[Day 5 - EE] The Ultimate Power... of Friendship

[Byron Mik]

He looked around again and then agreed saying, “Any idea why this place was built, does it have to do with the fact that the world shifts from one side of the Force to the other?”

He started following and said, “Well you are in for a treat, I was taken when young by the Jedi and only have vague notions of my family mostly my sister but she is not Jedi and I have not seen her since. Not that I expected to, my parents came from Imperial space as refugees I am told and lost their lives in the war fighting for the Republic.”

He ran a hand on the stone and added, “The Jedi is the only life I have known for the better part of twelve years now, most of that time spent on Coruscant. I am sure my family was not all that important back in the Empire, just folks trying to get by I imagine soldiers who decided they wanted a different life than the Sith Empire could offer.”

“Ultimately it’s the past, some Jedi are defined by that, but not me, I define myself in the moment. What of yourself Lady Malveaux, surely you come from some proud and esteemed lineage?” he asked following along.

[Hatoful GM]

Drascovina looked smug. Well, more smug; her normal expression was a bit smug. "Ah, I thought I detected a trace of an Imperial accent. How interesting. I wonder what sort of Sith you would have made." A quick flash of a smile over her shoulder as they walked.

Around the corner, into another large room. "But to answer your question, yes, this temple was built because of the shift from Light to Dark that occurs at Acablas. And the vergence, that lies below."

"As for me, well." Her chin tilted up. "The Malveaux family is an ancient and esteemed one, with a strong Sith tradition. I'm almost surprised that the name hasn't been heard in the Republic, but, well..." She sighed, waving a hand dismissively.

[Byron Mik]

Byron smirked at the mention of being A Sith. He replied, "So is your interest in this place the same as your teacher? Or do you have yoir own reasons... you realize he has a history of exploiting his srudents for his own gains."

[Hatoful GM]

"Oh?" She turned towards him, crossing her arms across her chest, with a smirk to match his. "And what would you know of Lord Destrus' methods, when you aren't even familiar with the Malveaux family?"

It wasn't clear if that was a joke or not.

[Byron Mik]

"You just assume I don't know," he replied with a laugh.

"As for Lord Destrus, his reputation of ruthless pursuit of knowledfe and power has left a trail of corpses behim him, many his servants and students. It sounds like bad business to me," he added seriously.

OOC: JUST ROLLED THE SKILL.

Knowlege Malveaux Family: 4eA 3 successes, 2 advantage

[Hatoful GM]

What are Malveaux?: 3eD 3 failures, 2 threat


In fact, Byron hadn't heard of the Malveaux family. In truth, it wasn't that surprising; there wasn't much information passed between the Republic and the Empire.

"Hmph." Frowning, Drascovina tossed her head. "It is the Sith way. For the strong to prosper, they often need to leave the weak behind. If you don't like it, you should endeavor not to be one of the corpses."

She drew in a deep breath, and then smiled. "But it's not all bad. Sith do form mutually beneficial partnerships. The element of competition helps to ensure the best possible outcome. Everyone is trying their hardest."

[Byron Mik]

“That is a certain kind of brutal calculus at work, I suppose it does weed out those you feel are undesirable but for a Jedi all life has value beyond their usefulness to myself or even the Republic. A basic belief that all life deserves a modicum of respect in it’s natural environment,” he replied casually.

“Given your own tenacity I suppose you deem yourself one of the strong. Of course others in your circle may see themselves the same way and simply bide their time till you show a moment of weakness, if I understood the philosophy.”

“How does friendship grow in such an environment?”

[Hatoful GM]

Drascovina smirked. "Very carefully, of course." She couldn't help but sneer just the tiniest bit at the mention of respect for all life.

She shook her hair, blonde hair swirling about. "There's more to it than that. One must know one's place. And one must keep in mind what is to be gained from a friendship. As we see it, a friendship is just an alliance with an element of enjoyment. It is not to be overlooked, especially if it leads to passion and control, but you must be ready to sacrifice it, just like everything else. And keep in mind who is the superior in the friendship."

[Byron Mik]

"Well I don't seek to dominate my friends, only enjoy their company," he said honestly.

"I am not concerned with what I get out of it."

[Hatoful GM]

"No?" Her tone was amused, but the smile vanished an instant later. "You should be. Unless you're content to be trod upon by those with more power than you."

A moment passed, and the smile returned. "Shall we move on? There is one point of interest left here."

[Byron Mik]

"I assure you Lady Malveaux, no one is trodding on me," he responded. "I am polite, not a doormat."

"Lead on, I was wondering what surprise you had in store for me."

[Hatoful GM]

Drascovina glanced back, her blue eyes glinting. "A surprise? Why, Byron. Perhaps you do know something about Sith after all." She laughed then, one hand coming up to half-cover her mouth.

Passing through a larger doorway, they found themselves in the central chamber of the temple. Spiral shapes carved in stone came down from the ceiling, and from the walls. In the center of the room, set in the ground, was a single black tile.

Drascovina waved one hand towards it, a graceful gesture. "Stand there. Tell me what you feel. And don't worry." She gave him an edged smile, even as she gently patted his arm. "I'll be right here."

.................................................................................

Standing on the focal stone, add 1 Dark Side pip to all Sense rolls.

[Byron Mik]

Byron replied, "I am not as naive as I appear."

He reached out with his senses but predictably only saw darkness so forced his will into the inky night like fog of the space around him to see what could not be seen with his eyes. It was... unpleasant at first...

OOC: Roll of 1 dark pip plus the other Dark pip, screw it spend a Destiny to feel the dark side in the place for 2 strain and Flip a Destiny, believe that counts as 1 Conflict.

[Hatoful GM]

Power.

Auratera was a place of the Force. Of life. Acablas was a focusing point for that. This was not the true focus, but it did siphon off some of it. Redirect it. Force it into this channel.

That was what Byron felt. It was something of a contradiction to call Dark Side energy 'pure', but it was perhaps the best word for what Byron could feel focused on him, suffusing his body, his senses.

"You feel it, don't you?" Drascovina's voice seemed distant, beyond the blood throbbing in Byron's ears.

[Byron Mik]

Byron had to take a moment to see the purity of the darkness in the world... it was horrifying and astonishing. He had to catch his breath and say, "I felt it... saw it... this world is coursing with power. I am not sure mere words do justice to what I just experienced. Horrifying and amazing at the same time. Overwhelming is a better word for it."

"Dark Side energy... beyond anything I have experienced."

[Hatoful GM]

"Yes... good..." Inasmuch as he was aware of Drascovina, her voice was almost a purr, a smirk on her lips. "Remember that feeling. That is what it means to be a Sith. And that's only a taste..."

The feeling would persist for as long as he stood in the focal point.

[Byron Mik]

Byron remained there for a moment, and then stepped aside, “Well that is a rush, and if that is the feeling of being a Sith I can see the appeal. At the same time, the whole stepping over the corpses of my allies for selfish gains tends to give me pause.”

“Plus I am not sure if I could pull off the purple visor look with such panache as Lord Destrus.”

“No… sadly I will have to remain boring old Jedi number four,” he said looking back at the focal point unsure of what to think of it. He frowned and asked, “So what will you do when your trials to become Sith are completed, will you serve Lord Destrus or go your own path?”

[Hatoful GM]

That comment drew sudden sharp laughter from Drascovina. "Ah... yes. He does have a style all his own."

One shoulder rose and fell in a sort of half-shrug. "I may. Or I may not. I will certainly find some patron. For now, that is Lord Destrus. But there are many powerful Sith out there. And I..." Her chin tilted upward, "-expect to have my pick."

[Byron Mik]

“Well I wish you much luck in the choice of Master, hopefully you find one that suits you. I am not sure I will have such a luxury, but that may just be a difference in how our two Orders do business,” he said in reply.

“I am intrigued to see where you go from here if only to sate my curiosity.”

[Hatoful GM]

"Hmmm..." Drascovina's lips quirked. "There's a possibility that this curiosity might not be entirely one-sided. Perhaps some day, we shall find out."

She waved a hand. "So... how do the Jedi do it, then? By committee, no doubt." She rolled her eyes.