fellmemes | Test Drive #4

Welcome to the January test drive! We're so excited to have you with us!

A few things of note:

✦ Test drive threads can be considered game-canon if you choose. They're essentially in a shared dreamscape and take place between your character leaving their world and arriving in the audience hall with their faction leader.
✦ Reserves will open at 12:01 AM UTC on February 1st, and continue to be until 11:59 PM UTC on February 7th. This is to reserve a character, not an application slot.
✦ Applications will open at 12:01 AM UTC on the 8th, and remain open until 11:59 PM UTC on the 15th, or until all application slots have been filled. Once Activity Check ends, we will have an application slot number available on the application page. The IC & OOC intro logs will be posted two days later.
✦ We have added a Suitability section to the application. Check it out! We will be requiring this going forward as it not only helps players see if their character is a good fit for the game but it lets the mod team gather some ideas about direction for your character!
✦ Questions? We have a FAQ that's chock full of good information! If they are test drive specific, we have a top level thread below that allows for OOC questions to be posted.
✦ The network is available to use! No matter where your character is, their compass arrived on their person. Please feel free to include a network post in your top-levels! Once opened, the compass will display instructions on use, such as using voice-commands to activate it. Usernames are your characters first name or their most common nickname.
✦ Below will be a header for OOC questions as well as a request for Death or its Attendants if you risk placing a coin in their offering bowl.
✦ As in December, a secondary blessing will be available in February to those that tag others on the TDM!

All set? Perfect! Welcome to Fellden.

AS THE MOON RISES.
You’ll find yourself just outside the Temple gates, which will be locked if you try to open them. A little rude, keeping you out after bringing you all this way, and the more you try to look up at the Temple structure the more insistent guards become in pushing you down the pathway to somewhere else. The thing is, you can hear a lot of commotion in the distance, and smoke rising from the center of a district; you may want to check that out. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire!

Except the smoke is not at all something to be concerned over. Instead, people are gathered near a large bonfire in the decorated city square, drinking and carousing, singing songs of celebration; Moon saviors have arrived! War winners! The residents of the city laugh and sing and dance in pairs throughout the square, grateful for those who have come to aid them. Their merriment doesn’t dwindle as the sun begins to set on the horizon, twin moons rising in its place.

When you (and other new arrivals) are finally noticed by the revelers, do not expect to be left alone! Chrysanthemums will be offered as brooches or corsages, food and drink placed into your hands, while live musicians play loud enough for the dead to hear — for this is a celebration dedicated to them. Several were lost in the battle held the previous weeks, and the Priestess has decreed a time of mourning through revelry. Spirits must be kept up, even in these dark times. You’ll be invited to dance, to drinking games, and offered food and flowers and other items of value. Some may cry when they look into your face, thanking you for becoming their champions during this long and exhaustive war.

Hopefully you’re here to enjoy the festivities despite the pall that may hang over the town. Sneaking off is just fine, too, but don’t expect to be let go of quietly; the people of the Moon Temple are so happy to see you! Enjoy the celebration while it lasts long into the night. If you do manage to leave, a helpful citizen of the Temple will inform you of the nearby transport mirrors that will take you anywhere on the map, one of which they will provide to you.

THE SETTING STARS.
You'll find upon your arrival that the castle is not accepting visitors as they prepare the interior for a solemn remembrance of those lost. Guards at the door will instead direct you to the center of the city where most of Starfolk have gathered to say their goodbyes and reminisce of memories past.

Venturing there, you'll be greeted either by those who are serving food and drink from nearby taverns, or those with drawn faces tired from battle. Or perhaps you're a late arrival and the worst of the exhaustion has left the city, now imbued with laughter and happier memories! Those loyal to the Court of Stars greet the newcomers with guarded gratitude in their eyes and wary hesitance. How many more of these Otherworlders will betray them, they wonder out loud. If you try and take a seat with a party or three, chances are the conversation will halt as soon as you grow near, and the longer you stay the more uncomfortable the gathered people become.

Trust is not easily gained in the Court of Stars; broken now as it is, the natives of this world fear the worst for their Emperor. Will you help us, or will you hurt us, they ask, wanting to believe they still have a chance at surviving this exhaustive war.

Whether you choose to remain for the remembrance or wander off, one thing is certain: things must turn around for the Stars soon. If you do manage to sneak off, a hopeful citizen of the Court will inform you of the nearby transport mirrors that will take you anywhere on the map, one of which they will provide to you.

MARKETS OF THE COAST.
The coastal city of Kyst is abuzz with an extra amount of people who sought refuge here during the attack on the Moon Temple. Some calm had finally started to settle but now the foundation has once more been shaken. Newcomers will be welcomed with smiling faces from merchants as they look to try to sell their wares. Tavern owners and barkeeps will beckon with the promise of warm food and delightful drinks, a place by the fire, and information to help you find your bearings. The air is rife with the scent of the coastline, fishermen bringing in their haul from the day. Perhaps if you pay enough attention, you'll hear or smell something you recognize from your home; as Fellden is the beginning of all worlds, it wouldn't be an impossible likelihood!

Those looking for something more exciting will find closer to the northern border of Kyst a rather curious bi-pedal cat bouncing on its back legs. It flags you down with a wave of its paw, asking excitedly if you'd like to flex your claws into a juicy quest. You're just the hunter for the job! Purr-fect in every way! Out in the wild lands there's a great beast in a deep river, and it's bothering all the people who live in the nearby town! They can't get fresh water or fish for their meals; it's furr-ightening! If you agree to help, the cat will explain that the creature is a Nokken that has been luring many a brave fisher to their untimely death. It must be removed either by force or by convincing it to leave! Help them, Hero-wan Kenobi, you're their meownly hope!

BEYOND THE CITIES.
In the distance from Kyst, a large forest looms, the Gods Wood imposing even from this distance. Should you travel there, everyone you encounter will urge you to be respectful while within the forest. There, people can be found visiting intricately decorated shrines, and leaving offerings for their passed. If you catch their eye, they will beg of you to pay respects as well, and press a gold coin into your palm. Offer a wish or a happy memory to who you miss and place the coin into Death's offering bowl and there's a chance someone will be there to speak with you. Be mindful of your actions though; those that show disrespect will be forcibly removed from the Gods Wood by the trees.

If the forest is too intimidating, Terebellum is open for semester registration, and the grounds are even more regal with a light dusting of snow all around. Students of all branches of magic can be found exploring the campus and practicing their craft. If you're lucky, perhaps you can find a teacher who will explain what is offered here at the University. But ah, there's a catch! Tuition is extremely expensive, so you must impress your faction leaders if you wish to widen your breadth of knowledge within these walls!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Is that so...

[ disappointment gravels through his voice. is this another case of different times? another ghost coming to haunt him from the past he has been running from for so many years? he can't dwell though, at least not with anakin skywalker standing in front of him and talking about the separatists. now there's a phrase you only hear from those who remember what it was like to even have a republic.

he breathes in and extends out his hand, almost jabbing it a little too fast into the space between. ]

My name is Kanan Jarrus. [ a beat, then- ] You and I never met, but I was once a padawan of the Temple. My master was Depa Billaba.

[ he could use his true name, the one he left behind, but he feels anakin wouldn't recognize that name either so why bother? he's kanan now. ]

[It was impossible to know every single Jedi, but a member of the Council? That was doable. As well as knowing that her padawan was supposed to be about Ahsoka's age.

He shakes the offered hand and asks cautiously.]

You left the Order?

[He's trying to piece together what little he knows. The Jedi are gone, but he doesn't know when this happens. If it's within the next decade then there's a good chance he could do something about it before his supposed death.]

[ the gravity of how much anakin doesn't know begins to weigh on him. he wishes he could lie to him, but kanan has always been a man of honesty even when it hurts. that part of him hasn't changed from his days as a reckless teenager. ]

There wasn't really an Order left to leave. [ he crosses his arms, drumming his fingers lightly atop one of the elbows and doesn't quite know what to say. ] I was fourteen back then. It's been over fifteen years... the Jedi Order is no more, Anakin.

[It's probably a good thing that Kanan can't see Anakin's face as he struggles to keep the anger off it. That's probably the next couple of years for him. That incident had always seemed so far off and it rocks him to realise how close it was.]

Tell me everything.

[He balls his hands into fists as he pushes down the urge to lash out at the news.]

[ the anger in anakin may not be visible on his face, and may be pushed down in his voice, but it ripples with a cold chill through the force. jedi are told to suppress their anger - kanan disagrees with that sentiment. it would insane if anakin wasn't angry. what he feels now is what caleb felt in the aftermath of everything.

so he reaches out to set a hand on anakin's shoulder, firm but without squeeze, and speaks calm- ]

Let's find somewhere quiet to sit first. We shouldn't attract attention.

[ the shrine would be seeing more visitors, but he's certain there must be some sitting areas out of the way nearby. ]

[The cold chill he feels continues to drop as Anakin struggles to contain his anger. They'd been taught to process and release such emotions, but Anakin had always struggled to do anything more than suppress his anger and letting it turn to hate.

He almost shoots down the suggestion they move elsewhere because what did it matter who heard them when no one here had even heard of the Jedi? It's only seeing all the worshippers that he realises they don't need to be disturbed by the commotion he'll undoubtedly make that he acquiesces.]

Fine. I think there's some seats over there.

[Not that he's going to do anything other than pace in increasingly agitated circles.]

[ kanan slips on his mask again, the light of day harsh on his damaged eyes, and lets anakin lead the way. for someone blind it's clear that kanan walks with purpose and awareness of his surroundings without any aid. the force provides in mysterious ways.

once they get to the secluded spot, hidden under the shade of the trees, he feels for the stone of the seat before lowering down. ]

Can I just say... it's good to meet you? [ a beat. ] I mean I saw you around the Temple walking beside Master Kenobi, but obviously we never spoke. I knew Ahsoka and she always spoke highly of you.

[Anakin waits for Kanan to take a seat, but remains standing. He knows he's going to have a lot of restless energy he's going to need to channel somewhere.

In any other situation he'd find that a little inappropriate, but in this case it serves to remind him that while he knows he doesn't make it he doesn't know Obi-Wan or Ahsoka's fates.]

Are they... Do they make it?

[ he nods. ]

Yes. I met with Ahsoka years later. [ thankfully, though... he doesn't want to tell anakin she's gone now. ahsoka spoke fondly of him and he doesn't have the heart to break it to him. she makes it out of the purge, at least, and that should be enough to say right now. ] Master Kenobi sent a message via holocron for anyone outside the Temple. He went into hiding, along with Master Yoda, and the Jedi have scattered since.

Edited 2020-02-08 21:42 (UTC)

[His shoulders slump in relief, grateful to hear his friends survived at least. He wants to ask about Padmé also, but there's no way he'd be able to explain that one.]

So what happened exactly? This can't be more than a couple of years from now. Is it the Separatists?

[Sometimes it felt like the war would never end, but it never felt like they were on the brink of being utterly overwhelmed.]

Mhm. [ he leans down, arms steadying themselves on his arms and frowns. ] The Separatists were "destroyed" right after the purge, but most of us are sure they were part of the Senate all along. They commanded the Clones to attack the Jedi, and they were happy to follow their orders.

[ rex mentioned control chips and that might make some sense of it, but kanan doesn't buy it entirely. he still can't shake his animosity toward the clones. ]

They wouldn't. [Anakin's quick to defend the clones, he knows everyone serving in his legion in a way the other Jedi didn't bother with and he would vouch for each and every one of them.]

I've fought with them in countless battles, they'd never betray us.

[That denial quickly turns to anger and the Force swirls menacingly around him.]

You're mistaken.

[ anakin's reaction was expected from someone coming from a clone wars time period. however he underestimates just how strong it is, radiating through the force itself. kanan must always be attuned to the force nowadays just in order to function as he did before, so it takes him aback for a moment as he tries not to let it absorb into him. ]

I'm not. They caused the purge. [ firmly spoken, keeping his tone even. ] The ones who didn't take part claimed control chips were in their heads, and taking them out kept them from following orders.

[ then, as he remembers, he adds on- ] You fought with Rex of the 501st, right? He's the one who told me that.

[Slowly the turbulence fades. He doesn't release his anger into the Force as they were taught to, but instead it's suppressed as he holds it within himself.]

You're not lying, but what you're saying can't be true. Only the Kaminoans would be able to do that to every clone and they have no reason to do that.

[ he opens his mouth, ready to retort, but closes it again and clenches his jaw. now it's his turn to get frustrated. ]

They gunned down my Master in front of me, Anakin. They did the same to every other Jedi in their range. I don't know why, but it happened.

[ he's not here to argue reality or delve into the why of it all. none of that changes that it happened. he wouldn't be surprised if the kaminoans were also killed off, if they truly were involved. ]

Test Drive #4

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