Public Wreckage of the War Chest

[Kole Eckttor]

Serenno | Fortune and Glory

OBJ: Find missing containers from Dooku's War Chest

​

The aging explorer's frigate gently touched down onto the uneven surface of the forest planet.

War once ravaged this planet for nearly decades, the Confederacy of the old using this planet to fight against the army of the Republic. The great Count Dooku called this place home, the building he once resided in now torn to rubble and rebuilt time and time again. While find a personal artifact of the Sith would be any treasure hunter's dream, that is not what Kole was after. Instead, he was searching for something owned partially by Dooku, the people of Serenno, and citizens all across the galaxy that were displaced by the Confederacy. This happened to be the infamous War Chest.

Even though Kole was not a Jedi himself, close affiliation with the Galactic Alliance has allowed him to receive special access to the Jedi Archives within the New Jedi Temple. Being a Historian meant that he had a passion for learning about events and conflicts that shaped the galaxy into what it is today. One such event was the transition of the Galactic Republic into the Galactic Empire. The change towards a regime affected not just the core worlds, but the galaxy as a whole. Here, on Serenno, the man was hoping to find some artifacts from the extraction of valuables from the home of Dooku. It was said that a small group of mercenaries took control of one of the Imperial cargo vessels, causing it to release all of its containers deep into the jungle. While there have been attempts made to retrieve these valuables, they mission turned out to be more dangerous than most anticipated. Rumors that the jungle released its dark sided beasts onto all who venture within. Tirra'Taka, Spikebats, and Spine-Wolves are only a few of the horrors said to be lurking in the trees.

But even with all of these challenges, Kole was determined to locate one - or multiple - of these containers, retrieve the treasure so it can be studying by some of Coruscant's top historians and archivists. Yet Kole feared one thing on this journey: That he was not alone. People from the galaxy would have heard about this treasure as well, trying to locate it for their own personal gain. Whether it to be to sell it off to the highest bidder, or keep it for their own personal collection, the man knew others would be searching as well. He just hoped he could make it to the War Chest before others did.

Spoiler: OOC

Hello everyone! This will be a PVE treasure-hunting thread. I will be writing as my character Kole, and also partially as a DM for those who want to brave the jungle and face the fauna. There are five containers in total that hold contents from the War Chest, each with their own unique challenges to face. But in the end each participant of the thread will be able to receive some of the treasure, all in various forms. Happy hunting!

 

[Laphisto]

Sereno was a planet Lapisto was not familiar with at all, though through his readings and data collected from a few republic black boxes scavenged from old wrecks in long-forgotten parts of the galaxy. He could decipher some data, piecing stories together with what little information he had to stumble upon a rumor of treasures scattered in the planet's forest of a long-bygone attempt to capture the goods for themselves.


his crew had landed on the planet some four days ago, with little to no luck in actually finding any of the treasures rumored to have been on this planet. and morale was getting low if they didn't find some clue. Some hint or sign they were heading in the right direction, then he might have to call it a day. Pack up camp and pull his men back to Aura station. With a soft sigh, laphisto sat against one of the cargo crates that made up the makeshift camp. The five soldiers he had brought with him were gathered around the fire, eating their meals and talking amongst one another.

Laphisto, however, stared down at his meal, spinning the spoon in the soup as he let his thoughts race and wonder, traveling back to his days during the Mandalorian wars and the many battles he had experienced with the brave republic troopers. He had heard of the many wars he had missed out on during his time frozen in carbonite shortly after the Jedi Civil War. Some of him wished he would have been freed to participate in their glory. Perhaps that was the Mandalorian spirit Ris ordo kept telling him about when they spoke and shared stories.

He frowned gently, his eyes closed as he remembered his dear friend. He had attended his funeral, and that was the first time he had felt sadness and realized how fruitful and short the lives of most of the galaxy truly were. at least compared to his people who lived nearly a thousand years. and yet he some how - to his knowledge- was the last of his people.

Laphisto's mind spiraled and twisted around memories and thoughts, so much so he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings, his senses in the force clouded and left vulnerable

Kole Eckttor

 

[Kebii'kara Solus]

CURRENT MISSION -
Immediate Goals -

FRIEND(s) - Laphisto

FOE(s) - N/A

TARGETING ACTION(S) - OPEN COMMS || Laphisto || Kole Eckttor

---

It had been some time since Kebii'kara of House Solus found herself in the prominent employ of the Lilaste Order. While she retained much of her mercenary rights and privileges to come and go as she pleased, she nevertheless remained on Aurora Station or any of her satellites because she genuinely wished to learn. Laphisto was positively ancient, a living, breathing piece of history cut from thousands of years before she was even born - not to mention that the Lilaste Order shared her own views in regards to the Force, one that should have been compatible with her old home in the Sunstar Order.

She knew her old mentor, Matthew of Valendale gave her his blessing to go afield, but she couldn't help but feel as if she's betrayed her ideals due to the Order's own belligerent stance. Sure, the Lilaste Order didn't personally reave and imperialistically gobble up planets as many other factions had during the wake of the Second Great Hyperspace War - but it was no secret of the Order's sympathies to the Empire of the Lost. That Empire had been on a resurgent spree of acquiring planets through subterfuge or outright invasion, and though the Empire was warm towards her new home and the Mandalorians who raised her, could she really use that as an excuse for the Emperor's expansionism? Was the tacit acceptance and participation in warfare and subjugation the price to pay for balance, unbound by the aloofness of the Jedi and the mania of the Sith?

That was why she was here, more than the treasure, she wanted to fight alongside Laphisto - to see how he conducted himself. He certainly didn't make it easy for her to consider abandoning the Lilaste Order, to his credit, so he decided to take it straight to the dragon-man himself.

"Grand Master Laphisto?" the Lasat inquired gently, utilizing a rare opportunity to get the drop on the venerable warrior, gesturing to the table where the formidable Grand Master was breaking his fast. "...Would you mind if I joined you?"

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto found his concentration broken and his memories derailing as he was swiftly brought back to the real world. looking up quickly, he stared at Kebii'kara Solus for a moment, his eyes flashing the tell-tell teal blue as he used his force sight to peer into her briefly. Sitting himself up straight, he gave a small chuckle, gesturing towards the space before him, his hand finally bringing the first bite of his meal to his lips." not at all. " he thought about the title she had called him, and a small scoff left his lips at the mere thought of it " and Commander or Laphisto is fine. I'm not a Jedi. not anymore"

Taking a second bite, he glanced at the Lasat briefly with a raised brow." So what do you think of our mission here? Do you think there is anything of value to be gained?" the question was more rhetorical than anything. he was more curious on how the Mandalorian would answer. he knew about the girl's studies under Zinayn he had read some of the reports of her progress. the man was a great teacher, so much so that he had even applied at the academy for an apprentice of his own. Granted, since the disappearance of his first apprentice, he was hesitant to take on another. But he was one of the few forces sensitive in the order capable of passing down knowledge of how to wield the force, and to a degree, it was his duty to do so.

Kole Eckttor

 

[Kole Eckttor]

Serenno | Fortune and Glory

OBJ: Find missing containers from Dooku's War Chest

Laphisto | Kebii'kara Solus
​

The dark cover of night now fully enveloped the rows of trees.

Kole trekked deeper into the jungle, the landing lights of his transport slowly fading out of view. Various sounds of flora and fauna sang throughout the darkness, the noises both fascinating and terrifying. While the man was confident in his exploring skills, he also recognized that he was not getting any younger. If a powerful enough force were to come in contact with him, it could spell his demise. That is why he was flanked by four F14T droids. Outdated? Yes, they were. But the droids were his design, a memento of his previous engineering days. Constructing technology so that others may live out their dreams of seeing the galaxy. Something that was withheld from Kole's youth.

A datapad was held in Kole's offhand as a small blaster rifle was pointed ahead, the flashlight attached on the bottom providing some sort of visibility. Readings indicated that a few miles out was something irregular, most likely man-made. A it was dense. The old man hoped that this would be one of the containers, full of valuables and treasures that were centuries old. Hope was quickly stunted though as a low growl came from a bush up ahead. All four droids raised their blasters in unison, aimed at whatever lay ahead.

"Easy now, don't frighten it. If it ain't attacking, leave 'er be."

This philosophy would soon be tested as a large Spine-wolf crawled out from under the leaves.

- - - - - - - - ​

Far off in the distance, a howl could be heard from the camp of Laphisto and Kebii'kara Solus , echoing off of their starships. Would this be a sign to prepare for a pack of creatures to pay visit to their camp? Or was it a sign that something preoccupied their attention, and now was a better time than ever to search for the treasure? Choices were needed to be made, and fast, if they wanted to score one of those containers.

 

[Kebii'kara Solus]

CURRENT MISSION - Master And Commander
Immediate Goals -
1: Discern your place within the Lilaste Order...

FRIEND(s) - Laphisto

FOE(s) - N/A

TARGETING ACTION(S) - OPEN COMMS || Laphisto || Kole Eckttor

---

Kebii'kara gave a slight bow and removed her helmet - in some subsects of the Mandalorian Clans, such a motion was unthinkable - only to be done around Alor or in acts of intimacy. While the Lasat erred on the side of pragmatism, she felt that it was right to speak earnestly, to look the Grand Master-Commander in the eye regardless of if they remain friends or mere acquaintances.

She thought about the Chiss Zinayn who had served as her unofficial mentor within the Lilaste, who had even now wished to establish a formal academy, about the intrepid fighters of Green Squadron, and how she was determined to break the curse of Green 8. About the potential, the home where oddballs like her, who gave grace to the Manda and Duality before she ate, spearheaded by the equally unique draconic Jedi. Kebii was going to ask, but Commander Laphisto spoke first.

"Sir." she began, vowing to continue her reputation of being one of the more well-mannered mercenaries that drifted aboard Aurora Station for one reason or another. "The extraction of Darth Tyrannus' war chest as it were, whether we find any Sith Holocrons from the nascency of the First Galactic Empire, or mere material wealth - Serenno remains a potential sphere between the Protectorates, and the Dha'naast - the "Twice-Emperor" of the Sith." She omitted the possibility of other factions, but the Alliance seldom went to the Rim, and the so-called "Dark Empire" was... far too mysterious for Kebii'kara to be comfortable with.

"But the fact remains - it's been four days, sir, and almost a thousand years since the Clone Wars." Kebii continued, taking a moment to lean back and exhale through her nostrils. "Whoever is here to pick at the remains are either the most nostalgic of Separatists, or wannabe treasure hunters."

As if on cue, the howl of Spine-Wolves echoed through the night, and a stone's throw away was the ever leal Vanquo's Drakeling, Beviin. Beviin, in her pale scaled glory, cocked her head, raised her neck and snout to the sky, and echoed one hoot in mimicry of the pack, before lunging deftly onto the table to clamber up. Laphisto learned about House Solus, and how they earned a bond between their animal companions during their verd'goten - while he would never be able to match the years long friendship between the Force-Sensitive lizard and her Lasat "big sister", occasionally he would be allowed a glimpse into the telepathic bond the pair had. Such a pressure graced the aura of the Commander, as Kebii raised one foreleg, stiffened, and used her snout to point off unseen into the distance. Someone was in trouble, the bond-link concluded, someone sapient.

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto nodded softly, a hand grasping his chin in thought as he listened to the last speak, a slight chuckle rolling from his throat." I meant more so with the order. I can feel your conflict, lass." Taking another spoon of his meal, he leaned forward, his eyes flashing a teal blue as he moved to poke and pry at her aura. "You're not too fond of our alliance with the Empire of the Lost? Tell me, what brings you on edge about them."

laphisto went to add more, an explanation or reasoning as to why the order had allied themselves with the EOTL, despite laphistos Mandalorian heritage, but his train of thought was caught off by the howl with a raised brow he watched as Beviin scampered onto the table and he could sense the drakeling he gave a slight nod of understanding pulling himself up to his feet and brushing himself off " alright men suit up on the double let's go!"

Laphisto barked the order with authority, and the soldiers quickly dropped or set their meals to the side, grabbed their helmets and put them on, pulled weapons from their shoulders, and attacked the A.A.S.H MKII systems on their shoulders. Pushing himself forward, Laphisto grabbed his broad saber, pulling it from his hilt and having it on hand just in case he would need to use it.

Kebii'kara Solus Kole Eckttor

 

[Kebii'kara Solus]

CURRENT QUEST - Wolf Pack Watch
Immediate Goals -
1: Discern your place within the Lilaste Order...
2: Investigate the Spine Wolves and the mysterious stranger...

FRIEND(s) - Laphisto

FOE(s) - N/A

TARGETING ACTION(S) - OPEN COMMS || Laphisto || Kole Eckttor

---

Kebii stiffened, she didn't know how best to state her concerns without feeling like she was talking down to one of the few people who actually tried to listen to the Force. The gap between them, in years, in experiences, was not one that the Lasat was willing to leap across - so she was thankful that there was some action occurring, such as it were.

"The local wildlife wouldn't attack a ship - especially not ours, not after four days." Kebii mused aloud as she donned her helmet, lurching forward and called her trusty Fire-Staff to her side with the Force. "One of the patrols bit off more than they could chew?"

Not fellow-dragon man's man. Beviin explained, her usual exuberance replaced with statuesque professionalism. Different soul-scent. Just one so far.

A Force User?

Beviin shook her head, grumbling as the Drakeling cast her own mind's eye as to what was on the peripheral of the encampment. Kebii looked to the Commander. "Sir, if this is a trap, we need you where you can be exfiltrated." the Lasat explained, the tender opening that could have occured over a meal replaced with professionalism of Kebii's own.

 

[Kole Eckttor]

Serenno | Fortune and Glory

OBJ: Find missing containers from Dooku's War Chest

Laphisto | Kebii'kara Solus
​

Bolts of energy rang out from the pistol as Kole took a defensive stance.

The old man knew the fauna on this planet was dangerous, modified over many generations by Sith sorcery. Yet it still could not prepare him for the beast that attacked. One of the droids was immediately tackled to the ground, sparks shooting off in every direction as one of its arms was torn clean from the frame. The remaining droids all fired upon the Spine-wolf, causing the animal to scurry back off in the direction it came. Kole sat on the ground, trying to catch his breath and slow down his heartrate.

"Well...I'd rather that not happen again. Let's keep movin'."

Grabbing the hand of the nearby droid, Kole was helped off of the ground. Unfortunately, the droid that was attacked would have to be left behind, as its head now had a considerably sized chunk bit out of it. The group continued onward into the forest. The signal on the datapad was getting closer and closer. Hopefully it would not be long before one of the containers was located, marking the journey as a success.

- - - - - - - - ​

As Laphisto , Kebii'kara Solus , and the soldiers all began their trek into the forest, the howls of the Spine-wolves grew quieter and quieter, almost as if they were trying to hide themselves. A creature hunting its prey, hoping for an easy meal. Suddenly, from the back of the group, a scream rang out. One of the soldiers was now pinned to the ground by a Spine-wolf, its teeth digging deep into the armor. Whether the group helped their comrade or fled the attack would be up to them.

 

[Laphisto]

As teh group rushed forward, the scream brought Laphisto to a halt, causing him to turn around and face the threat that had befelled their group. With a small rumble, he drew his saber, reaching out with force and throwing a large boulder against the beast. while the standard set of LO-56A MKII armor that each soldier wore was resilient, it wasn't impenetrable, nor was it made to withstand the jaws of a beast. Blasters, slugs, and lightsabers - to a degree- yes. but gnashing teeth of a predatory animal? not quite.

here they had come, rushing to the aid of some stranger from the local fauna, and now they were surrounded by a pack of them. with a hiss of frustration, Laphisto let his eyes flash teal blue, peering into his surroundings with force as he shouted to his men, "Switch to Thermal optics. shoot anything that isn't bipedal. aim to kill" giving his blade a twirl laphisto prepped himself for an attack, reaching out with the force and feeling the minds of the spine wolves

Kebii'kara Solus Kole Eckttor

 

[Kebii'kara Solus]

CURRENT QUEST - Wolf Pack Watch
Immediate Goals -
1: Discern your place within the Lilaste Order...
2: Investigate the Spine Wolves and the mysterious stranger...
2.1: Do not allow members of your squadron to perish!

FRIEND(s) - Laphisto

FOE(s) - N/A

TARGETING ACTION(S) - OPEN COMMS || Laphisto || Kole Eckttor

---

Despite the formal request to have the Commander remain safe within the ship, Laphisto stubbornly went ahead without even considering her words. While most would be insulted, Kebii'kara understood the nuances - or rather the lack thereof within the dragon-man's mind. To Laphisto, the notion of "not doing things yourself", or at the very least, showing you had skin in the game, was anathema to the Commander of the Lilaste Order. That was something that she admired, as all of her idols, from her mothers, to her former mentor on Centerra, had shown that leaders ought to lead from the front.

Yet bravery was no substitute for tact, as the Spire-Wolves surrounded them. This was unusual, as Kebii'kara would have thought that wild animals would never attack an encampment of sapients after these days - sure they had problems with a few curious ones, but some well placed blaster-bolts had shooed off most of the wildlife into a cautious reassessment of their territory. Wild carnivores almost never break from their diet, with two exceptions: they were either starving and desperate, or they were being manipulated.

Speculation would have to wait, as the Lasat prioritized the pinned man, and Beviin took to flight. Kebii'kara focused on the unlucky soldier and the eager Spine-Wolf, and a fluid motion of body was displayed. First, she switched to thermals - not that she needed to through the sight of the Force, but it showed solidarity with those she fought alongside - and with the sight of the Force she noticed that Laphisto was attempting to peer into the minds of the pack. Lastly, and mere seconds later, the Spire wolf that attempted to savage the hapless soldier would find their muzzle, then much of their upper body grasped in an unseen grasp, before being gracelessly flung head-over-tail backwards into the underbrush. With her other hand, Kebii'kara used the Force to drag the solder closer into the ring of soldiers - where medical attention could hopefully be rendered.

Once the Spire-Wolf was flung, the now empty hand drifted and summoned forth her sidearm - a move dictated both by the risk of fire from her fire-staff, and the ineffectiveness of the lightsaber at longer ranges. The blaster pistol would be joined by Beviin, who took to the air and readied her own firey breath to harry any spire wolf who had gotten to close - acting as distraction for the soldiers to withdraw or counterattack. Kebii, for her credit, fired only when she saw the whites of the canids' eyes mere inches from gorging themselves on another soldier - firstly by rebuffing them with the Force, and then rendering a decisive blaster-bolt to those who were repeat offenders.

 

[Kole Eckttor]

Serenno | Fortune and Glory

OBJ: Find missing containers from Dooku's War Chest

Laphisto | Kebii'kara Solus
​

With the Spine-wolves seeming to have full retreated into the brush, the old man and the trio of droids continued onward.

He wasn't sure if it was from the recent attack of the beast, or the thrill of possibly finding one of the containers from the war chest, but Kole's heart was starting to pound faster. The grizzled explorer was getting older, but he hoped that his age would not put him out of commission any time soon. There was still so much left to be found. So much more history to be recorded and persevered. For without it, we would all continue to make the same mistakes of the past. It was his job as a historian, along with thousands of others, to help steer the galaxy in the right direction. All through the preservation of the past.

The man's attention was drawn towards his datapad as a blip on his radar. The red dot was considerably large in size and moving at a brisk pace. So unfortunately, it was not the war chest. But the voices coming from the blip intrigued him slightly. Were there others in the forest right now, searching for the same thing he was? Were they hoping to document it as well for historical purposes? Or were they planning on selling it to the highest bidder, gaining as many credits as they can? Trying to be optimistic, Kole walked towards the voices, hoping for the best.

- - - - - - - - ​

Rustling from the bushes ahead were surely startle the group once more. Could it be more spine-wolves? Or was it something else entirely? What Laphisto and Kebii'kara Solus would see peeking out from underneath the branches would be an old man, accompanied by three droids.

"Hey there strangers! Heard y'all's voices, so I figured I would come and offer my greetings."

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto stood his ground, a small frown rolling over his face as he looked down at the wounded soldier, the team's medic already beginning to examine and check the man for wounds. The fauna was acting strange, he would. he looked to Kebii'kara Solus . Her unwillingness to outright kill the beasts was admirable, a feature most mercenaries who worked for the Lilaste order didn't share. Overall, he would have to say this one was one of the most preferred mercs. His mind drifted on the thought of how well she would fit into the order though he quickly shook the thought away

"All alright form up in a perimeter keep the wounded protected and move slowly, don't let these beasts get the jump on us." with a small push against his mind, he searched and prodded before finding the small string-like essence in his mind, pulling his Precognition to the fore front of his mind, when a beast was about to pounce he saw it mere seconds before it had happened and shouted a warning to the soldier who was targeted, or even threw the spine wolf back when it targeted him.

he continued to do this as they moved up until he foresaw a man stepping from the under brush and a Lilaste soldier controlled by fear firing a slug round into the mans chest. reaching out quickly Laphisto pushed the mans blaster to the ground, the slug firing off several feet in front of Kole Eckttor Laphistos eyes flicking towards the ground then up to meet the man " our apologies you seem to have startled one of my men"

 

[Kole Eckttor]

Serenno | Fortune and Glory

OBJ: Find missing containers from Dooku's War Chest

Laphisto | Kebii'kara Solus
​

Out of pure reaction, the old man raised his blaster to match the one drawn by the solider.

The situation was quickly defused as it was clear the shot was a misunderstanding. To be fair, there were a bunch of dangerous creatures out here that were trying to kill them all. It would make sense for them to be on edge. Ordering his three droids to stand down, they all lowered their blasters in unison, still and neutral.

"No, that's my bad. I kinda snuck up on y'all."

Kole was curious about what this group was doing at here. It came at some surprise to see a small squadron of soldiers out here patrolling the forest. Perhaps they were out here fighting some sort of rival group. Or maybe they were searching for what he sought after as well. For now, the man would not reveal his full intentions, just giving them enough to not view him as a threat. Stretching out his hand towards the group's commander, the old man offered a handshake.

"Name's Kole. Historian, collector, and archivist. And who might you be?