Ask Batuu Temple at the Galaxy's Edge

[Ty Reus]

Batuu​

Batuu is a planet that's easy on the eyes, and also a planet that's popular with smugglers and other unsavory types. But what Ty Reus discovered while he was going through some books at the archives is that Batuu had a Jedi temple on it. Not just any Jedi temple, but a research outpost that around during the High Republic era, but had dark side artifacts contained inside of it. Unfortunately, the archives say that the artifacts corrupted the Jedi at the time.

A shuttle carrying Knight Reus, Felix, and Daivand are going to investigate the status of the temple and see what can be done with the artifacts if they are still there.

Ty Reus was flying the ship with the help of an astromech droid, through the viewports, the Knights would be able to see as they are closing the distance that the temple is still there, still intact, although it looks like nature has started reclaiming the temple and it's in disrepair. Ty would then say to the other Knights. "The temple's here just ahead, and looks like there is a landing platform. I think we will depart there." he said. "Remember, there were Dark Side artifacts there that drove the Jedi there insane long ago. We don't know if they are still there, but lets assume they are. Lets make sure we are prepared." he cautioned the other Jedi. "Got it?" he asked to confirm with the other Knights.

The shuttle will then start it's decent and begin to take it's place on the landing platform. A few seconds in, the loading ramp would then lower. They can get a up-close view of how weathered the temple is. It's amazing it's still standing if Ty had to be honest.

@christhebetrayer @LouJoVi

 

[Ephiny Daivand]

Batuu was a remote planet on the edge of the Outer Rim. While it was mostly forgotten nowadays, it was once an important post for those traveling to the Wild Space and Unknown Regions. With the opening of the hyperspace routes, only smugglers and those that wanted to avoid justice visited this place.

The planet was also part of the history of the Jedi Order. During the High Republic, the Jedi had built a Temple where several ancient artifacts were housed, including some with connections with the Sith. With the Darkness spreading across the Galaxy, the Council sent a group of Jedi to investigate if these artifacts still existed.

Due to the historical importance of this Temple, Ephiny had signed up for this mission. They were probably going to be the first Jedi to visit this place after several centuries. Being an Archivist, she felt excited with it and the possibility of recording what they would find there for the Archives of the Order.

“Got it.” Ephiny said to Knight Reus. She had heard the stories about how the Jedi went insane due to the influence of these artifacts. They would need to be careful. From what she knew about these events, was through the actions of Master Yoda that the corruptive Darkness was contained. There wasn't someone as powerful as him with them on this mission.

While their shuttle approached the Temple, the Archivist could finally see it. Ephiny was amazed with how this ancient place it was still standing. Once the ship landed and they left it, the Archivist would pick her Datapad and start to record the place.

@The Good Doctor @christhebetrayer

 

[Felix]

Felix watched the terrain below them fly in viewports as they made their way to the temple. he didn't know much about the temple or its history despite Indy's tutoring on jedi history. he just knew what they here to do, investigate the temple, contain and recover any artefacts that still reside in the temple. that was the job and he was ready for it.


"Understood" Felix would reply checking his equipment, feeling the new lightsabers hooked to his belt before checking his armour and other equipment, they didn't what to expect could be empty, could be a smuggler or pirate den, there were many possibilities being this remote and long abandoned. his was basically the security of this mission, he was there to watch their backs while they did the actual work.

@The Good Doctor @LouJoVi

 

[Ty Reus]

With that, Ty would then step forward onto the temple landing pad from the ship, now that he takes a look in a few different directions, and up, he would realize how big this place and how similar the former Coruscant Jedi Temple/Imperial Palace looks with the towers. Soon, Ty would find a door way that leads from the roof. Pushing a few buttons on the terminal, but it would soon spark and the door would open half way. "Well now.", he would go through the half-way opened door and then go inside from there. From here on out, he knows to be on his guard.

Going inside, there would be dark and dark for as far as they can see insight, it become apparent there is barely any power flowing into this place not unexpected. Ty would ignite his lightsaber, piercing with the darkness with it's purple light. The Justicar would wonder aloud. "So, the records say this place was sealed with the Force by Grandmaster Yoda many years ago. Has someone else broke the seal? Or did it expire?" is that possible? He didn't know for sure, due to lack of expertise.

Ty would proceed into the hallways, looking to explore. There would be dirt, debris, and the likes inside. As the Jedi would be making their way, Ty would look inside of rooms they come across. The sparse rooms have been collecting dust, but so far nothing of value. "Lets head go down, I think the main hall would be this wayl" he would eye a stairway that goes down. It's a big temple, so it would be a significant flight of stairs.

@LouJoVi @christhebetrayer

 

[Ephiny Daivand]

While she recorded the exterior of the Temple, Ephiny made some observations about the architecture and conservation status of the building. It was built with the typical architectural style used by the Jedi Order during the High Republic. The towers, which remained mostly intact after centuries, were very similar to the ones from the Temple of Coruscant. The similarity between these towers made the Archivist think of several theories that could explain it.

After doing some recording, Ephiny walked with the others toward the door of the Temple. She watched Ty press some buttons on the terminal, making the door open partially. Before she followed the Justicar, she put her Datapad back on her bag. She couldn’t be distracted. They were going inside a place that was sealed by a powerful Jedi Grandmaster due to a strong Dark side presence. The danger could appear at any moment.

She followed Ty inside the building, expecting that Felix would come after them. She aided the Justicar in illuminating the place by also activating one of the blades of her lightsaber. Green light would join purple in its duty of piercing the darkness. “I never heard that this type of seal could expire.”

As always, her mind was making several theories that could be applied to this moment. “However, we don’t know how Master Yoda did it. Perhaps this could be tied to his life.” this was a possibility to explain why the seal disappeared. The other was that the Sith were behind it. A powerful Sith Lord could have broken it. The Dark artifacts stored in this place would be tempting for any of the Dark siders.

Ephiny would help Ty search on the first floor. After some time looking in mostly empty dusty rooms, they didn’t find anything that could explain why the seal of the Temple was broken. “I agree, but we need to be even more careful while being down there. The vaults of Temples like this one usually were located underground. Without the seal, the Dark side probably grew strong there.” she said to her fellow Knights, while they prepared to go down the stairs. Seh believed that the further down they went, the stronger the darkness would be.

@The Good Doctor @christhebetrayer

 

[Felix]

Felix would let the over to lead the way, follow them to the door and dunking under it when it only proceed to open halfway. this place was bigger than he imagined looked smaller from the shuttle it could take a while to completely search the place.

while the other activated the lightsabers to provide some light, they were decent sources of light for a few meters surrounding it but weren't exactly best a lighting up things at distance. Felix would pull out a angle head torch from one of his utility belt pockets, turning it on, it would provide a bright beam of light. he held it in his off hand keeping his saber in the other just in case he needed it.

"I wouldn't be surprised if old Palpatine broken the seal, if his history has told he liked to collect force relics of all kinds and he had access to all the jedi records" Felix had done his home work about the galactic civil war, it was conflict that had interested him, the new republic discovered many caches of jedi relics and his ship, the Imperialis was said to harbour similar relics too.

"lead the way" he would reply to Ty, he was okay with being the rear guard, though he did have this feeling they were being watched, he felt he had eyes on him and not simple from rats, he was going to keep his sense open and eyes searching for movement around him.

@The Good Doctor @LouJoVi

 

[Ty Reus]

With all that, the paths ahead are illuminated with efforts of all three. Ty Reus has a good feeling about this despite the oddity with the Force Seal. The others had good point, Felix had another great point in that Palpatine could have broken the seal and he might have had access to the information to know what is and was in this temple.

Down the stairs they go, although stern and strong, he can't help that something feels wrong. His hairs are sticking up, is that instinct or is it a warning from the Force. Or both?

They got down the stairwell "The main hall..." he said, he came across a big chamber that looked of white marble, but had debris, some overgrowth, and a ruined statue of what looked to be a Jedi. But he could then feel it, they could all feel it, the presence. "Can anyone else feel it, the taint of the dark side?" Ty isn't for sure if the artifacts are still here, sometimes dark side presence can linger for centuries or millennia even if the source is gone. But he can definitely feel corruption here. No time for fun and games here, Ty will re double his efforts to keep himself focus and not to lose himself.

As he would walk towards the main hall looking for where the archives, containment rooms, or where ever else the artifacts might seem where they are being stored, Ty would look towards the group. "Despite the corruption, I believe that the place can be purified and the temple restored to it's former glory, so we have another home away from home. If we find these artifacts, I think they should be destroyed, before they can hurt anyone else in the future." he wondered if they agreed or not. Usually the Jedi of old wanted to study these dark artifacts, that was the purpose of this temple. Maybe some today would want to do that. There good reasons as to, but the Justicar in Reus is saying they should be destroyed given their past history and the corruption that seeps even now.

In just a few moments, the dark side would pulsate, it's presence was almost palatable. Is this where artifact is? Ty Reus would clench his lightsaber harder and drawing the Light Side to him, he will need to cling to it.

Now down the corridor and into the chamber before them...

@LouJoVi @christhebetrayer

 

[Ephiny Daivand]

”This makes sense.” Ephiny said to Felix. During his time as Emperor, Palpatine collected several relics and artifacts of the Dark side. With the information from the Archives of the Jedi Order, he could easily find the places that the Order used to store these things. Being a powerful Sith Lord, the Archivist was certain that he would have been able to break this seal.

However, something was really strange in this situation. Why was there still a dark presence? Palpatine would have collected these items and moved them somewhere else. “If it was really him who broke the seal, do you think that he could have turned this place into one of his vaults?”

After they got down the stairwell, the three Jedi reached the main hall. If it wasn’t for the state of decay and the debris scattered around the place, Ephiny would have thought that it was like any other normal Temple. However, there was also the presence there that made this place completely different from one that the Jedi would live in. There was a Dark presence, which seemed to become stronger at each second that they stayed there.

“Yes, I can feel it.” the corruptive presence of the Dark side was strong in this place. Ephiny focused on the Light of his fellow Jedi. “We should be careful around here. It seems to be becoming stronger since we arrived down there.” the Archivist said, while trying to close herself from the Darkness.

When Ty proposed that they should destroy the artifacts stored at this place, Ephiny felt conflicted. While the Archivist in her was curious to study these things and add the information in the Archives, her racional side understood that it was too dangerous to continue existing. In the end, reason won. “I agree. As soon as we locate where these items are being stored, we should destroy them.”

Would not take much time for them to find the source of the Darkness. When they approached a corridor that went toward a chamber, the Dark presence grew to the point of forcing Ephiny to cover herself with the Light side to protect against its influence. “It’s coming from there.” she said, while pointing toward the direction from where it was coming. “We need to be careful.”

@The Good Doctor @christhebetrayer

 

[Felix]

Felix felt that cold chill run down his spine, his hairs standing up as they made their way down the stairs, he knew what it meant. the dark side still had a presence here for whatever reason it was so they had to be on guard. "I feel it"

Felix couldn't argue against destroying whatever they came across, as long as they existed they posed a threat so it was best leave it to chance, it was the pragmatic decision. Felix would keep following the other two when Ephiny pointed and said she felt dark side come from a certain corridor, shing his torch down it it would eventually illuminate two large stone doors they were covered in carved reliefs, depicting several periods of jedi history.

stowing the the torch on his chest he would try push one open to no avail, seemed to be locked by something or possible blocked from other side "Well that's not budging, any ideas?" He would ask to other two for their input.

@The Good Doctor @LouJoVi

 

[Ty Reus]

Reus took Felix's silence as agreement that the artifact or artifacts are best to be destroyed so they can reclaim the temple.

The dark side is emulations are getting more heavier and heavier the further in the direction they go, and the door stands in the way. The door would have murals of jedi history, going up to the High Republic era. "Maybe there is a secret button" Ty would feel up and down and across the door and the base looking for a hidden button. But he would have no luck there. He would back away and try and gain some distance from the dark side presence. "Maybe it just needs a bit of a bigger push" Reus would then fling his right hand forward to do a force push, it would land but the stone doors would stand tall unmoving.

"I suppose if this door is supposed to lock up potentially dangerous artifacts, it wouldn't be so easy to open."

He ran out of bright ideas. The Justiciar would ponder some more. Maybe their resisdent archivist might know. "Ephiny, would you know more about doors like this and how toopen them?" Reus was thinking maybe if all three started pushing, maybe they might be able to make them budge, that seemed doubtful given how one Knight and the Force were just ineffective.

@LouJoVi @Felix

 

[Ephiny Daivand]

They moved toward the corridor that Ephiny had pointed. While they walked, it was possible to feel the darkness increasing with each step. The light cast by Felix torch seemed to be diminishing, with it barely being capable of illuminating their path. The Archivist was starting to believe that the artifacts were still in this place.

Then, they arrived in front of two large stone doors. When the light of Felix’s torch illuminated it, Ephiny could see its amazing carvings. Under normal circumstances, she would have pulled her Datapad to record it for the Archives. However, with the strong Darkness that was coming from behind them, doing it was the last thing that crossed her mind at the moment.

She watched Felix try to push the door open, but his efforts were fruitless. The same happened when Ty tried to do it. Even with the use of the Force nothing happened. She wondered if something was really blocking it from the inside. Perhaps Master Yoda could have left some type of safety lock.

When Ty asked if she knew something, Ephiny turned to look more closely at the doors. The carvings seemed to show scenes of the history of the Jedi Order. She noticed that in all of them there were two Jedi. This made her remember information that she had read some time ago.

“Some holobooks says that the Jedi in the past used to make locks that only two could open, a Master and a Padawan. Perhaps that's what is happening here.” after saying that, she positioned herself on the left side of the door. “I’ll use the Force on this side, someone will do the same on the other.” she stretched her arm, leaving her hand open in front of the door. “If it’s really one of these locks, we need to do it at the same time.”

@The Good Doctor @christhebetrayer

 

[Felix]

Felix listened to the archivist and her theory, it did make sense from a security point of view having to have two people open door meant that a single individual couldn't just steal artefacts by themselves.

Felix would move to stand beside Ephiny facing the right side of the door, out stretch his arm his palm up and aimed at door, "Alright, I'm ready, let's go on one " he would say before begin his countdown. "3, 2, 1." On one he reach out with the force and into the door, feeling a gear of sorts within door which he began to turn and the groan of movement from within door began as mechanical bits began to move after centuries of stillness.

the doors would slowly open inwards after the two had unlocked it, reveal a corridor with multiple door ways and the presence of the dark side presences had grown now that doors were open.

@The Good Doctor @LouJoVi

 

[Ty Reus]

And so it's working, the door is unlocked and opened. Ty would then see three paths ahead now that the door is unlocked, and a bunch of dark side corruption. With the presence of corruption and one way or another they have to go forward, Ty would cling to the lightside of the force, keeping close to it as a bulwark against the corruption. "Three door ways, three of us." Tthose doors looked more mundane and could be opened normally. "We could cover more ground if we split up.

Plus going by records, the the Jedi were turned against each other by the artifacts here. Just in case, I recommend we split up." That way they might be less prone to attack each other if they are not in proximity. "Lets keep in touch on the comms. Lets keep in contact if anything out of the ordinary pops up. And destroy any dark side artifacts we come across. Be vigilant, don't fall for any tricks." He firmly said. It's risky for them too spilt up too, knowing how dangerous the dark side is.

If they would all agree on that, Ty would take the middle most door. Perhaps it's the most straight forward path? Ty always thought of himself as a straight forward person. The more footsteps he takes forward, he feels like he is stepping further and further in it's presence. "I am one with the force, the force is with me" he muttered to himself, his mental guards up. So he'd he'd take a turn, then there would be two door ways, going straight and one to the side. Ty would take the side door, openning it, and then seeing a dark statue of a hooded figure. Feeling through the force, it doesn't feel like it's emitting a dark side presence, although it's clearly not a Jedi artifact, looks more of Sith.

@LouJoVi @christhebetrayer

 

[Ephiny Daivand]

With Felix using the Force together with her, the door soon started to open. Then, she was right. This door was really built to open with the efforts of two Jedi, probably a Master and Padawan. When they left this place, Ephiny would take note on her Datapad about it. This type of mechanism was rare and was worth being recorded.

After the door was opened, Ephiny felt the presence of the Dark side increase and spread toward them, filling the room where they were. The Archivist braced herself against this tide of Darkness, clinging to the Light with all her will. There was no doubt anymore, it was coming from inside it. This could only mean that the Sith artifacts were being stored there.

Ephiny nodded in agreement when Ty said what they should do now. “I agree. We should be careful. If it becomes difficult to destroy an artifact, we should not force attempts to do it. Darkness can affect us through frustration.“ being a place like this one, so full with the Dark side, even the smallest thing could make them fall to it.

Once Ty moved to one of the doors, Ephiny walked toward the door on the left. She could feel the Darkness coming from behind it. Taking a deep breath, the Archivist opened it. Inside the room she saw several shelves with different artifacts. Reciting the Jedi code, the Archivist started to look around the place.

@The Good Doctor @christhebetrayer

 

[Felix]

Felix nodded in agreement that they should be careful though he didn't like the idea of splitting up, if they had one thing it was time so he understand the justiciar's rush to scout the place out but it seemed Ephiny was in agreement with him so he didn't bother raising his concerns.

Felix entered the right most door, the room was largely empty except for the stone bust that lay in the centre of room on pedestal on it a mask lay attached to it.

Felix circled the mask inspecting from a distance, it was long before he heard a voice. "ahh finally after so long a new host appears." Felix wasn't sure whether the voice came directly from the mask or it was from inside his head, either way it was disconcerting.

@The Good Doctor @LouJoVi

 

[Ty Reus]

Ty agreed with what Knight Daivand said, some of the artifacts may indeed prove difficult to destroy, it's important not to lose one's cool. Anyways, in accordance to the rules he laid out eariler, he would let his team what he would found "Found a Sith looking statue. Doesn't seem to be tainted, getting rid of it anyways". Ty gets that sometimes it's important to study how these artifacts work, but as shown by the temple's history it's more trouble than what it's worth.

With the hooded statue artifact, after confirming that it's harmless Ty would move to get rid it. He would then use ignite his lightsaber and put it one hand and then he would throw the saber towards it, with it spinning all the while. The statue would be carved up into tiny pieces.

Ty would then move back into the hallways and move forward. After a few more steps, he would feel the dark side pulsate. It seems getting closer to... something. Ty would not to lose himself as he proceeds. At the end of the hallway, there would be too ways, one path to the side and one door straight ahead. He would move past the the side path and he feels the heavier weight of dark side presence.

He would open the door, and up ahead, an white stone room and on a pedestal. Is that...? "Team, I think I just fond a some sort of holocron" They look like holocrons, but not any holocrons made by a Jedi that's for sure. And not a moment later he hears faint echoes, like a white noise. And he can't even understand the words. Could this be the source of the corruption? Or a source?

@LouJoVi @christhebetrayer

 

[Ephiny Daivand]

Ephiny went to look around the room, being careful to not lower the barrier of the Light side that she had formed around herself. The shelves were full of artifacts and the Archivist believed that the Darkness that they were feeling could be coming from one of them. Lowering her defenses would make her susceptible to corruption.

So far, she hasn't identified any of the objects to be the source of the Darkness. Most of them were associated with the Light side or neutral. There were urns, masks and even some type of a gauntlet. However, the Dark presence was still here. Ephiny could try to use the Force to locate it, but she feared that by opening herself she would be susceptible to being influenced by the Dark side.

While she searched, Ephiny received the message of Ty saying that he had found a Sith statue and would destroy it. “Understood, be careful while doing it.” she said to him. Even if there was no Darkness coming from it, it could still be dangerous. After saying it, the Archivist continued her search.

After some time searching, Ephiny felt the Dark side stronger near a particular shelf. There was a small figurine of some warrior, probably a Sith. With a possible source of Darkness identified, the Archivist called the others to inform them about it. “I found a small Sith figurine, probably 30 cm. It has a Dark presence and I’m going to destroy it.” she activated her lightsaber and prepared to strike it.

@The Good Doctor @christhebetrayer

 

[Felix]

Before Felix could make a reply to the disembodied voice, his comlink came to life with the voices of his compatriots, "I see you and your friends have come to destroy me? after so long I thought I had bee forgotten about." the voice spoke out again as Felix continued to circle mask raise his comlink to his mouth.

"I've found a mask, which I'm pretty sure it's tal..." His voice would fall silent midsentence for his allies, as the room for Felix became black, an empty void in which only he and the mask were there. "Where are we?" he demanded, drawing his lightsaber the mask now facing him with glowing red spots where the eyes would be. "somewhere more... private, so we can talk without interruption."

If others were to rush to the room they would find Felix's body collapsed on the ground, unmoving but breathing.

@The Good Doctor @LouJoVi

 

[Ty Reus]

Silently Ty wondered if it was even possible for him to destroy a holocron, he never tried. Aren't those things made of durable materials that are built to last for ages? Well Ty will find out, with his purple lightsaber in hand he would line up his attack, and deliver two slashes back to back, sparks would fly as his blade would hit home. But it's not? Ty would stand back and think about this. He's shaking his head making sure not to get frustrated or lose his cool.

Think. Think rationally. He thought to himself.

He'll think about this rationally. Stroking his chin in contemplation, he thinks later he will find some sort of crevasse on Batuu, or some pit of lava and just throw it in there. There we go.

Ephiny checked on the comms to tell them what she was about to do. "Copy that". And then Felix. He was informing them of what he found, but suddenly it cut off. "Felix?" Ty asked. "Felix? Felix you copy" he asked again. No response. "Ok, going to check in on Felix." He was taking the his earlier stated protocol seriously given the dangerous of the place.

It would take him a bit to find Felix, but he did, body on down on the ground, but breathing. "Felix? You ok?" he asked with worry. "Please respond". He's alive, but he would then turn around and look at what may have caused his collapse that mask, it's presence in the dark is unmistakable. "I found Felix, think this mask may have knocked him out." Ty said on the comms, then he would then hear a faint echo in the background. Deeming it unsafe to be in the room, he would then bring Felix' body out of the room, not knowing what happened exactly and not wanting to do anything rash.

After that Ty would try tending to the fallen Felix, and then giving him a little slap on the cheek to hopefully get him to wake up.

@LouJoVi @christhebetrayer

 

[Ephiny Daivand]

As she had said to Ty, Ephiny brought down her lightsaber over the Sith figurine. When the green blade collided against it, the object literally exploded. While it wasn’t powerful enough to hurt the Archivist, this was enough to make her lose balance and fall seated on the floor.

From all the things that she had expected of happening when she destroyed the figurine, Ephiny never thought that it would explode. She turned to look where the object was and saw that nothing remained from it beyond some small pieces. Other things that were near it were also damaged by the explosion. Hopefully nothing of it would be important.

While she got up, Ephiny heard her comm alerting her that she had a message. “I’m going here immediately.” she said, before running to where Ty was with Felix. From what she read, Dark Side masks that put people down were never a good thing. The Archivist hoped that the other Knight would be fine.

She would find Ty tending to an unconscious Felix. If the Justicar looked at her, he would probably think that she looked like a mad woman, with her hair disheveled because of the explosion. The Archivist would kneel next to the Knight. “Do you know what the mask did to him?"

@The Good Doctor @christhebetrayer