Ask Ziost Halls of the Ancient

[Varyn Atrix]

Ziost had become one of the symbols of Imperial military power. The harsh environment forged soldiers who were ready for adversity, and its officer academy was second to none. While Varyn, himself, had chosen to follow a military path, that wasn't why he had come today.

He had been to this planet before and the most notable experience had been his confrontation with the old sorceress spirits when he traveled with Vex. It was not an experience he remembered fondly. But when he had left Dagobah recently, his mind had been drawn back to this planet, and he had followed it.

He had brought his ship along, landing it near one of the old Sith fortresses back in days barely remembered. Equipped with his IAC armor and pair of lightsabers, he had made his ascent up the steps, searching for something, but not quite sure what it was.

The Dark Side was strong here, and not only that, it called to him here. It wasn't just a matter of it existing, it had brought him here.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

She absolutely despised meditation, and she felt she had been doing more than usual lately. Her work cut back to ensure she didn't miss her own drills and practices, and her new welts on her back reminded her of the work she needed to continue. Focus has been not where she needed it to be, her return from Rusaan, despite a victory, left her puzzled as she looked for answers to ensure the Empire could be protected. This search brought her to Ziost as she researched deep in the oldest texts in the archives for something overlooked, ignored, or to better give her the upper-hand on new enemies.

The direction took her to a different path, some of the old history she could recall specifically in Emryc's voice as she remembered her early training. There were details she never remembered him saying, but that could be from those moments when she drifted off into her own ideas or even at times, fell asleep. At least now, she was better able to control how fast she fell asleep, but it still had the same affect all those years ago.

As she made her way through the fortress, there was a feeling of reluctance to proceed, an urge to just say "kriff it" and do something different in order to break from the long hours she had been spending in the archives. A fleeting feeling she often experienced, and others often noticed about the sith master when her absence was noticed. This feeling took her to other reaches of the sith military world and to a fortress long abandoned. Not unusual, but for this one, she was not going to be alone as she landed her ship near another, directing her droid to stay put as she headed toward the entrance. It was there when she spotted someone, armored up definitely, and possibly more than just coincidence they were both there.

"Hey!" she called out, hoping she outranked them from being so informal. Her robes whipped around her from the mountain winds and threatened to pull her hair from the pins that held it in place as she drew closer.

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn heard the drive engines whirring as the other ship came in and he looked up. He didn't continue his advance up the mountain and wondered for a moment if he'd entered some restricted area. Was this some Peacekeeper coming to tell him the area was off-limits?

As the redhead descended from her own ship and greeted with a "hey" he was guessing the answer to that question was "no." She looked to be Sith - because none of the Imperials wore robes - and it was only a moment later that he recognized her. Oh, kriff, no you've got to be kidding me, he thought to himself. It was the woman from Sluis Van! Fortunately, he was in different armor, but this was just a bad coincidence, right?

He forced himself to remain calm, his experience undercover allowing his emotions not to actually betray anything.

I didn't expect to see anyone else out here, he said. What brings you out this way? he asked, turning and heading back along the ramp that ascended to the fortress.

From what little he had read, it belonged to one of the old Sith Councilors during the post-Andrastian Empire. Warmaster, he thought he'd read. Perhaps that was why he'd been drawn here himself.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Internally, she let out a long sigh of relief that he wasn't someone that was about to tell her off...for now, but he seemed just as surprised and curious to her presence here. Tiamat looked up at the fortress' entrance before following him along the ramp, "Same, a little unusual, perhaps there is a purpose to this.[" she said feeling the darkness that laid heavily in and around this ancient fortress. "I'm looking for something, I don't think my answers are in scrolls or books, not this time, but what I feel is I am just going to get more questions." she shrugged. It sounded cryptic as hell, but from her experience, the entirety of the Force, regardless where one drew their power, it was always a riddle.

"This place, feels old, like a power forgotten..." she frowned and whispered, "I've felt it before..." back at the old cave, when she encountered the Eternal's mask. The power there was like this place, it held knowledge, even wisdom and yet so very few now days seek it. Maybe its true the sith have gone soft... she internally hummed to herself as they approached the large door of the fortress.

"So...why are you out here? A lunch break stroll? Get lost on a drill?" she asked, eyebrows rising in curiosity.

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn couldn't help but notice the similarity in their stories. She seemed as uncertain about why she was here as he was. It was all just... ambiguous. They had both been drawn here by something, but not only did they not know what answers they would find, they didn't even know what questions they were asking.

Where? he asked when she mentioned she had felt this kind of power before. She wasn't wrong, it reminded him of... well, actually he didn't know what. The Jedi didn't have anything like this that had a sheer presence to it that was difficult to describe. In a way it was like something crushing down on you but in another way it was like being wrapped up tightly in a warm blanket.

No, I... he shook his head, at a bit of a loss for words. I felt like something was calling me here, he said. I dunno how to describe it. One of those "the Force is weird" things, I guess, he said.

The hike up the side of the mountain was not an easy one and he was glad they hadn't had to land too near the bottom.

They arrived at the mouth of the building - and that was what it reminded him of, a mouth, not a door - and he paused.

I'm Varyn, by the way, he offered, and with that he crossed the threshold. It was its own relief to be out of the biting wind, and as he looked around he could see there were still old inscriptions in the stones in the antechamber.

You read ur-Kittât by chance? he asked, recalling how he had pulled out a translation app when temple diving with Vex. The spirits hadn't liked that... but he'd do it again.

@GABA

 

[Darth Tiamat]

He asked where she had felt it before, but left it be as he continued with the conversation. The idea of sharing her experiences in the cave rumored to house the entity and the Eternal was not something she desired to revisit as her face was stabbed by the cold winds. She was regretting being out here, but couldn't decide if talking helped or made things worse; but as he observed, the force was up to its usual tricks, dragging them out here and using their curiosity to possibly teach them a sort of lesson.

Pulling her robes tighter around herself, she felt herself withdraw inside, using her own skills to weather against the elements that deterred weak individuals. She could only imagine those who used to follow this path to get here, it would be a revolutionary level of strength if sith did it today. Some were so pathetic, she shared a level of annoyance that rivaled the most seasoned of sith, though she wasn't sure if it necessarily matched Raze's level of annoyance in others.

By the time she caught up, she was taken aback by the intimating hole...or mouth that would swallow them alike. It was as though the entire mountainside was alive, and for a moment she imagined the lights that illuminated the entrance and how cool it would look from afar. She felt her jaw agape as the other introduced himself; she gave him a small smile, "I'm Tiamat." she exchanged, before her attention was drawn to the inscriptions. The red haired woman titled her head to read the ancient sith writings when he asked if she knew ur-Kittât. A wide grin spread on her face, "I mean black holes sing, don't they?" she smirked to herself, but realizing he would not get the joke, the woman cleared her throat, "Yeah, I mean yes, I can read ur-Kittât."

The woman pointed to the beginning of the inscription, "These are all dates, some are a bit weathered down, but underneath, it says, pergaleas kash gautijas pro ehha." she said in the tongue of the old, glancing at Varyn, "Meaning, victory is gained through anguish."

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn didn't fail to notice that she didn't answer his question. Perhaps she was one of those secretive Sith who wanted to keep everything to themselves for fear that someone else would steal some piece of their power. Typical Sith.

Master Tiamat? he asked, realizing suddenly that not only was he outranked, but that plenty of Sith would have been pissed at him for his nonchalant attitude. Granted, he was also confident in his ability to out-duel most Sith Masters, but that was neither here nor there.

My apologies, I didn't realize, he said. He didn't know much about her apart from a small amount about her reputation, but he did know he wasn't trying to get on her bad side.

Given the fact she was smiling, he guessed she wasn't angry, which was a good thing, and even better, she apparently did read ancient Sith. Well, that was convenient as well. He didn't, however, have any idea what she was talking about with black holes. Like, absolutely no idea, so he just pretended she hadn't said it.

Oh, that's encouraging, he said as she read the inscription, and then buttoned his tongue down. He needed to remember that not all Sith Masters would find his sarcasm to be endearing.

And here I always thought victory came through power, he said, referencing the Sith Code, but then he was reminded of something from dueling.

I've never met any of the top Sith, he said, referring to the Council, But sometimes I wonder if it's like dueling. At the lower ranks, you have to follow the Code to the letter or follow the teachings of the Blademasters, he began.

But once you gain enough experience... enough knowledge, you can start your own interpretations. Things that you'd be laughed at for doing as an acolyte you're applauded for doing as a Councilor, he said, his never-ending (and possibly annoying) philosophical side coming out as it seemed to always do: completely unbidden. I guess maybe that starts when you become a Master, he said. She would know one way or another, of course.

He stiffened and turned further in as he thought he caught the sound of a whispered tongue he didn't speak. He frowned, tilting his head to the side and listening. Was it just the wind? Or something else?

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Internally she groaned when he added master to the front of her name and she quickly anticipated the change in tone and attitude now that she divulged this information. When the apology came, she did her best not to roll her eyes; some days she was in the mood for formalities, but some hike through an ancient fortress, she hoped he wasn't going trip over himself knowing she was one of the Sith masters in the order. She didn't want to make a big deal out of this revelation and gave a nonchalant shrug.

Seeming to accept the door drifted from what he assume to know, she listened quietly as he continued to speak. He now focused on his own experiences, mentioning he never met any of the top sith and the freedom they must hold compared to the bottom ranks. Tiamat quirked an eyebrow, she didn't necessarily remember following her training to a "T" with Emryc, in fact, she was notorious to carving her own path despite her impressions from her master at the time.

"The code is the foundation, once its stable, you can build from it." she told him, "Though I think one can argue with your observation, sometimes it feels as I grow and move up in rank, I am more limited. There are more watching." Tiamat explained and stopped when she noticed him tilting his head as though listening for something.

"What are they saying?" she asked him, curious to know if he was able to make anything out of what he was hearing. She let the silence be for a moment longer before speaking again, "Don't...don't wander off," Tia warned, remembering the cave of the entity, "I've done it once, and found something truly terrible." the woman placed her hand gently on his forarm to ensure she had his attention, a warning clearly from her own experience. "There are things the dark side holds that even the most powerful of sith do not want to see it released. Let's make sure we do not do that here."

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

She seemed quite nonchalant about her rank, but he still found himself stiffening ever-so-slightly. What he did find interesting was her comment about being a Master. It almost sounded as though she wished she weren't one. Sith were supposed to crave power and authority, right? But that was the one-dimensional rhetoric of the Jedi, wasn't it? He'd seen something different since he had come here.

Seems like a scandalous take, he admitted. Deviating from the "norm" of the Order seemed dangerous, but what really was the norm? Even the Jedi could admit that the Empire was different under the Eternal than Andruil. And under Anaris than under Andruil. It would probably be different under whoever came after Anaris as well.

He was surprised when she put a hand on his arm, almost pulling him back from walking away. I can't understand them, he said, but his mind was far, far more drawn to what she said next. He had no idea what she had found, but the way she said it sent a chill down his spine and made his gut do a flip.

We're in danger, aren't we? he said. It felt like the other place he'd been to on Ziost and he was starting to think he really didn't like Ziost very much.

He headed further inside, waiting for her to make sure he didn't wander off as he reached what he assumed was the main hall. In the center of the room was an old throne. It didn't look particularly comfortable, but it did seem like it radiated its own power.

I wonder what this place was like during its prime, he said. He could still feel the anger that clung to this place, a vicious darkness that was somehow still alluring despite everything else.

He reached out and placed a hand on the throne, half expecting that it was just an illusion. Everything here felt so... surreal.

What did you find when you wandered off? he asked, having now completely failed to contain the curiosity that had been tearing at him.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

He asked if they were in danger and she quirked an eyebrow, "I would easily assume we are never not in danger in any fortresses like these." she stated softly, her senses picking up on the slightest changes in the force, giving her pause every few steps as she felt an uneasiness grow too heavily behind her. However, Varyn seemed to take heed to her warning, ensuring he didn't get too far ahead as they both took in the architecture of the old fortress.

As they entered the main hall, Tiamat could still feel the old power that remained here. Varyn spoke, reflecting Tiamat's own curiosity as to how this place may have been centuries ago. Her gaze turned to the throne and watched as Varyn approached it; Tia's blue eyes traced along the stone floors, curious to know how many fell before the throne because of their incompetence. She walked up to the throne also, opposite of Varyn, and turned to look out into the hall, trying to imagine the soft glow of torchlight, how many would be in attendance at once, the chanting of the code or shouts of soldiers and sith alike as they prepared for their next conquest. She slowly lowered herself on the throne, looking out onto the hall.

Varyn seemed to have an itch in his curiosity as he inquired what she had found. It took a moment to acknowledged he even had asked, but when she did, she glanced at him and leaned back in the throne, resting her arms on the stone ledges on either side of her. "It was hunting, after rejecting several from its cave, I entered, and it left with me. Its not just some artifact, the mask of the Eternal. It... really was in a way sentient, its power nothing like we see today even in the darkest rituals. it tasted so good, but at the same time, terrible." she explained.

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn bristled, remembering that she had been the Eternal when she mentioned it. He wondered what that was like, and even now he wondered if she had some sort of lingering piece of it in her. Being who he was, there was only one thing to do: Does it still linger with you? he asked.

He didn't linger for long, pressing on deeper into the building, through a door behind the throne and down a set of stairs deeper into the mountain.

They wound down and came eventually to a room that seemed to pulse with the Dark Side. The moment the two crossed the threshold, Varyn was shocked by what he saw. The spectral form of a Sith Lord long gone and dead but in front of them as clearly as could be. Varyn took a step back, but the man didn't move.

I am Darth Andren. Who has come to disturb my fortress?

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Her gaze remained settled on the hall, her eyes slowly following imaginary people as they went about their business as she remained seated. She was starting to find Varyn had an appetite for curiosity and questions; they weren’t things that seemed frivolous, which often frustrated her from others. Her fingers ran along the stone sides of the throne, her eyes refocusing back on Varyn and instinctively rubbed the center of chest. Despite no physical manifestation of an actual black hand, she could still feel it, “It does. I think at times I could have the power to bring it back and then maybe that hunger would quiet.”

Tiamat rose from the throne as they continued through the fortress. Speaking about the Eternal’s mask was not something she spoke about often, maybe just with Renfry from time to time. Though, there were no one else she was close to or those who had the guts to even ask such a question when she was present. Then again, she felt any other time, she would have smacked them back to the reigning years of Andraste if they did. Despite the risk Varyn took asking, he was clever enough to know it was the right time.

The room they would eventually enter was heavy with the dark side, perhaps a source to the ancient power they had felt to their arrival. She crossed just as Varyn did, eyes widening for a brief moment to the sudden appearance of a sith before them who announced his presence.

Darth Andren

Tiamat quickly wracked her brain for the name from her early history lessons from Emryc, but perhaps this would be one (of like many) lesson that she happened to sleep through.

“My lord, we have come to answer who has called us here.” Tiamat stated with a respectful bow.

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn listened to what she said, but more than that, he felt the shifts in the Force. He felt the impact that it had had on her, and the resonance it left behind in the Force as she spoke about it. He wondered what that was like to have something carried around, staining your soul. He wondered if he would end up like that someday.

The price of making a difference?

The thought was forcefully shoved out of his mind as the Sith spirit appeared before them. His heart jumped a beat, but unlike he had seen previously or heard about, there was no hostility with this particular Sith spirit.

Ah, I see, he said. I awoke from my long sleep and felt the Empire stood on a knife's edge. I put forth a call that someone would carry on my knowledge and bring the Empire back to thriving, he said.

I was Warmaster in the years that followed Andraste's Empire. The peak days of the Sith Order. That willpower is needed again, he said. Varyn was actually quite surprised at how... nice the ghost was being. He was very straightforward about what he was doing and wanting.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

Tiamat’s eyebrows raised slightly, feeling more shocked to the fact that the Empire was doing poorly enough that it woke a sith spirit. She wondered who else was disturbed by this predicament. However, it shouldn’t surprise her, the Order was woefully underserved, it was more like interim council members stood as just warm bodies to look like something was functioning. She couldn’t even say when she last heard from the current Empress. At least with Renfry, Tiamat always knew where she could find her.

The woman stood silently and listened as the spirit continued, wanting someone to carry their knowledge, to see the Empire as prosperous as it was centuries ago. It made sense of course that a warmaster to be disappointed in the state of the Empire currently. She wondered how many students of the dark side currently would even meet minimum expectations.

“This knowledge sounds valuable, my lord.” She replied, finding how pleasant this conversation was going, but something lurked in her gut as to what was the catch, no one just gives away knowledge, even in spirit, there had to be a catch. “How did the Empire of your time thrive as it did?” She asked.

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn watched the spirit, fascinated by what he was seeing but more than that, feeling an almost... kindredness with it. As if, perhaps, he and it had something in common. Of course, that was probably completely ridiculous, but it was a thought there nonetheless.

The Empire then wasn't afraid to do what was necessary. Thriving of the Empire at any cost. The Empire today lacks resolve, he said.

And you want to bring resolve back to the Empire? he asked.

For the first time, the spirit's eyes really settled on him, and more than look at him, the spirit seemed to look through him, it's connection to the Force much more powerful than a regular, living human.

I sense great uncertainty in you, and yet I sense you want to carry on a mantle not unlike my own: a warmaster for the Sith, he said, his eyes then swiveling over to rest on Tiamat.

And you. I senes you carry the scent of another on you... or more than one. You already bear a legacy of another, do you not?

 

[Darth Tiamat]

The spirit was very forthcoming and continue to draw her attention to what he had to share. She felt some sympathy, and wondered if she would feel the same in the afterlife if she watched the galaxy turn away from the technology she has brought back into existence. To see the advances be forgotten as the future generations decided not to have the passion as she did, the idea seemed...dreadful.

She glanced at Varyn when he spoke, but she noticed how the spirit did not answer immediately, its gaze settling on Varyn and she felt herself tense in anticipation. When the spirit spoke again, her gaze returned to Varyn, he spoke of uncertainty, which could have meant a number of things, but the idea he wanted to be a warmaster. Well, that took Tiamat by surprise, she didn't even know him until now, but the ambition, was... impressive. An eyebrow slow rose until the spirit looked at Tia and addressed her, sensing another that she still carried.

Tiamat knew what the ancient warmaster spoke of, "The Eternal." she stated. The woman's brow narrowed briefly in her thoughts, if the spirit could sense them, could she still access them? Even without the mask itself?

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn glanced back and forth between Warmaster and Eternal. What in the kriff had he walked into and why did he suddenly feel like he was completely and totally outclassed by the other two here.

Yes, I do, he said. Or blademaster, he thought to himself, but didn't say aloud. Something that involved becoming the warrior he'd always imagined. And what Sith didn't have aspirations? He supposed there were many, actually, but he wasn't one of those.

Ah, the warmaster said as she admitted being tied to the Eternal.

In my day, the Eternal wasn't so brazen with its identity, he said. How things have changed, he said.

My home is filled with items of power for those who are worthy. Would you prove your worthiness? he asked, looking to them both. Varyn, of course, had no idea what kind of test that would be but there really was only one answer. After the Force had led him here.

I will accept your challenge, he said, unsure what Tiamat would say.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

He sounded almost grandfatherly, recalling how things were, and Tiamat wondered if she would ever have the luxury of doing the same. Reminiscing in what once was, all while in the present she holds contempt, annoyance, and surprise to the changes that have transpired. Though, with how her identity was revealed was...less than ideal, she still savored the fact not too many could put her face to her SIth name that floats among the Empire.

Keeping herself focused, she followed the spirits' offering, announcing reward for those who were worthy. She wasn't too sure what laid in a tomb after all these years. There was no doubt of those that attempted to pull artifacts for "proper" display, when in reality they were sold to private collectors.

Like Varyn, there was a purpose for this calling for Tiamat as she nodded, "I accept." she stated, trying to think of all the possible tests they could face. Many of them could prove worth, though what the spirit was searching for was another question. Was it the prowl of a hunt? Conquering? Loyalty? It was all hard to say.

"What will we do to prove our worth to you?" Tiamat asked.

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

The man didn't waste any time as he informed them what their challenge would be.

There is a group of looters who live on this world. Some of them are even failed Sith. They have violated my home and taken what did not belong to them. Kill them, he said. It seemed simple enough, and Varyn wasn't sure he was going to be losing a lot of sleep over killing looters, after all. How many dark side artifacts had they likely sold on the black market.

You will find them in a cave that can be reached through the lower caverns of my fortress. Go, he said, and with that he vanished.

Varyn looked over to Tiamat and shrugged. I guess that's pretty cut and dry, he said, continuing on deeper into the cavern and down another set of stairs. He used his lightsaber to light their way, and reached out his senses. Yes, he did feel someone else here, though exactly where and how many was far more difficult to say.

 

[Darth Tiamat]

The spirit spoke with instruction, possibly waiting in anticipating to ensure they were committed to assisting in its afterlife goals. He described looters on the world, specifically some who live deep in the fortress. It seemed to be ballsy to actually stay in the place where you're stealing from, but maybe that's why they were failures of sith order. She had no problem wiping out failed sith and their followers.

When the spirit vanished Tiamat turned to Varyn, speaking what she was thinking and she nodded. They walked together down the caverns, the halls stretching deep into a maze of hallways and rooms that could have served any number of purposes. Varyn used his lightsaber to give them some light to see; Tiamat's own thoughts turned to the reminder if she were to have a mountain fortress, to install some sort of permanent illuminators. The last thing she wanted to do was run through a spider's web that has settled in a door way. Her own senses could feel the presence of another, but that was about all until they approached closer.

An iron rod gate separated the two sith from three she had counted who had gathered in the adjacent room. There was the glow of a portable heater that held a pot on top of it, the lid when removed by one of the looters, the room smelled bitter, but the group seemed to be enjoying their mush from whatever they were able to find nearby. Nose turned upright to the smell, she raised an eyebrow and glanced to Varyn, signaling she was ready. Tiamat also knew once they started, they would possibly bring attention to themselves, she doubted they were lucky enough to just clear out only three.

The woman sunk into her own dark energies, the door blasting off its hinges and across the room, startling the three who were on the verge of enjoying their meal. They all immediately jumped from their seats, firing their blasters at the two intruders (or were they the intruders?). One rather lithe rodian was buzzing about something in its rodian language and as Tiamat ducked from the blaster bolts, pulled the brown frog like in front of the firing path of his partners blasters.

@Phoenix