The Summit of Othrys

[Darth Carnifex]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3Ed_Vu5Z4Q​

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The Moon of Othrys
Somewhere within the Pacanth Reach

The small, insignificant moon of Othrys had always been something of a way station between the various and diverse worlds of the Pacanth Reach; often housing many lodges to cater to merchants and vagabonds. Now the Royalist Navy converged around this otherwise worthless world, thousands of ships emerging from the blackness to circle the small moon like moths to a flame.

By royal edict the moon was to be abandoned, its populace rounded up and relocated to somewhere else in the vast Reach. After their expulsion the moon was flattened, its mountains crushed to dust and its surface smoothed to perfection. Hundreds of thousands, bordering on a million, of engineers and architects eradicated every last natural trace of the moon's natural formation, paving it over with a giant boulevard, a parade stage as wide as some cities. They built a highway and allowed only one structure to stand besides the great platform -- an ornamental pyramid of black marble and heavy granite that had been built piecemeal on Panatha and then shipped across space by special envoy joined by great fanfare.

The legions of Panatha were arrayed upon the flat expanse, their host so wide they became a sea of battle armor and dress uniforms. Great machines of war lumbered amidst the stream bearing the banners of not only the cerulean phoenix of Panatha, but also the gray and gold cog of the First Order. Atmospheric fighters zoomed through the air, leaving brightly colored detonations in their wake as the innumerable horde cheered immense praise upon the congregation.

All of this was done to commemorate the meeting of two individuals, the Arch-King of the Pacanth Reach; Kaine Zambrano, and the Supreme Leader of the First Order; Sieger Ren. All of this fanfare was coordinated to showcase the might of the Reach, and the glory of the Epicanthix people. They would meet at the great pyramid's apex which was entirely constructed out of thick transparisteel, and afforded the pair a view of the entire gathering that stretched on for miles across the moon's surface. In the distance the light of great braziers filled with smokeless promethium, filling the highway with their blue-white flame.

The great God-King of the Epicanthix waited patiently as the First Order delegation arrived in orbit, his body shrouded with extravagant silken maroon garments. A crown of blackened omegium inlaid with square-cut rubies adorned his brow, and his hair had been combed and bound behind his head while his beard was trimmed and proper. All he had to do now was wait, and the festivities could truly commence.

[member="Rolf Amsel"]​

 

[Progflaw99]

The Moon of Othrys, Panathan Reach​

Status: Descent​

Theme​

An unwelcome disturbance perhaps - but a necessary one. Too easily the Supreme Leader had found himself growing complacent, content to wander the extensive halls of his personal abode - away from the inherent dangers and risk associated with a being of such presence being tracked and hunted would experience. No doubt there were those in the greater galaxy that would stand to benefit from his death - perhaps most even wished it, secretly hoping that the scourge of the First Order would crumble and fail. That however would not happen today.

The Panathan Reach. A tricky debacle that had turned out an interesting situation. Some diplomacy, some threat, but mostly mutual gain had driven both the monarchs of the Reach and the First Order into cooperation. Was there more to it than that? Likely, though those cards had yet to be played by the High King of Panatha or the Supreme Leader. The moon of Othrys had been an insignificant hunk of rock floating in space for all that Sieger Ren knew, or cared - but what had greeted his eyes upon their arrival had been.. interesting to say in the least. The entire surface of the moon seemed to be devoid of terrain features, smooth as a stone worn down in the bed of a creek. The effort to do so would not have been small. Sieger Ren had a penchant for being paranoid, if one could call it that, and had not been careless. Even now First Order vessels continued to jump into the system.

It had started with a lone frigate. For a full five minutes it had hung in the darkness of space, scanning and sending data back into the void - and then it had begun. First a solitary flash against the obsidian backdrop, then another, and another. It was as if suddenly hundreds of flashes began to appear - first another frigate, then a cruiser, and even further still the lurking hulk of a full on Star Destroyer. The Supreme Leader was prepared to bring forth with him the full might of the First Order’s Navy - as much to keep himself in a position of power as to remind the God-King of Panatha that he was still but a bug to be squished should he step out of line, or refuse to step to the beat laid out by Sieger Ren. Though war with the giant Panathan was always a possibility, he doubted that the Epicanthix was that foolish, but it was always in the cards he supposed. No. With the full might of the First Order fleet entering the system, even if the God-King did wish to play at being a Titan, he would fall.

By the end of it, over three hundred vessels had jumped into the system, blotting out the sun as they descended on the small moon like a swarm of circling sharks. It was only then as the ships formed a multi-tiered blockade around the small moon that a singular transmission was beamed to the surface.

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:: Stand down, this is Admiral Danzig of the First Order Navy - Prepare to receive a landing party. ::​

And that was all. A curt transmission - and then something further happened. In the skies above the moon of Othrys - hundreds of vessels opened up their hangar bays and out swarmed wings upon wings of TIE fighters, TIE Interceptors, TIE Bombers - all arrayed in Parade Formation. Had the Steward of the Panathan Reach not known fully that the Supreme Leader was in fact in favor of collaboration between the occupants of the Reach and the greater First Order to any other eyes it might have looked an invasion force, ready to wipe clean the slate. As they approached, transmissions were made from squadron leader to the Panathan vessels, clearing the airspace ahead like the bow of a ship cut through the waves.

Furthermore, a task group began its own descent from orbit. An oversized shuttle, flanked by both a full squadron of fighters and likewise interceptors, the Supreme Leader had arrived. It was a slow descent, as if time itself waited upon Sieger, the fighters belonging to his navy streaking low over the crowded parade deck that was the surface of the moon. Over the high scream of the ion engine fighters a lower rumble could be heard as three full sized Star Destroyers entered the atmosphere, shaking the very ground that the God-King’s soldiers stood upon. It was there they hung in the air, the low rumble drowned out by the screech of the fighters peeling off from the shuttle as it touched down a small distance from the pyramid which protruded from the open ground. The God-King had a flair for dramatics it seemed - though one would have been foolish to doubt Sieger’s own elegant flare.

As the shuttle came sweeping low onto the area cleared out for landing, a single pair of TIE/sf’s landed on either side, their hatches popping open before even the engines had fully disengaged. Crawling forth from their cockpits, the two pilots rapidly descended via a cable to the ground. In unison they approached the shuttle as the hum from its engines began to dissipate, their hands coming down quickly to their sides as jets of steam erupted and the boarding ramp descended, landing with a solid thunk on the ground of the small moon.

As if rehearsed, two full squads of First Order shadow troopers made their way down the ramp, taking up positions on either side of the ramp, blasters in hand. It was a grandiose maneuver but one that would see Sieger Ren safely to the giant pyramid ahead.

Sieger Ren, the Supreme Leader of the First Order, stepped down from within the shuttle, his footsteps purposeful. His attire consisted of a floor length tunic, a tooled leather vest beneath an embroidered coat. Perhaps a bit overly nice for the occasion but the man radiated authority. It was not often the vaulted leader chose to depart his solitude and his clothing was on par with that of a king in his own right. At his side, a small dagger, nestled beside a short sword - no doubt touched with alchemy. The decorative scabbard suggested the weapon within was not only for show, but likely held an edge should the need arise - but that was not the case today.

Today was a day of meetings, and as the Supreme Leader made his way down the concourse to the pyramid-like structure, his soldiers followed.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

All around the concourse were great throngs of soldiers and officers, all cheering their praise to the passing Supreme Leader. War machines moved into position, their forms towering over the assembled people, and fired explosive rounds high into the air that detonated in a brilliant display of color. Fighters flew overhead and behind them trailed the colors of the First Order, their pilots expertly weaving them in patterns to form various symbols relating to the Supreme Leader's regime. The air was filled with the roar of a hundred thousand different voices, each one expressing their pride and honor at being part of this mighty host that had assembled to meet Sieger Ren on his monumental visit to the Reach.

Various banners and statues depicting Imperial might had been assembled along the promenade leading up to the pyramid, hunks of marble chiseled into the likeness of ancient Imperial heroes like Pellaeon and Daala acted as milestones along the wide path. Great basins of smokeless pormethium burned brightly, their flames of blue and white rising high into the sky as the Supreme Leader and his entourage made the final hurdle to the raised pavilion upon which the pyramid was built upon. From within the structure emerged the God-King himself, a pair of his own Crownguard flanking his sides as he walked out to greet the Supreme Leader on an equal field.

"Welcome to Othrys, Lord Sieger. I hope this presentation of my people's dedication is to your liking." He gestured out to the endless crowd of people, and their cheers rose to an unbearable crescendo. The Dark Lord gave the proper respectful gestures, he bowed and tipped his head to the Supreme Leader which was mirrored by his two royal guards. He and the Supreme Leader's entourage were swept into the magnificent pyramid and escorted to the highest point where a small room with oaken tables and refreshments would be waiting for them.

It was there where they would be seated and begin the talks.

[member="Rolf Amsel"]​

 

[Progflaw99]

Sieger's footsteps resounded in his own mind, the cheers and roar of the crowd the Lord of Panatha had assembled drowned out - silence. Though they shouted he heard nothing, saw everything. As the Sith Lord greeted him he returned the gesture, a simple nod of his head in return. His words were sharp, though gracious - while the domain of Panatha and its accompanying worlds did reside within the First Order's realm, Sieger was not so foolish as to spurn a man who had willingly allied himself to the Supreme Leader, who'd extended a hand in friendship rather than a sword - though it was always those whom one trusted who delivered the knife in the back, was it not? Sieger was careful, his actions calculated - and even when the First Order managed to fumble he yet persevered, driving forward his goals, his vision.

"This..." he said, motioning towards the masses. "...Is extravagant - your efforts and dedication to the collaboration between our people is well recognized Lord Carnifex."

The way he spoke, the Sith Lord's name was drawn out, emphasis placed on the formality of his assumed name. What the man had done with Othrys was impressive, a feat of engineering, Sieger would admit. Meant to showcase the sheer power and respect of the reach for their Supreme Leader, the gesture wasn't lost on him, for one - it made things transparent. Too long had he remained in the shadows, merely content to shift the pieces on the board, moving and plotting but this... this required something more tangible, a face to face interaction - to help secure their alliance, their patronage, and their obedience. While initially Sieger had given the Dark Lord near complete sovereignty over the Panathan Reach, times were changing - and while the Supreme Leader had no intention of forcibly seizing the worlds from Lord Carnifex's grasp, he did have concerns.

Walking with the man, they ascended into the sole construct on the moon's surface. As a show of faith, Sieger waved his guards at the door, the troopers assuming positions outside - there they would await his command. Walking towards the transparisteel viewport, Sieger stood - his eyes scanning the crowds, the movements of the very stars - all this.

"Quite impressive - Such a display is certainly among the first of those afforded me, others have been far less welcoming."​

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[member="Darth Carnifex"]​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Likewise Carnifex left his personal guard outside of the structure, this meeting was for their eyes and ears only.

The chamber of their meeting was extravagantly furnished with oaken tables, plush couches and ottomans, and assorted works of art collected from all over the galaxy to adorn the walls of the pyramid's interior. Great banners hung from the ceiling and were emblazoned with both the Imperial Cog of the First Order and the phoenix of the Pacanth Reach, a symbol of their unity and camaraderie against the enemies of Order. Carnifex watched Sieger move to the window to observe the endless throng outside that was still ardently cheering both of their names in both Galactic Basic and in the native Epicant tongue even though both had disappeared from sight quite a time ago.

The Dark Lord would not move to sit until Sieger had done so, he wanted to project something resembling equality between them as leaders and warriors despite his own personal belief that he was the strongest of the pair, a sentiment no doubt silently reciprocated by the Supreme Leader. "I have lived for many years, Supreme Leader, and I have learned to give respect to those you intend to work with and fight with even if your ideals do not perfectly align. It is a fool that spurns the helping hand, Lord Sieger, and I am no fool."

[member="Rolf Amsel"]​