Hidden Traitors, Crouching Cultists [TSE Dom of Barbatos Hex]

[Er'in Tenel]

Objective: IV BYOO (Uncover ancient mysteries)
Location: Azeban Asteroid Belt
Nearby: No one (yet)
Post: 4

​

She floated in empty space before the ancient structure, protected from the void only by the thin but reliable Empire-issue space suit that was stored in the ships lockers.

“And another thing,” She said to thin air, aware that talking to herself was something of a new trait, but not particularly worried by it. “I also need to invest in much higher quality exploration equipment, stunts like this could get me killed.”

She could no longer feel the mental pressure of the creature - which she’d decided to name ‘The Doll’ - thanks to the Mirror-Mind spell, which was completely unsubtle, immediately told anyone you were concealing your thoughts, as any probes would show only their own consciousness staring back at them. It had also been known to drive unwise attackers insane, but she did not think that would be the case here. Still, the spell had limitations - she could only sustain it so long, and if the creature had enough power it could shatter the mirror.

She needed to tame it, bind it, or make a deal with it in that time.

A burst of gas-thrusters pushed her past the outer wreckage and into the chamber itself, lightsaber and mind ready for any assault. But none came, the alcoves were filled with the withered bodies of Sithspawn, long dead from vacuum exposure. Long, almost equine heads stared sightlessly at her, sharp fangs forever stilled.

The thrill of fear was exhilarating - this was what she lived for, what she owed her ex-Master. So obsessed had he been with his bonded Apprentice and her needs, Er’in has been forced to develop herself, finding ancient knowledge in tombs, bypassing traps, wards and defences. Jedi, Sith, Force Cult, the Holocron of Darth Cadeus - oh, how she wished she’d stolen that - had taught her the Force was unified. All knowledge was power.

She drifted in further, spotting the markers on the outer edge of the crystal that was held immobile at the center of the structure. Ancient Sith wards, blistered and worn, but still potent.

That was the key. She recognised the design, likely influenced by Exar Kun’s teachings, if she was any student at all - and she was.

All she needed to do was reproduce an inverse flow, then feed it the souls of the unfortunate crew of pirates. Then the entity would, likely as not, follow that route of escape.

Straight into a pre-prepared soul trap. Then, they could have a little chat. Er’in despised slavery of all forms, so if the creature could not be convinced that she was worthy to master it - bent to her will through reason and passion - then she would trade with it for what she could, or cast it off into space where it would doubtless one day ensnare someone else.

Of course, she didn’t have a pre-prepared soul trap. But she did have the talisman in a bag on her utility belt, and the numerous tools needed to inscribe the correct runes. The blood might be a bit of a problem, she didn’t have time to go back and collect a sacrifice from the ship. But the inverse puncture of the wards - the ‘escape route’ was child’s play, even in hard vacuum.

So she set to work, thinking furiously, using the fear and the danger to hone her skills.

As is often the case with powerful workings, the end result was invisible to a non-sensitive. Anyone remotely near the asteroid belt would feel the ripple of power, and she had no doubt her sensitive colleagues in the system would take note. But visibly, there was nothing more than a shimmer in the air, then the larger crystal went dull and visibly cracked, and the talisman in her hands became... somehow heavier.

Now she felt the pressure pushing against her spell - little enough time left, but enough, she hoped.

“Now,” She said amiably, projecting her thoughts past the shield by the simple process of verbalising them - another weakness in the spell. “we should talk, you and I.”

 

[Zhaelor Anor]

BARBATOS

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​

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Location: City of Cykranosh​

Objective 1: Hunt the traitors​

[member="Darth Ophidia"] [member="Leliana"]​

​

Callidus chuckled, enjoying the chase for what it was. When the pair he moved with slowed, followed by Ophidia disappearing to flank, Callidus waited. He listened to the plan, and trusted the pair to know what they were doing, and considering there was only a pair of enemies ahead, it made no sense to add more complication to it. And within moments, both were attacked, with one of the sentients being detained. Callidus paused a moment, eyebrow raised, as he focused again on his particular target's presence... it was moving. Away.

"Well done, I'm impressed," Callidus said as he walked around the corner of the building. He smirked. "You both work well together. Master and Apprentice, indeed."

Still, as much as Callidus would have liked to stay the course, he couldn't afford to let his target escape. He had orders, after all. The Anzat walked past the pair, offering a nod, before he started off after the presence he was focused on.

"Our paths diverge, it seems," Callidus said over his shoulder, before nodding to the pair. "Good hunting. I will try to circle around to assist as I can."

Without another word, the Sith disappeared into the darkness between another set of buildings, his footsteps silent on the dirt of the alleyway...

 

[Leliana]

Location: Barbatos - Cykranosh
Objective: I - Hunt Down the Traitors
With: [member="Darth Ophidia"] | [member="Zoltan Charrel"] | [member="Darth Callidus"]

All Leliana gave in response was a simple nod, before she pulled up her face mask and slipped around the corner. She didn't have anything close to her Master's ability with shadows, but Leliana was more than capable of blending and remaining quiet.

The two guards were facing one another, but with some distance between them. It wasn't going to be easy to take one out without alerting the other, nor be able to be in position enough to take them out at the same time.

So Leliana got as close as she possibly could and then waited until Ophidia made her move. The younger assassin also leapt into action a second later.

The second guard instinctively raised his weapon, but Leliana intercepted it with a dagger throw knocking it from his hand. He let out a surprised yelp, head turning to look in her direction. Leliana slipped around his defences and grabbed an arm, twisting it behind his back. A quick leg sweep to follow up and the man was sent face first into the ground. Even then he wasn't giving up and attempted to grab something with his free arm. The young assassin acted quickly, drawing her hidden blade and nicking it across the man's neck.

He let out a gasp as the paralysis poison quickly kicked in, only being let go when Leliana was confident the poison had done its job.

"I'm going to set up some eyes while we work."

Leliana glanced over at Callidus as he passed them. Her focus, however, was on something else. She began chanting something under her breath, and the mark hidden beneath her left gauntlet began to glow. Leliana clenched her hand it into a fist, then turned it around and uncurled her fingers. A dark mist swirled around, forming into a ball first before taking a form. It twisted itself into a small black bird, cradled in Leliana's palm before it flew up towards a vantage point.

 

[Darth Banshee]

Objective: Byoo

Well she had a hard nights work, making sure each of them had what they need to do, to turn this. They where now on there own, as long as they did not intentionally squander the money. She would do nothing to interfere, or try and regain the money. They knew this, as she was making sure that the wealth of Serenno, was shared amongst the nobles. As that meant they should support her, in the future. She was buying allies, though she knew one day she would need a Suitor. Though she did not want one, she did miss [member="Rexus Drath"], as well as her daughter. Though she had put that life behind her, and none of them would approve of her.

She turned in for night, she hoped they did well as it meant more money flowing into Serenno. She was rebuilding Serenno, and all extra revenues made it easier. This would be just one revenue stream, and she been making revenue streams, for serenno, via nobles for a while now. This brought wealth to serenno, new infrastructure and helped Serenno to rise in importance in the empire, this was her plans for now. Though now she need the nobles pacified as busy, making money for there houses. She slept well, and tomorrow she heads back home.

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

Objective III: Dungeon Delving.
Tag: [member="Dubiety"] [member="Lark"] [member="The Prowler"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"]

The combined front of Trellux, Lark, Dubiety, and Joycelyn pushed the creatures back and sent them into a greater disarray. The electricity crackled and roared, travelling from one body to another, stunning and ultimately killing the creatures or sending them skittering back from whence they came. The tail of fire, lashing out from Joycelyn's hand, lacerated and incinerated on touch, making its fair share of carnage. Now, Dubiety's sorcery created a whole other carnage.

The invisible force of his sorcery blew broken bodies aside and scattered pieces in its wake.

As the swarm scattered, the group could advance in a glorious march. Behind them were the bodies of their teammates, swallowed by the ground or by the shadows, twisted in terror and indescribable agony. They had given their lives for the Empire. As the swarm scattered and the group made their way forward, their lights illuminated a clearly constructed doorway, the old, metal doors of which were open and twisted aside. Beyond that was a room.

Blackness greeted them, but shied away from their approach.

The room was an equal square with a total of four doors, one on each wall. Two doors were sealed by physical and arcane means, while the closest door -the group's point of entry- was open. The far door had been blasted open by an explosive device, and now it swarmed with the dark creatures. Beyond that point there was a far more sinister aura, waiting, watching.

Judging.

"We need to seal that door!"

Joycelyn pointed to the far door. If they could stop the stream of monsters, then they could vanquish the remainder. It would not mean the end of the war, but a decisive battle ending in their favour.

 

[Darth Trellux]

"We need to seal that door!"

Trellux understood and launched into action without hesitation. Yellow saber swinging, the bisected one of the monstrosities at the waist and sent his carcass flying with a quick, snappy application of telekinesis into the nearby cave wall. He carved up another creature with his lightsaber, using his free left hand to keep another at bay with the Force as it desperately attempted to claw at his being with sharp talons and snapping mandibles. With a grunt of exertion, he lifted the beast above his head and slammed it down into the cave floor, shattering its body against the hard rock in an explosion of blood and gore.

No time to reflect on the gruesomeness of his actions, he had a job to do.

Nearing the door, Trellux surveyed the damage. The frame around the threshold was virtually bent and broken, incapable of being closed by conventional means ever again. Which was their primary concern, as the open portal into the darkness beyond serves as a conduit for the beasts hidden beneath the mountain to rush up into the surface world. What they had faced before was merely a minute percentage of the horrors the Inquisitor could feel seething beneath him. And beyond that, there was an even more malignant presence, something otherworldly that watched them with an unfeeling indifferent eye.

Something primordial.

Something that was oddly familiar.

And that was when he remembered feeling this sensation before, scrutinized by the eye of something which could well be considered a god. It was when he was first granted an audience with the Sith Emperor, ushered into his magnificent throne room and made to kneel before the black iron throne. It was upon that seat that the Emperor regarded him, and the moment Trellux's eyes met the Emperor's he was overwhelmed by a cold sensation that crept up his limbs and nestled in his chest. He felt like an insect being observed by a being powerful enough to wipe out his entire existence at a whim, and he had never felt more powerless and insignificant at that moment.

Shaking the memory from his mind Trellux cried, "We need to bring down the wall on the door! It's the only way to seal it! Help me!" Reaching out he latched onto the stone wall above the door with the Force, straining with all of his might to bring it tumbling down on top of the horde and block the passage into the dark abyss.

[member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] | [member="Dubiety"] | [member="Lark"]​

 

[Darth Banshee]

Objective: Byoo

She got early, and checked in with her people, keeping an eye on the nobles. She then put an order in on them all, for the Rock Ivory. She was going to use it, in her purpose built ship, one to force Serenno opinion on other worlds. The plan was a troop carrier, that was capable orbital bombardment, and attacking without warning. The mineral Rock Ivory, was going to be used in the hangar bay, so ships could be launched, but not under the own steam, but via a dura steel catapult. This way no accidental hot gasses would give the ships positions away. She waited to see how they reacted, to the request. They soon got back, all saying the correct thing. The order will be a priority, as soon as the mines are open, and begin refining the ore. Seeing all was in hand, she smiled. Then checked with her sources, apart form two of them, they all where doing what she requested. The ones that where not, where already beginning to mine with droids. Though they had been in contact with the agencies. These where the ones to watch, as they had initiative, and that is what she respected.

Soon with everything in order on the planet, she knew sith would take down cultists. She done her job, brought investment to planet, and helped give the populace a jobs, which will keep them busy. As there old saying, idle hands, are the rebellions play thing.

 

[Lark]

Nearby: [member="Inquisitor Trellux"] [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] [member="Dubiety"]

Lark hastened towards the door, cutting through a handful of insects as he did so. At this point, the carnage had become second nature to him. He had lost count of how many of the creatures he had killed, how many carapaces he had to step over. His body was starting to wear down, but his mind was still as sharp as a jester's tongue. As long as that remained true, Lark believed he could will himself through any trial.

Joining the Inquisitor at the door, Lark began to assist in bringing the broken slab of rock down. But, for only a moment, Lark's gaze lingered on the unlit corridor they sought to close off. He felt the darkness emanating from the hallway, something so horrible it could scarcely be comprehended. Was it the birth of all of these wicked beings around them, or were they simply attracted to the baleful presence as well? For when Lark met that hellish stare, he could not help but smile back. Whatever that abhorrent thing was, it was not meant for mortal men lay eyes upon.

That was why Lark wanted to see it.

But their meeting would have to wait. Lark helped force the door down, and no matter how stubbornly it tried to remain in place, it was no match for the combined might of Lark and the Inquisitor. The door plummeted back into place, blocking another charge of insects from coming through, sealing the pests inside. There were a small number of the varmint terrorizing the Sith, but with their reinforcements cut off, they would be slaughtered in mere moments. If they could finally deal with the remnants of the horde, perhaps they might finally achieve a momentary reprieve.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Objective: Obey
Nearby: [member="Lark"] [member="The Prowler"] [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] [member="Elaine Thul"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"]

"Seal it?" For a moment, the Zambrano paused. His gaze stared down the path, to the power that spoke to him in the distance. He wanted nothing more then to walk down and find the source. To make it his own. But there was nothing he could do, not now at least. He had exhausted all of his spell slots power earlier, and needed a rest to regain any use of his spells. He did what he could to help the sealing of the path, and eventually collapsed on the ground, taking a moment to himself.

"Quite the expedition so far, huh."

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

Objective III: Dungeon Delving.
Tag: [member="Dubiety"] [member="Lark"] [member="The Prowler"] [member="Inquisitor Trellux"]

The team came crashing into the room, breaking down the mass of dark opponents, and worked together to collapse the door from which the creatures had come. Joycelyn, like the others, felt the temptation of the powers within and felt a sadness in sealing it away. Yet she, and they, knew they needed to cork the bottle before the wine flowed out and stained the carpet.

While the others worked on bringing down the wall. She had grabbed one of the metal doors, pulled it off, and heated it up with the Force. It took an intense focus, but the metal became dark, then red, then white hot and glowing. She shaped it telekinetically into a sort of twin-headed hook before plunging it into the crumbling wall and bending it onto shape. It helped bind and support their collapse of the wall, keeping it from being simply excavated.

For now.

A moment of silence captured the group as they were allowed to behold their minor victory.

Joycelyn looked at her burned hands, clenched the fists and felt the surging pain as she closed her eyes and dedicated it to Vahl. The Goddess had helped them, she was convinced. For a full minute, she simply stood and savoured the stinging sensation before her eyes opened again and her commanding voiced echoed through the room.

"Good job." "Now the time has come to fortify and reconquer this mountain in the name of the Sith Empire."

She looked to inquisitor Trellux, silently giving him the honour of declaring the victory to the ships and scientists waiting in orbit.

Her eyes then fell to the young, formerly masked sorcerer, and they narrowed in recognition. She had seen enough of Kaine's spawn to know the common features. The sharp jawline, the curl of the nostril, the cut and angle of the cheekbones. Yet, she did not know his name. Such occurrences rarely came about without reason.

Beyond him, she looked to Lark, and to the rest of the survivors. Few in numbers, but great in achievement.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

[member="Leliana"] [member="Darth Callidus"]

While her apprentice downed her opponent with relative ease and then began setting up counter-surveillance with her sorcerous hand, Ophidia forced open her victim's eyes and stared into them with her own unblinking gaze.

"Happy hunting indeed."

Her words were distant, almost a whisper, as she delved into his mind, his memories. He tried to resist, but she didn't care if she broke him. No, she just wanted to know what he had seen. Faces, codes, streets, timing. She gobbled it all up and filtered out the unnecessary, the personal, the rubbish. While she proceeded, his body grew cold, his skin grew pale. Then, she let go. He was still stiff as a board, but alive.

After tucking the bodies away and establishing themselves in a less exposed way, Ophidia rubbed her temple gently as she waited for Leliana to say when, then clicked the next light on the comlink. It was to trigger the assault. And like dominos, the bird told the apprentice, the apprentice told the master, and the master released a silent hell.

First came the shots from far away. They had already taken out the far support, now they took out the immediate guard. Then came the shadows with their knives, Ophidia and Leliana would make short work of the rest. Those who were not killed were drugged and disabled for capture and interrogation.

A battle unseen for the soul of a planet.

 

[Er'in Tenel]

Objective: IV BYOO (Uncover ancient mysteries)
Location: Azeban Asteroid Belt
Nearby: No one
Post: 5

​

The world was a mass of confusing images, of fractured identities and of overwhelming desire for freedom and sensation.

The violence of the sensations stilled Er’in’s mind to near silence as she ‘spoke’ with the bound entity - for a moment her brain was as empty of thought as the void around her. It was... a unique sensation.

The image of a family, mother, father, daughter - the mother screaming at the father, the daughter in fear. Then another intellect clawed to the fore, a more simple, primitive mind, sitting around a campfire, it tried to reach into her mind to grasp even the tiniest hint of sensation. A criminal, no, an innocent, locked in a cell awaiting what she knew to be a painful death at the hands of the Lord. All she wanted was one moment of hope, or anger, or...

They were fighting, in her head. A family of intellects - perhaps of souls. Struggling now to be the ones to speak, even though each was part of the whole, each would offer anything to be released from this...

In her head.

In her head.

IN HER HEAD.

“What’s in your head?” She whispered into the void, struggling to make sense of the sensations as a broken hearted mother came to the fore, begging for a daughter who would never return to her.

The violence... the violence caused the silence.

It was, Er’in reflected, the same thing as so many other places. But this... entity, this prison that was now a person, was unique.

In her head.

They were still fighting.

What’s in my head?

I am.

“Enough!”

The thought was enough to cause her to scream the word out loud, silencing the entities scrambled attempts to communicate.

“I will give you what you want - all of you and each of you. For two things, your loyalty and your trust. I will free you, if you help me gain my own freedom. If not...”

Empty void, beyond even the darkest of nights, space and worst of all time without hope of ever being found, of getting anything they-it wanted.

“Nothing.”

For a long moment, absolute silence ruled the physical and spiritual realms, then with a grudging acknowledgement, the long-forgotten prison and tool of an ancient Dark Jedi projected a single image, that of a broken crystal.

Er’in nodded, aware her motions would translate to thoughts.

“Your freedom to persue all that you wish, in return for mine, now until the stars grow dim.”

The compact was made.