Private The Defense of Dathomir

[Serrin]

TAG: Nerare Grim Zuvot

Serrin never would have thought that when she left Dathomir she would return and become Night Bearer, charged with training and leading The Night Brothers into battle. In her youth she had looked to the stars dreaming of what worlds and exotic cultures awaited. Now as an adult she had seen for herself the truth, that the galaxy is full of stars going supernova or bending into blackholes; that the perils were wrapped in beautiful light.

Still Serrin did not regret her travels. She had met friends, whom she had come to rely on and formed alliances that would be crucial to Dathomir’s longterm security and survival. The Night Bearer had summoned hopefuls, Zabrak men who would serve as the backbone of Dath’s Defense. Sitting inside her hut, Serrin combed her now velvet hair which had been dipped in the Blood Rite Waters to signify her devotion to Dathomir and The Night Sisterhood. Her markings on her face had been reconfigured with additions that now formed black jaggid eye brows, and great pools of black around her now gilded eyes which descended in sickles to represent the crescent moon.

Her outward transformation matched her inner one, for This Daughter of Dathomir had changed in her spirit. She had wandered far from her home, and yet never did she hide her identity as a Nightsister. In fact, her command of the Spirit Ichor was often harnessed by others and they all knew what she was, a witch. Now however, she was committed to The Night Sisters, all that traveling had made her collide with events that sent her straight back to her roots. I am sure Navina found that amusing, Spirit rest her.

Serrin took a tiara of gold, it had horns like that of the Zabrak which she placed on her head. The Night Bearer was to be adorned with the horns of their troops, and the name derived from that a Night Bearer was the banner bearer in battle, who caste spells and rallied the Night Brothers, who commanded them and augmented their strength with their Spirit Ichor. Serrin had been selected for mantel due to her vast experience fighting pirates and facing the coming Enemy, who was the cause of this mustering.

Now dressed in the Crimson of the Night and properly adorned, The Night Bearer exited her hut, the red curtain door moving as brass bells and chains rattled. She steppes out to see a sqaure of huts and grounds that had been turned into fields of combat taining. Zabraks assailed wooden trunks that had mechanisms that swung branches at them, others climbed ropes over makeshift towers of dark wood. Serrin eyed the display of gallantry as the Night Brothers were throwing themselves into their training. It had been long since Men of Dathomir had been called to serve, to be the swords of the night. Serrin had often felt the segregation of the Sisters and Brothers was not ideal, for they possessed raw strength and they, The Sisters, possessed a command of the Spirit. Together perhaps they could challenge what was coming. What Serrin knew is Dathomir would not fall without a fight, that they would not go quietly into the Night!

The Night Bearer inspected the hopefuls, among them was two in particular, one a titan with yellow skin and a crown of horns like Krayt Teeth, he seemed to possess something else, she wasn’t sure what it was, though there was a familiarity to it she could bot quite identify. The other was a Zabrak with a rare blue skin who she had known before leaving Dathomir on her adventures. The pair of them she already was singling out for positions in the Night Guard, if they proved themselves worthy.

 

[Grim Zuvot]

Grim stood shirtless in a ring. Facing off against a pair of red skinned zabraks. Grim spat a glob of blood onto the red dirt of the fighting ring. “Alright, that was a good hit.” He had to admit. Catching an elbow to the face had caught him off guard.

Grim took a deep breath and centred himself. The fight wasn’t about winning, it was about showing what he could do. So Grim Zuvot launched into action. Lunging forward with a low kick. His left foot striking the side of one of his opponent’s knee. A sickening crunch as the bone popped out of its socket. Grim followed his kick up with a brutal punch into the gut of the same Zabrak. Causing them to double over in pain. As they did, Grim brought his right knee up into their face, before swinging it around to form a wide stance facing the other opponent.

 

[Nerare]

Nerare hurled himself over walls repeatedly, each time rushing against one of the training trunks and fighting a moment against it, then running to repeat the process. It was as much attempting to test skill as endurance. But there was always greater tests, but the real ones needed to be against real enemies. A nightbrother against nightbrother only could get so far...without one of them dying.

He only stopped as he noticed a nightsister, glancing between the others and back to see if she was expecting something of them or just to watch. Noticing in that moment as Grim Zuvot beat one of the brothers over. He wasn't sure what he thought of him and his prophecy, but he wasn't going to try and question it either.

Grim Zuvot Serrin

 

[Serrin]

Serrin watched the blue Zebrak beat his opponent, no pulverize him. She had heard about Grim, who was living up to his namesake. It was said there was prophecy and his rare blue skin seemed to support it. Then there was the mighty Nerare, who climbed walls and took on trunks with such fury that it split the thick wood beneath the bark. Serrin had known Nerare as a child, she often snuck out of the Night Sister qaurter and crossed over the hills to the Night Brother Enclave. There they played among the trees and play fought, and shared childish heart to hearts. She had to admit he had changed much since she last saw him, and now that the divisions between Sisters and Brothers was suspended to a degree for this defense, she had the opportunity for a reunion. It was this memory that prompted her to approach The Night Brother in her crimson robes, and her golden chair at her Zabrak horns swaying.

“You have come a long way. You use to play among the trunks, now you split them.”

She gave a smirk, her appearance had changed much but her spirit and temperament was the same. She wondered at his transformation, there was something else, an under urrent to his fury in combat that she recognized though could not be sure of. What mattered is he was here preparing as a good warrior and Son of Dathomir.

TAG: Nerare Grim Zuvot

 

[Nerare]

Nerare watched as the woman came out. It had been a long time since he last saw Serrin, they'd both changed a bit since then. It was a memory he looked back on fondly even if he didn't expect things to be different. By now, he couldn't even recognize her. He recognized the crown and the position this woman held. But he didn't know it was her.

He tilted his head then at her comment after bowing it, and the smirk. Nerare hesitated, a slight bit of suspicion or uncertainty entered his mind. It was so familiar, his eyes glanced side to side briefly to see who was close and he spoke quietly, "Serrin?" who else would say something so specific?

Grim Zuvot Serrin

 

[Grim Zuvot]

After a small bit of grappling, and catching an elbow to the face, Grim had managed to lift the other Dathomirian up into the air. Dropping his soaring partner as he head butted up into their back. Butting his horns to good use. As his second opponent hit the ground, grim shook his head to flick some of the blood that had dripped down his face off, and wiped it out of his eyes. “Fight dirty.” He said between heaving breathes. Trying to get oxygen back into his lungs. “Your enemies will.” He dropped to one knee. Exhausted. The trio had been at it for a while, and it was starting to catch up with Grim.
He ran his tongue around the inside of his mouth to make sure all his teeth were still in place. They were. He spit a glob of bloodily phlegm onto the dirt next to him. As the nose bled caused by the elbow to the face had flowed back through his sinuses.

Just as Grim let his guard down, a knee struck the side of Grim’s head. Knocking him to the ground. A rather large red Dathomirian man had taken the opportunity to beat the one who had taken out two other fighters. “Good advise.” The large Zabrak sneered at the Grim. Who was laying on the red dirt of the sparring ring. “Alright,” Grim grunted as he rolled over and started to get back up. The force of the kick had momentarily blurred his vision. “Lucky shot.” Grim said weakly as he was on all fours, moments before another powerful kick slammed into his gut. Causing Grim to spit bloody spittle from his mouth. “Think you are so tough, hitting a man when he down.” Grim taunted as he turned back up to face his opponent only to be meet with a foot impacting his face. However this time Grim didn’t flinch. He didn’t move at all. He had grabbed the ankle just as it impacted his face. Stopping the kick. His other hand came up and grabbed the foot before turning it sharply. Dislocating the ankle. “There’s a difference between fighting dirty and just being mean.” He released the ankle and foot, and the large red Zabrak hopped back as Grim pushed himself up onto swaying feet.

 

[Serrin]

Serrin smirked, ahe did not blame Nerare for not recognizing her. Her appearance had much altered since she preformed The Blood Rite to her hair, her tats were now black, her skin less pale, and her eyes golden rather than hazel.

“It is me indeed, old friend. I see you have grown in strength, and it is to that purpose I have chosen you and him..”

She pointed to Grim Zuvot

“To be part of the Night Guard, that is if you pass The Trial.”

She smirked once more, it was the method of Nightsisters to test Nightbrothers and see if they were worthy. What differed in Serrin’s method, is that she intended to join the two favored ones in this test.

She motioned for Nerare to folllow her as she approached Grim who was wrestling another brother. She stood over them, her golden pupils like suns.

“Well done! I have been watching your progress Grim Zuvot and have decided to include you with Nerare in a test that will determine your futures in Dathomir’s Defense.”

The Night Bearer smiled as she waited for Blue Zabrak to rise to his feet.

She then related the Trial at hand:

“A village in the North is being overrun by Nydark, and Bane Arachnids, which have become invasive. We three are to go there and deal with the infestation. Should you prove your valor, you will join the Elite Night Guard that serves directly under me, and gain authority to lead your brothers into battle!”

Serrin was trying to sell it, when she knew that Night Brothers forca long time had been neglected as a second class Dathomirian. What she had not told them was she was forming a petition of intergration, that wold remove the segregation of Night Sisters and Brothers. It was a bold intiative that would get backlash from both sides, and only Night Mother Zaylin ciyod bless it. Serrin had other reforms in mind as well, to allow Night Brothers some mild to intermediate Magick training, that one would be the most controversial, but she felt Dathomir needed unity, and if they were to ask the Men of their world to fight and die for them, they deserved to stop being treated as little more than slaves. Her proposal for Night Brothers to learn Magick would be temporary one, for the defense aginst The Warlock who was bound to come. It would be an opportunity to see some sweeping change and its effects, that is if The Night Coven approved.

 

[Nerare]

He couldn't help but smile as she affirmed who she was, memories of the time returning. She was different now certainly, so was he. Couldn't look at her from quite the same angle as he once did now that they were even further apart in height. She acknowledged his strength, and now came the job. Naturally, him and the Prophesized. He looked to see him as she gestured providing a grunt his face returning to one that was firm. Nothing particularly against the man, but nor much for him. Especially in the bout he and the other were in. He wasn't completely against dirty tricks, but he wasn't sure if he liked the philosophizing about when they should or shouldn't count.

He followed at her motion, listening to her as she gave her quest for them. Him and Grim both. Nerare grunted solemnly at what they were up against, both Nydark and Bane Arachnids. That was no cheap foe. The spiders were trouble enough, but a Nydark? That was a serious threat. Let alone if the two decided to attack together. Then came her next words, his brow raised in interest and just a little surprise but returned quickly. He wasn't going to refuse her, he hadn't even considered that as an option. But this was all the more reason.

Still, every moment he had to take caution lest his powers shake his clans faith in him. This was something he wanted personally now, though his master might want him to have it just as much. Seek power, seek passion. Those were teachings. He was doing both of them now, and not just because the master told him to.

Grim Zuvot Serrin

 

[Grim Zuvot]

Grim pushed himself to his feet and helped his opponent to up, and helped them hobble to a nearby bench to sit. “Do you know why you lost?” Grim said as they hobbled. The red Zabrak grunted. “You let me get inside your head.” Grim explained. “Hesitated. Felt bad for fighting dirty. Created an opening.” Grim said before patting the Zabrak on the back before following off for his briefing.

“Nydarks and Bane Arachnids…” he said as he arched his back. Stretching out his torso. Everything was still a bit sore. He rolled his shoulder to make sure he still had full mobility in it. “When do we leave?” He sounded tough, but he really wanted them to wait. Have time to get ready. It wouldn’t be an easy fight, and he would prefer to go in prepared. However he had a near pathological need to be seen as the toughest person in the room. Even if the other Zabrak was much larger than him.

 

[Serrin]

Serrin turned ro Grim Zuvot
“We leave at once. The villagers depend on us for their safety.”

She took some steps forward and waving her hand that cojured a smoke of ghastly green that then surrounded ankle of injured Zabrak. It snapped back into place and the pain was drawn like poison from invisible thread.

“You two have caught my eye for your exceptional ability. I believe the time for Night Brothers to take a place of honor is coming. Will you help me in this? You are mostly forgotten by my sisters, but not by me. I see we have need of great warriors, who have the strength of a Rancor and heart of princes. You are indeed Sons of Dathomir, your place little better then slaves, that must change.”

She then turned to Grim,
“Perhaps the Prophecy that surrounds you is to this end, to create a new world, a better world! Here on Dathomir.”

She turned to Nerare
“You old friend, I sense your destiny us shrouded in darkness, you have before you a forked path, and whichever you choose will shape many destinies, including mine.”

She then looked to the East.

“My Brothers, come! We have a great test ahead. Take your weapons and muster your courage. For ahead is feats and glory!”

The Night Bearer lead the way ahead, her great flowing blood colored robes Flowing in the wind, her Tiara of Horns swaying as she displayed a confidence. She cared dearly for her men, she meant every word she had uttered. She suspected it might just seem to them like empty promises, The Night Brothers had been told grand speeches before to compelled them to lay down their lives for Dathomir. Serrin feared that the second class treatment mat have broken not only trust but fealty and love for their Homeworld. She hoped that was not the case, and that The Coven Council would hear her when she made her petition.

 

[Nerare]

Nerare watched Grim educate the other zabrak. If it weren't for present company and their new objective, he'd want to test out what would happen between the two of them in a fight of their own. He was a good fighter himself, but any good nightbrother should be. Still, he wouldn't have judged Grim for the hesitation. Nerare himself was cautious about this. Instead, he asked when. Moving on then Nerare avoided a reaction turning back to Serrin, he watched as she stepped in to mend the injured brother. Just another sign of how much closer she must care about their circumstance than the other nightsisters.

The yellow brother felt a sense of pride as she acknowledged both of them again, and then she brought even more to the table than she'd told him already. He raised his brow again in surprise, yet again, to him. This would be a victory. True, she might have still been a sister. One he hadn't seen in so long. But he wanted to believe in this, that they could rise from where they stood now. Not just for personal pride. Though it definitely played a part, but for the sake of his brothers. Maybe even for the sake of the clan as a whole. Not just the Inferiors. But...if it was lies. It would hurt, even if he might be willing to return to things.

She acknowledged Grim's prophecy, again Nerare avoided a reaction. He had to smile briefly at her comment to him though, though in his mind the comment was so specific. He wasn't sure if she knew or not. Wasn't sure if he'd taken a route too treacherous or not. No, power must be gained. He must grow stronger, for his own sake, for the clans sake. That was what was best.

He nodded as she called to their new quest, he dared to step slightly closer to stay out of ear of Grim just for an instant, "I missed you." before returning to stride along, his enchanted spear at rest for now with him. But he was ready. They had beasts to war with. For a new place.

Grim Zuvot Serrin

 

[Serrin]

Serrin lead the Night Brither Hopefuls North, to where the villages were being plagued. Before they got far, Nerare had whispered into her ear, “I missed you.” To this she gave a grin and placed her hand on her forearm.
“And I you.”
Nerare was all that she had left from her past. Navina had passed into Spirit Realm, and her Night Mother was gone, hence Zaylin taking the post. For the Magicks were powerful, and Sisters had learned to return as Night Spirits, however, inevitably the vessel of flesh gave up the ghost and like all sentients died.

Serrin had not considered if she would want to learn Necromancy to raise dead sisters from pools of peridot Ichor. In truth Necromancy did not restore lost sisters as they had been in life, they were echoes, violent ripples of the person that had gone and places in rotting corpses from cocoons. The truth is only Mother Talzin seemed to reanimate as she was, able to move as spirit and become solid enough in physical form to fight a Jedi Master. So unless one learned Talzin’s Secret to immortality, there seemed little point.

Grim Zuvot