Witches of Dathomir - Book of Shadows

[Domino]

Shaking her head again, Domino moved away from another tree. That had been... Disappointing. The girl had shown promise, yet her arrogance flowed unchecked and it'd cost three people their lives. And it looked as if there was a long day still ahead for her party. Very well then, she would wait here and see what became of it all and maybe help that man who had so rudely screamed at them through the force. Temporarily returning her attention to the previously inspected tree, she casually launched a side-kick into its trunk that delivered a kinetic strike through the Force. The tree shattered along the line of her strike sending splinters back into the woods and severing it in twain. Drawing and igniting her pikesaber while manipulating the tree with the force, Domino began trimming the branches off and cutting it down to size, eventually she had a long piece split length-wise and laid open across two shorter bits to create a flat surface raised off the ground.

After she made her way over to [member="Vithar Seth"] and knelt by his side. "Hello young man, would you like some assistance with that wound? I've a place you can lay down quite safely." The way she presented her offer made her sound almost grandmotherly in her concern and offered no shame in acceptance.

 

[Henry Chinko]

Well...that was impressive.

Hank had seen a lot of crazy things in his day, but the display of calm, calculated badass which he had just witnessed was high on the list of memorable moments. Winter had made quick work of the threat without so much as a moment of panic--and she had taken a beating without any reaction at all. She really was The Ice Queen. When she rose to retaliate on the fourth witch, it was her unfazed dismissal of the attacker that stuck most with Hank. Even as Winter wiped the blood from her nose, she was in control.

It occurred to Henry that, had the fourth witch ambushed him with a kick instead of Winter, he would probably be done for.

You asked for an adventure, Chinko.

And the fighting was to say nothing of the hulking man who had come screaming out of the jungle moments before. Winter had simply left him behind, curled on the ground with his wound. He lit a cigarette to combat the stress, placing it in his mouth as he opened his notebook and began scribbling.

Henry moved along behind Winter, scribbling in his notebook.

The Queen of the North arrived on Dathomir like a conqueror returning home from battle, not like an upstart plotting conquest.​

She is, without question, the sovereign of this land. The whispers of energy on this planet seem to speak only one name, and it​

is clearly hers.​

​

Hank had more to say, but Winter was not happy with his pace. She had made it clear that she would not be tied down by his presence. After seeing what she was capable of, Hank did not want to be on the blue woman's bad side. Usually, he didn't like to be called Henry; he would correct her and ask to be called Hank if she were anyone else. But this was The Ice Queen, and on Dathomir, it was clear that her word was law. He simply shrugged and closed his notebook, jogging to catch up with Sovereign.

Henry it is, Your Majesty.

As he passed the girl which Winter had left behind, Hank looked to see the shock and fear still on her face. It was clear that the natives were unprepared for the Queen's arrival.

Hank was not sure what had just happened, honestly. He liked to consider himself a smart man, but he wasn't much for subtlety. If Winter was mounting a campaign to win the hearts of her people, Hank couldn't tell. He was more worried to have his back turned to the night sister that had just rained fistful vengeance on Winter.

"So, we're just gonna leave her be? Like...alive, and all?" Hank inquired when he was next to The Queen of the North, who continued forward purposefully. "We shouldn't be worried about her?"

[member="Winter Sovereign"] | [member="Vithar Seth"] | [member="Domino"]

(OOC: Only tagged folks directly involved because there are now a ton of people.)

​

 

[Vithar Seth]

Vithar hadn't watched the exchange as he had been to occupied with his thoughts of hunger. Not even the pain of the energy bolt to his ribs could override the pain caused by being nearly starved for close to six years. The Andre'al needed to eat large amounts of food due to their metabolism and of course Vithar hadn't kept a proper diet. He tried to stand however was only able to rise to his knee completely exhausted while keeping one of his heavy hands clapped over the wound. His reserves had all been used trying to escape the Nightsisters. So he stayed there until he heard the soothing voice of the twi'lek that had approached him. Vithar didn't feel threatened by the women in any way. Instead she seemed almost genuinely concerned for him, something he hadn't known since his father had lived.

"As long as its not to much trouble" Vithar projected raising his hand away from the wound showing darkened and burnt flesh where the bolt had caught him. Yet even then the behemoth of a man held still barely wincing at it. Realizing that it may seem strange to others why he spoke to their minds instead of vocally Vithar pointed at his throat "I no longer can speak without the force. Such was my price." Vithar couldn't force his way into peoples shielded minds by any stretch of the imagination, instead his words rode the currents of the force.

[member="Domino"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Domino"] [member="Vithar Seth"]

Whilst the newcomer woman was seeing to the wounded what Jack could only assume was a Slave more Nightsisters were coming. Stray bolts were landing around them and the clearing became a warzone. Jack was an ill shot with a blaster. when the man had told him to run, he'd almost done so, until he remembered Dak in the brush, covering them.

No this was time to stand and fight, he was an agent of Mandalore, and he was bound to uphold their laws.

So he stepped in front of Domino and Vithar, Dinuul energy shield flashing to life across his chest as he took two bolts straight to the face. They caught the shield, and bounced back in the direction they came. But he was out of juice.

"Better be quick with that!" The spacer growled, ripping his DL-44 loosed with his left hand. There were only two he could see, but they would do for targets. With the sword point to the ground he snapped his left hand out, and unloaded, firing a dozen shots heavy blaster energy into the general vicinity. Witches screamed, bolts came back, and Dak opened fire from the brush behind him, twin Westars blazing.

"Like real quick!"

 

[Mishka Larraq]

[member="Althea Raxis"]


"Uh." Kad said as as the witch demanded that he speak, his body pausing mid-swing of the ax. "Well-" He began before she commanded him to be silent.

<Well... fine then. Be crazy.> Kad through to himself as he returned his attention to the tree before him. A final swing struck the wood before Kad stepped back and watched the tree fall.
​

 

[RC 212]

[member="Kad Argo"]

There were many forces at work here. Least of all she had never expected mercy to be among her repertoire of things. Yes she was going crazy. she was quite certain of it. It tired her. coming home all the time to face these blasted Nightsisters. They were a perversion, something profane clinging to lost legacy. She wanted greater, needed to feel a greater rush of power in her veins.

As the swords soul continued to whisper she took a deep breath and thoughts of the ship meandered through her head. Who's was it? How many were on it?

She'd need crew, something she didn't have. And then she turned to Kad, eyes alight with a crazed fire.

"I tire of this place Slave."

The whip was tossed aside, and she drew the Obsidian cutlass with a flourish. It glowed with an eerie purple hue in the darkness of the woods. The soul trapped within stirred growing ever more restless and violent. The urge to cut Kad's little throat washed over her, but she growled restraining herself.

"These wenches, these..... fools. I will offer you a bargain Slave. Become a free man, but you will serve me on my fleet. Paid and fed and quartered."

The sword swung through the air, stopping inches from his leg bindings. It hovered there, tantalizing him.

"What say you?"

Her head cocked sideways as she waited her answer...

 

[Voices of The Deep]

The emptiness that the Ice Queen felt made her feel hollow and cold...no longer driven by the common thoughts of men and women, Winter was becoming something far more potent in energy...Lacking the Light but possessing no Darkness within her heart. She was walking a path all her own and she would not let a couple of simple minded beings stand in the way of progress. And as the Ice Queen stepped further and further into the woodland as more Nightwitches seemed to howl in the distance, clearly making their way to the clearing she had just left. Winter looked over her shoulder to see Henry struggling trying to keep up...watching the girl they had left behind cautiously and asking if they were going to leave her alive. Winter grimaced at the thought, slowly down a bit to let the writer catch up with her.

"If she desires vengeance then let her take it...i do not harm children. I did not come here to quarrel with anyone. Those witches got in my way and threatened my security, as a result the brought my wrath upon them. They were old and could not be persuaded because they were set in their ways...she is young and has a chance to learn from their error and change herself. Should she choose to walk the same path...then she will meet the same fate. If not by me, then by someone else." Winter explained bluntly, her gaze wandering over the thickly wooded area as blood dripped from her chin.

"I did not come here to convince them...i did not come here to be anyone's friend or win anyone's heart...i came here to find what has been forgotten." She told her rather harshly. Frostbite in her tone as those hips swayed with each strut she made further into the abyss. She could sense what she desired was close...almost as if the force was guiding her closer.


[member="Vithar Seth"]
[member="Keiko Cavataio"]
[member="Lavania"]
[member="Domino"]
[member="Althea Raxis"]
[member="Jack Raxis"]
[member="Henry Chinko"]
[member="Kad Argo"]

 

[Domino]

"That's nice dear," the Twi'lek didn't make it clear who she was speaking to, the Mandalorian or the man kneeling before her, maybe both. It didn't matter to her. Rising to her feet, she scooped Vithar up in the force and carried him back to the make-shift she'd made. Along the way she gave the area with the witches behind her her attention through the force and slowly stripped away the block that hid her power in the force so that others could begin to sense her power. It wasn't planet shattering or kick-you-in-the-face awe inspiring. But the Sisters and the two men could however tell that she was firmly set in the ranks of the Masters. A fact that Jack probably began to appreciate as the energy bolts sent forth by their attackers began to curve away, striking harmlessly into the ground or trees. Well most of them anyways, just the ones that would otherwise have come too close to the trio for her comfort.

Laying Vithar down, Domino pulled a medkit from one of her belt pouches and tossed it down to him. "Excuse me for a moment, would you? I'll get you something to eat or drink when I'm done." Turning back around, Domino made her way back to Jack's side again, this time stepping in front of him after placing a hand on his shoulder. Most of the fire had petered out anyways. "Alright," her voice rang out. She wasn't yelling or even speaking any louder than she had been, but her voice was carried through the force and could easily be heard. "You've tried to kill this young man and failed, go back to your homes and report such. He's under my protection now and neither the Winged Goddess or the Fanged One can change that." She paused for a moment to let the fact that an alien had name-dropped their win gods sink in. "However, should you feel honor-bound to attempt such, send your best out to fight." Done, she turned sideways on to the Nightsisters out there and held her staff down by her her leg parallel to the ground below.

[member="Jack Raxis"] [member="Vithar Seth"]

 

[Vithar Seth]

Being picked up in the force was a foreign experience to Vithar as the women moved him as though he were a child the force's gentle caress circled him and as we was placed down Vithar was jarred by the sheer amount of power that the women carried in the force. It was more then he had felt his entire life, not even his father or the Clanmother of the Scorpion clan had that much strength. Goosebumps rose on his skin as he watched the women feeling a sense of unease. Had he just escaped the bowels of a sarlaac and landed in an even bigger one? Though the women's actions and mannerisms spoke differently. She was kind and almost in a sense seemed as though she was the wisest one there. Not saying anything Vithar simply nodded his head and watched in awe as she turned to face the Nightsisters. He had not seen one to be that brave sense his own father had stood against them when they had come to take Vithar.

As he sat behind the women the memories seemed to play out as him always being the one that needed protecting or saving. In his youth his father had saved him from being taken by them and even went to war against the Nightsisters to protect Vithar, and now a stranger was putting her own life on the line to protect him. Fist tightening Vithar cursed his weakness.

The two remaining Nightsisters stood there in low crouches prepared to attack their eyes squinted but the profuse amount of sweat showed their fear even their hands began to shake as they faced the women. "He is ours and we will have him back." One of them said as she backed into the underbrush her sister following the motion neither willing to turn their backs on the women and the Mandalorian and as their bodies disappeared into the bushes the sound of retreating steps could be heard.

[member="Domino"] [member="Jack Raxis"]

 

[Henry Chinko]

Winter Sovereign is a force of nature. ​

She is unashamed of her ambitions and unrelenting,​

yet merciful. Economical both in plan and execution.​

​

She was born to lead.​

​

"Yes, ma'am. Noted."

Hank was out of breath trying to keep Winter's pace. Although, truth be told, he wasn't so unhappy to be a little bit behind her. Despite her icy demeanor and brute strength, there was something enduringly feminine about Hank's benefactor. She managed to enthrall him both with her hips and her haughtiness. Maybe that was the mark of a powerful witch--they maintain a seductive quality, even when full of rage or dark magic. Hank didn't really care; he had an excuse to write and the company was good.

Ahead of the pair, there stretched a vast, dark expanse. Hank had no idea what he was walking into, but he felt he could follow Winter anywhere. Winter was the sort of cool, powerful presence that filled men with valor. At her command, he imagined whole armies riding into certain death, emboldened only by her frigid stare, or a glimmer in her crystalline eyes. She had that sort of commanding aura that made men full of valor.

Or maybe it's just her butt.

Hank didn't really mind either way. He had accompanied the Ice Queen here on her ship and with her funding. The least he could do was his job.

Hank slipped on a pair of sunglasses, lest the glacial monarch should notice his wandering eyes.

[member="Winter Sovereign"]

 

[Ultimatum]

Ultimatum continued walking for a time. The tracks disappeared, but not before some slightly deeper tracks were made. Either they had wearied, something he doubted, or they had jumped. The trees above made likely targets. That meant that he would no longer be able to track them. He doubted that the trees would be sturdy enough to handle his weight. He continued walking, looking over the map the sensors from the Forerunner were giving him. The ship was now flying over the planet, pinging areas of interest as it flew overhead.

He turned towards the village that was supposed to be the heart of the witch presence in this area. Based on speed and location he would be there soon. He really wished that this would be over with. He had not anticipated this being a long journey, he just needed samples for the project. Enough to work in the machines back on Mustafar, to collect samples of DNA, RNA, and various other organic information. This was important and he hoped it would not be a waste of time.

----------

He found the village soon after, he bet that he would be seen and perhaps intercepted before reaching the actual buildings. He hoped so, he did not want to have to try and find the leader of these witches.

[member="Winter Sovereign"] [member="Henry Chinko"] [member="Domino"] [member="Vithar Seth"] [member="Jack Raxis"] [member="Kad Argo"] [member="Althea Raxis"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Domino"] [member="Vithar Seth"]

They were retreating but only just. even as they moved Jack could feel the threat increase. They would be back and in greater numbers. Fighting the Witches in their own territory was foolish at best. They knew these woods, Jack did not. And then an idea popped into the Mando'ades head.

He sheathed the blaster in a holster at his hip and drew the Besk'ad, steel ringing out through the clearing. They could face him in close, where his expertise would shred flesh and bone. Ranged combat was out of the question. Still standing between the man and the Witches and with Domino moving up to challenge them he was in a decent position to lend aid.

"Oya." Jack called back to the wounded man.

"You know the quickest path out of here?"

 

[Domino]

Passing [member="Jack Raxis"] again on her way to the mute, Domino quietly muttered "I'd like a word," so that any witches watching wouldn't notice, and kept going until she was at the injured man's side. Kneeling by his side again, she picked up the med-kit he'd ignored and got to work, quickly jabbing him in the arm with a single-dose injector to prevent shock and moving on to spray his wound with an antiseptic bacta mix. Finally Domino pulled out a self-adhering bandage and applied it to the area to keep it clean. Her movements were quick, precise, and obviously well practiced, but didn't spare any pain while she worked. "No reason to be ashamed. Your journey's just begun and I'm leagues further down an unwelcome path that isn't oft tread. Many men would have fared far worse than you did. Here," She handed him a small canteen of water from the back of her belt. Reading his emotions through the force was easy, especially when she could see them plain on his face, guessing what was harder so she laid out a blanket statement that might have covered it. And speaking of detecting things through the force, the Twi'lek once again focused inward, focusing her signature down, down, down, until it had once again disappeared into nothingness. She didn't see any reason to keep telling everyone where she was after all.

[member="Vithar Seth"]

 

[Lavania]

There were so many of them all over as she looked down, the dragon rancor circling while she could see within the force before touching down and walking to join and find these ones. Mre people on Dathomir was a questionable things before the witch had her staff activated and the disruptor for melting faces prepared to be fired off. She could still fight with it as a staff but her magics were also there to aid her among other things. The carapace on the talisman hummed with power while she came in looked at the feeling of force users calling the green mists to obscure her entrance.

 

[Vithar Seth]

Vithar didn't even flinch as he felt the needle penetrate his skin, if anything it could've been likened to a feint sensation of someone pinching the skin. Doing his best to give the women enough room to treat his ribs Vithar's arms were held up so as she could have access. Whatever pain there was didn't even truly register to Vithar after a few seconds. For to long he'd suffered pain to let one bolt hinder him for to long. "Your words are kind, and your actions kinder. However I do not deserve them." Vithar said accepting the canteen in his oversized hand and taking a single swig from it. He had no clue just how much water the women had but he had no intention of drinking it all. He'd get some more from a river when he picked up his journey out of the Scorpion Clans land. "Thank you your generosity is much appreciated." Vithar said as he rose to his full height with a slight grunt. "The Scorpion Clans territory extends for another 3 kilometers in each direction. To the west is a stream that can be crossed to exit their territory, To the east a mountain range that is dangerous to cross and often guarded by their sentries. To the north nothing but wilderness. Rancors often stalk the borders." Vithar said aiming the thoughts at the two alone and eyeing the forest his eyes narrow slits.

[member="Domino"] [member="Jack Raxis"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Domino"] [member="Vithar Seth"]

Jack threw Domino a look, though she wouldn't see it through his helmet, but she might feel it. As he spoke he back-pedalled moving towards the two with the Besk'ad still drawn and ready. If they were to surge from the woods, he would take the lot, and cleave them in twain with every ounce of his being. A steely voice rang out from his vocabulator.

"You heard him. The woods are trapped. I have a unique talent for finding alternative routes. Can we travel with him?"

Jack threw a slight nod towards the wounded man.

 

[Domino]

((okay... didn't want to take over the thread but since nobody else is posting...))

"The galaxy would be a very dull place if everyone got what they deserved." Finishing with Vithar, Domino turned to Jack. "I assume you have an outpost or ship nearby you came in on? Should be a simple matter to head back out the way you came in. Or," she hooked a thumb back over her shoulder at the Winter Queen, "you could take high-and-mighty's ship. It never opened up on the attackers so I doubt there's anybody competent still aboard if someone's still on at all." Little miss murder could just walk her butt on home as far as she cared. "Alternatively, I've got enough room for one passenger if someone wants to get dropped off somewhere close." Not that Domino really looked forward to spending en extended period of time with a stranger in the cramped confines of a fighter.

[member="Jack Raxis"] [member="Vithar Seth"] [member="Lady Sovereign"]