Hunting the Cultists Part One

[Viladous Ordo]

Dathomir was as creepy as ever and the blood red sky screamed death like no other place he had been before. Well... other than Mandalore. That was one of the reasons he had decided to take the job, he needed to hone his skills against those powerful in the force. There was of course the other reasons, that Viladous simply needed the money. His armour and weaponry was in need of an upgrade, and he had seen an increase in the number of "Quickdraws" cutting around lately.

The Mandalorian of Clan Ordo had arrived at the co-ordinates designated as the last known location for this woman known as The Promised and he took a knee at the base of the tree. There had been a number of beasties that crossed his path, but he had done well not to stir too much attention, noise or disturbance in the surrounding area.

He had been under the impression that there would be others joining him on this hunt, but as was so often the case with some of the more uninitiated Bounty Hunters in the galaxy they were easily scared off. Especially with what was known about this woman. She was powerful and she was dangerous. Not to mention, totally crazy.

He'd give those joining him a small window to arrive, he could already hear the sound of several beasts in the area, the distinct roar of the Rancor being the most recognisable of the bunch.

@Phoenix @Darasaurus @Ecclessey @Brick

 

[Narir Solus]

Narir had become very well acquainted with the wilds of Dathomir. Since his first encounter with the Promise, he had spent months here rooting out her cultists. He and his marauders had killed dozens of the Dark Siders, but their leader had been ever-elusive after that first fight. His presence here had been the very reason that he had been absent when Mandalore was glassed and his best friend killed. Right or not, Narir placed that absence on this demon, and the hunt for she and her cult had become very personal.

Mandalorians had been left on-world after his return to Mandalore, but he'd left very clear instructions that he wanted to be notified in the event that they found the witch herself. He hadn't hesitated to come here immediately when he'd received the call.

There were other Mandalorians in the area, and although he knew his marauders were on standby with his ship, his basilisk, and the basilisk transport for another lovely orbital drop, he decided that a more subtle approach might be the better choice this time. To that end, he'd set out on foot with only his combat gear to keep him immediate company.

He hiked quietly to the RV point of the other bounty hunter, the memories of being on this world for months flooding back. It was all familiar in the worst way, but he was here to get the job done.

This is going to be a slog. We should try to keep a low profile and use the element of surprise, he said as he approached the other Mandalorian. If they could get the advantage of positioning before the shooting started, they might be able to eliminate the target more quickly and effectively. Shock and awe could come later.

 

[Narr Noft]

It seemed so long ago since Narr Noft was the ranger assigned to Mandalore Sector. It was before their uprising and subsequent war of independence that made them the Empire's equals, if not betters. Narr had been holed up in a Nar Shaddaa spice den for most of it and even now as he hiked up to the meeting point, the damp Dathomir air was harder on him than he dared to admit.

His glitterryll addiction had wrecked his memory and while he had once been fluent in Mandalorian, he could only barely make heads or tails of it. Slightly panting already when he reached the two Mandalorians, the Shivastenen mercenary sat down against a black tree and started loading his bowcaster. "They'll sniff us out soon enough-" he said in response to Narir, "-the beasts that is."

Going after this bounty seemed largely a Mandalorian affair and Narr's invitation to it was probably more of a courtesy to the former ranger than them needing him for his skill in battle. Still, he could use the credits and the adrenaline in the face of near-certain death was a better thrill than snorting glitterdust.

 

[Romeo Kryze]

.

Romeo wasn't too sure of this idea of his, after all, he had made many stupid decisions in his life but trying to hunt down the so called "Promise" was arguably one of his more dangerous endeavors. Relatively new to this charade, and also recently released from prison, the doctrined Marauder was here to have some fun. He would have preferred to be sporting his Deathwatch insignia, but for now, he was just a normal bloke. Romeo descended from the wilderness in an eastern direction, moving towards the gathering point decided from this Viladous. He hadn't really had much interactions with the other Marauder before, but screw it, he thought to himself, why not make new friends?

Grabbed in his ebony and gold beskar'gam, he slung his Shriek Hawk across his back while hands helped him navigate through the treacherous terrain. Coming up near the others, Romeo didn't parlay any words or information, deciding to listen for the moment. This Narr Noft individual looked vaguely familiar, as if he had recognized him from a previous bounty, but after all the spice he snorted the other night, it was hard to tell one face from the other. As he approached within vicinity, Romeo nodded to the other two hunters and then towards Narir, "What you need me to do, boss?" He whispered, towards his superior. @Phoenix

@Ecclessey @Tsunami

 

[Cardinal Paroaria]

Cardinal had never been to Dathomir, but where there was money, Cardinal went. Today was Witch hunting day. Cardinal didn't know much about witches, nor did he care about them, his target was a witch though. Whenever Cardinal went bounty hunting, he went with a group. On this mission, he was working with complete strangers. From his intel he knew he was working with three Mandalorians and one Law enforcement personnel, a ranger. He wondered if they knew his business with the Empire. A loose business. Not that they would know about anything he did. Frankly Cardinal didn’t care if they were Mandalorians he wasn’t an ally of the Empire, he was in it for himself and did work for anyone with the right price.

Cardinal pulled out his data pad and pulled up the coordinates for the meet up with the rest of the team. In a few minutes he had arrived in a hover truck. He brought two of his closest men with him, in case things got rough. He wore his armor under his suit of course, and had his saber concealed. His blasters were visible as they were holstered on his hip and leg. He carried four grenades in case they were in a tight situation.

The truck stopped and he got out. “Sup fellas is this where the witch hunt starts?”



@Faded Truth @Ecclessey @Tsunami @Phoenix

 

[Viladous Ordo]

Viladous' quiet and calm mannerisms changed as the truck, that was no doubt making a racket came to a halt. This was also not aided, by the attitude of the man coming from the vehicle. "Sup fellas? Are you taking the piss? Were fine, but thanks to you we wont be for long." Viladous hissed at the stupid man, and as his words faded into the void of Dathomir… Dathomir howled back. Who on earth did this guy think he was, and why did a man who carted around giving off the impression he was wealthy not have people doing the dirty work for him. There were a number of questions that Viladous had for this man, but now wasn't the time.

"Well... if they weren't coming before. They are now aye Ranger?" Viladous said, his emotionless mask turning to look at the Shistavanen. His body once again returned to a calm and focused state, his hand reaching for his rife which he immediately began to battle prep. A thud could be heard, then another and each one came faster, was louder than before. Whatever was coming for them was big, the group had better be ready.

Luckily, or in this case unluckily, Viladous was under the impression that there was still another due to join them (@Painus) but if he/she would arrive in time, that was certainly another question. The group could use as much help as they could get, this fight was no doubt to attract attention, and if by some stretch of bad luck they group made that Promised B**** turn up... well they were going to be in a world of hurt.

@Phoenix @Faded Truth @Ecclessey @Brick

 

[Narir Solus]

Narir was pissed. Royally pissed off because the element of surprise they worked so hard to maintain had most likely just been ruined by this arrogant di'kut revving his engine as he came in.

What the shab do you think you're doing? Shut that shabla thing off, Narir hissed in his heavily accented basic. While some of the others had likely done their homework about what they were facing, Narir had been there to see it the first time around. They needed every single advantage they could get over this witch, and one of them had likely just been blown. If he got someone killed because of this, there would be a reckoning. Narir would make sure of it.

There'll be numerous cultists with rancors and the like, he rushed through his recollection of the last engagement, skimming over those areas that they likely already knew.

Besides multiple Dark Siders, he continued, They're capable of lighting massive swaths of the forest ablaze. This is suspected to be through an extensive ritual that also summons other, smaller demon-like animals, but we suspect this takes time to prepare and likely is bound by certain times of year, he explained. While he doubted that they would run across the same ritual again, he wanted everyone to be as prepared for the worst as they could be. They'd all walked into the rancor's den. Literally.

Someone is going to need to cut off her escape routes. If the dungeon ship is still here, hijacking it or sabotaging it will be a priority, he said, looking for volunteers. There was no guarantees of what they would find, but he was sure that someone like this had escape routes planned.

 

[Leandros Solus]

Leandros was busy when the Promised came to this world and performed her foul sorcery, so he did not have the pleasure of seeing what she had done firsthand. Everything about this fiend he learned from second-hand sources, and he scarcely believed any of it. What he did understand, though, is that a Dark Side-controlled abomination had come to a world he conquered to perform some vulgar and profane ritual and somehow managed to escape with her life. Such insult to a Mandalorian world – even one inhabited by dreaded witches – would not go without punishment. He had heard the call to arms to begin the hunt and eagerly joined up.

He stalked through the jungle, knowing how important stealth would be to this hunt. Any sign of Mandalorian presence and the Promised was sure to flee or go into hiding. His ship was far away with his honor guard waiting on it, itching for a fight but acknowledging that this was something Leandros needed to do himself. He neared the rendezvous point only to hear the loud rumble of a vehicle followed quickly by angry, hushed shouting. Whatever di’kut just ruined their element of surprise would certainly pay the blood price if any of them died during the hunt. Silence followed the rumble, but it was an unnatural lack of noise – something had heard them.

”…hijacking it or sabotaging it will be a priority.” He heard Narir’s voice before he saw the badger, thankful that someone of some renown was also on the hunt. Leandros stalked out of the foliage and took in the sight of the group, noting the members: Narir, two unknown Mandalorians sporting Kryze and Ordo colors, some spiced-out Shistavanen, and… whomever that guy was. The Mand’alor chuckled grimly to himself and shook his head. What a hunting party.

”The witch needs to be cornered and overwhelmed,” he said with a heavy accent, nodding in agreement with Narir’s insight, ”She can’t be given time to perform any rituals. If we still had the element of surprise,” he spat, glaring daggers at Cardinal from beneath his helmet as the distant roars of rancors echoed out, ”We might have taken her completely unawares. Now, I fear, we must fight through however many dark disciples she has.”

He rolled his shoulders and stretched his neck, preparing for whatever fight they were about to get themselves in. ”Either way, we need to start moving. Sitting around and making noise isn’t going to help us out.”

@Phoenix @Faded Truth @Brick @Tsunami @Ecclessey

 

[Narr Noft]

Narr grinned in response to Viladous (@Tsunami) and then looked around at the gathered party. The Mandalorians seemed very capable. There was even the faint suspicion that years ago when he was still the ranger of the Mandalorian Sector, he was investigating the one of them called boss. It didn't matter now, though, not that it really ever did back then, because if there was anyone in that party that the Shistavanen preferred not getting out of this alive it was that disrespectful human. Trucking through the Dathomirian dark forest..really?

"I'll take the truckers-" the former ranger gestured towards the loud one (@Brick) and his lackeys, "-and we'll focus on that ship. We'd only get in the way of a Mand'alor and his chosen otherwise." he placed his right hand on his chest as way of salute, wanting to show that he recognized Leandros.

Snapping back to the grave reality that the loud truck had most likely blown their element of surprise, Narr got back up his feet and motioned for the truckers to follow. "I'll be on comms channel six. Name's Narr."

 

[Viladous Ordo]

He couldn't quite believe that Mand'alor had joined them on their hunt. This was undoubtedly a great honour to fight along side someone of such esteem. This wasn't something that Viladous would project, he was a soldier and he would pay the complements afforded to Mand'alor by right - They had a job to do however, and Viladous was keen to get on with it.

"Hail Mand'alor. Good to have you fighting along side us." He spoke, as he turned to look at the ranger who seemed equally as keen to get on. Listening to what he had to say, he took note of the infomation regarding Com's channel and then proceeded to address the remaining Mandalorians.

"I agree we are going to have a fight on our hands now. Whats the play? Spread out, or stick together?" Viladous' eyes moving to look at Narir, who's experience with fighting this witch would be of great benefit here.

@Brick @Painus @Phoenix @Ecclessey

 

[Cardinal Paroaria]

Cardinal didn't understand why everyone here disliked him for taking away the surprise. There wasn't any need for surprise, they had the power. Mandalorians were rumored to fight fiercely. He didn't mention it though. Cardinal was surprised to find that the new leader of the Mandalorians, the legendary Mand'alor the Chosen was amongst them. Cardinal remained quite throughout the rest of the briefing. To be honest, Cardinal wanted to get this operation done as quick as possible and paid. He didn't want to have to stay a second longer than he had to, the Mandalorians creeped him out.

"Well then let's get the kriff outta this joint." Cardinal didn't mind the ranger taking control. Not that he couldn't mind, he bet he didn't have much say-so in the matter. Cardinal and his men followed the ranger.





@Faded Truth @Ecclessey @Tsunami @Phoenix @Painus

OOC:Sorry for the late delay

 

[Romeo Kryze]

.

Nice Speeder...

Romeo thought to himself while simultaneously lofting a brow at the means of transportation. Apparently, maintaining stealth had not been one of these gentleman's perogatives, regardless it didn't matter. The Death Watch Mando wasn't as cautious as his more experienced leaders, brash and inpatient, he was itching for a fight. If this Mafia boss had managed to trickle the natives into restlessness, then so be it, he'd be coming home to his naked lover with lots of enemy scalps.

Singular motion went for his hips, drawing out the dual wielded Strill pistol as he glanced towards the Field Marshall as well as the unexpected arrival of the Manda'lor. He was wondering if there was pure gold on that armor or whether Leandros had just painted over normal steel. Questions...Questions. His head tilted as if in absent minded thoughts but snapped back to attention with the commands from his superior.

"Sure thing boss". He whispered quietly, advancing behind Narir and Leandros as the group would make their movement.

@Tsunami @Painus @Phoenix @Brick @Ecclessey