Ask To Walk Amongst the Gods

[Srucayr]

Shogun, Quence Sector
​

Shogun. A world holy only to the Mandalorians. It was so far outside of Mandalorian Space, that it was a painful memory of the reach they once had. This had been the hub of religion for the Mando'ade in the days of old and now, now it just seemed so far outside their reach. But here they were, two Mandalorians heading well outside of their domain for a lesson of the Old Ways. Could they have done it at the Citadel? Sure. But that wouldn't have carried the weight. So, they boarded up in one of the shuttles and headed out to Shogun.

Srucayr would guide the Kom'rk class ship once it exited hyperspace to head down to the upper atmosphere. From where they were, they could see the planet below and the faint hue of the crystals that made up the planet. He would turn to his co-pilot for the trip. "So.. welcome to Shogun." he mused with a large sense of pride to Ramail. "The religious center of our people in ages past and another goal to restore to our kind."

It had been over a week since the meeting at the Citadel and though Clan Lone was unsure where they stood on the matter of joining the Orar'da'yadr, that didn't mean Srucayr couldn't impart ancient knowledge on the young female warrior. After all, training the future was one of his most important rites as Akaan Salyr.

​

@Casmer

 

[Ramail Lone]

In just a couple of standard weeks, Ramail Lone had seen more places with significance to her people than her clansfolk had seen in a lifetime. First, the Black Keep on Mandalore. Then, the ancient fortress known as the Citadel, home of the Orar'da'yadr covert and a center of the fight to take back Mandalorian Space for the Mandalorians. And now, it was Shogun's turn.

The planet's crystalline terrain was apparent even from the upper atmosphere, with the rays of the Shogun system's sun reflecting prismatically from what Ramail assumed were large crystal mountains. Even from up here, with the cold, dark space still wrapping the Kom'kr-class ship's hull like a blanket, the beauty of the planet was evident. Ramail had asked Srucayr for guidance on the religion of the mando'ade, but it had been the elder Mandalorian's idea to go to Shogun. Now, looking upon the planet that held such significance for the Mandalorians, it was easy to see why.

Ramail sat up straighter in the co-pilot's seat, very real excitement visible on her face. She turned to Srucayr and said: "Thanks for doing this, vod. It feels... significant, to be here. I'm also not at all sure what else to feel." She turned back and looked at the planet. "But maybe that's normal?"

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

Srucayr had gazed upon Shogun numerous times in his life, each time with more respect than the last. Manda'yaim was home to his people, but Shogun was their soul. And with that reality came the awe the world inspired in every Mandalorian when they first laid eyes on it.

"That's how it should always feel." He would say, gazing her way. He felt pride in her for the joy she displayed. It was good to see such a reaction as many of their kind had lost their way. "Mand'alore of old would come here just to have visions from the gods. And in the days of old, numerous battles were fought here. Some against the Republic, others between our own kind. And the Orar'da'yadr had an outpost here, but the identity of the mountain has been lost. There are some mountains here that are so tall, our forebears believed they pierced into Manda, allowing a true communion with the Old Gods. As it's your first time here, we can either tour the world or find a summit and maybe commune with the gods our people so desperately need."

@Casmer

 

[Ramail Lone]

A sheepish expression settled upon Ramail's face as she considered the two options. Both seemed equally exciting to the young Zabrak. "My gut tells me to choose the latter," she said, returning Srucayr's gaze. "But a part of me is afraid of the prospect. I've never communed with our Gods. I don't know if they'd listen." Her head veered off towards Shogun, and she stared out the viewport, where the blackness of space was beginning to give way to the planet's colourful atmosphere. A hybrid between a laugh and a snort escaped her lips. "You know, the asteroid near Bimmiel where my clan is based? It never seemed like the place the Gods would visit. Not like this-" she gestured at Shogun "- this is something else."

"Can you show me?" she asked, looking his way. "How to commune with our Gods? The right way, I mean. The respectful way. I know that there's no reason why they'd answer me - kriff, I don't even know if I-" She paused, a narrow smile settled on her face as she shook her head ever so slightly. "I'm thinking too much about it, aren't I?"

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

He'd hold up a hand to calm her down. "The gods have been listening to us our entire lives, it's us who have decided to go radio silent on them. From the dawn of time, to now, everything we have said or done has been heard or witnessed by them. Every oath sworn, every oath broken, each act weighed and measured against us for all time."

He would have a faint smile at her giggle snort. "Aye, there are some worlds that seem more... touched, by the gods. Blessed or cursed by their presence. As a warrior who has followed the whim of the gods across the galaxy.. I can attest that I have never felt their presence more than here. This is where we come to see who is blessed with the ability to converse with them: not just to worship them, but to truly understand what they have said."

As she asked him the 'how' he would remove his gauntlets, exposing palms that had appeared to be sliced and re-sliced open and allowed to bleed. "The way of the Akaan Salyre, requires blood. To honor Kad Ha'rangir, God of War and with it, Change. But for you, right now, close your eyes and clear your mind. Focus on the galaxy around you. Listen to every sound, every shift in the wind, every cry of every beast. The gods speak to us, always, through such mediums. They bless us with signs, and when you become truly skilled in communion, conversing with them will seem no more different that in it is for you and I."

@Casmer

 

[Ramail Lone]

There was some comfort for Ramail in Srucayr's words. His voice carried a certainty and a calmness that quickly put her mind at ease. It gave her something to focus on, something else to engage her mind with, listening to his words and attempting to understand the meaning they conveyed.

A somber expression settled on Ramail's face, her gaze once again drawn to Shogun by Srucayr's words. "I'm honored to be here," she said. "And if Kad Ha'rangir requires my blood, then I'm ready to give it." Then, she would do as Srucayr told her, and recline in her seat, eyes closed and her mind slowing down, quieting, opening itself to the sounds and sensations around her. Most of which where, at this point, the beeps and whistles of a spacecraft cockpit. Even that's gotta be touched by the Gods, she thought.

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

"We of the Akaan Slayre pay the Blood Price so that our kin don't have to. It's a long path to walk. One that makes the current path you're on even harder. So for now, save your blood until Kad truly has need of it." He'd engage the autopilot, letting the ship descend on its own as he turned in his seat to face Ramail. "Good.. Just like that. Now that you have sensed your surroundings, look within."

The Kom'rk-class shuttle would start to shake as they entered the atmosphere and Srucayr would take over the controls. "Keep searching. When we land, it will be in the Pass of Khalabrim. From there, we will trek to the ancient village of Choruk'guroa."

@Casmer

 

[Ramail Lone]

Ramail did as Srucayr told. She looked inside, still aware of her breathing, the presence of Srucayr and the noises he created in the cockpit whilst comandeering the ship, the thrum of the ship's engines as it descended towards the planet. At the same time, she was allowing her mind to pose questions: 'Where in the body do I feel the connection?', 'can I hold the awareness on that place, allowing it to unfold?'. All of the questions led to further exploration of the sensations she was feeling in her body and mind. She recognized it as the necessary preparations for whatever would follow once they were on-planet.

Srucayr spoke to her while she was looking within. His words, especially the mentioning of places on the planet, would create images in Ramail's mind; even though she had never been to those places, it felt like she knew them, somehow. But the Zabrak couldn't truly believe it. It could just as well be her mind filling in the blanks.

"Wherever you think I should go, that's where I'll go," she said, voice smooth and monotonous. "I trust your guidance, ner'vod." She had to. She didn't trust her own.

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

There would be a slight rocking as the craft touched down and engaged the hydraulics, leveling it out. Shutting down the engines, he'd power down the craft. "Come young one, it's time for us to walk with the gods."

He'd give her a few moments before heading to the ramp of the ship. "Tell me, what you know of our old religions." He'd say over his shoulder before descending the ramp.

@Casmer

 

[Ramail Lone]

Ramail followed Srucayr towards the ship's ramp. She tried to remain calm in her mind, to keep focusing. It only kind of worked. "Very little," was her immediate answer to Srucayr's question. "I know the names of our three primary deities. What they each represent, on the surface, at least. But the deeper meaning is lost to me. My clan follow the traditions, but they're very secular. I guess none of my kin that survived the decline of our people knew a lot about our religion. Hard to keep knowledge alive that no one knows about."

She looked at Srucayr's back, a stab of regret piercing her focus. "Our meager existence wasn't enough for... for some. It's why I have to learn. I have to know, so I can keep it alive."

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

When they reached the surface, Srucayr would pause, sensing her hesitation? Her guilt? Maybe even just sadness? "At least you've heard of them, that's always a good start. Many seculars never learn the names of the gods who control their lives.. they just live in ignorance always thinking they know the picture when they only know a snippet, a scene."

He'd place a reassuring hand on her shoulder and give it a squeeze. It was almost a fatherly gesture. "Our people lost their way long ago when they turned their backs on the gods. They foolishly worshipped war over Kad, and though he may have been the War God, it is not the same. We lost sight of what mattered, worshipped the killing instead of what the killing was meant for. We do not war, just to war. We war to herald change."

At her final words he'd just nod his head once. "Even the lost, can be refound. It's what the Akaan Salyre devote part of their lives to."

@Casmer

 

[Ramail Lone]

Ramail counted herself lucky that the landing ramp area was darker than the hallways of the ship. She wasn't comfortable with the emotions her face was obviously displaying, no matter how hard she tried to hold them back. She made a point of putting on her helmet as fast as she could. Her voice would emit through the filter of the helmet, familiarly distorted:

"I think a lot of our vode are just unaware that there is anything to believe in. Or doubtful at best, if they do know. That's how it's been for me. I'd lie if I said that I believed in any of this before coming to the covert." She paused. "I'm not there myself either." She took a deep breath. "But I'm ready to be."

Srucayr wouldn't know the impact of his words on Ramail. Maybe she didn't fully recognize it herself. But it gave her some comfort to think that it might be possible, that he might find his way back, see the error of his ways. She didn't say anything, however. Instead, she asked: "Can you tell me about the Akaan Salyre?"

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

He'd walk, as she spoke, taking them up a steep incline. The world itself was no less beautiful, although she could see scoring along the surface that they walked on. As if the land had died, only to recover. "Then they must be offered the guidance to come back."

They'd crest the rise and come upon an ancient village, long destroyed and in far worse condition than Dor'zavayn. "The Akaan Salyre of old were much different than our current state. They would hunt down Aruetii and Force users that threatened the Clans. They converted by blade or by word. As much as I would long to continue that tradition, we travel the stars and aid our kin. We find them, rescue them, spread our religion, and yes at times fight great battles. To become one, you must first be accepted into the A'den Kal, the elites of the Coalition. From there, the Sol'yc.. or myself, would decide who had the gift to speak with the gods and bring them into the Akaan Salyr. It's a lifelong oath of service and sacrifice. No retirement, save for the warmth of a pyre."

@Casmer

 

[Ramail Lone]

A lifelong commitment. That frightened Ramail more than she had expected. Being a mando'ad was a lifelong commitment if done right, of course. But somehow it felt less grand, less absolute than a lifetime locked in service to their Gods. One would have to really, truly believe. And Ramail found that to be the most daunting of tasks.

"So they used to be warriors of our faith, but now their approach is different. Offering guidance to those that seek it, rehabilitation to those that have gone astray?" Her eyes would widen as they crested the rise and looked upon the ruins of the ancient village. She would have loved to spent hours just searching the ruins, digging up clues about the people that lived their, the lives that had ebbed and flowed before its destruction. But she and Srucayr were on a different mission, one where the whims of mortal curiosity had little value or reason. She faced Srucayr. "Why did they choose a different approach? Why aid, when fighting, killing, and converting was the backbone of the great Mandalorian culture of old?"

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

He'd laugh lightly. "We're still very much warriors, we are often sent in to turn the tide of a fight. Our methods of old fit the Culture of the time. When we numbered in millions of Clans, maybe even billions. Cities were bustling with our kind, worlds were fully inhabited. I can scarcely imagine it.. but we'd hunt them because a cancer needs to be cut out."

He'd sigh as his gaze drifted back to her. "Nowadays, we're lucky if our Clans number in the thousands. So exterminating a Clan, which is easy, now has more impact on our people as a whole. So we try to convert, correct, teach.. over butcher. It's a much harder job, especially when you're amongst a Clan that will never correct and is worthy only to be buried in the ground they stand upon."

His gaze would pan the skeleton of a village. "Choruk'guroa gets its name from the great stone forge that sat at the heart of it. The only stone forge ever to burn hot enough to melt beskar. And the smiths that were born here were amongst the best of our people. The very armor I wear, was forged here."

@Casmer

 

[Ramail Lone]

Ramail held back a wince as Srucayr mentioned the clans that would never change. Her own clan had yet to decide whether they would join the Orar'da'yadr. She believed they had to, in order to survive. And the covert's cause was a worthy one. Srucayr was a testament to it. But her alor was getting old. Indecisive. Unable to choose. But choosing is better than hiding behind the status quo. If they didn't choose, they would be at the whims of circumstance.

She felt a surge of pride pulse through her when Srucayr explained about the village and his armor. Her own armor had only one part made out of beskar - her helmet. But that helmet had been passed down through generations in the family of her buire, the mando'ade that claimed her as a foundling so long ago. She wore it just as much for them as for herself.

"You can feel the weight of history bearing down on this place," she said. "Are we here to pay our respects?"

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

"This is but one of many stops." Srucayr would say as he entered the village, his gait guiding him to the center. He would duck through a breach in a wall of the village, gauntlet tracing the ancient ash as he passed beneath. "This was the ancestral home of Aliit Diru, one of the Clans within the Coalition. Skirata had helped them form from Crabagr, who was a different Clan in those days. The founders were Bilvor Diru, legendary forgemaster and creator of the stone forge here and Karlock Bravas, who would later go onto joining Diru."

As he passed fully beneath the breach, he'd right his stance. "You'll find many villages like this on this world. Devastated at the hands of the Republic.. It was a peaceful world, and they struck to send a message. History remembers the Republic as noble, but our kind, we know better. And for our people, we are at a crossroads.. Eventually, this war will find us. Eventually, we will need to choose a side. The duty of the Akaan Salyre moving forward, after we liberate Concord Dawn, will be to find allies for the Coalition. Clans are scattered across the galaxy and will need to be found. Our people will not follow on history alone, they need to know where our path will lead us. And in order for us to do that, we need to look to the past to know our future. Take what our kind have done, have been.. and find the way to not only return us to it, but to improve it. And above all else, we need to re-earn the favor of the gods."

@Casmer

 

[Ramail Lone]

Ramail passed under the breach in the wall with Srucayr. She wore a mask of focus behind the T-visor, digesting the older Mandalorian's words carefully. She had been out of the loop for so long. Clan Lone lived a life of survival. Of making ends meet between one job and the next; of dying in dingy parts of insignificant planets for the credits' cause, in the name of an employer, not a people. She had been unaware of the movement growing amongst the mando'ade, kept in ignorance by her alor and the other elders who believed they knew better. But they knew only the way of the credit, and listening to Srucayr - a true elder of her people - had made that clearer than crystal.

Ramail slipped off her helmet and clipped it to her hip. She ran a hand gently along the ancient stone, a wistful crease snaking across both eyebrows. Her voice was oddly gentle, contrasting her words. "Looking to the future caused us nothing but shame and misery. We betrayed who we are in search of a brighter future and were culled from the ranks of the strong. And now, many of our vode look forward only to the next job, the next paycheck, means that will keep them locked in poverty - material, moral, and spiritual." Her eyes drifted to Srucayr's. "I see it now. It used to be me, you know? Making ends meet in the service of auretii. Believing my place - my clan's place - of mediocrity was our only choice."

Srucayr's words rang true in the core of Ramail's being. The path forward had to look back at the past. It was not a buffet - choose what you like and discard what you don't. It was a package deal. The Way of the Mando'ade, the Gods, the restoration of Mandalorian government and Clan cooperation - any one of those would fail if the they didn't observe the all of it as a whole.

The Zabrak sighed. "The Gods have never spoken to me, but perhaps I just didn't listen. Whatever the truth may be, I am ready to rectify that flaw."

@Rhogar

 

[Srucayr]

His arms would cross as his visor panned to Ramail, listening to her words and nodding his head slowly with each digestion. "The belief that our kind are nothing better than sellswords originated long ago.. when our people became secular. It was the start of the end of our people, of our power. In order to truly sell your blade, you must first sell your soul. It's why I was so against it at the Black Keep. We fight and die for Aruetii coin and causes, without anything we have done benefitting our people. The young who seek fame and glory chase such a path to gain renown, but at the end of it, all that matters is what we do for our own kind. Any fool can collect a bounty, it takes conviction to stand for a cause. Your Clan elders were wrong to let your kin descend into such a stance. Had this been centuries past.. One of my kind would come to fix that. But now, that poison has run so deep, it must be changed by the young. From within."

He'd continue to walk again, visor now panning the village. "Do you know how the Force plays into all this? How it plays into Shogun, into our religion?"

@Casmer

 

[Ramail Lone]

Ramail stopped in her tracks. "The Force?" she said, unable to keep the disdain from coating her lips. "No. I can't say that I do. Why would our Gods want anything to do with this... this freakish power?" She looked at Srucayr with genuine confusion. For all of her life, she had known the Force only as an evil thing, a thing to fear or to hate, and the people that spoke to it as her enemies. Sure, she had had to work with a Force-user on occasion, but that was part of the job. Nothing more. She could not imagine any way in which the Force might play into the machinations of Kad Ha'rangir.

@Rhogar