Private &nbsp; Congregation at Xo

Darth Voyance

Darth Bellum · Mar 23, 2020

[ Theme ]

K O R _ V E X E N

| Location | Orbit over Ao, The Soothsayer

| Intention | Personal Agenda

A lone Velox Class Frigate named The Kimaris, arrived in the system, a ship associated with the mighty Gehenna Fleet of the Sith Empire under the command of Kor Vexen and his Vice Admiral. The frigate lingered briefly as a lone shuttle departed from its hangar before The Kimaris itself quickly jumped back into hyperspace, allowing the imperial shuttle to make way for The Soothsayer. Brief communications were exchanged as the shuttle was promptly cleared to land aboard the battlecruiser.

The shuttle would soon arrive in one of the hangars as it finally touched down, steam venting as the hydraulic ramp lowered itself, a flood of steam pouring out as the heavy metallic footsteps of the Anzati General were heard, the Dark Councilor tasked with command over the Sith Empire's military having arrived after a brief trip to Bastion following the assembly in which numerous Sith denounced the Dark Lord's practices and management of their numbers. It had long been anticipated that civil war would break out amongst the Sith to break the monotony and stagnation of its rule - There had been plenty of time for the Emperor to make amends to this issue, but nothing has changed. The rule of order was a threat to Vexen's ideals and had thus weakened the Sith ever since its implementation.

The Anzati had waited, patiently biding his time as he continued to rise through the ranks, having reached his peak with his appointment to lead the entirety of the Sith's military forces. Even if any order he made was overruled by the Dark Lord or his second in command, Vexen still held considerable sway and influence over the Sith military, from both his ability to lead as well as the ferocity he wrought upon those who opposed him. A vast number of the imperial military held both great respect and fear for him, and would fall in line should he command it. The 4th Field Army which he led personally at the very least would follow him to oblivion and back without question - all men and women of the finest quality that the Empire could provide amongst its military to spread the fires of conflict across the Galaxy.

The Anzati strode through the halls of The Soothsayer, alone; typically he was always accompanied by his second in command and shadow, Darth Utoretis, though the Arkanian was nowhere to be seen on this day. The Lord of Assimilation had an audience to request with Darth Voyance, having seen her defiance at the assembly reveal her true colors and intentions for the Sith. If her words held any merit and resolve to them, he would bring her into the fold and provide aid; if not, he would strike her down for being as weak as the rest of the Sith who kneeled before the Empire. There was no room for weak links in his plan and vision.

-

Those who kneel would die on their knees as feeble sheep waiting to be slaughtered...

-

Avernus |

Gat Tambor

Irveric Tavlar · Mar 23, 2020

//LOCATION// Soothsayer
//THEMATIC// Thrawn's Web
//FOCUS//

Avernus

His first time staring into the eyes of the Emperor, the Dark Council and the Sith Order in its entirety -- he spat in their face. Declared them ticks and leeches, unworthy of the Empire they'd been drinking their fill from for generations. Foolish? perhaps...fearless? certainly. The Lord General had slowly widdled away at his fear for over a decade, only to finally crucify it on Mandalore. No forthright mortal man would let themselves be a slave to this machine. He'd spilled his heart's worth of lifeblood several times over for the Sith Empire. Yet still he would never be seen worth the ground beneath his feet to these who thought themselves as gods. He sought to claw his way from the bowels of this rotten abomination and carve his own destiny.

Voyance -- a Sith of great ambition and self-imposed worth. One of many to carry a title preceded by 'Emperor's', what followed he could not remember, he did not care. They'd encountered one another if only briefly during the failed Sith-Imperial invasion of Kintan. Imposing her will unto the battlefield, overruling his steady handed and measured command in favor of short sighted blood thirst. She might've been the pne of many catalysts that spurred his disdain for the Dark Creed of the Sith, even if she might've certainly had a hand in his outright promotion to General immediately following the battle. Only fitting given the clinic he'd shown alongside his immediate superior, Kor Vexen in routing the Silver Jedi from New Kalandra. Even if it was a maneuver which proved fruitless once the Sith were driven off world despite the presence of the Dark Lord and his retinue.

Disembarking from Tavlar's Excursor, the fanfare usually expected from a recipient Destroyer at the heed of three of the Sith Empire's more prominent leader's might've been there to receive them had there not been a great deal of work to be done in the wake of the assembly of the Sith. Perhaps Voyance herself knew that such postures were not in good taste to not only Tavlar but to the Bloody Handed Bastard as well. To greet them, one of Voyance's confidants -- Darth Avernus. Nigh unrecognizable without the flamboyant garb which was usually his choice appearance, identifiable only from his crimson skin and pureblood bone spurs which adorned his features.

From their first meeting and his rhetoric at the Sith assembly, the Pureblood's presence here wasn't something so unexpected. Regarding him with little more than a nod the three embarked into the ship itself from the hangar bay. Whilst they stood in the elevator lift to the command deck of the battlecruiser, Tavlar made his thoughts known.

"Good you've decided to carry yourself with some shred of dignity in mind on this occasion, Pureblood." Tavlar remarks, his words dipped in shades of approval. Soon enough the three embarked unto the command deck, joining Vexen who had arrived from his own fleet within the Sith Empire's space.

Greeting his immediate superior with a nod he glanced between the others before approaching Karn'raw'dassa. Seemingly calcifying his immediate fascination with the Chiss woman in favor of business which need be done. Mirroring one another in salute he dropped it to put her at ease before speaking up once more.

"Summon Voyance if you would, Commander." Tavlar spoke, his tone dipped in shades of ever characteristic stoicness even as he refused to sport the Darth prefix of the Sith's name as he spoke it ; regarding the subordinate with the tone of even handed respect earned of her station. Regarding all of his subordinates in a similar fashion in stark contrast to the Sith Lords who often used their power to belittle those under their command.

"She was reckless on Kintan and we lost. While the blame can't be shouldered on her I'm reluctant to align with her order if she's doomed to repeat." Irveric spoke out loud to his confidants, managing to conceal the bitterness he felt toward the Twi'lek during their tenous working relationship. Voyance's rhetoric of arrogance to his face seeming to conceal respect of his ability in the shadows.

Vaulkhar · Mar 24, 2020

乇乂ㄒ丨几匚ㄒ丨ㄖ几

Gaunt fingers gripped tight to silken black robes splayed out across a cot. A gold plated mask stared up at its master, a perpetual grin taunting the hollowed beast. They both served as a reminder to the monstrosity who sat in silence, locked within the protective grasp of shadow. The mask hid the truth of the beast's tortured existence from its cruel gaze, while the robes hid its corrupted physique. It knew a glimpse of a reflection would break what semblance of sanity remained within. So it chose to lose itself in the grip of hatred and anger.

Vaulkhar stood up and moved to the door across from his cot. He lazily clicked the pad beside it, the light flickering on to reveal a woman abandoned to the shadow. Upon seeing his gaunt, inhuman form, she screeched out in terror. In life, the bastard may have found her beautiful, even frozen in absolute horror. She certainly had a spark, one that allowed her to look upon him unphased while she worked beneath the Tyrant of Trade, up until that point anyway. The thought intrigued him for some time, driving him to question her on how she could maintain her composure in the face of something so unnatural. She believed there was something behind the grotesque grin and outward hatred. While he lived, she might've been right. In death, however, Vaulkhar Zambrano felt nothing but mind-numbing agony. When the little entertainment she could provide dried up, he cast her aside to await his return.

He moved to her side and knelt, reaching out with his thin fingers. They gently pressed against her flesh, running along the length of her jawline to eventually take hold of her chin.

"You deserve far better than your lot in life," Vaulkhar muttered to her, his words empty of remorse. "You even made me believe there was something more to my existence than self-loathing and a lust for the empire's demise, but all of it was foolish," his fingers slid up to take hold of her face, gripping tight to lock her in place. She looked up at him, pointlessly pleading for mercy in the face of absolution. "I hoped when the time came for the feast; I would feel something. Perhaps a pang of guilt or a desire to offer the mercy you so desperately crave, but here we are," he extended his will beyond his fingertips, his spiteful aura encompassing the woman. With each passing second, her struggling weakened as Vaulkhar's flesh began to mend itself. Pale skin darkened to a warm color and stark-white hair shifting to a black as dark as pitch. Muscle and sinew reformed beneath his surface, his body growing stronger as her body's life energies fed his.

Vaulkhar released the husk, watching it fall away to dust as it impacted against the cold, durasteel floor. He straightened and moved back to the cot. Throwing the robe over his now complete form, he took up the mask last before striding from the room. He fit it across his face long before he reached Tavlar's side, falling in without much of a sound.

Glowing orbs of crimson peered out from behind the mask, studying the Soothsayer as they moved aboard. He allowed his gaze to fall on the chiss woman, a primal animosity burning holes into the woman's being.

"The Oracle," he'd demand.

Gat Tambor |

Avernus |

Darth Bellum

Taresa Kae · Mar 24, 2020

Galactic Edge Space, Planet Xo
Aboard the Sith Command Battlecruiser Soothsayer
Shadows in the Dark, where the assassin best lingered. Legacy and judgment like the knife, ever-daggers, twirling one such weapon in her hand and laying it to rest. A wraith might be here, it might not, unpredictable creatures. Her helmeted face no more revealing than before, ghosts in a shell dancing across it, never the same vision twice on its holographic surface. Greeting any that arrived in the hangar awaiting it, such as

Avernus , or

Darth Bellum and shifting her role to be what was required in her task. For the assassin's part, she revealed little, simply offering a half bow, escorting any that awaited reception toward whatever

Darth Voyance had arranged.

Avernus |

Irveric Tavlar and @Any

The Oracle. She stepped out from behind the female chiss, “as you wish.”

Vaulkhar

A subtle series of signals was sent to

Darth Voyance , rarely breaking silence unless the mission called for it. Her thoughts were hard to read, put to obscure and often mundane images as she carried out her task. The signals update Voyance of all those that had arrived, between her wraiths and the chatter on the bridge her eyes were starting to be everywhere. Eyes of legacy to match the Jedi Shadows or Empire Assassins.

She awaited the Sith Lord's arrival, or instead would facilitate communication if it was required on a projection or screen for any gathering together or to be met individually.

Waiting beside Vaulkhar. An acolyte of undeath stood with a living embodiment of its mastery. Still the acolyte had an uncanny knack for shadows as one was definitely lingering nearby, the force wraith looking as if it were a trick of the light to those who didn’t know better. Not as strong as they may one day be but malevolence radiated from the creature nonetheless. Shells that judgment had killed now reborn or those that had fallen for their Code and long conflict given tendrils in death, passing forms to influence in its ever-service. Kethenites eternally.

Judgment regarded Vaulkhar with some curiosity which was unusual, he was an enigma to her. The half Echani seeking to read his motion for more cues in subtle passing, her body and eyes mostly focused instead on the console ahead to deflect any attention from anyone that tried to understand or comprehend her.

Tags:

Gat Tambor |

Avernus |

Vaulkhar

Darth Voyance · Mar 26, 2020

Music:

Karn regarded

Irveric Tavlar ’s rude greeting with a cocking of her dark brow and the narrowing of her crimson eyes. She knew much about the Lord General, he had served with Voyance in the invasion of Kintan. Proved his valor by challenging a Jedi and leaving alive, sacrificing an arm as well. Abrasive and blunt. Karn disliked that species of military men, but, that species had their advantages. Advantages wasted under the Empire, much like her.

It is why Voyance had plucked her from her previous employment under some Sith Lord in Bastion. Acting as a glorified chauffeur for his personal star destroyer. Voyance had petitioned for Tavlar’s promotion. Much like she did hers. Karn exhaled slowly, using the drawn out breath to conduct her own inspections. When finished, the Chiss turned around.

“It is you who are summoned here, Lord General,” Karn’s voice was flat and low.

“A man of your military acuity would learn to conduct some modicum of hierarchical etiquette,” she continued, “Despite her ladyship’s unfathomable fondness, I will not tolerate your rudeness.”

When the other (

Vaulkhar ) demanded “the Oracle”, Karn’s tolerance for wanton crude speech began to wane. She couldn’t understand what Voyance was doing with radicals who so thinly veiled their contempt for Voyance and what she stood for.

Taresa Kae had come to her rescue however, bidding the arrived followed her. Karn nodded to the shadowy assassin and walked away from the hangar to return to the bridge.

Guiding the guests, they ascended an elevator to the Sith Meditation Chamber. Heavy blast doors cried mechanical wheezes as the actuators pushed the mechanisms that separated the slabs of turadium aside. Entering, they were greeted by a low stream of Korribanian incense that had coalesced into a slow viscous mist that obscured the floor. The bewitched Darkside fragrance crept over the small balls of light from the holoprojection lenses embedded in the floor.

Pouring from the many Sith Chalices that lined the disc shape of the chamber, they undulated in the darkness. Across from the, beyond the mist sea, was Darth Voyance. She rose from the black cushioned seat of her qabbrat. Stepping down the steps of the dais it was perched upon, Voyance waved her golden gloved hand at Taresa.

“Welcome,” Voyance said with a slim smile. “Welcome all.”

She motioned for Taresa to come stand beside her and then nodded towards

Avernus .

“Avernus, a pleasure to see a Keeper of your potential here today,” she began, “I must admit your show at the assemblage of Lords brought a dark warmth to my obsidian heart.”

Her smile then died as she passed her glance to Tavlar, “Lord General.”

Then she eyed Vaulkhar and

Darth Bellum behind them.

“Ah yes,” she greeted, “The pup who dared roar at his father.”

She strode closer to Vaulkhar.

“Come,” Voyance beckoned, pointing to the middle space of the chamber, “I would like to speak to all of you.”

“We are all being branded as traitors as we speak, I’m sure.”

“Whether it be the demand of reformation, transformation, revolution, or annihilation, dissidence is never tolerated by the Sith Lords. Especially those so comfortably embalmed by their own illusions of power and status.”

“You saw it, did you not?” Voyance said flicking her eyes at Vaulkhar.

“How they hissed and whined at you and I?”

“Scoffing and beating their chests about Empire and the Sith.”

“All pretense. They give no care about the well being of the Empire, the Emperor or the Sith. All just the terrified coping of petty Imperial warmongers clutching their horded wealth in defense of their stagnating comfort.”

“Lapdogs, barking at shadows.”

Voyance stopped before a bulging hologram. The red ghostly nebulae of churning lights bubbled into a large blob of color before it refined its visage to the entire Tingel Arm. The map of the Sith Empire and the worlds that bordered it rattled and waved as the focus became rigid. Voyance rolled her eyes from side to side as she made not of all the planets, hyperspace lanes, and uncontested worlds that were illuminated as highlighted dots with data read-outs hovering above them in neat windows of information.

“In my visions I have foreseen the destruction of this Empire. Of the Sith Order under the gluttonous hands of the Zambrano House. Fire, and feuds,” Voyance said.

“I once thought it was my duty to protect it. To preserve it. To see its shelter from such destruction. For is it not natural? This Empire is the manifestation of the might of the Sith. Worlds under our control and sway. Billions under the whim of the true masters of the Force, propagating our Order's virtues.”

Voyance shrugged her shoulders and laughed, “What a pathetic fool I was. Preserve? That is not the way of the Sith.”

“This Empire is a rotting monument to the vanity of the Emperor and his harem of sycophantic Imperial Lords. Stagnate and festering in their own inherited power. They follow no ‘way’ of the Sith. They did not seize their power, they petitioned for it and where gifted it as collateral for their obedience. No matter how much they proselytize about ‘might is right’. They have nothing. But, owe everything to the Zambrano’s and the cult of the Imperial regime.”

"Might without discipline and the Sith Code, is just barbarism for avaricious gains. It means nothing. And the cycle of Imperial Rise and Fall will continue. All those gains wasted. Utterly useless."

Voyance slowly turned her head to face the others, “For the sake of the Order, this Empire must die.”

Darth Bellum · Mar 26, 2020

K O R _ V E X E N

| Location | Orbit over Xo, The Soothsayer

| Purpose | Personal Agenda

Vexen would glance at Vaulkhar and Tavlar as they arrived, giving a small nod of acknowledgment as they were led to Darth Voyance's chamber. It would not be long before the lady who called herself the Oracle stepped out to finally greet them. Vexen crossed his arms over his chest as she went on a long-winded speech, perhaps to reaffirm their stance on the whole matter. Vexen held no love or attachment to the Sith - they were simply a means to sate his hunger that wouldn't have resulted in him being hunted down, though, at this point, he did not fear many if any within the Sith to pursue him for the treachery he was about to commit. He would cut them down and slaughter them like the cowardly sheep they were.

It mattered not to Vexen if he were branded a traitor or had his authority within the military restricted - He still could massacre thousands on his own, and the military he had fought alongside for years were more likely to stand with the individual that fought alongside them in battle than some pompous Sith who watched from the sidelines while they boasted about the power they had at their disposal.

When Voyance finally concluded her speech with the point of the Empire needing to fall, he simply offered a nod; he agreed to some extent - the weak must make way for the strong. He cared not for the Twi'lek's order or their beliefs, they were mere tools to carve the future he so desired. He needed allies and the Order that Voyance led would serve to be a valuable asset in addition to the combined military might that Tavlar and he led.

For the time being, he remained silent. He had no need to speak if they were already all on the same page. He already knew that Vaulkhar and Tavlar had established their pact of defiance.

Avernus |

Taresa Kae

Caulder Dune · Mar 26, 2020

The chilling sound of metal scraping metal resounded through the chamber as a mechno-chair made its entrance. It slowly marched itself to a spot among the gathered conspirators, settling in between Lord General Irveric Tavlar and Darth Sacrorum.

It was made of a sleek, polished black material - almost resembling obsidian. Patterns were carved into it, reminiscent of the many shell patterns which belonged to Greater Calama. Doubtlessly custom made at extravagant expense.

The mechno-chair remained inert until Voyance finished speaking, which then prompted a slightly scaled-down hologram of Darth Adekos to flicker into existence.

The Umbaran Sith had dressed sharply despite his remote attendance, and he bore the scars of his muted Dark Side corruption with a composed, bureaucratic dignity.

There was a short pause, a lingering silence, which Adekos obligingly filled.

"Well spoken, Darth Voyance. Well spoken indeed," he said, "I am, as ever, prepared to offer support to such a noble cause."

Adekos briefly surveyed the room. While dimly aware of some of the larger names, he had no personal idea who these people were.

How thrilling.

Avernus |

Taresa Kae

Irveric Tavlar · Mar 27, 2020

//FOCUS//

Avernus |

Caulder Dune |

Taresa Kae

"I have high standards for those who lead men and women into war, Commander. I'm only candid with what I observed on the field though...once more, she was not at fault for our defeat when the Emperor and his Dark Council floundered in the face of meager opposition. Voyance at the very least bloodied Morga and captured Dawnstar for what its worth. She's a warrior, I see that but she is no leader. No one can be expected to be over night." Irveric said, addressing Karn'raw'dassa's outburst with even handed stoicness.

Towering in rank above not only her but even her Sith Lady superior he could've very well brewed a far worse situation were his mettle far weaker and the need for allies in the face of treason far greater than defending his pride. Afterall, he wasn't one to shy away from these criticisms, having marooned his host of any Sith presence he would speak to his likewise pure Imperial and force incapable subordinates in good faith.

Soon enough his lone gaze shifted to Taresa. In any other circumstance he might've been caught off guard by the wraith's sudden appearance but in the presence of darkness he had long calcified his alarm in favor of apathetic acceptance of entities that made him ill at ease. Close and frightening encounters with all the Sith present here along with his own choking brush with mortality scores over had long inoculated any fear he had.

After having been welcoming into Voyance's dark chamber, Tavlar saw more fit to listen than speak. As he showed almost every adherent to the Dark Creed on Bastion, he had a great deal to say but her piece would come first. He could see her smile visibly dim when she eyed over him, matching placidity with his own. When they'd last encountered one another he was a man fresh to the throes of high command but now he might as well have resembled a corrupted beast as any of the others present. Though his marring didn't appear from tangling with unseen dark forces but purely from his own toil. A beskar 'horn' of shrapnel protruding from his skull still fresh from his bruising victory at Mandalore he wasn't a mortal man among gods any longer - he'd forged himself into a demon among them.

Either Voyance was spouting a stream of consciousness from the heart or she knew how to read the room. The rhetoric mean't nothing beyond its base level to Irveric. He would make his mind known once more in open air.

"Well spoken, you're right." Irveric said with an even handed tone, barely ceding a moment of silence before he continued once more.

"But the Sith Code means nothing to me, just as it means nothing to the millions of soldiers at the command of myself or Lord Vexen nor will it unfurl the banners of the coffins of the men and women we've led to die for any of this. You won't see many people without a saber in their grasps willing to lay down their lives for the Dark Creed. Think of it what you will, it will take more than the Sith themselves to bring down this Empire. This is a far larger existential struggle than the concerns of ancient and esoteric doctrines. This Empire operates like a dull child with the House Zambrano at the seat of power. It operates a doctrine which not only spits in the face of the Sith code but the very dignity of mortal man." Irveric claims.

"Power is not ceded to those most deserving of it from their merit and competence, it is given to those who fawn and beg beneath the banner of the Eye of Soloman. This stagnation trickles down and erodes the foundation this Empire is built upon. And the foundation of this Empire is not the Sith it is the Imperial identity in itself that has been warped and degraded by the House Zambrano. We all know well if we're going to rip the ticks and leeches free from this fetid carcass it will not be with the true Sith insulted by the perversion of their code schismed from the true Imperials who will not go calmly into the night seeing the fruits of their labour melt into nothingness ; we are parties both whose legacies will be forsaken in favor of this horrible machine if we do not act." Irveric states his intent flatly. He would be no servant to Voyance, or any other Sith again. He would work alongside them toward this common goal but he would not bow before the Dark Throne again in the end.

Kasa Shii · Mar 27, 2020

Location: Orbit over Xo, Dark Praxeum
Current Status: Sith Dojo, Observing

The distinct gnashing of teeth ripping into flesh sopping with crimson invaded Kasa's mind like a parasite wriggling beneath her skull, veins protruded against the skin of her forehead, yet veiled by the matte black of her apparatus. Watching nondescript acolytes compete against one another, the Atrisian began gritting her teeth as she felt the same familiar insatiable appetite churn in her gut - the inevitable abyss within her very being widening towards the precipice of overtaking what dregs of humanity that still struggled to cope with the very thing Kasa was becoming.

How much longer could she truly control herself? Her mind was an enigma of phantoms and broken dreams - twisting shapes resembling times of slight optimism now drenched in the midnight of incomprehensible terror that hissed and whispered of her impending metamorphosis. She no longer had the option of turning her life around, what pieces remained simply could not fit together into what might resemble a functional person. She was damaged - irreparable and damned to a future where only hunger was dominant. The young flesh before her very eyes tensed and glistened with sweat, and her heart thrummed within her torso like a predator intent on pouncing.

Control it, breathe...

Meanwhile an announcement was given throughout the Praxeum that the vessel had now positioned itself over the orbit of Xo. Kasa's hands began to tremble with anxiety, yet she maintained; struggled, rather, to withhold unbecoming impulses that screamed within the back of her mind and within her very bones to eat - to devour - to consume.

With baited breath, she resisted the pungent scent of perspiration in the air around her. Her lips quivered, a distorted smile curling the corners of her mouth.

Control... breathe...

Avernus · Mar 29, 2020

Upon noticing the arrival of Lord General Tavlar, Kor Vexen, and Vaulkhar, Avernus began to make his way over to them. Convenient timing that they all managed to arrive at relatively the same time. He kept his head down as he approached, managing to keep most of his face obscured. Though, while watching where he was going he managed to make eye-contact with the singular optic of Lord General Tavlar.

Irveric Tavlar said:
"Good you've decided to carry yourself with some shred of dignity in mind on this occasion, Pureblood."

Avernus rolled his eyes, exhaling sharply through his nose. On a normal day, he would have had some kind of retort but given the circumstances, he begrudgingly decided not to retaliate. He stood alongside the three of them, giving the Lord General no more acknowledgment than an unamused look.

Avernus remained silent as Karn lead them to Voyance's meditation chamber. The only sound from the Darth was the plodding of his boots along the metal floor of the ship. He kept his eyes forward, focusing on the path ahead as they made their way through the vessel. He focused on keeping his previous anger level so that he could properly conduct himself in this meeting.

He stepped forward as the blast doors opened and he was beckoned by Voyance. He had managed to put up a mental barrier to keep the lingering effects of the inexplainable outburst he had earlier on his ship at bay. His emotion still had a presence in the force, so much so that a blind, deaf, lobotomy patient could sense his frustration. Sith were beings of untamed emotion, so while not particularly unusual it was noticeably more intense than usual.

Darth Voyance said:
“Avernus, a pleasure to see a Keeper of your potential here today,” she began, “I must admit your show at the assemblage of Lords brought a dark warmth to my obsidian heart.”

"There is no need for flattery, Voyance," Avernus responded with a smile. "You must take some credit, as Yours and Vaulkhar's decision to speak out emboldened myself and the rest of those who see our collective truth to speak out. Though, I must also give Braith Alchyssome credit; Her naive retort made it almost absurdly easy to incite more dissident to the false song of The Rule of Order."

Avernus listened to the Oracle's speech, crossing his arms in a lax fashion as she weaved her words of insurrection. The Pureblood found himself a little envious of the way she forged each sentence in a meaningful yet poetic fashion, he had always considered himself good with words, but in the presence of the Oracle, his verbal shortcoming became very apparent. Sith were generally far from humble, but it was obvious to Avernus why Voyance was the face of their order.

Darth Avernus spoke up as Irveric Tavlar's words concluded.

"I must agree with the Lord General. The Empire, even with all its faults has been successful. This success wouldn't have been accomplished without the millions of Imperials that hold up its foundation. Such a retaliation in the name of the Sith Code alone will only be a detriment to our overall success in the long-term. The Code, The Force, Sith, it all means nothing to them. What would the Lords of the Empire be without the masses of Imperial soldiers and citizens beneath them that keep the Empire afloat? Nothing, same as we will be should they decide our cause does not represent them."

Avernus glanced at The Lord General for a moment before continuing.

"Our philosophy dictates that the strong rise to their place, it is the nature of all things after all. Why should Imperials be denied the fruits of this philosophy? Because they are not Sith? No Sith has ever risen to power without relying on the masses of non-Sith that they place beneath them. Imperials must be treated as their strengths and merits dictate, and the pandering to sycophants and grovelers must end. So for as long as we Sith believe ourselves invincible, and neglect the identity of those who would rise with us, we will always fail. We rise together, or we fall divided."

Darth Bellum

Vaulkhar · Mar 29, 2020

Vaulkhar stood to the left of Tavlar, hands clasped behind his back in silence. Each word spoken sent a ripple through the force surrounding the fallen Jedi. Anger leaked from every fiber of the wound's being, permeating the room in a cold presence marking his unnatural existence. The introductions offered proved pointless; they all knew who one another were. The Oracle's speech likely meant the world to the twi'lek, but for him and his fellows, it was nothing more than inane babbling driveling from the lips of one lost in past glories and empty rhetoric. He wanted to speak out and silence her in full, but the time for that would come. Each day brought them one step closer to demolishing the overarching grip of the Sith to bring them to heel.

"The Lord General is correct," Vaulkhar chimed in before once more falling silent. He allowed his attention to drift away from the discussion at hand, choosing instead to focus on others. One at a time, the bastard's burning gaze would stare down those aside from Kor Vexen and Irveric Tavlar. The sudden appearance of the last Sithling left him cautious. Not that he worried for the lives of his allies, but he found such a display arrogant beyond belief. An assassin should move among the shadows, awaiting the opportunity to overwhelm those who threatened their master. The former assassin and Emperor's Wrath wreathed himself in the darkness for nearly two decades. His status as a professional quickly came into question by the amateur decisions of others in the room.

In his vigil, Vaulkhar's attention fell on Adekos's holographic form. The umbaran's reputation made him recognizable to the dissident. The former emperor meeting a group of conspirators at the behest of Voyance raised many questions; none of which Vaulkhar cared to pose. Moving beyond the fallen ruler, he paused on Avernus before moving on to rest on Taresa. He met the woman's gaze, his mask's grin seemingly growing in size and intensity before flickering elsewhere.

Avernus |

Taresa Kae |

Caulder Dune | Kasa Shii

Taresa Kae · Mar 29, 2020

Plain sight was its own cloak, obfuscation came in many forms. Not only did she think like this but she observed the room like this looking for deception, her helmet even carried this in its shifting form. A very long conflict to keep the Sith creating stronger sith was being played out even here. Influences pulling the pinpoint of the knife one way or the other toward that shared goal.

Avernus ,

Darth Voyance Most empires did stagnate. There was a reason she was here, while Centax roamed the rim stoking that same fire, and of course, looking to assemble for the Kaggath now beginning.

Ellie Mors . For her the core needed strengthening, that was her mission. There were degrees of applied force which could be used, pressure points of the knife, or a sledgehammer if preferred.

Revealing her hand somewhat. “My Master assembles allies that will assist when it is time to strike.” She didn’t dictate or reveal anything else to the Sith Lords. Hers was the blade in the dark as

Vaulkhar understood, and had been for decades, in one form or another, all half-displayed on her shifting helmet from time to time. Unknown to her,

Irveric Tavlar ’s assessment of the wraith was cunning and one might wonder if he had guessed?

Stepping back to shadows and her workstation to monitor the ship. Shifting forms on her helmet helped mask identities in plain sight, but the wraith forward of her drew almost all the attention, so cold as it was, one might think it intentionally so. Daggers for eyes watched from the dark as they always had, judging weakness and strength from how they stood or moved.

Primed and ready. The only question for all was. Where would they strike to best achieve their aim? She added to that end, “not the head, the heart.” The empire may reflect a hydra, the emperor himself may return a thousand times, but it couldn’t live without its heart. That’s what

Irveric Tavlar had brought them, its imperial heart, and a potential killing blow in a single symbolic act. The knife may need only cut once. Whoever the victor was, would have earned it. The Sith and now it seemed the imperials would only grow stronger as a result.

Tag:

Caulder Dune |

Avernus | Kasa Shii

Darth Vinaze · Mar 30, 2020

Sith Dojo, Dark Praxeum, orbit of Xo.

Derleth thrust Iod through the training droid. As he pulled the sword from the droid's torso, the Dark Praxeum dropped into orbit of the planet. The loudspeakers of the dojo rang with the announcement of their arrival. Derleth lost focus as he looked out the window on the far side of the room, looking at

Darth Voyance 's ship. While he focused on their arrival, he let his guard down for the other training droid he had programmed for this fight. The droid clasped both its metal hands of Derleth's shoulders from behind and tightened its grip, bringing Derleth to his knees in pain. Reaching behind him he grabbed a hold of the droids arms and with a force assisted grip he crushed the machine's forearms, severing them from its body. The metal hand gripping his shoulders relaxed and fell to the floor. He stood and gripped his sword with both hands, raising it above his head before bringing it down onto the droid. The heavy blade cut the metal torso of the droid, not clean like a lightsaber, but ripping and tearing metal and wires. The droid was left as metallic carnage on the dojo floor.

His training session was over. I need to pay more attention he thought. He sheathed his sword and walked to the window so he could observe the Soothsayer. On the side of the room where he moved too was his fellow keeper Kasa Shii. The woman had looked to be getting increasingly uneasy as their journey to Xo progressed. He approached her carefully. "Are you ready Kasa? I believe Darth Voyance wishes to show off the capabilities of this station. We should be proud that we're the first few keepers to witness is."

Darth Voyance · Apr 2, 2020

Darth Adekos said:
There was a short pause, a lingering silence, which Adekos obligingly filled.
"Well spoken, Darth Voyance. Well spoken indeed," he said, "I am, as ever, prepared to offer support to such a noble cause."

Darth Voyance stretched out an open hand and gave a slow bob of her head. She was pleased to find that

Caulder Dune ,one of the many teachers who helped tear down the veil that obscured her eyes from the true nature of her servitude to Empire and not the Sith, had come to visit her. Although a silent glee passed her body with the idea of any praise from the oft barbed and sneeringly cold Sith Lord, she kept such emotions buried behind the masked smile she often wore herself. Retrieving her hand, she resumed her pacing. She wanted to reach every voice that would come to reply to her speech and proposition.

Irveric Tavlar , the Lord General, made his personal philosophies and ambitions known first. Blunt, tactical in their vocabulary, and devoid of any unnecessary rhetorical flamboyance which often peppered Voyance's elocutionary poeticism, the Lord General had made himself clear. Voyance kept her eyes on Irveric as she rounded past the mechno-chair of Lord Adekos, passing from behind his glowing hologram.

Irveric Tavlar said:
"But the Sith Code means nothing to me, just as it means nothing to the millions of soldiers at the command of myself or Lord Vexen nor will it unfurl the banners of the coffins of the men and women we've led to die for any of this. You won't see many people without a saber in their grasps willing to lay down their lives for the Dark Creed. Think of it what you will, it will take more than the Sith themselves to bring down this Empire. This is a far larger existential struggle than the concerns of ancient and esoteric doctrines. This Empire operates like a dull child with the House Zambrano at the seat of power. It operates a doctrine which not only spits in the face of the Sith code but the very dignity of mortal man." Irveric claims.

"Power is not ceded to those most deserving of it from their merit and competence, it is given to those who fawn and beg beneath the banner of the Eye of Soloman. This stagnation trickles down and erodes the foundation this Empire is built upon. And the foundation of this Empire is not the Sith it is the Imperial identity in itself that has been warped and degraded by the House Zambrano. We all know well if we're going to rip the ticks and leeches free from this fetid carcass it will not be with the true Sith insulted by the perversion of their code schismed from the true Imperials who will not go calmly into the night seeing the fruits of their labour melt into nothingness ; we are parties both whose legacies will be forsaken in favor of this horrible machine if we do not act."

She appeared beside him as he finished, stopping to turn her head and see how the others responded.

Darth Avernus said:
Darth Avernus spoke up as Irveric Tavlar's words concluded.

"I must agree with the Lord General. The Empire, even with all its faults has been successful. This success wouldn't have been accomplished without the millions of Imperials that hold up its foundation. Such a retaliation in the name of the Sith Code alone will only be a detriment to our overall success in the long-term. The Code, The Force, Sith, it all means nothing to them. What would the Lords of the Empire be without the masses of Imperial soldiers and citizens beneath them that keep the Empire afloat? Nothing, same as we will be should they decide our cause does not represent them."

Avernus glanced at The Lord General for a moment before continuing.

"Our philosophy dictates that the strong rise to their place, it is the nature of all things after all. Why should Imperials be denied the fruits of this philosophy? Because they are not Sith? No Sith has ever risen to power without relying on the masses of non-Sith that they place beneath them. Imperials must be treated as their strengths and merits dictate, and the pandering to sycophants and grovelers must end. So for as long as we Sith believe ourselves invincible, and neglect the identity of those who would rise with us, we will always fail. We rise together, or we fall divided."

Vaulkhar said:
"The Lord General is correct," Vaulkhar chimed in before once more falling silent.

Voyance's smile perked at either ends. She nodded and crossed her dark robed arms across her chest. She walked ahead of Irveric and stepped into the space between them all. Keen on revolution and the crucible fires of revolt. Too keen, Voyance thought. Perhaps her words need to be dimmed from their piety in order to opt for more strategic language they could understand. It wasn't just about the Sith Code. Voyance was very aware that her rhetoric could be mistaken for some blind religious babble. But, only the distracted would think it so. This was about the very existence of the Sith, and the secular power by which they projected. The two were entwined. And yet had to be separated for their survival. Such was her point. But, if baser words need be said to produce some connection, then she would shift her words to match.

"Of course, of course," Voyance repeated, before continuing, "I am a disciple of the Code but, I am also a student of History, Lord General."

"Ideas and philosophies are immortal...but, soldiers and supplies win the wars of ideas and philosophies."

Reaching for her wrist she tapped some commands into a command bracelet's data-monitor. From its circuits an invisible command descended into the holoprojectors embedded into the floor. The lens all swiveled and fired their collective lights into a single point that ballooned first into a bright white ball that then became refined and detailed. Becoming a hologram map of the Sith Empire and its world possessions.

"If we are to be successful, we shall need to be well prepared and well armed," Voyance said.

"But above all, lethally targeted in tempering the chaotic powers of revolt into a discipline hammered blade to cut the Empire's throat."

"I have made my provisions," said the dark twi'lek, summoning a new image. The image of a battlecruiser marked with Sith symbols.

"With thanks to a private benefactor, I have acquired the means of producing a private flotilla that can be manned by droids entirely. Deflecting any concerns of commandeering personnel. At least on my part."

"When the means are delivered here, I and my Sith conspirators, will depart Sith Imperial sphere of influence for a remote location of my choosing to carry out this production. When complete, I will be in position to produce direct strikes on key targets."

"Beyond this, my influences with the Bounty Hunter guilds will soon come to fruition, and a more...discrete war can be launched in that method."

Before she could continue, a ping bleeped from her wrist. She looked down and tapped it. The smaller image of Commander Karn bubbled into ghostly materialization. Voyance said nothing as a greeting, her stare provided the command to speak.

"Your ladyship, the Dark Praxeum and the Keepers have arrived," said Karn.

"Good," Voyance said, a dark tune her voice. "Have them be patched through to the Soothsayer."

"As you wish," replied Karn, before fading away.

Voyance looked back to the others, "And now, I would like to share my second means of war."

Projected along side the Empire, and the battlecruiser, was the Dark Praxeum. A massive battle station and Sith academy of dark power, that was comprised of two red pyramids connected by a ring of obelisks and turrets. The creation of her design.

"Together I can provide dark power and traditional fire...power," Voyance said.

"For our success however, each of our personal precurements most be coordinated."

Taresa Kae

Darth Vinaze Kasa Shii

Darth Bellum

Darth Bellum · Apr 5, 2020

K O R _ V E X E N

| Location | Orbit over Ao, The Soothsayer

| Intention | Personal Agenda

Vexen silently brooded to himself as the present members talked amongst themselves. His non-force sensitive counterpart spoke with eloquence and passion, echoing his emotions expressed during the assembly on Bastion, and was one of few individuals not gifted in the Force that had the resolve to stare a Sith or Jedi in the eye and spit in their face should the moment call for it. Vexen's gaze shifted from one individual to the next as they spoke, turning his head to the side as the Chiss commander spoke to Voyance and informed her of the arrival of the Praxeum. The parties discussed the importance of securing the support of the Imperials that served underneath the Sith which was to be expected; much like the Jedi during the Clone Wars, they were nothing without their armies of clones to supplement their inferior numbers despite their superiority as far as combat went. And much like the fall of the Jedi during the Clone Wars, it hinged on the abundance of soldiers to cancel out the extraordinary abilities of the Force Users.

When Voyance finally closed out her point, Vexen would reach a hand behind his back, grasping an object beneath his cape before holding out a horned helmet. Though likely not anyone known to those present, it was the helmet of his former second in command; a Sith he had slain on Bastion after they had attempted to defy him shortly before arriving. He'd let it fall to the floor as it clattered, empty eyeholes staring at the congregation as he spoke, " The Dark Seer speaks well... Though there may be those of our followers who do not share in our vision. They are to be excised with impunity... There is to be no hesitation going forth, and no room for error, " Vexen would lower his arm back to his side as he continued, " That being said... The Emperor has already attempted to undermine my authority and influence over the military... I will not be able to sway the majority to turn on the Empire as freely as I wish, though there are those who will respect my command over that of a pompous Sith that sits back, lavishing in lethargy. Regardless, the majority of the Fourth Field Army under my direct command as well as my own fleet can be of service... "

The Lord of Assimilation's vocoded voice would subside; even if the Sith Empire would attempt to slash his control over the military by placing a puppet in his position, he would still be able to devastate them with what he had available to him. There was no strategy that the Sith Empire could employ against him that he had not created or seen utilized on every battlefront he had partaken in. He would just as easily take apart the Empire he had carved a bloody swathe across the Galaxy with conquest. By their hands, they would expose the Empire's heart. By his fist, tear it beating from its chest.