Faction Sworn Oath of Samhain (Knights of Obsidian/Mandragora)

[Scàth Mhaolàin]

Tags: Vytal Noctura
“For my people, the women were the only ones capable of utilising the power of the spirits…of this magick…I am the only male that has been able. At least, amongst my tribe.”

Walking towards the manifested gate, the Sayormi could see further forests and landscapes beyond. To have the power to slip from forest to forest, to walk unseen paths to new worlds, it was confronting to witness.

“When we raided the Namhaid, the Wookie, they would use energy blasters against us. They are strong and to fight one in a duel is to invite death. This magick, how does it manifest? Do all come with the power over the Dead Forest or do the other realms of the spirit exist to explore? How do I learn this?”

All the questions were coming out in a stream as his perspective of the realities of the galaxy expanded rapidly. It was strange to try and imagine himself capable of these abilities. He had always been handy with blade and spear and had good instincts but to ascend to the heights of this new tribe, to be Mandragora, was beyond any dream that the young hunter ever had.

“Such powers, are there those who would defy them? In our legends, the Nightmother protected against those who would defy the spirits. Is such a thing truth?”

Scàth was beginning to understand that his legends were merely stories reflecting the journeys of these Mandragora and was keen to learn just how factual they were.

 

[Vytal Noctura]

It was curious to hear the Sayormi had a great deal in common with Dathomir. There had been others -- Jorah, the Nightbrother -- of offworld clans. Mandragora Witches themselves were the result of Nightsisters developing on Ryloth. Not that Sayormi had to be of her lineage, but to know other cultures existed where the women held the power was intriguing. And a bit comforting to know the Nightsisters weren't deluded in their way of things, it simply was how the galaxy chose to reveal itself. Though Vytal was never against validating her peoples' ways... Nightmother she might be, she was proud of her heritage.

"Very few move through the veil freely," Vytal replied. "I established a means of allowing others to travel here under supervision to aid in better understanding the 'Dead Forest.' While we commune with spirits from the mortal realm, there is still much we can learn in this one. However," her green eyes shifted over to Scàth meaningfully, "it is perilous. There may be other realms, but as the one of spirits takes many shapes only time will prove if those other, lesser realms are truly separately or merely buried deep in this one." An infinite labyrinth could hold many rooms.

With a small smile, the Nightmother appreciated his last question in the first batch. "Time and study. The Mandragora teach those that come with an honest desire to learn, to study, and to contribute to the whole. You will find creatures of all kinds in our halls. You will learn from them and myself; along with our vast collection of knowledge." Naturally, Vytal hoped they would learn of the Sayormi ways or teachings in turn. Or perhaps the man would have a perspective on matters not previously given form. And from time to time, perhaps they could even spar with physical weapons and not merely words or the wills of spirits. Vytal herself had been a hunter back home.

His last question though warranted a moment of reflection. There was the immediate answer, but Vytal did not see the need to be hasty. "Most you will meet among the stars have no knowledge of the spirits, or lack the means of truly conversing with them. And then some spirits you will meet will have unreasonable expectations. Both will ignore, defy, and perhaps even seek dominion over the other. It is the Nightmother, and those that follow her, that fights to restore and maintain balance between them. To bring them into harmony with one another. And punish the wicked ones that seek to covert all power and knowledge for their selves." Vytal nodded slightly. No doubt the legends embellished and perhaps colored by events at the time or the teller, but Vytal suspected the Sayormi's understanding wouldn't be far off.

Tag: Scàth Mhaolàin

 

[Scàth Mhaolàin]

To hear that others denied the Spirits was nothing new to the Sayormi, the Wookies upon his own homeworld held no knowledge of them and persecuted Scàth’s people for their beliefs since the stories of the Tribe’s were first written. But, that the Mandragora did not go forth and seek out those who defied the spiritual world but instead chose to remain was a new perspective for Scàth.

It had always been the Spirits themselves that had howled for the blood of sacrifices and had whispered promises of boons and abilities to be gifted in return, but from what he was being told, the relationship was inverse and the Mandragora were able to bargain with the spirits instead and were able to harness their power absent from extended ritual and sacrifice.

“It is true, the balance of nature is always the constant. If it is not maintained then it has a way of adjusting everything around it to ensure that it comes to be.”

Looking about him the young Sayormi braced himself for the coming trials. If it was truly the way the Nightmother spoke of, then perhaps less bloodshed

Tags: Vytal Noctura

 

[Vytal Noctura]

Vytal nodded in agreement. "There are times when a great enough imbalance requires our intervention. Yet our number cannot review every pact people make for better or ill. Certain Jedi Orders -- people that use the 'Light side of the Force' -- have attempted this in their own way over the centuries. They seek to balance the whole, but one cannot seek to hold all of nature in one's hand at once. Affect it in one place, and another may be affected. We act when it is necessary and to ensure spirit and mortal realm alike remain balanced." They could not seek to balance every interaction -- every personal's dealings -- but they could shape the course of galactic events. The right person in the wrong place could make all the difference in the world.

Perhaps she might not live up to the expectations of legend of being an all powerful Nightmother; or a creature that would appear from the shadows to punish any that defied the spirits. Vytal would like to be such a figure for no other reason than to help people remember why the women of Dathomir should not be intruded upon. However, the pride of the Nightsisters could not overcome the practicalities of Vytal's situation -- she was not all powerful.

Two columns of torches sprang into existence lining the way toward the camp. Green flame danced in an unfelt and light current of wind.

Vytal's brow pinched together slightly just for a moment before she schooled her expression. There was one spiritual presence in this realm that took advantage of their presence to taunt her. It said it was praise. Yet this entity was not one to make its intent plain and she could not see a way to trust it despite her circumstances.

She lifted a hand and greeted those that stood vigil. Vytal announced Scàth's recent arrival, and that she would escort him to the Castle to rest. "Whatever you feel your recent experience has been a trial, there will be more than enough trials ahead that you should be at full strength when they begin." The Nightmother chuckled as she conjured the portal that split the 'air' to reveal the grassy field between it and the Castle on Ryloth.

Tag: Scàth Mhaolàin

 

[Scàth Mhaolàin]

Seeing the vision of the portal beyond, Scàth felt trepidation and excitement bloom within him, To have taken a spiritual pilgrimage to the Dead Forest, to have walked it’s paths, seen its inhabitants, entreated with the Nightmother upon the spiritual crossroads, it was as if he had left Kashyyyk and transported into the saga’s of his peoples legend.

Stepping through the portal, he felt a disjointed sensation as his spiritual form rushed a huge distance in an instant, dragging his physical with it as the pair reunited once again. As he travelled the folded space, he could have sworn he saw a multitude of separate paths all coalescing in the space between worlds, each with it’s own Scàth, each slightly different, but all met in a serpents nest at the Castle.

Truly, here is my destiny.

“I would meet these challenges Nightmother, I would meet my new tribe. I will be Mandragora.”

TAGS: Vytal Noctura

 

[Vytal Noctura]

Vytal turned her head to watch the man set foot on Ryloth.

Hopefully he understood the risks that came with every saga. The introduction to the hitherto unknown, the wonder of creation, all preceding the great darkness that lurked among them. Stories were best heard, not lived. You could romanticize a story; bolster the wonder and excitement while downplaying the day to day minutia and discomforts. She expected he'd weather the real thing well enough, however.

"You shall. Though I should warn you," the Nightmother announced as she led the way toward the Castle, "navigating the corridors may take some getting used to. Approach it as though it is part of your mental training." You simply had to had a clear picture of where in the Castle you wanted to go, and the portal at the end of the hall would take you there. Very straightforward concept. Using it, however, required clarity of thought. Fortunately the enchanters had been kind enough to ensure it never appeared inside someone's private chambers uninvited.

Tag: Scàth Mhaolàin

 

[Scàth Mhaolàin]

Walking alongside the Nightmother, Scàth nodded as she described the various methods of transport within the castle. Looking upon the building, the Sayormi felt his breath catch in his throat briefly at the sheer scale of its size. While upon Kashyyyk, the kilometre high Wroshyr trees were always present in their magnificence but within the Shadowlands at their base, maintaining any sort of settlement or village with any sort of permanence was an extremely difficult task.

Even the longhouses and sweat lodges, sites that held a special significance to the wisemen and elders of the tribe were able to be deconstructed and moved or at the very least, scuttled in such a way that no other would be capable of utilising them until the tribe returned, following the migration paths that had been set out long ago.

For such a building as this to stand, there must have been otherworldy energy bleeding into its foundations and walls. Looking at it, Scàth could almost see it himself, coiling and wrapping the castle with tendrils of power, as if the worldsoul of Ryloth itself was protecting this site. Such a thing was known to the Sayormi, it was often said that the sacred sites of the tribes were because Kashyyyk herself allowed the darkness within her to release there, for the beasts were unusually aggressive and large and the vegetation thick within their runestoned borders.

During his spiritual journeys, either through intensive trance or from the inhalation of sacred herbs, Scàth had travelled without the use of his physical being and knew of how the rules of the physical universe ceased to exist. It was where a moment of lapsed concentration would lead you astray, where a moment of anger could see you thrown to the flames or to allow your thoughts to stray to your memories to long to summon forth phantoms of those you thought of, often with lethal intent.

To keep such power compartmentalised within the walls of the castle spoke of immense discipline and power.

Vytal Noctura

 

[Vytal Noctura]

"Fortunately, we have had a few join our number of late. I think you will find their company pleasant. As you each explore the great ocean of knowledge before you, different thoughts will surface; it is in learning of the difference in how each of us think, and the conclusions we draw, that give shape to understanding the universe we inhabit." An individual could arrive at every correct answer on their own, but that was as statistically likely as learning how to wield a blade properly on your own. Could you truly catch an incorrect stance, or a misplaced step while you were preoccupied by the actions themselves? Could you watch the weaving of the spell as you focused on tying the strands together?

The far-off roar of a beast echoed from within the depths of the forest that circled the Castle. Vytal's eyes strayed in the direction of the trees for a moment. "You're free to walk in the forests, Scàth," the Nightmother remarked. Seemed like he might something familiar in the woodland should the interior of the Castle wear on him after a time. "Like Kashyyyk, they are filled with creatures that would like nothing more than to eat you." Nothing a little research project hadn't created and set loose as part of their defenses. That or a meal for the dragons that prowled the region.

They'd soon come upon the pedestrian bridge that crossed the wide chasm that circled the exterior of the Castle. The local river fell over the edge a fair distance away that it would not be difficult to hear one another speak. Vytal led the way across without pause, content to show the man around and perhaps find him a place to bed for a night.

On the other side of the chasm was one of the three smaller gates that allowed people to enter or exit the interior grounds. Only the Northern bridge and gate were large enough to support a column of vehicles. The Nightmother nodded to the guards as they passed. There were women and men that knew little or nothing of magick among them; it did not hurt for people of other branches in the Confederacy to learn something of the Witches and Warlocks among them. There were many suitable tasks they could perform in return for being introduced to the strange and foreign concepts of the mystical kind.

"Welcome home, Brother," Vytal announced as they strode through the stone archway and into the inner courtyard that surrounded the central tower. There was fertile greenery anywhere the eye could see. Vines crept up the stone walls, a meticuously kept lawn seemed impervious to being trodden upon, and flowers provided what some thought was unexpected color to a coven. The Inner Garden was not far from where they entered, but its splendor would need to be explored in person rather than peered at from afar.

Tag: Scàth Mhaolàin

 

[Scàth Mhaolàin]

Listening to the far off roar off whatever beast was announcing it’s kill in the distance, Scàth felt the thrum of life that was entwined within this entire realm pulse in sympathy, whatever magic\ks that were in place here obviously extended to the creatures as well. Who knew what hybrids and such would exist within the groves? What of the insects that feed upon them, the plants which grow from them? Is the forest itself an ecosystem of growing magicks?!

Looking across the ravine, the same thoughts extended to the aquatic life below as well. Does the water contain magickal properties? Is it the water itself that contains the power that is fed to what lives within or is it the living creatures that then bleed it into their environment? If vials were taken from within and then placed into other environments, would the power propagate and bless the ecosystem there or does it require rite and ritual in order to ensure it’s power is kept?

Passing the the guards, the Sayormi nodded to them as they passed although he didn’t get the same otherness that he got from the Nightmother and their surroundings. It seemed that the Mandragora had non-gifted tribesmen as well as those who could wield the power of the spirits.

Placing a hand upon the wall, Scàth grinned as he noticed some slight movements in the vines, the plants themselves moving slightly in his presence.

“How much of the castle is enchanted? Does it extend down to the worldsoul of the planet? How long can one dwell here without it’s power rooting within them?”

Vytal Noctura

 

[Vytal Noctura]

Vytal turned to regard the man as he reached out to touch the wall and observe the vine growth. A small smile spread over her dark lips at his questions. "How much?" She feigned a look out to the side and at the interior of the Castle wall. "All of it," she declared as her green gaze fell upon him once again. "You'll find no finer example of it than the Library. It is tended by spirits that ensure every book is account for, and often rotate material in and out of what our Castle holds." The sum total of the Witches' knowledge was not kept all in one place, but there was no need to run around the galaxy just to read one tome. Provided you could convince a spirit to lend you a hand.

The pale Witch slowly moved back the way she'd come to stand near the end of the bridge where one could peer into the chasm that surrounded the Castle. "Our home stands upon a pillar that runs deep into this abyss. Any enemy that seeks to advance against us on foot -- should they survive the Forest -- will find it a perilous battle to cross. Despite being separated from the surface of the world, this pillar does form a solid bond with the wider world. The Mandragora are of Ryloth, and it is Ryloth with whom we commune."

"Whether it takes root in someone," Vytal added as she turned to regard Scàth once more, "depends on the dialog between their soul and that of the world. You will have many opportunities to converse with it, the longer you stay here."

Tag: Scàth Mhaolàin

 

[Scàth Mhaolàin]

“All of it…” Scàth repeated, the true scale of what he was hearing sinking in. For such a level of power to have existed upon his homeworld, a near endless scale of bloodshed and sacrifice would have been necessary, the charnel pits would have swelled and overflowed with the skulls of the slain. But here, it merely was. It just existed and unless there was a well-hidden dungeon, filled to the brim with those appeasing the spirits with their excruciation, it seemed that the castle didn’t require a continual upkeep.

Perhaps it feeds of the latent energies released, so many of the gifted existing within one place, the ambient energy alone could potentially sustain it.

“I would be honoured to converse with the Ryloth Worldsoul. Will there be a formal structure to my learnings? A ritual tradition to be honoured? Or is it for each alone to hone their craft?”

Upon Kashyyyk, those who showed gifts in the spiritual were claimed by the shamans and wise women of the tribe, taken away from their families to spend their lives dedicated to their path, assuming the title of Shaman once their own masters were sent to the Dead Woods. Was this a similar scenario? I wonder how many Nightmothers have come before, how many are yet to come. Are the strongest spirits beyond merely the Nightmothers who have passed on but retained their power?

Vytal Noctura

 

[Vytal Noctura]

"There are Sisters and Brothers that will teach you the fundamentals, and specializations in their craft. With time you will be given latitude to commune with the world and reveal secrets unique to that communion." Vytal paused to smile for a moment. "Our ways are not pruned as others may be, but all living beings require sustinence." An organic growth could give rise to different understandings; but that hardly meant Scàth would need to discover everything on his own. A fine line between not indoctrinating someone or handing them power on a platter, and neglectful abandon.

"I have also been known to terrorize a pupil or two. And you'll find plenty of opportunities to venture offworld or back into the Forest over time." Though first they'd need to get their bearings on Scàth's abilities. There was throwing a man into the water expecting him to swim, and throwing him into the water knowing he would drown. With the number of emergencies of late, however, Scàth would likely get a chance to test his mettle sooner than later. Vytal expected he'd fair well, and would only grow stronger in time.

"Which reminds me," speaking of training, "we have a new greenhouse opening soon. I think you might find its pursuits of interest."

Tag: Scàth Mhaolàin

 

[Scàth Mhaolàin]

A Greenhouse? What manner of vegetation grow within the depths of an enchanted garden? What manner of beasts live within the roots of a magik weed? What fruit does an arcane tree blossom?

“Indeed, that would be of great interest to me Nightmother. Is the study of vegetation and fungi a practice that has been developed keenly within the tribe?”

As a living system that can create a symbiotic network alongside other beings, the variations of effects spores that have been exposed to magical currents is unknown, but the benefits could be infinite! He thought to himself, eyes widening with excitement as he considered the scale of discovery that could be found within the garden.

One of the difficulties of living upon only Kashyyyk meant that he only had experience in dealing with the flora of that singular planet. But, with the ability to walk from planet to planet within his grasp, the opportunity to traverse the hidden pathways of the galaxy to seek what lies within the cracks of reality!

I must begin work upon a codex at once!

“I am eager to begin my studies as soon as possible Nightmother!”

Vytal Noctura

 

[Vytal Noctura]

"Certainly. We have an Apothecary for slaves, potions, and brews. As well as Groundskeepers that tend the Castle garden and the Valley of Life where many unique forms of plant life can bloom. Each may grow a certain plant fit to the purpose of Sisters and Brothers, but those of the Greenhouse are eager to study the plants themselves, and how they may benefit us all." There was always room for new samples to be grown, cultivated, and studied.

It was pleasing to see the topic of discussion had excited the man once more. His wonder was pleasing, but wonder only lasted so long -- a matter of genuine interest, however, could occupy a soul for a lifetime.

"Very well," the Nightmother accepted the man's anxious desire to proceed, "then let me show you to where you can collapse at the end of your day and night's ardent study. From there we'll discuss how to introduce you to mentors and have you growing spores, vines, and more before you understand what it means to turn your nightmares into feyflies and catch them in a jar."

Tag: Scàth Mhaolàin