Ask Event Tund: Whispers Of The Sleeping City

[The Storyteller]

.

It had only been a few weeks since the schism between the Order and the Din Empire. In the blink of an eye, the Sith had been stripped of their possessions and authority - forced to disseminate into the stars, or be persecuted by the rest of the Galaxy. With few assets and even less allies, the Sith Order had been driven to the brink of collapse - even as a new Dark Lord was chosen to lead them through the coming storms.

The future was unclear, but a simple message had been conveyed at Junction; to work discreetly, to bring allies and resources under the Sith banner. And it was for precisely that reason that Darth Tempest had turned her gaze to Tund.

Isolated from the Galactic stage, Tund was an alien and strange place to most - home to a coven of sorcerer’s who claimed the planet as their namesake. Masters of the Arcane Arts and descendents of the Pureblood Sith, the Sorcerer’s of Tund had the potential to be powerful allies for the resurgent Sith Order, if not for their mysterious and elusive nature. Multiple attempts to open communication channels with the Coven had gone unanswered. Every envoy, and a single Sith Master, sent to the planet never returned - vanishing without a trace shortly after arrival.

There was no explanation to the disappearances, and it demanded further inquiry. From wherever they had scattered into the Galaxy, members of the Sith Order had been dispatched to Tund - given the simple directive to locate the missing Sith Master, and to secure the allegiance of the Coven by whatever means necessary.

But not all was as it seemed on Tund.

Every one of them would feel it upon arrival. A chill that permeated through the air and had nothing to do with the temperature, piercing through every layer of armor and dark cloaks. A sense of unease that caused the hair on one's neck to stand at attention, and the underlying dread that just wouldn’t go away. There was no indication of who or what it was.. But the only certainly was that it eclipsed each and every one of them in strength.

Those who had arrived would find themselves assembled outside the city of Ud Zakrud - home of the Sorcerer’s of Tund and their followers. It was nestled within a network of canyons and jagged rock formations - the likes of which blanketed the city in almost subterranean darkness. The maze-like streets and alleys of Ud Zakrud were illuminated by plasma-fueled lights, casting every structure and corner in an eerie, violet glow - culminating in the tall, slender tower that sat within the middle of the city, where the Coven had operated for millennia. It was a strange and alien place to behold.

And there was not a single soul to greet the arrival of the Sith Order. No civilians. No merchants. No guardsmen on patrol.

What should have been home to nearly a million individuals harbored nothing but an eerie silence - and that same Darkness that seemed to beckon each and every one of them further into the Sleeping City. A straight path carved through the clustered structures and towards the Tower in the distance, allowing members of the Order to waltz right towards their primary destination. But so too was the entire city around them - and the mystery of what had happened to every one of its residents. And perhaps, their missing Sith Master. A choice laid before those assembled - though there was little indication which route was right over the other.

But somewhere in the distance - deeper within the bowels of Ud Zakrud - a lone figure watched as the Sith began to assemble outside of the city. For all that they had foreseen, the arrival of the Order was... An unexpected outcome. A complication that hadn’t been anticipated - but ultimately one that made little difference in the end.

Things were progressing exactly as they had hoped. The Veil had grown so thin, and the whispers from beyond had grown more vibrant than ever. A cacophony that couldn’t be ignored. They were so close, now.

Nothing was going to prevent His return.

Spoiler: OOC Note: Please Read!

Hey everyone - and welcome to the latest event for the Sith Order! Here are a few things to note before joining:

-This thread is death-enabled.
-It is open to all members of the Sith Order (Not Imperials), in addition to Indie/Merc characters that would reasonable assist in Sith efforts.
-Please include a summary spoilers at the end of your posts, explaining the actions of your character.
-To clarify, participants are to make their entrance this round - and are given the choice of whether to investigate the city or enter the Tower in the distance. Choose wisely.
-Deadline for posts is every 48hours after the last DM posts. Participants will be given the option of using requesting a single 12 hour extension during the course of the event. This will need to be requested prior to the deadline, and is meant to accomodate emergengies or unforeseen IC circumstances. Please do not abuse this.

Have fun!

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

The state of the Sith was one of turmoil and uncertainty since the banishment of their Order from the boundaries of Imperial space, yet another invisible line that could not be openly crossed by those who clung to the religion and the practice of darkness. Those who remained loyal to their teachings and their newest Dark Lord were desperate for guidance as to what would come next. For some, it may well have been clinging to methods of the past in despair of losing what made them Sith to begin with.

They were fools.​

The Sith Order had been broken down to rubble and ash and begged, pleaded for restructure. No longer could they vie for power openly in the galaxy without facing immeasurable response from their growing number of enemies. They now had to work from the shadows, pulling strings from afar to gain what they wanted. It seemed to Sah’ra , at least at face value, that the newly annointed Darth Tempest recognized this. To truly understand if this was a future she could stand behind, one she could support fully, the woman decided to respond to the secretly encoded summons sent out to any remaining Sith calling them to Tund. Of course, this would not be done recklessly. It could be a trap set by their ever growing number of adversaries to finally purge them from the galaxy.

Sah’ra’s full length black dress flapped in the cool breeze as she stood just beyond the gates of Ud Zakrud, her lightsabers tucked safely within. While many of her brethren had been forced to surrender their Sith weapon, being away on a personal assignment had granted her the opportunity to keep from such defilement. Not that she needed them. No true Sith required such weapons to be a threat but judging by the sensations that echoed through the Force around her, she was unsure if the weapons would even be of much use. Her skin crawled, goose bumps forming on porcelain white as she peered through the gates into streets devoid of any signs of life. Somewhere within this city, power taunted those who would challenge it and while the tower in the distance seemed like the most likely source, Sah’ra believed investigation of the missing populace may prove more fruitful before a headlong charge into danger’s grasp. With that, cautious steps would take her into the city to begin her search.

@Altaris

Spoiler

Sah'ra chooses to investigate the city

 

[Trace]

Trace had had a temptation to brood and be angry about losing her lightsaber and being turned out of Taris and being herded like a heifer, and for a time she was. But that time was come and gone, and feeling sorry for herself wasn't going to put her back in power. Convinced or not that the Sith Order had what it took to get her back to where she wanted to be, she had decided that at the very least, it was a means to an end for now.

The Dark Lord had demonstrated that she was powerful, and that alone was enough reason for Trace to - for now - remain with the others. When she'd been dispatched to Tund, she had no idea what she would find. Taking her short phrik vibrosword along, she'd disembarked from her ship and made her way with the small group of other Sith to the edges of the city.

Her eyes, of course, were not like those of others, but even so, she could sense that the city was empty. There was no one here to greet them and although there was something that seemed to draw her in it was accompanied by a very real problem of "this is definitely a trap."

Well, if she were a betting woman, she'd wager that whatever was causing problems here was in the tower, so she started heading in that direction, keeping her senses and Force Sight alert.

 

[Iko Gark Lokan Jistos]

Iko looked around, his senses on high alert as he stepped out of his ship. He was clad in his armor, helmet included, but for now his blaster was holstered, but ready in case he needed it. He didn't look like a Sith or a scientist, but more like a soldier at a first glance. Honestly, it burned him that he was forced to give up his lightsaber, but he planned to make another one, eventually.

He looked around, sniffing the air and tentatively expanding his mind to feel around with the Force. The silence was... eerie, to say the least, and there was something... wrong, simply put. His instinct told him that there was... something lurking out there, but he wasn't sure what, or who, it was.

Noticing Trace and where she was headed, he trotted to her, sighing. "Greetings, Iko-Gark-Lokan Jis'tos" he introduced himself, flashing a charming fanged smile as they proceeded. "Quite the... interesting situation we're in, huh? I've never been here, but definitely something happened" he mused, keeping himself in alert, hand on his blaster...

Spoiler

Iko goes with Trace towards the tower!

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

Drexus wasn't entirely familiar with the planet Tund, but he had listened to the stories his father told him of it. How it was a place of darkness and magick. How it was a haven of Purebloods and wasn't to be played with. The latest reports of Sith making their way here and never returning was enough to place him on edge, but nevertheless he wanted to overcome this challenge. Prove to himself he was as great a warrior as his father.

Arriving he wore his armor he had crafted with his father's teachings. The place was empty, and he noticed Sah'ra leaving alone. Seemed the other two would be fine with each other, Drexus would stick with the lone wanderer. Walking beside her, he noticed much about this city, Ud Zakrud. It was cold, and felt hollow. The area dark, and brooding. Seemed like every Sith territory in history aside from Serenno.

Speaking through his modulator he would make note, "This is obviously a trap." Drexus was smart enough to know a trap when he saw one, but he accepted the challenge should it arrive. He had no saber this time, they were left with their last encounter with the horned Imp. He didn't need them though, Drexus was a Nightbrother warrior, and Sith trained by Draugr, his father. Nothing was going to make him weak. Instead he brought two vibroblades, sheathed at his sides and his spear he had crafted with his father when he was younger. It was made of wookiee wood, and the tip of phrik. It was a warrior's weapon, and held on his back with a leather strap.

"Let's find what we're looking for." The modulated voice deepened, and heavy in the baritone. Reminiscent of Vader or Kylo Ren. Though it had its own tone, something that would give him a distinct voice from the other Sith in history, as his own true voice fairly different than theirs.

Spoiler: TLDR

Drexus investigates the city with Sah'ra

@Tulos @Altaris @Phoenix @samdragon

 

[The Storyteller]

Though they would never know it, dozens of eyes watched as the Sith began to make their choices - advancing deeper into Ud Zakrud in different directions. Given the circumstances, one could question the wisdom behind splitting their forces into different directions. Perhaps it would make things worse for the group.. Or perhaps it was precisely what was needed to find answers.

In any event, they wouldn’t be left in mystery for very long.

Tower group​

Trace and Iko would find their path towards the Tower to be.. Strangely unmolested. The streets and main thoroughfares of Ud Zakrud were void of life - with only the crowing of native birds and the howling breeze to break the monotonous silence. The arched doors of the Sorcerer’s citadel were left mysteriously open - allowing both Sith to enter the building without being stopped.

As the pair pressed on, they would find themselves within the lowest, central chamber of the Tower. Colossal statues of stone rose up from the ground, seeming to hold the ceiling upon their shoulders above. A large, spiral staircase began at the far side of the room, while several other arched doorways split off in different directions both left and right. It was a reminder of the maze-like quality of the complex, not entirely surprising for an Order that specialized in illusionary magicks. Slumped against a nearby wall was the battered reminds of a battle droid - one of its arms ripped clean off, while deep claw marks tore through its chassis

More curious were the sounds that echoed off those stone walls - traveling throughout the complex and clearly audible for the pair. The screams and shouts of many could be heard coming from deeper into the tower - though it wasn’t entirely clear from which direction. Perhaps it was the missing civilians and Sith Master. Perhaps it was something else entirely. But for the first time since arriving on Tund, Trace and Iko would start to realize that they weren’t entirely alone.

Before the pair could decide to investigate the different rooms or the battle droid, the sound of grinding stone began to reverberate behind them. Seemingly for no reason, the thick stone doors began to shift and close behind them - sealing the path behind them and preventing them from leaving. Movement began to stir from the corners of the room, as four feline creatures prowled the pair. They resembled the native Narglatch that hunted in the jungle swamps of Tund, though were significantly larger and twisted into something horrific. Those versed in the Arcane might be able to detect the touch of Darkness, remnants of Alchemy, that clung to the creatures. Regardless, the four felines began to slowly converge on the pair - haunches raised and fangs bared aggressively.

City Group​

Sah’ra and Drexus would quickly find their choice - to progress deeper into the streets of Ud Zakrud - wouldn’t be the most straightforward between the two, even if it was the most eerie to behold.

They found themselves traveling down one of the main thoroughfares of the city, walking amidst the unnatural silence and void of sentient life. The road beneath their street was paved and cobbled with smooth black stone, littered with scattered papers and fliers that danced with every breeze. A quick glance might reveal several of them to be ‘Missing Person’ signs.

The crow of native birds occasionally broke the silence, alongside the creaking of wooden shop signs on either side of the street. For all intents and purposes, it looked as if the entire city had disappeared one by one in a hurry, without ever picking up their belongings. Bowls of soup and plates of food were left to rot on cafe tables. Doors to homes and shopping centers were swung wide open, visible claw-marks gouged into the wood. Dropped purses and other personal belongings littered sidewalks.

There were multiple different buildings for the pair to investigate - and perhaps those locations might provide answers to why or how the people of Ud Zakrud had mysteriously disappeared. Perhaps the strangest of them all, however, was a tavern nestled towards the end of the street. Unlike the rest of the city, that sole establishment had kept its light on - an ‘Open’ sign flickering faintly in the main window. The sound of piano music could be faintly heard from inside, carried upon the breeze and audible the closer they approached.

What Sah’ra and Drexus chose to investigate closer - together or by splitting up - was left entirely to their discretion.

Spoiler: OOC Note: Please Read!

Hey everyone - here is the latest DM post for Sleeping City! Sorry for the delay. Here are a few things to note as the thread continues:

-This thread is death-enabled.
-The thread is no longer open to new posts. Good luck to those participating!
-Please include a summary spoilers at the end of your posts, explaining the actions of your character.
-As a reminder Deadline for posts is every 48hours after the last DM posts. Participants will be given the option of using requesting a single 12 hour extension during the course of the event. This will need to be requested prior to the deadline, and is meant to accommodate emergencies or unforeseen OOC circumstances. Please do not abuse this.

Have fun!

@Phoenix @Tulos @samdragon @Scoobert

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

As she walked the streets with the younger Sith in tow, Sah’ra began taking note of the things she witnessed. No bodies suggested either the people had managed to escape to safety or that whatever it was that had rendered Ud Zakrud abandoned left nothing to find, the latter obviously far more terrifying to comprehend. One thing was clear, judging by the claw marks that decorated many of the doors that swung in the wind; some sort of vicious beast or beasts were responsible.

Bending down to retrieve a piece of paper that fluttered by her feet, Sah’ra examined it and found it to be a missing persons flyer. Curious. A few meters further, another flyer with a different face. Could this event have been one with a slow burn? Something that gradually picked the people off one by one, the disappearances perhaps multiplying in frequency until finally, none remained?

As she pondered the possibilities, the sudden sound of music echoing down the street would catch her ear as the tavern came into sight. It was such an alien thing, a building with life mingled amidst its darkened neighbors. She didn’t need the Force to tell her to be cautious of such a place but they had come here to track down their missing Sith Master. To not investigate the only clear clue was foolishness, no?

Motioning for Drexus to be silent on their approach, if he chose to follow along, Sah’ra would unclip one of the hilts from her belt and keep it at the ready in her hand. Each silent step towards the structure built up her anxieties and blood pressure, she could almost hear the rhythmic beating of her heart in her ears. Even despite the concern, a small smile toyed with the corners of her lips. The thrill of fear was not a foreign sensation and was one she had solemnly missed. The Sith woman would crouch beneath one of the windows and cautiously try to steal a glance within, the door undoubtedly unlocked and begging for them to enter.

@Altaris @Scoobert @Phoenix @samdragon

Spoiler

After noticing the tavern (and the numerous missing person flyers), Sah'ra creeps towards the tavern and glances in the window, weapon in hand.

 

[Trace]

Trace sensed someone else approaching, and she was fairly certain the only people who were out here were going to be Sith or Sith sympathizers. There was literally no other reason to come to a place like this.

I'm Trace, she said, still facing forward rather than at the man who had just arrived. Her senses in the Force were omnidirectional as a Miraluka, and she could gain an idea of the man even from here. He was a reptilian species of some sort, but she couldn't quite tell what. Barabel maybe?

Regardless of the answer, she was glad to see that he, too, looked like he was ready for a fight. She was getting all kind of bad vibes from this place, and as she drew closer to the tower she reached up to pull her sword from its sheathe.

It made a quiet buzzing sound as she activated the vibrocell and pressed onward only for things to become even more foreboding. The door closed behind her and she suddenly started getting bad, bad memories of that infernal space station. That was something she never wanted to go through again.

Just be calm, Trace. No panic. It's fine. You're fine. You're trained for this, she told herself without convincing herself.

And then the corners of the room started moving, and it really was the space station all over again. She wanted to panic and run out and she almost did. Instead, she took a step back for a moment and then steeled herself.

Cover me! she said, darting for the closest of the creatures and moving quickly to cut it down with her sword, aiming to take it either across the face or take off a leg depending on how it moved. She was an acrobat by training long before coming to the Sith, and she would remain light and quick on her feet to hopefully avoid being brought down by the animals.

@Altaris @samdragon

 

[Iko Gark Lokan Jistos]

As they entered the tower, Iko pulled out his blaster, keeping it ready. He looked around, examining the walls and many doors that surrounded them, genuinely curious and fascinated by the structure and the sounds that echoed around him... until the sound of the doors closing brought him back to reality, making him stay a bit close to Trace.

As the four beasts approached them, he looked at them fascinated, feeling the Dark Side's corruption and alchemy that clearly generated them. He would have attempted to perhaps calm the beasts down, if Trace didn't decide to jump onto the closest one. He rolled his eyes, but prepared, aiming his blaster and shooting a few shots, trying to hit the closest creatures, both to hurt and distract the beasts!

Spoiler

Iko shoots at the two closest beasts to hurt and distract them!

@Altaris @Phoenix

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

Drexus moved forth, and examined all he could before a gust of wind kicked up a flyer. Grabbing it, he noticed an unfamiliar face of a child. When he took a look at what Sah'ra had in her hand, he noticed a flyer with a different face. It was something that happened over time. It had to be, but what? Drexus figured this would've been one large attack or takeover or something, but if it was slow process it would've made sense why they hadn't heard about it.

The locals must've thought they could handle it. They were sorely mistaken. The armored Zabrak dropped the flyer in his hand when he heard the eerie piano music coming from across the way. If they had enough Sith here for a proper split party in the city he'd suggest it, but there was only two. Choosing to keep the strength in numbers, he follow Sah'ra to the tavern.

While she went to peep the window, Drexus would check the entrance. A shiver ran down his spine. This was a trap, and he wouldn't open the door til Sah'ra would mention what she saw, or didn't see. They were heading in regardless, it was just a matter of time. Once they were both ready, Drexus would unsheath a vibroblade sword at his hip and open the door. He would be ready for any surprise attack from inside. He took point as he would lead the two inside.

Spoiler: Drexus Actions

Drexus sees a flyer, follows Sah'ra to the Tavern, opens door when the two are ready. Takes point on entry.

@Tulos @Altaris

 

[The Storyteller]

Tower group​

Fortunately for the pair of Sith, the mutated-Narglatch weren’t particularly formidable foes on their own. They were the first line of defense for those who dared to trespass into the citadel of the Sorcerers of Tund, and hardly a challenge for two Champions to dispatch - a combination of plasma and vibrating phrik slicing like a knife through butter.

Trace would find the most initial success. As the beast lunged, the woman’s vibroblade sliced clean through its leg - causing the Narglatch to stumble forward, struggling to find its balance. She would have no difficulty finishing the beast off at this point. Curiously, she would immediately see the black smoke that began to seek from the lost limb - hissing like a kettle left to boil on the stove. Muscles contracted and strained, and it would almost appear as if the creature was withering before her very eyes. The dark energy that suffused them rapidly escaping.

Iko would find his attempted range attacks to be.. Less successful. Perhaps the Champion was on the right track when he initially considered calming the Narglatch’s, though it hardly mattered at this point. Bolts of plasma streaked through the air - and did indeed find purchase in one of its targets, carving through the beast’s shoulder. It immediately howled in pain, high-pitched shrieking echoing through the halls of the Tower and reverberating off stone walls.

While Iko’s attack served to distract and give Trace an opening, it unfortunately drew all that attention to himself. The three remaining Narglatch’s howled and started to close in on Iko - fangs bared to tear the Sith into a thousand different pieces.

Whether Trace finished off her initial target or not, the Sith would immediately begin to see what was happening. The rest of the pack closed in on her ‘ally’, and the faint sound of growls and rushing down one of the halls. While the Narglatch weren’t powerful on their own, they were pack animals - relying on numbers to overwhelm their prey. She had a clear choice to make, with multiple hallways and routes deeper into the Tower. Would she try to help, and risk exposure to the larger pack? Or would his sacrifice - keeping the attention of their foes - provide her the means of escape?

Only she could decide.

City Group​

Sah’ra and Drexus would find themselves fortunately - albeit rather strangely - devoid of any opposition. The city truly was abandoned, and even a brief glance inside other homes and shops would reveal that residence had simply.. Left. Abandoned their still furnished homes to go somewhere. Or perhaps were taken somewhere. Indeed, the only sign of sentient life was the tavern at the far side of the road - from where the music echoed and lights still flickered, beckoning someone through the doors.

But of course, neither of them actually walked through the door immediately. Drexus would find the entrance to the tavern chalked and with strange talismans hanging from the doorframe, rattling like windchimes in the breeze. What their purpose was or who put them there wasn’t entirely clear.. But he would notice they hung from every physical route in or out of the building.

Unfortunately for Sah’ra, peering into the tavern window wasn’t the clearest picture. The panel of glass was old and discolored, caked in dust from a clear lack of maintenance. It was yet another sign that things hadn’t been well on Tund for quite a while, amongst simply making it difficult to see.

Indeed, the Sith Champion would have to press her face against the dusty window - likely cupping the space around her eyes with her hands to filter out light - to get a clear view inside the establishment.

The moment she did, Sah’ra would see an old woman staring right back at her through the glass - wrinkled lips curled into a wicked, mostly toothless and yellow - smile. Dull red eyes stared through the glass with a twinkle of delight. Expectantly.

Eagerly.

“Do come inside, dears.” The old woman croaked, staring at Sah’ra but clearly aware of Drexus at the door. “It is chilly this time of year, isn’t it?” She said in almost a caring, grandmotherly tone - which would’ve been very comforting, if she wasn’t the first and likely strangest thing either of them had seen this far.

If they continued inside, the pair would find the tavern to be significantly better maintained from the inside - dusted and illuminated by the warmth and crackle of wood in the fireplace. The old woman in question was seated in a chair behind the counter, looming over a pot of mulled cider that smelled oh-so-divine in the present weather - rich with spices and able to warm them from the inside out.

“Welcome to the Sleepy Bantha,” She grinned, gesturing to the cozy establishment all around them.

Spoiler: OOC Note: Please Read!

Hey everyone - here is the latest DM post for Sleeping City! Sorry for the delay. Here are a few things to note as the thread continues:

-This thread is death-enabled.
-The thread is no longer open to new posts. Good luck to those participating!
-Please include a summary spoilers at the end of your posts, explaining the actions of your character.
-As a reminder Deadline for posts is every 48hours after the last DM posts. Participants will be given the option of using requesting a single 12 hour extension during the course of the event. This will need to be requested prior to the deadline, and is meant to accommodate emergencies or unforeseen OOC circumstances. Please do not abuse this.

Have fun!

 

[Trace]

Trace's blade found purchase in the animal's flesh, but even not being any kind of an arcane specialist herself, she could tell that something was very wrong about these creatures.

Something unnatural seeped out of the creature even as she struck, whirling to make sure that nothing else was coming her way as she brought her blade down to cleave the head off.

She wasted no time in leaping at the creatures pursuing the other Sith, not out of any great love, but because it was better two fighters than one.

She grabbed one of the creatures with the Force, dragging it back toward her so that she could deliver another strike to take its head off hopefully before it could turn to attack her. The other Sith would have to deal with the other two himself.

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

As she pressed her face to the murky glass, unwilling to simply force her way into the unknown confines of the tavern, the appearance of the old crone forced Sah’ra back with a soft gasp. In part, her surprise came from the simple appearance of the woman but primarily due to her state of being. Much about what she saw implied that this elder was counting down the days to her life being snuffed out by time but the fact that she was the only person left living in Ud Zakrud was something worth investigating. Yet this situation felt eerily similar to a previous encounter she had had, keeping her on edge. If history had taught her any lessons, it was that some things were not what they seemed. Especially frail old women.

”We appreciate your hospitality,” Sah’ra replied sweetly, tucking her weapon back within her clothing as she followed Drexus inside the building whilst leaving a few meters between them should danger arise. If something were to go sour as they crossed the threshold, she preferred it if the other faced the brunt of the threat. Her eyes hung on the charms and talismans that decorated the windows and doorways of the tavern, bringing about the conclusion that this woman was a sorceress or seer of sorts. Answers may well have been forthcoming.

The smell of burning wood and hot cider dominated the domain, its sweet aromas teasing her senses as she approached the doorway. It was certainly alluring, which in itself was a curiosity. For a woman living in an abandoned city, searching out the comforts of a normal life rather than survival, seemed odd.

”This city is deserted. Perhaps you could shed some light on what has occurred?” Sah’ra queried as she eased the door shut behind her though keeping her wits about her, prepared to call upon her skills with the Force if need be.

Spoiler

We be playing the slow game. Sah'ra queries the witch woman while remaining near the door.

@Altaris @Scoobert​

 

[Iko Gark Lokan Jistos]

Iko looked at the incoming two beasts. At first he begun backing up, baring his teeth and growling threateningly at them... and then he swiftly raised his hands, dropping his blaster and shooting lightnings at both of them, maintaining the stream, trying to subdue the beasts rather than killing them outright, for the moment at least. He shot a look at Trace to check her situation, and then kept going, roaring in rage as he kept the stream of lightning going!

Spoiler

Iko shocks the two remaining beasts into submission, at least for now

 

[The Storyteller]

Tower group​

For the second time, Trace found herself largely unobstructed from what she was doing - able to deftly execute on her attack. The mutuated Narglatch whirled around to snap at the Miraluka, just as it was yanked backwards by the Force. Of course, the only thing it succeeded in snapping at was the vibrating edge of the woman’s blade. It cleaved right through the lower half of the creature’s jaw, before continuing down to remove its head entirely.

Just as before, smoke began to escape from both ends of the open wound - the corpse shriveling before their eyes.

Unfortunately, Iko would find himself not nearly as lucky. Perhaps the Sith hadn’t anticipated the speed and agility of his opponents - or perhaps he had been distracted by his companion fighting off to the side. It didn’t matter either way. What did matter was that the Tiss’shar didn’t move nearly fast enough to avoid the two mutated Narglatch lunging at him like starved predators.

One of the creatures pounced at the Sith - its fangs sinking deep into the arm of the Sith Champion. Razor-pointed teeth tore through muscle and flesh, while the force of its head shaking was enough to dislocate the Tiss’shar’s shoulder from its socket. The second creature instead rounded on the Sith’s flank - lunging with claws to rip deep into Iko’s side, carving into his chest and stomach a few inches deep. It was more than enough to knock the weapon from the Sith’s hand, as he struggled with two animals viciously mauling him.

Whether Trace opted to help Iko or not, the Miraluka would undoubtedly be able to get a better sense of her surroundings - both due to being spared from attack, and due to her unique sense of perception. Through Force Sight, the woman would be able to clearly sense the Force energies that pulsed and swirled down one hallway in particular, glowing like a torch while others remained dim.

It was the same direction as the sound of fighting they had heard earlier, hinting that perhaps Trace and Iko weren’t the only outsiders within the complex.

City Group​

Despite creepy appearances, neither Sah’rah nor Drexus would get the impression that the woman was.. Anything other than she appeared. In comparison to the Dark energies that emanate from the Tower or the constant sense of dread they experiences, the barmaid was perhaps the most normal and ordinary thing they’d encountered since arriving on Tund. Perhaps there was something to be said about not judging a book by its cover.

Or perhaps trusting anything on Tund was the biggest mistake they could possibly make.

“Come come!” She waved a hand, waddling from behind the counter. She was garbed in a dingy old dress, with a stained apron tied around her waist. “Do close that door quickly, love. The cold isn’t good for these old bones.” The woman crowed, staring at Drexus who seemed to just stand around like a silent sentry. Shrugging a bit, she plucked a little bell from the counter and rang it three times - as if to signal the arrival of patrons, when there was still waitresses and help around the establishment. With that, she turned her attention back to Sah’rah.

“Have a seat, you look tired from the journey.” She said in a grandmotherly tone, not entirely offering so much as telling the woman what to do. A mug of mulled cider was pleased down in front of the woman whether she took a seat or not.

“Not much of a talker, that one?” She gestured to Drexus.

When the question was posed, the old woman sighed and shook her head. “It’s quite a long story. It has been a few months since the first disappearances started. A handful of elders and teenagers at first, with search parties sent out.. Never to return. Then others went looking, or vanished in the night - a couple at a time.” She shook her head. “A few weeks back, people started vanishing in droves. Entire neighborhoods at a time without even a word.”

“I.. Haven’t seen anyone else in quite a while. Last person came in here, looking for others and for a hot meal.” She gestured to the establishment around her. “Figured that.. I don’t have much else to do, but keep it running until they all come back.”

“Why are you both here?” She asked, arching a brow. “I can tell you aren’t from Tund.”

Spoiler: OOC Note: Please Read!

Hey everyone - here is the latest DM post for Sleeping City! Sorry for the delay. Here are a few things to note as the thread continues:

-This thread is death-enabled.
-The thread is no longer open to new posts. Good luck to those participating!
-Please include a summary spoilers at the end of your posts, explaining the actions of your character.
-As a reminder Deadline for posts is every 48hours after the last DM posts. Participants will be given the option of using requesting a single 12 hour extension during the course of the event. This will need to be requested prior to the deadline, and is meant to accommodate emergencies or unforeseen OOC circumstances. Please do not abuse this.

Have fun!

 

[Trace]

Trace could hear and sense what was happening before it did, and she knew that it was too late. Rather than continue to run toward an ally who was already dead, she stopped and turned back.

She could hear and sense others nearby, and she only paused a moment before choosing to head in that direction. She used her training with the ISB to move quickly and quietly toward them, relying on her Force sight to "see" the others before they saw her. It was the very reason that she had been recruited into the ISB in the first place: watching your enemy from an unseen position was valuable.

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Sah’ra watched as the old crone rang her bell, cracking a thin eyebrow at the mannerism. Some habits were hard to shake as it seemed she was the last living thing in the city before their arrival. As the mug of cider was placed before her, its sweet and spicy aromas teasing her senses, Sah’ra made no movement to pick up the beverage from her seat. The mystery of what had occurred in Ud Zakrud still remained and being an untrusting woman came naturally.

”Mmm, so it seems,” Sah’ra replied as she glanced back to Drexus, looming from the door. ”I’ve never understood the dark and broody behavior but far be it from me to tell someone how to live their life,” she continued though a part of her was thankful that he was a man of few words. After all, a man with loose lips typically only spat stupidity from her experience, the memory of removing her own brother’s tongue a sweet recollection.

As the woman explained the disappearances, how it slowly escalated, Sah’ra remained as puzzled as before. It was no secret that they were what had caused the Sith Master to be dispatched originally but answers were nonexistent. Perhaps she should have explored the tower with the others after all… That is, of course, until the woman made mention of the lone figure.

”You’re right. We are not natives of this world. We too have come seeking answers to what is taking place here,” Sah’ra began, leaning her elbows against the knee of one of her crossed legs. ”This individual. The last one to visit your establishment. Had they perhaps mentioned where they were planning on searching?” Sah’ra concluded. If Drexus desired to be the ‘muscle’ then someone needed to find a lead or else they would be left to flounder.

Spoiler

Sah'ra continues to have tea with an old creepy lady, chitchatting.

@Altaris @Scoobert​

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

Drexus stood silent, cause he believed Sah'ra to be the better talker of the two. Drexus hadn't learned a whole lot about diplomacy, after all his father was Draugr. The Zabrak stood, his facial features and any other identifiable features of his body covered by his armor, and listened to the old woman.

Sah'ra took initiative by speaking with her and accepting the tea. Drexus decided to look around some more, to see if anything would be even more out of the ordinary. Sheathing his vibroblade he had out, he would move to stand offset of where Sah'ra was. If he would need to speak he would, but it was likely with her skill in diplomacy she'd be the better to take on the lead here. Drexus was now playing the 'muscle' and would be ready for a fight if needed.

When the lady asked if he wasn't much of a talker, he would roll his eyes behind his helmet before making a quick word. "I speak when it's necessary."

Wasn't any need speaking any further. When the woman continued to explain the disappearances of the individuals who lived on Tund, Drexus was grown more interested. How could so many, to include a Sith Master, go missing so easily? So quickly? This was definitely an uneasy feeling, but he was already here. And this mission needed a conclusion.

Spoiler: Drex's Actions

Drexus remains silent for the most part, and looks around for anything eye catching. Continues to let Sah'ra take the lead.

@Altaris @Tulos

 

[The Storyteller]

Tower group​

As one could expect, there was little to be done for Iko. The Tiss’shar would serve as the first meal the Narglatch had hunted in decades - as the scales and flesh were torn from his bones, consumed by half a dozen maws of gnawing, razor-sharp fangs. Perhaps the greatest contribution of the fallen Sith was the distraction that he provided - allowing Trace to slip away without being pursued by the Alchemically-mutated predators.

As the Sith Champion slinked through the hallway, the sounds of combat would only grow more pronounced. It wasn’t the thrum of lightsabers or blaster fire that she might’ve been accustomed to during her training, but instead was something far more primitive. It was the clash and singing of steel as it carved through the air and thrust metal, a dangerous and deadly battle of blades occuring in the chamber just up ahead.

Perhaps more importantly, the Sith would be able to sense the energies of the Force that swirled from within the chamber. Sith Magick being conjured by those within, tapping into the Darkside and making itself visible through the Sight that the Miraluka utilized.

As she approached the next room, Trace would finally catch a glimpse of what was going on inside. Much to her surprise, she would find a group of men and women garbed in the traditional robes of the Sorcerers of Tund. Half of them wielded ancient looking swords, while the rest attempted to conjure their magic to fight back against the Spider-like creature that towered over them.

What was truly going on within the Tower - if the Sorcerers were also being attacked by such creatures? It was impossible to know without further inquiry, and further inquiry was impossible if the Sorcerers were slain by the creature.

But that wasn’t Trace’s only option. While the main entrance of the Tower was sealed behind her, the Sith Champion would clearly be able to make out a hole that had been blown into the stone wall within the chamber ahead - sunlight streaming in from the outside. It was plausible she would be able to reach the hole and leave the tower while the strangers fought around her. It was a real opportunity to escape the tower and regroup with her friends outside - or perhaps leave Tund all together.

With Iko dead, was it such a bad idea?

City Group​

“I can appreciate a man of few words,” The old woman crowed at Drexus, flashing the Zabrak a yellowed - and mostly toothless - smile. There was no mistaking the licentious glint behind her gaze, as her eyes flicked up and down the Sith Champion for a few moments that were entirely longer than necessary. What Drexus did with that information.. Was entirely up to his own discretion.

Of course, her attention didn’t linger on the Zabrak long. Instead, the old woman turned to look at Sah’rah - nodding along when the woman spoke. She could only sigh, shaking her head when the question about her last patron was presented. “I fear not, my dear.” The woman said with a bit of a saddened tone.

Tap, tap, tap..

Outside the tavern, a steady thumping could be heard. It was distant at first, though it was growing closer. Rapidly so.

“Like you, he came seeking answers about what was going on here. But I fear his fate is the same as everyone else within this city.” Everyone but her, anyway. Her gaze flicked between the two of them, a frown beginning to crease her lips. “Can’t I offer you both something to drink or eat?”

Spoiler: OOC Note: Please Read!

Hey everyone - here is the latest DM post for Sleeping City! Sorry for the delay. Here are a few things to note as the thread continues:

-This thread is death-enabled.
-The thread is no longer open to new posts. Good luck to those participating!
-Please include a summary spoilers at the end of your posts, explaining the actions of your character.
-As a reminder Deadline for posts is every 48hours after the last DM posts. Participants will be given the option of using requesting a single 12 hour extension during the course of the event. This will need to be requested prior to the deadline, and is meant to accommodate emergencies or unforeseen OOC circumstances. Please do not abuse this.

Have fun!

 

[Trace]

Trace had half a mind to simply bail, but she was tired of running. Tired of being cowed. Tired of being defeated. No, this was the time to fight and die if necessary because living and failing again was almost worse than simply dying.

She moved into the room where the sorcerers fought, uncertain of whether or not they were really allies, but she knew the giant spiderlings were not.

Still, she maintained a close proximity to the door as she moved in on the creature closest to it, looking to hack it apart with her vibrosword but keep her own exit in place... just in case.