Ask Teatime on Tund

[Vossari Khaldun]

The mission briefing from Vossari was short of extensive. It explained, in brief, the current circumstances of Tund, in video format. In it, Vossari stood in front of a poorly-placed green screen pointing at a map of the magical world. In said video were dressed in a suit and tie, pushing papers together as they did their best impression of an old timey newscaster. "Breaking breaking - we cut to an expose on the world of Tund! The Society of Sorcerers." The planet zoomed into view. "The magic permeating this planet has produced Dark and Light side nexuses, empowering the spell casters on the surface.." The footage of the planet abruptly cut to footage from Vossari's EZ Phone, in a dark, foreboding tomb. "The Sisters of Sanguine, allies of the Sith Order and worshippers of Lord Arcanos, are locked in a bloody civil war against the light-sided Sorcerers. Whoever can control the Nexuses controls the world. Back to you, Voss!" The video cut back to Anchorman Vossari. "Thanks, Voss. Our strategy to aid the Sisters is simple." He stretched out three fingers. "Arm them." Weapons shipments from the Sith arsenal had long since begun. "Support them." This was where Iymril and Vossari came in - special detachment leaders in their magical war. "Control them." His fist closed.

"Everything rests on the Aman Thul. An ancient magical ritual and battle to the death, long used on Tund to settle factional disputes. We need to win this. Long live King Arcanos!" The video ended.

Coordinates on the datapad led to an enchanted village, where Vossari, clad in green silks, sipped a glass of Tundian black tea as he delicately dabbed honey into the porcelain cup. To say they were curious about Iymril was an understatement - they were dying to know more about the Sith's cold-blooded sorcerer.

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

Iymril’s ears flicked in amusement as they watched the mission briefing Ambassador Professor Adventurer Extraordinaire Vossari Khaldun had sent to them. They’d heard rumors of the other Sith’s eccentric behavior, it pleased them to see the rumors were true. It meant that, at the very least, this would be an entertaining outing.

Iym’s droid crew landed their vessel and the Sephi Champion strolled from their ship with all the grace their species was legendary for. They’d opted for a more luxurious yet utilitarian outfit. A series of dark leather and corded belts overtop a deep purple silken tunic with a grey and black underweave. Their grey clothe pants were tucked into black thigh high boots. Their pristine white hair was done to perfection. They’d done their make up to match the deep purple of their tunic, their lipstick and nails perfectly matching it. Their ears and finger were adorned with silver rings and earrings that glittered with amethyst gemstones.

Even when they knew they’d likely have to kill, appearances always came first with Iymril. The one thing they missed, which most Sith carried, was a lightsaber. Iymril never carried one with them. They didn’t need it. The Force was their weapon.

They approached the Wrean as they lounged across several cushions, dabbing honey into a dark tea. Iymril’s ears perked up at the sight of their silks, they loved them. They nodded their head with hands folded before them, and then took a seat across from Vossari.

“I adore your outfit.” They told him. “You must tell me where you found those silks.”

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Vossari Khaldun]

Well, Iymril certainly looked the part of spooky sorcerer. It was remarkable that they hadn't visited the Sorceresses on Tund yet - but, on the other hand, the Sisters of Sanguine weren't the most hospitable. That is, outside of today! The Sisters were all-too polite when they requested Sith aid in their Civil War, finally recognizing the value that the Order could provide. Vossari sipped his piping hot tea as he accepted the compliment with a sly smile.

"Wrean Sea-silks. They come from a rare type of mussel, that only our most delicate artisans have learned how to craft." The truth was a little more mundane - the mussels were incredibly common, and weaving their silk was a common skill. Voss loved to embellish!

He raised his teacup. "And congratulations on tenure! You're going to have to show these little Sorcerers how a real spell caster looks." Voss said, easing the conversation towards the topic at hand. "I've been to Tund plenty of times now, but this place is still a mystery to me. We should sleuth around before they do this weird...'wizard duel.'"

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

​

Iymril listened intently to how Vossari’s people spun silk from rare clams. They had no idea the Wrean was a sociopath and pathological liar, so they were beyond interested in the process. Iym made a mental note to investigate this process fully later and to buy some of the rare silks.

“That is fascinating.” Iymril replied. “Well, your silks are to kill for.” They’d never suggest dying for something, but murder? Someone else’s life was cheap currency to spend.

When Vossari suddenly raised their teacup to toast their tenure, Iymril simply nodded their head. They accepted the praise without trying to end it early. Why would they? They’d earned the right to bask in their own successes. Their peers would use it as motivation to improve, or they’d fall behind them entirely.

And Iymril knew they had no real peers.

“Please Professor,” Iymril replied smoothly. “We will have to show them what real Sith are capable of.” There was a cruel glint in the Sephi’s eyes as they spoke.

Iymril wouldn’t interject as Vossari gave a brief overview of what they would be doing on world. At the mention of a ‘wizard’s duel’ Iymril was interested. Less on what it entailed and more on how they could bend this ritual to gain total dominance over the sorceresses here.

“Unfortunately, between my classes on Umbara and work on Vulpter and Ziost, I haven’t had the time for leisure visits.” Iymril replied, their ears dipping slightly. “I did some cursory research on my way here but if you have more expertise, please enlighten me.” Iymril continued. “But I assume we’re going to ensure our side has a clear and sizable advantage for this duel?” Iymril asked the other Sith.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Vossari Khaldun]

Vossari gasped and patted Iym's teacup with anticipation as they revealed they hadn't visited Tund. "You are going to love it. Imagine a planet with almost as much magic as Korriban...with both light side and dark side. This place is absolutely fascinating." The landscape itself was magical, illusory, tinted by the weave of the Force that coursed through the planet's veins, after years of magical abuse by the sorcerers.

The planet was an open vein of resources to tap. The Sith had been patient, allying themselves with a small faction of sorceresses against many others. But Iymril was right - now was the time to be deliberate. Final. Exacting. "Of course - we're going to tip the scales." Vossari didn't know how but surely an opportunity would arrive.

"The Sorcerers have some neutral parties coming in to mediate. Kro-Var Shapers. A Nightsister. Some weird cult from Jedha. And Sith." They were referees! It should be incredibly easy to cheat like that.

"But, I figured this place would satisfy some academic curiosity, too. The magic here is potent, delicious..." He slurped his tea loudly.

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

​

Iymril’s ears perked slightly as Vossari described Tund itself with open fascination. That was interesting. Iymril allowed themself a moment to wonder how this world could be tapped. How it could be utilized to its fullest potential. And if those who dwelt here were even necessary for that vision to come to reality.

“Then I am eager to expand my studies here.” Iym replied before their eyes fell to their teacup.

They didn’t trust anyone, but they certainly didn’t trust Vossari. Iymril had heard rumors that the Wrean and Master Osso were relatively close. They wondered if this was an elaborate trap to avenge the suffering Iym had caused Master Osso’s family.

And how those poor things had suffered.

Vossari would feel Iymril tug on the Force as they scanned their teacup and then the contents within for poison. If it was safe, they’d then take a single sip. Their eyes would return to Vossari after the at, then flick down to the honey at his side.

“May I?” They asked politely, gesturing to the sweetener.

“I’m pleased we are of one mind in this.” Iymril replied when Vossari confirmed that they would be cheating.

Once they had ensured that wasn’t poisoned as well, they’d use it in their tea. As Vossari described the neutral parties, a cruel glint flashed in the Sephi’s eyes. They had their targets.

“Some of those you described were once allies of the Sith and could be again.” They pointed out, as they waved the dip stick from honey around to accent certain points. “The Nightsister and Sith should be easy to sway, particularly if we sweeten the deal for them.” Iymril continued. “The Shaper? They are an unknown and should be eliminated to ensure our plans.” They explained. “And Jedha has been conquered by the Jedi, anything coming from that world is connected to them.” The spite would be hidden behind the veil of neutrality but Iymril’s ears pinned themself back. “We have an opportunity to create an unfortunate accident they could stumble into.” Iymril sipped their tea after those words. “What do you think, Professor Khaldun?”

When Vossari brought the topic back to the arcane, Iymril slowly nodded in reply. They wanted to pick this place apart for knowledge. But they needed to secure it for Arcanos first and foremost.

“We can pick through every tome, holocron, writ, and treatise together once this world is ours.” They replied. “But let’s ensnare these Sorcerers and Sorceresses first.” A tiny smirk touched their lips, visible despite how muted it was. “And enslave their wills to our own. For the glory of Darth Arcanos, the true Dark Lord of the Sith.”

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Vossari Khaldun]

Iymril certainly knew the steps to this dance. "It gets sweeter. We are the Sith representatives." Vossari flourished his fingers, and two business cards appeared, as if by ~magic~. Old timey writing, with cursive from a heavy pen, showed the invite. It was a cordial invitation to join the judges' circle for the 5307th Tundian Sorcerer Games. Damn, these wizards sure had a lot of issues, didn't they?

"There are several ways we could play this. I don't know all the rules, but the basics are simple. There are several Sorcerer Champions for the Sisters of Sanguine and for the Sorcerers of Tund. They will challenge each other in games of wit, magical knowledge, and absolute power. The team that wins, as judged by an unbiased panel..." Wink, wink. "Is honor-and-lawbound to preside over negotiations." It was a weird and terribly unstrategic tradition, but one that the enterprising Sith could manipulate towards their advantage.

Vossari stirred his spoon and sipped his tea. "They're likely waiting for us." He muttered, in between slurps of delicious Tundian tea. "Are you ready?" Vossari noted the appearance of Ix-Zamara, one of the Sith's closest allies and a liaison between her organization and the Sith in general. Vossari gave a small smile and a little wave.

"Perfect timing. Sister Ix-Zamara, meet Iymril, a professor at the Korriban Academy." She gave a curt nod.

"It's a pleasure, Professor Iymril. Thank you for joining us." Such politeness was uncharacteristic of the Sisters, in Vossari's experience. She gestured her hands towards the waterfall and waved her hands. "Are you both ready to go?"

Vossari didn't see a speeder transport anywhere. "Um, sure?" It became clear the sister was sign casting - and the reasons as to why appeared before their very eyes. A castle, floating off of the waterfall, slowly came into view, as the illusion hiding it from the Sith slowly faded. Long, iron chains tethered the flying castle like an air balloon to the earth beneath. An astonishing display of magic.

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

​

Iym sipped their tea while listening as their colleague explained everything from how they were the Sith delegates to a brief overview of them game. The Sephi’s ears were perked, their brow furrowed ever-so-slightly. These games must be continuously rigged given how they’re set up.

“Then this should be easy for us to secure.” Iymril replied smoothly.

There seemed to be enough water for Acridia to do its work. And Iymril had come with a few sorcerous tricks prepared if need be. Between acids and sorcerous manipulation, it shouldn’t be a difficult task before them.

Iymril’s attention shifted as their sensitive ears heard the footfalls of someone approaching. Their eyes drifted in the direction of the newcomer and they were met with a delightfully attractive sorceress. Vossari introduced the pair of them to one another. Iymril have a polite dip of their head in respect to the Sister of Sanguine.

“The pleasure is all mine.” They replied smoothly. “Thank you both for extending this opportunity to me.” As Iym said this, their eyes flitted from Ix-Zamara to Vossari.

When the Sister asked if they were ready to go, Iym placed their now empty teacup down and stood to their feet. They lightly smoothed the front of their clothes before inclining their head to Ix-Zamara.

“After you.”

Iymril followed behind Vossari and Zamara. They felt the Sister of Sanguine draw upon the Dark Side. They watched as her hands moved in familiar patterns. Sign Casting. It seemed the almost forgotten art was remembered here on Tund. Internally, Iymril appreciated this fact even if it meant there was a host of rivals in the galaxy now.

As Zamara weaved the Force, a floating castle steadily came into view. It had been there the entire time, hidden from view by powerful and potent charms and magicks. This was something Iymril could truly appreciate and their ear positioning reflected that.

“Fascinating.” They stated as they drank in the sight before them. “How do we get up there?” Iym asked Zamara.

“Simple.” Came the reply.

A series and signs later and Iymril felt the weightlessness of flight grace them. It took a moment to adjust and understand how to control their unnatural movement. But Iymril quickly discovered the spell weaved worked in accordance to their thoughts and allowed them to float to the castle above.

It was only when they were halfway there that Iym realized Zamara could kill them both by simply ending the spell. However, she didn’t and the trio landed safely within the castle’s gardens.

Iymril took a moment to appreciate the flora that surrounded them. They could see the glowing veins of arcane force energy within the petals of flowers. This place was a work of art, something that astounded them entirely.

“How long did it take your people to accomplish this?” Iymril asked as they examined a plant that was etched with glowing red veins.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Vossari Khaldun]

They were...they were flying! Magic really did know no bounds. Voss kicked his feet into the air and let out a giddy squee as they took off, completely enraptured by the magic of the moment. Off to Neverland! As they began to soar into the clouds above, the village below became a distant, distant dot, while the floating castle became ever closer. Large, arcane hawks with many eyes and many wings soared alongside them as they coursed through Tund's magical atmosphere.

Voss felt as free in the air as he was in the ocean, and he soared like a spry eagle as Ix-Zamara led the way. Weaving and coursing through the clouds, Vossari tasted true weightlessness. None of his stresses, his ambitions, his hatreds, or his fears weighed on him here. There was only this moment. As he was soaring through the clouds, a heavy fog obscured him, until he smacked face first into a crumbling, granite column from the school itself.

Well, that was enough whimsy for one day. The pixie dust wore off, and his feet touched the ground below as he held his nose aloft. Why did he always have to crack his nose?

"This is our heritage, our lifeblood. This castle has floated for generations upon generations..." The Tundians were truly sorcerers, not scientists. While they did experiment, the chaotic nature of magic flowed through them and their world. "It has...always been this way. As far back as our history goes."

Vossari quirked an eyebrow. Was the planet of Tund...stagnant? If they never innovated, never changed anything, and merely embraced the chaos of the world around them, how did they ever learn new things, create new things? Perhaps this contributed to the chaos of the world. "Well, Ix-Zamara, you always know how to dazzle your guests." The trio began to parse through the halls of the ancient castle, it was practically packed to the brim with sorcerers. Tundians of all stripes, with all types of spellcasting loci - staves, wands, orbs, daggers, talking skulls, magical imps...it was a lot of magic, pretty much. There's gonna be a lot of magic on Tund.

"I would give you the tour, however..." Doubt furrowed onto her brow. "I am the first to face the Sorcerers, this evening. I need to meditate and prepare." She disappeared into a cloud of red smoke as she teleported away.

This left Voss and Iymril with a few hours in a castle full of magic. "Where to, Professor? Meet the judges? Meet the competition?"

@Apollyon