The Last Holocron [TSE]

[Amaya Cardei]

Dromund Kaas.
Lost Temple of the Dark Valley.
MISSION PARTICIPANTS:
[member="Lark"] | [member="Kalt Bruq"]
[member="Rach'ta"] | [member="Valin Stryder"]
[member="Lorale Farmar"] | [member="Darth Immortuos"]
[member="Credius Nargath"] | [member="Mordecai Zambrano"]

---

Stage One: Arrival at the Dark Valley
Notable Lore: The Living and the Dead, House Zambrano


Here on Dromund Kaas, the last of Darth Vulkanus' legacy rests. Scouts have been able to locate the Dark Lord's resting place, here in the Dark Valley, there once laid the Dark Temple itself now, no longer. Now it has become the Valley of the Dark - where the Darkside permeates the very ground where you will find the Lost Temple of Vulkanus. A hastily made dirt road will lead you to the temple gates, but the scouts were unable to travel any further for they and their adventuring party found themselves under the temple's spell. Their minds were weak, and torn apart by the darkness and thus they have now become subject of Darth Vulkanus himself. The progenitor of House Zambrano from where every Zambrano can trace their roots has left behind a valuable Holocron filled with ancient knowledge.

It is with him that the first mentions of Zambrano are made, a former slave turned Dark Lord. He rose through the ranks of the Sith Empire and brought glory to the name, but it was his love for his wife that perhaps outweighed his lust for power. He rests with her, here in this Temple, your party will arrive either by beast or rented speeder. Navigational sensors will lead your speeder here and the beast knows the way to the temple. A small campfire some distance from the temple has been set up by a droid who will welcome you. Pick up any provisions you feel you may need as you and your party venture into the temple.

The Darkside is rich here, you cannot resist it - and be warned there are creatures here who lurk and will want to devour you...

OOC: Write your character's arrival, begin interactions and negotiate who takes watch, there will be four shifts in two-hour segments. The droid will have what you need should you want to buy anything. If you have any questions please PM me or DM on Discord. Those who are not in the Sith Empire but wish to participate may reach out to me via Discord and we can discuss how to get your character involved. The story picks up after the Living and the Dead thread:

On Korriban, artifact hunters and Sith scholars delved into the tombs and found that the holocron of Darth Vulkanus had deliberately been moved. Vulkanus wrote that the last of his knowledge rested with his heart. The records from Panatha revealed that this holocron would be on Dromund Kaas.

Unfortunately, Sith Scholars are not the only ones working to find the holocron. The Brotherhood has asked its members to step up and find this holocron before anyone else can get to it.

Darth Vulkanus is quite possibly the progenitor of the Zambrano line, he was a Sith Lord in the 'Old Republic Era.' A former slave who rose through the ranks of the ancient Sith Empire. His knowledge is valuable not just to the Sith but to the Emperor.

 

[BobertEZ]

Location: Lost Temple of the Dark Valley, Dromund Kaas
Objective: Arrive
Allies: [member="Lark"] | [member="Kalt Bruq"] | [member="Rach'ta"] | [member="Valin Stryder"] | [member="Darth Immortuos"] | [member="Credius Nargath"] | [member="Mordecai Zambrano"]
Enemies: Whoever Moved the Holocron

The storms of Dromund Kaas were a thing to behold from the ground. Lightning would strike every second and the rain would patter down in sheets of clear mercury. The skies would scream and holler as the heavens split open from the streaks of blue and white that would shoot out like boiling veins. A thing to behold from the ground. From the skies, however, it was indescribable. The clouds, black as onyx, would flash in great torrents as the strings of electricity connected the semi-solid air and rain. The thunder claps were like drums clanging right in the ear. Visibility was low and the risks of being struck down were high. It was dangerous, so very dangerous. And the Phoenix loved every second of it.

Darth Raptious, otherwise known as Lorale Farmar, the Lord of Conquest, laughed grimly as their newly gifted Cirmuhai strode through the skies in swift motions, the beat of her wings as loud as the thunder claps. She was a great beast, a loyal beast that would defend the Sith Lord as viciously as possible whenever required. This trip to find a lost Holocron of the possible progenitor of the Emperor would be an intriguing test to see just how far that loyalty went, and the Phoenix was more than prepared to put the beast down if need be.

Their journey together was new when they arrived on Dromund Kaas, ferried in by a large transport ship that had landed far in the wilds of the planet to allow the beast and her master time for feeding. Vine Cats and Sleens made for a ravenous meal for both Sithspawn and Sith Lord, raw flesh and muscle devoured and slurped to the bone before the duo took off for their objective, soaring through the black skies. In times such as this, Lorale would often reflect on their life, remembering events of centuries past, foes and friends that have fallen under their blades, whether lightsaber, vibrosword, or Sith Sword. Faces of loved ones, hated ones, uncaring ones. All a soup within the mind of the Vortex Born. Perhaps I should get my own Holocron.

The temple would appear within some time, just under the veneer of clouds that rained down a storm of unmitigated fury, the utter destruction of the landscape delayed by the strategically placed spires that absorbed and redirected the lightning. It was a monstrous thing, a relic of the past that foresaw punitive destruction upon the galaxy ages ago. Darth Raptious, the puppet of Kehotu-yshi, would have loved to visit such a place and defile it with the blood of Jedi, Sith, and explorers simply to make a point. The Phoenix would have enjoyed to study it, revive the lore of the past and get lost in the tomes and halls that it promised. The Vortex Born, or rather Lorale Farmar's true and current self, simply wanted to get the job done and discover what needed to be discovered. The time for personal lore hunting and gathering would have to come at another time.

A bit from the temple was a camp, which Lorale would notice after circling the temple some three times. As they did so, the Cirmuhai, which Lorale named Rothmok en route to the temple, let out a bellowing screech to signal the arrival of the Lord of Conquest, and landed some yards away from the main encampment. Sliding off the saddle of the beast, Lorale landed in a three-point stance and glared at the small campfire and the droid that accompanied it.

With heavy steps emphasized by the crunching of dirt and grass under their black-plated boots, Lorale made their way to the campfire alongside their great beast that frightened away any and all beasts that had come upon Lorale's arrival. There, the Sith Lord awaited the others that were reported to be accompanying them to find this Holocron, grumbling as they did so.

 

[Darth Assimilus]

The damp jungles of Dromund Kaas were always charm to be in. Immense winds buffeted about with each stir of a massive Peko Peko. Mimicking the various calls and sounds emitting from all over the planet it was clear that such a beautiful creature was not of this world. Each feather apon the beast held a splendor and glory even that caught the eye, even amidst the very presence gloom the Dark Valley allowed to loiter about. Like a fog, thick and mysterious so too was the mission Darth Immortuos was sent on. This was not his first experience with Sith artifacts. Not by a long shot. After all this was the same man that had recovered what he believed to be a legitimate replica of the Gauntlet of Crassus, an artifact he now wore wherever he went. Not to mention the reverse engineering of the Helm of Dathka Graush. From sith spirits to the arcane arts there was a long list of feats and merit under the epicanthix sith lords belt.

He had it set in his mind that this mission to uncover a simple Holocron would be no different. In fact It was already done.

Monkey work. He thought to himself. If the Emperor truly needed a Holocron such as this he would of came himself just as he came to claim various other objects or lives in the past. There were only two reasons he would not come. More concerning manners or he himself was knew what was here and needed an extra edge.

Staring down to a clearing below the the mans figure motioned the massive avian to land bring the creature down to a controlled glide down to the earths below. It seemed [member="Lorale Farmar"] had already arrived. A sith lord that Nulgath knew only by title. The Lord of Conquest. " Ridiculous." He spat hoping off his mount and commanding it to stay where it need be.

" Darth Raptious." A quick glance was all Nulgath needed to evaluate the sith in front of him. Needless to say his arrogant beady eyes and smirk said enough. " Your shorter than I expected but never the less. It is a pleasure to be ....accompanying you." Immortuos jested aloud in a voice between sarcasm and politeness. Heaving a bound covered object from off his mount. He then set it on the ground lightly near a ruined wall. Roughly in the shape of a humanoid shape but the blanket or tarp over the object made it almost impossible to find out. Too lumpy. It made a metal sound apon making contact with the ground. Next Nulgaths hand reached into a pouch in his bag. Pulling out a Datapad he began to read and took a seat on the ground.

" When the rest of the party arrives, Be a good lad and please...Inform me before we go off." The smirk on his face died sooner than his words. Leaving a face of stone and eyes that refelcted the fire that not only burned nearby but also within. If it was not apparently obvious, It could now be said or figured out that Immortuos wanted to be left to his own devices for now. Alone. With reading materials about the location he was in. Muttering to himself his face became buried in his datapad. Memories recalling prior information as well as new knowledge be absorbed.

Every now and then his eyes would glow a bright blue or purple hue and his gaze would fall to the sky or ground below as if something more was there.

What Nulgath saw amazed and shocked him.

He now understood.

 

[Lark]

Tell me Vulkanus, were you truly once as much a man as I am now? Your legacy nearly transcends time, generations later your ancestors still rule over the Empire you originated. But you were once a slave, as I was once blind to the true nature of the galaxy. How great was your ambition that it birthed a force so powerful that centuries later its flame burned ever as bright?

The only response he received was a crack of thunder, but whether that was Vulkanus or nature, it was the only response Lark needed. As a student of the Sith with an immense interest in history, Lark had done a substantial amount of research into important figures in Sith history. Vulkanus Zambrano was one of them. There were eerie similarities between the two: An intense curiosity towards primordial knowledge, an increasing disdain towards life in any form, a difficult past that was overcome and built the basis for future endeavors. Perhaps your holocron will help me understand you, Lark thought.

And if you fail me, I'll burn my own path.

The temple was in sight, at least when viewed through the eyes of the Svariff, a corvian Sithspawn of his own design. Lark stood on a ridge overlooking the temple, it appeared as though a few of his companions had already arrived at a makeshift camp near the mouth of the ruined site. The Sithspawn seemed to have an innate understanding of the place despite being creations spawned on a different planet, and they guided him towards the entrance. Some unseen dark presence spoke to them, navigating them to the origin of an even more despicable, haunted locus.

Walking into camp, Lark immediately noticed Lorale Farmar, the two had fought alongside one another during one of the innumerable conquests the Sith launched against the Mandolorians in the past few months. The other face was unrecognizable, and seeing as how the man was absorbed by the text in his hands, Lark had no desire to introduce himself. He did, however, approach the hulking form of The Vortex Born with an almost ethereal casualness. "Darth Raptious," Lark said with a polished, glassy tone. "It is an honor to fight by your side once more. Whatever primordial truths hide beneath this cryptic labyrinth, we will uncover." Lark spoke to the behemoth Sith Lord as though they were old friends, despite these being the first words the two had ever exchanged.

Lark, a mere acolyte, stood beneath the temple of one of the most significant Sith Lords in galactic history, beside two other Lords powerful in their own right. But if they dared question his presence, they'd soon find themselves facing a horror that one day might surpass any being the galaxy had ever seen. The Necronomicon chained to his hip was a display of frightening power that some Lords might not have the willpower to manage, and he grew more familiar with the tome by the day. He had become accustomed to facing primeval powers. He had been chosen for this task same as them, and he did not intend to disappoint.

And if his understanding of things that are not meant to be understood wasn't enough, Lark would invite them to take a peek into his mind. Whatever shred of wicked consciousness they bore witness to would surely convince them. There was a tranquil fury that he constantly kept hidden, but that unfathomable rage was ready to break free at any moment, and turn Lark into the monster that he truly was.

[member="Sith Muse"] [member="Lorale Farmar"] [member="Darth Immortuos"] [member="Kalt Bruq"] [member="Rach'ta"] [member="Valin Stryder "][member="Credius Nargath"] [member="Mordecai Zambrano"]

 

[Kalt Bruq]

A speeder accelerated over the dark valley, descending toward the designated camp site set on it's navigation system. This would be Kalt's first time visiting Dromund Kass. The rain was bothersome but the presence of the dark side was strong here. It reminded him of Korriban in a lot of ways but was also very different. During the Old Republican Era, the Sith Empire of Darth Vitiate reigned from Dromund Kass for a long time. Kalt couldn't blame the decision. Even looking beyond the dark presence of the dark lords there was something natural here. While Bastion had a strong dark presence it wasn't the same as Korriban and Dromund Kass. Both planets shared a far more ancient, almost natural dark side presence. Like they were destined to be the seats of Sith Empires.

While not as ancient as Korriban many tombs of very influential dark lords could still be found here. Granted, they were so old that it was general practice to expect them to be looted clean. The Jedi and other Sith are likely to be the culprits in this regard. Although Kalt reckoned that Jedi were more responsible for the destruction of such places and their artifacts. It's miracle that a tomb of the Zambranos survived untouched for this long. Perhaps, that is more to do with it's security measures however.

As the speeder landed, Kalt felt the presence of two considerably powerful dark lords. While one was unfamiliar, he recognized the presence of Darth Raptious. "Salutations Reptious," He said to Lorale with a bow of his head. He gave a slightly more formal bow to the other dark lord, although didn't say anything so as not to disturb his read. He gave a quick nod toward the other acolyte. Then he turned in the direction of the temple they were seeking.

"Anyone else have doubts that we'll find anything of value, let alone a Holocron there?" Kalt asked.

[member="Sith Muse"] [member="Lorale Farmar"] [member="Darth Immortuos"] [member="Lark"] [member="Rach'ta"] [member="Valin Stryder "][member="Credius Nargath"] [member="Mordecai Zambrano"]​

 

[Credius Nargath]

"KRONOS, do you mind trying to figure out more about the history of this place?" The Sith lord sighed as he had his golden AI take over full control of his ship as it was orbiting the planet of Dromund Kaas. There were after all a lot of things one could learn from a planet with such a storied past. The AI gave a solid bleep when it seemed to have downloaded everything it needed from the ship's connection to the holonet. "Information acquired, do you wish to take any further action?" For a moment Credius wondered what he'd be doing, taking further action could delay his arrival upon the planet a bit, given the fact that he'd probably have to listen to the entire past of the planet if it depended on his AI. Nodding his head, the sith lord simply prepared to land, trying to find himself a good spot on the planet's surface, all the while engaging his cloaking device to keep the ship's actual location from any unwanted, prying eyes.

Traversing the dense jungle of the planet with his golden globe AI floating next to him in its static form, the sith lord managed to finally find the person he hoped to find upon this little excursion. "Lord Immortuous, Lord Raptious...how...enlightening to see the both of you here," Credius made a small nod, his all-encompassing helmet completely concealing his face, but his voice resonated with the same neutrality as it always did. "I do wonder why the imperial family and the dark council are so dead set on reclaiming this particular discovery without actually being here en mass. Got any clue to that, Lord Immortuous?"

Standing still, the Sith Lord raised his hand, with the KRONOS AI silently floating above it in its silent, golden orb-state. "Scan the immediate area, I don't think we need any stragglers surprising us."

 

[Darth Assimilus]

" What you ask I'm sure is on every-bodies mind. Whether they admit it or not, Halcyon. Our mission is simple. We are here to receive a mere holocron." Immortuos raised his head setting down his data pad back into its pouch. Levitating to his feet he cleared his throat as a sign that he was not yet finished talking. " Darth Vulkanus, a sith obviously but what makes this darth so special is his or her family. A Zambrano and believed to be the first of such a lineage. A long dead sith." Nulgaths eyes narrowed on [member="Credius Nargath"]. " But we know how dangerous dead sith can be. The Imperial family and Dark Council wouldn't go as far to dirty their hands with a task such as this. Those indolent fools. Though it is not out of reason to believe that we all are being monitored by either the Dark Council or Imperial Family. Even now.." Nulgath pondered briefly and looked around in suspicion. Paranoia was not out of the normal behavior he naturally exhibited. All men with power were afraid to lose it after all.

" After all this relic is so very important to the Emperor and the Sith Empire itself." The epicanthix forcibly expelled air from his nostrils disgusted in the way such things were handled in regard to their mission and situation. So sloppy. This was nothing more than dogs to fetch a bone. We were the dogs and if we failed then more would be dispatched. He kept his other remarks to himself.

Expendable.

"Anyone else have doubts that we'll find anything of value, let alone a Holocron there?" Kalt asked.

" The holocron is here my horned..friend." He spat in a response. " I have seen it with my own eyes. Its deeper than I anticipated but retrievable for those with enough knowledge or power." He made sure to emphazie the last bit of his statement and then glanced at the two acolytes in their midst. A giant, two children and a man he enjoyed in company but ultimately did not trust any more then himself. This was the chosen party to collect the Holocron of Darth Valkanus.

" The relic is not too far and any threats within the catacombs we can handle. The problem lies here where we stand. The speeders and mounts need protection from any creatures Dromund Kaas holds on its surface, not to mention other opposing forces. Im actually shocked none of you have said anything yet...it is too quiet here." Finally Immortuous shut his maw and removed the condescending smirk off his face only to then let the unnatural stillness saturate the air. Dromund Kaas a jungle and since his arrival he had seen nor heard a any native sound since entering the valley.

[member="Lark"]
[member="Lorale Farmar"]
[member="Kalt Bruq"]

 

[Rach'ta]

Location: Dromund Kaas

---

Rach'ta had arrived with fittingly no fan fair or flair. He was a lowly Acolyte and being such he kept from interfering with the Sith Lords, especially since he was new to the Empire as a whole let alone the Sith Brotherhood. If he had something to add or a revelation meaningful to the mission he would share it. Through his veil Rach'ta peered at the small company of treasure seekers. The tensions ever present between those of the Sith philosophy was present even here in a united goal of finding an ancient holocron on this planet of shadow and dismal rain. As Darth Immortuous spoke, the Twi'lek, drew closer to hear what he had to say about their current task - it seemed a simple reiteration.

 

[BobertEZ]

Location: Lost Temple of the Dark Valley, Dromund Kaas
Objective: Arrive
Allies: [member="Lark"] | [member="Kalt Bruq"] | [member="Rach'ta"] | [member="Valin Stryder"] | [member="Darth Immortuos"] | [member="Credius Nargath"] | [member="Mordecai Zambrano"]
Enemies: Whoever Moved the Holocron

"You're shorter than I expected but never the less. It is a pleasure to be....accompanying you."

The Phoenix snorted at the smarm that oozed from the lips of their fellow Sith Lord, tightening their gauntlets into a grip. Elsewhere, the beast Rothmok growled deeply at the change in the air, glaring at the Storm Lord with black eyes that spoke of a thousand forms of hatred. With a whisper across the Force, Lorale calmed the beast, if for but a moment, and sent it on its way to find another meal to quell itself.

Witnessing the arrival of further members of the group, the Phoenix began to further calm the already subdued anxiety of what lay before them, knowing with certainty that they would not be alone with the man that spoke with barely concealed vile. The arrival of Kalt Bruq, whom Lorale had taken on somewhat as a foster child following the disappearance of their biological son, brought even more relief. The long awaited introductions with Lark also brought some form of resolution, although an air of foreboding surrounded him like a cloak. The appearance of Rach'ta, however, was strange given that he was little more than an acolyte and not one that seemed versed in the art of physical combat. Yet, there was a power that Lorale felt from within the boy, an untapped potential. The Phoenix would keep a close eye on that one for the remainder of this quest.

A loud screech followed by a highly audible crunch and tear signified that Rothmok had found a meal in a Sleen. She would come bounding out of the trees with a dangling piece of meat in her jaws, lowering her head so that Lorale might grasp the bloody flesh, which they did after a few pats to the beast's head. Strangely, and perhaps horrifically, the Phoenix did not remove their helm to devour the offering, instead opening the helm's jaws as if they were their own and devouring the flesh with its metallic teeth.

After whispering gratitude to the draconian monstrosity, the Phoenix turned their attention to to the Storm Lord who had just finished a monologue of sorts and sighed heavily.

"Rothmok here will protect our camp," they uttered through the Force into the minds of those around them. "She is a strong beast. But...I agree. It is far too quiet. Much too quiet."

Suddenly reaching up with their left hand, the Vortex Born gripped the handle of their gargantuan blade to unsheathe it, letting the tip of the sword bury itself into the corrupted dirt with its rotated descent. Something was indeed wrong, even by Dromund Kaas standards.

 

[Lark]

Slowly but surely, the team of Sith that were tasked with retrieving the holocron began making camp underneath the shadow of the temple. The monolithic structure appeared as though it was casting an infernal gaze upon them, daring them to attempt to plunder its infernal halls. The ghost of the first of the Zambrano challenged this new era of darksiders, testing whether or not they were worthy of calling themselves Sith, or if they deserved nothing but suffering and madness for all eternity. There was an unfathomable sense of dread, any being weak of mind or will would find themselves ripped apart before even descending into the uncharted pitch of darkness. Lark could only smile at that. Let the forces of darkness pit themselves against him. The revenants inside best take caution if they decided to dig into his mind. They might find something that would terrify even the strongest of specters.

Lark returned Kalt Bruq's introductory nod with a smile of his own. He was glad to see a handful of other acolytes present, being the sole acolyte amongst Lords would have been a daunting task. One that he'd be prepared for, but he'd rather devote his attention to the holocron. Darth Immortuos on the other hand seemed to question their presence, making veiled remarks doubting their own knowledge or power. If the older Lord hoped for some kind of reaction, Lark offered him none, internally or externally. It was as though the scarlet-haired acolyte hadn't even heard the utterance. His face was as serene as undisturbed water, a stark contrast to the beastly tempest of abhorrent power that raged around them. His eyes, shifting from a celestial gold to a monstrous crimson remained focused on the temple. I'll respond to his challenge with action, not petty quips.

"If necessary, my Svarrif and I can also keep watch while we prepare. The birds are excellent scouts, and the bonds we share are powerful. Anything that they see, I see." At the moment, the surrounding area was quiet, only a few smaller beasts stalked the local area. But there was something out there, and whether that unseen force lay within the temple or elsewhere, they needed to be vigilant.

[member="Lorale Farmar"] [member="Rach'ta"] [member="Darth Immortuos"] [member="Credius Nargath"] [member="Kalt Bruq"] [member="Sith Muse"]

 

[Credius Nargath]

"Let them monitor us to their hearts' delight," Darth Halcyon's helmet slid slightly forward in a nod towards [member="Darth Immortuos"] , He did not enjoy being a pawn in someone else's game, but perhaps it was best to as always remain inconspicuous and avoid confrontations that would only lead to be detrimental to his own machinations and schemes. "It matters not... it simply means they are incapable of doing their own work, to fulfill their own duties, while they wallow in their ill-gotten gains and spoils from the wars like bloated pigs, we will simply need to correct that behavior by doing the work they should have done."

He wasn't angry, not even in the slightest, but if there was one thing he quite despised about this situation, it would've been the fact that not a single Zambrano had managed to show up. He wondered just how little their own legacy mattered to them, just how little was their own bloodline's knowledge and wisdom worth?

"Scan complete...no undesirables located within a two hundred meter perimeter, should I continue the scan?" KRONOS' odly familiar, metallic voice rang through the air as the orb floated back down towards Credius' raised hand. The Sith lord wondered what this could mean, why was there no detectablelife within a two hundred meter radius, especially on a planet which had at long last recovered from the darkness, the hollow which had plagued it so many eons ago. The fact that he was having these questions haunt his mind, actually excited the man, as this meant there was knowledge to gather in this place, information to be gained and he'd devour every morsel of it if need be.

"With Lord Raptious' beast and your Svarrif , I'd reckon we have enough means of guarding ourselves from unforseen obstacles," Darth Halcyon looked at Darth Immortuous, shifting his gaze towards Darth Raptious and eventually the Acolytes present at this ironically merry gathering. The Nulgath was right about it being too quiet and though Credius could not contest wether or not the holocron was present, the immediate feeling of dread was enough to warrant a certain safeguard for all of them. "Now than...shall we begin?"

[member="Lark"] [member="Lorale Farmar"] [member="Rach'ta"] [member="Darth Immortuos"] [member="Kalt Bruq"] [member="Sith Muse"]

 

[Amaya Cardei]

​

Dromund Kaas.
Lost Temple of the Dark Valley.
MISSION PARTICIPANTS:
[member="Lark"] | [member="Kalt Bruq"]
[member="Rach'ta"] | [member="Darth Immortuos"]
[member="Lorale Farmar"] | [member="Credius Nargath"]

---

Stage One: Fight One: Twisted Branches vs the Sith Pack
Notable Lore: The Living and the Dead, House Zambrano
Late Comers: [member="Mordecai Zambrano"] | [member="Valin Stryder"]

​

Night fell across the world of Dromund Kaas, and creatures of the day withdrew to their homes. Whilst those who called the night their home emerged from their burrows and dens, and each began to make their own additions to the sweet orchestra of the Dark Valley. The wind howled through the trees, branches rustled and then from across the Valley, if one laid perfectly still. You could hear the sounds of the dead, the pitiful wails that added a macabre organ to an otherwise spirited evening. Eyes that glowed peaked out from the trees, the grasses, and nearby bushes. As the Sith Lords settled into whatever they might call a peaceful slumber, and as Darth Raptious and even Kalt took their watch nothing seemed amiss.

[member="Lark"], however, would find that there was someone, or rather something stalking the group. What or who it was eluded him and his creature, and indeed perhaps most of the creatures save for the pet of [member="Lorale Farmar"] would have noticed nothing at all. The campsite fire blew out with a harsh and somewhat unnatural wind, and when the group would awake [member="Darth Immortuos"] would find a note on his person.

Come hither my dear, come slither quite near
Hear my call, and say sweetly my name
For in this game it is I who will remain.

As the morning drew upon the land, the droid that had once been there had left in the night back for the palace. He left a package of provisions neatly bundled into a crate or two with care. The Temple that laid ahead now held a foreboding sense to all those who could feel the dread that awaited them. A roar reached out to creatures of the valley, it whispered dark tidings. Branches and trees began to uproot themselves and made haste for the campsite, and indeed it seemed that the valley belonged to someone else, belonged to something else...

OOC: Please determine your order of combat amongst yourselves, Lark please see me in DM so I can give you your clue! Crates have standard provisions that may prove useful inside the Temple! Once you've determined your combat order please let me know, do not engage the creatures yet. Mordecai and Valin speak with me on Discord so we can figure out how to get you caught up with the group!

 

[Lark]

Relaying information telepathically with a bird sounded like it might be troublesome, before he began practicing he wasn't sure how he would understand the corvian Sithspawn. But he quickly learned that they didn't need to speak to each other. There was an understanding between he and his flock, man and bird cooperating alongside one another with perception and insight alone. It hadn't taken Lark long to become accustomed to working alongside his creations, he had grown rather fond of the creatures. Their dark wings often heralded his arrival, ominous caws and screeches warning of the encroaching darkness.

But of course, no tool was perfect, and the Svarrif did have their drawbacks. Oddly enough, the issue they faced at present wasn't one they were typically accustomed to. A hidden beast stalked their camp, slinking somewhere in the shadows. The birds only caught a brief glimpse, and most of whatever was out there remained hidden.

"It seems as though something out there has taken a bit of a curiosity towards us," Lark said as the dawn signaled the continuation of their journey. A roar accompanied his warning, if Lark's heart was not made of stone then his blood would have gone cold. "Even the Svarrif, with their hunter's instincts, could not see the beast clearly. Gold eyes and sharp ears, the rest was shrouded in darkness. The birds will continue to scout, but whatever they saw has yet to reveal itself."

He took another look at the temple, almost challenging the Sith to approach. While there was an aura of miasmic dread the night before, that horrible sensation only amplified as morning came. Whatever doubts Lark might have had before vanished as quickly as that unknown beast did. Something waits for me within those halls. Whatever it is, I will uncover it.

The biggest monster in this valley isn't hiding in the shadows.

[member="Sith Muse"] [member="Credius Nargath"] [member="Lorale Farmar"] [member="Rach'ta"] [member="Kezeroth"] [member="Kalt Bruq"]