Post by Pembleton on Aug 1, 2013 18:56:15 GMT -5
Name: Tesok Baranar
Race: Barabel
Age: 26
Height: 7'1"
Weight: 240lbs.
Appearance: Intimidating, like most Barabels, Tesok stands well over most humans and matches a Wookiee in height, although his body and limbs are much bulkier. His scales are a light gray and offer significant protection from blasterfire (albeit only from blasters set to Stun), in addition to what is afforded by his custom-sized Jedi Knight's robes. Adding to his intimidation factor are a pair of slit-pupiled, angry-looking red eyes and the heavy claws and dangerous, needle-like teeth common to Barabels, which are an efficient combat option for Tesok.
In an odd twist for a Barabel, who has the ability to deliberately detach his own tail when practical, a good 3/4 of Tesok's tail is in fact cybernetic due to an encounter with a vibro-axe. He preferred this replacement rather than simply detaching the remainder of the appendage due to having gone through several years of combat training before his mutilation and not wanting to have to adjust to the new balance of a shortened tail. Tesok often finds occasion to use his tail in close-quarters or crowded combat.
Personality: Tesok's frightening appearance is only accurate roughly half of the time. While he is almost always in Active Predator mode, he has focused this instinct, through meditation and deep reflection, until it translates more like a fierce determination to accomplish his tasks quickly and efficiently. This is also reflected in the fact that when he does engage in combat, Tesok presents a fighting style that is powerful, controlled, and effective at gaining ground or clearing a room, especially in conjunction with his naturally massive strength and speed due to his species. He also has natural talents for stealth and stalking, and much of his thought, humor, and speech is given over to hunting and hunting metaphors.
Tesok's methods of channeling his instincts have developed with his ability to use the Force. As a youngling, and for a good deal of his Padawan-ship, he was much more volatile and success-driven, prone to massive overexertion and fierce pride in his work. An almost predatory ambition, one could say. However, his Jedi master recognized this to be the result of his methods of using his Barabel nature productively and repressing parts of himself that were better expressed in other ways or simply let go of. Through rigorous combat training, as well as the application of deep meditation and other balancing Jedi techniques, Tesok has learned how and where to focus his instincts so as to be beneficial to him without placing him at risk of losing control, and what parts of himself need simply to be let go of, the way any Jedi would let go of natural fear or anger to become a more effective instrument of the Force.
Birth place: Barab 1
Faction: Jedi Order
Rank: Knight - Jedi Sentinel
Lightsaber: Single-blade, single-phase
Color: Green
(Model for hilt, not color)
Practiced lightsaber forms:
Shii-Cho 5
Makashi N/A
Soresu 2
Ataru N/A
Shien / Djem So 2
>>Sub-form Backhanded N/A
Niman N/A
>>Sub-form Jar'kai, or Dual-wield N/A
Juyo N/A
Double-bladed Combat N/A
Force-Sensitive abilities or practices:
Telekinetic: 5
Telepathic: 4
Body: 6
Sense: 4
Protection: 2
Healing: 1
Destruction: 0
Specialized Skills:
Force Cloak
Attributes:
Physical Strength: 7
Intelligence: 4
Speed: 7
Leadership: 5
Unarmed: 6
Melee Weapons: 3
Ranged Weapons: 0
Bio:
Tesok was one of roughly two dozen other Barabel eggs in a nest on Barab 1, being tended as custom dictated by two Barabel couples in order to confuse and counteract the natural tendency of the males to slay hatchlings not belonging to them. Unfortunately, one of the two fathers was ill-equipped to handle the arrangement, and in a fit of animal instinct, devoured nearly all the young Barabels closely following their hatching before the remaining parents were able to put him down as retribution for the lives of their nestlings. While some few of the hatchlings escaped death by retreating from the nest to the protection of their sane parents, the one who would later be named Tesok found refuge by concealing himself within the desiccated carcass of one of the vermin laid about for the hatchling's first meal. The reduced Barabel nest remained entrenched only long enough for the hatchlings to gain enough strength to be moved, and in order to facilitate this, their first predator, who more than likely was sire to at least one of the four, suffered the same fate as the poor rodent who had sheltered Tesok - consumed eagerly by the newborns.
Tesok was the only remaining egg belonging to his mother and, as such, was taken by her to a settlement nearby, where they could find a home for some time with the family of one of her own nestmates. Tesok continued to display a lack of fear or self-consciousness as he progressed through his first few years, instead being possessed of a marked drive and willfulness, which gave direction to his naturally aggressive tendencies as a Barabel. Towards the end of his third year, drought and resulting lack of supply caused a great many residents of the small Barabel settlement to migrate, including the Baranar clan of Tesok, his mother, her male nestmate, and his mate. While journeying on foot to what hopefully were better prospects, the family came upon a downed freighter, captained by a Trandoshan and a Human pair of smugglers who were using the reputation of the planet's inhabitants to discourage pursuit as they carried a shipment of spice towards the Mid-Rim. The fierce Barabels used the smugglers' fear of them to their advantage in negotiating passage to Malastare, where they hoped they would be able to make a living in the urban areas.
As fate would have it, the Baranar clan did manage to scrape out an existence as intimidating hired bodyguards for important peoples and (more often) for the Star Podracers of the Week, but it was not long before fate intervened. A Jedi Knight, sent on Temple business to the Republic Outpost on Malastare, sensed the presence of the force in the young Tesok as he made his way through the city and respectfully approached the Barabels in order to request their permission to take him in as a Jedi. Feeling that her son's dignity and his talents were both far better suited to being a Jedi and (in her mind) a fierce hunter than a bodyguard, his mother granted permission for Tesok to be taken to Coruscant and receive training.
As a youngling, Tesok's tendency to channel his natural aggression into focus and determination was beneficial to him in his studies, although his tutors often lectured him on the merits of releasing his aggression and seeking inner peace to allow the Force to guide him. He excelled at tasks and physical training, was driven to be studious of the less tangible aspects of his training even though he was not a strong scholar and did not enjoy mental exertion, and managed to establish and maintain cordial, if not overly deep, relationships with his fellow students, predicated mostly on the way his natural Barabel personality was perceived as a type of wit by younglings, especially those not familiar with the mentality of hunter species.
As small figures darted around him on all sides, some stepping on or tripping over his tail in their haste to line up for an upcoming class, Tesok Baranar wondered idly if perhaps he was making a mistake in judging himself ready to take on a Padawan. He was, after all, close to two meters in height, bulging with reptilian muscle, and prone to hissing and snapping as part of emotional displays, all of which would likely be very intimidating to younglings of such diminutive size as seemed to be the average.
A sudden sharp pain in his tail told him there was a student who would be tardy to class before too long. A light thud and a snuffling caused him to turn, however, and angle his head so as to observe the youngling better with one slit-pupiled eye. The tiny blonde Human boy, already teary over the skinned knee his trip over Tesok's tail had caused, seemed to melt into terrified sobs upon realizing he had attracted the Knight's inquisitive gaze, and that the bell signalling the start of afternoon classes was chiming.
Bewildered, the Barabel caught himself before he reached out a long-clawed hand and instead lifted the poor boy to his feet gently with the Force as he sissed in his least-threatening tone, "This one meansz you no harm, youngling. Please do not be alarmed." As the boy's crying softened, Tesok nodded approvingly. "There is nothing to be feared in this temple. You have no enemies here, not Barabelz or skinned knees or tardy slipsz. Please, allow this one to escort you to your class."
He was soon being led (hand-in-hand, he was confused to note, but human customs were still not natural to him) through a small, brightly-colored corridor of the Temple. On the way, he reflected on how the boy had reacted to him. He knew he was an imposing figure, and in fact spent much of his time quelling the instincts that came with his species' fierce appearance, but he had hoped that it would not impact the way younglings reacted to him. That would definitely make it difficult to select a Padawan to train. Upon knocking on what was obviously the correct classroom door, the boy was admitted by a young female Bothan Jedi tutor, who seemed surprised to see him accompanied by the hulking Jedi Sentinel.
"This one asksz that you please excuse the boy's tardinesz. It was through no fault of his own." The Bothan nodded gratefully and smiled her thanks at the older Knight. "Oh, thank you so much. We were worried he may have gotten lost, these little ones have only been in classes for a few weeks, so they don't quite know the floorplan for this part of the Temple yet."
Tesok offered the tutor a polite bow, and when his young companion turned to wave him goodbye, he gave the boy an approximation of a human wink before turning to proceed back towards the main area of the temple. Only in the temple a few weeks? Perhaps these were not the younglings I was looking for. He would, of course, prefer to take as old a Padawan as possible, so there would be less apprehension on the pupil's part; his unfamiliarity with human growth cycles appeared to have led him to the wrong conclusion about the age of the younglings he had encountered.
This is good news, he thought. They will certainly be better-suited to dealing with a Barabel after they have reached a later stage. However, as he waited at a hallway T-intersection for a turbolift, he felt yet another step on his tail, and turned, sissing, to see a Human Jedi with the grey hair that he knew marked an elder walking by brusquely without a word of apology. Hmmm. Well, perhaps Barabel compatibility varies from human to human.
Race: Barabel
Age: 26
Height: 7'1"
Weight: 240lbs.
Appearance: Intimidating, like most Barabels, Tesok stands well over most humans and matches a Wookiee in height, although his body and limbs are much bulkier. His scales are a light gray and offer significant protection from blasterfire (albeit only from blasters set to Stun), in addition to what is afforded by his custom-sized Jedi Knight's robes. Adding to his intimidation factor are a pair of slit-pupiled, angry-looking red eyes and the heavy claws and dangerous, needle-like teeth common to Barabels, which are an efficient combat option for Tesok.
In an odd twist for a Barabel, who has the ability to deliberately detach his own tail when practical, a good 3/4 of Tesok's tail is in fact cybernetic due to an encounter with a vibro-axe. He preferred this replacement rather than simply detaching the remainder of the appendage due to having gone through several years of combat training before his mutilation and not wanting to have to adjust to the new balance of a shortened tail. Tesok often finds occasion to use his tail in close-quarters or crowded combat.
Personality: Tesok's frightening appearance is only accurate roughly half of the time. While he is almost always in Active Predator mode, he has focused this instinct, through meditation and deep reflection, until it translates more like a fierce determination to accomplish his tasks quickly and efficiently. This is also reflected in the fact that when he does engage in combat, Tesok presents a fighting style that is powerful, controlled, and effective at gaining ground or clearing a room, especially in conjunction with his naturally massive strength and speed due to his species. He also has natural talents for stealth and stalking, and much of his thought, humor, and speech is given over to hunting and hunting metaphors.
Tesok's methods of channeling his instincts have developed with his ability to use the Force. As a youngling, and for a good deal of his Padawan-ship, he was much more volatile and success-driven, prone to massive overexertion and fierce pride in his work. An almost predatory ambition, one could say. However, his Jedi master recognized this to be the result of his methods of using his Barabel nature productively and repressing parts of himself that were better expressed in other ways or simply let go of. Through rigorous combat training, as well as the application of deep meditation and other balancing Jedi techniques, Tesok has learned how and where to focus his instincts so as to be beneficial to him without placing him at risk of losing control, and what parts of himself need simply to be let go of, the way any Jedi would let go of natural fear or anger to become a more effective instrument of the Force.
Birth place: Barab 1
Faction: Jedi Order
Rank: Knight - Jedi Sentinel
Lightsaber: Single-blade, single-phase
Color: Green
(Model for hilt, not color)
Practiced lightsaber forms:
Shii-Cho 5
Makashi N/A
Soresu 2
Ataru N/A
Shien / Djem So 2
>>Sub-form Backhanded N/A
Niman N/A
>>Sub-form Jar'kai, or Dual-wield N/A
Juyo N/A
Double-bladed Combat N/A
Force-Sensitive abilities or practices:
Telekinetic: 5
Telepathic: 4
Body: 6
Sense: 4
Protection: 2
Healing: 1
Destruction: 0
Specialized Skills:
Force Cloak
Attributes:
Physical Strength: 7
Intelligence: 4
Speed: 7
Leadership: 5
Unarmed: 6
Melee Weapons: 3
Ranged Weapons: 0
Bio:
1
Tesok was one of roughly two dozen other Barabel eggs in a nest on Barab 1, being tended as custom dictated by two Barabel couples in order to confuse and counteract the natural tendency of the males to slay hatchlings not belonging to them. Unfortunately, one of the two fathers was ill-equipped to handle the arrangement, and in a fit of animal instinct, devoured nearly all the young Barabels closely following their hatching before the remaining parents were able to put him down as retribution for the lives of their nestlings. While some few of the hatchlings escaped death by retreating from the nest to the protection of their sane parents, the one who would later be named Tesok found refuge by concealing himself within the desiccated carcass of one of the vermin laid about for the hatchling's first meal. The reduced Barabel nest remained entrenched only long enough for the hatchlings to gain enough strength to be moved, and in order to facilitate this, their first predator, who more than likely was sire to at least one of the four, suffered the same fate as the poor rodent who had sheltered Tesok - consumed eagerly by the newborns.
2
Tesok was the only remaining egg belonging to his mother and, as such, was taken by her to a settlement nearby, where they could find a home for some time with the family of one of her own nestmates. Tesok continued to display a lack of fear or self-consciousness as he progressed through his first few years, instead being possessed of a marked drive and willfulness, which gave direction to his naturally aggressive tendencies as a Barabel. Towards the end of his third year, drought and resulting lack of supply caused a great many residents of the small Barabel settlement to migrate, including the Baranar clan of Tesok, his mother, her male nestmate, and his mate. While journeying on foot to what hopefully were better prospects, the family came upon a downed freighter, captained by a Trandoshan and a Human pair of smugglers who were using the reputation of the planet's inhabitants to discourage pursuit as they carried a shipment of spice towards the Mid-Rim. The fierce Barabels used the smugglers' fear of them to their advantage in negotiating passage to Malastare, where they hoped they would be able to make a living in the urban areas.
3
As fate would have it, the Baranar clan did manage to scrape out an existence as intimidating hired bodyguards for important peoples and (more often) for the Star Podracers of the Week, but it was not long before fate intervened. A Jedi Knight, sent on Temple business to the Republic Outpost on Malastare, sensed the presence of the force in the young Tesok as he made his way through the city and respectfully approached the Barabels in order to request their permission to take him in as a Jedi. Feeling that her son's dignity and his talents were both far better suited to being a Jedi and (in her mind) a fierce hunter than a bodyguard, his mother granted permission for Tesok to be taken to Coruscant and receive training.
4
As a youngling, Tesok's tendency to channel his natural aggression into focus and determination was beneficial to him in his studies, although his tutors often lectured him on the merits of releasing his aggression and seeking inner peace to allow the Force to guide him. He excelled at tasks and physical training, was driven to be studious of the less tangible aspects of his training even though he was not a strong scholar and did not enjoy mental exertion, and managed to establish and maintain cordial, if not overly deep, relationships with his fellow students, predicated mostly on the way his natural Barabel personality was perceived as a type of wit by younglings, especially those not familiar with the mentality of hunter species.
5
RP Sample:At age 12, Tesok was taken on as an apprentice by Jedi Knight Zharo Synduna, a Twi'lek who had dedicated himself to the path of the Jedi Shadow. Synduna sensed in Tesok a great potential and capacity for the skills that he himself had trained in, namely those necessary to become an efficient hunter of the enemies of the Order, be they Dark Side-users or any other type of threat a Jedi might be called upon to eliminate.
Moreover, the Knight and newly-appointed teacher sensed what many of Tesok's former tutors had attempted to teach the Barabel to release. He had lived for many years under the tutelage of the Jedi forcing down aggressive tendencies and anger, but rather than learn to remove himself from his suppressed emotions and let them go in order to fill himself more fully with the Force, Tesok was simply in the habit of redirecting the violence in his nature and emotions towards his goals; this was not a common problem amongst younglings, but was sometimes to be expected in those of fiercer species who struggled to balance their natures with their Jedi training. However, unchecked, and with no real knowledge of how a Jedi handles his emotions, the repression Tesok was forcing himself to go through would bring him very close to the way the Force was utilized by Dark Side-wielders, allowing pain and anger to increase their connection to the force.
Zharo Synduna embraced not only the task of allowing Tesok to reach his powerful potential as a Jedi, but of teaching him the ways of all Jedi, the Code and the philosophies that showed them how to serve the light side of the Force with all their intent, and to allow simple emotion and base instinct to give way to the will of the Force.
Synduna took time, however, to warn his Padawan about the emotions often associated with practicing Form 5. While the aggressiveness of his nature would mesh well with the aggressiveness of the style, Tesok would have to maintain the techniques learned in his studies of Shii-Cho and Soresu for channeling his instincts and emotions productively to ensure that he did not cross the line from deadly efficiency to true enjoyment of or hunger for combat. Synduna recommended wholeheartedly that Tesok continue to allow his knowledge of previous forms to blend into his acquisition of new ones. Not only would this serve to balance his use of each style so that its drawbacks were minimized and confuse enemies expecting a pure single-form approach, but it would encourage him to continue his work on self-restraint and his conductivity between the Force and his baser instincts.
With this in mind, the Barabel continued to train in both Djem So and Soresu, simultaneously rounding out his skills in defensive and offensive lightsaber combat, and furthering his already formidable combat abilities. Within a year, Synduna wholeheartedly felt that his ferocious Padawan had gained enough skill with the lightsaber to defeat an average Jedi Knight in a duel. With this in mind, as well as Tesok's various other accomplishments and and skills as a hunter being taken into account, the Twi'lek passed his Padawan's name on, at the minimum age of 22, to the Jedi Council so that he might be permitted to pass his final Trial of Knighthood.
Moreover, the Knight and newly-appointed teacher sensed what many of Tesok's former tutors had attempted to teach the Barabel to release. He had lived for many years under the tutelage of the Jedi forcing down aggressive tendencies and anger, but rather than learn to remove himself from his suppressed emotions and let them go in order to fill himself more fully with the Force, Tesok was simply in the habit of redirecting the violence in his nature and emotions towards his goals; this was not a common problem amongst younglings, but was sometimes to be expected in those of fiercer species who struggled to balance their natures with their Jedi training. However, unchecked, and with no real knowledge of how a Jedi handles his emotions, the repression Tesok was forcing himself to go through would bring him very close to the way the Force was utilized by Dark Side-wielders, allowing pain and anger to increase their connection to the force.
Zharo Synduna embraced not only the task of allowing Tesok to reach his powerful potential as a Jedi, but of teaching him the ways of all Jedi, the Code and the philosophies that showed them how to serve the light side of the Force with all their intent, and to allow simple emotion and base instinct to give way to the will of the Force.
6
Unlike most masters and apprentices, Synduna set Tesok the task of creating his first lightsaber within the first year of becoming a Padawan. Far from intending to place his Padawan in a combat situation outside of training rooms so early, Synduna intended this process to be the first step in bringing his pupil's emotions into balance and finding the proper channels for his instincts and aggression.
The pair traveled to the crystal caves of Ilum and back to Coruscant almost uneventfully, except that Synduna had the youth's chosen crystal encased in a small box for the entire journey home, telling his Padawan that he would not be allowed to begin his long meditations to attune the crystal until they had reached the Temple again. Upon their return, the Knight sat the Padawan down to meditate together before he was left to his personal attuning meditations. Together, they recited the Jedi Code, upon which Synduna imparted a short lesson. He directed Tesok to observe how, even as the lines of the code mirror the words in themselves, they also mirror each other line-by-line.
Paying special attention to the lines regarding emotion and peace; passion and serenity; and chaos and harmony, the Knight illustrated the dangers of the Padawan's emotional path. Allowing his instincts to fester could result in anger, which was a quick path to the dark side. Tesok was ashamed to be so warned, and to hear that he had lived so long with the beginnings of the dark path in him, but Synduna gently reassured him that he had done nothing wrong, had in fact done a remarkable job of turning what could have been a violent nature to a productive one, and coming so far based on the strength of his will alone. Henceforth, however, he would learn to let the Force guide him, rather than the feelings that could lead to his downfall, which he would learn partially to let go of, and partially to express in a new way.
When asked about this other way of expressing his aggressive instincts and emotions, Synduna smiled darkly at his apprentice. Tesok's species were naturally hunters, said the Twi'lek, but he would channel those instincts to become more than a hunter - he would be an accurate and deadly weapon of the Force against the enemies of the light. But for that, he needed to complete his own weapon. With that, Tesok was left to engage in the long ritual of constructing his lightsaber.
The pair traveled to the crystal caves of Ilum and back to Coruscant almost uneventfully, except that Synduna had the youth's chosen crystal encased in a small box for the entire journey home, telling his Padawan that he would not be allowed to begin his long meditations to attune the crystal until they had reached the Temple again. Upon their return, the Knight sat the Padawan down to meditate together before he was left to his personal attuning meditations. Together, they recited the Jedi Code, upon which Synduna imparted a short lesson. He directed Tesok to observe how, even as the lines of the code mirror the words in themselves, they also mirror each other line-by-line.
Paying special attention to the lines regarding emotion and peace; passion and serenity; and chaos and harmony, the Knight illustrated the dangers of the Padawan's emotional path. Allowing his instincts to fester could result in anger, which was a quick path to the dark side. Tesok was ashamed to be so warned, and to hear that he had lived so long with the beginnings of the dark path in him, but Synduna gently reassured him that he had done nothing wrong, had in fact done a remarkable job of turning what could have been a violent nature to a productive one, and coming so far based on the strength of his will alone. Henceforth, however, he would learn to let the Force guide him, rather than the feelings that could lead to his downfall, which he would learn partially to let go of, and partially to express in a new way.
When asked about this other way of expressing his aggressive instincts and emotions, Synduna smiled darkly at his apprentice. Tesok's species were naturally hunters, said the Twi'lek, but he would channel those instincts to become more than a hunter - he would be an accurate and deadly weapon of the Force against the enemies of the light. But for that, he needed to complete his own weapon. With that, Tesok was left to engage in the long ritual of constructing his lightsaber.
7
Upon producing the finished weapon to his master, Tesok was immediately led to the Temple training rooms and began instruction in Shii-Cho. The style was simple, and he had captured many of the basics while still a youngling with a training blade, but Synduna knew that the lightsaber form, considered basic knowledge for all Jedi and one that every Knight mastered prior to his promotion, would prove to have unique benefits for his young Padawan once he advanced to the Live-combat portion of training. After several easy weeks of gaining familiarity with his lightsaber, beginning to instill the basic movements into his muscle memory, mastering the fundamentals of blaster bolt deflection through his Force senses, and working up enthusiasm for the day he first got to use his new weapon in a real combat exercise, Tesok was given the opportunity to enter the ring against two stun bolt-blasting training droids.
After a demonstration of his new ability to withstand a barrage of blasterfire and, more impressively to his master, the ability to deflect and evade blasterfire from sources in two different directions, the droids regrouped and Tesok was given the go-ahead to engage his enemies directly. In short time, the Barabel had advanced and reduced two training droids to scrap with lightsaber and claws. Expecting praise from his master, he instead received a gentle rebuke. As Synduna explained, Tesok had given in to a common failing amongst new practitioners of Shii-Cho, and one that he had been expected to find difficulty with. New duelists often made the mistake of using the heated emotions born of the form to engage in combat with lethal intent, which was not only a violation of the theoretical Form-Zero Rule, but was specifically counteractive to the goals of Shii-Cho, which focuses on the disarming (sometimes literally) and neutralization of opponents over killing them.
In times to come, Synduna would engage his Padawan more personally than most masters did with lightsaber training, developing hand-in-hand Tesok's combat skills and his ability to release emotion effectively, honing him into a fighter who touched on his deeper instincts to utilize all that was useful in them and then to release them before they could threaten to overwhelm him. In time, his master told him, Tesok would learn other forms which would require a different application of his natural instincts in order to be used most effectively, but it was very fitting that Shii-Cho be the first he learned, because the techniques and restraint he would develop in order to properly practice it would be a major step on his way to mastering his nature.
For his part, Tesok gladly accepted the comingled nature of his combat and self-mastery training and threw himself especially into this area of his apprenticeship, training daily with either his master or whatever equipment was available until he mastered the first form at the age of 20, a full 2 years' less training than many Jedi before him had required.
After a demonstration of his new ability to withstand a barrage of blasterfire and, more impressively to his master, the ability to deflect and evade blasterfire from sources in two different directions, the droids regrouped and Tesok was given the go-ahead to engage his enemies directly. In short time, the Barabel had advanced and reduced two training droids to scrap with lightsaber and claws. Expecting praise from his master, he instead received a gentle rebuke. As Synduna explained, Tesok had given in to a common failing amongst new practitioners of Shii-Cho, and one that he had been expected to find difficulty with. New duelists often made the mistake of using the heated emotions born of the form to engage in combat with lethal intent, which was not only a violation of the theoretical Form-Zero Rule, but was specifically counteractive to the goals of Shii-Cho, which focuses on the disarming (sometimes literally) and neutralization of opponents over killing them.
In times to come, Synduna would engage his Padawan more personally than most masters did with lightsaber training, developing hand-in-hand Tesok's combat skills and his ability to release emotion effectively, honing him into a fighter who touched on his deeper instincts to utilize all that was useful in them and then to release them before they could threaten to overwhelm him. In time, his master told him, Tesok would learn other forms which would require a different application of his natural instincts in order to be used most effectively, but it was very fitting that Shii-Cho be the first he learned, because the techniques and restraint he would develop in order to properly practice it would be a major step on his way to mastering his nature.
For his part, Tesok gladly accepted the comingled nature of his combat and self-mastery training and threw himself especially into this area of his apprenticeship, training daily with either his master or whatever equipment was available until he mastered the first form at the age of 20, a full 2 years' less training than many Jedi before him had required.
8
In his Force training, it was found that most of Tesok's sensitivity was directed towards the passive use of the force. While he proved to be an able telekinetic and telepathic, he struggled to actively focus his energy to manifest true force 'powers.' Instead, he proved more adept than anything at channeling the force through his body, enhancing himself so as to increase his strength, speed, balance, and ability to weather Force techniques. While the lack of excessive Force talent was dismaying to the Padawan, who was used to swift progress beyond the level of his peers, his master wisely instructed him to reflect on the seeming disproportion.
Tesok's main area of focus was inward, based in the control and utilization of instinct. So too were his force talents directed inward, towards strengthening his whole so as to become a weapon and a hunter both in the same body. Looking at his Force training in this light, the Padawan was able to progress adequately, learning to trust in the Force as well as his instincts and training, and grew by the time of his Knighthood to be an able conduit for allowing the Force to direct and enhance his body in combat, although he remained ignorant of many more direct Force techniques.
One ability he did manage to make some progress in, however, was Force Cloak. At age 18, Synduna decided his Padawan was ready to begin training in the ability, which he often found useful in his travels as a Shadow. Although it was slow going at first, Tesok managed to combine his natural abilities with stealth and his inward focus with the force to develop his ability to muffle the sounds and the sight of himself, although his Force stamina was markedly less than a Padawan who had more experience with that area of training. Over time, however, he learned to cloak himself for longer and longer periods of time with more effectiveness. Although he did not use the ability in the field as a Padawan (Synduna had warned him about the dangers of relying on what may be an imperfect Force Cloak), continued training at the Temple saw Tesok master the ability in his 23rd year, shortly following his ascension to Knighthood.
Tesok's main area of focus was inward, based in the control and utilization of instinct. So too were his force talents directed inward, towards strengthening his whole so as to become a weapon and a hunter both in the same body. Looking at his Force training in this light, the Padawan was able to progress adequately, learning to trust in the Force as well as his instincts and training, and grew by the time of his Knighthood to be an able conduit for allowing the Force to direct and enhance his body in combat, although he remained ignorant of many more direct Force techniques.
One ability he did manage to make some progress in, however, was Force Cloak. At age 18, Synduna decided his Padawan was ready to begin training in the ability, which he often found useful in his travels as a Shadow. Although it was slow going at first, Tesok managed to combine his natural abilities with stealth and his inward focus with the force to develop his ability to muffle the sounds and the sight of himself, although his Force stamina was markedly less than a Padawan who had more experience with that area of training. Over time, however, he learned to cloak himself for longer and longer periods of time with more effectiveness. Although he did not use the ability in the field as a Padawan (Synduna had warned him about the dangers of relying on what may be an imperfect Force Cloak), continued training at the Temple saw Tesok master the ability in his 23rd year, shortly following his ascension to Knighthood.
9
The remainder of his training involved the skills that Synduna believed were most effective for a Jedi Shadow at large. These included stealth and stalking, at which the Barabel naturally excelled, as well as more theoretical work, such as the concepts involved in tracking targets (his natural inclination, out of earshot of his master, was to use the word "prey") across planets or amongst them, gathering information from civilians (Tesok was, by way of his appearance, resigned to having to stick with the 'intimidation' approach 9 times out of 10), and a brief stint of training with vibroblades and other concealed melee weapons until Tesok suggested to his master that he might be more effective with (and less likely to drop) his own retractable claws, which certainly proved a more reliable concealed weapon than any vibroblade.
10
At age 16, Tesok accompanied his master on what was assumed to be a fairly easy mission. The death of a fairly successful crime lord who made his home on Ord Mantell had led to the discovery of a number of minor Sith artifacts in his collection, which were quickly and covertly snatched up by his Hutt rival, Torgo. In the months following, the office of the Republic governor of Ord Mantell, badly underfunded and almost unabashedly corrupt, was discovered to have engaged in the sale of various pieces of military equipment to Torgo in exchange for credits in the hands of certain public officials and the reduction of criminal activity amongst certain constituencies which subsequently happened to re-elect said officials. In response to the Republic's request that he turn over the noncivilian equipment he was unauthorized to possess, the Hutt claimed to have the right to own said items, as they were sold to him ostensibly by a representative of the Republic. The Jedi were assigned to negotiate the release of the items, in the hopes that their presence would convince Torvo that the government of Ord Mantell was no longer going to deal with criminals (not entirely accurate) and that the Republic would be keeping a close eye and a firm hand on the system henceforth
What the pair failed to realize upon arriving at the Hutt's palace was that Torgo had been corrupted by his Sith treasures. He had become wont to spend long hours and eventually days shut up in his trophy room, gazing at the artifacts, his original covetousness for them being fed on and enhanced by their imbued Dark Side energy. Thus, when two Jedi came looking to intimidate him into giving up on one of his most profitabe rackets, the maddened Torgo ordered them imprisoned within his dungeons.
The ensuing fight between Torgo's thugs and the Jedi was short and costly. Having surrendered their weapons before entering the Hutt's throne room, even Tesok's innate talent for unarmed combat was not enough to keep the pair from being quickly overwhelmed by their better-equipped foes. During the melee, Tesok's tail was lost to the vibro-ax of a particularly vicious Gamorrean guard, who was repaid the service to Torgo by being nearly eviscerated by the Barabel's whirling claws and needle-sharp teeth. Eventually forced to yield, the Jedi were separated, Synduna to be interrogated and Tesok sent to his cell. Fortunately, the Hutt made the mistake of only assigning a two-man escort for the Barabel, who made use of the distraction of one of his guards in opening his assigned cell to eliminate first the unoccupied guard, then the other before he could bring his rifle to bear. Manacled and a good deal off-balance due to the loss of his tail, Tesok knew he would not fare as well against a more significant or alert party of guards. Upon searching his guards, Tesok found no key for his cuffs. Although he was unaware of the fact, they were controlled remotely for prisoner security, and could not be deactivated unless a guard transmitted a security key to the receiver built into them. Finding no way to unlock his chains, Tesok resigned himself to wearing them until he found a lightsaber to free himself. Utilizing his stealth training, the Barabel muffled his clanking chains with his heavy cloth Jedi cloak and proceeded in the direction where he sensed his master, sticking to the shadows and using the Force to mask his steps in order to avoid inevitable patrols.
On the way, Tesok experienced for the first time the sense of a Dark Side aura, being more receptive to such sensations as he felt in the Force for Synduna. Recognizing the twisted power of what he sensed, he entered the room from which it seemed to emanate and discovered Torgo the Hutt gloating over his collection, which now included two Jedi lightsabers as well as his Sith artifacts. In seconds, the Barabel crept silently closer to the crime lord, who allowed no guards to attend him while he visited his treasures. In a flash and a burst in the Force, Tesok summoned the two lightsabers, removed his restraints, and ordered the Hutt to decide whether he preferred to remain silent and surrender himself, his artifacts, and his illegal weapons to the Jedi or to attempt to escape and lose an arm. When the Force-corrupted Hutt chose instead to charge violently at him, Tesok was forced to cut his enemy down. Thankfully the encounter did not raise the alarm, and after pausing to pick up the Dark Side-tainted objects from Torgo's trophy case, Tesok encountered only two- and three-man patrols who were no match for an armed Barabel Jedi on the hunt for his missing master.
Upon being rescued, subduing the remainder of the Palace guard, hearing Tesok's tale, and destroying the artifacts as was the duty of a Jedi Shadow, Synduna praised his Padawan for so successflly applying his training in spite of the physical encumberment of chains and having recently lost a tail, as well as offering Torgo the option to surrender and doing it all without the presence of his master. While the Barabel sought a cybernetic replacement for his tail (which had not been removed cleanly and the loss of which caused some significant hindrance to his combat ability) at the Temple medical center, Synduna discreetly prepared a report for the Jedi Council in which he expressed the opinion that his Padawan had quite ably passed his unplanned Trials of both Flesh and Skill.
What the pair failed to realize upon arriving at the Hutt's palace was that Torgo had been corrupted by his Sith treasures. He had become wont to spend long hours and eventually days shut up in his trophy room, gazing at the artifacts, his original covetousness for them being fed on and enhanced by their imbued Dark Side energy. Thus, when two Jedi came looking to intimidate him into giving up on one of his most profitabe rackets, the maddened Torgo ordered them imprisoned within his dungeons.
The ensuing fight between Torgo's thugs and the Jedi was short and costly. Having surrendered their weapons before entering the Hutt's throne room, even Tesok's innate talent for unarmed combat was not enough to keep the pair from being quickly overwhelmed by their better-equipped foes. During the melee, Tesok's tail was lost to the vibro-ax of a particularly vicious Gamorrean guard, who was repaid the service to Torgo by being nearly eviscerated by the Barabel's whirling claws and needle-sharp teeth. Eventually forced to yield, the Jedi were separated, Synduna to be interrogated and Tesok sent to his cell. Fortunately, the Hutt made the mistake of only assigning a two-man escort for the Barabel, who made use of the distraction of one of his guards in opening his assigned cell to eliminate first the unoccupied guard, then the other before he could bring his rifle to bear. Manacled and a good deal off-balance due to the loss of his tail, Tesok knew he would not fare as well against a more significant or alert party of guards. Upon searching his guards, Tesok found no key for his cuffs. Although he was unaware of the fact, they were controlled remotely for prisoner security, and could not be deactivated unless a guard transmitted a security key to the receiver built into them. Finding no way to unlock his chains, Tesok resigned himself to wearing them until he found a lightsaber to free himself. Utilizing his stealth training, the Barabel muffled his clanking chains with his heavy cloth Jedi cloak and proceeded in the direction where he sensed his master, sticking to the shadows and using the Force to mask his steps in order to avoid inevitable patrols.
On the way, Tesok experienced for the first time the sense of a Dark Side aura, being more receptive to such sensations as he felt in the Force for Synduna. Recognizing the twisted power of what he sensed, he entered the room from which it seemed to emanate and discovered Torgo the Hutt gloating over his collection, which now included two Jedi lightsabers as well as his Sith artifacts. In seconds, the Barabel crept silently closer to the crime lord, who allowed no guards to attend him while he visited his treasures. In a flash and a burst in the Force, Tesok summoned the two lightsabers, removed his restraints, and ordered the Hutt to decide whether he preferred to remain silent and surrender himself, his artifacts, and his illegal weapons to the Jedi or to attempt to escape and lose an arm. When the Force-corrupted Hutt chose instead to charge violently at him, Tesok was forced to cut his enemy down. Thankfully the encounter did not raise the alarm, and after pausing to pick up the Dark Side-tainted objects from Torgo's trophy case, Tesok encountered only two- and three-man patrols who were no match for an armed Barabel Jedi on the hunt for his missing master.
Upon being rescued, subduing the remainder of the Palace guard, hearing Tesok's tale, and destroying the artifacts as was the duty of a Jedi Shadow, Synduna praised his Padawan for so successflly applying his training in spite of the physical encumberment of chains and having recently lost a tail, as well as offering Torgo the option to surrender and doing it all without the presence of his master. While the Barabel sought a cybernetic replacement for his tail (which had not been removed cleanly and the loss of which caused some significant hindrance to his combat ability) at the Temple medical center, Synduna discreetly prepared a report for the Jedi Council in which he expressed the opinion that his Padawan had quite ably passed his unplanned Trials of both Flesh and Skill.
11
After unknowingly having passed two trials on his first combat mission, Tesok continued to join his master on various assignments, although none were so notably impactful to his training individually as the first. Rather, these missions constituted on-the-job training, and Synduna progressively gave more and more responsibilities to his apprentice on missions so as to confirm his proficiency and ability to handle at the same time the many skills necessary for a Shadow, a future that the Twi'lek someday hoped his pupil might aspire.
By the time Tesok was 20 years old, he was a skilled hunter and a fierce combatant. His species' fighting instincts, as well as massive strength, speed, and size, were further augmented by his growing understanding of the Force and his daily combat training, and Synduna happily conferred upon his apprentice the designation of mastery over Form 1 before he turned 21. It was then recommended that the Barabel begin training in a new style, and the pair settled on Form 3, Soresu, for three reasons: first, it would be a reliable method of increasing his stamina and defensive capabilities, which were often set aside in favor of utilizing his strength and speed advantage to try to end fights quickly. Synduna knew that while this approach was practical, the time would come when resilience would be needed to survive a fight. Moreover, the "eye of the storm" mentality of Soresu would be a logical next step in the Barabel's training of his instincts through the Force. Finally, the two looked to the future at Tesok's long-term goals as a swordsman and found that Soresu would provide a solid foundation for the style he hoped to learn next.
Tesok proved to be an able student of Form 3. His earlier talent for blaster bolt deflection had not left him, and his emotional state in battle had been crafted delicately by his Form 1 training so there was little transition between the two. Synduna was pleasantly surprised to see his apprentice embracing the applications of Soresu, outlasting an opponent or many opponents, providing a strong defense, and lashing out quickly and effectively when a break in the enemies' concentration or stamina presented an opportunity. The Barabel proved very adept at using his lightsaber for defense only, giving the impression of being greatly overwhelmed by needing to protect himself with his 'only' weapon, then suddenly extending his claws and disabling an enemy who was not expecting a sudden counterattack from what appeared to be an unarmed hand.
Too, the apprentice's Form 1 training provided the benefit of expanding his Soresu defenses beyond the rote muscle memory and mechanical action required. Rather than put up a large and impenetrable, yet physically demanding, shield of defense, he allowed the Force to guide him, resulting in a Form 3 that was much more unpredictable (like the Shii-Cho waterfall effect ascribed to true masters of the form) and harder to exploit by an opponent familiar with the Soresu steps.
At the age of 21, Tesok found himself engaged in what would later be regarded as his Trial of Courage. A mission of infiltration into a suspected Black Sun smuggler's outpost on Dathomir proved to be much more sinister than Synduna or the Barabel had expected. Upon entering the facility, the pair separated to scout out and isolate the commander of the Black Sun occupants. After some time, however, Tesok perceived a flash of surprise and fear from his master, shortly followed by an alarm and a dozen armed beings converging on the Padawan's position.
While his combat prowess allowed him to withstand the assault of blaster bolts, he was forced to retreat deeper into the facility when he was unable to gain an advantage on his enemies in the cramped quarters of a service hallway. Searching now for his master as well as their target, Tesok echoed Synduna's shock upon entering the cavernous underground level of the facility. Rather than the spice shipping operation they had expected, numerous cages occupied by rancor beasts of varying ages and sizes attested to the fact that the Black Sun were there to acquire exotic guardians and fighting beasts for sale to various wealthy criminal interests.
He was suddenly confronted by the disturbing sight of his unconscious master being hung over the cage of one of the largest rancors (though for practicality's sake, the Black Sun had been poaching only the immature or the most aged of the beasts for transport) at the direction of their target. Tesok was forced to make the split decision to enter the cage containing his unconscious master and the aging, though still formidable, rancor when he was detected and the pirate commander flung Synduna in to make his escape.
The Barabel faced down the rancor to protect his master, hastily adjusting to his still-imperfect Soresu training to maintain mobility and attempt to last long enough with the monster to exploit a weakness. Eventually perceiving that the Rancor was having difficulty with the eye and leg on one side, Tesok seemed to give up the fight, evading the rancor until it turned its attention upon Synduna, at which point the Padawan agilely scaled the bars of the cage and launched himself at the beast's weak side from above, latching on just behind the head where he could not be reached. With the beast sufficiently distracted from Synduna by his new rider, Tesok took advantage of his position to force his lightsaber blade through the Rancor's thick hide and skull (requiring all of his significant strength), downing the beast and leaving the Jedi safe in the newly-vacant cage.
Upon awakening and hearing the story, Synduna praised his apprentice's courage and the valor of protecting a fallen ally against a seemingly unbeatable foe rather than simply ignoring the situation in pursuit of his mission. Although the commander was not apprehended, the two Jedi returned home victorious for having shut down the Black Sun operation and for having come another step closer to attaining Tesok's Knighthood.
By the time Tesok was 20 years old, he was a skilled hunter and a fierce combatant. His species' fighting instincts, as well as massive strength, speed, and size, were further augmented by his growing understanding of the Force and his daily combat training, and Synduna happily conferred upon his apprentice the designation of mastery over Form 1 before he turned 21. It was then recommended that the Barabel begin training in a new style, and the pair settled on Form 3, Soresu, for three reasons: first, it would be a reliable method of increasing his stamina and defensive capabilities, which were often set aside in favor of utilizing his strength and speed advantage to try to end fights quickly. Synduna knew that while this approach was practical, the time would come when resilience would be needed to survive a fight. Moreover, the "eye of the storm" mentality of Soresu would be a logical next step in the Barabel's training of his instincts through the Force. Finally, the two looked to the future at Tesok's long-term goals as a swordsman and found that Soresu would provide a solid foundation for the style he hoped to learn next.
Tesok proved to be an able student of Form 3. His earlier talent for blaster bolt deflection had not left him, and his emotional state in battle had been crafted delicately by his Form 1 training so there was little transition between the two. Synduna was pleasantly surprised to see his apprentice embracing the applications of Soresu, outlasting an opponent or many opponents, providing a strong defense, and lashing out quickly and effectively when a break in the enemies' concentration or stamina presented an opportunity. The Barabel proved very adept at using his lightsaber for defense only, giving the impression of being greatly overwhelmed by needing to protect himself with his 'only' weapon, then suddenly extending his claws and disabling an enemy who was not expecting a sudden counterattack from what appeared to be an unarmed hand.
Too, the apprentice's Form 1 training provided the benefit of expanding his Soresu defenses beyond the rote muscle memory and mechanical action required. Rather than put up a large and impenetrable, yet physically demanding, shield of defense, he allowed the Force to guide him, resulting in a Form 3 that was much more unpredictable (like the Shii-Cho waterfall effect ascribed to true masters of the form) and harder to exploit by an opponent familiar with the Soresu steps.
12
At the age of 21, Tesok found himself engaged in what would later be regarded as his Trial of Courage. A mission of infiltration into a suspected Black Sun smuggler's outpost on Dathomir proved to be much more sinister than Synduna or the Barabel had expected. Upon entering the facility, the pair separated to scout out and isolate the commander of the Black Sun occupants. After some time, however, Tesok perceived a flash of surprise and fear from his master, shortly followed by an alarm and a dozen armed beings converging on the Padawan's position.
While his combat prowess allowed him to withstand the assault of blaster bolts, he was forced to retreat deeper into the facility when he was unable to gain an advantage on his enemies in the cramped quarters of a service hallway. Searching now for his master as well as their target, Tesok echoed Synduna's shock upon entering the cavernous underground level of the facility. Rather than the spice shipping operation they had expected, numerous cages occupied by rancor beasts of varying ages and sizes attested to the fact that the Black Sun were there to acquire exotic guardians and fighting beasts for sale to various wealthy criminal interests.
He was suddenly confronted by the disturbing sight of his unconscious master being hung over the cage of one of the largest rancors (though for practicality's sake, the Black Sun had been poaching only the immature or the most aged of the beasts for transport) at the direction of their target. Tesok was forced to make the split decision to enter the cage containing his unconscious master and the aging, though still formidable, rancor when he was detected and the pirate commander flung Synduna in to make his escape.
The Barabel faced down the rancor to protect his master, hastily adjusting to his still-imperfect Soresu training to maintain mobility and attempt to last long enough with the monster to exploit a weakness. Eventually perceiving that the Rancor was having difficulty with the eye and leg on one side, Tesok seemed to give up the fight, evading the rancor until it turned its attention upon Synduna, at which point the Padawan agilely scaled the bars of the cage and launched himself at the beast's weak side from above, latching on just behind the head where he could not be reached. With the beast sufficiently distracted from Synduna by his new rider, Tesok took advantage of his position to force his lightsaber blade through the Rancor's thick hide and skull (requiring all of his significant strength), downing the beast and leaving the Jedi safe in the newly-vacant cage.
Upon awakening and hearing the story, Synduna praised his apprentice's courage and the valor of protecting a fallen ally against a seemingly unbeatable foe rather than simply ignoring the situation in pursuit of his mission. Although the commander was not apprehended, the two Jedi returned home victorious for having shut down the Black Sun operation and for having come another step closer to attaining Tesok's Knighthood.
13
Shortly following this mission, Tesok suddenly began to spend almost twice as much time as before in the Temple Training rooms, often putting himself through multiple several-hour practices in a day when not otherwise occupied by his duties. Synduna soon discovered that his apprentice had begun teaching himself a third lightsaber form simultaneously with his second, and begged an explanation of Tesok.
The Barabel explained that the fighting on Dathomir, first with the poachers and then with the old Rancor beast, had convinced him that he needed to find a less defensive lightsaber style, as he spent valuable energy and time protecting himself while waiting for an opportunity to counter. Synduna agreed to allow Tesok to continue training in both styles, and wholeheartedly agreed that his apprentice's choice of Djem So was appropriate both to the student's advanced size and strength. It would also serve as the first of his forms truly appropriate to lightsaber combat (although the training in forms 1 and 3 allowed Tesok to bring an element of blaster defense to his Djem So training that was comparable to the Shien variant of the form).
The Barabel explained that the fighting on Dathomir, first with the poachers and then with the old Rancor beast, had convinced him that he needed to find a less defensive lightsaber style, as he spent valuable energy and time protecting himself while waiting for an opportunity to counter. Synduna agreed to allow Tesok to continue training in both styles, and wholeheartedly agreed that his apprentice's choice of Djem So was appropriate both to the student's advanced size and strength. It would also serve as the first of his forms truly appropriate to lightsaber combat (although the training in forms 1 and 3 allowed Tesok to bring an element of blaster defense to his Djem So training that was comparable to the Shien variant of the form).
Synduna took time, however, to warn his Padawan about the emotions often associated with practicing Form 5. While the aggressiveness of his nature would mesh well with the aggressiveness of the style, Tesok would have to maintain the techniques learned in his studies of Shii-Cho and Soresu for channeling his instincts and emotions productively to ensure that he did not cross the line from deadly efficiency to true enjoyment of or hunger for combat. Synduna recommended wholeheartedly that Tesok continue to allow his knowledge of previous forms to blend into his acquisition of new ones. Not only would this serve to balance his use of each style so that its drawbacks were minimized and confuse enemies expecting a pure single-form approach, but it would encourage him to continue his work on self-restraint and his conductivity between the Force and his baser instincts.
With this in mind, the Barabel continued to train in both Djem So and Soresu, simultaneously rounding out his skills in defensive and offensive lightsaber combat, and furthering his already formidable combat abilities. Within a year, Synduna wholeheartedly felt that his ferocious Padawan had gained enough skill with the lightsaber to defeat an average Jedi Knight in a duel. With this in mind, as well as Tesok's various other accomplishments and and skills as a hunter being taken into account, the Twi'lek passed his Padawan's name on, at the minimum age of 22, to the Jedi Council so that he might be permitted to pass his final Trial of Knighthood.
14
Tesok was invited one day to his master's chambers in the Temple, where he found Synduna in his meditation room. As they had for the first time many years ago, and infrequently since then, the two recited the Jedi Code and began to meditate, the occasion seemingly filled with an unusual weight to Tesok. He found himself in a deeper meditative trance than he had encountered before, and was worried until his master's voice found him in the darkness of his mind. He was told not to be afraid, that he would face no danger where he delved inside of himself, and that this exercise would be short and simple.
As Tesok listened, he felt his mind slip further from his body, until he was aware of himself in a new space in his mind. Dark and humid and stinking of rot, the place was small, definitely underground, and the floor was covered in the remains of rodents and various small animals in different stages of decay. Knowing instinctively what the place was, it took only a second to locate the nest. Several dozen leathery-skinned eggs sat in a small pit, with carcasses laid all round for the hatchlings to feed as soon as possible.
As he watched, one egg, then two, then all began to tremble, and in various flashes of teeth and claws, nearly two dozen new Barabels suddenly came into existence. Tesok looked over this approvingly before a siss alerted him to the presence of another adult Barabel, emerging from a cramped passageway to enter the nesting chamber. The unknown Barabel advanced surely, looking down upon the hatchlings, before a deadly sense of recognition entered Tesok's mind.
In flashes of light and color and adrenaline, he jumped perspectives and watched from the angle of the observer and one of the would-be victims as the other Barabel began to lay about with teeth and claws, snatching smaller lizards and devouring them with sickening speed. Time seemed to halt suddenly as a small, dark shadow scuttled through the carnage to safety, and Tesok understood what he was seeing. The urge to draw and strike down the monstrous father, the enemy of the nest, almost took him; the urge to tear him apart with tooth and claw sounded better. But as he prepared to hurl himself at the enemy, his connection to the Force in preparation for the battle caused him to draw short. He had worked for many years not to allow instinct to lead him rushing blindly into trouble - he would not begin now. In another flash of light and color, Tesok found himself prone, once again in the safety of the meditation room.
Synduna was quiet and allowed the Barabel to offer what he chose about the encounter. After some time, Tesok seemed to come to an understanding with himself. The other Barabel was likely his own father and not the other male of the nest, something he had long suspected but could not confirm with any certainty due to the nature of Barabel mating practices. The Force, he reasoned, was trying to grant him some knowledge, likely about himself. As he mused, he came more and more to compare his instincts, the beast within himself that he had trained for years to master, with the figure of the beast on the cavern floor, decimating young Barabels with impunity. At Synduna's encouraging nod, Tesok continued, declaring that he would not be the beast he was driven by nature to be. He was more than an angry monster in the dark: he was a Jedi and he served to protect the galaxy from those monsters who sought to control or destroy it.
Some days later at his Knighthood ceremony, with his former Master at his side welcoming him to the full ranks of the Order and conferring on him the designation of Jedi Sentinel, Tesok knew he had found his true place in the galaxy.
As Tesok listened, he felt his mind slip further from his body, until he was aware of himself in a new space in his mind. Dark and humid and stinking of rot, the place was small, definitely underground, and the floor was covered in the remains of rodents and various small animals in different stages of decay. Knowing instinctively what the place was, it took only a second to locate the nest. Several dozen leathery-skinned eggs sat in a small pit, with carcasses laid all round for the hatchlings to feed as soon as possible.
As he watched, one egg, then two, then all began to tremble, and in various flashes of teeth and claws, nearly two dozen new Barabels suddenly came into existence. Tesok looked over this approvingly before a siss alerted him to the presence of another adult Barabel, emerging from a cramped passageway to enter the nesting chamber. The unknown Barabel advanced surely, looking down upon the hatchlings, before a deadly sense of recognition entered Tesok's mind.
In flashes of light and color and adrenaline, he jumped perspectives and watched from the angle of the observer and one of the would-be victims as the other Barabel began to lay about with teeth and claws, snatching smaller lizards and devouring them with sickening speed. Time seemed to halt suddenly as a small, dark shadow scuttled through the carnage to safety, and Tesok understood what he was seeing. The urge to draw and strike down the monstrous father, the enemy of the nest, almost took him; the urge to tear him apart with tooth and claw sounded better. But as he prepared to hurl himself at the enemy, his connection to the Force in preparation for the battle caused him to draw short. He had worked for many years not to allow instinct to lead him rushing blindly into trouble - he would not begin now. In another flash of light and color, Tesok found himself prone, once again in the safety of the meditation room.
Synduna was quiet and allowed the Barabel to offer what he chose about the encounter. After some time, Tesok seemed to come to an understanding with himself. The other Barabel was likely his own father and not the other male of the nest, something he had long suspected but could not confirm with any certainty due to the nature of Barabel mating practices. The Force, he reasoned, was trying to grant him some knowledge, likely about himself. As he mused, he came more and more to compare his instincts, the beast within himself that he had trained for years to master, with the figure of the beast on the cavern floor, decimating young Barabels with impunity. At Synduna's encouraging nod, Tesok continued, declaring that he would not be the beast he was driven by nature to be. He was more than an angry monster in the dark: he was a Jedi and he served to protect the galaxy from those monsters who sought to control or destroy it.
Some days later at his Knighthood ceremony, with his former Master at his side welcoming him to the full ranks of the Order and conferring on him the designation of Jedi Sentinel, Tesok knew he had found his true place in the galaxy.
15
Following his promotion, Tesok continued to do much of the same work he had done as a Padawan, only independent of his mentor and partner. At times, this was a struggle, as the Barabel had definitely not become as proficient at certain technical skills such as slicing or lockpicking, which were better suited to more dextrous hands. He also suffered a disadvantage that his Twi'lek master had not in social dealings with beings necessary to the success of his missions. In response, he had to somewhat expand the comfort zone established by being part of a self-sufficient team and began to make attempts to branch out to other Jedi who could complement him on missions. Still, he could not help but feel a sense of loss at no longer working with Synduna, whom he interacted with as often as two far-ranging Jedi (one of them a Shadow) could manage, and wondered often about the idea of forming a long-term partnership with another Jedi. The idea of a Padawan appealed to him, but he knew that at 22 years of age he was simply unprepared for the responsibilities of teaching a youngling, and declared that he would wait for that honor until the Force should recommend it to him.
Life continued in a fairly regular pattern of assignments long and short followed by downtime in the academy, which he spent maintaining his combat skills (his Soresu and Djem So progressed accordingly) and forging connections with his new friends in the Order. When the Galaxy found itself at war in later years, Tesok found his job largely unchanged - the Order was not interested in involving itself in a war against the Sith, so his job remained by and large related to dealing with conventional threats to Republic civilians' well-being such as criminal elements and the odd non-Sith-affiliated Dark Side-wielder. As years passed, however, Tesok continued to weigh taking on an apprentice, and made the decision that should a youngling strike his interest, he would tutor them without hesitation. The Galaxy, he knew, was in need of hunters of dark forces, and if Tesok Baranar was one thing, he was most definitely a hunter.
Life continued in a fairly regular pattern of assignments long and short followed by downtime in the academy, which he spent maintaining his combat skills (his Soresu and Djem So progressed accordingly) and forging connections with his new friends in the Order. When the Galaxy found itself at war in later years, Tesok found his job largely unchanged - the Order was not interested in involving itself in a war against the Sith, so his job remained by and large related to dealing with conventional threats to Republic civilians' well-being such as criminal elements and the odd non-Sith-affiliated Dark Side-wielder. As years passed, however, Tesok continued to weigh taking on an apprentice, and made the decision that should a youngling strike his interest, he would tutor them without hesitation. The Galaxy, he knew, was in need of hunters of dark forces, and if Tesok Baranar was one thing, he was most definitely a hunter.
As small figures darted around him on all sides, some stepping on or tripping over his tail in their haste to line up for an upcoming class, Tesok Baranar wondered idly if perhaps he was making a mistake in judging himself ready to take on a Padawan. He was, after all, close to two meters in height, bulging with reptilian muscle, and prone to hissing and snapping as part of emotional displays, all of which would likely be very intimidating to younglings of such diminutive size as seemed to be the average.
A sudden sharp pain in his tail told him there was a student who would be tardy to class before too long. A light thud and a snuffling caused him to turn, however, and angle his head so as to observe the youngling better with one slit-pupiled eye. The tiny blonde Human boy, already teary over the skinned knee his trip over Tesok's tail had caused, seemed to melt into terrified sobs upon realizing he had attracted the Knight's inquisitive gaze, and that the bell signalling the start of afternoon classes was chiming.
Bewildered, the Barabel caught himself before he reached out a long-clawed hand and instead lifted the poor boy to his feet gently with the Force as he sissed in his least-threatening tone, "This one meansz you no harm, youngling. Please do not be alarmed." As the boy's crying softened, Tesok nodded approvingly. "There is nothing to be feared in this temple. You have no enemies here, not Barabelz or skinned knees or tardy slipsz. Please, allow this one to escort you to your class."
He was soon being led (hand-in-hand, he was confused to note, but human customs were still not natural to him) through a small, brightly-colored corridor of the Temple. On the way, he reflected on how the boy had reacted to him. He knew he was an imposing figure, and in fact spent much of his time quelling the instincts that came with his species' fierce appearance, but he had hoped that it would not impact the way younglings reacted to him. That would definitely make it difficult to select a Padawan to train. Upon knocking on what was obviously the correct classroom door, the boy was admitted by a young female Bothan Jedi tutor, who seemed surprised to see him accompanied by the hulking Jedi Sentinel.
"This one asksz that you please excuse the boy's tardinesz. It was through no fault of his own." The Bothan nodded gratefully and smiled her thanks at the older Knight. "Oh, thank you so much. We were worried he may have gotten lost, these little ones have only been in classes for a few weeks, so they don't quite know the floorplan for this part of the Temple yet."
Tesok offered the tutor a polite bow, and when his young companion turned to wave him goodbye, he gave the boy an approximation of a human wink before turning to proceed back towards the main area of the temple. Only in the temple a few weeks? Perhaps these were not the younglings I was looking for. He would, of course, prefer to take as old a Padawan as possible, so there would be less apprehension on the pupil's part; his unfamiliarity with human growth cycles appeared to have led him to the wrong conclusion about the age of the younglings he had encountered.
This is good news, he thought. They will certainly be better-suited to dealing with a Barabel after they have reached a later stage. However, as he waited at a hallway T-intersection for a turbolift, he felt yet another step on his tail, and turned, sissing, to see a Human Jedi with the grey hair that he knew marked an elder walking by brusquely without a word of apology. Hmmm. Well, perhaps Barabel compatibility varies from human to human.
