Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Apr 4, 2019 12:43:51 GMT -8
Nidana and the Temple of Doomed SithPrincipal Authors: NidanaWho can post on this thread: Nidana I want to receive critical responses: Sure, if you want. I will be using standard Universe rules here (e.g., canon-only, fleet limits, etc.): Yes Location: Dromund Kaas Timeframe: Two Months after Nidana fled the Jedi Order Nidana locates a hidden burial chamber on Dromund Kaas and the spirit trapped within has much to share. But it may be asking too much of the knowledge hungry Echani.
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Apr 4, 2019 12:45:33 GMT -8
Nidana’s Stealth X came in for a landing, jostled by the winds of the howling storm brewing on Dromund Kaas. The fallen Jedi exited her cockpit and surveyed the dark swampy landscape surrounding her. She had been lucky to find some solid dry ground to land on, hopefully this storm wouldn’t let the swamp swallow her ship. This was a place she did not want to be stuck on. The Dark Side was almost as thick as the fog here. Leaping down to the ground, Nidana made sure her saber was on her belt, just in case. As she recalled the memories she had stolen, she also remembered the poor fool who she took them from.
Nidana had learned of this planet from one of the Jedi Archaeologists she had met while a part of the Order. Though when they had first reconnected, he did not know how she had betrayed her master and the Order, nor how far she had fallen. It had been almost too easy to lure the Jedi to a false report of found Sith ruins. Once he had landed she led him to the Hostel that they would stay at till the morning when she would lead him to the ‘ruins’. But the Jedi wouldn’t be going anywhere else. As he slept, Nidana stood over him, extending a hand to his head. She started to use the Force to drain his knowledge. It was simple with him asleep. Nidana could feel him start to wake up and struggle against her, but it was too late she tore open his mind, it was like a rancor trying to eat only the center of a melon. The challenge was to find which of his minds fragments now held the knowledge she sought, and she knew time was limited till his memories drifted away into the void. Then something, a temple, a swampy jungle surrounded temple, on a far off lost planet, Kaas, Dromund Kaas. And how nice of this poor sap, even the coordinates. She fled the hostel and left the Jedi foaming at the mouth, utterly comatose.
But that was a week ago, now she was standing in the middle of a vast marsh. But this is where the ruins would be found. Nidana unloaded from her Stealth X some supplies for dungeon delving (climbing gear, lights, rations, a crowbar and some rope), as well as her old leather bound, and her lightsaber. With all this gear she turned once more to look at the swamp. It was quiet and still. Not even a breeze moved the trees that formed a thick canopy, casting the swamp in an eternal twilight.
“Okay, you can do this.” She said, hyping herself up before she stepped off the (relatively) dry island she had landed on. “Think of the hidden secrets that wait.”
Using the Force to find the best path through the marsh, Nidana noticed something ahead. It was human shaped. Sitting down. Here in this swamp? Nidana ignited her saber and approached cautiously. But soon she realized this was a simple statue. Though it was oddly clear of debris or vines, unlike everything else in the swamp. Being the historian she is Nidana approached the statue cautiously. She could feel the Force flowing around the hunk of carved stone. Examining it closely she went to circle around it. As she moved to go around the statue a bolt of Force energy erupted from the statue, striking the unaware former-jedi in the chest and sending her flying back and hitting a tree.
With a grown Nidana got up out of the mud. It seemed that she had triggered a trap of some kind. Rubbing her now sore chest she looked around the area. The trees grew incredibly thick around where this statue was. As if forming a path that you had to follow. Perhaps she would need to be faster to move past it. She took a deep breath and then with the help of the Force she sped up to the point where she had been hit before being knocked back once again! This time harder. What could answer this trap?
Nidana reached out with the Force this time. She could feel something. A presence watching her. It was coming from the Statue. The memories she had plundered didn’t mention sentient statues! Well, if it had a mind, perhaps she could use some of her mind altering powers to break it, or at the least weaken it. Reaching out she touched the vague consciousness of the statue and once more, with all the grace of a dust-rolling-dewback, she ‘grabbed’ hold and twisted and turned the mind. All the while stepping closer and closer, eventually passing by the statue. She released the hold of it and felt it not splinter as often was the case, but return to its eternal vigil. Taking things much more cautiously, Nidana pressed deeper into the swamp.
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Apr 29, 2019 6:46:51 GMT -8
Trudging deep into the darkness of the swamp, Nidana felt like she was being watched by more and more eyes, yet she could not see the source. It was oppressing, it felt like she was carrying a great weight on her shoulders. The Dark Side in this place was so tangible, she could have almost cut it with her lightsaber. It's blade was providing some much needed light as she advanced, though she also feared it may attract some unwanted attention. Almost on cue with that stray thought, a great beast burst through the brush to the Echani's left. A massive bipedal creature with huge muscular arms ending in wicked claws flailing at her. Nidana leaped back just avoiding the storm of claw, fur, and fists. Now that she had some distance between herself and the beast she could almost identify the beast as a Wampa, but what was one doing all this way from Hoth. The girl didn't have long to wrap her mind around this mystery as once more the creature rushed at her. She could only just avoid the long armed swipes from the blood thirsty creature. The beasts reach was so much greater than Nidana's that even if she removed one arm, the other would likely be able to strike her. So, she did what she did in many combat encounters, she ran. Rushing through the swamp, ducking under fallen trees, leaping over bramble patches, but still the beast pursued. The obstacles didn't seem to slow him down, hurling the tree trunk out of the way, bursting through the brambles, it was like watching an unstoppable force bowl through many very movable objects.
The chase went on for another minute. Nidana knew she couldn't keep running and avoiding this thing forever. She found a large tree and prayed the beast couldn't climb. The girl leaped up to one of the highest branches that could support her weight and looked upon the Wampa below. It arrived at the tree and initially looked puzzled, as if discerning how she got up there so fast without wings. But the puzzlement went away as first the Wampa tried shaking Nidana off the limb. But the tree was too large and old. It had stood for likely hundreds of years (if not more) and barely budged, even under the Wampas relentless assault. Finally it seemed to click in the fur-balls small brain that it would have to go up after her. And so the beast started climbing. Faster than Nidana was comfortable with, so she jumped to a higher branch, sacrificing stability for distance from the monster. But this seemed to be only a temporary solution. It soon seemed that the Echani would have to finish this thing off. And while it was climbing, would likely be the best chance she would get. Hurling herself downward at the Wampa, saber igniting on the way down, Nidana slashed at the monster. But it seems the Wampa had noticed her impending attack and had launched its own. Letting go of the tree with one clawed hand, it swung at the plummeting Echani and scored its own hit. Lucky for the girl the claws weren't able to sink in but the wind was knocked out of her lungs and she was slammed against a branch. Though it seemed to have payed off as clutched to her new branch and the Wampa went roaring downward, now one armed (the other still clinging to the tree bark a couple feet above Nidana). And with a disgusting crutch the roar stopped and was replaced by a low gurgling as the mighty creature breathed its last.
After catching her breath, Nidana let out a sigh of relief, she went to deactivate her lightsaber, when she noticed it wasn't in her hand any longer. It seemed to have fallen out of her hand when she got hit.
"Ah, Sithspit."
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Sept 13, 2019 12:52:59 GMT -8
After a few minutes of searching fruitlessly in the shine deep mud, Nidana gave up on her search. Something told her a saber wouldn't make much difference once she was inside the temple she sought. Now with no light source or any way of defending herself, the Echani pushed further into the dense swamp. With out the light it was harder to navigate the swamp but it also wouldn't attract any more stray wampas. Following the flow of the Darkside, Nidana finally emerged into another clearing. A great stone temple stood before her. It's doors sealed and flanked by two more of those statues she'd encountered earlier. There was no sign of another way in, no windows or balcony ledges that could be scaled to. Yet now that she was this close, it felt as something, or someone was trying to get her attention. And it was working, Nidana paused in her search for an entrance and listened, reaching out with the Force.
Nidana... Nidana... I have what you seek.
Nidana thought for a moment. Collecting her thoughts. This is clearly a trap...
Does it really matter, if you have the chance to be the first living soul to lay eyes on my work since my death?
Sithspit, no.
And with that last thought Nidana heard a low rumble and noticed a section of the temple wall had slid to the side. It relieved a stairwell leading down. Nidana stood at the top of the stairs. Unsure how to react to a disembodied voice that was tempting her into the deep dark.
What are you waiting for, forgotten knowledge is yours, if you take the first step...
And take the first step she did. Once she was all the way in, the door slid shut behind her and ahead of her torches on the wall lit, illuminating her path. And down she went.
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Under a tree, next to a dead wampa, a robed figure reaches down into the mud and pulls out a lightsaber. Looking off into the distance, he starts following a trail.
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 285
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Post by Darth Sirona on Dec 5, 2019 10:40:08 GMT -8
Down down and even more down. It felt to Nidana she'd be approaching the planets core at this point. All the while a strange presence drew her forward, it called to her and lead her, almost by the hand, further down. The walls seemed to close in around her the further she went, or maybe it was this spirit that called to her? But soon the stairs opened into a vast chamber. It was illuminated by eternally burning fires in iron sconces lining the walls and pillars that filled this vast chamber. The thing that truly drew Nidana's attention though, where the massive reliefs and inscriptions left upon the walls. Quickly she pulled out her journal and began scribbling down everything she saw. But one specific one caught her eye. It was a relief carved of a creature with an armored vertebrate body, a long, bifurcated whip-like tail, one arm with a single talon for a hand, and a head with an armored crest. But surrounding it where slightly different ones, such as with wings, or two talons. And outside of those it looked like a representation of a whole horde with those mutations. She could tell this was an intended Sith Spawn project that never quite got off the ground. But now she had found it.
Fascinating, isn't it? The spirit spoke once more. I designed them myself. I could never get the formula just right, or else it would be my name you venerate, not those fools who came after me!
But how do they work? And who are you? Nidana finally replied after finishing her copy work.
My name was taken from me when the Sith Emperor struck me down and sealed my spirit within this tomb. But now... You can help me.
Me? Nidana said nervously. She knew nothing about exorcism, and even less about how to manipulate Force Spirits.
Why of course, my curious little one. Their was a low rumble and at the far end of the hall, under a statue of a defaced Pureblood Sith warrior, a slot opened. Nidana inched closer, until she could see what had been revealed. It was a sword. Very ornate, but deadly looking. Take it up, and smash down this unfaltering visage of myself, and I will be free and my knowledge will be yours!
Nidana started to reach out with a shaky hand. Both frightened and excited, the young woman didn't know what would happen next. But then something struck her in the Force like a gong. Spinning around, she saw a man standing in the door way she had entered from. It was unmistakable, his stance, his robes, his aquamarine blade. Master?
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Darth Sirona on Feb 12, 2020 19:23:00 GMT -8
Time seemed to freeze as Nidana stood opposite her former master in this tomb. She began to shake. Fear rushing over her. She had drained his knowledge in his sleep. Much like the Jedi Archaeologist a few days ago. But it seemed he had recovered and was here for her. Slowly he started to cross the room. His blade humming and checking around, trying to ensure no surprises awaited him. Backing up, Nidana was pressed against the sarcophagus which held the Sith Sword. It seemed either her proximity, or greater fear was making this spirits connection to her stronger. She could almost see his apparition next to her. It seemed to turn to her, in it's own slight panic and implore her.
Quickly! Take the sword! Only together can we defeat him!
What do you mean together?
There is no time! Just use it!
Nidana reached back, grasping for the sword. Her master seemed to notice what she was doing and called out to her. Nidana, wait. We don't have to fight. I know how corrupting the influence of the Sith can be... Just, step away from their and come back to the Temple with me.
Nidana paused for a second. Was there a way out? Could she be redeemed after all she had done? He is lying! The spirit chimed in. He will take you back and they will throw you in a cage, never to read OUR histories again!
Looking into her master's eyes, she peered into his mind. It was harder to do this time, but she could still penetrate his mental defenses, she caught a glimpse. Her surrounded by the council, passing judgment? What was her master's wish? An answer she would never get, as he retaliated, a visceral response breed by her last trip into his mind. His free hand shot up and sent a wave of energy out. It slammed into Nidana and she lost her concentration. Hitting her back hard against the sarcophagus, she now acted more out of a fight or flight instinct than giving into the temptations of the Sith spirit. Her hand wrapped around the hilt of the sword and everything changed.
Two minds now shared Nidana's body. Something that would have to be dealt with later, both thought. But all the same, the sword was brought out of its resting place, and gripped tightly in both hands. A panic now drove Nidana's mind out of primary control, as this Sith took charge and rushed forward. To her master, Nidana had a wraith in her eyes that he had never seen, nor would any others. For it was not her, contorting her face into a wicked smile. Gleeful that after all these millennia of waiting, the Spirit finally would spill Jedi blood again.
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Darth Sirona
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 285
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Post by Darth Sirona on May 5, 2020 8:40:56 GMT -8
The fight didn't last long. Despite Nidana's masters attempts and skill, he was no match for the Sith and was quickly being overpowered. But their was another fight soon to begin, one for Nidana's very body and mind. This Sith spirit was more powerful than Nidana in many ways, in all of them in fact. Save one. The Jedi had been disarmed and thrown to the ground, wounded and beaten. But before a death blow could be dealt, Nidana acted. She tore at the Sith Lords mind in a frenzy similar to a cornered Krayt Dragon. Though powerful, the undead had not expected her powerful abilities with mind manipulation and was caught off guard. Nidana scoured his mind as it started to fracture and splinter to her not very genital and viscous invasion. The young woman was looking for something in particular. How to excise this ghost from her body and bind it back to it's tomb. Along the way she found other techniques, far advanced and beyond her skill level, but still the know how and knowledge of their existence made the knowledge valuable all the same. She had to be faster, for his mind was falling apart, but the faster she went, the more damage was caused. He was fighting her, but it was as a haystack before a monsoon. Something warm and wet started to spill from her nose, and she felt the hard ground beneath her knees. She could feel again! It was working already, but she could only guess the dangers if even a shred of this spirit remained inside her, especially after the insanity it was going through. Finally she found what she was looking for, ancient incantations. Now came another struggle, as she had to wrestle enough control over her body and mouth to enact the rite. One finger, one hand, one arm at a time, she drove back the now mad ghost. And she could feel her mouth moving, taking the shapes of the words, but she could not hear. Everything around her sound of a rushing wind, as if she was falling a great distance, but the bottom never came. But then their was a flash. She could see the blurry image of the room she was in. A howling mad spirit rushing from the chamber up the stairs she had come. Her masters body close by. And then darkness as she momentarily felt the rest of the stone floor meet her side and head.
Nidana didn't know how long she had been lying there. It felt like weeks, but it was closer to moments. Her eyes opened at a gentle shaking. Her master had crawled over to her and was gently waking her. Oh good, you're awake, we need to- He was caught off as he realized Nidana had grabbed the sword that had fallen to her side. She sat up and met the Jedi's gaze. He was still weak from the fight earlier, his lightsaber flung to an unknown part of the chamber. His eyes moved between hers and the sword. His breathing quickened as he tried to read her face. She was scared and frightened. Ni-Nidana, we can leave this place. Go back to the council. You don't ha- He was caught off again. This time by Nidana's quick and rage filled response. She would not go back to the council! The sword had pierced the man's stomach. He coughed, and fell to his side, sliding off the sword as Nidana drew it from his body. She fell back too, exhausted. As hard as she fought it, sleep soon took her.
Awake again, Nidana spent the next several days in the tomb. Content that the spirit would not return, nor that any other Jedi knew where she or the now dead master had gone. She took this time to study the carvings and hieroglyphs that covered the wall, soon her journal was brimming with new information and lore. Perhaps a part of that Sith remained in her, as she now had a feeling, no, a desire, to see these plans and schemes fulfilled. Her trek back through he swamp was far less eventful and as she lifted off, with a new sword, skills, and freedom, all that was left was her next destination.
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