New Tython
Arca Praxeum
Outer Walls

The echoing trills of the valley's avian life swept through the calm morning air, as a mist settled over the Praxeum. It would not last, Liam knew, but it was a peace.

He smirked to himself, as he strode the massive walls that surrounded the Praxeum. Ancient, adorned only with the carvings and symbols of a long-lost Harakoan Empire, the huge walls and pyramidal structures of the Praxeum had been in this valley for thousands of years. By the grace of the native peoples of the planet, it now housed the young House of Odan-Urr. It was a place of seclusion, far from the political doings and Galactic struggles that had so often framed the lives of the Jedi Order.

Striding further, Liam looked down into the massive courtyard below, smiling down on a part of that Order's future.

Gathered below, taking instruction from the Shard Jedi, Solari, a group of Initiates underwent combat drills. Some had come from distant worlds, spirited away from the Brotherhood's Shadow Academy or coaxed to New Tython by the Odanites themselves. Some were defectors, former Sith who had seen the error of their ways; still others, a far larger group, came from the planet itself. Humans, Mon Calamari, Bothans, and even a couple of Harakoan youths joined in the drills. It had been a firm rule in the Treaty of Menat Ombo, that agreement that allowed the world its restive peace.

All who had the potential, and who wished to embark, had to be allowed to join the Odanite Jedi.

A soft sound, barely a whisper of leather on stone, sounded behind him. Calmly, slowly, he turned to his Rollmaster with a small nod. "Rhiann. I did not expect to find you here."

"We've all faced the unexpected, lately." The Sephi replied, the morning light softening the angles of her face, hiding a bit of the weariness. She looked over the beings below. "It's finally over, then? Do you think the Dark Crusade is done?" She motioned toward the gathered students below. "Most of these newcomers won't become Jedi. The training is too hard, and their skills aren't all up to the task."

"Not all those who fight for the Light need to do so with a lightsaber." The older man replied, giving them all a measuring look. "We need eyes, ears, and agents as badly as we need new warriors."

Rhiann gave him a troubled look. "You think it's over, then? The Dark Lord's Crusade, and their war on the One Sith?" She lowered her voice. "You think Ashen will tolerate this buildup?"

Liam thought for a moment; his answer was resolute, and for just a moment, his voice was made of iron. "I think that we can no longer rely on the Dark Lord's curiosity for our protection," The elderly Jedi replied, resting his hands on his hips. "They will go to war again, on this or a thousand other worlds, and we will need to be ready. War is the stock and trade of the Sith."

Rhiann nodded. "Do you ever wonder..." She paused. "Quaestor, is all this futile? Whatever peace we create never lasts, and the Dark Side never stops trying to take over. Are we fighting a losing battle?"

Liam smiled, and turned away. "Even though the harvest never lasts," He replied, "The farmer still plants new crops each year. Does this make his task futile, or is it work worth doing?"

Considering the old man's wisdom, and his characteristic lack of worry, Baenre couldn't help but smile. She looked over the younglings again; then to the sky, to the outline of the Last Stand high above the clouds. It was going to be a good harvest.

Good morning, Odanites! Today is my first report since the conclusion of Fading Light's third and final round. It gives me great pleasure to state that our House took fourth place in the event, and thus netted ourselves a Victory-Class Star Destroyer for our Fleet! In the coming weeks, look forward to an event that will deal with Odan-Urr's acquisition of this starship, which nicely rounds out the ships we've acquired throughout the Crusade thus far.

So many of our members are doing well these days; I can't open my inbox without a list of medals and promotions to look at, or some new discussion of our Jedi and their excellence. I want to give a big congratulations to Rhiann Baenre, our Rollmaster, on her Silver Nova for the Fading Light 3 Graphics event. Also, a huge congratulations to our very own V'yr Vorsa, Shorurra, and Seraphol Ceartas; this year, Odan-Urr's members have earned no fewer than three of the prestigious Seals of Loyalty for service to the Brotherhood. Exceptional work!

Our Battleteams are about to be shaken up, to help us deal with our present activity and encourage growth in new and exciting ways. Our discussions are all still in the planning stages, but for now, it is looking like the Knights of Allusis shall lead our competitive endeavours against the rest of the Brotherhood. Meanwhile, Strike-Team Ooroo will focus on teaching administrative and upper-level planning skills, while the Disciples of Baas focus on general skills and the Path of the Jedi, Master and Student. Stay tuned for more updates.

One more thing I want to mention. Recently, in a House discussion that went political, I made it clear that anyone who wanted to talk politics could do so on the Forums, or even the Googlegroup, provided they began their post or titled their subject with a "Politics" tag. So long as these discussions stayed civil, they would be allowed to go on and would not be clamped down upon by the Summit. This was done as a way to give you Jedi the chance to speak to each other about any topic, uncensored, and to prove that you were the respectful and mature people I had hoped you all would be.

I have been blown out of the water by the response. Carrying on talks from political office, to education policies, to the ever-flammable gun rights, every Odanite here has remained civil and even friendly as they discuss bitterly opposed points and argue the merits of issues that split most groups in half. Through it all, you have forged a stronger bond with one another, and our growth can only benefit from this.

Well done, Odanites. I'll see you all on IRC.

Korriban is coming.

Our next Vendetta event in the Brotherhood will be the Great Jedi War, which to my knowledge takes place on the planet Korriban and will represent the ultimate struggle of the Brotherhood against the One Sith, and our final battle to blunt the edges of both sides and help ensure peace in the Galaxy. This war will be the ultimate test of our ability to stand and fight, with the Brotherhood in attendance - and after our Fading Light 3 performance, I am confident we'll do well.

House Shar Dakhan of Clan Naga Sadow is looking for a new Battleteam Leader. This is a great entry point for our Journeymen into Brotherhood leadership, and as always, our Summit welcomes the chance to work together with another Brotherhood unit. Any Jedi interested in the position should contact the Summit of House Shar Dakhan, or check out the news post below this one.

Huge congratulations go out to Clan Taldryan, once more the First Clan of the Brotherhood, for their hard work and victory over Fading Light. Congratulations also to the Heroes of Fading Light, and their impressive accomplishments. The news post below lists more metrics, but among them you can see such mind-boggling accomplishments for the club as the completion of over one hundred thousand words in Fading Light 3's Fiction event, and over two hundred and fifty thousand words in Fading Light's Run-On. Well done, everyone! This goes to show that your work - no matter how small, or insignificant - is another stone in the avalanche of progress. Even the smallest Apprentice can make a difference.

A ship in peril calls out for help, and Odan-Urr answers - but is the crew what they expected? Can the members of factions long opposed put aside past battles, and work together for mutual gain? Only time will tell.

A darkness Ascends in our near future, rising up to engulf the innocent; against it, our Light provides the only defense for a world rich in goods, but poor in armaments. I foresee a violent battle, with the day's decisive victory forming the opening salvo of a long and bitter conflict.

Also, ten bucks says we'll be picking Wookiee hair out of the Praxeum stones again. Seriously, Shorurra, it's called a trimmer.

Fading Light is over. Our House has grown, and will be ready for the war to come. Meanwhile, opportunities open up in the greater Brotherhood and new opportunities have appeared on the horizon. Take your well-deserved rest, Odanites; we reap what we sew, and our work thus far has been the planting of a great many seeds of the future.

Judging by your hard work, it's going to be one hell of a good harvest.

Until next time,

May the Force be with you!

Signed and Sealed,

Liam Torun
Consular Cleric
Quaestor of House Odan-Urr