Private Portrait of Authority

[Darth Meritum]

Darth Empyrean did not have much going for him in terms of charisma - though Meritum had heard at some point in the past, he certainly did. He couldn't write the rumors off completely; afterall, the Emperor did have an Empress. Now, however, it was very clear the Emperor lacked much in terms of communication - so he and the Sepulchral had made a 'Voice' to his authority. While the Emperor stay on Dromunnd Kaas or with the First Legion aboard the Mors Mon, it was now up to Darth Meritum to speak with the authority Empyrean had.​

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If only he carried with himself the same power - perhaps then he wouldn't need to borrow so much from the Dead God. In truth, Darth Meritum did not mind it - he was known to avoid the spotlight, and had done so for the last dozen iterations of the Sith Empire that he had been apart of. He had heard the names of Taeli Raaf and Gerwald Lechner , but he hadn't ever truly communicated with them. Closest he did was back during the first crowning of Darth Carnifex during the Moot. Today, however, he would not have the luxury of just a near miss.​

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Without much warning, the Dark Council would be summoned to their chamber. Waiting there, not sitting in the seat of the Emperor but nearby, was Darth Meritum. He was using his finger to manipulate one of the glass orbs that reflected each member of the Council. It was needless ceremony, but who was he to judge these malcontents on something so trivial. He needed to come to an understanding with them - and today would simply have to be that day.​

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Tag: Darth Malum of House Marr // Gerwald Lechner // Taeli Raaf​

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

To be summoned to the Dark Council chambers by their Emperor could hardly be called a rare event, at the same time, it was hardly a common event. He squinted his eyes, squeezing them shut for fair seconds, as the wave of pain travelled his skull, having long since wiped away the bloody nose drawn out by bending time and space about him. There was a boon in the fact he had only been at nearby Alvaria, the toll upon his body was as much lessened, as through the red orb that had been gifted to him acted a beacon, a lighthouse, guiding him to safe harbour.

Though to call this place safe harbour, might have been the greatest fallacies of them all.

His long raven locks swayed with each lock-stepped stride, every step feeling more monumental than the last, as his blackened cloak trailed along the ground to his destination, steeped in the colours of his trade, adorned in the armour that did not belong to him, but which he had inextricably made his own, form-fitting, yet ever protective.

All to play second fiddle to the mask he wore upon his face, red eyes glimmering dangerously beneath the visor, as he felt his heart in his eardrums.

It was the oddest sensation of them all...

...He did not feel their Emperor's presence close by.

For most, it might have been a blessing, Darth Arcanix and Lord Lechner were hardly easy fellows to deal with, especially with their... experience and... age. Throw the Emperor into the mix as well, and it was a struggle enough to have his voice heard in a room of those that imagined him little more than a lucky upjumped child.

Pride doth the fall, he reminded himself, as he passed the two Praetorians guarding the grand doorway, pressing upon its frame, it buckled, as he swept into the room, his cloak billowing in his wake, as the heir of Darth Marr, made his presence felt.

And confirmed with vision that the Emperor was nowhere in sight, instead, behind the mask, his eyes narrowed, as they fell upon a familiar presence, even if one that was nought more than a stranger to him. It had been... a curiosity, when his Tsis'Kaar had reported back to him, that the Emperor had brought forward unto his ranks a Voice, to follow his Wrath.

He offered a silent nod of his head in respect, "...Darth Meritum, am I wrong to assume His Imperial Majesty shall not be joining us today?" He questioned with a voice as clear as crystalline depths, eying the orb within the Voice's hand, and finding his own resting where he had left it, as much as it was useful... as much as it allowed them the freedom to communicate with each other, rather than gathering back upon Jutrand...

...He so loathed having any of the Corpse King's poisons near him. Yet, even as the words were thought, his fingers extended out, and the orb flew through the air, brought to his hand, as he tossed it up into the air, catching it without fanfare, as he awaited the arrival of his Co-Councillors.

Darth Meritum Gerwald Lechner Taeli Raaf
Mentioned: Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Meritum]

"Not wrong.", he offered back plainly, still letting his own orb roll under his index finger. He stared at it a while, waiting for the others, but eventually sighed and leaned back, taking the ball with him.​

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"Seems you're the only one. That's fine.", he said with a touch of disappointment he wasn't able to hide.​

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"I've been appointed Voice of the Emperor, of that I am sure you are aware. The others will be made aware if they are not already. The Emperor believes that I will have better success helping to manage his domain in his absence, as his duties have drawn him to both the Galactic Alliance's front door, and Dromund Kaas."​

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"With that said, I think its only appropriate I meet the Dark Council. A bad first impression won't exactly help my position, would it?"​

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Darth Malum of House Marr​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Darth Meritum Darth Malum of House Marr Gerwald Lechner​

"No, and first impressions can be everything in our Order."

Her voice would float down from an amethyst-eyed raven perched on her throne, before the familiar itself would swoop down to settle onto the seat itself. Its form would shift into that of the Lady of Secrets herself, small wisps of shadow trailing off her form as she channeled herself through the familiar.

"My apologies for not being physically present, Lord Malum, Lord Meritum, I am in the middle of an experiment that requires my direct attention and can't be pulled away from it for travel to the capital until its completion."

It was interesting that Empyrean had deigned to recreate the Voice position within their structure, but she felt it oddly reassuring in a way. While the Emperor was busy with other endeavors, such as war or whatever was being constructed on Dromund Kaas, it showed at least some of the old inclination to creating some measure of continuity and ensuring his own views were made to the Dark Council. It also was nostalgic for her considering when she first became Sith, the Dark Lord at that time had five Voices.

Perhaps this would mean an expansion to the Dark Council was coming in the future.

Her familiar-form would trail a finger over the amethyst orb of her throne, regarding both her colleague and the man who would be expressing Empyrean's desire in managing his domain.

"So, besides a meet and greet, what is on the agenda that you would like to discuss, Voice Meritum?"

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He idly wondered how the Emperor's Wrath would react to the knowledge that the Emperor's Voice had usurped his orb, it was a curiosity that he would have chosen the golden one, was it a measure to indicate the Emperor's confidence had swayed away from Lord Lechner to Darth Meritum? Was it a sign that Darth Meritum was to join them on the Dark Council? That he would replace the Exectutioner?

Or was it nothing at all really.

All likely possibilities, hidden away behind the nod of his head, an acceptance that their Emperor would not be joining them today...

...He did not know if that would make for a more productive or unproductive meeting.

He smirked beneath the mask the disappointment from Darth Meritum's words wafted over the air, the raven, the ever familiar raven, unique in only the fact that it was not one of his stood upon her mistresses' throne, "I apologise to disappoint, Darth Meritum, but I am not the only Councillor in attendance," He spoke the smirk audible in his voice, even as he stood solitary at the rest of the words spoken.

That the Emperor had been self-aware to realise his domains would be better managed by just about anyone else, was shocking, though at the same time, if one's idea of management had been hiding away in one's castle, as one's Empire threatened to tear itself apart every few months, then he supposed it was apt.

At the same time, the fear at which he so easily sprouted had done its course to make sure the Empire had not in actuality torn itself apart. But, with the state that it was in, to imagine it governable in any real sense was... it was odd really, in some aspects the Empire was easily governed, most worlds paid their tithes and were quiet in their indifference.

On the otherhand, he was not sure if he had heard of an Empire that held such utter indifference to its central government.

He could not fault it entirely, for all its flaws, it was somehow working, it was really only a question of when it would stop doing so.

The raven sprouted human hands, even if born of whisps as an attractive older woman found herself seated, speaking words that were entirely accurate for the Mother of Monsters, as he tilted his head at her excuse, but nonetheless nodded in acceptance of it. Her question at the end at the very least hit the nail on the head.

"...Indeed, are you to join the Dark Council? If not, what is to be our dynamic? Suffice it to say, I do not sense His Imperial Majesty within you, so I do not imagine you are that kind of Voice."

On one hand, to have a new rival rancored, on the otherhand, to not have the Emperor close at hand was always a blessing.

Darth Meritum Taeli Raaf Gerwald Lechner
Mentioned: Darth Empyrean

 

[Darth Meritum]

Meritum glanced over for a moment to watch the familiar of Taeli Raaf form itself into a representation of her. It didn't surprise him much that she would make her entrance more dramatic, he expected that of Sith of this caliber. He only hoped that Gerwald Lechner wouldn't show up as a wolf, or Darth Malum of House Marr leave as a viper. It'd make things awkward, since he didn't really have an animal to represent himself.​

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Breaking himself away from those thoughts, he responded;​

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"Than you for joining us, Dark Councilor."​

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He offered her a nod, then looked back to Malum;​

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"No, I am not a vessel for the Emperor to take hold of on command. I don't believe I would be in my position long, were that the case. Rather, the Emperor has given me the full authority of his position to work domestically. Sith that rise to the status of Dark Lord often tend to focus their energies externally - expanding the Empire, for example - while neglecting their own holdings."​

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"I am meant to guide the Empire in his absence. That is not to say I outrank any of you, only that I am his will until he sees fit to remove me from the position.", hopefully intact.​

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"I have no intentions of being insulting, causing conflict, or otherwise testing your authority. While I have no doubt the Emperor would avenge me, should something happen to me, I would prefer nothing happen to begin with. In that sense, I am here for our mutual benefit. A meet-and-greet is a start, but I'd like to learn about the nature of the Empire from those who run it already."​

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He leaned back in his chair, holding the orb he had been given, which was not actually the one Gerwald already owned.​

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"How does our fair Empire run? I understand there are issues regarding the economy, revolutionaries, intrigue, and rivalries. I'd say I am concerned about those on our borders, but in reality that is not my place."​

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Taeli Raaf // Gerwald Lechner // Darth Malum of House Marr​

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Darth Meritum | Darth Malum of House Marr | Taeli Raaf

The air in the chamber crackled with dark energy as the impromptu meeting of the Dark Council commenced. Massive, obsidian pillars lined the circular room, their surfaces etched with ancient Sith inscriptions that pulsed a dim crimson. The gathered Sith Lords sat upon their thrones, each a towering seat of authority, positioned around the grand chamber’s center. Shadows clung to the corners of the room, as if the Dark Side itself was an unseen participant.

Amid the darkness, a new figure took form. A tall silhouette flickering into existence as a life-sized blue holo-projection. Gerwald Lechner. His massive frame, clad in armor blackened from war, stood rigid, hands folded behind his back in military fashion. His long, unruly hair fell over his shoulders, barely concealing the piercing glow of his eyes—predatory and alert. Though he was not physically present, his mere presence in the chamber carried weight.

The holographic static briefly distorted his image as he bowed his head slightly in deference, though the gesture was measured, respectful, not subservient.

His expression remained impassive as the Sith Lords observed him in silence. Some regarded him with amusement, others with scrutiny, weighing his worth in the unspoken hierarchy of power. His reputation was well known among his peers. Gerwald was a warrior, strategist, the hound of the Sith. He had carved his path through blood and battle, earning his place among them not through deception or politics, but through raw, undeniable strength.

“It seems I am late,” he offered as a fleeting apology when the others finished.

Gerwald’s head canted slightly toward the new face among them, Darth Meritum . It seemed Empyrean had employed another to be his voice. It mattered little to the Wolf. The emperor had his wrath, and now he had found his voice. Perhaps it would benefit the Order as a whole, or maybe it would create a vacuum of power.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Darth Meritum Darth Malum of House Marr Gerwald Lechner
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"We wouldn't be a Sith Empire if there wasn't some level of intrigue going on amongst us all," Taeli remarked wryly. Among their Order, for millennia, it was expected that a certain level of plotting and intriguing occurred, so long as it didn't disrupt the operations of the Empire or the plans of the ruling Emperor or Dark Lord. Of course, that always had been allowed to slowly build up into the infighting that doomed many other iterations of the Empire as ambitions outpaced successes and rivalries boiled over. That had been quite apparent with the conflict between the three major factions within the Empire during the Ouroboros Crisis.

The current structure of the Empire had allowed some of that intrigue and plotting to shift into an open forum with the Assembly, but even that had merely created another avenue for ambition and those who sought power and prestige. It was just more civilized, and to Taeli, that was important as it also created a stable way of dealing with issues.

"While I cannot speak for the efforts of the others, I have mainly been focused on achieving some level of domestic stability, especially after the string of events we've had that had threatened it. As no doubt you were briefed when you were appointed to the position of Voice, I have been experimenting with several free trade zones in our territory that runs along the Corellian Trade Spine along with the sector surrounding Jutrand, and we've had some early interest and movements and I'm confident they will accelerate in the coming months. I also intend to standardize and modernize our war materials in consultation with the Imperators and Lord Lechner here."

She also had plans to bring the SIBC more in line, but those discussions could wait.

"In addition, the work has begun to revitalize and modernize our domestic law enforcement efforts with the Ministry of Order, which I plan to appoint Madelyn Lowe to the position if my colleagues are amendable to that. She has the years of experience and mindset needed to be Minister for that position, between her service within the First Order and our previous Empire."

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum tilted his masked head in recognition and acceptance of the explanation that fell out the Voice's lips. It confusingly elucidated his purpose, both positioning him as not outranking them, while too claiming himself as an extension of the Emperor's will, though, he supposed at least theoretically, that the Dark Council was to serve a similar purpose...

...Perhaps it would be safest to consider him a peer, after all, in the end, it all came down to action, rather than titles, that made the measure of a man.

At the very least, he was promising to be a voice of conciliation within the Council, even if that was simply out of a wish for self-preservation more than anything else.

The lithe yet strong form, heralded within the ornaments of armour and arms held still cold and silent, as he pondered the end of his words, what answer he would give, how the halls of power would be shaken by all this. Only, for the lighting of a holoprojector, to steal his focus, his eyes tilting to gaze upon the presence of the third of their triptych.

"Not at all, Lord Lechner, for after all, what is power if not the ability to choose to arrive exactly when you are meant to?" Malum offered his greeting to wolf lord, who no doubt was off on the frontline, of all the Dark Councillors, doubtless he was the one that spent the least time on the capital.

Unsurprising in his mind, the one who was most unsuited to the great game.

Red eyes flicked to the wry words of Ta- Darth Arcanix, how true her words were, to such a degree, he was unsure if any in this room could be certain of all the plots that went on underneath their very noses.

It was the mention of a certain Lady Lowe, that rankled his brow.

"The Tsis'Kaar have successfully infiltrated the Empire of the Lost en masse, we require only the push and Lianna would be ours, while a war of shadows is waged within the Alliance, and hopefully soon Darth Solipsis' failing imperial project, and the newest iteration of Moridinizid Crusaders." Malum offered softly, the aristocratic voice permeating out through the mask of his most ancient and great forefather, "Similar attempts of infiltration from our enemies onto Sith Space have been foiled thus far, but I hear ruminations that the Jedi Shadows, and the Alliance's Strategic Intelligence Agency are undertaking something of a renewal, I would not be surprised if they shall make a new attempt." There was part of him that eagerly awaited such an effort, he had been itching for battle against the Alliance for quite some time, "As for other matters of internal security, the Inquisition has been successfully merged into the Tsis'Kaar, we will undertake our responsibilities of both internal and foreign intelligence and security to the best of our ability, The Emperor has given me the right to purge Jutrand's underworld, similar purges shall be accomplished on other criminal, rebellious, and traitorous organisations and groups across the Imperium." He spoke as he always did, even as fire flickered into his breath, a flame of passion to most, but really, rancour at the memory of that meeting in these chambers.

His gaze fell to Darth Arcanix in the next moment, "It is for such reason that I would be opposed to Lady Lowe's appointment to such position. While her reputation precedes her, her reputation is of service to failed and fallen governments and states, I can only wonder how much of that was due to the failure of similar domestic law enforcement efforts... bring me a candidate that has served this Empire, rather than a failed partisan of another, and I would be amenable to consideration. Indeed, I have a candidate of my own in mind, one who has served faithfully both this Empire, and in the role of consideration." The masked gaze fell to Darth Meritum, and Lord Lechner, confronted now with a burgeoning conflict in their midst.

Darth Meritum Gerwald Lechner Taeli Raaf
Mentioned: Darth Empyrean Madelyn Lowe

 

[Darth Meritum]

Darth Meritum sat idle as he listened, and listened some more. He imagined Dark Council meetings would be a lot of talking, but somehow he had hoped not this much. Still, at his age, he shouldn't be hoping for anything but monotony - lest he drown in the oceans of Woostri again. He sighed as the two began to disagree on their chosen candidates, forcing Meritum to lean back and start scratching at his notebook.​

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"Purges and domestic authority on one side, Ministry of Order on the other. I understand Darth Carnifex is also fighting for domestic control with his Sepulchral. Three forces, all at odds.", he said as he tapped the pen against his chin.​

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"I'll be direct - freedom to do as you please, purges or whatever else, might be what the Emperor allowed, but do we have the resources to truly expand a domestic police state so thoroughly it actually matters?", he asked, looking between the three for a moment.​

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"Typhojem, holo a report on incarceration numbers for me."​

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The hooded figure of the Super AI housed on the Mors Mon came to life before them on a secondary projector on the table, nodding as each of their data pads were filled with the numbers. From incarcerations by planet, population, per capita, types of crimes, and what productive forces they were forced into. It seemed if nothing else, the Empire that had banned slavery profited from the forced incarceration of its populations on mere suspicion of conspiracy.​

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"Thank you. As we were saying...", he said as he glanced over the numbers for a moment.​

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"Councilor Raaf, explain Madelyn Lowe 's credentials. I would be curious to hear about her accomplishments. I understand she was given authority of an auxiliary fleet to assist in the assault on Woostri, but not much else. Councilor Marr, who exactly do you intend to put forward?"​

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After both questions, he made a sideways glance to Gerwald Lechner , waiting to see if he had any input on the matter. It was an important decision, but Meritum didn't know these people. How they justified, how they argued, how they moved would tell him something about what kind of people they truly were.​

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Darth Malum of House Marr // Gerwald Lechner // Taeli Raaf​

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Darth Meritum | Darth Malum of House Marr | Taeli Raaf

The board was seemingly set with Lady Raaf’s proposal. Once again the Dread Wolf had been cast as the one to make a decision between the Raven and the Serpent. His last decision had seen him support Marr, and the ill advised Kaggath. If any of the rumored reports from Woorstri were correct, then Gerwald would certainly demand recompense for the young one’ sins. He sought too much control, more than what was fitting for his grasp. The snake barely had command over the Tsis’kaar, let alone the Inquisition. It had taken others from the Order to help purge the remnant which believed Strosius would return, or that he was still alive.

Raaf was another matter. While Gerwald found himself among the Revivalists which had a vision for the Order which would see it prosper, the Raven haired woman kept her designs close to her chest. Her control over the areas of science and research and development also gave her significant power. The mystery of what she really wanted was what made her dangerous. Whereas Malum was far more obvious in his aspirations, Taeli was not. It made the Wolf cautious. When forced to choose between his fellow counselor members, Gerwald reserved the right to remain unpredictable.

Today, he would not be.

His mask, the one which made him the brash and least political of them all, had to be maintained. If any of them ever saw Gerwald for who he was beyond the mask, he would lose an advantage.

An audible sigh was heard coming from the holographic display of the Dread Wolf. He loathed the flowery language which came from Marr. He was always trying to play some game, as though there was always some kind of angle. It made him impossible to trust.

“And the Emperor has said I can kill whoever I want that gets in the way of his vision for this Empire. That doesn’t mean this Council has to allow it. The assembly has already voted to create the Ministry of Order. Your Tsis’Kaar and Inquisition will not absorb it as well.”

His gaze flicked to Taeli Raaf.

“ Madelyn Lowe will be the Minister of Order. I support her appointment.”

His gaze went back to Malum.

“If your objections stand on her failures or lack of experience, then your multiple failures which led to the Invasion of Tion, and failures which followed after Sulis Van, should disqualify you from being the head of the Tsis’kaar. Never forget the same measure you use to judge will be used against you. The war council, Alicia Drey, Echnos, your mishandling of @Kailia Irons which required the intervention of Lady Talon, and this petty cold war you maintain with Darth Carnifex , are enough for us to take action.”

He looked to Darth Meritum wondering what he thought.

“Yet, we have not,” he turned to Taeli Raaf. “We do not owe you mercy, yet we have given it. Therefore you will not interfere with this decision.”

His eyes went back to Meritum.

“I am not interested in debate or long winded discussion. You called this meeting for a reason, and it was not to appoint a Minister of Order.”

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Darth Meritum Darth Malum of House Marr Gerwald Lechner
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An eyebrow quirked up as Malum spoke after her, reporting on the Tsis'Karr activities in the Empire of the Lost and against infiltration from the GA and Jedi into their sphere of influence. All of that could be fascinating, but she only mildly so to her. The best Shadow was in their web already and the Empire of the Lost was a non-entity in her opinion at present. If they had truly been a force for them to worry about, they would have already attempted to avenge their lost at Tion by attacking the Holy Worlds, and yet, they did not.

She was also unsurprised to hear that he was opposed to her selection of Madelyn as Minister of Order, and he had an alternative candidate in mind that was no doubt within his own power base or even his own family. The new Voice seemed to sense the growing engagement within the meeting as he requested a background on Madelyn and her accomplishments and who Malum wanted to become the Minister while also pulling up legitimate questions on if they were even in the position for such police actions and the data on incarceration. Although that became moot when Gerwald made his point of view known.

She would offer the Wolf a smile of appreciation of his support before turning her attention back to Malum and the new Voice.

"If you would pardon me one moment, Voice Meritum, I would like to address Lord Marr's point first," she replied quietly, her violet eyes studying the masked younger man. "If what you say were a point of disqualification from holding a position, then you would also need to remove myself, Lord Lechner, the Emperor, and the Empress to name just a few. Nation states rise and fall, especially in this era of chaos and instability.

"As to that point, and to begin addressing your question, Voice Meritum, Madelyn Lowe began as a governor within the First Order and worked her through the ranks of that former power before it was destroyed by the Ssi-ruuvi invasion following the Great Galactic war. When it fell, she became a governor within the Tenth Sith Empire and was eventually promoted to the position of Grand Vizier, a position she held through the Third Imperial Civil War when the empire slowly broke apart from a decent percentage of the military revolted and formed the New Imperial Order and outside enemies attacked such as the Galactic Alliance, the Bryn'adul, rival factions of Sith. To attempt to blame her for such situations outside her control is disingenuous at best, insulting at worst. She is an administrator and politician, which is precisely what is required for a Ministry, any Ministry within this Empire."

She would glance over at Gerwald before continuing.

"Per the legislation that was passed by the Assembly, with both my support and Lord Lechner's as a majority of Dark Councilors, that is enough to confirm the appointment in and of itself. However," her tone would soften, "I would suggest you find some way to work together with her and whatever she forms the Ministry into with your own ambitions in dealing with the criminals and other domestic law enforcement issues that may arise. You never know what you might learn in doing so."

What would go unsaid, at least for the moment, was her full agreement with Gerwald and his statements about Malum's own history. In her opinion, the man who wished to emulate his ancestor was moving more towards the Lord of Ambition rather than the Lord of Duty, but perhaps that was a conversation best for a one-on-one discussion.

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum smiled beneath the mask.

So that was how it would begin, was it? He had long dreaded it, but, to have it displayed so visibly, well that... that he had not expected. Yet, now, now that it had come he could not help but feel a relief swell within his bones. A relief that filled his blood as it flowed easily along his veins.

Clarity, eyes, that had been what he had sought, and now, he had that.

He tiled his mask in recognition of the words that had been spoken, "If such is the will of my fellow Councillors, you will not see me dispute it." The smile furrowed his lips, a smile that was audible within the confines of the words spoken, his gaze fell upon Darth Meritum, "Do we have the resoures to set upon this course? I would imagine so, even if it shall require resources taken away from matters of less import, to lay upon stable foundations is the most critical of all ventures, continue as we are, and we ask for the weight to eventually crush us underneath."

He tilted his head to the side, "Does the Voice seek to add his weight to the decision? If to follow my fellow Councillors, then I imagine it should not much matter the identity or credentials of the candidate I had in mind, but should you desire to know, I shall provide easily enough."

Then of course there was Lord Lechner, the only moment that his eyes narrowed, they had a rocky enough start, one that had been at much his own fault, as the Wolf's, perhaps even more so his he would readily admit. But he had thought... from Adras, Praesitlyn, Bastion, to Woostri, along with the other instances of their cooperation, that there was opportunity for cooperation between the Raven and Wolf Lords...

...Alas, it seemed not.

"Lord Lechner, is it your position, is it your success, is it your experience, or is it belief in your own power to make you believe you can speak to me in such flagrant disregard?" The voice was cold, the voice was cruel, the voice held within its splendour a glass edge, that begged to be given sustenance.

He allowed himself a breath, the iceyness creeping into the room, "I was not given the Tsis'Kaar, I took it, foisted onto myself, and if anyone wishes to take to take it from me, it will not be by Dark Council or Assembly vote, it will be from my cold, dead, hands." He pushed himself away from the head of the table, feet in quick measure finding themselves confronting the daunting height of the Wolflord, "I find it difficult to imagine anyone sees my record as failure, but I see differently, those that rally to my side see it differently, Tion is ours, Alicia Drey is dead, and Echnos remained cold only by my magnamity, only growing hot by the efforts of one which you have taken into your confidence within the Second Legion," There was a presence to Lord Lechner that was felt even as he was not really in the room, he was a being that exuded strength and a certain wildness that made anyone think twice...

...Yet, it mattered little.

"I offered to make peace with Darth Carnifex at Dorvalla only to receive silence, I am not the one who placed bounty upon Darth Carnifex's head, when he had little concern with doing so upon mine, and yet, you blame me for this cold war with him?" He laughed, a laugh that held the twinge of manicness, "I do not know if you are simply blind, or are actively in conspiracy against me, Lord Lechner."

He brought out his hand, gripping the place where the giant's heart would be, for barest moment dispelling the hologram in most mocking gesture, "I would rather action than words, I seek not your mercy nor desire it, if you wish to do something, then do it."

His armour clanked as he turned his head, turned his entire body away from the Emperor's Wrath, taking his position back at the head of the table, turning masked face towards Tae- Darth Arcanix, "My lady misunderstands me, I seek not to diminish the role or positions of those that serve the current Empire, only that I thought despite what experience Lady Lowe held, that she has been without power or influence for quite some time, her service to this Empire is miniscule. My hope was that she would be provided a role appropriate to her tenure within the Eleventh, such that she could rise to Minister by the merit that no doubt you believe she possesses... but I bow to your superior wisdom on the matter, after all, you actually know the woman, a factor in her appointment that I lack, only knowing her... record."

He stood at attention, straightening his back, with his arms at his sides, "But I am sure we will aquit ourselves well enough, after all we have already had such a wonderful public correspondence."

Darth Meritum Gerwald Lechner Taeli Raaf
Mentioned: Madelyn Lowe Darth Empyrean Darth Carnifex

 

[Darth Meritum]

"Are you done then?", Meritum asked after a moment of silence. Darth Malum of House Marr seemed to have not enjoyed being outvoted, but Meritum hadn't expected the man to go on a tirade about it.​

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"To answer your question, no, your candidate doesn't matter anymore.", Meritum sighed as he wrote down some new notes in his small journal. He rebound it, set the pen in his chest pocket, and slid the journal away into some hidden area of his coat.​

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"Now, if we're done with hurt feelings...", he said as he searched his pockets for something else. After a moment, he pulled from it two dataslates - one of which was a passcode generator. After putting the other into the data port nearest him, the hologram before them lit up.​

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"The final thing I wished to bring to your attention is the plot by Darth Nefaron to overthrow the standing government. This was given to me by one of his conspirators, looking to cash in with the established powers. I believe that it would be a good mark for the newly established Inquisition and Ministry of Order to work with Lord Lechner in 'auditting' the Sith Lord and ensuring their continued loyalty. In wars like ours, it is best we have less internal issues. Any concerns?"

Darth Malum of House Marr // Taeli Raaf // Gerwald Lechner​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Darth Meritum Darth Malum of House Marr Gerwald Lechner
(posting again with Dizzy's OK)
​

Defensive, that was the word that sprung to mind as Malum responded to Lord Lechner's words on his record. Excuses, deflections, the right words a politician might say to defend themselves. And yet, they didn't sway either herself or Gerwald she suspected. Ayra had only become an issue because Malum had brought her to the war council meeting, Tion falling to them despite that, but it had been a serious failure of operational security. He had injected himself into a situation that was only between herself and Strosius, using to gain more power and influence. Echnos had been caused when its new governor had assurances of Tiss'Kaar support to break free from Kaine, and yet it had been the Empress to stop the actual blows when Malum had arrived and nearly fought the Lord of Domination. Her raven had been watching from Kaine's shoulder after all. Dorvalla, according to her daughter, had been a political affair and there had been little surprise Carnifex had deigned to address Malum's offer.

"I do concur with something you said, Lord Marr. Actions speak louder than words, and I do hope actions in the future will show the weight of the words spoken."

As the Voice brought the issue he wished to discuss forward, also demonstrating to her that he didn't find the... defense stirring, her head slowly turned towards the man that had just defended himself and his record, an eyebrow rising in exasperation. They were Sith, so low level plotting was expected, but was only tolerated if it was kept within official means such as a Kaggath or in the Assembly or quietly kept between the two rivals to see who would emerge on top. But a full plot to overthrow them, the exact thing the Inquisition should be on the lookout for, that warranted more serious concerns and decisions.

"This a serious matter, Voice Meritum, and I thank you for bringing this to our attention so swiftly," she replied, but her gaze was firmly locked on Malum. There would be strong hints of exasperation, minimal patience, disappointment. "My concern begins with, however, why it is you revealing the existence of such a plot and not the Lord Inquisitor. No doubt he was distracted by the many duties he must attend to, and it was merely a slip of oversight that allowed this crack in our perceptions to form and not any sort of covert or tacit approval or collusion. That would be extremely troubling. I would wholeheartedly support a full... audit of the Anoat system and Lord Nefaron."

There was little illusion in what form a Sith audit might take.

"But perhaps, as the Inquisition and the Ministry of Order mobilize and Lord Lechner prepares his... auditors, we send a competent agent in advance to acquire a lay of the land and verify the information your informant provided. Allyson Locke would be ideal for this given her experience as a Master Shadow and her forming position as Hand to the Emperor."

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

"Alas, no, I cannot claim that we are done, though you will be thankful to know by the end of my words, we will be." Malum began, his teeth held together with a supreme effort, rather the pearly white calcifications threaten to crack, than he does something that he would certainly regret, despite the short-term satisfaction.

"You have been informed by a Dark Councillor stood before you now, that a bounty has been placed on his head by a Sith Lord of the Empire, and your response is silence, you took an affront to our collective dignity, but what you provide me is silence?" Masked red eyes bore down upon Darth Meritum, as a cold chill entered his voice, an iciness born of the treacherous north, "You provide this Council with the testimony of a banker who expected reward, and then received it. The proof of this alleged treason being hearsay from the said banker, and a possibility for more if we... 'audit' the world, as you put it?" His gaze turned towards Darth Arcanix, every hint of exasperation, ill-patience, and disappointment scorned and echoed, "It is useful to know exactly what words mean, both of you would take well to learn that, 'audit', 'distracted', say it plainly for all to hear, for the consequences to follow," Red eyes rippled of flame and magma beneath the visor, as they remained ever firmly in place, "As for why you did not hear it from me, my lady, simple, for the exact reason I imagine none of your spy networks who constantly get in my way did not hear of it. Whatever the plot it is, if it even exists, seems sublimely well hidden, we ourselves only heard of it because the Voice of our Emperor bribed a banker who allegedly knew of its existence. Have there been any other leaks of anything untoward on Anoat? Has there been anything else anyone here wishes to present to this Council?" The scathing nature of the rhetorical questions, were enough to drill holes into spines.

He brought his hands to rest upon the edge of the table, gripping onto them with strength, or at least a frustration that threatened to split the splinters and break a whole chunk of it for himself. His red orb sat in the middle of such formation, for seemingly once, held in still motion, rather than used as a tool to cure boredom and cause distraction, masked gazing down open the oaken surface, as he breathed a caustic breath.

Before finally, turning his eyes back upon the congregation.

"I have never expected any support on this Council, that much I believe is hardly surprising, but what I did not expect was for this Council to devolve into petty slights, snipes, and insults, and then for an actual threat to the Council to be responded with silence," His eyes rested upon each and every one of them, flicking, looking for... something, "Perhaps the fault is mine, indeed, some of it most certainly is, but that can hardly be fixed now," He breathed out once more, his entire body seeming to relax, as the pauldrons fell some inches, "You might vote however you wish, I shall follow the orders as the will of the Emperor, however, it is clear to me now, that there is nothing to accomplish here today, but in the spirit of fairness," His gaze fell upon the Wolflord, "You who thinks of himself as a brilliant tactician for being able to win a war of attrition despite having fleets and armies that outnumber singular worlds by more than ten to one, and still somehow lost the Empresses' goddaughter," He turned towards the Mother of Monsters, "You whose greatest accomplishment as a Sith was pretending to be a Jedi," Finally his eyes fell upon Darth Meritum, a scoff sounding from the innermost chamber of his throat, "You who I wish was actually possessed by our Emperor, for at least then you would have an actual accomplishment to your name."

He bowed his head in respect, before turning it towards the exit, his entire body following suit, "Summon me when this Council is able to act in a manner of respect and discipline, summon me when this Council is capable of compromise and cooperation, summon me when this Council is worthy of the name," He offered a backhanded wave, as his steps began to exit the room, the red orb pulled into his hand, "And of course, please call for my presence when you want someone killed," There was a dark humour to his tongue, as he stopped his motion, to side-eye them, "After all, I find when I actually want to kill them, that they seem to die."

He morphed into a stream of darkness, carried out of the room like a gust of wind.

Darth Meritum Taeli Raaf Gerwald Lechner
Mentioned: Darth Carnifex Quinn Varanin Elane II of Kuat Darth Nefaron Srina Talon Darth Strosius

 

[Darth Meritum]

Meritum had intended to respond to Taeli Raaf in favor of the Tsis'kaar, but he was cut off by the rant and ramblings. He sat idly, watching with a growing concern to the seeming fit he was witness to. For Meritum, this did not bode well for the success of the Dark Council if japes and jabs led to such responses. When Malum finally departed, Meritum sighed loudly.​

​

"I certainly expected a more calculated response from our Lord Inquisitor, but that felt all too juvenile. I was not familiar with Darth Ophidia, but something tells me her response wouldn't be so blatant.", he said as he sucked his teeth.​

​

"Regardless, the threat on Anoat persists. I have no doubt about its veracity, but a leading agent might help confirm that for us before a more thorough audit is performed. My largest concern would be that Darth Nefaron is not an idiot, and any unannounced arrivals will likely set off alarms for him. Our agent may very well be lost the second they make landfall, and only military intervention would matter then. I will, however, acquiesce to the Council in this matter."​

​

Taeli Raaf // Darth Malum of House Marr // Gerwald Lechner​

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

TAG: Darth Meritum | Taeli Raaf | Darth Malum of House Marr

Gerwald listened. There was much the others deemed necessary to say. The hologram of his form and figure flickered briefly here and there as the Dread Wolf remained silent. The only sound which could be heard from the beast was the occasional breath, which on occasion sounded more like a sigh.

He was tired of the young Marr’s inability to understand the room in which he often found himself in. The boy was often quick to position himself in the best light possible, but when faced with criticism his true colors were apparent. This time was no different. The child could not own his mistakes. What confounded Gerwald even more, was that when the same weight and measure the young Marr used to disqualify another was applied to him, he protested.

It was hypocrisy of the worst kind.

The boy spoke.

“Disregard,” the Wolf questioned, “If you would prefer I do not treat you like an equal…”

It mattered little what Gerwald had to say as he was promptly cut off by the continuing tirade and temper tantrum of the youngest among them. He was showing his age and immaturity quite well.

Taeli answered the young assassin, and once again the child spewed accusations in what amounted to be nothing more than a hissy fit. This was why the Dark Council did not accomplish anything beyond the small things they had managed to agree on. Whether Gerwald wanted to admit it or not, Raaf was the only who seemed amenable to reason whereas Malum seemed to only care about getting his way.

Whatever the exchange hoped to produce, it fell short. Malum left, but not before the wide claim of his efficacy.

"After all, I find when I actually want to kill them, that they seem to die."

Gerwald laughed, but said nothing. Malum was gone before he could.

Meritum spoke.

“No, she would not have behaved in such a way. Strosius, for his faults, would not have either. He has requested to see me, by the way. Strosius."

The Dread Wolf let that bit of knowledge hang in the air. It would be more than enough of a rebuttal to the claim Malum had just made before leaving. If those he killed remained dead, then why was Strosius requesting to meet with the Wolf?

Anoat was the matter in front of them. Though, Malum’s behavior would force them to take some sort of action. They did not need him to make decisions, however, it might be consequence enough to cut him off completely for a time. A message needed to be sent to the youngest of their membership.

He was not as integral to their success as he deemed himself to be.

“Nefaron my be intelligent, but I do not think he would have knowledge of Allyson Locke being employed as an asset for the Order. What does concern me is that he may think of her as a Jedi. That would not be well for her either.”

Gerwald wanted to agree with Taeli, that Allyson was the best course of action for the moment, but he did not have enough information. There was something Malum did say which concerned the Wolf.

"I fear that military intervention will be inevitable, save a direct assassination, should there be actionable truth to this plot. Allyson Locke could infiltrate, or my shadow would succeed as easily. He is unknown to most.”

Spoiler: OOC NOTE

There is a lot of timey wimey around this thread and I am not sure where it falls in relation to Woostri as some events being discussed here took place after... based on that I am working with the fact Gerwald and Strosius have set up a meeting. If I need to edit that, I will do so.