Sembla: Investigating The Occult

[Cyzyn-Itza-Rus Xho'thal]

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Location: Sembla
Time: Evening
Participants: @Darasuum as @Cyzyn-Itza-Rus Xho'thal , @Caramel Raccoon as @Ren Vist
Theme: You Feel Me <> Born I Music
OOC: Thread opposition will utilize dice.

Reasons were numerous for Cyzyn-Itza-Rus for being here. There was so much potential with this opportunity. These cultists were a curiousity for the Tiss'shar Sith. He wanted to study them, even after he eventually eliminated them. That was the other reason. The Empire needed them out of the way to gain better control of the planet and Cyzyn-Itza-Rus agreed that Sembla would be a good addition to the Empire.

Armed with his normal set of equipment he waited at the base of the volcanic ridge for his companion to join him. Tiss'shar stood eyeing the craggy formation before him, thinking of the path to take up to it before trying to reach out and open his senses with the force. The local Vurk were not a group he had dealt with before and the ones they were hunting were an extremist cult.

 

[Ren Vist]

Ren departed from his starfighter that he had touched down in the shadows of a large craggy cliff. Turn and checking his datapad for the rendezvous beacon and walked in that direction. As he came into view of the odd ally that stood before him, Ren couldn't help but be taken aback by the... nature of its species. What stood before him was truly an upright reptile dressed and armed with the necessities of a Sith. And Ren thought he was often an off-putting sight, wearing his inhuman mask and tattered capes, body completely covered in dueling armor.

"So, I assume you must be Cyzyn-Itza-R... erm... Cyzyn?" Ren asked somewhat awkwardly, taking in his bizarre ally once more. He supposed the species was irrelevant so long as he proved to be talented and able to hold his own. Ren had every intention of gathering as much of the scripture and secrets of this cult as possible, as well as perhaps taking a couple of them for his experimentation. If this individual was able to help him achieve those goals, then he would be more than welcome in assisting him.

Ren turned to follow the gaze of the Tiss'shar up the rocky and ragged path, also reaching out with his senses to attempt at gathering as much information as he could. He could sense a familiar darkness on the horizon, the touch of the dark side, though the exact nature of it was still a mystery to him. He would enjoy this assignment very much, he believed. He turned once more to the alien, speaking again in his cold and metallic voice. "It would probably be best if one of us scouted ahead in the shadows and relayed information back to the other. I'll volunteer if you feel as though my body would be better acclimated to the task than your own. And apologies for any offense, you are the first of your kind that I have encountered."

@Darasuum

 

[Cyzyn-Itza-Rus Xho'thal]

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A curious eye looked over at the new arrival. He waited until he finished attempting to pronounce his name before simply nodding. Most people just called him Cyzyn or Scar-mouth due to the healed laceration across his scaled snout. The Tiss'shar returned to sensing the area for a moment as Ren joined him. But the man turned to focusing on the actual tactics used for the ask at hand. The Tiss'shar took a deep breath an listened. He did in fact not take any offense to the words he said. Cyzyn-Itza-Rus was confident in his own abilities and needed no validation from anyone else. But since it was Ren's idea he was welcome to conduct it. With an open palm he offered the ridge before them to Ren saying he was welcome to lead the expedition.

Wherever the man went Cyzyn-Itza-Rus would follow but at a slower pace and keeping his senses aware. His senses told him that there were indeed cultists in the area but he was unsure of their number and mental state. They would have to be wary.

@Caramel Raccoon feel free to poke me if I forget in the future ​

 

[Ren Vist]

Ren turned his focus once more the ridge beyond and took the lead. Cyzyn seemed to be a man of few words, or perhaps he was merely focused, but either way, Ren did not have any complaints. The less they talked, to more they could connect with the Force, and the more aware they would be of any impending threats. Gradually moving up the rocky slope ahead of him, Ren reached out with his senses and let himself fall into the Dark Side that was woven all around him. With every step he seemed to become more and more at one with the shadows around him.

Steadily moving up the cliff, his ally following some distance behind, Ren would soon come closer to the edge of the ridge and place himself behind a large and jagged boulder that sat wedged between other smaller stones. He knelt down, and slowly peered over the ledge and towards the objective beyond, searching for whatever structure or path it was that would lead them towards the cult. Ren also began to suppress his own presence in the Force, reminding himself that if these were indeed acolytes well adept in the Force, then he would have to take extra precautions to ensure he goes undetected.

(OOC: I decided to roll to see how many cultists we would see over the ridge, to which the result was 5, but beyond that I wasn't sure if you already have a plan for what we'll be encountering or if you would like me to chip in. Also, if you already had something planned for on top of the ridge, feel free to ignore the roll.)

@Darasuum

 

[Cyzyn-Itza-Rus Xho'thal]

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The Tiss'shar could not sense their presence, the status of the islands seemed to be having disruptions with his senses. Not so much the point he was not able to sense the life forms but just that the islands could even have a nexus of sorts though perhaps not as powerful as one. All the same he followed after his comrade. The man seemed to spot a handful of locals and so the Tiss'shar decided to get an idea of how they felt. luckily they seemed to be in a peaceful state of mind at the moment. Cyzyn came up with an idea and spoke to Ren. "They revier the force. Let's make it so that they are begging to join our cause. They worship those that are likely capable with the force so let's refrain from making them dislike us. Instead let us make them admire us. He of course meant that they should not take aggressive action against their possible future recruits. They did not want to damage those that could become their future warriors.

@Caramel Raccoon ​

 

[Ren Vist]

Ren nodded at the wise words shared with him by Cyzyn, turning his gaze once more to the small gathering of locals standing just over the ridge. His talents with the Force were often used to subdue his foes, but he supposed he could instead use it to attempt to enrapture them instead. Standing up, ensuring that as usual, he walked with the straightest of posture, Ren moved over the ridge and presented himself to the circle of fanatics before him. With every step, Ren attempted to exude an air of authority and confidence. He came to a halt before the Vurk as they turned to face him, the reptilian crest-like heads towering several inches above his own.

"Who are you? What business have you here? You tread dangerously close to a sacred site, and we are wary of unknown outsiders," spoke a particular Vurk with a bizarre accent standing near the front of the group, looking Ren over cautiously, a hand drifting warily towards a short sheathed blade he wore on his waist. Ren did not blame the alien's caution, even if they did seem rather oblivious to the overall Imperial efforts around the planet. He'd seen the reports of the kidnappings happening nearby, and while these Vurk certainly revered the Force, recent events certainly must have put them on edge.

Gesturing with a hand in an open-palmed diplomatic expression, Ren spoke, "You may refer to me as Lord Vist, and my compatriot as Lord Xho'thal, we are powerful sorcerers of the ways that you refer to as mysticism. Our talents are great and quite varied, and we have come seeking disciples that would wish to learn from us, so that we may pass down our wisdom to those that would show loyalty." Even as the Vurk demanded that if such bold claims were true Ren should prove it and show them a sample of his power, he began to gather the Dark Side within himself so that he may present a spectacle of his strength. Lifting a hand dramatically into the air, he drew on the darkness within himself and demanded that it take form in the force.

Brilliant bolts of blue lightning ripped into the air above him, crackling and screeching with raw power as it cast shadows over the Vurk in the moments of blinding light. Much to his satisfaction, they seemed awestruck by the display, several of them even going so far as to kneel before him. Good, they were as primitive as the reports claimed them to be. He would leave it to Cyzyn to finish recruiting them to their cause.

 

[Cyzyn-Itza-Rus Xho'thal]

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Ren made a decent display of power. For such simple minded people this certainly would do to make them believe in the two Sith's words. It was not the first time Cyzyn had done such a thing. He approached to stand beside his cohort, removing helmet of his drake armor. "We are here to enlighten you. What you call magic, wyrd, or incoporeal miracles we call the Force. We have it bend to our will. Some of you may be lucky enough to have an affinity towards it as well. We can show you how to hone your skills. For you have not even scratched the surface of the force."

The large Tiss'shar scanned the crowd before them. Any that seemed to have been wary before were now just in awe. His cerulean eyes turned towards those that stepped forward. It was nearly half a dozen it seemed. The man reached out in the force to sense their strength. It was either minimal affinity or just untrained. They each seemed to hold high positions within the cult if their garb was anything to go by. Most likely force sensitives were revered here.

@Caramel Raccoon​

 

[Ren Vist]

Ren watched as several of the Vurk stepped forward and knelt before the two Sith, and a great sense of satisfaction rose up within himself, bringing a broken and luckily hidden grin to his face. That was all it took to get these people to practically worship them? Then this assignment would hopefully be far easier than he initially anticipated. Ren gestured for the kneeling subjects to stand once more and spoke again, "Bring to us any that you believe may be talented in the Force, even if they have only shown the smallest of signs. We will teach all who are willing to learn... but only if they fall into line." Ren tucked his arms behind his back once more and took a step forward, looking each other in the eyes, one by one. "Our Order values one thing above all else: Power. Excellence. Those that wish to be respected and recognized must earn it, prove to everyone around them that they have no equal. But with this, you must also learn discipline. Those that do not fall in line do not have a place as our students."

The Vurk nodded, no longer needing to be convinced to obey their words, and ran off into their village to gather any that might be Force-sensitive. After several minutes they returned, bringing with them several others that Ren could immediately tell had at least some degree of potential. Satisfied with the result, now standing before a dozen more potential acolytes and warriors, Ren spoke once more, "Very good, but there will surely be those that will oppose us and our goals. Lead us to those in this local cult that would stand against us, so we may decide their fate."

 

[Cyzyn-Itza-Rus Xho'thal]

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Cyzyn-Itza-Rus stood back and stayed silent as Ren appeared to make the more strict and harsh declaration. The Tiss'shar thought it was a little bit heavy handed considering they had been complying well enough so far. The following moments would see more Vurk force sensitives brought. The reptilian Sith took out a data pad and recorded their names, descriptions, biological and genetic specifics. Some he turned away saying they did not possess great enough potential. A few were nothing more than some non-force sensitives that just wanted to be gifted.

One of the Vurk would end up taking them to a hut with a handful of other Vurk. A few arrived after having their presence request. There were a total of six that appeared to be the ones that opposed the new authority the two sith were instating. "What is the meaning of this? What talk of new ways and blasphemy am I hearing. You two, you are the ones that are the cause of this." the words were spoken by an older Vurk who wore numerous fetishes and talismans. He was likely their previous leader.

The locals that the two sith had convinced stayed silent, apparently wanting to see whether the new arrivals or the old priest was going to end up winning the confrontation.

The Dread Lord stepped forward to speak, his warped voice, changed by the dark side low and rumbling. "A new dawn has come. There are new teachings but it has come to us that you and a few of your followers will not submit to the new truth." The Vurk stood from his position, the other five puffing out their chests to show their pride and presence. This had no affect on Cyzyn. "Lies, I'll have you all cast into the valcano for such a betrayal of our teachings." The man wave his hand both at sith and also the local cultists that had decided to obey the sith. Cyzyn turned his cerulean serpentine eyes towards Ren to see how he wanted to deal with the opposers.

@Caramel Raccoon​

 

[Jenova Savas]

As soon as the priest had finished speaking, his expression morphed into disturbing. His eyes bugled and widen, as if he were stricken by a sudden affliction. The span of his mouth gapped yet no sound was quite able to escape, the whilst his body twitched and jerked. It would take a moment for the rest of the opposition to realise but currently their priestly leader was at the mercy of a punishing, yet familiar, chokehold. The force was coiled about his vulnerable throat, much like a serpent weathering the struggles of its prey; soon the old male realised, the more he struggled, the tighter the grip became. Yet the culprit for such action was immediately evident, that is until they revealed themselves at the mouth of the hut’s entrance.

"Now, now. Lets not be hasty." Jenova was an amazon of a woman, standing at quite a staggering height; the Vurks were naturally taller physiologically, but still, some instinctively cringed in her presence. Perhaps it was because of her eyes. They were like solid cuts of amber and given their absence of actual pupils, it was quite hard to distinguish what exactly the hybrid was looking at. She may speak in one’s direction, but the weigh of gaze sometimes made others feel as if she were staring into their soul. Already one Vurk opposer muttered superstitiously to another near him. Yet making no further gesture of hostility, Jenova cantered her head towards Ren Vist; she assumed he was the one she sought after, seeing as she was familiar with the reptilian Cyzyn.

"Lord Vist; your presence is requested elsewhere; I am here to relieve you. A transport awaits," Jenova wouldn’t dare utter such orders unless she was given the command by a higher authority. She doubted Ren would question her, and sure enough, he didn’t. She needn’t monitor his departure. Since she held the old priest quite literally by the throat, none moved to hinder the Sith’s exit.

Turning her attention briefly to Cyzyn, the green skinned Sith nodded, perhaps in subtle greeting. But now was not the time for pleasantries. With the situation as it was, this opposition needed to be squashed. Quickly. Jenova’s use of force seemed to be effective. Unwilling to fostering further hostility however, she relinquished her hold over the priest’s throat. She looked on, unempathetically as he collapsed to the ground, coughing and stuttering for air. Perhaps it would make the fool think twice before speaking out of turn.

Now was a delicate dilemma. The Vurks were tentative, unsure how to proceed. The threat of violence had spurned them to action, yet when it came down to a physical demonstration, Jenova had effectively stunted any further progress. In the past, she might have pushed this too far, using heavy handed tactics when they weren’t called for. But the hybrid had spent some time developing other aspects. Waging wars of the mind and spirit were also key when it came to battle. She’d use her knowledge of these aliens to achieve this victory.

"Vurks,” She gestured to the assembled party, as well to the ones lingering outside, “I know of your people; the greater galaxy sees your as nothing more than primitive beasts. Yet, I know this is not true; I know within you is a deep intelligence, a philosophical tradition for integrity. Your people are those who cherish freedom and honesty. Your warriors are formidable. And I respect that, as does the Empire." The predominant aliens reminded Jenova vaguely of the Noghri; she addressed them as such. Not with flattery, but with unflinching mutual approbation.

"Times are changing and only the strong survive that change. Now, I ask you to be honest with yourself. Are you going to accept that change and evolve with us? Or will you allow yourselves to vanish, along with the rest too fearful to embrace this opportunity?”

@Darasuum

 

[Cyzyn-Itza-Rus Xho'thal]

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There was a third present that the group of local Vurks had not been made aware of. But she had known about them while they spoke and now she made herself known. Cyzyn-Itza-Rus smiled, exposing his razor sharp teeth in between his scaled lips. His cerulean serpentine eyes staring the dying man in the face as he began to struggle with the phantom hold on his throat. He was not a masochist or any type of sadist. But he was just pleased that the task at hand was sorting itself out. Also, he liked Jenova and appreciated her presence though he was somewhat curious about Ren's departure. He made no mention of it though and kept his attention in the present. He returned the green skinned hybrid's nod of a greeting.

He stood still as Jenova made her speech. He gazed at the surrounding Vurk. Their looks were a mixture of awe and fear. He had expected as much. The most one had probably done in their presence with the force was move a pebble or stick. Now their previous leader hung in the air, desperately struggling to breathe. After his female counterpart spoke he spoke as well. "You have witness what the Force is capable of. This is but a fraction of it. Those of you that are gifted, will hhave numerous opportunities to prove yourselves and rise to unimaginable heights. The choice lies with each of you individually."

There was a period of silence, muttering and whispers. Some had been idealistic at first. Others were now afraid. But overall it seemed they were swayed and agreed to what the Sith had offered. Even some of the ones that had been stubborn before agreed to the new ways Jenova and Cyzyn proposed.

The job completed the two Sith would be able to turn and leave back the way they came. The locals would stew in the new found revelations. In short order there would be more imperial presence that came along, documenting and doing the official work and logistics that would follow.

End Thread​