Prelude to Pain (Open to All OS Members)

[Sage Bane]

Location: Fresia, Future site of the Temple of Pain​

The dark black stones were imported from Dromand Kaas. The finest sculptors toiled in their workshops, carving the friezes that would adorn the exterior and interior doors. Construction and labor droids toiled away in a large pit. Finally, human and near-human stonemasons were brought in and coerced with mind control to work on the portions of the building that needed a more personal touch. The Temple of Pain was being constructed under the seven moons of Fresia, and under the meticulous guidance of Sith Illusionist, Sage Bane.

The Temple of Pain was Sage’s brainchild. Built on Fresia, which possessed the largest Alchemical basin in the galaxy, the temple was designed to be the galaxy’s epicentre for the study of Sith Alchemy. It would contain massive halls where hundreds of students could take part in guided lessons as well as practice and experiment on their own, multiple laboratories where Sithspawn would be created, and winding catacombs where the dead would be raised. The Temple of Pain would be magnificent. Anything less would be utter failure, and a Sith never accepted failure.

Accompanying Sage were Acolytes of all levels. The Hand of the Dark Lord brought the students along to excite them with the temple’s promise and inspire their thirst for learning the Alchemical arts. If they were so inclined, he might even give them a few introductory lessons, or show them some of the creatures he had made using Sith Alchemy, like his Hadzuska Rowa. The students were standing on the precipice of new discoveries in Sith history. He only hoped that they would share his enthusiasm, and perhaps a modicum of gratitude. A tall order from today’s arrogant crop of Acolytes.

[member="Cath Lorr"] [member="Jayce"] [member="Xiarr Raeth"] [member="Lady Medax"] [member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Lucianus Adair"] [member="Jacen Cavill"] [member="Darth Ferus"]

 

[Athena Heron]

Keen, dark eyes quietly took in the new surroundings. Under the tutelage of [member="Cameron Centurion"], she had only met a few fellow sith through the battle of Telti. The rest of her time was very much secluded with her master and performing his bidding....and surviving his training. But it was also the survival of temptation.

Feathered-hair ruffled slightly as she passed one of the massive gargoyles in the entrance to the Temple.

The young Omwati-human mix was certainly impressed.

Light footsteps carried her to the front of the crowd and even though her voice was soft, it cut clearly through the cacophony of people. "Lord Sage. Will this tour include opportunities to use the Room of Dreams and Eternal Library?"

She was a philomath and a budding illusionist.

[member="Sage Bane"]

 

[Zambrano the Starweird]

It would appear, that one desperate friend, had assumed that Zambrano the Hutt had forgotten about him.

Zambrano never forgot a pretty face.

Separated now from his usual dwellings in Primeval space as a bloodthirsty Warlord, unchained from the leadership of the Directory, and currently going on a rampage without the aid of either his Vaapad or his newest and most surprising apprentice, that hulking mass of black rotted flesh crawled across the ground of Fresia. The tendrils of ash that spread themselves out into the world, felt the buzz of living activity nearby... and the presence of one all too familiar to this particular beast.

"You have grown, friend..." Zambrano smiled from a distance, not yet within visual range. Was the twisted soul afraid of its victims mastery over the force? Of course not, that would have it acknowledge that it was mortal. In fact, it only made him wish to taste his flesh more viciously. The breaking of such flesh should be a challenge, and this excited him. In acid dripping hands, he held a very familiar whip. It was barbed, and laced with paralytic poisons, and it had been Zambrano's companion when he had tarnished the flesh of Sage Bane the first time. His hungry ravenous hands though, their saliva started to tarnish the leather handle... but this did not upset him. He was not attached to non living things, and held only within him, entirely carnal desires.

Like the students surrounding [member="Sage Bane"], Zambrano was a philomath, but he was not one who yearned to learn abstract and complicated silly things like illusions. No, he was a philomath for the stranger things in life, the stranger flesh locked away hiding behind a curtain of skin. He wanted to ascertain the specific identity of everyone he met, the identity they are most true to deep down inside of them. But no matter how much he tried, he never found them. They would always leave their home as he rummaged through their flesh in their pursuit. Surely they must be like him, where flesh is merely a cage for what lied beneath inside of him. Surely it was so, and surely he sought for it every day of his life - his imprisonment.

Zambrano sought to break the illusion of reality, and the hated notion of mortality in others. Some day he would reach it, but in the mean time he would play with his friends for however long they lasted around him. Now was the time to see how much longer his friend Sage would last against him. Now was the time to pry deeper into his identity. Now was the time to have some fun.

 

[Amarthaer Saptheth]

It had been awhile since Xiarr had been at the side of his Master, Sith Lord [member="Sage Bane"]. Their relationship was a strange one, built on a sort of enmity that had persisted since day one of their training. But it wasn't without its own sort of respect, though it manifested in a manner different than most. The Rattataki would grant most common courtesy, but he wasn't the sort to quite literally bend the knee. That was verging into mere semantics and nothing more. He would bow and call him 'Master', but he would not kneel. Whether his sentiments would be returned by Sage was another matter. If past experience told him anything, that answer was inclined to be of the negative sort.

Silently he walked behind and to one side of the man, studying his surroundings with a quiet sort of appreciation. Sure, he didn't vocalize his thoughts as was probably expected of him, but he was appreciative nonetheless. Alchemy and illusions weren't his primary focus, but he had respect for the art by itself. It required a highly talented mind to craft something from nothing more than one's own imagination. That these creations were so seemingly effortlessly brought to life was no small task, and he harbored his own regard for it. Perhaps not an avid interest as most would think due to his apprenticeship, but a regard.

Finally he spoke, "I would like to congratulate you on your promotion to Hand of the Dark Lord, Master."

 

[Zion Mirtis]

Word had reached Darth Raven of this new "Temple of Pain", and how Master [member="Sage Bane"] had become it's architect. The news both interested and excited Raven, more for the sake of knowing that the master she taught was now erecting a temple devoted to Sith Alchemy. She had a feeling her teachings had something of an influence on this decision, making her feel a little more confident in her role as a simple knight among the One Sith Empire. She decided to see the marvel for herself, arriving along with others like [member="Zambrano the Hutt"] and the new recruits [member="Xiarr Raeth"] and [member="Athena Heron"] . Seeing the grand built design on Ferisa, or at least picturing it once construction was finished, Raven had seen it as a soon-to-be essential place to study and learn for all aspiring alchemists in the One Sith.​

​

Arriving to him Raven bowed to Sage and said "Good to see you again, Master Bane. I must give my congratulations on your new temple. I can imagine it will be a pinnacle among the Sith."​

 

[Darth Ferus]

It would be foolish to assume the creator of the massive Basin would not be there. Darth Ferus, another Hand of the Dark Lord just as [member="Sage Bane"] was stepped beside him. Invisible to the Force, as one would expect from the leader of the Assassins, he would offer the man a congratulatory nod. "It is good to see the Basin being used in such creative ways. I can see the Sith hosting hoards upon hoards of the alchemic monsters forged from here."

Rather slowly the golden gaze would look about to the others. [member="Xiarr Raeth"] , [member="Zambrano the Hutt"] , [member="Darth Raven"], and [member="Athena Heron"] would each get a nod. Any and all help for such another massive project would be more than welcome. The Sith came together to make the Basin, and now they would come together to make a way to use it. Temple of pain seemed fitting though, for the millions of souls lost to create such a powerful place could still be heard screaming in the echos of the Force. A wound that would likely never heal.

"What is it you need of me?"

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

" Those who lack knowledge, die of ignorance." he muttered.​

​

Staying in the distance Nulgath found the building of a new Sith Temple rather bland when he heard the news, but after he found out what it was to contain within its walls a interest arose in him to figure out how to help.... help himself of course. It seems many had come to watch the construction of the Alchemy Temple on Fresia. The Epicanthix knew little about the people he was around, in fact the only two he knew by a face were [member="Zambrano the Hutt"], the brutal primeval warlord and [member="Sage Bane"] the newly promoted Hand of the Dark Lord and creator of such a Temple. The others from what Nulgath could assume were acplytes, apprentices, stewards and of the like. Their names hidden and unknown whether by intention or not, their time for power and playing the game of the Sith would come in Time if they held a sound mind. ​

​

[member="Xiarr Raeth"]​

[member="Athena Heron"]​

 

[Lord Eclipsion]

Lord Eclipsion found the idea of a new Temple rather uninteresting when the idea first reached her, but in person, it truly was astounding. The Chiss was greatly impressed by the sheer scale of both the building and the experiments taking place here. For the first time in history, thousands of Sith could become skillful and intelligent Alchemists, all thanks to [member="Sage Bane"]. While she didn't recognize anybody here besides her old master [member="Darth Ferus"], Eclipsion now had a deep respect for Bane and his magnum opus.

Now, thanks to the creation of this temple, Eclipsion could now use it Alchemy for her own needs.

[member="Xiarr Raeth"]

[member="Athena Heron"]

 

[Sage Bane]

Looking around at all the various Acolytes, Knights who had paid the construction site a visit, along with his fellow Hand, Darth Ferus, Sage beamed. Why his own Acolyte, Xiarr had even deigned to show up for the tour.

"Thank you Acolyte Raeth," he told his Rattataki apprentice. "That's surprisingly gracious of you."

His eyes flashed to the birdlike Sith with the feathery hair, answering her question.

"Yes, Acolyte, Heron. We can definitely tour the Room of Dreams and the Eternal Library if there's time. Or if you'd like, you can explore it on your own. Just keep in mind that the building is still under construction so be careful and keep the Force active within you in case of any falling stones."

He pointed his finger at her in a mock-warning. "Also, don't try to raise any dead Sith Lords while I'm not looking," he said, then chuckled at his own joke.

Turning to Darth Raven, a Sith Alchemist who had taught him how to summon Sith Familiars, he smiled. "Thank you, Darth Raven. If you would like to teach here at the Temple, I would be honored."

Finally, Sage clapped his hands together and jerked his head towards the entrance way.

"Alright. Anyone who wants a tour, follow me. Let's begin with the main through way of the Temple of Pain, a place called the Hall of Sorrows."

With a wave of his hand, the massive double doors yawned open, beckoning the Sith inside.

[member="Lord Eclipsion"] [member="Nulgath Zardai"] [member="Darth Ferus"] [member="Darth Raven"] [member="Xiarr Raeth"] [member="Athena Heron"] [member="Zambrano the Hutt"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

"Hall of Sorrow." Ferus echoed [member="Sage Bane"] , pondering the name choice for a moment. But, with a wide grin on his face, he would follow the younger Hand. "Catchy." The Darth would keep to silence now, watching and waiting as the tour would continue. Now was Sage's time to shine out with his actions, and Ferus was simply along for the ride. But as the door opens, even he was impressed by the entrance. A shiver of excitement went down his spine as he watched on, knowing full well that he may be lost here for months, exploring and enjoying himself all the while.

 

[Zion Mirtis]

When [member="Sage Bane"] had offered Raven the position to teach at the temple she bowed her head a little while saying "The honor would be mine. Besides someone has to teach these new bloods how to make a proper familiar. Who better than me?" She smirked at her own comment, showing how confident she was in her prowess and power. He then called for everyone to follow on a tour which Raven eager followed into. She came behind [member="Darth Ferus"] and stayed behind. It made for a perfect position where she would be able to hear all of what Master Sage explained about whatever part of the temple they were in while having enough time to observe and take in every detail about set area or room, etc. She was, after all, a woman who valued any and all forms of knowledge she could find.​

​

[member="Lord Eclipsion"] [member="Nulgath Zardai"] [member="Xiarr Raeth"] [member="Zambrano the Hutt"] [member="Athena Heron"]​

 

[Sage Bane]

Before them, Sage's Sith brothers and sisters would see a grand hall with a ceiling that seemed to reach the stars and a mezzanine. The hall was adorned with a number of statues of Sith Lords bowing their heads against the support pillars, as well as a center statue of a demonic figure standing in front of a large altar. His cloak billowing out around him, Sage swept his arm around at the Hall of Sorrows, his honeyed voice eloquently explaining the layout of the temple.

"To the left of the Hall of Sorrow is the Dark Forge, where students will learn how to forge items and imbue them with the Force. Not only is there a blast furnace, but also a jewelry-making station and a loom for tailoring. You'll find all of the technology to be state-of-the-art. Most of the grunt work can be done by slaves and droids. To right, you will find the Laboratories, where much of the scientific experimentation and Sithspawning will occur. Just make sure you bring your own test subjects, in case we don't have any on hand."

His boots clopped on the stone floor, echoing through the half-constructed hall.

"To the back of the temple lies the Eternal Library and the Room of Dreams. The libraries, well, they're self-explanatory, but the Room of Dreams is a place where Sith Alchemists and Illusionists alike can experiment with entering the Dream Realms and learn to manipulate sentients' dreams. It's an excellent place to work on turning our captured Jedi to the Dark Side of the Force. Downstairs are catacombs, and upstairs are servants quarters as well as reliquaries."

The Sith Lord exhaled sharply. He wasn't used to giving such long-winded lectures. With a flourish, Bane turned on his heel in the direction of the Dark Forge.

"Let's have a closer look at the Forge, shall we?"

[member="Darth Raven"] [member="Darth Ferus"] [member="Lord Eclipsion"] [member="Xiarr Raeth"] [member="Athena Heron"] [member="Zambrano the Hutt"] [member="Nulgath Zardai"]

 

[Sage Bane]

Sage turned and ushered the visitors into the recenty constructed Dark Forge, where he began to show off all of the various hearths and furnaces necessary for Sith metallurgy and weapon and armorsmithing. In addition, there were stations for making amulets, talismen, Crystallography, and Holocrons. Specialized labor droids hovered nearby, ready to make the process lightyears more efficient for the students. The light brown eyes of the youngest Hand reflected the fires of the working blast furnace as the Sith Lord turned to lecture the group.

"The process of armor and weapon making has a rich history among the Sith. Famous Sith metallurgists include Larad Noon, Ludo Kressh, Belia Darzu, and Naga Sadow to name a few. Here we have the necessary workstations for not only hammering out a blade or a suit of armor, but also a Focusing Chamber for imbuing the weapons with Dark Sided power."

He gestured to a small nearby vat with a sluicegate underneath, and smiled darkly.

"Many of the weapons call for a measure of the maker's own blood, so we even have a bloodletting station."

Turning back to his group, he cocked his head as he studied them. "If anyone has any questions, please ask. Otherwise, we will move back out to the Hall of Sorrow and tour the Laboratories on the other side of the Temple. I think you'll find it to be the most state-of-the-art facility for the study of chemistry and transmutation, this side of the Core Worlds."

[member="Darth Raven"] [member="Darth Ferus"] [member="Athena Heron"] [member="Lord Eclipsion"] [member="Nulgath Zardai"] [member="Xiarr Raeth"] [member="Zambrano the Hutt"]

 

[Grrwunhoooll Agaburry]

As the crowd moved away and into the Temple of Pain Nulgath remained still to examine the Temple. His green eyes fell down to the people now within it. This Place held the secerts of the Sith itself and yet it was open like to all Sith just like that. Crossing his arms against he chest Nulgath raised a brow slightly in his uncertainty. He looked forward to exploring the Temple himself instead of being guided around like a Tourist on Naboo. Nulgath was a complex individual and his trust was in other people was quite literally a bad joke. ​

​

He was a black sheep in the Sith Order much like the Sith of the past, Favoring the old Doctrines of Rule of Two. Walking away he wondered what the Sith of old would think of such a Temple and its purpose. He chuckled to himself thinking of what Marka Ragnos, Darth Nihilus, Darth Bane not to mention Darth Sidious. From what Nulgath had researched, all of the named were infamous by their stories and power alone. It was beautiful damnation, the Sith of the past would turn in their graves.​

​

" I can almost hear their furious cries..." he muttered to himself. The epicanthix blinked and turned around to depart back to his ship. He knew if his thoughts consisted of damming those around him with faint praise, then it was time to go. ​

​

[ OOC: Im Leaving ]​

 

[Via Dolorosa]

One thing she always chided her Apprentices for was tardiness to their lessons with her, and yet, here she was late for a lesson herself. She didn't believe in such things as reasonable excuses, but in her case her excuse was backed up by facts. She had been detained longer than she had hoped with the Dark Lord and another Voice, but the moment the meeting was over; she quickly made her way to the planet.​

​

Unsure of where she was to go, she reached out into the Force scanning for one Force signature she knew well, one that had grown stronger over the months since his rise to Sith Lord, [member="Sage Bane"]. Allowing the Force to guide her to him, she moved quickly and efficiently, ignoring everyone in her path. She had wanted to learn the fundamentals of Sith Alchemy, something she had a basic understanding of but not well enough to create successfully.​

​

She entered the Forge area, impressed by what she was seeing. There was no words of praise she could think of to give the Forge a proper description other than it was beautiful and powerful. She ignored the others, nodding to [member="Darth Ferus"] briefly as she passed her friend by to speak with the teacher, catching his words along the way.​

​

"Forgive me for my tardiness, Lord Bane," she said with a smile.​

​

[member="Sage Bane"] l [member="Darth Ferus"] l @Others​

 

[Sage Bane]

Sage felt a potent Dark Side presence flooding the Temple, telling him that one of the Voices of the Dark Lord had come to investigate the construction site. In a few moments, the heady power converged as Darth Venefica entered the Dark Forge. His eyes locked onto hers and he gave her a respectful bow in return.

"In your case, I'll think of it as fashionably late, Master Venefica," said the young Hand with a grin. He remembered how on Dorin the Dagobah Sith Lord had threatened to kill him with Force lightning in the middle of a battle with Jedi. Sage had no idea why, but there was no doubt that she would have sacrificed him in order to further her own aims. He didn’t hold a grudge. It was the Sith way to eat their weaker young. However, as he rose to the upper echelons of the Sith hierarchy, Sage had proven that he was light years away from being weak.

An Acolyte in the back of the group spoke up, and asked about some weapons that were lying haphazardly on a rack. He crossed to the weapon rack and gave the student a quick primer on the nature of them, straightening each one as he discussed its properties.

“This is a Larang, a curved blade that when thrown, returns to the user’s hand, unless it has of course, been lodged in the enemy’s skull. This is a Shikkar, a tool of assassins.” Here, he cast a glance at Darth Ferus. “A turn of the handle after stabbing a foe will snap off the blade, leaving it inside the body to fester and become infected.” Sage lifted up a device which whirred open to reveal thin razor disks. He showed it around to his rapt audience.

“This is a Lanvarok, a traditional weapon of the Massassi. They are worn as gauntlets, and when swung at an enemy, shoot spinning razor disks.”

He turned to his Apprentice and barked an order. Might as well put the boy to work while he was here. “Acolyte Raeth, Make sure these are locked up for safe keeping, eh?”

“Now then, if there are no more questions. Let’s have a look at how the Laboratories are coming along, shall we?”

[member="Xiarr Raeth"] [member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Zambrano the Hutt"] [member="Athena Heron"] [member="Darth Raven"] [member="Darth Ferus"] [member="Lord Eclipsion"]

 

[Athena Heron]

Delete me!!!!!!!!!

 

[Athena Heron]

Don't try to raise any sith lords.

Charcoal-brows rose in deep, contemplative thought at what [member="Sage Bane"] meant as a joke. A sinister smirk tugged at the edges of her candy-pink lips but she said no more. Just as she was ignored by [member="Darth Venefica"], she too, ignored the older woman, letting her eyes linger on the weapons Lord Bane described.

She would circle back to library and the 'nightmare' room later.

Light-blue fingertips caressed the outer edge of the weapons before moving on, photographic mind searing their image and use into her memories for later. Taller form moved silently on, keen-eyes darting around in interest and a primal hunger as they entered the laboratories.

 

[Zambrano the Starweird]

Take a look at the laboratories indeed, to witness what horrors lied in wait for his friend and his... entourage. In preparation for his arrival, Zambrano had taken it upon himself to do a little... decorating. These Sith temples always seemed to be so droll, and not anything like he was used to. Where was the crimson fluids, and skin-flayed drapes? What manner of party was this, if no ballooned corpse heads were hanging from the ceiling? All manner of cruelties to the most coveted flesh wasn't present at all here! At least, the various beasts around could make some entertaining company.

The various slaves, or servants, or what-have-you that were in the midst of constructing this temple and its many various rooms, made quite delectable guests to this... get together reunion party between two old friends! The sithspawn made themselves quite useful to him in the decorating, spilling the fine wine of their flesh freshly upon the floor of a fresia temple. Their stretched entrails made fine streamers tacked to the walls, and their arms made excellent chew toys for any pets of the guest of honor. To keep them tamed of course! We don't want any accidents after all...

With a large stake in hand (a sharpened bone from someone's femur, still red with gore), Zambrano was pounding it through some sods skull directly into a wall. The party music he made while Zambrano was in the middle of doing this was really quite nice, he thought at least. When he was through with screaming, and spouted blood upon the Hutts face... sort of like a thank-you-very-much-for-this sort of spray, Zambrano used his acidic hands to started melting the flesh around his throat so that he may recycle the rest of his de-limbed torso.

Zambrano began to wonder when finally, his old friend would arrive as he continued preparing for his surprise party...

 

[Armand Temi]

It was whispered throughout the Rootai circles, that a new Sith Laboratory was being built on Fresia, which would allow for new breakthroughs in the dark Alchemical sciences. It was called the Temple of Pain.

Cath Lorr knew pain very well. She had experienced, not only pain, but deep heartbreak and shame at an early age. Exquisite the pain could be at times and occasionally, she reveled in it, languishing in her bedroom for days upon end, until an ache formed in the pit of her stomach, and she would need to physically expel this bile as though it were a lethal poison.

So without hesitation, she passed through the thick doors of this temple, and as soon as she was admitted, she slipped away and down abandoned hallways and shadowy alcoves. The young Umbaran was fairly certain that she should not be touring the Temple unaccompanied, but she didn't care much for rules. If she had, she would still be on Umbaran, swallowing her pride, marrying into the caste, breeding and growing old. But she could only go back once a year. To hunt the one who wronged her.

And she would eventually eviscerate him. Or drown him. Or place a drop of bitter poison on his tongue while he slept. She had many cherished scenarios on how to kill Raknar Myles.

But she tucked those fantasies away as she made her way though the Temple. Cath heard a commotion in the nearby Forge, but didn't stop there. With soft and quiet steps, she padded down the hallway, until she found the laboratory. But a dark, sinking feeling made her stop, the presence of someone or something inside the fledgling space. She would not enter. Not yet.

[member="Sage Bane"] [member="Zambrano the Hutt"]