Ask Frog Country

[Crix Aran]

People really should restrict what Padawans could access from the Jedi Temple library – or at least put the information behind better firewalls. Crix had found the firewalls and decided to test them in the first few weeks of him being there and already he had found a way through. One of the first things he had noticed was an entire section of the data on something called The Zeffo.

He didn’t have the faintest idea what the hell a Zeffo was but he knew that it had contained a few co-ordinates to planets. Dathomir? Hard pass. Kashyyyk? Not for him, he was too much of a city boy to run around all those trees. But Zeffo? Well it wasn’t a place he had ever been and it was the name of the protected section so it must be the best.

Landing on it in the freighter, Crix could honestly say he liked the look of the place.

Some parts of it looked like they were set up purposefully to try and set a record in parkour or something and that was all kinds of awesome. The big vault structure looked alright too he supposed but that wasn’t why he was here. Or, rather, it wasn’t why he had picked up some pre-fab units on his way.

Stepping down the ramp, he breathed in the fresh air for a moment before calling back up the ramp.

“You guys coming or what?!”

Time for some fun!

@Killa Ree @Charndley @Rhogar @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Drastus Drahr]

Drast would descend the ramp, whistling as well. "It's definitely better than stowing away on a fighter. So... how did you find this place again?" Drast asked, eyes scanning everything. "And uhh, are we on Zeffo, in Zeffo, by Zeffo? What the bloody kriff is a Zeffo? Better not be some weird sex cult man, I already had a bad experience on Corellia with that osik."

@Killa Ree @Charndley @Forsythe Crowholde @Nefieslab

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Like his fellow Padawan, Crix, Maiko had zero clue what a Zeffo was. Given that the Sorgan native usually spent time in the Temple's library, Maiko was actually more interested in reading about the arts of healing than looking at what passed as a "Beginner's Guide to the Galaxy" and "Galaxy for Dummies 101" instructional materials.

Getting swept away both by Crix and Drastus from his room and into the hangar, Maiko didn't expect to find himself aboard a freighter that now landed on a protected section on the planet. Clad in civilian clothing instead of the typical Padawan garb, the youngest Padawan in the group adjusted the grey beanie atop his head before following after the two. Excitement and wonder shone visibly in his brown eyes as he took in the sights before them. Of course it was the vault that took most of Maiko's attention, but he refrained from reaching out with the Force to scope the place out. At least not yet. Let his physical senses take in everything first, he guessed.

"This place looks so cool," mused the young Padawan with a bright smile. The ground felt solid beneath his feet, and the air was so fresh it reminded him of home.

One concern made itself known to him again, and while he had been too shy to ask earlier, Maiko now felt it prudent to voice said concern out. Forgive the bashful introvert, why don't ya?

"What are we gonna do here again?" he asked, ears (thankfully covered by his beanie) turning red at Drastus' last comment. Weird... sex cult? Well now. Maiko sure as fudge won't be touching that discussion with a ten-foot pole, no sir!

@Nefieslab @Rhogar @Killa Ree @Charndley

 

[Willa Kanz]

She had to roll her eyes at the 'sex cult' comment. Boys could be so immature at times. And though they were all cute in some way or another, she felt a little weird without any of their Masters around. Yeah, they normally didn't say much when they were gone, but she felt weird not letting Master Max know they were up to trouble.

She left a comm message, surely he wouldn't lecture her too much. Right?

She stared at the structure for a moment, shaking her head.

"Nah. Too small for a sex cult location. Go big or go home." Her lips twitched when she looked between Maiko and Drastus, before busting out laughing, and striding past the two. The Padawan glanced once at Crix, then strode long-legged to keep up, taking a deep appreciative breath of fresh air. She felt good about this; it was a break from the norm, a chance to learn something without endless lessons.

For once, she was free and with an entire galaxy at her feet. What could possibly happen?

@Charndley @Nefieslab @Rhogar @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Crix Aran]

Really?

Why did his friends immediately have to start asking questions that they really didn't want to know the answer to? Like really. How did he find this place? He looked it up on the holopedia, honest! He smirked a little bit at Drastus and gave the other boy a wink.

"Why can't you be more like Maiko and trust me, Drasty?" he whined jokingly, "I told you guys - I found the password that protected some archive stuff. No big deal!"

And he totally had found the password - but only after he had gone into the files via breaking through the slicing defenses. He had already made a note to remind the Order to upgrade their anti-slicing programs because if he could do it then someone else could too.

Quicker too.

And the sex cult stuff?

Hard pass.

"No husband-bros type shite going on here, kids." he told them all with a grin, "Zeffo is a planet that apparently used to have a race called - big shocker this - the Zeffo! Some big-headed Force people from eons ago."

He waved a hand at the vault.

"That was apparently important at some point which is WHY we shall avoid the hell out of it!" he declared with a grin, "Instead we are gonna be making ourselves a little outpost in some of these sink holes and messas. Why? Because having a secret hideout could come in handy."

Especially if the Temple got attacked again.

"You guys heard of Oggdo? They're giant frogs with lightsaber-resistant shells... and they're kind of in our way. Wanna go hunting? Make some kickass cloaks or gloves or something?"

He didn't really give them much choice, immediately jumping down into one of the sink holes, using the Force to slow his fall until he landed heavily. Three of the regular sized Oggdo spotted him and started threat-posturing.

@Killa Ree @Rhogar @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Drastus Drahr]

Drast would smirk as he looked over at Willa "Ain't that the damn truth." he'd throw an arm around Maiko's shoulders before leading him onwards. "C'mon bud, I'll make sure you return to Yavin.. unspoiled." he'd burst out laughing before he tussled the beanie of the young boy and moved to keep pace with Crix.

Reaching Crix's side, he'd nudge the Zabrak "I like her, I see why you been hiding her all this time." he said with a teasing laugh. "And of course I trust ya bud. Why do you think I came along? I'm thankful we won't be playing husbros, anytime soon." it was weird not being with Xiann or Lani, but he was sure they were getting off to their DLX shenanigans without him, or you know, tracking them.

"Oh-ho, so we are going to be building a fort here? I can get down with that." he'd watch his friend descend into the sink hole and followed after. "Good thing I don't use a saber!" Landing beside Crix, he popped back to his feet, eyes scanning the three frogs. "Time to accessorize boys and girl." he said with that patented grin, one hand resting over his blaster, the other hovering near the hilt of his beskad. As far as the kit he was wearing went, he wore the modified bracers that went with his combat armor and wore his usual and casual get up with it.

@Nefieslab @Killa Ree @Forsythe Crowholde @Charndley

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Sometimes, jokes come flying over Maiko's head – and it was either amusing, unnerving, or alarming. As such, Willa's go big or go home comment went sailing past the youngest padawan in the group's understanding and he'd shot her a confused look.

But we've only gotten here, he thought. Why are we gonna go home already?

Bewilderment forgotten when Drastus slung an arm around Maiko, he chuckled in response to the older teen's teasing and let himself be led forward. Having his beanie tussled reminded Maiko of home, of being surrounded by older siblings who would protect him and keep him safe. He'd trust Drastus to keep his word, like he trusted Crix when he'd let the Zabrak take him to this mini-adventure. That same level of trust would extend to Willa as well, even if Maiko didn't really know her too well yet.

"They call the planet Zeffo, and the natives, as well?" he mused as he followed after the older padawans. "Huh."

Bad case of a lack of creativity? Or maybe it's just easier to remember if both planet and species share the same name?

"We're gonna make a secret hideout? Here?" Maiko smiled, bright and cheerful like an excitable puppy. "Cool! I'll help plan the layout!"

He watched as Crix jumped into the sinkhole, followed by Drastus. He looked at Willa, wondering if she would follow, before inching closer towards the sinkhole himself.

Maiko had never heard of Zeffo, and he sure as heck haven't heard about the Oggdo as well. He peered at Crix and Drastus from the edge of the sinkhole, brows raised in curiosity as three of the giant frogs began to make threatening postures at the other two padawans. It was a little alarming to hear that the frogs' shells were lightsaber resistant, but he guessed that they could still manage to face these creatures.

And then he remembered that he hadn't completed his own lightsaber yet, still lacking a kyber crystal and all. Maiko had come with his friends armed with nothing but his training staff. If lightsabers couldn't do damage against the giant frogs, then what could a mere training staff do to deal damage?

"Er... guys? I think I won't be much help down there–"

Maiko, inching ever closer to the edge of the sinkhole, soon found himself losing his footing and falling into the sinkhole after his friends. With a strangled yelp, he quickly drew on the Force around him and shifted midair so he would land on his feet, albeit not-so smoothly.

"Oof!"

At least he didn't get too hurt with that graceless landing. Maiko straightened, standing behind Crix and Drastus who were locked in a stand-off with three giant frogs.

"Aw, sugar-honey-ice-tea."

@Nefieslab @Rhogar @Killa Ree

 

[Crix Aran]

Yeah Crix was of the opinion that calling the natives and the planet the same thing was laziness at it's finest. It was probably some elitism and other stuff as well but Crix got stuck on the complete lack of creativity that it spoke of. Seriously; no one could come up with a different name for the planet? Might get confusing in conversation that was all!

Oh well, he wasn't enough of a historian to care too much.

Drastus was down to make the outpost and Maiko basically turned into an adorable puppy at the very idea. Willa, he was sure, would appreciate having their own space. If it turned out to be of use to the Order as a whole later? Neat. If it was never anything more than a hangout for him and his padawan friends? No loss.

No downsides? Best plan!

"Oh yes boys and girl - we're gonna have ourselves a fantastic little hidden outpost!"

Crix had brought a vibrosword with him along with his stun pistol and his mother's blaster rifle so he was pretty confident that he could take on the giant frogs. And then Maiko kind of tumbled down without a real weapon and things got slightly less cool.

He stepped between Maiko and the Oggdo, dropping his vibrosword for the other teen to pick up.

"Take mine!"

One of the Oggdo made to pounce so Crix did what he thought might help; he strengthened himself with the Force and counter-pounced. Colliding with the giant frog in mid-air, he spun in the air, dragging it down to the ground where he grappled with it, arms wrapped around it's neck.

@Forsythe Crowholde @Rhogar @Killa Ree

 

[Drastus Drahr]

"Their shells are what's tough, so focus on the underbelly and the eyes!" Drast would shout over to Maiko as he closed the distance between him and the closest of the froggies. Seeing no need to leap at him, the Oggdo would fire out that powerful tongue, a decision it would soon regret as Drast twisted, dodging the tongue before a flick of his blade brought it down on the sinuous (appendage?). The beskad would cut true as the blade carved through the flesh just like the good Mando smith intended that made it. There was a shriek of pain as it flopped at Drast.

He would roll under the flop, narrowly dodging the crushing weight of the Oggdo before he pulled his blaster. The first few bolts pinged off of the heavy armor, with the last bolt piercing its middle eye. "This armor is going to look killer on what I'm working on!"

@Forsythe Crowholde @Killa Ree @Nefieslab

 

[Willa Kanz]

Of course the first thing Crix did when seeing a giant hole in the ground was jumping right through it. And of course, the first thing those other two boys would do was jump in after him with the promise of hunting down...

Giant frogs.

Well, at least it couldn't get any weirder. "Yo Mai, you okay?" she called down, then sighed. It couldn't be too hard, right? She had to remember what her Master told her; trust in the Force.

So she focused, and when she leaped into the gloom...

She saw the giant frogs. She let out a low groan, rolling her eyes. "Friggin' frogs?" she muttered, gripping her vibroknife. She didn't have a blade yet; so these other guys had ones. Big deal. Never mind the stabbing jealousy in her chest or the annoyance afterward. Crix was playing Wrestler Pro with one of them, and the second was being blaster-burned by whats-his-name, Drast? Which meant the third was...

She heard a loud plop, and a weird grumbling. Wheeling around she just caught the thing bunching up its' rear legs, and she exhaled softly.

"Oh kriff--"

It sprang forward and she gripped her knife, half-leaping to avoid the bulk of it smashing into her. It landed with a sickening splorp, and she gripped her blade, scowling.

Kriffer wasn't gonna take her down that easy.

@Nefieslab @Rhogar @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Tumbling down a hole in the ground probably didn't look cool– okay, it didn't, but Maiko was not going to let the ensuing embarrassment deter him. He glanced up at Willa with a wave of a hand and a smile.

"I'm okay, thanks!" he assured her before focusing on the current task at hand. The youngest padawan picked up the vibrosword Crix offered him with a word of thanks to the Zabrak, lifting it in a dual grip as he stared down the Oggdo that was yet to engage.

"Underbellly and the eyes, got it!" Maiko replied to Drastus. He took a step forward to charge but stopped halfway when Willa joined the group, armed with a knife.

The Oggdo grumbled before jumping towards her. He watched as Willa evaded, and the youngest in the group took it as a chance to take a shot at the giant frog. Maiko charged towards the Oggdo, augmenting the strength of his legs with the use of the Force before leaping to land on its back (while avoiding the spikes on the frog's body, of course). The giant frog moved to buck him off its back but not before the padawan slammed a hand on the back of the creature's head. Reminiscent to what he did with the piranha beetles when he first met his Master, Maiko pushed calm into the frog's mind through the Force.

He was the type of kid to avoid confrontations as much as possible, after all. Especially when he's faced with non-sentient creatures. So the vibrosword would only be used as a last resort.

Of course the Oggdo struggled, attempting to shake him off of it's back but at least jumping around wasn't in it's mind any longer. The frog let out a grumble, shaking it's massive body to and fro to dislodge him. But Maiko held his ground, using the Force to stabilize himself while pushing more calm into the creature's mind until – slowly but steadily – it stopped moving. The Oggdo grumbled before lowering it's body to the ground in submission.

@Nefieslab @Rhogar @Killa Ree

 

[Crix Aran]

Hugging something that was currently trying to body-slam him to death was not how Crix thought he would be spending his day. Sure, he hadn't really expected to run into any of the Oggdo this early but still. This was all kinds of messed up and he did not enjoy it at all!

The damned thing thought that he would go down from this?

Oh no!

He was Crix Aran and he was twice as stubborn as any wild animal and he would show it! Reinforcing his arms with the Force, he focused on giving himself extra strength as he applied the blood-choke on the giant frog. Thankfully even giant frogs needed blood flowing to their brains so it wasn't actually too bad.

Before too long he felt it slow before it gave up, slumping over as he lost consciousness. Crix pumped a fist.

"Yes! Victory!"

He tried to move, finding the 'dead' weight of the giant frog pinning him down.

"... little help? My frog is sleeping on me..."

@Rhogar @Killa Ree @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Drastus Drahr]

A giant paw would smack Drast in the chest and boy did it sting. Thankfully he had moved enough to avoid the claw ripping his shirt. Sliding back from the impact, he grinned as he holstered his blaster. "My turn!" He would dart back into melee range meeting the thunderous flop of the massive frog.

Dodging a bite from the Oggdo, and with a flick of his wrist, he twirled the blade into a two handed grip before he plunged the blade into one of its other eyes. Between the weight of its hop and his movements the blade would slide all the way through until it caught on the inside of the back of the Oggdo's skull. Filthy ichor from the frog would seep down the pommel and his hands as the giant beast flopped roughly. The struggle slipping from its body. "An ugly kriffer, ain't ya.. Almost like Crix with them horns. Heh." he'd begin to pull the blade free, spilling brain matter as he did so.

Looking back to his companions he'd pause. "The goal was to kill them, yeah?" he asked, everyone else seemed to go the more peaceful route. The blade would sing in an arc as he flicked the ichor off to the side before sheathing it and stepped over to Crix. "This is going to suck, bud." he would use the Force to bolster his strength before he began to lift and push the Oggdo. It would be a slow process without help from one of the others.

@Nefieslab @Killa Ree @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Maiko Sigur]

With the Oggdo now calm and submissive to his whims, Maiko jumped off of the giant frog's back and landed in front of the creature. The young padawan lifted a hand to pat whatever part of the frog within reach, and he chuckled when it let out a grumble in response.

A spark of defiance made itself known through the Force as both human and frog watched Crix and Drastus face off against their opponents. Maiko shifted his focus back on the Oggdo, pushing calm and peace into it's mind.

It's okay, I'm your friend. I won't hurt you, I promise.

Kinda unfair to the other two froggies, but who was Maiko to stop his friends from their plans. And besides, it's not as if he hadn't killed creatures before – whether if it was to help his father put food on the table or stock up on game that they would serve in the common house. It was the way of things, and Maiko would not interfere. The frogs fighting Crix and Drastus would perish to serve a higher purpose.

Maiko smiled a little. Darn, he was starting to sound like Knight Atuvrak.

One hand patting his Oggdo's leg, the youngest in the group looked at Willa, asking "Are you alright?" before turning to Crix after he was sure that she was not hurt in any way.

"Here, let us help," Maiko offered, gently nudging the frog's mind to follow him. The two approached Crix and – with a request and another nudge through the Force – the Oggdo would assist Drastus and push its fallen brethren off of Crix. With a huff from Maiko and a grumble from the Oggdo, Crix would successfully be freed from being pinned under the unconscious frog. Moving beside the other padawan, Maiko would then offer the Zabrak teen his hand to help the latter get back up on his feet.

"Awesome moves, guys!" Maiko cheered belatedly. "I would be yelling that up there if I hadn't slipped – not my proudest moment, but eh. Stuff happens. At least none of us are hurt. Yet. Wait. Are you guys okay? Are any of you hurt?"

If any of them were, Maiko would be more than glad to work with the Force to heal their injuries – gotta apply what he'd learned from Master Voran, right?

@Nefieslab @Killa Ree @Rhogar

 

[Crix Aran]

Using the muscle mass that Hans had been insistant that he develop, Crix was able to push a lot of weight but having a sleeping giant frog on him made the lift... awkward. Wasn't like they training at lifting actual frogs above his head or anything! Grunting as he was freed with help from Maiko and Drastus, he dusted his hands off against his robes. His Jedi robes were going to get filthy at this point but he didn't much care.

He had spares.

"All good, all good." he assured the other Padawans with a grin, "I can safely say I've choked out a giant frog now... that's something Hans can't say that he'd ever done!"

Crix laughed a little bit awkwardly at Maiko's eagerness to heal them, waving a hand as if to waft away the concerns.

"Mai you worry too much - we're all good!" he assured his friend with a grin, "And besides... we were meant to be down here! See..."

He pointed to a short tunnel through the wall of the sink hole that showed a series of mesas and sink holes further ahead. Along the length of one such mesa was a large rock formation. Crix pointed to it dramatically.

"There! That shall house our outpost! But first we must liberate it from it's current owner!" he grinned wider, "Oggdo Bogdo! The King of Giant Frogs and the only thing standing between us and a kickass secret base so... let's go!"

Sprinting at full speed, Crix felt the Force lighten him and strengthen his legs as he launched himself off the edge, seemingly into the abyss... before he started running along the side of one of the mesas. Laughing wildly, he launched himself from one wall to the opposite one, running along that one as well. Cackling like an absolute madman the entire time, of course.

@Rhogar @Forsythe Crowholde

 

[Drastus Drahr]

"Well.. What if Hans has choked out a fat Rodian, that would count, no?" Drast would question with a grin. "I can also say that I have witnessed you play power bottom to a frog." he teased his friend.

When Maiko started to putz over them, he'd give him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "We're fine. Ain't gonna die yet." he added with a grin. When the Zabrak started hootin and hollerin about a 'Oggdo Bogdo', Drast could only assume that that was a made up name. His gaze would follow his friend before shifting back to Maiko. "You gonna have your frog help us or is he just gonna flop around dumb-like?"

With that, he'd sprint after Crix, leaping into the abyss. Staying fluid, he'd slide down one of the stone faces before he shifted to a run and leapt from one side to the other with the Force, just as his friend did. "Watch out Oggdo!"

@Forsythe Crowholde @Killa Ree @Nefieslab

 

[Maiko Sigur]

Relief washed over the youngest padawan in the group at the words of assurance Crix and Drastus sent his way. Maiko was glad that none of them needed medical attention so far, but that did not mean that he would be complacent. Just because they have cleared the first hurdle unharmed didn't mean that it would be the same for the second.

"Seems plausible," he replied to Drast's teasing question to Crix, faking seriousness but his eyes shining with mirth. "It's got to be a huge one, too. Size alone won't cut it."

Maiko's gaze then followed where Crix was pointing. Ah, so the three Oggdos were the first hurdle, indeed. The tunnel led to more mesas and sinkholes the young padawan had ever seen in all his fifteen years, and instead of the earlier apprehension he felt the sights before him now served to fuel his childlike excitement and wonder.

And then his Zabrak friend was off, shooting forward like a wayward rocket and cackling all the while. At Drastus' question, Maiko shot the Oggdo a grin before shrugging.

"He shall offer us his aid in defeating the King Frog," he declared cheerfully, patting the giant frog friendlily. "Oggdo, Oggdo Bogdo..." Maiko shifted his focus on his newfound friend as Drastus went off to follow Crix. "You sure have weird names for giant frogs."

The young padawan hopped on the Oggdo's back, shushing it and giving it an encouraging pat on the head when it grumbled at him. He wasn't as confident in his movements yet to come running and leaping after his friends. The giant frog would have to be his ride, at least for now. He shot Willa a smile over his shoulder.

"Someone's gotta keep an eye on three wayward boys, Willa," he told her, clealry joking. "See you down there!"

With a nudge through the Force, the Oggdo would shuffle through the tunnel before taking a huge leap towards one of the mesas. Maiko, for his part, clung on the giant frog's back, gripping it's spikes to keep himself from falling. The Oggdo jumped over sinkholes and hopped from one rock surface to another, following after Crix and Drastus under Maiko's guidance.

This was fun!

@Nefieslab @Rhogar @Killa Ree

 

[Crix Aran]

Oggdo Bogdo.

Spoken about in hushed tones amongst the Jedi Order as either an object of fiction or of the madness of a lost Padawan. Very few people believed he ever existed, despite the memoirs of Kestis claiming that he had fought the beast. What exactly was Oggdo Bogdo? Well, Crix had gathered that it was a truly monstrously sized version of the same angry battle-frogs from before.

Which meant that Oggdo Bogdo was probably more likely the name of the species than it was the name of a single giant frog.

"I'm not sure there's really any good name for giant frog species!" he called back to Maiko as he ran, "Maybe Drast can make one up? Think we get to name the species if no one cares enough to remember them?"

Landing atop the masa that he had pointed out before, Crix moved to the edge of the sinkhole and stared down into the darkness. The cavern they were staring into was deep and wide, a truly massive cavern that could be used for a number of things. Hells, even the sinkhole entrance to the place was wide enough that a careful pilot could probably land a decently sized starfighter in there.

Reaching down, he gripped his lightsaber and waited for his allies to arrive. He pointed to Drastus.

"Drast - you and I will come from the front, we're drawing aggro to make sure he keeps his warty face pointed at us." he moved to point at Maiko and Willa, "You two? Pick a side and hammer it from there, flanking him. Get in close if you need to but feel free to hit him from range."

He grinned as he ignited his lightsaber.

"You guys in?"

Had to give them one last chance to back out.

@Rhogar @Forsythe Crowholde @Killa Ree

 

[Willa Kanz]

She had been silent when the rest of them dove straight down to the Big Baddie down below. What, did they expect she would just leap herself right into the path of whatever waited down below?

However, at Crix's strategy; she smirked, drawing out her blade.

"Hell yeah I'm in. Let's show this frog who's boss."

@Nefieslab