories, and Master Lamar firmly fell into the -Leave Him Alone At All Costs- one. He continued to delve into his datapad of xeno-anatomy and aliments, finding the new data on the myriad of species in the Republic engrossing. He'd met his share of different species on the frontier world he grew up on, but the young human was amazed at the sheer volume and variety. A person could spend their entire lives trying to learn all the ailments for just one planet's inhabitants, not even counting the entire Galactic Republic. Thankfully he had some help in that department, as his Master had shown him how to channel the Force to heal wounds. He was still new at it though, but the possibilities were fascinating.

While he looked forward to claiming his crystal, he did not have much drive to take up the martial traditions, and saw this trial as more of his rite of passage, nothing more. Once completed, he could devote his time to his medicine and healing training.

Having lived among people who communicate exclusively with telepathy, the trip has been fairly weird for Svae. His ears have been used more in these few days than in his whole life. He was one of the few Polis Massans to be born with vocal chords and a mouth, but that doesn't mean he used it very much.

Svae kept to himself almost the whole trip, well at least he didn't really interact with the other initiates. He had found a little bug and spent most of his time talking to it using telepathy.

At just 2 and a half feet tall and only 8 years old he was still really small. But Svae won't let being small stop him from learning and being his best. He is here to learn to be a jedi and become a padawan. The next step in his journey was creating a lightsaber, but he was less excited about weapons. He was really looking forward to learning more in the ways of the force and how it interacted with living beings.

When Master Vrook Lamars walked in it was like looking at a giant and Svae was still surprised people could be that big. Svae listened to him with the most attentive face of a polis massan, which is still pretty passive to the rest of the galaxy.

There sat Muu in the dining gallery still feeling tranquil from his morning meditation observing all the interactions amongst all the other initiates. His Iktotchi precognitive ability allowed Muu to hone into the surrounding light particles transforming them into coherent images or events in an nonlinear fashion. He was always excited for the chance to socially engage in conversation with the other species which experience time linear. It gave Muu the practice to consciously allow for the events play out and the patience to not answer the question before the orator spoke.

Suddenly Muu received a flash aware that Master Vrook was about to enter into the dining gallery. Muu paused all conversation and attempted to sit as tall above the table in his chair as much as a eight year old could centering himself. Muu set his eyes on the door eager to be in Vrook's presence. He was always impressed by the old man's connection to the force and curious about what the associations to the masters daily quizzes would be.

The door opened and there stood Master Vrook greeting the initiates. Muu as authoritative as a eight year old could spoke in a firm voice " Good Morning " excited on the inside. Muu hoping to demonstrate discipline calmly listen to the Master speak.

Muu began to grow in excitement about the trials. He thought to himself "How awesome is it going to be to finally explore Lllum!? Grinning, Muu check to look around and see if everybody else was ecstatic as he was.

Just being on a spaceship again, after spending more than five years stuck at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, has an invigorating effect on Gunda Poot. The Dug has spent most of the trip in the cockpit, talking with the pilots and navigator about recent developments in the racing world. He knows that he was meant to leave that world behind him when he joined the Jedi Order, but has managed to stay fairly up to date with major events in the sport despite that. And now, for the first time in years, he has found someone to talk to that shares his interest in racing and fast, sleek starships. As a result, he doesn't really talk too much to the other younglings. He's been talking to them for years now anyway and knows all there is to know about them, or so he thinks.

Gunda is very much aware of the fact that he should be spending his time meditating on the path ahead, and he does a little of that every now and again, but he is feeling confident enough without all the endless introverted meditation the masters are so keen on. At a little over 21 years old he is older than most of the others present, and larger than some, despite his short stature. As far as he's concerned, he should have been to Ilum two years ago when he was ready, but better late than never.

When the Dug hears Master Vrook enter the lounge area through the open doors to the cockpit he quickly jumps off the seat at the sensor station where he had been perched and hurries over to the others.

"Good morning master," he replies to the old human. "I will not let the order down, Master."

Tiberius Rook merely sat in the corner ignoring those around him, hood pulled low over his face. His people weren't the most popular theses days. Apparently the Republic was mad at the Mando's for doing what they had always done, raid, pillage, and move on. If war broke out, Tiberius wouldn't be fighting for these Jedi or their Republic. But until then he would do what his parents had wanted him to do: become a Jedi. Maybe he could get one of those big saber clubs or whatever they were called, something big enough for his grip. He heard the master talking and acknowledged him with a nod of his head, time to begin the Gathering.

Kataddik looks around at all of the "children" surrounding him, wondering why he was here. He had just arrived after being freed from Trandoshan slavers not too long ago. The Jedi who freed him told him that he was strong in the Force, and recommended him for training as a Jedi, and now he was here, not really sure what was going on.

Zoroku stood alone toward the back of the room, he was studying his fellow younglings, trying to grasp at how the different species interacted with each other in Republic space and more importantly how the Jedi could serve as an ally to the Chiss Ascendancy. His whole purpose for running away was to prove there was a better ally for the Ascendancy than the Sith. By becoming a Jedi he could potentially bring both parties together to bring down the Sith whom he always sensed as evil never knowing why he did. Master Xira told him it was his deep connection to the force that allowed him to sense their darkness.

Kataddik finds a clear area he can sit down and draws his sword from the scabbard on his back. Laying it across his lap, he pulls out a cloth and some polishing compound and begins cleaning and polishing it until it gleams.

On 10/23/2017 at 5:16 PM, Rabobankrider said:

'Good morning' he would say in a gravelly voice before stepping into the room, the door sliding shut behind him. 'Today is the final day of your journey young ones. Soon, we will arrive at Illum and the crystal caves'. He would pause, his piercing gaze sweeping over each one of them. 'Today, you will become padwans in the Jedi order, if you pass. You have all trained hard, and the order believe you to be ready for this. But it is down to you to prove them right'.

"I'm ready, master," said Quell, bowing in respect with his hands folded. "I am not afraid."

Quell isn't quite the oldest of the group, but he isn't a youngling anymore. A late addition to the Jedi, he stands out as a maturing Togruta. His pale skin and markings are common to those of his heritage, and he carries himself with a confidence born of self-reliance.

Vrook would look around the room slowly, gazing for a while at each and every student in the room. The canteen was a simple affair, large rectangular table surrounded by metal chairs and a small cooking station set into the back wall. The whole ship was in a similar style, simplistic, almost dull if it weren't for the saber workshop. The master appreciated this simplicity, he felt it was a good fit for the ethos of the Jedi.

Though he had not tough any of these students, he knew them extremely well. As a council member he spoke to their masters about any progress, accolades and concerns that they held. It was the councils responsibility if they trained anyone who turned out to be, wayward.

Walden Albright, another orphan who had been brought to the Jedi. Too many of those who joined the fold did so because of loss. It was a saddening fact for the old man. Still, he was wary of Alden's past. Too often those who know loss feel the urge to seek vengeance under the guise of justice. He hoped this boy would not be one of them.

Matt Kenobi, a young jedi with a military heritage. Vrook could not think of much else to describe the boy, except for his ambition. Another trait that risked swallowing the naive. He would have to ensure that this did not occur here.

Gaze Eboh, being an aspiring healer made the boy a rarity to Vrook. Most Jedi he knew bused themselves with long lost secrets or martial prowess, there were not many healers, or at least not enough. The compassionate choice was commendable in Vrook's eyes.

Svae Xor was equally rare for his fascination with the animals of the galaxy. This had always been the territory of hermits or those that had left the order, but here was an apprentice who proved him otherwise. He hoped that empathy for the non-sentient would extend to their sentient counterparts.

Muu Wusun, the diplomats child. A noble profession if there ever was one, and one that the Jedi had tried to embody for years, speech over fists. Such Jedi were often the unsung heroes of the Order. So long as that did not give way to jealousy, the boy would thrive here.

Gunda Poot was one youngling that Vrook was not so keen on. He had maintained the belief for years that those brought up as criminals would rarely stray from that path, even under the watchful eye of a Jedi Master. Still, his master had faith in him, but that would not stop Vrook keeping an eye on him.

Tiberius Rook was more of a concern to Vrook. He had vocally opposed the boys induction into the order, and maintained the same view that he had originally. Mandalorians were little more than raiders to the Jedi, and he was certain he could see the same traits of the violent warrior within Rook that he had in his people. He should not be a Jedi.

Kattadik was another troubled past within the order. A former slave was not an uncommon sight in the galaxy, but all too often they sought revenge over peace. Such mindsets would have to be changed if he was to succeed as a Jedi.

Zoroku was a bit of enigma to the order and to the master. The Chiss had rarely been seen in this galaxy, and their cold demeanor made them difficult to understand or study. Vrook hoped that this coldness would not stop the boy in his duties as a Jedi.

Finally, Quell Tano. another young criminal. Vrook shook his head as he gazed at the boy. Perhaps his former ways could be rectified under close tutelage before he got older. If not Vrook did not hold much hope for him.

'We are preparing to land in a few moments, make ready' he would say in his gravelly tone before turning to leave. Pausing in the doorway he would turn back to the initiates. Leave all weapons and equipment aboard the ship. Illum caves is sacred ground to the Jedi, and besides, such items will not help or protect you from the power within.

With that he would leave the jedi to prepare. They could hear and feel the ship make its steady decent to the surface, and before too long, the gentle thud as it lands in the thick snow outside. Vrook would return, dressed in the thick hooded coat the order had proved. It's cold outside, I recommend taking coats. Just as soon as he had arrived, he left, heading for the disembarkment ramp.

The snow whipped around the ankles of the Jedi as they crunched out onto the surface of Illum, a bleak yet beautiful planet. Nothing but snow for miles around, well, except for the giant cliff just before them. Set into the cliff was a large archway, dwarfed by the cliff all the same. Vrook without looking behind would begin to make his way towards the archway at a slow pace, hood pulled over his head.

Eventually, they reach the archway and pass through, and the sight before them is astounding. A huge room, made of pillars of stone, and huge pyramids made out of golden coloured stone. Symbols and ancient writing was etched into the stonework, a truly ancient language. The floor was made of a huge circular stone slab, the symbol of the Jedi painstakingly carved into it, and atop that, a mount where a large, irregular looking crystal was set. Beyond that, ginormous statues of Jedi past, and a second archway, the entrance to the caves, frozen in ice.

Vrook would turn to face the jedi, arms crossed behind his back in an almost military stance. 'Welcome to the archway of the crystal caves young ones'. To Vrook, all those here were young, even the Wookie. 'Though this arch, your crystals await. Make no mistake though, this will not be a simple task of finding crystal within rubble. Each of you must follow your own path to find what you seek. Failure to learn of yourself will be failure to find your crystal'.

With that, he would raise a hand towards the crystal in the centre of the room, and with the use of the force he open a entrance, set high into the wall. A beam of brilliant light would spring forth, hitting the crystal, which focused on the ice within the doorway. Within moment, the ice would stem and melt into water, opening the way ahead.

'Now you must go. Do not tarry unless you want to be trapped inside when the ice returns. Trust in the force, it is the only way you will succeed'.

Without waiting for Master Vrook to finish, Quell dashed into the opening at "now you must go." He was already actively looking for a crystal.

Svae wasn't scared of much of anything. He loves big beasts and little bugs and even venomous serpents, but there was something about the cave that was off-setting. Whatever the matter, he was ready.

After hearing Master Vrook's words Svae starts walking and enters the cave.

"As you wish master." Tiberius said departing through one of the arches, it was time for self reflection and discovery. He had read that those were the way to discovering your crystal and he would follow them.

Growling quizzically, Kattaddik was still a little confused as to what he was supposed to do. With no real knowledge, much less training, he was pretty lost still as to what to do.

"You guys are crawl-sloths!" Quell called over his shoulder to Svae and Tiberius, as he jogged forward into the cave.

Gaze divested himself of his belongings, taking a moment to rummage around in his medpac to apply some ointment to his lips to prevent chapping, and some dark material below his eyes to help against snow glare. He didn't have a lot of first hand experience on a frontier world, but he knew what a hard cold was like. Covering up as much of his body as his small wardrobe allowed, including his hands, he proceeded down the ramp and headed towards the entrance to crystal caverns, his stomach fluttering with a mixture of anxiety and excitement. The Jedi taught to control your emotions, but that's easier said than done when you are 8 years old and officially on an "Adventure." He considered that lesson to be a work in progress.

16 minutes ago, awayputurwpn said:

"You guys are crawl-sloths!" Quell called over his shoulder to Svae and Tiberius, as he jogged forward into the cave.

In his head Quell, along with everyone else, hears a strange melodic voice say, "There's actually no such thing as Crawl-sloths. Crawling is just a form of movement that sloths use. A bear sloth however is amazing! They are very quick and venomous! I would enjoy being a bear sloth or even being near one."

Svae continues walking into the cave at the pace he originally started at not really recognizing that what Quell was saying was really just a small jab at him.

"No such thing? Svae, you need to get out more," shouts Quell as he puts more distance between himself and his peer.

Gunda is ready. It would be exaggeration to say that he struts off the ship, clad in his heavy winter coat, but not a very big exaggeration. He follows the Jedi Master through the great doors, into the immense hall within. In there he finally feels small, if only for a little while. The awe-inspiring architecture takes his breath away and he stares at the crystal in the ceiling and the massive statues of Jedi along the wall. He can hardly recall Master Vrook speaking, but apparently he has, since the others start moving. He does notice that a corner of the waterfall is already out of the beam from the crystal and has started freezing over. Better make this quick.

The Dug walks confidently through the doorway, into the crystal caves. He tries not to pay attention to the others and what they are doing, following only his intuition and connection to the Force deeper into the caves. He is not concerned with being the first one back, , it's not like Master Vrook's opinion of him will improve anyway, but it would be nice not to be the last one out.

Walden gathered whatever belongings he had before stepping outside. The first thing he noticed was how cold Illum was: even with the coat on, it was very, very cold. As he took a moment to orient himself, he took a look at his fellow compatriots. Matt and Gaze were human, just like him, but everyone else was a different species. Not that it bothered him much: after all, he remembered seeing all kinds back on Torian City in Contruum when his father had to get their speeder worked on.

"That was the last I remember of them, alive." he mused. And as thoughts of his family went through his head, Walden felt uneasy, for Tiberius was there.

"Right...he's a Mandalorian..." Master Sellas had always taught Walden to control his emotions, especially towards anything that had to do with that day. But Walden needed to focus. There was a reason Tiberius was here, for, Master Sellas would say, the Force has a reason for everything. And there was a way for him to focus.

"There is no emotion, there is peace..." The Jedi Code, drilled time and time again into Walden's head. It served as both a reminder to the Jedi's conduct and a way for Walden to focus on the task at hand. And focus was what was needed. No time for the past right now.

"...There is no death, there is the Force." With one deep breath, Walden grabbed his items, and ran into the cave with the rest of his compatriots.

1 hour ago, awayputurwpn said:

"No such thing? Svae, you need to get out more," shouts Quell as he puts more distance between himself and his peer.

"I look forward to doing so!" Svae says using his actual voice.

The interior of the cave was an odd sight. The floor in some sections had been replaced with great slabs of chiseled rock resembling that in the main room, but the rest was a mixture of natural rock formations and ice. While the main room had been a golden shady colour, the lighting here gave the rocks a mournful blue appearance. It was cold too, almost colder than the outdoors somehow. There was no wind, no breeze, and dust and water particle were suspended in the air, glinting like teardrops. As Quell takes the lead he would kick up a fine spray of frost from his boot heels as they head deeper into the cave.

Before too long, he would reach a small room, similar to the one they had entered through. The floor was square, the symbol of the jedi carved upon it again. Before him stood eight roughly carved doorways, each leading in a different direction. As each Padawn arrives, they would feel a tug at their clothing like the wind whipping about them. However there is no wind, the frist and stone is not affected by it. Even the uninitiated would recognize this as something supernatural, and a Jedi, even a youngling would know this to be the force. It is wild though, pulling in every direction, not the calm that most Knights and Masters speak of. For it to guide them, it will take some focus, as their training has shown.

Before reaching the cave though, the Wookie Kattadik would feel, and see something different. Those who went before him would not have seen it, as if it wasn't there before, but to the Wookie's left, there was a hole in the wall. Hole might be a poor term, it was more like a crack, perhaps a natural feature of the shifting rock. It looked like a tight fit, the jagged edges around the entrance not making it a welcoming sight. From within there would be a sound like a hollow wind howling about inside, and he would feel the tug the others do, not towards the archways, but towards the dark and forbidding sight.

Outside, Vrook would sight at the youngling charging in at their assorted speed. He would sit once more, cross legged and eyes shut. 'May the force protect them' he would grumble, 'This lot are going to need it'.