Ask Ziost To Be Sith

[Varyn Atrix]

Per my new standard, this thread is death enabled for participants​

So many things had changed for Varyn over the last few weeks that he felt like a completely different person. For all intents and purposes his life had flipped on its head and he'd abandoned all former contacts he had. Not that many of his former contacts were even alive anymore. Friends and family? What were those?

It was, at least in part, his meeting with Master Tiamat that had sparked this delve into the archives. The wheels in his head had been set turning, and he realized that for the first time in his life he had the opportunity to set his own destiny. To make his own rules and to shape the galaxy the way he wanted it to be.

What he'd done instead was throw himself into his work. His work. Not just the Sith or the Empire but finding his place in all of this. He'd spent years with people whispering in his mind about what he should be and how he should act but now he was going to make his own destiny.

He sat at a desk surrounded by piles of books not because he was looking for some new technique, lost saber form, or anything else so exciting to people. No, he was looking for answers about the nature of the Force. The nature of the Sith. Who they really were. Most people - even Champions - didn't really understand the answer to that question. But it was perhaps the only question that mattered now. What Tiamat had done, in effect, was give him internal permission to find the answers for himself.

He pushed back from the desk and leaned back heavily in his chair, head starting to throb from staring at books too long and let out a quiet groan.

He put his hands to his forehead and turned over all he had read. Darth Bane, Darth Plagueis, Darth Kravos, Andraste, Darth Sidious... they all seemed to have different definitions of what it meant to be Sith but all were built on the Sith Code. That was what had made Varyn so fascinated. They were nowhere near as simple and narrow-minded as the Jedi made them sound.

And yet - as excited as he was - he needed a break. To eat or stretch his legs, to talk to someone or... something.

 

[Darth Draugr]

It wasn't often you would see Master Draugr, the titled Red Blade of the Empire, the Zabraki Dathomiri, and the fearsome warrior in a library. Most dubbed him a brute with no brain just brawn. So many stereotypes and it was a shame, as his mind had not been picked many. They just assume he wasn't intelligent. Assumed he got where he was only because he slaughtered people who the Sith wanted gone.

Dressed in casual clothing he was sat at a desk by his lonesome reading on Sith Alchemy. It was something slightly different than Nightsister magick which would give him an opportunity to do try new things and get different results. Just something else to add to his arsenal. His mind focused, eyes set on the books. His Emryc Energy drink set on a coaster to the side next to a half eaten cheese danish. Mumbling under his breath, "Where do I even find that?" as he read on.

He wasn't sure who all else would be here but he felt this was the place of knowledge, so this was the place he sought out. Should someone join him he would have his own questions over the matter, or more so ask their opinions. When he set the book down to relax for a minute. He would take a bit of his cheese danish and then a sip of the Emryc Energy. He leaned back and rubbed his eyes. "I hate this.."

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn put his face to the desk one step short of being classified as slamming his head into the desk as he tried to un-mush his brain. Another groan, another deep breath, and he finally had enough.

I gotta get up or I'm gonna bust, he muttered to himself, pushing to his feet and just kind of wandering around the library area. He replaced one of the books he had been reading and took a quick peruse around the area to see who else might have been there. Maybe he'd run into Vahl or Altair or someone else he knew.

He didn't expect to run into Master Draugr. Varyn didn't know all the Sith Masters in the Order by sight since that was just a bit too many, but he did know most of them by reputation at least, and Draugr had a distinctive enough appearance for even Varyn to recognize him immediately. He didn't quite stiffen as much these days as he used to but he was still cautious like giving a predator a wide berth just to be safe.

He gave a respectful nod in the Masters direction in that way one did when they pressed their lips together into a thin line. And yet, Varyn was the curious type, and his curiosity often got the better of him. As he walked by, he tried to kind of just... you know, catch a little glance of what the Sith Master was reading.

He did catch the muttering of how he hated what he was working on, and this, of course, only increased the Champion's interest. He found himself kind of trying to subtly crane his neck to glance over and see in a way that really probably wasn't all that subtle.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

Sitting back just thought to himself that there was no way people willing just sit and read for fun. He wasn't going to quit, but he sure thought about it a few times. His determination to finish what he started was not going anywhere. So when he finished a chapter in the book, he looked over and noticed a bit of a peeping Tom to the side. They had very clearly wanted to know what Draugr was reading. "Interested?" Draugr let out in a bit of a joking manner before nodding his head to tell the young man to head over to sit with him.

"What do you know of the art of Alchemy? I'm having a slight trouble catching a grasp over this." The Sith Master was using this opportunity to get a perspective from another as well entertain him as he's been bored out of his mind for forever now. The Zabrak used the force to pull a seat up to his left, but on the other leftmost side of the table around it's corner. This would keep it from being awkward sitting right next to each other. Then he slid the book over slightly to let Varyn read up as well. "Also.. what is your name I haven't seen you much."

It was true, where as Draugr has worked often with Vahliri, Wodan, Luwalhati, and a few others but Varyn seemed to escape his attention. So many Acolytes and Champions among the Sith too, so it may just be they hadn't crossed paths just yet. Until now, in the library of all places.. "I'm Master Draugr by the way.. I probably have a lot of other titles gifted by you younger warriors."

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn's face probably flushed a little bit as Draugr saw him taking a look at what he was reading, but to his credit he didn't actually react. When he was offered a seat, Varyn realized that perhaps the Sith Master was also a little bit sick of looking for answers and needed a break. Of course, "taking a break" with another Sith - particularly one higher up the food chain than you - was not always a dangerless undertaking.

Nevertheless, he pulled out the indicated seat and slid down into it smoothly. At the mention of alchemy, Varyn's face momentarily contorted into something akin to constipation before he returned to normal. Even so, his impression in the Force was more difficult to read. His gut reaction was produced from his quite negative experience he'd had when Vex toyed with the Korriban and Ziost magicks, but those... weren't alchemy.

Honestly, almost nothing, he said after a moment. He wasn't a fan of admitting it, but it was better to be up front than to pretend he knew something and then have it quickly made clear that he didn't actually know anything.

I was delving into philosophical stuff, he continued on to admit as Draugr pushed the book over to him. He skimmed it and most of it went... about 80% over his head. He knew a bit of what it was talking about but nothing compared to what he was sure those well-versed in the arcane could do.

Champion Varyn Atrix, he said. Draugr introduced himself as well but it wasn't really necessary. Pleasure to meet you, Master, he added sincerely. Distantly in the back of his mind, he wondered if - had things turned out differently in his own life - Varyn would have been sent to try to assassinate the man sitting in front of him someday. That didn't seem to be the path the Force had for him now, though, and it was nice. Well, he supposed he'd wait to see if it was nice. Draugr seemed nice now, but they'd only just met.

Is there anything in particular you're hoping to craft? he asked, quirking an eyebrow as he looked down at some of the diagrams scrawled in the ancient journal. Once again, he found himself wondering if he could actually be of any use in that regard. Of the three paths that Sith walked, the Arcane had always been the one he avoided the most.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

A bit of a disappointed face ran across Draugr as he heard Varyn mention knowing nothing about it. The Champion had came and sat. This admittedly was just a way to distract the Sith Master for a little while as a means to take a break from all of the hours studying he is about to put into this quest to learn Sith Alchemy. The Champion introduced himself which gave a name to a face for Draugr to remember. Perhaps Varyn will become one of the regular faces he meets on the battlefield.

The young man was delving into philosophical stuff here. So Draugr had a bit of a philosopher next to him. It was an odd thing to be into the Zabrak thought, but everyone has their things they enjoy. No shame in it. Draugr liked history with the galaxy. That was one of the few things he actually liked to study aside from the blade. Perhaps this interaction could open the horizons for Draugr, or even for Varyn if he things turn out well. So far Varyn hadn't annoyed the Zabraki so he was here to stay. "I suppose I was looking to learn to make a few concoctions. Maybe an abomination from the corpse of a fallen warrior, or just a potion to increase my strength. Magicks do well, but they are taxing to the user much like the Force."

He hadn't been wrong, the dark side of the Force exerts the user quite a bit even at the level Raze was at. Magicks often required something in return for the gift of what the user wanted, such as pain or a sacrifice. Blood, life, or possessions usually were the sacrificed pieces. "With Alchemy though.. I can use it at the cost of resources, not my livelihood. At least that's what I am getting from this book about alchemy. I refuse to let one of the other Masters try to claim they're better than me." A small chuckle came out, but behind it was truth. Draugr has pride in himself, and he hates when someone can do something better than him. Which is why he was here learning on his own.

"You mention being a philosopher. Do tell, what were you here working on? I'd like to hear about it." His eyes set on Varyn, as he leaned back in his seat and set his left elbow on his seats armrest, and placed his fingers on his chin as a thinker would do. His other arm resting with the forearm in his lap. Perhaps he might hear something he liked come from Varyn.

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn listened closely despite not being one to care for the arcane of the Sith. Just because it wasn't something he wanted to participate in - mostly because of those very costs that Draugr mentioned - didn't mean that it was an excuse to be ignorant about it.

Interesting, he said with a nod. It certainly held an appeal out of turning into a shriveled prune in his opinion.

He smiled widely when Draugr said he didn't want any masters to claim they were better than him and he nodded. He understood exactly what the Sith Master meant, and he could respect it. Actually, no, that wasn't true. What he respected was that the Master was here looking to improve himself and working to overcome his shortcomings. That was worthy of respect.

Varyn was a bit surprised when Draugr asked him what he'd been reading about and he paused for a moment. Historically those pauses were for him to straighten the story in his head and not blow his Jedi cover, but now it was so his quick-thinking mind could find the best way to phrase it.

I had a run-in with a Sith spirit here on Ziost alongside another Master. It got me thinking about the Order and the individuals that make it up, he said. He reached back and levitated the stack of books he'd been looking at over to the table. The names on them were legends of the Order, and that wasn't an accident.

We all know the Sith Code, and that's great, but what the Sith Code doesn't talk about is what it's for, he said.

The Force will set me free but free to do what? he said, motioning to the books he had in front of him.

Most of the old masters don't really talk about it, but it seems like if you asked a dozen old Lords you'd get a dozen different answers, he said. That, he knew, probably was part of the point of being Sith. It freed you to be whatever you chose to be.

I guess... he frowned, pursing his lips together in thought. ...I guess I'm trying to figure out if there's a single thing the Order is trying to be free from or if it's just all up to the individual, he said. It was clear that as much of a fighter as Varyn might have been, there was a philosopher's heart in there that constantly required stimulation.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

The Champion Varyn had been enjoying his presence with the Sith Master so far. Draugr had no reason to be upset with him just yet. The atmosphere in the library was lifted a little bit with conversation they were having. Far more entertaining than some book Draugr thought. Answering the question Varyn mentions a run-in with a Sith Spirit. These encounters are not often taken lightly nor are they always safe for the living. Something like that was rare and how he had this experience was a good question, though Draugr had kept listening to what the young man had to say.

The next thing he brought up was the Sith Code. An ancient text written before many of the Wookiee fossils were alive. It had a definition to it only the creators knew for sure. The rest of the Sith followed suit to it's best interpretations. Ultimately that's all that can be given without the definition being given by the writer. "The Sith Code. It was written ages ago by Sorzus Syn, and taught purely by Darth Bane to the Sith who he eventually dwindled to just one other." Draugr had let out a "hmph" before continuing,

"I can give you my interpretation Varyn, but it is just from one's point of view. When I hear that the Force will set me free, I think of the chains the Jedi look to put on the galaxy. They want you to be restricted, to not have freedoms to do as you please. They wish to keep you restricted to keep you down. Where as with the Sith, well they encourage you to become stronger. To embrace the force not for the just the idea of the 'light side' but to harness what the force is at its full potential." Draugr took a moment to think of how else to explain it for the Champion. He wasn't put in the position of teaching the youth often but this allowed for him to really delve into what he truly knew.

"The Order had not been looking to be free because it stood for true freedom. The Jedi have always wanted us in chains for wanting to harness the Force at it full potential. They want to keep us down so they can ruthlessly dispose of us for standing against their tyrannical behavior. The Sith only look to free themselves to the force and become what they are meant to be. Read any of these books and you will begin to understand. The Sith were never in the wrong." It was a lot to put out onto the table for the Champion but he had hoped it was enough to help get the gears in his head grinding to make sense of what Sorzus Syn had been trying to imply through the Code. "I hope this helped young Varyn."

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn listened closely to what Draugr said. Certainly the man had to be knowledgable on the topic to have gotten where he was, though Varyn did notice a variation in the history from what he'd been taught. He wasn't foolish or confident enough to point it out, though. He went on to describe the way the Jedi and Sith differed. Oh, that was a topic he was familiar with certainly.

He listened with rapt attention, turning over every word and thinking about what it could mean. He thought about what he had read and what the Master said. He thought about even what he had learned as a Jedi.

It has, thank you, Master, he said, but it was still clear he was turning things over in his mind. He was dissecting every word and at high speed. Varyn may have had many skills - and plenty of shortcomings - but his quick thinking was certainly one of his greatest strengths.

I read an old lord once who described the battle between Jedi and Sith as a battle between chaos and order, he said. It was in stark contrast to the freedom and bondage that the Sith Code seemed to directly present, but it was one of that Varyn found more relatable.

The Sith shape the galaxy to their will, shaping structure for everyone below them while the Jedi promote everyone running around for themselves, he said. The truth was Varyn still thought the Jedi could serve a good purpose in the galaxy, but not in the role they currently filled. Their fight... well, their fight was one he had fought. One he sometimes still wondered if he should be fighting. But what he did know was that the fighting needed to end.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

Draugr had given his piece of mind to Varyn in hopes to enlighten a new perspective to the Sith prospect. The young man was intelligent, he will come to learn more and more as time goes. For now even as a Champion, he was learning much as Draugr was then. Then he told the Master it was helpful to know where Draugr's views of the matter lied. A smirk came to the Sith Master's face for a moment, "Good to hear. I'm glad I could help."

Another question followed though. This one over the viewpoints of how the war between Jedi and Sith were to an old Sith Lord. Chaos and Order. Draugr gave a little "hmph" as he heard it, it was something interesting. He had his viewpoints on it, but looking at it as an overview he hadn't thought of it. At least not that way. The Jedi ensuing chaos had made sense. No one can sustain a life without Order, and the Sith brought order to the galaxy. This was for the war and its connection to the galaxy. The Jedi were still selfish by nature with wanting to rid half of the force from existence.

"Well.. how do you perceive the war?" Draugr said as he kept a look of interest on Varyn. He could only answer so many questions, it was up to interpretation when it came to the philosophical stuff. Most of the time written for the reader to make their own interpretations. The Zabrak was now encouraging for Varynto make his now.

"What is your outlook on the Jedi and the Sith?"

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn frowned for a second in thought, thinking about the answer to the question he'd just been asked.

I think things are a lot more complicated than anyone wants to admit, he said. There were many on both sides - in fact, arguably more in the Jedi - who treated the other side as if they were single-dimensional, but Varyn thought about Sith like Vahliri who felt a fierce sense of loyalty to the Empire. Sure, she wanted to grow in her own power, but that wasn't really why she fought.

I think both sides view themselves as the heroes but their views on how to accomplish things are total opposites, he said. He almost admitted that either group could potentially be right.

Darth Sidious taught that both were quite similar except for their view that the Jedi look outward and the Jedi inward. He talked about how if one could fully and completely understand everything within themselves then they would understand the whole galaxy, he said, thinking about that and if it were really true. He'd likened it to a grain of sand and the assertions made by scientists about it.

No question Jedi refuse to take control and rule which I guess is why they're characterized by being agents of chaos. Sith do make that government so we bring Order. And the oldest lie in the galaxy is that power can be innocent, he said.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

As the young man spoke, Draugr leaned back in his seat and contemplated all that was being said. The idea of both thinking they were heroes was slightly agreeable, but Draugr had no doubt in his mind he was anything but a hero. He knows the galaxy has a fear of him for what he has done. All for the Sith and for what the Sith stood for, and now he was here listening to the philosophical mind of a younger Sith.

When Varyn mentions that power could not be innocent, he got a bit of an honest chuckle from Draugr for it was true. The men and women who hold the most power of the guiltiest of whatever crime they commit whether it murder, or treason, or just the sins of whatever god they favor. He knew they were guilty rulers and cared little about it. "Varyn you make great observations and your mind is brilliant. But I am afraid you best me at philosophy. I like to believe I am a smart man but I am not one for such a topic. I will say you have a promising future if you choose to be political. You have a bit of a silver tongue. At least in my opinion."

The Zabrak scooted his chair back a little and stood up stretching his body as he yawned slightly. Looking down at his now empty drink and finished danish, he turned to Varyn. "Walk with me to the vending machine. After I grab this sustenance we can take a look at one of the books I think you might be interested in." The yellow eyes would then leave Varyn's as he would begin walking over to the machine outside the door to the library. Another Emryc Energy ought to do the trick and perhaps a honeybun as well.

"Also, ignore the bad eating habit. It's my cheat day from the Thorne workout. The body needs a break every now and then."

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

It occurred to Varyn that - like oh-so-many things that he did - it might have been a mistake to be so forward. But he was sure it would be fine. He'd made it this far without being impaled, though he hadn't actually dealt with the infamous Sith Master before. Thus far, he seemed like a decent enough guy.

Of course, he'd also seen how vicious Sith could turn... how vicious he, himself, could turn.

Varyn smiled awkwardly as he realized he'd been kind of rampaging on through his philosophical discussion whether it was wanted or not. Thanks, he said, accepting the compliment.

I think my talents - or maybe just my interests - lay more with lightsabers, he admitted. I just have a brain that never shuts off, too, he said, thinking about how his overactive sense of overthinking seemed to have diminished ever-so-slightly since officially committing to the Sith.

Sure! he said, pushing himself to his feet as well and deciding an Emryc Energy or a Red Rancor might do the trick for him as well. He followed just a beat behind the other Sith and actually chuckled at what Draugr said about the eating habits.

No judgment here, he said, shaking his head and waving his hands in a dismissive motion. We've all got to keep ourselves fueled on these long days of sitting in the library, right? he said.

For his own part, as they arrived he grabbed an Emryc Energy for himself and popped it open with a satisfying hiss before taking the first sip and letting out a satisfied sigh. "That first sip feeling" as they called it.

So alchemy, huh? I worked with Master Vex once on... his face scrunched up a bit as he thought back ...well, I guess it wasn't alchemy, more magick. I don't know, like you said, it's a bit too much sacrificing of myself for my tastes, he admitted. He would let others delve into the super-spooky realms of the Force.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

As the Zabrak made his way to grab another drink he had a curve hit the corner of his lips as he heard the interests of the Champion were in lightsabers. Something Draugr was well aware of and very much into as well. "Now sabers.. that's something I can get behind." He then grabbed the Emryc Energy from the bottom of the vending machine and his honeybun as well. Pocketing the food, he'd take a swig of the drink and let out a "Ahh," as he had then turned his focus back to the Champion.

"Well magick has something about it that's far more addicting than the dark side could ever be. It's a dangerous slope, but of course it can be used selfishly. To look youthful once again and to look healthy. I imagine the toll for those would be horrendous within the body." Draugr shook his head slightly and then sighed, "I suppose I would just prefer to use it when necessary and live with as little problems as possible. Though these bugs have causing us problems. So have the Jedi. In due time they'll go down. I'll see to it."

Draugr began towards the aisles of the library and looking at books in the stacks. Almost like he was looking for something specific. "Now you mention your interests in sabers.. what combat form do you take?" Draugr's eyes were on the books but he was listening and focused on the conversation. Varyn has his attention now that combat was the topic. Something the Zabrak was well versed in and had sought out often.

@Phoenix

 

[Varyn Atrix]

Varyn was glad to find that they had some common ground after all. It seemed Dragur wasn't much of a philosopher and Varyn wasn't much of an arcanist, but both could appreciate a good bout of lightsaber combat.

I use Form X, he said. It was a lesser-known Form and one that because of its creator had ties to both the Jedi and the Sith. But to Varyn's mind, it was the best and most lethal of the lightsaber forms.

What about you? he asked. He was curious. He'd heard a great deal about the Master's enjoyment of combat, but he hadn't ever actually reviewed the mission logs or seen the Zabrak fight.

I love dueling. I thought of being a Blademaster once upon a time, he said, though that hadn't panned out too well when two of his students had been killed on Korriban. He'd been chewed out by the Dromuund Kaas First Blade and told he'd never be allowed to teach saber combat. It was a bitter memory. I think I'm better at "doing" than "teaching" though, he said.

@Scoobert

 

[Darth Draugr]

Form X was a fine art. The mastery of it was something commendable that Draugr could agree was quite something to behold. The technique of a martial skill goes a long way and when you can understand it, it flows naturally through you. The Zabrak nodded in a respectful motion as he had listened to Varyn speak of once wanting to be a blademaster. A valiant title to have on someone's record for sure.

"I have mastered, IV and VII but I use them with Jar'kai. I also dabble some in II and III for the sake of besting the Jedi when I can." The Zabrak spoke as he searched for the book he had been looking for. Though it hadn't been where he last saw it. Must have been checked out for now. "I can agree I am too better at doing than teaching." Draugr chuckled before going back to focusing on Varyn.

"But to teach brings an honor that is different than just always doing. Though it usually takes a skilled Sith to be able to teach properly.." He hadn't been wrong the skill was hard but with time and effort put into it it was achievable. "I look forward to seeing what you accomplish here in the Sith."

@Phoenix