|
|
Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Mar 19, 2015 5:12:32 GMT
"The inherent problem, Kara Werda, with you…is that nothing Mando'a can impress me. You fit your name. Stars of darkness." Thorn's voice grew ominous, cryptic, prophetic. "Dark you are, and dark you will remain. You call yourself a Mandalorian, but you are dar'manda, hut'uun, chakaar, laandur."
|
|
|
|
Post by NightBlade on Mar 19, 2015 5:15:01 GMT
(Dmitri: ah, thanks.
Wait a minute... how daheck do all your characters know Mandalorian these days?)
(Wookie...does Kara still have her crystal?)
|
|
|
|
Post by WookieeElf on Mar 19, 2015 5:15:24 GMT
"No, no, shut up..." Kara whimpered, clamping her hands over her ears. The many times she had heard those words in the past rose up in her mind, attacking her from all sides.
"You're lying!"
((Crystal is technically still there, just, eh...I'll get into it later))
|
|
|
|
Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Mar 19, 2015 5:23:26 GMT
((Thorn very, very rarely uses those words, or even Mando'a itself. Because of his intense dislike for Mandalorians and his recurring clashes with them, he has researched their culture and their language. He couldn't keep up a conversation in Mando'a and probably wouldn't understand half the words, but he knows the major insults and such. If you're talking about my other characters, such as Harn Shate, Helm Dragonhelm, Santago Lux, or any of the other Craven Wolves in the Ver-Ezar subplot, that's because they are Mandalorians. I use the mandoa.org database.))
"If I were lying, you would know what I was saying is false…but you don't." Thorn pressed his verbal assault, bringing memories of Lian and Squall back to mind and subtly stirring them in Werda's mind. "You abandoned your master. You abandoned your friends. You watched as your fellow Padawan was murdered before your eyes, and you did nothing. Demagolka. Jetii. Hut'uun. Shabuir. Laandur. Chakaar…dar'manda."
|
|
|
|
Post by NightBlade on Mar 19, 2015 5:30:19 GMT
(Kay!)
(Dmitri: Since Jaran is never around when you are, we can safely assume that Draejan is taking care of himself, with a little cover from me and Wookie, while posing a general third division of Thorn's attention. EDIT to your new post: ah, makes sense)
Kayma fired several stun rings at the Jedi from close range, waiting to block any other attacks.
Then she turned to Kara and, in fair effort to encourage her back into the fight, did the only thing she could think of. She ubraided Kara with a shrill tirade of brutal profanities in both Mando'a and Basic, directed alternatingly towards both her and the Jedi and both of their various family members as well, and particularly challenging Kara's courage. To summarize, she had better get her rear end back into the fight to kill the jetii, which was her duty and also a favor to all of humanity.
|
|
|
|
Post by WookieeElf on Mar 19, 2015 5:33:18 GMT
Kara choked down a sob, sending out a frenzied Force-wave towards Thorn.
"Stay out of my head!!" She seethed through clenched teeth.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Mar 19, 2015 5:49:38 GMT
((Sorry about my temporary disappearance. I got called away to help serve out the dinner.))
((@wookiee: I think Kayma is between Kara and Thorn…so Kara would be hitting Kayma first with the Force wave.))
Thorn dispersed the stun rings with his lightsaber and hacked at Kayma's blaster. He advanced in the strength of Ataru, slashing at a speed beyond the limits of a normal human being. A hack at Kayma's neck became a thrust at her chest, then a swift slice at her beskarless upper sword arm.
"But I'm not in your head, Werda. What you hear is the resounding ring of truth. The hard, plain truth. You called yourself Mandalorian once, but you failed to protect your friends…Lian, Squall. You called yourself Jedi once, but then you turned traitor. Dark. Hut'uun. You failed. And you know it."
|
|
|
|
Post by NightBlade on Mar 19, 2015 5:54:09 GMT
(Dmitri: 1: I think all three bounty hunters have the basic knowledge of surrounding an enemy. I did that with plastic army men when I was eight. 2: One does not simply disperse a stun ring with a saber.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Mar 19, 2015 5:57:05 GMT
((1. It's a narrow alley, and Thorn is keeping Kayma and Draejan from passing with his long reach. 2. The Clone Wars is just about as canonical SW as you can get. Ahsoka dispersed ten stun rings with a lightsaber on the run from clone troopers. starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Stun )) |
|
|
|
Post by NightBlade on Mar 19, 2015 6:03:57 GMT
(Hmm I suppose she did. And I suppose Thorn does fit those criteria)
(As for the alley thing, long reach is actually a distinct disadvantage in close quarters. But if you look at an alley it's easy for two, sometimes three to walk abreast. Draejan would be on the opposite side because he was in the alley first, and the narrow confines would work to their advantage.)
(Cmon Wookie!)
(She might be asleep. I'll just wait a few minutes more)
|
|
|
|
Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Mar 19, 2015 6:20:22 GMT
((I think you and I have different pictures of this alley. This is mine. Kayma and Kara entered the alley in search of Squall, and Thorn attacked from the opposite side, effectively pinning the bounty hunters between two Jedi. Despite the fact that Squall couldn't do much pinning. Then Draejan entered the same alley, pinning Thorn between him and Kayma/Kara. Thorn left the alley on his speeder out past Draejan, then reentered—Draejan, Kayma and Kara were at that point all in front of Thorn, and from then on Thorn has been able to keep all three of them in front of him. That's my picture, but I expect yours is different.))
((@wookiee: This below post is not a prod for you to do something with Squall, but rather a background thing. For later.))
Behind the entire verbal and physical assault, something else streamed from Thorn as an invisible flow of energy. A healing bond, restoring Squall's mental and physical wounds…albeit slowly.
|
|
|
|
Post by WookieeElf on Mar 19, 2015 6:44:21 GMT
((Gah, you guys are gonna be the end of me! After this, I am SO going to sleep.)) (( Dmitri Pendragon: Bleh, forgot to mention it was mental—she felt Thorn in her head, and was knocking him out—and yeah I did something with Squall I'm tired so I'm just doing it and I'm blaming you XP)) Kara dashed forward, ducking under Kayma's arm and blocking the Jedi's lightsaber with her gauntlet before slamming into Thorn, a crude Force-shield in place to block any Force powers he threw her way. ------------- Squall responded weakly, grabbing onto the faint Force-touch like it was a lifeline. |
|
|
|
Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Mar 19, 2015 8:11:23 GMT
((Okay, that makes sense. Yeah, and I so know what you mean by losing sleep. Back before you joined the UG, I lost sleep one night trying to figure out how to save a stubborn character from three of NightBlade's most powerful Sith. I eventually killed him off and then resurrected him, the resurrection mostly to drive home the theme of the Light's powers of restoration. But I was conflicted over the resurrection scene for a while. Ah, so many stories…))
Thorn countered with a punch into Werda's stomach and staggered backwards, out of the bounty hunter's immediate reach, slashing defensively with his lightsaber. "Attack me all you like, Werda, but this only drives deeper what I am telling you. You attempt to stifle the ring of truth, but in your mind it will never die, no matter what you tell yourself, no matter what others tell you. You are no Mandalorian, Werda. You are hut'uun."
|
|
|
|
Post by WookieeElf on Mar 19, 2015 13:07:23 GMT
"Ah!" The tip of Thorn's lightsaber found a chink in her armor, giving her a burn on her upper right arm. But that didn't stop her.
Darting forward, she grabbed Thorn's wrist, twisting it sharply and pointing the lightsaber blade away from them both.
"You're wrong!" She hissed, going in to punch him in the nose.
|
|
|
|
Post by Derago Thorkson (The Hunter) on Mar 19, 2015 16:22:14 GMT
(Do the sith ambassadors have someone controlling them? Or could I use them for a moment for plot advancement?)
|
|
|
|
Post by Leilani Sunblade on Mar 19, 2015 16:30:54 GMT
((Vizios is controlled by Nightblade; Moriah is controlled by Lylyss.)) ((Also, Dmitri Pendragon: if Thorn, a Jedi, is that good at getting in his opponents' heads, I'd hate to see him as a Sith.)) |
|
|
|
Post by Derago Thorkson (The Hunter) on Mar 19, 2015 16:36:13 GMT
(Ok. Nevermind. Thanks XD)
|
|
|
|
Post by NightBlade on Mar 19, 2015 16:41:06 GMT
(Dmitri: Yeah I pictured it as us being in one street (or alley,idk, not not streets exist anymore without cars) and Draejan came from a perpendicular direction, ambushing the speeder. I believe his vision of the layout was the same. What does Wookie think?)
(Hunter: I think we need Lylyss to advance further)
|
|
|
|
Post by WookieeElf on Mar 19, 2015 16:50:20 GMT
((I kinda imagined the alley to be a bit wider than you guys have going on here- wide enough to allow four people at best to walk side-by-side. Then Kara, Kayma, Thorn and Draejan would be arrayed kinda in a fan position- Thorn at the base with the three surrounding him. But, whatever you guys decide on, I'll roll with it. XP))
|
|
|
|
Post by Jaran Dranthuil on Mar 19, 2015 17:09:25 GMT
((*hits head on desk again* Grrrr.... Every time I leave..... NightBlade/Wookie/Dmitri: Yeah, what I've been picturing for the alley is basically like Wookie and Nightblade's, with us surrounding Thorn somewhat, not in a little tight space)) Draejan had managed to survive the first few attacks, and decided that Jedi were too kriffing fast to take on alone without a lightsaber...*insert colorful language here* Jedi. Were it not for the others being there with him he might have nuked the place a while ago. Keeping his array gun pointed at Thorn, he started to work his way further behind him, heading towards the alley opening. |
|
|
|
Post by Derago Thorkson (The Hunter) on Mar 20, 2015 17:38:40 GMT
*bump*
|
|
|
|
Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Mar 20, 2015 20:21:27 GMT
(( Leilani Sunblade: Heheh. In that case, I think I’ll make Thorn’s evil twin for the Legendarium. And are you waiting for me on the Temple of Jahn subplot?)) (( NightBlade/Jaran/Wookiee: Hmm. Well, I chose an alley intentionally. But if that’s your impression, I won’t counteract it with my posts.)) (( jaran: I get on late. As in, very late for you guys in USA. Unless it’s a Saturday like today, in which case I can get on earlier.)) Thorn kicked Kara’s ankle hard and ducked her blow to his face, wrenching his lightsaber back. He retreated a few steps and took another defensive position, mentally tracking Draejan. “If I’m wrong, why do my words ring so true… within you?” ((EDIT: I posted on the CaC2 blog yesterday: cac2starwars.blogspot.co.nz/2015/03/kayma-arn.html )) |
|
|
|
Post by Leilani Sunblade on Mar 20, 2015 20:35:54 GMT
(( Dmitri Pendragon: I'm glad I could give you an idea? Though I feel sorry for your characters now, haha. And no, I'm not; I still need to reply, which I'm going to do now.)) |
|
|
|
Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Mar 20, 2015 20:40:11 GMT
((No hurry. Just wondering if my post left only a little room for reply.))
|
|
|
|
Post by Leilani Sunblade on Mar 20, 2015 20:50:07 GMT
((It's not a lot, but I can work with it.))
|
|
|
|
Post by Leilani Sunblade on Mar 20, 2015 20:50:52 GMT
Elius retreated to the back of the red-lit chamber and drew aside the preserved curtain of the Mirror of Shades. He stared into the crystalline surface and smiled. Welcome to the dark side, son of Wraith.He turned, surveying the chamber, and mentally closed the stone doors with the Force. Although Helm and the Jedi would be able to open them again, he wanted a little time to compose himself…to continue his subtle nudge on their emotions. The ancient red Rydoran holocron of Dreegan Kast hovered in the centre of the chamber, as always, levitating above a pedestal of black stone. A crown of red crystal shards protruded from the top of the pedestal, and a similar crown jutted from the ceiling, providing the force needed to keep the holocron floating. Elius sat upon the crystal throne and stroked one of the ruby armrests. How different was this throne from the one in the main hall. That one was solid stone, crafted from the very floor of the Temple of Jahn. This one, a single crystal, elegant and towering, ominous, empowering. A Force artefact, like every other object in the room. Imbued with the Dark Force. The Mirror of Shades. The Rydoran holocron. The crystal throne. Each held more surprises than what any light sider would suspect. More in his favour. He settled back on the throne, closed his eyes, and waited for the minions of the light side to enter. Helm…––––– ”Helm…”Helm forced the thought from his mind, pinching his physical lips to keep from responding in his head. A laugh followed. ”You cannot escape, Helm.”Helm stopped before the doors and laid one palm on the cool stone. He removed his helmet and brushed away cold sweat. His legs shook, nearly destroying his balance. Why am I so weak?He instantly regretted the thought. Elius would have picked up on it. Elius would twist it to his advantage. ”Yes, you are weak…” whispered the subtle temptation of the dark side. Elius’s voice. ”You are weak, because the thorn has pierced your flesh. My thorns. My pets. The creatures of the dark side.”Helm raised his hand and stared at his arm. The wounds from the hssiss’s teeth had stopped bleeding, sealed over with a strange, dark…almost a vein, knitting together his split skin. ”The power of the Dark flows in your blood, Helm,” whispered the poisonous voice. ”You cannot escape. The poison will soon find your heart. Or perhaps your mind first, twisting you into a maddened monster with a hunger and thirst for the flesh and blood of who were once friends.”Helm closed his eyes, placed both palms on the cool stone of the doors, and pushed. Pushed with every sliver of being in his soul. Pushed with his physical strength, with the Force, with his mind. Elius laughed in his head, long and loud. ”You are doomed. You are dead. You are mine.”And you have one chance left…”((*Has suspicions regarding Elius*)) Ver glanced back as they reached the door. The bright streaks of lightsabers and violent flashes of blaster fire lit the battle scene in bits and patches, giving it an even more dreadful aspect than it would've normally have. Nothing you can do about it except to cut off the snake's head. Then again, Elius wasn't even the head- after they took him out, they'd still have to face Jorq. The thought twisted inside her- if Elius gave them such a struggle, how could they hope to defeat one greater than he? No. Don't go there. One problem at a time. I refuse to fail. I refuse to fail. She stepped forward, joining Helm at the doors, adding her strength to his in pushing the doors open. |
|
|
|
Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Mar 20, 2015 21:18:20 GMT
The hinges creaked, the metal bending, twisting, malforming, forced in a direction it was never supposed to go.
"I know who you are, Helm, son of Coren, son of Wraith. I know why you are here, on Mandalore."
Helm gritted his teeth. The Force flowed through him, against the doors.
"You are not here for the Mandalorians, are you, Helm? You are not here for the Light. You are here for your own purposes. You are here to twist people into loyalty under you and force them into Chaos itself."
Helm's breathing shallowed, but the Force streamed on. You're…you're wrong…Elius. Spawn of the Dark.
"Spawn of the Dark? As are you. You and your father, your grandfather, your ancestor Wraith. You are spawn of Umbara, the Twilight World, the throne of Zaul. You are not here for Mandalore…but you believe Mandalore is here for you. Mandalore is a warrior world. Warriors…to help you resist…the Resurrector's Shadow Republic, perhaps?"
Helm stiffened.
Elius's laugh mocked him. "Yessss, Helm. You are here to recruit. You are here to gather an army, an army to face Kraya the Resurrector, Queen of the Shadow Republic, descendant of Zaul."
Helm's lips moved, his eyes closed, a silent prayer to…to who? Help me.
"Help? The Jedi Council refused your help once, did they not? You went to them, before Mandalore. You went to them to ask help…and they refused. They refused because Umbara was neutral. They refused because Umbara was not under their jurisdiction. They denied your request to lead an army of Jedi."
A surge of anger lent Helm strength. One of the door's hinges snapped. Wrong. You are wrong, Elius. I did not go to seek an army of Jedi to lead.
"No," Elius mused. You went for someone in particular, I believe? Someone who you had never met, but someone you had known about since you were a child? Someone who had developed in your mother's womb with you?"
Another hinge snapped. The stone doors creaked, and Helm balled his fists.
"I see by your silence that my guesses are correct," whispered the malignant voice of Elius Imarien. "Now for my offer. You have two poisons flowing in your veins, Helm Dragonhelm. The venom of the terentatek, the poison of the hssiss. The terentatek's will kill you. The hssiss's will darken you. If you die, your twin brother will never escape Chaos. Choose now which venom you will embrace."
The last two hinges broke almost as one. With a blast of dust and stone, both doors crashed into the chamber beyond.
Red light spilled across the group.
Helm sank to his knees…and collapsed.
|
|
|
|
Post by Leilani Sunblade on Mar 20, 2015 21:32:48 GMT
Ver stumbled forward as the doors suddenly gave way before them. Catching herself before she actually fell, she glanced at Helm- and found him on the ground. Blast it! She quickly scanned the room, making sure there was no monster swooping down to attack them, and saw no living creature except Elius seated on a new throne, this one of glowing red crystal. Well, he could wait a moment. She dropped to a knee, grabbed Helm's arm to feel for a pulse. Blast it . . . if you're dead, Helm, I'll kill you. They needed his skill to succeed- there was no doubt of that. If he was dead or otherwise incapacitated . . . No, we're not going to fail. We'll manage. Somehow.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dmitri Pendragon on Mar 20, 2015 21:47:45 GMT
Elius smirked. "Ah, what a picture. The maiden tending to her wounded knight. You faced the dragons, and now the evil wizard is waiting in his dark stronghold."
–––––
Samuel stood above Ver, took a deep breath, and glanced at Io'Nahsé. Solemn, the small Yhod nodded.
The Force bond Samuel shared with Helm suddenly dissolved. But the knot in Samuel's chest remained…binding Samuel to Io'Nahsé, binding Io'Nahsé and Samuel to Ver. To think, know, fight as one.
–––––
Helm's fingers twitched, then slackened. The Umbaran opened his eyes and turned his arm to Ver to reveal the poisoned wounds. His eyes moved to Samuel, then Io'Nahsé…
"My gift to you," he whispered. "I can do nothing more…save prove Elius wrong. Remember…that I chose for the Light."
And he closed his eyes.
|
|
|
|
Post by NightBlade on Mar 20, 2015 23:09:23 GMT
As Kara blocked one blow, Kayma parried the other one and once again darted in past the lightsaber's comfortable reach, throwing an armored elbow with savage force at Thorn's ribs and kicking at the side of his knee.
-----
Vizios wondered if Moriah had answered without him hearing.
-----
Javez walked over to a bench and flopped down it it with a tired, irate sigh.
|
|
