Call of the Shadows (Darth Shadow)

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Shadow"], [member="Valiens Nantaris"]


The Force had not been kind to Ziost. Almost a millennia ago the former Sith Emperor had come to this planet and plunged it into madness. One by one he had sought to bend its inhabitants, most of whom had been devout believers in him as their living god, to his will and possess them. Thwarted in this task, he had instead devoured all life upon the planet, consuming every living thing to feed his power as a force vampire would.


Ironic. Plagueis had said that out of all the Sith Lords who sought to achieve immortality, Vitiate had come the closest, yet in the end he had been a mere parasite. So terrified of the oblivion of the netherworld that he had been determined to drain the Galaxy of life and gourge himself on it. In time the Sith had returned and made Ziost theirs again. Now the Silver Jedi Order held sway over this world, but at heart it remained a nexus of the Dark Side, for millennia of corruption are not easily undone.



A rather undistinguished, run-of-the mill freighter swept through the atmosphere of the planet and descended towards what had once been New Adasta. In its day and age it had been a major political, economic and military hub of the Middle Sith Empire. It stood atop a rocky crag in the seemingly endless, snow-covered tundra of the planet. Towering spires and skyscrapers rose up into the air, defiantly withstanding the test of time, along with monuments that had been erected to glorify Vitiate, though many of those had since decayed and fallen into disrepair as the man they sought to honour had. The Dark Side permeated the city, an all-pervasive power that drew all those in who dared to enter. Ever since Vitiate's reign of terror New Adasta had been a ghost town, a shadow of its former self. Even as that age faded into myth people refused to return to the city and so it was left to the ghosts and the beasts, save the occasional raider or salvager who came here in the hopes of treasure. The massive tidal wave of eldritch, arcanic energies unleashed the Emperor had consumed all who dwelt upon the planet, leaving not even bodies but only ashes. Ziost had been resettled over time...but it was never the same again.


Behind the controls of the freighter sat Sumiko Tanaka and she steered the freighter deftly as she brought it down at an abandoned landing pad. With a hiss the landing ramp was lowered and she stepped out, her dark hair trailing behind her in the breeze, for a cold wind blew her way. Briefly closing her eyes for the moment she breathed in the atmosphere of this area. Centuries had passed and over the ages so much knowledge had been lost or looted, but great power still lay here in this place. As she reached out with her senses she felt the power of the Dark Side flood her mind, whispers both alluring and repulsive.


The Force was a burden as much as it was freeing, this she knew. Especially the Dark Side of the Force. For it could be a cruel mistress at times. The stronger you grew by harnessing it, the more it tightened its grasp and sought to claim you. If not properly wooed and won over, it threw obstacles your way to test your strength and will. Action and reaction. Something akin to the law of thermodynamics. Of course it gave you strength, and power, and freedom akin to no other. But it brought with it, too, a certain binding of its own. Thus she had come armed, for though supposedly abandoned dangers still lurked inside the city and there was a chance that a self-righteous Jedi might happen upon her. Lightsabre strapped to one thigh and bolt pistol to the other, she made her way into the ghost town, whilst snow crunched under the steps of her black boots and her thick coat billowed behind her in the wind. Even after this time the place still smelt of death, for the air itself was rank with. Death and ash. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
A critical eye watched the descent of the freighter to the landing pad. Two probe droids, concealed inside the ruined buildings, watched the woman disembark. They tracked her movement as she trod on the clean snow and headed down the street. Everything they saw was transmitted to another.

Sitting in his ship, currently orbiting the planet, the shape considered her movements. With a gesture, he sent a command. One probe droid would move in a little closer to examine, the other would hang back and observe.

It was curious that one would come here. It seemed she was not with the cursed Jedi who had taken over this former bastion of the Sith. Very curious.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Shadow"]


The statue of Vitiate was truly a massive sight to behold. It was mode of gold, though by now it had decayed badly, and towered over any human who'd come to visit. Agains tall odds it still stood proudly, having withstood the test of time. Or more likely no one had dared to melt it down due to some superstitious fear that it might be cursed. Said fears were not entirely irrational because even after all these centuries Sumiko could still feel the energies of the Dark Side emanating from it.


When she concentrated enough, she could even the outlines of Sith runes, invisible to the mundane eye. A long text had been inscribed upon the pedestal that held the statue. It was difficult to decipher the letters, but they were still readable enough to reveal to Sumiko that they were something like a...prayer. Of the common people to their 'god-emperor'. She shook her head at the grotesque sight. A woman chooses, a slave obeys, she thought to herself. A monument to one man and his egotism. But even Vitiate had fallen long ago.


However, then she felt the unmistakeable feeling that she was...not alone and, moreover, being watched. Machines were not creations of the Force and thus could not be sensed in the same manner as another human, for they carried no life inside them, but the presence of droids made her mechu-deru senses tingle. Her senses directed her to one of the dark alleyways, close by, though she figured there was probably more than one machine observing her.


She stiffened as she considered her options. Various parties came to mind: She ruled out Jedi because they lacked a certain subtlety, Archangel seemed more likely, especially after the hostile encounter with one of their HRDs on Onderon, but she wondered what interest the genocidal droids might have on Ziost, unless they were specifically tracking her. An uncomfortable option, to be sure. Alternatively they had been sent by another Dark Jedi or Sith. A foe or a potential partner? That had yet to be determined, for now they were at cat and mouse games.


Regardless, what Sumiko did next was call upon the Force to wrap herself in the shadows as if they were a cloak, rendering herself invisible to both man and droid, though doubtless still traceable to the discerning eye of a talented mentalist. Thus cloaked and with the droid's tracking temporarily thrown-off balance she would make her way up to the alley from where she had sensed the disturbance.


The probe droid, a miniaturised mechanical ball, was trying to search for her. Concentrating intently she stretched out with the Force to warp and manipulate the machine in what amounted to the use of a 'magical' computer virus, which she sought to infiltrate into the droid's system to override its programming. The aim being to get it to divulge the location of any other probes and provide her with information about who had sent it. To perform such complex manipulations required dropping her cloak, but due to her tampering with it the probe would cease transmitting to whoever was receiving. Of course, this act itself was sending a signal as well. Such manipulation put her on the radar, but she had become curious.

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
The shape watched with interest as the woman vanished before the statue of the Emperor. She was onto the fact that she was being observed. Likewise, when one of the probes vanished from the screen it was of little consequence. After all, the cloaked figure had likely destroyed it.
An alarm started up, something was trying to hack into a droid. With a smile, the shape directed the other to be closer to the other to witness.

“Activate holocam,” the shape commanded.

From the remaining probe a small hologram, a third lifesize, appeared. It showed a seated figure, hidden in shadows.

“My dear girl, I would appreciate it if you did not tamper my property so readily. What brings you to Ziost? Treasure? Adventure? To bathe in the glory of the ‘God-Emperor’?” Darth Shadow asked.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Shadow"]


Before her was a figure hidden in the shadows. She immediately ruled out Jedi because again not their style. Sith probably. Either in a building further away or aboard a ship in orbit. Could she manipulate the machinery in an attempt track the caller? Maybe, though she had not tried that before. Moreover, he would most likely detect that and simply break off, which meant that she would notl learn anything. Mechu-deru senses did not detect any hidden explosives inside the room.


Curiosity got the better of her. "I imagine if I had any misplaced desire to bathe in the glory of the would-be god the sights here have cured me of that. I'm a tad alllergic to mindless worship," Sumiko responded dryly. No, she did not think that highly of Vitiate. Leaving aside his insanity, the man had been ridiculously melodramatic. Reminded her a bit of a certain unseen Dark Lord. "I could enquire the same of you about your purpose here and why you took such interest in my movements." Her tone was calm, almost conversational for Sumiko almost never raised her voice. Most of the time someone who shouted just make across as silly.

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
"A wise policy. It is ironic perhaps that the being that would set himself up as a god is now as forgotten as any other from that time." The holocam shifted to the looming statue.
Darth Shadow's tone became mocking. "Look at that statue, so grand, so pointless, so...pitiful."
"'My name is Vitiate, master of darkness:
Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remains: round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away."

The Sith Lord's gloating words finished and he looked back to her. "I am always interested about one who braves the Jedi intruders to come to Ziost's mysteries. I myself am seeking to uncover one of those mysteries, but I am unable to come down there myself yet. Hence my droids explore for me. What is it you seek, perhaps a partnership might suit us well. I know Ziost better than any living man, and you are there on the surface."

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Shadow"]


By now she had comfortably settled her evaluation with the conclusion that the caller was a Sith. Probably a Master, given his bearing and demeanour. Allegiance to one of the many Sith-ruled factions, if any, could not be discerned. One Sith was a possibility, though the mocking comments about following an 'omnipotent' Emperor hinted against that.


Then again, she had long concluded that many of the One Sith Masters only paid lipservice to the cult of the Dark Lord to keep the troops in line. Fringe was a remote possibility since they accepted everyone, as was ACA. Or he was a lone operator. Either way, it did not matter to her. She worked with people of all stripes and colours as long as it suited her purposes.


"The Jedi claimed control over Ziost but even they often shy away from the, as they put it, 'nexi of darkside corruption'. Something I desired to exploit," Sumiko commented while she pondered his words.


"Hmmph, I'd be interested in such a partnership. I seek the Scrolls of Halicanyos, from the Middle Empire. They were reported lost after the Dark Council's coup against Vitiate, but rumours suggest they were here when he consumed all life. I am interested in the knowledge contained in them and can help you in return on your quest. Material and monetary compensation means nothing to me, beyond what is needed for upkeep. My name is Sumiko Tanaka. By what name should I refer you by?" If she got an alias that fine by her.

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
The Sith Lord paused, then smiled, leaning forward.
"Oh yes, a very valuable source of information indeed. Fortunately I know just where to find them. As for myself, I am seeking the tomb of the Sith Lord Darth Naukros from that general era. He had very valuable information which might assist me in my research. However, I could not return to claim it whilst the new Sith Empire reigned. Now is the chance. I will guide you to the item you seek if you help me acquire what I seek. Do we have a deal?"

"As for me, you may call me Darth Shadow. I am sure this will be an interesting engagement indeed."

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Shadow"]


The Sith Lord seemed very knowledgeable of the Scrolls of Halicanyos. She could not shake off the impression that it went beyond knowing about them. His comment about not being able to return to claim the information inside the tomb of Darth Naukros was noted by her.


It implied he had not been part of that regime's power structure, which did not surprise her. The New Sith Empire had stagnated after the Battle of Roche, many Masters had left it as one Emperor followed another, none of them able to bring victory and glory. But his knowing commentss about both the scrolls and the ancient Sith lord gave her pause. Sumiko liked to think she was good at reading people and somehow his tone gave the impression of more than just general familiarity. Just how old was he?


She cast the question aside for the time being and gave the Sith Lord a nod. Shadow...it seemed a fitting name for the illusive man. But somehow the name sounded...familiar. "I am certain it will. Once I have the scroll I'll aid you. Where can they be found and what is it you need from the tomb? I've heard of Darth Naukros. Of the Sphere of Ancient Knowledge, if I reall correctly."

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
"Correct, very good, my dear. Let us go and find your scroll first though. No time like the present, after all," Shadow commented in amusement.
"I am transmitting a map to you. Keep my droids flying with you. Inside the chamber is a series of traps and puzzles, but fortunately I have...information...about how to unlock them."

The map led Sumiko through the ancient ruins and eventually to a decayed and rusting door. "I very much doubt that the power is still operational, so you'll have to breach these outer doors."

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Shadow"]


For some absurd reason this writer is reminded of the scene in KotoR where, as part of the questionnaire to determine your Jedi class, the player character is asked how they'd open a locked door. Maybe if Revan had reflected more on such elementary questions, he would not have pursued a silly plot to resurrect the Sith Emperor...to try and kill him. Unlike Sio Kerrigan, Sumiko was not a master level telekinetic battering ram. While quite proficient in the power, she preferred detail and precision.



The door was badly decayed and rusting. The Atrisian reached out with her mechu-deru senses to gain a reading on things, but the power had long died. No control panel or anything of the like to manipulate through technopathic or electronic manipulation. A simple solution would have been to apply an explosive breach charge in order to blow the door from the hinges. However, an explosion would cause more attention than she was comfortable with, even though this was a ghost town. Never mind the fact that the structure looked quite unstable.


Stretching out with the Force she analysed the door and specifically the lock, homing in on weak spots. After all, even a Corusca gem had spots where a single crack would break it. Then she produced a shatter gun and squeezed the trigger. Two silenced projectiles, which despite their small size inflicted substantial kinetic damage to a degree that they could dent even phrik, blew open the door's lock.

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
This one suspects that Revan’s Mary-Sue status in KOTOR would inevitably lead to a backlash in TOR. As for the questionnaire it was quite silly as it didn’t matter what you answered since you could still choose anyway.
Regardless, Sumiko blew open the door and left it open just enough for herself and the two droids to enter.

Inside it was dark, a long chamber led out of there.
“This was once the fortress and sanctuary of the Sith Lady Darth Karsax, a member of the Dark Council in the days before Revan and Malak came to the attention of the Sith. Halicanyos was once her apprentice, though he betrayed and destroyed her, as is the way of the Sith. This Halicanyos had many names and many roles in this time, but as something of a prodigy in the arcane arts of Sith Alchemy, which was recorded here and placed in the vault.”

This infodump, filled with dramatic irony, carried them to the end of the passage. Much of the ancient structure was underground and had broken and caved in, but enough of it remained to give them access further. Studies, workshops and armouries were everywhere, all broken, looted and decayed.

“When Halicanyos fell from grace this place was sacked and looted, with its mundane treasures carried off. The vault though, I believe, is still untouched. Take a left here, then down a level and to the right.”

Down they headed, past some brittle bones and remains of plastic which was all that remained of a defender of this place.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Shadow"]


The irony was that when one thought about it...Revan was terribly unimpressive as a Sith Lord. His entire strategy was based on the Star Forge, a device he barely understood, providing him with an infinite fleet. Supposedly he did not order the destruction of Telos but was incapable of controlling his apprentice, then he got betrayed and captured.


Anyhow, Sumiko had made her way through the ruins of Karsax' sanctuary. By now it had long decayed and fallen into disrepair, giving the impression that it had been sacked several times over. Treachery was the way of the Sith, as the Shadow had said. The One Sith supposedly managed to overcome the often destructive infighting and channel it into complete submission to a Dark Lord who gave them unity of purpose, but privately she doubted things were as rosy as COMPSOR's propaganda division would have the public believe.


What did this mean when it came to the question whether Sumiko trusted the Shadow? Well, she obviously did not. She suspected him to be a Sith Master, possibly unaffiliated, though information on him was strangely lacking, which was a cause of annoyance. He seemed...very knowledgeable about this fortress, the history of its owner and its layout. Of course, that could simply be the fruit of good intelligence and study, but her instincts told her otherwise. Arrogance perhaps, but she had come to trust them. Then there was the way he spoke of Vitiate. It had not just sounded like contempt for a madman, the mockery and revulsion had been far too strong for that. There had to be more behind it.


Karsax had been betrayed and slain by Halicanyos, who had gone on to claim her rank and power. The stories said that he had gone on to rally dissident Dark Councillors, proclaiming the Emperor a fraud. But Vitiate had proved how real he was and struck down the usurpers. After that all trace of Halicanyos was lost. Theories ranged from him being slain in battle to his spirit being bound by the Emperor himself. Or...had something entirely different happened?


Her thoughts were interrupted when she came across a pair of skeletons. She would have paid them no mind but the skeletal hand of one was clutching at a dusty, moudly tome. Tearing it from the bony fingers she activated her lamp to get some illumination as she studied the intricate Sith runes before shaking. "'The Holy Book of Revan'. Absurd. I suppose there's no limit to human gullibility and desire to mindlessly run after would-be messiahs," she spoke mockingly. Still she stashed the silly bible into her backpack. It could be a source of amusement for later on.


As she looked around she found herself inside a dark and dust-covered room. Once it might have been a workshop for the alchemical arts, a place where terrible and magnificient creations were fashioned into being through the ancient sorcery of the Sith, but now it was deserted and abandoned. Water dripped down from cracks in the ceiling. On the surface it appeared like a dead end but then Sumiko began searching, probing and testing the walls as she searched for a hidden mechanism or panel to the vault. As for Shadow, his response would determine her evaluation.

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
“Ah yes, Revan. Even here his cultists crawled it seems. At least the Emperor had power enough to claim a title. Revan was wrong headed, a fool, a failure,” Shadow commented.
This one suspects he did not approve of stupid ploys like reviving your greatest enemy just to kill them….

As for Shadow, he watched Sumiko’s efforts for a while before interjecting. “Go to the northern side of the room. There is a flagstone on the floor larger than the others. Lever it up carefully. Underneath is a small mechanism which will release the hidden doorway. It may stick, so you may have to help it along.”
The other droid examined the room carefully, as if Shadow wanted to carefully study it.

When pressed the mechanism released a section of wall to drop down and leave a narrow, low passage into the darkness beyond.

“Once in this passage it is very important to step on the correct stones. Tell me, my dear, do you know the first ten values of pi? Step accordingly.”

The passage had nine tiles exactly across and nine long. It was clearly the puzzle of a crazy man, or someone who liked jokes.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Shadow"]


The first ten values of pi were 3.1415926535. Yes, this writer actually looked that up. Well, actually they asked [member="Coryth Elaris"]! Who must be tagged because this thread is about her even though she is not in it. Like every old man Shadow liked to annoy youngsters with obnoxious puzzles purely because he could. There were nine stones across and nines stones up. So by that logic in the first row Sumiko had to step on the third stone, in the next row on the first and so on. Suffice to say she completed the fun puzzle.


The pieces were falling into place. His intricate knowledge of the ancient, long-forgotten stronghold of Karaxas, of Halicanyos himself...his mocking disdain of Vitiate. Occam's Razor dictated that among competing assumptions that predict equally well the one with the fewest assumptions should be chosen. "In the time before Revan and Malak came to Dromund Kaas Vitiate was seldom seen. Rumours spread that there was no Emperor at all and he was just a projection used by the Dark Council to keep the populace and less powerful Sith in line by giving them a 'god'. There were those who doubted that one man, no matter how powerful, could have lived for so long and thought the ritual carried out on Nathema was but a myth. Halicanyos was one of them and he gathered with him a coterie of conspirators," Sumiko began to speak, tone soft and conversational.


"They forced their way into the chambers of the Dark Council, aiming to exact their will upon the Empire and reshape it in their own image. Halicanyos declared that the Emperor was a charade and new leadership was needed. But then the Emperor revealed himself and subdued his enemies, making the Council bend to him. Halicanyos was too proud to beg for mercy, which is not of the Sith anyway, but Vitiate wanted to make an example of him to demonstrate his 'omnipotence'. At this point information becomes...scarce, undoubtedly embellished by later tales of the Emperor's prowess to make him appear grander. Some say Halicanyos was executed through a terrifying display of Sith magicks, others that Vitiate devoured his soul...but there is one rumour that says he was condemned 'be punished for eternity, never to die, but never to reign'. The inversion of what Vitiate hoped for himself."


She ran a hand through her dark hair as she thought. "The irony is that if, of all the theories, this one is true, though Halicanyos failed to seize power if he ever broke free of the curse he would've had the last laugh because within a few centuries Vitiate died forever, his dream of devouring all life thwarted. So...Darth Shadow, or Halicanyos I suppose, what really happened?"

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
Shadow laughed as his droids followed her over the puzzle.
“I see you have read the research of that fool of a Jedi Alince, or someone like her. I do feel somewhat entertained by the fact that people look back and busy themselves with the details of my ancient past. To be honest, Sumiko, aside from your obvious origins in Atrisia and your probable Inquisitor training, I have utterly no knowledge of you. The galaxy is filled with ambitious Sith and Dark Jedi, but will someone research your life in 5,000 years’ time? We shall see.”

At the end of the passage there was a small lever. “Pull it, my dear, let’s not waste time.”

When pulled, the never opened the final door and accessed the vault.

“The Emperor was a grasping maniac, a threat to all life, indeed the opposite of a true Sith. However, he held power, more than the miserable ‘Dark Lord’ ruling the One Sith, more than Palpatine, more than Krayt, more than anyone before or since I encountered. However, he in the end proved mortal, and so I was victorious…in a roundabout way.”
“As for what happened? Old history, literally.”

The small vault within was dark, but with the droids’ lights a few items sealed in glass or stone became visible. In the middle was a small glass phial containing an ancient scroll.

“There, take it. Though I do hope you will not destroy it. The information in it is outdated of course, but you may find it of some use. My former Master was quite the alchemist, and I recorded and then surpassed all her instructions.”

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Shadow"]


Ironically, Sumiko did actually feel some professional respect for Jedi Alince. The woman was a knowledgeable scholar and capable archeologist, though in the Atrisian's opinion she would do better if she was less scatterbrained and gave up the self-righteousness and slave morality of the Jedi. Still, an encounter could be interesting some time.


Anyhow, the dark vault was before her, illuminated by the lights of the droids. In the middle there was a glass phial and she reached inside to pull it out, taking the ancient scroll for herself. It was old, but still in good enough condition to study and learn from. As she gave it a brief look inside she found the ancient runes to be authentic. Obviously it was all written in the language of the Sith, which made it quite convenient that Sumiko was able to understand and read that well enough.


Outdated the information might be, but it would still be useful. "I shall be sure to make good use of the information. You've upheld your end of the bargain and I shall do the same. You said you sought something from the tomb of Darth Naukros. Tell me what it is and I shall deliver it. But there is one more thing I would know. Would you be willing to offer me some instruction in alchemy?"

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
“I search for information in that tomb. I believe though that I am close to uncovering its secrets. If you wish to retrieve the item from there for me…so be it. I will warn you though against any deceptions though. The way of the Dark Side is jealous, and you would do well to squelch such impulses on this occasion.”

“Teaching? Perhaps I might. You are not Sith however. Though I am not so blindsided by ideology, I am not just willing to let all our Order’s secrets pass blindly to one who is uninitiated. You have the scroll, and that will give you some basics, but if you wish to truly learn the powers of the Dark Side you should become my student, become Sith. Then…then you could learn from me all you wish.”

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Darth Shadow"]


It was safe to say that Sumiko was not a moral person at all. After all, in another thread she had just raised a zombie. Admittedly the zombie in question had been a Sith who tried to kill her and steal her property, but messing with the dead was still not cool. Never mind the fact that the property in question was an ancient Sith holocron she had been learning dark magicks from. Never mind the fact that during the course of her quest to acquire it she had murdered a couple unfortunate Onderonian guards.


Then throw in all the morally reprehensible deeds during her service in the Inquisition, also known as the Emperor's personal hit squad. Unlike many of this writer's characters she did feel any particular antipathy towards Sith, otherwise this thread would not have happened in the way it did! She tilted her head to the side as she considered the Shadow's words. The offer of knowledge was very tempting, but unsurprisingly it came with shackles. Of course, there was the possibility of trying to fool him, but she ruled that out as very unlikely to work. "Thank you for the offer. It is tempting, but I shall decline. I value my indepence. We may yet work together in the future though," she spoke softly.

 

[Darth Shadow]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
Darth Shadow shrugged. “As you wish, my dear. Now, let us proceed.”

“My droid will provide a map for you leading you to the tomb. Be warned though, I have learned that it is protected by some particularly dangerous safeguards. One of them is an ability which leeches the ability to use the Force from its victims. Do not underestimate the malice of the ancient Sith or their cunning.”
He smiled under his hood. “But so long as you follow my instructions and do not betray me you need not fear my malice being turned on you.”