Ask The First Frost

[Dash Pavan]

LORTA, MID RIM
​

Dash had given himself precious little time to think since Tython, on purpose. He knew himself by now, knew he could stoke himself to feel one thing and yet given time come around to think different. But there was no time for indecision. Many people had told him over the years that he could do the extraordinary. He now believed it himself.

Dash straightened his armor as the boarding ramp began to lower, knowing every part of his image was vital today. The Lortans were a violent and martial people. They respected strength and power, both of which he intended to show them if it came to it. The time for modesty had passed. The Jedi, and the many of thousands of worlds they tacitly represented, were at a crossroads. Either Dash and his brothers and sisters destroyed their enemies, or everything they cared about would be destroyed instead.

The Rhinnalian stood atop the ramp, centering himself for a moment to the sound of dying engines. Reaching into the Force, he visualised the kind of armor the Lortans would respect, channeling his natural talent to fashion what was called for. Ice and frost crept into being across his frame, crystallising into gauntlets, pauldrons and an impressive armored bodice that would leave the natives in no doubt.

Dash strode down the ramp, employing every ounce of theatrical skill to enhance his arrival. He waited until he was in full view of the Lortan General to fashion a crystalline ice spear from the air, planting it on the hard ground like a rod of state.

"General Kallis" he nodded, showing no sign he was intimidated by the huge muscular Lortan. "I and my fellow Jedi come to extend you an opportunity. May we speak?".


@Scoobert

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

Arriving with Dash, Drexus knew that this wasn't going to be like how the Order was when he joined, no. This was going to be the start of something new. Something he could very well be a part of. The Lortans were the calling today. Drex knew some about the Lortans and while he didn't have crystallized frost armor, he did start working on something during his time in the Sith. Pyro.

The Zabrak standing next to Dash would place his helmet on of his usual armor, and with a little ignition through the force he would be able to light a fire around his body. At his level of experience, it was draining to do it for too long, or at too high a level. So he would keep it for when they begin to question his comrade. Plus, he didn't want the cool frost armor to melt in front of everyone. The two controlled elements of polar opposites. But when used right, they make a fierce duo.

Choosing to be the strong silent type, being six foot four inches, he would cross his arms with his saber hilt hanging at his side. The Lortan was not small, and seemed like quite the lifter. But figuring that they just got here, Drexus wouldn't show any weakness. It was easy as there was none to be had. Not yet at least, he hadn't seen what General Kallis has in store.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash was pleased with how Drexus rose to the occasion. The Zabrak had suffered the same crushing humiliation and defeat on Bastion and Dash had been hopeful it would leave the Padawan open to assisting this new cause. They both deserved some victories.

Dash had been counting on Drexus' size and brawn to improve their odds, but his eyes widened at the Zabrak's brief aura of flames. It was an impressive display for a Padawan and, though it winked out quickly, the Lortans did not miss it either, taking half a step back at both shows of elemental power. We have their attention Dash spoke through the Force but don't wear yourself out.

"Jedi who show their power" the General growled, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. The Lortan leader was a full head taller even than Drexus, his thick neck and bulging limbs covered in scaled black plate. Only his furrowed fleshy head was unprotected, dominated by two slit-like eyes that regarded them with curiosity.

"Not met your kind before. But I've no time for your usual talk. No Jedi has ever understood the Lortan". He pulled something small and squealing from a pouch at his waste and swallowed it whole, throwing the tall Drexus a challenging look.

"Because we always drone on about peace" Dash surmised, having done his homework "and your people are warriors by nature". He lifted his ice spear ever so slightly, glancing at it as if considering using it somehow. "I and my fellow Jedi do not come to you to preach peace this time" he said sternly, blue eyes flicking back to Kallis. "We come to speak of war".

The General's curious look hardened, the slightest savage grin traversing his wide mouth. "There are many cats on our southern plains" he said smiling "great beasts larger than a man. But it is the smallest that is most deadly and viscious; the Ashenfang". His gaze lingered on Dash. "Are you like this cat, little Jedi?".

"You flatter me I'm sure" Dash smiled back, far from sure at all. "Shall we?". The group began to walk towards the huge central tower, overlooking legions of parading troops.

@Scoobert

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

Seemed that General Kallis was quite the simple being. Though, he may have his complexities like all others do, he fit the bill. Back in Drexus' days with the Sith he would've been able to bring an offer to the Lortan and catch some praise from the Dark Lord. Thankfully those days were behind him. He hated having a looming bounty over his head just being a part of something. With the Jedi it was dull, but a past meeting had opened his eyes to a whole new perspective.

Drexus would return the comment about never meeting his kind, "I've never seen a Lortan in person. A lot shorter than I expected." It was a lie, but without his face showing the Lortan could never tell. Drexus' voice modded and he kept his eyes on the General. He mostly said it to get a reaction out of him, if the ice was broken well the Jedi may have a chance of building comradery.

Then Dash would bring up why they were here, it had seemed that the General liked what they were here for, at least for now. The Zabrak would follow the two as they made their way to the central tower. Drexus looked at every Lortan that he passed, they were impressive creatures. He liked what he had saw. Drexus would enter the tower alongside Dash and begin to make his way to the windows to look over the troops. It was remarkable what he was seeing. An entire army in unison all strong and capable. "So, do the Lortan fight for honor, or pleasure?"

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

The parade grounds stretched almost as far as the eye could see, abutting the closely packed buildings of the capital. The Jedi followed their host into the great tower. The base of the structure proved to be a huge and cavernous hall, circular with narrow channels carved at intervals and sloping down to a small pit in the centre.

General Kallis beckoned them in, turning to Drexus with something between a laugh and a snort. "Neither, horned one. Lortans do not fight for something as foolish as honor or as fleeting as pleasure. We fight because we must. It is in our blood". Dash thought he could smell blood as it happened; a dry metallic scent on the air.

The hulking leader gestured at the room before them. "Every Lortan meeting is an arena of battle, where weapons and words are of equal value. We can challenge one another at any time, even in council. It keeps us strong".

The Rhinnalian could feel the energy and angst in this place, in its people. If violence was in their blood, so was a certain restless drive. The channels at their feet carried the blood of those who failed.

"We have need of strong warriors General" Dash said, favoring directness. "We Jedi intend to take the fight to those who oppose us, those who want to rule over worlds like yours and mine". He stepped around the Lortans, continuing to make it clear he was not intimidated by their ways. "Our enemies are formidable - my brother here can tell you of the Sith - but one of the adversaries we face".

He gave Drexus an encouraging nod. Something told Dash that talk of an enemy would rouse a Lortan when it routed anyone else.

@Scoobert

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

Drexus would nod as he listened on to hear what the General was saying, it was quite the thing to know. They were like barbarians, but with more knowledge. The Zabrak would cross his arms and begin surveying the room. The Lortans had a good sense of design as well. Drexus was just ready to see them in combat, he wanted see how well they fought. He too enjoys a good fight, but honor would be what he fought for these days.

Dash would then offer Drex's word on the Sith when explaining their situation to the General. He assumed it was because Dash knew he was a Sith before joining the Jedi. It was more known now than before, but it still felt like a bit of a jab. "Yes, where do I begin.. they're savages. They kill innocents for their pleasure and own personal gains." Drexus began remembering his time there, serving the Sith Order, "They treat their own as trash and turn their backs on them in time of need." The Dathomirian began feeling his anger grow. "They are vicious beings, and bred to fight to serve the ones they call master. Their Order looks to gain control of the Galaxy and burn down anything in their wake. For those who side with them, they get used until their resources are depleted and then casted aside."

Taking a breath, he would calm himself. "Hence why we're here." The Padawan may not be the lead but he would speak warrior to warrior, "We look to build an army capable of destroying the disgrace that is the Sith and to save everyone's homeworlds from absolute ruin." Drexus would look at the General, "So from one warrior to another, will you fight by our side?" Drexus was prepared to offer a spar to show what the Jedi had to offer, but if this was enough he'd be happy to leave it there for now.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Drexus certainly rose to the occasion, giving chapter and verse on the twisted nature of the Sith. Dash knew they conquered and pillaged for personal gain alone, but he raised an eyebrow at the Zabrak's talk of how they treated each other. The guy seemingly had some experience of just that.

The Rhinnalian watched General Kallis closely, hoping the Lortan would be stirred to move against the Sith, rather than drawn to their barbarous ways. Dash suspected if the Lortans had been gifted the Sith's power, they may well have conducted themselves similarly. Dancing with such a martial people could be dangerous, but he planned to channel their instincts in a positive direction.

"Sith are fierce" Kallis said ominously "but few, and undermined by arrogance, theatrics...". He seemed pleased at their brief looks of surprise. "Oh, we study the Sith, little Jedi, as we do all combatants in the galaxy. Many among my people would eagerly cross blades with enemies of such repute".

He motioned them towards a far wall. A sprawling artwork of crimson on canvas was revealed to be a planetary map of Lorta, the many population centers close to connecting like many lesions on a dying brain. Dash studied it grimly. Even these peoples' artwork unsettled him.

"Very well, we may profit from fighting with you" the General growled "but Lortans will not be used. We give our armies and fleet, you find us new lands to rule and populate". He glanced at Dash only briefly, but the Rhinnalian nodded in reply. He had expected this and already decided it was a fair price. The devil would be in the detail, but he would worry about that when the war was won.

"Second, the Jedi will prove themselves worthy" Kallis went on, rounding on both of them. "Sith are fierce, Jedi are not. Our combat chronicle for your people speaks poorly of your might. I do not know you. I do not know you are strong enough to lead Lortans in battle".

Dash chewed his tongue for a moment. "I am Jedi Knight Dash Pavan" he said firmly "and I intend to be Jedi Lord of this region. If you doubt my Jedi brother and I's strength, pick two of your best men" he glanced across at Drexus "and we will show you".


16/20 for persuasion success

@Scoobert

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

Drexus was relieved to hear the Lortan was willing to fight with the Jedi, but then he had to go and be all greedy. Now the Lortans will fight with the Jedi but only if we give up territories for them to rule over. A better of two evils when compared to the Sith he knew, it was just feeling a tad pricey, but if Dash was willing to give it the green light then hey, what can Drex do.

The Zabrak would almost scoff at the Lortan questioning if the Jedi were strong enough to lead the Lortan Warriors into battle. A common and obviously foolish mistake made by almost everyone in the galaxy, only few truly believe Jedi to be much more powerful than first thought these days. Then when Dash had offered up the two vs two special, Drex smirked under his helmet. Combat was Drex's favorite.

The Dathomirian born would crack his neck by turning his head both ways and let out a low growl, "Bring 'em on." As they would wait for the two best of the Lortans to arrive, he would close his eyes behind his helmet and focus his strength in the force. He may have been a padawan but he was once a Champion, the only weak points he has would be the Light. Though it was growing in strength every day, and every training session he did he felt himself improve. Soon hopefully he would be able to wield it at a Knight's strength.

@Alhon