Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on Aug 25, 2023 8:31:57 GMT -8
With each evasive step, the Famine Lord exposed more of the reasoning for his name. Each moment worked to delay the inevitable as Karnac drew on all the power he could, fueling his emotions in the swirling storm that swelled within, merging and entwining. His muscles began to ache under the strain for what he was about to do was exhausting, even for someone of his potential. At peak power, two times was all he'd be able to manage normally before being down for the count.
Dragus grew more frantic with each passing second, the tendrils tearing at the sand to get to him faster, seeking to cut him off before he could land. But despite the odds, the Zabrak was able to remain just ahead of the Blood Drake's attack. But it wasn't long before the Spectre was ready. With a flip, he jumped as far as he could, his feet skidding through the sand as they made contact until his back stopped against the wall at the edge of the arena. It would be the furthest point of attack he had, granting him the few seconds he needed to focus and channel the growing power. Tensing his body, he took a single step forward while throwing out his arms towards the Saurian Sith, unleashing all the power he had gathered in a blast of Force Destruction. It was all he knew to do in the moment. Against such power, anything less would have guaranteed defeat. At least this provided a chance, no matter how slim. The real question now was what would become of not only Dragus, but all that existed in front of him in the blast radius. |
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,428
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on Aug 26, 2023 5:16:59 GMT -8
Consumed by the need to feed, the Famine Lord's reason and sense had fully given way to impulse and desire. The flames engulfing the spiked mace he had borrowed were burning so hot the Sith iron finally began to run, bleeding molten droplets onto the sand as he stalked towards his prey, who had made it to the far side of the arena. Must...devour. The saurian Sith was nearly to his opponent when he felt the change in the environment. It was as though the tides of the Force had retreated out to sea, with Karnac as King Poseidon himself, preparing to throw them back at shore in a mighty storm surge. So much power, it made the Leach Lord ever more desirous.Heedless of the danger, Dragus charged towards his opponent, foaming at the mouth like a rabid beast. The feasting black tendrils expressed by his Force Drain ability coalesced closer to his scaled form, giving ground to teeth and claws, which would make for a much messier but far more enjoyable meal. He was thirteen paces from the Zabrak, a sacred number among those that served the Eye, when the horn headed alien unleashed a significant blast of Force Destruction. The arena sands churned up in front of him and the world faded to darkness as an uncompromising wave of pure telekinetic destruction ripped towards him. In that moment, the Dark Apothecary's hellish maul swept up to intercept, as though it could. The moment the destruction wave met Sith iron, the spiked head of the mace began to disintegrate, bleeding away to particulate as its hardened form was unmade before his eyes. Then he too was swallowed up by the blast.The last time the Scaled Scourge had been hit that hard, he had taken the beskar ball of Ashrah to the face. Karnac's Force Destruction tore apart the arena sands, characteristically carrying out its name as it reduced the sparing pit to a pale fragment of its former self. The resulting blast had kicked up a dusty haze that was finally beginning to fade. As the dust settled, the scaled form of the Famine Lord could be seen lying prone at the centre of the arena, villainous jaws agape with his long forked tongue hanging out one side. His eyes had rolled up into his skull, though it was evident from the shallow rise and fall of his chest that he still breathed, just knocked senseless.Still held in his right claw was the handle of the mace, now absent its spiked head that had finally shattered, leaving the unconscious draconian holding nothing but a smoking stick.
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on Aug 26, 2023 18:27:14 GMT -8
Everything happened quickly, the sand that was kicked up from his attack blocking his vision. But before long, all had gone quiet. Heavy breath appeared as the zabrak worked to suck in as much air as he could, sweat pouring from his brow. Not even a moment later, he fell to a knee. Despite the power he pulled in, he had already expended too much of it as well as his own physical strength prior to the attack. There was barely anything left and he was expecting an attack any moment now.
Yet, nothing came. Lifting his head, he focused his vision as he set his eyes off the path of his attack. The sands were heavily scatter around the area, the wall on the opposite end heavily damaged with parts already falling. And there, lying in the sand, was Dragus, seemingly unconscious. He looked around, wondering what all destruction had befallen the arena and spectators. It wasn't much longer before he saw figures peering over the edges of the different levels. They had sensed the attack prior to its release and moved away from the area. That was good, though seeing the Famine Lord lying there physically intact told Karnac something had been done to lessen the blow. Usually such a potent use was capable of vaporizing beings as close as he was. Maybe it was his power alone that softened the blow, maybe he unleashed some attack to try and counter. He could see from where he was the head of the mace was gone so maybe that had something to do with it. Whatever happened, the drake was at least still there. But was he alive?
Pushing himself to his feet, he stumbled through his exhaustion over towards his fallen opponent. A sigh of relief escaped his lips as he fell to his knees before the Sith, seeing he was still breathing. He couldn't help but wonder if he had truly won, rendering him unconscious or if it was a ploy to make him drop his guard and come closer. If it was the latter, Dragus would find his opponent no longer able to face him down. The fight was effectively over. Since his arrival, he had certainly made waves. |
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,428
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on Aug 27, 2023 5:34:58 GMT -8
Slowly sense returned to the draconian as he let out a groan from the ground, his eyes restoring to their usual bloody red hue, slit pupils focused on Karnac standing above him. A number of winged ewoks were currently circling the Zabrak's head, but He-Who-Hungers suspected those were residual hallucinations from his so recently wrung bell. He blinked the delightful figments away, retracting his tongue into his mouth as his jaws slid close and he gradually sat up. Dragus turned his snout from side to side, observing the destroyed arena around them. Next he cast his attention downwards to the stick in his hand with the char blackened end where a metal ball covered in spikes should be. His opponents final attack had been sufficient enough to shatter the Sith iron. Most impressive. Releasing the stick, he allowed it to roll from his claw, leaving it there in the sand as he struggled to climb to his feet. The Famine Lord stumbled at first, swaying unsteadily on his clawed appendages until his tail formed into a pile of coils on the ground, upon which he sat like a makeshift chair. He snapped his thumb and index talon, signalling the attendants waiting off to the side.
A pair of night ewoks with charcoal hued fur stinking of sulphur sauntered over with refreshment. Both held silver platters with jugs of watered down Pzobian bloodwine and empty cups. Without hesitation the Famine Lord grabbed one of the jugs and dumped the entire contents over his scaled head, dousing himself in the chilled fluid, that slid from his scales and stained the sands at his feet. "Well done." Admitted Dragus, not yet deigning to look his opponent in the eye. He then filled two empty glasses with the other pitcher, handing one to the Zabrak before taking the other himself and quickly downing the contents, before pouring himself another. He drank deep into his cups, finishing a third and fourth cup before finally letting out a satisfied sigh. "I judge you worthy of the rank Melabor bessstowed on you, perhapz even more ssso." Finally he looked up, meeting the steely gaze of the Iridonian Sith in front of him.
Hurry-scurrying across the scattered sparring pit sands, a greasy furred rodent with scabrous flesh and a scaly wire thin tail ending in a scarred nub approached, grasping the handle of a smoking pomander between its yellow fangs. When it slid to a stop before the Blood Wyrm, he reached down and took the swinging pot into his claw before bringing it just below his snout, nostril slits flaring as he took a deep inhalation of darkside infused spice. The concoction served to revitalize the otherwise exhausted Dark Apothecary. He took another sip of watered down bloodwine.
"Word of thiz will ssspread." He hissed, letting out another groan as he slowly stood, quickly accepting his ornate saber-cane when his ranat assistant Squeakers offered it to him. He rested his right claw on the pommel, placing most of his weight on the stained length of Pzobian oak. He downed the contents of the cup in his left claw, then tossed it aside. Meeting Karnac's gaze, his lips curled into their familiar sneer. "Don't let it go to your head. I'm not the warrior I once waz, but fortunately we have ssstrapping young ladz sssuch az yourssself to make up for thossse of uz sssuffering from the infirmity of age. Siss, Siss, Siss." He snickered at himself, before quickly growing serious. He fixed the Zabrak with a calculated stare. "What are your planz?"
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on Aug 29, 2023 7:19:28 GMT -8
When Dragus regained consciousness, Karnac was quickly to his feet, still prepared for the possibility the fight wasn't truly over. Even if there was nothing left to give to it, he'd at least resist defeat. Luckily, it appeared that the Famine Lord had his fill for the time being and allowed the fight to find its conclusion. With a heavy sigh of relief, the Zabrak let his body relax, instantly feeling the aches and drain that followed.
As the Blood Drake regained himself and looked around, he, too, took another moment to look at the destruction that surrounded them. There were times when even he was amazed at the power he had in these attacks. It served as a confident reminder what he was capable of. Soon after, Dragus granted his compliment and the approval of the rank granted to him. It was reassuring that it was a truly earned title and not given out loosely. After all, it was a Favored Acolyte that he killed.
Taking the glass, he allowed his eyes to settle one it before turning to watch Dragus down a few glasses. His gaze returned to the glass as the Barabel continued. Indeed, such a victory would set a new bar regarding his place here. But he'd be a fool had he let it gone to his head. Downing the liquid handed to him. he wiped his mouth with his arm before looking to Dragus. "You needn't be concerned for ego. Perhaps if my younger self persisted, he would have and would no doubt demanded a place on the council having been able to defeat one. But I have been humbled and know much better. You claim age has taken some of what you used to be as a warrior, yet the skill you portrayed are in their own way refined through such experiences. That is not something to be dismissed or think youth outclasses. There are abilities that enhance the feeble and further strengthen those with great vitality. Besides, delving into the truth depth of your power, age favors the older for it is greater and more dangerous. My victory was nothing short of luck and possessing a skill that happened to work. It does show my capability, yes, but it has also shown me how much more there is to learn and what other dangers await me. For that lesson, you have my thanks. Through it, may I continue to grow and learn so that I may eventually outshine you and become the superior."
He gave a dark chuckle before thinking on the last question. What were his plans? There was still much to think about and how to go about it. While impulse and spontaneity could be bold and rewarding, he felt this needed thought. Act too hastily and it would utterly diminish his chances to progress. "My plan will be to achieve the title of champion. And to do so will require rest and study to best understand the Sith Eternal and the beliefs they follow. As you said, a champion is a symbol and embody the ideals of the order. Having been here less than a cycle, there is much to learn. All the while watching and wait to seize the moment for bold actions. Fortune favors the bold, yet patience can bring forth a greater yield." |
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,428
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on Aug 30, 2023 5:57:51 GMT -8
"Well sssaid." Dragus acknowledged with a slow nod of his snout, still suffering the affects of fatigue, before downing the last contents of his cup. "You are wissse beyond your yearz. That will ssserve you well, and I will asssist you where I can."Never still, the Dark Apothecary's verminous assistant Squeakers gathered up the wearied barabel's attire and brought it over to the rather famished Famine Lord. Extending his scaled arms out to the side, the draconian allowed the gnarled paws of his underling to re-garb him in his cloak of black rishii feathers, before donning his half cap of yellow bone with its curling beak. The rodent was also mindful enough to return the saurian Sith's ornate saber-cane to him, placing his weight behind his right claw as he stood up and leaned upon the intricate length of Pzobian oak."The successs of our organization iz of great interessst to me." He explained himself. "My resssearch, which admittedly iz my primary concern, requirez vassst amountz of resourcez and manpower. Certainly more than I can field on my own. To reach the heightz of alchemical greatnesss, it takez an empire, which we've ssslowly been able to grow. Roon, Rishii, Ryloth, Hypori, Eriadu, Kamino, and Geonosiz are but the ssstart, my lad. Ssstepping stonez on our assscension to reclaiming the Outer Rim." As he spoke, the twisted terrorsaur found his signature pipe, paw crafted by night ewoks from a broken branch of the Witch Tree on holy Pzob. From a pouch he packed one end with spice, then extended his already exhausted self further by transmuting raw emotion into a few crackling forks of electricity from his talon tips, igniting the contents of the pipe. He took a deep pull through the fluted stem, holding a lungful of rich narcotic smoke in his chest, then exhaled to form dissipating apparitions of wicked winged things that vanished almost as soon as they appeared. "Ssspeaking of which, duty beckonz, sssadly. One of my projectz on Kamino haz reached a critical junction that requirez my direct sssupervision. I mussst retire there shortly."Testing his limbs for lingering injury, he was pleased to find himself mostly still intact, if a bit sore and sleepy. "You are of courssse welcome to visssit my sssanctum of Fort Ewok on Draggle Rock whenever you wish. I have sssome ssspecial training in mind that may prove of value to you." He shrugged. "Sssomething to consssider, perhapz, when time iz more permitting."
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on Sept 1, 2023 8:29:21 GMT -8
Karnac gave a smirk. "I most certainly look forward to the aid. There is much I can learn from you and much more in aid should I need someone of your field of mastery."
As Dragus spoke of his interest and more into his expertise of alchemy and its expansion. It was certainly an understanding he lacked and wasn't ashamed of that reality. Not all were gifted with knowledge of all things, much less skill. He was a warrior through and through. He left the true intellect to people like Vedec and now Dragus. Still, his skills weren't entirely useless to the art. "And should you have need of my skills to aid you, I will do so to the best of my ability. But don't let me hold you up. I doubt little of the importance of such projects, be it for the good of the Sith or just yourself."
He then gave a nod. "I look forward to venturing into your domain in the future. It'll be an enlightening experience." The idea of special training completely had his interest, but he wouldn't reveal himself as overeager. There would be time enough for such possibilities once he had rested and acclimated to this new order he called home. Giving a bow, he turned away, heading over to where Lyne and Lassix stood. Taking his jacket, he replaced it and let the hood fall over his horns. It wasn't much later that Jonas returned, too late to provide the item he sought.
Jonas's steps began to slow as he saw Karnac standing with the girls, disappointment in himself for being slow. Stopping before them, he held out the weapon to Karnac.
"My apologies for being slow. How did the fight end?"
Karnac took the axe and looked it over. It was something he had taken pride in, having forged a weapon other than a lightsaber. Yet, as he stood here now, gazing upon the black handle and silver blades, he felt it would no longer do. He'd have to revisit the drawing board. Turning his attention back to Jonas, he shook his head. "You needn't apologize. The moment I sent you on, the battle quickly turned to a final attack. Dragus gave me little choice to use my most destructive abilities. I won, but with luck. The skills he possess are very powerful, something I've never faced until now. Not knowing exactly what would happen, I made a gamble and ended up with victory. Next time, I doubt such luck will prevail." He then looked among the three of them. "But for now, lets us retire. It has been quite a day for all of us."
As the four of them began to depart, he glanced back at Dragus, eager to see what the Famine Lord had in store for him. Would he truly be able to rise to the position of champion? How many stood before him, seeking that title? No doubt quite a few. But he awaited the challenge, ready to use them all as stepping stones to reach the next height. |
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,428
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on Sept 8, 2023 5:39:36 GMT -8
Karnac's offer was one he planned to collect on, especially if Project Infinity continued to spiral out of control. The Supreme One had chosen to overlook much of the accidents and outbreaks that had occurred as a result of the Dark Apothecary's ongoing experiments, but somehow he couldn't see their illustrious leader letting slide an inter-dimensional invasion from the spider-dimension resulting from the scaled serpent's schemes. A light drumming sounded from an adjacent corridor connected to the sparring pits, accompanied by the aroma of sulphur and brimstone on the air. Emerging from the hall were thirteen fuzzy forms with charcoal hued fur and eyes the colour of spilt blood. A night ewok beating on a tribal drum of stretched human hide over a hollow wooden base led a dozen of his kin, carrying aloft a throne palanquin of yellowing bone held together with dried sinew. The celestial descendants lowered the morbid chair to the ground in order to allow the scaled drake to seat himself comfortable, lounging with his tail hanging loosely over the right arm, with his finger talons tapping on human skulls serving as arm rests. Once the Ewok shepherd was enthroned, his flock raised the palanquin onto their sturdy shoulders, their strong squat forms more than up to the task of carrying their exhausted master. "To the Commorragh." Commanded their draconian lord, extending a tired claw before quickly slipping into a fit of slumber as he was carried away. Time, as ever, was of the essence.
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on Sept 9, 2023 7:18:21 GMT -8
A few days had passed since his spar with Dragus. The event had done much for the zabrak, building his reputation, solidifying the rank granted to him shortly after arriving, but most of all were the lessons he learned from it and a path moving forward within the order. Having brought about the idea of becoming the champion of the Sith Eternal, Karnac had spent the past few days after recovering looking into the beliefs and ideals in which the order thrived. Focused around three specific Sith from times past, Vitiate, Sidious, and Krayt. With these deified Sith, three tents seemed to be the guide: Power. Cunning. Fortitude. Diving deeper into the philosophy of it all, Karnac found a strong sense of agreement with it, finding it pleasing overall. The only part that didn't resonate with him mostly revolved around the prophesy of a fourth Emperor. If such a thing came to pass, it really didn't matter.
Alongside these studies, Karnac began to rethink his secondary weapon. Forged after his training was completed with Gavin, the axe was small and while it could be used on its own, served more as a dual wielded weapon rather than a solo one. While proud of it, the moment the battle with Dragus had ended and Jonas had brought it to him, he knew it wasn't going to be enough. He needed a weapon that truly represented the position he now craved. He was beginning to think and shape the very image of what he felt a champion should be. Building of his power and build, he already possessed a solid foundation for it, and even his crossguard lightsaber aided in it. But for his new axe, he needed something larger, more intense and steeped far more deeply in the darkside.
While deep within his mediation, dwelling upon each of these things, he felt something come alive. A surge of power course through the currents of the Force, causing his own power to surge in response, be it answering a challenge or simply rising to resist the power. Diving further out of curiosity, he could tell that the power wasn't upon the planet of Roon. With that he allowed his senses to stretch further beyond the border of this world and into the void. This was far different than when he felt the power that brought him here. Then it was strong, yet subtle, the very purpose being a calling to those that were strong in the Force and filled with darkness by the Supreme Leader. Yet this was much different. It felt like something was clawing out and seeking to escape.
Growing closer to the source, Karnac's essence waded through the heavy currents that surged from the core of this power. As he did, flashes of a world appeared faintly in his mind. Dense jungles and cloudy terrain seeped in poison along with the whisper Haruun Kal. And just as suddenly as the power came and the planet name came to mind, it was gone. No more than a minute or so at most. Opening his eyes, his mind thought about what he felt. Was it possibly a group of Sith residing there? Maybe just a sole SIth with great power? Maybe even a relic though based on how the power came and went as it did, he doubted the that. He was sure others had to have felt it. Should he report it? Or maybe this would be the bold step he took. Perhaps he should go forth to Haruun Kal and see this power for himself. He would go and either recruit or destroy them. After all, if their power would not be lent to their strength, they couldn't be afforded to to live and thrive to challenge them later.
Standing to his feet, he let his mind reach out to Jonas, Lassix, and Lyne. <<Meet me at the ship. We have somewhere we need to go. Prepare yourselves.>> With those words, he gathered up his things and departed for his ship.
Shortly after arriving, the others appeared. With the ship prepped, the Tûaradi lifted off and headed into orbit. |
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,428
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on Nov 19, 2023 8:30:08 GMT -8
In the black corridors of the sulphur choked dread fortress that sits on the fiery lips of Mt. Tawntoom's volcanic caldera, a verminous creature of scabrous pink flesh and yellow fang lurked in the shadows, hurry-scurrying from one hall to the next on a mission of the utmost importance. Draped in tattered rags soiled in pestilent filth, the rodent servant of the Dark Apothecary sought out the wrought iron mailbox marked with the name of the Sith Eternal's renowned Physician, a one Doctor Travis Slane. In its gnarled paws the parasite infested ranat carried a rolled scroll closed with a wax seal of the richest crimson, stamped with an unfamiliar symbol of a slit pupiled eye that seemed to shift beneath the gaze of any who allowed their focus to linger on the unnatural emblem, which it placed inside the dark embrace of the brass lined mail slot. Its sole task complete, the crooked snouted Child of Decay disappeared into the darkness that enshrouded the fort's soot stained stone. If opened, the owner of said box would find a sealed letter written on human vellum and penned in alchemized blood ink harvested from hannite virgins. It read as follows:The Dark Apothecary's Epistle to Dr. Travis Slane To my dearest Travis, I compose this letter to you on this Eye blessed day whilst overlooking the char blackened forests of southern Kessel from the window of the tallest tower in what was once the Yaruba Family estate, rechristened in that same families blood as the more nobly named VonDrakenfel Keep. Even at this height I can still hear the crackle of burning coal as the last of the dying flames smoulder beneath pestilent green clouds contaminated with kessoline, casting everything in a luminous green glow that I can only describe as sinisterly beautiful. The murder of the planet's population has brought a serenity to this place where one can focus their thoughts, free of the endless noise of our Sith brethren's scheming. There is a part of me that wishes nothing more than to till a plot of these ashy oaks and build a cottage in this peaceful place, quaint and quiet save for the cry of Kessel wolves howling at the Akkadese Maelstrom that enshrouds the system in its chaotic embrace. I too have felt the feverish affliction that insights their feral ferocity, having stared deep into the maddening depths of that carbon stricken storm until tears of blood wept from my eyes. But I know it is not to be. A High Lord is nothing more than a slave to their duties, and the work, it is never quite complete no matter the many man hours of arduous labour performed even as my talons are ground down to bleeding nubs.
You will recall when last we spoke at a conference of our scientifically inclined kin I had made mention of Project Manticore. I would not expect you to remember the details spoken over by the boastful ramblings of an obnoxious Fabricator General drunk on the fine vintages of bloodwine provided by my cellar on holy Pzob. I do not blame Valefor for his boisterous antics; I too understand the pride swell of fatherhood and I wish his darling daughter Queen Zevene a blood soaked reign over the Genonosian sands for many years to come. My own precious dune despot Wart has just flayed her first wookiee with a skill far exceeding her limited years. I've had the pelt pinned to the refrigerator door to display my satisfaction with her craft, growing more artful and accomplished by the day. You see? I write to you of a professional matter and I too am sidetracked by a father's need to express joy at their offspring's accomplishments. As I was saying, Project Manticore, it is the culmination of many years research and study. I have solved the issue of binding the collected epidermis to the Nu-Jakes armour using cultured cells of a creature reborn from ages past from lore I uncovered in the dusty tomes of the library beneath the Black Temple. Even as I sit here I can hear its screams from the lower levels of the Keep where it rages against its captivity.
As the Project reaches its final stages I find I am sore need of a steady supply of skin required to breed my Flesh Troopers. The focus of your gene-craft into vat-grown tissue, I believe, would be able to resolve my current lack of necessary resources. While my prestigious talents are more than capable of performing this task without assistance, like the chimeric beast that rattles the foundations of the Keep, I too find the savoury scent of skin an irresistible delicacy. I do not think I would be able to restrain myself around such savoury morsels of meat. Please, I beseech you my cruel-hearted colleague, proceed to the black-woods of Kessel with the utmost urgency. Aid me in this endeavor and I will see you richly rewarded. Those nubile twi'leks you desired for your experiments will be yours, or anything else you wish that is within my power to grant. The Spice Knights will spike the peasantry on spears across the battlements in honour of your impending arrival. Your Barabel Better and Faithful Friend, Famine
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,428
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Dragus on Dec 16, 2023 13:57:42 GMT -8
Continued from here.As the Sith apprentice and the Dark Apothecary strode down the rear ramp and exited the YT-1930, they soon discovered they weren't alone on the landing pad overlooking a glowing lake of fire boiling away in Mt Tawntoom's volcanic caldera, as a cloaked figure soiled in ash stepped towards the pair. They were unnaturally gaunt, emaciated to a severe degree, obvious even through a stained cloak that once might have been white but was now a mouldering yellow. Like everything on the landing pad and in the vicinity, the lone being was speckled in a layer of dark ash belched from the burping molten stew at the bottom of the volcano's groaning maw, his face shrouded in shadows cast by his hood and even more undiscernible by the eternal night that eclipsed this half of the planet. As they stepped closer, the sour reek of the figure's breath overpowered even the stench of sulphur and brimstone that permeated the area, rasping between a mouth full of yellow teeth filed to points like the jaws of a hungry piranha. The figure reached up and pulled back their ash caked cowl to expose a shorn scalp and the ghoulish visage of an umbaran male. His colourless eyes leered from sunken sockets, first at the Thyrsian upon whom he seemed to focus his vision like two narrow stiletto blades, then on to the Hungering One beside him. A dark web of risen veins crisscrossed the near translucent skin thinly covering the beings skeletal face, pulsing like writhing worms with each beat of the his sinister heart."Master." Hissed the leader of the Hunger Cults with carrion breath, before bowing his head in deference to the black scaled barabel, then craning his neck back and baring his throat in a showing of animalistic submission. His name was Mephisto, a hannite monk from Pzob that had risen through the cults ranks to the position of High Priest, and whose dietary choices were in line with the hunger cultists cannibalistic traditions. Two more cultists emerged from the gloom behind the wispy wraith of a man, each carrying a soot dusted pillow upon which two unique items were held. To the priest's left the cultist raised an ornate smithing hammer with a malevolent aura that reeked of the darkside and spoke mad whispers into the winds of the fey. A ruinous emblem was embossed on its surface, depicting a singular eye that seemed to leer in judgement despite its inanimate nature. To Mephisto's right the other cultist held out a folded robe of tanned man-hide, a garment horrifically formed from flayed faces whose features depicted the same anguish they had felt when the skin had been peeled from the meat of their skulls, sutured together in a gory garment fit for a madman."Ah, Mephisssto. Punctual az any true ssservant of the Eye should be. I sssee you've brought the itemz I've requesssted." Rasped the reptile, reaching a claw up to his shoulder as he slipped his feathered robe from his scaled form and allowed it to fall to the ashy surface of the landing pad. A far more naked Famine Lord crossed the platform to the monk carrying the cadaverous cloak and lifted it from the pillow it was reverently displayed upon. Spinning around in a flourish of claw and scale, Dragus slid the nightmarish robe on one sleeve at a time, briefly exposing his scaled gut to Thrakk, which appeared slightly more distended than one might expect of the murderous master alchemist. He-Who-Hungers even placed his claws on either side of his stomach, almost affectionately as though it harbored the most precious prize one might imagine, because in some sense it did. It contained a secret he'd been keeping from his new companion, one he obviously felt no sense in concealing any longer, especially given what would come next. The Dark Apothecary carefully secured his robe with a sinewy coil of intestine, gently tying it together so as to not apply too much pressure to his bloated belly. He then turned his attention to Thrakk, the amethyst gem set in his left eye gleaming in the gloom of their surroundings."Be a dear, Thrakk, and take up that hammer. Oh and do be careful, you could sssay it'z a bit of a family relic, but all too necesssary for the tasssk we require of it." He looked towards the landing pads edge, down into the fiery pit below. "Our dessscent to the molten bosssom of Mt. Tawntoom will not be without its challengez."
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Thrakk Valinor
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Post by Thrakk Valinor on Dec 25, 2023 22:47:38 GMT -8
* The heat washed over him as he exited the ship almost choking out his first breath as he tasted the ash filled air coming from the depths of volcanic pits below the landing platform. Rasing his grey hood over his head and pulling up the black cloth mask that would cover his face from the eyes down, Thrakk looked onwards at Dragus as he donned the cloak and spoke to the cultists before him. This was a strange place, filled the malevolence of the darkside of the force. He knew that Sith had used places like this as conduits to amplify their power, and he rightly assumed that this was one of those places for Dragus. He worked to keep focus as he felt the powers begin to try to seep into his mind, controlling the volatile urge of sickness that crept within him as he began to feel himself become tainted. This was not the darkside he felt earlier in their journey that he had so used to amplify his own power, this was something else, something created from the Dark Apothecaries own unstoppable vile.
Walking up, he takes the Hammer off of the pillow not concerning himself with looks of the cultists. Grasping the hammer tightly in his right hand he could feel its arcane powers radiate up his arm. Whatever the task that Dragus had in mind, it would not come with ease as Thrakk knew the path before him would be a continuous struggle. A constant journey or proving himself as that was the way of the Sith. Standing Next to the Saurian Dark Lord, he waits for further instruction*
" A lair far to appropriate for a Sith "
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Dragus
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Post by Dragus on Dec 26, 2023 8:03:59 GMT -8
"Indeed." Remarked the Dark Apothecary as he stepped away from the edge and stalked over to Thrakk, dismissing Mephiston and the cultists with a wave of his claw. His snout bobbed considerately and he shrugged his now flesh shrouded shoulders as though coming to a consensus. "While it certainly lackz the majesssty of Pzob or the sssinful delightz of Draggle Rock, it doez posssesss a charm of itz own. There iz a sssort of sssymbolism in the raging firez of the volcanic caldera, the darknesss that enshroudz thiz half of the planet, the ruin weeping from the earth." The scaled brow over his bloody right eye narrowed, while the multi-faceted amethyst gem set in his left captured the Thrysian's image in a myriad of reflected angles. "It iz here that your true rebirth beginz. My servantz have prepared sssomething for uz at the bottom." He turned and pointed towards the heart of the volcano as the boiling lake spat magma and ejected molten rock. A somewhat flat rocky surface protruded from the furious orange pond, too far below to accurately see what was set upon it. Beneath their feet the landing pad shook as the unstable tectonics of Mt. Tawntoom rumbled with nature's irritation.
"We'll need to ssscale down the ssside of the caldera. That alone shall prove a challenge, az the rock wallz are prone to fracture az fissurez of sssuper-heated gaz often crack open the ssstone and can easssily hurl an unwary Sssith into the lava lake below. It iz alssso home to feral hawk-batz I introduced sssome time ago, who can become quite hossstile to thossse that ssstumble too clossse their nestz, and have been known to peck out eyez and sssnip off fingerz with their ssserrated beakz. Truth be told, the real danger iz the uvakz." He pointed up into the sulphurous sky where large winged shaped of repto-avians flew overhead, riding the thermal winds belched from the volcano. "I transssplanted the speciez here after raiding the world of Kesh for the exquisssite purple ssskin of itz people. They sssoon bred too numerousssly for the aviary to contain them all and had to be releasssed into the wild, where they quickly adapted to their new environment. They've been known to attack trooperz on exterior patrol." He reached under his scaly snout and stroked his chin with a crooked claw. "Of courssse, the greatessst danger iz what'z in the lake of fire itssself, but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. We'd better get moving. It'z going to be a long climb."
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Thrakk Valinor
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Post by Thrakk Valinor on Dec 26, 2023 17:18:48 GMT -8
* Thrakk looked up into the sky and watched to Uvakz fly through the ashen air, their screeches touching his ears. Looking back down at the fiery lake of lava deep inside of the mountain, Thrakk kicks a small pebble gently with his foot at it flies off of the edge of the landing pad. He watches the small rock fall further and further away before it is disappearing out of sit becoming a part of the scorching depths below. Securing the Hammer to his belt, the young Sith rips some of the tattered cloth off of the ends of his robes and wraps his palms with it. He begins to assess the climb down, trying to find a line in the rock to follow.*
" I fear no creature...they will not stop me"
* Thrakk moves past Dragus and begins his descent. Carefully moving his hands and feet along the rock. There was nothing but death flying above him now and death below him. A true test this would be indeed*
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Dragus
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Post by Dragus on Dec 29, 2023 7:26:26 GMT -8
At first the descent was relatively easy going, though that didn't last long. The slope from the calderas lip soon droped away into a wall of sheer volcanic rock, cracking and uneven, coated in soot that crumbled away beneath their fingers. Finding handholds that would support them would take a keen eye, and no small amount of luck. For the Dark Apothecary's part, he allowed Thrakk to lead the way, following the same path as the apprentice. Due to the nature of his own appendages, Dragus had something of an advantage, able to sink his curved talons into the stone to support his heavy frame. His tail dagger punched into the rockface at times, further anchoring his body to the cliffside, an added precaution given the precious cargo he carried in his scaly gut. Remarkably despite the constant roar of churning lava ejecting from the molten heart of Roon, the interior of Mt. Tawntoom was a thriving ecosystem. As forewarned, they passed nests of angry hawk-bats that squawked at them, occasionally swooping down to peck at their heads until shooed away by a Force push or a sweep from the Dark Apothecary's tail. The uvaks for the moment seem unconcerned with the intruders in their domain, still soaring high overhead on the thermal winds generated by the red pustule in the earth.
The closer they got towards the bottom, the more the dark island floating in the lake of fire came into view, slowly revealing the small smithy constructed on its surface. An ash covered anvil set into grains of black volcanic sand. The smithing hammer's purpose soon became clear. From his place above Thrakk, Dragus called down to the Thyrsian, even as his toe talons clawing for purchase showered the apprentice with tiny stones.
"For the ssservice you have rendered me thuz far..." His claws scraped gouges as he slid down lower, almost parallel the aspiring Sith beside him on the rockface. "...you dessserve a more fitting reward than a sssimple induction into our Order. When we reach the bottom, we'll put that hammer to ussse, crafting you a weapon worthy of your new calling." Tensing his muscles, Dragus released his hold on the wall and dropped a dozen feet, then sank his claws into the rock again and slid to a stop. He began to pick up the pace of the climb, seeming to encourage his accomplice to do the same. "Picture it in your mind, for by your hand will it be given shape. A ssspear, an axe, a bow perhapz? Tell me what you sssee when you closse your eyez. What weapon befitz your warrior ssspirit, hmmm?"
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on Dec 29, 2023 14:20:43 GMT -8
The pair of ship made their descent into the planet's atmosphere, eventually crossing the threshold between the night and day sides. Growing closer to the destination, Viggo could see a volcano on the distance. Was this where the fortress rested? If so, it made the most sense to have the creature delivered here. A perfect home for them. If anything, he wondered as to the eventually dangers when these things started breeding.
Reaching the fortress, Viggo looked at the opening. While fairly large in size, it didn't appear big enough to accommodate both ships. Whether that was the case or not mattered little as the hunter was to ready to risk his ships in an attempt to fit in a landing area. But that was far from a concern. They had all they needed to deliver the creatures below. He then passed his orders to the crew aboard his ship to load the fireworm and the eggs as well as informing Ryker to do the same as well as to transport a couple other things.
Retreating to the hangar, his daughters joined him as he boarded one of the hovercrafts as the dorsal hangar doors opened, allowing the team to depart. They were quickly joined by craft from the Shellfire as they descended.
It wasn't long before they reached the landing pad within the volcano's crater, the flaming liquid surrounding them. The environment seemed to stir the fireworms, making them a bit more resistant. Jumping off of his craft, he let had his daughters work to quell the beast for the time being as they awaited the arrival of Dragus. |
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Thrakk Valinor
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Post by Thrakk Valinor on Jan 2, 2024 18:27:22 GMT -8
*Thrakk shuts his eyes as the debris from Dragus's talons scratching against the rockface falls down upon him, while at the same time trying to swat away at a few pestering hawk bats. Luckily the soon retreated back to their nests and after a few moments, Thrakk was able to open his eyes once more. Looking up at the Dark Apothecary above him, he could see that the Saurian was far more adept to making this climb then he was. No matter though, he would make it down to the dark island below them; that he was sure of. As Dragus's words found his ears he actually had no idea, he had never thought of a material weapon before as he had always had a lightsaber. Perhaps he could still continue to carry his weapons and forge a crystal in the heart of the mountain instead of the new weapons entirely but that would still remain to be seen.
Thrakk looks about, the heat was sweltering, sweat dripping into eyes causing an irritable sting, his fingers cut and bruised from the volcanic rock. The tips of his boots barely keeping the toe hold that he had found. That is when the one of the screeches of the Uvaks catches his attention. He wouldn't climb down to the island; he would fly down. Reaching out into the force, he gets the attention of one of the Uvaks. As it turns its glide back into the face of the volcano its blood curdling screech echoes against the volcanic rock. Gathering his strength, Thrakk waits for the perfect moment before pushing off against the rock and leaping out into the air. He dodges a talon and a beak before grappling his way onto the Uvaks back. The creature dives and rolls, trying whatever it can to shake off the thing now on its back. Thrakk holds on to one the creature's spine spikes as he desperately uses the force to try and attach his mind to it. Though not able to establish a full connection, the young Sith is able to place the image of the island in the Uvaks mind, giving the creature a need to fly towards it. Once near, Thrakk leaps off the back of the beast rolling to his feet as he lands on the black surface of the island at the center of the lava lake. The Uvak screeches as it pumps its wings gaining altitude and flies up and away from him. Thrakk looks up at Dragus as he wipes the soot and ash off of his robes and speaks under his breath*
" I will not be stopped "
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Dragus
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Post by Dragus on Jan 3, 2024 8:22:08 GMT -8
Still hugging the cliffside, Dragus made a face at Thrakk from high above before blowing a raspberry with his scaly black lips. "Pffft. Show off." The corner of his mouth twitched, then curled upwards into a sly sinister smirk. In truth he had delighted to see the young Thyrsian already putting the lessons he had learned along the way to good use. The ability to think on ones feet and problem solve were important skills of any aspiring Sith, who would no doubt find themselves forced to act quickly due to any number of surprising challenges thrown their way without warning or expectation. Brimstone stinking wind buffeted the dastardly draconian as he clung to the wall as Viggo's team arrived right on schedule, landing in repulsor-skiff like hovercrafts on the singular island floating in the volcanic soup below. More importantly, it looked as though the hunter had delivered yet again. The villainous velociraptor dragged a forked tongue across his scaly lips as he fixed his mismatched gaze eagerly on his prize: a pair of worms and clutch of eggs.
Bracing his feet talons against the uneven rock wall, Dragus bent his legs at the knee, tucking them in as far as they would contract. Then in one muscular exertion of strength, he pushed off the calderas side and leapt towards the fiery abyss below. Grasping the edges of his cloak with his claws and toe talons, he stretched his arms and legs out, catching the thermal winds with his man-flesh cloak. As though he were some sort of scaly flying squirrel, the Dark Apothecary glided downwards towards the island, his tail swishing back and forth behind him rapidly like the blade of a roto-coptor. A dozen feet above the surface, he released his robe and dropped, bending his knees as he landed in a crouch with crunch of crushed stone underfoot. Slowly he stood, brushing soot from his attire before striding confidently across the scorched surface of the charred stretch of rock towards Thrakk.
"Not a bad bit of improvisssation there, lad." He put a claw on Thrakk's shoulder and turned towards where Viggo was and his daughters were waiting with his fire-worms. He suspected the lava-dragons would be quite at home in the heart of the volcano. "And look, our guestz have already arrived."
With a wicked grin that stretched impossibly beyond the borders of his scaly snout, Dragus approached Viggo, throwing his arms wide as though he intended to give the beast-tamer a hug but stopping just shy of doing so.
"Ah, and here iz a sssight for my sssore sssaurian eye, Viggo dearessst and hiz darling daughterz. An absssolute pleasssure, az alwayz, I am sssure." His words suggested that it was Viggo's pleasure to be in Dragus' company, rather than the other way around. "And in posssesssion of my prize no lesss, will wonderz ever ceassse to amaze? Hmmm? I am very pleasssed." The overlong tail protruding from his backside wagged back and forth in support of his claim. As he leered greedily at the caged creatures, a thought occurred to him. Jerking a thumb over his shoulder, he indicated Thrakk. "Oh, and thiz iz my asssistant, mmmm..." Uncertain if he should supply the up-and-coming Sith's real name, he quickly came up with an alias. "...Squeakerz. Yez, that'z it. Thiz iz my asssistant Squeakerz." He turned his snout towards Thrakk-Squeakers. "Well don't be shy, my boy, come and sssay hello. Viggo here iz the primary beassst sssupplier for my menagerie. If it can be captured, he'z the man who can do it. A very ussseful contact to have."
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on Jan 6, 2024 9:34:36 GMT -8
While they had gone unnoticed upon the hunter's descent, Viggo had felt the presence of a pair within the caldera, now clear they had been residing on the walls. Whether it was fortuitous luck or Dragus had intentionally been here waiting his arrival, it didn't really matter. There was a far less time waiting.
Viggo looked upon the reptilian with a victorious smirk as he welcomed the group. A surprise to himself that the reunion was pleasing. He had only ever met the Famine Lord once and this had only been his second job. Yet already, and for the first time he could recall, Viggo hoped that their professional relationship would blossom into an actual friendship. All others had been kept in a professional light, doing a job or two before moving on back to their normal collection and auctions. True, the investment thus far from these couple jobs had greatly increased his normal profits, his bottom line never being higher. To think that he'd offer alternate forms of payment, discounts, or outright handing him other beasts without a single thought of payment. Bit it wasn't just the payment. It was the excitement that was being provided. Many creatures he would never had thought of simply going after due to the risk and the low payment in an auction, despite difficulty and rarity. But the lizard more than supplied ample pay and reason enough to finally justify the dangerous expedition. The spirits of his men had never been higher.
As did Dragus's arms, so too did Viggo hold out his arms. "Ah, my dear Dragus. It is most certainly a pleasure. Glad to see you are doing well since our last meeting. No doubt you have been busy." He then looked over to Thrakk as his arms once more found their place behind his back. "This is quite the development, my friend. Have you truly elevated the company you keep? Much better conversationalist than monkey-lizards and ranats, wouldn't you say?"
He gave a chuckle before looking to Thrakk once more. "Pleasure. And I'm more than certain your name isn't squeakers. Would be quite awkward to be named after the usual assistant our friend keeps. These are my daughters, Astrid and Kareena. The girls gave him a nod as he turned back to Dragus.
"I have, indeed. Quite the hunt, these two. I would say one of the hardest, at least in terms of getting to appear. But a male and female, along with six eggs. And as an extra prize, he motioned to the two extra cages that had been brought down. "a pair of carnelian dragons. I had debated offering them upon when I dropped off your previous request on Ryloth, but when I heard of your love for the different varieties of dragons in the galaxy, I felt as if I should bring them to you directly. No extra charge, just a gift." |
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Thrakk Valinor
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Post by Thrakk Valinor on Jan 10, 2024 21:54:01 GMT -8
* Thrakk looked at Viggo giving a curt nod but keeping his face covering up. Per habit, his right hand stays near his hip and the hilt of his lightsaber. If he had learned anything from traveling with Dragus it was that a situation could turn from fair to foul in a matter of moments. Though he did not care for Dragus in the same respects he had for his old Master, there was sudden unnatural almost animalistic urge to protect him, something he did not understand. I problem he would deal with later for it was nothing he could concern himself with at the moment. Eyeing Viggo's to daughters casually, Thrakk waits for the Dark Apothecary to finish his business pleasantries before moving his attention to the creatures that the beast trader had brough with him. It was evident that the Dark Apothecary was a collector, and the young Sith could only sour at the thought of what hideous design Dragus had in store for the animals, and what they might be used for.
As the lava bubbled around the island at the center of Mt.Tawntoom, Thrakk focuses on the darkside nexus within the great volcano. Patient and ever watching....even though he wanted to respond to Viggo, he stayed silent*
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