beyond light & dark.

To be reasonable, one must see all points of view. ( RP blog for the Barsen'thor / Outlander in GalacticsHQ )

[bcrsenthor]

JESSICA CHASTAIN // have you met THE BARSEN’THOR / OUTLANDER yet? SHE is a THIRTY-FIVE year old DEMIGIRL TWI’LEK. they’re originally from BALMORRA and now show loyalty to THE NEUTRAL. they are best known for being an ALLIANCE COMMANDER, and i hear they’re pretty DILIGENT yet also STUBBORN at times; i hope they survive the galactic civil war. (YELLOW, 22, GMT, SHE/THEY/HE)

L O A D I N G : // …  2 YEARS LATER - 7ABY

Hearing that efforts were being made to create a new Jedi Temple, the former Barsen’thor was originally happy to offer her help - however, a few months in she left, happy that the Jedi would not be forgotten, but finding that she no longer wanted a place with them.

Since then, she has been travelling the galaxy with no set goal in mind, letting the Force lead her.

[rainofaugustsith]

One interesting thing that is coming out about our Force sensitive characters on both sides - a talent they do not have - behind cut for spoilers

Force Empathy. They don't have it. They aren't susceptible to the echoes and environmental Force disturbances that affect others. In the Dark Temple on Dromund Kaas, the two Sith classes and the Jedi Knight are never affected by that which makes others go mad. On Voss, they can successfully navigate the Nightmare Lands and the Dark Heart. Yes, there's a ritual they use to protect themselves but it's implied the ritual doesn't help everyone since you see others who are Force sensitive who have gone mad. On Oricon, they're impervious to the Dread Masters' influence. On Ziost, the Force sensitive PC's are also not affected by Vitiate's influence and he didn't even seem to try. In KOTET, Nathema was enough to make the usually unshakeable Lana visibly upset. The Commander did mention feeling the echoes of the victims' agony but she was also far less upset and disturbed than Lana. And now this, where there are several characters who can feel the echoes in the Dantooine Enclave, and our characters saying outright they can't feel it. Two hypotheses: 1. Self preservation. One of the reasons our characters have gotten where they are is because they have learned to block out these echoes and filter the Force through their environment.

2. They're just not talented that way.

[my-true-gender-is]

my gender…? I was supposed to bring my- ? *grumbling* no one told me I was supposed to bring a gender to this thing

[bcrsenthor]

bluekvber​:

Siri allowed herself to think for a moment. They just had a delivery of several foods from all over the galaxy, and she didn’t really remember what Twi’leks could and couldn’t eat. There was a few of them in the Order, but she had never been close enough to them to know. And her lessons where a while ago. Not wanting to take any risks, she carefully dodged the question. “Depends if you want to eat or drink -” she put the glass back in its place “- we just had a shipment of fresh food from all over the galaxy.” She was quite proud of it. The cantina was one of the best of Azure, even if it didn’t mean much for a small world like the planet she was stuck on. “Right now though I’d suggest Bantha steaks, if you’re in the mood for a real meal.” These words came to hear easily after all these months on the planet. She was used to them now, but was also curious. “What are you on Azure for? There’s not much to do around here.” The rebel base was sort of an open secret. But Siri was pretty sure it wasn’t really used except for the MedCenter where she was during her recovery.

“The Batha steak, then.” It had been a little while since she had last had a proper meal, to be completely honest. The rations most of the ships she traded her skills for passage on were filling enough, but they were designed to serve a function. If she wasn’t aware that her server had a history with the Order, Melyn may have joked that the Force had brought her here to make her relax.

In truth, Melyn often didn’t know why the Force brought her to where it brought her. She could feel it around her, urging her onwards, pointing her in the right direction - but the duty of deciphering the meaning behind those gut instincts fell on her. The Force couldn’t tell her the whats and whys behind her travelling.

“You know, I’m not sure if anyone truly knows why they go where they go.” It was the type of comment that may have made Tharan groan (which had always been all the more reason to keep making comments like it), but he wasn’t here, and with a pang she found herself missing him. “What about yourself?”

[goldcommand-deactivated20210808]

@bcrsenthor // closed starter

He’s not force sensitive and although there’s technically a little bit of the Force in everyone, he’s never truly understood it. Call it the Force or a gut feeling or fate or whatever you wish. All he feels is that he’ll likely find some answers on Odessen. He’s not exactly sure who or what he expects to find in particular so he wanders, doing his best not to overthink his choices as he travels the planet. 

Because nothing in his life, apparently, can ever be simple his journey ends with him standing in front of a person instead of an easily hackable database. One hand cautiously resting over his blaster, he says, “it seems introductions are in order. I am CC-224. What is your name?”

[bcrsenthor]

Odessen hadn’t been Melyn’s home for long - she had lived on Coruscant and the Defender for longer - but it was the first place that she had truly felt she belonged. Even now, with the Alliance gone, she could feel the perfectly neutral Force nexus around her, as if the planet itself was pleased that she had returned.

Her reason for returning was more than just wanting to return to a familiar place. She had felt the Force nudging her to return here. While on her return journey, she had let her thoughts return to her allies, wondering if any of them could be waiting for her on Odessen.

But looking at the other, it was clear that he was not one of her old allies. She felt something like disappointment, but smiled nonetheless. The Force still brought her back here for a reason. “Melyn,” she said simply, choosing to use her given name rather than a title. “That’s an interesting name that you have.”

[bluekvber-deactivated20220124]

@bcrsenthor​

Peaceful was the best word Siri could find to describe the cantina she worked at since she woke up at the MedCenter and was finally able to leave it. She never once in her life thought she’d work in a cantina, except if she was undercover during a mission. But with how things turned out, with the Jedi Order slaughtered and no survivor as far as she knew, it was impossible for her to find some other job. Of course she could have been some bodyguard or else, using her fighting skills. These jobs weren’t what Azure offered though. And unless she earned enough credits to pay for transport and get off the planet, she didn’t have any alternative. Months after months she found herself loving her job and current routine. It was better than being at the frontline. Or in missions and facing near death situations more than she could remember. She had counted the days, given herself a time limit on Azure at first. She gave it up but she gave it up gladly. Siri was often at the bar. When people weren’t looking - Force, they really weren’t observant - she had some fun discretely levitating plates or bowls towards her. Or playing with the water in the sinks. It was early in the evening that she noticed something new. Not just new - she felt a presence in the Force like she hadn’t in a long time. She was restless that night, waiting for the force-sensitive being to show up. She could sense that they were going to enter the bar, and she was excited. It wasn’t dark, no. It was someone from the Light and finally they were just there. Siri looked up to the entrance and smiled, trying her best to hide her eagerness and maintaining her shields up. Just in case. You never knew who you could end up with after all. “Hello,” she greeted with the cheerful voice she used when customers looked like they could be trusted. “What can I get you?” She was smiling, cleaning a glass with a kitchen towel - the only evidence of her past in the Jedi Order was her utility belt, only recognizable by those who knew what it actually was. 

[bcrsenthor]

When she had first heard of efforts to rebuild the Order, Melyn had been willing to go along with it. While her connection to the Order had been tested, they had still raised her. She couldn’t do a thing about the fractured Order of her own time, but she had been happy to help.

Still, as time had passed, she had found herself growing less and less comfortable. It wasn’t the fault of any individuals - the Jedi she had met of this time seemed fine people - but rather... she had a growing awareness that she didn’t fit with the Order anymore.

Too much had happened. After working with and fighting alongside Voss Mystics, Zakuul Knights and Sith Lords, returning to the Jedi felt like narrowing her worldview. As much as she may have wanted to belong, she just didn’t anymore.

And so, she left. Remembering the words of Grandmaster Satele and Darth Marr, she travelled with no destination in mind, letting the Force guide her. Where she could, she helped others, and where she couldn’t, she learned - and that was how she had found her way here.

She looked at the human with a pleasant smile, her gaze flicking down to her utility belt for just a moment. It seemed that the Force had reason to bring her here.

“I’m not sure. What would you recommend?” She asked, her tone casual. There was no need to jump right into things - there would be time to ask more meaningful questions later.

[bcrsenthor]

cravked​:

of the familiar people that she could have run into, seeing melyn against is… relatively tame. there were few expectations and little that she could do to disappoint her, given the lack of real relationship that existed between them. they were nothing more than acquaintances. “neither did i,” she agreed with a tight-lipped smile. “shouldn’t we all be? the war is over. the empire’s… more or less, gone.”

There were few in this time that Melyn knew well. She had many acquaintances, but had yet to make any friends, so a familiar face - even if it wasn’t very familiar - was a pleasant change. “More or less.” Melyn echoed. She had heard that some weren’t happy about it, but had yet to meet anyone willing to admit to it openly, “I imagine you aren’t here for the sights. Do you have a job?”

[bcrsenthor]

@cravked

The familiar sense in the Force didn’t go unnoticed by Melyn. She wouldn’t say that she specifically sought the presence out, but when she found herself face to face with Trilla, she wasn’t disappointed. “I’ll be honest - I didn’t expect that our paths would cross again. You seem well.”

[bcrsenthor]

cravked​:

a slight huff, nearly amused, escaped from the woman. there had been a time when trilla felt the same way and that had failed her, hurt her more than anything else in the end. it hadn’t saved the younglings that she had tried so desperately to protect before her crushing fall to the dark side, and it hadn’t saved herself, either. at least now, she could do the latter. trying to save others didn’t have any guarantees and she was not ready to go back to the empire, nor was she ready to die. running away was the only feasible option for her.

“you would be wise to find your way to coruscant or onderon.” trilla offered, letting out a breath through her nose. even if she had no intent of helping directly right now, that did not mean that… she had to do absolutely nothing. she looked over at her as they walked, “one in your position would find good company with the rebellion. they seem to have more distinct presences there. i imagine you would not have difficulty finding what jedi have made themselves acquainted with it.”

coruscant, at least, melyn was familiar with. much of her early life had been spent on that planet - until the sacking, of course, but she had returned there frequently later in life. onderon was less familiar to her - she was vaguely aware of its history and politics, but had never visited the planet herself. though, she mused, her knowledge of both planets was likely meaningless now. four thousand years... was a long time.

“then that is what i shall do.” she decided. she may not be at the height of her strength, but even without her power, she was sure that her insight would be useful - and she was sure that others from the alliance, if they existed in this time, would make their way to this rebellion. “i appreciate your help. it seems that the force is still with me.”

[bcrsenthor]

xfrom-nowherex​:

.

rey cautiously took a step towards the other woman, hoping she wasn’t giving up some aura of threat– she didn’t plan to fight the woman, despite her goal being lost. but she did hope this surprise meeting could come to some good. perhaps the woman being willing to explain things– or show her what she had learned. 

with a small smile, she sighed a bit, “i was just hoping to find something to help me understand the force– not that i’m sure a cube could give me any sort of answers– i had only read about as much.”

.

melyn returned the woman’s smile with one of her own. “holocron’s hold many answers within them - but i’m not sure if this one holds the answers you seek. all information has its worth, but some requires caution. there are many who use holocrons to corrupt the unsuspecting.”

“but if it’s the force you want to understand, maybe i could offer you some of my knowledge.” it had been a while since she had last taught someone, she reflected as her thoughts drifted to nadia, but she had wanted to form new bonds in this time. perhaps this could be an opportunity for her, as well.

“i am melyn nos, third barsen’thor of the jedi order. it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

[bcrsenthor]

ofcxrellia​:

.

han shrugged a bit as she winced. it sucked, but it was in the past. he was over it, he was alive, didn’t matter now, really. though the memory of it had plagued him for longer than he would have cared to admit… it was over. “can drink to that– here’s to hoping.” 

“plenty of people worse off, if that’s what you mean,” he crossed his arms over his chest. another force type was something he was getting used to. something he’d have been opposed to few years back. “ahh– rebellion. got tied down.”

.

the life of a jedi lead to one picking up many skills - while melyn’s specialty lay in diplomacy, she was handy with a number of weapons and had basic mechanical knowledge. there were some out there with need for her skills, and not much to choose from. she would have preferred to have her own ship, but this was still far better than nothing.

the rebellion, she had heard of. first from trilla, when she had first awoken on odessen, and then again and again as she had travelled. she respected their cause - was even considering joining, but... not yet. “ah, the famous rebellion. i imagine you can’t tell me what exactly brings you to coruscant, but i do hope that the force is with you.”

[bcrsenthor]

spcewrs​:

hera nodded, offering her a sad smile of her own. she could imagine how hard it would be to not have chopper with her. he had been hers for so long. “i’m sorry to hear that. i can imagine how hard it would be.” she offers with a slight not. 

chopper had been just about everything from friend to family to protector for hera, he had done lots of things most droids wouldn’t and she would protect him with her life. but she understood that for many others they had similar attachments to droids. she knew that especially when travelling alone, a droid could be the best companion imaginable. 

“there are many droid depots,” she offers, “no, i suppose it would be impossible to replace them. but they can be important to have with you…if you are travelling alone, i imagine having someone – even in the form of a droid, it would be good to have. if you were looking, i could come with you.” 

for her entire life, melyn had been surrounded by others. first, by other jedi. then, by her crew on the defender - and finally by lana, theron and the rest of the alliance. even when she had been frozen in carbonite, valkorion had been in her mind - though she would hardly call him pleasant company. before this, she had never been alone.

so... yes. perhaps a droid would be a good idea.

“if you’re not busy, i would appreciate another’s insight.” she had an idea of what she would need in a droid, but her knowledge was a few thousand years outdated. having someone to help give her pointers would certainly be helpful.

[swtor-project-peace]

{x}

Oh, if quoting this sniffed out the Child of the Emperor a lot sooner.

[bcrsenthor]

the karate kid: when did you last have to work really hard to achieve something you’re proud of?

the last time was probably forming the alliance. she put a lot of work into recruiting new people and winning their trust - and even more into creating an environment where republic and imperials, sith and jedi, could work together without it ending in a bloodbath. the alliance remains her proudest achievement, and the one thing that she wanted to be remembered past her time - proof that these warring factions could co-exist and thrive.

[bcrsenthor]

👀 …someone my muse likes, but doesn’t trust.

there are... a lot.

it’s very easy to become someone that melyn likes. her bar for people she likes is practically on the ground, you just have to do the absolute basic of not willingly committing war crimes. but trust comes harder for her.

a lot of people assume that because she’s so easy to like people, she’s naive and overly trusting but she really isn’t. she tries to see the best in people, but just because she’ll smile and have a friendly conversation with you, it doesn’t mean that she’ll hesitate before tossing you in the air with the force.

the main people who fall under this category are dark siders, though that isn’t to say that everyone she distrusts is dark sided (especially in this new time where she’s still getting her bearings), or that she distrusts every dark sider (one of her most trust allies is a sith lord).

[bcrsenthor]

lore. melyn has a number of different titles. they’re used in different contexts, by different factions, and have wildly different connotations.

her first title was barsen’thor. barsen’thor means ‘warden of the order’. it’s a title that only two jedi had been given before her, and she was given it in recognition of the sacrifices she had made to heal jedi corrupted by a dark side plague. this is the title that the jedi remember her as, and with this title she’s seen as a wise and compassionate jedi master. this is the title that she’s most likely to introduce herself using, especially to other force-users.

her second title was the outlander. this was given to her by emperor arcann of zakuul, after he used her as a scapegoat to get away with murdering his father, the so-called immortal emperor valkorion. to the people of zakuul, she is the outlander - a cruel, dangerous terrorist who robbed them of their beloved emperor. this... is not a title that she’s likely to use for herself, aside from in very specific circumstances.

her third title is the commander. specifically, the commander of the eternal alliance. she was given this title when the alliance officially recognised her as the commander on odessen. those in both the republic and the empire recognise her as the commander, and as the commander she’s seen as an intelligent and powerful force, though specific individuals impressions of her vary - the alliance members are more likely to speak of her fairness, the empire of her strength. this is another title she willingly uses for herself, though she’s aware that history has not remembered her alliance, so she’s less likely to use it unless she feels like being super-formal. which... happens.

she’s been known by other titles over the course of her career - the mender of the rift and scorekeeper’s herald being two - but these are the significant ones that are most likely to become relevant.

[bcrsenthor]

cravked​:

the words don’t surprise her, and trilla processed for a moment that she probably should have said something with an ounce of empathy. but she doesn’t. melyn’s words don’t prompt anything out of her for a moment. it had only been about two decades since she had killed and yet it already felt different for her, too. the empire was still here, but things had shifted drastically. she didn’t want to be a part of it.

“you will not find that here, unless you decide to stay far in the outer rim,” she stated bluntly. that was what she intended to do for now. “that is what i’m doing. but i don’t have the same kind of obligations as you do, i suppose.”

the thought of just staying out of everything was tempting, for a moment. melyn had never been the type to complain - had always diligently carried out her duties, happy to help no matter what - but recent times had been exhausting. she still hadn’t fully recovered from valkorion’s attempt to take over her.

but trilla was right. she had obligations. as long as she could stand, she would fight for the freedom of others - she may no longer be a member of the order, but that much she still stood by.

“i doubt i could rest knowing that others are suffering.” there was no judgement to her voice; she couldn’t fault trilla for wanting to stay away. whether or not one wished to fight should always be a choice, “how much i am able to help may be limited... but i will do what i can.”

besides, if she stayed in the outer rim, she would have no chance in finding any members of the alliance who may have been swept here with her.