A New Home - TSE Dominion of New Alderaan

[Darth Bellum]

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N e w _ A l d e r a a n​

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New Alderaan - A bustling city that has seen a growth in commerce and trade over the years, built upon rolling plains and up against mountains. The population has seen a boom as numbers rise to fill out the ever growing city as refugees and tourists mingle amongst a diverse population. There is a number of different commodities that the city offers, enjoy what it has to offer.

Cophrigin V - Cophrigin V has never been a planet of much note. Expansion plans had been made to start building and creating a city on the planet with its vast expanses of grassy plains and forests. However, it appears that the forests of Cophrigin V have become a base of operations for rebels who have used its forests to hide themselves from the prying eyes of the Sith from the skies.

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[ Objective I ] - Explore the Capital
New Alderaan is a very pleasant and cozy planet, with much to offer. Having been left to develop on its own, it is quite a popular place of commerce now. Explore the city and see what it has to offer in its numerous districts, perhaps purchase something to add to your collection of trinkets or kick back with your fellow comrades in a bar. Perhaps help the refugees build up their new homes as a show of goodwill and prosperity from the Sith Empire and remind them that the Sith Empire treats loyal citizens well.

[ Objective II ] - Hunt down the Dissidents
After the Sith Empire's campaign on Alderaan in the past, many sought refuge in New Alderaan, their homes away from home. To this day, there are many who have come out here, plotting and scheming against the Sith Empire with the hopes of causing chaos and disrupt the order that they bring as vengeance. Hunt down the dissidents who would dare act out against the wishes of the Sith Empire and remind them of their place. Rumor has it they are hiding in the nearby system of Cophrigin V, assembling a small force to strike back.

[ Objective III ] - Investigate Rumors
Rumor has it that there are several high ranking politicians and figures of importance within the New Alderaani government. Find those who do not sympathize with the Sith cause, root them out before this unsightly weed grows. An unseen supporter operating behind the scenes to assist our enemies is one of the most dangerous.

[ Objective IV ] - Build Your Own Objective

 

[Darth Voracitos]

Location: New Alderaan
Objective: Enjoy a stroll through the city

The strange cyclic nature of history, always amused Voracitos. New Alderaan was founded by refugees surviving the destruction of Alderaan by the Galactic Empire some 800 years ago. Today, New Alderaan is filled by refugees surviving the pillaging of Alderaan by the Sith Empire. The fact that Alderaan was reconstructed was always a marvel to Voracitos, a gem from a supremely civilized age the likes of which the galaxy had not seen since the time of the Rakata or Celestials, and will not likely reach again for thousands of years.

"The irony of this worlds existence is not lost on me," Voracitos spoke beside [member="Darth Carnifex"], as they bestrode the bazaar, market keepers in disgust and awe of the pair respectively. They did not exhibit these sentiments openly of course, by the abrasive mind scrapes their thoughts to him regardless. The Sith Lord is constantly misunderstood... likely due to his secretive nature.

"I do appreciate the stroll without needing to bathe the street in blood, however. I used to wander streets, when I was more youthful, enjoying the indulgences offered by the commoners."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

New Aldera
Merchant Bazaar

Compared to the mountain of corpulence next to him, the Sith Emperor was a sculpted statue given life. Rippling muscle, taut sinew, and burnished skin marked by scars tightly bound in a billowing cloak that concealed most of his body from the external elements. The only part of him that was fully uncovered was his head, black beard and red tattoo sticking out noticeably. Both Sith Lords were flanked by bright crimson guards wielding crackling vibro-staves.

"When one has lost something dear to them, they will attempt to replicate it. This world is a product of grief."

Crimson halos fixed in a sea of pitch darkness looked out across the multi-colored display of stalls, flags, and people. There was a heavy mixture of species here, which wasn't uncommon even in the heart of the Sith Empire. A small band of Hoopaloo miscreants scurried out of there way as the Sith approached, while a Crolute and a Vollick looked out from under the canvas of their stall with sullen expressions.

"You and I were similar in that respect, Jonathan. I was directionless in my youth, drunk on the idea of freedom from inhibitions. But now I have found purpose, forged it into a weapon to thrust into the hearts of the Jedi. Another thing you and I can find common between us."

With great ease he plucked a fruit from a nearby vendor, studying it for a moment before plopping it into his mouth and consuming the whole thing; rind and all. He didn't bother to pay, and neither did the stall-owner move to confront him on it.

[member="Darth Voracitos"]​

 

[Sekhet-ka-nefer]

Merchant Bazaar
New Aldera

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The third individual of note to add her share to the growing tide of the Dark Side upon this world was as alien as they come; an Anubian priestess, ranking as one of the highest statuses attainable in her society. And yet it was clear that she had fallen on difficult times with a simple look at her disheveled appearance. Her dark fur had lost some of its clean shine, her sparsely-armored ceremonial robes carried spots of dirt about it, and she was in desperate need of proper hair care. This did little to detract from the aura of arrogance that she held, though.

After the spacer's craft that had acted as a ferry for her had landed, she had made an immediate beeline for the bazaar. Among the mixed crowds of natives, tourists, and Sith-Imperials, very few could hope to match Sekhet's gargantuan height or the high-borne elegance that she moved with. Her towering height acted as a magnifying glass for the regal, holier-than-thou air that she carried with her. It also granted her a clearer view over the heads of others, allowing her to spot the pungent source of power with ease.

The titanic man, sculpted and bathed in the blood from his conquests as he was, had caught the priestess's attention with ease. [member="Darth Carnifex"]'s obvious power was the only thing that prevented her immediate revulsion from rising up once his bloated companion came into her vision. She's a narcissistic witch to the core, but she isn't unwise enough to risk insulting the mass of power with her distaste. It was with this goal in mind that she inevitably steered clear of the two and kept to the background of things behind them.

[member="Darth Voracitos"]

 

[Darth Prazutis]

New Aldera
Merchant Bazaar

Whispers.

There was a sudden feeling of a creeping doom, a sliver of madness in the air that suddenly became that much heavier. There were voices in the fringes of ones senses, ever present but vanishing when they were focused on. All around a series of unnatural black birds that seemed to resemble crows landed on top of pavillions, buildings, poles, and at places of height in the Bazaar. When anyone looked up to them they would find much to their surprise that the crows stared back at them. Many of the indigenous folk could've swore that they saw a third eye on these mysterious birds. What was even more strange was that the flock of birds seemed to fixate on the Emperor [member="Darth Carnifex"] and the Triumvir [member="Darth Voracitos"], as they made their walk through the market.

Then he arrived.

It wasn't clear how he arrived just that all of a sudden within the span of a blink of the eye their very world changed. The mystery crows vanished entirely and the Shadow Hand appeared alongside the duo. He was clad in a black shroud that covered his entire body, it glowed with arcane symbols and it wasn't the only artifact that he seemed to wear. Everything changed since the time of Asation when the void was unleashed and the Great Terror from Beyond unleashed into this world, it bonded to him. As time passed it became clear the more he was attached to it, the more he changed. It wasn't long before the Void was at his beckon call, he became one of its greater old ones, the Lotek'k subservient to his might. The abilities only served to help his position as Shadow Hand and Supreme Commander, his new hordes of demons came through on several battlefields washing over the enemy in an endless tide.

"I experienced much of the same in my youth. I spent countless centuries roaming directionless through the galaxy. My predatory genes served as my only guide. I saw without truly seeing, heard without truly hearing. By the time I left the life of a contractor behind I had killed so many wielders of the force they all started to blend together to me. The Jedi were always the weakest, and easiest to manipulate but they all died the same. Eventually I found enlightenment and put my talents to use serving a philosophy I could believe in." It wasn't until the past century when he found his nephew on Thyferra that his true path began to reveal itself. A man among a blood soaked, ruined estate stood at the apex of a blown out tower and spoke of a future, a better tomorrow for both of them. It was then so many decades ago in the beginning of their story that he knew that with time and training, this was a man that he could stand beside, this was a Zambrano reminescent of their families greatest. They had gone through much since then from a duo leading bands of bloodthirst marauders to a covert intelligence team, and then to Sith. There were many obstacles along the way and many naysayers along their path. Many who said they would amount to nothing if they followed their current path.

They were wrong.

 

[Darth Voracitos]

Location: New Alderaan
Objective: Enjoy a stroll through the city

"Your fervor for destroying the Jedi by your own hand has always been a point of admiration I have had for you Kaine, it is a shame that in our pursuits of power we came to blows. I have accepted now that my mortal concerns clouded my mind to higher achievements. So fixated on the past I turned an ally into a belligerent. Where you are the sword, dear Emperor, I promise to fill neatly into the role of the pen." Voracitos smirked briefly at his analogy, and hoped Kaine still possessed a measure of humor to him to overlook the lack of seriousness to the claim of superiority. He was of course, referring to his new role as the Triumvir of Knowledge, a role he once filled as the Pillar of Knowledge.

Briefly, Voracitos sensed a unique sense of revulsion. One not derived of fear, but of arrogant petulance. There was the certain scent of meager power to it, the kind you find in mortals who think themselves large. It would seem to Voracitos that they had a tail following them. Regardless, the corpulent Sith Lord saw as the Emperor devoured a piece of fruit whole, and immediately his mortal body salivated. A small chuckle escaped him.

"Are you challenging me on my ability to eat?" Voracitos jeered with a quizzical look on his face. He was not known to play games, but when games were had Voracitos was always one to play along. Voracitos' eyes darted across various sources of sustenance, careful not to accidentally select a "person".

Then, as Voracitos might've done himself, the looming shadow of a person by the name of [member="Darth Prazutis"] apparated beside the pair of former and current Emperors, regaling also his lengthy youth, giving Voracitos perspective to his supposed 'superior' within the Sith hierarchy. Not that Voracitos was exactly unimpressed by the Sith Lord, much to the contrary, but Voracitos believed at the levels of command among the trio were of such a degree beyond the ordinary, that comparing the trio in terms of a precedence of power was relatively pointless. Nonetheless, the "Pillar" of Knowledge did not mind working within a frame of reference pettier Sith Lords would see as a position inferior to their station.

In fact, this was where Voracitos found himself to be the most comfortable.

[member="Darth Carnifex"], [member="Sekhet-ka-nefer"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

New Aldera
Merchant Bazaar

"We've all made mistakes in the past, my friends. Our ability to learn and evolve elevates us above the Jedi and their miscreant sycophants. Ever we remain the dominant predator." The high bustle of the bazaar's daily inhabitants quieted to a low hum, hushed voices whispered back and forth as awed eyes looked on with equal parts reverence and fear. Carnifex paid them no mind, as he did with everyone he felt was beneath his notice. He allowed them to think what they will, it mattered not to him.

So long as they submitted in the end.

A smile crept along his lips, though there was no semblance of warmth to it. "And what if I am, Jonathan? I think we both know who would emerge victorious." Eyes peered past the corpulent man towards something off in the distance, something that towered over the inhabitants of New Aldera much like he and Prazutis did. Someone to be specific, one of those Anubians from Ankhypt. Though the Sith Emperor had never set foot on that distant world, those among his followers who have regaled to him of the planet's inhabitants and their customs. Forgetting little, Carnifex had easily identified her species from quite a fair distance at just a glance.

"Regardless," continued the Emperor, "What do you think of this world as a staging ground? Given some adequate time, I dare say it could be converted into a suitable fortress world against the Jedi. They've gotten bolder, you know. The Jedi terrorists have struck many worlds along our Southern border, indiscriminate slaughter." Not that the Emperor showed any morsel of concern for those murdered in the attacks, their lives were ultimately inconsequential except to use as ammunition to further fan the flames of the public's negative view of the Jedi; whether or not they actually had anything to do with the attacks. "We'd have to flatten a couple mountains, of course."

The Emperor moved and talked, never missing a beat. When something inanimate was in his way he used the Force to dislodge and relocate it, never lifting a finger or moving off of his present course to avoid it. Such were the trivial powers of the lowest application of his strength.

[member="Darth Voracitos"] | [member="Sekhet-ka-nefer"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"]​

 

[Sekhet-ka-nefer]

Bazaar Market
New Aldera

Creeping feelings of dread and darkness were nothing new to the Priestess; she's dedicated her life's work to praising her people's gods of death and war for many years, to the point that few things that hide in the shadows truly frighten her anymore. These crows, however, are a true oddity to her. Odd avian gatherings have always been and shall always be a universal mystery, but they almost always had some sort of explanation that could be used to wave them offs. Three-eyed crows, in Sekhet-ka-nefer's experience, are most certainly not one of these things - they stared into her very soul, it seemed!

Outwardly, the Anubian's control of her growing unease was much more certain than the common denizens that scurried and cowered like rats. Their business transactions and social gatherings couldn't fool Sekhet - playing with fear is one of those activities that she is familiar with, after all.

Inwardly, however, is another tale to be told. With her unabashed curiosity for the Sith and their escort eclipsed by the moments leading up to the third Sith's arrival, the imposing priestess had privately began to shift through the Dark Side in preparation for violence. Silent beseeching for the blessing of her gods swiftly gave way to a spike in her anger; she held her fury for those offworlder fools that had disrupted everything on Ankhypt and had dared to impose themselves as livings gods. This wrath grew fiercer by the second as she nursed its flames, until the crows finally disappeared. The appearance of the third Darth had thrown her off, leaving her dumbfounded and unaware of the reactions that many nearby civilians had to the sudden chill that had been thrown out by her unnecessary preparation.

Then that dumbfounded feeling was succeeded by a lust for knowledge. As she began to warily approach the Sith (while, of course, keeping the guards in mind), she couldn't help the images that her imagination conjured up. If she could learn to use the powers that they have so clearly displayed with just this one encounter, then she could restore the Anubian people to glory. No longer would they have to worship those that, in her eyes, are nothing more than alien sorcerers that are better off as slaves.

As a show of respect, she'd not call out to them. Instead, she'd wait at a respectful distance from the Sith escort until acknowledged.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Darth Voracitos"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Elani Zambrano]

New Aldera


A small group of hooded women moved through the crowds of the market, faces hidden by veils. One walked at the front of the group: Elani Zambrano. Their purpose on New Alderaan was unknown by any but them, however they were moving with a strong purpose, pushing past the patrons of the market until they reached a central point of the market. The group began looking around, seemingly in search of something. Or someone.

"Keep your eyes open. Look through the Force. We must find her." Elani said. "The holocron said she was here."

"Yes, mistress. We will find her." one of the acolytes replied.

Elani stepped up to a stand showcasing rustic jewelry. The woman who appeared to own the stand stood adjacent to it, smiling at Elani as she prepared to sell her wares to the witch. Elani picked up a bracelet and put it onto her wrist, looking over his unique engravings upon it. "This is a special piece of work. Takes a fine eye and steady hand to craft such a thing."

"My daughter crafts them by hand. She's only 12 but she is very special." the woman replied.

"She is special, indeed. Where is she?" Elani questioned.

"Huh? Why?" the lady asked.

"Answer the question. Where is she? Last time I will ask." Elani returned the bracelet to it's place on the stand then reached behind her and grabbed the hilt of her katana.

"Oh no.." Just as the lady realized what was happening, she ran off into the crowd.

"I love it when they run. Follow her. She'll lead us right to the girl." Elani commanded.

"Yes, mistress." one acolyte responded. The 3 acolytes suddenly sprinted off after the woman, running at great, Force empowered speeds. Elani continued looking over the jewelry in the meantime, certain her acolytes would find the girl they were searching for.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Cophrigin V - BYOO

The world was an idyllic one, mostly untouched by galactic civilization. Sweeping forests and plains dominated the terrain, the planet a green ball from space. It had been here, Taeli had learned, that the Sith Lord Darth Vader had murdered a Jedi Master known simply as the Dark Woman. The tale had intrigued her, and while other Sith forces and colonists were arriving to build a city and base on the world, the Lady of Secrets was diverting to another site.

Part of the forests had been changed into a massive garden long ago, and with no touch from sentients controlling its growth, the garden had expanded across a decent chunk of land. Taeli had postulated that something had been influencing the growth of the plants, some sort of artifact left behind by the mysterious Jedi. The world wasn't strong in the Force, so it certainly could not be like the pieces of machinery found on Kashyyyk of Rakata origin. No, she suspected the Jedi woman of centuries past had left a holocron or artifact tied to the power of plant surge behind in the center of the garden.

Taeli was curious about what might lay within, and she suspected that some of the plants or wildlife would react adversely to her dark presence. At the very least, she would be able to take some flowers home to Stormvale for her wife and her newborn daughter.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

They always tried to fix what was broken.

The galaxy weeped at the loss of Alderaan so many years ago and in their sorrow they frantically strived to rebuild what was gone, and out of grief New Alderaan was born. There was an art form to destroying a species, to rip a civilization out root and stem and destroy them so utterly, they slip into myth and forgotten legend. It was one that extended far beyond the destruction of a single world, and one he had long since mastered. In his many pursuits he wiped out countless worlds sending many such civilizations into oblivion, it was an art perfected through application. Many battlefields became testing grounds populations reduced to nothing, entire cities burned to ash.

"I don't believe this world has enough food to sustain a contest between the three of us my friends, it would surely be over quickly." The Shadow Hand said picking an exotic fruit up from a stand and taking a bite of it, it was juicy and very sweet. The owner didn't bother to raise a voice at the towering man, and the Sith Lord didn't bother paying for it. All around them the people looked with a mixture of fear and reverance for the trio that walked amongst their ranks. They were all lucky that they came with open arms instead of a closed fist to burn their world to the ground just to make an example. New Alderaan would accept the carrot, and in turn they would be allowed to prosper.

Terrorists. They had become a problem of late one sufficient enough that it drew his direct attention. Not that he was even concerned about them. It was only a matter of making the right adjustments and the proper planning to outmaneuver and destroy them. "They have grown bolder. It's escalated enough that it's come across my desk. We've started making alterations since their last hit and run attack. I've ordered an increased presence of interdiction cruisers in the threatened sectors along our southern border. Our analysts have found patterns in their entry points, we'll lock them down." Prazutis said as he looked off in the distance. "A fortress world is an excellent decision for New Alderaan. It'll increase security and serve to lock down the vulnerable chinks in our border. Provided the populace of New Alderaan isn't as high strung as their wretched cousins on the original world. I could have our surveyors come up with a short list of suitable locations to begin construction, if you wish."

The Lord of Lies peered over at the towering anubian from ankhypt. It was a species he had been fully briefed on by his attaches and one he directly interacted with himself. Both through his dealings with Clan Cadera and with Animus Malgus, known as Mythos who once ran an empire of his own from their home world, and still avidly used them. He stared long enough to let the anubian know that her presence was indeed noiced, before redirecting his attention towards the Emperor and the Triumvir.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Darth Voracitos"] | [member="Sekhet-ka-nefer"]

 

[Onrai]

Vanessa Vantai was quite certain that her presence was likely undesired by the others within the Empire who were actively trying to grow support upon the world. Vanessa had taken it upon herself to bring to the refugees a great deal of housing, along with the appropriate propaganda. A large number of Tryton-class cargo containers had been stacked and connected like a great web of metal and plastic, like a game with wooden piles stuck atop one another. Within these cargo containers were rooms capable of holding, in admittedly rather snug quarters, groups of four people. Two couples, four individuals, or one average-sized family could possess a room with a curtained-off shower, a small kitchenette, and a pair of bunk beds on opposite sides of the room. It was basic living standards, but for the refugees, it was better than the cargo holds and tent-cities they had been living in. An Aqua-class liquid transport had been connected to the complex of cargo containers, serving as a supply of fresh water for them to utilize. The water supply was also connected to New Alderaan's infrastructure proper, providing it with an extra source of water in the event of drought or other horrific conditions. A water recycling center had been placed between the exit point for wastewater and the connection sending it back into the transport, allowing for the water supply to be drawn out for a good bit longer than one would typically expect.

Whether there were any other Sith interested in what Vanessa was doing, she was perfectly fine with the aid being offered to said refugees. But there was another reason she was here.

She was looking for Imperial veterans.

 

[Darth Voracitos]

The Bazaar Market

Voracitos smirked, only mildly disappointed the Emperor was not challenging him, though the Shadow Hand made an excellent if only mildly exaggerated claim about the planets lack of necessary resources to feed the trio... at least exaggerated in terms of literal food. There were other methods of consumption Voracitos was certain would doom this planet to oblivion if they really tempted themselves to go so far. As he pondered this, it became apparent that the small petulance Voracitos had sniffed earlier had caught the attention of his companions. The Shadow Hand even going so far as to make direct eye contact. In a slight huff, the Sith Lord decided perhaps he might follow suit. Turning one's orientation to see something so lowly though was much more work than he desired, thus he did what he always did with such menial tasks: he delegated.

Tearing a piece of "fabric" from his arm with a greedy hand, he tossed the ethereal threads into the air, which the wind whisked into the direction of the Anubian. In moments what was once the garment of the corpulent Lord of the Sith, began to twist as it spiraled through the air, and expanded until finally in broad daylight a specter of the dark side materialized from the torn "clothe".

"What is it..." A phantom of a voice escaped the apparition which hung closely before [member="Sekhet-ka-nefer"]'s snout. "Speak, neophyte." It commanded, as it would a dog. Meanwhile, Voracitos continued with the discourse between his colleagues.

"I shall not pretend to know the proper utilization of wealth and resources, my personal penchant for consolidation and excess make me a poor voice of reason in selecting a proper system for fortification. However, I should like to point out that the nearby world of Cophrigin V lies far more closely along the Mara Corridor. Would that not make a more prudent selection site?" Finally succumbing to his salivating flesh, Voracitos found not a stand of fruit, but one of hanging meats. With a swift movement few would expect of a man of his size, a slab of meat the size of his chins was seized in his hands. After a solitary moment of admiration, the beastly man bit into the meat, leaking vital juices as he tore its fibers apart. The rest of it seemed to turn to ash as a small surge of the force absorbed the mortal food supernaturally into his being.

[member="Darth Prazutis"], [member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"You speak truly, Lord Boke. Currently our forces are moving on Cophrigin V to build a settlement, one that can be transformed into a fortress with but a single command. Once we have had our fill of this world, I shall see it done." His eyes fell again on the Anubian, a curious being that seemed quite interested with the trio of Sith. Not in the same manner than the populace of New Aldera cowered from behind stalls, but one that spoke of a certain degree of respect and admiration for them.

Despite Voracitos' apparition manifesting to inquire the Anubian, the Emperor extended his right arm and gestured for the towering wolf-woman to join them.

"Enough lurking at the periphery, child. Stand before the Lords of the Sith and make yourself known, we would demand your identity."

[member="Darth Voracitos"] | [member="Sekhet-ka-nefer"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"]​

 

[Sekhet-ka-nefer]

Bazaar Market
New Aldera

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Being commanded to speak like a fresh-faced whelp was certainly not the way to sway the priestess in the gluttonous lord's favor, as evidenced by the barely-withheld urge to swipe the floating bit of speaking fabric away from her face. It was out of her respect for these beings of power that she suppressed that urge to little more than an aggravated twitch of her hand, yet it still wasn't enough to truly hide the momentary disdain that she held the fabric in. Her attention for Voracitos's enchanted rag held only until the Emperor himself bid her forward, which she answered by putting her best foot forward and subtly inflating her regale air with each long stride towards the Sith.

Once she was away from the peasants and in the presence of the Darths (with a notable distance being placed between herself and the more rotund man), she finally lowered her muzzle enough to meet Zambrano's gaze as she slowly curtsied to him. Her grasp of Basic, once she revealed it, was adequate enough for communication, but she clearly had much more work left to do before she was able to get by her Anubian accent enough to avoid butchering the foreign words like she had a speech impediment.

"Mighty lords, it is a great honor to meet the ones known as 'Sith' that I hear so many tales of. They tell of sorcerers with powers so great that you have been touched by our gods," she finished with a sweep of an expensively manicured hand over them before she gestured to herself within the same sweep. "I am Priestess Sekhet-Ka-Nefer. I would learn to use the same power as you to guide all Anubians, if you would have me."

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Darth Voracitos"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Darth Prazutis]

Quite suddenly the conversation shifted.

It was one thing to be noticed by the Sith Emperor, Shadow Hand, and Triumvir of their stature but it was another entirely to have their full attention fixed upon them. If she had any doubts, or concerns it was far too late to do anything about them now, she had to face the situation head on once his nephew bid her over. As the anubian approached he remained quiet when she spoke stating her name as Priestess Sekhet-Ka-Nefer, she voiced an admiration for the legends of the Sith and a desire to learn the great power in their sorcerous ways, a bold move to approach the leaders, it was either brave and it showed initiative, or it was foolhardy to think it would be so easy.

"Power is not learned so simply neophyte. The kind of power you speak of is grown, shaped, cultivated through knowledge and understanding of our ways, the ways of the Sith. I can feel a degree of power within you, but to truly understand the dark side one must have a solid foundation, an understanding of what came before, of the lessons upon which such power is obtained. It is not a decision made so lightly it is a lifelong devotion to power, requiring a complete understanding of the price that you must pay for it." Darth Prazutis said taking steps forward closer to the Priestess. The mans voice dropped then as he spoke in little more than a whisper to underscore the absolute of his words "Everything." He said returning back alongside his companions. "Not all are worthy of such lessons, through the process your potential is tested for higher power, your worth is weighted. We will not waste lessons on the weak, on those who cannot handle it. The question is, can you?"

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Darth Voracitos"] | [member="Sekhet-ka-nefer"]

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Cophrigin V - BYOO

Walking through the wild garden, she could feel she wasn't welcome by the life around her. Whatever caused their rapid growth had also instilled within them an aversion to the dark side of the Force, something that surrounded her near at all times unless she desired otherwise. Today though, she wanted life to know that a Sith Lady was walking among it. The Jedi master had left her mark on this region, even centuries later, and...

A twinge of danger sense ran down her spine, her lightsaber igniting and cleaving through a large carnivorous plant that had lunged towards her. The large head fell to the ground, some sort of species of plant trap that she suspected would have swallowed her whole and slowly digested her. An undignified way for a Sith, or anyone, to die. More of the plants were rising from the undergrowth, some sort of secretion collecting like dew on the bulbs. Fascinating, she thought, as more of them attack and more of them fell to her lightsaber.

Ever the scientist, she collected a few samples of the secretion for later study before continuing her walk through the gardens. She was even more intrigued about what else could be lurking among her surroundings, and more importantly, what lay at the center of this arboretum.

 

[Darth Voracitos]

The Bazaar Market

The "enchanted rag" which in truth was a Sith spirit harvested from the depths of Chaos, seemed to scoff disdainfully at the neophytes dismissal, allowing her attention to be taken by that of the living Emperor. Though it wishes to scream it had not mouth to do so, and by the time the towering alien female made her approach to the Sith Lord's the phantom was summoned back to rejoin the cloth of Voracitos' garments. Now it truly wished to scream, and wished for the sweet release of the blood wastes over the fresh hell clinging to the fetid flesh of its despicable master.

The Anubian kowtowed to the Emperor some distance away from Voracitos, as his immediate superior lectured them on the cost of obtaining power. Despite his propensity for knowledge, the Sith Lord did not seem interested in students. Despite the handful that he has "taught", Voracitos has never been that sort of master. He kept slaves and servants, but never a student. Now that he had in his own eyes transcended mortal concerns, he wasn't about to start that mess again.

No, while his superiors in rank alone found their attention transfixed on their little stalker, Voracitos found his attention transfixed on a central building beyond the Bazaar. It was some distance away, but he sensed the building was a library of some sort. It likely contained nothing but paltry bits of misinterpreted history, poor prose, and loathsomely written fictions, but even in the darkest places of thought there was always something worthy of analysis. This then gave way to a thought he hadn't had before.

"Excuse my interruption from your attendance to the young, but as per our previous conversation in regards to fortress construction, it has led me down a line of thought I wish to question you on. How many of our worlds posses dedicated repositories of the knowledge we wish to disseminate? I am aware of our media divisions and the internal network we feed our masses, but those only exist in the present. What do we possess which physically addresses the mortal concerns of the past to last well into the future?"

[member="Darth Carnifex"], [member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Indeed, it is true. The Sith are a prestigious institution, we take in those who have proven themselves worthy to wield the ancient powers of our order. Those who do not meet our expectations are either relegated to minor duties within the Empire, or are killed during their training." The Empire's academies were especially ruthless, weeding out the weak of body, mind, and spirit until only those of sterner qualities are left to advance to Knighthood. There have been exceptions, sometimes a student's skills in more traditional Sith arts are found lacking but their skills in more esoteric sciences are lauded as exceptional, and they are transferred to learn at the feet of masters more accomodating of their talents.

But most of the time the academies turn out a great deal of corpses, which was by design. The Emperor demanded a certain kind of Sith to be allowed to rise in his Empire, one that was molded by his ideals of Sith-Imperialism and the Rule of Order. The next generation of Sith was to be created in his image.

"You may yet prove your worth, Priestess. The future is never certain and everything remains to be seen." The Emperor turned his gaze away from the Anubian and towards the structure that Voracitos had fixated on, which just so happened to be the Palace of the Diet; the government hub for the Council that ruled New Alderaan. Perhaps it was time that they paid the Council a visit, as they were currently in session about the arrival of Sith-Imperial forces in the system.

But first he swiveled his head towards Voracitos, "Once this world has capitulated I will show you the libraries of Ossus, Lorrd, and Bastion. But for now I think it is time we introduce ourselves to the local rulers, and ensure that they understand the true order of things to come. What do you say, my friends?" A long side-eye towards the Anubian priestess, "You may join us as well, Anubian. I would not deny you a chance to see the folly of lesser men."

[member="Darth Voracitos"] | [member="Sekhet-ka-nefer"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"]​

 

[Elani Zambrano]

New Aldera
BYOO



The chase went on for several blocks. The Murakami acolytes where relentless with their hunt. The woman took every alleyway and shortcut she knew of to get to her destination, but the acolytes were near impossible to evade. They were akin to a dark mixture of hounds and shadow. They moved silently with each step and so swift that you'd never know one was there unless they wanted you to know.

"We've almost got her." one acolyte whispered.

"The mistress will be pleased." another whispered.

The woman continued running until she reached a rather rundown building near the outskirts of the city. Boarded windows, missing doors, and rusted fire escapes. This building had seen better times. "This must be where they're hiding. We must alert the mistress." one acolyte noted.

"No need, sister. I already know." Elani stated as she walked up. Her eyes scanned the exterior of the building. It reminded her of the many places she found herself while she was stranded in exile. The perfect place to hide where one did not want to be seen or heard. She understood these people, but she needed the girl. The Murakami needed more bodies. "Surround the building. I'm going in. If any try to escape, take them. If you see the girl, subdue her as quickly and neatly as possible." Elani ordered. She walked towards the building entrance and blew what was left of a front door right open with a strong force push. Elani stepped in and began her search.