Faction The New Order [TSE Dark Council]

[Aspect of Passion]

Odavessa​

869ABY​

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Once more unto the breach, as they have often said. Darth Vindik had been a Praetorian unto three decades, hidden away from the galaxy at large by the Sepulchral and Worm. Three decades honing his skills, mastering every form of lightsaber combat he could - becoming the titanic figure garbed in obsidian armor that they could see today; but politics always bothered the great royal guard. For all a Praetorian was, for all they sacrificed in the name of the Sith's Destiny, they never learned how to play politics - likely to discourage them declaring a new Emperor without the holy sacrament taking place.​

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Now he stood at the doors to Dark Council Chamber; the first to convene since the arrival of the outsiders. Those the Worm had entrusted his grand will to, those the Sepulchral would slowly teach the secrets of the Eternal. He considered all of them threats - no matter the trust they have been endowed with. No simple invitation would change a Praetorian's mind to something to mundane as 'trust'. If any had doubts of the Worm, if any attempted to act upon them - Vindik would see them fall at his feet.​

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His back straightened like an iron rod when he heard the doors slide open next to him. His lightsaber pike, the first of his weapons, slammed the ground as he sounded a salute - allowing the massive three meter visage of the Worm into the chamber before they were soon followed by the High Priest of the Sepulchral. None knew the corpse's name, but all could sense just how ancient and powerful of a creature they were; dressed in the crimson garb of the Sepulchral, with nigh on rotting flesh pulled tight across the bones of his face. Were it not for the blackened, golden eyes still moving with life, one would almost assume they were already dead.​

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With no such return of greeting, the Eldritch Emperor and his corpse crony moved through the hall until the Worm found a seat upon yet another of his collection of thrones. Black and massive, the stone of it seemed oily from appearence, but was dry to touch. Uniformly placed upon its base and arches was the ur-Kittat of his position, of the holy design of the Sith, and everything the Emperor represented. Soon to follow would be the rest of the Dark Council, and each would gain the same salute as the Worm - though with noticeably less enthusiasm.​

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Darth Carnifex // Darth Ophidia // Taeli Raaf // Darth Angonous // Darth Athora // Darth Empyrean // Telis Taharin-Zambrano​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

Maliphant moved with purpose, distinction, and all the pride that came with being on a Dark Council. Unlike most, this was his first appointment to such - the highest he had ever come in the world of Sith Politics. For a brief moment, the memories once hidden from him came flashing back - of how he was little more than an InterGalactic Terrorist accused of genocide on multiple planets, zealotry and extremism from the Primeval, and helping to collapse more than a few governments; for fun, or for profit more recently. Now, atop the golden throne of the IGBC, he had been entrusted with the position of controlling the entire New Empire's economic infrastructure.​

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Along with the collapse of most foreign markets in preparation for the Sith's arrival, he imagined, but he doubted the likelyhood of such a scenario.​

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For the briefest moment, he even considered his tenuous and short lived position as the personal advisor, protector, and secretary to Srina Talon within the Confederacy; though that position seemed to have its conflicts when he began courting the Dread Queen. He hoped, despite their constant distant - especially now, not even knowing where in the Galaxy he was - that she was thinking of him, and doing well despite their isolation.​

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The doors slid open as he arrived, and the congratulatory salute of the Praetorians offered him the smallest satisfaction. The Master of Credits and Economy had arrived - adorned in the Sidic Armor he had personally designed, forged with the Darksteel of his kills. He offered a subtle smile as he found his seat, the corruption in his eyes matching that of Darth Carnifex , ruby gems in a sea of black.​

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"Good morning, Darths.", he said somewhere between a coy jab and a genuine greeting.​

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Darth Ophidia // Taeli Raaf // Darth Angonous // Darth Athora // Telis Taharin-Zambrano​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Lord Carnifex sat in His assigned seat, almost sprawling out from the chair with His lackadaisical posture. Both arms laid on their rests, hands draping over the ends with fingers lightly tapping against the coarse surface. His other half was not with Him, and Carnifex did not deign to elaborate on their whereabouts or the reason for their absence. His gaze appeared distant, elsewhere. The subtle movements of His lips gave the impression that He was speaking to someone, the vague hints of words and sentences jumbled together in several different languages barely recognizable.

It was only when the presence of Darth Maliphant became known to Him that His eyes turned to fixate on the spindly Dark Lord. Wordlessly the Butcher King watched Maliphant, like a vicious Vamga stalking an unsuspecting mountain Blurrg. Eventually, in the end, Carnifex's eyes turned away from Maliphant and again stared off into the unknowable distance.

There were some who would find Carnifex's decision to ally with the Worm Emperor paradoxical, perhaps even anathema to everything that the Butcher King had worked for since His abdication of the Imperial throne. Few knew of the existence of the Demiurge, the Dark Lord's mirror half, and fewer still would know of the Butcher King's apocalyptic ambitions. Those same ambitions were echoed by the Worm Emperor, albeit differently from the beliefs espoused by the former Emperor.

For now, they were bound by an alliance of commonality rather than duty and faith.

Carnifex could not speak for the other members of this 'Dark Council', this 'Infernal Congregation'. They came with their own prejudices, their own loyalties, and their own ambitions. He would not seek to understand them. They would work to achieve the same goals as He, and if they stood in His way to achieving what He desired then they would be sacrificed on the altar of power.

Such was the way of the Sith.

Aspect of Passion | Darth Empyrean | Taeli Raaf | Darth Ophidia
Darth Athora | Darth Angonous | Telis Taharin-Zambrano ​

 

[Darth Angonous]

Darth Angonous arrived dressed in his Sith Armor the black hood draped over his head obscuring his dark face. At last after almost a year in hiding he could wear his true colors again. To wear nothing more than garment in order to hide from the stupid Jedi was demeaning and humiliating yet during his exile, Angonous learned what it meant to be patient and direct his energies to the bigger picture. That patience was rewarded with a young, talented apprentice in Sicarius Hekate and the fact that the Sith had finally emerged from the Darkness and named Darth Angonous the leader of all of the Sith's armies.

For Angonous, this was a great honor to remold the fractured Sith forces into a formidable fighting force. As powerful as the Sith Army, there was a lack of cohesion and loyalty amongst the soldiers and especially between the Sith Lords. With Angonuous his vision was simple: Instill loyalty within the the soldiers. Make them feel wanted so they can fight and die for the cause, make them loyal to the point where they rather kill themselves instead of selling out the Sith Empire's plans. Furthermore, Angonous wanted to make sure that the Sith Lords who command those armies will be at the frontlines leading the charge. A leader cannot lead by just standing still, they push forward with their troops and fight and die with them. It's a good way for morale and also a good way to absorb their, hate, anger and bloodlust to fuel the Dark Side.

Angonous was a serious man, but today he couldn't resist a slight hint of a smile when he entered the Dark Council chamber. It was filled with the Dark Side of the Force which absorbed into his body giving him a warm energy filling him with life. The Worm Emperor and The Master of Coins took their seats on their respective chairs. "Good morning Darth Empyrean ," Angonous frowned remaining stoic as he sat down as well observing his compatriots. Will they learn from their mistakes from the Sith Empire's fall? Will infighting and squabbling fracture them like it did a year ago where the a chunk of Sith left and formed the failed Warlords of the Sith? The most important thing right now is that Sith can unite and instill complete and utter loyalty snuffing out any signs of treachery. Angonous crossed his massive arms, his yellow eyes still scanning the area. This first meeting will determine of the fate this Sith Empire, Angonous wanted to make sure that this one will not fall. The Sith Lord continued to observe, already envisioning an army that will ensure peace.

His work as Dark Legate has already begun, he and Sicarus were gathering the necessary preparations to start building on Angonous' vision, now the rest is up to the Dark Council.

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Taeli Raaf Telis Taharin-Zambrano Darth Carnifex Darth Athora​

Darth Ophidia never entered.

At least not in the traditional respect. One would expect to see one walking into view by way of physical channels in the structure. Darth Ophidia didn't have time for such nonsense. When Darth Empyrean and Darth Angonous entered, her chair was empty. She had not been observed in the halls, nor had there been any word of her arrival from those who worked there. By all appearances, she was not coming.

Then, she was.

With the others seated, the silk-clad form of the Rattataki Sith Lord was just there.

Sitting in her chair.

Her hood was raised, casting most of her face in shadow. Even so, her eyes glowed like a pair of coals against the ashen skin. She didn't make a sound, not even a breath. She didn't blink, nor did her eyes wander or waver. Rather than look at the others, she looked down at the datapad in her hands and kept reading one of the latest intelligence rapports.

Even if she did not show it, the Grand Minister of the Frumentarii was fully aware of who was and was not present. She could tell where their eyes fell, where their ears turned.

It was a spymaster's job to know such things, and many more.

Even now, she worked to align and untangle old webs of spies and informants so that she could use them more effectively. Stealth came first, accuracy was important too, but efficient delivery was paramount as well. Information was best served fresh, and it was among her tasks to ensure they did so. It was tireless work, and some would say even tedious.

But Darth Ophidia had a knack for such things.

Just as she had a knack for simply appearing.

 

[Darth Athora]

Soon, the Lady of Storms, the Mother of Kulthis, the Grand Adjudicator Darth Athora entered the Dark Council chambers. She was clad in her Akute iv tave Asimi armor with Lightfall firmly resting in it's sheathe on her back. A blank expression on her face, Athora walked closer to the others. She was greeted by the rest, to which she would respond with a swift nod of her head.

Times had changed since she last met with other Sith Lords in a situation such as this. The Empire was disbanded and defeated once again in the galaxy's long history and Athora had no hand in defending it. She wished only to protect her own assets which, thus far, are under safe watch by her chosen followers. None had discovered her secrets hidden away on Kulthis to her knowledge. For the most part, her plans had gone off without a single disturbance.

For now, at least.

Now, Athora was once again a member of the Dark Council, but her title had changed since it's last iteration. She was now the Grand Adjudicator. The keeper of Law and Order throughout the Empire. It was a duty she accepted without hesitation. This meant that what was right and wrong in the Empire was entirely up to her. She would be the one to name one innocent or guilty. The idea of it excited her. to be judge, jury, and executioner of the Empire. It would excite anyone with a desire for power akin to hers.

She walked to her chair and sat elegantly, awaiting for the rest of the council to join.

Darth Ophidia | Darth Angonous | Darth Carnifex | Darth Empyrean | Taeli Raaf ​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

The raven had been perched on the top of the seat designated for the Director of Science and Magicks, watching as others arrived and took their own seats. With a flutter of its wings, it swooped down to land in the seat, a red glow suffusing before transforming back into the image of Darth Arcanix, a ring with a red jewel faceted slowly fading back to a dull luster.

"Good morning, Darth Maliphant," she returned with a small smile. It was always due to be polite with one other, especially with some new and old faces among this new Dark Council.

While she had sat previously on the Dark Council as the Pyramid of Galactic Influence, her new role was much more to her liking and proclivities. She had already begun taking stock of the level of skill among the scientists and alchemists within their hidden redoubt, while also taking inventory on such things as the equipment their forces might use in the field and what might be desired by the various Lords and Ladies and the forces they would be commanding. It was a task that she was going to quite enjoy.

Aspect of Passion Darth Empyrean Darth Carnifex Darth Angonous Darth Athora Darth Ophidia Telis Taharin-Zambrano​

 

[Aspect of Passion]

As the Sith Lords of both grand and ill repute entered, they would be motioned to their various seats. Thrones made of gold and obsidian - carved in their own manners befitting each of their positions. When they would sit, two Praetorians would stand on either side of them; a small reminder they stood in the presence of their Emperor were it not enough to gaze upon the many faced visage of the Worm. When quiet was alas found, the beast of the bogan stood and spoke;​

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Whispers fluttered the room, eyes opened where shadow fell and what remained was a thousand voices made one; the Worm spoke with the weight of dozens of Sith Lords at once, and even in the presence of so many great beings he stood like a sun to stars. A storm contained by simple black shroud concealing his identity -​

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"Great Council.", the Worm began.​

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"Long have you suffered at the hands of misguidance - ill understanding, ignorance, and dangerous ambition. Today we establish our future; among the Galaxy and among our own kind. You have been tasked with great responsibility, to hold the hand of our brothers and sisters as we trudge into the future. Building for them a foundation that may yet see us achieve total domination of the galaxy - and in the end, freedom from the chains that bind."​

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"Know this as your finest hour - but so too your darkest. Many have sought the council as a place of influence and power - but it is solely a burden upon your shoulders for what you must do. A burden to lead, a burden to protect, a burden to hold what remains of our true sons together.", he intoned, seemingly a thousand times over at once.​

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"We face many problems - the rump states of warlords that still remain in the Tingel Arm and Stygian Caldera. The Jedi of the Ashlan Crusade, the New Jedi Order, and Silver Jedi Concord. The New Imperial Order for its vexing fanaticism, and the Galactic Alliance for its growing strength in the core. Even the Maw serves as a threat to undo years of work the Sith have hoped to achieve - through blind ignorance."​

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"We meet today to settle these, to find knowledge in our contemporaries - and strength in our collective genius.'​

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" Taeli Raaf - We understand you have found yourself imbedded into the Galactic Alliance. Give us a state of the union, inform this council of what one should expect from their new iteration."​

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Darth Ophidia // Darth Carnifex // Telis Taharin-Zambrano // Darth Athora // Darth Empyrean // Darth Angonous​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Aspect of Passion Darth Carnifex Darth Ophidia Telis Taharin-Zambrano Darth Athora Darth Empyrean Darth Angonous

The Worm called the meeting to order with his opening speech, outlining the issues they would all need to address. The remnants of the Sith Empire would need to be brought into line, in one way or another, and their enemies would need to be dealt with. Infiltration had proven to be useful thus far, and she was opting for a quieter influence than even what she had done last time.

Certainly with more patience than that displayed by the Solipsis and his followers.

"The Alliance is still finding its feet after the attack by the Maw," she began, glancing over at Maliphant. "Aerarii Tithe, as Vice Chancellor, has taken over as acting Chancellor while Adhira recovers from the attempted assassination. The Senate plans to reconcile with the New Jedi Order after what happened with Solipsis, and while the attack did some infrastructure damage to the city and the Maw unleashed some beasts into the undercity, much of their assault was concentrated on the Jedi Temple itself. Much, if not all, of the Alliance's territory remains whole and the people will be hopping mad once the surprise wears off."

She quietly scoffed as she recalled her own meeting with Solipsis before the attack began.

"No major Jedi was killed in the attack, their younglings were successfully evacuated, although I suspect they will be wary of the Senate for a long time. Possibly even act as a disconnected entity, assisting them against the Maw, but remaining outside of the formal command structure until trust is rebuilt. Once the shock passes, I expect the Alliance to turn towards a full war footing, and while this may be controversial, I recommend we covertly assist their efforts against the Maw. Solipsis has made no secrets what he thinks of any of us gathered here, and we should show him exactly what we think of him."

It was something she herself had been contemplating, but her decision had been cemented by recent events. It would allow them to steer galactic affairs better, slowly gain influence and footholds.

 

[Darth Angonous]

Angonous crossed his massive arms continuing to observe his Sith compatriots, the Worm Emperor arrived his entire being comprised of the Dark Side of the Force. To Angonous, the Worm was like a dark hole that sucked everything around it growing stronger to the point where it has enough power to consume a galaxy. Under the Rule of Two standard, the Worm Emperor was the embodiment of power and Dark Council was to crave it. He wondered what's it like to possess a great power like that, the intoxicating aroma of pure power to destroy galaxies. Indeed Brotherhood may have destroyed a planet but it was nothing compared to the absolute power of the Dark Side. Once the Empire recovers, they will know the sheer power of the Dark Side of the Force.

"The galaxy as always is in conflict," Angonous began once Taeli finished her speech. "My Lord this is an opportunity for us to remain undetected while the Jedi and Alliance lick their wounds by the Brotherhood. If anything the Brotherhood has given us boon by attacking Coruscant and severely injuring wounding Chancellor Adhira Chandra. They are left with a power vacuum with Jedi whom they distrust for their atrocities committed in their path to destroying us."

What made the Jedi humorous was for all their talk of having the moral high ground, they are just as ruthless and merciless as the Sith. There was no compassion, no empathy just mass murder and they act shocked when people call them out. "I suggest continuing to instill doubt between the Jedi and Senate," he said. "Whatever plants we have left we must influence the council to make sure that the Jedi are.... not to be trusted. While the galaxy is at war we will rebuild in silence."

Angonous then frowned. "In the meantime," he said. "I have gathered any survivors from the war and have retrained them according to the regiments I've wrote up ever since I was placed as the Legate. The important thing that we must instill in this army is loyalty, it is easy for a soldier to fight and die if they know that we will do the same. For this I will put out word for any Sith Generals and Commanders who will personally lead troops in the front lines."

There were other matters such as the experimental soldiers that Sicarius Hekate was working on but they weren't ready to be shown off yet.

"With the soldiers I do have," Angonous said. "I will crush anyone who betrayed us, of course we will be disguised as simple raiders but they will feel the wrath of the Sith none the less."

Taeli Raaf Darth Carnifex Darth Ophidia Telis Taharin-Zambrano Darth Athora Darth Empyrean

 

[Telis Taharin-Zambrano]

”You would be foolish to think that we are in the position to enact petty revenge against our foes… we gather to speak politics, not feuds.”

The voice trailed off harshly into a deep hissing rumble that shook the very foundations of the room itself. Within it was a familiar Coruscanti lilt, a spark of humanity, but it was buried beneath the force of the creature that the boy had become.

In the shadows of the room above, something shifted. It was almost like a faint breeze, mistakable as a trick of the light; but it grew, movement overtaking the gloom. Seeping down from above, coiling around the room, was a mass of black scales. The shape continued to slither lower, wrapping around the room as much as it could, the sound of claws digging into ancient structures, rending before mending the pockmarks left as it traveled down. The air filled with a deep, toxic aura of Darkness as pure and potent as heat, as the creature descended to become present once again among the room. And as it settled to this new perch, encircling the room, two details were made prevalent: a pair of golden, slitted eyes and a claw made of warped, gleaming metal.

No matter where the Emperor was, its hand was never far. Always lurking. Always watching. Always waiting. Always weaving.

The great wyrm’s eyes closed, leaving it as just the seemingly endless coil of scales along the walls, bearing down on the room. In just the same moment an image of Telis appeared, human, and garbed in a mixture of finery and his old relic armor. He stood beside the Worm’s throne; his metal hand, glinting in the light of the room, rested on the table in full view of all. Telis had never tried to hide his scars, and it seems that that aspect of him remained unchanged, even through this transfiguration and evolution.

The image of the Sith Lord looked at all those gathered with a passing interest, a glint in his golden eyes. When he spoke and breathed, though, the sound came from the creature above him, rather than the image that stood beside the Emperor. But beyond this discrepancy, and the lack of a solid form, he seemed as alive and unchanged as he had been many years ago. The image of Telis’s corruption to the beast above seemed almost distant. Smiling politely, he bowed to the rest gathered, feigning the appearance of seeming small and mortal.

”Honored Lords, I am humbled to be here now, and I apologize for my… ‘delay,’ shall we say. Anonymity is a gift I am loath to abandon, even for all my splendor.”

Aspect of Passion // Darth Carnifex // Darth Ophidia // Taeli Raaf // Darth Angonous // Darth Athora // Darth Empyrean​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"The Maw's attack was only so consequential as to unite the Jedi and Alliance against them," chimed in the Dark Lord Carnifex, "Their motives are unclear besides vague revenge and indiscriminate destruction, though do not discount them of some grander ploy. They are mischievous for they are Sith, remain mindful." The Butcher King had not been in contact with the Mawite leadership since the attack on Rhand, where He had gone deep underground and discovered ancient lore. Secrets that He had concealed from the others present, not even his confidant Lady Raaf had fully learned what He had retrieved.

"But we should not focus on what the Maw is doing, for they will do as they wish regardless of what we think or say. Our concern should be solely on how we can build power from the Tingel Arm to the Southern Systems. Warlords have arisen in the territory of the Empire, each vying for legitimacy and power. The Bryn'adûl leadership has been entirely decapitated, their hordes will falter and crumble within the coming weeks. The power vacuum created by their fall will be enormous, perhaps the largest in the past century. We should be poised to take advantage of the criminal underworld left maimed by those mongrel's genocides."

Carnifex was thinking of the future, as He often did, and His mind spun with all of the opportunities that would open to them. The criminal syndicates of the Hutts and other related organizations had been largely uprooted by the Bryn-Silver War, for where the Bryn did not raze and destroy the Silvers outlawed the syndicates and persecuted those who continued the practices. The Sith had no moral objections to the activities of the criminal underworld, in fact, they often encouraged their illegality as an avenue for exerting more influence across the galaxy.

Soon the time would come to act.

"But not only that," continued Carnifex, "But during the Mawite's assault on the Alliance capital, Lady Raaf and I made our move on the ancient Jedi homeworld." He reached down to His side and procured a large metal container, placing it down on the table in full view of the others. "The Jedi believed all of them accounted for, but their archives were incomplete. During her tenure as Jedi Grandmaster, Lady Raaf edited the Jedi archives and stole highly sensitive information prior to our attack on the capital. Up until now, the moment had not been precise enough for us to make our way to Tython without difficulty. We used the knowledge that Lady Raaf had acquired for us to procure a single artifact."

The case snapped open with a release of pressurized air, the outer shell retracting to reveal a single shard of otherworldly metal suspended within a glasteel cylinder.

"A shard of the Dagger of Mortis, now ours to command."

Aspect of Passion | Darth Empyrean | Taeli Raaf | Darth Ophidia
Darth Angonous | Telis Taharin-Zambrano | Darth Athora ​

 

[Darth Empyrean]

When Taeli was done explaining the situation of the Alliance and its conflict with the Maw, Maliphant couldn't help but agree;​

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"It sounds like the Maw gave the alliance more of a slap on the wrist than a punch to the jaw like they perpetrate.", he mused.​

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"However, I would agree with Darth Arcanix's belief - we should support the Galactic Alliance against the Maw. Currently, they are on very high alert to infiltration and Sith efforts to manipulate their state; would we attempt anything substantial for sometime, we would no doubt be found out by the Jedi Shadows or SIA. Maintaining our few deep cover operations there should be paramount, and building trust within those necessary for what is to come. The destruction of the Maw will likely turn their attention to more mundane affairs - such as a war with the New Imperial Order for galactic hegemony, afterall."​

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The arrival of Telis did little to perturb the Dark Councillor - instead forcing him to lean forward as he watched the Hand speak nearest the Emperor. It was a coveted position, and Maliphant knew little and less of this Sith. He made a mental note to mark his progress in tabs - anyone so close to the Worm was a threat in of themselves. His attention was quickly stolen once more when Carnifex began to speak - his deep bass voice filling the room like smoke.​

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What he said, and what he offered were immaculate - small notes on his long experience as a Sith Lord, and dangerously clever mind. The dagger was simply icing on the cake even if it were only a portion of it - and out of the corner of Maliphant's eye he could see the Worm stir in his throne. The Sepulchral Arch-Priest nearest him glanced to it, and were he able no doubt wouldve made a grin of his cracked dead lips. He whispered something to the Worm before Maliphant looked back to Carnifex.​

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"The warring states in the Tingel Arm and Wild Space should no doubt be where our focus resides. Consolidating old Sith Empire arsenals, amiable governments, and Sith Lords not yet inducted to our cause would be essential - no doubt our lack of effort would only lead to their assured destruction at the hands of Cedric Grayson and his Crusaders.", Maliphant said.​

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"The dagger, however, is a master stroke. I commend you both for your foresight and planning." he ended simply.​

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Taeli Raaf // Darth Carnifex // Darth Angonous // Darth Ophidia // Darth Athora​

 

[Darth Ophidia]

Darth Carnifex Taeli Raaf Darth Empyrean Telis Taharin-Zambrano Darth Athora Darth Angonous​

"Speaking of the situation in Wild Space."

-The dry voice of Darth Ophidia cut like a knife through the previous topics. While the shard of the Dagger of Mortis was of great curiosity to her, it was not something she could use at the present moment. There were many more matters at hand, and time was always short. If they were to ever regain their power in the galaxy, then none of that time could be wasted.

"The Frumentarii are reporting that Mandalorians that fled the genocide have formed an Enclave and begun an expansion in Wild Space and are seeking to tame much of the lawlessness there. They have aligned themselves with the Galactic Alliance and some among their numbers are current or former operatives under the New Imperial Order."

In the span of a breath, she sought for reactions on faces before looking back down at her datapad for the next set of news.

"My operatives have made contact with the Hutt Republic and the Black Sun independently, but they seem unlikely to rise in the near future. Still, I shall endeavour to encourage independence." Another movement on the datapad "There is, however, a rising surge of activity in the Tingel Arm as explorers, smugglers, and independent Jedi researchers are looking to reclaim that which the Drael leave behind."

A hint of a smile played on her lips as she looked to Carnifex while delivering the next set of news.

"And I hear your daughter has joined with a band of pirates." "These Krakens have already proven themselves useful in creating chaos and angering anyone they meet." "They are still a minor power, but may be useful in the future."

She lowered the datapad and let her eyes flick from one to the other, before settling once more on the Worm.

"I am still working on extending and merging our intelligence networks. In time, I aim to begin a campaign of sabotage and assassination with the aim of escalating conflicts between the major powers of the galaxy." "This takes time if it is to be done correctly, and of course, maintain the safety of our current agents."

"But we will have room to grow."