Evaluation

Making the trek from the Gnarls to the Jedi Temple was treacherous, but not impossible. Flesh Raiders lurked in the brush and ruins, but you managed to clear them out. Eventually, you leave the training grounds behind and come to stand before the heart of the Jedi Order.

The Jedi Temple stands tall over the valley it is nestled in, flanked by ridges and waterfalls. The prodigious complex towers over you, its vaunted heights shining with the craftsmanship of the Jedi who'd laid the foundations for the return of the Order.

Scattered before the front steps are various sparring platforms, hosting ongoing practice duels. Some padawan face each other while others take on droids.

You pass them by and make your way forward, moving up and inside the Temple-

Suddenly, your holocom rings and you answer the call.

"Padawan," a woman speaks, dressed in Jedi robes and donned in sparse plating. "I'm Satele Shan, leader of the Jedi Council. I'd like to speak privately with you before we meet with the others."

You blink, staring at the apparent head of the Order. She was talking to you. Satele Shan. The legendary Knight who'd lead armies and battled the Sith on countless worlds, who'd survived the Sith invasion of Korriban, and then turned the tide in the battle for Alderaan. She was talking to you-

Satele Shan clears her throat, one eyebrow raised. You flush red and stumble over your words. "I- Yes, of course! ...Have I done something wrong?"

"No, you aren't in trouble. Please, come find me in my meditation room in the temple."

The call ends, but a location is marked on your holomap. Studying it, then glancing around, you begin navigating the winding halls. After bumping into a few people and arriving at the wrong rooms, you eventually find the right one, tucked away in a quiet corner.

You step inside and glance around, finding the Jedi Grandmaster herself kneeling in the middle of the room. She practically glowed with the ****, exuding an aura and presence that shined like a beacon.

You stare in awe as that light dims, her focus now coming to you.

"Welcome, padawan." She rises up, formal and polite. You can't help but notice that age and stress have done nothing to erode the curves of her figure. "The temple is already buzzing with accounts of your heroism in the training grounds."

You rub your neck as she mentions Master Orgus, who apparently mentioned your confrontation with the fallen Jedi in a report.

"That must have been a disturbing confrontation, are you alright?"

You stare at her, and then look back on the fight. It'd been intense, the stakes far greater than any duel or spar you'd taken part in. Loss meant ****, victory still resulted in it, just not for you. In reflection, it was a harrowing experience, but the surge of adrenaline and thrill of the fight had been intoxicating.

"I'm alright... I think." You inhale deeply and struggle not to clench a hand into a fist. "I saved the other padawan, but at the other ****-user's life."

Master Shan nods, her lips creased. "Indeed. Taking a life affects the Living ****, as well as the one who does the killing." She clasps her hands and circles you, her eyes studying your posture. "This is why Jedi must enter battles calmly, with reason. Emotions like fear and anger lead to the Dark Side."

You press your lips together tightly, remembering what you'd seen and done. "I saw what the Flesh Raiders did to the other padawan... How do I not feel fear or anger?"

Master Shan bows her head and breathes in. "I know it is hard to let go of the things that hurt us. Sometimes, even I feel the need for retribution. However, we must remember not to let our emotions compel us to seek conflict when our duty is to end such things." She sets a hand on your shoulder then, and looks you in the eye with a piercing gaze. "There is no emotion, there is peace. Remember those words when times are darkest."