Diplomacy Blood and Beskar. A Shadow Crusade.

[Kei Amadis]

Location: Dathomir
Swamp of Kaaatanis | Kaaatanis Pact
Neo-Crusader Space | Night
Tags: Laphisto | Present: Khia Varad (NPC'd) | OPEN
Theme:

The Kaaatanis Pact​

Boggy swampland, deep in enemy territory—Dathomir was a place Dark Jedi and Mandalorians could disperse into the shadow. The resistance wavered, licking its wounds after a brutal defeat on Kashyyyk. A long-forgotten meeting ground was chosen, where the land rises above the murky waters—a place where warriors once gathered, and pacts were sealed in blood and honor. Unlikely allies had reached out to Amadis, offering weapons to continue the fight.

Mandalorians.

Once-silver armor was now midnight blue, black markings carved across it as battle scars, each stroke a promise of vengeance. Either he would kill every Mandalorian that arrived, as he had done to others before them... or—was there an or?

A dozen Dark Jedi lay in wait, scattered around the thick swamp, their forms waiting in shadow and their weapons primed. Those of the Silver Jedi Order who had chosen this path, mirroring the Army of Light from a different age. But this was no righteous revolution—only a grim reckoning.

Just as Laphisto their contact arrived, Kei's grip tightened around his executioner's axe—a beskar monument to defiance, forged in defiance of tradition to never make a full weapon from the iron. From the opposite direction, another presence stirred.

It would be a tense meeting.

The Varad Crusaders—Mandalorians from another era—emerged from the night, their armor also painted in midnight blue. Among them was Khia Varad, 'the Wall Woman,' as they called her behind her back, never to her face. Her boots sank into the marsh as she approached.

Kei exhaled. Knew her, stood beside her on Kashyyyk, and fought beside Crusaders before; she was a relic of that time.

Like he was.

What would the night bring? Courage or cowardice. Oblivion or Alliance?

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto strode through the marshland of dathomir. It was stranded coming back here, the last time he was on this planet he had miscalculated a hyperspace jump and accidentally sent himself crashing down in a ball of fire to the planet below. It was then that he had met another life of the confessor a type of force soul that was constantly changing bodies after death. He didn't know much more then that truly but after he helped laphisto back to his people they went on Thier way. And he hoped that they were doing well.

But old memories were not the reason of his arrival here, it was in part due to a recent distress beacon that Commander Tarian had picked up. In fact it was the force dead commanders doing that laphisto even knew about the call, while the order was unfortunately unavailable for the fight to lend aid. He felt sympathy for those who were fighting, and it was that sympathy that lead him here today.

As they approached the meeting grounds the same commander spoke up as they walked and it caught him off guard as per usual. With the man being forced dead it was easy to forget he was there " are you sure it was a good idea to inform these people that you have mandalorian heritage? Considering Thier conflict with the neo crusaders it wasn't a tactful decision sir"

Laphisto looked over towards the man his eyes flashing a teal blue as he used his force sight to peer into the world around him mostly out of instinct even if he couldn't see the commander " and show up with a mandalorian sigil on my armor and have all hell break loose? No it's better this way" as he spoke he tapped the sigil of clan ordo on his right shoulder before turning his gaze out towards the clearing they were approaching. His force sight flashing a crossed his vision as he began to see the force signatures of all the dark Jedi surrounding the area and most importantly Thier contact Kei Amadis " keep your men on close call Tarian. Just in case things go sour "

Stepping forwards he stood himself upright, the towering figure of the Kiev'arian approached the man his lightsaber mag locked to his belt and then his eyes flicked over towards Khia Varad a mandalorian he didn't recognize. Then again he disnt really recognize any of them other than a few of clan vizla. "I'm glad you agreed to meet with me, considering your current circumstances with mandalorians. I am Laphisto Diva'tori Gix of clan ordo and iv come to offer you deal"

 

[Kei Amadis]

Tags: Laphisto | Present: Khia Varad (NPC'd) | OPEN​

Bodies shifted stances, hands tightening around weapons in the shadowy meeting place. On the central platform, the Dark Jedi remained with two others—both Mandalorians.

"Amadis." A firm nod, the massive executioner's axe resting at his side. Kei had no title here, no rank where he was headed—only a fight no one would see or hear. The dead told no tales, and this had no storybook ending.

The Dark Jedi were uneasy. They acted without orders and without a larger mandate, like wayward wayseekers. Kei and his kind had been killing mandalorians for a short but brutal time, and the thirst for revenge ran too deep for words. They had lost family, friends—too many to count at Kashyyyk.

But what they needed now wasn't one more body. They needed weapons, allies, anything to keep the war going. If someone had the mind for it, that rage could be harnessed or steered in the right direction. Not all Mandalorians were soulless, but to a grieving widower, making those distinctions wasn't easy.

"I kill Mandalorians," Kei said, his gaze shifting between them. "You came anyway."

Brave and worth hearing out. Even with the dagger in his heart—or despite the possibility that this was a trap. Khia Varad remained silent and stoic. Hard to read as always.

"What deal?" Kei forced the words out, simple and heavy. The grip on his axe tightened, his wife's memory burning fresh in his mind. A part of him, buried in dark thoughts, wondered if Mandalorians, of all people, could offer a better way.

 

[Laphisto]

"I kill Mandalorians,"

It was a bold statement, and judging by the man's body language, it was far from empty. Laphisto could tell the figure before him was a warrior on a mission—troubled, perhaps, but resolute. Though Laphisto spoke in a neutral tone, a low rumble carried beneath his words, a subtle hint of the weight he bore. It felt like only a few short years ago that he had been tasked by the Jedi Order with hunting down Dark Jedi, bringing both Sith and those deemed lost either back into the fold—or eliminating them.

Even after being granted his freedom by the Silver Jedi Order, the memory of that time still lingered and a part of him, perhaps a latent instinct, was begging for him to fulfill his duty. The current Grand Master had pardoned his prison sentence and granted him his freedom just before the Great Collapse, that catastrophic event which shattered the galaxy's major powers in the aftermath of the Second Hyperspace War.

"Then it's a good thing I am no ordinary Mandalorian," Laphisto said, his voice carrying a mixture of weariness and conviction. "In both creed and appearance. I served with the Mandalorian Protectors before their fall. I do not stand with these 'Crusaders,' as they now call themselves."

With that, he pulled back his arm brace and activated his comlink. "Kaeldan, Falin—bring the package forward."

Stepping aside, Laphisto gestured as two soldiers approached, guiding a cargo skiff hauling four crates laid out in a row. The soldiers stopped in front of him, opening the first crate to reveal a rifle. Without moving, Laphisto extended his hand, using the Force to pull the weapon into his grasp. He removed the magazine and racked the slide, showing Kei Amadis the empty chamber and magazine before offering the rifle to him for inspection.

"My commander intercepted your distress signal from Kashyyyk," Laphisto continued, his tone heavy with empathy. "I was otherwise occupied, but I still feel for those caught in the path of these Mandalorian Crusaders. This isn't their first warpath—but this time, not only are the Jedi Order not willing to stop them. there is no Republic to lend aid."

A strange sensation washed over him familiar yet unsettling. The last time he fought against Mandalorians, he had done so as a tool of the Jedi, permitted to join the fray only to spy on the Revanchists, to watch Revan and Malak. Back then, despite their brutality, the Mandalorians had fought with a sense of honor -a brutal code, yes, but a code nonetheless.

Now, standing in the midst of what felt like the dawn of another Mandalorian War, facing a man with his own Dark Jedi, Laphisto couldn't help but feel the weight of history repeating itself. It was almost surreal almost like gazing into the past and seeing Revan and his Revanchists standing before him once again, rallying to stop the Mandalorian scourge. " my offer is weapons, tanks, armor , star ships. everything you need to fight on equal footing "

 

[Kei Amadis]

Tag: Laphisto

No Republic to lend aid. That comment struck deep. Repetition more than he knew! During his first crusade, when the Sith battered down temple doors unopposed, when the Sith Emperor had tried to run for Chancellor of the Republic! Amadis hadn't fallen this far. That crusade had been for others. This revenge was for him alone, and he knew it.

Laphisto reminded him there was more at stake. Bigger than his grief. Other families were mourning as he was. Despite the size of the task, against impossible odds, as always, it made the weight of what he was about to do easier to bear. He would fight all the harder.

Amadis's grip on the axe was firm as the two soldiers approached, loosening it when it was time to take the tools needed for a wider battle. Taking the rifle, he checked the chamber, balance and weight, sights, cleanliness, everything a soldier would inspect. Being one himself lifetimes ago.

Amadis nodded. "Good gun."

He tossed it to Khia. She caught it easily, giving it a silent appraisal before offering a small nod of agreement.

Two of the Dark Jedi, armored in the same midnight blue as he was, picked up the supply crates. More stepped in to assist, hauling them toward the shuttle.

"Do this, and they'll know." Kei admitted. Laphisto would likely face backlash for helping him. The Crusaders and others would not be forgiving, not with how Amadis planned to fight this war.

"They butchered my family from orbit. Intentionally."

Amadis extended his hand. A heavy handshake to make. He couldn't bring himself to thank Laphisto with words. But actions showed there was still honor left in the clans. The thought made killing them harder, not easier.

 

[Laphisto]

"Do this, and they'll know."

The thought occured to him on his way over but it didn't bother him, he figured just using the weapons of the Lilaste order would figure that out. After all his weapons tanks and armor were unique to his people. And by now the order had built up quite the reputation, at least in Thier little section of the galaxy especially with and against the dark empire and the empire of the lost. With how close diarchy space was getting to the mandalorians he figured it was only a matter of time before the two factions came to blows.

With a whistle laphisto gave a motion and the soldiers popped open the other crates. Showcasing all the weapons the order had come to offer including the armor. The first crate was the Rifle the man was handed, the second showcased a light machine gun, the third a hand gun, and the fourth was the armor. " It wouldn't be the first time I went against mandalorians in this manner. Though last time I was the attack dog of the Republic and the Jedi order. I had no choice back then. But this time I do so freely."

Reaching out he shook the man's hand while also offering a data chip showcasing the walkers he was also offering the man before him. When he heard about the man's wife laphisto visibly frowned his the teal blue of his eyes fading as he ended his force sight. He knew that kind of loss. He had to leave his own wife behind all those millenia ago. It had been so long infact he couldn't even remember her face.

" I am sorry for what happened to you. That is not a pain I would wish on my greatest enemy" the man's words only solidified his suspicion that these crusaders were not of the same cut on the ones he fought before to orbitly bombard defenseless civilians to gain an advantage was dishonorable

Kei Amadis

 

[Kei Amadis]

Harder to say these words, but the man proved himself; he had honor, bravery and was willing to risk himself and his reputation among his fellow clans. Couldn't ask for more than that in a person.

"Put it all on the line." Reminded him of a few others he once knew Coci, Michael, Siobhan, Vulps, so many others, good people, forgotten names, different times. Heavy words still but easier to say now, "Welcome. Need all the soldiers and help we can get." He let the firm handshake go. Whether it was arms or numbers, all of it was welcome. Varad's crusaders were already checking the gear over, much like Kei had.

When Lapisto offered comfort, it was like it rolled off Kei, he couldn't hear him. That part of him was eating itself away. The different weapons were impressive and would give the resistance some life, "Plan to strike deeper into the clans territory on the opposite border, where they are least expecting us, disrupt supply lines, weaken their grip on worlds." Old school guerrilla tactics, isolation, and misdirection. Raise rebellion in the local communities and "crack them " It'd be bloody, he had no intention of holding back until they were shattered; they'd shown him ruthlessness; he'd double it.

Amadis wasn't without resources, scattered as they were; he'd need to pull in a few favors from afar. But a lone man fighting the galaxy lasted about five seconds, gaining the first support was the hardest as he remembered it. Who would come, he didn't know, but it started here. With one brave man risking it all, Laphisto

"Make a pact to you both. Need me I'm there. Whenever, however." As long as he was alive.

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto gave a firm nod towards the man, it wasn't an easy thing to go against your own, to fight against your own people. and yet laphisto didnt have any sorrow, or second thoughts about going up against the Crusaders. While he had done his dues to become apart of Clan ordo his presence within the clan was short-lived. He never truly got to form the inter clan bonds that were needed to even feel remotely remorseful. And to a degree that bothered him somewhat. When he heard of the man's plans to go deeper into Mandalorian territory, he raised a brow

" While I cannot spare any soldiers, I can offer you something better. " Tapping at his vambrace he soon pulled up the holo projection of a Air'mar Assault Carrier. " this is the Aimara. first of her line of a new specialized cruiser class of ship. she has a built in war forge whih would allow you to keep your people stocked up on weapons and maintenance parts so long as you have the resourses to build them pluse it will allow you to be on the move at a near constant rate."

laphisto moved to cross his arms over his chest watching the blurry figures move about and inspect the rates he had given them before then locking eyes with Kei Amadis "while my attention is else where in the galaxy my order has thier head quarters up near the Bastion system. if ever you feel like you are ready to find a plae in this galaxy the Lilaste order is more than willing to have some skilled individuals on our side of the fence."

 

[Kei Amadis]

"Keeping mobile is needed, so we can strike anywhere." Amadis nodded, tactically sound. If Mandalorians never found the forge. He could secured raw materials from asteroids, distant moons or raids. It'd make a steady stream of supplies for the fight.

Finding one ship or a few in space that didn't want to be found was harder than most people realised. The distances involved were difficult to understand fully.

"Appreciate it. Going to be a long fight, sure you can part with her?" He had a feeling few had the stomach for it, and he couldn't blame them. Whatever the crusaders were to him, they wouldn't go down easy. He knew a few of the clan's names now, Kryze, Fett, more would come in time, files and names that he would carve out at the root where it stung the most.

"I have no home left." Amadis looked out over the swamps to the crusaders around them. His home was the personal war coming. Khia tensed her jaw, saying little, her eyes watching him as if to say, talk less, act more. As if he needed that encouragement right now.

"Yeah" Deciding.

He looked back to Lapihsto.

"All this galaxy, for every man or woman in it, you had the guts to come. Knowing what it'd cost you. Friends like that are hard to come by. Won't forget. Be an honor to stand with you" He nodded firm, looking over to Khia, who grunted something close to approval. High praise from the wall-woman.

Laphisto

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto nodded softly, a low chuckle rolling from his throat at Kei's concern over the ship. His voice carried a rare warmth, a quiet reassurance. "The Air'mara is a fine ship, no doubt, but we have plenty more like her. She's yours now—you'll need her far more than I will for the journey ahead." His gaze flicked briefly to Commander Tarian, the force-dead soldier standing rigid beside him. At the unspoken cue, Tarian tapped the side of his helmet and gave a curt nod before turning back to Laphisto.

"The Air'mara is making planetfall five klicks from our position. I'll transfer the IFF codes and manuals to your datapad now."Laphisto returned the nod, reaching into his vambrace to slot in a data chip. A moment passed as the files downloaded, the hum of technology blending with the distant murmur of the battlefield beyond. Once complete, he handed the chip to Kei Amadis, his expression steady, his tone carrying an unspoken weight.

"Take good care of her. She'll serve you well in the fight ahead." Laphisto paused for a moment, considering the man before him, before adding, "And when your battle is done—when the dust settles and your war has run its course—come to Bastion. The Order will be waiting for you, friend." It was more than an offer. It was a promise. A place to belong when all was said and done.

Kei Amadis

 

[Khia Varad]

Amadis nodded and turned to leave, fixing his armor for the next battle. All that needed to be said was said, but Khia had a rare word. Heavy boots stomped into the slush, her battlesister Seska giving her a glance..

Khia walked up to Laphisto , her voice carrying enough for Kei to hear. "Some of us remember what we're meant to be. You stand alone now. Doesn't mean you stand small."

True for both men. Not alone, but standing against the tide. With that, Varad's crusaders turned and walked away. There was always another battle to fight. Seska had never seen the woman say more than two words to a stranger. A grin formed beneath her helmet.

The meeting place emptied. A small gathering, not the fiery resistance of old. The galaxy was colder now, less willing to fight against the tide, or simply pointed a different way. But this was a step, an important one, toward something better.

Branded Dar'manda twice in their lifetimes. They were almost getting used to it.

Laphisto