Ask Foundations Of A Regime

[Darth Arcanos]

The Kressh citadel had a chunk of it missing, but the family survived. Buildings could be rebuilt, but nothing would bring his mothers back. Azar would have his time to mourn, but for now it was back to a brewing fight. Like all the other times that Sadow struck Kressh, they left no way to track them. This time Azar knew better than to focus on Ziost again, having reasons to believe they were launching from Korriban. If it hadn’t been for finding Ur, Azar would never have considered Murzana to be real.

Azar told Karys to keep knowledge of Ur to himself. It was a holy city and he could already imagine multiple different clans and houses attempting to desecrate it. If the rumors about terentatek guarding the gates and premises were true, they would need vast armies to breach the walls. They also had to decide if siege was the better method to make the city surrender.

Azar had contacted Trodai and told him to arrive with a chunk of his forces near the Kressh fortress. A makeshift encampment would be set up for them all to deliberate on a strategy before marching on the city.

The sun was up and it was already scorching, but Azar was unfazed and dressed in ornate robes. Karys was given new armor that got him out of robes that really didn’t fit his build. Azar was waiting for Trodai to arrive while pacing around in the courtyard outside of the gates but inside the walls, “It almost sounds silly,” He voiced to Karys, “Before this - all my life - I thought Murzana to be nothing more than a myth. I’m having entire armies march over for this and…what if I’m wrong?” He said aloud. His husband was perhaps the only one that Azar legitimately panicked around or expressed self doubts. If he was going to be a King or Sith’ari, he couldn’t exactly reveal his flaws to everyone.

“And I heard rumors that apparently the Kissai at the city molded the terentatek there to especially hunt Kressh,” He said with a grimace. All of it sounded fantastical, but if they didn’t act, he wasn’t sure how much longer Kressh could stand. Azar kept pacing back and forth, chewing on his nails.

@Apollyon @Akheron

 

[Karys]

Karys was still not used to the weather on Korriban. Dry heat my ass. But he didn’t complain to Azar, it would just take some time to adjust is all. He had opted to not wear the turban or mask portion of the gifted armor. It made him overheat and he was hot enough as is. Instead, Karys leaned the trunk of one of the few trees on Korriban. He watched and listened to his husband as he paced back and forth, anxiously venting all his thoughts.

<You aren’t wrong Azar.> Karys finally replied in a calm voice. <Murzana, the city of vengeance is out there. I’m not sure where but I’ve seen dignitaries in my father’s court.> He explained as he pushed off from the trunk and walked to Azar. <I know it exists. Don’t doubt yourself babe.> Karys would run his hands down from Azar’s shoulders to his hands and take them in his own. <We will find it.> He assured him.

The last few weeks had been busy for Karys. He’d trained 9 Kressh warriors in Sadow ways. It wasn’t easy to be that brutal on those men and women but it was necessary. They’d be the basis of a new extension in House Kressh’s militant arm. They were almost perfect mirrors of Sadow’s infamous assassins. They’d prove their worth in Murzana, Karys was sure of it.

<Babe, I doubt that rumor is true.> He replied with a chuckle. <Do you know how many Kissai they’d have to sacrifice to accomplish that?> He asked incredulously. <And even if it is, it won’t matter…it will never reach you. I’ll kill it first.> Karys reassured his beloved before leaning down and kissing him. <You will always be safe by my side.> He whispered, reminding Azar of the promise he’d made on New Alderaan.

@Sreeya @Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai was overjoyed when Azar had contacted him again, it had been quite a while. And so much had changed personally, he was now a Sith Champion and more. He wondered what Azar would think of it all, as he travelled en-route on top of a Krayt Dragon. Before he would have never dreamed it possible. But now here he was, riding a war beast...and one that would be a boon for them in the fight to come. A dragon rider very much like they had discussed, although it had not been easy to find and tame. But such was the path he had chosen.

He rode alongside various other war beasts ridden by Massassi and Kissai. It was a sight not seen in millennia. Almost all the Houses working as one, and lesser vassals. With a few battalions of the Adas army, and many others numbered evenly, he was sure to hide the tuk'ata despite them being there, knowing Azar was not fond of them. He soon arrived, the roar of the Krayt Dragon alerting many to the new arrivals along with the Adas war horn sounded to inform the Kreshh they were here and allies. Dis-embarking, he approached where he felt the presence of the two Sith.

In front were the expendable Grotthu, pawns. Behind them the spears, and then beasts, beyond the male and female warrior elite. And finally the royal guard.

He wasn't entirely sure how this was going to go. Given how he felt about Azar and not really having worked with Karys before, but regardless he intended to behave himself and when required be professional. Although that was not to say they had alot to discuss.

He missed their talks after the last month or so. And all the moments they had.

He approached wearing traditional warlord and noble armour. He bowed briefly before giving Azar first a traditional warrior greeting, followed by Karys as he spoke, introducing another pureblood next to him, Asmenys-Svjone Abon iv-Graush, Commander of the Ur army who would coordinate efforts with the other houses.

"Greetings Azar, greetings Karys. I am sorry for your loss. I heard about what happened but was off-world at the time. Or I would have helped. We shall avenge all today. This is Asmenys Svjone if-Graush. He commands the army and will help coordinate with the other houses. I brought as many as we were able to muster en-route."

He remained professional. If the two wanted to discuss other matters he would let them, but he figured discussing a battle plan was the priority at the moment. Business first as always.

@Sreeya @Apollyon

 

[Darth Arcanos]

There was a whole lot of commotion when the armies from Ur arrived. People lined the streets and watched in awe as the warriors rode in on their beasts and ornate armors. Ur had been nothing more than a legend in the past, and now the citizens were left with wonder on gazing upon the line of Adas himself arriving.

Azar was having a tender moment with Karys, opening his mouth to say something when his thoughts were interrupted with all the commotion. The gates opened and the Pureblood stepped out to see the procession arriving and Trodai riding on a krayt dragon. Azar couldn’t deny the elation he felt upon seeing him again, though he had to marvel at the stylish arrival, “I think he may have a greater penchant for theatrics than I,” He said with a smirk to Karys, though the fondness was clear in his eyes. He had nothing to hide from Karys.

After Trodai dismounted and approached them inside the walls, the beasts and armies would be guided towards the encampment set up. In the courtyard, it was just Trodai, Karys, Azar and the Pureblood Trodai introduced. Grothhu lined the entrances.

As Trodai did his traditional greeting, Azar grasped his forearm in turn. However, Azar used that grip to tug Trodai down towards him to allow him to lean up for a kiss. He was unconcerned with kissing him right there, taking a moment to savor it before drawing back to smile at him. As head of the house, he could rightly do whatever he pleased, “I’ve missed you,” He said quietly, tenderly gazing into his eyes. For a brief moment, he was the same Azar as when they were in the hot spring together under the stars.

Azar drew back and gestured towards Karys, tugging him over by the hand, “Let me introduce Karys’ithar iv Kressh,” He revealed, “My blood bound husband,” Azar said. It was known that blood bound was reserved only for a single spouse in the marriage hierarchies among Kressh. While he could have multiple spouses, only Karys would have that honor.

“Please come in, we have prepared a feast and your soldiers will be provided water and rations as well,” Azar said as he gestured towards the feast halls with marble floors and tall columns. The smell of roasts, stews, fruits and wines permeated through the air.

Azar took a seat at the head of the table, Karys’ place right next to him. The table was meant for the heads of the houses, the families, Trodai and his top military officials. Nana Kressh and many of the Kressh family members were seated around the table.

“An Adas eh?” Nana Kressh quipped at once at Trodai, suddenly leaning forward, “How many wives and children do you have already? Surely there is room for more? Maybe a husband?”

“Nana!” Azar hissed through greeted teeth, “You are needed in the gardens to-”

“Oh psh,” She gave a breezy wave of her hand, “These old eyes haven’t seen an Adas hunk in many years. Let me enjoy before I die of a heart attack in the next Sadow raid,” She said gruffly.

Azar pinched the bridge of his nose, wishing he could melt into the floor. He cleared his throat and turned to Trodai and his men, “Thank you again for making the journey out here,” He said as he raised his goblet in toast, “May our joint efforts lead us to a victory long overdue.”

@Akheron @Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Azar had been about to say something when the sounds of warbeasts broke their moment together. Annoyance crept into Karys, when Azar’s attentions shifted so suddenly from him. The fondness in Azar’s eyes didn’t bother Karys, nor did his comment about the Adas’ theatrics.

<So it seems…> Karys muttered grumpily beneath his breath. His golden gaze following Azar as his husband made his way to Trodai.

Karys was unbothered when Azar kissed Trodai. He had been raised in a home where love had been shared equally between spouses and consorts. The idea wasn’t foreign to him. However, that twinge of annoyance lingered at having their tender moment together interrupted and so abruptly ended. Karys would swallow his emotions and take a stride forward after a moment of lingering and giving Azar his space with his lover.

He listened to Trodai’s long winded introduction. Did he even breathe during that? Karys’ gaze flicked between the two other Purebloods. They seemed proud of their heritage, of the Lords they had descended from. Karys remembered what that felt like. Now the name Sadow was a broken and discarded thing, his ancestor only a partial genetic memory with it’s own compulsions.

When Azar tugged Trodai to him, Karys gave a thin lipped forced smile at Azar’s introduction. He remembered Trodai from Nar Shadda, his blueberry brother had shit all over everyone there. It seemed the young man had distanced himself from that embarrassment, likely a good thing. Karys would take the offered arm to clasp in camaraderie. However, he stil gave a curt nod at the other man.

<A pleasure to see you again Champion Trodai.> He replied in forced neutrality.

Karys walked alongside his husband and on the opposite side of Trodai as the made their way into the dining hall. Karys settled into his position beside Azar, his hand sliding into his husband’s and intertwining their fingers. His eyes protectively gazed at the gathered Kressh, they were his family now and he’d already bled for them, he’d nearly died for Azar. Karys heard Nana Kressh speaking to Trodai, the elder of the family hadn’t taken kindly to Karys. It was painfully obvious to him. Karys remained silent throughout the exchange, a small smirk tugged at his lips.

Even if Nana wasn’t in his corner, he found himself growing more and more fond of the chaos the elderly woman could effortlessly create.

<To our victory and the future of our houses.> Karys echoed, raising his goblet.

Once the table had began to eat, Karys felt tiny hands tug at the fabric of his armor. The little Kresshlings had snuck to the table to pass him notes. Karys’ gaze was pulled down to the little ones and softened. He gently shushed them and looked to a guard to escort the children back to their table. An action he normally wouldn’t have taken but in this instance was required to for decorum’s sake.

His attention would return to the Adas gathered at the table. They had brought a mighty warhost, something summoned only in the olden days. Karys cleared his throat to get the attention of Trodai.

<What have your scouts found so far?> He asked. <Do you know what we face?>

Karys cut to the point, he was still unused to Korriban customs. On Ziost these matters were discussed over meals, here he was unsure if that was the case. But the Sadow in him desired to know what to expect, to be prepared, to find his enemies weaknesses and vulnerabilities to exploit them. His golden gaze held unflinchingly until Trodai finally spoke.

@Sreeya @Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

As Trodai approached and gave his greeting, he was surprised somewhat when Azar both gripped this forearm and tugged him down towards him into a kiss. He knew that as now head of the house he could do just do that. He missed the moments like this, just as he missed Azar. He listened and likewise spoke quietly "And I missed you too, we have so much to discuss." he said smiling, gazing back. He remembered that tender look. He had hoped to see it again and was glad he got the chance even despite the challenges being faced.

At being tugged over, Trodai stood up straight. As the two clasped arms and gave a nod to each other, Trodai knew it was a bit awkward. He could tell he was alot how he once was, stoic and unmoving. And then Trodai was hit with what seemed like a bombshell. Azar revealed the fact that Karys and he had married and were blood bound as was Kreshh tradition. There was a degree of shock, but also a hint of jealousy and above all sadness. But yet he had no ill will towards Karys, he knew what he was getting into.

He knew this might happen, given what Azar had last told him. But it didn't make it any easier to digest.

Trodai maintained his own neutral stance, hiding what he currently felt. He would have time to think what this meant for him later. Instead he smiled back as he spoke "Blood bound husband you say. Well that's quite the development, I guess congratulations are in order. To you both."

He turned to Karys "It's a pleasure to see you again too, Champion Karys. Congratulations on your marriage, Azar is a fine man." As he went to the other side of Azar, Trodai considered things. While he knew some things would change, others would remain the same. Despite the fact he was now married, it didn't change how Trodai felt for Azar. And he knew Azar felt for him with the same fondness. Trodai still remembered his promises and intended to keep them.

As Azar gestured to the food hall, he followed alongside, smiling still. Despite the initial shock, he was happy and content. Trodai spoke as Azar, mentioned that food and rations and been prepared for the men and women "Thank you. They will appreciate it, I shall let them know just who sent it. Congratulations Azar on your marriage, for the occasion you may pick a war beast. A belated wedding gift. Courtesy of House Adas." he said, he was happy for Azar.

As he sat down, Trodai saw the older woman. Staring right at him like a crazed fan, it unnerved him a little. He didn't much like the attention but he knew it was a part of who he was now. As he took a goblet, he heard Nana Kressh speak and inquire, quipping about him being an Adas. And then she starting asking if he already had children and asking how many wives he might already have. It almost felt like a questionnaire. And then she hit Trodai with a question that made him laugh.

She asked if he was looking for a husband perhaps. He almost spilt his drink in shock, instead putting it down as he chuckled at the comment. He knew exactly what she was implying and with who. He hadn't even thought that far ahead just yet, although it was one of the things he considered might be a possibility in the future, but it was not yet certain. Time would tell what happened.

For now he was enjoying things as they were and being with Azar again. And now his new husband too.

Trodai laughed more as she referred to him as a 'Adas hunk' and quite literally told Azar in her own way to keep quiet, after he revealed the fact the elder Pureblood was in fact his nan and so also of royal nobility. Trodai could see the resemblance a bit, he actually found her quite endearing in her own way. And amusing. Even when Azar tried to send her away. He could see him gritting his teeth. He spoke, chuckling a little "It's quite alright." He said before facing Nana Kreshh to answer her inquiries, he was not one to be rude.

"Unfortunately not yet. No wives or children, as far as a husband it's not really something I have considered just yet. But I do admit I am very fond of Azar. Who knows what the future holds." he looked over to Azar. Smiling, every word was true. He deeply cared for him, felt for him. But he didn't know what was ahead, for now he flowed with it. Everything would fall together in it's own time.

It was after he had spoken, and upon seeing Azar pinch his nose before offering a toast that Trodai raised his own goblet with Karys and Azar. The Commander likewise did the same. Upon Azar and Karys finishing speaking, Trodai stood to offer his own words of toast and affirmation of a alliance that was long overdue "To victory and the future of our houses! And may I also say it is an honour to be here, among these halls. And such friends, allies and more. May our alliance never falter and remain strong always."

Once seated and people began speaking amongst themselves. He offered a smile once or twice as a Kresshling child ran past or simply stared. Curious of the stranger. He even made a funny face one point, which no doubt would amuse Azar if he spotted it. Perhaps Karys too. He seemed to be straight to business, as he inquired about the scouts. He respected that, someone straight to the point. Direct. In many ways they were alike, yet different in others.

Trodai replied quickly, turning as to look directly at Karys, equally as unflinching "From what we have been told by the scouts, they have been busy. The legend of the Terentatek are true, going by reports and they have a dozen at least. And several infantry battalions numbering a few thousand."

He considered more "Perhaps even enough to equal our own forces. The walls have been reinforced. Yet there is a small drainage ditch, big enough for single file to go along. Leading I believe to catacombs, similar to the other cities. We might be able to use them to get inside."

He continued "They also have at least six anti-siege trebuchet, spread out. One on every corner and above the gates. Skilled archers and lanvaroks man all battlements. To be honest it's going to be a hard slog, but I have no doubt we shall succeed. I will bring the city to the ground if I must. They will feel our wrath." he said determined. There was no deception. He would do what he had to, to ensure Azar took the planet.

@Sreeya @Apollyon

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Nana Kressh was insufferable, but he couldn’t imagine sending her away when the family lost so much already. He quietly ate his meal as they spoke, his gaze flicking over to Trodai’s bold response to Nana’s question about finding a husband. Azar’s face heated up and flushed from the strong hints the Adas dropped about marriage. His eyes flicked briefly to Karys. Did Trodai understand that marrying Azar meant also marrying into a relationship with Karys and honoring his role? More importantly, could Karys listen to this without jamming a fork in Trodai’s eye?

Unlike the other men, Azar was noticeably slightly distant from the children and didn’t react with them the same way. While Azar valued children and would put himself in harm’s way to protect the Kresshlings, he himself harbored little love for them. Perhaps it would change when they were his own, but he found them loud, messy and out of control.

“A dozen?” Azar all but gasped at Trodai's report. Even a single terentatek was a force to be reckoned with, “We will augment our forces with Kissai and I will send for the Sorcerers of Tund to aid us,” He added with a smirk. There was a collective gasp of surprise around the table - Azar did like his theatrics. The Sorcerers were a massive powder keg to unleash total devastation when needed. Azar had willed them to follow him under the pretense of a blood contract.

“Leave the beasts to me,” He said curtly as he sipped his wine, “I will also construct a bomb to blow the drain to allow us in. It will be the only point of entry,” Azar said, “We must breach and win the day before reinforcements from Ziost can arrive. I will trust you two to come up with a plan of siege and attack to engage them until we can get that ditch blown.”

Siege and battles like these weren’t his forte - Azar’s method was to use honeyed words to make cities fall. However, Murzana had the Sadow splinter groups running the city. They festered like a cancer that needed removal, and only then could Azar hope to use diplomacy.

The rest of the dinner was uneventful and Azar retired from the others to his alchemy lab to start obsessively working. When he was in the zone, he would see no one but his assistants as he began to construct serums and pheromones that could potentially tamper with terentatek. The Sorcerers were en route, but likely they would arrive at some point during the battle to bring the heaviest Force artillery.

@Akheron @Apollyon

 

[Karys]

Karys’ eyes widened at Trodai’s report. Twelve Tarentateks? Karys felt his hand instinctively grip slightly tighter around his goblet. The golden cup buckled slightly beneath the pressure. His mind raced through the sheer amount of Kissai priests, Massassi warriors, and grotthu they would have had to sacrifice to accomplish that feat.

Karys opened his mouth to reply when Azar beat him to the punch. His golden gaze shifted down to his husband. A glint of surprise written in Karys’ eyes at his announcement, one that shifted into pride at Azar’s accomplishments. This was why he’d fallen in love with him, Azar always had a plan.

<Our assassins have taken their blood-oaths as well.> Karys stated calmly, reminding everyone at the table of the inductees he had trained. <With them we can wreak havoc on our enemies, the same way they attempted to do to us.> Karys said with a small smile.

At the end of the dinner Azar left the dining hall to prepare. Karys would do the same, but he invited Trodai to join him in a private chamber to strategize. While his annoyance still simmered, there were more important matters to attend to, namely the destruction of their enemies.

<Before we begin, I do not care that you have feelings for my husband. I will not harm you for them.> It was a bold and simple statement. <You said you have brought siege weapons as well as warbeasts?> Karys asked once they were alone. <We will need entry points for the assassins and I.> Karys told him. <Once we have infiltrated we can begin targeting commanders and other softer points as well.> The implication would be clear, civilians. <I’ll just need your forces to draw their attention and enable our infiltration. Do you think that is possible?>

Karys would listen to Trodai’s counter proposals, he trusted the Adas with mass warfare and the conducting of troops. It has never been something Karys specialized in. Instead, Karys aimed to focus in on disruption and elimination of key targets. After their discussions concluded, Karys would go to his Bloodbound, the Kressh Assassins. He would explain to them what their mission was and divide them up into two five man squads to ensure maximum efficiency.

Morning would come early and Karys drew on the Dark Side to substitute for sleep. They had a long march through the Korribanni desert and some of it could be used for actual sleep if need be. But somehow, Karys doubted that would be the case.

@Sreeya @Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai listened carefully, and observed noting as both Azar and Karys eyes seemed to bulge at the news and Azar audibly gasped. He knew the feeling, he had done the same when he first heard the report until he verified it as accurate. It would be a momentous task but he was certain they would prevail. At great cost perhaps, but the price was worth it. With the Darkness on their side, they would secure victory. For were they not Sith.

Armies crumbled before their coming.

As Azar spoke he listened, knowing that he usually had a plan. And probably a surprise or two, he always did. And just as he thought it Azar brought a surprise and a clever plan. It made Trodai smile. He was however intrigued that it would be the Sorcerers of Tund that would assist them with the Kissai. It would be interesting to found out how he managed that one. Although how much they helped would rely on them trying hold the enemy until they arrived.

A mammoth task itself.

As Karys finished speaking to the table, Trodai likewise affirmed his own troops and the Commander agreed "As have our armies taken their oaths. All are ready to die in your name and taking the city if they must" he said towards Azar. As Karys got up he found himself pulled to a private chamber. Karys explained he had no care for how Trodai felt about Azar, and no harm would come of it, he had a sigh of relief. He had hoped that would be the case, he didn't want to cause any issues on account of his feelings towards Azar. And no desire to fight regardless of who he was.

It would be a waste for them both with neither getting anything out of it. Save more scars.

"And I will not harm you. For you are one with Azar. You have my word...I will not break his heart or steal it. You who are his blood bound." he said, just as bold "But I cannot deny I have feelings for him, and would wish to share his tenderness. I accept whatever arrangements we would make. Honour any commitment and duty I must. Hopefully I can prove that today."

At the mention of warbeasts and siege weapons, Trodai nodded. He listened carefully, the Sith side of him noting everything, for this was business. He smiled at the mention of using softer points fully aware of the implied. It appeared the two were on the same page about alot of things. Perhaps he would see there was more to the Trodai he knew, just as Azar had seen. Time would tell.

"It should be possible. I agree we need a diversion, perhaps a combination of direct attack with the bulk of the forces, keep some in reserve just in case. And keep them focused upon the wall....an assault by Siege Towers and the Krayt Dragon should suffice. I could have it draw attention by attacking the ramparts and trebuchets. Make them look up and keep them drawn for a time. Enough for you to get in."

He continued a moment "As for these softer targets...I have no qualms. They harbour our enemies, they suffer the same fate. I hope we may continue to work together, and perhaps more." he teased. After the discussion concluded, Trodai went to meet the Commander before issuing the order to begin making the army, beasts, Grotthu and Siege weapons ready to move out. It would take a day or two at least.

Hopefully enough time that Azar bomb and pheromones would be ready to use. He was intrigued as to what sort of bomb it could be. He couldn't wait to find out. After the two days all were ready and the army was on the move, mobilising. Trodai had been up early as usual as was his way. Conducting a brief martial kata. And focused within the Darkness. He would need all he could muster for Murzana. He opted to ride with Azar and Karys for a time. He would use what time they had to perhaps find out more and discuss what discoveries each had made. Start simple and find common ground.

He wasn't sure if Azar even knew yet about his promotion.

@Sreeya @Apollyon @Phoenix @Fine Dining Set

 

[Darth Arcanos]

The next day, the army was prepared to make its march through the desert. Eopie, fathiers, dragons and other beasts were ridden by cavalry while the grotthu and Massassi marched on foot. The Kissai were provided with animal transport, bringing up the rear. They needed the frontlines to defend them while they conjured their sorcery. For now, Azar was near the back, riding on a fathier and adorned in clothing that had underlying armor to stop the average arrow or blunt weapon. Azar also wore a helmet for now, knowing he would remove it to address his people when needed.

Azar’s bomb was a devious trick of using several kyber crystals and putting them in a pressurized, alchemy fused canister. The goal would be that the canister could implode on itself because of how Azar constructed it, thereby exploding the kyber and releasing the vast amount of energy in a blast big enough to bring down an entire chunk of wall. When combined with the weakness in Murzana’s defenses, it would perhaps collapse enough of the wall to allow their forces through without single filing. (Roll: 16/20)

As for the pheromones, Azar had far less luck, finding himself unable to create something in only two days time that would suffice. He shared the news with both Trodai and Karys, dismayed at his own failure in that particular regard. He may have been skilled, but terentatek were especially tricky. As a result, they would have to find other means of combating them. (Roll: 3/20)

Additionally, Azar was able to whip up poisons to coat arrows for their archers and perhaps tips of spears. He didn’t have enough time for his usual devastating poison, but he created a serum to cause paralysis. An arrow even to the arm would make the whole body go number for an hour or so.

The battalion exited the Dreshdae city gates and out into the wider desert. Azar felt a weight in his chest. He felt empowered by having Trodai and Karys both with him, but he couldn’t deny the anxiety in the back of his mind. They had quite a journey ahead of them and little way of anticipating what the unforgiving desert held for them.

Scouts were sent ahead to scope out the path, but even that could only offer so much information. They were out of the safety of high walls and cities. They were now in the realm of the desert tribes.

@Akheron @Apollyon @Phoenix

 

[The Storyteller]

Theme
"My name is Ashani Kurvast, Massassi and Sorceress of Sadow. Living memory to a murdered sister, and I will have my vengeance in this life or the next."​

It was simply a matter of time before the assault came after such a deliciously barbaric display of dominance in killing Azar's mother. Goaded into a battle he wasn't prepared for like a shock prod to the flank. But Ashani was prepared. She had had years to plan this revenge, and it would be sweet. She would drain out every bit of his spirit until he would beg for death.

Fools, fools how had you have fought. Brave, but it's all been for naught. Now down come the claws. Across the desert in the halls of Murzana, she waited.

---​

Across the desert, the forces of Kressh would begin their journey, and the moment they stepped into the desert, they would feel the creeping darkness of doubt. Perhaps it was a premonition of things to come or perhaps it was the Force itself anticipating the blood that would stain this planet today. It opened its dark mouth in preparation to swallow the souls of those whose blood would run freely into the sand today.

Death hung in the air so thick that it could almost be smelled and tasted.

The early scouts made progress quickly and unimpeded as they approached the Winding Valley. An element of why the city was so difficult to find was the precarious routes that had to be traveled in order to reach it. Through valleys and winding along cliff edges, it was a route that was difficult to make and easy to defend. In a word: a nightmare.

A creeping sense of being watched would stalk the troops as they advanced forward, feeling as though at any moment the jaws of a trap were going to close around them. Eventually they would be faced with a choice: continue through the valley which looked like a tactical nightmare to attack given it would greatly negate their numerical advantage or head to their left and out into an open stretch of sand where they could spread out as wide and in whatever formation they wanted but it reeked of death in the Force.

 

[Karys]

Karys rode at the right hand of Azar, his eyes scanned the horizon, vigilant for threats that might be awaiting them. When they came to the fork, a choice between a valley that screamed ambush or a desert that reeked of death, there was no hesitation in Karys. He hated the the heat but his mind still worked like a Sadow.

That valley, those canyons were almost assuredly a death trap.

His golden gaze fell to Azar before turning to Trodai. His jaw clenched and unclenched as, his dominant hand rubbed at his forehead. Azar would recognize this as his stress response. He inhaled deeply, knowing their decisions here could shape the outcome of the battle.

<We should choose the desert.> He said after a few seconds. <I am Kressh but I know Sadow, that valley is the perfect ambush point. They would be fools to pass it over.> Karys continued. <The desert will claim the lives of some of our soldiers but at least we will be organized when our lines meet, we can still encompass the city. I would rather deal with losses of attrition than have our greatest advantage ripped from us because of fear.> He explained with a short nod. <But you are king, Azar. We can only act as advisors. Your word here is law.>

@Phoenix @Sreeya @Akheron

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai travelled on the opposite side, he had since changed into something more suited to the battle ahead. The golden and royal armour he now wore was not his favourite or what he wanted to wear but he needed to set an example for his army. To look the part on this particular battlefield. At very least he knew Azar might like it as the sun glistened off the bronzium.

He put his arm up halting the advance as he observed the two paths ahead.

He looked at Karys sharing a similar expression, and as he spoke he echoed the same thought. The canyons would be a perfect ambush putting their numbers into a bottleneck as they were assaulted on all sides and above. It would be tactical suicide. And so he nodded as he spoke, facing both Karys and Azar.

"I agree, the desert although reeking...offers us the better tactical advantage. Within those canyons our numbers would count for nothing and be assaulted from all sides and above us. We would be bottle-necked, overwhelmed. The desert although deadly itself offers our best chance to maintain our numbers." he offered a respectful nod to Karys, yet again they had seen eye to eye. "Both have considerable risk. But as said, the decision is yours Azar. I will follow whatever you choose."

@Sreeya @Apollyon @Phoenix

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar considered the options, displeased with the choices. For a moment, the faceless mask silently gazed over the horizon. He nodded after a moment, “The desert then,” He said, “However..” Azar looked over his shoulder, addressing his chief Kissai advisor, “I want our sorcerers to identify structural weaknesses in the canyons framing the gorge. Make slight adjustments. We will leave a scout and a single Kissai behind. If the scout catches movements because the tribes are following us to flank us while we are in the desert, the Kissai shall collapse the gorge over the crevice to eradicate them before they ever make it out.”

The Kissai leader nodded, reporting as much to their forces in the back. As a collective, the sorcerers worked to apply the Force at the rock formations hanging over the gorge. Externally it wouldn’t be clear what was happening, but the subtlest shifts were made and boulders were moved here and there. By the end of it, the single Kissai would be able to do something akin to pulling a string to unravel the entire thing and collapse it on anyone trying to follow. Waiting until confirmation of troop movement would allow for maximum casualty.

Azar was methodical and did not care for loose ends.

The group would shift and start their march towards the desert. The Pureblood was nervous, but he didn’t show it. He couldn’t falter now, not when others looked to him for guidance.

“Stay close together,” He called out, “Position yourselves so we can advance with suppressive fire if necessary.”

@Apollyon @Akheron @Phoenix

 

[The Storyteller]

To the desert it was. Whether it would prove to be salvation or something else entirely would remain to be seen, but despite the creeping feelings of Death that pervaded the deserts, the soldiers marched on at the direction of their commanders, shaken but unbroken.

And across the deserts they went. The open, stretching sands at first seemed to yield nothing but endless, oppressive heat, but as the time passed they would begin to notice carcasses and bones. Specifically, the remains of large creatures, the likes of which would themselves be a threat.

To their credit, the decision to close up the valley behind them was probably a wise one. Sure enough, tribes from the desert had made their hiding place within the canyons and would have come to harass and flank the troops as they faced the threats of the desert itself.

For better or worse, they would face no attack from behind, but they would have no retreat or alternative path anymore either.

But the locals knew why you didn't travel into the desert. They knew why the canyon was the only safe road. The Sith of House Kressh were prepared to fight an army or skirmish with sand tribes, but what they got instead was arguably far more terrifying.

The ground beneath their feet began to rumble first, and it quickly became clear that they were not alone out here. Something old had made its home under these Korriban sands, and nothing came to its territory without paying homage.

At first the sands seemed to suck inwards and the front ranks of soldiers were dragged down into it before that same sand - and the soldiers pulled into it - were expelled outward into the air as something broke through the earth.

The leviathan must have been at least 1000 years old if not more, created and controlled by a long-gone Sith Lord. Many over the centuries had tried to kill it, to tame it, to control it... all were now dead.

The Leviathan had been bred for war and perhaps even to launch siege attacks against the very cities of Korriban. Whatever the truth was, it was lost to time. Soon, the army would wish this beast, too, was lost to time.

Each step that this building-sized beast took shook the ground, and although it was large and strong, it was not as fast and nimble as a smaller creature might be. Still, it's mouth opened and upon the front ranks - fortunately made up of the less critical troops - spewed acid strong enough to melt the flesh from bones.

 

[Karys]

Karys smirked devilishly at Azar's words. Karys had always been more of a short term thinker, able to think of plans to impact the here and now. Azar always thought in longer terms, recognizing threats or potential threats long before they actually became present. Even as full Sith, Karys was still learning from his husband on a daily basis. The forces they left behind would pay off exponentially, collapsing the canyon walls and crushing a force of the enemy long before they became an issue.

As they left the mouth of the valley, Karys' golden gaze would fall to Azar, he could see the tension in his husband and through their unique connection, he could feel his fear. He'd reach out through their Force Bond, his mind gently touch Azar's. It was to reassure him, to let him know that he was there, that he loved him, and would support him through each step of their journey. It was all the things he wanted to say out loud but couldn't without pointing out his husband's inner feelings to all around them.

As the columns of soldiers pushed forward into the desert and ominous feeling settled over Karys. Was it the Dark Side warning him of something to come? Karys pushed the thought aside, he couldn't back away from this choice now, they couldn't afford it.

Karys could feel the sands reverberate through his mount, the beast became unnerved and Karys reached down to pat it's neck. He whispered quiet words of encouragement into the creature's ear, ensuring it was calm and relaxed again. Towards the front columns, Karys heard yells and yelps of surprise, his gaze flickered to Azar and then to Trodai.

<Come on Trodai, something's going on and we should check it out.> He told his fellow general. His gaze would return to Azar then. <It's likely nothing, we will deal with thi->

THOOM!

Karys' head whirled around to the sound of thunder echoing from the ground. He saw grotthu soaring in the air, their bodies came crashing down onto the sand with sickening, wet thuds. Then his eyes grew wide with horror and shock as the head of a creature emerged from beneath the desert. He suddenly understood the aura of death that lingered here. It was this thing. Karys didn't have time to issue his first order before the creature's maw opened and spewed out a thick acidic bile onto the grotthu spearmen before it. He could smell their liquefaction from here, it was revolting.

Karys drew out Sadowbane from the sheathe on his back and rode towards the middle lines. He didn't bother to finish his sentence, he didn't speak to either Azar or Trodai, there was no time. The situation had to be salvaged somehow.

<Force three formations of grotthu spears to the front in a U-formation. Have reinforcements ready to aid them! I want this thing hemmed in and controlled as best we can!> He shouted at a Massassi captain. <You!> He continued, shouting at another captain. <Take two units of Massassi warriors to it's flanks, take axes and swords to it's legs, climb if you see openings but be cautious! We cannot afford high casualties, watch it's feet and stay clear of it's mouth!> He ordered. <Archers, fall back and aid with getting our trebuchets firing on this thing!> Karys shouted, his sword pointing at the Sergeant over the lines of retreating archers. <If the grotthu retreat, they are to be killed. The only way they survive is forward!>

With that Karys would look around for his Blood-oathed warriors. When he finally spotted them, he'd point his blade towards them.

<With me, we have to be ready to buy time! We ride for this things tail! If it cannot be broken by our allies, then we must kill it ourselves.>

Karys would wait for the grotthu to engage the creature and the Massassi warriors to begin their charge on it's flanks before he and his ten warriors rode out. They would give the creature a wide berth as they attempted to ride around to it's tail, using the chaos of war as cover to remain relatively unnoticed and get into a position to ambush and scale the monster.

@Sreeya @Akheron @Phoenix

 

[Trodai Narat-iv-Adas]

Trodai gave a nod, acknowledging Azar's words. For better or worse they were now committed to the desert road, and yet he couldn't shake the feeling it perhaps wasn't the best but between the choices they had it was the better of the two. He too smirked a little, Azar picking up where perhaps they hadn't. Another reason he loved the man, he always saw the little details. He didn't much like loose ends either.

As the group entered further into the desert, seeing the carcasses and the bones. Trodai had a sense of foreboding, a bad feeling that spread throughout him. One very familiar, the Darkness warning of some type of unknown danger. And yet he too could not retreat nor would he. For he was a general and more, he was a Sith. A Warlord, and knew no fear. He nodded, following as Karys asked him to follow. He had no reason not too. He briefly turned to the royal guard "Stay with him and keep him safe. At all times. If we encounter anything get him out of here. His too important to lose."

As Karys turned to Azar, Trodai faced both, saying a line that had been repeated throughout the galaxy since time immemorial "I have a really bad feeling about this." Just as he said it, the commotion up front all but confirmed his feeling. He drew his lightsaber, riding with Karys. He saw the Grotthu being launched and some melting in front of them as a large beast emerged, spewing acid from the mouth. His eyes widened at the sight. Partially shock and partially in awe. The legends were true.

He recalled the tales from his father of a creature that roamed the sands outside the cities. A beast, and terror of ancient times. A leviathan if he remembered correctly. One of many that once roamed. Said to be born of the Sith during some long gone war, but couldn't be contained. It had been among the sands ever since, he had heard of entire battalions going missing because of it. Locals called it Luai Mirtis. The Living Death. He thought it just a myth but it seemed that was not the case. It was very real.

He shouted briefly "The legends are true! It's The Living Death. A leviathan of ancient times."

He called out to another officer "Get the Sith'ari out of here! And see if he will spare some sorcerers. I don't know if this will work but...let's see if it likes being fried." He nodded at Karys orders, and the officer went to Azar "Sith'ari, General Trodai requests use of some of the sorcerers to assist with taking out a great beast. He wants to try frying it."

Meanwhile, Trodai saw no need to alter Karys orders, they made sense so he saw no real need to contradict them and allowed the troops to do as he said allowing the officers to arrange the formations into a U-formation as others reinforced. Massassi ran to the flanks, spears, lanvaroks and swords in hand. Doing whatever they could to impale and to drive it to its side so they could reach any weak point that became available. They held firm, without fear. Or most of them. Those who hesitated were quick to correct or suffer the consequences from a officer.

Trebuchet were moved closer and were made ready to launch. Archers with them, soon a hailstorm of arrows and boulders, and some burning balls were launched at the leviathan, some seemingly without much affect.

He rode back to acquire the Krayt Dragon for some more additional support and elevation. He would strike from the air. The royal guard soon surrounded Azar, like a protective box around him. They would let nothing harm him. He briefly shot a nod to Azar, a way to let him know both he and Karys would be alright before taking flight.

Although truthfully inside he knew he didn't really know. This was unlike anything he had ever encountered before.

Lifting to the air, Trodai took flight heading to the beast, holding with one hand on a reign, he held his lightsaber and drew up alongside, moving along the side of the beast in a attempt to slice horizontally, following all the way to the tail. The Krayt Dragon spewing the venom like acid it had at the beast as well. His lightsaber extended, Trodai held tight. Like a chariot with a razor spoke, or a rider slicing at it to cut it, he hoped to open it up from one end to the other.

If something opened he would put the lightsaber away to follow by turning and assault it with a lightning barrage, to try and burn it from the inside out. With the sorcerers aiming for the same weakness. He just hoped it worked in combination with whatever Karys had planned.

At very least it was a distraction.

@Sreeya @Apollyon @Phoenix

 

[Darth Arcanos]

Azar’s heart skipped a beat as he watched Trodai charge right towards the beast. He knew Adas were headstrong, and it killed him to see it in person. Gritting his teeth, he kept his focus, refusing the guards that came to find him a safe passage, “What kind of King would I be if I run at the first sight of battle?” Azar hissed back, directing his fathier back towards his sorcerers. He mentally connected with the Kissai that was bringing up the rear after collapsing the gorge, "Launch the debris at the beast, He commanded, “Make it believe that the desert tribes are attacking it from within the gorge. This beast would know they hide there," The logic behind this was to distract it and make it believe humanoids that claimed to coexist with it had abruptly turned on it. The second part would be if it moved in close enough, the rest of the gorge could be collapsed in on the beast.

Meanwhile, he fixed his attention on the sorcerers, banking on Karys and Trodai’s forces to flank and protect them to give them space to use their attacks.

“Join me in the plane of the Force,” He called out simply, closing his eyes as he unleashed his powers as a Sith Master to do something different. He wouldn’t tame or control the beast, but he would seek to give it a sense of direction. His goal was to let it think that it had true control for the first time and the freedom to act on it. He would whisper the words of Murzana and the city of gems within its mind, painting a story of the dwellers there being the reason for its tortured, meaningless existence in the desert. He would be joined by his sorcerers who would meld with his mind to push the narrative.

Azar hoped that any attacks on the beast would lower its mental barriers to allow for the influence to take place. He was seriously banking on his husband and his lover both to protect him while he worked this.

@Akheron @Apollyon @Phoenix

 

[The Storyteller]

The Grotthu were not faring very well, but that was their purpose in battle: to die. Would their sacrifices be forgotten? Who knew? Who cared? The Leviathan tore through them like butter, and it was clear that infantry against this creature served a single purpose: bait.

Karys's maneuver around the flank with his horsemen for the moment went on without contest, but as they drew closer they would realize the tail itself was more weapon than weakness and it could easily smash entire formations with that alone.

Trodai's Massassi forces faced much the same trouble as the Grotthu, though the trebuchets and heavier weapons seemed to find more purchase in the creature's thick hide. It roared in fury and rage, stomping so hard it shook the ground.

As the Krayt Dragon swooped down and Trodai opted to rock his way into a literal Kaiju battle, the Force had to question the wisdom of that decision. Claws from the dragon tore into the side of the Leviathan, but at a cost. A high cost.

The jaws of the Leviathan clamped down on the throat of the dragon, flinging it down into the sand with an iron jaw. Those soldiers closest to it were crushed to death under the weight of the two creatures doing battle. The Leviathan regurgitated its own acid directly into the neck wound of the Krayt dragon.

It would be a miracle if Trodai wasn't also pulverized under the crushing weight of the two beasts.

Blood poured from the gargantuan creature from the wounds it sustained by the dragon, but all it saw was rage.

As Azar tried to infiltrate its mind, he wouldn't be unsuccessful, the problem was that the creature wasn't thinking, it was reacting. It was being assaulted and maimed by an army and a rival beast... it didn't care who was responsible. Should it survive this battle, it may well turn its attention to the desert tribes and to Murzana, but for the moment, all it cared about was destroying that which was attacking it. Would Azar risk calling off the attack on the chance that he could turn it against their enemies?

 

[Karys]

Karys watched as the massive tail of this creature swished around. The weight and power of the thing made him raise up a hand to order his warriors back. As he did this, he would glance out at the battle formation. The men were holding the best they cou- WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT? Karys gritted his teeth, annoyance transformed into frustration and anger as he saw Trodai's Krayt Dragon charging the Leviathan. Countless of their own men were trampled underfoot while the two massive monsters locked jaws. Karys saw the moment the Krayt was about to lose the engagement, he saw the beast about to topple, he wanted to let Trodai suffer the fate he'd purchased for himself.

Then he remembered how Azar had looked at the man.

Fuck. Karys couldn't let him die. The more experienced Pureblood would reach out with the Force, grip Trodai around the chest and rip him free of his mount and onto the sands. He'd land hard, there might be injuries, Karys didn't care. He'd bailed the other Pureblood out of the situation he'd placed himself in, it would be up to the other man to escape being beneath this monstrosity. Karys would turn to his Blood-oathed, he knew some would likely die for this but he had to buy time for whatever Azar was planning.

<Fan out and use the Force to draw this thing's attention.> He ordered. <Keep your mounts riding at full speed in the same direction it turns, and away if it charges. if it does at all. Keep it chasing us.> He continued. <Don't let it puke on you.>

Before his men could get into position, Karys would feel Azar's mind press against his own the rough outline of a plan would flow to him along with the order to not attack. This made no fucking sense. Karys raised a hand and called to his men to halt their movement.

<New orders.> Karys told them. <We keep this thing busy but do not engage directly.> He ordered.

Karys would relay the orders to Trodai telepathically, it would be up to him to stop the army's assault and pull back. Then he would touch the mind of this creature and relay his viewpoint to it, assuming it would turn to face them. If it turned Karys and his men would ride away from the creature, just fast enough to hopefully be enticing. He only hoped his gambit would give Azar the time he needed.

@Sreeya @Akheron @Phoenix