Open Ascent

[Srucayr]

Mandalore. Home of the Orar'da'yadr since the dawn of their people, since the days of Mandalore the First. Srucayr had returned from the fighting on Concord Dawn, a slow fight but one well worth it. They had a foothold on the world and they wouldn't surrender it for anything. He had received word on the way back from his wife, that Reiel had gone to some meeting on Mandalore and so he decided to see what it was.

Having arrived sometime shortly after Minerva's arrival, he wasn't impressed at all by what he heard. Solus, a Clan long thought lost to time had re-emerged and the leader spoke with honied words. Emerging from his little slice of shadow, ancient beskar would approach the gathering and offer a nod to those he knew. "So your plan to regain the soul of our people is to first sell it to the Aruetii? Who would you sell your services to? The Jetii? The Dar'jetii? Each one would feel they have a claim to our home or that they own us. We cannot be lapdogs to a new master. You want to reclaim Mandalorian Space, there are already fights to do just that."

His visor would shift around the room as he spoke, before falling on Solus. "I am Srucayr of the Orar'da'yadr. Most of these here know me, know my efforts for our people. You have hidden in the shadows and watched while our people struggle. We have resources, we have an outpost on Dawn, and I know what battle we fight. Persuade me yours is a cause worth fighting for, because all I hear is the eventual servitude of our kind to the Aruetii."

@Darasuum @Forsythe Crowholde @Scoobert @Minuteman75 @Alejandrø77 @Die Shize

 

[Laren Vano]

Laren hadn’t been a fan of becoming a servant. His ideals may have been alike with Kotii yet, not entirely the same. Clan Vano once stood strong and had been a clan of justice. Still is. What Srucayr had to say about this meeting had a strong and valid point.

The younger of the two Mandos wanted for these clans to unite. There wasn’t much else he could do to convince Srucayr to at least ally with whatever forms here. If anything forms.

“Vod, listen to me. We may have not spent too much time to know each other well, but I too care for our people. Your faction is strong, no doubt about. Though it could be stronger with what we can form here today. If we can come together makin this alliance. The Orar’da’yadr will still hold as its own. My plans will not change that. No, instead it would allow for us to come together as allies. A faction and a faction together. Fighting the enemies and traitors and anyone who thinks they have claim on Mandalore or our properties. What do you say? It not much to offer, though in time we could become something glorious. Something out ancestors would be proud of.”

Laren stepped forward to place a hand on Sru’s shoulder before continuing.

“Vod, you know I have the most respect for you out of many of these warriors here today. If you agree to at least make an alliance with what we form here today. I promise you, any and I mean ANY, help you require for the cause. We will be there. As I would hope you’d do in return. We won’t have anyone be subjected to being ruled, but be equal. From the leaders of the Clans, to the Foundlings who serve with us today.”

Laren turned to the rest of the group as he finished by saying,

“That’s for all of us. We have a group fighting for our cause. What say we have more than one and bring them together in this fight?”

Laren smiled as he looked to his fellows Mandalorians in hopes they agree.

@Rhogar @Die Shize @Alejandrø77 @Darasuum @Casmer @Faust Rex @Forsythe Crowholde @Minuteman75

 

[Kotii Solus]

"Yeeeah....when you lead a house you can call the group whatever you want." He said letting Laren know that MAP was not a vision the others shared and added a wink to it. The enthusiasm was still appreciated. It was still early for a lot of the discussed subjects and people wanted to see results.

Rakiss spoke up and Kotii took his arm when he offered it. "You have my thanks, brother. House Solus is honored to have you join us. Your loyalty means more than you can know." His eyes looked across at some of the others now that some began to reveal their faces and say their piece. Kotii's eyes lingered a bit on the eyes of @Reiel Mal Crowholde but knew it would be impolite to stare. Double cute and twice as deadly I bet.

Looking at Ramail as she spoke, the leader of House Solus met with her eyes next. This time he knew to hold the tattooed Zabrak's gaze. "Part of the reason I came here was to hear what you all had to say. We have been out of touch with the galaxy and out of touch with one another. We've survived but I want us to live and go beyond. But we can't do that without one another." As much as the fair skinned man wished to accomplish great feats, he was still but one man. "Maan solus" He added and giving a bit of a bowed head. Even as a leader, he wanted them to know that it was them he was doing this for. For House Solus. For all children of Mandalore.

Cass, as Rakiss had called her, introduced herself. Her words had a passion that carried them to his ears and made him take in a breath. He had already stood alone before and had grown from that. Solus, meaning one and singular, first and foremost perhaps in days of old, but Kotii was here to earn the loyalty of his brothers and sisters as well as their support. He had no reply to her words, they were merely stating facts.

Kotii replied with a cocked eyebrow at Srucayer's introduction. He had mentioned a single venture and interest. Only those that wanted to risk their own needed to join and Kotii thought he wasn't asking too much. If the heavily armored Mandalorian didn't want to join House Solus then that was his decision to make. "Are you above being paid to fight? From what I've heard the methods and results you've achieved have merit. But it's not enough." They needed more than just a strong warband in Mandalorian space. "If your fear of the mechanations of outsiders keeps you at home, then I suggest you reevaluate your perspective." Maybe even career choice "Under House Solus, we'll be able to know whether or not someone is trying to pull the wool over our helmets, whereas in the past we have been pitted against one another. Staying scattered and apart enables our foes to amass and conduct their own agendas in the centuries of Mandalorian hibernation. I'm want to put an end to that." Kotii said it for the benefit of everyone present even though it was Srucayr who had questioned him.

As a Solus he was never one to back away from a fight. If Scurcayr meant to directly challenge him, then Kotii was fine with that. Part of him hoped the bigger Mandalorian would. Badger don't give a kark

@Minuteman75 @Faust Rex @Rhogar @Scoobert @Forsythe Crowholde @Casmer @Die Shize sorry if I missed someone

 

[Ramail Lone]

Ramail repaid Kotii's respectful gesture of holding her gaze by giving him a straight-forward reply: "I understand, vod. The rise of Mandalore's sun starts with the rays of its ideas penetrating the darkness. But there will eventually have to be found answers to these questions. Undefined ideas are like uncalculated hyperspace jumps: thrilling, but prone to accidents. At best, it could lead us astray; at worst, it could destroy us in our infancy."

The Zabrak gestured at the gathering with her free hand. "It's clear that there are as many opinions as there are participants to this meeting," she said. "But in the end, you called us here. You have a plan. See it to fruition. Opinions are good and all, but if you're here to pose questions instead of answers, your plan will end up with so many angles that its foundation is no longer sound."

Ramail hesitated for a moment, then added: "I've shown you the honour of being blunt. Don't take it as a sign that I do not support your idea. If House Solus can rally the mando'ade for a rightful cause, Clan Lone can support it." Then she put on her helmet, hairs bristling gently at the familiar sensation of wearing it. The T-visored face looked straight at Kotii. "Cover it with as much pragmatism as you'd like: uniting the clans - even for what seems like a business venture - is not an idea spun without an intention that goes far beyond that. At least it ought not to be."

Turning to leave the room, Ramail said: "I've said what my clan and I felt was needed." She looked at the gathered Mandalorians. "Decide for yourselves what cause you would like to fight for. Not who gets to lead it." And then a final look at Kotii: "Define your cause, Solus. My clan and I will be ready if you do."

As she made her way towards the door, she walked past Srucayr, placing a hand firmly on his shoulder for a moment. "We should talk. I'll comm you." Although they hadn't officially met, Ramail trusted that Srucayr would understand her intent. She had heard about his covert, and it was clear that they shared many similar sentiments in regards to the future of their people. Whether the head of House Solus was able to gather a following or not, Ramail sensed that now was indeed the time to cooperate with the other clans. Srucayr's covert seemed like a good place to start. They would have much to talk about.

She strode from the room, heading backing down the tapestried walls of the Black Keep. She'd have to go straight to Bimmiel, talk it over with her kin. There was still the issue of their historical allegiance to House Kryze. Ramail grimaced under her helmet. Kryze. Talk about a House that has lost its sheen. For all of Ramail's traditionalism, the ancient factions among the Mandalorians meant little to her. She was a Foundling - perhaps that made all the difference. No generational family history to muddy her perception. It was as she had said in the beginning of the moot:

It mattered little who led them. What mattered was where they would lead them.

/exit thread.

 

[Reiel Mal Crowholde]

She hadn't been particularly enthused about walking in onna gathering earlier and yet Reiel had found herself without her helmet and starting to listen with growing interest as to what her gathered vode each had to say. The lack of hostility from all angles certainly helped as well – the small Mandalorian disliked conflict, more so when it occurred amongst her people.

She grew tired of it immediately the first time she saw it on the first call to a gathering on the planet sometime ago. She grew tired of it when Srucayr once told her that infighting would never fade away. She was tired of Mandalore divided, as she'd learned about the history of their people.

But this... peaceable discussion. It was a fresh of breath air. There were Mandalorians who wanted to claim leadership, even made a name for a society they hoped to create, and yet there was still a continued lack of challenges for leadership being uttered here nor there.

Reiel wished the previous gathering she'd attended went this way.

And then Srucayr spoke.

The small Mandalorian tilted her head to gaze at her ori'vod, the smile on her face turning into worry as he gave his piece to the discussion. She had expected those questions from him, knowing how he kept the ancient and sacred way of their people. Srucayr was a firm believer of Mandalorians serving no one but their own, no one but the great Destroyer, and Kotii's plans were something she knew her ori'vod would disapprove of.

As a foundling herself, Reiel tolerated – no, she was open to aruetiise helping their cause. Eisa (and Curse) did, against the Nagai pirates that desecrated the palace at Sundari. Carrick was willing to give aid as well. And Fiach offered a helping hand long before Reiel answered the first call to return to Mandalore. But Srucayr was a firm follower and believer of the ancient ways. Reiel respected it, really. But...

But what?

For the first time since accidentally walking in on the meeting, Reiel rose to her feet, helmet tucked under one arm, and respectfully inclined her head at Ramail (@Casmer) before the latter left. The small Mandalorian then made her way towards Srucayr and Kotii, and while neither of the two had started approaching each other Reiel planted herself firmly between them, heart in her throat and a smile on her face.

At least bash each other's skull after I leave, puñeta.

One hand stretched forward towards Kotii in peace. If there was one thing she'd learned about the houses that comprised Mandalore, it was that those of House Solus never backed down from a fight. Observant as she was, Reiel knew the look of someone rearing for a good ol' punch or two.

"Nice talk we're having here. All pleasant. Good questions were made, good answers given. Each have said their own peace, and what more do I have to offer? You've already asked the questions for me, and I have heard answers that have been thoroughly thought out," she brightly told the gathered Mandalorians as a whole for the first time. Then with the sublime subtlety of a rancor, to Kotii and Srucayr, "Let's keep it this way for now, hm?"

She would remain standing between the two men until any sense of hostility had ceased (if there had been any in the first place). Her gaze then shifted to the Mandalorian (@Scoobert) who had approached Srucayr and placed a hand on her ori'vod's shoulder.

"You speak such nice words, vod," she said, "as the others have done. What's your name? Didn't quite catch it when I stumbled upon this fine gathering."

@Rhogar @Darasuum

 

[Casany Praxor]

Spoiler: Music OOC

Srucayr. The armor was unmistakable, the man undeniable, so unbowed, unbent and unbroken. Like iron between my hammer and anvil. He spoke against Kotii, against the claims of being lapdogs, yet for all Casany’s concerns about Kotii’s claims she had not reckoned him to be out for money as an end so much as money as a means to an end. Hell, that has been my way for many days…

Could more than one Mandalorian breathe life into the same air so as to ignite a fire that would see the Mandalorians reborn? Cas, well, she had nary a qualm for who did the leading. Her compatriots would be remiss to let her lead but she would kriffing do it if it came to it; if it boiled down to two or more leaders bickering over who should.

No, that would not come to pass. There was room enough for one leader, for there was room enough for all Mandalorians to rule themselves—the throne could wait. The realm, however, could not. Those naughty Nagai were just roaches; a prelude to the infestation against Mandalorians everywhere if the insects were left unchecked and unchallenged.

Laren agreed with Casany’s sentiments and said as much. It made Cas smile, glad to know that her friend forged in fire had echoed her axiom. This is the way. The only way. Our own way. ‘The way’ was what the Mandalorians made it; how they forged it.

On and on the words went and Cas listened, though she just as much looked; saw the face she recognized, remembered the face she did not, and then cast her final words forth.

“This is no longer about clan or house, droten.” She pointed between both of her shoulders and the signet on either pauldron. “A golden sun. A black anvil... I was forged in fire and light. I am my own animal.”

Her hand swept between her peers like a blaster. “But are we animals!?” The answer was obvious. “No! We are people. One people. One Mandalore. Mandalorians!”

Did anyone dispute that with their individualism? She hoped not, and this coming from an individualist.

“I have heard your words and you have heard mine, now hear my hammer upon the anvil as we forge a new signet!”

Casany Praxor’s sword sang from her scabbard as it scraped against steel. The blade struck the hilt of a knife as its own blade drove into the floor, as though to impale a galaxy with the Mandalorians at its center. It could stay there till the end of time.

“There’s your MAP.” She winked at Laren. “I’ll see you on the other side.

With that, the Mandalorian slipped her helm over her head and left her vods behind, but never behind.

 

[Srucayr]

Srucayr would pat Laren's shoulder. The boy was ever the optimist. A little foolhardy, but he was young, which meant there was time to wizen. "The Orar'da'yadr will focus on the fight at hand. But with that comes this, whether you decide to fight our fight or not, we welcome each and every single one of your Clans to join us here on Mandalore. We have never left this world, never given up on it, and we have the space and ability to help provide for those present. Leadership is not asked of, it's earned."

When Kotii spoke, the arrogance of the young was plain as day. With that arrogance always came the underlying desire for a quick death. And if Srucayr was younger, he might have given it to the Solus, but the boy had nothing worth challenging for. Just a single Clan and a request to be followed. The one from Clan Lone would receive a nod of acknowledgement, there would always be a time for talk. Luckily for Kotii, Reiel felt the need to interject on his behalf, which wouldn't do much to sway his already made up mind but the attempt was noted.

His visor would pan back to Kotii. "I am indeed above being paid to fight. My blade nor my honor cannot be bought and as such, my loyalty isn't bound to coin, only the gods and my people. It may not be enough, but it is steps in the right direction, not a double back." he would allow amusement to enter his tone. "And pray tell, allows House Solus, a house that has been uninvolved for so long, the ability to know when they are being moved against? Many in the past have claimed the same thing, only to be fooled all the same. As for.. staying at home, I have been fighting for our people longer than you've been born. And that is in areas far from home." He could sense the boy wanted a fight, but he was hardly worth the singular effort of it. "Perhaps one day, House Solus will be the Clan to follow.. but it is not this day. Not for us. Words are meaningless without the merit of action. But myself and the gods wish to see what you are capable of pulling together."

He would reach over to Reiel, his gauntlet patting her cheek. "Please, little one. You know this blade only kills for our people, it doesn't kill them, even over a spat. No honor to be gained, no cause to fight for here. Ah, and this Laren of Clan Vano." he said reassuringly to her, before addressing the others. "For those who wish assistance, or to return home and accept my proposal, speak to either Reiel.. or walk east until you find the mountain range that pierces the heavens. The Orar'da'yadr welcome each and everyone of you home.." his gaze would shift to Kotii. "..even you. There will be no expectation of fealty, no bent knees, or whatnot. Just the offer and hope of kinship. Kad preserve you all."

With that, Srucayr would head for the exit. He had a wife to return home to and he had been gone long enough. There would be one final pause before he turned back, his words meant for all. "Whether you join with us or not.. If the enemy comes to you looking for battle, the Orar'da'yadr will be there to protect our kin. Reiel, will provide you with the means to reach me." then he would depart unless otherwise stopped. His gait would carry him alongside Cas as they exited and he pulled a dagger free from his belt and offered it to her. "That was rather theatrical, my friend." he teased. "Follow the map when you're ready."

/Thread Exit