Ask Timeless Truths

[Ervius Xann]

Part 1: Negotiations
Promenade, Nar Shaddaa

Spices, drugs, and exotic foods — their strong smell filled the air of the Promenade. Traffic zoomed below and above, but the distance muted the roar of its millions of engines. Ads floated about like a cloud of insects, and the sweet voices kept repeating the same offers in a loop. A cafe on Nar Shaddaa, what could be a more neutral spot for several sith to meet. With their order in disarray, the need for secrecy would compel them to be civil, or so Ervius hoped.

Nar Shaddaa had not changed much, as far as he could see. It was the same when he visited it many years ago as an acolyte. The Hutts who ran this criminal moon had little incentive to renovate the place, therefore, it retained quite a few ancient structures, its criminal underworld being by far the oldest one.

Ervius adjusted the hood of his jacket and checked the datapad. Each of his companions-to-be received a clear description of the meeting spot, complete with coordinates.

When a powerful sith contacted him requesting assistance, Ervius had to check his watch, then his eyes. He had an unflattering opinion of his fellow sith, one the order fully deserved. This request came as a pleasant surprise though: it promised ‘an expedition of a lifetime’. His brethren could be arrogant and sometimes excessively violent, but they rarely lied to each other so brazenly. Therefore, Ervius accepted the request to meet and discuss the terms of their impending cooperation.

The sith who offered him a job needed an archeology expert, which came as a surprise in and of itself. Few had the appreciation for the ancient ruins and their contents to require a specialist like Ervius. Most sith looted whatever remotely old structure they could find and went on their merry way.

“Something light for me,” he told the approaching waiter. The twilek gave a feeble affirmation and scurried off. The back of their neck spotted a shock collar. Ah yes, slavery, the second oldest institution of Nar Shaddaa.

@LadyRen @Tulos

 

[Ciri]

Chirikyât had done thorough research for weeks. It had taken a while until she had found an actual lead, but as she had gathered more insights, it hadn't taken long until she had realized that for such an endeavor, certain experts were needed. Firstly, she needed someone with archeological expertise and even if it hadn't been that easy, she had managed to gather information on a man named Ervius who seemed to be a perfect fit for the thing she had mind.

Ciri was not a fan of mingling Sith, hence she avoided all occasions that involved massive gatherings. It was just foolish. For this special quest though, she didn't just need an expert but she had thrown herself in some more research until she had stumbled upon Sah'ra's name. The master seemed to share similar views and she was impressed by her recent successes, so she thought she'd give it a try.

She arrived at the coordinates dressed rather casually to blend in with the crowd, her tattoos covered up and her yellowish eyes hidden behind contact lenses, so that the Dathomirian didn't look any more shady than the others on this criminal world. Not that Sith had to be extra careful on Nar Shaddaa, but given their galactical standing, it was still unwise to make such a public appearance, so she kept up her appereance and masked her presence within the Force.

She entered the Café without further ado after she had double checked the coordinates and scanned the crowd until she spotted a man that roughly fit the description. A pretty slave walked by and she shamelessly pulled her close for a moment, briefly assessing her state before asked, "Is your boss here today?". She considered her question for a moment before she shook her head and she could tell she wasn't lying.

"Good". Her voice was rather airy and light as she let her proceed while Ciri took a mental note while she approached the man. No boss was always a good sign. Maybe they didn't fully have to be on their guard...but well, she still wouldn't risk it. She elegantly slid into the seat next to the stranger, offering him a curt nod. "Mr. Xann I assume?". She asked short-handedly. Good. He had come. So step one was already accomplished.

@Keisen @Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

It seemed more and more often that Sah’ra was prying herself away from her research, plunging herself into the wider galaxy much to her disdain. What did the common people have to offer her? What did the so-called brethren of the Sith desire to steal away from her? Resentment and lack of trust had gotten her by this far and she wasn’t sure turning the page on such things was a wise move. After all, you can’t be stabbed in the back when you focus on yourself.

Then again, cooperation held the potential of leading to new sources of power, of knowledge, that she had remained unaware of until now. How Ciri had managed to contact her was a mystery that deserved solving but for now, her curiosity had been piqued.

Still, she needed to get a new fucking number.

As she entered the bar, blue eyes scanned the crowd and her resentment for everyone within became emboldened. Drug addicts, gamblers, alcoholics, prostitutes. It could all be found here within these walls. The scum of the galaxy, mustered together to feed off each other's weaknesses. It disgusted her to her core but without the weak and the downtrodden, there was little point in accumulating power.

She spotted the pair she had come to meet and walked up to their table, carefully ensuring the only part of her that touched anything here was the soles of her shoes. Briefly she paused, glaring at the seat that had been reserved for her, at the stains in the leather and the tears in the stitching. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to sit.

”Let’s make this quick,” she stated plainly. Why they couldn’t have met for a steak dinner instead, she didn’t understand.

@LadyRen @Keisen

 

[Ervius Xann]

“Indeed, Lady Ciri,” Ervius nodded In response to the woman’s greeting. He studied her for but a moment, and before he could offer anything else, another guest approached the table. He could see their disdain for the less than glamorous surroundings. They grated on him as well. Ervius liked the orderly quiet of Dromund Kass, not this noisy, flashy world.

The twilek girl walked up to them and brought a glass of sizzling neon-blue liquid for each sith. Ervius gave the beverage a dubious glance. When he asked for something light, he expected cheap alcohol. This looked rather more like acid. Which species, he wondered for a moment, could digest it? Before his mind could wander, he pushed the thoughts of inebriated aliens aside. With a minor application of the Force, he gave the waiters a compulsion to pay their conversation no heed.

The two sith before him were powerful, a distraction could prove detrimental to his continued wellbeing. Ervius had survived so far by avoiding the attention of sith lords, the Council, etc. etc. Truly powerful sith tended to get drunk on their authority rather quickly which inevitably led to a spiral of self-destrucation. The promise of a ‘dig of a lifetime’ appealed to him enough to forego his usual caution, but Ervius wanted to resolve this business quickly and efficiently. That he expected a proportionate amount of benefits for himself from this expedition was the reason for his presence on Nar Shaddaa at the moment.

”Let’s make this quick indeed,” he agreed with the newcomer. “I’m sure none of us enjoy Nar Shaddaa for its scenery. Why have you approached us, Lady Ciri? Your initial proposal was vague.”

@LadyRen @Tulos

 

[Ciri]

It didn't take long and they were joined by a woman with an unmistakably fitting presence. The Champion meanwhile used the shortened, simplified version of her name and she was only letting it slide because this was not the place to speak with the ancient tongue, but her eyes only warningly flicked over to him for a moment before she met Sah'ra's gaze. "I agree". There was no need for pleasantries or chit chat and she hated it anyway. Ervius posed the question rather directly, but it was in her personal interest to elaborate right away, but she waited for the waitress to disappear.

"I've picked up rumors of an ancient artifact, but going in alone would be foolish". She wasn't pleased with working with others, yet it was a necessary step in this case. "I'd require your archeological expertise to guide us" she eyed the champion for a moment, before her eyes darted back to the other Master, "and your power as support". If they shared the Sith's true philosophy, they obviously wouldn't just aid the Dathomirian, but she had obviously come prepared.

"This will be a dangerous endeavor, yet the prospects of an appropriate loan at the end of our search seem promising. I know you won't help out of good will". She ensured no one else was paying attention or even overhearing them, but still kept her voice low.

"You may have the artifact", she stated flatly, meeting Sah'ra's gaze again. "I'm only interested in learning about its powers and understanding the sorcery behind it". That, she was hoping, was enough motivation for her to tag along.

"And you, Champion, you shall learn and feed your powers". Ciri wasn't the one to just train someone out of graciousness, but she was willing to share some of her knowledge if he helped. Those were her conditions, but the way she slightly leaned back showed a certain openness to negotiations.

@Tulos @Keisen

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Sah’ra shifted uncomfortably in her seat, a nagging sensation that she had sat in gum or the like gnawing at the back of her mind despite knowingly inspecting the bench before she set herself down. Grimacing as she moved her weight from one side to the other, there was an undeniable stickiness to the leather, likely from a spilled beverage.

Then what the Champion had suggested caught her ear. As did the way Ciri had elected to word her proposal. As if she was ‘allowing’ Sah’ra to claim the artifact she wished to seek out. Blue eyes narrowed and settled on the Dathomirian, staring into her own. Perhaps she would need a reminder of her station but for now, Sah’ra would play along out of interest.

”And what is it exactly that you’ve found? We've come at your behest for answers and you continue with vague pandering, ” she returned plainly, ignoring the unappealing fizzing drink that had been placed before her. She was hardly eager to share anything with anyone, let alone two people she did not know. Even if it was Ciri who had located this ‘artifact’, collaboration was hardly something the Sith as a whole did well. It would need to be something truly astonishing if she were to throw her faith in with this lot.

@LadyRen @Keisen

 

[Ervius Xann]

The sizzling liquid bubbled in its glass, and Ervius decided against imbibing it after all. Who could guess what passed for liquor in this place? He would have ordered water, but knowing the Hutts it was untreated and infected with parasites at best. Nar'Shaddaa's appeal as a neutral and relatively safe planet notwithstanding, Ervius would not subject himself to this particular place in the future. This moon had to have at least one decent establishment.

"Though the offer is appealing, I concur," Ervius nodded at Sah'ra.

His thoughts shifted back to the topic at hand. The thought of giving up something as interesting as an artifact that merited cooperation between sith grated on him, but Ervius lacked the raw power requisite for a claim on something of this magniude. Ciri, however, needed his expertise, and he would milk the circumstance for all its worth.

Power plays between sith meant little to Ervius, as did any and all trinkets themselves. He cared about artifacts only as much as he could learn from them. Knowledge and the real power it carried were his motivation. Ervius had subjected himself to the dubious hospitality of Nar'Shadda on Ciri's promise of something interesting, but it would take more to compell his participation in what sounded like a fairly long-term expedition.

"I, for one, would like a more substantial description of our query, so to speak, my lady," he continued, "and more substantial promises."

That Ervius was ready to accept a mere promise was already quite a concession for a sith.

@LadyRen @Tulos

 

[Ciri]

While some might have already lost their patience with the relatively hostile and suspicious strangers, Ciri was actually delighted. She didn't know either of them, yet their mistrusting demeanor gave her a little hope about they wouldn't be completely worthless after all as they seemed to share at least some attributes Sith should - in her opinion - possess.

"Good. If you would have blindly accepted I would have questioned your motifs", she disclosed, slightly leaning back in her chair, her eyes piercing into Sah'ra's first before her cold gaze flicked back to Ervius. "We're headed after an ancient dagger that is supposedly capable of siphoning adversaries..."

So far, she had gained information about the rumored location, yet she knew that Sith couldn't be trusted and she couldn't expect them to trust her either. "I understand your concerns. All I know is that the ancient weapon is powerful and the knowledge it comprises valuable".

She still hadn't reached for the drink, not even wanting to know what it was and simply paying it no attention. "As all three of us might be needed to obtain it, so we could seal our potential deal with a spell. Also, I have someone aboard my ship that could gave you the same information I have gathered so far", she glanced back at Sah'ra, "or maybe even more". Maybe the Master was proficient with it, maybe she wasn't. It mattered little as she assumed her hostage didn't know much more than she had already squeezed out of him. "The artifact dwells in a chamber in an ancient cavern system, but whoever hid it, made sure it was well protected".

@Keisen @Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Now they were getting somewhere. A dagger capable of siphoning Force energy would be an artifact worth locating, examining, perhaps working towards duplicating. If Ciri was sincere in her offer of gifting the artifact to the Sith Master, then this was an endeavor Sah’ra could back.

Still, there was the matter of the mistrust between three strangers. Ciri had presented a solution, one that Sah’ra was not unfamiliar with. Blood magic was a powerful force and not something so easily broken, her knowledge of such things only expanding since discovering tomes upon tomes on the subject.

”And where exactly did this informant of yours say these caverns are?” Sah’ra asked the woman plainly, being that Ervius was just as in the dark about the matter as she was herself. She was keen to have an opportunity to speak with this individual herself.

After giving Ciri an opportunity to respond, as well as to allow the archeologist a chance to ask any questions he may have himself, Sah’ra would listen intently before deciding if she would partake in this adventure, though there was no denying her intrigue at this point.

@LadyRen @Keisen

 

[Ervius Xann]

'Siphoning adversaries' - that was curious indeed. Ervius had heard of many artifacts with similar properties. Sith were single-minded to a degree. He still wanted to see the artifact with his own eyes, perhaps examine it more thoroughly - not that he expected to understand too much about it. Some mysteries were simply beyond his skill level for the time being. Besides that, every Sith used different techniques in forging of their artifacts.

Ervius brought his thoughts back to the topic at hand. He could agree to sealing their contract with a spell. Assisting someone in an expedition to an unknown point for a rare artifact and learn new skills in return for that assistance. That was a dream come true. Ervius fully expected to acquiant himself with the mechanisms of the spell. He would never place himself under an unknown geas.

"I would like to know that as well," Ervius agreed with the Sith Master. "If you need an archaeologist, those can't be simple caves. And of course, I would like to meet that somone."

@LadyRen @Tulos

 

[Ciri]

With more information, her possible companions' interest was at least finnally piqued which was a formidable change. They were curious, maybe even hungry, seeking to unravel its secrets just like her or perhaps claim the powers for itself. This could go either way.

Sah'ra raised another question and Ciri's gaze flicked to her. This Xann guy, however, just seemed to roll with whatever. Ciri doubted the Champion even had an opinion of his own as he seemed to say whatever Sah'ra' did, which admittedly amused her a little. "The exact location is unknown, yet we're in just the right place", she stated, wondering whether they'd be clever enough to understand the implication.

"We would follow the traces of Darth Avidit. Rumors has it she'd been rather active here on Nar Shaddaa. If we find her tomb, we find the dagger, but therefore we would still have to do a little question. The artifact has to be in this sector and I intend to pinpoint its location rather quickly...", she explained.

She then turned to Ervius. "I can assure you these caves won't be easy to navigate at all. Despite Sorcery and traps, we might even stumble upon puzzles or whatsoever".

@Tulos @Keisen

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Sah’ra turned her attention towards Ervius, of whom she still had not been introduced nor introduced herself, but had ascertained what knowledge of the man she could prior to this meeting, and stared at him apathetically. For a man that bolstered a claim of being an archeologist, he had contributed precious little in the questioning of the Champion that had called them together. She would stare at him for a brief moment longer before looking away. ”Good dog,” she spoke clearly.

”Darth Avidit was a heretic and a mad woman,” Sah’ra replied to Ciri, finally allowing her intrigue to wash away the displeasure of being in a place such as this. Avidit was a name she was vaguely familiar with, though little of her readings had truly encompassed much of the ancient Sith’s legacy. Still, mad woman or not, she had been rumoured to possess a great deal of legendary artifacts and this dagger may well have been one.

”Why would she choose Nar Shaddaa of all places to be her final resting place, I wonder…” Leaning back in her seat as she rubbed a finger along her porcelain cheek, Sah’ra would contemplate the possibilities. ”Hiding something, anything on such a busy world increases the risk of its discovery exponentially… Unless…” Her eyes opened wide as she looked to the woman across from her. ”Your informant; they implied we need to travel to Nar Shaddaa’s true surface, haven’t they? Descend beyond the towers and populace, cleave through the remnants of the AMS pandemic and locate her tomb where no living being has visited in millenia?”

It was all just a theory, of course, but Sah’ra felt sure of it. Nar Shaddaa was filled with hiding spots, but for something as private and personal as a Sith burial, skyscrapers and slums were out of the question. At least, the day she finally passed, she hoped for better for herself…

@LadyRen @Keisen

Spoiler

Kinda ran with the idea that Avidit is just some rando Sith and not from Site lore. If I’m wrong, lemme know so I can edit!

 

[Ciri]

As Sah'ra shared a rather contemptuous comment, Ciri couldn't help but sympathize with her. The Champion who was supposedly versed with archeology was very quiet and clinging onto whatever the Master said, however Chirikyât couldn't deny there was something dominant about her presence and the way she just commanded respect with her demeanor. As she was much the same, she wasn't as impressed by it, yet maybe it offered a reason for Champion Xann's behavior.

"She was indeed", oh, so Sah'ra did know her name as well. With mild interest she watched the Master's attitude change before she raised another question. It was fairly obvious that she was only in if they'd be successful to some extent, but Ciri did believe they had an actual trace. "Very good. An intelligent conclusion", a faint smirk tugged at the corner of her lips as she did at least learn that the woman across from her had a sharp intellect.

Even if Ciri had planned sharing enough information to ensure their 'help' but not more than necessary, the Sith across from her jumped right ahead. "We won't just find it on the surface. We'll have to carve our way into Nar Shaddaa's underworld, but there we might find exactly what we're looking for. Avidit was mad and paranoid, yet no complete fool. As soon as we're in, I assume we might even have to face enigmas or puzzles of some sort. Avidit might have tried to hide whatever remained of her legacy, but that's exactly why together, we might be able to unveil her secrets".

@Tulos @Keisen

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Whatever secrets lay at the base of the ecumonopolis of Nar Shaddaa would soon be hers. Sah’ra finally smiled towards the Champion across from her, though a hint of vexation was hard to ignore. ”Speak to me as though I’m a child again and this could well be your final expedition, Champion,” she said sweetly before standing from the table. ”Provide the coordinates for our rendezvous. I will meet you both there,” she added before finally turning from the table and departing. She had had enough of this dingy bar. It was time to prepare.

A few hours had passed but Sah’ra, ever punctual, had arrived at the location that Ciri would give her. She had shed the mysterious, flowing black robes she so often wore something']]something more practical[/url] for their endeavor. Tucked away within her many pockets were empty vials for extracting samples of whatever may intrigue her. They were, after all, going to likely run across pockets of AMS plague victims that still lingered in the shadows of Shaddaa. On her hip was her remaining lightsaber and a simple dagger. She also had a small pack of necessity equipment; medical supplies, water, rations and the like. She had hoped that the others had the foresight to do the same; she so did hate sharing.

As she waited for the others, the Sith Master prepared herself mentally, physically and in the Force. Whatever lay in wait below, she would be ready. That dagger would be hers, no matter the cost.

@LadyRen @Keisen

 

[Ciri]

So the master was convinced and she didn't expect much arguments from the Champion either, so she nodded as a hint of vile satisfaction crossed her lips. She had never been much of a talker, so it didn't surprise her how she struck a nerve with the Master and frankly speaking it didn't feel like a threat to her.

Chirikyât knew what she was capable of doing, even if the Dark Lord wasn't officially granting her a rank and she didn't bother about formalities anyway...still, wouldn't it be a pity of either of the two servants of the dark perished at the hands of the other? Pragmatic as she was, it would be wasted potential in her eyes and Sah'ra seemed worth of preservation for now.

Ciri did as she was asked and provided the coordinates in time. She used the meantime to prepare herself so that she could enter the catacombs fully equipped. She had rations for two days, hydration, her regular weapons, additional grenades she had acquired and a bag with her.

She was rather pleased that the Master was punctual as she simply hated waiting and greeted her with another nod as she approached. "Let's head in...perhaps the dead are waiting for us". Maybe there were some remaining AMS victims around, maybe they'd find whatever remained of their bodies. One way or another, apart from the artifact Chirikyât expected to find much more down here. "I take it you're versed in alchemy as well?", she asked Sah'ra, questioning whether she'd even share information about herself, but Ciri wasn't usually much of a talker either. Still, she couldn't deny the other woman was somewhat interesting to her.

@Tulos

 

[Sah'ra Ryun]

Sah’ra remained motionless as Ciri approached, only finally acknowledging her arrival and standing as she announced her desire to begin their descent. Securing her satchel of supplies on her back, the Sith Master motioned for the Dathomirian to lead the way. Before long, they would be standing within the lift as it began the long descent to the lowest levels of Nar Shaddaa where they would need to become creative on how they’d get lower still.

”I’ve expanded my knowledge on a great many subjects,” Sah’ra replied to the question. From the days she had discovered the lair of her ancestor to the knowledge Caelestis had stored in his castle on Serenno to the libraries of Krayiss, the pools of information she had had access to had grown to be quite well ranged. ”Alchemy is an artform returning to the forefront of our fragile Order. A useful tool that should not have been left forgotten for so long,”

Turning her head to look the woman beside her over more completely, Sah’ra found herself curious of the history she harbored. She knew little of her. ”Dathomirian, is it?” Sah’ra asked, once again turning her gaze back to the lift doors before them. ”I’ve always admired the witches of your homeworld. But it wasn’t your homeworld, was it? Tell me, why are you here and not back with your people?”

@LadyRen

 

[Ciri]

The other woman did reply, however keeping it vague at first. Whether it was a veiled boast or an attempt to remain mysterious, she wasn't sure, but she did glance over. She then elaborated and Chirikyât found herself agreeing with her outline.

"Indeed. It's why it has always sparked my interest as well. I believe we Sith should have always stayed close to our roots - that's something the majority of those who call themselves Sith fail to see". In her eyes, there were so were countless of sentients out there who considered themselves Sith, but to find someone who truly understood the ancient philosophies was rare..."Rumors has it our Order gathered and celebrated on Mustafar". Pathetic. It was palpable in Ciri's voice that she despised such doings and she didn't bother hiding it from her voice. She rejected the concept of an Order for them in general...

Their conversation did carry on though, shifting towards her. The other woman was apperently quite interested in her as well, too. Chirikyât couldn't help but to smirk, even if it was a very faint smirk that tugged at her lips. "I wasn't born on Dathomir, but I am a Dathomirian. My mother didn't want to bound to anyone, so she had left the coven prior to my birth", the woman explained as they moved forward.

For now, there wasn't a single soul around, or so it seemed for now, but they'd have to go in even deeper. "I simply prefer to work alone. Returning to the coven was never an option for me. My mother taught me Sorcery and I've always been keen on Alchemy, but I never deemed it necessary to be held back by any shackles such a coven would harbor". Chirikyât reached out for a moment and studied their surroundings before she turned back to the Master. "Have you attended the academies?".

@Tulos