Ask Moraband Excavating Evalyn

[Alaric von Reichsburg]

Alaric chuckled to himself as he placed the first foot on the hallowed ground of Moraband, when he was an Acoylte it would have been unthinkable for him to walk here. Only those of real substance, power or privilege were allowed upon the Tomb World of Moraband, now with the collapse of almost all Sith Society it was only frowned upon, not illegal to walk upon the black sands of Moraband. The sands shifted under his heavy boots as he walked away from the transport, the sun was slowly setting and the winds had picked up causing the temperature to plummet around him. It was only going to be colder inside the great mausoleum which dominated the view ahead of him.

If stepping foot on Moraband was considered sacrilegious in the past, walking within the confines of the Drast Mausoleum was paramount to spitting in the eye of any god you worshipped and telling them to enjoy it. Shifting the weight of the pack on his shoulders, only the dead knew what was lying in wait for them inside the tomb, Alaric had packed for any situation he could think of, including blasting their way back to the surface.

Mounting one of the last small rises, he turned back to see if his accomplice on this little saunter was keeping up through the wind and sand.

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

While Alaric chuckled Trodai said very little. He was a shadow of what he once was and yet still a strength remained. Despite his appearances he held power within, that drove him on. He looked upon the surface of Moraband before stepping foot upon it, recalling how he had once wanted to bring Azar here. A pipe dream now after all that happened.

Instead he was here with a Champion he had not worked with before, one of the newer ones. Both had a mutual interest in finding and exploring the Drast Mausoleum. He hoped to find a clue or way to end his current predicament. To return the life force stolen and revitalise himself to former glory. And power. To be someone Azar would find worthy again.

Despite everything, he still held feelings for the man. The affection he had shared would never wane, even if he was never accepted again. Such feelings could not be easily forgotten. Not yet. Inside was a storm, perhaps here he would find some clarity as to where to go next. If not at least he would acquire some kind of artefact perhaps. But he knew they had to thread lightly.

For the dead never rested and as a resting place of the Drast they needed to be somewhat respectful less they become a permanent part of the mausoleum floor. He would need to ensure the other Champion understood too. They did not need to incur the Wrath of the Drast dynasty.

Living or dead.

Despite his condition, Trodai was keeping up rather well. Accustomed to sand and wind, it was much like Korriban. Only more bleak and desolate. A wasteland of the dead. He could feel it on the planet surface, the unnatural hum of the Dark below. Trying to tempt and influence the two.

He spoke camly , his voice slightly raspy behind the sallow appearance. He was wearing a a mask and hooded robe, armoured that hid full appearance well. All except his red eyes. "So I didn't catch your name? I am Champion Trodai. What is it exactly we we are looking for? The more I know, the better help I can be."

@Braden

 

[Alaric von Reichsburg]

Alaric gave Trodai another all over look, despite the Sith’s fall from grace it still retained its flamboyant nature it seemed. “Alaric.” He replied to the first question as the other Champion caught up with him on the ridge, before stepping off and towards the Mausoleum’s entrance.

The sand slipped underfoot and it was more a light jog than steady walk to make it down the hill without either of them stacking it in the black sand. His arms were out to side to help balance himself, the added weight of the pack did not make things easier. Once they reached the bottom he was happy to answer. “The chamber of Evalyn Drast. She's relatively old in the Dynasty, so it will be a fair way down.

The last of the Sun’s rays were blocked by the colossal structure before them, it was a mix of black and red, an imposing structure built to humble any who ventured beneath its shadow. “I hope you are not afraid of ghosts.”

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai nodded considering what he had been told. If memory served of what he had read on the Drast dynasty, Evelyn Drast was of some importance. Evalyn Drast, he recalled had been the only daughter of a Dark Lord Kravos, by her first husband. Or at least that's what the texts said. There was a myth...A legend that she had a ring crafted for her in life. The Red Crown.

Trodai wondered was this what Alaric sought here? Did he seek to anger her spirit by parting her from it. For he knew the tale. It was said she would never part with it in life or death. He would soon see.

Trodai spoke "I have heard of her. Quite legendary in her own right, Your not trying steal her ring? The Red Crown. I have heard that legend too. How she was buried with it supposedly, and would never part with it in life or death. Although she does provide a opportunity, perhaps she knows the secret to fixing what is broken." He said, referring to his current state.

He chuckled at the comment about ghosts.

"No. I have been through far worse than simply some overzealous spirit. I have tasted death, so ghosts will not be a problem. What about you? Are you afraid of the dead? Are you afraid of me?" he queried as he smirked, half joking. Half not.

And with that he followed below to whatever awaited them. Hoping he would find some answers, but wary not to disturb the dead too much. Caution would be needed.

@Braden

 

[Alaric von Reichsburg]

“Stealing from others and the dead is almost a Sith’s right of passage is it not?” He replied, the last of the sun’s warmth seeped out of him as he passed beneath the first of the great columns holding up the entrance. It would only get colder as they ventured inside, the hard stone holding little warmth beneath the ground's surface.

Alaric tried not to laugh as Trodai made his little statement, yes the flamboyant nature of the Sith could never be killed, no matter what came of the order. They still liked their capes, grandiose language and high opinion of death. “No ghosts in my time, mostly just assholes and wannabes.” He began, the sand finally gave way to the smooth stone, the knocking of their soles on the stone echoing around the cavernous entrance.

“No, I am not afraid of you or the Dead, suspicious of you both, yes. I have seen or heard enough instances of betrayal in our ranks to not trust you with my life. And I advise you to not trust me fully either.” Alaric finished, it was courteous to inform him that if it was a choice between getting out of there alive and/or with the Ring at the cost of Trodai’s life. He would take it a hundred times over.

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai considered what was said about stealing from the dead. In a way a he was right but also wrong, or so he thought. Afterall stealing from the dead often came at a high price for failure or the spirit took offence to the theft. Which meant if that was his intention they would have to be extra cautious. More so he thought for himself, his ancestors had held something of a ancient rivarly with the Drast. It was a Drast who had killed the Sith King Adas, his ancestor and subjugated his species.

Trodai instead chuckled a little at the comment as he continued to listen, nodding at his second reply. He could relate to it. Especially of late, where he had been relegated to looking after Acolytes or surrounded by those wanting him dead, he needed to be more careful.

"I know the feeling." he said "Especially lately. And I understand all to well betrayal by one you thought you could trust." he didn't elaborate, instead he respected the fact Alaric was honest about it and his intentions if it came to it. He would be the same, he had learnt that lesson the hard way.

"I respect the fact at least your honest about it. It's more than some might do. I won't necessarily trust you fully either, and you can expect the same courtesy, but I am willing to work with you. So where do you come from? I haven't really seen you around the others of the Order, and since we will be working together, better to know what use we might be to the other besides not being scared of the dead. Wouldn't you agree?"

He inquired remaining calm and courteous. Genuinely curious.

@Braden

 

[Alaric von Reichsburg]

As the light began to dwindle, Alaric pulled out a small electronic lantern, snapping it onto his belt, illuminating the space to the front and sides of him. Trodai and anything behind him would be shrouded unless he had his own source of light. There was something behind Trodai’s words, but Alaric did not pry for neither wanted or cared to know what had happened to the Pureblood in the past.

“No point lying.” He replied matter of factly, as he took a corner which would lead to the great staircase in the centre of the mausoleum. At least the first level was well documented, it was everything beyond he had no idea about. “Originally from Tion, have been around the Order for a while, like most moving from one place to another trying not to fall foul of the Jedi or the Empire.” He answered, no matter who the Sith was, he would never find out Alaric’s true identity and life within the Order. That was the way of things. “How about yourself?”

Alaric took the first step onto the staircase and immediately felt chills run up his spine, the hair on his arms standing on edge. Yep this was not somewhere he was supposed to be.

@Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai listened and nodded with approval, he was right to a point. For now lying served no purpose for them both. He continued to listen with curiosity and intrigue as Alaric explained in brief terms a history of himself and so Trodai obliged in kind with the short version of his own past with the Order. As he did it he took a glowrod and shook it up to light his way with a luminous green.

Carrying it in his left hand he walked, feeling the same chill. It did not bode well, of that he was certain.

"My tale is slightly more complimented but I will furnish you with the brief version. I came originally from Korriban, as you can see despite my visage I hail from the Pureblood species, I am Massassi and like all my species I share a inherent deep blood connection to the Dark. It's literally part of us, our blood. Symbiotic in nature, we feed on it and it on us. Some...problems occurred and I was forced off-world for a time, and without my memory, I suffered amnesia due to the events. I did a mercenary stint before I recovered my memories and sought out the Sith. On Tatooine I found them and have been part of the Order ever since. I too move around alot, more so of late due to events that led to my current condition."

Trodai felt the chill again as they continued in, he just hoped Alaric knew where they were going "Did you feel that too? I suggest we be cautious from here. Feels like someone knows we are coming. In that sense if we are not lying to each other...why do you seek the Ring so bad? What's your stake in this? I'll be honest in saying I seek knowledge, the means to end my curse. And perhaps acquire other knowledge in the process."

@Braden