PART 29 – Bromance
Kashyyyk Shadowlands I wonder if the Star Map has had an effect on the evolution of the creatures here in the Shadowlands. Might explain why it’s so dangerous down here. An interesting theory, but I suppose we don’t have time to test it now, do we? Now that we’ve got what you came for we should be heading back up to the treetops.I think we can actually just leave at this point and leave Zaalbar behind. But we are pretty close to wrapping that, and everything else in this planet, up too, so let’s do it already.
Or, rather, after talking to Carth.
:
I, ahhh… I’m not very good at this. I… I know I owe you an apology. Uh, more than one, probably. I was just so desperate to finally face Saul directly in battle over Taris, and now the Jedi have us looking for these… these Star Maps. I know this mission is important, it’s just… I feel a bit useless. I can fight, sure, but I’m no Jedi… all this feels completely out of my league.Carth, shut up. You are by far the greatest damage dealer in the late game short of a minmaxed PC.
Why don’t you return to the frontlines, then?:
Because this is more important. This may really, finally, make a difference… I suppose even if I can’t figure out everything that’s going on, I still want to help if I can. I just hate not knowing what’s going on and feeling this… helpless. But I shouldn’t have taken that out on you. I’ve been a royal pain in the backside, haven’t I? You sure have.:
Ha! Well… I guess I should be at least a little pleased that I haven’t lost my touch. So… I’m sorry. Will you accept my apology?If this isn’t bromance, I don’t know what is.
Only if you agree to work with me, for once.:
Done! Let’s get underway, then, shall we… partner?Now on to progress the story again!
Don’t let the name fool you. This is the Terentatek mentioned back when we were leaving Dantooine. It’s supposed to be pretty dangerous and serves at the planet’s boss fight, but…
It just gets stunlocked to death.
This was a pretty nice screencap, though.
Corpse:
[While certainly painful, it appears the blade caused only surface damage to the creature. Who knows how long it lived with this injury. You remove the blade from the corpse. It must be the one that Freyyr spoke of, the lost portion of Bacca’s blade, a powerful symbol of his people.]There’s also a little inscription nearby.
Inscription:
[The beast comes when summoned, if you are generous. It comes to battle, if you are worthy and wise. It grants you glory, if you are fearsome and brave. Feed the beast and it will hear your call. Take vipers from their lair and hang them from above. Let the blood scent the ground of our ancestors. Obviously this was once a place of great importance.]This data pad was recovered from the remains of a terentatek on Kashyyyk, and must have been devoured by the beast. It appears to be the personal journal of Guun Han Saresh. The last entry explains what he was doing on Kashyyyk: “Duran and Shaela have given in to their passion for each other, and are doomed to fall to the dark side. I tried to warn them against expressing their love, but they called me – ME! – of being the one on the dark path. I left the fools on Korriban. But I am not about to abandon the mandate given me by the Jedi Council. I will destroy the terentatek whever I find them. I have heard many rumors such a beast may exist in the Shadowlands of Kashyyyk. I shall go there and slay the beast, proving that I do not need either Duran or Shaela with me to defeat these creatures!]
What an asshole. Still, this provides some nice foreshadowing of one of the dangers of Korriban.
Let’s go back to the one true carpet.
Freyyyr:
Please, tell me you have made progress. Having the blade will gain me valuable support. I have found the blade of Bacca’s sword.Freyyr:
You have? Please let me see it. I must be sure! Wait a minute. What’s in it for me?Freyyr:
What? I… I have nothing. I’ve been here for years. When we have succeeded, I will see you are rewarded. Here, take it. I’m sure it’s the one.Freyyr:
It… it is! It may not look like much… but it is a very important relic of my people. Tradition dictates that it be respected. I didn’t think I was worthy to search for it, but I realize that was a selfish despair. I should have challenged Chuundar long ago. I will make amends now. I have new hope. You have led me to this. Perhaps this is what the Great Beast wanted.No. It was a dark side rancor that wanted to eat me.
Yes, time to take the fight to Chuundar himself!Freyyr:
I will climb to the surface as quickly as possible and try to gather support. You will have to follow on the paths as soon as you can, Deth Sord. When you arrive, we will confront Chuundar in the throne room. My people will no longer be slaves.While walking back, I get a scene.
Yeah, that’s right, sonny. The Sith are the greatest evil to hit the galaxy since, well, the Mandalorians. And they’re the worst thing since Exar Kun. Blah, blah, blah, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.:
Okay, old man, you lost me there. Are you trying to make a point? Look, everybody always figures the time they live in is the most epic, most important age to end all ages. But tyrants and heroes rise and fall, and historians sort out the pieces. If you feel that way, why did you come with us? Malak is a tyrant who should be stopped. If he conquers the galaxy we’re in for a couple of rough centuries. Eventually, it’ll come around again, but I’d rather not wait that long. So we do what we have to do, and we try to stop the Sith. But don’t start thinking this war –your war – is more important than any other war just because you’re in it.:
That’s an interesting theory, but I don’t buy it. The Republic stands for something; it’s stood for fifteen thousand years. And if it falls, everything will change forever. You believe whatever you need to get you through this, sonny. The bottom line is we both want to stop Malak, so let’s not get hung up on the details. Let’s just get back to stopping him.When we finally get to the elevator…
Gorwooken:
You should have followed the will of Chuundar! Now you will face his wrath!He has a few lackeys. They all go down to my incredible strategy of stunlocking.
[You begin the long ascent to the upper boughs of Kashyyyk.]I could have just taken the descent screenshots and put them in reverse order, but I didn’t . That is how much I care about you, hypothetical reader.
KashyyykWe approach the village so we can finally leave this place and see daylight again.
Chorrawl:
My fellow hunters split on what should be done. Some were loyal to Chuundar alone… we had to fight. Freyyr went to the throne room to challenge Chuundar. I will take you to him now. You fought each other? Why?Chorrawl:
We follow the Chieftain, whoever that is. If the position is in doubt, we each fight for the side we believe in. This must be decided quickly, or there will be much more bloodshed. Come, it is this way. Lead on. We should hurry.Chorrawl:
Yes, much is about to be decided. Only one can lead us. *Must* lead us. Come.Chuundar:
You have Bacca’s blade? So what! I have the hilt, held by each true Chieftain in recent memory! Even you claimed it was all-important! We both have our ancient trinkets, so who will the people follow now? You? You are old and weak! Shut up! Both of you! This ends today! I… I will not see Rwookrrorro suffer any more! Quiet down. We’ll use this to our advantage. I… I don’t know what to do, Deth Sord. Chuundar has been telling me things... he makes sense… I think. I don’t know. Do you have to fight? Talk it through! Could we work together? It would be difficult… Convince them! Avoid this needles slaughter! Then so be it! The fighting stops here! I will not have our world destroyed beneath you two!Freyyr:
Perhaps there is hope. What say you, Chuundar?Chuundar:
What do I say? I still have Czerka support. I say you die! Attack!A fight ensues.
But it seems we are straying for our ordained path.
Freyyr:
Zaalbar, my son. I am truly sorry. You have suffered a great shame. I was blind. I have no excuse. I can forgive, father. I have learned a lot over the years. What will you do about the slavers?]
Freyyr:
We will fight them. It will be difficult, but I swear they won’t take another one of my people without bloodshed. I’ll send quick-climbers to other villages and try to rally a defense. We must guard against this ever happening again. You will be the last outsider welcome here for a very long time. This is a change for the better, I think.He will build a wall and make Czerka pay for it.
What will you do now, Zaalbar? Returning Home has lifted a great weight from my mind… but it has been painful as well.Freyyr:
You have a place by my side, Zaalbar. I would be honored if you would take it. I… I can’t. Not yet. I’m just getting used to being free… and not just from the slavers. And I have a life-debt. Now that my life is truly my own again, honoring that agreement is all the more important.Freyyr:
Listen to my son! His insight humbles me. Take that good judgment with you and all the planets will come to revere Wookiee wisdom. I have a few questions about Kashyyyk, Freyyr.Freyyr:
Could they wait? I will answer what I can later, but we need to settle our current business. There is much that needs to be done. Enough. I want my reward and then I’m leaving.Nobody refuses to answer my useless questions and continues to be treated politely!
Freyyr:
I have not forgotten you, Deth Sord. You don’t need to make demands. You have done us a great service. Kashyyyk will remember you well past your lifetime. Because of you, I am reinstated as Chieftain. We will return to the old ways, when honor and trust of kin ruled above all else. I’m not sure there is a reward that accurately reflects the value of what you have done. Our world is changed because of you. I have a request, father. I have thought about it a great deal. I would like Bacca’s Sword. That would be fitting, I think.Freyyr:
Well… That is quite a request. I am tempted to say no but… perhaps I should consider it an investment. Zaalbar, do you understand what this will mean? It is the legacy of our people, held by chieftains… and future chieftains. I understand. I want this, father. I’ll bring it back one day.Freyyr:
I have no doubt. Let the two halves of the blade be made one. My son shall hold Bacca’s Sword.Level up: get.
Gotta go fast.
Now, for the real plot of this planet: Carth.
:
I already told you. He betrayed us all. It just seems to be more… personal than that, is all.:
Well, there… there is more to it. I’m… I’m sure you don’t want to hear about it. I do, if that’s alright with you.:
It’s just that I… don’t talk about it very much. Ok? I told you about my homeworld. Telos. Four years ago, Saul led the Sith fleet there and demanded its surrender. The planet refused and Saul proceeded to devastate its entire surface. Millions died. I had… a wife and son on Telos. I thought they would be safe there. But my task force arrived too late to be of much help. We didn’t have enough medical supplies. The colony was burning and the dying were everywhere. I remember holding my wife and screaming for the medics. They… didn’t come in time. What happened after that?:
I had… had nothing left after that, really. I devoted myself to the fleet. Hunting Saul was my only purpose. I… miss them. I know killing Saul won’t bring them back, and it won’t make me happy again… but I have to do it. I don’t expect you to understand. I have to pay him back for what he’s done… I have to. It’s all I have left. So this is where all that anger comes from.:
Yes. I can’t forgive Saul for this. He took everything from me, even… even my trust. I hope you can understand that. So what happened to your son? You didn’t say.:
His name was Dustil and I don’t know what happened to him. The colony was a complete ruin, and we never found any trace of him. I made inquiries and followed the reports from Telos for years, but… I stopped. Anyway… I hope that answers you questions. Let’s, uh… let’s continue with what we were doing.Sweet, sweet loot.
Only a few more things to do in this stupid planet.
You should show respect. I’m Deth Sord. I helped Freyyr back to power.JaarakYou are an outsider. Your kind have done more damage here than any one of you could ever hope to fix. You taint us… and bring out the worst in everything. You will get no respect from me.[/i]
Do you recognize this bowcaster bolt casing?Jaarak:
The casing is mine. It bears my family runes, and marking for each of the creatures I have killed.:
*sigh* This will end in sadness. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.Jaarak:
Where did you get that, outsider? Did you have someone steal it? Have you sunk to petty theft now? I found it on Rorworr’s corpse. You killed him, didn’t you?Jaarak:
What… what are you talking about? I warn you, outsider, I won’t tolerate your lies in my home. Can you explain why your bowcaster casing was found on his body?Woorwill:
What is going on Jaarak? What are they talking about?Jaarak:
Nothing! Outsider lies! Do not listen to them, Woorwill! Rorworr was dealing with the slavers. I found his datapad.Jaarak:
No! Don’t say anything else! I can’t let you… I killed Rorworr. Tell Worrroznor, Holder of the Laws… he will judge me.Fuck you for making type that name.
Jaarak:
Please… say nothing to Woorwill. Let a trial call me guilty. Let me be the monster, not Rorworr. Tell Worrroznor, Holder of the Laws, in the home east of there.And for making me do it again. Also, Woorwill is
RIGHT NEXT TO YOU, LISTENING TO THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION!Woorwill:
Jaarak will… explain what he has said. I know he will. You don’t know anything, and I won’t listen to you.Wait, he’s an imbecile, nevermind.
Either way, to the other idiot with the stupid name.
Do you know who owns this bolt casing?Worrroznor:
Hmm… let’s see if the family insignia is there. Yes, there it is. This belongs to Jaarak. Er… how did you get it? Tell me something. What’s the penalty for murder?Worrroznor:
That would depend on the circumstances. We rarely have such crimes here. Wookiee honor does not allow it. When we have had a murder, the punishment was usually death. There is rarely any justification that would dictate otherwise. I found Jaarak’s bolt casing on Rorworr’s corpse.Worrroznor:
Oh my… that is… very distressing. It definitely seems to suggest that Jaarak helped in Rorworr’s death. I… I can’t ignore this. Wait here, outsider. I must address this. I will have Jaarak brought here… And I hope he can explain this… I really do.Jaarak:
I won’t answer. I can’t. Worrroznor, must Woorwill be here?Worrroznor:
Woorwill has a bond with Rorworr. He is the closest to family that can be found. He is entitled to be here. Jaarak, please speak. If you are guilty, it means death. This outsider will be given your possessions. Do you want that?I do!
Jaarak, won’t you say anything in your own defense?Jaarak:
I killed Rorworr. I will accept whatever punishment is given. It’s better if only my honor is tained.Woorwill:
You did do it? Why? Rorworr was good and honorable! Why did you kill him?Jaarak:
You only need to know that I did it. The reason is unimportant. Woorwill… I’m sorry. Is there no alternative to death as punishment?Worrroznor:
If there were circumstances that led to the attack, perhaps we could consider another punishment. It all depends on what was behind it. I urge you caution. This may seem like the right path to follow… but you do not know these people as I do.Worrroznor:
This is a failure of honor. It is very serious. Were there any mitigating factors we need to be aware of? Jaarak, won’t you say anything in your own defense?This is really stupid. The only other option at this point is: “so I get paid if he dies?”
Jaarak:
I killed Rorworr. I will accept whatever punishment is given. It’s better if only my honor is tained.It even repeats the same line. I will skip Woorwill flipping his lid and Jaarak refusing to explain himself again.
Kill him. I found nothing to justify the murder.Woorwill:
Nothing? There was no reason? You just killed him? Why! There has to be a reason why!Jaarak:
I’m sorry, Woorwill… I can’t give a reason. It was between me and Rorworr, and neither of us will talk. Kill him then. Jaarak must *pay* for his crime.Worrroznor:
And so he shall. Jaarak, you will be taken from us and cast into shadow. Your hunt ends. There was pain no matter how it ended. Perhaps this is for the best.Worrroznor:
And though we abandon you, may Bacca lead you through your shame.There is a little cut and back to stupid-name again.
Worrroznor:
Hello again, outsider. I… wish you had not seen us at our worst. A murder with no reason… it’s unsettiling. Is there a reward for my service?Worrroznor:
Yes, yes there is. You are to receive the credit equivalent of one third of Jaarak’s possessions. Woorwill gets the rest. He is the closest to family that Rorworr had left. The others were lost to slavers. Here, take it. I thank you for your help. Now please, just go. Goodbye, then.Worrroznor:
Goodbye, outsider. Goodbye.Title drop!
When we step outside the village, this happens:
Uh… thanks.Senni Vek:
My pleasure, human. You should examine it to make sure it is not broken. Goodbye, human.Well, that was odd. Let’s see what we dropped.
This datapad contains a single short cryptic message: The Genoharadan say to see Hulas on Manaan. Come alone or not at all.
Well, that sounds ominous. But first we need to leave this place.
So uh… remember the debt-slavery quest? I forgot that completing the planet’s plot in Freyyr’s favour automatically fails the quest. Whoops.
Well, the carpets went and slaughtered all the Czerka wage-slaves for making them regular slaves.
And we’re done with Kashyyyk! Well, there are conversations inside the ship, but I’ll leave those for later. Up next is a bonus update showing the completion of the failed quest plus siding with Glorious Leader Chuundar.