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Post by Dread Lord Havok on Jun 8, 2023 20:02:22 GMT -8
While the Barabel was issuing his orders, the Anzati agent was receiving orders. The Anzati looked at his wrist display as his holocommunicator started buzzing. He motioned for the attendant, who leaned in close. The near human alien's mouth moved in a whisper. The attendant nodded. The instructions were clear. Ibn Mantus stood up and walked for a secluded corner from which to take his private call. It must have been even more important to walk out on the current task at hand and leave it in the hands of a lackey. But some calls cannot be ignored. The Attendant sat down in the Anzati's chair to wait for the bid to be called or upped.
There was a collective gasp from the crowd as the bid again extended to vast and ever growing sums of credits. If Dragus' fame had dwindled as of late, the sums of money that he was throwing around at the auction was putting him back on the collective radar of every gold digger, boot licker, and wanna-be in the joint.
True to his instructions, the attendant raised his hand. He didn't know why the unknown principle was so interested in purchasing mega-fauna, just that this one, the Krayt dragon, seemed particularly dear. "Sixteen Million!" Silence. It seemed that the simple instruction to double the Barabel's bid rendered everyone in the room speechless for an instant--- like the floor dropped out from under the auction house. The silence was replaced by a cacophony of commentary by everyone present, wanting to know who would possibly be insane enough to spend 16 million credits at an auction! Humans and aliens alike gathered around the attendant and mobbed him, asking questions, giving him their cards, and seeking introductions. With all the people around, more than a few stepped on Chuckles, in the hubbub. Chuckles had to be quick to avoid the stomping feet of a burbling Ithorian, intent on soliciting his own collection of rare animals to such an ardent (and wealthy) connoisseur.
In the commotion, the alcove that contained Mantus had become empty, though the most perceptive eye may have noticed Mantus leaving the auction in a stealthy fashion and entering commands on his wrist display. It seemed that his role in the events of the day was at an end, presumably called away by other work.
Outside the auction house, the Anzati angrily called his contact to inform him that the plan would likely fail. As he walked, he kept his wits about him and his eyes open for a tail. "You didn't tell me I would be bidding against a sith lord." The inaudible response seemed confused. "You didn't even know? You mean to tell me, you don't know what that is?" Mantus was on the verge of burning a client. "Your best chance at this point is stealing it. Once it is loaded on his ship, steal the ship." The voice seemed to protest. "Not my problem. I did not come prepared to pull off a heist on a sith lord's ship, because I was doing this as a favor for an old friend. If you want it so bad, use the shitty bounty hunters that you hired. I am sure they're dying for a challenge. Regardless, do me a favor and lose my number, I don't care how much YOU can pay, I don't piss off sith lords, for the price of a favor. You'd have to give me enough credits to buy my own planet-" The voice on the other end of the line talked up a storm while Ibn Mantus listened. "Oh really? No shit. Go on. I'm listening." Mantus finally turned into an ally off the main drag and into a dive cantina. The place was dark and nearly empty, but the music was blaring. Right inside the door, he shed his suit coat and dropped it in a garbage bin. At the coat rack he pulled an armored trench coat off the hook and put it on as he responded to his unseen principal. "No promises. I'll need to call in a favor or two of my own, and check with a source first, but I'll have an answer for you in five."
Mantus sighed as he ended the call. "Fucking inherited money." He sat at the bar and thought the offer over while he made some calls.
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on Jun 12, 2023 5:04:55 GMT -8
Frustration radiated from the Sith, that much Viggo could tell. He wouldn't have doubted it was palpable enough that those lacking Force sensitivity could feel it. The bid came, no longer upping in high numbers. It had gotten quite high and Viggo didn't expect the numbers to keep growing at such a rate. Bit by bit, the rate would drop as they tried to push the absolute bounds of what the other might care to spend. Shortly after, the creature that resided with Dragus jumped from his shoulder and heading into the ground. Another incident to happen to end the bidding.
Yet, the hunter's expectation had been surpassed.
Even he felt the doubled bid was excessive for such a creature. For that, they could have easily caught a few themselves. He had sold Krayts before, but never had they gotten into these numbers. The current bidders must have really desired the beast. There was certainly no telling what would happen next, but he knew that all in his crew had stopped and were silently celebrating the payout of the auction.
Still, Viggo held caution. The original bidder had vanished after the first bid and talking to his attendant who had doubled the next. What were their plans? How much farther could this auction go before chaos rained down upon them. Part of him was ready to end the bidding here, yet his curiosity was stronger wanting to see how this would play out.
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on Jun 12, 2023 8:59:47 GMT -8
This bidding was getting out of hand. If he didn't end this soon he'd be forced to give cheap gifts for Sithmas this year. Darting this way and that to avoid be repeatedly stepped upon, the Dark Apothecary's mutant kowakian monkey lizard fulfilled its master's wishes after the departing Anzati's attendant spoke up, pulling the cork stopper from the small vial of Famine's Breath. The moment the glowing green substance came into contact with the air it erupted in an expanding cloud of luminous gas that swallowed everyone in a ten meter radius. Cries of confused terror rang out from the crowd, though not from any of those afflicted by the foul natured substance, as it was already stripping the mucus lining from their throats and sinuses. Blood streamed from eyes, nostrils, and mouths. Some even seemed to bleed from the ears, though this varied by species. Pasty skin rapidly transformed into black necrotic tissue as the rot set in. Common to all affected by the darkside altered gas cloud was a quick end as their lungs filled with blood and they drowned in their own fluids, sputtering and choking on the floor until death took them. Unfortunately a similar end befell the Hungering One's pet Chuckles, who had been at the centre of the green miasma when it erupted.From across the room Dragus held a claw over the end of his snout in false shock. "Oh no, how terrible. What posssibly could have happened?" He questioned dryly, before shrugging his shoulders in disinterest and raising his voice over the screams from the scattered sections of the crowd."20 million creditz."
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Post by Dread Lord Havok on Jun 14, 2023 19:25:59 GMT -8
The attendant was never even able to scream. He fell, mouth open- gasping- unable to inhale, as the noxious glowing gas infiltrated his lungs and body. Blood began leaking from his mouth and nose in drops, then streams, and then spurts while his heart was still beating. As he keeled over from the chair to the floor, the last thing the attendant saw was the beaked face of a lifeless monkey-lizard laying under his chair; grinning and starting at him, transfixed with evil bloody eyes.
In the attendant's hand, his comlink buzzed with a call that went unanswered.
With the unfolding horrors, some onlookers were not even able to comprehend: A bid for 20 million? It felt like they had shifted into a parallel universe... or perhaps it was some effects of inhaling nonlethal trace amounts of the gas as it dissipated.
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on Jun 17, 2023 4:43:37 GMT -8
It was then that it happened. The cloud that arisen from around the attendant, clearly the work of Dragus and his monkey as he had been keeping a strong vigil over the proceedings. While he had tolerated the incidents thus far, this had reached a breaking point. HIs eyes narrowed and his head dropped. It was all the sign his crew needed to pull out their blasters and rifles and point them at the crowd, though none fired. Twas but a simple warning. Shortly after the gas rose and took its first victims that couldn't get away, the fog began to move and lift away from the crowd. His daughters moved quickly from their spots, hidden away from the group at the moment as they manipulated the Force and navigated the smoke clear. While the proper precautions had been taken in his daughters staying out of sight and him simply being there doing nothing, he could hope that this incident didn't create any suspicions regarding their Force-sensitivity. He didn't want business suffering if his clients felt they were being manipulated into spending money, which would have been an easy task for most in attendance.
Once all had been cleared, Viggo glanced around. Luckily, the winning bidders had already paid and took their leave or were able escape the gas. The last thing he wanted was to lose money due to the death of his patrons. If he had, he would have disliked telling the SIth he was to pay an claim the creatures that had lost their new masters. Once he knew all was well, he took a deep breath.
My dear friends, I'm going to have to request that such incidents cease immediately. There are still other creatures to bid on and I'd rather not lose time in getting someone a new piece in their collections. So how about we all play nice and move forward, hmm? Otherwise, I may be claiming life insurance. He waited a moment in case any one else chose to speak. When silence came, he continued. With that, we have our winner at 20 million for the Krayt Dragon. Now let us move on to our next prize: an Arkanian Dragon. Much more capable than its brothers of the sand, these creatures hail from the frozen tundra of Arkania. Semi-sentient in nature they are far more formidable with their intelligence as well as their ability to fly and breath fire. Bidding starts 2 million.
It was certainly a step up in price from the Kryats, but as he had mentioned, hunting these beasts were another matter. Tougher scales, flight, breathing fire, higher intelligence, it was in a whole new league of hunting.
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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 4:19:19 GMT -8
"Indeed." Nodded Dragus' snout in agreement with Viggo's request. "Whomever iz resssponsible for thessse unpalatable displayz, ceassse your uncouth actionz at once!" He offered the auctioneer a knowing wink of his red right eye, before confirming that he had the trafficker of exotic beasts back with a friendly nod.
As the bidding for the arkanian dragon began, the fiendish Famine Lord slipped towards the rear of the crowd. His own agents had already acquired him a supply of the beasts eggs to alter with his alchemical artistry at leisure. The sorcerous serpent's wraith-rats, also known as the Razgûl, often rode his ingeniously improved upon version of the original thing. A fresh ranat scurried up to the feathered reptile's side, replacing his previous assistant as the new Squeakers. The two whispered amongst themselves as the scabrous and possibly parasite ridden rodent informed the scaled scourge that the credit exchanged had been confirmed and his newly purchased beasties were being loaded aboard the Occulori. He could hear the lash of electro flails and shock prods in the background, no doubt the work of his cruel hearted verminous minions that infested the decks of his flagship.
Reaching into his satchel he retrieved a narrow stemmed pipe of carved Pzobian oak. Taking a small pouch he filled the bowl end of his precious toking tool with a measure of darkside enhanced glitterstim the students of Dragwarts Academy on Ryloth had come up with. They called it Draggledore Dank, after the oddly bearded homunculus that served there in his place. Replacing the pouch, the Dark Apothecary exhaled a sulphurous breath into the bowl and ignited the contents there within. He brought the end of the pipe to his lips and inhaled the richly flavoured narcotic smoke, his world disappearing in a delightful purple haze. Ropes of drool seeped from the corners of his frightful jaws, pooling on the floor by his clawed toes.
He intended to wait until the end of the auction to speak to the one in charge, this Viggo character whose servants had hand delivered his invitation to the Hungering One's home of Fort Ewok on the ill fabled isle of Draggle Rock, no mean feat when one considers all the unexpected and diabolically inspired monsters along the way. And that's only if the night ewoks don't eat you. Anyone with agents like that was someone the Blood Wyrm wished to be in business with. A resourceful and more importantly reliable individual like that was a rare thing indeed.
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on Jun 21, 2023 6:08:58 GMT -8
Viggo simply allowed his gaze to fall to Dragus at his comment, his attempt to play innocent in the matter certainly not fooling anyone. He simply raised an eyebrow and lowered his head as he watched. Still, despite the chaos the Sith had created, he was curious to meet with the Barabel. Never had anyone dropped such a large sum in a single auction. The possibilities as to why intrigued him.
When Viggo opened the bidding, there were no takers. He could see all eyes shifting towards Dragus, now concerned what ill fate they'd face if trying to bid against him. Even as he walked away, clearly opting out of any further bids, silence continued to hang in the air.
Are there none who wish to place a bid? Surely someone desires such an exotic prize?
A few more moment passed before bids slowly and hesitantly began to be placed. The more they continued, the more confident they grew as Dragus remained silent. By they end, he had gotten 4 million out of it, leaving two more bids.
Next was the Battle Hydra that went for 2 million as well. As with the dragon, silence hung in the air, waiting to see if the Sith would make a bid. Once nothing came from the reptilian, the bidding commenced, pushing its way up to 4.5 million. Then finally were the pair of Rancor. Though large in size, the hunt required for such beast was far less than the previous which only had them put up for 750,000 for the pair. They still held the eyes of a few and in the end, 1.5 million ended the final bids.
With that, Viggo stepped up, hands spread out to the ground.
And with that, my dear friends, the bidding has reached its end. For those who still have yet to pay, please ensure you speak with one of my hunters. They will accept your payment and ensure your prizes are loaded securely. If you are unable to transport them with your current ship, be sure to leave the drop off information so we can deliver, free of charge. We will continue to serve for the next hour, so please, continue to converse and browse our booths. Still many trophies to be claimed. No one need leave empty handed.
With his closing statement made, he stepped back and off to the side to continue watching the proceedings.
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Dragus
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Post by Dragus on Jun 22, 2023 9:53:17 GMT -8
When the main auction had ended, Dragus approached the side of the stage where the host was currently waiting, watching the transactions taking place from his elevated vantage point. His feather clad shoulders swayed from side to side as he neared, the saber-cane gripped in his right claw tip-tapping on the ground as stopped just shy of the stage. He looked up, the amethyst gem set in his left eye socket glaring through the Rishii skull cap he wore atop his head and snout. Black lips peeled back as the devilish drake's jaws split to reveal a mouthful of glistening wet daggers fixed into a horrific grin.
"You put on quite the event." He commented, soiling the air with crimson flecks as blood misted off his wet lips with every stressed syllable. "I thank you for your invitation. Az you can imagine, with a reputation like mine it is not often that my attention is courted." That was putting it lightly. His scaled snout was at the top of most galactic governments most wanted list for crimes against civilization. He had been a very bad little lizard. "Az way of showing my appreciation I would like to gift you with a maiden from my persssonal harem. I am certain you will find her to be quite nimble pawed and eager to pleassse."
It went without saying the entirety of the Famine Lord's harem was comprised of all manner of ewok, from supple furred maidens to plump bodied lads, all the way up to toothless crones that excelled at sating his scaly...well, Viggo would learn first hand soon enough.
"I wonder though, a man az resssourceful and well connected az you, would you be willing to take private requestz?"
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on Jun 24, 2023 5:36:23 GMT -8
As all began progressing smoothly, Dragus, himself, made his way towards Viggo. The faintest of smirks came across his face as the Sith made his approach. It seemed he would have the chance to converse with the Faminie Lord after all.
Viggo smiled and gave a nod as Dragus spoke of the invitation. Though he himself had not issued any direct invitations, nor ordered as such directly, he had advised his team to spread the word through the underworld. Along those orders came the option of direct invitations that his men thought would have the greatest interest and credits to spend. And for what had transpired, he was most certainty glad they did. A bonus would no doubt be heading to those that brought such a buyer.
"Well, fully glad I am that you enjoyed yourself. As a man of business, I do aim to please and ensure that my customers' interests are piqued. However, I cannot take credit for your direct invitation. Mostly dealing in such auctions as this, very rarely do I come to learn of all who arrive. So many faces, so little time, I'm sure you understand. And for the most part, I care little for the who, so long as none seek to disrupt my proceedings in anyway. Though his tone didn't betray it, it was clear enough at the conversation that Viggo didn't refer to the incidents that had transpired during the auction, but disruptions more akin to activists and do-gooders trying to take his prizes. "As such, though I've heard quiet rumors of your existence, not enough has reach my ears to place a face with a name. Still, I must figure out who decided a direct invitation to you was worth it. You are certainty one of the few patrons I'd like to know.
He then shook his hand in denial at being offered the maiden. While the mention of paws was enough to bring pause, even if it had been a Twi'lek, the man would have refused. He, himself, cared not for such pleasures. Though his wife had passed some years ago, he was still a loyal made to family. As for his men, while he encouraged time to rest during their travels, he wanted them focused until they hit shore leave. At such a time could they indulge themselves freely. "While I appreciate the offer, I must decline.
When came mention of a private request, Viggo's head lowered, a sign that his attention had been captured. He then motioned for the Famine Lord to follow." "A private request? I've certainly taken quite a few from patrons who sought a dedicated prize. They moved into the vessel, moving past the massive cargo hold to the deeper interiors of the ship. "I will say, I am quite curious to your interests. Those that come to my auctions are the lowest of the low and certainly have deep pockets. Claiming such a beast as I can offer is a sign of status to them, no matter how it was acquired. But never before has any shown the same drive and invest as you to claim something. So I must ask, what drives a man to such lengths? What is it you desire with such beasts as these? Viggo, having heard a few rumors prior, did have an idea as to the reason, but he was curious to hear it from the mouth of the Lizard himself.
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Dragus
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Post by Dragus on Jun 24, 2023 17:54:08 GMT -8
Admittedly he was slightly surprised when Viggo turned down the offer of one of the Famine Lord's famed furry flockmates skilled in the art of pleasure. After all, the mad alchemist was a creature of great appetites, a seeker of all manner of vice. Spice, sadism, sexual gratification, all of it and more. There was not enough sensations to experience in the whole galaxy to fill the vast emptiness within him, only growing larger the more he indulged, like standing on the edge of oblivion. Perhaps the human had a mate, that could explain it. Dragus recalled often tempting his much larger cycloptic brother Bacca with his harem of pleasure pawed ewoks, only to have the one-eyed oaf refuse time and time again. Bacca had explained he only had eyes...or rather, eye, for his wife, the beautiful and quite wicked Dark Lady Trace. It still made no sense to the Hungering One, who saw no reason to limit himself to one partner when he could simply choose as he pleased, indulging whenever the whim took him. Variety was the true spice of life, as they say.
"I am not completely immune to the pursssuit of statuz, though my current benefactor would prefer I keep my activitiez...mmm, dissscreet, for the time being." His black scaled lips split in a murderous grin, as a slow rhythmic rattle sounded from somewhere deep in his throat. "And az it waz with hiz coin that I jussst purchasssed thossse two fabulouz specimenz, I mussst abide by hiz wishez, for now at leassst." He powerful fifth appendage slapped the floor behind him with a thump that slightly shook the ground. Dragus leaned closer, resting both claws on the orb of his cane as he whispered in a hushed voice for Viggo's ears alone. "But there will come a day to visssit violence and death upon the starz sssoon enough." He slipped his left claw from the cane and slowly reached into his satchel retrieving a handful of gamorrean knuckle bones that he cast at the floor by their feet. The Dark Apothecary stared down at the placement of the bones and nodded, more to himself than for his hosts sake. "The bonez rarely lie. Siss, Siss, Siss."
A foul reek emanated from cackling mouth as he expressed either humour or madness, it was unclear which. Running a forked tongue over his lips to sop up the spattered drops from his reptilian chuckles, before straightening somewhat as he appeared to grow more serious in that instant. He studied Viggo as he spoke to him, probing at his thoughts, analyzing pheromones like some sort of saurian super-computer.
"I am a sssculptor of flesh and massster of the alchemical artz. My dutiez to my current organization require that I ssserve in sssome capacity az beassstmaster, thuz it iz my responsssibility to houssse ssseveral stablez and menageriez of exotic and deadly beastz, to be altered and improved upon usssing my vassst knowledge of dark ssscience and unparalleled massstery of the greatessst of all artz, alchemy. I take beastz and make monsterz of them. It haz earned me sssomething of a reputation among the ratkin of Dragusssblight. They call me the Pater Mutatiz, Pzobian black ssspeech for Father of Mutantz. A charming and mossst admittedly fitting title, in all consssideration." His horrific smile stretched a little further. "Every artissst requirez a canvaz upon which to make their visssion a reality. I need the mossst sssavage and exotic beastz that nature can create, ssso that I might not only improve upon itz work, but shape sssomething ssso very far beyond itz ability to produce."
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on Jun 26, 2023 12:01:43 GMT -8
Viggo listened as Dragus spoke of benefactor and him wanting the Saurian to keep his activities discreet. It certainly piqued his interest in the grander scheme of things. Yet, for now, he allowed himself to remain collected and focused solely upon the Famine Lord's desired for the beasts he just acquired.
Leading the Sith into his office, a room that overlooked the cargo hold, he allowed his gaze to sit their in silence as Dragus spoke of intent. So, as the rumors suggested, he was an alchemist by trade. A very curious discovery, to be sure. Something he'd hold onto for the time being, though it did nothing to deter the hunter in his discussions. After all, what his clients wished to do with the beasts after they were purchased was not his concern. They were now his property.
Once he finished, Viggo turned and took a seat, his head resting on his hands that now rested before him on his desk. HIs eyes scanned the drake before a smile grew upon his face.
"Fascinating. I certainly know nothing of the alchemical arts, but to know that such beasts can be pushed to new heights and become something more than they were, well, let's say the prospect excites me. All then men I chose, myself included, are to be skilled hunters but also have a drive for the hunt. It is this reality that sets us above the rest. Many others claim skill when they use tricks and technology to bring them down. Certainly not a sporting game, is it? While we have technology, we use only what is necessary to stand on even ground. What's the point if one's life doesn't teeter the line of life and death. And to know you can create creatures already a challenge and raise them to new heights? Well, we might just want to see for ourselves at what kind of thrill they can provide some day."
He then leaned forward a bit. his fingers tapping the bottom of his chin.
"So, tell me about this personal request of yours? Somehow, I doubt you simply want a few specimens for a couple projects. Speaking of a benefactor and the reality of enhancing these creatures, one could surmise that you are forming a type of army from them. As such, the question is, is this a personal job or a business venture?"
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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 27, 2023 5:32:53 GMT -8
Viggo's intuition served him well. Others might be cautious about claiming to know something of a Sith Lords plan, but He-Who-Hungers had already proven himself somewhat loose lipped when it came to his intentions. Deceit, perhaps, but never secrecy. Secrets made it far too difficult to brag about his art."Can't it be both?" Dragus questioned as he attempted to reignite his pipe, bringing the stem to his scaled lips for another few delightful puffs of Draggledore Dank, feeling the specially cultivated spice deepen his connection to the fey. "Ah, you are trying to dissscern how much to charge, yez? Siss, Siss, Siss." He blew an expanding spoke ring, kissing the air with his lips, before exhaling two smoke TIE fighters that flew through the fading ring before dissipating themselves.Where others wielded the Force like a hammer, using it to bludgeon and dominate, for practically anything other than feeding the foppish Famine Lord mostly used it like a street magician. The meltmassif orb topping his saber-cane glowed a luminous red as the saurian Sith channeled the vile currents of the malevolent fey through the Gorgon's Eye, causing the sphere to project a fiery cone that created a three dimensional image on the floor between them. The illusion depicted a swarm of red winged corpse-leeches, each with six glowing yellow eyes and a lampreys mouth of suctioning teeth."Corpssse-leechez from Carnelion IV, an icy world with lowlandz blanketed in a sssea of toxic gaz that had a curiouz mutagenic affect on the local human population, turning them into the creaturez you sssee here. Nasssty critterz that are rarely found alone." The murderous gleam returned his mismatched eyes, even as wisps of narcotic smoke shrouded his scaly snout like a dragons sulphuric breath. "Imagine a ssswarm of thessse creaturez ssset loossse on a civilian population centre. The perfect weaponz of terror, invoking fear with their appearance alone, like a modern day plague of locustz. If only I can dissscover the sssecret to their wonderouz metamorphosiz." He winked his bloody red eye at Viggo. "That'z where you come in. I would like you to gather ssseveral of thessse creaturez for me, a dozen would be ideal but sssix should sssuffice." Curling a crooked talon beneath the glowing orb of his cane, he altered the illusionary image to depict another race of mutant found on the same world. They lacked wings but still possessed bulbous black eyes and a hideous appearance. "And thessse are another breed of mutant found on the sssame planet, called Fisherz I believe, though I haven't the faintessst idea why. I need jussst az many of them."Dragus gave his cane a tap on the ground, causing the image sphere to stop projecting and the luminous red light to rescind as he came to rest a claw atop its polished surface. "My benefactor doesssn't have az much faith in my experimentz az he should, ssso I need to prove the voracity of my claimz when I tell him I can breed a reliable army fassster than one can be built. To do that I need thessse creaturez." Behind him his small contingent of greasy furred rodents appeared to be tidying up. His new possessions were already loaded inside the Occulori, where they would later be studied at length once the Dark Apothecary had a moment to spare. He made an offer. "I'm prepared to pay you 250,000 creditz per corpssse-leach and a 100,000 per Fisher you bring me, up to a total of a dozen of each. Take thiz job on faith. If your people perform and you bring me what I desssire, I'll sssee to it you get the premium rate on my next requessst. You may believe me when I tell you that I have a loooong wish lissst of exotic specimenz to obtain. Let thiz ssserve az a formal introduction to fruitful future businesss venturez together, hmmm?"
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on Jun 30, 2023 4:51:01 GMT -8
As the projection from his cane came to life, Viggo's eyes focused with intense interest. Neither of the creatures that Dragus desired had been hunted by group. Deep study would be needed, but it was intriguing to guess at what kind of prey this would be. He memorized the features the best he could while the projection was active, never once speaking or looking away. Only once it faded and the Sith provided the price did Viggo lean back in his chair, hands clasped over his lap as he contemplated the deal.
"So it would be a trial run, then? See if I can deliver dangerous creatures in a timely manner? Very well."
He then reached over and pressed a button on his desk. It then opened a channel to the communicators of three specific individuals: his second-in-command and his two daughters. Ryker, Astrid, Kareena. Once you all have finished delivering what we can to our clients ships, I want you three to study up of the Corpse-leeches and Fisherz of Carnelion IV. Learn everything you can and relay that knowledge to the others. We have new prey to hunt.
Standing to his feet, he moved around to approach Dragus. His words already made it clear that he'd accept the job, but he would ensure that it was made clear. "Well, my scaly friend, you have yourself a deal. Once we have finished delivering what cargo can't be taken from us now, we will put all attention into acquiring that which you seek in full. Two weeks tops to account for any issues with delivery delays. Any later and we can discuss a decrease payment."
If an army was being created, an if this was a being orchestrated by the Sith, being on their good side was certainly a better course of action. However, being on a Sith's good side was the smallest of concerns. If an army of creatures was indeed the plan, more work would come their way if they delivered. As such, it would be a fool's decision to pass up such a profitable exchange. He'd work on his own terms for the longer plan, but for now, he'd ensure the value of his team and secure this payday and all that were to come. As such, he'd most certainly need to obtain another ship, if not two.
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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: 1,193
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Dragus on Jun 30, 2023 6:18:54 GMT -8
"Excellent." Hissed the drake lord with a scaled smile that stretched beyond the borders of his terrifying visage. He brought up a hooked talon and picked at a rancid morsel of meat trapped between two of his mouth daggers, digging into his black gums until the obsidian digit came away wet with a red glaze. "I could tell you were an sssensible busssinessman."
Turning over the pipe in his claw, Dragus patted the bottom of the bowl and unceremoniously dumped the ashes contained within onto the floor of Viggo's office. He then returned it to his bag before retrieving a large circular token that based on the bluish metallic sheen it possessed had been crafted using a cortosis alloy. The surface of the disc had been minted with a winking barabel on one side and a flaming eyeball on the other. In fact a polished red stone of meltmassif ore was embedded in the token to serve as the bloody eye of the lizard carved into its surface. The Dark Apothecary turned the cortosis coin in his claw and placed it on the desk between them, before sliding it towards Viggo.
"Take thiz." He instructed. "When your people have acquired thessse creaturez they may be delivered to Kala'uun on Ryloth. Do not bee deterred by the...mmm, Imperial, presssence you sssee in orbit. The warlordz of the Outer Rim are under our control. They will know to expect your arrival, but have whoever makez delivery carry thiz token. There have been many changez in the City Beneath the Mountain az of late and my minionz are not alwayz good at following inssstruction. Bearing thiz sssymbol of my authority will help prevent any misunderstandingz."
Since the conquest of Ryloth by the Sith Eternal forces under the command of the Famine Lord, the so called city beneath the mountain had become a despair stricken place full of terror and death. Packs of ratkin made sport of what few unaltered twi'leks linger in its depths, preyed upon by all manner of sinister beast expertly changed by the Dark Apothecary's alchemical attentions, the worst of which seemed to linger around the well funded private school near the heart of the subterranean settlement. All manner of horror was birthed at Dragwarts Sith Academy, including the Sith Wyrm that served as guardian of the city.
"Asssuming there are no complicationz, your people can expect payment along with another requessst upon delivery of thessse creaturez." With the arrangements made, he gathered himself up and prepared to leave, but lingered at the threshold of Viggo's office. The twisted terrorsaur looked over his shoulder, fixing his new business associate with a final look. "I'm confident we'll all prosssper from thiz arrangement. Until later...and don't forget the token."
He wasn't sure how the Doomslither's sister, Shegoroth, would behave if they didn't have it. The Hungering One then departed the office and returned to his ship. The vermintide had already retreated inside and Dragus could hear from the rumbling roars and shrieks coming from the beast pens that the new purchases were already settling in splendidly. Dragus was especially looking forwards to feeding some of the slaves he'd acquired to the krayt dragon. A short time later and the ruby red Occulori core ship blasted up into the sky, trailing black smoke as it headed for orbit.
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Viggo Grimborn
Member
Posts: 62
Affiliation: The Thrill of the Hunt and the Sound of Credits
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on Jul 1, 2023 5:50:31 GMT -8
As the drake dumped the contents of his pipe onto the floor of Viggo's ship, a slight gaze downwards towards the pile and back to Dragus was all the response to it. It was a rather irritating thing, but nothing that warranted risking a promising business deal. He would have the droids clean it up soon enough. Still, the small action told one of two stories. The first was, if stories were true, Sith really felt themselves superior and could do as they wished. The second, and the option Viggo felt accurate, was that Dragus was a special creature who simply did things and the thought of consequences or etiquette didn't even register. He certainly felt a ping of pity for the poor sod that had him as a houseguest. Then again, maybe it was a simple test to see if he was capable of getting under Viggo's skin. Whatever the case, in the end, it didn't matter. A payday of 4.2 million credits trumped some minuscule irritations.
Nothing more was said as the Famine Lord placed the coin on his desk and eventually left, a final reminder to have the token when he arrived. He most certainly didn't intend to fall victim to whatever machinations the mad lord had created, minion or monster. Dragus's warning was enough warning to ensure preparation for this delivery. They would be ready should someone decide that the token was meaningless.
Once he was gone, Viggo took the coin and twirled it in his fingers, looking it over for a moment before sitting at his desk. Hitting a button, the ship wide commlink opened.
Attention, my friends. We have brand new prey that needs be hunted and a short amount of time in which to do so. Within the next thirty minutes, ensure everything has been load and all deliveries made. Our stops from there for drop off will be quick so I want to dallying about. Ryker and my daughters will gather everyone for a briefing the moment they finish their research. That is all.
The crew knew what these orders meant. A new hunt meant a new payday and a new thrill. Moving quickly, they finished their work, getting things squared away sooner than the allotted time allowed. Once all were aboard and stations reported ready, the Shellfire's engines came to life and the repulsorlifts brought it off the ground. Soon, they were pushing into orbit and eventually gone, heading for their first of a few drop offs. But all looked ahead to the trip to Carnelion IV
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Post by Dread Lord Havok on Jul 2, 2023 7:16:43 GMT -8
A bounty hunter watched the Krayt dragon being loaded onto the giant cargo gantry of Dragus' red Occulari Core ship. From a crag in the many sink-holes of the Utapau terrain, she could see the hordes of Ranat and other sithspawn scurrying around through her macrobinoculars. She called it in. **** After several calls, Mantus had gathered that the sith lord was indeed Dragus, and his ship would take a small army to hijack. When Mantus used to work for the sith lord Havok, he would have had a small army at his finger tips. But now, the motley assortment of 20 bounty hunters was a drop in the preverbal bucket for what he would need.
"Can I get you anything?" The Anzati's thoughts were interrupted by the bartender, who stood ready to take his order. "No." As soon as he spoke, he felt and heard his stomach growl. "On second thought, do you have any soup?" He flashed a charming smile. "Soup is always on the menu." "Indeed." Ibn Mantus licked his lips and looked at the bartender. The man's frothy brain-essence, soup, was probably going to be bland and unremarkable. But it would suffice to sustain. Mantus would call his client back with the bad news soon enough.
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