[Factions Ep. 8 - Cat. A][I7 - Ankus - FF] Unwinding Before the Expedition to Hapes

[RocketBoy]

*Your entry has earned 17 XP*

Quote

Through the struggles and sacrifices of the Cragmaloids and the Freedom Fighters, the TaggeCo slavers have been defeated, and ANKUS has been freed. 
Most of the Freedom Fighters depart to Ilum, but for the first time, the grateful Cragmaloids take a leap of faith and invite outsiders to dwell among their proud people. The Followers of the Force are given land to establish villages, where they might live in harmony with the native people and find their lives enriched by the spirit of this ancient planet.

The village of Pathabigani (meaning "Trust Given to Friends" in the Cragmaloid's bellowing language) is currently preparing a select few for an expedition to a far-off system in search of Force-important artifacts. But in the late afternoon we see that work for the day has wound down. The researchers, technicians, farmers, and refugees all enjoy food and drink, mingling and talking and joking together. Everyone's attention gradually turns to the game of Corellian Spike being played by the runaway Prince, the wandering Bo'Barbi, and Sakaru Onichi in the lamplight under the awning. Suddenly, the crowd erupts into cheers and groans: at a climatic moment Sakaru reveals a winning Bantha's Wild, cementing the Prince's shocking defeat. Nobody is more shocked than the Prince himself, but Sakaru takes the victory with grace.

Who's Who (Character Bios)

Spoiler

Descriptions are Left to Right.



The Village Leader (Lenos "Len" Scostiger)
One of the rare Padawans to escape the Jedi Purge, this man turned to a quiet life in the financial sector until he eventually joined the Rebellion. Now he serves as the thoughtful, stalwart leader of a Follower village on Ankus. Every 7 days, he goes to the sacred pools to talk with the proud Cragmoloid sages as a representative of his own people, humble before their generosity. He is married to Taavari.

Zabrak Soothsayer (Taavari Scostiger, née Taakbaani)
Born out of the Iridonian traditions of long-gazing, this force-sensitive mystic uses lots and bits of bone to try to glimpse future events, which as of late, has been focused on harvests and droughts. She met Len while they were both foot soldiers for the Rebellion, and they were married on Yavin IV. 

Sarcastic Astromech (V3-R4 "Verne")
Equipped with a vocalizer and an extremely sarcastic personality, Verne has an upper-class snobbery about nearly everything. He travels with the young not-quite-a-Mandalorian mercenary Cambry Owens, who he has recently misplaced.

Ardennian Droidsmith (Zapf Nunn)
Zapf used to build battle-droids for competitions in some of the most lucrative arenas in the galaxy, which means he's had a hand in the death of a lot of machines. He doesn't really like to talk about his past too much, except to share the occasional rogue anecdote, but he spends most of his speed-talking on droid specs, plans, and parts he needs that haven't arrived. Zapf is the eccentric mastermind behind the Followers' loadlifter-turned-exploration-droid, "Hutch". 

Rodian Cook (Gooobek) 
Gooobek isn't known for his intelligence or cunning, but he's beloved among the village folk. After escaping a life as a line chef on Coruscant, he's happy to cook in the open air for his fellow Followers. Goob has taken to the teachings more than most, drawn by the principles of universal love and compassion.



Miralian Defender (Paala Vun)
Originally a student of economics, Paala became a revolutionary leader on her home planet of Onderon. While her planet ended up freed from oppression, the things she did in the pursuit of that freedom had left her unsuited for settling down, and she left to look for redemption with the Followers of the Force.

Hylobon Astromatics Specialist (Aereon Ra)
Aereon grew up tinkering on ships and working airfields on his home planet of Corellia. Eventually, he leveraged this skill to join the Crimson Dawn, where he was something of a black sheep to his fellow Hylobon's, the majority of whom served as enforcers, not "grease monkeys". Eventually he had had enough of shady dealings and fearing for his life, and went far the other direction by joining the Followers of the Force. In them, he has found a family.

Wandering Bounty Hunter (Esno Bo'Barbi)
The slumping, bearded, mysterious figure might look like typical Cantina trash to some, but his casual exterior belies the fact that he has been called the "inescapable man", and for good reason. Bo'Barbi made his name (one of several by which he's known) as a bounty hunter in some of the worst hellholes in the galaxy, working for the worst of the syndicates, but as time has gone on, he has softened. His affections have become more distinctly tied to those to whom he is loyal, including the Honn family and Admiral Yima. He makes the rounds at the various villages, serving where he can before moving on, ever a wandering Ronin. 

Weequay Quartermaster (Que-Mars)
Not all Weequay are known for organizational prowess, but Que-Mars is proud to unravel that perception. He's a strict boss and runs a tight ship, but sincerely wants his people to trust and look up to him.

Duros Cargo Technician (Orv Shineer)
An undisciplined, cynical, and darkly humorous person, the only time Orv doesn't have a bottle of Antellan Scotch in his hand is when he has to settle for Corellian Ale. Not a true believer, but he appreciates the Followers of the Force and how they've welcomed him. He works as a Cargo Technician under Que-Mars.

Pantoran Mechanic (Sakaru Onichi)
Quiet and intense, Sakaru is one of the best gearheads in the village. She is also a wonderful Sabaac player, as many a loser will tell you. She long ago figured out what most good Sabaac players don't--if you keep your head down, your winning streaks never have to end.

Human Ex-Racer (Shasta Gen)
Swoops, Airspeeders, Starships, she's flown them all, and at the kinds of blistering speeds that would shatter most humans. She loved the limelight, but the world of racing is fueled by credits, and credits can get you in trouble. Complications with Outer Rim criminals forced her to flee the circuit in search of a new life, but she didn't leave behind her flare for showmanship.

Human Test Pilot (Fanak Loreon)
Hailing from the Core Worlds, this professional pilot graduated from the Academy with top marks and went on to a well-paid job stress-testing new starship models for the Incom Corporation. He used his connections during the war to funnel resources towards the Rebellion, and finally quit Incom just after the Battle of Yavin to fly for the New Republic. Ever since the demilitarization, he has chosen to lend his skills to the Freedom Fighters, rather than return to his comfortable life on Fondor.

Trandoshan Brewer (Jacasc'k)
A long-standing member of the Followers of the Force and a true craftswoman, the cheerful Jacasc'k grew up in a colony away from other Trandoshans, where she learned the brewing trade from her Crolute mentor. Her patrons boast that she makes the tastiest, hoppiest, lightest brews in the New Territories, though she's thought about broaching a new challenge and expanding into honey meads.

Givin Translator (Yik'Vinah)
Once a student at the Chandrilian Academy, Yik'Vinah has traveled to the newly-liberated Ankus to work with the Followers' researchers to document, preserve, and celebrate Cragmaloid culture. This is a sensitive subject with the Cragmaloids themselves, who for millennia have relied on nothing more than memory and oral tradition to keep their ways alive. If there isn't a breakthrough in the conversation soon, the prickly Yik'Vinah plans to leave in search of more willing subjects.

Abyssian Surveyor (Gonus Borunus)
You would think having one eye would make you a bad surveyor, but Gonus Borunus makes up for it with liberal use of technology and doctor-like steadiness of the hand. He has a fond eagerness to hear the stories of others, and has spent a lot of time with Esno Bo'Barbi since the latter's arrival.

Runaway Prince (Kinder Vas Carrian)
Tired of the royal life and its politics and imposition, the swaggering, clever Prince Kinder fled his family to begin a new life with the Followers of the Force. To his surprise, there are many eligible mates among the Followers, but try as he might, it's been a humbling experience thus far.

Human Farmer (Bonnik "Bonk" Laretti) and Agritech (Costie Onaparea)
Childhood friends, the both of them immigrated to Ankus when the new colonies were founded after the liberation. While Costie works with the skimmers, moisture regulators, agridroids, and weather vanes--the technology of farming--Bonnik (or "Bonk" to her friends) likes to get her hands into the dirt.



Human Cargo Technician (Pago Menni)
Pago has served for years onboard the FS Peace and Quiet, and he's enjoyed the life of constant travel and bustling corridors. But a life in space can wear on a person, always standing on durasteel and breathing recycled air. It's about time he made it planetside, and he intends to give it a shot for the next few years.

Ugnaught Philosopher/Musician (Webel Koinn)
One of the most talented Halikset players in the galaxy (though he would never admit it), Koinn is a poet, philosopher, farmer, and a devotee of the Force. Most impressively of all, he is a lifelong learner, and a humble and understated conversationalist. Normally, he lives on Wayland, but he was so intrigued by Ankus and the Cragmaloids that he came to discover new inspiration and teachings among its rolling hills and baobab trees.

Lurmen Elder (Ko Won Maa)
A refugee from Mygeeto, long separated from his people, Ko Won Maa spends most of his time in meditation and discussion with his good friend, Gevikan Naal. He feels certain that his time is drawing near, but he's been saying that for decades, and his companion will tell you that he might just be a bitmelodramatic.

Lannik Sage (Gevikan Naal)
The straight man to his friend Ko Won Maa's eccentricities and dramatisms, Sage Naal is a steady, good-humored presence, and an ardent appreciator of fine tea and well-written soliloquys. After a lucrative life in trade, he became a sage after the death of his wife, when travelling in search of profound spiritual truth felt like the only thing that could still be worth doing in her absence. He is grateful for the friendship he has in Ko Won Maa, and is all-too-aware of his place in his friend's life as a balancing influence.

More Photos

Spoiler

Build Photos

Spoiler

Thanks for looking!

Edited July 1, 2021 by RocketBoy

[caiman0637]

Nice, detailed build! I love the feel of busyness, and those minifigures are awesome!

[Jody Meyer]

this is super impressive. Love the Characters! great setting build as well. 

[n1majneb]

A wonderful build, I love the planets piece roof (i've used for similar before and they are really effective).
I love how it's almost divided into thirds, The building and rocky outcrop, the tarmac and then the Baobab and surrounding fauna.
I think you've really captured a sense of community here in the build with the placement of minifigures. I think there was a danger of a cluttered build but the placement negates this risk!
 

I always look forward to your builds, always great!

[marvelBoy123]

Really nice build! The landscaping in this is definitely some of your best. I think the general placement on the characters and small details makes the scene feel so authentic - the build itself clearly tells a story (though your written stories are always a joy to read!) I'm glad you included a shot without the minfigs as well so that we can see all the nice details on the platform. The tree would be the only thing to work on. Obviously you have chosen hard source material to base the tree off and it is definitely recognisable, it just isn't quite as polished as the rest of the build (the top section with the branches is amazing, just the trunk that doesn't quite work for me).

Great way to start the episode!

[Darth Bjorn]

This moc is so well balanced, and the colors really compliment each other... Some details I really like: The stripe on the building - and the flag used to continue the stripes, the sabacc chips, the splash of blue paint on the rocks... It's always interesting to study the details of your builds...

That also mean you notice little details that sticks our... 1) The big dome of the house looks like it is a millimeter to big for the roof. 2) is the Lannik's height - lanniks are short humanoids - that's a miss  

You also know, when that's the only bad thing you have to say, the moc is really really good...

 

[starwarcam]

Simply, the colors spark joy

[MKJoshA]

Nice color choices! And I really like your Torra character.