Beneath Korriban

[Soeht]

Far from the Valley of Dark Lords, a new ruin had been discovered.

Its purpose – unknown. Most have called it a tomb. Yet no name of a Sith Lord was mentioned on the walls near the entrance. In the beginning, it was just called the Lost Ruins.

The Resurgent Empire required the ruin to be explored. Those that discovered its secrets were to be rewarded.

In addition, the untouched depths of the ruins were bound to hold treasure of their own to plunder.

---

THE FIRST LEVEL

Upon entering the ruins, the temperature in the air cooled considerably compared to the scorching desert surface.

Text lined the walls of the entrance. Some of it has been deciphered. Most of it has not.

The mazelike halls on this floor held many surprises. From traps to Shyrack flocks.

A path to deeper levels would surely exist. It was up to explorers to find it.

((OOC:
Feel free to write new locations on the First Level and fight rando NPCs. I'm able to work off of whatever you guys make.

I’ll be posting sudden traps, enemies, and other surprises throughout the thread.))

 

[Darth Rage]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Rage walked through sun baked valley. Desert winds swept grainy dust through the air and Rage squinted as the sun beat down upon him. Great pillars like guards stood everywhere. The rich iron earth was red like blood. Both sides of the valley were flanked by massive tombs that declared the power of the former Sith lords whose bodies now inhabited them. It had been over a millennia since Audroti had last been to Korriban. The memories of his trials came crashing back and he smiled. He stooped low and felt the red Korribany soil with his hands. The dirt was warm to the touch and smelled of metal.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Rage stood erect once more and continued his walk through the Valley of the Lords. Recently a new tomb had been discovered. One of an unnamed or unknown lord. Rage found this curious and wondered secretly if perhaps he had known this lord in life. He spent most of his time on Dxun, but thought it not entirely impossible. Whoever he was, Audroti would soon know. He reached the tomb and found massive stone doors standing in his way. Rage put palm to door and pushed hard. They budged ever so slightly until finally revealing enough room for a single person to step through. A cold gust of wind swept through the cavernous tomb and brought with it the fetid stench of decay. Audroti smiled, it was perfectly untouched.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Rage entered and a chill ran up his spine and it wasn't just from the cold. The Darkside was powerful here. It was in tomb much like this one that he had earned his first kill. A sniveling rival whose strength was nowhere near that of a pureblood. Rage smirked at the memory. He felt along the sides of the wall feeling the runes etched into their surface. Cobwebs covered everything and Audroti had to ignite his lightsaber so that he could see better. The runes depicted sadistic rituals and powerful seances. Rage wondered at the power of the ancients and wept for his old strength. But, this is why he was here. So, that he may lay claim to the powers of old and perhaps find something to bring back his own might...[/SIZE]

[member="Soeht"]

 

[Darth Empyrean]

The Slave climbed off the transport, his feet landing softly into the that lay outside the unknown tomb. He was bound in comfortable robes, ones he wore to not restrict his movement, and a secondary cover for protection from the harsh dust storms that kicked up on the unruly planet. Undoing the shemagh wrap around his face, he made slowly began to walk towards the open entrance.

As light turned to dark, and a draft blew past him, he suddenly became happy he dressed so thick. A few latent remains of researchers past lay around, but for the moment it seemed those who came now had an exclusive archeological trip into its depths. He grinned, seeing it as a chance to perhaps network, if not prove himself to his peers.

He simply shrugged however, mostly to himself as his hand moved to feel the grip on his waist. It was dark inside the tomb, but through the force he saw shapes… That and [member="Darth Rage"]’s rather bright lightsaber. A light shining in darkness, almost poetic he imagined.

“Oh, another weary traveller I assume?” he said with a coy grin, his tone flirting on teasing.

“And here I thought I was the only one.”

[member="Soeht"]

 

[Darth Rage]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Rage heard the echo of footsteps before he saw the man. He reached out with the force, but the entire temple was shrouded in the dark side. So, Rage found it impossible to sense anything other than the greasy oil like feeling that he had come to associate with pure unabashed evil. He entered a defensive posture preparing to strike at any hostile creature that approached. The footsteps drew nearer. Then someone spoke. Audroti swung his saber round and extended his arm so that it pointed directly at [member="The Slave"] chin. Illuminated by the glow of Audroti's saber he could now see the man more clearly. He was average height with handsome gaunt facial features. Through the thick clothing Rage spied a trim and well built body. Piercing green eyes peered out of shadowed lids and Audroti wondered what might lie behind those sea green opticals. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]He reached out with the force and found nothing. It was the second time Audroti had not been able to touch another's mind. He suspected it was a sort of gene as most others succamb to his cautious probing rather easily, but it appeared these types of people were no easy prey. "Epicanthix," He muttered under his breath. He lowered his saber and listened as the man spoke. It was obvious they were both here for the same reason. They were not your average travelers and while Rage had hoped to search the confines alone it appeared he would be accompanied by another...[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]"I welcome the company," Only a hint of disdain entering his voice "My name is Audroti. Enter the tomb with me or stay here, but do not get in my way," Rage said simply. He had no time for coy games or cute toys.[/SIZE]


[SIZE=10.5pt]Rage continued through the tunnels.He did not look back to see if the man was following. As he went deeper the cobwebs became thicker and the chilly air became icy. Audroti's breath became visible and he cursed himself for not bringing a jacket. Soon the stench of rot became more prevalent and Rage peered down on the ground to discover a skeletal frame. In its bony hands it gripped a training saber and Rage laughed to himself. Another acolyte who couldn't pass muster he suspected. Audroti had passed test like this before and he was determined to do it again.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt][member="Soeht"][/SIZE]

 

[Darth Empyrean]

[member="Darth Rage"]'s blade served to illuminate The Slave’s foul grin. He listened to the Sith Pureblood speak, his tone harsh just as it should have been. All of it becoming of two sith in the depths of Korriban. The Slave simply chuckled at this and the mention of his race, simply shaking his head.

“Well Audroti, I’ll promise nothing.”

And with that, he let him walk.

The Slave turned his attention to a seperate corridor, one that seemed unperturbed to the others. His steps were slow, almost testing in nature, a complete contradiction to the overconfident attitude he just gave off. It was for protection, but more than that he didn’t want to get overtaken by a random Tuk’ata.

Still, the thought of such a battle made him giddy. How would one fight? Would they come in a pack, or one by one? A wolf mentality, or something more akin to a lion’s pride? And more than that, just what could he make them into… His attention moved from daydreaming back to the task at hand with a slight sigh.

On his hip was a cortosis weaved vibroblade, his hand resting on its hilt beneath the poncho like wrap he wore for warmth and protection in the depths of the cave. His hair was getting shaggy at this point, but kept back by a few pins, all the while his almost unconscious force abilities giving off careless sonar like waves to help guide him through the darkness. He’d see not only in a range around him, but around corners, and down pathways, even sense small cracks and drafts in walls; but the detail was still lacking in many regards.

[member="Soeht"]

 

[Soeht]

Click

The ruins twitched. A slight shake. A rush of wind passed [member="The Slave"].

Screeching ensued.

Screeching continued.

A cacophony of beasts unending.

[member="Darth Rage"]’s left leg had sunk an inch. A trap.

The Slave would be faced with a flock of Shyracks emerging from a newly opened path. Even Darth Rage would have to face them - they sought an exit from the ruins without knowing where it was.

And these Shyracks had a hunger. Those that flew near the Slave attacked him. The rest flew past - some of which eventually finding and attacking Darth Rage.

 

[Darth Empyrean]

With the wind lifting his garbs and forcing them to trail, he stopped. Something must have opened, caused such a movement… He pondered on it for a moment, hesitant to continue before he heard the echo begin.

Hundreds of blind aerial vermin began to blow past him, and those who brushed him only sent word it back to those behind them with a horrid screech. It was slow at first, but The Slave was quickly becoming overwhelmed by the numbers alone. His arms desperately covered his face, protecting his more tender eyes and exposed skin.

And yet, the Shyracks were being thrown and tossed in some number. The aura of force around him struck out like a child in a fit, rabid arms rushing in every random direction, crushing bodies against bodies, and those against walls. Cracks and groans formed as his heartbeat began to elevate, his knees tightening as the energy coming off his body grew in magnitude.

What began as a flurry of blows, became a maelstrom at the end of the horde. Those tailing behind the main group of flyers were thrown asunder harder and stronger than those who came first. It only lasted a moment, but stole his breath.

When the flock finally passed, he hesitated to move. Not out of fear, but exhaustion. He didn’t realize what it had done, but it drained him of much of his strength long before he could even get into the dungeon. It forced out of him a sly grin regardless, thinking this more of a challenge than it was before.

Something he found pleasure in, a cheap thrill.

He formed a soft laugh in his throat before moving forward, making his way deeper into the tomb, keeping an eye out for the same boobytraps as before, and the passage that must have been changed to allow the flying beasts to come down on him as such.

[member="Soeht"]

 

[Darth Rage]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Rage stooped low to pick up the ancient saber of the fallen acolyte. As he did so he felt his foot sink. "Chit," He said fervently. A chill ran up his spine and Rage began to run. However he had no clue what he was running from. He expected spears from the walls, acid pools anything but what came next. He heard a chilling scream and the faint beating of heavy wings. They drew closer and Rage knew he could not outrun them. He spun round to face his adversaries and brought both sabers to bear. The first Shyrack struck and Rage cut one of it's wings off. The creature let out a ear splitting scream, calling to it's comrades. Rage's hands shot to his ear. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Then the rest of the swarm attacked. They surrounded Audroti and he swung out in wild panicked attacks. He felt large claws tear at his back and Audroti was almost knocked over from the blow. He spun, swinging with both sabers as he did so and cut the wyrm in three. He need to regain his calm. Audroti imagined a flame of hatred. He dumped all other emotions and feelings into the flame until their was nothing left. He became one with it and slowly his panic ceased. Rage discarded the second saber and entered Soresu form. Waiting for the Shyrack's to strike. As they did so he used quick minute movements to parry the blows with his own. Cutting the last of the beast down, rage let go of the flame. He was out of breath and had scarcely noticed while fighting the beast. It all came rushing back to him and his back began to throb with pain.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=10.5pt]Rage knew he had to continue on though. He walked through the narrow halls and felt them with his free hands. His saber acting as the light to guide the way. As Rage continued forward he entered a large room of open space. It was to dark to see, but on the floor he could make out the faint outline of hundreds of bones. They crunched beneath his boots and Rage began to worry about disturbing the dead. He had stories of ancient Sith beast that had inhabited the Valley of the Lords. Using their camouflage they remained hidden until the corpses of their masters were disturbed. Rage was sure to tread carefully and to take nothing from the bones beneath his feet.[/SIZE]

[member="Soeht"]

 

[Soeht]

Eventually, the swarm of Shyracks end.

The path in front of [member="The Slave"] had changed. It revealed stairs to a deeper level.

Ancient Sith symbols would line the walls. As soon as someone such as the Slave approached them, they would begin to glow.

If the Slave descended the stairs, the air pressure would increase at an abnormal pace.

---

[member="Darth Rage"] would find himself standing before a bridge that spans a seemingly bottomless pit. At the other side of the bridge is a massive, stone door illuminated by purple pyres. Statues of ancient Sith line the edges of the bridge. A few stands are missing statues.

Two statues stand to the left and right doorway. One statue holds a polearm. The other is in the same pose – yet with empty hands.

Ancient Sith text covers the doorway.