Ask The One on Zakuul

[Kaldar]

Per my OP template, thread is death enabled​

Zakuul was one of those places that just didn't feel right. Kaldar had only set out to this place after doing no small amount of research into the past and spending almost a full week in straight meditation in hopes of finding what he was looking for. He was on the trail of an old, long dead Sith Lord who had allegedly died here.

You know... thousands of years ago.

Kaldar had come here in the hopes of finding something she may have left behind. It was a thin lead if he was being honest, but Darth Zash had apparently died here, and she had reportedly had information that he could use.

So here he was, landing at the edge of one of the planet's cities that - although still populated - had fallen far from their previous glory.

It no longer had great standing armies or Force-users defending it, but now was a mostly isolated, self-sufficient society. A society that was mostly isolated from the conflicts of Jedi, Sith, Empires, or abominations.

In other words, no one would notice a single Sith, dressed in plain clothes, poking around. He walked down the upper levels of the city and heading for... the library. That's right, he was a Sith and he was heading to the library. Everybody thought being a Sith was all stabby-stabby, swabuckling, Force-choking glory, but Kaldar spent literally so much time reading and in libraries. Like an annoying amount of time.

 

[Karys]

Zakuul had once been the seat of power to a massive empire. One ruled by the powerful. One that brought security to its people. Karys had come, begrudgingly, to read and understand this. He had come to learn how to rule and not just govern.

It’s what had drawn the Sith into the library to read. He walked through wearing a pair of blue dress slacks, a white button down, and a pair of brown dress shoes. All of it had been custom made due to his titanic size. Karys rolled his sleeves up as his data slate finished renting several books and took a seat at a table to begin reading.

But as his golden eyes fell to the slate he noticed a familiar face..

Karys slid from his seat, bringing his dataslate with him. He’d allow his shadow to fall over the other Sith before uttering his name in the same way he had on Zeltros.

“Kaldar.”

@Phoenix

 

[Kaldar]

Kaldar wasn't quite so oblivious to have failed to notice the titanic Sith in the library, and as the other man came over to greet him settled in his chair, Kaldar just smirked.

Well, well, well, he said, motioning to the seat across from him. Fancy seeing you here, he said.

You know, if I didn't know better, I'd think you were stalking me. Second time we've bumped into each other, he said with that insufferable smirk.

He turned his head slightly to try to catch a glimpse of what Karys had in his reading list for the day. It was a long way to come just to visit the library, but what had Kaldar said! Sith. Went. To. Libraries.

It was hilarious because you'd not expect the library to be the meeting point for the Sith war machine, but here they were.

Ah yeah, Eternal Empire stuff, he said, catching the title "Valkorian: The Untold Story" among Karys's books. Because really, why else would anyone be here?

Anything in particular? he asked.

 

[Karys]

Karys glanced to the chair across from Kaldar and slid into it. While Karys certainly wouldn’t consider Kaldar a friend, he was friendly and they hadn’t tried to murder each other…yet. Which for the large part was about as good as Sith relations got.

“I was just thinking the same thing.” Karys replied, his dour expression becoming more neutral.

Karys allowed for a small chuckle to escape his throat, an increasingly rare sound since Murzana. “Three times now, Kaldar.” Karys corrected. “Muunilinst, Zeltros, and now here. But if I was a shadow, I’d be a poor one, wouldn’t I?” He asked.

“Some say the Galaxy is just a small place. In this case, perhaps it’s more in line with providence.” Karys offered, gesturing with his hand. “How do your clients fare?” He asked before his gaze fell to the dataslate.

When Kaldar craned his neck to see what Karys had been reading, the massive Pureblood pushed the tablet forward, making it easier to see. An annoyed sigh escaped his lips.

“Information on ruling.” Karys grumbled. He’d never considered himself a king or ruler but here he was, married to the king of Korriban. Understanding these concepts were important to properly supporting Azar’s plans. “I must bring more utility to my aspirations if I am to support them.” He didn’t sound too pleased by his topic of study. “And you, Kaldar? What brings you to the ruins of the Eternal Empire?” He asked leaning forward as well to catch a glimpse of Kaldar’s titles.

They were far more interesting.

“Manuscripts on ancient force sensitives?” Karys asked, not wanting to use the S word in public. “I could…be convinced to pause my research to aid a fellow esteemed Scholar.” Karys offered diplomatically.

@Phoenix

 

[Kaldar]

Yeah, but the first time didn't really count because we didn't know each other, he said and then quirked an eyebrow. Unless you're saying you were following me all the way back then, he said with a snicker. But like... actually maybe. After the recent desecration of Tempest he had to imagine the Sith Order wasn't going to be too friendly with him, though it still wasn't common knowledge which exact team he played for.

I dunno man, hide in plain sight and all that, he quipped back.

Ah yes, the dance of fate and destiny, he said. Yes, he was starting to think it was fated that they meet. Or at least that they were being nudged that way.

Ruling, Kaldar thought to himself. That sounded absolutely dreadful. Kaldar was interested in power much more so than the trappings that went with it. He had no interest in ruling, and he was taking his teachings from Raze even now.

Looking for records about a certain person and some information she might have died with, he said. It was vague both for the sake of anyone around them and for not revealing too much to his "colleague."

Zash, he decided to just give the name, sliding one of the books across the table for Karys to start looking as well if he so chose.

 

[Karys]

Kaldar’s response got a bark of laughter from Karys, one that was cut short given their surroundings. “Ah, yes. How could I forget? I saw your magnificent hair and decided to trail you until I found your stylist.” Karys quipped in reply. “Unfortunately for me, I am quite…unmissable.” He gestured to himself at that.

Karys nodded in response to Kaldar’s assessment of destiny. The Force had brought them together on Muunilinst to accomplish something. Perhaps it had brought them together again for a similar goal?

Karys’ eyebrow ridge quirked at Kaldar’s response. It wasn’t what he’d expected from the fellow Sith Master. When Kaldar slid the book over to Karys, he flipped it open and began to lightly scan what was before him.

“You said she was dead.” Karys stated. “Do you have a way of communing with her spirit?” Karys asked as he glanced up from the book. “And do you have a way of binding her to ensure the answers are honest?”

@Phoenix

 

[Kaldar]

The truth comes out, Kaldar said. Hey, he may have been Sith, but he knew how to carry a good joke.

You're more of a stabby-stabby, aren't you? he said as Karys said he was unmissable. It would make things quite difficult for him to do the sneaking, though he supposed he may have been a sorcerer of some sort. Seemed somewhat unlikely, but who knew? Maybe he was studying under Azar.

He shook his head.

Not planning to do any of that. Not even sure that there's a spirit to bind, he admitted. If there was then he'd have to cross that bridge later after doing some studies in the Hoth library.

I'm going to see if any of her records are still around. You know how... these people are. They're hoarders, and she had some knowledge that I want. I'd wager she went down with what she knows and wasn't hyped on sharing it. Which means finding where she died, he explained.

 

[Karys]

An amused smirk crested Karys’ lips. “Indeed, I am a man with a weakness for well-groomed and maintained hair.” He gave a throaty chuckle.

Karys quirked an eyebrow ridge at Kaldar’s next question. Stabby-stabby? What the hells? Karys shrugged in reply. “I am whatever I need to be at the time.” He replied. “Our kind doesn’t survive long if they focus on only one aspect of the doctrine.” It was vaguely true. Most Sith who made it to the point often had studied many different aspects of the Dark Side. Secret knowledge gave them an edge and kept them alive in the face of countless rivals. “You strike me as the silver tongued type.” Karys replied. “How many clients have been cowed by your words alone?” A small smirk settled on his lips. Kaldar was often short and to the point, so Karys’ own rebuttal amused him. The banter was refreshing.

Karys listened to Kaldar as he explained his goals. Karys nodded along in genuine interest rather than his normal feigned. Kaldar had proven he was useful and skilled. Karys considered him a worthy ally and would aid him in the endeavor.

“So we are hunting the crypt of a dead sorceress for power you’re being purposefully vague on?” Karys leaned back in his chair. “I’ll help and you can consider it a token to cement an alliance between us.” Karys offered. “Pass me some of your reading materials and let’s find Zash’s resting place.” Karys extended a hand to take some of the books and begin research.

@Phoenix

 

[Kaldar]

Hmm, Kaldar said cryptically, eyes narrowing slightly at Karys as he spoke but otherwise offering no other comment.

Oh, you know, he said with a mischievous smirk as Karys asked how many people Kaldar had talked with his silver tongue. Sometimes they needed a little bit of a nudge or an action to contribute, but once Kaldar hooked his talons in, there was no letting go. The ritual he had recovered with Vossari on Athiss ensured that. The Nagai leadership was inescapably under his control now as was the new Queen of Onderon.

Pretty much, except it might not be a full tomb, he said. She joined the Order of Zildrog and then was killed, but I can't find any record of where, he said. This was the part that had become tricky. Trying to search through all the records of the battles to find anything about her. It had been... slow.

Kaldar was... a little skeptical of Karys's willingness to help, and wondered if he was expecting this to be a chit he could call in later. Kaldar might oblige depending on what the subsequent request was. Still, he didn't say anything about it for the moment.

Alright, he agreed. We certainly worked well together last time, he said. Kaldar was still raking in the dough from his investments with the Muuns and couldn't have been happier.

Huh... what about this? he said, sliding a book across. The Order met its end out on Nathema. I wonder if she's entombed somewhere there. At the site of the final battle. Maybe in her ship or something, he said.

 

[Karys]

The lighthearted attitude of Karys vanished at that name, Nathema. His golden eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Kaldar’s face. His mood shifting to something more serious, something more dire.

“There was no battle on Nathema.” Karys stated coldly. “That is a dead and cursed world.” He continued. “Sucked clean of life down to its marrow.” He explained. “Its death screams heralded the birth of a being so terrible legends say it took the combined force of both Jedi and Sith to destroy its soul.” Karys shuddered at the thought. “If what we seek is on that world, we should be prepared.” He warned. “The scars of Nathema still hunger. They will slowly drain us.”

Karys’ tone spoke to grave nature of the place. He wasn’t kidding. Many of his people refused to set foot on a world that had once been populated by them. It was a dead rock that floated in space. Haunted only by the memories and ghosts of the past that walked across its eternal wastelands.

Karys felt the hair on his neck rise. Something was off here. He wasn’t sure what it was but he was certain of it. While the threat Nathema posed was great, so too was the lure of forgotten knowledge and ancient power. Karys sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose.

“We might live to regret this Kaldar.” He stated. “But I’m in…” He continued. “Did you bring a vessel or would you like to hitch a ride?” He offered, giving his ally a forced smirk to hide his unease.

@Phoenix

 

[Kaldar]

Kaldar watched Karys's face turn all serious all of a sudden as he spun a story about some soul-sucking threat that it had taken both Jedi and Sith to defeat. Kaldar's face was more than a bit skeptical.

He was no stranger to ghosts, undead, Sith monsters, and the like... surely this was just going to be more of the same. I mean, kriff, Kaldar was apprentice to Darth Raze. It didn't get much scarier than that.

So what then? We need to bring an army? Reinforcements? Droids? he asked. If it really was soul sucking, then maybe Kaldar's droids were exactly what they needed.

I've got a ship, he said, rising to his own feet, though part of him wondered if they were going to need time to gather something more than just the two of them to launch on this attack.

Alright, so educate me. What should we actually be expecting, he said. He wasn't apparently as aware of this particular Sith legend. After all... he couldn't know everything.

 

[Karys]

Karys shook his head, Kaldar didn’t get it. “My people don’t just abandon worlds.” Karys emphasized. “We thrive even in the harshest of places. Ziost. Korriban, Tund, and Dromund Kaas. To name a few.” He explained. “All I can give us is the legend that surrounds it and the knowledge I’ve gained over the years.” Karys continued. “Are you familiar with essence draining rituals?” Karys asked.

He wouldn’t actually wait for Kaldar’s response.

“Stories tell that a particularly powerful young Lord drew a cabal of sorcerers to Nathema around the time the Andrastan Empire fell.” He began. “They told them of a ritual that would amplify power and extend life. They just…didn’t say how it would do that.” Karys explained with a smirk. “When the sorcerers aided them in the ritual they were consumed, mind body and soul. But the ritual didn’t end there. It consumed every living cell on the world…aside from our magnified cunning Lord.” Karys leaned forward. “That Lord, according to text would lead an Empire of Sith and eventually be destroyed by them and the Jedi.” He continued. “Even our kind fears when one of us grows too powerful.” Karys pointed out.

Karys would slide the book back to Kaldar.

“That ritual left scars and remnants of the same power that killed it.” He explained. “It is a nexus that hungers. And the information, the secrets, and the power within the maw could be limitless.” Karys mused aloud. “As for what we should bring. I can muster an army droids. Or common men to temporarily sate Nathema.” He offered with a shrug. “Either is fine with me.”

@Phoenix

 

[Kaldar]

Kaldar gave a nod to confirm that he was familiar with such things. His use of the Third Shard meant that he had a much higher grasp of Drain that most anyone else alive. Perhaps - if that was relevant - it would become useful as they proceeded to this world.

Kaldar listened to the story, and pieces of it certainly sounded familiar. He was sure he had heard something like it in his studies before, though the exact details seemed to be slipping through his fingers. Karys was polite enough to oblige with the rest of the details.

As Karys finished his story, Kaldar gave pause, thinking about what they should take with them - if anything - for what was to come.

I'll bring droids, you bring the sacrifice, he said. He wasn't sure they were going to need either of them, but it was better to have and not need. Besides, by his reckoning, the droids could spread out and provide them with far greater "range" for their search.

Nathema in seven days? he suggested. It would give them both time to discover whatever they might need. Kaldar wondered if this was going to end up being another place that he nearly died to bring Raze back. Probably...

---​

Kaldar would arrive at Nathema seven days later. In typical Sith fashion, he had considered getting there early to make sure that nothing was an ambush, but the realization that the planet might well eat him just because it existed was unpleasant. He had decided to wait for the proper place and time. He'd brought his personal ship and parked it in a hidden gorge not far from where camp was set up and had also brought along a larger shuttle filled with his own BX-commando droids from the manufacturing plant he had stolen from Geonosis. In addition they had a slew of speeders and the like for quick recon of the area.

The moment he set foot on the planet, he couldn't help but note just what kind of a place it was. It was cold and dead and seemed to almost creep along your skin even though it was filled with forests. Didn't matter, it was still... dark.

By the time Karys arrived, Kaldar already had his droids set up something of a perimeter around a camp with electro-poles set up to keep predators or the like away. For his part, he had wandered a distance into the forests at first and just... meditated. He reached out to the darkness to see what reached back before finally feeling he might have an idea of where he needed to look.

Almost on cue, he heard the sound of another shuttle coming down to land and (given how much tourism this place didn't get) Kaldar was fairly certain this was Karys and company.

 

[Karys]

Seven days. That's when they'd meet up. But if he thought Karys would come without his own droids, he was dead wrong. Karys liked Kaldar, he viewed him as an ally even but he was still Sith. So Karys could never fully trust him and he wasn't about to be the one that lacked a loaded gun. Especially on a cursed rock like Nathema.

Karys smiled at Kaldar, it was a mirthless hungry smile, something a predator wore. The lust for power danced behind Karys' eyes, as it should in any decent Sith. "Seven days, Kaldar." Karys agreed. "I look forward to being able to work alongside you again." He confessed as he stood to his feet. "I'll see you on that dead world."

------------------------------------------

Karys took longer than Kaldar to arrive. He had two freighters that he brought with him. One was filled with the failures of the Panathan military, the dishonored who would have never seen war in his name. He had promised them a path to redemption, a path to glory. They just weren't aware that it would also lead to their graves. The bonus was the Epicanthinx were Force Resistant, meaning it would take longer for this world to sap them entirely. Their sacrifice could be extended for a while, buying more time .

From the other, marched battle droids, fresh from the factories on Mustafar. Karys had been given access to the Order's resources due to his favor with Darth Tempest. He used them here to act as shield to ensure betrayal couldn't happen. His golden eyes would survey the lands before him. Dead and barren just as the stories told. He could sense Kaldar and instructed his men to set up camp within the safe zone. The two Sith Masters had much to discuss before venturing deeper into the world.

Karys would follow Kaldar's signature to where his ally meditated. He stood in silence for a moment, allowing Kaldar to come out of the trance-like state before speaking. "I brought reinforcements as well." Karys told him with a knowing grin. "With our combined might, nothing should stand in our way." He reassured Kaldar. "If Zash came to look for power or participate in the ritual...she'd likely have died at the governor's building." Karys pointed out, his gaze turning to take in their surroundings.

@Phoenix

 

[Kaldar]

Kaldar was on his feet again by the time Karys reached him, heading back in the direction of camp when the two of them met up.

Kaldar suppressed the grin on his face as Karys said that he had brought reinforcements of his own.

You brought your own droids? he said, shaking his head and making a tsk-tsk-tsk noise. You wound me, he said as they arrived back at camp. Between the two of them they had a pretty potent force and that was beside the two Sith Masters.

Alright, governor's building. ID! he said, calling out to the small probe droid that often floated around with Kaldar these days.

Scout ahead toward the governor's building, he said, pointing in the proper direction without even seeing the map that showed the building. He could sense it and it was precisely why he had been meditating.

You have a particular plan for sacrificing our... friends? he asked. He assumed the other man had a plan.

Or just have them follow us up and slowly get sucked to death? he asked.

 

[Karys]

Karys' grin only widened at Kaldar's response. "Don't act like you wouldn't have done the same if our roles were reversed." Karys replied with a chuckle. It wasn't personal but truly trusting another Sith usually resulted in death. It was better to have insurance policies. It's why Karys had survived this long. That and ham-sized fists.

Karys watched as Kaldar dispatched his tiny droid, he watched it disappear into the horizon. Before his golden gaze returned to Kaldar. When Kaldar asked how he intended to sacrifice the refuse, Karys smiled pleasantly. While Karys was no sorcerer, he was Azar's husband and former apprentice. Between his trainings and the Kressh blood in his veins, Karys had picked up a few things. He had a plan.

"We use them as a shield while we travel. Once we get to the governor's building, the droids have orders to...disable them." He explained. "Once they can't run or fight back we will start the ritual." He continued. "It should directly feed their life force to the wounds within the governor's building, buying us time to find what we need." He concluded. "Any issues with that?" Karys asked, knowing already Kaldar wouldn't have any hesitation.

@Phoenix

 

[Kaldar]

Kaldar thought about the plan that was proposed, turning it over in his mind for a moment not because he had problems with the death they were about to inflict but just to make sure that it would adequately do what they needed while also keeping his own life safe.

How many did you bring? he asked, and knew that Karys would know he meant sacrifices not droids.

He glanced around the camp at the troops the had brought.

Let's move out! he told his droids, a mix of movement began as the commando droids moved quickly into position. Blasters and swords were on their backs and hips, ready to begin killing.

Four of you stay here and protect the camp, he said. A quartet of commando droids was a deadly thing and more than enough to keep the camp safe until their return... hopefully.

The droids began to load up on a mixture of speeders and Kaldar mounted one of his own, waiting for Karys to do the same before tearing off into the emptiness of the world ahead. It was an odd planet, and the scars of whatever had happened here still marked its surface, but Kaldar was undisturbed. Nothing would stand in the way of him taking his prize.

The building - or what was left of it - was visible in the distance. Perhaps the eeriest thing about it was that it... wasn't destroyed. He was used to seeing worlds destroyed and ripped apart by abominations or turbolasers, but something very different had sucked this world dry, and its power still lingered here. But it had left the buildings alone... If it weren't that they were consumed by the natural decay of time it might have been just another abandoned world.

@Apollyon

 

[Karys]

When Kaldar asked how many sacrifices he’d brought Karys tilted his hand side to side. “Theoretically? Enough for three to four hours.” He told him. “Realistically? Two to three.” He said bluntly. “It will be more than enough.” He said reassuring Kaldar.

Karys followed suit with Kaldar, his droids and men loading up into transports or speeders to head in the direction of the abandoned governor’s building. As they headed that way every once in a while an Epicanthnx would slump over and just die. The body would have to be dumped from the transport and then they’d continue onwards.

Eventually they’d arrive at the governor’s building and Karys would disembark from his speeder. He’d nod towards the commander droid. “Begin directive 349.” He stated simply.

The sound of blaster fire, bones shattering, and the screams of broken men echoed in the courtyard. Karys simply looked around, taking in the literal ghost town. He’d eventually turn his gaze to Kaldar. “I wish they wouldn’t scream so loudly. It makes it difficult to take in this place.” Karys commented.

But eventually the sacrifices had been delegged and dearmed. Their wounds were cauterized and some died from shock but it mattered very little. Karys began using the spilled blood to draw intricate runes and sigils around his pile of people. Once he’d finished he would take a step back and begin an incantation in High Sith.

The spilled blood would flare to life with a deeper crimson light. It would all run up towards the groaning, moaning mass of flesh and cocoon it. The chorus of pained screams was muffled but clearly intensified.

“There.” Karys said with a satisfied smile. “That will buy us two to three hours.” He glanced to Kaldar. “After you Kaldar.”

@Phoenix

 

[Kaldar]

Kaldar grimaced slightly as the men screamed and broke. Not that he hadn't been around it before, but it just sounded particularly unpleasant this time.

Oh well, no point in crying over spilled blood.

Still, he removed himself from the scene of the carnage because he could, and instead focused his attention on the governor's office. After all, there was no point in wasting even a moment of the time their sacrifices had bought.

He started picking through room after room, but didn't seem to find anything... until he noticed something... strange. One of the busts on the desk had ur-Kittat runes on it. Kaldar reached out and touched it, and its head flipped open to reveal a hidden, inner chamber (15/20).

Huh... he said, surprised and shrugged. It seemed the Force wanted him to be successful here. That was what he liked to hear.

He made his way slowly down the staircase behind the now-moved bookshelf and almost laughed.

This is straight out of a kriffing holomovie, he said. Surely they were going to find some secret, occult room... maybe with the teachings of Zash herself down here. They should be so lucky...

 

[Karys]

Karys left the pulsating mass of flesh that had once been men behind. Their lives were meaningless to him. The value that they had in life was extracted and used to pay the toll Nathema demanded of them. They were just refuse in his eyes now.

Karys turned to the commander unit. “Secure the perimeter. Maintain patrols. Report if there are any changes we should be made aware of.” He commanded.

“Understood.” The droid’s deep voice replied.

Karys walked away without another word. He followed in the wake of Kaldar, utilizing the Force to locate his partner’s signature and location within the building. The ceiling wasn’t meant for titans like Karys. It was cramped confines and he had to dip his head to move from room to room.

When he found Kaldar wandering into the secret room, he shook his head in disbelief.

“Just like on Muunilinst.” Karys commented as he made his way down the staircase.

His golden eyes seemed to glow into gloom of this place. Stone staunches hung on the walls, their flames long sputtered out. Karys reached out with the Force and relit the old rags to provide them with light. Before them was a sort of ritual room. An ancient altar was set up on dais at the center. There were several rotted bench seatings surrounding the dais. Around the perimeter of the room were several large bookcases. But towards the back of the room there was an opened mouth cavern of sorts.

Karys’ eyes wandered to the altar he walked up onto the dais and looked down at it. An old obsidian dagger sat unused but when he brushed the dust from the altar’s surface he saw familiar ur-kittat sigils.

He knew what they read.

<What is life's greatest illusion?> Karys muttered in his native tongue.

These were the riddles of the Sadowine Assassins. What were they doing here? Was this an ancient proto-order? A cult that developed into what his former House would become infamous for? It didn’t matter. Karys knew the answer to the question.

<Innocence, my sibling.> He stated calmly.

The altar rumbled and slowly split in two, revealing a narrow passage the led further down. Karys paused as he sniffed the air. The stink of rot and death rolled upwards to meet him.

Karys drew out Sadowbane, its witchfire curled upwards from the point of the blade. Whatever awaited them, he wouldn’t be caught in unawares. Karys nodded down towards the passage.

“I think we found another secret.” Karys informed Kaldar.

@Phoenix