Game Dark Embrace: A Sith Academy Story

[dragonsith13]

​

This thread is a continuation and porting over of an existing game on the Eternal Sith Empire FB group.

If you would like to read the story up till now please reference the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sithempire/permalink/2478313868948452

Dark Embrace, a Sith Academy Story.

There will only be five...


Closed RP by invitation only. Respond below and TAG me if you wish to submit an application. Submission does not guarantee admittance as application approval is up to the GMs.

Follow the application instructions!

Submit your name, then send an Application with ALL specified content to the Draconis Page.

Once you are approved you will be notified. If you are not notified you are not in the game, no appeals. Review the game details and pay close attention to what they cite as there is no going back once we start. Do not waste my time.

~Game Rules~Standard~
1) Absolutely NO trolling within this thread/game. Be respectful and carry yourself befitting a member of this esteemed order and congruent with the honor of being in this academy.
2) Keep all OOC chatter to a minimum. Only use OOC notes if accompanied by an IC post. If you need to voice an opinion use the wonderful mechanism of Facebook messenger
3) No god modding.
4) The GM and co-GMs are the supreme rule of this dominion and ultimate authority in this RPG. Which translates to the Empire. The GM has the final say in everything. Grievances and concerns may be brought to the attention of GMs/co-GMs on an individual case basis.
5) ALL Academy applications, which include character sheets, MUST BE SENT TO ME via FACEBOOK MESSENGER FOR APPROVAL.
6) This is a full on RP, in which DEATH is on the table, you play at your own risk.
7) A class of a maximum of five will be accepted.
Additional Game notes:
Character Sheets will be based upon the broader game sheets within the ESE and submitted with the candidate application.
Character death while not the goal, is on the table. The goal of this academy and RPG is instruction and growth in service to the Kingdom of Ziost and ultimately the Eternal Sith Empire. The GMs/co-GMs reserve the right to pronounce and carry out punishment deemed fit and necessary with extreme (death/execution) punishment being monitored/approved by the ESE Dark Council as necessary. This is but a last resort and final action, reserved by the Academy where expulsion from the Academy is deemed ineffective.
Minimum requirements for admission:
Four months of active participation within the ESE.
Open to all members of the ESE.Including Masters, Knights, and Apprentices.
VERY IMPORTANT: Must have a formal recommendation obtained from a current Dark Council member at the time of application.
Must show and cite participation in at least two RP games either within Facebook ESE, or on offsite Galactic Boards. External games can be submitted and taken into consideration with proof of a writing sample.
Graduation:
Completion of the course and graduation students will be grant a +1 base class skill point to all those who complete the course. Applicable to all RPGs within the empire and their overall character sheet. An additional +1 base class skill point will be awarded to the Acolyte who graduates at the top of their class.

 

[dragonsith13]

Ziost ~ Southern Pole
Ice Caverns ~ Ancient Archway

There was a subtle response as the trio drew close to the archway, the runes flickered and pulsated in a very faint manner in response to the proximity of three force users. After a cursory glance by one of the acolytes, two of them seemed to take up stances in anticipation of focusing on manipulating the slab to see if it would respond, the third was more intent on examining further. Upon further examination, the one acolyte would begin to recognize certain meanings from the perceived obstacle in front of them. However in truth the archway was not necessarily designed to keep people out, but simply identify those who were worthy. What seemed like a distinct barrier was not the case, for in reality it was the same as any other unlocked door, you just had to know how to twist the handle to open it. Such would become apparent to the acolyte Hellkosh as he mused over the archway, with him eventually finding that he had been able gleam enough from the runes to decipher a basic understanding. A clear promise, a distinct warning, and what could be interpreted as an invitation to pass… all of which in a sense was given freely to anyone who took the time to search for it within the symbols.

The other two acolytes were equally not entirely blind to the archway’s message and invitation of sorts. While they had not taken the moment as Helkosh did to examine the archway in more detail, the flow of energy from the archway back and forth between all three of them could be distinctly felt as its glowing response grew more steady and pronounced. As such they would be able to sense the archway’s intention of not keeping them out and feel its invitation to proceed with the understanding of a darker undercurrent that fed into it. This warning, and darker undercurrent was what remained clouded and unknown to all three. It wanted them to pass through it.

"Do you feel that?", Helkosh asked the others as he finished examining the runic inscriptions, having taken all the information he knew how to decipher. He cursed himself for not taking more time to study ancient Sith runes back at the Academy. Turning to the others, his question was answered; from their expressions, he could tell that they too felt the energy emanating from the doorway. "These runic inscriptions suggest that the obstacle is meant to determine our worthiness. There's some sort of promise or reward that seems to lie beyond. It's an invitation for those who are worthy... But a warning for those who are not. I think that's why we were sent to the pedestals; we've proven our worth and the doorway knows... Somehow."

“Fantastic, Helkosh. Care to give us a hand, then?” Aalihya had indeed felt the dark energy, how could you not? It called out to all of them. It beckoned them. “Unless you can read enough to tell us another way to move this slab?” Aalihya ceased her use of telekinetic energy. “Unless, we just...go right through...why don’t you try?” She asked the Undying Knight. It was clear to his instincts that he was being invited toward the unknown and with Helkosh’s words, solidifying those feelings.

He prepared himself to enter as the suggestion was made by Aalihaya for Helkosh to enter first. While his vision didn’t reveal anything he stared at the archway with curious questions. “I’d like to go first.” Then looked at Helkosh. “Does it say anything about the pendant? If you’re referring to the pedestals then the pendant might be an important piece.”

Two of them had reached out exerting their command of the force and telekinesis to try and manipulate the slap of stone. Perhaps they had not seen it rise the few inches that it did, there was a shudder It began to rise slightly… the sound of stone against stone sliding. One of them suddenly stopped their control over the slab, the slab slammed into the ice. There was a reverberation heard throughout the cavern and the ice they stood on shuddered.

The pang of ice cracking as it eerily sang throughout the large cavern and down the ice crevasse below them. Water was not at all malleable in its frozen form and the ice creaked and groaned with a wild ferocity from the slight disturbance. After a half a minute things settled and the cascading sounds ceased. Leaving them where they were before. One thing was for certain they had been able to manipulate the door and begin to raise it.

Hellkosh would feel no change in the aura of the door from the other two manipulating it. It still invited them to pass with the same message and warning. “Please tell me you both noticed that,” Aalihya said, after the door had shut. “It looks like it doesn’t take anything special to at least lift the door. Let’s try it again and, if one of you wants to go in first you can continue to hold it up from the other side. Seems simple enough.”

"Go ahead, Imperios.", Helkosh said, inviting the Trandoshan to go first as he'd asked. "I'll take your place and lift it with Aalihya.", he said, moving to stand next to her and assuming the raised hands position that the others were in. "Be quick, though. I'd rather not be left alone with Aalihya for too long." The corner of Aalihya’s mouth twisted upward. “Yes, please hurry, Imperios. We wouldn’t want Helkosh to be anxious for too long would we? He is a bit of a delicate flower.” Aalihya rolled her eyes and got into position to lift the slab, placing her hands in front of her.

"Dear Aalihya, you misunderstand. The only thing I fear is the dullness of your company.", he responded with a grin. “Oh, then perhaps you should go first. Imperios likes my company and I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable. I’m sure whatever you find on the other side of that door will be quite entertaining.”

“Imperios asked to go first; far be it for me to take his place away from him. Besides, how do you know he likes your company any better than I do?”

“Blahaha. Helkosh the delicate flower. Don’t prove her wrong now Helkosh. And she is right, her company is always welcomed. Don’t don’t bicker too much in my absence. I will help lift the slab higher. Maybe it needs to be a higher to lock in place.” He said looking up. “Then I’ll go in first.” He said looking forward with a serious look. “I’d stay with Helkosh. But if we get into a fight I may give him a concussion like last time we fought. And that would only hinder us.” He smirked toward the fellow knight. Aalihya focused her attention on the large stone slab.

This whole cave system must have been developed by the Ancient Sith. The pillars, the doorway, all of it. What were they hiding here? Was it even still here? Aalihya broke from her musings and directed a burst of telekinetic energy towards the slab. It was so cold in the cavern that the concentration of energy had a warming effect on her hands. Helkosh felt the tremors in the Force as Aalihya directed her telekinetic energy toward lifting the slab, and combined his own energy with hers to assist in raising the slab. The slab began to rise as the force flowing through Aalihya trigger it to respond again once more rising several feet, but seeming to slow as if showing signs that more concentration was needed to keep it rising. Imperios directed his will to help lift the slab with telekinesis. He would wait until it was high enough before he entered. Whatever waited, he believed it would leave an imprint for the rest of his existence. The slab from the influx of force energy from Imperios rose to high into the archway, seven to eight feet off the ground, easily enough room for them to traverse. Though directly behind this raised slab was another slab of the same design. Aalihya took a breath. It wasn’t the number of doors or the size. It simply depended on focus. As she told herself this, she closed her eyes. She cleared her mind and visualized the slab behind the first rising at her will. She knew that one of them would go through first anyway so she could spend the focus on raising them, then someone else could once they got to the other side. Helkosh sensed Aalihya’s power adjusting to the second stone. None of them were yet powerful enough to lift more than one. “I’ll hold on to the first. You can focus on the second. Imperios, if there’s a third... that’ll be for you.”

Helkosh gritted his teeth and focused harder on maintaining the stone’s levitation. “Understood.” Imperios walked closer to the slabs. “If there are more, we are going to have to walk together. Hope no one is claustrophobic.” Imperios lifted his clawed digits and prepared himself, willing the force to raise the next slab.

 

[dragonsith13]

Ziost ~ Southern Pole
Ice Caverns ~ Ancient Archway


The first slab within the archway was held in place by one of the acolytes while the second was manipulated. The archway which was a mechanism itself responded to their touch through the force. The first slab rising in response to it being manipulated through the force, the second slab rose equally when it was manipulated. Each of them responding to the currents of the force that were manifest through the acolytes. It was not a manner of simply knowing how to use the force, it took a degree of prowess and an affinity to certain darker currents for the stone to respond in the way it did, essentially acting as a qualifier in of itself.

The first slab held under the first acolytes focus, augmented by the seconds, the next slab held firm and they had an opening. There was nothing beyond the second slab but a mirror of the ice like caverns they had been traversing.

The trio would find a pathway that led them down a cavern, they were venturing deeper into the cave and cavern system and a mix of solid rock became more prominent.

The air still held a crisp chill to it, but the ambient temperature began to rise slightly. The narrow path gave way to a clearly architected structure as they exited into a more open cavern, a bridge like structure and series of stone carved stairways. Beyond that an even more expansive view of structures in the distance. Still and silent, as if undisturbed for millennia.

​

There were no signs of life, just the cold still stone that they could see across the cavernous expanse. A definitive focal point could be seen, an almost temple like structure shrouded in ice and reflecting the faint traces of light that somehow permeated down to this place.


@Sith_Imperios @DarthNoxia

​

 

[DarthNoxia]

IC: Knight Aalihya
Ice Caverns of Ziost

Aalihya had somehow expected more barriers, but the passageway was welcome. As they traversed through and emerged into the open space, she looked around, taking in the vast expanse of arches, stairways and carvings. She lowered her fur-lined hood to get a better view, the heat of her breath escaping in thin clouds before her.

Walking ahead, Aalihya approached a carved pillar and ran her gloved fingers over it. Frost clung to the surface and she brushed some of it away to get a better look.

“Well, any ideas on where to go from here?” She asked her two companions as she turned her attention to the multiple stairways and arches. It seemed as though they could continue and number of ways.
Aalihya’s eyes were on the bridge in front of them.

Forward seemed to be the obvious path and was likely the best option. If this was some kind of Ancient Sith tomb or temple far under the surface of Ziost, there was no doubt that it contained any number of traps and hazards. They could only hope that most had already been activated.

The Togruta moved forward and stood just before the bridge, looking down over it. She straightened her gloves and looked around her for the other two, encouraging them to press on.

 

[Sith_Imperios]

IC: Knight Imperios

Ice Caverns of Ziost



As they got to the other side, a relieving yet cold breath left his reptilian lungs. Imperios walked a few feet behind Aalihaya. Gesturing a head nod toward Helkosh to follow. The structures intrigued him, but what may be waiting further beyond made him tense.
“Remember what Helkosh said, that obstacle was a test of sorts. It would be likely we see other ‘tests’ going further into the city. Imperios took a moment and switched his vision to infrared and searched around. He also extended his will in search of the force, seeing if he could sense a concentrating of the force that may be a clue where we should begin looking.

“Ill keep my eyes open, Helkosh ears up, and Aalihaya I know some of your species, so your echo location passive trait will be valuable asset.”
Imperios looked across the bridge and over the edge. He wondered if it could handle all their weight or if they’d have to cross one at a time.

 

[Helkosh]

IC: Helkosh
Ice Caverns of Ziost

From an archaeological standpoint, it was fascinating. Which came first, Helkosh wondered: the city, or the passage with the stones? Had they stumbled across a gate operated by the long-gone inhabitants of this forgotten world? Or was it a seal, placed after they fell? An uneasy chill crept up his back as he pondered the possible implications of the latter. Aalihya asked for ideas of what to do next, and Imperios responded with a reminder of the perils they were still likely to encounter. "It's obvious, isn't it?", Helkosh asked as he pointed toward the temple ensconced in ice which overshadowed the rest of the city. "I'm as curious as anyone to explore a long-lost civilization, but I'd bet a million credits that the next step is to head to that temple.", he continued.

TAG: @dragonsith13, @DarthNoxia, @Sith_Imperios

 

[dragonsith13]

Ziost ~ Southern Pole
Ice Caverns ~ Abandon city

The stone and durasteel which made up the structures of this place was well preserved, being that it was in the pole of the planet there were no dramatic fluctuations in temperature that caused the environment to change. The cold held its embrace over this place now as it had for countless years. A preserved view into the past, and while the acolytes could from simple observations surmise a guess and tell that this was an aged place, they could not yet know just how old. A seemingly odd place for a settlement and city, the breadth of which could be seen by the acolytes from where they had stood and came across the view of it initially. And while this place was not a metropolis by any standards, the sheer size of it indicated that it might support hundreds if not thousands of inhabitants.

As they would approach, the reflected light that permeated the cavern from the surface above gave an eerie appearance and hue to this open expanse, this place not only seemed frozen in time but abandoned. Not that one would expect an ancient site like this to be bristling with a welcoming committee. The group of acolytes would get an empty feeling passing through them.

The togruta was curiously admiring the structures, carvings, and make up of this ancient place, wondering out loud where they would be going from here. The trandosian, cautious and throwing up the reminder to the group to be aware of their surroundings while thoughts of continuing to move towards the temple were vocalised by the human male.

As they would begin to walk through the outskirts of the city, and pass deeper into the city, the normal signs that there was life or an active community were not present, at least in the current area they were passing through.

Compressed into what would seem to be a normal residential section, with quarters and other functional community dwellings perhaps used for commerce or storehouses. One of the structures they passed showed the clear signs that it had been some kind of forge our foundry, there were racks of stone, metals, and organized tools visible. This was only one section of the ancient city they were seeing, it could be expected that a similar makeup might be repeated through other sections of this place.

There were no complicated entry ways, as the majority of the structures had basic doors and archways that seemed to have no visible locking mechanisms. Which would allow them access to explore some of them if they chose to do so. The entire place was well kept, neat, and organized as if it was continually kept in a tidy and organized manner.

Near the center of the city...

It felt them move across the threshold, there was a pulsating beat from within the ice encased cocoon, a radiating light of orange, pink, and purple hues that radiented into the dark chamber deep within the city. The barely audible sound of a chambered heart, pumping from one chamber to the next at an incredibly slow pace… a low reverberating thump…. thump that spanned a few seconds.

@Helkosh @Sith_Imperios @DarthNoxia

 

[DarthNoxia]

Slowly, Aalihya began to make her way among the dilapidated structures, wandering here and there to get a closer look at the ancient markings, or to pick up an object that lay on the icy floor of the cavern. She had been silent at Imperios’s suggestion, but allowed herself to focus on the surrounding movements and vibrations. She knew the Trandoshan’s well and also the Undying Knight’s they were easy to tune out, allowing other movements to stand out. The air was still, nothing seemed to move here except the three acolytes who ventured further into the ruins towards the temple.

The sight of the forge drew the togruta’s attention. She scanned the shelves and stones, running her fingers over the thin layers of crystalline frost that had formed on them. Suddenly, the stream of vapor that had continuously streamed from her lips stopped. She held her breath and stood motionless. “Stop.” She said, a hand outstretched towards the other two. “Can you feel it?” She asked.

What had seemed to be a low droning, an ambient hum, now grew to a rhythmic pulse. “What is that?” She asked rhetorically. She tilted her head slightly and closed her eyes so as to block out other sensory stimuli. She began to walk to walk away from the forge, seemingly in a trance, attempting to locate the source of the noise.

 

[Sith_Imperios]

Emptiness seem to surround them as they ventured deeper into this place of mystery. He kept his senses open and on high alert acting like a security escort looking for danger. But suddenly Knight Aalihaya commanded and abrupt stop. Imperios stop dead in his place, holding his breath for a few seconds before releasing it steadily. He scanned the area he could see without moving.

She moved away from the forge and Imperios followed, looking above them for any signs of movement. His instinct made him wary with each step he took. He thought of using pyrokinesis to sense for heat signatures or natural flame. But another idea occurred to him.

He attempted to use telepathy to feel the emotions around him in efforts to sift the emotions to their owner to see if another mind other then their own three lurked in the shadows of ice all around them. He kept pace with Aalihaya seeing as she may have picked up on something. He motioned to Helkosh to follow them readied his weapons. Anxiousness built up steadily in the reptile as bracing the unknown was always an exciting yet unsettling thought. But his fortitude held strong as he breathed to steady himself and once again focus his telepathy.

 

[Helkosh]

The city was breathtaking, its long-dead inhabitants' acumen for architecture obvious to Helkosh as the trio continued to make their way through its icy corpse, frozen into eternal preservation. The emptiness of the city was overcoming; were it not for his companions, the solitude may have been overwhelming for the young Naboo.

“Stop.”, Aalihya said suddenly. “Can you feel it?”, she asked. Helkosh didn't need to ask for clarification; he had indeed felt the thrumming pulse, a steady rhythm. Like a drumbeat, or a heartbeat. The others began to move toward the source of the sound, instinctual curiosity paving the way. Helkosh fell to the back of the trio, his hand moving nervously to rest upon the saber clipped to his belt.

TAG: @Sith_Imperios @DarthNoxia @dragonsith13

 

[dragonsith13]

Ziost ~ Southern Pole
Ice Caverns ~ Abandon city

Something stirred, as the three of them looked about slowly pacing forward and taking in this cold silent place around them. Around every corner the scene would repeat, that of an abandoned empty city. Though despite the emptiness, something tugged at them and pulled at the naps of their necks… the trim of their robes. Yet nothing was there. It would not be hard to imagine this place in the past, the empty buildings and facades present too clear a structured picture not to infer and begin to see a past thriving community even in the emptiness of what was before them. To see people pacing about, interacting. Living their lives. Fire pits roaring. Light illuminating the large cavernous space in an ethereal glow, hidden from the rest of Ziost.

All three of them were competent, they had the chance nearly hours ago to take another path. One of them had decidedly gone out on his own, yet here they were...Their musings about what they were sensing, hearing, feeling through the ground and the force itself echoing in this silent cold city would be vague. Repressively declining to reveal anything but emptiness no matter how hard they reached out. Even with their heightened senses and being on alert as they slowly moved through this place, something lurked.

For all of their astute inquiries they would find little, this place did not want to give away anything. However there was always a turning point in things, the realized moment and shift in calculations that enacted things. With each step they drew closer to that, until finally a threshold had been crossed. As if crossing a great seal, there was a distinct shift that would hit them like a low rumbling wave. Passing through them and continuing outward.

Something about this place had instantly changed.

This silent crescendo came and went quickly, a momentary awareness in which their attention was drawn to something that they could hear, sense, and feel. There was even a slight wisp of layer of frost and snow that was disturbed. A few snowflakes rose in the air and slowly descended down to the cavern floor.

It was there and then gone as the energy wave moved out into the cavernous expanse beyond them. A pulsating beacon. But for what?

As the three of them inquired between themselves, pausing… reflecting. Trying to make sense of what they had most obviously felt, heard, and seen. They had all experienced it, but exactly what it was. Who knew…

Even as they each readied themselves, they were drawn apart.

Snaking its way through the structures a cold mist descended, weaving its way towards them. Imperios and Hellkosh would see it first, while Aalihya’s attention was at last drawn to it as well.

At first it passed by their feet, permeating the side alleys around them, moving across the thresholds of the houses and structures about them. Like a rising flood of water it too rose, to their knees, hips chest and eventually above their heads. Until they would see only fog and mist. They had been only a few meters apart from each other moments before and now they could barely see in front of their faces. A solid veil between the three of them.

Presently in the mist, soft whispers could be heard. Indiscernible, as it would be unclear if it was something real or imagine.

@Helkosh @Sith_Imperios @DarthNoxia

 

[Sith_Imperios]

IC: Knight Imperios
Ice Caverns of Zoist- Abandoned City

His instincts felt like it was on fire with danger that lurked ever closer in the form of mist. “I have a bad feeling.” He said as he prepared himself, holding his sabers to ignite at the a moments notice. The mist began coming in, drowning him in it while whispers softly could be heard. Imperios had a flash back to earlier’s encounter with the talisman and the pedestal. But this would not be the same.

Imperios concentrated on using every sense he had available to him. He attempted to use pyrokinesis to sense heat in hopes to know where Aalihaya and Helkosh were in this dense fog. He did not want to call out should the whispers either mute him or mimic his voice. Same went for what he may come to hear or experience. He was in dangerous territory but he knew what he was risking venturing here. The only question remained, would he survive this?

Force ability used: Pyrokinesis

 

[DarthNoxia]

IC: Knight Aalihya
Location: Ziost, Ice Caverns

The low, droning rumble grew louder, and a wave washed over her. Aalihya opened her eyes. She didn't need to focus anymore to feel what was happening. it assaulted her senses and the togruta instinctively went on high alert. She looked around and spotted Imperios and Helkosh, taking into account their positions, but also noting where they had come in. She had a bad feeling about this and quickly attempted to get her bearings incase a speedy escape was needed. The cavern sprawled out before them, though, making it difficult to know where an exit might lie.

"I think we might have overstayed our welcome," Aalihya said as the fog began to creep in. Not knowing what to expect, she focused her energy on creating a force barrier around herself and began to move briskly in the opposite direction of the entrance they had come through. She glanced over to take in the position of her companions once more before the fog obscured her vision. She focused again on her extrasensory abilities, allowing them to guide her while still feeling the vibrations of the other two.

Then came the whispers.the Knight's mind instantly spiraled, going back to her time on Dxun and the temple of Freedon Nadd. She pushed her fear down and let it dissipate. She wasn't that acolyte anymore. She was a knight of the Sith. Mist and whispers were nothing to her, she told herself. She had paused briefly, but shouted through the fog. "Follow the sound of my voice!" she shouted, assuming the fog had obscured the vision of the other two as well. She continued on through the matrix of gray and the eerie whispers.

(Powers used: Force defense)

@dragonsith13, @Sith_Imperios @Helkosh

 

[Helkosh]

IC: Helkosh
Ice Caverns, Ziost

As the fog began to overtake them, Helkosh had just enough time to hear Aalihya say "I think we might've overstayed our welcome." before finding himself completely alone in the fog. Pravum was no stranger to fog; it was quite common, though never this thick and certainly never this unnaturally quick to fall in his home in the Lake Country of Naboo. Nevertheless, the timing was clearly not coincidental and if the ice caverns had proven anything thus far, it was that unexpected events preceded fatal harm. "Follow the sound of my voice!", Aalihya's muddled voice cried out. Pravum followed the sound, hands outstretched, hoping to grasp her arm and that Imperios would do the same so that they would be able to forge forward together.

(Powers used: None)

Tags: @dragonsith13, @Sith_Imperios, @DarthNoxia

 

[dragonsith13]

Ice Caverns of Zoist- Abandoned City

It could feel them, as it focused in on energy that had not been present in this deep place for quite some time. The fog remained constant, saturating the area and offering little sign in relenting. The thumping became more regulated, still slow but showing more rhythmic. Energy pulsed outward from the temple, feeding the surrounding area. Stirring things up.

The three companions not far away continued to be engulfed in the thick mist that descended upon them. Imperios’ use of pyrokenisis while inventive offered little insight into the whereabouts of his companions, however his natural abilities to sense heat and infrared would give him a slight bearing. Still, the fog was physically obstructing everyone’s vision as well as dampening their other senses and abilities. Which made it difficult to find a bearing on sound and direction. Imperios remained silent as he continued to slowly make his way through the mist, searching for the others. Aalihya looked about, unable to gauge where the other two were. Focusing on her extrasensory abilities, attuned to any vibration nearby, she gained a small bearing on her surroundings, but would still find it difficult to pinpoint where the other two were. "Follow the sound of my voice!" she shouted. The other two would hear her, but the cavern and buildings would distort its origin greatly. Helkosh found himself in the same situation as the other two, thinking himself somewhat adept in such conditions Hellkosh tried to navigate the fog, searching out and focusing in on what he had heard as Aalihya’s voice. He was able to make some progress but at a slow pace, there was no bearing for which to find. The houses and structures that once surrounded them had all but disappeared. Occasionally an archway, railing, or stone edge of a structure could be made out. The corners and structure were becoming a maze.

A rush of wind disturbed the msit slightly as if someone had run a large paddle through it, disturbing it slightly for a moment and displacing the thick fog before it closed back in on itself once again. Again another such crisp force of air. It was like someone running past you at full speed. Each of them would be experiencing it a few times over. Infrequent at first, then more constant with a rush every few seconds. An audible sound of something rushing by them more and more clear with each pass.

“Follow the sound of my voice.” A female voice spoke. Aalihya?

“My voice…” Once again it beckoned. Mimicking the Togruta’s words and pitch.

The indiscernible voices from before could be heard, whispering as if talking back and forth to one another. More clearly. Offering greetings and calling out to the three of them in an almost welcoming manner. “This way…” There was even the audible sound of light laughter across the mist. “Over here…”


“Follow the sound of my voice…” The voices softly spoke again and echoed, trailing off before another spoke and elicited a similar message of false comfort.

“Come…”

As the voices continued to beckon them, the occasional trailing laughter was followed by the occasionally painful cry and muffled trailing off scream.

Things were getting more frequent, aggressive. The silent invisible passersbys that rushed through the thick mist seemed to be honing in the three Sith. The rushes of wind, would be closer, within their reach and nearly brushing into them. While each of them felt no physical impact, there would be a definitive energy field from each that they could feel. Almost pushing against them with each swipe like pass.

Their physical senses were completely bogged down, their bearings growing ever more confusing with each pass. The initial confusion had already drawn the three of the apart, separating them slightly. The three Sith could still not physically find a bearing on one another, even though they were still relatively close, within a quick sprint of each other. The voices continued to beckon to them, attempting to draw them away from each other. Separate them.

@Helkosh @Sith_Imperios @DarthNoxia

 

[DarthNoxia]

IC: Knight Aalihya
Location: Ziost, Ice Caverns

As Aalihya continued towards what she had assumed was the way out of thissection of the caverns, she became increasingly disoriented. We’re they still following? Their signatures began to dim. The Togruta’s head spun. Kriff. This place was playing games with them. Was this another test, the way the pillars and rock slabs had been? Or was it something deadlier?

Stopping in her tracks, Aalihya’s eyes moved left, then right as if she could actually see more than a few inches in front of her. “Get it together,” she thought. She shook her head. “Follow the sound of my voice!” She spun around. Was her own voice echoing off the vast walls of this place? Was it even her voice?

Other voices chimes in, seemingly rushing by her every which way. Once more her mind wandered back to the confines of her prison on Dxun. She had been through this before. It was only an illusion, that’s what she told herself. She drew in a deep, slow breath and allowed the memories to flood her mind. She slowly paced back and forth, feeling the fear and pain that had plagued her, allowing those feelings to mix with her current fears. Her mind was like a furnace and she began to sharpen the power her fears brought forth like an alchemized durasteel blade.

Her eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared. She reached out and decidedly moved forward in a single direction. Her fingered brushed the hilt of her lightsaber. What would be would be. She was ready.

 

[Sith_Imperios]

IC: Knight Imperios
Location: Ice Caverns


At first Imperios seemed to catch something using his sense of heat. But that quickly faded as the fog became thicker. His vision failed him and the cold itself dimmed the sense of heat all around. He heard Aalihaya call out and as he predicted, a mimicry of her voice began. But accompanied by it was his senses being next to useless. The wind continued to blow by with the attempts of drawing in the Trandoshan.

He wanted to lash out and swing his sabers but knew that wouldn’t do him no good. Though he thirst to run his blade through something, he took a breath and thought over his situation. He ignored the screams and cries, thinking them echoes of those either once we here or Sith like them; died at the grasp whatever it is that is taunting them.
An unknown amount of entities surround us at the moment and I have no clue where the others are. My senses are failing me, which could mean the same for the others. The entities can mimic ones voice and move the wind as they rush by. It doesn’t feel it like it’s attacking, which only fuels my anger. If they think me prey. They are surely mistaken.” He thought to himself.

Imperios let that anger flow through his body, calling upon the dark side. The rushes of air gave no clue of a physical body but a wave of energy did seem to accompany it. He closed his eyes to concentrate as his vision was useless at this point anyways. He timed the rushes as they became more rhythmic and seeming to close in on him. He attempted to raise his force defense in response, hoping it would give him an edge against what could be lurking. With his left hand out forward, he pulled one of his sabers from his belt and ignited the crimson saber. He opened his eyes should the area react to him differently. As he walked, he dragged the saber against the floor, hoping to leave his trail for the others to find. Or perhaps lead whatever predator deemed the Trandoshan as prey.

(Power used: Force Defense)

 

[Helkosh]

IC: Helkosh
Ice Caverns, Ziost

Helkosh followed the voice to no avail when suddenly a figure passed by him quickly. "Imperios? Aalihya?", he asked cautiously before another passed him by. Soon the passing figures were moving quickly, too fast and too many to be his comrades. Were Aalihya and Imperios experiencing this too? Perhaps, if the cave were as he suspected a series of tests of worthiness, he had failed and this was the eternal fate befallen to those unworthy. Or perhaps it was another test. Either way, Helkosh was determined to escape its clutches. Even the ancient magicks could be defeated if one knew how. Aalihya's voice called out again, friendlier. Jovial, even. She called for him, lightheartedly, chuckling. Was she mad? Or was this hallucination, and he was the mad one? He shook his head, focusing on the here and the now. "Damned fog...", he muttered aloud.

He gathered Force energy, slight reverberations forming in what little of the air around him he could see. The figures continued to pass by at blinding speeds, and Helkosh couldn't dismiss the possibility that what he was about to do would provoke them into attacking. But there was no time for strategy, no time to examine the situation and make a calculated decision. He couldn't even observe the situation, he couldn't see! He released a blast of telekinesis in all directions, intending to temporarily dissipate the fog and reveal some small clue about his surroundings.

Powers used: Telekinesis

TAG: @dragonsith13, @DarthNoxia, @Sith_Imperios

 

[dragonsith13]

Ice Caverns of Zoist- Abandoned City

It was as if this place was playing games with them…taunting them, like a trickster standing just out of reach of a serpent taunting it with a long stick. Knowing the danger of the animal, but doing everything it could to agitate it while out of harm's way.

Aalihya spun around upon hearing what sounded like her own voice. Tempering her mind and forging her thoughts. Her fingers brushing the hilt of her weapon as she focused in on the whirlwind of misdirection around her.

Imperios yearned to lash out and strike. Within him an internal dialogue transpired, keeping him focused despite the vein of anger rising within. He closed his eyes focusing on his surroundings, listening - trying to gauge, predict. See if there was anything recognizable to the movements of whatever was out there. Something within him brought him to draw his weapon. The red blade ignited in the fog, glowing and offering a bit more visibility, but not enough to give a clue as to the locations of the others in the party. He dragged his blade on the ground,leaving a marker.

Hellkosh continued to proceed cautiously, inquiring calmly if the others were there… in response to the movement he noted. He cursed the fog and the overall predicament, as he dealt with and quelled the internal doubt and thoughts in his mind. Finding a place to focus and bring himself back into the moment. Tempering himself, he quickly drew upon his energy and released a blast of telekinetic energy that radiated outward.

Upon Imperios’ igniting of his saber, something changed. For the briefest of seconds things stopped. The fog remained, silence once again fell across the cavernous void.

Then suddenly as if lashing out itself the voices and shadowed figures that had been taunting them exploded into a fever pitch frenzy. Screams like a roaring banshee were all around them. They honed in on Imperios’ upon him drawing his weapon and igniting it. A wave of wraith like apparitions, outlined by the fog itself descended upon Imperios. Several of them struck him in quick succession. Passing by him and almost through him partially, their brushes with him were like light punches and kicks, physically impacting him enough to cause him to reel slightly, but not enough that it would knock him down or over.

These manifestations continued to dance around him as they screamed and continued to lash out. Their assault was becoming more physical as their attacks manifested like sharp claws swiping across skin. Cutting on the surface, but not deeply. Imperios would find no defense in his blade as the figures seemed unphased by its presence other than that they seemed to react to it being drawn.

The blast of telekinetic energy sent a wave across the area soon after the red balde of Imperious had been ignited. The fog dissipated significantly, but like water flowing back into a stream began to quickly saturate and flood the area once more. The blast seemed to push back the manifestations surrounding Hellkosh, but in the same manner that they had been drawn to Imperios’ weapon they were now drawn to Hellkosh. In a moment a similar amount of the spirits began to descend upon Hellkosh and in his direction, though they seemed less coordinated. There was a clear correlation to them responding to the figurative drawing of a weapon in Hellkosh’s use of telekenisis. But they seemed to be less able to zero in on Hellkosh than they were Imperios who held his ignited lightsaber in his hand.

Aalihya would be witness, she could hear the sudden feverish screaming and flurry of activity, though the interaction with her continued to remain as it had before. Taunting and misdirection, nothing more as of yet. She could see the faint outline of something red and would subsequently feel the blast of energy from Hellkosh push her slightly. The fog parted briefly in response, she would see Hellkosh about ten meters away from her. Imperios, or what was a faint glow of red, was off to the side and about equal distance to them both. Both of them would be able to see the assault descending upon him as he was knocked about and attacked. There seemed to be a tangible physical danger and assault transpiring, one that seemed to not deliver immediate death blows, but was clearly meant to be a relentless assault of 1000 cuts. Disorienting them, driving them to confusion to slowly wear them down.

The fog was rolling back in on itself to smother them once again.

@Helkosh @DarthNoxia @Sith_Imperios

 

[DarthNoxia]

IC: Knight Aalihya
Location: Ziost Ice Caverns

The taunting voices continued, but Aalihya kept her wits about her, invigorated by the Force. She felt a renewed confidence as if she had subdued some kind of demon inside her that had held control of her mind since Dxun.

Continuing to keep up her force defense, she looked around. A rush of energy went by and she could see a flash of crimson light in the distance. Imperios. A wave of telekinesis burst around her, pushing her body slightly back. She regained balance. Helkosh.

Glancing in the direction she had been heading, Aalihya had a thought. She could make a break for it. Whatever it was seemed to be distracted by her companions. She might be able to make it out. Her eyes wandered from the pair of them to the path in front of her and back again. “Kriff...” she said out loud as she decidedly rushed towrds the clamor. She probably couldn’t make it out without them anyway. She need them, she told herself. They were useful.

the Togruta’s violet eye flashed as she focused on the situation. She needed to know what was happening. She could see Imperios being assaulted by the shadowy figures, and Helkosh holding them off with telekinesis. That seemed to work, if only temporarily. It might buy time. Aalihya thrust her hands towards Imperios unleashing a burst of energy. She knew it would knock him back as well, but again, her goal was togain him some window of opportunity for recovery.


@dragonsith13 @Helkosh @Sith_Imperios