Dominion The Bryn'adûl | Shard of Draemidus | Dominion of Empty Hex

[Keldothera]

Objective: B
Tags: Sethrak | Tathra Khaeus | Gordrak |
Post: Two

She understood why Galak had done it, she understood that it had stopped the fighting and Tathra's... 'execution' had only further cemented it. She sat down, leaning back - head resting against the stone as her armour baked in the heat of the nearby sun. Her golden eyes looked up to the sky, or what they'd made of one.

It was a beautiful thing, what they'd been able to accomplish as a species. Their non-invasive technology had made once corrupted and cold worlds ones filled with warmth and a strong, warrior like culture but it had its darker sides too. The beauty was matched by the horrors.

Their cut throat nation meant that many who stumbled never found their way. Fertesa could have been saved, but the individual was not as important in this context. Could one rise to power through individualism? Yes, personal prowess counted for a lot but ultimately it was how the individual contributed to the group that made them as an individual more valuable.

When Galak killed Fertesa, it was to protect those who could become like her, to stop the plague of weakness from spreading beyond her.

 

[Primarch Drek'ma]

Post: Four
Tags: Seer Kalanthir | Galak
Objective: A

The Seer was right of course, he could not fear for a life that was constantly put in danger. But that was just it, whilst combat and war were something he could contend with. But it was the conspiring, the traitors among them that made everything so much worse. It wasn’t the call of the battlefield that would kill their Chieftain, he was too great a warrior. The most likely candidate was their own kind.

Tenabraks weren’t as weak as he had expected. The once beast master Gallan had been a formidable opponent even when he had achieved the element of surprise. Albeit the struggle was caused by his previous use of the force to fight off the tenabraks control of the beasts, they had turned the tide but it had cost him some degree of energy.

“You’re right Seer. Bu-” Drek’ma was cut off by the approach of another. His unblinking eyes shifted to observe the Emissary. General Galak, one of the most infamous Emissaries and accomplished Juggernauts of the 10th Regiment.

A respected warrior.

“Greetings.”

 

[Keldothera]

Objective: B
Tags: Sethrak | Tathra Khaeus | Gordrak
Post: Three

But that was of no great comfort, in truth all she could think of was the moments of acceptance and strength. She had felt brave, allowing another female into her life. She had felt like she was making headway with her issues but now all of that was replaced with the constant reminder of the cold anger that had warped her visage.

The cold anger of a traitor that filled the Grenadiers eyes. She saw it when her eyes closed, and anytime she was reminded of that unfortunate death it was the nothing that replaced it. After the Grenadier had died, nothing was left but a hollow shell. Kelda sat upright, pushing herself up from her relaxed position on her palms.

She felt the weight of her armour with particular distaste in that moment as she awkwardly shuffled into a different position. Looking about, she wondered what the ancients were like. Taller, smaller, weaker or stronger. Perhaps the discoveries of the library would tell them more of the world that Tathra had been robbed of.

 

[Galak]

Post: Five
Tags: Primarch Drek'ma | Seer Kalanthir
Objective: A

As he approached, he felt the general unease of the Primarch in his cold words. Though surprisingly that didn’t make him feel uneasy, it just made him feel like maybe they had common ground. They were all worried, all concerned. But maybe for different reasons? He didn’t know.

However, he did not wish to mince words. He was here to talk to the Seer, not to Drek’ma and there was only so long he could keep up the pretense of pleasantry. The Emissary crossed his arms, looking to the ground and back up.

“I don’t mean to be rude Primarch, but I’d like to speak to Seer Kalanthir. Alone.” He explained, his voice growling slightly as he made it clear this was not a request.

 

[Keldothera]

Objective: B
Tags: Sethrak | Gordrak | Tathra Khaeus |
Post: Four

This place, if anything was a reminder of exactly why he was the one to lead them. They had all been grown from him, and the strength of him exuded through all of them. There was no other choice, even as he grew older and the Draelvasier grew stronger.

They owed him their allegiance, he was the inheritor of all the evils and mistakes of the Galaxy and instead of succumbing to them he built the Draelvasier race anew. She nor her kin would have ever existed without him. She loved him.

She loved the way he talked and walked, worshipped the ground underneath his feet. Why? Because it was his, it could all be his forever and instead he shared it with those willing to make something of themselves. It was a beautiful thing, the generosity of such an incredible warrior.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Objective: B
Post: Three
Tags: Sethrak | Keldothera | Gordrak

What had befallen their mighty home was truly a tragedy, the sinful acts of careless empires had ravaged their world. The reminder of that hardened him every day. He had no true love for the Draelvasier he had encountered on the ruined moons of Eld but he blamed the pointless cruelty of this Galaxy for what had become of them.

"Sire, look here... its an old mural." Another of the archaeologists called, drawing the attention of the others and the onlookers.

Tathra set down the small, spindly pieces of equipment; placing his right hand on his upright knee as he pushed himself to a standing position, rolling back his shoulders. He felt the muscles in his back ache, long hours of study and delicate work were a world apart from hours of adrenaline filled combat. His heavy steps thundered calmly as he made his way over to where he had been called from, stepping past two on-looking Juggernauts as his opaque eyes scanned over the mural.

It seemed to be an illustration, it told a story in mostly pictures more than words. Tathra found a familiar figure, a leader - with a warm grin he ran his fingers across the inscribed figure.

"Hello." He spoke, half under his breath. He wondered what the Chieftain's of old were like, he wished he had the opportunity to know them, speak with them. But, the memory library would be the next best thing - if they could find it.

"It's... a tribe leader or a Chieftain, delegating roles to his kin. Warrior, hunter, whatnot." He explained.

 

[Ostak Cl'mana]

POST: II
OBJECTIVE: B
TAGS: Sethrak

Ostak and the Shaman-Enforcers came to a sudden halt as they noticed the presence of another Draelvasier.
​

As Ostak turned around, he recognized the approaching figure as the Warlock who had been with him when he had negotiated with the rouge Shipmaster. It was clear that he had a passionate sense of independence - his ridicule of the Chieftain after his ill-advised execution of the Shipmaster had been thorough and harsh. The Warlock's outspoken ideologies made him a person of interest to the Tachael-Vemnak, an individual who should never be left out of their sight. While his intrusion was certainly unexpected, and would make obtaining technology solely for the benefit of the Vemnak a more difficult task, it also served a beneficial purpose. With the Warlock in their midst, Ostak and his Enforcers under the guise of a Shaman squad could observe his movements and potentially apprehend him if he were to speak of heresy away from the ears of the Ish'makra.

"Welcome, Warlock." stated Ostak calmly. "I remember you from the failed Shipmaster negotiations. Come with me and my squad - this structure may hold countless secrets within."

The unit approached the massive arch, quickly observing its structure to ensure that their entry would not cause the arch to cave in upon them. Upon confirming its structural stability, the Shamen stepped into the shade of the arch, never letting the Warlock out of their sight.

 

[Sethrak]

Post:1
Obj: B

Spoiler

Tathra Khaeus Ostak Cl'mana

It was the shaman from the patrol incident. He had been there when Sethrak openly questioned Tathra. Sethrak had sensed an overwhelming amount of loyalty in the Shaman, but they seemed to agree on the rashness of Tathra's execution at that moment. Perhaps he could be woo'd into seeing things Sethrak's way. Though, this wasn't the time or place for it. Tathra was on the planet and there were many loyal Drael around.

Sethrak addressed the Shaman "Greetings. Let us hope we can find something of importance here, and not dusty old trinkets."

It was a simple statement, but there was no purpose other than to reply to the Shaman. Simple was all that was needed.

He looked around again, taking in the vastness of the structure that they approached. Every step made it seem ten times bigger as the lake of sand shrunk. There would be hundreds of secrets here, he could feel it. The Warlock's heart beat inside his chest, as if it would break out and search the ruins on its' own. Never had he been so interested in the unknown.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Objective: B
Post: Four
Tags: Sethrak | Ostak Cl'mana | Keldothera |

The Titan smiled, an all too familiar sight. Assigning roles, not too different from when he had first started. It reminded him of those early, simpler days. It had been nearly ten years ago, actually more than ten, closer to twenty. A decade of new Draelvasier, dozens of generations gone by. If he had greys to show they'd been in full rows now. He smiled meekly.

"In the early days, long before most of you ever existed. I did exactly this. I delegated roles by myself, long before the institutes of the Bedla'Korum and such came. But eventually, it all became too time consuming and I needed to delegate even the role of selection to others. In truth, I miss those times. But, I would not change a thing. We are where we are, because of who we are and the strength we carry." He explained, following the trail of ancient text.

He knelt to one knee, studying it closely. Ah, the library. It seemed indeed that where they stood now had once been a part of the library. Or indeed a pathway that lead to it, where it was now; one could not truly say. But this was a step in the right direction, they were on the precipice of discovery - he could feel it. And what a long time it had been since he had felt that.

 

[Gordrak]

Post: 2
Objective: B



The three brutes found themselves huddled around the remnants of what might have been a structure once. That said, it was far too small to be what they were sent out to find. Regardless, they swept through the "ruins" for a sign of where to go next. Gordrak knelt beside a pile of sand and rummaged about it. They hadn't found anything and though Gordrak himself felt something faintly tug at the back of his mind occassionally, he ignored it. He opted to rely on his body and his senses rather than the other part of him. He couldn't even be sure it would help. No, doing it himself was the way. The only way. Gordrak huffed in a disappointed manner before rising from the pile. He turned his attention to his brothers and saw they had met with similar results.



" Lets move on. "



The three then departed, continuing their way across another stretch of desert. Though they saw what looked to be more structures, Gordrak honestly expected their search to yield nothing but further failure. " I've seen that rock before " One of the other two brutes said as he spoke up. He took a moment to point toward a single rock that barely jut from the sand a scant meter or so away. The other Brute sighed before responding. " Its a desert. All the rocks look the same. " The brute who pointed out the rock stopped immediately, his attention focused solely upon his companion. " You accuse me of lying? " Gordrak took this moment to speak up and hopefully get his brothers back on track. " He's not calling you a liar. He's saying your stupid. " Gordrak chuckled for a moment before he continued. " Now get moving, we need to find the library. " A moment of silence befell the other two brutes before they erupted with laughter. They quickly took up their position behind Gordrak and continued onward. Though he didn't state it, Gordrak hoped to be the one who discovered the library first. Even if that never happened, he wanted to ensure no one could accuse him of not trying. The Chieftain wanted it found and, If Gordrak had anything to say about it, it would be.

 

[Seer Kalanthir]

Post: Six
Objective: A
Tags: Primarch Drek'ma | Galak |

Whilst he would’ve preferred to be able to speak with them both independently, it was becoming clear that an awkward outcome was the only thing they were getting out of this current situation. Though, even at a distance he could still feel the other Seers, in these troubling times he counted on their guidance. The Hierarch urged him to speak with the Emissary, and so it would be done.

The blood runs red. We stand on the precipice, we must be STRONG if we are to survive the coming storm. For there is indeed a storm to come. It will crash against us, but we must be together.

The faceless seer spoke with a disembodied voice, his head hung low as his mind travelled through more time; perceiving the shadow to come.

There are dark days to come. Yet, if you would excuse us - Primarch. I would like to speak with Galak.

The conversation to come would indeed be an interesting one.

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Objective: B
Post: Five
Tags: Ostak Cl'mana | Keldothera | Sethrak | Gordrak |

"Here look at these last few glyphs. This was part of a pathway to the library, they must've recorded this moment in the library as well as on these walls." He rose, walking toward the edge of the immediate foundations, the grand swathe of desert and destroyed planet ahead to various buildings beyond that.

"That right there is how we are going to find the library. It IS here. I can feel it." Staring off into the horizon, his voice was strong and certain. He so desperately needed to find the library. Perhaps his ancestors had not always been so complacently weak like those he met on the moons of Eld, he doubted as much. It could not be possible.

He looked at these grand designs, he saw the strength that it would have taken to build them, he saw the intelligence that went into the way they described themselves and the art of their culture. He saw that the Draelvasier could have been one of the strongest species in the Galaxy, could have conquered it a hundred thousand years ago had they not been destroyed before they had even reached the stars.

It had been a crime, one he could not forgive - one he would never forgive. The archaeologist team followed Tathra, shifting through the ruins further into the desert. More and more symbols ahead seemed to lead closer and closer to the library, more and more telling of how it was created.

 

[Primarch Drek'ma]

Post: Five
Tags: Seer Kalanthir | Galak
Objective: A

Even if he wished otherwise, he understood the request. If it helped keep the Emissary loyal and his mind settled, that was more important than himself at the moment. He and the Seer both knew each other to be loyal, but he would leave them on a note. They needed to ensure that they remained strong, remained united against weakness.

"As you wish." Drek'ma placed the stub of his right hand against his chest, bowing slightly as he began to depart from the area. He would leave them be.

But - he stopped a few steps away, thinking on what to say. They had to know, no doubt they already did but he would not take chances.

"I bid you good fortune. We must stand together, united for what is to come." With that, he turned and left. There was nothing left to be said.

 

[Galak]

Post: Six
Tags: Primarch Drek'ma | Seer Kalanthir |
Objective: A

Galak nodded to the Primarch as he walked away, turning to the Seer to finally start talking. But apparently the Primarch wasn't done, he sighed as Drek'ma started to speak again but as he listened to what little the Shaman had to say, he realised there was some truth to it. It wasn't all that different to what he had been thinking either, he too had been worrying about what was to come.

"Likewise, Primarch." Galak replied, bowing his head slightly as he softly bumped his fist against his right breastplate.

Even with all their differences, he still respected the Shaman. He had a different kind of strength, but the same kind of loyalty and drive that had gotten him through plenty of struggles. In that moment, a dozen memories flashed by. When he had lost his eye in the Hurikane caves, when he lost his arm in the battle at Yurb and so many other battles he had survived. So much death, so much. You didn't need to be a force sensitive to feel it, something was coming.

When the Primarch left, he turned to the Seer.

"I seek guidance, Seer."

 

[Keldothera]

Objective: B
Tags: Sethrak | Gordrak | Tathra Khaeus
Post: Five

Able to deal out such wanton destruction but still capable of greater feats of diplomacy and grace unfound in the bitter walls of the Ish'makra chambers. Perhaps that was a sign of his age? Kelda could not know. But she wondered if perhaps, finding out more about the ancients would reveal more of what he was like in his younger years.

Or she could, just ask. Just ask.

She made her way toward where the main archaeologist group was, she had a bet he would be there. It didn't take long for her to find the group. But for now, the General would watch from afar, she liked watching him. He seemed to have a sparkle in his eye when talking about the Draelvasier of old.

She had to muster up some courage to talk to him, ask him. Maybe if she helped find the library they could talk, she looked around the mural and glyphs for something. She wasn't fluent in the older language, but it wasn't too different from theirs. She could make out some words, somewhat.

"Archaeologist, look here. What does this seem to say?"

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

Objective: B
Post: Six
Tags: Ostak Cl'mana | Keldothera | Sethrak | Gordrak |

"Look here, the first every recording. You can see here, something equivalent to a Seer recording their memories. See how the telepathy is, focusing into the artefact." It seemed to confirm his suspicions.

Even with everything he was or had been, Tathra was still a historian. A study of the Galaxy, there were so many gaps in many species timelines. So many gaps, warriors and brave 'men' and 'women' gone forever and forgotten. He did not want that to happen to the Drael of old, he wanted their victories to be remembered as much as their mistakes.

He stopped but only for a moment, he wondered how he would be remembered. If he would be at all, he was reaching his elder years and was getting slower. It was strange, entire lifetimes past by and only now were the truly important years beginning. Nothing had compared to this, nothing could have prepared him - for this. Challenges unlike any other lay on the road ahead and a hard one it would indeed be.

The Seers spoke of battle to come, these would be the deciding days for the Draelvasier. These, would be the deciding battles for the Bryn'adûl. He wasn't stupid enough to believe himself prepared, or foolish enough to think it was easy. He would have to fight, harder than any fight that had came before. Yurb had not been the end, nor had it been the wound that would lead to their death.

Tathra was determined not to let that happen. But for now the library needed to be found.

 

[Seer Kalanthir]

Post: Seven
Objective: A
Tags: Galak | Primarch Drek'ma |

Guidance. Guidance was something he could provide, but as to what that meant he didn't know. The Seers had saw so much in the past days, it felt as though the world had been out of balance since the conflict at Yurb and now, that was about to get worse. He could not help but feel anxious, and thusly he understood the issue of the Emissaries distress.

I understand what you are experiencing, Galak. You are a warrior and you face a foe you cannot kill. You cannot fight, at least not conventionally.

The Seer seemingly floated across the ground, gesturing to the mural adjacent to them. It depicted groups debating, why or what about they could never know but that wasn't the point.

The roots, these are yours. Their minds are your voices, your thoughts are their intentions. Your feelings, your worries are their voice. The debate is within, as it is with all Draelvasier in this dark time.

He turned to Galak, his fingers interlacing as he tilted his head in the general direction of Emissary.

 

[Ostak Cl'mana]

POST: III
OBJECTIVE: B
TAGS: Sethrak

As the group entered the ruined building, the temperature dropped significantly.

It seemed as if the structure's entrance hall was large enough to take on the characteristics of a cavern, funneling the nearly unnoticeable wind outside into a light, cool breeze. Already, the sweat covering Ostak's body was beginning to recede as the group continued further into the insulated building.

They seemed to be in some sort of main hallway - the arched roof roze nearly two dozen meters above them, with cracks and holes filtering in the dim light of the native star. Ornate carvings lined the walls, many well-preserved. They showed Draelvasier of various shapes and sizes rallying into battle against an unseen foe, some commanding massive beasts likely made extinct when the old homeworld was destroyed. After about fifty meters, the carvings changed theme, showing numerous Draelvasier forms resembling Aeravalin at work in a large room, assembling what seemed to be piles of stone tablets containing illegible text. Another thirty meters later, the hallway was disrupted by a massive staircase leading straight down several dozen meters into the earth below.

"Let's descend." called out Ostak. "Turn on whatever lights you have, the star's light does not reach far down there."

 

[Keldothera]

Objective: B
Tags: Sethrak | Gordrak | Tathra Khaeus | Ostak Cl'mana
Post: Six

The archaeologist came to her side, looking over the mural. It seemed as though it showed some kind of palace or ceremonial building, though she couldn't quite make out what it was. Darted around it were miniature versions of landmarks shown across the walls adjacent.

"Ah, interesting. I cannot quite make out what these landmarks are supposed to represent." The archaeologist explained, seemingly hopeful that perhaps this was the information they needed.

But he seemed nearly too transfixed by it to call out to the necessary person. Perhaps she would have to, no doubt out of her comfort zone.

"Chieftain Khaeus! I believe we've found something."

 

[Primarch Drek'ma]

Post: Six
Tags: Seer Kalanthir | Galak
Objective: A

As he moved into the opening swaths, he saw the distant movements of dozens of groups, dozens of small parties of Draelvasier searching through the ruins. He knew what for, but part of him wondered what each individual sought here. Did they wish to learn more about the ancient Draelvasier that came before or perhaps were there sole interests, did some seek to dig up some old horrible truth that would reveal their leader as some kind of fraud?

He felt anger in the pit of his stomach, anger at the usurpers and the serpents of deception who wished nothing more than to cast weakness and frailty down upon their kind. The fear curled up inside him like an angry creature, cornered and trothing.

One way or another, he felt a critical moment was approaching. Massive battles would secure their dominance for the future to come or it would generates tears in their known world that would decimate their species beyond repair. This was the future, the conflict they had all been heading toward. It would be the new beginning or a grand and brutal end for them all.

Many felt fear, like he did. But in truth the must one could do was accept that this reality was impending, and fight for their future. For the generations to come.