I need some different clothes. Tattered and grubby Jedi robes are not really inconspicuous here. To get clothes I need money. Which I have about as much comprehension of here as I do of why this world has all the trappings of civilization but seems to revel in its barbarism.
Having pored over the page of text and images I have managed to decipher at least some of the written language. If you are of this world and are reading this then I should probably explain that not all of the training we receive as Jedi is related to The Force. A great deal of time is spent in the study of culture, politics, economics, science, technology, and comparative linguistics; aswell as many other more esoteric and seemingly purposeless pursuits.
A Jedi must be prepared for a huge number of situations where use of The Force is not appropriate, not necessary, and may even be dangerous. We are taught how to gain an undertanding of a totally new language from very little in the way of clues or exposure to it. This aids us in our diplomatic and exploratory work.
Any human language is relatively easy to gain an understanding of, based as it it on the use of the human brain. Our brains, while prone to some variance across the limitless lightyears of space are basically the same, the need to communicate is hard wired in, as are the basic rules needed to do so.
During the day after my first sojourn into the night of this world I spent a good few hours sitting by the door which opened onto the streen, listening. I stretched out with my feelings, and listened to the everyday interactions of its inhabitants. This gave me a feel for the way phonemes were used, also being able to home in on the speaker's sense whilst I did this allowed me to gain some understanding of how they were feeling when they said certain words.
I learned alot about the economic life of this world, in that the chink of coin told me coin was still used rather than a completely electronic method of transacting. I heard a good few beggars plying their trade up and down the street. Their plaintive wheelding tone and sense of expectant desire a familiar one on many planets across the galaxy. What I didn't understand was their apparent need to excuse themselves for their behaviour.
On many worlds I had visited begging was something done when the need arose, indeed I had even done it myself on a few occasions when I was in need of a meal or a bed for the night. Being a Jedi made things easier of course, though use of The Force to influence people's generostiy was frowned upon and flirted too close to the Dark Side for many of my colleague's tastes, and mine if I'm being honest.
People still respected Jedi for the part they played in the downfall of Palpatine. Some were still apologetic for allowing him to rise in the first place, even if they had not even been born at the time. So simply being a Jedi gave me influence I wouldn't have had otherwise, and if people gave they always got something in return from a Jedi, be it an hour's work in their garden or relief from a small pain.
This didn't seem to be the case here, people resented beggars. A few gave but many ignored them at best, hurled abuse at worst. I wonder what kind of callousness had been bred into these people that they could turn away from those in genuine need. How naive I was, the Dark Side's grip on this world went deeper than I could guess at this juncture, but I'm getting ahead of myself.
Satisfied that I had enough of a grasp of the language of this world, I resolved to go out that night and attempt to make a little currency for clothing and a meal. I would go out again that night and head for the busier end of the street, pick a spot and see what I could get. Those who gave would get something in return, whether they knew it or not.
27 August, 2008
25 August, 2008
Three
The night air of the unknown world carried unfamiliar smells and sounds. The alley I found myself in was overgrown with plants and scurried with the kind of life that always teems where sentients are careless about what they do with their garbage. I bent and studied the litter on the alley floor to see what I could learn about this society from what it threw so heedlessly away.
finding a sheet of a flimsy material covered in images and an as yet indecipherable language I folded it carefully for future study. If I was to make my way in this world I would need to learn the language. Also among the rubbish I found a variety of short metal spikes, small bag containing what was obviously a bodily fluid of some sort, and a short blade. The blade was the most disturbing item, still bearing traces of a dried substance which I deduced to be blood.
Leaving the blade where I found it I made my way quietly towards the street I felt my way gingerly through the litter and detritus. Being especially careful to leave no trace of my passing as I had been trained. Staying in the shadows at the alley's mouth I took a moment to watch the street and examine the buildings. I let the smells and sounds of the unfamiliar night wash over me, letting them fill my senses, getting to know them.
My first glimpse of the inhabitants of this strange world surprised me, they were human! I should have been able to tell this from within the warehouse but their sense seemed somehow different from that of the humans I was familiar with. Outwardly they seemed no different from those people I had grown up with, lived with and worked among my entire life but there was something drastically different about their demeanor. They seemed strangely detached from The Force, almost as if they feared their own connection to it and through it, to the rest of the universe.
The few that passed me were focused almost completely inwards. What little attention they directed outwards was furtive and nervous, laden with suspicion. Those travelling alone avoided making eye contact with others and moved across the street to avoid passing too close to either me or anyone else. Those travelling in pairs or groups seemed less nervous, but were still wary. They seemed to see other people as a threat, fearing violence from anyone unknown to them, not realising that everyone else saw them the same way. Truly this is a sick world if fear rules every interaction between its inhabitants.
The street was narrow with buildings no more than five stories high on either side. In one direction it led to a wider street which ran along a river, in the other it made its way gently up a hill towards a cross street after which it continued to a square. Reaching out I felt that the square was the busier direction and resolved to make my way towards the river. It was only prudent to avoid crowds for the time being, unable as I was to communicate effectively in case I drew unwanted attention. I waited until the street was more or less deserted and turned down the hill towards the river.
As the space opened out I realise that there were no buildings higher than four or five stories, and those there were looked old and not very well cared for. For someone used to the soaring spires and towers of Coruscant this came as quite a surprise. I then realised, as I studied the buildings and the few inhabitants making their nervous way along the street, that I had not yet seen a droid of any description. Neither had I sensed sentients of any species but the sorry and disconnected humans.
This was very strange as anyone who has travelled as widely as I have can attest. Even on the most backwater worlds, apart from those yet to make their way into space, you will always see droids and many species of beings. Another fact which merited further contemplation, this world seems full of them.
I decided to return to the warehouse for the remainder of the night to contemplate what I had discovered and study the writing on the sheet I had found in an attempt to decipher the language. The overbearing fear which permeated the force on this world was beginning to wear on me and I did not want to run the risk of a confrontation without learning more. If fear ruled these people's hearts then they were likely to be aggressive and I wouldn't want to harm anyone needlessly.
finding a sheet of a flimsy material covered in images and an as yet indecipherable language I folded it carefully for future study. If I was to make my way in this world I would need to learn the language. Also among the rubbish I found a variety of short metal spikes, small bag containing what was obviously a bodily fluid of some sort, and a short blade. The blade was the most disturbing item, still bearing traces of a dried substance which I deduced to be blood.
Leaving the blade where I found it I made my way quietly towards the street I felt my way gingerly through the litter and detritus. Being especially careful to leave no trace of my passing as I had been trained. Staying in the shadows at the alley's mouth I took a moment to watch the street and examine the buildings. I let the smells and sounds of the unfamiliar night wash over me, letting them fill my senses, getting to know them.
My first glimpse of the inhabitants of this strange world surprised me, they were human! I should have been able to tell this from within the warehouse but their sense seemed somehow different from that of the humans I was familiar with. Outwardly they seemed no different from those people I had grown up with, lived with and worked among my entire life but there was something drastically different about their demeanor. They seemed strangely detached from The Force, almost as if they feared their own connection to it and through it, to the rest of the universe.
The few that passed me were focused almost completely inwards. What little attention they directed outwards was furtive and nervous, laden with suspicion. Those travelling alone avoided making eye contact with others and moved across the street to avoid passing too close to either me or anyone else. Those travelling in pairs or groups seemed less nervous, but were still wary. They seemed to see other people as a threat, fearing violence from anyone unknown to them, not realising that everyone else saw them the same way. Truly this is a sick world if fear rules every interaction between its inhabitants.
The street was narrow with buildings no more than five stories high on either side. In one direction it led to a wider street which ran along a river, in the other it made its way gently up a hill towards a cross street after which it continued to a square. Reaching out I felt that the square was the busier direction and resolved to make my way towards the river. It was only prudent to avoid crowds for the time being, unable as I was to communicate effectively in case I drew unwanted attention. I waited until the street was more or less deserted and turned down the hill towards the river.
As the space opened out I realise that there were no buildings higher than four or five stories, and those there were looked old and not very well cared for. For someone used to the soaring spires and towers of Coruscant this came as quite a surprise. I then realised, as I studied the buildings and the few inhabitants making their nervous way along the street, that I had not yet seen a droid of any description. Neither had I sensed sentients of any species but the sorry and disconnected humans.
This was very strange as anyone who has travelled as widely as I have can attest. Even on the most backwater worlds, apart from those yet to make their way into space, you will always see droids and many species of beings. Another fact which merited further contemplation, this world seems full of them.
I decided to return to the warehouse for the remainder of the night to contemplate what I had discovered and study the writing on the sheet I had found in an attempt to decipher the language. The overbearing fear which permeated the force on this world was beginning to wear on me and I did not want to run the risk of a confrontation without learning more. If fear ruled these people's hearts then they were likely to be aggressive and I wouldn't want to harm anyone needlessly.
23 August, 2008
Two
I awoke In what seemed to be a derelict building. I could hear small creatures scurrying around in the gloom, the light from a few grimy skylights illuminating patches of dusty and debris strewn floor.
Immediately I reached out with the force in a vain attempt to get my bearings. The effort this usually simple exercise took demonstrated that the force was weak here. This was not Parsilla, that much was clear to me, but beyond there was no way to gain more information about my location without leaving the building and looking around.
I could get a weak sense of the life around me, life beset by fear and lacking hope. The street outside seemed to be busy with what I felt to be people. It was hard to discern their species however as the local Force was clouded by a mixture of fear, hatred and anger. This place was steeped in the dark side and it sickened me.
Walking around the perimeter of what was now obviously a disused warehouse I found doorways. Some obviously led to the world outside whilst others led to collections of smaller rooms off the main hall. I decided to wait until nightfall so that my appearance would not attract undue attention. If this was an entire world lost to the dark side the inhabitants would probably not take kindly to a Jedi appearing in their midst in broad daylight. I wanted to avoid conflict till I was sure of where I was.
I settled into a light trance for the remainder of the day, feeling out my memories of my battle with Darth Kanus for some clue as to what had happened. Nothing. I struck him with my lightsaber, felt the force-quake tear through me and passed out, to wake here. A mystery which requires more investigation but which should be left for another time.
Next, I turned my awareness to my body, lightly testing all my organs, limbs and faculties for problems. Apart from some bruising, scratches and a general ache from the exertion of battle, all seemed to be well. The pain I experienced before falling unconscious was obviously not physical, unsurprising seeing as the cause came from the force.
by the time I had finished my meditations sunset had come. The light from the skylights faded gently to nothing and the street outside quietened till I could only sense the odd being passing hurriedly, as if afraid to linger.
Aproaching one of the obvious exits, one away from the street side of the building, I felt out for any locks or other devices which may have barred my exit. A light touch and they fell away, granting me access to the night of this unknown and potentially dangerous dark side world. Swinging the door open I made my exit.
Immediately I reached out with the force in a vain attempt to get my bearings. The effort this usually simple exercise took demonstrated that the force was weak here. This was not Parsilla, that much was clear to me, but beyond there was no way to gain more information about my location without leaving the building and looking around.
I could get a weak sense of the life around me, life beset by fear and lacking hope. The street outside seemed to be busy with what I felt to be people. It was hard to discern their species however as the local Force was clouded by a mixture of fear, hatred and anger. This place was steeped in the dark side and it sickened me.
Walking around the perimeter of what was now obviously a disused warehouse I found doorways. Some obviously led to the world outside whilst others led to collections of smaller rooms off the main hall. I decided to wait until nightfall so that my appearance would not attract undue attention. If this was an entire world lost to the dark side the inhabitants would probably not take kindly to a Jedi appearing in their midst in broad daylight. I wanted to avoid conflict till I was sure of where I was.
I settled into a light trance for the remainder of the day, feeling out my memories of my battle with Darth Kanus for some clue as to what had happened. Nothing. I struck him with my lightsaber, felt the force-quake tear through me and passed out, to wake here. A mystery which requires more investigation but which should be left for another time.
Next, I turned my awareness to my body, lightly testing all my organs, limbs and faculties for problems. Apart from some bruising, scratches and a general ache from the exertion of battle, all seemed to be well. The pain I experienced before falling unconscious was obviously not physical, unsurprising seeing as the cause came from the force.
by the time I had finished my meditations sunset had come. The light from the skylights faded gently to nothing and the street outside quietened till I could only sense the odd being passing hurriedly, as if afraid to linger.
Aproaching one of the obvious exits, one away from the street side of the building, I felt out for any locks or other devices which may have barred my exit. A light touch and they fell away, granting me access to the night of this unknown and potentially dangerous dark side world. Swinging the door open I made my exit.
One
Editors note: These words are not mine, they come from a book which I recieved in the post some years ago. I was at a loss as to what I should do with it and its contents when my son introduced me to the concept of blogging.
I will not go into detail about my reactions to the contents of the book as it is not the place of the messenger to interpret the message and there are revelations which are lessened by their being revealed too soon. Spoilers, as my son would put it.
The entries in the book are not dated, but from its condition I would estimate that it is approximately 10 years old. From reading it I can assume that the events related took place over a period of a few weeks, if indeed they took place at all.
Without further preamble I give you the journal of Jobash Quill.
My name is Jobash Quill, I was trained as a Jedi under Master Groftan Hrun'k of the Jedi Order four decades after the fall of Palpatine and the re-establishment of the Galactic Republic. This journal is as faithful and true a record of the events which followed my confrontation with Darth Kanus on Parsilla. If this book ever reaches the council I hope that they may learn something of use from it. I think Kanus is dead, but I have no way to be sure.
I had been tracking Darth Kanus, as he was calling himself, for some months. After reports of disappearances and strange deaths reached the Jedi Council on Coruscant they bade me investigate. I soon discovered that a dark Jedi was feeding his power from the fear which he was inspiring in the locals. Darth Kanus fled, and always seemed to be just out of reach until I managed to corner him on Parsilla when a damaged hyperdrive forced him to seek replacement parts.
Kanus was a formidable foe, tearing up the force with his anger and hatred. I had never seen such power in a Sith before. Though capable of great subtlety, as his previous escapes from me had proven, this battle was a desperate one and he tore power from The Force, becoming almost like a vacuum which sucked it into him. Both of my guides dropped dead from the lack of Force as it was stripped out of them.
I almost succumbed myself but managed to seal myself off from Kanus' onslaught and conserve a little of the local Force within myself. This necessitated the initiation of a Jedi trance which left me seemingly unconcious or dead. I could sense the triumph from Kanus as he thought he'd defeated me. As he stood over my prone form holding his deep scarlet lightsaber aloft to make sure of his kill, I rose from my trance and struck him down with my own blade.
I am not sure what happened next. I felt what can only be described as a quake in The Force, no mere tremor this. My mind and spirit felt as if they were being stripped from me and the pain was unbearable. I passed out, unable to withstand the dreadful battering my soul was recieving and whe I awoke I was here. Wherever here might be. One thing is certain; I am far, far away from the Republic and anything which I could consider familiar.
I will not go into detail about my reactions to the contents of the book as it is not the place of the messenger to interpret the message and there are revelations which are lessened by their being revealed too soon. Spoilers, as my son would put it.
The entries in the book are not dated, but from its condition I would estimate that it is approximately 10 years old. From reading it I can assume that the events related took place over a period of a few weeks, if indeed they took place at all.
Without further preamble I give you the journal of Jobash Quill.
My name is Jobash Quill, I was trained as a Jedi under Master Groftan Hrun'k of the Jedi Order four decades after the fall of Palpatine and the re-establishment of the Galactic Republic. This journal is as faithful and true a record of the events which followed my confrontation with Darth Kanus on Parsilla. If this book ever reaches the council I hope that they may learn something of use from it. I think Kanus is dead, but I have no way to be sure.
I had been tracking Darth Kanus, as he was calling himself, for some months. After reports of disappearances and strange deaths reached the Jedi Council on Coruscant they bade me investigate. I soon discovered that a dark Jedi was feeding his power from the fear which he was inspiring in the locals. Darth Kanus fled, and always seemed to be just out of reach until I managed to corner him on Parsilla when a damaged hyperdrive forced him to seek replacement parts.
Kanus was a formidable foe, tearing up the force with his anger and hatred. I had never seen such power in a Sith before. Though capable of great subtlety, as his previous escapes from me had proven, this battle was a desperate one and he tore power from The Force, becoming almost like a vacuum which sucked it into him. Both of my guides dropped dead from the lack of Force as it was stripped out of them.
I almost succumbed myself but managed to seal myself off from Kanus' onslaught and conserve a little of the local Force within myself. This necessitated the initiation of a Jedi trance which left me seemingly unconcious or dead. I could sense the triumph from Kanus as he thought he'd defeated me. As he stood over my prone form holding his deep scarlet lightsaber aloft to make sure of his kill, I rose from my trance and struck him down with my own blade.
I am not sure what happened next. I felt what can only be described as a quake in The Force, no mere tremor this. My mind and spirit felt as if they were being stripped from me and the pain was unbearable. I passed out, unable to withstand the dreadful battering my soul was recieving and whe I awoke I was here. Wherever here might be. One thing is certain; I am far, far away from the Republic and anything which I could consider familiar.
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