Ask Kashyyyk Strength and Honour

[Yvain]

The Padawan's were a little to indecisive for Yvain's liking, yes you should never just jump in to danger but as a Jedi you were a beacon for the galaxy, a person many would crowd around. Be it Padawan or Jedi Master you had to be decisive in matters, confidence in ones self was the path to mastery of ones abilities. But he would let them make these choices, they would all sit down and reflect on them after the fact Yvain will ask the questions about there hesitation and hopefully they will understand.

"Remember that you they are looking for proof that you have the strength and courage to work with them. You do not necessarily need to win." Yvain said to the pair as the readied themselves. "I wish you both luck, I will be watching from over here." With that the little green Jedi wondered off to a corner with Kerriithrarr. "Ooo, fresh toads."

Spoiler: OCC

You guys can Dice Roll your individual tests to make it more interesting. Please don't die :P

 

[Lani Tallis]

With some hesitation, the Zeltron's palm curled up around the katana sheath. The two Wookiees have already raised from their seats: blades on their belts, and the traditional bowcasters behind their backs. After casting a glance at her would-be opposition, the Zeltron merely shook her head and let go of her weapon, pushing it back towards the serpent slightly. "Thanks," she replied, with genuine gratitude to her words for both the offered weapon and an advice. "But if I have to use a blade against them, then I've already lost."

It wasn't the fear saying it, but rather her mind. Her only hope with that thing would be slashing at the Wookiees and... "Besides, I just don't want to draw blood." The Zeltron patted on the halves of the elecrtostaff clipped to her belt: "These long stun batons should be more effective." She nodded at the "not necessarily need to win" part and the wish of good luck from Yvain. Yeah, right, surviving would already count as a win.

***​

The arena proved to be a large wooden platform just outside the main building. From the outside, it seemed like a bowl with a flat bottom, and benches perching around its edges in a circle. The lack of any sort of safety barrier between the benches and the central arena was actually an encouragement. The onlookers had already gathered, and visiting such a show would be a stupid decision if the weapons involved could shoot to kill. In fact, the Wookiee by the entrance even had examined Lani's weapons—both non-lethal—before letting her into the arena.

And there she was, standing on one side of the circle. Against her, on the opposite side, were two Wookiees. Since they hadn't raised their bowcasters yet, Lani assumed that it would happen after the giant bronzium gong was struck. She herself had already unclipped the holster with her stun pistol. But otherwise, she was just standing there for what seemed like eternity. Watching the Wookiees gathering round and taking their seats, the trees in the distance, and even the stream down below.

Finally, she saw what she half-expected and half-dreaded to see: a brown-furred Wookiee with a giant club approaching the gong. Lani's heart raced as the club raised in the air. The Zeltron gulped and shifted her gaze towards her opponents. Purple fist clenching and unclenching next to the grip of the holstered pistol. A drop of warm sweat rolling down the forehead. And then...

CLANG!​

The sound of the gong made Lani spring into action, whether she wanted to or not. Afraid or not, she didn't want to check if the Wookiee weapons were set to stun or to kill. And she had had some time to strategize.

As soon as she could, the Zeltron ran around the edge of the arena, circling towards the Wookies in a desperate attempt to buy herself an extra moment. The Wookiees would surely go for their bowcasters, as the Chieftain had alluded to. Both pointed at the running Zeltron and took the shots... One at the ceiling at the opposite side of the arena, and the other at the ground where the Padawan had been a second before. The arena roared, just as the two warriors, whose bowcasters apparently found a will of their own, almost ripped from their hands. All accompanied by a shot of the stun pistol, an angry roar, and a heavy thud from one dropped bowcaster.

Still on the run and approaching her doom, Lani had fired in the direction of the nearest Wookiee. If she could position herself so that one would block the line of fire of the other, she would have a fighting chance. So far, the bowcaster distraction bought the Zeltron some time. The bolts had missed Lani widely, rocking the arena itself... And making the Zeltron trip up.

Lani hit the sturdy wood with a loud yelp, the stun pistol knocked out of her hand and far away towards the edge of the arena. Half-a-dozen meters away, the nearest Wookiee grabbed his sword with the uninjured arm, while the other Wookiee was already resetting his bowcaster and lining it up for the next shot...

Dice rolls
@Just Matt Now

 

[Sace Vsil]

Sace nodded at the Knights advice, understanding that winning was not what was important at this time, though it would be a plus. He knew that the Wookiee's wanted to see what mettle the two young Jedi had. A test of their strength and courage, not ability to win. And this was where all of the Sluissi's confidence derived from. He would make sure to give it his all, just as he'd done in all things he set his mind to. He found the Jedi on the opposite side of the galaxy, leaving his life and family behind. This being his first mission, he wanted it to go well, but understood what was most important, especially for the sake of the Order.

Sace took back his katana, though did not bother putting it back on his person. "Good luck!" He told his partner, genuinely believing that she would prevail, if not in the fight, than in proving her strength and honor. Sace was upset that he couldnt watch her fight, though two other Wookiee's directed him to another path, one that led down...far down from their platform. The snake slithered behind them, not knowing exactly what to expect. This shook his nerves. Though Sace bit his lip and pressed onwards. The trip down wasnt too far, in fact Sace couldnt believe that they werent going to the very bottom...

His suspicions were quickly rectified as the Wookiee's directed him to a makeshift platform, large enough to fit maybe a handful of Wookiee's. One of them thentugged on a branch, the platform started to move slowly...downwards. As they went down, Sace couldnt help but to think of what a beautiful place this planet was. The flora and greenery...the indigenous flying creatures that took up pockets of the sky, all of it stunning to the young Jedi.

The platform clunked to the bottom where the tree met the ground, both Wookiee's stepping out and directing him to follow, to which he did. They would bring him to the foot of another tree...

Sace looked up...

He couldnt see the top, in fact he couldnt even see what was behind the enormous tree. It was as though every tree on this planet were made for giants that could use the planet as a pillow. His confidence shrunk.

One of the Wookiee's stripped himself of his gear, setting it aside the other on the ground. Sace took his que and did the same, relinquishing himself of his weapon and gear, leaving nothing but the shirt on his back. Sace turned around and saw his droid wheeling off of the platform and stopping next to him and the Wookiee's. "Make sssure nothing takes my ssstuff!" He exclaimed.

The Sluissi slithered over to where the tree began, not far from the unencumbered Wookiee. He waited for a sign that the challenge would start...whatever that might be. Sace peered over, the other Wookiee was also on the ready, though now his claws has retracted from his hands...Oh kark...he thought, now realizing how these Wookiee's were built for exactly this type of challenge.

RHOAARRHRRR!!!

The guttural scream could be heard from atop their previous position and where Yvain and Lani had been. Sace was sure what this meant, and on instinct grabbed the tree bark with his hands and his coiled tail to give him a huge head start, his coiled tail relinquishing a powerful jump onto the tree meters above where they had stood. Sace knew his TACTIC, finding the grooves and divots of the bark in order to get a strong footing with his giant tail. Slithering up the tree, he also used his hands and arms to propel him further, not even looking at his opponent to see where he was. His only focus was on the never ending tree bark to find the best grooves for his tail to fit into. And so he was, progressing up the tree with great speed and agility. Sace would not look down for fear of exactly how high he'd already gotten, and still there was so much more tree left.

One thing was certain...he did not see the Wookiee while up towards the canopy. He only hoped that his luck would continue...

Dice Roll

@Catbert

 

[Lani Tallis]

Lani had had some time to think the fight strategy through. In the fight, she would only have two advantages. The first was distance. Up close, a well-trained Wookiee warrior would outdo the young Jedi Padawan in raw strength, and possibly in agility. The stun pistol was the way to go. But the Zeltron was steadily losing her advantage: lying on the ground, blaster off in the distance, as the other warrior rushed towards her with the blade.

There was another thing Lani still had. The Force. She had intended to use it to avert the bowcasters, and position herself so that at least one of the Wookiees would have a hard time aiming at her. But now that Lani was immobile on the ground. The other Wookiee in the distance still had his bowcaster and was aiming at the Zeltron. Without a weapon in her hands, it seemed like there was nothing she could do. Except of one story that Lani had once heard about the Jedi on Kessel...

In desperation, Lani stretched out her hand towards the nearest Wookiee. Coiling the Force around the furred giant's body, Galania waved her hand to the side. At the same time, the other Wookiee took the shot. The bolt of the bowcaster would impact the furred leg of the giant, making it tumble to the side with a loud roar next to Galania, dropping its sword in the process.

In the meantime, the Zeltron would desperately crawl at least half-a-meter away, struggling to get back on her feet and out of reach of the wounded warrior. Her hand wrapped around the grip of one halves of the electrostaff, unclipping it from the belt and turning it on. In the meantime, the other Wookiee roared indignantly at the Zeltron's seemingly-underhanded tactic, resetting the bowcaster once again.

Dice rolls
@Just Matt Now

 

[Sace Vsil]

Beads of sweat ran down the Sluissi's scales. He wasnt even paying attention to where he was in comparison to his opponent, the only thing on his mind was progressing up the tree as fast as he could. The Snake grabbed a piece of bark not realizing how loose it was and ripped it off of the tree, though almost as if he had anticipated the obstacle, he continued on, his large and powerful tail finding the grooves in the tree and propelling him forward.

They had now reached a point where the branches of the tree were starting to protrude, giving him more leverage to climb from branch to branch attempting to get an advantage. Everything was going to plan well enough until the serpent saw a flash of brown fur come up from his side, using the branch as a bar to jump to the next.

Oh kark...

Sace wasnt about to give up his lead that easily, the Sluissi jumped to the nearest branch, lifting his large tail over his body and closer towards the fleeing Wookiee, grabbing his furry ankle with the tip of his tail. Sace did not pull him down, rather he used the Wookiee as if he were yet another branch, propelling him to the next level. Though at the same time this made it nearly impossible for the Wookiee to advance as well. Sace was back in the lead, his little maneuver probably the last of its kind...

Whew...no way he's gunna let me do that again.

Sace continued on, his muscles starting to ache and exhaustion setting in, though he wouldnt see rest until he'd made it to the top...he dared not look down at this point.

Dice Roll
@Catbert

 

[Lani Tallis]

Beads of sweat were now running down the purple forehead, strands of indigo hair sticking to it. There was a numb pain in her arm and side from the previous fall; even it took the Zeltron some effort to get up. Not to mention that she was steadily on the way to her limits with the Force. Jedi trainings were rigorous, but the real deal was all the more challenging.

On the bright side, one Wookiee was down for the count. Had they been alone in the arena, Lani would've prodded him with electrostaff for good measure. But they were not, and the Zeltron had to deal with the other Wookiee, who would soon fire the bowcaster for the third time. Trying to avert the shot yet again seemed like tempting fate and the Force, so Lani chose a different approach: she simply hurled a half of the electrostaff at the armed Wookiee.

At first it would seem as if the staff would fall not too far from the Zeltron, without threatening her opponent. But then it gained spin and momentum as Galania outstretched her arm. The Wookiee, not expecting the move, still had sharp reflexes and attempted to wave it off with the bowcaster, like an annoying insect. The strength of the hit knocked the weapon out of the Padawan's telekinetic grasp.

And yet, the staff's business end grazingly connected with the Wookiee's shoulder: making him drop his bowcaster and eleciting a loud roar. In the meantime, Galania unclipped the other half of the electrostaff from her belt. That was the only weapon the Padawan had not yet lost. Meanwhile, her opponent reached for the sword of his own. The final showdown was approaching...

Dice rolls
@Just Matt Now

 

[Sace Vsil]

Pain is all the young Jedi could feel. Pain and aches in his muscles and his mind as this tree seemed never ending even with the speed and ferocity that both contestants were using. Though there was suddenly something else...physical pain...high on his tail, almost to his lower back. The Sluissi reached down with his hand to feel what could be causing this pain, feeling multiple sharp knives dug into his back, and attached to them was some soft fur. Sace looked back to see the Wookiee had clearly gained on him enough to reach the serpent, digging his claws into him as he tried to continue his pursuit to the end of the tree.

Aww man, I must have pissed him off.

The last thing Sace wanted was to get into a brawl with a Wookiee on the side of a tree, and yet that would certainly disqualify him from this challenge. No, Sace shrugged the pain away as much as he could, though not without losing his lead to the Wookiee.

Well, guess I cant go near him again...how the hell am I gunna pass him!

Sace was nervous to get too close as he did not want another wound to fight off. He had to figure out another way. Sace then realized that he could use the branches more to his advantage. His adrenalin was bursting through him, and with his new injury, Sace had his doubts. In a sudden desperate attempt to gain control of the race, the serpent flew off the the tree trunk not realizing being helped by the force, fully suspending himself in mid air for what seemed like an eternity. Though his target was met with a small crash, the end of a branch large enough to support his weight. Sace used his tail as a slingshot, firing him to the next branch...and the next after that, all while unaware that the force was coursing through him, via his sheer determination and instinct. Soon enough he had gotten passed the Wookiee, and could soon see the platform where other Wookiee's and Yvain had stood.

Oh shut...I'm gunna make it!!

Sace could not feel the blood flowing down the rest of his tail, nor could he feel the pain in his muscles. Thinking it was all adrenalin, the young padawan would never guess that it was the will of the force that was aiding him at this time. Tough exhaustion was setting in...with one last ditch effort as he got closer to the platform, the serpent slinghot his way to the end, a large amount of force draining what remaining energy he had.

The serpents grasp just barely reaching over the edge of the wood, his less dominant hand to follow, then hoisting himself up and collapsing on the tree top.

"Oh man...did I do it?!" Sace had nothing left in the tank. He could barely lift his head to see if his opposing Wookiee was there before him...

Dice Roll
@Catbert

 

[Lani Tallis]

The Zeltron was inching closer and closer to exertion; if not physical, then at least ethereal. It had taken Lani a lot of effort to sense and avert the shots, and then put one of her opponents into the way. Ideally, she would've just lifted the other Wookiee into the air, maybe upside down; forcing him to yield and winning the fight. But the Padawan's heart sank as she realized that she didn't have it in her anymore. As frightful as it sounded, she would have to rely on her physical prowess. Against a furred giant armed with a sword.

For a moment, it seemed like they just stood there and stared at each other: a Wookiee enraged by Jedi trickery, and the exerted Zeltron, who was breathing heavily through a half-open mouth and engaged the electrostaff. The thing that she wanted most was to disappear from that place: teleport somewhere on New Alderaan, Yavin IV, or even Coruscant. Or wake up from that madness. But the numb passing pain in the side was a clear indicator that Lani wasn't dreaming.

Then, the calm before the storm was over. With a loud roar, the Warrior rushed towards her, sword at the ready. It would be over before it even started. There was nowhere to run. So Lani did the only thing she could: she picked an option with at least a chance of success. Pressing the back of her electrostaff against her shoulder and pointing the business end forward, she ran at the furred giant with a high-pitched yell of her own.

It all happened in an instant: a slash of the blade, a sharp pain in Lani's right wrist, the cold metal of the staff hitting her on the cheek, and the Zeltron herself being sent face-first to the wooden floor of the arena. Strangely, it didn't even hurt much. She just felt something wet and ferrous on her lips.

Rapidly onto her back, Lani saw the saw the Wookiee approaching, blade at the ready. The landing had knocked the air out of the Zelton's lungs; a trickle of blood was running down her nose and lip; the right hand was bleeding; drops of sweat on her forehead. In a desperate attempt, she reached out with her uninjured hand towards the pistol lying in the distance. It trembled on the ground and flew towards the Zeltron... Only to fall mid-way, as the Wookiee landed another slash on the Zeltron's wrist with the blade—obviously dull, lest the training arena would turn into the coliseum—before putting the blade to Lani's throat.

A loud roar made the Zeltron shudder and hit the wooden floor with the back of her head. Resigned to her defeat, Lani exhaled and closed her eyes...

Dice rolls
@Just Matt Now @Braden Drake

 

[Yvain]

Kerrithrarr let out a massive roar across the combat arena, halting the advancing Wookiee in his tracks. Yvain himself let out an exhale, followed by the bundling ball of Force Energy within himself. He had seen Wookiee's get over zealous before when it came to these matters and was ready to stop the match himself if his colleague had not done so. The fighter fronted up to the clan chief, his blood still racing from the excellent little bout the Padawan had put him through and it took the chief a fair amount of shouting, screaming and pushing to clam the young warrior back done.

Whilst this was happening Yvain made his way over to the Zeltron. "Well done young one." He said standing over her prone form, a big smile on his face. There was no point the pint sized Jedi Knight trying to give her a physical helping hand up so he patted her on the head before walking off towards the now calmed Wookiee's. "How has the climb gone?" He asked Kerrithrarr, the chief called amongst the surrounding group before a massive yell was sent up to the tree above. Eventually it was answered the returning yell echoing on the breeze. Turning to Lani Yvain had a great big grin on his face. "Looks like Sace won the race." The little green Jedi seemed rather pleased with himself for the rhyme.

"He will meet us in the hall shortly, come on lets get you something to eat. They have great fried toad here."

@Just Matt Now @Catbert

 

[Lani Tallis]

As the loud roaring continued, Lani remained on the ground, eyes closed. Only when she realized that the blade was no longer at her throat, did she dare to squint one eye open. And when master Yvain addressed her, both eyes finally opened, albeit with some heaviness. The Padawan replied to Yvain's praise with a weary smile. Her face was a mess: strands of purple hair sticking to the sweaty forehead, a couple of bruises, and a trickle of drying blood next to her broken lip.

As Yvain went off to learn about the other Padawan's progress, Lani tried to get up on her elbows at least. That evoked a grunt of pain and gritted teeth—the Zeltron had almost forgotten about the slashes on her wrists that her opponents had inflicted with dull blades. Needless to say, the leather jacket got another couple of cuts, but it was becoming a tradition at that point.

Still, despite the slightly pained expression, Lani forced herself to stay on her elbows when Yvain addressed her again. The joke did make Lani's lips go a little wry in a smile; despite the circumstances, she could appreciate a good pun. "Rrright away... master," the Zeltron grumbled as she forced herself to stand up, through pain and exertion. Even fried toads weren't too much of a scary prospect. Zeltron metabolism allowed them to eat more than others and still keep the shape, so the offering of food was appreciated. As for its nature... Lani had once eaten soup from Thyferran insects, so she was no stranger to... strange stuff.

The only thing she'd do before following Yvain was to summon the dropped stun pistol into her palm and holster it. Then she summoned both halves of the electrostaff. Interlocking them into a 2-meter long walking staff, Galania would lean on it as she'd follow the Knight. At the very least, the worst part was over, and the Zeltron had done her part.

@Just Matt Now @Braden Drake

 

[Sace Vsil]

Mere moments had passed with the serpent sprawled out lying on the deck when the opposing Wookiee emerged from the treetop, albeit in much better shape than Sace. Sace was damaged, his muscles so sore that he would barely regain himself to meet the Wookiee face to face. His mind so exhausted from his constant state of determination that he hadnt realized that he actually won.

Rising on his coiled tail to meet his opponent, "Wow, you guysss are really built for this sssort of thing...good race!" He was able to say as he extended his hand to shake in good sport. The Wookiee reciprocated and let out a roar. There were more standing there, though it did not seem like a glorious win, the Wookiees seemingly impressed or upset that he had beat one of their own.

The Sluissi was scarred from chest to tail, bits of bark still remaining between some of his scales. The Wookiee warriors motioned for him to follow, which he did albeit slowly as he was still adjusting his muscles to movement. They brought him to meet with his master and fellow Padawan...she too looked worse for wares...

"Sssoo...how'd it go?" Said said to Lani eager to know if she had won her bout, though even more eager to see what the Wookiee's had thought of the pair regarding their test.

@Braden Drake @Catbert

 

[Yvain]

The toad was good, Yvain just finishing his third when the Slussi appeared. "Ahhh, just in time for..." Before he could offer the Padawan some food Kerrithrarr appeared from the side room, a number of his elders and lead warriors following him into the room. One by one they took their seats before the Chief was the last one standing apart from the Jedi. Yvain had shifted the trio into the middle as was the polite thing to do.

After a pause the Chief began, his roars and screams filled the room, to the Padawans he probably sounded overly aggressive but Yvain understood that it was actually excitement in the Wookiee Chief. "Thank you Jedi friends." Yvain began translating a big smile upon his face. "You have easily proven your Strength and Courage in the face of danger. Me and my warriors would be happy to fight upon your side." As he finished translating Yvain gave a deep bow to the Chief. "As always Kerrithrarr you are a wise mind and a great friend. I humbly thank you for your assistance during this time of need."

@Catbert @Just Matt Now

 

[Lani Tallis]

Lani only had the time for one toad before the other Padawan showed up. Like Lani, he seemed worse for wear; the result of the rigorous challenge that the Wookiees had put him through. Upon hearing the question, the Zeltron simply shrugged. Alas, no appropriate puns were coming to her. So she just leaned in and replied quietly, so that only the serpent could hear her: "As expected. Took a beating. Lost. Did give one of them a run for his credits... If the Wookieees even use those."

Meanwhile, Yvain coaxed the would-be-Jedi into the middle of the room. Here Galania was, expecting a dressing down for her poor performance. But when the Jedi Knight translated what the Chieftain had said, the Zeltron's eyes widened as if she had just seen Luke Skywalker himself. An absent-minded smile started forming on her lips, as she looked at her fellow Padawan, and then at the Knight.

But even in a moment of surprise and celebration, Galania wouldn't be Galania if she didn't think. This time, she thought about etiquette. Turning to the Chieftain, she would offer a half-bow, accompanied by a polite Thank you." Even if you have just put me through this bloody spectacle. Of course, the Zeltron did her best to prevent those thoughts from manifesting in the expression or tone. An easier thing to do when everyone was feeling so good about themselves.

@Just Matt Now @Braden Drake

 

[Sace Vsil]

Sace emerged just behind his Wookiee opponent in the cafeteria where he'd finally come across Yvain and Galania. Though before he could go over to them, his droid Shorty came running after the serpent to give him his items. Sace palmed the dome of the droid in thanks and continued to put his sword back on his person.

Galania spoke before Yvain could translate Kerrithrarr's words. Sace knew that she was downplaying her own ability, though even to best one of those Wookiees was a certain win. And before Sace could respond Yvain spoke the words of the Chief, ones of congratulation and respect. It was clear to the Wookiee elders that the Padawans had what it took to prove their worth to fight with them side by side. And that's what it would take to stave off the Sith once more.

Sace bowed his head, "Thank you." He replied just after Galania had. Though Sace wondered what happened from here...now was where the true test would lie, in how they are to prepare for the inevitable attack of the Sith. Sace looked over to Yvain expecting further instruction, though what he really wanted right about now was a hot bath and some rest.

@Braden Drake @Catbert

 

[Yvain]

Yvain conversed with the Chieftain for a short time whilst the Padawan's were taken away by the other warriors to eat, drink and celebrate their respective accomplishments. They discussed the coming war as well as where the chiefs warriors will meet them, Yvain explained their plans with the fleet and that they would probably be based upon the roaming warship instead of at any one Temple. Kerrithrarr agreed and informed him that he will be available shortly to travel, with that the Jedi Knight gave him his thanks and made to leave, the Padawan's in toe.

_____
End Thread.