Vytal Noctura
N I G H T M O T H E R
OUT OF CHARACTER INFORMATION
- Intent: A companion, guardian, and protector of Ryloth.
- Image Credit: Uncertain Author, Earliest Instance via TinEye
- Role: Guardian of Ryloth, Sentry of the Vureshakkairn Castle
- Permissions: N/A
- Links:
- Age: Sixteen
- Force Sensitivity: Force User (Limited)
- Species: Ouroboros Krayt Dragon
- Appearance:
As an Ouroboros Krayt Dragon, Tarkona is 92 meters long and 26 meters tall when on all eight legs. Her charcoal black scales run the length of her body from snout to tail; and as she grows older it is likely her scales will continue to darken. Vibrant, reflective eyes possess the clarity of inhuman intelligence.
An intense gaze, massive figure, and razor sharp fangs and talons are all the more disturbing given a wing-span of 100 meters. Tarkona's wings allow her to swiftly fly for extended periods of time to friend or prey alike.
On Tarkona's left shoulder, with a lighter shadow than other scales, is a birthmark where the genetic template implantation occurred.
- Name: Tarkona (Storm), Alema Karseni (Dauntless Protector)
- Loyalties: Vytal Noctura, Nightmother of the Mandragora
- Notable Possessions: None at this time
- Personality: Aggressive, bold, possessive, and demanding. Tarkona is still young for an Ouroboros, only capable for the last two years in staying aloft longer than half an hour. Being so young there's a strong streak of independence expected of any dragon, with only a chosen few able to bid her to a less...assertive stance among others -- the Nightmother being the predominant one. Taught to think of Ryloth as her home (or domain), she is extremely protective of it to those identified as its enemies. Well-meaning as that sounds, however, Tarkona is still draconic and her temperament not suited for leisurely strolls through city streets.
- Training: Tarkona has been taught to differentiate between most sentient lifeforms (especially bipedal) and creatures suitable to food. Strenuous effort was made to ensure the protector did not turn on those it would seek to protect. Limited Force training also occurred, primarily regarding a means of 'communication' between the Dragon and the Nightmother, and the Mandragora whom Tarkona sees most often of all bipedal sort. Flight and even single-occupant carrying training have been recent developments, though much room for improvement remains.
- Combat Function: Tarkona would be good at psychological warfare just by showing up to the field of battle, but is also adept at wild spread carnage using tail (with nearly meter-long flail-like spikes), her eight legs with talons, or a massive maw filled with teeth. Alone or faced with significant military might and little support, fly-bys, distractions, and even aerial reconnaissance may prove the better role.
- Apex Predator - Tarkona likes Rancor as much as a Nightsister. Likes it when they go 'crunch' between her fangs. Fear is not something an Ouroboros Krayt Dragon knows when faced with a foe even of equal or greater size. There's no frame of reference in their instincts for it; and even if experience might say otherwise, they're too proud to be cowed by doubt or uncertainty. Yet, they're smart enough to learn what does or does not work against a particular kind of creature -- and vehicles are just another kind of creature to a Dragon.
- Life Choices - Krayt Dragons are well-known for being a challenging kill, with the larger Greater Krayt Dragon given a wide berth even by indigenous lifeforms of Tatooine that normally use the smaller, more common variety for their rites of passage. The Ouroboros is a genetically modified version of the larger of the two. Its hide is durable enough to withstand small arms fire, and its body large enough and with enough muscle density allow it to absorb a number of blows that do get through, which gives those lucky karkers a second or two to cheer before being devoured.
- Flight Capable - Tarkona is old enough now to weather sustained flight, and young enough her genetic profile has had mild improvements to reduce the pain resulting from those prolonged periods of flying. She is still too young to be carrying groups of people around, and even just the Nightmother alone often benefits from a flow of healing energy. While in the air, Tarkona is fast enough to give an average starfighter a run for its money for a very brief time.
- Force Powers - Mystic powers allow Tarkona and the Nightmother to communicate in a way that does not use words such much as impressions or an understanding. Others may also try, but whether Tarkona responds depends on if she likes them. She has also displayed a knack for avoiding technology-based weaponry even when fired from a distance. A reactionary instinct that seems beyond what might be ascribed to genetics. The extent of it, however, cannot be quantified due to the limitations in communing with Tarkona, but it seems similar to similar such abilities of Force Uses or perhaps the Echani.
- Apex Predator - For the same reason Tarkona is fearless, she could also be surrounded or injured from naivety or carelessness. Landing in the middle of an army alone is not the best strategy, but if she doesn't recognize their vehicles for what they are and is feeling particularly hungry...
- Dragons Don't Hide - Stealth is not an option. Not unless some external means provides an optical cloaking effect over a large area. Tarkona's movements are also felt as much as they might be heard. Dragons can silently watch a prey from afar until its in position, but once on the move speed is of the essence.
- Demanding - Dragons love being pampered. Affection keeps them happy, which prevents outbursts, and lingering feelings of neglect and being unappreciated. The Nightmother needs to often visit her, or have Tarkona visit the Castle for a little quality time together. Careful watch over their watering and feeding ground is also necessary to ensure it is not depleted to prevent an unplanned relocation.
- Cannot Talk Back - Tarkona, like other Ouroboros, cannot use Galactic Basic to communicate. Even body language would make conveying complex or nuanced concepts all but impossible to most sentient lifeforms.
- Dragon's Wrath - Any that harm Vytal Noctura had best step lightly, as should any living creature between Tarkona and the offending party. Time with the Mandragora has bolstered Tarkona's self-control, but as a Dragon wounds to her pride are likely to send her into a frenzy. Ouroboros are known to be terrifyingly violent when roused to anger.
HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Ouroboros Krayt Dragons are often manufactured and released on Tattooine for their formative development and training. Wild births are possible, though not numerous. Tarkona's formative years were like many others, except her temperament was disinclined to forming a bond with any sentient lifeform. The older shew grew, the less likely it seemed she would become a 'domesticated' Dragon useful elsewhere in the systems.
That was until Vytal Noctura visited, curious about the Ouroboros after having been introduced to Morrok, Asher's Ouroboros companion that more often than not could be found around Raven's Point. It was difficult not to be taken by Morrok's fierce strength and commitment. Given how few there were on Ryloth, and the Mandragora's desire to acquire samples of many flora and fauna for protection and at times study, the Dathomiri woman went to their source. Several young Dragons were offered should the Ouroboros meet her expectations; while one Dragon far too young, and one too old were dismissed out of hand. At least until Vytal asked why the older one was not worth consideration. They explained that Tarkona was entering her teenage years and might soon set off on her own, not a danger to local inhabitants but not particular interested in them either. Such willfulness interested Vytal, and seeing how time was short she sought to be introduced to the eldest first.
Tarkona introduced herself by surging forward with her maw snapping down just short of her prey. While the escort ran, the Nightsister stood her ground. The women of Dathomir knew much about 'taming' ferocious beasts. Rancor were the specialty of certain clans on Dathomir. Vytal hadn't the privilege of learning that art, but Sisters talked. One of the most important things, it was said, was not to show fear. Whether you felt it paled in comparison to displaying it openly. Neither moved for over an hour. Vytal sought to reach out through the Force to commune with the Dragon -- to understand it, and to be more than just another creature that scurried through Tarkona's domain.
Since that day Vytal has spent time ensuring Tarkona has a well-supplied source of nutritious beasts, comforts of a den, and a welcome place at Vureshakkairn Castle. While Morrok and Tarkona were of a kind, such creatures did not share. Though they were able to occupy the same region for short periods of time when gatherings and assemblies were needed. What they thought of one another, however, only Asher and Vytal could begin to guess.
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