Log:Sith: Hidden in The Webs

The Sith follow the Dark Side's call to Dathomir

OOC Date: March 28, 2023
Location: Dathomir
Participants: Merulia, Xavier Harcourt, Aryn Cortess, Tamsin Cas, Yusanis, Raskta and Reverberate as GM

The wilds of Dathomir call to few, fewer heed that thrumming when it issues from the Dark Side drenched world of shadows, death and horrific rebirth. Where fell beasts crawl in the umbra of the Nightsister's world.

For its servants the beckoning of the world was a beacon that cast darkness across the galaxy save for its own, singular, dusk-light glow. The chill a comfort for those who have allowed the Dark Side to whisper its secrets in their minds. This time to X'ianxhitz Forest, where the trees crawl and gossamer threads glimmer like garrotes between the branches and boles of trees.

Where creatures even as vaunted and terrifying as Rancor can be spied, caught up in the nets cast by the Warlock Spiders can be viewed if one travels deep enough. Desiccated. As one is spied this day by those figures traversing the path closed to Jedi.

And yet for Merulia? It was a siren song she could not ignore. Savage beauty, the wash of the Magick that was Dathomir flowed through her as certain as blood did. Even here in the dark the whispers of secrets was as familier as a lullaby to a child.

Merulia was home, and even with her adventures she'd rarely known something so beautiful.

A visit to her fellow Nightsisters and they had offered blessing to the journey she was called to, the blonde Sephi's lips marked black and her usual clothing exchanged for the darker shades of ritual as she ventures into the embrace of the X'ianxhitz forest.

The Dark Side doesn't so much whisper in Xavier's mind these days as it more has full casual conversations with him. Like the strange bedfellows they are, will be, have always been. So when a pull came from Dathomir, Xavier was inclined to simply ignore it. Gone were the days where he was lead by that siren's call. Or so he would like to think. Yet here he is in the forests of Dathomir without even a single clue as to why.

Perhaps that /is/ why. Answers. Curiosity. Boredom? He's almost eager to find out as he opts to follow the one who is from here. "Think you'd be back so soon?" he asks Merulia.

It had been more than a decade since Aryn had traveled here. Her first arrival was with a Knight of Ren, Lord Oran Arcantael, a close friend and confidant despite the fact they were considered enemies. Aryn had always reasoned there was nothing wrong with harboring respect for your enemies, and Lord Oran had always been a powerful man, with his own compendium of dark wisdom. She could hear the echoes of his memory whispering in this place as he warned of the dark beasts that lurked in the shadows of this realm.

She might have been driven to touch the leaf of a plant, if there weren't some unspoken threat it would consume the hand that caressed it! So for the walk, Aryn remained quiet, gloved hands tucked to the small of her back beneath the confines of her cape. Her thoughts roamed the yesteryears, but her perception stretched beyond her physical location, inducting her surroundings as an extension of herself by perceiving them through the Force. Accustomed to the lure of the dark side, Aryn did not revile its sickening presence any longer, but she did not actively embrace it either. She enjoyed the temptation, but what she enjoyed most was choice.

"It has scarcely changed.. this world. I find it haunting, an easy place to revisit ghosts from the past.."

The Sith moved with ease, as they traversed the landscape. Was following the call enough of a reason to have come to this dark place again? Or did they have some other need of the planet? In any regard, they had not chosen to err on the side of incaution, and they were robed and helmed as always. They were not, in this moment, however, the juggernaut who had tracked prey on Corellia. Rather, they moved with interest for the terrain around them, a gloved hand rising to pluck a strand of web from a passing tree, winding it around fingertips, thick as a line of ascension cable, testing the strength of it.

The call it was one Yusanis couldn't seem to ignore. Perhaps it's his connection to the force perhaps some alliances and friendships he's made along the way. But here he is in this forests walking up to where Xavier and Merulia were. "Wow Meru you were kidding about this place." He says with a laugh. "I can see why you want to visit other wild worlds now yes."

Raskta takes a deep breath, it's the first time to this place, the pulse of the dark side vibrates in her mind. She grips her blade a little tighter " This place is incredible Meru, I cannot wait for you to show us around " . She seems very excited to see this place. It's like the dark side energy fills her with vigor

There is a stillness that follows in the wake of their passing, rippling out like the wake behind a watercraft cutting across an otherwise still lakes' surface. Water that has an oily sheen in the face of a lack of pollution runs alongside the path, refusing to make so much as the gurgle of a stream over rocks and detritus.

Above the skies are streaked by black clouds that form like prison bars as they scud from one horizon to the other. Not even the shadows of chirodactyl to be seen. As if all life had disappeared in the face of the Sith on pilgrimage.

Keen eyes keep others from errant steps on webbing threaded at ground level, between trees. From trespassing over netting of silk covered in fallen leaves that would alert nesting Bane Backs hunkered below the surface.

Echoing between the trees, a sound that is not truly audible to normal ears, tones. Not quite in tune. Not quite unpleasant. Like a voice breaking and calling onwards into the gloom.

Merulia actually smiles as she moves through, Aryn's words bringing a little nod. Here on this world, Meru was not shy...she was invigorated, joyful, as much at home as any flower or beast in this place. "It is wonderous," she agrees before Tamsin's movement brings a soft brush of her hand to the other woman's wrist. "Have a care, we walk through the hunting grounds of Bane Back and Warlock spiders. To touch their webs is to announce yourself as prey..."

Xavier's not expecting to find any landmarks or coffee shops here. He's not expecting to find anything, so a casual meander earns him whatever kind of arm-grabbing or redirecting he deserves to keep the man from stepping on the webs that are, quite frankly, everywhere. "You and I disagree on what wonderous means," Xavier offers after a being steered away from one of these said webs. "But I suppose there's always a bit of softness for home regardless of who you are. Or how 'home' looks."

And to him, this 'home' is a dark forest filled with things that want to end his life prematuely. well, prematurely to his liking. Regardles, this isn't some place he's ever eager to see again. "Makes you wonder what pulls us here and why. Unless the spiders have become semi-sentient and masters of the Force themselves."

Aryn heeds the advice of their native Nightsister by keeping her hands to herself and walking quietly. Her comments were reserved for now, eager to answer the question Xavier posed: What had pulled them here? The answers lay ahead, if they're not ambushed by spiders, or worse.

The sith's wrist withdraw, leaving the touch that was attempted there barely palpable. Physical contact was not, it would seem, their preference. The thread was kept though, coiled and tucked away, "And yet the life here retreats from us, rather than approaches. Perhaps there is some greater predator in wait here." They said nothing more for a long span of moments, simply walking in time with the group, assisting when needed to avoid any of that number being caught up and on the back foot. "I don't sense anything in close proximity to us, of any sort that I would consider sentient." And even the famed rancor that resided here were sentient, to some degree.

Yusanis keeps close behind Meru his hand at his hip but the smile on his face never fades. He's ready for anything but he makes sure to not get far.

Raskta Blinks and cocks he rhead " that didn't sound good " eh cocks her head as she looks around but she follows along trying to get a sense she can sense movments her senses now on high alert for what's going on

Distantly, the snap of a branch being broken reports like a slug rifle and there is a tension that rises as if the world itself were looking on the offender scoldingly. The breeze between trees is like a rasp over the soft skin of ones wrist rather than a soothing in the balmy warmth of the deep forest.

It is only by narrow chance that more strands, hung from branches and anchored to stone or root - thick but transparent as polished glass, are. Caught by the eye of those who can direct their fellows to not bring down the masters of Dathomir on their heads.

But the tone, like a cracked bell, sounds still. Pushing deeper where fallen leaves and old silk has gathered in foggy cobwebs that have tumbled to form a tunnel. The Dark Side is strong from that vortex of gossamer and offal. There are other paths that can be trekked, certainly. Clearer. Wider paths.

If they follow the same way, it is unsure. But the heat of raw emotion and power runs from the gaping hollow of the web tunnel, like desert suns baking hardpan, the air is close there, and the pull of power is unmistakable.

"There is beauty that can be found in danger," Meru offers softly to Xavier with a little smile. "Besides, can you not feel it? The wild nature, the 'heartbeat' of the world beneath your feet..."

Xavier's second question brings a shrug of her shoulders. "Dathomir is a world of secrets mystery...and I am not the first Nightsister to have been trained in your ways...Perhaps she has left something for us, the sister...or Dathomir itself."

Tamsin's words earn a nod, but the nightsister continues onwards.

The tone to her was there, a song forever in the background...yet this verse seemed to be for them and she continued to lead onwards, moving towards the web hollow.

There is a grin playing on Xavier's lips when he flicks a gaze towards Merulia. "Beauty, charm, wealth, sure. Danger abound. But I do think the most challenging danger is from that which does not even attempt to hide it." And it just so happens they are walking through it right now.

More aware of the webbing and strands now, Xavier navigates the paths a bit more on his own, though a few of them are quite narrow misses. The whole place makes him rather uneasy and while he'd like to think that is a state he is accustomed to, it's not. Too used to being in control, Xavier is on edge on this planet. "Not sure we should want whatever was left behind."

Aryn remains silent, drawing her hood up to shield her hair from low-hanging limbs and intrusive fingers from branches that might harbor more than an errant poke or prod. Thorns proved nasty, especially when coated with venom, and this Alderaanian had no intention of having to halt their progress to treat racing venom!

The emotions overrunning this plane were palpable in the sense that she could detect. Raw power seemed to manifest here, and it made her give pause if only for caution.

While some of the group might have been pulled towards the mouth of that dark cave, the Sith fell back, helmet tilted as they approached the detritus inside the webs that made up its exterior. They moved with deliberate care as they studied what there was to be found, reporting back to the group, "Mostly arachnids, immature varieties of the spiders here. Other insects, but larger prey as well." One of their gloves hands rose to indicate two small hillocks of a sort, "Two Zabrak, if I were to surmise."

Yusanis keeps beside Meru his eyes looking all around, the feeling of this world still keeps that smile on his face. Oh Yus knows he needs to be on guard, but there's also something about this place that is alluring to him. Trying to shake it from his mind he decides it's better to stay alert than be mesmerized by the wild beauty around him.

Raskta Slowly pulls her blade out and looks around as she frowns " I get the feeling we should be carful Meru.. what's going on ? " she asks softly as she looks left and right as if this is not a good place to be or what's going on

Though the tunnel of webs persists horizontally, shrouding all in a permanent twilight by the natural light diffusing through old silk. The breath of Dathomir runs hotter still and fortune seems to ever favor the Sith traversing this close corridor. A hump of sorts bulging from the ground revealed to be a snare-line that had made its way within the passage.

Travel halting when the fortunate in sight catch the movement of something truly titanic that casts the tunnel into inky darkness when it blots out the sun, gaps in the old gray webbing showing one of Dathomir's giant predators passing overhead, a leg that could skewer a larger warrior impacting next to the passage wall. The hairs extruding from the chitin actually causing a tear before it moves on and the filmy light, such as it is, returns.

At long last, with a weight like stones roped about ones shoulders pressing down harder and harder, there is an opening into a cavern made of bent tree bows and branches tangled together. Glued by old webbing and dried sap to create a dome where natural illumination filters like broken starlight into the opening.

The ground is pounded flat, white with bone dust, and a cluster of a dozen 'bulbs' of a curious stone with metallic sheen rest here. As large as a wampa's paw, each. Inscribed with ancient Dathomiri sigils, marked with burned etchings of a darker language that makes one's veins fill with ice.

Something, that satin voice that cajoles and promises perhaps, reaches out. Offering reward for those who reach out in embraced passion. Promising unimaginable power.

A siren call, perhaps for all of her warnings and caution as a guide, it was strange to see Merulia step forward, the Nightsister sweeping her hand to those arcane carvings. Was it a seduction of power or an embrace of culture? Was she being foolish or simply doing as she was taught, whatever the reason the Sephi's soft fingers touched the stone and she pressed forth her own influence.

Passion, excitement, the rush that came from a predator taking down prey, the song of joy that filled ones veins at a rush of power. Lusts, fury, all of those things that the Jedi might call evil and the Darkside called its own...yet Merulia simply considered it the way of Dathomir as she sighed and let that power flow.

Initially, Xavier keeps his distance from the strange bulbs as they come across them, the wry smile he had been carrying now gone into something more serious. Jaw set, dark brown eyes narrow at the sight in front of him. It isn't so much the bulbs themselves that worry him, it is the whispers of an old tongue that sounds familiar but is still completely foreign. But he'd know those hissing syllabels anywhere. Though he cannot make out the words, he can make out the intent.

Strong, strong intent.

It is the words he cannot understand that float around him, attempting to curl and grasp like tentacles to pull him inwards. They pierce his mind without effort, finding the suface desires he is more than happy to share and then spelunking into the depths to grab at the very core of his personal determination and agenda. It offers promises to see it all realized. With that kind of power, he could... he could...

With a hiss, Xavier grasps his skull with one hand, the other extending outwards in protest. Fighting against this new and truly dangerous allure. For how long? Given his strain, perhaps not terribly long at all.

Aryn took a moment to meditate upon the nature of these mysterious bulbs and felt the source of their power seemed to emanate from the emotions fueling the dark side. Emotions were not always hate, anger, or deep violent things. Emotions embodied all feelings, all inspiration, and every person was capable of harboring feelings good or bad.

The compelling nature of the dark side is the whisper of great power, but to attain great power, one must understand it, first. Aryn thought on her children, upon the love she felt when they were brought into the world and the times she held them. She felt the despair a parent feels when they were sick and nothing but time was the cure, she felt the pride at seeing them lift up their first sword and do a brave thing. Most importantly, she felt the love and longing of having been away from them for too long.

Embracing these feelings, Aryn opened her eyes and reached forward, claiming a bulb for herself. Mentally, she prepared for restraint, but she also gave into her feelings and need to understand why they were brought here, and what this power might do to serve them.

Many years, nearly two decades in fact, the sith had spent on Khar Delba, that bastion of sith history and culture, perhaps the last such place in the living galaxy, studying in its libraries, speaking with its elders, working with the Sith Lord who resided there, in most of those times. There were enough voyages to lost worlds and abandoned temples of the dark side of the force that the room into which they entered was almost a welcome sight, even here, in the midst of a nightmare web. As they traversed the room, each stone was studied in turn, moving with deliberate care and obvious concentration as they studied the markings. They made no move to touch anything. Even in the dim-light, their sight allowed them a clear view of what was written there. After a first circuit and then a second, they began to speak. The modulation was gone now, allowing their voice to carry the tones of a language that was at once both harsh and utterly enticing. And then, offering a translation, words in imperial basic. "It is an ancient code of those Sith who came before us, which once held great sway in the galaxy.

Nwûl tash. / Peace is a lie.

Dzwol shâsotkun. / There is only passion.

Shâsotjontû châtsatul nu tyûk. / Through passion I gain strength.

Tyûkjontû châtsatul nu midwan. / Through strength I gain power.

Midwanjontû châtsatul nu asha. / Through power I gain victory.

Ashajontû kotswinot itsu nuyak. / Through victory, my chains break.

Wonoksh Qyâsik nun. / The Force shall free me.

It was the sith that spoke those words, but it was not the animal Firrerreo, but Muun's Daughter who resisted their pull. Logic, discretion, and an iron clad mastery of mind and emotion. All of those things had been lessons hard learned, and they were all put to use now.

Yusanis watches Meru and truthfully those orbs yes they call to him. He wants to resist but he does not reaching out throwing caution to the wind he touches one. Feeling the Darkside energy, the passions that fuel it and the reasons he's been given over to it. His mind is reeling but he seems almost comfortable.

Raskta Blinks as she frowns many call ot her each with thier own emotions her hands caress one and she smiles growling as she seems to tryand understand to feel what's going on.. this is the darkside that witch gave her the power.. those words those words eccho in her mind rolling in her thoughts as if they speak to every corner of her self

Contact with the bulb burns and freezes in wild contradiction. Like placing one's palm against a puddle of molten metal, searing and the reek of burning flesh prevails. Simultaneously akin to the stabbing needles of numbing pain one would encounter when flesh contacts liquid nitrogen. A sensation of flesh melting and becoming brittle in the same.

Small hairs rise along arms and the backs of necks and a surging electrical current.

For those who let go of restraint, who embrace the raw power of emotion, of passion, of the [ansi(hx,Dark Side) that is practically crystalized in this small place, in the heart of dark forests filled with hunger and predatory cunning, there is movement. The pain subsides to a vibrating throb that resonates in their core. The stone bulbs that had seemed so large are lifted with ease and seem to shrink, petals of metallic stone peeling away and crumbling like ash. A ruddy glow begins to fill the space.

At the heart of each lifted bulb, a Kunda crystal that radiates like as a small fire feeding on the raw emotion given over to them.

A gift, a promise, a reward...whatever it might be, be it from the Sith Sisters who came before, some other source or Dathomir itself, it mattered little. The crystal plucked from the bulb is taken into her hand despite the pain as a small cry flows from her lips and that crystal glows all the more brightly before being taken into her hand.

Words come from her lips in her native tongue, unknown to the ears of those around her but clear in their intent.

A prayer, or a thanks? Perhaps both were offered by Merulia to the Magicks of Dathomir...

As the urge to step forward and grasp one of these things slowly ebbs away, Xavier is cautious to let down his guard. But even watching the aftermath, he does not step foward. Too old to give in without a fight especially given how his first bout with the Sith ended after having done exactly that. So his companions do not burst into flames or turn into dust. That's a plus because at least one of them is from here and her suvival makes it easier to get back to the ship.

The elder stays where he had stopped approaching, watching the aftermath with interest. From a distance. Finding this to be an ample opportunity, it is seconds later he's got a cig lit to nurse on while pondering out loud: "Kessa or Omen is likely going to want to see those." Xavier is more content to merely observe as those younger than him make these new discoveries.

The pain is intense, felt through her protective glove and sinking deep to her core. Aryn closed her eyes to bear it, feeling the weight of the dark side as it imposed upon her, embraced her, and sought to drag her into the quicksand to down to its depths. She had embraced the passion, her mind focused on what mattered most. Even as she accepted the emotions, the wary voice of Master Yoda echoed in her mind, 'Train yourself to /let go/ of /everything/ you fear to lose.' At one point, it had been a true lesson, but Aryn had failed it.

She could not let Alderaan go, she could not let her people go, she could not let her family go, and she would not let this bulb go.

When her eyes opened, the blue iris was replaced with a glowing yellow, albeit brief. Her features were more expressive as opposed to the perpetual neutrality she often adopted, and her grip upon the stone bulb saw it explode, its contents transformed to ashes. When she opened her hand, the kunda crystal put off a crimson hue that matched the thrumming power of this place. Aryn could detect the whispers in her conscience, repeating the ancient Sith words, foreign yet familiar. There was power to be found in such a simple act, and she closed her fingers over it to claim it as her own.

"An enlightening message," she comments, stepping back and pocketing her crystal within a pouch on her belt. "It seems we found the origin of this power."

When the litany was finished, and the growths on which the words had been written began to shift and move, the sith stepped back, rather than reaching for what appeared to be being offered, if only one would reach out, give in, touch the dark side. And so, no crystal was revealed, no song sung to match the low keening that they felt, could always feel, speaking to them from the crystal in the saber hidden on their person. That one already bore the mark of the sith's soul. They did not need another. So, they stepped aside to join Xavier. "I will be interested to see if those that opened grow back in time. An interesting harvest, and a useful one."

The pain is intense and excruciating Yusanis had his eyes closed for probably mere moments but it feels like forever. The images, the feelings wash over him and his mind kicks into high gear. His ice blue eyes snap open and he laughs. "Oh that was intense, and oh so informative." He says softly.

Raskta Screams she howls the power the pain it hits her she fights it's her natural her eye's blaze with anger.. then she feels it the same power she same anger .. her wants her needs her want of power the streenght to take what's needed and wanted. Her body knows before her mind her soul speaks and she lets the power wash over her.. She lets it penetrate into her flesh only to blink looking down hissing she grabs the crystal and pulls it out .. eye's bright as she holds the crystal looking to the stones she bows slightly