The Children of Nimue (Darth Arcanix)

[Nimue Stormson]

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The problem with gaining power, and this could be true of anyone, is once one knows it worth and strength they do anything they can to keep it. And then there are those who try to use it as wise as possible. And those who will abuse it. And amongst those are the ones who will do whatever they can to make their power grow.​

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Empress Nimue of Effekt had sent a message out to an old friend and potential “flame”, [member="Darth Arcanix"] of the One Sith. First meeting her at the ball she’d held over a month ago to celebrate her planet’s coming-out to the galactic community, the Empress and the Sith Lady had aided each other in the following weeks for one purpose or another. They’d discovered an ancient secret of a city known as Kullcord, once thought to be cursed but instead the grounds for a long sleeping Force Nexus. And after that the power of set Nexus had been forged into a binding with the Empress’ royal scepter to turn it from a simple tool of authority into a weapon of power.​

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And during these events the two had shared night together in bed. It was still unclear between either of the if it was actual affection or just means of pleasing each other’s carnal needs, but regardless the two were close enough to trust each other.​

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Nimue had called for her return as soon as possible after an apparent invasion into the Republic territories she’d been involved in. The Empress, having dealt with a recent personal issue, had wanted to learn the secrets of Sith Alchemy and use it to her advantage. She’d still owed her payment for both the nexus and the scepter, and she planned to add this and any other future aids and teachings to set payment.​

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With the message telling her to come as soon as possible Nimue only waited patiently for the Sith’s return to Effekt.​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Taeli closed her eyes for a moment as her shuttle dropped out of hyperspace, thinking about the message she had received. [member="Nimue Stormson"] was an interesting being in Taeli's opinion, but what she was to the now Sith Lady, was a mystery. They had shared some adventures, even a bed, and Taeli couldn't decide which was more interesting. The Empress of Effekt had been amazing in those regards, and Taeli could feel a slight heat on her face from just the thoughts of that night.

Regardless, she had sent a message asking for help in learning Sith alchemy and Taeli had decided to take up the offer. Teaching seemed to becoming a running theme of her life now, not that she minded. Such things were good for the Sith Lady as it would help her establish more contacts, allies, apprentices, and a power base for her own plans.

Landing her shuttle in the same spot as last time she had arrived on Effekt, Taeli made her way to the capital city and the palace, making her presence known by both projecting her dark side aura forward and telling a palace servant that Darth Arcanix had arrived.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

As per usual on Effekt the servants and guards had greeted [member="Darth Arcanix"] when she arrived via shuttle before escorting her via speeder up to the palace. Everything was still the same as when the Sith Lady had last been here, only looking a little more fresh and cleaned.​

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Entering the palace the handmaidens had brought Arcanix inside where the Empress was not at the throne. Instead she was apparently in her room awaiting for her friend’s arrival. They of course lead her up to it, the walk talking a few minutes, before knocking on the door to acknowledged Arcanix’s arrival. From the other end of the door the Empress told for only Arcanix to enter while everyone else waited outside.​

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Once she entered she would find Nimue sitting by her fireplace, a book in hand while wearing a more casual green dress and slippers on her feet. The dress itself was tied to her waist with a gold sash. She had little makeup on but her hair was still hanging out long with little gold decorations in it.​

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Looking up from her book she smiled before standing. She tossed to the book onto the chair before walking over, arms open, and embracing the Sith greatly. Her hug was tight but warm, a sign she had missed her indeed.​

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“I heard of the battle that you were in.” she said while still hugging her. “I’d started to worry I’d heard you were among the casualties.”​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

"Two battles actually," she replied with a smile. "Kashyyyk, and then the Republic launched a counter assault at Prakith. Ground combat on one, and commanding elements of our fleet during the other. I'm not so easy to kill, my friend, as you can see. A full Sith Lady can deal with such things as a battlefield."

Moving over to where her friend sat, she sat down in the opposite chair. Nimue looked as radiant as ever, even if she wasn't dressed for a formal occasion. Taeli herself was clad in a blue synth-silk dress with a teal fringe, she always dressed elegantly, even if for such an informal time.

"So, your message said you were interested in learning our alchemy," Taeli said, her hand on the edge of the arm of her chair. "Mind I ask why you are suddenly so curious in our secret arts that can create monsters and power weapons as I demonstrated with your scepter?"

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Given her comment about not being killed so easily Nimue gave a little laugh. It was true. [member="Darth Arcanix"] was a Sith Lord after all. Among the elite ranks of darkside users in the galaxy. Perhaps Nimue was still thinking on her own talents, being a novice herself. Still knowing she endured two battles and survived was incredible for her to learn.​

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After leading her back to the seats to sit down, and hearing her obvious question, Nimue shrugged at first and said “You’ve practically answered my question already.” After a little giggle she added “But for the serious sake of this, I’m in need of ore of your darkside talents. Tensions are starting to arise on Effekt. I had a noble lord who tried to other throw me because I’d been doing things in the ‘untraditional’ manner. I need to become stronger if I hope to lead my people into the galaxy as I’d dreamed for them. Part of that is having more eyes and ears that I can trust. But it seems aside from you and a few others scattered across the galaxy, the only ones I can rely on…are my own.”​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

"I believe I know a thing or two that might aid you in that endeavor, but remember you may always call on me for assistance if need be," Taeli said with a smile. "I do have some authority amongst the Sith after all, diverting some forces to deal with some dissenters could always be done if you so desire while my engineers begin working on plans to help evolve your planet. I brought a gift for you to see."

While handing Nimue a datapad with the schematics and building schedules for both shipyards in orbit and ground facilities to produce droids, weapons, and armor, she snapped her fingers and a raven familiar flew out of her shadow and landed upon her shoulder.

"This is what we call a Sith familiar, you consider it an extension of my senses in a way. I can focus on the connection I have with it to see and hear through it, while also projecting my voice, thoughts, or powers through it if necessary. They are rather useful to create, wouldn't you agree?"

 

[Nimue Stormson]

“Thank you, Lady Arcanix.” She’d said in response to her comment on being able to call upon her air at any time. “But the matter itself needed lesser known faces around these lands in order for it to work. A very delicate matter, you’ll understand. But that’s beside the point. I am interested in this skills you can teach me.”​

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After that Nimue looked at the datapad that had shown the shipyards and the creations of weapons and the like. It amazed her to see so many powerful looking things being built altogether, an indication that this was all belonging to [member="Darth Arcanix"] in the first place.​

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She’d looked up to ask something before seeing the Sith familiar crow perched on her shoulder. She gasped a little at the sudden sight of it before, after hearing the explanation, was intrigued by the thing. She’d stuck her finger out, trying to touch and see if it was real, while also being ready to move away if it snapped.​

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Hearing all its uses she said “Incredible. Can they only be crows? Can you make them into other shapes?”​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

"We Sith usually only make the crow variety, but others are not unheard of," Taeli said, stroking the shadowy feathers of the raven. "I know for a fact the Witches of Dathomir create familiars in different shapes than ours, it would simply depend on the ingredients and the base structure used to create it."

She was smiling as Nimue seemed amazed at both what her engineers were planning to do to her world, and also what Taeli was explaining about Sith alchemy. She might have seen her in action during their adventure to Kullcor, but this was something different . . . less extreme and taxing on her and her energy levels.

"I'm guessing you would want to learn how to create a familiar or a few familiars," she asked, thinking about when she had taught her apprentice Sophie how to create them and the direction she had taken that knowledge in. She wasn't called Darth Raven now for nothing.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Given that the crow was so common Nimue had wanted to try and explore different ideas in terms of shapes and the like for her familiars; if she was able to make them properly. When hearing about the need for the right ingredients she sat back in her chair and rubbed her chin for a moment, thinking on it. Her deep green eyes peered into nothingness as she thought on it for a while.​

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When [member="Darth Arcanix"] had asked she looked to her and said “Indeed I do. But tell me what sort of resources and the like you’ll need and I’ll do my best to obtain them.”​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

"You need not worry about finding the ingredients for the potions, I keep a small alchemy kit on my shuttle, I have everything I need to create three familiars for you," Taeli explained. "What I need you to provide is the bones of the creatures you want to make into your familiars, along with any preserved organs of those creatures, as while they might be alchemy creations, they are still living in a sense."

She wondered just what Nimue was going to come up with in terms of the creatures she wanted, but she was curious what the Empress would decide upon.

"So, tell me, what exactly do you think of what my engineers are going to do and this first real lesson?" she asked. She was curious about what sort of payment was coming her way this time.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Nimue nodded as [member="Darth Arcanix"] explained all she would need to provide were the remains of whatever sort of creature she could make into a familiar. Given that as her option she thought on it for a moment, figuring what sort of forms of animals would work best for what she had in mind. As to where to get the materials she knew a few places in town to send her servants to fetch the proper remains.​

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However when the Sith had asked about what her people were building she answered with “A marvelous looking army, I do say so. I can assure you the payment will be as equal as these machines of war you’ll provide. And these armor and weapons look suburb. To think an entire army of my soldiers armed to the teeth against an enemy. Ha! If they won’t be soiling themselves then they will soon after.” Then when asked about the lesson she calmed and said “I’m very intrigued indeed, my dear. In fact I know just the forms to choose.” She didn’t say, though, on the ground of wanting to surprise her friend. “We’ll need a place to perform this little experiment. I know a place down in the old dungeons of the palace. No one goes inside these days. It’s perfect.”​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

"Lead the way then, your Majesty," Taeli said. "Oh, if you wouldn't mind sending a servant to my ship to pick up a medium sized leather case and my satchel, it would be appreciated, but do warn him not to take anything. I would hate to have to take his hand for stealing."

As she got up to follow the Empress, Taeli decided to try something a little bold for her. She went up and kissed the Empress full on the lips for a moment before stepping back. It still made her heart race, karking Master and her whole theory that people were attracted to certain things, no matter what gender or species.

"Hope you don't mind," she said, a little sheepish even though she was a Sith Lady. "Wanted to try being the instigator."

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Standing Nimue said “I will send one right away. Along with someone to pick up the needed ingredients.” She quickly went over to a table and, taking a small pieces of paper, wrote everything down before saying “There. I’ll hand this to someone once we’re on our way.”​

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Before she could make it to the door [member="Darth Arcanix"] had stopped and kissed her full on the lips. Nimue was a little surprised but not too shocked. If anything she accepted the kiss after a second before she’d pulled away. Hearing her excuse Nimue smirked a laugh in her throat.​

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“I see. So retribution for all the times against you then?” she pointed out. “Fair enough. But save it until after we’re done here.”​

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After that she opened the door to allow the two to walk the halls. As they did she stopped one servant handing her the list and telling her to send someone to fetch everything on it. Before he left he added on bringing the things from Arcanix’s room. Finally, after that, she let him run off.​

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For the next fifteen minutes Nimue lead Arcanix down through the palace hallways towards the old dungeons. It was a bit of a ways given the amount of stairways they needed to go down before hitting another set of hallways, only to hit another set of stairs. Finally they’d come to a doorway that was older than most of the others.​

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“Let’s wait here.” She said. “The servants should arrive within the hour with everything we need. And I don’t want anyone snooping around once we have everything.”​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

The walk had taken awhile, and Taeli spent it thinking about what else Nimue might be interested in learning in the future. Well, that was a subject that could be broached at another time, but it was becoming increasingly clear the Empress's ambitions might not mesh with her nobles. Taeli couldn't afford to have any of her operations be threatened, so that would need to be addressed eventually.

"So what shall we do while we wait?" she asked, looking around the dungeon and finding it adequate to the test. "Although I quite agree we don't anyone eavesdropping on us, I don't take well to people trying to disrupt my lessons or operations. It can get very annoying."

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Leaning against the wall while waiting Nimue said “I know. We can at least know each other a little better. I mean we’ve shared each other’s private company twice now. I think we should know a little more before a third time.” She chuckled a bit before thinking on what to ask. Snapping her finger she said “I know. What made you become what you are? By that I mean how did you wind up with the Sith?” Obviously once she was done she could ask the Empress what she wanted to know.​

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[member="Darth Arcanix"]​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

"That's not the easiest thing to answer," Taeli replied quietly, staring off into space for a moment. "But I owe you one, so I'll give you my story."

Taking a deep breath, she began saying, "I was born on the planet Lorrd, a world famous for its university and libraries. I was a model student, heavily involved in the fencing team, and the darling of my parents. When I began to manifest the Force, I immediately threw myself into studying it and I will admit I was hooked. My father is a history professor at the university there, and he passed that love of history to me. I wanted to explore sites of the Force, worlds like Korriban, Ossus, Dromund Kaas, oh so many others. I wanted to learn and I convinced my parents to allow me to take the family shuttle on a sojourn through the stars."

Silence descended for a moment.

"I never actually left on that ship," she continued. "On my way to it from where I was picking up extra datapads to record what I would find, I was assaulted by some fellow students from the university that I had bested in fencing. They . . . wanted to violate and kill me, and I began to lose myself to fear, to despair . . . to unbelievable amounts of rage. I lost control and next thing I knew . . . they were all dead, blood coating my hands from the boy I butchered."

Turning away for a moment, she fought back those flashes of memory.

"That was when my master, Darth Praelior, found me and took me under her wing," she said. "She offered me a chance to control that power within me, to never let myself become the victim like that again. I think I succeeded in that regard, as I'm now a Sith Lady, answerable only to the Voices, Hands, Eye and the Dark Lord himself. But that is also why I can't stand some of the depravities of my fellow Sith, but I'm loyal to the idea and institution, not to any one of my colleagues beyond my apprentices."

 

[Nimue Stormson]

Listening about the then made it more clear to Empress Nimue about the now. She could tell from her story why [member="Darth Arcanix"] was so devoted to the history of things. Her knowledge of the past explained her want for more knowledge. Being saved by a Sith explained her devotion to them. Pieces fell together like a grand puzzle that was her life, and Nimue didn’t even have to challenge herself with finding out where they fit. And, given her comment about not agreeing with the Sith’s ways in total also struck her as true, being that from what she heard they were a little too chaotic for her liking.​

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After that Nimue nodded before saying “So you were luckier than most. If your master hadn’t found you, you’d have been left to die for sure. I can see why so much you devote to the Sith, and yet still retain a more stable cause.” After that she sighed and asked “I’m sure this means you want to know about me as well.”​

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Hearing her response first Nimue nodded before taking a deep breath and starting with “As I told you before, my heritage descends from the Sect of the Skyborn. They were obsessed with power and yet could never fully conceive it properly. However one of the few members that had survived, somehow, began my noble house of Borish. That was our name. Our house had ruled the land of Qutenar for many generations until the start of the Stormborn Empire. They were the first to have the technology of the galaxy brought to them. When they took our kingdom my ancestors fled, many dying during the invasion. So when the Empire finally took over the world my family grew in secret for the time when we’d take the Empire for ourselves. And that’s eventually where I came in. I was supposed to seduce the Emperor, trick him into making me his wife and then take it all. But….things changed….and I changed my name from Borish to Stormson. Because…of the man I loved.”​

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Her broken sentencing and muddled words made it clear she didn’t want to go into any further details then that. She only glanced at Arcanix before looking down, obviously a little hurt by the subject. Thankfully by then the servants had returned with everything needed, including the satchel.​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

"I understand, my friend," Taeli replied, placing a comforting hand on the Empress's shoulder. "Our galaxy is a cruel place, but we must make what we can out of our situations. We cannot allow ourselves to be trampled by such events, we must grow and evolve from them."

As the servants returned with the alchemy kit and her satchel, she took both with the Force and moved them to a table. The servants looked at each other uncomfortably from the display of the Force, but didn't say anything that might offend her. With the remains they had also brought, Taeli examined each and thought the idea was interesting.

"So a raven like mine, but also a serpent, and a canine like creature if I'm not mistaken?" she asked, looking up from the remains at the Empress.

 

[Nimue Stormson]

After the servants gave what they wanted Nimue noticed the odd looks they’d given [member="Darth Arcanix"] . Given that she’d just given her comfort for her pain, along with meaningful words, as well as helping to train her in the darker arts of the force, it was clear the Empress wasn’t tolerating it. She waved them off, using her hand, which made them hurry away faster.​

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As Arcanix mentioned the familiar forms in mind Nimue, holding the remains all preserved in jars, smiled and said “You’re not.” After that she pulled open the door into the old dungeons and began to walk down a flight of stairs while explaining “We have an old story about the children of the gods. Juna, Fricker and Mol. Each of them were mischievous little ones and would always taunt and tease with mortals, playing pranks on them or causing a little mischief where they could. But then they became too arrogant with their ways and, in the end, sparked a war that caused the death of many. As punishment the gods turned each of them into animals where they’d be forced to serve out the rest of their days as beasts.” She stopped and turned back before smirking again and saying “I guess you can assume what they were turned into.”​

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Finally reaching the end of the stairs lead to another door which, upon opening, they’d both entered the old dungeons. It was spaces but dark as pitch. It was barely visible in front of your own nose and it was cold. Some piles of rubble here and there yet a table and a few chairs were present. And in the center was a lot of space and plenty of cobwebs and other disgusting things that grew in the dark.​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

[member="Nimue Stormson"]

"Oh, this will work quite well," Taeli said with a smile, looking around the old dungeon. "A little dreary for my tastes personally, but it will do just fine."

Setting her alchemy kit onto the table, she began pulling out the various ingredients for the potions she would need for the creation of the familiars. She always found this process somewhat soothing, crafting something with one's hands personally. Although, with Nimue here, she supposed an explanation would be needed while she worked.

"So, the first step in creating a Sith familiar is to craft a certain potion that is used to empower the bones and remains with the dark side and rejuvenate their cells. Essentially, we are creating an undead shadow creature that is bonded to a person, by blood of course," Taeli explained as she began working on the potions. "We can temporarily have our familiars bond with someone else, by ordering them through the dark side and binding them to that person's Force presence, but they are highly useful as spies. My one apprentice actually made 500 raven familiars to use for attacks and spying. Quite proud of her for that actually."

Holding a mortar and pestle in her hand, she used the Force to trip a burner and set a beaker of a clear liquid over it. Pouring the contents into the beaker, the liquid turned a deep green as the ingredients mixed with the liquid and were heated up.

"Although, I'm not going to say what exactly these ingredients are as they are rather rare and probably couldn't be found naturally on your world," she said with a sigh.