Dominion The Harrowing | TSE Dominion of Stygeon Prime

[Asha Mataya]

Objective: Hunting Season
Location: Stygeon Prime mountains
With: [member="Lorale Farmar"] | [member="Mlow Eman'outther"] | @FX-7 77

---

---

Asha initial reaction to herself shooting the arrow with her eyes closed was one of internal scolding. It was quite obvious that right now she wasn't even able to hit anything that moved with proper vision, let alone without any. The sensation she had felt, she thought, was nothing more than a momentary lapse of judgment. Her eyes snapped open to see the arrow still in flight, but as it reached its destination feelings of frustration dissipated. Instead, Asha was left nothing short of shocked. One of the rancors had been struck, and the shot was lethal.

Perhaps that odd feeling that she had always ignored before was to be trusted, after all. It was the Force, of that she was now quite convinced.

"Good, Asha," her master's voice echoed through her mind, "you strike well. Take another."

If it truly was the Force guiding her hand, then perhaps keeping her eyes open distracted her too much from that. Asha did not logically know why, simply that it felt that way. Then again, if there was one thing about the Force she had learned, it was that it wasn't logical. To see whether she was correct in her assessment or not, she once again reached for the quiver on her back and pulled out an arrow. "Alright," she mumbled to herself as the notch met the string. "Time to see how lucky that last shot was."

Unbothered by the cold, Asha held her bow steady as she nocked the arrow. She took aim, but before letting it fly she closed her eyes. Her hand moved instinctively towards something she couldn't quite place, but could sense, and took the shot.

Another hit. It pierced the rancor's neck but not quite all the way through its hide, the shot wasn't lethal, though it staggered. An easy execution for her master, who wasn't far from the wounded beast.

 

[Arana Xaan]

://OBJECTIVE: Objective III - Seeking a Relic
://LOCATION: The Spire
://ALLIES: TSE

​

Arana stalked through the halls of the Spire silently, her booted feet moving to place the sole of her boot as precisely as possible so as to not turn any stone or scrape any scrap of masonry or detritus on the floor. She moved with the confidence born of the Force, letting it lead her towards her goal without consciously knowing the way. The hallways were devoid of life thus far, only halfway lit and covered with the scrap of disuse, though she felt like she wasn't truly alone in the old fortress. Thus far nothing came out at her.

She came to a junction where she could go up into the Spire, down into the lower levels, or further into the structure on this level. She paused for a moment to focus on the faint feeling that had been drawing her further into the Spire. She let her eyes drift to the stairs to her left, leading up. She lingered on the debris lining them before shifting them to her right, and the stairs down. Detritus littered that way as well, though to a lesser degree around the hallway.




Her eyes snapped forward as a low, menacing growl seemed to draw a form from the shadows. Fur stood on end down the creatures spine as it clawed its way forward slowly. It was a felinoid of some sort, but Arana wasn't sure of exactly what kind specifically. What she could tell is that the felinoid was upset at her invading its home, and that the creature was of a mind to correct the fact of her presence with its claws and teeth.

"You will not keep me from my goal." She stated simply, her voice a low growl. She felt the prickles of fear in her stomach, and the anger spark off of it like the engine of an internal combustion engine. Her lip pulled up in a snarl as she slid her right foot back so her body fell into a fighting stance. Her lightsaber remained at her belt, but her right hand hovered nearby, while her left hand pointed forward and down, at a point roughly halfway between her and the creature. Her anger built as the creature crouched down to pounce.

She pulled at her anger, rose through it to touch the Force around them, and smiled wickedly at the creature.

Time slowed as it leaped into the intervening distance between them. A choice of how to end the encounter continued to play through her mind. She could grasp her lightsaber and end the encounter quickly, then be about her business. She could use the Force to delay the inevitable outcome, play with her food as it were. That way would allow her to take her time, practice certain skills within the Force.

It was tempting, but ultimately there was only one way forward. The other path wasn't really a choice, it would not see her find the item she sought.

Snap-hiss

Voomm

Squish-thud2

Hisszrom

She stepped past the halved corpse of the creature and reached out through the Force once more to find her way.

As the creature had leaped at her, she had activated her lightsaber once it was in hand, swept it forward and cut the creature in half as she stepped forward into a crouch. she let the two halve collapse to the ground on either side, then deactivated her lightsaber. Her mind was already on finding the relic once more as she stepped past.

Her steps turned to the left, and she began to ascend the Spire, towards the relic her Master sought.

 

[Grand Moff Varrik]

Objective: BYOO - Secure the Spire
Location: Stygeon Prime
Post: 1

The Sith Empire wern't the only ones interested in Stygeon Prime, it seemed. While their efforts were focused on aiding the local populace in their present crisis, and hunting hostile wildlife, a lone Imperial II-class Star Destroyer designated "Lion's Wrath", came out of hyperspeed above the planet, before descending into the snowstorm filled atmosphere, the massive triangular vessel soon moving to hover above the ancient Confederate prison known as the Spire. A lone Lambda-class shuttlecraft emerged from it's large hangar bay, descending down towards the surface below. It moved to land upon one of the Spire's upper landing platforms near the Spire's summit, touching down audibly.

As the boarding ramp extended downwards, figures emerged from within, garbed in familiar white armour. They were without doubt Imperial Stormtroopers, several dozen of them at least. Another figure emerged to lead them, garbed in the trademark armour of an Inquisitorial Purge Trooper and armed with a DC-15 Blaster Rifle. Grand Moff Varrik Morcus had seen fit to lead this scouting mission personally. After all, even one of his rank needed the opportunity to get back into the field now and again. He and his retinue of troops proceeded to enter the Spire, turning on their weapon mounted flashlights to navigate through the darkened corridors. "Remain vigilant, men. This facility is old, yet security measures may remain active even now....", Varrik said cautiously, maintaining a wary vigil as he advanced. One of his Stormtroopers carrying scanning equipment spoke. "Sir, our scans detect another humanoid in this facility. Identity unknown." The Grand Moff turned and nodded. "Perhaps the Sith have sent a scout here as well. Do not fire upon them. I'm not looking to start a conflict against a superior power. Their presence may yet be useful for establishing communication with the Sith relief fleet aiding the locals."

[member="Arana Xaan"]

 

[Talger Gilham]

Objective: Prosthelytize Sith-Imperialism / Rub Shoulders with the Sith
Location: Allein

---

---

---

​

---

​

"Colonel Talger Gilham, your Eminence. Consul for his Supreme Excellency's Imperial Mission, here on behalf of Pontiff Hojâl to spread the Emperor's Mercy to the misfortunate." And to sniff out any signs of sedition and nonconformity, but Gilham left that part of his assignment unspoken. Not that he didn't want the Sith Lady to know, she most likely knew better than himself at what the Imperial Mission's priorities were on Stygeon Prime, but he didn't need anyone else overhearing what they didn't need to know.

Indeed, she hinted as much with her next words. Colonel Gilham inclined his upper body is agreement, "Agreed, your Eminence." She then excused herself and the Colonel followed behind, keeping a respectable distance as one of his aides approached and began to speak quietly at his side. Gilham only shooed the aide away after another Sith approached the Lady, introducing himself as Zark and inquiring of their identities. Lady Brentioch gave hers willing, and so he was to follow. "Colonel Gilham of the Imperial Mission, my Lord. Here to assist in bringing prosperity to Stygeon Prime."

Children began to approach the group now, drawn in by Lark's earlier act of generosity and the bundles of warm blankets that Lady Brentioch held in her arms. She turned to him and requested transportation, the Colonel immediately grasping her meaning. "As you wish, your Eminence." He waved over a Legionnaire, relaying the Lady's wishes to the soldier who saluted and quickly pulled out his comlink. Three MCTTs meandered their way into view after a few minutes, vehicles that had been requisitioned from the Imperial Legion for this exact purpose. Though fully capable of carrying soldiers into battle, they had since been retrofitted for use by the Imperial Mission.

[member="Lark"] | [member="Valessia Brentioch"]​

 

[Altus Venadris]

Objective: Charity
Equipment: Mk.iii Legionnaire Armor | SIF-7 Blaster | Lightsaber (Red)
Crew: Five Imperial Stormtroopers carrying E-11 Blaster Rifles.


Altus hadn't been apart of a mission like this in a long time, maybe too long? ....No. He expelled those thoughts as quickly as they come. He found this a tiring exercise, one that would only help the weak maintain what little they had. He sighed as his transport reached the city. He hated being away from Alpha company.

Looking around the small ship, he glimpsed in to the dark reflections centered in the helmets of each of the Stormtroopers deploying with him. Sometimes he could find some sort of understanding of the person behind the helmet. Not today. Today they were just bodies to be cut down and forgotten or, in this case, hands to be giving out food.. They were only a short few minutes from the LZ and Altus was silently begging for one of them to give him something, anything, any reason to care about their lives. Finally one of them spoke up,

"Sir, you seem anxious about something. Is everything okay?"

"Shut up, Trooper." Altus pouted underneath his black helmet. That was not what he was looking for. "Before I force you to shoot yourself to calm my nerves." He folded his arms. It would be silent the rest of the way there.

The transport ship pulled up to a large and empty clearing within the city. The buildings around were completely covered in snow and their windows frozen over in centimeters of ice. Treaded on snow covered the ground almost quarter of a meter high. The city had been hit by multiple blizzards in the past few days and this part of it had been overly neglected by whoever ran the plow.

The second Altus and his team touch down their transport took off, speeding far away to its next pick up.

"Alright, check your weapons." There was a moment of hesitation followed by another of each trooper pulling out their E-11 to make sure they were locked and loaded. No matter what mission apart of his job as a leader was to make sure they were ready for a fight. "Radio says we're to head west to meet up with the team there. We're already late but I think we can take our time on this one."

No one could tell if he was joking or not.


*edited for spelling 'n stuff. posted at 3am vry tired

 

[Arana Xaan]

://OBJECTIVE: Objective III - Seeking a Relic
://LOCATION: The Spire
://ALLIES: TSE

​

Arana paused on the steps leading ever upwards in the Spire, the feeling like she was the only sentient in the place had passed, replaced with the distant clamoring of minds above her. She pursed her lips for a moment, reaching out through the Force to feel the edges of their awareness. After a moment, she pulled the tendrils of her consciousness back to herself and continued her ascent.

Who they were was of little matter to her, they would either not get in her way, or they would not get in her way for long. There was no other option in her mind. She was too close to her goal now to stop.

She moved out of the stairwell onto a level that could have been chosen at random for the detritus piling on the floors, mimicking every other floor she had passed in the once empty prison. In her mind, the relic she sought was a blood red beacon, drawing her ever towards it. She was closer to the new forces who had entered the Spire, but not yet at the top of the Spire.

Arana moved through the hallway, stepping past fallen masonry and overturned chairs. Rather than cells, this level appeared to have been devoted to offices and a dormitory possibly for guards. Large rooms full of decaying mattresses on rusted out frames stood opposite closed doors. She ignored all but one of the doors, roughly halfway down the hall from the stairwell she had entered on to where the hallway ended at a wall.

If she was too close to allow anything to stop her, she was also too close to rush. Far too many Sith of the past had allowed plans and actions to be rushed, and fell to ruin because of something unforeseen. While she did not assume there were any Jedi or malignant troopers on the otherside of the door, she paused nonetheless to push her senses past the door, looking for any sort of trap.

Her senses pushed past the door, and then went blood red as they hit a mental wall. It wasn't the wall of a mind being shielded, however, but a wall nonetheless.

Her lightsaber was out and carving into the door in a moment, and she kept it out and lit as she stepped through to see what might be attempting to keep her prize from her hands.

[member="grand moff varrik"]​

 

[Amaya Cardei]

Location: Allein
Objective: Good Will

There were many in need, but there were plenty more who wanted nothing from the Sith Empire. Regardless, the Empire made it a point to remind the good people of Stygeon Prime that they were not going anywhere. The Sith Empire would be the benefactors of the masses as much as it would reign over them. Sith-Imperial Law enforced by the Sith Legion and the local militia still, Colonel Tarkin stood out of his plastoid armor and in uniform. He would be serving warm meals to those who approached his sector's soup kitchen. Granaries had been inspected, food found soiled and rotten left nothing to feed the people meant the Sith would be feeding the people until their food storage facilities were rebuilt. The bitter winds of Stygeon Prime cut through his uniform but the man from Eriadu, the man from the First Order did not budge. He did not shiver or tell any tale of his cold rather, he stood and smiled he served soup and gave extra to the children and the malnourished.

He watched as transports passed by, no doubt picking up those selected for the Youth Academies or other forms of service. The Sith Empire did not simply give out of the goodness of their hearts, there was a price to paid, usually. Sharply dressed he stirred the ladle in the pot and leaned the pot over to get the most from it. Lifting the ladle up he carefully moved it over the awaiting bowl, held by an elderly man. As he did he could not help but notice another man watching from far away, Tarkin made a note to investigate the man later on.

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

Objective: [II] Imperial Charity - Sniff out Force Sensitives
Location: Allein

---

---

Providing aid was unusual work for a group such as the Valkyries, though it wasn't without any ulterior motive. While the hungry were fed, the injured were tended to, and the displaced were given shelter, the Matriarch and those who had followed her to Stygeon Prime kept a keen eye on the people of Allein. They were not here to show those blinded by the Light the truth within the Dark. Instead, they sought out those yet unaware of their potential. Were there any Force sensitives among them, the Valkyries would find them.

They wouldn't be given any choice. Where those standing with the Light could either accept the Dark side or their death, here nobody were given that. They would come, whether it was voluntary or not. Their potential was not to be wasted and in time they were to become Sith, or become a stepping stone for those who were.

And so, among the band of Valkyrie sisters, was the Matriarch, Darth Avacyn. While she aided in providing shelter for those who had lost their home, her watchful eye peered through the Force. And through it, she saw a young girl. She wasn't much older than ten, if even that old. A man wearing a uniform of the Sith legion tried to calm her down but it did little. The girl was clearly upset and scared and the fact there was nobody else with her was enough to draw Avacyn's attention. As a mother, she felt compelled to at least comfort her a little.

"Is something the matter?" The woman approached the girl and the legionnaire with a blanket draped over her left arm wearing a comforting smile. The teary-eyed girl turned her head to look at Avacyn, but remained silent. Then, she felt it. A strong connection to the Force hid beneath the surface.

"You seem like you're a little cold. Here." The redhead took the blanket and carefully draped it over the girl's shoulders and wrapped it around her. "Do you know where your parents are? I can help you find them."

 

[BobertEZ]

Objective: Hunting Season
Location: Stygeon Prime Mountains
Allies: Asha Matayahttps://starwarsrp.net/user/15088-asha-mataya/ | Mlow Eman'outther | FX-7 77 |TSE
Enemies: Anyone who wants to catch these hands
Theme/Soundscape: (X)

Lorale looked to the beast that their apprentice had nearly dropped with an arrow loosed so expertly that the Phoenix would assume any other day that the woman was an expert with the bow. Briefly ignoring the feeling that pervaded their mind, the Phoenix twirled the massive blade clutched tightly in their right hand once and drove it forward into the beast's nose upon the completion, skewering its skull and brain swiftly. The Rancor finally dropped to the ground with one low groan.

Lorale grunted and removed the blade from its head with a light tug and turned back into the field, searching for the source of this troublesome feeling. Nothing presented itself beyond the remaining Rancors that stood roughly three total, although those numbers were dropped quite quickly by the cadre that had come to hunt them, gunned down and sliced to pieces.

"Asha!" the Phoenix called out against the growing storm, lightning now striking rapidly atop the mountain range, the indication that something was approaching. "Ready yourself. Remain calm, no matter what comes."

Yacmoa-Eaha'm appeared near his master and brushed strands of hair away from his face, "Ba, what is wrong? What is coming?"

What indeed is coming, Lorale? You know, do you not?

It was only when Lorale noticed the lone Legionnaire far from the rest that they knew what it was, what was missing. The Alpha of the herd. Before the Sith Lord could order the Legionnaire to return, the poor soul was crushed under the massive, furred paw of the beast rearing its head from within the storm clouds. It was tusked, hunched over, and radiating an aura of intensity and savagery only a Rancor could exude. And if Lorale could estimate its size, it stood roughly eight meters in height, towering over any beast the Phoenix had encountered in their lifetime.

While this would be simply an abnormal creature if the circumstances were not unique, the fact of the matter was that this beast was in fact unique by way of its purposeful locking of eyes onto Asha. It one looked close enough, it almost appeared that it uttered something, something unintelligible in a language not known. This was no simple beast. This was something altered. Something created.

Then it charged, sending quakes through the ground with every step and stomp, and Lorale, for the first time in a very, very long time felt a very mortal chill course through their spirit.

"All forces, target that beast! Take it down!" they shouted with haste and passion, lifting the Wolfblade high into the air and initiating their own charge towards the monstrous beast, moving at speeds that should have been impossible for a being their size.

 

[Amaya Cardei]

Location: Allein
Objective: Good Will

From the simple goodwill of a ladle to the supervision of a new housing unit, Tarkin watched as droids and humanoid alike worked to bring to life yet another structure. Another place to help the overcrowded city until the Empire's engineers could make a proper city of this town. Still, he watched and waited as the structure went up while somewhere else there was an officer taking names and numbers and determining who would be assigned where. This would be yet another hand to the town, another signal that the Empire was not to be feared but to be loved. While yes they were more than capable of bringing fear, something he learned from the early First Order days. Something they can use here, the hopeful and helpful hand for if they have a good first impression an impression of hope. They were more inclined to join and thus Tarkin would smile, and hand out blankets when he could.

 

[Asha Mataya]

Objective: Hunting Season
Location: Stygeon Prime mountains
With: [member="Lorale Farmar"] | [member="Mlow Eman'outther"] | @FX-7 77

---

---

While Lorale took the fight to the rancors in a much more direct manner, Asha had kept her distance. In truth, fear was a major reason why. Despite the fact that the woman had enjoyed training in the past, her bladework wouldn't hold up in true combat. This was her first outing as an acolyte of the Sith and deep down, the mental image of being mauled by a rancor refused to subside.

Her master calling out to her as lightning continuously struck only made matters worse. Panic set in when an impossibly gargantuan beast made its approach.

Not only that, the beast locked its gaze onto Asha. She stumbled backwards in response as her eyes went wide. While reaching for an arrow, she lost her balance and fell butt-first into the snow. She quickly went to scramble back to her feet and produced an arrow out of her quiver, took aim, and waited. Trembling hands made it difficult to aim, though her grip on the bow was as tight as her hand would allow. All Asha could think in that moment was how this would be her end, how her second chance at life would end so soon after it began.

At least the sensation of being nearly dead wouldn't be anything new.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Sometimes, hoarded wealth could become a blockage, stopping resources from going where they were most needed. Oftentimes, such goods would simply be seized, nationalised, and redistributed as the Empire commands. Sometimes, however, such means were not equally accessible.

Sometimes, the blockage had to be cleansed.

"It is a considerable sum. As the subject lacks heirs, the wealth would be redistributed to the public." she lifted her eyes from the flimsiplast. "But a potential heir has risen?"

The hologram nodded and wrung their hands.

"Indeed." "Unfortunate."

Darth Ophidia folded the flimsiplast in the middle, then folded it a second time before tucking it away into a sleeve in a fluid motion. Her fingers steepled and came up to her nose, leaning against her face as her burning eyes stared, unblinking, at the hologram.

"I foresee an accident in his immediate future." She paused for a moment, as if in thought. "It will be done."

Her eyes flicked to the side, looking at the heavy snowfall caressing her window. Her eyes returned to the hologram, nodding courtly to allow the individual to sign off. And as the hologram ended, she leaned back in her chair, lifted the cup, and held it under her nose to savour the fragrant fumes. Her eyes half closed as she took in the sweet scent before it tipped to her lips and siphoned a portion of the tea.

 

[Amaya Cardei]

Location: Stygeon Prime, Outskirts
Objective: BYOO

Beyond the walls of Allein, Tarkin had now traveled taken by transport he watched as the walls of the city faded from view. Wrapped in the finest hides the Empire could offer its military men and women, especially the officers. Sandy blond hair tucked away beneath his hat, the speeder he traveled on barely hitched as it came over the hill. A droid spoke in its binary tongue telling him and his comrades that they would be arriving at a nearby construction site. Already the Sith Empire had begun to make modifications to the surrounding areas, military bases, research facilities, hospitals and of course the colonists. Always a steady flow of Empire-loyal men and women ready to help integrate a new world. More TIE Fighters could be seen here than anywhere else, like bees around a hive - there was a new starfighter outpost being constructed.

The shadow of a star destroyer loomed in the distance, he took a moment to examine it and then he realized it was indeed a Resurgent. Brought over from the First Order, it reminded him of his younger days then. As he marched about in the alabaster colored armor, the plastoid's sound as it crushed the dirt beneath its weight. Stormtroopers, they were a dime a dozen he thought but perhaps what made the First Order stand out back then had been its discipline. Here, discipline was plenty but within the Empire there were a myriad of loyalties in which to be aware. Some it was simple, server the Emperor and for others it was more than that - like Tarkin. It was more than just serve the Emperor, he had served a man much like him in the First Order. Sieger Ren, as much of an Emperor as any he suspected.

The speeder whined down the hover pads as it went by the construction sites. Tarkin had to be loyal to an idea, the Imperial idea one that both Sieger and Darth Carnifex seemed to uphold. He looked at the patch on his shoulder the Black Talons. Their loyalties were to more than just Carnifex, and the Empire, they were sworn to Taeli Raaf, Fiolette and their children by extension of how things worked in the Sith Empire. The droid's binary tone drew Tarkin away from his thoughts, they would be nearing Outpost Tregessar soon.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Tea consumed - Plans constructed.

The Queen of Shadows had decided to take the task herself, rather than send one of her subordinates.

She did this at times, when the mission was of great import, or when she felt the need to stretch her legs after delegating the paperwork of her newfound responsibilities within the Empire. This time, it was the latter reason.

Some days, all she needed was to remind yourself of why she did what she did.

Under cover of her expertise in stealth, she melted into the shadows. These ere techniques she had perfected over decades of constant war and strife. Her presence was subdued under a deep cover of the Force. She was nothing, no one, yet she saw all.

Soundlessly she whispered in the nurse's ear to let herself in, only to let her forget why she entered in the first place. And with casual strides, hidden to camera and eye alike, Darth Ophidia had entered the manor

 

[BobertEZ]

Objective: Hunting Season
Location: Stygeon Prime Mountains
Allies: Asha Matayahttps://starwarsrp.net/user/15088-asha-mataya/ | Mlow Eman'outther | FX-7 77 |TSE
Enemies: Anyone who wants to catch these hands
Theme/Soundscape: (X)

The Phoenix had never run so fast in their life before as they did when they sprinted to intercept the great beast from striking down Asha. The wind itself seemed to stall in its turbulent motion when Lorale moved from their standing point to directly in front of the Alpha Rancor, the Wolfblade raised high and ready to slice down through the abomination's face.

This is how Lorale hoped the battle would go, even as their forces began their own assaults on the beast, either sprinting themselves to strike it down or blasting from a far distance, the Legionnaire's likely knowing that they would end up like their poor comrade if they moved any closer than where they already stood. All the Rancor had to do was stop its motion as the wind had, perhaps in a new attempt to strike down the Phoenix or in surprise.

However, unlike the wind, the great monstrosity did stall in its motion and instead continued forward, bowling past the Sith Lord who it slapped away like a bundle of trash on a Hutt world. The Phoenix tumbled through the snow in several rotations as the sharp impact of the beast's batting coursed through their ethereal veins. Pain. A sensation the Sith Lord had not felt in quite some time alongside the sensation of fear which still pervaded their mind.

It was not the beast itself that drove fear into the heart of Lorale, nor even the threat of losing Asha, but rather the implications behind this beast's seemingly cognizant decision to target Asha out of the entire group upon Stygeon Prime that day. Someone had altered this monster, forged it with the Force and told it to lash out for Asha specifically.

Why? She is but an apprentice. Who...would target her? Not even the Heart could tell upon questioning by its champion, although the Sith Lord truthfully knew that their God was fully aware of what was going on. The Heart knew all about everything. Past and present and future. How could it not? Lorale had seen its true face and felt its true power. So why is it silent?

Lorale could not help but question all of this as they rose to their feet and surged back into battle, finding that only a few seconds had passed rather than the minutes they believed had past. The beast neared Asha, ignoring every desperate attack from the Spawn, and roared in defiance and rage and fury and dark, perverse hunger. Lorale could not allow this to pass. They could not allow Asha to die, otherwise the trail towards finding whoever created this beast would become increasingly difficult. At least that's what they told themselves. In truth, whether they wanted to admit it or not, the thought of losing an apprentice like Asha, one who was so willing to learn and follow them into the brink of death, brought on the memories of someone centuries prior, someone they failed to save from the darkness of Chaos. I cannot allow her to die.

This new objective drove the Sith Lord to utter what could only be described as a blood-lusted screech as they leaped into the air, a motion that caused the snow beneath their feet to melt into boiling puddles and the stone to crack into chips. The storm around the group had additionally resumed with unbridled impunity, whether due to the presence of the Alpha or the overt pressure of violence and battle. Regardless of reason, where there had once simply been the snow and ice now struck bolts of lightning, droplets of freezing rain, and large chunks of hail. Against this battering weather, the Obelisk flew, the Wolfblade raging with the flames of its innate power of Pyrokinesis.

The beast would fall, Asha would live, the objective would be complete, the planet would be taken, and then they would hunt down whoever did this. Whoever sent this abomination against the apprentice of the Phoenix. And they would die screaming.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

BYOO: Collect Specimens
Location: Nam Chorios

It had been a long time since she had visited this world... a very long time. She had spent weeks here after she left the One Sith, learning from the Theran Listeners, before continuing her travels to Ossus and joining her sister. On that occasion, she had been more interested in learning their techniques and Force philosophies, especially their abilities to manipulate memory.

Now she had returned with another goal entirely.

Nam Chorios was home to two extremely interesting species in the galaxy: the tsils, living crystals that could amplify light and Force energies to such a degree that even the smallest use of the Force on the world could create destructive storms, and the drochs, a small insectile parasite that could leech away the life energy of whatever being it had burrowed into. It was the drochs that were responsible for the feared Death Seed plague, and legend had it that older drochs, ones that had consumed the life of many victims, could even achieve sentience.

They were intriguing creatures and she hoped to obtain specimens of both for study... and of course, experiment on. Drochs would be easy enough to catch, but the tsils would need to be gathered willingly for what the Lady of Secrets wished to do.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

"Get out, you bootlicking, panhandling tramps!" "I will have none of your begging!"

Crashing and clattering resounded through the hallway as Ophidia stepped to the side, flattening herself against the wall and thus dodging the silverware turned impromptu projectiles. Three figures in colourful garb scarpered from the room, covering their heads and clutching their paperwork. A few of the flimsiplasts left their clutches and fell to the floor. Ophidia looked down to see the logo.

It was about money and support, as usual.

It appeared the master of the house was as much a miser as rumour suggested. So Ophidia had better work quickly. She slipped into the room and closed the door behind her.

Turning with a single, smooth movement, she looked into the wrinkled face of her target and made a deep, elegant curtsy.

"Your honour, the Sith Emperor sends his regards"

 

[Lark]

Location: Allein
Objective: Be Nice
Nearby: Valessia Brentioch Talger Gilham

Lark remained silent as the Sith Lord spoke, together they passed out blankets and clothes to a mass of children who were drawn to the cloth like fish were to bait. Perhaps the initial purpose of this charity was to protect the people of the Empire, but it was clear the effects would outlast this horrible tempest of snow. The children would remember this generosity, in their minds the Sith would not be these diabolical tyrants that were recounted in hushed whispers. No, from their point of view the Sith were kind faces who provided warmth when no others would. Perhaps, once the children grew of age, they'd be inclined to join the Empire that saved them from the bitter frost all those years ago.

The horror that kindness could create was a magnificent thing.

"Ah, so you sensed my little display. Some piles of snow blocked the road, and we hadn't the time to wait for any other means of dispersal." He wasn't surprised, slowly but surely he had become more accustomed to his powers. His learning experiences had been inconsistent to say the least. Lord Krest was a wonderful initial instructor until his betrayal, and soon after Lark left the Empire without receiving any more formal training. Until Tsisaar brought him back and provided semi-formal teachings, Lark had been learning on his own. He thought he had done a decent job, at least.

"I've noticed myself growing stronger, although I seem to show more blind power instead of the finesse I'd hoped to acquire. I still have much to learn." The Colonel called for transport, and a few moments later Troop Transports refitted for appropriate use approached them. They'd be useful for shepherding civilians to hospitals or shelters, and allow the Sith to provide quicker medical attention and access tough to reach parts of the city.

Yes, I have so much more to learn. And even more I need to do.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

"I have been expecting an emissary from the Sith, but they could at the very least have sent someone" He crouched forward in a coughing fit before falling back on his pillow. "Someone worth speaking to."

Darth Ophidia rose, placing her hands on her abdomen and maintaining her outward composure.

"Who are you, anyway?"

She took a few steps toward the bed.

"As you say, I am no one."

she smiled and inclined her head. The old man sneered back, adjusting his sheets, but Ophidia spoke again before he could interject.

"And the message I bring from the Sith Emperor is this." She produced a scroll of flimsiplast from her sleeve and unrolled it. "I, Archon Ival Minsihr, recognising no living heir, forfeit all my lands, titles, and riches to the benefit of the Sith Brotherhood. And the formalities that follow, of course."

The old man sat up in his bed, staring intensely at Ophidia. His brow furrowed and eyes narrowed in disbelief. She turned the flimsi over and produced a pen in her other hand for the old man to sign.

"For your peace."

 

[Ruek Tast]

Location: In the mountains
Objective: BYOO/Hunting Season
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ruek finished rolling up the fleshy wing of a juvenile tibidee, tying it so it wouldn't unravel as it was set with its pair. She plucked her knife from its earthen sheath and set about flaying the meat from the large animal. It was an easy shot, the inexperienced little bugger strayed too far from the protective alcove up in the mountain and tired out. She removed the gasbags and set them aside; she knew she had, but apparently they were light enough to tumble away out of sight. In the middle of her mind a bloom of heat grew and Tast spoke with a chuckle, "Well, we should've popped 'em." She shook her head, a minuscule smile threatening her stoic expression.
"You are right."
"As usual."
"For once." Rising from her stooped position she throws the knife down and bounces the chunk of flesh in her hand to feel the weight of it. The chunk of dark meat looks delicious, a surprising amount of marbling present for such a younger creature. Ruek had never hunted this kind of animal, aside from blasting away a pesky mynock or two, so she really didn't know what to expect from it. But the terrain the tibidee lived in was no mystery. The snowy clefts and ridges reminded her of Jelucan, she could almost picture her old home built into the mountainside. One could make a lodging here and be at peace, she entertained the thought even. She closed her eyes and sighed. The neighbors, however, were very noisy. She opened her eyes and cast a glance down in the valley below to see the remnants of the battle which took place beforehand. Rancors and troops were both strewn about...mostly rancors. In fact, Tast was almost certain the species had been eradicated in these parts, save the bull which ravaged on below. Was she to help them against the alpha? Ruek looks back to the pile of rancor shoulder pads in the crate behind, the crate humming lazily as it floats over a rocky outcrop. They'll be fine. She did her part, let them tackle the angry boy.

Her stomach growled. She was waisting time watching the show down there, it was time to sanctify the meat and make lunch. Sticks suitable for tinder were placed in meticulous order on the cleared patch of dirt. The chunk of tibidee was set squarely on top with a dash on tinder placed over it. After lighting it she removes her glove and retrieves her knife, cleaning both her hand and the blade with snow. A small prick of the finger, a tiny drop of blood. It disappeared into the flames as they licked up the meat and tinder. On her knees, Ruek bowed low in respect to the creature. This was a usual ritual, one to appease the hunted's spirit and not cause ill-will on the hunter. After the fire consumes the offering she goes back to the body to continue dressing it.

"What of the ones down there? You say they are red?" Ruek asks between mouthfuls, having cooked herself a steak and wrapped it in a thin bread. She sits near the cliff's edge with her helmet off, watching the fight continue between the black armored warrior, a smaller, human-looking fighter, and the bull rancor.
Tast stretches in their shared mind, "Mmhm. The black one is a pillar of crimson, the other a tiny spark in comparison. Somethin' unnatural about that bull, though. It's... disgusting to look at, really. Look," For the span of a second Ruek goes blind before Tast's vision replaces her own. Now she could see it all, the surging mass of flame down there swinging a slab of metal as if it could cut anything. She sees the diminutive flame of the fighter firing arrows and the gross abomination which was her target.
"Hm. Could not say it is not... interesting. That is enough."
Tast pulled back into his space, "What do ya think of the people? Little more hot than we're used to, aggressive."
Ruek contemplates while chewing another bite, wiping her chin as she rises from her seat, "The Empire is powerful. It attracts powerful people. Nothing wrong with that. Remember that time you saw him?"

She felt Tast shudder, if you could call it that. She felt his heat start to wane as he regressed into the matter of her mind, "Like molten steel. Terrifying." They both recalled his presence as he marched by the legion. Tall, intimidating. His black cape billowed behind as he silently judged the troopers before him. Ruek remembered the black helmet and shining eyes. Tast remembered the aura of anger which radiated from him.

But enough of the past. Ruek stretches her shoulders and dusts off any crumbs on her hands. She slips on her helmet and begins to clean up camp, missing the finale as the bull is slain.