Ask A Master of None is No Master at All

Vex

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Mockingjay
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"Precisely," Vex said as if she were praising a puppy. "The Light is life. It is vitality. The dark side is more like a poison. But that does not mean we are completely forbidden from using techniques thought to be born of only Light. For instance—" She held out one gloved hand, gesturing for him to give her the hand he had cut earlier. With her free hand, she gestured to the wound and with a drumming of her fingers, knitted the skin back together until it was healed. "—we can heal some injuries with Korriban magick. A power previously thought only to belong to Jedi."

Vex turned back to the vined plant. "So today," she continued, crossing her arms behind her back. "You and I are going to conduct a rather rare experiment. One that, if successful, will create a new spell." She leveled her gaze on Caer. "This will be excellent training for you, apprentice." She raised one gloved hand, calling out to the vines through the Force, and watched as the plant crept towards her along the walls of the ancient temple, snaking around her extended arm until she bade them stop. "First, you need to establish an affinity with the plant. Plants are living things, just like animals, just like humans. Connect to it and beckon it with your willpower to come to you. Plant Surge involves forcing the plant to rapidly grow into a shape and manner you desire. Simply summoning it is a different matter. But if we both have an affinity for this plant, we will quickly discern its workings and can begin testing our new spell." @LouJoVi

Challenge: Roll dice to summon the vines to Caer. Add +2 to your roll for Caer's performance so far (one less than last time since he doesn't have an affinity for the plant yet).
 

Caerllion of Cyfnos

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Caerllion paid close attention to Vex’s explanation. He never thought that by using the Dark Side they would be able to replicate some of the Force abilities that once were considered as exclusive of the Light Side. The sight of his Master healing her wound proved that what she said was true. A Sith that was able to partially heal themselves would be far more efficient during a mission or invasion.

When she finished, Caerllion turned to look at the plant. If it wasn’t for the strong Dark Side presence that came from it, the Annfyn would have said that it was an ordinary plant. “I’ll do it, Master.” he said, before approaching it. The closer he approached it, the stronger he could feel the darkness coming from it.

The Acolyte closed his eyes and stretched his hands toward the plant. Through the Force, Caerllion reached it and established a bond. He poured on it his desire to make the plant move and to have it obey his orders. His hands would be illuminated by a red aura and the vines would start to move.

However, he had underestimated the plant. The few movements that the vines made would soon stop. Caerllion would start to struggle against the will of the plant, which he never thought that could happen. To begin with, a vegetable would never have a will, even less one that could be stronger enough to oppose a Sith.

After some time struggling to have an answer from the stubborn plant, the Acolyte stopped what he was doing and turned to Vex. “I failed. I felt that it answered my orders in the beginning, but then it seemed to be fighting my control. Is it possible?

@Mockingjay
 

Vex

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Vex kept her arms folded for a long moment before she replied. "Of course it's possible," she said flatly. "Outside, you were merely compelling sand. But this is a living creature. It has a will of its own. Yours will need to be stronger than it."

The Sith Master considered long and hard what to do next. Her apprentice needed molding. He was still fresh, not using the dark side to its potential. He was also overly reliant on her for answers. But there was a way to solve both problems. He wouldn't thank her for it, not yet. But later, maybe, when he was up against a real Jedi, he would think back to this moment and see what it accomplished. With a flicker of her wrist, violet ichor surged and surrounded the plant. "Zudyti jis!"

The vines reacted, slithering like snakes until they constricted Caer's legs, arms, and throat. Then, they began to squeeze. Vex took the moment of undoubted panic to whirl on her apprentice. "You know what emotions to reach for. Dig deep! Think to the lessons I gave you outside. What other steps are needed in Sith magic? Think quickly." She pinched her fingers together and the vines tightened even more. "Find your willpower. Your life depends on it." @LouJoVi
 

Caerllion of Cyfnos

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While Vex talked, Caerllion stared at the plant. The culture of his species was known for preaching about the importance of nature and of all the living beings, but he never expected that a bunch of vines could have a will so strong. He barely could move it before he felt it fighting against him to the point of breaking the connection that the Acolyte had established.

After he heard Vex saying something that he didn’t understand, the Acolyte turned to look at her with confusion. Before he could ask what was happening, Caerllion saw several of the vines moving toward him. In a blink of an eye, they were wrapping around his legs and neck, trying to strangle him.

While the vines increased the pressure around his neck, Caerllion heard Vex’s advice and remembered how she said that he needed to have a strong will to command the Force. He could have underestimated this plant early, but it wasn’t going to happen in his next attempt. An attempt that should have come immediately because he would soon lose conscience.

Focusing on the vines, Caerllion would pour all his strength and will into the Force. Then, he would use it this time not only to influence, but to order the plant to release him. An aura of red energy would run through his body, making the vines stop moving. Soon, it would slowly start to release him.

Once the vines released him, Caerllion fell to the ground gasping for air. Once again during this training he was nearly strangled, hopefully there would not be a second time. While he recovered from the plant attack, the Annfyn would wait for Vex’s comments about his new attempt.

@Mockingjay
 
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Vex

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Vex nodded approvingly. "Good work." She noticed his silence this time. Perhaps he disapproved of her methods. She could not say even she did. What she had just done was something her Master would have done. "Fear for one's life is a powerful motivator. It is the strongest type of fear, and we Sith use that emotion to empower ourselves. Never forget the sensation you just felt. Let it help you to grow, to make you stronger."

She turned her back to him to regard the plant once more. They only had one test left to perform. As she had thought, plants could be compelled to do as a dark side caster commanded. But it still wasn't Plant Surge. For that, growth needed to occur. She put a hand out to the plant and closed her eyes, feeling its presence in the Force. As she did, she instructed her pupil. "Now, bring together what you've learned," she said. "Focus on the plant. Let your will to the Force be known. Let it be iron, so that you are not refused. Connect to the plant with me and command it to grow." Then, with a half-smirk under her mask, she added, "And if you find yourself struggling, remind yourself what will happen should you fail. There is power in your fear. Use it."

Then, she turned her mind to the task at hand. She felt her power spread through the plant's vines like veins of ice. It wasn't the warmth of the light side, but the cold demands of the dark. She knew their new spell would not be a true Plant Surge, but a dark and twisted variant. She only hoped the experiment had no unintended consequences. @LouJoVi

Note: In your post, don't write about the plant growing. Just write the lead up to the attempt and the attempt itself. I have an idea for the result :)
 

Caerllion of Cyfnos

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Thank you, Master.” Caerllion said, after Vex praised him for his effort with defending himself of the planet. Her instruction about using fear to increase his power opened his mind. The Annfyn had learned at the Academy how this emotion could be useful, but the instructors gave much more attention explaining the power of others emotions such as rage that he never thought about using it.

The Acolyte paid close attention to what Vex explained next, nodding his head when she mentioned that he should think what would happen with him if he failed again. Being an Annfyn, emotions weren’t something unknown to him. Different from the Sephi, his species embraced it easily. He needs to make use of it during his training.

Yes, Master.” he said, before approaching the plant and touching it like Vex was doing. Being close to it, the Acolyte could feel how the Dark Side was strong on it. It was no surprise that he had failed before, this dark presence was really powerful and he acted as if it was a simple plant.

With the instructions of his Master on his mind, Caerllion closed his eyes and established a connection with the plant. Once again he could feel it fight against his will, but this time he was prepared. The Acolyte used his fear of a possible failure and the rage of being attacked by it to increase his power in the Dark Side. A smile appeared on his lips when he felt the plant bending to his will. Now he would only need to wait to see the results.

@Mockingjay
 

Vex

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With her apprentice's power added to hers, Vex had everything they needed. "Tapti," she beckoned in the ancient Sith language, "ir isauga."

The plant didn't just grow, it exploded forward towards them. The sudden action startled Vex enough to make her take several steps back, motioning for apprentice to do the same. As the plant grew, its vines twisting up and around the walls like writhing snakes, Vex noticed something happening to it. The dark sided magic was taking its toll. The plant, once a vibrant, verdant green, was becoming dull, grey, almost poisoned in color. Thorns grew where there were none before.

She stopped the spell before anything more could happen. "Do you see, Caer?" Vex said cautiously. "The dark side can do anything the light can — and it can do it better. But there is always a cost. Our magic has warped the plant, corrupted it with the dark side." She reached a tentative hand up to caress one of its leaves. "There is no telling what dangers it now possesses."

Now, she turned more fully to him. "I am impressed with your progress and abilities," she said truthfully. "So, now that I have confirmed your talent and your fortitude, I will grant you an apprenticeship." She flicked her hands at the plant, casting a pyrokinetic spell that saw the ferns and vines burn away with violet flames. "There is one last thing we must do before your lessons are complete for the day. If you are to use Korriban magick, you need to be baptized in this planet's ichors. Follow the steps beyond the plant. But do not enter the pool you find there just yet. I will be behind you and will instruct you in the process." @LouJoVi
 

Caerllion of Cyfnos

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While he combined his power with hers, Caerllion could hear Vex saying more words in the old language of the Sith. He wondered if she had some type of book or dictionary of it. The Annfyn had a good memory, but he was uncertain if he would be capable of remembering all these incantations that he had learned today.

In answer to her words, Caerllion felt the plant start to move. He opened his eyes in time to see how the vines grew up, spreading to all directions. It was different from how someone would expect of a plant growing. The way that it spread, moving like a snake, wasn’t something normal. The thorns that appeared on it were sharper than ever. This was the influence of the Dark Side.

When he felt Vex stop doing the incantation, Caerllion did the same. He paid close attention to what she was explaining to him. The Acolyte turned to look at the plant, admiring what it had become. If the Dark Side could allow them to do the same that the Jedi did, he couldn’t wait to corrupt more of their abilities.

Thank you, Master. I’ll not disappoint you for this opportunity.” Caerllion said, after Vex informed him that she was going to take him as her apprentice. Now he would be able to learn more about Korriban magick. He would embrace this opportunity with all his will, even if he needed to be baptized on Korriban.

Yes, Master.” he was prepared for it. When Vex finished talking, Caerlliong walked beyond the plant. Whatever this baptism would be, he would face it for the promise of the power that the Korriban magick was going to give him.

@Mockingjay
 

Vex

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When they were at last at the pool, Vex spoke again. "Korriban magick is not like Sith alchemy, which can be used by anyone who learns to wield the dark side of the Force," she explained. "One must be baptized in Korriban's ichors by a witch who has the magick herself. That is what we are going to do now."

She gestured to the pool. "This will be the last of our exercises for today. Submerge yourself in this pool of mist. Empty your mind of thought and emotion. When you are ready, hold your breath, and call the Force to you." His baptism would be better than hers. At least he had her, not centuries-dead-witches to baptize him. "I will then speak the words of power over you. The spell that will allow the ichor to enter your body and bond with you. If you survive the experience," she added, smirk twisting across her face beneath her mask, "then you will be able to call upon the same power as me." @LouJoVi
 

Caerllion of Cyfnos

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While they walked, Caerllion paid close attention to what the woman was talking. All this talk about baptism in strange liquids reminded him of a creepy cult, but he would do it. If he needed to dive in full of ichor to be capable of using Korriban magick with full power, the Annfyn was going to do it without thinking twice.

I understand, Master.” Caerllion said, before starting to walk toward the pool. The liquid inside it was really strange. The Acolyte wondered if the liquid that the Nightsisters used in their rituals on Dathomir was similar to it. When he stepped in the ichor, the Annfyn could feel the Dark Side against his body. It was like he was going to enter a pool full of liquid darkness.

Once he was in a part that was deep enough, Caerllion closed his eyes and submerged. At first, he was overcome with a sensation of panic. He felt as if the Darkness around him would consume his entire being. For a second he even thought about jumping out of the pool. However, he remembered what Vex had said. He needed to empty his mind.

As soon as he did it, the Acolyte was able to calm himself. Then, he called the Force and waited for his Master to speak the words of power. Caerllion was prepared to endure the pain that this ritual was going to leave on his body.

@Mockingjay
 
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