Kr'Naan'Kar
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 152
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Kr'Naan'Kar on Jun 9, 2022 22:41:23 GMT -8
For some time Kr'Naan was led through rocky terrain by the blind Lil'Havok. The sightless being moved over any obstacles as if his milky eyes had perfect vision, though it was not vision in the physical sense. The Tusken child knew better by now than to doubt the abilities of her unseeing guide, but after what seemed like nearly an hour of walking (though in reality was closer to fifteen minutes) in silence save for both his and her occasional huffing from climbing they reached the plateau where sat Dragus. Despite his scaly back faced her and she had not yet been seen, Kr'Naan's first instinct was to hide her unmasked face in shame. It was the sacred vow of her people to not be seen uncovered, not only to themselves but to Tatooine and the gods. Yet here she was about to be in the audience of one of those divine entities, even if one held in more of a contemptuous place in the tales told by the Storytellers. Kr'Naan's feet froze, refusing to budge another inch out of the fear of committing such an unforgiveable sin His presence. It could easily be taken for intentional and brazen heresy.In one of the few direct actions to be taken by Lil'Havok, the ewok gave the Tusken youngling a small push from behind. Nothing too hard, but just enough to make her move forward a few steps to draw the attention of their master. With his abilities the saurian Sith surely already knew they were present, but this was to bring it more to an active known rather than a passive knowing. Kr'Naan stumbled forward, catching her footing, biting her lip and closing her eyes in anticipation for divine punishment, but was surprised when instead she heard his voice; surprisingly calm, welcoming even, though heavily tinged with an enjoyment at her perceived predicament.Kr'Naan opened her eyes and spotted her mask held before her by the black scaled barabel, her eyes locking onto the headpiece with great interest and intense need for its return, but as she slowly neared him and began to lift her hand to grab the covering, Dragus moved it out of her reach. Kr'Naan froze once more, eyes filling with the beginnings of tears and fear. The Tusken child was fully prepared to prostrate herself and beg for forgiveness, to do anything to avoid any sort of punishment which was deserved; to plead for mercy that was too good for her.But before Kr'Naan could begin begging for her life, as she viewed it, she was beckoned to join his side to overlook the great expanse of the cliffs and mountains where Dragus sat. Kr'Naan blinked a few times, confused, but complied. Carefully she moved to the edge of the cliff, peering over and feeling a sinking pit in her stomach as she was reminded of her recent freefall from their transport during the invasion."You l-look quite mag-magnificent, Master." She said timidly in ewokese as her face and eyes looked down and away from Dragus, still ashamed of her lack of covering. The Tusken child's gloved hands twisted each other nervously as she still awaited some form of punishment. Occasionally her black eyes would peripherally look over at her headpiece and mask which was sat in the lap of Dragus. She was much too ashamed and fearful of addressing the metaphorical elephant in the room, at least directly. He was a god in mortal form, and she was His to do with what He wanted. Demanding anything of Him was something she did not think was the best idea, despite his relatively calm demeanor.
|
|
Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by Dragus on Jun 10, 2022 5:50:12 GMT -8
"Don't I?" Hissed the barabel, flashing his teeth as his snout protruded from the feathered hood, the corner of his lip twisted up in a saurian smirk. His eyes remained focused on the charred and glassed landscape ahead. From their vantage point on the mountain they had an excellent view of what the Covenant of Blood's turbolaser cannons had done to the planet. You couldn't hear the screams, not from all the way up where they were, but he swore when he put his ear hole to the wind he could just make out the faintest plea for mercy. Of which there was none, obviously. Was it any wonder why he was in such high spirits? The planet was practically saturated in despair, a heady bouquet of hopelessness, and fine wine of suffering to be supped and savoured. He dearly wished his brothers were here so that they might bask in the wretchedness of it all, but he'd settle for sharing it with the members of his flock. Like Kr'Naan, his Lil'Wart, who had taken her seat beside him. "I feel like the phoenix reborn. Now when otherz look on me, they will not be able to conceal their awe at my splendorouz form. They will sssee only my fantassstical magnificence. Sissssss." He hissed in pleasure following that last stressed syllable, flicking his forked tongue in the air.
Though he had yet to look upon his so recently recovered servant, he could easily sense where her eyes lingered, and on what. The mask in his claws was practically burning a hole through his scales, such was her desire for it. He wondered if it was actually the mask itself that she craved, or that which it represented, as she had refrained for exposing her skin and face for the length of time he had known her. It was likely due to some tusken superstition, he supposed, for the more he thought on it the more he realised he had never seen a tusken uncovered. Not that he had much experience with her people, save perhaps for killing a few. He turned the mask over in his claws, playing with it as he prodded its sand worn surface with his curved and very pointy finger talons.
"You want thiz, don't you?" It was rhetorical. Of course she wanted it, he could smell her desperate need for the face covering like a festering stink that was as pungent as it was sickly sour. "It iz a weaknesss, my dear. Your reliance on it iz a crutch that limitz your potential. But..." He raised a single talon to emphasize the point he was about to make. "...yourz are a particularly unpleasssant people to look upon, ssso I underssstand the need to conceal your featurez. It'z not easssy being ugly." The corner of his lip twisted downwards as his smirk descended into a scowl. "I usssed to have a Fallanasssi companion that sssuffered the sssame malady. Fortunately, her illusionz allowed her to conceal her revolting form from the ressst of polite sssociety. Sssince you lack even the capacity for that..."
His chiding having reached its conclusion, he passed the sand child her mask back. His scaly lids lifted in surprise at how quickly her tiny fingers plucked the material from his grip and attempted to re-secure it to her face. Dragus chuckled and stood up, stretching his arms up high and bending his back until he heard an audible 'pop' before straightening. Sneering, he turned his back on the horizon and tucked his claws into the folds of his feathery robe, which flapped in the mountain air as he stood precariously on the edge that overlooked oblivion below.
"We've finished with thiz world, Wart. It iz time to move on, az iz my way. Your way too now, I sssuppose. We bring only death, and leave only carrion. It iz a message I think mossst will underssstand. Now come, my child. I've had a visssion for where we go to next."
|
|
Kr'Naan'Kar
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 152
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Kr'Naan'Kar on Jun 11, 2022 2:10:58 GMT -8
Kr'Naan bit down harder on her bottom lip, drawing a small bit of blood as she was rhetorically asked whether she wanted her covering back. She knew better than the interrupt or speak from the tone of the question, and continued to listen intently as debaucherous reptile recalled a previous disciple. He had mentioned this Fallanassi previously, though whatever that was Kr'Naan had no idea. She did pick up that perhaps her original interpretation of this unknown being as a disciple may be incorrect, at least mostly. "Companion" is the word he used. Almost like he saw her as close to an equal? At least as much equal as one could be in the eyes. Disdain yet respect, even if given begrudgingly. Kr'Naan did not know if she was ugly, having no frame of reference as beauty of the physical form was not something her people valued. Water was valuable. Might in battle was valuable. Territory, to a zealous and isolationist tribe such as the one she originated from, especially so. But if if came from the lips of one such as He, it must surely be true?This acceptance did not upset the Tusken youngling. As she had no understanding of the value or detriment of being ugly in the eyes of a god, she supposed it was another reason that her people covered themselves. But if the Fallanassi he had made mentioned of had been given this same designation and had been on closer to equal footing to Him, then perhaps that was something she wanted. Dragus had made passing reference to the illusions this companion of his was able to create to hide her form to others. How was that any different than her covering herself up? It was not mystical, but it was the same.Somehow by Dragus trying to stamp down the self-esteem of a child he had lifted her up further, and she felt a warmth of pride and happiness from this comparison in her chest."I-it is special. It was my mother's...when she was my age. My grandfather gave it to me. Before..." She explained meekly in ewokese as she hurried to put the now-returned headwear back on. Kr'Naan doubted he would care, but it was still important to her. The familiar claustrophobic fit was welcomed as she finished, only to see the saurian Sith begin to leave, explaining a vision and their next destination."I will be glad to be gone from this world, Master. I do not wish to meet the Sorcerer who you cowed this world for." The word "sorcerer" was spoken with obvious derision in her voice, and she refused to call him by the name Dragus had given him: "Supreme One." Kr'Naan had never forgotten that Dragus had explained there was a being who had the gall to call himself the Supreme One, and still held the idea of someone daring to declare themselves supreme to a god in great contempt. It also did not help that she still held the great superstitious mistrust and near-hatred of shamans. Kr'Naan gave one last look to the horizon from the mountain top before running to catch up to the saurian Sith.
|
|
Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by Dragus on Jun 11, 2022 4:29:49 GMT -8
It was quiet when the duo of lizard lord and tiny tusken finally arrived back at the ship. To get to it they had to walk through a ghost town that they had helped create. In the days since the battle, all the corpses had been disposed of in one way or another. Be it that they were eaten by beady eyed and hungry bellied ranats, had their remains added to the pyre, or were simply rolled off the side of the cliff. When the food supply had dwindled, so too did the verminous tide of the Famine Lord's horde. Now there was only the lonely wale of the mountain wind as it swept through the emptied village. Powerful talons sunk into the ground as he walked through the charred remains of their once great blaze, now a black and grey mire of ash. Kr'Naan would not be able to see, for lack of her connection to the fey, but Dragus could tell they had done some incredible here. A verifiable wound had been left in the Force, ripped wide by the incredible suffering He and his followers had inflicted on the village. He turned his back on the Grimblade as he reached the ramp, soaking in this accomplishment one last time before turning his back on the village forever.Where outside the ship had been relatively peaceful, inside was another matter. The second the two had ascended the ramp, their ears was greeted by incessant loud squawking coming from the latest addition to the team. An open storage room door allowed full view of a rusty durasteel cage in which a female Rishii child was currently contained. The brown feathered bird flapped its wings and raked the bars of its cell with yellow foot talons, thrashing violently to no avail. It had been doing so for hours, much to the flocks dismay. As Dragus entered the ship, he jammed a talon into either ear hole, his delicate senses assailed by ceaseless chirps. "Squeakerz!" He hissed angrily, summoning the stub tailed ranat from a maintenance alcove. The sentient rodent, covered in engine grease that somehow made him appear even filthier than usual, scurried to his master's side. The hench-vermin sat on his haunches as he looked up with his snout expectantly, whiskers twitching. The barabel looked back, visibly wincing as he continued to plug his ears. "Squeakerz, be a dear and sssilence Squawkerz. All that noissse iz giving me a migraine." A twisted sneer split the rat-man's snout and he nodded his head slowly, ringing his paws together as he began to creep towards the bird, the look of terror in the avian's eyes growing as the rat neared. Squeakers raised a gnarled claw and hit the door button, sealing himself in the storage room with the new hire. The noise stopped, eventually. Riding the lift to the second level, Dragus led the child of sand to the cockpit where the blindest member of the crew was already present. Lil'Havok was seated in the pilots chair, flipping switches as he had already anticipated the saurian's desire to depart. As they entered the cockpit, the barabel grabbed the co-pilots seat and swiveled it around."Have a ssseat." Hissed the Sith to Kr'Naan. "Lil'Havok iz going to show you how to operate the controlz." Leaning down low, the barabel stuck his toothy snout in the tusken girl's once again mask shrouded face. "Pay clossse attention, Wart. There may be a few questionz about thiz on the tessst later." Wait, what test? He then rose back up to his full height and rested a clawed hand on the back of the blind bear's chair. "Get uz to Contruum." Rasped the reptilian at Lil'Havok before stalking out of the cramped cockpit and seating himself in the common area just beyond it next to the lift. He withdrew a small ruby red flute from within the folds of his feathery ensemble and put the mouthpiece to his lips. Placing his scaled digits over the holes, he began to play a familiar tune as the engines whined to life and the ship began to rise off the mountain plateau.♪♫♪ ♪♫♪ ♪♪ ♪♫♪ ♪♫♪ ♪♪ ♫♪♫ ♪♪ ♪
|
|
Kr'Naan'Kar
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 152
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Kr'Naan'Kar on Jun 11, 2022 23:11:47 GMT -8
Kr'Naan clasped her hands over where her ears were beneath her headwear to try and drown out the sound of their squawking captive, though it did little to help. A sigh of relief when the order was given by Dragus to silence the incredibly grating noise. Kr'Naan watched as the caged avian was whisked away from Squeakers with a devious smile as they went to the more private storage room as she followed Dragus into the lift up to the cockpit. Beckoned to the empty co-pilot's seat, Kr'Naan was immediately overwhelmed by the array of controls as she was ordered to pay close attention for a test later. As Dragus order the ship to take off, there was a pause as Lil'Havok did not move to initate takeoff. Thinking this was her cue to be tested, despite not receiving all of the material, the Tusken child began to reach towards a random lever on the console before her. Her hand was swatted away with a swift pop from the blind bear. While Lil'Havok rarely spoke, a single utterance came from his lips in a stern, but not harsh, tone.Kr'Naan withdrew her gloved hand, looking over the numerous other levers, buttons and switches. After a few seconds, Lil'Havok made a small gesture which one might describe as a flourish of the hand to flip up two final switches before taking the control yoke and lifting off up into air and eventually orbit and then hyperspace to Contruum.Before the jump, the sightless ewok would push another button opening up a console compartment in front of Kr'Naan. Inside were a crusty pair of leggings covered in shed ewok fur and a thick manual on operating the Grimblade. Despite it being written in Basic, and Kr'Naan being unable to read, it was thrust into her lap for her to study.
|
|
Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by Dragus on Aug 14, 2022 7:07:37 GMT -8
North of Horizon Island, a train of shuttles could be seen traveling back and forth through the atmosphere as the Red Witch in orbit sent down equipment, troops, and supplies. Their destination was the old Revanite stronghold on Skyrazor Island. As the first shuttles set down, crimson armoured stormtroopers offloaded and began securing the base. There were a few squatters, smugglers that were ill prepared for the arrival of a hostile force, all of which were dragged out to the landing platform outside and forced to kneel as blaster muzzles were pressed against their backs. Rishii native to the island attempted to investigate, at least initially, but found the new occupying force to be less than thrilled with their presence. Blaster fire was exchanged and after a few of the native avians had been shot down and subsequently added to the cooks pot, they lost their sense of curiosity.
A lambda shuttle descended to the landing platform and set down on the tarmac, its repulsors scattering feathers and dust before shutting down. The boarding ramp lowered and the interior was exposed, revealing the shadow silk clad dark apostle of Famine waiting to disembark. Jerec Cretin strode down the ramp, his knee high boots clip clopping with every step. A silvered hilt of a lightsaber hung from the right side of his thick reek leather belt, in easy reach of his glove encased hands. The physical corruption of the servant of the Hungering One was plain for all to see. His flesh was absurdly pale and his eyes were glossed over black, pitiless and dark. Even the light of the midday sun seemed unwilling to refract off his smoothly shorn scalp. He wore the darkside of the Force like another layer of clothing, its insidious influence permeating his flesh and swirling invisibly around his aura like a wicked miasma only those with a connection to the fey could truly see.
Jerec stopped before the row of kneeling smugglers, his pale blue lips peeling upwards into an arrogant sneer, showing the whites of his teeth filed to sharpened points that speckled his blackening gums like the mouth of a piranha. As he inspected the bound captives, he leaned down and grabbed one by the chin with one gloved hand, staring into their fear stricken eyes.
"Yes, these should do quite nicely." He hissed, his words delivered at a whisper pitch but somehow audible to all in attention. Jerec stood up and addressed the crimson armoured soldiers standing guard. "Take them to the brig. They'll serve as excellent specimens for my masters experiments."
A pitiful whimper sounded from one of the captives, resulting in the hard crack of a blaster carbine butt striking the back of their head. The other smugglers towed the line as they were lead by the crimson clad stormtroopers into the facility. Jerec returned his attention to the sky, watching for a few minutes as the shuttles continued to arrive, offloading mining equipment and more soldiers.
In the coming days, barges of slaves would arrive from the mainland, mainly consisting of the avian race native to the planet. They were destined to work in the mines, securing for the Sith Eternal a rich harvest of exonium to fuel its growing war machine. To a bird they were all destined to die under the earth, talon tips bloody and broken bodies featherless as they would be worked unto death.
That particular thought brought a smile to Jerec's cruel features. After a moment, he headed inside the facility that would serve as the SE garrison while they occupied the planet of Rishi.
|
|
Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by Dragus on Aug 26, 2022 5:53:35 GMT -8
In the early morning as the light of day crept over the planet, the seas were calm, at least for one sailing barge in particular. It appeared much like a vessel of old, crafted from planks of Pzobian oak and great massive sails of stitched together man-flesh. Surly ranat-sailors, or 'sea rats' as they were more commonly referred to, manned the sturdy scow as it followed the winds across the great blue ocean. Those greasy furred vermin scurried across ropes and up tall masts, keeping the vessel ship shape as it traveled the waterways, at the whims of cruel Captain Long-Drags.The wooden door to the captain's cabin swung open, exposing the darkened interior where their leader resided. A figure appeared at the open portal and stepped out into the light, sinking clawed foot talons into the wooden deck that carved the timber to splinters. Those clawed feet rose into two black scaled legs, that disappeared again beneath the hem of a billowing blue long coat that was draped over the scaly creature's back and shoulders, tied at the front with a large electrum buckle. Emerging from the collar of the coat was a black snout that split as the figure sneered, revealing jaws filled with razor sharp incisors, glistening wet as he exhaled a steaming breath that stank of carrion. Above the snout were two bloody orbs, narrowed by heavy scaled lids as he peered across the deck. On the figure's head was a blue tricorn hat with a plume of rishii feathers sticking out of the top. A metallic glint revealed the serrated iron spike capping the mysterious piratical person's overlong tail, refracting light as the fifth appendage swayed back an forth.Ol'Cap'n Long-Drags reached a clawed hand up to his snout, placing a corncob pipe in between his bleeding lips, before lighting the bowl end and taking a puff of burning herb. The black scaled barabel's red eyes glazed over as the darkside saturated Pzobian Skunk tickled his senses. Emerging behind the captain was a supple bodied ewok chambermaid, secured to the draconian captain by a length of gold chain looped around her neck and tied to the drake's left wrist. She clung to the saurian's leg, pressing her furry bosom to his scales for warmth and security."Fetch me my looking glasss." Hissed the reprehensible reptilian, misting the air with crimson flecks as his fork tongue flicked back and forth. The captain's first mate, the sea-rat known as Squeakers, scurried towards the dread serpent of the seven seas. The rodent had a rust covered telescope clenched between its yellow fangs, which it spat into Dragus'...err, I mean, Ol'Cap'n Long-Drags', outstretched claw. The crooked captain placed the device to one squinting red eye and peered through the lens, staring across the vastness of the ocean for signs of land. As fortune would have it, the blessed Eye did not fail to provide. An excited growl rumbled from the sea drake's misting maw as he spotted a rocky outcrop in the near-distance."LAND HO!" Sea vermin turned their beady eyes in the direction the lecherous Long-Drags was looking in, then began to scurry-hurry to their posts. Several sea-rats below deck gathered up their vibro-lashes and began to whip the gangs of chained together slave-rishii manning the oars. Furious squeaks accompanied a chorus of pain induced squawks as the native bird folk had their backs shredded to a bloody froth, feathers flying through the air. The pace of the sea galleon, known as the 'Lady of Pzob', quickened as it split the waves. Ol'Long-Drags lowered the handheld telescope and walked across the deck, his furry female companion releasing his leg so she could waddle beside him. The slimy sea serpent of a captain reached over the railing at the bow of the ship and ran his claws over the figurehead at the front, a twisted wooden replica of his former side-kick, the fascist Fallanassi. It even had a pair of spectacles carved into its face. He patted the figure-head for luck, then headed to the top deck to take control of the wheel. Shooing a peg legged sea rodent away, Dragus took the wheel in claw and guided the antiquated vessel towards what he had seen.As the ship drew near to land, the rocky outcrop was revealed to be attached to a tropical island, replete with a coastal cove that would serve well as a bay for ships. The galleon came as close to land as its crew dared before dropping anchor and lowering a dingy. Long-Drags bent low and gave his furry ewok chambermaid a peck on the forehead, before handing over her chain to a sea rat and clambering over the side. As he climbed into the dingy, he was joined by Squeakers and several other drunken vermin. They rowed the last of the distance in to shore, stopping as they hit the beach. The scaly captain stepped over the side, the surging tides rising to soak his toe talons as he set foot upon the island he had discovered."Squeakerz." Hissed Long-Drags. "The flag, pleassse." Squeaking in affirmation, the first mate brought the fiendish drake a long pole with a rolled up length of fabric on the end. Unfurling it, he revealed the emblem of the Sith Eternal. Taking the flag in claw, the despicable sea snake planted it on the beach, burying the length of wood a good three feet before stepping back to examine his work. The red on black emblem blew in the summer breeze wafting over the waves. Ol'Cap'n Long-Drags took off his tricorn hat with his left claw and held it to his scaly breast."I dub thiz isle Draggle Rock." He pointed a finger talon at the rocky cliff that dominated one side of the tropical island. "Upon there shall we build Fort Ewok, a dark fortresss from which we shall rule thiz roossst." His eyes darted to the coastal cove next. "And there will be Dragusssport, a bassstion of commerce and trade." Turning, the menacing Sith sea captain focused his scaly lids on his first mate. "Break out the rum, Squeakerz. We have celebrating to do."
|
|
Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by Dragus on Aug 28, 2022 3:44:44 GMT -8
Descending from the sky, they came in droves, an endless parade of shuttles from the Terentatek in orbit. Arriving fresh from the Forest Moon of Endor, the Tagge Battlecruiser's belly had been full to bursting with precious cargo from the Night Spirit's ancestral home. Now these furry immigrants were headed to the vacation destination of the century. Supplies and construction equipment were offloaded on the cliff plateau on the eastern side of the island. Blackstone imported from Pzob was used as the basis for the building blocks of the soon-to-be built Fort Ewok. Ranats fresh off the boat manipulated construction cranes, bulldozers, and all manner of equipment as the project got under way. Each of the beady eyed greasy furred rodents was wearing a hard hat, as per Sith Eternal safety regulations.In the sea to the North, the South, and the West, cargo-empress freighters dumped sand and lay duracrete as efforts were taken to construct three man-made islands five kilometers out from the isle of Draggle Rock. Once the islands had been formed and were shown to be stable, each would serve as the home of a new w-165 planetary turbolaser. For now, they were just growing piles of mud in the middle of the ocean. Actual mudmen from the Sith Eternal's headquarters of Roon were shoveled into the mix. The little animate figures could be seen squirming around in the muck, helping the formation efforts due to their natural affinity for wet dirt.A shield generator that could produce a protective barrier large enough to cover the island was installed at the base of the eastern cliff. Vibro-saw and machete wielding worker-ranats chopped back the jungle around the base of the cliff for a hundred meters. It was as this clear cutting was in progress that the first of the native animal population was encountered.SQUEAK! Lounging in a reclining chair on the beach, the saurian sultan of sin was soaking up some of the suns rays when his ear holes heard the squeak of despair coming from the jungle. He sat up and took one last sip from his coconut shell drink before putting it down and standing up. His overlong tail swished behind him, slapping the sand and kicking up a spray as his irritation at being disturbed was expressed. Dragus growled, gritting his razor sharp incisors as he stalked in the direction the annoyance had originated from. As he crested the beach dune his bloody orbs narrowed, peering across the distance at the base of the cliff where a large green scaled quadrupedal lizard was currently chewing a parasite infested rodent to meaty bits. The Hungering One raised a claw and stroked his scaly chin, finger talons scratching his snout.It sort of looked like a krayt dragon, but not quite. If he had to guess it was a distant relative of the famous Tatooine creature, though the only way to know for sure would be to get it in his lab for study. The reptile might even make a good specimen for one of his experiments. Certainly he could see its potential as a war mount for the vermintide.His decision made, the Great Devourer continued on towards the creature as it finished crunching the rodents remains and let out a rumbling belch. It turned its large reptilian yellow eyes towards Dragus as he neared it, his claws held out towards it, twirling his index talons in hypnotic circles as he hissed slowly and softly. Extending his insatiable aura to the winds of the fey, the diabolical draconian focused his mind and projected his thoughts across the aether, forming an image in the creature's mind. The kell dragon, for though he knew it not that is what it was, bared its massive triangular fangs. Gooey red residue dripped from the razor tipped ends of each dagger in its open jaws, while its breath choked the air with the stench of freshly spilt blood. It made Dragus hungry. Sneering, the black scaled barabel focused harder, this time striking the kell dragon's mind with a forceful enough projection to temporarily subdue it. The creature's hind legs took a step back, followed by its front two feet. The Hungering One's crimson eyes glowed red hot like two burning coals, his own open maw bared at the beast as he took another step towards it, his forked tongue misting the air with blood flecks.One serpent stood off against another, until finally the weaker will submitted. Snickering, the saurian Sith walked the rest of the way to the now bowed kell dragon and ran his claws over its thick scaly hide. By this point the ranats were in positions with stun-nets and shock-poles, so He-Who-Hungers gave the great reptile one last pat on the head before stepping back as the rat-men neared and panic entered its eyes. Blue flashed of electrical discharge danced before his terrible gaze.Oh yes, he had plans for these beasts. He now had the perfect instrument with which to test his future drexl knights.By the time he had returned to his lounger, he found that it was already occupied by one of the newly arrived ewok refugees. In fact, the entire beach was covered in the frolicking hooded bear folk. They were playing beach volleyball, lounging in the sun, and swimming in the water. A few had even already managed to fashion surf boards and were riding the waves as they rolled in to shore. Scurrying next to the dumbstruck drake, the mad alchemist's ranat personal assistant came to his side, squeaking away in fast paced rat-speech. Dragus ignored it, instead focusing on the delightful display before him."You know what, Squeakerz?" Hissed the Sith. "I think we may have found the promissse land. Now fetch me another coconut full of fish blood. Thossse thingz are deliciouz."
|
|
Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by Dragus on Aug 30, 2022 15:17:49 GMT -8
As Draggle Rock was starting to come together, He-Who-Hungers ordered the transfer of many of his creations from Roon and Pzob to the black stone fortress that was still being constructed on the cliff plateau on the island's eastern side. Crushed meltmassif was mixed into the mortar being used to secure each several ton brick together, giving the growing fort a shimmering ruby appearance when the morning light hit its surface at just the right angle, otherwise it just appeared black. At the base of the cliff a port was currently being constructed by a small army of sea rats, taken advantage of the natural cove carved into the cliffside, leading out into the Bay of Dragus.Out in the waters beyond Draggle Rock, construction on the artificially created islands had been completed. Massive surface to space turbolaser cannons were installed on each, forming a defensive corridor around the perimeter with Rakghoul Station, the Golan NovaGun in orbit. The shield generator designed to protect the island was also completed. Tinker rats operated these facilities, while squads of crimson armoured Sith Troopers were stationed at each to provide security for each installation.Both the Hungering One and his faithful assistant Squeakers were standing on the beach as utility tugs from orbit descended on the island, carrying between them a massive slug like creature, the very same that had been harvested after the captured space whale in orbit. The ground shook as the infant exogorth was dropped the last few feet to the sandy ground, kicking up dust and causing the saurian Sith's man-flesh robe to billow around his scaly frame. Thick ropes of salivation oozed from between the black scaled barabel's lips as he focused his bloody gaze upon it, heavy scaled lids narrowing. Walking beside the massive pale worm, he dragged his finger talons across its armour thick flesh, finding it resistant to the razor edged tips of his claws. His forked tongue flicked the air and he nodded his head in approval, impressed by the specimen.Behind him, beady eyed vermin-kin lingered near, driven by the pungent sour smell wafting off the unconscious space slug. Feeling their eyes on his back, the Great Devourer turned around and growled, crimson beads dripping from between his clenched incisors. Drawing on his own great wealth of insidious power, the diabolical draconian expanded his terrible hungering aura, broadcasting a spiritual miasma that inspired fear in the primitive minds of the ranats. Primal hunger gave way to fear and the wind was rife with the stench of voided glands as the crowd dispersed and went back to work. Cackling, Dragus returned his attention to the exogorth."Squeakerz." Hissed the drake lord. "Gather a few ranat-ogrez and drag thiz beassst into the cavernz beneath the growing keep. I have planz for it." The rodent nodded its snout and quickly scampered off, leaving Dragus alone with the slug. As he placed a scaled palm upon its rock hard surface, extending a portion of his etheric senses to study the creature at a molecular level, examining its physical properties. There was a great hunger in the creature, one nearly a match for his own, though far more primitive in nature.By the time he was done his assessment, he could hear the sound of churning claws on sand as a number of towering quad-armed ranat-ogres led recently tamed kell dragons by their barbed harnesses over to the exogorth and began fixing chains to it.
|
|
Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by Dragus on Aug 31, 2022 5:52:11 GMT -8
Location: Draggle Rock | Fort Ewok | North SpireCreating the Storm Crows A chorus of suffering squawks came from the North spire of the recently completed cliff top fortress known as Fort Ewok. High above the waves of the sea rolling in to shore was a room that was equal parts laboratory and dungeon. In the dimly lit chamber, a large Rishii male was strapped to a surgical slab, its limbs spread wide apart and restrained by spiked manacles that bit into its ankles and wrists. A reek leather strap was pulled taught over the avian native's forehead, forcing its hollow boned skull against the table, unable to rise. It shrieked and it squawked, pulling uselessly against its bonds, chirping all manner of avian curse in melodic bird speech. Those curses happened to be directed at the other creature in the room, the figure of black scale and red eye that waited nearby, sneering from the shadows to reveal rows of glistening incisors.Just out of reach for the bound bird, the Great Devourer stood off to the side, swathed in his usual robe of man-flesh. The black scaled barabel's right claw held the back of another Rishii's head, its knees forced against the floor as Dragus held it in place, his finger talons sinking into its yellow flesh. The bird was a bloody mess, bleeding from numerous tears in its skin from where its feathers had been plucked out. Held as it was, the bird was forced to meet the large eyes of its kin on the table, both avian natives unable to conceal the absolute terror gripping their rapidly beating heats.The two were mates you see, taken from one of the cliff top villages that pockmarked the planet's mountainous terrain. The Hungering One didn't know if the native tribes had the institution of marriage, nor did he particularly care, but it had been clear to him that these two were bonded together based on a myriad of factors. First and foremost, they reeked of one another's scent and of avian copulation. That told him they had been intimate. Second, he could sense the strong feelings they had for one another, bleeding from their souls as hot vitae bled from their tortured bodies.His ear hole listened as they chirped what he assumed were words of comfort to one another. How touching. Lifting from the floor, the saurian Sith's overlong fifth appendage rose up behind him, swaying from side to side. The dim lighting of the room refracted off the oiled surface of a serrated length of surgical steel capped on his tail. As it rhythmically moved from right to left, almost hypnotic in its fashion, he drew the flexible limb back and thrust it forwards. The blade on its end stabbed up through the back of the Rishii female in his grip, spearing through her back before tearing out her stomach, spilling gooey ropes of the bird's intestines on the floor. It let out a pained gasp, which was quickly silenced as Dragus held it's head tightly on either side and twisted sharply, snapping the avian's neck with an audible snap. He continued to twist and tug, using the primal strength of his genetic ancestry to rip the Rishii's head off its naked body. The beaked head came free, releasing a rich geyser of steaming crimson from its neck stump that spattered his scales and banished the chill from his cold blood. The other Rishii strapped to the table let out a terrible wail, shrieking in despair as it watched its mate die in the most horrendous of ways.Taking the bird head in claw, the demonic drake slowly began to open the wide jaws of his snout, stretching his open maw to its fullest extent. A rancid odor wafted from his rows of salivating teeth as he lowered the head into his mouth and snapped his jaws shut. Razor sharp teeth sank through bone with a meaty crunch and sheered through the skull with ease. A forked tongue speared out of the Hungering One's ravenous maw and slurped up the grey matter with relish. As he enjoyed his snack, he could feel the male Rishii's hopelessness as it was forced to watch him devour its mate. Those feelings permeating its spiritual essence were absorbed and feasted upon the same way the flesh of its mate had been, all for the purpose of appeasing the dark apothecary's insatiable hunger. When he was done with the bird's head, he worked on the rest of the body, stripping every morsel of meat from the bone before cracking those in half as well and sucking out the marrow. In five minutes time the entire carcass had been stripped until all that was left was a pile of feathery plumage on the floor. Dragus let out a belch as he picked his teeth with a claw, digging out a trapped bit of stringy meat from between his pleurodonts."Worry not for your mate." Rasped the reprehensible reptile. "From now on, she livez inssside of me. Well, until my next bowel movement at leassst. Siss, Siss, Siss." He said with a cackle, hissing like a serpent as he hovered over the bound bird. Turning his snout, the saurian peered across the dark room with his thermal sight, easily spotting his ranat assistant in the murk. "That remindz me, Squeakerz. Put on a pot of ssstim-caf. We'll need our witz about uz for thiz work."As his assistant scampered off, Dragus added a few logs to a bubbling cauldron in one corner of the room, feeding the flames licking its scorched iron bottom. He then went into his specimen fridge and retrieved an IV bag full of a luminescent green liquid. He attached it to a metal pole and wheeled the bag over to the struggling Rishii's side, before attaching a line and stabbing the butterfly end into the sentient birds restrained left wing, finding a vein without any trouble. The alchemical concoction in the bag began to drip down into the line, flowing into the avian alien's bloodstream.The potion was a combination of a few things. Special darkside saturated herbs cultured and cultivated in Dark Lady Trace's secret garden on Pzob, several chemical compounds that the dark apothecary had been tweaking for some time, toxins, spice, and a few other stimulants to boot. The alchemical soup was designed to spread like a cancer and force mutation in flesh.Already he could see the effect it was having on the tribal. Its squawks went from that of complete misery to a more feral savagery as it frothed at the mouth, hissing and shrieking like a wailing banshee. It was so shrill that the twisted terrosaur was forced to tear strips from his man flesh robe, ball them up, then stuff them in his ear holes to muffle the sound. Bending over beside the surgical slab, his wrapped his claws around an object there and raised it up so that his captive could see what he held. There between his curved talons was a large egg, one belonging to the struggling male and its now devoured mate. Even afflicted with the poison remedy flooding its veins, the Rishii's large orb like eyes beheld the egg, eliciting a shriek of pure rage from the savage bird."Ah, I presssume thiz belonged to you and your mate. I'll sssay thiz." He remarked with a throaty rasp. "Your kind make for an important part of a balanced breakfassst." Hissed the serpent lord cruelly, before sinking the edges of his claw tips into the off-white oval in his hands and cracking open the top of the egg. He then buried his snout in the opening he had created and began to suck back the yoke, his forked tongue slithering deep into the crumbling shell. Raising the egg higher, he upturned the object and dumped the remaining contents down his throat and into his gullet. Slimy yellow yoke drizzled down his chin, soiling the front of his robes before pooling at his toe talons. He-Who-Hungers made a show of chewing up the remaining shell and swallowing it down with a loud gulp. Dragging his rotting grave mold ridden sleeve across his lips, he looked down at the heartbroken Rishii, sensing its resolve had finally broken. He had taken everything from it, or very close to everything. Dragus' black lips twisted up into a depraved grin as he focused his bloody gaze on his feathery prisoner. "I'm not sssure which iz more appetisssing. The yoke from your egg or the anguish your ssspirit iz weeping into the aether."Dropping to all floors, the lecherous lizard lapped at the spilt yoke on the ground, dragging his forked tongue over the filth crusted stone as he licked up every last yellow droplet. Bits of old rotting cadaverous tissue came free as well, like little maggoty breadcrumbs that popped in the saurian's snapping jaws."Hmmm, definitely the yoke." He stated matter-of-factly. Returning to his feet, the mad alchemist unsecured the surgical slab's brakes and wheeled the table over to the bubbling cauldron he had prepared in one corner of the room. The Rishii on the slab barely moved, a cascade of salty tears wept from its glossed over eyes that were beginning to turn red as though filling up with blood. Dragus waited for the last few drops of his concoction to seep into the bird before tilting the surgical slab on its vertical axis to angle it into a slope over the bubbling cauldron and the foul smelling liquid boiling away inside. Taking hold of a switch on the side of the slab, the black scaled barabel pulled back on the lever and released the avian's restraints, allowing gravity to take control as the native slid into the retched stew. Despite its broken spirit, its shrieks renewed as it entered the boiling sludge, experiencing a new level of pain it had previously never known.It tried to thrash and force its way out of the pot, but a powerful swat from Dragus' muscular tail knocked it senseless and caused it to sink further into the mutagenic cocktail bubbling away. Drawing on the corrupting powers of the malevolent fey, the dark apothecary pulled on the currents of insidious energy flowing through the fortress and fed it into his claws. Blue electrical forks danced between his talons, tickling his scaly palms as it crackled across his scales. Focusing the flow of fell power, he unleashed a volley of lightning into the iron cauldron, adding his own terrible influence to the the mix. Cells changed at a molecular level, transforming the Rishii into something unnatural. When he could feel the changes taking effect, the mad alchemist released his hold on the fey and ceased the crackling currents leaping from his claws. Greasy wisps of smoke rose off the cauldron as the liquid bubbling away at the top seemed to settle. Stepping back, the devious draconian waited to see the results of his work.Rising smoothly from the cauldrons pungent soup, the Rishii reemerged, appearing much different than before. Physically transformed, its feathers had all turned from their natural brown to a light swallowing black. Its beak appeared elongated and crooked at the end, sharper and serrated at the opening. Its eyes had gone from yellow to red, glowing sinisterly like two smoldering coals. Probing its mental defenses with his ethereal senses, the saurian Sith entered its broken mind without resistance, bending its subservient will to his own. Due to his concoction, they now shared something at the genetic level, a line of biological code written in to its very cells that compelled it to bow to the whims of the unsavory Famine Lord."Behold." Hissed the Hungering One. "The firssst of my Ssstorm Crowz." Scurrying to his side with a steaming hot mug of stim-caf, Squeakers offered the hot beverage to his master, squeaking his approval of the latest sithspawn in fast paced rat-speech. One down, a few thousand more to go.
|
|
|
Post by Dread Lord Havok on Sept 10, 2022 16:39:03 GMT -8
Faust operated the controls with ghostly input from Havok. Behind him, Havok continued to stand with his hands on Faust's shoulders, eyes closed. Handling the helm of the cloaked ship, Faust saw rough monochromatic pictures rise in his mind, outlining planets in the Rishi system, and ships and satellites. He steered and oriented the ship based on the visions in his head.
It wasn't long before Faust could feel the ship subtly vibrate as it entered an atmosphere. His monochromatic sight changed and soon he began to see the lush world begin to take shape and form. It was as if the rough visions became clearer... At least around an island on the surface of Rishi. He dipped the control yolk of the Modified Raider Class towards the island and within a minute or two had to circle around the island to bleed off speed and start the landing cycle. "Where should I put us down, Agent Quasar?" Faust asked, only seeing a sandy beach. He could see a dark and shadowy presence sitting in... a beach chair? And around it there seemed to be... was that... a bunch of small...? "You may place us on the beach." "Yes Sir." "Captain, Begin the landing cycle." The ship vibrated as the landing legs deployed. Captain Gritzel was impressed that they weren't dead yet, but also wasn't done holding his breath until he felt the ship actually bounce on its shock absorbers when it finally touched down on the ground. "Whew."
Havok lifted his hands off Faust's shoulders and put his gloves back on. The cramped bridge of the Beowulf was covered in what felt like an oily film. "Once I disembark, you may uncloak the ship and take off to circle the island to look for a more suitable landing site." "Noted." Captain Gritzel shot back the same line that Havok had used numerous times earlier that day.
**** On the sandy beach, a group of ranats were squealing and squeaking around a fallen comrade that appeared to have been crushed under an invisible pillar. Because the pillar was invisible, they could see down into the pit where the victim's face was smashed flat and cranium had cracked like an egg. One was crying out for medical assistance. Two pushed against the invisible pillar, trying to move it until it suddenly became the visible landing strut of a large ship. They looked up in horror as a 150 meter long ship decloaked above them, suddenly shrouding them in darkness. The ship also temporarily cast a shadow over the frolicking ewoks and the volleyball net.
With a groan and a hiss, a landing ramp began to lower, and an individual in black walked out on the moving ramp. The individual had white pasty skin with longer dark hair, piercing eyes, and hawkish features. He was dressed in the armored jumpsuit uniform of the imperial special forces. He stepped off the ramp, landing in the warm white sands of the beaches, before the ramp reached the ground. Once he stepped off, the ramp raised again, and the engines of the ship flamed up.
"Brother Dragus! It was hospitable of you to invite me to your tropical paradise!" The dark individual unslung his projectile rifle and planted it barrel up in the sand, as if making a statement. "Now I see, that you were understating the facts!" As the Beowulf lifted off, the shadow over the beach receded, again bathing the area in the warm sunlight. Havok put on a dark tinted visor and threw his head back to feel the sun on his face. "Draggle rock, eh? Truly marvelous place! As the Hutts say when looking at real estate, location, location, location! Then again, the Hutts love smelly shitholes, like Nal Hutta." The sith lord began disrobing on the beach, hanging his armor chest piece and jumpsuit on the rifle barrel. Maybe it was because he didn't see all the pairs of eyes watching him, or maybe, like the old fat men on the beaches of Cantonica, he just didn't care. In a minute the Dread Seer Havok stood before all wearing only his combat boots, a blind man's cane, visor, two contraptions on his forearms that held his light sabers up his sleeves, and a bright red speedo thong. The rest of Havok's body was as pasty as his face, and he was rather lean and skinny. On his chest he appeared to have no less than six medical implants injecting his body with unknown substances.
An ewok number in a bikini sauntered up with a tray and chirped to take's Havok's order for the tiki bar. Havok wasted no time making himself feel at home. "Let's see. I usually get a fire scotch neat, but on holiday I suppose I should try something more festive." He rubbed his chin. "How about a Mon Calamari Kamakazi, and then a dirty Onderon-tini sidecar, and then in 15 minutes bring me a fire scotch, but on the rocks. Dragus, did you want to order something? Are you feeling peck-ish perhaps?" With a sly smile on his lips, he addressed his Barabel brother in the beach chair.
|
|
Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by Dragus on Sept 11, 2022 7:40:40 GMT -8
On a throne of yellowed bone held together with gristle and cords of tightly wound intestine, the villainously foul Famine Lord reclined, resting his foot talons on the back of a prostrated fascist Fallanssi who trembled in sheer delight at being used as a foot stool by the lecherous liar king. Or perhaps it was due to physical discomfort for having held the position for so long. It mattered not to He-Who-Hungers. On either side of the diabolical draconian were the tall muscular forms of Inquisitor Lord Kryptman and Gaiscioch Dearg, holding large palm leaves that they were using to fan the drake lord. Atop his well endowed lap were two members of his flock, Lil'Xeo and Lil'Aedon, snuggled against the saurian's breast. Lil'Xeo held in his paws a bowl of the Hungering One's favourite delicacy, the ruby red and highly toxic Pzobian blood berries, which the little bear fed into his steaming maw. Lil'Aedon held a gold chalice encrusted with gems, overflowing with dark crimson wine produced by the hannites that tended the Great Devourer's vineyards to the rear of the Eye's temple. The liquid sloshed from the goblet as the ewok struggled to pour a measure of it past the rows and rows and rows and rows of curved incisors that filled the black scaled barabel's jaws like a sea of stained yellow daggers. Wart, in her usual tusken attire, played the part of the fool as she danced for the prince of perversions amusement, performing a pathetic jig.Other members of his dark family were there as well. After having been summarily defeated by the sultan of sin in a challenge of physical feats, the colossal abyssin was off in one corner doing pushups as he attempted to reach the heights of muscular prowess of the Scaled Scourge. The Dead One was there as well, using his exposed skeletal ribcage as a xylophone that played an off-tune melody that was a pitiful attempt to match the Hakusar's expertise with his meltmassif flute. All fawned over the Night Spirit, worshipping him like a god, as they should. It was a perfect moment, except for all that squeaking. Where was that even coming from?Dragus' eyes snapped open as the squeal of panicked ranats assailed his sensitive ear holes. He sat up on his beach lounger, lowering the reflective screen he held in his claws that focused the mid day sunlight on his glossy black scales. His heavy lids focused on the squashed rodent that had the others all in a fret, staring with genuine curiosity as to what could have smashed the vermin to a messy pulp. As the ship decloaked, his bloody orbs widened and he sat more upright on the lounger, his overlong tail sticking through the rear whipping back and forth on the sand. What the deuce? Any concern he might have temporarily felt at having his summer sanctum violated was summarily dismissed as he saw who was striding down the ramp. His black lips twisted up into a knowing sneer, displaying a fair amount of red rimed tooth as Havok appeared and made himself at home without pause. His loins ached and his jaws salivated as he watched the his brother disrobe, though any sensual urge was fleeting as the other Sith's pasty and near hairless body was exposed. An ewok number in a bikini sauntered up with a tray and chirped to take's Havok's order for the tiki bar. Havok wasted no time making himself feel at home. "Let's see. I usually get a fire scotch neat, but on holiday I suppose I should try something more festive." He rubbed his chin. "How about a Mon Calamari Kamakazi, and then a dirty Onderon-tini sidecar, and then in 15 minutes bring me a fire scotch, but on the rocks. Dragus, did you want to order something? Are you feeling peck-ish perhaps?" With a sly smile on his lips, he addressed his Barabel brother in the beach chair. "I'll take a coconut full of fish blood." Gurgled the Hungering One, before slurping as he sucked back the mix of fluids filling his mouth and spilling down his chin. As he pushed out of the lounger and got to his feet, he extended his claws out to the side and waited as an ewok handmaiden sauntered over seductively and wrapped his exposed lower half, concealing his engorged sixth scaled appendage with a filthy beach towel. "You should try one. They are quite refreshing."The truth of the claim was questionable as the bikini clad ewok rolled its eyes and gave a dismissive shake of its furry head, then wrote down the order anyways. Famine's carnivorous preferences were not shared by all. The beautiful bear returned with their ordered bounty shortly thereafter, with Dragus' coconut shell rimmed with glitterstim, just the way he liked it. Taking his drink from the presented tray, he took a sip, running his forked tongue around the rim before sucking on the spiral straw protruding from the shell."Brother." Hissed the towel clad terrorsaur as he came to stand beside Havok on the beachside. "I wish you would have announced yourssself on approach. I would have prepared a proper welcome." By that he meant he would have put on a grand display espousing his own grandeur. He relished any and every opportunity to show off, especially in front of the members of his adopted extended family. He waved a claw dismissively. "But you are here now, that'z what matterz I sssuppose. Welcome to Draggle Rock, my humble abode. I am mossst eager to show you around."His muscular tail thumped the sand and the saurian Sith snarled for his scabrous assistant. "Squeakerz!" One ranat among many scurried from the near endless number that seemed to inhabit the tropical island, scampering to the reprehensible reptile's side, appearing much the same as all the others. If one wondered how he told them apart, the fact was that he didn't. The vermintide actually drew straws on a daily basis to see which among them had the misfortune of being 'Squeakers' on any given day, for usually the position lasted about that long, as did the length of the unlucky lottery winners life. It sat on its haunches, wringing its gnarled paws at it fixed two beady black eyes on the snarling saurian."There you are." He misted the air with crimson flecks as he hissed. "Be a dear and fetch you-know-who, jussst like we discusssed. Off with you now, ssscurry-hurry."The ranat dubbed 'Squeakers' for the day leapt back as Dragus' overlong tail swatted towards it, then scampered off on whatever errand he had sent it on. Returning his attention to the Dread Seer, the fiendish Famine Lord smiled wickedly, before sipping another swallow of fresh fish blood."Trussst me, you're going to like the sssurprise I have in ssstore for you." He then scowled. "No peeking with thossse Ssseer abilitiez of yourz. Now tell me, how waz your journey? Are you hungry? You are looking far too thin, brother. We mussst do sssomething to fatten you up." He licked his lips hungrily.
|
|
|
Post by Dread Lord Havok on Sept 11, 2022 9:24:49 GMT -8
Havok's searching eyes roved over his brother's scaly body. "Is that an ewok under your towel, or are you just happy to see me?" He teased. "I think I'll pass on the fishblood. Not enough ethanol." Not enough ethanol to kill the variety of pathogens that might be floating in the fish blood. "I might as well drink a virgin bloody Leia." The seer lifted his Mon Cal shot and Onderon-tini off the presented tray. He downed the shot and made a whiskey face. "Ahhhhhh!" He followed up by draining the Onderon drink. "I suppose one is supposed to sip, but time is always shorter than one thinks." He put the empty glasses back on the ewok's tray. "After the fire scotch, I'll have a bloody Leia, if you please."
"I would have announced myself, but then again," The Seer hiccupped. "Where's the fun in having a big nasty cloaked ship, if you can't wow your friends!?" Was the blind prophet of the Eye buzzed already? "I know how you love a good spectacle. Trust me, If you want, I can get back on my ship and we can pretend to do this whole landing thing over again." Yep, the Seer was definitely a lightweight... not that the extra booze that the ewok bartender put in his drinks helped.
"You're too modest. I would love to see what you've done with the place." Fetch you-know-who? That sounded like a surprise. Havok hated surprises. Yep it was a surprise. "I try not to peek." He did. Truly he did. But sometimes when a sith lord caused tsunami waves through the fabric of the force, Havok was going to look and see what what happened regardless of who it was. He couldn't suddenly cease being the See-er of Secrets.
"My journey was..." He thought about it. It was actually quite cramped on the Beowulf. The whole ship smelled like dirty sweaty men. "Fine." His short answer was insincere. "I came from Pzob. I must tell you, my apprentice is going through the first of her trials." He closed his eyes. "She is doing well so far. You remember my Apprentice, the one in the temple on Pzob?" It was perfectly fine if he didn't remember her.
Havok's belly growled. "I suppose I could look at a menu." He was quick to insist. "But only if you were to join me and have something too, brother." Dread Lord Havok wasn't about to stand around and eat something in front of He-Who-Hungers. While impolite, it also was dangerous. Havok purposefully went on a diet to slim down before his journey-- to make himself more boney and less appealing to Dragus' palate. High Lords of the Eye were deadly, even when clad in beach towels. A part of Havok's appearance and congenial persona of the moment was merely a mask. It would never be advisable to drop one's guard completely around Dragus. As a High Lord himself, Havok did not fear being murdered, but was concerned because he valued retaining a liter of his own blood and both kidneys. Havok was positive that Dragus had been looking for donor specimens ever since trying Hannite steak and kidney pie on Pzob after the Kaan Debacl... Ahem. The Kaan Triumph.
"Perhaps, I, as the guest should present my gifts before you show me around..." He pulled several items from his clothing hanging on his rifle and handed them to Dragus. "I suppose these are house warming, birthday and welcome back gifts all at once." Havok and Dragus had been absent from the galactic stage for quite some time. The gifts made up for lost time.
The first gift Dragus opened was a black leather cat-o-nine tails with electronic spurs on the ends. It was a flail that would strip flesh from bone. This one was imbued with nano technology to ensure every pain receptor that the flail touched was fully activated.
The next gift was a re-creation of the cloak made out of Hannite tanned grimacing faces that Kaan destroyed while fighting Dragus in the Temple. While the flesh of that cloak was raw, this one had been meticulously preserved to show the details of the faces, and given an red satin lining that would feel wet and smooth like blood on the skin without leaking everywhere.
The next gift was a pair of Senator Padme Amadala's ben wa balls made from precious stones. She used them while pregnant with Vader's children. She wanted to make sure she was still tight after childbirth. If Dragus was able to read psychic imprints on objects, the balls would be sure to enthrall.
Havok revealed the final gift. A round silver sphere, encrusted with kamino saphires, with a small transparent window in it. Havok lifted it above his head and vigorously shook the ball while he asked, "Will Brother Dragus enjoy this gift the most?" After a moment he stopped and peered into the window on the ball. Ghostly letters floated to the surface of a murky liquid: "Signs point to yes." Havok showed Dragus the answer before handing the ball to him. "It is a Prognosticator. I have imbued it with a tiny portion of my power. Use it wisely."
|
|
Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by Dragus on Sept 14, 2022 10:11:56 GMT -8
In Havok he found a true kindred spirit. Gone were the dour moods and disapproving looks, replaced instead by a jovial expression and exuberant delight in all the pleasures the physical world had to offer. A part of him wished to reenact this meeting as the Seer had offered, but that would be far too time consuming and there already were amusements abound to appease his dark humour. At the mention of his brothers apprentice, he did recall running into the brat amongst his putrescent nest of decay and debauchery in the temple bowels. Admittedly he had been a bit disappointed by her. It was not to say that he found her unworthy, but simply that apprentice happened to be one of his favorite snacks and she had appeared far too thin to sate his considerable appetite. She'd have made a better toothpick than a scrumptious meaty morsel.
When the gifts were revealed his predatory eyes went wide with joy, his jaws practically quivering as he beheld the exotic flail that he was quite eager to take for a test spin. Certainly they'd find something on the isle to try it out on. When the cloak of hannite flesh was revealed he wasted no time slipping off his towel, standing stark naked as the same fuzzy maidens that had previously concealed his modesty fitted the fresh garment over his scales. It was a beautiful gift that sent a sensual rush to all the right places. He made a mental note to wear it the next time he visited the Supreme One on Roon. Surely even his black hearted benefactor would be impressed by his new attire. He hung his new flail from the cloak's inner lining and then moved on to the third gift. Drool seeped from the corner of his jaws as he held the ben wa balls in his palm, knowing exactly whose orifice they would fill first.
Dragus' tail was swished back and forth in sheer excitement by the time he got to the last gift. Even without the explanation he would have known the object to be imbued with a portion of his brother's power, for every sense ranging from scent all the way to his ethereal perception suggested this was so. There were indeed a few question he had mind to ask it, though now was hardly the time. He turned over the precious orb to one of the ewoks who had clothed him, knowing they would see it to his lair for when he had the time to probe its mysteries, among probing other things after the ben wa balls had done their work.
"You ssspoil me, brother." Rasped the reptilian. genuinely appeased. "Your visssit to my fair isle iz gift enough, though I accept thessse offeringz graciousssly."
Truth be told had Havok not presented the Hungering One with gifts, he would have been sorely vexed, despite what his lying lips otherwise expressed.
By this point in time his verminous underling had returned with Dragus' gift for the Dread Seer. Trailing slowly behind the scabrous rat was an obscenely overweight ewok with a girthsome belly that would have given a hutt a run for its credits. Its chestnut coloured fur was oiled to a sheen, exuding an odorous perfume of gamorrean bacon. A pale pinkish tongue slipped in and out of its big lipped mouth as it panted heavily in the tropical heat, causing its fat cheeks to jiggle. Squeakers led the rotund bear by a spiral spun cord of sinew secured loosely around its neck, handing the leash end over to Havok's pasty palms.
"Now it iz my turn to ssspoil you. Allow me to introduce Lil'Draguz, your guide and gift, should you choossse to accept it. He'z the closssest member of the celessstial descendantz that reflectz myssself. Pleassse, take it, ssso that you may have a piece of me wherever your travelz take you." Stalking across the sand, the black scaled barabel in his well hemmed hannite flesh cloak stood next to the ewok that struggled to draw breath due to its forced fattening. "Sssee?" He hissed. "We're practically twinz."
He had briefly considered offering his own personal chauffeur, Lil'Havok, to his brother blindest. There was something he found quite amusing about the prospect of the blind leading the blind; however, Draggle Rock still technically belonged to the Sith Eternal despite his own habitation of the island. He couldn't have Havok accidently wander off without the proper badge of office, lest some of the troops stationed there fail to show his brother his proper due.
|
|
|
Post by Dread Lord Havok on Sept 24, 2022 6:41:09 GMT -8
A piece of Dragus? More like the whole bloody cake! Lord Havok tapped his cane around it's sides, gaining a rough understanding of it's ridiculous circumference and proportions. Havok regarded the morbidly obese ewok. It was about a meter tall and a meter wide. Roughly spherical. The ewok uncomfortably blinked its dark, swollen, glassy eyes as Havok's cane tapped against its noggin.
What in chaos' name would Havok do with a pet? His first thought was to keep it around as an emergency food source. He wondered what ewok tasted like? That was what he did eventually did with most of his other pets except for Atlas, his Terentatek. He got curious about what it tasted like and then indulged his curiosity. He supposed he could always feed Lil'Dragus to Atlas, and then just lie if Dragus ever asked about it... But then again... he also just gave Dragus a prognosticator which might rat him out. The prognosticator had limits, of course, but for many mundane things it would function tolerably well with a margin of error. He could always leave out some poison... the chunky critter might be so gracious as off himself- but knowing Dragus, the famine lord apothecary extraordinaire would have made the ewok genetically engineered to survive off eating poisons or something like that.
Havok didn't entirely trust the gift. Did Dragus feed the ewok a disease? A tracking device? Have remote mind control programing? Guessing certainly was exciting. How Havok hated surprises. One thing to do about it.
"Indeed, I accept your gracious gift brother. I personally don't detect a resemblance, but then again, I am blind." Havok tapped his tinted visor shielding his eyes with his finger as he accepted the leash. "Though you are quite supportive." Havok stepped over the corpulent ewok and sat his pasty thong-clad ass on the furry creature's shoulders, forcing the poor fat ewok to carry Havok around. With any luck, it might have a heart attack. "I am ready for a tour, Draggy dearest." The ewok lurched forward. Havok had to tug on the leash to stop his pudgy mount. "I meant Lord Dragus, Sorry." Havok clarified who he was talking to. "Though I might soon have trouble telling you apart." He ran his hands over the ewok's distorted cherubic cheeks as it wheezed heavily under Havok's weight. "Yes. Perhaps the resemblance is far more striking than I initially supposed!"
An ewok gathered up Havok's clothes and folded them and another carried Havok's rifle, so that the guest could dress at any point. Havok inclined his head in their direction. "Should I suit up for the tour?"
|
|
Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by Dragus on Sept 25, 2022 7:17:39 GMT -8
"Nonsssense!" Rasped the reptile with much exuberance. "You are more than welcome to call me Draggy, brother blindessst. Familiarity iz the right of family, and we are that, are we not?"
The reason for the Hungering One's jovialness was obvious. He was only an island resort/fortress surrounded by the rotund bellied bear folk he admired and desired so fervently. Twas sad then that this joy was to be fleeting. Famine, after all, was not a thing easily sated.
Dragus' scaled brow rose as he watched Havok mount Lil'Draggy like some squat steed. He tasted blood, his own he realized as he had been gritting the forest of fangs that filled his terrible jaws. His irritability came from the fact that he hadn't considered it first. It was a brilliant idea of course. Leave it to his blind brother to see what he could not. As I said, irritable... With a slurp and a snort, the black scaled barabel spat a bloody loogy into the sand and gave the beach another thump of his tale as he forced the corners of his lips up beyond natural levels, his snout twisted like a serpents jaws, neck stretched wide like a hood.
"You are welcome to change az we take a gentle ssstroll through the jungle." He crossed a claw across his chest, which was draped in the fine new hannite flesh robe the Seer had gifted him. Tail swaying behind his hooded head in the ocean breeze, He-Who-Hungers led Havok atop his fat furry mount away from the beach on a sandy path further inland. "Allow me to give you the full tour, I'm certain you will find it...hmmm, illuminating?"
"You are probably wondering how thiz dessstitute drake could afford all thiz. I'm certain you sssaw the golan platform in orbit, along with the battlecruissser. When I returned from my exoduz, I had only the Covenant of Blood to my name and barely the crew to keep her afloat." Facing Havok, the serpentine lord tilted his hooded head, snout splitting in a bloody grin. "I have a benefactor. However to explain properly I really need to ssstart at the beginning. I need to talk about what happened after Prakith..."
It was a sore topic of conversation to have. After all, Havok was to blame for it. Well that's what they said. Don't believe me? You shouldn't, but this time I swear I'm telling you the truth. You see the Dread Seer of the Order, one among five peers destined to inherit the bones of Palpatine's empire, had a vision. He had seen the Eye and stated a case to his brothers that they should go there.
"Our ill fated journey to the physssical manifessstation of the Eye." Hissed the serpent sadly, offering a shrug. "I don't blame you of courssse, never that my mossst beloved brother. We all made the decisssion to go. Of courssse, how could I refussse when the otherz all agreed, and what, let them posssesss sssomething that I did not?" He snickered with a phlegmy rattle of his nostril slits. "My claw waz forced. I will not ssspeak of what occurred there, thossse were perhapz among the mossst shameful momentz of our Order, even if we were not all in complete control of our facultiez. But the effectz of the journey have left their scarz, that iz plain to sssee. Without the masssive war machine of our former empire, there waz not enough conflict for Bacca to sssustain himssself. He slumberz, while the ssslow trickle of the black temple'z wellssspring ssslowly restorez him." There was an unmistakable fondness in the saurian Sith's tone as he spoke of Bacca, the brother he had perhaps spent the most amount of time with. He could recall a number of times when situations devolved due to the terrorsaur's own treachery and the two had resorted to shirtless Sith fisticuffs. "We ssstill ssspeak in hiz dreamz of courssse. I've alwayz felt more at home on a higher plane of ssspiritual exissstence, more able to truly be myssself."
He continued. "Mortale became more connected to the realm beyond, hiz physssical form withering away until he banished himssself to the netherworld completely. Kaan, well, you know what happened to Kaan. A trivial matter, of courssse, though one I waz ssstill grateful to have your asssistance with. In time perhapz his psssyche will find an eye of clarity in the ssstorm of madnesss that haz consssumed him. Az for me, well, I waz given a purpossse and a hunger to complete it. I took the bulk of our remaining naval force and led an expedition into the Unknown Regionz, in sssearch of two unique formz of xenoz technology. With it I waz able to create four identical machinez, batteriez really, fueled by sssuffering and dessspair. It waz all going rather well, until the betrayal. You sssee one of my underlingz, a lanky fellow by the name of Belisariuz, thought himssself to know better than I. We argued, he refusssed to back down. Thingz got...heated, shall we sssay. On the other edge of the galaxy far from the Eye'z radiance my power waz diminished. Itz hunger empowerz me, you sssee, for I am a reflection of it. But az it endlesssly takez, it consumez even me."
Using his souring mood to summon a small measure of illusionary power, he raised a claw before the blind Seer and projected an image formed with the crystal clarity of his incredible mind. While Major's lessons had served for little more than entertaining party favours, they did on occasion come in handy when it came to making a theatrical display. Starting at the tips of his finger talons, his claws began to dissolve away as dust in the breeze, then his scales, then those terribly hungry red eyes. In an instant the dissolved portion of him reappeared and he continued to rattle on in his rasping manner.
"Belisariuz took advantage of my diminished ssstate. He claimed our former war hossst and now leadz sssome foolish crusssade againssst the Mandalorianz with Ballz'z bassstard boy. When I returned to help deal with Kaan I had nothing to my name except for my flagship. I needed resourcez which our once great empire waz no longer in a posssition to provide. Fortunately the Eye providez for itz mossst faithful. I waz headhunted by a powerful reclussse, a being with a deep connection to the malevolent fey that sssought to woo me with their power and wealth, and to bow me with an incredible sorcerouz aura to rival that of the Warmassster or Death Lord. Not a match for me, of courssse, though I allowed them to believe it. After all, even though I desssired all that waz theirz, you know I care little for the responsssibility that comez with it. I am far too busssy to be weighed down by the burden of governance. Ssso I allowed them their belief, that they were the Sssupreme One." He giggled with a wet gurgle. "That'z even what we call them. Can you believe it? Utterly ridiculouz, and offensssive, though they shall receive the Eye'z jussstice when the time comez. Of that I am mossst certain." He hissed with a sinister smile.
"Among thiz cult they call the Sssith Eternal, my posssition iz Dark Apothecary and Massster of Beastz. I am consssidered an equal among sssix otherz, an amusssing fiction I've allowed to continue dessspite the wound to my pride, for it haz provided an opportunity to ssscout out sssome talent. It haz alssso allowed me to indulge in my unique appetitez and continue the alchemical pursuitz I ssso enjoy. It iz becaussse of their resourcez that I waz able to conquer thiz world and claim thiz isle az my new sssummer home away from mossst blesssed Pzob. The shield generator, the novagun, even the ship encrusssted with hungry ssspace barnaclez are all theirz, technically. That waz among one of the reasonz I wanted to sssee you, dear brother. I want to sssend sssome of them to Pzob, for a real education in the darkssside." The saurian snickered again as he led Havok through a sparse thicket of palm trees, the sandy path gradually sloaping up towards the eastern side of the island. "Poissson takez time to properly sssettle. I am hoping being under the Eye'z gaze might nurture it along a little, until it setz in their bonez and breakz their will, leaving only malleable clay to shape with my own clawz. What a wonderful thought, no?"
|
|
|
Post by Dread Lord Havok on Oct 8, 2022 13:03:26 GMT -8
Havok dismounted from the fat ewok and dressed himself as Dragus led them down a sandy path. Before long, he was back in his black imperial special forces armored jumpsuit. The ewoks that carried his clothes, also carried the drinks he had ordered but had not yet consumed. When he finished dressing, he slung his sniper rifle over his shoulder and relieved the bikini-clad ewok-ess of the Bloody Leia.
Havok wasn't too surprised that Dragus had managed to independently find new sources of revenue. Dragus was an exceptionally cunning Sith. However, the extent of the defenses around the planet and the sophistication of Draggle Rock did indicate that Dragus had fleeced not one, but several fortunes from unwitting and unsuspecting victims... That and the fortune Dragus had spent paying for Commodore Starkiller's renovations on the Temple. Havok wasn't sore about the renovations. For a wardroid, Starkiller's work was tasteful and almost brutally elegant.
Havok sipped the Bloody Leia. It was completely unnecessary for Dragus to rehash or bring up the past. Especially the part where the Order began its decline after discovering the Second Eye of Palpatine. Was it Havok's fault? Well, Havok had a hand in the discovery, as well as Havok's late master, Lord Nobra. But the story was more complex than a yes or no, depending on one's point of view. From the point of view of fate, dear reader, can one ever be truly to blame for bring about a pre-destined outcome? Perhaps, but perhaps it may be worse than even Dragus, the wicked weaver of plots, could suspect. Is blame a good enough word to describe one that sees the tragic end and yet seeks to bring it about anyway? Heroic Realism is the last refuge of the fanatical believer- the one that trusts that a deity will save them-- and believes it all the way to the gallows...
Havok sipped again on the tart drink, bitterly thinking about how much of a fool he had been. He had let himself be blinded, ironically, by belief and everyone paid the price. Everyone still continued to suffer for it in their own way.
As the they walked, much of the visual beauty of the place was lost on him. Havok could feel the hot light of the tropical sun on his face alternating with the shadows cast by the tall trees and thick foliage. Around him, he could still smell the salty sea air, with a humid breeze occasionally rippling through the rustling vegetation. His sightless eyes could, with great effort, see everything through the force, but the humming vibrations of the threads of the force were the more familiar way of perceiving. Dragus walked ahead of Havok, a bright and dark swirling mass of power and need. Lord Dragus' aura in the force was one of the most beautiful Havok had witnessed. The power of the force seemed to circle around the Barabel's dark raw hunger like the accretion disk spinning around a black hole. Everything his brother touched was bent and marked with the same aching beauty; the island was no exception. Havok momentarily eyed the ewok that carried the glass of Fire Whiskey. Her aura also told Havok much about his brother's affections. There were few things here that Dragus had not tainted.
Havok already missed the sensation of rubbing his nearly bare ass on the ewok's furry chubby back. Havok adjusted his seat on the ewok's back and listened with interest to Lord Dragus' tale about the unknown regions. Belisarius may need to be dealt with... if he was unwilling to return to the fold and Acknowledge the authority of the High Lords. Perhaps Belisarious might join the Eye as a new High Lord in his own right if he had rebelled and withstood Dragus' might. Though Dragus might not like having an underling being raised to be an equal. Havok would need to meditate on that point before he would attempt to raise the question to Dragus.
Havok was all ears and listened intently when his brother described his encounter with a "supreme one." Havok was aware of far too many sith that called themselves supreme to be impressed by this, but that they had a cult called the "Sith Eternal" was also interesting to put a name to the growing dark side influence he had begun to sense from Rishi, Roon and Ryloth.
Havok coughed and spat the last sip of his Bloody Leia out all over the obese ewok's face. The ewok's watery dark eyes blinked and it's little pink tongue began lapping at the flavorful liquid on his nose and furry face. Outsiders? On Pzob? It wasn't a thought that Havok particularly enjoyed... but then again... the planet could take care of itself. It might as well have been named "Murder Land" based on all the deadly things that lurked in the deep dark woods... Inviting several of these sith eternal cultists to Pzob would also give Havok the opportunity to assess their powers and gauge whether they posed a threat to the Empire... assuming they could not be swayed under the Eye's influence.
"To true seekers of dark side power, Pzob would provide a unique opportunity and education." Havok wiped the drink off of his mouth and chin with his forearm. "I am not opposed to it. Perhaps they will see the light as we have, brother." Havok exchanged the empty Bloody Leia for the glass of Fire Whiskey. "Yes, it is a wonderful thought. Have you thought about how you would propose this to them?"
|
|
Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by Dragus on Oct 9, 2022 9:02:23 GMT -8
Warm salt speckled sand gave way to stony steps as the elevation of their path ascended from the fecund jungle to the wind swept staircase carved into the cliff side, sloping upwards towards the plateau above where a towering dark fortress stood in defiance of the waves sucked into the dark maw of the cove beneath it. Jagged stalagmites hung from the cove's mouth like the terrible fangs of some ravenous predator. Where the sky above the beach had been completely clear, bathing the tropical resort in the suns radiance, the same could not be said for the ruinous fort that overlooked those pleasant shores. Dark clouds cast the shadow of night in perpetuity over the sinister spires of blackstone that stretched like spears towards the heavens. The winds of the fey seemed to be drawn towards this bastion of wicked intent, pulled into an invisible vortex that only those gifted with ethereal sight could truly witness in all its unspeakable maleficence, feasting on the raw energies of the world like a great leech gorging itself on briny blood. The darkness was rooted beneath the cliff it was built upon, for the fort itself presented a blankness in reality, the crushed meltmassif stone used in its mortar acted as a telepathic transmitter and shield of sorts. Even the Eye's terrible gaze was unable to penetrate the runes inscribed across its dark walls that swallowed the light around it. Thunder boomed overhead, as though the fortress sensed their approach and greeted them with a foreboding mood of menace and misery.
"I have indeed." Hissed the drake lord knowingly, his tail swaying in hypnotic fashion behind him in front of his brother's vacant stare. He stopped, resting his scaly soles on the slate like steps of the so recently hewn staircase of recklessly carved stone. Supping his thirsty glands on a sip full of quickly congealing fish blood, he took a deep swallow and let out a rumbling belch that showered the steps in crimson speckles and bits of carrion. He cast one bloody red eye over his shoulder, the corner of his lip still curled in a sneer. "And I would be happy to explain it to you. But firssst I mussst know where your own loyaltiez lie, my far-ssseeing sssibling."
Slowly the rest of his manflesh swathed scaled body slithered around in the same direction as his snout, turning to face the Dread Seer, his body swaying back and forth in the opposite direction as his tail, two points of motion moving in rhythmic opposition to one other. Squeakers and some of the other verminous or bearish lapdogs following behind shirked back as they beheld a very hungry looking Famine Lord, their eyes frozen in frigid horror in the glistening reflection cast off the forest of gleaming yellow incisors that filled his dripping jaws. With casual disregard of the 'No Littering' signs posted around the island, he cast his emptied coconut over the side of the staircase where it plummeted to the tides rising below. A sulphurous stench violated the smell of the sea as he exhaled a hot breath through his nostril slits, a wet gurgle slurring his speech as he spoke.
"Don't think I haven't noticed the Firssst Order presssence on Pzob. With Mortale and Bacca out of my way, that leavez only Ssstarkiller, Kaan, and yourssself who could be resssponsible. Az you are well aware, Kaan can hardly piece together himssself, let alone sssummon thossse sortz of resourcez. From my dream ssslithering I can tell there are far too many organicz presssent among their number to have the russst bucket'z ssservo-manipulatorz in it. That leavez only you, Ssseer."
Though everything physical about the Famine Lord suggested a threatening posture, his words were less of an accusatory statement than they were the spoken aloud musings of a spinner of deceptions and whisperer of lies. After all, a high lord was more than due whatever bit of fun they could wring from the draining vitae of a slowly expiring galaxy. Dragus had self admittedly joined an organization that was not, as of yet, devoted to the Almighty Eye. It would be hypocritical to suggest Havok was any less loyal to the Order than He. And yet, questions lingered between the brothers in darkness, and Famine had a desirous thirst for answers. His words dripped heavy with compulsion, resonating on the wind and telepathically broadcast.
"What game are you at, Havok? Hmmm? With what purpossse do you carry that Imperial banner, eh? I met with the man they call Emperor yearz ago when Prakith waz firssst ssstaged. While he waz mossst certainly a shrewd and calculating politician and warmonger, he waz ssstill jussst a man, hardly the reincarnation of Palpatine we have long desssired." Snorting, the saurian Sith coughed wetly before hacking a bloody wad of phlegm onto the stone steps between them, one heavy scaled lid risen with clear curiosity. "You are not indentured to him, are ye? Merely ssspeak the wordz and I shall make the ssslow bleed of hiz Empire the foremossst of my attentionz. I would happily wet my appetite on hiz offssspring, consssuming thossse closssest to him before feasssting on the man himssself. I already have one of hiz closssest confidantz enthralled to my will, though they know it not..." He offered that tid bit of information as bait for Havok's own curious nature, and potential test of loyalties.
"Ssspeak the wordz, brother, and I shall become a curssse upon hiz line." He leaned his snout in close, cooing with sultry sisses in the Blind One's pasty ear, whispering with wicked intent. "Anything for you, my preciouz kin, you need only ssspeak..."
|
|
|
Post by Dread Lord Havok on Oct 17, 2022 11:10:06 GMT -8
The blind seer could smell sea spray, the rocks, and Dragus' fishy breath. Beneath it all, the metallic smell of blood... permeated everything. "My loyalties?" The Dread Lord Havok repeated the subject of the Barabel's inquiry. It had been many years since he had been questioned in such a fashion, and far more since he had been questioned by a fellow sith lord.
Under Havok's uniform, one of the medical implants on his chest injected a greater dose of chemicals. In combination with the prior drinks and fire whiskey in his hand, the mixture dulled the rage that Havok felt from the question. He was not some lackey to be interrogated. Had the question been posed by anyone else, Havok would have initiated violence. But the Seer's... (oooo!) well of patience (so good!) for his brother (mmmm!) ran deep. Havok closed his milky eyes in delight. Such wonderful questions! Even more wonderful injections! Havok managed a genuine smile.
His heavily lidded eyes opened, dilated from the chemicals. "Dragus, my perceptive friend, it is gratifying that you've been paying attention." Dragus' questions were fair even if they did prick Havok's feelings. "I would have the same question for you if you arrived at my doorstep clad in the uniform of some other faction," Havok motioned to his own uniform of Imperial Intelligence, "or were proudly ferried around the galaxy under their banner causing death and mayhem in the name of a false god." Though Havok doubted whether there was a 'true' god at the moment.
How did the Dark Lord find himself in bed with the First Order? Yes, it warranted an explanation indeed. It would be faster to show than tell.
The Dread Seer reached out a finger and touched the Famine Lord's smooth black scales. Immediately Havok felt the wash of aching hunger roll over him, as though he was caught by the swirling mass of the Barabel's dark aura. Like a shepherd feeding his Nerflings, Havok fed his brother's need with knowledge.
Decades ago, shortly after the High Lords had made their first pilgrimage to the Eye, Havok had been meditating in the catacombs of the temple and found himself set against invaders who attempted to purge the dark side Nexus there. The attack was not in the present, only to come in the future. It was beyond Havok's comprehension as to why the temple was defenseless and abandoned in the future, but nevertheless Havok summoned his strength to do battle through the force. He was prepared to do anything to preserve the dark soul of the holy temple from destruction.
Through the maelstrom of time, Havok resisted the traitors and saved the tainted nexus, but at the cost of himself. He was dragged into and consumed by the dark portal. In the embrace of the temple's power, Havok had no reckoning of the passage of time. Preserved by his ambition and will to live, Havok emerged from the nexus renewed and blessed by it's dark gifts, but no longer in a time that he recognized. He had been spat out long after the attack on the temple nexus had failed, after the City of the Eye had fallen and become overgrown. The temple remained maintained by the Hannites, but no other sign of the NOE's imperial strength remained.
There were nights he spent wailing at the stars, beating his chest and tearing his own clothes, pleading for a sign and receiving none. Letting his own blood in dark rituals, burning offerings and incense, praying for days and nights with no food or sleep and feeling nothing. The 'Holy' Seer felt nothing but the loss of the Order of the Eye from the galaxy, the enigmatic absence of the Eye's mystical prophetic whispers, and no answer to his calls in the force from his brethren. It made the mighty Havok feel truly helpless and fearful of the future.
In Havok's sorrow and loneliness, he had turned to the First Order, the closest recognizable faction of the Imperial remnant that Havok could find. Havok had revealed himself to the emperor as a dark personage of dark purpose, and offered his services to destroy the dark beings of chaos that would threaten the First Order's grip on the galaxy. Not for the sake of the light, but for the sake of order alone. Havok did not care if the laws were just or equitable, only that the chaotic forces of rebellion and revolution perish. Havok would 'clean up' the dark filth in the shadows... and the filth would join him in the darkness or die. Havok's need to hide his own nature as a sith lord while in the ranks of the First Order was the one drawback he had accepted.
"There was no game. Perhaps I played a game of loneliness, brother. I believed I was alone in the galaxy, left to my own devices." Havok spoke, allowing himself to feel the bitterness of the past ten years. "No other brotherhood could fill the hole in my soul. I had no purpose. I found and began training my apprentice. I stayed away from Pzob because it hurt me beyond words to think of the loss."
Meanwhile the First Order had indeed been generous to Havok. He was given resources, a haven to study the mysteries of the dark side on Corulag, freedom, the return of his confiscated property, and more. But one point remained. Havok's oaths to the Emperor were never sealed. Unless the Emperor formally acknowledged Havok's nature as a powerful dark side seer, accepted Havok, and then issued Havok an order, Havok's powers and loyalty were still not bound by Havok's oaths made that day. Of course it went against the spirit of the agreement, but technicalities are technicalities and loopholes are loopholes. Even a donor's gift, in its simplicity, must be accepted by the donee in order to be perfected in the eyes of the law. Havok's relationship with the First Order was, in reality, a covert quid pro quo and nothing had yet managed to offend either party, yet.
Havok had no technicalities, loopholes, or reservations for Dragus, however. "My loyalty is to my brothers." Havok did not bother assigning loyalty to the powerful Eye that seemed to rule his destiny. It was his love for his brothers that held him together and brought him back to Pzob. Not the Eye. "Through fire and flames and darkest winter nights, I have been, and always remain, your brother."
Havok lifted his finger from his brother's scales, closing the vision. He could feel Dragus' aura tugging on his life force as he pulled his hand away.
"Delvardus. Merely a man, yes, but more wise than many sith and jedi combined." That was probably the thing that captured Havok's respect. "But not wise enough to seal his deal with me." Havok's lips slowly twisted into a perverse smile. It hadn't altered the years of Havok's faithful service, but the sith lord still valued the potential to betray and walk away... doubly so, once he felt the call of Pzob and his brothers again. "But still." Havok gave his employer his due. "Many who are gifted with the force, fail to accomplish what Delvardus has achieved. Though he is no Palpatine, he is no pretender either. He has held and grown the empire that Palpatine created. A faithful steward of one of Palpatine's creations, no less praiseworthy than the Order of the Eye." Havok's words might have been blasphemy to compare the importance of the Eye of Palpatine and the Empire that Palpatine created; but they were true words. It was the thought that allowed Havok to stay away from the Eye for so long. The thought had also been supported by visions. "I once foresaw that Delvardus might join the religion of the Eye and be anointed a Holy Emperor by Brother Eli..." Havok's visions never slept. The future was always in motion. "Lately, I have seen visions of his death and civil war within the First Order."
It felt oddly satisfying to think about setting his beloved Dragus against the Emperor. Havok felt the power and conviction in Dragus' offer. But Havok's respect for his brother also meant that Havok respected Dragus' time. It would not do to have the Famine Lord waste his time and efforts seeking to kill a man who's death was already foretold. "No intervention is necessary in his circle of fate. It will conclude as heaven decrees." Havok's eyes turned milky for a moment before darkening. He would have to remind himself to ask Dragus later about the thrall. Havok turned his mind back to the Sith Eternal and their 'Supreme Leader.'
|
|
Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by Dragus on Oct 18, 2022 9:51:45 GMT -8
The story continues here.
|
|