Ask History Repeating Itself

[Veles]

Mustafar, Fortress Vader
2341 local time

For many, the unwelcoming environment of Mustafar and the stifling presence of the dark side made the planet a dreadful place to be on, every step laborious and anxiety-inducing. For Veles, it felt like breathing fresh mountain air, the heavy darkness invigorating him and instilling more confidence in him than in most other places. He knew Andruil would likely feel the same way, and although this planet was certainly not the most attractive or have many facilities, there was one thing she would most certainly appreciate: Fortress Vader.

The structure had withstood the test of time despite all the unwelcome visitors it had endured since its evacuation after the Empire's fall at the hands of the Rebellion. It had come close to destruction once, too, a foil by two Mustafarian boys seeking to blow it up as a symbol of Vader's defeat. Though the bomb had gone off, it had merely torn a chunk into the Eastern Wing, which Veles had ensured was refurbished into a condition even better than before. The entire Fortress had been restored from the tip of its spires to the depths of the lava dam, its interiors polished and maintained that way ever since the Empire had moved in once more. Caelestis had aided him in reclaiming it ironically enough, though he supposed the Empress would not enjoy that little tidbit and he knew there would be a few sensitive matters that they might discuss that would require exceptional navigating through the conversation.

He was, truth be told, a bit giddy about her arrival, the culmination of several years of work for Veles. Though the Fortress had opened about 3 years ago, it had been an ongoing project to get everything operational after over a century of stagnation, and he was proud that it was now fully operational. Another meeting with Andruil was certainly overdue as well, so he would be killing two birds with one stone by bringing her here--both to show her a physical, tangible example of the work he'd done, and also to actually get to see her and discuss what needed to be discussed. He was a Sith Lord now, and it was important that he did not stray too far from her plans or misuse the resources he'd been granted; today he would ensure they were on the same page.

Veles strode through the halls that he now saw as his home away from home, the memory of Dagobah idly flashing through his mind. He pushed the visions back because today was not the day to be vulnerable and it was certainly not the time for introspection. It seemed no amount of meditating and ruminating was enough for him to process the visions and illusions he'd had in the swamp, but there had to be some way to vanquish that catastrophe from his brain.

The doors hissed open in front of him and he was hit with a blast of hot air as he stepped out onto the platform her shuttle would be landing to, his hair beating weakly in the wind caused by the crashing of lava on stone hundreds of meters below. He had never considered that lava could cause wind and had always assumed it was much too slow to be so viscous, but Mustafar had taught him otherwise.

"Lord Veles, the Empress approaches," buzzed the comm in his ear, and he turned his gaze to the skies, seeing the small dot as it approached and feeling her presence within the Force. He could tell she was not in the best of moods, but he couldn't blame her. He could only hope she did not turn his anger onto him, and he had no intention of giving her reason to.

The shuttle touched down smoothly, the door slowly lowering as the cabin decompressed with a loud hiss. Veles strode forward until he was a few meters in front of the ship's entrance, and then bowed. He idly considered that this was the first time a Sith Emperor or Empress visits the base since the days of Sidious. History does indeed repeat itself.

"My Empress," he proclaimed, lifting his head, and then motioning behind him. "Welcome to Fortress Vader."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry didn't know why ever place that was filled with the Dark Side had to be so hot. Korriban, Moraband, and no Mustafar. Every one of them was stifling in its heat and she found it insufferable. Or perhaps it was just her recent, perpetually foul mood.

Even in her current mood, she could appreciate that Fortress Vader was impressive. The building stood on the edge of a precipice, and below it a river of lava. It was quite striking even with its black on black exterior.

The Ascension descended its way through the clouds of soot and smoke, landing on the platform to give access to the Fortress. She descended the ramp, the burned smell and scent of ash almost immediately sent her back to the Council chambers in such a way that she had to forcibly push the memory aside. She was sick of it plaguing her, knowing she needed to get her mind back to the Empire but struggling each step of the way.

Fortunately, her mind couldn't linger on it long as Darth Veles approached. She shifted her focus wholly onto him. There was an almost intensity to it that he would feel, like having a spotlight shined on him. It wasn't because she wanted to put him under such scrutiny, but simply because it was something else for her to focus her attention on.

Lord Veles, she said. Normally she would have made more pleasantries in her conversation, but these days she simply didn't feel like playing the part. You seem uncomfortable, she said instead, sensing something in his mind that was unsettling him.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

He looked at her and offered a weak grin, the pressure not fazing him. He had met with the Empress in the precise hopes that the spotlight would be on him. It was his time to shine. Her attention may have intimidated him before, but now they knew each other and he was no longer a Champion. His confidence was appropriate for his level and not bordering on arrogance as it might have a few years ago.

"Perhaps a bit more contemplative, I'd say" he suggested and turned 45 degrees. "Shall we?"

As they walked, he considered whether it would be smart to lay down his defense a bit and let through such a sensitive event. Then he realized that if he did not wish to offer up the memory, she was perfectly capable of going looking for it, and he spoke after a few steps.

"I've recently traveled to Dagobah and had a sort of epiphany, in a way," he admitted. His mental defenses were stronger than when he had been weaker, but he knew that he was still not at her level. "More interestingly, I discovered that the Cave of Evil has been destroyed."

A very intriguing piece of information, should she know or care what that place is. A Sith of her caliber would most certainly have a good, well-rounded knowledge of the various dark places around the Galaxy and its history.

"This is one of the side entrances," he informed her as they reached the massive doors. They hissed open in front of them, and the two stepped through, speaking as they walked.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Contemplative. An interesting word choice that brought to question what exactly he was contemplating. She considered pressing the question, but let it rest for the moment, wondering if perhaps it would come out on its own. And indeed almost as soon as she finished the thought, he began to expand on what was on his mind.

Really? she said, surprised to hear that news that he gave to her. That cave had been there for many years, rumored even to have survived the height of the Jedi's power in the galaxy. It made her question what exactly had occurred there and - perhaps more importantly - why.

Did you find any evidence of the who, why, or how? she asked, her curiosity not only piqued, but her general warning bells sounding as well. It had to be Jedi, right? But she thought of the various Force-entities that existed in the galaxy as well and couldn't help but consider the possibility that something more dangerous was at play.

She followed him over to a side entrance and made her way inside. The air in here was cooler and less stifling. Generally more livable if perhaps not quite pleasant.

You've been gone for some time. What exactly does your return mean? she asked. People had come out of the woodwork with the Council now hosting so many empty seats. She wanted to gauge who was involved in which machinations.

 

[Veles]

Agents and stormtroopers walked out of different rooms and headed down the hall, giving the Empress and the Sith Lord a wide berth. Normally, the halls could even become crowded at this hour, but the two seemed to be parting the sea of people as though they were repelling like magnets. Any Imperial worth his salt knew better than to block their path.

"I watched the actions develop through the Force," he replied--he knew the who, why, and how. "I would have assumed for the vandal to be a Jedi, but no." He turned to face her as they walked, making eye contact so she could see on his face that there was no embellishment, no hyperbole, and no lie in his statements. "It was Kylo Ren."

"Supreme Leader Snoke took him to the Cave of Evil as part of his training, and, when presented with the illusion of his parents, refused to strike them down, instead impaling a tree and lying to Snoke. When his master made to enter the Cave and see for himself his apprentice's 'success,' Ren destroyed the cave before his lie would be found out." His mind flickered back to the massive explosion, one that no ordinary Acolyte would be able to conjure. "A bit of history from another time that no one else in the Galaxy has been privy to." It meant nothing, truth be told, and was more of a fun fact than anything. Still, perhaps knowing the circumstances of the Cave's destruction would aid them in its restoration, should they consider it worth the effort. There were, after all, thousands of other dark places throughout the Galaxy.

"Indeed I have been absent from the Galactic stage," he admitted, not mincing his words. "I was focusing my efforts in part on refurbishing Fortress Vader--" he motioned around as they walked through an entryway that lead them into a cavernous main hall. "--and in part on meditating on what I have learned, what there is to learn, and what I must do. Now, I have taken charge of a few projects. The plans have been finalized, the pieces set in position, and in the coming weeks, you will see the Imperial borders grow. I have set my sights on Sullust and Utapau for now, two worlds here in the Galactic South that will help us unite the two patches of territory we have. Sullust, with its history as a ship-building powerhouse, will also be a valuable asset that, should we not neglect it, will prove to provide a welcome boost to our navy."

They had reached the administrative wing, and Veles turned to enter a door to the right, allowing the Empress to enter first. The two would step into a large room full of control boards, screens, holoprojectors, and delicate machinery, all attended by a few dozen of the Empire's finest minds in the South.

"This room is home to the Southern Galactic Imperial Command Center, and I established it once our control of Mustafar had solidified. Here, we have the capability to oversee all Imperial activity in this part of the Galaxy--everything from our troop movements to supply lines and law enforcement on planets we have garrisons on. It also gives us the chance to keep a close eye on the activity of the worlds around us, and scrutinize them for any signs of rebellious activity."

Perhaps that was a lot, and he might be overwhelming Andruil with information, but there was much to show her and much to talk about. Fortress Vader would take several days to analyze from top to bottom, so he was only showing her the most crucial parts, and still it would take them some time. That was why he had stopped by the SGICC first, since it was in the way of their private quarters.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

She frowned skeptically at his statement that Kylo Ren had done it. However, as he went on to explain the course of events, things made more sense to her. So it had been purged many years ago. That was a shame, though if she'd never noticed it up until this point then perhaps it wasn't as great a loss as it appeared on the surface. Difficult to say.

Very interesting, she said thoughtfully. Perhaps there was no reason to make her way out there, then. While she liked the wilds, what little she knew of Dagobah sounded... unpleasant. Horrid, wet swampland. Maybe she would skip a visit for the time being.

She listened as he detailed his plans for what he would do now that he had finished his introspection. Promising plans if they were successful, but also with flaws based on Imperial history.

They headed inward to a command center and as he explained something jumped to her mind.

Bold of you to assume you'll control the entire Southern Region from here, she said, though her face didn't reveal whether she was angry, probing for information, amused, or something else entirely.

I do think your plan to link the Eriadu and Mustafar is a good one, but I would focus your efforts on Sluis Van, not Sullust, she said. Sluis Van was another major shipyard, but without the baggage of Sullust. The Jedi had liberated Sullust from the Sith under the Eternal's rule and they had done so by bringing up an internal insurgency. Another invasion of Sullust would see little in the way of productivity and a lot by way of fighting a guerrilla war.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

"The Cave still does create illusions, though," he added cryptically, just before they entered the command center. There was certainly some merit to visiting its ruins, though one had to be careful what they wished for--just as it offered the promise of renewed strength, so, too, it had the potential to ruin minds. The agents around paid them no mind, their endless chatter unrelenting.

"I never said I'll be controlling it," he replied, a coy smile forming on his lips. He had said we, which could mean a million different things. "If you have other plans for the Southern command, I can shut this whole operation down and have this room turned into a spa at the snap of a finger." It would be a pity, considering the resources it had taken to organize it and the benefits it brought. Then again, she was the Empress, so her word was quite literally law. His concession did mean that if she was bluffing, she would have to either go through with shutting the SGICC or concede, and either option was acceptable for Veles. No one had possessed the initiative necessary to spearhead a serious conquest of the Southern part in the past year, however, so depriving him of resources would only mean that she'd be shooting herself in the leg as well.

"Sluis Van it is, my Lady," he nodded, despite the meeting he'd already organized with Sullust's governing body--a meeting they had surprisingly agreed to. Should the negotiations go smoothly, it would be a pleasant surprise and if they didn't, nothing of value would be lost. Already, he was planning out the conquest of Sluis Van in his head; he would certainly try to go with the diplomatic approach first, because that required less Imperial resources and was much more low stake, high reward.

"If you would like to rest after your journey here, I have seen to it that private quarters have been prepared for you not too far from here." If she wanted to, he'd take her there. If not, they would continue walking through the Fortress. Regardless, the two would step outside of the command center and back into the hallway.

"Otherwise, I can show you Darth Vader's throne room, which we interestingly enough found in pristine condition."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

When he mentioned that the facility could be changed to a spa like the snap of one's fingers she snickered slightly.

And waste Imperial resources? I think not, she said, clearly not being overly serious. Ultimately, she was glad that someone was taking initiative in the Souther Empire. It had been largely neglected for several years now because of its isolation. Building up those borders would allow it to have more self-sustaining capacity.

Another welcome relief when he said he would deal with bringing Sluis Van into the fold. Prior attempts had been met with failure for a variety of logistical reasons, but Sluis Van had immense shipyards and therefore incredible potential for producing additional ships - particularly support ships - for the Imperial Navy.

Good, I look forward to your report, she said with a nod. She knew it would take time, but as long as there was progress, that was a step in the right direction.

Let's continue on to the throne room, she said. She had rested enough aboard her ship, though she did silently wonder to herself what the quarters here were like. She couldn't deny that she found herself wanting to sit on Vader's throne as well. The sensation of sitting on the Exegol throne was powerful and intoxicating in its own way, but the thought was quickly eclipsed by the memory of Art being there with her and the fact that if she ever returned to sit on that throne, he wouldn't be there to greet her.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

He nodded, and they headed down the hall and into an area of the Fortress that was much less frequented. Here were the rooms that had been in constant use during the days of Sidious' Empire, from Vader's throne room and personal chambers to administrative halls used for conferences and official business. Likewise, here they'd stashed away the wing where the ISB could lead covert operations, though it was unfortunately not in particularly frequent use. Hopefully that would change as the Empire's grip on the South solidifed and Veles could justify the resources and clearance necessary for sending agents to spy on other worlds or overthrow governments.

"I hear the Mandalorians have begun their crusade into enemy territory," he noted. "How do you feel about the chances that they'll get bold enough to do something they shouldn't?" It was a question put forth out of interest and curiosity; the Empress' thoughts on this matter were ultimately what decided whether their tentative "alliance" would continue. The Mandalorians were good at what they did; they fought with a complete disregard for their own lives and sometimes of those around, and despite their recklessness and occasional rebellious streak, they were a force to be reckoned with that the Empire could certainly make good use of.

Veles did not have any particular opinion on the matter, though he recognized that they were a valuable asset, and Raze's success in winning them over would go a long way for the Imperial war effort. And yet, Veles could not help but consider how some of the Mandalorians had splintered from the main faction out of dismay at being associated with the Sith Empire. Cowards, indeed, but potentially very dangerous if left unchecked.

They turned a corner and entered the throne room, the lights turning on as they stepped inside. The chamber was striking, the walls and ceiling a deep black, and it notably lacked features or furniture; the only things in it were Vader's throne and his meditation chamber. There was a tension in the room that hung over them like a stormcloud, a lingering darkness that would likely never dissipate. The feeling of despair and dread could prove to be overwhelming to those not tempered by the dark side, but Veles and Andruil would have no difficulty standing in the chamber.

"No one has entered this room since Vader's demise except for myself and perhaps his advisor, Vaneé." He knew where the Empress was likely to head, and he would accompany her to the throne. Should she make the choice to sit--and he would be surprised for one to pass an opportunity like this--he would sit on the steps in front of it, leaning against one of the low walls and facing her so that their conversation could continue.

"Dark artifacts and historical locations aside--" he began, wondering whether it would be appropriate to ask what he wanted to even as he spoke. "How has the throne been treating you? You had just taken the mantle when we met. I know ruling over so many lives and being responsible for so many moving pieces is not easy."

It was perhaps the most personal question Veles had ever asked her, but he tired of the whole nobility act. He knew Andruil was a person with real emotions, misgivings, aspirations and flaws. If they were to continue working together and getting to know each other better, it would be best if there was no tension and a mutual respect--perhaps even friendship.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry thought about his question about the Mandalorians. There was a lot of moving pieces to that question, and it wasn't as simple as "there will be a war" or "there won't be a war." Far too many variables could change before that time came about.

They'll do damage to our enemy and they'll either burn themselves out doing so or they'll probably end up biting the hand that feeds them, she said. It was a possible threat that she'd be a fool not to consider, but that didn't mean it wasn't worth it. It was a tactical risk, but one worth taking at the moment. But who knew? Perhaps they would be fortunate and be able to maintain an alliance between the two. The two forces weren't necessarily so different.

Time will tell. The Force works in mysterious ways, she said. They continued on to Vader's throne room, and she could feel the darkness deepening the further they went. It swept all along her and washed over her, drawing them both in until they arrived at what could be considered the throne room.

She did approach the throne, running a finger along the arm of the chair for a moment but not sitting immediately.

He asked about how the throne had been treating her, and she didn't answer him right away. Instead, she took several more moments examining the throne before turning and sitting on it. It was a suddenly flashback to Exegol in some very unpleasant ways.

She thought for a moment about his question. The answer was that things were going quite poorly, but that wasn't something she confided in many people. Add to that the fact that it seemed everyone she got close to managed to end up dead, and she was quite guarded against saying anything else.

The entire Council is dead. As you can imagine, there's upheaval, she said. I can only assume your sudden reappearance is an attempt to make a bid for one of the seats, she said, likewise being direct.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

Her assessment of the possible paths was precisely what he had considered as well, and Veles nodded. Time will indeed tell, and regardless, there was no conceivable way for the Mandalorians to amass enough power to topple the Empire unless they bombed every single institution and assassinated the Empress and her future Council. Which he doubted. It was far more likely that the Mandalorians will fight and fight until they stopped to take a look around only to find themselves alone and burned out.

He sat on the steps regardless, giving her space. Veles could sense the tension within her, and perhaps it was simply how she always was, but he knew the circumstances at hand and it was quite clear that she'd be shaken up after a purge like that. Many would decry her as weak for feeling upset about it, saying that she shouldn't grow attached to anyone. Veles knew that was humanly impossible.

"I reappeared long before I heard of any purge, my Lady," he replied respectfully. She hadn't seen him in a long time and he had not been very active on the tactical channels, but he'd been out and about. Those in the Fortress could testify to that. "But I won't lie through my teeth and say I don't desire to be on the Council. Still, I've been dedicating myself to the work I do, and whether or not I am higher in ranking will not change that."

He didn't blame her for the purge and he truthfully was not seeking to be opportunistic; still, the Empire had no Council while a war brewed on the borders with the Free Worlds. Should her decision be to keep those seats empty and lead by herself, so be it. Veles was willing to stand behind her every step of the way regardless.

What would change if he were on the Council would be the resources he had access to and by extension, the ways he could use his expertise to push forth Imperial interests.

It was not lost on him that he'd asked one thing and the Empress had asked another--to hear there was upheaval and things were not going swimmingly was something he could have just turned on the holonet for. So we're not there yet, I guess.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

She nodded at what he said, not particularly annoyed even if he wanted to take a seat on the Council. If he continued at his current rate, he would probably get there eventually.

Admirable dedication, she said. She sensed that he was unsatisfied with her answer, but it was the answer that she was going to stick to for now. There was far too much instability within the Empire right now. Things had been patched up for now, but there were evidently still many who saw her as weak.

What would Vader do? she thought to herself just because of the chair she was in. Probably strangle someone. Not the best option.

She pushed herself back to her feet and started walking nowhere in particular. The facility sat on the edge of nothingness, a void of lava, but the darkness here was unmistakable.

Have you explored the surface? she asked. It was an inhospitable world, but she wondered what secrets could be found here.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

The Fortress was a testament to his admirable dedication, and he nodded, the smallest tinge of pride making itself known in his chest. He wasn't the type to be particularly moved by compliments, but it certainly meant a lot more coming from the Empress than from anyone else, because at the end of the day, everything he did--spending every waking hour plotting, strategizing with seasoned Imperial agents, poring over the Galactic map over and over, traveling to worlds to sway their leaders--was for her and for the Empire. It was a thankless job, but any bit of validation mattered.

"Thank you, my Lady," he replied, realizing that he should probably say something in response. The Empress pushed herself off the seat abruptly and he followed in her steps.

"Yes. We are on a sort of plateau that stretches for kilometers upon kilometers toward the South, and up North is the bottom, where lava rivers flow freely. There is a Mustafarian settlement not too far from here, which we have been fighting with for some time, but the natives have been mostly subdued." He almost wanted to mention his hesitation when it came to just wiping them out and getting it over with--he was not sure whether the Empress would find his aversion to genocide commendable or weak. It was better to just stay silent if he had something potentially stupid to say.

"Per ensemble, the surface is a bit uninteresting save for the interesting rock formations and awe-inspiring landscape. Underneath the Fortress is perhaps the planet's most interesting feature aside from the building itself--the dark side nexus that Vader came here for in the first place. He opened a portal in the chamber in an attempt to revive his lover, but ultimately it seems he failed, or else the war would have gone very differently." The two exited the room and the lights shut off after them, the loud clang of the lock setting echoing through the hall as they strode down through the administrative wing. "We can go there, or to the surface, or I can show you the training wing. There's also a spa." He would not let her ask anything before he clarified: "For the wellness of the soldiers recovering from battle-related trauma, of course." Certainly not for him to smoke spice in the sauna and then spend a day in the jacuzzi lazily scrolling through the holonet. That would be outrageous behavior coming from a Sith Lord and Veles would never even considering doing anything like that. Those who also live in the Fortress and see him daily may argue otherwise, but they're liars and snitches.

"There is something that I've been meaning to give you for some time," he declared abruptly as they passed by his personal quarters. "It's right inside here."

And indeed it was, a very pressing presence in the Force that felt like being in a room alone and unarmed in front of a massive rancor, and she might recognize it, having seen the artifact previously on Dathomir. The Mask seemed to be reaching out to them, its promise of power naturally drawing them in. No dark sider could deny that it was intoxicating, but those with a stronger will could resist it. Besides, Veles had managed to tame the spirit within to an extent--as well as one could tame the soul of an ancient Sith Lord, of course.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

She nodded along and listened as he explained about the surrounding environment. Conflict with the locals was not ideal, but it was not unusual either. He didn't seem to be bringing it up as a continued issue, so she didn't question him further. This was what she had Sith Lords for, after all: to handle things and move them up to her only when necessary. She was happy for that.

She might have taken him up on the spa if she weren't pregnant. These days, though, she was a little bit embarrassed about her current presentation and so passed on taking a moment in the spa. Instead, she followed him as he led her down to the source of Momin's mask.

She tilted her head to the side curiously as she looked at it. She reached out, hearing its voice whispering in her mind as she drew close. It was still very much alive with his spirit.

How have your communions with it gone? she asked. She was uncertain of whether she should encourage him to use it. She thought of Tiamat and the mask of the Eternal. She thought of Art battling with Caelestis. It hurt her to think about. She didn't want to push anymore to their own destruction. Not again.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

They stepped into his private chamber and the lights flicked on, several different panels distributed around the room's ceiling, a mixture of red and purple. Perhaps it was a bit embarrassing for the Sith Lord to be playing around with colored lights, but he found that the low frequencies calmed him down and helped him focus. His mind was on the Mask, however.

"Initially, not spectacular," he admitted. "The Mask requires a level of respect that I had not realized--though I was just a fledgling Champion back then. As I evolved, so too, did my relationship with the Mask." He opened the display case it had been set in, closing the glass door behind him, the Mask in hand. He approached Andruil and motioned for her to take a seat on the U-shaped couch that wrapped around a caf table in the middle of the room. He set the Mask on the table. "Above all, it respects power. However, it was still the spirit of a Sith Lord, with his own machinations and interests. His goal was to revive himself and reclaim his body, but that requires the aid of a powerful darksider--so you can see the Mask's need to attract Sith."

"I had to delve into the deepest corners of my mind and risk my life and body to be able to fight against the Mask's pull, but it is not as powerful as something like the Mask of the Eternal. In the end, I managed to prove myself to Lord Momin, and he imparted his powers onto me. But wielding this artifact for long isn't advised, and I've seen the effects it has on one's mind first-hand."

Veles had ruminated on the Mask for a long time, having had it in his possession for a bit over two years, just a little after he'd reclaimed Fortress Vader. He considered that the reason his will was so strong was because he'd been forced to strengthen it to avoid being consumed by Darth Momin. Still, he knew the dangers of surrendering yourself to artifacts like that, and did not want to end up as another Eternal. It was why the Mask had been benched for the past few months. He could not have any distractions getting in the way of the conquest he had launched.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

She moved over and took a seat on the couch that was offered, listening closely to what he said. There was a great deal to dissect about the entire conversation, and she'd have been lying if she said she didn't consider the possibility of recommending to destroy the helmet. She was growing wary of some of these artifacts that looked to possess the wearer and rob them of their will.

It's quite dangerous, but what did you learn from it? she asked. All Sith are unique in their goals. What have you discovered of Momin's? she asked. She was something of a historian and certainly an expert on the arcane, but she couldn't know the details of every Sith Lord. In truth, she knew little of Momin, his exploits, or his goals.

I imagine you've had a great deal of... hm... "interaction" with him, she said. She reached out and touched it. It vibrated under her fingers, sending a cold chill and goosebumps all up her arm.

I wonder what techniques he knew that are lost to time, she said, almost able to sense that there were secrets waiting to be discovered.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

"It's dangerous, but I've been approaching it with the caution that a being like this requires." The mask was noticeably inactive, as it now only activated when Veles wanted it to. It was one of the many progresses he'd made.

"I think he provides a lot of good over-arching advice for one when it comes to general aspects of handling so much power and channeling it in the ways you want." Sometimes the mask sound like an ancient motivational speaker, but he didn't mention that. "As well as things like rituals and recipes, which I took great interest in and noted them down into a tome." Classic sorcerer move. More beefy Sith would call him a nerd.

"I've had enough interactions with him to know the mask's inner workings." He'd intended to give it to her, and he analyzed her reactions carefully as they spoke. If she seemed hesitant, he would not offer it to her. The last thing he wanted was to give the Empress an evil artifact that drove her to madness. That was probably the worst possible outcome for anything he will ever do in his life.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry hadn't expected to hear that he was a pep talker, and the revelation almost made her laugh a little bit.

Rituals and recipes for anything interesting? she asked. That made her think of something else. He knew a thing or two about magic and rituals. Perhaps that made it worth picking his brain as well.

Ever read anything about merging and manipulating flesh? Binding body parts to one another? she asked. She had time to research still and the topic was sensitive enough that she wasn't going to bring anyone else in on it, but that didn't mean it wasn't something she could pick his brain over as well.

Purely academic, of course, she said, somewhat jokingly.

@vamp

 

[Veles]

"A concoction that, when drank, makes the victim's veins constrict until their blood can no longer flow," he began, a little smile on his lips. "A ritual to imbue a piece of one's self into an object, much like Lord Momin has." He shrugged ironically. "You know, the usual. He knows a lot about architecture and the ways to channel the dark side using buildings. He was the one who designed this Fortress, intending for it to be a tuning fork for the Force, and as you can feel, he was successful."

"I remember poring over a couple tomes about that," he replied, already recalling the memory. "Back on Dathomir. I got it from my parent's collection when I first left and re-read it in the few months that I spent on the planet and it has been in my family for generations. It requires focus and above all--mental clarity. If one is overcome by emotion or does not give the ritual absolute focus, they risk tainting it, which can result in any number of issues from flesh that rots while still connected to damaged muscles." It was the first time that he had been able to talk to someone about his greatest interest--sorcery. Not a lot of people were particularly interested in the occult, but Veles' upbringing on Dathomir had made the Sith Lord naturally inquisitive when it came to the dark arts.

"I tried it--once. I attempted to weld the leg of one mouse to another, and the process succeeded. That was before I was a Sith Lord." The process had felt impossible all throughout, his power levels as a Champion being a severe handicap that he ultimately just barely managed to overcome. He had been so unprepared then, but now, after the year he'd spent amassing knowledge and strength, he felt much more confident--so confident in fact that he thought about trying it as soon as he could. It wouldn't be difficult to practice on a humanoid--or at least, close to humanoid--species because they had a myriad of Mustafarians in the dungeons. One missing prisoner would be no issue, especially since he'd been the one to imprison them.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Her eyebrow rose momentarily as he described the potion that he had learned. It sounded like it could be a useful poison if nothing else. Perhaps in small doses it could be used for interrogations. It sounded appropriately horrifying for a Sith Lord.

The mention of architecture was fascinating to her as well. The Shadow had so many ways to tap into it. She did it through magick, ritual, and incantation. Apparently Momin had managed to do it through architecture. It was a facet that she had to imagine was largely untapped by the Sith at large. They sometimes built artifacts like she did, but they seldom built entire structures. Each had their own unique twist and it was one more thing that made the Sith so fascinating.

She went on to listen to him describing the process of welding flesh together. If he had managed it during his Champion days - even if it was on a mouse - that was encouraging to her that she could determine a way to do it successfully. For the briefest flash, he would see her eyes light up and her excitement and curiosity peek through.

How did you negate the corrupting factor? she asked, head tilting sideways and voice holding an extra measure of excitement. It was that girlish curiosity that had first caused her to leave Dathomir and explore the Sith and the galaxy at large.

I bet you used some sort of essence transference? Or maybe you imbued the corruption into an artifact? she mused out loud. She wondered if the waters of Dathomir could be used for mending the flesh as well rather than a transference spell. Or for that matter, her dagger could be used to drain one target in order to heal another. It was more crude but likely to be as effective.

@vamp