Stars Wars Saga Adventure Path - Episdode I "The Crystalline Heart" Part 07a

Imperial Press Corp Field Report......
Suspected Anti-Republic Group Activity: R-90 and Roger, Khorrahg'ga, Jedi Talia, L, Padawan Wrabbler, and Xol Dul,
Not Sighted:  Tizzit and Bob, PK-17 (Scout Labor Droid)
 
Meanwhile on Bothuwi, Khorrahg'ga had just returned back to the Jedi Sanctuary after a few transport jobs. It was mostly hauling cargo within the Bothan system that had paid well enough over the months that he could afford his own ship. Talia had been training hard as she took further instruction as a Jedi Knight. No longer a Padawan, she began her advance training while touching some of the younglings the basic of the force. She had noticed that the other were gone for a few days, and thought perhaps that Master Nu sent them on an errand of some sort. As she met with Khorrahg'ga, a young Padawan had a message that Master Nu wanted to see them both. She didn't have much time to ask the details of his time away, but was glad to see him.

They went into Master's Nu underground stronghold. She had converted much of it to be a repository of knowledge just like the Jedi Temple. Her and other worked tirelessly to rebuild the archives. They concentrated first on the essentials, but there was a lot that was missing. Many artifacts from the Temple were still locked way in vaults. She could only hope that none would be able to unlock there secrets. It was a shame since many holocrons from the ancient Jedi master would offer valuable wisdom at this time. As Talia and Khorrahg'ga approached, she slowly turned her chair to great the. She had developed a an odd habit of doing that late, which unnerved many who visited.
She looked more ancient than she did before, as the stress of rebuilding the order weighed on her shoulders. "Master Talia and Khorrahg'ga, it is good that you have come. I have news of your companions", she eyed them with intent seeming to look for any hints of emotion. "I had sent them on an errand a few days ago in hopes of re-establishing contact with a Jedi named Kento Marek. My contacts seemed to indicate he was last seemed in the Kashyyyk system and I sent them there", she continued as Khorrahg'ga seemed to perk up at new of his home world. She looked at them with deep concern, "It seems that they have not checked in. Perhaps you could look into this? I am sure Captain Khorrahg'ga is familiar with the system no doubt and would be helpful in case something has happened." Talia assured Master Nu that they would leave right away and find out exactly what had happened. They attempted long range coms, but nothing came up. Talia reached out with the force and could sense at least they were alive and on Kashyyyk. As soon as possible they both made preparations  to leave, entering the coordinates and entering Hyperspace.

Meanwhile.....
Captain Tor was furious with Shawni, Galle, and Megahn. The Trilani had cost him his ship and most of the crew. What was worse he lost the new droid that made some great food. It went off with the Kel Dor and his group. It seems the Trilani were intent in accessing the ruins, and there were Jedi with the Kel Dor that could do it. He expected a double cross from the Trilani and order his Wookies to hide the other droids that these Trilani were interested in R-90 and Roger. Shawni arrived back at the village and informed him that the Kel Dor's group had sealed themselves in the ruins and that he needed Captain Tor to get his Wookies to clear the rubble. Instead Captain Tor and the Wookies attacked Shawni hoping to use him as a hostage. Shawni took several Wookies down, as his tech gave him an advantage over Captain Tor. In the end Shawni teleported out promising to make him pay for the double cross. Captain Tor began to get the Wookie village ready for an assult as the Trilani would sure be back with their droids.

Within the ruins, Xul and L checked to see if everyone was okay. It seems Tizzit was hurt rather badly. PK-17 was unresponsive, and it seems it was due to that it ran out of power. L and Wrabbler did their best to lead a mediation for a few hours to use the force to center and hopefully heal everyone. They had some time to plan what to do next as they seemed to be trapped within the ruins.
Roger had carried R-90 from the village, as most of the essential repairs were done. The Wookie lead him to a good hiding place by the ruins were no one would find them. Roger began to place the casing back on R-90 as well as re-activating the servos allowing R-90 to move. As Roger was doing a preliminary charge to re-start R-90, the floor of the well gave way and loosened as an explosion underground shifted the dirt and rubble. R-90 and Roger began to slide down, but R-90 used his grapple to secure himself and Roger in place. The earth seemed to go down a shaft to the right and plugged up again, while another shaft was unobstructed. They carefully began to climb down to explore what was going on. After a few minutes they got to a loose stone and fell down. They landed on top of Xul and L as they were about 10 minutes into their meditation. Bob was so happy that they were here and ask if they could help Tizzit. R-90 did what he could, but as Wrabbler and L said..the best idea was to meditate for the time being.

After the meditation was over, L looked at the next door in front of them. R-90 had told them that they climbed down from a well above and that they could use it as an escape. However since they were in the ruins, they should at least see if there was anything else. As L tried to figure out what to do next, he could hear hundreds of faint whispers just beyond the next door. Again he reached out with the force and could feel their fear, the chattering in his mind was almost deafening, but he knew he could channel his power to open the door in front of him. Xul prepared and took aim just in case as the door opened. There was a passage that descended into the darkness, but was soon faintly illuminated by hundred of small yellow crystals. This was the source of the voices. They cried and whimpered in L's mind as they descended down. PK-17 was left in the first hall as there was nothing anyone could do for the time being.
The stairwell led down to  a chamber housing a large red crystal. The glow of it made the room seemed splattered in blood. The floors and walls here was covered in a thin layer of dust, but oddly did not seem to shift as anyone passed by. R-90 had a feeling that he knew of this technology as it was familiar to him. He got one of his data pads and began to look for a port to interface with the red crystal. He did find something that would work, and it seemed the terminal that was connected to the red crystal adapted and began to interface with the data pad, learning much of it as it did for the group. Soon R-90 had a working interface and began to learn about the ruins. It seems that this was a Library of the Rakata Infinite Empire, it housed many crystals and also served as a prison for many that displeased the Empress Feta. There was an AI in the crystal as well that soon activated. An image of a Rakatan scholar with a sword by it side began to project as a Hologram and spoke "I am General Gorgan Zola of the Rakata Infinite Empire, Chancellor to Empress Feta, Destroyer of Galifrey, and Warden of Edean. What is it that you require?". Unlike the previous entities they encountered in the first hall, this one seemed to be the most aware. As the group began to formulate some questions, the holographic projection was going through the data pads basic information, it already mastered Aurabesh in order to talk to these lesser life forms. R-90 asked what was its purpose here, if it knew anything of the crystalline heart, while L began to ask about Kento Marek. Wrabbler was black in color and uneasy, as the power of the dark side was strong with this Holographic projection. 

Stars Wars Saga Adventure Path - Episdode I "The Crystalline Heart" Part 06c

The party had hit a dead end on the only hope now was to head back and see if the Doctor had come back and if they could use his ship to somehow track Kento and his family. It would only take a matter of a few hours to reach the Wookie village that Captain Tor now lead. Although you would think the trip to be uneventful, as they skimmed along the thick canopy of leaves several stands of thick sticky webbing shot forth. The Wookie operator was skilled enough to avoid the strands and dodge them, for if not they would be pulled into the deadly forests and devoured. He hit the skiffs thruster and headed for a high altitude. He was doing his best to stay out of any radar as the Republic had begun to come down own the more advance Wookie settlements. Fortunately for everyone, the more traitorous Wookies who turned on the Republic where on the far side of the planet. Within two hours they made it to the village. The insectoid prisioners/employees of Captain Tor greeted them.

L looked around quickly for Sarah Jane and could find no trace of her. He reached out with the force in order to try and sense something. Meanwhile Xul Dul noticed a flash of light just outside the village and went to go investigate it. As he checked the road that cut through the tall grasses he could see nothing so he went on to go investigate with Wrabbler right behind. As they continued forward they encountered through feline humanoids in the company of Captain Tor. The Trianil had hired Captain Tor to find some of the more agreeable of the Infinite Empire's ancestral workers in hope of making some breakthrough at some ruins nearby. The three shared that it was unfortunate that his primitive vessels attracted the local wildlife and the Trianil were curious to whom the Kel Dor was and his party. The Captain quickly explained to them what had recently happen, and that these people were part of a Trandoshan hunting party that befall the same luck as he did. Unimpressed the Trianil asked the Captain to led them on to the village. When they got to the village. they immediately went to question Jah'hn as he happens to be the leader of the insectiods.
L checked on the progress of R-90 and he was still be repaired.

They decided to ask the Trianil what they were doing and they explained that they were looking for an ancient weapon that the Rakatan built that could be used as a preventive measure against the growing threat of Emperor Palpatine. Although the Republic was far less inferior, they did not trust the the rumors of Jedi manipulation within the senate and the recent Galactic Civil War. The group asked if they could get their help in find Kento Marek but the Trianil hand no interest and told Captain Tor to come back with them to their ship. The party curious followed them at a distance and observed that the the Trianil and Captain Tor disappeared in a flash of light. They went back to the village and would decide on the next course of action.

Once back at the village they came to the conclusion that perhaps they should investigate the ruins. After all that is where Sarah and the other said that the Doctor went. Perhaps the ship would be there or they could broker some deal with the Trianil. Tizzit went to ask Jah'hn for some help and ask what he knew. As Jah'hn was smitten with Tizzit he explained everything. He was able to translate some of the Rakatan language and it talked about that only a "Malign Force would show the Way". From the schematics they were able to get from ultrasound probes, there was some structure beneath the ruins. However they had no way to access it. When they attempted to excavate a section, there was an EMP discharge that fried most of the equipment and injured several of the Wookies. L had a feeling that it might require him to try an open the door. So they through caution to the wind and headed to the ruins. By the time they had got there it was already nightfall, and even though the Wookies had trimmed the vegetation around the area, it was growing back at an alarming rate. Within a day if not trimmed the area would be once again cover in thick grass. The ruins had several columns in the form of a chevron that lead to a dark obsidian like mound. It was here that Jah'hn believed the entrance would be found. L reached out with the force and managed to open the door, he and Wrabbler could feel the cold chill of the dark side coming from this opening. They started to quickly head down and about thirty feet they encountered another door, surrounded by a number of stranger rocks. As they got closer, these rock soon began to move. It seems the Rakatan had but some guardians in stasis and they soon attacked. The party began to quickly fight but some individuals threw the grenades they had wiping them out. As they explored further into the opening that now was cracked, they say a large Red Crystal pulsing softly. L went toward it as he could feel something stirring within. The moment he made mental contact with it he was assaulted with such anger and hatred, and for a split second he blacked out. When he opened his eyes there was a red haze and could no longer feel his body. He could see just beyond the haze that he and his friend were standing outside. The group quickly asked L if he was okay, and "he" seemed perfectly find. The real L could feel that whatever took over his body intended to kill everyone present. He mustered up as much of is willpower as possible and managed to yank back that entity and put himself back into his body. Before he could explain the Trianail showed up with several of there warrior droid dressed in a familiar white and gold. The group recalled that these types of droids attacked them on Bothuwi. As the Trianil geared up to attack, once again the group threw more grenades causing a collapse of the main tunnel.
Soon they were only bathed in the light of the red crystal, and in a far chamber could see the light of a purple crystal. Carfully L reached out and could tell what every entity in this crystal was in grief and terrible saddness. Unable to communicate with it he reached carefully out to the Red Crystal. It called itself Zool Dhool and informed him that this was a prison and that they were all doomed!  

Stars Wars Saga Adventure Path - Episdode I "The Crystalline Heart" Part 06b

L began speaking with the wookies and was rather surprised that they spoke and understood basic.
He went to go to the local tavern, although the village was small, it served also as a stop for fisherman along the coast. Several other wookie villages could be found on some of the other surrounding islands, and they often came in to trade as the village had many mainland supplies they needed. This day a few wookies were in the tavern. Most had run off with the Doctor to go and look at the ruins. L asked the bartender what he thought of Captain Tor. The bartender named "Steve" said that the Captain challenged their wookie chieftain and won, and the Togorian was now their leader, although he didn't trust the insects he bought with them. "Steve" also said that Captain Tor also bought technology to the village, and many where benefiting from what he salvaged from his crashed ship. L asked if there was any sort of ship or transports he could buy, as he needed to find a human by the name of Marek. "Steve" had no idea who Marek was and informed L that he was the first human he saw. He told him to go to the stables and they would be able to help him out. Before L left he also asked if he knew were they took the droid. "Steve" said that "Joe" probably was tinkering with it, as he was the local smith and technician. Wrabbler stayed at the bar and kept an eye out on
Sarah J. Smith and her droid along the beach. Since she said her friend had a ship, perhaps this Doctor fellow could help out.

Meanwhile outside the village the three Neohons made their way to the crash site of Xol Dul's ship. They immediately started picking at the wreck that was laid out among a huge crater. Xol Dul could hear them yell out "Junk", "Worthless", "Badly Damaged", and "Nope" as they checked the site for anything of value or use.
Xol Dul likewise went about looking for somethings as well, He was able to find some personal items, but nothing else really. The Neohons were surprised they had followed them when he allowed them to notice is presence. He had stealthy hid in the tall grass following them from behind, and even within the wreckage of his ship he was able to go about without hem being noticed. He informed them that this was his ship and his property, if they found anything of value it was his. They instantly told him that they found nothing as they were intimidated by him. Since there was nothing more to see they headed back to the village.

L was having some trouble explain to the stablemaster that they needed a ship. He said that the ship they had only sailed on water, but they did have a cart they could use. L attempted to buy use for transportation, but the Wookie was confused with the concept of credits, but would give him the cart or the use of the sailing vessel for five Medpacs. After securing Transport he went to go and see how R-90 was fairing. "Joe" had already disassembled R-90 chassis, they were working on him as best as possible. They were taking him apart and Roger was monitoring their progress. "Joe" let L know that they were trying to figure out how a Droid works and they would get back to him. Roger let L know that he would stand guard as long as possible to make sure R-90 was not damaged. However, being that there was no suitable energy source to repower him he would conserve his remaining energy during sleep mode should he have to re-charge R-90.
L went back to check on Sarah and Tizzit. Sarah and her droid seemed to have disappeared. Xol Dul came back with Noehens and let them know that they were trying to salvage the ship.

As the sun started to set, the wookies managed to get their fortified wall powered. The soft hum of an electrified fence could be heard, it was something that Captain Tor provided for the village to repeal any attacks from the local wildlife. The wookies still lit their torches, and it seemed they were observing a local custom. As the group asked, they found that the wookies no longer spoke "basic" and had to use their translators. The wookies were throwing a feast to observe "Lifeday" and the group was invited to participate. Everyone in the group, except for Tizzit went to the feast. Tizzit had a date with Jah'hn. Captain Tor as being the new leader of the village was given tribute and the best and biggest portions of food to enjoy. The wookies were extremely hospitable sharing tender cooked meats and stewed fruits and vegetables. They exchanged simple gifts with one another and all had a pleasant time; singing, dancing, and enjoying the food.
PK-17 was asked by Jah'hn to prepare a meal for Tizzit and himself. Although PK-17 was more accustomed to exterminating pests, his programing did recognize non-humanoid species and was aware of their dietary needs. That night he made one of the most tasty meals in along time, wood pulp that was sauteed in some Edean fruits with alcohol, and some sugary meal with local grains and leafy greens. Tizzit and Jah'hn enjoyed eachother's company, he was very interested in her species and talked the night away.

The next morning a young wookie woke up L and the group. Xol Dul being the only one with a working translator informed the group that his uncle had let him told him to sail them up the coast to where L thought Marek would be. The pontoon was sturdy enough to carry PK-17,  as the young wookie told them that the boat was used for fishing. Several strong wookies usually went aboard and they caught some monstrous fish that they would bring back. The seas here were shallow and calm, the deepest reaching only 50 feet or so and you could see the bottom through the crystal clear waters. That day there was a good wind and they were able to to sail up the coast with no problem. L did his best to focus on Marek, but for some reason he could no longer sense him. The last vision he got was of Marek and another woman. It took most of the day, but a few hour before sunset they made it to the inlet to where they would need to sail up.The titanic wroshyr tree here were heavy and thick, their limbs formed a natural canopied tunnel over the mile wide inlet. It was hard to tell if this was a river or another section of islands that were just connected via the enormous trees.
The water here was cool and murky, and very much like a mangrove swamp. Other plant life flourished along the high ways of limbs, and the sounds of various insects and some other great wildlife could be heard coming from the shore. As they sailed on L could sense a darkness beneath the water, a darkness that started out as a whispers, then joined into a chorus of soft voices. He soon heard the words "Slay them all. They know. Slay them all before it is too late.". L did his best to push these voices away, this area was filled with the darkside of the force. Even Wrabbler could feel the unnatural chill, but the other seemed not to be bothered or unaware of the darkness reaching out from below and above. As they passed they darkness they all soon saw the town up ahead, as two boats came racing toward them. The patrol notified them that this was the town of Omhar'hawll. Unlike the wookie village of Grawh'wahlwahl, this town was very modern.

Marek's home of Omhar'hawll.
During the Clone Wars Kento Marek was a Jedi Knight, but fell in love with a woman from Talus named Mallie. They were secretly married, but when she became pregnant they fled. As the war progressed they hid and had a son named Galen. Toward the end of the Clone Wars, when Order 66 was issued and the Jedi were attacked they made plans to hide on Kashyyyk. They moved to Omhar'hawll and served as medics in the town, Mallie was pregnant with their daughter. They had only been here for a couple of months and mad fast friends, tending to other wookies villages in the surrounding villages. However, Kento began sensing that someone was reaching out to him from far away. He had heard rumors while traveling to Kashyyyk, that the Emperor had begun to assemble a special task force to find any remaining Jedi and their allies. He did his best to close himself off. A few days ago, he felt that pull of the force even stronger and it seems someone was actively hunting him. It wasn't until yesterday that he became really worried when that pull was only a few hundred miles away.

The group had only arrived within hours of Kento sensing them. L and the other immediately went about asking around for a human named Kento. Most wookies did not know of him, but were intrigued by the strangeness of Wrabbler and Tizzit. They soon split up to make up better time. The young wookie who had sailed them up here was amazed by the wonders of this town. He soon wandered off himself to see everything he could while his boat was docked. The group got supplies as they looked for Kento, fortunately for them at one of the shops someone did mention to Xol that there was a human in the town. He gave them directions and they soon headed over to see Kento. L could no longer sense them, but they entered his home anyway. It looked like it had been ransacked in a hurry. After asking some neighbors if they knew what happened, one wookie let them know that she saw them pack up there things in a hurry and just leave. They headed for the dock-ports with a look of concern or some discomfort. The only useful thing L could find was a lightsaber that was hidden in the dresser. He reached out and only could sense the pregnant woman in Kento's company, his wife Mallie. They headed quickly to the dockports to only find that there was no ships at the moment. The worker there let them now that they rented small vessels and a general transport would be here within the hour to shuttle to any nearby villages. They headed back to the docks, hoping they could sail toward Kento since L did have a strong tie to Mallie now. Unfortunately the young wookie was nowhere to be found.