Faction Arrival of the Drosselmeyer [DCN]

[Sovereign Echoes]

On Life Day, 906 ABY, the Imperial Commonwealth returns to the long-neglected world of Lanteeb. As families across Kilaado light lanterns and gather in tower halls for warmth and fellowship, the DCV Margrave descends through clearing skies, carrying Grand Vizier Ivalyn Yvarro and a vast humanitarian delegation. Commonwealth engineers restore power grids and water channels, medics staff the Vassara Health Commons, and clean-energy pylons illuminate a city once suffocated by smog.

Amid celebrations, community gatherings, and Life Day rituals unique to Lanteeb, hidden movements stir beneath the old smelter wards. Sons of the White Wolves and Akıncı operatives quietly slip through shadowed industrial corridors, investigating troubling signals while maintaining the appearance of holiday benevolence.

Life Day becomes not only a holiday of unity and renewal, but the moment Lanteeb steps out of neglect, and into the Commonwealth's embrace.

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The Commonwealth's arrival coincides with Lanteeb's Life Day traditions, turning the city's relief effort into a celebration of generosity. Citizens gather along the Riverwalk and Towerfall Market with lanterns in hand as Commonwealth officers, engineers, and volunteers distribute gifts, blankets, toys, and non-perishable foods across Kilaado's most vulnerable districts

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Not all Life Day lights shine warmly. Strange signals and whispers echo from abandoned corridors beneath the Smelter Wards, tunnels once used for refining, storage, and First Order-era infrastructure. Akıncı scouts and White Wolf operatives report movement, metallic scraping, and heat traces inconsistent with standard machinery.

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In the Parallax Forum a gleaming blend of government chambers and cultural archives the Commonwealth hosts a formal Life Day session with Lanteeb's provisional leaders and representatives of the Commonwealth Trade League. Beneath crystalline lanterns and ceremonial banners, delicate negotiations dictate how Kilaado will rebuild.

Enjoy your time on Kilaado, build your story!

Domar | Kurayami Bloodborn | Davorin Orsava | Rowan Cordé | Merryn Sellek | [Friends of the Dosuunian Commonwealth] | [Characters of the Sith Order]

[Part of the Commonwealth Calling Campaign, "Motherland Story"]​

 

[Bella]

Location: Riverwalk Market District, Kilaado - Lanteeb
Attire: Starfighter Corps Dress Uniform
Thread Objective: The Gift of the Sugarplum
Tag: Open!

Her first “sortie” with the Commonwealth Starfighter Corps was a charity and relief mission, something far from the harrowing thrill of void combat. In truth, it was less a direct military operation and more a celebration and propaganda opportunity coinciding with a holiday observed across much of the galaxy—Life Day. In that regard, Lanteeb naturally observed Life Day traditions associated with generosity and the giving of gifts. Though such practices were surprisingly common, Bella was still trying to better understand the seemingly ubiquitous fascination with Life Day, in addition to holidays as a concept. Such occasions were generally much different for those like herself who did not have biological families (and were grown in tanks, rather than wombs), and it had taken an embarrassing amount of time for her to realize that her experience with the holidays was quite an alien one compared to those sentients who were born via natural means.

Thus, as Bella stood at the distribution area in the Riverwalk market, she gave the passing families her most polished PR smile and friendly manner. She certainly wasn’t unfamiliar with the concept of publicity and putting on a friendly face for those civilians who wanted to meet a starfighter pilot. After all, this was fairly similar to the photo ops she had done before, only the insignia on her shoulder had changed.

For as of a few months ago, she had sworn her allegiance as a citizen of the Dosuunian Commonwealth. And now, she wore the mantle of a pilot of the Commonwealth Starfighter Corps.

And so, with a warm smile that didn’t quite meet her eyes, she offered a wave to a departing Twi’lek family after passing them a frozen nuna from the nearby freezer. Bella hoped that so far, she was making a good impression of the Commonwealth to the desperate families in Kilaado’s poorest districts. After all, in her mind, that seemed to be the primary objective of this particular mission.

 

[Ivalyn Yvarro]

In Area: Bella​

"Can you imagine it?" Ivalyn asked as she walked side by side with Merryn, her gloved hand gesturing toward the quiet canals that threaded through the Riverwalk District. "This entire district endured the Ssi-Ruuvi incursion." Her voice carried a note of awe, not disbelief, as though the city's survival was proof of something greater than strategy or luck. "The irrigation canals, these were here long before the First Order ever set foot on Lanteeb. But you can see where my kin and their regime repurposed them. The stonework is newer in places, reinforced during the occupation."

A pause lingered between them, filled only by the soft rush of the river and the twinkling reflections of lanterns strung above the promenade.

"Yes," Ivalyn said again, quieter now. "Iskendyr plans to install a purification plant here, part of the wider effort to restore clean water access across the river basin. It's long overdue." Her eyes followed the bend of the river ahead, where warm light spilled from cafés tucked beneath arching walkways. "The lights are quite striking this holiday season."

Merryn responded in kind, a warmth in her voice that Ivalyn always found grounding.

"Mmhmm. You're right, you can just make out the megatowers of High Kilaado from here." Ivalyn pointed toward the distant ridgeline where monumental structures loomed like watchful sentinels. "Locals tend to call it the Arcology Ridge. The river cuts through there, too. There's a village nestled in the bend, the Brinegate. Riverfolk dwell there still. Their culture has held on through it all, quietly persistent."

When Merryn brought up the Towerfall Market District, Ivalyn gave a soft laugh, her smile touched with pride. "Well then, how else are we to elevate the Trade League if not by visiting Towerfall? It's the heart of commerce here. Besides, I hear the winter stalls are something worth seeing."

The Commonwealth's presence on Lanteeb was more than an exercise in goodwill. It was a statement, not just of generosity, but of enduring commitment. Aid came in crates and medical shuttles, yes. But it also came in these moments, in restored lights, in repaired aqueducts, in the hands that rebuilt together.

A cursory glance above as the Commonwealth Starfighter Corps flew sorties overhead, a reminder of the important work they were doing in providing security for the Lanteebans.

 

[Kurayami Bloodborn]

In area: Bella | Ivalyn Yvarro

Though dressed in his now almost standard XC-86 assault armor, today, Kurayami carried no weapons on his person outside the lightsaber that always hung at his hip. today was a day for celebration. As well he had not been assigned to guard duty or any sort of patrol, no this Life Day had been a much simpler one. He'd had his standard display flight with rookies earlier, which had gone quite well, only minor hiccups during flight prep and the normal nerves of a first demonstration flight for a couple of the pilots. Now though? He was wandering the streets, just taking in the sights of Kilaado. Seeing all it had to offer.

Here, the cybernetics drew less attention than other worlds, but he could still feel people's gaze linger at the sight, knew that they wondered about the circumstances, and to those he saw he would offer a gentle smile and wave as he passed. He was doing well enough blending in until he head a small tap. He stopped to figure out the source of the sound, apparently right behind him. Internally he cursed himself for getting lost in his thoughts as he turned around. The sight that greeted him was an interesting one indeed. A group of youngsters, perhaps teenagers led by a young man. Kurayami couldn't help but chuckle as the boy excitedly exclaimed to his friends, "Oi! It's him! Told ya'll! This was the the guy at Takodana!" The Corelllian's remaining organic eye narrowed slightly at the memory, but outwardly he smiled at the young man and his friends. "So you were there young man?" "Oh, no sir! My father was the pilot of the transport for Commonwealth troops. And my friends here had family members onboard. We heard about this crazy flight of three TIE fighters, splashed a SITH squad. But the leader got absolutely bodied later. According to one account he went back and razed a path to the Sith Governor like a Netherbeast, disappeared the guy to the void and came back. You fit the description to a 't' sir."

Kurayami sighed and lowered his head, the young man and his friends were still more than entranced at the idea this could be him. "Yes. I was that man. I did what I had to in order to protect our people. Your family members included. Please, don't think I did anything special though. It is the same that any of our troops would do for an ally or brother in arms. The Commonwealth is as much my family as those I was tied by blood to on Corellia. Go, enjoy the celebrations here, but take this little token home to your families for me would you?" To each of the kids he handed a small holocard with his signature and a instructions to use the enclosed credit chip to treat themselves to a holiday feast for their families. As the kids excitedly hurried off, Kurayami closed his eyes and took a deep breath, pulling his flask from his belt and taking a long swig to center himself before moving on to see what else today had in store for him.

 

[Domar]

​

A group of uniformed men walked the streets of the Riverwalk Market District. They were dressed impeccably in their dress uniforms. A black bird was pinned to their right shoulders with the word 'Avril' in Aurebesh below. At the head of the group was a handsome man with a chiseled jaw and golden skin. Major Domar was planetside to assist with the Life Day celebrations. He did not care for the holiday in itself, but the pay for ectra duty was too hard to pass up. And it gave him the chance to show off some.

The group of pilots approached two women walking with several children and smiled. They collectively inhaled and burst out into a traditional Life Day song. Their voices formed an enchanting harmony and filled all within earshot with joy. After a few songs, Domar would bow before the women and kids and the group would move on.

"Keep it up, Avril. We're gonna earn our pay today." Domar said followed by a hearty chuckle.

Bella | Ivalyn Yvarro | Kurayami Bloodborn
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[Merryn Sellek]

Ivalyn Yvarro
​

When her fiancé had explained that the Commonwealth was looking to restabilize the world of Lanteeb, she had started doing her research on the world and to see if it would be something worth investing in. The planet had mainly been known, before the First Order, for agriculture and damotite mining and then the First Order had expanded its manufacturing operations on the world to make it a key provider for vehicle components. She had researched the population as well. The vast majority of the local humans claimed descent from colonists from the world of Rocantor, and that had also brought its extreme strain of xenophobia that had been birthed from a plague that ravaged Rocantor. It was an interesting world, and as her fiance expressed respect for their ability to holdout against the Ssi-ruuk, she nodded along.

"The people here have never liked aliens, so I imagine an invasion of alien saurians that wanted to entech them was a powerful motivator for local resistance," she responded. She looked at the irrigation canals, "They built things to last here I see."

It was good that they were trying to move away from heavy industry, or at least, to go about a cleaner way of doing things. She did appreciate that the population seemed to demonstrate a strong resilience, and as she looked over the light and commented on them, how they stuck to their traditions.

"I'm assuming they named their commerce district Towerfall because the original city center got obliterated by the Ssi-Ruuk and they wanted to prove a sense of superiority by building their new commerce district over the ruins of the old," she asked.

It was quaint, but it could be stronger.

"I already cleared it with Lady Raaf, but Aurora is going to invest twenty million to modernize the Brendham Docks and another twenty million to modernize Port Knapford," she added. Lady Raaf had also expressed interest to her about possibly acquiring KEC to act as a local subsidiary or at least creating a joint venture to prop up the company and get it rolling again... assuming it had survived. She hadn't seen much mention of it in the briefing provided by the Commonwealth.

 

[Ivalyn Yvarro]

Merryn Sellek​

Lanteebans were able to breathe easily this season. They would not fall to the whims of the Sith. No, the Commonwealth would be their shepherd in these rather trying times. Ivalyn walked beside Merryn, as Merryn spoke of the history, and culture of the world. Indeed their xenophobia fit right into the high-human culture of her kin's regime. "Truly, their xenophobia blended well with the First Order." Ivalyn commented.

"A powerful motivator indeed." She said softly, her hand holding Merryn's as they walked. "As most good imperial architecture, should be built to last." Anything less was merely a symptom of the regime that made it, a reflection really. Ivalyn's gaze drifted the engineering teams that had been pledged to Iskendyr's project were on the move. Here and there, she caught sight of them, and for a moment - she could see her nephew.

"Perhaps." Ivalyn answered Merryn honestly, "a worthy thread to investigate, a trip to their museum district may be in order then." Where the Ssi-Ruuvi were involved, history tended to be muddied, records lost, subverted. Blurred where the FOSB had been concerned.

A smile reached Ivalyn's features when Merryn mentioned investment, "I would not expect anything else from Aurora Industries." A moment lingered between them, "although I wonder if I should not contact the Dashiells. Perhaps they might be interested in investing in the city? After all, Lanteeb is quite well known for their minerals." Damotite specifically. "I am quite interested in placing down a geological office here." Another pause, "perhaps a synthetic minerals lab?"

 

[Domar]

​

A few more songs and some joyous smiles in return later, Domar's pipes were growing weary. He needed something to wet his now parched throat. At that moment, an aroma of cinnamon and chocolate whipped into the pilot's nose. His eyes shot to the mobile cart serving fresh hot cocoa to all the revelers. "Ahh, as if the Force heard my thoughts." Domar said on approach to the cart.

"It has been many Life Days since I've had the pleasure." Domar placed some credits on the cart and grabbed a steaming cup of cocoa. He puckered his lips and gave a soft blow before sipping the hot chocolate. It was sweet and filled him with a soothing warmth almost instantly. "Magnificent." he sighed. Other Avril Squadron pilots joined Domar and drank some cocoa beside him. As he sipped away at his drink, he looked around, searching for women without company. This was the time to find someone in search of romance during the holiday. Domar was not going to let the opportunity go to waste.

 

[Rowyna Galeway]

Lantern light flickered against the winter haze as Rowyna stepped beneath the awning, the air thick with the scent of grilled Kilaadi river-sausage and sweet spice. She set a few sovs down for cocoa, fingers warming instantly against the cup.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the boys in blue." A small smile curved at the edge of her mouth. "I'm surprised to see Avril Squadron this far beyond the Ossingal sector."

Her tone was sincere, easy, not teasing so much as observational. She lifted the cocoa slightly in greeting.

"I trust you're all preparing for the usual New Year celebrations in Victoria?" she added, referencing the sprawling festivities back on Dosuun. "Or have you decided to defect to Kilaado's winter charm?"

Steam curled upward as they stood beneath the lantern glow. Vendors nearby turned skewers over open flame, honey-pepper glaze caramelizing along the edges of minced meat. The crackle of fat hitting coals punctuated the cold air.

Rowyna's attention drifted toward the nearest brazier. She studied the merchant's sign, lips moving faintly as she parsed the Western Dosuunai first, then Seoularian and Mephouti layered beneath it. Galactic Basic sat almost apologetically at the bottom.

"One smelter stick," she ordered at last, voice steady with quiet satisfaction at having deciphered it correctly.

The vendor handed it over, glaze glistening in the lantern light. She examined it briefly, nodding once. "This looks dangerous," she murmured. "In a promising way."

Turning back toward Domar, she adjusted her grip on the skewer.

"Captain Rowyna Galeway," she said, inclining her head, not overly formal, but precise. "I've heard of Avril Squadron. Mostly scuttlenoise."

A faint pause.

"Which usually means you're either very good… or very troublesome."

There was no accusation in it, only dry curiosity.

Domar | Kurayami Bloodborn | Bella ​