Darth Xitan
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 235 
Affiliation: The Cult of the Eternal
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Post by Darth Xitan on Nov 16, 2022 21:02:26 GMT -8
The holo-image of Vullorr phases slightly, typical of any holotransmission. The older Sith's eyes bore into Duvrax, even some time after the male spoke of why he came here. This was a similar story, spoken by many a potential recruit. A calling from within the Force, from the very darkness of space itself. Even though he was among the oldest of members to serve the Supreme Leader directly, even Vullorr did not fully understand the methods and ways of his master.
=Vullorr=
It is likely that what you say is true. The Supreme Leader works in mysterious ways. We do not fully understand them, but what we know is that his methods are for the betterment of the future for the Sith. For the organization as a whole. You are not the first to say these words.
Vullorr contemplates quietly for a moment.
=Vullorr=
You are here and that shows enough of your interest.
It was clear that Duvrax already had training, considering he managed to get from where he landed to here. Which, if Duvrax could prove himself, he may become an Acolyte or even a Sith Master within the ranks of the Eternal. A test would be required if the Supreme Leader desired it so.
=Vullorr=
A transport will arrive at this facility soon and bring you to our base at Tawntoom. We will meet face to face and there determine your fate.
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on Nov 19, 2022 10:02:54 GMT -8
Duvrax listened as Vullorr suggested his theory possible. If it was, perhaps there was respect to be paid to the one who led them. To hide wasn't unknown of the Sith. The Rule of Two thrived one that reality. But history had proven that hiding and waiting to strike was the most effective option. Hiding and patience. How many Sith orders and empires had risen since the Rule of Two ended? Many. And while a few flourished, the target of their existence always made it destined to fail in time, especially when another power sought to eliminate them. But that was only part of the problem with Sith. Sith desired to be at the top, always wanting more power, more glory. So willing were they to turn on their own just to get it. Thanks to his training, he knew better. Even his friend and peer, Kosrezic had a master among the Sith that thought similarly. In the death of another does one silence knowledge and power, not acquire it.
But it was something he would hopefully learn. Now he would be brought before them and tested, he suspected. Only then would he be allowed to join up. If he failed, he didn't need to consider and exit strategy because he knew he wouldn't be allowed to leave alive. Still, he was confident. As he contemplated his words, his mind thought to those that came with him. He could inform the Sith of their existence so that they could be gathered or a point of gathering could be made for them. Or he could wait until all had been finished before bringing them in. After a moment, he opted to just wait. For now, it was time to truly meet the Sith and prove himself...alone.
"Understood. I look forward to this meeting." |
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Darth Xitan
The Sith Eternal
Posts: 235
Affiliation: The Cult of the Eternal
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Post by Darth Xitan on Nov 22, 2022 17:35:34 GMT -8
The arrival of the promised transport came fifteen minutes later. A rather usual looking Imperial transport descended from the clouds overhead and parked itself within the center of the parking area for the land-based transports. Its reamp lowered, revealing another cloaked Sith and at least ten Stormtroopers. The Noghri looks down from the tower, noticing the masked Sith.=Noghri= Hm... fancy. They sent one of Xazatar's lackeys to escort ya. Watch your back around those folk.The last word of advice given before Duvrax was escorted below and onto the transport bound for Tawntoom.
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on Nov 26, 2022 10:47:17 GMT -8
Duvrax simply watched from the tower at how things unfolded below. The simple process of the day to day running of what he knew now to be the Sith's secretive work to gain income under the noses of all in the galaxy. It certainly was an effective method. Even if their actions carried illegal goods and activity, it was nothing many would bat an eye at, especially if they thought it the work of anything but Sith.
Before long though, his transport arrived. Departing the tower, he made his way to the transport and headed to his new destination. |
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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: 1,406
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on Apr 7, 2023 5:29:22 GMT -8
Continued from here.Spite's impressive thirty meter wing span was stretched to its fullest as the mutant drexl beat its powerful leathery wings through the air, propelling it up into the clouds as it soared over the planet's less populated landscape. The port city of Nime gave way to the more morbid bantha graveyard where the Sith Eternal maintained its cortosis mines, worked by toiling gangs of slaves pressed into service in those darkened tunnels. Most would never see the light of day again. Soon after the dusty bowl of death gave way to a more vibrant green landscape, rolling highlands interspersed with rocky crags. From their vantage point high in the sky, Dragus removed a claw from the reigns of his monstrous purple scaled mount and pointed a talon towards a small village down below as they flew over the mountains. The tiny settlement appeared to be located in a small valley set between towering cliffs, the only way in or out was by air, unless one felt like scaling those peaks. The drexl's slithering lower half pushed off the mountain tops tip as they crested the tallest of them, before sweeping down towards the village below."I planted a ssstrain of murakami orchid in the village below a few monthz ago." He tapped the same talon he was pointed with against his scaled chin thoughtfully. "It iz a rather...mmm, aggresssive ssspecimen. I gave the villagerz ssspecific inssstruction to sssee that the flowerz were meticulousssly cared for under pain of death should they fail, ssso I am confident we should find sssome good quality specimenz to collect."Oddly as the flying repto-avian swooped in towards the outskirts of the village to land, none of the villagers appeared to be out and about. It was dark outside, but not because it was night. Roon's rotational cycle around its star caused one side of the planet to be perpetually in the shade for the length of a year, while the other side was bathed in light. The village happened to be located on the dark side currently. There were no torches or signs of light sources coming from any of the structures either. Everything was eerily quiet. Spite's mutant form shook as it landed, lowering the bulk of its form to the ground so the threesome of Dragus, Lyne, and Lassix could disembark.
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on Apr 13, 2023 6:30:35 GMT -8
The girls held on as the drexl carried them into the sky. Below them, the terrain changed from the town, to the barren land, to an open lush world. While there were certain dangers and obstacles to deal with regarding their current mode of transportation, it couldn't be denied it allowed for a more stunning view of the planet.
It wasn't long before they soared over a village and began their descent, Dragus pointing and informing them of what awaited them. It wasn't long though that they crossed the barrier between light and darkness, a change that was strange considering. Dropping off the Drexl, it didn't take much to hear and feel the eerie quiet. If anything, it made Lassix speak up, curious to what was to be expected.
"So, exactly what is the purpose of this murakami orchid? And should we be worried about the absence of any light and the dead silence?"
Lassix's hand could be seen, brushing the hilt of her saber lightly, just ready for the word that something was amiss. |
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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: 1,406
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on Apr 13, 2023 10:37:42 GMT -8
Someone was actually interested in his attempts at botany? Splendid! He so often called Xitan on his private comm channel to rant and rave about his latest experiments, though to his great disappointment the warrior Sith rarely seemed to care and listened only because of the Dark Apothecary's station as one of the High Lords on the Council of Seven.
It was obvious the saurian Sith was pleased based on the grin that had spread over his features, less hungry than usual and practically bursting with excitement. Even his tone of speech was delivered quickly as he raced to explain.
"I have been aware of the flowerz exissstence for many yearz. My sssister, Dark Lady Trace, usssed to grow them in her garden on Pzob. It waz she who taught me how to cultivate the orchid, which iz more difficult than one might imagine. Nutrient sssoil concentrationz, proper fertilization, regular watering, and oddly enough for a plant a lack of UV exposssure iz required. They breed bessst in utter darknesss, which iz why Roon and thiz village on itz night ssside were ssso well sssuited to the tasssk." He tapped a curved finger talon against his scaly chin ponderously. "Our Sssupreme Leader waz interesssted in itz sssupposed ability to extend life. According to ssseveral textz recovered from ancient Sssith burial sitez, the murakami orchid haz the ability to grant immortality. After experimenting extensssively with the orchid, I am ssskeptical it possessez such propertiez. Itz sssap iz quite toxic, lethal in fact to every creature I've tesssted it on, including ssseveral unique varietiez of sentientz. It killz, but then it doez sssomething quite remarkable. It reanimatez decaying tisssue. Unfortunately, when one diez, the sssoul doez not remain anchored to the body." He dangled his claws in the breeze. "It departz, from thiz plane to the next. Unlesss of courssse one haz applied sssome meanz to prevent it from moving on. Ssso while the flower can indeed reanimate dead tisssue to sssome extent, it iz a far ssstretch from immortality or true resssurrection. Without a sssoul, our mortal huskz are little more than shellz, clinging to bassser instinctz."
A foul scent crept over the village, a rancid note of death and decaying tissue. Dragus' nostril slits flared as he smelled the unusual fragrance, his snout wilting somewhat, despite being untroubled by their adventure through Nime's sewer system.
"In truth, I enjoy the way it smellz. I have fresh bouquetz regularly added to the vasez ssspread around my manssse on Draggle Rock. But that..." He waved his claws in front of his snout. "...iz not what I am smelling right now. Quite unusssual, though I am sssure it iz nothing to be concerned about. Come on, let'z invessstigate. It iz a bit odd that no one iz out and about, though I did not contact the village to let them know I would be ssstopping by. Perhapz they are all sssleeping."
As he led them into the village, humming jovially while skipping along carefree, there were perhaps a few alarming signs worth being concerned about. Baskets of rotten fruit left scattered in the middle of the street, open doorways that should have been locked, and of course that smell that seemed to grow stronger the further they went. Stopping at an open doorway, the black scaled barabel pointed a claw towards the lower half of a severed humanoid torso laying across a welcome mat of a quaint little cottage. Dragus dipped his tail spike into the decaying organic matter that was several stages into rot, then brought the tip to his snout. He sniffed it at first, then stuck out his forked tongue, sampling the ichor there. He spat after a moment, the rancid tissue leaving a sour taste in his mouth.
"Murakami sssap. Very odd." The torso-less legs kicked on the mat. "Very odd indeed."
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on Apr 20, 2023 7:01:22 GMT -8
In the end, the topic wasn't something that excited Lassix for she didn't care much about botany. However, there was a curiosity outside of any current dangers as new knowledge was always something to look forward to. Perhaps there was something useful to be gleaned. It was something Gavin had drilled in his students and in turned, were drilled into them. "No one is ever a master. There is always more to learn, more to experience. Never close your mind to the rise of knowledge you didn't possess before."
And so, both girls listened, grasping that is was a difficult task to cultivate the flower and that for what rumors said of the powers it possessed were either exaggerated or completely false. Still, Lassix did see a use out of it.
"Perhaps it failed to be the immortal elixir the rumors spouted, but it does look promising in creating an undead hoard army, even if they aren't controllable. Perhaps spread it over a field of fallen enemies in battle and let them create chaos for your own troops to take advantage of. Too bad Vedec isn't here. I'm sure you two would be able to talk for hours on such things. Alchemy, science, and the pursuit of such knowledge is his field. Certainly a capable fighter to be a peer alongside Karnac, but he always preferred experiments and crafting new things to take over fighting for him." As Dragus continued, the hilt of the lightsaber came off of Lassic belt as did Lyne's chakrams. He might have said what he smelled wasn't something he felt concerned about, but the girls were a bit more cautious, especially when mentioning the sap on the lower torso. "Curious that it was found here on a severed body. I wonder why. Is there a possible mutation that you didn't know about? something that could make the orchid itself a dangerous creature? Or did the smell you mentioned it had twist their minds and have them turn on each other? Perhaps some kind of creature came through? Questions, ugh, I hate having them."
"Yes, you've always been a straight forward one. Just give the answers and give you a target. Though I'll admit, not having answers in a situation like this is less than thrilling." |
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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: 1,406
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Post by Dragus on Apr 21, 2023 6:10:40 GMT -8
"Hmmm, thiz Vedec soundz very wissse." His rubbed the tip of his tail blade on the soiled kicking pant legs flopping in the doorway, removing the remaining residue from its glistening surface. "I should quite like to meet him, if ever an opportunity presentz itssself. One moment, my companionz, while I collect a few ssspecimen samplez."Bending his right claw downwards, a long slender needle protruded from the filthy feathered sleeve of the Dark Apothecary, attached to his wrist syringer. He plunged the tip of the slender length of surgical steel into the exposed wound where the kicking corpse legs should have been connected to a body, then withdrew a sample of decaying congealed blood and rotten tissue. He also used one of his claws to scrape some of the things pox blistered skin into a small glass jar. Freeing the full syringe, he placed it in his satchel, and did the same with the glass jar after tightening the lid. When he was done, he stood and brushed himself off, giving his tail one last flick to free it of any clinging sap. Dragus folded his arms over his chest appearing thoughtful."Nonsssense." He waved a claw dismissively at their theorizing. The legs flopped again as though to emphasize a point, though for his part Dragus placed one his saurian feet on the torso-less legs to cease its movements. "True, the specimenz I planted in the village were of a more aggresssive ssstrain of murakami than the typical garden variety, but that should have only increasssed itz ability to reproduce. I ssspliced in plant DNA from the cryptberry bush of Dahrtag in the Core, which haz sssimilar nutrient concentrationz and a climate much like Roon'z. I even had sssome of the native sssoil from that tombworld transssported here, to be mixed with my own ssspecial blend of elixir enhanced fertilizer." He lifted his toe talons off the squirming set of legs and gave them a hard kick. They disembodied limbs stopped moving. Nodding, Dragus offered Lyne and Lassix an incredulous look and a shrug of his shoulders. "Besidez, who hasssn't left a few body partz laying around from time to time? You two should sssee my laboratory. Now that place iz a real messs. I am certain there iz a perfectly rational explanation for all of thiz. We jussst need to find a villager who can explain what'z going on."Uuuuuuhhhhhhhrrrrrrrrggggggg! Dragus raised a scaled brow as something that could only be described as a 'groan' sounded from around the corner. The black scaled barabel in his sewer stained robe of rishii feathers uncrossed his arms and brought a hand up under his snout. The revoltingly rotten stench of spoiled meat grew stronger, cloying on his tongue like grave mould. Slowly, something in the shadows lumbered out from behind the side of the building. It was difficult to see in the absence of lighting, but the figure was clearly humanoid in nature, wearing some sort of soiled garments sorely in need of a wash if that smell was any indicator."Ah." He commented with smug satisfaction. "Sssee, here comez one now. Excussse me, sssir, but do you have any idea what happened..." His rasping reptilian voice trailed off as the figure stepped close enough for the group to see its face. Its skin had turned a corpse pallor grey, hanging loosely to its bones, covered in exposed sores and what appeared to be oozing bite marks. Diseased eyes glared at the three of them, rimmed by a pestilent rime that leaked from milky orbs. Its jaw hung low, likely dislocated by the angle of its dangle, though the saurian Sith could tell at a glance that the being's dental hygiene was questionable at best. A scarce scattering of yellow teeth protruded from rotten gums. A boneworm hung out of the villagers nostril, slithering out one side of the gash where its nose should have been, then into the other. The figure lunged forwards, but was stopped at the last moment as Dragus' overlong tail placed itself between them, holding the pestilent animate cadaver at arms length as his tail spike punctured its chest. Remarkably, even as it forced its internal organs onto the poisoned blade capping his fifth appendage's end, the zombie villager continued to snap at the air with its gaping rotten mouth. "Fassscinating..."
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on May 18, 2023 5:50:26 GMT -8
While Lassix wanted to speak more of Vedec, she never got the chance. Already had Dragus begun examining the remains that still flailed about with life. A topic for another time when there were matters that required less attention. Perhaps, once all was properly set into motion, some of the Spectres would actually make a trip here. Time would tell.
The girls stood ready, though for the moment, nothing stood out that warranted any concern. As their own alchemist would, they observed the Dark Apothecary as he collected samples of blood and flesh. Such field work never appealed to them, especially Lassix, though they had down their fair share of "guard duty" for Vedec and few students of his own. Still, the Pantoran had to look away, the mere sight of the writhing legs making her want to vomit. Simple blood and death never bothered her. This was another matter. Lyne, however, while holding no true interest in the art, was much more curious in a general sense and continued to watch.
Once he finished his gathering a spoke, both girls looked to him once more as he spoke of the process he used in bringing this type of plant here and how he was able to make it survive. Still, in their own minds, they couldn't help but feel as if something had gone wrong with flower's alteration that went outside the Saurian's calculations. Only assumptions on their end, to be sure, but life would find a way and couldn't be contained if it desired freedom to grow and change. New environment, new DNA, who knew what secrets awaited to be unlocked with time.
It was then that the groan came. Both women turned towards it and caught good look at the grotesque figure that approached. By all accounts, it was clear this man was dead. Perhaps Lassix would get a small glimpse of her suggested use of the flower with this man and possibly more to come. Weapons came alive as he lunged at Dragus, though they never moved, the reptilian having already impaled him and forcing him to stop in his tracks, though the zombie refused to stop trying.
"What part is fascinating? You did say this would basically reanimate the dead, right?"
"It looks like he's been dead for quite some time. What makes me curious is whether or not the plant was responsible and if this was recent or happened some time ago." |
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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: 1,406
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on May 19, 2023 4:45:19 GMT -8
"What part is fascinating? You did say this would basically reanimate the dead, right?" "It looks like he's been dead for quite some time. What makes me curious is whether or not the plant was responsible and if this was recent or happened some time ago." Uuuuuuhhhhhhhrrrrrrrrggggggg! Uuuuuuhhhhhhhrrrrrrrrggggggg! A chorus of groans and moans sounded from elsewhere in the village. The small bit of noise generated by the trio had been enough to awaken some of the other infected. Last census report indicated this village was home to a few hundred occupants, but surely they couldn't all have been infected, right? The Hungering One took a step back as he saw several lurking figures emerge from the shadows, dragging broken limbs and clawing their way across the ground, all desperate to spread the infection. He was beginning to lose count of their number as he took a another step back, placing Lyne and Lassix between himself and the growing crowd of animate dead."Oh my." He said, curiosity finally wavering in favour of concern. "Thiz iz problematic. We need to reach the village sssquare. That'z where the orchidz are planted." His claw dipped into his satchel of supplies, retrieving a glass globule filled with a swirling luminous green gas. Famine's Breath, essentially darkside enhanced trihexalon gas. He hurled it at the ground near the front of the nearing crowd of walking corpses. The glass sphere shattered and released and expanding cloud of poisonous green fog that wilted tissue and caused organic matter to decay and run like water. Layers of skin and muscle sloughed off the closing wall of disease, but skull faced undead continued forwards in unrelenting ranks, their melted visages even more frightening than before. |
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on May 25, 2023 6:45:23 GMT -8
Lassix couldn't help but roll her eyes as Dragus. So much did it remind her of Vedec and his group as they studied their specimens. She certainly couldn't see the fascination in all this, though it was mostly due to her own lack of having something that brought great passion. All she could do was shrug, her stance easing a bit despite the corpse trying to push further at the Saurian Sith. It was clear it wasn't going anywhere and there appeared to be nothing else around.
"Well, I'm glad to know that this is providing you with thrilling data. But I guess you couldn't just knock it out and strap it down?"
Lyne chuckled a bit as Lassix rolled her eyes once more. She might not have been into the science of it all, but Lyne was a hunter and true hunters sought to know the details that laid before them. How else did one best prepare to take down a beast or enemy in the swiftest, easiest way possible. She did raise an eyebrow as the reptillian placed the star on her shoulder. There was certainly an interestingly eccentric about Dragus, that was for sure.
His words were clear enough for the pair to guess this had happened a few times, which further made Lassix's wonder what was interesting if this had happened before. Unless things happened to fall apart in a more spectacular fashion and this was the first time he could truly see what transpired. But he was a Sith. It wasn't something surprising to think this had happened a few times. What was surprisingly was that any villagers remained. Quite possibly slaves forced to be here and very dedicated followers.
As he continued talking, the girls noticed as the zombie slowly began falling, the bladed tail slicing its way upwards.
"Umm, Dragus..."
She pointed behind him, but before anything else could be said or done,, the blade finaly tore through the final resistance and the body fell to the ground, cleaved mostly in twain. The sounds it made made them flinch in a squeamish way before shaking their heads.
They didn't have much time to think on it though as more groans and moans echoed in front of them. In a blink, Dragus had taken up position behind the girls, making the Pantoran shake her head. At least with his claim, he didn't simply leave them to handle things. They watched as the orb he tossed enveloped them and turned them into greater nightmares. Surely, though, it would benefit them with the group as it further melted their bodies. Working together after a few moments, the girls both released Force Pushes at the walking corpses, seeking to push them back further, giving the gas more time to do its work.
"which way to the square?" |
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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.
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Post by Dragus on May 25, 2023 19:17:10 GMT -8
Dragus' searing red eyes darted left and right as he quickly took in their surroundings, plotting a path as best he could with what bits of the towns layout remained in his too often spice addled mind. A slow sickening buzz sounded from beneath his cloak of black charcoal coloured feathers as the ravenous hunger he was enslaved too chose this moment to manifest itself, forming a miniature swarm of illusion conjured flies that burst from the Dark Apothecary's robe flaps in a revolting insectile miasma. The bugs buzzed amongst the corpse army in their path, steadily growing larger as the noise drew others of their kinds, their mushed brains and rotting bodies acting on some primal impulse. As these projections of his Force Drain ability sank their beaks into the animate cadavers to suck them dry of their life essence, nothing of the sort happened. Instead the apparitions wilted and turned to ash, erupting in grey poofs of dust.Something akin to concern creased the Famine Lord's scaled visage as his most potent ability proved entirely useless against the nearing wall of reanimated tissue. Clearly troubled, he turned to Lyne and lifted a claw, pointing with his index talon down a nearby street just a bit further ahead and to the left. It was of course completely clogged with walking undead, but then again, where wasn't at this point?"It'z two block north wessst from here, I believe." He rubbed the back of his scaled head in sheepish embarrassment. His scales even seemed a shade darker, were it possible. "I may have over-indulged in hallucigenic mushroom juice at the time. No mere ssswill, mind you. Thiz waz the finessst vintage poured from an aged oaken barrel of Clan Morlock, a tribe of sssavage cannibal gamorreanz from the darkssside mired Deep Woodz of the Eye'z holy cradle." He paused then explained in layman's terms for those uninitiated into his evil family cult. "My home of Pzob. I admit, it waz a bit more powerful than I waz expecting. Ssstill, I am certain it mussst be that way. Unlesss...no, I'm posssitive about thiz."He took another step back as the moving wall of undead were close enough for our wicked heroes to see the maggots squirming in their open sores and gaping wounds. Grabbing the flaps of his feathered cloak, he tossed them to reveal the silver hooked hilt of his lightsaber hanging from a loop of his sinew belt, then plucked it free before taking it into a two handed grip held out in front of him."I'm afraid I'm ssstill a bit ssstiff from the flight over. You ladiez will perhapz be better sssuited to clearing the way, while I guard the rear. I sssuggest you avoid being bitten or ssscratched az in my lassst batch of tessst resultz the viruz waz quite infectiouz. Try not to get too many zombie gutz on you either." He scraped the scaled chin of his snout with a hooked talon. "Perhapz I should have brought more than one vial of antidote. Hmmm."SNAP/HISS! Dragus' caterwauling blade shrieked to demonic crimson life as his thumb slid over the activation stud on the handle, igniting the unstable dragite crystal housed within the duranium shell, erupting from the emitter as a crackling red hand and a half lightsaber blade that scorched the air and caused the breeze to stink with the scent of burnt ozone. The screaming blade was so vile the sound waves resounding off its plasma core distorted the air around it, smoking as it radiated an intense heat. Next the drake lord's tail spike cracked against the ground, striking just so right to activate the ultrasonic vibration generator housed inside, causing the serrated edges of the blade to glow an angry orange.
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on Jun 8, 2023 5:36:25 GMT -8
As Dragus scanned their surroundings, Lyne and Lassix changed up their current strategy. Lyne's chakrams were replaced as her blaster pistol came out and began firing shots at those that grew closer as Lassix threw bolts of lightning from both her hands. In the end, nothing would keep them down, that much was obvious. They were walking corpses, after all. All they could do was find ways to push them back and hold them off. Despite this, a tactical mindset settled between them, much like Lyne and Jonas in the sewers. Their minds were connected and they knew each other well. Barrages of lightning served to damage and freeze targets for a moment as Lyne launchers blaster bolts at all their limbs, hoping that by removing their ability to walk and crawl, they would be nothing but piles of animated flesh. In the few moments she had a free shot, she also took shots at heads and hearts just to see if anything could put them down.
Suddenly, the illusion burst forth from Dragus, causing the girls to freeze, Lyne in simple surprise and Lassix something akin to disgust and freaking out. But whatever they were, they appeared to fail in whatever task they were attempting. Whatever work the reptilian provided no support, and the few seconds lost forced the girls back into a heavy defensive to keep the dead at bay.
When he spoke, Lassix's frustration became fully apparent. Considering her situation, she couldn't have cared less about who he was or the power he held. She was either going to die to the hoards or to Dragus's uncertainty. If anything, she was regretting the group split up and them stay with Dragus over heading to the temple with Jonas.
"We couldn't care less about what juice you drank! Get your head on straight and make sure we're going the right way, or I'm going to feed it to the hoard!"
When he suggested they take the lead, even Lyne couldn't help but roll her eyes. But no words were said as a retort as they fired a few more shots of blasters and lightning before moving down the street. Hoping that Dragus was able to keep the following hoard back enough, the girls continued with their ranged attacks, working to clear a path from a distance to keep themselves from being injured or having remains fall on them. It was times like this they wished Viima was here. Her skills with the elements would have made this much easier. |
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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: 1,406
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on Jun 11, 2023 5:42:08 GMT -8
Lassix's tart reply rankled the saurian Sith, but she had a fair point. He was keenly aware his eccentricities were irksome to most, but it was an unavoidable consequence of genius. Madness and brilliance often fell hand in hand, or in Dragus' case, claw in claw. Additionally, he considered himself something of an artist, which only served to enhance his general absurdity. He directed his swelling irritation into his saber play, covering the rear in a dazzling crimson weave of deadly lightsaber strokes. As his screaming blade connected with cadaverous flesh, its core resonated with projected soundwaves, not just simply cleaving through rotten meat but actually causing each walking corpse to erupt in a an explosive spray of gore. Everywhere he struck, his lightsaber deconstructed the undead at a molecular level, coating his filthy feathered robe in diseased drippings. Simultaneously his overlong tail lashed out as though possessed of a mind of its own. Raw primal strength crushed bone and pulped rot softened skulls like overripe melons, while the vibrating spike adhered to its end severed limbs and sent gooey rotboyz tumbling into their mindless comrades. Unfortunately even the intensity of his aggressive assault only served to slowly stem the tide of the encroaching horde, who seemed as numerous as the stars in the night sky.
More twisted amalgamations crawled out broken windows, even more grotesque than the shambling citizens with grave mould breath and corpse pallor skin. As if conjured from the depths of sheer lunacy, chimeric fusions of former villagers appeared amongst the wall of pestilent death, forming impossible shapes that would unsettle the nerves of the hardiest mercenary. Human centipedes of seven or more former citizens crawled towards them across the ground on gnarled limbs with fingers and toes ground down to their boney nubs. The sight was enough to give Dragus pause as he stood in fascination, utterly enamored by the hideous display. There was a beauty in the wretchedness of it all. Even his own alchemical experiments paled in comparison to bizarre products of the murakami orchids transformative properties. The distraction was almost his undoing as the horde closed in, almost coming within arms reach before his addled wits returned to him. His tail and lightsaber spun, eviscerating those nearest to him in a brilliant steaming red cyclone.
As he came to a stop, he turned his snout around to where his two companions were leading the way. Between Lyne's blaster fire and Lassix lightning, they were doing an effective job clearing the way, but the overwhelming weight of the undead horde was like treading water in a whirlpool. This was a losing fight. Gritting his fangs, Dragus looked up, noting the dwellings and structures from which this ravenous army of the undead poured were no taller than two stories.
"We need to get to high ground." He snarled, felling another zombie in a mist of gore that splashed more foul effluence onto his already dripping robe. He pointed a talon at the roof of the buildings lining either side of the alley they currently were cutting their way through. "It will be easssier to get my bearingz from an elevated vantage point, az well az provide uz a brief ressspite." They couldn't keep this up forever, after all.
Removing his right claw from his lightsaber, Dragus bent his knees, lowering into a crouch. Then in one impressive feat of muscular strength, he leapt up into the air, bounding onto the side of the building directly to his right. The finger talons of his right claw and his feet dug into the duracrete siding as he secured purchase, his shrieking blade still held out to the side in his left claw. Then he began to scale the building, climbing over the side onto the roof.
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on Jun 14, 2023 3:05:53 GMT -8
In the overall scheme of things, Dragus’s personality did little to both the girls. At most, it warranted an eye roll but nothing more. What brought such irritation in the moment was the current life or death reality and Dragus seemingly unsure of where to go, then speaking of whatever drug brought about the uncertainty. But past the reply, there was nothing else said, the only feeling that resonated was the focused will to survive.
Unfortunately, despite being able to hear the sounds of the Sith’s attacks, neither were able to take in the aggressive grace he moved with, especially when coupled with his tail. Perhaps another day they’d witness the unique style of saber play. But he was right about them being unable to last forever. They had trained hard to optimize the amount of energy used in their attacks and always sought to be prepared for any situation, but this was something quite out of the ordinary. As such, Lassix’s blast were slowly becoming a bit sloppier as her reserves began to dwindle with each attack moving forward. Lynne’s blaster had also already been depleted and she was currently without her normal gear. Due to the survivablity of the hoard, more shots were used in attempts to stop them, forcing her to use everything her clip had.
The gears were going to have to shift soon if they were to keep up the assault. That basically entailed close combat. And with the caution they needed to take in bringing them down, one slip or wasted movement could bring them down.
Suddenly, Dragus’s words brought them to a stop. They had a bit of breathing room, enough to gauge the situation, one that saw the Famine Lord scaling the building. Nodding to each other, they channeled the Force and made their jumps, moving from one building to the other until they reached the top. While they had crossed paths with some distorted creations other than the simple person turned zombie, at first glance none seemed capable of easily climbing after them. That hopefully granted then an opportunity to reassess and breathe.
"Alright, hopefully being up here will allow us a moment to get our bearings. So where to, Dragus?"
"And a second point of discussion, what the hell were those other creatures? Work of yours that got turned in the mess? Or something more created by this orchid?" |
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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.
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Post by Dragus on Jun 17, 2023 3:41:34 GMT -8
Peering over the side of the roof top they were standing upon, the corners of the drake lord's lips curled downwards, drooping into a displeased scowl as he looked on the absurd amalgamations of bone and rotting tissue. Slowly, he shook his snout from side to side. "Though I sssorely wish to claim credit for sssuch ingeniouz chimeric fusionz of cadaverouz flesh, altering the undead iz more the realm of my dearly departed brother, Mortale. He'z a necrophile you sssee." His brow furrowed in confusion. "Or waz it necromancer? Well whatever hiz professsion, I don't sssense hiz work in thiz." Reaching into his satchel he retrieved an empty glass cylinder and scraped some of the congealing gore soiling his robe into the vial before sealing it with a cork stopper. He then gave his body a shake like a massiff that had rolled around in the mud, shedding a layer of dripping filth from his attire."It mussst be sssome unforessseen affect of the elixir enhanced fertilizer. The orchid haz clearly mutated in a mossst sssplendid manner, though I admit, I am pleasssed I tesssted it here before attempting to ussse it at my home on Draggle Rock." He nodded. "I can't have the palm treez sssprouting tentaclez and eating all my night ewokz."The ill fabled isle upon which he built his lair already had enough trouble with the Doomslither's latest rampage.Down below, the hordes of the undead clawed at the walls of the structure they were standing atop of. While they appeared to lack the aptitude to scale the building, the sheer weight of their mass was beginning to have an effect. Fingers ground into boney claws scraped at the duracrete, slowly digging into the hardened surface and causing the outer walls to flake and weaken. They couldn't remain idle for long. More freakish shapes appeared in the distance, brutish undead ogres with obvious signs of the orchids tampering, as mutant vines protruded from their altered flesh like thorny growths. These brutes towered over their counterparts in the horde, standing easily eight feet tall and practically as broad across. They pushed their way towards the front of the crowd.Dragus didn't particularly like their odds if those monstrosities made it to the building they were standing upon."There!" He directed his index talon at a large open square mostly where he predicted their prize to be, another block to the north-west. From their high vantage point they could make out a large garden writhing with animate growth. As he squinted his limited vision, he thought he could just make out black flower petals. "We should be able to make it mossst of the way usssing thessse roof topz." The floor beneath them groaned as the horde weakened the building supports.
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Karnac
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Karnac on Jun 17, 2023 5:46:00 GMT -8
Both girls simply watched the growing horde below as Dragus spoke of these abominations not being of his own conception. In the end, that made things worse knowing that the orchid was capable of such mutations. No doubt Vedec would be curious as to what could be done with this plant, but they wondered how he'd go about it. The more Dragus spoke, the more it seemed that while Vedec enjoyed the creation of new things, he was, in a sense, cleaner in his approach. He wasted little and didn't become a mad scientist in how in went about his research. Probably not the most Sith-like approach and more than likely it took much longer to get results, but it was what it was.
"Probably both." It was her only response when he spoke of his brother being either a necrophile or necromancer.
As Dragus began looking around, trying to sort out which direction they needed to go, the girls began conversing of what they could possibly do to clear the mob below.
"What about your flames? Surely they could clear these things out."
Lyne shook her head.
"Unfortunately, my pyrokinesis isn't that strong. To create flames enough to burn multiple enemies, Jonas and I have to use our flame wind combo. And even then, it doubt it'd be enough. We'd need Etherra's mastery to accomplish flames of that scale. And even then... She looked back down to the horde and the approaching hulks of ogres that were coming for the building....she may even need the help of Viima's wind to magnify it enough to consume everything. And that is solely dependent upon these things dying in a fire."
It was then that the Saurian Sith got his bearings and locked in their directions. Both girls walked up beside him, noticing the animated growth. They nodded to each other as they felt the building shift and shake a bit under the horde's attempt to bring it down.
"Then let's get over there and bring this nightmare to a close, shall we?" |
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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.
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Post by Dragus on Jun 18, 2023 5:23:38 GMT -8
"Indeed." Hissed the serpentine Sith Lord on unsteady clawed feet as the roof began to shift uncomfortably beneath them. "No time like the presssent!" Reaching into his alchemical satchel his retrieved a glass tincture of red liquid, containing the closest thing in the Dark Apothecary's collection to a healing potion. Concentrated essence of ewok, the good stuff. He popped the cork stopper and quickly imbibed the contents, wiping diseased blood from his lips with the back of a filthy claw. Almost immediately the alchemical concoction that was intended for virility but also had the benefit of restoring vitality reinvigorated the weary draconian. With a renewed surge of strength he bounded across the roof top to the next building, tearing up tiles beneath the raptors hooks that capped the end of his scaled toes. The aether was different here. So much death left an echo in the Force, the energies far more malevolent and costly to draw upon. The Great Devourer did not care. He summoned the currents of the malevolent fey, drawing on the darksides blessing to imbue his already powerful muscular legs with enhanced strength. He leapt into the air, bounding clear across the next two roof tops before dropping down to the village square just beyond where this whole nightmare had started.As Dragus descended towards the sinister garden, a writhing nest of thorny tentacles reached up to pluck him from the air before he landed, stringing his scaled body up before a massive mutant version of the murakami orchid. Acidic ichor seeped from the barbed bush upon which it grew, a natural protection. The black petalled blossom opened to reveal a fanged nightmare flower. The monstrous orchid lifted the black scaled barabel over it salivating mouth, clearly intending to eat him."Oh, bullox." Growled Dragus as he unceremoniously hung upside down over the vicious orchid's maw. "A little help here?" |
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Karnac
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Post by Karnac on Jun 21, 2023 6:32:14 GMT -8
The girls watched as the Saurian Sith took from his satchel the potion and drank it all. Where he seemed wobbly at first, most likely due to the flesh and gore that sprayed him as he attacked, he soon sprouted new vigor and strength. Before long, he was leaping from roof top to roof top without missing a beat. Shortly after, the girls followed, their strength still high enough to endure the process.
Side by side, they jumped, staying a little bit behind the draconian as he moved. They had taken the lead at first, now it was his turn. Though they could have been closer, it was much harder to anticipate and see any attacks from their position. So to be separated in the two groups was a better solution. If something happened to one group, the other could remain free and provide aid. And such a situation presented itself soon enough as they got close.
Reaching the square, Dragus leapt to the ground, only to get snatched before touching down. Stopping at the top of the roof before the drop, Lassix shook her head, both frustrated and amused at the situation. Still, they were in this together and they'd get him free. They had to before cautious, though. The Sith had gotten caught quite easily, so there was no reason to think otherwise for them. Still, his actions had put them on guard, given them a slight advantage not to mention there were the two of them.
Dropping down side by side, they had their weapons draw, ready to fight back should any vines approach them. And they did. Putting their feet together, they pushed off each other with a Force push to amplify both the speed and distance they'd cover in their descent. It also gave them momentum to move and spin, slicing vines as they passed. They both hit the ground in a roll as Lassix gathered all her strength to unleash a powerful barrage of Force Lightning at the plant.
At the same time, Lyne channeled her energy into her chakrams, the flames surging to life around them as she threw the first, then the second at two points of the vine that held Dragus, one being as close as possible and the second just a bit further down. They'd get him free and distract the orchid, but the landing Dragus would have to handle himself. |
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