Ask [Drexel] The Dragons' Roar

[Vossari Khaldun]

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[/CENTER]

It was storming when Voss's ship arrived to the small outpost on Drexel. It wasn't a surprise, of course - Drexel was well known for its terrible storms. Small, wooden huts imbued with technology greeted them - the kind of fusion between nature and science that would be more at home on Kashyyyk than this ocean planet. Vossari would wait here, in a cheap hotel room, watching the rain fall as he waited for the two Sith yet to join him.

One, of course, he remembered. Ayomi. There was a time when they were more powerful than he, when they were his direct superior. Now, after that shocking party, Ayomi was finally beneath him. Yet, bullying wouldn't feel...satisfying. Ayomi had the spark of a true Sith. In Vossari's eyes, that was categorized by willingness to endure to the end. Arm chopped, tail ripped, bones broken, heart broken, humiliated, yet still they appeared. It was almost applause worthy.

They were not the only Sith on this escapade. Joining them was an enthusiastic new pureblood acolyte. Vossari was certain said pureblood had no idea what he was signing up for - the only other two Korribani Sith he had brought into the middle of the ocean hated it. It was always fun to prank the lessers with stuff like this, though, so Voss looked forward to a good hazing.

A Nikto bartender brought Vossari a piping hot cup of tea as he watched covered fishing boats carefully traverse the oceans. The storms were said to attract the Sea Dragons, their true quarry. Through contacts in the Order of Shasa and the Sisters of Sanguine, he learned of another potential Dark Side cult too appetizing to pass up. Sentient ocean dragon wizards - that would really fill out Vossari's burgeoning forces.

All these two ingrates had to do was not fuck it up.

@René @Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai soon arrived in his own shuttle, although it was public transport, he couldn't afford his own ship just yet, and not when he just had to spend on a suitable armour that could handle the ocean pressures he had heard about that they were about to go into. He had done his research on the planet, finding the oceans were vast and storms were commonplace. but still he was little unsure about the planet and where he was going on it, or what to expect.

He hadn't even seen an ocean before let alone swim in one. The closest he got to water had been the hanging gardens of Ur, or what little the deserts of Korriban supplied. It would be a new experience so despite it he was cautious and yet fairly enthusiastic about it. Even if there was a slight intimidation at finally meeting the infamous Wrean of Korriban. Now a Sith Master, Vossari Khaldun. One of the hero's of Murzana and revered by him in a way. Although if that would changed or not remained to be seen.

As he stepped out the shuttle, it appeared a storm was brewing about.

He wasn't a fan of the planet already, it was too....wet. A word he never thought he would say to himself after Korriban. He soon found the cheap hotel, and upon speaking to the reception was given directions of the room where Vossari was waiting. He could feel already, the Dark Side like a hurricane inside from the Sith Master and he in comparison appeared like a small storm. But one with potential if shaped right or did things correctly. He had no intention of letting Vossari down if he could help it.

He gave a knock before entering and a bow of his head once inside, as he removed the helmet for now. Allowing Vossari to see his features and be addressed eye to eye. Just like any business back home he thought. Always with caution and always meeting the eyes of the one you had business with. For the eyes were a window to the soul. As ever he was cautious and acted in a professional manner, such were the rules of business in the street.

It appeared he had arrived before the other Sith. From what he had heard they were a Tiefling Champion called Ayomi. One who had suffered at his kings hand, Darth Arcanos for creating some kind of a scene and not listened to instructions. Or so the rumour mill from other Acolytes had made him aware. It almost made him wonder would they listen to Vossari. Regardless he figured though he would keep an eye on them just in case, as like with all Sith he had encountered so far, no-one was to be trusted fully. Not ever.

"Greetings Master Khaldun. A pleasure to finally meet and work with you." he considered his words carefully "The streets of Ur speak of your exploits and you have been an inspiration as much as the king himself to me." He spoke calmly and respectfully, every word genuine. He had never thought he would ever meet one of the living legends of Murzana. Let along get to work with them. He was sure it was going to be quite the experience, whether good or bad though he imagined they all would soon see.

@Fine Dining Set @René

 

[Ayomi Jakarta]

Of all people to request their assistance on a mission, Ayomi would have considered the newly promoted Vossari Khaldun at the top of the list along with Arcanos and the worthless traitor Master Caerllion. Yet the Tiefling was more intrigued than surprised; despite their mutual dislike of one another in the past, the Wrean had not only joined in to assist their self-defense against the late Trodai on Korriban, but also relieved them of a hand before apparently changing his mind once again and sparing them from drowning. Sith never did anything for altruistic reasons, let alone an opportunistic snake like Vossari. Ayomi wanted to know exactly where they stood with him, if nothing else.

Truth be told, they also desperately needed to get back into a mission after weeks of recovery on Belsavis. The Tiefling's body was mostly healed by now, save for a few new additions to their previous collection of scars across their blue-skinned body, and they'd been outfited with a new robotic hand in place of the one Vossari had freed from their right arm. But there was a stark difference between training with droids and actually doing work in the field, and Ayomi was not about to fall into the same pitfalls of complaceny that marred the last several years of their career as a Sith.

For one, that meant gathering power. Figuring out where they stood with the newly promoted Master Khaldun was a start, and the possibility of connections with sentient dragons was too good to pass up.

The Tiefling strode into the small local hotel they'd been told to meet at, quickly identifying the unmistakable visage of Vossari along with a Pureblood acolyte they'd never seen before; Karai, according to the initial mission report. A new recruit in all likelihood, given his lack of resume, which just meant a decent chance to slow the group down. Then again, Voss had proven over the years to be quite tactical. If that was a strong risk, he wouldn't have allowed acolytes to come.

Ayomi approached the pair with a noticeably awkward gait; not quite unbalance, not limping, but just slightly off. Their lack of a tail was yet another reminder of the brutal punishment they'd received on Korriban, and unfortunately prosthetic tails were significantly rarer and harder to fit than hands. They wore a casual but combat-ready black outfit with a leather trench coat over the top to hide the lightsabers that hung from their belt from prying eyes.

"Congratulations on your promotion, Master Khaldun." Ayomi said as they greeted Vossari with a respectful head nod and passive, but genuine, tone. "Acolyte." they added, briefly glancing at Karai with cold yellow eyes.

@Fine Dining Set @Akheron

 

[Vossari Khaldun]

Vossari smiled. Not only did he outrank Ayomi, a representation of his drive and personal prowess, he literally had saved their life after Arcanos disposed of their body into the oasis. Power and a favor. "Champion Jakarta. Still." He would savor this for the duration of their mission. "And Acolyte Hekk-iv-Adas." Voss didn't yet understand the naming conventions of Korriban, but he remembered 'Adas' figuring into Trodai's name. Was there some relation?

"Welcome to Drexel. A far shake from Korriban's deserts." He offered cups of tea to each of them. Of course, there was no telling if Vossari poisoned them, but that's something they'd have to worry about the entire mission. No sense in worrying about it now, right? "I hope you brought your rebreathers."

Vossari raised his hand and whisked the staff of this cheap motel away. They moved wordlessly, to the door, back into the rainy village. "And welcome to the Dragons' Roar, Vossari Khaldun's newest enterprise." He needed to host a ribbon cutting here at some point. Mental note for later. "I hope you read your mission briefings. This ocean is home to a Wyrm Cult, long aggrieved by you terrestrial species." He chuckled. He held no real antipathy towards terrestrial species, of course, but he did enjoy a close fondness with the cultures of the galaxy's many seas. The sounds, the life, the connection and rhythm of the sea...it was so different than the land. Walking on the dry earth was like losing the bass of the drum, it was a life without rhythm. Vossari could endure it. He would, for but only for one.

"The dragons' life span lasts millennia. Each one is a reservoir of occult knowledge." He gestured outside, to the rain and the storm. "And we are summoning a whole cult of them to parlay."

He rubbed his hands together as the thunder clapped. "So, business partners, how do we play this? How do we get the Sea Dragons loyalty?" Of course, Vossari had some ideas. Namely, conquering and destroying the surface dwellers. But, the reason to bring other Sith on this trip was to find a path forward that benefitted the order as a whole.

That was how he'd spin the story, at least.

@René @Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai observed as Ayomi entered, at first somewhat surprised by they're appearance. They were not what he expected, especially with no tail and a robotic arm. They didn't look much like any Tiefling he remembered and just hoped he didn't end up that way. He noted the distant glance and a coldness, broody even. This was going to be a awkward, long mission he could feel it as he heard Vossari speak to Ayomi with some sort of animosity between them. Or so it appeared to his eyes given the sting in the words.

Karai simply observed and gave a nod as his name was mentioned.

At the mention of Korriban, he couldn't help but chuckle a little, and when offered the tea, took it. He knew some considered it rude not to accept, it paid to be polite sometimes especially with volatile or unpredictable types. And so he was also cautious, he had heard the rumours of a social where drinks were spiked with potions. He had a quick smell first, to see if he could smell anything untoward, like poison perhaps. And only then once he was certain there was nothing took one sip. It would also be his way of seeing if he could trust the Wrean. At least for now.

He made a quick signal he had a rebreather attached inside the helmet, built into it. He noted how the Sith Master was quite enthusiastic about the venture and was intrigued as the staff wordlessly moved to the door and into the rain. He nodded as Vossari asked if they had read the briefing.

Karai had. Finding the prospect of an alliance with sentiant dragons interesting. The knowledge they would have. It far outweighed to him any personal feelings he might have to those on the surface. Terrestrial species as the Sith Master had called them. He could feel the sting of the words slightly. As he listened, ideas can through his mind at how they might get such loyalty from the dragons. A species that held no love for the surface. And so like in the street he used a cold calculus, measuring what the dragons offered in exchange for the possible death of those above. He found it was a price he was willing to pay and it would benefit the Order more.

An idea came to mind. To use the very oceans the villages relied upon to end them. A twist of irony as he imagined it that could be appreciated.

"From what I understand these Wryms have absolutely no love for the surface. The way I see it, fastest way to secure any deal would be to remove the problem of those on the surface, and ensure those on the surface become to fearful to ever approach the ocean again." he continued "Perhaps we can arrange some type of incident. Use the weather to our advantage. A way to ensure the loyalty of the dragons and convince them we are the better option by a display of power of some sort."

He considered his idea even as he suggested it. It had some merit he thought, and would hide Sith involvement somewhat of that was a goal for now. "Best I can see, is to make it look like a particularly vicious or a great storm. Something like that. Paying particular attention to the coastal ports, places of business and that stuff. A diversion while we go under one of these mobile city I hear about and sink it from beneath. We do this to several cities, induce panic among the surface world enough that they want to leave or else be sunk beneath the waves."

He replied. Curious as to what Vossari would make of it and what the Champion, Jakarta he recalled would suggest.

@Fine Dining Set @René

 

[Ayomi Jakarta]

It seemed that Vossari wasted no time in making it clear to Ayomi exactly why he'd spared their life. To lord it over them like he did his new rank, more likely than not to call in a timely favor sometime down the line. The Tiefling couldn't exactly blame him; any good Sith was always looking to make the most of any opportunity that presented itself, and unfortunately their over-zealousness on Korriban had proved to allow such an opportunity for others to use them. Yet the comment still stung, and while the Sith Master would no doubt feel rage flare up within them, a slightly clenched jaw would be the only other indication of Ayomi's reaction as they maintained an otherwise neutral expression.

He could play the rank card for now, deservedly so, and they would hold no petty grudge. They were no longer the untested champion of old, and before long nobody would be looking down on them anymore.

Ayomi accepted the offered tea as Vossari began explaining the more intricate details of the group's mission on Drexel, though avoided drinking it for now and instead kept an eye on the acolyte as he took a sip. They doubted the Wrean had any reason to be poisoning a recently broken champion and a new acolyte, but the Tiefling felt no reason to be a test subject for one of Darth Arcanos' random potions. Master title or not, this was still Vossari Khaldun after all.

They listened as the Sith Master requested ideas and the acolyte jumped at the chance to offer his two cents, no doubt eager to prove himself on what was likely one of his first missions off his homeworld. Karai offered an intriguing idea to be sure, but one that seemed a bit short-sighted.

"The acolyte makes a half-decent point." Ayomi observed, crossing their arms while a light surge of pain shot up their spine without a tail to flick back and forth as they thought. "Though not one without its flaws. A freak storm might drive the colonists away for now, yes, but what's to stop them from coming back? Someone will inevitably suggest stronger supports, or a dome, and they'll come back to try building again." They paused, taking a long sip from the tea they'd held on to seeing as Karai didn't appear to be suffering from a new disease or mooing like a bantha.

"If we're moving against the colonists, we need to wipe several cities off the map with maximum possible casualties. Make it clear that the cost of settling on the surface is death, a massacre waiting to happen."

@Fine Dining Set @Akheron

 

[Vossari Khaldun]

They both went the route of 'destroy all the colonists.' It was good news, for Vossari, because this was the path that benefitted him the most. He was the only amphibious Sith Master that he knew of. "So, you two want to...blow it all up? Even this? My fancy, new motel?" The motel was neither fancy nor new, and the insurance would cover the price he paid for it should a terrible storm sweep through and blow it away. "I feel obligated to remind the two of you that you both breathe air and not water." The plans they suggested came with tremendous personal risks - they both could drown - and they sacrificed building personal footholds by severing ties completely with the land dwellers.

"A daring bargain. In exchange for an alliance with the dragon wizards, we help them end their surface settlement problem." Voss could probably call on his ties from Manaan to help build some new underwater architecture, too, if they were firm on building this alliance. "This is our plan, then. Just remember - the Sith must win before anyone else." Allying with the Wyrm Cult was a pretext for control.

Vossari gestured out to the roaring sea beside them, beset by pounding rain and crashing waves. "Let's go meet our soon-to-be friends." Vossari dove out of the window into the open ocean, letting the rock of the waves catch him. The other two only had to follow him.

The tea was fine, by the way. Voss would save Acridia for something more substantial than a random prank.

Vossari used his hydromancy to bend a warm, friendly current to carry the three of them deep beneath the sea.

Few land dwellers had been so deep into Drexel's seas before, especially during a tumultuous storm. But, beneath the sea, things were calmer. The little light that the surface provided began to fade out of view into darkness. Darkness, unending, unyielding. Pressure getting heavier. Even with their rebreathers, their breaths would be shallow. Terse. Strange fish and creatures unseen by human eyes stalked and lurked in the coral. Then the current suddenly stopped.

The coral reef around them shifted, moved, as if alive by their own will. They wriggled, squirmed, to life, as the group of Sith witnessed the transformation of life before them. A rumbling, as the fish scattered. The group of Sith would hear a deafening roar, as the true rulers of the planet came into view.

The three of them would hear a voice boring into them psychically, as three massive Sea Dragons sensed their approach. OUTSIDERS! YOU DARE VIOLATE OUR SACRED LANDS!

@René @Akheron

 

[Karai Hekk-iv-Adas]

Karai could see the surprise on the Sith Master face at the decision, and was that a slight hint of a smile he thought he saw. He knew there was great risk in what was proposed and yet so too were the rewards of they succeeded in forming this alliance. And this seemed the best route towards it, by aiding a goal the Wryms desired which in turn aided the Sith. Sacrifices would need to be made but he figured it was worth it. Besides they could always work out an arrangement for a underwater settlement more fitting with the surroundings that wouldn't offend the Wryms. Hopefully.

He almost chuckled at the mention of blowing up the motel. It didn't look fancy to him and it was probably better it was destroyed. He took note of the reminder they both breathed air, but figured if they pulled this off, it was still worth it. Putting the helmet on as he listened, Karai blinked when Vossari dove out the window. He sure was quite eccentric and unpredictable as he had heard he was quickly finding out.

Using the Force, he followed. Also using the rock of the waves to catch him. He found the new surroundings very surreal, like a world beneath the world as they entered and were soon in the deep. He found also the use of Hydromancy fascinating. He noted how above while stormy, below it was calm, peaceful even but yet he knew somehow that was an illusion. Dangers lurked that could not be seen, just like the deserts of Korriban. This was simply a underwater desert of sorts. As the surface faded, darkness came and the pressure increased. He felt his breath become more shallow even as he had found a rhythm to his swimming now.

And yet despite it he did see the beauty of the deep. Strange looking creatures adapted to the ocean, and movement in some type of underwater bushes he guessed. As he was looking, the roars came. And them he was them.

The Wryms of the Dragon cult. The rulers of this ocean. He felt his head thumping as voices spoke inside his mind, voices that shouted. Accusing the three of violating the ocean with their very presence. He was beginning to know what it felt like to be one of the outsiders who visited Korriban. When asked why they were there.

Rather than speak openly, he used the psychic link that had been established between them to speak in return. Bowing his head, to show respect as to try not to offend the Wryms they wanted to ally with. It worked back home with nobles so he hoped it was similar here.

"We apologise for this violation, our intention is not to offend you, great lords of the ocean. We have come seeking an alliance and wish to help you with your problem with the surface dwellers, if you would allow it. We have heard of your great abilities and think we could benefit each other. That is if you are willing to hear out our proposal."

He said, hoping they were in a listening mood. It reminded him of many business transactions back home, in the street, he just needed to see how willing they were to hear them out and listen to what they offered. He would let the other two add to it if they wanted and back the claim.

@Fine Dining Set @René

 

[Ayomi Jakarta]

The Sith must win before anyone else? Ayomi's personality might've never meshed well with Vossari's, but they'd known of him since his days as an acolyte; he was much more calculating and cunning than he let on. It was fair to question just how much more the Wrean gained from all this than the Order as a whole, but the Tiefling honestly didn't care. Ayomi needed more experience after their injuries, and more than that connections. Vossari held power over them now, and they'd rather be a useful asset than a disposable one once it came time for the Sith Master to call on their favor.

As if to flaunt his aquatic nature, the Wrean literally jumped out the motel window and into the sea outside without much warning, leaving Ayomi and Karai to exit the boring way of terrestrial species. The Tiefling affixed their rebreather to their mouth and walked out through the front door, diving into the crashing waves with near-perfect form. Ayomi was no amphibian like Vossari, but they were no stranger to water. They were, however, curious to see how Karai would handle it considering his tanned skin indicated he was pretty fresh off the dunes of Korriban.

Ayomi followed in the current Vossari weaved for the group, admiring how the ocean's depths reflected the most basic truth recognized by the Sith. The deeper they went, the more calm things appeared; yet deeper also meant heavier pressure, less light, and a host of dangerous creatures that had evolved to thrive in the pressurized darkness.

Because peace was a lie, an impossibility.

With the weight of the ocean crushing down on the Tiefling, they focused the Dark Side through their body to steady their breaths and partially shield themself against the increasing pressure. Before long the group came to a stop amidst a stunning coral reef, one which began to writhe and move with a mind of its own. The dragons.

The dragons' voices boomed in Ayomi's mind, a powerful psychic connection making their displeasure clear. While Karai focused on immediately striking up a bargain, the Tiefling made an effort to focus on a mental shield, wary of a possible psychic attack through the Force by the dragons. After Caerllion, they didn't want anyone going into their mind. They'd let Karai and Voss take the lead for now; Ayomi had always spoken louder through actions than their words anyways.

@Fine Dining Set @Akheron