Faction Packs of Iron | The Iron Wolves of Mandalore

[Kael Varr Basteil Skirata]

Mandalore

Kael stopped his ascent at his Buir’s words. She wanted him to drop and roll? While he questioned her judgment as he was a good six meters in the air, obedience was expected, and so obedience would be given. Taking a few moments to get his momentum, he would swing himself back towards the ground, intending to arc himself and the staff he was hanging from to land next to Adelle. With a small grunt of effort, he was falling. He hadn’t, however, planned for the rock near the base that spoiled his landing. With a soft pop followed by a wet crunch, pain bloomed through his ankle and shoulder. He was sure his shoulder was just out of place; however, the ankle was definitely broken. He did his best to stifle the groan of pain that his body wanted to send out into the universe. “K’atini… Kael… k’atini…” he said, trying to breathe through the pain.

Mentioned: Adelle Bastiel

 

[Vytal Noctura]

​

Vytal looked over at Dreidi Xeraic as she'd accompanied the Warmaster closer to the ladder. Her emerald eyes slid beyond her to the group around the flames as her Sister spoke of it being better than Jedi or Sith gatherings. That was... uplifting. Not that it was a competition, but that someone would think so well of it.

Whether they'd say the same after the training began was another matter. But Vytal would make sure these women and men got a chance to assemble like this from time to time, and even ply their abilities in the real world. It wouldn't be enough to simply training how power could be used; they would be forced to use it. Nothing helped cement a lesson better than real world application. Just the Woman of Dathomir talking.

Then her Sister had something more to say. Something personal. Vytal's attention returned in full to listen.

"Like the Sith?" There was no mirth or levity in Vytal's expression. It was the chief reason she had so much distrust for Sith -- not Dark Side users, but proper Sith. They presumed once they'd heard or seen enough that they had a mastery of an Art. They'd read the Chapter List and believed themselves the author of a book.

"I hear you, Dreidi, and I would not teach just anyone how to grow stronger. But we must share knowledge with one another, or we will be no better than the Sith, and no more wiser than the Jedi." There was danger, but nothing of worth came without it. "Do not concern yourself with the Mandalorian occupation with beskar'gam." A slight twisting of the lips accompanied her continued efforts to pronounce the language properly. "Only those that take their Oath to abide the Resol'nare will be held to it. I shall see to that."

Dreidi's concerns were well received by the Warmaster. Vytal was a proponent of Dathomir being part of the Empire, but at the same time an unyielding champion of her people remaining who and what they were. Aether was agreeable to that, which made the alliance possible. Not everyone had accepted that back home so readily, but time would show what words could not.

Which then brought them back to the ladder.Rather, Kael Varr Basteil Skirata 's entrance did. Vytal's brow drew low, but her eyes strayed to Adelle Bastiel with her being right there.

Liorra​

 

[Garo Vevut-Varkor]

​

"Powers..."

The question took him by surprise. He had expected someone to ask him a question he considered superficial. He looked closely at the other person's uniform.

"If you're only here for powers, I suggest you talk to someone who manipulates that impersonal thing called Force. Shamanism goes far beyond giving powers; it also gives responsibilities."

Looking serious, he finished eating his curry. Garo seemed slightly offended and even upset by the question.



Vyse de Valorous

 

[Zlova Rue]

Talohn had gone ahead to deliver his curry, which left the Lethan behind to button up the ship. It wasn't the Mandalorians she was concerned about. Honorable fools. It was all the damn spirits. First the Shaman, and now a Witch. They should have hired her as the Warmaster -- spirits stayed away from Sith for a reason. Largely, because Sith ignored or destroyed them because it was amusing.

Alright, most Sith couldn't find let alone talk to a spirit if their planet-sized ego depended on it.

In any event, there were some valuable artifacts on board and Zlova did not want to come back and find their ship haunted.

The red Twi'lek strode over the grass toward the camp ahead. With a mountain range and a stream nearby it certainly was scenic. Made a Sith itch. Well, she was -- as usual -- wearing her Mandalorian self today. Play nice. Maybe taunt a few of them. Her outlook on their kind hadn't changed over the years -- they were still great opponents and lacked all the galactic domination nonsense that was just a waste of time. Sure, the Sith Order probably wasn't bad either, but she'd spent all that time trying to find Talohn Zlova hadn't made 'friends' in the Order. Would probably take setting a planet on fire for anyone to notice her.

If Eenia Vahn wasn't careful, she'd find a crimson arm thrown about her shoulders while another ruby digit pointed at Talohn Atar . "Cat's brought grub. You people aren't sitting around trying to talk to ghosts around the camp fire, are you? Little early for that." Of course, being red was only a stereotypical give away. What really drew attention to Zlova's heritage were the countless, blacker-than-black tattoos that covered her body from head to toe. That and the arrogant swagger of one completely disinterested in whether people were uncomfortable or upset by their presence, of course.

Leea Pandac | Talohn Atar

Sanguina Krev | Ashé Fenn | Vael Saren

 

[Vyse de Valorous]

Vyse was taken aback he had offended them. Quickly realizing they viewed the force and power differently, he back tracked.

"Oh I am sorry. I was trained to view the force a certain way. A tool to aid and protect those around you, much like our weapons. I meant no offense, this is my first time hearing about Shamanism. Is it a heavy responsibility it puts on you?"

He kept his friendly tone for the conversation speaking half truths. While he was trained these, power was what mattered most to the force user. Not that didn't need to ruin a good conversation.

Garo Vevut-Varkor

 

[Garo Vevut-Varkor]

​

Garo thought for a moment.

"I see. In my case, I hear spirits, especially the spirits of ancestors, so you could say that I have a responsibility to communicate between the living and the dead. I also talk to the spirits of other beings."

He gestures toward the trees.

"And things like that. Of course, the spirits help me when I need it too. And the Manda is not the Force, it is the expression, or manifestation if you prefer, of the Ancestral Spirits of our Mandalorian culture."

He says in a calm tone with a slight smile.


Vyse de Valorous

 

[Eenia Vahn]

​

TAG: Zlova Rue
Wearing: [X]


It was odd, just how drawn to fire Eenia felt lately. The warmth wasn’t just soothing, it was almost beckoning. Not in a crazy, set yourself on fire sort of way, but something else. Something that called much deeper and yet wasn’t pronounced enough for her to put her finger on. This wasn’t the first time she had been lulled by the dance of flames, drawn to their blaze like she was being called by an old friend…or perhaps a new one.

The blonde was drawn from her reverie when she felt an arm land around her shoulders. Formerly heavy lids lifted over sea-green eyes until she looked more curious than transfixed, and her head turned to find the keeper of the arm. Red…not a color she was accustomed to on someone’s skin, and yet it was absolutely striking - both beautifully and terrifyingly. For the moment, the healer didn’t feel afraid, but something told her that could change in the blink of an eye if the need arose.

“Grub?” She repeat almost dumbly, her head turning to find just where this female was pointing. And then there was that warm, welcoming smile that had been absent on the blonde’s face up until now. “Curry, that is what I’ve been smelling.” She couldn’t place it before, but she certainly could now. “Is it good?” The question came as she turned her head back to look at the keeper of the arm still around her, the tone of her question curious, not disrespectful.

 

[Dreidi Xeraic]

Location: Mandalore
Outfit: Dathomiri robes
Companion: Grisial
Equipment: Lightsaber, Ichor sword and Dathomiri Energy Bow
Tag: Vytal Noctura

"Like all who have come to Dathomir with intentions of conquering our home." Dreidi stated, it was not just the Sith who had attempted to cause issues for the witches in the past. "Isolationism has not come because we desire to be alone, the galaxy has made itself very clear over the years that they do not appreciate our presence nor do they wish to see us succeed." While it was an aggressive generalisation, Dreidi had seen too much of the galaxy to understand that there was little desire to see groups of Force Users that were not Jedi and Sith to be seen as valid threats to those ideals.

Imperials even attempted to genocide the whole planet many, many years ago from what Dreidi heard.

Dreidi nodded her head, the witch was not looking to argue or demand that this training stopped. There were concerns and she had done her best to air them. How they were received and acted upon was entirely dependent on Vytal. "I understand not wishing to come across as the Sith and Jedi do, but they will not feel connection to Magick that we do. The ichor does not resonate with them. Not their fault but it might mean you need to adapt in some of the teachings of Jedi and Sith." While the philosophies and the mindset one had could be similar, the way one used the Force, Magick and what else it was called. That might have to come from different sources.

"But I appreciate you listening to my concerns. If you ever need assistance in the training, I can do my best to help. I have trained several witches and a handful of Jedi before now." Dreidi stated, not wishing to be entirely coming off as if she was against training these Mandalorians. "Hopefully they take your lessons with great appreciation. It is easy for many to overlook how difficult it is to share one's culture, especially one like ours."

 

[Liorra]

Oh, sure, I'll just you know keep doing that. No problem, Lio thought to herself. The ladder going down was more difficult than she thought. It was easier going up, down felt more precarious. Maybe it had something to do with not being able to see the ground beneath her feet and dangling, Manda knew only how high off the ground. Should've opted for air cooling in the helmet she thought to herself, what a weird thing to think of.

"Yeah... okay, vod. One swing at a time, no big deal." Lio huffed aloud to the person on the ground. What she wouldn't give to be on the ground with both boots. Maybe listen to an Aylor Iftsway album? What was that new song? Fate of Ophidia?

And then Lio realized, as she rolled her eyes. She could just jump down. What were all her fancy Force powers for if not for a little trust fall? She scoffed, why the kriff not. "Hey vod! Trust fall!"

With a shrug, she let go and just closed her eyes. Centering the Force around her person as she steadied her descent and called forth from the ground vines, large green leafs to ease her down to the dirt.

Adelle Bastiel | Kael Varr Basteil Skirata​

 

[Adelle Bastiel]

Tags: Kael Varr Basteil Skirata | Liorra | Eenia Vahn
Mood: Oh my fething Whills...

Kael dropped as asked, his form looking good. Adelle had taught him how to roll from a drop, and had started working on his Force usage, so she looked back up the ladder as the person who called for help sassed back. Adelle clicked her tongue but the sound of breaking bone snapped her attention back to Kael. The boy writhed on the ground muttering in pain. Adelle started forward before she heard the Wolf above her call out.

"Hey vod! Trust fall!"

“Io skrag,” Adelle breathed, reaching for the Force to slow the Young Wolf’s fall as leaves and vines erupted from the earth around her. She extended a hand and created a thin stasis field, enough that the falling Wolf wouldn’t come close to reaching breaking every bone in their body. And speaking of broken bones.

“Nia!” she called out. “I could use a little help over here!”

The falling Wolf fell into view, the surging vines and leaves combining with Adelle's stasis field to slow her fall into something manageable. Adelle braced herself and caught the young woman. Who weighed far more than her size led one to believe. Adelle staggered but stayed standing and helped the Wolf stand.

"You okay there, vod?" Adelle asked. Then she saw the eyes, the hair, the way the face was shaped. It couldn't be.

"Shabuir," she hissed under her breath. "Of course. That tracks."

If this one wasn't related to the Jedi Mishel she'd met on Corellia, she'd eat her buy'ce.

 

[Zlova Rue]

"That Cat knows how to do three things: annoy me with how we should save the galaxy from itself, revitalize Cathar, and cook. Not necessarily in that order." Zlova laughed. "If you know what curry is, you'll love it."

The Twi'lek took her arm out from across the woman's shoulder so she didn't feel confined. "I'm Zlova Rue. Better get used to food showing up. It's that or weird contraptions. Personally, I'd hope for the food." Especially if it meant keeping Madlad away. Droid still had as many screws loose as before Talohn's disappearance act.

Zlova stepped forward before she held out a hand toward Eenia Vahn . "Best hurry before it's all gone."

 

[Vytal Noctura]

​

"I can always use an experienced and wise Sister to bolster the training of these Wolves."

Vytal glanced in Kael and Liorra's direction before she turned to face Dreidi Xeraic fully once more. "I once taught Dark and Light, female and male, on Ryloth. Not just our ways, but any technique that those of sound mind brought with them. Twas a personal interest of mine to teach the galaxy not to fear us." A sharp snort followed. "Some heeded the lessons, most did not. I had no illusion of them understanding our ways, but they need not truly understand in order not to fear our very existence." They should still show respect for their power, or they would be given cause to fear Dathomir, of course. Still, long as they didn't try to wipe out her Sisters again they could all live in the same galaxy together peacefully. Yes, even the Covens that lived on planets other than Dathomir.

"If you are willing, these," she gestured to those gathered, "could do with the same. We must find what power resonates with them, and then help them grow into it."

If there were young women like Dreidi out there then, perhaps, the magick of ichor could be taught; more than likely much of the Manda or Force would be used instead. Vytal held no bias toward whatever the source of power was. Only in how it was used, and the manner in which it was learned.

​

 

[Talohn Atar]

COME GET SOME CURRY!​

Feed The Wolves - Camp

The way the grin spreads across the cathar's face as the Nightmother agreed to try the curry could be misconstrued for devious glee at an evil plot come to fruition thanks to that mouth of sharp carnivorous teeth. Luckily, Talohn wasn't known for pranks. Overall tomfoolery and being a goofball? Sure, but he did so with the utmost honesty! He was not one for deception. Not towards those he wasn't actively plotting to kill, at least. He nods emphatically when she seems to enjoy it. "I am glad I managed to balance the sweetness of heavy cream in this batch. It's a tricky thing for me since...well." He gestures to himself, a feline. "Cathar. My reception to the sweet flavors is somewhat dulled. Very easy for me to overdo it." He chuckles. "I will set up shop by the fire, then. Do not forget to get yourself a bowl."

It's then that he noticed a familiar tinge of green in the corner of his gaze. Orange eyes moved to lock onto Leea as he waves her over. "Oi. Leea. Don't just stand there in the corner. Have some dinner, yeah?" He arches a brow. He then turns his attention back to the curry pot. With a groan of effort as his teeth grit, he hoists the pot off of the ground once more, making his way towards the main bonfire. He arrives before the fire after a minute or so, a hiss leaving him as he sets it down once more. It truly was a colossal pot of food. It had to be in order to feed all of those present. He looks over to see Zlova Rue conversing with someone else at the gathering. About his food and antics no less! His expression is a mix of both joy and relief. He throws his arms in the air. "Aha, my Pizezrera. May I ask a favor? Any chance you'd be willing move this onto the fire with your phenomenal telekinetics? I'm not certain how to get it on there myself and if I have to lift this thing again, my back might give out." He chuckles wrlyly. The cathar may not look it, but he was 40 years of age. Considering he carried the pot all the way from his ship to the gathering, it was no wonder why that fact was rearing it's head right about now.

While awaiting Zlova's aid, he slips that backpack off of his shoulders and unzips it. A multitude of things are then unpacked. The first to come out is a massive stack of bowls with an accompanying bag of spoons. He sets these off to the side, reaching into the bottom of the pack. Two pots are pulled out, both fairly sizeable. He sets each one in the embers just at the edge of the fire before taking off the lids to reveal white rice and flatbreads piled up within.

It was around then that people began stopping by. He serves Garo Vevut-Varkor a bowl filled with a nice hefty helping of curry on top of rice, 3 pieces of flatbread placed balanced on the side of the bowl. Julra Repraj receives a nod as she praises the food after serving herself. "Enjoy. Feel free to get seconds if you crave them. There is enough." By the time Leea Pandac arrived at his location, he'd have already prepped another hefty bowl of curry and rice with bread to shove in her face. "You haven't been eating as much as you should. I can tell." His smile was warm. That of a concerned older sibling. "Have a good meal. You owe it to yourself."

Finally, his attention shifts to Eenia Vahn as he responds to her earlier question, adding his own commentary to it despite Zlova having already beaten him to the punch. "I hope it's good. The Nightmother approves, and she doesn't seem easy to please. Red here isn't either and she's been eating my food for the past twenty years." He winks to Zlova. "So I'd say my cooking has a distinguished track record."

 

[Julra Repraj]

​

Julra finished the bite she had taken before answering. She did not rush the motion; the rhythm of eating seemed deliberate, measured in the same way her steps or spellwork often were. Steam curled up from the bowl in her hands while the firelight caught faintly in the metal rim, and for a moment she simply watched the flames rather than Viana.

"It takes less than it used to," she said at last, her tone even. "Which is either progress… or a sign I'm getting comfortable doing things that should probably remain difficult."

There was no pride in the statement. If anything, it sounded more like an observation recorded in passing.

Another quiet bite disappeared behind the edge of the spoon. Only after swallowing did she angle her gaze slightly toward Viana's inspection of the bowl.

"I know enough," Julra replied. "Talohn cooks. It will be edible, and it will be hot."

Her eyes moved briefly across the camp again, taking in the shifting shapes of Wolves and Witches around the fire before settling back into the middle distance.

"And I was hungry."

The corner of her mouth twitched faintly at the "show off" comment, though the expression was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"You followed me through the tear," she added calmly. "That means you already knew what you were getting into."

Julra lifted the spoon again, paused for half a breath, then added in the same detached cadence:

"If it poisons me, you'll know in about three minutes."

Another bite.

"Then you can decide if the curry was worth the experiment."

​

TAG: Viana Morreth