Private Shadow of Intent

[Pheretha Ren]

Pheretha liked Atzerri. It was a planet of simplicity in purpose and direction. Unlike most planets across the galaxy, Atzerri did not have a planet-wide or even semi planet-wide governing body at all times. Instead, they had a loose collection of organizations and divisions that came together in times to make decisions. The threat of pirates, economic crisis, and off world events were some of the most common reasons for the government to actually take part in daily affairs. But most of the time, the natives of Atzerri lived in a theoretically anarchic society. Only common customs and taboo held them in check from full blown chaos. As it was though, large segments of their population lived in just such conditions.

The warehouse chosen for the meeting was located in one of the lower income regions on Atzerri. A single starport of mediocre size was the only connection the settlement had to the rest of the planet, and galaxy, but from that starport the lifeblood of the town flowed. A popular stopping destination for smugglers preparing to make the dangerous trek into Galactic Alliance space, the small town had a booming criminal presence. They did not overtly display this, as such outward actions would have brought the attention of the government. But, paying a small tax for their presence, and refraining from too many criminal activities, the smugglers and natives of the settlement went about their lives.

It was this settlement that the Brotherhood of Darkness had decided to enact their plans on. Isolated, but with connections to the rest of the planet and offworld, it served as the perfect test bed and study group for the experimentation that the Brotherhood needed to further its own agenda. The nature of this experimentation had been decided by the Warmaster, Kyrel Ren himself. To ensure it started according to his grand plans, he had dispatched Pheretha, his right hand in the Brotherhood of Darkness, to oversee the project. Pheretha had chosen to bring Khohnuirrann Stormmantle XXXVI along for his purposes here. The Dark Dwarrow would be the fulcrum in this operation.

Seated on a stack of crate, the masked and cloaked Knight of Ren turned his attention to Khoh now, his crimson eyes glaring at the Dwarrow from the darkness of the warehouse. "They are running late."

 

[Ikrarbytec]

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S H A D O W O F I N T E N T​

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The Dark Foremaster had not heard of such a vile planet, it lacked the structure necessary to succeed. Something had to be done to fix this problem, otherwise the tides of chaos would no doubt rip the objective of the Brotherhood of Darkness out of the ground. The Grand Plan of the Brotherhood was almost guaranteed to turn them into a formidable power within the galaxy although they had to be careful of plotters from within their own ranks. No one in any clan or fiefdom was totally loyal to anyone, although some would claim that they rule through an iron fist or have thousands of men to protect them. That was all folly for you could rely on no one but yourself to keep you alive. ​

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He had accompanied the Hand of Ren not because of his closeness to the leader of the brotherhood of darkness. But because with power came promotion and promotion promises gold and gemstones that he could decorate his halls with. Although they had chosen to reside within a warehouse to meet with the representatives of the populace. Stealth and the long game, he could appreciate but he lacked the refined touch of a diplomat nor the patience of an immortal. Actions spoke louder than words and if they didn't see it that way then he would sure as hell beat them into a bloody pulp until they got the message. The Forgemaster's gaze would turn towards the darkness when the right hand spoke, glaring with his own glowing red eyes into the darkness. He was in a different area, hammering some parts together into a weird invention. Although he was greedy to a fault, he was a master craftsman that could forge armor out of any material and make sure fortifications stood strong for centuries on end. They had awaited long enough and he half suspected that it was a trap by the Children of Ashla to kill them now before they became a threat.​

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"Fashionably late, for we have played into their game. They no doubt feel making us wait will allow them to have the advantage over us in this arrangement." Khohnuirrann said in response, leaning on his war hammer while looking towards the door of the warhouse. If they weren't to arrive within the next hour, then he would have to use this weapon of his to smack some skulls in. "Fhi thja don't arrive vljaedilk. Voth glog dvez en message, olg vmark avor thji." He later added in his own language of the dwarrow, translating into (If they don't arrive soon, we should send a message. Kill half of their ranks). His patience was running thin and he would soon march out of those doors to smash the entire planet into the ground with his mighty war hammer. ​

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Pheretha Ren​

 

[Archon of Antiquity]

ATZERRI - MEETING


The pair would not have to wait much longer.

“Gentlemen,” a soft yet firm voice called.

The sounds of boots clicking on the cold stone beneath them echoed into the mostly empty space of the warehouse. Valsi was a quick-witted Human, currently tasked with overseeing the precarious balance in the backwater settlement of Corholt. Standing at about 5’7”, she was shrewd, her tongue sharp, and her demeanor cold. There was a reason she was placed in charge. And it wasn’t only to ensure the success of the Excess’ various plans for the planet. The biggest fish of all was the Alliance, but they would see what they were meant to at the correct, premeditated time.

Typical of these sorts of missions and “meetings”, if they could be called that, Valsi had been given very little information regarding what the negotiations were supposed to entail. Bad business, really. Rather poor manners as well. Oh well. In the time that her… guests had spent waiting for her gracious arrival, she was busy collecting a few of the most important people in the area. This, of course, included Cadan Zhug. The infamous smuggler “ringleader” of the operation in Corholt’s territory. Theirs was an uneasy and slippery alliance. At best, the Human tolerated him only because of the fact that he, and his smugglers, could be useful in the grand scheme of things. It was always hard to tell if one’s fortune was well or sour if you did not live to see the effects of that fortune play out.

Still, they were here. If a bit late. Hopefully, these men weren’t the short tempered kind. She had enough of those types on her hands already. Valsi cleared her throat softly.

“I trust you weren’t kept waiting for too long. That was not my intent, but… we were held up by a few unprepared attachés,” Her gaze briefly shifted to the right, glaring daggers at the pirate leader. “I am Valsi Jissard, the governor or Corholt. May I ask what you are both called?”

If Cadan hadn’t been drunk off his arse and needed to sober up before this meeting so that he didn’t ruin any chances they had, maybe they would have been here on time. Punctuality to these things was important, and, of course, the ruffian didn’t understand common courtesy one bit. Not that he’d ever need to use it anyway. She practically had to claw him away from the sabacc table. He was losing anyway and with the cards he had, he would bankrupted.

He really should be thanking her for saving his damned credits.

“So, what brings you to Atzerri on this fine afternoon? I assume that there is something that you want here somehow. People rarely voluntarily come to Corholt for negotiations unless they’re to get into Alliance domain.”

Pheretha Ren | Khohnuirrann Stormmantle XXXVI​

 

[Pheretha Ren]

Pheretha turned his head to regard the new arrivals, silent as he looked them up and down. A human and an alien, united in purpose if not in belief. The Cult of Excess, a criminal organization on Atzerri had flourished nicely. Many in the local settlement had become dependent on the Cult, and the smugglers bent to the will of the Cult leaders in bringing their product down to the world mixed in with their regular spice shipments. It was a rather good operation all things considered, at it was why the Brotherhood had taken interest.

Not every member of the Excess was as dedicated and subservient to the Cult as others, and several of the ring leaders knew the truth of the Cults purpose, but kept silent for the profit it earned them. These two were just such individuals, as Pheretha could not see the chemical dependence that so many addict had developed. Pheretha turned to look at his Dwarrow companion for a brief moment more before he rose to his feet from his impromptu seat on the crates, some filled with the very product they had come here for.

"We were not kept waiting for too long...but long enough." His words were quiet as he approached the two individuals, his marble white mask unmoving as he turned to look one in the eye, and then the other. "I am Pheretha Ren, my comrade here is Khohnuirrann Stormmantle the XXXVI'th, though you may know him simply as Khoh. It saves so much time that way." Stepping up to Cadan Zhug, Pheretha looked him over for several seconds before turning his back to them, walking away.

"Our purpose here is, contrary to your belief, not to enter Alliance space." Pheretha suddenly turned back to look at the two individuals, his crimson eyes burning with barely controlled eagerness. "We have come here...for you."

Khohnuirrann Stormmantle XXXVI Archon of Antiquity

 

[Ikrarbytec]

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S H A D O W OF I N T E N T​

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The Dark Dwarrow turned his head towards the entrance into the warehouse at the sound of a female's voice. Looking her over for just a second before deciding that they must be the ones that they were waiting for to arrive. He took note of the smuggler among them, find that profession to be the most cowardice of all due to their shady backroom deals and unregulated cargo. The Dark Forgemaster clutched the handle to his warhammer a bit tighter than before although not in a noticeable fashion as to draw alarm. The lady introduced herself as Governor Valsi Jissard of Corholt, how he despised the nobility due to their lack of understanding of how the galaxy was folding around them. Maybe this was because of his own exile from Banathruon now called Skraalzzar by the Seven Clandoms to whom now occupied the planet.​

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The lady asked a question, although he hardly payed attention as it wasn't worth the words coming from his mouth. He would let the right hand of ren do the talking for them until a right time for him to step up to voice his concern through subtle action and not vague threats. He could backup his words even if it took him a lifetime to accomplish. He turned his gaze back towards the right hand when he began to speak to the new arrivals, introducing himself and the dwarrow before them. They were unworthy of his full name in his eyes and most people just called him Khoh for a reason as that was a much easier name to pronounce. They had indeed come for the cult, although they might be curious as too the reason why they had come here instead of talking to the hierarchy at the top of the Cult of Flaming Excess.​

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He had to figure that they could replace the leaders of the cult with a single swap, and these two would serve perfectly as pawns incase the Three Magisters were more than unwilling to cooperate. They had foolishly asked if they had wanted to enter into alliance space, but they would not come to such a backwater planet to simply cross the borders when more willing planets would prove more valuable over time. The Brotherhood of Darkness needed the product that they had within the warehouse, it being much easier to acquire with willing participants. ​

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"We have come for you as my companion stated, as your new product has reached our ears and rumors are spreading. There is no doubt that you have stored some within this warehouse." Khoh spoke again, brushing his long black beard with his free hand. The other still clutching his warhammer as a subtle threat that should things go wrong then they would die swiftly and brutally with one swing. Although he was only 5'5 in height, his bulky and sturdy frame could beat the most seasoned of warriors into the ground. If they wished to test him then so shall it be done within this very building. He would let, Pheretha Ren do the talking for the most part as he no doubt had more patience than he.​

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Pheretha Ren Archon of Antiquity ​