Chapter 3
With RGS safely taken from the clutches of the Sith the heroes take some time to refocus their efforts and speak with those on board. They discover a Sith doctor named Anastasia Sol who is responsible for ridding the Sith from the Shipyards and making it possible for it to have ever been taken back. However, the heroes do not trust her due to her Sith affiliation and once they finds out that the Sith were studying a corpse of one of Lelu's kind, they ostracize her all together. They also discover a Sith Officer who was captured by Anastasia named Tarkin. Tarkin's arrogance and rash actions end Tarkin's life as he is shot to death in his makeshift prison.
The heroes decide that their next course of action is to find the Jedi who might possibly be on the Planet Untill. But first they return to the Spindle for supplies and attempt to draw Starkiller into their growing rebellion. At first he is not interested, but his Mandalorian honor and purpose are played on and he agrees to work with the anti-Sith efforts. He gathers his belongings and joins those at RGS. Uncle Dax and the resistance fighters of Ethos, as well as their families and friends, head to RGS as well! They are greatly appreciative for the Heroes efforts at the siege and being their combat training in earnest.
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The heroes head to the Planet Untill where a massive, Force generated storm envelops the entire globe. Lelu has managed to head down to the surface despite the maelstrom and the heroes decide to follow- they do not have the same luck. The transport is dashed against the surface and the heroes emerge from their wrecked vehicle to discover Lelu and a self proclaimed Padawan named Kord standing in the snow. Before proper introduction can be had a massive Frost Rancor attacks the group and is slain by quick thinking and a combined effort.
Kord explains that he comes from a village not far from here where a group of sentients known as the Gathered live. They are a collection of various Force traditions and philosophies all living in harmony and hiding away from the sinister Sith. The storm, it is explained, was summoned to protect them from the Sith Inquisitor teams that threaten to wipe them out.
At the home of the Gathered the heroes are given lodgings and food. They meet with the ruling council of the Gathered, a collection of Masters from various Force traditions, all overseen by the wizened Baron do Sage known as Balthazar. Balthazar explains that his order used their farseeing gift to get a glimpse into the Sith's galactic conquest and sent a beacon out to all Force users to come to the planet for protection. They then gave their energies to the Force to complete a ritual that would summon the storm around the entire planet thus cloaking and safeguarding those on the surface. Balthazar is elusive with his information, speaking with great caution and assumption on the possibilities of the future, even when confronted with the information that Ola's tainted Holocron has been stolen! When Vaan asks of the possible whereabouts of Jedi on the planet, Balthazar says there may be some up in the mountains but none are allowed such a dangerous journey- for their own good. The Gathered are also interested in Lelu especially. They mention that not long before the heroes arrived, a group of Sith managed to infiltrate the storm and they had with them a creature similar to Lelu. They said his name was Janus and they believe he is the reason the Sith could bypass the storm. They named Lelu's kind the Reborn, but knew very little other than the fact that such beings seemed to radiate the Force.
The Heroes decide to seek out the Jedi on the mountain and so, with Kord at their sides, they brave the storm (which has become easy enough with Lelu parting it) and head for the location given. What they find is a small Jedi training camp containing a Jedi Master named Dakin Kenobi and a Jenassari by the named of Kryxus. The students, around 50 in all, are all children ranging from the ages of 8 to 16. Dakin claims that the children are from a transport that landed many years ago and each and everyone of the children are force sensitive. He has trained them in the ways of the Jedi ever since. Dakin also explains that he was exiled to this place, having once been a member of the Gathered himself, after Balthazar declared that Kenobi would be the downfall of the Gathered and their people. While the heroes discussed and made plans with their new allies the shield generator protecting the camp is destroyed and the Sith Inquisitor Force that has been roaming the planet attacks. The battle is fierce but the heroes manage to overcome the odds and slay the bulk of the Sith foes. However, the Grand Inquisitor himself attempts to hold Lelu hostage to make his escape- a powerful mindtrick by Vaan gets the Inquisitor to leave Lelu alone and Kord takes the opportunity to finish the Sith once and for all. He is batted aside for his efforts and shot in the heart by Slade. The Inquisitor is subdued and the spark of life is restored to Kord by Lelu's unexplainable powers.
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Kord is furious at Slade's attack but is too weak to do anything about it. Lelu too, is weak from the encounter and Dakin confused at the mettle and resolve of his new found allies. He decides to wait here with the children while the heroes return to the Gathered and make preparations for everyone to leave the planet and return to RGS. The heroes board their shuttle and make their way back towards the Gathered, but as they travel the storm dies down to nothing and Lelu can suddenly sense Janus in the Force. He is scared, injured and hiding in a cave not far from them. When the heroes land they are immediately attacked by several predators who have been taken over by Janus' beast empathy. A Sith slave collar keeps the Reborn in constant pain and once the heroes remove it from him he immediately submits. He explains that the Sith found him and used him to bypass Untill's storm. They tortured him and had plans to send him to Ethos once he was used here.
Janus is confused as to what Lelu is. He explains that without her Pod she knows not her design and purpose and is useless without it. He himself feels that his purpose is growing close but he does not know the exact details himself. Janus explains that when the time comes- he will know.
The village of the Gathered is in fiery ruins once the heroes arrive. Bodies lay in the snow, buildings in ruin, and a single figure hovers high over the camp- blazing with power. It is Balthazar and he has the stolen holocron. In his madness he explains that the Holocron is allowing him to bring back his dead Baron do Sage brothers and sisters- that he had to sacrifice the bulk of the villagers to use their essence for the ritual. A grand battle takes place where the dead attack and Balthazar attempts to burn out the minds of those who would defy him. Janus summons the beasts of the Untill to aid in the battle and Lelu ends it all by overcharing the reactors in the main dome...but not before Janus is run through several times by the vibroblades of one of the risen. The massive explosion leaves Balthazar near death and the hold of the holocron broken. He gives it to Vaan, explains that great evil remains within but that it must not be destroyed lest that evil be free to manifest. He then dies with great shame for his deeds.
Janus dies in Lelu's arms, happy and in bliss despite his death. He explains that this is his purpose- why he was designed- and as he takes in his final breath the ground seems to change beneath him. The cold, twisted planet of Untill reshapes itself in a matter of hours- becoming a lush paradise. The creatures seem to adapt along with the vegetation and climate. In Lelu's mind she hears the voice of Janus as he is bring drawn into the Force. Janus explains that the planet is to be known as Haven now and it is safe for those who follow the light. The Dark Side will never be allowed to find our touch this new world.
Though most of the Gathered were killed, Balthazar simply captured the other Masters, hoping to keep them alive for the knowledge they possessed. They, along with Dakin and his students, travel back to RGS.
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Months pass on RGS and much takes place in the time. Training, organizing, regrouping and investigating. Ships are upgraded, bonds are formed and information is sought after. Dakin takes on those who wish to train under him and a spark of hope is returned to the ideals of the Jedi. Slade begins to train the rag tag bunch of resistance fighters and Rowe and his father outfit the Archangel with no weapons, shields and upgrades. Kryxus and Lelu study together, Ola and Vaan try and find their place in the Force and along with Kord, become the closest things to Jedi Knight candidates the galaxy has seen in years. Lelu's presence begins to alter the people of RGS...many begin to become Force sensitive in a matter of weeks by being close to her. She is like a beacon. Dr Anastasia does her best to convince Slade that a blood test might be in his best interest- she suspects there is something very wrong with him- but he refuses. A grand feast takes place once Starkiller lands with his honorguard and droids. For once in a very long time- there is a sense of peace. Of freedom. Of hope.
And then- the tragedy of Ethos. Darth Imperatus strikes back (*See Meanwhile, on the Planet Ethos...)
