Ask Swamp Of Sorrows

[Sol Kenuk]

The south was expanding, and with it, Sol's power-base. But one prize in particular was greater than the others, a gem disguised as a lump of dark coal, a world of ancient history and powerful ties to the force. Dagobah. The Kel'dor had been here once before, and had left with the inkling of an obsession buzzing within the back of his mind like a fly. That sensation had since grown, flickered from embers to a fiery blaze, and so after the Sith Master had worked to expand the southern reaches alongside Wodan and Caelian, it was inevitable that he would return to the ominous swamps.

Old reports indicated that, in times past, a Sith Lord had attempted to build an academy within the humid, murky depths. Whatever had happened to that project, Sol wondered. Nothing had become of it, but where others failed, Sol saw opportunity. He would fill the gap himself, and insure that the Academy was built in his own image, by his own guiding hand.

His Interceptor is quiet as it slices through the atmosphere, mist striking the view-port to obscure much of his view. Towering trees disguise muddy pools and ancient swampland, but the Kel'dor already had a landing spot in mind. His talons toil with the controls as he levels the craft, hisses through the air as shimmering eyes scan the damp earth below. As he drew nearer to the selected coordinates, he could see the rocky rise of a cliff, looming above the marshes. Sol angles his vessel toward the dryer land, and sweeps above the windblown trees toward his destination.

With landing gear deployed, he sets himself gently down atop the flat, dryer soil of the high ground, and the Interceptor fades into silence as the noise of whirling machinery whispers to a stop. Stepping out of the craft, the Kel'dor surveys his surroundings. Below the steep cliff, the swamp stretched out before them, and the wind uttered mysteries upon the hot and suffocating air. This would likely not be an easy expedition.

For now, Sol is quiet, merely stands upon the rise with his gaze pointed outward. With any luck, the Sith that he had chosen to accompany him on this little quest would be arriving soon.

@LouJoVi

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

While the expansion of the Sith Empire was of utmost importance, Caerllion contemplated why for doing it he always ended up needing to walk inside a swamp. The fact that so many of his missions ended with him wading through mud like a pig was starting to become bizarre.

However, the reason why he was going to visit this mud ball, also known as Dagobah, was very important. Sol had decided to continue with Darth Veles project of building a Sith Academy here. Apparently, the construction had been initiated, but was never finished. The cause for its failure ranged from logistical problems to attacks of the local fauna. Caerllion suspected that people noticed that building things here was a bad idea. It was a swamp, no one build things inside one.

While his shuttle descended on the planet, Caerllion watched how the atmosphere of Dagobah was covered by fog. It was perfect for his ship to crash against a tree. Thankfully, Sol had given him the coordinates of where he needed to land. This way he was also going to avoid landing inside a puddle.

When he finally arrived in the right place, the Annfyn landed his ship. Sol had already arrived and was watching a rocky cliff. After leaving his ship, Caerllion approached the Master. “Hello, Sol. Fancy to see you there.” he joked, while his boots immediately got dirty with mud. He had learned that only this type of shoe worked in a place like this one.

“I made some searches about this place. Apparently some animals attacked the workers.” it they were only going to scare off some animals, the Annfyn thought that it wasn’t going to be a problem. “Who is the other Sith that is coming to help us?”

@Nevermourn @lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

It had been far too long since she'd shown her face as a Sith. It'd been too long two years ago, but... well, she was here now. More specifically, she was here thanks to a message from a certain new Sith Master. Sol Kenuk. She'd never heard of the man before, but apparently he'd been making moves in the Empire. It reminded her a bit of Vex, who'd been the same breed of 'comes up from out of nowhere and makes a name for themselves.' Hopefully, this one wouldn't drop right back off as she did.

Even after receiving the message, Malou hadn't been sure whether or not she wanted to answer it. She kind of liked staying holed up on Hoth where the weather was frigid and the people were few. But the more she thought about it, the more she realized she was turning into a couped-up hobo. At least I'm making use of my time, she noted. Between her research on the Consiluil de Sapte and Darth Myslec's holocron, her time away hadn't been completely wasted.

In the end, Malou rendezvoused with the new Sith Master. He was operating on Dagobah, which was the domain of Veles. She had a vested interest in the planet because of their relationship... or what their relationship had been. Veles had fallen off the radar as well, but unlike Vex, his disappearance had a pretty big effect on her. Whether she could admit it or not, she missed him. A lot. And it was for that reason that she'd traveled to this nasty, hot, swampy planet. Sol wanted to finish building the academy that Veles never finished. She would help him with that, but she would be keeping an eye on the Kel'dor.

Figuratively, of course. Malou didn't keep a literal eye on many things nowadays.

"Malou D'Amaris." Not long after Caerllion inquired about who the 'other Sith' was, Malou joined the two men out in the clearing. She'd landed her ship not too far away, and they'd likely heard the whoosh from when her ship had passed overhead earlier. She knew Sol was the Kel'dor, but she wasn't sure who the other Sith was.

The Miralukan was dressed lightly, though her arms and legs were completely covered in cloth. Additionally, she wore a full-faced mask secured around the back of her head underneath her locked hair. That, combined with her monotone voice, made her a woman exceptionally hard to read. Even her posture and mannerisms were decidedly neutral, and she didn't appear to be apprehensive or receptive toward either of the other Sith.

In actuality, she was far from pleased to be on the swampy planet yet again.

tags: @Nevermourn @LouJoVi

 

[Sol Kenuk]

Peering down from the cliff and into the vast, murky swamps below, Sol can still hear the engines of the shuttle that arrived next, followed by a third. It seemed that everyone had arrived on time. Good, the Kel'dor thinks silently to himself. He did not have the patience to wait for too long, especially not here, of all places. The humidity was choking, and the heat was uncomfortable. No doubt the insects would be worse than anything the Kel'dor had ever had the misfortunate of dealing with. But he was a Sith, and therefore adaptable. Whatever the climate, Sol would survive.

"There are many beasts in the swamps that we will have to watch out for." He finally responds to Caerllion's comment. Dealing with the pests would be a simple matter once they located the remains of the Academy. That was what technology was for, after all. But the Kel'dor doesn't quite get the chance to answer Caerllion's second inquiry, before the third Sith decided to speak up for herself. A sly grin draws discreetly across his maw as he hears the vocals of Malou.

"Ah, welcome." Sol's icy drawl does not waste time with pleasantries. He was here on a mission, as were the other two, and little else mattered. "We should be fairly close to the original grounds of where the Academy was being constructed." The Kel'dor pointed out, though it was more-so for Caerllion's sake.

"Let's head down the slope and get our boots wet, shall we? Malou, take the lead if you prefer." Sol offers with plain vocals, and doesn't waste time waiting for replies. He begins picking his way down the grassy slope, and toward the misty bog that awaited them below.

The sound of frogs and other critters is a pleasant ambience as the man's boots make first contact with muddy waters. He's surprised at how deeply his foot seems to sink into the murk, and the sensation of mud pulling at his boots as he made his next step was far from a pleasant one. Nonetheless, Sol would manage well enough. He had been on worlds far more hostile than this one, after all. The force stretches beyond his frame, probes at the surrounding undergrowth, watchful for any sign of danger that might be lurking nearby.

@LouJoVi @lizziie

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

He had barely finished his question when the other Sith had approached them. Malou D’Amaris, he had heard about her before. She was a very well accomplished Sith and had been an apprentice of Darth Caelestis. However, it has been some time since she appeared in missions.

The Annfyn wondered why she had disappeared from the Imperial scene for so long. There were rumors that said that it was because she feared retaliation after her Master was killed. He doubted that it was the case. The old Empress would have hunted her down if she really wanted to eliminate the woman.

Perhaps she only wanted to have a break of all that. If all the rumors that he heard were true, Malou really did much to the Empire. She deserved some time to relax and stay with some friends. No one would be able to accuse her of being lazy.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Caerllion of Cyfnos.” he said politely, while giving a brief bow. As always, Sol wasn’t as polite as him. It was very different from how the Kel’dor acted during a diplomatic mission. In the Annfyn’s opinion, the Master could be more sympathetic with others during conversations, even if it was fake. This could make allies more interested in helping.

With the introductions made, Sol started walking toward the misty bogs. Caerllion promptly followed him, while thinking what was happening inside Darth Veles’ mind to have the stupid idea of making an Academy in such a place. He had pity for the students that were going to come here.

@Nevermourn @lizziie

 

[Malou D'Amaris]

Malou gave Caerllion a slight nod of acknowledgment when he introduced himself, just as she did when Sol welcomed her to the group. When Sol asked her to take the lead, she proceeded to do so without so much of a pause and began to descend into the misty bog below. It wouldn't be long before the soft, moss and lichen-covered dirt of the bog became the clingy mud of a swamp, and it was only a bit longer before large, warped swamp trees began to obscure sunlight with their dense canopies.

It was at this point that the other two would likely become acutely aware of a presence in the air around them. It extended from Malou and into the ground, into the trees, and into the water. Sol's probing of the undergrowth would alert him of predatory signatures in the Force or movement, but Malou's presence in the Force was much different. The natural Sight of the Miralukans allowed her to see everything around her in extreme detail, and on such a Force-heavy planet like Dagobah, it was even easier for her to do so. She could see the salamanders wriggling around under the mud, the snakes waiting in ambush for prey in the trees, and the countless critters that inhabited the spooky swamps.

Furthermore, she could simultaneously look out for potential threats and watch her companions' every movement. In the past, she'd found it difficult to explain how her Sight worked to those who'd only ever seen with their natural eyesight. When she saw with her eyes, though the world was shapeless past the length of her elbow, she could only focus on one thing at once. With the Sight, she did not have that problem.

Of course, she couldn't see anything in color, but that was hardly a problem at the moment.

"This way." The Miralukan abruptly changed paths and began trekking to the West, slowly making progress as she pulled her boots in and squished them into the suctioning mud. There had been something hidden under the mud not too far in front of them, and she didn't feel like fighting it. The last time she'd had to fight one of these swamp monsters, it had been a major pain in the ass.

tag: @Nevermourn @LouJoVi

 

[Sol Kenuk]

With The Miralukan in the lead, the Kel'dor is quite confident that they'll find what remained of the half constructed Academy, even sunken into the mud and murk as it might have been. Insects buzzed around his frame, snakes, frogs, and lizards flitting about the damp undergrowth as thick mist swirled across the surface of bubbling waters. Despite the inhospitable nature of this world, it flourished with life and a bold sensation of isolation that was all too enthralling for the man. Despite his short time on the planet, Sol found that he was warming up to it's harsh environment. He could handle the muddy shoes and the wet clothing, even the sweat and the choking sensation of humid breath. If a Sith could conquer Dagobah's lands, then they could conquer any. The Academy would insure of that much.

There is quiet air between the trio, but it is not entirely unpleasant. The Kel'dor enjoys the surrounding ambience of the shadowy bog. As he prods outward with the force, he can sense the strong presence of Malou, not the first Miralukan he had dealt with, but nonetheless, just as fascinating. The force was indeed far better than any pair of eyes could hope to be, and the Miralukans knew that better than most. As Malou abruptly changes direction, Sol keeps pace, hauling his boots through the thick mud as they swerve away from whatever beast lurked hidden in the murk nearby. He could sense it as well, large and predatory, but it seemed disinterested in the three Sith, however temporary that sensation might have been. The Kel'dor does glance back toward Caerllion, just to insure he wasn't going to accidently antagonize whatever creature it was prowling the mud nearby.

"Malou." Sol's inquisitive vocals are a dry baritone that echo through the humid atmosphere, "What did Lord Veles intend with this Academy, exactly?" The Kel'dor questioned curiously. She had known Veles, unlike Sol. She would likely have a far better idea as to what he had intended with the Academy itself. "I was looking to specialize in sorcery and alchemy here, myself. The isolated and hostile environment of Dagobah is quite perfect for hiding a facility full of the more... magick inclined individuals. It seems unlikely that the Jedi would ever target this world for their own gain, and the force is undoubtedly stronger here than on neighboring worlds." Indeed, it seemed Dagobah had no shortage of advantages, even if most other Sith might not see the value as easily as Sol. Clearly, this Veles seemed to have a similar line of thinking as the Kel'dor.

@LouJoVi @lizziie

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

With Malou leading the group, the three Sith entered the swamps. While his boots proved to be very useful to avoid getting his feet dry, they ended somewhat limiting his movements. When he stepped in some parts with too much mud, the Annfyn would get temporarily stuck, needing to use some strength to free himself from it.

This would end making him go a bit slower than he had wanted. However, looking at their guide, the Annfyn noticed that she also wasn’t going so fast. The mud was giving problems to all of them. Perhaps the only one that didn’t seem to be affected by it was Sol. The Kel’dor seemed to be fine being in this place.

Like the others, Caerllion had also felt the creature hiding in the mud. The Annfyn made the effort of passing as farway as he could from it. He wasn’t in the mood to fight whatever it was. It would be a pain to do it in the middle of a swamp, even if the three were well trained Sith.

Sol’s question perked his attention. An Academy for Sith interested in sorcery was interesting. “Do you already have ideas for the staff?” the Annfyn asked, interested in the possibility of visiting this place in the future. Even if Dagobah was a great mud ball, the opportunity of meeting other sorcerers was too good for him to ignore.

@Nevermourn @lizziie