Formal Duel for Emperor's Second - JAN15

[Darth Kain]

A Duel of Fates
Darth Catalyst vs. Darth Nathemus
Winner Becomes Emperor's Second
Forest Clearing, Dathomir​

Howling winds and the cries of distant death set the stage for what would undoubtedly be an infamous contest. Within the empty circle, surrounded by miles of dense forests and bloodthirsty creatures, were two Dark Lords of the Sith.
The time had come for an election among the Dark Council, with the victor either retaining or acquiring the fabled position of Emperor's Second. There had been a tie, with nearly all of the Dark Council had voted evenly between two of the candidates.

Darth Catalyst, Master of Cunning Linguistics.

Darth Nathemus, Dark Lord of Pain.

The pair of Dark Councillors stared down one another, no doubt awaiting the signal that would begin this momentous duel. Though they were forced to bring very few items - a lightsaber and simple robes - they would likely not have very long to battle uninterrupted. The thumping footsteps of roaming Rancors lingered around them, among the chattering of other creatures that would pose a threat even to the most seasoned of Sith Lords. A decision would be made on this day, and it would be a decision that would change the face of the Empire forevermore.

OOC: This is a tiebreaker duel, with the victor becoming the Emperor's Second. Both combatants have been limited to a lightsaber, the Force, and the robes on their backs. After one week of real time, the environment will begin to assault the combatants, and the hard deadline for completing the duel will be at two weeks of real time.
The GMs of this contest are Darth Vassago, Emperor's Voice, and Darth Kain, Empress' Vengeance. Both will remain unbiased in their decisions, and will render a verdict regardless if the combatants do not end the duel on their own.
Absolutely no trolling will be allowed in this thread, and all GM decisions must be both respected and immediately followed. Failure to do so will result in disqualification, if not more serious consequences. No godmodding, no autohitting. You both know the rules.
Good luck, and may the Force serve you well.

 

[Darth Kain]

@Lord Vassago
@Catalyst
@Darth Nathemus

 

[Darth Nathemus]

Name/Title: Sedriss Darth Nathemus the Conqueror, Dark Lord of Pain, Supreme Malevolence of Blood

Age: 25 standard years

Sex: Male

Species: Nagai/Twi'lek Hybrid

Homeworld: Korriban

Occupation: Dark Lord and Blood Sedriss

Height: 6'6"

Appearance: (see picture)

Weapons:
• Fo Kitsana: A single Sith sword (4' blade, capable of conducting Force Lightning and energy based abilities, as well as being strong enough to withstand a lightsaber)

Equipment: Standard Sith robes

Description of Abilities: Master of mental abilities. He also boasts a repitoire of more recondite abilities such as Sith magic, Force Drain, and Darkshear.

Level 8 (30)
Pain-via the Book of Pain
Defense-4
Drain-4
Waves of Darkness-3
Tsaiwinokka Hoyakut-3
Lightning-4
Push/pull-1
Darkshear-3
Mind Trick-4
Cryokinesis-4

@Darth Kain
@Catalyst
@Lord Vassago

 

[Catalyst]

Lord Catalyst’s CS

Name: Cal They'ron (birth name), Darth Catalyst, The Cunning Linguist, the Silver Tongued, Dark Lord Immortalis

Age: Born 34 BBY

Biologically mid 40's (frozen in Carbonite for 150 years. True age roughly 190)

Sex: Male

Species: Human

Homeworld: Rhommamool

Occupation: Dark Council Lord

Height: 6'2"

Level 8

Class: Stalker

Skills:
Force Push/Pull – 3
Force Jump – 1
Mind Trick – 4
Form III – 3
Form V (Shien) - 1
(Assassin Tree Only) Force Cloak – 4
(Stalker Only) Force Stealth – 4
Tutaminis – 10

Equipment: Red-orange saberstaff
Red-orange single bladed lightsaber
sleeveless robes

@Darth Kain
@Lord Vassago
@Darth Nathemus

 

[Darth Nathemus]

IC: The Sedriss

Time. The time had come. Long had he waited for the chance to take his place at the left hand of the Emperor, as his Second. As the Shadow Hand. Time and again within the parliament of the Eternal Empire, the Dark Council, elections came and went. Often times, the Sedriss ran for office. Every single time, the result was the same. A loss. A failure. Until today. On this very day, the man once known as Coatlec, the man who had taken a Force Drain from the Empress herself, the man who been beaten and bloodied by a Warlord from this very world, had lost no more. Today, he had the right to fight for blessed victory.

Standing at just under two meters tall, the Sedriss was a physical specimen. The Dark Side of the Force allowed him to augment his physical body to its apex potential. Formerly vibrant red with long locks of majestic black hair, his body was now greyed and cracked, held together by nothing more than his unending agony. It drove him to survive. For he was the Lord of Pain. Today, more than any other day, that was evident. Still, however, it was rare to see the Sedriss in anything but his hulking Phrik Armor forged on the day he first ascended to the Dark Council. Today, he wore nothing more than a standard dark hooded robe and pants, with a harness underneath his outer robe allowing him to carry the Fo Kitsana on his back. If there was one thing the Sedriss despised more than Darth Apollyon, it was lightsabers. He owned one, sure, but it had long been in the possession of the Butcher's Harbinger.

Across the open clearing stood a long time rival, a human male standing a slight bit shorter than himself. This was Darth Catalyst. This was the man who he began to duel in the so-called Tomb of Naga Sadow within the Valley of the Dark Lords, but this was also the man who saved him from certain doom in that same Tomb. Today, the two could finally settle their heated rivalry.

A slight chill came over Lord Nathemus, now was the time. He pulled his hood back, revealing his ghostly white hair that now flowed down the back and sides of his cloak. His eyes, formerly a pale yellow, now glowed a vibrant red much like the skin of the ancestors, the ancient Sith of Korriban. He clasped his hands together, and began to chant in the Old Tongue, "Kinta jen hyal Asha! Kinta jen hyal Asha! Kinta jen hyal Asha!" With each careful intonement of the ancient chant, his voice rose higher and higher, until all in the surrounding areas, both man and beast alike could hear the voice of the Sedriss. With the third chant, he unclasped his hands and shot them both forward, his fingers splayed out toward the Master of Linguistics, when the final chant arose, "Kinta jen hyal Asha!" When he said this, within seconds a thick dark shadow began to encircle the clearing, rising and becoming stronger until it covered the land in its clutches.

Time. The time had come for the Sedriss to rise.

(Powers used: Waves of Darkness)

@Catalyst
@Lord Vassago
@Darth Kain

 

[Catalyst]

IC Lord Catalyst
Clearing, Dathomir
​

Wind howled through the thick forests and echoing roars thundered amidst the cacophony. At its edges, two men faced off. Lord Nathemus, his body now wracked by Sith Sorcery and Pain, stood armorless, practically nude to those who had never seen him without, on one side. At the other, Lord Catalyst, bedecked in his usual simple robes and carrying his lightsabers at his sides, long dark hair cascading down his back being tousled lightly by the wind and wearing a confident grin, stood to face him. They would fight this day for the honor of second to the Emperor himself.

Few knew just how long Catalyst had been an instrument to the Empire. In the shadows he worked tirelessly, as was his duty. He had been upon the Dark Council since day one, standing at its head as Tribune. He had earned his place among the esteemed Immortalis. His place was known, and his tenure respected. With that time came wisdom, reflection, and the wherewithal to speak only when needed. But there was also ambition. With the growth of the Council came a personal growth. A desire to see himself in its highest positions. A dream of recognition. A brief time spent working from the Shadows only furthered that desire. His return was one of glory. Today, that glory would carry him to the top.

His rival, Lord Nathemus, had been in service nearly as long as Catalyst himself, playing warlord and conqueror, and undergoing constant reinvention. He had been labeled many things during this time, many coined by Catalyst himself, but only one term echoed in Catalyst's mind today. Arrogant. Catalyst had seen to it before that Nathemus was put in his place, but it seemed a lesson he would have to teach again today.

In his corner, Nathemus began chanting, summoning Waves of Darkness around them. To others, this may have been a hinderance, but to a Dark Lord, the darkness was an ally. "Hail, Lord Nathemus!" Catalyst shouted as the chanting continued, a set up for his legendary Dun Mӧch. "Bastard son, failed project of a dead Emperor, grasping for power that has always seemed to elude. And now, today, you think yourself worthy of a seat at the Emperor's side? After so many lessons in loss, you still can't accept it." The sorcerer's hands were now directed at Catalyst, who cloaked his body in shadow and stepped to the side. He continued walking clockwise around the edge of the clearing, his voice echoing from his cloaked position. "Is your mother watching you lose today, Nathemus?" he needled. "Or is she busy with one of countless other suitors. With so many fine Sith to look after, I can see why she would ignore a failure like you." He continued stalking, preparing himself for when the Sedriss would make his next move.

(Powers used: Force Cloak)

@Darth Nathemus
@Lord Vassago
@Darth Kain

 

[Lord Vassago]

+Dathomir+​

A savage and unforgiving world brimming with eons-old magick, the very soil rife with death. The Dark Side enveloped the planet like swathes of linen cloth wrapped around a mummified corpse.

A fitting stage for a contest to decide the station of Emperor’s Second; a position of high esteem few obtained, though many pursued.

The harsh chill of the night was more oppressive than a drunken slaver, penetrating even the most native beast to the bone. Shrill chirping and chattering of nocturnal creatures carried on the wind that whistled through the branches of the creaking, twisted trees. The ground was moist from the dew that formed at nightfall, leaving something to be desired in terms of stability while navigating the ground.

Just beyond the edge of the forest, a small but impressive tower had been erected by the slaves of the planet for the purpose of the contest. Standing not but the height of the trees of the forested area before it, the platform at the peak of the recently built tower was meant only for observation of the duel. Atop the belvedere, as it were, sat two thrones of crude design, pieced together from the bones of fallen beast and warrior alike. Set between the two thrones was a large, round cymbal that had been etched with symbols and inscriptions from the natives.

This station would serve as the observation deck for the Lords tasked with overseeing the duel, Kain and Vassago.

The warm glow of the torches that provided some semblance of light in the shrouded night washed over the Emperor’s Voice, Darth Vassago. He sat upon the left throne, his elbow set upon the rests on either side of him, his fingers steepled before his stoic visage. That evening he wore his ceremonial suit of scale armor, heavy by the look of it, and dark as smoke. The scales upon it shimmered in the dancing firelight, the mirrored blackness, edged in gold, revealing the small patterns crafted within the material; whorls and glyphs and symbols folded into the scales, almost unseen if not under the proper lighting. Resting at his shoulder, and falling across his chest, a deep crimson sash lay, the coloring contrasting with his scaled armor. Set aside, and flowing over the armrest, a black cape of a velvet sheen, secured with ornamental gold clasps upon either side of his chest armoring, pooled at the feet of the brutish goliath of a man standing beside the throne.

Over his shoulder, nearest to the ceremonial cymbal, was the towering form of the storied Warlord, Zhav’vorsa, a native to the sprawling deathscape of Dathomir. His presence was symbolic in that it was he, upon direct instruction of the Emperor Himself, that taught the current Lord Nathemus to lose. A lesson well taught. The imposing Warlord loomed over Lord Vassago's throne; his mighty blade of hellacious power secured upon his back. He stood, bare chested, in the bleak cold of his home planet, waiting for the signal…

The Dark Lord's eyes narrowed, peering into the distance with aide from the Force to pierce into the darkness; he could already hear Lord Catalyst’s opening remarks toward his rival for the evening. Amusing, he thought to himself. He breathed a shallow laugh, half-entertained by the taunting.

“Warlord,” the Emperor’s Voice declared in a flat, cold tone. He made a simple motion with his right hand before returning his fingers to the steepled position of before, as no further direction would be needed.

The barbaric chieftain simply nodded to the single word from the Emperor’s Voice. “Your Glory, Lord Vassago,” he bellowed in a gruff tone. With that, he gripped a massive club that had been resting near the cymbal, and reared back, hefting the mighty object over his broad shoulder.

“Let it be finished!” He roared, swinging the club into the cymbal. The crude weapon crashed into the waiting instrument, unleashing a shattering gong throughout the wild. A cacophony of fluttering wings filled the air of the startled wildlife, while beasts in the distance howled at the sound.

His Undying Glory, the Emperor’s Voice sat unmoved by the clatter.

The contest had officially begun.

Indeed, let it be finished. Let a champion be crowned, for the Glory of the Emperor…

TAG: @Catalyst @Darth Kain @Darth Nathemus

 

[Darth Nathemus]

IC: The Sedriss

For a while his opponent stood idly by, unmoving and unwavering. Much like his tenure on the Council going all the way back, idleness and selfishness exuded from the old Inquisitor this day as well. It seemed to take the Master of Linguistics quite a while to even begin using them, for he did not even begin to taunt until the Sedriss completed his incantation.

Upon the arrival of the esteemed Emperor's Voice and the fearsome Warlord, the Sedriss knew exactly what Lord Catalyst would attack with his words. And so he did. //Bastard son, failed project of a dead Emperor, grasping for power that has always seemed to elude.// These words echoed in the mind's eye of Darth Nathemus, and they rang true, but he was nonetheless steadfast and true, though he waited for his opponent to finish his ever so long droning on and on. And learning to lose? That lesson had been taught to him many a time during his lifespan. He knew full well when he was outmatched, and today was not that day. He would not be undone by one which fights with his tongue rather than is fists and the power of the Force. And his mother? He hadn't cared for her since he believed her to be his savior in the Tomb of Sadow, though that was an illusory trick.

"Hail, Lord Catalyst!" The Sedriss was a man of few words these days, but in a bout with one of his oldest rivals, especially one with as much unnecessary tongue-wagging as this, he would certainly give a retort. "Your words betray you, don't trust them, for they will be your undoing," he stated gruffly. Catalyst's final words echoed from the position in which he disappeared into the night, but he was surely no longer there. As such, while the Sedriss' Waves could impair his opponent's vision, one could never be too sure. Previously, this fight had been one v. one. Now, with Catalyst's cloak, the playing field must be leveled. Positioning and location would be key in this moving forward.

With the stretch of his mind, he reached to the very place where he first learned to lose properly. He closed his eyes and listened to the rustling of the far off trees, the bellows of the oncoming Rancors, anything that could give him a clue to his opponent's whereabouts, but there was none yet. Now, with his mind open wide he reached to the medbay within the Sith Temple on Korriban, and the same scene played within his mind's eye. The beatings, the broken ribs, the knocking of teeth, the kissing of the Warlord's boots, and worst of all, the forced admittance of attraction to his mother, whether true or not. Everything that the Sedriss had done had led him to this moment. In learning to lose, he had also learned to win. And his time was now. The Emperor, Empress, his Voice and previous Shadow Hand, and the newest Councillor, his former Housemate Darth Noxia all believed in him. He would be damned if he let his supporters down. Today, or any day, that would not happen. In this moment, with his opponent still cloaked, neither combatant could see each other if the Sedriss' Waves were indeed effective. And Catalyst could not hide forever, for he would soon reveal himself. Therefore, in preparation, the Sedriss unleashed his gargantuan Sword from its house on his back and brought it in front of him into a two handed guard, not unlike his opponent's chosen Soresu form of lightsaber dueling. If Lord Catalyst would come for him, Lord Nathemus would be ready.

(Powers used: None)

@Catalyst
@Lord Vassago
@Darth Kain

 

[Catalyst]

IC Lord Catalyst
Clearing, Dathomir
​

The Lord of Linguistics couldn't contain his laughter at the Sedriss's weak rebuttal. "Hail, Lord Catalyst!" He greeted in turn. "Your words betray you, don't trust them, for they will be your undoing." Catalyst could see that his words did far more than that though. The prolonged silence that came with Nathemus drawing his weapon spoke far more than anything Catalyst could say.

His Force Cloak dropped while he continued chuckling. "Is that all?" he questioned Nathemus between his laughter. "I really expected better from the favored champion of the Duumvirate. Of course I know you weren't exactly the first choice, but it was nice of them to give you a chance." He pulled his saberstaff from his belt, igniting both of the deep orange blades. "Maybe they just wanted to teach you another lesson about what it means to lose."

Catalyst twirled the saberstaff in his hands and charged forward. He held the weapon in front of him horizontally and slashed at Nathemus's raised sword with a reverse Shien strike. This wasn't the real attack though. Catalyst used the momentum of his charge to carry himself past Nathemus, using the blocked strike to guide the opposite end of his staff in an attempt to bisect the Lord of Pain.

@Darth Nathemus
@Lord Vassago
@Darth Kain

 

[Darth Nathemus]

IC: The Sedriss

Time. The time for words was over. The Sedriss knew full well that his rebuttal was weak, but he had never been well with a duel of the mouth. However, he knew that anything he could say would draw his opponent out of the cloak of the shadows and into the fight. Hand to hand, just like he had wanted. His Sword was raised, and he was ready for anything that Catalyst could throw his way. With his cloak now dropped, the other Dark Lord came charging in at the Nagai.

Side stepping to the left two steps, he did what he hoped his opponent would never expect. As Catalyst charged on the right side of the Sedriss, instead of taking the brunt of his saber strike head on with a normal attack parry, he slashed down diagonally at Lord Catalyst's lightsaber emitter on his hilt, intending to bisect the right side of his saberstaff, hoping to deactivate the blade that was heading towards his Sword.

But this was not his opponent's true attack vector, no, Lord Catalyst was far more intelligent than to not mask an attack within another attack. However, this was the reason for the Sedriss' sidestep as his opponent was charging upon dropping his cloak. As Catalyst flew around the right side of Lord Nathemus, the other end of his blade plunged into his abdomen directly below his left kidney, as he did not get the chance to completely turn around prior to being impaled by the oncoming lightsaber blade. The strike continued and cleaved clean through organs along with other veins and arteries, cauterizing the wound along its path. This caused the Sedriss to wail out in his Pain with a thunderous roar, and his left hand came off the hilt of his great Sword to clutch at the lightsaber exit wound on his left side.

(Powers used: None)
@Catalyst
@Lord Vassago
@Darth Kain

 

[Catalyst]

~ GM APPROVED ~

IC Lord Catalyst
Clearing, Dathomir
​

IC Lord Catalyst
Clearing, Dathomir

The maneuver hadn't quite gone as Lord Catalyst had planned. Nathemus was crafty, and Catalyst had underestimated his opponent's reflexes and cunning. He was already committed to the charge as Nathemus's massive sword cleaved through the metal of his saberstaff hilt, shearing the emitter and deactivating half of the long weapon. The ploy still worked in his favor though, as Nathemus was not expecting the other half of the saber to come around with a deadly blow.

The blood orange blade sizzled and snapped as it effortlessly tore through the abdomen of Lord Nathemus. Catalyst watched, satisfied, as the Sedriss dropped a hand from his weapon to clutch at his wound. And now the Lord of Linguistics was behind him, and already primed for the next attack.

The limitations of the saberstaff had been entirely removed thanks to Nathemus's permanent deactivation of one of the emitters. Catalyst could now move freely without fear of nicking himself on the burning plasma. He held the advantage in mobility, and was going to use this to cement his victory. "Have I told you the story of Tuk'ata Bob?" he taunted as drew his saber in an upward slash to sever the Sedriss's right arm at the shoulder. The burning plasma melted fabric to flesh and tore through desiccated skin. He drew the blade diagonally down Nathemus's back, cleaving him further to the hip. "I could use a new hand puppet, but it seems you're already puppet to plenty of others."

TAG: @Darth Nathemus
@Darth Kain
@Lord Vassago

 

[Darth Nathemus]

IC: The Sedriss

It seemed his opponent's maneuver had worked. The Sedriss was indeed successful at cleaving the right side of his saberstaff in two, but the back half of his strike plunged through anyway. The Nagai was big and brawny, but he was not as quick and agile as his human counterpart, in stark contrast to his father, the late Lord Nihl, who was among the best acrobatic duelists of his era. As this blow was unexpected and struck true, he did not have time to turn around before his opponent could make his next strike.

Rather, two strikes.

He was left open to anything Lord Catalyst could fathom doing, but he chose to make two precision slashes, the first at his weapon shoulder, and the other clean through his chest. The Sedriss was on the brink of defeat, and so early. As the slashes cut true, the favored choice of the Duumvirate fell face first into the dirt, dying. There he would lay for many seconds. In the crowd, sighs could be heard, for their chosen candidate had fallen to a lesser duelist. Their Sedriss was defeated. Their Sedriss was dead. Had the duel for Shadow Hand truly ended this early in the fight?

For the onlooking crowd had no knowledge that long ago had Darth Nathemus learned, through a tome passed down through the ages of the Dark Lords of the Sith, first to a Jen'jidai Exile by the name of Ortan Cela, who would become the Immortal God-King of Prakith, Darth Andeddu, later to a Lord of Exar Kun's Brotherhood of the Sith who would become the first Lord of Pain, Darth Sion, and still later to a young Zabrak thought to have been killed by a lone Jedi Padawan, Darth Maul. This tome was the Book of Pain.

And now, in the era of the Eternal Sith Empire, Darth Nathemus, the Blood Sedriss, had become the new Lord of Pain. Two Lords of the Eternal Sith Empire came to mind first when the Sedriss thought of who he hated and despised most. Their names were Darth Apollyon and Darth Catalyst. And did he envy Catalyst. He always had the upper hand, even going back to their first meeting in the Tomb of Naga Sadow. And today he was the most envious he had been since the Tomb. Lord Catalyst jumped out to an early lead in the election, and it took the current Shadow Hand dropping the race and backing the Sedriss to even force this confrontation today.

The Sedriss hated Lord Catalyst, and his hate bellowed up within his now broken and dying body, the cracks now rose to the surface. What little blood he had left was now boiling. His time was now.

More seconds past, and the new shears, cracks, and cleaves in his skin created by his opponent's lightsaber strikes began to glow a bright and vibrant crimson. This was the raw power of the Dark Side. This was Pain. Clutching his great Sword in his right hand, the Lord of Pain rose to his feet. The onlookers gasped and were horrified. How had he risen from the dead? Not since Lord Maul a century before had this even been thought of, yet it was happening today. Here and now. And now facing his opponent, Lord Catalyst could see that not only were the cracks red, but his eyes that were formerly traditional Sith yellow were now that same crimson. With his arms outstretched to both sides, he began to chuckle, and as he lifted his head to the two thrones his laugh had now arisen to wild and maniacally devilish rings, and the Lord of Pain called out to the Voice of His Emperor, "Lord Vassago! Lord Vassago! Shall I begin?"

Without pause to see if the Voice would give response, his maniacal laughter now transformed into an animalistic growl, he said, "Shall we begin?" His glowing crimson eyes stared down the Lord of Linguistics, and with his left hand, he beckoned him to come forth with two fingers. Now had their duel truly begun.

(Powers used: Pain)

@Catalyst
@Darth Kain
@Lord Vassago

 

[Darth Kain]

Something strange hung thick in the air, like a fog. Even as Darth Catalyst mutilated his fellow Councillor, he would sense its sickening presence. Birds took to the skies. The cries of the wild creatures in these woods rang in the ears of the Sith Lords. Something was happening. Something terrible.

Then they would see smoke.

Like a wall, stretching for miles around, smoke billowed into the sky. With his mind far more clear, and not having to focus on the complex arts of Pain, Lord Catalyst was able to sense the incoming blaze far more precisely. There was no doubt whose handiwork this was, and no doubt what would come from this wicked wildfire.
Vainly attempting to escape the incoming blaze, small creatures began to scurry across the clearing. Rodents, lizards, and even arachnids fled out of base instinct. But they were inconsequential, for they were no danger.

The same could not be said for the rancor.

It was massive, no doubt part of the Tyrant subspecies. Twenty meters and thirty tons of killing machine made its way into the clearing, the incoming fires spurring it to action. The vicious creature roared, perhaps in fear, as it spotted the pair of Sith Lords. It could sense the power in its prey, but it had little choice in whether or not it should attack. After all, an animal was most dangerous when cornered.
With its massive claws, it charged, each hand swiping toward a corresponding Sith Lord.

★ ★ ★​

Meanwhile, a dark figure stepped aboard the viewing tower, as if he were some cursed revenant. Pulling back his hood, and giving a passing glance to the gargantuan Dathomirian standing among the Dark Lords, Darth Kain took his seat, easing into the throne on the right. It was not lost on him that Lord Vassago had taken the left, which was often seen as the more fortunate side when it came to the Sith. But if anyone deserved such an honor, Darth Vassago was that one.
The fires of the lit torches matched the eyes of Kain, and so did the flames that raged in the forest below. Of course this tower was in no danger, nor would the blaze impede their vision.
Perhaps in contrast to Lord Vassago, who had opted to wear absolutely beautiful scaled armor to the event, Lord Kain simply wore dark robes and a cloak of obsidian darkness, each smelling heavily of smoke.
"Greetings, Lord Vassago," spoke Kain with a nod.

TAGS: @Catalyst, @Darth Nathemus, @Lord Vassago

 

[Catalyst]

IC Lord Catalyst
Clearing, Dathomir ​

Lord Nathemus fell to the dirt before Lord Catalyst, broken and defeated. Catalyst let out a long, slow breath. He had done it. He stood tall over his longtime rival, looking at the pieces strewn about. Were he a more vindictive or wrathful opponent, he would have jammed the burning plasma blade of his lightsaber into Nathemus's skull and left him to figure that out, but something was distracting him. The sounds of the forest had grown quiet. The air felt heavier as fear radiated from the brush. There was a new scent on the wind.

Smoke.

Even as the Lord of Pain pulled his ruined body back together, Catalyst was busy looking to the wildlife that was running past. The inferno raging on the horizon glowed a malevolent orange. He took a few steps back from Nathemus as the Sedriss righted himself. The annoying voice that he had just silenced rang out behind him in a mad laugh. "Lord Vassago! Lord Vassago! Shall I begin? Shall we begin?"

Lord Catalyst rolled his eyes as the challenge was issued. "Still seeking paternal approval? Don't come to me with your fatherhood issues." he scoffed, allowing amusement to play across his face. "You've already lost once today, Nathemus. Don't make me embarrass you again in front of the warlord."

The verbal spar was interrupted by something far larger crashing through the trees. The massive Rancor plowed into the clearing, it's flesh singed by the signature pyrotechnics that Catalyst could only assume had been Lord Kain's work. It charged forward, lashing it's massive claws at the Dark Lords.

As the paw came swiping at Lord Catalyst, he used the Force to propel himself high into the air in a backflip over the attack. At the top of his arc, he reached his hand out, using his telekinetic prowess to try to take hold of the Rancor's arm. As soon as his boots touched the ground, he launched a Force Push at the muscular appendage, aiming the arm towards Lord Nathemus.

Powers used:
Force Jump
Force Push

TAG:
@Darth Nathemus
@Lord Vassago
@Darth Kain

 

[Darth Nathemus]

IC: The Sedriss

Something was coming. As Nathemus' raging Pain swelled up inside him, the gasps of the onlookers quickly turned into nervous shrieks of terror. Coupled with the distant yet intense heat that billowed up in flames and smoke on the horizon, the Sedriss knew that this could only mean one thing: The Empress' Vengeance had now involved himself in this battle. If the Vengeance was getting involved, this fight had already gone on too long.

His opponent was too busy focusing on Lord Kain's pyrotechnics to disturb the Sedriss bringing himself back together, and only paid him heed to give his usual witty backtalk. "Still seeking paternal approval? Don't come to me with your fatherhood issues," he retorted in response to Nathemus yelling to the Emperor's Voice. "I have his approval. He voted for me," stated the Lord of Pain in rebuttal.

But as he said this he began to notice many creatures coming into the clearing which currently housed the two Dark Lords of the Sith. Most of them were harmless, until the Rancor came. And just like the son of Vader would not be Rancor fodder in Jabba's Palace on Tatooine over a century before, the Sedriss would not be Rancor fodder today. Even as his opponent forced both of the Rancor's wildly swinging arms towards him, the Lord of Pain was also the Loremaster. Recovered from the archives of Lord Vader, he read the mission logs of Starkiller; he knew full well that on his Apprentice's two missions to Felucia that Rancors were highly susceptible to Force Lightning.

And the Sedriss' Lightning was among the most potent in the Empire. Focusing all his burning rage into a barrage of lightning that began at his shoulders, he released the giant arcing waves of lightning forth from his fingertips and into the raging beast while yelling, "Fry, you insolent beast!!" In hopes that his lightning would fry and cripple the beast, he slipped feet first underneath the right of the Rancor, sliding towards Lord Catalyst, and readying for his next move. They were now in the final stages.

(Powers used: Force Lightning)

TAG: @Catalyst
@Darth Kain
@Lord Vassago

 

[Catalyst]

IC Lord Catalyst
Clearing, Dathomir
​

An uncharacteristic sigh emanated from the mouth of Lord Catalyst. In a shocking twist, Lord Nathemus's rebuttal, while not particularly strong, had stumbled upon fact in this battle of wit. Lord Vassago had indeed given the Sedriss his support, along with the Duumvirate. But it wasn't the entirety of the Tetrarchy behind him.

Darth Kain, Empress's Vengeance, Prince of the Stars, Dark Lord of the Inferno, had supported Catalyst's campaign, and that gave the Lord of Linguistics hope. If one who was second to the Empress herself believed in him as a contemporary, he would fight for the seat that he had earned, that half of his peers believed he was worthy to sit upon. He would not let their voices be ignored. He would not be defeated.

The snap of Nathemus's lightning cut through the roaring thunder of the inferno raging around them. He was trying to sneak past the Tyrant Rancor by distracting it with a little shock. Catalyst decided the Rancor didn't deserve to be bested by one so inferior. Readying himself in a Soresu opening stance, he tugged on strings of the Force, attempting to pull the beast down onto Lord Nathemus and pin the two of them in place. It didn't matter to Catalyst whether the monster survived, it was still thirty tons of weight that the Sedriss would have to find some way to overcome, and while his lightning abilities were considered prodigious, Catalyst had faith that his own telekinetic prowess far outshined that of his opponent.

Powers Used: Push/Pull

TAG: @Darth Nathemus
@Lord Vassago
@Darth Kain

 

[Darth Nathemus]

IC: The Sedriss

With the torrent of Force Lightning heading straight for the beast, it was sure to connect. Whether or not it survived the blast, The Sedriss cared not. For after that, it would at least be incapacitated. But his opponent surely was crafty, and he took advantage of Lord Nathemus attacking the Tyrant Rancor. With tugging the subtle strings of the Darkness, bringing the beast low and attempting to wedge the Sedriss to the earth below, crushing him to death in the process.

In the favor of the Lord of Pain, he was already on the way out.

Coming out of his slide, he was already on the right outside shoulder of the beast, and again his pain began to boil to the surface. His breathing sped, the cracks in his skin and his eyes began to glow their vibrant crimson yet again, just as they had earlier to bring him back from the brink. But this time, his focused pain was used to enhance his natural speed, augmenting it to superhuman levels. Coming out of his slide, he darted outside the Rancor's fall radius to meet his opponent head on.

His great Sword was raised in his left hand now, ready to strike at the Lord of Linguistics, but it did no such thing. Instead the Lord of Pain drew his focus straight towards his opponent, and almost instinctually, he knew exactly what to do. For it had been done to him in that very Tomb in which their first confrontation took place. He was about three lightsaber lengths away from his opponent at this point. Now, he now outstretched his arms to the sides and three purple tentacles came forth from his chest and instantly attacked the Lord of Linguistics. Force Drain. The Sedriss knew full well his opponent's ungodly levels of Tutaminis, but as the Lord of Betrayal once said, "There are techniques within the Force against which there is no defense." He had hoped that old adage about Force Drain applied here.

(Powers used: Force-enhanced Speed, Force Drain)

TAG: @Catalyst
@Darth Kain
@Lord Vassago

 

[Catalyst]

~GM Approved~

IC Lord Catalyst
Clearing, Dathomir ​

The Rancor fell to the earth with a heavy thud, lightning still coursing through its frame. Catalyst glimpsed through the dust and smoke with a frown. There had been no sickening crunch of bone, no cries of pain. Instead, Nathemus had sped himself with the Force, deftly diving past the giant monster.

The Sedriss stopped himself meters shy of Catalyst's position. No doubt, he was staying beyond the range of a superior duelist. Catalyst could feel the confidence, the smug sense of victory, emanating from his opponent. Nathemus raised his arms to his sides, and from his chest sprung a trio of violet tendrils. Catalyst recognized the signature power of Darth Nihilus in an instant.

Force Drain.

The Lord of Linguistics had been waiting for this moment. Nathemus's so-called Full Sabacc. It was too bad for him that Lord Catalyst had learned to play one level higher. Time seemed to slow as the Force power lanced between the two men. Catalyst raised his hands, channeling the full power of his Tutaminis.

Catalyst had seen the effect of this power first-hand multiple times. He was there watching when Nathemus, then Coatlec, was subjected to the full power of Darth Viscretus's drain, when he had displayed his insolence in full. He saw it again mere hours after Catalyst had been gracious enough to save his rival's life, when Coatlec himself subjected their compatriot Darth Xirr to his own display of draining power, in a bid to rejuvenate himself before he earned the ire of all who accompanied them. After the disappearance of the bastard Lord, Catalyst witnessed it once more to a degree that he would never forget. His eminence himself, Darth Dreadwar, had appeared before them in the false tomb of Naga Sadow. One of the acolytes accompanying the party had taken a too-familiar tone with the Emperor, and in a flash her life force had been extinguished, consumed into the essence of the Sith'Ari. None of it could prepare him for how it felt though.

It took all of his concentration just to keep his consciousness. Waves of exhaustion washed over the Dark Lord as he held his ground. But Lord Catalyst stood resolute. Unlike those that fell to the rigors of Force Drain before, he had a purpose today. He was not going to let an obstacle that he had been watching for years keep him from a position he had worked hard to obtain. Catalyst dropped to a knee and let one of his hands fall to the ground to support him, his inner rage building. The Tutaminis was getting more and more difficult to hold. He could not end it now though. His rage coalesced into a guttural shout, growing from his abdomen. Focusing his will, he drew upon the hatred he had for Nathemus, concentrating on all of the experiences he had watched his opponent blunder through. His words were strained, with heavy breath between them. "You…" Catalyst rasped, "have no skill. Nothing more… than conjurer tricks." He had enough strength to smirk at the Sedriss, and began building what power he could in his grounded hand. "And nothing… nothing you can do… will impress the Emperor… the Empress… or the Empire. Even… your former apprentice… thinks you're weak!"

Concentrating on the ground beneath Nathemus's feet, Catalyst channeled his telekinetic power into the slab of earth, forcing it up and back towards the Tyrant Rancor that lay on the ground. His plan was to sandwich Nathemus between the ground and the spiny hide of the beast, and hopefully distract the Lord of Pain long enough for Catalyst to regain his footing.

(Powers used: Tutaminis, Force Push/pull)

TAG: @Darth Nathemus
@Lord Vassago
@Darth Kain

 

[Darth Nathemus]

IC: The Sedriss

Their bout was almost over. This duel had gone on long enough. And while Catalyst always thought himself the better duelist, the better Sith, Lord Nathemus always strove to be the better Sith. Such had not gone unnoticed this day and onward. He had worked extremely hard for this opportunity, and he'd be damned if he let down those who put as much of their faith in him as they did. Today he would demonstrate exactly why they chose him to be their next Shadow Hand.

The effects of the Sedriss' Drain had washed over his opponent like waters of the Pool of Knowledge. It brought him to his knees, and even drove the generally cool and level-headed Catalyst to lash out in hatred. "You…have no skill. Nothing more… than conjurer tricks. And nothing… nothing you can do… will impress the Emperor… the Empress… or the Empire. Even… your former apprentice… thinks you're weak!" But it was not skill that would win the Sedriss this battle, no. It was his heart. His drive and passion to consistently improve. That is why he must continually change and evolve, growing ever closer to his apex potential. Growing ever closer to his end goal of succeeding their Magnificent Emperor Dreadwar on the throne of the Eternal Sith Empire.

There was one last ditch effort of his opponent he had yet to deal with, however. As he drove his hand into the earth, the Lord of Pain could feel the ground beneath him quake and begin to move. That was his queue to exit the patch of ground, and he had but a second to do it. To the onlooking crowd, it would seem that time had slowed around the two combatants, but to the Sedriss, all it took was one small leap off the moving earth beneath his feet down to steady ground again. He was now nothing more than a saber's length from the Lord of Linguistics, and his efforts had not swayed Nathemus' focus. This was his day. And it would be for all eternity. He would agonize his opponent no longer, as he had been subjected to the Force Drain long enough. With his right hand raised towards the kneeling head of Lord Catalyst, he began to rip away the heat energy around his head and chest and focused the energy into a direct blast of cryokinetic energy intending to freeze his chest and midsection solid. Thus, he began to speak, "People may think I am weak all they want, but I will always strive to prove them otherwise, just as I have today. Yield, Lord Catalyst. I don't want to kill you, you are a worthy asset to the Dark Council."

(Powers used: Cryokinesis)

TAG: @Catalyst
@Darth Kain
@Lord Vassago

 

[Catalyst]

IC Lord Catalyst
Clearing, Dathomir
​

The ground flew upwards as Catalyst sent it back into the Rancor, sending dirt and debris cascading over the downed beast. Nathemus had dodged the fairly telegraphed blow, but it gave Catalyst a reprieve from the Force Drain. They were now within a real fighting distance.

The Sedriss stood tall over the Lord of Linguistics, unleashing a freezing blast from his hand as he made his final parlay. "People may think I am weak all they want, but I will always strive to prove them otherwise, just as I have today. Yield, Lord Catalyst. I don't want to kill you, you are a worthy asset to the Dark Council."

The cryokinetic blast was absorbed smoothly by Catalyst's still-raised hand. Instead of ice washing over him, he would feel his power rejuvenated by his opponents attack, his Tutaminis adding that power back into his reserves of strength. He rose, standing confidently before Nathemus with his trademark smile. "You've proven nothing."

He raised his saber again to attack. "The only thing I see is that same arrogant fool from years ago who doesn't know how to stay down." With a flick of his wrist, he used his freshly regained Force energy to try to take hold of the Sedriss' great sword, attempting to cast it's thick blade into the dirt. "I may be more liable to die, but that means that I've fought harder than you ever can." His smile was gone now, replaced by grim determination. "You risk nothing today. I have put my life on the line. And I will continue to do so for my Emperor." He drew the blade down in a diagonal swipe, aimed at Nathemus's left shoulder. Even if he couldn't kill his opponent, he would leave the Sedriss with a Pain he would never forget.


(Powers used: Tutaminis, Force Push/pull)

TAG: @Darth Nathemus
@Lord Vassago
@Darth Kain