Summoned

A sigh escaped her lips as she settled into her meditative posture. As the heat from the sand began to radiate through her body, the morning’s tensions slid away. She inhaled deeply and used her slow exhale to blow the hair from her face.

The slowly revolving wind soon slipped her hair back into her mouth. She resisted the urge to spit it out, forcing herself to focus. Inhale, slow exhale. Inhale, slow exhale. The process repeated itself until she was no longer aware of the hair.

She submerged herself in the Force feeling it ebb and flow about her. The familiar warmth buoyed her spirits. Teaching was hard and, often, thankless. Her meditation times were a moment of clarity amidst the chaos of students and academia.

As she shifted deeper, her sense of self hung suspended. In that quiet contemplation, voices whispered to her. She had trouble at first distinguishing *the* voices, but they emerged gaining strength until she could identify that there were two speakers.

To keep the balance
You must awaken.

You have heard the rumors
And you must find the source

Go, seek, and gather help.
Go, conquer, and gain power.

The voices began to recede. Her confusion was interfering with her connection to the Force. She gradually inhaled and exhaled. The disciplined movement cleared her mind and she heard:

Awaken.
Awaken.

The voices disappeared.

Sash opened her eyes. She chewed on her lip as she disentangled her hair from her horns. She had a sabbatical coming up. Perhaps now was the time to begin that.

The Call

“My children awaken.”

The petite brunette raised her head from the table looking around to see who’d dared to call her a child. Her bloodshot eyes couldn’t focus or seem to settle on anyone, so she chalked it up to a bad dream. Her head dropped back down to the table.

Awaken. You are needed.
One has awakened who will upset the balance
To keep the balance, you must awaken.”

She snapped her head up, looking for the voice… or was it two voices.. who were clearly talking to her. “Listen. I. Don’t. Care! Leave me alone!” she said aloud. The few other patrons in the tavern turned curious eyes towards her, but she glared at them, starting to lift a hand in their direction and they quickly turned back to their drinks.

More words spoke to her and she realized they were in her head. She began to comprehend what was happening. Sitting up straighter, she closed her eyes and concentrated on the words. Her lips drew into a tight, thin line as the voices impressed upon her the need to leave and seek out others. This went against her survival instincts for the last couple of years. She’d been in hiding, avoiding others and avoiding using her abilities. She felt an anger welling up inside her at the compulsion.

Yes, there was that one time where she’d encountered… Her eyes flew open, jaw dropping. “Oh… oh no…” she breathed out the words, barely able to draw in her next breath. “It’s them again.

She jumped up from her seat, nearly overturning the table and dashed out of the tavern. She ran to her ship, giving orders to the droids to prepare to leave. When queried about the location, she simply said, “Yavin IV.

The Beckon

Ashla: My children
Bogan: Awaken.

Ashla: Awaken. You are needed.
Bogan: One has awakened who will upset the balance.

Ashla: To keep the balance
Bogan: you must awaken.

Ashla: You have heard the rumors /You do not yet understand
Bogan: and/but you must find the source
.
Ashla: Go, seek, and gather help.
Bogan: Go, conquer, and gain power.

Ashla: There are many places
Bogan: Places of strength

Ashla: Places of center
Bogan: Places of pain

Ashla: Seek the planet where in ancient times the sides sought wisdom
Bogan: and now a new conflict has arisen where they seek dominance.

Ashla: There others will gather to share knowledge
Bogan: or subvert to your will.

Ashla: Awaken.
Bogan: Awaken.

Friday Feature: Planetary Factional Alignment in EiF – 5/19/2017

Planetary Factional Alignment

Factional alignment of planets is one of the major questions surfacing, as people prepare for city placement and roleplaying. Putting things into perspective, Empire in Flames’ timeline starts three weeks after Endor,  Below is the listing of planets and their factional alignment in EiF.

Planet

Faction

Other

Corellia Imperial Core
Tatooine Neutral Outer Rim
Naboo New Republic Mid Rim
Tanaab Imperial Inner Rim
Lok Neutral Outer Rim
Dantooine New Republic Outer Rim
Dathomir Imperial Outer Rim
Talus Imperial Core
Rori New Republic Mid Rim
Mandalore Neutral Outer Rim
Yavin IV Imperial Outer Rim
Endor New Republic Outer Rim
Kashyyyk Imperial Mid Rim

Sandarie, Community Manager

Friday Feature: The Court of Naboo

“My queen, we must take a side,” Pooja Naberrie said emphatically. “To refuse to align ourselves with either the Rebel Alliance or the Empire is tantamount to inviting the criminals of the galaxy to overrun us!”

“And I’m sure you have no opinion about which side to take?” Moff Panaka asked sharply. “You’re concerned only with the welfare of the people?”

“First and foremost, yes,” Naberrie retorted. “You think me a traitor because I believe the Old Republic of a thousand years better than your young Empire of twenty. Should our queen decide to align our world with your interests, I will still gladly serve in whatever fashion I may.”

Queen Kylantha held up a hand, forestalling further argument. “Your opinions have both been made known,” she said firmly, then offered an exasperated smile. “Never has a meeting of the Advisory Council been so heated since I took the throne.”

Panaka narrowed his eyes. “Your Highness, never in the time you’ve sat on the throne has there been danger like this. With the disaster at Endor, the Empire threatens to fragment.”

“All the more reason to join the Rebel Alliance, your highness,” Naberrie chimed in. “The Republic will rise again. It is already happening.”

“What reason do we have to throw in with this lot of killers and thieves?” Panaka asked coldly. “Our beloved Emperor came from this very world. Has Naboo not been well-treated, protected, under the watchful eye of the Empire? Do I need to remind you that each and every outside invasion of Naboo came under the careless rule of the Old Republic?”

“Your point is made, Moff Panaka, thank you,” the queen said wearily. “As is yours, Pooja. I understand why you would align us with the Rebel Alliance, but you ask us to risk much for little gain. You cannot even speak on behalf of the Rebellion – you cannot make promises for them, only advocate. So I ask you both: what do the people want?”

Panaka and Naberrie exchanged looks.

“With the Emperor dead, it is entirely possible I will no longer sit on the throne,” Kylantha said slowly. “This is not a decision to be made in haste. Indeed, it may not be a decision for me to make at all.” She rose from her seat and offered a small nod to the seated Council members. “For now, the Council is in recess.”

She turned and walked with slow grace out of the Council chamber and into the private quarters of the palace. Out of sight, her pace quickened as she attempted to walk off some frustration.

She was so withdrawn into her thoughts that she almost missed the feather-like footsteps of another figure falling into step beside her. Kylantha glanced over and immediately stopped. “Did I not make myself clear when I banished you? You nearly brought disaster upon us once, and I do not wish to repeat the experience.”

The figure pulled back the hood of her cloak, offering a small smile that sparkled in her violet eyes. “It’s a new galaxy, your Highness.”

“Did you come to advocate on behalf of the Rebel Alliance as well, Kelta Rose?”

The red-haired woman shook her head, sending waves through the elaborate braids that fell around her face and down her back. “No, I am not here as an advocate.”

“Then what? Did the Alliance send one of their few Jedi to spy on my court?”

“I’d be an awful spy if I were standing here talking to the woman I’m supposed to gather information on. No, I came here to bring a message from the Rebellion.”

“Ah, the offer that Pooja Naberrie wanted to make but did not have the authority to do.”

Kelta laughed, but this time Kylantha thought she saw a speck of pain in the Jedi woman’s eyes. “No, I was sent with a message only.”

“Then you should deliver it, not make small talk.” The queen offered a small smile in return. “You should not be caught here.”

“Yes, your Highness.” Kelta’s face grew serious. “Alliance High Command has sent many like me throughout the galaxy after their victory at Endor. The message is this: war between the remnants of the Empire and the Rebel Alliance is inevitable. Those who choose to support the Empire will be targets for us – not because we wish any people pain or suffering, but because victory is necessary.”

“I do believe that is a threat, Rose,” Kylantha said stiffly.

“Not a threat, your Highness. A warning that war is coming. You may attempt to keep Naboo out of the war, but neither the Empire nor the Alliance will do the same.”