Nartaga
Member
Sometimes you must pick the gun up to put the gun down.
Posts: 614 
Affiliation: R'Crurak Clan
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Nartaga on Jun 20, 2016 20:30:46 GMT -8
The Tuskens uttered curses under their breath at the mention of the ancient one's name, spitting into the ground. Kal'Shor tossed a pair of shackles from his belt onto the sand before the feet of Xxoxia and Enam. The other Tuskens shifted their feet uneasily at the decision made by the Dunewalker. The Shaman halted her chanting and started to speak out in protest, but Kal'Shor quieted her with a barking order. The Shaman bowed her head, tilted slightly up to stare with felt hatred of the two Outsiders before her.
-Kal'Shor-
"We are not your messengers, Outsider. You wish to speak to the Head Councilor? You shall do it yourself."
The Tusken gestured to the shackles at their feet.
-Kal'Shor-
"Put those one, behind your backs. Your weapons will be taken and returned to you once you leave, if you behave."
Kal'Shor puffed his chest up at the first sign of indecision by the pair. His voice boomed out across the sands, shaking even the stance of the other Tuskens present. Most knew better than to test the patience of a R'Crurak Dunewalker.
-Kal'Shor-
"NOW!"
If Xxoxxia and Enam put the shackles on, the Tuskens would move on and thoroughly search their person for any and all weapons they could find, including their lightsabers. They even went through the process of going through the hair of the two, removing anything found and tossing it all in a sack which the Dunewalker slung over his shoulder. After everything was secured, a short rope was run through the chains of the shackles to keep the pair close and acted as a leash. With the bag of contraband on his shoulder and the rope in his free hand, he spoke to the two Outsiders.
-Kal'Shor-
"Walk."
The other five Tuskens spread out, with two on both sides, and the final picking up the rear. All with Kal'Shor, Xxoxia and Enam in the center.
|
|
Xxoxia Valuna
Member
The rouge Errant.
Posts: 72 
Affiliation: Order of the Flame
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Xxoxia Valuna on Jun 22, 2016 19:56:15 GMT -8
"Heh," Enam managed to respond, amused with the Tusken's 'tough talk'. "Look, kid, I'm not going to-"
Enam's eyes narrowed towards Kal'Shor. "You bark at me one more time, and I'll put you down like the dog you are..." He growled out, as the Force started to swell within him.
Xxoxia sensed it, she'd been with Enam long enough now to know when he was getting to the tipping point - and she'd seen what came after. She looked at the Tuskens and raised her hands higher as she slowly inched herself closer to Enam. "Lets go..." She whispered. "Just get the damn shackles on," she continued out of the side of her mouth, noticing that the shamanic Tusken seemed to be sensing Enam's increased Force-fueled rage too. "We need answers. We can't get them if we're dead." Xia crouched down, making sure to keep one hand up as she picked up her pair of shackles.
Enam said nothing, his eyes fixed on Kal; like a predator waiting for the right moment to strike and deal a swift but deadly blow.
"Do it, Tempestuous." Xia urged as she clasped her hands behind her back and clicked the shackles shut.
Enam turned at the sound of the shackles shutting, then back to Kal. "You don't trust me and I don't trust you, but let's get this one simple thing out of the way... if you think I'm going to go out without a fight - you're fugging dead. Period." Enam picked up his shackles and placed his hands behind his back, closing them on his wrists with the same click of metal to metal.
As the Tusken's rifled through Xia's robes, taking her sabers, she had a nagging feeling that she might have made a grave mistake. Now they both were shackled and soon weaponless. She looked to Enam as the Tuskens passed over him; taking weapon after weapon out of his tattered wrappings. But he never broke his steely gaze from Kal, and the power of that coldblooded, murderous intent sent a shiver down her spine.
And so they did...
|
|
Nartaga
Member
Sometimes you must pick the gun up to put the gun down.
Posts: 614
Affiliation: R'Crurak Clan
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Nartaga on Jun 22, 2016 21:04:51 GMT -8
Kal'Shor returned the stare directly back at Enam as the pair were searched after shackling themselves, until finally he moved behind them to tie them together. As the duo were led through the sands and wreckage that surrounded the Enclave, the Tuskens and Jawas amidst the metal corpses of speeders hooted and cheered at the apparent victory they had achieved by capturing two Outsiders. Kal'Shor waved them down as they started making their way towards them, and they stopped. They were confused slightly by the gesture but returned to work nonetheless. Everything was being loaded up and transported to the Jawa Sandcrawlers located on the far side of the Enclave, just outside the walls. There were close to twenty of the large vehicles stationed nearby, as many Jawas had flocked at the call of their own clansmen to aid in the rebuilding and fortification of the Enclave, as it was not just a home to the Tuskens anymore.
-Kal'Shor-
"As long as you remain civil no harm will come to either of you. The Enclave and its territory is on lockdown right now after the attack. Outsiders are not welcome in our borders right now, given it was your kind that attacked us unprovoked. The shackles are a formality. Be thankful I did not order my Sentries to shoot first and ask questions later. We would have been hailed as heroes for killing the Desert Demon."
As they approached the walls the Sentries standing post cheered at the sight of the prisoners their fellows had caught. The Gates swung open and the two were walked inside the Enclave. Eyes from the inhabitants followed the pair as they walked up the main street through the Enclave, cutting through the slowly gathering crowd they were attracting and to the Great Hall. The scent of the dead was even stronger, but the fires atop the mountains had died down considerably. The overall damage was surprisingly minimal to most of the Enclave. During the days since the attack most of it had all been repaired, and new buildings were already being built from stone from the mountains and metal from the wrecks.
The Sentry Honor Guard standing post at the doors to the Great Hall, armed with Cycler Rifles tipped with bayonets, snapped to attention as Kal'Shor walked from around Xxoxia and Enam and motioned for them to open the large stone doors adorned with Tusken symbols and images of the events of Tatooine. Kal'Shor tugged slightly on the rope and gestured for the two to walk inside first.
-Kal'Shor-
"Both Nartaga and the Elder are inside with the Council, dealing with the aftermath of your people's attack."
After the pair had crossed the threshold of the Great hall, Kal'Shor followed behind them, leading them through another set of doors to the Council room, where a gathering of Tuskens and Jawas was assembled. Towards the back of the room was a large stone table where sat six Tuskens, the Councilors of the R'Crurak clan. In the center of the table were a pair of ancient looking gaderffii and two krayt dragon pearls on either side of them. Almost simultaneously the occupants of the room turned to the new arrivals. The look was accompanied by the expected curses and threats yelled at the Outsiders.
Nartaga stood up and hammered his fist onto the stone table, the impact ringing throughout the room, bringing quiet and order once more. The Tuskens and Jawas looked to the Head Councilor.
-Nartaga in Tusken-
"Please excuse us. We shall resume this meeting after."
After some disgruntled comments, mostly directed at the Outsiders in their midst, the Tuskens and Jawas filed out with little incident. The only notable thing was a Tuskens taking a step towards Xxoxia and Enam and spitting on the ground at their feet before moving on. After everyone else had left the room, the only people left were the six Councilors: Nartaga, the Elder, Rik'Ur, Ruk'Arr, K'Shir and Gr'Ish. This included Kal'Shor, Xxoxia and Enam. Nartaga spoke quietly to the other Councilors, who them stood up and left the room as well, now only leaving Nartaga, the Elder and Kal'Shor as the only other Tuskens in the room. Nartaga walked around the side of the table, heading towards the two Outsiders. He nodded at Kal'Shor, who untied and unshackled both Xxoxia and Enam, and then moved to guard the door into the room.
Nartaga stood barely four feet from the two Outsiders. He looked over Xxoxia quickly, but he locked his eyes on Enam. He spoke in Galactic Basic.
-Nartaga-
"I know you...."
The Elder finally spoke up, still seated behind the table, watching over the meeting.
-The Elder-
"They came to ask about Jud'dayus. Speak. Ask your questions."
Nartaga bristled slightly at the mention of Jud'dayus, but remained composed on the outside, though inside he felt his blood rise. The Head Councilor turned his head towards the Elder, to ask how he knew what they were here for, but remained silent as he turned his head back to the pair and waited for them to speak for themselves.
|
|
Xxoxia Valuna
Member
The rouge Errant.
Posts: 72
Affiliation: Order of the Flame
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Xxoxia Valuna on Jun 23, 2016 11:50:32 GMT -8
Enam snorted at Kal's insistence that he'd actually "saved" their lives. "Now, that ain't a name I've heard for a long time," he replied, thinking on the nickname fondly. "Oh, those were the days. When no one in their right mind came toe to toe with me, not even your kind." He let the insult linger for a moment. "And as hard as people have tried - Tusken, Human, Hutt, Mando... none have been able to snuff me out. Oh, they've done a hell of a job tryin', I give credit where it's due, but don't fool yourself into thinkin' I'd just roll over and stay down. Not my style."
Xia just shook her head slightly. She was more focused on taking in their surroundings... just in case.
"No shtako," Enam replied. "This place took a hell of a beating," he said looking around at the carbon-scored pockmarks scattered across the sides of the rock. The stench of bloated corpses more present then ever, as Enam remembered the path which they were walking. The council-hut was just up ahead, he'd been here before several times with the Old Man and never felt a thing, but this time so some unknown reason the dark entrance to the hut seemed ominous. He took a deep breath and bent slightly to enter, his senses were hit by the dank smell of knowledge, of stagnant air mixed with Tusken incense for their communions with whatever Deities they believed in.
Enam smirked, it had been something close to a decade since their last meeting. The Tusken had grown, matured even, and he was slightly taken aback by the confidence in Nartaga's voice - this wasn't the same unsure kid he'd known and fought. Something had happened, something had emboldened him. Enam peered at Nartaga, sensing on an instinctual - maybe even an animalistic level - that the Tusken had somehow come into his own... and oddly enough he respected it. "Yes, Narti. It's been a very long time," he finally replied as respectfully as was possible for him too.
Enam's eyes looked up to the seated Tusken he'd never seen before, but knew was someone of importance. The mere fact that this man knew what they were here for was enough for him to pay complete attention to the Elder Tusken. He began to open his mouth...
"Do you know where he is?" Xxoxia interjected, uttering her first words since their capture. "That is all, we've meant no disrespect, but Tempestuous was under the impression that Nartaga might be able to point us in the right direction." She looked to both Nartaga and the Elder, her eyes conveying a need to know, whatever the answer was, she just needed to know.
|
|
Nartaga
Member
Sometimes you must pick the gun up to put the gun down.
Posts: 614
Affiliation: R'Crurak Clan
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Nartaga on Jun 23, 2016 20:04:32 GMT -8
Nartaga finally pinned the identity of the man before him. Enam Revlis, apprentice to Jud'dayus, and former Governor of Tatooine. He did not recognize the woman with him. All the old memories quickly came to the forefront of his mind. He bowed his head slightly in agreement at Enam's comment on the passage of time.
-Nartaga-
"Indeed. We have come a long way since you last saw us. I am glad that we can be in the same room without being at each other's throats, but am saddened it has to be during a time of such strife between our people."
Nartaga turned his attention to Xxoxia as she finally spoke up. All he could do in response was tilt his head as he tried to recall the last time he had heard anything of the ancient Sith. The last time he could recall was a meeting after a group of Sentries scouting the Temple had encountered him. Nartaga was about to speak when he was cut off by the Elder.
-The Elder-
"Your master is dead; taken by those who keep the eternal journal of the Universe."
The Elder stood up slowly, using his staff to help prop his ancient body up. Nartaga was taken aback by this news, as he had not heard anything of the sort about Jud'dayus. To think that he was actually gone was nearly unthinkable. Nartaga knew little about the history between Jud'dayus and the Elder, but he did know that they had been at odds for several millennia. He stepped aside to give the Elder a clear path to the two Outsiders, and waited for more information on this revelation.
-The Elder-
"I know of the relationship you both shared with Dante....but I am not sorry. He chose the coward's way out. Remember his failure and learn from it. Do not follow his path, or you'll end up with a similar, hollow legacy."
Nartaga was speechless for a full minute before he finally broke the silence. He tried to hide the trembling in his voice. It was caused by both the elation that one of the greatest threats to everything the R'Crurak were working towards was gone, but at the same time an intense feeling of loss. The loss of such an important life, as well as all the knowledge that spanned the old Sith's time alive.
-Nartaga-
"H-he's gone? Nartaga gathered himself and spoke firmly to the Elder. Why did you not share this information with the rest of the Council?"
The Elder his head to face the disgust flowing freely from his voice. Not at the Head Councilor, but being forced to explain himself. Emotions he did not think he had anymore bubbled to the surface in a small fit of rage. His presence grew within the room, overtaking the energy of those inside and even overshadowing even the inhabitants of the Enclave in its entirety, if only for a moment before he drew back.
-The Elder-
"What would have been the point? It's all gone! All of it! The Temple, the libraries, the artifacts! Nothing but sand! Buried deeper than even I can reach!"
Nartaga looked to the ground and shook his head in disappointment. The Elder on the other hand turned back to Enam and Xxoxia, giving the two his full attention.
-The Elder-
"What do the two of you plan to do now? With him gone."
|
|
Xxoxia Valuna
Member
The rouge Errant.
Posts: 72
Affiliation: Order of the Flame
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Xxoxia Valuna on Jun 24, 2016 19:12:49 GMT -8
There was a hush in the room, a silence so profound that it was almost as silent as the vacuum of space. The only sounds that broken this moment were their hearts beating, and whatever thoughts ran through the heads of those present in the council hut.
The numbness crept over Xxoxia like slivers of crystallizing water. The callousness of the Elder's casual telling of her Master's death was almost to much to to bear. Her legs stood fast, but it felt like she was merely floating; everything below her neck had disconnected, and she felt weightless. "Wha- what does that mean?" she asked herself out loud. "What does any of that mean?" Xia repeated, knowing that the only answers she'd receive would be just as cryptic. "And who's Dante?"
Enam raged within, his heart-rate spiking as the anger bubbled within him manifesting outwardly in tremors sieving his clenched hands. His mind raced, and his teeth gnashed thinking on what this Elder just divulged. Eternal journal of the Universe? Coward's way out? Dante, his true name, how'd he know the Old Man's true man? He looked at the frail man before him and envisioned murdering him on the spot by crushing his windpipe just for uttering that Jud'dayus had been a coward. Yet he stayed himself physically; though every ounce of him was screaming for the Demon to be loosed.
"How could you possibly know that name?" Enam barely managed, his restraint only being held by his complete concentration. "There's no way in Chaos that he'd tell you, a Tusken, that name." Enam fumed, "Answer me, NOW!"
|
|
Nartaga
Member
Sometimes you must pick the gun up to put the gun down.
Posts: 614
Affiliation: R'Crurak Clan
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Nartaga on Jun 24, 2016 20:57:45 GMT -8
The Elder locked eyes with Xxoxia and moved closer to her. He leaned in close and spoke quietly to her. His tone was calm an devoid of any emotion.
-The Elder-
"Do not worry yourself over details you cannot comprehend. Move on with your life and make what you can of it. The dead are gone. The living are hungry."
Nartaga was still shaken by the revelation that Jud'dayus was gone, and was much in the same condition that Xxoxia was. He had not had the connection that the Elder had had with the old Sith. All he knew about besides the few run ins with him was what the Elder told him, of the times before the Elder had adopted the Tuskens as his people and forsaken the ways of he Outsiders. In many ways the two were similar. Nartaga clenched his fists and regained control of himself. He looked to Enam and spoke out to the man.
-Nartaga-
"They knew each other, before Tatooine."
The Elder whipped around and scolded Nartaga with a glare that could glass sand. Nartaga took a step backward, but relaxed when the Elder's shoulders slumped and he nodded, proving the statement to be true. The Elder then looked to Enam. He had no patience for explaining, but the womp rat was already out of the bag. Jud'dayus was gone, and with him the promises to keep his secrets.
-The Elder-
"It is true. I knew Jud'dayus before he took that name, just as he knew me before I took the name Elder, and was known as Nutho'us Mardenus."
The Elder took several steps towards Enam, looking up at the man and staring him down.
-The Elder-
"If you ever heard that name you will know I am no Tusken. Never assume anything your eyes show you to be true. He should have taught you that."
|
|
Xxoxia Valuna
Member
The rouge Errant.
Posts: 72
Affiliation: Order of the Flame
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Xxoxia Valuna on Jun 25, 2016 19:40:47 GMT -8
"If you explained I would comprehend, because I am hungry." Xia spat back at the Elder. His words had hit a nerve that Enam had learned to avoid. "Don't talk down to me, don't belittle me, and don't underestimate me," she spoke with the confidence that Sinistra had instilled in her while on Kuat. "You might be old and wise, but from where I'm standing; you're no different than the man you continue to besmirch."
"Before..." Enam murmured, as the Elder stepped up toe to toe with him.
"You, you were a Jedi then..." Enam said - more out of a stunning realization then in the form of a question. "Jud'dayus taught me to kill, but he never spoke of you. The Old Man never spoke much of anything..." Enam conceded as he trailed off for a moment thinking on all that he'd seen while training in the Inner Sanctum for his trials. He'd seen many faces, but there had been few names. Maybe the Old Sith had blanked them out of his own memories, as not to relive them completely; leaving his friends - his victims, nameless for the sake of his frayed sanity. "Then you fought together? Fell together? Ran away together?" He laughed at the implication. "The kid's right, you're no better than the Old Sith. Two cowards on the same rock playing grab-arse with one another."
|
|
Nartaga
Member
Sometimes you must pick the gun up to put the gun down.
Posts: 614
Affiliation: R'Crurak Clan
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Nartaga on Jun 26, 2016 12:02:29 GMT -8
The Elder dismissed Xxoxia's comment with a scoff at Xxoxia and kept his attention on Enam. The Elder's goggles glinted in the torchlight from the wall behind him, giving small glimpse into the dark empty pits where his eyes should be. The Elder's tone remained empty as he spoke.
-The Elder-
"Our relationship was much more...complicated then that."
The Elder took out from his robes a lightsaber hilt, one that had been in Jud'dayus's collection back in the Temple, given back to him by Jud'dayus himself. He ran his other hand over it, as if reminiscing about the memories it held in each atom that made up the hilt itself. The Elder seemed to give in to either the words of Xxoxia and Enam or some memory he recalled. The Elder sighed, shaking his head.
-The Elder-
"I am sorry for insulting him. For those who have lived as long as he and I have, his time gone seems like the blink of an eye. The wounds are still as fresh as the day they happened. There is truth in your words, both of you. Jud'dayus and I were many things over the years. Friends, enemies, rivals, but I will not deny that we are The Elder visibly paused and corrected himself. His body language gave off that he seemed to be in pain as he did. ...were...very much the same. Similar minds with different goals."
The Elder bent over and started coughing, his entire body shaking as each hack wracked his body. Nartaga stepped forward to support the Elder, only receiving a shove away from him for thanks. After the fit had passed and the Elder was able to catch his breath, he straightened himself up and spoke.
-The Elder-
"But he is gone now. The only things left of him are us. Burying up all his skeletons seeking answers will only leave more questions, trust me on that."
|
|
Xxoxia Valuna
Member
The rouge Errant.
Posts: 72
Affiliation: Order of the Flame
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Xxoxia Valuna on Jun 27, 2016 18:19:12 GMT -8
Enam watched as the Elder produced the hilt of a saber he'd seen before in the Old Man's collection, his eyebrow raised slightly before the Elder spoke. "Jud told me that for every saber he had; he'd taken a life, and that each of those lives were those closest to him." He looked into the man's hollow eyes and realized that the person before him was dead. The Sith had done as he said, and the thought of his former Master's honesty rankled on him slightly. "Out of all the things for the Old fugger to be honest about..." He trailed off before giving the insight a snort.
Xxoxia listened intently, she'd always known that Jud'dayus had kept her in the dark on many things - especially after being with Enam, but even he seemed to be keeping their Master's history a secret. His true name had been, Dante... he'd had a saber collection of those he killed closest to him, he and the Elder, no, Nutho'us had been friends... There were so many questions she wanted to ask both the Elder and Enam, but knew now wasn't the time. The situation was still tense. As she thought this the Elder became wracked with coughing. In an almost unconscious reaction Xia went to help but stopped herself just as Nartaga was pushed away. It wasn't her place, this wasn't her worry, this wasn't her Master... Xia's face went sullen at the word. Was she so needy, that she needed to find a Master? Enam, Sinistra, this Elder? No, no more, no more clinging. This was the closure, now she was on her own truly.
Xia and Enam looked at each other. They were all that was left of the man. It was a disheartening revelation, and a heavy weight to carry. Enam was without a purpose again; the Old fugger was gone, and with it his promise to end the fight they'd started nearly thirty years ago. Xxoxia was no longer an Errant to the Flame... she, she was the Flame.
"I, I'm the Flame?" Xia said softly to Enam before looking at the Elder. "I'm the Flame."
|
|
Nartaga
Member
Sometimes you must pick the gun up to put the gun down.
Posts: 614
Affiliation: R'Crurak Clan
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Nartaga on Jul 2, 2016 18:31:57 GMT -8
The Elder nodded at Enam, confirming his suspicions and perhaps giving raise to more questions than answers, as he had given fair warning about beforehand.
-The Elder-
"I was killed by him, yes, but I have not only died at the hands of Jud'dayus."
Nartaga had stood back with his arms crossed after being shoved back by the Elder. He knew he was out of depth when it came to the Elder's life and history, but he had never before been pushed away from the man he had called Master, and looked to for guidance. The High Councilor knew that the Elder was in much pain over he loss, but also knew of the pain that living brought the Elder. Still, he shrugged the event off and moved on, turning his attention to Xxoxia, who seemed to be mumbling to herself.
-Nartaga-
"What is the Flame?"
The Elder looked to Nartaga and held up his hands, as if searching for the words to answer the question.
-The Elder-
"The simplest way to put it is that is a title, like you are High Councilor and I am known as the Elder. But it has much more meaning and power behind it than simple status and glamor."
Nartaga still did not understand what it meant to be the Flame, but could understand the meaning behind the title and the Elder's explanation. The Tusken uncrossed his arms and took a step towards Xxoxia and Enam.
-Nartaga-
"Then we could certainly use this Flame in the days ahead."
The Elder began to scoff at the idea but looked over the two Outsiders before him. He put his hand to the chin of his mask and muttered below his breath for a moment before finally speaking up.
-The Elder-
"You still have not answered my question. What is the two of you plan to do with your lives now?"
|
|
Xxoxia Valuna
Member
The rouge Errant.
Posts: 72
Affiliation: Order of the Flame
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Xxoxia Valuna on Jul 5, 2016 10:30:33 GMT -8
"I don't know, become a pirate again, maybe a hired killer, or better yet maybe I'll leave it all behind and take up moister farming?" Enam answered with a laugh. "We've been chasing our tails for two years, following what we thought were bread crumbs to where the Old fugger might be. We only came back here because she wanted too, you know; woman's intuition." He shrugged nonchalantly, his demeanor showing he really didn't know what they would do, what he would do. "I'm not much for helping, I'm not much for company, so, I'm not sure what I'll do or where I'm supposed to go. I've kind of always been on my own..." Enam trailed off, thinking on his wayward father... how bitter sweet that had been. The man that had given him his life and name was no more a part of his life then the Old Sith had been. He was a pariah of sorts, a man with no future; just a torrid past and a bleak present.
"I had a feeling..." Xxoxia said to Enam, referring to his explanation of their being on Tatooine. "If you want to call it intuition, fine, but don't disparage it because of my sex," she was getting sick of Enam and the Elder's flagrant disrespect to her. "There was something wrong, and I felt that coming back to the start would allow me to shake this feeling." Xia sighed. "And this meeting has lessened that feeling, but only opened my mind to more questions." She looked to the Elder. "I know little about my Master, I only know what he taught me, and what Tempestuous has willingly let slip in our travels. I guess what I'm saying is - I need more, I need more insight into the man that was Jud'dayus." She turned to Enam and spoke sternly. "I need you to answer me honestly too," her features softened, taking on the endearing young face that Enam knew. "I need the truth, Enam... no matter how horrible. He's not here anymore, his secrets died with him."
Enam gave the prodding a sigh but nodded his head in agreement. "You sure about that, kiddo?" He asked, to which Xia nodded. "Fine, we'll talk later." He looked back towards Nartaga and the Elder. "Anyway, are we done here?"
"I'm not," Xia replied, as she came up to Enam's side and put a hand on his arm. "I'm not." She continued, looking up to Enam with her dark eyes. "If the Elder is willing to speak with me, I'm not ready to leave yet." She turned to the Elder stepping forward and bowing respectfully to the ancient man. "If you will permit me, I would like to hear your story," she looked up from her bow. "It's my responsibility as The Flame..."
|
|
Nartaga
Member
Sometimes you must pick the gun up to put the gun down.
Posts: 614
Affiliation: R'Crurak Clan
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Nartaga on Apr 26, 2017 17:53:15 GMT -8
The Enclave had remained on high alert since the attack. The Tusken and Jawa clans under the R'Crurak banner had continued to consolidate their forces around the Enclave. The repairs to the wall had completed, and fortifications had been erected all around the clan's territory. Small concealed foxhole bunkers spaced all around, with nearly constant patrols in and around the R'Crurak's land. Any sightings were reported in and dealt with, with the efficiency only the Tuskens could. The R'Crurak's stockade had filled in recent weeks, housing Outsiders who had dared cross into their lands.
Prisoners were rotated in and out of the mountain tunnels where the last remainder of the Dark Possessed were held in cages, twisted remains of living beings corrupted by darkness. While the R'Crurak treated their prisoners well by Tusken standards, they needed intel. The Council had ruled against torturing the Outsiders they captured, but fear could be just as strong of a motivator to loosen lips. The Dark Possessed the R'Crurak kept locked up in the mountain were serving a purpose, not only as a tool to instill fear in the Outsiders, but as specimens of study. Shamans chanted day and night, draining the darkness that seemed the build up and grow within them and filling them with the holy light of the Twin Suns. The monstrous screams of both the creatures and of the Outsiders were but echoes of whispers once the sound left the endless maze of tunnels the mountain hid.
|
|
Nartaga
Member
Sometimes you must pick the gun up to put the gun down.
Posts: 614
Affiliation: R'Crurak Clan
Traffic Light: Yellow
|
Post by Nartaga on Apr 28, 2017 8:00:37 GMT -8
The R'Crurak Council sat around the stone table in the Great Hall, in session debating on their next move. Tensions were high, as everyone knew the stakes if they made a misstep, but the usually heated arguments that echoed inside the walls were nonexistent. The recent attacks had made the Outsiders an enemy of the Tuskens once more. This had brought them together in some ways. It was enough for the Council to speak calmly to each other and to come up with strategies and ideas to deal with them, but still they could not agree on what action they should take.
-Rik'Ur in Tusken-
"We cannot simply sit around and wait for them to come to us, we need to take the fighting to them. My Sentries are demanding we attack in retaliation. Every time we are attacked they not only weaken our defenses, but they also learn more of our tactics. It will only be a matter of time before they attack in force."
The other Councilors talked among themselves for a few moments before Ruk'Arr spoke up.
-Ruk'Arr in Tusken-
"The Dunewalker have reported that these attacked are disorganized and random. The Outsiders have always hated us, and we have always returned that hate with our own. Something must have happened with one of the smaller clans or tribes to bring this on. We are a large immobile target with much sway among our people, so they attack us. Retaliating will only give others a reason to join in."
Nartaga looked around at the other Councilors, before his eyes landed on the Elder, who had been quiet this entire time. Nartaga raised his hand and stood up, the other Tuskens quieting to give him a chance to speak.
-Nartaga in Tusken-
"We have been down this road before, with our own kin. Conflict at this point is almost inevitable, but we can do what we can to stave it off and lessen the damage to all sides."
The Elder finally spoke up, remaining seated with his hand on his chin.
-Elder in Tusken-
"The Jawas."
The Jawa clan representative in the room perked up a bit when his people were mentioned. He listened in with renewed interest as the Tuskens continued to speak.
-Nartaga in Tusken-
"We made contact with a clan of odd Jawas who have made their home at the old Hutt Palace. They seemed reasonable, and capable. We are short on allies and surrounded by enemies. We should reach out to them and see what they know. They may have a better idea as to why the Outsiders have been so confident lately."
The Jawa slumped and sighed. He knew exactly what clan they were talking about, and he did not like where this was going. Still, his job was to sit and listen to the Tuskens, relaying all the conversation to his clan leaders so they could speak among themselves. If the Tuskens wanted to make friends with the weirdest clan in the Dunes, he wouldn't stop them.
Plans were agreed to, the Council left the Great Hall, and a small group was being recruited to make the trek to Jabba's Palace.
|
|
|
|
Post by Vecna Shadowmantle on Sept 4, 2019 8:50:23 GMT -8
Vecna's ship had crashed a few, Days? Weeks? Months? ago, but what did the time matter to a being like him. What truly mattered was where his ship and crashed. Tatooine, a planet filled with wretched life forms that would not be missed. People came to this back water to get lost, and Vecna would see to it they stayed that way. Particularly the Sand People. Vecna had landed in the middle of a tribal feud. This was an opportunity. As the Tuskens descended upon his downed ship, he waited, and struck when they were busy salvaging the scrap. Vecna laid waist to every warrior who came before him. His flail and sabers took many of their lives, but he kept some wounded to himself. That he would have something to fuel his life, their lives for his. When the lowest of the Tusken clans arrived and witnessed the carnage that had been wrought upon their rivals, they bowed to him. Thinking him some foul angel of death, come to destroy their foes. And that he did. Raising the dead of the enemy, and turning them against their former comrades had the desired effect. Mass routs and hysteria. The other Tusken clans banded together to face the sacrilege that was Vecna. But his host was growing with every battle. Any dead left on the field were raised and would fight again and again and again. Finally, Vecna cornered the a major tribe in their stronghold. A few stragglers here and their still wondered the wastes, but it mattered little, they could not challenge Vecna's mighty host of undead and his few remaining living acolytes. But now he waited in a siege, consuming the life force of prisoners as needed, growing his legend among the Tuskens.
|
|
The Fallen
The Dark Jedi Order
Posts: 535
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by The Fallen on Sept 5, 2019 18:22:24 GMT -8
The sleek black Dark Jedi Infiltrator descended down through the atmosphere of Tatooine. Up above, the Phaedra sat in orbit waiting silently as its crew prepared for any battle that might befall them. Ifrit looked out the view port as the desert below filled up more and more of the view. Tasradan leveling the Infiltrator out as the ship headed toward a set of co-ordinates. Reports had reached Ifrit of a Force User on the world of Tatooine that had been raising an army of the dead. A large number of Tusken tribes worshiped this shadow as some kind of god.
Thus, Ifrit had been drawn away from Ambria to seek out this Tusken God. To separate fact from fiction, and figure out to whom this man's allegiances might lay. Questions that would soon be answered as Tasradan slowed the Infiltrator down and landed it upon the dunes some distance from the massive host that was besieging some stronghold of some sort. Ifrit made his way down through and out of the ship. His WarGlaives gripped in each hand as he made his way toward the edge of the undead army and stood there. His gaze expanding out to take in the mighty host as he waited to see what they would do
|
|
|
|
Post by Vecna Shadowmantle on Sept 5, 2019 20:11:02 GMT -8
The outer portion of the hoard of undead turned almost in unison as Ifrit approached them. Standing as still as tombstones they should be under, they watched and waited for something. Eventually they started to part from the inside out. Soon the Dark Jedi could see a form moving through them. A being shrouded in a black cloak and steely armor, wearing a crown of cold iron. The beings face was utterly obscured, perhaps an illusion of the Force? But soon the being came to a stop beyond the ranks of the undead army. It could be no doubt in the Dark Jedi's mind, this was who he sought.
Vecna looked out across the sand at the new comer. A strange creature, but nothing that made the ancient sorcerer look twice. Noting that the being was armed already, Vecna did slightly wonder if he should have brought his flail, yet was confident his sabers would be all that was needed, stored safely up his cloaks sleeves. After a few minutes of silence with the only sounds being the wind sweeping across the plains, Vecna finally spoke in a cold raspy voice, it sounded like a whisper, and with his voice came a chill in the air, it was not a welcome one, even in the heat of Tatooine, it was as if someone stood upon your future grave...
Why have you come?
|
|
The Fallen
The Dark Jedi Order
Posts: 535
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by The Fallen on Sept 19, 2019 18:30:48 GMT -8
Ifrit stood and waited, the heat beating down upon him as the undead host stared at him. But his patience was soon rewarded as the horde started to part, allowing their master to come forth. His unseeing gaze taking in the cloth and steel clad individual as the man strode out from the gathered ranks. Ifrit smiled as he sensed the Sorceror checking him out, before the man's voice seemed to chill the air as he spoke. He remained at ease, even as the figure asked why he was here
Isn't it obvious? News of your feats have traveled far beyond Tatooine, and I had to come check it for myself... A host of undead Tuskens worshiping a mysterious sorcerer... Consider me an interested party, here to observe you at work....
|
|
|
|
Post by Vecna Shadowmantle on Sept 20, 2019 10:43:50 GMT -8
A spike of red hot anger, pierced the robed being. It was not outwardly shown, but any attuned to the darkside could feel the shift in his mood.
I was unaware these primitive whelps could operate devises to communicate off planet, and I was told no living beings had survived... Unless...
Slowly he turned his head to look at one of the few living Tuskins in his horde. The Sandperson was lifted off his feet and brought to face Vecna.
Did you think you could deceive me? Did those humans escape you? You should know better than to lie TO YOUR GOD!
The Tuskin was never given a chance to reply. The self proclaimed god let out a horrific scream the resonated through the Force. Then drinking in the fear of his victim, Vecna drained him of life. The husk crumpled to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust that seemed to avoid the darksider. It seemed after that fit or rage, the cold chill returned to the area surrounding Vecna. Attention now returned to the new comer, Vecna thought for a moment.
And what do you think of my work?
|
|
The Fallen
The Dark Jedi Order
Posts: 535
Affiliation: The Dark Jedi Order
Traffic Light: Blue
|
Post by The Fallen on Oct 7, 2019 4:05:35 GMT -8
Ifrit watched impassively as the robed being spoke, musing that he was unaware of survivors. He made no move to intervene as the man’s fury was suddenly ignited and directed toward one of the few living beings amongst the host of undead sandpeople. His vision giving him a perfect display of the energy that was drained from the Tusken and into the robed being. An impressive display to say the least, but not a power Ifrit was unfamiliar with. As the man’s fury cooled, it was clear that Ifrit’s presence also had the self proclaimed god curious
Impressive so far... Few exist with the knowledge to properly raise and control the dead. I’m curious to see them in action myself, if you do not mind an audience?
|
|
