Public Holocron Hunt: Mission to Dathomir

[Kyrel Ren]

A red planet entered into the view of the ships’s cockpit. Kyrel had finally returned to the red world, for he had not been back in three years since leaving to fight the Third Imperial Civil War. Even as it still raged this very day, he had arrived to the world in search of something that belonged to him in life. The Holocron of Ren, for it contained his knowledge, and the views of the Knights of Ren themselves, by right it belonged to him alive or dead. The craft entered slowly through the atmosphere, a dark shuttle that was said to be an ancient ship of the Nihil slipped through the red mists and clouds like thieves in the night. Aboard the craft held the legendary Knights of Ren, Maw escort, and finally the wound in the force, the Master of the Knights of Ren Kyrel Ren.

In life he had wandered through life in a vain effort to bring order to the galaxy. Serving both the First Order and New Imperial Order alike. He had as it were been a dog at the beck and call of his master. In death he had gained so much more, power that was greater than he could imagine, the Knights of Ren, and the might of an army that would shake the galaxy. All granted by divine right alone by the wise heathen priests. For they called upon an abomination, and they said. “Go forth and burn.” And the demon only smiled and went forth to burn in preparation for the great cleansing that was to come.

The Brotherhood gave him what others could not, but the Knights were his tool and with his Holocron he planned to spread his teachings. More would serve him, and the shadow for the great fire would feed the shadow and in turn be rewarded. He could only marvel in satisfaction as the dark figures that stood with him. The shuttle slowly made its way through the red forests, the darkness emanating the planet was which he thrived in, and if he listened closely through the force he could hear the lullaby the Holocron sung out.

The Knights and those that accompanied them knew the mission, recover the Holocron of Ren but if need be, and by divine right of both the priests and the gods, they would purify this world with fire. For the Sith Empire held this world, and while they were too distracted with war from all sides. The Knights of Ren had a reputation to uphold after all as fearsome marauders and a different breed of the dark side. The dark Nihil craft slowly descended towards the clearing within the red jungles of the misty world.


With the ramp slowly descending, Kyrel led those that followed him to the ground, his armor casting a shadow befitting of a berserker. With the Sith distracted, there were still the witches of Dathomir to consider. That would be seen as something as a challenge to the Knights of Ren as well as the Maw. For they welcomed it. Stepping forward slowly, his fingers on his saber. Kyrel spoke, his tone ruthless with the guttural sound as a monster should. “We will find the Holocron, even if I have to burn this world as a result. I.. I can feel it’s call through shadow. Come the path leads forward!” He said leading the way his dark aura and that of his knights echoed through the force for anyone that dare approach.


Inferious
TK-818

 

[TK-818]

Steam rolled up from the underbelly of the Nihil-craft as it lowered it's loading ramp to unload the dark passengers onboard. Sinh followed behind their leader, the Master of the Knights of Ren himself as he stepped foot onto the wicked soil of Dathomir with his knights in tow. Sinh took a few steps forward and scanned the horizon, ever the silent, vigilant hunter. His Atrisian cap covered much of his mask's features but did not impair his vision or movement in battle. A man of few words, the Knight of Ren gazed off into the horizon quietly, his eyes searching for the first sign of trouble. He welcomed such an opportunity to engage the denizens of Dathomir.

As the Knights of Ren moved in the shadow of their leader, Sinh followed suit vigilantly. He could feel the dark energies here and understood why his master would choose such a place to rest his holocron. The Shadow was strong here, it's occupants were hardy and powerful, if they put up resistance then it would be a fight for the ages. This did not deter the Ren, the Ren took what it wanted without a second thought, it ended life without remorse or care. The Knights welcomed any battle to come eagerly, for they were ready to deliver a 'good death' to any worthy of their blades.

Sinh paused for a moment, gazing at the strange rock face edifice in the distance. The ancestral den of the Nightsisters stood off before them on the horizon with an aura of dread and despair. The Knight of Ren recognized this and longed to bask in it's energies, his eyes wondering what dark secrets lay buried there. His attention returned quickly to the marching Knights of Ren as he returned to rank and file. They marched off to retrieve the property of their master and secure the future of their order for generations to come.

Kyrel Ren
Inferious

 

[Inferious]

The vessel carrying it's denizens of dread came to a landing steam rolling out as it's loading ramp opened, the sounds of boots coming down on the durralloy ramp. First was the master of the Knights Kyrel Ren taking lead sensing out searching for his lost treasure, they arrived to collect and would leave their blades stained crimson. Reaching out as a warning and challenge their masters aura an unholy lighthouse in the fog that was the force. Those sensitive to these abilities would know they were coming and that is how the Ren liked it, no time for subtilty for they were more than confident in their abilities.

Following the example of their master TK-818 and the rest of the Knights let themselves be known their unholy essence like a solar flare in a world that wreaked of the Shadow. This was the perfect resting place for the vast knowledge Kyrel Ren held but now it was time to spread it like wild fire to those that the shadow deemed worthy.

That is when Kyrel ushered the order

“We will find the Holocron, even if I have to burn this world as a result. I.. I can feel it’s call through shadow. Come the path leads forward!”

It would indeed burn at the palms of their sadistic hands, filing behind their master the Knights of Ren set out in search of the Master's property in hope that their would be resistance under the blade.

​

 

[Maestus]

Before they touch down, she could feel the energy and power radiating from the planet. Dathomir. This was her first time here, and she relished the visit. She had long heard myth and legend about the Dathomiri witches, the Nightsisters. She had to admit, a female lead society did hold a certain appeal. But simply by virtue of being a female did not make one fit to lead.

As Kyrel Ren led his Knights, she took time and surveyed the scenery spread before them. Dry, arid. And heavy with the Force. There, faintly, she felt the hum. The holocron was calling out. She knew she was not alone in feeling it. As evidenced by Inferious words. Yes, this would be a most productive time on the planet.

Once the last of the Knights had marched off, she began moving as well. She made her way up the rank and file, until she was walking with Kyrel Ren at the front. Black cloak pulled up over her head, she glanced sidelong at him.

This planet, Dathomir. What can you tell me?

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Kyrel kept moving forward, hearing the call of his creation reach out. It's own dark aura was unique, like that of its maker. It held secrets to the Ren of years past, as well as the key for the future. While he had two Knights of Ren at his beck and call. He planned to expand the numbers over time. An elite guard if you will that would accompany him wherever the Shadow took him. He had goals, wider goals now than previously thought. Of course, they were centered on revenge towards enemies such as the Sith Empire, or old allies such as the First Order for instance. All those things would come in due time, as they were.

None had so far challenged the group, even as the monster gave out a sickly aura. His darkness reaching out to become one with the world. While in life it had become a sort of a refuge, in death, it only housed his secrets. Secrets that would need to be brought back to the Unknown Regions. Time was running out, and while elements of the army were ready to strike the galaxy at any time. There were still preparations to be made. Even when half the galaxy is distracted by both the Bryn, and the Third Imperial Civil War. It was almost time for them to reveal themselves.

Stepping through the thick canopy of his surroundings, red mist was everywhere. He sensed the Nightsisters, the Nightbrothers. Yet they all remained for now. As his sights became centered on a temple ruin towards the horizon. Still welcoming the invitation for anyone who dared to try and stop him. Even to take the Holocron for themselves. If not, like shadow itself Kyrel would move with the Knights, and took what they wanted. Even destroying an entire village or even a night sister coven to set a mark on the world.

As they went ever closer to the temple within the red mist. One of the Maw spoke up, a Sith Twi'lek on which Kyrel did not know of. Barely even spoke a word to her, and yet she spoke. Asking what was Dathomir, he could not blame her. Much of the Maw had not seen much of the wider galaxy. Some were even awed at the worlds they did raid so far. As he kept a move on, getting ever so closer to the entrance he finally spoke. "This world is steeped in darkness. For those like myself, it was a haven for those that did not wish to be found. For those who belonged to the light, it was a place of great temptation. The Nightsisters themselves wield a unique type of the Shadow. What you would call the Force, they refer as magick. Often sharing the world with Zabraks known as Nightbrothers, in a very primitive society like our own, yet we have a deeper purpose. In life I remained on this world, and even took one of the witches as a lover. In death it means very little to me. But if you reach out, you can feel the darkness all around you."

Maestus
Inferious
TK-818

 

[TK-818]

The Knights of Ren followed their master as they grew closer to the resting place of the Master of Ren's holocron that sang out a dark lullaby in the Force. The siren song called out to them with it's dark call, he felt it in his bones ache for something he had not seen in his lifetime. A peculiar thing such an object was, it was fascinating how their master had crafted such a force before becoming the dark power he was now.

Sinh moved his hand through the red mist as they approached the temple, his weapon in his other hand at the ready to fall into place and assume a stance of battle at any given moment. His eyes scanned through the dark visor vigilantly for any opposition in their path. His mind was sharp like a blade, his senses soaring around them in anticipation as their master began to speak on the nature of the world and what had transpired to him in life at the behest of the one known as Maestus who accompanied them.

The figure of Inferious stepped before him, marching ahead. The Knight of Ren gave a quick nod of recognition before turning away again in vigilance. As Kyrel Ren finished telling of the Nightsisters and Dathomir, the Knight of Ren's vocabulator echoed a sinister voice, "These Nightsisters, will they pose a challenge?" Some of the Knights paused, surprised to hear his voice which was in itself a rare occurrence.

Sinh was interested to see what these Nightbrothers and Nightsisters could do. He was also interested in how they bled..

 

[Inferious]

The Knight's of Ren following vigilantly behind their master grew closer to his possession, Inferious pondered of the wonders of what would be hidden inside, what secrets and powers his master held before he became the beautiful monstrosity he was now.

He began to smile and shake in excitement his blade at the ready almost bouncing in his hand, ready to carve their path through flesh and bone.

Even in his excitement he listened to Kyrel Ren go into depth about what would be in-store for them, what forms of the shadow would he see from these witches and warlocks and what could he take from them.

That is when TK-818 spoke Inferious almost stopped in his tracks, it was rare that his "friend" would speak, dumbfounded and a sick sense of jealousy. Inferious like a child mocked Sihn under his helm.

"These Nightsisters, will they pose a challenge?"

​

 

[Maestus]

She listened intently as Kyrel Ren gave information about the planet and its inhabitants. Nightsisters and brothers. She had heard before, but thought it only myth and rumor. It pleased her to know they existed.

Will we encounter these Sisters and Brothers?

Her eyes scanned the terrain around them. She was very curious about the magick that was wielded by this planets denizens. She wished to explore it and possibly learn it. She saw benefit to expanding her knowledge, and increasing her strength and power. She would be an apt pupil.

 

[Kyrel Ren]

With the dark temple ruins approaching, he recognized that the ruins were where Kyrel in one life had remained hidden. Free to construct the Holocron to place his knowledge within. The purpose for its making was to not only store his beliefs of the Ren but to also provide a legacy that would endure his death. Seeing as how he had already died before, and now come back as half alive, and half something else. It was a moot point to have hidden his creation any longer.

As they started to walk up a flight of stairs that led to the temple, getting away from the thick red mists and the jungles that surrounded them. Climbing up to the steps slowly, eyes were watching them. He could already feel it. The more that he took each step on this world. Be it the witches, zabraks, even some Sith spies. Eyes were around any and every corner. Yet did not dare to approach him, or the group that he traveled with. Upon hearing the questions, one came from one of the Ren, who he recalled did not speak much. None of the Knights spoke much besides him. Why would they need to, but when they did Kyrel was surprised often enough to hear what they had to say. "No, I think not. Not with me present, that is. I know all about them, and if they even dared we do what is best Sinh. We burn 'em all down."

Upon approaching the Temple's entrance, one of the yellow marked Zabraks stopped. Wielding a weapon that seemed to be a mix of an electrostaff and a club. Capable of dealing with Lightsabers. He had a snarl in his eye as he looked at Kyrel. "Stop, you won't enter here!" He gave a warning, and in one motion without even drawing his saber, Kyrel dug his hand into the guard's chest. The Zabrak seemed confused, and most of all in terrible pain, Kyrel'ss gloved hand went deeper. Until slowly but surely started to pull the Zabrak's heart out. Before he realized it Kyrel was holding a slow beating heart. Crushing it slowly within the palm of his hand. The guard horrified at the realization slumped to the floor dead.

Entering inside, he finally answered the Maestus "They are always watching us, we will encounter more. Entering one of the ruined temples will draw unwanted attention. Do please kill as you wish." He said, entering inside the darkness and with a flick of his wrist, a crimson blade ignited the way to shadow.

Maestus
TK-818
Inferious

 

[Kainan]

Kyrel Ren , Maestus , TK-818 , Inferious​

To Kainan, being an Imperial Knight was to be the bastion that fought against the presence of the Dark Side. Bordering the Sith Empire, skirmishes were frequent with the Empire's sworn enemy. Often engaging in the void of space, that place between systems where little if anything existed. The only sign of still being in the known galaxy that far off stars that showed as pinpricks in their viewports.

To border a haven of the Dark Side like Dathomir, the temptation to go there... To carve through the corrupted beings of the Dark that lived there... It was too tempting to ignore. However many he killed, the fewer that'd be present when the New Order came to cleanse it of the evil that called the planet home.

The cockpit of the TIE lifted and raised, and out came the gleaming silver, gray, and black of the Imperial Knight's armour.

Since his Knighting, he hadn't engaged in battle. The armour was untouched, unblemished, not unlike him in his new ties to the Order. For once, he may had been a Sith. Raised as one, taught the ways of the past, taught to rule for the future. It was the Imperial Knights that had saved him from a lifetime of suffering. In turn, it was his duty to make the paragons of Darkness suffer. To make their leaders grovel, as their followers were made to.

The Nightsisters and Brothers of the planet had been the ire of his attention, but now that he had touched down, he felt the corrupted presence of others. Closer. They didn't have the feel of... Magick, or the Dark Side about them, not in the way of the Sith. Their presence seemed more chaotic, where the powers of the natives were more mystical in nature. He could feel the call of the world, of the darkness, but they were ignored. Superseded by a presence that he was unfamiliar with... A presence that he now settled on hunting.

No cowardice; his presence in the Force was not hidden, and his essence fought against the very being of the darkness entwined world.

In the distance, a Temple. Kainan approached, on route to intercept them. Whatever their reason for being there, Kainan had no care. To test his mettle against the warriors of this planet were why he had come.

And in the distance, he could see their silhouettes, and so he approached.

 

[TK-818]

As they approached the dilapidated temple that held the object of their devotion, Sinh could feel the dark energies sing to him from within. He ignored the ignorant response of his Ren kin Inferious , he knew the knight had aimed to get a response and silence was all he had to give. Sinh admitted to himself mentally that such a move he hoped would dig under the skin a bit to his comrade. Often would the two spar and fight alongside another, it was no surprise that they bickered like brothers in return.

The Knight of Ren acknowledged his master's words with a simple nod knowing it would suffice. They were close now and the holocron that held their master's knowledge would soon be within their grasp. Still, he hoped the Sith Warlord Maestus was not attempting to learn the secrets of Kyrel Ren by joining them. Such knowledge should be reserved for their eyes alone and be kept away from the likes of other darksiders.

As they continued ascending the flight of stairs leading into the temple, the Knight of Ren paused. Coming to a complete halt, he spun around and shot a dead glare out into the expanse. He felt the conflict, the pull of the darkness crashing against the light and the willpower of one close who defied the savage nature of Dathomir itself.

Slam. Thud. Tap.

Sinh's halberd sounded off as it crashed against the stone steps alerting the others. His visor still faced the direction of the stranger he sensed in the Force. He waited for a moment for the command of his master, for he would either order him to give chase or set a trap inside for Kainan with the others.

 

[Maestus]

She stayed in step with Kyrel Ren at the head. She made no attempt to usurp him, she was merely along for the ride. To learn and study. She held herself more as a guest than a member of them. Because honestly, she was not of the Ren. So she would walk with their leader, but not consider herself his equal in this mission. Kyrel was in charge, and she would obey. So long as that did not interfere with her learning.

And then she sensed it. She felt confusion, yes, in the newcomer, the outsider still off a bit. Beneath that though, she sensed the temptation gnawing at him. Temptation to give in. To see what the truth was.

Maestus looked to Kyrel Ren and nodded, before turning and going back down the stairs. She made her way towards Kainan following the Dark Side of the Force onward. As Kainan felt the presence of the group of Ren, she would stick out vividly. A bastion of the Dark Side of the Force, he could tell that Maestus was strong in the force.

Sith met Knight on the stairs. Maestus, clad simply in black robes with red threading, hood up for now. All that could be seen were the red skin of her face around her mouth and chin. Then she lifted her gaze to study the young knight. Her eyes were black rimmed with red fire. She lowered her hood, and she could be seen fully now. A Lethan Twi'Lek. A lightsaber hung on her hip.

Her voice was soft and sweet, almost a purr.

Joining our little party?