Ask Who Amongst You is Worthy

[Trael Osso-Drast]

Belsavis ​

Belsavis was an unforgiving planet in it's colder regions. It was a planet of tundra's and artic conditions much like Arkania. It's position galactically meant it was a short trip from Mustafar and that it could be used for a good point to launch operations into the Midrim. Most of the planets populace lived in volcanic rift valleys. Sadly Trael wasn't going there he was going for a different type of settlement.

Other Sith were starting to pull ahead of Trael in power. He needed numbers he could call upon to aid in any potential planetary takeovers. He had heard stories of a group of warriors whose people were scattered among the stars. The Deucalians, they were a warrior people that believed their gods made them to be the ultimate warriors. Though he was curious to test this theory he wanted to try and play this diplomatically.

Trael was waiting in a clearing before the treacherous valley that was before the village he wanted to reach. He dressed in something that offered him protection from the elements and potential dangers. He carried with him a Vibroblade and blaster pistol. He had called for a Sith he worked with on Kashyyk to aid him in his endevours here.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

Spoiler: Music

Song

Serene approached Trael's position from his back. She made no effort to conceal her approach as her feet crunched on the packed snow and cracked shards of ice. She was clad in black armor appropriate for this weather but ultimately still as functional as her normal attire. Still, she could feel the natural chill of the planet's negative temperatures.

The Deucalians were a people the Sith Champion had heard of and knew they could be of great use to the Sith Order. She had not worked with Trael Osso since Kashyyyk and neither of them had succeeded that day she hoped they would both be more effective on this world.

The woman was carrying her usual weapons though they were mostly hidden by the dark cloak she wore to aid in keeping warm. She did not want to admit the cold was uncomfortable and decided to judge the locals. "They better have decent food or drink, and heating." She wondered if it would break out into violence right away or if this could be settled diplomatically.

Trailing behind the sith sorcereress was the woman's protocol droid and pet. The C4T droid had some difficulty keeping up but would find it easier once they descended further into the valley. The woman may appear like a witch but she was actually hoping to garner some superstition with these people. They tended to either fear or respect magical talents which the would-be shaman hoped to manipulate for their own ends.

@Javier esschoolbus

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

Trael felt the dark presence arriving before he could hear the footsteps. The crunching of snow and ice began to get louder as she approached. He hasn't worked with her since the blunder on Kashyyk it was a loss he's tried to learn from. He needed to keep his card close to his chest on this mission. Most champions would be vying to increase their powerbases especially if it harmed another's.

The wind lapped around them reminding the champions nature was in control here. His armor was well insulated yet the occasional gust brought some cold with it through the armor. "I doubt they would survive without some form of heat. We shouldn't expect a warm welcome, these people are raiders." His weapons weren't on him for the people but any potential wildlife. He would use the force to make this tribe, and any that follow, submit to him.

He heard the sound of the droid following Serene but largely ignored it. If it or her failed to keep up they would be left behind. Once he felt they were prepared he pointed past the valley. "Roughly five miles is the length of the path before we get to the valley they reside in. After that we have two or so miles till we reach the volcanic vent they are situated in."

Trael began walking down the valley's path, it was about wide enough for two of himself, expecting Serene to follow. The first mile or so went by rather peacefully only broken up by the sides of the path having snow tumble down into the depths of the valley. As they were beginning the second the cliffs above would drop some snow and ice as if they were being watched but by what and if was unknown to either Sith.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

Serene knew Trael was correct but anticipated the duecalians were not complete savages. "They still have their sense of honor, no?" She replied as coolly as the air around them. "Darth Tempest dueled the king of Thule. Darth Raze demanded a Mand'alor. Each ended with the Sith controlling the populace." It was a simplified recounting of past events which she said as a matter of fact. Her own words would give her something to think about and perhaps the two to discuss further. the path ahead seemed long enough.

It would be a long trek to the Deucalians's settlement. The blustering cold tore at the corners of the woman's frame and whipped past her clothes. Her black attire stood out against patches of snow but blended against dark rock in places though she did not expect their presence to go unnoticed.

A shift in the environment told her they were being watched. Whether it was by an animal or a person that much was unclear. Sith continued to walk regardless of the alert. Behind the two Sith in their foot steps hopped and bounded the small cat droid. It was able to keep pace and seemed unaware of the presence. Best of all, it did not seem bothered by the cold very much. "We are being watched." She spoke to Trael as they continued onwards.

@Javier esschoolbus

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

Trael listened to Serene's attempt at dissuading him of the barberry of the Deucalians. "Honor doesn't stop them from killing trespassers. Also I doubt every warrior culture follows might makes right. Especially one so spiritually guided as our targets." Though the specifics on leadership besides the clans being ruled by a chieftain eluded Trael. He knew they believed heavily in their gods plans for the people.

Unlike his companion his suit was much better insulated than a set of robes. His choice was a contrasting white and black allowing him to blend with the snow easily. He had chosen something to blend in surroundings again out of habit even though he wanted his presence known.

As Serene spoke up Trael would give a nod. He would keep looking ahead as he felt outward with the force. Serene would feel the pulse in the force as he did this. "I believe they are humanoids. Potentially Deucalians by how they're able to traverse the terrain." His eyes never leaving the path his sensory abilities with the force were his strongest of his force tools. "We should continue without brandishing our weapons unless the wildlife attacks. If they don't view us as a threat we may get an audience with the chief."

He would continue leading the down the path deeper into the valley. Their watchers following from the rougher terrain around them. Suddenly Trael stopped raising his hand. "Something new just entered my sensing radius. It's aura reeks of killing intent." He would crouch down trying to get sight of the creature. A pair of large wolves roughly the height of Serene climbed to a nearby peak. Growling as they stared at the two Sith.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

"Agreed." she replied with clear diction over the wintery winds. She knew her statement had sounded like a broad stroke and it was. "But it does not matter who or what they believe. With the Dark Side of the Force they will see what guidance we are capable of."

There would be no denying a Sith's strength in battle. Serene was perhaps arrogant in her thinking but her prowess with the force and her skill in battle had led her to act in such a way. The Deucalians would have only a few choices. Submit, die or flee and Serene doubted the warrior culture would allow for the latter of the three options.

Serene heeded Treal's suggestion. Even when the wolves made themselves known she did not draw her weapon. Instead she focused her aura outward and her intent into the minds of the wolves. They snarled and barked in response, their aggression flaring as they sensed the dark side in the Sith. Another pair of wolves joined the first two increasing their total to four.

The lead wolf howled into the sky, causing the sound to echo off of the canyon walls. The other three howled back. When it ended they began to spread out and descend towards the Sith. "Still no weapons?" She asked with a cheeky tone. Both of her hands balled into fists as she prepared herself for a fight ahead.

@Javier esschoolbus

Spoiler: Dice

26/100 mild failure

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

Trael turned his head as Serene made her comment. We? He didn't remember promising her any form of sway with the locals. "Over reliance of the force can also be ones downfall. Look at what happened to the Master on Thule." Her lack of being able to contend in close quarters was what lead to her loss in Trael's eyes.

The force granted any being able to utilize it immense strength. Yet not having anything to fall back on when using it is unsuitable was a detriment many Sith and Jedi have fallen victim to. It was this way of thinking that lead Trael to hone his skills in battle beyond the usage of his lightsaber. It had been proving useful now that he was without one.

Trael watched as the wolves multiplied and began moving towards them. The wolves snarled as they approached focusing in on Trael as he was the closest target. One lunged at him and he quickly shoved it away with a force push. As he was distracted by the first a second wolf darted in from the side grabbing his leg and pulling him off balance. The snow below the wolf crystalized and shot up as a spike impaling it and causing it to back off a trail of blood following it.

Trael struggle to get up as his leg was now wounded. He sat on one knee examining the wolves behavior. Again the first one came in to attack this time it was met by a burst of force lightning throwing it back and stunning it. The second that attacked him was circling him trying to find an opening on him. The two that didn't engage him had circled around and began preparing to attack Serene.

@Darasuum

 

[Serene]

The woman gave Trael a side-eye look from behind her blank helmet. But she took his point. Her own use of the Dark Side was bordering on reliance as much as she might wish to deny it. The woman knew her own hubris could be her undoing regardless of how self aware she was. Changes needed to be made for her to adapt and overcome what trials were to come.

Trael gave no answer to her last question, at least not verbally. The wolves gave little time for them to discuss options and attacked the male champion first. Serene's stared at the eyes of the wolves who barred their teeth. The other pair ferociously tried to tear at Trael but the other two were more slightly more patient.

Serene focused her will into the area around her. She felt the nature of the world and the fiber of its reality. Every snow flake, each melting piece of ice and the chilling flakes of rime blown on the wind would coalesce with the perception of the dark sider. She had witnessed a Jedi use a technique to manipulate the cold on Kashyyyk and now she would try something similar here.

Stretching both hands out in front of her she pointed a splayed palm at the two feral canines just as they charged. Spikes of ice dozens of meters in length shot up out of the ground in numerous directions. The wolves were instantly stopped in their tracks as their huge forms were pincushioned by numerous ice spikes from below, one after another. The wolf circling Trael was also target and the three creatures would be raised off the ground to the point their paws were a full meter off the surface. Blood covered the tops of the icy stalactite like protrusions and ran down their many angles. The only one spared from the violence was the lone wolf who had been struck by the man's lightening.

@Javier esschoolbus

Spoiler: Dice

Serene trying to use Cryokenesis
Rousing success: nat 75/100 + 15 modifier = 90 total

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

The still standing wolf began to lunge at him when suddenly a couple large ice spikes pierced it. Trael had turned to face the attacker and ended up meeting its gaze as the life left it. He looked around at the other wolves also being caught in the attack. As he followed the trail of ice it ended at Serene, it seemed she just decided to go all out.

He hobbled his way to his feet then limped over to the still shocked wolf. He reached out with the force and collapsed its neck killing it. He pulled out his sword and began using it as a makeshift crutch. He began preparing to continue down the path towards the valley.

The audience finally came down and stopped in front of Trael and Serene. It was a group of Deucalians but their weapons weren't poised to attack them so Trael stayed relaxed. "You both are skilled warriors. We will take you to the chieftain of our clan and let him judge you." Trael turned to Serene motioning his hand for her to follow. "We would be honored to meet your chieftain."

They eventually reached the citadel of the Deucalians. The city was more a fortress than anything else. It was a testament to how they have been surviving on the world. They were escorted into the throne room where the chieftain sat on his throne. "Why have you come to my lands? What do you seek here?' He bellowed out to the two sith.

@Darasuum

Spoiler: ROLL

rolled a 52/100 on if the Deucalians following would help

 

[Serene]

Serene was glad her technique had been effective. Part of it had been thanks to witnessing the fair haired Jedi whom Trael had faced on Kashyyyk. But another reason was thanks to her research on the use of cryokenesis. The theory of their use was similar to the other elemental abilities but each was unique. The natural snow and ice helped a great deal, allowing the woman to simply transmute the snow around and beneath the wolves rather than conjure it from nothing. All the same, the champion felt she had used quite a bit of energy to execute the attack.

The sorceress watched coldly as her peer put the last giant canine out of its misery. His own injury was noted but for now was not an issue. It only seemed to slow them down slightly and Serene was both patient and strong enough to weather the elements. There were still the matter of their deucalian audience nearby that kept the dark sider on her toes.

After a moment the deucalian scouts made themselves known and did so in a nonthreatening manner. After they addressed the two Champions Serene let Trael be the only one to speak. Her answer was unnecessary and she silently followed the party.

Minutes would pass and the woman felt out the surface feelings of their warrior escort. They seemed every bit as stalwart and hardy as their reputation made them out to be. Each was well armed and while their gear had seen better days it was no less useful in their skilled hands.

The architecture of the Deucalian's home was admirable to say the least. The fortress seemed to be capable of withstanding a conventional siege and if there was a secret shield generator somewhere then it would be capable of defending against even an orbital bombardment. Serene could see why they had settled here and was already taking notes on what they would bolster the defenses. Her mind was already considering the settlement under the Sith's control. It was just a matter of the residence coming to terms with it.

Serene's confidence was subtle and silent. She walked with her companion as an equal but they both drew their fair share of attention and for different reasons. The Chief that addressed them had a booming voice that commanded respect and their attention alike. The emotionless helmet of Serene still had a few flecks of snow and ice. Her shoulders shook off the white dusting and she looked casually towards Trael to see how he would answer the man. He had a certain expectation of how to conduct himself and she was curious to see how it played out. The woman continued to play the mystery card until the appropriate time came.

@Javier esschoolbus

 

[Trael Osso-Drast]

After trying to convince the chieftain they were abruptly kicked out.

/rolled 2/100
/endthread

@Darasuum