Mission The Frozen Ascent | RNR Vanguard

[Lorn Reingard]

Allies: Aiden Porte | Lily Decoria | Connel Vanagor | Rosalyn Dubois
Foes: Kasir Dorran | Darth Strosius Soah Ty’Jyn

Location: Enarc

Spoiler

Vanguard, prepare yourselves. This is a mission thread. You are heading into the Alarich Mountains to rescue Lorn. This mission will test your skills, teamwork, and resolve. You will be tested with an unforgiving mountain pass, predatory creatures, and determined sentinels. Kasir and Lorn are in the cave on top of the Mountains. Strosius will be running the NPC Enemies for you on the way up. Feel free to NPC any Vanguard as well.

​

The flickering gas lamps of the Amidala Naval Prefecture cast long, dancing shadows across the weary faces of the Vanguard. Days had passed since the Seeds of Rage had ripped through Enarc, leaving a gaping wound in the heart of their Republic and a profound scar on their souls. They were a broken force, clinging to life in this borrowed sanctuary. Yet, even in retreat, duty held strong.

Lorn, Commander of the Vanguard, patrolled the perimeter with his most trusted man, Alfie. The air was heavy with the ghosts of the fallen and the unspoken fears of what lay ahead. They walked in silence, a shared understanding passing between them with each measured step. It was during this grim vigil that they saw it, a flicker of movement in the darkness, a silhouette detached from the shadows, observing their makeshift base.

Instantly, a sense of dread washed over Lorn. This was no simple scout, this was something far more sinister. He and Alfie moved to intercept, but before they could even draw their weapons, a wave of psychic energy slammed into their minds. Visions of horror, fragments of forgotten nightmares, and whispers of impending doom flooded their consciousness.
Alfie staggered back, clutching his head, his eyes wide with terror. Lorn, however, seemed… different. The darkness swirling around them seemed to resonate with something within him, a dormant power he had long suppressed. The shadowy figure recognized it, too. A cruel smile twisted its lips as it reached for Lorn, its touch like a venomous ice. In a blink, Lorn was gone, whisked away with a handful of guards back into the oppressive darkness of the ruined city.

Alfie awoke on the cold stone, the chilling remnants of the psychic assault lingering in his mind. He scrambled to his feet, his heart pounding against his ribs. He dispatched scouts immediately, desperate for any sign of his commander.

The news they brought back the following morning was grim. The shadow, with Lorn in tow, had retreated high into the treacherous Alarich Mountains. Their makeshift lair was a cave nestled near the snowy peak, a fortress guarded by packs of savage icewolves and heavily armed sentinels. The mountain pass itself was a labyrinth of treacherous cliffs and icy ravines, a natural barrier designed to deter all but the most determined.

Alfie, his face etched with worry and resolve, gathered the remaining Vanguard and some possible warriors that expressed interest in joining their ranks. The exhaustion in their eyes was palpable, but beneath it burned a flicker of loyalty, a spark of defiance.

"We lost him." Alfie's voice was raw, but steady. "Last night, a creature of shadow infiltrated our perimeter and took Commander Lorn. Our scouts have located their hideout, a cave high in the Alarich Mountains. The pass is heavily guarded, and the weather is unforgiving."

He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.

"This will be the most challenging mission we've faced yet. The mountains themselves are our enemy, and the enemy we face there is unknown. We will need to rely on each other, to fight as one. We will climb that mountain, overcome every obstacle, and bring our commander home."

The fire of determination began to spread through the ranks. The devastation of Enarc, the defeat at the hands of the Seeds of Rage, had left them reeling. But the abduction of Lorn was the final straw. They would not stand idly by while another comrade was taken from them.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Cold Ascent
Enarc
Amidala Naval Prefecture

The wind howled a mournful dirge through the Enarch Alarich mountain pass, each gust a frigid caress that promised death. The snow, driven into a frenzy, obscured the already treacherous landscape, a swirling white veil draped over jagged cliffs and bottomless ravines. It was a realm of unforgiving beauty, a place where only the most hardened could survive. And tonight, a lone figure dared to challenge its dominion.

Connel Vanagor, a Jedi Shadow, moved with a purpose that defied the storm's fury. He was a storm himself, a tempest of righteous anger barely contained beneath a veneer of Jedi discipline. News had reached him hours ago – news that had pierced through his carefully constructed calm like a shard of ice. A fellow Jedi, Master Lyra, had been ambushed and kidnapped. And worse, a Vanguard unit, the elite guard sworn to protect the Republic, had been taken as well.

Vanagor's jaw tightened. The Vanguard. Their lives were paramount, their strategic knowledge invaluable. He knew the risks they undertook, but the thought of them falling into Sith hands… it was a strategic blow that could cripple Republic operations in the sector.

Keep up, or group up and follow. I’ll keep in comms.

He navigated the treacherous terrain with an uncanny grace, a predator attuned to the nuances of its surroundings. The Force flowed through him, guiding his steps, warning him of hidden dangers. He saw the tracks – the deep imprints of heavy boots, the telltale signs of dragged bodies, the distinctive paw prints of icewolves. They led higher, deeper into the heart of the Alarich Mountains.

Vanagor knew who he was hunting. A Sith Shadow, a master of deception and combat, a whisper in the dark, a phantom who left a trail of shattered lives in his wake. He was everything Vanagor despised – cruel, arrogant, and hungry for power.

The anger surged again, threatening to consume him. He pushed it down, forcing himself to focus. This wasn't about revenge. This was about rescuing the Vanguard, about saving “Lorn”, a Jedi he had yet to meet. It was about upholding the Jedi Code, even when his heart screamed for vengeance.

He reached the base of the final ascent, a sheer cliff face that seemed to claw at the sky. The wind howled louder here, a deafening roar that threatened to rip him from his precarious perch. He could sense the presence of the dark side, a palpable miasma that clung to the air like a shroud.

He closed his eyes, drawing strength from the Force. He visualized the terrain, the hidden pathways, the subtle weaknesses in the rock face. Then, with a burst of energy, he began to climb.

Aiden Porte • Lily Decoria • Rosalyn Dubois • @Kasir Dorran • Darth Strosius • Soah Ty’Jyn •​

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Darth Strosius Soah Ty’Jyn
Foes: Aiden Porte Lily Decoria Connel Vanagor Rosalyn Dubois

​

The air was heavy with the weight of his malice. Shadows writhed against the walls, born of anger and cruelty. Kasir stood from his position like a sentinel, watching as his captive lay bound in chains forged from Sith Alchemy. Under the light, the man’s battered form was a testament to what he endured during their short time in the fortress. Bruises marred the flesh, mere traces of the sangnir's cruel impulses from when it had only been the two of them.

With intense focus, he began the initial phase of Mind Probe. Currents of the dark energy began flowing through Kasir, and he would allow a tendril to begin probing deep into Lorn’s mind. It was an invasion–both painful and relentless–as the Sith delved into his past, searching for secrets, vulnerabilities, and fear with the same calculated precision as when engaged in the melee. Every breach would cut through his thoughts like the claws of a beast, as though he were determined to make the man's agony echo through the winds, all the way to his comrades.

It was a symphony of suffering, fueled by delight.

His target’s mind was no doubt a labyrinth of experience. Fear and longing, joy and regret, all laid bare, for his eyes only.

Then, Kasir felt the presence of his apprentice. He was so occupied with the Jedi that he lost track of time, unaware of how long she had truly been nearby. When he pulled back from what was akin to an open wound in the psyche, his piercing gaze carried an intensity like a blade cutting through durasteel. With a stoic demeanor, a moment was taken to assess the girl’s reaction. The Darkseeker searched for strength, and anything that might reveal potential or weakness.

Something else glimmered in the depths of his gaze, even if only for a beat-- an acknowledgement of the Felacatian’s importance to him, perhaps, before it was snatched away by the shadows that claimed him, and devoured by the dark chasm of his being.

Deliberate was the sangnir's silence, for he often reveled in the quiet. Time would stretch. "Tell me, Soah," he started, with a voice as smooth as the obsidian armor that adorned his body. “Should I tear him apart until I discover what his biggest fears are? Or.. would you think it better to learn his weaknesses?”

The questions were born of curiosity; for deep within, his intentions were already in motion.

He paused, allowing the words to settle before returning to the Jedi. “What would you give to save your friends, Commander? Your life in exchange for their.. loyalty?” He leaned closer, savoring the moment. “I'm just getting started with you, Lorn,” he murmured, “By the time your little Vanguard arrives, you will already be broken.”

Another aura made itself known, one exuding power that carried authority and commanded attention; thus, he knew the High Priest was close.

 

[Darth Strosius]

Kasir Dorran / Lorn Reingard / Connel Vanagor / Soah Ty’Jyn / Aiden Porte / Lily Decoria / Rosalyn Dubois​

A veritable blizzard swept over and through the peaks of the Alarich Mountains, cutting through all but the thickest of layers and setting in a deep chill on the bones of whoever dared to scale the difficult terrain that led up to them. Walls of rock and snow were concealed by sheer ferocious winds, dragging up clouds that not even the sharpest of eyes could peer through even when it was at its thinnest and weakest of gusts. There was nothing natural about it.

Each blow, each shift, each dip in temperature, even the sound of the winds themselves belied an unnatural and chilling symphony that was out of place. The orchestrator of the grand yet obscured display inhaled the thin air through His mask's rebreather and allowed it to swirl within Him for a moment as His hands curled and wove an unseen tapestry. Unseen as the winds themselves that He directed obscured the mountains and their few paths from sight, clogging trails with snow and making inclines into sleek ramps that would offer little in the way of ascendance.

There were pockets of relief from the storm, pockets that were currently occupied by the shivering yet undaunted Legionnaires of Kerstas. Normally such extreme conditions and terrain would be foreign for their operations but to drag their operations into less difficult terrain would endanger the mission as a whole.

Time was of the essence and as such discomfort would have to be ignored in favor of success. Their armor wasn't even particularly suited for the environment either, with simple insulation and low grade temperature modulation units being their only real source of protection against the chill. Well, that and the fact that the majority of the icey winds were being redirected away from them. While such respite did allow them some degree of relief from the cold and ability to maneuver without fear of being blown off the mountain their task was still far from easy.

In unsuitable terrain on an unfamiliar world with barely adequate protection and time running short before extraction forced them to concede their hastily prepared defenses. Caves and alcoves had become redoubts, laden with hidden Legionnaires and treacherously hidden natural traps that would force advances into narrow killzones. That was if the winds themselves didn't tear any unfortunate climbers off of the mountains first. Still, it wasn't ideal and aside from the order to activate thermal scopes there was one main command from Darth Strosius that trickled down through their commlinks.

:"Make sure our Darkseeker doesn't toy with his prey too much. We're here for results, not dinner entertainment.":

Darth Strosius knew little of the Mid-Rim worlds but He had heard well enough of an authority coming to prominence in them, one that would not only border the Sith Order but more importantly could prove an obstacle to His own ambitions and plans along the fringes of the Outer Rim. Information was key and He intended to have it, so long as Kasir didn't draw out the interrogation unnecessarily and force them into a proper skirmish over a single man.

 

[Rosalyn Dubois]

Lorn Reingard | Aiden Porte | Lily Decoria | Connel Vanagor
Kasir Dorran | Darth Strosius | Soah Ty’Jyn​

For as much as she butted heads with Lorn because of her stubbornness, Rosalyn hadn’t hesitated to answer the call when Alfie summoned them to rescue the Commander. When he described what he had experienced, Rosalyn felt a chill across her spine.

It reminded her too much of the feelings she experienced when the Cataclysm struck Naboo. Meaning that whatever, or whoever, took Lorn was likely a Force User. And she doubted they were dealing with a Jedi.

This is not going to be simple, and incredibly frustrating if we’re dealing with Sith or Dark Jedi.

And that wasn’t even going into how treacherous the terrain was going to be. Rosalyn was certainly no amateur when it came to navigating, but even she was wary of what they were going to end up encountering.

Between the mountains, the snow, the carnivorous wildlife, and not to mention whatever Lorn’s captors had out there waiting for them.

No matter what, he was their Commander, and it was their duty to rescue him.

“Icewolves were already mentioned, but do we know what other local fauna might be present?”

​

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Enarc - Heading to Alarich Mountains
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Cross guard Lightsaber, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed).
Tag: Connel Vanagor | Aiden Porte | Rosalyn Dubois | Lorn Reingard | Darth Strosius | Kasir Dorran | Soah Ty’Jyn

Lily had not yet gotten the chance to properly get involve the Vanguard side of the RNR. It was something that her Master had suggested to look into since the style of fighter and the approaches she had to combat, it fitted with what the Vanguard was meant to stand for. Apparently she was going to receive some training and study with Lorn Reingard since he was the one in charge of the Vanguard. It was a chance to see if she complimented the established group dynamic and if it was something for her to explore once she was no longer a Padawan. Something that Lily was realising was much closer on the horizon than she had assumed about it.

Then she heard the news that Lorn had gotten into trouble following the incident on Enarc. Something Lily was not thrilled to hear, she was wondering what could have happened since they had prevented things from escalating too much when the conflict with the Sith had finally concluded. Lily was then also concerned that she would not do well in the group since she was joining in as an outsider. Someone who hadn't done any previous work with the Vanguard and hadn't really gotten much combat experience in comparison to others.

The brisk snowy winds of the mountains, it was a harsh reminder that Lily enjoyed to fight in minimal attire, her exposed skin already holding goose bumps from the frigid air. However, she persevered through the cold. It was a weather condition that Lily was used to though these extremes were not as common and she was not used to wearing as little as she was while in these conditions. Something that Lily would have to look into as a way to keep herself warm if she found herself again in such frigid weather.

Looking at the group, there were faces and appearances that Lily knew from her time training and being around her Master, however, there were also newer faces. Pushing forward, the mention of ice wolves had Lily shivering. She knew that it would be best if they could avoid encountering beasts, unless any of them could use the Force to allow the beast to help them peacefully.

"Have you found something?!" Lily called out, wondering if the reasoning for the question on the local fauna was due to some clue.

 

[Aiden Porte]

Amidala Naval Prefecture
Allies: Connel Vanagor Lily Decoria Rosalyn Dubois
Enemies: Darth Strosius Kasir Dorran Soah Ty’Jyn

The moment he heard of Commander Lorn's abduction Aiden did not wait for a call to arms to rescue him. He was ready, as the rest of the Vanguard members gathere to rescue a true friend. Aiden had owed much of his new found resilience, strength and will to keep fighting from Lorn and the Vanguard. He wasn't going to balk even at the slightest mention of darkside or wolves. He knew this venture was going to be dangerous and of course he couldn't do it alone.

“Icewolves were already mentioned, but do we know what other local fauna might be present?”

"Nothing of any worth note, but regardless as instructed we need to be on guard." The Padawan spoke, it looked as though Knight Connel had just departed. "We must catch up with him."

"Are you all ready?" The Padawan inquired to Lily and Rosalyn?

 

[Soah Ty’Jyn]

Interacting with: Kasir Dorran Darth Strosius
Enemies: @Aiden Porte Lily Decoria Connel Vanagor Rosalyn Dubois

​

Soah's nostrils flared as she inhaled deeply, tasting the scent of blood on her tongue like iron and sweat. The Jedi reeked of it, though he tried to hide it beneath clenched teeth and ragged breath. Her tattoos rippled in interest, shifting like sentient ink beneath her skin, mirroring the restless energy that coiled tight in her core.

She had never seen Kasir work like this before. Not fully.

His precision fascinated her -- every word, every probe into the prisoner's mind was a blade, carving through flesh and thought alike. It wasn't reckless or impulsive, like so many Sith she had known. No, Kasir wielded pain the way a master duelist wielded a lightsaber. Efficient. Calculated.

But why?

Her gaze flicked back to him at his question, something cold and curious glinting in her hazel eyes at his query. The answer came easily.

"Weakness," she said, stepping closer, the dim light catching on the edges of her fangs as her smirk returned.

"Pain is useful in the moment, but fear...real fear, stays. It lingers." Her gaze dropped to the man, chin tilting. There was another question that floated in her mind.

"But why him? What is he good for?"still uncertain about what this was about. Were they trying to ransom the man? Or was there something more to it. Or was it just a plaything to have fun with?

She reached out but not to the prisoner, but to the Force, letting it slither around her, dark and alive, like a second skin. A test, in a way. Would Kasir allow her to reach? Would Darth Strosius?

That was another curious bit. There were other questions, but the imposing presence of Kasir's master managed to make the fur at the nape of her neck stand on end. This was her first time meeting him, and to be honest, Soah was trying to get a read-off on Darth Strosius herself. So this was Kasir's former master?

Soah wasn't afraid of the High Priest, not exactly. But she knew power when she saw it, and his was a weight that pressed against her like a hand at her throat. Still, she wouldn't lower her eyes. Wouldn't cower, her tattoos pulsing in agreement, shifting into something sharp and jagged across her forearms.

"Unless, of course," she mused, voice light with amusement, "you just wanted to get an easy midnight ship snack."

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Allies: Aiden Porte | Lily Decoria | Connel Vanagor | Rosalyn Dubois
Foes: Kasir Dorran | Darth Strosius Soah Ty’Jyn

Location: Enarc

​

Lorn choked, the metallic tang of blood filling his mouth as the pressure in his skull eased. The vile tendrils of the dark side, like grasping claws, receded from his mind, leaving behind a raw, throbbing ache. He hung limply from the Sith-crafted chains, each link a cold, mocking reminder of his predicament. His body screamed in protest, a symphony of aches and bruises, a testament to the… enthusiastic interrogation he'd endured.

Head lolling, he scanned the chamber, vision swimming. His gaze snagged on the newcomer, a young Felacatian with predatory eyes and a smirk that promised nothing but pain. She and the dark-clad… thing… were discussing him like he was a particularly stubborn piece of furniture.

"Good for nothing…" he rasped, the words catching in his throat. He lifted his heavy head, forcing his gaze to meet hers, even if only for a fleeting moment before gravity dragged him back down. "You picked the wrong one." Each word was a monumental effort. He was running on fumes, held together by little more than spite and a stubborn refusal to break.

"I'll give you nothing." A pause for a pained breath. "And nothing about me is… easy." He let out a weak, humorless chuckle. The probing of his mind... it was a personal hell. They sought his secrets, his fears, his vulnerabilities, but within his mind was a labyrinth far more treacherous than they could imagine. It was a personal hell forged in the fires of loss and regret, a shroud woven with the threads of battles fought and innocents lost. Let them drown in it. Let them choke on the echoes of his failures. He would give them nothing else. Yet, having those memories forcibly dredged up, reliving the pain, the loss... it was agonizing.

The Darkseeker's words about his Vanguard comrades cut through the haze of pain. "Broken before they arrive?" A dry, rattling laugh escaped him. "You better get on with it then." His voice was weak, laced with a desperation he tried to mask.

"You don't have much time." He knew his team. They were resourceful, relentless, and fiercely loyal. They would be looking for him, and they wouldn't stop until they found him, or what was left of him. Every moment wasted on idle conversation was a moment closer to their arrival. He just had to hold on. Just a little longer.

"Hurry up…" he whispered, more to himself than his captors.

He was a broken, battered mess, hanging by a thread. But he wasn't broken yet. And as long as he could draw breath, as long as he could picture his team, he wouldn't give them the satisfaction. He would be a stone in their path, a thorn in their side, a stubborn, defiant, pain-in-the-ass Commander until the very end.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Cold Ascent
Enarc
Amidala Naval Prefecture - Alarich Mountain Pass

The wind howled, a banshee’s cry echoing through the jagged, snow-laden peaks of the Enarc Alaric Mountains. Each gust clawed at Connel Vanagor, biting through his thermal robes as if they were mere gossamer. His breath plumed out in white clouds, mingling with the swirling snow that obscured the already treacherous path. He was a Jedi Shadow, a being of darkness battling the darkness, and the raw, untamed fury of Enarc seemed a mirror to the storm within him.

Ahead, the pass narrowed, a gauntlet of icy cliffs and wind-sculpted snowdrifts. Connel could sense the flicker of fear from the two Padawans trailing behind him, younglings barely touched by the cruel realities of the galaxy. He pushed his own worry down, focusing on the task at hand: rescuing Jedi Knight Lorn Reingard.

Lorn, a Vanguard Commander known for his unwavering resolve and strategic brilliance, had been ambushed and captured days ago. The perpetrators? Sith Ascendants, splinter factions of the long-defeated Sith Order, hungry for power and eager to prove themselves. The kidnapping was a brazen act, a message sent in blood and defiance. The thought of Lorn in their clutches, potentially enduring torture for information, fueled Connel’s anger. Such tactics sickened him.

A low growl broke through the wind's mournful song. Connel snapped his head around, his hand instinctively moving towards the hilt of his lightsaber. Two Icewolves, their fur thick and frosted white, emerged from the swirling snow. Their eyes glowed with predatory hunger.

[Stay behind me,] Connel commanded the other Jedi via comms, his voice a low rumble that carried over the wind. They were a good distance behind him at this point and while he trusted their capabilities, he was a “Vanagor” and the desire to do the “heavy lift so no others have to” was heavy in him. He ignited his violet shortsaber, the humming blade cutting through the gloom. The wolves snarled, circling, testing their prey.

Connel remained still, a statue of controlled power. He let the Force flow through him, enhancing his senses, anticipating their movements. The first wolf lunged, a blur of white fur and snapping teeth. Connel sidestepped with impossible speed, his lightsaber flashing in a precise arc, severing the creature's attack. The beast yelped in pain, collapsing onto the snow. The second wolf hesitated, its primal instincts warring with its fear of the glowing blade. But hunger won. It charged again, its claws ripping at Connel’s cloak.

He parried the attack, using the Force to push the wolf off balance. He leapt forward, bringing his lightsaber down in a swift, decisive strike. The second wolf fell, its life extinguished as quickly as it had begun. He didn’t want this, they were just acting on instinct, but it was them, or it was him.

Connel deactivated his lightsaber, the humming silence deafening in the aftermath. He turned to the direction of the Padawans, his face pale in the fading light.

Hope you are alright, Safe to move. he offered, his voice softer now.

The weather worsened. The wind howled with renewed ferocity, driving the snow into their faces like shards of ice. The path became increasingly treacherous, winding along the edges of sheer cliffs and across deep ravines. Connel used the Force to guide him and leaving “breadcrumbs” in hopes that the followers would pick up on them as being a safe path, sensing cracks in the ice, weak points in the snow.

He knew that the Sith Ascendants wouldn't have chosen this location randomly. The Alaric Mountains were a natural fortress, difficult to access and easily defended. Every step was fraught with peril, not just from the elements, but from the hidden traps and ambushes the Sith might have laid.

As if in answer to his thoughts, a volley of blaster fire erupted from the rocks above. Connel reacted instantly, Force-leaping forward, pulling the Padawans behind a large ice formation.

Sith Sentinels, he growled, peering over the edge of the ice. Three figures in black armor were positioned on the ridge, their blasters firing in rapid succession.

He activated his shortsaber again, the violet blade a beacon in the swirling snow. He focused the force and using it as a boost jumped up to the ridge. The air crackled with energy as he deflected the blaster bolts back at their source. With a swift series of acrobatic maneuvers, he closed the distance, his lightsaber a whirlwind of deadly precision. The Sith Sentinels were skilled warriors, but they were no match for a Jedi Shadow at the peak of his power. One by one, they fell, their armor clattering against the frozen ground.

As the last Sentinel slumped to the ground, Connel sensed a disturbance in the Force. A wave of darkness, cold and malevolent, washed over him. He turned, his eyes narrowing. A figure cloaked in black stood at the edge of the ridge, its face hidden in shadow.

"Jedi," the figure hissed, its voice raspy and distorted. "You are a persistent annoyance."

Where is Lorn Reingard? Connel demanded, his voice laced with anger.

The figure chuckled, a dry, humorless sound. "He is… being persuaded to share his secrets. Secrets that will help us bring down the Republic."

You will not succeed, Connel said, his grip tightening on his lightsaber.

"Perhaps not," the figure replied. "But you will not stop us. Your concern for your fellow Jedi is your weakness."

With a flick of its wrist, the figure unleashed a torrent of Force lightning. Connel braced himself, using the Force to create a shield of energy around him. The lightning slammed against the shield, crackling and sparking, but it held. He knew he couldn't hold it forever.

He leapt forward, his lightsaber extended, aiming for the figure's heart. But the figure was too quick. It sidestepped, drawing a crimson lightsaber of its own. The two blades clashed, the air filled with the hiss and crackle of energy. The fight was fierce, a whirlwind of strikes and parries, each warrior testing the other's strength and skill. Connel felt the dark side radiating from his opponent, feeding his rage, tempting him to give in to his anger. But he resisted, drawing on his inner reserves of discipline and control.

He knew he couldn't win this fight. He was outnumbered, outmatched, and the Padawans needed him. He had to focus on rescuing Lorn. He was not going to let the Sith Ascendants win.

With a burst of speed, he engaged his standard lightsaber, its permafrost blade a piercing light.

"You wanna play?" he said, his voice strained. "Let’s play." Then he moved quickly in the opposite direction, not a retreat… a “false flag”.

He knew it was a risky move, leaving the Sith Ascendant behind. But Lorn’s rescue was a priority. He had to trust that the Force would guide them as he would guide these forces away, and he trusted that the Force would lead them to Lorn before it was too late.

As they continued their ascent, Connel felt a growing sense of unease. The air was heavy with the dark side, the mountain itself seemed to pulsate with a malevolent energy. He knew they were getting closer to the Sith's stronghold.

Finally, after hours of grueling climbing, they reached their destination. A large cave, hidden behind a frozen waterfall, served as the Sith's base of operations. Connel could sense Lorn's presence inside, weakened but alive.

Aiden Porte • Lily Decoria • Rosalyn Dubois • @Kasir Dorran • Darth Strosius • Soah Ty’Jyn •​

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Darth Strosius Soah Ty’Jyn
Foes: Lorn Reingard
Aiden Porte Lily Decoria Connel Vanagor Rosalyn Dubois

​

The shadows crept along the walls, consuming space like a living entity driven by treachery and hate. Kasir stood there, listening to the Jedi's words. His face, a mask of porcelain, kept all thoughts churning beneath the surface hidden. Instead, he allowed the dim light to speak as a whispering menace. His orbs, pools of obsidian, bore into the man, listening to the pulse of his vulnerable heart. The displayed struggle was a delectable feast, and he was caught in a moment of pure fascination.

His apprentice’s questions were not lost on him. And when the Jedi laughed, believing he had any sense of control over the situation, Kasir felt a twitch at the corners of his mouth; however, it wasn’t from amusement, but a reflection of the darker inclinations within. Yet, he didn’t allow the grin to blossom, choosing to remain composed. “Everyone, for me,” Kasir began, his voice a low murmur that slithered through the air, addressing both of them, ”Is easy.”

The real satisfaction was knowing that Lorn’s suffering was only beginning.

A pause stretched between them.

The scent of blood, like a forbidden nectar, drew him in closer; it mingled with the aura of resilience cloaked around their captive. “Your friends finding you means nothing to me. I have all the time I need to bend you to my will.'"

There was a shift in his conscience as Kasir’s focus returned to the girl; it was a presence he had grown quite familiar with over the past few months, a bond forged of shared experiences from Jutrand to Malachor V. But this time, it was hesitation that rippled through the connection, causing a pang of annoyance to cut through him, for in truth, he had not once ever denied her of anything she sought under his tutelage.

Kasir delved into the depths of his being, tapping into the Force. As she drew closer, he began feeling the weight of her emotions. He evoked a thread of his own energy, allowing it to flow forth and envelop her, should she accept. His intention was clear: to guide and urge Soah to release any lingering doubt that might hinder her potential, offering to amplify the strength she would need should the Vanguard arrive at the fortress. Without words, it was the Sith's promise; and unlike with others, where his actions were fueled by manipulation, for her, it was to nurture.

After taking a breath, elongated fangs were revealed while his lips parted. “Naboo has been noticeably increasing in power,” he began, eyes narrowing slightly. “And we shall monitor their growing influence from afar, especially as the Galactic Alliance begins to crumble.” A single hand gestured to the Jedi. “He will unknowingly serve us like a puppet, gathering intelligence and information on their movements for Wonosa, so that we may prepare accordingly for the future."

The Mind Probe wound remained open; the festering pain would serve as a reminder of his dominance in this situation. A calculated step brought the sangnir closer to Soah. “Join me,” he commanded, before returning before Lorn. “Draw upon me, and breach this Jedi’s deepest secrets.”

The memory of a conversation with Revna on Korriban surfaced, where they spoke about how he interacted with the Felacatian, and her own experience with Darth Strosius. "You are more powerful than you realize. Trust in our combined strength.”

A beat later, he continued. "Explore and extract what you find useful, uncover knowledge that will aid our people later. And worry not, for I will join you, guiding you. But when we're finished, remember the fear you spoke of earlier. Use it.“

Pale and icy digits traced along the hilt of his ceremonial dagger, a familiar comfort. "And should this scum prove to be a distraction for you, I will remove his tongue.”

​

 

[Rosalyn Dubois]

Lorn Reingard | Aiden Porte | Lily Decoria | Connel Vanagor
Kasir Dorran | Darth Strosius | Soah Ty’Jyn​

Rosalyn gave a firm nod in response to Aiden’s words. It made sense, especially given the raging storm that had been encompassing the area. Took some durable wildlife to endure the conditions, rather than seeking shelter.

More of a concern of what Lorn’s kidnappers have deployed and/or left to stall us from rescuing him.

The sniper did a quick check of her customized rifle, ensuring everything that needed to be clear, was. One thing she absolutely hated was snow and ice building up where it wasn’t welcome. Knowing how bad the weather was already, Rosalyn wasn’t taking chances on not expecting something to freeze.

So with that in mind, she decided to lock her scope into place. A flick of her wrist sent the side-mounted piece into its proper place on top. If it did indeed freeze in place, she’d at least have the advantage of range still, as long as a target wasn’t able to get up close.

“Let’s move out,” she said, taking up the rear as Lily and Aiden departed. She pulled her goggles down over her eyes, before drawing her hood up over her head. With her rifle in hand, the blue-haired soldier kept pace with the others as they caught up to Connel.

​

 

[Soah Ty’Jyn]

Interacting with: Kasir Dorran Darth Strosius
Enemies: @Aiden Porte Lily Decoria Connel Vanagor Rosalyn Dubois

​

The shadows slithered at her feet, a restless, living thing that pulsed with her anticipation. They stretched and coiled, drawn to the weight of the Dark Side saturating the chamber. A silent, eager hunger that mirrored her own.

Lorn was still clinging to his defiance, but Soah had seen it before in the Academy; a resistance that was nothing more than a mask over fear, over memories too fragile to expose. And the moment that mask cracked? That was where the real power was.

Her tattoos rippled in response to the thought, inky black shifting across her arms, her neck, as if tasting the tension in the air. Some drifted outward, their forms whisper-thin tendrils, slinking into the deeper pools of shadow at her feet.

"Nothing about you is easy?" she echoed, stepping forward, eyes flickering with curiosity. "That's cute."

She let the words hang there, casual, but beneath them was a sharper edge, something serrated. Lorn wanted to believe he had control here, even in chains. CLinging to hope and mistaking endurance for strength.

Soah's gaze flicked to Kasir, feeling the familiar pull of his presence in the Force. He wasn't just offering her power -- he was offering her trust. A promise that she could do this. That she would do this.

And she wouldn't fail.

Her lips curled into a slow, knowing smile. "Everyone has their secrets… and those secrets can turn into a tool like a sharp claw or blade, something to cut away the lies and shape something new." Her voice dropped lower, contemplative. She'd seen it happen before in the Academy. A mind broken down and reforged.

Maybe that was the lesson here.

Her shadows curled tighter around her ankles, stretching toward Lorn now, eager things responding to her call. She could feel them slithering just beneath her skin, a cold weight coiling up her spine.

"So good thing I don't like easy," she murmured, tilting her head. "Makes the end result all the sweeter."

She exhaled slowly, centering herself. The darkness surged through her veins, through the ink slithering over her skin. Then she reached out, but t his time not with her claws her or her saber, but with her mind.

The Force plunged into Lorn like ice water, seeping into the cracks Kasir had already carved. And Soah, for the first time, let herself sink into the unraveling.

She wanted to see how deep she could go.

 

[Lily Decoria]

Location: Enarc - Heading to Alarich Mountains
Outfit: Jedi Attire
Equipment: Cross guard Lightsaber, Hydrangea Moonblade (concealed).
Tag: Lorn Reingard | Connel Vanagor | Rosalyn Dubois | Aiden Porte | Darth Strosius | Soah Ty’Jyn | Kasir Dorran

Rosalyn and Aiden were part of her group's trio that were working together. It was strange to have Connel just rush off on his own since they were meant to be a team that worked as a single unit not separate. However, she could tell that there was a determination in the man to get the job done as fast as possible. Even it meant that he ended up doing cruel, unnecessary moves. Such as the senseless murder of the ice wolves. Something she knew that her friend Colette would rip into Connel before they even moved to find Lorn. The beasts were hungry, there were a million different ways to deal with them that did not involve killing them.

They were primal, instinctual beasts doing what they needed to survive. Being slaughtered as they had been, it was not the necessary action. It was a choice to end a being's life. Something that no Jedi had the authority to do. Not when they had the Force to calm and guide the beasts away. Especially when the beasts could have been guides through this frozen mountain to Lorn. A path that might have avoided the very Sith that Connel was now fighting for his life against.

"Cover Connel's back, Rosalyn. I am going to push forward to offer some back up but make sure the Sith don't get a chance to overwhelm him with multiple attacks from differing angles!" Lily stated as she ignited her Lightsaber and rushed forward. Lily looked over to Aiden and figured the other Padawan would do what he felt was necessary as well. Whether that was sticking around to keep Rosalyn safe while she provided cover fire for Connel, or joining Lily to jump into the fray.

Lily pumped her legs hard as she rushed forward to get involved in the fight to make sure that Connel wasn't alone for much longer.

 

[Lorn Reingard]

Allies: Aiden Porte | Lily Decoria | Connel Vanagor | Rosalyn Dubois
Foes: Kasir Dorran | Darth Strosius Soah Ty’Jyn

Location: Enarc

​

The lingering tendrils of the mind probe, dark and twisted, still clung to Lorn's mind like leeches sucking the life from him. He could feel the insidious pull, the violation of his thoughts, his memories. The self-proclaimed Master, this frail, almost ethereal figure, had the audacity to suggest he would unwittingly provide them with information. "I'll see you both burning in the deepest fires of Mustafar before I do so." Lorn spat, the words a raw, painful rasp. He was stronger than they knew, more resilient. He would not be their puppet. He wouldn't.

"Is this the best this Wonosa can muster?" he grumbled through gritted teeth, a flicker of mocking amusement dancing in his eyes. "A shadow puppet and a child? Pathetic. I've faced rancors with more bite." He tried to ignore the creeping tendrils, focusing on the steady, rhythmic thud of his own heart, a defiant drumbeat against the encroaching darkness.

Then, the "child", the tiny Sith, stepped forward. She had choice words for Lorn, words that sent a shiver down his spine not of fear, but of a dangerous, intoxicating challenge. "Secrets?" he rasped, his voice a raw whisper. "I've buried mine so deep, they've become fossils. Good luck digging them up." He let the defiance flare, a brief, burning ember in the encroaching darkness. Let her try. Let her wade through the wreckage of his past. She would find no easy answers, only a labyrinth of pain and unanswered questions.

He braced himself as her shadows, slithering and predatory, closed in. He struggled against the restraints, the metal biting into his wrists, a sharp, grounding pain. But the shadows were relentless, tenacious. They found their way into his mind, weaving around his defenses like venomous snakes.

The darkness she wielded was potent, he had to give her that. But Lorn's darkness was different. It was forged in loss, hammered out on the anvil of grief. It clung to him like a second skin, a protective shroud against the full onslaught of her probing. He felt her presence surge into his mind, a frigid wave crashing against the bulwarks of his will.

It became more invasive, more insidious, digging deeper into his memories, unearthing the ghosts he had so carefully laid to rest. Visions of his fallen comrades, their faces etched with horror and pain, washed over him, each one a fresh, gaping wound. The memory of his lost love, stolen from him so young, the girl he knew turning into a decrepit user of this same dark force, clawed at his throat. He felt the bile rise, a burning, acidic tide.

He bit back a scream, focusing on the biting sting of the chains against his wrists. Pain was a familiar refuge, a way to anchor himself to the present, to claw his way back from the abyss of his memories. He wasn't going to break for her. He wouldn't give her the satisfaction of seeing him crumble. He wouldn't let that frail, cold girl see his pain, see his grief. He'd rather die.

"Keep digging, princess." he muttered under his breath, a threadbare whisper laced not with fear, but with a grim promise. "You'll find nothing but pain. And you'll drown in it." He allowed a flicker of a smile to play on his lips, a dark, twisted thing that was almost beautiful.

He might be trapped, broken, tortured, but he wasn't defeated. Not yet.

 

[Aiden Porte]

Amidala Naval Prefecture
Allies: Connel Vanagor Lily Decoria Rosalyn Dubois
Enemies: Darth Strosius Kasir Dorran Soah Ty’Jyn

Aiden was moving with quickened pace as they would seek to catch up to Connel. Lily advised she would push ahead to provide back up to Connel. Aiden kept his thoughts focused and as they neared their location. The creatures of the slain were at the side, whatever they may be, they couldn't hinder this group. He would incapacitate if possibly and if not then he would make sure they wouldn't move again.

He could sense the growing darkness as pockets of Sith began to close in on both side. The Padawan moved against a group to the left, to prevent them from attack Connel and Lily at a side position.

Hang on Lorn, we are coming my friend

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Darth Strosius Soah Ty’Jyn
Foes: Lorn Reingard Aiden Porte Lily Decoria Connel Vanagor Rosalyn Dubois

​

Enticed by the first comment, Kasir's gaze flickered to the Jedi, his expression as cruel as the landscape of Mustafar; but little did the man know, the Darkseeker was deeply intertwined with this world, its secrets and whispers of death etched into his very being. For in this place, where the flames had nearly consumed him recently, he experienced a rebirth of sorts; his once organic hand was now replaced with durasteel, and the charred remains of his flesh were hidden beneath the armor,

“You misunderstand the purpose of the flames," he said, his voice like silk draped over a knife. "They teach you what it truly means to shed your skin, leaving behind the ashes of a weaker self.” A beat passed. “They purify the soul.”

Each time he tuned in to the tremors of agony within the Force, fervor coursed through him. Ready to truly violate the mind, he knew before long, the Light would beg for escape. “You do seem rather rough around the edges, and that simply won’t do, Lorn.” There was a glimmer in the Sith’s eyes, sharp and ever calculating. “We’ll just have to strip away the parts of you that we don’t like.”

He continued to extend his influence, but left the reins in the Felacatian's hands. Each tendril nestled deeper into their target's psyche. Like a second set of eyes, he watched intently as she traversed through the man's past. Soah would be free to do as she desired, as he was merely present to ensure she did not lose herself in the process.

Like a true apex predator in the galaxy, the sangnir savored the scent of his prey. “Your real friends are already gone.. just shadows of the past. Now you’re stuck with their failures. I can imagine how helpless you must feel.” He wanted the words to wrap around like another layer of chains, to bring more despair. “Much like Master Varnell.. before the Light failed him, too.”

His focus shifted momentarily to Soah; pride swelled in his chest from being able to guide her through this process. "Take your time. And once you've grown bored, leave him with new memories of your choosing. He mustn't forget whom he now truly serves. I want him to remember this encounter until his last breath." Kasir's tone was calm, authoritative even, but still encouraging.

Their captive could only speak from a place of ignorance, clearly unaware that he was being reprogrammed.

Still, amidst all the stories that resonated from Lorn’s mind, there was one name that continued to whisper to him.

With grace, he shifted to the side and retrieved the ceremonial dagger. The Sith couldn’t help but ponder the way the Jedi addressed his apprentice. He observed quietly for a time, like a guardian with dual responsibility— for one hand now carried a weapon, and the other, a young heart.

With a single step forward, the cold steel began to dance under the man's chin, before tilting it up to lock their gazes. And as he delved deeper, merging their consciousness together with mastery, he knew that his next message would be shared only between the two of them— it was a promise.

Unconsciously, his teeth grazed his lower lip.

<<When I see Talia, I will mold her like clay in my hands.>>

However, he had no intention of stopping there. The name of the Jedi Knight’s sister would be whispered into the recesses of Lorn's thoughts, planted like seeds in soil. From there, they would twist and begin multiplying, echoing with intensity.

 

[Darth Strosius]

Kasir Dorran / Lorn Reingard / Connel Vanagor / Soah Ty’Jyn / Aiden Porte / Lily Decoria / Rosalyn Dubois​

It didn't take long for the rescue party to come clambering up the snowed slopes that ran up the length of the mountains, flickering life signs amidst the blizzard that were clear to sense given the relatively scarce fauna in the area. Icewolves typically knew better than to traverse the mountains in such conditions, but any such reservations were clearly not held by the handful of brave souls that were approaching the caves that were concealing the Legionnaires from the harsh winds.

Brave, but foolish. Darth Strosius focused on the approaching presences, few but with Jedi among them that would pose a difficult foe for His soldiers to face. He'd need to even the odds a bit more it seemed. Fingers clenched into fists as He raised His hands high into the air, the blizzard seeming to coalesce around the incoming opponents in a manner more akin to a twister than a snowstorm. It would offer a brief reprieve at first, an eye within the swirling winds forming for a few precious moments as the caves came into sight.

:"Open fire.":

A volley of blaster bolts would fly from the cave entrance, unseen Legionnaires laying down a field of fire as their dark Prophet brought His hands crashing down. With the movement and firing came a thunderous racket, that of snow and ice not just swirling but tumbling down towards the rescure party. An avalanche came crashing through the storm wall and dragged the viscous winds with it, a tide of the mountain's wrath descending with all the fury of the soldiers that now opened fire at their opponents.

 

[Connel Vanagor]

Cold Ascent
Enarc
Amidala Naval Prefecture - Alarich Mountain Pass

He was still a good distance from the cave he had found, but was ensuring the safety of the other Padawans would not venture into unnecessary danger. He saw the cave, a gaping maw in the mountainside, its entrance guarded by two heavily armed sentinels. And he saw the icewolves, a pack of savage beasts with glowing eyes, their teeth bared in a silent snarl. Though they did not appear to have noticed him, they were paying attention to the Sentinels, and the relationship was not loving.

But he didn't see Reingard. He didn't see the Vanguard. Was this the same cave as the last one he came across? Another trap?

His anger flared again, hotter, more intense than before. He had come this far, braved the elements, conquered the impossible. And for what? He forced himself to breathe, to regain control. He couldn't let his emotions cloud his judgment. He had to think, to strategize. He had to find them.

He moved silently, a shadow among shadows, using the Force to mask his presence from the sentinels. He neutralized them quickly, efficiently, their bodies falling silently into the snow. The icewolves sensed his presence, their growls escalating into a furious chorus.

Vanagor pulled two of his Throwing Lightknives, the tension cutting through the darkness, casting an eerie sense of foreboding over and on the snow. The wolves hesitated, their primal instincts warring with their fear.

He threw them at the Sith, a whirlwind of blue energy, his movements precise and deadly. He cut down the Sentinels with ruthless efficiency, their bodies falling around him in a bloody heap. The icewolves had their next meal, but not until he would retrieve his weapons. The others were catching up. Normally he would be bothered, thinking he would have to shift focus to protecting them and not focusing on the mission itself. Now seemed to be “the right time” for them, he said nothing more than Let’s get our boy back.



He went to enter the cave, but stopped quickly and grabbed his combat shield just in time to block several blaster bolts. Pulling his own Lightblaster and returning fire, he let the Force guide him. Then the winds, the cold, the very air began to change. Something was wrong. He could see just fine with the goggles in his mask as he took a couple of shots until the rush of energy came from above.

GET BACK!

The air was thick with the stench of decay and the palpable presence of the dark side. He could feel the presence of someone familiar. A fool who tried to play him back on Woostri, his power a malevolent force that pressed down on him like a physical weight. He also felt the presence of another, the one who was behind this. The rush of snow, the very avalanche that fell down on top of him. Luckily he was fast enough to shield himself from the impact. He now just had a lot of snow to dig out of.

~Don’t worry about me! Keep going after Reingard!~

Aiden Porte • Lily Decoria • Rosalyn Dubois • @Kasir Dorran • Darth Strosius • Soah Ty’Jyn •​

 

[Soah Ty’Jyn]

Interacting with: Kasir Dorran Darth Strosius
Enemies: @Aiden Porte Lily Decoria Connel Vanagor Rosalyn Dubois

​

Soah's smirk widened, slow and deliberate, though there was no real amusement in it. Just something colder. Sharper. Something curling beneath her skin like a living thing.

He was annoying her. Is this what Jedi were? Soah found it wanting.

The Acolyte's shadows slithered in the dim light, inky tendrils stretching and shifting with her amusement. Lorn's defiance was expected. Predictable. He was clinging to it like a man drowning, as if sheer will alone could keep him afloat.

How quaint.

"There you go, pretending to be untouchable," she murmured, circling him now, her voice a blade drawn along the edge of his mind. "Like a stray Kathhound pup, baring its teeth at the inevitable."

His memories flickered, raw and bleeding in the grip of the Force. Kasir had already pried open the wounds -- Soah would simply reshape them.

The shadows would curl around her fingers as she attempted to reach deeper, subtle but insidious. No brute force violation. No crude shattering of thought. No, this was something else entirely. A slow unraveling. A whisper that felt like it had always been there.

Your father died in vain.

The memory twisted, not violently, not suddenly, but like a tide shifting course. It had never been about honor, never about sacrifice. The Royal Security Corps, the institution he had placed his faith in, had failed him. Failed his father. Incompetence had cost him his life -- his death wasn't noble. It was pointless. A casualty of careless leadership, men in polished uniforms making decisions behind desks, approved by a naive inexperienced Queen who had never experienced war herself, sending good soldiers to their graves.

He should have lived. But they let him die.

Soah watched something flicker deep in Lorn's eyes. Would that perhaps be a fracture? A potential shadow of doubt? Good.

And Virginia?

Her shadows curled closer, attempting to wind around his subconscious like a lover's touch, soft but inescapable.

She hadn't been taken from you.

The memory shifted, attempting to be reshaped by Soah's careful hands. Virginia Varnell had not been stolen by the darkness -- she had been betrayed by the very people who should have protected her.

By her own family.

The Varnells had done this.

King Duncan Varnell's greed had sold her off, shackled her to a political marriage like she was nothing more than a bargaining chip. He had thrown her away. And the Order -- the same one that had demanded so much of him and Soloman, who had left Soloman to rot after he had defied the Jedi Order -- had turned its back when a world, Virginia, needed them most.

They had left her no choice.

She hadn't fallen. She had seen.

The Light had never saved her.

And neither had Lorn.

Soah exhaled, watching Lorn's exhausted eyes.

"Keep holding on to that little ember of yours," she whispered, leaning in, her breath brushing against his ear. "But tell me, Jedi...what has it really saved?"

The shadows in his mind would attempt to try to coil tighter, suffocating. The faces of his comrades -- fallen, broken, abandoned --etched themselves deeper into his thoughts. Not because of the darkness, but because the Light had left them to die.

The government and the Queen he had served. The masters he had trusted. The people he had loved.

They had all betrayed him.

And Virginia?

She had tried to stop it.

She had seen what he refused to see.

And now… now… he could see it too.

The Royal Republic, the Shiraya Order would be no different. He should take action now. Do what needed to be done where he failed Virginia long ago.

The Royal Republic needed to burn.

Soah stepped back, admiring her attempted work, the faint tremor in his fingers, the subtle shift in his breathing. It was beginning.

A seemingly slow, perfect unraveling.

She cast a glance at Kasir, shadows still writhing against her skin.

He mustn't forget whom he now truly serves.

Soah tilted her head, her smirk deepening as she met Lorn's dazed, struggling gaze.

"Oh, you won't forget," she promised softly.

She made sure of it.