The Old Guard (D2, MM)

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

Cool as a cucumber.

"An honor, doctor Boxy. I'm Knight Katarzyna Ulgo, and this is Knight Tethys Carrack. Dr. Rist here has spoken highly of your knowledge in the field of ancient military history. We were hoping you would be able to assist us?"

[Dapper Dog]

Cool as a cucumber.

"An honor, doctor Boxy. I'm Knight Katarzyna Ulgo, and this is Knight Tethys Carrack. Dr. Rist here has spoken highly of your knowledge in the field of ancient military history. We were hoping you would be able to assist us?"

“Yeah Dr. Rist is a competent member of the team but I am glad you came to me,” he said before taking another bite from ‘his’ sandwich. He choked it down and said, “So what specifically do you need to know, romantic tales of derring do? All the famous wars of the warring kings era; so just tell the Doctor how he can make you feel good, about military history,” he finished.

[Tethys Carrack]

Fortunately, the Jedi do not have Sandwich Law jurisdiction on Alderaan, so Tethys calmly turns a blind eye to the likely pillage in progress.

"Knight Ulgo and I are curious about the ancient Black Guard. We didn't realize they had such a long history. I imagine there are more than a few tales there?"

[Kellen Rist]

"That's Professor Rist, as you well know. Which you might aspire to yourself if you'd stop with the bread-based larceny." He gave the old gungan a friendly grin.

"Yes, what IS the provenance of this Blackguard? If anyone knows it's you old chap. See, even I can admit that." Kellen chuckled and sat back.

[Dapper Dog]

Pimbo responded, “Well the Blackguards, now that is something obscure, but to give you a brief overview it was one part title and another part calling for the knights of old pre-dating the unification of Alderaan. The early families were basically run by warlords who made war frequently and when one died some that held onto their loyalty would carry on the will of their Lords and exact vengeance.”

“This ideal of service beyond death was often called taking the Black, and often by the honor guard or closest warriors of the warlord. Hence the Blackguard.”

The gungan ate more of the sandwich and said, “Now actual orders of Blackguards came later and there is no singular order but this is where the idea of renouncing one’s old life is often cited as starting. Blackguards would typically take on names of things that brought fear or terror to their enemies. This was common among knights of the era for their armor to evoke terror or fear.”

“That’s a basic overview, what interests you?”

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

History was such a complicated thing. None of this resonated with the old stories she had heard of the early time of Alderaan, but then again, history was also written with a bias and there was really no clear-cut truth to it because it was all viewed through the lens of whomever documented it. Still, she frowned slightly to hear this.

"Did they have Force-sensitive tradition among these orders then? Or are there any known locations to where they might have gathered or something similar?" Perhaps an exciting archeological expedition was in the cards.

[Dapper Dog]

Pimbo replied, “I am not sure if they had any Force traditions, but that was never a specialty of my focus but there are a few sites. Actually a location in Ulgo territory I wanted to visit that was supposed to be an ancient mountain stronghold, think they built on top of the ruins but like most cultures just utilized some of what was there and such.”

“Probably not much, most of what I have comes from ancient texts, manuscripts, data files… Blackguards were never popular because of the role they often played of the avenging hero or anti-hero.”

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

"If it is a matter of permission to investigate the location, I may be able to acquire it from Duke Ulgo, doctor," Katarzyna suggested. "We might all find some more answers by taking a look ourselves."

"But they had a heroic role, you say? How strange then that their tradition seemed to disappear into the shadows of history... did something happen to change this?"

[Dapper Dog]

“Time mostly, Alderaan transitioned from using war to dictate their politics to diplomacy and intrigue. Knights existed but their role was relegated to the few conflicts that were often offworld and not so much home. The days of conquerors passed and gave rise to diplomacy, constitution, and the influence of the Noble Houses. Why use a hammer when a pen is far more powerful,” he said with a shrug.

[Tethys Carrack]

"So... hm." Tethys taps long fingers on a nearby tabletop, considering this. "The whole idea began as a sort of avenging swan-song for fallen noble families. Once it became more formal... were these groups still serving the memory of dead Houses? Or did they change to some kind of, er, vengeance-based insurance policy for living Houses? Or just ordinary guards-beings with exotic titles?"

"Apparently the modern Blackguards have roots on Nar Shaddaa too. Do you think that's a historical connection, Doctor? Or simply some Nar Shaddaa toughs seeking a sense of higher purpose in another planet's ancient history?"

[Katarzyna Ulgo]

"I'm also up for a little exploration at this ancient mountain stronghold tomorrow... it could poten have more answers." Kat thought out loud.

[Dapper Dog]

"So... hm." Tethys taps long fingers on a nearby tabletop, considering this. "The whole idea began as a sort of avenging swan-song for fallen noble families. Once it became more formal... were these groups still serving the memory of dead Houses? Or did they change to some kind of, er, vengeance-based insurance policy for living Houses? Or just ordinary guards-beings with exotic titles?"

"Apparently the modern Blackguards have roots on Nar Shaddaa too. Do you think that's a historical connection, Doctor? Or simply some Nar Shaddaa toughs seeking a sense of higher purpose in another planet's ancient history?"

“The more formal versions became orders serving an ideal or an organization, but with a strong bent on justice and avenging wrongs. Some were independent… it varies I suppose. The most famous were the Black Circle, famous is relative I should say documented, and they were an independent order who championed the people and struck back at injustice and were led by a Lady Massacre.”

Pimbo continued, “Did not end well for them, the local nobility ended up laying siege to their fortress and destroying them… of course a few survived and hunted down every noble involved and such. It’s a great story probably fiction but some of the evidence is true.”

He thought on the latter question and said, “House Thul was exiled and much of the core family relocated to Nar Shaddaa, makes sense they would form there of the Houses that followed. Maybe they recruited from the locals? I can’t say for sure.”

[Kellen Rist]

Kellen smiled at the group. "An ancient mountain stronghold in need of e probation? Now you are speaking my language. I'd be happy to help with a spot of fieldwork."

Pimbo's thoughts on the Thul seemed reasonable. "Yes, that would explain the Nar Shaddaa connection. The desire to reconnect with the ancient history of our people is no doubt strong in those who were exiled."