Faction Chasing Ghosts || An Ascendancy Story

[Ascendant Resolve]

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Deep within the Eternity Vault, the Ascendancy discovered a piece of history. A mural that detailed a secret history of the Vault. A mural that proved they once worshiped the Unmaker. Upon that mural, a map was found. Incomplete though it was, the destination was unmistakable: The Shiraya Expanse. The planet in question was not on any modern maps, however. Time had to be taken to chart a course, and discover if the planet was even still there. But today, some six months after the discovery of the map, the first expedition is ready to depart.

A Khanate turncoat by the name of Mouse Teedra came forward with information. Not only was the planet in question still there, it had even been settled by the Khanate. They knew the planet only as Ethereia. A rather pleasant planet, the local Khan decreed it to be an excellent planet to enjoy the spoils of war from. But it harbored dark secrets. People started to go missing, fights broke out between long time friends, and others lay dead in locked rooms. It was then discovered that there was more to the planet that meets the eye. Mouse says that two expeditions were sent to “The Below-lands” but no one ever returned. And so, the Khan took was remained of his army, and left the planet behind, cursing it as haunted.

Today, the Ascendancy arrives to investigate the world for themselves. Having the advantage of the Force, it soon becomes clear that something deep within the planet is attacking the minds of all upon the planet, seeking to drive them away. And so, the Ascendancy must send a team to the dark below to find the source, and stop it. Perhaps along the way, they’ll learn something more about their nemesis. The Unmaker.

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The Dark Below is not for everyone. Logistics will need to establish a foothold on the planet in the event that a single expedition is not enough. With the help of the Medjai, the Khanate Stronghold has been cut off from the influence of the beast below, and is thus safe. You may explore the stronghold and set up a base of operations as you wish, or check for hidden treasures. One never knows what a warlord leaving in a panic may forget…

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Within the Dark Below, the Rakatan Influence was easy to find. A great temple stands at the foot of the mountain, the source of the disturbance. Once a training ground for the Rakata, the Temple now lies empty. Save for the prisoners it took in self defense. These mindless creatures will attack anything they sense. Though not dangerous on their own, packs have begun to form, which could threaten the Ascendant operations upon this planet. While the source of their imprisonment is found and destroyed, blow off some steam, and cull their numbers.

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Within the heart of the temple, a great tree stands. A Nexus in the Force, it seeks a new master. One who would oversee the training of new warriors worthy of the Empire. Defeating it is a simple thing, in theory. While your friends stem the tide of prisoners enacting the tree’s bidding, strike at the heart of the corruption. If you cannot dominate it, contain it. If you cannot contain it, destroy it. But beware. The tree may show you visions. Visions from which you may not wake. Each step closer is a step closer to your own demise, fated to be a mindless servant of the temple…

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The dense jungles and lush plateaus of Ethereia have been untouched for millennia. A perfect refuge for all manner of unscrupulous activity. There is much more to explore, much more to hide, and much more to find. Be it a venture of your own, the guidance of the Force, or a tip from a shady ex-Khan, something has called you to this planet. Seek what you came to find, O Wanderer. And don't mind the voices in your head...

Spoiler: Tag List

Rann Thress
Taiia Mataan
Sabine Delacroix
@Diocletian Kahmen''a
Gerwald Lechner
Oleander Webb
Kyyrk
Shuklaar Kyrdol
Millu Lee
Srina Talon
Gianna Aegis
Naedira Darcrath
Darth Elyria
Seraphina Corvinus
Alessandra Creed
Jason Breaker
BX-4323
Beric Layne
Bastille Rommer
Tarsus Kiyan
Jhira Mereel
Donne Toulemonde
Tawnita Wren
Pravus Cruento
Felix
Lunara Azure
John Locke
Kitter Bitters
Holly Starstorm
Vyse de Valorous
Alina Tremiru
Caedyn Arenais
Ettiene Kharne
Pravus Cruento
Valeria de la Vallée
Caedyn Arenais
Subject 73 Red
TE-236
Subject 82 Snow
Subject 648 Slipknot
Finnea Virlee
Akshae Dragr
Alina Grayson
Rayna Lockley
Aselia Verd
Talak Jenste
Gallil Marrake
Vess Sadragen
Julra Repraj
Lesya Kosarev
Darth Ivum
Darth Moskvin
Tess Valnora

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[Kyyrk]

Ethereia. Not Kyyrk's first pick for the name of a planet, but he'd always been of the mind that the Khanate were an unimaginative sort. After the events on Belsavis, Kyyrk had bided his time, waiting for a time when the Ascendancy could afford another expedition and possible confrontation. Having landed on the planet, he knew for sure that the Unmaker was not present. But his influence had certainly marred this place.

The Ascendancy had set up a forward camp within the settlement that the Khanate had attempted. Specifically, within the large manor at the northernmost edge of the village. This was certainly meant to be the Khan's residence, and was fortified as such. The village below showed no such signs of fortification, and in fact was little more than barracks for the workers. But that was not why the Ascendancy were there. A select number of the Medjai kept watch around the clock, warding off the intrusive mental attacks with their stalwart barrier. The expedition was to take the day, establish camp, and set forth the next day well-rested.

As the team descended into the Tangle, Kyyrk could not help but find this name to be extremely accurate. While the plateau above appeared to be a grassy island in a sea of clouds, dipping just below the surface revealed a massive network of rock and metal, a natural webbing connecting each and every plateau. Almost impossible to navigate by sight alone in the dense fog, the Tangle was not an area to traverse lightly. But traverse it they did. Something was calling to them from below the surface.

Finally, the team breached the lower field of the Tangle to see a vast rainforest stretched below them. Under the constant cloud cover of the Tangle, the forest was in a constant state of Twilight at the best of times, and pitch blackness during the night. Protruding from the treeline, Rakatan structures pointed skyward like fingers through the dirt. It did not take the team long to discover the source of the signal. And the source of the Madness. A grand temple. A stronghold of the Rakata.

It was here that Kyyrk now stood, within the deepest chamber. Those that had fought with him at his side. The tree before them was huge, large enough that it very possibly served as a central support for the entire structure. So twisted and corrupted by the Force was it, Kyyrk wouldn't be surprised if it coursed with blood, not sap. But it was also clearly the source of the Madness. A source they needed to cut off. "Amazing. I would have expected a Phobis device, not...this." Kyyrk commented idly, as he gestured to the tree.

He regarded it in silence for a moment, before coming back to reality. "Destroying it would be too dangerous, and I don't think we can cut it off from the Force outright. Anyone got ideas on how to contain the murder tree?" It was at times like this he wished Vytal had stuck around. He'd struggle with something like this on the best of days. And now that he could hardly remember all those ancient rituals he'd once mastered? This chore was sure to be a difficult one... ​

Open to Interaction

 

[Inara Sorscha]

Cleanse

Tags: Kyyrk | Open


Life had been in a constant state of whirlwind since being plucked from Naboo, and not even in the most grand of adventures sort of way. It teetered between very emotional and entirely droll times, and that was when there was no vigorous work being done. And yet the smallish teen was never seen with more than a thoughtful frown on her face. Typically, the young girl's expression was jovial, amused and bubbly. The glasses life handed to her were never half empty, and every problem had it's solution. Optimism was always a key focus, to an annoying point sometimes, really. But that was simply who Inara was; a pocket full of sunshine to lighten up even the most dismal of places...and people.

It had been some time ago no that Kyyrk had found her on Naboo, and now here she was, following him about still. Stupidly dangerous places that could get her killed in an instant? Bring it on. Besides! The worst part about this whole crazy new planet endeavor thing thus far? The Tangle.

Adorning Inara's head was a vast amount of unruly curls, and she had given the twisted pathway as much of an unfriendly look as she could ever possibly muster - which was more of a pout than it was anything else. But, given a moment to think on it, she had secured a clean cloth and used it to tie over her curls like a kerchief, and then she dutifully followed along through the mess of hair-danger.

The longer they trudged on however, the weirder Ina started to feel. That thoughtful frown pulled down the corners of her mouth and her brow tightened in the middle, and it stayed that way as this large Temple was breeched and infiltrated. The desire to look around did not claim her, in fact she stuck close to her caregiver and did not stray. "Why does it feel this way?" she finally spoke up, the usual bubble not in her tone. She didn't understand the sensations being sent out by this massive, ugly tree, or why it was making her feel strange. She was still learning, after all.

"Why can't it be destroyed? What will happen if you just hack at it, or blow it up?" Inara found herself asking another set of questions, which was at least not out of character for her. The teen lifted a hand to pull the cloth from her head and then used the other hand to rub her forehead briefly. She was starting to feel the prickling of a headache. "Maybe it should be shoved off into another dimension." she let out with a shrug of her shoulder. While not the easiest or smartest suggestion by any means, it seemed like the right solution in the mind of a teenager.

 

[Nephthys Nardithi-Verd]

C L E A N S E​

Tag: Dreidi Xeraic | Luna Evanstance | Kyyrk | Inara Sorscha

Donned in an abundance of Relics, Charms, and Amulets, the Initiate followed the Battlemaster. Her time with the Ascendancy had been short, and her knowledge of Magick limited. But she is experienced enough to believe that the best thing about Magick is that it can be orchestrated to do just about anything one can imagine, if they set their mind to it with caution. Even better than that fact, is her predecessors loved to boast about their personal accomplishments in a series of handwritten Grimoires. Their supply is ever increasing. Nephthys set out to discover unique spells and potions, which would assist her Father, Darth Metus , in his need to protect the people in the faction.

It took every ounce of inner strength not to rush towards the magickal tree-like beastie. "I know looking at it and sensing it can provide ample insight into its perceived menacing presence, but I absolutely must insist we determine how to successfully, maybe even possibly safely, acquire an ample specimen for purpose of study." Her eyes flashed as she rendered a sinister smile. "The potential for Magick it might harbor may lead to further understanding the enemy."

The Battlemaster had asked a viable question, and Nephthys built her reply off of what Inara offered, "Maybe its steeped enough in the Darkside, that much like myself, an abundance of the Light would possibly unsettle it enough to throw it off its function. On the other hand, it may also open up the opportunity for us to witness front and center exactly what it is capable of." Whatever it is, a tree, a sentient species, could very well become aware that they are here, and retaliate. "Containment might be our best bet. If we cast this thing into a non-provoking dimension, I'm certain we will gain another unknown enemy to deal with."

She pondered how she might gather a slice of it, without stirring its Force energy. "How about a sub-zero temperature drop?"
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[Kyyrk]

"I wouldn't worry about samples so much as how to contain it." Kyyrk glanced to Nephthys Nardithi-Verd with a certain glint in his eyes. Trees didn't often pick up and leave all that often. They could come back and get more, if need be. "But no, I don't think we'd need to be overtly subtle about neutralizing it. Just so long as we don't cause any physical damage to the tree." He gestured to the ceiling and walls, where branches of the massive plant protruded through. "Not as easy for you to see, but the tree serves as the foundation for the temple. We chop it down, temple comes down with it."

Inara's imagination had always been quite...refreshing to Kyyrk. Always seeing a great mystery where there was none. He still wasn't convinced it was a bad thing. An open mind was essential to unraveling the mysteries of the universe. Though as his gaze lingered on his ward, that look crossed his eye again. That faraway, uncertain look. That something was troubling him. He never spoke to Inara Sorscha about the whats or whys. Inara reminded him of something. But of what, he never said. He blinked, turning back to the tree.

"Freezing the tree could work. In theory. It would kill it, but give us a few years to get out before the temple collapses." Kyyrk stepped closer to it, his eyes narrowing. "Still, I'd sooner find a way to contain it. Perhaps a Ysalamiri array around the temple perimeter. If its influence is contained to the temple, we can manage it." Kyyrk's brow furrowed. Something about the tree wasn't right. He reached out, laying his hand gently against the tree. He could hear the discordant song within, but he could not figure out what was causing it. "A nexus of some kind. It's got to be." Kyyrk frowned again. "But there's something off about it. It's centered around the tree, but it...feels older than the tree." Kyyrk was silent for a moment longer, then turned back to the young witch. "If you were going to isolate a Nexus from the larger Force, how would you do it?" ​

 

[Nephthys Nardithi-Verd]

C L E A N S E​

Tag: Kyyrk | Inara Sorscha

The Master did not seem to have as much an interest in the tree for magickal studies, as she. But Nephthys would be sure and gather samples if a proper moment presents itself. The young Initiate from Dathomir's eyes widened in thought as the Master determined the tree would not survive a freezing stasis spell, but might actually die. She had never seen such a loss occur, but trusted Kyyrk for his years of experience on her. Just one thing weighed on her mind. "I'm sorry," she began to question, "but how else does one go about tranquilizing the Tree Spirits?" She honestly would like to learn this important lesson.​

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The focus was drawn to a different probability, a nexus. The Master asked a direct question, 'How would I isolate a Nexus from a larger force' -? Nephthys thought for a moment. "Considering that this were not a point of origin, but a mere obstacle along a particular trajectory, I would say diversion of the energy path away from and around the tree, without breaking the force continuum, so as not to cause a notable disturbance." Now whether or not the Master is in possession of anything capable of doing just that, is another story. The young Nightsister is not knowledgeable of much in the line of tech, yet, but she would bet considering all the amazing things this faction possesses, there is indeed a way to divert the energy without disrupting the continuance of its flow. Doing it in a controlled enough manner, without causing a potentially catastrophic ripple and rebound effect, now that takes sheer expertise.​

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'Have they such able deflectors?'​

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