HoloNet News Ascension: Invitation to Challenge

[Renfry]

Transmitted to all Sith. Open to Sith reactions or counter-challenges​

Darth Andruil wasn't usually the type for large ceremony or pomp despite her rule as Queen and Sith Lord. For that reason, this event - momentous as it was - would not be an extravagant or drawn out affair.

The transmission would be broadcast to the entirety of the Sith Order and begin with a woman dressed in black robes. Her face was covered, but most would already be familiar with the woman behind the mask.

Sith of the Eternal Order, with the death of Lord Vyrassu, our Order is left bereft of its leading expert on the mysteries of the Force, she began. The "Force" was never her preferred term for the Shadow, but it was the one that most of the Order both recognized and accepted.

I don't need to inform any of you of the power of the darkness or the value of the techniques that can be both designed and discovered at the hands of a master alchemist, she said. She had devoted her life to studying magick of the Nightsister variety and had even unlocked many of the secrets of Sith alchemy and magic.

Without such a master on the Council, the Order loses its potency, and I refuse to allow the Order to remain in a weakened state, she said, and it wasn't simply empty words. Her interests were in the strength of the Sith, and she believed her actions would lead to a Sith territory that was stronger and more secure. Her efforts to defend Sith territory time and again were evidence of that.

As such, I, Darth Andruil, intend to claim the Council's empty seat as my own and guide the Order in its investigations into the arcane arts of the Dark Side, she said. It was the entire intent of this broadcast to the Order. It was a challenge to others. It was a declaration of power and superiority. It was the way of the Sith.

I assure you that my resolve is unwavering. I will continue to secure our territories and protect what is the rightful property of the Sith order. To those who doubt me, prove your strength and challenge me. To the rest, stay attuned to the darkness. It is our strength, she said.

The message came to an end, and the Sith Lord who delivered it smiled behind her mask. She had brought death and curses upon the enemies of the Sith, and that was only the beginning. True power - that unobtainable, ever-elusive prize that every Sith sought - was one step closer to her grasp.

 

[Korbishal]

Kor'bishal was deep in the depths of his domain, working on yet another Jedi to be broken. His gauntlet hovered over the padawans face and as each finger bent slowly, bloodcurdling screams would sing from the lips of the tortured. Poor soul, they were trapped in their reverie and it would be days until they were released from it.

His attention would be pulled by a rather grandiose message, one that was equally entertaining as it was impressive. "How quaint..." He would muse. "All of you strive for greatness but are no more than pawns to the true lord.. Nar'shahai.." he would continue to bide his time. One Cult to a false god had already collapsed and the pieces were once more moved.

The Marauder would step away from his victim, gauntlets clasping behind his back as he studied the image. She would do for now. There was knowledge she possessed that he needed. He had to wait as it were, his sacrifices were still months away from being ready.

Activating his comm, he'd send a message to the Queen of Dathomir. "My Queen, Darth Andruil, you have my support.." the Marauder would begin. "I hope to make my way to your home, to study the Shadow as you know it." His blade hummed in it's scabbard. It had a long memory, long memories of the shadow but they seemed to be locked. Perhaps this was what he needed.

 

[Darth Stolas]

Darth Stolas received the transmission from within the palace on Drommund Kaas, sitting in his study behind a fine wooden desk. It played in full on a screen on the wall behind it and he watched it with interest. Renfry hadn't necessarily seemed the type to go for a seat on the Council, but that ambition was not likely as simple as it may seem.

Renfry was a woman who focused on survival, ensuring she and her people could continue to do so. In the grand game of the Sith, if she determined that required her to be important, influential, and useful, then under those circumstances she would make this choice. Morgan wondered if this was related to his challenge against Malicia and the first purge of her cult, something Renfry had been party to herself.

Andruil also had a point. Vyrassu had been a madwoman, but she had also deeply studied the mysteries of the Force on the Council as her sole focus. A replacement was needed, and securing a seat could be beneficial for the Order as a whole as well as her and the people of Dathomir. There was even the extra step of making it a "public" declaration and inviting argument or challenge.

How interesting.

A holo-image of Morgan at his desk would be sent back to where Renfry was transmitting from.

"You have my support. Might I come by for a visit?"

@Phoenix

 

[Raksis]

Raksis was intrigued.

No.

That made it sound over dramatic.

He was...vaguely interested. Yes. Those were the right words. The loss of Sullust was...

Minor.

A mere setback. It was nothing to Raksis. The Nightbrother watched the stars as his T6 Shuttle, Orcus, floated through space like a ghostly visage.
The death of Darth Vyrassu was not minor.
No. No...It’s rather...well, pathetic.
If Vyrassu died, then how was he supposed to have faith in the lesser Sith Lord of Sith Magic? She would fall. They weren’t strong enough.
I’m not strong enough.
But just you wait. My Vision will blossom and the Jedi will fall under our Shadow or be devoured by it.
His thoughts echoed to himself- as if there was still something holding him back. He snarled and grimaced at the stars before him.
“This Order forgot how we survived for so long. Do we not remember the Testament of Bane? I will scar this galaxy for the knowledge they have forgotten. For the nightmares they no longer envision. For the pride they feel in their precious Jedi Order.” He barked into his com.

“We have lost the title of Hunter. We are now Prey. Who will bring us back to the top of the food chain? Vyrassu died. So I’m assuming you will, too. You have my wavering loyalty, your Heinous. I wonder how long it will be until a stake passes through your heart. May it’s pulse quicken forever.”